Beauty and the Beast. Little Shop of Horrors. The Little Mermaid. Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winner Howard Ashman wrote the lyrics for some of the stage and screen's best-loved scores before his untimely death in 1991.
This new volume of PS Classics' celebrated Songwriter Series, drawn primarily from private demo recordings, features Ashman singing selections from all these scores, as well as songs from lesser-known shows like God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and from unproduced works. A bonus CD includes a true rarity: the complete demos – 15 tracks – from Ashman's 1986 collaboration with Marvin Hamlisch, the Broadway musical Smile.
This two-CD set captures the diverse and memorable accomplishments of one of the true geniuses of the contemporary American musical theatre.
In late 1985, Hamlisch and Ashman met with Bob Fosse after a workshop performance of Smile to try and interest him in the project. Ashman's tape of that meeting survives, and it offers a rare look at three musical theatre luminaries discussing the strengths and weaknesses of a major work in progress.


We went over to Hysan Place at causeway bay because we are going to see the Popup store by Line~!~! This event is until 4th June 2014.
This shopping mall is opened since 2012 Where?
Causeway bay station exit F2.
The price range of the stuff there are not cheap but as for me the reason for me to visit again and again is because of the famous bookstore, Eslite, for people who love to read and travel to Taiwan will know it.
There is only 1 in Hong Kong as of now and just open another store this year Jan in Suzhou, China.
Would recommend you to buy Mandarin book instead of English books there, asthe cost is higher over there. Still love the ambiance though. I will introduce it more when i write my post about my trip in Taiwan. In the end i didn't buy any books there because i just brought the book i need last year-end in Taiwan.


text:
Christine Wicker
Christine Wicker, former religion reporter for The Dallas Morning News, is a freelance writer in Dallas, Texas. Her most recent book is The Simple Faith of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Religion's Role in the FDR Presidency (Smithsonian Books, 2017).
Black pastors challenge their white colleagues' silence
"We need to hear you say clearly in the pulpit and in the streets that white supremacy and racism is wrong," a black pastor told a group of white colleagues following the police shooting of an unarmed, African-American man. "And no more generalizations. It has to be specific."
NewsChristine Wicker
FDR: When an appeal to Scripture united a divided nation
Franklin Roosevelt's powerful biblical imagery brought hope to a nation in the depths of an economic and social crisis, and instilled support for his progressive social vision. Could it happen today?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Monroe City School Board: Legals
October 21, 2021 Free PressLegals
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID NOTICE
Sealed Bids will be received by the Purchasing Manager at Monroe City School Board, 2006 Tower Drive, Monroe, LA 71201, or electronically by online submission at www.bidexpress.com, until 2:00 P.M., CST on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud for:
Monroe City School Board
Water Fountain Alterations
Bid Number: MC22-03
Complete Bidding Documents for this project are available in electronic form and may be obtained from the Architect, Bid Express, Monroe City School Board website to all Bonafide Prime Bidders. Awarded Contractor will be responsible for reproduction costs for construction purposes of additional construction documents prints. Questions about this procedure shall be directed to the Architect at:
The Architecture Alliance Group, L.L.C. (TA2G)
1900 N. 18th Street, Suite 603
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
The project is classified as Building Construction, Mechanical Work, Plumbing or Specialty. All bids must be accompanied by bid security equal to five percent (5%) of the base bid and all additive alternates and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier's check or bid bond written by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana, countersigned by a person who is under contract with the surety company or bond issuer as a licensed agent in this State and who is residing in this state. No Bid Bond indicating an obligation of less than five percent (5%) by any method is acceptable.
The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a performance and payment bond written by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana and shall be countersigned by a person who is contracted with the surety company or bond issuer as agent of the company or issuer, and who is licensed as an insurance agent in this State, and who is residing in this State, in an amount equal to the 100% of the contract amount.
No bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after receipt of bids, except under the provisions of Act 111 of 1983.
A mandatory pre-bid conference will be November 12, 2021, at 9:00 A.M. at the Carroll High School Auditorium School campus to discuss all projects. Bids shall be accepted only from Prime Bidders who attend the Mandatory Pre-bid Conference. Subcontractors are welcome to attend.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
President Mr. Daryll Berry
ATTEST:
Dr. Brent Vidrine, Superintendent
10/21/21, 10/28/21, 11/4/21 (Publication Dates)
Monroe City Council: September 28, 2021 Minutes
You are still standing strong
Monroe City Council: December 14, 2021 Minutes
Monroe City Council Minutes: November 23, 2021 Minutes
Monroe City Council Minutes: November 9, 2021 Minutes


We waste our time, talking about where we would like to be as a country without doing anything about, this is not unique to Namibia, unfortunately, we often question as Young Global Leaders from this beautiful continent, as to why we are left behind and why we are the last frontier in the world, what is so special about us that we take the world cup on incompetency, slowness to implement, lowest value contribution to global economy.
1) The level of mistrust of local investors is extremely high. We are happiest when we are courting outside investors. A year ago, with a few months left before opening of the store, we engaged the DBN to raise debt funding and we were informed of the Equipment Scheme at the then Ministry of Trade and industry as a way that could address some of the equipment needs in our funding request. Being hesitant, we drafted the letter, indicated where we wanted to locate our factory, the value that this initiative will derive for the local economy, indicated our contribution to date, our pending application with the DBN and also what we had accomplished up to that point. To our surprise we received an answer within a relative short time, less than 3 months after our request. At this point we were still waiting for the DBN to respond. The store opened, our limited production started to slow us down and then we held our breath and received our equipment almost a year from date of when we received approval letter for the equipment. After a significant investment from our end and creating over 60 jobs in a space of a year, we are now left with an import bill of N$1 million and a closed import account with the Receiver of Revenue because the Inland Revenue staff continue to ignore our Equipment Agreement with the Ministry and question how we benefited from this scheme and want to know what is our contribution as though what we achieved some because of the scheme. Our contribution through supply chain local supply payments, houses mortgaged and funding contributed brings the equipment contribution by the Ministry (although well received and appreciated) to about 10% to the initiative. So our overall contribution as the local investor is significant.
Local investors are as important as outside investors, on any given day – they are so vested in this economy that they will do anything, work 24 hours if that is what is required to make their investment work. Let us appreciate ourselves more, let us support local businesses in a meaningful way so that they can grow their business in this small market to expand outside of Namibia to proudly raise the Namibian flag and also to increase our contribution to the global value chain. Not everyone is out to steal, not everyone is looking to skim the government. Lets put processes in place to identify good, meaningful business and a process to prosecute those that cheat the system.
2) Our labour wars against colonial companies has not ended – our labour laws are protectionist to an extend that they are more detrimental to job creation. We are destroyers of jobs and value. Staff can serve you notice and work their days as required and you as company have to honour that. You on the other hand cannot serve them notice and if you do use your right to serve them notice because of poor performance, they will leave and there is no counter for Companies at the Labour Commission office for you to take your grievances to be assisted.
3) Combine the anaemic talent supply add lack of work ethnic and you are slow company to execute. But this is what you companies start off in Namibia, our talent is not skilled but this would not be a real issue if there was work ethic because then talent gap could be easily and quickly overcome. However when you find that only 10% of hires have the required work ethic building a global business based in Namibia becomes a different ball game. Our focus on talent must become more targeted, the NTA appears more interested in courting asset managers for the collected Training levy than funding training and like most institutions that we set up, there is no oversight in terms of delivery and I fear that this will become another money accumulation institution, unproductive money, unproductive capital that could be used assist to move our economy forward.
4) Unproductive capital at local DFIs- 6 months to respond to a request as DFI, not acceptable.
We have real challenges but more than anything we have to have a voice in the global economy and this we can only achieve by export, by putting our goods into hands of consumers in markets that can drive and stimulant local production. We need to celebrate our brands that are out there flying the Namibian flag. I am optimistic about the opportunities that Namibians, lets create a different narrative about ourselves, lets us create an economic voice for Namibia, for our own prosperity.


The 2017 program featured a wide range of topics, including the latest updates on HPV Vaccination & Screening and New Treatment Options in Ovarian Cancer as well as key issues on Clinical Trials, Development of a New Drug/ New Treatment and Management of Survivorship.
The new format of roundtable discussions with leading experts on What is New in Gynaecological Cancer? and Let the Expert NGOs Speak, stimulated the interaction between patient advocacy representatives and the experts.
Special sessions on the late effects of treatment and the collaboration between Patient Advocacy Groups and ESGO were presented on the second day of the program.
Read the Final Report of the Patient Seminar.
Are you a leader of a patient advocacy group missed the 2017 Seminar?


