Written by Ken Edelstein
Ray Anderson has been called the “greenest CEO in America” for his uncompromising advocacy of zero-waste manufacturing. In the 1990s — after his now well-known epiphany over industry’s impact on the environment — he reorganized the Fortune 500 company that he’d founded around the principles of the “Natural Step” manufacturing philosophy.
Interface enjoyed healthy growth over the next decade and a half. At the same time, the company cut waste and pollution (by more than half, according to most measures) and claims to be on track to eliminating its waste and pollution by 2020.
The transition gave Anderson a dramatic story to tell as he made his own transition from day-to-day operation of the company to environmental visionary — both for Interface and for much of American industry.
“Without a doubt, the business case [for reinventing industry] is crystal clear,” he told me in an April interview. “Our costs are down — never can get enough of that. Our products are better than they ever have been, because of biomimicry. Our people are united around this. … And, of course, there’s so much good will in the market.”
While reporting about sustainability in Georgia, I crossed paths with Anderson on four or five occasions. What most struck me was his ability to be blunt about the severity of the environmental crisis while at the same time to maintain the upbeat courtliness of a Southern executive.
In that April interview, the ailing Atlanta native expressed both optimism and frustration over whether his message was being heard. On one hand, he said, the political system is doing little to push the transition of industry toward sustainability. On the other hand, a “co-evolution of education and environment” is helping to change the outlook of the next generation of leaders.
“The people who are now in their 20s, getting out of school, 20 or 30 years from now, they’re just going to have a very different approach,” he said. “And I think they’re going to get there in the nick of time.”
Though he was a 1956 Georgia Tech honors graduate in industrial engineering (who was granted an honorary doctorate by the school just last week), Anderson’s personality seemed customized to the role of entrepreneurial CEO. He was a gifted pitchman and an outside-the-box thinker — who twice revolutionized his own industry.
The first of those innovations came in the 1970s, when he founded Interface to become the first manufacturer of modular carpet tiles. The company quickly became one the largest publicly held carpet makers.
Anderson is known more broadly for his decision in 1990s to climb what he called “Mount Sustainability.” Other leaders in the Georgia-centered carpet industry have followed suit with their own sustainability programs, although none has made as dramatic a commitment as Anderson.
Like many a businessman facing many a challenge, Anderson focused on environmental issues only after he became aware of a problem in the marketplace: A sales manager in California told him in 1994 that clients were asking questions about the company’s environmental impact that the sales team couldn’t answer.
Anderson established an environmental task force, whose task became more ambitious when the CEO began reading a book on the topic called the "Ecology of Commerce," by Paul Hawken. He never seemed to tire of recounting the “spear in the chest” he felt as he read the book.
The company set about to reorient its entire culture around the Natural Step process advocated by Hawken. It embraced the concept of reworking all its processes and even its approach to designing products to move toward an elimination of all waste and pollution; Anderson called that Mission zero.
Anderson wasn’t shy to use his new-found prominence in sustainability circles to tell his company’s story. He was named to co-chair of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development during the Clinton administration. Major profiles about him appeared in, among other places, Fortune, The New York Times and Time, which in 2007 also named him one of its “Heroes of the Environment.” Over the next decade, he spoke to at least 1,000 audiences on environmental issues.
Anderson gave many of those speeches after he’d learned in late 2009 of his illness. In those last 20 months, his message didn’t seem to change — although to the listener, it may have gained in poignancy.
He was hesitant to speak publicly of his illness, citing the implications it might have for a public company. But in an updated introduction to his latest book, "Business Lessons of a Radical Industrialist," he had this to say about the personal challenge he was facing:
“Cancer is no fun. If you don’t receive the right treatment, you die; and even with the very best treatment you can still die. I seem to be receiving the right treatment; though the very best results one can hope for, complete remission (which I am nowhere near yet), leave one knowing it can recur, maybe in a different part of the body as a metastasis, or maybe in a mutated form.”
This article was reprinted with permission from the Green Building Chronicle.
More from the Mother Nature Network:


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Marc Pierce® Signature Collection Whitetail Mica Shade Lamp.
Harvest hues of red, orange and brown show off a beautiful 10-point Buck. This amazing sculpture is a blend of fine resins, intricately carved and hand-painted for a beautiful metallic patina. Genuine mica shade directs light onto every detail and adds a warm glow to your favorite room. Here for BIG BUCKS OFF!Wilderness wonder:
Whitetail Mica Shade Lamp

domain: design


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About 50% of Singaporeans are afflicted by knee pain at some point in time in their life. Some of this knee pain may be chronic and can occur intermittently. 50% of them visited the doctor and they waited an average of 1 year before seeking treatment. These findings were found in a questionnaire by pharmacy firm Sanofi to commemorate Knee Arthritis Day.
Wearing out of the knee joint, also known as knee osteoarthritis, is the most common form of arthritis in a major weight-bearing joint. It involves destruction of the cartilage covering the bone ends of the distal femur and proximal tibia which constitute part of the knee joint. The joint cartilage that protects the bone ends, lubricates them and allows the knee to flex and extend, wears off. When the bone ends that constitute part of the knee joint go against each other without the protective effect of the covering cartilage, it provokes extreme pain and effusion in the joints. This results in decrease in mobility.
Three quarters of Singaporeans are at risk of degeneration of the knee joint secondary to certain way of life and habits. The three top risk factors are high impact sports (50%) , sedentary lifestyle (36%) , and family history of knee osteaoarthritis (33%).
In the management of their knee pain, 34% managed on their own, 55% saw a doctor, while 11% did nothing. On why no treatment was sought, 42% did not think the condition was serious enough to require treatment, 31% thought it was normal to have aches and pain and endured the pain, while 19% were not aware of the possible treatment options.
An interesting aspect of the survey also revealed that the men in the street have certain preconceived notions about knee pain. More than three quarters of the people sureyed believed that there is a cure. The truth is there is no cure as the worn out cartilage can never regenerate completely due to the degenerative process which is irreversible. Short of a total knee joint replacement surgery, there are non-surgical methods to slow down the wear and tear process and manage the pain. Even for knee joint replacement surgery, we advocate it for patients near to 60 years of age or above. The artificial knee joint that we use to replaced the naturally worn out one usually cannot last for more than 20 years, so if a patient undergoes joint replacement too young, the worn out artificial joint would need revision surgery later.
About half of the people think that knee osteoarthritis only happens to people who participates in vigorous activities or high impact sports. This is not entirely true. There are other contributing reasons like an inactive lifestyle, getting old, previous ligament or meniscus injury to the knee, over- weight and hereditary factors that also play a part in a person acquiring severe knee osteoarthritis. About less than half of the people think that a culture that emphasizes too much movement and activity may exacerbate the pain but the fact is that the knee joint likes to be moved and this is good for joint health and longevity. Mild activities like walking ( average of 3000-6000 steps per day ) have been shown to be beneficial to the functional outcome of people with knee osteoarthritis. This can be attributed to the fact that the joint movement involved in walking causes the synovium ( covering of the knee joint ) to produce lubricin, a substance that lubricates the joint and coats the cartilage. Walking also improves muscle strength especially the quadriceps muscles and the hamstring muscles and these further help to support and protect the knee joint. Movement is good. It reminds the knee joint that it is a joint and needs to keep moving. In contrast, a totally sedentary lifestyle may result in atrophied muscles and stiff knees.
We provide a comprehensive and detailed treatment plan which involves a detailed history taking, physical examination, Xrays, MRI, physiotherapy and synvisc (Hyaluronic acid) injections.

domain: medical


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I am glad to see the team behind *The Activity* is getting a shot to bring their brand of storytelling to Marvel. Gerads’ art seems made for this book. I cannot wait.
This sounds right in Edmondson’s wheel house. I hope he knocks it out of the park.

domain: artistic


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The value of article writing may not be over emphasized. In actuality, as mentioned above, the importance of essay writing has gotten increasingly important in the recent times. Hence, it’s quite important that you use the proper essay writing manual, which will teach you all that there’s to learn about essay writing.
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One particular crucial thing which you have to stay in mind when writing an informative article will be to be sure it stays clear and simple. Do not confuse the people who go through your essay by creating them think that it is something more than what it’s. As an instance, you may have made a very notable and complex argument on the essay, but if you place it in ways it seems just like crap, they’d discover that it’s tricky to comprehend exactly what you have created. Thus, it’s quite crucial that you always stay easy and clear in everything that you publish.
The following element of article writing would be to be certain you do not make any mistakes. Usually do not make it for you would not have the last laugh after finishing your slice. That is why you ought to ensure you don’t make errors and never attempt to enhance your work by removing or adding words from your article. Problems are never good and consistently make a bad impression on the reader. In the event you maintain the mistake to this bare minimum, you will have the ability to impress your readers.
Eventually, another very important part of essay writing would be to browse all of the tips and suggestions which you are able to gain from your others. But it is very crucial that you don’t copy another person’s article, for if you need to do so, you are certainly going to wind up giving your article a lousy name. Instead of stating,”The first post I wrote was the most useful”, you are going to wind up declaring,”The worst”. You will wind up earning a post that everyone else will look at a fluke, which is not only going to offer an inaccurate part of information but in addition will hurt the reputation of one’s identify.

domain: literature


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Popular home-cooked meals, beloved by our patrons for a long period. They are rated highly by our guests.
For the beginning of your fulfilling day, please enjoy our home cooked breakfast, made with love.
We use delicious local rice from Yamaguchi Prefecture. The Nakaya Inn has adopted a "Local Food" menu using locally sourced ingredients.

