text:
UGANDA 13 DAY CAMPING
Extra kosten tijdens tour USD 725
From 2325 EUR
"For magnificence, for variety of form and colour, for profusion of wildlife – bird, insect, reptile, beast – for vast scale – Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa'. The Kingdom of Uganda is a fairy tale. The scenery is different, the climate is different and most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere to be seen in the whole range of Africa...what message I bring back...concentrate on Uganda". So wrote Winston Churchill in his 1908 book "My African Journey". We take you on your African journey to discover these things that so excited Churchill. This tour completes a circuit that covers most of the country, and includes all the highlights - trekking in indigenous forests to see wild gorillas and chimpanzees, boat trip on the Nile, tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, an endless variety of animals and plants, and the warm and friendly people that make Uganda special. Weather, roads, and other local conditions can vary enormously, and will influence the route chosen on each tour. We may run the tour in reverse if required, so you should be flexible in this regard. To make the most of Uganda you will need an open mind and a spontaneous disposition, but if you come prepared you are set for a remarkable experience. Clients fly in to / out of Entebbe airport. Transfers and pre / post tour accommodation can be booked through Drifters for the Lake Heights Hotel, near Entebbe, or Kalagala Falls Camp near Jinja. Meals are available.
DAY 1: ENTEBBE - LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK
Our adventure begins at 08h00, when we depart from our hotel in Entebbe to head south west through verdant green hills and countless villages. We will stop frequently at local markets, including a drum market, and at the equator we'll experiment to see which way water really drains from a bath. We have lunch at the equator (own expense). We arrive at our camp in the late afternoon. An upgrade to accommodation is possible, but to ensure availability this should be pre-booked. Meals: D (Lunch own expense) Distance: 230 km Accommodation: Lake Mburo Camping (2 person dome tent) or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Drum market - Equator Optional Activities: - None, all included
DAY 2: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
This morning we enter Lake Mburo National Park early for a game drive. Lake Mburo is just one of a group lakes scattered like jewels between the hills, and the park is well known for its herds of plains game, and especially for the numerous hippos in the lakes. Leaving Lake Mburo, we travel through a lush tropical landscape of rolling green hills covered with a patchwork of banana plantations and market gardens. Look out for the impressive, long-horned Ankole cattle. The roads are rough as we pass remote villages, often shrouded in mist, toward the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We set up camp for the night at the edge of the forest and prepare for the gorilla trek the following day. Meals: B L D Distance: 250 km Accommodation: Bwindi Forest - Camping (2 person dome tent) or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Game Drive in Mburo National Park - Scenic drive to Bwindi Optional Activities: - None, all included
DAY 3 - 4: BWINDI GORILLA TREK
The gorilla trek is undoubtedly the highlight of the entire tour. The mountains and tropical forests are spectacular in their own right, but spending time with a group of Mountain Gorillas is an experience that really defies any description. Many people are moved by the obvious kinship we share with these magnificent animals. We split into small groups and trek up into the forest, each group led by a local guide, in search of a different family of gorillas. The going can be quite tough, and you should come prepared for a hike through dense forest, up steep, muddy paths over uneven terrain. The gorilla permits are limited, with strict rules to minimise the impact on the gorillas, so we allow two days for trekking to ensure everyone gets their chance. You must be prepared to be flexible with the timing and the location of your trek. On occasions when permits are only available for Day 4, we will visit Lake Bunyoni on Day 3, but where permits are spread over Day 3 and 4, those not trekking have the option to visit a local village, led by a local guide. The forest also offers fantastic birding. Meals: B L D; B L D Accommodation: Bwindi Forest - Camping (2 person dome tent) or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - Gorilla trekking (Permit paid separately) - Bwindi Forest Optional Activities: - Forest walks - Birding walks - Pygmy village visits
DAY 5 - 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK - ISHASHA