Appointments are seen on a scheduled basis only. The hours available for appointments vary depending on the doctors travel and speaking engagement schedule. Please call the appointment line at 314-567-4131 for current availability.
2. What is the location of the hospital?
Veterinary Behavior Consultations currently sees appointments in the Animal Skin Clinic which is located at 11148 Olive Blvd in St Louis.
3. Do I need to have an appointment?
Yes, patients are seen by appointment only.
5. Can I make payments?
6. What is the cost for a consultation?
The cost of the consultation will vary depending on what behavioral problems your pet is displaying. Our appointment line staff can discuss specifics when you call.
7. What is the length of a consultation?
Initial consultations may take anywhere from 2-3 hours, depending on the depth of pathology for your pet's behavioral problems. During this time, an in depth history will be obtained, a diagnosis made, and a treatment plan outlined and discussed in detail. Please plan your time accordingly. Due to the length of appointments, it may not be suitable to bring young children.
8. What is included in my consultation fee?
Your initial consultation fee includes the appointment, treatment plan and three months of weekly phone follow-up with our veterinarians to discuss progress.


text:
L'Accompagnatrice est un film français réalisé par Claude Miller, sorti en 1992, d'après un roman du même nom de Nina Berberova, publié en 1934.

Synopsis
Pendant l'hiver 1942/1943, sous l'Occupation, une jeune femme devient l'accompagnatrice d'une grande cantatrice. Elle pénètre alors dans un monde qui ne lui est pas coutumier, où règnent le luxe, l'hypocrisie, les trahisons et les compromissions.

Fiche technique
 Titre : L'Accompagnatrice
 Réalisation : Claude Miller
 Scénario : Luc Béraud, Claude Rich et Claude Miller, d'après le roman de Nina Berberova
 Production : Patrick Cassavetti, Manuel Costa e Silva, Jean-Louis Livi et Jean-José Richer
 Musique : Alain Jomy
 Bande Musicale : Laurence Monteyrol (nomination aux victoires de la musique)
 Photographie : Yves Angelo
 Montage : Albert Jurgenson
 Décors : Jean-Pierre Kohut-Svelko
 Costumes : Jacqueline Bouchard
 Pays d'origine :
 Format : couleur - 1,66:1 - Dolby
 Genre : drame et historique
 Durée : 102 minutes
 Date de sortie :
  :

Distribution
 Richard Bohringer : Charles Brice
 Elena Safonova : Irène Brice
 Romane Bohringer : Sophie Vasseur
 Samuel Labarthe : Jacques Fabert
 Julien Rassam : Benoît Weizman
 Nelly Borgeaud : Madame Vasseur
 Bernard Verley : Jacques Ceniat
 Jean-Pierre Kohut-Svelko : le général Heller
 Claude Rich : le ministre
 Gabriel Cattand : l'imprésario parisien
 Alain Jomy : le joueur de clarinette
 Sacha Briquet : le dignitaire
 Florence Rougé : la manucure

Notes et références

Liens externes

Film français sorti en 1992
Film dramatique français
Film historique français
Film réalisé par Claude Miller
Adaptation d'un roman français au cinéma
Film sur la musique classique
Film sur l'Occupation

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Today's Tuesday Trade is Saga volume 6, written by Brian K Vaughan and art by Fiona Staples. Heard of it? Thoughts about family in comics and media from @Twoplai, whose Paul List is a daily comics analysis podcast. Keep reading!