domain: food


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Skip to comments.Answering to No One (Former Veep Mondale Has Bad Case of Cheney Envy)
Posted on 07/29/2007 12:00:32 PM PDT by kristinn
The Post's recent series on Dick Cheney's vice presidency certainly got my attention.
But it wasn't until Jimmy Carter assumed the presidency that the vice presidency took on a substantive role. Carter saw the office as an underused asset and set out to make the most of it. He gave me an office in the West Wing, unimpeded access to him and to the flow of information, and specific assignments at home and abroad. He asked me, as the only other nationally elected official, to be his adviser and partner on a range of issues.
Our relationship depended on trust, mutual respect and an acknowledgement that there was only one agenda to be served -- the president's.
Whatever authority a vice president has is derived from the president under whom he serves. There are no powers inherent in the office; they must be delegated by the president. Somehow, not only has Cheney been given vast authority by President Bush -- including, apparently, the entire intelligence portfolio -- but he also pursues his own agenda. The real question is why the president allows this to happen.
Three decades ago we lived through another painful example of a White House exceeding its authority, lying to the American people, breaking the law and shrouding everything it did in secrecy. Watergate wrenched the country, and our constitutional system, like nothing before. We spent years trying to identify and absorb the lessons of this great excess. But here we are again.
Since the Carter administration left office, we have been criticized for many things. Yet I remain enormously proud of what we did in those four years, especially that we told the truth, obeyed the law and kept the peace.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Mondale is proud of his record of being a punching bag for the Soviets and Islamic radicals. The man still hasn't learned after all these years.
WHine, whine, whine....
American people accuse former VP Mondale of serious case of senility.
Oh yeah-—if we could only bring back the Carter/Mondale years—they were almost Utopiarian!
Under these circumstances, Cheney's modus operandi is a very rational and prudent policy. The left has denied the elective representatives of the people the ordinary institutions which winning an election normally puts at the disposal of our elected representatives. Small wonder Cheney and Bush have found ways to get around the institutions which have been corrupted by the leftists so that they can do the people's business.
Rather than whinge about overreaching by Vice President Cheney, Walter Mondale might better examine the near traitorous behavior of his own party.
What an absolute loser...an idiot of all times
One would not expect a moron to choose a wise adviser or partner. One would expect a moron to choose another moron. So it was with Jimmy (Father of the Iranian Theocracy) Carter and Walter ("We're gonna tax their a$$ off!") Mondale.
Carter has demonstrated his stupidity time after time after time. So have his fans.
Mondale, no doubt has also. He's less high-profile than Carter; this may be because he's slightly smarter (which isn't hard to be), smart enough, at least, to keep a lower profile.
However, choosing Geraldine Ferraro as Vice President nominee was a stroke of imbecility.
The Left LOVES useful idiots. In fact, that's what most Leftists are.
When Mundale turned up wearing those Junior Soprano glasses in the replace Wellstone race, I knew he was a pure idiot.
You mean like the White House of the 1990's eh Walter? Facilitating missile technology transfer to the Chicoms, Fascist EPA, Elian, selling the Lincoln Bedroom, etc. etc.
It just went on and on Walter. And if Cankles gets back in, it will go on and on again.
We do have Mondale to thank for having free lawyers for all accused...
Back when he was the Attorney General in Minnesota, you only got an appointed lawyer for hard felonies... And then not in all jurisdictions...
He filed an amicus brief against Gideon..
Well, at least now we know of something the Carter Administration accomplished. My God, what a no body and to claim that HE defined the Vice Presidency.
I guess Mondale still isn’t over the fact that his daughter played a supporting actress role in the Starr Report.
So....the Post will print this crap from Mondale, but won’t print an article written by Condi Rice.
Typical of course.
I’ve been watching the reruns of “From the Earth To the Moon” on the Science Channel. I was pleasantly surprised at what an uniformed dork they made Mondull out to be when he was a Senator sitting on the investigating committee for the Apollo 1 tragedy. Art imitates life!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

domain: politics


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On the quest to find a great Valentine’s Day location, I discovered other hotspots with shared plates, tapas, great cocktail menus, and beautiful views for a fun dining experience. Depending on your mood and/or how romantic you want to structure your date, we have you covered.
Duck & Waffle and their sweeping romantic views. Located on the 40th floor of Heron Tower in the City of London, Duck & Waffle made its debut in the London restaurant scene in the summer of 2012. Inspired by broad European and British influences and spirit, the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere encourages a convivial experience for guests through its array of dishes designed for sampling and sharing. Duck & Waffle places emphasis on local, rustic, seasonal and sustainable British ingredients, manifested in daily inspirations created from the market’s freshest offerings. Keeping pace with a city that’s always on the move, Duck & Waffle welcomes guests 24/7, offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and late night menus.
There’s a cute romantic tapas place off Charlotte Street called Navarros. Navarros spanish tapas restaurant in London, serving the finest spanish cuisine and wine, and also handmade analucian ceramics.
Valentine’s Day lovers can enjoy romantic Michelin-starred restaurant dining 28 floors above London at Galvin at Windows, overlooking Hyde Park. Located on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane and awarded a Michelin star, Galvin at Windows Restaurant and Bar has become one of the most talked about restaurants since opening in May 2006. Together with Head Chef Andre Garrett, Chef Patron Chris Galvin has successfully created seasonally inspired menus based around modern French haute cuisine.
The OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie is situated on the eighth floor of the OXO Tower. The central tower acts as a natural focus dividing the space into two equal halves. To the east lies the restaurant and to the west the bar and brasserie. Both spaces are linked by a spectacular 250-foot terrace, which offers a breathtaking view.The restaurant menu is stylish and creative – top quality ingredients beautifully presented with an innovative twist. The brasserie offers a fabulous menu in a vibrant atmosphere created by an open kitchen, live jazz and the speed and quality of service.


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Some individuals never develop normal foot arches; they have a condition commonly called flat feet. Others experience a deterioration of the normal arch due to injury, excess weight gain, rheumatoid arthritis, or the aging process. Orthotics Shoe Inserts in Columbus OH can help people dealing with discomfort from flat feet. The devices create an upward curve on the bottom of the feet while they are being worn.
The purpose of the foot arch is to distribute the person’s weight and any objects the person carries in an even way for the feet, ankles, and legs to manage. Fallen arches result in the middle part of the foot sole touching the ground, which is not the case for people with normal arches. Some individuals have no arch at all while others have an abnormally small one.
Feet without enough of an arch can become painful when the person stands or walks for any length of time, with discomfort especially noticeable in the heel and along the middle of the sole. That discomfort can radiate up into the calves, knees, and even hips. Some individuals develop low back pain because of fallen arches. The bottom of the feet may even swell up with inflammation. The achiness may continue long after the individual sits down and rests.
Not everyone develops these symptoms, but those who do may start to avoid physical activity. Jobs that require being on one’s feet become problematic. Running shoes with extra padding in the arch area can create a more comfortable situation for these individuals. Orthotics Shoe Inserts in Columbus OH help when people need or want to wear another type of shoe. The devices, as supplied by a place such as Capital Prosthetic & Orthotic Center, support the foot and shape it into a healthier position. Foot doctors recommend that patients with fallen arches wear high-quality shoes as much as possible, and the orthotics will act as complementary health equipment inside the shoes. The devices will never be as effective as they could be if the person insists on wearing cheap shoes with no support. Please visit the website to learn more about this particular organization.


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Fixed Morphology Challenge
1. Hypno Mantis By Xenopologist
2. Hypno Mantis By KarimMP
1. RECRUIT of the Hypno Mantis empire By Parkaboy
2. Hypno Mantis By WforWumbo
3. Hypno Mantis By Gengar114
4. Hypno Mantis By skandranon12
In this fixed morphology challenge it's up to you to modify our template creature to fit the bio provided below. Entries will be judged on creativity, simplicity, adherence to creature bio, and how well they animate. Show us what this creature should look like in the Hypno Mantis Template Challenge!
Using the template above, submit a creation that shows us how you think the Darkspore Hyno Mantis NPC should look. Decorate and paint the creature, but don't alter the base template in any way. Entries will be judged on how cool they look. The second template can be used for non C&C players.
Like a few mutant children of the Darkspore, hypno mantises were once small, harmless creatures playing a vital role in their ecosystems. Now they’re giant, repulsive, terrifying monsters, taller than the average sentient biped and more than capable of slaughtering sentients by the dozen in a single attack. But the hypno mantis doesn’t need to touch its prey to kill. Instead it propels a symbiotic plant that sprays toxins in a cloud. Hypno mantises also possesses revivifying antigens and boosters that allow it to bring seemingly dead creatures back to action. If all its other attacks fail, the hypno mantis attacks physically, with devastating results.
These images are meant to generally inform the aesthetic direction you take especially when painting your creature. It's not a requirement to match your paint to these colors, but we just want to give you an idea of the vibe we're looking for.
What will the challenge winner(s) get?
Maxis will hand pick the winner in this challenge. The winner(s) will be featured on Spore.com and may be included as NPC designs in Darkspore!
• To submit an entry, tag it with: mchypnomantischallenge
• You can submit as many entries as you’d like
• All submissions must be in by 11:00am PDT December 20, 2010
• Optional: Post screenshots or YouTube movies of your creation on the forum
• No parent author in the lineage other than yourself or MaxisCactus
• No offensive/copyright protected references in entry
• No links/references to other sites in submission tags/name/description
• No cheats allowed
• No using the invisible limbs bug
• Asymmetry is
allowed, but entries should be in a default idle stance.


