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Merely the latest, surely not the last: Mass-murder at Planned Parenthood
November 28, 2015 / Historiann
Friends, if you're interested in the latest mass-murder in Colorado probably fueled by someone deranged by religion and misogyny–because this is only the latest, not the last, I am sure–follow the Colorado Springs Gazette, the live blog at the Denver Post, or the Twitter accounts of DP reporter Jordan Steffen or the Gazette. As you have probably already heard, a white man with an AK-47 named Robert Lewis Dear killed one police officer and two citizens in or near the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he also wounded nine others in the course of holding the clinic and the entire neighborhood hostage for six hours yesterday.
Walking around with an AK-47 in Colorado Springs–or pretty much any town in Colorado outside of Denver!–is nice'n'legal. Don't be alarmed, citizens! It's just another peace-loving white man exercising his Second Amendment rights to make Colorado look and feel like war-torn Raqqa, Syria.
Let's remember what Paul Harvey wrote for this blog just three weeks ago, on the first gun-fueled murderous rampage in Colorado Springs this month: "We will all have another chance to pay obeisance to the God that we are all compelled, willingly or not, to worship."
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16 thoughts on "Merely the latest, surely not the last: Mass-murder at Planned Parenthood"
Indyanna
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the one in the White House, I mean, has issued yet another empty "this must stop" incantation, just like the last time. And the last time before that last time. It will actually probably take a John Brown moment, some equally-deranged private citizen marching through Kansas to break the gun power, to begin moving the ball in the other direction. Regrettably enough, to be sure, but when you consider that we live in a failed state (not a reference specific or limited to either Colorado or Syria), that's what we're historically left with.
It's a depressing but undeniable fact that violence–or the threat of violence–has been a powerful force for change in the U.S., both for good and ill. I spent late yesterday afternoon watching Suffragette, the movie about the women's suffrage movement in Britain in its "militant" turn.
Sadly, the militants (and Alice Paul in the U.S.) were right: the only thing that got widespread attention for their cause was violence and bodily sacrifice. How many women's bodies must be INvoluntarily menaced or sacrificed for the right to abortion care?
Victoria Wolcott
Yet again it seems his violence/anger has long been directed against women. Anyone see a pattern here?
No, no: surely just a lone wolf with mental illness. Move along folks; nothing to see here.
cgeye
And every single frakking one of his beefs with the cops, prior to this shooting, were for domestic violence or exposure — those, of course, weren't serious enough to mind.
And can I tell you how sad I am that since abortion's so charged an act — female healthcare, in a place that provides abortion — that the names of othe other victims probably will remain samizdat, to prevent *other* zealots from harassing their mourning families?
And that the press has not said word one, about this necessary censorship?
All those killed and injured, and only the cops have enough societal protection to be mentioned by name.
Bitter hilarity at a vigil this morning in CSprings at the UU Church:
The event turned political, after Vicki Cowart, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, emphasized supporting women's reproductive rights, and other speakers mentioned favoring stricter laws for assault weapons.
That led one member of the audience to stand up in the middle of the service and announce she was leaving, saying, "I thought we were here to grieve and mourn and not make political statements."
The UU minister's response to this outburst was spot-on: "It's important to remember the people who face harm's way every day because of the obscene access we have to assault weapons in this community. If we do not recognize something must be done, then we have fallen short in honoring the lives of those who have been lost."
I'd like to point out the essentially political nature of the murders in this case: 1) committed with an AK-47 2) at a Planned Parenthood clinic. But it's now bad manners (or something) to point this out???
Finally, one last question: what part of VIGIL AT A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH do you not understand? If I went to a vigil at Focus on the Family HQ (which they'll never hold for the victims in these murders, BTW), I wouldn't expect the assembled worthies there to speak up FOR abortion rights. So STFU if you don't like it that Vicki Cowart showed up to assert her support for abortion care in your community.
And this is the stupidest headline on the face of the fucking earth:
"Planned Parenthood shootings increasingly seem politically motivated"
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29177331/colorado-springs-picks-itself-up-after-planned-parenthood
(You see, even the original hed was more relevant)
OH — when the other zealots tried to shoot clinic patients and doctors dead, they were doing it for aesthetic reasons?
The bulletproof vests carried in the clinic, to protect workers, clashed with their winter ensembles?
The screaming, hate-filled faux-Christians harassed patients because the architecture made their eyes water?
Even when they have a chance to dig deeper, to communicate how polarized this has become, where hunting women is now acceptable, they choose the illusion of impartiality, to hold on to the few subscribers they have left.
I know! It's interesting how even Suthers has been saying for the last day, "it was at PP; connect the dots, dopes."
Your other comment about the lack of information about the non-police officer victims is fascinating. I hadn't put it all together, but I've been wondering now for 36 hours why the so-called "civilian" dead weren't named in the press–today's stories say they won't be until after their autopsies are complete (!) – but I think we KNOW already how they died. I've been thinking that perhaps their identities would somehow be explosive, but your explanation makes much more sense: law enforcement doesn't want to further traumatize or endanger their families.
Of course, they could just come out foursquare and provide guards and protection against harassment, if that's what they fear.
Either that, or the worst possible outcome, that fits in with the RW worldview: Friendly fire by police/FBI, as per Waco.
They have to perform the autopsies, and examine the bullets, to match them against the perp's gun. When they breached PP, there was so much gunfire that "collateral damage" might have occurred.
Oh, as for city-provided protection? Lest we forget, we're discussing the municipality that thought it prudent to let streetlights die out, in the name of fiscal responsibility. That, and it took campus safety, state po-po, as well as Colorado Springs cops, to respond.
The last thing their council will provide funds for is added security for a attractive terrorist nuisance. Betcha the local insurance agents will price coverage out of the range for the clinic to reopen in an area of public commerce, making it even more vulnerable to attack.
If Obama were serious about really making a statement, he'd set up a governmental liability risk pool for any women's health clinic, regardless of their providing abortions, the same as they would a nuclear power plant. Make an attack an automatic Federal hate crime, and look how fucking quiet the room would get.
No, Mr. President, this ain't normal. But due to your and Congress' inaction, it's becoming that. Put up, or shut up..
A 29-year old Iraq war vet and father of two, and a mother of two (36) who accompanied a friend to the clinic are the "civilian" victims of this homicide.
I ran this morning with my friend in law enforcement, and she said she had no idea why CSprings police were going to withhold this information until after the autopsies were completed tomorrow. I guess other news agencies found out so everyone had to run with it, but still: there's no HIPAA violation if you're a murder victim. You're dead; that's public information.
Contingent Cassandra
But apparently *why* they were at PP matters, in the eyes of the reporter and/or the family members who provided the information. As it turns out, neither was at the clinic to have an abortion (though either or both may have been accompanying women who came to the clinic for that purpose, or some other purpose), and — perhaps the strangest but most telling detail — both had children (and so were proven not to be anti-child, I suppose?). Apparently that all adds up to their being at least potentially innocent victims (and leaves open the possibility that a woman who was at the clinic to get an abortion, or a staff member who regularly performed or assisted in such procedures, would somehow be less than innocent, or innocent to a lesser degree). The police officer was, of course, always eligible to be an innocent victim, because he had a "legitimate," job-related reason to be on the scene (but I did see at least one interview with a fellow-member of the church at which he was a lay leader that emphasized that he was not pro-abortion, just doing his job in responding to the call).
So the way the story is being told now that the names are public suggests that there was, indeed, some reason for withholding the names, at least until the families involved could absorb the news. Of course, one could argue that decency would call for a similar pause after the death of pretty much any non-public figure, and we don't do that. And I suspect the story would have been even more complicated to tell, for both reporters and family members, if one of people killed had been a patient at the clinic for an abortion (though I'm not sure the purpose of a visit wouldn't still be protected, or that PP couldn't choose to protect it, unless the gunman had done something like checking charts for planned procedures, in which case that would probably come out at trial).
My understanding is that the police officer killed was on the force at the UC campus in town ten miles away. Not clear whether he was dispatched by whatever command structure he had or what the local protocols are for responding to these kinds of extra-jurisdictional calls. There was a very moving interview tonight on CNN with Nancy Kerrigan, the figure skater, who apparently has known him for years from the skating community of which he was once a member. The national leader of Planned Parenthood in another interview had devastatingly good responses to an anchor-interviewer who was leaning overboard to be "fair and balanced," and challenging her to "name names" of which politicians were adding to the rhetorical climate of incitement to terror. She made it clear that she thought it was basically the entire Republican lineup. Then they showed a clip of Carly Fiorina going on and on, and tried to bait her with this, but she swatted it away with a couple of biting observations.
They had an article about this in the paper this morning–turns out, campus police radios are on the same frequency as CSprings city police, and both forces regularly respond to calls on and off campus alike. I'm sure it goes back to what you said a few weeks ago in a post about campus "police," which is that if they're "sworn officers" (that is, armed and dangerous), they operate like members of a muni police force: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29180193/slain-officers-response-to-planned-parenthood-shootings-not-unusual
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The emoticons to use for fun and ironic sexting
Less eggplants, more rainbows
G-Club November 15th, 2019
Author Cecilia Caruso
Facebook and Instagram have recently introduced a series of new rules according to which specific emojis, like the eggplant, the peach and sweat drips, might be censored in sexually explicit conversations or in conversations that might suggest requests for nude imagery. Besides deeper reflections on how our way of communicating has changed, especially when in relation to sex, Zukerberg's company's new policy offers us the opportunity to unleash our imagination and to have fun with ironic sexting that won't be banned. Although those were the most used emojis during those boring nights spent lying in bed exchanging hot texts, technology does not let us down and offers us a handful of valid alternatives to the overused eggplant.
On Instagram, there are thousands of memes that represent ironically yet realistically how men and women do sexting in a very different way. Men get so involved that they feel the physical need to turn into reality that virtual excitement, while there's a good chance that women are texting while chilling on the couch watching Netflix, in any way impressed or bothered by your hot texts. But not only. It's also very likely that when she texts you 'Oh my God I can't wait to do that', 'So hot for you right now', she's actually in her flat, in her old tracksuit, waiting for her popcorn to be ready. There's no need to say that those super hot selfies wearing lace lingerie and flawless make-up were actually taken at least two weeks before and have already been sent to half the population of the city, but they're always there, in the hidden media, ready to be used in the right moment.
If I were to say how many times sexting turns into close encounters I would say that the percentage would not be high. Maybe here lies the main difference between men and women sexting. For us women it is a mean, almost a mandatory step to reach the actual date and finally concretising what you've been talking about, while for them it can be and it is a self-sufficient moment, whether you've never met in person, whether you are dating or you've been together for a while. We don't need to quote Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus to understand that we see things in our own way, but that doesn't mean that girls don't have fun while sexting, they just don't take it so seriously.
But let's not get lost in the chatter. You're home at night, lying on your bed and you're in the mood to tease the guy you've gone out for three or four times - you like him, you'd like to see how it goes, but carefully. The conversation is going well, you start saying a few flirty things, you're both not completely explicit, which makes it more interesting. Try sending one of the so-called risky texts: or you'll bomb it and he won't get what you mean, or he will appreciate it and start the sexting. The emoji of the smiley full moon with a slightly psycho look on her face is what you need, it will add a touch of irony that will save your face in case he doesn't get your signals.
Things get progressively hot, it's a succession of explicit comments, bold statements, it's the right moment to throw that emoji that feels super hot. It could turn into your benchmark, using it means that you're ready for some kinky texts.
For the romantic and dreamy girls, the unicorn emoji might suggest in a delicate manner what's the kind of bump you'd like to see in his pants. Unicorns are real sometimes.
In case you don't like being subtle, you need to find be clear and explicit in your intentions. What we're looking for are those phallic-shaped objects. The agriculture field once dominated by the eggplant offers plenty of other possibilities, from the corn to the baguette, from hot dogs to bananas and carrots. We are already feeling hungry.
The sweat drips that should represent the finalisation of the act are easily replaceable, you just need to use a few metaphors. I warmly recommend the landing aeroplane, for example, or the rainbow, while if you prefer to remain in a bucolic area, the cloud with the rain or the Kanagawa waves never get old.
We could go on and on discussing the intrusiveness of FB and IG's new policy and its risks for our privacy, it's unquestionable that this decision comes from the intention to protect a lot of women. It might happen, and also very often, to received unsolicited dick pics, even from complete strangers, so it's perfectly normal that you're not okay with it. Now you have the opportunity to respond using the hand emojis that highlight the actual dimensions of his member, or, for the Sherlock Holmes fans, the detective with the magnifying glass will make it clear that you don't see anything relevant, or big enough. You can be sure that you won't receive anything like this again.
Illustrations by Ilaria Colombo
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Fastest way to generate bit permutations in Python 3.x I need to generate all possible N choose K N-bit numbers where K bits are set.
The best and most concise option that I was able to come up with is extremely slow:
def kbits(n, k):
    result = set()
    for bits in itertools.combinations(range(n), k):
        s = 0
        for bit in bits:
            s |= 1 << bit
        result.add(s)
    return result

