One of the best accessories of the 2017 Emmy Awards night was a pair of pins. Celebrities who stomped out on the red carpet on Sunday highlighted flirty hemlines, slick heels and plenty of leg to complete the look.
Jessica Biel sizzled in a mixed-media gown that incorporated silver, sequins, fringe and blush mesh materials. The actress had a high slit that was cut down from the upper thigh, exposing a generous amount of her legs and her sparkling silver sandals.
Jessica Biel wears a silver and blush gown with sandals.
Ariel Winter showed off both of her legs in a double-slit dress that featured a halter-style neckline. The actress completed the look with a platform sandal.
Ariel Winter wears a dress with two slits and sandals.
"Saturday Night Live" star Leslie Jones has on a black Christian Siriano gown that had a high slit on one side of her leg. Jones teamed the dress with minimalist black sandals.
Leslie Jones wears a Christian Siriano gown with sandals.
Click through the gallery to see more leggy style statements on the 2017 Emmys red carpet.


A crash or assertion on debug mode will occur when processing (RX or TX) SIP packet with size close to PJ_LOG_MAX_SIZE (default is 2000).
This is because the total log message size that is created to log this SIP packet may exceed the PJ_LOG_MAX_SIZE and this will cause the log to write data to outside the given buffer (because Symbian doesn't have vsnprintf). On debug mode it will trigger the above assertion.


This general purpose .270 Winchester hunting ammunition from Federal's Vital-Shok line excels against boar, deer, and other types of game. These cartridge fire the Nosler Partition bullet, a soft point design with two lead cores separated by the copper jacket. The rear core is weighted heavily to provide strong penetration and help the forward one expand more readily, resulting in high diameter mushrooming and excellent killing power against most game animals.
Each round in this box of 20 fires a 130 grain version of the Partition at a muzzle velocity of 3,060 feet per second. These cartridges use non-corrosive Boxer primers and brass cases.
Federal has been based in Anoka, Minnesota since its founding in the 1920s and currently operates as a division of Vista Outdoor.


The first stop was the hospital.
The party explodes from the darkness like a joyous firework filled with food and music.
…is colder than LA in the winter.
London grew in fits and starts, bound for a millennia by the slow crawl of humanity.
I fled 1770, days late and angry, a little after 1 in the morning.
Just off the coast of Australia is the world's largest sand island.
I left Melbourne, a city I love, for Perth and Western Australia.
Australia is the population of Southern California, squeezed into a space the size of the continental United States.


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Man took wedding ring and condoms to meet teen in Staunton
Three men busted in a Staunton online sex sting targeting online predators were sentenced to prison Thursday.
Man took wedding ring and condoms to meet teen in Staunton Three men busted in a Staunton online sex sting targeting online predators were sentenced to prison Thursday. Check out this story on newsleader.com: https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2019/09/20/man-took-wedding-ring-and-condoms-meet-teen-staunton/2384542001/
Brad Zinn, Staunton News Leader Published 10:38 a.m. ET Sept. 20, 2019
Jerry R. Plaugher (Photo: Provided by Middle River Regional Jail)
STAUNTON – Mistakenly thinking he was communicating online with a 14-year-old girl earlier this year, 40-year-old Jerry R. Plaugher tried impressing the bogus teen with tales of being a firefighter and a regional fire marshal.
He was neither.
"He talked about his firefighting heroics," said Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Anne Reed of Staunton.
In his online discussions with the girl, who was actually a male Staunton police officer conducting an online sting operation targeting sexual predators, Plaugher made no secret of what he wanted to do with the juvenile sexually.
"He was graphic in his requests of her," Reed said.
He even sent pictures of wedding rings and said he wanted to propose, and used a photo of the fictitious teen as wallpaper for his phone, Reed said.
More: Behind Staunton's new mural: Artist Christy Baker's vision and hope
On March 15, Plaugher showed up at an undisclosed home in Staunton to meet his new love interest. Reed said he had a firefighter's badge clipped to the front of his pants, a bag a jelly beans he'd promised the girl, two condoms and a wedding ring when police arrested him.
The badge, Reed said, was an older badge from the Harrisonburg Fire Department that was last used about 15 years ago.
In Staunton Circuit Court on Wednesday, Plaugher, of Mount Crawford, pleaded guilty to five felony charges of online solicitation of a minor under 15, a felony charge of attempted indecent liberties with a minor and a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a firefighter.
Plaugher was sentenced to 15 years in prison with 7 ½ years suspended, giving him 7 ½ years to serve.
He was also placed on eight years of probation following his release, Reed said.
Plaugher was one of nine men arrested in the sting operation in March by the Staunton Police Department. On Wednesday, two other defendants nabbed in the sting were also sent to prison.
Are crime-related stories your thing? Click here to subscribe to The News Leader.
Wannie W. Buzzard, 39, of Timberville, pleaded guilty to two counts of online solicitation of a minor under 15 and one count of attempted indecent liberties with a minor.
Reed said the undercover officer posed as a 13-year-old girl, and said Buzzard initially was suspicious and thought she might be with the police.
"But that didn't stop him," she said.
Ricky D. Beard (Photo: Provided by Middle River Regional Jail)
Ricky D. Beard, 51, of Waynesboro, also pleaded guilty to two counts of online solicitation of a minor under 15 and one count of attempted indecent liberties with a minor.
Beard sent the undercover officer two videos of him masturbating, along with a photo of his genitalia, Reed said.
Both men were arrested when they came to Staunton seeking sex.
Beard and Buzzard were given identical sentences of five years in prison with 10 years of probation, Reed said.
More: 5 things to know about Friday's climate strike
Have questions or a tip? Email Brad Zinn at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Read or Share this story: https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/local/2019/09/20/man-took-wedding-ring-and-condoms-meet-teen-staunton/2384542001/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This air freshener aerosol provides a relaxing and refreshed atmosphere for your home, office, car, caravan, boat, workplace etc. Neutralises pet and cooking odours leaving a fragrant fresh and clean Pot Pori perfume, a high quality and long lasting scent.
Directions: Spray into any room that needs treatment. The misting nozzle provides a fine spray for wide coverage.


Substance abuse counselors are mental health professionals that work correctly with people dealing with chemical dependencies. Their work differs by client and setting, but they may lead support groups and one-on-one counseling sessions, as well as help patients develop a clear path toward recovery.
The state of Rhode Island offers prospective counselors several different options for getting started on this career path, a relatively low barrier to entry. Still, those who wish to pursue a stable career may fare best with an advanced degree.
Counselors may find work in nonprofit organizations, as well as for-profit rehab clinics, and government-run organizations that provide counseling services.
Generally, substance abuse counselors perform evaluations for patients and develop a personalized plan for recovery; over the course of counseling, this plan may change depending on the patient's needs and progress.
While it's not a prerequisite, a successful counselor should have some connections in the social services community. For example, this could be relationships with medical providers or job training programs that benefit recovering patients.
There are counseling certifications for those at all educational levels. A candidate with a GED or an associate's degree will need to obtain more logged working credentials on their way to certification than someone with a master's degree.
But, Rhode Island is unique in that one can advance within this field without going back to school. Instead, you can opt to move up by gaining hands-on experience. Still, if you wish to obtain the advanced certification, you will need that advanced degree to go with it.
Like other states, aspiring Rhode Island professionals have a few different paths they can take toward earning certification. The Rhode Island Board website emphasizes that there are several ways of getting to the final goal of accreditation—depending on your education level when you begin the training process.
On top of those designations, addiction counseling professionals are also eligible to become certified in other related specialties.
Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) abuse counselor in the state of Arizona, you must complete a series of steps.
Additionally, prospective counselors may gain lesser certifications as Certified Peer Recovery Specialists or Certified Community Health Workers. These options may be worth exploring if you're in recovery yourself, are looking for a way to give back to the community, or as an means of finding out if counseling is right for you.
Here is a breakdown of the education requirements you'll need to obtain in order to become a practicing chemical dependency counselor in the state of Rhode Island.
This certification is an entry-level credential. While you don't need to have a college degree, you must have a GED or high school diploma, plus 140 hours of drug and alcohol education, relevant to alcohol and drug counseling. These hours may come from seminars and workshops, as well as in-services.
Still, it may be worthwhile to look toward a community college or university instead of cobbling together your hours through seminars. For example, enrolling in a three-credit semester class can replace 45 of those required credit hours.
Additionally, education must include 12 hours of confidentiality training, as well as six hours in each of the following subjects: chemical dependency, communicable diseases, ethics, medication, and medication attitudes. Of those 12 hours of confidentiality training, eight must address 42 CRF Part 2.
Finally, one is only granted their PDCP credential after completing one year or 2000 hours of professional experience. This can be either paid or volunteer experience. Finally, the PADC candidate will need to obtain 150 hours of supervised training. Credentials are good for two years and must be kept up to maintain licensure. Candidates are not required to take an exam.
At this level, the candidate must have a minimum of 300 hours of counseling training, and half of those hours must be specific to the subject of drug and alcohol abuse.
Like the entry-level credential, it is possible to achieve this designation without a degree, though your prospects will look a bit better if you pursue some level of higher education such as your associate's degree or a bachelor's.
Without a degree, you must obtain 6,000 hours (or three years) of experience. Interestingly, this is where Rhode Island differs from other states--providing counselors a means of "leveling up" by earning hours on the job.
Still, it pays to go to school. If you have an associate's degree in a relevant field, that can knock off 1,000 hours of experience. A bachelor's degree will account for 2,000 hours, while a master's degree accounts for 4,000.
Additional hours may be earned through practicum, internships, and board-approved volunteer work.
Finally, at the master's level, you can advance to the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) designation. Here, because of the additional degree, hours are reduced. You'll need 180 hours of education credits in alcohol and drug counseling, plus one year of work experience and 100 supervised hours.
All addiction professionals in Rhode Island must undergo supervised clinical practice as part of their journey through licensure. Again, the required amount of hours is dependent on the type of certification you are applying for, as well as your level of formal education.
Internships and volunteer work might count toward the required hours, but they must meet the state's criteria.
The Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists advises the Department and Director of Health in matters concerning the mental health profession. The Board reviews and approves, or rejects, applications for licensure and formulates regulations pertaining to the mental health professionals. They are also responsible for ensuring the highest quality of care for the citizens of Rhode Island. Their mission includes qualifying individuals for professional licensure and regulating practicing professionals' activities and continuing education requirements.
The testing process in Rhode Island takes place in two distinct parts. Once you've determined which level of certification you qualify for, you'll need to submit your supervised hours form to the Rhode Island certification board, along with your transcript, and a few other components. The RI Certification Board provides guides for every level in pdf form, including a checklist of everything you'll need to submit to progress with your certification.
You'll pay the fee to earn your CADC or CAADC credential, and once approved; you'll receive information about taking the licensing exam.
Candidates may download the documents they need from the Department of Health website. These forms serve as a series of questions, aimed at reviewing the candidate's competency. Candidates will answer questions like have they ever been licensed by the IC&RC or the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC).
Additionally, the Rhode Island board will need documentation of US citizenship or legal resident status, as well as a photo, a $75 fee, and a notarized signature.
The license review process will require some waiting. According to the Board for Chemical Dependency professionals, the review process may take eight or more weeks. Once the application had been approved, the candidate will now be a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional.
As we've mentioned above, certifications are only valid for every two years and must be renewed. If you've obtained a provisional certificate, you must upgrade your credential to CADC or CAADC. Otherwise, you must reapply for the temporary credential.
All counselors must participate in 40 hours of documented continuing education every two years. Of those 40 hours, three must cover professional ethics as they pertain to drug and alcohol counseling.
In Rhode Island, there is no limit on the number of hours that may be completed through distance learning, so renewing your credential may not be all that time consuming for working professionals.
You may have seen some of these organizations mentioned in the above section. Here is a little more about the organizations responsible for the licensure and professional development of Rhode Island's substance abuse counselors.
Rhode Island Department of Health: The department of health is responsible for licensing chemical dependency professionals. More information is available through the Rhode Island Department of Health website.
Rhode Island Certification Board: This organization is your central information hub if you're looking to pursue CADC or CAADC certification. The board is responsible for approving supervision hours, evaluating transcripts, and helping candidates coordinate their exams.
The Rhode Island Association for Addiction Professionals: Another professional resource, this is the NAADAC chapter for Rhode Island. The NAADAC is a professional association, so you'll need to pay an annual membership fee. The organization provides networking opportunities, ongoing training, and more, so membership may be worthwhile.
IC&RC: The International Credentialing Organization. This resource is a global association that provides training and credentialing in substance abuse counseling, treatment, clinical supervising, and more. According to the official website, exams and standards are updated every five or so years. in keeping with industry updates. While you'll need to pass the IC&RC test, you can do so directly with them, or arrange the process through the ABCAC.
Rhode Island substance abuse professionals stand to make a real difference in the community, offering much-needed compassion to an often tricky and stigmatized specification.
Salaries range from $30-50k annually, depending on the level of education achieved.


