Google+ has been out for under 6 months now, and early adapters have been on the social network for the majority of that time. However, most of the Internet-using public is still not actively using the new social network. The following is our impression of Google's new social network, after being on Google+ for a few months now.
Angry Birds worked faster on Google+ than it does as my Chrome browser game, and I really like the "beat your friends' scores" aspect of it.
Here is far and away the best feature where Google+ destroys Facebook and Twitter and every other social network that's not blog-centric. Google+ allows you to avoid embarrassing spelling and grammatical errors by giving you the ability to edit your posts after posting them.
Hang outs are great, especially when celebrities start them. Newt Gingrich started a hangout at the beginning of his career and whether or not you agreed or disagreed with his politics it was really great to see him there on a web chat with a number of other Google+ users.
With hangouts, you can also record them for viral and social media marketing usage later.
Some people (who probably love the perpetual noise of Twitter) really love the streams for Google+. I, on the other hand, find any activity stream confusing. Whether you're on Google+, the latest Facebook, or Twitter, when you have more than a few dozen follows there's so much noise and clutter that you have to almost get "lucky" to find something good.
Yes, you can filter your streams in the new Facebook and on Google+, but it still doesn't seem to be the optimal user experience to me. Facebook's new stream is ridiculously confusing at first, with the ticker, Top Stories vs Recent Stories and all the game and app notification floods … but after you get used to it it makes more sense.
The Google+ stream, on the other hand, is confusing as to why certain people can "share information" with me when I didn't approve them to, or care about reading their posts, certain people always appear at the top of my stream, even if their posts were created over 24 hours ago, and following celebrities like Guy Kawasaki is completely useless because he has automated/staff updates literally every hour or so throughout the day which ends up clogging your stream.
You cannot post a status update, link, or anything when viewing your profile, which is odd, because it's your profile you're going to be posting to, so why make you go back to the stream (or, Home) to post a stream?
Also, you cannot post on someone's wall or profile. You have to mention them in a post and select the appropriate privacy setting.
Messaging on Google+ is by far it's biggest failure. Not everyone is going to see all the stream items you intend only for them. Every social network stream is inherently full of so much noise that a private message isn't guaranteed to be found easily. Yes, you will get notifications of someone tagging you to help bring the post to your attention, but nothing is like a Direct Message.
On Google+, if you want to send someone a direct message or private message you have to "email" them. What if I just want to send a quick "Happy Birthday!" or posting a link which relates to a friend's favorite team, a video which speaks to something you both may have shared recently. There really should be the freedom to go on their profile and make a post.
Google says they're working on this, and I'm sure they're going to come up with some great solutions, but not allowing people to create a business page now that Google+ is public and free for all is a little strange. Google+ has 40 million profiles now, and to assume that people aren't going to use this for business is odd. People are creating business profiles anyway, and Google+ has been deleting some of those…when they find them out.
The way Google+ links is superior to Facebook and Twitter, because the preview images are bigger, and Google+ seems to recognize more on-page text than Facebook does.
However, Facebook allows you to edit the title and text preview of the link you're trying to share, whereas on Google+ you cannot edit the title and can only "delete text." Why is this a big deal? Because certain sites have SEO page titles which may or may not be Keyword-driven. If it's a blog post, this is fine, as it's usually an accurate representation of the link you're sharing. Although sharing a website's home page, which has their keywords before their company title for better SEO, then we're stuck with what we got. Example, Circle Marketing's Page Name is "Website Design | Small Business Marketing …. Circle Marketing." This is great for SEO, but when you share that general link in your Google+ stream, you can't edit that down to "Circle Marketing" for better stream-viewing, like you can on Facebook.
A word to those evangelists, try posting about the great things Google+ has to offer, like the absence of ads, the fun social aspect of playing a fun and very popular game like Angry Birds vs those in your Circles, and other things you feel Google+ does better than Facebook.
There is currently no advertising on Google+ and that's a good thing from the user's perspective. However, we all know it's eventually going to happen, so it's really how will Google+ integrate ads and/or sponsored posts which will determine how evasive the ads are for the average user and also how effective the ads will be for advertisers.
Judging by how AdSense and AdWords works now, you should probably expect to find something of a hybrid, like Facebook Ads. This way, you can combine the best of text and image advertising with a format users are familiar with and won't be too taken aback by.
Google+ is going to have to make some immediate changes if they hope to keep growing and eventually compete with Facebook for ubiquitous and singular serious market share Facebook enjoys. The social network is already losing traffic, which is down almost half since it's peak a couple months ago. Google+ has recently announced a couple new features. For example, the social network will be supporting pseudonyms and other forms of identity, and will also finally offer the ability to use Google Apps now. These aren't really the bigger, more beneficial changes we were hoping for, but they're obviously still working hard and some of the things we would like to see aren't exactly quick fixes.
If you're a social media and social network junkie and you have to jump on the next things quickly, then go for it. Google+ will be yet another way for you to share snippy one-liners and another way to share that video of a cat flushing a toilet. If you're a business owner, marketer, or sales person, then you, too, will want to get on Google+ because networking is good wherever the venue may be. For the vast majority of people out there, however, it's definitely not going to give you what Facebook already gives you better. Sure, there are a few more "pluses" with Google+ over Facebook, but overall it's not even close to a must-use for the average social media user.


55 Parcels, Totaling 647.9 Acres. Beautiful location at Emigrant Gap including Putt Lake (year around spring fed lake), amazing views and Blue Canyon-Nyack Airport close by. Great potential for development: Mountain Golf Course; Custom Luxury Residential Cabin, Timber and much more. Possible owner financing available.
Copyright , Metrolist Sacramento. All rights reserved.
All measurements and all calculations of area (i.e., Sq Ft and Acreage) are approximate. Broker has represented to MetroList that Broker has a valid listing signed by seller authorizing placement in the MLS. Above information is provided by Seller and/or other sources and has not been verified by Broker. Copyright 2016 MetroList Services, Inc. Based on information from MetroList Services, Inc.
I'd like some more information about 647 Putt Lake, Emigrant Gap CA. Thank you.
I'd like to request a showing for 647 Putt Lake, Emigrant Gap CA. Thank you.


HACC is expanding apprenticeship agreements to include logistics, cyber security, hotel associate and emergency medical technician. HACC launched Pennsylvania's first Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program in February 2017, followed by apprenticeships in hospitality and construction trades.
HACC staff recently updated and modernized nine classrooms throughout the College. The College also replaced over 1,500 computers and laptops that were reaching end of life.
Additionally, HACC staff built a One Button Studio at HACC's Harrisburg Campus. The studio is a hardware and software combination that allows nontechnical users to record, edit and package instructional videos for use both online or within a classroom.
Wireless network improvements are underway at the Harrisburg Campus. HACC staff will improve the Wi-Fi networks at the Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses this fall.
HACC's Dual Enrollment Program continues to grow, with the largest cohort of over 350 high school students enrolled in courses at HACC's Gettysburg Campus. The program allows qualified students to fulfill high school requirements while earning college credits at a reduced rate on campus, online or at their high school as early as their junior year. These credits count toward HACC programs and transfer to many other colleges and universities.
HACC's Gettysburg Campus will host a Dual Enrollment Parent Night on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. to provide an opportunity for parents and prospective dual enrollment high school students to learn about the program.
HACC recently piloted an Instagram account for HACC's York Campus and will launch a collegewide Instagram page later this year. In addition to our Twitter and Facebook pages, HACC's Instagram page will give you an inside peek into life at HACC!
HACC will continue to promote and support the hiring of a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students. We know that HACC students will be more engaged, more apt to return and more inclined to graduate if they are positively impacted by diverse instructors. This fall, HACC employees will have an opportunity to participate in training that focuses on implicit bias, and review job candidates' statements about diversity as part of the application process.
The Gettysburg Campus Diversity Committee is promoting a series of free campus and community events this fall to help us EMBRACE (Educate, Model, Broaden, Respect, Accept, Connect, Empathize) our diversity.
HACC has changed degree designations for 30 of the College's 105 programs to improve transferability or workforce preparation.
Virtual Learning has added 14 new workforce development courses, with five more coming in 2018-19.
The Automotive Service Advisor Certificate has been added in response to input and best practices from automotive professionals and local employment needs.
A two-day Medical Cannabis workshop will be held Nov. 2-3, with plans to offer a virtual option in the near future.
HACC is partnering with DARTDrones to deliver professional drone pilot training.
In February 2019, HACC will become the only educational institution in Central Pennsylvania to offer a Nursing Home Administration Program.
Construction will begin this fall at HACC's Gettysburg Campus to double the Mechatronics Program with a second cohort of students in January 2019. The College's noncredit Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Apprenticeship Program will utilize the new classroom and lab in the evenings.
HACC's Gettysburg Campus will offer a Winemaking and Grape Growing Certificate in January 2019.
HACC's Harrisburg Campus added tutors in the classrooms of Biology 111 and Math 090.
The tutoring program at HACC's Lancaster Campus added sections in the classrooms of biology, developmental English, English, math and nursing.
Tutoring in the classroom expanded to include biology and accounting at HACC's York Campus.
HACC's Harrisburg Campus also is offering on-demand tutoring in the new Math 090 class, which provides an instructor-guided environment for individuals to fill in gaps to accelerate remediation in math skills. HACC's Lebanon Campus successful math boot camp will be offered in January 2019 for students who placed below the lowest level of developmental math.
Radiology Informatics Program students at HACC's Lancaster Campus will have access this fall to a picture archival computer system (PACS) to support a blended model of delivery that combines online work with an intensive weekend of lab exercises.
Students enrolled in biology classes at HACC's Harrisburg Campus have four new digital microscopes with cameras set up in biology labs, which provide a means for students to enlarge and save images to study on their own.
Innovative partnerships this fall include expanding HACC's S.T.E.P. Program and skills training for pre-apprenticeship opportunities in Lebanon and York. HACC's Lebanon Campus hosted over 40 students in two local districts in spring 2018 and has added a third school district this fall. In York, the program will be offered at Crispus Attucks to serve underserved residents. HACC also has expanded the program in school districts in Dauphin and Lancaster counties.
HACC is a member of the Workforce Pipeline Commmittee in Lancaster, which partners with manufacturers, the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board and local high schools to create pathways into manufacturing in the Lancaster region as a solution to the skills gap in industry.
HACC is partnering with Highmark Caring Place to begin a virtual grief support group this fall to help children, teens or young adults process grief.
HACC's Lancaster Campus is partnering with the Community Action Program of Lancaster/Lebanon for an on-site navigator so students can access local resources to preventive and supportive services and financial issues.
The HACC Foundation has an AAA Travel and HACC Alumni Association partnership to offer two trips this fiscal year. The trips are open to the public, so these are great experiences that we hope will bring students, employees, alumni and the community together for HACC!
The HACC Foundation has achieved two of its fundraising campaign goals and is well on the way to achieving its third fundraising goal. Most importantly, we have quantitative data to prove that a significant percentage of students who receive scholarship funds and emergency assistance funding remain at HACC and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. The funding helps to alleviate barriers that stop many HACC students from completing their credentials.
Nursing students at the Gettysburg Campus will benefit from the Margaret J. Keyser Memorial Nursing Scholarship that was recently established by the Keyser family.
The HACC Foundation Board has elected new Board members to help support exciting projects and initiatives at HACC.
Google Translate has been added to hacc.edu so that visitors can read the College's website in more than 60 languages.
For more information, please contact newsroom@hacc.edu.


