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Eircom confirms new CEO appointment
1 Sep 200658 Views
Eircom has appointed Babcock & Brown chief executive Rex Combs as successor to the former chief executive Dr Philip Nolan. News of the appointment coincided with fresh calls from the telecoms industry for Eircom to remove restrictions it claims are preventing consumers from choosing to use different telecoms operators.
Combs has been chief executive of Babcock & Brown Capital Management for the past 18 months. The Australian firm concluded its €2.4bn acquisition of Eircom in recent months.
Combs said he was excited about the opportunity to lead Eircom: "In Australia, I led a company of similar size and it's an honour to have that opportunity here.
"Telecoms is an extraordinarily dynamic industry and while Eircom has done a good job in a challenging environment, it is my responsibility to lead Eircom through the next phase of growth. I have relocated my family here and I look forward to getting on with the job," Combs said.
Forty-three-year-old Combs was, prior to joining Babcock & Brown, group managing director of the Linfox Logistics business. During his four-year tenure at the company he grew it from AUS$600m in turnover to in excess of AUS$1bn.
In a taste of the battle into which he wades surrounding Ireland's broadband problems, the news of Combs' appointment coincided with a call by telecoms lobby group ALTO on the new owners of Eircom to remove restrictions on consumers freely choosing which operator they wish to use.
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ALTO claims difficulties created by Eircom for customers wanting to use different telecoms operators is inhibiting broadband take-up in Ireland.
ALTO chairman Tom Hickey commented: "Despite recent reports of increased broadband enquiries from consumers we need to double uptake if we are to get back in line with the EU average.
"Healthy competition is needed and we will only see this when consumers can switch to new products and providers," Hickey continued.
"Almost 500,000 are prevented from switching from Eircom because to do so would result in a break in service, or a change in telephone number. This cannot be allowed to continue," Hickey warned.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Today is Valentine's Day, which also means it's…February 14th.
I've pointedly begun this entry not from the perspective of "hatin' on the day," but in the only way that it applies to me realistically: It's simply just another day on the calendar for those of us who aren't in romantic relationships.
And that statement will do either one of two things: It will make you wonder if I'm suppressing sad/bitter/lonely/jealous feelings and lying about it to appear to have my life under control (which, I assure you, I'm comfortable enough to declare I do not), or it will do what I hope for most…give you the freedom to detach yourself from the expectations the day has come to be traditionally known for in case you yourself are feeling any of those aforementioned feelings. (Although, full disclosure, the first guess would've been absolutely accurate up until a few years ago.)
You can thank (or malign) a four-hour-long "Galentine's Day" phone conversation with one of my sister-friends for this post. Also, get you a friend where you can be on the phone for four hours yammering about life and love and things to add to your — ahem — "shopping list," that'll get you through the period of your life during which you're cultivating a true love affair with yourself to the point where sex has transitioned from being a void-filler, to the second-most intimate thing you do in a healthy romantic partnership. (With honest and open communication being the first, natch.)
Innocently enough, the call started with me talking about the impeachment acquittal (ugh!), then segued into how after watching that dereliction of democracy, I proceeded to go out into the world to run some errands and got so badly turned around by the MTA service changes and my distracted state of mind that I almost didn't make it to where I needed to be in time to get something very important. (Yes, this is vague. No, I ain't telling you what this means. Deal.) Anyway, by the time I got home, I'd accepted that although I was detoured, delayed and distracted throughout my journey, I still managed to get what I needed just in time, and had bonus blessings along the way. And that, I decided, was the life metaphor I was going to take away from a seemingly innocuous errand run.
Then, we spent the next three hours and fifty minutes talking about messy shit.
She caught me up on her current dilemma with the opposite sex, I shared some life experiences with some exes that I felt might be relevant and helpful in informing how she dealt with her situation, we discussed how our painful childhoods contributed to the ways we've dealt with our relationship failings, had some amazing revelations about the early days of our 30-year-strong friendship during a lightning round of "Perception vs. Reality: High School Edition," and laughed and fake-cried about how our middle-aged (but still fine) bodies are rebelling against us for taking our youth and former durability for granted.
Ya know…real friend shit.
But the most important thing we talked about was love, and what our definition of it was, in keeping with the theme of the impeding day that we nearly talked our way into. My beautiful friend has always put her whole self into making sure those she holds dear have everything they need — which can comprise of her time, energy, resources, et al at the risk of self-depletion — to reassure them of her love and fierce commitment to them. As someone who's done the same, I knew all too well that it doesn't always net out equally.
So I shared with her what I'm about to share with you; which is what I've learned in the nearly five years of therapy, and especially the past year of being in isolation and forcing myself to dig deep and really look at my own behavior and mindset — which almost certainly attracted the personalities and outcomes that drove me to seek therapy to correct.
Before I start, a bit of backstory: While I've dabbled in the realm of introspection over the nearly TEN YEARS since starting this blog (whew!), it came as a shock to realize there was still so much more to be done, because I assumed I'd been operating under the premise that I'd been, as the name infers, "blunt" in how I approached my life and my views about life around me and in general. I was wrong. I assumed talking about my abuse, my troubled parental history and perceived injustices throughout my life would be healing for me and helpful to others going through similar situations. To some degree it has, but there was still more left untapped.
What I discovered is that it left questions about what these experiences did to me as a person behaviorally, and how I operated in ways that has consistently sabotaged my life and relationships for decades because I didn't understand or care to acknowledge how affected my psyche was. I was self aware to an extent where I knew something was "off." I knew that in order for me to come to a place where I wasn't beating myself up about it, I had to accept that the things I perceived was "wrong" was just "what it was." I understood I had to grasp that the things that people I trusted did that hurt me deeply were never about me as much as it was about what they were going through at the time of their interactions with me. But I hadn't done any of the work that would get me to this place of true peace.
Instead, I'd defaulted to the classic trauma responses: I withdrew, projected my fears on others, gave up on myself and my abilities and morphed into whoever I thought I needed to be in order to be accepted socially, desired sexually and tolerated in circles where I was a square. In the end, I failed spectacularly at trying to convince myself that I could make the best out of situations I never wanted to be a part of, while simultaneously hurting others who were ultimately let down when I grew tired of the ruse. I showed up inauthentically to relationships both personally and professionally out of fear of being judged and avoiding conflict and resentments, and as a result, I attracted that same chaotic energy everywhere I ran.
Then I hit my forties, and realized that way of life was slowly killing me inside, despite surviving so many other insurmountable conditions which I hadn't even taken the time to consider how extraordinary that made every day I woke up.
The day you decide to have gratitude as the anchoring presence in your life, is the day you commit to doing everything in your power to authentically make the best of it and protect it at all costs. For me, that meant severing unhealthy relationships and finding the grace to forgive myself and the parties involved for making them so. It meant stripping back the façade to replace the broken parts, and strengthen the foundation of the person I didn't have the courage to be and the life I didn't believe I deserved.
And that…to me…is love. Being brave enough to say and do the unpleasant things if the outcome is mutually beneficial for everyone involved (even if it's only me, myself and I) even when it hurts to acknowledge the truth. It's accountability. It's vulnerability. It's humiliating and humbling. And it's a lot of work!!
And so, on this day dedicated to love, I pledge to continue doing the work and loving the person I am becoming as a result: Someone who can simultaneously exist as a person who celebrates your love stories, while also being mildly annoyed by the expectation that I have to participate in the pageantry, or risk being deemed sad, bitter, lonely and/or jealous, when I really just want to spend a weekend parked on my couch watching "Judas and the Black Messiah" and Disney+, while eating vegan ice cream and fan-girling over Jamie Raskin and Stacey Plaskett's work in the impeachment trial despite its unfortunate-yet-unsurprising outcome.
And if you're wondering how I segued into politics while talking about love, I invite you to re-read the part about "being brave enough to say and do unpleasant things if the outcome is mutually beneficial." Raskin, who lost his son to suicide, buried him, showed up to work the next day to certify the election with members of his family — all of whom were then put in mortal danger — in tow, and then continued to show up to make sure the person responsible for inflicting a pain that spread across party lines and country face repercussions…did so for the love of his country and the people who live in it. That kind of love is unfathomable, and brings to mind the words of Jimi Hendrix, "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
And with that, signing off wishing eternal love and peace for us all…from the bottom of my heart.
Happy Valentine's Day.
By lrblountin Life, Love, Mood Swings, politics, Relationships, Self Love, Social Commentary, Uncategorized February 15, 2021 1,537 Words4 Comments
Sometimes our truths aren't always the truth.
This is the thought I've landed on after a few days of thinking about relationships. More specifically my own past ones.
It all started this past Sunday, when news of the untimely death of artist Nipsey Hussle spread across my timeline. While I wasn't too familiar with his music, and only came to learn of his other extremely impressive endeavors upon his death, I knew he was in a longterm relationship with the actress Lauren London, with whom they shared a child and a blended family. The news was tragic for so many reasons, but my immediate thought was how awful it was for her to lose the love of her life. Especially after making sacrifices in her career for their family.
To spend years building a life with someone, only to have it destroyed it in an instant because of a broken individual, is my nightmare.
As I processed that news, and the tributes and images and videos that followed, I did what I now know to be the worst possible thing to do to distract myself: I binge-watched the episodes of "This Is Us" that I'd missed over the past few weeks.
If you're familiar with this show, then you know that a lot of crying ensued as I watched the Beth and Randall storyline send me on an emotional rollercoaster wondering if they were going to make it, and momentarily understanding why they might possibly not. Honestly, the only thing missing at that point was a bottle of red wine and someone playing "Sometimes It Snows In April" followed up with a montage of Prince footage. I was a wreck.
When I thought about the love story of Nipsey and Lauren, two young lovers just getting started, and the fictional one of "R&B," where twenty years of sacrifices and compromise had reached a breaking point, I looked deeper into my own stories, and saw just how one-sided they were.
It has been well over a year since the last relationship I embarked on came to an end. Unlike all of my previous ones, this one was amicable, and included an actual verbal conversation that never changed in pitch or volume because growth (and therapy).
But even armed with the full knowledge of signs he wasn't in the relationship for the long haul, I still spent months afterward asking myself what was it about me that was undesirable. I negotiated in my head that if I had just been more of the fantasy girl than the practical one, perhaps I'd be wearing a ring or something close to being committed.
The scariest realization when I do an inventory of the men who were either considered boyfriends, lovers or sexual partners, is the glaring commonality of how I romanticized the situations (and their ends), knowing full well I'd made horrible judgement calls just to say I was with someone or at least feel like I was with someone.
I took back an ex who broke up with me via text after I confronted him about a non mutually consensual sexual encounter (read: rape); and ultimately decided I'd had enough of him only after he spent weeks dodging me after my father's death, during which time he'd call me "angry black woman," went on a weeklong vacation without me and told me his friends would always be more important than me (his actual statement was so vile my therapy group – which consists of a few men – responded angrily). My reasoning was he was charming and made me laugh, he apologized and he was making an effort. My takeaway was learning that true love speaks life into you at times when you're feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, and doesn't abandon you because your circumstances are inconvenient or "a buzz kill."
I stayed in an off-and-on relationship for nearly six years despite mental, physical and financial abuse, because I had grown close to his family, and he with mine. I was afraid of upsetting that dynamic, was invested in his daughter's upbringing, and it felt like failure to leave a man that everyone thought was perfect for me (although my uncle did pick up on his controlling persona, but never told me until after it ended). And back then I thought love was struggle. My takeaway from that was the travel bug I developed, a couple of cool girlfriends (and one terrible one, who took advantage of my post-breakup situation for her own gain…twice), and an appreciation for what I bring to the table when I find myself in a healthy relationship.