kbits(25, 12) took 8.3s on my machine.
How can I make it faster? For example, maybe there is a way to set all the bits in bulk, without looping through all of them?

A: Your kbits(25, 12) is calculating 12 of the same 25 powers of 2 more than five million times, when it only needs to calculate each of them once (and having done so, can use the sum() builtin rather than building results piecemeal).
Here's a much shorter solution, which is also about 3x faster on my machine:
def kbits(n, k):
    powers = [1 << e for e in range(n)]
    return {sum(bits) for bits in itertools.combinations(powers, k)}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


2 Days ago, I was watching a Hallmark Movies and Mysteries recording on an XBox 1 S and Samsung HDTV connected to Samsung soundbar with sub. Within the first 10min or so, the audio seemed to be switching between stereo and 5.1. Stopped and didn't do it again. Haven't noticed it on Live TV or any other recording since.
If you have a recording that has this problem we would like to take a look and reproduce it in house.
There is an audio problem where a broadcaster will send stereo content as L+R on a 5.1 encoding. The latest apps detect and correct for this problem. It sounds like it was miss-detecting the show you were watching.
I have the same exact issue on Nvidia Shield TV. I reported it in another thread. I have a recording showing the issue, but cannot send a PM, since I don't have enough posts.
I just enabled PM on your account.
levinp - thanks for providing a recording - I was able to reproduce the problem.
This is resolved in the app update that was released today.


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Home Market News Saudi Arabia embargoes Turkish products, chooses Greek instead
Saudi Arabia embargoes Turkish products, chooses Greek instead
An unofficial imports embargo imposed by Saudi Arabia on Turkish goods is undermining that latter's exports not only to the Persian Gulf power but to its neighbors and other Arab countries as well, according to several Arab and Israeli news agencies.
The move was triggered by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recently statement that "Arab countries in the Gulf will not exist for long but Turkey will always remain powerful."
A Saudi Twitter campaign to boycott Turkish-made products was launched within hours and has reportedly gained further momentum over the past few days, attracting the support of commentators and businesses, alike.
Data released by the Turkish Exporters Assembly says Saudi Arabia is the country's 15th-largest export market, with sales amounting to $2. billion in the first nine months of 2020 –a drop of 16% compared to the same period of 2019.
An opportunity for Greek products
According to Israel Hayom, Saudi Arabia's major supermarket chains replaced overnight their various Turkish products with products from Greece, Turkey's main rival, which is logged in a dispute over its maritime border in the Mediterranean.
In fact, supermarkets in Riyadh, put Greek flags next to the new products in the shop windows, while the Herfy Burger fast food chain renamed its "Turkish hamburger" to "Greek hamburger" and wrapped it in a blue packaging, as per the colors of the Greek flag.
Read more about European Trade Agreements >>
Greek Exports
Greek chestnut exports reach 80%
Market News July 26, 2019
28.09% of wine headed for distillation comes from Heraklion, Crete
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Following selection for the Qwartz Label Award, our foremost intention was to create something special, in order to celebrate an acknowledgment of the utmost importance.
This is how Symbiosis (a compilation of exclusive unreleased Zymogen tracks) was conceived.
It is a reunion of the artistic voices that have collaborated with us in the past, those that are collaborating with us now, and an invitation to those that might collaborate with us in future. It is yet another example of our dedication to providing creative excellence for more than a year and a half to date, and it is also an occasion for us to show that which constitutes our aesthetic values, as well as that which represents the probable direction of our evolution. It is what a project such as Zymogen cannot, and could not, ever ignore or take for granted.
Symbiosis is all this: the past, present, and future...but most importantly, it is the Zymogen sound. It is music that changes in the course of the twelve tracks constituting the album, in the same way that the twelve Zymogen releases, to date, are different and evolve with respect to each other. Despite this, there is always a fine red thread that binds and holds closely together the diverse and sometimes distant styles, all of which exude a distinct artistic personality.
The concept is always the same, but the language changes depending on whom it is expressed to.
Symbiosis represents all that Zymogen is, and all that Zymogen could be or might become.