Leaving the mountains and forests behind us, we descend to the grasslands of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Ishasha area is renowned for its huge tree climbing lions, but fantastic bird life, numerous species of primates, and abundant plains game, including the kob that the lions prey on, are reason enough to visit. We will spend two nights here and have a full day to game drive extensively, and especially to search the tall fig trees for lions. Meals: B L D; B L D Distance: 150 km Accommodation: Ishasha - Camping (2 person dome tent) or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Queen Elizabeth National Park - Full day game drive - Tree climbing lions - Massive hippo population Optional Activities: - None, all included
DAY 7: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK - RWENZORI MOUNTAINS
Today we travel the length of the park, looking for animals all the way, through the Maramagambo Forest and over the Kazinga Channel which links Lake Edward and Lake George, to exit the park in the north. We pass through the town of Kasese, before stopping at a viewpoint where we have lunch with the Rwenzori Mountains in front of us. The "Mountains of the Moon" rise over 5000m above sea level, with slopes covered in tropical forest and the highest peaks permanently snow-capped, a bewildering sight considering their proximity to the equator. Glaciers high up form one of the sources of the waters of the Nile River. Tonight we camp amongst the tea plantations near Fort Portal. Meals: B L D Distance: 120 km Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tent) or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Queen Elizabeth National Park - Drive through Maramagambo Forest - Kazinga Channel - Ruwenzori Mountain views - Tea plantations Optional Activities: - None, all included
DAY 8: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
We have a long drive today, over some rough roads, so we leave early this morning. We pass through the luminous green tea plantations surrounding Fort Portal before taking the long road, via Hoima, to Masindi, our stop for the night. Given the long drive and the state of the roads, we don't camp tonight, staying at a local hotel or lodge. Meals: B L D Distance: 300 km Accommodation: Masindi Hotel Included Highlights/Activity: - Scenic drive - Masindi Optional Activities: - None, all included
DAY 9 & 10: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK / VICTORIA NILE
This morning we enter Murchison Falls National Park, where we spend the next two nights. Here we will track chimpanzees on foot, game drive in the park, view Murchison Falls, and take a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile River. The program is flexible, depending on the season, road conditions and availability of bookings, but all these activities will be included. The southern part of the park is heavily forested, great habitat for chimps, with the northern part, where we game drive, open savannah with abundant plains game, including the relatively rare Rothschild's Giraffe. Getting to the northern part of the park means crossing the Nile using the ferry at Parra, an adventure all on its own. Meals: B L D, B L D Distance: Roughly 50 km per day Accommodation: Camping (2 person dome tent) or Accommodation Upgrade Included Highlights/Activity: - Chimpanzee trek, permit included - Murchison Falls - Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park - Victoria Nile boat cruise Optional Activities: - None, all included
DAY 11 & 12: KALAGALA FALLS
We leave the park early this morning to drive south towards Jinja, near the source of the White Nile where the water pours out of Lake Victoria in a wild torrent. The area around Jinja is regarded as east Africa's adventure capital, and we spend a full day here so you have time to participate in any of a number of adventure activities: white water rafting, bungee jumping over the source of the Nile, boat cruises, horse riding, visiting local community projects are all options (own expense). Meals: B L D, B L Distance: 430 km Accommodation: Kalagala Falls Included Highlights/Activity: - Drive through many villages - Jinja Area (adventure capital of Uganda) Optional Activities: - White water rafting - Bungee Jumping
DAY 13: ENTEBBE
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. The crew and vehicle usually leave for Kampala immediately after breakfast, in order to attend to post tour responsibilities. You are welcome to ride along, at no charge, to Kampala, but be aware that this trip to Kampala, and the timing, is not guaranteed. Alternatively, you can extend your stay in Kalagala Falls or participate in further optional activities and take a later transfer directly to Entebbe, all of which Drifters can arrange on your behalf. Meals: B Distance: 116 km
9 Nights Camping 3 Nights Accommodation
An overland expedition vehicle is used for this tour.
Most of the meals on this tour are included in the tour price. When a meal is not included, it is highlighted in the tour itinerary.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


