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Long term Second Life resident Gabrielle Riel, founder and General Director of Radio Riel and owner of the St. John estate of seven regions, has announced she is to semi-retire from Second Life.
As a broadcaster and DJ, Gabrielle is well-known to many in Second Life, and her Radio Riel station is one of the most popular in Second Life, and one of the longest running, having celebrated its 10th anniversary of broadcasting in June 2017. Offering music covering a wide range of genres, Radio Riel is popular in the historic, fantasy and steampunk communities and well-known for their support of Relay for Life of Second Life and Fantasy Faire.
In 2013, Gabrielle founded the St. John residential estate of seven regions, which has proven popular with those renting there, building up a strong sense of community. Unfortunately, it is the part of her Second Life that is most directly affected by her decision.
"I want to make it clear I am not TOTALLY leaving SL!" Gabrielle told me. "Radio Riel will continue and I will still be coming in-world to play my gigs; I have four or five a month.
"I've always said 'real life first, always'. It's been my constant advice to everyone; now it's time for me to take that advice. I've been in Second Life for over eleven years now, and over ten of them have been on a professional basis: playing my gigs, managing the estate. It's time for me to semi-retire, and that means I've decided to close St John."
In order to try to minimise disruption for residents on the estate, Gabrielle intends to handle the closure in stages in order to give people time to arrange moving out without too much panic. To achieve this, she has set out a schedule of closures, and has asked that St John residents vacate their parcels as their tier expires, or no later than 12:00 noon, SLT on the following dates:
- Friday, January 5th, 2018: Bayou St. John.
- Sunday, January 14th, 2018: St. John Woods.
- Tuesday, January 16th, 2018: Lake St. John.
- Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018: St. John Parish, St John Maurepas, St John Uptown.
- Tuesday, January 30th, 2018: St. John Islands.
She also notes that for those who have paid tier beyond these dates, refunds of any outstanding balance will be arranged and made, and she'll contact those due a refund directly.
Given St John has always been a personal commitment from Gabrielle – a place of pure passion and love, as she puts it, from herself to those who have made the estate their home; she's therefore – and understandably – unwilling to sell the estate on to someone else to manage, because and with the best will in the world, changes will inevitably come about.
That said, some of the regions will be offered for sale via the For Sale By Owner group in Second Life. However, anyone from the St John estate interested in purchasing one or more of the regions in order to continue part of the community, is invited to contact Gabrielle directly concerning possible sale, and she indicates she'd be willing help with landscaping, etc. The main caveats she has with any sale are that the regions will be sold clean – none of the current builds or landscaping will be included, and the buyer will also need to cover the cost ownership transfer and rename the regions they purchase.
"I agonised over this decision through many sleepless nights, but there are things happening in my real life that make this necessary for me," Gabrielle explains, in discussing the decision. "I am closing the full estate because real life demands my full focus now; I'm not going to manage any sims, even a few … The reality is that I have barely logged-in to Second Life since July, and I've had to come to accept that is just the way things are … I have detested being an absentee landowner; I've hated not being able to update builds or landscaping or handle land administration."
"I've tried to address everything about this decision within the audio," she told me. "This really is a personal decision that I hope everyone will understand. But I do appreciate some of the residents of St John may have further questions. If they do, they can contact me via e-mail [gabrielle.riel-at-gmail.com]."
You can listen to Gabrielle's comments in full below.
With thanks to John Brianna for the pointer.


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- Lawsuits for Possession/Unlawful Detainer
- Failure to Pay Rent
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SLF is well versed in these different and often convoluted laws. As a result, we have developed a system that allows our clients to open their Landlord/Tenant case with speed and efficiency, something not easily done in this form of litigation.

subset: commoncrawl


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When we talk about labour, a great deal of the focus is on contractions. There's often an assumption that everyone knows what a contraction is, when, in reality, many women have no idea. Understanding what's happening to your body as it's having a contraction helps to reduce the fear of the unknown.
How do labour contractions work?
A contraction is when the muscles of the uterus tense and relax, passing in waves from the top, travelling inwards and downwards. During the first stage of labour, the uterus becomes thinner (this is called effacement), so it's no longer tube shaped but can be felt as a thin rim around the baby's head by the midwife. As these muscles stretch and relax, the neck of the uterus (cervix) starts to open until it's fully dilated, and then the baby moves deeper into your pelvis, and the first stage of labour is complete.
During the second stage of labour, contractions play a different role, pushing your baby down the birth canal. After he's born, further contractions push out the placenta, which completes the third and final stage of labour.
What do labour contractions feel like?
Although a contraction affects the whole of the uterus, some women only feel it in one area of their abdomen or back. Most consider labour to be painful, but it tends to start gradually and build up, with the contractions intensifying as the cervix becomes more dilated. Some moms-to-be feel the pain through every nerve ending, whereas others find it easier to bear. After each contraction there's a period of rest, which helps you to relax and prepare for the next one. Contractions are temporary, and for many women it's this thought, and the reward at the end of labour, that helps them to cope.
When will they start?
Some women experience regular contractions in the days before labour really kicks in properly, but none of it is 'wasted', as it is all part of effacement. Most women's labour begins after 37 weeks, with period-like pains that eventually have some regularity to them, lasting longer and becoming stronger. Braxton Hicks tightenings are 'practice' contractions, which can feel irregular and uncomfortable, but they shouldn't be painful. If you're concerned that you may be experiencing contractions before the 37th week of pregnancy, you should contact your gynae for an examination, as your baby will be considered premature.
How do I push?
For the majority of women, the contractions in the second stage of labour feel very different to the first stage, and this is because they're doing a different job. As your cervix is fully dilated these contractions have an 'expulsive' effect, causing an involuntary, overwhelming sensation to bear down so that your baby is pushed out. Many women find this stage easier and don't need to be guided – they just go with their body and automatically push with the contraction.
If you have an epidural and can't feel the contractions, your midwife will instruct you when to push. By placing her hand on your abdomen, she'll be able to feel the contraction and tell you to take a deep breath, put your chin down to your chest and push into your bottom. Even if you have an assisted birth (during which forceps or a ventouse will be used), you'll still need to push to help move the baby down.
ALSO SEE: 5 ways to prevent tearing during childbirth
What if my contractions slow down?
Sometimes contractions can slow down or stop during labour, which can be disheartening. But staying upright and walking around will encourage them to keep coming. Nipple stimulation produces the hormone oxytocin, which can get your uterus contracting again, but if this doesn't work, the midwife may use a synthetic form of the hormone, called syntocinon (given via an intravenous drip in the hand). If you become very tired or have an epidural, contractions are more likely to slow down. With natural birth it can also indicate transition (the period where the cervix is fully dilated) but there's a period of rest before pushing begins.
ALSO SEE: What to expect during the different stages of labour.
Xanet is an award-winning journalist and Living and Loving's digital editor. She has won numerous awards for her health and wellness articles and was a finalist for the Discovery Journalist of the Year in 2009 and again in 2011 for the Discovery Best Health Consumer Reporting and Feature Writing category. She is responsible for our online presence across social media channels and makes sure our moms have fresh and interesting articles to read every day. Learn more about Xanet Scheepers.