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Rockdale Archives
Father and son build a field of dreams
For seven seasons, a family friendly softball ministry has been drawing people together up in North Rockdale. Tucked away on the road to Black Shoals Park, Rockdale Christian Youth and Adult Leagues are led by a unique father and son team.
Ken and Kenny Stokes, respectively father and son, serve as pastor and associate pastor at Bethel Christian Church. The two talk about their deep respect and love for each other as describe how their partnership developed.
"I don't know that we always planned to work together," said Ken. "When Kenny was about 12, he led in junior church. He became a very accomplished pianist and accompanied me many times."
Son, Kenny, said, "I grew up under my father's leadership. We were always working at the church."
After Kenny started a family of his own, he moved to Covington. When another offer was made to move out of town, Ken hired his son as associate youth minister.
"I always felt that we would probably work together for most of our lives and the Lord just made it happen. It just seemed the normal thing to do."
It has been a good move.
"I have the greatest boss in the world, my dad," son Kenny said. "I think that the greatest aspect is that the devil isn't able to divide us. Many pastors and their associates have wedges driven between them. We understand each other and never have reason to doubt one another's intentions or motives."
Ken said, "Our ministries complement one another. Our vision is pretty much the same. Ken has the youthfulness and energy to make things happen that I used to have. We have worked together on so many projects: construction of church buildings, serving on mission trips, designing ball fields and playing softball on church teams. Our lives have been very interwoven."
Kenny adds, " My dad has a real gift for loving people. God has gifted me to be a visionary. It takes both for a church to move forward. I need him and he needs me."
The fruit of their labor can be easily seen in Bethel Christian Church's largest outreach ministry-softball. In many ways, the park is a "field of dreams." Ken and Kenny wanted to provide a fun, safe, loving atmosphere to share the game that they loved. Dedicated to two special members, Roy Fields and Gerald Farmer, they wanted to make the park a place for the community. The fields, playground and concession stand are the product of thousands of hours of hard work. Originally hilly, rock-laden and overgrown, the property has been cultivated into three lush fields, complete with bleachers, dugouts and scoreboards for great family fun.
Each weekend, anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 people come to the church's ball park for softball games. A lot of people just make a day of it. The softball teams have two divisions. In the youth softball leagues, there are about 350 kids between the age of 5 and 17. Approximately 180 adults enjoy coed games between Bethel and area churches.
There is a strong sense of community as you walk through the park. Whether you are enjoying grilled hamburgers at the concession stand or watching the little ones on the playground, the atmosphere is positive and friendly. Players are encouraged to do their best as they work with their team. Booing and yelling have no place at this park. Instead, parents can be heard encouraging many of the players as they come up to bat. Everyone, from coach to spectator is invited to join in the attitude of fun, fairness and respect.
That's just fine with Ken Sr. and Kenny Jr. That's just the way that the Stokes men like it.
More information about the church and its ministry can be found at www.bcchome.org.
General Manager hired for News
Veteran's Story: Coming Home
Social Circle Fair returns
'Heat of the Night' homecoming reunion Oct. 10 in Covington


