Over the course of the last year there has been a silent shift in user internet behaviour. By the end of 2011, 45% of adults with a mobile in the UK had a smartphone, and by the end of this year, the figure will be over the magic 50% mark. The rise of the usable smartphone, its adoption across the population as a whole and the reduced cost of purchase and data plans has had a big impact on retail.
In the past, we thought of the mobile as a second screen, with the PC as the primary way of accessing information and performing tasks. Whilst only 3% of UK households rely on a smartphone as their sole means of home internet access, it is clear that for many, the mobile is now the first screen. In March 2012, Ofcom reported that more than four in ten (42%) smartphone users agree with the statement: "my phone is more important to me for accessing the internet than any other device".
Our mobile is our constant companion. It is the first device we reach for to answer questions, to communicate, to socialise, to compare prices and to check reviews. When developing a digital retail strategy, it is vital to recognise the importance of mobile. On a fundamental level it is a revenue channel. In the year ending February 2012, UK shoppers spent a total of £3billion on mobile devices (£192 each on average), representing 8% of total online spend.
Ask yourself, does your retail strategy acknowledge this and facilitate online purchasing? Do you dedicate sufficient budget to make it fulfill its potential? In doing so, has your solution been designed to meet the needs of the mobile customer?
But further than actual purchases, your mobile strategy has to meet the needs of the consumer at all stages of their retail journey. The end goal is purchase, but there is a lot that can be done to move the customer towards that goal.
So, here's my five point step-by-step plan to make the most out of the mobile retail channel.
It's imperative to make your SEO approach mobile friendly. Indeed, well implemented and continually reviewed SEO is a basic principle of e-commerce, but mobile adds to the mix, giving you the opportunity to benefit from additional user data. The most obvious advantage is knowing the location of the user. At the simplest level, this can allow you to give the location of your nearest store or stockist. If we couple this data with what is called ambient data, i.e. time, weather, date etc., then you can return dynamic results which are tailored to that individual. For example, you can use location plus time to serve a response such as: "you are just 10 minutes away from our nearest store", or if a search is performed in the late afternoon, "we close at 6pm but you are only ten minutes away".
It is a fact that customers use comparison searches when they shop. They use aggregators and dedicated services such as reference points, to find the best deal, or to compare an observed price with the potential savings of online purchase. Again, your SEO should try to deliver on comparison searches, searches for reviews, best prices etc., which can all be used to your advantage. In a recent US study, 19% of people who used their mobile in store to compare prices ended up buying the product online.
The multi-channel reality, as ever with the marketing industry, doesn't quite live up to the hype. The vast majority of brands have still got a long way to go when it comes to the delivery of fully connected, multi-channel customer experiences.
If you are a manufacturer of a product then send in the cavalry; your product sits on the retailer's shelf, side by side with your competitors. It conforms to the retailer's model of how to best display or present it and tends to result in a uniformity of products. Unless you cut a deal, your product will not stand out. Expertise within retail stores varies and one cannot expect the sales person to be the evangelist for your brand.
People buy with a mixture of their heart and their brain. Don Norman states that they respond to a product at three levels, visceral, behavioral and reflective. It is up to you to make it work and excel at all three levels, in a retail environment the only one you can immediately take in is the visceral response to its design. How it behaves, performs and the deeper reflective understanding are harder to assess. This is where third-party reviews, product demonstration videos and even call centre support staff can help.
• Need help? Want to know about all of the features?
• Check out what the experts say about this model.
Your own online retail site has to cater for the mobile shopper. There are two distinct modes of purchase when the user is 'out and about', either instore and making a purchase as a result of a comparison shop or as an impulse or last minute decision. Alternatively, there is the shopper who is making purchases during idle points in the day, the 'sofa shopper'. A recent study for one of our mobile retail customers found that the busiest time for mobile activity was late evening, when users look at their devices at home in a relaxed atmosphere, as opposed to the more hectic scenario of the 'out and about' shopper. Both require simplified navigation, effective in site search facilities and fast download and features such as, easy login, 'save for later' or persistent baskets.
Form filling on smartphones is tedious, so try and keep this to a minimum. You should employ the desktop 'best practices' of clear sign posting, streamlining processes and simplifiers, such as using postcodes to look up an address.
We think of it as a recent phenomenon, but in 1726, Daniel Defoe was surprised to observe the social element of the leisured classes window-shopping in London. Today we accept that it is a leisure activity and is highly social. We like to shop with other people and we seek our friends' advice and approval of potential purchases.
While social tools are now starting to appear as system functions, e.g. Facebook integration in Apple iOS6 etc., it is still good to make it easy for people to share the products that they are interested in. Social sharing also acts as a powerful narrowcasting endorsement channel. You need to monitor the changing face of social applications and determine which channels you need to support. This is not about your own dedicated Facebook or Pinterest channel, but facilitating user sharing.
If only it was all this simple, there is also 'to app or not to app' and how to deliver your site on the tablet market, but that is for another time.


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Former players slam ICC for 'ridiculous' rule that decided World Cup winner
England's Jos Buttler runs out New Zealand's Martin Guptill during the super over to win the World Cup. Reuters
Published: July 15, 2019 02:27 PM IST
"Don't understand how the game of such proportions, the #CWC19Final, is finally decided on who scored the most boundaries. A ridiculous rule @ICC. Should have been a tie. I want to congratulate both @BLACKCAPS & @englandcricket on playing out a nail biting Final," Gambhir wrote on his twitter handle.
Close race on the cards as battle for World Cup begins
ICC refuses to change 'immovable' zing bails mid World Cup
Gambhir's former teammate Yuvraj Singh also disagreed with the ICC rule of deciding the World Cup winner on boundary count.
"I don't agree with that rule! But rules are rules congratulations to England on finally winning the World Cup, my heart goes out for the kiwis they fought till the end. Great game an epic final !!!! #CWC19Final," he wrote.
"Some rules in cricket definitely needs a serious look in," tweeted Indian opener Rohit Sharma.
Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris called ICC a joke.
"Nice work @ICC ... you are a joke!!!," he wrote.
Former Australian batsman Dean Jones also described the ICC rule as unfair.
"The DL system is actually based on runs and wickets lost... yet the Final result is only based on Boundaries hit? Not fair in my opinion. Must have been great to watch!," he wrote.
Opting to bat, New Zealand had put up a modest 241 for eight. In reply, England ended at the same score leading to the one-over eliminator.
In the Super Over, England batted first and the duo of Ben Stokes, who kept the hosts in the game with a brilliant 84 off 98 balls, and Jos Buttler made 15, and New Zealand also ended at the same score but for the loss of one wicket, paving the way for an English victory on boundary count.
Former New Zealand cricketers were also left hugely disappointed by the ICC's rule, describing it as "absurd" and "unfortunate".
Former Black Caps all-rounder Dion Nash said he felt cheated after the finals.
"I feel really empty, and a bit cheated," he was quoted as saying in stuff.co.nz.
"Clearly, it's ridiculous... really absurd. It's about as random as tossing a coin."
Nash, however, said there was no point complaining as the rules were laid down much before the tournament.
"But you also have to look at it from the (view of the) people setting the rules. I mean who thinks it's going to be a draw, and then you draw in the Super Over? What are the chances?
"You can't complain, it was done at the start of the tournament. But I think that's probably indicative of where the game's mindset's at. Why not credit the guys who took the most wickets?
"The real measure that was used for generations was least amount of wickets lost. So why have we changed that?"
Kyle Mills, who was part of the 2015 team which lost its first-ever World Cup final to Australia, felt that the decision could have been on the basis of wickets lost.
"I guess the game of cricket is about runs and wickets and when the runs are tied, it'd be ideal then to take it back to how many wickets were lost," he said.
"It's just unfortunate. Those are the rules, we can't complain."
Siraj heads straight to father's tomb on arrival
Stokes, Archer back in England squad for India tour
Sri Lanka Cricket seeks report on allegations of sexual misconduct by player
Red carpet welcome for Rahane in Mumbai | Video
Sanju Samson to lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021
Not too many times you lose to the second or third choice side: Warne
Contract with CSK over, says Harbhajan Singh ahead of IPL auction
Australia were scared to lose: Michael Clarke
Kohli to lead India against England, Ishant returns
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Today's recipe is Murungakkai Mangai Sambar or Drumstick Raw Mango Sambar. Murungakkai Mangai Sambar is one of the most flavorful Sambar. The aroma that arises from the kitchen while making this sambar is heavenly.
Though I prefer Kuzhambu varieties over Sambar, Murungakkai Mangai Sambar and Drumstick Sambar are exceptions as they are my favorites. I am so crazy for mangoes and love anything and everything with mangoes, be it pickle, thokku, pachadi, chutney, sambar, rice or raw mango with salt, with chilli powder, ripe ones, unripe ones. This year, there has been a delay in the arrival of mangoes in our city. I can hardly see any ripe ones in the market except for few raw varieties. When I saw the kili mukku variety, grabbed it immediately to make this delicious and tasty Sambar. Now let us move on to the recipe of this tasty Murungakkai Mangai Sambar.
Wash tur dal, add hing, turmeric powder and 1 ½ cups of water and pressure cook it until mushy. Once done, mash it well and set aside.
Meanwhile, chop tomato, peel shallots, and cut drumsticks to 2" length pieces and mango into big chunks. Discard the mango seeds. Soak tamarind in ¾ cup of water and extract thin juice.
Heat oil in a pan; add mustard seeds and let them splutter; add the fenugreek seeds, shallots, and curry leaves. Reduce flame to medium and sauté till onions turn translucent.
Add the tomato and drumstick. Sauté for 30 secs. Add sambar powder and 1 ½ cups of water and cook the drumsticks till tender.
Now, add the mango chunks. Cook until the mangoes are done. The flesh should be cooked with the skin still intact. This may take around 5-6 mins. Check for doneness by pressing the flesh, it should be soft.
Add mashed dal to the cooked mangoes and drumstick. Add salt to taste. Add thin tamarind extract and let it boil until the raw smell of tamarind vanishes and the sambar comes to a rolling boil. If needed, add sufficient water to get the desired sambar consistency at this stage along with tamarind extract.
Switch off the flame and sprinkle coriander leaves generously. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot.
Serve this delicious murungakkai mangai sambar with steamed rice and any vegetable of your choice. We enjoyed our lunch with murungakkai mangai sambar, rice and karunai kizhangu stir fry.
I used kili mukku mango variety. Use a big strong knife to cut the mango into two. Discard the seed and cut into big equal chunks. I used another small round variety of mango, which a friend has passed. Since it was sour and slightly ripe, used that too in making Sambar.
Do not overcook the mangoes. Keep a watch after adding mangoes as they tend to cook faster. Overcooking mangoes will result in mashed mango flesh. Sambar will become very thick and might not be flavorful. Cook the mangoes only till tender with the skin intact.
You can skip drumsticks and use only mangoes to make this Sambar. Since the combo of drumsticks and mangoes are very flavorful, I used both.
As the mangoes are also tangy, use very less tamarind.
This sambar tends to thicken with time. Hence, I usually make this sambar a little watery compared to the other sambar varieties.
Always cook on low-medium flame while cooking the vegetables to avoid sticking to the pan.