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Plant - Flocked Sage Ball in Urn 15 inch
An antique-look, textured planter is the perfect accent to this beautiful sage topiary plant. Add a natural element to your space with this gorgeous faux plant. Great for bringing life to your home or office without the need for a green thumb.
Dimensions: 15 inches tall


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Denali Fly-Fishing for Arctic Grayling (Half Day)Back to Excursions
Soak up the beauty of Denali during this extraordinary half-day fly-fishing expedition to Fish Creek. Gear up with lightweight fly-fishing gear provided by your guide—a dedicated fly-fisherman whose passion for the sport is contagious. Learn the basics of fly casting, roll casting, matching the hatch, landing fish and catch-and-release techniques. When you’re ready, cast your nearly weightless artificial lure for the Arctic grayling—a species of freshwater fish in the trout family. These ravenous surface feeders are thrilling to catch on the fly whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned angler. Wading and moving along the uneven riverbed may be necessary. While fishing, relax, breathe in the clean mountain air and take in the unbridled beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Enjoy this unique opportunity to feel at peace with nature!
Minimum age is 12. Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older. Licenses are available for purchase through your tour guide. This is a catch-and-release excursion. Guests should be in good physical condition and be able to walk or stand for approximately 6 hours. Travel over slippery rocks and mud over uneven terrain is to be expected. Bring a rain jacket, extra pair of socks, extra layer of clothing, sunglasses, warm hat, bottled water and camera. Fishing portion is approximately 5 hours. Please bring cash for your one day Alaska fishing license. Tour operates subject to meeting a minimum number of participants.
CALL 800.426.0500 TO BOOK
An array of optional excursions is available at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Visit the Tour Desk at the Denali Princess Lodge or call 1-800-426-0500.
PURCHASE LAND EXCURSIONS
Princess is pleased to offer you the ability to purchase your excursions for the land portion of your cruise tour using the Cruise Personalizer at princess.com. Included is a list of land excursion options customized to best fit your itinerary with detailed information about each excursion. When you are ready to purchase your land excursions, go to the Cruise Personalizer and have your booking number and credit card information ready to enter. Princess accepts Princess Visa, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and Diner’s Club. Confirmed excursions can be viewed at any time in your detailed itinerary in the Cruise Personalizer and will also be listed on your Welcome Envelope that you’ll receive at each cruise tour location during your Princess Land & Sea Vacation. Land excursions may be canceled up to three (3) days prior to travel without a cancellation fee. Cancellations made within three (3) days of travel are 100% non-refundable. Note that excursion availability is based on cruise tour date, capacity limitations, and suitable weather conditions. Land excursions are subject to change at any time and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests are encouraged to book early as space is limited. Prior to travel, print your Travel Itinerary which will have a list of all your confirmed land excursions. Make your cruise tour with Princess an even more memorable one and purchase your land excursions today.
Alaska Land Excursions, purchased through the Cruise Personalizer, may be canceled up to three days prior to travel without any cancellation fees. Land Excursions canceled prior to the cancellation deadline will be refunded to the credit card that you provided in the Cruise Personalizer to purchase your tours. Excursions canceled within three (3) days prior travel are subject to a 100% cancellation fee, unless the operator, at their sole discretion, is unable to operate the program due to unforeseen circumstances. All sales of tours booked while on your land tour are considered final at the time of purchase and are 100% non-refundable except in the case of an operator approved cancellation.

domain: travel


2016 was an eventful year to say the least. A lot of hits and a lot of flops. At the end of the year, we’d like call it a truce and give some holiday ideas to some of our beloved celebs who made the news for right reasons or wrong. After all, we deserve a break in 2017. Even the best of us.
1. Narendra Modi: A Trip To Switzerland to bring back the black money
Our beloved PM rocked us all with a demonetization drive in 2016 that sent the entire nation into panic and a mad rush to exchange invalid currency notes. While we appreciate the strong will of our PM to tackle black money, we also request him to catch the big fish.
We suggest him a trip to Switzerland, to enjoy the lovely mountains and swiss chocolates, with a couple of extra bags as well to bring back the black money stashed by Indians for generations.
2. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma: An extremely romantic holiday to Maldives
First they were dating, then they separated, and now they are dating again. A match made in heaven that paired the two most eligible bachelors in India. With a billion people, cheering the two lovebirds on, we at TravelTriangle advise the couple to tie the knot and give us Indians some joy.
Follow the grand marriage, with an unforgettable honeymoon to Maldives. Pristine white sandy beaches, lovely flora and fauna, and a secluded haven combine to make it a dream romantic destination they crave.
3. Vijay Mallya : A trip to divinity in Dharamshala
It’s basic courtesy that people these days seem to forget. You borrow something, you give it back. A return to India would be a much needed thing for Mr Mallya!
A chance for forgiveness and redemption in the watchful eyes of Dalai Lama. Wash away your sins, and pay off your debts, a spiritual trip to Himachal would provide him a much needed reconnect and sense of direction to a guy who seems to have lost his way.
4. Ranveer Singh: Dazzle in Dubai
Another year for Ranveer in which he fascinated, dazzled, and entertained Bollywood fans around the world. A lot of the places to visit in Dubai and the lavish lifestyle resembles with the bubbly, effervescent, and larger than life personality that Ranveer brings to the table.
5. Kit Harrington aka Jon Snow: Sunny Thailand before Winter
You came back from the dead and won back Winterfell. Team Jon Snow couldn’t ask for more. As bigger battles lie ahead in the endless winter for the enigmatic King of the North, we offer him a holiday package to Thailand to soak up the sun, and relax in beautiful white sandy beaches before a long dark night that could last a generation.
6. Donald Trump: A trip to the sunny and luxurious Mexico
Suggested Read: 10 Best White Sand Beaches In The World
We all laughed at him, ridiculed, despised, and wrote him off as a loony. Then, he pulled off the biggest shock of 2016 by becoming USA’s next president. Now that the election is won, we invite him to climb the ladder over his wall and jump into Mexico.
Be it the stunning white sand beaches of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, or the culturally rich cities of Guadalajara and Oaxaca, Mexico is a dream for people who love a dynamic travel experience. When you visit Mexico, Mr. Trump, surely you’ll realize the people aren’t that bad after all.
7. Aamir Khan: Culinary delights with a Golden Triangle Tour
We all looked with astonishment at the video of Aamir’s transformation from an overweight middle-aged dad to a perfectly chiseled wrestler for his movie Dangal. So to rid Aamir off his stressful diet regime, we’d like to send him on a Golden Triangle Tour to enjoy all the delicacies he badly misses.
Start the tour with varieties of chaats and desserts in Delhi. Move to Jaipur as it offers the delicious Rajasthani dishes like Laal Maas and Balushahi. Finally, drive to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and indulge in sinful cuisines like Mughlai chicken and Pethas to savor the best food India has to offer.
8. Arvind Kejriwal : A vacation to vibrant Gujarat
One of the most talked about personalities in India, Arvind Kejriwal’s hate for Modi Ji reached an all-time high when he informed the world through a video that Modi Ji is planning to get him assassinated.
So we would love to recommend Arvind Ji a trip to Gujarat. Destinations in Gujarat range from a visit to Gir National Park- for lion spotting, to a visit to the incredibly vast salt lands of Kutch. As the saying in Gujarat goes, “agar Kutch nahi dekha to kuchh nahi dekha”.
9. Coldplay: A vacation down south (India has Kollywood too!)
Away from the glitz and glamour of Bollywood, lies a movie industry in Tamil Nadu equally glamourous and frenzied. Where the actors as worshipped as gods, and their legacies immortalized. The fans down south expected a rendezvous with Coldplay that never came.
Booking a vacation villa in Pondicherry for Coldplay, with the likes of Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan, Dhanush, Ajith, and Tamanna for a weekend would be interesting. They’ll have picturesque beaches, charming architecture, and delicious sea food to enjoy while they put their professions aside for a while.
10. Brangelina: A second chance in South Africa?
The world seemed a little bit gloomier the day Brangelina decided to part ways. The public outcry was inevitable seeing the popularity this super couple had. There’s always room for reconciliation and introspection in a relationship, and what better place to do it than on a family trip to South Africa.
A perfect destination to rebuild bridges, as South Africa offers beautiful jungle safaris, fabulous beaches in Cape Town and Durban, and one world’s finest vineyards in Constantia.
11. Priyanka Chopra: Piggy Chops back to Mumbai
We’re all proud of piggy chops for how she’s been creating ripples in Hollywood. Starring in Tv shows, and now cult movies like Baywatch. Certainly, that’s one person who’s 2016 has been nothing short of a dream.
We invite Priyanka back to India, to enjoy a grand homecoming where it all began for her. Mumbai, a city of dreams and aspirations. Her loyal fan base in India would love to see her on the silver screen in India again.
12. Cristiano Ronaldo : Start the new year in Goa
Won his country the Euros, and also got crowned the best footballer of the year for the 4th time. After a ravishing 2016, his faithful Indian fans would love to see him visit a destination that lives and breathes football.
Goa, the football hub of india, a kaleidoscope of cultures, and the grand central of partying is an ideal place to visit in India to celebrate your accomplishments and get some sun at the picturesque beaches.
13. Leonardo Dicaprio: Make peace with Grizzly Bears in Alaska
Suggested Read: The Wondrous Mendenhall Ice Caves Of Alaska
He finally did it! After all these years, he won the precious oscar that eluded him. The performance was highlighted with an epic duel he had with a grizzly bear that nearly took his life. The Grizzly Bear Welfare Association of Alaska have graciously invited Dicaprio back to where it all started to spring up a truce. A chance to visit the stunning landscape of Alaska without having to swim in frozen lakes, fight bears, sleep in horse carcasses, or eat raw bison livers.
14. Arnab Goswami: The nation wants you to go…to Kerala!
One of the most iconic(read loud) news presenters of our generation. Arnab Goswami created a niche for himself by presenting a feisty style of journalism/debating on his most watched TV news show in India. He ended his innings in 2016 as a news anchor on Times Now, we feel that this is an opportune time to send Arnab on a vacation to Kerala.
Having dwelled into the loud sombres of Indian society, a calming stay at an ayurvedic retreat with spa and therapy would be a perfect way to take the load off Arnab’s hyperactive mind.
15. George RR Martin: Peace and tranquility in Bhutan
His brainchild Game of Thrones reached dizzying heights in 2016. The success of the book adaption is unparalleled and unprecedented. For the first time we saw the TV series overtake the books. The loyal book fans have had a excruciatingly long wait for the sixth edition of the book.
We suggest a trip to Bhutan for Mr. Martin where he can keep all the distractions aside and probably finally finish the much awaited sixth edition of A Song of Ice and Fire.
16. Fawad Khan: Come back here you..
He’s hot, he’s charming, and he’s talented. Indian girls didn’t take a second to open up to the idea of a Pakistani actor being the poster-boy of Bollywood. However, in the light of ongoing tensions between the countries, he had to leave the Indian film fraternity temporarily. Wouldn’t his legion of fans in India love to see him spread his charm in India all over again.
17. Dipa Karmakar: Discover stunning Australia
She might have narrowly missed out on a medal, but she won a billion hearts. Dipa became India’s sweetheart with her heroics in 2016 Rio Olympics. She successfully attempted the daring Produnova, a move so potentially fatal that only one other gymnast has landed it before.
A vacation to Australia to experience the breathtaking adventure sports like bungee jumping and skydiving, as a reward and encouragement to match her brave and courageous exploits in Indian gymnastics and to start 2017 with a boost to confidence and morale.
18. Obamas and Clintons: Detoxify in serene Bali
A hard fought election that left the Obama and Clinton pair heartbroken and dejected. They gave their all in trying to make Hillary win but in the end, the Trump Train denied USA their first female president.
We cordially invite the Obamas and Clintons to put up their feet and evaporate their disappointment in mystical Bali. The picturesque beaches in Kuta and Nusa Dua to the gorgeous temples of Tanah Lot and Taman Ayun heal one and all.
19. Piers Morgan: A trip to the incredible India
Suggested Read: Seven Wonders Of India That You Wouldn’t Want To Miss
A devoted outspoken Arsenal and English cricket fan, a rambling yet impactful journalist, and a twitter celeb- Piers Morgan caught the eye of India when he stirred a storm by calling the Indian performance at Olympics “shameful”. He got a fair bit of stick on twitter for that.
We’d like to invite Piers on a family trip to India, see the struggles of being in a country of 1.2 billion people that recognizes 22 official languages, and the challenges the sports persons have to face in just to get to the grandest stage in the world.
20. Salman Khan: Vacation to Andaman with a Cellular Jail Tour
You know how verdicts are. Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t. For Salman, however, 2016 represented a lucky escape in a case pending on him. We’d suggest him to go on a trip to Andaman and have a closer look at the British Colonial style prison in Port Blair called Kala Paani aka Cellular Jail. A visit to what could’ve been and a chance to make peace with whatever demons left inside.
Do you agree with our holiday suggestions? Can you think of other celebrities who could’ve made the TravelTriangle Hall of Fame for 2016? Leave us a comment below and let us know..


Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling Wander Around In New ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Posters
The first teaser trailer of the film gave us a look at Ryan Gosling‘s LAPD officer meeting Harrison Ford‘s Deckard, set among dusty, burnt orange locations and futuristic cityscapes beaming with misty white lights. If anything, this movie is going to look damn good, and two new one sheets from the film help promise that.
The official Twitter account for the movie debuted two posters on Thursday morning. One finds Ford‘s Deckard aimless roaming (and looking a little lost) in the wasteland teased in the first footage.
The second one sheet finds Gosling‘s Officer K looking quite mysterious and Bond-like beside a futuristic car. Too bad 95 percent of Gosling is swallowed up by the high collar of his coat.
Blade Runner 2049 will also star Robin Wright, Edward James Olmos reprising his role as Gaff, Dave Bautista, Mackenzie Davis, Jared Leto Carla Juri, Ana de Armas and Sylvia Hoeks. Here’s the full synopsis:
Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.
We haven’t heard a ton of new developments about the film lately, but expect to learn more next week. Ford and Gosling will be joined by Villeneuve next Monday for a live Q&A with fans on the film’s Facebook page. Stay tuned for whatever developments come out of that until Blade Runner 2049 hits theaters October 6.


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We are far from saying that a single weekend is enough for Madrid – Prado alone, a worthy rival of the Louvre, requires an entire day. However, if you are planning a trip to the Spanish capital, you will find this list of key attractions in Madrid useful and will then be able to find your own favorite spots.
Prado Museum (Museo Nacional Del Prado) – This is one of the largest fine art museums in the world. You will see paintings by Goya, including the outstanding “Nude Maja”, “The Three Graces” by Rubens, as well as the world-known works of Van Dyck, Raphael, Titian, Velazquez, Durer. You can tour the museum for free Tuesday to Saturday from 6 PM to 8 PM, as well as on Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM. It is located in the central area of Madrid. Here you can find information on visiting hours and ticket prices.
Reina Sofia Museum – A great display of contemporary art pieces. You will be able to marvel at paintings by Picasso, Miro, Dali, and many more Spanish artists. The museum is situated in an old hospital building. It is equipped with a huge library, with over 100 000 books, dedicated to the world of arts. Reina Sofia Museum is located in close proximity to the Prado museum in the center of Madrid. Information on visiting hours and ticket prices can be found here.
Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) – This is the largest palace in Western Europe. Built in 1764, today it is a museum. You can visit all of its beautifully furnished rooms and halls, with enormous fireplaces and paintings by famous Spanish artists. In the armory, you will find armors, just like the ones knights used to wear, spears, shields, all sorts of swords and firearms. Don t forget to visit the beautiful gardens as well. You can see all of this for free every Wednesday. It is located in central Madrid, close to the Plaza Espana Square. Information about the opening hours and ticket prices can be found here.
Almudena Cathedral (Santa María la Real de la Almudena) – This catholic cathedral has been crafted in a blend of neoclassical style, with a contemporary touch. Intricate frescos and stained-glass windows can be seen inside. The altar is beyond large, and is decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Next to the main entrance is a statue of Pope John Paul II. Under the cathedral is a crypt. The Almudena Cathedral is located in close proximity to the Royal Palace.
Plaza Mayor – This is the main square of Madrid. Its current name was chosen as the Civil War in Spain came to an end. At the center of the square is a statue of Philip III. During the weekend, the square is filled with street vendors, selling all sorts of antique knickknacks, such as coins, stamps, books, record players, and all kinds of other things. In the past, this was the location of executions, bullfighting, and celebrations. Even today, the square is still guarded by a mounted police patrol, as is the tradition.
Plaza Puerta del Sol – This is the liveliest square in Madrid, with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, for every taste and style. It is also the location of the famous bronze statue, which is the symbol of Madrid and depicts a bear, eating out of a strawberry tree. The town clock, a traditional New Year s celebration spot, is also here. The square is in close proximity to Plaza Mayor.
Plaza de Cibeles – Its beautiful fountains are now one of the symbols of Madrid. Among them is the statue of the goddess Cybele, riding a carriage, pulled by two lions. Behind the fountains is the impressive telecommunications building. This is where “Real Madrid” football fans celebrate their team s victories.
St. Michael s Basilica (Basílica San Miguel) – A baroque, Roman Catholic church in the central part of Madrid, next to Plaza Mayor. It is easily noticeable that its design has been heavily influenced by Italian baroque. The protruding façade is uncommon for Spanish architecture from that period, and is the only one of its kind in Madrid. The church, which was built between 1739 and 1745, has a heavily decorated interior, with wooden details, marble and frescos.
Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro) – This is the largest park in town, as the territory it covers is 1.4 km2. Among the greenery and flowers emerge the statues of Spanish artists and historically significant individuals, as well as a charming lake, where you can hop in a paddle boat or take a romantic stroll. The park is located on the outskirts of the central Madrid area.
Alcala Gate (Puerta de Alcalá) – One of the five gates in Madrid. It was crafted by the Italian architect Sabatini, who was inspired by the Roman triumphal arches. The gate is a neoclassical landmark, located in close proximity to the center of Madrid, meters away from the Retiro Park s main entrance. The gate s construction was completed in 1778.
Temple of Debod (El templo egipcio de Debod) – This Egyptian temple is dedicated to the gods Amon and Isis. It was gifted to Madrid, by Egypt, in 1968, as a sign of gratitude towards the Spanish architects that helped restore important Ancient Egyptian monuments. Its halls are decorated with frescos and stone sculptures. The temple is located in a park, near the Royal Palace.
Las Ventas Square – The largest bullfighting square in Spain, with 25 000 seats. Every year, from March until October, is the official bullfighting season, which attracts thousands of tourists. You too can experience the rush from seeing the extreme battles between bulls and bullfighters.
Zoo Aquarium Madrid – The park is spread over an area of 20 hectares and is home to over 6000 animal species. You will see pandas, giraffes, crocodiles, parrots, fish, dolphins, sharks, and many more. Whatever your age, you will certainly have a good time here. And, if you need a rest, the park has restaurants, cafes and even a hotel. It is located in the western part of the city. Information on visiting hours and tickets can be found here.
Cuatro Torres Business Area – Apart from examples of classical architecture, Madrid has many modern buildings as well. The modern side of the city is perhaps best represented by four glass sky-scrapers in the business district. Torre Caja Madrid is the tallest structure in the city, with its 250 meters. Its last floor offers an amazing view of the city.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium – Home to the famous Spanish football team “Real Madrid”. Over 85 000 spectators can fit in the stadium s benches and enjoy a five-star experience. There are tourist walks as well. You can visit the changing rooms, as well as a hall dedicated to the team s history and successes. If you d like to feel like a real soccer star, there is the option of walking out of the tunnels and onto the stadium, just like the players do before their games. Here you can find information on the visiting hours.
With a Cable Car over Madrid – Teleferico is the surest way to see the city, in its entirety, in just 10 minutes. You will descend over the Manzanares River, the sky-scraper towers, the Egyptian temple, the cathedrals, the gardens of the palace, and many more landmarks. Here you can find more information on the cable car.
Take a nap during the Siesta time: After your delicious lunch, it is time to take a nap, which can start at noon and end at 2 PM or as late as you d like. That s the time when the heat is most scorching, so what better way to protect yourself from the harsh sunrays, than taking a nice break?
Shopping in Madrid – The main shopping street, Gran Via, has many shops and boutiques waiting for you. The same is true for the shopping malls in the business district. Every Sunday, on the other hand, you ll find the Rastro marketplace, where you can buy anything, as long as you are able to hackle the price.
Nightlife in Madrid – Madrid s central area has enough bars, restaurants and clubs, to satisfy every taste. The Malasana neighborhood is also famous for its nighttime adventures in pubs and clubs, but if you prefer more refined sources of entertainment, Madrid has plenty of great theatres and opera houses.