I've been a mistress (knowingly and unknowingly), the booty call, and the friend with benefits. I've been the submissive and occasionally the aggressor. I've been the accommodating and the one who won't bend. I've left jobs, paid money I didn't have to spare for flights I shouldn't have taken, and placed myself in embarrassing and awkward situations where I've known I was not the only one because I was hopeful and desperate for a win. Each time, I'd speak of these men and moments as if they were normal ups and downs; not registering that the look I'd get from some of my friends and family was one of genuine concern for my sense of reality and self.
Yes, I've misrepresented many epic fails, but one of the worst by far was thinking that a man who'd moved multiple times out of the state we both lived in without ever telling me, was my soul mate. That was pretty stupid.
Almost as stupid as missing a friend's party because I was sitting in a car for several hours, while the guy I was seeing had a meeting with a contractor in a town out-of-state that wasn't easily accessible to public transportation.
…Or being so averse to traveling by myself that I spent an unnecessary small fortune on a weekend at a cute bed and breakfast in Boston with a man I'd later walk in on during his "self-love session" after he refused to leave the room with me to go explore the city. (I've gotten over my fear of solo travel, but haven't gone back to Boston since that trip well over a decade and a half ago.)
Sure, you can look at this and say "Damn, girl…you definitely have had bad luck in the relationship department, but these celebrity and television relationships shouldn't be #goals!" And you'd be absolutely right.
To be clear, I don't want to be any of them. I don't even want to be the Michelle to someone else's Barack Obama. I don't have that kind of ambition.
But these examples – as tragic, fantastical or exceptional as they may seem – have given me a blueprint that ideally won't send me down the same path I'd been traveling the last couple of decades as someone who was just trying to fill the void left by absent parents and a childhood marred by sexual abuse.
To be in a committed, communicative, mutually respectful and supportive partnership where I feel valued in the present (because most folks see your value only after you're gone), should always be the goal. To have someone want to be with you not because of what you do for them as far as appearances, status or reciprocity, but because you find joy in their presence and purpose in your connection. To see better versions of you in each other and have it motivate you each day to be and do better. That wouldn't suck.
And that's what I want. No exceptions. No bullshit.
In the meantime, my current truth is that I sleep in the middle of my bed, and indulge in the luxury of long hot baths, weekends blasting everything from jazz to girl power anthems, and revel in the quiet time in my own apartment doing whatever the hell I want because I've found true love…right here.
That also doesn't suck.
By lrblountin Love, Relationships, Self Love, Uncategorized April 8, 2019 1,339 Words2 Comments
It is never easy leaving something or someone you truly love.
Oftentimes, it is unpleasant.
But the time will come when we'll have to say goodbye to something or someone dear to us for whatever reasons that apply. It's one of life's inevitabilities…much like me wrecking a manicure seconds after walking out of the salon.
This week, I had that horrible task. Twice.
The first isn't theoretically final, but symbolically it is; the apartment my roommate and I have shared for nearly a year is being reclaimed by its lovely owner and her family at the end of the month, so we needed to find a new place quickly. What stung the most was having to leave the beautiful neighborhood we've grown to adore, due to lack of affordable housing options. Never mind the fact that the apartment itself is a unicorn in terms of space and affordability. Both were ideal.
Alas, it was never truly ours…and so we had to face facts and move on.
Fortunately, we found an affordable gem in a decent neighborhood that suited all our needs, and wouldn't force any major and/or uncomfortable adjustments.
The part I'm most grateful for, tho – aside from having a relatively painless search process in comparison to last year (woo hoo!) – is having my name on a legal document holding me responsible for the payment and upkeep of a place that I reside in…for the first time in SIX years.
While that concept seems scary AF, I'm elated, because circumstances over these last years haven't supported this moment. A layoff in 2010 – followed by an unexpectedly lengthy stretch of un/underemployment mixed with drastic pay decreases throughout the years that followed – proved challenging. Signing a lease wasn't only risky…it was impossible.
All this to say: As much as I've dreaded moves in the past, this one I look forward to, because it means I've finally reached the point where I can start over on my terms. It's bittersweet, yet empowering, all at the same time.
The next goodbye is final and painful, because there's still a great deal of love, and there was a tremendous emotional investment. The demise of a relationship always impacts me because the failure is personal and, at times, I'd like to think avoidable.
But that's just wishful thinking.
Over the years, I've struggled and occasionally succeeded at being mindful of things in my past life that could – and have – segued into fatal relationship flaws: Let's just say the list isn't pretty. Or short. Let's also say not living with my parents after twelve was the best thing that ever happened to me. Let's also say that it's because very early on, life played out more like a Lifetime Network movie written by Alice Walker.
Basically, I was a powder keg with a laundry list of issues ranging from trust, abandonment, intimacy, anger, jealousy, people-pleasing, self-esteem, selfishness and withdrawn (this one's tough to shake).
Truth be told, I'll always be a work in progress. But time, meditation, faith, introspection, healing, much-needed therapy and an outpouring of unconditional love and support from friends and family has allowed me to develop into a woman who is now open and optimistic about life, love and all its possibilities. I find joy in authentic relationships and experiences, and I'm quicker to listen to and embrace different perspectives. Most of all, I've learned to forgive, let go, and just let shit be.
Which brings us here.
If I've learned anything in these forty years and eight months of life, it is that as much as I love the idea of being in love, there's much more to a relationship than that. It's work, and sometimes I don't want to do it, but I will if I know the end result is having someone to grow with, who has your back in times both good and bad and inspires you to do the same. Someone who takes interest in your interests, and includes you in theirs. Someone who relishes in your quirks, and can talk and listen for as long as it takes as you both learn something new and/or rediscover something not so new about each other (instead of using social media or discussing with an audience that doesn't include either of you). Someone who understands that conflicts and anger should be addressed and resolved in minutes and (if really serious) hours…not days and weeks. Someone who has longterm plans and knows where you fit in them. Someone unafraid to take a leap of faith and land wherever your lives together may take you. Someone whose actions speak louder than their words.
For all our intents…we both failed spectacularly in making that happen. Twice.
And for what it's worth, I wanted our relationship to work so badly, that I was willing to accept it as it was…even as it left me wanting more.
But it occurred to me that – much like the apartment hunting experience – I began the process desperate to compromise at the risk of losing a part of me. In the end, it took venturing out of my comfort zone on a road less traveled in order to find the place that feels like home, and nothing is lost except the expectations of how things should be.
Not only is that worth moving on to…it's worth moving mountains for.
I'm scared and excited to find out what the future holds, but right now, I'm just gonna relish in the freedom of the present moment, and go wherever the day takes me.
Which, right about now…is the kitchen. I'm starving.
By lrblountin Life, Love, Mood Swings, Philosophy, Relationships, Self Love, Uncategorized August 13, 2016 August 14, 2016 948 Words5 Comments
Designing a Decade
Here we are again, folks…the end of another year!
Now, before we start sighing "finally," let's just take into account that we are still here, and still able to fully appreciate the luxury we have of seeing it come to an end, and the promise of new beginnings (or just upgraded versions of your existing situation).
As we know, not everyone has made it this far.
I don't know about you, but for me, it has been quite the year. One that has overseen the loss of a romantic relationship, a dear friend/mentor and a first cousin with faulty hearts, my father's left leg, my patience for pushy real estate brokers and the elder/health care system, a piece of my back tooth, thousands of dollars in moving costs, and occasionally my sanity.
For a moment I was about to say my faith, but that wouldn't be completely true. Because even when shit got a little too real, I knew it would figure itself out. I just didn't know when!
But amidst those losses, there were huge gains not only in my faith, but in the power of love, family, friendship and loyalty in its truest form.
These lessons from the school of hard knocks came just in time for my fortieth birthday, which I quietly – and happily – celebrated fifteen days ago with one of my fabulous girlfriends. After treating me to dinner, she then lavished me with ridiculously expensive skincare that I'm afraid to use because I will fall instantly in love with it, and become one of those women who spend the financial equivalent to childcare on preserving her own youth. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) Because, even though I look damn good for my age, I can always look better! (She says with tongue placed firmly in her cheek.)
And so, as I sit here…fresh from spending the holiday bouncing from Pennsylvania to Virginia with my crazysexycool family, where I ate a lot, drank even more and laughed when I wasn't in pain from a recent dental visit…I'm contemplating what I want my new year and my fourth decade to look and feel like.
…and the one word that keeps coming back to me is: "loyalty."
It's that feeling of knowing you are loved and supported in your best and especially your worst times. That feeling of knowing help is just a message, a phone call or even just a "look" away. That feeling of not being judged by your mood, your circumstances or your lifestyle. That unconditional love that tells you, "you're crazy, but I can't imagine life without you," or "this isn't one of our best days, but let's regroup and make the next round better," and "we're not always going to agree on everything, but I'm always going to be here."
Only that kind of security and confidence comes from loyalty, and this year, I felt it. Breathed it. Bathed in it. Draped it all over my skin, and wove it into the fabric of my being.
It has taken me four decades to fully appreciate that word and its meaning. I'd begun mentioning it in passing when someone asked me what I looked for in a guy, but I've since come to understand how much it means to me beyond intimate relationships.
It resonates when I'm rewarded at work with verbal and financial acknowledgements, and when my colleagues tell me to take as much time as I need when my father made an unexpected trip to the emergency room during what was intended to be a short trip to Savannah, and give me more exciting and challenging assignments because they value my work and insights. Or bring me lunch. Or a bottle of wine after a breakup. Or an L.L. Bean fleece jacket. Or kickass tickets to watch tennis and/or "The Peanuts Movie." (Okay, I love my job.)
It resonates when I see a woman, whose plan was to spend her retiring years traveling the world with the man she loved, spending her days making doctor and medicine runs for him, helping his daughter navigate through the messy process of it all, and taking shifts to feed him in a nursing home…while hoping he remembers her name.
It resonates when his family who live nearby hasn't visited in the five years of his affliction.
It resonates when I contemplate going an hour out of my way to Harlem to pick up a prescription, because the women at the pharmacy always pleasantly acknowledge me by my name.
It resonates when friends and family spring into action when I have a slight meltdown on Facebook, and help me not only find a place to live, but keep me laughing, liquored up, and thoroughly entertained through some of the hardest months I've had in some time. Just because.
It resonates when I consider who's worthy of my time, energy and my own loyalty going forward.
I'm realizing now that everything has come full circle. Historically, I've been drawn to – and spent most of my professional life in – industries that mostly thrive on strong and fruitful relationships and loyalty, so it was only a matter of time before I caught up and realized that I, too, require them to thrive personally.
But seriously…Don't we ALL?!
So, tomorrow night, when the ball drops into the year 2016, it is my intention to continue loving – and being true to – the skin I'm in from this decade until my last, and reciprocating all the love, support and loyalty that has allowed me and my loved ones to thrive in the chaos of 2015.
By lrblountin Life, Mood Swings, Philosophy, Relationships, Uncategorized December 31, 2015 954 Words2 Comments
This I Know Thus Far
In two days, I will join several thousand people in Newark for Oprah's "The Life You Want" tour, where Madame O herself will preside over a program filled with special guests and exercises geared to awaken, enlighten and embolden the masses.
Basically… I expect to cry and over-share with lots of strangers in the name of self-discovery and empowerment. Sort of like I do here, except on a grander scale and with the prospect of sharing with Oprah!
Snark aside, I'm actually looking forward to it. Something about taking action to improve oneself and the quality of the life you live from an internal standpoint just appeals to me.