"Data Compression Method (Information Networks) U.S. Patent 5,537,551" by Jeffrey N. Denenberg, Edward D. Weinberger et al.
A method for compressing and subsequently decompressing digital data communicated in an interactive computer network, the network designed to provide informational and transactional services to a very large population of users. The method features steps for compressing bytes of network data before transmission by substituting variable-length code words obtained from a fixed, look-up table, and, reconstituting the bytes using a fixed, decompression look-up table when the code words are received at the data reception site. In accordance with the invention, the compression and decompression look-up tables are statistically compiled by sampling the occurrence frequency of byte pairs in the network data stream, and where byte pairs are found to occur above a predetermined frequency, code words having lengths inversely related to the occurrence frequency are created for inclusion in the table so that a code word may be substituted for one byte of a pair when the other byte of the pair is found to precede it during compression, and the byte reconstituted from the code word using the decompression table when the code word is received at the reception site. Additionally, where a byte and its preceding byte constitute a pair not found within the pairs compression table, the method features steps for transmitting the byte compressed in accordance with a context-free encoding scheme, together with a suitable escape code word. Yet further, the method features steps for combining other compression and decompression procedures with the byte-pair compression and decompression to produce a compound compression scheme for the network data stream.
U.S. Patent 5,537,551 issued July, 1996.
Denenberg, Jeffrey N.; Weinberger, Edward D.; and Gordon, Michael L., "Data Compression Method (Information Networks) U.S. Patent 5,537,551" (1996). Engineering Faculty Publications. 106.


