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The Three Tenors in Concert
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The Three Tenors in Concert (1990)
performed by José Carreras (tenor), Luciano Pavarotti (tenor), Plácido Domingo (tenor), The Three Tenors (tenor), Zubin Mehta (conductor)
composed by Agustín Lara, Eduardo di Capua, Ernesto de Curtis, Francesco Cilèa, Franz Lehár, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Giacomo Puccini, Lalo Schifrin, Pablo Sorozábal, Salvatore Cardillo, Umberto Giordano, Vincenzo De Crescenzo
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L'Arlesiana, opera: Act 2: E La Solita Storia (Lamento Di Federico)
L' Africaine, grand opera in 5 acts: Act 4: O Paradis Sorti de l'Onde
Tosca, opera: Act 1: Recondita armonia
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (You Are My Heart's Delight) (from "Das Land des Lächelns")
Rondine al nido, romance for voice & piano (or orchestra)
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Core 'ngrato (Catari), for voice & orchestra
Torna a Surriento, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
Granada, for voice & orchestra (with chorus ad lib)
La Tabernera del Puerto, zarzuela: No puede ser
Andrea Chénier, opera: Act 1: Improvviso
Tosca, opera: E lucevan le stelle
Turandot, opera: Act 3: Nessun dorma!
Medley (Maria/Tonight/'O paese d' 'o sole/Cielito lindo/Memory/Ochi tchorniye Caminito/La Vie en rose/Mattinata/Wien, Wien, nur du al
O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
Turandot, opera: Nessun dorma
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The Three Tenors in Concert, recorded live in Rome in 1990, holds the distinction in the Guinness Book of World Records (in 2010) of being the best-selling classical album of all time. The concert, held at the Baths of Caracella, took place July 7, 1990, just before the opening of the Soccer World Cup Final. This concert and album, which initiated the Three Tenors phenomenon, had the original purpose of raising funds for the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation and boosting the career of Carreras, who had only ... Read More
The Three Tenors in Concert, recorded live in Rome in 1990, holds the distinction in the Guinness Book of World Records (in 2010) of being the best-selling classical album of all time. The concert, held at the Baths of Caracella, took place July 7, 1990, just before the opening of the Soccer World Cup Final. This concert and album, which initiated the Three Tenors phenomenon, had the original purpose of raising funds for the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation and boosting the career of Carreras, who had only recently recovered from the disease. Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and Carreras take turns singing opera arias, Broadway hits, and traditional Neapolitan songs, but on several tracks, the three tenors sing together. Zubin Mehta accompanies the singers, leading the orchestras of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. ~ Stephen Eddins, Rovi Read Less
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1990, London
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Released: 09/1990
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Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM
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BRISTOL, SOUTH GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM
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Agustín Lara; Eduardo di Capua; Ernesto de Curtis; Francesco Cilèa; Franz Lehár; Giacomo Meyerbeer; Giacomo Puccini;... New.
William Kemps
Roselle Park, NJ, USA
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SIGNED IN PERSON BY PLACIDO DOMINGO at an event held at the Met Opera Shop in NYC! Event photos are included. Brand new, never played, gift quality. Expedited shipping is welcome. Signed by author.
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Though it's tough to think about, accidents happen, and it's best to be prepared for whatever an accident may bring. Here are three things you can do ahead of time to make dealing with a car accident a little bit easier.
While you must meet your state's minimum insurance requirements, there are many options when it comes to choosing car insurance coverage. Yes, having the minimum will help keep you protected (for example, bodily injury liability is commonly listed as a minimum car insurance requirement), but there are other scenarios insurance can help account for, too. Do you want to prepare for potential medical bills? Account for the need for rental car reimbursement? What about helpful extras like towing and roadside assistance? Having the right tools on your side ahead of time can prove to be a real lifesaver in the long run.
Once you have the affordable auto insurance coverage you want, make sure you always have your insurance card with you in the car, and that it is always current. Whether that means stashing it in the glove box, your owner's manual, your wallet or even on your smart phone, you should always have it with you when you're on the road. If you're in an accident, regardless of who is at fault, you'll need to exchange insurance information with the other driver. Pleasant Surprise: Direct Auto & Life Insurance customers can access their digital insurance IDs by using the DirectDrive® app on their phones.
What do you wish you had known before an accident? How have you prepared for the unexpected on the road? Let Direct Auto & Life Insurance know by leaving a comment below! You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.


About ; Tuam Therapy Centre is owned and managed by Daryl Coyne.
Daryl shares his time between working as a consultant chiropractor with the European golf tour and his private practice in Tuam.
The therapy centre is a ground floor unit at N17 Business Park in Tuam.
The centre consists of a treatment area with an adjoining exercise area.
The centre is very easy to find as it is close to the Tuam South M17 motorway roundabout, where it intersects with the N83 (formerly the N17). Click here for directions to Tuam Therapy Centre. It includes direction from the M17 Motorway and the M83 (formerly N17).
The centre also hosts a number of therapy rooms, where specialist therapists offer their services.
Those therapy rooms are fully furnished and offered for rent on a daily or longer term basis.
Free parking is available at N17 Business Park.
All therapy rooms are fully equipped. Kitchen facilities and toilet facilities are available.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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How to Drive Economically
by Zolton Cohen
Browse the article How to Drive Economically
It's no secret that the price of energy has been rising recently. Anyone who has put gas in a car lately has run into that fact. If you'd like to save money on gas, this article will offer tips on how to drive economically.
Keeping your vehicle in good shape can help with its fuel efficiency. Even simple things like dirty air filters, excessive exhaust emissions, and underinflated tires can combine to reduce fuel economy by as much as 25 percent.
Routine maintenance on a modern vehicle is relatively easy. Electronics and computerized systems mean there's less to tune and that intervals between servicing are surprisingly longer.
For example, spark plugs that used to need changing every 10,000 miles now can go 30,000 or even 50,000 miles before needing to be changed. The following tips can help your car become more fuel efficient.
Starting on the next page, we'll take a look at steps you can take to maintain your vehicle for fuel economy.
Improve Your Car's Aerodynamics
Don't Carry More Than You Need
Keep the car as light as reasonably possible. For each 100 pounds of extra weight, gas mileage is reduced by as much as 4 percent. Limit the everyday items in your trunk or cargo area to the bare necessities, which should include some emergency items, such as a small jug of water, a flashlight, and a few tools.
Don't haul around what you won't be using. Leave the golf clubs at home until you head for the links. Not only does extra bulk add fuel-gulping weight, but it can also upset your vehicle's normal weight distribution. That will impair handling and can even rob a front-wheel-drive car of valuable traction. If you must carry heavy items, try to put only a few of them inside the car at a time.
Remove That Rack
Wind drag increases fuel consumption. Get rid of anything that disturbs the smooth flow of air over your vehicle's surface. Most roof racks have removable cross members, and some racks can be removed altogether; take off your car's rack if it isn't in use. When you do need to carry something on the roof, keep it light and small -- both for fuel-saving aerodynamics and to avoid the risk of a top-heavy weight imbalance.
That grille bar and those running boards may make your SUV look rugged, but they also add weight and drag. And that bolt-on trunk-lid spoiler that makes you feel fast and furious? It's designed to harness the wind and press your car to the pavement at high speeds. The result is better grip on the road, but this "downforce" is actually artificial weight that hurts fuel economy. Worse, unless you are a racing technician versed in aerodynamics, chances are excellent that your spoiler isn't doing anything more than adding wind drag and weight. That's costing you at the pump, too.
Retain That Tailgate
Some pickup-truck drivers take it as an article of faith that they're saving fuel by driving with the tailgate down, or removed, or replaced by a mesh fabric or metal gate. False.
Aerodynamic studies show a pickup truck is most fuel efficient with its tailgate up. It seems the upright tailgate causes air flowing over the roof of the cab to collect as a stagnant "dome" in the cargo bed. As speed builds, this dome, which tapers in a teardrop shape near the tailgate, acts as an aerodynamic ramp that forces airflow over the tailgate, to the benefit of fuel efficiency.
Disrupt this flow by dropping or removing the tailgate, and air coming over the cab is left to swirl around in the cargo bed, degrading the truck's aerodynamics and hurting fuel economy.
Inflate Tires Properly
Proper tire inflation is critical to fuel economy, and to safety. Underinflated tires cause vehicle drag and increase fuel consumption. They also compromise handling ability in turns and in emergency maneuvers. They increase stopping distances and decrease control during braking. Under-inflation puts undue stress on tire sidewalls and also causes rolling tires to build and retain heat rapidly. Stress and heat are prime contributors to tire failure, including blowouts at high speed. Underinflated tires also wear down more quickly.