So, before I embark on this emotional roller-coaster of a weekend, I've decided to list what I've learned thus far from this crazy life of mine. Unlike Oprah, who pens her "What I Know for Sure" column every month in "O" magazine, I'm still a work in progress, so speaking definitively on anything before I reach my forties is just asking for trouble.
And… as I've learned… things do change. Sometimes quite drastically.
Here's what I know thus far:
Attitude is everything. It was not that long ago when pessimism was my go-to drug of choice. Convinced that everything was either bad — or bad for me — it was easy to embrace negative thoughts, which begat negative results. When I eventually ditched the habits (and people) who fostered that behavior, a new world opened up. One where setbacks bring new directions, unknown things become adventures and disappointments become lessons. We really do speak life into everything we do, and as Nelson Mandela once said, "One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen."
When people show you who they are… believe them. I've heard and read this many times before, but it is so true. In my younger years, I ignored the cues; guys who couldn't be reached during the day, but call at rude hours of the night to see if you're free, those who consider you coming directly to their house (or any place where there's a bed or furniture that could accommodate sex) "dates", people who relish in gossiping about someone in your mutual circle, relatives you hadn't seen in years who reach out when they see you in a magazine… yadda, yadda. These days, I'm a little quicker on the draw, especially now that I'm of an age where mortality has become a thing. Once you start realizing you only have so many more years left before your mind and body start dictating the scene more, you get a little selective with how much time you wanna devote to BS.
If you don't value you, then who will? This was my biggest takeaway last year, when I said goodbye to people who didn't value my friendship or company. It actually started at the end of 2012, when a chance run-in with a woman at a bar gave me one of the biggest "aha!" moments of my life. Turned out, we had a mutual acquaintance who — shall we say — "overlapped" his time with us. In that instant, I realized I'd undervalued myself by being an option, as I'd known deep down that I wasn't the "exclusive". The moment I gave myself value, I gave myself a life I valued. Things fortunately fell into place from there.
Be good to yourself. It's always so easy to criticize ourselves, point out our flaws and take ourselves for granted. That's all well and good, as long as you balance it out by treating yourself to a spa day, a nice dinner, or just some alone time somewhere where you are doing something that makes you happy. I'm a sucker for a massage and anything arts, music and culture related. Added bonus if all of the above are done in a faraway locale.
Sex is exponentially better when you genuinely like the person you're with. It's official: my twenties SUCKED. Also — although it's fared better — a good portion of my thirties too. In fact, I can honestly say that there is NOTHING better than being intimate with someone who you are on the same page with in every way. When you have mutual respect, understanding and… most importantly… trust, everything takes on a whole new mind-blowing level.
Loyalty weeds out the riffraff. There's a saying that goes "quality over quantity". I'm fortunate in this lifetime to have been acquainted with and gotten to know so many amazing people. But I've come to learn the hard way the difference between people who call themselves your friend and the people who truly are friends. Case in point: There are about 600 or so people listed as my friend on Facebook, but if I'm having a shitty day and need to talk to someone who can give me a good "back in the day" story that makes me laugh til my ribs hurt, or remind me of something we've gone through together that tested us much more than said shitty day, then that number decreases by about 590. Even when life takes you in different directions, you always find a way back to a place where time stands still, and you know that person has your back in the event someone wants to stab you in it. If you're lucky enough to have friends like that, then it's easy to let go of anyone who thinks you must prove yourself to be their ideal and fit in their peg. Fuck 'em.
You don't have to be something you're not, but you also don't have to be relegated to a label. Although I'm more personally familiar with the term "broke" than I am "rich", I've had the pleasure and privilege of meeting, working for and with, getting to know and spend enjoyable times with people who are considered rich and famous. I'm not gonna lie, there have been times where I've asked myself "How the fuck did I get here?", but the most important thing was never saying or thinking that I shouldn't be. Of course, there have been times where the differences were more obvious and palpable (i.e. black girl in a predominantly white community setting), but I learned the only person that can truly make me feel like an outcast is me. Adversely, even with the experiences I've had, it doesn't make me any better than anyone else. At the end of the day, we're all human beings.
When it's right, it isn't hard. I used to think relationships were supposed to be hard, and anything you want in life required some sort of struggle. There was, and is, a popular belief that if you aren't constantly fighting then you must not care about a person or a cause. While I won't debate that theory, I've come to see that not everything requires — or deserves — a fight. In my later years, it's become clearer that when something is right for you, it fits seamlessly into the fabric of your being. The perfect career move. The perfect love story. Anything that's meant to bring you joy and peace of mind should never bring you pain or stress. Childbirth, naturally, is excluded from this conversation.
When it's wrong, let it go. It's not complicated. If it hurts you. If it makes you question your judgement. If it takes away your strength or power or joy… Let. It. Go.
Forgive. Life is going to be filled with challenging times and personalities. Not everything is going to go your way. People will disappoint you. You will disappoint them, and even yourself. It's the cycle of life. Nobody is perfect. We all have bad days, and sometimes they overcome our common sense and ability to have compassion. Holding on to whatever gave us grief is natural, but ultimately unhealthy if we want to function in society in a way that doesn't scare people away. My greatest lesson in this life — thus far — has been to forgive. Forgive others, and above all forgive myself. It's the greatest feeling of all.
Find your happy place. For me, it was a mix of yoga, meditation and then finally embracing a Buddhism practice after years of just being curious. Once I began taking account of how my actions and thoughts either navigated or perpetuated something — good or bad — I became clearer on just how much power I have in whether it persists or if it ends. If things become overwhelming, I just breathe or chant. But if that doesn't work…
Wine is a magical elixir. It makes bad days go away. It makes you sleep better when your mind has been so busy racing that you can't settle down. It makes Olivia Pope human again after she's been so caught up saving folks in Washington and sleeping with the president and hot spies while simultaneously holding her own against a spicy first lady and all while looking fabulous in Prada and Max Mara coats. Okay, this last one was clearly my way of expressing excitement in the return of "Scandal" tomorrow (which I'll be missing because I'll be watching Audra McDonald slay as Lady Day on Broadway). But seriously, a glass of red can be a girl's best friend. Two or more can be her worst enemy, if she's not careful. What I've learned thus far is that when you yourself continue to get better with age, you learn to appreciate things that do so as well.
Given my life lessons thus far, I imagine I'm going to have yet another stupid-epic breakthrough… or a massive headache from all the crying and screaming I may do when Iyanla tries to fix our lives.
Thankfully, there will be meditation and yoga. I think this crowd is gonna need it… especially if they're anything like me. (Which we all know they are.)
I'm packing lots of tissues…
By lrblountin Friendship, Life, Love, Pop Culture, Relationships September 25, 2014 September 29, 2014 1,655 WordsLeave a comment
When it comes to the subject of love, I'd developed a fairly warped perspective over the years.
Some may have used the word "cynical" or perhaps "jaded", even.
Like most people (with a vagina, whose estrogen levels are only slightly bested by oxygen), I had bought into the belief over time that all the Disney fairy tales, Harlequin novels and anything that wreaked of romance was the definition of true love. In other words, it didn't exist unless there were grand gestures (preferably without "Jazz hands").
To be fair, like many many disillusioned people out there, I'd come from a broken home and didn't know better. Unfortunately, sex ed only taught you what things were and where they go, but glossed over the part about what emotions and actions should accompany any of it. Recipe for disaster…
Undoubtedly, it was by sheer fortune that two amazing women came into my life and provided me with one of the greatest examples of the truest, most unconditional love I'd ever witnessed. It was through watching them on their journey from courtship, to friendship, to relationship, to hardship (with acceptance) and finally partnership that I realized the true meaning of what it's like to find your soul mate.
Much to the excitement of myself and a few dozen friends and family — and after nearly ten years, countless gatherings, and a couple of freshly passed laws — my friends El and Chris decided to make it official. When they asked me to officiate their ceremony, I didn't think twice (well, once I found out it would be the second, non-traditional "symbolic" version, I didn't).
During our consultation with the minister, I was asked why I'd agreed to do the ceremony, to which my response was simply "Because it's them". What had been unsaid, was that after observing them over the years, I learned the very thing that was missing from my education during my upbringing…
Through them I learned that beyond passion, there has to be compassion. That patience and tolerance are nonexistent terms when you're with someone who "gets" you. That the right person will not try to "make you better", but will instead bring out the best in who you already are, as you ideally would for them. That friendship takes any relationship to a higher level, and if you don't like the person you're with, loving them — authentically — is an uphill battle.
Of course, I also became more cognizant of these things while experiencing my own ups and downs in dating. The past year alone had been an invaluable awakening, as it found me coming to terms with my genuine feelings, and determining that settling was no longer an option. After coming off of two long-term pairings (the bulk of which were both miserable), I'd made a choice to go with my gut and walk away from anything that made me unhappy or uncomfortable.
Very often, men and women stay in relationships they should long have ended for the sake of "making things work," because that's what we've been told throughout history by people who, in retrospect, probably had numerous affairs and whose vested interest likely had monetary motivation. Or religious connotations. Or Tyler Perry.
Not only did the union I'd be a part of show me differently, but I'd come to see and feel it for myself thanks to a smart, confident, funny, wickedly charming and all-around beautiful man who has helped me make sense of it all in just a short period of time.
Tonight, while listening to a Deepak Chopra meditation about "Finding Love", it felt as if — for the first time in my life — I was ahead of the class. As Deepak explained how having love within allows you to have a greater love for others, it resonated in ways I couldn't imagine just a couple of years ago, but was keenly aware of now. Once I stopped fighting my heart and following it instead, it led me to a place that has been so effortless and pleasure-filled, that I've decided to allow it to guide all my other moves going forward. (Although asking it to choose winning Lotto numbers might be a stretch.)
Thirty-eight years later, all the intake of books, movies, songs, articles, blog and social media posts, soap operas and "reality TV" simply left me with an overstuffed — yet strangely malnourished — perception of something that comes quite naturally when you don't force yourself to feel it.
When you think about it, most of the greatest love songs and stories are written by people who, in real life, suck at maintaining relationships. I imagine it's because they write what they want love to be and what they think love should be, and the rest of us are drawn in by the semi-mutual feeling, and/or the "misery loves company/you're not alone" aesthetic that comes with a particularly tear-inducing piece of work. Matchmakers and love experts are often single themselves, yet we look to them for guidance with our "happily ever after".
(I'm reminded of a saying: "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.")
This occurred to me when I found myself at an event having a conversation with two women; one was a lovely older woman in her fifties, whose husband was on the event's committee, and would occasionally pop over to chat with his wife of over 30 years. The other was a self-proclaimed "relationship expert" in her late twenties, who had a blog touting many followers, and was — you guessed it — single. At some point, as the younger woman spoke about her relationship theories, the two of us gave each other knowing looks, and waited for her to get bored with us in order for her to move on and allow us to have the conversation we were meant to. It was that moment, when the decision was made never to take relationship advice from anyone who has not been happily married longer than two decades.
Life changing decision… trust.
And although I've stopped taking advice, I remain a constant pupil when it comes to the study of relationships. I understand that when you think you have nothing else to learn, that's usually when you make the most egregious mistakes because you've taken something and/or someone for granted. (Clearly, I've dated a few "experts".)
As I end this post at an ungodly hour, I do so with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to El and Chris, and to my "Jersey Boy" for showing this woman — whose vivid imagination often leads her astray — what it's like to be part of something very real.
They've inspired me, in ways they may never know, to instead follow my own heart…
Until it stops beating.
By lrblountin Life, Love, Relationships, Uncategorized April 19, 2014 April 23, 2014 1,131 WordsLeave a comment