text: Get ready for another LEGO-themed t-shirt from TeeFury.com this week and it will probably be really popular for kids. On Wednesday, June 25th, they will have a shirt based on the very popular Disney movie, Frozen. The shirt features Elsa and Anna as kids building their snowman, Olaf. The shirt is designed again by Brinkerhoff and is titled "Build a Snowman." It will be available for $11 for only 24 hours.


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How to Advertise
Happy news, I set a new record for sales this month. Two records, actually – I sold more copies of Wanted this month than ever before and on top of that, I doubled last months sales a day before the end of the month. Ah hell, how about the hat trick – Wanted also broke the 20,000 mark in "all sold books" on Amazon. A couple more sales and it'll break 10,000 – hint, hint. 🙂
But this is about advertising. How'd I get to where I'm at? Wanted has two review on Amazon. Sure, they're both good reviews, but only two. It's got a striking cover. Not the best, but it's good. I'm tried my best to make the Amazon page appealing…but again, it's one of many. So why is it doing reasonably well?
Pricing maybe? I've got it at $.99 at the moment. Yes, that helps. But it doesn't pull people in to look at it in the first place. That's a combination of me doing my best to make it available as many places as possible, including Twitter.
Ah yes, Twitter. The marketing mecca of the 21st century. I've amassed roughly 5000 followers and I regularly send out tweets that promote my books. Not directly, typically. Usually I'm either throwing out a snippet from a review and suggesting people check it out because, damn it, I'm proud of what somebody said in that review. At other times if I think there's a particularly catchy phrase in a book I'll tweet that as well. One of the best catch phrases in Wanted, for example, is: "We're all whores, darling," he said. "I ain't judging you, I just don't care." If that's not cool I don't know what is.
And, of course, if you're going to give people a reason to check out something, give 'em a link to do so! The easier you make it for someone, the greater the chance of generating that click. I'm a reader too and if I've got to do the extra work to find something like looking it up, odds are good you just lost me as a buyer. It's not that I'm a prick, it's that I've got a lot of things going on. I'm a busy man, and while my time is not any more valuable than yours is, it is valuable nonetheless. Treat your would-be readers with the same respect you want to be treated with and you'll get a lot further.
I mentioned pride above. As in I'm proud of the reviews I've received. I don't have a massive amount, but so far I don't have a single bad review. Sure, I expect sooner or later I'm going to ruffle somebody's feathers, but it hasn't happened yet. That doesn't mean I'm the next NY Times #1 Bestseller, nor that I'm a marketing genius. It just means I'm doing okay and connecting with the right people who like what I write. This is called targeting my market. I'm no wizard at it – in fact I'd say I'm more lucky than anything, but that luck is aided by trying to find people on Twitter to follow and tweet with who share my interests. Who wants the apple at the top of the tree when there's one at the bottom that's just as good and you don't need a ladder? Pluck the low hanging fruit first!
More on pride. I'll be honest (for those who don't know me) and admit that I can be rather full of myself when it comes to a few areas. Weight lifting, in particular power lifting, is something I've excelled at (and suffered catastrophic injuries while doing). I figure that earns me the right to talk a little smack. My day job and many prior jobs and college degrees / certifications state that I'm an expert in the IT field, so I can roll my eyes with the best of them there too.
But writing? Writing is personal. Writing is pouring time and effort and life into something that comes entirely from inside. Every character has a part of me in it, and short of reality TV stars, who's comfortable baring parts of their souls to complete strangers? So a positive review, a positive rating, or even a sale is nothing short of humbling. Every time somebody reaches out to me on Twitter, Facebook, my blog, my website, or via email and says they enjoyed what I wrote I'm filled with a warm fluffy feeling.
Maybe I haven't become jaded yet, but I have a hard time seeing that ever get old. Reading a book is an investment not only in the money spent buying it but also in time. The time is generally for more valuable. Even at minimum wage a single hour would buy any of my ebooks. Reading them, on the other hand, will take considerably longer. If someone's willing to spend that much time with a little piece of my soul and then come back and say, "Hey, good job, I really liked what I read!" Well, is there a better compliment to be found?
So to tie that back into the advertising aspect, do little things like this. Share with the world just how damned appreciative and amazed I am that they like what I'm doing. As Lady Gaga figured out, nothing is possible in this type of market with the fans. So for anybody who's read one of my books or one day plans on it, my door's open and, so long as you're not a stalker who wants to wear a bodysuit made out of my skin, I'm always happy to talk.
And now another chance to check out Wanted because, well, it's a fun book with a main character who reminds us all of how we'd like to act if only we could get away with it. Well, for the most part, Carl can! And when you've finished Wanted and have questions, head on back to find the sequel, Ice Princess!
Ahh Karma! (Review on Human Nature)
I review a book, somebody reviews a book for me. Pretty darn good trade I'd say! Read on for a bit on the review done for Human Nature over at "Love on the Bookshelf".
This book had me at post-apocalyptic. I admit, I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic stories whether they're books, movies, or just a good yarn. Now, Human Nature didn't have Kevin Costner, but it was still a really good story. Dawn Vincent, aka the Doctor, is one of a handful of people left on Earth that survived an alien attack. (I know! There are aliens!) Most of the aliens have left, deeming Earth unworthy of their attention, but they left a few stragglers that are causing trouble. You know, like killing and eating the humans. And not necessarily in that order.
The real theme in this book is growth. The human race is growing stronger against the aliens. As she works on patching people up, Dawn grows
more confident in herself and her skills – both as a doctor and as a leader. And, an unexpected love grows between Dawn and ________. Well, I can't give it away, can I?
Read the rest of the review here.
Review: A Previous Engagement
I read and reviewed a book. I don't have time to do it often, but I gave it a go as a favor to a fellow writer. The book is called A Previous Engagement and it's a romance. Not the smutty (read: fun) kind of romance either. It's something that would merit a PG-13 rating in a theater. But who wants to read something on a screen that big? (sorry, bad joke)
So, without wasting anymore poor humor, here's the review:
Either because of my testicles or because I'm just that way, I avoid romances. They seem to only be possible when incredibly stupid people are the characters. The main character in A Previous Engagement (a clever title, by the way), fits the category perfectly. I thought the male paramour did as well until I was most of the way through the book. Then I realized he wasn't suffering from a series of major concussion, he was just overly sentimental and emotional for a man. Definitely not a man's man, but perhaps he fits with the modern metrosexual kind of guy that's become so popular. I prefer the 80's action movie hero kind of guy. Or The Duke.
One other thing bothered me – the book leaves the impression that it's unfavorable for a woman to have a successful career. The main character strives to do so, but she's not complete without a partner and family in her life. I find that a flawed lesson. Why should a person be required to have a family to be complete?
That's the bad, here comes the good.