How Can We Promote Relationship With Neighborhood?
/ How Can We Promote Relationship With Neighborhood?
If you've recently moved in, go over to your neighbors and say "hello." If you've lived in an area for a while, then take the initiative and reach out to new arrivals yourself. As part of welcoming someone to the area, feel free to offer them a small moving in gift. If you see your neighbor struggling with a package, offer to help them. Invite a few of your neighbors over for a nice dinner or B.B.Q, if you have any issue that involves your neighbor, it's important to act fast. Giving your neighbor a chance to come up with a solution is better than immediately, if your neighbor comes to you with a concern or problem, it's important to respond calmly and rationally. If you start to get frustrated, take a few deep breaths before answering. These are the best way to promote relationship with neighborhood.
RE: How Can We Promote Relationship With Neighborhood?
Accordingly, you will want to remain far from them. In any case, in the scholastic world, on the off chance that you avoid the work that has been doled out to you, at that point you will destroy your evaluations in the blink of an eye. Articles are every now and again the most time-focused piece of a course load, and it is a run of the mill wellspring of stress for the understudies.


The Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has reminded government, both at the federal and state levels that they owe Nigerians the duty of protecting their lives and properties.
The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has warned youths to shun thuggery and any act of violence during the forthcoming 2019 general election.
No fewer than 20,000 youths of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion would storm Awka, the Anambra State capital, will, on Wednesday, for the 61st Annual National Bible Study Conference of the National Council of the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) Nigeria.
The Anglican Bishop of Awka diocese, Anambra State, Most Rev Alexander Ibezim, on Saturday asked Nigerians to stop blaming President Muhammadu Buhari over the travails of the country.
The Anambra State Government says it will pay the accumulated arrears of leave allowances owed its workers in November, 2017.
Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday said that he was confident of victory at the Lagos State Gubernatorial Electoral Petition Tribunal.
Police in Anambra State said it has arrested a total of 151 suspected cultists in various parts of the State.
A professor of Political Economics, Pat Utomi, has called for integrity among public officers in the interest of nation-building and unity.


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Home > Magazine > Issues > June_2010
June 2010 Table of Contents
When summer's temperatures soar, it's great to head to the nearest beach or lake for a cool down.
Agent Orange: What Veterans Should Know
Now that VA has expanded the list of associated illnesses, over the next two years thousands of veterans will file claims involving Agent Orange exposure.
Abused Women with Disabilities
The emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of women with disabilities is a problem of crisis proportions.
Mountain of Youth
The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic offers a heap of rejuvenation as participants trade their spokes for skis.
Click here for articles
Also in this issue:
PVA President's Message
The PVA president discusses the problems of airline travel for people with disabilities and urges individuals who have complaints to share them with PVA staff.
A Medication Education
"America's healthcare system is neither healthy, caring, nor a system." – Walter Cronkite
Room rentals, pen pals, state's wrongs.
Family Caregivers May Need a Village
Family caregivers need to reach out for help, because caregiving is more than a one-person job. The author relates the story about how she handled her husband's medical crisis while she was hundreds of miles away on a business trip.
The Barrier-Free Kitchen
Kitchens are the most used room in the house and often have the most barriers to independence.
The Oasis of the Seas: A Review
Take a tour of the world's largest floating city, Oasis of the Seas.
Wilderness Adventures: Is Sea Kayaking your Passion?
See the African Wildlife with Wilderness Adventures
Building an International Resource
Ashley Olson has traveled the world from the seat of her wheelchair. Now she's sharing her adventures with you.
Paralyzed Veterans of America national service officers (NSOs) reach out to the spinal-cord injury/disease population through an effective program set up by each service office.
The Abilities in You
The Los Angeles Abilities Expo, at the LA Convention Center, was a banquet of resources, events, and people.
A Doctor in the House
Paralyzed by a medical condition, John Lin decided to practice medicine. He is now medical director of post-acute services at Shepherd Center in Atlanta.
Here's What You Can Do
The Campaign for Disability Employment
Olfactory-Tissue Transplantation Study
This article is an update that summarizes results of a recently published scientific study assessing the improvements generated from using olfactory-tissue transplantation in people with spinal-cord injury (SCI).
Healthcare and Appropriations for VA
Health-reform legislation and appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are explained by PVA Government Relations staff.
Up in Smoke?
"Smoking's Effects on Secondary Complications of spinal cord Injury," explains how smoking makes it much more difficult to prevent secondary conditions in those with SCI's.
Healthy Bones
Most men and women with spinal-cord injury (SCI) will lose some bone density after injury—close to 30% in the first year.
The Winter Games
Six hundred elite athletes representing 44 countries competed in the 10th Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. The U.S. sled hockey team won the gold medal.
A Week of Shooting
Cal-Diego PVA Chapter hosted a variety of shooting events.
To Wed – or Not to Wed
The tightening of the belt in federal and state budgets is causing people to make tough decisions about saying "I do."
If It Sounds to Good
Information about mortgage-rescue fraud from the Office of Security and Law Enforcement.
Dealing With Disability Claims
Social Security opens its first Extended Service Team.
Sports Chair and Transfer Aid
Products for better wheelchair living.
Healthcare & Caregiving
Health Care-Are You Ready? A Handbook for Care Givers
Creativity Awareness
Disabled Bodies - Able Minds
Dedication and Determination
Unbeaten
Empowering Lives
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is dedicated to veterans service, medical research, and civil rights for people with disabilities.
To order the June 2010 PN, Click Here.