Prime Bayview Location. Ideal For Retail, Service, Professional Use (No Restaurants Please). Semi-Gross Rental $4,500/Month + Hst. Tenant To Pay 100 % Utilities. Semi-Gross Rental Includes Heat, Realty Taxes, Building Insurance (Annual Escalations For Tmi.).
Paul Slavens Real Estate Inc.


text:
Q: Syncfusion Grid Add button does not fire I have the grid update, delete functionality working, however the "add" button does not work(i.e I click the "add" button but the "insert" event is not fired). Would the community have inputs on what I could be doing wrong?
Settings.cshtml:
@Html.AntiForgeryToken()
<ejs-grid id="GridNewKeywords" allowPaging="true" load="onLoad" toolbar="@( new List<object>() {" Add","Edit","Delete","Update","Cancel"})">
      <e-grid-editsettings allowAdding="true" allowDeleting="true" allowEditing="true" />
      <e-data-manager url="/Settings?handler=DataSource" insertUrl="/Settings?handler=Insert" updateUrl="/Settings?handler=Update" removeUrl="/Settings?handler=Delete" adaptor="UrlAdaptor" />
      <e-grid-pageSettings pageCount="5" pageSize="5" />
      <e-grid-columns>
          <e-grid-column field="KeywordId" headerText="Id" isPrimaryKey="true" width="0" allowEditing="false" />
          <e-grid-column field="UserId" headerText="UserId" isPrimaryKey="true" width="0" allowEditing="false" />
          <e-grid-column field="Value" headerText="Keyword" validationRules="@(new { required=true})" />
      </e-grid-columns>
</ejs-grid>

<script>
function onLoad()
{
    this.dataSource.dataSource.headers = [{ 'XSRF-TOKEN': $("input:hidden[name='__RequestVerificationToken']").val() }];
}
</script>

Settings.cshtml.cs:
[ValidateAntiForgeryToken]
public class SettingsModel : PageModel
{
  public async Task<JsonResult> OnPostInsert([FromBody]SyncfusionControlCrudModel<Keyword> syncfusionControlCrudModel)
  {
    var identityUser = await GetIdentityUserAsync();
    var keyword = new Keyword()
    {
      UserId = identityUser.Id,
      Value = syncfusionControlCrudModel.value.Value
    };
    ApplicationDbContext.Keywords.Add(keyword);
    await ApplicationDbContext.SaveChangesAsync();
    return new JsonResult(syncfusionControlCrudModel.value);
  }
}

A: In your Grid You have added a whitespace before the "Add" option (like " Add") in toolbar items which is the cause of the reported behavior. So It acts as a custom toolbar item that's why it does not perform any action(For custom toolbar item, you need to handle the corresponding action in toolbarClick event).
<ejs-grid id="GridNewKeywords" allowPaging="true" load="onLoad" actionFailure="actionFailure"
      toolbar="@( new List<object>() {"Add","Edit","Delete","Update","Cancel"})">

To resolve this, please remove the whitespace before the Add in toolbar object.
Documentation

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
import React, { Component } from 'react';
import { Form, Button, Header, Segment } from 'semantic-ui-react';
import SettingsStore from '../../stores/settings-store.js';
import { setSettings } from '../../actions/settings-actions.js';
import { addNotification } from '../../actions/notification-actions.js';
import { isProduction, isDemoMode } from '../../util/env.js';

class SettingsForm extends Component {
  state = {
    settings: SettingsStore.get()
  }

  _handleSubmit(e, { formData }) {
    e.preventDefault();
    this.setState(formData);
    setSettings(formData);

    addNotification({
      title: 'Settings',
      message: 'Your settings have been saved.',
      level: 'success'
    });
  }

  _getTransportLayers(isProduction, isDemoMode) {
    let transportLayers;

    const webSocketLayer = { text: 'WebSocket', value: 'websocket' };
    const ajaxLayer = { text: 'AJAX', value: 'ajax' };
    const demoLayer = { text: 'Static data', value: 'static' };

    if(isProduction && isDemoMode) {
      transportLayers = [ demoLayer ];
    } else if(isProduction) {
      transportLayers = [ webSocketLayer, ajaxLayer ];
    } else {
      transportLayers = [ webSocketLayer, ajaxLayer, demoLayer ];
    }

    return transportLayers;
  }

  _areNetworkSettingsDisabled(isProduction, isDemoMode) {
    return isProduction && isDemoMode;
  }

  render() {
    const transportLayers = this._getTransportLayers(isProduction, isDemoMode);
    const networkSettingsAreDisabled = this._areNetworkSettingsDisabled(isProduction, isDemoMode);

    return (
      <Form onSubmit={this._handleSubmit.bind(this)}>
        <Segment>
          General
          <Form.Checkbox label='Check for updates on initial load' name='checkForUpdatesOnInitialLoad' defaultChecked={this.state.settings.checkForUpdatesOnInitialLoad} />
        </Segment>
        <Segment>
          Connection
          <Form.Group widths='equal'>
            <Form.Input label='Kodi IP Address' name='ipAddress' defaultValue={this.state.settings.ipAddress} disabled={networkSettingsAreDisabled} />
            <Form.Select label='Transport Layer' name='transportLayer' options={transportLayers} defaultValue={this.state.settings.transportLayer} />
          </Form.Group>
          <Form.Group widths='equal'>
            <Form.Input label='WebSocket Port' name='webSocketPort' type='number' defaultValue={this.state.settings.webSocketPort} disabled={networkSettingsAreDisabled} />
            <Form.Input label='AJAX Port' name='ajaxPort' type='number' defaultValue={this.state.settings.ajaxPort} disabled={networkSettingsAreDisabled} />
          </Form.Group>
        </Segment>
        <Segment>
          Display
          <Form.Group widths='equal'>
            {/* <Form.Input label='Items per page' name='itemsPerPage' type='number' defaultValue={this.state.settings.itemsPerPage} /> */}
            <Form.Input label='Items per row' name='itemsPerRow' type='number' defaultValue={this.state.settings.itemsPerRow} />
          </Form.Group>
        </Segment>
        <Button primary type='submit'>Save</Button>
      </Form>
    );
  }
}

export default SettingsForm;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The head of a West Virginia-based company that specializes in recycling wastewater from oil and gas production is among those testifying at an Oklahoma public hearing on the link between wastewater disposal and an increase in earthquakes.
Brian Kalt of Fairmont Brine Processing spoke Tuesday during an oil and gas industry forum at the Oklahoma Capitol. The forum was hosted by state Rep. Richard Morrissette, who is a Democratic candidate for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates oil and gas operations in Oklahoma.
Kalt says he is having discussions with Oklahoma-based oil and gas producers and is considering locating a wastewater treatment facility in Oklahoma. His company uses an evaporation and crystallization process to treat the briny wastewater that is a byproduct of oil and gas drilling.
In related news, Oklahoma City-based Kimray Inc. announces more layoffs.