The book was very well written. The main character amused me time and again (when she wasn't aggravating me by being oblivious), thanks to the author's skill with putting words together. I faintly remember one chapter starting with a sentence that was too long and made no sense, but I was able to move past it easily and find no other flaws. Coming from another writer, that's a major success.
I read the book in a matter of hours, another feather in Stephanie's hat. I abhor the genre yet she kept me reading. I wanted to reach in and strangle the characters because they seemed to be inexplicably stupid from the very beginning, but still I read on. I say 'inexplicably stupid' but that does not mean they are without precedent. Virtually any romance movie available or even some distant relatives of mine have displayed similar or near exact levels of ignorance and dumbassery. So yes, I thought they were dumb but it's a dumb that I've seen many times before in fiction and in fact.
For someone who enjoys the genre, I recommend the book highly.
You can find Stephanie's book here: A Previous Engagement.
Out on a Ledge
Simmer down, nobody's jumping. In fact, the ledge isn't what you think it is. It's a geological formation that, for the life of me, I didn't expect to see within a hundred miles of me.
I grew up in Michigan about fifteen – twenty miles from a place called Grand Ledge. Contained within Grand Ledge, along the Grand River, was a natural formation of rocks called the Ledges. Great to hike amongst and climb on. Great beginner climbing opportunities.
Vacationed in various places with bigger and better rocks – mostly near Marquette, Michigan. So, naturally, I climbed em. Hey, I was a boy. Still am, I just don't get up as quick when I fall down. Northern Michigan at any time of the year is beautiful. Harsh in the winter, but no less beautiful. Climbing in the winter, incidentally, is a bad idea. As is hiking too late in the evening and having the sun go down on you while you've still got two hours through nearly pitch black woods with very scant trails to follow. Not that I know anyone that's happened to….
So from Michigan I moved to southeastern Utah. Moab, to be precise. Moab, a place visited by people from all over the world for its hiking and climbing opportunities. It's another absolutely beautiful place. Most of Utah is, with northern Utah reminding me of Michigan UP. There are many things I can say about my time spent out there but of them not a one is a complaint as to the scenery.
Next we moved to eastern Ohio. What's Ohio got for me? Lots of civilization and a good job until the writing thing takes off enough to take over. At this rate it'll end up being something for my retirement. Regardless, Ohio is considered, by me, to be a flat and geographically boring state. Sure, a couple of decent rivers, and some good hills in the southeastern portion of it, but that's about it.
My wife heard of a place called Nelson Ledges from a friend of hers. We looked it up and decided to risk it. We went there today and I was all but blown away by it. Nothing too tall, although we did find one cross in a fenced off area where someone had slipped and fallen to their death. A couple of smaller waterfalls and a lot of niches, crevices and caves. We tromped around there, occasionally having to carry and assist our kids through the more difficult spots, for a few hours. All in all, it was a blast.
I was reminded of a cross between Utah, with the ledges and crevices, and Michigan Upper Peninsula with the greenery and pleasant temperatures. A perfect blend, in my opinion. We plan on heading back again and doing more exploring. The moral of the story was to not judge a book by its cover. Sure it Ohio and sure it's flat like the chest of a thirteen year old boy, but it's got some hidden surprises if you look hard enough.
Am I Smarter than a Kindegartner?
This is a short but highly amusing story from just last night. I arrived home and was engulfed in the usual excited banter from young kids happy to see me. Surviving that, we soon moved on to dinner (whole wheat spaghetti, for those curious). During dinner my daughter, who's five years old, asked if I knew something that one of her classmates had said in school that day. Also if I knew it was that classmates birthday.
Not to be outdone, I asked her if she knew about neutrino's being measured at CERN during a three year study that showed them arriving 60 nanoseconds quicker than the speed of light allowed. She claimed that yes, she did know that, then went on to share some other bit of fascinating trivia with me. I felt like was having a Jerry Maguire moment.
My wife then trumped both of us by saying,"Hey Lexie, did you know Daddy's only one millimeter away from wearing a pocket protector?"
I'm pretty sure my daughter confirmed that yes, she knew that too.
So You Want to be a Beta Reader…
Random thoughts bounce around in my head. Sometimes it happens so quickly it can be dizzying. Other times great ideas occur, but they're gone before I even realize the potential behind them. Not so with the idea that whacked me in the back of the noggin last night. I turned it around, looked at it, sniffed it, and then even tasted it. Through it all I avoided any thing distasteful to my palate. Having passed the sniff and taste test, the idea has to be golden, right? Well I'm going to find out.
I am hereby putting out a call to my loyal readers, blog or books. I'm looking for a few good beta readers. No editing skills are required. No writing skills are required. Heck, if you can read you're potentially qualified! Some stipulations apply of course (confidentiality and whatnot), but we can discuss those if you decide your serious about it.
So what's in it for you? An early (and free) pre-release version of whatever book I'm working on – and I write a lot of books! I've got several queued up for release as we speak in fact, and I'm always working on more. Did I mention the books are free?
'That's great,' you're thinking, 'but what's it in it for him?' Glad you asked! I'm after more reviews to be put on my books when they're released. Honest reviews too, not just blowing smoke and claiming it's an instant 5 out of 5 simply because you got it for free. If you've got a blog and want to mention it there too, that'd be great as well, but that's a secondary consideration for me. And of course I'm also seeking feedback on anything you did or didn't like about it. What worked, what didn't, etc..
So if you think you've got what it takes and are interested in getting your hands on some science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, and occasional other genre books at no cost to you aside from a paragraph of words, let me know! Email me here: email@example.com.
Fickle is Lady Luck
For example, you clicked on this expecting to read something inspiring or educational. Ha! Fooled you! This is more of a smorgasbord of current events and thoughts, but to keep it real there is some writing related ramblings to be found.
Case in point: my last post was about Voidhawk hitting a bestseller list on Amazon for a few hours (maybe several hours, I was asleep for most of it). Since I celebrated that I've not had a single sale on it. Shame on you, my loyal followers. Yes you, and the guy behind you. Both of you should have rushed out and bought it to help it reach greater heights. That would prove that some random putz like me (and, presumably, you as well) can rise above mediocrity to grasp at greatness.
Of course I am kidding 100% about giving anyone a hard time. I'm not a Catholic priest in the dark ages demanding belief in my books or death by fire on a stake. If you're not interested or don't have the time / money, don't go there. If you do, or feel like being charitable, well that's a different story…
Okay, enough pandering, back to the randomness. So sales dropped off sharply after that one peak of a day. Not just for Voidhawk, but across the board. Still getting a few trickling in but I'd dared to hope I had somehow climbed to a new tier. No such luck I fear. My fellow struggling writers the moral is this: we will struggle and we will fight tooth and nail for every foot we climb up the hill. And, apparently, we shall slide back a few feet on occasion as well. That's no reason to not keep on climbing!