On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the March for Our Lives in Washington, a student-led rally calling for tighter gun control laws in the US following a massacre at a high school in Parkland, Florida that left 17 people dead last month. Demonstrations were held in more than 800 cities in the United States, Canada, and around the world. Many Buddhist teachers, practitioners, and communities took part in the marches or expressed their solidarity with the cause. Here's some of how they participated.
Photo via Brooklyn Zen Center.
Marchers from Fire Lotus Temple, Zen Mountain Monastery, and various other sangha marched as part of the Buddhist Moral Action coalition in New York City. Photos courtesy of Steven Miron.
"Our sangha has been engaging in increased conversation about how we can put our vows and the precepts into action in our divided and hurting country, and how we as Buddhists can bring our practice actively into the world to help relieve some of this suffering. Participating in this march seemed like a natural step in that direction.
It was heartening and inspiring to see such a strong turnout, and I'm sure I'm not alone in my feelings of admiration and hope at seeing young people at the forefront of this movement. But they should never have had to be put in this position in the first place.
Rebecca Li (right) at the March for Our Lives in New York City.
A Buddhist Action Coalition sign at the March for Our Lives in New York City.
The Brooklyn Zen Center sangha joined other Buddhist sanghas and the huge crowds at the New York City March For Our Lives. Photos courtesy Dulce Fernandes, Communications Coordinator, Brooklyn Zen Center.
Typical Spring Saturday in Houston.
Thanks to Asher David for this marvelous photograph.


Once the 5th largest cryptocurrency, it appears that the November dip is chipping the best out of Litecoin, leading it to new lows with frequent dips. In the midst of the bearish market, Bitcoin SV is taking over Litecoin's spot on the list by going past its market cap by nearly 200 million dollars.
Despite the fact that LTC makes up for the first and once one of the most successful Bitcoin (BTC) forks, it appears that Litecoin had to step out and leave its spot on the list to another fork.
This time the November dips brought Litecoin down to the spot of the 9th largest list while hitting a new low and trading below the initial value if 30$ while the latest Bitcoin Cash fork, Bitcoin SV (BSV) took its place as the 7th largest cryptos.
It appears that after almost two weeks of breaking through the bearish market trends, BSV is showcasing that the dip has nothing on this crypto, as BSV is rising by 94% in a single week.
Still showing signs of progress on November 27th in the middle of the dipping market where the defeated Litecoin is going down by over -4% and Bitcoin SV is seen up by 11%, being the only crypto in the top list of 20 that is actually rising despite the bear trends.
November is not the first month that had seen Litecoin dipping at an accelerated rate, although November dips brought LTC to its lowest of under 30$ now trading at the price of 29$.
Months back, EOS expelled LTC from the 5th spot on the list, only to have LTC later on dominated by Stellar Lumens that pushed it even lower on the list where Litecoin was taking the spot of the 7th largest crypto at the time.
Now when Bitcoin SV is seen progressing less than two weeks after the Bitcoin Cash hard fork took place, BSV is the 7th largest cryptocurrency, and Litecoin dropped to the spot number 9, just below the stable coin Tether (USTD).
Even with the momentum that LTC gained with appearing on Facebook Messenger as a payment method that enables sending and receiving LTC through this messaging app, LTC is still dropping.
At this pace of growth, Litecoin might be looking at new lows with a potential of even going below its present value in case the dip prolongs to December as well.


I recently attended a 3-day conference.
I went into it expecting it to be about communication for success and Real Estate.
I came out of it realizing it was much more about personal development, communication for Relationship success (with a spouse, child, parent, friend, boss... anyone!), and and keeping myself motivated to become a better person and do great things. It was a pretty neat experience!
Going into it I had decided I wouldn't up-buy, for several reasons, mostly business reasons. But when I realized it wasn't as much about business, rather, about building successful relationships, I made a different choice. I remember promising myself that when I was married I would invest in parenting classes, and classes to promote a successful relationship with my spouse. Well, this is my first opportunity, and a pretty good one! I remember watching a friend interact with her 3 year old daughter while at my house for dinner. I remember being very impressed with the way she was able to communicate with her daughter, correct her behavior, and how everyone came out of it happy. This friend had attended the Higher Laws conferences, and was putting into practice what they taught. After attending that first conference, I realized this is what that friend had that I do not. Now I know where to find it though, and I'm excited for the training I'll receive!
Higher Laws and the Life of Abundance teaches about principles that create lasting success in relationships. I'll blog more about it in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!
"People who talk only of themselves think only of themselves. And 'those people who think only of themselves,' Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University, said, 'are hopelessly uneducated. They are not educated, no matter how instructed they may be." (p. 88).
Ask questions that other persons will enjoy answering.
Encourage them to talk about themselves and their accomplishments." (p.88).
"You must have a good time meeting people if you expect them to have a good time meeting you." (p. 65).
-Remember people's names, and use them.
-Be excited to see people! Take a lesson from dogs. They are delighted to see their loved ones. Anyone will be pleased with that kind of a reaction when you see them or get a phone call from them.


I first met Michael about a year and a half ago and was immediately drawn to his personality and vision. His passion for promoting, uplifting, and sharing the unrivaled depth and beauty of Jamaica and its culture was something we both had and have very much in common, not just as an affinity, but as a way of being. As our talks continued, we touched on everything from the shifting tides of reggae and dancehall, to the rebuilding of Tivoli Gardens, to the simmer and stride of Kingston that we both agree is a gold mine of music and culture and not the ghetto war zone that is oftentimes portrayed in the media.
Michael Thompson was an undisputedly gifted artist, and as you got to know him, you began to realize that he was committed to a higher cause, namely to turning his home city of Kingston into a global cultural beacon. The catalyst and centerpiece of this movement is reggae. And the manifestation of his calling was a Reggae Hall of Fame Museum.
Michael started the International Reggae Poster competition in 2012, with partner Maria (Papaefstathiou) who is an acclaimed graphic designer in her own right and a native of Athens, Greece. They began it as a platform to raise awareness and momentum around the Museum initiative, and during that inaugural year, Michael and Maria received 1,142 poster entries from 80 countries around the world.
What you need to know about Michael's mission is that there are deep layers behind it. It's a vision that involves the originators and the instigators, the heavyweights and the future pioneers. His crew of bonafides such as Patricia Chin, the reigning queen of VP Records, and "Rockers" cameraman and director Ted Bafaloukos have been on the frontlines of reggae since the '60s and '70s, while Michael has been creating his incredible poster designs for over four decades. When you link that level of distinction and legacy with the Alpha Boys School, an institution founded as early as 1880 that has produced some of the most notable legends in the history of reggae – which Michael designed the logo for – that is in many ways a true cradle of reggae, it's basically a shut down.
And so if we look from the cradle to the cameraman to the unparalleled legacy and living history of Miss Pat and VP Records, the completion of this trinity is Michael and his work, the call to arms. Michael was a self-described graphic designer and creative activist who attended the School of Jamaican Art, now called the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. He worked his way through the ranks as a designer before landing a job at Jamaica's Daily News. Michael began creating posters in the late 70s and has since developed a visual language that goes beyond graphic design and elicits a broader commentary on the universal human condition. Michael's activist posters for the Arab Spring, Haiti Relief, Tivoli Insurgence and Clean Water Crisis in Africa are a clear call to consciousness and mobilization. When he described himself as an artist without borders, it rung entirely true.
We are deeply saddened by his loss and salute Michael as an artist, a visionary, and a cool ruler who has already left his footprint on the globe. Now it's time to help him increase Jamaica's imprint on the world stage.