This post is part of a series of posts documenting my trip to Egypt. To read from the beginning, go to the first post and follow the links at the bottom of each page.
Most of the folks we have spent the last three days with are departing this morning for their flights back home. The Brits are all piling onto an early morning plane to Heathrow while others are headed back to Cairo or Germany or wherever they're from. As a consequence, the foyer on the Ra II is filled with piles of luggage and people queuing up at the front desk to settle their bar bills and whatever other extraordinary expenses they've incurred while on board. The breakfast room is rather empty and quiet when Vibs and I sit down to eat. There are even a few new faces around.
We've signed on for an extra half day since our flight doesn't leave until this evening. That means we get to tour the west bank of Luxor where the famous Valley of the Kings and the slightly less famous Valley of the Queens and the quite un-famous Valley of the Nobles lie. The Valley of the Kings holds about sixty-two pharaonic tombs from the Middle Kingdom and later. All these resting places, unlike the pyramids, are carved into the limestone of the hills and are thus completely underground. The first thing one sees at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings Park is a plexiglass diorama showing the location of each of the tombs in three dimensions. The topographical features of the valley are constructed from translucent plastic with white plastic models of each of the tombs suspended beneath them, giving you information not only about the location of the burial places, but their locations relative to one another and an idea of how far underground one has to go in order to see them. Some of them are VERY deep.
The crowds here are enormous. Electric trams (little trains on rubber tires like you'd see in Disneyland or someplace like that) carry a steady stream of riders up the quarter mile incline to the entrance, and back. Lines for the more popular tombs stretch for hundreds of meters. Many of the tombs are closed because of the fragility of the art in them. The antiquities authority apparently closes each tomb periodically for varying lengths of time, because the potential for damage to the art resulting from tens of thousands of people breathing in spaces meant for one dead, unbreathing person is very high. Guards posted in each tomb constantly remind people not to touch (most of the wall art is protected by clear plastic screens) and to keep moving; too much breathing is not good for the paintings. Oh, and no pictures. At all. A 1000 LE (Egyptian Pound) fine for taking any sort of photograph. Bright light is apparently also not good for the art. So, sorry, gentle readers. No pretty pictures here.
Vibs and I choose our three tombs and head off. Our first stop is the Tomb of Thutmosis III who was kept of the throne for a long, long time by his mother-in-law, who ruled as a "king." When she finally went off to meet Osiris, Thutmosis expended a great deal of energy in trying to erase all record of his mother-in-law's reign. It was he who walled up her obelisk at Karnak. Such spite! His tomb was reached by climbing a long set of stairs up into a narrow defile in the face of a cliff and then descending an equal distance into the earth. At the foot of the stairs was a room about twenty feet square with a big pit in the floor. This was mean to mislead potential grave robbers into believing that the grave was in that pit—and already pilfered, no doubt. Beyond this was a second room and beyond that a third, excavated in the shape of a cartouche, where the empty red granite sarcophagus stood. The walls of the rooms showed scenes of the deceased in prayer and proceeding through the twelve gates of trial before reaching Osiris and final judgment. Textual prayers and amulets against all sorts of evil spirits guarding each of the gates were interspersed among the painted figures. The air was close, hot and damp. We did our tour and emerged gratefully into the sunlight and fresh air.
Our second stop was the tomb of Ramesses IV. His was much more easily accessible, more richly decorated—the depiction on the ceiling of the goddess of night swallowing the setting sun and giving birth to the morning sun was one of the most spectacular. Ramesses' space was much simpler and more straightforward in construction; a long ramp into the earth with two rooms—one behind the other—at the bottom. More painted figures, invocations for protection, and prayers. When we left this tomb, we realized that the long wait in lines meant that we wouldn't be able to see a third tomb. Omar had given us a little more than an hour to see what we wanted to see and our time was nearly up. Reluctantly, we made our way back to the meeting point.
Once our group had gathered, we re-boarded the bus and left the Valley of the Kings. On the way out, Omar pointed out the house built by Howard Carter, the excavator of King Tut's tomb and one of the early archaeologists of pharaonic Egypt. There is a plan to turn the building into a museum, but at present it is not open. We had to satisfy ourselves with a view from a distance. Our next stop was the Valley of the Queens where we made a similar tour with similar restrictions. The most famous tomb here, that of Nefertiti, has been closed for years due to the fragility of its art. There are plans (Egypt always has plans…) to reopen it, but it seems that every time the authorities decide that they have a way to minimize the deleterious effects of thousands of visitors, another obstacle presents itself. In truth one wonders how it is possible to both preserve and make accessible historical sites such as these. Perhaps it isn't. We may go down in history as the ones responsible for destroying in three hundred years what had lasted for four thousand. What a sad legacy that would be.
Next on the morning's tour was our obligatory stop at a handicraft outlet. Today's feature was an alabaster production studio where workers produced a variety of useful and decorative objects from stone using hand tools. Under a portico was the graveled entryway to the shop. Along the outside wall was a row of seated men of varying ages, each engaged in a different stoneworking process. Stone dust and chips lay everywhere. Piles of metal tools were scattered about. When our group was all assembled under the portico, the shop manager began his demonstration.
"White alabaster!" came the chorus from the workers.
"Red alabaster!" came the response from the workers as they continued scraping and filing and gouging their stones.
"Black alabaster!" the workers, right on cue.
"No! Not alabaster!" Came the response from the workers, sawing and scraping.
"No," agreed the manager. "This may look like alabaster and people will even bang the piece against another stone to show you how hard it is." He banged the statue against a small rock in his other hand. "It's not stone, but wax!" He flipped open a lighter and held the flame to one of Anubis's ears. Within seconds, the ear was flickering with a small blue flame.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!" sang the workers.
"Don't let yourselves be taken in," urged the manager. "Here we have genuine handmade goods that are of stone, not wax or anything else. You will find real alabaster products in good stores, but they are machine made." He picked up two bowls made of white alabaster and showed them to the group, one in each hand.
"This bowl is machine made. What is it?" he asked, weighing it in his hand.
"Very heavy!" replied the workers.
"Handmade is much better! Thank you for coming to our shop!" The workers had the last word as we filed into the store to see what they had for sale.
As theatrical and entertaining as the pitch was, and as attractive as many of the items were, we were not interested in carrying stone home in our luggage. After a polite perusal of their wares, Vibs and I retreated to the bus to wait for the rest of our group. As we waited, a second bus pulled up next to ours and disgorged its load of tourists in front of an adjacent stoneworking shop. To our amusement, the same workers' theater was staged for that group of tourists, but in Italian! I wondered where in Luxor I would find the marketing firm that sold this promotional package to the owners of the alabaster shops, or maybe it was passed along by word of mouth, so to speak.
Our final stop was the temple at Memnon, famous for being all that remains of the largest temple complex of the ancient world, larger even than Karnak (which is the largest surviving temple complex). The two statues depict Amenhotep III, who ruled as a "god-king" about 1400 BC. The statues were heavily damaged by the 27 BC earthquake that did extensive damage to ancient Egypt. In later years, this area was subjected to frequent flooding making the temple site unusable, but the statues have remained. For 3400 years. The ravages of time on the colossi are quite evident but there is still an impression of grandeur and gravity about them. Interestingly, the stone for one of the statues was transported from a place near present-day Cairo, rather than from Aswan as the stone work for so many other ancient Egyptian temples and statues was. And because of its size—some 700 tons(!)—it was transported overland, not by river barge… Were these people nuts?
Our time on the Nile had come to an end. We returned to the ship, gathered our belongings and took a cab to the Luxor Airport to await our flight back to Cairo. Fortunately, the airport is quite modern and we were able to enjoy a good cappuccino and a meal before our one-hour flight. We reached Cairo before midnight and tucked ourselves into a bed that didn't have water underneath it.