Now for a shout out to my wife and her new soy candle business she's officially launched! We expected to go live with the website on October 1st but I was over-productive in designing it and our testers performed quickly and admirably (and without failures in the code). So it's alive and well and waiting for you, my loyal readers (yes, both of you again) to head over and check it out. http://www.aflickerintime.com. After all, what better way to enjoy a book (preferably on a Kindle or a Nook) than while burning a soothing scented candle nearby? Fall's coming on strong and she's got the seasonal scents wafting through our house. Mmm, pumpkin pie…cinnamon…peppermint…pine trees…. Okay, I'm pandering again. Sorry.
Finally I just found out the last person on Earth I expected to read my blog is, indeed, reading my blog. Well no, that's not true. I expect somebody like Mel Brooks or Chaz Bono to be the last people on earth to read this. I digress. The point is: Hi mom!
What Makes a Bestseller?
Every morning I wake up and do my morning rituals. Those consist of normal routine items and then I head downstairs, where I prepare 3 – 4 meals for myself throughout the day (not including dinner). Then, like a good little addict, I go to my computer and load up that Amazon publishing page to check out how my books did overnight. Secretly I'm hoping for that thrill of a a few additional sales, versus the letdown of no activity at all. Lately that thrill has been there more and more often. I read in a blog somewhere that someone described it as not so different from sitting at a slot machine pulling a lever and hoping for a score.
Well this morning I was shocked to see my sales had jumped a bit. I beat my previous record (set last month) and still have nine days to go in this month. Giddy with that rush of endorphins, I took the extra time to look at every book page I've got, curious as to their rankings. I was impressed. Not floating on air, mind you, but impressed. Then I got to the last window and had to reboot my brain. One of my books had climbed onto one of Amazon's top 100 lists. As I understand it (I double checked to be sure), that's a bestselling list. One of my books, a bestseller!
The book is Voidhawk, a blend of fantasy and science fiction (space opera or space fantasy, really). Voidhawk is the first in a series. I've got three of them written thus far and many more to come. In my opinion, each book is better than the one before it, but that's just because of the things I learn as a writer every step of the way. Voidhawk was my first book I ever published back in 2009, though I retained full rights to it.
The secret? Beats the hell out of me! I'm blogging and writing it down as I go but until I can see if this persists I'm not going to mislead anyone. It could be an algorithmic fluke on Amazon's part, or random luck on mine. I'll take either, of course! When the dust settles if it continues to rise you can be sure I'll be analyzing the data and sharing it.
Until then, why not go check out Voidhawk and see why people like it enough to elevate it to the top 100 list? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)
Update: Voidhawk spent a couple of hours on the bestseller list then dropped off. I've tasted it and it was damn good before it was snatched away. Success in something so personal is not a thing that can be cast aside or turned off.
Fresh on the Shelves – Ice Princess!
Okay, it's not on the shelves yet…a few more days, but I've got the finished draft of the cover art on hand and here's a sneak peak of it!
Oh yeah, it'll be on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Smashwords, Kobo, iBook, and anywhere else I can think to put it. Help a starving artist out and pick up your copy as soon as it's available – a good day of sales can push it into one of Amazon's top selling lists and that'll help me save towards becoming eccentric in my old age!
By the way, the cover art is by A.J McLain, and every sale sends a little something his way too. Just think, for less than a cup of premium coffee you can help out two people AND be entertained longer than that cup of coffee would last you.
Okay, cheesy sales pitch over, pardon me for my excitement at seeing this book getting close to its release.
I'd advise you not to read this
But clearly, I suck at giving advice (otherwise you wouldn't have read this far). For this brave enough to continue, here's the reason for this unusual blog post: a Twitter friend who shall remain nameless, opined that they have been growing restless with their life. Oh, they're not thinking of trying a different life or anything crazy, just tired of the daily grind and wanting to reach out for their dreams.
For the record, I don't consider myself qualified in this area to offer up much of an opinion. When it comes to many things computer or IT related then yes, I'm one of many experts in the field capable of offering up reliable opinions. The same applies with weightlifting, personal training, and nutrition. The problem is that there are many experts in such fields, and even among those of us who have proven results to back their claims up our opinions vary. So advice is just that, somebody else's opinion. In some things it can be more useful than others (e.g. which TV is better vs. which sofa is more comfortable).
Now back to the Twitter dilemma. I was accused of being one of those people who is following my dreams. That made me smile and filled me with a touch of warm fuzziness (not the moldy kind either). Then I thought more about the things I do and I had to chuckle. Who dreams of working the equivalent of four jobs, going to grad school, maintaining a happy family, and training for an obsessive and demanding hobby that can easily lead to personal injury? Not me! I dream of being successful and able to relax a bit, so I work my ass off in the process of getting there. What is the definition of successful to me? Being relatively bill free with a stable and comfortable income, along with a similarly stable and comfortable home / family life. And doing all of that with a day job that does not intrude unnecessarily on the fragile tranquility of the rest of it. And to have laser vision.
Okay, I made the last part up.
Seriously though, my books are slowly inching up every month in sales. Although at their present climb it may be a decade or more before I'm able to consider it a retirement income, let alone FU money. I'm constantly trying new things though, from launching other backlisted stories under a pen name (part of that experiment is not letting anyone know the identity of said pen name, so you won't hear it from me) to trying to game the rankings system at Amazon a bit. As a matter of fact, for anybody still reading this if you want to help a brother out and use the social networking tool of your choice to post about Voidhawk, Wanted, and New Beginnings / Vitalis being a series written by yours truly, I'd be terribly grateful. Of course if it's easier to just go and buy the books that's a great substitute as well. Did I mention how useful reader reviews are on the Amazon page?
Okay, enough pandering from me, back to my troubled friend. They want a change, and seeing punks like me pushing for my dreams even with the heavy load I've got going on they think it might be possible, they just aren't sure what it is to do or what they want. Changing careers or going after a new degree is no decision to take lightly. I'd considered continuing school myself after my MBA – and get this, for either something in the medical or pharmacology field. Yeah, crazy. I'm pretty sure I'm over that now.
My advice is to figure out what's missing or wrong. I've gone through some overwhelming personal changes in my life and I've seen a few others do that as well (including my amazing wife). It's definitely not an easy road, but with perseverance it can be very rewarding. The only thing that is certain is that 100% of ventures not attempted will fail. The tricky part, as I've discovered, is making sure that any new project is not undertaken at the expense of existing facets of life. Easier said than done, eh? That's where communication comes in, as well as having a decent support network.
Lacking that, it's time for more drastic changes. After all, who wants to be surrounded by people that don't understand you or aren't supporting of you?