This wonderful party station was once a sewing table!
Having a party station is a great idea for those summer parties. In this post, I will share with you How To Make A DIY Party Station. Making a party station is not as hard as you might think.
Angie at Ambient Wares shows you how she has made one from an old sewing table. Doesn't it look awesome?
Looking for ideas of a cool party station? Check out this one by the House of Wood.


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Costa de la Luz - Cadiz
About Andalucia
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Gibraltar - About
An Aerial view of Gibraltar
About Gibraltar
While Gibraltar has much in common with its next door neighbour, southern Spain, it also has a fascinating history all its own as well as special climatic conditions, its own particular geography, and of course a unique culture.
Climate Geography
Here is a description of some factors affecting "The Rock's" climate as well as average temperatures for every month of the year.
Gibraltar is a strategic area thanks to its geographical position.
History Natural History
Choose from more than one version of this area's intriguing history.
Due to special weather conditions, Gibraltar is lusher & greener than neighbouring Spain, here is the flora and fauna to look out for.
Language & Culture Public Holidays
English is the official language, but not the only language spoken.
Learn about the holidays celebrated by Gibraltarians.
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Comprehensive History
Compare Car Hire rates from leading rent-a-car websites on Costa del Sol.
C&D Solicitors
Specialized in property law (urban and rustic properties) & inheritance law within Andalucia.
Outside Andalucia
Dolphin Watching
Main Sights
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Gibraltar Marinas
This is a traditional way of cooking freshly-caught sea fish, most often sardines. Try it on a beach on the Costa del Sol!
Parador Hotels
Imagine spending the night in a Spanish castle, or how would you like to stay in an ancient monastery or a convent?
Car Hire in Andalucia
The major international Car rental companies have offices in most Andalucian cities and at the major airports such as Malaga Airport.
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Perfect for the vintage bride, these celluloid flower earrings feature a large round design that is accented with pearly beads and rhinestones. They're lightweight and ready to make a statement at any formal event.
Condition: Great previously owned condition. Clips have wonderful tension. Slight discoloration where clips were secured but no major damages.