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Opinion>
Minimum Wage>
Rally To Raise The Minimum Wage, Herald Square, Manhattan, 24th October 2013 (Credit: The All-Nite Images/cc/flickr)
Want to Fight Poverty? Raise US Wages
Increasing wages is an effective poverty reduction tool
Elise Gould
Broad-based wage growth--if we can figure out how to achieve it--would dwarf the impact of nearly every other economic trend or policy in reducing poverty. Even in 2010, the bottom fifth of working age American households relied on wages for the majority (56%) of their income. When you add in all work-based income including wage-based tax credits, nearly 70% of income for low-income Americans is work-related. Yes, the targeted efforts to strengthen the safety net are well deserved. Programs such as food stamps (SNAP), unemployment insurance, and Social Security have helped reduce poverty over the last four decades. But market based poverty (or poverty measured using only income from wages) has been on the rise and the safety net has to work even harder to counterbalance the growing inequalities of the labor market.
There was once a strong statistical link between economic growth and poverty reduction, but rising inequality has severed it, and the results are deeply dispiriting. If the statistical link between economic growth and falling poverty that held before the mid-1970s had not been broken by rising inequality, then poverty, as the government measures it, would be virtually eradicated today. Furthermore, the impact of rising inequality is nearly five times more important in explaining poverty trends than family structure.
As the Economic Policy Institute has documented in our paper launching the Raise America's Pay project, this rise in inequality is simply the flip side of nearly stagnant hourly wage growth for the vast majority of the American workforce in the three decades before the Great Recession. So how to reverse this wage-stagnation, especially for low-wage workers? Below is a list of proposals, all linked in their attempt to rebuild institutions that provide bargaining power to workers who have had it taken from them in recent decades.
The minimum wage is currently more than 25% below its real value in the late 1960s. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports that the Harkin-Miller bill to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 would cumulatively boost incomes of people below the federal poverty line by $5 billion. And this is probably too conservative; other academic research finds that the same bill would lift more than 4 million people out of poverty. Among those who would see a raise from the Harkin-Miller bill, 55% are women and 25% are women of color. Nearly one-in-five kids would see at least one parent get a raise.
Another key policy priority should be efforts to level the playing field for workers to organize and form unions. The decline in unionization over the last several decades has led to increases in wage inequality and a loss of bargaining power for workers. And this bargaining power loss is not confined to union members themselves--unions often set wage-standards for entire sectors. Importantly, the decline in unionization is not a natural, inevitable phenomenon or a result of workers no longer wanting unions. It is the result of a policy decision to allow growing employer aggressiveness to tilt the playing field against organizing drives.
This policy choice is clear when one looks at the evidence. First, unionization has held up much better in the public sector where employers have less ability to fight organizing drives. Second, in 2007, the share of non-union workers who said they wanted to be represented by a union or similar organization reached an all-time high at over 50%. There is a growing wedge between the desire to organize and bargain collectively and workers' ability to do so. And, third, even the most obvious form of employer aggressiveness--the firing of workers who are trying to organize--has risen sharply in recent decades, according to the National Labor Relations Board.
The fact is that the decline of unions can explain approximately one-third of the growth of wage inequality among men and approximately one-fifth among women since the 1970s. This rising wage inequality is the key driver behind stagnant wages for workers at the bottom. When low-wage workers have been able to organize, unionization is associated with higher wages and benefits for many, including: food preparation workers, cashiers, cafeteria workers, child-care workers, cooks, housekeepers, and home-care aides.
Reducing wage theft is also particularly important to low-wage workers. Wage theft occurs when employers withhold wages that are owed to a worker, for example by requiring workers to work off the clock or refusing to pay overtime. There is widespread evidence of these practices and more--from tipped workers not being paid their wages to Apple store employees being forced to stand in line after their shift while their bags are checked for merchandise. In nearly 9,000 investigations of the restaurant industry, the wage and hour division of the Department of Labor found that 83.8% of the shops investigated had wage and hour violations --underscoring the enforcement problems.
Millions of low- and moderate-wage workers have also seen slow wage growth because they are working overtime and not getting paid for it. This is because the real value of the salary threshold under which all salaried workers, regardless of their work duties, are covered by overtime provisions has been allowed to erode dramatically. Simply adjusting the threshold for inflation since 1975 would raise it to $984 per week (or $51,000 on an annual basis), from its current level of $455 ($24,000 annually). This simple adjustment would guarantee millions of additional workers time-and-a-half pay when they work more than 40 hours in a week.
Other labor market policies and practices, which, if changed, would increase the wages of low- and moderate-wage workers, include: the misclassification of employees, such as construction workers who are deemed independent contractors so that the employer doesn't have to pay for workers' compensation. Just-in-time scheduling occurs when employers schedule workers erratically and sporadically, and denies workers any regularity in their schedule or pay. Think about how difficult that is for working parents who need to support their families and also find child care, or for workers who need a second job to make ends meet. Finally, paid sick time, paid family medical leave, and flexible work hours, all would support workers and their families.
The social safety net remains crucial for low-income working families in this country and also needs reforms. Everything from shoring up SNAP to extending EITC to childless adults to expanding Medicaid to people in those states which refuse federal dollars. We also should have universal pre-K and affordable and high quality child care--we need to use every tool in our toolbox to give kids a chance of success, reducing inequality at the starting gate of kindergarten.
But, if we really care about children in our country, then we also need to raise the wages of parents working hard every day to lift their families out of poverty. We need to enforce the labor standards we have, update the ones that need it, and put power back in the hands of workers to bargain for better working conditions for themselves and their families.
Elise Gould is director of health policy research at the Economic Policy Institute.
Minimum WagePoverty


Bach's Goldberg Variations (BWV 988) had each of the 30 variations presented with a unique Carpenter-spin on it. Well, many might not appreciate this as a number of "purists" walked out fairly early on. What a pity. Isn't art about personal interpretation? Anyway…each to their own. After interval, followed a contrasting Symphony Nr 2 (Romantic) by Howard Hanson and arranged for organ by Cameron Carpenter. It was so vivid that one could picture a movie unfold in the mind. Just stunning! I wish it hadn't ended.
I'd forgotten the sheer brilliance of The Last of Sheila (1973). Or rather, I think when I watched it last, as an early teen, I didn't appreciate it. Or maybe, it was just that on the Super 8 reels my parents used to own, the sound wasn't clear and I missed half the dialogue. Irrelevant…what's important is now…how excellent it is. And how wonderful it is to re-watch after soooo many years…and only remembering who did it at the moment the culprit is revealed (again).
The opening scene, set by that perfect, almost stereotypical mystery music, has Sheila running from a party to be hit (and run) by an out-of-control car not a few minutes later. Fast forward a year to 6 guests, invited by Clinton (Sheila's husband, played by James Coburn), onto his yacht for a few days of time out and with a mystery game. These 6 guests were all present at the party the night Sheila was killed. And Clinton's game isn't really a game…it hits all too close with those supposedly random secrets he allocates to each person (at his insistence that it is just fun). When things go wrong, as they usually do, the whole thing unravels…or, comes together.
I must say, to come up with such a clever story requires close on genius. Every action, every line of dialogue is critical to the story. You won't notice many of the things on first viewing but on round two (or more), you'll discover just how it all fits perfectly right in front of your eyes…with you barely noticing. Ultimately you'll have it spelt out for you and you'll go "ah, of course" or "duh, so obvious". Followed by Clinton's response to "I like any game where you don't have to move" of "Well, you don't have to for this one…if you're smart enough"…little do you realise just how true it is. It is all right there in front of you…if you're smart enough.
Now, I won't go into many more details because this is one you just have to watch. At least twice. I'd hate to spoil anything upfront because anything I say will give it away.
Directed by Oscar nominee Herbert Ross, and written by Oscar winner Stephen Sondheim and nominee Anthony Perkins…the stars are of course James Coburn with Raquel Welch, James Mason, Ian McShane, Richard Benjamin, Dyan Cannon and Joan Hackett as his 6 suspects friends…well, probably not suspects as I think he knows all along who the killer is.
And for some more mysteries…head on over to Pop Culture Reverie (here) for the Mystery Mania Blogathon.
Have a listen here – this song (Come Alive by Hanni El Khatib) just rocks! It works so nicely in the trailer (further down).
Ahhh, what a movie. Refreshing. Brilliant. I was glued from beginning to end. Acting, cinematography, music…everything just right. Once again, a moderate-paced western (seems to be the trend these days) but not for a moment did Slow West ever feel slow. Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee) comes to America from Scotland to find his true love. Having managed on his own so far yet still "wet behind the ears" he comes across Silas Selleck (Michael Fassbender) (or, maybe it is Silas who comes across Jay), an outlaw, who so kindly offers to guide him across the dangerous country (naturally there are ulterior motives). Well, they encounter some interesting characters and things are, obviously, not what the seem. I did not see the ending of this one coming. Definitely one for the collection. Here's the trailer to give you an idea…Michael Fassbender brilliant as ever. As is Ben Mendelsohn.
It's about time I send something musical your way that is very close to me. With an awesome sound like this…something unique and different…you can't say I'm biased just because these two are very close friends of mine. "Roar" and "K", love your sound. Love your music. Miss you guys.


