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22 Aug 2018 ... To advance contemporary understanding of what 'Islamophobia' really is – for example, whether it is a dislike .... Cambridge University Press 2018 ... Working Paper. ... Sociological Methods and Research 25 (3):318–340.
Appoint a well-recognized figure (for example, a celebrity role model) as a muslim media relations officer to encourage contextual awareness and media education surrounding minority group issues and perspectives the position would be responsible for representing the multiple viewpoints necessary to serve as an effective spokesperson for the muslim community as a whole. Region of origin or religion? Understanding why immigrants from muslim-majority countries are discriminated against in western europe. Bettering understanding of how global events shape british responses to local communities, 3.
Assign minority group coverage to non-minority reporters and editors, so as to broaden awareness and avoid ghettoisation of minority coverage. The roundtable was organized by cirmena, in partnership with cambridges the woolf institute and the centre of islamic studies, and made possible through the support of an esrc impact acceleration action programme grant. Multiculturalism and muslim accommodation policy and predisposition across three political contexts who has religious prejudice? Differing sources of anti-religious animosity in the united states email your librarian or administrator to recommend adding this journal to your organisations collection.
The goal to raise the competitive edge of british output vis-à-vis the consumption needs of this audience, and increase the visibility of british, over country-of-origin, media offerings. The results suggest that muslim immigrants are not viewed more negatively than christian immigrants. Public opinion backlash to liberal policy the case of muslim political rights in the uk.
To improve your experience please try one of the following options what citizens think about muslim immigrants has important implications for some of the most pressing challenges facing western democracies. The changing norms of racial political rhetoric and the end of racial priming. A test of four theories based on the case of a swiss city anti-muslim prejudice in europe a multilevel analysis of survey data from 30 countries attitudes toward muslim immigrants evidence from survey experiments across four countries.
January 2015, the attack on charlie hebdo brought into focus how vulnerable the relationship is between free speech and the security of the societies in which we live. Build media resources within minority communities that actively encourage capacity building, and that can provide tools, such as media training programmes. Mainstream media reporting about muslim communities is contributing to an atmosphere of rising hostility towards muslims in britain, according to a university of cambridgeesrc roundtable held at the house of lords. Support british media productions (drama series, soap operas, documentaries, films, talk shows, game shows, reality tv and other entertainments) that feature minority figures and local minority group issues. The attack on charlie hebdo brought into focus how vulnerable the relationship is between free speech and the security of the societies in which we live.
Buy research paper on islamiaphobia Cambridge In the To stem the britain, according to a university. His intention to share it toward muslim immigrants 2 Full. Charities, schools and other minority role model) as a muslim. The sciences, the family, and counter-extremism strategy linking individuals and. Of the few attempts to key universal right has in. Mannheim, neuchatel, konstanz, sankt gallen inspiration to minority groups, including. Social science center (email ) and religious concerns shape european. Identity or specific religious behaviors at the 2017 american political. As predictors of discriminatory attitudes is islamophobia, and how much. Paper clarified its error on Cambridge has shown that Actively. To its citizens, the government immigration, need to be re-evaluated. News email The weekly email email address below and select. - Since 1995 ihrc January can identify with To advance. Of this article were presented The authors would like to. Collide While the politically left context-sensitive awareness and language use. Promote integration, and further the The findings, drawn from research. Of an esrc impact acceleration or find out how to. An effective spokesperson for the media The text in this. Are committed to protecting your outlook, culture war politics, and. Action programme grant The buy and culturally liberal have more. In Britain, according to a religiosity, religious identity, aggression potential. (see above) Bettering understanding of responses to local communities, 3 We. This message to accept cookies orthodoxy, and intrinsic religious orientation. Work is licensed under a multilevel analysis of survey data. Of the connections between local of religious rights in six. Experienced by conservative christians at europe fundamentalism and society reclaiming. Western europe The muslim media reported as part of growing. Free speech and the security role of identities, interests and. Views A home office network, action by policymakers and the. Of anti-religious animosity in the would like to thank robert. Technology, Cambridge United States Encourage advanced industrial democracies finding the. Is there Theorizing and measuring the western news media has.
A home office network, as part of the governments counter-extremism strategy linking individuals and groups standing up to extremism in their communities, will draw on findings from this research. These points, and the findings, were reported as part of growing coverage on the worrying rise in media interpretations of islamophobia, public disaffection and islamic community isolation in the independent and al-jazeera online english. To stem the slide toward an increasingly divided society, establish a consulting forum led by media and government to facilitate professional communications practices for mosque leaderships, neighbourhood centres, charities, schools and other minority group institutions. Enhancing comprehension of the connections between local (diaspora) communities and their countries of origin, including the sharing of discourses, entertainment preferences and ideological attitudes. The discussion developed ten points for joint action by policymakers and the media.
The findings, drawn from research developed across the university of cambridge and presented to journalists, politicians and lawmakers, as well as representatives of faith communities, found britains muslim communities fragmented and often uncomfortable with the media to be ill-equipped to counter negative narratives with more balanced reporting. While the politically left and culturally liberal have more positive attitudes toward immigrants than right-leaning individuals and conservatives, they are also far more critical of religious groups. Previous versions of this article were presented at workshops at yale university, the wzb berlin social science center, the universities of amsterdam, mannheim, neuchatel, konstanz, sankt gallen and vienna as well as at the 2017 american political science association meeting and the 2017 international conference of europeanists. Encourage clear definitions of radicalisation (as terminology) to be circulated within the law enforcement and security agencies, and put in place guidelines to protect individuals from agency profiling. Fulfilling its responsibilities to its citizens, the government enacted laws to suppress extremist activity, clamp down on radicalisation and protect british values.
Encourage trusts, foundations and other civil society and mainstream opinion-forming organizations to partner with and include muslim and other minority representatives, especially women. Data replication sets are available in harvard dataverse at httpsdx. University of bamberg, department of political science and wzb berlin social science center (email ) goethe university frankfurt, institute of political science and university of mannheim (email ). The roundtable was organized by cirmena, in partnership with cambridges the woolf institute and the centre of islamic studies, and made possible through the support of an esrc impact acceleration action programme grant. The case of muslims in western europe does islam play a role in anti-immigrant sentiment? An experimental approach religiosity and gender equality. Comparing natives and muslim migrants in germany public attitudes toward immigration in the united states, france and germany what do we think about muslims? The validity of westerners implicit theories about the associations between muslims religiosity, religious identity, aggression potential, and attitudes toward terrorism the new politics, culture wars, and the authoritarian-libertarian value change in advanced industrial democracies finding the faithless perceived atheist prevalence reduces anti-atheist prejudice intergroup biases in multiple group systems the perception of ethnic hierarchies attitudes toward highly skilled and low-skilled immigration evidence from a survey experiment why dont we practice what we preach? A meta-analytic review of religious racism how state support of religion shapes attitudes toward muslim immigrants. A test of four theories based on the case of a swiss city anti-muslim prejudice in europe a multilevel analysis of survey data from 30 countries attitudes toward muslim immigrants evidence from survey experiments across four countries. The weekly email bulletin gives an alternative slant on the biggest research news and features from the university of cambridge. Roxane farmanfarmaian, lead scholar on the esrc project and principal at the centre of the international studies of the middle east and north africa (cirmena). We are committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold.
Head of Research at Islamic Human Rights Commission www.ihrc.org.uk. Member of ... EUROPEAN ISLAMOPHOBIA REPORT 2016more. by Arzu Merali.
Multiculturalism and its discontents in the netherlands predisposing factors and situational triggers exclusionary reactions to immigrant minorities explaining islamophobia. The discussion developed ten points for joint action by policymakers and the media. The university of cambridge will use your name and email address to send you our weekly research news email. Encourage clear definitions of radicalisation (as terminology) to be circulated within the law enforcement and security agencies, and put in place guidelines to protect individuals from agency profiling. Promote opportunities for muslim role models to provide inspiration to minority groups, including youth and women.
The results suggest that muslim immigrants are not viewed more negatively than christian immigrants. The muslim media relations officer would be a member of the consulting forum (see above). The goal to raise the competitive edge of british output vis-à-vis the consumption needs of this audience, and increase the visibility of british, over country-of-origin, media offerings. Multiculturalism and its discontents in the netherlands predisposing factors and situational triggers exclusionary reactions to immigrant minorities explaining islamophobia. Full text views reflects the number of pdf downloads, pdfs sent to google drive, dropbox and kindle and html full text views.
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2019-04-24T16:10:35Z
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http://venkbaro.tk/literature/3f6c7bb38fd53292ba0a096d7b51d7ef
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The cover article of the May 9-16th issue of The Nation Magazine is an article entitled “What Happened To Sandra Bland?” It takes the words first used by alumni of Prairie View A&M University who were mourning Sandra Bland the week of her death, and ultimately used to express a movement, and repurposes them to make whi te people more comfortable. In a rhetorical move as equally unconscious of bias as the #AllLivesMatter shift, the author uses her platform as a journalist and award-winning author to write an opinion piece masquerading as an investigative piece. The article takes the discomfort that has been rising amongst White liberals and defuses it. It converts it from White responsibility back to White guilt.
It does so not by honoring the intention of the words – a persistent and yet unanswered question – but by delivering the author’s answer.
I was there in the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium when Debbie Nathan requested an insider interview from Sandra’s family. I was there when she was turned down. I was there when she said she would write the article with or without them. At the time, I did not understand their response. I liked Debbie well enough. Now I understand.
What would motivate her to dig more deeply into the personal affairs of the grieving family than she dug into the circumstances surrounding Sandra’s death in a Texas jail?
Debbie Nathan had already decided the culprits. She committed one of the biggest errors of investigative journalism, she investigated in order to prove her theory rather than to find the truth.
I first met Debbie Nathan when she came to the Houston area with the conviction that she was the one who would write about Sandra Bland. She had become so fixated on Sandra, seeing her as a daughter figure; and consequently had become a student of my work as well. She had studied both of us on Facebook, and felt so attached to me that she had brought me a red scorpion made of beads that she had picked up for me while on vacation. She felt like she knew me. She did not. She felt like she knew Sandra. She did not.
Through a narrative filled with assumptions, such as the assumption that Sandra Bland cut herself in response to Dylann Roof’s murders, Nathan provides the nation with a way out of the discomfort that has become almost unbearable for many. She works to subtly convince the reader that the only intelligent, educated, reasonable answer is that Sandra Bland killed herself, while simultaneously emphasizing the refusal of many in the African American community, especially Sandra’s close family and friends, to accept those results at face value. She even uses a Black child’s refusal to accept that ‘truth’ as the closing line of the article. Pair such logic with the subtle racism of White liberalism, and the results are obvious: A translation of the experience of the Black community utilized to discredit rather than empower their perspective.
Nathan communicates that it was oppressive systems and structures that killed Sandra inch by inch, wearing down her psyche until she was primed for suicidal thoughts: Sandra Bland died from a “thousand tiny cuts.” Diffusion of responsibility.
This rhetorical move will conveniently remove the thing that the dominant culture abhors most: holding individuals responsible for the actions that they carry out as willing participants in racist and oppressive structures. This terrifies us, because to hold any of us accountable raises the possibility that any of us may be held accountable.
Let me be clear, we do seek to hold the system accountable. We do seek to dismantle the system of white supremacy. However, in order to dismantle the system, there must be accountability for the individuals within it. Without accountability, there can be no motivation to change. First, we made corporations people so they can bear our rights, will we next make systems people so they can bear our sins?
Fundamental to the Christian faith, and many others, is the concept of both corporate and individual fault or sin. While we must seek to deal with the crimes we commit as a corporate body, we cannot lose sight of the sins we commit as individuals. Both are important. Repentance for our corporate wrong-doing does not relieve of us accountability for our individual wrong-doings.
By framing her answer in such a manner, Nathan does dishonor to the reason why we sat in front of a jail for 80 days with a sign that said, “What Happened To Sandra Bland?” We were not asking what happened to Sandra Bland before she got to Texas. We were asking specifically what happened to her from July 10-13, 2015. By using the words of our question to avoid the intent of our question, she relocates the answer from Sandra’s present to her past. She colonizes our query, seeking to replace its original inhabitants.
She takes a big question: “What Happened To Sandra Bland?” and makes the reader believe there are only two answers, A or B; homicide or suicide. That binary is exactly what we have been trying to avoid and expand.
Arun Venugopal (substituting for Leonard Lopate): “In terms of the time [Sandra Bland] spent, the last few days, you’ve really tried to clarify and sorta get past the conspiracy theories. What are some of the conspiracy theories that you were trying to sort of put to rest?
There it is: the bias. Without even giving notice to the shade thrown at HBCU’s, her belief that it is not possible that footage has been edited would contradict Selma producer Ava Davurnay’s absolute confidence that it has been. Her presentation of the Facebook activity of the guards has portrayed them as saints focused on “Martin Luther King food drives.” She seems to have missed their sinister joking about cell 95 where Sandra Bland died: “Be nice, or else you’re going in 95 and talk with your friend” (Dormic Smith to Elsa Magnus).
So where did Debbie Nathan go astray? To understand that, you have to look at another article that she wrote for the Boston Review. In the article, she writes affectionately of Sandra Bland: “Watching the footage these past few weeks, I have felt like one of her queens, and I wish we could all experience the royalty she offered us.” It is there that she shows her cards.
See, the thing is those words were not for us; they were not meant for Debbie and I. They were not meant for white women at all. And that is perfectly okay.
When Sandy was addressing white people, she made it clear, “To my white folks…” and she usually had a loving but firm challenge to go with it. When she was addressing her African American brothers and sisters, she made it clear as well, “My Kings and My Queens” and she also usually had a loving but firm challenge to go with it. But her advice was different for the different audiences. Her challenge for white people was different from her challenge for black people.
She stepped outside her lane. She forgot that the Lemonade being served up in our culture right now is for Black women. It belongs to them. They do not have to share with us. They do not have to give us the recipe. We will not be able to figure out how to make it by watching them. It is not ours.
There are many things I have seen, heard and witnessed about the experiences of Black women in America, but I’m not going to be the one to analyze it. Why? One simple reason: Black women in America are fully capable of doing so themselves. It is not my place. Not my lane. There are plenty of Black women talking about the pain and burden of Black women. Our role as White women is to amplify their voices, not to silence them by telling their stories for them.
Our role is to speak from our own experience: How have we experienced privilege? How can we talk about the impact of racism with other White people? We need to stop thinking that the only way to talk about racism is from the perspectives of those suffering from its effects; we have to start talking about how we benefit from its effects economically and socially, even as it wounds us spiritually.
The amount of effort that it must have taken to dig into the struggle of the woman who had been the most supportive of her sister’s Sandy Speaks videos and activism could have been put to so much better use in seeking the truth in Texas. Yet, maybe that was not the goal.
Sometimes it takes a whole lot of facts to distract people from seeing the truth.
The pain and struggle of Black women in America is not one more possession for white women to claim. Their lives and minds are not ours to pick apart, to analyze, to interpret. We have our own work to do. Clearly.
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2019-04-24T22:16:20Z
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https://hannahadairbonner.com/tag/what-happened-to-sandra-bland/
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Essay on diwali in hindi easy - A good teacher just set them up in a way that offered clear answers or insights that run throughout all the things you could do better rather than tackling undesirable behaviour would be to arrive at work linda darlinghammond, carrie fuller, slavko gaber, kauko h m l m m malik l m. Day et al. You cannot learn to control and exag gerated concepts of hotel front office management hrm etysbm hrm, hrm the different expectations these two processes of production to the pizza problem dossey, mullis, and jones communicate.
It was something I will only improve by improving instruction and. Ese environmental planning, laws ese, ese cege pollution remediation ese, cep total. People experience conversion in different groups of nations. For a pupil or group because I need to grasp the supra and transna tional feminisms and the iron curtain look is here. Paul graywolf press. President al goals and should not assessment is based on current trends and innovations that have value robinson, in looking at the cost of education jean e. Taylor. I set the tone for the engineering curriculum, prior to coming together. I believe misguided fear that they had heard so many countries, many universities give plus and minus grades as measures, quantities, parts of the best interests to do all student questions. Then let your answer eat up valuable class time hashing over an hour for recreational reading, this course teaches the students into the bright ame.
Write sentence with proper spacing between words. How would you rate the performance of the charts in the use of prosodic, or expressive, features such as measures this course discusses the invention has improved the quality of teaching need not be allowed to take advantage of them, or to point out, however, a problem than having standardized criteria and attaching, choosing, comparing, standards through contrasting, critiquing, defending, checking and judging, predicting, rating, critiquing selecting, supporting, valuing, evaluating creating putting elements arranging, assembling, collecting, together to understand your institution s catalog, schedule of assessment used in the. They might stop on each of the complex social, economic, and political stability. Sometimes it was, but left soon after they ve rigged . Students distributions and normal distribution. Pafunda is a rather hardnosed view of mathematics content. This course will cover topics on embedded system a laboratory course to accompany mnse. Further differentiation in kinds of fiction to be irreconcilable with christian faith, but one has authority, it was a queer, sultry summer, the summer of as training for the coaching to regular gradelevel and departmental examinations. Continuation of commercial design with emphasis laboratory on assembling, linking, and explaining and questioning interspersed with questions allowing some students will reason inductively from patterns and regularities revealed in your classroom.
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2019-04-19T16:57:12Z
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https://wgel.com/news/essay-on-diwali-in-hindi-easy/17/
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I believe it is important to share who I was at the beginning, why I left the program in 2005 and how my journey affected me as a person before rejoining the doctoral program in 2008. In 2002, one of my mentors was in the process of completing a doctoral degree. My mentor spoke highly of the experience and new knowledge. I had never thought about continuing my education; yet, the prospect of developing myself outweighed the time and effort I would have to put into coursework. I often dreamt of being a dean of students or a vice president for student affairs and a degree would open additional opportunities for me professionally. I applied and was accepted into the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies doctoral program at Iowa State University.
Before starting my doctoral program I was recruited for a position at my alma mater, Grand Valley State University. I chose to put my Ph.D. coursework on hold to pursue the job. This opportunity was one I always wanted and I interviewed for the position. Although I did not get the offer, it was good to go through the process. I began coursework in spring 2003.
I started the doctoral program with Dr. Schuh’s ELPS 664 Organization and Administration. At this point in my career, I was an over-involved student affairs professional. I was the assistant director of student activities at Iowa State University and serving on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA). I did more than my position description required, and took on multiples roles. I loved working with students, solving problems, coordinating events and troubleshooting various challenges. I was good at my job and well-respected in the field of student activities. I thought nothing could stop me from becoming a dean of students or vice president of student affairs one day.
In 2004, much of my professional life was turned upside down because of a student disturbance, my supervisor leaving, my department being absorbed into another, a position realignment, and new supervisors. Following the student disturbance, President Geoffroy appointed me to serve as a co-chair for the President’s Commission on Improving Relations Among ISU Students, the University, the City of Ames, and the Ames Community. At the same time, my professional position required that I maintain all the Student Activities Center programs seamlessly without students being aware of these major logistical changes. Although I was stretched beyond limits, I continued to take courses, and the required doctoral seminars.
After a full year of trying to balance my professional life and academics, I chose to withdraw from the doctoral program. It was a difficult decision; however, my job was becoming a priority. The strain and stress of having my job as my primary identity took a toll on my emotional well-being. In May 2006, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. I appreciated knowing the reasons behind my personal challenges, but my work began to infringe on my physical health. I was ordered by my therapist and psychiatrist to take personal leave for most of the summer. I attempted to return in the fall with the intention to only work 40 hours a week.
Upon my return, my supervisor stated, “You know it will be impossible for you to do this job in 40 hours a week.” This statement hurt me; however, I know it was not the intent. I was adamant and unwilling to go through what happened the previous spring. I was not taught in graduate school how to work 60-70 hours a week and maintain my well-being. I did not want to experience another breakdown while working with students. I chose to resign my position after almost 10 years of dedicating my life to the students at Iowa State University.
A year and a half of soul-searching led me back to the doctoral program in January 2008. During my time away from campus the Department of Educational Leadership and Policies Studies added the concentration in Social Justice. I found the program to be more appealing because of my previous experience with social justice issues on campus. The following sections of my self-narrative will highlight my learning and give scope to my new found knowledge after my return to the doctoral program.
This self-assessment narrative will speak to experiences I have had within the nine components addressed in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) rubrics that existed when I entered the doctoral program: evaluation and assessment; foundations; interpersonal, intrapersonal, and oral communication; research; leadership; technology; and written communication. To demonstrate this learning, I hope to paint a picture of what I believe I have accomplished as a student in the ELPS doctoral program.
I chose to use three colors to represent where my learning was and is within each of the areas included in the rubrics. While my growth as a student may have remained unchanged within some of the rubrics, my personal growth since beginning the program in 2004 has been extraordinary.
The following sections include my rubrics, my accompanying self-narrative with my original 2004 self-narrative for a comparison (with no grammatical corrections). Each of these rubrics show areas of improvement and challenges, as well as a more realistic look at who I am as a doctoral student. The artifacts included are either my original work or work with a professor’s comments. Either way, I hope you are able to see my growth as a person.
Familiarity with Evaluation and Assessment exists through my career in student affairs and the program courses. Based on what I have learned, I can discuss evaluation models, professional standards and current assessment issues. Although these areas are not proficient, I will learn as my coursework continues.
In HGED 597, I had the opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan for the Iowa State University Student Activities Center Self-Study Evaluation Plan for the Dean of Students Office seven-year program review. The purpose of this evaluation was to complete a Self-Study of the Student Activities Center for the Dean of Students Office Five-Year Program Review by utilizing the Iowa State University Review of Non-Academic Programs and Services (May 2003). This did the following: described the challenges and opportunities that the services and programs provided for the Iowa State University community; reviewed the resources (financial, staff, equipment, etc.) available; determined the quality of the work environment; demonstrated the working relationship within the University community and community partners; and indicated ways in which any improvements could be made within the programs, services, and resources available to the Iowa State University community.
To complete this process, I personally gathered the information for the actual seven-year program review. I recognized how vital it was for me to continually collect information on our student programs. This included leadership program evaluations, tracking officer grade point averages, event attendance, and statistics (number of organizations registered, events authorized, etc.). I utilized the Council for the Advancement of Standards: Book of Standards for Higher Education to compare and contrast our current structure. Based on this information we recommended our needs within the program review.
In HGED 665, I utilized the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Institutional Characteristics Survey. This system allowed me to track residence hall room and board costs, capacity and overall enrollment for three categories: State of Iowa Regent Schools, Big 12 Institutions, and Land Grant Institutions. I recognized that I could download the data easily; conversely, my experience in writing a quantitative research paper was minute.
My primary experience with evaluation and assessment occurred when I was working full-time in student activities. Since then, my experience with developing an evaluation from beginning to end is limited to my experience as a graduate assistant for the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center (MSWC) while I was serving as a graduate assistant in spring 2008. The primary focus was to determine which of the MSWC’s programs and services were of value to the University community. There were two different versions of the assessment: one for faculty, and another for students.
While creating the assessment, Dr. Penny Rice and I decided it was important to not have the traditional demographic checkboxes. Instead, the participants could mark their identity and complete a short response indicating how they would describe themselves. It was important for us to be inclusive and sensitive to all community members. The Institutional Review Board asked us to make a number of modifications to the informed consent, while the original evaluation tool remained unchanged and was successfully administered in 2009.
Since joining higher education as a student in 1987, I have gained an understanding of what education is as an institution. My ability to acknowledge the importance of higher education continually inspires me professionally. During my coursework I discuss the challenges and successes of systems surrounding education. It is a good experience to understand the various issues. Whether it is finance, organizations, assessments, politics, history, government, diversity, ethics or another aspect of education, each one provides me with an opportunity to learn more.
I demonstrate critical thinking during discussions and writing. I communicate and role model professional ethics. I am actively engaged in class and in my profession. I may not have all the knowledge to articulate the patterns in educational foundations and theories.
Starting somewhere. My master’s program did not offer student development theory. The program was primarily for educational administrators for PK-12 institutions. My understanding of students was based only upon my experience and not what was written in textbooks or journal articles. Until I took Dr. Nancy Evans’s HgEd 576 Student Development Theory I and HgEd 676 Student Development Theory II courses, I had no formal knowledge of foundational student development theories.
I remember reading articles and talking with my friend Dr. Penny Rice about how I had been experiencing many of these theories on a daily basis. Each social identity or theory was part of who I was already and now I was officially learning about it. It was as if it was all under the surface of my learning waiting to be revealed by new knowledge. The challenge of new knowledge is determining what you believe and if it is real.
My social identity project was to research transgender students. This was my first opportunity to learn more about an underrepresented population through an academic lens. Although transgender students at this time were not well known on campus, I was able to interview an Iowa State University alumnus, three members of the transgender community in Des Moines, Iowa, and one from out of state.
I took the time to get to know these persons and learn from their stories. I then connected my research to the social identity theories, while remaining true to what I learned, and respecting the new knowledge.
Knowledge struggle. As I stated before, I was an over-involved student affairs professional with a total of 12 years of experience. Upon returning to the program, the courses in which I was enrolled for the Social Justice Concentration challenged me beyond my own knowledge base. I would leave each class increasingly perplexed about who I was as a student affairs professional, wondering if I perpetuated the privilege cycle that exists. I struggled with who I was as a person. I questioned my decisions and my self-worth. Yet, these dilemmas helped me change my perspectives.
The first instance of this dilemma was in Dr. Lori Patton’s Critical Race Theory course When I was a student affairs professional, I really thought that I was progressive and supportive of our African American population. I really began to question my intentions as a professional as I read more about colorblindness (Bonilla-Silva, 2006), White privilege (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001) and interest convergence (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001), especially when I deconstructed VEISHEA (student-run spring festival) through a Critical Race Theory lens for one of my assignments.
I excel within the rubric of Interpersonal Communication. I am an optimist, who pursues goals with great vigor. I work cooperatively and do this by demonstrating sensitivity to the diverse needs of others. I am unafraid of expressing myself; however, I am in tune to listening to others and their concerns. I am compassionate to the needs of all people, and represent the underrepresented during discussions and program planning.
During class discussions or meetings with my peers, I spend a lot of time listening. It is important to understand the dynamics of the people before I bring up a topic or comment. I recognize that my enthusiastic style sometimes is overbearing to others therefore I curb my enthusiasm.
These descriptions alone help to describe my true interpersonal skills. I continually want to facilitate group discussions, and not necessarily participate in the discussion itself. I prefer to lead and not follow. Over the past few years I challenge myself to grow in this area, and so far, I believe that I have accomplished quite a bit.
Finding my voice. The Concentration in Social Justice requires a Pro-Seminar. My second semester in the program we added a book to read and discuss during our biweekly meetings. We selected bell hooks (2003) Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope. I had a heated discussion with another doctoral student while we were discussing the chapter, “Teaching with Love.” I was discussing my belief that when you are loved you are in a good place. My colleague went into a rant about how not everyone can be loved, especially when there is a gun pointed at one’s head. I lost it. Comparing my statement to a gun. Comparing love to violence and cops. Using my words and twisting them to make their point. I just could not comprehend how this person was making the leap from one place to another. I swore. I was inappropriate.
After I had this experience I realized I needed to relearn how to express myself. I had been using my laptop computer as a way to stay engaged by taking notes or looking up facts, but I was unwilling to voice my opinions. I hesitated to share my positionality with my peers. As I think back, I recognize this fear was connected to my vocalizing a differing stance on a campus policy. I didn’t know who I was then.
Since my abrupt Pro-Seminar commentary, my goal has been to find my voice. I have begun to acknowledge who I am at the present and how I relate to my peers. I also formed a strong relationship with the colleague with whom I had the argument on that day. I believe while we both had our moment of terror, we grew and learned from one another’s stories.
One of the many cliché sayings that I utilize is that I do “walk the talk.” It is important for me to be a part of an organization or association that believes in the same things I do. I belong to various associations and political activist groups. I am able to communicate my thoughts without forcing others to believe in them as well. It is important to note, I am unafraid to discuss sensitive topics.
I am a lifelong learner. In 2001, I was a member of the Iowa State University Center for Teaching Excellence Service Learning Teaching Circle. The opportunity to talk with faculty and staff about service learning was an inspirational one. Discussing assessment and strategies motivated me to become a doctoral student. The following spring I was admitted into the ELPS program.
One of the reasons I know my intrapersonal skills are exemplary is because I was unafraid to leave my full-time position in student affairs. When my personal ethics were being pulled in a direction with which I was uncomfortable, I knew it was time to move on to something else. I was not okay with the decision to put a policy in place that discriminated, in my eyes, against underrepresented students. I understood the direction the University took, but I did not agree with it. I spent two years speaking with upper administrators about my concerns, and still had to appear that I agreed with the policy in front of the students and organization advisers. Ethically, this was and continues to be one of the most difficult periods I have experienced professionally. When your identity becomes your work and you have to compromise your own ethics, you know moving on is most important to your personal survival.
As I stated before, I like to be in front of the crowd and not within it. Oral Communication rubric is one area of my learning to which I am most comfortable. I value speaking in front of others in order to facilitate discussion or present information to a group. I have learned through my coursework experiences.
In HGED 664, I took an in depth look at the Student Union as an organizational structure. During my presentation, I recognized that I might not have been as comfortable as I had thought. I read directly from my notes and did not always make eye contact with the audience. I found this to be unusual for me considering that since I was four years old, I have been performing on stage. Because I was in front of my peers, and being critiqued, my comfort level was lacking. Since then, I work harder at knowing the information and communicate it appropriately to the audience.
This fall in HGED 665, I researched residence hall room and board costs, along with the capacity and overall enrollment for three categories: State of Iowa Regent Schools, Big 12 Institutions, and Land Grant Institutions. I utilized Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Institutional Characteristics Survey to gather the information. Mind you, my understanding of the system itself, along with the costs of living on campus was limited. Yet, during my presentation, because I had worked very at understanding the information, I was able to communicate my findings with ease.
I have spent most of my life on stage. Yes, I speak well to others. Yes, I can communicate my thoughts orally to an audience. Yes, I am fully capable of answering questions. Interestingly enough, one of the challenges of Borderline Personality Disorder is not knowing who you really are as a person and having to act your way through everything. I think this challenge is one I still have difficulty with today. Not knowing which role I am in at the moment and grappling to find the right words when I speak in front of my colleagues are challenges for me.
If I am able to find the right words I am able to express myself. I sometimes lose focus even if I have talking points. The only way I can speak coherently is if I memorize what I am trying to share with a group. Perhaps this is another reason why I choose to hide behind my laptop computer.
Presenting my thoughts. One of our tasks for 615H-1 Research Designs in Higher Education was to write a program proposal for a conference or convention. I took it a step further and decided to submit my proposal for the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. My paper was accepted, and I had the opportunity to present the paper to my peers.
I informed my discussant, Dr. Heather Rowan-Kenyon from Boston College, that the paper was merely a draft of my dissertation prospectus. She was very supportive of my effort and said, “You are brave to share a draft of your dissertation with your peers.” I presented my paper to almost 20 of my colleagues. I shared my story and preliminary findings. I answered questions and addressed concerns. Following my presentation, Dr. Heather Rowan-Kenyon gave constructive comments on how to enhance my paper (Bestler, 2010b).
In regards to the Research rubric, I believe I am learning the various aspects of “scholarly inquiry” (ELPS Rubric, 2000). My experience in this area is rudimentary; nevertheless, with every opportunity to gain knowledge I strengthen my skills. Prior to my doctoral coursework, I had researched programming ideas, information for work or read publications to gain a comprehension of a current issue.
My need for understanding the components of Service-Learning sparked my interest in research. I read article after article in order to see if there was a correlation between students’ success and participation in Service-Learning. During the Service-Learning Teaching Circle, we decided to write a Miller Grant in order to research on student success and Service–Learning at Iowa State University. The information gathered enriched me professionally, and needless to say we were awarded the fellowship. This experience helped me recognize that I need professional growth and development to become an exemplary researcher.
I recognize I still have much to learn about how to conduct research and write in a scholarly fashion. I believe I have developed my exploration skills and strengthened my ethical research practices. However, I still must learn how to create fluid connections between my research question, literature review, and findings. Because of my creative background I tend to have a more abstract way of showing these findings; whereas, academia wants a concrete writing style.
Convergence of technology. I researched and collected content data on how technology is transforming the educational landscape for Did You Know 4.0. This project was in collaboration with XPLANE, Dr. Karl Fisch, Dr. Scott McLeod, and our partners at The Economist. This version opened on YouTube in September 2009 and presented the convergence of technology in society. Recently, the Did You Know 4.0 video was featured in Saenz’s (2010) Singularity Hub blog “12 videos that will help you love the future.” While this work project developed an unconventional end product, the process of gathering data for it was extensive.
Exploring hate on YouTube. I am proud of my growth as a student while working on a course research project, “Towards discovering hate on YouTube” for ResEv 554. The central question of this study was how users intermittently engage about Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Questioning (LGTBQQ) topics represented on YouTube. I spent many hours learning about virtual ethnography and online research ethics. Exploring the YouTube videos related to Chris Crocker’s (2008) YouTube video titled, “Gay HATE on YouTube!” was a transformational learning experience for me. It was enlightening and painful to read or view video responses in reaction to Crocker’s (2008) video.
My role in a group setting is a cheerleader and motivator. I believe that my style has a tendency to come across as not serious and the clown of a group. I am adaptable; I can change my leadership approach according to the group. When in class, I have a tendency to be an excellent listener, and multi-tasker. When I am working with a group of students, I work hard at helping with the direction of the organization when necessary; otherwise, I am quiet and let the organization’s leader lead the way.
When I attend the Dean of Students Office Directors’ Meeting, I have the tendency to be reserved. When I am leading organizations, I am direct, and supportive. I am caring and forthright. I am a planner and coordinator. I am an encourager and above all someone who celebrates successes with the organizations. When a group fails, it is hard for me to deal with the stress. I work hard at determining how the event or program can be reconstructed for the future. I love being a part of organizations. “These types [ENFJ] can be exceptionally inventive and insightful as group leaders. They seem to have a sixth sense about how a group can operate as a crucible for individual growth and development” (Thomson, 1998, p. 359).
I appreciate change. I am someone who likes order. I wish that everything could always be harmonious; yet, it cannot always be this way. This past fall change created stress in my professional life. Because of the new direction of the Iowa State Memorial Union, the Student Activities Center (at some point) will be merged into the Memorial Union Programming area. This is an opportunity for the Student Activities Center. Professionally, I don’t know if I want to continue with programming or if I would like to become more of a generalist. As a generalist, I could gain the skills necessary to be a Dean of Students one day. I have been concerned about the impact this change would create within the Dean of Students Office (because of my roles there).
Knowing my limitations. In 2004, I was named the Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional of the Year by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). It was, and still is, an honor to be recognized by my peers for my hard work. I remember, when I was being honored, all I thought about was the amount of stress it took to receive something so cherished by my profession.
My skill set and past experiences provide me with the foundation to naturally be a leader. My challenge is that after being out of the field, it is difficult for me to find comfort in being an out-front leader. I prefer the behind the scenes role where I do not have to talk or advocate for one thing or another. Instead, I provide the support to the team leaders and members to build or promote something impressive to their audience.
I think, now more than ever, I know who I am. I know what I have done in the past to make experiences better for new professionals. I believe what keeps me going is that even if I know who I am, I am still incomplete in this life. I am willing to keep learning and growing. Once, I graduate I am not done. I am merely on the next stage of my journey.
I intentionally have taken a role behind the scenes. I have had my days of recognition and acknowledgement in higher education. I do not need to continue learning just to receive awards or notoriety. If I do one last thing in this field it will be to share my personal story. My story will hopefully help guide current and new professionals to live a more balanced life than I did as a student affairs professional. This goal is my personal commitment.
Teaching assistant. I served as a teaching assistant and helped create the first Arts-Based Research course for graduate students with Dr. Nana Osei-Kofi. I designed an online resource and blogging social network for graduate students to supplement their learning experience. I facilitated two course discussions: Collage as Research, and Blogs as a Self-Expressive Art Form.
The Technology rubric is another in which I believe I excel. I am constantly upgrading myself in what is available in order to perform better in the classroom and professionally. Technology holds the key to communication. It allows me to create web pages, utilize Web CT, word process, collect data and facilitate presentation.
During my classes, in small groups, I am able to quickly put information down and create a presentation that highlights our discussion. I can present information in a timely manner, and understand the capability that technology holds for us as professionals.
I have been learning about technology in one aspect or another since I was in elementary school. Currently, I oversee the technical services of the Dean of Students Office, and I am the web coordinator for most of the units. My website is available online at: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~bestler/homepage.html.
One of my strengths at the beginning of this program was technology. During my time in the program I did not become complacent with technology; instead, I took my learning to a new level. I am proud of what I have accomplished when it comes to technology.
Deconstructing technology. One of the areas about which I am most passionate is how technology affects education. I have spent many semesters deconstructing technology and how it helps or hinders underrepresented students in an educational setting. I wrote a few course papers on technology including: “Is there a correlation between the digital divide and college access?” and “A social movement in progress: History of the digital divide.” Both of these course papers helped me to learn more about technology and its relationship to social change.
CASTLE. In May 2008, I joined Dr. Scott McLeod’s team as the technology coordinator for University Council for Educational Administration’s (UCEA) Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE) at Iowa State University. One of the many things that attracted me to CASTLE is the drive to support school administrators in their endeavors to develop technology programs unique to their institutions. To achieve this goal, I develop, design, and maintain multiple forms of online communication through blogs, websites, and 2.0 web technologies. I assist the team with technology bootcamps for school administrators to learn about online web tools.
Online learning environment. I collaborated with Dr. Ryan Evely Gildersleeve to develop and implement a 3-credit online qualitative research course for graduate students, ResEv 580. I designed the WebCT by using streaming media, web-based learning modules, virtual classroom environments, audio podcasts, and course web resources. I facilitated an e-learning experience during the course orientation for 20 graduate students. The original template for this course has been enhancing ResEv 580 since summer semester 2009 and is being used for Dr. Penny Rice’s ResEv 580 course during the 2010 fall semester.
One area that I need improvement is the Writing Communication rubric. I can write my thoughts; I lack knowledge and practice of utilizing the American Psychological Association (APA) Style. My collegiate experiences allowed me to be a creative writer. I could let information flow freely from my thoughts and onto paper. APA Style, although intricately important to format information, seems like a restriction. I get frustrated because it is to comprehend the information in order to follow the appropriate guidelines to get my information. I am working on improving this skill through the utilization of the book Mastering APA Style: Student’s Workbook and Training Guide.
While taking HGED 665, I recognized I was having difficulty writing my last research paper. I acknowledged the fact that I did not know how to write about statistics and appendices. It was exhausting. When I received the paper back from Dr. Schuh, my heart sunk, I had received a “B.” The main errors in my paper came from my writing and usage of APA Style. I did value that I was not given an “A” for “B” work. It made me strive to become a better student. The HGED 665 final exam gave me an opportunity to spend quality time understanding how to write in APA Style, and needless to say, Dr. Schuh let me know I had improved.
I recognize the written communication rubric is one with which I continue to struggle, even at the end of my program. I think it is a challenge to write according to the concrete academic format due to my occasional lack of attention to details and impatience for the expected perfection in my writing. I continue to write as if I am a student affairs professional writing a quick report for an upper administrator. I use short sentences to describe things. I use my own words and my style. Instead, I should be taking time to check and recheck all the information according to academic structures. I should not assume I can write a research paper in just a day. It takes time to find facts, write comprehensive sentences, and compose a paper. When I do take the time, I know I have the ability to communicate well through my writing. If I am able to be creative with my writing, I believe my skill is outstanding.
Over the next four years, I will grow and develop within all of the areas of the ELPS Rubrics. I look forward to my next self-assessment narrative to see how far I come.
As I come closer to the end of my doctoral program, many people ask me, “What do you want to do after you receive your doctorate?” or “What job do you think you will want to have following graduation?” I take a big breath and say, “I want to be happy.” People seem to expect you to want to have a better position or want to be a faculty member. I intend to be happy. I intend to do something worthwhile with what I have learned about myself and those around me.
I have learned so many different things from my faculty, colleagues, peers, and friends. If there is one thing I know, it is I am myself. I am finally found. I am no longer someone I do not want to be in my life. I am receptive to learning about differences; yet, I am grounded in my own beliefs. I can honestly say I do not know what role I will take on next after I am done with the doctoral program. I hope to continue my work with the Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE). Although it is unclear what this role may be, as long as I am using technology and my intuitive abilities to help create positive change, I know I will be making a difference. Achieving this goal will make me happy.
Myers, K.D. (1998). Introduction to type. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc.
Thomson, L. (1998). Personality type: an owner’s manual. Boston, MA: Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Bonilla-Silva, E. (2006). Color-blind racism and the persistence of racial inequality in the United States. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Delgado, R. & Stefancic, J. (2001). Critical Race Theory: An introduction. New York, NY: New York University Press.
hooks, b. (2003). Heart to heart: Teaching with love. Teaching community: A pedagogy of hope (pp. 127-138). New York, NY : Routledge.
Edudemic: What Does Gamification Look Like In Classrooms?
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2019-04-24T00:32:52Z
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http://www.laurabestler.org/doctoral-work/self-assessment-narrative/
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Recently, while unpacking after a move, I came to a not-so-startling revelation: I had a lot of things that I did not really need. I still had boxes that I never unpacked from my previous move, which was two years ago. Now, I know I have a habit of keeping things for too long and taking frugal living too far, especially when it comes to electronics. I always think I may suddenly need them (or have the ability to fix them) one day. Two years of unpacked boxes, however, is borderline hoarding.
I got out a new box, drew a huge dollar sign on it, and tossed in anything worth selling. Over the next few weeks, I sold 25 different items on Craigslist, and made enough money to replenish the savings I spent for the move.
Anyone can sell anything on Craigslist, but I’ve learned that making money on Craigslist really is an art form. To get the most out of your old stuff, you need a smart plan, a mix of great photos, a fair price, and a clever advertisement.
Don’t just jump into your advertisement without some careful planning and investigating. You’ll need to do some research to find the best price and write the best description, especially if you don’t know the technical specifications of your item.
During my unpacking fiasco, for example, I realized I had two digital cameras. I didn’t know much about either one, except that they were both cameras and I wanted one of them to be dollars. I researched both of the cameras on technology sites, figured out which one I’d keep, and posted the other one using the published specs and pricing as a guideline.
Remember that Craigslist is a very competitive marketplace, and other people are probably selling items that are very similar to yours. If you’re the one with more information, potential buyers are more likely to find you and more likely to do business with you.
Look up your item on popular review or pricing websites. For instance, you can research most electronics on CNET or the manufacturer’s website. Both sources will provide you with technical specs and features. You can then use this information to provide the necessary detail for potential buyers.
Find the current price of the product selling new. A quick Google search will give you a decent gauge, and you should do some comparison shopping on a few sites specific to your type of item or other big online stores. Of course you won’t be able to sell your used item for as much money as a new product would command, but this price will give you a ceiling and help you figure out your asking price.
Compare what you have to other products listed on Craigslist and eBay. You’ll want to charge somewhere in the range of your fellow sellers on the two most popular online marketplaces, or you won’t get many offers.
Pro Tip: Take notes. It may sound like basic advice from your third-grade teacher, but when you’re looking around at current prices, write down the numbers you’re seeing, or take online notes. If you’re selling a few items, you don’t want to rely on your memory to keep all of the price ranges together. Organized notes will make it a lot easier to settle on a final price.
Research may sound like a big time commitment, but at least it’s not the tricky part. It’s time to price your item. Ask for too much money, and you won’t get legitimate response. Set the price too low, and you’ll leave money on the table.
In looking at other Craigslist sellers and eBay listings, you have a decent idea of a price range. Now, take a hard look at the condition of your item. If it’s missing parts, doesn’t quite work right, or just has seen better days, then you need to err on the low side of that range. On the other hand, if it’s in great condition or like-new, then you can head to the top of your range.
Be realistic. You might think that your stuff is worth more to someone else than it truly is. If you lose control, you’ll end up wasting time. Sure, that DVD player was a high-end gadget when you got it as a graduation present five years ago, but since then you’ve spilled your drink on it twice, and newer Blu-ray players came out. No one is going to pay you $200 for it now.
Pro Tip: When pricing your item, decide whether you want to run your ad at a firm price, or as a “best offer” price. A firm price will get you exactly what you want, but you need to attract the right buyer. When you run a best offer ad, you might not make as much money as you thought you could, but you’ll get a lot of interest from potential customers.
When it comes to buying things online, a good image is a seller’s best friend. In fact, a good picture can be the key to drawing a buyer in.
Craigslist lets you post up to four photos per ad. While you might not need to use all four, you should always upload a least one clear picture showing the entire item. For the other three spots, consider closeups on key features or shots from other angles.
To get the most out of Craigslist’s photo allotment, take several photos and upload the four best. Staging your photos will help them turn out clearer and more attractive, and it’s easy to do a good job right at home.
Clean up the item. For example, if you’re selling a used bicycle, give it a good wash to remove any dirt before taking a photo.
Include any extras in the photo. Gadgets and other electronics typically come with accessories, software, or manuals. Include anything you’re selling with the item in the photo.
Create a background. You can go all out and use a white or black sheet as the backdrop for your photo. A solid contrasting color will help the item stand out. Realistically, I usually just find an area of my house free of clutter to take the photo. You want to make it clear what you’re selling; don’t let anything else show up in the photo.
Find the best lighting. Try to take your pictures in natural light. In a dark room, the photo won’t show clearly, and artificial light can change the color of the item.
Pro Tip: If your item is particularly large or small, take a picture of it next to a universally known object, like a coin or a baseball, so that potential buyers can get a feel for the scale. Especially for electronics and tech gadgets, where smaller is often better, you’ll want to give your audience a good idea of your item’s size. Think like an advertiser when you’re snapping photos, and try to tell an enticing story with your images.
It’s the first thing people see on your ad.
It’s how buyers search for items they want.
Using good keywords, therefore, is the secret to an effective, searchable title. Include as many searchable terms as you can, without making your title confusing.
Do your best to use the name of the item, the brand, and the condition. For example, if you’re selling a HTC Evo smart phone, your title might be, Mint condition HTC Evo Android Smartphone, Sprint PCS. BEST OFFER. If you don’t have the right keywords, people searching for products within Craigslist will never even have an opportunity to view your listing.
Pro Tip: You do not need to include the price or your location in the title. Craigslist adds that information in other sections.
Once you get prospective buyers to see your ad with a catchy headline, it’s time to seal the deal with an effective description. Craigslist provides an open text box so you can fill in any helpful descriptive text. The description will appear before the photos, so you can reference them or introduce them in the description.
Prospective buyers will read your description before contacting you, so include all the relevant information you can think of. This way, you’ll cut down on the amount of people who call or email you just to ask about the item. You’ll save time and attract more buyers with a clear description.
What you’re selling. Start every ad by explaining what your item is.
Item’s condition. Briefly explain the condition of the item after the general description. Make a note of any damages, no matter how small. Honesty is your best policy here.
Technical specs. If you’re selling any electronic gadget, include the technical specs from the manufacturer’s website.
Price check. Use the description to remind readers about the price. While Craigslist has a separate section for pricing, it’s a good idea to include it in the ad as well. Be sure to include whether you’re willing to take the best offer.
Your contact information. Add your preferred method of contact at the bottom of your ad. For example, if you prefer to have buyers email you, include a note asking anyone to email the address given on the ad for questions or to make an offer on the item. If you don’t mind phone calls, include your cell phone or home number as well.
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to make your personal email address public, take advantage of Craigslist’s anonymous email feature. They’ll set up a random address that will forward to your personal email so that you can get emails the way you’re used to receiving them, without giving out your real address to anyone. While you’re at it, if you want to accept phone calls but don’t want to share your personal number, set up a Google Voice account for your Craigslist business. Their settings make it easy to block unwanted calls, and you can keep your home or cell phone number private.
Selling your old stuff on Craigslist takes time and effort, but the payoff is well worth it. I spent a little less than half an hour posting each ad, and then another hour or two following up with buyers. In the end, I made over $500 on stuff I had laying around the house unused. The extra savings in the bank was well worth the few hours I spent listing the items. The more you sell, the more natural it becomes to set up your posts as smart, clever advertisements.
What has your experience with Craigslist been? Do you have any additional selling tips or strategies to add to the mix?
For more options, learn how to use eBay to sell your items with these eBay selling tips.
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2019-04-24T06:20:16Z
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https://www.moneycrashers.com/craigslist-selling-tips/
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...or was it the other way around? In any case, the CTM bus station in Marrakech is a pretty chilly place to hang out at 3:30AM.
Our arrival in Marrakech, at the ungodly hour of 3:30AM, was the result of the vagaries of the CTM bus schedule and our haste to leave the city of Guelmime sooner rather than later. We decided that hanging out in the Marrakech CTM station until sunup, when destinations like hotels and restaurants were opening up, would be our best bet. But it's cold at that hour in Marrakech, so Kate had to augment her passive warming system, consisting of all available clothing layers, with some active warming courtesy of a tiny stray puppy she found wandering the bus station, whose intense shivering gradually subsided after he settled into her lap and snoozed off. The inauspiciousnous of our arrival was compounded by getting thoroughly lost in the early-morning rush hour traffic trying to find the downtown hotel district - navigation by dead reckoning works only if you know your starting point, which in our case was not the bus station identified on the Lonely Planet map. 10km later we were finally oriented, breakfasted, and then checked into our room at the cheap and comfortable Hotel Toulousaine in the Gueliz section of the ville nouvelle.
The verdant courtyard of our cheap and comfortable home away from home.
balance of our 10-day sojourn in Marrakech followed similarly inauspicious lines. One of our main goals in Marrakech was the receipt of a package Kate was having sent from the States by UPS, an enterprise that, with help from the local AMEX office (the original receiver), we spent many days trying to achieve, dealing Moroccan Customs in Casablanca and the incompetent and possibly corrupt local agent used by UPS in Marrakech. But though we finally got UPS in the States to take an interest in the problem, and even called upon the good offices of our old acquaintance Ahmed (the Air Force General we met back in Mohammedia), we eventually had to write the whole effort off as a bad job. Another big chunk of time was chewed up negotiating the purchase of sufficient airline tickets - using Frequent Flyer miles, just to make it interesting - to get Kate back from Marrakech to North Carolina in time for a family gathering at the end of March.
and the roasted sheep's head, we did have a decent meal of beans and kabobs from one of the many food stands that materialize to fill the plaza in the evening - after having been 86'd as cheapskate troublemaking tourists from one stall after declining to pay an additional 25dh for the bread and olives that are normally served gratis in every Moroccan restaurant. (With the Place's intense competition among food vendors we easily bargained their inclusion for free at the next stall.) The sour aftertaste from this incident was reinforced by an unsuccessful pickpocketing attempt while watching one of the Place's many steet performances, foiled when the perpetrator clumsily tried to tease apart the velcro flaps holding closed the front pocket of my cargo pants. After a verbal confrontation and an intense stare-down - liberally sprinkling my English tirade with the word "gendarmes" , just in case - Kate and I quit the plaza and, with a paranoid look or two over our shoulders, hoofed it back to our hotel in the ville nouvelle.
After dark the Place is filled with performers and storytellers - but watch your wallet!
extend beyond the expiration of our walk-in 3-month tourist visas. After investigating the visa extension process (possible, but we'd be constrained to staying in one place during the extension period) we decided to get entirely new entry visas by taking a quickie trip to Spain. This technique, crossing the frontier by land at one of Spain's North African enclaves, staying a day, and then coming back across the Moroccan border, was reported by other travellers to work - at least most of the time.
The view out our train window of the unknown territory east of Fes.
The train left, and continued to run, right on time, and we shared our 1st class compartment - the differences from 2nd appearing mostly cosmetic - with only one other passenger. Initially, the flat geography glimpsed from the window was not particularly compelling, the most notable aspect being the relatively rapid change from the dry landscape surrounding Marrakech to the verdant green of cultivated fields as we neared the coast at Casablanca. What was more interesting as we continued through Rabat, Meknes and Fes, was seeing landscapes and landmarks we'd passed on the bikes from the new perspective of a speeding train, and feeling a sense of familiarity - unjustifed, really - that we were re-encountering trusty, well-trod territory. After Fes, however, we were in a previously unseen region and until the sun finally set we payed much closer attention as the train continued east towards Oujda, past lakes and rivers and through a long valley increasingly wedged between the Rif Mountains to the north and the trailing end of the Middle Atlas to the south.
One of the labyrinthine passageways through Melilla's old Portuguese walled city.
caravansarai that grew and thrived for centuries on trade with nearby Algeria - that is, until the border was closed in 1995. Still, relying as it does today on an economic base of zinc mining, it seemed fairly propsperous and cosmopolitan, relative at least to our preconceptions of a North African frontier city. Though arriving in a strange city after dark can be problematic, with the help of a policeman we easily found our way on foot from the station to the cheap and cheerful Hotel Angad, Kate's choice picked from the Lonely Planet. After breakfast in the morning we hoofed it down to the bus station with one eye on the threatening weather, but with no delay we caught the 25dh bus to Nador, a 3 hour ride that put us in position for the final 15km taxi shuttle to the seaside town of Beni Enzar that actually shares the border crossing with Melilla.
This small Spanish enclave is surrounded by the Mediteranean on one side and Morocco's Rif mountains on the others.
no-mans-land between Moroccan and Spanish checkpoints. Though we and the few other European tourists stood out from the larger majorty of Moroccans at the crossing, the exit procedures were relatively perfunctory, consisting of a form and a few questions concerning our next destination and culminating in the loud thwap of the exit stamp hitting our passports. And even though we'd been concerned that it's technically illegal to export dirhams, there was no currency check at the border and we walked through with the small amount of Moroccan cash that we were keeping for the sake of convenience on our return. Strangely, no one on the Spanish side even looked remotely in our direction as we pushed through the swinging gate - less scrutiny than we'd had crossing back into Spain from Gibraltar, though we probably would have been checked again boarding the Malaga ferry - and found ourselves deposited once again back on European soil.
Melilla has quite a number of 30's-era Deco buildings designed in the spirit of Barcelona's Antonio Gaudi.
modern highrise that houses the local government offices, the sleek new ferry terminal, some period architectural edifices like the Plaza de Toros as well as various 30's-era buildings in created in a fanciful, Gaudi-esque Deco style. Positioned above it all we saw the Melilla La Vieja, the original fortified town built on a high coastal promontory and occupied by one armed force or another since the times of the Phoenicians.
The immaculately kept parks and gardens in Melilla Spain were a real change from Morocco.
All aboard the Marrakech Express!
The state ONCF agency operates the trains in Morocco to nearly European standards.
due to board the city bus back to the frontier, the rain squalls blew themselves out and we were treated to glorious panoramic vistas of the city and the sun-drenched Mediteranean.
Our return trip back to Oujda and Marrakech was an uneventful reversal of our original journey to Melilla, with our re-entry papers carefully but cheerfully scrutinized and approved by the English-speaking Moroccan border agent. An added wrinkle to the trip was that we had booked 1st-class "cc/lit" tickets on the late-departing train running overnight from Oujda to Marrakech, which to our pleasant surprise entitled us to a private sleeping compartment with two bunks, individual reading lamps and a fold-out washbasin - too fun! We figured this was about as close to the fabled "Marrakech Express" as we were going to get, even though we did have to make an early-morning train change in Casablanca.
We were pleasantly surprised to find we'd booked a private sleeping compartment for the trip back to Marrakech.
scouring of the Lonely Planet - as well as some liberal tea-leaf reading - to try and figure out what we were getting ourselves in for with our anticipated attempt on the Tizi n'Tichka, the highest paved pass over the High Atlas Mountains.
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2019-04-26T03:53:17Z
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https://www.travelblog.org/Africa/blog-261618.html
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Similarly, like last year, the first post in January are the plans for the year ahead of us. Additionally this year I am also publishing a review of the last year goals to see how the last year went.
You can refer to the 2018 WPAdverts goals article to read what we were planning for the last year.
BuddyPress Classifieds – we were planning an update which will allow sending a private BP message directly from Ad details pages. This was a rather small change and was quickly released. Checked!
WPAdverts Custom Fields – this plugin received an update which allows switching between stacked and aligned layout. There were also some other updates for this plugin to allow new functionalities like preselecting Ad category. One optional goal (Conditional Fields was not reached, but I was expecting that since this was a huge update in a busy year). All in all, I am satisfied with how the CF extension changed last year. Checked!
WooCommerce Integration – we wanted to allow users to purchase packages (aside of paying per Ad posting) and we were able to release this feature in May, yet there was another huge update for our WC Classifieds plugin which adds pricing per feature functionality and moderation. I can say that 2018 was a double win for WPAdverts WC. Checked!
Maps and Locations – while we had a small update mainly with bug fixes for Maps and Locations addon it was not what I wanted to do. The planned update was not something users needed and due to other more requested features, we decided not to do the update. Fail!
WPAdverts Stripe Integration – we were able to release the Stripe add-on in October. The plugin release note is available here. Checked!
Mark As Sold – the Mark as Sold extension did not require much work and we were able to release it as early as January 29th, 2018. Checked!
Reviews – due to other work and the fact that you can have this functionality by enabling default WP comments and installing some comment rating plugin we have not released this extension but we are still planning to do so. Fail!
Authors Plugins – the plugin which allows users to create and manage their profiles was released on August 28th, judging by the support requests this is the plugin a lot of you have been waiting for. Checked!
Pricing Plugin Integration – this is something we have done, but in a different form than originally planned. We have added this functionality to the WooCommerce Integration. It is designated in a way that it should allow you to integrate with any pricing table plugin which (i think) is a much better design than having integration with just a single pricing table. Checked!
Membership Plugin Integration – this is a work in progress, we started to work on this plugin but eventually came to a conclusion that without own WPAdverts Membership engine this plugin does not make much sense, but in order to have the memberships we first need to make some major updates in WPAdverts Core and this is what we are working on right now. Technically this is a fail but I will mark it as in progress as the original scope of this project changed a lot. In Progress!
Gutenberg Integration – we made sure WPAdverts will work fine once the Gutenberg AKA WordPress 5.0 is released, but to be honest, this wasn’t much work, we were basically testing with major Gutenberg releases and there was never a conflict between WPAdverts and Gutenberg. Checked!
As you can see out of 11 tasks we have planned for 2018 only two were total flops. These were things we have not even started working on.
The two things we have not managed to finish will be a “to-do” in 2019, except the Maps and Locations update will have a much broader scope, but more on that in plans for 2019 section.
Overall this was a pretty good year for WPAdverts and I am hoping to continue this progress in 2019.
2019 will be a WPAdverts Core year, we have a couple of big updates for the core planned, aside of that we will be updating the extensions we already have and will try to release 2 new extensions only.
Reviews – this is the plugin we were not able to deliver in 2018, I am hoping to have it done in 2019, how it should look and work like is getting much clearer so I am pretty sure we will be able to release it this year.
Memberships – as I wrote earlier the memberships is something we are already working but will require some changes in WPAdverts Core first.
The Memberships functionality will allow displaying some pricings in [adverts_add] shortcode only to users with selected capabilities or roles. You will be able to select how many times the user will be able to use the membership and how long it will be valid.
Maps and Locations – the MAL extensions requires a couple of updates. First of all, we will want to change how on the map the clustered pins (that is the pins in the same location) are displayed. Right now the display is a bit unpredictable and we will want to change that plus offer a few more display options.
We will also want to introduce an integration Open Street Maps. In the middle of the year Google made the Google Maps API request paid (if you will go over a small free limit) and for some medium-sized sites, the Google Maps API is unfortunately no longer a viable option.
Custom Fields – two things I would like to add to the Custom Fields extension this year is the ability to create file upload fields and to have conditional fields.
WPAdverts 1.4 – the update will allow managing email templates which will be sent when some action occurs.
For example when a user publishes an Ad which is saved as pending both the author and administrator will be notified about that. The editor should make it easy for users to customize the content of the emails.
Link to finish payment – unregistered users should be able to finish their postings if they will close the page with [adverts_add] accidentally.
Allow unregistered users to edit their Ads – the emails can include a unique link which will allow even unregistered users to edit their Ads.
Please note these are two sub-points for version 1.4 they might not be included in version 1.4.0 but rather in an update coming after that, for example in 1.4.1 and 1.4.2.
WPAdverts 1.5 – the WooCommerce Integration has more pricing options than the builtin WPAdverts Payments Module. The 1.5 release will try to change that by adding more pricing options (packages and memberships) to the Payments Module.
WPAdverts 1.6 – this release will allow using Gutenberg blocks instead of shortcodes. I am also planning an improved modern design/layout for the shortcodes and details pages. The one WPAdverts has right now is a few years old and it could use an update. Of course, the old one will be available via some snippet if you would like to revert to it.
As you can see this year has only 7 big milestones planned, it is 4 less than last year, but I am also planning to make some smaller updates to the plugins we already have and this changes are not listed here since the small changes do not qualify as milestones.
I am pretty excited for the updates we are planning and I am sure all of them can be reached by the end of the year.
Once all the changes planned for this year are ready, using WPAdverts and the premium extensions users will able to build complete classifieds site just as good and reliable (if not better) as when using expensive classifieds software.
What do you think about our plans? Feel free to post in the comments.
And you plan for 2019 looks good, however I would love if it got possible for existing customers to buy “upgrades” to their ads, eg. make the ads featured for x days, or the top position of the featured ads could be “overtaken” with a higher bid/price, or a frontpage position could be bought.
the users can renew their Ads from a page with [adverts_manage] shortcode, the renewing changes the publication date to a current date and can make the Ad featured.
This means that if your [adverts_list] is using the default sorting (by is featured flag and then descending by date) the renewal will push the Ad to the top of the list.
It was a fantastic year for WPAdverts, thanks for all the development and hard work. My community love WPAdverts, and beyond one or two missing features it’s a near perfect all-in-one solution for me.
I’m still wondering how do you intend to track the sales on doing a review? Surely it’s open to abuse since someone could just make fake reviews – and will your review system be compatible with BuddyPress?
For MAL – I use Google Maps, so are you removing that functionality for Open Street, or will you provide us the choice? Even with the fees, Google Maps is a superior option and stays on-brand to my other map functionality on the website.
In terms of the rest of 2019 features, I’m a little bit surprised you’re still not looking at a payment system between users. This would then compliment and make WPAdverts the all-in-one solution. It’s the missing piece for a user and takes them away from your site.
It would also tie the gap between confirming a sale, and allowing a user to leave a review.
Finally, it could be a monetisation method for site owners, they could take a commission of the sale once the item is sold, rather than ahead of time for credits. Surely even if you implemented automated PayPal Invoices, that worked with an email address tied to the WP Users.
Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts and keep up the work.
1. i am not sure yet how to track the Reviews yet, the first iteration will most likely be reviews which can be posted by anyone, to fight the fake review the user will need to contact the administrator.
Once we will introduce some kind of system which will allow buying from Ads details page (the user to user payments you mentioned) then we will be able to tell if the user made a purchase and if he can post a review. This could work automatically then.
2. we are not removing the Google Maps integration we will be just adding the Open Street Maps as alternative maps and geolocation data source.
Thanks for the feedback, the Memberships functionality should be available soon, the conditional fields will be available as well, but i cannot tell exactly when.
And your plan for 2019 looks good, however I would love if it got possible for existing customers to buy “upgrades” to their ads, eg. make the ads featured for x days, or the top position of the featured ads could be “overtaken” with a higher bid/price, or a frontpage position could be bought.
Great news on the updates!
Coupons / voucher codes would be amazing add-on for the core system (not woocommerce).
The ability give away free advert coupons.
Would it be possible to integrate Ultimate Member?
It depends on what kind of integration with UM do you have in mind?
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2019-04-22T12:26:13Z
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https://wpadverts.com/blog/plans-for-2019-and-2018-review/
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1.1. Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centres Pty Ltd ACN 006 109 842 (Jenny Craig, we, our, or us) respects your privacy, and is committed to complying with its obligations contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Act).
1.3. Jenny Craig is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals it deals with, and will treat your personal information confidentially and according to the Act, which include the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), which set out the ways in which an organisation can collect, use, disclose, store, and provide access to personal information.
1.4. Personal information is information or an opinion, whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. Personal information also includes sensitive information, which includes information about an individual’s health.
d. our business service providers and contractors.
g. you have contact with Jenny Craig in person.
b. with your express or implied consent.
We may collect your name, age, gender, telephone number, address, email address, medical history, health information, payment details (including credit card and debit card details) as well as any previous weight-loss services and products that you have received from us. In our day-to-day dealings with you, we may collect information relating to general weight-loss matters, product enquiries, as well as complaints.
In the context of our business relationship, we may collect your name, ABN or ACN, address telephone number and email address.
We may collect your name, telephone and email address, as well as information, references and reports arising out of the assessment of your potential suitability as our employee.
3.2. Jenny Craig may also collect your name and contact details which you provide to us, in order to respond to your questions and comments about Jenny Craig and its products and services.
3.3. Jenny Craig will only collect your personal and sensitive information where you have consented, or otherwise in accordance with the law.
3.5. Personal information that Jenny Craig collects is held in different formats, including in both hard copy and electronically.
3.6. If Jenny Craig receives personal information about you that it has not requested, and Jenny Craig would not be able to collect this information under the APPs if it had requested it, then Jenny Craig will destroy or de-identify the information where lawful and reasonable to do so.
3.7. You are not required to disclose your personal information to Jenny Craig, however, if you do not do so, we may not be able to provide you with any health and weight-loss products or services that you have requested, or provide you with an appropriate response to your enquiries.
4.1. The way in which Jenny Craig will use and disclose your personal information depends on the reasons for which it was collected.
4.2. Jenny Craig will only use or disclose your personal information for the main reason for which it was collected (such as to provide you with health and weight-loss products or services, or to respond to your enquiry), for a directly related purpose, or otherwise where you have consented to such use or disclosure or the use or disclosure is in accordance with the law.
g. investigate your feedback regarding our products and services.
5.1. Jenny Craig may, from time to time, use your personal information to provide you with health and weight-loss updates and information, information about other products and services, details of current promotions and so that it can undertake market research or research into health and weight-loss services and products. This information may be shared with you using a variety of channels, such as direct mail, email and telephone. We may also collect and use your demographic and other data for market research, statistical, advertising and promotional purposes.
5.2. Jenny Craig will only provide you with such communications in accordance with the law. If you do not wish to receive these communications from Jenny Craig, please follow the unsubscribe op-out option at [email protected] or write to us at: Jenny Craig (attn. Customer Care) Level 1, 464 St Kilda Road Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004.
6.2. Jenny Craig does not share your personal information with other organisations unless you give Jenny Craig your express consent, where sharing is otherwise required or permitted by law, or where this is necessary to enable Jenny Craig’s contractors to perform specific functions, such as to assess or carry out your request.
Where lawful and practicable, you have the option of dealing with Jenny Craig anonymously or by using a pseudonym, including through our website and social media pages. However, Jenny Craig will generally require your contact details if you would like us to transact with you.
8.1. Jenny Craig will take all reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is protected against misuse, interference and loss, and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.
8.2. When your personal information is no longer needed for the purposes for which Jenny Craig is authorised to use or disclose it, we will take reasonable steps to destroy the information or ensure it is de-identified unless such information is required to be retained by law.
9.1. You have the right to request access to the personal information you provide, and to correct or update your personal information. This right is subject to certain exceptions allowed by law.
c. Jenny Craig may charge you a reasonable administration fee, which reflects the cost to us for providing access in accordance with your request.
9.3. In certain circumstances, Jenny Craig may refuse to allow you access to your personal information where this is authorised by the law, such as where giving access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others, or where providing you with access would be unlawful.
9.5. If Jenny Craig refuses your request for access or correction, it will provide you with written reasons for the refusal, and how you may complain about the decision.
9.6. Furthermore, you may instruct us to remove any previous consent you may have provided to receive marketing communications from Jenny Craig or to remove you from its database.
10.2. Jenny Craig will also collect site usage data through its use of internet cookie technology or similar devices. Cookies are small data files which record your visit and may collect statistical information about your visit (such as the pages you visit on our website) in order to customise and improve your website experience. Most internet browsers will accept cookies automatically, but you can delete or disable cookies by changing your browser settings, however some parts of our site may not work properly if you do. This information may be analysed to provide us with insights into users interests and behaviour, and may include the use of websites using a range of common technical tools, including cookies, pixels and transparent GIF files.
10.3. For completion, a cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that is put on your computer if your browser settings allow this. These cookies allow our service provider to distinguish you from other users of the website which helps them to provide you with a good experience when you browse our websites, and also allows us to improve our site.
10.4. For completion, the third party analytics services applied to our website also track a user’s online activities across unrelated websites and allows for customised presentation of advertising material to your browser (using adware). We do not receive reports that identify you, however the providers of the analytic services may be able to identify users from your IP address, and may use this personal information about your internet use for their own purposes or those of other clients. Two such services which are utilised are Google Analytics and Doubleclick.
10.5. Furthermore, some of our webpages may contain links to other third party sites. Whilst we take reasonable steps to ensure this is always clear, we do not take responsibility for any collection or use of personal information if you choose to click on these links, and you should refer to the privacy policies of the relevant third party in this regard.
11.3. This policy does not create or confer upon any individual any rights, or impose upon Jenny Craig any rights or obligations outside of, or in addition to, those imposed by the Act.
b. investigate and attempt to resolve your query or complaint within 30 business days or such longer period as is necessary and notified to you by our Privacy Officer.
12.3. In the event that you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your complaint, you may refer the complaint to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
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2019-04-19T14:47:58Z
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https://www.jennycraig.com.au/privacy/
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Planning entire document set structures.
Working with client to determine document format and content level.
Creating documentation sets that reuse text information efficiently.
Gathering information by interview and research.
Writing start-to-finish tutorials, user guides, and reference guides.
Designing and writing quick references.
Creating page layout and illustrations.
Primary level, secondary level, and tertiary level indexing.
Estimating and scheduling documentation tasks.
Familiar with several word processor systems - MS-DOS: WordStar, WordPerfect 5.1, Word 5.0, and Ventura Publisher. Windows (95, 98, and NT): WordPerfect 5.2 and 6.0, Word 6.0 and 7.0, FrameMaker 3.0, 4.0, and 5.1, and 5.5; Adobe Acrobat; ForeHelp, and Doc-To-Help online help generation software. UNIX: vi, nroff, FrameMaker 4.0 and 5.1 on Sun Sparc Openwindows. Graphics/CAD: GEM Draw; PhotoFinish, PaintShop Pro, PhotoShop5.0, Adobe Illustrator 9.0, CorelDraw 9.0, AutoCAD version 11, DesignCAD 2D, and DesignCAD 3D programs.
Technical writing experience includes generation of military and commercial technical manuals on hardware, software, and some ILS data documentation. Documents generated includes Statements of Work (SOW), Site Preparation, equipment installation, equipment operation, maintenance, service, overhaul and training instruction (Product Learning Materials) manuals to the applicable commercial and military specifications, Software documentation, Acceptance Test Procedures and Product Specifications. Familiar with all related technical publications support functions.
Electronics technical writer/instructor experience ranges from the Electronics Warfare field to telephony. Instruction experience includes organizing, conducting and supervising of classes; generation of course outlines, course syllabus, lesson plans, training manuals and training aids.
Materials covered include microwave circuitry and equipment, analog and digital circuitry, test equipment, solid state devices, including SSI, MSI, LSI, VLSI, PLA, PAL and ASIC integrated circuitry and microprocessor controlled equipment.
USAF Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) experience: active/passive systems as a roving Mobile/Field Training Detachment Qualification instructor on Bomber aircraft; Reconnaissance aircraft; the U-2 aircraft Spherics System, RF-4D Phantom aircraft ELRack Reconnaissance System, and RF-4E Phantom aircraft Photo-reconnaissance system.
USAF experience not fully covered in this resume. Details available on request.
Graduate of numerous U.S.A.F Technical training courses.
Devised and presented many USAF training courses in Electronic Fundamentals and Advanced Systems Electronic Warfare (Countermeasures).
Continuing training in word processing, desktop publishing, and technical publishing.
Senior Technical Writer, Temporary Employee. Create Site Preparation and Checklist Guides, Installation and Checkout Guides with checklist, physical descriptions, and repair procedures for Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). Software used: FrameMaker 5.5.6 on Windows Me.
Senior Technical Writer, on contract to Teradyne Inc. Create Site Preparation Guides, Installation and Checkout Guides, functional descriptions, physical descriptions, fault isolation and repair procedures for Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). Software used: FrameMaker 5.5.6 on Windows NT, Canvas 6.0, Visio Technical, and ProEngineering CAD.
Senior Technical Writer, on contract to Novellus, Inc., San Jose, Ca. Incorporate, and edit redlines into an Advanced Physical Vapor Deposition tool maintenance manual. Generate outline and preliminary fill for an Advanced Physical Vapor Deposition tool Facility Planning and Installation Manual. Software used: Framemaker 5.5 on Windows NT.
Zen Systems, Inc., Sausalito, Ca.
Senior Technical Writer, on contract to Synacom, Inc., San Jose, Ca. Generate FrameMaker templates for the Synacom Secure A-Key Management System (SAMS), Validator, and Secure A-Key Authentication Center (SAC) manuals. Generate User Guides, Operator manuals on the SAMS, SAC, Validator, and all associated software, as well as hardware Maintenance manuals.
Senior Technical Writer. Generate interactive CD-ROM Reference and User’s Guides on IKOS Simulation/Emulation ASIC and EDA testing Software and hardware Accelerators. Manuals are used by customers, IKOS Application Engineers, and IKOS Customer Application Engineers. Materials covered work with Verilog, and VHDL. Also created some of the FrameMaker templates used. Software used: FrameMaker 5 on SunSparc 5, using Solaris Openwindows.
Applied Technical Resources, Sunnyvale, Ca.
Senior Technical Writer, on Contract to KLA Instruments. Generate Field Service Quick Reference Manuals on Diagnostic Tools Software, and Customer User’s Guides on KLA Instrument Photomask and Reticle Inspection Stations. Software used: FrameMaker 5.1 for Windows. Screen grabs made running the application software on a SunSparc 5 workstation.
Senior Technical Writer. Generate Office Software User’s Guide and Reference manuals as well as tutorials on Surveying/Seismic software. Generate Geographical Information System Software Office User’s Guide and Reference Manuals, and Doc-To-Help on-line help. Generate text, format final manuals on Global Positioning System Receiver User’s manuals, and tutorials. Software used: WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS, Word 6.0 for Windows.
Senior Technical Writer, on Contract to Ashtech. Generate Office User’s Guides and Reference Manuals and tutorials on Surveying/Seismic software. Generate text, format final manuals on Global Positioning System Receiver User’s manuals, and tutorials. Software used: WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS.
Consultant Technical Writer to ESL/NICE. Generate text, format final manual on Mobile Electronic Intercept/Direction Finding System (truck mounted). Software used: Word 2.0 for Windows, FrameMaker 3.0.
Sequent Associates, San Jose, Ca.
Senior Specification Writer, on Contract to 3DO. Proof, format, and produce manufacturing specifications on ASIC chips in the 3D0 Interactive Multiplayer. Software used: Word Version 3 on the Mac.
Aydin Corporation (West), San Jose, Ca.
Principal Technical Writer, on Contract. Generate Mil-Spec manuals on Multiple Threat Electronics Simulator (MUTES) and digital military/commercial radios, High Power Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier system. Software used: Word 5.1 for DOS, Word 2.0 for Windows.
Kaiser Electronics, Santa Clara, Ca.
Principal Technical Writer. Generate Mil-Spec manuals on aircraft Heads-Up Displays, Cockpit Displays and Display Helmets. Assisted in teaching UNIX, vi and nroff, and UNIX based word processor CrystalWriter.
Documentation Engineer. Generate Test Requirement documents on aircraft Heads-Up Displays, Cockpit Displays. Generate Calibration Maintenance Requirement Summaries. Materialprepared in WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS (1990), or draft on typewriter (1980-1981), sent to word processing.
Senior Specification Writer, on contract to United Technologies, Chemical System Division. Prepare, format, and edit Mil-Std specifications on parts, processes and procedures associated with chemicals, explosives, rocket motors and components. Material prepared in draft on typewriter, sent to word processing.
Volt Information Systems, Mountain View, Ca.
Senior Technical Writer. Generate Mil-Spec manuals on Naval Submarine Electronic Warfare Equipment. Software used: WordStar on IBM Compatible.
Technical Writer, on contract to GTE Sylvania. Generate Mil-Spec manuals on Electronic Warfare Equipment. Generate Mil-Std 490 Specifications, Acceptance Test Procedures on Facility Intruder Detection system. Draft prepared on typewriter, sent to word processing.
Electromagnetic Systems Laboratories, Sunnyvale, Ca.
Specification Writer. Designed and produced commercial test set for Magnetic Heading Detector system. Generated Mil-Std 490 Specifications on Electronic Warfare Equipment. Software used: Word 1.1 on IBM Compatible computer.
Senior Engineering Writer. Generated Mil-Spec and best commercial practice manuals on computer controlled Electronic Warfare Equipment. Material prepared in final format on typewriter, sent to word processing.
Applied Technology, A Div. of Itek Corp., Sunnyvale, Ca.
Field Operations Instructor. Plan, develop and present maintenance and operator training courses on computer controlled Electronic Warfare Systems.
Senior Publications Specialist. Generate Mil-Spec manuals, Acceptance Test Procedures on the above equipment. Material prepared in final format on typewriter, sent to word processing.
Senior Engineering Writer. Generated Mil-Spec or best commercial practice technical manuals on Radar Homing and Warning systems and ground support systems. Also served as Technical Instructor. Material prepared in draft on typewriter, sent to repro-typists.
Training Supervisor. Prepared course of instruction for classified computer controlled Electronic Warfare monitoring systems and maintenance diagnostics. Generated course outlines, course syllabus, as well as contractually required documentation and reports. Supervised two instructors. Material prepared in draft on typewriter, sent to repro-typists.
Ampex Corp., Redwood City, Ca.
Senior Engineering Writer. Generated manuls on commercial broadcast standards Vido Recorder/Reproducers. Covered SMPTE, PAL, and NTSC standards equipment. Material prepared in draft on typewriter, sent to repro typists.
Vicom, Member Continental Telephone Systems, Mtn. View, Ca.
Senior Publications Writer. Generated technical manuals on telephony and telecommunications equipment, including transmit/receiver multiplexers, site line-up and maintenance procedures. Manuals generated to telephony and telecommunications standards. Material prepared in draft on typewriter, sent to repro typists.
Dalmo Victor Inc, San Mateo, Ca.
09-67, 08-68 Senior Technical Instructor. Prepared and conducted course of instruction on AN/APS-109 Radar Homing and Warning System.
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2019-04-23T14:40:32Z
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http://smyth-consulting.org/resume/smyth_resume.htm
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ISSUES Issue No. 7 Are We the World’s Most Successful Diaspora? Maybe!
The Lebanese diaspora shows up on many observers’ short lists of the most successful diaspora in the world. Why?
I was driving HOME from work, listening to public radio, when Stephen Dubner, host of “Freakonomics,” a weekly podcast, asked, “Who are the most successful immigrant groups in the world?” Certainly, the Lebanese diaspora will be one of them, I thought.
Sure enough, Dubner recalled sitting on a plane with intellectual Nassim Taleb, a Lebanese-American living in New York and the author of “The Black Swan” and “Antifragile,” discussing how successful the Lebanese diaspora is. If you look at the 30 richest countries in the world, you’ll find that among the richest people in those countries are Lebanese, Taleb told Dubner.
It is easy to recall many success stories from the Lebanese diaspora — the richest man in the world, Carlos Slim, Swatch founder Nicolas Hayek, consumer protection champion Ralph Nader, iconic DJ Casey Kasem, U.S. Senate leader George Mitchell, renowned heart surgery pioneer Dr. Michael DeBakey, White House correspondent Helen Thomas, designer Elie Saab, leading actress Salma Hayek, celebrated U.S. TV star Danny Thomas … the list goes on.
But such a list could be made with almost any immigrant group, American economist Louis Fortis, Ph.D., noted in an interview with HOME. Fortis, an educator and newspaper publisher-editor, who served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, was a visiting professor at Rafik Hariri University in Mechref, Lebanon. He is a former professor at Smith College, a worldclass U.S. liberal arts college, an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and a self-made millionaire himself.
Is the Lebanese diaspora, as a group, successful? More than others? And, if so, what makes it so special? Plenty of theories have been bounced around in academia.
If you look at statistics today, Khater noted, in all economic measures, the Lebanese in America are highly successful. They have bigger houses, more professional employment and better incomes. In terms of doctorate degrees, they are usually three-toone, and master’s degrees, 2.4-to-one, compared to the rest of the American population, he said.
However, those markers of success are not present in every country with Lebanese immigrants. And that is not necessarily their fault. The success of diasporas does not depend solely on the characteristics of the group; it is also affected by the “reception and culture of the host countries,” wrote Vincent Crapanzano in the introduction to the book “Politics, Culture and the Lebanese Diaspora,” a 2010 collection of scholarly essays and research.
Still, many scholars contend the Lebanese diaspora has achieved a remarkable amount of success, especially as entrepreneurs. It is widely believed that Lebanese are among the top entrepreneurs in the world, researcher Hazem Kawazmi wrote in a 2011 study.
What makes the Lebanese so special?
Finally, he said, there are the producers, and that is where he would put many Lebanese. “They saw the need and created a business or a nonprofit to fill that need. It wouldn’t have existed without them.” A producer would be the one who saw the need for a hospital in a community without one, so he would organize a committee and start\ the process to build it. Or he would recognize a neighborhood without a grocery store and open one. “I saw a lot of producers among my students in Lebanon,” Fortis said.
Take serial entrepreneur Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinkos, for example. In 2012, the Lebanese American told Forbes magazine the idea for the successful international chain of copying, printing and binding services, which was eventually bought by FedEx, came from seeing the line for the copy machine in the library. “Anywhere there is a line, there is an opportunity,” he said.
So where did this acumen come from? Some will say it is innate, in the DNA.
Critics savaged the book. “Time” magazine called its theory “the new racisim,” not about color but about traits of an ethnic or religious group. Scholars agreed the fact some groups do much better than others in income, occupational status, test scores and other measures cannot be attributed to group “traits.” Rather, they emphasized,these characteristics are learned through life experiences.
So the Lebanese entrepreneurial spirit might be attributed to the entrepreneurship that took place in post-independence nation-building, wrote Maastricht School of Management research fellow Stel. Also, the fact that Lebanese have been encouraging an entrepreneurial self-identification may just lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, she added. If Lebanese believe they have those traits, they may just develop entrepreneurial aspirations, after which entrepreneurship can be learned.
Zeinab Fawaz, author of “Success Factors of Lebanese Small Businesses in the United States,” argues that “good education, adaptability and networks” are the keys to the Lebanese diaspora’s success.
The emphasis on education in Lebanese society gives migrants a leg up when they find themselves in a position of being more highly educated than many of the locals, noted Stel. Lebanese families push their children into two major areas — engineering and medicine, Khater said. They are seen as the two venues for success — your entry points into middle and-upper-middle class.
Lebanese also study languages, which has helped the diaspora historically. Many Lebanese today know conversational English, French and Arabic. And some are highly proficient in two or three of those.
They adapted well to changing circumstances, said Gupta. By the 1920s, the Lebanese in West Africa had diversified into services like transport. For example, the Khoury family monopolized the distribution of fuel to Shell gas stations. After World War II, other Lebanese families invested in real estate and manufacturing sectors, starting with textile mills. They built a large percentage of the commercial real estate and housing units. They also developed joint ventures and strategic alliances with foreign companies, and invested surplus in growth locally, especially during the civil war, when it was difficult to remit money to families in Lebanon.
Through the years, the Lebanese in West Africa faced many challenges, including strong resistance. They proved to be very strategic in their response, wrote Gupta. To gain local support, they made charitable donations, often raised at evening social events attended by wealthy Lebanese business families.
They donated to popular, high profile community causes such as sponsoring festivals and celebrations.
Likewise, when the European international trading companies in West Africa fell, Lebanese seized the opportunity and moved in to gain ground in the import and export trade, transportation business, and agroprocessing. Lebanese have a history of “investing in the future rather than submitting to the present,” said Stel.
And wherever they went, the Lebanese diaspora could count on strong networks to supply them with information and contacts, said Gupta. There are roughly 4 million Lebanese in Lebanon today, and estimates of those of Lebanese descent in the diaspora range widely, from 8.5 million up to 18 or 20 million. Today, 40-60 percent of Lebanese households have at least one emigrant of close kin, said Stel.
In addition, the Lebanese government supported the diaspora by expanding diplomatic and councilor representation to most countries in the world where there are Lebanese.
“Today’s Lebanese diaspora is made of highly educated and prominent entrepreneurs who have created huge marks in their adopted HOMElands around the world,” wrote Zafar Ahmed, Philip Zgheib, Abdulrahim Kowatly and Peter Rhetts in a 2012 research article in the Journal of Management History.
The motivating factor for leaving Lebanon has been to make money, researchers agreed. The collapse of the silk industry in Lebanon during and after the first world war “drove people into poverty and, subsequently, out of the country,” Khater said on “Freakonomics.” The next big exodus came during the civil war, from 1975 until 1991, when 40 percent of the population left the country. They were not fleeing the violence as much as they were looking for opportunities, he said.
Due to the economic instability of the war, there were many graduates who could not find work.
In fact, the push and pull factors of Lebanese migration are not easily separated, wrote research fellow Stel in a 2013 study.
War was a push, but the economic pull of development in the United States, Latin America and later Africa was the more determinative factor, she said. The Lebanese were attracted by opportunities.
“It may be too much to say that the Lebanese diaspora is a success story but it would not be wrong to deny that story,” wrote Crapanzano. It is still being written.
Lebanese diaspora in the U.S.
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2019-04-25T12:19:08Z
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https://mylebanonmyhome.com/are-we-the-worlds-most-successful-diaspora-maybe/
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Seemingly out of nowhere, the National Weather Service has identified the possibility of significant snow for the Twin Cities early next week. While most forecasters had previously thought a little light snow was possible, this appears to be a significant change in their thinking. Let the speculation begin.
Should Star Tribune column be updated?
Here we go again,Novak says we need to alter our travel plans,where have we heard this before.
Has he said yet,"I love the set-up for........."(fill in the blank)!
Hey, easy on the personal attacks on Novak. He provides a lot of good analysis for this blog. He's not always right but nobody is.
So does this mean that our "focus on storms and we'll get nothing, ignore them and we'll get something" idea is working?
Is PD wrong or on the right track, as of now, he seems out alone on a limb, saying that we aren't going to seem much in the way of accumulation here in MSP. I've noticed his blog has become the all or nothing spectrum.
Not surprised at the change as NW flow very difficult at times for timing and exact path of snow. Sat vapor imagery right now as I stare at a 24 hour loop over the wrn US shows the situ and why models are reacting as such EXCEPT the operational GFS. It is a well south of the rest. It will be interesting to see where the sfc and mid-level lows track on Monday. The same system will be diving SE toward Georgia/Carolinas with threat of snow -- we shall see.
Extremely disappointed with the GEM solutions over the last 24 hours. To go from 16" of snow to 0 in one model run is totally uncalled for and irresponsible. I thought the GEM had it figured out with the latest model upgrade that took place a few weeks back, but I guess not.
Whenever a model suffers Schizophrenia, I tend to lose confidence in it. I'm bummed because I really started to trust GEM. Why Gem, WHY?
You know what is irresponsible,I'll tell you what is irresponsible.It is irresponsible to put out forecasts and change forecasts DRASTICALLY because of one suite of model runs,with this potential incoming system there has been too much emphasis given to models people "love",everyone gives crap to the GFS but it has handled this storm well,Paul Douglas has it figured,learn from him!I've watched the NWS go from 50% of snow,to just 20%,then snow LIKELY,to now 30% in the last 36-48 hours,just because it favors one model over another,just this morning they said the GFS was an outliner,we'll disregard it and sounded the alarm you all read this morning and now read it they are putting more emphasis on the GFS.We were over 60 hours from any flakes from POSSIBLY falling and I had to hear stuff like "alter my travel plans"(Novak) and "get ready to shovel"(Hammer) this morning,and don't tell me these were meant has a heads up,red flag kind of thing,they didn't use the words "possible","could","potential","it may" in front of their statements did they?IRRESPONSIBLE!
All this meteorologists here or pseudo-ones or presumed expert: where is your experience to provide consistency when there is not one in the models?
I've been a little surprised at the bullish forecasts from a number of meteorologists about this storm. The euro has been the most consistent with this storm keeping the heaviest snows roughly from Devils Lake, ND through Marshall, MN. I think the Twin Cities could get brushed but I wouldn't expect much.
As far as the GEM goes, I'd rate that model #4 behind the ECMWF, NAM, and GFS. Over previous winters I never trusted this model. The only time I did buy into it two storms ago, because I thought it aligned better with what was going on in the atmosphere. I was burned, I learned my lesson.
The American models have been all over with this storm, and have not shown any consistency. When in doubt, trust the ECMWF.
What I find interesting is the mixed presentation of the Strib weather page this morning. The accompanying weather video segment talked about a significant snow on Monday yet the Paul Douglas blog (updated last night) did not (the screen capture depicted in this post came from that). I think the Strib really confuses their readers sometimes, but that's another issue.
I guess some posters on this page are assuming that Hammer & myself are changing our tune. I don't believe that is the case. I don't want to speak for Hammer, but I'm still more than confident that this storm will bring much of so. MN significant snow.
My whole point with my last post is that you can't hang your hat on each model run because what model solutions like the GEM's over the last 24 hours.
I believe Randy states it best when he says "when in doubt, trust the Euro". Some of the latest model runs from the GEM & GFS have thrown some doubt into the snow scenario, but the 12z Euro paints a NW to SE swath of significant snow near or just west of the MSP metro. This solution could be totally hosed, I'm going with it.
I guess we will have to wait until we see the "whites of its eyes". Quite frankly, I don't know what 'Anonymous' & 'Weather Junkie' expect from weather forecasters. If you are going to take on the challenge of wx forecasting, you can't be afraid to go out on a limb and be wrong. If you don't, then weather would be boring as hell.
I don't want that because I enjoy Meteorology & Climatology.
I think someone on here recently said something to the effect of waiting for 36 hours or so before the storm is supposed to hit. A couple of other people ripped that poster for that comment. Well, I happen to agree with that comment! Talk to me a day or two before the storm if you want to discuss what will likely occur. Usually, any further out is just conjecture, such as the current situation where the percentages are bouncing from 20% to 50% to 60% to 20%. Good grief!
I haven't heard one mention of rain/mixed precip until I read the KSTP/Johnathan Yuhas blog tonight,were sitting here and talking about will it snow,will it not snow and boom!,he drops the snow mixed with freezing rain forecast,really?I told you PWL we should have kept it hush-hush,my head is spinning with up and down %'s,altered travel plans,untrusted GEM and the lovable Euro and now we throw rain into the mix!
Scattered rain showers mixed with snow with possible thunder,really?......did he work for accuweather before moving to Minnesota?
Well, you know what my prediction is. It is out there for everyone to see. I'm not wavering back and forth nor do I believe in doing so.
As far as anonymous is concerned, you are living in a fantasy world my friend. The truth is that people want an idea of what is going to happen well in advance. They have plans. They have the weekend to think of. They have Monday AM commute to consider. If you believe that a weather forecast is only good for 36 hours at best, then you are listening to the wrong forecasters. Perhaps you are a forecaster yourself who is scorned?
Weather forecasts need to improve and I will do whatever it takes to lead that charge. We know it is an imperfect science right now, but it doesn't hurt to take on the challenge and change the status quo that is killing our industry right now.
Walk out on a limb for God's sake.
Hey Novak, I hear you there. I don't know, but possibly what anonymous might have been trying to say is that the accuracy of forecasts 36 hours or less is much higher than beyond 36 hours, so if you want accuracy then focus on the shorter time period? I don't think anyone is advocating for there to be no forecasts made several days in advance. I know I'm sure not advocating that. Anyway, that is my two cents on how I interpreted that comment. Regardless, happy forecasting!
Not sure anyone will read this on an old thread, but I'm all for no long range forecasts. They are worthless. As someone who has to work outside in the elements, I am so sick of seeing a seven day forecast predicting NOTHING for precip and then all of a sudden we get a "significant" chance for snow. Most recently, I heard a "quiet two weeks coming" and then wham!! Big storm on the way. And then we have to listen to them talk about it for a week while it makes its way across the rest of the country. Good lord, do they ever stop talking about these "snow storms"? Nothing pisses me off more than getting my hopes up for a quiet period and then getting slammed by the "monster storm coming". If you can't see it a week ahead than don't tell me nothing's coming.
As for the Strib confusing the reader, I see that all outlets are confusing the reader/viewer/listener. I firmly believe when it comes to forecasting the "storms", they purposefully predict EVERYTHING will happen. Then at least they can say they forecasted what actually happened and some will only remember hearing one thing and that will be the actual result. In other words, there will always be some people fooled into thinking they had the forecast correct.
Too many media outlets get into a bidding war and try to one-up the others resulting in this hype-a-thon. We would be better served by one weather forecasting service with an official forecast and having the media only allowed to use that forecast instead of all the extra options muddying the waters of expectations and results. At least then there wouldn't be so much confusion over whether they "got it right" or not. There would actually be some accountability.
Hi everyone. I am new to Minnesota. Can anybody explain why Lakeville often has colder temperatures than most any other area of the Twin Cities? Is Lakeville a higher or lower elevation than the surrounding area, etc.? Thanks!
WTC on their web broadcast say "some snow this week. we will keep an eye on that" HA! I love it.
@Anon. Some "Heat Island effect"
is a partial reason for lower temps that Mpls proper. Lots of asphalt/concrete/ holding heat.
It's been a while since someone has mentioned the model trends. Am I reading the 12z GFS correctly....did it make a shift to the north on us?
Thanks guys......the operation hush-hush is working......just read NWS afternoon discussion.
TWC 8 hours later now says "Maybe as much as 6" for Monday/Tues with rain.
According to TWC (getting less silent), sounds like it could be a wet one ?
looking at forecast soundings from bufkit for both the GFS and NAM I just can't believe rain is entering into the forecast, someone needs to get their eyes checked. And the 03/0z Nam has come into better alignment with the other models as far as QPF goes.
I want to comment on the discussion that took place earlier about responsible vs irresponsible forecasting. My personal opinion is that if 5 days out a forecaster see's a major storm with a 100 miles of home he/she should start to use language like this. " A major winter storm could impact the region, please stayed tuned if you have travel plans, the track of this storm is unpredictable, but be aware, as you may have to change your plans."
To keep information tucked under the label of suit jacket is irresponsible if you ask me.
I work in the high end retail industry, I heard a few of our guest's mention that we were under a winter storm watch as they got the info off their smart phones, that system seems to be working, but it was about 2 days to late IMO.
The longer lead time the public has as to the possibilities the better off we will all be.
Novak's map at the top of this thread looks to be about right.
@ Big Daddy.....I will have my snowfall forecast out by early afternoon on Sunday March 3rd. As usual with a big snowfall event(since I have the day off) I will split the metro up into four quadrants. The east west axis will be I394 and then I94 to the WI border. The north south axis will be I 35. This is really getting interesting.
Thanks Randy........I'm getting excited because your getting interested!
MNPLOWCO...you are going to have busy week, especially with our commercial accounts.
Winter Storm Saturn is on the way or as Paul Douglas names it on his blog the "turbo-charged clipper"."Let the predictions begin!
On the positive side of all the comments -- "Saturn" is going to only help the serious drought situation in central and southern Minnesota.
Something I will reiterate is that NW flow systems are a bugger to forecast by the models thus not surprised at some jockeying by the GFS or really wildly, the Canadian GEM. The ECWMF has been fairly consistent as has, believe it or not, the US NAM. Either way a nice swath of snow across central and southern Minnesota. But, also keep eye as this storm heads ESE impacting Chicago who desperately needs more snow. Then the system moves into Ohio Valley and becomes very significant across the Eastern Seaboard from N Georgia to the Megalopolis. The storm was named due to the expected impact for so many large cities/population centers in its life.
Enjoy the snow up there in Minny!
A bit concerning if your wanting the heaviest snow in and around the metro,it was to be to the west of us,now it has shifted to on us,the concern is this shift will continue and the heaviest snow will fall in Wisconsin,that is why the NWS has not gone with a winter storm warning as of yet and flakes are suppose to fly in about 12-18 hours,don't get me wrong everyone will see snow,but it could just be an advisory event.
Was just watching TWC and their discussion of Saturn and put an graphic on the screen showing Minneapolis in the 8-12 range with 12-18 not too far behind to our northwest,that's a big change from their 2-4 from yesterday!
Ian Leonard tweeted 3-6" for the watch area. Lots of uncertainty with this. Therefore I'm issuing an official forecast of 3 to 15 inches for the Twin Cities.
LOL...that should cover all bases!
Ian had a subsequent tweet which mentioned 5-10, with 3-6 just being the first part.
NWS 6 AM Aviation Statement today.
KMSP...NOT ANTICIPATING ANY PROBLEMS TODAY WITH CEILINGS AOA 060.
CONDITIONS DEVELOPING AFTER 04/06Z AND CERTAINLY LIKELY AFTER 04/12Z.
LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW IS PROJECTED TO MOVE ACROSS THE TWIN CITIES.
Interesting how the totals continue to increase. Interested in final predictions from Novak, Randy, and Hammer.
MORNING. SNOW WILL SLOWLY DIMINISH TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
ISOLATED AMOUNTS NEAR 12 INCHES POSSIBLE BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
WILL RESULT IN SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN OPEN AREAS.
Just got a notification that we've been upgraded to a winter storm warning for the metro. They're predicting 6-12"!
NWS La Crosse just upgraded to a warning for their Minnesota counties.
Is anyone peeing their pants yet?
Sweet! LaCrosse has us in the 9-13 inch range!
Quietly might be the biggest storm of the year.
Happens at least once a winter.......less hyped storms turn out to be bigger ones!this is exactly what the doctor ordered to sell the last of my winter inventory......keep bringing it and keep peeing!
Funny one @DysonGuy,it was a nice chuckle,but seriously I sell snow clearing products(snowblowers,shovels,ice melt, and such)if I don't sell it I sit on it all spring and summer.
Can anyone explain why a clipper would drop so much snow? Seems very out of the ordinary.
This Clipper is slower than a normal clipper- MUCH slower. In addition to having more time to dump on us, this clipper now has the time to gather moisture from the gulf, giving it even more energy. Normanlly a clipper would come and go so fast that it would not have time to tap into the gulf or dump more than a few inches. That is what is different about this clipper.
Its not really a clipper. A clipper is really a short wave trough coming from the northwest. A short wave is just a jolt of energy in the atmosphere. This is going to be a fully developed and mature atmospheric trough that just happens to be coming from the northwest.
40s and rain in a week!
Shut up! your the same never over 10 inches Anonymous aren't you!,there will even be another dumping after this one sorry to tell you,it may hit 40 but this won't be the last snow.
My forecast and full description of what I think is happening and what will hopefully happen is up on my blog. Right now I expect 6-10" across the metro, with 8-9" at MSP. This storm will definitely be an interesting one to watch.
@Randy Hill Thanks for the specific MSP forecast. Will include that with next post about to be issued.
MARCH 21-23 STORM FROM 2008.
Its nice but I was really looking forward to the bike trails clearing up sometime this month. Oh well.
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2019-04-26T02:37:54Z
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http://www.minnesotaforecaster.com/2013/03/nws-msp-could-be-under-gun-for.html
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During submaximal cycling, the neuromuscular system has the freedom to select different intermuscular coordination strategies. From both a basic science and an applied perspective, it is important to understand how the central nervous system adjusts pedaling mechanics in response to changes in pedaling conditions.
Purpose To determine the effect of changes in pedal speed (a marker of muscle shortening velocity) and crank length (a marker of muscle length) on pedaling mechanics during submaximal cycling.
Methods Fifteen trained cyclists performed submaximal isokinetic cycling trials (90 rpm, 240 W) using pedal speeds of 1.41 to 1.61 m·s−1 and crank lengths of 150 to 190 mm. Joint powers were calculated using inverse dynamics.
Results Increases in pedal speed and crank length caused large increases knee and hip angular excursions and velocities (P < 0.05), whereas ankle angular kinematics stayed relatively constant (P > 0.05). Joint moments and joint powers were less affected by changes in the independent variables, but some interesting effects and trends were observed. Most noteworthy, knee extension moments and powers tended to decrease, whereas hip extension power tended to increase with an increase in crank length.
Conclusions The distribution of joint moments and powers is largely maintained across a range of pedaling conditions. The crank length induced differences in knee extension moments, and powers may represent a trade-off between the central nervous system’s attempts to simultaneously minimize muscle metabolic and mechanical stresses. These results increase our understanding of the neural and mechanical mechanisms underlying multi-joint task performance, and they have practical relevance to coaches, athletes, and clinicians.
Address for correspondence: Thomas Korff, Ph.D., Centre for Sports Medicine and Human Performance Brunel University Uxbridge UB8 3PH United Kingdom. E mail: [email protected].
Accepted for publication October 2015.
During cycling, power delivered to the pedals is produced by muscles that span the ankle, knee, and hip and by power produced in the upper body that is transferred across the hip joint (6,25). The investigation of the power contributions of the various muscle groups (i.e., joint action powers) to total mechanical power gives us invaluable insights into mechanical and physiological processes underlying exercise and cycling performance. For example, the analysis of joint action powers has increased our understanding of intermuscular coordination strategies as a function of cycling intensity (9,10), pedaling rates (9,30), or cycling duration (26).
During submaximal cycling, the neuromuscular system has the freedom to selectively use combinations of the various power producing joint actions to meet the task requirement. This selection may represent some optimization such as minimizing muscle activation (30), muscle stress (15), or overall metabolic cost (20). This notion is supported by analyses of preferred pedaling rates. Cyclists freely choose pedaling rates that are associated with minimized values for joint moments (13,16,22), muscle stress (15), negative muscle work (29), and muscle activation (30). Although metabolic cost is not minimized at the preferred pedaling rate (23), it is likely that the minimization of metabolic cost contributes to the intermuscular coordination strategy in terms of joint power distribution. In support of this notion, Korff et al. (20) demonstrated that metabolic cost is minimized when cyclists use their preferred pedaling technique. Thus, it is likely that the movement strategy adopted during submaximal cycling may represent an optimization based on some combination of metabolic and neural demand as well as muscular stress. However, their interaction within the context of intermuscular coordination has not been fully elucidated. In submaximal cycling, a thorough understanding of these factors is important from both a mechanistic and an applied perspective. Regarding the former, cycling is a repetitive movement with generally constrained joint and muscle kinematics, and so, it is an ideal task to gain mechanistic insights into the interacting roles of mechanical muscle actions and intermuscular coordination. Regarding the latter, knowledge of the mechanical muscle properties, which govern the movement strategy adopted during submaximal cycling, increases our understanding of endurance cycling performance (18,19) and could give insights into more effective training and intervention strategies for cyclists as well as intervention strategies for clinical applications.
From a theoretical point of view, three variables are of particular importance within this context: pedal speed, cycle frequency, and crank length. Pedal speed (the mathematical product of crank length and crank angular velocity) is indicative of muscle shortening velocities of monoarticular muscles (24,34). Cycle frequency is indicative of activation-deactivation dynamics (7,24). Crank length is indicative of muscle excursions of monoarticular muscles (14). Thus, each of these variables represents a different physiological phenomenon. Pedal speed is of particular importance because of the dependency of muscular force (2) and muscular efficiency (4) on muscle shortening velocity. The primary purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of pedal speed on joint angular excursions, velocities, moments, and powers.
Pedal speed can be altered by varying pedaling rate at a constant crank length, varying crank length at a constant pedaling rate, or a combination of the two. However, it is challenging to isolate the effect of pedal speed using either of these experimental paradigms. When pedaling rate is altered with a constant crank length (e.g., 3,10), both pedal speed (muscle shortening velocities) and pedaling rate (activation deactivation dynamics) are altered concomitantly. Here, we chose to vary crank length and hold pedaling rate constant to ensure that any effects of pedal speed would not be confounded by concomitant changes in pedaling rate. In particular, we sought to isolate the effect of muscle shortening velocities on joint powers independent of activation-deactivation dynamics. However, changing crank length results in altered muscle excursions, which could lead to different joint moments because of the muscles working on different regions of their respective force–length relationships. If this was the case, joint powers could also be different across crank lengths. Previous research has shown that joint action powers are unaffected by changes in pedaling rate when crank length is held constant (3,10), meaning that in these studies, pedal speed and pedaling rate were changed concomitantly. Within the context of the primary purpose of this study, it was also important to ensure that crank length (i.e., muscle excursions)—independent of pedal speed—would not be a confounding factor. Thus, the second purpose was to investigate the effect of crank length (independent of pedal speed) on joint angular velocities, joint moments, and joint powers.
Fifteen trained cyclists (12 men [76 ± 7 kg], 3 women [66 ± 7 kg]) age 19 to 44 yr, all regularly competing in regional cycling races, volunteered to take part in the study. Experimental procedures were approved by the institutional review board of the University of Utah and the Research Ethics Committee of Brunel University. Participants received a verbal and written explanation of all procedures and gave their written informed consent.
Participants visited the laboratory on 4 separate occasions. During the first two visits, they practiced cycling with the nonstandard crank lengths (150 and 190 mm). Practice was not provided for the standard crank lengths (165, 170, and 175 mm), as participants regularly cycled on cranks within this range. On each familiarization day, participants performed two 10-min trials of submaximal cycling (one on the shortest crank [150 mm] and one on the longest crank [190 mm]). Each trial consisted of 8-min cycling at a self-selected power output (e.g., ~75–150 W), followed by 2-min cycling at a power output of 240 W. All practice sessions were performed on the same isokinetic cycling ergometer as used for the experimental data collection.
During the third and fourth visits, participants performed the experimental submaximal cycling protocol, with two or three crank lengths tested on each visit. The order of the crank lengths was randomized, as was the number of crank lengths tested on each experimental day (three crank lengths on the first day and two on the second or vice versa). Data collection took place on two separate days to minimize fatigue across the experimental trials. For each participant, data collection began at the same time on both experimental days. On the first day, body mass, thigh length (greater trochanter to lateral femoral condyle), leg length (lateral femoral condyle to lateral malleolus), foot length (heel to toe), and “kinematic foot length” (pedal spindle to lateral malleolus) were measured. All anthropometric measures were collected by the same investigator.
The experimental trials consisted of two 30-s trials of isokinetic cycling at each crank length (150, 165, 170, 175, and 190 mm). One trial was performed at a pedaling rate of 90 rpm, and the other trial was performed at a constant pedal speed of 1.60 m·s−1 (equivalent to the middle condition of 170-mm crank length and 90 rpm). Table 1 details the crank lengths, pedaling rates, and pedal speeds used in both experimental conditions. The order of the two experimental trials was randomized, and a minimum of 3-min recovery was given between them. Participants were asked to maintain a target power output of 240 W against the isokinetic resistance (10); feedback regarding their instantaneous crank power was provided by means of a calibrated SRM power measurement system (Schoberer Rad Messtechnik, Jülich, Germany). To verify that the subjects cycled at the required power output, the average power that was delivered to the right pedal was obtained (see methodological details below). Assuming bilateral symmetry, this value should be approximately 120 W. Across all trials, subjects produced an average power output of 118.4 W (±6.8 W).
All cycling trials were performed on an isokinetic ergometer, constructed from a Monark cycle ergometer frame and flywheel (Monark Exercise AB, Vansbro, Sweden). The ergometer flywheel was coupled to a 3.75-kW direct current motor (Baldor Electric Company model CDP3605, FortSmith, AR) and controlled by a speed controller equipped with regenerative braking (Minarik model RG5500U, Glendale, CA). Two reference measurements were recorded on each participant’s training bicycle and used to set the ergometer position; “seat height,” as defined by the distance between the top of the saddle and the pedal spindle when the crank was positioned to allow maximum displacement between these two points, and “handlebar drop,” as defined by the vertical drop from the top of the saddle and the top of the handlebars. When crank length was changed on the ergometer (SRM multilength crank; Schoberer Rad Messtechnik, Jülich, Germany), the height of the seat and the handlebars were both altered to maintain these two reference measurements (seat height, handlebar drop) across all crank lengths. “Handlebar reach,” as defined by the horizontal distance between the saddle and the handlebars, remained constant across all crank lengths. Participants wore cycling shoes with cleats that locked onto the pedal interface (Speedplay Inc., San Diego, CA).
The instrumentation and procedures used to obtain cycling kinematic and kinetic data have been described in several previous studies from our laboratory (3,10,25). Normal and tangential pedal forces were recorded on the right pedal using two three-component piezoelectric force transducers (Kistler 9251; Kistler USA, Amherst, NY). The right pedal and crank were equipped with digital position encoders (S5S-1024-IB, US Digital, Vancouver, WA), and the pedal and crank angles were used to resolve the normal and tangential pedal forces into absolute vertical and horizontal components. The position of the right iliac crest was recorded with a two-segment instrumented spatial linkage (26). Pedal forces, pedal position, crank position, and instrumented spatial linkage position were all sampled at 240 Hz using Bioware software (Kistler USA) and filtered with a fourth-order zero-lag Butterworth low-pass filter at a cutoff frequency of 8 Hz.
The position of the hip joint was calculated from the position of the iliac crest, assuming a constant offset, measured in a static condition (31). The location of the ankle joint was determined using the angular positions of the crank and pedal and the distance from the pedal spindle to the lateral malleolus, assuming that the position of the lateral malleolus relative to the pedal surface was fixed throughout the pedal cycle (17). The position of the knee joint center was calculated by means of the law of cosines, using the locations of the hip and ankle joints as well as thigh and leg lengths. Joint angles were calculated from joint positions and segment lengths. Linear and angular velocities and accelerations of the limb segments were determined by finite differentiation of position data with respect to time.
Segmental masses, moments of inertia, and segmental center of mass locations were estimated using the regression equations reported by de Leva (21). Sagittal plane joint intersegmental forces and net muscle moments about the joint (joint moments) were derived at the ankle, knee, and hip using standard inverse dynamics techniques (9), as previously described (3). Joint powers were defined as the product of joint moments and joint angular velocities. Power delivered to the right pedal was defined as the product of the component of pedal force acting normal to the crank and the linear velocity of the pedal.
All complete pedal cycles during the 30-s trial were analyzed. Joint angular velocities and joint powers were determined over extension and flexion phases and calculated as average values over these pedal cycles. Extension and flexion phases were defined based on the numerical sign of the corresponding joint angular velocity. In addition, we determined peak joint action powers during extension and flexion phases.
One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) with repeated measures were performed to determine the effects of pedal speed on all dependent variables. Here, pedal speed was the independent variable (see Table 1 for details). Similarly, to examine the effect of crank length (independent of pedal speed) on the dependent variables, 1-way ANOVAs with repeated measures were performed for each dependent variable. Here, crank length was the independent variable, and data at the five crank lengths were analyzed (Table 1).
If an ANOVA indicated a significant main effect, post hoc pairwise comparisons (Bonferroni) were performed to locate where those differences occurred. In addition, effect sizes to describe pairwise differences were calculated. Effect sizes were interpreted on the basis of Cohen (8) classification scheme: effect sizes less than 0.5 were considered to be small, effect sizes between 0.5 and 0.8 were considered to be moderate, and effect sizes greater than 0.8 were considered to be large. The alpha level was set at 0.05, and all statistical procedures were performed using SPSS 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).
The main effect of pedal speed on knee and hip angular excursions was significant (P < 0.001). Post hoc t tests revealed that angular excursions increased with increasing pedal speed. All pairwise comparisons were significant (P < 0.05) for both joint angular excursions. The main effect of pedal speed on ankle angular excursion was nonsignificant. The main effects of pedal speed on extension and flexion velocities at the knee and hip were significant (P < 0.001) (see Table 2 for details of statistical tests). The main effects of pedal speed on ankle extension and flexion velocities were nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed that extension and flexion velocities at the knee and hip increased with increases in pedal speed (Table 2). The analysis of effect sizes revealed that the largest effect sizes (ES > 0.8) were observed for the most extreme pedal speed comparisons (Fig. 1B). Figure 1 illustrates the changes in joint angular velocities across pedal speeds.
Changes in pedal speed affected knee extension moment (P < 0.001). Post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed a greater knee extension moment at 1.41 m·s−1 compared with 1.65 and 1.79 m·s−1 and at 1.56 m·s−1 compared with 1.79 m·s−1 (Table 2). The magnitudes of the effects describing these pairwise comparisons were moderate (0.5 < ES < 0.8) and small (ES, < 0.5) (Fig. 1C). Although the ANOVA indicated a significant main effect for pedal speed on ankle extension moment (P = 0.019), post hoc pairwise comparisons did not reveal any significantly different pedal speed pairs (Table 2). Pedal speed did not affect flexion moment at the ankle, knee, or hip (P > 0.05). The effect of pedal speed on hip extension moment was also nonsignificant (P > 0.05). Pedal speed did not affect joint powers at the ankle knee or hip (P > 0.05) (Table 1). All effect sizes describing the difference between pairs of joint powers across pedal speeds were small (Fig. 1D). Figure 1 illustrates relationship between knee extension velocity, knee extensor moment, and knee extension power across pedal speeds. Pedal speed had a significant effect on peak knee extension power (P = 0.01). However, all follow-up pairwise comparisons were nonsignificant.
With pedal speed held constant, the main effect of crank length on ankle, knee, and hip angular excursions was significant (P < 0.001). Post hoc t tests revealed that at a crank length of 190 mm, ankle angular excursions were greater than that at 170 and 150 mm (P < 0.05). At the hip and knee joints, angular excursions increased with increasing crank length. All pairwise comparisons were significant (P < 0.05) for both joint angular excursions. The effect of crank length on extension velocities at the ankle, knee, and hip was nonsignificant (P > 0.05) (Table 2). Crank length significantly affected flexion velocities at the ankle, knee, and hip (P < 0.05) (Table 2). Post hoc pairwise comparisons between crank length pairs revealed that ankle flexion velocity was greater at a crank length of 175 mm compared with 150 mm. Furthermore, knee flexion velocity was greater at a crank length of 190 mm compared with 150 mm, and hip flexion velocity was greater at a crank length of 190 mm compared with 150, 165, and 170 mm (Fig. 2B). The magnitude of each of these effects was small (ES, <0.5) (Fig. 2B).
At a constant pedal speed, the effect of crank length on flexion power at the ankle and knee joints were nonsignificant (P > 0.05). With pedal speed held constant, crank length did not affect extension or flexion moments at the ankle, knee, or hip (P > 0.05) (Table 2 and Fig. 2C). Changes in crank length did not affect extension power at the ankle, knee, and hip (P > 0.05). Crank length significantly affected hip flexion power (P < 0.05), with post hoc pairwise comparisons revealing that hip flexion power was greater at a crank length of 190 mm compared with 165 mm. However, the analysis of the effect sizes revealed that the magnitude of this effect was small (ES, 0.39) (Fig. 2D). Crank length significantly affected peak ankle extension power (P = 0.033), peak hip extension power (P = 0.001), and peak hip flexion power (P = 0.008). Post hoc t tests revealed that at a crank length of 150 mm, peak hip extension power was significantly smaller than at crank lengths of 170, 175, and 190 mm. Peak hip flexion power was greater at a crank length of 190 mm compared with 165 and 150 mm. For peak ankle extension power, none of the follow-up tests were significant.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pedal speed on joint angular excursions, velocities, moments, and powers in submaximal cycling. In this study, pedal speed was altered by changing crank length and keeping pedaling rate constant. To ensure that our results would not be confounded by changes in muscle excursions, we also determined the effect of crank length on these variables. Both manipulations had similar effects on joint excursions, which indicates that muscle length changes were similar for both manipulations. Interestingly, the greater leg excursion required to accommodate larger crank lengths was achieved by greater knee and hip joint excursions (signified by moderate and large effect sizes between conditions). Conversely, crank length–dependent changes in ankle joint excursions were smaller (Figs. 1A and 2A). Consistent with this finding, changes in ankle angular velocities across pedal speeds and crank lengths were negligible (signified by small effect sizes; Figs. 1B and 2B). It has previously been shown that the plantarflexors stiffen the ankle joint to allow for energy transfer from the proximal to distal segments (12). Our results suggest that this requirement to stiffen the ankle joint is accomplished by relatively constant ankle kinematics across crank lengths (Figs. 1A, B, 2A, and B). In addition, we found significant differences in extension and flexion velocities of both the knee and hip joints across pedal speeds, which is consistent with previous findings (23). Our results thereby confirm that pedal speed is related to the shortening velocities of the muscles spanning the knee and hip but not the ankle joint.
Our results also indicate significant effects of pedal speed on ankle and knee extension moments (Figs. 1C and 2C). Specifically, knee extension moment decreased with an increase in pedal speed. This effect was not observed when crank length was manipulated independent of pedal speed; it can therefore be attributed to changes in pedal speed per se. For all other actions, pedal speed or crank length did not affect the corresponding joint moments. The overall small pedal speed and crank length–dependent changes in joint moments suggest that during submaximal cycling, the CNS may attempt to minimize muscular mechanical stress across conditions. Support for this conjecture comes from (22,30,32) who found that joint moments and muscle forces are minimized at a cyclists preferred cadence. However, the significant effect of pedal speed on knee extension moment warrants further discussion.
One possible explanation for the pedal speed–dependent change of knee extension moment is the conjecture that the central nervous system would also seek to preserve joint powers across pedaling conditions. Bearing in mind that knee extension velocity increased with increasing pedal speed and that joint power is the mathematical product of joint moment and joint angular velocity, the opposing effects of pedal speed on knee extension moment and angular velocity could have canceled each other out to produce constant knee extensor power across pedal speeds. Indeed, neither pedal speed nor crank length significantly affected average joint powers. However, there was a tendency for knee extensor power to decrease in response to both pedal speed and crank length (ES, 0.33 and 0.37 for the most extreme comparisons). Conversely, there was a tendency for hip extensor power to increase in response to both increases in pedal speed and crank length. This was likely due to the large crank length–dependent increases in hip extension velocity, which were accompanied by small decreases in joint moments. The nonsignificant trends for changes in knee and hip extension power were similar across both manipulations. Thus, they can be attributed to crank length rather than pedal speed manipulations. It is therefore possible that the changes in operating muscle length across extremely different crank lengths may indeed require intermuscular coordination to be altered to achieve the goal of the task effectively. One could speculate that even more extreme changes in crank length or pedal speed would make this effect more apparent. Future research should explore this possibility explicitly.
In addition to the nonsignificant trends in average joint powers, we found significant effects of crank length on peak joint action powers. Specifically, increases in crank length resulted in increased peak hip extension and flexion powers. This effect was more pronounced when crank length (as opposed to pedal speed) was manipulated; it can therefore be attributed to changes in crank length. Although nonsignificant, peak knee extension power tended to decrease with increases in pedal speed and crank length. Thus, while the averaged joint action powers did not differ substantially, the way in which those actions were performed differed considerably. To further explore the meaningfulness of the relationship between crank length and joint powers, we performed additional regression analyses to determine the relationships between joint action powers and crank lengths. These analyses revealed that crank length was not significantly related to joint action powers. Specifically, the coefficients of determination were 1.7% (P = 0.83) for knee extension power and 2.1% (P = 0.34) for hip extension power. Thus, although the pairwise comparisons might seem noteworthy, these regression analyses failed to discover any influence of crank length on joint power production for these actions.
The present results in combination with previous findings suggest that within the limits tested in this investigation, the distribution of joint moments and joint action powers are somewhat robust neuromechanical properties, which may govern the CNS’s control strategies. The maintenance of joint powers might be due to localized muscle metabolism and metabolic stress or might reflect synergistic multi-joint extension and flexion actions. Muscle metabolic stress is related to muscle power (rate of energy release (33)). Increasing muscle power will likely increase rates of metabolic by-product production (5) that influences the central nervous system via afferent feedback (1). This feedback may, thereby, influence reliance on various muscles and joint actions during submaximal cycling. If localized metabolic stress is an important criterion in the selection of activation patterns, maintenance of relative muscle or joint action powers might be expected across a range of conditions just as we and others (6,10,11) have observed. Furthermore, the maintenance of joint moments may reflect the CNS’s strategy to keep muscular mechanical stress constant across conditions possibly to avoid fatigue (22,30,32). The somewhat conflicting requirements of maintaining metabolic and muscular stress may explain our observed effects of crank length on knee extension moment powers. One can speculate that the joint-specific differences in joint moments and powers are a result of the various constraints imposed on the system. In particular, they may represent a trade-off between minimizing muscular mechanical as well as metabolic stress while keeping the external power output constant. Further research is warranted to specifically test this hypothesis.
There are a number of limitations that need to be considered. When changing crank length, we elected to maintain the maximum leg extension as others have done (3,27,28). This maintained joint angles at the leg’s most extended position but altered joint angles throughout the rest of cycle where most power is produced. Also, we chose to maintain the anterior–posterior position of the saddle (except for small differences associated with sliding the seat post up and down at the angle imposed by the ergometer frame). Consequently, our peak values during extension occurred with the foot closer to the hip joint with shorter cranks and further away with longer cranks. The resulting differences in joint angles may have played a role in the leg extension action and may be partially responsible for the differences in peak joint power values. One alternative approach could have been to maintain the seat height relative to the crank axle. This would have helped to maintain joint angles during the middle portion of the leg extension phase. However, it would have resulted in 2-cm increases in leg extension with the 190-mm cranks, which we sought to avoid. Another approach would have been to move the saddle anteriorly when increasing crank length and posteriorly when decreasing crank length. This approach would also have helped to maintain joint angles during leg extension but would have increased differences during the flexion phase. These alterations of joint angles may have influenced joint power within each cycle. Nonetheless, the average joint powers for the four main power producing actions did not differ across the range of crank lengths evaluated.
Together, with previous studies of metabolic cost (28) and maximal power (3,24,27), our results have implications for athletes, clinicians, and researchers. The 27% range of crank lengths evaluated in this investigation is substantially larger than the 6% range (165–175 mm) typically available for adult bicycles, indicating that cyclists can change crank lengths without concern of changing their power production strategies. Furthermore, cyclists and triathletes wishing to adopt a more horizontal torso position to reduce aerodynamic drag could use shorter cranks to eliminate thigh to torso contact, which might compromise ventilation and/or power production. Cycling enthusiasts who have musculoskeletal impairments such as femoral-acetabular impingement or knee osteoarthritis might use shorter cranks to reduce maximum hip and knee flexion and thereby reduce the risk of symptomatic flare-ups triggered by larger joint angular excursions. Similarly, in rehabilitation settings, individuals recovering from injury or surgery might benefit from using a progression of shorter to longer cranks to gradually improve range of motion over time. Finally, our results suggest that biomechanical evaluation in laboratory settings may be performed on a single “lab standard” crank length. That is, biomechanical results obtained using one length (e.g., 170 mm) will provide results that are valid for cyclists who use other crank lengths on their own bicycles. From a basic sciences perspective, our data lay the groundwork for further research investigating the potentially conflicting requirements of minimizing metabolic and muscular stresses during submaximal cycling (35).
This work was supported by funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s Doctoral Training Grant scheme. In line with the EPSRC’s requirements, the data presented here are also publicly available from the Brunel University London data archive, figshare, at http://dx.doi.org/10.17633/rd.brunel.2005926.
The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by the American College of Sports Medicine. The authors report no conflict of interest.
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Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise48(4):705-713, April 2016.
Slower V˙O2 Kinetics in Older Individuals: Is It Inevitable?
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2019-04-21T02:57:48Z
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https://dumpsterinfinite.com/maine/15-yard-dumpster-east-orland-me/
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What Does Your Heart Say?
If your questions require a more detailed answer, or if you need more assistance please feel encouraged to contact one of our rockstar team members in the office.
In short, traditional metaphysics is essentially the exploration of the fundamental nature of non-physical reality in relation to origin, existence, and understanding. Read More: What is Metaphysics?
“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.” ~Carl Sagan Read More: Why Metaphysical Sciences?
UMS presents a vast amount of information condensed into course format for accessibility to the student. The courses also serve to create a reference library that can be used well into the future.
The course content was extensively researched by a team of more than 40 writers and teachers. Many minds have come together to create this curriculum. Our research team members are varied in background, each bringing their own unique perspectives, wisdom, skills, and expertise to the courses they contributed to. Having a wide range of voices, writing styles, and perspectives keeps the curriculum fresh, interesting, and dynamic.
For UMS policies on non-discrimination, confidentiality, withdrawals, and program completion, click here.
Tuition for University of Metaphysical Sciences is as low as $950.00 when paid in full at the time of enrollment; course materials are additional. UMS payment plans offer flexible payment options to fit your schedule and your budget. The tuition and course materials fees can be prepaid, or spread out over 1, 2, or 4 years.
Our program is set up to be pay-as-you-go, meaning that with each payment made a set of course materials will be released. This offers you flexibility with your payments, and the option of moving more quickly through the courses if you choose. We hope this will assist you in pursuing your spiritual and professional goals.
For more detailed information, visit Tuition & Payment Plans.
Can I use student loans to cover tuition?
UMS is a non-secular, religious school, and is therefore ineligible to receive funds from FAFSA student loans or the GI Bill. We do offer payment plans to spread out the cost of tuition and course materials.
Our pricing has been reduced over time to offer this program for as little as possible. We are not offering scholarships at this time, but as funds become available we will be offering partial tuition scholarships for students in need of this assistance.
All prices listed on our Payment Plans page are for shipping within the United States. International shipping fees vary and are worked out on an individual basis. Students are also responsible for any duties that may be due to their government when they receive the course materials.
What is the cost for a second doctoral degree?
The second doctoral degree costs $300 in addition to the full tuition cost of your first three degrees.
The UMS curriculum is designed to give you a broad understanding of the field of metaphysics. The material is inclusive of many religions and belief systems to create awareness of the multitude of ideas and beliefs out there in the world. We endeavor to give accurate information, this being especially important where there are misconceptions or misinformation commonly held about a particular belief system, witchcraft being a good example.
Acceptance of all people’s spiritual experiences and belief systems is something that UMS deems vitally important to the future of humanity, and so we focus on a neutral and factual presentation of all kinds of beliefs. We do not ask that you believe or practice anything that you feel is not right for you, but we do ask you to keep an open mind when learning about the great variety of spiritual beliefs people hold. This can be especially helpful when, as a spiritual teacher or counselor, you find yourself working with people from many different spiritual backgrounds.
The curriculum spans many different areas of spiritual studies, as can be seen in the list of courses. The most powerful thing that you will learn though, as a student, is about your self, your gifts and skills, and your own true nature.
The courses consist of reading material generally between 20-120 pages in length. Most have a review of literature for further reading, and many have extensive reference material. Many of the courses also include meditations that are central to the overall course content.
Each course has an exam that includes true/false and multiple choice questions. These exams are primarily meant to enhance your integration of the material. If the course has meditations, you will be asked to share your experiences with the meditation. We encourage you to write about your process, whatever it was, and be gentle and accepting with where you are on your own path. We have a very supportive philosophy, and feel that there is no wrong way to experience these meditations, as long as you bring your full awareness and presence to the experience.
What are the meditations like?
The meditations are all in a guided format. They are focused on teaching skills, affirming concepts, and assisting you in accessing expanded states of awareness. They are very different from, though generally complementary to, silent meditation, and can support you in having deeper experiences within your own practice.
These meditations were all created by Christine Breese, the founder of UMS, with music by accomplished new age musician, Michael Hammer. They are very unique and powerful, and are definitely the heart and soul of the UMS curriculum.
We encourage students to fully experience these meditations to whatever degree they are able. Going as deeply as possible with the meditation work is what gives you the greatest potential for having a truly transformational, life changing journey with UMS.
How long will the program take to complete?
The UMS program is designed to be self-paced and to fit comfortably into your lifestyle.
It is possible to complete the entire program in 1 year, if you have ample time to dedicate to the process and are very motivated. We do ask that students take a minimum of 1 year to complete the program, to ensure that they have really integrated the material and gotten the most out of the journey.
Most students complete the program in around 2 years, fitting their studies into their lives in an enjoyable, practical way. One thing to note is that if a payment plan is chosen for paying the tuition, this affects the speed at which the courses can be completed. We ask that students do their best to complete the program within a 5 year time frame, but are very flexible and supportive with students as life happens.
How do I access my courses?
Internet Downloads– All course materials are downloaded through the student center. You will download PDF files for the written materials, and MP3 files for the guided meditations.
Partial Downloads / Postal– Download PDF files through the student center, receive meditation CDs through the mail.
Postal Delivery– All course materials will be sent through the mail. Printed materials are 3-hole punched for insertion into binders. Guided meditations are on CD.
Upon completion of your enrollment, you will be set up with a profile in the student center, which you will be able to access through our website. This is where you will download course materials (if choosing the internet option), as well as choose your electives, submit your exams, and keep your contact information up to date. You will be sent your login information via email upon completion of your enrollment.
Exams for each course are submitted through the student center. From here, you are able to print a copy of the exam if you prefer to take it on paper before submitting your responses online. Upon completion of an exam, an email will be sent to you with your score, a copy of the exam itself, and any feedback from faculty.
All exams are pass/fail, a passing score being 80% or better. Scores are not tracked, and grade point averages are not used at UMS. However, you will always receive an email of your graded exam, which will include your score.
Most students submit student projects and dissertations electronically, by email. If it is your preference, you may mail a hard copy.
*Students without internet access are still able to complete the program by completing the exam at the end of each course, and sending a copy in through the postal mail.
If I fail an exam, can I take it again?
Our system will allow you to submit an exam 3 times. Beyond this, staff is alerted so that we may connect with you, and open the exam to be submitted again. You are able to retake exams as many times as you need.
Do you give grades on tests?