Properly inflated tires are harder and roll more easily. That helps fuel economy and improves tire life. It allows the treads to grip well in all conditions, including rain and snow. And properly inflated tires are able to work with your vehicle's suspension to provide maximum handling, steering, and braking ability.
An estimated four out of ten vehicles on the road have at least one underinflated tire. Pressure that's 3 pounds per square inch (psi) below the recommended reading may reduce gas mileage by 1.5 percent. Some experts suggest even greater decreases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that running tires at 20 psi or lower can easily cost you a full mile per gallon.
Proper Tire Inflation
Tires can naturally lose up to 1 psi every 30 days, and they will lose pressure more quickly in cold weather. Because cooler air is more dense, pressure drops by about 1 psi for every 10 degrees. A tire inflated to 30 psi at 70 degrees, for example, could drop as low as 26 psi at the freezing point.
The recommended tire pressure is displayed in your vehicle, typically on a sticker inside the glove box door or on one of the doorposts. It's also in your owner's manual. Many vehicles are available with a choice of tire sizes, and each size may have its own recommended inflation pressure.
Match the tire size as listed on the tire sidewall with that on the sticker or in the owner's manual. Note that the inflation number listed on the tire sidewall itself shows the maximum inflation, not the optimal pressure as determined by the tire maker and the manufacturer of your vehicle.
Checking Tire Inflation
Check inflation when the tires are cool. That means they have been driven less than a mile or so. Air expands inside a warm tire, which will give you a false reading.
Tire pressure should be checked at least every 30 days. A tire gauge is the old standby. But federal regulations require that by 2008 all new cars, sports utility vehicles, minivans, and pickup trucks be equipped with an underinflation warning system. Sensors will monitor tire pressure, and if it falls 25 percent below the recommended inflation, a yellow warning light on the dashboard will illuminate.
The system will save an estimated 120 lives and prevent 8,400 injuries annually, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA estimates it will also save drivers up to $35 annually because of longer tread life and decreased fuel costs. Select 2004 and 2005 models already have such a system. For the 2006 model year, 20 percent of new vehicles must have the system, with 70 percent for 2007, and 100 percent for 2008.
Fuel Economy Varies with Tire Type
Those all-terrain or off-road tires with their knobby tread look rough and ready and are designed to get you through rocks and mud. They are not designed to promote high gas mileage.
All-season tires produce less friction and therefore roll more freely to the benefit of fuel economy. They're generally lighter than all-terrain or off-road tires, and less weight means better fuel economy. They also ride more quietly, handle better, and wear longer.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
Cars that start quickly, run smoothly, and are in good mechanical condition get the best gas mileage. Whatever cuts into performance hurts economy. Scheduled maintenance also helps make parts last longer, so you save money two ways: today in economy, tomorrow in reduced repair costs.
A tune-up can boost fuel economy up to 10 percent, says the EPA. On modern fuel-injected cars equipped with computer-controlled powertrain systems, there's actually little to "tune up." Basically, today's tune-up means replacing the spark plugs, although it's also important to perform the kind of preventive maintenance described later in this section.
Follow The Schedule
Your owner's manual will likely list two maintenance schedules: one for "ordinary" driving; the other for "severe" or "heavy-duty" use. Each has its own maintenance program and lists the systems to be checked and the work to be done based on both mileage and time elapsed between servicing.
Even if you don't tow a trailer or drive in dusty conditions, your "ordinary" use can fall into the heavy-duty category if you live in a region subject to very hot or very cold temperatures. Even driving your vehicle on frequent short trips counts as heavy-duty use.
When in doubt, err toward the stricter maintenance schedule. It'll pay off in fuel savings weekly, and in long-term reliability.
Emissions and Fuel Economy
Exhaust emissions should be checked at least yearly for older vehicles. The lower a car's tailpipe emissions, the more efficiently its engine is operating.
Bringing your car's emissions down to within specifications can improve gas mileage as much as 15 percent. And your engine will last longer, too. The oxygen sensor is a key part of your emissions system, and some estimates suggest that a faulty oxygen sensor can reduce fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.
Under federal law, most emissions controls are covered by the factory warranty for 5 years or 50,000 miles. And some emissions-related repairs may be covered at no cost to you.
Look, Listen, and Sniff
Be alert for anything odd. Open the hood and look for loose wires or hoses. Check fluid levels regularly, as described later in this section. Be aware of any sudden drop in fuel economy or a curious odor. Monitor the coolant-temperature gauge, if your vehicle has one. As we'll see, running too cold costs fuel. Take note of any pinging or odd noises, hard starting, or significant loss of power.
In the next section, we'll discuss some simple do-it-yourself gas-saving maintenance that can increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
Additional Maintenance Tips
Proper maintenance can help your vehicle function more efficiently. Here are some do-it-yourself maintenance tips to keep your car in top fuel-economy shape.
Know What's Under the Hood
For economy's sake, you should know a little something about what's going on under the hood. Though undeniably complex and computerized, the principles of engine operation haven't changed as much over the years as many believe. Even if you don't do the work yourself, a bit of knowledge goes a long way when communicating with your mechanic and in making sure all the scheduled maintenance gets done.
Read About Your Vehicle
We're not talking manuals with instructions on replacing your transmission. And, for better or worse, modern vehicles don't afford too many do-it-yourself opportunities.
But there are many books, brochures, and videotapes that can help you get some basic insight into the purpose and workings of your vehicle. Examine these materials before you buy, however, and be sure they are aimed at your skill level and are current with the systems on your vehicle.
Don't overlook the automaker's shop manual for your car. Though written primarily with factory-authorized mechanics in mind, it contains plenty of useful information to guide the experienced do-it-yourselfer.
Check and Change the Oil Regularly
Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle's engine, and maintaining proper oil levels and fresh oil will help keep your engine healthy and operating most efficiently. That leads to gas savings.
Check the level on the dipstick weekly. The oil should be checked with the engine turned off. The best time to get an accurate reading is when the engine is cold and the oil is pooled in the oil pan rather than dispersed throughout the engine's oil passages.
Always use the correct oil viscosity, as outlined in your owner's manual. The viscosity is described as 5W30 or 10W40, for example, and is a measurement of the oil blend's ability to do its job within a particular range of conditions and temperatures.
Using the incorrect viscosity can lower fuel economy by up to 2 percent. Any oil that carries an American Petroleum Institute (API) certification is appropriate. The API also monitors for friction-reducing additives and applies the term "Energy Conserving" to its performance symbol on motor oils that meet this standard.
Some synthetic motor oils are advertised as promoting fuel savings, though the advantage is generally negligible compared to simply changing your oil and filter regularly. Some tests have shown that synthetic oils result in slightly improved fuel economy, though their primary purpose is for use in high-performance engines as part of the total performance package. Synthetic oils are quite a bit more expensive than regular oil.
It's become fashionable to change your engine's oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles. It won't hurt to keep to that schedule, though evidence that it's a bit of overkill is in every owner's manual. Most manufacturers specify 15,000 miles or so between oil changes. They built the engine and should know what it needs to stay in top shape.
Some vehicles even have an oil-life monitor that will announce via a dashboard light when an oil change is necessary. This keeps track of how the vehicle is driven between oil changes and recommends when the oil should be changed.
If the manufacturer's oil-change schedule is outlined in the owner's manual or announced on a dashboard light, we recommend that you follow it.
Change the Air Filter
Some experts say not to expect a huge mileage boost from keeping your engine's air filter fresh; others say a clogged air filter can reduce gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
In any case, changing an air filter is a simple task you can perform, and a properly operating air filter is essential for keeping the engine clean inside. A clogged or really dirty air filter cuts off air to the engine, and there's no doubt that hurts performance and fuel economy.
Maintain the Cooling System
An engine that runs too cool or too hot may waste 10 to 15 percent of the fuel you put into your gas tank. Your engine's operating temperature is governed primarily by the coolant fluid and the engine's thermostat.
Coolant is a blend of antifreeze and water that helps maintain proper engine temperature in both hot and cold weather conditions. The proper coolant blend is usually a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water. The level should be maintained as indicated on the underhood reservoir, and the coolant should look clean.
A malfunctioning thermostat might stick open, which lengthens engine warm-up time and lowers the operating temperature, both of which hamper gas mileage. It could also stick in the closed position, which can cause the engine to overheat. Watch your dashboard coolant temperature gauge as a guide. Even if your car has no gauge but a warning light, one way to discover a malfunctioning thermostat is to pay attention to your car's heater. If it isn't delivering warm air within five minutes, even in freezing weather, get that thermostat checked.
Check Belt Tensions
Belts that drive the air conditioner, water pump, and power-steering pump must be tight enough not to slip, but not so tight as to bind. A rule of thumb used to suggest that belts needed a half-inch of slack, but some of today's engines are more delicate. Their belts must be checked by following the manual's instructions exactly, possibly using a measuring instrument to get tension exactly right. In any case, don't forget to shut off the engine before putting your hand anywhere near a belt.