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The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog
Digital media, being an entrepreneur, intelligent investing and other interesting nuggets
WHAT HAVE I BUILT?
ASK ABOUT THE 9 TRUTHS
JOLLY & ROGER'S EBOOK VIDEO TRAILER
Chatopic 2013 Book Series
Chris Anderson: Makers: The New Industrial Revolution
Clayton M. Christensen: How Will You Measure Your Life?
Daniel Kahneman: Thinking, Fast and Slow
Phil Lapsley: Exploding the Phone: The Untold Story of the Teenagers and Outlaws who Hacked Ma Bell
Rachel Maddow: Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power
Daniel H. Pink: A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
Susan Cain: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Patricia S. Churchland: Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality
Daniel Imhoff: Food Fight: The Citizen's Guide to the Next Food and Farm Bill
People Connections
Post-PC
Streams and Nuggets
Grab my RSS feed
INFOGRAPHIC: Waves of Change
For the past several months, I have been doing a lot of analysis around the Millennials.
This lead me to need to compare it to Baby Boomers and Generation X.
This is the Narrative that I captured looking at these different Eras.
Please consider this a Straw Man to Pick Apart, Extend or Rethink.
Note: Click Image to see Larger View.
December 12, 2014 in Pattern Recognition | Permalink | 0 Comments
Getting to the Train Station on Time
In the pursuit of business success, we all struggle with it.
"It could be better."
"It's not quite ready."
"I have so much on my plate right now."
"I didn't get it done."
Sometimes, it's a case of 'better' being the enemy of 'good enough.'
Other times, it's a case of failing to see the forest from the trees.
But, know this.
Whether driven by over-reach, confusion, poor execution or inattention, you MUST recalibrate and lock in.
In moments like these, everything becomes subordinate to Getting to the Train Station on Time.
Your priorities must be clear.
Everyone must commit to a singular purpose.
Don't let anything cloud your intent and focus.
Be specfic on what Getting there means, and Get it Done.
Innovation, Inevitability and Why R&D is So Hard
On Life as Art, Poetic Truths & Getting Rich
The Tyranny of the ALL or NONE: embracing the paradox of the AND in life.
August 12, 2014 in Coaching, Pattern Recognition, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments
Ruminations on Retail: Why We Launched BrightStreet Ventures
(Guest Column: Western Real Estate Business - July 2014)
Consider the plight of the retailer: the rise of Amazon has attacked the margins that local retailers count on for survival.
As a result, numerous segments, including video stores, music stores, computer stores, bookstores, electronics and office supplies are either dead or dying. Sadly, this is a trend that is permanent and accelerating.
Meanwhile, the ascendance of the smartphone, led by Apple's iPhone and Google's Android is changing everything.
There are about five billion devices creating universal experiences that are social, real time, data smart, perpetual, personal and just-in-time capable via millions of mobile apps.
This emerging reality gets to a universal truth of our time; namely, that software is 'eating the world,' and in the process, reshaping virtually all industries.
It's given rise to Uber, Amazon, Airbnb, Google, iTunes, Facebook, Maps, and Yelp, but can there be any doubt that retail, media, marketing, manufacturing, transportation and telecom are being forever changed in the process as well?
In retail, for example, mobile has given the consumer the power of all knowledge at their fingertips. With this power, he or she can discern fair price or pursue a better deal – often online – in very few clicks.
It's also empowered consumers to act as social amplifiers of reputation and experience. An extra half-star rating on Yelp can cause restaurants to have a full house 19% more frequently.
Critically, though, mobile plays a game-changing role in what is known as omni-channel. In the world of omni-channel, the consumer's frame of reference encompasses online, bricks-and-mortar and mobile possibilities.
When done right, omni-channel can yield a 6X sales lift from the customers that engage with the merchant on all channels, including online, via mobile and in store. Such has been the experience of Walgreens.
Similarly, the rise of big data and data science is changing the means of analyzing, targeting and customizing the field of play that exists between retailers, consumers and shopping center owners.
Mobile has also disrupted the traditional ways that merchants acquired and connected with customers.
The customer acquisition tool kit used to consist of yellow pages, direct mail and newspaper ads. While your eyes can tell you that these marketing segments are decidedly unhealthy, there's an even more obvious barometer: ask yourself if your children have ANY connection to yellow pages, paper mail, or print newspapers?
This is the new reality for retail. Mobile, when combined with data and the cloud, completely changes the game.
This is also why is a shopping center developer decided to launch a technology affiliate like BrightStreet Ventures.
The simple truth is that we are working backwards from the consumer, what they expect and what is possible in this new era. We are also looking at the challenges that retailers face, and our role as owners and operators of shopping centers in fostering their success. That's the defensive side of the equation.
In terms of offense, we believe the convergence of bricks and clicks represents one of the great opportunities of the next decade.
That is why every venture that emerges from our model needs to make sense as business offering enduring value.
We also believe that by sharing what we learn with our peers, a rising tide will lift all boats, which is very much in our interest.
That's the backstory on why we created BrightStreet Ventures. The larger market has validated where we're headed with mobile marketing innovation and real estate business intelligence (our company portal, powered by our Datex Property Solutions affiliate, garnered an ICSC MAXI nomination).
We had the opportunity to unveil this vision, and formally launch our new venture at ICSC RECON in Las Vegas, and the response was incredibly encouraging.
Mark Sigal is the Managing Director of BrightStreet Ventures in Woodland Hills, California.
Understanding Retail's Reboot: Four 'Big Picture' Trends
Retail Needs a Reboot to Survive
How Uber is like Southwest Air - The Art of Reinventing an Industry
July 18, 2014 in Amazon, Current Affairs, Mobile, Pattern Recognition, Retailing, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
Jeff Jordan of Andreessen Horowitz has written in a compelling piece that we are in the midst of a profound structural shift from physical to digital retail.
Having written about the need for the retail industry to undergo a reboot myself, he's preaching to the choir.
What the above graphic (from the article) illustrates are the segments of the market getting most disrupted by online.
Between 2007-2011, in these segments online gained $35B in sales, while bricks and mortar lost $30B in sales.
In the big picture, there are four trends that are transforming everthing in retail:
Ecommerce: Push button purchasing, payment and physical delivery is alive and real;
Mobile Cloud: Post PC is mobile, social, client, cloud and context. It's growing to 10 billion devices. The field of play has changed dramatically.
Generational Shift: The generation that read the paper, used the yellow pages and eagerly checked the mail is fading. That irrevocably changes how merchants connect with consumers. How could it not?
Big Data: The data 'firehose'' from back office to market facing is wide and deep. The ability to visualize the flow of a business and tune its mechanics will yield many new and interesting personalization, marketing and marketplace experiences.
Not to long ago, Marc Andreessen astutely observed that "Software Is Eating The World."
What's playing out in retail is emblematic of this truth.
Retail needs a reboot to survive (GigaOM)
The Mobile Native Cloud (SlideShare)
February 24, 2014 in Advertising, Amazon, Marketing, Mobile, Pattern Recognition, Post-PC, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
The End of the Beginning
"Is That All There Is?" - Peggy Lee
Perspective changes everything.
Looked at up close, Apple is boring, Facebook is in decline, and Silicon Valley is more about serving up mouthwatering perks and "F-U" liquidity events than real innovation.
Yet, with a bit of perspective, we see how in a 30 year period, Apple has given rise to the PC, reinvented the phone, broke the hegemony of old media and telecom, and launched the Post PC era.
In fact, Apple is still growing so rapidly that in the last year alone, they generated three Fortune 500 companies worth of new income.
Now, the rumors are that they're launching a new payment system to take advantage of the 500 million iPhones and iPads in use today (many/most with a valid credit card on file).
iBeacon anyone?
Apple CEO Tim Cook has hinted at a new category. It could be anything from a personal monitoring 'companion' device to a set-top box for the living room.
But, that's boring (conventional wisdom narrative), and Apple must be repeatedly punished for it.
Meanwhile, Facebook is the proverbial case of, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
I still remember when ten million users represented an insanely large base for any service.
In fact, AOL, the gorilla of the early online era, never passed 30 million subscribers.
By contrast, Facebook has 1.2 BILLION monthly active users. That's 60 Floridas!
Despite all of the talk that Facebook's dominion dies with the desktop, 77% of its users are accessing the service from mobile devices, generating over half of their advertising revenue.
Is Innovation Dead?
Now, of course, growth and money do not equate to insanely great.
So, is innovation dead? Are we doomed to a decade of Snapchat clones and Instagram wanna-bes?
Up close, it may seem like it, but with the benefit of some perspective, you realize how we are really at the end of the BEGINNING of the next wave.
Want some perspective? Consider this thought-provoking interview with Kevin Kelly, who helped launch Wired, and is one of the sharpest thinkers of our time.
Here's his take:
"If we were sent back with a time machine, even 20 years, and reported to people what we have right now and describe what we were going to get in this device in our pocket—we'd have this free encyclopedia, and we'd have street maps to most of the cities of the world, and we'd have box scores in real time and stock quotes and weather reports, PDFs for every manual in the world—we'd make this very, very, very long list of things that we would say we would have and we get on this device in our pocket, and then we would tell them that most of this content was free. You would simply be declared insane. They would say there is no economic model to make this. What is the economics of this? It doesn't make any sense, and it seems far-fetched and nearly impossible."
Of course, he's right.
What we take for granted as obvious and inevitable, was heretical just twenty years ago.
Doubt this assertion? Do a google search on "silicon snake oil" or "clifford stoll" and see what I mean.
Today, Stoll's opinions sound as ridiculous as witch burners in the time of Salem's Lot.
But then, it was conventional wisdom.
This gets to the nut of Kelly's perspective, which he espouses in great detail, and brilliantly, in his book, 'What Technology Wants.'
What Technology Wants envisions the rise of machines, networks, robots, sensors, systems, data and intelligence EVERYWHERE to the point that they become part of the fabric of life itself (Kelly calls this the Technium).
In other words, you aint seen nothing yet.
As Kelly puts it, "The next twenty years are going to make this last twenty years just pale. We're just at the beginning of the beginning of all these kind of changes. There's a sense that all the big things have happened, but relatively speaking, nothing big has happened yet."
The Uber experience is a revelation today. Dropbox delivers constancy. Amazon amazes. Google Maps is simply magical.
But twenty years from now, every industry and almost every aspect of life will have been uberized, and we will have embedded this logic into our very fabric.
As this organism, the technium, begins to breathe, it will etch new paths, launch new vehicles and drive a new economy.
The future awaits, my friends, but we'll be ready.
Understanding New Mediums: Why Post PC is Not Merely the Web with a Native Wrapper
Progress Waits for No One, and Other Harsh Truths
9 logical applications for iBeacons
February 07, 2014 in Metrics, Pattern Recognition, Post-PC, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
This is a fable for a future truth.
There is an analog from the past that frames how I think about the rise of new mediums. It's the motion picture.
Once upon a time, our notion of the motion picture was that it was silent, with accompanying music to set the tone of the story, and sub-titles to stage specific scenes.
It was a simple medium that was inexpensive to distribute to theaters far and wide. It traveled well internationally, too (just "localize" a few text boxes).
Kind of like in the early days of the web.
Along comes the 'talkie,' and conventional wisdom saw the idea of driving movie narratives through talking actors as a fad at best, and an expensive gimmick at worst.
It required new types of actors, new approaches to filming and costly retrofitting of theaters.
Amazingly, in just four years the talkie subsumed the silent picture.
What's interesting is that this occurrence not only changed how movies were made, and the economics of the movie business, but it fundamentally changed our notion of a what a movie could BE.
It became a different medium.
The Rise of a New Medium
This is what the next wave will look like.
It will change our notion of what computing, connecting and communicating experiences can be.
The magical opporunities will come from figuring out the types of interactions that come to life when:
Client and Cloud Converge;
The field of play is 10 Billion Devices worldwide
Our concept of an interaction can mean "Humans," "Machine-Assisted," or "Autonomous and Invisible."
The tendency for consumers, technologists, analysts and investors is to confuse attributes, like browsers and URLs, with outcomes.
But attributes are merely artifacts.
Outcomes are aspirational; jobs to be defined; the embodiment of a medium.
The hot category of messaging apps, which Ben Evans talks about in his excellent post, 'Interaction, canvases and ecosystems,' is a good example of the emerging medium at work. (SEE: WhatsApp | Kik | SnapChat)
Why? Because such experiences have a notion of state, distribution, message and payload.
Here, I'd assert that there are a lot of interaction models and interesting workflows that this type of runtime structure can support.
It lends itself to new experiential forms that are the "talkies" to today's "silent" web.
What's Past is Prologue
Ironically, unlike the many mediums to get disrupted by digital - music, books, newspapers, magazines, broadcast television - the talkie, an early twentieth century creation, has stood the test of time.
It's proven elastic and durable across genre, geography, demographic and viewing screen.
This is something to think about as the Post PC era takes hold.
(SLIDESHARE) The Mobile Native Cloud: An extensible computing model for the Post - PC Era
The Mobile Broadband Era: It's About Messages, Mobility and The Cloud (O'Reilly)
January 31, 2014 in Pattern Recognition, Post-PC, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
No good deed goes unpunished at the iPhone company
The moral of the story when it comes to the Apple investor is that no good deed goes unpunished. Expect Apple stock to get hammered on Tuesday for what is a very real shortfall in the projections of analysts.
Of course, the moral of the story here is that Apple specifically told its investors a year ago that it was no longer going to "manage" earnings expectations with pre-ordained beats.
So what happened in the most recent quarter? Apple hit its own sales projections, which if you take the company's specific proclamations at face value, was the real, achievable goal.
Given Apple's unparalleled track record, you'd think that they've earned some benefit of the doubt. Namely, that they actually know what they are doing.
But, purely as a stock, Apple is seen as the iPhone company.
And the picture there is decidedly more complex. At a minimum, iPhone sales growth is flattening (for now). China Mobile could be anything from a moonshot to mediocre.
Footnote: China Mobile is the largest network in the world, with over 750 million customers.
From the tenor of the call, it seems clear that the company misread consumer sentiment (and demand) for the iPhone 5c. What does that say about the Apple innovation engine post Steve?
Domestic sales were very strong, but flat, and there were some rumblings of carriers stretching out the time periods on consumer refresh cycles.
A lot of the attention shifts to emerging markets and Asia driving growth. Very possible, but not guaranteed.
At the same time, you have to be pretty dense to diminish what 51M iPhones in a quarter means in terms of the depth of the iOS platform.
This completely discounts the potential for Apple to culitvate an ewallet (read this story on Starbucks $1.4 billion in quarterly gift cards).
I'm starting to feel pretty strongly that mobile payments will be a front seat item for Apple very soon.
Oh, and there's iPad, which did pretty well too. If there's a device that embodies post pc computing, it's the iPad.
I would love to see the company put more energy towards developing integrator channels.
That way it can penetrate more enterprise-scale verticals, like medical, pharma, field sales, retail and training, where it already has footholds.
The other big variable is that the Apple retail stores are still humming along.