Paul Grabowsky was born in Lae, New Guinea in 1958 and grew up in Melbourne. He metriculated, dux of the state of Victoria and graduated from the UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE in 1979. From 1981 he studied at the JULLIARD SCHOOL in New York, lived in Munich a further six years and taught jazz in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
He has become one of Australia's most sought-after composers. His writing for film and television is vast and has included THE PETROV AFFAIR (1986), THE BIT PART starring Nicole Kidman (1987), the full orchestral score for GEORGIA starring Judy Davis, nominated for BEST SOUND TRACK in the 1988 AFI AWARDS, all the instrumental music and arrangements for TONIGHT LIVE WITH STEVE VIZARD, A WOMAN'S TALE (1991) for which his work was nominated for BEST SOUNDTRACK in the AFI AWARDS, theme and additional music for the ABC's two series of, PHEONIX (1991-2) the full orchestral score for THE LAST DAYS OF CHEZ NOUS, again nominated for the AFI AWARDS' BEST SOUNDTRACK and also for an ARIA award, the episodes LUST, WRATH, and PRIDE for the ABC's SINS (1992), the theme music for LIVE IT UP for NETWORK TEN (1992) FULL FRONTAL (1993), the same year writing the jazz tracks and appearing as pianist on the soundtrack of Fred Schepesi's SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION. Of his music for the ABC's PHEONIX and PHEONIX II, THE AGE wrote: I held my breath as Paul Grabowsky's beguiling strains heralded the start… He composed the soundtrack for the ABC's subsequent JANUS (1994), HALIFAX FP(1995) nominated for BEST TELEVISION MUSIC in the APRA AWARDS, the documentary THE GOOD LOOKER, the score of which won a 1995 AFI AWARD, the feature film, LUST & REVENGE starring Claudia Karvan recorded in Melbourne and Sri Lanka (1995) and the ABC/BBC co-production, THE BITE (1996). During 1998 he was engaged by ARTIST SERVICES to compose the orchestral score for the feature film, SIAM SUNSET and for HALLMARK ENTERTAINMENT's telemovie, NOAH'S ARK. Most recently his soundtracks have included SHINER by John Irvin, Paul Cox's THE DIARY OF VASLAV NIJINSKY, INNOCENCE, LAST ORDERS and, released during 2011, THE EYE OF THE STORM, both films directed by Fred Schepisi..
In addition to those soundtracks which appear on commercially released CD recordings, Paul Grabowsky's discography includes 6×3 on the SPIRAL SCRATCH label and WHEN WORDS FAIL and THREE on ORIGIN, all featuring his own compositions played by the PAUL GRABOWSKY TRIO and ANGEL, featuring vocalist, Shelley Scown, supported by the PAUL GRABOWSKY TRIO, TEE VEE on the WEA AUSTRALIA label and on VERABRA in Europe, featuring the PAUL GRABOWSKY SEXTET, and PASSION and RINGING THE BELL BACKWARDS, the 1995 debut album of his jazz and semi-improvisatory contemporary music ensemble, the AUSTRALIAN ART ORCHESTRA. THE AGE reviewer, Adrian Jackson, wrote of this recording: The music is so densely layered and detailed, so imaginatively conceived and so brilliantly executed, it requires repeated listening before you can begin to absorb all of what it has to offer. It is a triumph for Grabowsky and his colleagues, and imposing proof that the best in Australian jazz is right up there with the best creative endeavours to be heard anywhere. His recording, THE BITTER SUITE won a 2014 ARIA award for Best Jazz Album, his fifth ARIA award in total, and also Best Jazz Album in the 2014 AIR Awards.
SOLO was released on the ABC label, also during 2014, and his most recent recording with Vince Jones, entitled PROVENANCE, again released by the ABC, has been reviewed in THE AUSTRALIAN with, Grabowsky… matchless ease and ceaseless invention…. Of course Grabowsky's sympathetic accompaniment is faultless throughout.
Paul Grabowsky's major music theatre piece, THE THEFT OF SITA premiered at the 2000 ADELAIDE FESTIVAL formed part of the program of the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, was seen at EXPO 2000 in Hannover, Germany and, during 2001, at BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC in New York, of which the NEW YORK TIMES reviewer said of the score, …dazzling…, at the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE and in London.
His work was featured in the opening and closing ceremonies of the SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES and the SYDNEY PARALYMPICS.
His opera, LOVE IN THE AGE OF THERAPY with libretto by Joanna Murray-Smith was produced by OPERA AUSTRALIA's OZ OPERA. during 2002 as part of the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL.
His song cycle, BEFORE TIME COULD CHANGE US, written for vocalist, Katie Noonan and commissioned by the QUEENSLAND BIENNIAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC was released, during 2005 on the WARNER label and saw Paul Grabowsky awarded an ARIA award for Best Jazz Album. His TALES OF TIME & SPACE, also on WARNER was recorded in New York with Brandford Marsalis and was presented at the 2005 SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL and at the 2007 PERTH INTERNATIONAL and ADELAIDE CABARET festivals. 2007 also included a major concert with THE QUEENSLAND ORCHESTRA and 2008 included a solo recital for RECITALS AUSTRALIA in Adelaide. In 2009 he appeared with the ADELAIDE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, gave a solo recital in the program of the G'DAY ISRAEL FESTIVAL in Jerusalem and was commissioned to write a major new work for the QUEENSLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL entitled, PRESIDENTSLAND and by the CITY OF MELBOURNE to write a new work featuring the organ of the MELBOURNE TOWN HALL.
In 2011 he toured extensively with Paul Kelly in MEET ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AIR and, during 2013 and 2014 while CROSSING ROPER BAR, his collaboration with traditional Aboriginal musicians and the AUSTRALIAN ART ORCHESTRA was performed at the Northern Territory's GARMA FESTIVAL, at the AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM in Canberra and at the HONG KONG ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS. PASSION, his collaborative work based on themes from Bach's ST. MATTHEW PASSION was featured at the 2014 SOUNDSTREAMS festival in Toronto.
Other recent composing projects include THE LAST MAN STANDING, with text by Steve Vizard, for the MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY's 2015 season.
His opera, BANQUET OF SECRETS was premiered by VICTORIAN OPERA during 2016 in seasons in Melbourne and Brisbane, of which LIMELIGHT magazine wrote, …the synergy between musical and theatrical intention is so incisive that it delivers a jolt of high-voltage visceral energy that is jaw-dropping.
2018 commissions include a one-woman show for operatic soprano, Emma Matthews, entitled THE SPACE BETWEEN for ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE and a song-cyle, THREE SONGS FOR GERHARD RICHTER commissioned by OPERA QUEENSLAND for the GALLERY OF MODERN ART in Brisbane, as part of its Richter exhibition.
He was the recipient of the MELBOURNE PRIZE FOR MUSIC in 2007, Artistic Director of the 2007 QUEENSLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL and Artistic Director of the 2010 and 2012 ADELAIDE FESTIVAL.


text:
cs.SI
Computer Science > Computers and Society
Title: "It is just a flu": Assessing the Effect of Watch History on YouTube's Pseudoscientific Video Recommendations
Authors: Kostantinos Papadamou, Savvas Zannettou, Jeremy Blackburn, Emiliano De Cristofaro, Gianluca Stringhini, Michael Sirivianos
(Submitted on 22 Oct 2020 (v1), last revised 12 Oct 2021 (this version, v5))
Abstract: The role played by YouTube's recommendation algorithm in unwittingly promoting misinformation and conspiracy theories is not entirely understood. Yet, this can have dire real-world consequences, especially when pseudoscientific content is promoted to users at critical times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we set out to characterize and detect pseudoscientific misinformation on YouTube. We collect 6.6K videos related to COVID-19, the Flat Earth theory, as well as the anti-vaccination and anti-mask movements. Using crowdsourcing, we annotate them as pseudoscience, legitimate science, or irrelevant and train a deep learning classifier to detect pseudoscientific videos with an accuracy of 0.79.
We quantify user exposure to this content on various parts of the platform and how this exposure changes based on the user's watch history. We find that YouTube suggests more pseudoscientific content regarding traditional pseudoscientific topics (e.g., flat earth, anti-vaccination) than for emerging ones (like COVID-19). At the same time, these recommendations are more common on the search results page than on a user's homepage or in the recommendation section when actively watching videos. Finally, we shed light on how a user's watch history substantially affects the type of recommended videos.
Comments: To appear at the 16th International Conference on Web and Social Media (ICWSM 2022). Please cite the ICWSM version
Subjects: Computers and Society (cs.CY); Social and Information Networks (cs.SI)
Cite as: arXiv:2010.11638 [cs.CY]
(or arXiv:2010.11638v5 [cs.CY] for this version)
From: Kostantinos Papadamou Dr [view email]
[v1] Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:20:01 GMT (8044kb,D)
[v2] Tue, 3 Nov 2020 10:37:30 GMT (8044kb,D)
[v3] Sun, 17 Jan 2021 16:46:07 GMT (7711kb,D)
[v4] Tue, 18 May 2021 13:48:56 GMT (9174kb,D)
[v5] Tue, 12 Oct 2021 23:03:38 GMT (9175kb,D)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Browse profiles of Member members that have joined Heavy Metal Date that are tagged with Amputee. Dating other singles that have like minded interests is a pefect way to find things to do on a first date. Create a Free Account to Meet Someone Tonight!


Gender Talk: A Panel happens tonight at A Place Gallery and Studios, a discussion encompassing various points of view on the complex issue of gender.
Topics to be discussed include pronoun use, cis-normativity (cis means you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth), intersectionality and allies, and social justice activism.
Panelists include Nico Gumbs, the Orlando YAYA coordinator; Anna Vishkaee Eskamani, the PR Director of Planned Parenthood; and Alexandria Gutierrez, the CEO of Trans & Fit.
Doors open at 8 p.m., and the panel will last from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.. At 10:30 p.m., there will be open discussion. Admission is free.
If you can't make it, there will be live streams on Periscope and Facebook.