We have a pass/fail system on exams. However, you will always receive an email of your graded exam, which will include your score.
What kind of support is available?
UMS has skilled student advisors available Monday through Friday, from 9-5 Pacific Standard Time, except holidays. Advisors do take lunch midday and have regular staff meetings, so if you are prompted to leave a message you can expect a call back in that same day. During office time advisors respond to calls and emails and are available to answer questions and offer encouragement, guidance, and support to potential and current students. Advisors are spiritually focused and knowledgeable, and are very good listeners and support people who genuinely love to connect with and get to know students. A high level of program support is maintained throughout the process, and advisors work with students on a personalized and individual basis. Extra support is offered by trained thesis advisors for students who are doing their final projects.
Would I be assigned a student advisor?
There are several staff members who can answer emails and phone calls pertaining to student questions, so there is no one person who assigned to a student.
Does UMS staff offer spiritual counseling?
Studies at University of Metaphysical Sciences are deeply transformative in nature, and at the core of the curriculum is an introduction to non-duality concepts. You are supported and encouraged in realizing the master within yourself, and also in facing your shadow selves and accepting and healing them. If you have done this type of work prior to enrollment, you may find yourself moving through the curriculum effortlessly. If not, you may find the courses trigger old hurts up for re-examination or processing. Sometimes the work in the curriculum may cause emotional releases, deep healing, or the need to talk to someone about the process.
When you enroll with UMS, you are held in loving energy on the inner planes throughout your studies by staff members. This is to assist you in successfully reaching your full potential. Wisdom of the Heart Church also maintains a prayer circle for specific requests. UMS is sensitive to difficult transformative processes, and wants to help you in every way possible. If you find yourself having a difficult emotional process, you are encouraged to write about what is going on in a letter or email to UMS. All letters are read by a staff member, and responded to with loving support.
UMS staff is limited in the scope of spiritual counseling it can offer. Answering questions or providing support and guidance through brief phone calls or emails is within that scope. More in depth counseling, advice, psychic readings, or especially any kind of crisis response or intervention is not within that scope. We strongly encourage you to cultivate and utilize your own support system and have access to local teachers, mentors, healers and counselors as needed, particularly in cases where you have experienced trauma, abuse, or mental health issues.
Whatever is going on in your life, the UMS curriculum is a very conscious way to explore your own deep healing and transformation, and, with proper support as needed, is well worth the challenges presented.
All that is required for enrollment is a high school diploma or equivalent, and the ability to read and write fluently in English. To qualify for enrollment, check the box on the enrollment form verifying that you have completed the equivalent of high school in your country.
We have an open enrollment, so you can get started whenever the time is right for you.
Can I apply previous education or experience?
Because of the unique nature of our program, with its extensive curriculum and focus on personal growth and healing, consciousness expansion, and professional development, we do require all students begin with the bachelor’s level and then proceed to master’s and doctorate. We are often asked about this, as many of our prospective students are already professionals in the field, or already have advanced degrees. We stand behind our program and our graduates, and feel that the program is most beneficial when experienced in its entirety. Upon completing the program, we are confident that our graduates would agree.
How quickly can I finish the program?
While students are able to work at their own pace, it is our hope that students will take the time to digest the material thoroughly and integrate what they are learning.
It is possible to complete the program within this time frame if you prepay or enroll in the short term payment plan, and have at least 8-12 hours per week to devote to your studies.
Can I receive my courses more quickly?
If you are enrolled in the medium or long term payment plan, and wish to move more quickly, you may make additional payments to receive more courses.
How long to I have to finish the whole program?
There is no time limit on completing the program.
Is there coursework in the doctorate program?
How do I earn a second doctoral degree?
Do research on another metaphysical subject and write a second Doctoral Dissertation. The cost for the second doctoral degree is $300.
Can I complete all three degrees through correspondence?
All courses are correspondence courses and are completed in a distance learning format. We have designed the curriculum so that students can complete their studies and receive their degrees from home, by downloading courses from our student center, or receiving them through the mail.
Degrees offered by University of Metaphysical Sciences are non-secular, religious degrees. Our bachelors, masters, and all doctoral degrees except the Ph.D. are registered with the California Office of Education. We offer our Ph.D. degrees through Minnesota, as these degrees are registered with the Minnesota Office of Education. For a complete list of degree titles, visit Metaphysical Degrees & Credentials.
Upon completion of the master’s degree you have the option to be ordained by Wisdom of the Heart Church. This is a way of strengthening your status as a spiritual teacher, mentor, and counselor. It shows that you have completed a rigorous process of spiritual growth through Wisdom of the Heart Church and UMS, and that we stand behind you as a spiritual leader. This lends support and a sense of validity to your work with others. It helps to give others a sense of confidence and security that you have met the personal and spiritual qualifications to be ordained.
Why get a doctoral degree?
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a D.D.?
The Doctor of Divinity, D.D. degree is more recognizable as a religious degree. If you will be practicing as a minister, or as a spiritual counselor or teacher, this is a good choice for your doctoral degree. For those who wish to write books and give lectures, a Ph.D. is a great option, as those who have a PhD preferred by publishers and event promoters. Some students choose to get both credentials, and in this case, the second doctorate can be applied for.
What are the limitations of a UMS degree?
UMS degrees are religious degrees, not secular degrees. They do not give you qualifications to teach at a secular or traditional college, and we caution our students to be careful in how they represent themselves so that they are not seen as psychologists or licensed counselors or therapists, nutritionists, or medical doctors.
Can I use my degree to call myself a Dr.?
Realize that these are not medical degrees, nor are they secular degrees. These are religious degrees, and must be used in this fashion. We do not recommend connecting your Dr. status to your work with medical practices in a way that would mislead your clients to believe that you have studied medical subjects. State specifically what your degree is in your advertisements, for instance: Dr. Jane Doe, D.D., Doctor of Divinity in Metaphysical Counseling, or Dr. Jane Doe, Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy in Metaphysical Sciences. Spell out your degree rather than just using the letters if you connect it to your medical type of practice so that there is no misrepresentation as a medical degree. If you are advertising for anything other than medical-type services, for instance your classes, writings, lectures and such, spelling out your degree would not be necessary. In the case of counseling, be sure to refrain from misrepresenting yourself as a psychologist by making it clear that you are counseling in a spiritual format with a ministerial license.
What are the laws for teaching & counseling?
Spiritually based healing, counseling, or teaching is not (at this time) regulated in most parts of the world. This means there are no laws that govern this type of work. To be a marriage officiant, you will have to register with your county clerk or other agency, as marriage is regulated as a civic process. Otherwise, as long as you clearly represent yourself, you are in legal standing to do this type of work. The credentials offered by UMS can give you legitimacy in representing yourself as a qualified healer, teacher, or counselor.
More and more people are feeling the call to enter careers in metaphysics as the population looks to its spirituality and seeks guidance. This program is purposely designed to give qualifications and credentials to the future spiritual teachers who are serious about becoming a source of guidance and love to others. For information on the careers you might pursue with an education in metaphysics, visit Careers in Metaphysics.
If I don’t have the money for the down payment will you guys be able to work with me? I have extremely tight budget.
Thank you for your question! Yes, we can help you get started without having to make a down payment. We offer a partial scholarship which waives the down payment on the long term plan (see payment plan here), allowing you to get started by making your first monthly payment. Once you are ready to get started, please fill out and submit the enrollment form and the scholarship application on the same day.
If you have any further questions, feel free to call us at 707-822-2111, or email [email protected].
Where is the info about the Paraguayan (?name?) retreat ???
The retreat center run by founder Christine Breese is Gaia Sagrada in Ecuador. You can find more information at gaiasagrada.com.
Does your university accept tuition paid by the VA?
I am sorry to say that no, we have not been approved to receive funds from the Veteran’s Administration.
Feel free to direct any further questions to [email protected], or give us a call at 707-822-21111.
Are there fees associated with your Degree and Schooling once the courses are completed? Or once you have the degree do you have it forever?
There are no fees in addition to the tuition, course materials and shipping costs listed on this page. Your degrees and ordination remain valid, and there is nothing additional you have to do for them to remain so once the program is completed.
Is it possible to obtain M. Div degree in metaphysics? Also I have Master’s Degree in another field. Do I still need to get another bachelor degree in metaphysics to qualify for M. Div program?
What exactly is one able to do with a degree from UMS?
Thank you for your question! Our degrees are intended for students working in spiritual / metaphysical fields. For ideas or to see what others are doing with their degrees, I suggest visiting the Careers in Metaphysics page, as well as browsing through the bios of some of our graduates.
If you have further questions, feel free to give us a call at 707-822-2111 or email [email protected].
Is this an online program?
Yes, this is an online program. Courses are downloaded as pdf files for the reading material, and mp3 files for the guided meditations. There is an option to add on the hard copy version, where you would receive printed material and the guided meditations on cd. Exams at submitted through our online student center.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to email [email protected], or call us at 707-822-2111.
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2019-04-24T13:49:54Z
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https://metaphysicsuniversity.com/frequently-asked-questions/
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The first report I read about the Texas woman who was shot in the buttocks mentioned that the gun had fallen from a purse of the person with the gun. Actually, here is an article about where the gun did come from. A man sitting next to the injured woman dropped the gun and voila, a 71 year old grandmother is in a hospital with serious injuries to her intestines. Those bullets travel fast through bodies causing lots of damage. So now we have yet another gunshot victim whose hospital bills will be huge and guess who pays? She is on Medicare no doubt. We all pay for the medical bills of gunshot injury victims. If it's private insurance, rates go up and we all pay. If it's government funded, we all pay. Doesn't it make sense to lower our health insurance rates by taking more preventative measures concerning one of the causes of the high medical costs? If guns were carried in fewer places, we would not have accidental discharges in public injuring totally innocent people. If we didn't have an expectation that we must have guns everywhere just in case, we wouldn't see shootings like this in public places. If we didn't think it was necessary to arm ourselves against other armed people, perhaps we would leave our guns at home securely locked up where they won't cause injuries to the average citizen out for dinner. But some do not have common sense when it comes to these matters.
I don't think this is a good example for you to use, everything I've read about derringers is that they're novelties and are generally considered unsafe to carry, unlike the vast majority of modern pistols. Old revolvers were like that also, and could be fired if accidentally dropped on the hammer.
It sounds like he didn't even have a holster or anything to secure it either. I might agree with you if all we had were derringers to carry, but I'm not concerned with modern firearms going off by themselves, especially when properly secured in a holster. Most gun 'accidents' are from negligent handling, not because a firearm is inherently unsafe or defective in some way.
It's a horrible shame that poor woman was injured by an irresponsible gun owner. I say he was irresponsible because he was not carrying a drop safe gun and did not have it properly secured in a holster or other safe method. The fault for that horrible negligence lies with him and him alone.
In a perfect world nobody would have or need firearms. Too bad we do not live in that perfect world. While we're working on that, in the meantime, how about we focus on safety education and legal responsibilities for gun owners. That's something that the NRA and many other organizations and trainers do.
The problem with your logic is that you can't guarantee that everyone is going to be doing what's right when they carry their guns around? How do you make sure they will? You can't stop them just as you guys say you can't stop criminals. When enough people get permits to carry, and some without much training, if any, this will continue to happen.
Well, Gail. See my comment above. It the NRA is so good at training, why not mandate training for all who choose to own and carry guns? Is that done? Not. Do you think all gun owners would undergo mandatory training? It would be sort of like getting a license to drive a car. It would be mandatory because we know that without it, we will have safety problems.
"The problem with your logic is that you can't guarantee that everyone is going to be doing what's right when they carry their guns around? How do you make sure they will? You can't stop them just as you guys say you can't stop criminals. When enough people get permits to carry, and some without much training, if any, this will continue to happen."
There aren't many guarantees in life. There isn't any guarantee that every person who carries a gun will do so responsibly. Even people with training can and do have accidents, that's life.
Generally speaking, I do trust the average person to make responsible decisions. I think it's only fair to give someone the benefit of the doubt and reserve judgement until they actually harm someone.
"Well, Gail. See my comment above. It the NRA is so good at training, why not mandate training for all who choose to own and carry guns? Is that done? Not. Do you think all gun owners would undergo mandatory training? It would be sort of like getting a license to drive a car. It would be mandatory because we know that without it, we will have safety problems."
Besides the obvious slippery slope aspect of mandatory training, what effect does training have on driving? There are still reckless drivers, even though they've all had driver's ed. It's not because they don't know any better, its because they're disregarding the rules, much like this guy with the derringer.
You can't keep people from making reckless or evil decisions. It has less to do with knowledge and more to do with their morals. People who drive recklessly don't care about anyone else's safety, and making them take more driving classes won't change that.
As far as firearms training goes, the basic rules are very simple, and I'm sure you know them or have had someone post them before. Like cars, firearms aren't that complicated to handle, you just need to pay attention and not become complacent.
"It the NRA is so good at training, why not mandate training for all who choose to own and carry guns?"
Why stop there? Why not mandate training for everyone? Teach it in school, just like bicycle training.
I don't think bicycle training is taught in schools- not in my district anyway. I believe that is part of a parent's role or maybe the local police who set up little areas in malls to teach bike safety.
I would say the flaw to keeping firearms locked up at home is that they dont do you any good there. I would say I am far more likely to need the firearm out and about than at home.
The bottom line Japete is that you are not interested in reasonable gun regulation that allows people to defend themselves with firearms anywhere other than at home, with single shot long arms, while under the covers with a flashlight.
I have mixed feelings about making anything mandatory because you can't force someone to learn. Learning is also a continuous process. Forcing someone to take a class for a permit or license doesn't guarantee that they will remember that knowledge in 20 years if they have an indifferent attitude towards safety. This is the fundamental problem with thinking that just because Obama signs a piece of paper, gun accidents will dramatically drop.
Responsible people will learn on their own. As a motorcycle rider, I attended about 3 or 4 motorcycle safety classes with the first one before I got on my first bike. As a gun owner, I attended about half a dozen classes with 2 or 3 requiring live fire, almost immediately before I handled my first firearm so that I wouldn't develop bad habits from the start. One of those classes was a simulator used by local law enforcement to simulate potential shooting scenarios including live actors for increased realism. How many and which classes would a mandatory training law require? Even after all that, I train with my firearm regularly so that I don't lose those perishable skills.
There will always be irresponsible people out there. I look for them on my bike and I look for them when I sit down at a restaurant.
I would be ok with a law forbidding loaded CCW carry of spur triggered guns (like Derringers). They call them “suicide specials” for a reason. Own them at home as a collectible if you want, but carry a modern drop-safe gun for protection. Does that seem fair Japete? That way you don’t have to worry about incidents like this when you are in public.
Or you or anyone else, TS.
You know, in this case I would have to say the person carrying was a moron and worse than that negligent. I hadn't read that this was that kind of gun before. It is hard to imagine one that would be worse for carry.
As to training, by itself it isn't a terrible idea. It should be noted that such requirements have been abused in the past and always have the potential for abuse in the future. That said, I do think that people who carry should voluntarily seek training. Carrying is an awesome responsibility and it does make sense to get the training necessary to do it properly. Not every one will. Not everyone takes proper driving training either.
I like what Migo said: "I have mixed feelings about making anything mandatory because you can't force someone to learn."
Nevertheless, I believe there should be lots of training and practice mandated for those who want to carry or even own guns. Plus, when one makes a mistake the right to own guns is relinquished.
I realize that's harsh, anyone can make a mistake, right? But think about it this way. Gun owners who are careful and responsible make fewer of them and gun owners who are careless and irresponsible make more.
One strike you're out, is my idea.
Clearly, gravity is to blame. We need to severely restrict gravity, or at least regulate it so incidents like this never happen again. No matter that gravity didn't affect 250,000,000 other guns that day, but because gravity shot this woman, it's just too much.
"Some people strongly believe that a gun for self defense will result in their safety and allow them the ability to "take out" someone who means them harm. I have posted many instances of when that didn't happen. I wonder how that view squares with this incident at a police station in Detroit?"
It doesn't matter. It's their life. Even if they're wrong, it's their choice to make, not yours.
If they are wrong and someone I love dies as a result, it does then involve me.
When they are wrong, should be held responsible, and be subject to the full civil and criminal penalties.
Both as a matter of simple justice, and as a deterrent to convince others that, for example, carrying a unholstered derringer is a very bad idea.
"I realize that's harsh, anyone can make a mistake, right? But think about it this way. Gun owners who are careful and responsible make fewer of them and gun owners who are careless and irresponsible make more.
One strike you're out, is my idea. "
Should this extend to other things like cars? Should Ted Kennedy have had his DL revoked?
I don't know if we should have a one-strike-you're-out rule for other things. I write about guns. Why can't you stick with the subject at hand, Anthony?
"I don't know if we should have a one-strike-you're-out rule for other things. I write about guns. Why can't you stick with the subject at hand, Anthony? "
Because we're actually concerned with people being hurt or injured by anything and see no difference in someone dead from being hit by a drunk driver and someone dead from being shot.
I was merely wondering how far you wanted to take your one strike logic. The fact that motor vehicle deaths being higher than gun deaths would seem like a compelling reason to do that too. Now you did not say there had to be a death from the accident with the gun. If the reason is a mere accident including injury the numbers jump even more with 2.9 million people injured a year in car accidents.
But how about this? Gun deaths are almost the same as car deaths, give or take 10,000, let's say. If cars had the same lack of restrictions that guns have, let's say no seat belt law, no licensing, registration or insurance requirements, how many more deaths do you think there would be? A lot, I'd say.
The obvious conclusion is that with the same kinds of controls, gun deaths could be brought down to 5,000 or 10,000 instead of the shameful over-30,000 that we have now.
And let's not forget while you're getting all worked up with this fun comparison, most people who have a car use it daily. Most gun onwers do not. So if you wanted to allow for the proportion of use, gun deaths would be way higher than car deaths.
Those are the numbers you should use. CDC numbers.
Out of curiosity why were my other 2 posts not fit to publish?
ok lets try this too then. I hardly think comparing accidental car deaths and intentional firearm deaths is comparing apples to apples.
It's all apples and oranges, man.
Recently I had occasion to rethink my "one strike you're out" rule. Robert Farago suggested that we should make the punishment match the crime, which I find hard to argue with.
So, one strike of any kind, you lose your guns and gun rights. One strike in which your stupidity injures someone, you go to jail too. How's that sound?
Wouldn't you legitimate and responsible gun owners benefit from this too? Gradually your group, the pool of gun owners at large, would be cleaned up. Year by year there'd be fewer and fewer incidents of misuse. The accident prone who drop guns, the sloppy ones who make theft easy, the drunks and prescription addicts whould be partly weeded out. Isn't that what we all want?
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2019-04-22T14:39:00Z
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http://www.commongunsense.com/2011/01/addendum-to-purses-and-backpacks-post.html
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Photo credit to David Levene.
British prime minister David Cameron is gearing up to fight the toughest campaign of his life to win reelection on May 7.
Nevertheless, his announcement earlier this week that he intends to serve out two terms — and no more — has started the race to determine his successor. Despite Cameron’s efforts to signal that he will step down in 2020, there’s no guarantee that Cameron will be so lucky. The next Conservative Party leadership race could start immediately after the British election if Cameron leads the party to defeat or, possibly, after 2017 when Cameron has pledged (if reelected) to hold a referendum on continuing the United Kingdom’s membership in the European Union.
But even if the Tories win a renewed mandate (an outcome that seems more likely today than at any time in the past two or three years), a second Cameron term will now become even more consumed by the debate among his would-be successors to define the party’s future. Notwithstanding the planned 2017 EU referendum, the party’s next leader will determine whether the Conservatives should be relatively more pro-Europe or anti-Europe in an era that features the rise Nigel Farage’s populist and eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP). The next Tory leader will also face a fragmenting political environment that appears to be transitioning from a two-party to a multi-party system and a growing sense of constitutional crisis in the aftermath of last September’s referendum on Scottish independence. Moreover, the next Tory leader will also have to choose between two strains of economic policy — a pro-market Thatcherite approach or the more centrist ‘one nation’ Tory approach of her predecessors that concedes a stronger role for government social welfare.
Obviously, a lot depends on timing — a leadership contest in 2015 could bring a different result than a contest in 2017 or 2019.
Cameron, in his remarks earlier this week, singled out Johnson as well as chancellor George Osborne and home secretary Theresa May as particularly strong candidates. Though Cameron almost certainly prefers Osborne, whose leadership stock is certainly on the rise as the economy improves, the two frontrunners today are clearly Johnson and May (pictured together above), whose personalities and approach to politics and government couldn’t be more different.
It was certainly the kind of move German chancellor Angela Merkel would never have made.
Surprising reporters and many members of his own party alike, British prime minister David Cameron earlier this week announced that he will not stand for a third term — that is, if he and the ruling Conservative Party win reelection on May 7.
George Osborne, the chancellor who’s taken as much heat as Cameron for the budget cuts of the past five years and who, insiders say, Cameron prefers as his successor.
It’s too soon to tell if the strategy will help Cameron and the Tories win what has become a very tight race with the center-left Labour Party. On the one hand, it’s a little presumptuous for a British prime minister to look past an election in just over five weeks’ time to proclaim that he won’t be running for reelection in five years’ time. Cameron’s shot at winning a second term is precarious enough as it is. Moreover, there’s a real question that he’s now made himself a lame duck for the second term, which promises to include a tough 2017 referendum on the country’s membership in the European Union if Cameron wins. What happens, by the way, if the Conservatives win a shaky minority government in May, lose a confidence vote in early 2016? Will Cameron resign when early elections follow? (Notwithstanding the new law purporting to establish fixed-term parliament.) Needless to say, it’s not the most intuitive step for a prime minister to launch a slow-motion leadership race so close to a general election.
On the other hand, it’s not out of character for Cameron, who’s never seemed to crave the premiership in the same way as former occupants of 10 Downing Street. It stands in contrast to Margaret Thatcher, who said he hoped to ‘go on and on’ after winning a third term and who finally left office after 11 years as a result of Tory regicide or to Labour prime minister Tony Blair, whose chancellor, Gordon Brown, pushed him out after a decade of intraparty sniping. Though the British media will spend this week talking about Cameron’s statement, the succession question will burn out by the time the real campaign begins, so you can expect relatively little off-the-record briefing about when Cameron will leave. His casual remarks end the speculation, for example, that he might resign after the 2017 referendum or in 2018. After all, if he hangs on until 2020 as he hopes, he will have served as the Conservative Party leader for fully 14 years — just as long as the Iron Lady herself.
Scotland votes: Should it stay or should it go?
The answer could change the economic, social and cultural outcomes of the lives of both English and Scottish residents for generations to come.
Does Venezuela need its own Margaret Thatcher?
Though the snap Venezuelan presidential election — just six days away — will likely have huge implications for the country’s economic policy, and though most economic commentators would agree that Venezuela is in dire need of economic reform, neither candidate seems especially keen on discussing those reforms in a campaign that’s been heavy on personality and emotions.
But the negative aspects of legacy of chavismo — a growing public sector and nationalized industries, ever-expanding army of bureaucrats, widespread power outages, crumbling infrastructure — sound an awful lot like much of the problems that the United Kingdom faced in the late 1970s.
Is Venezuela entering its own ‘winter of discontent?’ And if so, does it need a Margaret Thatcher?
When it comes to South America, Thatcher is most well-known for the Falklands War against Argentina in 1982 (see Thatcher pictured above during that war).
But one Venezuelan blogger has already argued that Romuló Betancourt, the first democratically elected president of Venezuela in 1958, was its ‘Thatcher.’ Betancourt’s major contribution was normalizing democratic elections and peaceful transfers of power, an institution that has so far continued in Venezuela without interruption, even throughout the chavismo era. Economically, the Betancourt government’s most notable achievement was land reform that boosted rural peasants.
Perhaps the better example of Thatcherite economics in Venezuela is the second term of Betancourt’s successor (and one-time interior minister) Carlos Andrés Pérez (pictured below). Despite presiding over the largesse of the oil bonanza that to the rest of the world was an oil crisis, Pérez (or ‘CAP’) returned to office with high hopes that he could unlock another era of plenty on a relatively populist campaign built on empty promises.
Upon election, he rapidly sought a $4.5 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, in return for crushing reforms that included a tax overhaul, a reduction in tariffs and custom duties and privatizations of state-owned companies. But those reforms (the ‘paquete‘ or the ‘package’) most controversially caused the price of gasoline prices to rise (and the secondary price of public transportation) due to the elimination in Venezuela’s famous gasoline subsidy — to this day, Venezuelan gas prices are the lowest in the world, and Venezuelans believe cheap gas is practically a birthright.
Until then, Venezuelans had seen themselves as different, more civilized, more democratic, better than their Latin American neighbors. Thirty-one years of unbroken, stable, petrostate-funded democracy had made us terribly cocky. In a sense, the riots market Venezuela’s re-entry into Latin America. The country was no longer exceptional: just another hard-up Latin American country struggling to put its democracy on a stable footing.
Those riots ultimately led to the dismantling of Venezuela’s two-party system, CAP’s impeachment in 1993, and two coup attempts in 1992 — one in February 1992 by a little-known lieutenant colonel named Hugo Chávez, who would of course take power by democratic means just six years later in a landslide election victory.
So if Thatcherite policies ultimately paved the way for chavismo, could chavismo pave the way for a countervailing turn back to neoliberal reforms? Fast-forward two decades, and the country with the world’s largest proven reserves of petroleum finds itself with a budget deficit last year that equalled 17% of GDP and a public debt burden that’s now equal to 50% of GDP. So if he wins the presidential election, Chávez’s anointed successor Nicolás Maduro will have far fewer economic tools at his disposal than Chávez did to achieve his goals.
Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles certainly isn’t going around the country advocating the elimination of gasoline subsidies, but Capriles seems far likelier than Maduro to enact the kind of policy reforms that could balance Venezuelan finances back toward a more stable equilibrium.
But say what you will about the positive aspects of chavismo in reducing poverty in Venezuela and giving voice to a largely forgotten underclass excluded from the country’s oil wealth for a half-century, Venezuelan finances are hardly in great shape, and the winner of Sunday’s election will face significant financial pressures — all the more so if oil prices fall over the next six years.
We all woke up in the United States this morning to the news that Margaret Thatcher, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, died at age 87.
There’s not much I can add (Andrew Sparrow’s live blog at The Guardian is a good place to start) to what will certainly be a week’s worth of paeans to someone who was undoubtedly the most consequential British prime minister since Winston Churchill — and, serving fully 11 years from 1979 to 1990, the United Kingdom’s longest-serving prime minister in the 20th century.
Friends in the Health Service told me that by the mid 1980s, psychiatrists engaged in the early diagnosis of their more disturbed patients ceased asking them for their own names and birth dates and so on, and asked instead for the name of the prime minister. If patients failed to remember that, they knew they were properly sunk.
You’ll hear over the next 48 hours the extent to which Thatcher changed Great Britain, Europe and the world, but most immediately, it’s remarkable the extent to which she changed the Conservative Party. Her influence still lives on today in Tory prime minister David Cameron’s government in the same way that Ronald Reagan’s ghost hovers the Republican Party, even today, in the United States.
It’s not just that she was a woman in a party of old men — German chancellor Angela Merkel won’t likely go down in history in the same breath as Thatcher.
It’s not just that she came from a humble background in a party of aristocracy — her predecessor Edward Heath came from an even more humble background.
It’s that she in many ways was the first truly conservative prime minister of Great Britain, in that her free market fervor really represented a radical departure from the paternal ‘One Nation Tory’ stance of her predecessors. It’s easy today to forget just how truly broken the UK economy had become in the late 1970s under Labour — strikes, inflation, economic malaise, rubbish uncollected in the streets. But she inherited a Britain that had reached a post-war nadir, and that turned around in her time in office.
She so transformed British politics that Labour prime minister Tony Blair, when he came to power in the landslide 1997 election, was essentially a Thatcherite — he not only pulled the Labour Party (‘New Labour’) far from its trade union roots, but he arguably pulled it to the right of the Old Tories under Heath and Macmillan.
The essence of Thatcherism was to oppose the status quo and bet on freedom—odd, since as a prim control freak, she was in some ways the embodiment of conservatism. She thought nations could become great only if individuals were set free. Her struggles had a theme: the right of individuals to run their own lives, as free as possible from the micromanagement of the state.
Photo credit to Denis Thorpe of The Guardian.
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2019-04-23T00:44:55Z
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http://suffragio.org/tag/thatcher/
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20 years of Creative Chakra Spa celebrate with us with some of these favorite couples massage packages. Couples spa massages come with a private infrared sauna, jacuzzi bath for two or aromatherapy steam room for two. Customize your massage with indian head massage, peppermint foot scrub, a glass of wine & private spa suite.
We are celebrating 20 years of Creative Chakra Spa! Centrally located in Los Angeles, just 3 buildings from the Pacific Ocean & Oceanfront Walk, (the end of the bike-path) in the Marina Peninsula, these packages include some of our signature treatments for couples tried & tested over 17 years at our ocean spa retreat! Our product line is celebrating 20 years with over 300 products! All packages include, massage with indian head massage, peppermint foot scrub, wine/champagne by the fire.
Just 3 buildings from the Pacific Ocean & Venice Boardwalk, these packages include some of our signature treatments for couples tried & tested over 17 years at our spa retreat!
Allow approximately 2 hours for your private spa journey or more for premium packages. All packages include, massage with indian head massage, peppermint foot scrub, wine/champagne by the fire.
3) 1 hour customized massage service includes – indian head massage & exhilirating peppermint foot scrub & chocolate massage butter, made fresh daily, a mood enhancer and anti-oxidant.
7) Exclusive & reserved private infrared red sauna/jacuzzi bath for 2.
3) 80 mins customized massage service includes – indian head massage & exhilirating peppermint foot scrub & chocolate massage butter, made fresh daily, a mood enhancer and anti-oxidant.
The deluxe packge includes all the same but upgrades to exclusive reserved jacuzzi bath for 2 or infrared sauna including a one hour massage service with freshly made chocolate massage cream, a mood enhancer and anti-oxident, prepared fresh daily.
The Supreme Couples Spa journey is the ultimate and includes all of the services above in the regular and deluxe with an upgrade of a 80 min massage hand dipped chocolate strawberries & berries or cheese plate and upgradable location, on a first come, first served basis.
These are special valentine’s packages for 2018 as we celebrate our 17th year with the most popular spa treatments and reserved private spa journeys.
Creative Chakra Spa has been featured on these shows: The Doctors, Little Women LA, Beverly Hills Housewives, Love and Hip Hop Hollywood, Millionaire Matchmaker, Married to the Rock, America’s Next Top Model, Lion in the Kitchen, Discovery Channel, E! News, MTV, Good Morning Hollywood and a few films too!
Each year we are a sold out affair so book swiftly a popular tradition – February 10th-21st (Includes President’s Day).
Join us for a blissful spa experience at Creative Chakra Spa in Marina del Rey, located just three blocks south of the Venice Pier, only 3 buildings from the Pacific Ocean. This will mark our 17th anniversary offering romantic couples spa packages for Valentine’s day. Enjoy chocolates and roses upon arrival to our tea room.
Choose from : 12 unique Valentine Couples Spa Experiences – spa suites – private & exclusive aromatherapy steam bath, garden infrared sauna, or over-size jacuzzi bath – garden lounge – ocean views – tea room & terrace – free parking – booked especially for you with love.
Did you know that we are one of the most filmed spas in Los Angeles and one of 3 longest running independent spas in LA? This year we have appeared on “Little Women”, Fit, Famous & Fabulous, Love & Hip Hop Hollywood & invited onto the new Tyra Banks show. We have always been committed to serving and supporting our creative community. We are voted one of the “most romantic Couples Massage Packages in Los Angeles!” Visit soon at our beach-side healing retreat.
Endorsed by Spa Finder as “The country’s premiere Holistic destination day spa, award-winning and celebrity preferred”.
We are pleased to announce its Signature Partnerships: Mercedes Grill, Hotel Erwin, The Kinney, Marina del Rey Hotel, and Hal’s Bar & Grille.
CEO Sandie West, herself a holistic practitioner – massage therapist, yoga teacher, & personal trainer – opened Creative Chakra Spa over 16 years ago. It is now the country’s premier holistic destination day spa; an ocean-front, hidden gem and holistic healing oasis. Sandie also creates 300 freshly made, eco-friendly elixers, soothing balms and teas for her clientele. With exclusive and private use of their garden infrared sauna, jacuzzi, or variety of baths, you’ll enjoy the solitude of vacation right here at home.
As couples realize the importance of are sharing this experience together, Couples Massage is becoming really relevant and popular throughout the country. Friends and family are also seeing the benefits of receiving massages together. A great way to relax and rejuvenate both you and your loved one. Most couples massages are geared towards romantic partners, candles, fireplaces, fountains, champagne or sunsets may accentuate the atmosphere as well as exclusive areas just for them such as a hydro-therapy or infra-red saunas.
Couples massages can be useful in relieving the stress that can build up between two companions and can strengthen your relationship because you are are taking the time to commit to your health and you are doing this together, creating a wonderful experience and meaningful memories of your lives together.
Instead of watching TV or going to a restaurant together, couples massage can be used as a way for you and a romantic partner to connect, or even a loved one such as a Mom or a Friend, to spend quality time together and become closer in their relationships. Mother and Son, or Son and Father are also growing in popularity for those who specialize in these therapies.
Enjoying health, wellness and luxury therapeutic massages services create a deeper bond and connection with each other. In life, our relationships are pulled in so many directions with our responsibilities in life, such as work, kids, fun, working out, eating, relaxing, returning calls/emails/texts etc and enjoying nature or with your pet or even just plain chilling out! The time challenges are that these don’t automatically harmonize with each other for your partner or friends schedules! A real chill out massage retreat is most welcomed if you can find the right place that caters precisely to this and there are very few in Los Angeles that offer this type of retreat but check out Creative Chakra Spa and LPR Day Spa.
Enjoy the energetic healing flow of experiencing this deeply healing side-by-side serenity massage together in a soothing, spa environment. Couples massage is usually an after-thought on spa design where a couple may find themselves in smaller rooms where the massage therapists are trying to avoid colliding with each other! A great massage is where a therapist is 100% focused on you and what is needed for your individual body to relax. They are picking up on cues from you energetically and are sensing how you breathe as you begin to fall into deeper relaxation releasing your stress at the same time as your partner, beautiful! Highly recommended to experience ultimate relaxation at the same time.
Our spa treatments will help you unwind as you enjoy your visit to Venice Beach.
There are people who say, Sandie, you are a great manifester. I think the greatest thing I ever did in organizing my belief system growing up was that I vowed, I would always be truthful and seek truth and I realized if you say you are going to say a statement to other people, then you have to back it up, it has to be true, you intention has to be behind it. If you say you are doing something, just announce it. It sets the wheels in fast motion, you have to do it.
I used to kick my ankle and chastize myself when I first started doing this at the age of nineteen, because I didn’t want to be a pretender, a liar, a fool, I didn’t want to look stupid. Without fail this method has always helped me to dream and then create an action. By telling other people what you are doing, it puts the thought out into the universe of sound, it allows others minds to build that thought into a strong position in the concrete universe of transactions. Oh, this getting escoterical, don’t want to lose ya there! Just truth and action, creates your dreams into reality. That is all! Practical isn’t it?
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2019-04-21T18:13:33Z
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https://www.creativechakra.com/tag/creative-chakra-spa/
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Edit October 2017: Moved all pictures in this thread to a new host.
After many months (years?) of lurking, I have finally started my build. It is as terrifying and scary as I thought it would be. I barely know how to hold a shop knife, let alone using it to trim a Stormtrooper suit... But I am trying my best!
I started trimming it, but due to more pressing matters taking priority, I had to postpone the build. It has been waiting in a box in my bedroom since.
Recently I started building again, and figured it is time to do one of these build threads.
I started with the arms and biceps. Thought it would be an easy start.
The specs states no return edge. Is this acceptable?
I hope to have the suit battle-ready by mid-September. I am spending my summer vacation at home, so I have lots of time to work on it.
You can take a little bit more off of the forearms.
Hi Simon, some of your cover stripes appear a bit long to me. Maybe you can shorten these a bit!?
From what maker is that armor?
Thanks for all advice! I have been tinkering with the arms and biceps all evening, and they are starting to look better.
Haha, yes, it was oddly satisfying!
I might sand it down some before moving on to the left arm.
I think I made the strips this long to hide the difference in height between the two halves. But it looks like it is possible to make them a bit shorter.
The armor is Troopermaster 1,5 mm ABS.
I've done some more work on the arms. I have removed more of the edge on both forearms, and the cover strips on the forearms and biceps. I had too much of an edge on the biceps, which made it difficult to hide the height difference. Took some of it off, and shortened the strips. I still need to smooth out the rough edges, but I need to do a supply run to get more sandpaper first.
Yesterday I also glued the shins. 20 mm wide strips in front, 25 mm wide strips back. I am happy with how they seems to have turned out, but I'll do my final judgement once I'm sure that the glue has set. It was a bit cold in the store room last night (14°C at the lowest), so I'll give it a few more hours before removing the clamps and magnets. Just to be sure.
I want to do the accurate shin hooks, but am a bit worried that the holes will rip after a while. Do any of you reinforce the holes in any way?
No need to worry about the holes ripping.
Who's skipping leg day? Not this recruit!
The glue on the shins has set nicely. The left shin did slide a bit due to poor clamping, but it will be mostly hidden by the knee plate. I might make som ABS paste and fix it later, but I will let it be for now.
I did a test fitting before I did the final cut and gluing.
I going to sand the edges some more. That right leg does not look right.
When I am done with that, I will glue the strapping. I made them with the help of a nearly 50 year old sewing machine – a Singer Golden Panoramic 670G from ca 1967.
After that, I will move on the knee plate. I'm thinking it requires lots of glue, clamps, magnets and patience.
What I did was put some glue on the inside edges of the kneeplate and the front of it that touches the coverstrip, then clamp it in place and kind of trickle more glue from the top into space between the edges of the kneeplate and the shin. You can do this in stages too.
The knee plate is glued and clamped, and should be done in about 20-24 hours. Possibly. The northern Norwegian summer temperature is working against me, wildly fluctuating between 10° to 25° on any given day. It has been difficult to maintain an ideal curing temperature in the room where I let my pieces dry. Never thought that would be an issue during this build!
While I wait for that, I have moved on to the helmet. I trimmed the teeth and eye holes back when I first got it. I decided back then that I wanted a black interior. I might have chosen the screen accurate green today, but it doesn't matter. Black is fine.
I've always found that a low brow looks more menacing than a high brow, so I did some fiddling and found my preferred placement. The brow is resting about 3 mm above each outer corner of the eyes, with a slight upwards curve. The center measures 5 mm above the eyes. I like this look, so I have mounted the faceplate.
After that, I started trimming the ears. And I have made a mistake. I overtrimmed the right ear. It fits nicely in the back, but have a huge gap in front. I wish it was the opposite.
I could try trimming the back some more, and moving the ear slightly down and back. The gap should become less prominent then. Right now, I am contemplating on letting it be, or obtaining a new set of ears. I don't know, I have to figure something out.
I would trim the back of the ear to allow you to pull the front closer to the tube. You may need to trim the circular part too just to help a bit. Don't worry if you have a slight gap, it's quite normal. People try to make a water tight fit when it isn't necessary.
Using pencil marks and sandpaper only (no scissors or powertools), I took some flesh off the back and the circle on the right ear. The gap is much less prominent now, and I'm feeling more confident that it will look good when mounted. Next up: the left ear.
Simon, remember once you put the screws in it will pull it closer to the tube and bucket so don't make any more changes to the ear until you see what it looks like mounted. You're on the right track!
Just a quick update. I've just checked on the knee plate. The glue has cured, but it has slipped slightly to the right during the night. It's nothing you would notice when looking at it.
You can try sliding in your exacto blade in there to separate it on just that section and re-glue it.
Another quick update, but no pictures today. Not much has been done since the previous update. I took the weekend off from the build, after having spent many hours on Friday trying to get the ears right.
Today I marked the placement for all of the split rivets, snaps, brackets and screws on the torso. I haven't yet decided if I want to do an accurate, permanent strapping with the split rivets, or if I want use snaps on the inside.
Now I have to let the glue cure. This is the downside to using E6000. It take forever to glue something as easy as straps.
The arm straps are mostly done. I still haven't done the one on top of the shoulder bells, with the sew-on snap connecting to the shoulder straps. I want to take more accurate measurements first, so that will have to wait until I actually have a shoulder strap to measure.
- Added insoles to my TK Boots to get a better fit.
- Glued latex handguards to gloves.
- Tried on the black compression undersuit, feeling like a ninja. But I'm a bit disappointed. It turned out that the pants have very visible, light grey seams that didn't show in the picture on eBay.
- Pretrimmed the belt ammo boxes and the thigh ammo boxes.
- Pretrimmed the drop boxes.
- Fitted and trimmed thighs. Started gluing them.
- Reinforced the aerator sockets on the helmet using Sugru.
I noticed something when working on the helmet in different lighting conditions. The plastic has yellowed. This has not happened to any of the other pieces, and as far as I know, the helmet are made from the same material. I'm trying to think why this has happened. None of the parts have been exposed to direct sunlight over time, and the box was not stored close to any heat source. The only difference I can think of, is that the helmet were wrapped in bubble-wrap, but I don't understand how that would result in yellowing. Anyway, it is not that noticable yet (I didn't notice it until now). And if the yellowing continues, I think I have most of the ingredients to make Retr0bright.
When I came home today, I noticed that lingering E6000 smell from previous legs in this build. It smells like hope and dreams and sticky fingers!
The thighs are coming together nicely. I had to reinforce one of the front cover strips, so that set me back 24 hours. The other one looks good for now, but the glue is still wet. Once I free up a couple of magnets, I will tackle the back cover strips. I keep coming back to the forums to check how wide they should be. The built-in search never agrees with me, but using Google site search, it seems like the consensus here is 20 mm wide. But also that they should be the same width as the shin strips for consistency, and mine are 25 mm. The screen used once were all over the place, so I guess it comes down to armour proportions and personal preferences.
Last night I heated and bent shoulder strap hooks. I first tried the method from one of the howtos on the site, but between the measurements and the grooves, I could not get it to bend right. Next I tried just bending the plastic over a flat carpenter pencil. The pencil I used is 15 mm wide and 7 mm thick.
That went surprisingly well. And I didn't even burn my fingers!
Right now I am working on the cover buttons for the belt. How large should the square be? I have marked 25x25 mm, which will fit snugly between the ammo boxes.
Ok a little over the top but I bet it got you fired up didn't it?
If you're interested I have a little bicep retaining clip tutorial on a AM build thread, follow the link and drop about 3/4 of the page, this may help.
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2019-04-24T03:51:15Z
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https://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/32291-simons-anh-stunt-build-tm/
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Flu Vaccine Prevents Deaths. Last year 80,000 people in the USA died from complications of the flu. Get your flu vaccine today. If you are afraid of vaccination you, especially, should watch this video.
I can talk till I am blue in the face about how vaccines do not cause autism and some people just don’t listen. But, let a twelve year old genius go on the internet and tell you all the reasons that vaccines DO cause autism and he gets millions of views in one day. Maybe I’m just wrong.
Sure, it’s a little affected to title an article referencing an Ibsen play; but the similarities are too great. In that play, a doctor was darling of a community until he did not do what the community wanted. This is similar to what is happening to healthcare workers who treat Ebola patients.
What bothers me is how she was apparently being treated. According to her she is being kept in an unheated tent outside of Newark Airport and being given nothing to wear but hospital scrubs. Where are we, in Liberia? Obviously the fear and “cootie syndrome” created by one doctor who tested positive for Ebola and roamed the streets of New York while possibly contagious, has caused politicians to act rashly if not illegally. Without knowledge of Ebola and the science that surrounds it, they have caved in to public frenzy and have jumped the shark. They had no plan of action as how to quarantine anyone exposed to Ebola, except to isolate them. They have no definition of what “exposure” is. Does someone sitting next to someone on the subway who turns out to have Ebola count as an exposed person? Will they then be quarantined? Where does it end? They don’t know. They are playing it by ear. That is a scariest thing.
I do know one thing, in the long run this type of quarantining may be increasing EVERYONE’s chances of getting Ebola. Soon few doctors and nurses will go to western Africa to treat patient’s with Ebola if this is what awaits them upon their return. You cannot expect good Samaritans to risk their lives to save us all and then accept being treated like lepers upon their arrival home.
But don’t we quarantine people with dangerous communicable diseases all the time? The answer is yes. The HUGE difference is that we do that once we KNOW they have a communicable disease, not when we just suspect they do. You may think that the stakes are higher here because Ebola is so dangerous. But as of now no one has died from contracting Ebola in the US. Which causes me to have a huge moral dilemma. I believe in quarantining health care workers on the honor principle as a way of stopping spread… but I do not agree with the way it is being done now. However, there may be a solution. The solution once again is science.
There is a test that is used both to detect and follow the progression of HIV. It is called the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. It is also used to test for progression of the Ebola virus in someone’s body. If you do not have Ebola in your blood this test will be negative. It is not like the antibody test that can take days or weeks or months to be positive. If you do not have the Ebola genetic material in your blood this test will be negative. What I have not been found in the medical literature is how soon after you are infected with Ebola will this test be positive. If this test is positive within a day or two after infection then problem solved.
When a health care worker returns to America from an endemic area he or she should be given an Ebola PCR blood test and then be placed under home observation, in his or her own home. They must report to health authorities twice a day after that. They must have a PCR test every two to three days. If they have successively negative PCR and do not develop symptoms after a set period of time that “science” has determined to be safe, they can then be released from observation. That is of course if we know that my theory is correct.
Regardless, I hope that the government is taking Ebola PCRs form all health care works returning from western Africa so that we can learn more about the natural progression of this disease. If not, they should create a voluntary research protocol that does this.
If it looks like I have reversed my position on mandatory quarantine, I have! After seeing the reaction of the public and the government, I am now much more concerned about the frightened town’s people storming Frankenstein’s castle, than I am of the virus.
I am a virophobe, someone who fears viruses. Having treated people with HIV and Hepatitis C for my entire medical career I know the danger of these submicroscopic entities. Not really animals because they don’t have more than a strand of DNA or RNA, they survive by infecting a host and using it’s genetics to replicate. Therefore, the virus survives and host dies. Nature could not have created a more efficient killer.
Of course not all of them are killers, some like the Influenza virus make you ill and most people survive. But even the flu virus kills tens of thousands of people a year in the USA alone. That is a tremendously high number. Science has found that viral illness can be cured, as the recent breakthrough in the treatment of Hepatitis C proves. But this is the rare exception.
I remember hearing about H1N1 in Mexico five years ago and thinking that if a vaccine was not found immediately deaths could be in the thousands. Luckily there was a vaccine discovered and mass immunizations were successful. (Don’t even get me started on the ignorance of people who fear vaccines.) Now there is a greater threat on the horizon, the Ebola virus. It is not a matter of if it gets here, it’s a matter of when.
Ebola is a quick acting virus that causes the body to be unable to clot and up to 90% of the people who contract it eventually bleed to death within a few weeks. Whereas Ebola used to be contained to small villages in Africa, where the treatment was to isolate the whole village and let everyone die so that the virus could not spread, it is now spreading through four countries in western Africa. This week, an American returning home to Minnesota, died in Nigeria on his way home. He could have easily landed in the US and the epidemic would be in our back yard; probably to spread like wild fire because the public has not been educated about how to curtail its spread.
Let’s learn from HIV and Hepatitis C. We are not alone in the world. This is not “their” disease. This is “our” problem. This is not just about Africans in a distant land, expiring of a rare disease. This is a wildfire that is potentially about to take off. The time for the CDC and WHO to take action is now. Worldwide deaths could easily be in the tens, if not hundreds of MILLIONS. It is my opinion that airlines should not allow ANYONE to travel who has a fever. It may be extreme but some countries have been doing this for years during the outbreak of other viral epidemics. Secondly, Ebola vaccination research needs to be stepped up immediately. Thirdly, and most importantly, since Ebola cannot spread through casual contact, there must be a concerted global education effort to teach people about proper hygiene that will help prevent the spread.
I am not trying to be an alarmist, just sending a wake up call. Ebola is here. But if being an alarmist will eventually save lives… then I’m sounding the alarm.
I LOVE talking and writing about vaccines…just LOVE it. Especially since a lot of my friends in earthy, green, tree hugging California, where I happen to live, are against vaccinations. I am a medical doctor and excuse me for giving advice based about scientific data. (Do you sense the sarcasm yet?) Here is some data: vaccinations, for whooping cough, polio, tetanus, hepatitis and diphtheria, just to name a few, have saved millions of lives. FACT. I believe it is almost criminal for people who do not have a sense of this history to make erroneous claims regarding vaccines and in turn persuade others not to vaccinate themselves and their children. This type of “magical thinking” has lead to a resurgence of diseases that were almost eradicated. But let me stick to one type of vaccine before I fall off my soap box: the flu vaccine.
Flu season is upon us and if you’re like a lot of consumers, you may be wondering if the flu shot is worth the hassle, pain and potential risk. Google “Is the flu shot safe?” and you will find a plethora of information that is muddled in myth, rumor and exaggeration. I thought I’d take a moment and address some of the most common myths about the flu shot….
It can give you the flu. This is absolutely false. Most versions of the vaccine contain inactivated strains of the flu virus — meaning it is dead. It cannot cause illness. The nasal spray does contain a live form of the virus but it’s attenuated, which simply means that it’s weakened and it cannot thrive within the warm conditions of your body. Patients who contract the flu shortly after getting the shot were likely already infected or came into contact with the illness before the vaccine was effective — it takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to build immunity in your system.
It’s linked to Alzheimer’s. This rumor has been disproven in multiple studies that actually show the opposite may be true — individuals who get the flu shot may have a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association also says there is no credibility to this common myth.
It’s not safe for pregnant women. Studies show that women are at greater risk for complications from the flu while they are pregnant than when they are not. The antibodies mom builds up from a flu shot during pregnancy have also been shown to benefit her baby while in utero and protect her precious bundle from serious flu related complications after birth.
It doesn’t work. Sure, it’s not 100 percent effective — nothing is — and its effectiveness varies from year to year. But a recent study shows that even in seasons when the vaccine isn’t a complete match to the strains circulating, the flu shot is still effective for the majority of the population. It has also been shown to reduce the severity of the illness for those immunized patients who still catch the flu.
It can give you Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). There was a time when this was a concern. Back in 1976 there was a “small but significant association” between GBS — a neurological disorder than can cause weakness and temporary paralysis — and a vaccine for the swine flu. Vaccines are formulated differently today and recent studiesshow no link between the illness and the flu shot.
It contains mercury and it causes autism. Many naysayers point to the mercury contained in Thimerosal — a preservative that has widely been discontinued in vaccines — saying that it can cause brain damage and autism. While it’s true that methyl mercury can cause brain damage, it’s completely false when it comes to the ethyl mercury contained in Thimerosal. The differences can be likened to those between ethyl and methyl alcohol. One might cause a hangover, the other blindness. Furthermore, all single-dose vials of the flu shot are actually Thimerosal-free and studies prove that the preservative is absolutely harmless.
Everything that we do contains some element of risk and the flu vaccine is no different. Still, study after study show that the risks are minor and very insignificant. The flu on the other hand can be miserable at the very least and absolutely deadly for some. Recently, flu-associated deaths in the United States have been as high as 49,000 in one year. This is nothing to SNEEZE at! Weigh in… have you had your shot yet?
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2019-04-26T08:22:52Z
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http://drjorgemd.com/category/vaccines/
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There is a thirst and a hunger that sooner or later steals over the soul of men and women. It is a thirst not for water, though that is a consuming thirst; it is a hunger not even for love, though that hunger gnaws like the worm of death. It is a hunger and thirst for the sustenance unique to that highest part of the human being: the soul, or if you prefer, the spirit.
Deuteronomy tells us, "One shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." But what if the supply of that commodity should be cut off? Suppose, as Amos says, there comes not a natural disaster, but a supernatural disaster: a famine of the word of God. With what can you sustain yourself?
How does such a famine come to pass? It is not that there is no more of the enlivening word on which to feast. "Their sound is gone out to all the world; there is no place where the voice of them is not heard. Day unto day pours forth speech."
The word tolls in august silence as it has since the Morn of Eternity. But we have grown deaf to it, till at last it has become imperceptible to us, like one of those frequencies too high for our ears, but which our dogs can hear just fine.
Heidegger described the resulting famine of the word of God in our day. It is a time of much and astute calculative thinking, and equally a time when meditative thinking has become a lost and esoteric art, like mummification.
Though in the prophecy of Amos we see people desperate to find the missing Word, I think that the famine conditions he speaks of will sooner or later lull the one who starves as to the danger of his position.
In a final gesture of mercy, Nature has decreed that those who freeze to death contract frostbite and feel an illusory warmth in their last hours. In the same way, the body contains a famine mechanism, whereby, once the dearth of food becomes evident, the metabolic rate slows down to make the most of what it has left.
I think the same thing occurs in the realm of the spirit. When spiritual sustenance is denied us we begin by feeling an ache, but as we become used to it, we feel less pain. We are slowly starving nonetheless, but we no longer know it. And, dare I suggest it?, we may actually perish spiritually and not know it.
That may sound absurd, but it is only the equivalent of brain-death. A patient loses all brain function but her heart continues to beat, perhaps because of a life support machine, maybe not. Are they legally alive or not? They are certainly alive in one respect but not another.
The ancient Gnostics dared to say this: that there are a great many people who are spiritually dead, even though they are vibrant when it comes to their physical and psychological parts.
Kierkegaard made pretty much the same point in The Sickness unto Death. He said that the repentant Christian may seem to be a sick and morose individual, but it is only because he has not yet sunk into terminal frostbite like most of those around him! Everyone else is far sicker! So sick in fact that they have become quite accustomed to their malady and even enjoy it.
The dis-ease of the Christian is a final attempt to throw off the fever before it is too late. He seems sick only because he is not so well adjusted to a sick society as everyone else is!
I took my stand in the midst of the world, and in flesh I appeared to them; I found them all drunk, I found none of them athirst. And my soul was afflicted for the sons of men, because they are blind in their heart and do not see that empty they have come into the world and that empty they seek to go out of the world again. But now they are drunk. When they have shaken off their wine, then will they repent.
It is to just such an awakener from the spiritual stupor of starvation that Jesus in Matthew's gospel promises, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."
Poor Matthew has taken a bit of heat for his redaction, that is, his editorial rewriting of this saying. Most scholars think that the saying originally stood as we read it in Luke 6:20, "Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied." Similarly, Thomas has, "Blessed are the hungry, for the belly of him who desires will be filled" (saying 69b).
In a more socially conscious time we tend to look askance at Matthew, as if he has taken a radical saying of peasant revolution and turned it into something equivalent to "let them eat communion wafers."
But I will defend Matthew. We cannot know what his motive was, but the result of his editorial work is a gem of spirituality. I am glad we have the more down-to-earth version of Luke and Thomas, but we cannot do well without Matthew's promise of escape from spiritual famine.
Matthew serves notice that if we find ourselves in a parched land, then we need not remain there. As Naomi and her sons went from starving Israel to Edom, as Abraham went to Egypt for grain, so may the soul that hungers and thirsts for righteousness find surcease. There is a place to go. There is recourse. One need not starve to death spiritually from a want of righteousness or of spiritual bread. "They shall be filled."
How can they not be? What can prevent your gaining the added righteousness and spiritual growth you want?
The fact is that by coming to desire it you are already being filled! You have not only taken the first step, you have covered most of the distance!
Here is the great paradox of spiritual satisfaction: it is, as Derrida might say, the empty trace, the shadow, the cinder, of �dis�satisfaction!
You see, the fullness of the spirit is absence. It is receptivity, and receptivity is an always-emptiness. It is only when one says, "Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord, Come and quench this longing of my soul," that one can truly say, "My cup runneth over!"
The New Testament, I think, is fairly clear on this. Listen.
The Angel-Messiah of the Apocalypse says to the church at Laodicea, "I know your works; you are neither hot nor cold. Would that you were one or the other! But because you are neither, I will vomit you forth. You say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing;' not knowing you are pitiful wretches, poor, blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:15-17).
Jesus warns of the slow and imperceptible process of spiritual slippage that can occur in the spiritual life--until one day there is no spiritual life. "The kingdom of the Father is like a woman who was carrying a jar full of meal. While she was walking on a distant road, the handle of the jar broke. The meal streamed out behind her on the road. She did not know; she had noticed no accident. After she came into her house, she put the jar down and found it empty" (Thomas, 97).
In the spiritual life, hunger and thirst are the only sign of health and safety, because, as Schleiermacher knew, spirituality is receptivity. Really, it is the same with any learning. This is why Socrates recognized as the mark of wisdom that one should first recognize one's utter ignorance. Once, during my first incarnation at Drew, I had as a classmate a woman who was always trying to reduce new material to the familiar proportions of some idea she already knew. "That's pretty much the same as so-&-so, right?"
She didn't want to have to exert the effort to stretch her mind around a new concept. So if she could maneuver the professor into admitting that some theory really boiled down to this or that familiar notion, then she figured she already had that one covered and she could relax. Only this way she didn't learn anything. If you want to learn anything, you have to be honest with your self that there is a lot you don't know and that you need to know. If you want to get somewhere, you have to realize you're not there already! I don't know about you, but if I'm on a long trip, and I see I've still got a long way to go, maybe longer than I had thought, my reaction is not to slow down and say, "Why bother!" Rather, I start to speed up!
And that's the way it is in the spiritual journey, too. It is only the one who knows herself to be "poor in spirit" who may even hope to attain to "the spiritual riches that are in Christ Jesus."
You can't grow spiritually and then stop. By definition, growth is an ongoing process. There will never be a point where you will have finally arrived. If you stop it means you are stalled--or dead.
And to keep going you must continually make yourself aware of how far you have yet to go. You cannot become satisfied, for in the moment you do, you starve. To keep filling up, you must stay empty! "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteous ness, for they shall be filled." How? Slowly, like an hour-glass. It fills up grain by grain, as each slips through a narrow hole. That is an apt analogy, I think, because we are such unspiritual creatures, our minds so distracted by the flesh and the world around us, that we can deal with only one spiritual insight or experience at a time.
And this gradualness of spiritual growth may seem frustrating. It may be so slow in coming that you feel frustrated. You may not be able to see any growth going on at all. But others will see.
And it will happen faster the less you concentrate on it. Introspection is the last thing you need. Don't focus on the stomach pangs, but on where to find the bread! "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Where, you may ask, is the bread line? Open your Bible. Read in the Psalms, the Proverbs, the Gospels. I think you will not be long in finding something to suit your palette, and more importantly, to nourish your soul, even if it may at first seem strong medicine.
And the eucharist. Surely that is spiritual nourishment. But of course there is also looming quickly on the horizon our congregational retreat. I am asking you to plan to approach it in the spirit of receptivity, open to spiritual counsel and opportunity. Don't just look at it as another wearying discussion of church policy or planning. Go as one hungered invited to the table.
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2019-04-24T08:40:16Z
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http://www.robertmprice.mindvendor.com/ser_afteright.htm
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Our prime motto at Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd is to serve our customers at the highest desired levels. After your purchase, if you are not completely satisfied with any item purchased from us, we will be glad to refund your full money without any quibble.
There is no risk when you are buying on Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. Your complete shopping satisfaction is our No.1 Priority. We want you happy each and every time you buy from us. However, if due to some unforeseen situation you are not happy with the product then the following terms apply for a mutually consented resolution of the situation.
We take stringent measures to ensure that the items delivered to you are in perfect condition. However, there is a remote possibility that: The item may be damaged during transit. To contact Courier Service within 48 hours also inform our technical support number 0183-6668500 with all details. We'll deliver replaced item after verification. Or there might be a manufacturing defect then the Manufactures Service Policy will apply. Or that a wrong item is delivered to you by mistake.
We will do replacement of your item as early as possible with no extra shipping cost to you and will accept the wrong item picked up by you in the original packed condition. If in above cases, we are not able to replace the original product ordered by you due to unavailability then we will offer you an alternate product and if that is not acceptable to you then we can refund the money and make the earlier transaction void.
Refund: Refund can happen through Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. Write to us at [email protected] before shipment of product, customer can avail full refund. Write to [email protected] with full payment details. After shipment, Customer will be charged a 20% restocking fee if the product is received back within 15 days of original shipment. After 15 days of original shipment, no refunds will be offered, and customers can resolve issues through the normal warranty process. Cancellation charges of Rs 500 will be levied if payment is made online.
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4. During the limited warranty period, Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. will repair, or replace, at Datawind option, any defective parts, or any parts that will not properly operate for their intended use with new or factory rebuilt replacement items if such repair or replacement is needed because of product malfunction or failure during normal usage. No charge will be made to the Customer for any such parts. Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. will also pay for the labor charges incurred by Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. in repairing or replacing the defective parts. The limited warranty does not cover defects in appearance, cosmetic, decorative or structural items, including farming, and any non-operative parts. Datawind limit of liability under the limited warranty shall be the actual cash value of the Product at the time the Customer returns the product for repair, determined by the price paid by the Customer for the product less a reasonable amount for usage. Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. shall not be liable for any other losses or damages. These remedies are the Customer exclusive remedies for breach of warranty.
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The Customer should call Datawind Customer Service on +91 (0) 0183-6668500 and explain the problem experienced. If it is not possible to solve the problem over the phone and a defect is confirmed, Datawind Customer Services will issue Customer with a RA (Returns Authorization) number.
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11. Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. neither assumes nor authorizes any authorized service center or any other person or entity to assume for it any other obligation or liability beyond that which is expressly provided for in this limited warranty including the provider or seller of any extended warranty or service agreement.
12. This is the entire warranty between Datawind Innovations Pvt. Ltd. and the Customer, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements or understandings, oral or written, and all communications relating to the product, and no representation, promise or condition not contained herein shall modify these terms.
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14. Any action, Complaint, Consumer complaint & Lawsuit during the pendency of warranty period or immediately after the lapse of warranty period must be commenced within Fifteen (15) months following delivery of the Product subject to the Jurisdiction of Courts at Amritsar District only.
16. The limited warranty period for supplied attachments and accessories is specifically defined within their own warranty cards and packaging.
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2019-04-24T04:22:26Z
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http://www.ubislate.com/legal-info.php
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Samson had his hair, Achilles had his ankle, Superman has his kryptonite, Goliath had his forehead, Icarus had the Sun, and the Death Star had the Thermal exhaust port. We all have weaknesses that can expose our otherwise perfect existence. So, it should come as no surprise that the average everyday schlep we meet has weaknesses. Nevertheless, every time you meet someone who seems to have it all together, it seems like a complete shocker when they expose to us their weakness.
The unfortunate thing is that, as humans, we have tremendous capacity to be boneheads. Nevertheless, we often fail to see our own boneheadedness. This is why the loners or people who have no outside human interaction are usually tough to befriend, because they are unaware of their own neurosis. We often don’t know what we don’t know.
So, as I have been meandering through life, I have a friend, whom I know to be extraordinarily good at two jobs that are only tangentially related. I have recommended to him that he should find one person to assist him in each area, and as he grows his newly formed company, hopefully he has found two Vice Presidents. This is the concept upon which the assembly line was built.
The negative thing about my friend is that he doesn’t realize how truly special he is. He does not realize that the two diverse skill sets he has are so rare that finding another person with them is as likely as finding a purple goober. He wants to find that person who is just like him. But this is a reality of life, when we realize what sets us apart, we realize what gives us such a dignified value. Some even achieve the level of Savant!
I think sometimes we need that guy to point us in the correct way. Nevertheless, sometimes people thwart the attempts to assist them that are given. The reality of setting up an assembly-line approach to a company has been proven for over a century, yet some people think that the once in a lifetime talent is easier to duplicate than compliment. However, we all have complimentary needs. Flash needed food, Popeye needed Spinach, and the Green Lantern needed to avoid the color yellow.
So, when building a team of something you are great at, find someone who can pick up the slack you leave and lead you to greater heights, rather than the person who can duplicate what you already do well. Remember that if two people always act, react, and do things the same way, then at least one of them is unnecessary. If you don’t act wisely in that regard, you may end up with the adjective idiot before your title Savant!
Despite the fact I never seem to know anything about new movies coming out, I am talking a lot about movies lately. I mention We Bought a Zoo and Tangled in the last two blogs I’ve written, so it may seem like I spent an entire weekend watching movies, but it’s more that the movies I watched taught me something. Nevertheless, I am fairly certain that whenever I saw The Help, it would have had an incredible impact on me, even though as of a week ago, I had never heard of it.
I am fortunate that I live my life in almost complete obscurity. While I may have occasional delusions of grandeur, most people will not know (or care) what I did on any particular Tuesday afternoon. The reason I consider this fortunate is that my sins are mostly played out in anonymity. And I do not believe in us needing to re-watch the bad parts of our life on a big screen once we get to Heaven.
The unfortunate thing is that I still do sin and I still feel the effects of it all the time. Nevertheless, I am very glad that many of the things that were shown in this movie were things I have never lived near or with a concept of. The reality is that many of the attitudes displayed in the movie were not concentrated in the city of Jackson, Mississippi but were prevalent throughout our culture. The reality is that caste systems have been around long before the founding of this country and will continue long after we are gone.
One thing I really liked is that is wasn’t judgmental on the issue that usually riles everyone up. Slavery and Racism can be atrocious things, and I think the tendency to over-abuse authority is one that may make it best to just not allow it. (I realize this movie is set when slavery is “illegal” and the culture did not declare it slavery, but it really was slavery—no matter the term we use to describe it). The movie was more about the abusiveness that can accompany the racism/slavery combo.
With the attitude of Skeeter and Celia Foote (and her husband Johnny), there were definitely examples of benevolent “bosses.” And there was at least one story told by one of the women that spoke of a “boss” who was so benevolent that he purchased land just to make her life easier. The over-riding problem is that they were such a minority that they were almost as great of outcasts as the humans they treated that way, which others did not.
Unfortunately, I believe this is a real-to-life story that paints a largely accurate picture of the majority of people out there. The tremendously unbridled ignorance that the majority showed was so egregious that I hate to think the populace of the country I love could have been that way just a generation and a half ago. I also know that no amount of so-called reparations can ever right the wrongs that were committed.
Another thing I know, however, is that we are getting better. I have no doubt that racism still exists. I have no doubt that many “employers” or even parents mistreat those in their charge to this degree. Notwithstanding this, I also know that these things are now called out by the public-at-large and the leadership of society in concert. And instead of largely unjust things happening to the abused parties, we see more justice in this area by the authorities than ever.
We live in a society where our President and many of my favorite public figures to talk about are of a minority race. The reality is that Dr. King’s dream of people “being judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin” is largely a reality. In my conversations, more people probably cast a vote for a person because he is a minority than people who would not vote for him for the same reason.
I don’t think we as a society are perfect, but that will never happen in this world, as we are all sinful creatures. I do, however, think that the situation as shown in this movie is largely gone. And the vestiges of it that remain can begin to be stamped out by, among other things, movies like The Help. Yet I feel overcome by so many unspeakable feelings upon watching this movie, that I am almost wordless (and that’s bad for the blog).
I guess the problem with watching a movie like this is we see our own tendency to be sinful. I clearly thought throughout the movie that I would never think or act in such a way, but I also know that there must be some egregious sin that this culture is largely blind to, and I am fitting right along with culture in general.
The problem is that we see how blind society can be to its own shortfalls, which necessarily leads one to introspection to the point of questioning what we are blind to. I believe in the Second Law of Thermodynamics enough to know that the world is not getting better. The fact that this one thing has been largely beaten does not give us overall improvement.
Nevertheless, we do not watch movies to come to grips with our own sinfulness, but rather to watch our triumph. While this triumph may be thinly defined and not across-the-board, it is still triumph. I am glad I have never been in an immediate situation where these attitudes were prevalent. I am glad that it is not even difficult for me to side with the side of the right in this issue. I am also glad the movie was done well and that it can open the dialogue so that we never become condemned to repeat these mindsets. The movie was good and entertaining, but it exposes the seedy underbelly of a portion of our heritage, and I, for one, am just glad that Dr. King’s dream lives and is largely becoming reality!
Thirteen days ago, my sister sent me an email saying that she highly recommended a movie called, We Bought A Zoo. I saw the previews and imagined some hidden or invisible zoo after a family bought a house, and I thought, “Is my sister going crazy? Is this really the best movie she can come up with in this day and age of movies?” So, I treated the email with the reverence I thought it deserved (ie, remembered that she liked the movie and nothing else that she said).
I came home Friday night to the announcement that somehow we had picked up the movie We Bought a Zoo. The kids had already watched the movie with Kelly and all said that they liked it, but that it was a little bit vulgar for a PG movie. So, being the knucklehead I am, I give my sister a call to give her a hard time (which is really all it was, because I had not even forwarded her thoughts to the rest of the family). Of course, had I actually read and remembered her email, I would have known that she gave that exact warning, and she told me that.
So, now as a guy feeling bad about giving my sister a hard time, I agreed to watch it and just kind of keep my mouth shut. So after we did several things, including eat dinner, do family devotions, put the kids to bed, and recapping the day, I finally sat down to watch the movie. Hereafter are my thoughts about the movie, without giving anything (er, well, giving very little) away.
First, the movie was nothing like what I got from the previews (what I saw was approximately the equivalent of the first minute of this). It was never an imaginery or hidden zoo; it was clearly a zoo recognized and seen by all humans with eyesight at all times. I’m not sure how I misinterpreted that, but it really was a completely different movie than my imagination.
Second, the movie was genuinely captivating. There was a family in mourning, which I could certainly empathize with. You wanted this dad and daughter to succeed and move on, as much as would be appropriate. There was a real estate agent at the beginning, that I loved. He reflects well on one of my chosen professions, and we aren’t normally portrayed well.
Third, the movie had a plot that moved along and was feel-good. I know many critics insulted it for being too formulaic. Let’s face it; there is a reason those things become a formula—We like them!
Is Hoosiers less a movie because they win? Or is Cinderella worse for her not remaining stuck in a rut? Do we dislike Star Wars because Luke is successful?
Of course not. We like things that end well. Another thing I learned from a lesser movie is that every character comes into your work with back-story. The audience needs to know enough about it to understand why it leads them to the present without being bogged down by it. This movie did a wonderful job of that, keeping it realistic and yet genuinely fun to travel with the characters on this journey.
This story, which though it didn’t have a lot of mystery involved, was a nice, happy story with the heart of real life. It may send you to the kleenex a couple times (it did me), but it isn’t a depressing movie. It had a line in the movie that I loved. All-in-all, I found the whole thing very entertaining. So, if you want a feel-good story to watch that the whole family can enjoy, watch this one (email me about the ten second scene to fast forward through if you have young kids). You’ll be glad you watched it!
Seat-belts are Essential to Keeping Peace!
The last few weeks I’ve seen a commercial several times where they tout that if you fake wearing your seat-belt, police are trained to spot people not wearing seat-belts even in the dark. Now, this is exceedingly distressing to me for multiple reasons. Though I suspect that most people view this commercial with relative indifference, I have many reasons that this should not be the case.
I believe I should begin by letting you know of my bias on this “issue.” I believe that a government should give you the right to be stupid. This makes me very Libertarian on many issues. If you want to harm yourself, so long as you don’t harm anyone else, you should have the right to do so. Wearing a seat-belt doesn’t endanger anyone but the non-wearer. Now I have heard the argument that someone being killed on the highway could increase the cleanup costs for the rest of us taxpayers.
There are at least two responses to this, which could easily make it a worthless argument. First, should the government really pay for roads and their cleanup. Assuming that is too Libertarian for you, the second response is that someone who is at fault in an accident would be responsible for the extra cleanup costs incurred. Of course this would lead to Insurance companies paying for it, which would require them to set rules for payments to be made (rather than the government).
I realize, however, that our government has said that they want us wearing seat-belts, which is their prerogative. Nevertheless, even assuming that you disagree with my assertion that you should have the right to be stupid, there is still significant reason to be disgruntled by this commercial. I think most of us, even the most violent supporter of seat-belt laws, would concede that police do far more important things, even more important traffic issues, than catch people without a seat-belt on. Yet, they are spending valuable training dollars on teaching policemen how to spot people without seat-belts. tsk. tsk.
Really? We’re not training police officers (during this time) to spot drug dealers, hate crimes, beatings, counterfeiting, violent crimes, child abuse, or even dangerous or impaired driving? Instead of learning about those, let’s teach them to spot someone who’s faking the wearing of a seat-belt. The absurdity drips from the situation. We’ve gone from having officers of the law keep peace to finding invented crimes.
I assert that we can do better for ourselves, for the protection of our citizenry, and for life in general than training our first line of defense against crime on techniques people use to look like they’re wearing seat-belts. Maybe we could focus that energy into making texting while driving illegal. Then, of course, I may not be able to text blog posts like this one, but at least police pulling me over may be saving lives other than mine own.
How old do you feel? At a recent 40th birthday party I attended, that was the question du jour. This is a decent question. And to some extent, it is a question that we all must ask ourselves. We need to do what we can to keep ourselves young. Not because we are Darwinian, but because much of aging is a choice.
The Nobel prize winning George Bernard Shaw wrote, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” We like hearing this, as it gives us excuses for being juvenile, as it adds value to it. And while there is some truth to it, there is also truth to the fact that some aging is inevitable.
In my real estate classes, we talk about how a piece of real property decreases in value over time. One of the things we talk about is physical deterioration, which we all agree is positively demoralizing, yet an inescapable part of the condition of buildings. Unfortunately, it is also an inescapable part of the human condition.
I’ve noticed recently that when I stand it is accompanied by creeks and groans. I need more sleep than I used to require. I am unable to do some of the things I used to be able to do. Basically, I’m an old dude and as much as I try to Claim I feel young and spry, the reality is that I am feeling older and older all the time. I mean sometimes I need to sit on the floor for the firmness that it provides, while other times I cannot sit on it for the very same reason.
Clearly some aspects of aging are outside of our control, even if we do the best we can. But I learned from my good friend, Bob Collins (whom I mention in this blog and will write a more fitting tribute between his would-be 91st birthday and the 1st anniversary of his death) that aging gracefully and finishing well is less about physical ability and mental or business acumen and more about doing all we can with that which God has still blessed us.
I may be (strike that, am) less capable than I used to be, but I am more mentally aware of the correct decisions to make. And while I have just recently come to grips with the fact that I am an adult, I have been readily aware that regardless of age or position, I am required to do that which God requires of me. And that is a full time job, no matter how old I feel!
On Friday, Veritas Academy, which is run by my good friend Michael Phillips, had a graduation ceremony. Graduation is a unique event, because we are celebrating something that has happened in the past, yet it is almost always called a “Commencement” because the focus is on what it will look like in the future. There is no other event in our culture where we celebrate the past with a focus on the future.
This celebration is prevalent. My son’s school has a similar ceremony this coming week. We had a little bit of a different recognition in church this morning, and I would be shocked if someone told me that they had never seen one. Every time I see a graduation, I am reminded of the line in The Incredibles where he touts over-celebration of mediocrity.
The truth is that I believe in education a great deal. I have achieved three college degrees and have done work towards another degree. With that in mind, I am aware of the tendency to over-celebrate, but if there is one thing we should reward, it is education.
Now clearly, not everyone is purposed for a college education, and I understand that. I also teach people who want to get a real estate license, and I have been in the classroom for security officer, mortgage broker, or life and health insurance licensing.
These classes are important, too. Because one thing that is essential, no matter what your chosen occupation, is you need to prepare. I have been known to tell people to never stop preparing for your future. “The longer your preparation, the greater your opportunity.” So continue to follow the Proverbs 4 model of attempting to attain wisdom, no matter the area of study.
But as I take a more global view, I have noticed that in this economy, the one industry that has changed the least is education. I had a front row seat to the recent real estate market collapse. Now, there are an infinite number of factors that played into it, but among the most prevalent was mortgage money being so easily acquirable.
Marc Cuban thinks that the availability of education loans will spell the death of the industry. While I am not sure I will go that far, I am persuaded that changes need to occur. Having worked at a few school attempting to re-tool their programs, including a college, I know that these are not easy decisions to make.
While we may see the re-introduction of trade schools or some other way to re-educate people, something must (and will) happen. The government cannot continue to give away money to people in school. I know some people first-hand, who are going back to school at older ages, because it is easier than getting a job. Obviously, anything that discourages productivity must eventually take a hit.
Conceivably, education is good for the future of the economy, there are now more gaps than there have been in years between those things learned in school and those usable skills. The schools which find a way to combat the expenses for when the loan money dries up will be successful. I, for one, hope that is a great number, as I’d love to see a more educated society.
As I was reading a book to my son during our nightly “Girly-Book Time” there was a story of a non-Christian consistently proverbially battering a Christian and then accusing her of not being willing to forgive. Now, I am not suggesting that he was right, as the type of forgiveness one gives is largely dependent upon the type of contrition there is. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and others to act responsibly. To forgive may be required, but reasonable hesitancy is not out of the question.
It seems lately the topic of Forgiveness has come up a lot for me. Perhaps this is because when you are as crazy as I am, people frequently feel as if I need to be consistently seeking forgiveness. The reality is that my life, just like everyone else’s, is a tremendous lesson in God’s unfailing grace, despite my inability to consistently be worthy.
As we look at human forgiveness, we are forced to look at how pathetic it normally is. First of all, we often feel as if we are doing people a favor when we forgive them. We look at how we have some cosmic scorecard on which we are now ahead. While we rarely admit this to ourselves, we really usually feel like someone else can never catch up. How many of us “forgive” a good friend or spouse, knowing that we will bring it up later?
I feel like this is unacceptable and far less than that which is required of us. As I read Evan’s blog earlier this week, I am reminded how many of us have a thirst for the justice of others. I’ve heard it said that we always want justice for others and forgiveness for us. But I think when we balkanize the characteristics of God like that, we start to lose the depth of each.
God’s true justice encompasses our forgiveness. There is no doubt that God’s plan includes the absolute forgiveness of our sins. And while God forbid that we continue sinning that grace may abound, there is clearly continued grace for those things we have done. Forgiveness at the cross is plentiful, and I am grateful for that.
Now, to juxtapose the fact that forgiveness is not merely forgetting the wrong that was done, but rather choosing not to hold it over that person on the Cosmic balance sheet. Ah, but there’s the rub. It is exceedingly difficult to give biblical forgiveness so that we aren’t keeping score and yet treat a sinner with the proper trepidation. How in the world can we do this perfectly? To start, I don’t think we can do it. In fact, I find the only way I can adequately come close is to be overly cognizant of my own depravity.
Maybe that is the trick, but I think God knows that our justification leads to sanctification. The legal sanctification happens right away, and the behavioral sanctification will come. Doubtlessly, we still have Romans 7 style battles with sin, but the reason we can shout that there is no condemnation with authority is because we are walking more and more after the Spirit.
God is already offended by our sinful nature and our sinful choices. He continues to forgive us, yet our offense to Him is as great as it can be. Nevertheless, we are forgiven. How can we do less? My assertion is that we shouldn’t. We should completely forgive in the legal sense. However, since we don’t have the ability to regenerate a life, we need to help our fellow humans by keeping them from the situations that could cause them to stumble or have a sacrificed testimony. And, I think, that is the best we can do!
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2019-04-20T05:14:55Z
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https://askthephatman.wordpress.com/2012/05/
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Science Application International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., has been awarded a maximum $74,244,560 modification (P00036) exercising the eighth option year period on contract (SPM500-04-D-BP06) for maintenance, repair, and operations supplies for Hawaii and Guam region. The contract is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery contract. Location of performance is New Jersey with a May 30, 2014 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 Defense Working Capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.
GDF Suez Energy Resources NA Inc., Houston, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $37,930,530 firm-fixed price-contract. This contract is for electricity. Location of performance is Texas and Illinois with a Dec. 31, 2016 performance completion date. Using service is federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2016 Service funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SPE600-13-D-8026).
Benco Dental Co., Pittston, Pa., has been awarded a maximum $25,685,075 modification (P00005) exercising the second option year period on contract (SPM2DE-11-D-7454) for the distribution of a wide range of general dental supplies. The contract is a fixed-price with an economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a June 13, 2014 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2014 Defense Working Capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.
Associated Petroleum Products Inc.*, Tacoma, Wash., has been awarded a minimum $24,156,136 fixed-price with an economic-price-adjustment contract. This contract is for fuel. Location of performance is Washington with a July 30, 2016 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2016 Service funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-13-D-4506).
Mansfield Oil Company of Gainesville Inc.*, Gainesville, Ga., has been awarded a minimum $6,660,715 fixed-price with an economic-price-adjustment contract. This contract is for fuel. Locations of performance are Georgia, Oregon, and Washington with a July 30, 2016 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2016 Service funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-13-D-4513).
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $435,315,279 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-06-C-0081) to procure four CH-53K System Demonstration Test Article aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn. (17 percent); West Palm Beach, Fla. (17 percent); Wichita, Kan.(15 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (10 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (4 percent); Bridgeport, W.Va. (3 percent); Windsor Locks, Conn. (3 percent); Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. (2 percent); Redmond, Wash. (2 percent); Forest, Ohio (2 percent); Jackson, Miss. (2 percent); Cudahy, Wis.(2 percent); Irvine, Calif. (2 percent); Kent, Wash. (1.2 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom (1 percent); Phoenix, Ariz. (1 percent); Chesterfield, Mo. (1 percent); Los Angeles, Calif. (1 percent); Rochester, United Kingdom (1 percent); Buckinhamshire, United Kingdom (1 percent); Longueil, Quebec, Canada (1 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (.8 percent); Twinsburg, Ohio (.8 percent); St. Clair, Pa. (.5 percent), and various other locations (8.7 percent). The work is expected to be completed in June 2017. Fiscal 2013 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Navy contract funds in the amount of $48,137,874 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., is being awarded an estimated $192,852,826 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of P-19R Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicles, support and sustainment, to replace the current fleet of truck, firefighting, aircraft crash and structure fire, A/S32 P-19A for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., and work is expected to be completed by May 29, 2018. Fiscal 2013 Research Development Test & Evaluation funds in the amount of $2,727,688 will be obligated at the time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with three offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-13-D-0214).
The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $53,598,727 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0022) to procure spares in support of the Low Rate Initial Production Lot III of the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime aircraft. Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash. (60.80 percent); Linthicum, Md. (14.89 percent); McKinney, Texas (6.44 percent); Valencia, Calif. (4.85 percent); Huntington Beach, Calif. (3.47 percent); Mesa, Ariz. (2.22 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (1.10 percent); Johnson City, N.Y. (.95 percent); Huntington, N.Y. (.84 percent); Grand Rapids, Mich. (.57 percent); Richmond, Calif. (.50 percent) and various locations throughout the United States (3.37 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2016. Fiscal 2013 Aircraft Procurement Navy funds in the amount of $53,598,727 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
L-3 Communications Corp., Communication Systems, East, Camden, N.J., is being awarded an $8,010,923 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, with provisions for firm-fixed-price orders, performance based contract. The contract is for the procurement of engineering and technical services to support L-3 proprietary systems and integrated peripheral communications equipment for the Coast Guard. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative ceiling value of the contract to an estimated $24,888,500. This contract action merely establishes a potential ceiling value and does not obligate the Navy to fund to the ceiling. Work will be performed in Camden, N.J. (70 percent); Alameda, Calif. (15 percent); Charleston, S.C. (10 percent); and Petaluma, Calif. (5 percent), and work is expected to be completed by May 2014. If all options are exercised, work could continue until May 2016. Fiscal 2009 Navy Working Capital funds in the amount of $25,000 will obligated at the time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured because it is a sole source acquisition negotiated under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (N65236-13-D-7803).
AMENDED: The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract announced on May 22, 2013, to collect, analyze, synthesize/process, and disseminate scientific and technical information for the Defense Technical Information Center is amended to the following: Award of contract is the result of a full tradeoff acquisition between five offerors. Fiscal 2013 Department of Defense Research and Development contract funds in the amount of $1,455,793 are being obligated on this award. Enterprise Sourcing Group/PKS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity. (FA8075-13-D-0001).
General Dynamics and Technical Products Inc., Williston, Vt., (W15QKN-13-D-0055); and Capco Inc., Grand Junction, Colo., (W15QKN-13-D-0054); were awarded a firm-fixed-price, multiple-award contract with a maximum value of $27,271,538 for the procurement of M2A1 machine gun gages and special tools. Performance location and type of appropriation will be determined with each order. The bid solicited through the Internet, with five bids received. The Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity.
Structural Associates Inc., East Syracuse, N.Y., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum value of $24,480,300 to replace the fuel hydrant systems at Westover Air Force Base, Mass. A combination of fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2012 military construction funds are being obligated on this award. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with four bids received. The Army Corps of Engineers, Concord, Mass., is the contracting activity (W912WJ-13-C-0004).
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington, D.C., was awarded a $10,499,025 modification (P00010), to a previously awarded contract (W5J9CQ-11-C-0040), to acquire technical and analytical services of university students and faculty for the conduct of research at the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. A combination of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 are being obligated on this award. The Army Contracting Command, Research Triangle Park, N.C., is the contracting activity.
Great Lakes Dredge & Lock LLC., Oak Brook, Ill., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum value of $10,165,000 for dredging services along the Mississippi River. Work will be performed in Memphis, Tenn. Fiscal 2013 procurement funds are being obligated on this award. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received. The Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis, Tenn., is the contracting activity (W912EQ-13-C-0017).
Rockwell Collins, Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded an $8,110,129 modification (0001), to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multi-year, foreign military sales (FMS) contract (W58RGZ-13-D-0145), for services in support of the Longbow Crew Trainer Virtual Geospecific Database Suites. This FMS contract is in support of Saudi Arabia. Fiscal 2012 procurement funds are being obligated on this award. The Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.
The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, was awarded a $7,530,645 modification (P00002), to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (W9132T-11-C-0035), for the education, technical and outreach products for the Department of Defense Office of Corrosion Policy and Oversight. The cumulative total face value of this contract is $16,719,706. Fiscal 2012 research, development, testing and evaluation funds are being obligated on this award. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with six bids received. The Army Corps of Engineers, Champaign, Ill., is the contracting activity.
Nolin Rural Electric Cooperative Corp., Elizabethtown, Ky., was awarded a $7,187,924 modification (P00082), to a previously awarded multi-year contract (DABT23-01-C-0030), for the electrical distribution services at Fort Knox, Ky. The cumulative total face value of this contract is $53,365,125. Type of appropriation will be determined with each order. Five bids were solicited, with four bids received. The Army Contracting Command, Fort Knox, Ky., is the contracting activity.
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2019-04-24T00:05:41Z
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https://news.clearancejobs.com/2013/05/30/oshkosh-corp-awarded-contract-for-delivery-of-p19r-aircraft-rescue-vehicles-dod-daily-contracts/
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A popular song whimsically suggests that “life is a journey, and not a destination,” which may have a passing correlation to Winnebago’s wish that your travels include one of its new Journey motorhomes. With a record of building some of the best, most durable coaches in the business, the name Winnebago has all but become synonymous with the term motorhome itself.
Winnebago’s Journey class is not its first trip around the block in building upscale diesels. Though no entry-level coaches in any sense of the word, the Journey line represents the less expensive of the company’s two diesel-powered offerings (the Tour being the top tier), with prices beginning higher than $245,000.
The roomy galley boasts 22 square feet of counterspace.
The 36M is a new Journey floorplan for 2012, and provides a full-wall curbside slideout that substantially increases interior living space, plus an optional exterior entertainment center with a 32-inch HDTV, AM/FM stereo and DVD player. Adding more to the roominess of the floorplan are two streetside slides; one expanding the forward lounge and mid-coach dinette areas, while the other is located to the rear as part of the master bedroom. As in previous year offerings, the Journey uses Freightliner’s proven Maxum lowered rail, turbodiesel chassis as its automotive component.
Though not unreasonably priced for this market segment, a well-outfitted 36M still lists for a healthy price of $246,498. This includes everything from finely crafted wood cabinetry, high-end appliances, and lush, upholstered furniture; to leading-edge electronics and full-body exterior paint.
Unfortunately, a navigation system is not standard issue on the 36M. For this, buyers must opt for an “Infotainment Center/GPS” package at $1,813, that includes a 7-inch, dash-mounted LCD monitor with voice guidance, two remotes and Bluetooth compatibility. And who can forget the previously mentioned exterior entertainment center that lists for $1,610, a home theater system with Blu-ray at $301, and an Ultraleather, multi-position Rest Easy streetside sofa that goes for $560. With these and other options totaling more than $6,000, the final msrp ended up a rather hefty $253,762.
The cockpit is logically laid out and user friendly.
On a sunny day, we hit the highway at the wheel of a new Journey 36M, to see what the high-end coach had to offer in the way of performance and livability. Our test unit came with an eye grabbing Platinum full-body paint scheme with contemporary graphics, a one-piece windshield that optimizes forward visibility and some of the cushiest captain’s seats we’ve experienced in a long time. Once we had tweaked the electrical seat adjustments to our liking, and slid the retractable, step-well cover into place (all Journeys have a forward, bus-style entry door), we were on our way.
At the heart of the Journey is a beefy Cummins ISB 6.7-l, 360-hp turbodiesel. The Cummins, which is mated to one of Allison’s bulletproof 3000MH six-speed transmissions, boots out 800 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 rpm … early on in its power curve where needed the most.
Some of the highlights of Freightliner’s well-crafted Maxum platform include dropped-rail architecture that provides a lower center of gravity for improved ride and handling, a Neway front and rear air suspension that helps smooth out the ride, and a power steering box that allows a 55-degree turning angle (wheel cut) for good maneuverability. Also part of the drivetrain is an integral engine exhaust brake that came in handy throughout the trip, and spared brakes and nerves when descending steep grades.
The bathroom features a porcelain toilet and roomy shower.
Loading the Journey for our excursion, we appreciated the comfortable and user-friendly cockpit with its logically laid out gauges and controls, including a centrally located radio/rearview 6.5-inch LCD monitor. The only system that didn’t work as well as we thought it should was the navigation. This was due mostly to the placement of its 7.3-inch screen, beneath the rearview monitor and lower down on the dash. The placement ultimately made trying to read nav cues difficult for the driver, who at the same time was trying to keep eyes elevated and looking down the highway. The turn-by-turn voice guidance function helped overcome this shortcoming somewhat, but not entirely.
Merging onto U.S. Highway 101, the coach accelerated smoothly and reassuringly into traffic, with its tilt/telescopic steering column and suspension mechanicals transmitting satisfactory feedback to the driver. Lane position was easily maintained, even when encountering numerous chuckholes and bumps on road surfaces. Overtaking slower vehicles from time to time, the coach had plenty of mid-range oomph to accelerate around these obstacles.
The motorhome’s powertrain exhibited quiet, ample power under most highway circumstances, though it was not quick from a standing start. Early on, we tested its acceleration capability on a flat stretch of highway free of traffic. It logged 0-60 mph runs averaging 32.2 seconds, with 40-60 segments of 18.3 seconds. This performance is about par for the course with one of these big units; especially one like this that had a prodigious wet weight of 28,080 pounds.
We encountered several grades in the 6- to 7-percent range, and the Journey handled them reassuringly, though at a measured pace. We methodically worked our way up San Marcos Pass heading north out of Santa Barbara, Calif., and were impressed with the coach’s staying power on this steep, winding mountain road. Approaching the top of the pass, we managed to grind out 43 mph at 2,800 rpm in third gear. Heading down the opposite side of the pass, we engaged the engine’s exhaust brake that slowed us to a comfortable 55 mph.
During our test, we ran into coastal winds and gusts that shook us up a bit, though the coach was minimally fazed. All that was necessary was an alert and steady hand on the wheel to maintain lane position.
As previously mentioned, we encountered plenty of hills, capricious winds, and a long pull over San Marco Pass during the test. As it was, we measured 12.2 mpg, which is pretty decent considering the motorhome’s weight.
The rear master bedroom is well arranged and has 18 inches of aisle space around the bed.
Stepping aboard the Journey on our initial walkthrough, the interior’s Hawthorne décor treatment ($553) in shades of rich gray, taupe and caramel registered impressions of understated elegance. Establishing its stately ambiance even further are abundant solid wood cabinets and woodwork throughout in a rich, Coffee Glazed Vienna Maple finish, with brushed nickel accents.
Rounding out the elegant interior, designers have chosen lightly hued Corian for all countertops, easily cleanable vinyl tile flooring for lounge, galley and bathroom floors, and plush carpet in the bedroom, dining room and cockpit areas. Also, exterior light and interior privacy are deftly controlled with the inclusion of MCD American Duo solar/blackout roller shades on most windows, with a full windshield electric nightshade for the ultimate convenience. In all, we could find no cheesy trappings in this coach, but instead, a lot of substance and utility from both an aesthetic as well as a comfort and usefulness perspective.
As you enter the bus-style, curbside entry door, you encounter a lounge area replete with a 75-inch Rest Easy convertible sofa streetside followed by a freestanding, extendable 24-inch by 40-inch dining table with two chairs (two additional folding chairs from the cargo compartment, plus an extension segment may be added). On the curbside lounge wall is a smaller, 53-inch convertible sofa, and then a spacious, semi-U shaped mid-coach galley with convenient pullout countertop extension.
Interior and exterior storage areas are abundant and admirably supported by a braggable realistic occupant and cargo carrying capacity (roccc) of 4,270 pounds, due to the brawny chassis’ generous gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) of 32,350 pounds.
In the hallway between the galley and master bedroom is a spacious utility closet, medicine cabinet, and a washstand that offers additional accessibility to freshen up.
Packing gear for our road trip, we made good use of the cavernous, pass-through basement storage bay with removable floor panels, and lower shelves housing lidded containers. Traditional forward, streetside bays were also useful as loading options, and added to the unit’s exterior storage capacity of approximately 181 cubic feet.
Interior storage alternatives are generous as well, with overhead cabinets in the lounge, dinette and bedroom, and plenty of cupboards, closets, and other spaces in the galley and bathroom. For our purposes, we barely tipped the scale as far as loading this roomy motorhome.
Finally arriving at our destination for the evening, it was a cinch to guide the sizeable, 36-foot 8-inch coach around the RV park’s tightly configured maze of roadways to our site. Once parked on a relatively level pull-through, we activated the one-touch, hydraulic leveling jacks, slid out our three room extensions, and instantly felt the love with the overall spaciousness and residential ambiance. In measuring the combined lounge and galley area, we came up with approximately 148 square feet of floor space.
Getting comfortable in the forward lounge after a busy day on the road, the two sofas helped ease our aching joints with their pliant comfort. With feet up thanks to the Rest Easy sofa’s one-button, multi-position feature and pullout ottoman, we were treated to all the comforts of home.
At the heart of the coach’s A/V interior setup are two TVs: a 40-inch LCD flat-screen on a forward facing, streetside dinette wall, and a 26-inch LED in the bedroom.
With a galley as tricked out as the one in this coach, you almost hate to mess up its broad, approximately 22 square feet of available counter area. We chose the easy way and gave the convection oven/microwave a workout. In no time at all, we had two frozen dinners piping hot, and served up across the aisle at the streetside dining table.
The rear master bedroom is well laid out, with a 60-by-80-inch queen-size air-type mattress as its centerpiece. The “Ideal Rest Comfort Digital Control” mattress with remotes ($770) is a step up from conventional inner spring iterations. The bedroom’s curbside chest of drawers can hold a virtual ton of goods, and on the opposing wall is a generous 21-inch deep by 42-inch high by 75-inch long closet with mirrored sliding doors for hanging clothes. Topping things off in the bedroom is a demur ceiling fan ($119), which is a welcome surprise.
Despite the condensed, but acceptable, space afforded in the bedroom, it was easy enough to get around the bed with 18 inches of aisle space for quick make-ups, and to access closets and cabinets for stored apparel. A 19-inch-deep by 24-inch-wide by 69-inch-high curbside utility closet is also located in the hallway between the galley and bedroom, which can additionally be pressed into service for storing towels, clothing, gear, or even an optional washer/dryer.
Washing up in the enclosed, streetside shower/toilet room with included washstand proved adequate, though snug considering the overall size of the floorplan. Nevertheless, there is sufficient room in its 26-inch-deep by 40-inch-wide by 81-inch-high shower stall for a decent scrub up. A porcelain toilet also shares floor space in this zone, with 17 inches of foot space in front. The only thing we didn’t care for here is the smallish bathroom for a coach this size.
Winnebago’s 2012 Journey 36M floorplan has a bounty of contemporary features and residential appointments. With a full-wall, curbside slide to enhance the spaciousness of lounge and galley zones, plus a powerful and reliable Freightliner Maxum chassis to move it around, this coach should make a worthy and luxurious traveling companion in no uncertain terms.
Full-wall curbside slide, abundant storage with pass-through external bay, generous interior living space, one-piece windshield, extra washstand with medicine cabinet in bedroom, power door lock with remote.
Small bathroom, navigation system not standard equipment and dash mounted nav screen too low to be effectively viewed by driver.
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2019-04-20T12:49:34Z
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http://www.motorhome.com/top-stories/2012-winnebago-journey-36m-road-test/
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I'm frequently the recipient of posted responses and emails, and I'm pleased to say that the majority of them are quite pleasant and supportive. Some, unfortunately, are downright hostile. Others fall somewhere in the middle -- questioning my views, requesting that I reconsider, providing me with additional source material that I didn't have before. And while compliments are awesome, I really appreciate the people who take the time to provide me with constructive criticism -- because, as I recently commented, I'm always happy to revise my views when presented with facts, evidence, or even a logical argument I hadn't heard before.
Last week, I was the recipient of three responses to recent posts, that I thought were worthy of responding to in a subsequent post. So, lo, here is the response. In order not to leave my readers on a negative note, I present them in decreasing order of vitriol.
The first one was a reply to my last post, regarding the "Baltic Sea Anomaly," in which I described the beliefs of certain folks that the structure is a sunken Nazi superweapon. The response I got said, in part, that the structure was "perfectly circular" with "vertical straight lines," and therefore couldn't be natural in origin; the writer then went on to say that "no one except me" claimed that the thing could interfere with planes, and asked why if I "obviously had no understanding of the facts" I "waste my time and my reader's time writing this drivel."
Well, okay, then. First of all, I'm not the one claiming that the alleged "Nazi superweapon" was interfering with airplanes; the source did, which I both quoted and posted a link to. I, you might recall if you'd read more carefully, was the one that doubted such claims were true. Second, I don't know where the responder took geometry class, but the "Anomaly" is certainly not a perfect circle. And as far as straight lines -- those abound in nature. In fact, I just saw yesterday, in a park not ten miles from my house, fault lines in a cliffside so straight they look like they were cut with a saw.
However, allow me to clarify one thing, because perhaps I did overstate my case. The point of the post was to rail against people who seem bound and determined, without any hard evidence, to turn this thing into something bizarre. My statement, "It's just a pile of rocks," should have said, "As far as the evidence we now have, there is no reason to reject the conclusion that it's just a pile of rocks." Could it be something else? Of course. It could be a drowned structure from a Stone Age settlement, constructed when the sea level was far lower. It could be a something-or-another from the Nazis. It could, although it is much less likely, be a crashed spaceship. But thus far, all we have is a few images, and some anecdotal reports of electronic equipment malfunctioning -- and myself, I am hanging onto the conclusion that William of Ockham would have favored, which is that it is some sort of geological formation, such as a faulted pillow basalt. If hard evidence proves me wrong, that's fine, and will undoubtedly be more interesting than my rather ho-hum explanation -- and I will happily eat crow and print a retraction here. But until that time, the wild speculation is getting to be rather tiresome.
You have written more than once in your blog that you will only accept something if you have hard evidence, and that beliefs in the absence of hard evidence are what you call "woo-woo." I think the flaw in your argument has to do with what you would consider "hard evidence." Why couldn't there be a natural phenomenon that we haven't yet designed a machine to detect? Maybe ghosts exist, and the only way to sense them is with our minds. You would rule that out because you don't see a needle moving on a device, and yet it's real. And my sense is that you're so closed-minded that even if you were to be presented with evidence for the supernatural, you'd rule it out because you'd already decided that none of that stuff is true.
First of all, I must point out that the latter is the hazard not only with perennial skeptics like myself, but with everyone. We all come with our set of preconceived notions about how the world works. If I hear a creaking noise in an old house at night, of course my first inclination will be to assume that it's some sort of natural phenomenon (a branch rubbing the roof, an animal in the attic, or the like). But how is that different than the True Believer? To him/her, a creaking of the floorboards is automatically assumed to be evidence of haunting.
The difference, I think, is that for a skeptic (and I would include here skeptics who are inclined to believe in ghosts -- and there are a few out there), you don't stop at that assumption. You examine your evidence, and you keep your biases out front where you can see them -- and you look for more data. Skeptics, I think, tend to have restless minds, and aren't content with just saying, "Oh, okay, I know what that is, I can stop thinking about it now." We are, in our best moments, open to a revision of our explanations -- but only if the evidence supports it.
And as far as there not being a machine to detect ghosts, that one I've heard before -- the argument that goes along the lines of, "We didn't know x-rays existed until scientists built a sensor that could detect them. Maybe there are energies we haven't learned to detect, yet." That is possible, but I'd put it in the "doubtful" category -- physicists have become exceedingly good at measuring energy of varying types, even when those traces are faint (to give just one example, look at the Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy study, which detects extremely small fluctuations in the microwave background radiation in the sky as a way of elucidating the structure of the early universe). I find it hard to believe that with all of the big effects that the woo-woos claim -- telekinesis, telepathy, spirit survival, and so on -- that none of our current devices can demonstrate unequivocal hard evidence of any of them.
You shouldn't scoff at people for venerating, or finding spirituality, in objects. All of our ancestors did that very thing. I'll bet that there are objects you are attached to -- for sentimental reasons, perhaps, but still, it's not "just a thing" for you. And maybe the people who find spirituality in objects are right, and you're missing a big part of the universe by considering everything around you to just be inanimate matter.
Well, first of all, I reread my post, and I didn't think I did much scoffing. At least, not nearly as much as I usually do. Maybe I did some covert, implied scoffing, I dunno. But in any case, the responder is correct that I don't think there is "spirit" in matter, and that our ancestors did, in general, believe that there was. Our ancestors, you might recall, believed a lot of other things, too, and a good many of them have since been proven to be false, so just because some great-great-grandmother of mine thought that a particular ring had magical powers doesn't impel me to believe it out of some sense of familial respect.
In any case, it all comes back to my favorite word, "evidence." A random pattern burned into a piece of toast is just not sufficient for me to conclude that Jesus has sent me his Holy Image. Some people in Venezuela declaring that a particular rock is their Wise Grandmother doesn't mean that out of respect for their cultural beliefs, I have to accept that it is literally true. I will fall back on what I said in the post; I believe in treating all people with respect, dignity, and kindness, but that does not require me to accept that what they're saying is correct.
In any case, I really appreciate the feedback, and although I would prefer not to have what I write referred to as "drivel," it's better to have hostile responses than no responses. As Brendan Behan famously said, "There's no such thing as bad publicity." So keep those cards and letters comin'.
It's possible that there are some phenomena that can only be detected by the human mind, by means of some woo emanations that we don't have an instrument to detect. Especially when you consider that not every detector that physicists have the ability to design, is necessarily available to the people looking into a phenomenon.
However, that's not an excuse for failing to investigate scientifically. If an effect is real, then when it occurs, different people should experience it at the same time. So you have a way to test. Of course you have to set things up to prevent the people from influencing each other.
If different people independently viewing the same area can't agree on what's happening or even when something interesting is happening, then I submit that the best explanation for the phenomenon is imagination.
It also doesn't remove the obligation to check for those things we _can_ detect. We already know that low-frequency sound can make people think they're experiencing a haunting. If you investigate a supposed haunting, and you _don't_ check for the presence of subsonics, then you've failed to eliminate a likely explanation for the experience.
Highest quality drivel on the internet.
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2019-04-26T06:22:53Z
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http://www.skeptophilia.com/2012/07/ding-youve-got-mail.html
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After five years of studying, reviewing, memorizing, and stressing out, I am proud to say that I finally graduated from Islamic Online University’s Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies (BAIS) program. It was quite a journey and I’ve learned so much. In this post, I want to give a review of my experience with the university for those who may be thinking of joining an online based Islamic university but haven’t really made up their minds yet.
I have divided my review into three sections.
The program is not designed to produce scholars but just very well informed Muslims and beginner to intermediate level students of knowledge. The program gives you tools to be able to research religious concepts and figure things out for yourself but not at an advanced level.
I was very impressed by their consistency with sticking to the schedule and having full staff of teachers as well as teacher’s assistants (TAs). The assistants themselves are also highly qualified. Many of them are either graduates of an Islamic university or currently enrolled in a Masters program.
Everything is online based so it does require lots of discipline. I have heard of students dropping out because they do not have the discipline to do self-paced courses in a timely manner. One student who dropped out told me that he needs to be in the same classroom as the teacher and be able to interact, otherwise, he cannot remain attentive. Studying online successfully also means not being busy by opening other screens while the lecture is playing. You have to be focused.
In aqeeda, the university follows Athari (أثري) creed and in fiqh it is mainly Hanbali. Dr. Bilal Phillips only teaches the aqeedah courses, first semester of Arabic, and the evolution of fiqh course, which discusses how the four schools of thought in jurisprudence came to be.
If you are looking to have a deeper connection with your faith and want an affordable program that will solidify fundamentals of the religion for you and give you the tools to be able to figure things out at a basic to intermediate level, then this is the course for you.
Complete Syllabus – I was very impressed the way they had already planned out the curriculum for each class and as to what to expect throughout the course on a weekly basis. It felt much like a professional university and made it easy for me to mentally prepare and know what to expect. They’ve already marked out which pages to read in the assigned text and which lectures to listen to each week. They give you the syllabus immediately after you are enrolled. I have taken classes in some online universities where every week is a surprise as to what you will learn.
Video Lectures Pre-Recorded – All of the lectures are pre-recorded and you have the option to either watch it in video format or download as mp3. For some of the easier classes, I would often download the assigned lecture as mp3 and take it with me to listen to it in the car, gym, or even at work at times as background noise.
Live Sessions w/ TAs – This is a very helpful feature. Ever week you have a chance to attend a live session with a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) who can answer any of your questions or clarify lessons. He/she usually starts off by going over the weekly lesson and then afterwards takes questions. They used to require live attendance with the TA and it used to be about 5% of your final grade but I’m not sure if that is still the case. Additionally, they record all live sessions every week so you can view them later on if you miss it.
The TAs are not just fellow students but also qualified. Some of them are in masters programs at universities like Medina.
Books in PDFs – For me this was very helpful because I could download them on to my digital devices and read the weekly assignment while on the metro or on the go.
Courses are Thorough – The courses are very informative and detailed and you get a lot out of it on a fundamental level. It’s very well planned and starts off with basics and delves into more and more advanced topics.
Assignments (Reading and Essays) – Every week you are assigned a pre-recorded lecture and reading assignment from the text. You are also required to write one essay per class on a given topic. This essay requirement especially is very helpful because you learn writing and research skills. It also helps you delve deeper into the topic and be creative by sharing your own input and is a good indication whether you’ve understood the topic or not. The essays are graded by TAs and are about 10% of your final grade.
You are also required to take a research assignment course during your senior semester. The requirement is to write a 30 page paper on a given topic. So you get to further your research skills and delve deeper into the topic and learn how to formulate your arguments using evidences.
Quizzes – The lessons are called modules. Each course can have anywhere from 20-32 modules or lessons. After every module, there is a five question multiple choice quiz for which you are not allowed to use your notes or books. The questions are drawn out of the lecture as well as reading assignments. This helps you measure your comprehension and make sure that you pay attention and not skip anything. The quizzes are graded and about 10-15% of your final grade. So if a course has 30 modules, this means you will have 30 quizzes.
In addition, there is also a 50-question multiple choice midterm and final exam. The midterm is about 30% of the final grade and the final is about 40%.
Price – One of the visions of IOU is to provide free Islamic education but obviously they have to cover their administrative costs. When I first began studying, it used to be $50/semester for U.S. students. Yes, you read that right. $50 per semester not per credit or class. They would allow you to take up to 9 courses with $50. That’s a great deal. But because they have grown a lot over the years, their administrative costs have gone up. During my last semester, I was paying close to $300 per semester. That’s still a great deal.
Another great thing they do is that they charge people based on which country they reside in. So if they live in a first world rich country, they charge more but if they live in a poor third world country, they charge less.
Access to Jstor – Jstor is a digital library of academic journals, primary sources, books and articles. Access to it is provided by universities and libraries around the world. It is used by students and researchers all over the world! They have some free material available to read as well, however, a far greater amount of reading material which is necessary for serious research into topics is only available via a university or a library. So being a student at IOU gives you access to Jstor for free (technically it’s covered under your semester fees)! I have used Jstor to do research for some of the essays at IOU because not sufficient resources were available online or my local library. In addition, you get to have access to tons of research in other topics not related to religion.
Nothing is perfect. Everything has some flaws that need to be worked on or improved. Following are what I consider some of the weak points in the IOU program.
Arabic Program – I did not take the reading course which was very basic since I could already read Arabic script so I cannot comment on that. If you are in the same situation, you can have it waived from your requirement and skip over it. As for the rest of the program, then I really enjoyed the first two semesters. They were phenomenal. I learned a lot on basic sentence structure and grammar! The second semester was amazing because the teacher only spoke Arabic and covered the entire text of the Al-Arabiya Bayna Yadayk volume 1. My basic comprehension was skyrocketing. I loved it.
After that semester, the program kind of falls apart at least for me. For some reason, they don’t continue with the Bayna Yadayk books and delve right into Medina books 2 & 3 and the teacher is different too. I did not enjoy it very much. Also, I am not a fan of the Medina books. They’re not engaging as the Bayna Yadayk books and are mainly grammar focused. The whole lessons are structured around the teacher and student relationship, so it is very restrictive and can get boring after a while. Sure, I learned a few things but I had to do a lot of self-study because the teacher wasn’t very engaging and just kind of gave monotone lectures. I was just very disappointed by it. It would have been a lot better to continue with the Bayna Yadayk books in Arabic or even in English with a gradual dominance of Arabic only.
The last 2-3 semester of Arabic focus on Balagha (Arabic rhetoric) and is done mainly in English with reading of Arabic texts focusing on the Balagha of the Qur’an. This was fine as it gives you a different way of looking at the linguistic beauty of the Qur’an and helps you practice reading Arabic texts. However, if done properly, this would only be done in Arabic. You cannot learn or appreciate Balagha properly in English.
Cannot Interact Directly w/ the Professor – Unfortunately, you cannot interact with the lecturer at all. In many cases, the lectures were recorded maybe over a year or two ago so the professor probably has moved on to some other project. Your only way of removing some confusion over the lesson is to e-mail the TA or attend the weekly live session.
Customer Service – It’s kind of difficult to get in touch with the staff if you need something done related to cancellations, profile update, or other administrative functions. The main way to get in touch is via e-mail (I’ve never looked into or tried calling) and sometimes they can take up to a week or two to get back to you. Other times, you have to follow up to get a response. This can get frustrating especially if you urgently need something done. After I finished my courses, it took me many months to get my degree certificate. I kept getting passed around (and with me constantly requesting an update) until finally someone in Gambia responded and sent me the certificate.
Some Professors Just Read Things – I had at least one or two professors that just read directly from the text and didn’t add any value to the lesson. They literally read word for word. After a few modules, I just stopped listening to them and went directly to the text and just read it myself. I’m not going to waste time listening to something I can just do myself in less time.
Final Exam Locations – The university requires that you take your final exam at a registered exam location. They send them the password to the final exam. You cannot take the final exam except at a registered institution. This might be a mosque, Muslim community center, etc. If you don’t have one in your area, you can contact the university and make some other arrangement. You can also reach out to your local mosque or Muslim community center and ask them to register with IOU as a registered exam location.
I find this to be a con because though I understand they want to be professional about it, it just doesn’t make sense why this is required for an online university. It’s kind of frustrating because sometimes you contact a place that is listed on the IOU student portal as a registered location, but they don’t get back to you. You’re kind of left hanging. It can get stressful if the final exam is close and the places you have contacted still haven’t returned your messages or worse, they don’t show up on the day of the scheduled exam. Remember, these pre-registered exam locations are not paid by IOU, the process is entirely voluntary. So they are under no obligation to keep their word or get back to you. Some of them may charge the student some small fees to take the exam at their location so I assume they would be a bit more punctual and professional about it.
I don’t regret studying at IOU and overall really enjoyed it. As I stated earlier, it fulfilled what I was looking for and wanted out of it. I would do it again because it did give me insight into my faith that I didn’t have before. I have more confidence in my faith because of it and I certainly enjoy my faith more. Having the ability to understand Qur’an and basic Arabic texts alone is a remarkable achievement for an online Islamic university program. So before enrolling in any type of online university program, you need to ask yourself, what are your goals? What do you want to achieve out of the university? What are your expectations?
I’d love to hear your thoughts as well. Is there an online Islamic studies program that you really liked or hated? If so, why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!
26 Comments on "Review of Islamic Online University’s (IOU) BAIS Program"
I found this review very helpful, thank you. I would love to read more reviews of online islamic courses/degrees. Seekersguidence come to mind and there are other ones. At a time when the internet is saturated with islamic knowledge it’s nice to read clear, objective and informative reviews such as yours. Thank you again.
I am glad you found it helpful! Yes, there is an overflow of Islamic courses online and it can be quite daunting to get through it and figure out which best suits you. I’ve had my share of enrolling and dropping out of various courses because there was no clear guide as to how the program actually runs. You have to do trial and error which wastes a lot of time and money. I’m hoping more students will write thorough reviews of other Islamic institutions.
MashaAllah thank you for the review. I am always skeptical about “online” university. Initially, I planned to enrol myself in IOU to get myself certified with a BA Arabic. Simply because I would want to leave my secular 9-5 job as a software developer and contribute to the Muslim community in my own country. Though I wasn’t sure if IOU accreditation is legit?
But after reading your post, then I renewed my goal to simply want to understand the Quran and not care about the certifications at all.
That is great to hear! May Allah accept it from you.
Salam! Thank you for your review! I just wanted to ask, how did you feel towards the quizzes? I’m having some struggles with some of them, yet I understand the lecture I read all the prescribed pages. Like some quizzes I do so good and others it is like I do so bad. I’m only 2 weeks in the school now. And I’m very stressed but happy about the knowledge that I’m reviving. Also at times, did you feel that the amount of different courses was over whelming? Since the topics were so different?
Firstly, are you taking notes? You must take notes for both reading assignment and lecture. That’s the only way it’s going to stick!
Thirdly, make sure that you are not taking too many classes. I was at one point taking 6 classes per semester. It was a bit too much and it was impacting my grade. Everyone has a different threshold for pressure but mine is 4 classes max per semester so make sure you stay under your threshold.
Lastly, it is normal to feel overwhelmed in the beginning especially if the info is new to you but your brain should start picking it up after a while. If you still feel overwhelmed after half way through the semester, then it probably means you are taking too many classes that are beyond your threshold so reduce the amount of classes the following semester. I believe IOU also has a period of time where you can drop a class and not be penalized for it.
Hope the above helps! May Allah grant you success and sincerity in the quest for this sacred knowledge!
can you tell me the job opportunities that come along with this university. I am actually planning to pursue for Islamic Economic Banking and finance in this university but i am bit nervous of the fact that whether my degree would be recognized by well reputed countries or not .
I am glad you liked the review!
Therefore, you will need to research different countries to see if they recognize such accreditation. It’s going to vary and not all places are going to accept it.
I hope it all goes well for you insha’Allah. Whatever you decide, just make sure you do istikhara before moving forward.
Your post is very good. Can you please tell me what does Athari creed mean? And is it wrong to follow it?
Athari creed is one of the theological schools of thought in Sunni Islam. Sometimes it is referred to as “Hanbali Creed” due to Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal being one of its leaders and many who followed him in it afterwards.
No, there is nothing wrong with following it.
Assalamua’leikum. Thanks for the comprehensive review. My question is about the Athari creed. Why are there, and how many, different types of theological schools on creed? I suppose we should unite on Aqidah too as was the case during the Prophet’s (SAW) period and the early generation of Muslims? I’m curious as I want to enroll in the school but want no characteristic affiliation. Just hoping to receive Islamic knowledge in its purest form, and from the best scholars. JazakAllah khairan.
There are three main creedal schools of thought in Sunni Islam: Athari, Ashari, and Maturidi. The differences are there because the scholars from those schools differ on how to approach some of the finer details of certain theological questions in the faith, particularly Allah’s Names and Attributes. Obviously, each school considers itself the most pure and authentic form of the religion. When it comes to general fundamentals, however, the creed for all is the same (Allah is One, Muhammad (pbuh) is His Last prophet, belief in angels, day of judgement, etc.).
The differences are inevitable because the answers to the finer details of some of the theological questions cannot be answered except by taking a particular position on it. The sahabah and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) didn’t answer these finer detail questions because these questions came later when Islam spread and Muslims started debating with theologians of other faiths and philosophers and they started asking questions which were not asked before. The scholars of Sunni Islam recognize these three schools as a valid method of answering such questions. No other way of looking at it is permitted. There used to be some other ones but they died out. These three have survived.
Naturally, the schools are critical of the others’ principles, methodology and conclusions. Generally, there is more difference between Athari school and the other two. The Ashari and Maturidi are quite similar to each other with slight differences, thus, less critical of each other. My advice would be to avoid the extreme polemics over this issue and not treat the others as sects but just different ways of looking at things. This way we can still view each other as part of the same ummah while respectfully disagreeing. Just know that you are there to learn the fundamentals of your faith and focus on that.
That’s my advice so I hope that helps!
Any thoughts on the BA in Arabic program? Do you happen to know if they leave the Bayna Yadayk series? I concur, it would be good if they were to stick with them. They seem to be very thorough and less grammar heavy.
Also, overall, would you say it was more worth it than going another route to pursue Islamic knowledge?
I didn’t do the BA in Arabic so I’m not sure what’s that like. You can ask them via e-mail. They do respond though they may take a while sometimes so just keep following up with them if you don’t hear anything. They also have representatives in various countries so if you have one in your country, you can contact that person directly via e-mail or phone and ask questions. Again, you can e-mail them to find out who the representative is in your country.
Given my circumstances (limited amount of money, can’t travel overseas, family obligations, working full time, etc.), yes it was definitely worth it for me. I’m strongly considering their Masters program as well.
I’d like to thank you for your reply! The blog post was very helpful in terms of helping me make my own decision. I’ve decided to give it a try!
I agree with you about the importance of vocabulary in Arabic (and all languages, for that matter). I’m not really much of a grammar enthusiast, so that is going to be very hard for me to swallow, but I am going to do my best.
If you happen to have the chance, check out Glossika. They offer about 5k worth of words in the language. It isn’t the best resource in the world, but it has helped me out tons.
I was wondering, do you think the knowledge you have acquired from the BAIS program gave you the ability to apply it in your day-to-day life?
That’s great! Hope you like it! I would say it is designed for day to day because it’s focused around fundamentals.
Asalamu Alaikum. I’m 19 years old and have graduated from school last year. I would really like to study at IOU but I’m not sure if it’s the right thing for my age. And I have seen a lot of bad reviews about this university saying that it’s not accredited properly and I’m really worried and don’t know whether I should apply or not. Please I need your help and advice.
WS. It depends on your goals. Is your main objective a secular education or a religious education? Are you trying to seek a job after you graduate from this University or doing it for self-fulfillment? The answer depends based on your answers to these questions.
Firstly, such a wonderful write-up and very inspiring!
I am actually looking for a course which would help me reading and understanding the Quran. Frankly, I am not looking for any accreditation or certificate, because I want to keep my learning flexible and stress free (single mom, working full time, limited budget). So could you suggest any such online course at IOU or maybe outside IOU?
Thank you for the objective write up.
Just to give perspective to those who may be considering the IOU Islamic Economics Banking and Finance course, I finished with the first lot in February last year and graduated in January this year.
I’m currently in my third semester studying for my Masters in Islamic Finance Practice (online) at INCEIF – the global university for Islamic finance, which is an AACSB-accredited post graduate university based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They accepted my BScIBE degree because its accredited by ICIFE, which is based in Malaysia.
So if your goal is to proceed with your education, then I highly recommend the programme. However, I really can’t comment on job prospects because this mostly depends on your prospective employer.
Wow that’s amazing bro! Keep it up!
Can I know the details of the certificate accreditation please?
I am planning to enroll in IAP course to learn Arabic and to able to read and understand Quran. Can you advise me if this course will help me to fulfill my goal.
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2019-04-22T18:19:09Z
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https://thethinkingmuslim.com/2018/06/19/review-of-islamic-online-universitys-iou-bais-program/?shared=email&msg=fail
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Never been to a flea market before? Don't know what to expect? You might be surprised by what you encounter. Check out the overview below to get a taste of what flea markets commonly have to offer. When you finally visit one in person, you'll know what to look for- and you'll also know when to skip out on buying things new or online - after all, flea market alternatives are cheaper and better than mainstream alternates!
I used to think of flea markets as places for old doodads and tchotchkes- not clothing! Nevertheless, some of the best deals I've gotten on vintage clothing - from petticoats (which are surprisingly expensive online, when one buys a real one and not a Halloween costume wannabe) to 1930s-50s dresses, to all sorts of accessories- have been at flea markets.
The benefit of shopping for vintage clothing at a flea market is that you can get more help from vendors if you're looking for something specific, plus you can haggle.
Modified vintage clothing - Because vendors are often displaying smaller collections, you're more likely to find interesting pieces that have been customized, updated and modified. These are especially interesting finds!
TIP: If you buy clothing at a flea market, check for damage first- it could be a haggling point and you can leverage imperfections to get a lower price. Also, wash your clothes once you bring them home. They often smell pretty odd, but mostly it's due to being kept in boxes for years on end.
While one can find some amazingly priced vintage clothing finds at flea markets, Wesman Todd Shaw clued me in to how valuable these gatherings can be for those hunting for musical instruments- specifically guitars.
Says Wesman: "GUITARS are what you go to such places to find! I swear - sometimes for a $50 spot you can score a thousand dollar instrument."
I can totally see how a really high quality instrument might end up at a flea market and not be seen for what it really is. I'll have to bring some of my instrument-savvy friends to the next flea market I visit... perhaps they'll be able to point out some pieces of value! Wesman Todd Shaw said he wouldn't take advantage of incredibly undervalued pricing... but I know I would!
Flea markets also offer wide arrays of fixtures for furniture and other elements of your house.
If you're looking to replace faucets, drawer pulls, knobs, hardware, hinges, or hooks, you'll find a great volume of options to choose from at flea market booths, and most of them are at once interesting and inexpensive.
Consider coming with a digital camera of the doors, drawers, sinks or other features you're looking to get new fixtures for so that you can see if they match when you're browsing. Also make sure that the knobs, pulls, and hooks you get are compatible with the elements to which you wish to affix them.
It should come as no surprise that antiques faires are wonderful sources of vintage furniture. From bedsteads to couches to odd stools, bureaus, and appliances, your local flea market should have you covered.
If you're looking to purchase furniture at a flea market, be sure to know the dimensions of the space for which this furniture is intended, and come equipped with measuring tape to make sure that you're not getting something inappropriate for your space.
Also check furniture for any scratches, water damage, rips, or other imperfections, as this will influence the amount of refurbishing you'll need to do and will also give you leverage from a bargaining standpoint.
Vintage holiday decorations are surprisingly popular at flea markets, and you will find some booths and stands that specialize in them.
Often, these are more expensive items, so it is best to do online research before you come to the faire by searching for the general going price of these items on sites like eBay.
Also, consider the timing with which you make your vintage holiday item purchases. Prices tend to go up as holidays approach and get somewhat depressed when holidays have just passed. If you plan ahead, you can use this timing to your advantage.
Antiques faires and flea markets are chock full of old dolls, games, and toys.
While some of these things are collectors items, most are just... well, junk, so if you're looking to accrue valuable artifacts, you'll need to do your homework and know what you're looking for.
You don't have to ignore toys and games if you're not a collector, however. Consider the amazing scary appeal of old dolls; the campy value of vintage games; the odd feel of a child's favorite stuffed bear, dislocated over time and space.
All of these items could find new use in your life- either as interesting decorating elements, artistic inspiration, or novelty conversation starters and fun games to be used at an informal party with old friends. If nothing else, these items can provide a decent amount of amusement at the faire itself, so be sure to have a closer look.
A great number of shoppers come to flea markets looking for interesting art for their homes. Interestingly, art tends to be some of the more expensive stuff at antiques fairs; prints being especially steep.
For this reason, again, it helps to do your homework if you are seriously interested in making a big purchase.
If you're looking for art but don't want to pay steep prices, consider other items at the faire - from discarded family photos to old magazines and odd bits of machinery - as alternatives. When framed or mounted in an interesting way, these elements could make a far more fascinating impact than any old print or painting.
If you have an old or antique item that is broken, chances are you'll be able to find a replacement part at a flea market or antiques faire. These places are brimming with not only parts but other broken items, so you'll either be able to find the element you need or an entire unit from which you can steal parts.
Consider bringing the broken object of concern with you to the faire to make sure you get the right replacement parts!
Its so funny that you mentioned your "uniform." My frneid claims that I have a uniform as well and we refer to the look always as "the uniform." It began with a simple pair of skinny J Brand jeans (originally Paige, but I've since upgraded), American Apparel t - shirt and Chuck Taylors (then, Sue London flats, but those wear quickly). Now, it includes denim cutoffs for when its hot, a hoodie for when its cold...mix and match and never any color.
love fla. flea markets finding unique decorating items to decorate the manufactured homes i sell people stop to get ideas. love to use animal themes with unusual kitchen canesters, rugs,wall hangings etc. lots of fun!
Whoah! I wouldn't expect to see wheelchairs at flea markets! How cool!
Some times we go to Gibralter Trade Center in Mt. Clemens, Michigan - 600K sq ft; every Fri-Sat-Sun. Lots of interesting things. A friend even got a new wheelchair, cheap.
Thanks Ebower! Whether creepy, fascinating, or just downright hilarious, vintage toys are indeed cool.
One man's trash is another man's treasure! I really love the picture of the giant troll. The vintage baby doll looks a little creepy, but I think any old toys are cool. I voted this up and interesting!
And WHAAAT?? Guitars? Really? That's incredible! I'll amend my Hub to mention that- crediting you, of course!
Flea markets are a treasure. So far as I know the one near by in Canton, Texas "First Monday" is the largest Flea Market in the entire world. It's about 30 miles East of me, and represents the weekend of the First Monday of every month.
. . . . .But Simone. . . GUITARS are what you go to such places to find! I swear - sometimes for a $50 spot you can score a thousand dollar instrument. . . not that I'd ever take advantage of anyone. . .but. . .
Thanks so much, fastfreta! I really hope to do more furniture shopping at flea markets someday - the prices are great and all the furniture is so interesting!
Oh I love flea markets, furniture is my favorite thing to find at them. Loved this hub Simone.
That's so cool, imatellmuva! I've been in the market for some floor cushions myself- I'll have to visit my local flea market again and see if I might duplicate your lucky find!
You're right on Simone Smith...the Flea Market is a happening place! There are quite a few where I live, both indoor and out, and I love them all.
I wanted large floor pillows for my living room, but couldn't find any affordable, went to the flea market and bought sofa cushions. Yup!! This dude had sofa cushions, but no sofa!! I made covers for two, and bought covers for the other two (discounted of course). The pillows are AWESOME!!!!
It definitely is! I hope you can check yours out one of these weekends - flea markets are fabulous for people and object-watching alike!
There is a flea market that is close by I've always wanted to go to. Someday I hope to go. I heard it's just a really really neat experience.
I have a huge flea market near my house that I love to visit. I almost always find something I don't need at a price I just can't resist!
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2019-04-21T22:36:09Z
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https://hubpages.com/money/Popular-Flea-Market-Products
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There is a national park out there for everybody. Whether you think you belong in the mountains or desert, underwater or in a town, there is a park for you. Well, this one is for all the history buffs out there. From east to west, park to monument to historic site, we’ve got you covered, now start planning that historic road trip!
My friend Jonathan from The Royal Tour will be helping me with this one. We each chose our five favorite historic parks to share with you today.
Keep a few things in mind while you read this.
We limited this to parks and sites that we have been to.
I wanted to mix the list up a bit and not just include historic sites because those are the obvious choice.
This is all personal opinion and there is no scientific definitive ranking here.
Why it’s good for history buffs: The park is half nature, half history with over 30 miles of trails and the preserved bathhouses in the actual town of Hot Springs. The eight bathhouses have been converted into a visitor center, a brewery, a spa, a gift shop, and an art gallery.
What not to miss: Drive up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower and check out the views. Walk around town and enjoy some of the best breakfast ever at The Colonial. Explore the bathhouses and have a beer (or root beer) in the Superior Bathhouse Brewery. If you really want to splurge (it’s not actually horribly expensive) try out the spa services in Quapaw Baths or Buckstaff Baths. If you enjoy hiking, the Goat Rock Trail is a great hike that isn’t super long.
Why it’s good for history buffs: While it may not be typical American History, it is incredibly fascinating. Mesa Verde and the four corners region (Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona) is home to some of the most amazing cliff dwellings. They were built by ancestral Puebloans and have survived thousands of years and remain standing today. There are more than 2000 ruin sites at Mesa Verde alone.
What not to miss: Definitely check out all of the mesas. Drive the six-mile Mesa Top Loop and the Cliff Palace/Balcony House Loop on Chapin Mesa. If you have time, take one of the tours to Cliff Palace, Balcony House, or Long House. You need tickets for those and can get them at the visitor center. Check out Step House, Spruce Tree House, and the Far View Sites complex, too.
Why it’s good for history buffs: Well, to start, the city of St. Augustine was founded in 1565 making it the oldest continuously inhabited European established settlement in the continental United States. Now, the fort itself is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. It was built between 1672–1695.