Ever wonder what Sacred Geometry has to do with the Body? It's in architecture, music, Nature - and you!
These gentle exercises wake you up or wind you down as you learn about this gentle yet powerful method.


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text:
e-petition launched against APD rise
An e-petition has been launched by Multicom calling on the government to rethink an expected rise in Air Passenger Duty (APD) next year due to the impact it will have on struggling EU destinations.
This year the government froze APD in the March Budget, but a double-inflation rise is expected next year. An indication of government plans on APD is expected in the Chancellor's budget statement on November 29th.
Multicom MD John Howell fears further increases in APD will not only damage the UK travel industry but put further pressure on Eurozone countries like Greece.
John said: "Increasing APD rates so dramatically will not only impact the travel industry in this country but it is also potentially disastrous for Eurozone countries already in crisis.
"The damage to the economy of Eurozone countries hit by a fall in visiting UK holidaymakers especially Greece, is a factor often overlooked in this debate but one that politicians ignore at their peril.
"A significant drop in the number of British families who can afford to take a holiday in these already difficult times could be devastating for many Eurozone destinations.
"Equally, higher APD, which also affects inbound tourists when they leave the UK, alongside the rise in VAT will be a further deterrent to overseas visitors coming to the UK."
The airline industry has also recently launched a united attack on the unfair tax. Four airlines – Easyjet, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways – have called for APD to be scrapped claiming it is hugely damaging to the UK economy.
An economic report commissioned by the airlines found that the tax costs the UK economy £2.6bn a year and claimed it caused a 29m drop in the number of flights taken between 2007 and 2010.
"It is net negative for the UK economy. It's destroying jobs, it's destroying the opportunity for job creation, it's discouraging tourism and it's discouraging business investment in the UK," said Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways' parent company, IAG.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, added that the Treasury could gain by scrapping APD because it would reap the benefit of the additional income which would be generated by more tourists coming to Britain if the tax on flights was dropped.
Easyjet's Carolyn McCall said the tax was "easy money" for the government, adding:. "The government can find out for themselves how damaging this will be to the economy and jobs."
Jim McAuslan, chief executive of the British Airline Pilots' Association added: "The economic outlook for the UK is not rosy. Unemployment is up again and growth projections down. The Government needs to realise that the aviation industry is a driver of growth. Government policy should be a catalyst, not an inhibitor for this industry which contributes hugely to the success of UK plc and could be doing even more.''
"With passengers also due to start paying an Emissions Trading Scheme tax in the new year on flights into and out of the European Union, all European airlines face an uncertain few months. Thanks in part to the APD effect, those whose business is concentrated in Britain have even more to worry about." – The Economist Nov 18th 2011
However, Chloe Smith, the new economic secretary to the Treasury, recently told MPs that she could not "promise the House that APD will be cut in the near future".
John has now launched an e-petition calling for a freeze on APD designed to send a clear signal to the government ahead of the Autumn Budget statement later this month.
John is urging everyone in the travel industry to get behind the campaign and support the e-petition calling for a freeze on APD.
"There is a growing consensus in the travel industry that further increases to APD will do nothing but heap yet more damage on our struggling economy," said John.
"However, we have a long way to go to convince government that there is a case for abolishing or even reducing APD but we can at least seek to minimise any additional damage by calling for another freeze.
"I hope every tour operator, airline and travel agent will encourage its staff to support our campaign and encourage them to sign the e-petition.
"If we can reach the magic 100,000 mark before the Chancellor stands up to make his budget statement on November 29th it will send him a very strong and powerful message on behalf of our industry."
Thomas Cook shares rise
U.S. International Travel for First Quarter 2011
UNWTO welcomes UK government decision to review APD
ABTA welcomes UK chancellor's announced cut to APD
Jamaica welcomes UK APD reforms
Airlines say APD reform a welcome economic initiative
Rising cost of APD hits British travellers
Job creation and economic growth at risk as UK raises APD - again
ABTA calls on international community to join campaign against APD
Flybe reveals regional passengers pay double in tax