The Domaine de Piaugier is situated in the village of Sablet, in the southern Rhône valley.
Jean-Marc Autran, whose father and grandfather before him were wine growers, and his wife, Sophie, cultivate 30 hectares of vines in Sablet and Gigondas.
From vinification right through to bottling, the wines are made in the cellars built by Jean-Marc's great-grandfather in 1947.
The dominant grape variety is the traditional Grenache, with complimentary plantings of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Counoise and Carignan for the reds and Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussane and Viognier for the white wine.
The range includes classics such as a renowned Gigondas, Sablet reds made from small parcels of vines, and an elegant rosé, as well as some more unusual wines such as the barrel fermented white, the 'Ténébi' – made from 100% Counoise – or the Rêve de Marine made from pure Syrah and matured in oak barrels.


The The Doghaus Soulard and the Young Friends of the APA are hosting a pop up benefiting the APA Adoption Center! Stop by for a cold drink and some warm puppy snuggles!
Access to the bar and pet friendly patio are fee. If you would like to bring your dog to enjoy the dog park, you can purchase a day passes for $10 or a yearly membership for $40. If you'll be bringing your dog to the event, please note that all dogs must have their vaccine records to enter the dog park and dogs are not allowed in the bar.


text:
import React, { PropTypes } from 'react';
import { Link, IndexLink } from 'react-router';

import Heading from './Heading';
import Sidebar from './Sidebar';

const App = (props) => {
  return (

        <Heading />

            <Sidebar />

            {props.children}

  );
};

App.propTypes = {
  children: PropTypes.element
};

export default App;


Worldwide shipments of soundbars – separate speaker units containing two or more speakers that are connected to a television - doubled in size between 2010 and 2011 to reach nearly 2.5 million units, with the market expected to enjoy further growth throughout the forecast period to 2016.
In the middle of the last decade, soundbars were targeted at relatively high end consumers who did not have the space for complete home theatre systems, which are also associated with multiple speakers and wires, but who wanted good quality sound. As the flat panel TV boom has continued, the sound quality of some TV sets has been compromised in the shift towards ever-thinner designs. This has resulted in more soundbars emerging, targeted at those who are not interested enough in audio to purchase a home theatre, but who believe that the sound of their TV would benefit from a little extra investment. In many cases, retailers have reinforced this point with consumers who are purchasing their TV set, suggesting a soundbar as an additional purchase at the same time that they buy the TV.
North America makes up the largest share of the global market, accounting for more than two thirds of global shipments. North America is expected to remain the largest world market out to 2016. Vendors and retailers alike have vigorously promoted soundbars to the consumer, and the powerful TV brands have benefited from bundling TV sets and soundbars, often at a discount.
Looking to Europe, the region has been much slower to follow the North American lead and accounted for less than 20% of global shipments last year. Perhaps this is primarily due to a comparative lack of space in European homes . In addition, retailers in many European markets have been slow to take up the concept of soundbars.
In Japan, the adoption of soundbars occurred much earlier than in Europe, though the market is maturing more rapidly and the country is not a large market for home theatre products. In 2011, Japan accounted for less than 8% of the global market and this share will reduce to half that level by 2016 as the market in Europe and the rest of the world expands.
Despite the growth in soundbars, Futuresource forecasts and analysis do not show the products to become mass market, and penetration will reach just 2% of global households by 2016.


I just planted a Himalayan birch in a container. My balcony is on the 24th floor (windy) and faces north (open shade) in Chicago. I'm clear on its watering/fertilizing needs during summer, but what about in the depths of winter? Will I need to water it all winter the same as summer? Even when it's below freezing? Can I help protect it from freezing by wrapping the container with bubble wrap? I'd appreciate any advice, as my previous tree did not survive last winter; it was a Japanese Maple, and I'm told that this tree was a poor choice for me to start with and really never had a chance of surviving.
We have numerous sprouts along the lateral root system of our White Birch trees. When we dig them out, we pull out long pieces of lateral surface root with several sprouts on them. We would like to know of a less labor intensive method of removing the sprouts.
We live in Aurora Co. We have a river birch tree that faces the west. We have noticed sap oozing down the trunk. It looks grayish/white. We have also noticed a hissing sound. Should we treat the tree with anything?
My 3 year old birch trees were bruised at the base of the tree, scraped and debarked by the lawn mower. What should I do to the area?
I was surprised to learn that a river birch could be grown in a container. I would like to know if the tree can stay outside or should it protected somehow during winter months. I live in western NY-Zone 5.
Treat plants in containers as though they are growing in one zone lower than your current zone. So, since you live in Zone 5, you will need to find a variety of river birch that survives in Zone 4 in order to grow it in containers outside year round where you live.
We have a birch tree, quite large and probably 15 or more years old. It has a large colony of red ants on and around the roots. Will this harm the tree? What is the best way to kill the ants?
My river birch tree is growing well this year, probably due all the rain this growing season. I would like to prune it because it is getting in the way of the walking path. How do I prune it without hurting it? Is there anytime that I should not prune this tree?


text:
IG Farbenindustrie AG (versió curta de Interessengemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG, "Sindicat de la indústria colorant", també anomenada IG Farbenfabriken) va ser un conglomerat alemany de companyies químiques. Va ser fundat el 1925, encara que les companyies més importants que el van formar havien estat treballant juntes des de la Primera Guerra Mundial.

La companyia va ser fundada per Carl Duisberg i Hermann Hummel. L'edifici IG Farben, oficina central del conglomerat a Frankfurt del Main, Alemanya, va ser completat el 1931. Inicialment, moltes d'aquestes companyies produïen colorants, però aviat van començar a investigar altres àrees de química, mantenint un quasi monopoli sobre la producció química.

Productes
A l'Alemanya Nazi, van començar a produir el gas Zyklon B, verí que era comunament utilitzat en l'època per a espuçar. Durant l'Holocaust, aquest gas va ser usat com a agent letal en les cambres de gas dels camps d'extermini. El conglomerat va ser dissolt després de la Segona Guerra Mundial per decisió dels aliats a causa del treball esclau utilitzat en els processos de fabricació.

Altres productes van ser diversos tints i colorants, la goma de nitril, el poliuretà, el Prontosil (primera sulfamida terapèutica de la història), la cloroquina, el neurotòxic gas sarín, etc.

Els investigadors de la IG Farben van fer contribucions fonamentals al món de la química. Otto Bayer va descobrir la polimerització per a la síntesi del poliuretà el 1937, i diversos investigadors van rebre un Premi Nobel:
 Carl Bosch i Friedrich Bergius van rebre el de química el 1931 «en reconeixement a les seves contribucions en el desenvolupament dels mètodes de síntesi química a elevades pressions».
 Gerhard Domagk va rebe el de medicina el 1939 «pel descobriment dels efectes antibacterians del Prontosil».
 Kurt Alder va rebre el de química -juntament amb Otto Diels- el 1950 «pel seu treball en el desenvolupament de la síntesi de diens».

Dissolució del conglomerat
Agfa, BASF i Bayer van romandre en el negoci; Hoechst va iniciar el seu negoci químic el 1999 com a Celanese AG abans de fusionar-se amb Rhône-Poulenc per formar Aventis, que posteriorment es va fusionar amb Sanofi-Synthélabo per formar Sanofi. Dos anys abans, una altra part de Hoechst es va vendre el 1997 a la derivació química de Sandoz, la Clariant amb seu a Muttenz (Suïssa). Les empreses successores segueixen sent algunes de les empreses químiques i farmacèutiques més importants del món