Inspect the Battery
Batteries used to demand water periodically, but most of today's batteries are maintenance-free. What you can still do is inspect the cable terminals for corrosion and cleanliness. That can make the difference between getting an engine to start quickly and wasting gas while the engine cranks over too slowly -- or not at all.
Consider an Engine Block Heater
Motorists in the south may never give a moment's thought to such a device, but people in the north know this one well. Many of their cars have a little telltale plug sticking out of the grille. Connect it to ordinary house current and the crankcase stays warm overnight. Not only does the engine turn more freely in the morning, but it also warms up faster and wastes less fuel during that crucial period.
Pay Attention to the Brakes
Take note of suspicious symptoms. A dragging brake is not only dangerous but can also drag gas mileage down with every rotation. Brake maintenance is best left to an experienced mechanic. However, if you feel comfortable putting a corner of your car on a jack, as though you're changing a tire, give the wheel a spin to see if anything seems to be dragging. If it is, contact your mechanic. And make sure the parking brake is never left engaged when you start the car.
Maintain Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
Professional equipment is needed to check these, but a misaligned front end or unbalanced tire can rob plenty of mileage. Is the car pulling to the side? Chances are a realignment is needed. Unless front wheels are pointing ahead properly, the tires might scrub against the pavement and steal fuel by straining the engine. Vibration at various road speeds suggests the need for balancing. An unbalanced tire also soaks up excess gas.
Steer Clear of Gimmicks
If there really were a device that could be added to an engine to yield 100 miles per gallon, it would be front-page news.
Gimmicks claiming to boost gas mileage -- a fluid or a gadget of some sort -- pop out of the woodwork whenever fuel supply or fuel costs become an issue. These tend to bear a startling resemblance to the "miracle cures" promised by medical charlatans.
The EPA has evaluated more than 100 such "amazing devices" over the years. A half-dozen produced a "statistically significant increase in fuel economy," and a couple of others did so only by increasing emissions levels. Recall the basic money-saving maxim: If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Be especially wary of extravagant claims for phenomenal mileage, enhanced power, revived performance, and reduced emissions -- often all at the same time.
In addition to the questionable fuel and oil additives that promise miraculous mileage, many other additives are produced by reputable companies and sold at auto parts stores. Useful? Depends on who you ask.
Some experts steer clear of chemicals completely. Others allow that the occasional can of fuel-injector cleaner in the tank might help keep the injectors clean. Gas-tank additives can also absorb water that comes in with the latest fillup. Neither result has a direct effect on mileage, however. Basically, a car that's filled with high-quality brands of gasoline and oil shouldn't need any additives to keep it running properly.
Proper trip planning can help you use less gas and save some green at the pump. Next, learn about trip planning for energy efficiency.
Planning Your Route
Planning and modifying where you drive and how you get there can make a big difference in the number of times you have to stop for fuel every week.
What's the point of leaving the house half a dozen times in the course of a day when a little planning will allow you to do everything in one or two trips?
Particularly in winter, short trips are hard on an engine, which might never fully warm up. Cold engines guzzle a lot more fuel than properly warmed engines.
Drive to the farthest locale first, so the engine completely warms up before you shut it off. Stop-and-go driving with a cold engine puts an even greater strain on its parts.
Drivers who use their cars for business can also learn to plan their trips for the shortest total distance and greatest efficiency, as can families planning medical appointments and school activities. The following guidelines can help you plan your route for any destination.
Use the Multi-Car Family Advantage
Survey the vehicles available to you, and choose the one that's most fuel efficient. Why take the luxury car or heavyweight SUV on a quick trek to the supermarket when you could slip into your subcompact instead?
Another way to save fuel is to take the vehicle that's been driven most recently. As stated above, engines are grossly inefficient when cold. Start-ups are hard on the car and drastically cut into fuel mileage for the first few miles -- all the more so in cold weather. If you have at your disposal a vehicle whose engine isn't stone-cold, consider that one for your errand.
Investigate Alternative Routes
It's easy to get into a rut, taking the same route day after day, never pondering an alternative that might prove more economical -- and even more pleasant.
Experimenting pays. It doesn't hurt to study a map of the region you travel daily. Consider the number of stoplights along the way and the extent of traffic jams and slowdowns. Use your odometer to measure the distance covered by each route.
Sometimes, it's even wise to travel a little farther if that helps you avoid excess traffic. Whenever feasible, choose highway travel rather than city routes. Avoid routes that pass through school zones or follow school bus pickup points, which often require slowing to an uneconomical speed and perhaps stopping frequently.
Drive When Others Are Not Driving
Plan your time so you're traveling when most other people are not. Ask your employer about flexible work hours that keep you out of the morning and evening rush. Run errands at midday rather than 8:00 a.m. or 4:30 p.m.
Off-peak travel saves fuel and aggravation. Leave rush hours to those who have no choice in the matter.
Drive Where Others Are Not Driving
In the city, look for through streets with a minimum of stoplights. You might think you're saving time by darting down side streets and alleys in rush hour, but you're more likely wasting fuel from all the start-and-stop motion.
Tune into local radio and TV programs for up-to-the-minute reports on traffic conditions and accidents. Staying tuned is most vital in bad weather.
Consider Weather Conditions
Naturally, you can't change the weather, but the fact is that you'll burn considerably less fuel driving when the temperature is 70 degrees versus 20 degrees. In cold weather, try to travel in daylight rather than at night when it's chillier.
Wind also makes a big difference. A strong headwind, even a crosswind, cuts mileage drastically, as your engine fights its way forward. A tailwind can do the opposite.
Heavy rain and snow also hurt gas mileage, as well as making the travel experience less pleasant. So if you must drive in stormy weather, slow down when the wind is not at your back.
Dress Right
Running the heat burns more fuel. Keep that coat zipped and turn the heater blower down a notch or two.
In warm weather, dress lightly to avoid using the air conditioner until absolutely necessary. Even opening the windows creates aerodynamic drag, so proper dress can help you regulate your body temperature to stay comfortable and save fuel.
Explore Alternative Forms of Transportation
In a society that values private transportation, going without a car may seem like heresy. Yet surprising numbers of people do exactly that -- especially those who live in urban areas. Walking, after all, is excellent exercise and costs absolutely nothing.
Most cities have better bus service than many nonriders may realize. And in some urban areas, commuter rail service efficiently transports thousands of people to and from work each day. You'll give up some travel-time flexibility, but the duration of your commute may shrink, and you'll be free from the burden of locating and paying for in-town parking.
Lifelong rush-hour motorists may be amazed to discover how relaxing it can be to sit back on the bus or commuter train and read or doze. Train and bus schedules are readily available, usually online. If you can't see giving up the car commute entirely, what about taking mass transit once or twice per week?
Don't overlook the possibility of riding a bicycle instead of traveling by car. It's fine exercise. You won't have parking hassles. Many cities have bike lanes. And in rush-hour congestion, you may find that the maneuverability of a bike allows you to travel more quickly than by car. Approach this alternative with due caution, of course. The right bike, proper safety attire, and an alert mindset are essential.
A moped or motorcycle won't free you from all of the costs and burdens of motorized travel, but they afford many of the same advantages as a bicycle, with the obvious ability to go faster and cover longer distances. No matter how far you want to travel, the following tips can help you explore your alternative transportation options.
The Online Advantage
Finding the lowest gas prices in your area is just a mouse-click away. Several Web sites allow you to type in your zip code and view a roster of pump prices for your region. Just go to your search engine and type in "gas prices."
The Web also offers a universe of service options from the comfort of your home. Shop online instead of driving to the mall. Bank online instead of idling in a drive-up bank-window line. Conduct research via the Web instead of driving to the library. You can order videos, have digital photos developed, and even buy a car online.
Vacation Sensibly
Look into holiday spots where the need to drive after you arrive is minimal or nonexistent. Consider a self-contained resort where you'll enjoy a break from the stress of traffic congestion. Visit an exciting big city, where restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and museums are within walking distance.
If you prefer to take a driving vacation, do a little research on attractions close to home. You might have overlooked some great destinations.
Whether traveling near or far, start out when traffic is light. Plan meals and rest stops to coincide with peak traffic times in the area. There's no point in feeling like a commuter when you're on vacation.
Share the ride, share the costs. Talk with neighbors and coworkers about car-pool opportunities, even for just a couple days per week. You'll save on gas, parking, and wear and tear on your car since you will skip a day or two of stop-and-go driving.
You'll save time, too. Many highway systems around big cities have car-pool lanes, otherwise known as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, dedicated to vehicles carrying more than one occupant. While the regular lanes are clogged with crawling peak-travel-time traffic, the HOV lanes are often flowing freely. In rural areas, lots may be set aside as car-pool gathering points near a freeway on-ramp.