The second edition of the Fire & Security India Expo (FSIE) held during 22-24 February 2018 in Bengaluru was rather encouraging. With more than 100 participants and ample quality footfalls, the fair witnessed over 150 brands displaying and demonstrating live their technological advancements, and products and solutions catering to the wide demand of the industry. The show was well received and exhibitors hailed it on a positive note. The FSIE is an initiative of FSAI taken under the leadership of the current President Pankaj Dharkar, and is organised jointly by the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI) and NürnbergMesse India (NM).
The rising incidents of protectors allegedly turning perpetrators are of grave apprehension today. The recent assault of a woman by a security guard in her apartment in Chennai is an addition to the number. The profession and entire business of guarding were based on trust and human factors that kept people confi dent in the presence of a guard. These occurrences that precisely amount to breach of trust will devalue them and bring undesirable bearings to the industry. The cause calls for an urgent attention by all stakeholders – the Government, the industry and the enforcement agencies. The PSAR Act 2005 provisions to hold the employer accountable for an offence committed by its employee, which is neither reasonable nor practical for the industry to uphold. However, the industry needs to take responsible steps to preserve the value of the business. This is the time of integrated security deployment, and a concerted enforcement thereof is necessary to produce a sustained result. Proper verifi cation, adequate training, value education and designed deployment of personnel at each hierarchy are a must to keep the business going in a respectable way.
On the same lines, Home Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that detection is the most effective deterrent against crime, and forensics is a key factor in criminal investigation. He asked the police to acquaint themselves to the latest technologies. The Government is adding more forensic laboratories, and with the CCTNS to be fully operational soon their capabilities would be enhanced. The Government has also decided to establish a cybercrime reporting portal to report cybercrimes against women, and a cybercrime laboratory to stop crimes against women and children.