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The Europan 11 winning proposal by CUAC Arquitectura, Serrano + Baquero Arquitectos, and Luis Miguel Ruiz Aviles arises Niwu Water Garden by the ensounter of three main materials: water, city and farmland. In a scenic enclave of particular importance to the city of Leeuwarden an appropriate balance between these materials allows to think about a hybrid landscape which establishs a transition between rural and urban. The result is a new environment in which elements of the city (the traditional and the present) establish a proper dialogue with the existing agricultural plot and its associated infrastructure. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The broad area of intervention (about 19 ha) opens the opportunity to create a unique residential area on the water side. Thus, the scale of the proposal allows to research on the development of an urban deployment model with regards to the relation between houses and water in Leeuwarden. Each and every one of the 450 proposed residential units, including community facilities, will have a special and direct relationship with the channel. The water network will become the main road for some future residents, from a boat will have direct access to the garden of their home. NIEU WAter gaRDEN becomes a landscape designed for true water lovers.
NIEU WAter gaRDEN, a new image of preexisting significant result, tradition and memory. The aim of the competition site has some traits that enhance the proposal. We understand the idea of place in a comprehensive manner. We discuss this concept of three complementary ways:
1- The place as a location and physical space. 2- The place as a result of a technological tradition, constructive and typological . 3- The place as a space for collective memory, where the city’s past emerges to support the present.
The identity associated with the urban is going to be established through the pre-existing, the tradition and the memory, arguments can reveal the character of a particular landscape. It is to rescue, turning a peripheral and suburban space in a new location capable to foster its own identity. From the local heritage we can build a contemporary image of European urbanity.
Architects: CUAC Arquitectura, Serrano + Baquero Arquitectos, Luis Miguel Ruiz Aviles Location: Leeuwarden, Netherlands Contributors: Cristóbal Adrián García Almeida, José Enrique Iniesta Molina, Alejandro Pedro López Fernández, Alejandro Carlos Galindo Durán, María de Lara Ruiz, Juan Bachs Rubio, Elena María Lucena Guerrero Competition: Europan 11, first prize


ArtPlace America announced that MainStreet Truth or Consequences is one of 70 finalists for the 2017 National Creative Placemaking Fund (NCPF). ArtPlace selected the 70 proposals from 987 applications, making MainStreet’s project one of just 7-percent of the projects across the country to make the cut.
ArtPlace’s National Creative Placemaking Fund is a highly competitive national program. Investing money in communities across the country in which artists, arts organizations, and arts and culture activity help drive community development change across ten sectors of community planning and development, including agriculture and food; economic development; education and youth; environment and energy; health; housing; immigration; public safety; transportation; or workforce development.
MainStreet Truth or Consequences proposed a Rainwater Harvesting Project in the downtown area that would create the infrastructure to alleviate flooding hazards, turn rainwater into an asset rather than a hazard, and help reduce the elements that break down the pavement.


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ULTRAM tramadol hydrochloride - FDA
ULTRAM. ® tablets contain 50 mg of tramadol hydrochloride and are white in color. Pregnancy, Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C. Tramadol has. Tramadol during pregnancy, The safety of tramadol during. To select medicines by their pharmacological group or pharmacological action, select a classification level from the.
Tramadol in pregnancy - BabyCenter
I was wondering if anyone is or has taken tramadol in their pregnancy? I was taking tramadol for severe back pain prior to this pregnancy and. Generic Name Tramadol Indications Pain reliever prescribed for moderate to severe pain. FDA Drug Category C Summary Recommendations Tramadol.


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On the next Broad & High, we’ll meet a blind German Village woodturner, the chalk drawings of the anonymous duo know as #Dangerdust and join us for a special team time. Watch Wednesday at 7:30 pm on WOSU TV.
Documents Show Tressel Was Reprimanded Years Ago
Listen to the Story
Records released today by Ohio State University show former football coach Jim Tressel had been criticized for not reporting violations as far back as 2005.
Until the scandal and subsequent cover-up that forced Tressel to resign on Memorial Day, the long-time coach had a sterling public image. He even wrote a book called “The Winner’s Manual” and was often called “The Senator.”
But in a 2005-2006 performance review released Friday, OSU rated the coach “unacceptable” in two areas: self-reporting violations and filling out phone and visitation logs. Another letter released Friday shows the former athletic director asked Tressel to keep an eye on cars driven by players, an issue that arose years later in the investigation into former quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
Tressel left the team after admitting he’d received emails warning of Pryor and other players possibly breaking team and NCAA rules eight months before the violations were made public.

domain: news


The Toyota Innova Crysta, one of the best-selling MPVs in India, will get a facelift for MY2021. Here’s how the Toyota Innova new model may look like.
The Toyota Innova Crysta, also known as Toyota Kijang Innova and Toyota Innova internationally, was introduced in November 2015. The second-gen Toyota Innova will become five years old in November this year. The Innova new model is likely arrive at the end of this year, and we reckon Indonesia will be the first market to see the refreshed MPV in showrooms. The launch of the new Toyota Innova Crysta facelift in India will likely take place in mid-2021.
The rendered Toyota Innova new model borrows cues from the 2021 Toyota Sienna among other latest global Toyota models. It has an entirely new front fascia. There’s a new hood with a dip in the centre. The new headlamps have a curvy design and are all-LED units. Also new is a split grille layout, with a really small upper grille and a large lower grille. The reduced usage of chrome is meant for a more understated look. Also new are the bumper and fog lamp housing. Like the headlamp, the fog lamp is an LED unit. Overall, the new front fascia is more expressive and more upmarket.
On the sides, the 2021 Toyota Innova Crysta will feature new alloy wheels. Changes at its rear will likely include new tail lamps and a new bumper. The new model should come with more comfort and convenience features like a kick-activated tailgate, wireless charger and a 360-degree camera. We expect a new touchscreen infotainment system as well. Some markets may benefit from additional safety features like Pre-Collision System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning. India presumably won’t be one of them.
As for the changes to the engines of the Toyota Innova new model 2021 with the mid-cycle refresh, the 2GD-FTV 2.4-litre diesel and 2TR-FE 2.7-litre petrol engines should remain as they are. The 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre diesel engine that is no longer offered in India should get an upgrade to be more eco-friendly and generate more power and torque. Currently, it produces 174 PS of maximum power and 360 Nm of maximum torque in the MPV. It is worth noting that customers in other markets can buy the MPV with the 1TR-FE 2.0-litre petrol engine as well.
Also Read: Toyota Innova 50th Anniversary Edition Detailed In Walkaround Video
Stay tuned to IndianAutosBlog.com for more Toyota updates and other four-wheeler news.


Swiss K31 Carbine, produced in 1955, in very good condition with 93% finish. 5/5 Bore. 4/5 Stock. All matching serial numbers.
On the right side of the stock there are light gouges on the butt. Light gouging on the wrist. Light gouging between the finger groove and rear barrel band. On the left side of the stock there are light gouges on the butt near the toe. Light gouge on the pistol grip. On the underside of the stock there are light gouges along the butt. Light to mild gouge on the top of the wrist at the receiver tang. Handguard has a mild pressure mark halfway between the barrel bands.
Receiver has lightly worn finish. Trigger guard has light edge wear.
Soldier's tag found behind the butt plate.
Includes muzzle cover and leather sling.
C&R eligible. Import engraved.


Jacobs ESSSA Group Senior ECLSS Systems Engineer #AS0002X0 in Huntsville, Alabama
This job was posted by https://joblink.alabama.gov : For more information, please see: https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/r/jobs/2382815 The successful candidate will provide mechanical, chemical systems engineering support and insight into the design, development, and testing of fluid systems and mechanical test assemblies in support of the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Development Branch. Work with the Principal Investigator on systems for existing and future space vehicles and habitats. Responsibilities will include execution, monitoring, and/or coordination in the following areas: Virtual design of advanced processes, including development of mathematical models and operation of computer simulations, and interpretation and reporting of simulation results. Tasks include development of test protocols, test apparatus, conduction of tests, and interpretation and reporting of test results. Tasks for simulation validation including sub-scale tests are development of test stands, test conduction, interpretation and reporting of test results. Assessment including development of protocols and interpretation and reporting of data for a wide range of tests, and exposure to spacecraft atmospheres via flight experiments. The successful candidate will participate in selection of, formats, and processes for existing and future space vehicles and habitats based on the virtual design and assessments described above. Validation of systems will require development of test protocols, test stands, and test articles for full-scale testing, as well as execution of full-scale tests, and interpretation and reporting of test results.