Exclusivity seemed to be the golden ticket for Orkut, at least while it lasted. When Orkut arrived on the scene I had just finally decided to try MySpace and even when Facebook was in full swing I was still convinced I would never "need" Facebook. It comes as no surprise to me that when I finally heard about Orkut it was four years after the company no longer existed. Yup, I am that person.
Orkut had a good run. Orkut was intended to bring users together allowing them to locate communities of personal or professional interest. Orkut was most popular among students and those in the tech industry. Users were able to connect with others in their field but also with experts. It would be like being a student of the performing arts and connecting with Broadway and movie stars – it was a pretty big deal.
Orkut was successful early on, in part because Orkut was run by Google and well, Google has a reputation for being awesome.
There is a thing called diffusion of innovation and it is essentially the process of examining why people adopt (or ignore/hate/reject) products that have been recently introduced to the market. It helps people in business, marketing and development to understand why some products stick and others do not.
Once accepted as one of the "chosen ones" users could rate products and services (for the benefit of other users) and even rate each other- you think someone is attractive – rate 'em… I am just going to leave that alone. Moving on.
Exclusivity was not the only attraction, though.The site was also clean, sophisticated and intuitive for the end user. In Brazil where e commerce was booming and social media and was the preferred connection portal Orkut's design was a major hit. Orkut gained major traction in this region of the world. It seems that Orkut may have missed out on the opportunity to tap into other markets the way they had Brazil. Orkut had a sleek design and a target market but they seemed to lack a plan to ensure longevity. The communities that adopted the platform did well but Orkut wasn't able to grow beyond that.
Orkut lacked a plan on what the goal of the company was and how to execute. They had early adopters in large numbers but there is no indication that the numbers were interrupted in to useful information. In the Orkal was a pretty platform for pretty people but it lacked substance and staying power.
If you read my first blog "We, as humans, want to be first and we want to win" then you know that I generally believe that most people want to win and/or be first and for no particular reason. That blog specifically spoke to driving, but as my husband has observed (and, as far as I am concerned, correctly to date) people walk like they drive. Do you know what I am talking about? It occurs when I park and exit my car [in a parking lot] about the same time as another patron and they start to speed-up. There are fast walkers but you can tell this is forced. They enter the store before you and slow down or have to come to a stop because they left a spouse or elderly parent lagging behind in the parking lot or they are winded and the charade is over. There was absolutely no need for their action other than to be in front of you. Or, perhaps you see the person that takes a wide turn onto into a parking lot, not really observing others around them and you later barely avoid a grocery cart ankle injury because that same "reckless Rhonda" is channeling her aloof tendencies through a metal cage on wheels.
I digress, the point that I am getting to is that there are people who want to be first just for the sake of it are the same people living a double life as sheep. Sheep – you know what they do right? They follow the herd. No questions asked – they go along with whatever because that must be the "right thing"- everyone is doing it. Warning – another traffic metaphor – pay attention the next time you come to a traffic light with two straight or two turning lanes almost always there is a line of cars five [cars] deeper than the other – and for no reason – they are going to the same place. They get in the longer lane because there must be a reason everyone else is doing it. Sheep.
Sheep are everywhere and I find that in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness month, there is an abundance of them and as a human and a woman I find it embarrassing. If you follow social media you have probably seen a variation of the following messages, sent privately on Facebook.
"Put the number, followed by the word "inches," and how long it takes to do your hair… Remember last year so many people took part it made national news and, the constant updating of status reminded everyone why we're doing this and helped raise awareness!! Do NOT tell any males what the status' mean, keep them guessing!! And please copy and paste (in a message) this to all your female friends to see if we can make a bigger fuss this year than last year!!! I did my part…now YOUR turn! Go on ladies…and let's have all the men guessing!!" (Trussell, 2012).
This message encourages woman to put an obscure message on the wall of their Facebook page. They are instructed not to tell anyone (e.g. men) what it means – just post and pass along the message to as many other females as possible.
I am reasonably confident that most women participated, not because they like being herded, but because a) They probably know someone or know someone who knows someone who has been affected by [breast] cancer and wanted to feel like they were somehow helping b) secondary, but certainly an important factor, they felt part of the group. After seeing other women with this message on their Facebook profile they had been tapped for inclusion. Without a thought more women all over the globe obliged.
"The best thing is not to try to write things that will go viral.
The best thing is to write for just one person. Make an impact on just one person. Even better, make it so they can't sleep at night unless they choose to make a difference for one other person.
(For Daniel's full blog check it out here).
If we look at Godin's feedback and apply it to the breast cancer movement on Facebook and assume that the first person to start this post just wanted to help we can envision that maybe they sat at their laptop and were desperate for action, desperate for a cure- for their wife, their mother, their sister or their self and this was the first step they took. It was the only thing they knew to do in that moment. When coming from that point-of-view it is easy to see how it started and why it continued.
Hold on to that thought as I share another perspective.
My sister's birthday is March 6th, and on this day three years ago I hoped on Facebook to share a fun post reminding the world (or at least my followers/friends) that my younger sister was getting older. I scrolled through my feed and then I saw it, a post that stopped me in my tracks, caught my breath- no, it was not caught, my breath was taken – taken away – my body was erect and defensive. A classmate from high school, 33 years old, claimed this day, March 6th as her 'D-Day'. Diagnosis day. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer. March 6th has always been, to me, a day of celebration, funny cards, silly phone messages, presents and cake. To her this was a day of uncertainty.
Over the next two years I read every post she made, every pain, fear, anxiety and hope that she shared – I clung to it. She and I were not close, but we knew each other. I had passed her in the halls [at school] for years, and I remember how she and her sister stood outside their home to board our school bus. She was a new mom now and had hopes of growing her family.
She was the first one I saw to challenge people to not post obscure messages on Facebook. Breast cancer was real for her. It was not a maybe, it was her life. She was not angry but she urged her friends to post something helpful – a reminder to self-check, to get second opinions, to be a self-advocate for health, to remind women and men to take charge of their health and remind their loved ones to do the same, to donate, join a walk – be a part of the movement in a real way. The silly posts hurt her heart, they seemed like more fun than action and it was not acceptable to her. She is a survivor and will forever encourage people in a valuable way.
Sheep are not bad. By design sheep follow and some may argue that we need followers. I disagree. We do not need followers we need advocates and activists. If you think you have been a sheep – a blind follower – you do not have to be any more. Before you act, respond or repost think about what it means. What is your motivation? Do you want to help? If so ask, are you helping? Do you want to educate? If yes, are you educating? Make your voice count.
Trussell, D. (2012) Pinktober! Queue another stupid Facebook meme. Available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2012/10/02/pinktober-queue-another-stupid-facebook-meme/ (accessed June 8, 2016).
If you can get passed the lurkers and those that only go to the gym for the free tanning we all have a gym membership for one reason – to work out.
Everyone that has taken the plunge and signed-up has envisioned a better body – no, not a better one – a hot body. Wait, simmer in that image for a moment. Damn, in my mind I look hot! Like walking into a room in slow motion hot. Hot HOT HOT!
When I envision a slimmer, hotter, cuter me I do not look at a mirror, I look at clothes. Lately I have been online looking at outfits that are out of my size range and comfort zone. I am sorry, did you say "what is a size range"? Well, there is an image many of us get in our head of how we would like to look (remember a moment ago when you simmered in that image?) and then there is the size range. The range is where you know realistically you will or could be in the future. So, I have been looking outside the realistic range. Pinterest has this "women's fashion" category where the whole outfit is conveniently pieced together complete with earrings, bracelets and a color coordinated handbags. That is where I live. In women's fashion la-la-land.
I found myself telling my husband that I felt I was getting soft in the mid-section and things were not fitting quite right. I knew that if I just got back to the gym I would feel great and keep going but I could not seem to just do it. I had done so well and then life happened and days turned to weeks and weeks to a few months and my progress went right out the window. I do not want to start over and I sure as hell do not want to keep feeling like this.
I started walking because, I told myself, I just needed to get back in a routine. Nope, I know what I was really doing. I do not want to go back to the gym all pudged out. I am worried about how I will look and how I will have to essentially start over. In my mind, deep down, I am telling myself if I can lose a few pounds I will feel better and I will go back. WTH!? You are laughing/snicker/chuckling – hopefully not crying – because you have also told yourself this.
I have never looked at anyone in the gym and thought they should not be here (okay, maybe the really sweaty ones – the ones that have sweat pouring off them when they even look at a treadmill – maybe I have wished them away), but the others- fat, short, old, chubby, flabby, out of breath – I have never thought anything but "awesome – work it". Most of the time though I am too worried about me to be thinking of everyone else. So why am I worried that others are going to be judging me? Isn't it more likely they are too concerned with how they look to even notice or judge me?
While I am worried about how I will look my money is wasting away- heating the showers, powering the tanning booths and keeping the lights on for those who dare not to care. Truth is, those going to the gym care more about their health and future selves than they do about what others think. Then it hit me. Maybe it is time I do too.
… and yes, there is a problem.
Until recentl y I did not understand the statement, "I am just not that creative", I did not get what was so difficult. With Pinterest you do not need to be creative – just follow the directions.Recently, though, I found myself in a creative dry spell. I started to think that maybe I was not creative anymore. My friend and I were hosting a 'Christmas in July' gathering for our friends and even with a board on Pinterest dedicated to this magical event I could not get started. Nothing spoke to me. The snowflakes I tried to craft more closely resembled something pulled from the hose of a vacuum and the idea of baking cookies ranked alongside getting a root canal.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and I arrived in July with nothing to offer my Christmas in July guests. I had lost the desire to blog and no imagination to create or decorate. You have reached a dark place when glitter cannot pull you from a slump.
Something change last week. I do not recall the moment but there was a turning point. I started having ideas. I thought of blog topics, came up with a way to refresh my kitchen, and the mere suggestion from my husband to move the love seat from our den to our living-room turned into a HGTV series where I was mapping out moving this here, and that there, and oooo a new paint color which turned into a new rug, table, chair, light fixture and I renamed the room – I FREAKING RENAMED THE ROOM! Then I had this insane idea that I could rent my house – weekly in the summers and as a seasonal rental in the winters. That turned into a mental list of what would need to be done 1) new appliances 2) add beds 3) talk to a property manager – all the while still mentally redecorating my den (now aptly named "My Imagination Room" – way cooler than "My Office", right?).
It did not stop – the ideas just kept coming. At one point I thought it would be brilliant to start a YouTube Channel. Why- I have no idea. Not sure what I would do or say, but I swear in the moment it was utter brilliance.
I was on idea overload. There it is, the problem with ideas. They seep in. No harm. One or two thoughts pop in and you think to yourself, ah, that is a good idea, or oh, I should try that. You make a mental note to come back to it later. Just as quickly as the idea arrived, it is gone. Not forever mind you. Ideas float around like car inspections and registrations. You know they are there, waiting, they float in and out of your consciousness until the ability to plan for them is gone and BAM – they are upon you.
You know what I am talking about. Every year around December 14th you think, I should have (made a scarf for everyone, a Christmas wall hanging, made cards by hand, baked goodies for the neighbors, gone on a sleigh ride or fill in the blank with one of your own) but you didn't so you will remember for next year. You think of it in June and maybe again for a moment in September when the air turns cool, but you will not think of it again until December, when it is upon you.
Ideas are problems until they become realized. They clog your mind like old shoes and pre-baby pants stuffed in your closet. They are there reminding you of what you have not done, what you have not seen through and well, they hold you back.
To eradicate the problem you must put the ideas in to action. You must get them out of the proverbial closet and decide where they rank and what to do with them. Open a Google Spread sheet (or excel, or open office – I do not discriminate) and started naming the tabs: imagination room, vacation ideas, remodel, weight loss – whatever your ideas or goals are – right down the line. Then as you come up with related ideas pop them in and rank them by level of importance. Weight lifted.
It is crazy that I had unknowingly caused myself additional stress with all of these ideas. Putting them in writing took away the subconscious worry that I will forget them, ranking them reminded me what was really important, crossing them off the list gave me a sense of accomplishment and as I have more ideas I can add them.
As a student you get assigned countless papers and projects. Last week I was tasked with writing a paper that would explain how to write a job analysis. I am bored with papers so this format is a little less focused on structure and a little more on just sharing the information in a less drab way.
If you are now or ever intend to be in a management role, own your own business or be part of the hiring process then this is for you. I hope this entertains and informs you.
Start at the beginning. It seems obvious but too often, especially in business, people do not start at the beginning and they end up wasting time. You do not have to hang out at the beginning and loiter and overstay your welcome. Just start there. Make a plan. Move on.
So, you want to do a job analysis. This is how I would do it. I am a planner, I make lists, re-write them, type them, sometimes laminate them. Maybe you will not want to get to that place, um, some call "getting OCD", I like to call it getting organized. I digress, organize how you see fit but here is where to start, or how I would start.
I would familiarize myself with why. Why am I doing a job analysis? A good job analysis will direct you, or Human Resources/the hiring manager, to the ideal candidate. A job analysis will help you uncover the type of person you want for a particular role at your organization. A job analysis should uncover what the position requires in terms of soft skills, job knowledge, behaviors, availability and what the organization's goals are ("Job analysis," 2013) (Entrepreneur).
Okay so now you need to collect this information. Disclaimer – Do not assume you can figure this out on your own. Regardless of your role you should include others in the job analysis. One person cannot fully understand the requirements of every role and the organization's goals. Note that goals are not the same as a mission or vision statement.
Back to me. If I were conducting a job analysis I would set-up a time to sit with (talk to, email etc.) different people within the department [with the vacant position I need to fill]. If it is a large department speaking with everyone would be unrealistic and not a good use of time. I do see the value in speaking with the manager and people doing the job that you want to fill, if possible.
A manager will be able to provide you the background on what they need and their wish-list, so to speak. They can provide insight into what their goals for the department are and what the current strengths and weaknesses of the group are. Someone in the role can give you a more accurate picture of what they do everyday, what skills are used, not used, what they wish they had known about the job [before coming on board] and what kind of peer they would like to have.
I would recommend having questions ready for when you speak with the department. I would be prepared to set the stage. Let them know you are seeking feedback and that the information they provide will help you to write a more accurate job description [for posting and for the purpose of creating a compensation schedule – I suggest keeping that piece of information to yourself], create interview questions that are tailored for this position and ultimately help you to find the right candidate for the department and the organization.
This will help the staff understand what your role is in this, what you hope to gain and ideally create a productive environment. Be prepared to get off topic but refer to your questions and notes to help guide you and keep you on track. Sometimes getting off topic can take you into a valuable conversation but remain in control.
Below I have provided a list of questions I would ask if I were performing a job analysis. I would ask them of both the manager and the employees in the department. I dare say, sometimes managers have a different idea of what their people do and it does not always match with the reality of the situation. Best to know upfront.
What are the physical requirements of the job (i.e. do you stand/sit for extended periods of time, do you lift or move items on a regular basis etc.)?
Are there any extremes in this position (i.e. do you or your people ever work in extreme cold or hot weather, is part or all of the job conducted outside in the elements etc.)?
What kind of equipment is used in the job (i.e. register, machinery, is driving required, computer, applicable software etc.)?
What skills are required for performing this role (i.e. basic/advanced math, working in a detailed environment, sensitivity to time, face paced, etc.)?
What forms of communication are used in your department (i.e. to determine a need for phone etiquette, ability to draft written correspondence, meet with people face-to-face etc.)?
What are the hours and potential changes you see in the department (i.e. important to know if the business needs could require a schedule change, work weekends, nights, overnight, holidays etc.)?
Is there stress present in this job? How would you describe it?
What level of education is required for this job?
What skills would you prefer that the candidate possess upon hiring?
What level of initiative would one need for this position (i.e. is everything done by the book or are there times when one might need to think on their feet, be creative)?
What do you like about your job? If you could recommend two things to change, (about the department/organization) what would they be?
Keep in mind not all of the questions will pertain to your business and some will not assist in creating a posting but may come into play in the interview process (Doyle, 2013) (Entrepreneur).
If there are departmental vision statements this meeting would be the opportunity to get a copy. They should be reviewed to make sure that the person you seek fits the department and the organization. This individual may tire of a position (insert gasp) but if you sought out a good cultural fit you can find them advancement opportunities in a different role. On the other hand they could just be awesome and be promoted but that will only happen if you make a marriage of the needs of the current role and the needs of the organization.
What do you do if there is no mission or vision statements? Do not try and wing it and draft one up. Mission and/or vision statements help to define where a company is and where it wants to go. Mission statements are a whole other "for dummies" topic and should be addressed in a separate setting.
In a pinch take time to scribe some values and things that are viewed as important to your organization. Do not expect to knock it out of the park this is just a band-aid but you do need to have an idea of what your company is about. For example, do you or your people invest in the community (i.e. funds, volunteer time etc.), are you are green company (i.e. recycling, re-purposing, making changes in the office to reduce emissions etc.), does your organization foster a fun culture, a neighbors-helping-neighbors environment? Put a name to it and use that to complete the analysis.
A job analysis can, like most company documents, be living breathing entities. Writing these kinds of things is like parenting. You start with an idea and it works and sounds good but things evolve and you may have to add to it, take from it or at some point start over. When you do go back, revisit your plan and follow the steps. Do not reinvent the wheel .
The most important thing is that you have started the process and that is half the battle.
Let us recap. Make a plan, involve others in the process while retaining control and do not be afraid to make changes.
You are ready. Go forth and hire.
*Disclaimer. This is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the "for Dummies" publications.
In my younger years I used to harass my parents about their, what I perceived to be, excessive use of salt. They salted everything- steak, tomatoes, potatoes and green-beans. Hell, for all I know they salted the salt.
I had learned that salt could lead to hypertension not to mention their food always tasted like a bouillon cube (yes, I have tasted one, and that comparison is probably unfair to the cube). Their food was just gross. Salt ruins food.
Fast forward (quite a bit) to being eight months pregnant. I was the size of a Buick and I was craving beef -specifically steak – (which I had sworn off seven years earlier – a blog for another time) and the only way that it could be consumed was off the grill with salt (eeek). I blamed both cravings on the offspring.
For nearly 12 years that was the only food I added salt to (less all the baking that calls for salt). Until June 10th. June 10, 2013 I started a clean eating plan. No oils, no carbs, no grains, no dairy and limited fruits and veggies. The first phase of my clean eating was just long enough to rid my body of toxins and all the fantastic (said complete with sarcastic tone AND eye roll) preservatives that are just not necessary for your body. Long story short without all the sauces, marinades and seasonings I was left with just the food. Naked food.
Before naked food I actually thought I liked broccoli. For years I ate it raw – alone and in salads and I told people I liked it. Guess what- I like ranch dressing. Broccoli tastes good smothered in ranch. I now know that I do not like broccoli. I actually prefer dirt.
Broccoli was not the only thing I was trying again for the first time. If I was going to survive this I knew I had to experiment. I looked up what seasonings were okay to have and it turns out most spices are good to go- even salt.
Salt. The very thought of salt brought to mind stark images of a person dehydrating before my eyes – a shriveled pile of skin. There is no rational reason for this imagery, it just was. I thought I would give salt a shot, despite the imagery. A taste could not hurt. I bought sea salt and a grinder. My first experiment was salt on asparagus. Without anyone looking I tried the salted spear. It was magic. A home-run. It was not over powering; it actually complemented the asparagus. Without all the oils, marinades and fillers I was able to enjoy the fresh vegetable and the granulates of salt. A match made in heaven.
Had I opened Pandora's Box; had I been missing out for years? Well, let's see. I have since added salt to salads, which is spectacular if paired with a sweet vinaigrette, butternut squash (a nice alternative to cinnamon), and tomato soup. Just a dash and guess what? I have not become an addict but I have enjoyed some otherwise so-so foods. I cannot explain why it works or how it makes foods even more enjoyable. It just does.
I am not selling you on salt. Instead it made me think that maybe we all need to try something again. You may never enjoy brussel sprouts, but maybe you have a negative association with a certain food and it is time to give it another try. Maybe your great aunt dragged you to the theater when you were nine and a you swore it off; as an adult you may have an appreciation for the arts. Perhaps you went on a family camping trip and before the first nightfall you promised you would never subject your future children to trekking through the woods and bathing in a lake.
As we get older we mature, we discover who we are, what we like and what we value. As we get older we have the opportunity to experience new things and new places. Maybe there is room in there to try something, again.
What did you think about the video? Not it's quality (because it is not professional grade), but what did you notice?
My first blog post, only a short scroll back, was titled "We, as humans, want to be first. We want to win.". Do we always want to be first, though?
In the video, along with the people around the man dancing, you notice a lone man embracing the music. It would appear as though he loves what he is hearing and was moved to express it through dance. As an observer you might even assume that he does not care what others think of his impromptu dance.
What else did you notice? There were people watching him. I would suspect that many thought he looked a little crazy, but then someone joined him, then another and another until people were jumping up and running to be a part of his dance. So, it begs the question, do we always want to be first?
Why are we okay with being first in traffic, first in line on black Friday or first to finish a test, but we are not okay with being like this guy?
I am not an expert in the human psyche but I would suspect that being able to beat someone to the stop light in traffic is a safe gamble. Maybe we got their first because our car is faster or we are a better driver. If we do not make it or someone beats us, we are in our car, sheltered- there is a getaway – a barrier. If we are first in line on black Friday everyone behind us knows that we are likely to get what we want, and let's face it, we are in good company. Everyone behind us is there for the same thing. If we are first to finish the test it must be assumed we are the smartest, right? The only person who will know any different is the person grading it. There is little risk involved with these acts. They are, you could say, somewhat calculated.
The dancing guy was vulnerable. He took a chance that what he did would be mocked, but he did it anyway and the result was that others eventually shared in his joy.
Maybe instead of being first in line, first to own a new gadget (insert game system, music player etc. here) we should try being first at being vulnerable. How many times have we missed an opportunity to speak up at work, say something to a loved one (or a stranger), or take advantage of an opportunity because we were afraid to put ourselves out there?
That is all; just a thought for today. If you want to dig a little deeper I urge you to watch the following video. I was introduced to it about two months ago and it has had a profound impact on my life and how I view the world and people's behaviors. In the video Brene Brown, LMSW and research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, explores shame and vulnerability and her journey to wrapping her arms around such a largely misunderstood concept. I challenge you to watch it and not be affected by it.
I take classes at an organizational development Firm in Southern Maine. The subjects covered ranged from conflict resolution, supervisory skills and over the years the classes have morphed in to a series of classes spanning over six months that dig deep in to inspirational leadership and direct management. I received a call from one of the owners of the firm about a week prior to an upcoming class. He asked if I would be interested in coming up with an activity for my group, about eight of my peers. I said yes before he even finished asking but without knowing what I would do.
my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers.
You will always find people who are helping".
Something clicked. That was it. Every day we hear someone being mocked on radio or television, we find ourselves being irritated with something someone said or did. We wonder how our spouses could be so forgetful or our coworkers so rude. It seems easier to remember the negative, pick on the bad and harder to recall when someone did something nice, spoke kind words or touched us.
That was my exercise. I went into my class armed with blank thank-you cards and stamped envelopes. I explained to everyone what I have shared here and how I came across this quote. I went on in greater detail about how most of the time when someone does something nice, takes time out of their busy schedule to talk to us or lend us an ear we sometimes take it for granted and, I believe, more often than not we do not really understand the impact of a person's kindness until after the moment passes.
I tasked my peers to think of a person that did or said something that had an impact on them. I told them it could be big or small. It could be someone that they knew well or someone they had only met once. I asked the group to come up with a person that they would thank, what they would say and share why it had such an impact on them.
The stories that were shared were personal and transformational. Some recalled moments from their childhood while another woman talked about how she would thank her mother's hairdresser. She explained how her mother was diagnosed with Lupus and she could not be with her when she made the decision to cut all her hair off. She said that her mother's hairdresser gave her confidence and support that she could not. She said she would thank that woman and tell her what her time and words did for her mom.
I learned more about my coworkers in that hour than I had in the five years we had worked together. I also learned that there is so much to be thankful for- not just things, but people. It is important to thank and appreciate people. While listening to all of the stories, some funny and others emotional, I thought of two more people that deserved to be thanked for the moment, the time and the impact they had on my life.
We enable behaviors every day. This is an opportunity to enable good behaviors and perpetuate them. Take the time to thank someone. Do not wait. Thank them today and make your thank-you personal.