Referències

Empreses desaparegudes
Empreses d'Alemanya

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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text:
Blackberry App
ALL WOMAN
Clovis Toons
Forex: J$140.57 to one US dollar 4:46 pm
Take steps to mitigate risk of China virus spread to Jamaica, PNP urges gov't 4:28 pm
Twelve western Jamaica businesses convicted for breaching plastic ban 4:15 pm
West End Road in Negril reduced to single lane 3:46 pm
Chinese city stops outbound flights, trains to fight virus 3:11 pm
Jamaica wins big at World Travel Awards' Caribbean Gala 2:54 pm
Thanks, 'parish lobbyists'
I want to congratulate some people in Jamaica who are making a very positive contribution to the country's development. I call them parish lobbyists. They are constantly lobbying for the development of their parish of birth.
The DJ called Popcaan, from St Thomas, is always defending better roads and basic amenities in the parish. It is nice to know that he does not only care about making money from music and fame — like so many other young people — but cares about the people of his parish of birth.
I respect what he is doing. Ann-Marie Vaz in Portland; Jesus, she seems to be obsessed, in a good way, with the parish. Every time I see her in the news it's about Portland, Portland, Portland. It looks like she eats, drinks and sleeps Portland. I like the work she is doing for the people as a Member of Parliament. God knows they were suffering for a long time.
Garfield Higgins, from St Mary, really loves the parish. I have stopped counting the number of times he has mentioned St Mary in his Sunday articles. I see him now lobbying hard for a STEM school in St Mary and for rural development. You are doing a good work, Sir.
The Mayor of Kingston and St Andrew Delroy Williams is one of the best mayors I have seen for a long time. I like the work he is doing to make Kingston look like a modern city.
Still, he has a lot of work to do, but he is trying. When he was here in England, he chatted up Kingston so much I wanted to come back home. I will when I retire in 2023. My house is almost complete in the parish of my birth, Manchester.
There is a website called St Ann, Jamaica, I don't know who is behind it, but they do a great work of putting up beauty spots from St Ann. My grandson brought it to my attention in October.
Keep up the great work, whoever is the author.
Basil Waite from St Elizabeth, he is a tireless campaigner for development in St Bess. I love how he insists that the rights of those in the bauxite belt be protected. Yes, I love it.
Our people must always be protected. It is our land and our heritage. I know there are many other parish lobbyists who are working for the development of their parish of birth and Jamaica, God bless you.
I will become a parish lobbyist for Manchester when I retire in three years. Look out for me, Jamaica! Thanks to these people for motivating me to make this decision.
Felix Robinson
Birmingham City, England
felixrobinson870@yahoo.com
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Have we abandoned constitutional reform?
Stepping up fight against AIDS
Is BNS really charging to lodge to someone else's a/c?
Seats to watch
Let us pray together
The sexism of murder-suicides
Wheatley is a hard-working, decent, law-abiding political representative
Where are the pedestrian crossings?
Barry Moncrieffe — a tribute of respect
Don't chastise all government workers
Campaign financing law toothless
Identify gun 'saluters'!
Wrong approach to Port Royal development
Domestic abuse stems from 'property syndrome'
And lo, man makes desert!
Will the PNP roll back the $1.5-million tax break?
Punish abuse of public funds!
Wheatley shouldn't run in the next election
Call femicide by its name
'Not a red cent more,' MPs until...
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The father replied, "No, son, it's not a toy! It truly is funds, my boy!" The boy hurried off to play outside, although, questioning why his father regarded as these colorful chips as money.
Most youngsters in America grew up with unique sorts of colored chips. This colored chips represents cash inside the casinos. For example, a player who wants to play poker has to get some chips to become utilised when betting. And due to the fact that is the kind of cash winonlinepokertoday that is certainly getting applied through a game in the casino, particularly poker, others ultimately call it poker dollars.
Poker income comes in different shades of blue, red, and other colors ordinarily noticed inside the casinos.
In a particular poker game, a player's poker revenue account is comprised of actual money and actual chips. Commonly, players could convert their cash to chips and vice versa. This can be performed any time the player wants to do transactions except for the duration of a game.Poker money arrives following a player settles down on a table and is prepared to play poker. This poker dollars, when it comes to chips, is getting laid out in front of the concerned player.
On the other hand, prior to proceeding into playing poker, each player need to make a deposit for his poker income.
Inside a live poker game exactly where players get to play facing each other, the poker funds are converted easily from money to chips and vice versa on counters supplied inside the casino.
On the other hand, on line poker games have diverse techniques of managing poker dollars. Most of the on the web poker web sites call for their players to possess their poker money accounts through deposits. Normally, these could be performed into two categories. One particular category of depositing poker revenue is through direct approaches wherein players use a credit card or draft in an effort to deposit revenue. The other category of depositing poker dollars is via a 3rd party solutions like NETeller or prepaid ATM which acts like Online banks. Right here, players can do transactions including depositing poker revenue and transferring funds to on the web poker Web sites.
You can find six deposit procedures commonly employed when dealing with poker funds by means of a 3rd party.
Initially of its sort is the Neteller. This strategy of depositing poker income is normally available on many World-wide-web web sites. Neteller offers players the decision of cashing out directly poker revenue into their account. Opening a Neteller account is like possessing a web-based wallet.
The other strategy you could possibly consider may be the MyCitadel wherein on the web poker players require not check their mails for drafts. MyCitadel is actually a payment method that manages US and Canadian customers mostly catering to poker revenue associated matters. Here, poker players can have their poker cash by getting chips on-line.
Then there is certainly the FirePay, a Web primarily based money account. FirePay is wonderful internet site wherein players with fund accounts from a Usa bank can straight open a poker cash account with them. Funds may be transferred straight from a U.S. bank account.
You also possess the option in employing a prepaid ATM. The difference with prepaid ATM is the fact that players get to deposit their poker dollars to an ATM card and not just a Website. When carrying out money outs, it goes directly to your card. And also the good issue about it is actually that the prepaid ATM operates with most local ATM machines.
If you are not so handy in working with ATM, you can choose credit cards. Poker funds deposits could be easily managed without the need of obtaining a 3rd celebration. Or superior yet, you can make use of the bank draft or verify wherein your poker money deposits are greater secured. Plus most Websites present 10% bonus any time you deposit poker money via this strategy.
Last option will be the UseMyBank technique wherein additionally, it guarantees secured, fast, and straightforward transactions. Although, only people that have Canadian on the internet bank accounts can be eligible.
And immediately after you will be through generating poker dollars deposit, and maybe playing some hands of poker, there are actually on-line poker Web site that may provide you with a selection if you would like to cash out your poker money at when or remove your funds at the web-site if in case you nonetheless desire to come back and play. With the six deposit mode talked about, you can be assured of getting your poker money, regardless of whether chips or money, stay exactly like you left them.
So, when the time comes you might have ultimately decided to play poker on the net or within a live poker area inside the casino, try to assume of methods how you can manage your poker money. Following all, these chips are usually not just plain plastics. Poker funds is exactly the cause why you might have played poker inside the very first spot.


text:
no more absolutes
Today is my last workshop of the semester. The story isn't exactly fiction. I haven't been able to look at it in the past week. I don't know, don't know, don't know. I hope that it is quickly and humanely dispatched, at least.
The Erotic Computation Group at MIT's Media Lab conducts research on topics such as "Erotic Speech Processing" and "Sex Toys of the Future." Yeah, it's a hoax, but someone put a lot of time into it.
Also we'll be seeing a heavily annotated Finnegans Wake CD in the next few years. I don't really trust Danis Rose with the job, as his "Reader's Edition" of Ulysses was perfectly wretched, but so long as he doesn't take so many liberties with the text this time, it could be a godsend. It's called MaMaLuJo: that's Joyce's compression of the Gospel authors, as opposed to the evil monkey from the Powerpuff Girls.
"I make a sound of pleasure at your shortcomings!"


I am sometimes affraid my dear Boy that you will be spoilt by being a favorite. Praise is a Dangerous Sweet unless properly tempered. If it does not make you arrogant, assuming and self sufficient, but on the contrary fires your Breast with Emulation to become still more worthy and engageing, it may not opperate to your Disadvantage. But if ever you feel your Little Bosom swell with pride and begin to think yourself better than others; you will then become less worthy, and loose those Qualities which now make you valuable. Worthy and amiable as I hope you are, there are still imperfections enough in every Humane Being to excite Humility, rather than pride.
If you have made some small attainments in knowledge, yet when you look forward to the immense sum; of which you are still Ignorant, you will find your own, but as a grain of sand, a drop, to the ocean.
If you look into your own Heart, and mind, you will find those amiable Qualities, for which you are beloved and esteemed, to result rather from habit and constitution, than from any solid, and setled principal. But it remains with you to Establish, and confirm that by choise and principal which has hitherto been a natural impulse.
Be modest, be diffident, be circumspect, kind and obligeing. These are Qualities which render youth engageing, and will flourish like a natural plant; in every clime.
I long to receive Letters from you. To hear of your Health and that of your dear pappas, would give me a pleasure that I have not experienced for 8 months.


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The Awakening: Book One in the Zombie Uprising SeriesM.A. Robbins
Available Through May 21 at
A deadly secret lies hidden beneath the arctic tundra, but now the ground is thawing…and the dead are rising…
Jen Reed joins her retired archaeologist father in remote Alaska, hoping to re-establish a long-missing relationship. But when the thawing permafrost outside a village reveals the burial ground of a 19th-century whaling crew, Jen and her father fail to heed the warning of village elders and begin removing bodies for study.
As the bodies thaw, they begin to move. To rise. To feed.
Communications are cut off and a deadly storm is bearing down on them. Can Jen find a way to save her father, survive the zombie onslaught, and warn the outside world of the coming plague before it's too late?
The Awakening is the first book in the Zombie Uprising series. If you like heart-pounding action, hordes of undead, and a kick-ass female lead, you'll love The Awakening.
Show Me More: Apocalyptic Horror


Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is introducing legislation to decriminalize marijuana.
Schumer first shared his intentions Thursday in an interview with Vice News, in which he decried the negative effects of current marijuana laws, under which the drug has the same legal classification as heroin. He said too many people caught with small amounts of marijuana had spent too much time in jail and that current laws have had a disproportionate effect on minority communities.
Last year, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who is seen by many Democrats as a potential presidential candidate in 2020, introduced the Marijuana Justice Act, which would legalize the drug nationwide; it was later endorsed by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., whose state legalized marijuana in 2015, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who is also seen as a potential presidential contender. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who endorsed a marijuana-legalization initiative in California during his 2016 presidential campaign, endorsed Booker's bill Thursday morning.
Schumer is introducing separate legislation on Friday - a date that is an unofficial holiday for marijuana users. His bill would not legalize marijuana outright, but instead allow states to decide whether to make the drug available commercially. It would end the limbo that marijuana sellers find themselves in, months after Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded Obama-era guidance that prevented federal law enforcement officials from interfering with the marijuana business in states where it had legal status.
"The bill lets the states decide and be the laboratories that they ought to be," Schumer said. "It also will ensure that minority- and woman-owned businesses have a dedicated funding stream to help them compete against bigger companies in the marijuana business. Critically, we ensure that advertising can't be aimed at kids, and put real funds behind research into the health effects of THC," referring to the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana.
The legislation would also maintain federal authority to regulate marijuana advertising in the same way it does alcohol and tobacco advertising. The aim, Schumer said, is to ensure that marijuana businesses aren't allowed to target children in their advertisements.
Schumer's move was quickly celebrated by legalization supporters, who began the week by thanking Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for fast-tracking a bill that would legalize industrial hemp.
"In the past week or so we've seen an unprecedented escalation of political support for marijuana law reform," said Tom Angell, chairman of Marijuana Majority. "It seems as if both parties may have finally realized just how popular marijuana legalization is with voters and are afraid of the other party stealing the issue."
Democrats see the Schumer bill as part of an ongoing effort to attract young voters, who tend not to participate in midterm elections. Schumer has also gotten behind a campaign to restore "net neutrality," regulation that would prevent Internet service providers from skewing the prices or download speeds for certain kinds of data.
"The time for decriminalization has come, and I hope we can move the ball forward on this," Schumer said.