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China's customs authority said on Friday that it has suspended imports from three Ecuadorian shrimp producers after samples recently collected from the outer packaging of their frozen shrimp and the interior of a container in which they were shipped tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Experts say the positive test results do not necessarily represent a risk for spreading the virus, but they point to the presence of contaminated surfaces and expose the lack of food safety supervision at some enterprises, Bi Kexin, director of the General Administration of Customs' food import and export department, said during a news conference on Friday.
"To protect the health of consumers, the administration has decided to suspend the registration of the three Ecuadorian businesses in China, halt their imports, and return or destroy detained products," he said.
"We have also reported the situation to Ecuadorian authorities and asked them to conduct investigations and provide feedback."
The administration has begun testing cold-chain products for novel coronavirus－especially those from high-risk countries－since the recent outbreak in Beijing tied to a wholesale food market raised concerns about the safety of fresh and frozen food, including frozen seafood.
The recent locally transmitted outbreak in the capital, first reported on June 11, has been brought under control but the source of infection is still under investigation.
According to Bi, as of Thursday, customs officials nationwide had run tests on nearly 228,000 samples taken from cold-chain imports, their inner and outer packaging and where they're kept.
Customs in Dalian, Liaoning province, detected on July 3 the presence of the virus in the interior of a container with frozen shrimp from Ecuador and in three outer packaging samples.
On the same day, customs in Xiamen, Fujian province, found the virus in two samples of outer packaging from an Ecuadorian company.
The virus was not found on shrimp or the inner packaging of the products and all other samples tested negative, he added.
Bi said with the accelerated spread of the virus overseas, the administration has intensified inspection of imported cold-chain food, which has an increasing risk of contamination with the coronavirus.
"So far, the administration has suspended imports from 23 foreign meat producers that experienced new cluster infections, including some from Germany, the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom. Ten of them had voluntarily halted imports to China based on our requirements," he said.
In addition, the administration has urged overseas food manufacturers to ensure the safety of shipments to China and has adopted remote checks online.
In response to the impact of new import restrictions on global trade, Li Xingqian, director of the Ministry of Commerce's foreign trade department, said increased oversight over cold-chain food is meant to protect the safety and health of people and conforms to international rules.
Several international organisations, including the World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, have released documents that ask member states to employ necessary interim measures to prevent the virus from contaminating food products.
"There is no definitive answer on whether the virus will be preserved in or spread through food or food packaging, so China has decided to step up supervision over cold chains based on comprehensive and scientific evaluation, and our control measures apply to both domestic and foreign companies," he said.
From January to May, China's total imports of agricultural products reached $65.5 billion (S$90 billion), up by 9 per cent year-on-year. In June, imports of food products and agricultural goods also registered rapid increases, Li said.
For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.


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ZI YUN LIANG, Petitioner, v. JEFFERSON B. SESSIONS III, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL, Respondent.
UPON DUE CONSIDERATION of this petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) decision, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the petition for review is DENIED.
Petitioner Zi Yun Liang, a native and citizen of China, seeks review of a September 28, 2011, decision of the BIA affirming the March 31, 2010, decision of an Immigration Judge (“IJ”) denying his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). In re Zi Yun Liang, No. A099 429 458 (B.I.A. Sept. 28, 2011), aff'g No. A099 429 458 (Immig. Ct. N.Y. City Mar. 31, 2010). We assume the parties' familiarity with the underlying facts and procedural history of this case.
The applicable standards of review are well established. See 8 U.S.C. § 1252(b)(4)(B); see also Jian Hui Shao v. Mukasey, 546 F.3d 138, 157-58 (2d Cir. 2008). Liang applied for asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief, asserting past persecution on account of his resistance to China's family planning policy, and a fear of future persecution based on the birth of his children in the United States purportedly in violation of the family planning policy and on account of his Christian faith.
Liang failed to establish that he suffered past persecution. He testified that, in the course of an altercation when he tried to visit his wife while she was undergoing a compelled abortion, a family planning official hit him once on his right cheek. Without more, this was insufficient to meet his burden of establishing abuse that rose to the level of persecution. As Liang did not allege that the official inflicted pain or harm or caused injury that required medical treatment, we find no error in the BIA's conclusion that this did not rise to the level of persecution. See Jian Qiu Liu v. Holder, 632 F.3d 820, 822 (2d Cir. 2011); see also Mei Fun Wong v. Holder, 633 F.3d 64, 72 (2d Cir. 2011) (“We have emphasized that persecution is ‘an extreme concept that does not include every sort of treatment our society regards as offensive.’ ” (quoting Ai Feng Yuan v. U.S. Dep't of Justice, 416 F.3d 192, 198 (2d Cir. 2005))). Relying on Beskovic v. Gonzales, 467 F.3d 223, 226 (2d Cir. 2006), which held that mistreatment that is insufficient to constitute persecution if committed on a person at liberty can in some circumstances rise to the level of persecution if committed on a person who is being detained on a protected ground, Liang argues that this principle should apply to him because he was hit while trying to visit his wife who was being held for an abortion. While we make no categorical ruling as to whether the Beskovic principle might ever extend to circumstances where a petitioner was abused in the context of the detention of a family member, we nonetheless rule that, in the circumstances Liang described, the hit to his cheek did not amount to persecution.
Because Liang did not demonstrate past persecution, he was not entitled to a presumption of a well-founded fear of future persecution. See 8 C.F.R. § 1208.13(b)(1). Liang did not establish an objectively reasonable fear of persecution under the family planning policy because he failed to demonstrate that Chinese nationals returning with U.S.-born children face persecution in his home area of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (“XUAR”). See Jian Hui Shao, 546 F.3d at 142-43, 160-61, 165-66.
Liang also did not establish a well-founded fear of persecution based on his Christian faith. He did not submit evidence that Chinese officials are aware or likely to become aware of his religious practice. See Hongsheng Leng v. Mukasey, 528 F.3d 135, 143 (2d Cir. 2008). Although there was evidence that repression of religious freedom had increased in the XUAR, it discussed only the repression of Muslims and Uyghur Christians in that region, and did not discuss the mistreatment of Han Christians such as Liang. See Jian Hui Shao, 546 F.3d at 160-61.
Because Liang failed to demonstrate a well-founded fear of future persecution, the agency did not err in denying asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT relief. See Paul v. Gonzales, 444 F.3d 148, 156-57 (2d Cir. 2006).
For the foregoing reasons, the petition for review is DENIED. As we have completed our review, any stay of removal that the Court previously granted in this petition is VACATED, and any pending motion for a stay of removal in this petition is DISMISSED as moot. Any pending request for oral argument in this petition is DENIED in accordance with Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34(a)(2), and Second Circuit Local Rule 34.1(b).
FOR THE COURT:
Catherine O'Hagan Wolfe, Clerk

domain: law


The United States and Japan have agreed to address the issue of delays in delivery of defence equipment to Tokyo of which there were 132 cases worth ¥32.6 billion in 2018 An agreement was hammered in Tokyo between Japans Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) and the U
Russian Rosoboronexport will showcase S-400 missile defense system, fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks and other armaments at Egypts inaugural military exhibition, EDEX 2018, being held in Cairo from 3 to 5 December. Russia will be showcasing military products that include; Yak-130 trainer aircraft, Su-35 multipurpose super-maneuverable fighter, MiG-29M/M2 multirole front-line fighter, Mi-17, Mi-26, Mi-28NE, Mi-35 and Ka-52 Alligator scout
When Russian President Putin visits India on October 5, he is expected to oversee the signing of defence deals worth an estimated US$10 billion, the single-biggest bunch of defence contracts to be concluded at one time between the two countries. The deals include the US$5
The Indian Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking supply of 41,000 new light machine guns to equip its infantry battalions. The Indian Army is desirous of procuring a 7
The US Army Futures Command has issued a draft request for proposal (RFP) for the purpose of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Competitive Prototype (FARA CP). According to the draft document released on 22 June this year, the US Army currently lacks the ability to conduct armed reconnaissance, light attack, and security with improved stand-off and lethal and non-lethal capabilities with a platform sized to hide in RADAR clutter and for the urban canyons of mega cities
Taiwan Seeks Asymmetric Weapons Against Possible Chinese Invasion The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense is to obtain three asymmetric warfare weapons for the army and air force besides the navys program to develop small fast-attack missile boats as defence against a possible Chinese invasion. The army is to be given medium-range anti-tank missiles and a ground mobile minelayer system, and the air force is to be given a new gun-based close-in weapons system, an anonymous sources was quoted as saying by the
South Korea's defense procurement agency will shift its "offset-trade" policy from technology transfer to industrial cooperation or local manufacture in its future deals with foreign defence exporters. The change will lead to additional exports worth US$270 million between 2020 and 2024 and the creation of some 3,700 jobs, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement Tuesday
The Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command has received responses from five companies to the Request for Quotation (RFQ) concerning the HX Fighter Programme sent to the governments of Great Britain, France, Sweden and the United States. They were requested to give a quotation on the following aircraft: Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet (United States), Dassault Rafale (France), Eurofighter Typhoon (Great Britain), Lockheed Martin F-35 (United States) and Saab Gripen (Sweden), the Finnish MoD said in a statement Friday
Saab today confirmed that they have received the request for information (RFI) document from the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) for the procurement of 110 combat aircraft for the Air Force (IAF). Saab executives holding a press conference at the on-going Defense Exposition, DefExpo 2018 said Thursday that they have received the RFI and will be proposing Gripen E multi-role fighter jet for the program
The US Navy released a CVN 80/81 two-ship buy Request for Proposal (RFP) to Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) on March 19 to further define the cost savings associated with procuring next two Ford-class carriers together, under a single contract. "In keeping with the National Defense Strategy, the Navy developed an acquisition strategy to combine the CVN 80 and CVN 81 procurements to better achieve the Department's objectives of building a more lethal force with greater performance and affordability," said James F
The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has issued a Request for Information to upgrade and modernise the infrastructure of Naval Aircraft Yards at Goa and Kochi. The MoD intends to modernize the two aircraft yards by procurement and establishment of various modern facilities / machinery / Systems/ equipment
Israeli representative of German company ThyssenKrupp, Michael Ganor, received about €10.2 million as bribe for the purchase of submarines by the Israeli Navy,
France Scraps Eurosatory 2020 Show
Boeing to Manufacture 18 P-8A Poseidon Jets for S Korea, New ...
S.Korean F-16 Jets to receive Identification Friend or Foe & Link 16
US-Israel Conduct Exercise with One Another's F-35 Jets
Chinese Military Docs Develop Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine
China Replaces Russian Engine in J-10C Jet With Locally-made WS-10 Taihang
Syria Destroys 6 Turkish Combat Drones, Turkish F-16s Down 2 Syrian Su-24
Russia’s Buk-M3 Air Defense System to Debut at Victory Day Parade
After laying to rest its pacifist post-World War II posture since the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to...
China is pulling off the impossible- selling arms to nations it is in conflict with over its claim in the...
Several joint production and direct procurement programs could be halted if the US and Europe carry through with their threat...
Sanctions-hit Iran has found ingenious ways to develop military hardware
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly permeating the defence industry to aid and improve human decision-making
Upgrade of Russias Sukhoi Su-30SM fighters to equip them with armaments, radar, sensors and engines from the more powerful Su-35...