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It's time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to start killing off its heroes
Kevin Feige at D23 Expo 2017
Image: Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney
By Angie Han 2017-11-27 23:41:43 UTC
There's another Avengers movie on the horizon, and you know what that means: It's time for another round of PR-friendly promises about how this will be the ultimate Avengers movie, the one that brings all the ongoing storylines to a head and leaves the MCU forever changed.
But what if this time, it actually is?
SEE ALSO: There's a big 'Infinity War' clue hiding in this new Thor photo
In a sprawling Vanity Fair profile, Kevin Feige dramatically declares that Avengers 4 (shooting now for release in 2019) will "bring things you've never seen in superhero films: a finale." According to the publication, that means at least "some" of the original Avengers will be phased out after Avengers 4.
"There will be two distinct periods. Everything before Avengers 4 and everything after," teased Feige. "I know it will not be in ways people are expecting."
It's all very vague and might amount to not much more than hot air. However, there is a growing sense that something has to change with this franchise, and soon – if only because the contracts for the original Avengers are about to run out.
Comments from the actors add to the growing sense that we're nearing the end of an era. Chris Hemsworth described the Avengers 4 set as "the last time we get to hang out like this," while Johansson said she felt "bittersweet" about the next generation of Marvel stars.
Chris Hemsworth is gonna miss his friends from work.
Image: Marvel Studios
In other words, all signs point to a whole bunch of characters dying in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4 ... well, except for the fact that Marvel doesn't really do character deaths.
While villains die all the time in the MCU, it's exceedingly rare for a good guy to get killed off. Bucky, Coulson, Nick Fury, Groot, and Loki all went dramatically, only to come back once our tears had dried; Quicksilver and Yondu are among the very few heroes who've actually died and stayed dead.
Even with the expiring contracts staring them square in the face, it's hard to imagine Marvel slaughtering a bunch of beloved heroes over the next few years. It's just not their style. Besides, there are other ways to write characters out of long-running stories, including ones that offer easy excuses to bring them back when the time comes.
SEE ALSO: How 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' raises the stakes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
But if Marvel is so determined to separate the pre-Avengers 4 MCU from the post-Avengers 4 MCU, maybe it's time for them to get used to the idea of death.
The films' tendency to bring almost everyone back, no matter how improbably, have tended to rob them of stakes. One of the reasons Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 worked so well was because it didn't pull that move with Yondu. Real death would add a dangerous edge to our heroes' adventures in Avengers 4.
Moreover, leaving certain characters offscreen but technically alive would encourage fans to stay fixated on them – which in turn would undermine the effort to re-center the franchise around new flagship heroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther. Who needs Doctor Strange's Tony Stark Lite act when we know the original Tony Stark is hanging out there somewhere?
Whatever happens to the six original Avengers in Infinity War and its sequel, though, you can rest assured that this "finale" is only the end of the chapter, not the whole story.
Feige teased that the MCU currently has "22 movies in, and we've got another 20 movies on the docket that are completely different from anything that's come before," including a potential Guardians of the Galaxy spinoff (or several).
In short, the characters might die, or they might not. But this franchise is gonna live forever.
WATCH: 'Thor: Ragnarok' set a box office record for Marvel - it made that much money
Topics: avengers-4, Entertainment, kevin-feige, marvel cinematic universe, Movies