They host 144 million visitors at their stores each quarter, or about 21,000 visitors per store, per week.
With ~420 stores open, average revenue per store was $16.7 million, compared to $16.3 million in the year ago quarter.
By design, Apple's end-to-end-ness remains its biggest advantage.
The company with $158.8 billion in cash (or equivalents), after adding $12 billion in the quarter should get hammered on Tuesday.
It's small thanks for being transparent, disciplined, prolific and purpose-driven.
Speaking of which, let me end this post with this answer from Apple CEO Tim Cook on whether the company is actively pursuing the Mobile Payments space:
"Let me sort of avoid the last part of your question, but in general, we're seeing that people love being able to buy content, whether it's music or movies or books, from their iPhone, using Touch ID. It's incredibly simple and easy and elegant, and it's clear that there's a lot of opportunity there.
The mobile payments area in general is one that we've been intrigued with, and that was one of the thoughts behind Touch ID. But we're not limiting ourselves just to that. So I don't have anything specific to announce today, but you can tell by looking at the demographics of our customers and the amount of commerce that goes through iOS devices versus the competition that it's a big opportunity on the platform."
Seems near term.
UPDATE: With rumors heating up about Apple's Mobile Payments plans, PayPal wants in as an Apple partner (highly unlikely to happy).
NIKEiD and the Uber-ization of Global Logistics
Cry Babies: The Strange, Confusing Path of the Apple Investor
January 27, 2014 in Apple, Coaching, iOS, Mobile, Pattern Recognition, Post-PC, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
As much as anything, the Internet of Things is about the rise of smart, connected sensors. Apple's iBeacon harnesses smart phones and super-cheap Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) sensory 'beacons' to bring location-aware services into a bunch of new categories.
Get a coupon for 10 percent off a TV because you stood in the TV department.
Your home will automatically react to you.
Your phone will give you a tour of museums.
Organize neighborhood pick-up games for kids.
Tickets that automatically load as you enter sporting events.
Win something for visiting a car dealership.
Toys that are aware of each other.
Get a free cup of coffee or snack while pumping your gas.
Be warned that your bike or car is no longer in the garage.
'How iBeacons could change the world forever' is an excellent article on this topic. Well worth a read.
January 16, 2014 in Apple, Information Management, iOS, Mobile, Pattern Recognition, Post-PC, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
10 questions to help you write better headlines
Let's face it, the headline is...the envelope, the tweet, the forward-along and the subject line.
It's the moment of truth when your audience either gets engaged, or moves on.
That's why this quicklist of 10 questions to ask while writing a headline is worth a read:
Is the headline accurate?
Does it work out of context?
How compelling a promise does it make?
How easy is it to parse?
Could it benefit from a number?
Are all the words necessary?
Does it obey the Proper Noun Rule?
Would it work better as an explanatory headline?
Does it focus on events or implications?
Could it benefit from one of these 10 words? Top, Why, How, Will, New, Secret, Future, Your, Best, Worst.
via poynter.org
January 10, 2014 in Coaching, Pattern Recognition, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
Perpetually Synced Services: Ruminations on Ubiquity, Persistence and Composition
We are getting to the point where you and I can take for granted that our content, context and conversations are perpetually and autonomously synced across all of our devices.
Today, this means Photos, Contacts and Calendar. In many cases, it extends to Songs, Mail, File Sharing, Text Messages, Apps, eBooks, Maps and To-Do Lists.
The systems that drive such syncronizations are part Client and Cloud.
At some point, we will build meta-platforms and marketplaces on top of this layer that give rise to entirely new categories of applications.
Owing to the rich strata that such systems will be able to mine and refine, the applications that emerge during this wave will for the first time, be built around Me, My Interests, My Content, My Recurring Workflows and My Extended Networks.
Phase one (happening now) is the emergence of these 'Perpetually Synced Services' as a utility that is every bit as reliable, boring and invisble as electricity.
Phase two is the rise of new vehicles that harness this utility.
My bet is that such systems will be built upon the backs of smarter messaging systems, a bit like the example of WeChat, where consumers can hail a taxi and pay for it while chatting with friends.
Every time you ride an Uber, and appreciate the seamless, almost magical, nature of that experience, or delight in the elegant simplicty of Dropbox, know that you are staring squarely into the future.
It's a fractal of a greater truth yet to be revealed.
The Mobile Native Cloud - An Extensible Model for the Post PC Era
January 09, 2014 in Mobile, Pattern Recognition, Post-PC, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
How to Build a Mass Movement Quickly
I love this blurb from Felix Salmon of Reuters:
To build a mass movement quickly, it helps to have an over-simplified, emotive narrative with a single demand. It also helps to tell people that by doing easy tasks -- sharing a link on Facebook, buying a bracelet -- they can make a material difference (e.g., save lives). Central to the formula is that the agency of "local actors" gets downplayed to hype up the importance of action by outsiders.
via blogs.reuters.com
January 08, 2014 in Pattern Recognition, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
VALUATION METRICS: 10 factors to consider when assessing if a company is 10X Revenue Club material
Bill Gurley of Benchmark is one of the smartest VCs I know. His investments include Uber, DogVacay, GrubHub, Zillow and OpenTable.This is a great filter for assessing investing in private companies as well.
We created a list of 10 factors that public investors consider when trying to qualify if a company is deserved of such a prestigious and lofty valuation. These factors are:
1. Sustainable Competitive Advantage – how big is the competitive Moat?
2. Presence of Network Effects – does the model tip to a single vendor?
3. Visibility/Predictability – is the revenue consistent
4. Customer Lock-in / High Switching Costs – is it expensive to leave?
5. Gross margin levels – How much leverage exists is the business?
6. Marginal Profitability Calculation – is the leverage still expanding?
7. Customer Concentration – are there key dependencies?
8. Major Partner Dependencies – are there key dependencies here as well?
9. Organic Demand vs. Marketing Spend – is customer acquisition expensive?
10. Growth – how big will the future be?
via abovethecrowd.com
January 03, 2014 in Coaching, Investing, Pattern Recognition, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
Triangulations: Quality of Life - Is There More to Life than "Winning"?
"Software devs be like, 'We can change the world! ...unless it involves race, gender or economic oppression, then that's just how it is.' - Benito Applenoms (@yeloson)
Life presents a Parodox. It really does.
Are you satisfied with exhibiting a well-executed Pose?
Do you demand Performance from yourself?
Do you pursue a directed Path?
How about holding your Peers to some measure of Accountability?
Are you willing to look the other way so that Wall Street can hide behind the credo that Capitalism has no duty to the Greater Good? Or, Society for that matter?
It's why Wall Street can unashamedly steal from its own government with impunity. Pure capitalism, after all, is about the pursuit of Profits and Growth over Everything Else.
It's a revolving door. A lotto ticket to be cashed in. You would, too. Or, would you?
Is the Social Contract Dead?
Is so, what then? What's the end-game for the "Losers" in the game of life?
Silly talk? Get with it. A non-trival percentage of the population doesn't see itself as being gated on any sort of social responsibility boundaries. The market cures all, after all. The great antiseptic.
It doesn't see funding Safety Nets and Education as an "Us" topic. But rather, a Them topic, or worse, tantamount to waste and dead-beatism.
It raises a fundamental question of what represents Quality of Life in our society.
Is it collecting Stuff?
Is it Pursuing Big Ideas?
Is it Family and Friends?
Does establishing a Collective sense of "We"-ness matter anymore?
SImple questions, but the practice of actually building truths that do it in an always-on, always connected, Mobile First world require a fresh take on systems design, workflow, marketplace structuring and economic models.
TED as Emblematic of the Empty Sound Bite
Which brings me to TED. And sadly, no, I am not talking about that Ted.
Writing in theguardian.com, Benjamin Bratton argues compellingly that science, philosophy and technology run on the model of American Idol – as embodied by TED talks – is a recipe for civilisational disaster.
Read the full article, which is rich and thought-provoking. This excerpt captures what Bratton is advocating:
"Instead of dumbing-down the future, we need to raise the level of general understanding to the level of complexity of the systems in which we are embedded and which are embedded in us. This is not about "personal stories of inspiration", it's about the difficult and uncertain work of demystification and reconceptualisation: the hard stuff that really changes how we think. "
Amen to that. This requires multi-generational thinking. Can WE do that?
I pledge to do my part in the Year Ahead.
January 02, 2014 in Coaching, Pattern Recognition, Policy, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
Two Reasons Why 2013 Wasn't A Lost Year for Tech
Quartz, The Atlantic's often-excellent sister publication, recently published a provocative piece arguing that 2013 was a lost year for tech. It generated tremendous buzz and is worth a read. So, too, is the counter-perspective piece by my friend, Om Malik of GigaOM.
So what to make of all of this?
I think that there are two things going on here. One is the natural backlash associated with the socio-economic disconnect between Silicon Valley, Alley and Beach, and the rest of America.
The gap between those inside the bubble and those outside of it has never been greater. That truth HAS to become a part of our societal narrative, right?
Two is emblematic of the stage of the technology curve that we're in. In 'Waves of Power' by David Moscella, he presents an axiom that technology segments move from being "Vertically Integrated" to "Horizontally Integrated" to "Embedded."
This is because the first wave requires integration of all of the system layers to deliver a compelling solution (think: iPhone). It requires true magic.
As the technology matures, various solution providers can provide the piece parts needed in a relatively interchangeable fashion (think: Android and the Microsoft PC).
Once ubiquity is achieved, the technology fades into the background, often to the point of invisibility, and the solution is just expected to work (Google Search, Amazon).
In other words, "boring" is emblematic of success.
Then again, anyone who has taken an Uber, or pondered how AirBNB books more room nights than the entire Hilton Hotel chain, should think twice about dismissing what tech is doing.
If there is any sense of disappointment, it's the lack of companies other than Amazon, Google, and Apple that are committed to building enduring, great, out of the box innovations.
We need more entrepreneurs that aspire for the "insanely great" and less that chase the quick hit.
Google Glass will soon be invisible – and the new normal (GigaOM)
Pattern Recognition: Mobile Web v. Mobile Native; TV's Blind Spot; 'Invisible' Designs
December 31, 2013 in Coaching, Pattern Recognition, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
How to Become the King of Your Domain
When you look at your life, the path that you've forged, and the direction that you are heading towards, do you feel like the King (or Queen) of your domain?
Or, do you feel like a serf; an empty vessel who is living someone else's dream (or nightmare), floating down a river whose current you don't control, carrying you to a place that has no clear beginning, middle or end?
Let me tell you a story that changed my life. Maybe it will help you get some clarity about your own life.
When I was in my last year of college, I had a burning desire to get into an industry that fit a narrative that I had about myself. So I reached out to everyone in my network to secure informational interviews with hiring managers at some of the companies that I was targeting.
In one of the interviews, I met with a gentleman who was a grizzled old veteran of the industry that I was targeting (advertising), and he asked me, "So why advertising? Why do you think that it's the right industry for you?"
I proceeded to chime off a littany of reasons, including how my mind sees a product, and instinctively constructs an ad; how it's in my nature to see what IS, to deconstruct it, and then reconconstuct it as something different; and how I love to sell ideas.
This nice man let me yammer on for a few minutes before stopping me, and putting forth a challenge.
"You've given me a bunch of reason why you are right for advertising, but I still don't have a clear picture on why advertising -- or any business -- is right for YOU."
I was confused, so he shared a simple idea, and challenged me to complete a simple exercise that's been one of my core recipes for happiness and success ever since.
Four Pieces of Paper
He had me set aside four pieces of paper, and on the first, he told me to write down the six things that I am really good at, and truly excel at doing.
Then, he had me write down on the second piece of paper the six things that I really enjoy, that fill me with a sense of natural joy simply in the doing.
With the third piece of paper, he asked me to imagine a time far into the future, surrounded by friends and family at my funeral. What were the six things imagining that moment in the future that I would most want to be remembered for having accomplished, the things that I'd done that mattered most?
Finally, he asked me to think of the top two items from each of the three sheets of paper, and write them down on the fourth piece of paper.
His sermon to me was that this list of six things was the roadmap for my life, for it built upon the things that I was most skilled at, got the greatest joy in doing and led me on a journey to accomplish the things that mattered most to me in life.
I have never forgotten this experience, and every time that I have faced a significant crossroads in life - and there have been a few such times - I have updated this exercise, and it's served me well.
My Sermon to You
Use the above excerise, as it's a simple, highly workable way of (re) calibrating where you are at relative to where you need to be.
To that, I'd add six simple wrinkles:
What are you good at? Commit to mastering it. Become the best.
What do you enjoy? Swim in that body of water. Don't be the right boat in the wrong ocean.
What do you want to be remembered for? Make it your mantra, core to your narrative. Then make it your path.
From here on out, think like the King of Your Own Domain. Once you know your truth, carrying it with pride and certitude is an essential step to becoming.
Don't make things any harder than necessary. Life is plenty hard. There are no extra rewards for doing things the hard way. Where you have advantages, take them. Where gravity is favorable, leverage it.
Choose the direct and most simple path. If you are not clear on your aim, and the road you take is muddled and mixed up, you may not recognize opportunity when it presents, nor arrive at the finish line in time to claim your prize. Be direct and keep things simple, wherever possible.
Peace, and may a good life await you. :-
(Sidebar: By King of your domain, I am not talking about the "master of your domain" punchline of the classic Seinfeld episode, 'The Contest.')
Metamorphosis: Change your Life
September 24, 2013 in Coaching, Pattern Recognition, Streams and Nuggets | Permalink | 0 Comments | TrackBack (0)
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Fred Wilson (A VC)
Forum Blue and Gold (Lakers)
Product Management - Finding the Balance Between Power and Simplicity
Successful Platform Strategy is a Never-Ending Political Campaign
Measuring What Matters: What's All of this Real Estate Data Good For? (Shopping Center Business)
The Terrible Truth About Amazon Alexa and Privacy
Pattern Recognition: Threading as a Web Format
The Persistence of Profiles of the Deceased
Apple Pay coming to Target, Taco Bell and more top US Retail locations
The Everything Glasses
Datex Advanced Retail Sales Tracking
Seek Your Calling: Inspired by the Shoe Dog
astha mathew on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: The Persistence of Profiles of the Deceased
hypermark on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: HomePod: Why Did Apple Give it an A8?
deemery on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: HomePod: Why Did Apple Give it an A8?
Hondure�o Anticorrupcion on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: A Contract to Fuck America - Ruminations on Good Governance and Corporate Irresponsibility
iamme on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: 10 questions to help you write better headlines
santiago on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: 10 questions to help you write better headlines
MarkJGuillen on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: The Netflix 'narrative' problem, and how to fix it
hypermark on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: Apple Q3, 2014 Earnings Call: It's About Continuity and Gratification
trashbat on The Network Garden - Mark Sigal's Blog: Apple Q3, 2014 Earnings Call: It's About Continuity and Gratification