The last Canon Rebel T3 giveaway I participated in was such a big hit I just had to jump on the opportunity to offer another one.
Welcome to the #SummerDreams Camera Ready Sweepstakes!
Organized by Mom Powered Media and hosted by the fantastic #MPMBlogger Elite Team.
Take great pictures with the Canon Black EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera with 12.2 Megapixels 18-55mm and 75-300mm Lenses Included. This Canon EOS Rebel T3 features a 12.2MP CMOS Image Sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 Image Processor for richly detailed images and quick camera response. The Canon Black EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera with 12.2 Megapixels 18-55mm and 75-300mm Lenses Included has Canon's amazing 63-zone, Dual-layer metering for accurate exposures and features Canon's Basic+ function, HD video recording and Live View shooting.
One winner will receive a Canon EOS Rebel T3 Prize Package.
Giveaway ends April 30th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. Only one entrant per household, per mailing address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Winner will be chosen randomly via the Giveaway Tools entry form and will have 48 hours to claim prize. Enter using the giveaway form below.


Kapten Extra Strong White Portion reminds a lot of the classic Kapten White, solid with a higher nicotine content. The taste consists, as known from bergamot and tobacco like aromas. Each box contains 24 portions. The can is black but has its usual maritime profile.


Galaxy Sivtek created dusting free environment and increase efficiency by 100% for color pigment industry.
Customer was using sieving machine for 48″ diameter with an output of 600 kg/hr. Due to improper clamping arrangement they were facing dusting problem. Even clamping arrangement was nut bolt system which becomes very difficult during dismantling machine. This affected screening speed and screening process became much time consuming.
Customer wanted to come out of dusting problem and was in requirement of good clamping system. They approached Galaxy Sivtek. Galaxy Sivtek team did some R&D in their trial house and found that the Super Sivtek 48 with high vibrating and good clamping system can meet client requirement and help to come out of problem faced by them. Galaxy sivtek responded customer and suggested to install Super Sivtek 48 with high vibration technology and good clamping system in their plant.
Customer was completely satisfied with Galaxy Sivtek machine by making dust free environment and increase in output by 5 tons/ hr and efficiency of about 100%. Even manpower was decreased by none.
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Advanced High Throughput Centrifugal Screener For Any Industry!


Marlon James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings, a fictional account of the real-life attempted assassination of Reggae superstar Bob Marley in 1976, has been named winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for Fiction.
The 44-year-old James is the first Jamaican author to win the Man Booker Prize, which is recognized as the leading award for exceptional fiction written in English.
Marlon James wins the Man Booker Prize for Fiction.
Man Booker was first awarded in 1969. This is the second year the prize has been open to writers of any nationality. Previously, the prize was awarded only to authors from the U.K. and The Commonwealth, The Republic of Ireland and Zimbabwe.
Roman then presented James with a £50,000 check ($77,368.72). In addition to the £ 50,000, James also received £2,500($3,869.50) for having been named a finalist. Judges considered 156 novels for the prize.
Based on history, Man Booker is predicted to boost the winner's book sales nationally and internationally. Last year's winning novel, "The Narrow Road to Deep North," by Richard Flanagan has sold 300,000 copies in the U.K. and 800,000 worldwide.
A Brief History of Seven Killings is a 686-page book with more than 75 characters and voices. It is set in Kingston, Jamaica's capital. James tells of Marley's attempted assassination through a myriad of voices from witnesses, FBI and CIA agents to killers, ghosts, beauty queens and Keith Richards's drug dealer. Richards is a member of the Rolling Stones. "The book creates a rich, polyphonic study of violence, politics and musical legacy of Kingston of the 1970s," said the prize's judges.
James said he was inspired and continues to be inspired by novelist Charles Dickens.
'I still consider myself a Dickensian in as much as there are aspects of storytelling I believe in — plot, surprise, cliffhangers,' he told Interview Magazine.
A Brief History of Seven Killings was published by Oneworld Publications, which is based in London.
James was born in Kingston on November 24, 1970. He teaches English at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota.


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Matias Gonçalves de Oliveira Roxo, primeiro e único barão de Oliveira Roxo (Piraí, 12 de maio de 1852 — Rio de Janeiro, 23 de julho de 1922), foi um proprietário rural brasileiro.