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'Saturday Night Live' host James Franco has big 3D plans
Everyone, James Franco has big plans for his third time hosting "Saturday Night Live." Big plans.
In the above promos, the actor reveals that — due to all of the "cool experimental stuff" he likes to do — this week's show is going to be in black-and-white and 3D. And although it's highly doubtful that Lorne Michaels is actually going to let Franco take charge of the show's artistic direction, fans can hope that one day the actor will have his 3D dreams realized.
For now, according to Cecily Strong, if Franco thinks of something happy and just believes, one of his wishes will come true. So, washing himself over with "Christmas magic," the actor chants "believe, believe, believe," and a sandwich suddenly appears in his hands. As Franco says, "It's a Christmas miracle!"
In the rest of the clip, Franco shows off his ability to go to one of his Yale classes and shoot a movie in mere seconds and admits that the only reason he's hosting the show is so he can get laid. Also look out for a cameo appearance by a former denizen of "30 Rock."
James Franco is set to host "SNL" alongside musical guest Nicki Minaj on Dec. 6 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Photo/Video credit: NBC
Labels: Tv Appearance, TV Hosting
WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK ON TV: FRANCO FANS REJOICE
It's a big weekend for James Franco fans. The multi-multi-hyphenate hosts Saturday Night Live with musical guest Nicki Minaj 11:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC. On Sunday, he strips down and heads into the woods with his buddy Seth Rogen for a very special episode of Naked and Afraid 8 p.m. Eastern on Discovery.


Previously we heard that the next project for the company would be a smart speaker rather than the next Essential Phone.
By the time Essential made a decision to put the home-speaker project on hold, it had already lost key engineers working on the project amid disagreements over the prospects for launching such an ambitious device. This time, some more details about the smartphone have been revealed by "people familiar with the matter" in a Bloomberg report. It is said to have a small screen, indirectly stressing more on the usage of voice commands. This is similar to services being tested by Google, such as smart response on Gmail and the Duplex AI agent launching on the new Pixel phones.
In other words, it'll be challenging for Rubin to create a new groundbreaking smartphone experience, given the huge gap between Essential and its competitors when it comes to making and selling phones. Last year, he told Bloomberg "If I can get to the point where your phone is a virtual version of you, you can be off enjoying your life, having that dinner, without touching your phone, and you can trust your phone to do things on your behalf". However, the report adds that the users would also be able to make phone calls using this device. I think that this technology is possible but not right now. The company has yet to release another phone since it came out with the Essential Phone in May 2017.The company has gone through a few setbacks since the release of the Essential Phone.
Andy Rubin's beleaguered phone startup Essential is rumored to be working on a phone that is anything but your standard flagship. The Essential Phone was delayed and the Essential Phone 2 was reportedly canceled. This was originally reported by DroidLife, you can read their article here.
Hamilton can now seal the title at the next grand prix in the United States after Vettel hit Max Verstappen and spun in Japan, which limited him to sixth place.
For example, you can swipe down from the top to get a menu and swipe things off to the side like on Wear OS wearables. Much has been made of Google's decision to keep a single-lens camera on the back of its new third-gen Pixel phones.
The crown may hang heavy on T'Challa's head, but for Coogler, it's gotta feel good to be king of both Wakanda and Marvel. Ryan Coogler has officially signed on to direct and write the reported Black Panther sequel.
In the second-quarter, the Giants muffed a punt and Colin Jones recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown for Carolina. Thomas settled into a spot on his crossing route, but Newton led him with the ball instead, and threw it right to Jenkins.
Winds will reach storm force this morning on coasts from Slyne Head to Malin Head with a risk of violent storm force for a time. Forecasters warned of heavy rain - up to four inches - and potential flooding in the wake of the storm.