Home / Now / InFormation / InFormation: Dear White People, Recognize Your Black Friends' Woes.
InFormation: Dear White People, Recognize Your Black Friends' Woes.
While it would be lovely to not take on the burdens of the world, a basic, and undeniable truth is that the world doesn't want me here, for the sole reason that I am black. I'm also educated. Double whammy.
I am a black woman, with three brothers, an uncle, and a young cousin who is growing up in this world, all of whom I love dearly, and fear for their lives every single day.
I am a black woman, who loves and engages in relationships with black men. I fear for their lives every single day.
That one day, this seemingly endless violence will impact someone that I love. I don't want to join the club of sisters, mothers, girlfriends, and wives that have had to stand stoically at podiums, or in front/behind cameras as they fall apart internally, due to someone's recklessness, carelessness, and prejudice.
That one day, I will have to explain to my children the perils of living while black, while simultaneously teaching them to try to live their fullest lives. I will have to teach them to believe in the law, even though the legal system was not built for them, and clearly doesn't believe in, nor care about their protection.
That ultimately, this can happen to me.
please don't try to comfort us in saying that these things are beyond the scope of things we should worry about, when these are things WE LIVE with every single day. DO NOT tell me that "all lives matter" when the black ones are the ones that seem to matter the least. DO NOT tell me that things are changing, when I see the same exact story with different characters play out day by day. I say this all with love, but I need you all to understand you are NOT helping. These are my concerns, and they won't go away just for your comfort.
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We are a reputed company engaged in the manufacturing, exporting, and supplying of Cottonseed Products. Our range of Cottonseed Products includes Cottonseed Cake and Cottonseed Oil. Only the best quality cottonseeds are used to processes our Cottonseed Products. We manufacture the Cottonseed Products in our technologically advanced manufacturing units. Further, before packaging, we check our Cottonseed Products on all the parameters of quality.
With the assistance of the most competent professionals and latest technology, we are able to manufacture, export, and supply high quality Cottonseed Cake. It is a high protein by-product, which is formulated from extraction of oil from whole cottonseed. Our Cottonseed Cake is manufactured in eco-friendly environment under specialist supervision for the best quality. Cottonseed Cake consists of 9-9.5% oil, 22% protein, and 3% Silica. Further, it is used as a protein supplement and can replace all of the soybean meal in the ration.
We are highly appreciated in the international market for our best quality Cottonseed Oil. The oil offered by us is of vegetable origin that is formulated using high-grade cottonseeds. As a crude oil, it is dark and cloudy brown in color whereas, after being refined, it becomes an edible oil of yellow color. Our affordable range exhibits only a slight tendency to evaporate.


I've got no idea where you'd actually buy it (as is often the case with high-end limited edition streetwear), but I must admit that this coat looks pretty cool with those bright contrasts going down the zip line.
Whilst we're browsing the 80s Purple store, I thought I'd point you towards this hoodie. If you're a really old school reader of HYA then you might remember me posting this hoodie in 2006 and 2007. The posts still get a surprisingly large amount of hits (usually from spammers), but its no longer on sale at the buy links on the old posts, so I thought I'd post this new link as 80s Purple still have stock, and because its still a pretty cool hoodie, the bullet on the zipper is a great touch. Oh, and its fake fur, in case you were wondering. I know that celebritee day has been and gone, but in the gallery there is a picture of Jessica Alba wearing this hoodie, which is, y'know, a thing.
In collaboration with Boosted, Vans Outerwear is proud to introduce the Vans x Boosted Program. Designed for fast and easy communication on the mountain, the program is available in the Grunt Insulated LTD Jacket and the Down Supreme LTD Jacket. The jackets are embedded with Boosted branded Bluetooth technology that seamlessly links your Bluetooth enabled mobile phone and favorite MP3 device. The stereo headset allows for convenient use on your mobile phone while listening to your favorite tracks, without interrupting your ride.
How cool is that? I know that there are other brands out there that have put bluetooth technology into their jackets before, but I still think its really cool, and a nice looking jacket too. I've haven;t snowboarded much before, so I'm probably not the best to judge, but how often do people make calls when they're on the slopes? I guess that using it to play mp3s would be pretty awesome when you're snowboarding though.
Okay, I'm going to try again with hoodie People (the people who sells hoodies), hopefully this time I'll get the price right!
I love, love, love the brass clips closures that go over zip on this coat, they really add something to the overall look of this coat, I don't know why, but I feel like the brass makes the coat seem as if would keep me warmer than if they weren't there, enough though I know that makes no sense at all. The braided leather hood drawstring is a nice touch too.
Byron dropped a tip my way about some new hoodies up on sale at streetwear giant KidRobot, pointing out this one as his particular favourite, and whilst I'm all for bright colourways, I think that one goes a bit further than I'd be willing to. However, I do really like their rather-expensive but rather-awesome raincoat, or 'Plastic Jacket' to use KRs own parlance. If this was a hoodie I'd probably be slightly unsure about buying and wearing it, but I think people can get away with a lot more when wearing something designed to combat the rain, as if the public can justify any design as long as they think the person wearing it is just wearing it to protect themselves from the wet, meaning people can wear all the crazy designs that they'd secretly love to in the dry.


text:
Stephen Whittington — Windmill
(Cold Blue CB0048, 2017, CD)
by Peter Thelen, Published 2017-09-19
Australian composer Stephen Whittington's latest release features two extended compositions performed by the Zephyr string quartet, a group based in Adelaide who also compose, improvise, and perform regularly. The first is a roughly 25 minute seven-part piece "…From a Thatched Hut," which draws ideas from Chinese culture and music, blending them with with Western ideas. The thatched hut was a place where ancient recusive poets would go to withdraw from the world, creating words, calligraphy, painting, and music. The seven movements were conceived as a cycle, each with its own identity and themes, with clear differences in style in each. In particular, the opening section "The Unnameable" seems to be an excercize in disonnance and freedom from form, but it segues nicely into what comes after. "Windmill" is a single ten minute piece of wandering repetition and frequent stops and starts that truly captures the title. One can feel the breeze slowly turning the wheel, with the strings maintaining a fairly steady but slow pace as the piece evolves, and then changes and inverts occasionally to create interest, which continues throughout its duration, sometimes stopping for long periods then starting up again. Throughout, the quartet of two violins, viola, and one cello defines the musical parameters, and at times, especially on the last piece I find myself wishing that there were more sounds in the bass register. But it is what it is, and the entire disc is nonetheless quite interesting, and in fact somewhat soothing and rejuvenating to listen to repeatedly.
Filed under: New releases, 2017 releases
Related artist(s): Stephen Whittington
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Joel Vandroogenbroeck RIP – Word has reached us of the death of Joel Vandroogenbroeck, best known as one of the founders of Brainticket, He also recorded electronic music under a variety of names. He was born August 25th, 1938 in Brussels, Belgium and died December 23, 2019 in Arlesheim, Switzerland, aged 81. » Read more
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Christian Décamps et Fils - Murmures... – Whatever Ange may have been through in the years since their progressive heyday in the 70s, it is clear from this release that lead singer Christian Décamps has found a way to translate this artistic... (2005) » Read more
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Molly: Cool, Prince William and Kate are getting married. Good thing I'm not invited. I'd have *no* idea what to get a couple who already has succession to the throne of the UK and Commonwealth. I mean, that's normally my go-to gift.
Rich: There must be *something* you can re-gift to them. Don't you have an extra Aston-Martin laying around, because somebody got it for you in the wrong color?
Molly: No Aston-Martins, but come to think of it, I do have Norway. Do you think they'd want it? I never use it.
Rich: Perfect! They can use it for their ski holidays!
Martha: I'm giving them Utah. They didn't register for it, but I certainly don't need it anymore. Norway might make a nice set.
LOL. Ah, you Vikings, always invading Britain. :) I do like the fresh air, but London would be in my top two or three of cities to pick if I had to choose one to stay in my whole life.
And right after your "DON'T PANIC" post!
Funny, huh? But the "Don't Panic" bit is certainly more visible and memorable in the books.


This is the homepage of the new founded Instagram family Skylover!
But what are the Skylover? As the name is saying the Skylover are a family which loves to take pictures of the sky.
Landscape with sky, ocean with sky, only sky, and and and..
But why is there a family especially for that? That is easy. Many people love the sky. Many people take photos of it and post it to instagram. To differentiate from them and meet other Skylover we found the family.
Be honest. Its more fun if you work together with people and if you support yourself having fun with sky.
So you can see: It does not cost anything to be a member of the Skylover family but it will be great fun!
Are there any requirements to join the Skylover family?
OF COURSE! How will you differentiate from others if your photos are not good enough to stand out of the crowd or catch all others eye?
> You support the IG rules!
> You are not there to follow only people, you want to upload photos.


6/22--Issue 1 now available on line. Read free!
12/2010--Review of Issue 1 at NewPages.com.
11/2010--Issue 1 now available as an ebook! Click here to check it out.
10/2010--NewPages.com: TRACHODON is New Lit on the Block.
Our mission is to publish the best contemporary writing in a small, handsomely designed journal as a paperback and multi-format ebook, with a nod toward the "little" magazines of nearly a century ago; to stand behind our publication and our contributors by using every viable form of media to connect readers and writers; to present the stories that need telling--in print and electronically--because great writing needs great readers.
Our vision is to make each issue recognizable but unique; to create a quality periodical that can be read in one sitting; to put enough of ourselves into it that the journal will become something more than just another recyclable or unopened file.


text:
#27 Joe De Sena and How to Be a Spartan
November 10, 2015 By Jim Harshaw
Today I bring you Joe De Sena.
Joe De Sena is the founder of Spartan adventure races which have become wildly popular in recent years. He's not a wrestler but he has tremendous respect for the mindset of a wrestler which is why he got his kids into the sport. Joe has the wrestling mindset. Not only can he operate when he's uncomfortable but he actively seeks out discomfort.
He has an absolutely ridiculous backstory as you're about to hear and he shares with you some interesting thoughts on how to succeed at whatever it is that you do.
On his own podcast, SpartanUp, he interviews successful people from all walks of life and has even had wrestlers Kyle Dake and Nate Carr on his show in addition to Richard Branson, Gary Vaynerchuk and others.
His story is an interesting one to say the least. One that you would never think would lead him to start an adventure race company. He shares that story as well as some of his key beliefs about success in this 27th episode of Wrestling with Greatness.
Like every episode, I have created an action plan from what Joe shares with us here today. If you're listening on iTunes, click on the image and the link to download the action plan will show up. Or just go to JimHarshaw.net/27
Website: www.spartanuppodcast.com | www.spartant.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realJoeDeSena
Twitter: https://twitter.com/realJoeDeSena
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjoedesena


We're excited that you have an opinion about the name Hamish. To rate names on Nameberry, please register for an account or log in to an existing account.
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The name Hamish is a boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "supplanter". Hamish and is often added to lists like British Boy Names and discussed in our forums with posts like "A brother or sister for little Jack or Olivia".
Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out to Laird and Ewan territory, this may be worth consideration. It also sounds just like the Yiddish word for homey.
In Scotland, where it became popular in the second half of the nineteenth century, Hamish is a nickname for a Highlander, and it's a high-ranking name in South Australia, where it's currently in the Top 50.
Some people may have become familiar with Hamish via one of the grooms in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Find other names based on Hamish using our baby name generator.
Hamish "Hammie" McPherson, character in comic strip "Baby Blues"
Hamish, character in movie "Braveheart"
Hamish Ascot, Alice's would-be fiance in movie "Alice in Wonderland"
Hamish and Dougal, characters on British radio comedy series "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" and "You'll Have Had Your Tea"
All I can see is ham.
I much prefer Haymitch over Hamish. Though, I can see the appeal with it being Scottish and a variation of James.
I think this name is definitely more approachable, usable, and pronounceable now, especially with the Hunger Games character Haymitch, a very similar sounding name. With the rise of British names and culture crossing the ocean and seas, I see this being used more and more.
I do not like the way this name sounds, reminds me of "hamen" the villian from the Purim story. Has sound similar to "hate". and "-Ish" seems like an undesirable ending. Like, "How are you feeling today?" "Oh, a little nauseous and a little hamish but im okay." What color is that? Oh pink-sih blue-ish ham-ish. Tastes a little bacony and ham-ish. I think i made my point.
I really love how this names sounds, but I'm afraid to use it in the US especially because we aren't Scottish. We actually have a very German last name and so I think it would seem odd. I would love to see it used by someone else though as I think it would be so cute and yet handsome for a young man.
Still seriously considering this as a potential name for a (hopefully) future son. I haven't gotten great feedback on using it in the US, but I don't think I really care. I have lots of time to decide.
This is such a cozy name. Love it.


World premieres from Robert Lepage, Veronica Tennant and Vancouver's Electric Company Theatre will be a part of Panamania, a 35-day arts and culture festival set to accompany Toronto's Pan Am Games in the summer of 2015.
Don Shipley, head of the Arts and Culture component of the Games, announced $1.5-million of commissions from across artistic disciplines on Tuesday morning – 27 projects in total that will be displayed or staged from Nathan Phillips Square to the Power Plant to the Distillery District. "Every commission is a leap of faith," Shipley said. Here are the five most likely to pay off.
Celebrated Quebec director Robert Lepage will have the premiere of his latest one-man show as part of Panamania. This work-in-progress is slated to be a meditation on memory and will star Lepage himself, in the way of previous shows such as The Far Side of the Moon and The Andersen Project. From Toronto, it will go on to tour the world.
Choreographer Crystal Pite and the Electric Company Theatre first collaborated on the popular play Studies in Motion in 2006. Now they reunite for Betroffenheit, inspired in part by the national conversation on post-traumatic stress disorder. (The title is a German word meaning the state of shock that follows a violent event.) Electric Company actor Jonathon Young (Hamlet at Vancouver's Bard on the Beach last summer) will star and provide the words, while Kidd Pivot – Pite's company – will supply the dance. The collaboration is already set to travel internationally after Panamania, with a stop scheduled at Sadler's Wells in London.
Prima ballerina Veronica Tennant is involved in this piece, inspired by an 1824 ode to Niagara Falls written by Cuban exile José Maria Heredia, who has been called "the first poet of the Americas." It's part of a stream of water-themed programming including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, a theatrical adaptation of Jules Verne's underwater adventure co-created by Rick Miller of MacHomer and Bigger Than Jesus fame; The Watershed, a new docudrama about the freshwater crisis by Crow's Theatre and Porte Parole; Watercolour, for which the Textile Museum of Canada will commission 41 customized sails from artists from different Pan American countries; and Water's Edge, an outdoor exhibition of photographs by six fine-art photographers from the Americas, including Edward Burtynsky.
Tom Longboat, a runner from the Six Nations of the Grand River, became world famous at the Boston Marathon in 1907, when he beat the race's record by more than five minutes. His record stood for more than 20 years – and a new statue of Longboat set to be erected on the Toronto Islands is planned to stand for much longer. A competition is being launched to find an aboriginal artist to design the statue.
Studio 180 Theatre will adapt Canadian-born This American Life contributor David Rakoff's posthumously published verse novel for the stage. Other Toronto theatre companies working on new pieces for Panamania include David Ferry's Appledore Productions, which will stage a story about Toronto's first African-Canadian postman on front porches around the city; Ravi Jain's Why Not Theatre, which will stage an adaptation of the Three Little Pigs called Gimme Shelter; and bluemouth inc. and Jennifer Tarver's Necessary Angel, who will collaborate on a new site-specific play written by up-and-comer Jordan Tannahill.


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Conan Gray takes on the House of Blues
Aimee Wiencek, Staff Reporter
This past Saturday, Nov. 9, Conan Gray took center stage at Cleveland's famous House of Blues venue. Cleveland was lucky enough to be one of the stops on the 20-year-old singer's "The Comfort Crowd" tour, which includes 26 stops across the United States and Canada. The doors opened at 7 p.m., opening with rhythm and blues singer UMI at 8 p.m. Shortly after, Gray appeared on stage at 9 p.m.
Gray, originally from Texas, came to fame from a YouTube channel he formed in 2013. With currently 1.57 million subscribers, Gray posts a variety of content such as his own music, covers of songs, vlogs and clips of his art. After posting many original songs on his channel, he officially released them on his debut EP, "Sunset Season," in 2018 under Republic Records.
Republic Records describes Gray's music as a "unique style of dreamy alternative pop. Bedroom pop tinged with raw, high school nostalgia—songs about kids grappling with regular life."
It is with no doubt that Gray's music, as well as his vibe in general, emulates this description. From the minute that Gray stepped onto the stage, he captivated the audience. His stage presence was unmatchable, with him dancing and jumping around to the beat of the music.
The crowd was incredibly receptive to Gray, singing along and matching his energy. His constant engagement, as well as his amazing live vocals, made the concert a real crowd-pleaser.
Gray performed many of his hit songs, including "Generation Why," "Idle Town," "Grow," "Comfort Crowd," "Crush Culture" and his newest hit "Maniac." He took the time between each song to describe the story behind writing it and what the lyrics meant to him. For example, Gray explained to the audience how his small Texan town was the inspiration for his song "Idle Town", and how even when he thought he was ready to leave and never look back, it is still the one place he will always call home. His vulnerability allowed the audience to connect with him on a deeper level.
Despite Gray only being on stage for a little over an hour, the audience was definitely able to get its fill. As a surprise addition to his setlist, Gray performed a cover of the Jonas Brothers' "Burnin' Up" and sang a new, yet-to-be-released song from his upcoming debut album.
"[Gray] was such a fun and high-energy performer and I think he really interacted well with the audience and made the performance really personal," second-year student Maeve Slife said. "I like that he sings about his real feelings and doesn't sugarcoat difficult situations in his songs!"
The relaxed and nostalgic atmosphere of the House of Blues, in addition to Gray's amazing stage presence, made the "dreamy alternative pop" truly come to life. The concert was definitely a night to remember and made the crowd, along with myself, even more excited to hear Gray's new and upcoming album.
Although he is still a relatively small artist, within a few more years, I have no doubt that he is going to become huge.
Aimee Wiencek, Staff Columnist
Aimee is a second-year student majoring in business management and English with possible minors in economics and studio art. Outside of The Observer, she...
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Publisher: Title of books most frequently cited: p. 261-262..
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HomeNewsBrexit voters less confident in leaving EU due to economic fears and cost of living crisis
Brexit voters less confident in leaving EU due to economic fears and cost of living crisis
A polling expert has appeared on Robert Peston's weekly political analysis show on ITV to discuss the trend for Leave voters turning their back on Brexit. Sir John Curtice, a politics professor at the University of Strathclyde, acknowledged that the current state of the economy was a major factor in this change.
He even admitted that a second referendum could be a possibility, although neither Rishi Sunak nor Sir Keir Starmer have plans for one in their manifestos.
Sir John said on Wednesday evening: "Amongst Leave voters, who you would normally expect to say that Brexit was right, they have become much less confident in the economic benefits of Brexit.
"That seems to be resulting in fewer Leave voters now saying they would vote to stay out.
"The problem with Brexit is that given the state of the British economy, it's very difficult to persuade people that Brexit is proving to be a success."
When asked if this would lead to another referendum he responded: "It's by no means inconceivable but of course at the moment, in England at least, there isn't any party which is even close to that position."
A former Tory MP, Mr Norman said the plans for changes in packaging could increase costs for supermarkets and producers and give EU companies an advantage over British competitors.
READ MORE: Tories urged to axe 'weak' Sunak to survive as leading party
Inventor Sir James Dyson has also criticised the Government for their "stupid" economic decisions, reported The Telegraph.
A prominent Brexiteer himself, Sir James has now moved his company's headquarters to Singapore.
Peru president refuses to quit as demonstrators seethe
Man, 31, found guilty of robbing Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish and his wife of watches
Oil and stocks slide as China protests hit markets – business live | Business