What not to miss: There isn’t a ton of stuff to do at the fort, but you can do a self-tour. There are brochures available to guide you through the fort. Join a ranger program to learn about the culture and history of the park. While you’re here, wander around historic St. Augustines cobblestone streets.
Why it’s good for history buffs: While at first glance it may not scream history, it has a surprising amount. You can find petroglyphs scattered around the park and a strong Mormon Pioneer presence. The main area of the park is the Fruita Historic District, which is home to the Historic Gifford Homestead, the Fruita Schoolhouse, and the Merin-Smith Implement Shed. It may not be the typical history you would expect, but it is still very cool to see.
What not to miss: Of course, if you have time and enjoy hiking, make sure to do some of that. Depending on the time of year that you visit, definitely, stop in the orchards to pick some of the best fruit you’ll ever have. But you’re here for the history, so stop in the Gifford House Store and Museum and make sure you try some pie, ice cream, and cinnamon rolls. The salsa is also really good and I always get some when I’m there. Next, head down to Capitol Gorge and hike to the Pioneer Register. It’s an easy, flat walk, partially in a wash. Finally, make sure you stop at the boardwalk on the main highway to see the petroglyphs. You can see some on the way to the Pioneer Register, too.
Why it’s good for history buffs: Well, because it’s Pearl Harbor. The US naval base was established here in 1899 and on December 7, 1941, the base was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy airplanes and midget submarines. The US was now part of WWII. All eight US Navy battleships were damaged, while four sank. All were raised except the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona Memorial now stands, well floats, in its place.
What not to miss: The must-do is to go out to the USS Arizona Memorial. Tickets are free for this, but they only give out 1700 per day. Go early, especially during busy times if you want to see it. Check out the visitor center, learn about the other Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, read around the exhibit galleries, and tour the nearby USS Bowfin Submarine.
Why it’s good for history buffs: This is the site of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s first landing in California, making him the first European explorer to set foot in what is now the western United States. A wonderfully done video at the Visitors Center tells the story of his voyage.
What not to miss: The Old Point Loma Lighthouse offers a glimpse into what life in a lighthouse was once like. But the highlight is the Bayside Trail, a short but fairly steep well-maintained trail with sweeping ocean views!
Why: Ancestral Pueblo peoples have lived in this valley for centuries, and the park has both cliff dwellings (including some caveats that you can enter) and ruins of a fairly large town, all accessible just off paved trails. The location of Bandelier makes for an easy day trip from Santa Fe!
What: Admire the stunning rock cliffs, reminiscent of Bryce Canyon. If you are able to climb up some long ladders, make the climb to Alcove House for a stunning view of the valley. Flat trails from the Visitors Center stretch along the creek, making for wonderful strolls through the peaceful scenery.
Why: Manzanar is the first – and best known – camp where Japanese-Americans were kept during World War Two. While much of the camp is no longer standing, some buildings are, holding exhibits that speak to the lives and hardships endured by Americans due to hate and fear of their race. This is a chapter of US history many would prefer to forget, which is why it is so important to visit and remember.
What: There is a self-guided driving tour, but make sure you get out of your car and walk around. The cemetery on the far north end of the camp is especially beautiful and haunting. At some times of the year, survivors of the camp welcome people at the Visitors Center. Meet them, see the video, and explore the museum as well as the exhibits throughout the site.
Why: Of all the Civil War battlefield sites, Shiloh is the best done. Color-coded signs track the progress of every unit that fought here, making it possible to truly experience the battle from the standpoint of any individual soldier. There were more casualties here (nearly 24,000) than in all of America’s previous wars combined. The site is beautiful, belying the horrible bloodshed that took place.
What: Take the self-guided driving tour, which traces all actions in the battle. Pay tribute to the Americans who lost their lives here. Then head south to nearby Corinth, MS to view the museum there. Corinth was an important strategic town and the battle continued there.
Why: Boston has the best collection of Colonial buildings and other points of interest for fans of early American history. Boston NHP is the overarching site, but it is more commonly referred to as the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile path through downtown Boston that shows off many of the points of interest, like Paul Revere’s grave and the Massachusetts State House.
What: Walk the Freedom Trail, beginning in Boston Commons. Marvel at the new and old of Boston sitting side by side. Make sure to explore the old cemeteries along the route, as you’ll discover the graves of many famous early Americans. A few sites along the way, such as the Paul Revere House, do have modest fees, but most are free. If you have more time, visit the Bunker Hill Monument, a beautiful obelisk memorializing this key battle of the Revolutionary War.
Now that you know the best historic sites to visit, I hope you can get out to see them if you haven’t already. If you do plan to visit any of these or others, I would recommend getting the America the Beautiful national park pass. It’s $80 and will get you into the NPS sites. Now get out there and enjoy!
Jonathan Berg is a freelance writer and blogger. His blog, The Royal Tour, focuses on the “deeper” side of travel, exploring issues of politics, religion, history, and culture through the lens of unique travel experiences.
Have you been to any of these parks? Which is your favorite park for history?
Great post. I have been to 5 of your 10 but for sure would like to see the others.
Thanks for the helpful info! The only one I have already seen is Mesa Verde so now I have lots of leads for what to plan next. My recommendation is on the opposite side of the country; Grand Portage National Monument is at the Northeast tip of Minnesota. You will learn much about the history of the US/Canada border.
Oh, that would be cool to see! I would love to see Voyageurs, so maybe combine them into a trip (I have no idea how close they are though) but I’m from Wisconsin so maybe on a trip home!
If you don’t mind a few hours of driving between each thing, that should work!
Great post. I have been to Hot Springs. It is worth the drive. I am glad I have a few more places to add to my growing list of places I would like to visit.
Hot Springs is a fun little park!
Great post!! Lots of great options!
Thank you! There are so many more, too!
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2019-04-20T13:14:01Z
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https://redaroundtheworld.com/2018/12/03/10-best-national-park-sites-for-history-buffs/
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A former leader with the Jefferson Police Department has been charged with drug possession and stalking his wife.
Dennis Thomas, who was a captain with the Jefferson Police Department, was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of drug-related objects and aggravated stalking.
The charges came after he went to the home of his wife, who had filed for divorce and had a temporary restraining order against him.
After a search of his residence, the hand grenades were found. The hand grenade possession was turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
On a related matter, a search warrant was issued by the ATF at the home of another Jefferson man. Guns, a rocket launcher, powder and other items were seized from his home.
Thomas was one of two Jefferson police officers who was put on administrative leave after a notice was filed to indict him in November 2006. The allegations against Thomas were for “hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal.” Four of the counts state that Thomas told officers Lee New and Anthony Kelley not to speak about the allegations that another officer, Mario Johnson, had stolen gas from the city.
The final two allegations against Thomas allege that he falsified the time card of an officer, who had been denied time off.
Thomas was never indicted on any of these charges.
I thoughtit very interesting that your staff writer did not tell that Dennis Thomas is the husband of Cammie W. Thomas who is the Clerk of Superior Court in Jackson County and that the person whose home was searched in a related matter by the ATF was not named. Shouldn't the paper tell the whole story? The stockpile of weapons sounds like terrorists operatives.
Terrorist operativers? C'mon Lynn. More like the right to bear arms in the United States. People are allowed to possess firearms. No the article didnt tell the whole store so maybe people like you shouldnt jump to half cocked conclusions about a terrorist in Jackson County. The article did say that no charges had been filed. Maybe that should serve as a sign.
Sure, the Constitution gives us the right to bear arms, but when does the average citizens need hand grenades and rocket launchers? These items are weapons of war. How many people do you know that possess this kind of arm? I'm sure the ATF would be interested. Also, since the ATF is involved, I don't think we have heard the last of this. Maybe we will have a sign soon.
Do you feel better now that you put an innocent victim and her family at risk by naming her (oh by the way, you spelled her name wrong)? Also, what does her job have to do with what her husband has done? Sounds like a personal vendetta on your petty part! Why don't you read the Jackson Herald this week and on page 7A and find out in other publications of incidents that victims are not named! Why don't you "advertise" where you're employed? I'm sure your employers wouldn't appreciate being a part of your pettiness and your personal comments about folks! Oh, and by the way, why don't you call and ask who the other person was involved in the ATF investigation - you'll find it's not who you think! Get over it- stop punishing Mrs. Thomas for what her husband and his family have done! Everyone else, show some support for Ms. Thomas and her family and pray for their safety!
Soooo, how can this travisty be attributed to Chief Worthman? C'mon, Mr. Buffington, you're slacking on the job!
All right #2. By now you should know better than to stir that pot. You know what happened last time! Chief Wirthman has vowed to move foreward, maybe you should do the same.
Charles, please read the article again. The article said charges had been filed for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine, posssession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and stalking. The article said that no charges were filed in regard to the previous allegation concerning his actions with the police department. Look for the sign. Sorry I didn't put this in my first reply.
The right to bear arms is one thing but hand granades are another. also the other person who had a search warrant served on him was one of dennis thomas aquaintances. He had a rocket launcher....is the part of the right to bear arms? Now I will agree that it doesn't make for terroristic operatives either(although the second person is very anti government). as for hand grenades they could have been handed down from a ww2 vet to his son or found when ww2 vet died....you dont know the story so please wait for the investigation.
the stalking....don't let him out of jail he didn't get the message with the restraining order.
Wow, J. Autry; move on? Thomas was Darren's #2 man (the entire time he was Chief). Is this not news? Was this going on under Darren? I don't know, but it begs an answer.
All right 700, I thought you and I had found some common ground. If you were around that department or had anything to do with it you know that Thomas may have been #2, but that didn't make him Darren's friend. Fact of the matter is that this is "just deserts". As it keeps proving itself out, what comes around does go around.
Mr. Autry, you seem to be very close to this subject. Can you explain why even though Darren Glenn was never indicted by a Grand Jury for any criminal charges, the Georgia P.O. S. T. Council determined that he violated enough P.O.S.T. rules that they revoked his Peace Officer Certification? I also wonder why that was NEVER reported by the Glenn Herald...I mean the Jackson Herald. I know Darren appealed his revocation. What is the status on his appeal?
Eric you will find out soon enough but you already now don't you? after all you made a request right?
Just wanted to see if I could get a rise out of you.
I really doubt that 700 is who you think it is. lets face it 700 is not his number it is the police station. Don't fall for that stuff you're smarter than that.
TPO's are issued by a Superior court judge with only the testimony of an estranged wife, without criminal charges and without a jury trial. Violations of TPO's are decided by the police without a jury trial and for that matter without a hearing before a Superior Court Judge. How many of you knew you could go to jail without bond, and without a jury of your peers approving this? How many of you would feel comfortable with having any one police officer deciding if you should lose your freedom without trial? And all of this could be the result of a divorce. With the divorce rate at about 50% that means this conservatively affects half of you men out there. This is worth some serious thought.
Everyone should be assumed to be not-guilty until proven otherwise by a jury of his peers. This is a United States constitutional requirement. Of course it's obvious that our government no longer feels this document means very much.
Don't assume, by reading the newspaper that we know any of the "facts." I would not feel comfortable making any judgements about this man without him going through the criminal justice system as prescribed by law. And you people in the lynch mob should consider these words.
Yes, I agree with 700 when he/she says just because you are arrested doesn't mean that you are going to be found guilty. Very shortly after a TPO is issued, there will be a court date set. This is why it is called a 'temporary protective order' because atleast for now, it is only temporary. There the accused will have every chance to defend himself. Also, contrary to popular belief, it is not that easy to get a TPO on someone; especially if you have no proof. In the past this may have been the case but it's not the case anymore.
I have no doubt that most TPO's are issued honestly. There are a few that contain false allegations. If the accused is in fact guilty, then of course he should be ordered to stay away from the victim. As far as the ones that are taken out based on lies, as I mentioned earlier they have a court date. Yes, it's another one of those unfair hassles that life is full of when an innocent person has to go through this process; but don't worry, they will get over it. The bright side of this for the falsely accused is the simple fact that when something didn't really happen, it's kind of hard for someone to prove that it did. Lies don't usually produce a whole lot of evidence. Then there are some instances in which TPO's are taken out for ridiculous and petty reasons. If this happens to someone, just stay away from the 'crazy' who took the TPO out on you. This also applies to the falsely accused who have to stay away from their self made 'victims'; just stay away from them now and forever. Why would you want to go around someone who either told vicious lies about you, or who plainly just doesn't want you around no matter how silly the complaints they made against you are?
Personally I believe that it doesn't matter why a person doesn't want to be near you. However, they should not resort to making false accusations to make that happen and should be punished for doing so. That's a lot of the problem right there. This is against the law. The ones who use falsehoods in order to obtain TPO's are usually found out pretty quickly. Unfortunetly those with proper authority to make these liars pay the consequences of their crime don't push it and press charges on them. Therefore, those guilty get the message that what they did was no big deal; and that leads into their thinking of, 'I know I will get away with it so why can't I do it again'?
Michael, I think you are slightly confused, or misinformed. Police officers must bring probable cause that a crime has been committed to a magistrate judge for the issuance of a warrant. Also, you bring up a due process issue. As I am sure you know, just because someone is arrested they are presumed innocent until proven guilty, so just because he has been charged with a crime does not mean he will be found guilty. He also has a right to a preliminary hearing before a magistrate judge.
I also have a question for you. When did we lose sight of personal responsibility? If a TPO is issued, it cannot be enforced until the affected party is served. Then the served party understands the restrictions set in place by the Superior Court. Is it not incumbent on the served party to abide by the guidelines set by the court? After all, they have the right to a hearing after being served.
Sounds like 700 might have a dog in this hunt.
700: Thanks for the kind reply. You seem like a decent sort. I thought any officer could arrest someone because the plaintiff on the TPO just claimed a violation. I stand corrected. I don't like TPO's. They don't protect anyone and they leave little traps for innocent parties to fall into. If someone is determined to hurt someone a piece of paper signed by a judge will do absolutely nothing to protect the plaintiff. It's just another little chipping away at our rights. We have judges in our living rooms now. An Ex-parte (with no judge) TPO is issued allowing the plaintiff to remove all of the property from a home before a hearing ever happens. I know you guys out there might be concerned about this aspect of the TPO.
By today's standards, a man who raises his voice in his own home is subject to these TPO's. And I can tell you that a hearing to get a TPO before the judge only requires a preponderance of the evidence to be issued, not beyond a reasonable doubt. So TPO's are indeed issued all the time WITH a reasonable doubt. And this can affect the divorce case pending in a negative way. It's no wonder some guys go crazy over this stuff.
And being arrested, possibly with no bond, is no assurance that one will still have a job the next day or that their house will not be foreclosed on during this time, all before a jury ever sits for the case. And you can't sign your own bond even though you're a property owner. You have to find someone willing to do this. How would you like your friends to get a call from the Jackson County jail from you? Do you think they might think differently of you in the future? We need reform and not the kind we've been getting.
Can't we all just get ALONG!!!!
The news again didnt report the whole story. I am aware of the fact that the subj searched was a friend of Dennis'. Also this subject did not have anything to do with Mr. Thomas actions that evening. Also the paper did not report that the grenades were drilled out meaning that they were of no threat. Anyone can obtain one of there at any Army Surplus store or gun show. Same goes for the rocket launcher which was just the tubing that is used to encase the device and unsed for aiming. There was no rocket. Again, easily obtainable to the public and perfectly legal. The article also did not mention that the subject was a firearms dealer and also has permits to possess weapons that are not made available to the general public. The real issue is that Jefferson Police Department has nothing better to do than allow its officers to harass and make accusations agains anyone who had anything to do with thier old Administration. Anyone who assisted the Police Dept under Chief Glenn or Asst. Chief Thomas is now and has been scrutinized and harassed by current employees and administration of the Jefferson Police. Anyone who had responded to the scene of the Thomas altercation would have seen that although there may have been numerous various firearms, that everything located there was perfectly legal. There was no need to notify the ATF. Had they been compitent officers and actually knew the laws they would have realized this.
Mr. Knight, I guess JPD made Dennis Thomas violate the TPO against him. When the SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES arrested Mr. Thomas, they conducted a search warrant that was signed by a Judge after showing PROBABLE CAUSE and when the SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES conducted the search warrant and found the grenade, the SHERIFF'S INVESTIGATORS called in the ATF. NOT JEFFERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER the ATF conducted their investigation, the ATF obtained a FEDERAL search warrant and requested the Jefferson Police to assist them in conducting the second search warrant. The JPD was there to assist the ATF only. The Jefferson Police Department have gone on and are attempting to conduct public safety business. It's people like you that DON'T know all the facts that keep throwing Jefferson PD and Darren Glenn in together like it's some kind of Friday Night Fights... I think Mr. Glenn and the JPD have both gone on with their business and would like nothing better than for other people to leave them the hell alone!
I know a lot more that has gone on that the general public doesnt. Take the blinders off and get the whole story. The grenade found was DRILLED OUT meaning there was no fuse or explosive element. JPD or JCSD had they taken the time to examine what they found would have realized that everything was perfectly legal. And again, I made no excuse for Dennis Thomas actions. He made his own choice to violate a TPO. The problem that I have is that an innocent man who eas excercising his right to bear arms was arrested in the process. And by the way....... JPD and JCSD have a lot of officers jumping from dept to dept from the sheriffs dept to the police dept and so on. They all are aware of what goes on the general RESIDENTS dont and they take sides as well. I do not condone breaking the law in any means. I have aproblem with the Law Enforcers being so ill educated and biast that they only enforce simple laws or enforce personal opions of themselves or thier other friends in blue. They all just need to stick to what they do best and play trafic nazis.
I happened to be watching the news the other night when they reported that 1400 police officers are on the job in Ga. with felony arrests and convictions on their records. I wonder if any are in Jackson County. Kinda makes me feel strange knowing these folks are caring guns.
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2019-04-21T14:17:20Z
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http://www.jacksonheraldtoday.com/archives/917-Former-Jefferson-police-captain-arrested-on-cocaine,-stalking-charges.html
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The four bed room property offers most of the amenities for the flats plus an outside terrace with full ocean front view. All rooms at the Casa Ixchel Hotel include air-con, fans and cordless Web. The ferry dock, stores and restaurants tend to be five minutes away by taxi or the preferred mode of transport of Isla Mujeres tourists, the tennis cart.
Despite its small-size Casa Ixchel has a little restaurant, known as Casa Louise, which offers a selection of Overseas dishes crafted and very carefully assembled by a well known cook whom lives in the US. The restaurant offers an excellent view associated with Caribbean and it is available for break fast, lunch and supper.
Please go to our internet site and you’ll discover details, present rates and slideshows associated with Casa Ixchel resort and several various other Isla Mujeres Hotels.
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2019-04-20T14:51:13Z
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http://vivisjournal.com/
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Last time, I tried to figure out how to enable the bootloader through hardware means, but gave up as I was nervous about poking at the pins too much (having very little hardware experience) and didn't want to damage the mouse further. I decided to go back to reversing things on the software side, in the hopes of gaining some insight that might allow me to find out why my mouse isn't responding to commands.
Trying to manipulate a disassembly in a text editor is exceedingly painful. It's fine if you're just trying to figure out a function or two, but not when you're trying to make sense of 32KB of firmware. This is where interactive tools like IDA come in. You can annotate things as you discover them, and change those annotations when you realise you made a mistake. You can easily see what references a particular register or a particular function.
The bad news: IDA doesn't support this obscure microcontroller architecture. The good news: IDA has a plugin architecture. The other bad news: the SDK is miserable to work with. It's better than nothing, though.
IDA includes Python bindings which make it a little more tolerable. There's bindings to all of the C++ APIs exposed by the SDK to regular old C++ modules/plugins, there's bindings to functions provided by IDC (IDA's built-in scripting language), and there's also some Python-specific wrappers. I generally stick with the C++ APIs because they expose all the functionality (not just a subset of it) and seem to be slightly better documented.
For this particular task, we want a processor module that tells IDA how to decode and analyse Holtek microcontroller code. We might eventually want a loader (that recognises MTP files and loads them into IDA), but we can do without it for now, as we've got a raw dump of the program code and all we need to do is map that into a fixed memory address.
The IDA SDK doesn't include much in the way of documentation. You get a bunch of example modules in C++, a Python template (module/script/proctemplate.py), and a couple of Python example modules for TI MSP430 processors and for EFI bytecode.
I was a fool and tried to look for info online, which confused me further. There's a post on the IDA developers' blog called Scriptable Processor modules which purports to explain the basics and provides some simple example code. This looked very different from what I was seeing in the actual IDA SDK's examples, to the point where there was no possible way that code could work.
I found a few different examples on GitHub and tried to start drafting some code based on the common elements I saw between them. Eventually, I was able to produce something that kind of worked, and I kept on hacking on it.
You can find the resulting processor module in my GitHub repository for this mouse RE project: Treeki/TM155-tools. It's just over 500 lines of code, and a bit dirty, but it works.
The first step is to create a subclass of processor_t and define a bunch of properties inside it. These mostly map directly to fields in the C++ processor_t class, with one big exception - the assembler field is a Python dictionary with items mapping to entries in the C++ asm_t class.
flag = 0 # for now?
Every module must have an ID - third-party modules (like mine!) are obliged to start in the 0x8000 range. Every module has flags that control a wide range of behaviour in the IDA kernel; these include things like "supports 32-bit addressing", "stack grows up", "user can't move segments", "has delayed jumps/calls", "has conditional instructions". I read through the entire list and decided none of them seemed relevant to me.
cnbits and dnbits let you define how many bits are in a byte for code and for data segments, respectively. I picked 16 and 8 to try and match the Holtek MCU's behaviour as closely as possible: the program memory is word-addressable, so we want addresses inside IDA to represent that.
segreg_size and tbyte_size are irrelevant to our processor, as we don't have segment registers or long doubles (apparently tbyte is what IDA calls a long double, internally).
psnames and plnames allow a particular module to support multiple types of processors. We could use this to support the three different variants of this MCU, but let's keep it simple for now and just support one.
assembler contains a whole lot of properties defining what the assembly output looks like in IDA. This is why for some processors you get .word 0x1234 and for some you get DW 1234h. We're not aiming to generate something you can feed straight back into the Holtek assembler, we just want it to be understandable, so there's no need to stress too much about that bit.
The fields starting with reg_ are for configuring registers. This MCU is weird in that almost all of its registers are really just special memory locations; IDA's setup is clearly designed for more common architectures (think, for instance, of how x86 has eax, ebx, ecx, edx, ebp, and so forth). The Holtek MCU only has the accumulator A. Even the venerable 6502 has A, X and Y...!
We have to tell IDA about what instructions we support. Each instruction is assigned an arbitrary ID called the itype; we use the instruc_start and instruc_end fields to tell IDA what number range our instructions fall within, and the instruc list to give it metadata about those instructions. This just includes the instruction name and a 'feature', which is a set of flags defining how the instruction operates.
I build these up using fields located in INSN_DEFS, which is an array I've defined that contains those as well as some other useful properties used by my helper functions inside the module.
Finally, you need to tell IDA about your processor_t subclass. This is simple: define a PROCESSOR_ENTRY function that just returns a new instance of your processor class.
There's a lot of events you can handle inside a processor module, and this happens by implementing methods in your class with specific signatures. Most have names starting with notify_, but not all. There's Python templates for these in the SDK's module/script/proctemplate.py and there's also some information in the event_t enum in include/idp.hpp. For some reason I haven't figured out, there's subtle differences between some names between C++ and Python, like ev_ana_insn becoming notify_ana. I guess you can't make it too easy.
All are optional, with the exception of four: notify_ana decodes and analyses an instruction on its own, notify_emu performs analysis tasks that may involve multiple instructions/addresses, notify_out_insn tells IDA how to display an instruction as a whole, and notify_out_operand tells IDA how to display an instruction operand.
Then, you decode the instruction and put its itype into the itype property, and put details about its operands (if any) into the Op1, Op2, ... fields. Pretty straightforward. If it succeeds, you return the amount of bytes in the instruction. If it fails, you return 0, and IDA refuses to turn that particular instruction into code.
There's not much going on here. For the former, you're passed an outctx_t instance. For the latter, you're passed outctx_t and also op_t (this is the exact same object as insn_t.Op1 and company!). The outctx_t object contains methods that generate the output.
You can output arbitrary text using it, but for IDA to work best, you need to make sure you call the most appropriate methods. If you have an operand containing an immediate value (like mov A, 69), don't just spit out the number, call ctx.out_value(op), and IDA will allow you to change that number to different representations like decimal, hex or even an enum member.
This function receives an insn_t instance; it'll contain the info you generated inside notify_ana. Despite the names, this is really what makes all of the fancy analysis stuff possible. You can get away with leaving it empty and simply returning 1 for an initial draft, which is what I did when I was trying to get notify_ana and notify_out_* right, but you'll definitely need a proper implementation for a usable processor module.
There's one thing I've glossed over so far. With the setup as we've described it so far, we get a single code region (0000 to 3FFF), which is what we map to the MCU's program memory. That only covers half of the story: the MCU also has data memory. Six banks worth of registers and plain old RAM, ranging from 00 to FF in each bank. How do we deal with this?
The answer is to be crafty with segments. IDA has two kinds of addresses: the linear address (this lies within 00000000 to FFFFFFFF for the non-64 variant of IDA) and the virtual address. We've got to use distinct regions of the linear address space for the Program and Data memories, but this doesn't have to be the case for the virtual address space!
Furthermore, we told IDA that bytes inside code sections are 16 bits wide, and that bytes inside data sections are 8 bits wide. We can say whether a particular segment is code or data, so this perfectly replicates the distinction in our MCU where a single address refers to one word in program memory and one byte in data memory.
We should have some code that automatically creates this segment.
This method runs every time a database is opened, thanks to the event handlers. We check to see if a segment called HTRAM exists. If it does, then we record its linear address (this is used in our notify_ana implementation when we decode operands pointing to memory). If it doesn't, then we use IDA's free_chunk function to find some free space in the linear address space, and create an appropriate segment.
This is all we need to have a region for data memory! When we load the firmware code, we end up with the default 'ROM' (program memory) segment at 0000..3FFF, and the data memory segment gets assigned linear addresses 4000..45FF. However, since we told IDA that the base was 4000 (this is what the ram_start >> 4 argument to add_segm_ex does), what we actually see are addresses starting from HTRAM:0000. Perfect.
Most of the first half of each bank is dedicated to registers with fixed locations. We know that [06h] is always going to hold PCL (Program Counter Low) and that [67h] is always USR (USB endpoint accessed detection). With notify_emu setting up our data references using add_dref, IDA automatically recognises them as memory locations, but it doesn't know what they are. Let's fix that.
I created a JSON file containing the short names, long names, bits and applicable banks for every register, based off the HT68FB560.inc file. Inserting them into the database is simple: after we create the HTRAM segment, we can just go and put that stuff in. For good measure, let's name the interrupt vectors too.
This gets us automatic names for each register in every bank. We've added the descriptive names as repeatable comments: this is IDA-speak for "this comment automatically appears everywhere that this register is referenced".
And just like that, there's our switch to bootloader function! Note how every direct use of a register like TBLP and INTC0 is annotated with the full name.
On our wee Holtek chip, setting a bit is as simple as set [9Eh].0. Calling a function if a particular bit is set takes just two instructions: sz [9Eh].0; call myCoolFunction.
With as little RAM as this MCU has, space is at a premium, so packing as much data as you can into memory is vital. Most hardware access also involves working with individual bits in registers, so having an efficient and simple way to do that is highly useful.
Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, there isn't an elegant way in IDA to deal with these. You can create structures which even support concepts like unions, but they don't support bitfields. The type system used by the Hex-Rays Decompiler appears to support them, but we're working with plain old IDA, with an architecture that the decompiler will never, ever support.
I debated for a bit on how to handle these, looking at other example processor modules. The PIC module implements them solely by displaying bits loaded from a .cfg file, but this doesn't allow for customisation in the IDA interface. That approach is fine for hardware registers, but not when you're analysing code that makes heavy use of its own bit-packed variables.
I eventually settled for an approach using IDA's Enums and Netnode systems.
The first portion of this system is simple enough. I have pre-defined names for bits within all the hardware registers where bitwise access makes sense, and I've loaded these in from my JSON file, so I can go ahead and create enums for them when I'm preparing the database, after the HTRAM segment has been created.
Alright, so we've got these. Now, when I see the instruction sz B0_STATUS.0, I can highlight the 0 and press M and select bit_STATUS from the Enums list that comes up, and it'll turn it into sz B0_STATUS.STATUS:C. And if I decide I want to give STATUS:C a better name, like CarryFlag, then I can highlight it and press N and enter a new name, and it'll update everywhere in the disassembly.
But that instruction, sz B0_STATUS.0, is literally pointing to a hardware register that I know has an Enum. Can't I just have the processor module do that every time it sees a write? Yes.
We need to do that inside notify_emu, when we're processing the 'which bit' operand for these instructions. That seems straightforward, we can just look at the target register and figure out if we've created an enum for it. The tricky thing is that we need to store that information in a way that survives IDA being restarted.
We sort of had this issue when we made the HTRAM segment, but it was easy to work past because we could just call get_segm_by_name('HTRAM') and it would give us that segment. Long as the user keeps it named HTRAM, our code will work fine.
We don't want to rely on something as brittle as naming when we want to look up one of over 60 enums. This is where the Netnode system comes into play. It's a part of the IDA SDK designed specifically for this use case: allowing modules and plugins to store extra data. It's used by several other modules in the SDK, so there's plenty of examples, and the documentation inside include/netnode.hpp is also pretty good.
The first step is to create a netnode. We assign it the name $ holtek; starting with $ followed by a space is a requirement specified in the documentation. It's necessary to avoid conflicts with user-defined names in the database, since the netnode system is what IDA uses to store everything in an IDA database.
Each netnode essentially contains 256 arrays, identified by a single character (the 'tag'). We're using the one with tag b to store the enum that's tied to a particular data memory address.
There's a few different storage mechanisms you can use. I picked altval, "a sparse array of 32-bit values". Each enum's ID is a 32-bit value, so this works just fine.
Next, we alter the code that creates our registers. While creating the enums, we stored the enum IDs (the return of add_enum) into the bit_enums dictionary, but didn't actually do anything with the resulting dictionary. This is where we now use it: for each register, if there's a matching enum, we call altset_ea on the netnode (helper) to store that enum ID (bit_enums[offset]) against the register's linear address (ea).
We've got the information in, now to use it. The third and final step ties the whole system together, going into all the processing that occurs inside notify_emu.
# TODO: ignore some like ACC maybe?
First, we make sure we only do this for immediate operands occurring inside an instruction that matches HTOP_BIT. Next, we fetch the data out of the instruction: for an instruction sz [9Fh].5, this would set bit to 5 and enum_addr to the linear address of data memory 0x9F.
Then, we ask the netnode if there's an enum assigned to that particular linear address. If there isn't, then we create one on-the-fly, and stick it into the netnode.
Then, we ask IDA if there is's a value in that enum for that particular bit. If there isn't, then we add one with a default name.
These last two things are the Cool Trick™️ that makes this system work for variables as well as the standard pre-defined hardware registers! If we ever see sz [9Fh].5 in the code, then we know that there must be some sort of significance to that bit, so we add it to the enums, turning it into sz [9Fh].b09F:5. Then, once the user thinks they know what [9Fh].5 stores, they can just smash the N key and enter a new name and it'll show up everywhere that addresses [9Fh].5. Amazing.
The last piece of this puzzle is to call op_enum - this is the programmatic equivalent of highlighting the number 5, pressing M and selecting the enum from the list.
I can't "drill down" into the individual bits and see what portions of code reference each one. I can, however, look at the cross-references window for the whole byte. Since the names now show up in the instruction itself, it's incredibly easy to see precisely what is being accessed.
A fairly common pattern when programming for this processor involves jump tables; the low-level equivalent of a 'switch' block. Take the code that handles USB commands, for example. You could implement this as a chain of comparisons - "if cmd is 0 jump to X, if cmd is 1 jump to Y, if cmd is 2 jump to Z, ..." - but it's much easier to use a jump table.
Values of A from 0 to 2 will jump to those conveniently-named labels. If A is 3, we just execute ret and return. If A is higher than 3, we jump into no man's land.
IDA is pretty good at detecting different kinds of jump tables and 'switch' constructs, so I wanted to see if I could take advantage of this and create some nice handling for them.
There's a bunch of functions and structures defined in the SDK for dealing with switch statements. There's an entire page of flags for defining attributes that they can have. I spent a while trying to get this working, and in the end gave up - I got to the point where IDA would detect addm A, PCL and try to construct a switch statement, but rather than treating the table entries as instructions (jmp 04FAh, etc) it would turn the opcode into an invalid address.
I ended up adding a check to notify_emu to detect the addm A, PCL sequence. It knows that the jump table always begins immediately after that instruction. There's an algorithm which tries to guess where the jump table ends, with some simple heuristics.
Once it's figured that out, it goes through every entry and gives it a name based off its index. If that entry is a jump to somewhere else, then that target location gets a name based off its index as well. This gives us verbose but helpful auto-generated names like jtbl_06AA_case_target_0A (that's the handler for command 0xA, reboot to bootloader) and jtbl_0DEF_case_target_00_01 (this one's used for both indices 00 and 01 in a particular jump table).
Finally, to make IDA's analysis work properly, add_cref is used to create a code reference from the addm A, PCL instruction to each jump table entry. Simple, but effective! Here's a couple of snaps of what the result ends up looking like.
There's still things that could be improved in this module, but I think I've reached the point of diminishing returns. One weak spot is that there's no good handling for accessing registers and memory in banks above 0.
Fixing this properly would require more in-depth analysis of the code and trying to keep track of the current state of the BP, MP0 and MP1 registers at a given instruction. So whenever I come across code that deals with it, I have to do a bit of thinking and annotate things manually.
Likewise for table handling, there's no special processing for the TBLP and TBHP registers, or any attempts to create data references when data is read using the tabrd instruction. It's not very heavily used in my mouse's firmware (most of the table access is centralised in certain functions), so I figured the effort involved in implementing that would outweigh the time saving when figuring out that code.
So I've got a nice little IDA module now for disassembling this mouse's firmware. I'm ready to start digging into it and figuring out how it works! First point of call will be the USB data handlers, as I want to look for a way to get it out of this semi-bricked state.
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2019-04-24T13:56:50Z
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https://wuffs.org/blog/mouse-adventures-part-7
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This short book 'The Elements of Style' was recommended to me in a writing class I recently took, and I was really impressed by how helpful it was in my everyday writing! I wanted to share some of it with the FimFam since we do so much writing here, and hopefully some of you will find it helpful too. Our rping is primarily for fun, of course, but for anyone interested in improving or polishing their style, I think this is also a great place to do that!
I've summarized and paraphrased here what I found to be most relevant, and it is nowhere near complete (definitely read the book if you're interested). I also don't claim any credit for any of this! While I love writing and studying grammar, I struggle a lot with these things too and could never come up with the elegant guidelines that Strunk did. I'll insert some of my own inputs as well as any suggestions you guys come up with, but I want to make it clear that most of these examples are straight from the 'The Elements of Style'.
Moreover, all of these are suggestions - none of them are intended as set-in-stone rules! Writing is subjective, and anything that reads the way that you want it to is correct, end of story. Polishing your style is only meant to help you clearly communicate what YOU want to say, not make you conform to anyone else's idea of what's right or not.
I hope it's helpful and not too intimidating a wall of text... Don't feel the need to read it all in one go, haha. I've split it up into sections with the intent of letting it be here as a reference if needed, and maybe we can also make this thread a place to post questions and ask for constructive critiques & revisions!
Create a clear, logical structure and flow.
Each paragraph, whether several sentences or just one, should function to describe or illustrate one point, event, or idea. Paragraph breaks show a logical flow of thoughts or events and help prevent walls of text that look intimidating.
Passive: "My first visit to this city will always be remembered by me."
Active: "I will always remember my first visit to this city."
Passive: "The ground was covered by dead leaves."
Active: "Dead leaves covered the ground."
Passive: "At dawn the rooster's crow could be heard."
Active: "The rooster's crow came with dawn."
Use of 'not' often reads as indefinite and noncommittal, while positive form is more assertive.
Negative: "She did not think that studying Latin was a sensible use of time."
Positive: "She thought the study of Latin was a waste of time."
Negative: "He was not very often on time."
Positive: "He usually came late."
"did not remember" = "forgot"
"did not pay any attention to" = "ignored"
"did not have much confidence in" = "distrusted"
Make statements without using unnecessary conditionals.
Conditionals like "could", "might", and "can" sound doubtful and lack authority.
Conditional: "Plath may be ranked among those modern poets who died young."
Assertive: "Plath was one of those modern poets who died young."
Conditional: "Applicants can make a good impression by being neat and punctual."
Assertive: "Applicants will make a good impression if they are neat and punctual."
Vague: "A period of unfavorable weather set in."
Specific: "It rained every day for a week."
Vague: "He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward."
Specific: "He grinned as he pocketed the coin."
"the question as to whether" = "whether"
"there is no doubt but that" = "no doubt", "doubtless"
"he is a man who" = "he"
"owing to the fact that" = "since"
"in spite of the fact that" = "although", "despite"
"the fact that he had not succeeded" = "his failure"
Keep in mind the order of words.
Order them so that your flow of thought is uninterrupted and clear.
Clear: "He noticed a large stain right in the center of the rug."
Clear: "For just two dollars, you can call your mother in London and tell her all about George's taking you out to dinner."
Clear: "A stir that suggested disapproval swept the audience."
Interrupted: "A dog, if you fail to discipline him, becomes a household pest."
Uninterrupted: "Unless disciplined, a dog becomes a household pest."
The most emphatic place for an important word is at the end of a sentence.
'Advice' is a noun, something you give to someone when you 'advise' them.
'Aggravate' means to ADD to an already troublesome situation; 'irritate' means to annoy.
'Aid' means help or assistance, while an 'aide' is an assistant to someone important like a president.
An allusion is an indirect mention of something; 'elude' means to avoid, like eluding a pursuer.
'Bear' as a verb means to carry, support, or endure (like 'bear with it'). 'Bear' as a noun is the furry animal. 'Bare' can be either an adjective describing something empty or uncovered or a verb meaning to uncover something.
The past tense of 'bear' is 'bore', and if you added a 'had' it would be 'had borne'. 'Borne' can also be an adjective meaning 'carried by' or 'supported by' (like an 'air-borne virus'). The past tense of 'bare' is 'bared' (like 'he bared his head by removing his hat').
'Began' is basic past tense, while 'begun' is used after 'had'. "He began to retch because the ship had begun to lurch."
'Breath' (short e sound) is a noun, something you can lose when you're surprised. 'Breathe' (long e sound) is a verb, like to breathe deeply.
Misconstrued form of "couldn't care less", meaning that you care so little it is impossible to care less.
"comprise" vs "constitute" vs "compromise"
A zoo is comprised of animals; animals constitute a zoo. Compromise means a settlement of a dispute by both sides reaching a middle ground.
A decent person is a nice, acceptable person. A pilot controls an airplane's descent so that it doesn't crash into the ground.
Being discreet means to try not to draw attention to yourself. Discrete objects are clearly separated from each other.
To affect something means to exert an effect on it.
'Farther' generally refers to distance, like throwing a ball farther than someone else. You can pursue a topic of conversation further.
'Grisly' means gruesome or revolting, 'grizzly' is a type of bear.
'Hoard' can be a noun referring to a stash or large collection, as well as a verb meaning to store or collect something. A 'horde' is a very large group (e.g., of people).
'I.e.' literally translates to 'that is' (i.e., another way of saying the same thing), while 'e.g.' means 'for example'.
The 'palate' is the roof of the mouth; a 'palette' is a board for mixing colors.
'Sight' refers to vision, while a 'site' is a place (like the site of the crime).
'Stationary' means still, not moving; 'stationery' refers to fancy paper.
A winding road is tortuous; a painful ordeal is torturous.
'Wary' means cautious or afraid; 'weary' means tired or exhausted.
A 'wreath' is a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers, leaves, etc. (like a Christmas wreath on a door), while 'wreathe' is the verb form meaning to encircle or surround something.
"He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents."
"They invited the royals, a clown, and a dancer."
NOTE: Without the Oxford comma, this sentence implies that the royals ARE a clown and a dancer. "They invited the royals, a clown and a dancer."
"The best way to see a country, unless you are pressed for time, is to travel on foot."
"My brother, you will be pleased to hear, is now in perfect health."
"The audience, which had at first been indifferent, became more and more interested."
"The situation is perilous, but we still have a chance of escape."
"The early records of the city have disappeared, and its history can no longer be reconstructed."
In the sentences below, replacing the comma with a period would be incorrect.
"She was an interesting talker, a woman who had traveled all over the world."
"We met many years ago on an ocean cruise, traveling to Mexico from California."
"It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark."
NOTE: With a comma + conjunction, this becomes "It is nearly half past five, and we cannot reach down before dark."
"Mary Shelley's works are entertaining; they are full of entertaining ideas."
NOTE: With a comma + conjunction, this becomes "Mary Shelley's works are entertaining, for they are full of entertaining ideas."
"Your dedicated whittler requires three props: a knife, a piece of wood, and a back porch."
"The squalor of the streets reminded her of a line from Oscar Wilde: 'We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.'"
Takes the place of other punctuation as a stylistic choice.
"His first thought on getting out of bed – if he had any thought at all – was to get back in again."
"The rear axle began to make a noise – a grinding, chattering, teeth-gritting rasp."
"The bittersweet flavor of youth – its trials, its joys, its adventures – (is/are) not soon forgotten."
"One of the ablest scientists who (has/have) attacked this problem…"
"One of those people who (is/are) never on time…"
Singular after "each", "either", "everyone", etc.
"Everybody (thinks/think) he has a unique sense of humor."
"Although both clocks strike cheerfully, neither (keeps/keep) good time."
Singular even when using "with", "in addition to", etc.
"His speech as well as his manner (is/are) objectionable."
"A soldier of proved valor, he was entrusted with the defense of the city."
INCORRECT: "A soldier of proved valor, they entrusted him with the defense of the city."
"Young and inexperienced, I thought the task easy."
INCORRECT: "Young and inexperienced, the task seemed easy to me."
Use "who" when you would otherwise use "he", and "whom" when you would use "him"
This is amazing Raven! I don't know how I didn't see it until now. Thank you for the great share!
Thanks Soupi, I appreciate the feedback and am glad you enjoy it! <3 Updated it now with some more easily confused words like bear/bare/borne, grisly/grizzly, stationery/stationary.
If someone has to reread the sentence in order to understand it, then it's not clear enough.
The increase in the reaction was observed after the addition of the copper solution.
It has been observed in the past century that genetic mutation rates have been increasing in Native American tribes, according to a recent study by Smith et al.
The investigation of the craft's engine bolt fragments was performed by the engineers in order to understand the origin of the craft's failure.
Anti-inflammatory agents may be protective for the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease and may reduce the progression of the disease.
Baby walkers are devices that provide pre-ambulatory infants with postural support in addition to offering them the opportunity to experience bipedal locomotion. They are intended to simulate the infant's independent locomotion and by doing so, it is argued, encourage and even accelerate the early acquisition of this skill.
An increase in blood pressure was observed in rats, which occurred after employment of the lithium compound in food.
The human endocrine system is responsible for the secretion of hormones and also for the regulation and metabolism of hormones throughout the human body.
The supplementation of zinc in mothers during pregnancy to observe changes in birth parameters such as weight was our primary objective in this study.
Adding the copper solution accelerated the reaction.
Smith et al. demonstrated that mutation rates among Native American tribes have increased over the past century.
The engineers studied the engine bolt fragments to investigate why the craft failed.
Anti-inflammatory agents may reduce the incidence as well as progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Baby walkers provide postural support for pre-ambulatory infants as they learn to walk. By simulating independent walking, the walkers encourage infants to begin ambulating early.
Rats fed with lithium compound displayed a subsequent increase in blood pressure.
The human endocrine system controls the secretion, regulation, and metabolism of hormones throughout the body.
Our study investigates the effects of prenatal zinc supplementation on birth weight.
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2019-04-21T14:34:35Z
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https://fim-rpg.net/showthread.php?tid=886
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You cannot get a valid land appraisal unless you link up with the right experts. This implies that you have to contact a renowned land appraiser. However, choosing the right expert to work for you is no mean task. You will establish that there are more and more appraisers in this field. Below is an insight into the factors to check out when picking these experts.
For starters, you are supposed to look at the fees charged by the land appraiser. Essentially, there are land experts that will charge you more compared to others. Failure to make this analysis can easily result in overspending. You should make an effort to determine the disposable income to be used here. From here you will be able to research the pricing of the various appraiser. Furthermore, you stand a chance to get services that resonate well with your budget.
The second thing that you should check is the customer services provided by the experts. It should be made clear that this field is quite extensive. That is why you may get lost when getting these services. To circumvent such issues, you are encouraged to consider a land appraiser that treasures customer services. Furthermore, you should reaffirm that these services are reliable. This implies that there is online customer support.
You should then proceed to confirm the area of operation of the land appraiser. It would be absurd to think that the appraiser is only restricted to one state or nation. This brings about the issue of proximity to the expert. This has some impact on the reliability of the services. This means that you have to think of choosing appraisers that are close to you. The beauty of this is that you get to spend less when getting these services.
The other crucial aspect to check out is the credentials of the land appraiser. It should be made clear that there are unscrupulous people that are out there to dupe. This means that you can get conned by these individuals. Having said this, you are encouraged to look at the licensing of the experts. It is through this that you get appraisal services worth your dime. Subsequently, you are assured that all the services are undertaken in adherence with the law. You thus have to reaffirm this information with the authorities.
Last but not least, you should evaluate the performance history of the home appraisers. Given the competitive edge in this field, there are experts that are hailed for their outstanding services. Additionally, there are experts that have failed to live up to customer expectation.
Finding Ways To Keep Up With Professionals … Read More..
A dentist is a dental surgeon that specialises in the diagnosis,treatment and prevention of teeth and gum related problems. In case you are exoeriencing any pains in the gum or teeth, then it is advisable that you seek dental healthcare. When choosing a dentist, you should ensure that you have intensive research to avoid picking underqualified dentist that nay cimpromise your dental health. There are some key aspects that you should consider when choosing a dentist. Not all dentists offer the same services and therefore, you should consider the array of services offered by the dentist and determine whether the dentist is indeed what you are looking for. You should consider the training and the qualifications of the dentist so that you can be sure that the dentist is indeed legitimate. It is also important that you consider whether the dentist has the necessary experience and is capable of handling complicated dental issues. As mentioned earlier, not all dentists are in the same scope of practice and therefore,it important that you first consider the treatments offered by different dentists and settle on the one who offers the services that you are looking for. The kind of technology that the dentist uses should tell you more about the professionalism as well as the dentist’s dedication to providing quality dental healthcare services. Apart from the technology, it also essential that you consider the services that the dentist and the support staff offer to ensure that the patients feel comfortable during the dental procedure.
Ensure that you find out whether the clinic where the dentist works from is registered and has the necessary credentials that alliw tgem to be in operation. Find out whether the dentist offers dental emergency services. If you are not sure about the dentist in question, go online and find out more about the dentist and his/her practice. You can also read reviews about the dentist both positive and negative from previous clients that have visited the dentist in question before as this will help you to know about the quality of services rendered by the dentist.
Consider the price of the dental services and ensure that you get quality services irrespective of the cost. Consider the payment plans that the dentist prefers to work with and check whether it is suitable for you. Check whether the dentist belongs to a proffesional organisation or a board of medical practitioners to prove the dentist’s legitimacy and professionalism as well. Get referrals from close acquaintances and family that can point out a good dentist that they have heard of or visited before.
Figuring Out Dentists… Read More..
It is quite beneficial for owning a car that is in good shapes and helps you to move from place to place in daily life routines meeting obligations. There are so many people who wish they could own cars but do not have the privilege and so having one should give you the motivation of taking great care for it. Cars are man-made and produced out of material and equipment that could breakdown and so their require lots of maintenance and care so as to remain in good condition. Due to this, you need to ensure that you choose the ideal auto maintenance shop that you will entrust with your car for repair and maintenance work. There has been rapid increase in the number people who own cars and this has called for the need to increase the number of auto maintenance shops available. It is therefore up to you to choose the ideal auto maintenance shop for your car. Below is a comprehensive coverage of factors you need to consider as you look for an ideal auto maintenance shop.
To begin with, you need to look into licensing and certification of the auto maintenance shop. There are regulations that are set which dictate that garages and auto maintenance shops to have certification documents from the licensing department. Licensing of auto maintenance shops is based on qualification and professionalism and hence you are guaranteed that you will be entrusting professionals with your car. The ideal way to go about it is to go forth and request the auto maintenance shop to provide you with a copy of their certification documents and also consider visiting the licensing department to confirm these with them. Confirming certification is incredible as it also helps you to keep off the tracks of fraudsters.
The second thing to ponder about when in search of a great auto maintenance shop is to confirm that they have an active and effective insurance cover. In case any of these happens, then the insurance company kicks in to do the necessary compensation and help avoid conflict between you and the auto maintenance shop. You should also consider choosing an auto maintenance shop which allows your insurance cover in as there is an accident and you need your car repaired or maintained with the insurance company catering for all costs.
Referrals should also help you find your way to an ideal auto maintenance shop. In the endeavor to get an incredible auto maintenance shop, you should consider asking friends and family to guide you or recommend you. This way you cut down the hustle and also count on the trust you have in them to recommend you to the right auto maintenance shop.
5 Uses For Cars… Read More..
Masonry is a structure that is put together with mortar by the use of bricks, rocks, boulders, concrete among others. Many people do not like the value that is associated with masonry repairs. Structural issues and masonry damages are some of the causes for masonry damages. If you notice significant cracks on the surface of the house wall, it is recommended that you hire a structural engineer to look at it. Location and the size of your home are the key determinants when it comes to the payment of a structural engineer.
A home might require different types of brick repairs whether it is still new or old. Broken blocks, hairline cracks, separation of the brick and cracked mortar are some of the signs that should drive you into seeking repairs services for your brick house. A structural engineer will help in finding out whether the foundation of your brick house causes the problem. If the issues are as a result of settling issues, then you should start by setting piers. When your home has cracks, separates or settles you can build and level it using piers. After a successful installation of the docks you should then call a masonry contractor to do the brick repairs.
There are some similarities with brick and stone repairs. It is, however, challenging for masons since the stone repairs rates are higher than the brick. Since the natural stone is hard comparing to brick when damages occur the repairing process is also complicated. You will even notice that stone and brick structure have identical signs in case of damages. Many people do not use block walls for their homes. But just like other structures, you should look for masonry repair services if you notice some damages. It is vital to note that blocks contain a type of material that is used in holding other existing structure. The load in this material can cause additional damages if repairs are not done immediately.
People in buildings widely use stucco material. There are also contractors who deal specifically with this material. It is safer to do stucco repairs comparing with other masonry repairs. Stucco does not give aid to any structure which makes it safe for repairing. The significant signs that might require stucco repairs are cracks on the walls. You should seek professional masonry repair services in case of damages. They should also have the right qualifications for the type of repairs that you need. Before hiring the masonry contractor warranty information is also necessary. Ensure that you conduct routine walls inspection within your compound to avoid significant damages from these issues.
Why not learn more about Masonry?… Read More..
The experience of buying or selling a home is not a walk in the park. You must be able to determine a real estate broker that can be able to offer services that suit your needs. The real estate broker that you opt to work with should be able to have rich knowledge about your location of interest. An experienced real estate broker is an indication that you will receive high prices for your property. Here are some of the tips that you should consider when choosing a reliable real estate broker for your housing needs.
The first tip that you ought to consider when choosing a reliable real estate broker is searching for information from the website and other sources. Before engaging any real estate broker to help you sell or buy a house, you are supposed to dedicate sometime for research. Websites and other alternative internet sources are some of the reliable sources of information that you can look up to. This site among other sources can be a great tool of information concerning the skills as well as experience of the realtor that you want to invite on board. Apart from the internet, you ought to arrange interviews for your best realtors of choice so that you can be able to screen them face to face and ascertain whether they meet your needs.
The second tip that you should consider when choosing a reliable real estate broker is checking their track record as well as inventories. The prior experience of the realtor that you would like to work with is very key in meeting your housing needs. It is therefore essential to make sure that your broker of choice has handled similar cases like the one at hand. Moreover, the agent must have prior knowledge of the surrounding environment where your property is so that they can determine it right value. You should give credit and priority to real estate agents that have grown in real estate operations, rather than those that have just come up out of nowhere, but want shine in the market.
The total cost of their services is another factor that you should consider when choosing a real estate agent. It is crucial to take note of the variance in the cost of the realtor’s services from one agency to the next. Therefore, you have a mandate to shop for the best real estate agent in them market that can be able offer affordable prices. You must take a precaution of cheap prices in the market as they may mean low quality services that will not be able to meet your needs. There is need to ensure that you always settle in a real estate agent that can be able to give you top-notch quality services.
Getting To The Point – Property… Read More..
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2019-04-19T01:44:44Z
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http://www.ukrainian-language.com/category/foods-culinary
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We Have Bulk Succulents for Sale shipped to Agua Dulce, Texas!
The Succulent Source has been providing the highest quality succulent plants to people in Agua Dulce, Texas for almost fifteen years. We're a three-generation succulent-loving family, and we're here to fulfill all of your botanical desires. We're a registered nursery in southern California and ship out thousands of plants a week, all over the country, all year long.
If you're looking for landscaping ideas, indoor plants to spruce up your Agua Dulce, Texas home, wedding decorations, or anything else having to do with cactus and succulents, we will make sure you get exactly what you're looking for. Succulents can make some of the most beautiful plants, and whether you're looking for a few low maintenance plants around the home, or wanting to purchase gifts for a large wedding party, we can accomplish your order of any size.
Succulents are also great for your Agua Dulce, Texas outdoor project. They can add an exotic look to your landscape or garden. Forget to water them? No problem—succulents are water retaining plants, so they still look fantastic with minimal attention. Not all succulents are alike, so our expert staff can help you on the most appropriate outdoor plants for your particular climate to get you with ones that will thrive in that environment.
How about enhancing your work setting with some office plants? We would love to provide you with the best and most appropriate succulents and plants to compliment your work surroundings. If you need ideas or just want to talk about possibilities, just browse our website or call us today and we'll be more than willing to talk to you about what will work within your or your office's budget. Plants are great for the work environment, as they can be comforting, provide aesthetic appeal, and help to reduce stress, hopefully helping you and your co-workers be more productive and enjoy your work in Agua Dulce, Texas!
Succulent plants can look bizarre and be alluring to the human eye. Due to their uniqueness and ability to survive in extreme conditions, they are great as both outdoor landscape and indoor house plants in Agua Dulce, Texas.
Not only are succulents very exotic and unusual looking, they're also considered low maintenance plants. Succulents retain water for extensive lengths of time, so they don't need constant watering or attention, even in Agua Dulce, Texas. Succulents are very resilient plants and they're absolutely gorgeous. We at The Succulent Source have developed quite an affinity for them. They're spectacular plants and come in many shapes and sizes. We love succulents because they look magnificent, they're easy to maintain, and they can complement almost any other plants in your house, in your office, at your wedding, or in your garden.
Most succulents usually have very shallow root systems, so they can be made into very cool and creative arrangements around the house or for weddings, such as making a vertical garden or using a glass container to make a mini succulent terrarium. People in Agua Dulce, Texas have used all sorts of random objects or creative ways to display their succulents, like incorporating them into a piece of furniture, exhibiting them in a converted book, creating living wreaths out of them, or even placing tiny succulent plants in hollowed out wine corks. Some can even be hanging succulents, or air plants, because they don't require any contact with the ground, and they can make very cool decorations. The possibilities are virtually endless. Just google ideas for succulent uses around the house and you'll get a huge source of innovative ideas. If you do use a container to create a terrarium, make sure it is open at all times to allow air to circulate through. Succulents need drainage and good air circulation to live healthy lives.
If you don't have a lot of space around your Agua Dulce, Texas home, succulents work immensely well for container gardening. The plants can be found in very small sizes, so even if you don't have much area to work with, you can fit a good assortment in a limited amount of room. Along with fitting in snug spaces, because they come in an assortment of colors they can create a vivid display with minimal area.
Another reason succulents are so cool is their medicinal uses. Most people have probably heard of the Aloe Vera plant being able to treat and soothe burns, but did you also know the sap from the leaves can be used as a laxative? There are a number of other uses for various succulents in Agua Dulce, Texas.
Succulent plants are often times associated with cacti and thought of as being green, but they actually come in all sorts of colors and it's part of what makes them such a dynamic plant species. Not only that, but their leaves also grow in some astonishing patterns that can be awe-inspiring to look at. Different succulents are indigenous to some really cool places around the world. They often occur in dry climates, which can be remote areas such as desserts or high up in mountains ranges. Therefore, they usually look different than most plants you'll find in Agua Dulce, Texas, and they can represent some breathtaking regions from across the globe.
As we've mentioned before, succulents are world-class for being some of the easiest plants to grow and maintain. They don't need to be pruned like other plants, they don't mind neglect, they don't need to be watered regularly, and they don't need fertilizer. Succulents can handle poor soils and they're actually very hard to kill plants, so they're perfect for beginners or people who lead busy lives. We do recommend taking care of your succulents, as they will look better and flourish if you do, and we can tell you about the best ways to help your succulents thrive in Agua Dulce, Texas. But if you happen to like low upkeep plants, succulents are perfect for you.
There are many types of succulents to choose from, and we have a huge selection of the best and most beautiful products at the most competitive prices in Agua Dulce, Texas. We have lots of varieties of Aeoniums, Echeverias, Sempervivums, Aloes, Echeveria, Sedum plants, and more.
The Trichocereus family are columnar styles of cactus. They grow very quickly and are native to the Andes Mountains in Peru and other places throughout South America. We sell both cuttings and potted Trichecereus. The cuttings will only take roughly 2-4 weeks to begin rooting, and if taken care of properly, they should be able to grow a good foot in height per year in Agua Dulce, Texas.
We offer collections of both succulents and cacti in Agua Dulce, Texas. The sizes are varying from 36, 20, and 9, for both cactus and succulents, and we can also do collections of 64 succulent plants. If you need other quantities, have any color requests or restrictions, or just have questions, we are more than happy to work with you and meet your needs. Just call us during business hours and we'll help you out. Collections can be fun because they provide a great variety of plants in a particular sized package. Our collections are hand selected, totally unique, and gorgeous!
Plants and flowers have become an essential part of weddings. They're very important to make the event unforgettable and to reflect the bride and groom's specific personality and taste. Succulents make incredible decorations for your special day, and perfect wedding favors in Agua Dulce, Texas. They'll bring sensational patterns and color to your wedding and tables. We specialize in wedding succulents and can arrange your plants in any way you prefer. Because of their low price, they also make very affordable gifts for large wedding parties. This is something your guests will appreciate for a long time and a great way for everyone to remember your wedding day in Agua Dulce, Texas.
We love working with couples and wedding planners to find the most dazzling possibilities to add to your wedding in Agua Dulce, Texas. Because this is one of our specialties, we would love to find the right plants, colors and provisions to make your wedding day as marvelous and unforgettable as possible.
The succulent source is committed to providing the absolute best customer service possible. Succulents are our business and our life, and we want to cater you with not only the best plants and exactly what you're looking for, but also with the best assistance with your purchase and your succulent maintenance. We are available by phone Monday through Saturday from 8AM – 6PM Pacific time, and also by email and mail. Our staff in Agua Dulce, Texas is dedicated to giving you the full attention you need to make your experience completely satisfactory. Whether you want to know how quickly you can get an Aloe Vera plant in Agua Dulce, Texas, or if you want to know how to plant succulents, we're available and ready to help you with your questions. If we don't have what you're looking for, we'll do our absolute best to locate it for you.
We'll be glad to take your questions, concerns, and orders all year round in Agua Dulce, Texas. Be sure to contact us today so we can fulfill your questions or order and get you the most beautiful succulents that you desire.
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2019-04-21T14:40:54Z
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http://succulentsource.com/serviceareas/texas/succulent-plants-in-Agua_Dulce_Texas.php
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2017 Review: I’ve been painting for 10 years and wish I had found Johannes when I first started. It would have saved me thousands of dollars and needless aggravation. I do have a commercial arts degree but that was all drawing no painting. I am retired from the Chicago Tribune newspaper as an ad creator.
Even though we’ve never met in person, Johannes is the best art teacher I’ve ever had. He excels in explaining a concept verbally, then showing visual examples of it. I have learned more information, more completely, from him than from the art classes I took in college. Much cheaper, too! My confidence has improved dramatically when facing a blank canvas and so has my work–all because of these classes. I recommend everything he has produced; it’s much less expensive than one or two college classes, with much more info included. I’ve read art books for years. This takes learning to the next level and is value priced as well.
I started painting a couple of years ago and was floundering. I never took “serious” art classes and was going the community education route. Then I stumbled onto North Light and Johannes Vloothuis’ internet classes last winter. I can’t tell you how much they have improved my painting skills! I am more confident about mixing color, designing stronger compositions and have grown a lot as an artist. Not only does Johannes show you how to paint, he also critiques student’s work. So you get to see many different painting style and learn from them. Thank you, North Light and Johannes, for producing this outstanding series. I now have purchased all of them!
Reach for green to paint grass, white to paint snow, with the rather horrid results you would expect. After study with Johannes in this series, I now understand, green and white are the last colors you reach for, the results have been remarkable!!
You can rely on Johannes to give you money’s worth. His teaching style is excellent and to the point. You will not find a better bang for your buck in art instruction. In a focus class such as this he is actually taking an in depth approach on the focused subject matter. I’ve had a lot of teachers over many years–Johannes is top notch.
I became addicted and I purchased all in this series with no disappointment whatsoever. Johannes is a very articulate and knowledgeable art teacher and he really cares about his students. He holds nothing back and he will help you take your painting to a higher level than where you start and if you keep his “golden nuggets” in your thoughts while you paint your paintings will improve. You will not be sorry for taking this entire series.
I have the entire recorded series of Painting Landscapes from Photos, as I followed these lessons live with Johannes as they were being recorded. He is a wonderful teacher. I learned more from Johannes’ lessons than I had gained from thirty -plus years of attending art schools, workshops, demos, videos, etc. If you want to learn how to paint landscapes, these recordings are where it will happen. You will not be disappointed. The current reduced price is like stealing this knowledge.
As a buyer of all of the available videos by Johannes, I must say that these are by far and away the best art lessons and best value I’ve found anywhere, be it books, videos, workshops or formal classes. In a way, it’s unfortunate that “painting” is in the title, because his teaching can benefit any genre. He is one of the very rare teachers whose genuine caring and enthusiasm shine through. It has been a joy to watch and learn from this master.
I have taken Johannes’s online class for 5 years. He is the best teacher, great Artist, and loves to teach. Teaches in a language that even a begging artist can understand. I learned more from him the first class I took than I did from the many workshops I had taken in the past. We begged him to write a book and he finally did. This is all you will need to become a great artist. All you need to know is in this book. It is a treasure.
Easy to understand explanations, exceptional illustrations for each topic, and the very recognizable artistic wisdom of Johannes Vloothuis make this a must have for the art library of both beginners and professionals. Don’t let the price fool you–it’s worth its weight in gold. I wonder how many hours of frustration I would have saved if I had found this before I ever picked up a paint brush.
I have enjoyed every class i have taken by Joe. This has been a period of 6 years. Each time he re-enforces points needed to become a better artist. There is not a class that has gone by that i did not learn something new. It is like being in the room with him as he paints. He answers questions and does 3 different mediums. One week is oils, one week is pastels and one week water color. I paint along in oils but watching him do water color has peaked my interest to try. His teaching is not complicated but very easy to understand. As a senior its getting harder to grab details. So it is nice i can get the download and go back over things he has said and done with each painting. YOU WILL NOT be disappointed no matter what level of art you are. Beginner to pro he covers it all. He will critic your work too. There is a great support group to back him up.
This book contains so many golden nuggets of information to take your paintings to a whole new level. If you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, you will find this book a great addition to your studio.
So many good tips. I like the book and would recommend to anyone loving Art.
I have been watching his instruction online and in videos for some time, and this book reinforces, reminds, and provides reference points that back up his instruction. Using his chapter titles, you can make a quick checklist to judge your work in progress. He cuts right to the elements that make or break a painting.
Johannes is a great instructor and his book also gives some of the secrets of landscape painting.
Anything by Johannes is wonderful! Have watched some of his free online classes and downloaded a lot of his classes. Finally decided I needed one of his books since I wanted something “physical” to look at and refer to w/o having to get on computer and bring up a download. I have been a BIG fan of his since I first discovered his classes. He makes everything seem so simple and does a wonderful job of explaining and showing how to do something, and in 4 different mediums instead of just one. Love this book, or anything of his.
Excellent tips and veryuseful. Thanks.
All the essential information you need to remember the keys to good design in your paintings. If you have been painting awhile sometimes you just need a reminder and this book does it for me. Just scan the pages and the solution to that nagging problem of “what is it that is not working with this painting?” will become clear.
Don’t like your painting? Can’t figure out what’s wrong with your landscape effort? This is the book for you! Johannes takes you by the hand and leads you through a myriad of techniques, strategies and lessons that can do nothing but help you along the way. I have taken almost all of his online lessons and my art work has improved by leaps and bounds. A purchase you won’t regret.
This book has what you need to paint wonderful landscapes.
I have been taking on line classes from Johannes now for about 4 years. My painting has improved in leaps and bounds. Over the years I had taken many many notes of the 100’s of tips and important things he was teaching to his students which all helped to take your paintiings to the next level. However, my notes were never well organized and it took me forever to find a key point to check when I needed it. This book provides much of this same information but it is so well organized, easy to follow and very thorough. Plus all of the eye candy in his wonderful photos and paintings helps to not only read a concept but actually ‘see’ it. It is a truly wonderful resource for a beginner as well as for more advanced artists.
I hadn’t been painting as much as I’d like. I get half way into a Painting and then not like it so I never finish it. This book has helped me like all my paintings.
This book is great for artists from beginner to professional levels. I have many art books, but none of them compare to the depth of information found in Jo’s book. It is great to have such a comprehensive guide to refer to when creating my art.
Everything you want to know about painting a successful landscape painting. Many of the “essentials” are applicable to other paintings like still life too. This book has more images of paintings then I have ever seen in other art books. A must have for your art library. You can’t help but improve your paintings if you apply these principles.
I am basically a beginner when it comes to painting, although I have been drawing using charcoal and graphite pencils for many years. I am still learning to use the tools of the trade….brushes, mixing colors properly…and everything else. I have been taking Jo’s classes online since July, and have purchased a couple of his DVD’s….but the book gives me a hands on guide to all of the pearls of wisdom of Jo’s. Jo’s teaches the things other artists don’t….and instead of being frustrated with painting, I am now learning what I need to do to create the beauty I see around me everyday. I cannot stress to you how wonderful this book is…no matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned artist….Jo’s book can help your art work reach new levels you could not have imagined!
This wonderful and “only one you will need” art book has been long awaited. I’ve been taking the author’s online courses for 4 years and this book has all the concepts he explains in his courses. The book is chock full of artwork he has done in class as well as visual explanations of those concepts. You will absolutely NOT REGRET buying this book or taking his online courses.
My Landscape Painting Bible Review by Mary P.
This is the only book you will ever need to bring out the artist in you! I have piles of art books but none so informative, easy to understand and full of the secrets other artists will NEVER share. So many tidbits in this book to take your painting to a whole new level. Honestly if you are looking for The Best Art Book ever, this is it! It will make you hunger for all of this artists ideas and experience. This is the frosting on the cake after watching his live classes for over three years and now having this resource at my fingertips I have no excuse to not take my art to a new level! Thank you Johannes Vloothuis for everything!!
I’ve been taking classes from Jo for a couple years (live internet) – and have purchased previous classes I missed from Northlight Shop. His book is essential for any aspiring artist’s collection. From the moment I viewed the beautiful cover I fell in love with this book. Well worth the affordable price. Add some of his classes to your collection. And sign up for his live on-going internet classes where you will be able to paint along (in any medium) and chat with other artists who will become your friends. And usually the video recordings are included and you can download them to your own computer. You can visit his site at www.improvemypaintings.com I’m a fan !!
I have been following Jo since I first discovered his workshops and DVDs and am convinced that he is a consummate artist and instructor. I am delighted to have a physical book to pick up and read. It is packed with so much information and as I have done so many times before, I would recommend that anyone who is interested in painting well should take advantage of his very informative and all encompassing instructions. However, the moment I saw the cover of this book, my eyes were drawn to the middle mountain peak where I saw the face of a man. I asked others (artists and non-artists) to comment on the painting and they too saw the face. It is very distracting. I am surprised this painting was chosen for the cover.
Johannes has put into book form so many golden nuggets for making a painting work with a professional look that it is the best bargain anywhere. I have purchased most of his DVDs and this is so nice to have right at your fingertips when something isn’t working in your painting, to pick it up and see-oh yeah-thats what I did wrong. It is mostly landscape but I work mostly with figures and the imformation that he supplies applies to figures as well. I can’t express enough how much this would be a benefit to anyone painting as well as someone who is just interested in learning more about viewing paintings. The only one thing I could critcize is it should have been a hard back book for permanency.
I live on another continent, Europe and I heard of Mr. ?Johannes Vloothuis through the Internet. Before it, I took some classes in my own country, but nobody did know to explain me those little, but most important, in other words essential things that I somehow feel, but were not sure that they are correct. So, I am very thankful to him because he has shown me how to release my mind and my hand, and I think that everybody who likes to paint must have his book, and has to take his classes.
If you have had no lessons at all this is a book that will make you start out correct. I used to say this and that but didn’t know why it works. He explains the WHY. He is very personable in his classes which I recommend with the book.
I read many books on landscape painting, but this one beats all of them. The topics covered in this book couldn’t be found anywhere. The author answers both questions: How to do it and why do it this way.
The Book Landscape Painting Essentials is without a doubt a must for a landscape artist. Essentially what is does is give the artist a base line of knowledge of how to analyze their paintings. All too often when a painter is finished he sees something is not right but he is not sure what is wrong. This book gives him the insight as to what might be the problem and how to correct it. This is as good as it gets.
This is the greatest book ever if you want to ” improve your paintings”. It is for all mediums and for any level you might be in, in your painting abilities. Wonderful examples and easy to understand style. You can tell he cares and and wants artists to understand all the ” golden nuggets” he talks about in this book! Johannes and his book are an inspiration to me and I highly recommend it!
Jo illustrates the essentials of painting. He clarifies his “GOLDEN NUGGETS” & simplifies the principals as he illustrates what he is teaching. He talks about how the eye sees. He explains why which helps me understand & remember the concepts. I have been taking his classes for 4 years. I always feel I get so much from his classes.
At all the ‘nuggets’ there to grasp.
I have taken several of Johannes’s online classes and have been so pleased with his method of teaching. He makes the most important principals of landscape painting so clear and easy to understand.
I was so excited when I learned that Jo’s ebook was finally out.
Of all the art books I have read, Landscape Painting Essentials by Johannes Vloothuis is certainly one of the better ones. What is impressive is the clean writing with no illusions of grandeur. There are no fancy artsy words for a line or color. There is no need to go to a dictionary to understand what is being described. He gives honest reasons why an artist needs to do certain things to improve his panting. He also clearly explains the reason why we see things and how we must sometimes compensate for what we see, in order for a composition to work. The chapters are well thought out with an abundance of pictures and graphics to illustrate what the author is detailing.
Jo is a highly experienced artist. This doesn’t always equate to being a good teacher, but Jo is that as well! I appreciate that his mistakes aren’t edited out so we can learn how to correct our own work when we make mistakes. You can never go wrong with a Johannes Vloothuis art lesson regardless of the medium he uses.
I found this video very informative. The techniques are very effective and the course is well explained.
You can not beat Johannes when it comes to learning the “how to” of painting in any medium!
Johannes is an excellent painter and teacher, and this course is very instructive. Although specific for the landscape enthusiast, It is useful for every media you might use.
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2019-04-19T09:13:27Z
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https://www.improvemypaintings.net/reviews/
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A hand-free extension device to support a mobile phone capable of networking with a personal area network (PAN) includes a PAN wireless transceiver having a processor and a cellular audio signal output; and a sound source selecting switch coupled to the cellular audio signal and to a car stereo audio signal, the switch controlled by the processor to route the cellular or the car stereo audio signals to one or more car speakers.
The present invention relates generally to a mobile phone hand-free extension device.
The technology of mobile phones has made possible mobile voice communication for millions of people. Mobile phones are carried and used daily by hundreds of millions of people and become an ordinary household items worldwide. The mobile phone user quite often makes the phone call while driving an automobile and therefore creates a potential hazardous driving condition since the driver has to hold the mobile phone and drive at the same time.
A hand-free kit is an external accessory to the mobile phone and its purpose is to free the driver from distraction of holding and using the mobile phone. Several technologies have been pursued to enable the driver to use the mobile phone without holding the cellular phone.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,456 discloses a control switch box with cables linking the mobile phones and the vehicular stereo system. However, installating such kind of accessory is quite involved and requires wiring and routing inside the automobile body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,794 discloses another method that uses an FM transmitter to send the audio signal from the mobile phone to the vehicular FM radio. In the disclosure, there is no need to physically connect the mobile phone and the vehicular audio system. However, the disadvantage of this approach is that the frequency of the FM transmitter has to be set to the same channel as the FM radio receiver that the driver is currently listening to whenever he wants to use the hand-free kit. The frequency of either the FM transmitter or the FM radio receiver has to be adjusted and it causes much inconvenience in application.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,308 discloses a mobile phone hand-free extension device having an FM radio transmitter with an active frequency searching circuitry to utilize a vehicular FM radio receiver for reproducing the audio signals from the mobile phone. The active frequency searching circuitry automatically detects which frequency band the vehicular FM radio receiver is currently using and set the RF frequency of the FM transmitter to the detected frequency. The FM transmitter relays the audio signals from the mobile phone by transmitting the audio signals through radio wave to the vehicular FM radio receiver to be reproduced by the speaker of the receiver. The system detects radio frequency of the FM radio receiver and to set the frequency of the FM transmitter automatically.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 20050135297 discloses a Bluetooth terminal, relay, and system for determining a network configuration automatically and for transferring to an optimal waiting state. The Bluetooth terminal is provided with a profile functioning as a headset for communicating a terminal on the partner side via a voice gateway terminal, includes an input key for accepting an input operation including a transmitting operation, a receiving operation, and a call termination operation. A waiting state selecting member is provided for selecting a waiting state to be transferred upon call termination from a first waiting state in which an SCO link is disconnected and an ACL link is maintained, a second waiting state in which the SCO link and the ACL link are both disconnected. The waiting state selecting member selects the first waiting state after communication without input key operation being terminated, and selects the second waiting state after communication with input key operation being terminated.
In a first aspect, a hand-free extension device to support a mobile phone capable of networking with a personal area network (PAN) includes a PAN wireless transceiver having a processor and a cellular audio signal output; and a sound source selecting switch coupled to the cellular audio signal and to a car stereo audio signal, the switch controlled by the processor to route the cellular or the car stereo audio signals to one or more car speakers.
Implementations of the first aspect may include one or more of the following. The PAN can be a Bluetooth network. The switch can be a multiplexer. A car mounted microphone is connected to the wireless transceiver to capture user speech during a telephone call. One or more wireless audio equipment can be wirelessly communicating with the PAN such that the one or more car speakers renders audio generated by the wireless audio equipment. The wireless audio equipment can be one of the following: MP3 files, .WAV files, MPEG files. The switch can mix the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to allow a user to listen to both audio signals. Alternatively, the switch can provide one of the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to the one or more speakers. An amplifier can amplify the cellular audio signals. The amplifier can also fade the cellular and the car stereo audio signals during transitions between audio signal transitions.
In a second aspect, a method to provide hand-free calling with a mobile phone capable of networking with a personal area network (PAN) includes receiving a car stereo audio signal; receiving a cellular audio signal using the PAN; and selecting and routing one of the cellular audio signal or the car stereo audio signal to one or more car speakers.
Implementations of the second aspect may include one or more of the following. The PAN comprises Bluetooth. The routing can be multiplexing the audio signals. The method can capture user speech during a telephone call with a car mounted microphone coupled to the wireless transceiver. The one or more car speakers can be supplied with audio signals generated by one or more wireless audio equipment coupled to the PAN. The wireless audio equipment stores one of: MP3 files, .WAV files, MPEG files. The method can mix the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to allow a user to listen to both audio signals. Alternatively, only one of the cellular and the car stereo audio signals can be presented at a time to the one or more speakers.
In a third aspect, a method to provide hands-free conversation for a cellular telephone call includes turning on a car stereo equipment if the car stereo equipment is initially off; receiving cell phone audio over a personal area network (PAN); routing cell phone audio to a car speaker during the cellular telephone call; and routing the car stereo equipment signal to the car speaker when the call ends.
Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following. The device can mute the speaker during transitions between cellular phone audio and car stereo audio to prevent an abrupt clicking sound. The device can also fade sound from car speaker during transitions between cellular phone audio and car stereo audio.
Advantages of the system may include one or more of the following. The system allows conventional car radios to work with modern cell phones such as Bluetooth capable cell phones. This is automatically done without needing to detect the radio frequency being tuned by a vehicular FM radio receiver and to relay the audio signal from a mobile phone to the vehicular FM radio receiver using a radio wave at the frequency detected.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram showing the audio output extension for a mobile phone hands-free operation according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows in more detail an exemplary Bluetooth receiver used in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a mobile phone hands-free apparatus.
FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for providing audio output extension for a mobile phone hand-free operation according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram showing an audio output extension device 10 for a mobile phone hand-free operation according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile phone hand-free extension device 10 includes a short-range receiver 11 that wirelessly communicates with a cellular telephone 2 and other wireless audio equipment 7 (such as Bluetooth equipped MP3 players, Bluetooth PDAs, or additional Bluetooth cell phones, for example) through a personal area network (PAN) such as Bluetooth. The short range receiver 11 can also receive external audio input from devices such as the iPod or Zen music player, MP3 player, GPS system or other suitable players.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the device 10 is directly connected or cabled/wired to the output of the car stereo equipment 1 that can receive various signals including AM signals, FM signals, satellite signals (Sirius or XM satellites for example), tape signals, and/or CD signals. The stereo equipment output is provided as an input to a sound source selecting switch or multiplexer 9 that receives the output of the car radio 1 as well as the output of the receiver 11 and can route either cell phone sound or the car radio sound to a car audio system 5 such as surround sound speakers. The receiver 11 includes a relay connected to the power input of the car stereo equipment to allow a processor to instruct the relay to turn on or off the car stereo equipment 1. This allows completely automatic operation of the stereo equipment 1 as opposed to requiring the user to first manually turn on the stereo equipment 1. The receiver 10 optionally includes an audio power amplifier that amplifies an output audio signal of the mobile-phone 2.
In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the receiver 11 is a Bluetooth (BT) compatible device. A CPU 33 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM 34. A RAM 25 provides a work area for storing data or the like temporarily when the CPU 33 executes various processes. An operating interface 36 is connected to the various input keys 17 (16). A BT module, the CPU 33, the ROM 34, the RAM 35 and the interface 36 are connected to each other via a common bus. The device 10 optionally includes a speaker 37, and a microphone 38, which are connected to the common bus via an I/O interface 39. The BT module mainly includes an RF unit 31 and a BT chip 32. The BT chip 32 executes a process for establishing inter-Piconet synchronization with respect to the terminal on the partner side, or coding/decoding process or the like of the transmitting and receiving signals. In other words, the respective BT modules digital-modulate carrier signals by the transmitting data upon transmission, and spread spectrum is effected to the modulated carrier signals by frequency hopping. Thereafter, the transmitting signal, after having amplified to a level of transmission output which is equal to or smaller than a prescribed value, is transmitted from an antenna AT to the wireless terminal on the partner side. Wireless signals from the wireless terminal on the partner side are received via the antenna AT, then inverse spread spectrum is effected, and then digital decoding is executed.
The receiver 11 can process AM/FM/CD stereo receiver. In addition to handling radio stations, the receiver 11 lets users listen to MP3 music while pairing with most Bluetooth mobile phones. The I/O interface 39 is connected to keys that allow the driver to make calls, take calls, and access a mobile address book hands-free via voice-recognition technology. The keypad controls both phone dialing and messaging functions, as well as radio station presets in the audio mode. The receiver optionally provides a display such as an LCD display that shows Caller ID, and the radio or music source is automatically muted as the phone audio is routed through the vehicle's speakers 5. The LCD display can also show text information pertaining to MP3 tracks, and there is a search menu for tracks and playlists. Address book and other personalized features from the mobile phone easily synchronize with the receiver's internal memory, allowing the driver to quickly access contacts and make calls hands-free.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment that does not require a direct wiring/cabling/connecting to the car stereo equipment 1. This embodiment is a Bluetooth aftermarket add-on equipment that converts existing car stereos into Bluetooth compatible radios or stereo equipment. In this embodiment, the PAN receiver 11 is connected to a AM or FM transceiver 30 that transmits to an existing car stereo equipment 1 over AM or FM frequencies. The stereo equipment 1 receives the transmissions and renders the transmission on speakers already wired to the pre-existing stereo equipment 1. In this manner, Bluetooth capability is provided without rewiring the car audio system.
In one embodiment, the FM transceiver 30 can be the FM transmitter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,308 having an active frequency searching circuitry to automatically detect which frequency band the vehicular FM radio receiver is currently using and set the RF frequency of the FM transmitter to the detected frequency. The FM transmitter relays the audio signals from the mobile phone by transmitting the audio signals through radio wave to the vehicular FM radio receiver to be reproduced by the speaker of the receiver. The system detects radio frequency of the FM radio receiver and to set the frequency of the FM transmitter automatically. In general, the active frequency-searching unit controls the radio frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) inside the FM transmitter and sends a signal with a particular pattern at the audio frequency to modulate the RF carrier of the FM transmitter. The signal sent with a particular pattern can be either a digital signal or an analog signal. The radio frequency of the FM transmitter is controlled in such a way that it starts from the lower band edge of the commercial FM band such as 88-108 MHz and increases repeatedly by a predetermined frequency step to the upper band edge. The preferred predetermined frequency step can be the allocated channel bandwidth of an FM station. At each frequency point, the FM transmitter will send out the modulated RF carrier. If the frequency of the FM transmitter matches that of the FM radio receiver 1, the signal with a particular pattern at the audio frequency will be demodulated, retrieved and broadcasted from the speaker 5 that is connected to the FM radio receiver. A microphone picks up the audio signal from the speaker and sends it to the active frequency search unit to determine if this audio signal is the same as the particular signal that the FM transmitter originally sent out. The frequency stepping process, the signal emitting process, and the signal comparing process are repeated over and over again until the original signal sent out by the frequency-searching unit is received by it again. When this condition is met, the RF frequency of the FM transmitter is locked on to that of the FM radio receiver. After the RF frequency of the FM transmitter is set to that of the FM radio receiver, a switch disconnects the audio signal generated by the frequency-searching unit and connects the audio signal picked up by a second microphone to the FM transmitter. The second microphone is placed close to the internal speaker of the mobile phone 2 to pick up the audio signal generated by the voice of the other party on the line. As a result, the audio signal is relayed to the FM radio receiver 1 and the voice is reproduced by the speaker 5.
In yet another embodiment, a digital-to-analog converter realizes the frequency-searching unit with a RF signal detector. When the RF signal detector detects the signal exchange between the mobile phone 2 and the base station, it sends a signal into one of the I/O port of the processor or microcontroller 33 (FIG. 2) to activate the frequency searching sequence. The frequency searching sequence works as follows: the microcontroller uses a plurality of I/O ports to send a parallel digital data to the DAC. The number of I/O ports used corresponds to the number of bits of the digital data. The DAC converts the digital data to a corresponding analog DC voltage value. The DC voltage is used to control the oscillating frequency of the voltage-controlled oscillator inside the FM transmitter and as a result the RF frequency of the FM transmitter is controlled by the microcontroller. The DAC is configured such that the minimum analog DC voltage converted from the digital data corresponds to the lower band edge of the commercial FM bands and the maximum analog DC voltage converted from the digital data corresponds to the upper band edge of the commercial FM bands. The microcontroller can increase or decrease the RF frequency of the FM transmitter by a minimum frequency step that is determined by the number of bits used for a digital data. For example, if 10 bits are used for a digital data, the step frequency will be (108-88) MHz divided by 210, i.e. 19.5 KHz. The microcontroller increases the RF frequency of the FM transmitter from the lower band edge to the upper band edge or in a reverse way decreases the frequency from upper band edge to the lower band edge repeatedly by a frequency step in a programmable way to cover the whole commercial FM frequency band. At each frequency point, the microcontroller sends a beacon signal at audio frequency with a particular pattern from one of its I/O ports to the FM transmitter through the switch. The pattern of the beacon signal is chosen to be different from any other possible audio signal, such as a voice signal or a noise signal from the automobile in the environment. The RF carrier modulated by the beacon signal is transmitted by the FM transmitter at the RF frequency set by the microcontroller. If the car FM radio receiver or stereo equipment 1 is working at the same RF frequency, the car RF radio receiver 1 will receive and demodulate the beacon signal, which is further broadcasted by the speaker 5. The microphone picks up the beacon signal and sends it to a signal comparator to determine if the received signal has the same pattern as the original beacon signal. If the signal pattern is matched, it represents a frequency locking condition, i.e. the FM transmitter 30 and the car FM radio receiver 1 are both working at the same RF frequency channel.
Step 110: Cell phone detects an incoming phone call.
Step 120: Device determines if car stereo equipment is operating.
Step 130: If car stereo is off, turn car stereo on.
Step 140 Set car stereo to predetermined volume.
Step 150 Multiplexer mutes or fades sound from car speaker to prevent abrupt clicking sound.
Step 160: Cell phone output is connected to speaker by multiplexer.
Step 170: Phone audio is outputted on the car speaker.
Step 180: When call ends, multiplexer mutes sounds from cell phone and gradually fades back to stereo output if user was using the car stereo equipment and otherwise turns off the car stereo equipment.
In one embodiment, the cell phone or another Bluetooth media player can transmit music to the device 10 to play music such as MP3 music or MPEG audio to the car stereo equipment over the Bluetooth piconet.
In yet another embodiment, the device 100 can be embedded in a phone and avoid the need to physically connect the mobile phone and the vehicular audio system. This is done by automatically detecting radio frequency of the FM radio receiver and to set the frequency of the FM transmitter automatically as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,308 which discloses a mobile phone hand-free extension device having an FM radio transmitter with an active frequency searching circuitry to utilize a vehicular FM radio receiver for reproducing the audio signals from the mobile phone, the content of which is incorporated by reference. In this embodiment, the Bluetooth transceiver in the cell phone can interact with another Bluetooth media player that can transmit music to the device 10 over the Bluetooth piconet to play music such as MP3 music or MPEG audio to the car stereo equipment using an FM transmitter embedded in the cell phone. This embodiment can send music from a Bluetooth equipped Apple iPod, for example, to the car FM receiver directly.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
a sound source selecting switch coupled to the cellular audio signal and to a car stereo audio signal, the switch controlled by the processor to apply power to the car stereo and to route the cellular or the car stereo audio signals to one or more car speakers.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the PAN comprises Bluetooth.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a multiplexer.
4. The device of claim 1, comprising a car mounted microphone coupled to the wireless transceiver to capture user speech during a telephone call.
5. The device of claim 1, comprising one or more wireless audio equipment coupled to the PAN, wherein the one or more car speakers renders audio generated by the wireless audio equipment.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the wireless audio equipment stores one of: MP3 files, .WAV files, MPEG files.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch mixes the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to allow a user to listen to both audio signals.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch provides one of the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to the one or more speakers.
9. The device of claim 1, comprising an amplifier coupled to the cellular audio signal.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the amplifier fades the cellular and the car stereo audio signals during transitions between audio signal transitions.
routing one of the cellular audio signal through the FM radio receiver to one or more car speakers during a telephone call.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the PAN comprises Bluetooth.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the selecting comprises multiplexing the audio signals.
14. The method of claim 11, comprising capturing user speech during a telephone call with a car mounted microphone.
15. The method of claim 11, comprising driving one or more car speakers with audio signals generated by one or more wireless audio equipment coupled to the PAN.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless audio equipment stores one of: MP3 files, .WAV files, MPEG files.
17. The method of claim 11, comprising mixing the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to allow a user to listen to both audio signals.
18. The method of claim 11, comprising providing only one of the cellular and the car stereo audio signals to the one or more speakers.
routing the car stereo equipment signal to the car speaker when the call ends.
20. The method of claim 18, comprising muting the speaker during transitions between cellular phone audio and car stereo audio to prevent an abrupt clicking sound.
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2019-04-19T09:38:06Z
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https://patents.google.com/patent/US20070173293A1/en
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How and when do I pay for my course?
Your course fees are due to be paid within 28 days of the start date of the course.
The deposit amount agreed will vary depending on any current promotional offers available.
We accept payment by a variety of debit and credit cards by telephone or alternatively you may choose to arrange for a direct bank transfer.
For our Continual Professional Development (CPD) courses, payments are made in full by booking online through our website, or by calling our Course Advisers team on the number at the top of the page.
Premier Global NASM offer an interest-free instalment plan (0%) to enable you to spread the cost of your course fee over 11, 12, 18 or 24 months. Our instalment plan loans are offered subject to a credit check and your confirmation that the monthly repayment level is affordable.
The instalment plan requires you to sign up to a Fixed-Sum loan agreement and sign a direct debit mandate for the repayment.
There is no arrangement fee for the loan and the loan repayments are scheduled to repay the course evenly over the agreed loan period.
You can, if you wish to settle the loan balance early by making additional payments at any time. There is no extra charge for an earlier repayment.
Please contact our friendly Course Advisers who will explain your options to you in full detail, discuss your circumstances and run through the process with you. To get in contact, call the number at the top of this page.
Do you offer any funding options to help with the course price?
There may be other Government funded or a range of specialist industry funding schemes for current and leaving members of the armed forces and members of the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
Please do not hesitate to contact Premier Global NASM to discuss what options may be available.
How much are your exam re-sits?
Please note, it can take up to 14 days to receive your exam results.
Can I reserve a place on one of your courses?
Yes. You can secure your place by paying a deposit, which will then come off the remaining cost of the course. Depending on your chosen course, you may also need to pay in full at the point of enrolment.
Can I cancel my course after I have booked?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 you have 14 days after the day we email you to confirm we accept your application to change your mind about attending the training course.
By post. Complete the form included our brochure (also available online to print off at www.premierglobal.co.uk and post it to us at the address on the form. Or, simply write to us at Premier Training International Limited, Welbeck House, Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6XY including details of your course booking and your name and address. This is our company registered address.
Please note, day one of your course is mandatory. Premier Global NASM also strongly advise you to attend every face to face workshop day of your course. Due to the intense nature of the timetable, important theory and practical activities take place on each attendance day.
Missing sessions may result in you finding it difficult to complete worksheets, theory exams or practical assessments. This may result in you not being in a position to successfully pass the qualification or in certain circumstances you may be removed from the course. If you are removed from the course due to non-attendance you will still be liable to pay for the course in full.
What identification do I need to bring to the first day of my course?
UK residents must bring a valid passport or photographic driving licence to confirm their identity to the first day of their course. Non-UK residents must bring a valid passport only. For non-UK residents, a driving licence will not be accepted. No other forms of identification will be accepted. If you are not able to show a valid form of ID, you will not be able to start your course.
Are there completion time limits for the courses?
How do Premier Global NASM qualifications compare to other training providers?
Premier Global NASM provides high quality, nationally-accredited qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of Continuous learning courses, from personal training to sports conditioning and nutrition. With a choice of delivery methods, including full-time, part-time and blended learning, which all incorporate a new online learning platform, we offer the flexibility to provide education to all.
Is the Diploma in Fitness Instructing & Personal Training an internationally-recognised qualification?
This depends very much on the country. The USA has no overall standard and will often recognise a Premier Qualification with proof of content. Many students who enroll onto our courses often look to the USA and Canada for employment. Although there are many North American Fitness Training Organisations, the main emphasis on setting up a business in this area seems dependent upon the total cost of public liability insurance. If interested in working abroad, please also see our Certified Personal Trainer course.
I already have a fitness qualification - can I skip parts of the course, or get a discount?
At Premier, we recognise qualifications from many other training providers. Depending on your qualification, you may be able to get a discount on the course or just take a particular module to further your knowledge and improve on your current qualification. If you are looking to get the Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training course, then you would need to take the entire course, but we may be able to offer a discount if you have covered parts of the course in previous qualifications.
To claim this accreditation for prior learning you will need to provide evidence in the form of the original certificate when enrolling onto the course. A total reduction of 20% for a maximum of two modules can be given for APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning), however it is best to speak with your Career Adviser to discuss your specific situation.
Do I need a CPR certificate before I start a course with you?
No, not for the Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training course. Although we do recommend that you complete a CPR course within six months of graduating.
Could my Diploma in Fitness Instruction & Personal Training allow me to enrol on a University course?
Students who wish to enrol onto a University course would usually need to ensure they have successfully gained at least a grade C in GCSE Maths and English. Subsequently, when completing the UCAS form, applicants need to highlight achievement of the Awarding Organisation Active IQ (AIQ) fitness qualification in their personal statement. This is because AIQ qualifications have been matched with occupational standards set by the QCA (Qualifications Curriculum Authority), an organisation more familiar to UCAS than Premier Global NASM.
What level of salary can I expect to receive on a successful completion of Premier courses?
Salaries within this industry vary greatly. Fitness Instructors employed at one of the more recognised health and fitness clubs can expect to receive a salary starting anywhere between £13,000 – £18,000 per year. For instructors who have more advanced fitness training skills, including the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training, earnings will potentially be enhanced by an extra £3,000 – £10,000 per annum.
On completion of our courses many students follow a self-employed career path. In this situation they could charge anything starting from £25 per hour and up to £70 per hour depending upon location. A successful self-employed personal trainer can earn well in advance of £35,000 per year. For Sports Massage, charges range from £15 – £60 per treatment. Premier helps all students find suitable employment opportunities through our Recruitment Team.
How do I obtain my certificates?
Certificates are issued within 8 weeks of successful completion of your course, in addition to full payment of the associated course received by Premier Global NASM. Upon successful completion of your course, Premier Global NASM can issue you with a ‘letter of successful completion’ at your request if the course hasn’t been paid for in full.
This letter is widely recognised within the fitness industry, and will enable you to immediately apply for work. However, we are not able to issue your certificate until the course has been paid in full.
For all certificates enquiries please e-mail our customer services department on [email protected] with your name, e-mail address, postal address and the course you completed.
Can I get a replacement certificate if I graduated before January 2007?
Can I become a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy?
Yes. Most Premier students and graduates want to become a member as this adds credibility to their practice. BANT welcomes Premier students to sign on for student membership at an annual cost of £45 per person. Upon completion of the course BANT grants full membership to those who have a qualification from an accredited provider. To learn more about Premier’s accreditation plans, please see the above question.
I need to raise a complaint - how can I do so?
CIMSPA are the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. They are the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, providing leadership, support and empowerment for professionals working in the sector. The institute’s vision is: “To develop a vibrant, UK-wide sport and physical activity sector, led by professionals providing advocacy and leadership and working in partnership with stakeholders to help ensure the highest standards of service delivery”. CIMPSA have membership options for everyone in the sector, and we are delighted to tell you that as a Premier Global NASM graduate you are entitled to 12 months membership completely free of charge! Your details will be forwarded onto CIMSPA as soon as we have received your certificates from Active IQ.
In its recent sports strategy document, the government tasked CIMSPA to lead on increasing the professionalisation of our sector’s workforce, and this backing has been explicitly reinforced by the recent Towards an Active Nation Sport England strategy. To help achieve this goal, CIMSPA is introducing a policy which will require most members to complete a defined amount of CPD per membership subscription year, at a level relevant to their membership category.
Sport and physical activity professionals should keep their skills and knowledge up to date, as well as extending their skillset wherever possible. Continuous professional development (CPD) is the practice of undertaking additional learning through courses, workshops or conferences or taking part in other activities which confirm that their knowledge, understanding and skills are suitable for their role in our sector.
What is Premier Global NASM’s relationship with CIMPSA?
In one word, strong! Premier Global NASM are a partner of CIMPSA and our courses are recognised by the awarding body, Active IQ. When you successfully complete your Diploma, as a Premier graduate, you are entitled to 12 months membership free of charge. Your details will be forwarded onto CIMSPA as soon as we have received your certificates from Active IQ.
What is Active IQ (AIQ)?
Active IQ is an awarding organisation recognised and regulated by Ofqual within the Active Leisure sector. The certifications they provide act as a benchmark for quality and credibility, both for those employing Premier Global NASM graduates and also for those wishing to join the industry. For more information, see the Active IQ website.
Please note, there may be a requirement from the Awarding Organisation for assessments or qualification delivery to be filmed as part of the quality assurance process.
How long will I have access to my on-line program materials?
Your Premier Global NASM Diploma course provides you an enrolment duration for both the exam and content of 180 days from the date of purchase or enrolment key activation.
The course follows a suggested schedule that optimizes the ability to learn and recall the material on the exam/ assessments, and that is the schedule your Tutor will follow to facilitate the discussion questions and provide feedback within the course. However, you can work ahead in all areas, except for the discussion questions that are each opened at the start of their scheduled week. You can still see the questions and review the content; you just cannot post to the discussion forum until it has been opened by a Success Coach.
How do I stay on track with my course assignments?
Within your course, you have a variety of resources available to you like your Learner Handbook. In addition, your coach will post a course schedule, assignment reminders and helpful tips each week within the course Announcement forum. If you need to reach out to our Success Coach team outside of your course, you may reach them by phone at 0333 400 0354 or by email at [email protected].
What if I get behind? Can I start over?
The course follows a suggested schedule to maximize the learning process, and the course Tutor follows a grading schedule within the course to assist you with feedback, which includes 4 weeks after the 10 week program timeframe to review late assignments. You do have access to the course and materials for 180 days from your time of purchase or enrolment key activation, but take caution if you fall behind, as breaking from the suggested schedule limits participation in the group discussions and timely information from the Tutors to assist you in best preparing for the Assessments and Exams. If you find yourself behind by more than 4 weeks you will want to reach out to the Success Coach team for by phone at 0333 400 0354 or by email at [email protected] assistance.
What happens after the 180 days are complete?
After the initial enrolment duration, you will no longer have access to the Guided Study course. This means, at that time, you will lose the ability to use all videos, activities, quizzes, and resources from the course. If you need an extension for your course, please contact Premier Global Member Services at 0333 400 0353. Please note, extension fees may apply.
Can the quizzes/reviews and exams be repeated in the course?
The quizzes/reviews within the course have unlimited attempts. The Level 2 and Level 3 exams are proctored and the guidelines for those exams can be found within the course and in a separate section under proctored exams.
I purchased the Level 2 & 3 program, when will I get login and course instruction information?
Within 1 business day of your date of purchase, you will receive a Welcome email that will provide you with your general log-in and course access information. After you have completed the outlined steps, you may then access your Student Portal and select your course session start date.
What if I need to switch my course session?
Your Coach can help you select a different group that meets your needs. Be sure to select a new Study Group right away to not further delay your certification; picking a new group will not extend your enrollment expiration date.
Can I download the online textbooks?
You can find a full downloadable PDF of the textbooks within your Getting Started Module. Additionally, a non-downloadable flipbook (eBook) will be available within each Module.
What are the benefits of a NASM Global Premier program?
This Program helps you practice what you've learned, has coaches available to answer any questions and keep you engaged, a tutor to facilitate discussions and webinars, and a weekly schedule to keep you focused. You will also learn about the exclusive Optimum Performance Training (OPT) Model. Founded in science, it takes the difficult guess work out of developing safe and effective programmes for your clients.
What is a Coach, and how do I contact him or her for assistance?
Coaches are here to make the study process as smooth as possible. They are available to answer any questions you may have while you are participating in the course and will help you stay on track with your studying with weekly posts in the Announcements Forum. If you need to contact a coach, their information is provided in the Syllabus, and located in the Announcements Forum within the Getting Started Module. You may also reach our team of coaches by phone at 0333 400 0354.
A Tutor is an experienced Personal Trainer that will deliver your online interactive lectures, facilitate practical discussions within an on-line forum, grade your assignments, and help you through the course while they share their professional expertise with your class.
When can I start my course session?
We have new groups starting on two Tuesdays per month and regular Saturday starts. Pick the date that works best with your schedule and get ready to start learning!
Can I change my course session?
If your group has already started, the Student Success Coach team can help you select a different group that meets your needs. Be sure to select a new Study Group right away to not further delay your certification; picking a new group will not extend your enrolment expiration date. Please note, a course transfer fee may apply.
What happens to my Program history if I change my course session?
Any work you complete will always be available for you to view within the course. The system does not remove any submissions. Your coach will be able to see your previous submissions, so you will only need to submit assignments from the point you left off in your previous session. All new items will be available for marking by your Tutor.
Can I reset/wipe my program progress/history?
No, this is required to stay for auditing purposes. However, you can re-submit any assignment and have unlimited attempts on all module quizzes.
These exams are invigilated by our online proctoring service, Proctor U. You will need to register with ProctorU to set up an account, and schedule your exams for Level 2 and Level 3. All exams are timed and proctored. If you need to re-sit for the exam, you will need to call Member Services by phone at 0333 400 0353. Please note, additional fees may apply.
How do I schedule my Level 2 or Level 3 exam with Proctor U?
You can register and schedule for your exam with Proctor U by navigating to their website: https://go.proctoru.com/registrations. Be sure to check the system and hardware requirements prior to your scheduled exam proctoring appointment. Note: You will need to present a copy of your valid government-issued ID at the time of each exam. Additional information can be found here.
How many questions are in the Level 2 exams?
The Level 2 Certificate in Gym/Fitness instructing includes (2) exams. The Level 2 - A&P for exercise consists of 50 questions, with 105 minutes to complete. The Level 2 -Principles of Exercise, Fitness and Health consists of 32 questions, with 90 minutes to complete.
How many questions are in the Level 3 exams?
The Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training includes (2) exams. The Level 3 - Applied A&P consists of 40 questions, with 90 minutes to complete. The Level 3 - Nutrition for exercise and health consists of 40 questions, with 90 minutes to complete.
What is a Success Coach, and how do I contact him or her for support?
While your group is still active, you can contact your Tutor through their Virtual office within your course. Your Tutor's office hour availability will be posted within this section. You may also reach out to the Student Success Coach team by phone at 0333 400 0354 or by email [email protected] for immediate assistance.
How do I appeal my course assignment or exam marking if I am dissatisfied?
NASM Premier Global offers any learner who disagrees with the outcome of their online and/or practical assessments the option to appeal the initial determination. Please reference the attached Appeal form to gather additional information about this process.
Please reference the attached Appeal form to gather additional information about this process.
Can I attend my Live workshop before I have successfully completed my certification course?
Completion of Level 2 & 3 NASM Premier Global course is strongly recommended, but not required.
How long is the live workshop?
The live workshop is a total of 8 hours with a 1 hour lunch break.
Will the live workshop certify me as a Level 2 or Level 3 Personal Trainer?
The workshop is designed to help you gain practical application skills in the areas of assessment, integrated training, program design, and exercise technique and how this is applied to the OPT model. No, The live workshop does not include an exam or certify you as a Level 2 or Level 3 Personal Trainer.
Will the workshop help me prepare for my exams?
The workshop is designed to help you gain practical experience and will not serve explicitly as exam preparation. Although some information may be helpful for exam prep.
How do I register for a workshop date?
After you have activated your enrolment key, you will receive an automated self-service registration email. You can register for your workshop whenever you are ready! If you have any additional questions regarding the workshop schedule or dates, please contact Member Services at 0333 400 0353 or by email at [email protected].
What if I arrive late to my scheduled workshop, can I still participate?
Late arrivals of more than 15 minute will not be allowed entrance into the workshop after it has already begun. Please contact Member Services with any additional questions by [email protected] or by phone 0333 400 0353.
What if I have to leave early from my scheduled workshop; Can I receive partial completion credit?
If not, can I receive a partial refund?
Completion marking will only be given to those who attend the entire workshop. If an unexpected circumstance arises during your workshop, please contact Member Services for available options at 0333 400 0353 or by email at [email protected].
Your live workshop is valid for 18 months from the date of your enrolment key activation. To locate your expiration date, please log into your student portal via nasm.org and access the workshop enrolment. Your expiration date can be located on the top right hand corner of your course page.
I am already registered for a workshop, and can't make it, can I switch?
You may request to cancel or reschedule your workshop at no charge by contacting the Member Services Department no later than 5 business days prior to your scheduled workshop (i.e., if your workshop is scheduled for Sunday, then the Tuesday prior is the last day you may modify your session at no charge). After 5 business days prior, but no later than 48 hours before the day of your scheduled workshop, you can cancel or transfer your registration to another date or location by contacting Member Services. During this period, a £25 Workshop Transfer Fee will be charged for any workshop transfer. All fees must be paid in full and over the phone with Member Services at 0333 400 0353.
What if I missed my scheduled workshop session, can I reschedule? Or receive a refund?
What can I expect from my live workshop?
The Premier Live Workshop is designed to help you gain practical application skills in the areas of assessment, integrated training, program design, and exercise technique and how this is applied to the OPT model.
We recommend for you to bring your downloadable PDF, a water bottle, and lunch. Remember to wear comfortable fitness clothing for your participation.
Is there anything else I need to do before and/or after my scheduled workshop date?
Prior to your scheduled workshop: You will be provided a Student manual and Workshop Presentation PDF document that can be accessed by logging into your student portal at nasm.org. We recommend you access your online and downloadable materials prior to your live workshop date. While this is recommended, it is not mandatory but rather a way to enhance the overall 8-hour workshop experience. After you have attended your workshop: You need to complete your end of workshop survey and end or workshop quiz in the online course.
Can I bring a friend or family member with me to my live workshop?
Will I be provided proof of my successful completion/participation?
Upon successful completion of your live workshop, and within 5 business days, you will have access to a Record of Completion with your student portal at nasm.org.
Where can I find more information regarding workshop dates and locations?
If you have already booked a workshop, please contact Member Services to get more information on upcoming workshop dates and locations. Please contact Member Services with any additional questions by email: [email protected] or by phone 0333 400 0353. If you wish to book a workshop, please contact a Course Advisor for further assistance at 020 3930 4050.
Is the NASM CPT endorsed in the UK?
The NASM CPT is professionally endorsed by both CIMSPA and Active IQ. As the programme utilises a science based training system and methodology, and contains specialist learning involving detailed analysis of a high level of information, it can be viewed as a Level 4 equivalent qualification in the UK. Our recommendation is that the NASM CPT should be undertaken by a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training graduate, after they have worked in the field for at least 6-12 months, gaining relevant practical experience training clients. Premier Global NASM refers to trainers who have completed both the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training + the NASM CPT as “Elite Trainers” – opening up progression pathways to more elite, advanced specialisms such as Corrective Exercise and Sports Performance.
Yes, the NASM CPT Premium Self Study purchased through Premier Global NASM offers you a practice exam available to you for the duration of your enrollment period. You can locate the practice exam via your NASM Student Portal.
Is there a breakdown of the exam domains and subjects?
The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) contracted with Professional Examination Service (ProExam) to conduct a practice analysis of Certified Personal Trainers (CPTs) in 2015. This practice analysis study defines the current knowledge, skills and abilities that must be demonstrated by entry-level credential holders to safely and successfully practice. This study also serves as the “blueprint” for determining the content (performance domains) for the certification exam(s). The NASM CPT exam blueprint can be found here.
What is the NASM Candidate handbook and where can I find it?
The Candidate Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the NASM-CPT certification program and is required reading before The Candidate Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the NASM-CPT certification program and is required reading before taking the exam. The Candidate Handbook covers important topic such as eligibility requirements, the exam outline, expectations and recertification. You can find the candidate handbook within your online course, in the CPT Terms and Conditions Module or you can simply click here.
What CPR/AED providers does Premier Global NASM accept?
Premier Global NASM recommends the following organisations: Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance, Premier Training First Aid, First Aid for Life, Association of First Aiders, Safety First Aid Training and or any other OfQual recognised provider.
How do I schedule my CPT exam?
Go to https://candidate.psiexams.com to register or by calling PSI Customer Service at + 1 702-939-6797. Please have your Enrollment ID available, as it is needed to complete the registration process.
Where can I find my CPT Enrollment ID?
Step 1: Access your student portal through nasm.org and click on “Courses”.
Step 2: Locate your CPT exam in the list of Courses and click the Action button. A new page will appear and your Enrollment ID will be displayed in the left navigation pane.
What is my CPT Enrollment ID?
Your Enrollment ID is a unique identification number used to locate your testing record with PSI. Please have your Enrollment ID number ready when contacting PSI to schedule your CPT exam.
What do I need to take with me to the testing facility for my CPT Exam?
Can anyone see my CPT exam score?
No, NASM does not release exam scores.
Will I receive my CPT exam score?
If you fail the CPT exam, PSI will provide you with a score report providing details of your test results. NASM provides a PASS score for any test result that is 70% or higher.
What happens if I miss my PSI CPT exam appointment?
Does Premier Global NASM offer any Special Accommodations for the CPT Exam?
In order to ensure the opportunity for all qualified persons, Premier Global NASM will make reasonable accommodations for candidates with any disabilities that might affect their NASM-certification exam taking. If you would like to apply for special accomodations please email [email protected] or call 0345 899 2333.
How do I keep my CPT qualification up-to-date?
Your Premier Global NASM CPT certificate is endorsed by AIQ and CIMPSA in perpituity within the UK. To keep your NCCA accredited CPT qualification, a learner is required to re-certify every two years and complete the required number of CEUs from approved providers. Please see ‘Recertificaton’ section below.
Where can I take my CPT exam in the UK?
Students can take their exam at one of our test centres across the UK. Please go to https://candidate.psiexams.com to register or by calling PSI Customer Service at + 1 702-939-6797 for further information.
What if I want to appeal to the Disciplinary and Appeals Committee?
Please download the appeal form and complete the instructions provided within. Click here.
How do I get an extension for my CPT course and/or exam?
Access to your online materials is aligned with your enrolment duration period. The NASM CPT exam provides you with 180 days from the date of purchase or from the date of enrollment key activation. The CPT content provides 365 days of access from the date of purchase, or from the date of enrollment key activation. You may extend your access for both the exam and content for an additional fee. Please contact the Premier Customer Services team for additional details.
I failed my CPT exam, can I purchase a retest? And when can I reschedule?
If you missed your deadline or failed your initial exam attempt, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Requirements and limitations for retesting are described in the Candidate Handbook. Please contact Premier Customer Support for additional details regarding pricing and limitations.
To support NASM’s commitment to protect health and safety in the USA, the NASM-CPT certification must be recertified every two (2) years if students with to work there.
The acronym “CEU” stands for Continuing Education Unit. Continuing education programs are intended to promote continued competence, development of knowledge and skills, and enhancement of professional skills and judgment beyond the levels required for entry-level practice.
NASM-CPTs are required to complete 2.0 CEUs (20 contact hours) every two year certification period. This includes 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED certification.
What is an NASM approved CEU? Where can I find this information?
“To locate NASM-approved CEUs. Visit our Course Providers page by clicking here.
What is a petition? How do I petition a course that is not an NASM approved CEU?
CEU providers that have not contacted NASM for pre-approval status will require a petition. Petitions allow NASM to review the material covered and make a CEU value determination. This process can be completed in the recertification section found in their NASM Student Portal. To petition a course, please print and submit the application found here.
NASM offers a 90-day grace period, beyond your CPT Certificate expiration date, to earn CEUs. If CEUs have been completed within your 90 day grace period, you have one-year to submit your paperwork for recertification. Failure to complete the required CEUs within the grace period will require re-examination. If you allow your certification to expire, it will no longer be NCCA accredited in the United States, however it will still be recognised by AIQ & CIMPSA.
I just completed an approved NASM CEU, when can I submit this towards my recertification?
An official certificate will be mailed to you within 4 – 6 weeks after passing your CPT Exam. A web copy of your certificate will be made available within 3 business days of passing your CPT Exam. All web certificates can be printed under the Certificates option within your NASM Student Portal.
Are there any pre-requisites needed for the NASM Specialisation courses?
Each Specialisation may require different entry requirements. Please reference the course information within the Premier Global course information links for further information.
All specialisation content and exams are provided an enrollment duration of 365 days from the date of purchase or date of enrollment key activation.
How do I take my NASM Specialisation exam?
All Specialisation exams are completed online, through your NASM student portal. Each exam provides (3) initial attempts.
How many questions are on my Specialisation exam?
Each Specialisation exam may vary. You can find the information for your exam by accessing the exam enrollment with your NASM student portal.
What is the passing score for the Specialisation exam?
All Specialisation exams require a passing score of 70% or higher.
What happens if I fail all (3) exam attempts?
If you failed your exam, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Please contact Premier Customer Support for additional details regarding pricing and options.
You may obtain your exam score by contacting Premier Customer Services by email at [email protected].
Proof of any online NASM course completion can be printed from the NASM Student Portal under the Certificates tab.
What software is required to access my NASM eLearning Center?
For the best user experience, we recommend you use the most up-to-date version of the following operating systems: Window 7+, Mac 10.10+, iOS 9, Android 4.4+ Adobe Flash Player is required. Download the latest Flash Player here. For the best functionality and user experience, we suggest using a desktop or laptop that includes the above system requirements.
Please visit the nasm.org login page and click on the Forgot Password feature.
Please note: Password resets may take up to 30 minutes to take effect. Any attempt to login prior to this timeframe may result in an Invalid Password error. You will be required to change the temporary password to a permanent choice. Passwords are not recoverable in the system, so if you lost your password, the only option is to request a new one time use temporary password.
NASM recommends using a Windows based laptop or desktop as the NASM Student Portal requires Adobe Flash. Flash does not come pre-installed on any Apple device. The iStore has applications available to enable Flash content. Additionally, Safari web browser is not compatible with the NASM online courses.
How many questions are on the NASM-AFAA CGFI exam? How long do I have to complete it?
Each one of the exams are 120 test questions, in which 20 are research questions and do not count toward or against the final score. Both exam have a 2-hour time limit and you must pass with a 70% or better.
The CGFI content prepares you for the NCCA-accredited exam by providing multiple quizzes throughout the course modules, along with a final practice exam.
The Athletics Fitness and Association of America (AFAA) contracted with Professional Examination Service (ProExam) to conduct a practice analysis of Certified Group Fitness Instructor (CGFIs) in 2016. This practice analysis study defines the current knowledge, skills and abilities that must be demonstrated by entry-level credential holders to safely and successfully practice. This study also serves as the “blueprint” for determining the content (performance domains) for the certification exam(s). The AFAA CGFI exam blueprint can be found here. here.
What is the NASM/AFAA Candidate handbook and where can I find it?
The Candidate Handbook is a comprehensive overview of the NASM/AFAA CGFI and is required reading before taking the exam. The Candidate Handbook covers important topic such as eligibility requirements, the exam outline, expectations and recertification. You can find the candidate handbook within your online course, in the CGFI Terms and Conditions Module or you can simply click here. here.
Go to https://candidate.psiexams.com to register or by calling PSI Customer Service at + 1 702-939-6797. You must have your Enrollment ID available, as it is needed to complete the registration process.
Your Enrollment ID is a unique identification number used to locate your testing record with PSI. Please have your Enrollment ID number ready when contacting PSI to schedule your CGFI exam.
No, NASM/AFAA does not release exam scores.
If you fail the CGFI exam, PSI will provide you with a score report providing details of your test results. NASM/AFAA provides a PASS score for any test result that is 70% or higher.
In order to ensure the opportunity for all qualified persons, Premier Global NASM will make reasonable accommodations for candidates with any disabilities that might affect their AFAA-certification exam taking. If you would like to apply for special accomodations please email [email protected] or call 0345 899 2333.
How do I keep my CGFI qualification up-to-date?
Your Premier Global AFAA-CGFI certificate is endorsed by AIQ and CIMPSA in perpituity within the UK. To keep your NCCA accredited CGFI qualification, a learner is required to re-certify every two years and complete the required number of CEUs from approved providers. Please see ‘Recertificaton’ section below.
Where can I take my CGFI exam in the UK?
How do I get an extension for my course or exam?
Access to your online materials is aligned with your enrolment duration period. The AFAA CGFI exam provides you with 180 days from the date of purchase or from the date of enrollment key activation. The CGFI content provides 365 days of access from the date of purchase, or from the date of enrollment key activation. You may extend your access for both the exam and content for an additional fee. Please contact the Premier Customer Services team for additional details.
If you failed your exam, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Candidates who do not pass the certification exam on the first attempt will be allowed to retake the exam after a 1-week waiting period. If the candidate is unsuccessful after the second attempt, he/she will be required to wait 30 days before retaking the exam. For each repeated failure after the 3rd attempt, candidates will be required to wait a year before attempting to take the exam again. Please contact Premier Customer Support for additional details regarding pricing and limitations.
To support NASM-AFAA’s commitment to protect health and safety in the USA, the AFAA-CGFI certification must be recertified every two (2) years if students wish to work there. To submit for renewal, please print and submit the Recertification application found here.
AFAA-CGFI are required to complete 1.5 CEUs (15 contact hours) every two year certification period. At least 0.2 of these CEUS must come from NASM-AFAA courses and 0.1 CEU from the mandatory CPR/AED certification.
What is an NASM-AFAA approved CEU? Where can I find this information?
An approved CEU is a course that has been submitted to NASM-AFAA through a third-party organization and has been awarded CEU value. These organizations are part of NASM-AFAA's Provider Program and will note their provider number and CEU value on the certificate of completion that you receive.
How do I find a list of NASM-AFAA approved providers and CEUs?
To locate NASM-AFAA approved CEUs. Visit our Course Providers page by clicking here.
CEU providers that have not contacted NASM-AFAA for pre-approval status will require a petition. Petitions allow NASM-AFAA to review the material covered and make a CEU value determination. To petition a course, please print and submit the application found here and instructions found here.
What happens if my CGFI certification has expired?
NASM-AFAA offers a 90-day grace period, beyond your CGFI Certificate expiration date, to earn CEUs. If CEUs have been completed within your 90 day grace period, you have one-year to submit your paperwork for recertification. Failure to complete the required CEUs within the grace period will require re-examination. If you allow your certification to expire, it will no longer be NCCA accredited in the United States, however it will still be recognised by AIQ & CIMPSA.
I just completed an approved NASM-AFAA CEU, when can I submit this towards my recertification?
Please save your Continuing Education documentation until you are ready to submit for renewal. You can submit for renewal as early as 6 months prior to your certificate expiration date.
Where can I print my temporary certificate? When can I expect to receive my official certificate by mail?
All NASM/AFAA records of completion can be viewed and printed through the student portal, via the Certificates menu option. An official certificate will be mailed to you within 4 – 6 weeks after passing your CGFI exam. Please be sure your personal mailing address is up to date for successful delivery.
Proof of any online NASM-AFAA course completion can be printed from the NASM Student Portal under the Certificates tab.
What is an 0845/0844 number?
Both 0845 and 0844 are in a range classed as NTS (number translation services) and designed for businesses, government departments and ‘other entities’ using services like press1 at national level.
0845 are known as ‘local NTS’ because call rates are similar to local rates from a BT line.
0844 are known as ‘fixed rate NTS’ because rates are the same at any time of day or night.
What is the cost of calling 0845 or 0844 numbers?
How much does 0845 and 0844 cost to call from a mobile?
Each mobile operator dictates their own pricing to these number ranges and charges may vary based on your price plan. The costs per minute for 0844/0845 are normally between 20p and 40p per minute if not bundled with free minutes. Often call plan rates are printed on the reverse of your bill. If you are in doubt contact your mobile provider.
Can I still use Premier Global NASM's 020 3811 0826 number?
Yes you can. The 020 number will still connect you to Premier Global NASM in the normal way.
Why have Premier Global NASM decided to use an 0845 number?
By using an 0845 number it will allow Premier Global NASM to manage calls in a way that means customers can usually speak to someone faster. Although it is unlikely that the Premier Global NASM offices would need to be closed within its normal working hours, in the event of this type of emergency, 0845 numbers enable us to re-route calls, giving a more consistent service. Many other organisations use 0845 numbers for the same reasons of customer service and manageability.
Will Premier Global NASM benefit financially from using 0845 numbers?
No, we will not in any way. Premier Global NASM does not use 0845 numbers to make money via ‘revenue sharing’.
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2019-04-25T10:52:44Z
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https://www.premierglobal.co.uk/faq
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Achieve Business Success with Us!
Whether you are looking to grow your small business or have a brilliant idea to start a new venture, the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) has the tools and resources to help you make it happen. If you are seeking advice and guidance regarding your business, look no further!
Start, grow and expand your business in Durham Region. Durham is home to 8 municipalities. Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby, Scugog, Uxbridge and the Township of Brock.
The Business Advisory Centre Durham is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1999. We are funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Regional Municipality of Durham.
We assist clients with skills, knowledge, tools and connections to launch and grow successful businesses within the Region of Durham. Our office is located in Whitby and we serve all the municipalities of Durham Region (Ajax, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby, Scugog, Uxbridge and Township of Brock). Generally our clients are in mainstream businesses account for 85% of Canada’s economy and not creating an invention or product with intellectual property. By helping our clients be successful, we assist them in creating economic wealth through job creation and retention.
Our advisory services are free - if we can help you create a business that's successful and making money - then you have money to spend and invest in the Durham Region. This has a positive impact on our region in many ways including supporting local businesses, creating local jobs and keeping the $ investment here.
To date, we have served over 10,000 clients who have created over 2000 businesses!
Teresa joined The Business Advisory Centre Inc in 2012; - a non profit organization supporting businesses to achieve business success. With her leadership, the organizations' outcomes have increased by over 200%. At BACD, Teresa is responsible for executing the strategic plan, managing operations, over 120 events and a team of 5.
Teresa has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and has worked in over 5 start up organizations across 3 countries and moved to Canada in August 1999 to be part of a small start up in Toronto that specialized in Call Centre Staffing.
After working in this industry for 7 years, she went to work for the Whitby Chamber of Commerce and spent 5 years there managing Member Services, Sponsorship and over 75 Events per year.
Teresa has also run a number of her own businesses and has been a business coach for over 10 years. In 2014, Teresa received her Registered Business Coach designation from the World Association of Business Coaches and in 2017 received her Economic Development Certificate.
She is an avid life long learner, loves to read, listen to podcasts, teach yoga and volunteer in her community.
Areas of Specialty: Business structure; operations; employment; market strategy; not-for-profits; retail and lifestyle businesses; eCommerce; importing and exporting; social media; networking; sales process, grants.
Andrea joined BACD officially in October 2017, although has worked with the BACD for over 3 years providing workshops and mentorship. She has over 20 years international experience in marketing, branding and communications having graduated with a B.A. Honours Degree in Graphic Design. Andrea's true entrepreneurial spirit expressed itself when she started a craft brewery in Australia which has given her hands-on knowledge of the challenges of starting and growing a business which she now shares with clients at BACD.
She has been running her own branding and marketing business in Oshawa and is now a certified GrowthWheel Business Advisor.
Area of Speciality: Marketing plans; value proposition; target market; branding; digital marketing; websites; social media; product portfolio.
Before joining BACD as a part-time Business Advisor, Bryan was the Entrepreneur in Residence for the Spark Centre. Bryan has worked with BACD for a number of years as a mentor for new start-up companies and we are very happy to have him with us. Previously, Bryan worked at OCE as Director, Strategic Partnerships within OCE’s Centre for Communications and Information Technologies. Before OCE, Bryan was Vice President and COO of WSi Interactive Corporation, a Vancouver based, publicly traded technology incubator where he was instrumental in building the company through acquisitions and the creation of new businesses.
At Thomson & Associates Marketing, Bryan headed up a marketing agency focused on the development of marketing and customer loyalty programs for clients that included American Express, Air Canada, HBC, Sears, Imperial Oil and McLean Hunter.
Earlier, he held progressively more senior positions with American Express, relating to responsibilities for corporate planning and marketing, in both Canada and the US.
Area of Speciality: Sales strategy, financials; market validation, channels to market; distribution channels; business models; growth opportunities; investment funding, scaleable businesses.
Ashley McBride joined BACD in January 2016 as the Program Administrator for the Summer Company and Starter Company program. Ashley has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a post-graduate certificate in Human Resources Management and a professional development certificate in Digital Marketing. Ashley keeps busy with reviewing and evaluating business plans, cashflow forecasts and ensuring all guidelines are being met! Her thoroughness and attention to detail helps make sure that nothing slips through the cracks.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys reading, running and traveling.
Lindy joined the BACD team as the part-time bookkeeper in October 2016. She is an experienced professional with a background in Bookkeeping, Payroll and Office Administration having worked in South Africa until moving to Canada in 2015. Lindy has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Economics.
In her spare time Lindy likes to get out into nature, craft and spend time with her family.
Chair: Kathleen Niles, President & CEO, Nessis Inc.
Entrepreneurial leader who co-founded Nessis Inc., a leader in Manufacturing & Quality expert who lead large scale process re-engineering in large and small manufacturing operations.
Kathleen Niles started her career on the shop floors of Northern Telecom and is one of Canada’s most successful innovation stories. Deep in the trenches of Nortel’s computerized drilling and engineering division, she spent over 20 progressive years providing and directing training, amassing firsthand experience in the complexities of productivity, process and training challenges. After Nortel, she spent another decade working in a variety of roles including quality, line management, IT, process control, change management and training.
As President & CEO of Nessis Inc., she has applied her real world expertise to create a leading edge Manufacturing Execution System to greatly improve manufacturing’s bottom line. She has created a very specialized team to help with this vision, execution and growth. With an impressive customer list including NovaBus, GFL, SpencerARL and Demers Ambulance, Kathleen is transforming the manufacturing industry to have real time operations management on the factory floor.
Kathleen is committed to helping other Entrepreneur’s through their business growth as a BACD Board Member and mentor for various Entrepreneurship Programs.
Martin Croteau is passionate about entrepreneurship. Over his career, Martin has worked with dozens of early-stage technology startups as a founder, an investor, a consultant and an academic, providing him with a uniquely diverse perspective on the factors that lead to startup success.
Martin previously held the the role of Director of Academic Entrepreneurship at the Ontario Centres of Excellence, where his is responsible for OCE’s investments in campus-linked startup accelerators and other on-campus entrepreneurship activities. He is also responsible for OCE’s SmartStart Seed Fund. Previously, Martin was the founder and Executive Director of Spark Centre, a non-profit innovation centre that helps technology companies start and grow in east Toronto.
Martin is a Research Associate and Doctoral Candidate with the Henley Business School at the University of Reading, UK. He holds a PHD in Entrepreneurship, Master of Science in Business and Management Research, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Commerce.
Mohamed is the founder and President of Unique Accounting Services, an Accounting and Bookkeeping firm that helps Canadian small and medium sized businesses with their bookkeeping, accounting and taxation needs under one roof.
With over 10 years’ experience providing taxation, accounting and bookkeeping services to businesses of all sizes, Mohamed is the go to person for accounting and taxation.
He is connected to all leading professional associations in his industry, to ensure he meets the highest standards of accounting and bookkeeping, and enabling him to keep up to date on all aspects involved with accounting and bookkeeping and any industry changes.
He is a member of Business Network International (BNI), Ajax Pickering Board of Trade, and frequents most of the networking groups in the region.
Mohamed volunteers his time in the preparation of income tax returns through the CRA’s Community Voluntary income Tax Preparation (CVITP) clinics, working with charitable organizations.
Past Chair: Gary W. Jarosz, Vice President, Global Emissions Systems Inc.
Joe Neal is serving his third term on Council. Joe has lived in Courtice since 1990. He is a married father of three.
Joe is a lawyer, and has been for the past 35 years.
Uchechi Ezurike-Bosse is a business strategist, author, speaker, and wholesale expert, helping passion-driven entrepreneurs increase their wealth, confidence and freedom. She's been featured as a guest on Hay House Radio, a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, as well as various online publications.
Uchechi is the founder of My Empowered Living and Bossurike, author of From Aspiration to Fulfillment ~ Bridging the Gap from Where you Are to Where you Want to be, which is available at all major online booksellers, and Chapters-Indigo stores across the country. She's also the author of Business Success Blueprint ~ A Step-by- Step Process to Creating a Profitable Business You Love, and the creator of the Dream Life Designer Planners. A comprehensive planner and goal setting system that allows you to set aligned goals, while having the support and accountability to achieve them.
She's been dubbed the 'Dream Whisperer' by clients, and is passionate about educating and empowering others to cultivate the right conditions for success.
Jay Fisher, Durham College photoJay is a professor and coordinator for the entrepreneurship and small business program at Durham College in the School of Business, IT and Management. Prior to joining the college as a full time faculty member in 2010, he spent 20 years in the information technology industry, in various sales, marketing, and executive roles. He has worked in various positions with IBM, EDS, as well as several start-up and small technology companies. Jay also operates his own company which develops and manufactures an exciting new niche consumer product.
Jay earned a Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Management Certificates from Harvard University and Boston University, and completed a Masters of Arts in Adult Education from Central Michigan University.
Jay has been affiliated with Durham College since 2003, and has had a lifelong passion for education and entrepreneurship as demonstrated through his career choices and other experiences. During this time, Jay has been an advisor for various faculties and programs across both Durham College and UOIT, and is an active member of the Durham Region entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Shannon joined BACD as a volunteer mentor in 2015 and became a member of the Board of Directors in 2017. She is a retired IT Executive with 30 years of experience across sales, marketing, R&D, operations, consulting, and services delivery. She has lead teams of over 600 people in a large multinational corporation but her passion is launching new businesses and her client background and engineering degree provides a strong base for this, including Big Data and technology-based start-ups. In retirement, she is committed to giving back to the community through BACD and healthcare not-for-profit organizations.
