 
         let requestURL = getBluemixBaseRequestURL() + "/" + kTagsEndPoint
         let request = Request(url: requestURL, method: HttpMethod.GET)
+
+        request.timeout = kDefaultTimeOut
 
         request.sendWithCompletionHandler { (response, error) -> Void in
             if let error = error {

        }
    }

    /// photos that were taken during this app session
    var imagesTakenDuringAppSessionById = [String : UIImage]()

    //array that stores all the images currently being uploaded. This is used to show the images currently posting on the feed

     */
    func getImages(request: Request, result : (images: [Image]?)-> ()) {

        request.timeout = kDefaultTimeOut

        request.sendWithCompletionHandler { (response, error) -> Void in
            if let error = error {
                print(NSLocalizedString("Get Images Error:", comment: "") + " \(error.localizedDescription)")