Job seekers, are your security settings on personal media cranked up to keep from hurting your job prospects? New research published in the June journal of IEEE Security & Privacy has detailed interesting findings about young adults, digital privacy, and the job search. This is the first study that analyzes how different demographics approach online reputation management during a job search. A few key highlights show that among young adults, men, Hispanics and those with lower Internet skills are the least likely to keep employment-related audiences in mind, whereas women, whites and those with higher Internet skills are more likely to actively manage their social media privacy settings. Study highlights from the Science Daily website include: -34.5 percent of men and 25 percent of women never managed their privacy settings or the content of their social media profiles with respect to an employer audience. -Whites were much more likely than other races to adjust social media profiles at least once in the past year in anticipation of employers searching for information about them. -Hispanics were the least likely to keep an employment-related audience in mind in regards to the content of their online profiles. -Women were more likely than men to manage their privacy settings for an employer-related audience and tended to do so more frequently. -Those more knowledgeable about Internet privacy matters and privacy-related terms, such as "tagging," "limited profile" and "preference settings," were more likely to engage in managing the privacy of their social media profiles. If you're a job seeker and you haven't yet adjusted your social media privacy settings, we strongly recommend doing so. Especially in the era of digital interviews, employers are increasingly internet savvy, and being cognizant of the way you conduct yourself online is crucial. A study by CareerBuilder has shown that more than 40 percent of hiring managers who currently research candidates using social media have found information that caused them to not hire a candidate. What can you do to make sure you're conducting yourself professionally and responsibly on social media? –Adjustyourprivacy.com is a great tool for managing your online privacy. It allows you to check and adjust your privacy settings on a number of social media websites. -Be careful of what third-party apps you allow to access your social media profiles. Third party applications can access your personal information, so make sure you've screened each carefully. When in doubt, check all of the third party applications you've enabled (usually under settings) and delete anything you haven't used in a while, or don't recognize. -Turn up your privacy settings. On Facebook, you can review and accept or reject tags that are made of you, and lock down your profile so that only friends can see the content there. Twitter is a little less secure, so make sure you conduct yourself professionally there– and if anyone tweets anything inappropriate at or about you, ask them to take it down. -Behave yourself. One great rule of thumb for social media is to simply refrain from posting anything that would incriminate you or damage your reputation. Do you manage your social media reputation? What tricks do you use, or how do you conduct yourself online? Let us know in the comments.