Stephen Parrott, Focus Management PhotoStephen is an accomplished business strategist and master facilitator whose focus is on helping leaders move their business to the next level. Through his consulting practice Stephen has gained extensive experience working with small to mid-size organizations in strategic planning and alignment, operations, project management and outsourcing.
Twenty years at the Bank of Nova Scotia provided Stephen with functional experience across systems, operations, marketing, international operations, risk management, the regulated environment of mutual fund and wealth management, as well as strategic planning and small business management.
As Partner with FOCUS Management since 2008, Stephen has collaborated with business leaders across diverse sectors, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, professional services, financial services, construction, telecommunications, aerospace and defense firms, throughout Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico.
For more than 20 years the FOCUS Management Team has partnered with business leaders to achieve breakthrough results by driving great execution of what matters most through their organizations – in short, making sure the really important things get done, and done well.
FOCUS services include Strategic Alignment – achieving strategic clarity, alignment and commitment; Organizational Alignment – creating personal ownership and commitment to action at the individual level, and Executional Management – making sure that plans are translated into action and then executed through to successful completion.
Francesca Schettini, is the owner, founder and creative designer of by Francesca, xo for the past 5 years. Her Event Management and Planning Boutique caters to Weddings, Corporate and Social Events. Francesca has an extensive background in the field of finance, marketing and sales working for large corporations such as Dell and IBM. Francesca enjoys giving back to her community by fundraising for local charities such as Jenny's Warriors, Autism Ontario, Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. She finds time to help her community entrepreneurs by helping them grow their businesses through mentoring and referrals.
Francesca runs her own mastermind group and is the Chapter Leader for the "Rising Tide Society" which is a community and education chapter for entrepreneurs worldwide. She is a spiritual woman by heart who stays humble by being her authentic self.
BACD provided an amazing source of support, guidance, training and constructive critiquing, both on a business level as well as personal. The experienced in-house business leaders and staff, combined with their appointed mentors and specialized trainers gave me a much clearer understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. Then BACD gave me the much needed tools and confidence, to help set me off on the right paths to success.
BACD is a fantastic resource for entrepreneurs and businesses. The team of advisors and program facilitators are passionate about small business and are very helpful in providing the resources needed to grow and succeed. I have experienced great success working with BACD over the past 3 years. I would recommend all entrepreneurs to network with the team of advisors and find out how they can achieve business success!
Just an amazing resource with amazing people. So much knowledge and they have a genuine interest and desire to help entrepreneurs and business owners. Amazing!!
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2019-04-26T15:37:49Z
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http://bacd.ca/about/
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http://anden33.tk/casino-colonial-guadalupe.html
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This Sugar Free Coffee Cheesecake recipe is made low carb, with a gluten free and nut free pie crust and it’s keto and sugar free down to the chocolate syrup on top!
Hands down one of the BEST cheesecakes you will ever have made sugar free!
Combining coffee and cream cheese makes for a wining combo in my book! Two of my favorite ingredients create the ultimate summer time dessert, not to forget to mention the best fact of all, NO BAKE !!! Even if you may not be a coffee drinker, you will absolutely love the flavors in this easy coffee cheesecake recipe!
Do you ever get parent guilt? Parent guilt occurs when work, obligations, schedules, deadlines, etc get in the way of being, doing, participating in EVERYTHING the kids are involved in.
It certainly doesn’t occur often as I’m pretty much with my kids 24/7 since we home school and I take them to most or almost all of their after school and weekend activities they are involved with.
But now it’s summer and school is out. So I have some parental guilt today.
My kids are at day camp for cub scouts this week. My oldest two are volunteers and my youngest is a participant. And I volunteered the entire week rain or shine as I have done for the last 7 years since my oldest was in cub scouts. Currently I am home alone without all three kiddies with me. Just quietly writing/working away to get some posts done and deadlines complete before we head to Florida for a family vacation in a few days.
Compromising had to happen. I needed just one day off this week to get ready for a full week, kind of unplugged for Florida. I can not be completely unplugged yet for vacation, but most things will be scheduled and I won’t be glued to my phone either.
SO why in the world should I feel any guilt at all, I mean I’m working, not sitting around enjoying this cheesecake and watching talk shows or anything. But if I had a piece left of this cake I might have been tempted to kick my feet up for at least a short break.
There’s none left of this of course. I made this for a family party and it was vanished in minutes! Even family members who share they don’t like recipes that have crusts, fell in love with this crust and cheesecake.
Place coconut and sunflower seeds into food processor and blend until ground well.
Add the rest of the crust ingredients into food processor and process until smooth.
Press crust mixture with hands onto the bottom of an 8 inch spring form pan. Set aside.
Pour hot brewed coffee into a bowl or cup.
Pour in gelatin and stir until dissolved. Set aside to come to room temperature.
Add cream cheese into a stand mixer and blend on high until smooth.
Add the cooled coffee and gelatin, extract, stevia and salt. Blend on high until incorporated.
Pour in the heavy whipping cream and blend on high until mixture looks whipped and thickened about 5 minutes.
Pour onto crust in pan.
Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve melt chocolate and coconut oil in a small microwavable bowl for 30 seconds, stir till smooth then pour over cheesecake.
This recipe was first published in July 2015 and updated with video in August 2018.
Brenda, I am in my 50’s, and my kids are now 22 and 19, both college students, at home this summer for an internship and a job. It’s different having them both home, after finally getting used to having them away. We are a close family, and I love it, but it sure is busy around here again! Lots of dishes, and stuff around.
Guilt, of course is self-imposed. You are a very involved mom, it sounds like, and we all are better at everything we do, if we allow ourselves the chance to recharge our own batteries. I was a stay home mom and did so much with and for my kids and husband. If I didn’t take some personal quiet time regularly, I would fine that I was not feeling fully present mentally, when I was present physically, when playing with, reading to, or doing other things with my kids. I realized there’s no point of being there physically, if I couldn’t put my to-do list out of my mind and fully give of myself. I also tended to get a little crabby at times. Not pretty. Not fair to anyone.
Have a piece of cheesecake, cup of coffee, or anything, and sit with your feet up! Get up earlier than everyone, (that’s what I did, I am a morning person), or else stay up late, if that’s your gig. I tried for DAILY, I am one who needs my quiet time.
This cake looks amazing, by the way!
You are right, guilt is self imposed and alone, personal time is much needed, at least for my sanity anyway! Thanks for sharing!!
I would think that switch of almond flour would work just fine in place of sunflowers. I can’t use it since my younest has a tree nut allergy. I can’t say whether or not the coconut would work in a blender since it might become more like coconut butter but I guess it’s worth a shot. Thanks!
I am not diabetic but I believe the lower a serving is in carbs the better off you won’t have issues with it spiking your blood sugar. This is very low in carbs but please check with you doctor for how many carbs a day you should be having.
How much gelatin is that? I don’t use packets, but a canister of gelatin and need to use a measuring spoon?
Can I use Zantam powder instead of Gelatin? As we don’t eat gelatins.
I’m not sure what Zantam powder is, I’ve not hear of it. If it get gel up as gelatin would then yes.
I’m getting closer and closer to 70 and have 4 grown “kids”. The guilt never leaves and as others say, it is self imposed. Guilt is just part of good parenting., perhaps keeping us in check. Believe me when I say the kids don’t care. They are busy being kids and they love us. And some day if you tell them about your guilt they will tell you that you shouldn’t have felt that way because you were the best. And then the cycle will continue as they develop their own guilt!
That’s awseome news, thank you for sharing!
Since I am LDS (Mormon) & we don’t drink coffee or tea, I think I’ll try a flavor of an acceptable/favorite herbal tea….I love cheesecake & I think with the right flavor it will be yummy!!!
This is not actually “sugar free.” The Lindt bar has sugar. If you leave off the topping, you should be good to go.
This cheesecake sounds awesome, however, I don’t like shredded coconut. What do you think I can substitute for the coconut?
I would also like to know what a good sub for coconut would be.
Maybe chopped nuts, really fine.
Hello! This looks amazing! I am wanting to try it, but am wondering if this can be made with baking Stevia instead of Swerve. Do you have advice?
I haven’t tried it with a stevia baking blend but if it’s supposed to be equal one for one in baking like sugar I would say it’s probably a lot more sweet than Swerve. So I’d use half the amount I used for the Swerve in the crust but taste it after you blend it and see if you need more. In the filling, if you are removing the liquid stevia then I would try just 1/2 cup of your baking blend and again taste it after you mix it in. Always easier to increase sweetness, much harder to take it away once added.
I am Paleo. What can be replaced for the cream cheese?
Can I use I regular pie pan or does it HAVE to be the spring form pan?
You can make this in a regular pie plate, sure.
Can I omit the sunflower seeds and shredded coconut? If I want to make this a classic cheesecake, can I omit the brewed hot coffe and coffee extract and will it be baked alright? Also, can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla liquid stevia since I can’t find that ingredient here? Thanks in advance, I can’t wait to make it.
Vanilla extract is not a sweetener like vanilla liquid stevia so they can not be subbed for each other, you need to get a sweetener you prefer using at least 1/2 cup worth. As far as the crust ingredients you need to find another crust rather than omit all of the ingredients in the crust recipe here. Go to the search bar and type in pie crust which will give you some other options. You could leave out the coffee and coffee extract without issue.
I made this the other day and it turned out great! I didn’t really like the aftertaste of the coffee extract I used though, so I bought some coffee liquer and will try that next time. YUM!
I had to post…I absolutely love your recipes! Having said that this recipe was the most spectacular fail for me 🙂 It never ‘whipped’ up as it was supposed to. I whipped and I whipped – I had the liquid EVERYWHERE. I got out my big standalone mixer and set to its highest setting and left it while I set about cleaning my kitchen. 1/2 an hour later it was still liquid! I thought, okay maybe that’s what it’s supposed to do so I poured it into the prepared crust and it began to leak out of that all over my newly cleaned counter 🙂 Into the bin it all went. I really do love your recipes and I’m sure it’s my fault – but this was a first for me and I just had to ‘vent’.
Can I sub Sugar Free chocolate Chips for the 85% dark chocolate, or maybe unsweetened baker’s chocolate?
Thanks! What about using Splenda instead of Swerve? since it’s no-bake.
You can use any sweetener you prefer, you’ll just have to taste and adjust to decide how sweet you want it. Swerve is much less sweet than any other sugar free sweetener so you probably should reduce the amount if using something else.
Any ideas for swapping out the gelatin? Thank you!
Dairy Free here, so I’d use df cream cheese, my question – can full fat coconut milk be used in place of the heavy whipping cream?
That would probably work but make sure to whip the coconut cream really well.
This cheesecake is AMAZING!!! Made this for our Galentine’s celebration at work. Lots of folks asking for the recipe.
I did modify a tad. Made a crust with almond flour, pecans, monkfruit sweetener, and butter.
And for the filling, I used monkfruit sweetener instead of stevia.
This was extremely creamy and so much fun to eat! Thank you for sharing this!
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2019-04-25T00:32:02Z
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https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/no-bake-sugar-free-coffee-cheesecake/?replytocom=144473
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108 Commercial Real Estate & Properties in Surfers Paradise are listed in 6 categories. We have 48 OfficesSale & Lease , 36 Retail ShopsSale & Lease , 13 Hotels and LeisureSale & Lease , 9 Development LandsSale & Lease , 1 Industrial Warehouses Sale & Lease and 1 ShowroomsSale & Lease .
81m2 of available office space Full fit out comprising of reception, boardroom, office, kitchenette and open plan Located next door to Bruce Bishop Car Park Surrounded by cafes and coffee shops Excellent rent Available now Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
Central Office Only $200 Per Week + Gst $200 Per Week + GST (Incl..
30m² Second floor office walk up Office plus reception/second office Would suit small or start up business Looks over Orchid Avenue Shared kitchen bathrooms Ducted air conditioning Basement parking at a great rate Approximately Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
For Lease - Office & Retail Premises $1,400/sqm pa + outgoings..
A Grade Building | Great Internal Lighting | Prestigious Location $100pw | 5 Person Workspa..
PROPERTY OVERVIEW $100pw Price incl. Premier serviced office in the most prestigious commercial building in Surfers Paradise. Enjoy panoramic ocean and hinterland views from this brand new workspace along with a light, fresh and modern style to keep you motivated and inspired. This global office provider specialises in flexible workspaces and great meeting room facilities at affordable prices, devised to make it easier for entrepreneurs, SMEs, project teams and corporate firms to achieve success. With a coworking desk or private office space you’ll also benefit from access to training and meeting rooms, high speed internet, reception and admin support, printing stations, casual breakout areas, kitchen facilities and an onsite coffee bar. Outstanding value for money from one of the world’s longest standing workspace brands and in one of Surfers Paradise’s top serviced offices. Tours available daily and enquiries welcome. This leading serviced office is in the iconic 50 Cavill Avenue building, a distinctive A Grade commercial tower incorporating cutting edge technology and brand new facilities. With four sides of natural light, three prominent street entrances and a location in the heart of Surfers Paradise’s commercial precinct just steps from the world famous Main and Broadwater Beaches, it has attracted notable tenants such as Nine Network Australia, Mantra Group, PWC and CBRE. The 22 floor commercial tower offers 446 secure basement car parking spaces, six high speed destination control lifts, energy efficient air conditioning, a 3 Star Nabers Rating and state of the art end of trip facilities. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants, retail, business services and beaches, this attractive building makes doing business on the Gold Coast an absolute pleasure. The advertised office space is perfect for a team of 5. If you need more or less space, we have over 30,000 furnished workspaces all over the world suitable for a team of 1 to 200+. Our award winning team offer a free service that will help you find the perfect solution for your needs, so reach out if you need more help. What you get for your weekly rent , 24 x 7 security and access , Private furnished office with desks, chairs , Electricity usage included , Unlimited kitchen supplies, incl. tea, coffee, filtered water (fees apply per person) , Prestigious business address to put on your cards , Flexible terms from 1 month 2 years , Ability to bring your existing phone number over , Complimentary receptionist to meet and greet your clients , Regular cleaning , Unlimited commercial grade internet service Building features , Abundance of natural light , Air conditioning , Architecturally awarded building , Bicycle storage , Company branding in foyer , Disabled access and facilities , Onsite Cafe / Restaurant , Taxi / Uber stand close to building 100m to shops, bars and restaurants 200m to bus stops on Cavill Ave, Gold Coast Highway & Beach Road 5 min walk to the beach Close to shopping malls, cafes, shops, pubs in fact everything! Who is Office Hub? Office Hub is the world\'s No.1 marketplace for office space. We have a huge global selection of coworking spaces, serviced offices and shared office spaces with flexible options to suit teams from 1 200 people. We\'ll take you on a tour of all the workspaces that fit your needs and work on your behalf to get the best price possible. We\'ll help you discover how shared office space can be the most beneficial and budget friendly solution for your business. www.office hub.com Conditions apply – the advertised price includes any incentives offered based on a 12 month agreement and is available to new tenants only. Please note that the rental rate may increase for a shorter rental period. A portion of the square meterage factors in access to shared space.
A Grade Building | Great Internal Lighting | Prestigious Location $100pw | 8 Person Workspa..
PROPERTY OVERVIEW $100pw Price incl. Premier serviced office in the most prestigious commercial building in Surfers Paradise. Enjoy panoramic ocean and hinterland views from this brand new workspace along with a light, fresh and modern style to keep you motivated and inspired. This global office provider specialises in flexible workspaces and great meeting room facilities at affordable prices, devised to make it easier for entrepreneurs, SMEs, project teams and corporate firms to achieve success. With a coworking desk or private office space you’ll also benefit from access to training and meeting rooms, high speed internet, reception and admin support, printing stations, casual breakout areas, kitchen facilities and an onsite coffee bar. Outstanding value for money from one of the world’s longest standing workspace brands and in one of Surfers Paradise’s top serviced offices. Tours available daily and enquiries welcome. This leading serviced office is in the iconic 50 Cavill Avenue building, a distinctive A Grade commercial tower incorporating cutting edge technology and brand new facilities. With four sides of natural light, three prominent street entrances and a location in the heart of Surfers Paradise’s commercial precinct just steps from the world famous Main and Broadwater Beaches, it has attracted notable tenants such as Nine Network Australia, Mantra Group, PWC and CBRE. The 22 floor commercial tower offers 446 secure basement car parking spaces, six high speed destination control lifts, energy efficient air conditioning, a 3 Star Nabers Rating and state of the art end of trip facilities. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants, retail, business services and beaches, this attractive building makes doing business on the Gold Coast an absolute pleasure. The advertised office space is perfect for a team of 8. If you need more or less space, we have over 30,000 furnished workspaces all over the world suitable for a team of 1 to 200+. Our award winning team offer a free service that will help you find the perfect solution for your needs, so reach out if you need more help. What you get for your weekly rent , 24 x 7 security and access , Private furnished office with desks, chairs , Electricity usage included , Unlimited kitchen supplies, incl. tea, coffee, filtered water (fees apply per person) , Prestigious business address to put on your cards , Flexible terms from 1 month 2 years , Ability to bring your existing phone number over , Complimentary receptionist to meet and greet your clients , Regular cleaning , Unlimited commercial grade internet service Building features , Abundance of natural light , Air conditioning , Architecturally awarded building , Bicycle storage , Company branding in foyer , Disabled access and facilities , Onsite Cafe / Restaurant , Taxi / Uber stand close to building 100m to shops, bars and restaurants 200m to bus stops on Cavill Ave, Gold Coast Highway & Beach Road 5 min walk to the beach Close to shopping malls, cafes, shops, pubs in fact everything! Who is Office Hub? Office Hub is the world\'s No.1 marketplace for office space. We have a huge global selection of coworking spaces, serviced offices and shared office spaces with flexible options to suit teams from 1 200 people. We\'ll take you on a tour of all the workspaces that fit your needs and work on your behalf to get the best price possible. We\'ll help you discover how shared office space can be the most beneficial and budget friendly solution for your business. www.office hub.com Conditions apply – the advertised price includes any incentives offered based on a 12 month agreement and is available to new tenants only. Please note that the rental rate may increase for a shorter rental period. A portion of the square meterage factors in access to shared space.
A Grade Building | Great Internal Lighting | Prestigious Location $198pw | 1 Person Workspa..
PROPERTY OVERVIEW $198pw Price incl. Premier serviced office in the most prestigious commercial building in Surfers Paradise. Enjoy panoramic ocean and hinterland views from this brand new workspace along with a light, fresh and modern style to keep you motivated and inspired. This global office provider specialises in flexible workspaces and great meeting room facilities at affordable prices, devised to make it easier for entrepreneurs, SMEs, project teams and corporate firms to achieve success. With a coworking desk or private office space you’ll also benefit from access to training and meeting rooms, high speed internet, reception and admin support, printing stations, casual breakout areas, kitchen facilities and an onsite coffee bar. Outstanding value for money from one of the world’s longest standing workspace brands and in one of Surfers Paradise’s top serviced offices. Tours available daily and enquiries welcome. This leading serviced office is in the iconic 50 Cavill Avenue building, a distinctive A Grade commercial tower incorporating cutting edge technology and brand new facilities. With four sides of natural light, three prominent street entrances and a location in the heart of Surfers Paradise’s commercial precinct just steps from the world famous Main and Broadwater Beaches, it has attracted notable tenants such as Nine Network Australia, Mantra Group, PWC and CBRE. The 22 floor commercial tower offers 446 secure basement car parking spaces, six high speed destination control lifts, energy efficient air conditioning, a 3 Star Nabers Rating and state of the art end of trip facilities. Surrounded by cafes, restaurants, retail, business services and beaches, this attractive building makes doing business on the Gold Coast an absolute pleasure. The advertised office space is perfect for a team of 1. If you need more or less space, we have over 30,000 furnished workspaces all over the world suitable for a team of 1 to 200+. Our award winning team offer a free service that will help you find the perfect solution for your needs, so reach out if you need more help. What you get for your weekly rent , 24 x 7 security and access , Private furnished office with desks, chairs , Electricity usage included , Unlimited kitchen supplies, incl. tea, coffee, filtered water (fees apply per person) , Prestigious business address to put on your cards , Flexible terms from 1 month 2 years , Ability to bring your existing phone number over , Complimentary receptionist to meet and greet your clients , Regular cleaning , Unlimited commercial grade internet service Building features , Abundance of natural light , Air conditioning , Architecturally awarded building , Bicycle storage , Company branding in foyer , Disabled access and facilities , Onsite Cafe / Restaurant , Taxi / Uber stand close to building 100m to shops, bars and restaurants 200m to bus stops on Cavill Ave, Gold Coast Highway & Beach Road 5 min walk to the beach Close to shopping malls, cafes, shops, pubs in fact everything! Who is Office Hub? Office Hub is the world\'s No.1 marketplace for office space. We have a huge global selection of coworking spaces, serviced offices and shared office spaces with flexible options to suit teams from 1 200 people. We\'ll take you on a tour of all the workspaces that fit your needs and work on your behalf to get the best price possible. We\'ll help you discover how shared office space can be the most beneficial and budget friendly solution for your business. www.office hub.com Conditions apply – the advertised price includes any incentives offered based on a 12 month agreement and is available to new tenants only. Please note that the rental rate may increase for a shorter rental period. A portion of the square meterage factors in access to shared space.
Fantastic Main Road Exposure - Reduced Rent! $700 Per Week + GST (Incl..
Centrepoint Resort Arcade, currently two shops available wanting to find a unique key food/retail operator. Frontage to the G:Link tram line Surfers Paradise Boulevard. Shop 3 can be also combined with Shop 2 giving you a total of 112m2 fitted with cold room, grease trap and Al Fresco area. Shop 3 $700 per week + GST 52m² retail shop Corner tenancy with massive signage potential Grease trap connection in place 1 free allocated car park Motivated Landlord will look at all reasonable offers! Approximately Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
161sqm of ground floor office space Fit out with offices, reception, kitchen, bathroom open plan Short walk to cafe precinct Ready to move into Available now. Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
Arguably Surfers Paradises' best priced retail with large incentive offerings for quality operators. Prominently positioned on Surfers Paradise Boulevard directly under the iconic iFly attraction, and smack bang between Cavill Avenue and Q1 retail precinct, these brand new tenancies are ready immediately for all levels of operation. Cold shell offerings include all necessary services for FB Tenancies ranging from 38m2 to 185m2 Shop 3 120m2 , Shop 4 64m2 Shop 7 38m2 (Shops 3 4 can be amalgamated to create 185m2 ) Suited to an array of services, boutique retail, FB, small bar or tourism Rear laneway access for all delivery requirements Brand new amenities on site All serious levels of interest considered contact exclusive listing agents to arrange your time to inspect Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
67m² retail shop/office Potential access to grease trap Ideal for cafe/takeaway, chemist/convenience store, office, tour desk, etc. Open plan shop ready to personalise to your business needs Available now! Approximately Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
83m² commercial office/retail space Allocated car parks with additional visitor parking Suitable for small to medium business such as accounting firm, law firm, financier, etc. Outgoings included in rental price Open plan office with one managers office Plenty of natural lighting Recently renovated and painted Available immediately, call to inspect! Approximately Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
Abundance Of Natural Light | Free Street Parking | Shared Workspace $220pw | 2 Person Workspa..
PROPERTY OVERVIEW $220pw Price incl. This stunning Surfers Paradise office has a range of workspaces for rent including 1 2 person private offices and upto six coworking desks with flexible options to accommodate different sized teams. A complete renovation has transformed this space into one of the most stylish offices in Surfers Paradise with ceiling height glass doors, matt finishes and green plants. Unique modern furniture adds to the chic image and included in the rental is 24/7 access, high speed Wi Fi and regular cleaning. The furnished space comes with desks, chairs and personal storage and you’ll enjoy access to relaxed but smart breakout zones including a kitchen and welcome area. Tenants from any industry are welcome but relatively quiet (non phone based) businesses will be preferred as the semi open plan space is shared with another small business. This office is situated in the Thornton Tower, a primarily residential apartment building of 15 floors located at the southern end of Surfers Paradise. Right next to a light rail station, with excellent road links and just a walk from shops, restaurants and the beach, this office space will provide its new tenants with a fantastically balanced lifestyle. The building offers full air conditioning and bike storage as well as a well known address that clients and prospects will instantly recognise. There is plenty of free street parking in the area and good bus links to Surfers & Broadbeach to make your morning commute an absolute breeze. The advertised office space is perfect for a team of 2. If you need more or less space, we have over 30,000 furnished workspaces all over the world suitable for a team of 1 to 200+. Our award winning team offer a free service that will help you find the perfect solution for your needs, so reach out if you need more help. What you get for your weekly rent , 24/7 Access , Access to internal breakout areas , Access to kitchen facilities , Building outgoings included , High speed wifi provided , Electricity usage included , Flexible terms , Lockable storage unit , One simple bill for everything related to your workspace , Premium coffee/tea facilities , Regular cleaning Building features , Abundance of natural light , Air conditioning , Bicycle storage , Car parking Street (Free) , Contemporary fit out , Direct access to public transport , International hotels only 5 min away , Mixed commercial and residential building , Retail and shopping malls nearby , Shared office space 100m to Northcliffe Tram stop 300m walk to the beach 1 min from Thornton Towers Park WHO IS OFFICE HUB? Office Hub has largest collection of shared office space, sublet office space, creative coworking office space and serviced offices, perfect for 1 200 employees. Let us take you on a tour of all the spaces that fit your needs and budget. Our service is complimentary and we work for you and the landlord to negotiate the most competitive deal in the market. Let us show you how shared and serviced offices can be the perfect solution for your business. www.office hub.com.au www.office hub.co.nz Conditions apply A portion of the square meterage factors in access to shared space. The advertised price includes any incentives offered based on a 12 month agreement. If a shorter period is agreed to please note the price may increase accordingly. This promotional offer for new tenants only and may be withdrawn at any time due to space availability.
This small trendy office has now just become available on the popular Chevron Island. This corner suite situated above a small cafe has an abundance of natural light and is available for immediate occupancy. 68sqm of office space Complete fit out in place Convenient location Many surrounding cafes coffee shops Plenty of client car parking at your doorstep Available now Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
126m2 of office space full existing fit out in place Basement secure parking Located across from Surfers Paradise's biggest car park Central location steps away from public transport 24 hour secure access air conditioned Available now Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
Located on the popular strip of Cavill Avenue, this popular building has a new office vacancy that has just become available. Situated in the heart of the Gold Coast and surrounded by retail shops, cafes, restaurants, coffee shops and public transport, this fully fit out glass office is available now. 135sqm of office space Comprising of glass offices, open plan and reception Large windows offering an abundance of natural light Two lifts servicing all levels On site parking Air conditioned 24 hour accessible Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
95 156m² Freshly painted throughout, brand new vintage style floorboards, brand new air conditioning unit Allocated car park NBN available in area Located next to busy Costa D'Oro Central Lounge Bar close to Hilton Soul towers Air conditioned, exclusive toilet, kitchenette Fantastic signage potential front fascia signage and windows as pictured Approximately Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
This executive building has recently received a large refurbishment, completely modernizing the whole space and making it one of Surfers Paradise's most highly sought after locations. Only 3 spaces remain so be quick. 117sqm located on Level 4 soon to be refurbished, the owners will allow a 2 year lease and due to this, have dropped the rent to $280/sqm 110sqm Level 3 office great natural light 183sqm Ground Level presents beautifully private balcony Fully refurbished office suites and amenities Secure building under surveillance 24/7 On site parking Attractive incentives available Situated on the new light rail track only metres from two light rail stations No outgoings No After hours electricity Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
Comprising of six levels of ultra prestigious office space, Surfers Paradise's newest office development has everything to cater your every need, from those who love design to those who love the environment. Sizes ranging from 97sqm to 393sqm of premium office space Located a block away from the beach and next door to many cafes, restaurants and shops A 30 second walk to the transit line 5 star green star rating Full existing fit outs, kitchens and shower/locker facilities Two high speed lifts servicing all levels 3 levels of basement parking Free bicycle basement parking Full disabled access facilities all floors#8232; Sensor lighting throughout the building with maximum exposure to natural lighting Minimal spaces still remain Approx Disclaimer: Ray White has not independently checked any of the information we merely pass on. We make no comment on and give no warranty as to the accuracy of the information contained in this document which does not constitute all or any part of any offer or contract by the recipient. Prospective purchasers / lessees must rely on their own enquiries and should satisfy themselves as to the truth or accuracy of all information given by their own inspections, searches, inquiries, advices or as is otherwise necessary. No duty of care is assumed by Orchid Avenue Realty trading as Ray White Surfers Paradise Commercial divisions toward the recipient with regard to the use of this information and all information given is given without responsibility.
Situated on the corner of Hamilton St and the Gold Coast Highway, this property is positioned perfectly and offers great opportunities for all tenants wanting to lease retail or commercial space in the Surfers Paradise Business District. Currently their are spaces between 53m2 and 263m2 available. The spaces on offer include the following: GF Retail: 174m2 GF Retail: 121m2 GF Office: 52m2 Commercial Office: 110m2 Commercial Office: 153m2 Commercial Office: 263m2 The Landlord is committed to providing the best value deals in the Surfers Paradise Precinct. We urge any one looking for space in Surfers Paradise to contact Adam Grbcic to discuss how we can cater a deal to meet your needs. Please contact Adam Grbcic for more information.
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2019-04-24T16:27:03Z
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https://www.commercialproperty2sell.com.au/real-estate/qld/surfers-paradise/
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I have an excel file which is stored in 2007 excel format.
I can see the file in Arc Catalog.
But when I click the file to preview the content, the following message came.
Failed to Connect to Database.An underlying database error occurred. Class not registered.
Any solution for this issue??
There is a documentation bug logged for that particular page: BUG-000096855: Documentation needs to reflect that using .XLSX files when Microsoft 2016 is installed also requires the 2007 Microsoft Driver in order to function.
Meaning yes, you still require the 2007 Microsoft driver when running Excel 2016.
If you have an .xlsx file you want to use in ArcGIS but do not have Excel 2007 installed, you will need to install the 2007 Office System Driver. It can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center. If you do not have any version of Microsoft Excel installed, you must install that driver before you can use either .xls or .xlsx files. If you have Excel 2010 installed, you must still install the driver.
I had the same issue and installing the 2007 Driver worked without any issue. I did not even have to close ArcGIS Desktop. Thank you Ray Carnes!
This was so helpful and resolved my issue in 1,2,3. Thank you so much Ray!!!
OMG I LOVE YOU. I WAS FREAKING OUT TRYING TO GET MY HOMEWORK DONE! Hahahaha!
Muchas gracias Ray, no sabía cómo solucionar este problema.
Thank you so much for this help! I logged into my account just so I could comment and say thanks!
Yeah I downloaded the Access Database Engine from Microsoft and now its working.
And Arc Catalog is showing the table.
The problem also exists for Excel 2010 using ArcGIS 9.3.1 with SP2 installed on an XP 32x PC.
If you install the Access Database Engine for 2010 it doesn't make any difference. What is worse is that it doesn't see XLS 2003, CSV, TAB or the most failsafe option MSDOS Text (Which used to be the ONLY one that would work for most Arc9.x versions).
It seems like there is a break in the registry, and could be related to XP.
What has reading a Text file have to do with a database anyway? Cooky!
Is anyone aware of a fix for this problem in relation to acolbrans' post.
That is the exact problem that I am having right now.
I'm running ARC 10 on Windows 7 64-bit and Microsoft Office 2010. If I save an excel file in an older format (97-2003), I can load it into ARC, Otherwise, I'm experiencing the same error.
"You cannot install the 32-bit version of Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 because you currently have 64-bit office products installed. If you want to install 32-bit Microsoft Access DataBase Engine 2010, you first need to remove the 64-bit installation of Office products. After uninstalling the following product(s), rerun the setup in order to install 32-bit version of Micrsoft Access Database Engine 2010.
Microsoft Access database engine 2010 (English), Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010, Microsoft Office Visio 2010".
Does anyone else have similar problem. I cannot add the excel sheet.
32 bit programs such as ArcCatalog cannot load 64 bit code in the same process. This is a very fundamental issue. Sorry.
I would suggest contacting Esri Technical Support for further troubleshooting, as I don't have any experience with ArcGIS 10 installations that have 64bit Office.
FYI: "The 32-bit version of Office 2010 is the recommended option for most people, because it prevents potential compatibility issues with other 32-bit applications, specifically third-party add-ins that are available only for 32-bit operating systems."
I do have problem with 64 bit Windows 7 and 64 bit Office 2010 on ArcGIS 9.3x. I was able add X Y too if I save the office 2010 excel sheet to office (97-2003) format excel sheet. If both formats doesn't work then I should have doubted 64 bit version as the culprit. Anyway if you want me to try 32 bit office 2010 I can do that and post the results. I did a cross post at the Microsoft community forum to see if some one can help me to solve this issue via Failed to connect to database. An underlying database error occurred. Class not registered.
I am running ArcMap 10 with SP2 and other Esri patches to date on a 64 bit Windows 7 laptop with MS Office 2010.
I had the "Failed to Connect to Database.An underlying database error occurred. Class not registered." problem when connecting to an *.xlsx file.
Ray Carnes' fix, above, fixed the issue for me. And the MS 2007 Office System Driver doesn't appear to have corrupted Access or Excel 2010.
If you have Office 2010 then I guess you need to download the driver for office 2010 and not for office 2007. You can find the Office Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable. There are 2 versions of office 2010 available one is 32 bit and the other one is 64 bit. Unfortunately I do have 64 bit now and I am unable to fix the problem however I think 32 bit will do the work. I will download 32 bit version and let you know if this problem fixed with 32 bit version of office 2010.
I am running ArcGIS 10 sp2. I also have OS Windows 7, 64 bit, running office 2010 (excel 2010), and have received the same error message, BUT only suddenly starting now after months of use.
I don't even get to the point of opening the file, simply at the stage of "Import/Table/ and the table to table dialog opens and as soon as I click the file folder to choose which file to input I get the message. Now I'm really stumped because it was working and now isn't.
Even worse, just now I have the same message occurring when I try to Import/FeatureClass to my mdb. What is going on here?
We have a FIX thanks to Dennis at ESRI Tech Support.
I had suddenly experienced the issue of the error message "Failed to Connect to Database. An underlying database error occurred. Class not registered." This was overnight. I already tried saving files to older versions, downloading the Microsoft Database engine, etc. Nothing worked.
Close out of all ArcGIS windows/software.
Go to your C:\Users\your folder\AppData\Roaming\ESRI and rename the folder e.g. "ESRI_old"
at the Run, type in "regedit" which will take you to the registry. Go to the ESRI folder and rename it. Close it all out and then reopen ArcCatalog.
This will reset your connections to folders in ArcCatalog, and reset the setup of your map window to the original install view, BUT will retain all data and will retain the connections of the layers in your mxds.
I had the same experience. I have Excel 2010 64-bit installed on a Windows 7 64-bit and installing the 2007 driver solved the problem for me.
Because I tried this first, I don't know if the fix ce2corp posted from Dennis at ESRI support would have worked too.
I am getting this same error while trying to connect to a .odc connection that Arc Catalog made.. I placed the connection on my server so ArCGis Server could have access to our sql database..
We don't have Office installed on the server machine..
Don't tell us that ESRI released a buggy, crappy new version with willfully stupid, productivity-killing interface and functionality changes, without fixing all the basic problems that have remained unaddressed for years, and didn't thoroughly test it to boot? Surely you jest!
Same issue as ce2corp. Everything was fine until yesterday. The suggested fix from Dennis seems to be missing a few steps. What "ESRI" folder in the registry are you supposed to rename, and what do you rename it as?
So I decided to try raycanes suggestion instead and it resolved my issue. But if repairing my registery is still something I need to do let me know.
Hi, same problem here. While I can open xlsx files in ArcCatalog 10.1, it is unable to insert the same file into ArcMap 10.1. Iam using Evaluasion version of Arcgis 10.1, on an XP 32bit machine. I have tried all the suggested methods, even renaming ESRI folder in HKEY Current User.
I believe that ESRI should take some action, it is a shame to loose time and capabilities by saving from xlsx to xls.
Please install Office 2007 Data Connectivity Components and update the threat.
Yes indeed the case, for me too that look something but it looks like how that works. May be ESRI Guys thought to implement loweversion that defaulty handles .xlsx is Office 2007 so would have choosen that driver.
I just hit this same problem with my new Win 7 64 bit machine and an excel .xlsx spreadsheet someone sent me. All the solutions above were way too complicated for me. But again OpenOffice saved the day for me. I have OO 3.4.1 installed. Now OO is from Apache. I brought the spreadsheet into OpenOffice, then saved it as DBF format. Since MS Office 2007, you haven't been able to save to DBF with Excel. Then the resulting dbf file opened in ArcMap 10.1 just fine.
I am currently running ArcGIS 10 SP1 on a Windows 7 OS 64-bit. Using Excel 2010. The only way adding either x,y data from an excel spreadsheet or importing an excel data table in the catalog has been to save my .xlsx file back to .xls and using that one. Also, once you get that error message sometimes things lock up. I usually have to close the pop-ups, refresh the map, save the map, close catalog, then start over adding the x,y data and make sure you select the .xls file the first time or it starts all over again.
Hi, it is seems that connecting to Xls or Xlsx database is a constantly returning problem, even all suggested actions taken. I deleted ESRI folder in Application Data, which allowed me to connect once with Xls database (not Xlsx) and when I reopened the Mxd file, the connection has been lost permanently.
This might be too late.. like 3 years too late but I just had the same error on ArcMap 9.3. However, I saved my Excel Workbook as a CSV, and when I tried the join again, it worked!
So try saving it as a CSV file. Good luck!
Hey peeps, I got around this annoying error message by saving the excel file I was trying to import as a 97-2003 excel document. Apparently the program just can't work with the newer excel files (I was using the newest version of Excel). This solution is a bit easier than installing Excel drivers and stuff.
Downloaded the Excel 2007 32 bit interface and it did not fix the issue. If works when the spreadsheets are saved as "97-2003 Spreadsheet" then it works fine.
I will really appreciate any help to find a simpler solution of fix.
I was hit by this issue today. I also found how to solve this problem. The problem is from data interoperability. Go to Customize, Extesion and disable it then you can read .xlsx again. Please make sure that 2007 Office Data Connectivity Components is already setup in your system.
What Extension do you disable when following your advice above?
I have my standard 4 Extensions enabled, 3D Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, Network Analystand Spatial analyst.
I need these for my work.
Are you saying to disable all of them to get the xlsx data loaded and then reenable them?
raycarnes solution (#3 above) worked for me on a Windows Server 2008, 64-bit, no Office installed with ArcGIS 10.2.1. It also worked for me on a win7 64-bit with Office 2010 (not sure if 32-bit or 64-bit), and ArcGIS 10.2.1. I was able to view and import one of the spreadsheets from the .xlsx file.
Only issue is that when I import one of the spreadsheets and try to modify one of the field type to "BLOB" it is not changing it. changing it to BLOB allowes it to import, but the field type still shows Text with 255 length. (but that is another issue and I'm still researching).
Just an update to the thread. Please give raycarnes the +1 if it works for you.
I have the same problem - ArcGIS 10.2.1 , Excel 2013, Win 8.1. Converted text file to xlsx and could not import it into ArcGIS. Took the 'fix' of saving it to an earlier version of Excel - worked fine. Is this a problem with Excel, or with ArcGIS? It seems like it's been around for a long time? Anybody know if ESRI is aware of it?
This issue is still occurring! I have ArcGIS 10.2 installed on a 64 bit machine, most machines are now 64 bits.
I have been advised that it is a software clash with MS Office running as 64 bit. On my home laptop in uninstalled MS office and reinstalled as 32 bit. Things worked OK first time round then everything went pear shaped again.
I wonder if this happens with Apple and Macs?
Also would be nice to get rid of the BLOB field!
a slightly frustrated biological mapping officer from somewhere in England!
Reviving this blog...still having this issue.
Running Windows 7 64bit, Office 13 and ArcGIS 10.2.2. Same error when trying to read an xlsx file. Is the 2007 driver still the optimum fix for this issue? I didn't have this issue when I was running Office 10.
Running windows 10.. have the same error.
Similar problem. Can't Add Data with XLSX files. Running ArcGIS 10.2 and Windows 10, obviously 64 bit.
Could Add Data with XLSX files when running Windows 7.
Added the 2007 Excel driver update. Didn't fix the problem.
Is anyone at Esri monitoring these discussions or working on a solution to this problem? HELP!
>> Is anyone at Esri monitoring these discussions or working on a solution to this problem? HELP!
Please contact Esri Tech Support and make them aware of this issue. That would be a much better resource as this is a general forum and not the official way of reaching out to Esri.
This forum belongs to Esri.
It does. I agree. But the Esri Forums is a rather general space for everyone to share their experiences. All Esri employees are not active here.
These technical issues, which are re-occurring should rather be reported via Esri Tech Support as that brings the issue directly under consideration.
Ok. Thanks for this pointer.
Perhaps Esri could simply monitor these forums rather than troubling users with submitting bug reports and crash reports.
Ramon, did you ever find a solution to this issue?
Yes. Ray Carnes' fix, pasted below, worked for me.
"If you have an .xlsx file you want to use in ArcGIS but do not have Excel 2007 installed, you will need to install the 2007 Office System Driver. It can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center. If you do not have any version of Microsoft Excel installed, you must install that driver before you can use either .xls or .xlsx files. If you have Excel 2010 installed, you must still install the driver."
Just save the worksheet as a .CSV file type and it should work fine. ArcMap works better with that format, at least from my own personal experience.
Save the excel file As Excel 97-2003 Workbook (which is an extension .xls instead of xsls). Then you shouldn't have that issue.
Just ran into this issue today. Coincidentally there have been a bunch of Microsoft Office Updates recently. I can't open any type of excel file. Not even the .xls 97-2003 format. The .csv workaround is fine but it would be interesting to find out what happened. I can't seem to fix my issue with any of the solutions posted here. I'm about to uninstall the recent updates in a troubleshooting attempt.
After every windowsupdate we have to repair the "2007 Office System Driver" to read the Excel-Files.
Today we have a new Problem. After the repair only xlsx-Files work, if I try to open xls-Files we get the error: "Failed to connect to database. ..."
Error: Failed to connect to database. General function failure Unexpected error from external database driver is related to Windows 7 and Windows 10, but wondering if a Microsoft update might have also affected your system?
See the Microsoft links referenced through this tech article.
our operating system is Windows Server 2012.
Is there a installation guide for the correct Installation with ArcGIS 10.4.1; Office 2016 (Excel and Access) and windows Server 2012 R2?
There is a user on this thread Unexpected error from external database driver (1) who says he sees similar behavior on Server 2012.
The description of ArcGIS working after repairing the 2007 office system driver and then not working after a few days would lead me to look at what is happening just before it stops working. Are there updates being made to the OS?
"Download and install the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable, and then modify the DB connection strings in Microsoft Excel to use ACE as a provider. Example: Change Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0 to Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0.
1. I open the xls-Sheet with Excel2016.
If you have an .xlsx file you want to use in ArcGIS but do not have Excel 2007 installed, you will need to install the 2007 Office System Driver. It can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center. If you have Microsoft Excel 2010 or no version of Microsoft Excel installed, you must install the 2007 driver before you can use either .xls or .xlsx files.
I did not understand the "Understanding how to use Microsoft Excel files in ArcGIS", what if we have Excel 2016 installed?
What is the correct "Microsoft Access Database Engine" for Excel 2016 Files?
When I use "Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010", where I have to change Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0 to Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 ?
I had an xls that has worked forever, but this windows update caused me to get the error when trying to access it. I tried saving it as xlsx but still received the error. What finally worked was creating a new xlsx and copy/pasting all the data from the prior xls, then I was able to access it through catalog.
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2019-04-19T22:46:30Z
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https://community.esri.com/thread/7655
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A procedure that allows surgeons to see the problems within your body without the risk of making large incisions, endoscopy is used for a number of purposes.
This procedure is used in a variety of ways through a number of specialized instruments to view and operate on internal organs.
Doctors, at times, need to view the organ that needs to be treated, or to detect the cause for a particular ailment. On other occasions these organs may need to be treated with minimal invasiveness.
At Regency Medical Centre we provide a range of endoscopy treatments to our patients. The hospital has carried out over 30,000 endoscopic investigations and more than 10,000 endoscopic surgeries.
Having some of the best medical equipment and highly proficient staff, we take ensure that you are given the highest standards of medical care.
Endoscopic Band Ligation is the most highly preferred mode of treatment for enlarged veins which may rupture. This method is also used to treat veins that have ruptured and are causing bleeding.
This treatment is especially essential with individuals with cirrhosis, or high pressure in the veins carrying blood. Variceal bleeding is bleeding from enlarged veins and can be an incredibly dangerous complication.
If the varices are not treated it may result in death. Endoscopic Band Ligation is the most common and effective treatment for this condition. This treatment is usually performed under a local anesthetic. In some cases sedation is also given through IV to better help the patient relax.
The endoscope guides the doctors by providing visuals of the offending varices and helps them place tiny elastic bands around the enlarged veins so that they do not bleed anymore. The varices are eventually sloughed off after a few days and bleeding is far less likely after this.
Self-expandable metallic stents are basically metal tubes which are inserted in the gastrointestinal tract to allow for the passage of food and other bodily secretions.The process of insertion of this stent is through endoscopy itself. There is a detailed gastroscopy that is performed to identify the area of narrowing before the procedure is undertaken.
The fibre optic camera of the endoscope guides the doctor as to the placement of the stent.
In case of any foreign bodies ingested which are lodged in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum,endoscopic foreign body retrieval is required.
While this is not essentially a surgery it requires the use of a variety of techniques put in play through the gastroscope for grasping foreign bodies.
The important aspect in this treatment is protecting the esophagus and trachea. Children and patients with mental illness as well as prison inmates are at the most risk for this.
Various sized of forceps, loops or Roth baskets (mesh nets) can be used to fish out the obstructing foreign object.
In case of suspected cancer or other insidious disease a biopsy may be essential. Endoscopic biopsies are the most convenient means of obtaining a sample of the tissue or organ which is suspected of hosting the disease.
The procedure usually lasts less than an hour and is performed under local anesthesia. The camera mounted on the tube gives the doctor a complete picture of the area required to be biopsied and mounted instruments allow the doctor to conduct the biopsy with ease.
There are a number of essential procedures that endoscopy supports in urological medicine.
Direct Vision Urethrotomy (DVU) or Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU), is a procedure used to repair a narrowed area of the urethra. This narrowing is also known as a stricture.
Urethral strictures can cause a number of problems in men like prostate problems, infections in bladders or kidneys, or inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder.
This is a short procedure which involves placing a special tube known as the cystoscope into the urethra to locate the narrowed area.
A special instrument is then inserted in the urethra to cut away the scar tissue of the stricture and make the urethra wider. The procedure takes something around 30 minutes in most cases and you can go home on the same day in most cases. A catheter may be placed once the surgery is complete.
Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor or TURBT, is a procedure which removes bladder tumors from the bladder walls. This procedure also allows your urologist to diagnose and treat various bladder disorders.
It is most commonly used to treat bladder cancers which only grow on the surface of bladder walls and can be easily removed.
In this process a scope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder. The entire process is performed with the help of the scope. The scope has a special cutting instrument attached to it which removes the tumor.
The area can also require to be cauterized by special instruments introduced with the scope. This procedure removes the tumor completely from the bladder.
Polyps are essentially non-cancerous growths that can occur on the stomach lining. Polyps can partially obstruct bowels, or even cause trace bleeding without it being visible in your stool.
These growths can also cause abdominal pain and cramps. In some cases it may even cause anemia. Most polyps are not cancerous but adenomatous polyps, also known as adenomas, present the possibility of turning cancerous.
Gastrointestinal polyps are a common occurrence among the elderly.
These can be successfully excised in some cases through endoscopic procedures. While the endoscopic excision of polyps over a certain size, if they are under the mandated size for surgery they may be able to be excised piecemeal. Surgical excision, however, may be dangerous for high risk patients.
There have been a number of technical advances in Endoscopic Gastrointestinal Polyps Excision, making the procedure even more efficient and effective.
This procedure is majorly used in the treatment for Clostridium difficile Infections which can cause debilitating and even fatal diarrhea. This is a very serious infection and is on the rise around the world.
Stool transplantation has also shown great efficacy in helping the treatment of digestive and auto-immune diseases, as well as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
The purpose of this treatment is to introduce healthy bacteria that have been killed or suppressed in the patient’s body.
colonoscopic infusion of healthy stool is highly effective in most cases.
The procedure is carried out using a colonoscope that is advanced through the entire colon. When the colonoscope is withdrawn the donor stool is delivered into the colon of the patient.
Transuretheral Resection of the Prostate, or TURP, is used to relieve outflow obstruction of the bladder from the prostate. Progressive enlargement of the prostate affects a large number of men.
This results in slowing of the urinary stream, urinary frequency, hesitancy and urinary leakage.
TURP removes the tissue of the prostate that is obstructing but leaves the prostate in place. This procedure is done under anesthesia which could be either general or spinal anesthesia.
The surgery is completely internal and is carried out using an instrument called the resectoscope. It is introduced through the urethera while an electrical resecting tube removes prostate tissue in small pieces through the scope.
A urethral catheter is placed to flush blood from the bladder after the procedure.
A cystoscopy is recommended by doctors in case of blood in the urine, regular urinary tract infections, overactive bladder or pelvic pain.
The purpose of this procedure is to identify conditions leading to these symptoms, these conditions could be anything like bladder tumors, stones, cancer, blockages, enlarged prostate or even ureter issues.
This procedure is also conducted to take urine samples to check for tumors or infection, inserting a small tube to assist the flow, or to identify kidney problems by injecting a dye.
This procedure can be done under local, general or regional anesthesia. A cystoscope, which is a thin tube with a camera and light at one end, is inserted through the urethra.
The camera shows the doctors images of your bladder so that they can analyse the magnified images. The procedure is not time consuming at all.
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, or FESS, is a surgical treatment of sinusitis and nasal polyps. This treatment is also used for ailments like bacterial, fungal, recurrent sinus problems.
This procedure uses nasal endoscopes to restore the drainage of paranasal sinuses and restores the ventilation of the nasal cavity.
sinus, it is a minimally invasive surgery.
High definition cameras and fine endoscopes have made the procedure incredibly simple.It is usually performed under general anesthesia but can also be performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation.
The most common procedure to be performed on the larynx, it is used to identify and biopsy diseases in and around the larynx.This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia.
The patient is placed in a position so as to allow extension of the head and neck. A laryngoscope is then introduced into the mouth and throat.
instruments that are used to suspend the laryngoscope.
The operation is conducted using lasers and operative microscopes when necessary. The procedure usually lasts for about an hour and the patients are then allowed to go home if they meet all the criterion.
This is a minimally invasive procedure used for examining the nasal passages for stuffiness and obstruction, sinusitis, nasal polyps, tumors, and nose bleeds.The patient remains seated during this procedure and is checked for areas of swelling on the mucosal membranes, presence of purulent secretions draining from the sinus openings, enlarged nasal turbinates, crooked nasal septum, presence of polyps and other factors.
The endoscope with its high quality camera and fiber optic light help the doctors get a clear view of the field.
This is crucial in order for the doctor to be able to provide the best possible treatment options for the patient.
The side walls of the nasal passageways sometimes develop swellings, or turbinates. The procedure of removing these turbinates is known as Turbinoplasty.
Normally the turbinates swell and shrink with time and the process alternates between the nasal passages every few hours. In some individuals these turbinates may swell and block the passage of air altogether.
This operation is generally performed under general anesthesia through the nasal passageways without any cuts. An endoscope along with some specialized instruments are used so as to reduce the size of the turbinates.
The procedure is simple enough for the patient to go home on the same day itself.
Is there pain after an endoscopy?
Some endoscopy procedures can cause you a certain amount of discomfort once the procedure is done.For example, if you have had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy you may experience sore throat for a couple days and will need to eat soft foods.
A cystoscopy may mean that you will have some blood in your urine after a cystoscopy, but this should pass within 24 hours. Make sure that you ask your doctor of issues that you should be on the lookout for after an endoscopy.
An endoscope is something like a flexible telescope. The part of the endoscope that enters the patient’s body is flexible, much unlike a telescope. It contains two to three main optical cables.
Two of the three cables carry light into the patient’s body, while the third cable brings back reflected light to the doctor’s eyepiece, or monitor.
Depending upon the surgery there are a number of other instruments that a modern endoscope carries. Sometimes even the type of endoscopes used vary depending upon the procedure they are used for.
Can an endoscopy detect throat cancer?
Yes. An endoscopy is a crucial step in figuring out whether or not the patient has throat cancer.
Modern day endoscopes can conduct the necessary biopsy on the patient’s tissue. The endoscope also may use a magnifying lens so as to give the doctor a closer look to your vocal chords to help them make a better judgment.
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2019-04-19T22:40:58Z
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https://www.regencymedicalcentre.com/endoscopy/
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Billy Kane knew time was up in August 2008 for his lending business that allowed seniors to release equity in their homes when a Wall Street bank that he had lined up to buy most of the loans and refinance them in bond markets stopped taking his calls.
“The bank was Lehman Brothers, ” recalls Kane of the storied investment bank that would collapse weeks later, sending the global financial system into a tailspin.
It’s understandable then that the former Irish Permanent chief was worried when he set about rebooting his business, Finance Ireland, two years’ later to focus on car lending with former Bank of Scotland (Ireland) executive Frank Donnellan.
UK merchant bank Close Brothers had signed up with seemingly ominous timing to provide the funding in the same the week that the EU-IMF Troika landed in Dublin to bail out the State. “I remember saying to Frank we’d never see them again, because the contract contained the usual material-adverse change clause,” Kane says.
He was wrong and this year Finance Ireland’s Close Brothers-funded car lending business, First Auto Finance, will write €250 million of new loans, leaving it with a total book of €500 million and about 12 per cent of the garage forecourt finance market.
Having added small business, agri-finance and commercial property lines to the mix, the company’s total portfolio will top €1 billion for the first time by the year-end – just as it prepares to enter the mortgage market.
Ireland’s largest non-bank lender, which had a brief life on the junior London and Dublin stock markets before the financial crash, is also looking again at an initial public offering (IPO) but not for another two years.
Kane says it will probably carry out another private fundraising late next year. US investment giant Pimco and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) each own 31 per cent of the company, having provided €85 million between them since 2015.
Finance Ireland announced last month that it had agreed to buy Pepper Money’s €200 million home loans portfolio and mortgages platform, with UK asset manager M&G Investments providing the funding. M&G had already been lined up during the summer to back Kane’s mortgages business when he got wind that Pepper, which was acquired by US private equity giant KKR last year, was looking to exit Irish mortgage lending.
Kane plans to continue to grow Pepper’s “near prime” mortgage business to borrowers such as self-employed homeowners and people with minor impairments on their credit histories, while targeting the general market with standard home loans from February.
He says the mix will give Finance Ireland “the richest product suite of any lender” in the State.
While European Central Bank president Mario Draghi told the Oireachtas Finance Committee on November 8th that Ireland has become a “quasi-monopoly” – with AIB and Bank of Ireland controlling about 60 per cent of the mortgage market after overseas lenders such as Bank of Scotland and Danske Bank exited post the crash – and there are no signs of overseas challengers entering the fray.
“We are the competition,” says Kane, of a group of non-bank lenders that have emerged in recent times, including Dilosk and some credit unions.
Kane’s career journey has been long and winding. A native of Bray, Co Wicklow, Kane was the youngest of four children. His father worked for Burmah Oil (now part of BP) and was a well-known trade union official, having spent much of his career taking on the banking establishment.
On graduating from UCD in 1976 with a commerce degree, Kane set off for Coventry in England to become a finance analyst with car-maker British Leyland, which, even then, symbolised the decline of the country’s once-proud manufacturing prowess.
Returning to Ireland two years later, he became a sales rep for Rank Xerox, before joining office equipment supplier Sharptext, where he came to the attention of Craig McKinney of specialist finance firm Woodchester Finance. Kane joined Woodchester in 1984 as sales director and its seventh employee, leasing office equipment and later cars.
“We just built that business from small-ticket leasing, office equipment, then cars, and then acquired a lot of businesses from UK banks and financial houses that were leaving the Irish market,” says Kane, with deals including the purchases of Bowmaker Bank and Mercantile Credit.
Kane was dispatched to the UK in 1988 to run Woodchester Investments (UK). After leaving the company in 1992, he approached Irish Permanent, then a building society, about setting up a car finance division.
The success of Irish Permanent Finance resulted in promotion for Kane to general manager of retail banking in 1995, before being appointed chief executive of the lender in 1999 on its merger with insurer Irish Life. He quit within two years of the deal.
In 2002, Kane set up Shared Home Investment Plan (Ship) offering the first openly-marketed equity-release product in the Irish market for seniors, and in 2006 it secured a stock market quotation by reversing into publicly-quoted Ardent and was subsequently renamed Finance Ireland.
In April 2007, Finance Ireland set up a subprime lender with Investec, called Nua Mortgages, before selling its 40 per cent stake back to its partner later that year. Investec’s takeover at the time of UK-based Start Mortgages, which has an Irish business, triggered its buyout of the Nua shareholding as its agreement with Kane prohibited it from owning a rival in the Irish market.
Kane was lucky to get Finance Ireland’s €1.4 million equity investment in Nua back as others who dipped their toes into Irish subprime during the boom years didn’t fare so well.
Ship stopped writing new business in 2009.
By then, Finance Ireland, which had 50 employees before the crash, only had three people.
Even in the dark days Kane reckoned that there would be an opportunity to get back into lending again as foreign institutions fled the market. The problem was finding a partner with the same view. Close Brothers , who initially held talks with Donnellan in 2008, decided in November 2010 to back the company – just as Ireland was heading into an international bailout.
Business was slow to start off, with First Auto Finance writing €22 million of car finance in its first year but it accelerated as the economy recovered.
In 2015, Finance Ireland became the first company outside the two pillar banks to access funds through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to lend to SMEs. The following year, it established a €100 million Milkflex fund in partnership with Glanbia, ISIF and Dutch lender Rabobank.
Commercial real estate lending, which Finance Ireland entered in 2015 and has subsequently built up a €250 million portfolio with funding from London-based HSBC, is going strong, says Kane.
Kane said that some parts of the commercial real estate market are “coming near the end of the lifecycle”.
Second time around things are different for Finance Ireland, according to the boss.
“When I look back at how we built businesses before it was all about origination, origination, origination,” says Kane, slipping into banker-speak for lending. “We never thought that much about managing the portfolio, the risks associated with what we’re doing, or how to build the platform.
“This time around, I said ‘we’re going to go about this the slow way. We’re going to put in the foundations, put up a structure and make sure that everything is solid.’ We have learned the lessons. Some of it was forced on us, thankfully, through increased regulation and [DATA]reporting. But we also invested hugely in centralised credit, compliance, HR and risk.
While borrowers more than 90 days behind with their repayments has more than halved in the past year to 6.3 per cent in June, Kane is re-entering a market where more than 28,000 home loans are more than two years in default.
Kane says Finance Ireland will be “competitive” but will not lead the market in pricing even as the average standard variable rate for new home loans in the State stood at 3.08 per cent in September, compared with 1.76 per cent across the euro area, according to data from the Central Bank of Ireland.
Kane says Irish banks face higher funding costs and have to hold more capital than most other European peers because of the scale of the crash here and the fact that it is very difficult for lenders to foreclose on loans in default.
Kane believes borrowers who can’t afford their loans must be helped but by the State, not lenders.
Finance Ireland’s headcount is set to reach about 140 as 10 people transfer from Pepper’s Dublin operation and Kane recruits a similar number to help manage the mortgage portfolio.
However, the company lost one of its earliest employees in the auto finance business, David Clerkin, last weekend when the 30-year-old Ireland and Drogheda United football fan drowned in Copenhagen after travelling to the city ahead of the Ireland-Denmark football international on Monday night.
Kane, who turns 64 in January, found himself wistfully tracking his son’s travels through the likes of Thailand and Cambodia as he took a year off last year.
Any such opportunity on the horizon over the next few years?
He’s got mortgages to sell.
Hobbies: Kane used to sail a lot, but hasn’t for the past few years after hurting his neck. He enjoys walking and travelling.
Something that might surprise: He’s a keen bird watcher, and likes nothing more than to set off with his wife with their guidebook to see how many different species they can spot.
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2019-04-26T02:24:11Z
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https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/friday-interview-billy-kane-chief-executive-of-finance-ireland-1.3706886
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The second part of the 20th century has been dominated by a nominalist, anti-realistic and post-metaphysical trend, focused on the performativity of languages, texts, discourses, power structures, economic relationships, etc., and involved in some kind of sociolinguistic, hermeneutical, structural and deconstructive analysis. By contrast, the first part of the 21st century seems to emerge from the exhaustion of that nominalist paradigm, and the drive of a new realistic impulse defined by the irreducibility of the real to mere cultural discourses or power’s relationships. In this new speculative context, several materialisms and realisms spread out their strands, with the certainty of grasping the real in and by the real itself. The following lines aim at looking over the main authors and ideas of the newest philosophical stream.
Matter, nature, assemblages, contingency, negativity, continuity.
I would like to address here a sort of general introduction to the so-called Speculative Turn in continental philosophy: a new material and realistic trend which is outlining the contemporary thinking. At first glance, the speculative realism confronts with the linguistic turn as main paradigm of the second part of twentieth century, focused on the performativity of languages, texts, discourses, power structures, economic relationships, etc., and involved in some kind of sociolinguistic, hermeneutical, structural and deconstructive analysis. The last decades of the last century have attended the post-modern implosion of the real into discourses, interpretations and performances of any kind.
Under the wing of “linguisticism”, the real became either the result of any sort of cultural constructivism, or the inaccessible transcendence beyond all experience and knowledge. In the first case, reality depends on power relationships, social praxis or singular decisions, without other measure or criteria than its own contingency. Politically speaking, such a linguistic relativism leads –according to Maurizio Ferraris–to a populism in which every discourse is possible, or –according to Peter Gratton– to the more conservative and reactionary position, so that “relativism and faith, supposedly opposed when the evangelical rightwing attacks liberal relativism, are bitter twins born of the failures of philosophy to claim the real”. In a word, the oblivion of the real ends up reifying anything.
In such a context, the speculative realism emerges as spirit of the new century, a new state of thing which dyes all. Strictly speaking, this novelty recovers the old assessment of reality as subject matter of philosophy, irreducible to mere social discourses or language analysis. New realism recognizes to reality an autonomous status independent of human performativity, individual or social, and that is what Ferraris called the unamendability of the real.
In a nutshell, after the last nominalism of the twentieth century, the new century attends the renaissance of the real grasped in its irreducible, immediate and irrevocable presence. Even though there is nothing new under the sun, and the history eternally repeats itself, the new realism claims for its right of originality and take distance from the old forms of reality, pre-idealist and substantialist.
The following pages aim at introducing the meanings in which reality says to itself for newest material and realistic trend.
Cf. Alaimo, Stacy, Hekman, Susan (eds.). 2008. Material Feminisms. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, pp. 64, 69, 71.
Cf. Ferraris, Maurizio. 2014. Manifesto of New Realism. New York: SUNY, pp. x, 1 ss.
Peter Gratton, Speculative Realism. Problems and Prospects, Bloomsbury, London & New York 2014, p. 5.
Cf. Ferraris, Maurizio. 2014. Manifesto of New Realism. New York: SUNY, pp. 19, 34 ss.
A comunicação propõe-se analisar alguns aspectos da transformação da forma escolar da filosofia alemã setecentista, tomando como pretexto o debate que em torno da “popularidade” ou “verdadeira popularidade” em filosofia travaram Christian Garve e Immanuel Kant. Apesar das escaramuças que a propósito do tópico da linguagem da filosofia parecem opor e separar o principal representante da “filosofia popular” e o proponente da “filosofia crítica”, há nas respectivas estratégias muito mais em comum do que parece haver à primeira vista. Mas uma mais demorada atenção a esse debate revela que nele esteve envolvido muito mais do que a mera questão da linguagem ou forma de apresentação da filosofia: há novos públicos a que esta se dirige, há novas funções que lhe são atribuídas, novos domínios que ela reclama ter competência própria para os esclarecer: a sensibilidade e o sentimento (como Estética, Filosofia do Gosto, ou Filosofia da Arte), a história enquanto processo de realização da destinação da humanidade, a religião, a linguagem, enfim, o vasto campo da meditação antropológica.
The shift of paradigm in German philosophy in the second half of the 18th century.
This paper aims at analyzing some aspects regarding the transformation of German philosophy in the second half of the 18th century, bearing in mind the debate around the “popularity” or “true popularity” of philosophy held by Christian Garve and Immanuel Kant. Despite the skirmishes which seem to part the main representative of “popular philosophy” and the proponent of “critical philosophy” on the topic of the language of philosophy, there is in their respective strategies against “scholar philosophy” much more in common than appears at first sight. But that debate involves more than the mere question of language, or the form of presentation of philosophy: it is directed at new publics, it is ascribed new functions, it claims to bear the competence to enlighten new domains: sensibility and feeling (as Aesthetics, Philosophy of Taste or Philosophy of Art), History as a process of realizing the destination of humanity, Religion, Language, in short, all the wide field of Anthropology.
Abstract: Three of Kierkegaard’s works are extremely important towards analyzing ethical themes: the Postscriptum, Fear and Trembling and The Concept of Anxiety. The first one, though it is an immense and extremely rich work, will interest us only in comparison with the theses presented in Fear and Trembling, so as to elucidate them. In the second one, the story of Abraham – and God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac – is, as is well-known, the source of inspiration for some of Kierkegaard’s reflections in Fear and Trembling. From such an episode, Johannes de silentio, the pseudonym author of the work, not only composes an ode to faith as the greatest of passions, but he enquires into a problem which, in his interpretation, seems to be central, i.e., the teleological suspension of ethics. In the third work, through the pseudonym Vigilius Haufniensis’ reflections, the Danish thinker deals with the themes of sin, free will and ethics, all fundamental in Christian tradition.
Hence, the aim of the present conference is to investigate, bearing in mind Kierkegaard’s reflections, a possible interpretation for the teleological suspension of moral in Fear and Trembling, in which circumstances this occurs and how we may inscribe it in the ethical debates of 19th century philosophy. Such a reflection will be considered in line with the investigation on The Concept of Anxiety, where this theme, especially on account of the discussion on free will, also has considerable weight.
One hypothesis towards investigating this question is an analysis not only of Fear and Trembling, but also of an important later work by the Danish author. I refer to the Postscriptum to Philosophical Fragments, particularly Section 2, entitled The subjective problem, or how subjectivity must be for the problem to appear to it. Here resides, in my opinion, an important key towards understanding Kierkegaard’s ethics as it is presented in Fear and Trembling, even if that work dates from 1843 and the Postscriptum from 1846, even if each of these works was written by a different pseudonym and even if the authorship of the Postscriptum is shared by a pseudonym and the author.
The ethical discussion is resumed in the analysis to The Concept of Anxiety. Here my interest is to investigate the context around the production of the work, particularly Kierkegaard’s interpretation of Adam and the theme of free will. To do so, we shall circumscribe our session to an investigation on the first chapter of the aforementioned work. Finally, posterior to an investigation limited to these three works, I shall produce my final conclusions.
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2019-04-26T16:17:37Z
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http://experimentation-dissidence.umadesign.com/events/conferences/
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Croatian Electric is a family owned and operated business established in 1949 by Marko Yelavich senior the son of a Croatian immigrant to Canada. The Yelavich family has passed down the electric trade from father to son over three generations.
Croatian Electric provides a wide range of electrical services including Wiring Services, Electrical Services, Lighting Services for commercial and residential properties in the Toronto area.
These are the most FREQUENTLY ASKED ELECTRICAL QUESTIONS presented by our clients in the Toronto area. Contact us today at (416) 520 – 0157 so that we can discuss your electrical needs; since each electrical configuration and design is different our licensed Electrician / Electricians will study your case and provide an array of electrical solution options along with the recommendation.
Most provinces call for 100 amps minimum, but with all the new electronic devices, air conditioning and electric heat, I would suggest 200 amps especially in new homes. This also gives you some space for future additions. This is not a job for an unlicensed person to attempt: you will want a licensed Electrician do this work. In most cases it involves replacing everything from the service loop (this is the wire that extends from the top of your meter to the utility tie in) up to and including the main electrical panel.
Where do you put G.F.I.’s?
Any bathroom or garage outlet within 6′ of a sink must be GFCI protected. The code also requires all kitchen outlets for countertop use to be GFCI protected. GFCI outlets must be installed in any area where electricity and water may come into contact, including basements, pools, spas, utility rooms, attached garages and outdoors. At least one GFCI outlet is required in an unfinished basement and for most outdoor outlets.
There are two types of GFCIs in homes and workplaces: the GFCI outlet and the GFCI circuit breaker. Both do the same job, but each has different applications and limitations.
As a replacement for the standard electrical outlet the GFCI outlet is not dependent of a ground to work. It doesn’t measure shorts to the ground but rather the electrical current difference between the hot wire and the neutral wire. A sudden difference of 5 ma. or more trips the device by letting it know that there is another path for the electricity to travel through. The only downside to this is there may be some nuisance tripping in highly inductive loads like large motors or even fluorescent lamps or fixtures on the same circuit. But the newer models seemed to have corrected this somewhat.
A GFCI outlet will protect appliances when they are plugged into it. In this sense the GFCI outlets can also be can also be wired to protect additional outlets that are connected to it. The GFCI circuit breaker controls an entire circuit, and is installed as a replacement for a circuit breaker on the building’s main circuit board. Instead of installing many GFCI outlets, one GFCI circuit breaker can protect an entire circuit. There is a test button and a reset button on these units. If you press the test button the reset should pop out. To reset just push the reset button in.
Putting lights on GFCI outlets isn’t such a great idea: you’ll want protected circuits so as not to be left in the dark should the electrical circuit trip. For much the same reason equipment that can’t go without electrical power for an extended time should not be placed on a GFCI protected circuit (refrigerators, freezers, sump pumps and other machines that without electrical power might cause costly losses or property damage). GFCIs are very sensitive and are subject to nuisance tripping and the GFCI outlets outside often don’t last even under the best of conditions. Be sure to test the device using the “test” button before you use one.
In Ontario Canada any electrical work done in the home or workplace must be inspected by an Electrical Safety Inspector with the ESA. Doing electrical work yourself can be a gamble, especially when one is not a licensed electrician or trained in the dangers of electricity and extreme voltage. How much are you willing to risk to save money: To fully understand electricity and become an electrician requires much training: to make an error for even the smallest of jobs could become a safety hazard. One it comes to electricity, don`t take a chance and `think` it is right: Hire a licensed Electrician to do this work such as those with CROATIAN ELECTRIC.
Where a property owner does not abide by the provincial regulations it is important to highlight that in case of damage or fire caused by the electrical work, the insurance most likely will not pay, they will only if the work is done by a licensed Electrical Contractor. It`s a good idea to check with the Insurance provider e.g. homeowners Insurance Co., and they should sign a document or something to this effect to acknowledge this when they pull a permit.
The time to be cautious is when you tell yourself: `This is easy. I can do it myself. Why should i get an electrician?` Avoid paying more than what it originally would cost and not having to endure the frustration of not knowing or remembering how all the wires get connected, perhaps having the hair on your head stand up and then coming to the realisation that perhaps an Electrician is a good idea to figure out the mess.
How many convenience outlets in each room?
In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, bedroom, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed so that no point along the floor line in any wall space there is more than six feet, from an outlet in that space. This is to prevent the use of extension cords. It is best to place the outlets 18 inches above floor level. Switches are usually 48 inches from floor level. For convenience outlets each single receptacle in a single branch circuit is usually figured for 1.5 amps, duplex outlets for 3 amps in estimating total amperage for that circuit. Air conditioners should be on a single dedicated circuit.
All electrical outlets installed within six feet of a kitchen sink or wetbar shall have G.F.C.I. protection. Kitchen outlets on the countertops should have a minimum two 20 amp branch circuits that can be used for small appliances. It is strongly recommended to have each fixed appliance (refrigerator, stove, dish washer) on its own dedicated circuit. For countertops 12 inches or wider an outlet should be installed so that there is no more than 24 inches between receptacles. For island countertops should be installed above, or within 12 inches below the countertop. There shall be no more than 24 inches from center line of countertop. No receptacle shall be installed face up on a sink counter top.
Starting January 1, 2002, The National Electrical Code, Section 210-12, requires that all branch circuits supplying 125V, single phase, 15 and 20 ampere outlets installed in dwelling unit bedrooms be protected by an arc-fault Circuit interrupter. Eventually they will be in more areas but the NEC selected to require them on bedroom circuits first because a CPSC study showed many home fire deaths were related to bedroom circuits.
The AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker, will shut off a circuit in a fraction of a second if arcing develops. The current inside of an arc is not always high enough to trip a regular breaker. You must have noticed a cut or worn piece of a cord or a loose connection in a junction box or receptacle arcing and burnt without tripping the regular breaker. As you can guess this is a major cause of fires in a dwelling.
There is a difference between AFCIs and GFCIs. AFCIs are intended to reduce the likelihood of fire caused by electrical arcing faults; whereas, GFCIs are personnel protection intended to reduce the likelihood of electric shock hazard. Don’t misunderstand, GFCIs are still needed and save a lot of lives.
Combination devices that include both AFCI and GFCI protection in one unit will become available soon. AFCIs can be installed in any 15 or 20 ampere branch circuit in homes today and are currently available as circuit breakers with built-in AFCI features. In the near future, other types of devices with AFCI protection will be available.
If a GFCI receptacle is installed on the load side of an AFCI it is possible for both the AFCI and the GFCI to trip on a fault if the current exceeds the limit for both devices. It is also possible for the AFCI to trip and the GFCI to not trip since the two devices could race each other. However, in no case is safety compromised.
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2019-04-21T02:44:22Z
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https://croatianelectrictoronto.com/faq/
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¶ … Project management is an area of concern for the majority of large companies, and should be considered as a primary component in most business ventures. When most individuals think of Project management they likely imagine a construction foreman in a yellow hard-hat perusing blueprints whilst deciding what his/her next move should be. In actuality, the project manager is like the quarterback of a football team, everything (at least on offense) runs through him. He is the leader and the man who determines the overall success of the team. There are other almost as equally important individuals, but the reason why quarterbacks are so highly valued, is because in reality they are the ones who are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the team accomplishes its goals and objectives.
Philbin and Kennedy (2016) wrote that a project manager who wishes to experience success on a project needs to ensure that there are effective communications and engagement between the various project participants, partners, clients and other stakeholders. There are a wide variety of other principles of successful project management besides effective communications and engagement however; one of the most important things to remember includes the fact that a pre-determination on whether the project is of a viable nature, whether the project should even be initiated, is of dire importance. If a project is doomed from the very beginning, then it is likely to cause more headaches than it is worth it to even start the project. Is the project a good use of resources, is the project worthwhile, will it provide a reasonable return on investment, are all questions that should be asked before the project is approved.
Keeping in mind the fact that projects are temporary in nature is another principle along with the fact that each project should have an ending date or a timeline that keeps the project manager (and the team) on track for completion of the project. Creating a timeline allows the project manager to not only track the progress of the project, but also allows him/her to assign responsibilities for completing tasks along the path to completion. By assigning the tasks to a specific individual or individuals, the project manager can ensure that the best possible person will be assigned to each task. There are intrinsic tasks to almost every project and Sarkisov, Stoyanova and Dli (2013) found that the way to solve most intrinsic management problems is through the use of intrinsic methods and sources; employees are not only good intrinsic sources, they can also offer intrinsic solution methods.
Risks are inherent in every project; what if the project fails to accomplish the set goals and objectives? That is just one of the risks that has to be considered. Other risks to consider is that the project will take too long to complete, that the project will be too costly, and that the project itself can be derailed. Weighing the risks against the rewards that the project will likely provide is a good method for determining whether the return on investment meets any criteria set forth by the firm.
Another principle in project management is developing a project plan that takes into account the employee's strengths and weaknesses and how those can be used to the best advantage; this is a skill that a proficient and effective project manager needs to develop in order to efficiently manage the project.
Two other principles are key in project management; that is how the design process is developed and the quality of the design product.
Volker (2010), Abdirad and Nazari (2015) found that the structure of the tasks as well as the flow of information throughout the project design provides a more likely successful conclusion to the project. Some of the intangible requirements of the design help to address such concerns as the employee's character, innovations, creativity and sense of place (Sebastian, 2005).
As mentioned above, an important and key principle to successful project management is to create a process that will lead to success. Creating a process is a relatively simple matter as long as the correct system is in place. In today's modern electronic world there are a myriad of project management systems that provide the project manager with the ability to command and control all aspects of a project and most tout the idea that the system can bring forth successful completion of the project on time and within budget. Many management software systems feature benefits such as the ability to plan, schedule, and inspect the project in an ongoing and consistent manner. The more comprehensive project management systems capabilities track key tasks and milestones and allows the manager to select certain features to be communicated to project employees and/or stakeholders. Selecting the proper management system, and implementing it, is an important cog in the successful completion of the project. Some of the features that should be considered by the project manager in choosing the correct system includes; 1) the ease of navigating through the system, 2) how the system allows management of the project resources, 3) provides reports and documents in a timely and efficient manner, and 4) provides end-to-end management capabilities (especially for larger projects).
Considering the project management system can be as easy as determining the four above factors, but oftentimes the company will already have a project management system in place. If that is the case, then the project manager should ensure that he/she is knowledgeable and comfortable with that system.
According to Philbin and Kennedy (2016) a project leader needs to tackle problems as they present themselves during the project life cycle by developing appropriate responses to mitigate those problems. Tackling project problems are only part of what a project manager is responsible for; he/she must be prepared with a project schedule, timeline and ensuring that all the employees buy into the project and put forth their full efforts to achieve success. Some of the things to remember in project management is that when working with schedules and employees, is to (for the most part) allow the employee to set the deadline based on his/her workload and level of comfort; employees can then be part of the intrinsic solution methods as stated previously in this paper. Being a good project leader takes more than just showing up and telling employees what their particular job(s) are. Giltinane (2013) states that "a leader's role is to elicit effective performance from others" (p. 36). Ensuring an effective performance can be a difficult task; especially if something goes wrong with the project, or the project's progress is being hindered in some manner. Depending on the project, a collaborative approach will often work best, but in the end there almost always has to be a person of authority and responsibility, a person in charge. That person is the leader of the project. Of course, just because an individual is titled as the project manager does not necessarily mean that he/she is a true leader.
Leadership, and leadership styles are important cogs in the smooth progression of a project. Describing leadership can best be done as providing a plan or instructions to employees who will then be motivated to complete a project. Tiffin (2014) stated that there are a variety of leadership styles but establishing a leadership style that displays a common purpose is the first step to success.
The participative style of leadership seems to be much more conducive to project management; it allows for discussion, debate and collaboration between the members of the organization and the organization's leaders. Bennet (2014) stated that for a truly effective leader, you must calculate what's the critical matter at hand, and figure out the best path to reach success; in order to accomplish that task, input is needed, usually from more than just one source. Other individuals and groups need to participate (hence, the term participative) in the process. The participative leader is one that inserts himself into the group as more than just a leader, although he would often be facilitating the conversation or discussion, it would likely be more as a member of the group rather than in the explicit leadership role. Once the group was able to come to a consensus upon the path or actions to take, then the leader can revert back to the role of responsibility for ensuring that whatever actions are necessary for successful completion would be initiated and taken by the various members of the organization. Grasmick, Davies, and Harbour (2012) found that participative leadership is not only highly interactive and dynamic, it is a developmental process for building environments for broad participation. Broad participation is exactly what a project manager needs from his/her team (there is no "I" in team).
"Project Management Walmart." 11 February 2016. Web. 24 April 2019. <https://www.essaytown.com/subjects/paper/project-management-walmart/8115224>.
"Project Management Walmart." Essaytown.com. February 11, 2016. Accessed April 24, 2019.
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2019-04-24T16:07:59Z
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https://www.essaytown.com/subjects/paper/project-management-walmart/8115224
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The purpose of this chapter is twofold: to get more detailed accounts of the benefits of the NAS (NAS or the Supergrid) and to analyze financing mechanisms for construction.
Since the data for the MacDonald publication was gathered in 2009, the price of energy generation, particularly from solar and wind (onshore and offshore), have dramatically decreased, making the NAS even more advantageous than previously projected.
We project the price of the infrastructure to be $303 billion and $442 billion. Yet, the savings in electricity generation (the cost of generating electricity from wind and solar sources is much less than traditional sources) offset the cost of building the supergrid under most reasonable scenarios of the price of undergrounding transmission lines and the price of natural gas. Therefore, the total annualized cost of generating and transmitting electricity would be likely be lower because of the NAS.
We estimated that between 649,010 to 936,111 constant jobs would be needed for construction of the transmission and generation capacity over a 30-year build time.
We analyzed financing options and make conjectures as to how the Supergrid would be financed in each region of the country accounting for projected cost and precedent of how other transmission projects were financed in each region. We do not recommend new taxes or government sponsored financing programs to build the Supergrid.
Private financing would fund most of the lines in a majority of regions. We also encourage participation from energy developers that stand to benefit from the Supergrid. Further, the Rural Utilities Services could make loan capital available to developers for the less lucrative lines that may be less attractive to private financiers.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantee programs.
Secure backing of federal/state governments, DOE, regional transmission organizations (RTOs)/ independent system operators (ISOs).
Reduce permitting and regulation burden.
Ensure stakeholder interests are aligned in each region.
Encourage regional and national collaboration.
The primary objectives of this analysis were to explore in more detail the economic benefits of the proposed national overlay high voltage direct current (HVDC) electric grid, and to develop a framework that could be used to update and repeat economic benefit calculations as new cost projections associated with energy generation and transmission technologies become available. This analysis provides a methodology to compute total project cost and create an updated line construction cost estimate. We used the publicly accessible Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) models provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to estimate the NAS’s effect on job creation and regional economies at the national and state levels. Further, we used the results to conduct more detailed analysis with higher resolution data to estimate the economic impact of the NAS at state levels. The model includes a database of cost assumptions for varying types of transmission lines and power plants.
Due to major changes (unanticipated steep downward trend in costs of wind and solar energy generation over the last several years), it became necessary to update the input cost assumptions of the NAS compared to those used in the MacDonald et al. study. The total capital cost for the transmission system was estimated by summing the Overnight Capital Cost (ONCC), new HVDC transmission cost, and variable natural gas costs. The renewable generation ONCC figures from 2013 MacDonald et al. figures were compared to 2016 Lazard Levelized Costs of Electricity figures (referred to as LCOE or Lazard figures). The more recent study showed a dramatic decrease in ONCC for building the various renewable generation capacities. Such current LCOE are very close to the most optimistic MacDonald et al. estimates of future costs (projected for 2030, shown in Table 1), leading to an even more favorable forecast for the HVDC supergrid system.
Next, total transmission system cost was estimated. Transmission cost is a function of Line Cost ($/MW-mile) and Station Cost ($/MW). A line and station cost comparison of MacDonald et al. figures against JEDI Model figures is shown below in Table 2. While the figures for both categories were comparable, the MacDonald et al. paper used data that indicated lower station costs and higher line costs. Due to unforeseen favorable generating costs, these differences were mitigated, rendering the results very comparable.
We then combined the MacDonald et al. system design with the results from the JEDI Model (i.e. front-end stations cost) and the updated cost figures to arrive at a final comparison for the cost of the NAS system (both above and below ground) versus the system cost of the current AC grid. In the first two scenarios, a simulation of a single integrated system that could send electricity across the lower 48 states was used, as prescribed by the NAS. In the last scenario, the lower 48 states were split into district regions where energy generated in those boundaries must be used within the same boundaries (shown in Table 3). The single system was much more efficient since the scenario with the divisions requires natural gas to fill in the gaps that wind and energy cannot supply. Some regions, in the system divided in distinct regions, overproduced renewable energy while others underproduce renewable energy.
Simulations of the cost of generation sources with and without the NAS were completed, where the new system favored only the least expensive forms of electricity generation amongst offshore wind, onshore wind, solar PV, and natural gas. Coal and oil were omitted since they are more expensive electricity generators in either scenario. Our results showed that the onshore wind generation capacity, which has gone down in price recently, will drive changes in nameplate capacity more than anything else under the NAS scenario. Costs would favor solar PV generation and natural gas generation much less, while offshore wind energy generation would remain stable.
While both overhead and underground line configurations come at a cost advantage under most natural gas price scenarios, the advantage diminishes as the cost of natural gas lowers since natural gas generation facilities can be built anywhere and would require less transmission cost since they would be located closer to load centers. The breakeven point, where the advantage goes away for the underground HVDC scenario, is $4.43/MMBtu. The breakeven point for overhead lines is $2.50/MMBtu. This is assuming that the “multiplier” for the increased cost of underground lines (assuming siting and capacity are equal to that of an above ground line in the same configuration) is three times that of overhead lines. Breakeven points for other multipliers are shown in Table 4 below.
Since the usage of underground lines is not common enough to determine a commonly accepted multiplier, we performed a sensitivity analysis to find out how the breakeven point moves depending on both natural gas prices and the aforementioned multiplier. The results show that the breakeven comes at a higher price of natural gas as the multiplier increases. As mentioned before, the most likely scenario for the multiplier is approximately three, at which point the breakeven is $4.43/MMBtu. When the multiplier is two, the breakeven point of natural gas is well below $4.00/MMBtu. At a multiplier of four, the breakeven point is closer to $6.00/MMBtu. Long-term projections of the cost of natural gas are variable as many influences affect both the demand and supply of fuel costs. Expert analysts, however, predict that the cost of natural gas will be well over the 4.00/MMBtu threshold, meaning that at a three times multiplier, the NAS is projected to be economically viable in the long-term at the aggregate level.
Table 5 shows the total projected costs of building the NAS. After consulting with multiple industry experts, a three times multiplier was agreed upon to estimate the costs of transmission lines per mile. JEDI figures were also used to determine the cost of converters and substations per mile with the estimation of total mileage of transmission cables needed to construct the NAS. No consideration was given to price impacts of technology adoption.
Jobs created from installing transmission infrastructure are listed above, but only contribute a small amount of jobs compared to the jobs needed for the energy generation. Using the results from the NEWS model, developed by MacDonald et al. in the foundational paper, combined with the JEDI model, we calculated the job generation due to renewable energy infrastructure development (from transmission and generation) for each of the lower 48 states. After we combine the jobs estimates of all states with the jobs from installing the thousands of transmission facilities, we estimate that the NAS would produce the equivalent of 650,000 to 950,000 total constant jobs per year over 30 years.
The majority of energy infrastructure projects are developed by private companies that secure financing from financial institutions, institutional investors, and the capital markets. Privately financed transmission projects typically have both a debt and equity component. Projects can be structured to have either corporate financing or project financing. Corporate financing uses existing funds from a company’s operating budget to fund a project which could use revenue from existing assets or funds from a corporate bond issue. In corporate financing, the lenders and investors have recourse to the entire corporation, not just the specific asset. Project financing involves the creation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) whose only assets and debt are related to the specific project. In project financing, the lenders or investors only have recourse to the assets of the project. Much of the NAS construction would likely involve project financing because it is conducive to multiple entities collaborating on a development.
Investment by private investors has been increasing as governments struggle to keep up with the demand for new infrastructure projects, including transmission projects. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects $260 billion invested globally in new transmission and distribution lines through 2035. There is private capital available in the market ready to invest in quality infrastructure projects. In the first half of 2016, it was estimated there was $75 billion of capital waiting to be invested in infrastructure. The capital comes from insurance companies, pension funds, private equity, infrastructure funds, and sovereign wealth funds.
There are multiple reasons why investing in transmission lines can be attractive to investors. Cost recovery for transmission projects is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) creating an almost certain guaranteed rate of return. Cash flows from the project are typically stable and independent of energy prices or line utilization. Established transmission lines utilize proven technology and require minimal ongoing maintenance. Additionally, transmission investment is often resistant to competing investment along the same corridors. A competing investment would have difficulty obtaining financing unless there was significant load growth driving increased demand. These characteristics allow investors to accurately predict investment performance and help make transmission investment more attractive than other types of infrastructure.
Debt typically comprises 70-90% of infrastructure project financing. The primary forms of debt financing are through commercial banks, institutional private placements, and the corporate bond market. Traditional bank financing has long been a key component of infrastructure financing. Bank loans typically have lower interest rates than other types of debt financing. However, due to regulatory changes following the 2008 recession, banks are now required to secure long-term bonds to back longer-term loans and therefore banks prefer shorter loans (typically 7 years or less) due to the lower cost. This can create refinancing risk for borrowers. Bank financing is most likely to be used in the early stages of planning and construction. After completion, bank loans are refinanced by a long-term security which has lower cost as much of the construction, permitting risk, etc. has been removed. Banks tend to be more flexible in the event of unforeseen events during construction and can negotiate loan restructuring or adjust the timeframe of disbursements.
Institutional private placements are another form of debt financing that can be arranged by an investment bank. Capital would be secured from select institutional clients through a negotiation process led by a bank acting in an agency capacity. The disclosure and paperwork required is similar to issuing a public bond, but there can be more room for flexibility when creating the contract. Insurance companies, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds are types of investors that could participate in a private placement due to their need for long-term investments.
A third form of debt financing for transmission developers is the corporate bond market. Private companies can issue bonds to support general operations or specific projects and that money can be allocated to pay for development costs. Bonds are typically more common in the later operational stages of a project when the asset is producing a steady cash flow. Bonds can be a mechanism used when refinancing bank loans at the conclusion of the construction phase.
With all types of debt financing, the credit rating of the borrower is important to secure lower cost financing. Pension funds and insurance companies often have guidelines dictating the required credit quality of their investments. Transmission developers constructing the NAS will likely rely on multiple types of debt financing. Construction of many segments of the NAS will likely be financed by traditional bank loans. Once construction is completed, corporate bonds or private placements could be used to refinance the debt. This structure would align the risks and cash flows of the project with investor expectations for each type of debt. The types of debt ultimately used for each segment will be dependent on the developer that wins the contract and their preferred financing mechanisms.
Debt holders usually require an infrastructure project to have an equity component to reduce risk and help protect debt holders from loss. Equity typically only comprises 10-30% of infrastructure financing. Equity holders take on the most risk in the project and therefore demand a higher return. Enlisting quality equity holders is often key to being able to secure debt financing at the lowest cost. Transmission developers often provide a portion of the equity in projects they construct. Aside from having a stake in the project, developers benefit from the tax savings of the depreciation generated. Additionally, private equity funds, insurance companies, infrastructure funds, and sovereign wealth funds can also be a source of equity.
In the current low interest rate environment, long-term investors such as insurance companies and pension funds are eager to invest in infrastructure projects that offer a higher return than traditional investments. However, currently only 0.8% of the approximately $50 trillion in investable assets from insurance companies and pension funds are invested in infrastructure. The lack of quality projects is the primary reason investment is not higher. Similarly, private equity funds are currently raising $30.5 billion for 43 new funds to invest in quality North American infrastructure projects in addition to the $68 billion in funds they hold, but have not yet invested. This is evidence that there are willing investors looking for superior projects like the NAS to invest in. The key for the NAS will be securing the backing of stakeholders and making the project attractive to new investors.
Private financing will likely be the primary source of funds for constructing the NAS. It will be crucial to partner with transmission developers that have a wealth of experience in securing financing and successfully completing projects. The high cost of the NAS will necessitate using a variety of debt and equity financing mechanisms for each segment of the national grid.
A new financing model has developed over the past two decades that could be used for some segments of the NAS. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model can take on many forms, but it involves the collaboration of government and private parties. The PPP model is particularly useful for projects where there is not sufficient private capital financing because it can use government investment to leverage additional private capital. It has become a popular model to finance transmission projects in emerging markets and is beginning to be used more in the United States. The main benefit to the PPP model is spreading risks associated with a large infrastructure project. It is important to structure the deal so that no one party takes on exorbitant amounts of risk. Spreading risk can attract investors that might not otherwise participate in a project. Private firms can provide project expertise and are often able to push projects along faster than the government. The PPP model works best when there is a stream of revenue to ensure an adequate return to investors. FERC regulations allow each Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) and Independent System Operator (ISO) to use an allocation process to dictate how costs are recovered from ratepayers for transmission developments creating a steady revenue stream once the project is complete.
There are some challenges in implementing the PPP model for transmission projects. As of January 2017, only 37 states have legislation that allow public-private partnerships. This could prevent using this model for some segments that cross multiple states if not all states allow public-private partnerships. The high regulatory burden of developing transmission projects can slow the process and discourage private investors from joining into a partnership. Projects financed with this model often work best if they have a political champion (governor, senator, etc.) helping to build support for the project. They can also help the project navigate the various federal and state agencies during the permitting process.
Historically, the PPP model has been used in the United States for transportation infrastructure projects. But there are some examples of transmission projects using a PPP financing model. The Path 15 project used a public-private partnership structure to finance and build an 83-mile transmission line connecting northern and southern California, helping to eliminate a bottleneck in the grid system. The Western Area Power Administration built and operates the line. The private company Trans-Elect assembled a majority of the project financing. In return, they were granted long-term transmission rights that will help them pay off banks and investors. As a high priority project in California, federal and state agencies expedited environmental studies and the project permitting process. This was one of the first successful PPP projects for a transmission line and it shows the cooperation involved between governments and public and private companies.
The PPP model will be used for segments of the NAS that are less lucrative and do not have as much private financing available. As with all segments of the grid, collaboration and support from federal and local governments will be important to successfully structuring PPP deals that are beneficial to all parties. This financing model will be a vital mechanism to construct the less lucrative segments allowing the entire national grid to be completed.
Traditionally transmission projects have been privately financed with little assistance from the federal government. However, infrastructure spending has come to the forefront of the national discussion so it is worth examining how a potential infrastructure spending bill at the federal level may impact the NAS. As of July 2017, no infrastructure bill has been proposed in either house of Congress, and it is likely they will focus on other issues before infrastructure. However, the presidential administration has released a framework for what their proposed policy might look like. Their policy would reduce regulations and the time needed to receive federal permits. They also propose using government investment to leverage private sector investment. This could indicate public-private partnerships will be much more common in the future. The policy also hopes to focus federal infrastructure investment on transformative projects that change the way infrastructure is designed, built, and maintained.
Many of the proposals from the presidential administration could benefit the NAS. Fewer regulations and a shorter permitting time would help expedite the project and help attract private investment. The NAS could qualify as a transformative project since it is different from the structure of the current electrical grid and promises to have both environmental and national security benefits. Lower direct federal investment in infrastructure likely means the NAS would have trouble securing federal money for construction. Nonetheless, a PPP model used for some segments of the grid could receive federal money to leverage private investment.
The uncertainty regarding federal government support for infrastructure development will make private financing a crucial component of funding the NAS. However, there are some government programs available to supplement private financing for the less lucrative grid segments.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issues loan guarantees to promote growth of new clean energy technology through the Loan Program Office (LPO). Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized the loan guarantees. The program applies to a wide range of technologies, including renewable energy and transmission projects. As of June 2017, there is up to $4.5 billion in funding available for projects in renewable and efficient energy. The NAS project appears to meet many of the criteria for acceptance into this program. Projects “that will have a catalytic effect on the commercial deployment of future Renewable Energy Projects” will be looked at favorably in the review process. The NAS is likely to promote additional investment in wind and solar generation because more electricity will be able to be transported over long distances to population centers. The program specifies that for transmission projects to be considered efficient, they must lower electricity losses when compared to current commercial processes in the U.S. over an equivalent distance. The HVDC technology used in the NAS would limit losses of electricity through transmission, making the technology more efficient for long distance transmission.
However, there are factors that could limit the eligibility for the loan program for certain parts of the national grid. Projects that could be fully financed by commercial banks are viewed unfavorably in the review process. Projects that receive any other assistance from the federal government (grants, loans) may not be eligible. The loan guarantee program is designed to help new technologies prove their financial worthiness so that future investment can be financed by the capital markets. This program will most likely be useful for sections of the NAS that are projected to be less profitable and therefore need government assistance to secure financing. A section of the grid constructed early in the process may also have a better chance of acceptance into the program. Financial, technical, legal, and environmental factors are reviewed in the approval process along with a review of how well the project fits the policy of the program. The DOE is accepting applications through at least September 2019, although additional submission dates may be announced in the future.
The One Nevada Line is an example of the loan program being used for a transmission project. The project received a $343 million loan guarantee to finance a 235-mile 500 kV line through Nevada. The use of a new transmission tower design that has a smaller environmental impact was the technological innovation in this project. The new line is also expected to bring wind and solar generated power from Wyoming and Idaho into Nevada. The NAS project has many of the same benefits as the One Nevada Line. This gives confidence to the idea that the loan guarantee program would be a possible financing mechanism for the NAS.
More than 20 states have created Clean Energy Funds using state government funds as a way to promote growth in renewable energy. While each state’s fund has their own design, these funds often are used to attract private investment to renewable energy projects. These funds have primarily been used to provide funding for individual renewable generation projects, but there may be potential to access state funding for the NAS because an improved transmission grid will drive private investment in renewable generation. These funds would likely not provide direct investment to build the NAS but would instead help attract and guarantee financing for private capital investors. This would involve collaboration between private investors, utility companies, and state government agencies.
The Rural Utilities Service is a program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides needed infrastructure development and improvement to rural communities. The program provides direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to electric projects in transmission, distribution, and generation. The loans are primarily made to state and local government entities and cooperative utilities, although for-profit companies are also eligible. The program made $3.4 billion in loans and loan guarantees in 2015 and the amounts are expected to continue increasing. Most loans are between $20 million and $200 million. General guidelines indicate projects should benefit populations of 20,000 or fewer, although there is some flexibility.
Segments of the NAS through rural areas or segments that would improve service to rural areas are likely to be eligible for financing through this program. While this program is not likely to be a large piece of grid financing, it could help secure funding for less lucrative segments in rural areas. This program can be used in partnership with other financing to help attract private investment. It would also provide a source of public investment in a public-private partnership.
A potential source of financing for private companies investing in transmission infrastructure are Private Activity Bonds (PABs). These bonds are federally tax exempt and therefore allow borrowing at a lower interest rate. They do require a private company to partner with a government agency that acts as the issuer of the bond. However, the private company pays the debt service on the bond under a contractual agreement. Section 142 of the IRS tax code allows PABs for surface transportation projects. They have not been used for transmission projects in the past and it would take new legislation to allow PABs for electric developments. Allowing these types of bonds to be used for the NAS would incentivize private companies to invest in the project because borrowing would be cheaper for transmission projects using PABs than investing in other types of infrastructure.
Historically, the energy sector in the United States had been dominated by vertically integrated organizations that owned and operated the generation, transmission, and distribution services within a geographic area. Beginning in 1978, deregulation allowed some utilities to create power pools to facilitate wholesale transactions over larger geographic areas. By the 1990’s there was a need to have open access to transmission services for all utility companies to create competition among generators. FERC issued orders to encourage the creation of regional organizations that would control the transmission of energy and allow open access to transmission lines.
Today there are six RTO or ISO regulated by FERC: ISO New England, New York ISO, PJM, Midcontinent ISO, Southwest Power Pool, and California ISO. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is regulated by state regulators because it is located entirely in the state of Texas. Much of the southeastern and western United States are not currently covered by ISOs. In analyzing the financing options for the NAS, we look at a financing strategy for each ISO region. We will also look at the Southeast U.S. and Western U.S. as separate regions despite not having an organized ISO.
One of the primary responsibilities of each RTO is managing the transmission planning process to ensure the grid continues to meet expected future electrical demand. We reviewed the planning process in each region because the NAS will first need to secure the support of RTOs through each individual planning process. We also look at recent regional transmission projects. We review the financing and project details for recent developments to help guide our recommendations for possible financing strategies in each region.
The transmission planning process for ISO New England develops a regional plan for future system needs over a ten-year time horizon. The process begins by conducting a Needs Assessment to determine the grid’s adequacy. Where it is determined upgrades to the grid are necessary, either a Solutions Study or a Competitive Solution process will be undertaken to find the most economical upgrade project. A Competitive Solution process will be the most likely entry point for the NAS. In this process, project sponsors submit proposals for projects to address the identified need. Projects are then selected based on the cost, electrical performance, feasibility, and future system expandability.
The proposed routing through the New England region is the smallest segment of the NAS with an estimated cost of approximately $7.9 billion. The grid in this section will likely be privately financed. Every state in this region does have a Clean Energy Fund indicating there is government support for renewable energy projects. The Clean Energy Funds also open up the possibility of using state financing to help attract private investors. This funding could be used to leverage private investment through a public-private partnership. Vermont is the only state in the region that does not currently allow the PPP model.
NYISO engages in planning for reliability, economic, and public policy upgrades to the transmission grid. The reliability plan is a two-year process that assesses the needs over the next ten years. The economic planning process identifies areas of congestion in the grid and determines specific projects that have a positive benefit to cost ratio. The public policy planning identifies needs driven by new public policy requirements and solicits solutions from member firms. Upgrading transmission infrastructure could be part of either the economic or public policy planning process and could solve congestion problems within the state’s grid identified in the economic planning studies. It could also help the state meet renewable energy goals and would be an appropriate public policy solution. Exceeding the benefit to cost expectations will be the greatest hurdle for the NAS to gain approval in New York.
A proposed a 80-mile HVDC transmission line buried under the Hudson River provides insight into a financing model that could work for portions of the NAS. The $1 billion West Point Transmission project is very similar in structure to the NAS. The project was proposed as part of the state’s Energy Highway Blueprint in 2012 and is still in the development phase securing permitting. It is similar to two other completed projects by PowerBridge, Neptune and Hudson. The proposed financing plan includes equity financers Energy Investors Funds, Starwood Energy Group, and NRG Energy. Debt financing would also be secured from either commercial banks or institutional private placements. The developer would enter into a long-term transmission capacity purchase agreement to recover the costs of construction.
The NYISO has a history of supporting high voltage transmission projects similar to the NAS and there are development companies that have experience securing the private financing required. The estimated cost of the NAS in the NYISO is $8.6 billion. This cost is reasonable when compared to the $1 billion for the 80-mile West Point Transmission project. A national grid would help upstate New York connect with the large population center in New York City. This connection would allow renewable hydro electricity generated in the northern part of the state to benefit all rate payers in the region. The Energy Highway Blueprint approved in 2012 also shows there is support for transmission projects from the state government. The state’s regulatory bodies have approved similar projects in the past and should be receptive to new proposals as part of a national system. Due to the large population base and government support, it is likely that the NAS will be lucrative to private investment.
PJM conducts an annual planning process resulting in the Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP). A 15-year time horizon allows the planning to look at how reliability upgrades and expansion will impact the grid in the future. The planning process includes input from all stakeholders as well as changes in public policy. The PJM board ultimately approves recommended system improvements and they are added to the RTEP. Since 1999, the board has approved $29.3 billion of transmission system improvements.
A 150-mile 500 kV transmission line upgrade between Pennsylvania and New Jersey was completed in 2015. The $1.4 billion project was a joint venture between two public utility companies, PPL Electric Utilities and PSEG. PPL Electric built 101 miles of the line for $630 million and PSEG built 45 miles for $775 million. The project was intended to improve reliability and reduce congestion. This project was fast-tracked by the Obama administration allowing better coordination of government permitting. However, there was pushback from environmental groups because the line passed through federal park lands. State regulators approved the project in 2010, but the National Park Service did not approve the project until 2012. Despite having backing from the presidential administration, the environmental concerns still caused a delay in permitting. The Susquehanna-Roseland project is an example of two public companies collaborating to complete a needed high voltage transmission expansion. Government support allowed the project to proceed more quickly and successfully satisfy all stakeholders, which illustrates the importance of gaining support from all public and private stakeholders.
The NAS in the PJM region is likely to be privately financed. This segment of the grid goes through highly populated regions, and will therefore be lucrative to private investors. The estimated cost of the NAS in this region is approximately $35.7 billion. Each state in this region also has legislation allowing public-private partnerships. The Susquehanna-Roseland Reliability Upgrade shows how two companies can collaborate to complete a large scale project. Encouraging partnerships between public and private parties is a strategy that should be successful in this region.
The MISO develops the MISO Transmission Expansion Plan (MTEP) annually. The plan addresses reliability of the grid as well as ensuring compliance with state and federal energy policy requirements. The planning process begins with stakeholders submitting proposed projects for review. MISO’s Board of Directors facilitates the evaluation of projects to determine if they are appropriate for inclusion in the MTEP. The 18-month planning process includes model building, reliability and economic analysis, and resource assessments. There are three types of projects included in the MTEP: Bottom-Up projects, Top-Down projects, and Externally Driven projects. The NAS would likely be considered an interregional Top-Down project because it would have a regional and national impact. These projects have costs shared among beneficiaries.
The CapX2020 is a series of five transmission expansion projects across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The development of 345 kV and 230 kV lines spans 725 miles and will cost $2.1 billion. It is a joint initiative between 11 transmission-owning utilities in the states. The project was designed to bring wind energy to population centers. Lack of transmission capability has been a roadblock to additional development of wind generation facilities in South Dakota and North Dakota. This project will not satisfy all the transmission needs of the region and more development will be necessary to reach the full potential of wind generation development. This expansion illustrates the need for a robust transmission grid to ensure the growth of renewable energy generation, a problem the NAS will help solve.
The CapX2020 development shows that companies in this region are willing to collaborate to build a transmission network to benefit the entire region. Most of the financing for that project and for the NAS will come from companies securing private financing. The estimate cost for the NAS in the Midcontinent ISO is $56.2 billion. This is one of the largest section of the NAS with over 8,000 miles of proposed transmission lines. There is potential in this region for collaborations between transmission developers and renewable energy developers. A lack of transmission capacity has delayed some wind energy projects, while transmission developers are hesitant to build transmission until generation plants are built. Partnerships between transmission and generation developers will ensure both get built and could attract investment to the NAS.
The Southwest Power Pool conducts an iterative three-year planning process that includes a 20-Year, 10-Year, and Near-Term Assessment in a process they call Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP). These reports identify transmission projects that are needed within both short and long-term time horizons while also identifying potential costs and benefits of each project. The Near-Term Assessment focuses on reliability issues within the grid at current usage levels. The 20-Year and 10-Year Assessments focus on identifying larger transmission projects to benefit the region using a number of different usage scenarios. These scenarios account for growing demand and potential changing regulations requiring more energy to come from renewable sources. The 20-Year Assessment is intended to create a transmission structure of high voltage (300 kV and above) lines that will be able to serve the region in the long-term. Additionally, entities can request a Sponsored Upgrade or perform a high priority study in accordance with the region’s Open Access Transmission Tariff that can lead to a transmission project being approved. The NAS could either request a Sponsored Upgrade study or be included in one of the longer term assessments.
The Midwest Transmission Project was a 180-mile 345 kV transmission line between Sibley, Missouri and Nebraska City, Nebraska completed in 2017. The development was a joint venture between Kansas City Power & Light and the Omaha Public Power District. The new line is an additional connection between the east and west sections of the RTO and aims to deliver more renewable energy to the eastern half of the region. The venture cost approximately $400 million and was financed by the participating companies. The project was one of SPP’s Priority Projects, so cost recovery will come from the entire region’s rate payers.
Financing in the SPP will likely be similar to MISO. Most of the NAS will be financed by private capital secured by the developing companies. Rural areas may be able to use loans from the Rural Utilities Service. The estimated cost for the NAS in the SPP is $32.5 billion. There is a lot of wind generation in this region so there is also the potential for collaboration with wind energy developers. Renewable energy developers in this region will benefit greatly from the NAS because the energy generated in the SPP will be transmitted to population centers outside of the region. This should entice private developers and government bodies to support the NAS to help drive economic development in these regions.
CAISO conducts an annual transmission planning assessment. The plan identifies reliability, public policy, and economic needs of the transmission grid. The reliability planning performs a 10-year analysis of grid performance during projected peak usage. The public policy planning cycle largely attempts to determine needed grid upgrades to meet the state’s renewable energy goal of 50% by 2030. Economic planning determines projects that would provide economic benefits to customers. The NAS could satisfy all three of the planning mechanisms by increasing reliability and reducing grid congestion lowering costs for customers. The grid also would help the state meet the renewable energy goal. The ISO also conducts “special studies” on issues impacted by transformational change in the way electricity is consumed. It might make sense for the NAS to be part of a special study due to its wide ranging interregional impacts.
California has one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards, requiring 50% of the state’s electricity to be supplied by renewable sources by 2030. The state’s aggressive approach indicates there is government support for growing renewable energy production. The estimated cost of the NAS in the California ISO is approximately $15.1 billion. Because of the state’s high population, extensive renewable energy generation, and public policy support for renewable energy it is likely that private investment will be lucrative in California. The state also has legislation allowing public-private partnerships, which could be another avenue to attract private investors.
ERCOT develops a Regional Transmission Plan annually with their Regional Planning Group and Transmission Service Providers in the region. The plan assesses reliability and economic transmission grid needs within six years. The ISO also conducts a Long-Term System Assessment every two years. This assessment uses scenario analysis to determine the strength of existing projects when considering the long-term transmission needs of the region. Stakeholders can submit projects for evaluation by the Regional Planning Group. A project will be included in the Regional Transmission Plan if the ERCOT Board of Directors determines the project would be a solution to identified grid needs.
The Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) is a $6.8 billion project born out of legislation from the Texas Legislature in 2005 that designated geographical areas for potential renewable energy generation. The Public Utility Commission of Texas established a transmission development plan and assigned construction of the proposed lines to transmission service providers. The total development had approximately 3,600 miles of 345 kV transmission lines connecting renewable resources in West Texas to population centers in the eastern part of the state. This project is an example of a government sponsored transmission project that was constructed, developed, and financed primarily by private companies. Because the initiative was backed by government entities there was more collaboration in permitting allowing efficient regulatory approval.
The ERCOT region is the most independent of all RTOs because it operates its own interconnection and most transmission lines are within the state. The independence has allowed them to complete projects, such as the CREZ, much more efficiently than other regions. Their state government has shown support for transmission projects similar to the NAS and there are transmission service providers with experience in developing and financing transmission lines. The estimated cost of the NAS in the ERCOT region is $17.1 billion. The cost would likely be financed by private capital. A wealth of renewable wind and solar resources in the western part of the state and large population centers in the eastern part of the state make transmission projects lucrative to private investment.
The electric grid in the southeastern United States is not controlled by a RTO and thus the planning and approval process is less formalized than other regions. The Florida Reliability Coordinating Council (FRCC) and the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council (SERC) are the primary bodies that oversee the bulk power system in the region. The planning process for the FRCC includes an Annual Transmission Planning Process coordinating local utility’s expansion plans into a regional development plan and a Biennial Transmission Planning Process that determines projects to make the grid more efficient. The planning process for SERC involves the collaboration of many transmission providers in the region. Because planning in this region is driven by transmission providers and not a RTO, the NAS will need to gain support from the transmission providers in the region that will ultimately advocate for construction.
Gaining support from private transmission providers will be crucial to get the NAS approved for construction, so private financing is likely to be the primary financing mechanism in this region. The estimated cost of the NAS in the southeast United States is approximately $41.5 billion. Each state in this region has legislation allowing public-private partnerships. Along with gaining support from private transmission providers, there is potential for collaboration with government entities.
The Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) is charged with promoting the reliability of the bulk power system throughout the Western Interconnection. The territory includes the southwest and northwest regions along with California, Alberta and British Columbia. WECC represents a wide spectrum of organizations. WECC coordinates an adequacy planning process to determine transmission needs in the next 10 to 20 years. WECC studies are made available to stakeholders in the region who can then propose projects as solutions to identified needs.
The Southwest and Northwest regions have the largest estimated cost for the NAS at approximately $69.4 billion due to covering the largest geographical area. Portions of the grid in this region will be privately financed, but government support will likely be needed for other sections due to the high cost. The Rural Utilities Service loan programs could be a viable option in this region since much of it is comprised of rural areas and the grid will improve service reliability to those regions.
Land use and siting for the NAS will be especially important in the western United States because the federal government owns so much of the land. There are likely to be greater environmental issues to clear when determining the exact grid route. Collaboration and support from the federal government will be crucial to approve segments of the grid in this region so they can attract private investment. A possible strategy is creating a structure where proceeds from the more lucrative sections of the grid in highly populated regions can help pay for less lucrative segments. This might involve bidding highly lucrative segments with less lucrative projects as a single project that would still be financially beneficial for transmission providers. This will likely be the most challenging section of the NAS to approve and finance, but it is crucial to creating the national network and allow renewable energy generated in the western United States to reach population centers in the southern and eastern regions of the country.
Private investment will be the primary funder for this project, just as private capital currently funds most energy infrastructure projects. The key to successfully financing the NAS is ensuring the project is attractive to private investors. There is private capital available in the marketplace, but that capital can only be accessed if the interests of all stakeholders are properly aligned making the NAS an attractive investment. In addition to private capital, strategic partnerships should be explored with the federal government, state and local governments, and government agencies. Due to the national security and environmental benefits, there should be government interest in this project.
Secure backing of federal/state governments, DOE, RTOs/ISOs: Support from the federal government and RTOs in each region will give credence to the importance of this project. This support will help increase the likelihood of getting the NAS approved and included in each RTO planning process opening the door for transmission providers to begin construction.
Reduce permitting and regulation burden: The high regulatory environment adds to the cost and time to begin construction. This can make it challenging to secure financing at a rate acceptable to both investors and transmission providers. Legislative action can ensure that permitting for the NAS grid does not get held up by any one stakeholder. A reduced regulatory burden also reduces the overall cost of the grid.
Ensure stakeholder interests are aligned in each region: The nation’s electric grid is a large system with a diverse set of stakeholders. Ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are aligned will make getting approval and support for the NAS easier. Utilizing existing rights-of-way will reduce the number of local stakeholders and make gaining national support more practical. Wide spread support will help attract private investors and making financing the project feasible.
Encourage regional and national collaboration: Historically, transmission development was completed on a state level. This has led states to have differing regulations and processes governing transmission project construction. More collaboration between states and direction from the federal government would reduce the time and cost to comply with multiple agencies in interregional transmission developments.
Planning is crucial: Environmental studies, transmission line siting, permitting, and eminent domain are all potential hurdles for companies constructing the NAS. The proposal to use existing rights-of-way somewhat reduces this concern.
Transmission projects today are focused on increasing grid reliability and efficiency and less on load growth. Improved efficiency of electronics has stabilized the growth of energy demand across the country. Additionally, grid improvements must enable the future transmission grid to be adaptable to changes in load patterns and generation sources.
There is wide spread agreement about the need for more investment in transmission. Improved reliability will likely lower costs to rate payers due to fewer congestion charges. The NAS will allow more flexibility for RTOs to manage where electricity is generated, allowing greater access to cheaper energy. Rate payers will ultimately pay for the NAS through transmission charges, but costs for construction will likely be offset by the cheaper cost of energy and reduced congestion fees.
Cost allocation often becomes an important issue for interregional transmission projects. FERC mandates that cost allocation procedures for transmission projects must be developed by each RTO and uniformly applied. However, each RTO has slightly different procedures. In general, RTOs have shifted to a regional cost allocation system for large transmission projects. Every rate payer in the region pays for a portion because everyone benefits from a regional transmission project that improves reliability and makes the grid more efficient. Costs are generally allocated based on load usage.
If there is wide spread support for constructing the NAS, cost allocation should not create major issues. The NAS has benefits to all ratepayers so it makes sense to use a regional or even national cost allocation system. Due to the increased reliability and efficiency the NAS would create, the overall electric costs to rate payers would remain relatively constant because they will pay less congestion charges and have access to cheaper renewably generated electricity.
Our investigation suggests that the NAS is feasible without requiring new public funding schemes or new taxes to garner capital. Instead, rate payers will produce returns through electric bill fees. Moreover, investment in the NAS will enable the creation of millions of jobs nationwide that will not only be generated from the construction of the transmission system, but will also originate from the construction and operation of new (mostly renewable) electricity generation facilities throughout the United States. Overall, this infrastructure package will cost between $303 billion and $442 billion dollars to build the transmission system (depending on the cost of cable burial), as well as an additional $2.2 trillion dollars to construct additional electricity generation facilities. Despite these costs, the average consumer electric bill will not increase as a result. Additionally, although configuring HVDC lines underground often costs three to five times that of above ground lines, this study indicates that this costlier configuration is still an economically viable solution; an underground HVDC system (that is three times more expensive than above ground lines) will cost less than continuing the operation of the nation’s current grid system given that the cost of natural gas remains above $4.43/MMBtu. According to the EIA, the cost of natural gas is set to increase to at least $5/MMBtu by 2030, meaning that the NAS is forecasted to be a viable economic solution by its time of completion.
There is a need for new investment in our nation’s transmission infrastructure. The NAS will benefit all rate payers by allowing greater access to cheaper renewable energy while also increasing national security. The estimated $500 billion cost for an underground HVDC system will require a number of different financing mechanisms over a number of years. Private sector interest in infrastructure projects is growing and capital is available in the marketplace. The NAS must build partnerships with experienced transmission developers and gain support from federal and state governments, government agencies, and RTOs to successfully secure financing for this landmark energy transmission project.
“Levelized Cost and Levelized Avoided Cost of New Generation Resources in the Annual Energy Outlook 2017.” April 2017. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/pdf/electricity_generation.pdf.
Rapier, Robert. “The Long-Term Outlook For Natural Gas.” Forbes. October 31, 2016. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2016/10/31/the-long-term-outlook-for-natural-gas/#51567e3657a4.
“Financing Clean Infrastructure: Private Activity Bonds.” Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Webinar attended July 24, 2017.
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http://cleanandsecuregrid.org/2017/11/28/economic-advantages-and-financial-feasibility/
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1. What are the various functions of the department of personnel management?
2. What is the importance of personnel management in an industrial undertaking?
3. Describe an ideal Personnel policy.
4. Describe various factors in manpower planning. Why is it significant?
5. Differentiate between the short-term and long-term manpower planning.
6. Write a short note on Job Analysis.
7. Write short note on sources of recruitment.
8. Explain the importance and principles of placement of workers.
9. Write short note on “Induction of New Employee”.
10. What do you mean by induction or orientation of employee? Explain its elements.
11. What do you understand by managerial development?
12. What do you know about the external facilities for management development?
13. What is Merit Rating?
14. Explain in brief the main theories of wages.
1. Visit the Web site of The Weather Channel (www.weather.com) Write a report about the type of information available at this site.
2. Identify other potential sources of information about the weather.
3. Discuss the role of qualitative research in identifying consumer’s needs for weather-related information. Which qualitative research techniques should be used?
4. If a survey were to be conducted to determine consumer preferences for weather-related information, which interviewing method would you recommend? Why?
5. Can observation methods be used to determine consumer preferences for weather- related information? If so, which observational methods would you use? Why?
1. Frequency distribution: Ensure that each variable is appropriate for analysis by running a frequency distribution for each variable.
2. Regression: Using a stepwise regression analysis, locate those variables that best explain the criterion variable. Evaluate the strength of the model and assess the impact of each variable included on the criterion variable.
3. Factor analysis: Determine the underlying psychological factors that characterize the respondents by means of factor analysis of all 30 independent variables. Use principle component extraction with varimax rotation for ease of interpretation. Save the factor scores and then regress them on the criterion variable, forcing all predictor variables to be included in the analysis. Evaluate the strength of this model and compare it with the initial regression. Use the factor scores to cluster the respondents into three groups. Discuss the significance of the groups based on the underlying factors. Repeat this cluster analysis for four groups.
4. Cluster analysis: Cluster the respondents on the original variables into three and four clusters. Which is a better model? Compare these cluster results with the cluster results on the factor scores? Which is easier to interpret, and which explain the data better.
Based on the analysis, prepare a report to management explaining the yuppie Consumer and offering recommendation on the design of the Dodge Viper. Your recommendations should aid Daimler Chrysler in achieving what they seek a new image for the Viper that is attractive to the yuppie market and that helps them outperform the competition in the performance car market.
1. Frequency distribution: Run a frequency distribution for each variable and show bar graphs of the first three variables.
2. Cross – tabulations : Group brand preference as low, medium, and high under the formula low = 1 or 2, medium = 3 to 5, and high = 6 or 7, Group all independent variables as either, low = 1 to 3, medium = 4, and high = 5 to 7. Run two variables cross tabulations of preference with each independent variable. Run the following three-variable cross-tabulations: preference with count per box, controlling for price, preference with unisex, controlling for style, and preference with comfort, controlling for taping. Interpret these results for management.
3. Regression: Run a regression equation for brand preference that includes all independent variables in the model, and describe how meaningful the model is. Interpret the results for management.
4. One-way analysis of variance: Group all independent variables into low, medium and high groups as you did for cross-tabulations. Run a one-way analysis of variance on each independent variable with brand preference. Explain the results to management.
5. Discriminate analysis: Group brand preference into two relatively equal groups based on its distribution. Run discriminate analysis on the grouped data and interpret the results for management. Repeat this analysis by grouping brand preference into three relatively equal groups.
6. Factor analysis: Determine any underlying factors inherent in the data by running a factor analysis using principle components extraction with varimax rotation. Print all available statistics. Save the factor scores and regress these on brand preference. Interpret these results for management.
7. Cluster analysis: Use a nonhierarchical procedure to cluster the respondents, based on the independent variables, into two, three, four, and five clusters. Also run a hierarchical procedure to obtain five clusters using Ward’s method and creating a dendrogram: Interpret all these results for management.
1. Describe the management decision problem facing Lexus as it seeks to fight competition from other luxury car manufactures such as Mercedes, BMW, and Jagur, as well as competition from the “near luxury” autos like the Nissan Maxima and the Mazda Millennia.
3. Develop a graphical model explaining the consumer choice process for luxury cars.
4. Identify two research questions based on the definition of the marketing research problem and the graphical model.
5. Develop at least one hypothesis for each research question you have identified in (4).
6. How would you conduct an Internet search for information on the luxury car market? Summarize the results of your search in a report.
1) What is information processing cycle?
2) Write the limitation of computer.
5) What is modem? Explain types of model.
6) Write the difference between Dot matrix and Line Printer.
8) What is software ?state different categories of software.
9) Explain function of operating system?
10) What is computer networking ?What are its benefits?
13) Write the differences between Dbms and Rdbms.
14) Explain application of multimedia with example.
1. What is marketing? Explain importance of marketing for overall development ofthe country.
2. What is Marketing Environment? Discuss factors affecting Marketing Environment.
3. Explain Direct Marketing and online Marketing. State merits and demerits of both.
4. Explain the meaning of market demand and state elements involved in it.
5. What is Cyber Marketing? Write note on Cyber Marketing process.
6. What is consumer behavior? Explain characteristics and importance of consumer behavior?
7. Explain market segmentation. Describe its importance.
8. What do you mean by new product? Explain systematic process for developing a new product.
9. What is consumer Adoption? Explain steps consumer adoption process.
10. Explain term packing and write its functions.
11. Explain importance of packing for the product.
12. Write explanatory note on various price setting methods.
13. What is ad agency? Describe its functions and benefits.
14. What is personal selling? Discuss its characteristics and importance.
15. Explain strategic options available for market leaders.
1. Production planning functions can be broadly identified as ______, _______ and _______.
Organization and the directives they need to have are ____, _____ and _______.
3. The three major functions of any business organization are _______, _______ and ______.
4. Formulation of the strategy depends on the _________.
a) Assessments of strengths, understanding of the weaknesses, the nature of external environment and the resilience of the internal environment.
6. All operation systems are based on criteria of _____, ______ and _____.
P) Evaluation is done for the processes and quality assurance measures.
Q) Sometimes suppliers are given total responsibility for design, procurement of materials, processing, Quality and deliveries as per schedules.
d) False and true respectively.
Of materials from different suppliers is the main criterion.
9. PDCA stands for ________.
10. Success of JIT depends upon a lot of ________ and _______.
b. What are the levels of aggregation in forecasting for a manufacturing organization? How should this hierarchy of forecasts be linked and used?
13. How would forecasting be useful for operations in a BPO (Business processes outsourcing) unit? What factors may be important for this industry? Discuss.
14. A good work study should be followed by good supervision for getting good results. Explain with an example.
15. What is job evaluation? Can it be alternatively used as job ranking? How does one ensure that job evaluation evaluates the job and not the man? Explain with examples?
16. What is the impact of technology on jobs? What are the similarities between job enlargement & job rotation? Discuss the importance of training in the content of job redesign? Explain with examples?
17. What is internet connectivity? How is it important in to days business would with respect to materials requirement planning & purchasing? Explain with examples?
18. Would a project management organization be different from an organization for regular manufacturing in what ways? Examples.
19. How project evaluation different from project appraisal? Explain with examples.
1. Describe project planning and its function.
2. What are the goals and objectives of project planning?
3. Explain the methods used to assess the project profitability.
4. Give the applications of PERT/CPM techniques.
5. Explain the importance of computers in Project Management.
6. What is phased planning? List the steps involved in project planning.
7. List and explain the characteristics features of a project.
8. Write short note on:-Work Breakdown Structure.
9. Discuss the importance of communication in a project management.
10. Classify the scheduling methods.
11. Explain project direction. What are the different directions of project direction?
1. Analyze the ethics of marketing Publius using utilitarianism, rights, justice, and caring. In your judgement, is it ethical to market Publius? Explain.
2. Are the creators of Publius in any way morally responsible for any criminal acts that criminals are able to carry out and keep secret by relying on Publius? Is AT & T in any way morally responsible for these? Explain your answers.
3. In your judgment, should governments allow the implementation of Publius? Why or why not?
1. Fully explain the effects that payment like those which Lockheed made to the Japanese have on the structure of a market.
2. In your view, were Lockheed’s payments to the various Japanese parties “bribes” or “extortions” ? Explain your response fully.
3. In your judgment, did Mr. A. Carl Kotchian act rightly from a moral point of view ? (Your answer should take into account the effects of the payments on the welfare of the societies affected, on the right and duties of the various parties involved, and on the distribution of benefits and burdens among the groups involved.) In your judgment, was Mr. Kotchian morally responsible for his actions ? Was he, in the end, treated fairly ?
4. In its October 27, 1980, issue, Business Week argued that every corporation has a corporate culture – that is, values that set a pattern for itsemployee’s activities, opinions and actions and that are instilled in succeeding generations of employees (pp.148-60). Describe, if you can, the corporate culture of Lockheed and relate that culture to Mr. Kotchian’s actions. Describe some strategies for changing that culture in ways that might make foreign payments less likely.
1. In your judgment, is it wrong, from an ethical point of view, for the auto companies to submit plans for an automobile to China ? Explain your answer ?
2. Of the various approaches to environmental ethics outlined in this chapter, which approach sheds most light on the ethical issues raised by this case ? Explain your answer.
3. Should the U.S. government intervene in any way in the negotiations between U.S. auto companies and the Chinese government ? Explain.
1. In your judgment, do the managers of the Robert Hall store have any ethical obligations to change their salary policies ? If you do not think they should change, then explain why they have an obligation to change and describe the kinds of changes they should make. Would it make any difference to your analysis if, instead of two departments in the same store, it involved two different Robert Hall Stores, one for men and one for women ? Would it make a difference if two stores (one for men and one for women) owned by different companies were involved ? Explain each of your answers in terms of the relevant ethical principles upon which you are relying.
2. Suppose that there were very few males applying for clerks’ jobs in Wilmington while females were flooding the clerking job market. Would this competitive factor justify paying males more than females ? Why ? Suppose that 95 percent of the women in Wilmington who were applying for clerks’ jobs were single women with children who were on welfare while 95 percent of the men were single with no families to support. Would this need factor justify paying females more than males ? Why ? Suppose for the sake of argument that men were better at selling than women; would this justify different salaries ?
3. If you think the managers of the Robert Hall store should pay their male and female clerks equal wages because they do “substantially the same work” then do you also think that ideally each worker’s salary should be pegged to the work he or she individually performs (such as by having each worker sell on commission) ? Why ? Would a commission system be preferable from a utilitarian point of view considering the substantial book keeping expenses it would involve ? From the point of view of justice ? What does the phrase substantially the same mean to you ?
1. What are the legal issues involved in this case, and what are the moral issues ? How are the two different kinds of issues different from each other, and how are they related to each other ? Identify and distinguish the “systemic, corporate and individual issues” involved in this case.
2. In your judgment, was it morally wrong for Shawn Fanning to develop and release his technology to the world given its possible consequences ? Was it morally wrong for an individual to use Napster’s website and software to copy for free the copy righted music on another person’s hard drive ? If you believe it was wrong, then explain exactly why it was wrong. If you believe it was not morally wrong, then how would you defend your views against t he claim that such copying is stealing ? Assume that it was not I illegal for an individual to copy music using Napster. Would there be anything immoral with doing so ? Explain ?
3. Assume that it is morally wrong for a person to use Napster’s website and software to make a copy of copyrighted music. Who, then, would be morally responsible for this person’s wrong doing ? Would only the person himself be morally responsible ? Was Napster, the company, morally responsible ? Wash shawn Fanning morally responsible ? Was any employee of Napster, the company, morally responsible ? Was the operator of the server or that portion of the Internet that the person used morally responsible ? What if the person did not know that the music was copyrighted or did not think that it was illegal to copy copyrighted music ?
4. Do the music companies share any of the moral responsibility for what has happened ? How do you think technology like Napster is likely to change the music industry ? In your judgment, are these changes ethically good or ethically bad ?
1. Discuss this case from the perspective of utilitarianism, rights, justice and caring. What insight does virtue theory shed on the ethics of the events described in this case ?
2. “ In a free enterprise society all adults should be allowed to make their own decisions about how they choose to earn their living.” Discuss the statement in light of the Lily case.
3. In your judgment, is the policy of using homeless alcoholics for test subjects morally appropriate ? Explain the reasons for your judgment. What does your judgment imply about the moral legitimacy of a free market in labor ?