Sometimes, there's just no way around driving. On the next page, we'll give you some gas-saving tips for when you do need to get behind the wheel.
Gas-Saving Tips
Good drivers are smooth drivers, and smooth driving saves fuel. Even minor adjustments in how you drive can result in substantial savings in gas and money. You can stay in control by practicing the following guidelines.
Practice Mind Over MPG
We tend to allow our emotions to affect our driving. Whether you are elated or angry, calm down before getting behind the wheel.
Emotionally intense drivers are a lot more likely to engage in fuel-wasting (and dangerous) acts: gunning the engine, spinning the wheels, and worse.
Reconsider Remote Starters
Willing to sacrifice a few minutes of personal comfort to save some gas? Ignore that remote starter.
Remote ignition starters allow you to start your vehicle with the press of a keyfob button while still in the climate-controlled comfort of your home. The vehicle idles with the heater or air conditioner running, and you step into a warm or chilled interior. But an idling car that is running the air-conditioning is needlessly gulping down gas.
The alternative is to bring the vehicle's interior to your desired temperature as you drive, which takes only a few minutes and makes better use of the fuel you're burning.
Remote starters have been available through the aftermarket for years and recently have been offered as factory-installed options on some new cars. You'll have to judge for yourself whether a few minutes of personal discomfort balances the savings in fuel and the extra exhaust emissions associated with the use of a remote starter.
Fill the Tank Only When Needed
No point stopping for gas when there's still plenty in the tank. Let it get down to about one-quarter full. Extra stops waste time, and keeping more fuel than needed in the tank adds unwanted weight to your vehicle. A gallon of gas weighs roughly 6 pounds, and the more weight you haul around, the more fuel you'll burn.
Note that there are important exceptions to this rule. During extremely cold weather, keeping the tank near full minimizes the amount of condensation, or water, that can form in the tank. Excess condensation can promote fuel-line freeze and other problems.
Additional exceptions depend on your personal travel patterns. If you regularly drive long distances, at odd hours, in desolate conditions, or in hazardous weather, it's in your interest to keep a generous supply of gas in the tank. Plan for the unexpected.
Buy Gas on Cool Mornings
Liquids expand when warm, and that includes gasoline. So you actually get a bit more for the same amount of cash by buying gas when it's most dense, even though the pump shows the same total.
Gas Up Along the Way
As a rule, there's no point driving out of your way or making a special trip just to save a few cents per gallon. Make the service-station stop part of your regular route.
The exception is during periods of rapid price hikes. Then the difference could amount to more than pennies. So pay attention to current prices in your area, and take note of the stations that offer the most competitive prices.
Know Your Car's Correct Gasoline Octane Rating
The brand name of the fuel is of no importance to your engine. But the correct octane rating is vital.
Octane has nothing to do with a gasoline's quality. The octane figure indicates a fuel's resistance to "knocking." That's the metallic pinging sound you may sometimes hear when accelerating rapidly or lugging up a hill. Knock may be accompanied by run-on, or dieseling, in which your engine continues to turn over or sputter after you've switched off the ignition. Severe knocking or run-on, over an extended period, can damage engine parts.
There's no advantage in using a higher octane than is necessary to prevent knocking. In fact, today's cars have computerized controls designed to adjust ignition timing and other engine functions to keep knocking in check, so unless you hear something abnormal, you are probably using the right octane level for your car.Only a small percentage of vehicles require premium fuel. These automobiles are usually sport or luxury vehicles with high-performance engines, and those vehicles with turbo-charged or supercharged gasoline engines.
Regular-grade gas is usually rated at 87 octane, mid-grade at 89 octane, and premium at 91 or above. The higher the altitude above sea level, the lower the octane requirement. You'll see this reflected on the pump: at high altitudes, octane numbers are lower by one or two digits for the same grade of gas available at lower altitudes. Generally, the hotter the air temperature or the lower the humidity, the greater the octane requirement.
It's essential to consult your owner's manual to find out the proper octane level for your vehicle. (Some auto manufacturers also post the octane requirement on a sticker inside the fuel-filler door.)
Note that your owner's manual may list a particular octane level as "recommended" or "required." The "recommended" octane, usually midgrade or premium, is the one you should choose for "best" performance. The manual will state this. Your car will run fine if you choose not to follow that recommendation, and you'll be hard-pressed to notice the few horsepowers sacrificed to the lower octane. If a particular octane level is "required," however, use it.
As vehicles accumulate miles, their octane requirement can increase because of the buildup of combustion-chamber deposits. This continues until a stable level is reached, typically after about 15,000 miles. The stabilized octane requirement may be 3 to 6 numbers higher than when the car was new. Premium or midgrade fuel may be advisable to prevent knocking.
At the gas pump, a label on the pump shows the octane ratings available at that station. The higher the octane, the more you'll pay. Use the correct octane, and save.
Is there more you can do to conserve gas while you drive? Check the next page for additional tips on fuel-effecient driving.
Fuel-Efficient Driving
Driving with fuel economy in mind can help you conserve fuel and save money. Here are some steps you can take to ease up on your fuel consumption.
Ease Up on the Accelerator
Accelerate no more forcefully than needed to mesh smoothly into traffic. Racing up to cruising speed may make you feel like Jeff Gordon, but it'll quickly drain your wallet.
Fuel consumption is directly related to how hard the engine is working. Ask it to race away from a stop rather than accelerate sensibly, and you'll be visiting the gas station all too frequently. Guaranteed. Ask it to barge up a steep grade rather than feathering the throttle just enough to sustain momentum, and you'll watch the needle on your gas gauge move too quickly toward "E."
Even jabbing the accelerator during passing maneuvers or lane changes eats away at fuel economy. On the highway, zooming up to the traffic ahead, then having to hit your brakes, is a fuel-wasting exercise and a sure sign of an impatient driver. The best drivers are smooth and efficient in every move they make.
Lose Traction, Lose Fuel
Even if you're not trying to race away from a stop, you may find your tires slipping, especially on wet or gravel surfaces. Each time a tire slips, whatever the cause, you're losing gas mileage as well as endangering yourself. Take care when starting off on slippery or unpaved roads. Slow down on rough pavement.
Consider RPM and MPG
An engine's workload is determined by how fast the crankshaft is turning. The crankshaft transmits engine power to the transmission and then to the wheels, and crankshaft speed is measured in revolutions per minute, as indicated on a tachometer.
A manual transmission gives the driver full control over rpm because the driver can make the engine speed up or slow down via gear selection. The lower the gear, the higher the rpm. The higher the rpm, the more torque the engine is producing, and the more fuel it is using. Automatic transmissions take some of this control out of the driver's hands, but they, too, can be manipulated to maximize fuel efficiency.
Shift Smartly
With a manual gearbox, shift into the upper gears quickly. Optimal shift points vary, depending on the engine/gearing combination, but for best economy you might need to shift to second by about 15 mph, and reach top gear by the time you're traveling 30 to 35 mph.
Rule of thumb: If the engine is revving faster than necessary to sustain an even road speed, move to the next higher gear. Downshifting follows a similar standard. If the gas pedal has to stay close to the floor to maintain speed, you probably belong in the next lower gear. "Lugging" in too high a gear isn't good for the engine or your finances.
Take Advantage of the Upshift Light
If your manual-transmission car has an upshift indicator, use it as a guide. Using signals from the engine, transmission, and accelerator pedal, the indicator tells you exactly when to upshift to maintain greatest efficiency, and thus top economy.
When the engine speed is high compared to the position of the accelerator pedal, the shift indicator lamp signals that you can get the same performance with less fuel by shifting up without losing power.
Tests conducted by Saab and the EPA compared operation of cars that had an upshift indicator to those that did not. In the EPA city-driving test, use of the indicator yielded an average gas mileage improvement of more than 9 percent. Even without such an indicator, you should shift into a higher gear sooner than you normally would and use fifth gear as much as possible to stretch your fuel.
Watch the Tachometer
Because tachometers are no longer limited to performance models, more drivers than ever have a chance to pay attention to engine speed as well as road speed. This allows you to find the engine's most efficient rpm and stay close to that point whenever feasible. What speed is that?
The exact figure depends on the engine but is typically the speed at which it produces the greatest torque output. For economy's sake, it's generally wise to remain below 3,000 rpm most of the time and to shift into the next gear before the engine gets much beyond its optimum rpm level. Too low an engine speed does nothing for your finances, so running below 1,500 isn't ordinarily a good idea.
Skip an Occasional Gear
No rule says you have to use each gear of your manual transmission every time, going through a never-changing 1-2-3-4-5 sequence. Try going directly from first to third (skipping second); or go from second to fourth without using third. This technique is especially useful if heavy traffic has caused you to rev too high in the lower gear already, as when merging onto an expressway from the entry lane.