Version A rear mounting with concealed set screws or version B front mounted screw fixings, inset tray handles with connecting tube to suit varying sheet thicknesses between 1 to 5mm.
Profiled aluminium extrusion, fine texture silver anodise finish, end caps polyamide PA 6 fine/smooth texture. Connecting tube stainless steel 20.0 dia.
Can be supplied in any length, subject to min order quantity.


This is the 218th edition of the Epileptic Gibbon podcast music show and the playlist to accompany it. You may be able to CLICK HERE TO LISTEN but note the shows are large files & this may not be the best way to listen. If you prefer, you can subscribe to the show via iTunes by sticking feeds2.feedburner.com/TheEpilepticGibbonPodcastMusicShow into the 'Subscribe to podcast' area & then you'll get the new shows as they become available. The show is also available to stream via Mixcloud and the Progzilla Radio Network (the show appears on Progzilla in alternate weeks). It's Halloween time again so for this show we have the return of the diabolical Count Eppy Gibbon, who will again be your ghoulish host for this year's Halloween special. Our feature EP this time has a supernatural theme – the 'Ghost' EP by Richard Wileman, best known to Eppy Gibbon listeners as the man behind the Karda Estra musical project, and you'll hear three tracks from Richard's EP tonight, plus you can expect the usual eclectic musical mix. Below you'll find the track list, plus weblinks from where you can find more information about each artist.
Total running time: 1 hour & 46 minutes. Downloaded file is 96.9 MB.
Thanks to all the musicians who contributed and to all listeners, and of course to Count Eppy. Send us comments if you like what you hear (or even if you don't… feedback is so important!). If you want to keep up to date with news about the show, EppyFest, or just chat with other listeners, don't forget that there's a Facebook group – just search for the Eppy Gibbon Podcast Show on Facebook and request to join, plus don't forget that we're now part of the Progzilla Radio Network. Next time I'm hoping we'll have an interview but even if that doesn't materialise you can expect the same typically eclectic mixture of music, so I hope you'll be back for that.
This is the 192th edition of the Epileptic Gibbon podcast music show and the playlist to accompany it. You can either CLICK HERE TO LISTEN or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to the show via iTunes by sticking feeds2.feedburner.com/TheEpilepticGibbonPodcastMusicShow into the 'Subscribe to podcast' area. The show is also available via Mixcloud and the Progzilla Radio Network (the show is now appearing on Progzilla in alternate weeks). It's Halloween time again so for this show we have the return of the diabolical Count Eppy Gibbon, who will again be your ghoulish host for this year's Halloween special. There's no feature album this time around, but there is a typically eclectic mixture of spooky sounds and terrifying tales. Below you'll find the track list, plus weblinks from where you can find more information about each artist.
Total running time: 1 hour & 42 minutes. Downloaded file is 93.5 MB.
Thanks, as always, to everyone involved with this show, musicians and listeners alike, and particularly to Count Eppy. Send me comments if you like what you hear (or even if you don't… feedback is so important!). If you want to keep up to date with news about the show, EppyFest, or just chat with other listeners, don't forget that there's a Facebook group – just search for the Eppy Gibbon Podcast Show on Facebook and request to join, plus don't forget that we're now part of the Progzilla Radio Network. The next show will be built around an interview with Mike Kershaw, with lots of music from Mike himself & some of his own choices plus the usual eclectic mixture, so I hope you'll come back for that.
This is the 166th edition of the Epileptic Gibbon podcast music show and the playlist to accompany it. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN. The show is also available via Mixcloud here and the Progzilla Radio Network (the show is now appearing on Progzilla in alternate weeks). Halloween has just passed but for this show we have the return of the diabolical Count Eppy Gibbon, who will again be your ghoulish host for this year's belated Halloween special. The Count's choice of feature album is 'Fit The Fourth' by Tom Slatter & there will be three tracks from that, plus a typically eclectic mixture of spooky sounds and terrifying tales. Below you'll find the track list, plus weblinks from where you can find more information about each artist.
Total running time: 2 hours & 5 minutes. Downloaded file is 114.6 MB.
Thanks, as always, to everyone involved with this show, musicians and listeners alike, and particularly to Count Eppy. Send me comments if you like what you hear (or even if you don't… feedback is so important!). If you want to keep up to date with news about the show, EppyFest, or just chat with other listeners, don't forget that there's a Facebook group – just search for the Eppy Gibbon Podcast Show on Facebook and request to join, plus don't forget that we're now part of the Progzilla Radio Network. The next show will be built around an interview with Phil & Amy Mercy of the band Thieves Kitchen, with lots of music from their brand new album, so I hope you'll come back for that.
This is the 139th edition of the Epileptic Gibbon podcast music show and the playlist to accompany it. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN. You can also listen via Mixcloud here. For this edition of the show we welcome back Count Eppy Gibbon, who will be your ghoulish host for this year's Halloween special. The Count's choice of feature album is 'Constellations' by Karda Estra, which has just celebrated the tenth anniversary of its release, & there will be three tracks from that. Below you'll find the track list, plus weblinks to where you can find more information about each artist.
Total running time: 2 hours and 13 minutes. Downloaded file is 121.45 MB.
Thanks, as always, to everyone involved with this show, musicians and listeners alike, and particularly to Count Eppy. Please leave a comment if you like what you hear (or even if you don't… feedback is so important!) or if you want to have your say on anything else connected to this podcast. If you want to keep up to date with news about this podcast, EppyFest, or just chat with other listeners, don't forget that there's a Facebook group – just search for the Eppy Gibbon Podcast Show on Facebook and request to join. The next show will be a Swedish special, with lots of music from Swedish bands & artists, so I hope you'll come back for that.
This is the 113th edition of the Epileptic Gibbon podcast music show and the playlist to accompany it. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN. You can also listen via Mixcloud here. For this edition of the show we welcome back Count Eppy Gibbon, who will be your ghoulish host for this year's Halloween special. There's no feature album on this show but the Count will be featuring his 'house band' The Red Masque quite heavily, plus there will be the usual diverse mixture of tracks and styles, though the focus will definitely be on the spookier side. Below you'll find the track list, plus weblinks to where you can find more information about each artist.
Total running time: 1 hour & 39 minutes. Downloaded file is 90.43 MB.
Thanks, as always, to everyone involved with this show, musicians and listeners alike, and particularly to Count Eppy. Please leave a comment if you like what you hear (or even if you don't… feedback is so important!) or if you want to have your say on anything else connected to this podcast. If you want to keep up to date with news about the show, EppyFest, or just chat with other listeners, don't forget that there's a Facebook group – just search for the Eppy Gibbon Podcast Show on Facebook and request to join. There will be another show in around two weeks when I'll be joined by Mr Karda Estra himself, Richard Wileman, who will be choosing most of the music. I do hope you'll come back for that.
This is the 88th edition of the Epileptic Gibbon podcast music show and the playlist to accompany it. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN. This particular show is a Halloween special, focusing on spooky, creepy and supernaturally-themed music, hosted by Count Eppy Gibbon. The feature album this time is 'Kaleidoscope' by DJ Food from 2001, which may not sound very scary but you need to listen to the tracks the Count has selected. In addition there's the usual diverse selection of tracks and artists, but be warned that this edition of the show is not for the fainthearted. Below you'll find the track list, plus weblinks to where you can find more information about each artist.
Total running time: 1 hour and 55 minutes. Downloaded file is 105 MB.
Please, don't have nightmares! Leave a comment if you like what you hear (or even if you don't… feedback is so important!) or if you want to have your say on anything else connected to this podcast. For the next couple of shows we have some special guests coming in. Episode 89 will feature an interview with Stu Nicholson, lead singer with the UK band Galahad and Eppy will be talking to him about the band's two latest albums. And then for episode 90 Richard Wileman from Karda Estra will be coming into the studio for a chat and he'll be picking nearly all the music.


With the publication of this post, my transition from Ghost to Hugo will be complete and this blog will be solely run with static HTML files compared to the dynamic Ghost installation I used before.
Let me explain why I did this and how you can do this as well.
I started off with a Ghost installation that was hosted on uberspace.de. While uberspace.de is a great hoster and probably the cheapest option to host a Ghost installation, I hated that updates to Ghost itself would be troublesome and that in addition to uberspace.de I had to maintain the domain somewhere and make the whole connection. All I really wanted, was an easy way to publish content and be able to modify styles and enhance theme specific elements.
Hugo seemed to be the perfect solution for that, as the standard Ghost theme casper was available and it would create static HTML files, so I could be able to host my site virtually anywhere as I wouldn't need to be able to run node js on the server.
Yet, GitHub Pages with another theme would have destroyed the design I used to have and to be fair, I really liked the minimalist Ghost Design.
Keeping Ghost and using buster, would have been the next best solution, in fact, it would have been easier and I would still have been able to host my blog on GitHub Pages or any other webserver as buster bruteforces and creates static HTML files for you. I avoided that option as I felt this wouldn't be a good approach that would completely satisfy my needs for a easy and stable to use blogging platform.
And Ghost Pro was simply out of the picture. On average I spent about 5€/month on uberspace and another 3-4€/month on all-inkl which make it around 8-9€ total for the Ghost blog I used to run. Ghost Pro though, starts at 19€/month which was too expensive for my needs.
After weighing all my alternatives I decided to go with Hugo as it comes closest to meet all the requirements I set out, most importantly I could host it on GitHub Pages and still be able to easily modify my theme and write content.
This one is pretty easy. Hugo has a easy to understand Quickstart guide that helps you with your first setup.
Hugo just created a barebone site for you. If you would run hugo locally to serve the HTML files to you, you wouldn't see a thing yet. So keep on reading.
I thought this one would be the hardest step and require quite some time, but it turns out someone already did the legwork for this one.
Open your existing Ghost instance admin panel. Go to Settings -> Labs -> Click on Export.
Before we keep going, we want to test our Hugo setup via hugo server. If there are no significant errors when issuing that command, you should be able to see your blog when navigating to http://localhost:1313. If all is fine, we can keep finalize the current state and move it to Github pages.
Github Pages for your personal website serves HTML files or generates those HTML files for you if your project is a jekyll project. In any case, if you want to run Github Pages for your personal website, you would create a repository that's name follows their scheme: .github.io. In my case, that's caffeineflo.github.io. The repository can either be public or private, in any case it will be published under the same address. For personal projects, you need to have your HTML files in the master branch, while your hugo specific files can be anywhere else e.g. another branch or another repository.
My intended solution has my hugo files in the sources branch and the html files hugo will generate go into the master branch. This solution will become extra elegant when using the git worktree command to checkout master -> /public and sources to the root / of my caffeineflo.github.io directory.
Hugo will by default generate all your HTML files to /public if you tell it to create your HTML files by issuing hugo. So all we need to do is setup git.
rm -rf public/* Note the asterisk.
The last step should have generated all necessary HTML files and pushed them to our Github Pages repo.
Now if you would navigate to your Github Pages instance, you should see your blog back in old glory again.
NOTE: Please note that I left out a few basic commands in the process like pushing to master to create the Github Pages instance and/or checking the functionality of our Hugo setup. Please check that again when following this tutorial.
One last thing is left to do. Setting our DNS records on our custom domain (iflorian.com) to point to our Github pages site.
dig caffeineflo.github.io to get the IP Address of the server github hosts us on.
Change your A DNS record on our domain to point to the address from the step above.
Now depending on how you've configured your baseurl in your config.toml (btw. you should configure that one …), you could also set the baseurl to your custom domain and map those domains against each other to be accessible from both domains.