1989-06-21 Assigned to E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY reassignment E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: MOORE, ALBERT L.
Peroxide-curable fluoroelastomers are prepared in the presence of iodinated compounds, with iodine bonding to a substantial number of terminal positions on the fluoroelastomer, and comprising up to 3 weight percent of bromine-containing units selected from fluoroolefins and perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers, and complementally at least 97 weight percent of either units of vinylidene fluoride, one or more fluoroolefins, and optionally perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers, or units of tetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether, and ethylene. The resulting fluoroelastomers have improved processability, excellent strength and compression set properties, and are useful in the preparation of injection molded shaft seals, gaskets and other molded parts. The fluoroelastomer is prepared by a continuous emulsion polymerization process.
This invention relates to fluoroelastomers having enhanced physical properties and to processes for preparing such fluoroelastomers. More particularly, this invention relates to fluoroelastomers containing bromine that are polymerized in the presence of iodinated compounds to form curesites at random points along the polymer chain and at the ends of the chains, and to continuous processes for preparing such fluoroelastomers.
Vinylidene fluoride-based fluoroelastomers such as copolymers of vinylidene fluoride with hexafluoropropylene, optionally with tetrafluoroethylene, have achieved outstanding commercial success, and may be crosslinked by use of bisphenol curing systems such as are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,654.
Curing systems were subsequently developed that could crosslink fluoroelastomers with higher concentrations of tetrafluoroethylene and correspondingly lower concentrations of vinylidene fluoride than previously treatable. In systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,565 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,060, fluoroelastomer copolymers including bromine-containing fluoromonomer cure in the presence of a radical-generating peroxide and a crosslinking coagent, such as triallylisocyanurate. The present fluoropolymer represents an improvement over these references in that it has improved processibility and physical properties.
Fluoroelastomers that contain iodo groups on the chain ends have been prepared, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,770, by semi-batch polymerizations carried out in the presence of iodine-containing fluorocarbon or a chlorofluorocarbon chain transfer agent. When the chain transfer agent contains two iodo groups, and when the polymerization is carried out under suitable conditions, most of the fluoroelastomer chains contain iodo groups at each end, and such polymers when treated with peroxide curing agents and a crosslinking coagent form a network by linking up of the chain ends. U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,770 also teaches the use of a copolymerizable iodo-containing fluoromonomer but since extensive chain transfer occurs at the iodo site, this monomer behaves as a branching site, and at high concentration gives gelled, difficultly processible fluoroelastomer.
The semi-batch polymerization taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,770 is inherently slow. Moreover, when continuous, high-productivity emulsion copolymerization in the presence of iodo chain transfer agents is carried out, chain transfer by iodine is inefficient, so that not all chains have iodo groups at both ends, and vulcanizates prepared by peroxide cure have poor properties. In contrast, the present fluoropolymer provides a product with excellent properties that is prepared in a continuous emulsion polymerization process.
It is an object of this invention to provide fluoroelastomers that react with peroxide curing agents and crosslinking coagents to give unique polymer networks in which crosslinks are formed both at random points along the polymer chain and at the ends of the chains. It is an advantage of the present invention to provide polymers having excellent strength and compression set properties, as well as good processing characteristics. It is a further object of this invention to provide a continuous, high productivity process for the preparation of said peroxide-curable polymer. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description of the invention that appears below.
(2) 32-60 mole percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, 20-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether and 10-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of ethylene.
According to another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a continuous emulsion polymerization process for preparing a peroxidecurable fluoroelastomer of the present invention.
According to the present invention there is provided a peroxide-curable fluoroelastomer containing 0.1-1.0 weight percent, preferably 0.1-0.5 weight percent iodine, and having polymer repeat units of bromine-containing comonomer constituents, located in recurring random locations along the polymer chain, such that the polymer will contain 0.1-1.0 weight percent, preferably 0.15-0.6 weight percent bromine. An especially preferred component (a) is 4-bromo-3,3,4,4-tetrafluorobutene-1 hereinafter called BTFB. In addition to bromine cure sites located randomly along the fluoroelastomer chain, the invention includes iodine crosslinking sites located at terminal positions on the polymer chain. This can be accomplished by conducting the radical copolymerization of the above named monomers in the presence of an iodinated compound represented by RIn, where R is a hydrocarbon radical of 1-12 carbon atoms, I is iodine, and n is 1 or 2. In the course of the radically initiated copolymerization the iodinated compound acts as a chain transfer agent, resulting in a telomerization polymerization process in which a labile, iodine-containing chain end is formed, and the alkyl residue of the iodinated compound is attached to the other end of the polymer chain. If the iodinated compound has two iodine groups, the fluoroelastomer chain may therefore have iodine groups at each end. Examples of suitable RIn compounds are methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, n-propyl iodide, isopropyl iodide, methylene iodide, 1,2-diodo ethane and 1,3-diiodopropane, and 1,4-diiodobutane. Methylene iodide is preferred because it has only moderate effects on polymerization rate and gives good efficiency of iodine incorporation.
The amount of iodinated-compound that will be employed is high enough to give extensive chain transfer and incorporation of a substantial level of iodine end groups. High chain transfer efficiency by the alkyl iodide results in a fluoroelastomer with lower compound viscosity and a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution with a typical value of Mw /Mn of about 2-3, for desirable rheology and processing characteristics.
The concentration of iodine in the fluoroelastomer will depend upon the concentration of RIn in the polymerization medium and upon polymerization conditions, which will affect the chain transfer efficiency. The lower limit of iodine content in the fluoroelastomer is approximately that at which an effect on peroxide cure rate and vulcanizate properties is found. The upper limit of iodine content in the fluoroelastomer corresponds approximately to the practical lower limit on polymer viscosity, since higher concentrations of RIn give polymers with lower molecular weight and viscosity. The upper limit on iodine content also relates to the desired highest state of cure.
The polymers of this invention will contain bromine curesites introduced by the bromine-containing units of component (a) of the fluoroelastomer. These units may be a bromine-containing olefin, containing another halogen, preferably fluorine. Examples are bromotrifluoroethylene, 4-bromo-3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-butene-1 and a number of others noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,565, previously cited, and these are incorporated herein by reference. Brominated fluorovinyl ethers useful in the invention include CF2 Br--Rf--O--CF═CF2, such as CF2 BrCF2 OCF═CF2, cited in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,165 and of the type ROCF═CFBr or ROCBr═CF2 where R is a lower alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group, such as CH3 OCF═CFBr or CF3 CH2 OCF═CFBr, cited in U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,662. The choice of bromine-containing units is based on ease of copolymerizability with the major monomers and low branching tendency, in addition to cost and availability.
Several useful embodiments of the present invention differ with respect to the composition of component (b)(1) of the fluoroelastomer. One such composition contains polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride and polymer repeat units of either hexafluoropropylene or pentafluoropropylene. In another composition, the component (b)(1) includes polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene and polymer repeat units of either hexafluoropropylene or pentafluoropropylene. Yet another composition of the invention contains polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether, and polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, optionally also containing repeat units of hexafluoropropylene.
In particular, and for the above described embodiments, component (b)(1) may contain 30-65 weight percent, preferably 30-60 weight percent vinylidene fluoride units; 20-45 weight percent, preferably 25-40 weight percent hexafluoropropylene units; and 0-35 weight percent, preferably 10-30 weight percent tetrafluoroethylene units. Alternatively, (b)(1) can also be composed of 15-65 weight percent, preferably 25-60 weight percent of vinylidene fluoride units; 0-55 weight percent, preferably 5-40 weight percent tetrafluoroethylene units; and, 25-45 weight percent preferably 30-45 weight percent, of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether units having the formula CF2 ═CFO(CF2 CFXO)n Rf, where X is F or trifluoromethyl, n is 0-5 and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms. A preferred perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether is perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), hereinafter referred to as PMVE. Alternatively, PMVE can be used in admixture with another perfluoralkyl perfluorovinyl ether, so long as the total perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether content is in the range of 15-35 mole percent in the polymer.