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Home » r&b • review • soul » Album Review: Father's Children – Who's Gonna Save the World
Posted in r&b, review, soul By Bill Kopp On June 9, 2011
Album Review: Father's Children – Who's Gonna Save the World
The story of Father's Children is fascinating, but not altogether unique. Group comes together, develops a style, records an album, sinks without a trace. This Washington DC-based group recorded an album for Mercury at the tail-end of the 70s, but by that point they were past their prime, had endured myriad lineup changes, and had arguably lost much of what made them worthwhile.
But way back in 1972 they cut an album that was far better. Though the tapes ended up in the producer's garage, the masters were rescued and are now available for the first time ever, on The Numero Group label.
Alternately funky and soulful, Father's Children was built around multiple singers, allowing them to move seamlessly between styles. "Everybody's got a Problem" is a funky slice or urban grit, with then-topical spoken-word section that mentions Watergate. The slow-jam "Linda" features ambitious vocal harmonies and sweeping strings, and sounds like what would have easily passed for a hit in '72.
"Dirt and Grime" is a look at contemporary life with lyrics that aim for Stevie Wonder territory, an arrangement out of the Isaac Hayes playbook, and stacked vocals fronted by a high-voiced singer reminiscent of young Michael Jackson (if MJ had been a lot funkier). Some tasty fuzz guitar soloing adds another layer of interest. The title track combines a kinetic percussion part and electric piano backing, and highlights another of Father's children's many capable, emotive vocalists. The positive yet wary lyric tells the story: "If you've got the power, show me how."
Lots of artists were heralding the comet in '72, and Father's Children were no exception. Their "Kohoutec" weds a funky street vibe to an Earth, Wind & Fire styled horn arrangement. The song features a groovy guitar solo that would have benefited form more prominent place in the mix. But like many of the tracks on Who's Gonna Save the World, the vocals beat are what's up-front. Chanted, spoken and sung vocals imbue the track with plenty of texture as it delivers the group's spiritual message. Father's Children were followers of Islam; their brand of religion was as accessible and non-confrontational as it was sincere and heartfelt.
That perspective is front and center on "Inshallah" (Arabic for "God willing"), a smooth song with a vibe reminiscent of Stevie's 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life." The space-funk opening of "Father's Children" leads into a percussive arrangement that distills dub-funk bass and (of all things) The Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" styled percussion into a cinematic whole. Some interesting Rhodes and Hammond work transforms this essentially two-chord workout into something special. At times the track veers surprisingly close to progressive jazz-rock.
The disc closes* with "Universal Train," a Philly soul-styled workout that highlights the formidable vocal prowess of this large group. Isley Brothers-styled guitar breaks and an infectious chorus make this sound like yet another hit-that-never-was. The biggest surprise about Who's Gonna Save the World is how it failed to get released in 1972; of course it's mere speculation, but had this record made it into stores back in the day, Father's Children may well have evolved into a household name.
*There's a brief, unlisted two-chord slow jam appended to the set. It's cool too.
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Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, will be published in 2021 by HoZac Books.
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Diamonds v/s Stock Markets
Diamonds have always drawn our eyes to them as symbols of eternal love and fealty. The reality of the world economy now though is that with market fluctuations ruling the roost and many countries still struggling with the impact of the worldwide recession, people's faith in the stock market is seen to be failing. People around the world are looking at newer avenues for investment and without a doubt, traditional safe havens like gold, property and other tangible assets are prized more than stocks these days.
According to a paper by economists Scott and Yelowitz, diamonds are appreciated not only because of the (conspicuous) consumption utility they provide, but also because they are a store of value. After the recent auction sale of a pink diamond for the record price of 45.75 million USD, a jewelry expert commented that, ''nobody knows what they are buying with stocks, but here they are buying something solid and tangible.''
Recent surveys by Capgemini (2010)and Barclays (2012)confirm that, in times of
crisis, high-net-worth individuals are drawn to real assets that are perceived to have high intrinsic value. Nearly one third of the owners of precious jewelry interviewed by Barclays indicated to own the asset to provide security should other investments fail.
The above examples are unanimous on one simple fact: People have lost their faith in the stock markets post the global economic meltdown. In this sort of an environment, many investors are looking back to more traditional kinds of investments, that in their eyes for whatever reasons will not fail.
Let's take an analytical look at the major difference between diamonds and stocks as investments:
Are perceived as storehouses of value.
Have an inherent value which can fluctuate given market conditions
Are rare and therefore are more expensive to purchase
Are a lot more affordable, can be bought by anyone
Their rarity ensures that people who invest in them recover their investment and make a clean, tidy profit on their sale as well
Stocks make a sound investment if the market conditions are favourable, people can make a good profit off them, but again any slight change in market fortunes could derail one's investment
Are tangible, and can be worn and therefore are an endowment that can be transferred in the form of gifts and heirlooms
Are intangible and in some cases non-transferable, do not make gifts and in the current economic condition are not safe bets
Along with gold and property, diamonds are looked at as stable investments which could easily be vaulted and banked on for a rainy
Were looked at as a way to make a decent amount of money before cashing in. These days though, they aren't considered all that lucrative. Could be a passing phase though
Are always contemporary or relevant, whatever the prevalent 'economic' environment
In the current economic scene are looked at with cynicism and great caution by people in the know about investments
The current trend of investing in safe havens can be traced back to the early to mid seventies as is seen in the following excerpt from Renneboog and Spaenjaers, Financial Letters (2012):
"The uncertain economic climate of the late 1970s and the early 1980s, there was increased
demand from investors for tangible but easily storable assets, such as gold (Ibbotson and Brinson,1993), stamps (Dimson and Spaenjers, 2011), and gemstones. Diamond investor manuals (Sutton,1979; Dohrmann, 1981) elaborated extensively on the advantages of investing in diamonds, claiming that diamonds have a track record of centuries of steady price appreciation."
This quote makes it apparent that the mistrust of the stock market may not be just a passing phase but to many investors has been around for quite a while.
Posted by newyorkdiamondtrader at 23:53 1 comments
Labels: eternity bands new york, eternity rings new york, eternity wedding bands new york, Eternity Wedding Rings in New York
Can diamonds be an investor's best friend?
The allure of the diamond is a hard thing to resist. Ask James Bond, or Marilyn Monroe and two answers you may get are 'Diamonds are forever', and 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend'. What about as investments though? While many investors think that diamonds are a bit of a 'sure thing', like precious metals, fact of the matter is that investing in diamonds is more a tricky business, that needs skilled planning and due diligence, lest an investor see his investment go belly up!
Why are diamonds so tricky as an investment?
The very fact that every diamond is as unique as the possessor of the stone, proves to be a rather difficult problem. Says trade analyst, Randall Clarke, "When it comes to diamond, each diamond is as different from the other as chalk is fromcheese. This makes setting a common trading price for diamonds highlyimprobable, if not impossible." The lack of a common trading price or standard price, like in gold or silver, makes tracking prices of diamonds, extremely difficult.
The purity of a diamond is also determined by the 4Cs. Now each diamond has its own unique, cut, color, carat weight and clarity, this makes it virtually impossible to find the perfect stone to compare all other stones to, let alone invest in.
Change in trends:
With the world economy in a slowdown mode, what were considered traditional powerhouses in terms of return on investment, like high yield bonds and long term fixed deposits and mutual funds, have taken a beating of sorts. High net worth individuals are now looking at non-traditional means of investments, which can also be enjoyed at the same time. Be it wine, art, gold or real estate, the returns in these, non traditional sources, is all of a sudden more attractive and by all means more enjoyable than the 'waiting game' that traditional investment sources of investment entailed.
When such a paradigm shift is slowly occurring, diamonds are the most logical next hottest investment destination. The roadblocks in such an investment option however, mean that diamonds aren't yet the new currency of trade in the world. Clarke chips in, "Until the Securities and Exchanges Board, can determine a way, where diamonds can be traded in paper securely, over a Stock Market, something like a Diamond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), the returns on investment will be more difficult to standardise and predict, making trading in diamonds a much riskier proposition."
Mark up prices:
The reality of the matter is that unlike gold, oil, or property, diamonds are still traded in bourses across the world, by people who are old hands in the trade. The diamond trade is possibly the only one in the world that still relies on the 'honor' system, which dictates that a man's word is his bond, and that reputation is something one must go by. Industry insiders say that every time a diamond changes hands, it's price increases. From a polisher to a trader, the price can go up anywhere between 5% and 25%. This means that a stone bought from a trader, could have been obtained from a polisher for a fraction of the cost. Says Clarke, "People keen on buying diamonds would be well served to have an 'in' with a polisher. But since this luxury is not afforded to everyone, the reality of the matter is that diamond prices are what they are and they aren't changing anytime soon. Hence the need for a market backed ETF which standardises both the prices of and the returns on diamonds."
Labels: buy diamonds in new york, diamonds new york, Eternity Bands in New York, rare diamonds new york
New York: The best place to buy diamonds: Part II
Our last article dealt with the way in which the deals are done for the stones that finally end up as the showstoppers in your favourite jewelry. We also read up about how the Diamond District in New York came about. This article will look to find the main reasons why NYC is the best place to buy your diamond jewelry.
Why NYC is the best place in the world to buy diamonds?
There are few places on earth that can go toe to toe with the Big Apple on any and all parameters. If Paris is the gateway to European trends and fashion, Milan is the cutting edge fashion capital of the world and Berlin is where the avant-garde resides… NYC is by far the most cosmopolitan, stylish and all encompassing city of them all. Little wonder then that NYC is one of the world's top shopping destinations.