Get the Most from Your Automatic Transmission
An automatic transmission liberates you from shifting gears yourself, but nothing is free, and an engine must work a little harder and use a bit more gas to transmit power through an automatic transmission than a manual. For proof, look no further than EPA fuel economy estimates, which are invariably lower for an automatic transmission than for that same vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. Still, there are some things you can do to maximize fuel efficiency in an automatic-transmission vehicle.
During acceleration, listen as the engine note rises and then falls to get a sense of when the transmission is reaching the "top" of one gear ratio and changing down to the next lower ratio. Also, watch the needle on the tachometer climb up the rpm range and descend correspondingly. Remember, the higher the rpm, the more fuel you're burning.
Some automatic transmissions tend to stay in lower gears a little too long for peak economy. You can sometimes coax the transmission into shifting to high gear earlier than usual by letting up on the gas as you pass 30 mph or so. Then, once it's in top gear, continue to accelerate very gradually.
Watch That Little OD Light
Virtually all manual and automatic transmissions have an overdrive gear that can be employed to save fuel. It's usually the highest-numbered gear (or gears), and it lets the engine run at a slower speed (or lower rpm) while the car maintains the same road speed.
If you're looking to save gas, get into an overdrive gear as soon as possible and stay there until you need the extra power afforded by a lower gear.
With an automatic transmission, a lot of that decision making is out of your hands. Automatics tend to move to the highest gear on their own, precisely to save fuel; at cruising speeds, overdrive (OD) kicks in. But you can shift into and out of OD. On newer cars, it's usually done via a button on the shift lever. Typically, an "OD" light illuminates in the instrument panel when an automatic is shifted out of OD. If you have inadvertently shifted out of OD, press the button to get back in for optimal fuel economy.
Many modern automatic transmissions allow drivers to change gears manually by moving the shift lever through a separate gate. This doesn't duplicate the degree of gear control afforded by a manual transmission, but it will allow you to select a lower gear for more throttle response. Doing so increases engine rpm and burns more gas. For best fuel efficiency, shift into the highest gear whenever possible or simply shift into Drive and let the automatic do what it's designed to: Select the most economical gear at each step of the way.
Make Sure Nothing's Afoot
Don't drive with a foot resting on the brake pedal, however lightly. Even the slightest application of the brakes while moving will drag down fuel economy. It'll place an unnecessary burden on the engine and transmission. You'll wear out your brakes rapidly, as well.
Even when your car isn't moving, you should be thinking about ways to save gas. In our final section, we'll take a look at some ways to conserve fuel while your car is standing still.
Saving Gas While Standing Still
Even when your car is standing still, you can be saving gas. Here are some strategies.
Shift to Neutral When Stopped
If you're not moving but your engine is running, you're getting zero miles per gallon. Idling at a traffic light is a fuel-economy killer, as is waiting to clear a construction zone or sitting while a freight train crawls by. And there's a good reason our most frustrating traffic condition is called stop-and-go driving.
Notice that shifting your automatic or manual transmission into neutral calms down your engine note and drops the rpm. That saves gas. Shift into neutral even for a long traffic light.
Keeping an automatic transmission in Drive puts an extra load on it, which drains fuel. In neutral, it's resting -- or at least as close to rest as an automatic ever gets. This shift is even more important when the air conditioner is running, so the engine doesn't have to strain so hard while idling. A manual transmission should be shifted to neutral at every stop.
Shut off the Engine When Stopped
Even when stopped for a mile-long freight train, a lot of drivers keep their engines running. A minute of idling, however, consumes more gas than a restart.
So, whenever you expect to be stopped for a minute or more, shut off the ignition. No, not at every red light you come to, though some experts advise that even a 30-second stop is worth a shutdown. Use your judgment, but when standing in a bank drive-up line or at a fast-food drive-through, if it looks like a long wait without moving, turn off that engine.
Note that the new gas/electric hybrid vehicles automatically shut off the gas engine in most conditions if the vehicle is stopped for even a few seconds. They restart instantly as the gas pedal is applied. The engineers who designed those hybrids know the fuel-saving value of shutting off an engine.
Don't Race the Engine at Stoplights
It's hard to understand why people are inclined to tromp on the pedal -- sometimes every couple of seconds -- while waiting for a green light. What's to be gained, except drawing attention to yourself?
If you need to pump the pedal to keep the engine from dying, chances are fuel economy isn't your major worry -- in fact, you need to consult a mechanic.
On an Upgrade, Hang on With the Brake
When waiting at a stoplight or stop sign on an upward pavement, keep the car from drifting backward by pressing on the brake pedal in the normal manner. Don't use the clutch or automatic transmission to keep it from sliding back. This wastes fuel and puts a strain on the engine.
Shut Down When You Leave the Car
If it's a good idea to shut off the engine even when stopped for a minute while you're still in the driver's seat, obviously it's essential to do so when you stop and leave your car for awhile. Don't leave the engine idle while making a phone call, hopping into a store, or dropping off the dry cleaning. Sure, that might keep the interior warm in winter or cool in summer, but the gasoline is just burning away, accomplishing no useful purpose -- to say nothing of the fact that an idling car is just begging for a thief to drive it off.
Park it Sooner
If you're a city dweller, you know that finding that perfect parking spot is nearly impossible. Why even try? Don't waste time and fuel cruising for an ideal spot that is steps away from your destination. Pick the one that comes along first, even if it means walking a few blocks. The exercise will do you good.
In the same vein, park so you don't have to move your vehicle a short time later. Don't leave it sitting on the street or in the driveway so that you have to move it into the garage. By that time, the engine has cooled down, and you're wasting gas to start the car while putting extra wear on its parts.
Don't Rev the Engine Before Shutting Off the Ignition
Many of us learned to do this on carburetor-equipped engines in the belief that stomping the gas pedal as we turned off the switch would "prime" the carb (put a jolt of gasoline in its bowl). Most of the time, it did little or no good even for a carbureted engine.
For today's fuel-injected engines, it's a complete waste of fuel. Not only that, but the final spurt of gasoline also winds up dumped on the cylinder walls where it can wash away the essential lubricant, paving the way for increased wear.
Driving economically requires a few simple changes for most drivers, but it can yield good results at the gas pump. Keep the fuel-saving tips from this article in mind whenever you're behind the wheel.
©Publications International, Ltd.


Climatologically speaking, on the first day of March we stepped into spring time. Temperatures are following the season, and according to the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service the lowest morning temperature on the Adriatic will range between 7 and 12 degrees Celsius and the highest daily temperature will go up to 16 degrees Celsius.
The 'right' spring arrives during the evening of March 20. Until then, let's find out the difference between the astronomical and climatic seasons. Under the term seasons we mark astronomical seasons that depend on the mutual position of Earth and the Sun. The exact start of the astronomical seasons is calculated by astronomers. Therefore, they can still be called 'the calendar seasons' as they alternate during one calendar year.


AUTUMN LONDON CAVERHUB 2018 With Speaker Mr Neil Kitchen.
Following on from last year's successful event with Mr Daniel Walsh CAUK are pleased to present Mr Neil Kitchen, consultant neurosurgeon, CAUK patron and president (elect) of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons. Mr Kitchen will be speaking about cavernoma.
Following Mr Kitchen's talk and members' questions, there will be an opportunity to talk with Helen Evans, CAUK's new Chief Executive. Refreshments will be available.


One of UKIP's candidates has been suspended for apparently making racist comments and threatening to to shoot his Conservative rival for the seat, Ranil Jayawardena.
Robert Blay, who was standing in North East Hampshire, has been suspended with immediate effect. The footage below was secretly recorded at a party event in Kent on Saturday.
Mr Blay went on to accuse his opponent's father of having come to Britain from Sri Lanka and "ponced off us … like all the East Europeans are".
I reckon this was a set up, and Blay was too naive to realise. Hope the rest of UKIP learn something from what happened. The MSM is out to discredit you and if you give them half a chance, you're done.
farage must win his seat ,he has promised to stand down if he fails to win and that will be the end of UKIP. And yes, the media really are out to kill this genuinely grass roots movement.
You imagine what Farage will say if he doesn't win the seat.
He will have plenty of ammo and let rip..
Meanwhile Miliband seems set to force a consitutional coup and seize power without being the largest party – without being actually elected.
At least Blay has a plan that might just be effective.
polls close 9.00 am tomorrow morning, NZ time.
Were the UK still a democracy the outcome would have been clear: a strong Tory/UKIP government dedicated to getting out of Europe, ending Welfare, paying back the Debt, and finishing the job Thatcher started.
Unfortunately it's not, and Miliband and his MSM cronies are already preparing the ground to cheat their way to power.
If they do, it wont last long..
If they do, the Union won't last long!