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Q: Why did I lose my +500 bounty after a question got deleted? About two weeks ago, I answered a question and was rewarded with a +500 bounty. See, I don't really much reputation. I'm at 448 on Stack Overflow. So when that question was deleted for whatever reason, I was shocked! I had +4 upvotes, and it was marked best answer. Based on my understanding, the OP couldn't have deleted the question himself, so why did I lose my bounty? And why in the first place would anyone lose reputation for a bounty after the question got deleted? That doesn't make any sense to me.

A: It was a crappy question that was looking for recommendations. The bounty should have been manually removed and the question closed a long time ago. You really should never have been awarded it in the first place. Well, that's the sucky thing about having a huge backlog of flags in the queue on Stack Overflow.
Upon deletion of the posts, the reputation events got reversed, which includes the bounties.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Steelers trade for Switzer
The Steelers 53-man roster won't be set until Saturday at 4 p.m., but they are already making some moves.
The team acquired wide receiver/returner Ryan Switzer and a 2019 sixth-round draft selection via trade with the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the team's fifth-round draft choice in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Switzer was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was traded from the Cowboys to the Raiders in April.
Switzer played in all 16 regular season games for the Cowboys last season, finishing with six catches for 41 yards. He made his biggest impact on special teams, where he returned 29 punts for 256 yards (8.8-yard average) and a touchdown and had 24 kickoff returns for 600 yards (25-yard average).
Switzer played college ball at North Carolina, where he had one of his best performances of his career against the University of Pittsburgh in 2016, with 16 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. Switzer also scored on a game-winning punt return against Pitt in 2013.
To make room on the 90-man roster, the team released wide receiver Justin Thomas.
Steelers sign Roche to Reserve/Future contract
The Steelers signed Quincy Roche, one of their former draft picks, to a Reserve/Future contract
Steelers sign Chisena
The Steelers signed receiver Dan Chisena to a Reserve/Future contract
Miller signed to one-year contract
The Steelers signed Anthony Miller to a one-year contract
Steelers sign three to Reserve/Future Contracts
The team signed three who were on the practice squad in 2022
Steelers sign four to Reserve/Future contracts
The Steelers signed four more players to Reserve/Future contracts on Wednesday
Steelers sign 10 to Reserve/Future contracts
The team signed 10 players who spent time on the practice squad in 2022
Wren elevated for Sunday's game
The Steelers elevated Renell Wren to the Active/Inactive Roster
Wren elevated for Sunday night's game
Renell Wren was elevated to the Active/Inactive Roster for Sunday Night Football against the Ravens
Steelers make roster moves
The Steelers made multiple roster moves on Tuesday afternoon
The Steelers promoted safety Elijah Riley to the 53-man roster
Jonathan Marshall was signed to the 53-man roster and Chris Wormley placed on the Reserve/Injured List
Boswell activated to 53-man roster
The Steelers activated Chris Boswell to the 53-man roster


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Q: "Property 'then' does not exist on type 'void'." when using spinner.show().then() From the docomuntation of ngx-Spinner said in FEAUTERS: "show()/hide() methods return promise",
but in my Project in intellij:
this.spinner.show() returns void.
ane therefore when im trying to do this:
onCheckOut() {
    this.spinner.show().then(p => {
      this.cartService.CheckoutFromCart(1);
    });
  }

im getting the : ERROR in src/app/components/checkout/checkout.component.ts:33:25 - error TS2339: Property 'then' does not exist on type 'void'.
33     this.spinner.show().then(p => {

how i make it work?

A: Maybe the documentation is wrong. When I look at the code, it does not return a promise:
show(name: string = PRIMARY_SPINNER, spinner?: Spinner) {
    setTimeout(() => {
      const showPromise = new Promise((resolve, _reject) => {
        if (spinner && Object.keys(spinner).length) {
          spinner['name'] = name;
          this.spinnerObservable.next(new NgxSpinner({ ...spinner, show: true }));
          resolve(true);
        } else {
          this.spinnerObservable.next(new NgxSpinner({ name, show: true }));
          resolve(true);
        }
      });
      return showPromise;
    }, 10);
  }

Not sure if this was done on purpose or not, but you could raise an issue on Github.
The only way to achieve your solution would be to use the getSpinner method of the service:
const spinnerName = "my-spinner";
this.spinner.show(spinnerName);
this.spinner.getSpinner(spinnerName)
  .pipe(
     first(({show}) => !!show)
  )
  .subscribe(() => {
     this.cartService.CheckoutFromCart(1);
  }
);


Refrigerated Air, 2 car garage, fireplace with wood stove insert, privacy fenced back yard, nicely updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, washer, dryer are just a few things on the list this home has to offer. Move in ready! Call today for your showing.


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A physics PhD and startup founder explains how entrepreneurs can get the most basic business advice all wrong | Strategy - Business Inside
Happy Numbers is an artificial intelligence-enabled math education platform.
CEO Evgeny Milyutin said the biggest lesson he's learned in his time in startups is the importance of knowing your customer.
This is pretty common business advice — but he's probably not the only founder who initially went about following it all wrong.
It took him a while to realize that meant visiting the classrooms where students and teachers would be using his product, talking to them, and watching them use it.
Photo: Shana Lebowitz
Shana Lebowitz, strategy reporter for Business Insider summarizes "When the iPad debuted in 2010, Evgeny Milyutin was a 26-year-old physics PhD student in France."
It was tough going at first. Evgeny Milyutin, right, and Ivan Kolomoets are the founders of Happy Numbers.
Photo: Courtesy of Evgeny Milyutin
On the side, he and his longtime friend Ivan Kolomoets had been tutoring their friends' kids in math. It occurred to them then that there was a prime opportunity to improve the quality of math education with emerging digital technologies.
At the time, this was a truly novel idea: It was still seven years before Netflix CEO Reed Hastings would invest in a math education startup called DreamBox Learning.
Today, Milyutin and Kolomoets are the founders of Happy Numbers, an artificial intelligence-enabled math education platform. The goal is to help teachers personalize education: Milyutin described the program as a "virtual teaching assistant."
Students are set up with iPads or laptops and plug away at interactive math exercises; then the
program delivers feedback to the teacher based on the students' performance.
Milyutin — who confesses that he struggled with math in primary school — cited a 1984 review by the late Benjamin Bloom, which reports that students who received one-on-one tutoring performed better than 98% of students taught in a conventional classroom.
"It would be great to have one teacher for every student, but it's not always realistic," Milyutin said. "So this is where I feel technology can come into the game."
Individual schools or school districts can purchase subscriptions to Happy Numbers (though Milyutin said he's also sold a few subscriptions directly to consumers). In the last year, Milyutin said, there have been 17 million exercises solved on Happy Numbers.
Source: Business Insider


The Iris necklace is a truly modern style recreated by our designers as a simple flower, combining sterling silver with a precious cabochon amethyst gemstone creating a stunning combination. The name also refers to the Greek goddess of the rainbow. Comes with a 16" to 18" adjustable silver chain. Trends come and go, but this classy necklace shows us how to capture timeless beauty with the simplest design. You gravitate toward wardrobe essentials that will always be in fashion and wearing this necklace will create a modern vision and make you feel glamorous whatever the occasion.
The necklace is 15mm long including the loop and 11mm in diameter, containing a 7mm round cabochon amethyst surrounded by 18 small pave set cubic zirconia.