Saks 5th Avenue, Barney's and Sears are just some of the most iconic shopping meccas in the world. The Upper East Side and the Village are hubs for the uber stylish to attend the latest in gallery openings. Not to mention the culture and art scene characterized by Broadway and Manhattan. Why then would this not be the perfect place to buy diamonds.
1) You are always assured of new styles: NYC is one of the trendsetters in world fashion, by default then, if there's something particularly offbeat and eye catching you seek, this will be the best place to get it! Fashion stylist Anne Bryce, has this to say, "when you think about style and fashion, there are few places that compare to New York. With a vast majority of diamonds in North America passing through NY's diamond district and the sheer number of establishments dealing in fine jewelry, it is almost assured you'll find the best pieces here!"
2) There's something for everyone: New York has something for everyone, in every sense of the word. If you have a good time in mind, you could easily dine at the some of the world's best restaurants here, if you have the budget for it. Or you can simply grab a hotdog in Central Park or Riverside. This is true in the case of diamonds as well. Whether you want your lady to have a rock that will bowl her over and make her the envy of her friends, or you're looking at a modest sized stone, the diamond district will have something for either end of the budgetary spectrum.
3) It is called the Diamond district for a reason: If you're thinking about range, picture this, almost 2600 establishments, from the uber chic to the family owned jewelry businesses, to firms that specialise in estate jewelry, the Diamond district has them all! It is after all called the Diamond District!
Things to beware of when shopping for diamonds in NYC
● Bright light makes everything white: Examine the diamond in the natural light of day, outside the store to be sure of its true colour
● Heavily marked down prices: If the price of a diamond is too good to be true, it probably isn't, beware of heavily marked down prices
● Always ask to see the GIA certification of the diamond: GIA certified diamonds are worth the price, because you're paying for what you can see in writing
● Beware of fake, artificial or lookalike stones
We hope these tips will help you buy right and avoid being duped. Do let us know your feedback in the comments section below.
Labels: eternity rings new york, eternity wedding bands new york, Eternity Wedding Rings in New York, rare diamonds new york
The Big Apple: New York's Bling Connection: Part I
New York. One word that brings to mind all the sights it is famous for, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the famous Rockefeller Centre. Little does one know that this city of nearly 13 million people is also one of the world's leading centres of the diamond trade. Along with Antwerp in Belgium, London, Paris and Munich, New York is one of the leading cities in terms of buying and selling diamonds. Before exploring the city's diamond district, it would be quite beneficial to understand the way in which the diamond business functions.
From the mine to the bourse:
We all know that diamonds are nothing more than carbon atoms that have withstood tremendous pressure for millions of years. Now for the more 'practical', business part of the transaction. De Beers is one of the world's largest diamond manufacturers and the foremost diamond mining and supply house. Commercial jewelers and others purchase their diamonds from wholesalers like De Beers. Most of the world's rough diamonds pass through bourses in Antwerp. This is where representatives of most of the commercial jewelry houses seek out traders and settle business with them. The entire transaction takes a short time and is completely based on the rapport a representative shares with a trader.
From the bourse to the polisher:
Once purchased, rough diamonds need to be polished and cut in order for them to be set in pieces of jewelry. Most of the world's diamonds are cut and polished by skilled artisans in Surat, India and some other places in Europe. Surat is one of the world's most precise and sought after diamond processing hubs, because of the high level of skill and finesse of its artisans. It is said that the fashioning of a diamond into a gemstone is a science and an art, that is handed down from one generation to the next here.
From the polisher to the jeweler:
Once polished the diamonds are dispatched to jewelers who fashion stunning ornaments for the consumer. Based on trends, popularity, demand and customer requests, design of the jewelry is determined. The rarity of the diamond, its size, the clarity and cut of the stone and its carat weight, determine the price of the piece of jewelry.
New York's diamond district:
New York City's Diamond District, also known as Diamond and Jewelry Way, is located on 47th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. It's hard to believe, but the area is home to over 2600 diamond businesses, many of which are located inside of the street's 25 jewelry exchanges. Each exchange is home to about 100 different merchants, each independently owned and operated, but there are also larger stores along 47th Street for shopping as well. In the Diamond District, you can find just about any type of fine jewelry you desire, which makes it a great place to shop, and prices can be as much as 50% off of retail. The shops cater to both wholesale and retail clients, but you'll have the best success shopping if you've done your research and know what you're looking for.
History of New York's Diamond District:
New York's first diamond and jewelry district was actually located on Maiden Lane, beginning around 1840. Today, the Diamond Dealers Club, the largest diamond trade organization in the U.S., is headquartered on 47th and Fifth Avenue. Originally located on Nassau Street, membership grew after World War II as many diamond dealers immigrated from Europe, necessitating a larger location, and thus its move uptown to 47th Street from its original downtown location. The move established 47th Street as New York's Diamond District, where businesses handle everything from the importation of rough diamonds to production and sale of fine diamond jewelry.
Labels: eternity bands new york, eternity rings new york, eternity wedding bands new york, rare diamonds new york
Shiny pieces of eternity: Part II
The romance of jewelry is a well documented love affair. Do you remember watching a movie, in which the protagonist does not propose marriage to his beloved with a diamond? Jewelry, people say, helps us express those emotions, that we cannot express with words. How though, did this trend come to be? In our first part, we examined the evolution of jewelry from the ancient to the middle ages. This part will continue that trend and also answer the question, who invented the trend of proposing with a diamond ring?
In the medieval times:
The medieval times were among the darkest times in human history. Also known as the dark ages, they were a time of religious persecution and oppression. It was also at this time that the world got its first taste of quality jewelry. The Turks having conquered Constantinople, in 1453, had barred the land trading route between Europe and Asia. This fuelled the era of European seafaring, in the hope of finding an alternate route to the Indies and Asia. It was around this time that Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the continent of America and with it, her vast untapped mineral reserves became available to the Europeans for the very first time.
From the 'new' world came vast quantities of gold, newer unexplored minerals and stones like jade and rubies. This led to a boom of sorts, where newer and more intricate jewelry started being fashioned for the wealthy, those of aristocratic leanings and for kings. The story of how Louis XIV had his royal jeweler fashion a new cut of diamond shaped like his amour's lips is legendary. So was the Russian Royal family's obsession with the famed Faberge egg.
But probably the most famous of all the royal associations is that of the British Royal family's with the Kohinoor. Arguably the most famous gem in the world, the Kohinoor was acquired by Queen Victoria, after the Queen's proclamation of 1858, that formalised British rule in India. The Kohinoor was part of the reparations the Indians were levied with for inciting and participating in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. A list of the owners (erstwhile) of the gem is a virtual who's who of world history, from Nadir Shah, to Shahjehan and then the Queen of England.
In modern times:
Jewelry has evolved to being more of a style statement today. "Diamonds and rap have become almost synonymous. The bling tradition, where the more ice you have on your person means the higher your social standing is a direct correlation between hip-hop and diamonds," says Lydia Dunham, a celebrity stylist, "Some of the biggest consumers of diamonds are the modern royalty, like movie stars and A-list celebrities." Today, you aren't in love until and unless you are displaying a one-of-a-kind diamond ring. This trend was popularised by the De Beers Diamond Company. Likening diamonds to eternal love was a marketing masterstroke. Infusing popular culture with diamonds saw the golden age (pun intended) of the trade come into being. The line, "Diamonds are forever", changed the way we perceive diamonds.
Jewels in popular culture have been celebrated as the ultimate symbols of love. So much have they pervaded our lives that we've named movies, books and even children after them. The use of jewelry these days is, as a unique reflection of your personal. There may have been wars fought to secure jewels, but for one thing, they will always remain an intensely personal experience!
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text:
Letter: Of Labour MSPs who I saw at the protest, only two voted with their consciences, Elaine Smith and Marylin Glen. But two others who had been at the protest failed to take a stand against nuclear weapons in Scotland.
Scotsman 2nd October 2006
Around 150 peace campaigners gathered at an US air base in Suffolk to demand the removal of nuclear weapons. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament claims there are more than 100 American nuclear bombs at RAF Lakenheath.
BBC 1st October 2006
The Government has ruled out any use of nuclear energy in Ireland in the future. A new green paper on energy launched today outlines other initiatives, such as support for families whose homes are energy efficient, and land set aside for renewable energy plants. Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said today that nuclear energy is not efficient and we should focus on cleaner forms of power instead.
Breakingnews.ie 1st October 2006
The Belgian government is expected to have a golden share over certain assets in the energy group to be created from the merger of Gaz de France and Suez, the Franco-Belgian power group. It is understood the government is also negotiating with Suez over ways of releasing the group's stranglehold over electricity generation in Belgium, where it controls 90 per cent of the market through its ownership of Electrabel, the Belgian power company.
FT 2nd October 2006
Waste Transport
TRAINS carrying nuclear waste will be guarded round the clock after a Daily Mirror investigation revealed they were an open target for terrorists. Our revelations prompted an urgent security review and have led to new measures including police patrols, 24 hour CCTV cover and security guards staying with trains at all times. Rail chiefs demanded the overhaul after we planted a fake bomb on a flask holding radioactive material.
Daily Mirror 2nd October 2006
British Energy
The least highly paid board of directors was at British Energy, which operates nuclear power stations including Heysham, Sizewell B and Dungeness. Its 13-strong board earned a total £3.1m.
Guardian 2nd October 2006