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Our locally-inspired treatments combine home-sourced ingredients such as sea salt, olive oil and rich minerals to offer authentic Mediterranean experiences. We also offer result-driven facials and body treatments by QMS Medicosmetics and Subtle Energies. Below is a list of some of the treatments we offer at Six Senses Spa.
using potent anti-aging actives of mogra and Indian rose.
An advanced anti-aging and intensely hydrating facial featuring a unique system of natural soluble collagens combined with pioneering exfoliation to restore and revitalise the skin. Ideal for sensitive skin. Using QMS Medicosmetics.
Using a customised oxygen machine, pure oxygen is used to encourage circulation, stimulate the regenerative process and channel ingredients more effectively to enhance the skin profile leaving it firmer, smoother and radiant. Using QMS Medicosmetics.
Stimulating body exfoliation using a herbal scrub infused with sea salt and olive oil to remove dead skin cells. It continues with the application of warm oil to re-mineralise the skin, leaving a long lasting feeling of well-being. It completes with a personalised back massage concentrating on areas of concern.
A cleansing and refreshing treatment starting with warm herbal steam which is followed by a body wash with a black soap and gentle exfoliation using the Hamman mitt. It leaves the skin smooth and supple.


Newly Renovated & Stylish 3-bed 2-bath Apartment Located in Bed-Stuy!
Newly renovated 3-bed 2-bath apartment located on Bainbridge St in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood near A/C trains.
Apartment has large windows with great natural light & located steps to restaurants, cafes, food stores and much more.


text:
function Expand-ZipArchive {
<#
    .SYNOPSIS
        Extracts a Zip archive.
    .NOTES
        This is an internal function and should not be called directly.
    .LINK
        This function is derived from the VirtualEngine.Compression (https://github.com/VirtualEngine/Compression) module.
    .OUTPUTS
        A System.IO.FileInfo object for each extracted file.
#>
    [CmdletBinding(SupportsShouldProcess, ConfirmImpact = 'Medium')]
    [OutputType([System.IO.FileInfo])]
    [System.Diagnostics.CodeAnalysis.SuppressMessageAttribute('PSShouldProcess','')]
    param (
        # Source path to the Zip Archive.
        [Parameter(Mandatory, ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName, Position = 0)]
        [Alias('PSPath','FullName')] [System.String[]] $Path,

        # Destination file path to extract the Zip Archive item to.
        [Parameter(Mandatory, ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName, Position = 1)]
        [System.String] $DestinationPath,

        # Excludes NuGet .nuspec specific files
        [Parameter(ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName)]
        [System.Management.Automation.SwitchParameter] $ExcludeNuSpecFiles,

        # Overwrite existing files
        [Parameter(ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName)]
        [System.Management.Automation.SwitchParameter] $Force
    )
    begin {

        ## Validate destination path
        if (-not (Test-Path -Path $DestinationPath -IsValid)) {

            throw ($localized.InvalidDestinationPathError -f $DestinationPath);
        }

        $DestinationPath = $ExecutionContext.SessionState.Path.GetUnresolvedProviderPathFromPSPath($DestinationPath);
        Write-Verbose -Message ($localized.ResolvedDestinationPath -f $DestinationPath);
        [ref] $null = New-Directory -Path $DestinationPath;

        foreach ($pathItem in $Path) {

            foreach ($resolvedPath in $ExecutionContext.SessionState.Path.GetUnresolvedProviderPathFromPSPath($pathItem)) {

                Write-Verbose -Message ($localized.ResolvedSourcePath -f $resolvedPath);
                $LiteralPath += $resolvedPath;
            }
        }

        ## If all tests passed, load the required .NET assemblies
        Write-Debug -Message 'Loading ''System.IO.Compression'' .NET binaries.';
        Add-Type -AssemblyName 'System.IO.Compression';
        Add-Type -AssemblyName 'System.IO.Compression.FileSystem';

    } # end begin
    process {

        foreach ($pathEntry in $LiteralPath) {

            try {

                $zipArchive = [System.IO.Compression.ZipFile]::OpenRead($pathEntry);
                $expandZipArchiveItemParams = @{
                    InputObject = [ref] $zipArchive.Entries;
                    DestinationPath = $DestinationPath;
                    ExcludeNuSpecFiles = $ExcludeNuSpecFiles;
                    Force = $Force;
                }

                Expand-ZipArchiveItem @expandZipArchiveItemParams;