Filho de Matias Gonçalves de Oliveira Roxo, primeiro barão de Vargem Alegre, e de Joaquina Clara de Morais; irmão de José Gonçalves de Oliveira Roxo, barão da Guanabara, de Luís Otávio de Oliveira Roxo, visconde de Vargem Alegre, e de Rita Clara de Oliveira Roxo, baronesa consorte de Santa Maria. Casou-se com sua sobrinha materna, Joaquina Clara Carneiro Leão, nascida em 1864 e falecida no Rio de Janeiro a 07-08-1945, filha de Nicolau Neto Carneiro Leão, barão de Santa Maria; tiveram sete filhos.

Era o caçula dos filhos do Barão de Vargem Alegre. Herdou deste a Fazenda Espuma, as margens do Rio Paraíba do Sul.

Recebeu o baronato por decreto de 13 de setembro de 1882.

Naturais de Piraí
Proprietários rurais do Rio de Janeiro
Baronatos do Brasil

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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MAD Elevator
Rising to the top: How custom software was the key to successHow success
Named as one of Canada's Fastest Growing 500 Companies for eight years in a row, MAD Elevator has innovated its way around numerous barriers to become Canada's largest elevator fixture manufacturer, and North America's only one-stop source for both elevator interiors and fixtures
Although there are many key factors behind MAD Elevator's growth and continued success, customization, digitization, and a strong belief in the company's culture have been instrumental. Headquartered in Mississauga, ON and founded in 2005, the company primarily serves the modernization market and has built a reputation as a high-quality manufacturer, selling its products to major elevator contractors such as KONE, Schindler, Otis and Thyssenkrupp.
When Steve Reich-Rohrwig, president of the company joined the business in 2008, MAD had only 22 employees. Today in 2020, the company has a workforce of over 200 and continues to find itself named among the best in the industry including Canada's Best Employers for Recent Graduates and previously The Globe and Mail's Top 400 Growing Companies. It's been 12 years of incredible transformation for Steve.
"We started out as a small custom manufacturer designing elevator control panels for specific buildings," Steve explains. "We lasered and formed metal, and assembled purchased buttons, electronics and wire. We weren't a software company - we didn't have any software engineers or experience - but we had two common constraints that forced us forward: lack of money and lack of space."
The early shortage of funds meant instructionsthat, in order to provide the ideal level of responsiveness to MAD customers, Steve wanted to find ways to make his existing resources more efficient rather than hire more staff. It became essential to pinpoint and direct resources towards areas where the company could add more value.
"The time spent looking for information was time that didn't add value for our customers," states Steve. "Time spent providing information to a client, on the other hand, was adding value. In looking for a solution to this problem, MADTrack was born in search of a solution to this small program that consolidates data from multiple sources, allowing us to perform dynamic searches using any number of variables in one place and using only one process. The result was that customers received answers instantly, which consequently led to happier customers and more orders.
"It was simple to have a custom application made for us like this," Steve adds. "Of course, there have been and are now, 3rd party applications that do what MADTrack does, including our current ERP – but going custom meant we had the application work for our data and existing processes, not the other way around. It was quick, cost effective and we could always commit to a larger SAS solution at a later date if necessary."
Inspired by the success of MADTrack, MAD embarked on an intensive digitization program that helped business to link processes, capture data for instant access and increase manufacturing efficiency. Since then what Incbegan as a mission to quickly provide accurate information to external customers has shifted to serving internal customers, helping the workforce of MAD to make faster, better, fully informed decisions on a daily basis.
"What makes us different is the number of custom programs we've introduced and the way we continue to digitize our information processes," Steve declares. "Through digitization, by accelerating and automating tasks, we are enabling our people to focus on actions that require human intelligence and drive value for our customers.
"A colleague has recently pointed out that we employ a concept used in aviation called Black Cockpit. Essentially, instead of the old analog days of flights where all information was visible for the operator to constantly monitor, today everything is black, except for the one item upon which the operator needs to take action. That is what we applied to manufacturing. For example, think of our two buyers who order an average of 253 items per day," Steve says. "ERPs are great at making recommendations and exception reports, but in terms of volume they take enormous effort to review and execute, meaning there is a tremendous opportunity for error. When reviewing those 253 lines each day, is it realistic for a human to catch the two or three abnormalities per week that need to be investigated? Through our digitization and custom programming, we are able to automate the bulk of the work, freeing up our staff to easily identify those abnormalities and spend more time on supplier management, rather than processing paper."
A few years after MADTrack was introduced, digitization at MAD was in full swing and information was fast and swiftly available Nightly emails were being sent automatically to inform sales reps about the status of their orders and there was no longer need to log into a system and check a dashboard. "I read the highlights of the previous day on my phone while I was brushing my teeth in the morning!" Steve recalls. However, the growing business was soon to encounter its next constraint – MAD was running out of office space faster than production space.
Employing lean processes, they were able to cut production time from four weeks to one week, though increasing demand meant that there was not enough room for MAD staff in the front office. Consequently, the company looked for ways to streamline and expedite its front office operations.
"Using our experience with MADTrack, we started making our own custom UI application to interface with our system," Steve reveals. "As an external applications, we weren't confined just to that ERP, so I could interface with all our different programs via the same UI. Soon our order entry process was not only performing in half the time, but it also automatically created a project directory on the server, printing folder labels (now eliminated, we're 90 per cent paperless), emailing sales managers and adding to the engineering queue. Today, this ensures that our Packaging Department will scan parts while they pack customer orders to ensure that what is packaged suits the order, eliminate human quality checks and allowing the work to move faster."
Over four times larger than its original site, MAD moved into its current 80,000 square foot facility in 2017. It is a suitable location from which the company can now look to continue its irrepressible recent growth – more than 141 per cent in the last five years alone. Even, though Steve relishes the scale and freedom of MAD's new location, he is grateful for the challenges that the company faced in its early days and the hallmark ingenuity they drew out of the business.
"In the past, there has always been an external reason driving for us to do things smarter and faster which shaped the culture we have today," Steve remarks. "When you look at our history, we absolutely did not follow the route of an enterprise system to manage everything, which meant that we could run our business as we wanted to run it, not as our ERP wanted. Today, our ERP's UI is only used by the finance department and occasionally for non-routine operations; everything else from order entry, BOM creation, job creation, purchasing, receiving, material picking, job completion, packaging, shipping and invoicing is highly automated and done through our custom programs. Of course, you still need an ERP for all the background operations and transactions. We use SYSPRO, which has been incredibly successful for us as it provides a large library of APIs that we can write custom software to."
Since the release of the first elevator in-car touchscreen in 2008 through to the current portfolio of touchless solutions, MAD has earned a reputation as the most forward-thinking elevator fixture manufacturer in North America – but Steve believes the company still has room to grow. In addition to expanding its product range in 2021, MAD will be reviewing processes defined as requiring human intelligence to introduce more automation, as well as looking at the role of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.
"Even in our black cockpit, the notifications are still reactive or near term. To get to the next level, we need to use the data we generate to influence decisions that are not currently connected," Steve reports. "To small manufacturers, I believe AI just sounds like a buzz word that consultants use to make their pitches sound better. However, as a small manufacturer ourselves, I do see an immediate application to our business. The next steps, like our journey up until now, will be small but fast and developed inhouse."
As we approach the end of 2020, MAD is ten times bigger than when Steve joined the business. The path the company has taken is certainly the path less travelled, but it is a path that Steve wishes many small businesses will consider in the future.
"Years ago, a representative of the Canadian National Research Council told me what we were doing was remarkable and how they see so many small companies struggling to break the five million CAD revenue ceiling," Steve says in closing. "These businesses are too small to afford and customize a comprehensive system, but they are struggling to scale without it. As part of building pride in our history, we have recently launched consulting at 'www.theMADsoftware.com' to help other small manufacturers by showcasing what is possible, and assisting them in optimizing their own systems. The story of MAD is important and we want to use it to give back."
MAD Elevator Inc
Products: Elevator interiors and fixtures
www.madelevator.com
Tags: MAD Elevator Inc,	Elevator interiors and fixtures