text:
package com.helado.indicatorratingbar;

import android.content.Context;
import android.graphics.Typeface;
import android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout;
import android.support.constraint.ConstraintSet;
import android.support.v4.content.ContextCompat;
import android.util.AttributeSet;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.ImageView;
import android.widget.LinearLayout;
import android.widget.TextView;

import com.helado.indicatorratingbar.utils.IndicatorPosition;
import com.helado.indicatorratingbar.utils.RateCellType;

import java.util.List;

/**
 * Custom rating view with the indicator bar.
 */
public class RatingView extends LinearLayout implements RatingGridEvent {

    private TextView mIndicatorTextView;
    private ImageView mIndicatorImage;
    private RatingGrid mRatingGrid;
    private ConstraintLayout mConstraintLayout;

    private int cellMinColor;
    private int cellMaxColor;
    private int cellHighlightColor;
    private int textLightColor;
    private int textDarkColor;

    public RatingView(Context context, AttributeSet attrs) {
        super(context, attrs);

        cellMinColor = ContextCompat.getColor(context, R.color.colorPrimaryLight);
        cellMaxColor = ContextCompat.getColor(context, R.color.colorPrimaryDark);
        cellHighlightColor = ContextCompat.getColor(context, R.color.colorAccent);
        textLightColor = ContextCompat.getColor(context, R.color.white);
        textDarkColor = ContextCompat.getColor(context, R.color.colorPrimaryDark);
    }

    @Override
    protected void onFinishInflate() {
        super.onFinishInflate();
        mIndicatorTextView = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.rating_title);
        mIndicatorImage = (ImageView) findViewById(R.id.rating_indicator);
        mRatingGrid = (RatingGrid) findViewById(R.id.rating_grid);
        mConstraintLayout = (ConstraintLayout) findViewById(R.id.layout_rating_view);
    }

    /**
     * The rating bar will be constructed using the given min rate and max rate value. This means
     * that all values of rating bar will be in range of (minRate, maxRate).
     *

     * Set the cell type is either RateCellType.SQUARE or RateCellType.RECTANGLE.
     * Set the indicator title and the position [UP, DOWN] of the indicator image.
     *

     * @param title The indicator title text.
     * @param minRate The min rate value, inclusive. Must be less than {@code maxRate} and greater than 0.
     * @param maxRate The max rate value, inclusive. Must be greater than {@code minRate} and greater than 0.
     * @param selectedRate The highlight rate value. Must be between than {@code minRate} and {@code maxRate}.
     * @param cellType
     * @param indicatorPosition
     */
    public void init(String title, Integer minRate, Integer maxRate, Integer selectedRate, Integer highlightColor, RateCellType cellType, IndicatorPosition indicatorPosition) {

        if (minRate == null || maxRate == null) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("minRate and maxRate must not be null.");
        } else if (minRate.intValue() == 0 || maxRate.intValue() == 0) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("minRate and maxRate must be greater than 0.");
        } else if (minRate == maxRate) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("maxRate must be greater than minRate.");
        } else if (selectedRate != null) {
            if (selectedRate < minRate || selectedRate > maxRate)
                throw new IllegalArgumentException("selectedRate must be between minRate and maxRate (inclusively).");
        }

        cellHighlightColor = highlightColor;

        // Initialize the grid rating cell (1-row grid)
        mRatingGrid.setRatingGridEvent(this);
        mRatingGrid.initColors(cellMinColor, cellMaxColor, cellHighlightColor, textLightColor, textDarkColor, null);
        mRatingGrid.init(minRate, maxRate, selectedRate, cellType);

        refreshIndicatorLayout(indicatorPosition);

        // Set indicator title
        mIndicatorTextView.setText(title);
    }

    /**
     * The rating bar will be constructed by a list of rating values.
     *

     * Set the cell type is either RateCellType.SQUARE or RateCellType.RECTANGLE.
     * Set the indicator title and the position [UP, DOWN] of the indicator image.
     *

     * @param title The indicator title text.
     * @param rates The list of rating values to be generated
     * @param selectedRate The highlight rate value. Must be defined in the list {@code rates}
     * @param cellType
     * @param indicatorPosition
     */
    public void init(String title, List<String> rates, String selectedRate, Integer highlightColor, RateCellType cellType, IndicatorPosition indicatorPosition) {

        if (rates.size() < 2) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Rating list must have at least 2 items.");
        } else if (selectedRate != null && !rates.contains(selectedRate)) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Rating list must contain the selected rate value.");
        }

        cellHighlightColor = highlightColor;

        // Initialize the grid rating cell (1-row grid)
        mRatingGrid.setRatingGridEvent(this);
        mRatingGrid.initColors(cellMinColor, cellMaxColor, cellHighlightColor, textLightColor, textDarkColor, null);
        mRatingGrid.init(rates, selectedRate, cellType);

        refreshIndicatorLayout(indicatorPosition);

        // Set indicator title
        mIndicatorTextView.setText(title);
    }

    /**
     * Add listener to the layout of rating gridview to detect
     * if all child views are visible then set position of rating indicator
     * based on the highlight cell in gridview
     * @param indicatorPosition
     */
    private void refreshIndicatorLayout(final IndicatorPosition indicatorPosition){
        positionConstraintLayout(indicatorPosition);

        mRatingGrid.addOnLayoutChangeListener(new OnLayoutChangeListener() {
            @Override
            public void onLayoutChange(View view, int left, int top, int right, int bottom, int oldleft, int oldtop, int oldright, int oldbottom) {
                // Calculate position of text & image indicator
                // based on the center of highlight cell
                View cell = mRatingGrid.getHighlightCell();
                if (cell != null) {
                    float centerX = cell.getX() + cell.getWidth() / 2;
                    float posTextX = centerX - mIndicatorTextView.getWidth() / 2;

                    // Check if textview overflows the parent's border
                    // then reset position
                    //if (posTextX > 0) {

                        if (posTextX > (view.getWidth() - mIndicatorTextView.getWidth()))
                            posTextX = view.getWidth() - mIndicatorTextView.getWidth();
                        else if (posTextX < 0)
                            posTextX = cell.getX();

                        mIndicatorTextView.setX(posTextX);
                        mIndicatorTextView.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
                    //}
                    mIndicatorImage.setX(centerX - mIndicatorImage.getWidth() / 2);
                    mIndicatorImage.setVisibility(VISIBLE);
                }

                //mRatingGrid.removeOnLayoutChangeListener(this);
            }
        });
    }