HARVEY, P.A. (2007): Excreta Disposal in Emergencies. A Field Manual. Leicestershire: WEDC Loughborough University. URL [Accessed: 29.07.2011].
In this manual existing, innovative and new technologies and approaches for excreta disposal in emergency situations are investigated. It provides practical guidance on how to select, design, construct and maintain appropriate excreta disposal systems to reduce faecal transmission risks and protect public health in emergency situations.


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10 tips to lead agile teams
A great deal has been written about Agile. Much of that writing is about tools, processes, methodologies, technologies, platforms and data. These things are important, but mindsets and people are more important.
Our friends – the Agile Conversations Team – write:
"After years of study and many missteps, we have come to the understanding that the key to success is not only "adopting practices" but "having the difficult conversations" that foster the right environment for those practices to work."
These conversations cover the goals that people aspire to, the mindset through which they understand the world, the way they work together, the values they share and the way they speak to each other. Creating the right culture for these conversations to take place is key to Agile.
Self-managing … or not
Agile teams aren't just for engineers. In larger software organisations, Agile teams form in many parts of the business: marketing, HR, finance ... you name it! Also, one of the original principles in the Agile manifesto was that teams would become self-managing.
Agile principle: "The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organising teams."
However, not all teams that are working Agile have adopted self-management in full. The Learning Consortium Project investigated a large number of Agile organisations and their management practices. "Despite the widespread discussion of self-organisation, self-management, self-governance, and "inverting the pyramid", managers still play a central role in all these organisations." Whilst many teams are not fully self-managing most teams are moving away from a command and control style of management. This requires a different skill set from a manager or team lead.
Coaching your team
The manager's role in an Agile team is becoming increasingly to act as a coach, facilitator, and support person for the team. Your key focus needs to be on facilitating communication between your team and other stakeholders, as well as removing roadblocks to progress.
Agile principle: build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need and trust them to get the job done.
The Learning Consortium identified the need to see "managers as enablers not controllers". Another reframing of the new role is in terms of servant leadership. Leaders serving their teams rather than the other way round. Spotify described the role of Agile managers: "Rather than planners, directors, and controllers, they become visionaries, architects, and coaches who empower the people with the most relevant competencies so they can lead, collaborate, and deliver exceptional results".
For the Agile manager, priorities change. The model below indicates some of the preferences favoured by those working Agile:
Developing careers
Another key function of managing an Agile team is supporting your team members' advancement and development.
Agile principle: At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behaviour accordingly.
As the manager, your job becomes helping them find ways to improve and supporting that improvement, whether it's through coaching, development or other advancement opportunities. One of the big benefits of working in a team is that colleagues learn from and mentor one another. Mentoring isn't just an activity for junior members to learn from senior members. Everyone on the team learns from one another, so that the impact of the team as a whole, is greater than the sum of the impact made by its individual members.
Developing the team to be more than a sum of its parts
Building your team is essential to working Agile. Working Agile means sharing the adventure of building something that truly matters with engaged teammates. Agile teams take time to form. Agile teams go through phases as they develop. Some point to Tuckman's "stages of group development." But we think even more useful is to understand the concepts of 3 Gets:
1. Get Set - being really clear on the direction for the team2. Get Safe - developing psychological safety and trust3. Get Strong - holding each other to high standards
10 Ways to Help an Agile Team Excel
The last thing Agile means is following a list blindly. But these ten activities can help any Agile team work better together.
Simon Hayward in his book "The Agile Leader" said "To be effective leaders in a digital world, we need to be both an enabler and disruptor". This is a tough balancing act.
Enabling capability: "learning agility, empathy, collaboration". Disruptive capability included being "thoughtfully decisive, digitally literate, creating new ways of thinking".
1. Aligning the team to the North Star and Values
Agile organisations are driven by a compelling purpose. The role of a CEO and leadership team is fundamental for setting the clarity of purpose. But without managers reinforcing that vision it will not stick.
It's a skill to translate purpose, values and operational goals so that they are meaningful to the team, but also aligned to the organisation. To do this you need to:
Understand the context of the organisation or department's purpose, goals and values
Generate a conversation with the team to design the team purpose goals and values
Continue to reinforce and check in that these are relevant and meaningful
💡 How can you align your teams to organisation purpose and values?
2. Iterate and learn
Managers in an Agile world need to be able to iterate and learn. Teams focus on an outcome (a minimal viable product or deliverable). In short periods (often called sprints) the team holds frequent, often daily, check ins to share progress, solve problems, and ensure alignment. Between sprints, team members meet to review and plan, to discuss progress to date, and to set a goal for the next sprint.
💡 How can you develop your toolkits for these short learning cycles?
3. Reflection
Learning to reflect and improve is critical for Agile leaders. Transparency and continuous improvement of products, services, and work methods. Admitting failure and learning from mistakes. Team retrospectives are commonplace in Agile development areas but are scarcely known about more widely.
💡 How can you develop "psychological safety" so the whole team feels comfortable discussing what's going well and where things need to improve?
4. Client focus
A ruthless focus on the customer is critical for an Agile manager. If you are in a customer-facing team, this may come naturally. But if you are removed from the customer, how can you bring the customer closer to the work the team does?
💡 How can you bring your team closer to customer needs?
5. Development
The conversations a manager needs to have with a team member about their personal development need to be more holistic and imaginative. For example, it's key that team members have clear, accountable roles. But these roles will be changing fast.
💡 How can you address any lack of clarity about roles with one another?
6. Resilience
In an Agile environment things change frequently. Opinions collide and decisions need to be made fast. This can be exhausting. Managers need to be generating intensity but also mindful of the mental health of the team. This will include ways to manage conflict and challenge. Finding a way to embrace and even normalise the challenging discussions will be helpful.
💡 How can you build your own resilience and the resilience of the team?
Research shows good communication correlates with better team performance. Ensuring that everyone has a voice through effective one-to-ones is a start point. Adopting principles of "turn taking" in team meetings so that the loudest voice doesn't drown out the room. Encouraging communications that are open and conversational, rather than top-down and hierarchical.
💡 How can you develop the right communication channels so that voices in and outside the team are heard?
8. "Teaming"
Many managers are members of more than one team. Research at the Business School Insead indicate that it's common to be a member of 3+ teams. Different disciplines across the organisation need to work closely together. Learning to "team" is a term coined by Amy Edmondson. Unlike working in a team, "teaming" is an active process. Many managers have not been given team training 101.
💡 How can you have a simple, intuitive grasp of creating "teaming" behaviours?
9. Managing diversity
Many forms of diversity – especially cognitive diversity – are correlated to better performance. Therefore, Agile managers need to be able to manage people who are different from them. Different generations, different nationalities and, perhaps most difficult of all, different value systems.
💡 How can you draw on all the talents of those in your team, even those very different from you?
10. Simplicity
Simplicity should be your guide as an Agile manager. It's easier to create 20 pages of documentation than one. This is as true for technical solutions, as for our methods of working and organising the organisation.
💡 How can you reduce the burden and impediments for the team? Simplify life.


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Microsoft confirms the disc-less Xbox One and a new 'Ultimate' subscription option
Image: microsoft
By Adam Rosenberg 2019-04-16 22:00:00 UTC
The rumors were true. Xbox is going disc-less.
Microsoft has confirmed that the previously rumored Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is a real thing. It'll cost $250 — that's $50 less than the model that comes with a disc drive — and will arrive bundled with three entire games: Sea of Thieves, Forza Horizon 3, and Minecraft. Blu-ray support is out though, obviously.
Pre-orders went live with the announcement, and the console will launch on May 7. While the price of Xbox consoles will likely change over time, Microsoft's announcement did note that "we expect to maintain at least that price difference between the two consoles going forward."
SEE ALSO: DC Universe subscription service gets a surprise Xbox One launch
In separate-but-related news, Xbox users also have a new subscription option to look forward to. An "Ultimate" subscription will launch later in 2019 at $14.99/month, roping together all the subscription benefits of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass — $60/year and $9.99/month, respectively — under one umbrella.
To be clear: there isn't actually a cost savings here, just convenience. At $15/month, you're spending a total of $180 each year on the bundled subscriptions — exactly the same amount you would spend if you paid for the two subscriptions separately.
For those who might need a refresher: Xbox Game Pass subscribers have on-demand access to a library of more than 100 games. That library includes a variety of games from both Microsoft and third-party publishers, but the biggest benefit of the service is it hosts all Xbox-exclusive games the day they launch.
If you're the sort of Xbox user that jumps on every console exclusive released in the space of a year, this is the subscription for you. If Microsoft releases two $60 games in 2019 and you play both of them through the subscription, it's paid for itself.