In useful embodiments, component (b)(2) is composed of 10-40 mole percent, preferably 20-40 mole percent ethylene units; 32-60 mole percent tetrafluoroethylene units; and, 20-40 mole percent, preferably 20-35 mole percent of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether units having the formula CF2 ═CFO(CF2 CFXO)n Rf, where X is F or trifluoromethyl, n is 0-5 and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms. A preferred perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether is PMVE. Alternatively, PMVE can be used in admixture with another perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether, so long as the total perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether content is in the range of 15-35 mole percent in the fluoroelastomer. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,045 a variety of perfluoro alkyl perfluorovinyl ethers are disclosed, and are incorporated herein by reference.
The elastomers described herein are prepared by free radical emulsion polymerization in a continuous stirred tank reactor. Polymerization temperatures may be in the range 40 to 130° C., preferably 70 to 115° C., at pressures of 2 to 8 MPa and residence times of 10 to 240 minutes. A residence time of 20 to 60 minutes is preferred for vinylidene fluoride copolymers. Free radical generation is effected using a water-soluble initiator such as ammonium persulfate, either by thermal decomposition or by reaction with a reducing agent such as sodium sulfite. Initiator levels are set low enough so that iodine endgroups predominate over those from initiator fragments. This leads to the desired low polymer viscosity and contributes to good flow characteristics and good vulcanizate properties, including compression set resistance. The polymer dispersion is stabilized with an inert surface-active agent such as ammonium perfluorooctanoate, usually with addition of a base such as sodium hydroxide or a buffer such as disodium phosphate to control pH in the range 3 to 7. After polymerization, unreacted monomer is removed from the reactor effluent latex by vaporization at reduced pressure. The polymer is recovered from latex by coagulation, e.g., by reducing pH to about 3 by acid addition and adding a salt solution such as calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, or potassium aluminum sulfate in water, followed by separation of serum from polymer, washing with water, and drying of the wet polymer.
Fluoroelastomers made by the method described are generally cured by a free radical process. A curable composition comprises polymer and a peroxide to generate free radicals at curing temperatures. A dialkyl peroxide which decomposes at a temperature above 50° C. is especially preferred when the composition is to be processed at elevated temperatures before it is cured. In many cases one will prefer to use a di-tertiarybutyl peroxide having a tertiary carbon atom attached to peroxy oxygen. Among the most useful peroxides of this type are 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tertiarybutylperoxy) hexyne-3 and 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tertiarybutylperoxy) hexane. Other peroxides can be selected from such compounds as dicumyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, tertiarybutyl perbenzoate, and di[1,3-dimethyl-3-(t-butylperoxy)butyl]carbonate.
Another material which is usually blended with the composition before it is made into end products is a coagent composed of a polyunsaturated compound which is capable of cooperating with the peroxide to provide a useful cure. These crosslinking coagents can be added in an amount equal to 0.5-10 percent, preferably about 1-7 percent, by weight of the copolymer content, and may be one or more of the following compounds: triallyl cyanurate; triallyl isocyanurate; tri(methallyl) isocyanurate; tris(diallylamine)-s-triazine; triallyl phosphite; N,N-diallyl acrylamide; hexaallyl phosphoramide; N,N,N',N'-tetraallyl tetraphthalamide; N,N,N',N'-tetraallyl malonamide; trivinyl isocyanurate; 2,4,6-trivinyl methyltrisiloxane; and tri(5-norbornene-2-methylene) cyanurate. Particularly useful is triallyl isocyanurate, hereafter called TAIC.
Optionally, at least one metal compound selected from divalent metal oxides or divalent metal hydroxides is frequently blended with the fluoroelastomer during preparation or before it is cured. The presence of such compounds improves the heat aging resistance and thermal stability of the polymer. Representative metal compounds include the oxides and hydroxides of magnesium, zinc, calcium or lead. A metal salt of a weak acid can also be used along with the oxide and/or hydroxide. Representative salts of weak acids include the barium-, sodium-, potassium-, lead-, and calcium-/-stearate, -benzoate, -carbonate, -oxalate and -phosphite. Magnesium and lead oxides are especially preferred. The metal compound is added to the fluoroelastomer in an amount equal to 1-15 weight percent, preferably 2-10 weight percent, based on fluoroelastomer.
The fluoroelastomers can also contain conventional fillers such as carbon black, clay, silica and talc. Other fillers, pigments, antioxidants, stabilizers and the like can also be used. It is particularly advantageous to add carbon black to the fluoroelastomer to increase its modulus. Usually amounts of from 5-50 parts per hundred parts of fluoroelastomer are used, with the particular amount determined from the particle size of the carbon black and the desired hardness of the cured composition.
As described hereinabove, the fluoroelastomer compositions of this invention have a unique structure in which free radical-reactive bromo-sites are randomly attached along the polymer chain and iodinated-sites are at the chain ends. Thus, when this fluoroelastomer is crosslinked by the action of organic peroxides and crosslinking coagents, products are obtained having enhanced strength, compression set and ease of processibility that are useful in the preparation of injection molded shaft seals, gaskets and other molded parts.
The subject invention will be more fully appreciated with reference to the following examples.
A continuous emulsion polymerization was carried out in a well-stirred 4.0-liter stainless steel reaction vessel. The reactor was filled with an aqueous solution containing 0.41 g ammonium persulfate (APS), 0.18 g sodium hydroxide, and 0.67 g ammonium perfluorooctanoate (FC-143) soap per liter of deionized water. The reactor was heated to 110° C. and the aqueous solution was fed at 6.0 L/h. The reactor was kept liquid-full at 6.2 MPa by means of a back-pressure control valve in the effluent line. After 30 minutes the reaction was started by introducing a gaseous monomer mixture consisting of 330 g/h tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), 443 g/h vinylidene fluoride (VF2), and 559 g/h PMVE fed through a diaphragm compressor. After 15 minutes a feed was established of 7.4 g/h BTFB and 4.9 g/h methylene iodide in t-butanol (total solution feed 25 mL/h). After 1.5 hours, effluent dispersion was collected for 7.25 hours.
The effluent polymer dispersion was separated from residual monomers in a degassing vessel at atmospheric pressure. The dispersion had pH=3.6 and contained 16.8 weight percent solids. The fluoroelastomer was isolated from the dispersion by reducing pH to about 3 with dilute sulfuric acid and coagulating with potassium aluminum sulfate solution. The coagulated polymer was allowed to settle, supernatant serum was removed, and the polymer was washed by reslurrying in water twice before filtering. The wet crumb was dried in an air oven at 50°-60° C. to a moisture content of less than 1%.
About 8.7 kg of polymer was recovered at an overall conversion of 90%. The polymer had the composition 26% TFE, 35% VF2, 38% PMVE, and 0.6% BTFB, and also contained 0.32% iodine, corresponding to about 83% of that fed in methylene iodide. The polymer was an amorphous fluoroelastomer with glass transition temperature -28° C., as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (heating mode, 10° C./min, onset of transition). Fluoroelastomer inherent viscosity was 0.37 dL/g, measured at 30° C. in methyl ethyl ketone, and Mooney viscosity was measured as ML-10 (100° C.)=22.
A curable fluoroelastomer composition was prepared by mixing the following ingredients on a two-roll rubber mill whose rolls were heated to about 25° C.: 100 parts fluoroelastomer of Example 1, 30 parts MT (N990) carbon black, 3 parts Maglite Y magnesium oxide, 1.5 parts triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC), and 1.5 parts "Luperco" 101-XL peroxide (45% of 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butyl peroxy)hexane and 55% inert filler). Cure characteristics of the composition were measured with an oscillating disk rheometer (ODR) at a cure time of 12 minutes at 177° C., according to ASTM D-2084 (1 deg. arc). The time required to reach 90% of the cure state reached in 12 minutes was determined as t'90=3.2 minutes. Test samples were press-cured for 10 minutes at 177° C. and post-cured in a circulating air oven for 24 hours at 200° C. Stress-strain properties were determined according to ASTM D-412 as: 100% modulus, M100 =4.6 MPa; tensile at break, TB =15.7 MPa; elongation at break, EB =200%. Compression set, measured on pellets in air, was 34% after 70 hours at 200.C. The results are reported in Tables I and II.
Fluoroelastomers were made by continuous emulsion polymerization in a well-stirred 4.0-liter reaction vessel, as in Example 1, further described in Table I. A feed of BTFB curesite monomer and diiodinatedalkane modifier dissolved in tertiary-butanol was used. Effluent dispersion was collected for 4 to 10 hours. The dispersion was degassed and polymer isolated as in Example 1. Polymerization results and polymer characteristics are listed in Table I. All polymers were amorphous elastomers with low glass transition temperature. The elastomers were cured as in Example 1 except for variable peroxide and TAIC as noted in Table II.