Fall is, by far, my favorite season of the year. I'm pondering what is it about Fall I love so much as I sit here sipping my morning coffee. I'm going to try and put it into words.
Fall is a season of comfort for me.
This little post was inspired by a blog I follow called Fab Fitness, Food and Fun on a Budget. I loved the premise and thought it might be fun for my readers to learn a couple things about me, using the same questions. I hope she doesn't mind.
My absolute favorite weather to run in is the cooler type. I especially enjoy one of those days where I think I might have under-dressed because I'm freezing my assets off during my warm-up walk. I've only run like that in the Spring so I am definitely looking forward to Fall. Winter, well I'll have to get back to you on that if I don't hibernate again this year.
I'm aiming for flat abs. I'll let you know when I get there.
I do like The Doctors but I don't really watch either show. I'd rather be running.
Cardio, for sure. Does hoisting a toddler around count as a strength workout? Probably not!
Carbs. That's a no-brainer. I'm a chocolate amaretto cheesecake craving machine.
Hands down, Jillian. Bob is way too sweet to be motivating and I adore Jillian's bitchy side. She'd motivate me.
Maple Walnut Fro-Yo or Peach Earl Grey. What flavor I like changes with my mood but I prefer the taste of frozen yogurt over ice cream.
Lower body but I seriously need to work on the upper body.
Food with protein. I write cookbooks for a living so that's a given. That said, I do like the odd smoothie made with Manitoba Harvest's Dark Chocolate Hemp Protein, bananas, and berries. Yum.
Sweet… refer to the cravings question.
Comfort first, cute second. That said, I like to be color coordinated which I blame on my girly side.
I don't do either but I'd likely prefer Body Pump.
I like both but Yoga is definitely something I do more. I started Yoga when I was 375+ pounds and I also used Yoga to be fit during my last pregnancy. I find it centers me and is a great way to deal with stress.
Nike but only because that is what fit nicely and the price was right. I actually ended up returning the one Adidas shirt I bought. I have Nike capris, running shorts, and running tights.
Had you asked me this 10 months ago I would have said treadmill without even batting an eyelash. How things change. Give me the great outdoors any day, even if it's raining.
I'm in Canada so it's Whole Foods in Oakville or the local Farmers Market.
Winter. I love the bobsledding, luge, and skating.
Videos. I'm a bit of a hermit and I'm cheap resourceful.
Roasted. Better flavor. Better texture.
So there you have it. You might have even learned a little about me. Now I'm off to get the boy and I some Maple Walnut Fro-Yo before I go and read Jillian Michaels' book, Unlimited.
This has been such a long journey and some days I can't believe just how far I've come, but here I am… finally down to losing those last 20 pounds. I'm almost there and it's time for the final push. Why is it that the last 20 pounds seems so difficult to lose? Back when I was over 375 pounds I could drop 20 in week or two without blinking an eye. Yet now, with my body being leaner than it ever has been, 20 pounds will take a decent amount of determination and effort. I'm ready for the challenge. It's going to mean changing up my routine as well as adding in more resistance and toning exercises. Bring it on!
Being here has brought out such a range of thought and emotion. Some of what is going through my mind is difficult to articulate, however, I will attempt to put it into words.
First of all, I didn't get to this point alone. I have had much support from Bryan, Tobias, my in-laws, and my dear friends. Having people believe in me certainly helped when I had those dark moments where I felt like throwing in the towel before I used it to wipe the sweat from my brow. I am grateful to all of you.
I've changed so much from that girl I used to be that she is a distant memory to me—a stranger. Memory is a funny thing and while I try, I can't remember how it felt to be her from both a physical and emotional perspective. You see, she was really chubby for as long as I can remember. Even in kindergarten she was the big kid that everyone teased because she was different. As an adult, she was scared and unhappy—trying to protect herself in her own strange way, from the plethora of abuses she suffered in her youth. I know that she didn't have a lot of energy. Even going up and down stairs was a monumental effort for her. Through all the grief and struggles her weight reached a level where she was slowly killing herself. That girl shut herself off from the world because there was less risk of getting hurt and less risk of being seen as a failure if she ever attempted to follow her dreams. Somehow she transcended all of it.
One day this scared and timid girl decided she was the author of her own life and decided that she was going to be the one to write the ending. Her way. She chose a path of her own making and she mapped her own course rather than let the emotional vampires of her past, lead the way. She quit listening to people who were so unhappy that they put her down to make themselves feel superior. She started to follow her dreams and with that began a metamorphosis into the person that has become… me.
I was borne out of those experiences and I will never regret them. I've learned from both the negative and the positive. Experiences have allowed me to feel empathy and compassion for others struggling with their own journey. I've discovered that there is not a single obstacle that can't be overcome. Sure, there are people who still try to hold me back, but I now realize that it is often because they are not content in their own lives.
Another thing that runs through my mind surrounds being a Mom. To be quite honest, I don't know how I would have had the energy to be Mom to Tobias and Kaia when I was so morbidly obese. This rings especially true with Kaia who is just over 2 years old. She's busy. Really busy. When she takes off at the park I have to run up the hill to grab her before she makes it to the road. My former-self would have collapsed. Seriously.
I look in the mirror and don't quite recognize my body. That's a good thing. I no longer hide in uber-baggy, oversized clothing out of shame. I actually wear things that are fitted, including my running clothes. You can't get much more fitted than that! While I still have some work to do, I am so proud of where I'm at. I'm somewhat fascinated with my own body and seeing concrete changes to my physique. There are bones that I can feel and see—bones that I have never been acquainted with before. I found a lump. I freaked out. As it turns out, after seeing my doctor, it wasn't anything scary. The "lump" was merely one of my ribs. Oops. Sure, I've always had them, but they were covered with a lot of padding so I had no idea what they felt like. I also have muscles. When did that happen?
It is impossible for me to be any happier. I'm overjoyed with myself for persevering and taking my health seriously. I am also very thankful to those who continue to believe in and support me. Even though this journey isn't over, I'm okay with that because I can see the finish line.
You know about finish lines, right?
There aren't any. Finish lines are merely an illusion; they are the starting lines for the next adventure.
PS When Bryan returns from Chicago I will get him to take a recent "after" photo to share with you all.