Xbox Live Gold, on the other hand, is Microsoft's gateway to online play. You can't play games online without a Gold subscription (save for a tiny handful of exceptions), nor can you access features like private chat, party chat, game recording/sharing, free-to-play games, or . Bl
Gold subscribers also get access to Games With Gold offerings, a set of freebie games that changes monthly (similar to what Sony does with its PlayStation Plus program). Any games you unlock and download via your Gold subscription are yours to keep even if the subscription lapses.
The new Ultimate subscription option should be especially appealing to anyone planning on picking up a disc-less Xbox One S, since the new console commits you to downloading your games. That also makes the All-Digital Edition a tougher sell for people who have already invested in a collection of Xbox games on disc.
Don't make the mistake of viewing that as a drawback, however. If you're the type of player who has a large collection of games on disc, this new Xbox isn't really meant for you. Microsoft is introducing a whole new type of console into its product line with the All-Digital Edition, and one that's designed to appeal specifically to a segment of customers that haven't yet hopped aboard the Xbox train.
The Ultimate subscription doesn't appear to bring any major benefits based on this initial announcement. It makes subscribing to all things Xbox easier by roping two subscriptions together under a single umbrella. But whether you have one subscription or two, the price remains the same.
Still, both of these moves support what could be characterized as a broader shift at Microsoft toward more of a service-driven Xbox ecosystem. All first-party Xbox games are cross-compatible with PC, so if you have a powerful Windows 10 gaming system you essentially also have an Xbox.
That technically means portions of Xbox Game Pass as it exists now are PC-friendly as well, but Microsoft has already confirmed a more official plan to bring the subscription service to PC. The hardware may be costlier, but Xbox gaming on a Windows PC also carries the distinct advantage of not requiring a Gold subscription to play online.
Expect more clarity on Microsoft's plans for late 2019 and beyond — most likely including a more specific launch plan for the Ultimate subscription — when the annual E3 trade show kicks off in June. Until then, watch for Xbox One S All-Digital Edition to launch on May 7.
WATCH: Kingdom Hearts III continues Disney's crossover gaming magic — Games to Play Before You Die
Topics: Entertainment, Gaming, Microsoft, xbox one s, xbox-one-s-all-digital


•Tarot, Palmistry, Crystals,Intuitive Psychic Energy Readings •Western Tropical Astrology, Natal Astrology Reading, Love Compatibility, Love readings & counselling, Love Spells, Break up & Binding Note: If you wish for a natal astrology or natal astrology compatibility reading from me please send me a message as these readings require appointments to be made in advance as they require charts to be calculated which can take time. •Meditation, Reiki, Healing, Spiritual Cleansing, Chakras, Spiritual Consultation, Stress Relief, Karmic healing and guidance, Removal of negative energy, people and entities. •Herbal health, natural remedies, holistic healing •Professional Psychic reader and root worker in licensed and family owned established that has been in business for over 50 years! •Former Live Advisor on other online psychic networks as well •Typing speed of 80 words per minute For any questions regarding my services please click "Leave a message"
First reading with Lauren, very connected, took her time to explain the situation consulted and provided much insight. I'm very grateful for her reading.
Was spot on with the details of my situation, quick in her responses and extremely detailed. Enjoyed my reading and her genuine advice!
I appreciate your insight, another great read.
Always helpful, honest and direct with answers. Thanks again.
Didn't feel a real connection here for some reason, something has changed with her - in the end when I gave her feedback telling how I feel and I'm tired of hearing the same story over and over again; she practically said to me that I have a negative attitude and it will attract negative energy. I got the feeling that she really doesn't care about anything else than just the money and I had to give a lot of info to her as well. I'm sorry but I don't trust you.
Once again had to come back for updates she is worth it !!!!
Always lovely to talk to and very spot on with everything. Thank you!
Did not sugar coat and set my mind straight. Thank you so much!
I would love to have another reading with Lauren, very impressed!
OH MY GOODNESS! This has been the absolute best reading I have had here on Bitwine. I am amazed at her knowledge of my situation with NO info other than DOB. I feel soooo much better with a much better understanding of what is happening and what to expectl Thank you and i am so glad i found you Lauren!


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Keep an eye on this website for details as we announce them! It may be a little while as it is no simple matter to put a new show together. We are currently aiming to be ready for the autumn.
Bios for our new band members will be added soon!
Derek is our Keyboard player, providing those lush Rick Wright textures to provide the sonic foundation over which those iconic guitars can soar!
Derek's influences are diverse and wide ranging - extending from classical to punk to even Hebridean folk music. The intersection of all of those influences is progressive rock and bands like Pink Floyd (of course!), Genesis, Yes, Rush, Camel ... and also modern progressive bands like IQ, Spock's Beard, Porcupine Tree, Moon Safari and so on.
A teenage interest in electronics led to an interest in Synthesisers - thanks to an 'accidental' purchase of "Electronics and Music Maker" by his Dad instead of the usual "Everyday Electronics", which had circuit digrams for building synths and articles on bands like Ultravox. This was around '78-'79 when Derek's own musical interest was awakening.
The seminal moment of musical discovery came in '79 when BBC Radio One's Friday Rock Show played a "listeners' all time top ten", where Derek heard bands like Yes and Rush for the first time, and was totally blown away by such music that he had never heard before! And of course '79 was the year that "The Wall" was released, which introduced Derek to Pink Floyd.
Derek uses Yamaha and Korg keyboards, Roland Amps and Foot Controllers, and a vast plethora of computer hosted "virtual instruments" to recreate the classic Rick Wright keyboard textures that are an essential part of the classic 'Floyd sound.
As well as gigging in Welsh Floyd, Derek also writes original music in Echoes (which he hopes to resurrect one day, as local music fans sill ask about when he will do it again), Carreg Ddu (original "Celtic, progressive ambient"" music) and Spectral Streams, which is a vehicle for a more experimental electronic style of music.
Martin is a very accomplished bass player, he started playing bass the age of 15. He started off playing a six string guitar and then was asked to take over on bass and thus the relationship with the low end rumble began.
He's a been a fan and heavily influenced by Pink Floyd. He says he can remember his brother's friend had brought over 'Meddle' and 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' sitting in front of his Mum's radiogram and hearing ' One Of These Days' for the first time and have been inspired by Roger Waters ever since.
Martin's favourite album is 'Dark Side Of The Moon', which is a good thing really as it's now a main part of our set.
Martin's musical career has seen him playing in many bands, including a few original recording and gigging bands that supported bands such as Saxon and Girlschool.
Martin uses Fender Jazz 4 and 5 string basses, Orange Head and Cabs with Boss FX.
Martin's favourite bassist is Geddy Lee, and his wide influences range from Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Status Quo to Chic.
Steph has been singing since she was born, and has a great love of harmonies.
I have fronted 2 rock bands and have worked with many musicians and songwriters on original material. I have done a lot of studio work which has given me the chance to be creative and very versatile.
My main influences are mainly through their harmonic prowess. The Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash, Simon and Garfunkel and The Byrds. I also love different rock styles such as Led Zeppelin, Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac, T. Rex, The Band, the list is actually quite endless!
If you had to one album to your desert island, what would it be and why?
Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits. This is when Peter Green was fronting them. I love many albums so I probably will change my mind quite a lot!
Tell us a bit about how you started singing?
I started singing when I was in school and always enjoyed it. I took it to the next level when I did my HND in Music Performance, which was where I met Steph.
I started by doing musicals, but have done everything from folk to providing vocals to rave music during the 1990's rave music. If people ask me to sing I'll give most things a go.
If you could take any album on a desert island what would it be?
I think anything by Elbow.
I think I'm one of those people that doesn't think I have a particular influence. I do like harmonies and folk music. To be honest, anything at the moment that isn't the current CBeebies CD that's currently in my car!


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Emma's Review: Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Reviewed by Emma Crowley
After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it's casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years... and panic sets in.
They quickly decide to create little surprises for each other, to keep their relationship fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me - anything from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to photo shoots - mishaps arise with disastrous and comical results.
Gradually, the surprises turn to shocking discoveries. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all...
Many thanks to Becky Short from Transworld Books for my copy of Surprise Me to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
In recent years Sophie Kinsella's books for me have been a bit hit and miss. I felt the Shopaholic books had run out of steam and the last one didn't really bring much to the series overall but then last year along came My Not So Perfect Life and it completely blew me away. This was such a brilliant return to form and reminded me of the early days of Sophie's writing and why I had loved her books so much. This book remained one of my reading highlights of 2017 and I couldn't tell enough people about it - that they simply had to read it. So when I saw Surprise Me was a new book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and fervently hoped that the magic that had been created in the previous book would still be present here and it would be as an addictive read.