A fluoroelastomer was made as in Examples 1-5, except that isopropyl alcohol was fed as modifier instead of diiodinated alkane, so that the resulting polymer contained only bromine curesites from BTFB monomer incorporation. The polymerization conditions and polymer characteristics are listed in Table I, and curing is described in Table II.
A fluoroelastomer was made as in Examples 1-5, except that no bromine-containing curesite monomer was fed, so that the polymer contained only iodine endgroups from methylene iodide modifier. The polymerization conditions and polymer characteristics are listed in Table I, and curing is described in Table II.
An elastomeric copolymer of TFE, VF2, hexafluoropropylene (HFP), and BTFB was made by continuous emulsion polymerization as in Examples 2-5, with HFP monomer used instead of PMVE. Startup and general operation were as described in previous examples. Aqueous solution was fed to a 4-liter reactor at 4 L/h to maintain solute feeds of 1.7 g/h APS initiator, 1.2 g/h NaOH, and 4.0 g/h FC-143 soap. Gaseous monomers were fed at 219 g/h TFE, 269 g/h VF2, and 395 g/h HFP. BTFB curesite monomer was fed at 4.1 g/h and methylene iodide at 1.7 g/h in tertiary-butanol solution. After two hours equilibration, effluent dispersion was collected for ten hours. The dispersion had pH=3.9 and contained 15.5% solids. About 7.3 kg polymer was isolated at overall conversion 82%. The polymer had composition 29% TFE, 36% VF2, 34% HFP, and 0.6% BTFB and also contained 0.24% iodine. The polymer was an amorphous fluoroelastomer with Tg=-12° C. Inherent viscosity was 0.40 dL/g and Mooney viscosity ML-10 (100° C.) was 57. Additional results are reported in Table III.
An elastomeric copolymer of TFE, VF2, HFP, and BTFB was made by continuous emulsion polymerization as in Example 6. Aqueous solution was fed to a 2-liter reactor at 6 L/h to maintain solute feeds of 2.5 g/h APS initiator, 1.3 g/h NaOH, and 3.6 g/h FC-143 soap. Gaseous monomers were fed at 244 g/h TFE, 626 g/h VF2, and 498 g/h HFP. BTFB curesite monomer was fed at 7.2 g/h and methylene iodide at 2.2 g/h in tertiary-butanol solution. After two hours equilibration, effluent dispersion was collected for ten hours. The dispersion had pH=4.7 and contained 17.1% solids. About 12.3 kg polymer was isolated at overall conversion 89%. The polymer had composition 19% TFE, 49% VF2, 31% HFP, and 0.6% BTFB and also contained about 0.2% iodine. The polymer was an amorphous fluoroelastomer with Tg=-23° C. Inherent viscosity was 0.74 dL/g and Mooney viscosity ML-10 (100° C.) was 57. Additional results are reported in Table III.
An elastomeric copolymer of ethylene, TFE, PMVE, and BTFB was made by continuous emulsion polymerization at 90° C. as in Examples 1-5. Startup and general operation were as described in previous examples. Aqueous solution was fed to a 4-liter reactor at 1.2 L/h to maintain solute feeds of 1.1 g/h APS initiator, 12 g/h disodium phosphate heptahydrate, and 7.0 g/h FC-143 soap. Gaseous monomers were fed at 29 g/h ethylene, 184 g/h TFE, and 277 g/h PMVE. BTFB curesite monomer was fed at 2.6 g/h and methylene iodide at 1.2 g/h in tertiary-butanol solution. After four hours equilibration, effluent dispersion was collected for 8.5 hours. The dispersion had pH=7.0 and contained 21.6% solids. Dispersion pH was adjusted to about 3 by addition of dilute nitric acid and the polymer was coagulated by adding calcium nitrate solution, then washed and dried as in Example 1. About 2.5 kg polymer was recovered at overall conversion 64%. Polymer composition was 9.3% ethylene, 49.1% TFE, 40.5% PMVE, and 0.77% BTFB, and contained 0.27% iodine. Fluoroelastomer inherent viscosity was 0.42 dL/g, measured at 30° C. at a polymer concentration of 0.2 g/dL in a solvent consisting of 60/40/3 volume ratio of heptafluoro-2,3,4-trichlorobutane, perfluoro(butyltetrahydrofuran) and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether. Mooney viscosity (ML-10 at 100° C.) was 28 and the polymer was amorphous with a Tg of -15° C.
One hundred parts of elastomer, 30 parts MT black and 3 parts each of litharge, TAIC and peroxide were compounded as in Example 1. The ODR test, at 177° C., gave the following results: ML and MH, 0.23 and 3.1 joules, respectively; ts2 1.5 min and t'90 5.0 min. After 15 min press cure at 177° C. and 24 hr postcure at 232° C. the following test results were obtained: M100 =4.7 MPa; TB =10.4 MPa; EB =195%; compression set, pellets, after 70 hrs at 200° C.=52%.
A 4-liter autoclave purged with nitrogen gas was charged with a mixture of 2600 ml of water and 5.6 g of ammonium perfluorooctanoate. The clave was heated to 80° C. and pressurized to 200 psig. A mixture of VF2, HFP and TFE (mole fractions 0.3:0.5:0.2) was added together with 20 ml of 0.2% APS solution. The pressure was allowed to drop to 195 psig, after which 2.2 g of methylene diiodide (36 ml of a solution containing 2.2 g of diiodide) was added. The polymerization stopped (no polymer product was obtained) and no further reaction occurred over the following 17 hours even with the addition of 200 ml of APS solution.
This Comparative Example demonstrates that methylene iodide used as the chain transfer agent in the attempted semibatch polymerization of vinylidene fluoride and selected fluoroolefins which do not contain bromine curesites does not yield a polymerized product.
(2) 32-60 mole percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, 20-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers, and 10-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of ethylene.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the fluoroelastomer contains from 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent iodine.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the fluoroelastomer contains from 0.15 to 0.6 weight percent bromine.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the fluoroolefin of (a) is 4-bromo-3,3,4,4-tetrafluorobutene-1.
5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the fluorovinyl ether of (a) has the formula CF2 Br--R--O--CF═CF2 or ROCF═CFBr, where R is a lower alkyl group or fluoroalkyl group.
6. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(1) consists of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride and polymer repeat units of a fluoroolefin selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene and pentafluoropropylene.
7. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(1) consists of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, and polymer repeat units of fluoroolefins selected from the group consisting of hexafluoropropylene and pentafluoropropylene.
8. The composition of claim 7 wherein (b)(1) is comprised of 30-65 weight percent of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, 0-35 weight percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, and 20-45 weight percent of polymer repeat units of hexafluoropropylene.
9. The composition of claim 7 wherein (b)(1) is comprised of 30-60 weight percent of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, 10-30 weight percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, and 25-40 weight percent of polymer repeat units of hexafluoropropylene.
10. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(1) consists of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether, polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, and optionally, polymer repeat units of hexafluoropropylene.
11. The composition of claim 10 wherein (b)(1) is comprised of 15-65 weight percent of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, 0-55 weight percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, and 25-45 weight percent of polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether.
12. The composition of claim 10 wherein (b)(1) is comprised of 25-60 weight percent of polymer repeat units of vinylidene fluoride, 5-40 weight percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, and 30-45 weight percent of polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether.
13. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(1) contains units of a perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether of the formula CF2 ═CFO(CF2 CFXO)n Rf, where X is F or trifluoromethyl, n is 0-5 and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms.
14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether is perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether).
15. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(1) contains two perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers, where one ether is perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), and the total content of the perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers is 15-35 mole percent in the fluoroelastomer.
16. The composition of claim 1 wherein component (b)(2) consists of 32-60 mole percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluorethylene, 20-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of perfluroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether, and 10-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of ethylene.
17. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(2) consists of 32-60 mole percent of polymer repeat units of tetrafluoroethylene, 20-35 mole percent of polymer repeat units of perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether, and 20-40 mole percent of polymer repeat units of ethylene.
18. The composition of claim 1 wherein the perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether of (b)(2) has the formula CF2 ═CFO(CF2 CFXO)n Rf, where X is F or trifluoromethyl, n is 0-5 and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms.
19. The composition of claim 18 wherein the perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ether is perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether).
20. The composition of claim 1 wherein (b)(2) contains two perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers, where one ether is perfluoro(methylvinyl ether), and the total content of the perfluoroalkyl perfluorovinyl ethers is 15-35 mole percent in the fluoroelastomer.
21. The composition of claim 1 wherein the iodinated compound is methylene iodide.
DE1990605519 DE69005519D1 (en) 1989-05-15 1990-05-15 curable with peroxide fluoroelastomers having bromine and iodine crosslinking points and their production.
DE1990605519 DE69005519T2 (en) 1989-05-15 1990-05-15 curable with peroxide fluoroelastomers having bromine and iodine crosslinking points and their production.