            } # end try
            catch {

                Write-Error -Message $_.Exception;
            }
            finally {

                ## Close the file handle
                Close-ZipArchive;
            }

        } # end foreach

    } # end process
} #end function


text:
David Kieve
President of EDF Action
Kieve joined EDF Action as its new President in February 2022, coming from the White House's Council on Environmental Quality, where he served as Director of Public Engagement.
Prior to joining the Biden Administration, Kieve played a central role in helping the President get elected. He first served as the Director of Early States, helping President Biden emerge from the most diverse and talented field of Democratic candidates ever assembled as the party's nominee. He was particularly hands-on in Nevada, a state where President Bidens strong second-place finish paved the way for his dramatic comeback.
In the general election, Kieve remained a senior member of the campaign team, leading engagement to the broad community of stakeholders motivated by a desire to see the climate crisis addressed. He was the only staffer whose job focused exclusively on climate. Kieve led all engagement with groups that ranged from hunters and anglers to environmental justice leaders and everyone in between. Kieve brings nearly 20 years of experience to his new role, having spent the majority of his career focused on running political and advocacy campaigns.
Email our media team »
David_K_Kieve
Clara Pratte Joins EDF Action Board of Directors
EDF Action Announces Thank You Campaign
EDF Action Places $1 Million National TV Buy Urging Passage of Inflation Reduction Act
EDF Action Statement on Rusty Bowers Losing his primary
New EDF Action Ads Feature Business Leaders and Local Voices Calling on Congress to Act on Climate
See all press releases »


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You are only 7 and in the first grade. You are growing up and experiencing new things, new places, and new people. Unfortunately you've also had experience with A Mean Girl. I wish I could tell you that you don't have to deal with these kinds of girls but you do, and they are out there, and when they grow up they become mean women.
When I was growing up it seemed that I was a bit older than you before the mean girl appeared. You didn't have the luxury I did of a few years of innocence, where everyone around you was kind and you were naïve about what a mean girl was. It started way too early for you.
What is a mean girl? She is shrewd and she is a bully. She uses mental games to try to make you feel bad and to bring you down. She can be obvious about it or she can be very subtle. She may be mean to your face or she may gossip and work behind your back. She can handily turn any situation into one where she has the advantage and the upper hand. She likes to feel superior and she likes to be in control. She's good at what she does. She may even try to pretend to by your friend. But don't be fooled. She is not.
I want you to know that she is mean because she is jealous. She is jealous of you, your friends, your talents, and your personality and probably jealous of your family life. She doesn't have your self-confidence, your character, or your humility. She likely doesn't have stability and love and support like you do. She may not have what you have (even if what you have is average) but she want it. She wants to make you feel bad for having it.
How do they become mean girls? you ask. That, my dear, starts at home. Mean women raise mean girls. Women who themselves lack self-confidence and character and who manipulate those around them to be on top and to feel superior. They are usually miserable people. They find pleasure in making others miserable. They show their children that this is the way to behave. I have to deal with these mean women and it certainly is not easy. They play the same mental games and try to exert their power over others leaving hurt feelings in their wake. They too are jealous and jealous of many of the same things – friendships, clothes, family, and relationships.
So what do you do to fight against the mean girl?
Ignore her. No matter how hard it is, ignore her. Don't give her any ammunition. She feeds on the fact that she can get under your skin. Don't let her. Mean girls seek attention – a lot of it. Don't give it to them.
Be smart. You are smart, smarter than her, so use your capabilities to disarm her whenever you can. Find her weakness and use it to your advantage (without being mean yourself). You can outsmart her and you will.
Be proud of who you are and what you have. Don't let her make you feel bad about anything and don't be less because of her. Be humble, but be proud.
Remember that this mean girl will eventually go away. Maybe not today or tomorrow but she will. Unfortunately there will likely be another to replace her. If you are strong and believe in yourself you will less easily fall into her trap. If you stay smart and true to yourself she will not prevail.
Remember that I will always support you and listen and will always do my best to help you fight against the mean girl. I wish I could keep these mean girls away from you but I don't have that power. I can, however, remind you that you are amazing and strong and resilient. You got this. I love you.