When I read the blurb I was even more eager to get started. The premise sounded different and fresh for the genre as the boy meets girl storyline has been done to death and, unless it is done with a new angle, at this stage I find it quite boring. So did Project Surprise Me work for Sylvie and her husband Dan and more importantly was the book a good read given the high expectations I had going into it? Really this had so much potential and I loved the whole idea behind it but sadly that main idea seemed to get lost and pushed to the side amongst other storylines that took over and dominated when really I felt they shouldn't have. The book became a different book from the one I had read about on the blurb and it lost its way more so in the second half rather than in the first which I felt to be far stronger.
Sylvie and Dan have always been that ideal couple that everyone aspires to or so they would like to think. They read each others thoughts, finish each others sentences and are so in tune and intertwined, they couldn't survive without each other. They are happily married with twins and life is good for the couple. A medical is needed for their health insurance, a routine procedure one would think but when the doctor says they could have 68 more years together it makes them sit up and think. 68 years sounds like a lifetime, an eternity. Yes they love each other but forever appears to be a lot longer than they thought. The news strikes fear in the pair and they feel they have an endless road ahead of them with stability and routine staring them in the face. They set themselves a challenge and so Project Surprise Me is born.
To help pass the decades, to keep the spark alive they need to be kept on their toes, entertained and challenged with lots of unexpected surprises along the way. Said surprises can be large or small but they must catch the other off guard and thought must be put into each task. Initially I though woah you really are getting in a heap over nothing. So much water passes under the bridge in 68 years and who's to say what will happen? Why not live in the moment? Enjoy what each day has to offer. Revel in the fact you have two beautiful children, who were criminally under utilised throughout the book as so many comedic moments could have taken place regarding the twins, and savour each moment. But then I sat back and thought OK this is the stance they are taking with regard to the news and really the project is a good idea and I was interested to see how it would develop.
The project got off to a faltering start and Tilda, Sylvie's neighbour and friend, tries to help her with disastrous and funny results but the project element of the book seemed to peter out pretty fast. But then a discovery leads Sylvie to question everything she believed to be true about her marriage and instead a different facet to her character emerges in an attempt to get to the root of what she believes Dan is up to. Tilda was a fantastic supporting character and as for her son he was amongst one of the best characters in the book. He seemed to be in a world of his own and was often deadpan in his sayings and actions but he turned up trumps when he needed to. He alongside Tilda provided plenty of laugh out loud moments and they could easily have their own book so good were they. I could see Dan and Sylvie really did love each other but events were conspiring against them and when mistrust and lack of belief in one's self and the stability of their marriage start to creep in things really went awry.
Sylvie works for Willoughby House, a niche museum in London, for which she is always trying to raise funds to keep the place going. The museum is stuck in the past and as the owners nephew Robert steps in to try and sort things out this in turn provides more challenges for Sylvie. When really she wanted to concentrate on her own life project and just muddle along as usual. Again here there was plenty of humour and cringeworthy moments but they just felt overshadowed by other events. Sylvie does really develop as a character over the course of the book. I don't think she was given any other option only to put things into perspective and get her act together but she hasn't been my favourite heroine written by this author.
The character of Sylvie really did become so frustrating, and it felt like I was reading about a different person depending on where she was, I never really warmed to her at all. Be it at work, at home or trying to see what was going on with Dan. Her obsession over her Dad, and the fact she still called him Daddy even though she was an adult and he had passed on, really got on my nerves. It was almost like she reverted back to her childhood and forgot that she was a grown woman married with kids and trying to hold down a job. I was always questioning this aspect of the storyline and wondered as to where it was actually going as it took us away from project Surprise Me. It almost became forgotten about and I suppose in a way that's what happens in life, we do get sidetracked from our main goals and things never run smoothly or the way we had planned them to. Life is all about challenges and how we overcome them and then accept and utilise the outcomes.
But given the book had a solid premise it did prove frustrating when the project became lost amongst other storylines and also the fact that I'm still wondering whether they had they a place, should they have been saved for another book? One aspect became sinister so to speak and when first reading this book I wouldn't have thought it would have been here. The more the story developed the more I thought Sylvie didn't treat Dan with the respect he deserved, instead she jumped to conclusions instead of asking him directly. An awful lot of trouble could have been averted and after all his heart, intentions and long term goals were always in the right place. I would have loved to have read more of Dan and gotten right inside his head but it would have probably have given away too much of what was going on.
Although Surprise Me was a good read it didn't blow me away in the manner I had wished it would have. I have chatted to some other people about this book and they feel the same way so I was relieved in the sense that it wasn't just me seeing this issues with the book. That said I wouldn't not read something from this author again in the future as I know she can write brilliant books it's just unfortunate this one didn't hit the spot for me. Fans of Sophie Kinsella will read me Surprise Me because they love her books like I do but I think they will feel this is not her strongest. The humour and wit she is known for is evident here but not in spades and the storyline just became muddled amongst too many other things. For new fans I wouldn't begin with this book but would choose something from her earlier back catalogue. All that being said I will read whatever Sophie writes in the future because I know how brilliant her books can be when she is on top form.
Labels: Books, Emma Crowley, Guest Review, Sophie Kinsella


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New Faces Join the NLRB: The Bush Board
The National Labor Relations Board (the "NLRB" or "Board") is a federal agency created by Congress in 1935 to administer the National Labor Relations Act (the "NLRA"). The Board sits in Washington, D.C. and is comprised of five members; it decides both unfair labor practice cases (matters in which it is alleged that an employer or union has violated employee rights under the NLRA) and representation cases (matters involving union elections, decertifications, and clarifications of existing bargaining units). Generally, Board decisions arise out of appeals from the recommended decisions and orders of administrative law judges (in unfair labor practice cases) and from decisions issued by the Board's various Regional Directors (in representation matters). Board members are appointed by the president to 5-year terms, with Senate consent, and one member is designated by the president to serve as the chairperson.
The Board wields tremendous power in setting the ground rules governing labor-management relations in the United States. Consequently, the confirmation process for Board nominees frequently generates the kind of political horse-trading, maneuvering and delay that characterizes the confirmation of nominations to the federal courts. Often, the terms of Board members expire without a successor having been confirmed: when that occurs, the vacancy is sometimes filled with a temporary recess appointee; sometimes the seat remains unfilled, leaving the Board with fewer than five Members. In fact, the Board was operating without a full complement of Senate-confirmed members from August 2000 until December 2002.
On November 14, 2002, however, the Senate approved a package of Board nominees, including both new members and extensions of the terms of existing members. With their swearing in on December 17, 2002, the Board is now at full strength for the first time in two years.
Three of the five are Republicans selected by President Bush: Peter C. Schaumber, Rene A. Acosta and Robert J. Battista (who has been designated to serve as chairperson). The other two members are Democrats who have been reappointed by President Bush to new terms: Dennis P. Walsh and Wilma B. Liebman. This is the first time in the Board's history that all five members were confirmed at one time. A brief biography of each of the newly confirmed members follows:
Robert J. Battista was nominated by President Bush in May 2002 and designated to serve as Chairman of the Board; his term expires on December 16, 2007. Mr. Battista has practiced labor and employment law on the management side since 1965 with the Detroit firm of Butzel Long. He is also a past chair of the Michigan State Bar Labor and Employment Section, and has served as chief negotiator, counsel and trial attorney for numerous educational institutions, companies and public employers.
Rene Alexander Acosta was nominated in the fall of 2001 and has been confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Board until August 27, 2003. Mr. Acosta previously served as Deputy Attorney General in the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. Prior to that, Mr. Acosta was an associate in the labor and employment practice at Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, D.C.
Peter C. Schaumber will serve on the Board for a term that expires on August 27, 2005. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Schaumber was a labor arbitrator in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the National Mediation Board and panelist at the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Schaumber also practiced law with the firm of Wickwire Gavin and was a partner and director of the litigation department at Colton and Boykin.
Dennis P. Walsh originally became a Board member through a recess appointment by President Clinton on December 29, 2000; in October 2001, President Bush nominated him to become a Member for a term expiring August 27, 2003. Mr. Walsh is a career Board employee. He formerly served as Chief Counsel to two other Board members, Wilma B. Liebman and Margaret A. Browning, and also served as Staff Counsel to Board Member Patricia Diaz Dennis. Prior to that, he was a field attorney with the NLRB's Regional Office in Philadelphia.
Wilma B. Liebman has served as a Board member since her appointment by President Clinton in 1997. As a result of her reappointment by President Bush and Senate confirmation, she will serve a new term to expire August 27, 2006. Ms. Liebman formerly served as the Deputy Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, where she acted in several capacities, ultimately in the position of chief operations officer, overseeing arbitration, alternative dispute resolution, international affairs and labor-management cooperation grant programs. Prior to that, Ms. Liebman was a union-side attorney: She was Labor Counsel for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen for four years and for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for nine years. She also served as a staff attorney in a Regional Office of the NLRB.
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