Ask them what system Google uses for local listings!
Perhaps this is a bit misleading because the intent of Google My Business is to reduce redundant listings, profiles, etc across all Google apps and instead offer a main "hub" which centers around what was once your business profile in Google+. I suppose, then, its best to say there has been NO CHANGE but for all intents and purposes your manager should now be saying "we need to get you on Google My Business" and dial that in. For most businesses using AdWords or another product the only thing they'll notice is their Google+ Local page. This is a good thing for everyone to be sure. For example, recently my managed local pages skyrocketed…unfortunately this wasn't attributed to new exciting clients but rather years of current and old listings on the different platforms. Imagine my shock when I realized Google somehow managed to create 3 different listings for the same client. Luckily, they've cleared up the clutter and redundant listings (with a little help from me) and now everyone has 1 hub area.
I feel comfortable and more confident now in being able to grasp years of activity when I take on a new client. Hopefully, gone will be the days of having a client clueless about who, where, or what listings and identities they have across Google's properties. Along with Google allowing more than one MCC link in AdWords managers are able to better manage accounts. I'm hopeful this will cut out false listings and promote legitimate business as well.
What is exciting and new in Google My Business?
-Business View: Get a professional Google certified photographer to create compelling 360 degree walkthroughs of your business.
-Indoor Maps: Show your visitors, customers, and clients, where you're located in a building or the layout of your floor plans.
In Summary the most important part about Google My Business now is that you now have 1 spot to control all your Google properties. Launch into Youtube, AdWords, Maps, Google+, and get integrated insights as well. The title and intro to this post are snarky…truly the best way to determine veteran managers is to find out if they're annoyed by all these name changes…but most importantly this update, at least, is substantially helpful. For MONTHS I've had to explain how Google was using separate databases for their local systems and this announcement is a sort of formal acknowledgement that those transitions are finally and wholly completed.
Personally, I am very excited to try out some of the new tools that accompany this announcement. I'll keep you posted.
AdWords is an expensive undertaking. Much of the value of hiring a manager like ourselves is to have some peace of mind knowing you're spending your dollars wisely and getting the best ROI possible. As a AdWords management company we've primarily focused on working with local businesses. In doing so we've found that the needs of our clients don't always align with the technical solutions Google offers. Google tries its best to provide ways to track or increase your ROI for its users but unfortunately many times those tools are best suited to large businesses, national brands, or ecommerce websites. For example, it offers conversion optimization automated bidding and dynamic ad targeting. And recently, they've started making end-roads into call tracking.
Why do AdWords call extensions exist?
AdWords has often given you the ability to add call extensions to your ads. Call extensions are basically enhancements to your standard text ad that includes a phone number inline with your ad copy. But originally ( yes, we've been around long enough to remember the good ol' days) we were allowed to put phone numbers inside of the hardwired ad copy. Our thought was that it was just good practice but also hopefully someone dialed straight from the ad without clicking and spend our client's money. Google took that ability from us and insisted we use call extensions instead. The removal of phone numbers within ads occurred as mobile smartphones became more ubiquitous. As users began using their smartphones for searching Google refined it's user interface and integration of its paid platform. Google also enabled the ability for a "click-to-call" ad where the user can call directly from a search ad on their phone. The merits of that function are better left for deeper discussion later on, but the concept here is that integrating call extensions into ads allowed Google to leverage the unique ability for smartphones to take one less step in contacting a business.
For plumbers, lawyers, bail bonds, etc click to call can make a lot of sense. Users may need to talk to someone quickly to find out more about the service and rates and their interest in the website may be minimal. Similarly, these are the folks that may also just call off desktop ads and go down the list without ever really clicking an ad. But there's always been a problem. Tracking. How do you know if a phone call received is from your paid ads? Ever since the incorporation of call extensions there have been two solutions available to small businesses. 1) Use a Google Call Tracking Number 2) Use another tracking number in tandem with script on the site and/or a landing page The pros and cons of each choice depend on what you feel like you value more as an advertiser. Option 1: Use A Google Tracking Number Google actually calls these "Google Forwarding Numbers" but they basically track calls and are reportable back to the AdWords interface. The unfortunate component of this option is that the tracking number Google uses is a toll-free & dynamic number. This means that a local customer will see a toll free number for a local intent search. Our concern is that this will be less appealing than an ad with a local area code and therefore we'd lose business. Additionally, the number will change each time so any return visitors or follow up calls may be difficult. However, this allows an easy way to determine effectiveness of campaigns. Google is building call details into flexible conversion settings to tell an even better story about the type of call generated off the ad. For some businesses which may not rely on hyper-localization this may be more appealing. Also, you never have to pay for another phone line as your cost is built into the click cost. Option 2: Use a 3rd Party Tracking Number This option is more expensive. You need to buy a dedicated number or sign up for some sort of call tracking solution. SB Search uses Marchex to track phone calls for its clients. However, while more expensive using a call tracking platform can give you very detailed insights into your campaigns and calls. Ironically, Google's tracking solution doesn't give you keyword level data. But many call tracking platforms can give you super detailed information about what keyword associated with what ad text drove a phone call. You should expect to pay at least $99/month for a solid platform that can do this. The con of this option is that you cannot get AdWords integration data automatically, and still, any "click-to-calls" give you almost no data beyond the fact that a call came through. You would have to have a local number dedicated to each adgroup if you wanted to get the same type of information Google's solution gives you on Click to Call instances.
What's the best call tracking solution for a small local business?
Given the constraints, costs, and value of tracking calls I tend to prefer using a client's standard local phone number. If we use call tracking I believe a 3rd party platform is best because you can record calls and order new ones easily. For the click to call problem I feel that in tandem with the other tracking measures we can rely on the "click type" segment to tell us how many click to calls we've had…sure we can't tell how long each of those lasted (because we're not using Google's phone number) but we can assume the person actually clicked and the phone number came up. I've relied, in the past, on running tests to how many click to call click types resulted in tracked phone calls on our 3rd party platform ( I paused all other ad types and tracking numbers). What I found was that the conversion rate of click to calls click types was about the same as those that came to the site then dialed a tracking number from the landing page; which is about 40%-50% for most home services. However, I have found success in using Google call tracking for some local clients. The overall take away is: 1) Use Google Forwarding if you have no access to 3rd party tracking but want to get a sense of overall performance 2) Use your local number in call extensions and measure "click to call" click types (segmentation) if you have very few other forms of marketing out there 3) If you find value in getting a better sense of conversions look into investing ~$100 per month extra for great call tracking We here at SB Search are more than happy to find the right, flexible, plan for your business and needs.
Who are Google AdWords Partners?
Google would have you believe that anyone with a Google Partner badge is going to give you quality AdWords Management. You would assume from their partner page that you'll have proactive and knowledgeable managers working on your account as long as they have a badge on their website. I'm here to tell you that you should use the Google Partner status as your initial filter for choosing AdWords management but that you should probably inquire about some more important aspects of how the individual or agency operates. South Bay Search Marketing practices the following as a matter of company ethos but you may find some utility in the concepts regardless of whether or not you sign up with us; you should use these concepts to guide your entire online marketing strategy and choices.
Your AdWords manager fees should be based on realistic expectations. The rate which a Google Partner charges should reflect 3 things: hourly work to be done, performance, and foundational value in the campaigns. As an AdWords management agency we have built upon years of experience and knowledge with custom tools, reporting, and indicators which help us better notify and manage both the online campaigns but our clients as well. We want to spend as much time as needed in your account…no more…no less. Most clients have a fixed AdWords budget that reflects their cash flow or other needs and once we get campaigns dialed in so that they consistently deliver leads at a profitable ROI then it'd be foolish of us (or any other manager) to make changes in an account just for the sake of "putting in the hours". Incremental changes based on further reporting and analytics can still be implemented but gone are the days where you can expect huge ROI from AdWords; the online ppc landscape has become just too competitive and expensive.
While major changes and tweaks may not need to be done eventually (hopefully as soon as possible) that doesn't mean your account manager should be paid differently. As a company we price ourselves at a rate which reflects our initial grind which hopefully results in many months of continued management. You, the client, are then paying for the performance results that we've earned through many hours of hard work (either in your account specifically or in those that we've learned from in the past). You're still making, we believe, as good of a ROI on our campaigns as you can hope to expect anywhere else and that is the foundational value that a Google Partner should bring to the table. When you shop around you should have a sense of the type of experience the vendor can apply to your business whether or not they've had your specific business in their portfolio previously. Additionally, when you use quality managers you should get a sense of structural integrity of your account so that you can review the data in a way that makes sense and tells a story for your business.
Your Google Adwords Partner should have a personality. What's one of the best things any business can offer its clients? Feeling like you share their needs and wants. Personality builds trust between a service and a client. For AdWords and internet marketing in general there is a huge opportunity for distrust because of anonymity online and the technicality of computers. Most small business owners don't understand html, api, h1 tags, and so on. Then the idea that you're working with simply a voice or "text" chat that you never get to physically see or touch results in inherent anonymity that is often abused by scammers. If we understand that distrust is ripe in internet relationships then we need to be sensitive to the fact that ppc marketing also throws in the concept that a client (you) trusts a stranger (us) to spend your valuable cash! We need to be very aware that our clients trust us to make wise money decisions on their behalf and are paying us to do so. The best remedy for this distrust is personality.
An AdWords Partner should be available in many different mediums; chat, phone, web-meetings, and in person if possible. Furthermore, we should have a 1:1 relationship with the client & their account. That is why South Bay Search Marketing has always done best when our sales team is our management team. If you get John on the line he gives you his pitch…his personality. Then when John starts working on your account you get that approach and his specific attention on the phone when you have a question. A simple Google Partner badge needs to be pinned onto a company with personality to ensure long and healthy accounts and relationships.
Lastly, a Google Partner should also be flexible to your business needs. The internet changes so often that the companies that act as portals to your business for your clients sometimes change quite a bit as well. Google, for example, has added and taken away features from advertisers on AdWords in spurts of time that sometimes only last a day. It is not uncommon to be working in an account only to have the dashboard notify you that you need to refresh because it has been updated…several times. The newest, latest, and greatest may not be for you. A Google Partner should evaluate the toolsets available and apply only those that will make the most of your limited budget. Furthermore, we pride ourselves (and your vendor should as well) on being willing to accommodate a client's need outside of their agreement form scope of work. We may, for example, find out that you really need some Google Places updates to support our ads. You may ask us to integrate Analytics ourselves and change the site a bit to your needs. Your Google Partner should be able to accommodate most of these needs and if not, recommend vendors that can. In relation to the first two items above, your Google AdWords Partner should be able to give you an honest assessment of any additional costs (if any) to accommodate these needs. If we're a Google Partner then we're yours as well. You should feel free to ask and free to expect a reasonable effort on the part of your management to fulfill your request.
In summary, the Google Partner badge is just a representation of satisfying some of Google's basic standards. Your needs go well beyond those that Google measures and you should be able to choose a Google Partner that meets and exceeds the standards of obtaining the badge.
Have You Heard of Yahoo Ad Manager?
I had heard a very small alert about Yahoo's changes. But like most Yahoo changes, I figured I'd take my time researching it, since it's bound to change again.
Well, my understanding was correct, it turns out the "Alliance" isn't over, for the most part. But, like Google Adwords, Yahoo is making sure it's ready for the impending takeover of mobile traffic.
I logged into Yahoo Ad Manager today and created our first ad! While Yahoo has a standing contract with Bing, it has elected to move some of it's paid search traffic to Yahoo Ad Manager. Namely, mobile content and search.
What does that mean to an advertiser? We are back to 3 bidding backends and it's more complicated than before.
Adwords – Google, AOL, and more.
Confused by how Google works?
Have no idea what the difference is between an organic search result and a paid search?
What is the difference between Adwords and Adwords Express?
If you don't have a website then Adwords Express seems like the a great way to go. Websites are confusing, time consuming, and expensive to make, right? Wrong; they can be affordable and made quickly. Having an online presence is necessary. Adwords Express just may not be the best way to go about it.
Thinking twice about Adwords Express would be beneficial.The issue I have with Google Adwords is that Google does all the work for you. But wait, that sounds great right? Wrong again. Your online presence is not something to be lazy with, considering 85% of consumers search for businesses online, and this statistic is growing.
Regarding your online presence, whether it is a website, Pay Per Click, SEO, Social Media, or Pay Per Call, you get what you pay for. Adwords Express, yes, is cheaper than Adwords, but there are no keywords, and no placement choices to be made. Google decides what words match your business, ad places your ad accordingly. The only info you give them is the category your business fits in, a two line ad, and your budget.
Of course Adwords Express is cheaper; your ads will show up according to your budget. But how often will your ads even show up for people to click on it? My guess is not so much.
One upside, however is that Google localizes Adwords Express,, meaning that your ad will only show up for people looking in your area. Better for small, local businesses, maybe not if you are county wide, or state-wide etc.
Even with this one upside, the downfalls are too high in count. A huge downfall is the absence of negative keywords. Say you are a plumber and you are offering plumbing repairs, etc., someone could eb looking up plumbing school, or plumbing tips, and you would still show up due to the keyword: "plumbing". These are not people you want seeing your ad, and especially not people you want clicking your ad. No negative keywords allow for a waste of time, and a waste of money. Adwords Express may be cheaper but is it cost effective, or a money pit?
You cannot bid higher on a specific device either. Everything is spread across the board evenly. But mobile bids are usually more expensive, so you probably aren't going to be showing up on any mobile devices. Not good considering mobile users are growing every day. It is predicted that people will be searching on their phones more than they search on their desktops by 2014. That's not very far away.
Go with the plunge of investing in a website for your business. A great software to utilize is WordPress, which is user friendly for easy edits, and extremely customizable. Then get yourself on Adwords and see your business grow!
What makes you stand out from the competition? Why is your company better than your competitors'? Quality, customer service, and most importantly, price is what makes you better.
Let's start with the basics of advertising and then get into the specifics of advertising on Google.
Go big with the headline.
Test things out again and again.
Keep it sweet and short.
Use lots of "expressive" words.
Special offers are always for a limited time only.
Number 1: the headline. 70% of your ad's efficacy is dependent on your headline. (Makes it a good place to start!—) If you have a monthly promotion or coupon offered; utilize that. An eye-catching line advertising a special price or offer is going to attract more eyes.
Efficiently input your keywords. The keyword your audience searches for should be in the ad. Keep it Simple. If the keyword is "Boston Plumber", headline the ad, "Boston Plumber"; then advertise a call to action deal in the description lines. Give your audience what they want–what they are looking for. Likelihood is, they won't look twice at an ad that doesn't have their keyword in it.
Match up your headline and your destination url. If you are offering a promotion or coupon, have them directed to your coupon page. If you are advertising a local area, lead your audience to a localized page specific to the advertised city. You want to make it as easy and direct as possible for your audience; making your product or service the best and easiest choice.
People don't want to read a book. Be as concise as possible; get to the point; say it clearly and attractively.
Why Choose us? Good question.
South Bay Search Marketing is a professional, expert, and personalized online marketing home. We are person to person rather than business to business. We have fun building your business; and we get the greatest kick of all from the conversions we get you.
Business doesn't have to be boring; we make it fun. See why we're the best…or better yet give us a call and we'll give you a 15 minute demonstration or account review.
Google is constantly making updates in Adwords these days; but are these updates really "enhancing" Google Adwords?
"Enhanced" should probably be replaced with a more negatively connoting word, like "Money-hungry", or "Capitalization". Although Google's goal was to simplify the bidding options, they seemed to have made things more complex and difficult. The only thing really "Enhanced" is the price of clicks, which seems to be going up quite significantly across the board.
Let's review a couple of these changes and see what the cons and pros are—there are some pros believe it or not!
Sitelinks & Mobile Bidding: You can now control the day, time, and hours you have your sitelinks up and running. However, with such specificity comes complexity: Google Enhanced has made Google Adwords a lot more complicated. Most importantly, bidding options have been changed: users must bid on all devices. Whether you want a presence on all 3 forms of devices, you must bid on them: desktop, tablet, and mobile. Additionally, you cannot target specific types of mobile devices such as just Apple software or just Android software. Somehow Google has allotted for Adwords to become simultaneously more specific and broad.
On the upside, you may, however, bid lower for mobile devices, and higher for desktop, or oppositely, depending on which devices you want and do not want to show up on. An absolute minimum bid cannot ensure disappearance from a specific device, but you will most likely not appear on it. Developing strategies around Google's constantly changing rules is vital.
Text Ad Changes: ,/b>Text ads are always coming up with new rules and regulations: a big one under Google Enhanced is the disallowing of phone numbers in text ads. The number must be added in the ad extensions tab of Adwords under the "call extensions" section. Gong through all of the ad extensions is vital due to the new text changes. Google Places has become an even greater asset as well!
Display Network: Display Network campaigns must be merged into just one campaign now; you can still, however, target devices within the campaign. Just make sure to separate your display network campaign from your search campaigns!
So what's the verdict? Is Pay Per Click still worth it?
YES. Yes, of course; Google Adwords is NECESSARY for a prospering business these days. Without an online presence there is no business, or little to none of it! Online marketing is where the customers are- regardless of the industry.
Google is like the big man on campus that you may not like all the time, and you may not always like what he does, but if your on his bad side then life is not so great. What is key is adaptation. Users be aware that budgets will need to be adjusted, but volume will go up; but things are gonna get more competitive and more expensive.
We touched a few of the key changes to look out for, but make sure you familiarize yourself with the changes and act accordingly. Test out the new waters, strategize, and then conquer.