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Born in 1940, one of eight children, Maxine Hong Kingston is the daughter of Chinese immigrants to America. Her father, a scholar in China, ran a laundry business and a gambling house in California; her mother, a doctor in China, helped with the laundry and worked in the fields. Maxine won scholarships to the University of California at Berkeley, where she returned to teach as Senior Lecturer in the Department of English. But alongside her academic life, she had embarked on a career as a writer, and her extraordinary books have become key texts in the American canon. In many ways this memoir recalls her first major work, The Woman Warrior, in which she blended Chinese myth with fiction and autobiography to reflect on her mother’s past life in China and the experience of immigrants to America.
In I Love a Broad Margin to My Life, she writes from the point of view of being 65, looking back on a rich and complex life of literature and political activism, always against the background of what it is like to have a mixed Chinese-American identity. Passages of autobiography, in which she describes such events in her life as being imprisoned with Alice Walker for demonstrating against the Iraq war, meld with a fictional journey in which she sends her avatar Wittman Ah Sing on a trip to modern China. She also evokes her own poignant journey, without a guide, back to the villages of her father and mother. Beautifully written, endlessly thought-provoking, this is an important book from one of the major writers of her generation.

domain: library


AMD has recently updated its driver for Linux to version 12.6 which brings support to Linux Kernel 3.4. Details about this release are scarce from the side of AMD, but what we know now is that the AMD ATI Catalyst 12.6 driver supports more GPUs (R600/R700) and Xorg-Server 1.12.
In this tutorial, we will help you install this driver under Ubuntu 12.04 or older (applicable also for Ubuntu derivatives) and any other Ubuntu-based system like Linux Mint 13 or older.
AMD ATI Catalyst 12.6 Installation
Uninstall the old AMD driver with these commands:
sudo sh /usr/share/ati/fglrx-uninstall.sh
sudo apt-get remove --purge fglrx fglrx_* fglrx-amdcccle* fglrx-dev* xorg-driver-fglrx
Then start the installation of AMD Catalyst 12.6 with these commands:
cd /tmp && wget -O amd-driver-12-6-x86_64.run http://goo.gl/XBFyI
chmod +x amd-driver-12-6-x86_64.run
sudo sh amd-driver-12-6-x86_64.run
Follow now setup instructions:
If the driver is well installed, you need to run now this command:
sudo aticonfig --initial -f
Then restart your computer.


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Finally, we want to tell you about our New Zealand trip. To be honest, we prepared last-minute for this trip. The day before departure we had a rough route, but only after we picked a few beautiful restaurants in Auckland. On our list, we noted almost 20 cafés, restaurants and food markets. Even if we only were in this great city for three days, we managed to try out almost half of the list. You have to eat three times a day, after all! But back to the start. It took us almost 35 hours to New Zealand, we practically did not sleep during this time, and were not actually spoiled culinary on our flight. That’s why we just dragged our bags to our apartment and directly went out to get a delicious meal. We noticed that we hit the mark with our Airbnb in Ponsonby. We were enchanted on the spot by the beautiful wooden houses, restaurants and cafés are stringed together, and the people are incredibly warm and helpful. We’d loved nothing better than to stay way longer, but there’s just too much to see on the two islands.
In The Blue Breeze Inn, a modern Chinese restaurant, six delicious treats, chosen by the chef, were prepared directly in front of us. After the exhaustingly long trip, we were not able to pick something for ourselves. Just sit down and be surprised, that was the plan which worked out wonderfully. The restaurant mesmerized us with steamed burgers, smoky roasted broccoli with almonds, fermented cabbage with lots of ginger and black pepper, battered aubergines with a spicy sauce and other delicious dainties. The aim of this aromatic cuisine is to tease out the flavour’s maximum, and the chefs did it. So only after two hours in this city, we were already delighted and slumped into our bed with an incredible satisfaction.
The next morning, we relished in the Little bird organics & The Unbakery. The café prepares vegan crudités and they make everything, from granola to bread from sprouted seeds, themselves. It was rather difficult to decide which of all the tasty, seasonal dishes to chose. Luckily, we are two people, so we can always try the food on the other’s plate. We decided to have savoury bread with cashew cheese and avocado with Japanese spice blend, along with a wild herb salad. Also, we had sweet buckwheat waffles with fresh berries and a fluffy coconut cream. Luscious drinks like a green smoothie and homemade kombucha were also there. This way, you can start your day energized. And we did, however, without our cameras. We had a great time with inspiring people, laughed, ate even more, and talked about anything and everything.
The next day, we stumbled into a nice street food market by chance, only a few hundred meters from our apartment away. Hidden in a backyard, we found a small, distinct food realm. Different, blissful scents inclusive. We chose a cool burger shop, Burger Burger, were we not only got an awesome burger made of chickpeas with lots of herbs and beetroot, tomato jam and cumin yoghurt. What a feast!
New day, new restaurant! On the second to the last morning, we had breakfast at Odettes Eatery. Again, we had fresh and fruity smoothies, one with cucumber, ginger, apple, etc., the other one was made of berries. We had savoury crepes filled with lentils, along with Laban, roasted cashews and poached egg. The second plate was filled with a super delicious chocolate crepe, spiced cherries, pistachios, and plum ice cream. Since we sat there for a while, we even ordered a third dish: sprouts with sumac dressing on peas and a mush of roasted red cabbage. It did not only look gorgeous, it also tasted so. Since the restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you could spend the whole day there! However, the next day we had to move into our camper, and we didn’t want to idle away on our last day in Auckland in just one restaurant.
The next day, we were ready with packed trunks and were pretty excited, because now the adventure really started. In a few hours, we would get our camper and start exploring New Zealand. One more reason to try out one last new café to boost ourselves for the journey ahead. In Little & Friday, we had a rösti with backed tomatoes, mushrooms, and eggs; also, we had roasted apricots and brioche and English crumpets (a hybrid of cake and pancake) with orange marmalade and ginger butter. DELICIOUS!


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Renowned German luxury jeweller, Wellendorff, has opened its first standalone boutique in Asia at the ifc mall in Hong Kong. Established in 1893 by Ernst Alexander Wellendorff, the 4th generation family-run business began by making jewelry for European royalty and rose to fame with its gold rope necklace and coloured spinning rings.
Wellendorff rings incorporate precious stones and diamonds into a unique design that rotates in the middle. Representing timeless beauty and lasting value, each piece is signed with the company's diamond studded "W" logo.
One of the most popular items from Wellendorff are their limited edition 'rings of the year'. Coincidentally, the first was called Hong Kong and appeared in 1997 to mark the UK’s handing over of the former British Colony to China.
Now, another Limited Edition Hong Kong ring has been created to commemorate the brand’s first standalone boutique in Asia. Designed and manufactured in Germany, the ring is crafted with 18-karat white or yellow gold with 8 lotus blossoms finely engraved and embedded in red Wellendorff enamel. Symbolizing purity and enlightenment, the Lotus rings exude a sense of endless grace and femininity.
Only 28 limited edition Hong Kong rings are available for purchase at HK$118,000 (white gold) and HK$108,000 (yellow gold).
Shop 2035, ifc mall
Central, Hong Kong
+852 2540 1028