    /**
     * Default indicator position is DOWN
     * Only change constraint layout if UP position
     * @param indicatorPosition
     */
    private void positionConstraintLayout(IndicatorPosition indicatorPosition){

        if (indicatorPosition == IndicatorPosition.UP) {
            ConstraintLayout constraintLayout = (ConstraintLayout) findViewById(R.id.layout_rating_view);
            ConstraintSet constraintSet = new ConstraintSet();
            constraintSet.clone(constraintLayout);
            constraintSet.connect(mRatingGrid.getId(), ConstraintSet.TOP, constraintLayout.getId(), ConstraintSet.TOP, 0);
            constraintSet.connect(mIndicatorImage.getId(), ConstraintSet.TOP, mRatingGrid.getId(), ConstraintSet.BOTTOM, 0);
            constraintSet.connect(mIndicatorTextView.getId(), ConstraintSet.TOP, mIndicatorImage.getId(), ConstraintSet.BOTTOM, 0);
            constraintSet.applyTo(constraintLayout);
        }
    }

    public void setTextColor(int color) {
        mIndicatorTextView.setTextColor(color);
    }

    public void setTypeface(Typeface typeface) {
        mIndicatorTextView.setTypeface(typeface);
    }

    public void setIndicatorImageRes(int imageRes) {
        mIndicatorImage.setImageResource(imageRes);
    }

    public void setHighlightRate(String rate){
        mRatingGrid.setHighlightRate(rate);
    }

    public void setCellSelectable(boolean selectable) { mRatingGrid.setCellSelectable(selectable); }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Happiness is a thing that cannot be measured. It cannot be given and it cannot be stolen. It's a fundamental part of life. Many people strive for ultimate happiness while many people have none. Wealth and power do not necessarily facilitate happiness and the acquisition of those things we desire only delivers a quasi-happiness. Sometimes real happiness comes from something simple.
Take last week for instance, I popped into the post office to post a letter. Like post offices the world over it was filled with people waiting until it was their turn to be served. I took my position in the queue and after several minutes one of the ladies behind the glass called out to me asking if I was just there to purchase a stamp. I told her I was and she beckoned me to the front of the line of people, who had bills and savings books in their hands. I told her I could wait as there were many people patiently waiting their turn in front of me. Just then as if rehearsed, the queue all ushered me past to the front where I was promptly served with a stamp. This random act of kindness deposited itself in my happiness tank.
Later in the week I was buying a loaf and was about to go when I asked for a slice of sausage and mushroom pizza only to be told by the lady serving that they only had one slice and the corner was burnt. I told her it didn't matter I'd take it anyway. She then wrapped it up and told me I could have it for free. She wished me a good day and I left with another deposit in the happy tank.
You can also create your own happiness by just doing something simple. This morning I drove to the beach with my partner and we walked along the pebbles watching the lazy winter waves saunter towards the shore. The sky was clear and the December sun danced across the sea. I picked up shells and driftwood, as I had done as child on family holidays and these simple acts contributed to a further deposit into the happiness tank.
I know there will be times for everyone when happiness avoids us, when unhappiness invades our life, but as I get older I choose not to dwell on the negatives and eagerly embrace every positive, because sometimes all it takes to make a deposit into your happy tank is, qualcosa semplice – something simple.
Literally 28 minutes after publishing this blog entry, Mario drove up our lane and gave me this large wedge of sheep's milk cheese made by his wife earlier this week. I think the happy tank is full now.
A Life on Shuffle wishes you all happiness.
When people hear that you live in Italy, they assume you have year round sunshine, but it's not really like the Spanish Costas, where pensioners pop over for tinsel and turkey and ex-pats are still topping up their tans in November. In middle Italy we get snow; albeit not very much unless you're up in the mountains, and we get miserable, wet, drizzly days in the winter, but what a revelation December 2013 was. We had more warm sunny days than cold wet ones and this meant we could extend our outdoor activities without donning an overcoat.
Throughout the month we took the dogs for a run on the beach; deserted now the holiday makers have left, and we also spent more time generally outside. With the back garden almost finished I spent a very warm December day getting my orto ready for the New Year, I was actually in a T shirt, sweating as I worked the earth, planted some garlic and built a seed bed.
On the 29th we spent a morning walking with friends on the beach at Lido la Morge, (that's where I scratched the Buon Anno, message in the sand) and following the beach trip we popped into friends at Torino di Sangro for a planned barbecue. I'd told a friend in the UK about the barbecue and he said we must be mad, a barbecue in December. We expected it to be chilly, but instead what we got was glorious sunshine and a warm afternoon. So as my friend in the UK shivered and locked himself away from the rain, I was outside in my shirt sleeves looking at an amazing view as I munched on a burger and the best homemade coleslaw I've ever tasted.
On the 2nd of January, with the New Year still in its infancy, we had our first get-together of 2014, we spent a delightful afternoon on a roof terrace belonging to friends in Bomba. The views over the countryside and the lake are breath-taking, made all the more enjoyable when they're viewed whilst holding a glass of wine. We had a lovely buffet lunch followed by great conversation that drifted into the early evening.
Now I'm not telling you this in an attempt to make you jealous… okay maybe just a little bit, but to point out how unusual it is when you're not used to the difference in the climate. There's this odd feeling that it can't be real when you sit outside having lunch in the sunshine in a month when you're used to wearing scarves and coats. It's not like when you escape the winter for an intended holiday in the sun, when you're living here and doing the mundane day to day things, there's this odd feeling that your body clock has misfired. I'm not complaining mind, I'd much rather be sat in the sunshine with my sandwich than in a café in Stoke with condensation running down the inside of the windows. Maybe next year we'll have a colder, wetter December to remind me of one in the UK, who knows. Mind you that said, if that's so, you know I'll be here complaining about it.


The past few days here in Western MA, as in so many other parts of our country, have been hot and humid. Even with A/C, forget turning on the oven for any baking. Life is good using our outdoor grill at dinner time. Ice cream is just plain refreshing later in the evening! Vanilla is my favorite flavor, what is yours? Orange Pineapple is so good, but not always available!
Speaking of the flavor vanilla, vanilla Creamy Cheesy Pie is not baked in a hot oven! I was introduced to this delicious, no fuss recipe many years ago by my mother-in-law. Before tasting her quick make pie, I always baked a cheesecake using a couple of packages of cream cheese, a spring-form pan and directions that needed to be followed.
This "easy does it" delicious cheesecake requires 4 ingredients: (1) package of Cook & Serve Pudding Mix, Milk, 8 oz. Cream Cheese and a Graham Cracker Pie Shell.
**My family uses 1% Milk, so I add 1 Tablespoon powdered milk into pot before making pudding.
My son has prepared this yummy dessert using Jello chocolate pudding and the word is, "It tastes great!!!"
Do you make easy, no fuss, delicious desserts during the summer?
Later on Friday afternoon a large amount of the scrumptious berries were prepared to be frozen. After going through them, they were double washed, drained, packed in Ziploc Freezer bags, labeled and dated.
Now, Blueberries are also in our fridge! Who can resist reaching into a container and getting a handful, especially when so many are available? Rinse and a tasty, healthy snack awaits! Oh, there has been snacking. One batch of Blueberry Freezer Jam was made yesterday and another today.
I also see a batch of Yummy Blueberry Muffins on the horizon. If you'd like my recipe, click and print a recipe card. I use an Egg and also Egg Whites when baking these light, yummy muffins. Cinnamon is also added. One batch yields 22 muffins and they also freeze very well! So good!
Are local blueberries available to you? Do you add them to cold cereal? Have you made Blueberry Freezer Jam? It's easy to make and tastes delicious! Does you family like Blueberry Muffins?
Grilled fish was the perfect choice for dinner and there were choices. "Wild caught" fresh Sockeye Salmon or "wild caught" fresh Swordfish were featured at my local grocery store, Big Y. Just the selection for dinner on a very hot evening!
Fruit salads at lunchtime tasted so good and still do this week! Yes, Banana slices were included along with the sweet red grapes and pieces of juicy cantaloupe. We devour much more fruit in the summer. Do you?
Summer is the time to take it easy! It is nice!
Sockeye Salmon Will Be Grilled Tonight!
It's July! It's hot and humid outside! It's time for fresh "wild caught" Alaskan Grilled Sockeye Salmon for dinner! My local grocery store (Big Y) is featuring this delicious, healthy, colorful fish in the Seafood Dept. Last Friday at dinnertime we enjoyed this very tasty dinner and tonight will be a repeat. Yummy!
*** Note: With our grill we usually grill each side 7 minutes. The 1 lb. fillet is usually thick.
A microwaved "Baked Potato" and Sauteed Combo served along with Grilled Sockeye Salmon is a meal we enjoy often during the hot summer months. With the local Zucchini available at our roadside stands, it's great to eat these colorful prepared fresh veggies.
This is another family favorite that I posted almost two years ago and we still enjoy this scrumptious dinner! I wait for our local grocery to have a special on this "Wild Caught" fish.
Do you/your family enjoy fish? Do you prepare it at home? Do you like Alaskan Sockeye Salmon? It's easy to prepare and tasty to eat!
This morning we savored the combination of a slice of melted American Cheese and a fried Egg sandwiched between a toasted Raisin English Muffin. Usually, I use as few whole eggs when cooking/baking as possible, but for a quick and easy breakfast, this combination is the best!
About two years ago I posted Egg Cheesy Raisin Muffin. This simple breakfast still remains a family favorite. The only difficult obstacle in preparing this yummy, quick and easy breakfast is remembering to add Raisin English Muffins to my grocery list!
On this special day in July have a good and safe holiday.


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