PAINT XTREME was founded in 2000 by Lars Herzig. From the very beginning this German company has supported the Millennium Series.
Every player who has ever played a Millennium event will know the company for their colourful and exciting booths. From the "masters of bling bling" they developed into one of the top distributors and retailers in Europe.
PAINT XTREME, with its headquarters near Frankfurt, is the exclusive (European or German) distributor for such well known brands like LAYSICK, TIBERIUS, R7, HAMMERHEAD, EXALT, CONTRACT KILLER CLOTHING, BEORANGED and one of biggest DLX Prestige dealers for the LUXE worldwide.


We are home from Redding, the land of Nick's ancestors (or some of them, at least.) We celebrated Nick's grandpa's life and spent lots of time with family remembering him. It was hard, but good. Here are some highlights from the trip.
Even though it was not so fun to say good-bye, it was really nice to get back to our pups.
You should too! Follow me @melindaann on instagram, and tell me if you are doing it, so I can follow you too!
AaaaaND...Don't forget about the giveaway I am doing on Kristina's blog. Twenty-five dollars could go a long way in my etsy shop, and I have been adding new things each day!


Risky waves of disruption are relentlessly breaking. The business environment is unstable. No company or economy is immune to dramatic change. To ride the waves companies have to regularly evolve or reinvent their business value proposition. Otherwise they get hit.
Companies must become better at seeing the current disruptive waves. They need to use risk-sensing tools to detect threats to business strategy.
Businesses need to develop their risk acumen. That is have the ability to see the business model, risk, uncertainty and options and then make good decisions.
Boards should consider where the risk wave is hitting their business model, and where the business model and value might be created in the future.
Some have predicted dire consequences for those companies who fail to innovate. Others have predicted many companies will be subject to serious disruption. The key to addressing these challenges is rooted in three approaches.
First, companies must see and understand the waves of disruption, change and risk coming their way.
Secondly, companies must be quick to respond appropriately to waves coming at them. They must consider innovating themselves, and that innovation should include innovation around the business model.
Both approaches may need a re-examination of the business model and strategy of the company. Innovating without first understanding the risks around the business model is likely not a wise approach.
Finally, companies must acknowledge that although innovation is a response to strategic risk, innovation and strategy change create risk. To obtain the greatest results, companies must learn to manage the risk in innovation.
Diagram showing the process for filtering the waves of disruptive risks.
Companies first need to understand their own business model. That includes understanding uncertainty and volatility.
Next they should consider adapting and innovating using established patterns.
Leaders need to understand where value is created in their model.
They then need to work out where value shift may occur in the future.
Business leaders need to ensure their companies – known for innovation – don't lose that strength and then competitive advantage and vanish.
"Companies might see a wave of disruption, but they have a difficult time understanding how that wave impacts their business model and where it impacts their business model in the value chain."
Innovation is a response to strategic risk. Companies want to formulate new strategies and innovate to create their own wave of disruption. But they must manage the associated risk and uncertainty, both the upside and the downside. This requires a new approach that captures new thinking and new risk tools.
Some companies try to create a culture of innovation. They provide environments, tools, free time and innovation challenges to encourage more innovation. Others try to hire employees who embrace uncertainty and unknowns.
Innovation process models help with innovation risk because they impose some rigor and exit criteria at each stage of innovation. The process also has objectives. The process, while still not risk acumen, helps ensure rigor and metrics and thus does partially help with risk identification.


A Huge thank you to EV for the use of their Superb Speakers throughout the competition.
Thanks to Platters on Brae for supplying our panel of judges with tasty treats during the competition.
Soundtech is sponsoring vouchers with a total value of R2,000.


Peyton Hall is a 35,600 GSF, three-story (including basement) building constructed in 1966, and is the home for the Department of Astrophysical Sciences. The major mechanical systems were primarily original to the building and over 40 years old, thus beyond the expected service life of the equipment. The department's evolving programmatic needs required changes to the basement to better utilize inefficient spaces. The primary scope of the project was to renovate the eastern part of the basement to optimize space for current and identified near-future needs, including but not limited to the needs of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) project. Programmatic renovations included both upgrading the interior finishes, furnishings, signage, etc., to a level appropriate for post-doctoral researchers and faculty, as well as modifying the existing systems in the renovated area, such as power, information technology, plumbing, and fire protection. The second part of the project included the removal and replacement of the main building air handling unit and all associated ductwork and piping. The unit was replaced with a modern air handling unit and new air distribution ductwork with VAV boxes and DDC Control System.


This stunning 2-story roomy home is quite the attraction! It has beautiful dark hardwood floors, a bold staircase, and a fireplace in the living room that is perfect for Colorado nights. Formal dining area, ample sized kitchen, and a breakfast area that can used for brunches with friends. Master bathroom has plenty of counter space, additional rooms can used as offices or whatever your heart desires. All of the upstairs windows are Andersen. The backyard has a deck with seating and a gorgeous stone path that leads to the backyard from the fence. This home is definitely a must see!
I was searching for a Property and found this listing (MLS® #7505949). Please send me more information regarding 3855 E 139th Place, Thornton, CO, 80602. Thank you!
I'd like to request a showing of 3855 E 139th Place, Thornton, CO, 80602 (MLS® #7505949). Thank you!


Actor Joseph Morgan was born in London, England but grew up in Swansea, Wales. He was educated at Morriston Comprehensive School.
Actor Joseph Morgan was born in London, England but grew up in Swansea, Wales. He was educated at Morriston Comprehensive School. After school he attained a BTEC in Performing Arts at Gorseinon College, Swansea and followed this by moving back to London to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He made his small screen debut in 2003 with two TV movies Eroica (2003) and Henry VIII (2003), and also made his first big screen appearance in Peter Weirs well regarded Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), alongside Russell Crowe. Various acting successes followed including roles in Hex (2004), Doc Martin (2004) and Casualty (1986). In 2010 he won the lead role in Ben Hur (2010) and in 2011 he was cast in the re-occurring role of Klaus in The Vampire Diaries (2009). He also appeared as Lysander in the hit film Immortals (2011).


To quote Zig Ziegler, if you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time!
Many dieters fail to make meaningful progress simply because they have no goals or targets.
They say they want to lose weight but don't know how much or by when.
Dieting without a goal is like going on a journey without a map; if you reach your destination it'll be more luck than judgement and you'll probably waste a lot of time going in the wrong direction too.
Setting goals gives you focus and direction and also provides a yardstick by which to measure your progress.
In short, if you are serious about losing weight, you need to set a goal.
Use the following five step process for setting your own SMART weight loss goals.
So you want to lose weight; excellent!
But how much do you want or need to lose?
Be specific but also be honest about how much weight you need to lose.
Also, consider other ways of measuring weight loss.
For example, you might decide to work toward a specific waist measurement or body fat percentage.
Relying solely on weight doesn't take into account that you might gain muscle as you lose fat which means your weight might not fall as much as you hoped.
Whichever way you do it, pick a specific target to aim for and then develop a diet and exercise plan to get you there.
Put a numerical value to your target and make sure that you can measure it to assess your progress.
Make sure you measure your progress regularly to make sure your diet and exercise program are working and also help keep you motivated.
Measure your progress every few days to identify trends.
Some experts warn against weighing yourself too frequently because, they say, your weight can fluctuate from one day to the next.
In fact, that's the exact reason you should weigh yourself every day or two!
Frequent weigh-ins allow you to spot trends and mean that the occasional fluctuation can often be ignored.
If you only weigh yourself once a week, it only takes one weight fluctuation to cast a shadow over your progress.
If, however, you weigh yourself daily, that one fluctuation means little when compared to a trend.
Can you really reach your goal?
Are there barriers that you'll have to overcome that might interfere with your progress?
Do you have the willpower and commitment necessary to see it through?
Is the time frame (discussed later) realistic?
While you could lose five pounds in a week, this degree of rapid weight loss is seldom sustainable or even healthy so make sure you set yourself a realistic target based on losing something more conservative – say 1-2 pounds per week.
In business, it is always better to under promise and then over deliver so make sure you adopt the same mindset when considering the achievability of your goals.
Once you have decided upon your goals and confirmed that they are measurable and achievable, you should record them for prosperity.
Writing down your goal gives it weight and gravity by making it real; it's no longer just in your head but out in the world.
Give your goal even more gravity by telling your friends about it, publishing it on your Facebook page or personal blog or simply sticking a printed version of your goal to your fridge.
Anytime you feel your motivation starting to slip, revisit your goal to remind yourself of what you are trying to achieve.
Compare your current status to your original goal and enjoy the fact you have made progress.
If progress is slow, use this revelation as a kick in the pants to get yourself back on track.
Recording your goal makes it a living, breathing thing so you are much less likely to abandon it.
Adding a cutoff date for reaching your goal adds a much-needed element of urgency.
Make the deadline realistic but close enough to put you under a little bit of pressure.
Open-ended goals are seldom reached; this is an irrefutable fact.
However, deadlines mean you cannot afford to say things like "it's okay, I'll start again on Monday" – the clock is ticking!
Make sure you allow enough time to reach your goal safely – no starvation diets please – but also don't give yourself so much time that you lose interest along the way.
You know if your time frame is right if you wake up every day knowing that you have to stick to your plan to make progress and reach your target on time.
Set your own goals – don't let other people do it for you. You need to "own" the goal and you can't do that if someone else sets your goal for you.
Make sure you will enjoy the process – if the path to your goal will make you miserable, you are probably going to fail along the way. You need to enjoy the process and not just the outcome.
Break big goals into smaller goals – this helps to help keep you focused and ensure that you won't lose interest in something that seems a very long way off. For example, if you need to lose 100 lbs. think about five 20 lbs. goals instead. That way you'll enjoy several successful stepping stones along the way to reaching your main goal.
When you reach your goal, set another one – don't rest on your laurels once you reach your goal; set another goal even if it's maintaining your new weight or something completely different such as a fitness-related goal. Goal setting is a powerful motivational tool that can keep you living a healthy lifestyle indefinitely.
Whether you are a captain of industry, the captain of a ship, the captain of the football team or the captain of your diet and weight loss journey, SMART goals significantly increase your chances of success.
Take a few minutes to create your own SMART weight loss goals so that you too can enjoy the benefits of this awesome motivational tool.