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| 8.4°C Belfast
A man in his 20s is in a stable condition in hospital after being stabbed in Co Down.
Police said a gang of men forced their way into a house in the Ballywalter Gardens area of Bangor and stabbed the man several times.
The attack happened at about 4.20am on Sunday.
"Detectives are appealing for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area or who has any information to contact them at CID in Bangor," said a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman.


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New Scientist
New Scientist magazine was launched in 1956 "for all those men and women who are interested in scientific discovery, and in its industrial, commercial and social consequences". The brand's mission is no different today - for its consumers, New Scientist reports, explores and interprets the results of human endeavour set in the context of society and culture.
Common terms and phrases
Application forms Applications are invited appointment areas automation Biochemistry biological British cancer cell Chemist Chemistry circuit class honours degree cloning Closing date companies cost countries curriculum vitae Department devices economic electronics employment energy expected further details Further particulars genetic graduate growth higher honours degree industry integrated circuit involved June KINGSTON POLYTECHNIC Laboratory machine manufacturing Medical ment Microbiology microelectronics microprocessor million myelin basic protein nif genes nitrogen fixation nitrogenase obtained organisations Physics plant plasmid Polytechnic problems Professor programme protein qualifications and experience quasars quote ref range referees RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP Salary scale Scientific Officer scientists sector skills smoking social spaceplane STUDENTSHIP STUDENTSHIP Applications successful candidate TECHNICIAN techniques telephone tenable Third World tion tobacco UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS University of London University of Surrey upper second class write


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Finance papers can be a bit challenging compared to other college essays due to their nature that heavily borrows from and leans towards heavy-duty critical analysis skills. To write a perfect essay on finance, you need to know how to integrate and interpret details mined from the world of accounting, business statistics, taxation, and salary payment. Besides, you need a sharp mind that can make sense of and use complex formulae to craft a comprehensive paper.
Additionally, you need to have a comprehensive approach to issues. The reason is that finance is an area that has many legal and moral implications. You also have to consider the use of facts and formulas to formulate forecasts and projections. This way, you will be mentally set to write a perfect financial paper.
But so far, I have not said that the things I have listed above mean that drafting a financial paper is an impossible task, no. I am just showing you what it takes to migrate to the next level of our discussion before you start writing which is brainstorming your topic and researching.
You need to select a suitable topic for your essay. After that, sit down with it and brainstorm it so that you can get sufficient material to defend your finance essay thesis. By making such preparations, you will have a clear way forward as you move on towards your body paragraphs.
Since a finance essay is a research-heavy assignment, you need to plan well on how and where you will get the information to support your thesis. You have a pool of choice from where you can gather the necessary materials to build your writing project. The first place where you can mine data is your textbooks. The second source of information is the notes you take during your lectures. The third source is your school library. Besides these primary sources, you can use secondary channels such as online and offline finance magazines and journals.
But you should take note of the following when using external or secondary materials: ensure that the authors are authorities in the industry or they are scholars with peer-reviewed publications.
After gathering enough construction material, draft your finance essay structure, to enable you to order the flow of your ideas logically and coherently. A good structure will help you to maintain balance in the way you will be presenting the finer details that fall under your essay's topic. Additionally, your outline will enable you to give accurate and systematic answers to the questions that your essay is supposed to answer.
This article has covered all you need to write a great finance essay. It has shared with you finance essay tips to make the drafting process easy. Additionally, it has shown you finance essay ideas that cover critical areas such as choosing good finance essay topics. You now have the power in your hand to advance to new levels of skillfulness in your future financial paper assignments.Order now
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We share some photos taken by our customers.
It is "Fruit Dream House" located in the station area of Kitami Road.
There are 3 places worth to visit. Some wooden amusement appliances are provided in "Fruit Dream World".
"Wood craft shop" is the place you can make your ow craft.
In addition, "Fruit Dream Shop" is displaying those crafts made by local wood.
In Hokkaido there are several places where turf Zakura spread like a carpet.
Among them, Shiba Zakura Takinoue Park in Takinoue-cho has a large area of mosaic cherry blossoms.
On one side, with a large site, it shows pink and white beautiful colors.
Everything seems to have been a small amount of turf crescent for one citrus box at the beginning of planting.
The view is from May to early June, it is a somewhat short period, but it is a very scenic landscape.
The Monbetsu region in Takinoue-cho is a part separated from Chitose and Sapporo, I think that it is close to the natural scenery as it is imaged as hearing with Hokkaido.
As you drive a camper from Chitose, the landscape that will gradually appear will change.
Perhaps it is a journey of a freely running camping car that may fully enjoy the richness of nature.
This time, we have increased 1 Legard.
The solar panel is also installed.
Campervan of "RENTACAN" is
Since it carries solar light
You can ride with confidence.
Model name:REGARD
|Yokohama Motor Sales
|Model name
|Toyota Cameload
Rear wide tread dedicated chassis
|7 people riding capacity / recommended bed sleeping capacity 5 adults + 1 dwarf
|Vehicle size
|Total length 535 cm / Overall width 200 cm / Overall height 280 cm
I think Hakodate is ideal for travel.
If it's a season in spring, I think the cherry tree at Goryokaku is also beautiful.
You go flower viewing by a season and show me the atmosphere from which a fresh green leaf, colored leaves and snow were different.
Goryokaku is an asteroid fortress.
The landscapes I see from a tower are highlights.
Hakodate which is the land where Toshizo Hijikata necessary to Japanese history arrived.
A building of reproduction of the Shogunate and the time of the battle of Hakodate is also restored, and it would be possible to feel Japanese history imminently.
It's said that the tourist from foreign countries is also seen much in recent years, and it's popular.
In Hakodate, compromise between Japanese and European styles. A Japanese style and Western style, a kou ZATTA worldview is left.
When I run through streets before about 100 years by camper van now, I think you can touch the history full of exoticism.
Still the building Ippu changed will be to dissolve as the part of Hakodate with streets in Hokkaido of these days.
There is also a campsite for about 30 minutes from Hakodate-shi district, so I think you may stay by camper van.
How about sensing a romance of Japanese history? :)
We already have heard from our clients that our clients
that our GPS need to update.We put the tablet in our van.
You can use google map with your native language in future😉😉😉
Welcome to use the van and to travel in Hokkaido.