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Q: Cannot convert value of type 'URL' to expected argument type 'String' I'm fairly new to Swift and I'm trying to save a video to the documents folder after recording it (so I can then upload to a server) but I'm getting the above error. I understand what the error is saying but I'm not sure how to fix it. I got the code below from another answer on Stack.
What am I missing?
The build fails on this line:
videoData?.write(toFile: dataPath, atomically: false)

The full function is:
func getDocumentsDirectory() -> URL {
    let paths = FileManager.default.urls(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask)
    let documentsDirectory = paths[0]
    return documentsDirectory
}

func imagePickerController(_ picker: UIImagePickerController, didFinishPickingMediaWithInfo info: [UIImagePickerController.InfoKey : Any]){

    let videoURL = info[UIImagePickerController.InfoKey.mediaURL] as! NSURL
    let videoData = NSData(contentsOf: videoURL as URL)
    let paths = FileManager.default.urls(for: .documentDirectory, in: .userDomainMask)
    let docsDirectory = getDocumentsDirectory()
    let dataPath = docsDirectory.appendingPathComponent("/videoFileName.mp4")

    videoData?.write(toFile: dataPath, atomically: false)

    self.dismiss(animated: true, completion: nil)

}

A: Just use data method write(to: URL) instead of write(foFile: String) or pass the URL path property. Btw naming a URL dataPath is misleading. Change it to fileURL and pass its path fileURL.path but better to use the URL method counterpart when possible. Also as already mentioned in comments by @vadian there is no need to cast to NSURL and back to URL and don't pass a leading slash when appending a path component. The same applies to NSData, you should drop the NS prefix whenever it is possible. Swift native type is Data.
func imagePickerController(_ picker: UIImagePickerController, didFinishPickingMediaWithInfo info: [UIImagePickerController.InfoKey : Any]){
    if let videoURL = info[.mediaURL] as? URL {
        do {
            let videoData = try Data(contentsOf: videoURL)
            let fileURL = documentsDirectory.appendingPathComponent("videoFileName.mp4")
            try videoData.write(to: fileURL)
            // pass atomic options if you would like to automatically override any existing file if needed
            // try videoData.write(to: fileURL, options: .atomic)
        } catch {
            print(error)
        }
        dismiss(animated: true)
    }
}


Cyclists from Scared Heart College Auckland compete in their time trial event at the 2016 North Island Secondary Schools Cycling Championships staged from Lake Karapiro Domain, Waikato. We are some 4.75km south-southeast of Cambridge CDB as the crow flies or 6.5km by road looking north west.
Wedding party Sarnia Park Pukekura Cambridge New Zealand.
Opened today; the Browning & Carlyle Streets corner with Maungatautari Road Leamington to Lake Karapiro Domain section of Te Awa The Great NZ River Ride. Te Awa walkway cycle way extends some 70km along the Waikato River from Ngaruawahia ( downstream to the northwest) to Horahora (upstream to the east).


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Mexico's America Movil Buys Honduran Phone Carrier Megatel
By Amy GuthrieDow Jones Newswires
June 22, 2004 9:11 pm ET
MEXICO CITY -- Mexican wireless communications company America Movil SA said Tuesday it has agreed to buy Honduran phone carrier Megatel and raise its stake in Nicaragua's Empresa Nicaraguense de Telecomunicaciones SA, or Enitel.
The company didn't disclose financial details for the deals.
In a filing with the Mexican Stock Exchange, America Movil said that Megatel had about 61,000 wireless subscribers as of the end of March and that Enitel had 145,000 mobile users and 205,000 fixed-line phone customers.
America Movil plans to buy a 50% stake in Enitel, giving it full control of the company. As previously reported, the Mexican mobile operator bought a 49% stake in Enitel last December.
The company said it hopes to close both deals sometime in July.


The Virtual Business Finance Challenge is a newly recognized official FBLA competitive event. Members will use this simulation to test their skills at managing their own financial lives and will compete against students across the country. Students file taxes, open bank accounts, apply for credit cards, monitor credit scores, apply for jobs, purchase insurance, and more. The online simulation is 100 percent web-based.
Skills: The FBLA Virtual Business Finance Challenge encourages FBLA members to test their financial literacy skills. Participating teams will be making personal finance decisions for a simulated person. The concepts students will be managing include opening bank accounts, paying bills, filing taxes, applying for jobs, enrolling in educational courses, paying for goods, applying for credit cards, determining schedules, budgeting, and more.
Individual members or a team of two (2) or three (3) members from active, local chapters may participate in both the fall and spring online VBC. A team member cannot be on more than one (1) team at a time. Team members cannot be changed once a team has registered. Members are unable to participate in any other event if they have qualified and plan on participating at the NLC.
Register when the challenge opens before starting date.
The top eight (8) nationally ranked teams from each VBC—both fall and spring but no more than one (1) per state, per challenge—are eligible to compete at the NLC. These sixteen (16) teams are determined by the standings in the fall and spring VBC is administered via the Internet during the school year.
At the NLC, qualifying teams for the preliminary round will participate in a round-robin event with each team participating in a minimum of two (2) 15–20 minute sessions. Bracket winners will be determined based on the highest cumulative profit.
Teams who have advanced to the final round will compete in a 15-20 minute session. The national winner will be determined based on the highest net worth.
The FBLA VBC is an official event brought to FBLA chapters through a partnership with Knowledge Matters. Questions may be directed to 877-965-3276, Info@KnowledgeMatters.com, or KnowledgeMatters.com.
The top eight (8) nationally ranked teams from each VBC, but no more than one (1) per state, per challenge, are eligible to compete at NLC.
Teams who advance to the final round will compete in a 15-20 minute session. The national winner will be determined based on the highest cumulative profit.


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Electric forecourts of the future are coming to Liverpool
Avison Young has been appointed by electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider Be.EV to find sites for EV chargers and charging hubs across the Liverpool City Region.
Be.EV appoints Avison Young to find sites for 'green oasis' EV charging hubs in the city region
Avison Young has been appointed by electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider Be.EV to find sites for EV chargers and charging hubs across the Liverpool City Region. The goal: have at least four hubs under development by the end of 2022 and 25 sites secured for a mix of charging facilities.
Avison Young was previously appointed by Be.EV earlier this year to find sites across Greater Manchester, where Be.EV already operates the largest public charging network, and will now be consulting with public sector bodies, private landlords, developers and other commercial organisations to identify sites across Merseyside, to urgently address the region's lack of charging infrastructure.
The North West currently has one of the country's lowest numbers of EV chargers per 100,000 of population. Many households do not have access to off-street parking – a significant barrier to EV uptake across the region. A rapid roll-out of public charging infrastructure is therefore key to driving EV adoption.
Asif Ghafoor, CEO of Be.EV, said: "Merseyside is lacking the charging infrastructure it needs to embrace mass EV adoption and make the city region greener. I am pleased to be working with the AY team in my home city to develop destination charging and on-the-go hubs. Our hubs will not just help boost EV uptake, they will transform neighbourhoods by abandoning the concrete forecourt model in favour of pleasant, green spaces.
"We are going to develop a much-needed, concentrated network of charging infrastructure in the region, which by the end of 2022 will result in at least four Be.EV hubs in development and 25 charging sites secured across Merseyside."
According to Avison Young's Ten Trends for a Zero Carbon World report, EVs will act as a key part of the UK's plan to reduce carbon emissions in urban environments where public transport infrastructure is lacking and driving remains a crucial part of daily life for many.
The report, published earlier this year, suggests that EVs are "on the fast track to mainstream adoption", with sales expected to rise by 49% in 2021 due to growing consumer demand and the phasing out of petrol and diesel car models by the UK government.
Jonathan Lowe, director at Avison Young in Liverpool, said: "We welcome the search for more EV charging sites across the Liverpool City Region. A widespread adoption of electric vehicles is a vital part of the UK's efforts to achieving its carbon-neutral target in 2028 and our extended partnership with Be.EV aims to make owning an electric vehicle a much more feasible option.
"We are currently seeking potential charging sites that will provide landowners and developers with a new and exciting revenue-generating opportunity and we would urge anybody who would like to find out more about Be.EV to get in touch with one of the team." Landowners looking to find out more information should contact Avison Young's Liverpool office.
Park Regis announced as venue and Drinks Reception sponsor for Women in Business Awards, Birmingham
Downtown Birmingham are delighted to announce that the inaugural Women in Business Awards in Birmingham will take place at the majestic Park Regis Birmingham on Friday 5th June.
Napthens' Employment team expands in Blackburn
The Employment & HR team at regional law firm Napthens has expanded with the appointment of two new recruits.
EP.92 – Downtown Den: Stuart Holt LIVE in the Downtown Den
The founding director of Javelin Block Stuart Holt, joined Downtown Birmingham chairman Paul Cadman for a live Downtown Den event on Friday 19th June 2020.