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Yes, I’m still reading happily away until I’ve read at least one book from each country or territory on my 257 places long list. You might have noticed though that at the moment, there are a number of books appearing on the list which are labelled ‘non-project reads’. The reason for that is that we’re moving, and are not taking all of our printed books with us. So I’m trying to finish some of those before we say goodbye to them.
The one book that recently stood out from this non-project crowd was Petinah Gappah’s The Book of Memory which I listened to. Not printed, but …! The narrator was Robin Miles, who had also narrated my book of choice for Somalia, and she did a brilliant job. I especially loved how she portrayed all the different characters by giving each of them an identifiable voice. The story itself was equally gripping, in particular when it came to the relationship between Memory and Lloyd.
Now, here are the project books I read of late:
101 Argentina: Jorge Luis Borges – Collected Fictions
That one needed a lot of stamina. It’s a collection of short story collections, and yes, that’s as demanding as it sounds, but also quite fulfilling to look back on each finished collection. Well, I had to go quite slowly, because even a rather short story by this author needs plenty of thinking time, but this is something which I enjoy. I have to admit that I haven’t quite finished the whole book yet, but have completed A Universal History Of Iniquity (1935), The Garden Of Forking Paths (1941), Artifices (1944), and The Aleph (1949).
102 Luxembourg: Margret Steckel – Nachttage
This book, Night Days in English, left me in a rather melancholic state of mind. I enjoyed reading it, but didn’t like the characters. They came to life on the page wonderfully. However, they were not the kind of people I’d like to hang out with in real life, especially Margit. What I particularly enjoyed was how the Irish landscape, in which most of the story is set, grew out of the pages. Magic realism!
103 Thailand: Thongchai Winichakul – Siam Mapped: A History of the Geo-body of a Nation
Now, here’s a book that was something I had not expected. It was a piece of academic writing which explored how the ideas of nation and landscape influence identity, and also how the fact that humans perceive themselves as parts of an ‘us’ influences maps, and what they show, and how. The style of writing was rather dry, but the content more than made up for that. I’ve got this feeling however, that someone who wouldn’t have to think too much about Thailand’s lese majesté laws might have made some different points about historic royal participation in map-making. But that’s just a guess.


Mid-August is always like a Debutants ball.All the eaglets become fully fledged & introduce themselves to the world…….& me!
This is Ernie & Ethel’s offspring.I suspect this newby to be a female?The beak is rather large compared to the head & that usually means it’s a female. I saw a second one flying about as well! This one is going to be called “Nicky”.
I found it just north of Strawberry island on a low rock.Will have to keep a eye out for the other!
Notice the pure black eye.They don’t get the yellow until 5 years old.Immatures eyes always creep me out.
It was high tide when I went out tonight.So I knew the chances of finding one of my furry friends was slim.
I got lucky & came across this young fellow! There was a murder of Crows perched on the trees above making a cacophony of noise! The poor bear was scared! He must of been too close to a nest? I knew I wouldn’t get too much time with him.Sure enough just a few minutes later he walked into the forest.The high tide & Crows cut my visit short unfortunately.
I haven’t visited Romeo & Juliette for 9 days now! Been busy & went camping.As soon as they saw me,they flew out to greet me! When Juliette perched on her favourite rock,she sang me a welcome song! Romeo’s not into singing very much.They are my favourite feathered couple! I always smile when I see Romeo gliding effortlessly towards me from Beck island.
I know they have two eaglets this year as well! Will be watching for them!
Whenever one them lands on this low rock I always try to get in behind to line them up with the sunset.Most times both of them get skittish about me doing this & take off before I can get a shot.I always curse when they do that & give them crap but tonight both of them posed perfectly for me!
I went camping for three days.On my way out I came across this bear on Warne island.It’s down Tofino inlet.This bear had to of swam there.Bears & other animals do “island hop” from time to time.They are in search for food of course & If they keep finding it,they’ll stay………..If not, they’ll swim away to another island.
I found this bear cruising along the shore.It seemed a tad skittish.At one point It jumped because it heard a sound behind it.
It was calm out so I could hear everything………& so could the bear. I heard a large bear watching boat coming in behind me & the bear got nervous.It decided to walk into the bush to eat some berries,but It did come back out later.
The forest fires have changed the colour of the sun tonight.The sun was more pink than white.My exposure was a tad over exposed here.You can see the true colour of the sun on the tree moss.
I was disappointed tonight with the sunset colours.True,the colour was still good but I was expecting deeper,richer colours from that forest fire haze.Im guessing that the haze was dispersed by gentle breezes? I could see the haze layer had settled in the lower levels of the atmosphere. So the sun didn’t change colour until it was almost set.Normally during these events the sun changes it’s colour far higher up.Maybe tomorrow night will be better?
Tim is on top with Tam hiding.
British Columbia is in the midst of 130 active forest fires at the moment with no relief in sight!
The intense heat makes huge thermal plumbs.Finer particulate rises but the heavier particles sink.The heavier particles act like water.They flow down valleys to the ocean.We are under outflow conditions right now.The wind normal moves from the west to the east.In “Outflow” conditions the wind direction reverses.So we (Vancouver island) are not only getting all that smoke haze but also hotter air from the interior!
I’ve been watching as the haze has migrated to the west coast.I always love these conditions photographically!
Btw,I’m not saying forest fires are good,just the affect of them on the suns colour.
All this suspended particulate matter blocks the weaker wavelengths from getting through our atmosphere to our eye.Only the longer more powerful wavelengths can make it through. “R.O.Y.” Red,Orange & Yellow. Thats why the suns colour changes.
The outflow forest fire haze will thicken in the days to come,shifting the suns colour towards pinkish/orange!
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on SUNSET VIGIL|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on SUNSET LANDING & TAKING…|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on ROMEO COMING IN|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on ROMEO POSING|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on FLIGHT|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on “ROMEO………|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on EXIT, STAGE RIGHT|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on TOFINOS MOST HANDSOME COU…|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on HAPPY BRUIN|
|Lori D. Marchell Car… on “NICKY” IS FULLY…|


Social media like any other form of company communication regulates the smooth running of your company and defines its reputation out there in the market.
In traditional company communication managers have always had control and oversight on what is published in the company’s name. It isn’t so hard to monitor the slow moving production of pamphlet, brochures and company reports. Today through Twitter, blogs and Facebook both internal and external company communication is faster and far less easy to control.
To guard against the publication of tweets or blog posts or Facebook updates that may damage your company’s reputation and relationship with key clients it is necessary to develop a robust social media policy to which all employees are contractually bound. A good social media policy should protect your company against the actions of two different tribes
- The daft and imprudent
- The malicious axe grinders
The daft and imprudent
Most employees today are savvy social media participants in their private lives. Most know their way around one or two social media platforms: they Facebook everyday with friends, or they tweet to family and colleagues. In their private lives they are all players in the media world with a fan base for their gossip and opinion.
The private online persona of employees, harmless enough between friends, is unlikely to match the requirements of company communications. The casual and unthinking publication of a chummy or drunken tweet that happens to divulge company secrets or makes a cheeky dig at a client could be very costly.
A social media policy has to help and clearly instruct employees to maintain clear separation between their private and professional tweeting, blogging and social networking.
The malicious axe grinders
In the old days (that’s about pre-2005 these days!) disgruntled employees had to work hard to publicise their grievances beyond an audience within immediate earshot. After a grumble round the office most would let it go at that. The seriously cheesed off might send out an e-mail to their entire address book including clients, or buy billboard space. Whatever they did very few had the global reach available to today’s axe grinders. Just a few quick tweets and an anonymous blog post or two have the potential to seriously undermine company public relations and future development across the world and far into the future.
Malicious messages spread through Twitter and other official company social media channels can only be minimised through the implementation of a social media policy that includes contractual obligations and also mechanisms of controlling access to the company’s social media channels.
Starting to work on a social media policy
The following points do not constitute an exhaustive ‘to do list’ for developing a social media policy to protect against the daft or the just plain mean, but they do amount to a good start.
- Understand there is no opting out of developing a social media policy. Banning Twitter at work will not only affect your ability to compete in the market, but it will also fail to keep the company clear of social media problems. The choice is either develop and implement a social media policy that will benefit your company or stand back and let the imprudent and/or malicious develop and run one for you
- Contracts have always required employees to guard company secrets. In modern contracts an extra clause should underline the same with regard to social media.
- Social media content guidelines: There should be a strict menu of subjects listing matters deemed appropriate or inappropriate for discussion on company Twitter accounts and other social media. These menus can be divided into subjects relating to the specific concerns of marketing, sales, customer services, management, finance, human resources and legal departments. Sanctions against employees for failure to comply to guidelines should be listed.
- Publishing on social media should be through official company accounts on Twitter, Facebook etc. If, in the absence of a social media policy, employees take the initiative to develop a twitter following amongst existing and potential clients what happens when they and their personal Twitter accounts leave?
- The company should own the administration of company social media. Who has the passwords? Are there mechanisms for making sure ex-employees digital privileges are rescinded?
Finally, for a bit of fun why not try out the automatic social policy generator.


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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Washington, United States
Hey guys, I was wondering, where the pet stores get their aquatic plants, and how do the suppliers grow them? Big tanks of water? Ponds?
Hello! I'm a former fishkeeper and bettafish.com-er with a rekindled interest in the betta hobby. I don't have any bettas currently, but I'm brushing up on my fishkeeping knowledge with the intention of eventually bringing home another finned friend. ^_^

domain: pet


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Thai junta airs propaganda to show detainees OK
BANGKOK — Propaganda videos distributed by Thailand's new military junta aired Wednesday on television stations nationwide, part of an effort to convince the public that detainees in army custody are being treated well.
The footage showed five detainees speaking to army officers at an undisclosed location. The most prominent among them was Jatuporn Prompan, the leader of the "Red Shirt" movement that had vowed to take action if the military seized power.
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