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Browsing: Special Feature
Finalists for the 2019 African Responsible Tourism Awards announced
A sports event attracting 20 000 participants, an operator specializing in treks up Kilimanjaro and a safari beach lodge are only some of the inspirational…
The Luxury Collection announces First Hotel in the Seychelles
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Brandon Valley golfers finish 9th
The Brandon Valley boys' golf team finished ninth out of 15 teams with 650 points Tuesday, Aug. 15, during the Warrior-Lynx Invitational.
The Lynx beat Spearfish and Watertown by four strokes each, and Harrisburg edged Brandon Valley by two strokes to take eighth. Sioux Falls Washington won the meet with a 604, and Sioux Falls O'Gorman was second, 606.
Austin Swenson shot a score of 163 to lead Brandon Valley and tie Harrisburg's Bennett Geraets for 27th place. Lynx teammate Mitch Gusso shot a 164 to tie Aberdeen Central's Bennett Lundy for 30th place.
Also participating for Brandon Valley was Jackson Faber, 166, 36th; Matt Gusso, 166, 36th; Lucas Schobert, 169, 43rd; and Emmet Hansen, 176, 57th.
Mitch Gusso and Schobert were All-Conference performers last season and are two of six returning letter winners including Matt Gusso, Faber, Swenson and Hansen.
"We are starting to gain experience," said Lynx coach Scott Carroll, who is in his 16th year at the helm. "Our younger players have played now for a year and know the courses and have gained confidence. Our older players have continued to gain experience and have helped our younger players become more comfortable."
Carroll will be assisted by Todd Geerdes, who has been with the program for 14 years.
After finishing third in the conference race last year, Carroll said he expects to finish in the ESD's top two and take sixth or better at the Class AA state tournament. He said consistency is the key.
"Our team has a lot of potential but have to eliminate big numbers," Carroll said. "We need to be smart and take what the course is giving us and not try to hit that miracle shot. We must also continue to take strides on the course and compete which will help their confidence as they head into some of the big tournaments."


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Jenny Mathers
Principal Artistic Director
Jenny Mathers is currently the Director of Music at Korowa Anglican Girls' School, Glen Iris,
Melbourne, having been privileged to work at a number of Melbourne's leading schools in both the government and non-government sectors during her long music teaching career. She has enjoyed many forms of music making including playing the clarinet (L.Mus.A), accompanying students on the piano (A.Mus.A) and singing (AMus.A) in choirs.
Jenny has felt very blessed to have been able to study conducting throughout her career. A series of Summer Schools for ABODA (Australian Band and Orchestral Director's Association), ACCET (Australian Choral Conductors Education and Training) and ANCA (Australian National Choral Association) led to studying at the Florida State University in 1997. This Masters of Education, majoring in Choral Conducting, saw her immersed in training with both the legendary Professor Rodney Eichenberger and Dr Andre Thomas, and this year of study was undeniably life-changing. Jenny continues to teach choral conducting each year at the ACCET Summer School, and is a member of this committee, as well as currently serving as the Secretary of the Victorian/Tasmanian branch of the ANCA Committee.
Her choral work is perhaps most notable in the twenty-two years spent performing in the largely 'a cappella' chamber choir Ensemble Gombert, of which she was a founding member. However, over the years she has guest conducted many community choirs, including Chime Choir, under the leadership of both Jayne Turner and Marten Visser. As Associate Musical Director, Jenny wrote that "she loves working with Chime and enjoys their incredible musicianship, work ethic and also their relational approach". It was a logical step to apply for the role of Principal Artistic Director. Whilst mindful of the wonderful legacy left by all of the previous conductors, she is excited to have been given the opportunity to keep striving for excellence.
Coral Rafferty
Principal Accompanist
Coral holds both Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music, a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne, and also a Bachelor of Educational Studies from Monash University. Coral is the Head of Music at Haileybury College, Berwick.
Coral accompanies the choir on the piano at rehearsals and during performances, both in Melbourne and on tour. She has an inexhaustible passion for choral accompanying; relishing the challenge of supporting the choristers and developing an artistic collaboration with conductors. Having worked with the Chime Choir for more than twenty years, and Marten Visser for over 8 years, the mental telepathy between conductor and accompanist is essentially flawless! That same precision is evident in Coral's collaboration with Jenny Mathers, developed over Jenny's many sessions as Chime conductor. Coral's marvelous touch on the keyboard, and keen understanding of the Director's methods enable her to assist the choir tremendously in learning new music, and in interpreting established repertoire.
During her long and happy association with Chime, Coral has been fortunate to travel with the choir as Accompanist to Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, England and Scotland, United States.
Marten Visser
Past-Principal Artistic Director
www.martenvisser.com
Marten Visser is the immediate past-Principal Artistic Director with Chime Choir.
Marten holds a Bachelor of Music with major studies in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and Marten holds a Bachelor of Music with major studies in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and also post graduate studies in Education & Christian Ministry. He studied Choral Conducting with Andrew Wailes (Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Chorale), Dr Ian Burk (Australian Catholic University) and Dr Geoffrey Cox (St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne). He has also participated in Choral Master classes with Dr Rodney Eichenberger (Florida State University), Dr Andree Thomas (Florida State University) and Assoc Prof. Carl Crossin OAM (Elder Conservatorium). Marten studied voice performance and vocal pedagogy with Loris Synan (Monash University) and Susan Breen-Clark (The University of Melbourne).
Marten is currently the Director of Music at St Margaret's and Berwick Grammar School, a leading school for Choral Music and Music Education. Previously, he was the Leader of Performing Arts and Head of Vocal and Choral Studies at Wantirna College, Melbourne.
Marten has worked as a guest conductor, consultant, and adjudicator with the National Institute for Performing Arts Australia, The Australian Children's Choir, the Mildura Eisteddfod, the Jubilate Choir Melbourne, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Gippsland Grammar School, Haileybury College, Donvale Christian College, The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the North Eastern Victorian Regional Education Office.
Marten took over the Artistic Direction of Chime Choir in 2012, after a brief stint as Assistant Artistic Director under Jayne Turner. After many influential years as Chime's musical leader, Marten has recently stepped down as Principal Artistic Director but looks forward to maintaining his close association with Chime and assisting the choir's continuing development.