This study compared two prompting procedures that are used to teach children with autism in discrete trial: graduated guidance and system of least prompts. A modified alternating treatment design (ABCBC) was used to compare four children's acquisition of object labels taught by a system of least prompts and taught by graduated guidance. Two children were taught with the system of least prompts procedure first and the graduated guidance training procedure second. The other two children were taught with the graduated guidance procedure first, and the system of least prompts training procedure second. Each treatment phase involved three consecutive daily training sessions with 100 training trials each session. Probes were done each session on object labels taught by the current method up to that point All four children performed better when taught by a system of least prompts rather than when taught by graduated guidance. More object labels were acquired and maintained in the system of least prompts condition. These results indicate that the system of least prompts may be superior to graduated guidance when used in a discrete trial format.


text:
Q: Common Lisp - type checking two variables Hi I'm a beginner in Common Lisp. I want to check if  two variables are integers. If both n and m are integers I want to it to return - if it is negative, 0 if it is zero, + if it is positive and NIL if it is not an integer for both n and m. I figured out how to do this with one variable but I can't seem to figure out how to do it with two variables. Thanks.
This is the code that takes a numeric argument and returns - if it is negative, 0 if it is zero, + if it is positive and NIL if its not an integer:
(defun sign (n)
 (if(typep n 'integer)
    (cond ((< n 0) '-)
          ((= n 0) 0)
          ((> n 0) '+))))

The output for each case is:
CL-USER> (sign 3)

+

CL-USER> (sign -3)

-

CL-USER> (sign 0)

0

CL-USER> (sign 3.3)

NIL

This is the code I have for checking two variables which I want it to check if n and m are integers and if n and m are positive, negative or a zero:
(defun sign (n m)
 (if (and (typep n 'integer) (typep m 'integer))
  (cond (and ((< n 0) '-) ((< m 0) '-))
        (and ((= n 0) 0) ((= m 0) 0))
        (and ((> n 0) '+) ((> m 0) '+)) ))))

A: Remember basic Lisp syntax. Function calls and some basic expressions are written as
(operator argument-0 argument-1 ... argument-n)

Right?
open parenthesis, operator, argument-0 argument-1 ... argument-n, closing parenthesis.
Now if we have (< n 0) and (< m 0) how would an AND expressions look like?
(and (< n 0) (< m 0))

But you write:
and ((< n 0) '-) ((< m 0) '-)

You have these mistakes:

*

*no parentheses around the AND expression.

*extra parenthesis around the argument expressions.

*'- mixed into the argument expressions.

Now COND expects:
(COND (testa1 forma0 forma1 ... forman)
      (testb1 formb1 formb1 ... formbn)
      ...
      (testm1 formm0 formm1 ... formmn))

So instead of
(defun sign (n m)
  (if (and (typep n 'integer) (typep m 'integer))
      (cond (and ((< n 0) '-) ((< m 0) '-))
            (and ((= n 0)  0) ((= m 0)  0))
            (and ((> n 0) '+) ((> m 0) '+)))))

Btw, there was an extra parenthesis at the end.
We write:
(defun sign (n m)
  (if (and (typep n 'integer) (typep m 'integer))
      (cond ((and (< n 0) (< m 0)) '-)
            .... )))

It's also possible to use predicates like integerp, minusp, zerop and plusp.

A: You can use the already functioning and tested sign definition - which is typical for the way, lispers program. The first naive solution would be:
(defun sign-for-two (n m)
  (when (eql (sign n) (sign m))
    (sign n))

;; (if (condition) return-value NIL)
;; is equivalent to
;; (when (condition) return-value)

Note, in common lisp it is important,
which equality test you choose:
;; only symbols - for object identity        eq
;; symbols or numbers - for object identity  eql
;;   (in most tests the default)
;; eql for each component? also in lists     equal
;; equal not only lists but also
;; arrays (vectors, strings), structures, hash-tables
;; however case-insensitive in case of strings
;;                                           equalp
;; mathematical number equality              =
;; specifically characters                   char=
;; case-sensitive string equality            string=

In our case, eql is sufficient.
;; to avoid `(sign n)` to be evaluated twice,
;; you could store it using `let`
;; and call from then on the stored value
;; (which is less costly).

(defun sign-for-two (n m)
  (let ((x (sign n)))
    (when (eql x (sign m))
      x)))

Or create an equality tester (default test function: #'eql)
which returns the equally tested value
and if not equal, NIL:
(defun equality-value (x y &key (test #'eql))
   (when (funcall test z y) z)))

;; and apply this general solution to our case:
(defun sign-for-two (n m)
   (equality-value (sign n) (sign m)))

and you can apply the equality-value function
in future for functions where you want to
return the value when tested as "equal"
and you can give the function via :test whatever equality
function other than eql is suitable for that case, like
(equality-value string1 string2 :test #'string=)

A: It looks like you have the right approach and just got lost in the parentheses. Each of your cond cases looks like
(and ((< n 0) '-) ((< m 0) '-))

I think you meant
((and (< n 0) (< m 0)) '-)

and the same thing for the other two cases.

A: Another compact way to write sign is to use the standard function signum which

returns one of -1, 0, or 1 according to whether number is negative,
  zero, or positive

The code could look like:
(defun sign (n)
  (when (integerp n)
    (case (signum n)
      (-1 '-)
      (0   0)
      (1  '+))))

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


[Yum-devel] [PATCH 2/2] the "0" string of pre returns as valid on the if pre check. So turn it into a check for "1" so our requires don't always include pre="0" when they don't really need to.
Previous message: [Yum-devel] [PATCH 2/2] the "0" string of pre returns as valid on the if pre check. So turn it into a check for "1" so our requires don't always include pre="0" when they don't really need to.
> not too bothered. ACK.
I did so. Committed and pushed.


text:
10+10+10+10
by Basketball Coach Weekly in Shooting drills
Divide the court into four quadrants, require the shooter to make 10 shots from each area with a partner rebounding and passing.
Get players lots of reps from various areas on the floor. Don't allow shooters to get too comfortable in a single spot on the floor.
Divide the court into quadrants. Split the court down the middle of the lane out to mid-court while also splitting it across the free- throw line. Inform players if you want them shooting all 3-pointers, mid-range jumpers or if they can work in layups.
The shooter's partner starts under the hoop and serves as the rebounder, as well as outlet passer. The action begins with a shot from one of the quadrants [1]. The shooter remains in the same quadrant until 10 shots are made [2]. The shooter doesn't remain in one spot but moves around the quadrant receiving passes from the partner and shooting [3].
The shooter must make 10 shots from each quadrant. Keep track of how many shots it takes to advance to the next area, and total shots it takes to make 40. See if a shooter's accuracy decreases as he/she gets tired. If time is a concern, decrease the number of made shots necessary (can be five from each quadrant, for example).
Shoot & Hustle
in Shooting drills
'Partner Passing' encourages shooters to hustle after their own shots as the partner sprints to a perimeter shooting spot. MORE
'Kansas' Action Sets Up Open Jumper
Your shooting guard begins deep on the right side of the floor and eventually ends up almost in the same spot with an open mid-range jumper. MORE


The original rewarding system with yearly rated performance reviews isn't working anymore, you know that. But what is working? Sure there must be an alternative?
To help you move away from a performance-based compensation model, I made a useful mini guide with tips on how to do talent reviews the right way. For once and for all, wave goodbye to the nerve wrecking yearly performance reviews with this actionable mini guide on creating a future-proof rewarding framework!
We used to ask managers to give ratings for everyone in their teams, on their objectives, on competencies, on behaviours and/or on values. Using those ratings we would organise a talent review for someone and ask the opinion of HR Business Partners and other managers this person has never worked with. We would get to a final score per person, and for each job title and score we defined a fixed percentage of raise. For example: a junior developer with a 3/5 would get 6% raise.
The issue with this is that it takes a lot of effort to discuss with multiple people who's a 4 and who's a 5 and you end up disappointing people. Not because they've gotten a 6% raise instead of a 7% raise, but because they feel like the organisation doesn't appreciate their work, talent and effort.
There's a difference between a reward review: "Let's go over everyone with management to discuss their bonus and salary increase", and a talent review: "Who's our top talent, who do we need to give a special development track and who do we need to pay attention to regarding succession".
We propose to align those sessions. Reward everyone according to a fixed plan, and focus on the talent-part of the review conversations.
Before we dive into the new reward framework, it's important to realise that you too will have to change your mindset. You need to understand that paying people and increasing someone's salary is about perceived fairness and not about recognition. Because that is the job of the manager and not of the rewarding system.
Want to know more? Download the mini guide!
Carrots and Sticks: Future Proof?


Hipster 'craft' beer producers BrewDog are launching their own beer-themed hotel.
The new hotel, called the DogHouse, will make visiting the BrewDog brewery in rural, north-eastern Aberdeenshire far easier and more worthwhile for those traveling long distances.
The town of Ellon which hosts the brewery is 16 miles from Aberdeen. The idea behind the Doghouse is to allow guests to relax overnight and enjoy some beers, without needing to immediately drive back from the brewery.
The hotel will have a similar feel to the BrewDog bars, with exposed fixtures and fittings, including brickwork and air vents on the roof, and neon light statement features.
DogHouse will have a distinctive bar and restaurant, and will stand out from the local community's selection of traditional pubs with its statement interior design. The brewers are planning on adding another brewhouse to the Ellon facility, with a capacity for 300 HL, hence the expansion plans for the hotel too.
26 bedrooms will overlook the brewhouse, and be immersed within the spirit (rather, the hops) of the company. The brewers have described how "brewday aromas" will mean "no alarm clock is required".
The hotel "are going all out" on the rooms, which will each have their own PUNK IPA tap in-room (!) alongside a state-of-the-art shower fridge so guests are "never more than an arm's reach from a chilled craft beer".