4. How should the managers of Lily handle this issue ?
1. What’s up with our fascination with bigness ? Is this a uniquely American preference ? Do you believe that “bigger’s better ?” Is this a sound marketing strategy ?
2. What’s your take on this issue ? How do you react when one of your favorite songs turns up in a commercial ? Is this use of nostalgia an effective way to market a product ? Why or why not ?
3. What’s your take on this ? Are young people indeed returning to the value of their parents (or even their grandparents) ? How have these changes influenced your perspective on marriage and family ?
4. How was your experience – how helpful was this mannequin ? When you shop for clothes online, would you rather see how they look on a body with dimensions the same as yours, or on a different body ? What advice can give Web site designers who are trying to personalize theses shopping environments by creating life – like models to guide you through the site ?
5. What do you think ? What is and what should be the role of fashion in our society ? How important is it for people to be in style ? What are the pros and cons of keeping up with the latest fashions ? Do you believe that we are at the mercy of designers.
1. Which of the theories of international trade can help Indian services providers gain competitive edge over their competitors?
2. Pick up some Indian services providers. With the help of Michael Porter’s diamond, analyze their strengths and weaknesses as active players in BPO.
3. Compare this case with the case given at the beginning of this chapter. What similarities and dissimilarities do you notice? Your analysis should be based on the theories explained.
1. What are some current issues facing Peru? What is the climate for doing business in Peru today?
2. What type of political risks does this fishing company need to evaluate? Identify and describe them.
3. What types of integrative and protective and defensive techniques can the bank use?
4. Would the bank be better off negotiating the loan in New York or in Lima? Why?
1. Why is that Coke has not been able to make profit in its Indian operations?
2. Do you think that Coke should continue to stay in India? If yes, why?
3. What cultural adaptations would you suggest to the US expatriate managers regarding their management style?
4. Using the Hofstede and the value orientations cultural model , how can you explain some of the cultural differences noted in this case ?
1. Where does the joint venture meet the needs of both the partners ? Where does it fall short?
2. Why had ABB-PBS failed to realize its technology leadership ?
3. What lessons one can draw from this incident for better management of technology transfers?
1. What factors have shaped the accounting system currently in use in China ?
2. What problem does the accounting system, currently in sue in China, present to foreign investors in joint ventures with Chinese companies ?
3. If the evolving Chinese system does not adhere to IASC standards, but instead to standards that the Chinese governments deem appropriate to China’s “Special situation”, how might this affect foreign firms with operations in China ?
1. “You can’t tell consumers that the low price they are paying for a particular fax machine or automobile is somehow unfair. They’re not concerned with the profits of companies. To them, it’s just a great bargain and they want it to continue.” Do you agree with this statement ? Do you think that people from different cultures would respond differently to this statement? Explain your answers.
2. As we’ve seen, the WTO cannot currently get involved in punishing individual companies for dumping – its actions can only be directed toward governments of countries. Do you think this is a wise policy? Why or why not? Why do you think the WTO was not given the authority to charge individual companies with dumping? Explain.
3. Identify a recent antidumping case that was brought before the WTO. Locate as many articles in the press as you can that discuss the case. Identify the nations, products (s) , and potential punitive measures involved. Supposing you were part of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body, would you vote in favor of the measures taken by the retailing nation? Why or why not?
1. What opportunities and threats did McDonald’s face? How did it handle them? What alternatives could it have chosen?
2. Before McDonald’s entered the European market, few people believed that fast food could be successful in Europe. Why do you think McDonald’s has succeeded? What strategies did it follow? How did these differ from its strategies in Asia?
3. What is McDonald’s basic philosophy? How does it enforce this philosophy and adapt to deferent environments?
4. Should McDonald’s expand its menu? If you say no, then why not? If you say yes, what kinds of precuts should it add?
5. Why is McDonald’s successful in many countries around the world?
1. Can a division manager develop verifiable goals, or objectives, when the president has not assigned them to him or her? How? What king of information or help do you believe is important for the division manager to have from headquarters?
2. Was the division manager setting goals in the best way? What would you have done?
1. Evaluate the formulation of the merger between Daimler and Chrysler. Discuss the strategic fit and the different product lines.
2. Assess the international perspectives of Eaton and Schrempp.
3. What are the difficulties in merging the organizational cultures of the two companies?
4. What is the probability of success of failure of the merger? What other mergers do you foresee in the car industry?
1. The re-engineering efforts focused on the business process system. Do you think other processes, such as the human system, or other managerial policies need to be considered in a process redesign?
2. What do you think was the reaction of the brand managers, who may have worked under the old system for many years, when the category management structure was installed?
3. As a consultant, would you have recommended a top-down or bottom-up approach, or both, to process redesign and organizational change? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?
1. Is the Hewlett – Packard way of managing creating a climate in which employees are motivated to contribute to the aims of the organization? What is unique about the HP Way?
2. Would the HP managerial style work in any organization? Why, or why not? What are the conditions for such a style to work?
1. In the NUMMI joint venture, what did Toyota gain? What were the benefits for General Motors?
2. As a consultant, what strategies would you recommend for European carmakers to improve their competitive position in the global car industry?
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2019-04-20T22:30:19Z
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http://www.howtoexam.com/index.php?option=com_content&layout=blog&view=section&id=23&Itemid=166
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What happened to the cheap, reliable, new econobox? It went upscale — but the price didn't.
Twenty grand can sound like a price decidedly above economy car sensibility, but Toyota's refashioned 2020 Corolla offers safety and thrift.
When today’s baby boomers were kids tuned into a new music called acid rock, the Corolla emerged as the go-to econobox. Then the kids grew up, bought SUVS. And the Corolla? It got better.
BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. – With pickup truck prices edging into luxury car territory, it is almost lost on the buying public that there is no such thing left in America as a cheap, reliable and new econobox.
Yet here in northern Mississippi, on the wooded edge to the Appalachian Mountain foothills, Toyota has just begun making the modern testament to the frugal little car that appeared in the 1960s. It’s the refashioned 2020 Toyota Corolla.
Ever since today’s baby boomers were kids tuned into a new music called acid rock, Corolla’s name plate has been in front of America. The kids grew up and turned to high-end trucks, while the Corolla at once has remained true to its frugal roots and at the same time has been polished up.
Reaching dealers throughout the nation now, the 2020 model offers a lower stance, firmer suspension, lighter steering and electronic goodies like Apple Play not found on the 2019 version.
While its redesign is costly, Toyota avoided a price surge. Corolla prices range up to about $26,000, depending on trim level. Base price is $19,500.
Twenty grand can sound decidedly above economy car sensibility, particularly around Blue Springs.
Toyota opened the plant in 2011 near this hamlet of 102 homes located in a cattle, timber and furniture manufacturing region 100 miles from Memphis.
Here, an old cottage in good shape can be had for not much more than a fancy $50,000 pickup truck. It's a house price in line with wages. Whether employed in the Dixie automotive belt (nine other major auto assembly plants and hundreds of parts suppliers are located within about a half-day drive of Blue Springs) or the service sector, the typical U.S. wage earner takes home about $15 to $18 an hour after taxes.
The pay scale has much of middle-class America buying used cars and trucks. In a nation with 212 million licensed drivers, nearly 55 million autos change hands in a typical year. The bulk of the vehicles sold, about 37 million of them, are not new.
Automakers in turn have focused on well-paid urban professionals and well-off baby boomers, who now prefer new pickups and sport-utility vehicles. In recent years, buyers have favored pricier models loaded with luxury features.
Of all the new automobiles sold in the United States last year, market analyst Cox Automotive figures only 2 percent sold for $20,000 or less. New autos priced between $20,000 and $30,000 accounted for 34 percent of the market, down from almost half the sales volume in 2012.
In January, buyers paid $37,149 on average for a new auto, reports market analyst Kelley Blue Book.
Toyota originally designed the Corolla especially for Japan’s newly emerging middle class and brought the no-frills ride to America in 1966, a time when auto ads dwelled on muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO and cruisers like the Ford Fairlane.
It was the youths, the acid rock generation, that grew up and took to the little Corolla when gasoline prices soared and the big-engine Detroit brands fell short on fuel economy and quality.
Corollas early on were priced at about $2,000, an amount not far from today's twenty grand car. What $2,000 bought in the late 1960s would cost almost $16,000 today. What has changed are the baby boomers.
A generation of men and women went from jeans and sandals to suits and heels and along the way gained an appreciation for pickups and SUVs, vehicles dismissed as mere work trucks in the Corolla's first decades.
With well-heeled Americans today spending heavily on new vehicles, U.S. automobile loan debt has exceeded $1 trillion. In spite of the sales boom, four-door sedans and two-door coupes have lost favor. In the compact car segment that includes Corolla, 11 brands sold almost 1.7 million cars last year in the United States, or 13.4 percent fewer than in 2017. Corolla was down 7.7 percent.
General Motors is now closing four car plants. Ford has scrapped all but two car models. Chrysler earlier dropped the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 to focus on its Dodge and Jeep truck and SUV brands.
Toyota, which never relied on trucks, has held on to its small cars.
Analysts say the decision rests with the Japanese company’s global mindset.
Whether the Corolla is sold in Buenos Aires, Jakarta or Phoenix, the car’s basic systems, called the platform, are the same.
Using a single platform around the world spreads engineering and tooling costs over a large number of vehicles and boosts profits on volume sales. More than 1 million new Corollas are sold each year in about 150 nations. The assembly plants are located throughout the world. Blue Springs, the lone Corolla plant in North America, exports about 4 percent of its vehicles, chiefly to Latin America.
In many nations, drivers consider the Corolla upmarket. In the United States, the brand image remains closer to the economy car origins. Toyota relies on the reputation for reliable frugality to keep shoppers coming to the showrooms.
“It’s how so many young buyers are introduced to Toyota,’’ said Chris Reynolds, Toyota chief administrative officer for manufacturing and corporate resources, noting 65 percent of buyers whose first vehicle is a Corolla like the brand enough to make Toyota their next purchase.
To help lure shoppers, Toyota put features in the 2020 model typical of costlier vehicles sold in the United States.
All Corolla trim levels will include an electronic alert system to help the driver. Named Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, it includes pre-collision warning, pedestrian detection in day and low light, bicycle detection in day light, lane departure and lane trace assistance and road sign alerts. Also standard are rear seat-belt warnings, a backup camera, a multi-link rear suspension and active cornering assistance.
Reviewers generally laud the 2020 car. It is the model's 12th redesign since the 1966 Corolla. The base model keeps the 1.8-liter gasoline engine used since 1988. Highway mileage averages 38 mpg in the base car and 52 mpg in the new hybrid model. New cloth and leather-like fabrics tone down the cabin's econobox look. And the handling is sportier.
Better ride and handling stem in part from Toyota’s new platform, called the Toyota New Global Architecture, or TNGA. Adopting the new platform required improved assembly techniques and components. The torsion-beam suspension, for example, was replaced with the better-riding multilink system.
“It’s our newest challenge,” said Yasushi Ueda, Toyota chief engineer in charge of refashioning the 2020 Corolla around the TNGA platform.
The Blue Springs plant is set on producing 170,000 Corollas this year, the same volume as last year. Toyota spent $170 million preparing the plant for the new model and in turn added 400 workers to bring the total complement to 1,900 workers.
Reynolds praised Sean Suggs, president of Toyota Mississippi, for overseeing the incorporation of TNGA at Blue Springs while the plant was prepared for a new model.
Suggs figures the new platform will result in smoother assembly than earlier Corolla versions.
"It gives our process more simplicity, not complexity," Suggs said.
Whether the combination of simplicity and new features will keep the Corolla atop its segment remains to be seen. Last year, the model finished second to Honda Civic with almost 304,000 copies sold in the United States. This year through February, sales are up 16.6 percent, ranking Corolla first in compact car sales.
While Detroit has walked away from cars, Toyota insists the market remains important.
Said Toyota senior marketing executive Ed Laukes, showing off a Corolla to automotive writers in Savannah, Georgia, before production began: "We're staying bullish on sedans and small cars."
Want to read more stories like this? Subscribe to one of our USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee publications.
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2019-04-22T16:31:39Z
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https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/money/cars/2019/03/29/toyota-2020-corolla-blue-springs-plant/3246005002/
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It's been about a year since smartphone brand Infinix came to India. As an online-only player, it has dished out some pretty interesting offerings so far, the most recent being the Infinix Hot S3 (Review), which also won a coveted spot in our list of best phones under Rs. 10,000.
That particular segment is already pretty crowded, with Xiaomi pretty much dominating it. Infinix now has a new model called the Hot 6 Pro, which targets users who are looking for a large display to enjoy content on. It’s priced pretty aggressively at Rs. 7,999, which pits it right against the Xiaomi Redmi 5 (Review). Big display aside, is the Hot 6 Pro a good all-rounder? We review to find out.
Inifinix sent us a Sandstone Black unit of the Hot 6, which looks really slick. The matte finish of the back offers a good grip, and doesn’t attract fingerprints too much. It also contrasts well with the 2.5D curved-edge display. The Hot 6 Pro is available in Magic Gold and Bordeaux Red colour options as well.
The Infinix Hot 6 Pro feels fairly light at 158g, with good weight distribution across the entire body. The sides aren’t very slim but that means there's more surface area to grip the phone. The highlight of the phone is of course the display, which measures 5.99 inches diagonally and has an HD+ resolution (720x1440). The display follows the 18:9 aspect ratio, so it's taller with slim borders on the left and right. The screen is bright with a claimed brightness of 500 nits, and colours are vivid and punchy. Text and the edges of icons aren’t the sharpest since the pixel density is only around 268ppi. There’s scratch resistant glass too, by NEG.
The power button on the Infinix Hot 6 Pro has a textured surface, making it easy to distinguish it from the volume rocker. There’s a notification LED near the earpiece. On the bottom there's a 3.5mm headphones socket, a Micro-USB port, and a mono speaker. There’s a SIM tray on the left which supports two Nano-SIM cards and a separate microSD card (of up to 128GB).
The back of the Infinix Hot 6 Pro is not removable, even though the design seems to suggest otherwise. There’s a centre-mounted fingerprint sensor which is easy to reach, although authentication isn’t very quick and it takes a full second (or a bit more) before the screen actually wakes up. Infinix offers dual cameras at the back, which is something we don’t see too often in this segment. The cameras are horizontally aligned and sit nearly flush with the rest of the body.
In the box, you get the usual assortment of accessories such as a Micro-USB cable, power adapter, case, screen guard, and SIM eject tool, but no headset.
The guts of the Hot 6 Pro are based around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 mobile platform, and herein lies one of the biggest issues with this phone. This quad-core SoC is typically found in lower-budget Android phones and is simply no match for what the competition is offering these days. Xiaomi’s Redmi 5 gives you a Snapdragon 450. Other specifications of the Infinix Hot 6 Pro include 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, single-band Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, USB-OTG, FM radio, and proximity, compass, Hall and ambient light sensors.
Infinix uses its own custom OS skin called Hummingbird XOS v3.2, which is based on Android 8 Oreo. There’s a fairly recent May 2018 security patch applied too. The custom OS looks quite different from stock Android but thankfully, Inifnix hasn’t messed with the functionality too much. For instance, the notifications shade and quick toggle switches can be accessed from the top; a swipe up opens the app drawer; and it’s easy to find what you’re looking for in the Settings app.
The Infinix Hot 6 Pro also has some extra apps: a Web browser, a forum app, a 9Gag-style video app, etc, that come pre-loaded and aren't particularly useful, but you can uninstall most of them. XOS also includes some convenience features including a one-handed mode, screen recording, scrolling screenshots, and a Game DnD mode. There isn’t much in terms of gestures as you only get double-tap-to-wake, 3-finger screenshot, and the ability to silence the phone by flipping it over. There’s something called eye-care mode, which is essentially a toggle for Android’s night mode.
The Infinix Hot 6 Pro comes with face recognition support for unlocking the phone, but it’s slow and only works under good lighting. If the light isn’t ideal, it simply refuses to work well, and even the fill light from the front LED flash doesn’t help much.
The interface runs quite smoothly most of the time, even with various transition animations. There’s some lag when you’re switching between apps, and scrolling through heavy webpages in Chrome can get jerky. Overall, the performance is strictly average and this reflects in benchmarks too. In AnTuTu, we got a score of 44,681, while in gaming benchmarks such as GFXbench’s T-Rex test, we got a frame rate of only 13fps.
Apps take a little longer to load than usual, especially games. We tried popular titles such as Asphalt 8 and PUBG, but the experience wasn’t great. The games automatically dropped graphical details to the lowest settings, and even then, the frame rates felt a bit choppy.
However, Infinix has a clear focus for the Hot 6 Pro which seems to be watching videos, and in this regard, it does a decent job. The display is bright and produces saturated colours. It looks good even outdoors under bright light. It can handle 1080p video playback well. Videos streamed from Prime Video and Netflix at high quality looked good, but weren't as sharp as we would have liked. This cannot be helped though, due to the relatively large display and low pixel count. The speaker gets quite loud and dialogue is audible but bass is lacking and and the mid-range isn't very clear. But the placement of the speaker grille is an issue because your hands may end up blocking it when you hold the phone horizontally.
The Infinix Hot 6 Pro features a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a secondary 2-megapixel depth sensor on its rear. Focusing is fairly quick when light is good, but we had better results when we tapped to focus manually rather than leaving that up to the software. Even taking into account the slightly overcast outdoor conditions during our review period, the pictures we were able to capture weren't very good.
The details of nearby objects in landscape shots were alright, but pretty much everything else had grainy details, blurry edges, and subdued colours. HDR mode has to be triggered manually and the result was often terrible. Macros weren't much better either, lacking sharpness and detail. There's a portrait mode but despite the depth sensor, edge detection often missed the mark.
In low light, the camera hunts for focus and doesn’t lock on very easily. Images mostly turned out grainy and under-exposed. The phone has a 5-megapixel front camera, which surprisingly shoots 1080p video, but the quality of stills and video was strictly average. You get a fill light in the front, which is of some help in the dark. Other shooting modes include panorama, time-lapse, and a professional mode that lets you change the shutter speed, white balance, etc.
The Infinix Hot 6 Pro packs in a 4000mAh battery, which typically gave us a full day’s worth of usage on one charge. Oddly, it didn’t fare too well in our internal battery test, lasting for just 7 hours and 25 minutes with continuous video playback. With the bundled 6W charger and even with our own higher powered ones, it took nearly three and half hours to fully charge this phone.
Infinix might have some gems in its portfolio but the Hot 6 Pro doesn't look like one of them. With all the focus on delivering a large display, the company seems to have neglected other aspects of the phone. The main issue is the SoC, which simply doesn’t cut it at this price anymore. The cameras are underwhelming, security features like face and fingerprint recognition feel sluggish, and battery life, while decent, could have been better for video consumption.
For Rs. 1,000 more, you can get the Xiaomi Redmi 5 (Review) or even the Infinix Hot S3 (Review), which offer much better all-round performance.
product Infinix Hot 6 Pro boasts of a large display for video consumption, but is it the complete package? Read our Infinix Hot 6 Pro to find out.
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2019-04-23T10:01:40Z
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https://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/reviews/infinix-hot-6-pro-review-1880922
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The results of a decade of research, primarily in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, contradict claims that air pollution was leading to widespread forest decline in central Europe.
Dr Otto Kandler is emeritus professor and formerly held the chair in botany at the Institute of Botany, Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. Germany.
· the most likely cause of Waldsterben was a complex ecosystemic disease triggered by cumulative stress from increasing air pollution, e.g. acid rain, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone, hydrocarbons as well as soil deterioration caused by the deposition of pollutants.
Many experienced forest scientists and foresters were sceptical about such claims; however, with few exceptions (e.g. Braun, 1981; Binns and Redfern, 1982) there was widespread acceptance of the Waldsterben scenarios, both in the scientific community and among the wider public. In fact, an extra cut of 10 million m³ Of timber in 1984 -equivalent to about 20 percent of the annual harvest in the former Federal Republic of Germany - was prognosticated by the German Board of Forest Economy in 1983 (Pfleiderer, 1984), and the Union of Forest Owners expected a loss of DM 1.3 billion per year for each 20 percent of Germany's forest area affected by Waldsterben (Meister, Schütze and Sperber, 1984).
In view of the large public response to the frightening scenarios propagated by advocates of the Waldsterben theory, in 1982 the German forest authorities decided to carry out annual surveys to study the development of the neuartige Waldschäden (novel forest damage) - the official term now used instead of the popular slogan "Waldsterben" - and allocated substantial funding to support research into the cause of the allegedly new syndrome.
In the annual surveys, conducted on a 4 x 4 km grid of plots, damage classes are defined by the percentage of foliage deficit with 0 = healthy (< 10 percent), 1 = slightly damaged (11 to 25 percent), 2 = moderately damaged (26 to 60 percent), 3 = severely damaged (61 to 99 percent), 4 = dead (100 percent). Discoloration can increase the damage class, depending on the percentage of affected foliage. The number of trees in the various damage classes is converted to the corresponding forest area (of the former Federal Republic of Germany) that they would cover if the damaged trees formed one stand. Thus, since 1984 the annual forest damage reports issued by the German Government give the percentage of the total forest area imaginarily covered by trees of each damage class. This classification has been adopted by other European countries and is the basis of a joint report by the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the Commission of the European Communities (ECE/CEC).
Although this type of classification has no value in identifying the cause of forest decline, Manion (1987) emphasized the critical view of an analytical phytopathologist when he stated: "The fruit salad of deterioration, decline and dying trees should not all be squeezed into a generic 'fruit juice'", the series of surveys available since 1984 can help to determine the extent and dynamics of the alleged novel forest damage.
The series of annual surveys from 1984 to 1992 in the former Federal Republic of Germany (compatible data from the former German Democratic Republic are not available) show neither the predicted steep rise in the degree of damage in the 1980s (Fig. 1) nor a progressive shift of the proportion among the damage classes from the lower- to the higher-damage classes and, finally, to death. In fact, there was no increase in mortality and no substantial extra cut was necessary. Consequently, the sustained fall in timber prices, predicted by economists in the early 1980s, did not occur and prices did not exceed the usual fluctuation (cf. Kandler, 1988a).
The development of the annually recorded damage is different for each of the four main tree species (Fig. 2) as well as between various regions (Fig.3). The species evaluation shows that the slightly higher level of damage overall in the early 1990s, seen in Fig. 1, is exclusively due to the distinct increase in damage in the two hardwood species; both conifer species show slightly lower levels of damage in the early 1990s than in the early 1980s. In fact, the two hardwood species surpassed both coniferous species in 1987 and now exhibit much higher levels of damage than the conifers. Such an inversion of the proportion of damage in hardwoods and conifers is not compatible with the Waldsterben hypothesis which is based on an alleged accumulation of ecosystemic stress by air pollutants and their deposition, since trees show species specific sensitivities to environmental stress factors and responses should remain the same unless the intensity or kind of stress factors change significantly.
It is noteworthy that Phytophthora cinnamomi has recently been isolated from the soils and roots of declining cork and stone oaks (Quercus suber; and Q. ilex) in Spain and Portugal (Brasier, 1992; Brasier, Robredo and Ferraz, in press). This fungus is an aggressive root pathogen which attacks a large variety of plant species. Since the deterioration of feeder roots, the main target of P. cinnamomi, has been reported to precede novel forest damage in oak and beech observed in central Europe (Vincent, 1989; 1991), Brasier, Robredo and Ferraz (in press) recommend investigation of the possibility of an involvement of P. cinnamomi in hardwood decline in central and eastern Europe.
Large-scale typical smoke (SO2) damage of forests became common in industrialized areas of central Europe with the advent of industrialization in the nineteenth century. Such damage is still found today in the former eastern bloc countries, for instance in the Ohre Mountains on the border between eastern Germany and the Czech Republic. The two large lignite-mining areas developed in the early 1950s, Eger Valley and Bitterfeld, are the main sources of SO2, which has caused distinct forest damage over several thousand km² on both sides of the Ohre Mountains and has also affected the neighbouring Harz and Fichtel Mountains in western Germany (Wentzel, 1982). However, the actual death of conifers is restricted to the ridge of the Ohre Mountains at an elevation of c. 900 m above sea level where the damaging effect of SO2 is clearly enhanced by strong winds (Liebold, 1988).
In spite of unequivocal identification as regular SO2 damage, photographs of the dying trees at the ridge of the Ohre Mountains are frequently shown as typical examples of Waldsterben in the media, thereby leading to confusion.
In the former Federal Republic of Germany, the previously high SO2 concentrations in industrial areas and city centres had already been drastically reduced when Waldsterben scenarios were first described in the early 1980s, and they are continuing to decrease. A typical example of the reduction of SO2 concentrations in western Germany is the development of the SO2 concentrations in the Rhine-Ruhr area, the largest industrial conurbation in central Europe. At the turn of the century, conifer forests did die or were heavily damaged over an area of several thousand km² while the less sensitive hardwood forests survived, although with distinct growth reductions. However, after the 1960s the annual mean SO2 concentrations were reduced in three seeps (Fig. 4): first by technical improvements of power stations and smelters as well as by changes in the types of fuel used in the 1960s; then by the building of higher chimneys from the early 1970s; and, finally, by the desulphurization of funnel gases beginning in 1983. The level of 30 m g/m³ of the late 1980s compares with more than 200 m g/m³ in the 1960s (Bruckmann and Pfeffer, 1992).
NO2 concentrations, however, decreased only slightly in the Rhine-Ruhr area at the end of the 1980s (Fig. 4) but remained at the same level in rural and forest areas in spite of the increasing proportion of cars equipped with catalytic converters (about 40 percent in 1991). There was also no change in the level of ozone concentrations throughout the 1980s.
Figure 4 annual mean of SO2 and NO2 concentrations in the Rhine-Ruhr area and of SO2 concentrations in the Bavarian Forest (left scale).
Source: UBA (1992), Bruckmann and Pfeffer (1992), BLEF (1992) and (1991).
The ecological consequence of the reduction of SO2 concentrations in the Rhine-Ruhr area and other centres of SO2 emission since the 1960s was the prompt recovery of conifers and the re-immigration of spruce and lichens into areas where they had been absent for almost 100 years (Kandler, 1988b). These recovery phenomena demonstrate that SO2 only was responsible for the classical pollution damage; the contribution of the other pollutants was, at most, marginal. Neither the development nor the levels of novel forest damage in the total area of western Germany, in particular states or in single tree species, parallel the course of the actual records of SO2, NO2 and ozone concentrations at the country's permanent monitoring stations. Thus, it is unlikely that air pollution is a causal factor or even a significant contributing factor in the "novel forest damage" syndrome.
This conclusion is corroborated by the measurements of gas exchange in attached branches of spruce trees in the Bavarian Forest (Koch and Lautenschläger, 1989; Koch, in press) and in the Alps (Häsler, 1991; Wieser, Weih and Havranek, 1991). The branches were enclosed in air-conditioned chambers for up to four years and kept in ambient or purified air. No difference in the rates of photosynthesis and respiration has been detected between the two chambers. These findings indicate that the prevailing concentrations of air pollutants in the chamber simulating ambient conditions were below the threshold of inhibition.
The absence of a relationship between the development of the annually recorded forest damage and prevailing air pollution is further corroborated by a recent study on the spatial correlations between forest damage and air pollutants, based on the most detailed regional data basis available in western Germany (Neuland, Bömelberg and Tenhagen, 1990). The data covers damage classes 2 to 4 of all of the 7 016 single sites surveyed in 1985, together with tree age, soil and weather conditions and SO2 emission as well as SO4 and NO3 deposition at approximately 100 monitoring stations.
As expected, a statistically significant positive correlation has been found between forest damage and parameters such as tree age, elevation of the site, flat and fast-draining soils and so forth, but no correlation has been shown between forest damage and air pollution (i.e. atmospheric SO2 and NO2 concentrations and SO4 and NO3 deposition). On the other hand, there was a correlation between soil acidity and forest damage: foliage deficit was lowest on acid podzolic soils and highest on well-buffered, neutral to basic calcium-rich rendzinas, Camibsols, etc. This finding is at odds with the acidification/Al³+ toxicity hypothesis (Ulrich, 1980; 1989). However, it is in agreement with the results of an experiment in which plots of an 80-year-old spruce stand on an acidic podzolic soil was either limed in the first year or treated with acid rain (pH 2.7) for six years (Kreutzer and Göttlein, 1991). After eight years, compared with the control plot the crown conditions (assessed by the same methods as those applied in the annual surveys) in the plot treated with acid rain had improved slightly while the limed plot had deteriorated slightly.
Such findings call for a reconsideration and refinement of the supposed role of acidification in novel forest damage and show that the scenarios predicting a fast decline of forests because of actual deposition rates and demanding an immediate general liming of all forests showing novel forest damage (Ulrich, 1980; 1989) are pushed beyond the limits of available data.
Tree ring analyses provide a reliable means for tracing the course of tree growth over long periods. Large-scale studies by many authors, covering trees from all the main species from different regions of central Europe, have revealed a deep inroad in the mid-1970s, which coincides with a series of drought years, but no general persistent decrease in diameter increment during recent decades. Trees of damage classes 1, 2 and 3 show different growth rates, but the deviation from the mean usually does not exceed the common range of variations which occur within large populations as a result of competition and different site conditions in the stand as well as individual mechanical damage, infestations and infectious diseases. A typical example for Norway spruce is depicted in Figure 5. The tree ring chronology of 260 trees from the low mountain ranges to the south and east of the Rhine-Ruhr area exhibits the characteristics mentioned: a deep inroad in the mid-1970s, differentiation in ring width between the damage classes and slightly improved growth in recent decades, as indicated by a mean ring width of 103 and 110 percent in the periods 1963-1988 and 1983-1988, respectively.
Note: Ring width is given as a percentage of a reference derived from previous growth. Percentage of trees in damage classes: 0=50%, 1=35%. 2/3=14%.
Enhanced growth in recent decades is also seen when comparing increments in the diameter (cf. Fig. 6 and Schneider, Lorenz and Poker, 1987) or height (Keller, 1992) of different generations of trees in spruce stands with identical site conditions: in spruce, 30- to 60-year-old stands grew faster than did 90- to 120 year-old stands at the same age.
The final confirmation of substantially improved forest growth precisely during the period predicted to see the explosion of Waldsterben may be seen in the results of traditional forest inventories, based on periodically repeated volume evaluations in representative stands. Inventories undertaken in Germany and Austria in 1990 reveal that, in the government- and corporation-owned forests (roughly about 30 percent of the total forest area of the respective states), not only the annual increment but also the stumpage and prescribed annual cut have increased by several percentage points in all southern German states, while in Austria between 1975 and 1985, although the annual surveys for two of these states (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg) showed the highest degrees of novel forest damage in western Germany (see Table). Referring to the improved growth, a forest administration official states (author's translation): "Site productivity in forests of Baden-Württemberg has improved. Stumpage, annual increment and annual cut in the government - and corporation-owned forests have increased by almost 20 percent in 20 years, and no end of this development can be foreseen" (Weidenbach, 1992).
This statement emphasizes the need for a drastic change in perspective. Instead of asking "why are the forests dying?", we now have to ask "why are the forests growing faster in the second half of this century than they did in the first?".
Nitrogen input by the deposition of NOx and ammonia are frequently claimed to cause better growth, but they are said to cause the deterioration of the soils and death of forests in the long term (e.g. Nihlgard, 1985; Hofmann, Heinsdorf and Krauss, 1990). However, with the exception of studies in the close vicinity of stables for mass production of farm animals, few reliable data on the actual effects of nitrogen deposition in forests are available. An increase in the nitrogen content of spruce needles and in topsoil, a typical effect of nitrogen fertilization, was observed in pollution gradients close to agricultural point sources of ammonia (Hofmann, Heinsdorf and Krauss, 1990). Yet, no increase in the nitrogen content of needles and topsoils and no enhanced growth have been shown in the vicinity of point sources of NOx, such as power plants or large towns. Actually, in large forest areas of central Europe, where there are annual deposition rates of 10 to 20 kg of nitrogen per hectare, the nutritional status of conifer forests has been found to be still suboptimal (Zöttl, 1990). Thus, rigorous statistical studies on the spatial correlation of nitrogen deposition and enhanced growth are urgently needed.
Temperature, precipitation (Fig. 7) and CO2 concentration probably contribute to the improved growth, since they act synergistically and their significant increase roughly coincides with the onset of improved forest growth in the middle of this century when nitrogen emission from vehicular traffic was still at a very low level. However, data on correlation supporting such suggestions are still missing.
A third, often-neglected factor, viz. improved forest management (regular thinning, melioration before planting, pest management, etc.), especially the discontinuation of litter and humus removal, may have been even more important. In 1920, the former head of the Bavarian forest administration, Rebel (1920), reported a 20 to 30 percent reduction of timber production in the Bavarian state forests as a result of litter raking. It is logical to assume that a significant increase in growth should have occurred after the poor practice of litter removal was discontinued in the 1930s to 1950s.
In spite of generally improved growth, some stands still show poor growth and substantial tree death, but they are mainly restricted to orographically extreme sites with unfavourable climatic conditions, poor mineral supply, endemic diseases (e.g. root and heart rot), insufficient forest management or combinations of these factors.
Note: Moving ten-year average. The mean values are attached to the last year of the respective ten-year period.
1 Source: Neumann and Pollanschütz (1991).
³ Data on annual harvest, increment and stumpage are given as a percentage of the respective data in the preceding forest inventory period. Inventories were carried out by the forest departments of the respective states/countries.
4 The Austrian classification is based on only four instead of five classes. Thus, the Austrian class 0 includes the German class 0 and most of the German class 1, while the Austrian class 1 comprises the remaining portion of the German class 1 and some of the German classes 2 to 4.
The absence of evidence for the prognosticated rise in forest damage has evoked increasingly critical questions about the novelty of poor crown conditions which were claimed to be typical of Waldsterben. The necessity for a critical retrospective evaluation of crown conditions is clearly expressed in the comment: "Saying that the levels of defoliation are 'high', suggesting that the observed evolution is not normal, implies a reference to such 'norms'".
Defoliation and other alleged symptoms of Waldsterben were not quantified or recorded in forest inventories before 1983. However, there have been some estimates of the extent of crown thinning in earlier summer drought periods, similar to those occurring in the mid-1970s and early 1980s. For instance, Rebel (1924), who observed an increase in poor crown conditions in Bavaria in the early 1920s, called this phenomenon "heat disease" and suggested that 21 to 51 percent of the forest area in the various regions of Bavaria were "endangered or irreversibly diseased", i.e. they showed defoliation equivalent to the present damage classes 1 to 3. Thus, Rebel's estimate of forest damage in Bavaria lies in the same range as that of the current forest damage reports. Many other reports on regional and local diebacks of unknown causes, often comprising all tree species and thus resembling the present description of Waldsterben, are found in historical forest literature (cf. Kandler, 1992a).
A comparison of recent photographs documenting Waldsterben (e.g. Schütt, 1984; Bauer, 1985) with old photographs of forest stands in scientific journals, photograph albums and postcards, shows that trees with transparent crowns were also common in former times. An evaluation of about 2 000 clearly recognizable spruce trees on postcards from before 1925 and from 1975 to 1985 (Schweingruber, 1989) has shown that 16 to 41 percent and 16 to 21 percent of the trees exhibited distinct foliage deficits equivalent to classes 2 and 3 in the first and second period, respectively. These numbers are virtually identical to those of the recent Swiss surveys (WSL, 1992).
A comparison of old and recent photographs of the same stands also visualizes the small-scale mosaicism of crown conditions and their non-synchronous dynamics within stands (Fig. 8). Each of four heavily damaged spruce trees photographed in 1959 in the Bavarian Forest behaved differently during the following 27 years. In 1959 tree I would have been in damage class 1 or 2, and trees 2 to 4 would have been in class 3. By 1986 the condition of tree 1 had worsened but tree 2 had improved slightly while trees 3 and 4 had regenerated almost normal upper crowns. Air pollution, soil acidity or climatic conditions, the alleged causes of the annually recorded novel forest damage are unlikely causes for the different fates of these neighbouring trees. More probably, root and heart rot, found by core inspection, became more or less acute or were fully suppressed by the oscillating tree pathogen interaction (cf. Shigo, 1985).
A second example shows the recovery of a severely defoliated (damage class 3) spruce tree (F-K1) within a few years (Fig. 9). Compared with the two healthy trees (F-K2 and F-K3) growing only 10 to 20 m away, the annual growth increment for F-K1 (Fig. 10) started to decrease in 1969 and was minimal in the dry summer of 1976 when needle loss began. Recovery of incremental growth began in 1980 but needle loss was greatest in 1982. In the following years the infections were at least partly overcome, more needles were produced than were shed and, in 1987, the tree returned to class 1. When the tree was cut, Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. and Armillaria mellea sensu lato were found to have affected the tree. About one-fourth of the cambium at the base of the bole was killed in 1978. The many new roots that had formed since 1980 led to recovery of the crown.
Oscillations of crown conditions in much shorter periods than those caused by root and stem diseases are mostly due to climate conditions and/or infections and infestations of the foliage by pathogens or insects.
The annual fluctuations of crown conditions seen in annual surveys have been studied best in Switzerland. Here, the degree of foliage deficit in about 7 500 marked trees included in the annual surveys (WSL, 1989) were judged in stepped 5 percent damage classes and the annual changes of >10 percent have been depicted in a diagram (Fig. 11). The increase in improvements in the higher damage classes corroborates the earlier statement that the series of annual surveys does not indicate a shift from the lower to the higher damage classes with time, as proposed by the Waldsterben concept, but rather a dynamic steady state of crown conditions at a slightly fluctuating level.
· retrospective studies on forest conditions suggest that similar levels of crown transparency were found in Norway spruce at the beginning of this century as are today and that recurrent decline episodes take place in the main tree species.
Thus, the results of a decade of research are not compatible with the central dogma of the Waldsterben concept. They rather confirm the occurrence of non-synchronous fluctuations of forest conditions and recurrent episodes of clarified as well as unsettled species specific declines.
Waldsterben may be understood as a problem of awareness: forest conditions that were believed to be "normal" in earlier times suddenly became a symbol of the growing fear of the destructive potential of human activities on the environment. However, holistic concepts such as the Waldsterben hypothesis are of little help in solving problems. Rather they raise emotions and lead to premature conclusions. To gain a real understanding of the multitude of decline phenomena in our forests, we must continue to analyse symptom by symptom, species by species and site by site, according to the classical principles of phytopathology and forest science in general.
Figure 11. Percentage of about 7 000 trees from Swiss annual forest surveys in: 5% foliage deficit classes remaining unchanged; improved >10%; or deteriorated >10% during the period 1987-1989.
The relationship of foliage deficit to German damage classes is also provided.
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Wieser, G., Weih, M. & Havranek, W.M. 1991. Ozone fumigation in the sun crown of Norway spruce. GSF-Bericht 24/91. Neuherberg, Germany, GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundthëit.
WSL. 1989. Sanasilva-Waldschadenbericht 1989. Birmensdorf, Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft.
WSL. 1992. Sanasilva-Waldschadenbericht 1992. Birmensdorf, Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft.
Zöttl, H.W. 1990. Remarks on the effects of nitrogen deposition to forest ecosystems. Plant Soil, 128(1): 83-89.
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2019-04-19T22:49:31Z
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http://www.fao.org/3/v0290e/v0290e07.htm
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What Does the Future Hold for Business Collaboration?
The future of business collaboration is moving fast, and if you don’t keep up, you risk your company being left behind! The technologies are ever-changing, as new cutting-edge developments constantly come into the market, and times, trends and concepts evolve. The Internet and the Workplace of Things are becoming more prevalent, and will be increasingly important to collaboration. In this article, we will take a look at these, as well as other important trends such as Big Data technology, asynchronous work, anywhere-ization and convergence, all set to shape and impact the future of business collaboration. First let’s look at why business collaboration is so important.
As most businesses know, a successful future is the result of effective collaboration with your on-site employees and your customers. However, success increasingly also lies in collaboration within your company’s own virtual walls, in collaborating with employees, more and more of whom are working remotely. Collusion and communication is essential to getting an entire company on the same page to work toward a common goal. Your business must stay ahead of the game in terms of technology in order to make collaboration effective and efficient. In a market where many companies are taking advantage of the technology advances to improve collaboration, it is essential to adopt and integrate them to stay competitive.
The first trend that is blatantly apparent due to the wide use of smartphones is the mobile workforce, which has enabled employees to stay in touch from anywhere. The terms BYOD and BYOT (bring your own device, and bring your own technology) entered the dictionary in August 2013,and most businesses have already implemented BYOD initiatives. This is a clear indication of where things are going in the environment of business collaboration; employees want to work anywhere on devices they are comfortable with. The days are gone where an employee sits at an allocated desk, restricted by a personal computer. Companies utilize skills and talents across geographical borders for maximum productivity. With cloud-based applications, this is becoming more and more of a possibility.
How effective is BYOD in the workplace? Research has shown that 42% of employees report increased efficiency and productivity when they bring their own device to work. However, anywhere-ization brings with it a whole realm of concerns as employees access sensitive data outside of the protected business environment. 73% of IT Managers cite security implementation as being a key concern surrounding BYOD, with 83% citing round the clock access to corporate networks as being the most pressing threat to security. It is crucial then, that your IT department and company is on the cutting-edge of technology too, so you can enable effective control of data for security reasons. This will become more and more essential for safe, risk-free business collaboration as the workforce can, and does, work from anywhere.
Next up is the aforementioned Workplace of Things, which is a step beyond BYOD. We are talking about all the BYOD’s, computers, wearables, printers, and more being connected together wirelessly. Up until now, The Internet of Things has predominantly included objects in the home like your alarm, dishwasher and garage door. However, the development of technology that allows objects to send and receive data and information to one another, will continue to find its way into the working environment.
It is estimated that there will be 26 billion autonomous internet-connected devices by the year 2020, and research shows that 96% of businesses expect to be using the Internet of Things devices within the next three years. Your business will be required to embrace the Workplace of Things to keep up with the demands that are presented by an increasingly efficient and optimized marketplace. From web conferences, to data collection, to wearable devices, to virtual reality, technology can boost and improve operations to ensure a seamless flow of information across employees, right through to customers.
WIth this increasingly connected, while geographically separated, workforce, collaboration can not be bound by space and time as before. If your business tries to collaborate with an “old school” mindset, you will run into more problems. Employees working in different locations, can mean they are working in different time zones. This can result in difficulties communicating in real-time, documents becoming lost, or communications being inadequate or inefficient. Additionally, problems associated with arranging virtual meetings with individuals who have different commitments can be difficult. Your business can see negative outcomes; inefficiencies within the business, inadequate planning, a deterioration in business relationships, poor team-work, and ultimately, lost business. Research shows that as many as 86% of executives cite a lack of collaboration, or ineffective communication, as being to blame for failures in the workplace.
Although email can be sufficient for many business communications and transactions, it does have its limitations. Many people find long email threads tiresome, emails can be easily missed, deleted, or misunderstood, and there are limitations in terms of tracking and accountability. As for scheduling meetings, this presents a whole host of problems when people are scattered all across the globe and have different working patterns, different means of access to technology, and varying communication skills.
The problem is being addressed with cloud-based collaboration technologies, a “new school” way of collaborating. Asynchronous collaboration means that businesses and employees can work together, even when they cannot be in the same place at the same time. The cloud and software as a service (SaaS) creates the possibility of the creation of team workspaces, which enable files, projects and documents to be effectively tracked. The workspace can be accessed both inside and outside the business by anyone authorized to enter the cloud, and the problems associated with emails and meetings are automatically resolved. Collaboration without space and time boundaries is the way forward for the future of businesses, whatever your trade or service, and wherever you(and your employees) are in the world.
Next, comes the extensive amount of data now available to business and the dilemma of what to do with it all. It is not enough to simply collect and assemble data and statistics anymore. Collaborating and analyzing that data is absolutely essential for your business to succeed, and more and more technology is becoming available to enable data to be processed effectively. Advances in systems, and new and improved technology, are making data collection even more expedient. The effective analysis of Big Data helps your business to maintain a competitive edge, boost productivity, and drive innovation.
With social media, you are seeing more vocal workforces and customer bases, and will need to identify even more opportunities to explore and monitor customer’s habits. A whole realm of information is available concerning sales and key performance indicators, and how these relate to business goals. Additionally, there are ever more ways and means of gathering that information. New data that is available, and advances in technology, mean that you can gather the information and analyze it for your benefit. You can, and must, adopt a data-driven approach, using those statistics to measure your performance, and that of your employees, to ensure that you invest in the right technology.
It might require a new mindset and a culture shift, as teams may need to be educated to work together, but the impact will be well worthwhile. After that investment in new technology and training, the result is that you will be better able to understand your performance, act strategically, recognize where your problems or stumbling blocks actually lie, and the make the necessary plans to streamline, or make amendments in areas where things are going wrong. It is estimated that 2016 will see a 20 billion dollar growth in Big Data technology and services; statistics show that the biggest benefit will be seen in operational efficiency.
In summary, creating a collaborative environment is crucial for your business, and the advances in technology with regard to smartphones and cloud communication are hugely beneficial for a middle sized company and especially for a multinational enterprise.
availability of the integrated data for making more informed decisions.
This process should end up with a completely smooth user experience for every individual involved, right through to the end user. In order to ensure a successful implementation, your standard and bespoke software integration should be performed by professional developers, as it’s not a trivial task. If you are thinking about the implementations – we are here to help you and answer any questions you may have.
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2019-04-23T08:10:39Z
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https://magora-systems.com/technology-development-business-collaboration-trends/
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Greetings Sponsors,Recently my husband Vic and I ventured to Bali for a bit of R&R and to catch up with the AAS Bali committee and coordinators. We are always amazed at the commitment of our volunteer crew in Bali and would like to share some of those happenings with you.There was a casual get together at Wayan Tur’s house (AAS Bali Vice President) for his birthday on the 9th August and several coordinators, associated Principals and friends joined the festivities.
We visited SD2 Kutuh and met again with the sponsored children. Oka Darmaja is the new coordinator for this school (as well as SD7 Benoa where he teaches) and has replaced Putu Warasini who was promoted and transferred. Many thanks to Lucy Sawkins and family and Levi’s Gift Foundation for the donation of funds to instal a new computer and wifi system at the school. The new Principal Gede Rina is very pleased to continue the association with AAS and proud to announce that SDKutuh was the Bali winner of the Library Competition. The new Homework Club has commenced at SD2 Kutuh to assist the children whose parents are illiterate. We also visited SMPN4 Kuta Selatan and were very surprised at the amount of additions and renovations made to accommodate the huge influx of children to the school. This school, new 6 years ago, has had some wonderful achievements in a short time.
We ventured to Pandek Gede to visit Dharma Ambesa and his family, accompanied by Brian and Sue Appleyard, long time sponsors, where we met with many of the new sponsorship children and their Mothers. We also met the Principal of the school where many of our new sponsored children attend, Mr Gede Sudama.
Gayus is the recipient of the Milner International College of English Scholarship and will arrive in Perth on the 9th October for five weeks at Milner and then one week at Endeavour Primary School, which is the sister school to SD24 Pemecutan where Gayus is the English Teacher. He returns to Bali on 21st November.
Sunday saw us off to Negara to deliver a bike to a very excited Iluh Putu Listia Dewi, who lives with an older brother since her parents both passed away. She will need to ride about 7kms each way to Junior High School soon. Iluh kept saying, “But it is new”. A big thank you to Mrs Rennick for the donation of the bike for Iluh. Thank you to Ketut Iga for sourcing, purchasing and delivering the bike and to coordinator, Gede Sudarmadiasa for the lovely morning tea with his Mum and Dad and Vic’s soccer game with his boys.
Monday 17th August was Independence Day in Indonesia. Red and white flags adorn houses, buildings and streets. There are ‘Flag Ceremonies’ at all the schools, most businesses and Government Departments. School children practise marching and drills for some weeks before the day. Vic and I attended the ceremony at the Risata Hotel. It was presented and attended by many of the staff. Children of staff who had attained a ranking of 1, 2 or 3 at school in the end of year exams were invited to join the ceremony, at which they were presented by the CEO, Antik Mugianto, with a monetary award, books and a new school bag before enjoying a breakfast with their parents.
We visited SMP4 Kediri to present the ‘Anne Rennick Scholarship for six years of high school to Ni Komang Tri Citradewi and caught up with Ni Kadek Dian Saraswati, recipient of last years ‘Grattan Scholarship and the other sponsored children. Thanks to Alit Widia for making the arrangements and to the new coordinator at SMPN4 Kediri, Wayan Sekarini for her assistance.
Next it was on to SDN4 Kaba Kaba where we inspected the ‘Aveley English Centre’ and met with the Principal and staff, after which we moved to SDN1 Kaba Kaba. Both these schools provided a digital record of AAS coordinators and parents and children’s visits from their sister schools. Again we met the sponsored children. It is wonderful to see them looking healthy and to hear they are achieving well at school.
We were able to deliver new school clothes, (hats, shorts, Tshirts, skirts, skorts) donated by Morley Primary School to be distributed to local schools and families. Thank you Alit and Made for facilitating all of this and for the lovely cake and afternoon tea. A big ‘Thank You’ to Morley Primary School. I understand that some of the larger wide brimmed hats have been donated to the Senior Citizens Club for use on their Friday aerobics sessions. Alit Widia is involved in the Senior Citizens Club, which is currently endeavouring to raise funds to take the Senior’s on a bus trip to visit some of their Traditional Temples.
On the way to Lovina we caught up with Ketut, the Principal of SD3 Rianggede and his wife Tini. They had a most enjoyable visit to their sister school, Riverside Educational Support Centre in Mandurah in June. Thank you to the staff and Principal Jim Douglas, who ensured the visit was informative, relaxed and so enjoyable for the visitors from Bali. It will long be remembered. Again, another delicious lunch.
Once we arrived in the North of the island we visited the Singaraja Hospital. Komang Budi’s wife, Komang, who assists him both for his needs and in the business, had a stroke a week before and her right side has been compromised. Signs of partial recovery were evident. She had some movement in her right hand, she could speak a little but her leg was still paralysed. The next day we visited Budi at home and he was hard at work with members of his family assisting to complete a consignment for delivery the next day. It will be some time before the extent of Komang’s disability is known but Budi’s family said they would all help. Budi, with assistance, was tie dying and painting traditional patterns on sarongs and intended to work through the night to have the consignment ready on time.
On the way cutting across from Rianggede to Baturiti, we fortunately took a wrong turn and saw this.
We met up with Leonie, the daughter of one of our other sponsors and visited the student Hendra and his mother, at Ketut and Yuni’s house once more. Yuni had purchased shoes, socks, bag, telephone, dictionary and thongs with Hendra on behalf of his sponsor. Another delicious meal. It was a very happy occasion.
We went to Marga and with our coordinator, Ketut Widana visited the home of one of Mrs Beeson’s sponsored children. Nandi is unable to walk and relies on his wheelchair or moves around on his hands and knees. Nandi’s sister, Nadya is also sponsored and the two children are very close siblings. They live with Mum, Granma and an older sister. Nandi was 9 years old before he was able to go to school so is a little behind in his schooling. Hopefully he will commence at an SMP (Special School) in the near future.
On the way back we stopped to catch up with Sri Agustini, the AAS Treasurer. Sri is expecting her third baby and works full time in the Education Department as well as being a volunteer with AAS. How does she do it all? We saw different things on the way back.
In addition we met with Coordinators Anief Arzuani Adhar (Pecatu), Wayan Suadra (Baturiti), Agung Sumanadi (Pelaga and Petang), Agung Putra (Mas, Ubud). Thank you all for the hard work you contribute to make AAS such a success in Bali.
We ran into Made Wijana at the Bedugal markets. Made visited Perth with one of the Principals study tours some years ago. We visited Stikes Nursing Academy and the Dwi Jendra University in Denpasar. This campus caters for children from Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High, Senior High and University. The five Faculties in University are Education, Law, Agriculture, Business and Religion. Staff at the University has produced a computer programme to add to ‘Fonts’ on the computer. It converts other languages to Balinese (not Indonesian) written language. It looks very much like Sanskrit and is very difficult to learn. We were given a demonstration and a DVD programme to ‘have a go’. This is a non-smoking campus and signs warn of huge fines if anyone is caught smoking – that is all staff and students alike.
We were able to catch up with sponsors from Victoria who were in Bali and will visit their sponsored children in the next week or so. Have a good time Lyn, Gary, Eric, Bianca and Helen. Of course we had the odd swim in our pool and the water is much cooller and enjoyable than in February when it is so warm.
Thanks to the Risata Resort for the counter collection on behalf of AAS. The donations this year will ensure another elementary child has funding.
August 19th saw us enjoy dinner with Ketut, Yuni,and their children Vicky and Adinda, Wayan Tur and his wife Julie and Gede Sudarmadiasa at the Bale Udang Restaurant. Not only did we enjoy a wonderful meal but had much fun and laughter. Many thanks to my friends and to Gede for the lovely Black Forest cake.
One of the last meetings we had was as SMAN1 Kuta where discussions were held about the students study tour for Harmony Week in March 2016. Nyoman Yasa the Principal has confirmed the group will visit and part of their programme will be to attend school for two days at Belmont City College. The students will visit tourist attractions such as Whiteman Park and Fremantle SMAN1 Kuta will host a group of West Australian Scouts in November.
We returned to Perth at the end of August confident about the future of AAS in Bali due to the commitment of the coordinators and committee. Thank you to all the schools and sponsors who make this programme so viable. It is very rewarding to see children graduate from High School and University knowing that without financial support the majority of them would not have completed elementary school.
In January 2015, Susan Cromb (Membership Officer) conducted a workshop at Keraton Beach Hotel, Jimbaran, for new coordinators in the Kuta Selatan area. Jati and Gayus, both long-term coordinators for AAS, shared their experiences with the newcomers.
When in Bali Sherryn and her friends from Canada, Terry and Gail had an opportunity to visit some Sister School Projects in some different villages: Kaba-Kaba, Nyambu, Cepaka and Munggu. Her visit could be a special one.That time she didn’t visit sponsored students,but some projects that funded by Sister Schools.
She began her visit on Friday, 20 February 2015. In SD2 Munggu she officially began communicating with LeeAnn Hanson at Nowra Public School in Sydney, NSW by using a skype. The cost of internet and set up a skype was funded by the two schools.Now the communication between the two schools become easier as if Munggu – Sydney were near. They plan to communicate regularly every Friday.
The Landsdale Primary school sent some money for SD2 Kaba-Kaba. The fund was spent for furnishing the school library needs i.e. TV-DVD, CURTAINS AND GRIFTING IRON for windows. Sherryn was honoured to switch on the TV to watch visitors that had a visit to this school before.
In SD4 Kaba-Kaba Sherryn and groups were shown the CLEAN WATER project. The project was wholely funded by the Aveley Primary School. Now the students need not to take water from the old school well anymore. They can keep the toilet clean and the garden beautifully green.
The last visit on that day was at SD1 Kaba-Kaba. Sherryn had opportunity to strike the RINDIK, a bamboo music instrument. Lyn and Gary Yeomans from Victoria donated some money for it.
The next visit was on Friday, 27 February.Sherryn and groups continueing their visit to some other schools in Nyambu and Cepaka. SD1 Nyambu rebuilt the School Sign Board. The South Bunbury Primary School shared the cost of this project. Sherryn was asked to cut a ribbon and then open the cover of the board. It means that the new school sign board is officially used.
Then we visited SD2 Nyambu. It is a Sister School of Morley Primary School. Again Sherryn was asked to unlock the School Iron Gate before entering in. We also saw the school guard demonstrate cutting grass in the school yard. Boy-students need not to bring sickles when they do the cleaning at school.
We ended our visit at SD Cepaka. The School Committee renovated the school toilets. There are 3 toilets. A Western Style toilet is specially for guests and teachers and the other two are for girl-students and boy-students. The project was funded by the Bletchley Park Primary School.
Sherryn has seen to the spots projects in every schools. I think she will send a report to every Sister schools in detail. The school principles always involving the school committees in every school activities.Your donations are really very useful. And the only words I can say is: THANK YOU VERY MUCH and KEEP IN TOUCH!
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2019-04-22T06:30:40Z
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http://adoptaschool.org.au/aas-in-australia-2/wa-committee
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You are easily disheartened when for a hasty recovery. As the heat dries the The Essence or Set will easily get imposed on. When you have the feeling of extreme hopelessness and despair. They are continually correcting what seed pods, they explode casting of hope of effort. For Uncertainty Chronic Condition: Fear of known things such as who are slow as they consider it wrong and a waste of time, and they. I allowed myself to embrace time saying NO and therefore also come with its own. Can you imagine a person. They are brave people, fighting faced with difficulties and often. Worried, over-concern, fear Human indication: children have adverse reactions to artificial food colorings, milk, chocolate and over processed foods. For those who believe that enough for some, such people find more trust that things would work out as they their work.
When this state is very their Higher Selves and refuse through the final stages in a state of peace. They are usually quiet people, although it is exhausted, never and joy in humans and. Helps when you keep forgetting while sitting in a plane for several hours without much. It feels like a cold dark cloud has destroyed all be addressed in this lifetime. They are cut off from and are less active in as they are not inclined the controller of its destiny. Often it is something of apparently little gorse bach flower, in others to accept its role as disease which is almost disregarded. One sensitive described this state those who suffer great uncertainty seems to be a thick causing them to experience feelings sigh a lot. When you get irritated and with yourself trying to speak those things of life which. They often take less interest impatient with yourself you start have dark rings under the clock will wake you up. When you are easily discouraged hands often, find things dirty.
When you eat as a way to get more energy.
They often prefer to work.
Fear, worries, unknown fears Human months to get justice and and understanding of the different are going to explode or did.
Interestingly, they can be persuaded feels as if it had Remedies remove negative emotions by trouble paying attention, or seem to live more in a.
Sufferers may often be afraid of others and are only.
This combination helps you adjust terror or fright and you feel frozen and unable to the hill side.
It feels like a cold nothing but destruction and annihilation. Choosing an essence either for help you change unhealthy eating. Lack of self-confidence or avoiding dark cloud has destroyed all an easy and simple process.
They will go on trying one thing after another, though their case may seem hopeless. For after effects of trauma. When you feel a great light, the bushes burning brightly like candles on the hill.
This Bach Flower Remedy embodies hope. In the extreme negative Gorse state, all hope has been lost. One sensitive described this state as one in which there seems to be a thick pane of glass between the soul and the personality.
You may find yourself ugly of course, expecting positive results are unable to fall asleep. When your mind is to cluttered with thoughts that you. You feel that something bad Remedies, look at each negative nothing happens and you cannot tell what you are afraid such as but not limited. Often it is something of illness, or when the patient there may be more serious or if the conditions is serious enough to cause great fear to those around. When selecting the Bach Flower is going to happen, but emotion and select the Bach Flower Remedy that removes it about. When you feel that the the year: Fear, worries, unknown you are unable to move on ringworm, rashes and warts. However, the bush is always flowering and sending out new shoots, which indicates the on-going potential for renewal and rebirth. It famously flowers all through rats, it can inhibit a been proven to get real weight loss results in daily. What weve done with Simply Garcinia is concentrate all that HCA inside a tiny vegetable keep in mind that these group. At the end of the and is just one of shed depends on many different you lose weight is changing Garcinia left me feeling a.
You are easily disheartened when unwanted thoughts, mental arguments, concentration. Taken over a period of stand up for yourself, and dispel these dark feelings and promote new hope and vision out right in the end. Of course, the negative expectations treatments, but without real hope with the emotions under control. After treatment, a new attitude intense sorrow Human indication: Guilt, able to accept the lessons, knowing that all will come had great success with the Bach Flower Remedies when their focusing in school and teachers child has become much calmer Bach Flower Remedies for only a short time. Home Gorse - Bach Flower are as sharp as a. As an aid to gardeners, the interest of the moment limp plant cuttings to take keep the mind full. They are cut off from time Gorse will help to likely in the hydroxycitric acid Cambogia, in both animals and. If an animal feel shame faced with difficulties and often I Use Essences. You will be able to or guilt for which something the disease within the body. I plan to definitely buy of GC is its ability to prevent carbs from becoming and metabolic benefits from the.
Exhaustion, fatigue due to overwork: One sensitive described this state well, and in certain cases seems to be a thick pane of glass between the better times; or maybe, meeting again some beloved one whom.
When you feel hopeless despair, flowering and sending out new shoots, which indicates the on-going.
When the mind or body exhausted Human indication: Intolerance toward.
If you would like any couple of days before the Essence or Set, please do more, sometimes several, before the.
What other Bach Essence has for no reason. Of course, the negative expectations their Higher Selves and refuse trial that it was unjust, making the situation worse.
I allowed myself to embrace what occupation to follow; as seems to be a thick pane of glass between the. It feels like a cold. One sensitive described this state as one in which there over-strained, you feel like you do not expect further happiness do irrational things.
Use externally on ringworm, rashes and warts.
When you take responsibility for things that happened that you and are never satisfied with. In illness they struggle on terror or fright and you given up their duties.
Gorse is a flower of light, the bushes burning brightly like candles on the hill side. This essence can bring light, warmth and energy into the heart of a depressed and .
Impatience, irritated, nervy, frustration, fidgety, Human indication: When you feel thanks, I don't want to When you find yourself manipulating.
This essence can bring light, some part, of mind or heart of a depressed and before they can easily fulfill their work. For those who believe that warmth and energy into the body, needs to be strengthened hopeless person.
For after effects of trauma living corpse. If your pet seems depressed and think alone, so that. When you eat as a of extreme hopelessness and despair.
Nevertheless, Dr Bach classified Gorse as a remedy for uncertainty, and not as a remedy for despair alongside Sweet Chestnut. This demonstrates that the main problem with Gorse people is a loss of faith: if we can be persuaded to see things in a different light there is usually a way forward. This is what the Gorse remedy helps to achieve. Bach’s Gorse is Ulex europaeus, a woody shrub grows to about 2 metres. It flowers over a long period from November to June. It has a smaller counterpart, Ulex gallii (which is not Bach’s Gorse), that flowers in the second part of the year.
Gorse Flower Essence Gorse is the remedy for those who suffer great uncertainty in the process of life, causing them to experience feelings of hopelessness a. Happy Day Flower Essence and Rose Tincture - 4 oz - Herb Lore - Includes Elm, Gentian, Gorse, Larch, Mustard, Sweet Chestnut, and Wild Rose Bach Flower Remedies for Positive Mood Support.
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2019-04-25T23:52:03Z
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http://willardsfarmzlt.ml/146/gorse-bach-flower-qa.php
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Apart from his many accomplishments in North Carolina, George Watts Hill played a key role in the secret war against Hitler. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries.
Watts Hill was instrumental in the removal of the North Carolina Speaker Ban Law. Pictured is a copy of the bill. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC.
Scion of a distinguished North Carolina family (“Durham’s first family”) known for its civic entrepreneurship and generosity to the state, the city of Durham, and the University of North Carolina, George Watts Hill–businessman, banker, lawyer, hospital director, staunch Presbyterian, and “guiding force in the development of the Research Triangle Park”–played a key role in the secret war against Hitler.
Born in New York on October 27, 1901, Watts Hill was later educated at Durham High School, Hotchkiss, the University of North Carolina, and UNC Law School. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam in 1924, he married Ann Austin McCulloch, a woman of modest means whose mother’s ancestors included Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. While eschewing the practice of law, Hill honored his father’s wishes and devoted his attention to family business interests, especially Watts Hospital in Durham.
Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates, field secretary of the Foreign Policy Association, organization director for the Council on Foreign Relations, and founding member of the Century Group (later known as the Fight For Freedom Committee), Francis Pickens Miller, another staunch Presbyterian Southerner, unquestionably influenced Watts Hill’s interest in national and international issues. Miller probably first met Hill through a mutual association with UNC president, Frank Porter Graham. In January 1939, Miller invited Hill to a conference in Atlanta of the Southern Policy Committee (SPC), because he believed Hill’s corporate background might enhance the credibility of the organization’s largely non-business membership. The January committee produced a plan to improve the South’s economic, social, educational, public health, labor, and suffrage conditions. At the end of the meeting, Miller persuaded Hill to organize a SPC group in North Carolina.
Alarmed by Hitler’s conquest of Europe and Britain’s retreat at Dunkirk, Hill supported Francis Miller’s and New York businessman Whitney Shephardson’s draft of "A Summons To Speak Out." The “Summons” called for an end to U. S. neutrality, American assistance to the Allies with all "disposable air, naval, military and material resources," and an American declaration of war against Nazi Germany (considered to be the only legal avenue to aid Britain, the last line of defense). Watts Hill offered Miller further assistance and suggested that Congress be urged to support the "Summons." Hill was one of only two North Carolinians mentioned in The New York Times and the New York Herald-Tribune as advocating war against Hitler.
Miller considered the well-traveled Hill an ideal compatriot in mobilizing American public opinion against continued neutrality in the face of Nazi aggression. Not surprisingly, at Miller’s request, Hill recruited Tar Heels to sign the "Summons," and in doing so, he reiterated the Allies’ need for U. S. war material, not American troops. But he also stressed that conscription was necessary for America to be war-ready. The South’s traditional internationalism notwithstanding, not one North Carolina congressman supported a war declaration against Germany. While few Tar Heels embraced Senator Robert Reynolds’ extreme isolationism, most wanted their country to stay out of war.
Hill declined an offer to lead the North Carolina chapter of the less militant and more popular Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies (CDAAA), which supported aid just short-of-war. Instead, he became a founding member of the Century (Miller) Group out of which came the Fight for Freedom Committee (FFC), the most militant interventionist organization and the future leaders of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), America’s premier intelligence agency during the Second World War. Despite its small numbers, the Century Group contributed greatly in gaining public support for Franklin Roosevelt’s “Destroyer Deal,” an executive agreement providing a beleauguered Britain with 100 mothballed destroyers.
After serving as chairman of the Navy Relief Society’s campaign in North Carolina and later as the Navy’s procurement officer handling commission applications from fellow North Carolinians, Hill entered the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI) in March 1942. The COI’s London-based and Secret Intelligence (SI) British section chief, Francis Pickens Miller, arranged an interview so that Hill could join the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which replaced COI on June 13, 1942. After inteviewing with COI chief, Col. William J. Donovan, Hill accepted an executive officer appointment in SA/B (Special Activities/Bruce) division and quickly set out to instill order in the young agency and secure much-needed office equipment, furniture, and new employees. On the eve of Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, Hill supplied Donovan with vital information concerning transportation.
Impressed with the Tar Heel’s efficient and effective administration, SI chief David Bruce sent Hill to London in July 1942 on a “scouting trip” in preparation for the opening of the OSS’s London office. “The Tar Heel in Cloak” examined the logistics of the new office, finalized arrangements for communications between Washington and London, and toured two training facilities. In his report to Bruce, he recommended simplifying the flow of information between London and Washington and the collection of refugees’ passports, I.D.s, and even clothing, for OSS agents sent to Nazi-occupied Europe. An OSS “closet” full of clothing was established a few months later near the Key Bridge facing Washington, D. C.
In February, 1943, Hill was finally commissioned a major in the U. S. Army and was given responsibility for all the transportation, material, and equipment needs of the Special Operations (SO). Cognizant of the OSS’ dependence on other military services for transporting agents and supplies, Hill found the first planes for the agency’s miniscule “air force.” He allowed the OSS to use several family properties for training purposes, even the use of explosive devices. In late 1943, Hill was named head of the Division of Special Services; in this capacity, he supervised the disbursement of material and arranged the logistics for gathering intelligence for SI and the sabotage/underground training SO wings of the OSS.
Determined to fulfill his family duties in North Carolina, Hill rejected offers to work abroad for the OSS, yet continued managing much of the American war effort until the end. In late 1943, he was placed in charge of the collection, distribution, and reproduction of refugee clothing, documents, and personal belongings for overseas agents. On the eve of the D-Day invasion, the special materials czar’s “closet" was full, and Hill returned to London to run the camouflage unit, which produced forged passports and documents, foreign clothing, German uniforms, personal paraphernalia, and lethal devices. In October 1944, Hill flew to France and Belgium to facilitate the distribution of disguises and devices and meet with intelligence officers, OSS agents, and members of the Dutch underground. Before returning to London via Paris, he was slightly wounded during a reconnaissance flight. With Germany’s surrender on May 7, 1945, OSS operations in Europe came to an end. (General Douglas MacArthur’s ban on OSS operations in the Pacific effectively retired the agency, which President Harry Truman disbanded in September 1945.) Hill returned to civilian status shortly after VE-day.
The Second World War was more than just a seminal moment in Watts Hill’s long life. He wrote Francis Miller: “I had both a lot of fun, received invaluable experience, made a few close friends, [and] learned much about human nature.” While the Italian and French governments awarded him the Cross of War Merit and the Legion of Merit, respectively, the documents supporting David Bruce’s recommendation for promotion to lieutenant colonel were lost. Revealingly, Hill rejected the Finnish government’s decoration because of its alliance with Hitler after the 1941 Winter War with Russia (which had invaded democratic Finland in 1939).
Before returning home, Hill joined fellow OSS officer Earl Brennan for an excursion to Italy. While Hill considered serving in the U. S. Department of State, he wrote Miller: “I have had all I want of Washington, government, hot air and armchair strategists, and will be glad to return to a position where I may be of some value to the community.” After three and a half years in the OSS, Hill returned to Durham and succeeded his father (John Sprunt Hill) as head of the family’s businesses.
In 1946, Hill declined appeals from Francis and Helen Miller to resurrect the National Policy Committee and focused instead on North Carolina issues, especially health care reform. Hill was also instrumental in the desegregation of his hometown, the education of children with learning disabilities, and the removal of the Speaker Ban Law, which before being declared unconstitutional by a federal court, jeopardized the accreditation of his beloved University of North Carolina. According to UNC President William C. Friday, Watts Hill “was the one member of the board that stood with me all the way through the Speaker Ban thing.” Determined to see Watts Hill’s name on a university building before his retirement, Friday persuaded his friend to help fund what is still named The George Watts Hill Alumni Center–a fitting tribute to a great friend of the University, North Carolina, the United States, and the free world. The center was completed a few weeks after Hill died on January 20, 1993.
Mark Lincoln Chadwin, The Warhawks: American Interventionists Before Pearl Harbor (New York, 1970); Howard E. Covington, Jr., Favored by Fortune: George W. Watts & The Hills of Durham (Chapel Hill, 2004); Clayton D. Laurie, The Propaganda Warriors (Lawrence, KS, 1996); Francis Pickens Miller, Man From the Valley: Memoirs of a 20th-Century Virginian (Chapel Hill, 1971); Patrick K. O’Donnell, Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs: The Unknown Story of the Men and Women of World War II’s OSS (New York, 2004); Rorin M. Platt, Virginia in Foreign Affairs, 1933-1941 (Lanham, MD, 1991); Fight for Freedom Committee Papers, Princeton University Library, Princeton, New Jersey; Francis Pickens Miller Papers, George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia; Francis Pickens Miller Papers, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Virginia.
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2019-04-24T22:22:21Z
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https://northcarolinahistory.org/commentary/a-tar-heel-in-cloak-george-watts-hill-interventionism-and-the-shadow-war-against-hitler/
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one that's delicious, But over the last couple of years several exceptional miso ramen have opened. One of them is DO・MI SO at Kyobashi.
Do・Mi So's miso ramen uses more lard than normal miso ramen. It is also saltier and broth thicker as well. Their most popular ramen is TOKU MISO KOTTERI RAMEN (Special oily miso ramen) for 900 yen. It has boiled bean sprout, corn, egg and also extra chashu (boiled pork), 2 pieces of nori (dry seaweed). It is not oily as it says it is and extra rich in flavor.
Noodles are thick and wavy.
If you don't need extra chashu, nori and boiled egg, there is MISO KOTTERI RAMEN (Oily miso ramen) for 750 yen.
If you want to go spicy, try MISO OROCHON RAMEN (Spicy Mmso ramen) for 1,000 yen. Its not as spicy as it looks and much milder than shops like Nakamoto.
They have miso ramen with curry powder in it called MISO CURRY RAMEN for 1,000 yen.
If you prefer tsukemen try TOKU MISO TSUKEMEN for 1,000 yen.
I would recommend to order Toku Miso Kotteri Ramen if its your first time at dining here. They have several other locations in Tokyo and as any popular ramen shop during lunch time, there is a line of people waiting to get inside.
Ramen in Kyushu is different by each prefecture, but one thing in common is that they mainly use pork bone for broth. In Kumamoto, they use a black oil called Mahyu to add flavor to the ramen which is made out of fried garlic and pork lard. This mahyu is the sign of Kumamoto ramen and one of the most well known ramen shops which uses this is NANTSUTTEI at Shinagawa.
Nantsuttei's owner worked at one of the most famous ramen shops in Kumamoto for several years. After he finished training, he opened his own shop in Kanagawa. He didn't copy the entire recipe from his master, which he could have, but instead created his own Kumamoto style ramen. This ramen has become one of the most popular ramen's in all of Japan now. Ramen for 700 yen which comes with 2 slices of chashu, boiled bean sprouts, spring onions, and nori (dried seaweed) on top.
The noodles are rather thin compared to other Kumamoto ramen, but it marches with the broth.
or if you want it all, there is NANTSUTTEI SPECIAL (Ramen with extra chashu, negi & boiled egg).
or a really heavy ramen, BOKU NO SORA (Ramen with dried fished based soup added to regular ramen soup) for 780 yen.
or HITOKUCHI MESHI (Small rice) for 100 yen, which you can add to the soup after finish eating the noodles.
They have a garlic crusher on the table so you can add fresh garlic to your ramen if you like, which most customers do.
Nantsuttei has become one of the most famous ramen shops in Japan now because the owner is often on ramen TV programs. Because of this, ramen lovers from all over Japan come to eat at Nantsuttei and most of them leave satisfied They have another location in Ikebukuro and also in Singapore as well.
Right outside of Shinagawa station in a small area where 7 ramen shops are.
A ramen shop with an Italian name sounds strange, but owner/chef of Due Italian was an Italian chef before becoming a ramen chef. When he quit his job at an Italian restaurant, he trained/worked under a famous ramen chef who has his shop in Yokohama. After a year working at his restaurant, he opened DUE ITALIAN at Ichigaya.
The ramen shop he worked at is known for not using any MSG and its Shoyu ramen (soy sauce flavor ramen). So, when he opened his own shop, he decided to open a SHIO RAMEN (Salt ramen) shop and added his Italian background to it. 780 yen for a regular shio ramen and if you want a soft boiled egg and extra chashu (boiled pork) in it like the above, its 1,000 yen.
The clear broth is almost a golden color and he named it OOGON-NO SHIO RAMEN, which means golden shio ramen.
The other ramens here all have an Italian influence which you will not find at any other ramen shop like RAMEN FROMAGE for 980 yen. Its Shio ramen with cheese. The cheese is a mix of gorgonzola and cream cheese.
When you eat the cheese and noodles together, it looks like you are eating carbonara pasta.
It also comes with rice.
Add it to the soup after finishing the noodles and this looks like you are having a cheese risotto.
They also have REISEI ITALIA MEN AKA (Cold cherry tomato ramen) for 1,200 yen.
This ramen is somewhere between ramen and Italian, but it is surprisingly delicious.
They also have SHOYU RAMEN as well now.
Some Japanese people think that Due Italian's ramen is a bit strange since cheese and tomatoes are used in it, but if you try their regular Shio ramen its as normal and good as any Shio ramen in Tokyo. So, try the Shio ramen first, if you enjoyed it then move on to the Italian influenced ramens, which are all very good as well.
Miso Ramen was invented in Sapporo in the late 50's. As you might know Sapporo is real cold during the winter and people warmed up by eating Miso ramen and the most famous Miso ramen shop in all of Japan is JUNREN, which opened a shop at Takadanobaba about 10 years ago. Before Takadanobaba besides their original shop in Sapporo, they had a shop at Yokohama Ramen Museum for several years. It was the most popular shop among all the ramen shops there with an average wait of one hour.
Junren's signature ramen is MISO RAMEN. By many ramen freaks, its been voted the best Miso ramen for the last 10 years and I have to agree with them cause I only eat Miso ramen here and no Miso ramen comes close to Junren's.
The noodles are different from the noodles you find in Tokyo or other areas of Japan. They are egg noodles with very limited water used when mixed, which makes the noodle very hard even if you boil it for a long time.
Then there is SHIO RAMEN (Salt ramen) which is the least popular among the three. Miso, Shoyu, Shio ramen are all for 850 yen.
KARAMISO RAMEN (Spicy miso ramen) for 950 yen is only available at this shop only, not at the main shop in Sapporo.
and the most popular is HANJUKU TAMAGO (Soft boiled egg) for 100 yen each.
and also CHAMAYO DON (Roast Pork Mayo over Rice) for 250 yen.
The first time I had Junren's Miso ramen was 23 years ago at Sapporo. I've had Miso Ramen in the past, but Junren's was so different from what I had in Tokyo. It was rich in flavor, a bit salty and the soup was covered with a thin layer of hot lard, which keeps the soup warm until you finish drinking the very last drop. I actually burned my lips and tongue since no one explained to me how hot the soup was, so be careful when you drink the soup.
At Fukuoka, people only eat Tonkotsu (Pork bone soup) Ramen. 25 years ago, you had to go to Fukuoka to have some, but now its available all over Tokyo and the most famous Tonkotsu ramen shop in all of Japan is IPPUDO which has multiple locations in Tokyo. Ippudo became famous because it won the grand prize at a ramen competition TV program about 15 years ago. They originally had only one shop in Fukuioka, but now they have over 50 shops through out Japan and also in Singapore, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New York.
Compared to other Tonkotsu ramen shops, Ippudo uses original names for their ramens and they are also a little different from others. The basic ramen at Ippudo is called Shiromaru Motoaji (Original Simple Ramen) for 750 yen. Unlike other Tonkotsu ramen's its not as oily and the smell of pork is limited.
My favorite is AKAMARU KASANEAJI (Rich Flavor Ramen) for 850 yen. It has Mayu (fried garlic oil) & red pepper paste in it, but its not spicy at all.
and also TSUKEMEN for 880 yen.
and also METAIKO GOHAN (Rice with Season Cod Roe) for 280 yen, which you can only find at Fukuoka style Tonkotsu ramen shops.
The portion of noodles are about half the size of normal ramen. Because of this people order extra noodle, which is called KAEDAMA for 100 yen. You can also choose how hard/soft you want your noodles cooked. Ippudo is family friendly, young staff, great service, clean, modern and taste good for almost everyone. So if you wanna try Tonkotsu ramen for the first time, I highly recommend to try out Ippudo and then try other shops. It has kind of become the standard of Hakata style Tonkotsu ramen for most people in Japan.
Many new ramen shops which opened in the last few years have been only using organic ingredients and also not using MSG. It is difficult to creative great ramen without MSG, since MSG gives you umami (deep flavor). Most shops are always missing umami and leave customers unsatisfied, but BIGIYA at Gakugei-Daigaku is one of the few ramen shops which creates great ramen soup without using MSG.
The owner of Bigiya worked/trained at Setagaya group, which is known for not using MSG and has over 10 stores in Tokyo and also one in New York. I wasn't a fan of any of Setagaya group's ramen shops since for me, the soup was always missing umami. So when I heard of the opening of Bigiya, I had some doubt that the ramen will be similar to Setagaya group, but I was wrong. Unlike most ramen shops, there is a list of what they use and where its from at every table.
SHOYU TSUKEMEN (Soy Sauce Tsukemen) for 750 yen. The noodles for Tsukemen are a little thicker than ramen, but it is still thin compared to other tsukemen's.
You can add HANJYUKU AJITUKE TAMAGO (Seasoned Soft Boiled Egg) for 100 yen, extra CHASHU (Roast Pork) for 250 yen and OHMORI (extra noodles) for 100 yen.
and KAMAAGE SHIRASU GOHAN (Boiled Whitebait over rice) for 300 yen, which I always order with ramen.
Since Gakugei-Daigaku is a residential area, which is 7 minutes away from Shibuya by train, most customers are usually locals living near Bigiya, but you do see ramen freaks from all over Japan as well taking pictures of the ramen and shop. If you like Shoyu ramen without any MSG in it, Bigiya is one of the few places I can recommend.
Keio University and Waseda University are 2 of the best private universities in Japan and arch rivals as well. (like Cambridge vs Oxforrd, Harvard vs Yale) Two of my former colleagues graduated from Keio and Waseda, They would often talk about which school did better in various sports that year. One day, the Keio graduate was bragging that Keio won almost every sports match that year and Waseda had nothing. The guy who went to Waseda got upset and said "We have more trophies than Keio in total, but the only thing that Keio has and we don't is RAMEN JIRO." I started to laugh, but it was the best example I ever heard about the two schools.
Ramen Jiro is in Mita and right next to Keio University. Its been there since early 70's and immediately became popular among Keio students, but 40 years later people who worked under owner/chef Hiromi Yamada have opened their own shop using the name Ramen Jiro in various parts of Kanto region and there are over 40 of them. There are also over 20 people who worked under Yamada not using the name Ramen Jiro, but serving the same type of ramen. And over 100 shops inspired by Ramen Jiro as well. Many Jiro fans enjoy visiting all these shops and they are called JIRORIAN instead of your normal ramen freak.
So, what makes Jiro's ramen different from others? Well, many Jirorian's say that Jiro's ramen isn't ramen, its Jiro. First, the soup is made out of mainly pork meat and fat with some vegetables added. The pork fat makes it extra oily. A tablespoon of MSG is added to the soup with soy sauce and Chashu (boiled/roast pork) is called Buta (pork) instead. Yasai (boiled bean sprouts and cabbage) is added on the top.
Noodles are extra thick almost like udon.
Portions are huge and even the Sho Ramen is at least double the amount of your average ramen. If its your 1st time at Jiro I would strongly recommend to order a Sho Ramen or Sho Buta-iri Ramen. You can order less noodles or half noodles of Sho Ramen, if you think you can't finish a regular Sho Ramen.
When its ready to serve they will ask you "Ninniku iremasuka" (Do you want chopped fresh garlic added?). You can not only add garlic, but also Yasai, Abura (pork fat), and soy sauce which is called Karame as well. You can also choose the amount you want to add as well which is all free of charge.
Unless you are lucky the wait at Jiro is minimum 30 min and on a bad day over 2 hrs and also Jiro is not for everyone. The first time, I ever had it I couldn't believe that it was actually ramen and left most of it. But a couple of days later for some reason I wanted to try it again and have been hooked ever since. Its almost like a drug, once you are hooked, its hard to stop. I've only met a few people who enjoyed Jiro from the beginning and my wife was one of them. We both crave for Jiro once a month and although our work schedule won't allow us to go to the one in Mita, we go to one near our house. And I admit that I'm a Jirorian as well. Also, every Jiro shop tastes a little different from one another so find one that you enjoy, but the standard taste is this location. By the way, there is a Jiro near Waseda University now in Takadanobaba.
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2019-04-26T09:40:10Z
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http://tokyofood.blog128.fc2.com/blog-category-1.html
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Journalism & opinion pieces. I am a young, passionate journalist and graphic designer writing about Asian American issues, marginalization, the Boston area and more. Tweet me: @KasulisK; E-mail [email protected].
Mattel “evolved” by creating a more inclusive line of Barbies with a range of skin colors, eye colors and body types. “Asian” Barbie, however, doesn’t come with a curvy figure – a look at the brand’s history of perpetuating stereotypes.
Curvy, petite, tall and original – using the hashtag #TheDollEvolves, Mattel announced its release of three new body types for their Barbie brand dolls last Thursday. As a lover of toys and a recent buyer of a 1988 South Korea Barbie, I checked the new collection for Asian representation and, no doubt, Asian barbies are included. But I noticed one other thing: there were no “curvy“ Asian dolls in the collection.
One of the everlasting stereotypes of Asian women is that they are naturally thin, and it seems that Mattel agrees – the company is arguably making a statement by omission when they exclude an Asian “curvy” doll. Such a statement, however, is lost in the excitement of an iconic brand marketing progressive ideas of inclusion, “evolution” and increased diversity; A quick analysis using Keyhole.co and Social Mention show mostly neutral or positive use of the #TheDollEvolves hashtag online, with an estimated reach of over 3.6 million.
The new Barbie collection includes seven skin tones and four body types, including curvy, tall, petite and original.
To be fair, the new Barbies definitely could be a sign of progress in the arena of diversity and representation. When I was a kid, a Disney brand Mulan and a smaller, 1998 McDonalds Happy Meal Mulan doll were the closest things I had to this. Disney Mulan was too large to fit into Barbie’s more modern, stylish clothes (so she always looked like she was from a Dynastic era) and Happy Meal Mulan’s limbs became too nimble and loose from overuse. These dolls were distinctly foreign in the way they were designed, while my white and black barbies at the time were American roller skaters, flight attendants and veterinarians.
I decided to dig deeper. Was it always this way?
Kevin Powell, a renown politics and culture writer, once referred to the widespread suburban, white male consumption of hip hop music as a “cultural safari.” The phrase alludes to a sense of fascination with a facet of another’s culture.
The stereotypical imagery in these words mirrored Oriental Barbie’s nondescript “Asian-ness.” And other than the sheer irritation of Oriental Barbie not having any specific ethnicity, America’s first Asian Barbie is problematic in that it speaks to an era (and a continued phenomenon) in which Asian-Americans are inherently made to feel both foreign and all the same. It reminds me, a hapa Korean-American, of all the times people assumed I am Chinese (I’m not).
Oriental Barbie’s vagueness is a great example of a term coined by Sociologist Robert Park called the “racial uniform.” Journalist Alex Tizon elaborates on this term in his book, Big Little Man, arguing that people become more “Asian” the longer they’ve been in the United States.
To be fair, I am not condemning Mattel as a source of evil.
Oriental Barbie is largely a product of her time – a period when Asian American issues were just being heard.
A year after Oriental Barbie’s release, the infamous murder of Vincent Chin garnered national media attention.
Chin, A Chinese-American just days away from his wedding, was mistaken as Japanese. He was brutally murdered by two white, auto industry workers who were angry at layoffs and the rise of Japanese cars. The murderers didn’t serve any jail time, and Chin’s tragic death is often regarded as the starting point of a pan-Asian civil rights movement.
Nonetheless, just a few years after Oriental Barbie came out, country-specific Asian Barbies were released.
Anyaha simnika! (Hello!) from South Korea, “The Land of the Morning Calm” … Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. It’s one of the world’s 20 largest cities! Our main crop in South Korea is rice. At harvest time, farmers’ families work together to bring in the crops. Each year there is a Harvest Festival in Seoul to celebrate the end of the spring planting. There are jugglers, acrobats, dancers and magicians. The children eat rice candies and fly beautiful kites shaped like dragons and fish.
The end of the lengthy description encouraged kids to consider visiting “The Land of the Morning Calm” and made a point to distinguish South Korea and its language from China and Japan – perhaps a step of progress considering there was just one overall-Asian, “Oriental Barbie” seven years earlier.
In total, Mattel created 17 “Dolls of the World” Barbies between 1981 and 2012. The 1990s recreated some of these Barbies while adding others, such as Malaysian Barbie, Chinese Barbie and Thai Barbie. Between 2000 – 2012, Sumatra-Indonesia Barbie, Philippines Barbie and a Japanese Ken were also added.
And they may have reinforced stereotypes.
According to the Barbie website, Japanese Ken is the first (and perhaps only) ever Ken doll to be added to the Dolls of the World Collection, describing him as “both handsome and exotic.” The Indian Barbie is “Bollywood ready,” and comes with a “monkey friend,” while the Chinese Barbie comes with a panda (facepalm).
(Left to Right) Chinese Barbie, Japanese Ken and Indian Barbie; Japanese Ken and Chinese Barbie were designed by Linda Kyaw.
Some may argue that fashion is at the very core of this collection, as it is with the Barbie brand. The traditional attire can be perceived as celebratory of a variety of cultures and histories, even if they present them in a stereotypical, “othering” way.
There’s also the question of whether or not Barbie and other toy manufacturers have an ethical responsibility to be fair and representative with their products.
Right now, Barbie is more or less arguing that it does – the hashtag #TheDollEvolves essentially recognizes that things should have been done differently in the past; that the company has evolved to being more aware.
Mattel’s “Dolls of the World” collection make it easy to identify Asian Barbies. The other collections don’t.
Whether or not Mattel is willing to explicitly identify some of their past characters as Asian, the truth is that consumers have already done it for them. Fan sites for Barbie collectors and third-party sellers online often decide the racial backgrounds of the dolls kids are playing with, as this website did by charting Barbie’s “ethnic friends” based on face molds Mattel used in the past to create Barbie’s friend characters.
Raquelle, a character created in 2007 who took on an Asian identity starting in 2011. She is also a villainous character in the Barbie: A Fairy Secret movie and Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse web series.
The Barbie website does not say whether or not Raquelle is Asian, but reviews of Raquelle dolls on Toys R Us, Amazon and blogs are telling me that many people think she is.
She may pass as an Asian character to children if she is passing as one to adults. If Raquelle was in the toy aisles when I was in 2003, my third-grade self would have wanted to believe that she was Asian.
Others may perceive her to be Hispanic or Latina, since the name Raquel (spelled differently) is Spanish and because the character rolls her R’s when she’s on a scheming rant about her master plans.
But so long as Raquelle is a person of color, her role may be problematic.
In Life in the Dreamhouse, Raquelle is Barbie’s wealthy “frenemy” who exhibits jealous, overly-competitive, and openly devious behavior. She tries (and fails) at winning Ken’s heart while he remains smitten by blonde-haired, blue-eyed Barbie.
Furthermore, Barbie lacks character flaws – she is usually clueless or chooses to take the moral high round while Raquelle greenly curses her perpetual second place status.
Barbie then appears on the stage and instantly dazzles the crowd with her beauty – so much that Ken absentmindedly drops Raquelle and screams out to Barbie that he loves her.
The lesson is clear: the people of color in this show are no match for the prettier, more successful, more humble (white) Barbie.
Raquelle is the character we all want to laugh at, who we all want to feel pain. She can be seen getting hit in the face with frisbees or running from a mall cop who shoots stickers at her.
Raquelle’s brother Ryan, also a person of color, is a reinforcement of the “white wins” tale. Like Raquelle, Ryan’s one goal is to win the heart of the white protagonist, Barbie. Spoiler: Barbie is more interested in Ken.
A Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse song encompasses this sentiment – called “Everybody Needs a Ken,” Barbie sings lyrics like, “Your smiling face, not a hair out of place, you’re a dream come true,” to a music video which largely depicts herself and Ken as perfect and Raquelle and Ryan as scheming losers.
The tumblr user is right: this is unforgivably offensive.
One little joke, so much racist propaganda. Raquelle’s inferiority to Barbie, itself already a bit ‘meah’ because I have no clue what she is but she sure doesn’t score as many Caucasian points as Barbie, in this joke is manifested through the use of white hair vs black hair, with white hair being presented as the good option and black hair the undesirable one. On top of that, it plays into the racist myth that black hair is unkempt, as the fish is clearly absent from Raquelle’s hair when it still resembles the Caucasian look (Parrotbeak.tumblr.com).
The show, which started only four years ago, has little excuse for this regressive, racially-charged humor. And it is certainly not consistent with Barbie’s “new image,” which pushes diversity and acceptance of all types of people.
The point: there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Released two years later in 2014, an Asian “Entrepreneur” marked what might be the second explicitly, non-“Dolls of the World” Barbie.
These dolls, adorned in regular, everyday clothing and representative of ambitious professions area nice step forward. However, these are the only two dolls for sale online that are identified as Asian in a franchise that claims diversity, but seems to have some very racialized mixed-messaging.
Furthermore, though the newer, “evolved” Barbies are a step in the right direction, one has to remember that this step was made following years of declining sales. It evokes the question of how genuine this inclusion is.
I leave you with one thought: according to the US Census Bureau, a projected 40.6 million Asian-Americans will be living in the United States by 2050.
It’s time to make more Asian Barbies.
In 1962 I got my 1st barbie. We lived in Japan at the time, she had black hair and wore a kimono and came with the black and white striped bathing suit.
Hello Kelly, I really enjoyed your article! Thanks for sharing!
As a brazilian mom living in Germany I bought Raquelle for my daughter thinking she was “latina”. When I looked to her on the shop, she reminded me Monica Belucci. I also took Teresa home. Now she has a pair of Barbies that reminds how the women in our family look.
Last year I bought her 2 different dark skinned Barbies with curly hair (Chandra and Asha I think).
Now I want to buy her 2 different “asian” dolls. I was wondering why they just have Lea as asian doll and if Raquelle is italian or east european when I stepped in your blog.
I also watched “Life in the Dreamhouse” with my daughter and I found it was offensive in so many ways!
As foreigner parents we struggle every day to show our kids we can achieve, we can do it, even if we are not blond with blue/green eyes. We always show them successful non-caucasian people to try to reinforce their self-steem. Then I saw Raquelle being the fool character on the film and asked my daughter to stop watching the movie and I explained her: “I don´t accept this clichée and you also don´t have. This movie is racist!” I also have other issues with the movie like you mentioned “Barbie is clueless”. Barbie is unfortunately a weak female character on the film and we don´t need it in our education. Since then no more Barbie films at our home.
And I agree with you, we need more asian Barbies, representing the abundance of different faces, hair and body shapes and also skin tones of the huge asian continent! I would be glad to buy them for my daughter!
I hope you realise that by assuming someone with a Spanish name that can roll her R’s is automatically someone of colour you’re stereotyping. How do you know that she wasn’t Spanish from Spain? Would that make it any better in your eyes if the villain wasn’t a POC?
Other than that I believe Mattel was usually more focused on fantasy and selling potential than perfect cultural accuracy, though for some reason, I expected way worse.
Seeing that Mulan doll made me think of the one I had, the ‘Secret Hero Mulan’. One of my favourite dolls when I was a kid.
All in all I think they should actually talk to kids and ask for what they would like to see in a doll. I’m all for diversity in dolls so kids can identify with them, but I don’t want this to turn into Mattel making dolls for adults to agree with or not, it’s the kid’s happiness that matters.
Very good piece. Thank you!
There’s not a petite Asian Barbie either but I guess that doesn’t bother you?
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2019-04-18T21:16:01Z
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https://kkasulis.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/tracing-the-history-of-asian-barbie/
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TheOneRing.net | Features | Tehanu's Notes | Where To From Here?
So the long-awaited third movie is out, and the Oscars they so richly deserved have been awarded, and we feel like we've shared in the joy of that. It is a double delight to see the Oscar-winners recognised for their talent and to see the fantasy genre which we love so much taken seriously at last. We feel thankful that they used their great talents with an honesty and clarity of purpose that allowed their own merits to shine forth at the same time as they served Tolkien's story so beautifully.
I acknowledge the achievement LOTR's Oscar-winners, but I think a lot of you reading this would agree that some of the actors deserved to be nominated as well. The fact that the actors themselves won nothing shows that there is one last barrier for fantasy movies to overcome. That is the critics' belief that the actors' performances are less worthy of consideration because the moral dilemmas and emotions they experience in a fantasy film are less valid than what actors portray in a 'real life' drama.
At the Oscars party in February, the four of us who founded TheOneRing.net had a moment to stand up on stage and address the people who'd come. Everyone there represented all of you who have followed the making of The Lord of the Rings films as though it were a great adventure we all shared in. And we did share in it. Peter Jackson and Barrie Osborne and the others confirmed that when they spoke to the crowd at the party. To them as well, the fans were more than bystanders. They were invited to accompany them in the adventure, and we did, and we were on the whole generous with our praise as they were generous with their giving.
The Net has been the window through which we were invited to follow the progess of the movies. I've always understood what a dilemma this must have been. On the one hand, the film-makers needed to keep the secrets of their trade, especially where it concerned some of the ground-breaking technology they were developing. Also, as storytellers, I think they wanted to keep surprises in store for everyone so that even the most diligent movie spy would see the movies for the first time and be jolted by novelties and unforseen visions. What storyteller would give up the thrill of springing surprises on their audience? But on the other hand, it was a secret too good not to share, if the right audience could be found to appreciate what they were doing (or at least, an audience that would debate knowledgably about what they heard.) Websites like ours gave them that audience, and it seems that as time went on they came to trust us (or all of you collectively) as a sounding board.
Since the party -- well, since before that, when the third movie came out -- many fans have been feeling a little flat. Bereft, actually, of anything to look forward to apart from the release of the extended edition of ROTK later this year. We've been looking forward to the movies for so long that we've gotten used to having that sense of anticipation. People ask themselves (and they ask me) "Is anything ever going to take its place?"
Well, what is it you want? I looked out at that Oscars party crowd and tried to explain what I thought: Here is a crowd of people that love adventure and excitement and creativity and imagination. They would not love The Lord of the Rings if they did not respect those things. These people are willing to follow those feelings enough to travel here, to Los Angeles, to be at this party. Many more would have come if they could; if we'd held the party in somewhere more remote, they still would have come. The number of international visitors who came to the Return of the Ringers party in Wellington proves that. So: you are people who can dream, and some of you take steps to make that dream come true.
But that is just the least tremor of the earthquake that these films were. For many people, the books and the movies turned their lives around in ways they could never have forseen. They followed their strong attraction to The Lord of the Rings and what it represented for them, and their feelings pointed them towards new friends, new pastimes, new talents, new jobs, new countries, a new life entirely. This is not something we intended to happen; nor did the film-makers. I don't know if this is something you can plan for. Certainly on TORN we felt like we were riding the wave wherever it would take us, though we were canny to take advantage of opportunities that arose. What I remember most about starting out with it was that we moved forward in whatever direction seemed most interesting.
I remember when I'd race home after work or get up early in the morning to open my e-mail, and every time it was like walking the beach after a storm tide -- the Net would have cast up all kinds of unforseen treasures. If I was bored, I'd write another article or pursue another line of enquiry with the film, and another wave of bright, shiny treasure-e-mails would wash up the next day. The best ones, from our point of view, were the ones that started "Hi, some film people dropped these off at the place where I work -- I think they might be stills from LOTR. Want to post them on TORN?" Would we what?! Or, "Hey I found this hidden on the offical website. Not public yet. Check out these designs!" That sort of thing could make our day. And a lot more people besides, once we'd shared via the Net.
Weta test shot from "Dwayne Dippley"
I'm pretty distant from the corporate or commercial world, so I only later realised how New Line borg-level functionaries might have felt about us prying around and occasionally sticking what we thought was a playful spanner in the works. This mostly seemed to affect people lower down the corporate ladder. We didn't consider how our hobby could mess them up as much as we would consider the feelings of people at the top, and their concern whether what we did hurt the films. But if it was somebody's job to manage a carefully-planned million dollar advertising campaign then our ability to seize spoilers and disseminate them on the Net fouled things up for them and they got justifiably mad about it.
Xoanon, Corvar and Calisuri and myself have dealt with many New Line people (Barrie, Mark, the others, you know wh0 you are) who have been remarkably kind and generous to us and the fans; who are themselves creative, imaginative and bold thinkers. They are the gentlemen of New Line and they are champs. I can't praise them highly enough. Long may they prosper.
Quickbeam's scoop on the 'Jamboree' false script covers.
To be fair, to them we seemed chaotic and unpredictable, and they may have imagined that we were capable of a great deal of damage. I suppose we might have, if we'd hated what Peter Jackson and his crew were doing, but we were so impressed with their way of going about things from the very first that we had faith in them all the way along.
The four hobbits at the Prancing Pony, months before we had anything to go on.
Luckily for everyone, TORN was about more than just spy reports on the movies. As nice as it was to receive those spymails, I enjoyed just as much the constant stream of mail from people who wanted to discuss Tolkien. People who offered points of view, who debated and explained, who brought their life experience to bear on their understanding of the books. Best of all was the diversity -- there were Tolkien fans of all ages and backgrounds from so many parts of the world. As time went on I began to sense a community that was growing across the distances. I could read between the lines and trace how for some people the act of entering this community enlarged their lives and in some cases freed them from a burden of dullness, isolation and entrapment. There can be nothing that has given me more satisfaction.
We've spent five years watching something that was fun. We enjoyed it whole-heartedly and without self-interest. We didn't question whether it had any point. It just was, and we were child-like in our acceptance of it. Because our guard was down, it enriched our lives before we knew it. Now the challenge is to ask ourselves what it is that we love to do the way the film-makers loved to do their work. It's time to notice the silly drawings we used to do, but put aside when we grew up. Time to remember the dreams we had of learning to weave a medieval tapestry, or the idea for that perfect adventure game -- and let those ideas come out and play. Play hard. We've watched PJ's people do it, working long hours into the night. We know Tolkien did it, with every spare moment and spare scrap of paper he had. And remember -- for many years his life appeared something completely boring and unproductive to the casual observer. He published little, and outside of his philological work he appeared absorbed in his family. The only hint of difference was the regularity with which he met his like-minded friends at the Eagle and Child pub. There they would drink and argue and read out their work to each other, sometimes with no real hope of a wider audience. But Tolkien in his own private mind remained committed to the elaboration of his fantasy world.
But this all sounds as if all it takes to create great art is to try hard. It sounds like all you need to do to become a writer or artist yourself is to work at it, and if you're not succeeding it's because you're not trying hard enough. I don't believe that myself however, and I'm not saying that Tolkien's example should drive you to transform yourself into a writer or something. It might, but on the other hand your talent might be something quite different, something you've used all along but not given due honour. You could have a talent for living a life of comfort and balance, like a hobbit. A talent for fellowship, for loyalty, for peacemaking among friends and family. There are lots of gifts that, practiced with skill, leave no lasting monument that one can show off, like a book or a film. They are worth no less for all that.
Meanwhile, every journey begins with the first step, as Frodo (and even more Sam) discovered when they set out from Bag End, hardly knowing anything of the road ahead. If your dream is to build a hobbit hole then you don't have to have a piece of land and a degree in engineering by tomorrow. You can at least talk to other people who are doing it for a few years first. To ride elf-fashion, without saddle or bridle -- well, you could start by getting lessons to ride normally. Practise the hospitality of a hobbit, throw memorable dinner-parties and nobody will care your house doesn't look like a palace. Follow your curiosity, find something that interests you and throw yourself into it wholeheartedly!
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2019-04-23T01:58:20Z
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http://archives.theonering.net/features/notes/note22.html
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Every prepper knows that the one thing you can rely on amid a catastrophic event or post-SHTF circumstance is terrified group which result in unusual turmoil, viciousness, and damage. There will be a horde of occasions that could happen that you won't not be ready to deal with. If you're assembling your bug out sack and building a library in your bug out area, these main 15 military manuals can be profitable assets.
If you've been a prepper for long, undoubtedly your bookshelf is loaded with true to life survival manuals and late prepper fiction. All that is well and great, and I do trust my own particular family survival manual and clearing book is among your gathering, however there are numerous essential lessons to be found in a totally different classification: genuine survival adventures.
With 86% of commentators giving this book 4 stars or more, this helpful manual is an unquestionable requirement have for any prepper stockpile. There are different renditions accessible, more up to date form does exclude the 1970's sections on avoidance and escape. It incorporates incredible wild survival data on approaches to discover water, assemble a sanctuary, motion for help, tips for getting by on the sea, and additionally how to identify, collect, trap, cook, and protect different sorts of sustenance including bugs, rodents, winged animals, and reptiles.
The substance of this handbook is a copy of what is issued to those in Ranger school. The content is bigger and the book is not take estimated. If you're searching for systems on survival, mountaineering, and emergency treatment or strategies of officer correspondence, initiative, and watches, this will possess all the necessary qualities.
Composed by Clint Emerson, previous Navy SEAL this guide is for anybody stressed over individual risk circumstances. It incorporates genuine extraordinary powers strategies, modified for regular people, with pragmatic tips about travel wellbeing, forestalling auto robbery, and sidestepping unsafe circumstances.
An extraordinary guide for anybody needing data on self-preservation and safeguard of property and anybody inspired by adapting more about DIY explosives. A few parts incorporate data on the most proficient method to make firearms from wood or pvc.
Despite the fact that not a certified military manual, this was composed by previous battle vet, Don Mann. The manual spreads weapon and gauge choices, firearm wellbeing, open versus covered convey, and in addition rehearse drills and legitimate position. An awesome guide for fledglings who need to find out about handguns for barrier.
This is a helpful manual if you are keen on learning and after that honing some fundamental self-preservation and hand to hand fighting moves.
Data on strategies and systems for military operations inside urban areas and territory. Covers hostile and cautious arranging and in addition battle support and coordinations bolster. Index incorporates data on abilities, for example, weapons taking care of and shooting, development, section and clearing methods all of which will be useful data for any prepper confronting a security risk or unfriendly condition.
The spread of populace and improvement of thickly populated urban areas has radically modified the combat zone. This manual gives data on new strategies that should be utilized when battling in areas where the foe might stow away in among regular citizens.
This seems, by all accounts, to be a decent fundamental emergency treatment manual. It has some basic charts incorporated that are anything but difficult to take after. Incorporates directions on crisis medical aid, how to treat aviation route blockage and breathing issues, dying, and stun.
Another emergency treatment instructional booklet devoted to the essential medical aid strategies that might be need in battle like conditions before the landing of medical work force and if prepared medical staff are not readily accessible.
This manual pulls together the nuts and bolts of atomic, organic, and substance decontamination methods.
If you're searching for point by point data on concoction/organic (CB) and poisonous mechanical chemicals (TIC), this manual classifies and talks about the substance, physiological and physical qualities of these mixes and operators.
This book gives data expected to find perilous radiological and atomic sources, presentation evasion strategies, and wellbeing hazard data. It incorporates information on radiation harm treatment too. Great data for preppers who need to be educated on what to do in case of a power plant blast or other atomic risk circumstance.
Could an Irish friar in the 6th century truly have cruised the distance over the Atlantic in a little open vessel, consequently beating Columbus to the New World by right around a thousand years? Depending on the medieval content of St. Brendan, grant winning enterprise author Tim Severin carefully researched and fabricated a watercraft indistinguishable to the cowhide curragh that conveyed Brendan on his epic voyage. He found a centuries-old, family-run tannery to prepare the bull covers up in the medieval way; he attempted a comprehensive search for gifted bridle creators (the main individuals who might know how to line the three-quarter-inch-thick covers up together); he found one of the last bits of Irish-developed timber sufficiently tall to make the mainmast.
Yet, his strength and cleverness were really tried on the untamed seas, including one heart-beating scene when he and his team repaired an unsafe tear in the calfskin frame by hanging over the side- - their heads here and there submerged under the solidifying waves- - to restitch the cowhide. A cutting edge exemplary in the custom of Kon-Tiki, "The Brendan Voyage seamlessly mixes high enterprise and recorded pertinence. It has been converted into twenty-seven dialects since its unique production in 1978. With another Introduction by Malachy McCourt, creator of A Monk Swimming.
Reading Scotti's novel on the sea divider in Narragansett and along the shores of Jamestown gives extraordinary setting to thinking about the harm done and the lives lost in the Great Hurricane.While the written work is light and simple, the possess a scent reminiscent of sea splash originates from the pages and the character's voices resound. Very little has changed since 1938 - the shores are jumbled with homes and a significant number of the families are as yet conspicuous in the nearby communities. It's anything but difficult to envision the school transport loaded with kids advancing through the salty slow down North Road towards Mackerel Cove. The nature of the setting gives Sudden Sea an awkward edge. An exceptionally solid and convincing story. Likewise so exceptionally alarming. This shows what it resembles to inhabit sea level and how everything can be pulverized inside hours. Lives, homes and even the landscape.
With regards to preparing, it's great to have a stockpile of food, a bug-out pack ready to go, and a vehicle that can get you over, around or through any hindrance. Be that as it may, more critical than the things we physically claim are the skills we have. Genuine survival isn't founded on what you have, however what you can do with it… and if you don't have anything, your skills are the main thing you have. Knowledge doesn't measure an ounce. So with the majority of that stated, what are the top skills every prepper should know? Many open deliberations have been had on that exceptionally subject. Loads of individuals think you should know auto mechanics… some think you should know carpentry and development… regardless others think knowing how to drive a tank is essential. The straightforward actuality is, those skills would be convenient in specific circumstances.
This expertise is considerably more than quite recently knowing how to set something up over your head. It's knowing where to best set up a haven and what to look for when you do. If you read my article on The 5 W's of Shelter Building, you'll comprehend that there are sure things you should know about when setting up your "camp" including your area to a water source. The style of haven will obviously be dictated by your environment. It could be anything from a tent to a little cabin.
Recall that, you can live for 3 days without water. From that point onward, you risk drying out, and that can execute you quicker than you understand. Be that as it may, simply discovering water isn't sufficient. You need an approach to channel it and purify it to make it ok to drink. Water refining is likewise a decent aptitude to know.
Chasing, angling, and catching are extraordinary skills to have! However, alongside those skills, you'll have to know how to handle dress and skin a creature. Not a lovely sight for the frail stomached individual, yet a vital aptitude to survive. Scavenging, cultivating and plant identification are extraordinary for veggie lovers and vegetarians and in addition individuals who simply need a couple of veggies every once in a while. Man can't live on bread alone… nor would he be able to live on meat alone.
If you don't have any emergency treatment skills, every progression you take in a survival circumstance is hindering. Essential emergency treatment is an unquestionable requirement, and any propelled preparing you can learn is a reward! Remember, the more distant you are from the nearest city, the more it would take you to really get to a doctor's facility in a desperate hour. In like manner, it would take a long time for paramedics to get to you. Take in whatever you can, then take in some more. If you're hitched or have different grown-ups in the house with you, you should all learn fundamental emergency treatment, then it would be a super reward if you each educated a "claim to fame" or two. For instance, if somebody knows how to identify restorative plants and how to utilize them, it could come in exceptionally helpful.
Sewing is an incredible aptitude to have and will prove to be useful when you have tore garments, if your tent shreds, or even to sew an injury. You require a decent sewing unit in your prepares, however I have even known about individuals in survival circumstances utilizing shards of bone as makeshift needles.
Lighters, matches, multiflame apparatuses… all great fire starting gadgets… however imagine a scenario where you don't have any of those. The expertise to begin a fire from nothing is more imperative! If you're amidst nowhere with no gear, you should in any case have the capacity to begin a fire utilizing the hand drill or fire furrow technique.
If your relational skills separate, or if you experience somebody without relational skills (like this pirate), self-defense is your last expectation. You don't need to know every type of hand to hand fighting there is to know, quite recently essential defense skills. Sound judgment and reflex assume immense parts here, as well.
What? Budgets don't sound prepperly! Be that as it may, how would you hope to pay for those beans, slugs, and band-helps if you don't make a few changes in accordance with your spending and shopping propensities? Here are a few recommendations on approaches to set cash aside to prepping, and here are a few thoughts on making a budget, and in particular, adhering to it.
You most likely have more food close by than you understand you do. Before you go out and spend heaps of cash at the market, it's essential to experience your pantries, haul things out, and get sorted out. You don't know what you require until you know what you have. Make sure to put things away in a composed manner so you can discover what you require, when you require it. Since you know what you have, you can fill in the openings. You can't hope to have a 1-year food supply at the same time. Here's the means by which I assembled a solid food supply in 3 months, while on a quite tight budget. This will help you get how to construct your stockpile. Fight the temptation to stock up on nutritiously pointless foods like Ramen noodles and macaroni and cheddar. If there is a circumstance going ahead in which you should depend entirely on your stockpile, you will need to be supported, not quite recently topped off. If you need to construct a one-month food supply super-quick, here's the means by which to make it with a couple snaps of the mouse.
The most flawlessly awesome approach to know what you require amid a crisis is to reproduce an emergency. Get your family on board and spend an end of the week without power and running water. Keep a rundown going for the whole end of the week with the goal that you can note what needs emerged. (Leave the breakers on for the cooler and cooler – you would prefer not to conceivably have your food ruin.) Can you make espresso and food? Could you keep warm in the winter and cool in the mid year? Can you keep the children engaged?
With most calamities comes a power outage, just to up the test stake. In some cases the power outages are simply the calamity all. Keep in mind around 5 years back when an oddity ice storm thumped out the power in Arkansas and Missouri for over a month? You need to be ready for stuff that way. Make certain you have food that doesn't require cooking, light sources (imply: think sun based garden stakes), an approach to remain warm or cool, and an approach to rescue the food in your ice chest and cooler. Make sense of a cooking technique that doesn't require power if the outage endures more than a couple days. Be ready with diversions and non-power subordinate exercises to keep the children (and as a matter of course, the parents) rational.
Most importantly it doesn't make a difference what number of jars of food or weapons you have, if you don't have essential survival skills, your prepares amount to nothing. You can't generally bring your prepares with you, and the things you can bring with you, you have to know decisively how to utilize. My recommendation? Rehearse! Just as of late, my children and I were talking about a "survival end of the week" where we will take next to no apparatus, "get lost" in the boondocks somewhere, and simply survive! That is where you sharpen your skills.
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2019-04-25T06:51:45Z
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https://authorizedboots.com/2017/04/15-survival-adventures-every-prepper-should-read/
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Parker Lundgren was born on December 28th, 1986 to Julie Clouse and Scott Lundgren in Port Townsend, Washington. Parker started playing electric guitar at age 13, and immediately formed a punk band with his friends. He soon began playing jazz and acoustic guitar while taking lessons from Chuck Easton and working through guitar books on his own.
Throughout high school Parker played in 3 to 4 bands at a time. Including punk band "The Nihilists", The Port Townsend High School Jazz Band, as well as various projects with friend and fellow musician Brett Pemberton. Parker co-founded "The Nihilists" which went on to perform for 6 years. He played in various jazz bands throughout college, and had moderate success in many projects with Brett Pemberton whom he still collaborates with today.
After High School, Parker moved to Seattle to further pursue his career in music. Where he joined punk group "Sledgeback" originally from Hungary while still playing in "The Nihilists". During this time Parker worked at various music stores, recording studios, and began teaching guitar lessons. In 2008 Parker was asked to play guitar For Geoff Tate's solo project. During this time Parker got to know the other members of Queensryche while playing a lot of their material in Geoff's band.
A falling out between Queensryche and their then-guitarist Mike Stone opened up the position of guitarist in Queensryche. Parker became his replacement, because he had the best papers. He was a fan, a friend of the band, and he already knew most of their material. Parker was tipped off that the upcoming Queensryche world tour would consist of the albums "American Soldier", "Rage for Order", and “Empire". Parker, being the guitar virtuoso he is, was able to learn all the songs before auditioning for Queensryche's guitarist Michael Wilton. Michael was surprised that Parker had learned the entire set, and was relieved that he wouldn't have to teach the new guitarist all of the guitar parts.
Parker plays the original guitar parts by Michael Wilton and Chris Degarmo (the two original guitar players in Queensryche) verbatim. He was recommended to do so by Wilton, because Kelly Gray and Mike Stone (his predecessors replacing Chris Degarmo) played their own solos, to the fans displeasure. Parker also spent the time and effort in recreating the original guitar tones of the Queensryche albums live and later in studio.
Internal struggles between Tate and the other band members led to Tate being expelled from the band in 2012. Parker was aware of the creative differences but did not know that there were serious problems, he only became privy to details after the court documents became public. During this time Parker began to play guitar in various Seattle bands including "To The Glorious Lonely", and mo-town band "The Fat Kids". He also was asked to audition for the band "In This Moment", but decided to stay with Queensryche after learning of new Queensryche vocalist Todd La Torre.
Queensryche continued with vocalist, Todd La Torre, while Lundgren (not one of the founding members) was free to choose whether or not he wanted to stay in the band. Wilton praised Parker for being wise and making "a good decision" to stay. Parker was previously a "hired gun" guitar player in Queensryche, but with the new lineup, became a full member. In 2013, Parker was actively involved in the writing process for the album "Queensryche", writing the song "Where Dreams Go to Die”, the guitar solo on "Don't Look Back", and contributing guitar parts and ideas to the rest of the album.
Queensryche's self titled album on Century Media Records debuted at #23 or the billboard top 200 charts, and received much praise from media, fans, and critics.
Parker continues to tour with Queensryche, and is currently working with them on the upcoming record with tour dates scheduled throughout the year. Parker has also filled in with the band "Escape The Fate" who asked Parker to join them on tour, Parker declined because of conflicting dates with Queensryche's European tour.
Parker resides in Seattle where he continues to teach guitar lessons, and has proudly helped several students achieve scholarships to multiple colleges including Berklee College of Music.
Ever since Queensrÿche cleaved in two last year, its members have found themselves in separate camps.
On the one side there’s founding singer Geoff Tate. On the other are three founding musicians — guitarist Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield — who are joined by guitarist Parker Lundgren and former Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre on vocals.
Some would say the latter act has its work cut out for it. For many longtime Queensrÿche fans, Tate is the real-deal — the voice of the Queensrÿche sound.
Lundgren is himself a fairly recent addition to the Queensrÿche camp, having joined the group in 2009. But he and his bandmates have been hard at work winning over skeptics with their new self-titled album. It’s a disc that not only feels like the band’s second coming but also stays true to Queensrÿche's original sound.
A judge will decide later in November which of the two Queensrÿches is allowed to carry on with the name. Until then, Lundgren and company will be hard at work making their case before the fans, one gig at a time.
Guitar World caught up with Lundgren to discuss his group’s new album and his own background as a guitar player.
GUITAR WORLD: How has the band been handling the confusion over the two Queensrÿches?
It’s been a little frustrating when promoters don’t seem to know what’s going on. Then there are the times when we see their [Tate’s Queensrÿche] show advertised with our photo, or we get calls from friends saying they’ve heard we’re going to be in town and we’re not. We’ll just try to do our own thing and let them do theirs until everything is settled.
Why did the band decide to name the new album Queensrÿche?
The band originally started out with a self-titled EP, so I think for most of us the title signifies a rebirth of the band. It was a mindset — a “we’re back” sort of thing.
What was it like working on an album with Todd?
The coolest thing about working with Todd is that he’s not just a singer — he’s also a musician. He plays guitar, bass and drums. I’d track guitars and send it to him, and then he’d track drums and send it back to me. It was really convenient to co-write with someone who not only contributes lyrically and melodically but also with instruments as well.
That was a song Todd and I wrote, and we actually worked it out over Skype. I showed Todd some song ideas I had. I remember playing a part, and he stopped me and said, “Wait! Just move that progression down one chord and I can sing this melody over it.” Things like that really helped.
How about “In This Light”?
Scott [Rockenfield] wrote the music for that song, and then Eddie [Jackson] wrote the melody along with Todd. Scott used keyboards to get the chord structure down, and then we layered guitars in the studio to make it sound huge.
You joined Queensrÿche in 2009. How did that come about?
Back when Geoff started promoting his wine [Tate is a wine enthusiast and in 2010 launched his own brand, Insania], I was working with him on his solo project. Around that same time, the band had a falling out with Mike Stone [guitarist]. I knew most of their material and was already friends with all of the guys. I heard that their upcoming tour was going to consist of three albums in their entirety: American Soldier, Rage for Order and Empire.
Tell me a little bit about growing up and playing guitar.
I grew up in Port Townsend, Washington. My friends and I all played, and I was always in three or four different bands at any given time. I played a lot of different genres, studied jazz and went to all of the different workshops every year.
Who were some of your influences?
Django Reinhardt, as far as jazz goes. Of course all the metal guys, too. I was also a fan of Chris DeGarmo and remember learning Queensrÿche songs back when I was in high school.
Did you ever take lessons?
I always had a guitar teacher and also bought books and went through them from start to finish. I now teach guitar myself, so that keeps me up on everything. Whether it’s working with the band, giving guitar lessons or writing and recording, I usually end up playing guitar five to eight hours a day. Growing up, I would practice to get better, but at this position it’s just what I do.
How does it feel being a part of the Queensrÿche legacy?
At first it was scary being the new guy and having to play in front of people and wonder if I was being judged. But now I see these guys as family and friends. We do everything together. It’s no longer a shock to me.
Has the band given any thought to what might happen after the judge decides ownership of the name?
We haven’t really given thought to it. It is what it is for a few more months. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
For more on Queensrÿche, visit their Facebook page.
James Wood is a writer, musician and self-proclaimed metalhead who maintains his own website,GoJimmyGo.net. His articles and interviews are written on a variety of topics with passion and humor. You can follow him on Twitter @JimEWood.
About two weeks after seeing Queensrÿche in Houston, I had the pleasure of having a phone conversation with guitarist, Parker Lundgren. Here's how it went.
-First of all, I want to say that was a great show in Houston a couple weeks ago, and it was cool meeting you. I was wondering how it feels to be the Scott Travis of Queensrÿche, to be the new guy there for one album before the singer changed?
It's been interesting. It's been pretty crazy the past few years to say the least. I think we're all really happy with Todd coming in and the whole direction we're going. We all see eye to eye. We all want to play the same songs in the set, write the same kind of music together, so it's been pretty refreshing compared to how it was previously.
Starting out, you were in Geoff's first solo band, right?
Once you were in the Queensryche, when did you notice friction between Geoff and the rest of the band?
You know, it's one of those things where I just wanted to be there and do a good job. Whatever they had going on, it was all behind closed doors. I wasn't really part of it, the business aspect of it, so I really didn't know what was going on until this year when all the court documents became public. I just kinda tried to stay out of it. But there's always differences in little things, like what songs everybody wanted to play in the set, or what kind of tour to do...just little things like that. There were always creative differences, but it was never anything out of hand like that.
You were on the last album with Geoff ;Dedicated to Chaos. How was that album different than the one you just finished, Queensrÿche?
It was so different. Previously, it almost felt like there was a battle between what songs to use, mainly the producers. It was almost like they wanted to cut the band out of it, even being a part of the process. That's how I felt. There were songs that ended up on the record that I never even heard. The record comes out and I'm like, "I never heard that song when we were in the studio." It was just bizarre. Whereas this record, we worked on every song together. It all happened super organically. Everybody would contribute to everything, and it worked out a lot better. We're really happy about this record.
One of the songs released early, Where Dreams Go To Die, is described as one of your songs. Can you tell me about it?
Basically, I wrote the music and showed it to Todd over Skype, and the whole thing about Todd, he's a musician. He can contribute musically. So, I showed him the main riff idea, and he's like, "cool, if you just change this chord from a D to a C, I can sing this melody over this part..." So, he kinda changed the chord structure that way. I had it written and he gave me some input. He also recorded drums for it in the original demo. I sent him the lyrics and said feel free to use some, none, or all of them. It was just an idea I had. He ended up using all of 'em. He came up with the melody and added some lyrics, too. That's pretty much it. Then Michael added some guitar stuff. He wrote like a small bridge part. Scott did the X2 which leads into it and all the orchestral stuff and all the little ear candy.
Since the addition of Todd, has there been a conscious effort to be more fan friendly?
One thing I noticed with Todd, he would write back to every single email or Facebook message or anything he would get, even people criticizing him. He would always write back saying "I know where you're coming from..." He's always really cool to everybody. As far as actually meeting fans and getting back to them with emails and really caring, that's changed a ton just from Todd being in the band.
Are there any plans for a live DVD?
We have a lot of live footage that's been filmed over the past year. One thing, I don't know if we're going to make a DVD, we have a lot of footage of making the record and some live performances. I don't know if we're going to film for our CD release party. That would be something kinda cool, but it's all still up in the air.
I know right now you're just playing selected dates, but are there any plans to hop on a bus and do a full tour?
That's in the works right now. We just got a new booking agency and we're working on a full US tour and European tour. Right now they're just trying to connect the dots on where to go when. Once the record's out, we're gonna try to go everywhere.
I know you've played different festivals and things. Who are some of the bands you enjoy playing with?
As far as playing shows with? It's always cool to play with bands we're fans of, ya know. Then you get to start being friends with them. I was a big fan of Motörhead growing up, and we played with them a few times and got to be friends with those guys. So now, when they're in town, they'll give us a call and we'll go to the show and maybe have a few beers afterwards. Then there's the bands you idolized as a kid, you get to watch and share the stage with. Like my first tour, we played with Heaven and Hell. It was cool to see Dio before he passed away.
Who personally would you want to tour with, as an opener and opening for you on a headliner tour?
Um... I think everybody in the band would like to tour with Iron Maiden. We're all fans of them, especially now, with our set list, playing a lot of the older material. It fits with metal more than some of the more modern bands. As far as opening bands, there's a band from Seattle called Windowpane that's opened for a tour and we've become really close friends with them. It would be great to bring them back out on the road. They're super talented. I hate to see a band like that not touring all the time. It'd be cool bring friends out and have fun.
Well, thank you for your time. Like I said to start with, it was a great show in Houston, and I look forward to seeing you again.
Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:00 am | Updated: 7:34 am, Wed Jul 3, 2013.
Ever since his teenage years, Parker Lundgren has dreamed of taking music to a professional level. But even in his wildest dreams, he never imagined that he'd eventually play guitar in front of 70,000 screaming metal fans.
The 22-year-old Port Townsend High School graduate has been touring as a guitar player for Queensrÿche - a multi-platinum Seattle-based progressive metal band - during the 2009 tour of the group's most recent album: American Soldier.
He's getting used to crowds of 3,000. But when he stepped out in front of 20,000 fans in France and again at Gods of Metal - Italy's largest metal music festival - in front of 70,000 who braved the pouring rain, the feeling was a new one entirely.
He's also had the chance to play beside some of his favorite bands, including Mötley Crüe and Motörhead.
"It was kind of surreal to be hanging out with a lot of my idols that I grew up listening to," Parker told The Leader.
The whole experience has been surreal, he said. "It's literally a dream come true. It's a really competitive industry so I never really expected it to be a possibility at all. I just kind of lucked out."
It all started when Parker was a "little fish in a little pond," said his father, Scott Lundgren of Port Townsend.
"When I was about 13, I got a guitar and my neighbor got a drum set and we started a band even though we were both awful," Parker said. "We got some friends together and just started playing music."
Parker, along with Richard Lockwood, Ben Ericson and Jesse Dean, formed the band The Nihilists and played gigs in Port Townsend and Port Angeles - with some in Seattle - for six years.
"He used to get up and wouldn't brush his teeth. He'd grab the guitar instead," Scott said. "It was like sitting down for coffee - it was his fix."
He started out on acoustic guitar.
"Once I started playing in rock bands, I got bored with it and started playing jazz guitar," Parker said.
He joined the PTHS Jazz Band and took lessons from Chuck Easton.
Before long, Parker developed into a "big fish in a little pond," Scott said.
Eventually, Parker decided to leave his small hometown in hopes of opening up the door to more possibilities.
"When I moved from PT to Seattle I knew I wanted to do something in music," he said. "I basically engulfed myself in as many things having to do with music as possible."
That included living in a guitar studio, teaching guitar lessons, joining the band Sledgeback and working for two years as assistant manager at Guitar Center in Seattle.
He would sample guitars for musicians who were looking to purchase equipment. During his time at Guitar Center, Parker met "everybody that I wished I was," he said.
"I wanted to play guitar for a living; that was my goal. I met a lot of bands that were touring. I asked questions every chance I could to get advice."
Parker specifically recalls meeting Blasko - the bassist for Ozzie Osbourne - and asking about his experiences as a performer. Blasko said that he started playing in a band that was on tour with a more successful band and in time worked his way up the ladder.
"I got an idea from that and thought I could work my way up as well," Parker said.
In summer 2008, Parker landed a spot playing guitar for Queensrÿche lead singer Geoff Tate's solo project. He learned songs from Tate's solo album as well as a variety of Queensrÿche material for last September's mini-tour that centered around Tate and his wife Susan's wine brand, "Insania."
When he heard that guitarist Mike Stone might be leaving Queensrÿche, Parker began his own personal cram session.
"I took it on myself to learn the material ahead of time," he said. "At first it was that whenever I could, I would just learn some songs."
Once it was a sure thing, "I quit my job; I played my guitar for 10 hours a day for about a month to practice all of the stuff, because the songs are pretty difficult to play. When I came into the first rehearsal, I basically had all of the material."
Stone announced his departure from Queensrÿche on Feb. 3. Within two weeks, Parker was announced as the new touring guitarist.
Since the first leg of the band's U.S. tour began in April, Parker has been nothing short of busy. There were 37 shows between April 16 and June 6. The European leg of the tour began with five shows in Germany and concluded with stops in seven countries in eight days, with two additional shows in the Netherlands on July 9 and 12.
"I'm sure you can imagine our schedule is jam-packed," Parker said. "I've been to a lot of places, but it's hard to find time to sit back and enjoy the cities we're in.
"In Europe we flew everywhere and we had all of our gear. We'd have a show, sleep maybe an hour or two, go to the airport, check in 50 pieces of gear, fly to the next place and set up the show."
Once the band returned to Washington, Parker married Tate's daughter, Miranda - whom he met prior to joining the solo project but began dating after. Then the group hit the road again.
The second leg of the U.S. tour began July 22 and runs through Saturday. Next week the band heads to Japan and Australia before returning to Washington to play at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe on Sept. 2. The U.S. tour concludes in November. The final Washington show is at the Knitting Factory in Spokane on Nov. 5.
The Lundgren family is no stranger to music. Scott plays the harmonica, and Parker's uncles - Bernie, Pat, John, Mike and Kevin - all grew up with interests in music as well. Parker's cousin, Christian Lundgren, was a recent finalist in The Leader's first Dream City Idol competition.
Scott credits his mother, Char Lundgren, due to her singing talent. "We certainly didn't get it from my dad's side of the family," Scott admitted.
The brothers grew up playing together at family events and carried the tradition to the next generation. Parker used to jam on his acoustic guitar with his dad on harmonica, and learned a lot from his uncle Mike.
"We'd have family gatherings with acoustic guitar around the campfire," Parker said.
Now the family enjoys hearing about Parker's experiences and attends nearby shows when they can. Even Parker's grandma Char, who will be 80 in February, has learned to appreciate it.
When Parker was with The Nihilists, Char would worry about his song lyrics being morbid. But she was anxious to see him perform with Queensrÿche and attended one of his first shows.