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Targeting and delivering tangible value for our clients is our primary focus – and delivery is where we turn solution into action and action into results.
|Delivering client value seamlessly through our global reach across more than 50 delivery centers and 120 countries.
|Bringing together 237.000 professionals with deep industry, technology, business and process skills.
|Outperforming the industry using standardized processes, assets and methods for reliable, measurable and predictable results.
|Combining specialized industry experiences and assets in 40+ industries to catalyze creative, industry-specific solutions.
|Harnessing technology advances and intelligent tools to transform client data into intelligent insights (i.e. Cloud, Data Analytics, Automation, SAP HANA…).
The ASG Delivery Center in Hof, Germany was established back in 2002 through an Accenture acquisition. More than 80 IT experts (with an average experience of 10 years+ at Accenture) are working for 25+ clients.
Our people bring a wide range of technology knowledge, industry experience and business expertise to every client project. Global distributed teams work closely with each other and our clients to create and deliver innovative solutions at competitive pricing:
Digitization demands scalable, high-performance IT and maximum data privacy. Because building an own IT infrastructure on premise is cost-intensive and inflexible, common cloud solutions are the appropriate approach in many cases. However, there are business challenges that need more than that. The key topic is 'Data sovereignty'.
To bring all needed aspects together, the Accenture Data Center is located in Hof, Germany. But at the same time it is embedded in Accenture's Global Delivery Network (GDN). This positions the Data Centre Hof uniquely in the IT service landscape. Secure data processing in the European Union as part of your global business, or as the springboard for your regional business to a global scale.
Reliably high performance and high security standards coin the Data Center Hof. We apply an n+1 philosophy throughout all infrastructure systems. This guarantees an uninterrupted, dependable Service, while our ISO27001 certified security management ensures maximum security on a personal, technological and organizational level. And all these measures serve one purpose: Smooth and efficient operations for our clients.
The Data Center Hof is directly owned by Accenture. Our own staff´s expertise and long-year proven relationships to third party suppliers provide maximum flexibility, fast reaction times and exceptional service with one single point of contact. And all that at competitive rates.
In addition to the Data Center Operations offered in Hof, the ASG Delivery Center provides a wide range of managed services. Outsourcing ERP infrastructure, operating systems or databases, as well as automation and virtualization services, storage and backup, monitoring, or network and security services like firewalls, switching and routing or load balancing – the Delivery Center ASG can support your business in every aspect of IT infrastructure.
Take a 360 degree video tour through our facilities! To look around simply click and drag in the picture with your mouse or tip and drag with your finger on your mobile screen. This also works in pause mode.
Your career at Accenture takes you further. Just like the personalities, projects and perspectives with the leading provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing solutions. The Personalities, who share knowledge and experience. The projects in which we lead enterprises in all industries into the future. And the perspective to work in an international environment with flexible hours to achieve your individual goals. At Accenture Operations, we boost enterprises, combining our expertise in business processes with BPO, cloud and infrastructure services – tailored, fast and efficient.
As a company, we are made up of a variety of individuals, each with different skills and talents. That is why we go to great lengths to make Accenture a great place to work for many great people.
We are permanently looking for experienced hires, new IT graduates as well as for people interested in internships or our Apprenticeship Program ("Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration / Anwendungsentwicklung"):
For more information please contact:


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Mike Brennan Quotes
4 Mike Brennan quotes:
"The energy savings are typically 50 percent -- the products pay for themselves in two or three years. We've calculated that our products are currently saving (users) more than $1 billion a year."
"I think it's great and should have been done years ago. It's just common sense for safety alone. I've had a couple of girls get hit by pitches in the face, and the safety of the kids is the bottom line."
"Universities are very aware and sensitive to LEED and sustainable design, but most see the certification process as costly and burdensome, with no tangible benefit."
"Women are more likely to be found in a senior role in a market such as asset-backed securities than in equities , where an 'old boy network' may still exist."