 Juita Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
JUITA is a professional production of various kinds of sewing machine of the modern enterprise, template machine, sewing machine, stretch sewing machine, computer sewing machine manufacturer.
Sewing machine press attention, technical knowledge Kawada sewing machine.
ADD: No.2277 Jingzhong Road,Hongjia Town,Jiaojiang,Taizhou,Zhejiang,China COPYRIGHT (C)2016 Zhejiang 冠军国际cmp88|首页 INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


text:
Editorial: We recommend Jharrett Bryantt in HCC District VIII runoff
Opinion // Editorials
The Editorial Board, By The Editorial Board
Jharett Bryantt, a candidate for Houston Community College Board of Trustees, District VIII. Bryantt is an assistant superintendent for HISD.
Since 2009, Eva Loredo has been a sturdy presence on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. Sometimes, however, institutions need a fresh voice to inject energy and perspective to face the challenges that lie ahead. We believe Jharrett Bryantt is the best choice to represent HCC District VIII, a diverse district that stretches from southwest Houston to the Port of Houston. Bryantt and Loredo are set to face off in a runoff after neither garnered 50 percent earlier this month.
Bryantt, 32, currently works as an assistant superintendent for HISD. He's seen in education circles as a rising star: Earlier this year, he was a finalist for superintendent for a mid-size school district in Utah. His ambitions may go far beyond the borders of District VIII, but we still think he brings what HCC needs: fresh ideas and perspective.
In a meeting with the editorial board before the Nov. 2 election, Bryantt impressed with a range of ideas about how to HCC's low (30 percent) graduation rate. College preparedness is one of his areas of expertise and he'd come to the board with several potential solutions. We also think his proposal to tie graduation rates to the evaluation of HCC's chancellor would bring much-needed accountability.
We didn't hear much in the way of problem-solving when we spoke with Loredo, and only one recent concrete improvement — a 2 percent faculty pay raise. She expressed a general desire to put students first, but didn't share specifics about how to improve HCC's significant enrollment dip — a 17 percent drop from 2019 to 2020. Though it is a nationwide trend, we hoped for more urgency in her approach to address the challenge.
The runoff election will be held Dec. 11, with early voting Nov. 29 through Dec. 7. For more information on how and where to vote, see harrisvotes.com.
As we wrote in October, Loredo struck us as unconcerned and apologetic about her vote to approve Christopher Oliver as vice chair six months prior to his federal conviction for accepting about a quarter-million dollars in bribes in exchange for his influence over HCC contracts. Loredo inexplicably said to us she "couldn't remember" her vote, nor did she accept responsibility for overlooking a 2010 investigation into Oliver that signaled his capacity for corruption.
Here's how to submit letters and op-eds to the Chronicle
That lack of accountability isn't acceptable. We commend Loredo for her 36 years in education and 12 years of service on the board of trustees, but HCC's nearly 60,000 students need Bryant's bold ideas and vision. We urge District VIII voters to elect Bryantt in the upcoming HCC District VIII runoff.
Latest Opinions
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Reach The Editorial on
The Editorial Board is made up of opinion journalists with wide-ranging expertise whose consensus opinions and endorsements represent the voice of the institution - defined as the board members, their editor and the publisher. The board is separate from the newsroom and other sections of the paper. Winner of 2022 Pulitzer Prize in editorial writing.


text:
class AddColumnIsSupportToStatuses < ActiveRecord::Migration

	def self.up
		add_column :statuses, :is_support, :boolean
	end

	def self.down
		remove_column :statuses, :is_support
	end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Do you know chamomile from kukicha? Explore the soothing world of tea.
With its subtle aroma, warm steam and soothing flavor, hot tea is an ideal treat—especially on a particularly blustery day.
"Tea is very nurturing," says Leslie Turner, a nutritional and holistic counselor in New York. "There's the whole ritual of tea, putting the water in the kettle, having it boil, pouring the tea, letting it steep. That in itself is very calming."
In addition to being emotionally comforting, studies have determined that black and green tea may have far-reaching medicinal properties. Green tea in particular is full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium and fluoride.
Although these discoveries are new to us, tea has been sipped for more than 5,000 years. Legend has it that tea was discovered in 2737 B.C. by Chinese emperor and herbalist Shen-Nung, when a leaf from a camellia bush landed in his pot of boiling water. Most tea is still made from that same plant species, Camellia sinensis. And its popularity has never waned: Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world—second only to water, according to the Tea Association of the USA.
Now that there are more than 3,000 teas produced in 31 countries, deciding what to drink can be a challenge. Below is a guide to selecting, preparing and drinking this beverage.
Black Teas are robust, with strong flavors and about half the caffeine of coffee. They may contribute to healthy arteries and prevent tooth decay. Examples: Earl Grey, Darjeeling, English Breakfast and Ceylon.
Oolong Teas are rich teas often served in Chinese restaurants. They're associated with good digestion and have slightly less caffeine than black tea. Examples: Shui Xian, Tie Guan Yin.
Green Teas have the most widely accepted health benefits and less caffeine than black and oolong tea. They're also full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and may help prevent certain cancers and osteoporosis as well as alleviate arthritis. Examples: Genmaicha, Kukicha, Hojicha.
White Tea The rarest type of tea, true white tea is found only in a specific area of China. It has the same health benefits as green tea, with minimal caffeine. Example: Pai Mu Tan.
Herbal Tea Not considered "true" tea by purists, these consist of herbs, spices and/or fruits. Turner recommends citrus teas for morning, peppermint for a mid-afternoon boost, a sweet tea for dessert and chamomile before bed.
"Trendy" Teas The "hot" teas of the moment: chai, a spicy Indian tea mixed with milk and sugar; bubble tea, a wild concoction made with tapioca pearls and flavorings like mango; and Rooibus, a popular South African tea that contains more antioxidants than green tea.
Use a steel or glass kettle.
Fill with fresh, cold water.
Let it reach a rolling boil, unless you're making green tea, in which case the water should be cooled for a minute or two after boiling.
If you're making a whole pot, add a tea bag for each person plus "one for the pot."
Never reheat tea; it gets bitter.
Steep for about four minutes (a minute or two less for green tea).
Taste before you sweeten. You may find that the tea is good as is. If not, try a tablespoon of honey.
As for counting tea as part of your daily water requirement, be aware that half of the amount of caffiene-free tea you drink can be counted, and tea with caffiene does not count. Turner also recommends checking with your doctor before embarking on any special tea regimen.
Tea drinking can soothe, perhaps heal, and sometimes help with weight loss-goals. "If you feel there are certain times during the day when you're vulnerable to emotional eating because you're stressed, drinking tea can help support you through that," says Turner.


Atunci cand lucrezi de acasa, totul devine o provocare. Poti fi distras foarte usor, gandindu-te ca inca mai ai treburi de facut prin casa sau ceilalti membri ai familiei, deodata, au nevoie de tine. Mai mult, daca lucrezi stand pe canapea, productivitatea ta dispare mai repede decat biscuitii Oreo in mana unui copil pofticios.
Asa mi se intampla si mie…din pacate, canapeaua aceea portocalie si moale ma induce intr-o stare de somnolenta greu de invins. Dar ce te faci, cand din greseala, te asezi si pe telecomanda si deschizi televizorul, iar la tv ruleaza un film bun si te acapareaza din primele 5 minute? Incerc sa ma amagesc, gandindu-ma ca pot face doua lucruri in acelasi timp. Iar la sfarsit, imi dau seama ca am editat un filmulet si 5 poze, cand in acelasi timp trebuia sa lucrez de doua, sau poate trei ori mai mult.
Working from home can be challenging. You can get distracted quite easily, remembering that you still have some home chores pending, or the other members of your family can interrupt you. Moreover, if you are working from your couch, you can forget about your productivity. It will disappear faster than Oreo biscuits in hands of a greedy child.
That is what's happening to me…Unfortunately, that cozy orange couch makes me sleepy. And, what if, you're accidentally sitting on the remote and turn on your Tv and guess what? You find a super great movie and it gets you hypnotized within minutes. So, I'm thinking I can do two things in the same time. But, by the end, I realize I only edited a video and 5 photos, when I should've worked double or maybe triple.
Talking about remote control, does this happen to you too? / Apropo de telecomanda, ti se intampla si tie asta?
Asadar, trebuie sa imi rearanjez o parte din mobila pentru a amenaja un spatiu de lucru, adecvat si pentru proiectele mele DIY.
Deja visez cu ochii deschisi…un birou alb, poate cu sertare, un ceas de odinioara de culoarea cuprului in dreapta, cana mea favorita cu ciocolata calda alba care ma asteapta langa laptop, o vaza roz prafuit cu flori naturale, in stanga, cateva accesorii de birou pentru organizare, un panou imens cu fotografiile de familie preferate, un calendar si rame foto cu citate inspirationale.
Intre timp, mi-am achizitionat ceva accesorii de birou, pentru ca : de ce nu?
Inca nu ma pot hotari asupra biroului. Caut ceva modele, pe Pinterest si deja am selectat cateva favorite. Le puteti vedea mai jos.
Coming back to the productivity murdering activities, my advice to avoid these, would be to find an office space in your home to make you clock into that work mindset.
Because I am often that "couch" person I was talking about earlier, I have to make a smart move and change this old habit. I am already thinking about rearranging some of the furniture to have my own space.
Dreaming, while writing this post…I will begin with a white desk, maybe with drawers, an old style copper clock on the right, my favorite mug filled with hot white chocolate (yummy…) , right by my laptop, a DIY copper vase with fresh flowers on the left, some special office accessories and a motivation board with my family pictures, a calendar and my inspiration quotes.
I also have to think about some organization tips for my DIY projects materials. I will buy some of the office supplies, but the majority I will do them myself. Stay tuned, if you wanna see.
Meanwhile, I already purchased some little office things. I can't really decide about the desk…So, I'm searching for some inspiration, on Pinterest.
Le puteti gasi la/ You can find them at : Pepco, Kaufland, Jysk.
What's your favorite desk color?


It is located at the part of a low-rise residential area in Zama, Kanagawa, Japan. It is required to build a new nursery so that no less than 110 children on waiting list to enter nurseries should be reduced. Recently, it's difficult for children to play creatively because of excessive security from adults and too strict regulation. What is worse, most of after-schools, children learn passively. Thus, their opportunity to think and act spontaneously is decreasing. Considering this situation, we planned this nursery as the concept "Cultivate Independence", where children will think and create a new play and challenge a lot.
The second is to make many up-and-down motions. Outside there are several small mountains, and inside there is a climbing net. These give children chances to create new playing, which can't be created only in planar place. Through these elements, children's physical strength will be developed just while in playing.
The third is to urge children to have interests in outside. Main rooms are open to outside with doors that can be fully open, whose roofs get taller and wider toward outside. So winds and light are come inside naturally. Taking nature inside will make children take interests in outside and urge them to play outside. Through the doors and windows, several kinds of trees are can be seen. In any season, children can feel the change of the nature in their daily life such as bearing fruit and falling leaves. It will cultivate their sense of wonder and sensitivity.
In these ways, both inside and outside the environment is changeable. Children get more chances to find something new and fun to play. By sharing it with their friends and creating a new play, their independence will be cultivated just while playing naturally.