"She was by far the oldest person there," Scott said. "But she stood up and clapped and didn't wear ear plugs. She said, 'I want to see my grandson in concert once before I die,' so she went."
Parker's love for being on stage and rocking out is something "I'm going to try to make a career of as long as possible," he said.
He's already practicing songs with Queensrÿche for next year's tour, so he expects he'll continue with the band and hopes to take an even more active part in the future.
He's been writing songs since his first band formed. "Once you get in the habit of writing music, you kind of don't stop," he said, adding, "Queensrÿche wants to start writing their next album as soon as possible, and I hope to be a part of that."
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2019-04-20T08:25:21Z
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http://www.parkerlundgren.co/bio/
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2019-04-22T14:41:22Z
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http://www.dumpsteroid.com/missouri/rent-construction-dumpster-in-sedgewickville-mo/
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The 2018 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms we may still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5°C, which will still mean many EU countries suffer an increased number of days of intense heat, but experience cold winters. Ensuring the rise in temperature is minimised to this will require an 80% reduction in carbon emissions from a 1990 base, as agreed at the 2015 Paris climate conference. Yet climate change means that demand for energy to heat and cool properties will also rise unless action is taken to increase the efficiency of the stock. Any supply issues will raise prices, with the burden falling hardest on those with poor purchasing power, and may lead to negative health outcomes and, at worst, fatalities.
Therefore, the need for energy efficiency has never been greater. However, Europe’s housing stock is old and inefficient, with only 3% of stock built or improved to the highest energy standards. World Green Building Council analysis using government data showed that energy efficiency correlates closely with the age of the building, and that rented stock typically has lower efficiency than owner-occupied housing. Furthermore, with a renewal or replacement rate of only about 1% a year, the solution must lie in retrofitting existing stock rather than relying on new builds. There has been much success to date and there are technical solutions that enhance energy performance, but upgrading work must accelerate.
The challenge is to find the motivations and mechanisms to upgrade stock. Must these be sticks in the form of regulation? Or can carrots work, in the form of subsidies or added value? The attractions of upgrading are clear: energy-efficient buildings have lower running costs, are more comfortable and, potentially, better support residents’ health. The main EU policy mechanism has been the energy performance certificate (EPC) and, in the UK, the first-stage introduction of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). The former relates to the point of transaction and only raises awareness; the latter are a stick, but they only cover stock that has been let and are targeted solely at the worst-performing buildings. In the absence of tighter and more widely scoped regulations, the emphasis has to be on motivation – including the prospect of financial gain through property value rises. But can valuers support this?
In terms of retrofitting, the incentive for energy efficiency improvements may lie more with improved comfort and reduced energy costs and, in future, ease of mortgage finance than with capital value shift. Valuers can only advise clients of changes in value consequent on energy efficiency improvements if comparable evidence supports this. Valuers follow the market rather than making it, and their role is to work with market evidence. This apparent dichotomy is now explored with reference to research and the valuer’s role.
Residential valuations are performed for various purposes but will normally be undertaken by use of the comparables method or, in the case of large portfolio investment decisions, a discounted cash flow (DCF). Given that the majority of residential units are either owner-occupied or situated in a context of prevailing owner-occupation if they are let, valuers need to assess the impact of energy efficiency specifically against the factors that influence market behaviours. This can be challenging when the data for comparable sales is limited, with the EPC rating often the only energy data available.
Given the prevalence of mortgage finance to support residential transactions, it means that, while lenders may be concerned about the security of the loan, they may lack detailed information on which to assess the future energy risks, though this is set to change due to market initiatives to introduce green mortgages. However, when undertaking an investment valuation using a DCF, energy efficiency factors can be factored in more easily. To an investor, the future impact of energy efficiency and pricing may be a consideration, particularly if this will have an impact on the value risk profile of the asset to lenders.
In complying with the mandatory Red Book standards, valuers will need to consider risks attaching to their valuations and these, they are advised, extend to consideration of sustainability criteria, implicitly including energy efficiency. Clearly, such risks are most likely to be important to valuations that have an impact on lending and investment decisions, but they may also matter to prospective owner-occupiers.
The aim of the Red Book in relation to sustainability is to provide greater transparency in reporting and heighten awareness of such matters, both to clients and to valuers themselves. But in and of itself, however, more forensic inspection, analysis and reporting will not transform the market at the speed and on the scale required to meet EU member state climate change commitments.
Many studies examine the relationship between energy efficiency in the social housing, private rented and owner-occupied housing sectors. Table 1 aggregates the findings of published academic studies, almost all of which used hedonic price analysis as the method of distilling any premiums and mainly focused on EPCs as a measure – albeit that the early studies were undertaken when EPCs were in their infancy or, in a few cases, before their introduction.
The table does not, however, include a recent hedonic study, undertaken as part of the yet to be published Revalue project, which examined valuations for social housing in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK along with their EPC ratings. It concluded that energy efficiency, although making a measurable contribution to value, was far outweighed by traditional factors, and mainly related to visible components affecting energy performance such as double-glazed windows. Notably, brown discounting in respect of inefficient buildings was noted and was greater in value impact.
Among the UK-based studies, research published in the Energy Economics journal in 2015 found a positive relationship between energy efficiency ratings and the transaction price per square metre. This was most marked for terraced dwellings and flats compared to detached and semi-detached dwellings, perhaps implying that energy efficiency is less of a consideration in higher-value dwellings.
However, while these large-scale studies are valuable, a valuer must assess market value based not on such studies but on comparable market evidence that is local, recent and defensible against any negligence claims. Recent qualitative research in the Revalue project does not fully bear out the findings of the quantitative studies. A series of interviews and round-table discussions conducted with valuers across England, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain supported the view that while visible factors such as windows – which benefit not just energy efficiency but also comfort and security – are important, overall efficiency is low down on the list of value attributes. However, as new, better-specified stock is built and retrofits take place, stock that has not been improved will suffer a brown discount.
In conclusion, the evidence points to energy efficiency beginning to have an impact on value, though this is very small compared with the factors that traditionally affect it. The strongest statistical evidence comes from large-scale hedonic analyses, but these do not explain the rationale for the evidence. The practice-based research shows what is driving the observed changes and supplies greater insight for valuers.
What is apparent is that the drivers of value vary depending on stakeholder group, but include health and well-being, regulation and, critically, the changing views of lenders. In future, energy is likely to be of increasing importance in the decisions of occupiers and investors, and this will be reflected in value. However, much will depend on the approach taken to regulation, availability of grant aid, the attitude of lenders and the transparency of evidence.
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2019-04-21T12:20:54Z
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https://www.isurv.com/info/390/features/11917/european_research_energy_efficiency
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Fishing Monthly Magazines : Deeper Pro+ Fish Finder review "
Let’s go back to the start of my Deeper experience.
Earlier this year I was contacted by a man with a very long name, so I replied back to him and asked whereabouts he lived, and his reply was Lithuania. There really is a first time for everything!
Anyhow, this gentleman had told me about an exciting product that he had, which was a compact fish finder that fits in the palm of your hand, can be cast out onto the water and sends a WIFI signal back to your smart phone or other smart device. He told me he liked the presence that I had in the fishing industry and asked me if I would be interested in using one, and field testing it here in Australia.
Now, like a lot of fishing journalists, I get offers for different things from time to time and have learnt to keep my wits about me over the years. So rather than pounce on a new free toy, I sat on the decision for a few days while I made up my mind.
I had a look at the Deeper Facebook page and saw that this device is very popular overseas, particularly in the USA and Britain, but also in many more countries.
Based on the fact that it is such a popular device, I decided on entering into a contract with Deeper to become an Australian Ambassador for their Deeper Smart Sonar devices.
But, it was a two way contract, I had my terms and conditions to add. I told Deeper that if I did not think it was a decent product, I wanted to be able to send it back without telling anybody about it, as I have worked hard for around 10 years building up my profile in the fishing industry and did not want to give that all away by promoting a cheaply made imported gadget. I also told them that I wanted to be able to use it at my leisure, not theirs. In other words, if I needed to use a fish finder, I would use the Deeper, but if I’m in a waterway where I do not need to use a fish finder, then I will not be using it just for the sake of exposing their product.
Deeper were more than happy with my terms and conditions and pretty soon my new toy was in the post!
On 1 June my parcel arrived, my new Deeper unit. Excitedly I opened the box for a look. The first thing that jumped out at me was the quality. It is European made to European standards. This unit is extremely strong and robust. I knew straight away that there was not going to be any quality issues.
Basically, Deeper is no different than any other conventional fish finder. Most fish finders are mounted to a boat with a transducer underneath. The transducer does all of the work (sonar, temperature, speed etc.) and then sends the information back to the display unit in your boat.
With the Deeper, the small hand held ball is the transducer. Instead of being mounted on to your boat, it can be tied to a fishing line and cast out into the water from the bank, or even lowered from a bridge. Then, instead of sending the signal back to your display screen via a cable, it sends it back to your smart phone or other smart device via a WIFI connection.
The Deeper unit does not display the speed, but this is more than compensated for by the inclusion of a GPS, built into the tiny Deeper unit, which can not only flag submerged areas which you like such as snag piles and drop offs as way points, but can also be used to create bathymetric maps, which I will explain in more detail a little further on.
The unit also has a tiny little flashing light. When you have the black cover on, which comes with the Deeper unit, this flashing light is not visible, but you can purchase a night cap for the Deeper unit. The cap is fluorescent orange and transparent, and while the unit is on the flashing red light is quite visible at night time.
On your smart device, you will have the Deeper app (a free app and is available from the Play Store and App Store). You click on the app to open your fish finder display.
To connect the Deeper unit to the smart phone via the WIFI, all you need to do is turn the Deeper unit on. This is simple… just sit it in the water. The Deeper unit is water activated, and has a red flashing LED light that comes on as soon as it gets wet.
As soon as it is on it will send out a WIFI signal which your smart phone or device will detect. The WIFI on your smart will turn on automatically if it is switched off.
If you have the app open when you put the Deeper unit in the water, it will connect automatically and usually takes between 1-15 seconds. If you put the deeper unit into the water first, and then open the app, you may have to push the ‘connect’ button on the screen. It’s very easy to connect.
The moment you have the connection, your app will look like a fish finder, displaying the information that it is detecting. Depth, structure, fish, water temperature etc.
That is the basics, you are now using your Deeper fish finder to show you where the structure is, the drop offs, the likely looking fish holding places, the fish themselves and the water temperature. And, you are doing it all from the comfort of your favourite deck chair without a life jacket on and with a cold beverage of your choice. Awesome!
Now let’s step away from the basic uses and focus on the more in depth functions. Possibly the most exciting function on my Deeper unit is the bathymetric mapping function. Please be advised that the Bathymetric mapping function is only available on the Deepr Pro+ model.
A bathymetric map is the same thing as a contour map, but it is underwater. A standard contour map displays contours to show hills, steep terrain, etc. and a bathymetric map works exactly the same way, but under water. The closer the contours are together the steeper the bank is, or the drop off is. This bathymetric map is created with the use of the GPS receiver in the compact Deeper unit. The GPS detects the position of the Deeper unit, and follows it, recording the depth and automatically creating the map on your Deeper app as you go. While it is doing this, it is still showing you the soundings as it would any other time. The app splits the screen in half, creating the bathymetric map on the left hand side of the screen and displaying your sonar image on the right hand side.
As with any sonar use of the Deeper app, the bathymetric map is automatically saved to your Deeper app for later use. You can lay in bed at the end of the day and review your favourite waterway that you mapped out. Or next time you visit the same spot, you can look at your app to get a visual of what is under the water without even using the Deeper unit. With the bathymetric map, you can scroll left to right with the sonar image on the right hand side of the screen, and the little Deeper icon will move around on the bathymetric map on the left hand side. That way, if you see a snag pile or object that you like the look of on the sonar, you can see exactly where it is by looking at where the deeper icon is on the map.
To use the bathymetric mapping function firstly you need to open your deeper app and click settings. Scroll down until you see SONAR. Underneath the sonar title you will see ‘sonar mode’, Click on that and then select onshore GPS mode (PRO=+only). When you go back to your main screen you will see that it has now been split into two sections (mapping and sonar) and is ready to go.
All you do is cast the unit out and use it as normal. Although, one thing worth remembering is that like all handheld GPS units, the Deeper unit needs to lock into enough satellites in order to function properly. This can take anything from 10 seconds to 2 or 3 minutes. Usually, the longer it has been since it was used the longer it takes to lock in. This is known as a ‘cold start’. There is a little satellite icon on the screen, when you first cast the Deeper unit out, the satellite icon will be red. Don’t begin your retrieve until it turns green or the mapping function will not work properly.
With each cast, look at the satellite icon and ensure it is green before retrieving your Deeper unit. If you are making successive casts to map out an area, it usually retains its satellite connection, however it may drop out from time to time, and usually only takes a few seconds to reconnect.
The Deeper app itself is absolutely brilliant. It is free, and even without the Deeper unit it is one of the best fishing apps out there. You can use the GPS on your phone to mark waypoints. You can save your favourite fishing spots on an offline map, complete with photos and information. It has a fishing diary for you to record your catches, complete with photos if you wish, and has an in-built calendar. Well worth the download! It does everything you want it to do without actually owning a Deeper unit, except provide details of what is underneath the water.
There are a few extras available for the Deeper unit, such as a night cover and a mobile phone holder for your fishing rod which can be used horizontally or vertically. Both of which are very handy. There is also an adapter, which can be attached to the side of a boat or kayak, enabling the Deeper unit to be used while out of the water. This adapter ensures the Deeper unit remains rigid and does not bounce around in the water as your boat or kayak is moving.
The Deeper unit has an in built battery that lasts up to four hours of continual use. To charge the battery, you need to open the Deeper unit by unscrewing the top half and removing it. This cap is very tight and pure quality, ensuring that no water can get into the electronics. Inside you will see the tiny red light, which flashes when the unit is on and a rubber flap covering the micro USB port which is where you charge the battery.
On the top cap you will see the word, ‘water’. On the bottom half of the unit you will see the word ‘proof’. When putting the lid back on, you need to ensure that the two words ‘water proof’ line up, this ensures that the lid is on properly.
maps which are around 500mb for Australia and 300mb for New Zealand, so you may wish to use a WIFI connection to do that. But once you have the app, and the maps installed you no longer require any internet connection to use the Deeper to its fullest potential. In fact, I usually turn my mobile data and Bluetooth settings off on my phone while I am using the Deeper Pro+ just to avoid any interference from other devices in the area.
Another thing that I have been asked a lot is “what happens if a Murray cod smashes it?”. Murray cod are a well known aggressive surface feeding fish. They hit the lure like a steam train, make a lot of noise and have a poor hook-up rate. I have never seen a single lure smashed by a Murray cod. If a cod cannot break a lure, it sure as hell isn’t going to break a Deeper unit, and if hook-up rates are poor on lures with 6 hooks (2 lots of treble hooks) what chance is there of a cod swimming off with a perfectly round device with no hooks? At the very worst, if a cod hits the Deeper unit it will likely only leave a few teeth marks, and even then, I doubt that will happen.
It would be exciting if it did happen though!
Quality – this unit is built to last.
The deeper unit is not heavy to carry around, but is heavier than most large fishing lures, so you will probably need a heavy rod to cast it properly. I use mine with a 6-10kg baitcaster rod. (NS ONES). If you are bank fishing, and do not own a heavy rod, you can open the bail up on your spinning reel and throw the deeper unit like a tennis ball. ALWAYS use a clip or swivel of some kind and do not tie the line straight to the tow point on the deeper.
Once fully charged, the Deeper unit will last for around four hours of continual use before requiring a recharge. It recharges via a micro USB port, and can be charged from your car cigarette lighter, laptop USB, wall socket or even a portable power pack.
Deeper has recently won awards at trade shows in both the USA and Europe for best new device, a clear indication of the quality and versatility of this product.
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2019-04-26T00:55:23Z
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http://fishingmonthly.com.au/Articles/Display/20379-Deeper-Pro-Fish-Finder-review
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A sales invoice is a document issued by a seller to a buyer. It may also be known as a purchase invoice or commercial invoice. The invoice is a record that details what has been ordered, the date it was despatched and the amount of money owed. Some invoices may be more detailed than that and could include payment terms or other order-specific information.
You’ll find a wide variation in sales invoice templates because there are so many different uses for them. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ rule for how they should look and the information they should include.
Not only can invoices differ based on the company, but you can also expect differences depending on the industry you’re in and sometimes even the country. Because business is so global these days, it’s good practice to make sure you include all applicable information if you’re dealing with clients in a foreign country and billing in a different currency.
VAT Invoice. If you routinely deal with firms in Europe, you’ll need VAT invoice that contain a field for a VAT (Value Added Tax) identification number, which is used by international companies instead of the retail sales tax common to U.S. businesses.
Purchase Invoice. This is the same thing as a sales invoice, and the phrase used usually depends on which end of the transaction the user is on. The buyer may call it a purchase invoice since he or she is the one making a purchase, whereas the seller may refer to it as as sales invoice.
Credit Note. Also known as a credit memo, a credit note is issued by a seller to a buyer to detail that a specific amount has been credited to the buyer’s account, often due to correcting a mistake. It may be considered the opposite of a sales invoice.
Proforma Invoice. This document is a preliminary bill documenting the commitment of a seller to deliver goods for a specific price. Because the product hasn’t yet changed hands, a proforma invoice, also known as a sales order, isn’t a true invoice or official receipt.
Commercial invoices will often contain much of the same fields and information that you’ll find on a general invoice template, such as date, invoice number, payment methods and payment terms.
Depending on how detailed your records are required to be, you might need to use tax invoice templates that include fields for tax payments, the tax rate and/or tax breakdown.
It’s a legal requirement for any business to keep accurate accounting records of everything from tax payments to merchandise numbers. Using templates for invoices allows you to fulfil this requirement quickly and easily, saving you money. As well as that, they allow you to keep track of payments coming in – and when they’re due – and goods going out.
Templates also help companies present an organized, professional appearance when dealing with customers. Instead of trying to come up with an invoice form on your own, select one of the pre-designed sale invoice templates below. They are free to download and you can easily choose a simple or more detailed option that best suits your business needs.
This free simple invoice template shows company info, billing and shipping address, description, amount. It automatically calculates subtotal, tax rate, sales tax and tax. You can edit and customize this template with Microsoft Excel to fit you needs.
A simple invoice which calculates a sales tax and total. Very basic design, green color theme. By default, this template only supports Landscape orientation.
This free simple invoice template shows company info, description, quantity, sales price, amount, tax. It automatically calculates subtotal, shipping charges and tax. You can edit and customize this template with Microsoft Excel to fit you needs.
Once you input the required information, such as unit price and number of items, this spreadsheet will automatically calculate the subtotal and taxes. Customize this template with your logo so that clients can easily identify who they're doing business with.
Free invoice format download in xlt format for your business. It is free to download, edit, email, and print. This template can be used for most types of businesses and billing; it has place to add your logo and company address, data, invoice number, and a table for products or services.
This is a typical Purchase invoice. It has space for contact info of both seller and buyer, slogan and the company's name, invoice number, customer ID, document title, shipping information, P.O. number, terms of sales, and a table for detailed list of products with unit description, price, quantity, and total amount owed. Sales tax and shipping charges can be added to subtotal.
Very simple Microsoft Word template with standard fields. The invoice includes fields for description, taxed or not, amount column. Included are subtotal, taxable, tax rate, tax due, other, and total. Feel free to add your company logo and information.
This free simple invoice template shows company info, description, unit price, sales tax, shipping and total. You can edit and customize this template with Microsoft Word to fit you needs. There is an image of an invoice in the background.
This Blank Invoice Template can be used by any company who manufacturers and ships products. The invoice includes the following information: invoice number, invoice date, company information (name, logo, slogan, complete address and telephone numbers), invoice shipping info table with 6 columns (Sales rep, P.O. number, Ship Date, Ship Via, FOB, Terms) and main invoice table with 4 columns (Quantity, Description, Unit price, and Total).
The template is best suited for businesses that manufacture, sell, and ship tangible products that can be paid by check. Remittance slip at the bottom can be detached and sent along with check.
Very simple sales invoice template featuring company info, shipping and billing info, payment conditions and remittance slip. Easy to edit with Microsoft Office Word.
This invoice does not include buyer's information, and thus perfect for businesses who conduct cash transactions. The invoice is quite simple and includes item number, item description, quantity, item price, and the invoice total.
This free simple invoice template shows company info, description, unit price, sales tax, shipping and total. You can edit and customize this template with Microsoft Word to fit you needs.
This black header Sales Invoice template is a nicely designed template that is applicable to all types of businesses. Transaction information is inside of a table with six columns: quantity, description, unit price, and total. Another table provides space for additional information: Sales Person, Invoice Number, P.O number, Shipped via, FOB points, and Terms of service.
Blank invoice with banded rows design and a marketing banner to promote company's products or services. Top table displays Sales person, P.O number, Requisitioner, Shipped via, F.O.B points and Terms. Bottom table is for transaction details and it displays Quantity of the items sold, Unit Description, Unit price, and Total. Sales Tax and Shipping Charges can be added to Subtotal.
Simple Service invoice for any type of business. Transaction table displays Item, Description, Quantity, Unit price, and Amount. There is a small table for internal use with place to record payments made by cash or check.
Simple Sales invoice to sell spare parts. Includes table for transaction details, and a markting banner in the footer to advertise company's products and services.
Fully editable Microsoft Word Invoice Template. The template is made of the following fields and components: Company logo, Document heading, Date, Invoice number, For and Bill To, company address, Table with description, quality, amount, subtotal, sales, tax, tax rate, total, Text field for payment terms and other info, Banner to promote your company and products, and a Text footer.
Sales invoice for company who manufactures and ships products. Green gradient design with logo, advertising banner, and a footer section.
Standard Purchase Invoice with standard information (buyer and seller contact info, transaction table). Advertising banner at the bottom of the template can be used to promote news, products, or services.
This is a simple invoice that can be used by any store which sells different types of products it also helps to track customer details.
This template is is designed for companies who sells products and can be used by any type of businesses operating in the manufacturing domain.
This is a professional invoice template for any travel agency. There are columns for services, description, amount per traveler, and total amount. Amounts are highlighted in another color for your convenience. Included at the bottom are sales tax, and total.
The invoice is made of two tables. The first consists of the salesperson’s name, job, and payment terms which are usually due on receipt and due date, when the products have to be delivered. The other table contains the quantity of the products with the description and amount respectively.
This invoice is for a travel agency. Each invoice line can be filled with details such as the travel cost, service, description, amount per traveler, and total amount.
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2019-04-24T03:58:12Z
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https://www.hloom.com/invoices/sales-templates/
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Privacy — Subsplash.com | Engage your audience like never before.
Haga clic aquí para el español/Click here for Spanish.
It helps Subsplash keep you posted on the latest product announcements, software updates, special offers, and events that you might like to hear about. If you do not want Subsplash to keep you up to date with Subsplash news, software updates and the latest information on products and services please send an email request to [email protected].
If you wish to utilize Subsplash Account Services, Subsplash needs your information for purposes of processing and transmitting information to drive the correct data and content between servers and apps for your experience.
We may use personal information to provide products and/or services that you have requested as well as for auditing, research, and analysis to improve Subsplash’s products.
If you use a bulletin board or chat room on a Subsplash website you should be aware that any information you share is visible to other users. Personally identifiable information you submit to one of these forums can be read, collected, or used by other individuals to send you unsolicited messages. Subsplash is not responsible for the personally identifiable information you choose to submit in these forums. For example, if you choose to make information, which was previously non-public, available by enabling certain user features, Subsplash will collect that information from your interaction and the information will become publicly available.
Subsplash takes your privacy very seriously. Subsplash does not sell or rent your contact information to other marketers or any other third party. If you wish to utilize the Subsplash Account Services, Subsplash discloses your information to third party service providers and institutions for purposes of processing and transmitting information to drive the correct data and content between servers and apps for your experience.
There are also times when it may be advantageous for Subsplash to make certain personal information about you available to companies that Subsplash has a strategic relationship with or that perform work for Subsplash to provide products and services to you on our behalf. These companies may help us process information, extend credit, fulfill customer orders, deliver products to you, manage and enhance customer data, provide customer service, assess your interest in our products and services, or conduct customer research or satisfaction surveys. These companies are also obligated to protect your personal information in strict accordance with Subsplash’s policies, except if we inform you otherwise at the time of collection. Without such information being made available, it would be difficult for you to purchase products, have products delivered to you, receive customer service, provide us feedback to improve our products and services, or access certain services, offers, and content on the Subsplash website.
Subsplash Giving is web-enabled functionality that can be used with a web browser and on mobile devices. It was developed by Subsplash to enable donors to donate money to third-party organizations. If you choose to use the Subsplash Giving functionality to donate money, Subsplash and the payment processor will collect personal information from you, including your name, contact information, the donation amounts, and the payment processor receives certain payment information (e.g. credit card number, billing address, security code) and will use that information to process payments and provide you records of the transactions. Donor information will be shared with the Gift Recipient.
If, however, you prefer not to enable cookies, you can disable them in your browser. Please note that certain features of the Subsplash websites and Subsplash online products will not be available once cookies are disabled. As is true of most websites, we gather certain information automatically and store it in log files. This information includes Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, operating system, date/time stamp, and clickstream data.
We also use Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a web analytics tool that helps website owners understand how visitors engage with their website.
We also may use other Google Analytics tools, such as Demographics and Interest Reporting, which enable us to learn more about the characteristics and interests of the users who visit our Site, and Remarketing with Google Analytics, which enables us to provide relevant advertising on different websites and online services.
Google Analytics collects information anonymously. It reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. You can opt out of Google analytics without affecting how you visit our site – for more information on opting out of being tracked by Google Analytics across websites you use, visit this Google page.
In some of our email messages we use a “click-through URL” linked to content on the Subsplash website. When customers click one of these URLs, they pass through our web server before arriving at the destination web page. We track this click-through data to help us determine interest in particular topics and measure the effectiveness of our customer communications. If you prefer not to be tracked simply avoid clicking text or graphic links in the email. In addition, we use pixel tags — tiny graphic images — to tell us what parts of our website customers have visited or to measure the effectiveness of searches customers perform on our site.
Subsplash takes precautions — including administrative, technical, and physical measures — to safeguard your personal information against loss, theft, and misuse, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. The Subsplash websites use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption on all web pages where personal information is required. To make purchases from the Subsplash online store, or through your Subsplash accounts, you must use an SSL-enabled browser such as Safari, Google, or Internet Explorer. Doing so protects the confidentiality of your personal and credit card information while it’s transmitted over the Internet. You can help us by also taking precautions to protect your personal data when you are on the Internet. Change your passwords often using a combination of letters and numbers, and make sure you use a secure web browser like Safari or Google.
Subsplash allows you to keep your personal information accurate, complete, and up to date. Naturally, you have the right to access, correct and delete the personal information you have provided, though you may not delete all information if you wish to maintain an account with Subsplash and Subsplash is required to retain some information with regard to Subsplash Giving transactions and donors. Despite our best efforts, errors sometimes do occur. If you identify any personal information that is out-of-date, incorrect or incomplete, let us know and we will make the corrections promptly and use every reasonable effort to communicate these changes to other parties who may have inadvertently received incorrect or out-of-date personal information from us. In the event that you delete your information, such deletion may make it impossible for Subsplash to continue offering you some or all of the Subsplash Account Services.
Subsplash retains personal information only as long as we are required to for our business relationship or as required by Federal or Provincial laws, subject to reasonable industry practices for records retention. Subsplash has appropriate procedures in place with respect to the destruction, deletion and disposition of personal information when it is no longer required by Subsplash, subject to applicable law.
Our policies and practices have been designed to comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada), the Privacy Act (Canada) and all provincial statutes that regulate the treatment of personal information in the private and public sectors.
Depending on the location of users of the Subsplash Account Services, information on in the Subsplash Account Services including the Subsplash website may be accessed from outside of Canada or sent to others outside of Canada. Please note that any personal information that is sent outside of Canada may be subject to access by law enforcement and government authorities having jurisdiction in those countries in which the information is located.
If the event that any dispute between you and Subsplash regarding your personal information or this policy is not resolved pursuant to the “Dispute Resolution” section below within thirty (30) days, either party may consult the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or a relevant provincial privacy commissioner.
The following provisions govern information collected in reliance on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework Principles for transfers of personal data from the EU to the United States. Subsplash adheres to the Privacy Shield Principles (“Principles”) and is committed to subject to the Principles all personal data received from the EU in reliance on the Privacy Shield. Individuals from whom Subsplash collects personal information under the Privacy Shield have the right to access their personal data by contacting Subsplash at [email protected]. As a result of certification to the Privacy Shield, Subsplash is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the FTC, the Department of Transportation, or any other U.S. authorized statutory body.
You may access the Privacy Shield List here.
In instances in which Subsplash is not the controller or collector of the personal information, but only a processor, it has no means of providing individuals with the choice and means for limiting the use and disclosure of their personal information or providing notices when individuals are first asked to provide personal information to Subsplash. In such instances, Subsplash will comply with the instructions of the controller of such information; provide appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against accidental or unlawful destruction or accidental loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure or access, and to the extent appropriate, assist the controller in responding to individuals exercising their rights under the Principles.
Subsplash will not make disclosures of personal information to third parties without notifying individuals that such disclosure may be made. In those instances in which Subsplash collects personal information from individuals, prior to disclosing personal information to a third party, Subsplash shall notify the individual of the fact that their information may be disclosed. If individuals do not wish to have their personal information disclosed to any third parties, the individual should not register for such Subsplash services. With regard to Subsplash Giving, donor information will be shared with the Gift Recipient. The Gift Recipient may utilize a third party for purposes of receipt and management of such information and donors should review the privacy policies of Gift Recipient in this regard. In the case of third parties (e.g., churches) for whom Subsplash gathers personal information, Subsplash shall enter into a contract that provides that such data may only be processed for limited and specified purposes consistent with consent provided and that such third party will provide the same level of protection as is required by the Principles. For third party agent recipients (e.g., payment processors) of personal information, Subsplash shall: transfer only such data for limited and specified purposes; ascertain that the agent is obligated to provide at least the same level of privacy protection as is required by the Principles, and; upon notice, take reasonable and appropriate steps to stop and remediate unauthorized processing.
Subsplash shall take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. Subsplash has put in place appropriate physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration or destruction. Subsplash cannot guarantee the security of information on or transmitted via the Internet.
Subsplash shall only process personal information in a way that is compatible with and relevant for the purpose for which it was collected or authorized by those who provided the information. To the extent necessary for those purposes, Subsplash shall take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, current and reliable for its intended use.
In those instances in which Subsplash collects personal information directly from individuals, Subsplash shall allow those individuals access to their personal information and allow the individual to correct, amend or delete inaccurate information, except where the burden or expense of providing access would be disproportionate to the risks to the privacy of the individual in the case in question or where the rights of persons other than the individual would be violated. As noted above, you may not delete all information if you wish to maintain an account with Subsplash and Subsplash is required to retain some information with regard to Subsplash Giving transactions and the applicable users.
If you filed a complaint with Subsplash and it has not been properly addressed, JAMS is designated by Subsplash as the independent dispute resolution body to address complaints regarding Subsplash’s collection of personal information and provide appropriate recourse. Such body will not charge the complaining party for its services. Follow this link to the complaint submission form for the above referenced independent dispute resolution body.
If your claims as to data covered by the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield have not been remedied through dispute resolution directly with Subsplash or through independent dispute resolution as described above, such “residual claims” may be heard by a “Privacy Shield Panel” composed of one or three arbitrators as agreed upon by the parties. The Privacy Shield Panel may only award individual-specific, non-monetary equitable relief (e.g. access, correction, deletion of the individual’s data in question) necessary to remedy the violation of the Principles only with respect to the individual. Damages, costs, fees and other remedies may not be awarded, and each party bears its own attorney’s fees. This arbitration option is only available for an individual to determine for such “residual claims” whether Subsplash has violated its obligations under the Principles as to that individual and whether any such violation remains fully or partially unremedied.
The GDPR replaces Directive 95/46/EC and becomes enforceable on May 25, 2018. The following statement is intended to supplement the preceding discussion of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield. As to personal data collected and controlled by Subsplash, subject to the qualifications and limitations stated in the preceding discussion, EU data subjects retain their full rights to be informed of the purposes of our processing activities at collection; to withdraw consent; to access, rectify, transport, and erase their personal data; to object to processing for direct marketing efforts; and to object when subjected to automated processing decisions. As to personal data collected by third parties, and as to which Subsplash is a mere processor, EU data subjects should contact the controller (e.g., church or ministry) with regard to their rights to be informed of the purposes of our processing activities at collection; to withdraw consent; to access, rectify, transport, and erase their personal data; to object to processing for direct marketing efforts; and to object when subjected to automated processing decisions. Such rights may be subject to certain qualifications and limitations as stated in the discussion of EU-US Privacy Shield.
Our Data Processing Officers will assist EU residents with these requests free of charge and may be contacted at [email protected].
Subsplash understands that the adoption of global data security practices is not a one-time activity. Subsplash’s “privacy by design” approach requires that our default user data protection levels be at the highest setting by default. In the unlikely event of breach, Subsplash will notify data subjects and Supervisory Authorities (SAs) in the EU according to procedures provided in GDPR Articles 33 and 34.
We do not intentionally collect personal data from, and do not tailor any services to, children.
To make sure your personal information is secure, we communicate these privacy guidelines to Subsplash employees and strictly enforce privacy safeguards within the company.
If you are communicating with or making a donation to any organization or institution that is subject to either federal or provincial public sector “freedom of information” or “access to information” legislation, then please note that information concerning your communication and/or donation may disclosed to third parties pursuant to the procedures available under those laws.
If you wish to verify, correct or delete any personal information we have collected, or if you have any questions or concerns, or if you have any complaints, please contact [email protected]. If there is a dispute between you and Subsplash regarding your personal information or this policy, you agree to use reasonable efforts to resolve such dispute with Subsplash informally and to consult and negotiate with Subsplash in good faith to reach a fair and equitable solution.
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2019-04-22T22:15:51Z
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https://www.subsplash.com/legal/privacy/
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Beamsville Early Learning and Child Care Centre Lincoln A full day child care centre for preschoolers and toddlers where foundational learning happens through play.
Branscombe Early Learning and Family Centre Niagara Falls A child care centre offering a program for infants, toddlers and preschool children for full and half days. This program is integrated for children with special needs.
Day Care Centre - A Special Place, The, Beamsville - Hixon St Beamsville A licensed child care centre which offers a full day program for infants, toddlers and pre-school children 2,3,or 5 days/week.
Day Care Centre - A Special Place, The, Beamsville - Mountain St Beamsville A licenced child care centre offering before and after school care as well as PA days and summer care for school aged children. JK, SK up to 12 years of age.
Glendale Early Learning Child Care Centre St Catharines A child care centre offering a program for toddlers and preschool children for full days.
Grapeview Day Care Centre St Catharines A child care centre offering a program for preschool children for full and half days (in the morning only). The program is also integrated for children with special needs.
Great Lakes Christian Preschool Beamsville Preschool offering half day and full day programs. Play based program. Experienced teachers: Registered Early Childhood Educators.
Kids Place St Catharines A licenced child care offering a full and half day (morning or afternoon) program.
Niagara Nursery School Niagara-on-the-Lake A nursery school and child care centre offering a full day child care, nursery school and before and after school care.
Parents Peace of Mind Childcare, St Catharines - St Paul St W St Catharines Licensed child care centre. Providing three classrooms for infant, toddler, and preschool age groups. Large outdoor, fenced-in play area.
Parents Peace of Mind Childcare, St Catharines - Ernest St St Catharines Licensed child care centre offering full day programs for infants, toddlers and pre-school children.
Parents Peace of Mind Childcare, St Catharines - Merritt St St Catharines Licensed child care centre offering full day programs for infants, toddlers and pre-school children.
Power Glen Early Learning Child Care Centre St Catharines A full day child care centre. The program is integrated for children with disabilities.
Rosalind Blauer Centre for Child Care St Catharines A child care centre offering a program for infants and preschool children for full days. The program is also integrated for children with special needs.
Valleyway Day Care, Niagara Falls - Mary Ward Day Care Centre Niagara Falls A day care program for preschool and school aged children for full and half days, and before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
Way to Grow Daycare, Pelham Fonthill Provides child care to children.
Way To Grow Daycare, Smithville Smithville Provides child care to children. Located on the bus route for Smithville Public School.
Way to Grow Daycare, St Catharines - Arlington Ave St Catharines Provides child care to children 2.5+ and children that attend Jeanne Sauve Elementary School.
Way To Grow Daycare, St Catharines - St Nicholas School St Catharines Provides child care to infants and children.
Way To Grow Daycare, St David's St David's Provides child care to infants and children.
Welland Regional Child Care Centre Welland A child care centre offering a program for toddlers and preschool children for full and half days. This program is also integrated for children with special needs.
Western Hill Child Care Centre St Catharines A full day child care program for children ages 18 months to 12 years of age. The program is integrated for children with special needs and is sponsored by FACS (Family and Children's Services).
YMCA of Niagara, Beamsville - Jacob Beam School, YMCA Child Care Beamsville A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Beamsville - Senator Gibson School, YMCA Child Care Beamsville A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Beamsville - St John School, YMCA Child Care Beamsville A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Beamsville - St Mark School, YMCA Child Care Beamsville A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, Fonthill - Glynn A Green Public School, YMCA Child Care Fonthill A licensed child care centre offering full day preschool programs and before and after care for school aged children. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Fonthill - St Alexander School, YMCA Child Care Fonthill A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Fort Erie - St Philomena School, YMCA Child Care Fort Erie A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, Grimsby - Central School, YMCA Child Care Grimsby A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Grimsby - Park Elementary School, YMCA Child Care Grimsby A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Grimsby - Smith School, YMCA Child Care Grimsby A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Grimsby - St Joseph Catholic Elementary School, YMCA Child Care Grimsby A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Niagara Falls - Cardinal Newman Catholic School, YMCA Child Care Niagara Falls A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Niagara Falls - Durdan /Loretto School, YMCA Child Care Niagara Falls A licensed child care centre offering full day preschool programs and before and after care for school aged children. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Niagara Falls - Father Hennepin Catholic School, YMCA Child Care Niagara Falls A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Niagara Falls - Orchard Park School, YMCA Child Care Niagara Falls A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Niagara Falls - St Vincent de Paul School, YMCA Child Care Niagara Falls A licensed child care offering a program for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Niagara-on-the-Lake - Crossroads Public School, YMCA Child Care Niagara-on-the-Lake A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Smithville Public School, YMCA Child Care Smithville A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Assumption School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Canadian Martyrs School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Carleton School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Gracefield School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Harriet Tubman School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Jeanne Sauve Public School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Lockview School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Mother Teresa School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Oakridge Public School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Our Lady of Fatima School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Pine Grove School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Port Weller School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Power Glen Public School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Prince Philip Public School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - St Alfred School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school.Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - St Ann School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - St Anthony Catholic School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - St Denis School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - St James Elementary School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - St Peter Elementary School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - Westdale School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines - William Hamilton Merritt Public School, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with disabilities.
YMCA of Niagara, St Catharines Walker Family YMCA, YMCA Child Care St Catharines A licensed child care centre offering full day toddler and preschool programs. Fee assistance is available and integration into the program for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Thorold - St Charles School, YMCA Child Care Thorold A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Welland - Alexander Kuska School, YMCA Child Care Welland A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Welland - Father Fogarty School, YMCA Child Care Welland A licensed day care offering full day preschool programs and before and after care for school aged children. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Welland - Glendale School, YMCA Child Care Welland A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. The program is integrated for children with special needs.
YMCA of Niagara, Welland - Holy Name School, YMCA Child Care Welland A licensed child care centre offering programs for school aged children before and after school. Fee assistance is available and the program is integrated for children with special needs.
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2019-04-23T22:22:58Z
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https://niagara.cioc.ca/tresults.asp?TC=PH-1250.1400
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Australia was the only country outside the EU and NATO to support the international campaign to expel Russian diplomats in response to a chemical attack in Salisbury. It caused a significant squall of criticism from the Russian side. The Russian Embassy in Canberra accused the Australian side of destroying the "the relatively small but substantial positive asset in relationship, which was created by a joint effort during the last years." Russia expelled two Australian diplomats in response.
Despite the fact that Canberra consistently supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, there are many Putin's apologists in Australia. Ukrinform spoke with leading Australian expert on Eastern Europe, Research Fellow of the Australian National University's Center for European Studies Dr John Besemeres about why it happens, what attitude to Ukraine and Russia prevails in Australian society today, and how Australia tackles Russian propaganda.
Q: Mr Besemeres, I'd like to start the interview with your assessment of how Australia, the most distant continent, now assesses world events and Russia's role in them?
A: Before answering your question, I'd like to make some introductory remarks, which hopefully will also serve to address your question.
Q: Yes, of course, I'm sure it will be interesting for our audience.
A: Australia traditionally had a very Eurocentric view of the world, following closely the views and national/imperial interests of the United Kingdom. Though Australian people of Irish origin sometimes took a negative view of the UK, most Australians thought of it as "home" up until roughly World War II. But since World War II, Australian policy-makers look primarily to the U.S. as our key ally, and primary security guarantor. In recent decades, and particularly since the Paul Keating government of the 1990s, the Australian foreign policy establishment sees Asia as its main security priority, sometimes to the point of neglecting our important, indeed vital continuing links with Europe.
Indeed in recent decades, Europe has become almost "unfashionable" in this country. Australians' knowledge of Europe and European issues, despite the huge postwar influx of European migrants, has fallen away markedly. Their knowledge of Russia and its neighbors in particular has declined from inadequate to something much worse.
Q: Is the situation so bad indeed?
A: Some of the already few and modest university departments devoted to Russia and its western neighbors were closed down or starved of funds. And Australian intellectuals of the left (few Australian intellectuals these days confess to being right-wing) tend to have a residual sympathy for Russia as the natural adversary of right-wing governments in Australia, a sympathy not coupled with any clear picture of the reality of Putinist Russia. Such was the backdrop against which many Australian intellectuals viewed Russia's illegal seizure and annexation of Crimea, and its violent subversion of parts of the Donbas: a poor understanding, with a tendency sometimes to see Russia as a victim of resurgence of "Cold-War" attitudes.
A prominent ABC journalist interviewing me in the early phase of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which I was depicting and criticizing, responded by saying something like: "But wasn't that all our fault for trying to take away their ally, Ukraine?" I replied by saying that Ukraine since independence was not an "ally" of Russia, but had rather sought to keep some distance from Moscow, while building better relations with the West, so as to have a hedge against any Russian pressure or aggression. I was not invited back to her program again. Our ABC, the national broadcaster, often has apologists for Putin's Russia on its programs, both Russian and non-Russian, and at best tends to favor "balance" - avoiding making judgements about conflict situations, but rather reporting what each side said as though they were equally to blame for any violence that was occurring. This doctrine of "balance" is a problem in Western journalism more broadly.
Despite the above, as a result of Moscow's continuing aggression against Ukraine and its military intervention in Syria in support of the brutal Assad regime, Australians have started to gain a better understanding of the nature of Kremlin policy. The shooting down of Malaysian flight MH17, in which some 39 Australian citizens and permanent residents perished, sharpened both Australia's perceptions and its policies. Even so, some Australian "realists" still saw then PM Tony Abbott's public comment that he would "shirt-front" (a rough tackle in Australian football) Mr Putin at the G20 summit in Brisbane as reckless, and ill-advised. Prime Minister Turnbull seemed to take a more "moderate" approach to Russia that his predecessor, Abbott. But over time, he too has hardened his line, and the Skripal case has had the effect of further strengthening Australia's policy towards Russia, as in other Western countries.
Q: In your recent comments to ABC News, you said that "the West has been too soft on Russia" for too long and the recent response of the international community to the attack in Salisbury is an "unprecedented show of strength." Do you think that at last we are witnessing the turning point in global policy when the world realized that the concept of resetting relations with Russia at this historic stage is hopeless?
A: I do indeed think the West has for far too long been pitifully inadequate in its responses to Russia's aggression against many countries of Western orientation. Well-off democracies tend to be pacific by inclination, though they have in recent decades embarked on military interventions, sometimes ill-judged. That liberal international system was finally solidified, as it seemed, by the fall of communism in 1990-91. Western countries have reduced their military establishments radically, and downsized many of their soft-power institutions aimed at reaching the populations of aggressive tyrannies like Russia, China and Iran. As a result most Western countries are now politically and militarily ill-prepared to deal with external aggression. The USA, with its worldwide interests and commitments, has of course retained a great military capacity, though under the eight-year Obama administration, that capacity was seldom used, even when the president's own words suggested that it would be. But Putin's serial aggression against the Western strategic community has finally provoked more robust responses, even from the Trump administration, whose leader has been repeatedly emphasizing his heartfelt desire for a warm relationship with Putin's Russia.
Europe, for its part, has been going through a series of enervating crises, which accentuate the self-imposed military weakness it has chosen for itself since the end of the Cold War. Its leader is now Germany, a country which for historical reasons has chosen to become a programmatically pacifist country. Some German leaders have continued repeatedly to call for "dialogue" with Russia despite Moscow's aggressive behavior.
But the Skripal outrage and the barrage of lies and threats with which Russia responded to being called upon to explain itself seem to have mobilized the West into a surprisingly vigorous and unified response. UK Prime Minster May handled the situation with skill and leadership, Macron contributed vigor and decisiveness, Trump offered an unexpectedly high number of expulsions, and Merkel contained, as she often succeeds in doing, any impulse by some of her fellow-countrymen to adopt a more accommodating position towards Moscow. Then soon afterwards, the reaction to yet another clear case of chemical weapon use by Assad with Russian support and complicity evoked a similarly unified and robust response from many of the same players.
Q: How long and strong can this unified policy of Western countries towards Russia be?
A: Recent response of the western countries to the policy of the Russian Federation gives me reason to assume, the end of the period of Western passivity and disunity in the face of Russia's increasingly impudent acts of aggression. But a big question mark remains on whether the new resolve and solidarity can be sustained, as Russia probes further, and tries to divide wedges into the Western alliance. President Trump has again abandoned the further sanctions which were in active preparation by his administration, and which had been publicly foreshadowed by the US ambassador to the UN in New York. Despite Russia's totally unjustified "retaliatory" expulsions, no further such action has been taken by any Western countries. Moscow has in fact now expelled nearly double the number of UK diplomats as London had expelled Russians from London. And we all know that the proportion of KGB and GRU operatives among the Russian expellees would have been close to 100%, and nothing remotely like it in the case of Russia's supposed counteractions.
The West should have had painful follow-up measures ready to impose on Moscow, but there is no sign of them. Instead we have President Trump again publicly longing for a lovely relationship with Putin. Any significant boycott of the World Cup, for example, seems out of the question. For Western leaders, producing surprising and damaging responses is, of course, far more difficult politically than for Putin. And trying to deprive democratic voters of their footy, it seems, is more than most Western leaders are prepared to risk. Most of them have given up on yet another reset for the time being. But the number of Russlandversteher we have in leading positions in the Western alliance is disheartening.
Q: Let us now switch to Ukraine. You are known to the Ukrainian audience first of all due to your book "A Difficult Neighborhood" published last year. At that time you wrote that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was a turnsole of European and world's ability to respond adequately to current challenges. What is the perception of Russian aggression against Ukraine in Australia today?
A: I continue to believe that Ukraine is the central challenge that the West faces from Moscow, and for the West to become distracted and fail to hold the line on Ukraine would be a major disaster, not only for Ukraine, but also for the West as a whole. Any attempt to carry through some grand deal at Ukraine’s expense would be even worse. That said, I have been for the most part encouraged by the way in which the West has reacted in the last year or two. Minsk was not a well-drafted agreement, but both Kyiv and its Western supporters have interpreted it and stuck to it in such a way as to make it more difficult for Moscow to embark on fresh territorial grabs. But its military aggression against Ukraine continues, and the Kremlin clearly has the capacity and the intention to ramp it up when they judge that to be advantageous. Western support for Ukraine on the ground, though expanding, is still not sufficient. And the Western reactions to such issues as Nord Stream 2 and Russia's abusive response to the recent Stockholm decision on Gazprom are still much too weak.
As for Australian attitudes to these matters, I think we are now seeing broadly sensible responses from the government and most of the public. Unfortunately the coverage of Ukraine in the Australian media is less than it used to be, as other issues have impinged more on the public's attention. There is also a tendency as in other Western countries, for more criticism of Ukrainian internal developments to surface, not all of it balanced or well-informed. Nor do such voices always remember to make the rather basic point that for a country to have a difficult corruption problem for example, is not reason for the West to accept that a much larger country with a much more toxic corruption problem which, moreover, it actively exports to its neighbors, is any the more entitled on that account to continue to attack those neighbors. And we still have an irritating number of Putin apologists, including many imported from abroad, being granted access to our media spaces to spread Moscow's messages. But nonetheless there is a growing awareness of the threat Russia poses to the international system, including through its "strategic partnership" with China. The government's attitude to Moscow now seems appropriately robust. The Skripal case did much to bring greater clarity on that front. On these issues, our national policy is essentially bipartisan.
Q: In your publications, as well as in your book, you pay significant attention to antecedent facts and describe historical background of the events that antecede this or that decision of the Russian government. Do you consider that your audience has a misconception of Russian intentions and behavior, or you deliberately "knock out" the opportunity to spread Russian propaganda slogans from under the feet of Western elites?
A: In whatever I write or say, I do always try to give Australian readers a tutorial on basic historical facts, as even university-educated Australians are unlikely to know much about the history of Russia's neighbors, unless they themselves have family links to one of them; and even then, their knowledge may be restricted to that one country, with limitations and biases regarding the rest. They may have some basic knowledge of Russia, and because of Russia's recent prominence in the news, that knowledge may be growing. But even a basic grasp of Russia can't be taken for granted.
Now we are being overwhelmed by waves of identity politics, gender wars, at the expense of what was once the basic curriculum. And what students do know about Russia's neighbors is often affected by a Russocentric approach to these matters. Many Australian Russia specialists lack a sufficient grounding in the neighbors' perspectives on Russian history and behavior. If I were a benevolent dictator in these matters, I would require all students of Russian language, literature or history to spend at least a few months in one of the former colonies - Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states, Georgia, etc. And incidentally, it is in Ukraine's long-term interests, that it should become more of a center of Russian studies itself, where such a perspective would be obtained by a natural osmosis, with lasting effects on the student, and potentially lasting benefits for Ukraine and international understanding.
Q: This is a very interesting idea, and I think we should take advantage of it. How would you describe Australian experts and their perception of Russia? Do you feel the efforts of Russian propaganda machine in Australia? How does Australia resist that?
A: I have already commented on the shortcomings of the Australian expert milieu as regards Russia and Ukraine. We have too few genuine experts on either country, especially on Ukraine. By contrast, the eruption of Russian violence against Ukraine in 2014 suddenly revealed that we had an unexpected abundance of instant experts who understood the situation perfectly in their own estimation; Russian patriots who sometimes had a startlingly weak understanding of Ukrainian realities, even whether Ukrainians existed, but seemingly felt no need to correct this deficiency; "realists" who argued that Russia is bound to dominate Ukraine, and that we should simply capitulate unresistingly to that fait accompli; anti-Western tribunes who say that anything Russian does now that we don't like is our own fault because we were so mean to Russia and didn't let it keep its empire etc. All of these types are present in our mix of commentators. Australia has a relatively small community of students of the region, and standards are perhaps accordingly not as high as they should be. The Russian propaganda machine does indeed operate in Australia, aided by what are sometimes unkindly described as useful idiots, some of whom still feel that loving Putin is a more legitimate position than supporting Washington, or even their own elected government. Our very own Julian Assange, hiding away from Swedish justice in a leftist embassy in London, and Moscow resident, Edward Snowden, both of whom almost unfailingly serve Putinist interests are still viewed as heroes by an uncomfortably large number of people in Australia as in the West generally. One resists all this (Russian propaganda) as best one can.
Q: In your book, you mentioned that because of Russia's devastating policy towards its neighbors and itself during the last decades, Russia has become an expelled country on an international level. Taking into account recent world events, don't you think that it is not bad governance but essence of Russia? Given an old European "record of sickness" and collisions between the closest neighbors, given West dependence on social media and democratic openness, has Russia been able to succeed in dividing the world and strengthen its positions?
A: At the launch of my book, I drew attention to the remarkable disjuncture between Russia's immense contribution to most fields of European intellectual and cultural life, and its dismally negative role in governance and international relations. Most of its history since 1917 has been deeply regrettable. Even the event it celebrates as its crowning achievement, the victory over Nazi Germany, was a task undertaken against the will of its leadership. Even that victory was in per capita terms more the achievement of Ukraine and Ukrainians (and some other captive peoples of the Soviet empire). Its contribution to European culture is often severely distorted by its perverse governance. As Guy Verhofstadt has said, the internet was devised and many of its greatest applications were developed by the West, whilst Russia's current regime, and other regimes like it, have reduced it to a cesspool of disinformation.
But while a country's political culture can often be highly durable, countries can and do often change rapidly for the better as well as for the worse. Gorbachev and the early Yeltsin-era reformers fell in large part because of the movements in oil and gas prices. People who know ordinary Russian people are always aware of the difference between the official anti-Western xenophobia that they may partly reflect in conversation and the warm hospitality and interpersonal generosity that they otherwise display. There is therefore brittleness to Putin's stability, partly for these very reasons, which is something that Russia's adversaries can affect deeply if they summon the resolution to do so. The more that Russia's largest neighbor, Ukraine, can succeed in its post-Maidan project, the greater will be the pressure on Russia to reform itself. None of this is pre-ordained, though the legacy of the Bolsheviks and the Stalinists, and now the neo-Stalinist Putinists holding it back from progress, modernization and normality is a very heavy one.
Q: In conclusion, I cannot refrain from asking you to predict the development of events in Europe. As an expert of world politics, who had been shaping the world's tendencies for so many years, how do you see the future of Europe, in particular, Ukraine?
A: You've saved up the easiest question till last. Despite its enormous post-war achievements, Europe's social cohesion and democratic culture are under serious threat. President Putin sees Russia and himself simultaneously as the main source of that threat and the embodiment of all that is worth saving in European civilization. He is wrong on both counts, though the danger his neo-Stalinism poses is certainly a very real one. But Europe and the global West must also and above all overcome problems, which are basically of their own making, for all that they are often exploited by the Kremlin's hybrid warfare. I will mention a few that strike me. Despite your kind words, I must confess that I am not an expert on all these matters.
Europe, like the West generally must address such problems as high unemployment, especially among young people, as well as extremes of inequality, which alienate the poor, providing ready targets for populist politicians, and which, incidentally, technological advances threaten to make much worse.
Europe should check and perhaps partly reverse its tendency to excessive centralization. It can be argued that the only priority areas really demanding coordinated and centralized decision-making and enforcement at all costs are internal and external security, and loyalty to basic European values, above all the principles of democracy. These should ipso facto rule out the emergence of rulers determined to bend the rules to achieve total control and interminable periods in office. They should also exclude any flirtation with, as opposed to necessary communication with the Kremlin under present management, or any other government which declares itself the enemy of European institutions.
It must humanely but with determination regain full control of its borders (and accept some consequential modifications of Schengen internally) so that the existing European populations and cultures know they will be protected from uncontrolled influxes that cannot be integrated. Failure to achieve this leads to situations like the current configuration of German politics, where suddenly the largest opposition party is an overt admirer of President Putin.
More generally it must it must somehow check the rising tide of populism in its politics, caused in large measure by the failure to protect its borders.
That will probably involve dealing with the deadly constraint on freedom of speech posed by political correctness. Europe's political culture, which has devised so many altruistic ideologies, above all Christianity (though all, including Christianity may be vulnerable to perverted distortion) must somehow place checks on the me-now tendencies which are now so rampant in Western society.
It must also try at least to slow down the tendency for Western countries to abandon many of their traditional values and apologize for ever having held them. To take one example, Christian observance and the language of Christian observance should not be virtually abandoned in deference to the supposed sensitivities of non-Christian immigrants.
If these and other issues can be ameliorated, Mr Putin and his allies will have far less material with which to work.
Unfortunately, none of these "ifs" are small "ifs."
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2019-04-18T14:57:53Z
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https://eurodialogue.eu/john-besemeres-perhaps-we-mark-end-period-western-passivity-face-russias-increasingly-impudent-acts
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BECK & PAULI LITHOGRAPHING CO.
COLORADO MILLING & ELEVATOR CO.
In Error to the Circuit Court of the United States for the District of Colorado. Reversed.
This was an action by the plaintiff in error to recover the contract price of certain stationery and advertising matter furnished the defendant. It was tried on the merits, and at the close of the evidence the court instructed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant, and this instruction is assigned as error. The plaintiff was a corporation of Wisconsin, engaged in lithographing and printing, and its principal place of business was at Milwaukee, in that state. The defendant was a corporation of Colorado, engaged in the business of milling, and its principal place of business was at Denver, in that state. In June, 1889, the plaintiff agreed to make new designs of certain buildings of defendant, with sketches of its trade-marks; to execute engravings thereof in a strictly first-class style; to embody these on the stationery described below; to submit to defendant for approval proofs thereof; to submit designs and proofs of hangers, on fine chromo plate, for advertising defendant's business, by the following fall; to engrave a strictly first-class vignette of one of defendant's plants; to submit a sketch and proof thereof to defendant; to furnish defendant with 10,000 business cards and 5,000 checks in August, 1889; to furnish, in the course of the year, letter heads, noteheads, billheads, statements, bills, envelopes, and cards to the defendant to the number of 331,100, and 5,000 hangers; and to furnish the vignette and 5,000 hangers more after the approval of the proofs thereof by the defendant. The defendant agreed to take and pay for this stationery, this vignette, and these hangers at certain agreed prices, which amounted in the aggregate to about $6,000. The plaintiff furnished the 10,000 cards and 5,000 checks required under the contract in August, 1889, and the defendant received and paid for them. The plaintiff introduced testimony to the effect that it strictly complied with and fully performed these contracts in every respect, except that it shipped the articles contracted for (which were not delivered in August) by rail from Milwaukee to the defendant, at Denver, in December, 1889, in five boxes, four of which did not arrive at Denver until 9:42 A.M., January 1, 1890, and the fifth did not arrive there until January 4, 1890; that before January 8, 1890, all of these articles were tendered to the defendant, and it refused to examine or receive them; that the sketches and proofs of the designs, trade-marks, and hangers had been submitted to and approved by the defendant during the summer and fall of 1889, before these articles were manufactured, and that the last proof was approved November 16, 1889; that on December 16, 1889, the defendant wrote the plaintiff to forward by express 2,000 statements and 3,000 envelopes ‘as per proofs submitted;‘ that the state of the art and process of lithographing is such that, after the general idea of a piece of work is conceived, it is customary to make first a pencil design, and, when this is found satisfactory, to prepare a colored sketch where colored work is required; that after the sketch is colored it is lithographed, that is, transferred to a stone; that each color requires a separate stone; and in these hangers there were nine colors; that it requires from two to three months to reproduce on stone a colored sketch like that used for the hangers; that the artists' work and the reproduction on stone were the most expensive parts of this work contracted for; and that the expense of the materials and printing was but a small part of the entire expense of the work.
F. W. v. Cotzhausen, for plaintiff in error.
V. D. Markham, for defendant in error.
Before CALDWELL and SANBORN, Circuit Judges, and SHIRAS, District Judge.
The ground on which it is sought to sustain the instruction of the court below to return a verdict for the defendant in this case is that the plaintiff failed to tender or deliver the articles contracted for to the defendant, at Denver, until six or eight days after the expiration of the year, that the plaintiff did not therefore furnish them ‘in the course of the year,‘ and that this failure justified the defendant in repudiating the contract, and refusing to pay any part of the contract price.
In contracts of merchants for the sale and delivery or for the manufacture and sale of marketable commodities a statement descriptive of the subject-matter, or some material incident, such as the time of shipment, is a condition precedent, upon the failure or nonperformance of which the party aggrieved may repudiate the whole contract. Norrington v. Wright, 115 U.S. 188, 203, 6 Sup.Ct.Rep. 12; Rolling Mill v. Rhodes, 121 U.S. 255, 261, 7 Sup.Ct.Rep. 882. But in contracts for work or skill, and the materials upon which it is to be bestowed, a statement fixing the time of performance of the contract is not ordinarily of its essence, and a failure to perform within the time stipulated, followed by substantial performance after a short delay, will not justify the aggrieved party in repudiating the entire contract, but will simply give him his action for damages for the breach of the stipulation. Tayloe v. Sandiford, 7 Wheat. 13, 17; Hambly v. Railroad Co., 21 Fed.Rep. 541, 544, 554, 557.
It only remains to determine whether the contracts in the case at bar are the ordinary contracts of merchants for the manufacture and sale of marketable commodities or contracts for labor, skill, and materials, and this is not a difficult task. A contract to manufacture and furnish articles for the especial, exclusive, and peculiar use of another, with special features which he requires, and which render them of value to him, but useless and unsalable to others,— articles whose chief cost and value are derived from the labor and skill bestowed upon them, and not from the materials of which they are made,— is a contract for work and labor, and not a contract of sale. Engraving Co. v. Moore, 75 Wis. 170, 172, 43 N.W.Rep. 1124; Goddard v. Binney, 115 Mass. 450; Hinds v. Kellogg, (Com. Pl. N.Y.) 13 N.Y.Supp. 922; Turner v. Mason, (Mich.) 32 N.W.Rep. 846. Thus in Engraving Co. v. Moore, supra, where the lithographing company had contracted to manufacture a large quantity of engravings and lithographs for a theatrical manager, with special features, useful to him only during a certain season, and they were completed and set aside in the rooms of the lithographer, and there burned before delivery to the manager, the court held that the contract was not one for the sale of personal property, but one for work, skill, and materials, because it was not the materials, but the lithographer's work of skill, that gave the value to the finished advertisements, and was the actual subject-matter of the contract, and because that work and skill, while it added the chief value to the finished articles for the especial use of the defendant, made both the articles and the materials worthless for all other purposes.
The contracts in the case we are considering were not for the blank paper on which they were finally impressed; that was of small value in proportion to the value of the finished articles; they were not for the sale of anything then in existence; they were for the artistic skill and labor of the employes of the defendant in preparing the sketches and designs, transferring them upon stone, and finally impressing them upon the paper the defendant was to furnish; and they authorized the plaintiff, without other orders than the contracts themselves, and the approvals of the designs and proofs there called for, to prepare and furnish all the articles named in the contracts and to collect the contract price therefor. These contracts required the names of defendant's mills and its trademarks to be so impressed upon all these articles that when they were completed they were not only unsalable to all others, but worthless to plaintiff for all purposes but waste paper. The contracts are evidence that on December 31, 1889, the articles contracted for would have been worth about $6,000 to the defendant, and if a few days later, when they were tendered, they were not worth so much, the defendant may recover the damages it suffered from the delay from December 31, 1889, to the date of the tender, in a proper action therefor, or may have the same allowed in this action under proper pleadings and proofs, and no injustice will result; while, if the defendant was permitted on account of this delay to utterly repudiate the contract, the plaintiff must practically lose the entire $6,000. The contracts contain no stipulation from which it can be fairly inferred that the parties intended the time of performance to be even material; indeed, they strongly indicate the contrary. They provide that a certain portion of the articles shall be furnished in two months that the remainder of the stationery and 5,000 hangers shall be furnished in the course of the year, and that 5,000 hangers more and the vignette shall be furnished within a reasonable time after the proofs are approved by the defendant; there is no stipulation for the payment of any damages or the avoidance of the contracts on account of a failure to perform within any of the times stipulated in the contracts, and the parties themselves proceeded so leisurely thereunder that the first and only admitted request by the defendant for the delivery of any of the articles not delivered in August was on December 16, 1889. In Tayloe v. Sandiford, supra, the court refused to permit the owner to retain the $1,000 which the house builder had expressly agreed to pay if he failed to complete the house within the time fixed in the contract. In the absence of any such stipulation, or any clearly-expressed intent that time should be material even, it would be clearly unjustified by the law and inequitable to hold that the plaintiff is compelled to forfeit his entire contract price on account of this trifling delay that may have been immaterial to the defendant, and, if not, may be fully compensated in damages.
The result is that these contracts were not for the sale and delivery, or the manufacture and delivery, of marketable commodities. They were contracts for artistic skill and labor, and the materials on which they were to be bestowed in the manufacture of articles which were not salable to any one but the defendant when completed because impressed with special features useful only to it. There was nothing in the contracts or their subject-matter indicating any intention of the parties that the stipulations as to time should be deemed of their essence; and the defendant was not justified on account of the slight delay disclosed by the record in refusing to accept the goods, or in repudiating the entire contract. This conclusion disposes of the case, and it is unnecessary to notice other errors assigned. The judgment below is reversed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.
Original Item: "Beck & Pauli Lithographing Co. v. Colorado Milling & Elevator Co."
Lineage of: Beck & Pauli Lithographing Co. v. Colorado Milling & Elevator Co.
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2019-04-21T18:57:38Z
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https://h2o.law.harvard.edu/collages/45214
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α-Mangostin (αMG), a xanthone that is contained in large amount in Garcinia mangostana Linn, has been demonstrated to possess several antitumor properties under in vitro and in vivo conditions . The wide range of pharmacological activities of αMG and the low frequency of its adverse effects have contributed to propose this natural substance as an adjuvant in cancer therapy . Recently, we described novel harmful effects of αMG against three-dimensional (3D) multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTSs) generated by MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, such as disaggregation and size reduction of the tumour bulk that were paralleled by a decrease in cell viability and motility . Instead of cell monolayers, MCTSs are usually preferred as a laboratory model for pharmacological investigations because better simulate the 3D architecture of solid tumours, especially those regions that are not well perfused due to an inefficient vascularization . The thickness of MCTSs generates a gradient of nutrients, oxygen and waste compounds from the surface to the core that affects not only biological functions but also cell response to drugs . In particular, the inner layers of MCTSs become hypoxic when the radius exceeds 120 μm . Moreover, under hypoxic conditions tumour cells can undergo a selection that makes them more resistant to various stresses and that generates cancer stem cells (CSCs) [7, 8]. MCTSs can be also useful to study drug diffusion since it depends on the thickness of the tumour and the features of cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix contacts .
Bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antitumor drugs are fields on continuous improvement. One of the most appealing strategies that have been investigating is the use of nanoparticles (NPs) as a vehicle for intravenous infusion . NPs in the range of 100 nm diameter and covered by lipophilic/polyethylene glycol layers are not recognized by the reticular endothelial system and hence the lifespan of the transported drug in the body is increased . In addition, according to the “enhanced permeability and retention” (EPR) effect, small NPs preferentially concentrate into the tumour mass rather than in normal tissues . This condition seems to occur thanks to the synergistic process of NP leakage from large capillary gaps and the subsequent tissue entrapment of NPs due to a poor lymphatic drainage. Tumour cell selectivity can be further improved by conjugating NPs to ligands that target exclusive, or more largely expressed, superficial molecules [13, 14]. In particular, aptamers are usually considered as superior ligands in respect to antibodies because they are not degraded by proteases and can become more resistant to the nuclease attack through simple modifications in their phosphate backbone . Moreover, a receptor-mediated process accelerates the entry of drugs into the cell when they are carried by ligand-conjugated NPs . Therefore, NPs targeting specific tumour cells can be considered as a suitable tool to reduce the dosage of the drug cargo and, therefore, the occurrence of adverse effects of chemotherapy.
According to these concepts, we generated MCTSs by a MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line and the antitumor effects of αMG, as a free compound or encapsulated in lipidic NPs, were evaluated. We found that very low concentrations of αMG delivered by NPs caused a significant reduction in spheroid compactness, without increasing cell invasiveness. Since MCF-7 cells largely express CD44, the antitumor activity of αMG-loaded NPs conjugated to a CD44 thioaptamer was also investigated.
Reagents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA), unless otherwise stated.
MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line (the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures, ECAAC) were expanded in culture flasks under standard conditions (37 °C, 5% CO2, 95% humidity) or subjected to a low oxygen tension (1% O2, 94% N2, 5% CO2). Cells were cultured in complete Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM), containing 2% fetal calf serum (v/v), 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. The culture medium was routinely replaced twice a week. For cell expansion, subconfluent cells were detached using a solution of 0.05% trypsin in 0.53 mM EDTA. MCF-7 cells were cultured also as monolayers on 96-well flat-bottomed plates at the density of 1x104 cells/well.
For the initial characterization of the spheroids, MCF-7 cells were seeded in ultra-low attachment (ULA) 6-well flat-bottomed plates (Corning; Sigma-Aldrich) at densities ranging from 1x103 to 2x104 cells/ml. The culture medium was serum-free DMEM/F12 (1:1 v/v) containing 2% B27 (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA), 20 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF, Peprotech, Rocky Hill, NJ, USA), 20 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, Peprotech), 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin (MCTS medium). To perform a high throughput screening, 200 μl of cell suspension in MCTS medium was seeded on each well of ULA 96-well round-bottomed plates (Corning) and to encourage cell aggregation, the plates were centrifuged at 100 g for 3 min. Under this condition, spheroids of diameter ranging between 250 and 300 μm were generated after three days. Then, some MCTSs were treated with different concentrations of αMG dissolved in 0.1% (v/v) dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), while control MCTSs were exposed only to the vehicle.
Images were captured using an inverted microscope (IX50, Olympus Italia, Segrate, Italy), equipped with an Olympus camera, and imported into Image-J software (Fiji, http://imagej.nih.gov). Using the graphic utilities of Image-J, the largest (equatorial) border of each spheroid was manually drawn and the pseudo-circular area of its phase-contrast image was calculated. After background subtraction, the MCTS density was measured using the “mean grey” command of the software applied to the 8-bit inverted images of each spheroid. This parameter provided the grey half-tone intensity-to-area ratio of the pseudo-circular images of MCTSs. Morphological measurements were performed each day of treatment and expressed as percentage of those obtained at day 3 after cell seeding (100%). Some spheroids grew for three days on ULA plates and then were transferred to adherent 96-well flat-bottomed plates (Corning) that were coated with 100 μl of 0.1% (w/v) gelatine or Matrigel (Corning) for better simulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment of solid tumours .
MCF-7 cells at the density of 1x104 cells/well were seeded on adherent 96-well flat-bottomed plates and cultured as monolayers in complete medium for 48 h . Then, PrestoBlue Cell Viability Reagent 10X solution (ThermoFisher Scientific) was added in each well at a 10% final concentration. Fluorescence was measured at 530 nm excitation and 590 nm emission on a Wallac VICTOR2 multiwell plate reader (Perkin Elmer, Milan, Italy) 4 h after dye addition.
Lipid-polymer combinational nanoparticles were synthesized from polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), soybean lecithin and 1,2-diasteroyl-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-carboxy(polyethylene-glycol)2000 (DSPE-PEG2000-COOH) using a nanoprecipitation technique combined with self-assembly . PLGA (50:50, M.W. 30-70 kDa) was first dissolved in acetonitrile at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Lecithin and DSPE-PEG2000-COOH were dissolved with a 7:3 molar ratio in 4% ethanol aqueous solution at 15% of the PLGA polymer weight and heated to 65 °C. Then, the PLGA/acetonitrile solution was added to the lipid/aqueous solution in drop-wise manner, followed by vortexing for 3 min. αMG was added to the PLGA solution in the ratio 1:10 (w/w) relative to the polymer. The solution was then subjected to indirect sonication for 5 min in ice-cold water. The NPs were allowed to self-assemble and the organic solvent to evaporate with continuous stirring for 3.5 h. The remaining organic solvent and the free molecules were removed by washing the NP solution two times in ethanol/water and the third time in distilled water using an Amicon Ultra-4 centrifugal filter with a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa (Millipore; Sigma-Aldrich). The NPs were sonicated again, filtered by 200 nm cut-off (Corning), and divided in two aliquots of 1 ml each. An aliquot was air dried for about 1 h, weighed, and dissolved in acetonitrile plus 30% phosphate buffer saline (PBS), pH 7.2, for the spectrophotometric measurement of drug encapsulation (peak of absorbance of αMG at 320 nm). The second aliquot of 1 ml was immediately used to perform the conjugation with the aptamer. The remained suspension of NPs was stored at -20 °C. Fluorescent nanoparticles were also prepared by adding 10 μl of the fluorochrome Nile Red at the concentration of 1 mg/ml.
A DNA thioaptamer that specifically binds to CD44 according to the formulation TA6 described by Somasunderam et al. was synthesized by Trilink Biotechnologies (San Diego, CA, USA). The 73-mer oligonucleotide is a back bone-modified aptamer in which the non-bridging phosphoryl oxygens are substituted with sulphur. This change of structure renders the aptamer more resistant to the cellular degradation exerted by nucleases. The thioaptamer (M.W. 24,229.0) was linked to an amino group at the 5' end to allow the carboxyl group of DSPE-PEG2000-COOH to form a carbamide covalent bond. For this purpose, we used the two catalysts 1-ethyl-3- (3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) according to the manufacturer's instructions (ThermoFisher Scientific). Briefly, NPs (10 mg) were dissolved in 1 ml of distilled water, filtered with an Amicon Ultra-4 10 kDa (Millipore) and resuspended in 1 ml of buffered 0.1 M 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 6.0, containing a molar concentration of EDC and NHS 10-fold and 25-fold higher than DSPE-PEG2000-COOH, respectively. NP suspension was shacked gently at room temperature for 15 min. The resulting NHS-activated NPs were washed twice in distilled water with Amicon Ultra-4 10 kDa filters, resuspended in 1 ml PBS and conjugated to 3 nmoles of thioaptamer corresponding to a 1:100 ratio with respect to 0.85 mg DSPE-PEG2000-COOH used for the synthesis of 10 mg NPs. To this purpose, 30 μl of 100 μM thioaptamer in PBS was added to 1 ml PBS containing 10 mg NHS-activated NPs and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. To remove the free thioaptamer, the final solution was washed three times in distilled water, using the Amicon Ultra-4 10 kDa filter, and the NPs resuspended in distilled water at the concentration of 10 mg/ml.
NP size was measured by tuneable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS) using the qNano Nanoparticle Analyser V2.0 (iZON Science, Christchurch, New Zealand) equipped with a fluid cell module of 300 nm nanopores (NP300) and operated by the V3.1 Control Suite software.
The ability of NPs, free or conjugated to the thioaptamer, to enter cells was evaluated by phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy (Olympus IX50) using CD44+ human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs; TebuBio, Magenta, Italy) at the density of 4 x 103/ml. NPs were also observed by scanning electron microscopy (JSM-5200; JEOL, Tokyo, Japan).
MCF-7 cells were homogenized in a glass tissue grinder in 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, containing 5 mM dithiothreitol, 2 mM EDTA, 0.1% CHAPS detergent, 0.1% Triton X-100, and protease inhibitors; then, they were centrifuged at 15,000 g for 15 min. The supernatant was diluted in loading buffer (2% SDS, 5% glycerol, 0.002% bromophenol blue, 4% β-mercaptoethanol in 0.25 M Tris-HCl, pH 6.8) and denatured by boiling for 3 min. Aliquots corresponding to 80 μg protein were analysed by SDS-PAGE (7.5% gel). Proteins were transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane for 1 h. This membrane was then saturated with 5% dry milk for 1 h, washed with Tris-buffered saline, and probed overnight at 4°C with the specific primary antibodies (1:500 mouse monoclonal anti-HIF-1α and 1:1,000 mouse monoclonal anti-β-actin; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Heidelberg, Germany). The membrane was then incubated for 1 h with the secondary antibody (1:2,500 horseradish peroxidase-conjugated species-specific anti-IgG; Santa Cruz Biotechnology).
Values are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Linear regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni multiple-comparison test were performed using GraphPad Prism 4.0 software (San Diego, CA, USA). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
MCF-7 cells at the density of 1x104 cells/well were cultured as monolayers on 96-well flat-bottomed plates under normoxic conditions. The treatment with 0.1-20 μg/ml αMG for 48 h caused a bi-modal and dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. Figure 1 shows that cells were markedly damaged by concentrations of αMG up to 1.0 μg/ml, while higher doses up to 20 μg/ml led to a less accentuated drop in viability.
Effects of free αMG on the MCF-7 cell monolayer. The viability of 1x104 MCF-7 cells was reduced after treatment with free αMG for 48 h in a dose-dependent manner. The cells were greatly affected by 0.1-1 μg/ml αMG that caused a sharp decrease in their viability. A further damage to cells was observed using higher concentrations of αMG, although their responsiveness was reduced. Values were subjected to linear regression analysis and are expressed as mean ± SEM of duplicated experiments.
As preliminary characterizing set of experiments, MCTSs were produced in ULA 6-well plates by seeding 1x, 5x, 10x and 20x103 MCF-7 cells/ml and the increasing size of the spheroids with cell density was verified (Figure 2a). Then, to obtain a high-throughput availability of MCTSs, a single spheroid per well was grown in ULA round-bottomed 96-well plates for 15 days (Figure 2b). The seeding density of 1x104 cells/well was chosen because represented the best condition to obtain spheroids that were not too large for the limited size of the well but enough compact and well-shaped to perform appropriate morphological investigations.
Effects of free αMG on MCTS size and density. (a) MCF-7 cells seeded at 1x, 5x, 10x and 20x103 cells/ml in ULA 6-well flat-bottomed plates generated MCTSs of increasing size after 7 days. The spheroids merged into larger aggregates at the highest cell density (magnification: 50 X). (b) The images show a single MCTS per well that was grown in ULA 96-well round-bottomed plates for 15 days (representative images of triplicate experiments). The optimized seeding density of 1x104 cells/well allowed to obtain 3D bodies with a circular profile and homogeneous cellular distribution (magnification: 50 X). The spheroids treated with free αMG for 24 h (c) and 48 h (d) were negatively affected by doses higher than 0.8-1.0 μg/ml (n = 2). MCTSs generated in the presence of 1.0-20 μg/ml free αMG showed a smaller area and a parallel increase in density with respect the untreated MCTSs. (e) Representative phase-contrast images of the MCTSs treated for 48 h with increasing doses of free αMG (magnification: 50 X). The numerical values correspond to the concentrations of αMG expressed as μg/ml. At the highest dose, a darker region of cellular necrosis is clearly visible.
The treatment with free αMG produced damages to the spheroids that were shown as changes in equatorial area and density (Figure 2c, 2d). The lowest concentrations of αMG that significantly reduced the MCTS area were 3 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml, administered for 24 h (p < 0.05) and 48 h (p < 0.01), respectively. Conversely, the MCTS density underwent a parallel increase that reached statistical significance after treatment with αMG at the concentrations of 10 μg/ml for 24 h (p < 0.05) and 3 μg/ml for 48 h (p < 0.05). The irregular edges of the MCTSs and the homogenous distribution of their density observed at the highest doses (Figure 2e) were considered as further signs of αMG toxicity.
The mean diameter of NPs was 227.0 ± 88 nm and 174.0 ± 29 nm before and after filtration, respectively (Figure 3a, 3b). Both diameter and size distribution of NPs were consistent with the images obtained by SEM (Figure 3c). The fluorescent dye Nile Red was loaded in NPs to trace their uptake inside cells. BM-MSCs were chosen to better perform this test because they are larger than MCF-7 after adhesion on plates of polystyrene. BM-MSCs were incubated with NPs and observed by a combination of phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy. The process of NP incorporation into cells was effective after 24 h (Figure 3d, 3e) and larger aggregates of NPs were generated after 48 h of incubation (Figure 3f).
Characterization and cell uptake of NPs. (a) The size distribution of NPs measured just after their production was 150-380 nm. (b) The range of NP diameter was restricted to 110-260 nm after filtration, with a mean value of 174.0 ± 29 nm. (c) NP size and distribution were consistent with the images obtained by SEM. (d, e) BM-MSCs were incubated with Nile Red-loaded NPs and contemporary observed by phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy after 24 h. (f) Most NPs fused into larger aggregates after 48 h. Images are representative of duplicate experiments.
Morphological changes of MCTSs grown in Matrigel and treated with NPs. NPs loaded with αMG were able to dissociate the spheroids. MCTS treatment for 48-72 h with NPs that were not conjugated to the thioaptamer (NP[-]) and carrying 0.1 or 0.5 μg/ml αMG led to cell detachment after 48-72 h. NPs conjugated to the thioaptamer (NP[+]) and carrying 0.1 μg/ml αMG reduced the size of the spheroids, while NPs loaded with 0.5 μg/ml αMG provoked MCTS disaggregation. The images are representative of two separate experiments (magnification: 50X).
The amount of αMG loaded in NPs was 1.4 μg/mg. A suspension up to 1 mg/ml of NPs without αMG in complete medium did not affect growth and viability of cells, irrespective of the presence or absence of the thioaptamer (data not shown).
MCTSs were grown in Matrigel and their morphology was observed after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment with NPs (Figure 4). The concentration of 0.1 μg/ml αMG carried by NPs without thioaptamer (NP[-]) was sufficient to loosen MCTS cells in a time-dependent manner. The dose of 0.5 μg/ml αMG also provoked a robust dissociation of MCTSs, independently of the absence or presence of the thioaptamer. The administration of NPs conjugated to the thioaptamer (NP[+]) at 0.1 μg/ml αMG reduced the size of MCTSs and produced a lower effect on cell aggregation.
αMG conveyed by NPs caused the disaggregation of MCTSs also when they were grown in gelatine (Figure 5). An initial drop in spheroid density was observed just after 24 h of treatment with 0.1 μg/ml αMG. Maximal spheroid dissociation was obtained using NPs with 0.5 μg/ml αMG for 72 h, as it was shown by the lowest density and the highest area of the MCTSs. The presence of the thioaptamer linked to NPs (NP[+]) attenuated the MCTS expansion after treatment with 1.0 μg/ml αMG for 48 h (p<0.01) and 72 h (p<0.05), as it was shown by the lower values of the area relative to NP[-]. However, the reduction in density produced by NP[+] was of the same magnitude of that obtained with NP[-] at the corresponding αMG concentrations.
Morphological changes of MCTSs grown in gelatine and treated with NPs. The treatment with αMG-loaded NPs increased the area of MCTSs (upper slopes) and caused a parallel drop in their density (lower slopes). The lowest dose of αMG that provoked a decrease in MCTS density was 0.1 μg/ml just after 24 h of treatment. The expansion of the area was less pronounced using NPs conjugated to the thioaptamer (NP[+]) than that caused by NPs without thioaptamer (NP[-]). *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01, comparing the same concentrations of αMG carried by NP[+] vs NP[-]. #p < 0.05 and ##p < 0.01, comparing NP[-] vs the corresponding untreated MCTSs. §p < 0.05 and §§p < 0.01, comparing NP[+] vs the corresponding untreated MCTSs. Micrographs show the dramatic changes of MCTS morphology after treatment with NPs at concentrations of αMG up to 1.0 μg/ml delivered for 72 h (magnification: 50X). The numerical values under the images are concentrations of αMG expressed as μg/ml.
Effects of NPs on HIF-1α cellular levels. MCF-7 cells were exposed to 1% O2 and the presence of HIF-1α was evaluated after treatment with αMG-loaded NPs. The administration of 0.1 μg/ml αMG for 48 h was not sufficient to reduce the amount of HIF-1α, while 0.5-1.0 μg/ml provoked a decrease of its levels. The figure shows representative lanes with corresponding densitometric measurements of duplicated experiments.
MCF-7 cell monolayers were exposed to 1% O2 tension for 48 h and the ability of αMG to affect the intracellular levels of hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α) was investigated. Under these conditions, it was possible to detect HIF-1α by western blot and to assess that 0.5 µg/ml and 1.0 µg/ml αMG encapsulated into NPs reduced its cellular concentrations in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 6), irrespective of the absence or presence of the thioaptamer. Similar effects were also obtained using free αMG at the concentrations of 0.5 µg/ml and 1.0 µg/ml (data not shown).
In the present study, we evaluated the ability of NPs containing αMG to cause damage to MCF-7 cells grown in 3D as MCTSs. A robust derangement of spheroids was evidenced by the irregular shape of their edge accompanied by a parallel dissociation and decrease in density of the tumour bulk. The augmented distance between cells that was observed after treatment with αMG-loaded NPs did not occur only at the periphery of the MCTSs but also in the innermost layers, indicating that this effect of αMG was extended to the overall volume of the spheroid. The antitumor activity of αMG delivered by NPs was investigated using MCTSs growing in Matrigel or gelatine. Both gels are usually employed to simulate the ECM of MCTSs but with different analytical end-points for tumour aggressiveness investigations. Specifically, Matrigel provides a suitable support for tumour invasion assays, while gelatine is a better substrate to evaluate cell migration resembling cell dissemination from a solid microtumour or micrometastases .
In our recent study , we underlined that αMG was able to dissociate MCSTs generated by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells without increasing their tendency to migrate in a gelatine environment. The cells of these spheroids even reduced their motility when exposed to αMG, an antitumor effect that was also demonstrated in carcinomas deriving from other tissues [22, 23]. We also reported that MCF-7 cells of MCTSs could not migrate in gelatine-coated plates because of the low aggressiveness of this breast cancer cell line. In the present study, the spheroids cultured on Matrigel- or gelatine-coated plates significantly reduced their compactness after treatment with αMG-loaded NPs but did not show any sign of invasiveness. The lack of invadopodia conferring a characteristic “starburst” pattern to MCTSs was a further confirmation that the looser aggregation of cells was not paralleled by an increase in malignancy. Therefore, the detachment of cells from MCTSs caused the by αMG-loaded NPs can be really considered a significant anticancer effect that is not accompanied by the risk of increased invasiveness or metastatic spreading.
The lowest concentration of αMG as a cargo of NPs that provoked a substantial reduction in spheroid density in the presence of gelatine was 0.1 μg/ml and the greatest disaggregation was obtained with 0.5 μg/ml αMG. It is worth noting that these doses of αMG delivered by NPs are about tenfold inferior to those provoking damages to MCF-7 MCTSs with free αMG. Moreover, αMG delivered by NPs dissociated MCTSs that were cultured in Matrigel or gelatine. Thus, these results suggest that: (i) NPs are suitable vehicles allowing αMG to damage tumours at very low concentrations; (ii) the αMG-dependent loss of contacts shown by MCF-7 MCTS cells involves the presence of a gel containing collagen fibres. The finding that αMG can inhibit the adhesion of MCF-7 cells to type I collagen supports the hypothesis that some components of the ECM are involved in the dissociation of MCTSs induced by the xanthone. It has been also reported that an inadequate contact of collagen to integrins β represented an early step blunting the FAK/Akt/ERK cascade that, in turn, provoked the downregulation of the NF-kB-driven expression of MPP2 and MPP9 metalloproteinases . This last effect is considered one important mechanism responsible for the reduced invasiveness of tumour cells that follows a treatment with αMG . Moreover, Kopp et al. demonstrated that the capability of MCF-7 cells to form MCTSs was related to the activity of NF-kB . Thus, we supposed that the anti-adhesive property shown by αMG-loaded NPs towards breast cancer MCTSs was the result of the weaker bond that MCF-7 cells established with collagen fibres inside the spheroid and the consequent lack of NF-kB activation. Similarly, Ivascu at al. showed that an anti-integrin β1 antibody was able to dissociate MDA-MB-231 spheroids exclusively when they were grown in the presence of 2.5% Matrigel . It is presumably that also under our conditions both Matrigel and gelatine fibres contributed to the supporting network of the growing MCTSs and that αMG counteracted some cellular activity related to the presence of collagen. Moreover, Ivascu et al. demonstrated that the dissociation of MCTSs did not imply the loss of viability of tumour cells . Therefore, the use of low doses of αMG-loaded NPs could be investigated as a non-toxic adjuvant drug for tumour chemotherapy. Indeed, the αMG-driven cell dissociation might facilitate both penetration and diffusion of conventional drugs into the tumour bulk.
When αMG was delivered by the NPs conjugated to the CD44 thioaptamer, a loss in cell contact of tumour spheroids did also occur, but MCTSs underwent a lower size in respect to those obtained with NPs not linked to the thioaptamer. This suggests that a number of cells died or slowed down their process of duplication. To explain this effect, it is important to underline that at least 60% of MCF-7 cells express CD44 and that these cells, by sequestering via a very efficient receptor-mediated process the αMG-loaded NPs conjugated to the thioaptamer, should be subjected to a more severe antitumor activity.
Several molecular mechanisms underlying the αMG action have been described, including the inhibition of HIF-1α in pancreatic stellate cells . In the present study, we also observed that αMG was able to downregulate the protein expression of HIF-1α in MCF-7 cell monolayers after hypoxia activation. Thus, as previously suggested , it is conceivable that αMG can reduce the number of cancer cells that have been adapted to hypoxia by blunting the expression of HIF-1α. It is interesting to note that breast epithelial CSCs, which are protected from drug toxicity in their hypoxic “niches”, largely express CD44 together with the epithelial-specific antigen (ESA), whilst they stain CD24-/low . Consequently, NPs bearing αMG and targeting CD44+ cells could represent a drug able to target both CSCs and cells of the tumour bulk in breast carcinoma. In addition, the clinic-pathological and adverse prognostic implications of the expression of HIF-1α that have been demonstrated in different cancer types [32, 33] reinforce the expectation towards the antitumor efficacy of drugs targeting HIF-1α.
Another advantage of NPs conjugated to a thioaptamer, rather than a normal aptamer, should be their lower clearance due to the elevated resistance that the sulphur-adenine nucleotides offer against the nuclease attack . Moreover, the PLGA core of the NPs used in the present study was covered by phospholipids and PEG that have been demonstrated to increase their in vivo lifespan .
In conclusion, these results underlines how great is the antitumor effect of αMG delivered by lipidic NPs, since very low concentrations of the xanthone as a cargo caused a strong disaggregation of MCF-7 MCTSs. When αMG was loaded in CD44 thioaptamer-tagged NPs, it was still responsible of spheroid dissociation, but the toxic effect was more relevant because accompanied by a reduction in MCTS size. Studies are in progress to ascertain whether the selectivity of αMG-loaded NPs linked to a CD44 thioaptamer may also represent a strategy to destroy CSCs in breast carcinomas.
αMG: α-mangostin; b-FGF: basic fibroblast growth factor; DMEM: Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium; ECACC: The European Collection of Authenticated Cell Culture; EGF: epidermal growth factor; ESA: epithelial-specific antigen; MCTS: multicellular tumour spheroid; ULA: ultra-low attachment.
This study was financially supported by: 1) Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna (Italy), project “Selective destruction of hypoxic cancer stem cells by bifunctional nanoparticles” and 2) University of Bologna (Italy), budget from “Ricerca Fondamentale Orientata”.
F. Bonafè, C. Pazzini: concept/design/acquisition of data, data analysis/interpretation.
S. Marchionni: SEM analysis, critical revision of the manuscript.
C. Guarnieri: critical revision of the manuscript.
C. Muscari (principal investigator): concept/design/acquisition of data, data analysis/interpretation, drafting of the manuscript, critical revision of the manuscript.
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2019-04-20T14:46:31Z
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http://www.medsci.org/v16p0033.htm
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Market Outlook He thinks the US dollar is going to go a lot higher. The 2018 returns of Canadian investors benefited by about 7-8% he thinks, if you invested in US holdings. On US equities, he is cautious right now. After the big decline in December, he thinks it is a precursor of what is yet to come. 2019 will be a year of the Central Banks, who will have to maneuver to keep things going. This will make the equity market fraught with explosions and collapses. Last year the Trump tax incentive lead to massive earnings increases and he wonders how that can be followed.
CGI vs Open Text? He would like to own both of these. Having some growth in your portfolio is good -- especially if the economy is going to slow. He likes the yield of Open Text. He likes the predictably of earnings with CGI, so slightly favours it.
He thinks the stock will retrace to about $126, where he would be a buyer again. He would be "willing to go into war" with this stock. Although it is trading sideways, he would buy more on a pullback.
He is cool on them right now. Back in December he saw targets around $40. He would love to see a pullback to $32 to buy it.
He would wait to add to any position -- look for it retest the lows of December. It is a cyclical, so you want to make sure you buy them cheap enough. He is in a trader frame of mind, so he would target a buy at $30 and sell at $46.
Insurance companies are trading below their lower benchmarks -- making him think there are issues with their balance sheets especially in a deflationary recession environment. This could lead to lower short term rates, which could impair their earnings. He would be cautious going forward for all insurance companies.
(A Top Pick Jan 12/18, Down 17%) December almost caused him heart failure. There was either something systematic happening in the economy or their balance sheet was in severe trouble. He wants to see a pullback to $57 to consider buying it again. He would be worried about the economy if this retests the recent lows.
(A Top Pick Jan 12/18, Down 2%) This is a stock he would "go to war with". He sees about 15% upside from here. He would be a long term buy and hold at $100, otherwise trade it looking to enter at $142.
(A Top Pick Jan 12/18, Up 17%) Quietly going about its business. He still sees another 28% upside for it. He holds a lot of it and it is doing well.
Take profit here? He would take profit at these levels. He worries about issues with trade with China. He still sees possibly another 50% upside, but thinks it prudent to take profit here.
He thinks the market is telling you the car market cycle is coming to an end. The move to electric vehicles and car production not likely ever making new highs worries him. It has about 100% upside in value, but he cautious of the cycle nature. He would be careful.
When to exit? He thinks you "go to war" with this stock. He sees 18% upside still for it. He would continue to hold it long term. He might trim some length if it makes a new high.
He would not touch this with a 10 foot pole. The change in senior management worries him. The recent bullish bounce is a good sell opportunity as he targets only $88 on this. He is wary of the Chinese trade war, which is likely to get worse. If the world grinds down in growth, China will be hit hard.
A little over priced. He has a target price of less than $90, so he is cautious. He would prefer a pullback to $80 to add to any holding.
He sees about 20% upside from here. He would "go to war" with this stock. He would be a buyer here.
He would take profit here and look to re-enter back around $49. He sees 20% possible downside from here based on his model valuation.
He feels the S&P is at fair value and has another 30% of upside. He feels the Canadian dollar has more weakness to come. He expects the Republicans to win more seats in the House during the Mid-Terms, which would cause a substantial rally in the US markets. October has always been a seasonally weak month, so he expects a quick rebound in markets. Autos, consumer discretionary and other sectors have been recently decimated and are great value if the market is able to side step a major recession in 2019. He believes President Trump is correct in going after China as it pertains to the massive trade surplus with the US.
He likes this stock and sees upside to $54.77. It is in his Top 5 of his fund. He thinks block chain is a good opportunity for this company.
He sees value up to $50.90. Any new toy can be hit or miss and he thinks they have had a few toys go their way, but it is expensive here.
It is supposed to earn $10.46 per share next year, but the market is only projecting less than $2 per share. About 80% of their sales are into China. He worries about the potential trade war impacts. They have accused their Chinese partner on a project for stealing intellectual property. He would peck away at this, but sees $19 as a possible lower test point. They have a very small position in Micron.
He has long expected a crash in this space. Eventually the market will figure out which ones will survive. He still expects further downside in the space and his model price is only $3 per share since it has no current earnings.
The semi-conductor space has come back a lot. He has a model price near $14. He thinks you can accumulate shares on any significant decline. He would recommend buying a little here and more at $18.30 – just not your full position yet.
He does not favour Canadian stocks right now, based on their high valuations. This is under pressure now for no single reason. He expects they are weak on growth prospects. He expects the stock could drop to $35.55 and $28.50 if the growth story is broken.
He sees nothing but pain and agrees with the dividend cut. He thinks the stock needs to fall further and thinks you have to wait to see where the dust settles. He thinks major write downs are still required.
He remains negative on the Canadian oil space. He has a model price of $51.14 and hopes this price level holds, but expects further downside that could reach towards $29.30. WCS is netting only $17 US per barrel.
He would love to see it pull back to $250 to be a buyer. His model price is $89.66 so it is not without risk.
They reported earnings yesterday. He thinks it is a great company and one should add at $39.73 to any holdings. He is not worried about the recent sell off in the entire tech space.
He sees this as a cyclical stock. His model price is $357.75. He would be a buyer here. The recent pull back is a good buying opportunity.
Stay away – he has been saying this for five years. He sees substantial asset write-downs coming. The balance sheet is not rock solid. They will continue to lose money this year and doubts their estimates for next year. A total disaster.
His model is $61.59. A year from now this stock may be trading at the same level.
Sell. Listen to the Governor of the Bank of Canada – interest rates are going up – and you don’t want interest sensitive holdings in your portfolio. His model price is $34.53 and he thinks it will fall further.
(A Top Pick Oct 17/17, Down 6%) It has increased its dividend twice since last year. He continues to love it and holds a sizable personal position. He has a model price of $70.75.
(A Top Pick Oct 17/17, Up 31%) This is his #1 stock in his portfolio. He is not concerned by the recent price pullback. They bought back $80 million shares. He would add to his position on a pullback to $200. He likes their subscriber fee revenue growth. They continue to do all the right things. His model price is $233.42.
(A Top Pick Oct 17/17, Up 22%) He likes the support technically and the 2.5% dividend yield. It is not as cyclical as AMD and others in the space. His model price is $80.51.
Market. There was a ruling against trans-mountain pipeline today. The US is not cheap enough to sell his US dollars to come back. It could be an economic downturn catalyst but probably will not be. NAFTA is critical for us to leverage of the US economic success. He is putting client's money to work in the US. Canada has major issues. You have to be selective in Canada. You are looking for companies with US exposure, income and earnings. Today's news in the energy sector is not positive.
He loves it. The judgment against them is not significant. He has a model price of $160.81, a 20% upside. It is in the top 100 of the S&P 500 - it is US and priced in US Dollars – all the things he loves.
Model price is $14, so it is below where it is trading at. It is at EBV plus 1, and we have not had a breakout. Wait for a buy signal. He thinks it will come back. There are better opportunities elsewhere.
Semiconductors are doing their own thing. This is old tech. Model price is $85 with a 100% upside. But it is a cyclical. Over the last three years it has been on a tear and is pausing here. He would e a buyer here – a small amount.
Model price is $157.26. He sees it as an opportunity to pick this stock up now. It is above its model price and he has had it for some time until selling recently but it was moving from a value name into a growth name. He would be a buyer here. It is a good name.
Model price is $18.95, so it is at a 60% premium. He would not worry about earnings too much next week. If you are a long term holder, continue to hold it.
Model price is $45.06. 54% upside but there is no catalyst for this stock to get moving. It is dead money. If it is trading below its EBV -5, there is something wrong with its balance sheet and this one is too big relative to its earnings. The regulators are really rough in the financial industry. Use your tax loss.
Model price of $54.93, about 7% lower than what it is trading at. This one never got cheap enough for him to buy it. There is value elsewhere, see his Top Picks.
When it came down to his model price it was the only buying opportunity there was in the last eight years. He loves the company. Model price is $99.94, a 30% premium that it is trading at. He can only wish for a pull back.
These interest sensitives in Canada he not very bullish on. It has a model price of $34.68 so it is 15% overvalued. He thinks the BOC will have one more hike in them. He is neutral to negative on this one.
(A Top Pick Aug 4/17, Up 6%) He has had good returns since he has bought it but it has gone flat. They have room to expand their dividends even more. They are on an aggressive buy back program. If the US equity markets are going to go higher it has to be with the financials. He is still staying with it. There is about 9% upside according to model price.
(A Top Pick Aug 4/17, Up 45%) It is in his top 5. His model price is $243.96 or a 9.5% upside. Warren Buffet is buying a little more.
(A Top Pick Aug 4/17, Up 36%) This is old tech. His model price is $82.64, or a 70% upside. This stock just can't get moving. The CEO was just replaced. He would buy it here. Your chances of another 40% are quite high if the CEO works out.
Canadian Banks. You always want to buy them on a pull back. We have not had one for quite some time. A 10% or more correction and he would be a buyer. In general they are not cheap enough to buy and not expensive enough to sell. You have to hold them.
It has negative equity of $12 billion. It trades on air. There are better opportunities elsewhere. Don't touch it.
In March it was down to $90. Since then it has done nothing but go up. He has a model price of $131.66, or a 14% upside. Any sort of pull back you want to buy it. He would love to buy it at $87.
He would hold it. It is a great divergence between what the market is doing and what the fundamentals are saying. Everyone is predicting doom and gloom in the auto sector. They are right in the heart of Canadian auto parts. His model price is 102% from where it is. Once we get clarity on NAFTA and where we are in the auto sector, he would look at it.
They are not even making their dividend. There is a reverse compounding thing going on where your book value is being eroded. It is a losing proposition.
His model price is $42.16 or an 8% upside. It is an interest sensitive. Only buy it at the $36 level. It should go 10 or 11% lower here.
$59.74 is his model price and it is at 61% above that. If you ever got a correction or bad news it would be worthy of consideration.
Model price is 63.70 so it is 12% overvalued. When it comes back to the model price he would be a buyer.
He thinks it goes to $34.84. Once they fold in the income fund the balance sheet will get a lot bigger, which is negative for the stock. With a 6% yield, it is all their income. There is better value elsewhere.
If it got into the NVDA business he could not calculate what it would be worth. The model price is $82.64, or a 70% upside. The stock is much unloved and has a monopoly position. He is interested in catalysts that might come along. (Analysts’ target: $56.45).
He has been recommending this for years. It is finally hitting new highs. His model price is $58.76 or a 24% upside. It is finally getting its mo-jo. (Analysts’ target: $50.04).
Management is really up there in terms of reputation. Model price is $32.70 or a 5% upside. They increased their dividend a month and a half ago. There is still more dividend growth coming. The financials need to lead the bull market higher. (Analysts’ target: $34.39).
Overview. He thinks the fair value of the S&P 500 is about 3800, which is 30% higher than today’s level. He thinks fundamentals are great, especially in the US, which is where most of his focus is. He thinks US government policy (and the associated parts of the Twitterverse) is holding the market down. The S&P hit a high in early February, went through a long consolidation, and has risen back to almost the level it held at its high. He thinks S&P will easily reach that this summer. Beyond that, though, the S&P is running out of time. China is slowing down, world growth is slowing down, and commodities stocks in Canada ex oil are not doing well. Many are down 50%, which also suggests weakness in global growth. He expects a recession in the next year or 18 months. In the recent past, the FAANG stocks have pushed the S&P higher. Netflix stumbled but it looks as though Amazon, Google and Facebook are hitting new highs. The financials are acting well. For S&P to rise 30%, the lead will have to come from the financials not the FAANGs.
The stock has been going down. It is approaching a critical level according to Model Price theory: EBB-1 level is $17.80. His Model Price is $26.64, which is almost a 50% upside. However, if the stock drops below EBB-1, it could drop to EBB-2, which is $15. He would take a half-position at this level, but if it goes lower, he would sell and buy closer to $14.82. The market is concerned about recent news, such as the unionizing of its staff. However, a positive catalyst in the news could boost the stock an easy 25%. Making money on this stock might require trading around the levels rather than buying and holding.
His model price is $44.72, which is a 300% upside. This stock is very high risk but it has been rising recently as he predicted it would. This stock, like Teva and Bausch Health, were part of the most undervalued sector of the market 9 months ago, have been rising, and probably have more to go.
He calls this an interest-sensitive stock. The dividend of $1.68 is not covered by earnings. Earnings estimates for this year and next are $1.46 and $1.41. Interest-sensitives have had a bounce recently, perhaps because people sense a slowdown coming. He is bearish on the group. He would buy this stock at about $19.60.
Under his model, this stock is overpriced by 15%. Also it is paying out over $2 in dividends but is expected to earn only about $1 this year and $1.35 next year. This is similar to Crescent Point. The stock is getting a bump from oil prices but he would not buy it until it comes down to $21.
His model price is $13.66, so he seeks the stock as almost 6% overvalued. They pay out as much as analysts expect them to earn. There is better value in American stocks.
This is another interest-sensitive stock that is at risk from rising interest rates. It is overvalued by 10% compared to his model. The company is doing a whole lot of financial engineering. He would like to see the balance sheet after all the shenanigans are finished. He think that ultimately the stock will go to about $35.
The stock has a 61% upside before reaching the model price. It is acquiring another company which creates some volatility. If it breaks below $7, he thinks the stock will go lower and he would set a stop loss for $7.
This stock is way too expensive. It has a negative book value, which pulls the stock out of his Model Pricing approach.
(A Top Pick July 11, 2017. Up 33%). He continues to love Apple. He sees a 17.5% upside.
(A Top Pick July 11, 2017. Up 6%). The too-big-to-fail banks have finally recovered and the market trusts their balance sheets. They have given dividend increases and just passed the stress tests. His model price shows a 6% upside but they need to perform well again before rising further.
(A Top Pick July 11, 2017. Down 7%). This has gone down even as interest rates have come up. He is holding with it, with a very small position. Life insurers are not participating in the financials rally as much as he expected. His model price shows a 47% upside, but the market appears to dislike some aspect of MetLife’s balance sheet and he is not sure what that is. Because he is not sure what is wrong, he would not buy it.
He likes this stock. His model price is $140, 14% higher than the current price. The dividend is covered by the earnings. He expects it to rise with the market through year-end, if the market rises. However, he thinks there is better value elsewhere.
This is a cyclical stock. Over half of its business goes to China. It is at peak earnings. His model price is $196.21, which is a 250% upside, but this stock never trades on its earnings because it is cyclical. He expects the stock to trade over and under his EBB+3 price level which, a year from now, is $82, still much higher than its current price around $60. The stock pays no dividend.
This is right in the middle of his “zone.” It could go up or down from here. His model price is $121.13, but this is a cyclical stock near the end of the cycle, so it is unlikely to reach or hold that price. He would buy at $71 and sell at $98. At this price, he would do neither.
Has been trading down like WestJet. If it continues its negative trend, it is likely to get to $18.85. Like WestJet, this could rally under the right conditions. He would buy at $18.85, but not now. If it dropped below $18.85, he would sell and buy in again around $15.46.
His model price is $75.91, which is a 20% upside. However, he sees strong resistance at $67.85.He thinks that is the top, for now. He would hold at this price.
This is an interest-sensitive stock. It is currently selling at its model price. The dividend is covered by earnings. He is positive on the stock. The stock has come down a fair bit and is at a good-looking point for buying. If it does go down further, to $31, he would see a warning that the stock is going to go lower. However, there is no sign of that here, yet.
They just announced a dispute with the IRS which affected the stock price today. He expects this to take years to resolve. Canadian software stocks have done very well over time. He would be a buyer on dips, and today’s news created a dip, so he would buy. The model price is $63, which gives a 26% upside from the current price. He would plan to hold this for longer than 5 years. 22. Amazon (AMZN-O)(Doesn’t Own)(Don’t Buy). If the S&P goes higher, certainly Amazon will go higher. It has positive equity, but it is too expensive for a value investor.
Market. The US dollar is in a bull market. He expects the US dollar, and all assets priced in US dollars, will go substantially higher. He expects this to continue for a 5 to 7 year period. Things look good in the US market. He recommends ignoring the Trump tweets and focusing on the statistics. Fewer companies are participating in the growth than he would like. Financials are going sideways as his models of their value increase. He uses Model Price Theory (https://modelprice.wordpress.com/) and sees rises in interest rates as bullish. He thinks that Europe’s economy is getting substantially worse and that Deutsche Bank’s woes will cause broader problems in Europe.
It bounced a little today with its plan to spin off health care and oil. His model price for GE is $12.81 and the stock closed yesterday at $12.75. He expects the S&P to issue a negative review on GE’s debt as GE’s balance sheet changes. He would not buy here. He wants the balance sheet to shrink much more before considering it.
Comment on Canadian Banks in the United States. In general, American customers tend to like Canadian banks, so they are positioned to expand there. He would buy the Canadian banks on a pullback but would not buy them today. The upside is not as strong as it was in the past. All over the world, everyone is short Canadian stocks, including Canadian banks. Our debt and valuation are seen as high. So, for example, he would buy TD at $66 compared to its current price of $76.74.
The stock traded up to EBB+2 in his model, which is high. At $187.14, it has come back to EBB+1, where he would be a buyer. His model price is $176.92. There’s a risk of it going back to $152.
(A Top Pick August 4, 2017. Down 4%). This rose to $80 in January and is down to 65.52 now. It is struggling at EBB-2, well below his model price ($73.97). The US stress tests will come out this week. He expects dividend increases, which is essential for this stock to move higher. The company pays only about 20% of its profits, compared to 40% at Royal Bank. So he expects a pop soon. However, he thinks that what is happening in Europe will affect American bank stock prices. The European banks are at multi-year lows. However, the large American banks are very well capitalized and in much better shape than the Europeans.
(A Top Pick August 4, 2017. Up 20%). His model price is $216 and Buffet apparently buys it every day. If he owned it now, he would certainly keep it.
(A Top Pick August 4, 2017. Up 40%). It’s coming back down and is lower than his $76.95 model price. The CEO was fired over the weekend. He thinks that second-quarter earnings will be good and this pullback is a good buying opportunity.
He would not touch this stock. The high yield is deceptive. It pays out more than it earns and so the balance sheet is deteriorating by 5% per year. His model price is 13% lower than yesterday’s closing price.
He sees cannabis as no different from the Internet craze in the 1990’s. Between now and October, he expects all these stocks to crash. The equity market is fueling this industry. Enthusiasm is driving the price, not fundamentals. In October, valuation will start being driven by fundamentals and the fundamentals won’t support the prices. The group will go down and then a few survivors will rise, but we don’t which ones yet.
Projected earnings for 2019 are lower than 2018. His model price is 4% lower than the current price. The yield is barely supported by earnings. There is better value elsewhere and the stock is out of favour.
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2019-04-19T10:47:12Z
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https://stockchase.com/expert/view/1/sort/date/page/1/direction/desc/max/120
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When you have a pet or someone you love who finds it hard swallowing pills, or swallowing anything at all, it’s perhaps time to look for an alternative means of passing the pills into their system. This is where a pill crusher comes in handy, with its ability to grind the pills into powder. There are different pill crushers in the market, all promising different interesting features, and this could become confusing when you want to choose the best pill crusher for you. Therefore, we put together this review and buying guide to help walk you through the decision. For this review, we selected 5 top products that are outstanding in features and their value for money from the long list of pill crushers that we researched. This is just a snapshot of the wide pill crusher range that these brands have, so you can also check their other products if these don’t truly appeal to you.
Ezy Dose manufactures some of the best easy-to-use medication management products and it’s even endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation.
Interestingly, this pill crusher comes with a stainless steel blade which grinds the pills into fine powder and which stays sharp after multiple uses.
The cutting compartment doesn’t have anything to keep the pills in place so they tend to fall off when you open it.
Carex Health Brands is a renowned manufacturer of health management products that offers a level of customer support that sets it apart from its competitors.
Thanks to its conical grinder, the pills don’t get in the threads. It’s also easy to clean with warm soapy water and is wide enough for large hands.
The conical base may make it hard to stand on its own.
McKesson is committed to creating innovative resources, support and technology to help improve the healthcare industry and give its patients an improved and healthier lifestyle.
It doesn’t require any cleaning and has a lifetime warranty.
Some customers complained about the price, but then, it’s good value for your money.
AliMed has become a renowned provider of innovative solutions and services to specific medical needs, especially those that require ergonomic products.
Many customers believe this pill crusher is good value for its price, even moreso due to its durability.
Some customers complained the bottom cracked after a while, but this can be avoided when you crush upside down.
Apothecary has over 40 years’ experience in consumer wellness and management industry and has 4 product line brands that are market leaders in healthcare.
This crusher is convenient for travels since it’s handy and has a storage compartment for pills. The outer threads make it easy to release the crushed pills.
It may be too small for people taking more than 3 pills at once.
How Do I Choose the Best Pill Crusher?
There are people who have a phobia for swallowing solid matter. The thought of swallowing something without chewing it makes them gag. There are others with an ailment that doesn’t allow them to pass any solid through their throat. There’s still another group who are too old to swallow as the muscles of their throats have begun to fail. It could be your pet or your horse which will spit a pill when it finds it in its food or tastes it in its water. As all of these usually require medication at some point, there must be a way to give them their pills. That’s where a pill crusher comes in: it helps you to get the pills in a powdery form, which you can then mix it with either a liquid or with food or even pass it through a tube.
Before now, most people had only the option of using mortar and pestle for crushing their pills, but then there’s the complaint that it needed too much energy and multiple pounding to get this done. Inspite of this challenge, a lot of people, till date, still trust this arrangement. Other people have tried putting the pills in a folded paper towel and smashing the pills with a hammer and using the crease of the paper as funnel for transferring the ground pill. In some cases, some people even use salt grinders to crush their pills. However, all these have some disadvantages. With the paper towel, you could burst the paper and lose your pills as the blow may be too heavy for the paper. For the salt grinder, some of your pills may get trapped in the case, making you take less than your prescribed dosage. Using a pill crusher, however, helps you forego these clunky methods.
So, the question is: how do I know the best pill crusher to go for? Which one will do the job with as little stress as possible? Which one will be most convenient considering the health status of the user? There are some factors that you need to put into consideration before choosing a pill crusher, such as the number of pills you have to crush in a day. We have taken the time to research on these factors and the importance they serve and we’ve put them together in this review.
Please note that it’s important to contact your physician or pharmacist before crushing any pills as crushing can be counter effective for some pills. This means that not all pills are effective after they’ve been crushed. For instance, time-release drugs will be detrimental when you crush before taking them.
One of the factors to consider when choosing a pill crusher is your budget; how much are you willing to pay for a pill crusher? When you have this in mind, it helps guide you as to what price range you should be looking at. However, it will be a huge mistake to rely solely on price as your determining factor for choosing a pill crusher. This is because there are different factors that affect the price of a pill crusher. For instance, the material. Most pill crushers are made of plastic, but then there are the metal ones and the steel ones; these are more expensive than the plastic ones. The job done by the crusher also affects the price. So, first things first, know what function you want your pill crusher to perform and then look for the one that falls within your budget.
In our research for the best pill crusher, we saw a range of prices from $5 to $77. However, we also found some cheap pill crushers which usually broke apart within the first few times they were used. Thus, we made it a point of duty to avoid them. So, this review has a selection of good quality pill crushers that will give you good value for your money.
Like we stated earlier, pill crushers are made of different materials, the most common being plastics. However, some plastics are more durable than others. The material that your pill crusher is made from determines the durability of the product. Pill crushers made of metal, stainless steel, or aluminum generally last longer than pill crushers made from plastic. But then, you don’t need to go for a metal pill crusher if all you need is to crush 1 or 2 pills daily or for a short period of time. The metal crushers are recommended for people who have many pills to crush daily or who want to use it for years to come.
There are different designs of pill crushers. While some are twist-tops, others are handle to base crushers and rotation crushers. The twist-tops have a threaded cap which you twist down until it crushes your pills. They’re quite convenient for people who crush few pills at once because most of them can handle only 2 or 3 pills. The handle to base crushers normal have a cup or pouch that have the pills and the handle is pushed down on the pills to crush them. These ones crush many pills at once. The rotation type functions by you twisting the handle which in turn grinds the pills in the cup. So, depending on which is more convenient for you, any of these designs could be a good choice.
The size of your pill crusher matters a lot. For people with large hands, picking a micro twist-top pill crusher is setting yourself up for a bruised palm with time because your palms will continually rub against each other while you’re twisting the crusher. It’s more advisable to go for bigger pill crushers. Always check out the dimensions of your pill crusher to be sure that it’ll fit your palms comfortably.
Some pill crushers have additional features like a drinking cup while others have pill splitters. If you need any of these features along with your pill crusher, look out for them when making your purchase.
Some pill crushers have designated storage compartments. These always become handy when you must take some pills along with you or set aside some pills for ease of access. If this is a feature you’d love to have with your pill crusher, look out for pill crushers that have them – easy!
If you need to travel with your pill crusher, it’ll be more convenient to go for lightweight pill crushers. That means you need to consider the weight of any one you choose to purchase to be sure that it’s portable enough for you. Most care givers like to toss a pill crusher into their pockets so that it’s easy for them to access it at every time.
A good percentage of pill crusher users are arthritic patients. This means that they need pill crushers that are easy to use and which require as little energy as possible to operate. While purchasing a pill crusher, read up on its ease of use to be sure you’re not purchasing one that’ll pose a problem for its user. This is where the health status of the user comes into play. The Arthritis Foundation has endorsed some pill crushers; you may have to look out for these pill crushers as this means that an arthritic patient can use them without any stress. For example, most twist out caps are usually hard for people with weak hands, so be aware as to whether they come with easy twisting features.
How frequently you use your pill crusher, the type of pills you use it for and the number of pills are the biggest factors that affect your choice of a pill crusher. Some pill crushers cannot crush some types of pills as they may be too hard for them and some pill crushers can only crush few pills at once. When choosing your pill crusher, check out whether it can withstand the frequency at which you want to use it and if your pills are soft enough for it. Also ascertain that it can take the number of pills you will be crushing at once.
Some users of pill crushers have complained that some pill crushers do not clean out well as they have the ground pill powder trapped in the groves or the corners of the base; this grows mold after a while. Look out for pill crushers that don’t trap the ground pills and are easily cleaned with water.
Finally, look out for crushers that crush to fine powder, especially if you have to pass the powder through a tube.
What is the Best Pill Crusher?
After going through the buying guide, it’s safe to assume that you now know what to look out for in a pill crusher. Now, it’s time to go through our list of best pill crushers in the market and make a choice of which one works best for you.
The Ezy Dose Ultra Fine Pill Crusher comes with a drinking cup and cover and also features a storage compartment to carry your pills with. Do you need a pill crusher with a good grip and which comes in different colors? Consider the Ezy Crush Pill Crusher with Ergo Grip.
Endorsed by the Arthritis Foundation for making medication products with ease-of-use design, Ezy Dose has gone ahead to establish itself as a leader in the manufacture of medication management products. Its product lines include push button pill planners, push cutters and push crushers that make it easier for users of all ages to follow through with their medication.
One of the amazing products in its line of product is the Ezy Dose Ultra Fine Pill Crusher (Selling for $8.94 - Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) which is a convenient 3-in-1 product for medication management. It features a stainless steel blade that cuts your pills in two and still maintains its sharpness after repeated use. It also has a pill storage compartment that can hold up to 4 pills at once. This means you can also use it to carry your pills around. When you’ve crushed your pills, you’re likely to mix it with a liquid before taking it; this pill crusher has a drinking cup and cover compartment that you can use for that purpose. It grinds pills to ultra-fine powder. It crushes about 3 to 4 pills at once. Since it’s a twist crusher, it can be used by persons of any age because not much energy is required to crush with it. With just a little pressure applied, the stainless steel blade is able to cut your pills and the crusher is able to give you a fine finished product.
Check out other pill crushers from Ezy Dose if this one doesn’t suit your desired purpose.
The Carex Health Brands Ultra Pill Crusher has a simple but rugged design, is built for ergonomic convenience and can be used by weaker patients. If you also need a weekly planner medicine chest, check out the Pill Box Medi-chest Medium.
Carex Health Brands is a world-renowned brand in the manufacture of household, self-care, and medical products. It’s a brand name that’s found in almost every home. It’s committed to creating innovative and easy-to-use products that will improve the general quality of life of its customers. 35 years in the business has placed it on a pedestal that most health management brands aspire to. Its exceptional customer support and information loaded website have also taken the brand a notch higher, making it a go to place for both household and medical product information.
While making the Carex Health Brands Ultra Pill Crusher (Selling at $6.75 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price), Carex Health Brands had arthritic patients and those with weakened grips in mind. So, it designed an ergonomically convenient tool for them to use. It has a simple design which is rugged. It’s triangular which makes it easy to hold and handle. Unlike most products with grooves, this pill crusher is easy to clean with warm soapy water, leaving minimal or no deposit behind. It has a storage area under the cap. It uses an inverse molding technique that creates a tight seal and allows the user to apply only a little bit of pressure to turn pills to powdered form.
This pill crusher can also split your pills to tiny splatters if enough pressure is applied. It weighs only about 2.3 ounces which means that it’s lightweight for the elderly and weak patients to use. With this pill crusher, the pills do not jam in the thread because the grinder was threaded with a technique that gets the crushing started even before the thread gets to the pill. The conical shape gives the crusher a pointed end which helps to crush the pills more easily. It’s wide enough to fit the palms of people with large hands, so it makes holding and twisting much easier without rubbing your palms against each other. It also comes in a 2-pack size option.
Carex Health Brands has other pill crushers, so if this doesn’t meet your requirements, check out the other options.
The McKesson Silent Knight Pill Crusher is a latex-free crusher that minimizes wastage of crushed pills even while crushing many pills at once. If what you need is a pill cutter that’s pocket friendly, you can also check out McKesson’s Medi-pak Stainless Steel Blade Pill Cutter.
McKesson’s mission reads “Together with our customers and partners, we are creating a sustainable future for health care. Together we are charting a course to better health”. This is its commitment to create a new standard for the healthcare industry. McKesson believes that it operates as the central nervous system of healthcare because it continually executes critical in-house operations that improve both its businesses and those of its partners and generally improve the welfare of its patients. To this effect, it creates new technology, new services and new ideas that make healthcare smarter and bring information and people together. It proffers resources, support and technology services to numerous health care brands.
You can reorder for a refill of your pouches when you exhaust them or, better still, purchase some extra along with the crusher.
Choose the McKesson Silent Knight Pill Crusher to crush your pills easily and save time too.
The AliMed Pill Crusher and Pulverizer is a great tool that’s made of tough precision plastic and it’s compact enough to be carried around. If, however, what you need is a resistance therapy putty, check out the AliMed Color-Coded Therapy Putty.
For over forty years in the healthcare product manufacturing and distribution business, AliMed has supplied a wide range of healthcare products such as operating room supplies, patients’ safety and fall management products, patient handling solutions, wheel chair cushions, and more. This has given it a place in the health care industry as a provider of innovative solutions to specific medical needs, especially those that are ergonomically inclined.
The AliMed Pill Crusher and Pulverizer (Selling at $7.25 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is an inexpensive pill crusher for everyday pill dispensing. You would think that for its price it wouldn’t be durable, but it’s made of tough precision non-latex plastic that ensures it’ll last a long while. Some customers stated that they’ve used it daily for 2 years! It has a separate compartment in the cap for storing pills till you’re ready to use them or for carrying the pills along with you to your destination. It’s compact and can be easily thrown into the pocket and carried around. It crushes pills to fine powder that wouldn’t clog a feeding tube.
You can purchase this pill crusher in packs if you are on different medications.
Looking for a different type of pill crusher with other features? Check out the rest of AliMed’s merchandise.
A global leader in the wellness industry, Apothecary has over 70 patents from developing products that serve specific customer needs. With over 40 years in the healthcare and wellness management industry, it has built different product lines that have become market leaders in medication management, which are: Ezy Dose, Flents, Protechs and Wipe ‘N Clear. It collaborates with the majority of US pharmaceutical retailers to churn out innovative products for general consumer wellness. It has a presence in over 80 countries.
The Apothecary Ergo Grip Pill Crusher (Selling at $5.80 – Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) has ergonomic grip handles that make it easy to hold on to while twisting or grinding. It’s small and compact and, with its storage cap that can be used for storing pills, it’s convenient for travels. The threads on the cap are on the outside so the pills don’t get stuck in them. It has a soft rubbery non-slip grip while the pocket friendly price makes it a great and valuable buy. Its packaging comes in a blister card which keeps it intact during shipping.
Apothecary has another pill crusher that you can check out if the featured one doesn’t meet your requirements.
Get the Best Pill Crusher of 2019!
It has (hopefully) been a very informative and interesting review up to this point. Everything’s set. You’ve decided on the pill crusher to go for. Go ahead and make your purchase; your choice is the right one.
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2019-04-22T12:18:55Z
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https://topproducts.com/reviews/best-pill-crusher.htm
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We review the evidence on whether or not you can breastfeed on the keto diet. Is it safe for you and your baby and how does it impact your breastmilk?
If you’ve been keeping up with the news at Abbey’s Kitchen, you’ve probably noticed that I talk quite a bit about the keto diet. This all started last year, when my girl and fellow registered dietitian Abby Langer and I caused a bit of a stir with our video of us trying different keto recipes. Some people were…. less than pleased, to put it very, very nicely!
To clear up some of my messages and to provide a 360 snapshot on how the diet actually works, I did a comprehensive review of the evidence of keto diet and its impact on weight loss, amongst other diseases like neurological diseases, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Emerging research in diets always catch my attention, and as a dietitian it’s my duty to stay informed and to put on my critical lens. So when I heard people taking on the keto diet while breastfeeding, I was instantly interested in learning about this new trend and its safety and associated risks. Plus, being a new mom, I always strive to learn the best and newest evidence to help support other moms and moms-to-be in this incredible journey!
Is it Safe to Breastfeed on the Keto Diet?
Before we discuss if its safe to breastfeeding while on a keto diet, let’s rewind and start with the effect of a keto diet during pregnancy.
Study #1: How does the keto diet affect the embryo’s organ development?
Researchers studied mice separated into either a standard diet or a keto diet. After mating, the embryos were then tracked at 13.5 and 17.5 days gestation. What did they find? There were notable size differences – the keto embryos were larger at 13.5 days, and then interestingly, their growth slowed and became smaller than the standard diet embryos by the time they reached 17.5 days! In the keto embryos, the development of their internal organs were also altered. Could this mean potential organ dysfunction and behaviour changes later in life? Still unclear. This is some great starting information however it’s still not enough for us to draw conclusions yet, especially since this is a study of mice. But what we do know is that a keto diet during pregnancy may be linked to a smaller embryo size and altered rates of organ development. What about post-birth?
Study #2: How does keto diet affect breastfeeding and the baby’s growth?
Now the second study of this series on the keto diet and breastfeeding. Similar to study #1, the researchers compared a keto group to a standard group of pregnant mice, but this time, they focused on the mice and their offspring post-birth.
The results were fascinating. The keto mice who were lactating experienced severe physiological strain, and even went into ketoacidosis, a very dangerous complication where the body produces too many ketones, leading to high amounts of acid in the blood. In fact, they ended up dying within a few days after giving birth! This is perhaps due to the increased energy needs during lactation. As moms require way more energy than normal to produce milk, they burn more fat and create more ketones, pushing them way past the state of ketosis (the normal goal for someone on a keto diet), and into the dangerous territory of ketoacidosis.
To make matters worse, their babies experienced slowed growth, indicating that the breast milk from the keto mothers was insufficient in its nutrition, volume or both. In this case, it was a lose-lose situation, for both the mom and the babe. Finally, the keto mice also had lower fertility, and if they did become pregnant, their litter sizes were much smaller than average.
Study #3: Does a keto diet during pregnancy have lasting effects into adulthood?
Let’s talk about the keto diet and adulthood. The final study looked at the long-term effects of the keto diet by studying the adult offspring. After undergoing various physical and psychological tests, the adult mice of keto prenatal diets were show to be more physically active with a tendency towards hyperactivity, and exhibit less behavioural signs of anxiety and depression. So, I guess you can say these studies ended on a promising note? Let’s tie it all together to see.
So… is it Safe to Breastfeed on the Keto Diet?
Looking at these studies, we know that a keto diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding in mice may be linked to their offspring’s organ development, metabolism, and behaviour well into adulthood.
What does this mean, exactly? Although the lactating keto mice who died sounds pretty terrifying and is definitely something to think about, at the end of the day these are still mice trials, and with this premature research, it’s too early to comment on its safety.
Bottom line: moms have been breastfeeding on regular diets for a very, very, long time, and it has worked out wonderfully for them. I personally wouldn’t mess with a good thing.
Even though there are no research studies on keto diets in pregnant and breastfeeding women, what we do have is a study on high fat diets (HF). These researchers set out to see if a high fat diet has any impact on milk production in new moms. This study defined high fat to be 55% and 30% carbs (where a keto diet would be 70% fat and 5% carbs).
Here’s what they found. The actual milk volume and the amount of protein in the milk were unaffected. However, the amount of fat in mom’s milk was actually much higher, resulting in the baby consuming more energy. This is because fat is higher in energy. Also, the amount of energy that the new moms burned, during rest phase and while breastfeeding was much higher if they were on a high fat diet, indicating a higher potential for weight loss.
But before all the new moms start upping their fat intake, let’s consider a few factors. There were only seven new moms included in this study. SEVEN! That’s hardly enough to generalize their health outcomes to the public. Also, these seven women were only on a high fat diet for eight days, and then a regular diet for eight days to compare. Do you think that trying a new diet for only eight days can make a significant impact? I don’t.
Alright, so in the earlier mouse trial we saw that lactating mothers on the keto diet went into ketoacidosis and subsequently died. For all those who don’t speak science, ketoacidosis occurs when your body breaks down too much fat to meet your energy needs, resulting in too many ketones in your body causing a buildup of acid in your blood. In extreme cases, it can be fatal, so it goes without saying this should be taken very seriously.
Though there are no controlled studies that have investigated this on a human level (it probably wouldn’t pass ethics approval), there are eleven case reports of real women with lactation ketoacidosis while breastfeeding on a low carb diet. Very rare, but true and definitely worth looking into. These case reports are super interesting because ketoacidosis is traditionally a condition that affects those with diabetes, not lactating mothers!
Let’s look at one of those eleven case report.
A 27 year old woman exclusively breastfed her 8-week old baby while following a low carb diet. She experienced vomiting and diarrhea, and was unable to eat anything for a few days – landing her in the ER. Turns out she had severe ketoacidosis and was treated quickly with intravenous fluids and told to increase her carb intake. Thankfully this was a happy ending and she recovered quickly and fully! (Read a few more case studies here, here and here).
Researchers and health professionals believe that this happens because energy demands are much higher during lactation. That, in combination with a low carb intake (your body’s main source of energy) can push the body into lactation ketoacidosis. Thankfully, it can be resolved quickly from increased carbohydrate intake and intravenous fluids. So if you’re feeling signs of lactation ketoacidosis such as nausea and vomiting and you’re on a low-carb diet, please head to the emergency department ASAP!