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The Influence of Cultural Shifts on Marketing
These days, we often find ourselves thinking about the ways that technology is changing our lives. But while technologies and innovations certainly have a major effect on how consumers behave, the specific changes in our culture do as well, and can be just as impactful. As our society adopts new trends and new ideas — whether organically or in tandem with new technology — the marketing stories and strategies that we use to appeal to consumers must adapt to suit the mindset of the times. After all, there's nothing worse than tone-deaf marketing — just look at the recent Peloton debacle.
With that said, here's a look at some of the recent shifts in our culture that affect how brands must approach business practices and adjust how they market themselves accordingly.
We are increasingly sustainably-minded
Now more than ever, individuals are focused on living sustainably and being environmentally-conscious. And research has shown that the majority of consumers, namely Gen Xers and Millennials, prefer brands that align with their own personal values. It's why major brands have begun to enact plastic straw bans, and why companies like Google are actively looking to become carbon-neutral or reliant solely on renewable energy. Inversely, it's also why there has been so much controversy over Coca-Cola's dubious and unethical sustainability practices.
Seeing as how sustainability is on the forefront of consumers' minds, brands should make the effort to demonstrate their efforts in being environmentally conscious as they formulate their marketing strategies. Highlighting products that are reusable or made with recycled materials can spark interest. Incorporating some form of corporate philanthropy can do the same, like with TOMS' now famous One for One system.
Influencers are far more prominent
Online culture as a whole, like in the real world, is made up of niches and specific communities. And within those communities are personalities, or influencers, who cultivate followings and audiences, typically on social media platforms. Influencers are appealing to consumers in a different way from most celebrities in that they are more relatable and authentic, which is a result of the social media format. This sets up influencers well to bring interest to certain brands, something that marketers should take note of and consider when formulating strategies.
Even without brand deals, these influencers function as early adopters of products and services. By bringing these products to the attention of their audience, they naturally create interest and can ultimately drive sales and higher brand engagement. With smart partnerships then, influencers represent a way for brands to break through the noise and garner direct attention from particular audiences.
Society is more multicultural than ever
It's fair to say that technology has allowed for a greater dissemination of cultural ideas from across the world, and results in a blending of sorts. This leads to an increasingly diverse array of behaviors, interests and lifestyles within a region. For example, K-pop has made major waves in the Western market in the past year, and Latin music is now more popular than genres like country or EDM in the U.S. On top of that, the people in the United States itself are becoming increasingly diverse.
Brands themselves are also susceptible to this global and multicultural influence in their marketing. Sure, it's something that brands must become aware of as they grow to international levels. But the essential conclusion to be reached from this cultural change is that marketers must be fundamentally inclusive in their campaigns and strategies.
Aside from new technological advancements, cultural shifts are the other major influence on consumer behavior. Sometimes the two work together to create a change, and other times they can create movement on their own. But seeing as how focused we often are on technology and what it will do for us, it's equally important to constantly take the pulse of society to understand what appeals to people and what doesn't in relation to their constantly evolving preferences and beliefs.
By Brian Berner|2020-03-30T19:40:23+00:00January 8th, 2020|Blog|


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Recently, I reviewed the cover letter of someone who was applying for a radio sports update anchor/reporter position. He wrote that he is a hard working team player, that he hosts a weekly sports talk show, and that he does sports updates and reporting for his local station.
He blew it in multiple ways.
1. Self-opinions mean nothing to employers.
No one has ever written in a cover letter that they are a slacker who doesn't get along with co-workers. Employers will listen to the opinions that others have of you but they couldn't care less about what you think of yourself. Leave opinions out of your letter.
2. Sell only your relevant experience.
The person who is applying for the sports update anchor/reporter position doesn't need to mention that he hosts a weekly show. It's not part of the position for which he is applying.
Having to customize your letter to the position for which you are applying means you can no longer send the same one to every employer. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but lazy doesn't win in the sportscasting job market.
3. Don't bury your relevant experience.
If you are applying for a sports update anchor/reporter position, don't bury it underneath your opinions about yourself and the fact that you hosted a weekly show. Instead, state your experience as a sports update anchor/reporter as the first reason why the employer should hire you.
In the sportscasting job market, sell yourself with facts, not opinions.
In short, sell yourself with facts versus opinions.
Fact: I am currently a sports update anchor/reporter at my local radio station.
Opinion: I am a great writer.
Fact: I have four years experience in minor league baseball media relations and play-by-play.
Opinion: I am very hard working.
Fact: My experience includes anchoring, reporting and shooting video.
Don't try too hard to sell yourself in your cover letter. There's no need for smoke and mirrors. By simply stating your experience that is relevant to the position, you will be ahead of 80% of applicants who aren't doing it.