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Why Chris Pratt Won't Take A Picture With You
By Isadora Teich April 25, 2017
Chris Pratt just wants to be a chill normal guy. If he wanted to do that, he should have stayed fat and gotten a job managing an A&P probably. People would cut their own hands off to get the attention of the many interchangeable, thin white Hollywood people, in the most dehumanizing and disrespectful way.
In a recent interview with Cigar Aficionado, he talked all about why he won't take pics with fans.
"I've always been a pretty deferential, go-with-the-flow guy. But now I have to be economical with my time. If I go out and want to do normal things, I have to be comfortable disappointing people."
If Chris Pratt wants to get better at being comfortable disappointing people, I can help. A family raised me and I grew up to be a fucking writer. And I'm not even sorry about it.
"So I just don't take pictures with people. Because that's not about enjoying the moment; it's about stealing the moment to brag about later. So I say, 'Would you settle for a handshake?' And then they take the picture anyway."
Ugh. People.
#chris pratt
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Hot topics, ranging from the seven-days- a-week NHS to Brexit, were on the agenda for healthcare experts on the panel at the recent 10 th UK Oncology Forum, chaired by respected broadcaster and journalist Peter Sissons. Louise Bellamy reports.
Healthcare leaders had the opportunity to debate diverse themes affecting patients and clinicians in front of a packed house at the much-anticipated political session held at the UK Oncology Forum last week.
The distinguished panel included Dr Shelley Dolan, Chief Nurse at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Professor Angus Dalgleish, Professor of Oncology, St George's, University of London, Tom Haswell, patient representative and NCRI CTRad, Screening, Prevention & Early Diagnosis Advisory Group (SPED), Professor Karl Claxton, Professor in the Department of Economics and Related Studies at the University of York, Professor Daniel Hochhauser, Consultant Medical Oncologist, UCL Cancer Institute and Dr Rebecca Lumsden, Head of Science Policy at the ABPI.
The debate opened with a question on how oncology fitted in with plans for the seven-days- a-week NHS, with the panel contending that, though there was already cover in the right areas, there was still work to do to ensure that the NHS could care for people with cancer at every stage of their journey. Patient representative Tom Haswell mentioned that data showed patients going into hospital at weekends had worse outcomes and Daniel Hochhauser agreed that it was difficult enough running clinics and services across five days, let alone seven, and pointed out that a number of hospitals still did not have proper ward rounds and care at weekends. Summing up, Rebecca Lumsden stated that what was available did meet certain needs, but she reiterated that there was always room for improvement.
The panel members were asked how they felt about the junior doctors' contract negotiations, following the strikes earlier this year. Professors Claxton and Hochhauser agreed that the demoralisation of junior doctors would have repercussions for a long time to come. They felt that the British Medical Association's (BMA) approach to contract negotiation had been damaging to the profession with Daniel Hochhauser calling it 'tactically useless and incompetent'.
Despite criticising the BMA, the panel praised the way junior doctors conducted themselves throughout the negotiations, with Prof Claxton reminding the audience that nurses also worked extremely hard on very low wages. The discussion then segued into whether the NHS was over- or under-managed, with the panel proffering differing views. Some felt managers were easy scapegoats, while others were of the opinion that there were more managers than beds and more doctors were needed, rather than better administration.
Asked whether investment in new cancer drugs improved outcomes for cancer patients in general, or whether money would be better spent elsewhere in the NHS, Rebecca Lumsden commented that evidence showed new cancer drugs did have improved outcomes but developing them was risky. Tom Haswell felt that money could be spent elsewhere, but not necessarily in a better way, as he felt there was a need to invest in new treatments. Peter Sissons interjected to ask what constituted a good outcome, pointing out that, for many cancer patients, even an extra month with their families was a good outcome. Daniel Hochhauser stated that the UK was 'the centre for global cancer research' and added that it didn't spend enough money on the NHS. He said it wasn't right to spend money on research and never see medicines used as a result.
The next question concerned how increasing privatisation of the NHS would affect oncology. Daniel Hochhauser felt that privatisation should not be considered a dirty word, but cited the US as not an example of a hugely successful health system. Karl Claxton felt private markets worked well if consumers could assess quality and make choices, as they could with choosing consumer goods like smartphones, but this wasn't the case with healthcare. Angus Dalgleish commented that some privatisation was a good thing and referenced world-respected oncologist and campaigner for better universal cancer treatment Professor Karol Sikora who created a network of Proton Beam Therapy centres in the UK and abroad, funded by private equity.
The debate ended with the question of whether the UK should remain in Europe. The panel's consensus was to stay, with Rebecca Lumsden pointing out that the EU was extremely beneficial for cancer research in terms of funding, free movement of skilled scientists and cross-border collaboration. Karl Claxton felt that leaving Europe would inevitably mean a recession.
Concluding an excellent cancer-focused 'Question Time', a straw poll was taken with the audience, who voted 55:45 in favour of remaining within the EU.
Read more about the 10 th UK Oncology Forum here.
Louise Bellamy is Senior Account Manager at pharmaphorum.


HSK Standard Courses are designed for learners who would like to learn Chinese language systematically and maximize the chances to get the best HSK test score with an aim to study or work in China in the near future. The courses focus on training students' integrated language ability including listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The essential ideas of the communicative approach and task-based language teaching will be used in the courses.


And how was your holiday yesterday? Did you enjoy BBQ and stare hypnotically into the shimmering lights of fireworks?
Holiday? What holiday? Yesterday was a holiday?
Yes. In the United States of America.
When one enters into the social sphere of Twitter or Facebook, geographic boundaries melt away. The news and conversation cycle is 24/7/365, though the company may not hold or be expected to keep such hours. If we want our companies to empathize and display human emotion, we are assuming the organization is comprised of humans with human expectations and a growing desire for work / life balance. It all comes down to expectations and how these needs and processes are communicated to and from the organization and the communities they serve.
I don't advocate an organization being online 24/7, but I expect an organization to be listening 24/7 and escalating conversations with certain keywords or references throughout the company for appropriate response by the right person at the right time. The right time may be five minutes after posting or during the next business hour. Only your organization can determine and set that expectation inside the organization and to the community. This determination needs to be made before a crisis situation occurs. It can happen at all times, because while you may be on holiday, someone is sitting in front of their computer or using their smart phone to talk about your organization, product or services. The conversation never sleeps.
How should you be preparing?
Don't limit holiday thinking to those happening only in the United States. What communities does the organization serve and across what continents? What is considered and holiday and when do those holidays occur? People take time before and after a holiday. They are idle and are spending more time on their smart phones and computers. Is your company listening or there to respond to concerns and inquiries?
If you automate content, be expected to be a part of the conversation in real-time.
Establish an escalation grid. What types of conversations require an immediate or timely response? Does this response need to occur publicly or take place on another channel? Can the conversation wait until the next business day after a public acknowledgement of issue or inquiry? Who needs to see and hear the conversations playing out online?
A process is only as effective as those people responsible for completing the necessary activities. During a holiday, it is is not just your community with extra time. Your workforce is enjoying time with their friends and family too. Align your escalation grid with a phone and email or social profile tree. When a response is required and legal or communications approval is needed, will you have the right people in the backchannel and front lines ready to pull the trigger?
Communicate who is on point internally and externally. Your community managers do not need to sacrifice their lives to be online at all times. Holidays should be treated no differently as weekend or after-hour time periods. Establish a rotation plan and include other members of your organization to check in and listen to the conversations and escalate as required throughout the day. Don't forget to tell your community who will be listening and how to contact the organization during these times.
The conservation does not take a holiday. Be prepared and have a plan so you and your community can enjoy the time.
Share some tips about how you prepare your organization and community for vacation or a holiday.


If you have ever used the Google Voice search within the Google app and hoped it could work in noisy places, or wished it would work faster, your wish has been granted.
With these upgrades, search within the Google app is now 300 milliseconds faster, though it may feel like 500 milliseconds faster for some people depending on the device they're using.
So, what do these upgrades entail?
In a recent interview, the Google Speech Team shared a few details of how the upgrades came about.
The first change for Google Voice Search took place in 2012 when the 30-year old core technology used to model the sounds of a language, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) – considered standard in the industry – was replaced with Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). The DNN technology was better able to recognise spoken words or commands by the user, which led to a dramatic improvement in speech recognition accuracy.
The recent upgrade was based on better neural network acoustic models using CTC – Connectionist Temporal Classification and sequence discriminative training methods. Actually, these models can be considered an extension of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) that deliver more accuracy, particularly in noisy environments, plus they are superbly fast.
According to the team, the type of RNN being used by Google for its acoustic models can memorise information better than the DNN and model "temporal dependencies". To reduce computations, the models have also been trained to take in larger audio chunks while enhancing recognition in noisy settings by adding artificial noise to the training data.
To create these improvements, Google's team had to tweak the different models to establish an optimal balance between improved forecasts and latency.
The new improved acoustic models are based on RNNs that have feedback loops, which use memory cells and a complex gating mechanism, compared to the conventional speech recognisers that break down the waveform spoken by the user into tiny consecutive "frames" of 10 milliseconds of audio.
Basically, these improvements allow Google to recognise spoken words with greater accuracy, even in noisy settings, while demanding lower computational resources to assess sounds in real-time.
The new acoustic models are already been used for voice searches and commands in the Android and iOS Google apps, as well as for dictation on Android devices. So, you can now expect a better user experience when putting questions that you want to be searched on the web, or when asking for directions to the nearest filling station.