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Update: Shipping times are slipping across the board. Most black and jet black iPhones are now at 2-3 and 4-6 weeks shipping, respectively.
As expected, the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and Apple Watch Series 2 are now available to pre-order via Apple's Online Store. The store went down earlier tonight in preparation for the launch, while the new devices will be available in Apple retail locations next Friday, September 16th.
In addition to the Apple Online Store, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are available to preorder from carriers, as well. T-Mobile is offering a free iPhone 7 to anyone who trades in an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s. Sprint has matched that deal, while it is also offering the 256GB iPhone for $100 off.
Below is the pricing breakdown for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (at full price):
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are largely similar to the iPhone 6s with a few changes. For one, the antenna lines have been redesigned to better blend into the design of the phone, while the camera(s) is also slightly larger. There are also two new color options: black and jet black. The latter of the two is exclusive to the 128GB and 256GB variants, however, and Apple notes that it may be more vulnerable to scratching than the other colors.
The biggest change comes to the camera on the iPhone 7 Plus. There are now two 12MP cameras on the back of the device. One is a wide-angle lens, while the other is telephoto. The former has an f/1.8 aperture, while the latter has an f/2.8 aperture. Because of the two cameras, the iPhone 7 Plus offers high-res optical zoom at 2x, which is a first for the iPhone lineup.
As far as the Apple Watch Series 2 goes, there's now built-in GPS for outdoor running and walking without an iPhone. Building on the splash proof feature of the first-gen model, the Apple Watch Series 2 is now swim proof, as well. In conjunction with that, the Workouts app now includes pool swimming and open water swimming.
Apple Watch Series 2 also brings a new ceramic variant to join the existing aluminum and stainless steel, while there are also two new Hermès bands.
While not available yet, Apple also introduced a new Nike+ variant of the Apple Watch this week. The Nike+ model includes a special version of Apple's Sports band and is available in four color options. This model will be available in October.
Apple Watch Series 2 pricing starts at $369 for the Sport model and increases all the way up to $1249 for the new Ceramic model.
The iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and Apple Watch Series 2 are now available on Apple's website for preorder ahead of release next Friday, September 16th. The Apple Watch Series 1 is also available for preorder today with the new S2 chip for $269.
Read our full comparison of iPhone models here and checkout our roundup of hands-on videos with Apple's new products, as well.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Richard Trumka, the head of the largest labour union in the US, had harsh words Wednesday for the members of the Trump administration.
Trumka, the president of the AFL-CIO, told an audience at a Christian Science Monitor event that it's difficult for him to work with either of the two major factions in the White House.
Here's Trumka's remarks, via NBC News' Alex Seitz-Wald:
"You had two factions in the White House. You had one faction that actually had some of the policies we would have supported on trade, on infrastructure — but they turned out to be racist. And on the other hand, you had people that weren't racist, but they were Wall Streeters. And the Wall Streeters began to dominate the administration and have moved his agenda back to everything he fought against in the election."
Trumka was a member of President Donald Trump's manufacturing jobs council until he left that post in the wake of Trump's response to the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The council was designed to increase manufacturing employment in the US.
The first faction Trumka mentioned refers to the side of the White House that favours more protectionist trade policies, exemplified by former chief strategist Steve Bannon. These policies fall more in line with the populist, more nationalist message of Trump's campaign aimed at protecting manufacturing jobs and increasing wages.
On the other hand, many members of Trump's administration, like National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, favour more open trade policies, which have been shown to increase overall wealth but weigh on the US middle class, particularly in manufacturing.
Trumka was staunchly critical of Trump following his response to the Charlottesville violence, saying that the AFL-CIO could not be a part of a council for a president who "tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism."
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Hillenbrand and Milacron Holdings have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Hillenbrand will acquire Milacron in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $2 billion, including net debt of approximately $686 million.
The transaction represents a pivotal step in Hillenbrand's vision to become a world-class global diversified industrial company by adding new strategic businesses in hot runner systems and injection moulding to Hillenbrand's portfolio through Milacron's leading brands, including Mold-Masters and Milacron injection moulding.
Together, the combined company will have increased scale and meaningful product diversification, enhancing its ability to serve customers through complementary technologies across the plastics value chain, including plastic base resins production, compounding, processing both extruded and injection-moulded products, and recycling.
Joe Raver, President and CEO of Hillenbrand, said: "This transaction meaningfully transforms our portfolio and product offering by adding Milacron's leading technology solutions and sizable installed customer base to help us drive long-term growth."
"Milacron aligns with our profitable growth strategy and acquisition framework and we expect the additional capabilities from its high-performing segments to accelerate free cash flow generation and improve margins across the business."
"I have great respect for Milacron's talented employees and look forward to welcoming them to Hillenbrand as we embark on this next step in our strategy and create enhanced value for our shareholders, customers, employees, and communities."


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Recognition shared by a customer of LJB Farms.
Recently LJB has undergone a face lift both digitally and physically as we strive to offer our community even more than fresh local produce. We have been hard at work to freshen up our internet presence and our fruit stands footprint here in San Martin. Not a day goes by without hearing compliments from the amazing local families that visit. Like this charming statement & FB post…..
"This place looks fabulous, I just love the amazing transformation, its very open and inviting!" & via FB "If you haven't been to LJB Farms lately, you really should go. Not only do they have the best produce around, the farm is so clean and inviting. They offer great customer service and a special hometown experience." – Joann Kessler
This is one of so many compliments we've received and it warms all our hearts here at LJB Farms. Its our goal to constantly improve and generate a true down-home feel for our local families and communities. Thank you all very much for the nice compliments, our smiles await your next visit.


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40 minutes ago Entertainment - AP Music
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Brad Pitt is among the A-list celebrities featured in new public service announcements for a campaign led by U2 singer Bono to fight poverty and AIDS.
The campaign was not immediately asking for donations but simply raising awareness and recruiting new advocates, Bono said Wednesday at an event announcing the public service announcements
"We're not just asking for people to put cash in the pot here," Bono said. "Americans are generous, we know they'll do that. We're not actually asking for their money, we're asking for their voice."
Pitt, who visited Africa after being inspired by Bono's advocacy, said he was struck by how extreme poverty there has made it difficult for the sick to gain access to drugs to minimize the effects of AIDS.
"I've seen it, I've been there, and to walk away from it and turn my back makes me culpable," Pitt said. "And I can't do that."
"Do we really believe in our hearts that we're all equal? And if we believe this, what are we going to do about it?" he said.
Pitt said he believed deeply in Bono's effort, titled "ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History."
"We can do this. We can do this," he said of eliminating poverty. "It's ambitious, but we can do it."
Pitt, who stars with Angelina Jolie in the upcoming "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," said he was returning to Africa in several weeks but was unsure what else he would do for the campaign.
"This is just a beginning for me," he said.
Bono, who has been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, said it was "wholly unacceptable" for children to die for lack of cheap immunizations.
"I'm going to spend the rest of my life on this, I'm going to make that kind of extreme poverty history," Bono told reporters.
"I'm in," Pitt responded.
Bono and Pitt were joined by Jack Valenti, the former top lobbyist for the film industry, and actor Djimon Hounsou, a native of Benin.
A 60-second ad to air Sunday night on various networks and cable channels features actors, musicians and religious leaders. Among them are Jewel, Penelope Cruz, Tom Hanks and Mos Def.
Also featured are Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, and Hounsou as well as evangelist Pat Robertson and the Rev. Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Completing each other's sentences, each appear in black-and-white, peering into the camera and saying a few words.
On the Net:
The ONE Campaign: http://www.one.org
Coincidently "One" started playing when I was preparing this post.