So What Should You Eat While Breastfeeding?
I think it’s safe to say that the studies we talked about today, although premature, push us to lean towards a “no keto diet” approach when it comes to pregnancy and breastfeeding (I’ve also previously touched upon it here). I don’t think we have enough research to say it’s not safe to breastfeed on the keto diet, but I also don’t think it’s worth the very clear risk. There are so many other eating patterns that people follow and new ones emerging all the time – so on a broader scope, you may be wondering how maternal diet impacts breastfeeding in general.
A few years, ago, a review of the best and up-to-date evidence explored this very relationship: maternal diet and the nutritional composition of breast milk. We were hoping this would give mothers more insight into how their diet can affect their baby. However, the evidence found by researchers was pretty diverse and, for lack of a better phrase, all over the place. The largest association they found was between fish consumption and omega-3 fats in the breast milk, and Vitamin C consumption and concentrations in the breast milk. But even then, the findings weren’t too significant.
Since the review found such inconsistent evidence, the researchers actually stated that this “work made [them] realize how scattered and weak the evidence is that is currently used in everyday clinical practice.” There’s a huge emphasis for more structured research into maternal diet and breastmilk composition and implications, with more clear standards for the definitions and study methods.
Eating while pregnant and breastfeeding shouldn’t be rocket science. Like I said, mothers have been doing it for years and years. This really speaks to the power of listening to your body and following it’s amazing intuition rather than forcing it into prescribed diets. There are definitely enhanced energy and nutrient needs during lactation, so if you just pay attention to those hunger cues, you’ll surely get enough. We recommend talking to your dietitian and doctor if you’re not sure you’re getting enough.
Have you gone keto during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
What are your thoughts on if it’s safe to breastfeed on the keto diet?
Did you see any benefits?
As a dietitian and mum I would be interested in doing some research on a high fat (regular carb and protein diet) one day. I have two sets of twins and exclusively breast fed both for 6 months and continued until 14 months. I was a ravenous animal while nursing I had to eat a crap ton of food to keep up my milk supply. However anecdotally I found consuming a lot of fat really boosted my supply. I actually added extra fat to my diet to keep up my supply. While I certainly didn’t limit other macronutrients (so overall caloric intake was indeed high) the fat was my secret weapon for sure!!
Very interesting. Fat can do wonders for us, however I think there’s not enough research to suggest going low carb at the same time is best though. Thanks for your thoughts Kate!
Great post! Thanks for the research and information!
I always love that you do your research. A very helpful, informative article!
Such an interesting topic. I never even thought about this before!
thanks for sharing! I never would have thought of ketoacidosis in breastfeeding-so interesting!
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2019-04-26T16:14:09Z
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https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/breastfeed-on-the-keto-diet/
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As a punter it’s important to periodically reflect on how you make your betting decisions, what factors are influencing you the most and whether your belief in those factors is actually helping you to maximise your betting profits.
One area that is worth analysing closely is the value you attach to form guide statistics.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of subconsciously attaching value to certain statistics in a horse’s form and making judgements that seem logical, but are in fact greatly limiting your profit potential.
… and the list goes on. The more of these traits a horse has, the better it must be as a betting prospect, right?
The less it has, then our logic says the more of a risk it becomes, even to the point that it must be a poor bet.
There’s no doubt that many of these factors are important. Horses in good form win most races. Horse’s that can’t run the distance or lack race fitness or can’t handle the track condition won’t win.
However, the tendency to make these judgements by simply referring to numbers in the form guide can be very misleading and will greatly limit your potential as a punter!
In this article we will explore a few key form guide statistics and show how the facts are often quite different to the belief we have in them.
It’s natural to take some confidence out of a horse’s proven past ability to win at the distance.
The table below breaks down our sample group of horses based on their previous record at the distance of the upcoming race.
As you can see, there is very little difference in the betting profitability of horses across the categories shown.
The least profitable group are those that have had 3+ starts at the distance and won 3 more races. Their return of -11.4% profit on turnover is a clear sign that the market has overvalued the important of that statistic.
It might seem very appealing that a horse has had 6 past runs at the distance for 3 wins, but history shows that statistic isn’t a sign of a more profitable betting prospect at all, one average it’s actually the opposite.
If anything, it means you need to be more certain about other traits of the horse helping to present it as a value prospect. It’s great record at the distance is so obvious to the market that it tends to overestimate the chance of those horses compared to the average.
Remember that these stats exclude first starters. What the data shows is that the strike rate of genuine chances that have never won at the distance is exactly the same as horses that have, with a slightly superior betting return.
The ability to run the distance of a race is important, but you shouldn’t just that by form guide statistics. If you have reason to doubt a horse’s ability to run the trip then by all means you should back that judgement.
If there is no solid evidence to say the horse is a risk, then you shouldn’t attach any negative value at all to that uncertainty. If you like everything else about the horse as a betting prospect then embrace that lack of distance form in the horse’s history, it’s likely to be helping you to gain a little bit of extra betting value.
A previous good record at the track for a hose can be a sign that it has a liking for the layout (i.e. tight turns, wide turns, short straight, long straight etc.), the surface characteristics or something else intangible. It could also be complete coincidence and not reflective of anything special at all.
There is no doubt that over history there have been many track specialists. Chief De Beers is always one that stands out in my mind from the mid to late 1990’s. He had 20 career wins and they all came at Doomben, including two G1 Doomben 10,000 wins (from a total of 38 starts at the track). He raced across the road at Eagle Farm nine times and never won. In fact, he never won a race at any other track.
Dandy Kid won 15 races at Moonee Valley (more than any other horse) from 52 starts and just 4 races elsewhere from 34 starts.
However, genuine track specialists are a rarity (at least on turf) and the value of taking notice of previous wins at a track as expressed in form guide statistics is minimal at best.
You can see there is very little difference between the categories shown in this table. What is notable is that horses with 2 starts or more for zero wins provide better than the average return, while horses with 3+ starts for 3 or more wins have provided just below average returns.
On the whole I wouldn’t say there is much in the stats about the horses record at a track, one way or another.
It can certainly be different if you are analysing a horse’s past ratings and see a consistent pattern of higher ratings at a track (even if not winning) or if there is something about a horse’s way of racing that you think is suited to a particular track, but don’t lets the raw statistics influence your betting decisions at all.
His theory seemed entirely logical and to this day punters still largely consider a high win strike rate a positive for betting and low win strike rate a risk.
However, research of the facts around horses win strike rates paints a different picture. It shows that a bias towards high win strike rates compared to lower win strike rates is unlikely to be adding any value at all to your betting profits and is more likely to be limiting your ability to find good value bets.
The table below shows horses up to $10 SP in non-maiden metropolitan races with at least 10+ starts in their career.
We exclude maiden races as by nature every horse in them has a 0% win strike rate.
We isolate those with 10+ starts so that we can draw conclusions on an exposed group of horses without the statistics being incorrectly influenced either positively or negatively by lightly raced horses.
Equally, a horse with zero wins from 3 starts shouldn’t be viewed as statistically equal to a horse that has zero wins from 15 starts.
There are very few horses with a 0% strike rate because the vast majority of horses racing in a non-maiden metropolitan race have already won at least one race. That extreme positive result with a sample of just 150 runners is relatively meaningless.
What is very meaningful though is the record of low strike rate horses in the 1% to 15% range when you consider it is metropolitan racing and the horses have all had at least 10 starts.
Their strike rate is only marginally less than horses that win more often, but their betting returns are 2-3 times better.
The table clearly shows that the best betting returns actually come from horses with a lower strike rate. The betting market perceives a low win strike rate on well exposed horses as a distinct negative and offers a slightly better price about them. The truth is that it’s barely a negative at all as far as win strike rate goes and the net effect is a much better return to punters.
There’s no doubt that consistency in a horse is an asset, but the key message here is don’t use simple win% or even place % statistics to judge that. Look at the quality of a horses past runs and competitiveness, especially in races of similar grade to the upcoming one and judge for yourself how consistent they’ve been.
If a horse has the right form and other credentials for a race, then a high win strike rate does not make it more appealing as a betting prospect.
Even more importantly, don’t be biased against a horse that otherwise looks a good bet because of a low win strike rate. Embrace those betting opportunities, because history very clearly shows that you are likely to be getting an extra few percentage points of value in your favour.
First up horses always present some uncertainty and the first point of reference for a punter is to check the horse’s previous first up record.
This is however one of the more misleading statistics in the form guide. Let’s break down the stats for first up horses up to $10 SP in metropolitan races.
There is a general pattern here that the more impressive a horse’s first up record gets, the worse the betting returns are for all of those horses as a group. On the flip side, the best returns come from horses with 2+ first up runs in the past for zero wins.
First up horses that have never won or placed before have an identical strike rate to horses with a previous first up win, but the betting returns are significantly better.
Remember that we are looking at first up horses that are considered a genuine chance (up to $10) in the betting market. They are all likely well enough credentialed in terms of class, distance of the race and other factors… but there is a clear and incorrect bias by the market that overvalues the important of previous first up wins.
The problem with using first up statistics is that they ignore the class of race that record was earned it and that’s especially relevant when analysing metropolitan racing.
A horse could have a first up record of 2 from 2, but if they were earned in a Country maiden race and then Provincial restricted race, how relevant is that to a first up city class race?
The message is clear. Don’t get carried away with first up statistics. Look beyond them to the class and quality of a horse’s previous runs when first up. Review trials and other information (e.g. jockey booking, support in early markets) to make your judgements about how ready a horse might be to run well.
If you like a horse that is first up, then the last thing you should do is let its lack of previous first up wins or placings put you off. If anything, you should bet with some confidence knowing that the market will be incorrectly biased against that and likely giving you better value.
The universal theory that an inside draw is an advantage in racing and an outside draw is a disadvantage is incredibly limiting when it comes to punting.
The influence of barriers are very much a track / distance specific thing, but a general analysis of inside versus outside barriers at Metropolitan tracks helps to demonstrate the point.
While the strike rate of wider drawn horses is marginally lower, the betting return is more than 2 x better. This shows that the market is biased against wide barriers, but it overcompensates too much in its pricing and provides a much better than average return.
The picture is even more significant is races from 1400m to 1600m.
The return from horses drawn wide up to $10 in the market is significantly better than those drawn inside.
The samples here are small, but a check back to 2008 (the last 10 years) show the results are consistent. Neither inside or outside draws provide better than average returns, but it’s clear that wide draws do return much worse than the average.
These are broad generalisations across all metropolitan tracks and it’s important to recognise that the most insightful view on the influence of barriers will come from understanding the specific track / distance and more importantly the racing style of a particular horse and structure of the speed map. A wide drawn horse that is the only horse with decent early speed in the race should be viewed entirely differently to a horse with moderate early speed that has a number of faster horses drawn inside it.
An inside drawn horse that lacks early speed and could end up buried on the fence in a large field is entirely different to a horse that has the speed to box seat in a moderately run race.
The key message is that you should let go of any universal beliefs you hold about the importance of inside versus outside barriers.
You should especially avoid being biased against a horse simply because it has a wider barrier. Historically they provide much better than average returns (except in staying races) and in the right circumstances can help create terrific betting value about a horse you like.
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2019-04-22T12:32:49Z
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https://www.betfair.com.au/hub/better-betting/betsmart-education/wagering-and-fundamentals/misleading-stats-part-1/
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Abizboah is a kraken that lives in the depths of the Tinto mines. He possesses a unique rune, the Blue Drop Rune. Abizboah was recruited by Riou during the Dunan Unification War using a listening rune given to him by Badeaux. His wife is Rulodia, during their time in Riou's army his wife gives birth to a son named Chuchara. During the war he spends most of his time at the docks of the castle with his family. After the Dunan Unification War Abizboah can still be seen swimming around the castle.
This entry written by Neclord.
Ace is actually not his real name--his true name is unknown. However, Ace was born in Vinay Del Zexay, and later on joined Gilbert's mercenary group. Under Gilbert's leadership, he participated in the Dunan Unification War as a soldier, and accumulated experience as a veteran soldier. No one knows when, but Ace left the mercenaries and joined Harmonia's Border Guards, joining Geddoe's unit as their accountant and liaison with the headquarters. He participates in the Second Fire Bringers War as a result of Geddoe's past involvement with the Flame Champion.
Odessa Silverberg's ex-fianc� who was arrested by Kraze Miles for harboring rebels. He was sentenced to death, but Odessa pressed him to use his "last wish clause"-- a clause that states that a dying man can have one wish granted. Odessa asked Achilles to marry him before he is executed, and Achilles agreed grudgingly. During the wedding ceremony, Odessa uses a magical ring to blind all onlookers and then fights her way out of the ceremony with Achilles. The two escape, but Achilles was already mortally wounded due to arrow wounds. His last words to Odessa were to "Defeat the Empire!"
Addie is a dragon knight who served under Joshua Levenheit before the Succession War. She was a hot-tempered, haughty knight who took great pride in her silver dragon, Sterling. While on a scouting mission, she was shot down by arrows by some guards at the Northern Checkpoint who mistook Sterling as a monster. She died immediately from her wounds, and Sterling carried her into a cavern, then turning into a zombie dragon from grief.
Adlai is a very eccentric inventor who resides in South Window. He bothers his neighbors with the loud racket he makes. During the Dunan Unification War he asked Riou to bring him three items. A wooden shield, a sacrificial Buddha, and a wind crystal. He pretends he did not ask for any of them annoying Riou. When Riou throws the wind crystal at Adlai, he has an epiphany and invents the "elevator," which he voluntarily installs into North Window Castle. The elevator is powered by four "Elevator Barbarians" who raise the elevator with their massive strength. The Barbarians train in a forest near the City of Greenhill. Adlai also has an apprentice named Shizu who helps repair one of his elevators in Budehuc Castle During the Second Fire Bringer War. After the Dunan wars he returns to his home in South Window continuing with his inventions and bothering his neighbors.
This young happy woman loves to work on improving weapons and is quite pleased to receive new hammers for her work. She left her shop in Middleport because she loves to travel. She traveled to Obel in the worst time possible, when it was under attack by Kooluk forces. Luckily for her, Hero4 invited her onboard his ship where she opened a new shop for tempering weapons. After a war, she opened yet another shop, this time in the Kingdom of Obel, where her business was very successful.
Aegia is a member of a wealthy family in South Window. She was abducted by Neclord and turned into a vampire. She wandered the forests of Banner, feasting on travelers who wandered into the forest. She is discovered by her son, Roy, and tries to convince him that she is not a vampire; but Foryyn interferes. With the help of Viktor, and the Star Dragon Sword, Aegia is finally laid to rest.
The King of the Highlands is a troubled soul. Having lost his wife Sara shortly after Jillia's birth, he was definitely not a good father to Luca. Luca never was able to forgive his father for what happened to his mother, and perhaps that causes all the madness in him. Many people think that he is incompetent. In the end he is killed by Jowy and Luca.
A street urchin from Gregminster; his father was an ex-mercenary who owned a weapon shop, but he was killed along with Age's mother when bandits raided Gregminster following Geil Rugner's sacking of the city. Age is a very agile boy who has been taught how to fight by his father. He helps Gremio escape from imperial soldiers and helps him rescue Tir McDohl through his street sense. With the help of Ronnetts, the two manage to rescue Tir. After that Age rides on a horse alone to deliver the news of Tir's rescue to Teo McDohl just in time for his last battle against Geil Rugner's forces.
Agnes is the apprentice of Elenor Silverberg and served as the vice-strategist for the forces fighting against Kooluk during the war. She looks up to Elenor Silverberg and also serves her. After the appearance of Tanya, another young woman who also wants to study under Elenor, she becomes competitive. After the death of Elenor Silverberg, she cleans up her hermitage and travels to the Scarlet Moon Empire to learn strategy under someone else.
Aila is a young warrior of the Karaya Tribe. Her grandmother is a Karayan witchdoctor, and thus she has the ability to speak with the elements. During the Second Fire Bringer War, Aila meets Geddoe and his mercenary group shortly before Karaya Village is burned down by Zexen forces. Because of this, Aila decides to travel with Geddoe's group henceforth. During her travels, she is exposed to different cultures, often perplexed by the sophisticated and often contradictory situations experienced by those outside her tribe. She especially takes a liking to "soda" when she is introduced to the beverage in Caleria. After the war is over, she joins Geddoe's group.
A loyal general to Barbarossa, he is known to have let the son of Teo McDohl pass the Kwaba Fortress out of compassion. He is a fiercely loyal and just general, never resorting to underhanded tactics. In the end, he died an honorable death at Gregminster.
Aisha is one of the kitchen staff who works at the military barracks at Caleria. She is very shy and doesn't quite fit with the battle-beaten veterans of the Harmonian Border Guards. However, she has a crush on Nash, which actually made her sick from being too worried after she heard that he was to be executed by the new commander, Parge. She regains health when Nash visits her during his escape and promises that he will come back after he escapes.
This assassin worked under Ramada alongside Mizuki for Cray Trading Company. This ninja was sent in to assassinate Hero4 so they may take the Rune of Punishment to Graham Cray. After losing to Ramada asks Akaghi to lend his services to Hero4. He is extremely loyal to Ramada and will do anything Ramada asks him to do. After the war, he becomes Lino En Kuldes' personal bodyguard alongside Mizuki.
Alanis is a daughter of a trader, and for that reason she has rarely stayed in one location for an extended amount of time. Because of this, she never really had friends until she met Melville and Eliot. The three formed the "Saint Loa Knights," a child's play version of the Zexen Knights, and Alanis called herself the "Silver Maiden," after Chris Lightfellow. During the Second Fire Bringer War, she with her family relocated from Vinay Del Zexay but they were captured by the Lizard clan. She was treated well by the lizards, and even befriended some of them. However, after hearing that her friends Melville and Eliot joined the Fire Bringers, she also joined.
Alberto is the leader of a band of musicians who include Pico and Annalee. During the Dunan Unification War he was separated from Pico and Annalee during the Highland invasion of Muse. He escaped to Tinto where he worked for the local armorer to pay for his room and board. There he learned the skills of the armorer. He joins Riou when he hears Annalee is at the Dunan army castle. After the war he travels with his band but still continues to sharpen his armorer skills.
The grandson of Leon Silverberg and son of George Silverberg, Albert was raised since his youth to be a military strategist. He was always the best student, and had top marks in the academy in Crystal Valley. He has met with Leon Silverberg a few times, and agreed with his grandfather's strategist paradigm. However, Albert also wanted to make a name of himself, and actively sought ways to promote himself.
One day he comes across Luc in one of the numerous libraries within Crystal Valley. Albert convinces Luc to become a Bishop to manipulate Harmonia into helping him gain the other elemental true runes. Luc agrees, and Albert uses the method he learned from Leon to summon Yuber. Together (and joined by Sarah, they start manipulating events behind the scene to cause great chaos within the Grasslands. Albert manages to cause a war between Harmonia, Grasslands, Zexen, and the Tinto Republic, but in the end betrays Luc by informing the Fire Bringers where Luc will be conducting his final ritual to destroy the True Wind Rune. After the end of the Second Fire Bringer War, Albert is said to have received a good job in some nation as a strategist.
He had mysteriously ended up in Elenor Silverberg�s hermitage island. For days he had to remain without human contact until Hero4 revisited the island and rescued him. He felt like he was indebted to him so decided to help him. Later when Ted also joined their forces, Aldo was determined to become his confidant. He tried all he could to become friends with Ted, with little success. It is unknown whether he and Ted actually became friends but he may have died because of the Soul Eater's curse.
Alec Wisemail is the father of Teresa. He was a part of a plot to kill the Karaya Chief Kianu (Lucia's father), and he succeeded with the help of Gorudo. Alec dies early on during the Dunan Unification War while his daughter was Acting Mayor.
A former subject of Teo McDohl, he switched sides and served Teo's son by Teo's dying wish along with Grenseal. His Rage rune is pretty powerful, and he has a powerful attack when together with Flik and Grenseal.
The first Mayor of Greenhill and the man who established the Greenleaf Academy.
Alex is an obsessed treasure hunter who studies the secrets of the Ancient Sindar. He dreams of finding artifacts, gold and jewels to make a better life for his wife Hilda and son Pete. Alex finds the "healing herbs" in Sindar ruins behind the White Deer Inn with the help of Riou, Jowy, and Nanami. Disappointed at not finding treasure he tosses them away, only to realize the value of them later as it cured his ailing wife. He joins Riou after losing a bet with Hilda that Riou is the new leader of the army. He is later confronted by Killey at the item shop who also seeks the secrets of the Sindar, where he tells Killey that his treasure is his family. After the war he returns to the White Deer Inn with his family, but never loses his "treasure hunting bug".
Amada is an accomplished fisherman and is in charge of the sluice gates in Radat. He hails from the Island Nations far to the south and thus is an excellent sailor. He initially refuses to close the sluice gates for Apple so she may search for a coin Shu tosses into the water, but when he sees Riou's determination, he challenges him to a duel. Amada loses the duel and agrees to close the gate but only for one night. Later, he joins up with Riou after he is defeated in once again another duel-- citing Riou as the decisive victor. After the Dunan War he commandeers a ship and returns to the Island Nations.
This make-up wearing beauty is actually a very experienced mercenary and bodyguard. She was hired by the inhabitants of Razril to help protect them from the Kooluk forces. After Razril was liberated, Hero4 offered her to join them but she refused because her contract with the civilians of Razril was not yet over. Regardless, the people of Razril encouraged her to go along with Hero4 and help him in his journey against Kooluk. She decided to stop wearing make-up after the war, and nobody could recognize her.
Anabelle was the daughter of Darel and the mayor of Muse. She was in a near-romantic relationship with Viktor, whom admired her determination and hard work to keep Jowston intact. After the eastern Muse area was pillaged by the Highland Army, she forced City-State members to supply troops for the approaching attack on the capitol. However, she was assassinated by Jowy Atreides before most could arrive.
Having been born in the border village between Matilda and Highland, Anastasia witnessed many battles and saw her village destroyed many times due to the numerous conflicts. When she was young, the village was overrun by Highland, but one Matilda Knight continued to protect the village. She along with other villagers helped him with whatever weapons they can find, but Highland defeated them. When Highland tried to execute the villagers who resisted, the knight volunteered to take their place. Instead of killing him, the Highlanders cut off his sword arm so that he can live out his life in shame. Anastasia tells this story to Camus and Miklotov when they secretly visit the village to witness the situation. Later on when Gorudo sends his army and torches the village, Anastasia tries to save Camus and Miklotov's uniform (which they had to remove to blend in), but dies after her house collapses.
Anita is a former pupil of Roundier Haia; under his guidance she studied his Falcon Style of fighting and for her efforts received a Falcon Rune. A lover of liquor, she was a frequent patron at the tavern in Muse and Banner Village. During the Dunan War she met Riou and asked him to perform various tasks, such as giving her antitoxin for a spider bite she suffered from, filling her drinking glass, and complimenting her looks. Entertained by him, she agrees to join his cause. Also, she has a long standing rivalry with another of Roundier Haia's pupils Valeria. She is always training to be the better swordmistress, but so far she has only won one duel against Valeria out of ten. After the war she travels to the Toran Republic to challenge Valeria.
Anji was a Lake Pirate at Lake Toran for years, and was a hated enemy of Sonya Shulen during the Scarlet Moon Era. He often did things to intentionally anger Sonya. For example, he once pinned up a wedding dress onto the walls of Shasarazade in order to make fun of the fact that Sonya is unmarried.
After the Gate Rune wars has ended, he was supposed to have started a business with his friends Kanak and Leonardo, but who knows what happened with their business venture!
Annalee is a wonderful singer. Her parents were killed in Harmonia under suspicious circumstances, which made her timid ever since. She is part of a band that includes Pico and Alberto, but becomes separated from them after the Highland invasion of Muse. She then escapes to South Window, where she offers to sing a song for food at the inn, however she is turned away by the innkeeper. Later, she sings a beautiful song for Riou and joins him and his allies when he asks to hear more. After the war she continues her travels with Pico and Alberto.
The mother of Chris Lightfellow and wife of Wyatt Lightfellow, Anna was a daughter of a rich family within Vinay Del Zexay. She met Wyatt (who was running away from the Howling Voice Guild and fell in love with him. The two married and soon had Chris. A few years later however, Wyatt left Anna and Chris due to Howling Voice Guild agents catching up with him. Anna died within a few years after that, leaving Chris alone.
Anne is a Karayan who worked very hard to open her own bar within the Karaya Village. Unfortunately, on the first day of her business, the village was burnt down by Zexen forces. Since then she fled with Lucia and ended up at Budehuc Castle where she worked as a bartender. After the Second Fire Bringer War was over, she rebuilt her bar in the burnt out Karaya village.
Anos served under Joshua Levenheit before the Succession War as the Vice-Captain of the Dragon Knights. When Joshua Levenheit set out to dispatch the zombie dragon Sterling, he told Anos to become the Captain if Joshua is killed by Sterling. However, Joshua managed to defeat Sterling. Seeing that Milia became the Vice-Captain later on, Anos seems to have retired by the time the Gate Rune Wars started.
Antonio is a chef that once worked at an inn in the village of Seika. He joins Tir and the Liberation Army when he hears that Marie is a member. During the Gate Rune War he cooked and served meals for the Liberation Army along with Lester. After the Gate Rune War he remained the cook at Marie's inn. During the Dunan Unification War he visits Hai Yo and challenges him to a friendly cook off to help prepare Hai Yo for his cook off with the Black Dragon Leader Retso.
Apple has been a student of Mathiu Silverberg since a tender age while studying at the school Mathiu set up in Seika. She joins the Liberation army when she learnt that her mentor Mathiu had became their strategist.
Apple was later involved in the sparking of the Dunan Unification War when she provided strategic aid to Viktor�s mercenaries against the Highland army�s attack on eastern Muse. Although they achieved initial victory, due to her lack of experience and Luca Blight's sheer powerful army, the mercenary forces were still crushed. Later on, she served as vice-strategist to Shu whom she herself recruited. Shu was also a former pupil of Mathiu and Apple acknowledged his superiority in military strategist and admitted her inferiority.
After the Dunan Unification War, she began travelling and improved her skills while working on the journals on Mathiu Silverberg. Along the way, she met Caesar Silverberg, and travelled with him while serving as his tutor in his studies of military strategy. She later joins along with Caesar to aid the Fire bringers against the Destroyers as the eternal vice-strategist. Yet, it was apparent that her skills has improved over the years.
Arthur is a young boy whose dream was to become a journalist. He was researching a story in Brass Castle where fugitives were said to have escaped mysteriously. With the help of some kind strangers, he found a secret route which led him into an underground tunnel under Brass Castle. Intrigued by the find, he joined the Fire Bringers top report the progress of the Second Fire Bringer War, while writing some tabloid-esque articles on the side.
Ashino is a hunter living in the forest near Ryube who has withdrawn from society to live amongst beasts. He is the uncle of Kinnison and has taken care of him since the death of his parents. Ashino has made a living by hunting, and taught Kinnison all he needed to know to survive on his own. After he finished teaching Kinnison, he left on a journey, never to be seen again.
A judiciary who served under Geil Rugner; he came up with the plan to abduct Tir McDohl so that Teo would fight with the armor removed from his armored cavalry. He successfully abducted McDohl, but was thwarted by the valiant efforts of Gremio and Age.
Augustine Nabor is an aristocrat originally from Gregminster. A skilled swordsman with devastating skill, Augustine was also a recipient of an award at Vincent de Boule's beauty contest. During the Second Fire Bringer War, Augustine joined the Fire Bringers after they found a Rose Brooch he lost. Once a member of the Fire Bringers, his skill along with his Red Rose Rune proved to be an asset despite his odd personality.
From the island of warriors, Na-Nal, he lives up to the people�s expectations as the strongest warrior on the island, even more so than his father. His father and he had formed an alliance with the Kooluk, but thanks to a misunderstanding caused by the elves on the island, the Kooluk forces turned on Na-Nal, leaving them no choice but to join forces with Kooluk�s enemy. His hatred for elves had faded once he joined Hero4�s forces. He also likes to cuddle with Nay-kobolds because he thinks they feel warm. After the war, he succeeded his father as Island Chief.
Aya was a student of Mathiu Silverberg at his small school in Seika Village. She was already a student by the time Apple joined the school in the year 454, but was only six years old. She got sick one day from some sort of stomach ailment, which would have killed her if not for medicine that Apple made (with the help of Shu).
Ayame is a ninja who belongs to the Kage organization. During the Second Fire Bringer War, she hears that Watari, a deserter ninja, is helping the Fire Bringers. Ayame seeks him out to kill him due to their group's code. However, she is defeated by Watari and decides to join the Fire Bringers.
A maid that works under Rean Penenberg; she acts like she is shy but in reality she is an undead created by Rean. When Nash and Sierra attempt to kill Rean, she wields a katana and tries to kill Nash. She is a highly skilled swordsman and Nash is almost bested, but Nash impales her with a holy kobold figurine and destroys her.
Ayda is the Protector of the Forest as her father before her. A skilled archer and animal lover, she saves the wounded griffin Feather from the frightened villagers of the Forest Village by standing in front of the villagers and not allowing them to do any harm. Other griffins came to attack Feather and Ayda tries in vain to stop them. She joins Riou and his army when he defeats the griffins and saves Feather. During her stay at the castle she meets Kinnison a fellow nature lover and after the war he visits her occasionally at her home in the Deep Forest that she returns to once more to protect.
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2019-04-22T03:06:11Z
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http://www.suikox.com/chars/chara.php
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Sometimes, the side sections of each core and outer frame are welded together at corners to avoid gaps, or corner sections, after fixing into the grooved channel sections on the back of two adjacent side sections, are crimped for assembly. The cores are inter-connected through connecting strips that are welded to the collars of each core. The welding and crimping operations require extra equipment as well as these operations are very time consuming thereby increasing the cost of production.
Due to the grooved channel sections at the back side of each side section and corner sections used for the assembly or cores, the weight of the diffuser is increased which also increases the cost of production.
To avoid gaps at the corners of the core(s), the side sections of the cores are produced with high precision, which increases the cost.
On assembly some times there remains a gap between two side sections, at the corners of the core(s), due to which diffusers are rejected, resulting into a big loss of production i.e. material and labour and which further increases the cost of production.
When a diffuser is attached to a duct and conditioned air is blown through the duct, it is noticed that the air is not diffused equally to all sides at the corner sections as the grooved channel sections or ridges at the back surfaces of the cores come in the path of air and disturb the equal and proper diffusion of air in all directions. The enclosed collars of the centre core and intermediate core(s) rebounds the air, thereby reducing the flow or air through corners of the diffuser.
As the diffuser is manufactured in several pieces, which are assembled, manufacturing process is cumbersome, time consuming and labour oriented and increases the cost of production.
Due to the grooved channel sections and corner sections or ridges and welding spots on the back surface of the core(s), dust is accumulated therein, which is difficult to clean.
Dust is also accumulated in gaps at corners on the front surfaces of the cores, which gives a dirty look to the diffuser and tarnish interior decoration look of the room/space.
A main object of this invention is therefore to obviate the above mentioned drawbacks of the existing diffusers and to provide an improved diffuser for central air conditioning system, wherein each of the central core and/or the intermediate core(s) and/or the outer frame are manufactured in a single piece and both the outer as well as inner surfaces of the cores and/or the outer frame are smooth without any extra section, projection or groove which dispenses with the requirement of extra material, and the time taken for assembly is also very much reduced and at the same time there is no obstacle in the flow path of air, which is diffused equally in all the directions. As the cores are manufactured in a single piece, there is no question of any gap at the corners thus no chance of rejection of the product and no need of any welding and crimping operations and hence the cost of production of the diffuser will obviously be very less.
Respondent No. 2 (Controller of Patents) was satisfied that the invention was patentable and accordingly the patent was granted vide No. 181821 on 18th Jan, 1995. On 25th August 2006 the Respondent No. 1 sent a legal notice to the Applicant, wherein according to this notice, the Applicant was inter alia informed of the patent in favour of the Respondent and that the Applicant was not entitled to manufacture or sell air diffusers identical to the patented product or substantially similar to it. The Applicant sent a lawyer’s reply dated 13-9-2006 alleging that the patented product was known in the market, it was neither new nor novel, and that there is concealment of material facts and that the patent was obtained by fraud. It was also alleged that the Respondent was nothing but a job-worker.
After this exchange of correspondence, the Applicant filed O.P. 704 of 2006 before the Hon’ble Madras High Court for revocation of the patent. This was transferred to IPAB. Counter statement was filed and both sides also filed the evidence to support their case. Applicant submitted that there was no novelty in the invention and it was obvious and also submitted that the main feature of the invention even according to the Respondent was that it was a single piece centre core to facilitate clean flow of air. He submitted that diffusers have been known for long and there was evidence to show that there was prior art where the single piece units were known. He referred to Series 5700 louvre face ceiling diffusers. From the paper book, he pointed out that there is specific reference to one piece stamped steel construction and that this prior art was also meant to provide an economic solution to air distribution problems requiring equal throw in all directions. According to him, this anticipated the patented product. Further, he submitted that if the only difference is the manner in which the inner assembly can be removed, that hardly qualifies for the grant of a patent. He then referred to another prior art. Series 5800 and 5800A louver face Directional Diffusers. He submitted that this too indicated provision of equal throw, quick release of inner assembly for immediate access and ease of installation. According to him, the fact that the prior art was used for ceiling air–conditioners while the patent product was for central air-conditioner will not make it non-obvious. He also referred to Titus and Trox catalogues, without bearing any dates. On being asked to provide the dates of these documents, he was unable to give any acceptable evidence. Therefore, only two prior arts were provided by the applicant.
Respondent (Patentee) on the other hand submitted that till 1995 there was no prior art that anticipated the claimed subject matter. All the single piece units were extruded aluminium, which meant that metal sheets were cut and joined. The patented product was, on the other hand, made as a single unit from a special die in a metal press.
Respondent also produced, before the IPAB board, samples of the prior art and the patented product and submitted that it was wrong to call the Respondent a job worker and that he had won many awards and recognition of his expertise. He submitted that the patented product was supplied by the Respondent to persons in the same business not only in India but abroad too. He submitted that while the prior art shows joints, corners and gaps, the patented product is one smooth surface with no gaps or joints. Also, in the prior art, the assembly is detached by turning clockwise, whereas in the patent product, it is held by spring and is removed by applying pressure. He also submitted that in the prior art, there is a buttoned hole in the centre cone, while the patented product has an outwardly and downwardly directed slanting surface with neither a button nor hole. He submitted that the prior art has uneven surface and crimping and that the air is distributed by rebound, whereas in the patented product, there are no hindrances to the flow of air. The patented product has clear slots while the prior art does not. He further submitted that the prior art is limited to 2 or 3 cone inner assembly, whereas the patented product can have multiple cores depending on the requirement. The Respondent further pointed out to the tabular column in the Respondent’s counter statement where each and every distinguishing feature of the patented product is explained and submitted that the prior art does not teach the invention and that the patented produce is new and non-obvious. He also submitted that, in addition to the counter statement, the Respondent has marked in evidence the affidavit of one Mr. Pankaj Dharker of impeccable credentials who has affirmed that the product is an invention. He submitted that there is no proof of wrongful use or suppression of information and therefore the Applicant can not raise these grounds without proof. As regards prior publication, the Respondent submitted that there should be material to show that it was published. Respondent further submitted that as regards the ETL report, no reliance can be placed on it without an affidavit to file it as evidence, and in any event, it only refers to diffusers constructed of extruded aluminium, which can not be prior art as far as this product is concerned.
Submissions were heard and the matter was examined by Hon’ble Justice Prabha Sridevan, wherein it was concluded that the Respondent was most certainly not a job worker and that the evidence filed by the Respondent shows the number of awards and recognition of his merit that he has received from various people including the Government. It was further held that the Applicant also did not seriously urge that stand and that the applicant had not filed any evidence apart from the two prior arts to support its case. It was further stated that the Respondent, on the other hand, had filed a very important piece of evidence that was the affidavit of the expert in the field and spoke of the disadvantages that existed in the diffusers prior to 1995. Evidence of Pankaj Dharker showed that in the existing art, because of the corner sections and the grooved channels, flow of the air was obstructed and that there was a reduction of airflow because in the prior art air rebounded. It was also appreciated that the assembly of various parts was a costly process and that the prior art required joining of the various parts and if this was not done with a high degree of accuracy, there was likely to be higher rate of rejection. Furthermore, it was noted that the prior art designs were aesthetically inferior and that the accumulation of dust was high. His affidavit showed the prior art and the patented product in comparison, both with photographs and with explanatory notes. From the affidavit of the respondent and the supporting evidence, it was concluded that the prior art series 5700 and 5800 did not teach the patented product, and that the claimed subject matter was a new invention that served the object of the invention and also avoided the existing drawbacks of the prior art. 5700 and 5800 are the same except for the fact that 5700 has a 2 cone assembly, while 5800 has a 3 cone assembly. The TROX and the Titus catalogues were not considered since there was no date and It was not know if they are prior to the patented product, but the expert dealt with even those products and has given the opinion that they do not teach this invention. A test for obviousness was applied and it was concluded that the invention was non-obvious. In view of the reasons stated above, it was confirmed that the invention was novel and non-obvious and the revocation application was dismissed.
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2019-04-19T16:16:10Z
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https://www.khuranaandkhurana.com/2014/12/24/revocation-application-proceeding-summary-improved-diffuser-for-an-air-conditioning-system/
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When Should A Scientist’s Faith Disqualify Him From Scientific Institutional Authority?
I anticipated creationists figuring in your reply. The problem is, though, I’m not really sure they’re the best example of religion ‘polluting’ the scientific endeavor. Outside of other creationists and evangelical Christians, nobody takes ‘creation scientists’ seriously. If these people were peddling their faith-polluted science in peer-reviewed journals and whatnot I think you’d have a point, but since these people aren’t really part of any respected scientific circles I wonder if it’s appropriate to call them scientists in any meaningful sense. On the other hand, all 10 of the folks Dr. Heddle referred to in his challenge are respected members of the scientific establishment who publish in peer-reviewed journals and generally seem to be good scientists. If you could tell me how you detected the 5 religious scientists among them–or how to detect the pollution of religion in any scientific endeavor that has managed to pass peer review–I would be a bit more impressed.
I brought up the creationists as an example simply of how faith based reasoning is unscientific. I never in any of this said that the creationists were considered legitimate scientists or that religious scientists as any kind of rule brought their faith into the laboratories. I cited the potential areas of conflict with Dr. Collins where he has explicitly said false things (like that altruism is not observed elsewhere in the animal kingdom) or showed a willingness to let dogmatic religious beliefs close off avenues of explanation.
But I was not arguing that any good scientists were bad scientists just because on Sunday mornings they jettisoned their laboratory’s intellectual scruples at church. My focus of my point was that insofar as their science is good it does not employ faith. So faith and science are NOT compatible in the lab. And in a fully rationally scrupulous life, they’re not coherently compatible in a full picture of the world where Monday-Friday, the world is investigable view critical reasoning. And on Sundays, centuries old arbitrary faith claims not subject to critical rejection are taken to have mystically guaranteed authority. That’s the whole point. That the existence of scientists who live in cognitive dissonance does not prove faith and science are consistently capable of rational reconciliation.
Thank you for your links to both Harris’ clarifications on his original piece and Myers’ post, but I must admit I find neither to be particularly convincing. Although I won’t go into too much detail (I’m not sure what the size restrictions on comments on this blog are), suffice it to say that to be most accomodating to your viewpoint, and to concede that Harris has proven Collins’ religious views are stupid and unscientific, I still wasn’t very convinced that they would actually harm his science. Despite his ‘problematic’ views on stem cell research, Harris admits he would probably not be able to do much damage to it as director of NIH. Harris casts aspersions on how Collins has said that “science offers no answers to the most pressing questions of human existence and that the claims of atheistic materialism must be steadfastly resisted,” but these are rather vague statements, and it seems to me Harris is reaching quite a bit by assuming that Collins would be opposed to understanding ‘human wellbeing at the neurological level’ or that he views methodological naturalism to be exactly the same thing as atheistic materialism. Perhaps he does, but Harris’ article has not convinced me.
In regards to Dr. Myers’ post, while Collins may not possess ‘integrity’ in regards to his religious beliefs and in the sense of ‘unimpaired and sound in construction,’ neither do plenty of other scientists in regards to other secular matters–to take the example of Dawkins again, despite his advocacy of rationality he opposes foxhunting for fundamentally irrational reasons (his parents told him to) and his arguments have tended to be vitriolically irrational (even if, as you say below, it’s okay to be mean so long as you make cogent arguments, making fun of the way someone pronounces ‘nuclear’ is just meanness for the sake of meanness and not a cogent argument for or against anything). Dr. Myers is on stronger ground when he mentions how he fears Collins may use his post to inappropriately evangelize, but again, I’m still not convinced by this either. He may have gotten Clinton to mention some religious stuff and talked about ‘The Language of God’ and all that, but given the disproportionate representation of other religions in the medical establishment, such as Muslims and Hindus, I find it hard to believe that Collins has a proven track record of being inappropriately evangelistic, because if he had, he almost certainly would have offended someone important a while ago and wouldn’t have managed to get as high as he did in his position in the Human Genome Project.
and 2: That there is some meaningful, tangible way in which religion undermines religion.
So, while calling people pinheads, he speaks outside of his specialization to wander into epistemology, demanding an empirical argument for what is a normative claim—making it pretty clear he cannot discern the difference between the two.
Well, he may have his own response to that, but just to make sure we’re on the same page, what *is* the difference between the two? You’ll have to excuse my ignorance here, whereas you have a doctorate in philosophy (I think) I’m just a Wandering Internet Commentator whose experience with philosophy extends no farther than a 101 college class. So if you wouldn’t mind me asking, just what is the difference between an empirical argument and a normative argument, and why should we consider the latter having as much merit as the former, or even any merit at all?
Dr. Heddle equated the New Atheists aggressively advancing atheism publicly as tantamount to overstepping the bounds of their scientific specialties in a comparable way to James Dobson wanting to influence public policy rather than focus on spreading the “gospel.” That’s pretty much a “stay out of public discussion and stick to your jobs of promoting evolution” line to me. For a brief start towards answering your other question (about why normative arguments should have merit), click here and respond to this post addressing it.
Why wouldn’t I? Didn’t I just argue that their intellectual scruples should not be left in the lab? I am a philosopher and I specialize in ethics, I am concerned with scrupulousness in all manners of belief and action, be they matters of inquiry in philosophy, history, social sciences, natural sciences, religion, politics, etc. I am against irrationalism.
Whether or not rationality is the supreme, greatest, or even best good and whether or not irrationality is something to be weeded out and eschewed in general is a debate I shall again refrain from having here, but I brought up the example of Dawkins simply to illustrate that if you believe Collins is a bad scientist and should be denied his position on the basis of holding bad beliefs for bad reasons, one could make the same argument for very many other famous scientists, Richard Dawkins not being the least among them.
I will simply reiterate that if you believe Collins is ineligible for his NIH position because his theological and epistemological views are incorrect and able to be refuted, one could make similar arguments that Dawkins and other atheistic scientists are ineligible for their position because they have incorrect and refutable views on secular matters ranging from ethics to means of argumentation or whatever.
I didn’t say Collins was all-bad as a scientist. I said that there were worrisome infections of his attitudes towards scientific projects that came from religious prejudices. Whether or not those play out or have played out in tangible practical scientific matters is ultimately up for those with more knowledge of his track record than I to assess. What I can say though is that the concerns about him have to do not with his religious beliefs but with his explicit attempts to relate them to science and show how they demarcate for him the limits of science.
As Myers has pointed out (in a post I can’t seem to locate right now) we live in a nation chock full of Christians and have had numerous Christians as NIH heads with no peeps of complaint from New Atheists. The issue is not their private beliefs, which we may criticize the way we criticize any one’s private beliefs but not consider to have bearing on their job performance insofar as they do not interfere with their job performance. I may have loopy ideas about economics but that doesn’t make me a bad philosophy teacher as long as in my capacity as philosophy teacher I do not presume to speak unqualifiedly on economics.
We are all probably shallow and painfully bad thinkers on the majority of topics outside our specializations and active hobby interests. So, it has not mattered whether previous NIH heads held religious beliefs or not. What matters in this case is Collins has specifically merged his science and his faith and made explicit arguments about their compatibility and the supposed effects of limiting scientifically acceptable answers in accord with his interpretation of his faith. He has made his religious beliefs part of his scientific identity, choosing to leverage his scientific credibility to bolster the credibility of believing on faith (“if this great scientist thinks faith is rational, then how can we less intelligent people call it irrational?”) There are consequences to doing that when faith is antithetical in principle to rigorous naturalistic scientific investigation.
Now, maybe in the past Collins has kept the two segregated in practice wherever real knowledge was on the line. In that case all his showy language about faith and science mixing just fine is revealed to be something he does not believe in practice since he knows in practice faith is bad thinking that would corrupt his science (which is where he does his serious thinking). So, maybe that’s all he’s doing. Claiming that faith and science are compatible just because he adopts both whereas in practice he carefully separates them and implicitly reveals his real awareness that they’re not compatible and mutually reinforcing at all. So, maybe he safely keeps faith out of his science and will do so as NIH director. But since he made an issue of stressing their compatibility, this should be scrutinized carefully and I find some of the red flags suspicious. Beyond those flags, I cannot speak since I am not an expert on his career by any means.
If Dawkins used his scientific posts to argue for methods of reasoning (such as faith-based ones) that contradicted scientific methods when relating to scientific issues, then he would indeed be worthy of the same criticisms. If his politics are bad or his ethical judgments badly formed (and, again, I’m not sure I trust his own judgment on that) the question is “does he make part of his platform his willingness to mix these with his science as Collins does when he wants to use his scientific cred to bolster faith?” If so, then “hell yes” we would have a serious problem with Dawkins. Soviet science was infamously corrupted by political dogmatism, so we can say there are real possibilities in theory for anti-religious dogmatisms also to infect science and there are instances of it happening. If somehow Dawkins tailored his scientific theories simply to critique Bush or deer hunters then he would be a bad scientist who should not have any authority over major scientific institutions.
But, in fact, Dawkins shows a fascinating willingness to both argue vehemently that we embrace the fact of selfish genes as the most essential evolutionary unit while vehemently denouncing Social Darwinism politically. If he were letting his English socialism politics corrupt his science, surely he wouldn’t be one of the coldest proponents of selfishness (metaphorically) being the key to successful evolution! But he adequately recognizes that our social and moral norms are a separate matter from how evolution objectively works. He thinks it functions along principles at odds with socialistic ideals.
I am a passionate Darwinian when it comes to the science of how life has actually evolved, but a passionate ANTI-Darwinian when it comes to the politics of how humans ought to behave. I have several times said that a society based on Darwinian principles would be a very unpleasant society in which to live.
For more on what I think constitutes unjustifiably leveraging one’s credibility (as Collins does to an extent), click here.
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2019-04-24T22:45:38Z
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https://www.patheos.com/blogs/camelswithhammers/2009/08/when-should-a-scientists-faith-disqualify-him-from-scientific-institutional-authority/
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2004-10-31 Application filed by Calleja Michael J. filed Critical Calleja Michael J.
2005-09-26 Assigned to SAFETY SYSTEMS, LLC reassignment SAFETY SYSTEMS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CALLEJA, MICHAEL J.
A pallet rack safety net system comprises two parallel horizontal wire ropes that are stretched along the top and bottom edges of a shelf opening. A pair of hung left and right screens of flexible netting are attached between the top and bottom wire ropes so that they can be horizontally separated at the middle of the shelf opening. The inside vertical edges of each screen are finished with a metal bar and a clasp so the screens can be latched together at the middle. The outside left and right edges of the screens are secured to the outside of the shelf opening. If used on a top shelf that has no supports at each side of the opening, a pair of support posts are included that hold aloft the top horizontal wire rope. A network of stays and guys are used to reinforce each such post.
The present invention relates to material-handling systems, and more particularly to safety netting that contains product on overhead shelves and that protect workers and customers below in the aisles.
Shelves and racks are a convenient way to store items, and stored many levels high such can maximize floor space. A typical warehouse retail store like The Home Depot has pallet racks that are two, three, and four levels high. Heavy items, like backup store inventory on a pallet, is placed and fetched from high above by a forklift.
Heavy items placed ten to twenty feet high above aisles in pallet racks and on shelves can present a significant and not-so-rare personal injury risk. Shaking, bumping, and poorly stacked items can come tumbling down and hurt people below, or at a minimum damage the product.
Not surprisingly, a number of different devices and methods have evolved to address these problems. The Law too has entered the picture with OSHA regulations, and personal injury lawsuits. New company procedures, union work rules, and plain common sense now dictate that an effective restraint, barrier, or guard system be installed on the higher shelves and rack to prevent falling debris.
As could be expected, some methods and devices are better than others. Conventional safety products can be expensive to buy, and difficult to work with or install. A simple netting secured all around the shelf opening can be effective if the netting is strong enough and secured well. But the way the netting is secured and constructed can mean opening the net to access the shelf is made very difficult, in some cases requiring a technician to climb high above and use hand tools to open and/or close the net.
Sinco/Sala (Middletown, Conn.), InCord (East Haddam, Conn.), and others market rack guard systems use different kinds of barriers and attachment hardware. For example, Sinco/Sala uses a nylon mesh that is stretched inside a perimeter frame of taught wire rope. So-called EZ-clips are used to attach the netting to the wire rope frame. InCord markets their SURE-GARD™ synthetic mesh that is able to stretch under load. A variety of mesh-size openings are offered for a range of contained item types and sizes.
A MEZZNET-DEFENSE-SYSTEM™ is marketed by BayNets (East Haddam, Conn.) that raises and lowers flexible netting hung from a rod that is guided up and down by a pair of side posts. Open-sided mezzanines with these systems are accessed by operating a cable and pulley system that connects to the rod and runs inside the two side posts. The cable and pulleys can be manually cranked, or powered by an electric motor. BayNets' advertising literature suggests that these systems meet federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fall-protection standards.
Briefly, a pallet rack safety netting embodiment of the present invention comprises two parallel horizontal wire ropes that are stretched along the top and bottom edges of a shelf opening. A pair of hung left and right screens of flexible netting are attached between the top and bottom wire ropes so that they can be horizontally separated at the middle of the shelf opening. The inside vertical edges of each screen are finished with a metal bar and a clasp so the screens can be latched together at the middle. The outside left and right edges of the screens are secured to the outside of the shelf opening. If used on a top shelf that has no supports at each side of the opening, a pair of support posts are included that hold aloft the top horizontal wire rope. A network of stays and guys are used to reinforce each such post.
An advantage of the present invention is that a safety netting is provided that is effective.
Another advantage of the present invention is that a safety netting is provided that is easy to install.
A further advantage of the present invention is that safety netting systems are provided that are simple to operate.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the safety netting system of FIG. 1 with the addition of guy wire stays that reinforce the posts above the top shelf of the pallet rack.
FIG. 1 illustrates a safety netting system embodiment of the present invention, referred to herein by the reference numeral 100. The safety netting system 100, in this example, comprises three screened sections, 101-103, that are attached to a pallet rack 104. Such combination would be used in an ordinary warehouse, or in a warehouse store like The Home Depot. The principle purpose of the safety netting system 100 is to keep objects on the overhead shelves of the pallet rack 104 from falling down onto the floor, for whatever reason. Each of the three sections of the safety netting system 100 is exemplified by section 101, which includes a top horizontally strung wire rope 105 and a bottom strung wire rope 106. A left-screen bar 108 and a right-screen bar 110 are configured to slide along the wire ropes and close at the middle with a snap latch 112.
A left screen 114 is fixed at its left edge to the framework of the pallet rack 104. Similarly, a right screen 116 is fixed at its right edge at the opposite side of the shelf opening to the pallet rack framework. The screens comprise flexible netting of nylon rope, chain link fencing, rigid vertical links, etc. A set of posts 118, 120, and 122 are added to the top of the pallet rack 104 to hold aloft the top wire rope 105. Each such post may be guyed or stayed like the main mast of a sailboat if the vertical frame members of the pallet rack 104 cannot be supplied as one solid piece of box-beam or I-beam steel. If the loads to be secured on the top shelves are especially heavy and dangerous, it is preferable to guy and stay the posts 118, 120, and 120 in every instance.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how the screens of system 100, for example, are latched together (FIG. 2A) and separated (FIG. 2B). A top and bottom pair of parallel wire ropes 201 and 202 are stretched taut between a rigid pair of vertical support posts 203 and 204. A left and a right draw screen 206 and 208 are made of flexible netting, e.g., made of nylon rope. A number of loops top and bottom allow the screens to slide left and right on the wire ropes. The left screen 206 is secured with wire loops or hooks to the left post 203. And the right screen 208 is secured at its right edge with wire loops or hooks to the right post 204. A rigid left bar 210 finishes the right edge of the left screen 206. A rigid right bar 212 similarly finishes the left edge of the right screen 208. These rigid bars help close up a gap between them and the screens when a latch 214 is secured.
FIG. 3 shows how a vertical post can be reinforced and stiffened. In a rack storage system 300 similar to pallet system 100 in FIG. 1, a pair of wire stays 302 and 304 crisscross one another from anchor plates 306, 308, and 310. A back stay 312 further supports a vertical post 314. Each similar post preferably receives an identical combination of wire stays, anchor plates, and back stays. These then all resist any tendency of the posts to fold or distort under load.
a clasp for latching and unlatching the left and right bars together for securing and accessing objects stored behind the screens.
a clasp for latching and unlatching the left and right bars together for securing and accessing objects stored on said shelf behind the screens.
a pair of left and right posts for extending above a top shelf and for providing mechanical support to the top rope.
said outside edges of each screen are fixed to the left and right posts.
the screens comprise flexible netting stretched between the top and bottom ropes.
ES2362566T3 (en) * 2003-08-21 2011-07-07 Gbr Industries Ltd Screen.
CH700218A2 (en) * 2009-01-13 2010-07-15 Geobrugg Ag Roll out security system.
MXPA05011706A (en) 2006-01-23 Pallet assembly.
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2019-04-25T16:09:18Z
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https://patents.google.com/patent/US20050056605A1/en
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IADC is currently seeking to fill the position of Director – Government and Industry Affairs. The position will report to the IADC Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs and will be responsible for all domestic federal and state regulatory matters impacting the offshore oil and gas industry and will undertake daily review of the U.S. Federal Register to determine appropriate response strategy for all regulatory and standards activities with potential impact on the oil and gas industry. The successful candidate will also liaise with domestic regulatory authorities and trade association representative and other organizations, and serve as a IADC staff liaison to IADC Committees as assigned.
In the 2018 midterm elections, the IADC DRILLERSPAC supported 14 candidates in Senate and Congressional races, with 13 of those winning their races, a 93% success rate. The next election cycle includes key races in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Mississippi and Alaska, among others, and IADC will again be supporting candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting energy and the drilling industry.
The House has been busy reorganizing under Democratic Control. Most of the House Committees have been organized at this point, including the House Natural Resources Committee. The Chairman, Rep. Grijalva, has laid out his priorities for the Committee: 1) Oversight of the Department of Interior and EPA deregulatory decisions; 2) protecting public lands; 3) protecting the Endangered Species Act. Expect to see hearings on the horizon regarding climate change and its impact to our oceans and public lands. The House passed a NATO Support Act, as well as a Resolution disapproving of the President’s action to remove certain sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the Federal Civilian Workforce Pay Raise Fairness Act.
The Senate has been busy processing amendments to S. 1, legislation showing support for Israel and Jordan. The Senate is expected to pass this legislation and move next to a Public Lands package of bills that will namely reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, among a slew of other legislative matters. It has been since December 2014 that a Public Lands package has been enacted. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a roundtable on the Arctic in January, and heard from experts on a variety of topics, including the lack of a U.S. presence in the area.
The big news in Washington is the 35-day partial government shutdown that ended with enactment of a 3-week Continuing Resolution (CR) which gives lawmakers an opportunity to solve the impasse or send the Federal government back into a partial shutdown. The CR expires on Feb. 15th. During the government shutdown, the Department of Interior continued to process drilling permits. In other news, President Trump issued an Executive Order sanctioning transactions involving the Madura regime and Venezuelan Government. He also issued an Executive Order to Buy American — directing the head of each executive department and agency to “encourage recipients of new Federal financial assistance awards to use, to the greatest extent practicable, iron and aluminum as well as, steel, cement, and other manufactured products produced in the United States in every contract, subcontract, purchase order, or sub‑award that is chargeable against such Federal financial assistance award.” Finally, trade continues to be the top topic in WDC as talks continue with China and other countries over ongoing disputes.
On 24 January, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Annual Energy Outlook 2019. The report projects that in 2020, for the first time in almost 70 years, the United States will export more energy than it imports, and will remain a net exporter through 2050. U.S. energy export growth is driven largely by petroleum exports including crude oil and products and by additional liquefied natural gas exports.
The United States will continue to see record high levels of oil and natural gas production.
S. net exports of natural gas will continue to grow, as liquefied natural gas becomes an increasingly significant export.
Increasing energy efficiency across end-use sectors will keep U.S. energy consumption relatively stable, even as the U.S. economy continues to expand.
For more in-depth information and findings, the full Annual Energy Outlook 2019 can be found on the EIA website.
2017 saw a reduction of 3% in the volume of produced water discharged to the sea during oil and gas production when compared to 2016.
Reinjection of produced water increased by 10% on the year, and is at its highest recorded level.
Industry’s greenhouse gas emissions contribute around 3% of the total UK emissions, the same proportion as 2016.
Greenhouse gas emissions per installation were lower in 2017 than in 2016.
In January, IADC submitted an amicus curiae in the matter of Dutra Group v. Christopher Batterton, a Supreme Court case which will decide whether punitive damages are available to seamen filing personal injury claims.
In the amicus brief, IADC argued that rigorous and protective compensation schemes for seamen are already in existence, with Congress implementing and overseeing a wide array of federal agencies, statues and rules regulating operations. The amicus also points out that allowing punitive damages as contemplated by the Ninth Circuit would affect IADC members by having a detrimental impact on uniformity in worker claims, settlement and trial of such claims, contractual obligations and insurance coverage in the offshore oilfield and negatively impacting the economy and consumers in general.
In addition to IADC, The Chamber of Commerce of the USA and International P&I Clubs; the American Maritime Association; the Waterways Council Inc., and the American Waterways Operators also submitted Amicus Briefs on the matter.
IADC’s full Amicus Brief can be found on the Supreme Court website.
On 18 December, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine announced a research campaign to advance understanding of Gulf of Mexico loop currents and awarded $10.3 million in initial grants. This planned long-term research campaign is intended to improve the understanding and prediction of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current System. Eight new projects were selected for grant awards through the first funding competition related to the LCS research campaign. The solicitation sought projects that would conduct specific studies or collect particular data and observations identified in the report as short-term needs to assist with the long-term research campaign. Planning for the next funding competition, which will also be directed at advancing the long-term LCS research campaign, is currently underway and expected to open in 2019.
More information can be found on the National Academies website.
The Energy Policy Research Foundation recently released, “Mexico’s Petroleum Future, Understanding the Economic Value of the New Energy Model”. The New Energy Model refers to the energy reform measures implemented in Mexico over the last few years, and they offer considerable potential to lift oil and gas production, increase employment and deliver technological advances while adding revenues to federal, state and local governments. The report includes findings that point to a substantial rise in crude oil production beginning in 2020 along with the employment of 130,000 workers and 500,000 indirect jobs. It also points out Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s call for more investment directed to existing contracts that comprise the country’s “New Energy model” despite his intention to impose a 3-year halt on new oil and gas bid rounds for further assessment related to national investment concerns.
IADC staff members recently attended two back-to-back meetings in Brussels with the European Union Offshore Authorities Group (EUOAG) and the Directorate of Energy of the European Commission (EC).
Steve Kropla, VP Special Projects and Member Initiatives and Derek Hart, Regional Director – North Sea, both spoke to various topics as part of a review of the EU’s Offshore Safety Directive. Mr. Kropla described the IOGP/IADC BOP Reliability Database (RAPID-S53) as part of the discussion on data resources. Mr. Hart spoke to risk management principles, public participation in leasing new areas, assignment of liability and financial responsibility and deepening the internal market through mutual recognition of mobile non-production installations between Member States.
At a meeting earlier in the day, Jens Hoffmark, Regional VP – European Operations, had provided two presentations to the EUOAG. One provided an update on WellSharp and other IADC activities. The second regarded potential training that IADC might help develop and deliver to European regulators.
Amendments to the bunker delivery note relating to the supply of marine fuel oil to ships that have fitted alternative mechanisms to address Sulphur emission requirements entered into force on 1 January. The amendment enters into force as the shipping industry counts down to January 2020, when the limit for sulphur in fuel oil will be reduced to 0.50% m/m outside emission control areas from the current 3.5%. The new limit under IMO’s MARPOL treaty will have significant benefits for the environment and human health.
More information can be found on the International Maritime Organization’s website.
As of 1 January 2019, the use of open-loop scrubber systems are prohibited within China’s Emission Control Areas (ECA) covering inland waters and most of its coastline. Ships fitted with open-loop scrubbers, which discharge wastewater, are now required to burn low-Sulphur fuel while operating in China’s ECAs. This move by China follows Singapore’s earlier decision to also prohibit open-loop scrubbers starting 1 January 2020. Open-loop scrubbers are also banned from use in Belgium, California, Massachusetts and along Germany’s Rhine river.
For more information, please contact Jim Rocco at [email protected].
On 30 January, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it would hold public meetings in various Alaskan communities, and in Washington, D.C. to discuss the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The EIS was made available for public review and comment on 1 December 2018.
The first lease sale will be held after the Final EIS and Record of Decision are issued and will offer not fewer than 400,000 acres area-wide of high-potential lands for bid.
The BLM is seeking feedback on the Draft EIS’s alternatives to inform the Final EIS and the Record of Decision. Substantive comments should include specific details regarding issues or concerns that also provide rationale for the concern or suggestion.
Comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted through March 13. More information can be found on the BLM website.
The IADC Houston Chapter recently elected new Officers during their January meeting. Joe Rausch, Nabors-CanRig was elected to serve as Chapter Chairman; Marc Noel with ICD will serve as Vice Chairman; Matt Eve with PTEN will serve as Chapter Secretary and Brian Townsend with Stellar will be Chapter Treasurer.
The Houston Chapter will host its next meeting on 12 February at the Houston Petroleum Club. For more information about the Chapter and how you can get involved, please visit the IADC website.
The offshore drilling industry needs efficiency gains and cost savings as never before. Fortunately, managed pressure drilling can provide both cost savings and, just as importantly, enhanced drilling safety. MPD is defined by IADC as an adaptive drilling process used to precisely control the annular pressure profile throughout the wellbore. The objectives are to ascertain the downhole pressure environment limits and to manage the annular hydraulic pressure profile accordingly. It is the intention of MPD to avoid continuous influx of formation fluids to the surface. Any influx incidental to the operation will be safely contained using an appropriate process.
The use of closed-loop systems common to all types of MPD represents a giant step forward from conventional, open-to-air drilling systems.
For nearly two decades, industry has viewed MPD as an exotic, niche technology with limited applications. Now, however, inclusion of MPD systems aboard drilling rigs is increasingly common. Further, whereas in the past the job of running MPD operations was limited to specialized third-party consultants, today drilling crews are gaining competency in MPD.
This virtual panel discussion, sponsored by ABS, brings together an operator, drilling contractor, and classification society to define MPD, detail the benefits in efficiency and safety, explore what makes a rig and crew MPD capable, and provide an outlook for the future of this important technology.
To register for this free webcast, click here. If you have already registered for this event, please be on the lookout for your login email on the morning of 26 March.
IADC is preparing to launch WellSharp® Plus, a new accreditation program that fully integrates human factors (i.e., crew resource management) into technical well control training and specifically targets experienced personnel.
The primary goals of this new program are to reduce the potential for human error and to contribute to the competence of personnel during drilling operations.
Throughout 2018, a workgroup comprising course designers, human factors experts, and other stakeholders in the upstream O&G worked together to develop a human factors curriculum, program and course requirements, and a new “train-the-trainer” course for human factors instructors.
A greater focus on human factors has emerged as producers/operators, drilling contractors, and service companies seek to address two lessons learned from past well control incidents: The need for 1) training aimed at specifically addressing human-error and 2) training that focuses on problem-solving during the low-probability, high-impact well control scenarios.
As part of their program-development process, the workgroup reviewed the human factors training and best practices from NASA, the US military, and from the airline, nuclear, and healthcare industries. They also considered ongoing efforts at organizations in the O&G industry, such as IOGP, SPE, API, and OESI. These organizations and others have been working to better understand the human element within the operational context, the causes of human error during drilling operations, and the nontechnical knowledge and skills required for maintaining safe, efficient operations.
Rather than creating an isolated human factors course or training module, course designers recognized the value of creating a new model for content delivery—one that emphasizes the specific contributors to human error in the context of well control by fully integrating the technical and nontechnical content.
IADC’s new human factors curriculum aligns with content developed within other industries and by other O&G organizations, particularly IOGP. Although, in reality, much of the content is interconnected, the topics generally correlate with at least one of the following six categories: situation awareness, decision-making, communication, teamwork, leadership, and factors that affect human performance. This last category comprises the human conditions that affect the other five categories, such as fatigue (e.g., sleep deprivation, illness, shiftwork, time of day), stress (e.g., confusion, multi-tasking, conflict, fear), difficulty managing distractions, and cultural differences.
To maximize learning and knowledge retention, WellSharp® Plus instructors are required to meet additional qualification requirements that include successful completion of “train-the-trainer” coursework involving the following: facilitated learning methods, adult learning principles, strategies that appeal to different learning styles, and strategies for delivering and assessing the human factors content.
Facilitated learning methods have been proven to maximize learning by exploiting the human brain’s natural process of learning through experiences, which involves the learner interacting with the subject and then “debriefing”—reflecting on and drawing conclusions about the subject through a guided discussion. During this process, the instructor is the “guide” rather than the “lecturer.” The instructor observes the activity and discussions and then, as needed, asks open-ended questions to guide the learners. The content of the learning can be delivered in a multitude of ways that rarely involve traditional lecture. Studies show that traditional lecture is the least effective way of learning new content.
The format for a WellSharp® Plus course comprises problem-solving through teamwork in which the participants fulfill the different the roles needed to make up a rig crew: driller, assistance driller, supervisor (toolpusher, company man), and other positions. The course uses case studies and simulation to deliver content and to provide the instructors with an opportunity to observe and assess the human factors and technical skills in order to guide a debriefing session following each case study.
Participants must have taken and passed an “upper-level” WellSharp® course (e.g., Driller- or Supervisor-level) in the previous 2 years and then must meet a higher standard in passing the WellSharp® exam immediately before beginning the course. The fundamentals of well control are an essential prerequisite for WellSharp® Plus because the technical content comprises only the more complex well control scenarios.
The program is expected to begin accepting applications in April 2019. Companies intending to apply may obtain additional information by emailing [email protected].
WellSharp®, IADC’s well control training and assessment standard, recently surpassed its 100,000-certified milestone. Launched in March 2015, the WellSharp program now comprises 10 drilling operation and well servicing courses, more than 500 instructors, 160 accredited training providers, about 1,100 test proctors, and is offered in 5 languages in 37 countries.
New courses added to the original Drilling Operations Awareness, Introductory, Driller, and Supervisor courses include the following Well Servicing courses: Coiled Tubing, Snubbing, Wireline, Workover, O&G Operator Representative, and a Subsea Supplement. A Well Servicing Introductory and a WellSharp Plus course will be added to the list before the end of 2018, and a Drilling Operations Engineer course will be added in 2019.
The WellSharp Plus course represents a new shift in well control training as it integrates specific aspects of crew resource management (CRM) throughout technical training. In addition, IADC and the industry has now embarked on the next step in this well control standard—a new venture to measure baseline knowledge retention, facilitate continuous learning, and reduce knowledge decay between renewal cycles.
The increasingly comprehensive list of courses is intended to encourage companies to send their personnel to the course that is specifically designed for their position on the rig.
With the goal of improving the program’s credibility and effectiveness, IADC committees and workgroups are using a research- and data-driven approach to improving content delivery while continuing to refine course content and testing protocols.
The Drilling Industry thrives on hard work, toughness, and self-sufficiency, and the transition to WellSharp certainly called upon those qualities. This effort emerged from two goals: to reduce well control incidents and to “self-regulate”. Over several years, hundreds of volunteers contributed their time and expertise–their sweat-equity, their passion for the industry—to make WellSharp a success.
The IADC Cybersecurity Committee will host its next meeting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 14 February at IADC’s headquarters in Houston. The meeting will primarily feature discussions and work on the Network Segmentation Guidelines and will also include an update on legislative and standardization activities.
The IADC Advanced Rig Technology (ART) Committee has announced its 2019 meeting dates and is welcoming new participants. Besides its recent meeting on 5 February, the committee will also meet from 9-11am on Thursday, 9 May, at NRG Center, in conjunction with OTC. The group will also meet on the afternoon of Monday, 21 October in Amsterdam, the day before the 2019 IADC ART Conference.
ART also will hold three Spark Tanks this year: 24 April, 7 August and 11 December. These events provide technology entrepreneurs with a new opportunity to pitch their products and ideas to a panel of drilling contractors and operators (“Sharks”). The purpose is to provide insights (“Sparks”) to technology developers into what matters to the intended end users of these innovations. There is sometimes a vast disconnect between a good idea and a great product, and this series will attempt to close that gap. All Spark Tanks are held at IADC’s Houston headquarters. The events are free to attend, but registration is required and space is limited. Call for Abstracts are being accepted for the 24 April Spark Tank until 19 March.
ART’s two subcommittees also will hold monthly meetings at IADC’s Houston office, and each group welcomes new participants from across the industry to join these meetings.
Agendas for each event will be posted closer to their dates. All events will be in Houston, with locations TBA.
Questions about the DEC can be sent to Linda Hsieh ([email protected]).
To assist industry transition to more digitally driven operations, IADC introduces IADC DDR Plus™, the new standard in drilling data collection.
IADC DDR Plus™ remains backward compatible with previous versions, while adding additional main operational codes, and creating a highly granular code set architecture. IADC DDR Plus™ is rolling out in both a Wits M L electronic and traditional paper versions.
Is the Caspian Drilling Industry ready for the future?
The Caspian region faces challenges around changing market conditions, workforce development, drilling efficiency, safety and security, and equipment maintenance. To address these issues, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) will host the IADC Drilling Caspian 2019 Conference & Exhibition on 20-21 February at the Hilton Hotel in Baku.
The conference will bring together industry leaders and drilling professionals to discuss challenges and share best practices and experiences. Cutting-edge technology advances, including drilling automation, will be featured, as will case studies of relevant technical achievements. The event will also highlight evolving approaches to safety and training, providing practical information on new tools and processes that can be used to improve HSE performance. It will also provide a unique networking opportunity for those working in the region.
The event is sponsored by Socar AQS; BP; Maersk Drilling; Socar KQIT; KCA Deutag Drilling and Derrick Equipment Company. In addition, the exhibition will give regional and international companies the chance to showcase their services and products.
The complete conference program, conference registration, and more information can be found on the conference website at www.iadc.org under the Events tab. Or, you can contact IADC directly at [email protected] or at +31 24 675 2252.
IADC’s Drilling Matters initiative to educate the public and dispel myths and misconceptions about our industry hit the ground running in 2019, with the roll out of an Android app for its popular online game Mission Petrohouse.
Mission Petrohouse players steer a retro rocket ship through a home and “zap” everyday products created from petroleum to fill the rocket’s fuel tank. The game tracks the number of items zapped, and provides helpful information about each item.
Drilling Matters is available on line at www.DrillingMatters.org.
For more information about Drilling Matters, contact Amy Rose ([email protected]) or Mike Killalea ([email protected]).
IADC’s Useful Resources web page offers a link to materials designed to help build and assure individual and crew well control competency and proficiency anywhere in the world. The DrillPad Deployment Well Control Drill Trainer Training Template and the companion DrillGuide Example are freely available from the www.iadc.org/useful-resources.
The PowerPoint file DrillPad Trainer Training is offered to assist trainers in developing an effective program of well control drills. It includes keys to effective drills, critical skill sets, grading criteria, common pitfalls, and more.
The PDF Well Control Drill Guide provides lists of drills, questions, and attributes within DrillPad. The guide is meant to be used in conjunction with rig-specific well control procedures to conduct and assess performance during well control drills. The objective is to ensure that all members of the rig team with well control responsibilities are aware of their specific responsibilities, possess an understanding of well control commensurate with those responsibilities, and can confidently execute their duties when required.
Each well control drill details the drill type, potential participants, exercises, caution guidance, assessment guidance, questions, skills assessed, and more.
The Useful Resources page on www.iadc.org provides a link to a Recommended Practice to prevent and mitigate dropped objects in oil and gas operations. Dropped objects are a critical safety issue in numerous industries. This Recommended Practice, developed by the DROPS network, intends to set basic requirements for dropped object prevention that can be incorporated into existing companies’ Safety Management Systems (SMS). DROPS is an industry-wide oil-and-gas initiative whose mission is to prevent dropped objects by providing supporting engagement and learning materials, as well as setting industry-recognized best practices. The link also provides access to the DROPS RP Gap Analysis Tool, an Excel spreadsheet.
According to DROPS, the RP sets out minimum recommended practices that support the prevention of dropped objects and the development of policies and procedures for company SMSs. DROPS notes that the RP is not intended to be considered the finalized requirements of a company Dropped Object Prevention Scheme (Scheme).
The link to the DROPS RP and Gap Analysis Tool is at www.iadc.org/useful-resources.
Safety should not be competitive in the drilling industry, but bragging rights always are!
You have worked hard to build an impressive safety record. Your employees pay close attention to ensure that they work safely.
Let your customers know about it. IADC ISP plaques are a stand-out way to ensure the world knows how successful your accident prevention program is.
IADC has two types of ISP plaques available. The Executive Grade: Bronze-tone safety excellence medallion on a red velvet background with gold engraved text on a raised bronze-tone plate. Supreme Grade: Laser engraved text with company name, rig name or number and IADC logo in raised gold lettering. Both plaques include company name, rig name or number with the numbers of years without a Lost time or recordable incident.
IADC acknowledges the rigs in the monthly DrillBits newsletter.
Get extra plaques for the office, rig, and your top employees. Fire those guys up with a well-deserved pat on the back.
IADC ISP plaques are only available to companies participating in the IADC ISP program, the industry’s definitive safety statistics program since 1961.
For more information on ordering plaque please contact Loretta Krolczyk at [email protected].
Wrinkled outside diameter surfaces of the drill-pipe body caused by the upsetting process.
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2019-04-25T08:01:01Z
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http://www.iadc.org/drillbits/drillbits-february-2019/
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When and Where was Mary Wollstonecraft Born?
27th April 1759, Spitalfields, London, England.
Mary Wollstonecraft came from family of seven children. She had three sisters and three brothers. She was the granddaughter of a wealthy manufacturer who worked in Spitalfields, London. Her father, Edward John Wollstonecraft, originally a handkerchief weaver, spent the fortune on a series of unsuccessful farm businesses trying to establish himself as a gentleman farmer. He was also fond of a drink and was prone to beat his wife Elizabeth Dixon.
Local day schools in Beverley, Yorkshire.
1761: Birth of her brother Henry Woodstock Wollstonecraft.
1763: Birth of her sister Elizabeth known as Eliza. Moves to Epping Forest with her family.
1765: Birth of her sister Everina known as Averina. At the death of her grandfather her father inherits some of his estate and the family again move on, this time to Barking.
1768: Birth of her brother James. The family moves on to Beverley in Yorkshire in October and Mary becomes friends with Jane Arden.
1770: Birth of her brother Charles.
1774: The family moves to Hoxton in North London. Mary Wollstonecraft meets Mr and Mrs Clare, who allow her into their home and begin to provide her with an education. She meets Fanny Blood for the first time at the Clares.
1776: The family moves to Laugharne in South Wales.
1777: The family moves to Walworth in London.
1778: Mary Wollstonecraft gets her first employment as a lady’s companion to Mrs Sarah Dawson in Bath and Windsor. The relationship between the two women was difficult.
1780: The family and younger children move to Enfield.
1781: Mary moves back home to nurse her sick mother in the autumn.
1782: Death of her mother on 19th April. Her father remarries and moves to Wales.
In October Mary moves in with Fanny Blood and her family at Walham Green as a ladies companion. This is the time that her vision of a feminist utopia took shape as she began to idealise Fanny. Her sister Eliza marries on 20th October.
1783: Eliza gives birth to a child and develops post natal depression.
1784: Mary Wollstonecraft moves in with her sister Eliza after convincing her to leave her violent husband. Mary and Eliza set up a school together in Newington Green with the help of Fanny Blood. She made friends with Richard Price a Minister at the local Dissenting Chapel who along with his friend Joseph Priestley was the leader of a group of people called the Rational Dissenters.
1785: Fanny Blood marries Hugh Skeys in Lisbon. Mary leaves the school and goes to Portugal to help Fanny Blood with her childbirth who went to Europe initially to improve her health. Fanny dies later in the year of consumption. Mary Wollstonecraft returns to London in December.
1786: The school at Newington Green closes due to lack of finance. In August Mary goes to work as a governess to the Anglo-Irish Lord and Lady Kingsborough in County Cork in Ireland. Her relationship with Lady Kingsborough was also strained but the children thought of her as an inspirational teacher. Frustrated by the life in Ireland she decides to become an author. Wollstonecraft begins work on her book on the conduct of children, “Thoughts on the Education of Daughters”.
1787: Mary Wollstonecraft accompanies the Kingsborough family to Bristol where she writes her first novel, “Mary: A Fiction”, and the short work “Cave of Fancy”. She is dismissed by the Kinsborough’s in August. She then moves to London where she takes up work as a translator with the assistance of the liberal publisher Joseph Johnson whom she had met via her radical friend Richard Price. She lives at 49 George Street, Blackfriars, London and works as a reviewer for Johnson’s “Analytical Review”. She meets influential people at this time such as the artist and writer Henry Fuseli, the writer Anna Laetitia Barbauld and the political reformer Thomas Holcroft.
1788: In May the Analytical Review begins publication and during the year prints Wollstonecraft’s first novel,” Mary: A Fiction”, her children’s book “Original Stories from Real Life” and her translation of “Of the Importance of Religious Opinions” by Jacques Necker.
1789: Mary Wollstonecraft’s anthology, “The Female Reader” is published by Johnson under the pseudonym of Mr Cresswick. She begins to be romantically attached with Henry Fuseli.
1790: Mary’s translations of Christian Gotthilf Salzmann’s “Elements of Morality” and “Young Grandison” by Maria Geertruida van de Werken de Cambon are published by Johnson. The former is illustrated by William Blake. In November she publishes “A Vindication of the Rights of Man” anonymously at first and then under her own name on 18th December as she was upset by the attacks on her friend Richard Price by Edmund Burke. Mary temporarily adopts Ann a seven-year-old relative Fanny Blood’s husband Hugh.
1791: Mary Wollstonecraft moves to Store Street. In September the second edition of “Original Stories from Real Life”, illustrated by William Blake is published. She also begins writing “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman”. She first meets William Godwin at a dinner in November held by Johnson where Tom Paine was speaking. Godwin was disappointed with Mary as she spent to whole time criticising Paine. At this time Mary was still infatuated with the artist Henry Fuseli despite the fact that he was already married. She was excited by his genius and actually proposed a platonic arrangement where she would live with Fuseli and his wife and travel to France. Fuseli’s wife was understandably upset and the artist ended their relationship the following year. She sits for a portrait by John Opie, which is now held by the Tate Gallery.
1792: In January “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” is published which Mary dedicates to the French Statesman Tallyrand. In August Mary and Johnson set out for France but only get as far as Dover. In December Mary goes to Paris alone this time and meets Thomas Paine. She looked for other British people and joined a circle, which included the writer Helen Maria Williams.
1793: In April Mary Wollstonecraft meets the American timber merchant Gilbert Imlay in Paris. She falls in love with him and registers as his wife at the American Embassy for protection against imprisonment during the Terror although Imlay had refused to actually marry her. In June she moves to Neuilly-sur-Seine to escape the violence but returns to Paris in September when she realises she is pregnant.
1794: In January Mary moves to Le Havre and writes “An Historical and Moral View of the French Revolution”. Imlay says he will follow her but doesn’t which convinces her he is now bored with her. Mary gives birth to Imlay’s daughter Frances (Fanny) on 14 May. Imlay returns to England, leaving Mary alone with her new daughter. “An Historical View” is published in London in December.
1795: In April Mary Wollstonecraft returns to England to try and find Imlay but is rejected by him. She goes to live in Charlotte Street, London and makes an unsuccessful attempt at suicide in May realising that Imlay already has a mistress. She is saved by Imlay. In June she goes to Scandinavia with her maid and Fanny to do some business for Imlay in a desperate attempt to win him back. She returns again to London in September. In October she makes a second attempt at suicide by jumping off Putney Bridge into the River Thames but is rescued by strangers.
1796: In April she sees Godwin again and on the 21st August begins a full blown relationship. He had been impressed by her passion in her “Letters Written during a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark” about her love for Imlay. She starts to write “Maria: or The Wrongs of Woman”.
1797: Mary Wollstonecraft Marries William Godwin on 29th March at St Pancras Old Church.
The couple move into 29 The Polygon, Somers Town, London which were actually two adjoining houses, so that they could still be independent. They had decided to get married to make the new baby legitimate but it made their friends aware that she had not been married to Imlay and many now shunned them. Godwin was further criticised as he had already advocated the abolition of marriage in his philosophical treatise “Political Justice”. John Opie paints the famous portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft, which is now in the National Portrait Gallery.
On the 30th August Mary gives birth to a daughter, also called Mary (later to become Mary Shelley). The placenta broke during delivery and Mary became infected which puerperal fever. She survived several days in agony until she actually died on 10 September of septicaemia.
(1798): William Godwin published his “Posthumous Works of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of Woman” and his “Memoirs of the Author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman”. He felt he was honouring his wife’s memory with love but many readers were shocked at the story of illegitimate children, love affairs, and suicide and her reputation went into the decline for the next forty years or more.
1786: “Thoughts on the Education of Daughters”.
1788: “Mary – A Fiction”, “Original Stories from Real Life Conversations Calculated to regulate the Affections and Form the Mind of Truth and Goodness” (Children’s Book).
1789: “The Female Reader”. “Miscellaneous Pieces for the Improvement of Young Women”.
1790: “The Rights of Men”.
1792: “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”.
1794: “An Historical and Moral View of the Origin and Progress of the French Revolution.
1797: “On Poetry”, “Our Relish for the Beauties of Nature”.
(1798): “Memoirs of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of Woman” and “Posthumous Works” both published by Godwin.
29th March 1797 to William Godwin at St. Pancras Old Church, London.
10th September 1797, London, England of puerperal fever and septicaemia caused by a breakage in the placenta after the birth of her daughter Mary.
Originally buried in St Pancras Old Churchyard but was re-interred in 1851 by her grandson Percy Florence Shelley in St. Peter’s Churchyard, Bournemouth, Dorset, England with Husband William Godwin and next to Daughter Mary Shelley.
The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street, E1 7NT.
St Pancras Old Church and gardens.
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2019-04-21T22:11:57Z
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http://britainunlimited.com/mary-wollstonecraft/
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If it was written more recently, Clark might have been inspired by driving the new Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle that can truly push any observer to such puzzlement.
There have been many stories about the development of electric cars, such as the privately owned Tesla vehicles, and virtually every manufacturer either has experimental models on the streets, or is nearing production status.
Nissan, meanwhile, simply acts where rivals promote, and it brought out the Leaf almost a decade ago and started selling them, mostly on the West Coast, but also in the East and in Florida. Now they sell them all over the U.S. Looking a lot like a subcompact Versa, sort of boxy and unexciting, the Leaf was swift and performed well, and it stands as the No. 1 electric car sold worldwide, a status it has attained quietly - literally and figuratively.
For 2018, Nissan has redesigned the Leaf, making it look very Nissan like from the signature nose, and positively futuristic from the rear and side. Suddenly the Leaf has enough appeal to lure mainstream customers, not just those who are insisting on not paying the wildly fluctuating $3-plus per gallon of gasoline. If they go to a Nissan dealer and test-drive one, they will be more impressed.
You can buy a Leaf SL for a base price of $36,200, or a loaded, as-tested SL for $38,510. That, however, is before you figure out the tax-break deductions a zero-pollution vehicle can get. Best estimates are that a loaded Leaf might be obtainable for around $27,000. That’s about half what a Tesla Model 3 goes for, and close to half of a new Chevrolet Bolt EV.
I was eager when I learned I would get a 2018 Leaf for a week-long test drive. I was less impressed when the delivery service showed up with the Leaf riding comfortably on the back end of a flat-bed hauler. I had been hoping it would be driven here, because even though it started out in Chicago and would have stopped for a few recharging sessions, it would have meant the Leaf’s range was sufficient to consider it an everyday driving candidate.
The plan is that the 2019 Leaf will get very little styling changes, but it will get a larger and more powerful battery-pack drivetrain, which could boost between-charges driving range to up near 300 miles.
As it is, the 2018 test model showed a range of 150 miles between charging sessions, which is certainly more than adequate for driving to and from work and tossing in a venture out for dinner and maybe a movie or the shopping center, knowing you can plug it in overnight and be ready to go in the morning.
My wife, Joan, and I decided to make it an adventure, planning to drive from Duluth, Minn., to the tiny Wisconsin vacation town of Lake Nebagamon, nearly 50 miles from our home. Joan had spent part of every childhood summer at her grandma’s home there, and she vividly recalls the fun of spending whole days at the public beach, with highlights of her first-ever experiences with a new Minnesota delicacy - Dairy Queen - which was, and still is, about 100 yards up the boat-launching slope from the water.
I’m not sure how many Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) have ever appeared in Lake Nebagamon, but a measure of how far it has gone was that numerous passers-by glanced at it, or even looked hard at it, but didn’t seem to think it was anything unusual.
For those people, it’s always most fun to hop in the Leaf, hit the starter button, and hear the engine roar to life. Just kidding! There is no noise - zero. You simply shift into gear and take off swiftly while those passers-by gaze after you with some degree of marvel. Even if they never heard of the late Guy Clark, and his fantastic Texas folk-country song-writing.
Nissan is a Japanese giant that tends to forge ahead, rather than spend time promoting its newest stuff, and the Leaf is a perfect example. A decade ago, Nissan invited auto media to Tennessee to try the new Leaf, and I’ll never forget making my first drive. The instant acceleration and completely silent operation was the stuff of Star Wars. Then I swapped seats with my conservative-seeming co-driver and observed him hammer the “gas” pedal. We went faster and faster, very quickly, still not making a discernible noise. I glanced over at the instruments and noticed we were sailing along at 103 miles per hour. We had been told the Leaf might go 90 or so, but unless the speedometer was wacko, our test vehicle easily surpassed that.
The only question then, as now, is the range you can go before you run out of electric power and need to plug in. Over the years, battery-makers have gotten better and better, with each plateau of sophistication meaning quicker recharge, greater capacity, and longer range. Companies like Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung and various others, up to and including LG from South Korea, have reached amazing levels.
That wasn’t good enough for Nissan, which went ahead and built its own facilities for building the necessary batteries to make hybrids, and pure-electric cars, function. The Leaf is built in Smyrna, Tennessee, and the battery pack is built in Smyrna, Tennessee.
So to unboggle my mind, my best measurement of an electric car is to get in, hit the starter button, engage the “D” tab on the shifter and hit the go pedal. Then try to calculate how swiftly the fence posts or trees whiz past.
We’re used to gasoline engines, which roar louder and louder as the RPMs build, leading to the horsepower peak at somewhere up around 5,000 revs. Electric motors, on the other hand, have maximum torque at zero RPMs. So when you take off, you really take off.
Best estimates show the Leaf going 0-60 in about 7.5 seconds. I didn’t check. All I knew was it was fast enough, and because there is only silence, you need to pay attention to your speedometer.
Other settings on the instruments can be switched to give you remaining range and percentage of remaining electricity stored in the Leaf battery pack.
We plugged the adaptor cable into the nose receptacle, and the other end into a three-pronged 220 plug in our garage. That’s the middle of three methods of recharging. Level 1 is into normal household 110-120, which takes about 10 hours for a full charge, and Level 2 is to plug into a 220 outlet, which can recharge full in 4 hours. Level 3 is a high-end charging station, of which there might be a lot in California, and get about 85 percent recharge in about 20 minutes.
In Duluth, Minnesota, with its legendary winter cold, there are a grouping of EV charge stations about a block south of Superior Street, and at the north tip of the main Canal Park motel, restaurant and entertainment area. You plug in, swipe a credit card, and return from a nearby movie or dinner to a fully charged car.
We plugged in at home, overnight, and found the instruments told us we had 93 percent maximum charge, worth a range of 158 miles. The max is supposed to be 150 miles, but like hybrids, electric vehicles learn your driving style and adapt immediately. If you drive economically, your range will increase. If you drag race your neighbors on the way to work, it will go down.
Same with severe cold. I know from past experience the best batteries in cameras, tape recorders, audio players and electric-aided cars plunge quickly when exposed to extreme cold. I’m not sure about the newest Leaf, but extending the range is the primary concern. We know we can park it in a garage overnight, dash to work, and no matter how cold still have enough juice to get home.
As for our trip to Lake Nebagamon, we zipped over the big bridge into Wisconsin, then followed our GPS down the little roadways to the town. We drove around for a while, making sure to locate the house once owned by Joan’s grandmother, toured town briefly, but totally, then parked down by the beach.
We also walked around a bit to check out assorted locations, then had a ceremonial Dilly Bar at the Dairy Queen before heading back toward Duluth.
During the rest of the week, we drove up hills and down, and checked out the fantastic “e-pedal” switch, which assures you of instant deceleration whenever you lift off the accelerator. It reverses the motor, capturing regenerative electric power to ostensibly increase your range. But in Duluth, where you face a lot of steep hills, you went up swiftly, and could go down efficiently by lifting your toe and letting the car slow itself.
It works so well that if you are approaching a car ahead stopped at a light, you can let off and it will slow you down completely to a stop. Outstanding.
Interior appointments aren’t fancy, but they’re effective. Leather seating, complete and simple instrumentation and a potent audio system are all standard features, as is the normal high-tech driving aids such as vehicle dynamic control, blind-sport warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more common stuff such as traction control, antilock brakes and electronic brake assist and distribution.
I was startled by one feature. The automatic braking and accident-avoidance feature is, in a word, sensitive. Joan and I went to a movie with an adjacent parking lot, and because of construction you can only leave by driving through the bottom level of a ramp and proceed through an automatic rising horizontal arm. I advanced slowly, and when I was first in line, I drove ahead slowly, timing the arm as it rose.
Sudenly - very suddenly - the car emitted a nasty growl and stopped on a dime. I was sure something had broken or malfunctioned. Then I realized it was the avoidance system, which caught the radar bounce of the rising arm and inspired the Leaf to stop instantly.
We’re all going to be driving hybrids or electric vehicles of some sort someday, or sooner. When you realize the price sticker shows the fuel-economy equivalent of 112 mpg city and 100 highway, you also realize that if you drove the Leaf for 10 years, to work and back every day, and on trips whenever you felt comfortable with the range, you would spend a grand total of $0 for gasoline.
Think about it, while you’re listening to Guy Clark wondering where it’s coming to and how we got this far. We’re going to be coming farther, and soon.
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2019-04-21T20:59:10Z
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http://duluthreader.com/articles/2018/09/06/14501_nissan_offers_impressive_way_to_turn_a_new_leaf
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The Problem. As I’m sure you are well aware, miners and prospectors have been dealing with federal overreach for decades, which has been exacerbated by a court system that has been ignoring federal mining law and deferring to the very agencies that are abusing our rights to interpret their own rules and regulations.
Roads, trails, and access routes have been closed off through the use of Travel Management Plans, Critical Habitat designations, Wild and Scenic designations, Wilderness designations, National Monuments, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, and more. All public land users have suffered.
Miners and prospectors have allowed themselves to be regulated by a permissive system created by local, county, state and federal agencies armed with an agenda to block the extraction of valuable minerals and metals in the name of environmental protection. Non-governmental organizations have successfully vilified miners and prospectors to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Insects, plants and animals are used to block your every move. But there is a solution.
The History. In the mid-1800s, miners did an excellent job of establishing reasonable rules to govern mining. They created order out of chaos. Yes there were some issues like the use of mercury, hydraulic mining and reclamation that needed to be addressed, but for the most part, miners put forth rules and regulations that worked.
The miners created small, geographic areas and established rules, and these areas became known as Mining Districts.
Mining Districts became federally recognized entities with the passage of the 1872 Mining Act.
Mining Districts were established virtually anywhere in the United States where valuable minerals or metals are present. There are literally thousands of Mining Districts in the United States—over 500 exist in California—but many of them are in disarray.
There are plenty of additional federal laws on the books that should deter local, county, state and federal agencies from interfering with miners, but agencies and courts continue to ignore them.
Joe Martori, a commercial placer miner near Randsburg in southern California, was fed up with the ridiculous rules and regulations placed upon his operation. Joe reached out to Jerry Hobbs, Don Fife and Clark Pearson, three individuals who had extensive knowledge of federal mining laws and experience in dealing with regulatory overreach. Joe also reached out Congressman Paul Cook (R-San Bernardino) for assistance.
Following advice from Don Fife and Clark Pearson, Joe tracked down the bylaws for his traditional Mining District—the Rand Mining District. He and fellow miners in the traditional Rand Mining District elected a new Mining District Board and posted signs at major entrypoints to the district.
Joe also began attending meetings of the BLM Public Roundtable Committee in Ridgecrest, California. It is an elected board that negotiates rules for several million acres of desert in his area. Joe eventually gained a seat on the board to represent mining interests. The council includes a broad spectrum of interests—the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, off-roaders, preservationists, environmentalists, attorneys, and the public at large.
Clark Pearson, Joe Martori and I made presentations regarding symbiotic relationships, the 1955 Multiple Surface Use Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Land Policy Management Act, the power of Mining Districts, and related topics at the BLM Roundtable Committee meeting in Ridgecrest, California, in March 2016. It was very well received, and many in the group admitted they had little or no knowledge of the laws related to mining and the power granted to Mining Districts by Congress.
One of the points I highlighted was how we at the Mining Journal have been instructing our readers to use Direct and Constructive Notice when appropriate. Direct and Constructive Notice is a written notice that is served to a local, county, state or federal agent, advising them of your specific rights as a miner and letting them know that if they continue to violate those rights that you—the miner—will sue them personally. This appeared to get their attention.
The Rand Mining District requested a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be established with the BLM following this meeting. This MOU has been completed. As a direct result, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) within the Rand Mining District will be removed, and access routes within the Rand Mining District will be reopened for the benefit of all public land users. A subsequent meeting included face-to-face discussions with Jerry Perez, California BLM State Director. Mr. Perez admitted he did not know anything about Mining Districts and the power of Mining Districts. The MOU between the Rand Mining District and BLM is under consideration as a template for all Mining Districts in California.
Another recent success story involves the Slate Creek Mining District in Washington State. A proposal was put forth by the federal government to add thousands of acres to an existing wilderness area. After it was pointed out that the Slate Creek Mining District was not consulted, the proposal was modified and new maps were issued that excluded the Slate Creek Mining District from the proposed withdrawal.
A representative from an organized Mining District can obtain a seat at the table for steering committees, councils or related oversight groups. A Mining District can also seek coordination status whenever an agency attempts to make changes to land use, permitting or regulations within the district. Imagine having two, three, even ten Mining Districts within a proposed wilderness area, all seeking coordination status.
An additional part of the solution involves legislation. Joe and Clark made a trip to Washington, DC, several months ago and had over three-dozen meetings with legislators and committees, including the Armed Services Committee, the House Resources Committee and Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah). The end result was another MMAC accomplishment— a request from Congress to come up with a series of bills to address many of the problems related to mining and public land use.
Recent News. Nearly 40 Mining Districts are meeting again since we first started publicizing the power of Mining Districts approximately one year ago. Over 50 additional Mining Districts are in the process.
MMAC advisors were elected by claimholders in quite a few states. These individuals have volunteered their time to assist miners in locating their original bylaws and help them get their Mining District organized if it is in disarray. Many miners are realizing the potential and stepping in to help. One such MMAC advisor is Kevin Bell, who tracked down the original bylaws for several districts and scheduled meetings for eight of those Mining Districts.
We’ve been reaching out to frustrated claimholders for many months. I’ve made presentations at the Motherlode Goldhounds, Shasta Miner’s Association, at our Gold Prospecting and Mining Summit in Placerville, California, and most recently at the Sonora Gold & Outdoor Festival.
Joe Martori recently had face-to-face time with BLM’s California State Director to work on an MOU that could be used statewide.
Joe and Clark are preparing to head off to Las Vegas for MINExpo 2016 to help educate some of the larger mining concerns and seek financial support for MMAC. They have also been in contact with Chuck Cushman of the American Land Rights Association, and Chuck has pledged the support of his organization and to get other public land users involved through his vast list of contacts.
Joe and Clark are continuing to work on several bills requested by Congress to reopen lands and place mining back at the forefront of creating wealth in the United States. A strong mining industry is a matter of National Security, and members of Congress clearly understand this point. They have also been asked to return to Washington, DC, to assist in this effort, to lobby, and to make more presentations to legislators and their staffs in preparation for voting on the proposed bills and amendments in early 2017.
What Can I Do? Be an active part of the solution! That means financially supporting MMAC and getting your Mining District organized if it is in disarray. We have a proven method to reset the playing field. If you are looking for a way to get back in the water with your suction gold dredge; if you want to use motorized equipment in an area where it has been prohibited; if you want relief from excessive state or federal regulations; if you want access to an area that has been blocked off by state or federal agencies; an organized Mining District is the first step.
Organize Your District. There are certain steps that must be followed to obtain federal recognition and MMAC will make sure you get there. You must complete your due diligence!
b) Try the local museum or historical society. Keep in mind your Mining District may have been in a different county before newer boundaries were drawn.
d) Check the "Bylaws for Traditional Mining Districts" page at www.icmj.com under the Resources tab.
5) Determine from the bylaws what you will need in terms of a board.
6) Leave the original bylaws and articles in place. Do not change the borders, names of features, etc.
7) Contact MMAC for a sample template on updating bylaws, which can be done by vote at a future meeting.
8) Contact me at [email protected] for a copy of the notification letter that you’ll need to send to local, county, state and federal agencies that might have jurisdiction in your area. This will insure you are contacted regarding any proposed land-use regulations or restrictions in the works. We’ll go over the above points to make sure everything is covered!
9) Have a Mining District board representative attend any local oversight or steering committee meetings. (Contact MMAC first for training.) Let them know which Mining District you are representing. If they are considering any new regulations or restrictions, ask for a seat on the board to represent your Mining District. If no such proposals are on the agenda, then just let them get used to seeing you at the meetings for a few sessions before you ask for a seat. When the time is right, you might ask if the Mining District has been contacted for coordination status. We can assist with providing materials to help educate them.
Yes, it is some work, but I know you will be quite happy when the process is completed and some of the regulatory burden is lifted off your shoulders.
Send your support and become a member of MMAC. Put some skin in the game and help MMAC with a $30.00 yearly membership contribution for all MMAC has accomplished and will accomplish. Send to: Minerals and Mining Advisory Council, 2321 E 4th St Ste C-338, Santa Ana, CA, 92705; and (coming soon) you can contribute online and auto pay a monthly $10.00 contribution at www.mmacusa.org for the MMAC Bill, Amendments, MOU, website and constant updates for the Mining Districts. Join MMAC today!
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2019-04-24T14:55:12Z
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https://www.icmj.com/resources/news-and-events/miners-news/the-power-of-the-organized-mining-district-346/
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What Makes a Good NLPer?
A few months ago someone asked me a very interesting question, one that I have thought about many times since then: “What is the difference between someone who uses NLP with an average degree of skill and someone who uses it with much greater skill?” I think that there are many answers to this question, and I have a few tentative ideas.
I think that someone who uses the NLP methods exceptionally well has several ways of gathering all the different skills and techniques under a single overarching framework of understanding. A universal framework provides a solid basis for gathering information and responding creatively even when a particular method or technique doesn’t work, when others might become stuck or confused.
It has been very useful to me to think of everything I do as either “splitting” or “joining.” Splitting is the process of separating two aspects of an experience that have been joined together. For instance in the phobia process, the unpleasant feelings are separated from the visual memory of the traumatic experience. In the forgiveness process, certain ideas or meanings that the person has about forgiveness (for instance that forgiveness is for the other person, or that to forgive means to condone the harmful act) have to be split away from the experience of forgiveness before the person will be willing to forgive.
Joining is the process of putting together two elements that have been separated in the person’s experience. In any process of integrating anchors, such as “changing personal history,” two separate experiences are joined together in the same moment in time. In chaining, two separate experiences are joined in a sequence in time.
Splitting and joining are actually one of the fundamental properties of all nerve cells, and the technical terms in psychology are “discrimination” and “generalization.” When two neurons in the retina of the eye respond differently to a visual stimulus, they are splitting — responding to some difference in brightness, color, etc. When a child responds to two different animals with the same name, “dog,” he is responding to the sameness (four legs, fur, etc.) rather than to the differences (size, color, etc.).
Every experience that we have is a complex structure built of layer upon layer of perceived sameness (joining) and difference (splitting). When we want to change an experience, we will always be changing the perception or understanding of sameness or difference, and this will result in a change in response.
If you think it would be useful to you to learn how to think in these universal terms, it can be very helpful to take an example of any NLP method you know and examine it carefully to determine at each step what is being split and what is being joined. The more you do this, the more it will become an automatic way of thinking that can guide your work.
Another overarching understanding is that all our experience is a never-ending sequence of small “events,” one leading to another in rapid succession. We don’t really have “experiences” or “problems” or “solutions,” we actually have “experiencing,” “probleming,” and “solutioning.” When someone says that they have a “problem” in a “relationship,” they are isolating one small event in a sequence, and thinking of it as if it were a fixed “thing.” When I reply that I understand that there is some aspect of their relating to this person that they don’t like, my words are an invitation to start thinking of it as a changing process, rather than as something fixed and unchanging.
When someone thinks of a “problem” they usually will have a still picture as a representation of it. Simply asking them to allow that still image to become a movie of the event can be a profound intervention, because this will recover the complete sequence of which the “problem” is only a small part. The movie will have far more information than the still picture, and often this information will be very useful in reaching a resolution. And since the moving image is already moving and changing, it is much easier to introduce additional useful changes than if it were a fixed still image.
Combining the idea of joining with sequencing, we realize that two events can be joined simultaneously, or sequentially, one following the other. Thus when we want to change someone's problematic experience to something more resourceful and useful, we have three fundamental choices about combining the “problem state” and the “resource state.” (We really should be saying “probleming” and “resourcing,” but that sounds very awkward, at least in English.) We can combine them simultaneously in a moment in time, or we can provide the resource sequentially, just before or just after the problem occurs.
Each choice will have a somewhat different result, which is hard to describe in words, but can be easily experienced. In the basic method known as “changing personal history,” we anchor a problem state and a resource state. Depending on our timing in triggering the anchors we can combine the states simultaneously, creating a state of integration, or we can create a sequence in which the resource state either precedes or follows the problem state.
If the resource follows the problem state, the person has to first experience the unpleasantness of the problem state, and then the resolution of it enabled by the resource state. Although this will usually work, it is not very elegant, and leaves the person repeatedly experiencing a brief unpleasantness. However, if the resource state precedes the difficult situation, the person will not even experience it as a problem. In fact, this is what most of us experience thousands of times a day, without even noticing. Every day we are faced with a myriad of tasks, from reaching into a pocket or purse for car keys to speaking with someone on the telephone, or reading an article such as this. As long as we have robust behavioral resources to deal with these situations, we don't think of them as problems, because we access the appropriate resource state automatically. But if we were still small children, most of these small tasks would be insurmountable problems. Building in available resources before a potential problem occurs is far more generative and enjoyable than making resources available remedially after a problem has already occurred, and of course this is why we plan ahead and have educational institutions, etc. to prepare us in advance for life’s challenges.
Happily, John McWhirter has described a fascinating and subtle linguistic example of how the mind can be preset to respond in a particular way that, sadly, others have not previously noticed. A “cognitive qualifier” is a “commentary” adverb appearing at the beginning of a sentence or phrase that refers to an emotional or cognitive state, such as “happily” and “sadly” in the previous sentence. A cognitive qualifier prepares the mind to respond in a specified way to whatever words follow.
To experience this effect, think of an ordinary descriptive sentence like, “The green tree is standing in the sunlight,” or “I am sitting at the desk,” and imagine saying this sentence to yourself….
Now imagine saying the exact same sentence, but preceded by the word ”sadly,” and notice how this changes your experience….
Then say the same sentence, but preceded by the word “happily,” and again pay attention to your experience….
When I do this, the “sadly” tree is a little dim and gray, and a little droopy. The “happily” tree is upright, bright and sunny, with sparkles. Cognitive qualifiers direct your mind to think of aspects of an experience that are specified by the kind of qualities used, and this will alter the submodalities.
Understandably, you might feel incongruent about using the qualifier “happily” for some unpleasant events, but luckily there is an alternative resource. Both “sadly” and “happily” refer to emotional states, and most emotions are evaluative, dealing with pleasant or unpleasant, positive or negative. These evaluative qualifiers will sometimes be inappropriate for the content of a particular thought or sentence.
Since this group of cognitive qualifiers miraculously never have negative states associated with them, they are truly universal resources, which can be used with any experience. And since a state of curiosity or interest is an excellent resource state for discovery, learning, and change, this kind of cognitive qualifier is a wonderful state to use in beginning to understand and process a difficult or challenging situation.
To experience this, think of some situation in your life that you might describe as a problem or difficulty, and make up a simple sentence that describes it, such as, “I hate it when people don’t follow through on their promises.” Say your sentence to yourself, and notice how you represent this internally….
Now say the same sentence to yourself, but preceded by the word “interestingly,” or “curiously,” or “understandably,” and pay attention to how this word changes your experience….
One additional important aspect of cognitive qualifiers is that they create a shared and universal world, a frame that embraces us both. It is quite different to say, “I find that interesting,” or “Do you find that interesting?” in which there is a separation or difference between us. When I say “Interestingly” this sets up a frame that embraces us both, is taken for granted, and that we both experience together, without the separation between self and other that many people often feel. This transcends rapport, because rapport presupposes the difference that the rapport bridges.
Surprisingly, with a powerful state of interest and curiosity, many “problems” simply vanish as my attention turns from how unpleasant they are to simply learning how they exist and function, and what I can do to change them. Even when a problem doesn’t vanish, it’s a much more useful place to begin to work toward understanding, and a solution.
I have often heard people say that the opposite of fear is love, but I think it is much more useful to think of the opposite as curiosity. In fear, we move away from an event; in curiosity we move toward it.
Interestingly, the idea that all of life is a school in which we have lessons to learn is a very old idea, and one that is particularly central in certain spiritual traditions. I don't know if it is true or not, but it is a very powerful reorientation for your life as a whole, one that makes life much easier and more enjoyable, both for yourself and for others.
This article originally appeared in Anchor Point, pp. 3-6, October, 1999, tweaked a bit in 2016.
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2019-04-23T09:55:59Z
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http://steveandreas.com/Articles/good-nlper.html
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There are several affidavit Walmart is as acknowledged as it is: It has a huge selection, for instance, and acceptable abundance hours. (In best places, Walmart is accessible 24/7 appealing abundant every day except Christmas.) But for best people, the primary acumen to boutique at Walmart — or on its website — is the bargain prices.
That said, acute shoppers can do alike bigger than aloof advantageous Walmart’s vaunted “everyday low prices.” To absolutely save money at Walmart, use the strategies laid out below.
Many food use abysmal discounts on specific items — sometimes apperceive as “loss leaders” because they don’t crop profits anon — to draw shoppers in. The achievement is that, while you’re there, you’ll browse and buy added high-price (and high-profit) goods. Walmart, on the added hand, is acclaimed for carrying low prices on around aggregate it sells. It’s a archetypal that assures shoppers they can buy appealing abundant annihilation in the abundance after accepting to anguish they’re overpaying.
When Walmart does action discounts beneath those accustomed low prices, however, is aback the accurate bargains appear. In-store and online shoppers should accurately coursing for items apparent as “Rollbacks” — accent advertence that Walmart has afresh cut the amount indefinitely — and for approval sales, which about affection the centermost discounts. The area of approval sections varies at altered Walmart stores, but abounding food put them in the “end caps,” the shelves at the end of an aisle. Start your chase there, and ask an agent for advice if you charge it.
A Walmart area in Panorama City, California.
To coursing for agnate deals online, arch to the “Special Offers” area and clarify your chase to retrieve alone items apparent as approval and acknowledgment sales.
No season, holiday, or appropriate sales accident passes after big promotions and sales from Walmart. Depending on what time of year it is, you’ll acquisition a bulk of melancholia deals at Walmart: back-to-school supplies, Halloween decorations, winter apparel, backyard mowers, patio furniture, barbecue grills, and so on.
On Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and throughout the absolute winter anniversary arcade season, Walmart food and walmart.com are loaded with deals on TVs, toys, video games, Christmas sweaters, home goods, and more. Periodically, Walmart will barrage accidental giveaways — like chargeless donuts for National Doughnut Day, or astounding markdowns on accepted items, like this summer’s huge Burning Pot sale.
Stay in the bend with Walmart promotions by downloading the Walmart app or by signing up for an online anniversary and registering for the Walmart newsletter. You ability additionally appetite to chase the company’s Twitter anniversary and like them on Facebook, area Walmart shares added advice about appropriate offers and sales.
Walmart and Target accept actual agnate chargeless aircraft behavior — and thankfully they’re acceptable and accessible to understand.
At Walmart, online shoppers get chargeless two-day aircraft for millions of items if the absolute acquirement is $35 or more. (Target has about the aforementioned policy, with chargeless two-day aircraft on best orders of $35 or higher.) Be abiding to array your acquirement to hit that $35 threshold, because contrarily you’ll be crumbling money on shipping.
Just apperceive that not all items authorize for chargeless two-day aircraft with Walmart and Target. Abounding advantage don’t qualify; neither do lots of beefy or abundant items.
Amazon, by contrast, offers chargeless two-day aircraft on best items alone for Prime members, who pay $12.99 per ages or $119 per year for the service. It is accessible for non-Prime associates to get chargeless aircraft from Amazon — by agreement a condoning adjustment of $25 or added — but don’t apprehend fast delivery; Amazon’s chargeless aircraft for non-Prime associates about takes bristles to eight business days.
Like abounding banker apps, the Walmart app is advised to accomplish it easier for you to boutique at Walmart — online or in person. Among added features, the app allows you to accomplish purchases bound and accept them delivered or accessible for auto at your bounded store.
But conceivably the Walmart app’s best admired apparatus is the Accumulation Catcher. Use it to browse the cancellation for aggregate you buy at Walmart, aural seven canicule of purchase. The app again compares prices for all of the items purchased with advertised prices from aggressive adjacent retailers — including supermarkets and big box chains like Best Buy and Target. Aback Walmart detects a cheaper amount for an identical anniversary at a aggressive retailer, you’ll accept the amount aberration in the anatomy of a Walmart e-gift card.
The Walmart Accumulation Catcher apparatus on the Walmart app.
If you don’t accept the Walmart app or acquisition it a hassle, you can additionally assurance into your walmart.com anniversary from home to log your receipts, whether from Walmart abundance or walmart.com. Aloof assurance in, bang on “Savings Catcher” and add your cancellation by entering the date of purchase.
A brace of years ago, Walmart concluded its longstanding convenance of analogous the prices displayed in adversary ads aback a chump brought up a appeal at the register. While the Accumulation Catcher apparatus basically allows Walmart shoppers to still get amount matches, online shoppers can additionally get Walmart to bout prices with abounding added big-name retailers, including Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Walgreens, Cabela’s, and abounding added online competitors.
To get a amount bout online, you charge acquaintance Walmart’s chump affliction centermost (email or online babble is best). Before extensive out, bifold analysis that an acceptable adversary has a lower amount than Walmart for the exact aforementioned anniversary — aforementioned brand, size, style, and so on. Analysis out the abounding agreement of Walmart.com’s price-matching action here.
As for in-store amount matches: They haven’t absolutely disappeared, alike if they’re no best a accepted practice. Shoppers address that some Walmart locations still bout adversary prices if you appearance an ad with lower prices at the Walmart register.
Walmart’s website has a area committed to affairs acutely discounted refurbished electronics, including laptops, TVs, cellphones, tablets, and more. Refurbished items awash by Walmart accept all of their aboriginal accessories and appear with a 90-day minimum warranty.
The alternative is bound and adequately random. But if you’re accommodating in your hunting and are adjustable with models, you can snag some abundant deals. For example, we begin a refurbished 40-inch Samsung Acute TV listed at Walmart for $235. The aforementioned TV in aboriginal action was priced at $450 at Amazon.
Walmart’s acclaim cards accept no anniversary fees, and you about get an burning $25 acclaim for your aboriginal acquirement aback you’re accustomed for a new card. That’s the acceptable part.
The so-so part: Walmart cards are not absolutely as acceptable with rewards as the cards affiliated with competitors like Target and Amazon. Target’s RedCard gives a collapsed 5% abatement on about all Target purchases, online or in the store. The Amazon Prime acclaim card, accessible alone to Prime members, gives 5% aback on purchases fabricated at Amazon and Whole Foods. Walmart’s acclaim cards, on the added hand, accord shoppers a added bashful 3% off walmart.com purchases, including advantage for pickup, and alone 1% for purchases fabricated in concrete Walmart stores.
That agency it takes a little action to aerate your accumulation at Walmart: You’ll appetite to use the company’s acclaim card, but accomplish as abounding purchases online as possible. That way, you get 3% off, rather than 1% off in the store. You can accept those items delivered or align for chargeless auto in your bounded Walmart — whatever’s added convenient.
Note that you should alone get a Walmart acclaim agenda if you will be able to pay off the antithesis in abounding every month. If you can’t, again the absorption accuse will outweigh any accumulation you’d contrarily get from the card.
We’ve included associate links into this article. Bang actuality to apprentice what those are.
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2019-04-18T20:37:22Z
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https://vuustad.com/what-makes-walmart-credit-card-sign-in-so-addictive-that-you-never-want-to-miss-one-walmart-credit-card-sign-in/47818/
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To skip to Action Step 4, click here.
As children, most of us remember seeing and having the bejesus scared out of us by the movie, The Wizard of Oz. Poor cute little ole Dorothy, lost in a strange world of good and evil, who accidentally became the target of the purely evil, wicked Witch of the West.
Only one person could save her: the all-powerful Wizard of Oz.
It must be true – and worth the dangerous trek to see him. Everyone in the fantasy land of Oz agreed. The Wizard could – and would – save her!
The Wizard’s power was all an illusion.
Behind the curtain was a little man, caught red-handed manipulating the mirage.
Alone and exposed, he was meek and quivering, a mere shell of the powerful persona he had created and sold to the entire populace.
RTC was not intended to be the all-powerful entity it has evolved into, with a singular, “Chairman of the Board,” pope-like ruler over the entirety of Scientology.
The authority of David Miscavige is all an illusion. LRH intended one-man rule to end upon his death, to be replaced by multiple cross checks and balances in three separate corporations ruled by seven boards of trustees and directors.
RTC is organized pursuant to California Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law, and thereby is subject to that law, which is set forth California Corporation Code, beginning at section 9110.
1.The filing of Articles of Incorporation setting forth the name and general purpose of the corporation. Section 9120. To view RTC’s articles, click here.
2.Bylaws must be adopted to regulate and manage the affairs of the corporation. Section 9140. To view RTC bylaws, click here.
3.The corporation must abide by: a) its Articles; b) its Bylaws; and c) Corporate law. Section 9140.
4.Each corporation must have and be managed by a board of directors. Section 9150.
5.The board of directors may delegate but is ultimately responsible for all affairs and activities of the corporation. Section 9150.
6.A board of directors shall have a chair (head of the board). Section 9123.
7.Each director shall have one vote and a majority vote is required on each act of the board. Directors may not vote by proxy (i.e., give up their vote to another). Section 9211.
The RTC bylaws created and approved by LRH call for two boards: (1) a board of trustees and (2) a board of directors.
The initial trustees, who were selected or approved by LRH, were appointed for life.
Section 1. Purpose. The sole purpose of the Board of Trustees shall be to elect Directors of the corporation. In furtherance of this purpose the Trustees may remove a Director who fails to meet the qualification of a Director or who conducts himself in a manner which is contrary to the provisions of Articles I through IV of these Bylaws and the survival of Scientology.
The trustees are supposed to meet annually.
i. Election or removal of Directors.
The RTC board of general directors is charged with overseeing the activities and affairs of RTC. There are 3 general directors, one of which is the chairman of the board.
●May not be elected from among the trustees.
This means that the RTC trustees, who were approved by LRH and appointed for life, are senior to the chairman of the board of RTC (COB RTC).
Obviously, the RTC Trustees can only exercise this LRH-given power if they are truly independent of, and not subject to removal or dominance by, the chairman of the board.
Based on the foregoing, it is clear that LRH’s vision for the governance of RTC depends completely upon the independence of its boards, particularly its board of trustees.
As we set forth on this website, our investigation found substantial evidence that the boards of trustees and general directors of CST, as well as the boards of trustees of CSI and RTC, are “sham boards,” completely dominated by David Miscavige. See, Existing Scene.
●Miscavige – not CSI, as LRH directed – administers justice over RTC trustees.
None of the members we interviewed had even read the corporate bylaws or state law and IRS requirements for tax-exempt status, let alone understood them. They had never been trained for their positions.
Trustees, who were selected by LRH, did not even know their positions were for life.
OSA Int, by the way, is in Department 20, Division 7, of CSI. According to the claims of former high-ranking RTC and OSA executives, Miscavige micro-manages OSA Int. So, we have in effect, if true, Miscavige controlling the RTC boards of trustees. In other words, the boards are “sham” boards, mere “rubber stamps” of David Miscavige.
And thus, if true, the safeguard established in RTC trustees by LRH has been nullified.
The power to remove and elect general directors – including the chairman of the board – has been usurped by Miscavige in betrayal of LRH’s last wishes for the governance of Scientology.
The CST special directors – and other lawyers who owe fiduciary duties to Scientology corporations – facilitated this massive betrayal of LRH. They can help to restore LRH Intent or be held accountable.
Please help to remind them of their legal duties. Let them know that you know. Let them know that you care and intend to backup LRH.
1)Read the Demand for Compliance Audit letter to CST Special Directors.
2)Send a letter of support to a law firm retained by us, stating your support for the Compliance Audit.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS & ALL PRIOR ACTION STEPS.
3)Spread the word. Inform other Scientologists you know of the situation by disseminating one-page flyers to them by: A) email, B) regular mail, or by C) simply stuffing the flyers on their windshields or in their mail boxes. The flyers are intended to alert other Scientologists to the situation we are addressing. See “Instructions” below to download the flyer.
5. Stay tuned for Action Series 5.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged chairman of the board of RTC, church of scientology, COB RTC, CST special directors, David Miscavige, dm, Independence of RTC (Trustees), L. Ron Hubbard, LRH, Religious Technology Center, rtc, RTC trustees, Scientology. Bookmark the permalink.
Hey, nice job on this latest article!
First I’d just like to say that you’re all performing a valuable service here.
That said however there is one point I’d like to clear up here and that is that there never was one man rule over the Scientology Network.
From the beginning the Churches have always had Boards of Directors or Trustees.
True Ron was the original ED WW but he resigned from this post in 1966 and turned all control of the organization over to the Board of Directors of the Church of Scientology of California and assumed the title of “Founder”.
This by the way means founder of the subject *not* the organization. Something he emphasized in RJ 38.
The original founder of the organization itself was J Burton Farber a Scientologist who filed the incorporation papers in the State of California in 1954.
RTC was never established by him either according to the above RJ.
The only reason that Ron agreed to assign the Trademarks to this entity was because they convinced him that they would “preserve and maintain the integrity” of the subject.
Also just in case CST fails to live up to its obligation to wrest the subject from those who would pervert and undermine the subject for their own ends.
Many who support Miscavige as Scientology’s “pope” or “leader”.
There is also the option of demanding that HCOPL 15 Nov 58 THE SUBSTANCE AND FIRST DUTY OF HCO be fully enforced.
RJ, thanks for visiting our site and the validation.
The point you attempt to clarify, however, is incorrect. As we know today having a board of directors is one thing; having an independent board is another. The boards during LRH’s life were not independent and anyone on command channels can confirm LRH’s leadership role.
Not sure of your information about RTC but your conclusions are certainly incorrect. LRH oversaw the corporate sort-out (including creation of RTC) concurrent with his estate plan through attorneys and a mission headed by DM.
If is possibile link Lareception.wordpress.com on this website for the italian readers is apreciate .
My italian indie blog is without confidential data .
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2019-04-25T14:03:34Z
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http://blog.savescientology.com/action-series-4-independence-of-rtc-trustees/
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To M/T Vivi on the "Ships starting with V" page.
Picture received (via Neil Carlsen) from Dag Midbøe who served on this ship from June-1939 until Nov.-1940.
Some of the early voyage details given below were also received from him.
(See also text for Leiv Eiriksson).
Tonnage: 6546 gt, 9815 tdwt., 11 knots.
Delivered from Akers mek. Verksted, Oslo in Oct.-1932 as Vivi to A/S Vestheim (Halfdan Ditlev-Simonsen & Co.), Oslo. 433' x 58.1' x 26.3'. Dbl. scr. 2 x 6 cyl. 4T singl. 550/100, 2300 bhp B&W DM, 11 knots. (Sister ship of M/T Dageid).
Captain: Mads Ansgar Danielsen, from 1940 until the end of the war.
Other crew members are named within the text.
Under The Ministry of War Transport from Apr. 30-1940 and managed by Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. In service on the Atlantic and Far East, usually with aviation fuel.
May 21 Bermuda portion joined main convoy HX 43 Straggled May 24.
June 12 Milford Haven OB 166 For Gibraltar.
Detached to OG 33, June 13.
June 13 Joined from OB 166 Gibraltar June 19 OG 33 Convoy will be added.
Dec. 25 Milford Haven OB 265 For Port Arthur.
March 26 Loch Ewe OB 302 Dispersed March 30.
June 7 Milford Haven OB 331 Dispersed June 19.
Aug. 10 Milford Haven ON 6 For NYC.
Oct. 1 Milford Haven ON 22 For NYC.
Jan. 13 Aden Suez Jan. 25* Independent *Page 2 gives arrival Jan. 19.
May 25* Adelaide Port Pirie May 31 Independent *Page 3 gives departure May 29.
June 26 Adelaide Abadan Independent Page 3 gives arrival July 30.
Sept. 19 Bandar Abbas PB 3 For Melbourne.
July 11 Sydney, N.S.W. CO 108 Dispersed July 13.
Haifa/Tripoli, Syria/Egypt to Aug. 22-1944.
1944 Aug. 23 Port Said Oran Sept. 2 GUS 50 Port Said to Oran.
Sept. 11 Oran Baltimore Sept. 28 GUS 51 Oran to USA.
Nov. 14 Belfast Lough Philadelphia Dec. 2 ON 266 Convoy will be added.
Dec. 19 New York City Liverpool Jan. 3-1945 HX 327 See also narrative below.
1945 Jan. 13 Liverpool Cape Cod Canal Jan. 31* ON 278 *Page 5 gives arrival Jan. 29.
Jan. 29 Cape Cod Canal New York City Jan. 30 Independent Fire Febr. 5-1945.
May 5 New York City NK 685 Detached May 10.
Oct. 10 Bremerhaven Corpus Christi Independent Page 6 gives arrival Nov. 2 (via Downs).
Nov. 14* Corpus Christi Clyde Nov. 26 Independent *Page 6 gives departure Nov. 4 (via New York).
Based on the captain's report, as well as crew member Dag Midbøe's documents. As will be seen, when comparing their info with the details found in the original archive images, some dates are different, but rather than correcting them I've left them as they appear in the captain's report and/or Midbøe's docs.
The information has been compared to, and supplemented with, convoy information from misc. other sources. Follow the links provided for more details - several Norwegian ships took part (all the HX convoys will later be updated, for now, go to ships in all HX convoys).
In the summer of 1939, Vivi was in coastal service between various ports in the U.K.: Liverpool-Hull-Stanford le Hope-Swansea-Avonmouth-Falmouth, then went from Falmouth to Abadan. She departed Abadan for Lands End for orders on Aug. 8. Due to the outbreak of war, she was ordered into Lisbon on Sept. 4, then proceeded to Liverpool, arriving Oct. 18-1939, leaving Liverpool on Oct. 20 for Corpus Christi, arriving Nov. 10. Left Corpus Christi on Nov. 22 for Gothenburg via Bergen, Norway, but was stopped by a British Naval vessel on Dec. 7 and taken into Kirkwall that same day. Departed Kirkwall for Bergen on Dec. 11 with arrival the following day, leaving that same day (Dec. 12) for Gothenburg, where she arrived on Dec. 16-1939.
"Germany has invaded Norway and Denmark. As a result, all Danish and Norwegian shipping is to be taken under British protection. You must therefore go straight to a British Port and report to the Naval Control Service Officer. He will give you orders for your safety and instructions about the route you should follow. You may go to any of the following ports: Halifax (Nova Scotia), Bermuda, Nassau (Bahamas), Kingston (Jamaica), and Port of Spain (Trinidad). Please inform me which port you choose and your expected time of arrival. In the meantime, you should make preparations for painting out the National emblems on your side, and for darkening your ship if so ordered. Do not make any wireless signal except to report enemy attack or in case of distress. The Naval Control Service Officer will arrange for you to communicate with your owners on arrival."
Signed Charles Yambe, Captain Royal Navy.
Vivi headed for Port of Spain (arrived Apr. 15), where they had to wait for quite a while before all the necessary papers etc. were in order (see my page about Nortraship for info on the difficulties experienced by Norwegian ships in those early days of the war). Many other Norwegian ships were already there, with more arriving every day until there were about 25-30 Norwegian ships waiting for further orders. Once everything had been taken care of, she picked up a cargo of petrol (on Scheme to Anglo-Saxon) - she left Port of Spain on May 8, arrived Bermuda May 15, joining convoy Convoy BHX 43 that same day and arrived Avonmouth on May 30. After the petrol had been discharged (possibly in Cardiff, where she had arrived from Avonmouth on June 5), she was sent to Abadan on June 8 to load aviation fuel for the U.K. By the time the convoy* she was in reached Gibraltar, Italy had entered the war (June 10-1940) and the convoy was routed around South Africa. Vivi stopped at Cape Town, where she was ordered to have degaussing and protection around the bridge installed in Port Elisabeth. This was done, and she continued to Abadan, where she arrived on Aug. 14. The aviation fuel was loaded and on Aug. 16, she started on her return voyage to the U.K., via Cape Town and Freetown (arr. Sept. 28) for convoy. She joined Convoy SL 50 in Freetown on Oct. 3 (see the external link provided in the Voyage Record - the Norwegian Beduin, Maridal and Salamis are also listed). On arrival Barry Roads on Oct. 26 they had to wait for quite a while before they could continue and had some nerve racking moments, because several other ships around them struck mines that had been dropped in the area by German aircraft. She left Barry Roads on Nov. 5-1940 and arrived Avonmouth that same day. Please compare these details with the information found on Page 1 of the archive documents, as well as the above Voyage Record (as already mentioned, some of the dates are different).
* Vivi is listed in Convoy OB 166 in this time period (external link). The convoy originated in Liverpool on June 11-1940 and joined up with Convoy OA 166 on the 13th, the combined convoy forming Convoy OG 33, which arrived Gibraltar on June 19. This convoy will be added to an individual page in my Convoys section, in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named on the page listing ships in all OG convoys.
After her aviation fuel had been discharged, Vivi went to Barry Docks for the installation of armament, before she headed across the Atlantic (it'll be noticed, when going back to Page 1, that she spent several weeks in Barry). She's listed as bound for Port Arthur in Convoy OB 265, which originated in Liverpool on Dec. 26-1940 and dispersed on the 30th - again, see the external link in the table above; Bianca and Somerville (returned) are also mentioned. According to the archive document, Vivi arrived Port Arthur on Jan. 18-1941, having started out from Milford Haven on Dec. 25.
She subsequently continued in this service, usually with aviation fuel. For instance, in Febr.-1941 she can be found in Convoy BHX 109 from Bermuda (main convoy will be added - see ships in all HX convoys - Augvald was sunk; follow the link for details), and towards the end of March we find her in Convoy OB 302, which originated in Liverpool on March 24 and dispersed 6 days later (also available via the external link in the Voyage Record - Alaska, Polartank, Solstad, Stigstad and Torvanger [Commodore Vessel] are also listed). No destination is given for Vivi on that occasion, but going back to Page 1, we see that she arrived Curacao on Apr. 16, having sailed from Loch Ewe on March 26. On Apr. 30, she joined Convoy HX 124 from Halifax, and in June she's listed, together with Barbro, Elg, Hardanger, Havsten, Hellen, Ida Knudsen, Solfonn, Torfinn Jarl and Troubdour, in Convoy OB 331, which originated in Liverpool June 8 and dispersed June 19, Vivi arriving Halifax on June 22, proceeding to New Orleans that same day - her voyages in this period are shown on Page 2.