Madison Asche is the driving force behind Álfheimr. Preparing to release a new album, titled Still We Hope, sometime this year, we were approached by Madison and asked to do an interview. Excited to help out, especially with what this album entails, we were eager to jump to it.
First, let's start off with you. What inspired you to start Álfheimr?
Well, I actually was writing music that perhaps could have been called "post-rock" before I knew what post-rock was. I liked making music that was really driving, with lots of expansive sounds. One of my friends at the time introduced me to Sigur Rós. I found some other bands from there. I remember thinking I would love to do something like the band Mono, but I didn't have a band. I read somewhere that Takaakira Goto actually started Mono on his own, which may or may not be accurate. I decided I had most of the equipment to make something new and went for it.
Where do you draw your musical inspirations from with your project?
I draw inspiration for the music from a lot of places. At the expense of sounding pretentious, a lot of the inspiration comes from various things in my life. People, places, events, little fleeting moments. A lot of it comes from nostalgia or nostalgic things, and a lot of my music is immortalizing things people normally forget. I'll remember something that will make me really emotional, and I'll just start writing music.
Do you record most of your music independently, or do you work with any studios or producers?
So far I've recorded it all independently. I like having control over it. I can't exactly tell another musician "feel what I'm feeling, and play". I can't tell another producer what kind of warmth I want on the mid-ends. I don't want it to be sterile or inorganic. It's all something I'm gonna have to get over if I want to start performing, though.
What do you feel sets Álfheimr apart from bands in post-rock or similar genres?
I think Álfheimr is more about odd little details than most projects. I like adding odd things in, old synths and casio keyboards and mellotrons. I'll do a take for guitar or piano over and over again until it sounds exactly how I want it. I'll add in odd details, like bitcrushed strings or manipulated vocal samples. It's not particularly complex music until all those little details come together.
What are you trying to accomplish with this album?
With What Allows Us To Endure I was trying to write something for someone else. It was about and for a complex relationship. It ended up being about the intricacies and aspects, both good and bad, of any human relationship. It was more about hope, and enduring anything with the help of another person. "Amaranthine" will be about something else. It's about the unendurable, and it's about exceeding emotional limits. It's going to be an album about loss.
Is there any theme behind the album name that leads into the music?
For What Allows Us To Endure, the central theme is hope. Hope is what allows us to endure, and sometimes hurts us. We always hope, though; no matter how many times we're let down. I tried to reflect that in the music as much as I could. That desperation, the brief glimpses of happiness during the darker parts of the album. In "Amaranthine" the title suggests something undying. It suggests something eternal in its beauty, and that's what the album is about. It's about ceaseless devotion, and something that never truly fades. It's about the immortality of single moments in time that will always stay with you, ones you can revisit to feel happy and free and loved and safe. It's also about the harsh reality of things; nothing is truly eternal other than these memories that we hold so dearly.
Which is your favorite of Álfheimr's releases thus far?
It's hard to choose, but probably Dream Sequences. Recording, for me, is kind of a taxing process. I find my first album hard to relate to and have a lot of problems with it. Listening to my newest album is like pouring salt on my own wounds. Dream Sequences has some bits I regret, but for the most part I achieved what I set out to achieve.
Are you trying to sign with any independent labels?
I'm presently associating myself with a couple, but for the most part it seems hard to find an independent label that can actually help me with anything. It's hard to find labels that would be advantageous to sign with that are interested in my music.
What does the future hold for Álfheimr and fans?
Lots and lots. I'm currently setting up a live band, and plan on playing some shows. You have Amaranthine coming out later this year, with the second Amaranthine Strings remix EP coming out in the next couple months. I have another more ambient-electronic album that I'm working on that'll be released some time in between; in fact I just finished doing some work on a song called "Clarion Eyes" that'll be on said release. Who knows what other stuff I'll be getting done with this new live band I'm putting together.
Why do you think people should listen to Álfheimr?
Because it has been and always will be emotionally uncompromising. It's always going to be something I put everything I have into, and it's always going to be played from the heart. I hope people can feel some of the emotions I've poured into it, and hope everyone enjoys it as much as I've enjoyed making it.
We want to thank Madison again for giving us the opportunity to delve into the real idea behind Álfheimr. What Allows Us To Endure is a fantastic album, and from the interview, we can see there's much more to come. You can stream and download What Allows Us To Endure here.


text:
Barnea parva är en musselart som beskrevs av Thomas Pennant 1777. Barnea parva ingår i släktet Barnea och familjen borrmusslor. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

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