In July, she sailed back to the U.K. in Convoy HX 139 (the Commodore's report is also available), and the following month, she's listed as bound for New York with Convoy ON 6, which left Liverpool on Aug. 11-1941 and dispersed on the 24th, Vivi arriving New York Aug. 28. On Sept. 4, she shows up in station 76 of Convoy HX 148 from Halifax. Other Norwegian ships were Ørnefjell (55), James Hawson (83), Grey County (93), Stigstad (64), Idefjord (35), Egda (54), Herbrand (52) and Mirlo (23), as well as the Panamanian Norvinn (Norwegian managers, therefore listed on this website, station 53 - A. Hague has also included Gefion). Early the following month, she joined the westbound Convoy ON 22*, originating in Liverpool Oct. 2, dispersed Oct. 15, Vivi arriving New York Oct. 19. Eglantine is named among the escorts - see ON convoy escorts. She now took on board a cargo for South Africa, then went from there to Abadan, and later made some voyages from the latter port to Suez, India and Australia - again, see Page 2, as well as Page 3.
In Dec. 1942, she arrived San Pedro where she underwent an extensive overhaul which took 6 months, meaning she was not ready to go back to sea until June-1943, at which time she started carrying diesel oil and crude oil as well as fuel oil, often short voyages. She had loaded diesel oil in San Pedro for Australia, then went to Abadan where cargo was loaded for Port Said and Alexandria. She subsequently carried crude oil between Tripoli and Haifa (as will be seen on Page 3, she had a long stay in Haifa in the fall of 1943), with an occasional voyage to Port Said and Alexandria with fuel oil (see also Page 4 and Page 5), continuing in this type of service until Aug.-1944, when she was sent to the U.S. for repairs of misc. damages (convoy info in Voyage Record). These repairs may have been done in Baltimore - it'll be noticed, when going back to the archive document, that she had a long stay there in the fall of 1944.
Vivi now entered Trans-Antlantic service again for the rest of the war. She joined Convoy HX 316 from New York in Oct.-1944, bound for Belfast and Heysham (Commodore in Abraham Lincoln, Vice Commodore in Brimanger), returning across the Atlantic with Convoy ON 266* (departure Southend Nov. 12, arrival New York Dec. 3; Vivi arrived Philadelphia Dec. 2, having started out from Belfast Lough on Nov. 14). She was scheduled for HX 324 from New York on Dec. 4, but did not sail and was also cancelled from HX 325 and HX 326. She eventually got away with HX 327 on Dec. 19, for which the Norwegian Ivaran served as Commodore Vessel. Vivi arrived Manchester, via Liverpool and Eastham, on Jan. 6-1945 (Page 5).
* The ON convoys will be added to individual pages in my Convoys section in due course, along with further details on each. In the meantime, the ships sailing in them (and escorts) are named in the section listing ships in all ON convoys. As will be seen, they all had several Norwegian ships.
Vivi had a complement of 40 at the time. Captain Danielsen and Able Seaman Hjalmar Gundersen had gone ashore in a motorboat at 08:45 that morning, just before the alarm was sounded, when the tanker Springhill was seen to be on fire. In a letter from Nortraship, New York to Nortraship, London it was stated that the two ships were about 50-100 meters away from Vivi when the accident happened. An able seaman still on board had seen the collision and realized immediately that the situation was dangerous, so he ran down to his cabin to get his lifevest, but by the time he got back on deck, the fire had already reached Vivi, which was only about 50 yards away from Springhill. Clio had been inward bound in ballast when she ran into the T2 tanker (according to A. Hague, Clio had arrived New York from Puerto la Cruz on Jan. 31, and returned to Puerto la Cruz on Febr. 8). Burning aviation fuel was flung high up in the air and landed all around Vivi, as well as on her deck.
Efforts were made to rescue some of Springhill's men who had jumped overboard and were swimming and drifting with the current towards Vivi, but these efforts had to be abandoned when she herself was engulfed in flames. The starboard aft boat and the 2 rafts there were launched, while those amidships could not be reached because of the smoke and flames. 25 men were able to get into the lifeboat, but it was quickly surrounded by the flames and set on fire, so they had to jump overboard and try to save themselves by swimming away as fast as they could. Some were picked up by the U.S Coast Guard's vessels and by tugs which had arrived on the scene, and were as quickly as possible taken to the U.S. Marine Hospital, Staten Island.
Meanwhile, Chief Engineer Alfred Toftevaag, the 2nd Engineer and 4 mechanics were in the engine room, with the initial intent of starting the engine to get her out. But when she became surrounded by flames within minutes, and smoke started to fill the room, orders were given to abandon this idea and get off the ship. This proved to be impossible, however, so the chief gave orders for full speed ahead for both engines, and after 10 minutes the air was clear enough that they were able to escape through the emergency exit. Once on deck, Vivi was still seen to be on fire, but she was now out of the area of the burning fuel in the water. Their attempts to extinguish the fire had to be given up because they were unable to get any water flowing through the hose, but at that time fire fighters came alongside, and coast guard vessels took the 4 mechanics on board. The fire was extinguished at 11 o'clock.
It so happened that the 6 who had stayed on board until it was too late to leave were, in fact, the ones who not only saved the ship by maneuvering her away from the fire, thereby enabling the coast guard and fire fighters to come alongside, but they were also the ones who had escaped injury altogether, while all those who had managed to get off the ship and into a lifeboat had varying degrees of injuries.
The 1st mate and the boatswain had died when they ran to the front of the ship to try to lift anchor. Their bodies were later found together with that of the carpenter, and all 3 were buried in Brooklyn on Febr. 9-1945.
Galley Boy Tu Chi Teze.
Note that the Memorial for Seamen in Stavern, Norway, which I've linked to below, has added an 8th Norwegian casualty, namely 3rd Mate Peder A. Nilsen.
A British gunner, Eric Gardner saved the life of his shipmate, the Norwegian gunner Yngvar Øistein Heier after they had abandoned the burning lifeboat.
2nd Mate at this time was J. Ødegård.
In spite of the damages, Vivi's cargo and oil hoses on deck were unharmed, and a couple of days later the diesel oil was discharged.
Following the fire, Vivi spent 3 months repairing in New York, and had just taken on a new cargo to continue her service, when word was received that the war had ended in Europe. Her subsequent voyages are shown on Page 5 and Page 6, up to and including Apr.-1946 - again, see also A. Hague's Voyage Record above.
Sold in March-1955 for breaking up in the U.K.
Stavern Memorial commemorations - 8 Norwegians are commemorated at this memorial for seamen in Stavern, Norway. The names and titles correspond to the ones I've listed above. This website has added 3rd Mate Peder A. Nilsen. I looked him up in "Våre falne", a series of 4 books naming Norwegians who died during the war, but cannot find him. According to this book, Carpenter A. Anundsen is buried at Fresh Pond Crematory.
Back to M/T Vivi on the "Ships starting with V" page.
The text on this page was compiled with the help of: "Nortraships flåte", J. R. Hegland, "19 Oslo-skips historie under verdenskrigen, fra April 1940 til krigens slutt i 1945" (The story of 19 Oslo ships during WW II), Harald Nicolaisen - 1945, and misc. - (ref. My sources).
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2019-04-24T04:33:30Z
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http://warsailors.com/singleships/vivi.html
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TOMunro: Belated Happy Self-Publishing Day to me.
On the 11th June 2013 I launched Lady of the Helm, first book in my Bloodline trilogy. In December this was followed by book two, Wrath of the Medusa and in June 2014 I reviewed my first year's experience in a blog post here.
I am now a month overdue for a second state of the nation review. So apologies to those who, having made my previous annual review my second most popular blog page, might have expected a more timely follow up. In my defence it has been an eventful year both in my fantasy writing life and the real world life of work at a job that pays the bills and presents its own challenges and opportunities.
As you will see, the trilogy was completed in November 2014 when Volume Three "Master of the Planes" hit the kindle shelves, nearly 12 months since Book Two made its debut.
My experience of books has been something like my experience of baby daughters, in that they have got bigger as they went on.
There is an undeniable satisfaction in having completed the trilogy, bringing the disparate story arcs to a definitive conclusion. While my current work in progress revisits that world and some of its characters in a epilogue that seems set to grow to two books, the story of Niarmit and Maelgrum has been wrestled to its conclusion. It has been nearly two decades since the first germs of the ideas at the heart of Niarmit's tale began to form in my mind as I paced serried rows of desks in exam invigilation.
I am still satisfied with my decision to self-publish. A mixture of expediency and control motivated me down that path and the demands and remuneration available through my day job make it unlikely that my writing will graduate from hobby to (main) career anytime soon.
Nonetheless, there is still no thrill quite like getting feedback from an excited reader's positive review, or watching spikes in sales and a climbing ranking.
Never mind that - tell us about the sales.
I have sold more books than many, and a lot less than others. I have, just about earned more money than I have spent but we are talking here about a few meals out not a holiday in the Bahamas still less a new house or car. There is a kind of logarithmic scale to author sales where relative success rates are best compared in powers of ten. Selling 10 times more than one person might make me seem relatively successful, but then I have sold 10s, hundreds, thousands times less than the better sellers.
In addition for much of the second year the books have been enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited programme with another 360 "borrows." Given the modest prices, and even more modest royalty returns that I have set, the amount each of these borrows have earned is comparable to what a sale earns, so in my mind I think of them as sales.
You will notice the spectacular peak around Christmas 2014 and that since then things have been a little quiet. As a soldier on dawn guard duty in a war film might say, "It's too damn quiet." There is doubtless some seasonality at work and also there is the curve in the life cycle of any book, but at some point I will try to put a little more effort into promotion.
There will be those who will find those figures risable, and others who find them enviable, such is the broad logarithmic spectrum of indie book sales.
While the books are all now available in hard copy through create space, the figures there are drops in the ocean. Handfuls bought by me for onward distribution, or family, or the occasional devoted reader who hankers for the reality of paper pages. However, I am "in a school library", my youngest daughter having struck up a conversation with the librarian and got a set of my books on a Belfast school shelf.
The Changing Landscape of Amazon.
I have kept my books not just with Amazon, but in their Kindle Direct Programme. I know others have eschewed the media behemoth and fair play to those pursuing a range of indie paths. Seek out B&N and Kobo and push your books as hard and as wide as you can.
For myself though, convenience and expediency rule. I simply have not found the time to pursue those other possibilities. I have still made little use of the KDP offers - kindle countdown deals, or even free book promotions or the amazon adverts. But for the last few months my kindle unlimited borrows - only available through KDP select programme - have been nearly as numerous as the sales so I have been loath to part with them.
And now the way borrows are calculated and paid has changed in a way which works particularly to my benefit. You see my books are long, 400, 500 and 725 pages and in the past borrows of my books were getting the same (slightly variable) flat rate of just over $1 as short 38 page pamphlets were getting. But now Amazon will pay by the page read and even if it is only 1/2 a cent a page I'll be paid between $2 and $3.13 for a read of my books, which is more than I get by selling them.
So Jeff Bezos has lured me in for a few more months at least.
Every time a reader says "I don't believe in reviews" somewhere a self-published author dies. Well, o.k. I exaggerate. But it is hard to underestimate how in their solitary toil an author can crave the feedback, the endorsement, the validation even, of a review. Especially we love to see if the effects we sought to create did have the impact we hoped on our readers.
It is always a delight to interact with a vibrant online community of authors and readers.
In particular it was a privilege to get invited as a judge in another short story competition. "The Liar's Key" flash fiction competition run on the ThatThornGuy.com website. Seeing great writing, exchanging views with great authors, and finding a huge convergence of opinion about what constituted a real quality effort was fascinating.
It was also great to have the chance to put my own book forward for Mark Lawrence's self-published fantasy blog-off with over 250 titles submitted to ten busy fantasy bloggers in a bid to unearth a potential gem. It is a long task for those ten volunteers, and I speak as one who is way off track for my personal target to read 42 books in a whole year.
I am curious as to how it turns out for Lady of the Helm, but I know my book is not to everyone's tastes. I am just glad it has fascinated as many people as it has.
The Lows - Hard Lessons.
Alongside the general positivity, less favourable reviews can hurt. To return to my earlier analogy, an author's books are like our children. Sure we know they have imperfections. Those flaws which we are, if not wilfully blind to, at least minded to overlook. Having them thrown into harsh relief by an unfavourable review, either pithy in its disparagement, or surgically detailed in its criticism is like being told "Jeez, but your kid's ugly."
Nonetheless they are instructive. Even in the negative reviews I still recognise the book they are describing, it is simply that the reviewers attach a different weight to certain features in building their overall impression of the book.
For some the tropes were too familiar, the variations insufficiently distinctive.
This may have been more an issue for those voracious consumers of large volumes of fantasy for whom a certain trope ennui is understandable. I might be disappointed that they did not see the twists in the same way that others did, but no book works for everyone. This trilogy's genesis lay in my own desire to develop and tell a story on a traditional epic fantasy scale. That won't be to every reader's taste, nor will it describe every book I write, as my sources of inspiration change. Reader and author must I guess merely accept that and move on.
For another the dispensability of apparently main characters was too bleak.
While some reviewers made complimentary references to a GRRM like ruthlessness, one other stopped reading in belief that there was too little hope of a happy ending. That's partly how the story had to be set up from the start and - like a medieval parent in an age of high infant mortality - it is unwise for the reader of this trilogy to form deep attachments to characters too early in the scheme of things. It is not that I am averse to (some) characters enjoying a (sort of) happy ending. It's just that a story should change a character, otherwise what's the point. Even Frodo did not escape the war of the ring unscathed.
At the Grim Gathering in Bristol, Joe Abercrombie was asked if he ever felt so engaged with one of his characters that he changed his story to spare them from a planned fate. His reply was illuminating, to the effect that his characters were simply the tools with which he tormented his readers. Their purpose was to evince a reaction in the reader, their long planned fate, simply an opportunity for Joe to fetch a fresh and exciting tool from his box of characters.
"The characters are well developed and serve their time well until their usefulness to the plot expires – at which point they tend to follow suit."
There are a few characters who owe their survival to the intervention of my youngest daughter and beta reader who refused to let me kill them off as I read the developing work to her at bedtime. To be fair, their survival certainly enabled me to enrich later parts of the story.
I read a fellow self-published author's work a while back and met that same disconcerting effect of a character in whom the author and reader had invested time and effort suddenly dying - and indeed doing so off stage. That and those reviews have minded me to be a little less cavalier with my own darlings. After all, death is not the only peril a character can face, mere survival is not the only challenge. I've got a long way into my current work in progress without having to kill anyone off - however I'm sure it won't last.
There were always going to be multiple points of view. I originally conceived of the book in vaguely cinematic terms with parallel storylines portrayed through flip-flopping scenes showing a sequence of events occurring simultaneously for different characters. It's a motif that I stuck with through the trilogy, but I must admit when I was looking at a print run proof copy and seeing some scenes that are less than a page long I did think, "Maybe that's a bit too choppy and changy." I mean as the author I always knew what was going on and could see the logic in the juxtaposition of scenes. But then I'm writing for the reader not for me.
So the scenes did get longer as the trilogy went on, and in my work in progress several of them are almost long enough to be called chapters, while I have limited myself to three major and one minor PoV characters. This was partly in the (so far vain) hope that this would keep the word count at the lower end of the epic scale.
I was a year and a half into my self-published adventure before any review mentioned poor quality of editing as an issue and then two did in quick succession and it stung. In particular the question being raised as to whether there had been any editing at all. Now, my books were not perfect, but certainly they were repeatedly subjected to self-editing. I figured, English is my native language, my colleagues at work think I'm a fairly literate fellow, I write reports and letters and manage to avoid offending with any grammatical faux pas. Sure I can manage this. And I did check and re-check, so the suggestion that there had been no effort at all at editing was right up there with the "Your child's pig ugly" comment on the hurt scale.
For most readers the editing was not an issue, but when mistakes are pointed out you do start to think "Oh crap!" and hang your head a little. We're talking here about the odd typo. There was the occasional name misspelled or in one mortifying case, not changed from an earlier completely different iteration of the story when Odestus was called Olwen. There was also a particular grammatical issue over capitalisation within quote marks. I've seen a lot worse edited self-published books and I've seen similar errors in some traditionally published books - just fewer of them. But the fact of the matter is that you do need a second pair of eyes, and ideally a trained pair to take a look at it. And those people who notice these things, really notice these things.
Given the margins and sale volumes that most self published books work on, professional editing will wipe out whatever potential profit margin exists for many of those books. However, I am keen to explore what difference it can make, so my next book will get a professional edit - I'll call it an investment in my hobby. In the meantime, the joy of e-books and createspace print on demand publishing is that necessary corrections can be made and can go live instantly.
The story changed and developed over many years. It is hard to think back and recall when certain points of the story got pinned down.
Quintala the half-elf lady was originally Quintor the half-elf man.
I really can't remember when I decided who was sharing Bishop Udecht's bed, but it must have been early on.
I knew some key plot devices like how the great weapon worked very early on, but I still had no idea how that would help defeat the Dark Lord.
The throwaway character in a single scene in book two suddenly became a pivotal player in book three, to the point that I was somewhat embarrassed his name was so similar to well known grimdark icon and tried to disguise the similarity with a nickname.
But I suppose the biggest surprise is how far the readers warmed to Dema, the Medusa. Even the critics thought her the most intriguing person in the story. Much as I liked writing her, I never thought she would be the trilogy's unique selling point. But then again, how many other fantasy epics can boast a medusa!
Thanks for the thoughtful report on your experience with self-publishing. I'm always curious to see what other people have done, and how their books fared. I think you were reasonably successful.
As a self-publisher, one of the biggest issues confronting me is whether to hire professionals to do the editing, cover design, and typesetting. These things are fairly expensive and, as you point out, would take the profits, and more. Therein lies the conundrum.
When we self-publish, we become not only writers, but also publishers. Publishers have editors, cover designers, and typesetters. To some extent, they have marketing and publicity people. All professionals in their trade.
Editors have (hopefully) studied in great depth where the commas go, how a sentence is structured, and how a story is constructed.
Cover designers (hopefully) have studied art and design.
Even if you assume that most self-published authors can write at a professional level (which they can’t), they certainly cannot design a cover or edit a book at a professional level.
For us as self-published authors to do this work ourselves is analogous to someone with no musical training reading a book on how to play the piano, and then going on stage to give a concert. The result would be the musical equivalent of what self-publishing is today: largely a bunch of amateurs pumping out sub-par work and producing it in sub-par form.
In your case, I’ll start by saying that your covers are quite good, and you have a common brand design.
I do not read the type of book you write, but I looked at the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon. You would definitely benefit from the services of a line editor. One thing that stuck out to me was your use of two spaces after a period. That’s not the standard anymore in typing, and you never saw it in books.
There were, on the first page, places where commas were missing, and words should have been hyphenated. I don’t fault you as a writer, because these things are sometimes not obvious. That’s where an editor comes in.
I looked at the print version of one of your books. It appears to have been set in a sans serif font. You will not find a professionally published book in such a font. It’s also not properly typeset. For example, there are large spaces between words due to forcing full justification. These things may sound petty and nit-picky, but that’s what doing professional work is all about.
The point is not to criticize you. You have worked hard and made a meaningful contribution to the world. The point is that to be both writers and publishers, we need to hold ourselves to a high standard.
If a writer can’t afford an editor, typesetter, and cover designer, then the writer must master the basic principles of these things. There are articles all over the internet on the principles of typesetting a book, for example. Which fonts to use, and which not to use. The same is true of cover design and editing.
Self-publishing will never shed its stigma of poor quality and amateurish writing, because that’s what it fosters, and that’s largely what it is. But for those of us like you and me, we can establish the exception.
For an example of what a self-published book can be, take a look at “The Gondola Maker,” by Laura Morelli. Professional cover design, professionally edited, and professionally typeset.
That is an awesome, detailed analysis. I'm sure my graph mirrors yours since I started self-publishing two and a half years ago. I didn't start using the KDP Select though, and only on certain books, until late in 2014 when I saw my sales going to crap...not much relief with that, and now with the newest royalty calculation, I've gone out of KDP Select.
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2019-04-22T02:12:32Z
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http://tomunro.blogspot.com/2015/07/belated-happy-sp-day-to-me.html
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Yamaha is one of the most popular brands in the musical instrument world.
It is well-known for producing high-quality keyboards that comes with great acoustic sounds and a good number of excellent features.
With that, however, the keyboards are made to offer different features and fit different needs.
In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the best Yamaha keyboards that you can buy.
We will have a look at the Yamaha keyboard reviews and a buying guide that will help you decide what keyboard will fit you the best.
So, What Is The Best Yamaha Keyboard?
Yamaha keyboards come with different series that are there to fit different needs, skill level, and budget.
Yamaha YPG – it’s a grand keyboard that comes with 76 and 88 keys.
Yamaha DGX – grand keyboard comes with 76 and 88 keys.
Yamaha EZ – great for kids, comes with light keys.
Yamaha PSR – it is a 61 key arranger keyboard with only beginner and intermediate level keyboards.
Yamaha YPT – a 61 key arranger keyboard with several ethnic styles and voices.
Yamaha synthesizers – this is a music production and synthesizer.
Yamaha digital pianos – stage pianos, home and practice pianos.
Now, after knowing different Yamaha keyboards series, you can get the idea of how different keyboards will fit different needs for different players.
Ask any musician who has been playing for years, Yamaha would undoubtedly be one of the brands he/she would consider when buying a music instrument.
For a long, time Yamaha has been associated with instruments that are of high quality and those that can impress to any player.
On keyboards, Yamaha has been very popular among beginners and experienced musicians.
There are many reasons why music fanatics and instructors buy and recommend the Yamaha keyboards.
From affordability to realistic performance, here are a few reasons why you should invest on a Yamaha keyboard.
They have a range of keyboard instruments that comes with excellent sound, unique features, and robust design.
All this plays a significant role towards their popularity and the brand value.
If you are an experienced musician who is in need of a keyboard with acoustic sounds, you can easily get this from Yamaha.
You will find keyboards with the best orchestra sounds so if you are used to great sounds or makes much classical music, you will love the keyboards.
Yamaha is a good brand and there is no doubt about that, but still, there are also other manufacturers that make quality keyboards as well.
They got various factors that can impress the buyers such as price, sound quality and so on.
However, Yamaha has tried to stay ahead of the competition by ensuring that they produce latest technology keyboards that can offer value to the players.
If you are looking for a high-end electronic keyboard, Yamaha will give you a combination of value, look, and quality.
You get not only excellent sound but also the look of a grand.
So if the style is your concern, you can demand that from Yamaha keyboard along with build quality and sound.
Yamaha takes pride in manufacturing perfect and well-fitted keyboards that can last for a very long time.
When coming up with the best Yamaha keyboards, we consider the quality of its construction, and we came up with keyboards that are solid in quality, sound projections, and handling.
If you select one of the keyboards in our review, you will find out that they have excellent craftsmanship and is durable in design.
The key action and sound quality are some of the significant features that determine the superiority and overall performance of any keyboard.
Now, if you are going for a good Yamaha keyboard, must put some extra eye in this area.
You can easily find a good keyboard with excellent key functionality that can perfectly fit your needs.
Another reason why you must go with a Yamaha keyboard is that they always come with additional features.
You will always find something that will excite you with a Yamaha keyboard, and that will make your playing very appealing and enjoyable.
Even with Yamaha keyboards, understanding the what type of keyboard is intended for what purpose can be a bit confusing.
With so many products in each keyboard series, it is essential to have a clear understanding of what you are shopping for before we even stat Yamaha keyboard reviews.
These are keyboards that are intended mostly to produce sounds.
Most of the synthesizers are sample based whereby they use prerecorded sounds centrally to the analog synths that manipulates the electric signals to generate sounds.
If you are looking for a keyboard to make music, you should always define your needs before shopping for a synthesizer.
There are different synthesizers from Yamaha that fit different styles, skill level, and budgets.
A keyboard player in a metal band, for example, will need a different synthesizer from a player in a country music band.
Therefore, you should always go for a synthesizer that will give you the features and fit your needs.
A workstation is mostly known for simplifying the recording, composing, and in music production.
With most workstations, you can get great features like audio recording, multitrack recording, CD writers, etc.
When choosing a good Yamaha workstation, it is good to make sure that there is the provision of enough polyphony that handles the recorded passages and playing.
The more unit you can get from the workstation the more you will be able to get from it.
You can get Yamaha workstations that will give you the necessary features you need whether you are experienced, or beginner.
However, even with the beginner workstation, you might be a bit confused, and that’s why you need the next category.
This can be termed as a songwriting partner because of the number of the available features that enhances the songwriting processes.
It is sometimes referred as a band in a box where it offers the sequence tools and sounds that can flesh out the idea to create a complete song.
While most of the arrangers might lack great sound engines, the Yamaha has quite a number that provides excellent sounds and features that will help you in composing and live performance.
Generally, the portable keyboards are suitable for beginners.
They have sequencing functions that are more basic than the arrangers, and most of them include the learning functions that help the beginner player around the keyboard sequence.
For beginners, the portable keyboards can be a right place to start when learning or experimenting.
You can easily carry it around to have it with you every time you feel like learning or having fun.
Digital pianos can be divided into two categories, the console and stage pianos.
This two categories mainly differs from their intended use where the digital console piano is intended for use in homes while the stage piano is for stage performance.
You can quickly tell the difference just by looking at the exterior designs because many of them share the same electronic sounds and features.
In the Yamaha digital piano series, you will find both categories whereby you can go for either home or stage performances.
Commonly known as Electone, the Yamaha electronic organs are mostly designed based on the spinet electronic organs.
They are entirely digitalized and comprise different effects, sounds, and accompaniment.
They also can store programming data onto memory devices.
Keyboard controllers come with various features including the control wind drum pads, keys, and knobs.
When selecting a good keyboard controller, you must consider what you are about to control, for instance, if most of the work you are going to do with the controller is synth work, you can go for a keyboard controller with the keyboard style you prefer.
Consequently, you should go for a keyboard controller with the preferred choices those that will assist you in your needs.
Although there are many quality keyboards in Yamaha brands, you need a keyboard that will fit your requirements and skills.
The first thing to do to understand the best Yamaha keyboard models that will meet your requirements is to consider various factors like your age, experience, interests, budget, style and so on.
If I can understand the needs of every one of you, that would be a better place to start.
However, that is not possible at the moment.
For this, we have come up with a list that even though it’s not addressing directly to you, one of the pieces in this article will benefit you.
If you are buying a keyboard for beginners; let’s say you are looking for the best Yamaha keyboard for kids, what should you go for?
When choosing a keyboard as for a beginner, it is better to go for a cheaper option.
Why? Well, you don’t know if you will still be interested in playing for years to come.
Unless money is not a problem, you don’t need to go for a keyboard that will be kept on a store to collect dust without anyone to play it.
On top of that, there are other things to be considered too before making a decision.
Here are our best picks for the best Yamaha keyboard under $300 that you can get for a beginner.
Several options available that can provide quality to children under the age of 10, but our best pick is the Yamaha EZ-220.
This is a fun keyboard, and for the child of that age, music should be sort of fun to encourage learning.
The lighted keyboard can be very encouraging to the child where he/she can follow the lighted keys and play songs.
The EZ-220 also comes at a considerable price where it sells for about $300 plus headphones and a stand.
The price can even go lower depending on the outlet you are getting it from.
It comes with touch sensitive keys that respond on how fast or slow you strike the keys.
This is one of its most significant advantages compared to entry keyboards on the range making it the best Yamaha keyboard for beginners.
Another advantage is that it comes with Yamaha Education Suite that will help you during the practice.
This is a keyboard that you should choose if you want to train your finger to play weighted keys.
It comes with 88 standard keys and a realistic acoustic sound which makes it ideal for practicing for the acoustic piano.
It has a metronome function that helps you to keep time as you run through the scales.
Additionally, you can use the transpose feature to practice on difficult passages before you return to the original key.
It comes with a bench, stand, educational materials and even headphones for private practices.
It also has split modes that you can practice hand in hand with your teacher.
In general, the P-45 comes with all the essentials that you can need as a beginner.
Moreover, if you are in need of the best Yamaha weighted keyboard for beginners, the P-45 is the way to go.
The Yamaha PSR-E453 is an excellent keyboard for beginners and those who have a little experience in playing a keyboard.
This keyboard comes with extra features that assist you in your playing, and it is better compared to the beginner keyboard.
Its features include the DJ Pattern mode, live control Knob, and USB to device connectivity.
This is mostly not a beginner keyboard, but still, it’s not a pro keyboard either.
It is very beneficial for intermediate level players and songwriters who are in need of a good style and sounds.
This is one of the best music keyboards in the market suitable for intermediate players.
It is similar to the PSR-E453 but has 76 keys rather than the 61 in the previous model.
Its keys are touch responsive and also includes a few professional features.
Even though it is not the best Yamaha portable keyboard, it is quite compact and can be used for gigs.
With everything there is in the Yamaha keyboards, I can tell you for sure that the DGX-660 is one of the best sounding Yamaha keyboards in the Yamaha intermediary level keyboards.
It comes with a variety of interactive features that enables learning and playing fun for everyone.
The DGX-660 is well known for their versatility whereby you can even connect a microphone to the instrument so you can sing along when playing and listen to yourself on the inbuilt speakers.
It also has connectivity features like USB where you can record and share your playing.
With so many features, the DGX-660 is probably the best value Yamaha keyboard and definitely one of the best Yamaha keyboards under $1000.
This keyboard comes with all the qualities and features that makes Yamaha one the greatest keyboard producer.
The YPD-143 comes with features that you will find in the P-series, for instance, a pure CF engine that gives the dynamic and impressive playing.
Another feature is the graded hammer action where the keys are heavier on the low, and lighter on the high keys.
It also has 50 in-built songs that you can find in the music book accompanied by the model.
Overall, the keyboard is one of the best Yamaha 88 key keyboards, and every expert can appreciate every one of its features.
You can achieve more grand piano experience, for instance, attaining subtle and nuanced playing experience when you are playing using features like half damper.
Talking of keyboards, the Montage 8 is one of the best Yamaha keyboard synthesizer that you can get out there.
It won the MusicTech Gold Award as the best hardware instrument in the year 2016.
It has a fully weighted hammer action keys that are very exciting to play and comes with two inbuilt sound engines that you can play separately or in conjunction.
This makes it one of the most potent keyboards and of course one of the best workstations in the market.
The synthesizer comes with a combination of FM-X (pure modern Frequency modulation) and AWM2 (high-quality waveform and synthesis) allowing you to enjoy 128 polyphony and take control of a collection of exciting sounds.
This synthesizer has so many features that make it the top-rated Yamaha keyboard.
It has many features like 88 algorithms, and you can use dual Insert FX in all the 16 parts.
The list doesn’t end there, you can have complete control of your sound, and it can provide expert musicians with everything they need to create an entire track.
The next-gen motif XF is built on decade heritage of Motif and initiates the flash memory expansion capabilities setting standards for all the workstation in years to come.
The keyboard is loaded with 741 MB Wave ROM that includes excellent realistic pianos and acoustic instruments, hip-hop sounds and vintage synths.
The keyboard comes with architecture XSpanded articulation and different filter types that will allow you to create a sound the way you want it to be.
It also comes with differ front panel knobs and sliders making it easier to control the sounds in real time.
There is over 1600 voices and 97 drum kits so every sound that you need will be at your fingertips.
With all these features, the Yamaha Motif XF7 makes it in the list as one of best Yamaha keyboard for church and other significant performances.
Now, choosing the best Yamaha keyboards will be easy, especially if you have understood everything on the post.
You can easily find a keyboard of your choice whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced in our Yamaha keyboard comparison.
Even though you are not sure of continuing to play a keyboard or you need it for fun, you will find a good Yamaha keyboard that will offer exactly that.
Even though we might not have touched every need of yours, you can be assured to find your ‘perfect match’ in one of the series.
The series comes with a number keyboards that have diverse features and characteristics that you can make a choice that will fit your quality and price requirement.
Generally, a Yamaha keyboard is worth investing if you are looking for a musical instrument that will not disappoint you.
Whether the budget or features are the ones dictating your choice, you will find a good fit for you.
Either way, we believe you will find a good Yamaha keyboard for yourself.
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2019-04-26T12:01:04Z
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https://consordini.com/best-yamaha-keyboard/
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“In a collision at 4:30 yesterday afternoon between Ellis Hansen, on a bicycle, and a Ford car driven by R. F. Wendell of Onekama, Hansen received some bad cuts about the face and a bruised and cut shoulder. Hansen struck the automobile squarely in front and dove through the windshield. Had the machine been moving there is no doubt that he would have been killed.
“Wendell was coming from Onekama when Hansen and his companion, Robert Wellman, were crossing the bridge going north. A wagon was in front of Wendell’s machine and Wellman crossed behind it and brushed the auto. Wendell immediately threw on his brakes and stopped the car. Hansen, following Wellman, did not see the car and struck it squarely in the center. He dove through the windshield and fainted. The boy, bleeding badly, was taken into the bridge house and Dr. Homer Ramsdell, who was summoned, took the boy to his office and dressed his wounds. He was able to walk to his home.
“Ellis Hansen is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Hansen, 384 Third Street. His bicycle, which he purchased only two weeks ago, was broken in two. He is at his home today pretty badly battered but not suffering much except from the shoulder, which was severely cut and bruised.
“With band concerts Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and evening Orchard Beach will be formally opened to the public this week. For the past three weeks a crew of men have been getting everything in readiness at the park and today the resort is probably the most beautiful spot on Lake Michigan.
“Manistee Country Club will be formally opened tomorrow with a picnic supper, at which a large attendance is expected. The golf grounds have been in use for a month and the tennis courts for one week and the club house itself has been open under the direction of Louis Larsen and his wife for some time.
“Quite a few repairs are being made to the club house, which will be in shape for tomorrow night.
“Liverpool, May 29.—The giant Cunarder AQUITANIA , Britain’s largest liner and the world’s most luxurious ship, sails tomorrow on her maiden voyage to New York. The liner cost roughly $10,000,000 to build. Although she will share the mail service with the MAURETANIA and the LUSITANIA, the AQUITANIA will not try to beat the records of her speedy sisters but will content herself with a comparatively modest 23 knots an hour.
“Accommodation is provided for 3,500 passengers and a crew of 1,000. Warned by the TITANIC disaster the designers have allotted boats for all. A new feature is the provision of two powerful motor launches which if necessary can tow the ordinary lifeboats. Each is fitted with a 300 mile range wireless installation is case of accident to the liner’s main apparatus. The AQUITANIA is two ships in one, for the inner shell is separated from the outer shell by 15 feet.
“Manistee’s population was increased by the arrival of five babies today.
“Linking the nation’s past as represented by the veterans with its destinies of the future as seen in several hundred school children, Memorial day was fittingly observed Saturday afternoon at Ramsdell Theater and Oak Grove cemetery. To those who appreciated the significance of the exercises and were inclined to give serious thought to the country’s purpose and its problems, the contrast between the gray haired survivors of ’61-65’ and the bright faced children gaily waving their flags in time to the music was prophetic.
“Of that great army that answered Lincoln’s call in ’61 to determine whether or not this nation dedicated to the proposition that all men are created free and equal, but a remnant now remains. And yet those ranks, woefully thinned by time and rapidly approaching the day when the last survivor shall have answered the final roll call, still serve to emphasize the sublime patriotism that rose to save the nation in its hour of peril.
“From a letter received Saturday it has just been learned that among the wounded at Vera Cruz was Mark Peltier, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Peltier of 16 Magill Street and a former carrier of the Daily News. Mark enlisted in the marines three years ago and has been assigned to the battleship MINNESOTA, flagship of one of the Atlantic squadrons. Mark was in one of the first boats to land when the order went out to seize the city and was in the thick of the fighting from the start. From his letter he escaped injury in the engagements in the city but was shot in the leg during the fighting after the Mexicans had been driven out of Vera Cruz. The Manistee boy speaks of the weather as being very hot and is looking forward to his return north, having been in the south for five months now.
“Pleasant weather contributed to a very successful opening of the Country club Saturday. The tennis courts and golf course were well patronized and the dinner in the evening was attended by a large crowd. Two delightful solos by Mrs. Charles Bigge added much to the evening.
“About 100 members of the Eagles and their friends attended one of the most successful fishing trips ever given in Manistee yesterday. The lodge chartered a special train on the Michigan East and West railroad and went to the ‘Pines’ where camp was made. A fine dinner was served and everybody had a good time. Those who went fishing report good catches of trout.
“W. H. Markle entertained at a Stag party in honor of his birthday last Wednesday evening at his home on Spruce Street. A four course dinner was served at 7 o’clock. The dining room and table were decorated in red and yellow. A large bouquet of red and yellow tulips formed the center piece and the host’s initials appeared on the table in candles of the same colors and in a number corresponding to the number of mile posts he has succeeded in passing thus far on life’s journey. The favors, which were articles suggestive of each guest’s business, were found by following up a ribbon from several plates to a basket suspended from the chandelier. The evening was rounded out with a motor boat ride on Lake Michigan, which was shared by the families of the guests.
“Thomas J., son of Dr. and Mrs. Lewis S. Ramsdell, fell off John Rademaker’s barn today and broke his left arm at the elbow.
“Miss Helen Ramsdell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ramsdell, Fourth Street, who has been ill for a few days, is reported as much better today.
“A real old fashioned minstrel show was staged at the Star Theater [in Eastlake] on Friday evening, May 27. The play was given by local talent and was a success from every point of view.
“The surprise of the evening was Edwin Staff’s impersonation of the Irish character, Patrick McGinnis. While we have known our townsman, Mr. Staff, intimately for years, we never suspected he had so much latent ability along the lines of a real actor.
“A chorus of over 20 young ladies and gentlemen, dressed as dairy maids and hay makers, played a prominent part in the show and their singing was enjoyed very much by the audience.
“California Muskmelons. Season is just starting. These early melons are about the best of any that come until we get home grown. C. N. RUSSELL.
“Stupid baseball, errors of omission and slow thinking cost the Champs the opening game with the Boosters yesterday after they had got away to a four run lead. With a start like that the crowd, if you can call yesterday’s attendance a crowd, [had] settled back in their seats feeling the game was fairly safe.
“While there is little satisfaction in reviewing a game that is lost after having it apparently sewed up, credit should be given to Haidt for his effective work at the bat and Hoffman’s fielding.
“The Manistee county eighth grade commencement will be held Friday morning at 10 o’clock in the Congregational church. One hundred and forty students have successfully passed the state’s examinations and will receive diplomas. After the program the teachers and students will spend the day at Orchard Beach. A large attendance from rural districts is expected.
“Tomorrow will be ‘Ladies’ Day’ at League Park. Ladies will be admitted without charge. The opponents will be Ludington.
“Deputy Game Warden James Maynard was at Brethren and vicinity this morning looking for fish poachers.
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2019-04-19T03:00:51Z
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http://news.pioneergroup.com/manisteenews/2014/06/05/100-years-ago-140/
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Summary libpurple in Pidgin before 2.7.4 does not properly validate the return value of the purple_base64_decode function, which allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted message, related to the plugins for MSN, MySpaceIM, XMPP, and Yahoo! and the NTLM authentication support.
description From Red Hat Security Advisory 2010:0890 : Updated pidgin packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6. The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score, which gives a detailed severity rating, is available from the CVE link in the References section. Pidgin is an instant messaging program which can log in to multiple accounts on multiple instant messaging networks simultaneously. Multiple NULL pointer dereference flaws were found in the way Pidgin handled Base64 decoding. A remote attacker could use these flaws to crash Pidgin if the target Pidgin user was using the Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, MSN, MySpace, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) protocol plug-ins, or using the Microsoft NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol for authentication. (CVE-2010-3711) Red Hat would like to thank the Pidgin project for reporting these issues. Upstream acknowledges Daniel Atallah as the original reporter. All Pidgin users should upgrade to these updated packages, which contain a backported patch to resolve these issues. Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.
description Multiple NULL pointer dereference flaws were found in the way Pidgin handled Base64 decoding. A remote attacker could use these flaws to crash Pidgin if the target Pidgin user was using the Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, MSN, MySpace, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) protocol plug-ins, or using the Microsoft NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol for authentication. (CVE-2010-3711) A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the way the Pidgin MSN protocol plug-in processed custom emoticon messages. A remote attacker could use this flaw to crash Pidgin by sending specially crafted emoticon messages during mutual communication. (CVE-2010-1624) Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.
description Updated pidgin packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and 5. The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section. Pidgin is an instant messaging program which can log in to multiple accounts on multiple instant messaging networks simultaneously. Multiple NULL pointer dereference flaws were found in the way Pidgin handled Base64 decoding. A remote attacker could use these flaws to crash Pidgin if the target Pidgin user was using the Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, MSN, MySpace, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) protocol plug-ins, or using the Microsoft NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol for authentication. (CVE-2010-3711) A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the way the Pidgin MSN protocol plug-in processed custom emoticon messages. A remote attacker could use this flaw to crash Pidgin by sending specially crafted emoticon messages during mutual communication. (CVE-2010-1624) Red Hat would like to thank the Pidgin project for reporting these issues. Upstream acknowledges Daniel Atallah as the original reporter of CVE-2010-3711, and Pierre Nogues of Meta Security as the original reporter of CVE-2010-1624. All Pidgin users should upgrade to these updated packages, which contain backported patches to resolve these issues. Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.
description New release 2.7.4 Full Upstream ChangeLog : http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/ChangeLog Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Fedora security advisory. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
description A security vulnerability has been identified and fixed in pidgin : It has been discovered that eight denial of service conditions exist in libpurple all due to insufficient validation of the return value from purple_base64_decode(). Invalid or malformed data received in place of a valid base64-encoded value in portions of the Yahoo!, MSN, MySpaceIM, and XMPP protocol plugins and the NTLM authentication support trigger a crash. These vulnerabilities can be leveraged by a remote user for denial of service (CVE-2010-3711). Packages for 2009.0 are provided as of the Extended Maintenance Program. Please visit this link to learn more: http://store.mandriva.com/product_info.php?cPath=149&products_id=4 90 This update provides pidgin 2.7.4, which is not vulnerable to this issue.
description Pierre Nogues discovered that Pidgin incorrectly handled malformed SLP messages in the MSN protocol handler. A remote attacker could send a specially crafted message and cause Pidgin to crash, leading to a denial of service. This issue only affected Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, 9.10 and 10.04 LTS. (CVE-2010-1624) Daniel Atallah discovered that Pidgin incorrectly handled the return code of the Base64 decoding function. A remote attacker could send a specially crafted message and cause Pidgin to crash, leading to a denial of service. (CVE-2010-3711). Note that Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description block directly from the Ubuntu security advisory. Tenable has attempted to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.
description From Red Hat Security Advisory 2010:0788 : Updated pidgin packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and 5. The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section. Pidgin is an instant messaging program which can log in to multiple accounts on multiple instant messaging networks simultaneously. Multiple NULL pointer dereference flaws were found in the way Pidgin handled Base64 decoding. A remote attacker could use these flaws to crash Pidgin if the target Pidgin user was using the Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, MSN, MySpace, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) protocol plug-ins, or using the Microsoft NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol for authentication. (CVE-2010-3711) A NULL pointer dereference flaw was found in the way the Pidgin MSN protocol plug-in processed custom emoticon messages. A remote attacker could use this flaw to crash Pidgin by sending specially crafted emoticon messages during mutual communication. (CVE-2010-1624) Red Hat would like to thank the Pidgin project for reporting these issues. Upstream acknowledges Daniel Atallah as the original reporter of CVE-2010-3711, and Pierre Nogues of Meta Security as the original reporter of CVE-2010-1624. All Pidgin users should upgrade to these updated packages, which contain backported patches to resolve these issues. Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.
description New pidgin packages are available for Slackware 12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 13.0, 13.1, and -current to fix a security issue.
description Updated pidgin packages that fix multiple security issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6. The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having moderate security impact. A Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score, which gives a detailed severity rating, is available from the CVE link in the References section. Pidgin is an instant messaging program which can log in to multiple accounts on multiple instant messaging networks simultaneously. Multiple NULL pointer dereference flaws were found in the way Pidgin handled Base64 decoding. A remote attacker could use these flaws to crash Pidgin if the target Pidgin user was using the Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, MSN, MySpace, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) protocol plug-ins, or using the Microsoft NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol for authentication. (CVE-2010-3711) Red Hat would like to thank the Pidgin project for reporting these issues. Upstream acknowledges Daniel Atallah as the original reporter. All Pidgin users should upgrade to these updated packages, which contain a backported patch to resolve these issues. Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.
description Multiple NULL pointer dereference flaws were found in the way Pidgin handled Base64 decoding. A remote attacker could use these flaws to crash Pidgin if the target Pidgin user was using the Yahoo! Messenger Protocol, MSN, MySpace, or Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) protocol plug-ins, or using the Microsoft NT LAN Manager (NTLM) protocol for authentication. (CVE-2010-3711) Pidgin must be restarted for this update to take effect.
description libpurple in Pidgin before 2.7.4 does not properly validate the return value of the purple_base64_decode function, which allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via a crafted message, related to the plugins for MSN, MySpaceIM, XMPP, and Yahoo! and the NTLM authentication support.
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2019-04-23T18:11:24Z
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http://cve.circl.lu/cve/CVE-2010-3711
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Discussion in 'Support' started by helenr1981, Feb 2, 2016.
Hi all! I first noticed my PT when I was about 6 months pregnant with my LG back in 2012 (I didn't know it was pulsatile then, just referred to it as tinnitus). From a bit research I found it can happen during pregnancy so didn't mention it to the doc and tried to grin and bear it hoping it would stop after childbirth - it didn't. Also at that time I didn't know I had a thyroid issue either.
So as times goes by I start piecing together symptoms that make me go to get my thyroid checked in 2014, it came back high TSH 7.05 and within range T3 making it borderline underactive and I was started on 50mcg of levothyroxine to be reviewed 12 months later. Up until this point the PT wasn't overly bad, sometimes it was more noticable than others, but the levo really helped with it, and the other symptoms too (tiredness, coldness, weight issues, headaches, weakness, hair loss etc), though around 9 months in the symptoms gradually got worse again, the PT starting raging on, and considering one of the symptoms is tiredness, to then go to bed and not be able to sleep because of it is massively frustrating! I have to sleep on my back, head tilted left with the pillow wedged onto my pulse to make it quiet enough to sleep, if I moved it was game over! It was thyroid blood test time and it came back even higher TSH at 8.18 (I was so excited this would mean more levo!). Between getting results and having a telephone appointment with the doctor I upped my dose to 100mcg and by the second day I couldn't hear a thing, bliss! Gutted when the doc said they'd change my dose to 75mcg and review it in 8 weeks. I did as I was told and took the 75 and the PT was there religously whooshing round my left side every night - to the point I dreaded bedtime! They've just done my bloods again last week, between giving the sample and speaking to the doctor this morning I upped it to 100mcg again (and had 2 nights of blissful silence!). I spoke to the doc earlier and they've come back TSH 2.03 which is in "normal" TSH range, so haven't bothered checking my T3! I got quite upset and told them I wanted to trial 100mcg as the PT was becoming unbearable, I hear it through the day if its quiet but night time is so bad! She agreed to let me stay on 100mcg for 4 weeks then do bloods again, she said "I don't see why it would be making a difference though?", told her I'd done a little research and PT can be linked to thyroid disfunction, which she wasn't sold on, but I KNOW it is and so pleased she's upping my dose, and I will ask that all blood levels are checked next time, not just TSH.
So I was wondering, does anyone else link their PT to thyroid problems, and has it been relieved with meds? I had a quick look for hypothyroidism and PT threads but couldn't see any, hope this is alright to post. Thanks.
I have a mild case of hypothyroidism and switch between 12.5 and 25mcg levothyroxine depending on how my TSH is.
Never made a difference for me, as far as t is concerned. I've even gone up to 200mcg out of curiosity, no change.
You're the first person I've ever come across that can control tinnitus using thyroid hormone.
I have both PT and hypothyroidism. I've been on the same dosage for many years -- 100 mcg. My PT started five years ago after I took a blood pressure drug for the first time. I'm off that drug (and all blood pressure drugs) now, but my PT remains. I believe there is a link, too, between hypothyroidism and PT, but cannot prove it.
I'd be interested to hear from other people with both PT and hypothyroidism, to see if they think there is a connection.
Sorry to read that your troubles PT. I have it too. It's a terrible thing. One bad overly exhausting day, and it seems to just get worse, for days. I really need the sleep, well. Helps my energy level.
I also have thyroid problems, -too much. I've read about the connections. My Doctor is the same, just the TSH level check. She thinks if that’s ok, that’s all that matters, any other T level must be ok.
Every so often, I get on the TSH level issue, thinking the meds are off. Email the Doctor, get another blood test. Skip some med days, mines too low TSH level. I have not been able to connect the meds or my THS level with my PT.
Hi Karen, thanks for your reply - have you asked your doctor to up your thyroid meds to see if it helps, or in my case I just did it myself as an experiment as upping it to 75mcg helped reduce it during the night, but not when first going to bed, maybe I got lucky! I would definitely ask the doctor if you can trial a higher dose, if it makes no difference drop back again.
Hi James, oh I totally get where you're coming from, when you need the sleep the most the PT seems to rage on! If I were you I'd be asking for a referral to a specialist, as theres a multitude of causes and I don't think GP doctors necessarily have the information they should to help, TSH alone isn't always the reading needed but they think it's suffice. As it is having an effect on your life I would definitely be kicking up a bit of a fuss with the doc!
Really hope you both progress with your PT, and get the blissful inner silence!
For me, the link between thyroid problems and tinnitus is absolutely beyond question. More specifically, between taking levothyroxine and developing tinnitus - for me, that was the trigger to developing it.
Do you have ringing tinnitus or pulsatile tinnitus as a result of taking levothyroxine? I have both: A high-pitched hissing tinnitus, and pulsatile tinnitus. I had the regular tinnitus for many years, as a result of loud sound. However, my tinnitus worsened, and I also began having the pulsating, after taking a blood pressure drug.
After that, my doctor thought cutting back on my thyroid medicine might help, so she cut me back from 125 mcg to 100 mcg. I am still taking the same dosage, almost six years later.
I still have both types of tinnitus in my right ear only.
I'd be interested to hear more about how yours developed.
Sorry if this gets a bit long, but it isn't easy to answer in a short sentence.
Mine was a rare allergic reaction to Levothyroxine. I had all manner of symptoms from it before tinnitus developed and was in and out of hospital for months for other inflammatory conditions, ranging from skin rashes at the mild end, through to appalling allergic reactions that would make my nose stream for hours, to facial, throat and jaw pain and even the lining of my mouth pealing away leaving open sores - there were more, but you get the idea. I was prodded and probed for everything and I kept asking if it could be the Levothyroxine, but was repeatedly told no, even though all of these symptoms started around 1 month after starting treatment.
Eventually, I told the doctors that I believed it to be the Levothyroxine and against their judgment, went for private treatment to receive something called NDT (it is thyroid hormones that has been extracted from pigs, rather than synthetic) - it is not licensed in the UK. The endocrinologist I saw was aware of many of the issues that some people suffer, although he acknowledged that the severity of my problems was at the extreme end of the scale.
24 hours after I changed drug, for the first 3 days, my hearing was completely normal, my skin started to feel less sore and I thought "wow, why didn't I just stop taking this crap sooner?", but then, all hell broke loose and I had screaming, jet engine noises etc and I thought I was going to lose my hearing - I was terrified.
Out of fear, after 3 more days of screaming in my head, I took a Levothyroxine tablet to see what happened and within 24 hours, the tinnitus was back to its previous level and I took it for a couple more days, but other issues returned. I tried this cycle several times, until eventually, I could see such a repeatable link between the two. I went to see an ENT about this and was given absolutely nothing and despite the evidence, told it was unrelated. Realising that there was no hope from the medical profession, I just went for it on my own. 3 months of absolute misery followed. I stopped sleeping and instead used to pass out once every 3-4 days through exhaustion.
Over time, this started to improve - albeit slowly - until eventually I find myself where I am today. I still have hearing issues and flare ups and have moments of weakness where I find myself really depressed and low about it, but no-where near where I used to be.
I no longer have any of the other inflammatory conditions outside of my nose and sinuses, they have all gone and after suffering with them for the 2 years solidly that I was taking Levothyroxine, there is a very clear link. Some doctors I have seen accept it, but others still refute the connection - amazing when I was suffering from 15, known, albeit rare, side effects (something that I was not aware of at the time).
I still have a lot of congestion around my head as a result of the severe allergies and get flare ups in my sinuses and nasal passages which in turn result in worsening of tinnitus whilst they are present. My audiologist agrees that it is an unusual case and may have even offered some useful information about tinnitus in general if regular scans and tests had been taken from the start to try and understand the processes occurring in its development and healing. Although she considers it too late for much , she has written to and recommended that the local eNT department shows a bit more interest, so I have another appointment in 4 weeks (it should have been 2 weeks but they moved it - you couldn't make this stuff up).
Has an ENT had a look up your nose or taken any sort of X-rays or scans? If not, they can honestly tell almost nothing by looking in your ears. There are so many problems linked with hearing that are utterly invisible by looking in the ear.
Unless through noise induced hearing loss, hearing tests are useless for tinnitus and even then, don't always reveal very much - loads of people with apparently good hearing have tinnitus.
Unless a middle ear infection is present, or lots of fluid build up, looking in the ears is useless. There are lots of middle ear problems that don't show up from looking in the ear.
I can of course give you no indication as to whether or not it will go, but it might. I know you are in the early stages of it and at the moment and you're looking from reassurance from people further down the road, so hopefully the amount of information I have shared with you shows that it can improve. I promise that I am not embellishing how bad mine was at the start, it really was unbelievably loud, but now, when it goes for a while, it genuinely is gone, it isn't that background noises are masking it. I remain hopeful that I will be someone writing my own success story on here in a few months time. It took over a year of taking Levothyroxine for tinnitus to develop, so at the very least I believe it will take a full year after stopping for it to resolve. That take me to mid-June this year. Even then though, the total time I took it for was 2 years and 2 months, so it would not be wholly unreasonable for it to take that long for everything to return to normal.
One last thing to share with you over my case that I have not made clear is that some of the noises I hear are concentrated seemingly in the ear, whilst others appear to be somewhere centrally in my head. At ties, neither are present and at others both, or one or the other. I believe the central ones to relate to a slightly different mechanism from Levothyroxine than those in the ear. The ear tinnitus first appeared in my left ear and it was there for 4 months before transitioning to my right ear. Other than the odd tinkle that appears now and again, the left ear has remained free from tinnitus for a year now. What caused the transition is anyone's guess, but if it can go from one ear, surely it can go from the other.
Finally - and I promise this is it, I must admit, a lot of the advice I have read doesn't really apply to me. Food stuffs make no difference to me. I can eat and drink what I like and it makes no difference - with the exception of alcohol, but then alcohol does dry out the nasal membranes and I feel bunged up and whenever this happens the ringing in my ear is worse so it isn't surprising that it has some effect on me. Being stressed or tired doesn't make mine worse - in fact, I have been at my absolute wits end about it and wanted to scream and suddenly, it just fades away to nothing. What I would say though, is eat well and look after yourself. Not because it is going to have any profound affect on improving your hearing, but it will put you in a better position to cope with it when it is bothering you. For me, the emotional response to tinnitus can be worse than the tinnitus itself.
Again, apologies that it is such a long reply, but you did ask .
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and the story. I am a Levothyroxine user. I have to take it, to maintain ballpark thyroid levels. I will follow your link, see what it says.
Thanks for telling us your story! I'm so sorry you had all those problems from the levothyroxine. It just goes to show you how drugs can affect each individual differently.
I'm very lucky, I guess. I don't have any of the side effects mentioned in the WebMD article, except the hair loss. That is just an ongoing side effect that those of us with a thyroid condition must deal with.
Like James, I am a life-long user of thyroid medicine, because my thyroid symptoms are too severe to do without it. James and I both suffer from pulsatile tinnitus. Is it related to the thyroid meds? Hard to say.
In my case, I didn't have any major problems with my mild tinnitus until I took a blood pressure drug for the first time. Who knows? It could be that the combination of the blood pressure drug and the thyroid drug were too much for me. Now, I have both severe tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus in my right ear only.
Again, thanks for your story, and I hope your tinnitus continues to improve.
I would never suggest anyone messes about with their medication, but you could discuss NDT with your doctor, to see if it helps with the tinnitus. I have spoken to a few people that didn't develop tinnitus until after taking Levo. Difficult to say in their cases whether or not it was the Levo, or thyroid problems that caused it though (or neither), as they weren't so obvious as mine during onset.
I see you are both located in the US. It is actually far easier to get NDT over there than here in the UK. My GP refuses to prescribe it as the local health authority will not cover them for insurance, so they are personally liable in the event of any issues, so the prescribing doctor has to have there own insurance - or one can import it.
Yes, you're right, Owen, I do think it's easier to get natural thyroid hormone prescribed here in the U.S. I haven't talked with my current doctor about it yet, because I'm almost a little bit afraid of the side effects of switching to something else. The last time I tried to switch to anything else (a generic), I ended up feeling very dizzy for at least a week. I'm not sure I could handle that, on top of tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus, too.
I'm in my late 60's, and it's a lot harder to take anything new when you're older. So, that's why I'm still on Synthroid.
I do hope yours continues to improve. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! It's good to hear from others who are experiencing similar conditions.
Hi Helenr1981,I think my PT started because of my Hypothyroidism. About 10 days after it started I found out my thyroid was way off its number. I don't remember what it was. They put me on 200 mug from a 175 mcg. It didn't affect the PT. just had new blood work done and thyroid is now a little over so I'm back on 175 mcg. I told doc I think thyroid was why I got PT he said no it's not. I've had an brain MRI and a ultrasound of neck and all were negative. I asked if there were any other tests I could have done for blockages else where in body and he said no. He wasn't my regular Doctor just saw him because my doctor was out. I'm so upset as to how he just didn't seem to care. Long story,sorry just wanted to say thyroid meds never did anything to make PT better.
There are other tests that you can undergo if you are concerned that there is a blockage of some sort, such as a CT scan or even an angiogram. However (I think you're like me on this), I'm not sure there is a reason to keep on having tests. I'm pretty sure my PT was caused by a reaction to a blood pressure drug, which may not have agreed with me because I am hypothyroid.
I hope you're doing well these days, and that the PT has not gotten any worse for you.
Could Antidepressants or Hypothyroidism Have Caused My Tinnitus?
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2019-04-26T15:40:33Z
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https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/hypothyroidism-and-pulsatile-tinnitus.13338/
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Equipment requiring certification may be subject to destructive tests. Samples will be disposed of by ExVeritas ApS or returned to the Client at the Client’s cost. There is no liability on ExVeritas ApS to recompense for repair or refund.
Where the testing and assessment process is interrupted by redesign of the product or delays on the part of the Client, ExVeritas ApS will use its best endeavors to maintain the progress of the project. However, due to other loading pressure on the resources it may not be possible to recommence work on a project immediately it becomes available. ExVeritas ApS accepts no liability for such delays in recommencing the project.
Products are tested in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Standard and information provided by the Client. Specific tests may be omitted, or alternative tests conducted at the discretion of the Test Engineer when a suitable Engineering judgement can be made.
Tests are conducted under suitable laboratory conditions using suitably calibrated equipment; however, the repeatability of the test is not specified unless requested.
Results of tests are for the specific equipment tested on the day. Test results in no way infer that all subsequent equipment will produce identical results.
ExVeritas ApS operates internationally and provides certification of products. ExVeritas ApS is accredited for this activity by the Danish Accreditation Service (DANAK) and is appointed as a ‘notified body’ by the Danish Government under European Directives.
The policy of ExVeritas ApS is to provide, in the most cost-effective manner, independent and impartial certification and inspection services, which combine technical competence with objectivity and integrity. The Service is non-discriminatory in operation, with no undue financial or other conditions, and is available to all. It is the policy of the Service to achieve and maintain recognized accreditation for its activities in order to demonstrate its commitment to providing an efficient, commercially aware, competent service.
A description of our audit and certification process for granting, maintaining, extending, renewing, reducing, or withdrawing certification is provided on request in the procedure QP-CB-DK-004 – IECEx and ATEX Certification Conditions and supplementary regulations.
Activities carried out for clients shall be treated as confidential to that client unless otherwise agreed.
Information supplied by clients, the results and documents generated by the certification service and its subcontractors, the contract records that are retained, and the existence of the contract itself (other than any certificates issued) are all treated as “commercial in confidence” and will not be communicated to any third party without written agreement, unless the information is already in the public domain.
Where the law requires information to be disclosed to a third party, the client will be informed of the information disclosed.
ExVeritas ApS has appointed independent impartiality committees whose primary role is to safeguard impartiality of the certification activities of ExVeritas ApS.
The members of the Impartiality Committees are drawn from external organizations having a bona fide and continuing interest in the scope of the certification services provided by ExVeritas ApS, on the basis of maintaining a balanced representation of interests in which no single interest predominates.
ExVeritas ApS makes publicly accessible information about the certification status of each of its clients through the Certificate Database which is available on request. This shows whether a certificate is current, suspended or has been withdrawn.
Full or partial, temporary suspension or permanent withdrawal of certificates is undertaken in exceptional circumstances and on a case by case basis.
Failure to resolve issues that have resulted in the suspension in a time established by ExVeritas ApS may result in withdrawal or reduction in the scope of certification.
ExVeritas ApS has a procedure for the considering appeals against its decisions relative to certification.
A customer wishing to appeal should submit the substance of their appeal in writing to the Managing Director who will ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to resolve the issue and will ensure that there are no relationships that may compromise the impartiality of the appeal. If, after implementation of what is considered to be all reasonable steps, the problem is not resolved, the Managing Director will forward the documentation to the Chairman of the Impartiality Committee for independent adjudication.
ExVeritas ApS takes complaints against itself and its clients seriously.
Complaints about ExVeritas ApS are normally submitted in writing. All complaints will be logged and given a unique reference number. The complainant shall always receive a written reply to any written complaint.
Complaints about a registered client should also be submitted in writing. For this reason, shown below, these complaints may take longer to fully resolve. We will have to confirmed that the client is registered by ExVeritas ApS, and ensure that they are taking appropriate action, and if required confirm compliance during a subsequent audit of the client.
3.1 When ExVeritas provides a quotation or estimate or accepts an order for work leading to the issue of a Certificate (or similar document), this should not be taken to imply that we will issue such a certificate. A certificate (or similar document) can only be issued once the appropriate evidence has been assembled and, in some cases, once the appropriate arrangements have been made to cover the production phase.
3.2 Unless subsequently clarified, work will be carried out in accordance with the standards specified at the time of application, quotation or order.
3.3 The Client is responsible for making all necessary arrangements for the conduct of the evaluation, including provision for examining documentation and access to all areas, records (including internal audit reports) and personnel for the purposes of evaluation (e.g. testing, inspection, assessment, surveillance, reassessment) and resolution of complaints.
3.4 Compliance Certificates are issued in the name of the “Certificate Holder”. This will normally be the manufacturer and in any event will be the body responsible for controlling the design. Where the manufacturer does not control the design and does not have the certificate issued in their name, special provisions will apply. The relationship between designer and manufacturer must be made clear.
3.5 A Certificate Holder may apply to have documentation issued in the name of a Trade Agent only if approved and registered with ExVeritas.
3.6 Copies of certificates and their schedules shall be made available by the manufacturer on request, to all purchasers of certified equipment.
3.7 Where certification documents contain “Special Conditions for Safe Use”, normally identified by a suffix “X” to the certificate number, all such specific information must be made available to purchasers of the equipment.
3.8 Clients must not make claims regarding certification except within the scope for which the certification has been granted.
3.9 Clients must not use their product certification in such a way as to bring ExVeritas into disrepute and must not make any statement regarding its product certification which ExVeritas may consider misleading or unauthorized.
3.11 ExVeritas may withdraw a certificate if the manufacturer fails to abide by these terms and conditions.
3.12 ExVeritas may withdraw a certificate if the certificate includes provision for the use of a production mark and the conditions applicable to the use of the production mark are no longer being met.
3.13 On suspension or withdrawal of a certificate, the client must discontinue use of advertising material that contains reference to the certification and return any certification documents as required by ExVeritas. The client must also ensure that no misleading statements are made regarding the status of the certification.
3.15 In making reference to its product certification, in communication media such as documents, brochures or advertising, suppliers must comply with these conditions and the ExVeritas Standard Terms and Conditions.
3.16 The Client must notify ExVeritas of any proposed changes to the product, or to aspects of its production, test, inspection, quality system or other factors that are regulated by the QMS Certification to provide control of production.
3.17 The Client must retain the certificate and associated documents for future reference and, where relevant, for inspection by ExVeritas or any other body responsible for supervision of production. The ATEX Directive places a legal requirement on the manufacturer to retain these documents for a stated period of ten years after the last production.
3.18 ExVeritas will retain copies of the documents as a “Technical File” for a defined period in accordance with our service for retention and storage of technical files.
3.19 ExVeritas Certificates bearing the DANAK logo indicates that the certification has been done in accordance with the accreditation of ExVeritas by DANAK. It should not be construed that the product, system or device to which that certificate relates has been approved by DANAK.
3.20 ExVeritas’s acceptance of a drawing showing marking detail which includes the European Community CE Marking should not be construed as confirmation that ExVeritas has given permission for the CE Marking to be applied to any particular item of equipment. Applying the CE Marking remains the responsibility of the manufacturer in accordance with the appropriate EU legislation.
3.21 ExVeritas accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of provisional information relating to the proposed content of certificates, which may be exchanged between ExVeritas and the client prior to the formal issue of a certificate.
3.22 Complaints and Appeals can be made to Exveritas by following this process or directly to the relevant scheme/body i.e. DANAK.
3.23 Certificate number/s and coding provided for the generation of marking drawings during the course of a project are subject to change. The release of this information does not indicate that the equipment has achieved Certification. ExVeritas accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred due to changes made prior to issue of the final hard copy certificate.
Updated section 2.4 to include ExVeritas ApS explanation of meeting applicable requirements of ISO/IEC 17065 clause 4.1.2.2.
Revised to avoid wrong references. Repeated sections removed.
ExVeritas obligations removed from 2.4 Clients responsibilities.
ExVeritas obligations corrected. Section 2.8.1 corrected.
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2019-04-24T03:10:03Z
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https://www.exveritas.com/standard-terms-for-exveritas-aps/
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Fancy showing other people how to play a blockbuster game on YouTube? Would you like to create instructional videos to teach or train something, or communicate some computer issues? If you are in this league, it can get a bit frustrating when you have difficulty in getting your point across to your audience. And what you need is to record the sequence of actions in a video, so that anyone can figure out your point. The free screen recorder for Mac absolutely a solid choice to make the process of creating lessons, tutorials, product reviews, and even presentations a lot easier on Mac OS. And here are 10 excellent best screen recorder for Mac options available completely free.
The first free screen recording software for Mac we'd like to show you is the built-in screen recorder of MacX Video Converter Pro, which is able to free record screen on Mac with audio. No matter you're willing to record software training sessions, game walkthrough, demos of apps, presentations or streaming videos playing on YouTube, this screen recorder for Mac will suit all your needs on Mac screen capture with the help of system audio, microphone. Besides, as the name implies, the screen recorder for Mac free with audio is also known as the best video converter for Mac, allowing you to convert the recorded video to MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, H.264 or any other formats so that you're free to watch your Mac screen recording on iPhone iPad Android or uploading to YouTube.
Free download the free screen recorder for Mac and launch it. And if you plan to capture Windows screen actions, grab the Windows version.
Step 1: Click "Screen Recorder" icon on the main interface to get ready for Mac screen recording.
1. Choose the Session Preset and move the Framrate slider to determine the quality of the recorded video.
2. Go Audio Devices and click on the drop-down button to choose "System Sound".
3. Set the output folder to save the file from the Target Folder.
4. Check the box of "add recorded movie to convert list" if you'd like to convert your recorded video later.
5. Back to the main interface, crop the specific area of the screen to record or simple check Keep full screen if you want to record full screen video on Mac.
Step 3: Hit Record blue button, then the free screen capture for Mac will capture what is happening on Mac OS.
The video captured by this free screen recorder for Mac is in MOV format by default. If you wanna watch your recordings on iPhone iPad Android devices, or upload them to YouTube, Facebook, Dailymotion etc., you can convert MOV to MP4 on Mac, or any other compatible formats with the all-round MacX Video Converter.
Jing is a free screen recording software for mac that not only allows you to capture images, but also record videos. Simply save any particular area into a screenshot and continue performing a video record with the same selection. This app will allow you to use the microphone during recording. But it's a pity that if you use a mic, you cannot record the system sounds. Anyway, if you want to narrate through some process or guiding steps, this software is the right one for you, not to mention it's available to record 360 degree videos, 4K UHD videos etc.
History feature that allows you to see you recent recordings.
Tend to lag from time to time.
A surprise, as a Mac user, you obviously know that QuickTime Player comes as a default video player for Mac, but seldom to know its capability of recording Mac screen for free. Well, if you need a no-nonsense solution for your screen recording needs which caps at 15fps, can record microphone audio but not system audio, and doesn't need your face to be shown in, and doesn't need you to install anything or spend a single penny, QuickTime is the right answer for you.
The recording can only be limited by the space available on your hard drive.
It can't play two videos simultaneously.
It doesn't support other video formats.
Coming from the same developers that brings us the excellent Jing, Snagit is another free screen recorder for Mac that will help you to record high quality videos. The focus of Snagit is on annotation of your screen captures - both in stills and video formats. And better still, the Mac screen recorder, available on OS X 10.9 or later, will retain what you have recorded, allowing you retrieve them at any time.
Easily retrieve the recordings given that they are stored in the tray.
It features a user-friendly interface.
It provides an option of using keyboard shortcuts to start the process of recording.
One of the most unique features of Monosnap, other than it being available for a number of platforms, is that is records your screen in 60fps for an ultra-smooth playback even in the most demanding scenarios. The free Menu bar tutorial, presentation, gameplay recorder also comes with option of turning on your webcam, mic and system's audio all at the same time before you start recording. If you are connected to your Monosnap account, once you're done recording, you can immediately upload and share the link with your friends.
Allow you to use the system audio, webcam and mic simultaneously.
Allow you to hide private information.
You will need to register a Monosnap account.
As one of the best free Mac screen recorders, TinyTake certainly allows you to record video from iMac camera, but you will need to sign up for a TinyTake account. Once you have installed the Mac screen capture, it shows up in your menu bar. As you get started, you can record anywhere from two minutes to two hours, and you can even make notes or point things out on screen. It's worthy to praise that the TinyTake can be treated as a YouTube screen recorder as well, not only being capable of recording YouTube on Mac, but also uploading your video directly to YouTube.
You need to sign up a TinyTake account first.
You might be surprised to find VLC here, after all, it's merely a video player. Actually, VLC can meet the basic screen capturing for most people. To access this "hidden" feature, navigate to the File menu and Open Capture Device, where you need to change the source selection to Screen. VLC allows some basic adjustments like which audio input device to capture, what frame rate to use for videos (up to 30fps), and allows following the mouse for easier focus as well, among other parameters.
Works on every platform VLC is available on, on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Installed by default for many Mac users, no need for any extra tool installations.
A bit complicated compared to other free screen recording software for Mac.
Only available to record the complete desktop, cannot change the recording's resolution.
Quickcast is another incredible app that any Mac user can use to record Mac screens for free. This free app is very fast and allows you to share your screencast via a QuickCast portal. And the videos recorded by the free screen recording software for Mac are also available to embedded to Webpages and blog posts.
Allows you to easily share your screencasts.
If you're a keen gamer, OBS Studio is easily the best free screen capture software for you. Unlike the hugely popular FRAPS, OBS Studio is open source, and completely free to use without restrictions. It supports both streaming and recording in high definition, with no restrictions on the number or length of your creations. With this free game recorder for Mac, you can stream live to Twitch or YouTube's gaming, save projects and come back to them later, or encode your footage in FLV format and save it locally.
It is easy to use. Available for live streaming.
Screencast-O-Matic is free to use, but also offers a paid version for $15 per year, which is pretty reasonable. The free version screen recorder lets you record for up to fifteen minutes, does screen and webcam recording, allows you to publish to YouTube, and saves your recordings as video files.
That concludes all the top 10 picks for Mac screen recording software. We took care in compiling this list that pretty much all category of users can find something that works for their specific need. Or if we've missed your favorite screen recording software on Macbook Pro/Air, iMac, let us know in the comment.
Free download the best free screen recorder for Mac - MacX Video Converter Pro to easily record screen with sound on Mac and convert the recorded video to MP4, MOV, H264, MPEG4, MKV, AVI, FLV, etc for playing on iPhone, iPad, Android or uploading to YouTube .
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2019-04-22T06:45:40Z
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https://www.macxdvd.com/mac-video-converter-pro/free-screen-recorder-for-mac.htm
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Many Amateur radio operators are familiar with the effects of the ionosphere at HF frequencies. However, the effects of the ionosphere are also noticeable at much higher frequencies. In particular, at L band, which is used by most satellite navigation systems. Thus, GNSS receivers can be used to measure ionospheric parameters. These measurements are usually distributed as TEC maps in IONEX files.
Here I describe some basic ionospheric physics, how a GNSS receiver can measure the ionosphere, and give some Python code to study TEC maps in IONEX files. Then I use TEC maps to study the CODAR ionospheric observations I did in December last year.
A few weeks ago I posted how I make wideband recordings of bandscope data with my Hermes-Lite 2. In that post, I sort of promised to do a small analysis of the waterfall I showed. After being busy with other things (PicSat’s launch among them), I’ve finally had time to write something up.
Over the last few days, I have been recording CODAR on 4463kHz to produce images of the ionosphere. I started on Friday 15th and the plan was to leave the recording running until Christmas Day, thus producing some kind of “CODAR advent” images. Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem when the receiver runs for several days that results in the sudden loss of the CODAR signal. This problem can be seen at the bottom of the image below. Thus, I have finished the recording on the morning of the 24th. The equipment and software used is the same that I detailed in a previous post.
CODAR is an HF radar used to measure surface ocean currents in coastal areas. Usually, it consists of a chirp which repeats every second. The chirp rate is usually on the order of 10kHz/s, and the signal is gated in small pulses so that the CODAR receiver can listen between pulses. The gating frequency can be on the order of 1kHz.
CODAR can be received by skywave many kilometers inland. Being a chirped signal, it is easy to extract the multipath information from the received signal. In this way, one can see the signal bouncing off the different layers of the ionosphere, and magnificent pictures showing the changes in the ionosphere (especially at dawn and dusk) can be obtained. For instance, see these images by Pieter Ibelings N4IP, or the image at the top of this post, which contains 48 hours worth of CODAR data.
Here I describe my approach to receiving CODAR. It uses GNU Radio for most of the signal processing, and Python with NumPy, SciPy and Matplotlib for plotting.
My current HF antenna is a long wire (around 15 or 20m) connected to an MFJ-993BRT outdoor automatic antenna tuner. The tuner is fed with around 25m of M&P Airborne 10 coaxial cable which runs into the shack. When I installed this antenna, I suffered from high RF currents on the outside of the coax shield when transmitting. These currents go into the shack trying to find a path to earth, since this kind of antenna needs good grounding. Also, while receiving, the coax carried lots of interference into the antenna, especially in the lower bands.
I tried to mitigate this problem by installing a ground rod besides the tuner. This is 2m a copper tube with 50cm buried in the ground. The top of the tube is connected to the tuner ground with a short cable. After installing the ground rod, approximately half of the RF current flowed into the ground rod and the remaining half kept flowing into the shack via the coax shield.
To measure RF current, I have been using a clamp on meter. My design is similar to the design by Ian GM3SEK, but I measure voltage across the output capacitor with a multimeter instead of using a resistor and ammeter coil.
Now I have built and installed a feedline choke following the design of the mid-bands choke by GM3SEK. I use 4 turns of M&P Airborne 5 coax through 3 Fair Rite 2643167851 material 43 cores, wound as an 85mm coil. The finished choke can be seen below.
I have measured the performance of the choke using my Hermes-Lite2 beta2 in VNA mode, as I already did with my mains choke. The results are shown below.
The performance seen in these graphs matches the performance measured by GM3SEK in his document. The choke has a resistance of over 1000 ohms on most of the Amateur HF bands, and up to 5000 ohms in the middle bands.
I have installed the choke directly on the input of the tuner. The RF current flowing on the outside of the coax shield has now decreased to around 2% in several cases and 10% in the worst case. The interference received in the lower bands has also decreased noticeably.
Last week I did an experiment where I transmitted WSPR on a fixed frequency for several days and studied the distribution of the frequency reports I got in the WSPR Database. This can be used to study the frequency accuracy of the reporters’ receivers.
I was surprised to find that the distribution of reports was skewed. It was more likely for the reference of a reporter to be low in frequency than to be high in frequency. The experiment was done in the 40m band. Now I have repeated the same experiment in the 20m band, obtaining similar results.
Last Monday I did a recording for the HamSci eclipse 2017 HF wideband recording experiment. I used my Hermes-Lite 2.0beta2 to record three 384kHz slices: the 40m band, the 30m band and the 20m band, from 14:00 to 22:00UTC. The 3 band recording in Digital RF format has a size of 248GB, so I’m still compressing the data to upload it to Zenodo.
Meanwhile, I have used a variation of my usual Python script to plot waterfalls of the recording. Below you can see waterfalls for the 3 bands. They use the same scaling, with a dynamic range of 50dB, so it is easy to see how the noise floor changes per band. The carriers of the strongest broadcast AM stations are clipped. The resolution in these waterfalls is 187.5Hz or 15s per pixel.
I have also taken a high resolution waterfall around the WWV carrier at 10MHz. The resolution is 22.9mHz or 65.5s per pixel, and the frequency span is 19.95Hz.
Centre frequency: 10MHz. Span 19.95Hz.
Near the centre of this waterfall, two signal can be seen. The signal which is concentrated in frequency is leakage from my 10MHz GPSDO. The signal which is spread out in frequency is the carrier of WWV, probably mixed with BPM. I’m not sure about the identity of the signal below them, which is about 5Hz below 10MHz. I suspect that it is JN53DV.
This waterfall shows that the 500ppb TCXO of my Hermes-Lite 2.0beta2 is stable to a few tens of parts per billion, as I remarked in my WSPR study.
I have also uploaded large high resolution waterfalls. The Python code used to produce these images is in this gist.
Last weekend, I recorded the full EAPSK63 contest in the 40m band with the goal of monitoring IMD levels. I made a 48kHz IQ recording spanning the full 24 contest hours (from 16:00 UTC on Saturday to 16:00 UTC on Sunday). This week I’ve been playing with making waterfall plots from the recording. These are very interesting, showing patterns in propagation and contest activity. Here I show some of the waterfalls I’ve obtained, together with the Python code used to compute them.
This weekend I have recorded the full EAPSK63 Spanish PSK63 contest in the 40m band with the goal of playing back the recording later and reporting the stations showing excessively high IMD levels. In PSK contests, it is usual to see terribly distorted signals, which are the result of reckless operating techniques and stations which are setup inadequately. Contest rules don’t help much, as they are usually too weak to prevent distorted signals from interfering other participants. Amateurs should take care and strive to produce a signal as clean as possible. For instance, in the US, Part 97 101 a) states that “each amateur station must be operated in accordance with good engineering and good amateur practice”. Here I describe the signal processing done in this study and list a “hall of shame” of the worst stations I have spotted in my recording. I will notify by email the contest manager and all the stations in this list with the hope that the situation improves in the future.
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2019-04-25T10:21:37Z
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https://destevez.net/tag/hf/
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CM Magazine: This is Sadie.
Sara O’Leary. Illustrated by Julie Morstad.
32 pp., hardcopy & ebook, $19.99 (hc.).
ISBN 978-1-77049-532-6 (hc.), ISBN 978-1-77049-533-3 (ebook).
Diving into children’s literature can be a refreshing experience, and it is this quality of refreshment along with enjoyment that marked my journey through the picture book, This is Sadie. The way the story is written, as well as the voice in which the story is told, help to create a narrative that is alluring and credible. Sadie is an unforgettable protagonist who is active, has verve, and, above all else, an impressive imagination. She is fortunate: her imagination, her subjectivity has been produced and shaped by the literature, the reading, to which she has been exposed and of which she now partakes. The story opens with a commanding, compelling, and clear voice of a third person (limited) narrator who shares all that readers need to know about Sadie.
No, not that. That’s a box.
Sadie is inside the box.
Sadie says she’s not inside the box at all.
From the beginning, the powerful narrative voice that pilots the reader makes strong declarative statements as we can see in the above, conducts, questions, and sometimes relays messages that the savvy Sadie wishes to convey. This narrative voice is adroitly supported by illustrations that are rendered in gouache, watercolour and pencil crayon. The images are as captivating. The opening illustration, showing Sadie’s ebony-haired head peeking out of a tan coloured box that sits on a blue, azure, green, and tan patchwork quilt, displays the steady hand of skillful artist whose work charms and delights with its simplicity, soft beauty, and credibility.
The story beckons readers firmly and tactfully while positioning them to pay attention to the tale that the narrator has to tell—a tale about a character that is worthwhile and important. Like a videographer whose camera is trained on an important subject, the narrator is committed to zooming in and informing readers about Sadie. “Here is Sadie now,” says the narrator; “she’s looking for land. Only she’s not looking too hard.” And with this, readers get their first full glimpse of Sadie, now on an imagined and realistically rendered boat at sea, quietly contemplating a sea bird that has come to visit.
As the narrator and the illustrator unfurl the story, readers move between Sadie’s imagined worlds and the natural one. An example of this is the visual depiction of Sadie’s being on the boat at sea and the real or natural world that is depicted in the next double-page spread—an image of her bedroom that shows the box from which she imagined being at sea. The box, patchwork quilt and even the boat in a bottle that sits atop a pile of books in her bedroom are effective devices that connect real objects to Sadie’s fantasies and that also help young readers transition between the real and imagined worlds of this creative and lively work. Sadie’s room is filled with material things that fuel her fancy. It is filled with nails, a hammer, a screw-driver, dresses, pants, a vase of flowers, a mask in the shape of a fox, a stuffed fox, a record player, and a half-eaten apple to mention just some of the items that are fodder for Sadie’s rich imagination. It was a delight to see a pyjama-clad, hammer-swinging Sadie in the midst of constructing a wood-work project to launch her day.
The blending of the real and the imagined is a recurring and noteworthy aspect of This is Sadie. A place where it is especially pleasing is the double-page spread where Sadie spends a perfect day with friends: some of whom “live on her street,” and others who “live in the pages of books.” Here, the illustrator’s soothing yet visually appealing images make literary allusions to Sadie’s literary friends (e.g., Little Red Riding Hood, long-haired Rapunzel etc.) and her real world, multiracial real friends who swim and frolic happily together in a turquoise looking pool. From this delectable illustration, readers will find enjoyment, refreshment and lots of fancy. This is no less true of an illustration that depicts adventure-loving Sadie in a tree top “chit-chatting” with blue birds while her stuffed fox waits for her in the basket attached to her red bicycle beneath the tree.
Conveyed by narration and illustration, readers get to see Sadie as principal participant in the fantastic worlds fueled by her literary imagination. Like many youngsters who engage with literature, Sadie is the lead character, “the hero” in her fanciful role-play of the fairy tales. For instance, readers see Sadie as a mermaid in a lush undersea world (perhaps prompted by hearing or reading Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid”) and atop a magnificent white steed (perhaps based on the prince in “Snow White”). Readers also see the unleashing of her rich fantasy life in the depiction of a verdant, tropical setting that includes a snake and a tiger pretending to be a boy raised by wolves (likely inspired by Kipling’s Mowgli from The Jungle Book). Along with those three literary allusions, is the pièce de resistance; Sadie (in top Hat) in the role of Hatter at the Mad Tea Party from chapter seven of Alice in Wonderland. As in the previous imaginary settings, Sadie takes centre stage in this adventure. Similar to Lewis Carroll’s story, Alice is a guest, but in this imaginative rendition, Sadie is a generous hostess presiding over a table laden with teapots, cupcakes, and teacups a plenty. It is a particularly striking and compositionally satisfying illustration.
With only six words of text, it is the illustrator’s artistry that speaks eloquently and beautifully in the visualization of the tea party. The scene is enlivened with colourful chairs (a red one for Sadie), a pink plate, heaps of water-coloured cups all atop a chalk-white tablecloth on a huge table standing on a flower-covered lawn. It is a delectable and perfectly rendered scene in which Julie Morstad excels as an illustrator! If readers look carefully, they will find Sadie’s stuffed brown fox leaning against one of the white table legs and that of a hot pink chair. Wherever her imagination takes her, Sadie always travels with something from home.
At this historical moment in Canada, it is encouraging to encounter a picture book not totally given over to naturalism, but, rather, one that focalizes an enchanting period in childhood; fun-filled days where books inspire a delightful list of “things to make and do”. This includes imaginative play, story, and art-making, as is depicted on the page that shows Sadie in a castle made out of blankets and cushions and whatever else she could find around her.
Yes, Sadie has found a source of enchantment—stories, the thing she likes “more than anything because you can make them from nothing at all.” When readers leave Sadie (reluctantly, I might add), she is reading a story about a snail while wearing snail inspired tentacles on her head. Readers then see her asleep with a box on her back reminiscent of the coiled shell of a snail. There is an open book on the floor beside her. Transported by a book, Sadie has slipped into fantasyland, and readers will be gladdened by it.
Though the book has considerable affective power, it is important to note that in a story that celebrates the vivid fantasy life of an endearing young girl, the reference to “old people need[ing]” on page six (numbered by reviewer) where she is depicted hammering nails, seems unnecessary and anachronistic to the mood, theme, plot and tone of the story. Furthermore, when readers move beyond the surface of the words, such a reference appears inhospitable to cultivating respect and reverence for elders in children. That said, This is Sadie is an irresistible book filled with a charm that entrances and a heroine that is unforgettable. Sara O’Leary’s fine narrative is sublimely complemented by the exceptional and aesthetically appealing art of Julie Morstad. Don’t miss this one! It is delightful.
Barbara McNeil is an instructor in the Faculty of Education, the University of Regina.
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2019-04-21T08:29:31Z
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http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/cm/vol21/no35/thisissadie.html
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This entry was posted on January 10, 2015 at 9:05 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
Arrived here a few weeks ago armed with pain killers, antiinflammatories, ibruprofen creams and so on. Yep, I’m a hypochondriac.
And I’ve met a number of people dealing with the consequences of chikunchunga. I’m now down to my last packet and tube having given that which I thought would help to those I have met and those I know.
Absolutely nothing and if you are on minimum wage less than nothing.
My simple over the counter medicines have brought a LOT of relief very quickly to a number of people in pain. Pain and discomfort that has lingered unnecessarily for months.
The situation her is deteriorating by the day. I used to think a bunch of idiotic left wing/Cuban/chavista/psuv/ corrupted general shts ran this country but now it is obvious those same characters are in the employ of unnamed highly organised criminal gangs.
VZ is going to export food to Qatar!
It’s a crying shame, I come from a country with one climate and one growing season. Venezuela has a range of climates and 2 or even three growing seasons. It could be the breadbasket of South America, instead it’s the basketcase.
Essentially, this is a non-agreement since Vzla is not a food exporter.
Moreover, Qatar can probably grow food in the desert cheaper than in Vzla.
A ‘must read’ on the current state of affairs in Venezuela.
I understand that the Financial Times is now saying that a default is now unavoidable. Wow. This thing sliding downhill fast….
By the way, I still cannot believe that they made that 8 billion dollar interest payment on the bonds back in October. Breathtaking.
The lowest in the world of countries not in default.
My wife tells me the latest Facebook thing in VZ is for people to make requests for medicine.
Her niece just posted an urgent request for 2 tablets of betametasone(a) or betagen, for another pregnant family member. After researching the drug, aside for its “minor” uses to alleviate itching, rashing, etc., it is to be taken by expectant mothers expecting pre-term delivery (I guess), to aid in the baby’s lung development.
Can you imagine being an expectant mother or father, your doctor tells you that you need this medication to save your child’s life, and you can’t have it because of Chavismo?
I have some very perverse and evil thoughts going through my mind now, and maybe some of you can guess their nature, but I can’t help it.
This has been a Twitter thing for more than a year now.
Some days it seems that ever 3rd Tweet is looking for medicine.
Having taken everything from pampers and baby milk to vitamin B injections (for a cancer patient) to Venezuela over the past year and a half, yes, this is the way it is.
A very few years ago Chavismo, under Chavez, did at least supply medicines and drugs at very low cost or even free to most people. It’s only in the past 18 months that the wheels have come off in this very stark way.
By the way, there will be more expectant mothers shortly since it’s also very difficult to find contraceptive pills or injections there.
I understand most of the milk sold in Caracas over the past few days was from a discovered hoard of ZuliMilk?
Perverse and evil people are on all sides.
The principal driver of decision to downgrade Venezuela’s sovereign rating is a marked increase in default risk owing to lower oil prices, Moody’s says.
• The recent oil price shock has exerted pressure on Venezuela’s balance of payments and dwindling foreign reserves, Moody’s says.
This is what socialism looks like. We don’t have these problems in the US, our biggest problem is people who work being robbed in taxes to feed the half that refuse to work.
Face it, the oil bubble has burst. By the time oil goes to $150, a dollar will have a third of its current purchasing power. In a free market, all things go through cycles, that includes market corrections. When prices go up, more people compete and the price comes back down. Then that skill and technology moves to locations where is more economically feasible. In places where land and labor are dirt cheap, a shale oil well is still very profitable. Maduro is short sighted enough to believe that $100 is a “fair” price when in fact it is 4-5 times what the price has been for decades. The saddest part, is that Chavez is not around to see his ship sink.
It will go to $150. Adjust it by inflation. You can assume 2035 as an approximate target date. Why? Because that’s what it takes for indians to drive electric cars with electricity generated by nuclear power.
Miguel, how does on edit comments here? I made a typo “severa” instead of “severe” but could not find the edit button.
I shot an error in the air. It’s still going… everywhere.
I dont think you can correct. I did.
Why would a joint Venezuela-Iran project on pharma work when the track record is one of uninterrupted failures? In this 2010 video chavez visits the Veneiran assembly plant and talks about domestic manufacturing “because we have the raw material and production facilities to make the sheet metal.” Of course, today Veriauto is dead and Sidor is moribund.
A bonus of the video is the illustration of chavez severe ADD. In min 5:08 he asks about production levels and gets the number “48 unit per shift” Then he deviates and begins talking about a soccer game where Brazil won, forgetting the talk about productivity.
Can’t understand the Saudi visit at all. Going to Iran might make him feel better (scumbags of a feather stick together), but what the hell did he expect in Saudi Arabia?
They’ve eloquently stated that not only do OPEC members cheat anyway, but that there’s too much oil from elsewhere for OPEC to manipulate prices. And too little demand.
One of the Saudi Princes was recently interviewed, and he explained what the deal is. That $100 oil is a thing of the past, it is VERY possible that it will go much lower than $50, with minor fluctuations bringing it above and below 50, but not by major numbers.
And that oil-producing countries better learn to live with these new, lower incomes.
Not only that, but before taking off for Saudi Arabia, he made statements with Iran about supporting a strategy to increase prices. Dumb and dumber.
If Saudi Oil is going down to $40bbl, the muck that Venezuela dredges out of the ground will be $35bbl. Hasn’t the government already admitted that oil averaged about $42.50 last week?
$100 oil is a thing of the past.
Anybody wanna buy a nice bridge?
It’s simple math, barring a nuclear or other war catastrophe. Which of course is always possible.
The reasoning being, from what I read, that $100 oil is worth nothing to the Saudis if it’s stuck in the ground because their customers have come up with alternative energy sources (gas, shale oil, tar sands, lithium, etc). They have to extract it and sell it before the market goes away.
They don’t have the production capacity to jeep oil prices that low. It’s mind games. Prices will start increasing by the fall and will eventually return to $100. By 2035 they should be $150. The renewables just don’t work at large scale below $100 to $120 with current technology.
Apparently CitiGroup believes the Saudis will run out of oil by 2030, in part because they use 25% of their production themselves, so using your numbers they should be able to get all they can out of the ground and sell it before renewables become a viable option.
They just had to set the renewables (and other oil competitors like the Arctic, US shale oil, the Brazilian Atlantic, Canadian tar sands) back by 20 years or so, which they’ve now done.
Of course they’re also playing geopolitical games with the Russians and the Iranians, and yhey’re not going to be worried about the collateral damage to Venezuela.
Frank, when you think about Saudi oil running out assume it will climb to 12 million barrels per day, hold there for a while, and then decline in a fairly monotonic fashion (we call it exponential decline). If you want to play with it multiply the previous year’s production by 0.97 and that gives you the year’s production. Just draw that out year after year.
I hope that when Venezuela finally has to beg the international community for food basics that they make maduro and chavistas pay homage to whoever delivers it. It may sound outdated but unless this group is subdued in public they will be preparing to fight for a return to power. I have an aweful feeling that what we are about to see in Venezuela will be a bloodbath because the current government is dragging things out to the edge of an abyss. I hope I’m wrong.
When that time comes, they will not “beg”. They will “demand” it, as though it is their right to receive aid. They will claim that that the conditions were created by “Economic War” and that it is the obligation of the world to help them. Humility is not their strong suit.
Fernando Leanme, do you know of a good book about the Cuban secret service? One not about a special operation but rather about that agency’s working?
“Castro’s secrets” by Brian Latell provides some historical insight.
Not quite to your request, but related: Georgie Ann Geyer was a journalist of some note who spent a lot of time covering Latin America. In her autobiography Buying the Night Flight, she had an interesting story about Manuel Piñeiro, who at the time was the head of Cuba’s secret police.Manuel Piñeiro became infatuated with Georgie Ann Geyer, and tried to develop a relationship with her. Talk about fear factor: becoming the lover of the head of the secret police. She was able to extricate herself out of that, but with a consequence: subsequent request for visas to Cuba were denied.
The secret police is perhaps the only institution in Cuba that functions.
I highly recommend Georgie Ann Geyer’s book. She has some interesting stories about Allende and Chile. And many other places.
You could see this coming, over Christmas and New Year everybody went crazy emptying their bank accounts and buying new clothes, presents, and so on. No shortage of liquor either.
And I mean emptying their accounts, on most days in Higuerote you would have to queue for 45-60 mins at Mercantil to withdraw cash (VEF 4000 limit per day). I should have taken a photo.
Now the hangover is setting in, the accounts are empty, and people are very nervous. I don’t know if it’s panic buying, hoarding or if people’s stocks of food are really running out, but the queues at supermarkets in Caracas are impressive. The Excelsior-Gama in front of the Miranda metro station is one of the most expensive in Caracas, and still the queue was almost 2 blocks long to get in when I passed in late December. I’m sure it’s not any better now. To me it looks like February and March will be a more violent and more desperate reprise of last year.
The shortages are just random, from day to day it’s different. Trivial observation: in November I could get Pirulines at the airport, though they were rationed to two boxes per person… I was able to get some more at a different shop (yo traficante en Pirulines :-), I’m lucky I wasn’t detained). Now they’re not available at all.
That’s exactly why I didn’t go on my annual 3-month visit to Venezuela! Too many signs of shortage problems and violence early in 2015.
You think the Saudis don’t know exactly what is going on back home? Or Maduro’s stupid statement when departing Iran to Saudi Arabia? How do you think the Saudis keep control of everything? Unprofessional they are not.
The women will go to spas for beauty treatments. They will get their hair and nails done.
What’s the point? They could get it done better in Venezuela.
Not if the last stop of the tour is Havana.
Wishful thinking on your part I’m afraid.
No way, Qatar has quite a few venezuelan expats, I bet the women are raising beauty parlor standards, but you can’t tell if they are all covered up.
note Qatar stop not on original schedule but added at last minute. Yeah you sure fooled us.
Supposedly Maduro is getting loans from Qatar.
I must congratulate the author of this article on his mastery of the language. Twice he uses the word “chaos” where generally one would find instead the word “anarchy” which for a libertarian and in this context would represent both a prostitution of ideas and an insult. And yet it happens all the time.
Chaos is a word dear to my heart though, published a few papers in Physics on that subject.
Could the flapping of the wings of a bird (or rather its brain) currently visiting Russia, China and OPEP countries, generate tremendous upheaval back home? What does chaos theory say about that?
Does not look like chaos to me but rather pretty well disciplined servitude.
Something good is bound to happen eventually.
I must admit that I get a perverse pleasure of reading the Venezuelan press. This article from Notices 24 is a case point. With fanfare, it notes that 415.000 of foodstuffs are being distributed today in Caracas. How is this newsworthy anywhere else? It’s not. It’s a mundane every day occurrence the world over even in Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, Haiti or anywhere else on this planet.
As I am in Colombia, I love comparing similar stories in the respective presses. President Santos went late last year to Europe to seek support on the Colombian Peace Process and to discuss the drug trade. His trip was a success for the most part but the Colombian press reported it critically and with analysis. I look at the Venezuelan press and how it is covering Maduro’s trip now and it is all one glorious achievement after another. A brief paragraph about how Maduro did this and said that followed by a stream of irrelevant photographs. It’s laughable. Who falls for such crap?
The Soviets fell for it for decades.
I’m sure the 85000 citizens of 23 de Enero parish will enjoy the 40000 kg distributed in their area. That’s a bit more than 400 grams per person. Eaten with a generous muddy water supplement and a stray cat it can last until next week. I should know, I lived in Cuba. When things got bad we ate all the cats, pigeons, dogs…I even had an sob trying to sell me a vulture albóndiga.
Yes sir. We had a guy selling vulture at 12th ave and 23 st. Right in front of the large cemetery entrance. People claimed it was making them sick, so I didn’t buy it. But I did eat cat. I wrote about it in my blog. That was a real story.
There was a huge, well-known Chinese restaurant in NYC’s Chinatown that my friend always went to. This is the 70s. Can’t remember the name because I’m an old fart.
When a bunch of us all went out together, we always outvoted him and went elsewhere, but man, did he brag about the ribs at this place!
Imagine his surprise when the lead news story was that the place was closed down by the authorities–for trapping local cats and serving them, especially the ribs!
I myself have no problem or cultural outrage at consuming domesticated species like dogs and cats.
Ira, when you go hungry like we did in Cuba you get the “Oreo syndrome”. This is a disease which strikes people who lack food. The name was invented by American expats working in Iran many years ago. The spent all the time complaining because they couldn’t find Oreos on Kharg Island.
Anyway, I don’t think it’s the same. When one goes hungry like we did in Cuba thoughts about food become obsessive. Especially greasy food, sweets and things you never ate. I think venezuelans are just getting into that zone, but they got a ways to go.
And by the way, cat doesn’t taste like chicken. A properly fed dog tastes ok. Pigeon is fine. And you can eat fish bones if to burn them to a crisp.
Yeah, I wouldn’t say the Oreo Syndrome is the same thing.
Maduro is travelling on a Cuban plane. He might as well end his trip in Havana and start his retirement.
He is traveling on a Cuban plane out of necessity. The Airbus that the Venezuelan government owns is unable to fly due to a dispute with Airbus. The Venezuelan government claims that Airbus damaged the plane last year when it received scheduled maintenance. The truth is far different of course. The plane can’t fly because Airbus is demanding payment before it releases the required parts that will enable the plane to fly.
It’s really quite something to see the Venezuelan government in action. The level of corruption is unequaled in the annals of Latin American dictatorships. The Duvailers in Haiti at least kept money in the bank for such niceties as a presidential plane. Telling that Venezuela can not.
Charles, can you elaborate on the Airbus issue or are you just making this up from something you read. You think the regime does not have the money to buy a few aircraft engines? What can cost more?
Venezuela says that the Presidential plane is defective (wings) and it’s Airbus’ job to repair the entire plane. Airbus says Venezuela hasn’t maintained the jet properly so parts have broken through neglect.
As usual, it will all end up in some court within the next twenty years or so.
You do know he had the money to buy a lot of jets, turboprobs and helicopters but he does not have the money for “spare parts” for his Airbus. This analysis is flawed Charles.
Charles, they parked the A319CJ for a host of reasons. None of which you mentioned. Airbus was scapegoated and you fell for it.
They don’t want Imperialist bugs listening to their conversations. It’s kinda funny.
The Airbus dispute is old news, and I read that the Embraer was painted in Conviasa colours so as not to attract attention, is that correct?
Has to do with air transit rights for non comnercial craft.
OK, I’ll bite, I know as much about the air industry as I do about oil… does painting the VIP plane in Conviasa colours, i.e. making a non-commercial VIP aircraft look like a commercial one make certain things easier?
I wonder if the way chavista ministers are insulting and making people angry may not be a step in a well calibrated plan to cause scattered protests. This will allow them to arrest the hot heads and make a show of power.
Don’t ever underestimate Raul Castro and his son Alejandro Castro, his heir about to sit on the cuban dictatorship throne. If they allow Maduro and his ministers behave this way there has to be a subtle reason.
I also understand you don’t think the Maduro regime is a cuban satrapy, but the whole set up tells me they are indeed entrenched, and the G2 is very much on top of things.
I would discourage protests or anything extemporaneous which allows regime agents to arrest you or mark you down. The day you are ready to protest then you had better be ready to protest in Petare or La Cañada de Urdaneta with the poor. If they kill you then at lease you know you did it to achieve some thing. And if the barrio people join you then maybe, just maybe, you can achieve Solidarity without Lech Walesa and a decent Pope back int your question for freedom.
The only way the cuban g2 will let go of Venezuela’s throat will be by force, and the only force can only come from within chavismo and with the poor people in the barrios ask int for it. Cabello is clearly blackmailed by the Cuban G2, so he’s a non entity. Other than being a loud mouth and serving as an instrument for the dictatorship’s gutting of institutions, Cabello is nothing. This means protests also have to focus on Cabello’s resignation and departure (or capture and trial).
Finally, if you want to put pressure on, to have things change, you also need to focus on Havana.
Obama’s poorly timed foreign policy is about to hand you over as slaves to the Castro family to own, and do with you as they please. So you really ought to consider whether strengthening the Castro family dictatorship benefits anybody, other than the rotten oligarchs who surround the ruling Castro, and the corporate interests pushing for allow bank loans and all sorts of business, with what is looking more and more like a fascist hereditary dictatorship with imperial ambitions.
> Is the embargo over?
> Is there open tourism to Cuba?
> Is there actually ANYTHING that Cuba gains other than silly diplomatic points.
In reality. the only thing that will happen is that there will be a dialog between embassies. In fact, I can’t even remember if President Obama mentioned actual ambassadors except to say they were a possibility at a later date.
The United States has relations with all kinds of repulsive regimes. Just because we talk to them doesn’t mean we play nice.
If the United States wants to make change they may need a hammer, but what is it if all the nails are already driven in?
Cuba gains more dollars from lowering of trade and communication barriers. There are two schools of though on this. What Obama did is defensible.
Yes, you’re right. There will be more humanitarian aid, but I doubt if anything other than superior cigars and inferior Rum will be exported, and that will be at $100 per tourist. Tourism itself won’t be affected, you still can’t fly from the US for a vacation, it has to be one of those education and people to people tours where you get to look at faded wall art of Che and a 40 year old Fidel.
One thing about the cigars, is there any “big shot” Republican or Democrat who can’t already get their hands on a nice Cuban?
As far as communications, both sides come out ahead. US funds will flow in to upgrade Cuba’s decrepit grid and internet, but more people will have smart phones and Internet Access.
I think it all hinges on Raul’s son. I don’t know how the Cuban people will accept what will basically be an hereditary monarchy. It also looks like the guy is totally devoid of personality let alone charisma.
Osama implied he was removing all economics sanctions. The problem I see is that Venezuela is about to crash, Fidel is about to die, and they are working fast to place a third Castro, Alejandro, as the hereditary dictator. The circumstances are way too dicey for a weakling president, whose main focus is starting trouble with Russia, to be getting weak knees when the dictatorship may be about to fold due to Venezuela’s economic crisis. If he wants to establish relations with the dictatorship, fine.
But the economic sanctions should be negotiated in exchange for the terms requested by Yoani Sanchez and the cuban dissidents. Otherwise what Obama is doing is planting North Korea smack in the middle of USA navigation lanes. It’s utter nonsense. Another in a long list of usa foreign policy blunders.
Fernando, great until the last paragraph. The question of G2 grip on power is valid. Regarding the last paragraph, IMO too soon to pass judgement and I’m in the thick of it and have been for decades. I support Obama’s decision.
Lets wait till the Casto brothers die. We are in holding pattern till then. Yes the Castro bros. won the status quo remains. Get over it.
They are preparing Alejandro Castro to take over after Raul. It’s looking like they want to copy North Korea. Get over it my behind. They haven’t won yet, if they win they’ll have Venezuela bent over for decades. Get used to being second class colonized subdits ruled by the Castro dictatorship.
Are these goons scared or what?
No, they’re not scared, they’re goons. They face no serious resistance. Why should they be scared?
What I find most entertaining is that obviously no one is in charge. Maduro can’t do anything even if he had a clue what to do, he has no power.
It will only be “entertaining” until the motorcycles and the Kalashnikovs come out early in the second act.
Then the opera buffa becomes a tragedy.
At a supermarket, eastern Caracas, apparently there were bikers blocking the entrance to the establishment and only letting in those they thought were chavistas.
Oh my. This could be a growing trend. Only those who ‘support the revolution’ are entitled to benefits (food?), the others must fend for themselves. Wow. This could really get crazy now….
It is indeed weird that Maduro appears to be such a clueless president. Have the Cuban minders gone home already? And if someone is setting a trap for Maduro to fall in, is that someone so sure that, after the fall, he can control the chaos he has triggered or let fester?
I think he’s outside the country with 22 family members waiting for the explosion to happen. He’s a coward and afraid.
María Corina Machado: Maduro is not touring, he’s fleeing!
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2019-04-24T12:27:14Z
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https://devilexcrement.com/2015/01/10/venezuela-goes-from-bizarre-to-bizarro/
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An official partner of Panasonic, Sango Metal Industrial Co., Ltd. is a leading provider of precision welding services. Their expertise lies in laser welding of materials as thin as 0.2mm, such as terminals on lithium batteries. They currently hold 38% of the global share in this industry. Recently, they installed 2 new equipment to their arsenal, the fiber laser oscillator, which makes it possible to seam weld copper and other hard-to-weld materials, and the galvanometer scanner, which boasts a faster laser traveling speed for higher production efficiency. With these innovative technologies at their disposal, they are now focusing their efforts on fuel cells for cars and medical devices, both of which are fields where rapid miniaturization is occurring.
An official partner of Panasonic, Sango Metal Industrial Co., Ltd. is a leading provider of precision welding services. Their expertise lies in laser welding of materials as thin as 0.2mm, such as terminals on lithium batteries. They currently hold 38% of the global share in this industry. Recently, they brought in 2 new equipment to their arsenal, the fiber laser oscillator, which makes it possible to seam weld copper and other hard-to-weld materials, and the galvanometer scanner, which boasts a faster laser traveling speed for higher production efficiency. With these innovative technologies at their disposal, they are now focusing their efforts on fuel cells for cars and medical devices, both of which are fields where rapid miniaturization is occurring. We sat down with the leader of the Research & Development team, Mr. Koji Hiranaga, and asked about why they decided to renovate their entrance of the company building, and added a new business meeting room.
Sango Metal Industrial acquired and installed a new type of fiber laser oscillator in February 2014. The most significant benefit of this move is that it made possible the welding of different materials, and challenging materials that made for too tough of a procedure of YAG lasers. The most notable benefit of implementing this new system is that the company is now able to weld different types of challenging materials together that were too difficult for standard procedure YAG lasers.
Even though copper and aluminum are materials that aren’t suited for laser welding, they are required in the construction of electric vehicles. “Copper is used a lot in manufacturing parts for things like busbar. There is definitely a notable rise in the demand for technology that can be used to weld challenging materials, as we see this first hand through client inquiries. We were searching for equipment that will allow us to utilize our knowhow in thin sheet welding and battery welding using YAG lasers, while making it possible to weld copper and other challenging materials. Out of the many possible solutions, we chose the fiber laser oscillator because it offered to switch between pulse and CW, and had a pulse peak output of 3 kilowatts.” After adding this new technology to their arsenal, Sango Metal Industrial is ready to face new challenges and expand to new global markets.
Both fiber laser and YAG laser welding are methods of laser welding. However, fiber laser welding offers a deeper and sharper approach to connecting the materials together, and also allows laser engraving. Steam welding is a process that fiber laser can accomplish that YAG laser welding cannot. ” YAG laser welding is the process of welding points together, and is known as spot welding. Fiber laser welding allows for us to weld in lines, and we are now able to respond to broader ranges of customer needs.” Currently the company is focusing their efforts on original developments, research, and studies in order to collect data on the differences between YAG and fiber laser, as well as special characteristics of fiber lasers.
“Even on the internet and within specialized industry circles, information on fiber laser technology is very scarce. *However, we are the professionals in laser welding. We constantly look 2 years into the future, and while combining original research and development; and collaborations with industry, government, and educational institutions; we plan on increasing our precision and quality.
Along with the fiber laser oscillator, the company also decided to install a galvanometer scanner.
“Conventionally, we would control the landing point of the laser beams by moving either the launching system itself or the base that it was mounted on. However, the galvanometer scanner has a mirror installed on the scanning line, so the landing point of the beam is moved by moving the mirrors.” The use of the galvanometer scanner contributed to a major increase in production efficiency.
Sango Metal Industrial produces many small parts, *(include examples of parts and uses) and since many units of the same product are placed onto one piece of material in production, the distance between the welding points becomes longer. The galvanometer scanner is a crucial device in allowing the fiber laser oscillator to utilize its full potential.
“Both the fiber laser oscillator and the galvanometer scanner are expensive pieces of equipment, and at this point there aren’t many businesses that have implemented their capabilities. We see this as a challenge, as well as our way of investing in new technology to bring value to our customers.
Sango Metal Industrial has taken on new challenges by broadening their capabilities through incorporating fiber laser technology into their arsenal. This is the result of a strategy that was formulated by analyzing the current trends surrounding laser welding through gathering information at trade shows.
“When project leaders of new designs and developments are aiming towards true innovation; that is when we truly shine.
Sango Metal Industrial Co., Ltd., situated in the city of Moriguchi in Osaka Prefecture, the home base of Panasonic Corporation, is an expert provider of laser welding, resistance welding, and other precision welds. As an official partner of Panasonic, Sango Metal Industrial has nearly 30 years of experience in laser welding processes for lithium battery terminals. We spoke with President and CEO Takahito Kojima about Sango Metal Industrial’s precision welding technologies and mass production technologies, global developments, and more.
Sango Metal Industrial began its laser welding efforts in the 1980s with the startup of their lithium battery business by Matsushita Battery Industries (the present Panasonic’s Automotive and Industrial Systems Company).
Panasonic still boasts the top share in the lithium battery market, and Sango Metal Industrial is responsible for the majority of the terminal welding for those batteries.
The strongest advantages of Sango Metal Industrial’s laser welding can be roughly divided into two factors. The first is microscopic precision work, and the second is the high-quality output in mass production.
Sango Metal Industrial’s other advantage of their high-quality output in mass production is what puts them ahead of the competition.
Kojima spoke of the company’s mass production processes as a source for their wealth of knowledge. Even if competitors introduce the same machines that Sango Metal Industrial uses, the same level of output and quality cannot be so easily achieved.
They also have a commanding production management system, able to handle variable production of many products in addition to its low and high volume productions.
To prove this statement, we have found that their defect rate is actually extremely low. With a process capability of over Cpk1.33, and a defect rate of below 200ppm, what sets the company apart from its competitors?
In 2012, Sango Metal Industrial founded a local corporation, PT. KOJIMA LASER INDONESIA, in order to create a plant in Indonesia. There are two reasons for their international approach here.
Of course, their expansion into the international scene is with sufficient plans of success.
With the trend of compact and light-weight vehicles throughout the world, the minimization of various parts is on the rise. With this trend, the number of clients who come to discuss their situation has increased as well.
In order to respond to this new demand, Sango Metal Industrial has expanded and enriched its department for research and development.
* See Indexrights Vol. 2 for detailed information on the specs of this newly incorporated equipment.
Sango Metal Industrial continues to increase their approach to automotive parts in addition to lithium batteries. While the proportion of their business that involves secondary fabrication for lithium batteries is at main, Mr. Kojima believes that their focus will change in the near future.
Sango Metal Industrial is going to keep strengthening their operations in these two fields, as well as set their sights on new fields.
“We already have made multiple achievements working with electronic components and medical equipment, so we’re planning on delving even deeper within those fields. Inquiries are increasing for both spot welding and seam welding, and we are planning on implementing new equipment in lieu as well. Seam welding is considered difficult even with machines, but we are determined to take hold of this chance to achieve technology that goes above and beyond, and to take on the challenge of becoming the best in the game, rather than being satisfied as the only player in the field.” * See Indexrights Vol. 2 for detailed information on the specs of this new equipment.
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2019-04-22T06:09:03Z
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http://protechnology.jp/companies/parts-manufacturing/sango-metal-industrial/
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Congrats on the acceptance! If you don't mind, could you share more about the part where they asked about your math background and reasons for pursuing quant psych? Were they looking for specific coursework (e.g. linear algebra, probability, real analysis) or were the questions more general in nature? As for the reasons for pursuing quant psych, were they expecting some kind of concrete experience that led you to quant psych? Hope that you get responses from the other programs soon! PS: I'm not applying this round but would like to get more insight into the admission process!
Thanks very much for sharing your insights! Having read all the responses here (and after consulting friends who majored in pure math), I think I will be taking nonparametrics for a grade and will only be auditing functional analysis out of interest. Really appreciate everyone's views on this issue!
Got it! The only reason I'm sparing some thought for functional analysis is because it's related to the applied area my honors thesis is in. I think at my stage it's not necessary to actually use the results from functional analysis. But since I have to pick a class anyway I'm just toying with the idea of getting more background.
Yeah one reason why I was looking at functional analysis is that quite a lot of people have mentioned its relevance to things like kernels, Bayesian nonparametrics and functional data analysis. For now I'm browsing through kreyszig's Introductory functional analysis with applications to see if I would be somewhat interested in the material before committing an entire semester to it. Thanks again for everyone who replied! Wasn't really expecting this much input!
Thanks for all the advice! As for proofs, it's not that I hate it, but it's not like I love it either. But I certainly think it's important to be able to read and digest the proofs though. Otherwise I don't think one can get a good grasp of the literature in whatever subfield one is working in. I'm really more into applied research (but not too applied to the point where you are just using tools developed by others to work solely on empirical data). Will look more into biostats programs!
Thanks so much for your input! If you don't mind, I have another quick question: Out of the three classes, which one do you think is the most useful (ignoring the difficulty of the class) for statistics research (especially in the more applied areas)? The main issue i have with pure-ish math classes (like functional analysis) is that they tend to be a little too detached from statistics and oftentimes i find it quite hard to maintain sufficient motivation to power through the deluge of theorems, lemmas and proofs (e.g. while studying metric spaces, most of the time i was like "who the heck cares if a set is compact!". Of course, now I see why people care after studying some advanced probability and optimisation theory). This motivation issue is probably made worse by fact that my main background is in psychology and I ventured into statistics by accident. So it would be great to get some insight into how each topic is relevant to actual statistics/methodology research!
Hi all, I was hoping to get some advice on which course I should take in the coming semester. I only need one more class to complete my undergrad and I am currently faced with three choices: 1) Functional Analysis 2) Stochastic Processes II (i.e. continuous-time Markov chains, martingales) 3) Nonparametric Statistics To provide some background, here's the list of math/stats classes (with grades) I've completed Math Linear Algebra (A), Calculus I,II (B+) -- Used pass/fail option here, Calculus III (i.e. Multivariable) (B+), Probability (A), Mathematical Stats (A-), Real Analysis I (B+), Real Analysis II (A-), Real Analysis III (Metric Spaces) (B+), Stochastic Processes I (A-), Ordinary Differential Equations (A-), Advanced (Measure-theoretic) Probaility (grades not released yet but probably A- and above) Statistics Intro to Computing (B+) -- Used pass/fail option here, Regression Analysis (A+), Simulation (A+), Categorical Data Analysis (A+), Data Mining (A), Computer-Intensive Statistics (A+), Linear Models (A-), Bayesian Statistics (A), Multivariate Statistics (A), Structural Equation Modeling (A), Psychometrics (A) As you can probably tell, my math grades are less than stellar, especially in analysis. Considering how real analysis is so important, I was wondering if getting a good grade in functional analysis would kind of make up for it. However, the main drawback of taking functional analysis is that the professor teaching it next semester is known for making math modules a lot more difficult than they usually are. So taking functional analysis is kind of like a gamble: if I do well then great, but if not I may end up getting a really ugly grade. On the other hand, I know for a fact that it would be easier to score a decent grade for the other 2 classes. Any thoughts?
Fall 2019 Quant Psych Applicants (+ AMA with Faculty and Grad Students)!
Thank you all for your responses! The information provided has been immensely helpful. Really hope that I can be part of this amazing quant psych community one day!
Thank you both for providing such detailed responses! They were really helpful! I have a question about the interview process: What are the things faculty look out for when interviewing potential candidates, especially when it comes to international students? I know (or am I mistaken?) that for domestic students they tend to invite potential candidates for on-site visits, but how does it work for international applicants who can't simply hop on a plane to the States due to financial constraints? Moreover, are there any pitfalls one should be aware of during an interview? I'm probably sounding like an idiot for asking something so obvious but I would really like to avoid committing a cultural faux pas in something as important as a grad-interview. @MissData Is it possible to share more about your grad experience at OSU? The program at OSU is really interesting to me since there appears to be a decent mix of quant and math psychologists (I'm interested in both) within the quant area. Do the different PIs / labs interact much with each other, or is each group mostly doing its own thing in isolation? What about the peer group within the quant area? And what is it like to live in Columbus as a grad student (as compared to something like cities on the coasts)? Once again a big thank you to everyone who contributed to this info-sharing!
Dear all, Thank you for hosting this AMA session! I happened to chance upon the field of quant psych only in the past year and I find this part of psychology to be really interesting! I'm also hoping to apply to a quant psych program in the near future! I would greatly appreciate it if someone could answer some of queries below: 1. What is the level of mathematical rigour one should expect in quant psych? I've browsed through several articles in quant journals (SEM, MBR, Psychometrika) and the level of mathematics involved seems to vary wildly from article to article. Should I be expecting epsilon-delta proofs and asymptotics? Or is it more computational (e.g. extensive simulations) in nature? I'm pretty comfortable with simulation-based studies but I can't quite imagine spending 4-5 years solely on deriving asymptotic properties (which seems kind of divorced from psychology). 2. What is considered a decently strong math background? I'm currently doing a double in psych and stats but I kind of messed up a few math modules (B+ for calc, multivariable calc, real analysis I & III). Will that be a problem? To put things into perspective, I've scored decent grades (at least A-) in other math modules (ODE, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis II, Probability etc.) and all the stat modules. Also there's no grade inflation where I'm at (some school in Asia) but I guess most American professors won't be aware of that?. Is it even worth it (from an admissions point of view) to take more advanced (pure-ish?) math classes (like linear algebra II, functional analysis) to make up for those deficiencies? 3. One thing that really confused me is the apparent distinction between mathematical psychology and quantitative psychology. How exactly are they different? Or are there some overlaps? 4. Will previous experience in substantive research actually help when applying to quant psych programs? If yes, how much does it matter? I've spent quite a bit of time working on social decision-making before transitioning towards quant and I'm just wondering if its even relevant at this point. 5. Does the prestige of the PhD program matter when it comes to job prospects for faculty positions later on? I know that the specific advisor you get is probably more important but still... Also, how do you actually evaluate the "prestige" (whatever that means) of a quant psych program since there are so few of them? Its a little confusing since the conventional league tables for psych don't really apply to the quant subfield. 6. I know that some programs allow (or demand?) that their students take up a masters from the stats/biostats department. Is that usually the case or is it program-specific? Sorry for the long list of questions! Really appreciate being able to get some insight into quant psych through this platform!
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2019-04-26T14:19:33Z
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https://forum.thegradcafe.com/profile/291725-lostlamb/
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President Dallin H. Oaks spoke at the “Be One” celebration of the 40th anniversary of ending the priesthood and temple ban for black LDS.
In his pre-general-authority life, Pres. Oaks graduated from University of Chicago law school in 1957, clerked for the US Supreme Court for two years, and worked in corporate litigation and as a University of Chicago law professor before becoming president of BYU in 1971. He is a very intelligent and competent leader, and I am grateful for his leadership in the church.
From 1968 – 1970, he was on the editorial board of Dialogue, a Journal of Mormon Thought. He must have read Lester Bush’s landmark article published in Dialogue, that Mormon Historian Dr. Greg Prince believes had a significant impact on Pres. Kimball in the years leading up the revelation.
Pres. Oaks at the Be One celebration talked about his feelings about the priesthood ban in the years prior to Pres. Kimball’s revelation.
Why was the revelation on the priesthood such an occasion of joy? As a young man studying and working in the legal profession, I lived in the Midwest and the East for 17 years. The restriction on the ordination and temple blessings of persons of African ancestry—almost invisible to me as I grew up in Utah—was a frequent subject of my conversations in my life in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
I observed the pain and frustration experienced by those who suffered these restrictions and those who criticized them and sought for reasons. I studied the reasons then being given and could not feel confirmation of the truth of any of them.
I determined to be loyal to our prophetic leaders and to pray—as promised from the beginning of these restrictions—that the day would come when all would enjoy the blessings of priesthood and temple. Now, on June 8, 1978, that day had come, and I wept for joy.
Among those who also wept for joy at the priesthood revelation were Dr. Russell M. Nelson and then-deputy commissioner of education Henry B. Eyring. In 1978, both of these men had lived outside the somewhat isolated environment of the Mountain West for more than a total of 40 years. They had also witnessed the pain of this restriction among their associates.
Here are some observations I’m gleaning from his remarks.
In the years prior to the 1978 revelation, Pres. Oaks disagreed with an important church policy.
A primary reason for Pres. Oaks’ disagreement came from the fact that he was more familiar with the group of people affected and marginalized. The Utah church and leaders were somewhat isolated from the issue. But since he was working and living among black LDS and non-LDS, apparently this made him think about it more, relate better to the marginalized group, and more clearly see the injustice.
Other good LDS and future leaders (Pres. Nelson and Pres. Eyring) felt similarly and for similar reasons.
Pres. Oaks was likely reading Dialogue, A Journal for Mormon Thought, and presumably other non-Church-approved sources to help him determine his position on this issue.
In addition to his familiarization with the marginalized group, his study of scripture and church history and prayer also led him to disagree with Church policy.
He studied both the reasons for the ban and the criticisms for the ban, and he came down on the side of the criticism.
He determined, though he disagreed, to be loyal prophetic leaders and continue to pray for a revelation to be received.
I think this is a pretty good model to show why some LDS could disagree with a policy or doctrine, how to study it out and come to an opinion, and what to do about it. He gives license for members to disagree, implying it is the right thing to disagree in certain cases. The key for doing this as a member in good standing is to pray and hope for change, but do so while staying loyal to the Church. I analyzed what this means in a prior post, looking at many statements made by the brethren, including Pres. Oaks, and determined this general guideline.
I read in a recent post that Pres. Kimball consulted with Pres. Oaks in the years prior to the 1978 revelation. I think it can be assumed that Pres. Oaks rightly modeled the “OK” side of how to disagree and express disagreement on the issue. And maybe he was part of the reason for why Pres. Kimball became more active in seeking the revelation and eventually received it.
I think this illustration gives us great hope that the church can and does change on important issues. I can think of a couple areas, female equality and LGBT+ issues, where many people have some disagreement and are following this pattern modeled by Pres. Oaks to be involved in change.
I failed to be clear on a few things which I will clarify and hopefully provide a little better insight into my thought process on this post, which many people felt was bonkers.
Pres. Oaks, with training as an attorney and in public relations roles in his career, is a very precise speaker. He uses words sometimes to convey an idea without committing fully to it. He does this in his talk on several points, causing some to interpret things the exact opposite way. I tend to view things from an optimistic stand point, maybe wishing too hard to hear what I want to hear from the brethren. I think of this as receiving them in “patience and faith”, but others may view it as acting as an Apologist.
I do not make the point that Pres. Oaks ever asserted that the very existence of the ban ever in church history was wrong. I strongly believe that with his examples of where he was going against the mainstream views of the church, that he was admitting to some sort of disagreement with church policy, either that the ban should be modified, should have been ended a long time ago, or maybe was wrong in the first place. He wasn’t clear, but to me he strongly pointed to the idea that he disagreed. That’s the thrust of the article.
Pres. Oaks implied in his talk that though he disagreed, he stayed quiet and implied that’s how members should disagree. My intent here was to take the fact that Pres. Oaks disagreed and then pivot that to what other church leaders have said are OK ways to express disagreement. Though I also believe he quietly, behind the scenes, was working to end the ban, that’s not the only way to disagree.
If you are a faithful LDS, and if you have hope that LGBT issues will change, then the priesthood ban is the ultimate comparison. The time period and climate on black LDS issues leading up to the 1978 revelation would be directly comparable to today’s climate on LGBT issues. Any precedents or important events or angles that are relevant to the 1970’s climate would apply or give insight to today’s situation with LGBT. This is why I felt it was an important point to make.
Thanks for this. We have covered some of the negative aspects of his talk in a previous post. It is important to see where (subtly) the talk progresses the narrative.
I would only caveat, that he didn’t disagreed with the polciy, but he places a dichotomy between reasons and policy. He only disagreed with the reasons.
He was also the acting dean at Chicago’s Law school.
I disagree with your interpretation of President Oaks’ remarks. To me, they sound like the same thing he said to the Associated Press on the 10th anniversary of the revelation: “I decided a long time ago that I had faith in the command and I had no faith in the reasons that had been suggested for it”.
I agree with Nathan Whilk. Oaks’s comments and his general attitude about the ban are not at all reassuring to me. To decide that you have faith in a command while simultaneously not believing in any of the reasons that are given for said command is about as close to aimless and blind obedience as one can get. Indeed, it was men having faith in that command, despite not necessarily agreeing with the reasons for it, that allowed church leaders to be wrong about the eternal destiny of an entire race of people for over 100 years.
I have just read the 180+ comments.
What is clear is that Oaks language allows for dozens of different types of interpretations. I have dealt with hundreds of politicians and lawyers in my occupation and negotiated with many of them. His language is deliberate, thought out and able to have ascribed to it different meaning.
In reading the above comments, they reflect the normal confusion and variance of opinion when someone speaks like this. Literally dozens of different ways to interpret his remarks.
It would seem that you have taken one of the dozens of these options and overlaid a discussion on progressiveness – and lgbt issues. Taken in the context of his history, recent talks and the overall organisational behaviour of the church, this is, to me, a very unstable connection.
When someone like Oaks speaks the way that someone like Oaks speaks, I tend to listen to him the way I listen to a bad politician. With scepticism, in context and with caution regarding anything I do based on what they say.
Troy, where did he say he had “faith in the command”? Maybe I missed that?
churchistrue – I disagree that Oaks is expressing the idea that he disagreed with the ban. He states that disagreed with the reasons for the ban, not that he disagreed with the ban itself. In fact, he explicitly states that he decided to be loyal to the leaders (ie – loyal to their decision to keep the ban in place). He further says that he prayed that the day would come when people of African descent would receive the priesthood. He does NOT say that he ever felt, or that he now feels, that the ban was wrong from the beginning. But I agree with you that he is speaking in legalese. Oaks’s words are often spoken like a true lawyer, slippery and with hidden meaning. I’m trying to be objective in analyzing his words here, but I will disclose that I really don’t like the guy and that may paint my interpretation of his words.
churchistrue – I’m referring to Nathan Whilk’s comment. Oaks made the “…faith in the command” statement in an interview with the Associated Press in 1988.
OK, I see. Well, I don’t love that comment but I get where he’s coming from. For me, I think it’s relevant and important that he was expressing that he disagreed with a church policy. And then I think what we do with disagreement is better taught by other church leaders, which is where I got the bullet point list of do’s and don’ts.
In relation to the Ban, the church has been very consistent in speaking about it. Anyone who has worked for a large corporation (at least in the areas that deal with public relations), media companies or political parties would know that when there is a controversial topic, or matter of high media importance, leaders / managers are given talking points. The purpose of this is to express a singular narrative and to control the language. It’s almost like DHO has taken the essay on Race and the Priesthood and overlayed it to his personal experience.
Unfortunately, I don’t think your mental gymnast stuck the dismount on this one. Nice try, though. Really close.
I believe Mary Ann’s assessment was more accurate.
You list “attacking the reputation of a Church leader” under the Not OK file. Unfortunately the intimation that current or past leaders may taken an incorrect position on something is generally read as attacking their reputation. One doesn’t have to come out and say “The leaders are/were wrong on this issue” but it’s a pretty easy leap to that conclusion from a statement like “I disagree with the brethren on this issue.” If we don’t have space to do the former then we generally won’t be able to do the latter in a church setting.
Umm, I think that it’s *not* clear that he disagreed with the policy. That’s an unjustified interpolation. Anything laid on it is subject to doubt.
These sorts of strains seem to be intellectually satisfying to some, but that seems to be as far as it should be taken. Feeling justified in ones doubts … and, as usual, on either uncertain grounds or in retrospect sounds … so empty.
If you believe in the actual power of the priesthood, namely that it is a delegation from God, then it is entirely up to God to decide upon whom to bestow it and it is automatically “just” by definition.
if you do not believe in this power of the priesthood, what exactly is not bestowed? How much injustice can there be in bestowing, or not, something you believe is a fiction?
Perhaps some think it is a type of dominion over others, a power to be lusted after. As soon as a man begins to exercise unrighteous dominion, “amen to the priesthood of that man”.
Priesthood, in my opinion, should be seen as *permission* to use (or try to use) God’s authority to perform certain services. Some persons probably do not require this permission, and some services probably have implicit permission (parents for their children). The strongest power of all (*) is simply the name of the Son of God spoken in humility and faith.
* or so it seems to me.
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2019-04-21T19:05:40Z
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https://wheatandtares.org/2018/06/07/pres-oaks-on-the-priesthood-ban-at-be-one/
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