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Instructions for Magic Chef Rice & Veggie Steamer Model FS1
In addition to large kitchen appliances, Magic Chef, a subsidiary company of Whirlpool, also makes small appliances such as steamers, microwaves and rice cookers for home use. The Model FS1 rice cooker by Magic Chef combines the easy to use functions of a crock pot with a sealed steam chamber to provide convenience and consistency when cooking rice.
Wash the rice in a strainer.
Place the rice into the inner bowl of the rice cooker.
Pour in the measured amount of water using the measuring cup that came with your rice cooker.
Close the lid of the rice cooker and plug it in.
Turn the dial to "Cook" and wait for the rice to finish. Once the rice is done, the machine will automatically set itself to "Warm".
Things You Will Need
- Strainer
- Water
- Measuring cup


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This is unquestionably a meat sweethearts rice dish. I've utilized a full pound of crisp Chorizo hotdog, the Mexican kind. Not the restored Spanish kind. It's a pork frankfurter with loads of seasonings, including paprika. Search for it in the meat area of your market, for the most part with the ground Italian frankfurter.
Mexican Chorizo Rice is a completely enhanced and hot rice dish that goes extraordinary with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and so on! It's stacked with new chorizo frankfurter that has been cooked and disintegrated, some corn, and a jar of Rotel tomatoes.
To make Mexican Chorizo Rice, I cook some long-grain rice in chicken juices for additional flavor. Note: You could utilize remaining rice. I cook the chorizo with onion and garlic and after that add it to the cooked rice alongside corn and a container of tomatoes with green chilies.
Also try our recipe Tex Mex Cabbage Beef Skillet with Spicy Mexican Cheese Blend
Mexican Chorizo Rice is a fully flavored and spicy rice dish that goes great with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, you name it! great for dinner or Cinco de Mayo
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 pound Mexican-style chorizo
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted
- chopped fresh cilantro, optional
- Chipotle flavored TABASCO Sauce, optional
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in rice, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add chorizo to a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Once partially cooked, add onion and garlic and continue to cook until chorizo is cooked through and onion is soft.
- Add tomatoes and corn to the chorizo and let simmer for about 5 minutes to cook off some of the liquid.
- Stir in rice. Serve with cilantro and Tabasco if desired.
Read more our recipe : Chicken Lasagna
Source : https://bit.ly/2JlN5aL


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A good portable saw needs to make precise cuts and work fast. Unlike a handsaw, users tend to be tedious and would rather pick portable table saws because they are designed to help them work faster and more efficiently.
There are a lot of portable table saws out there in the market, but we have picked out the top 5 best portable jobsite table saw for each of the necessities and requirements. Let's check it out!
Table of Contents
Top 5 Portable Jobsite Table Saws 2020
#1 Bosch 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw 4100-09
#2 Bosch 10-Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw GTS1031 with One-Handed Carry Handle
#3: DEWALT DWE7480 10 in. Compact Job Site Table Saw
#4: Hitachi C10RJ 10" 15-Amp Jobsite Table Saw
#5: Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw
Bosch 10-Inch Worksite Table Saw 4100-09
When it comes to a Portable Saw, a minor inaccuracy is expected. But with Bosch 4100-09, it resembles almost every feature a stationary saw has. This is the best Portable Table Saw for quality cutting.
This table saw has a 15-amp electric motor, which could pump up to 4hp, letting the 10-inch cutting blade to run as fast as 3,650 RPM. Combined with the SquareLock Rip Fence which can easily slide up and down, the blade alone can bring out high-precision cutting.
The saw table is 29 by 21.5 inches, so you don't have to worry about squeezing a large material or a huge wood stock into the device. The table is made out of aluminum, perfect for precise cutting and safety.
Besides those quality cuts and performances, the Bosch 4100-09 is loaded with safety guard systems. The list follows by a blade guard, anti-kickback pawls and a riving knife, preventing most of the kickback accidents. This Table saw also made out of many unique materials, and a fantastic design for the stand makes every single cut as simple as possible.
Bosch 4100-09 is not as powerful as other portable saws; the power this motor delivers is rather inefficient, not to mention the vibrations. The blade adjustment is somewhat problematic if you want to tilt outside the ranges of 45 and 90 degrees.
You are looking for a high-quality performance? Then this machine is definitely for you. The model exceed in bringing detail and safeness to the carpenter job.
Bosch 10-Inch Portable Jobsite Table Saw GTS1031 with One-Handed Carry Handle
Right out the batch, you can see that this is a small machine. With 52lbs of weight, you can carry this bad boy around and put it wherever you want. But don't let the lightness fool you, this table saw comes with a powerful 15-amp motor for quickly cutting 3-1/8" down hard and thick woods. The whole unit is made of steel base materials, so it's very durable, and you can't wreck this table saw unintentionally.
The Bosch GTS1031 features both rip capacity and rip fence. The rip capacity is 18 inches, perfect for a large sheet of material such as plywood, hardwood, lumber, shelving and other applications. The rip fence is also easy to adjust, providing ideal alignment to cut your wood entirely accurate. It also contains a powerful blade that can spin 5000 RPM.
The unit also includes every single safety feature of a Bosch table saw, like the riving knife, anti-kickback paws, wrenches, and a push stick. One more fantastic feature worth mentioning is the 2" dust collection port, so you don't have to worry about cleaning up the wood dust afterward.
If you have to travel from place to place. This portable table saw would be the best one for you.
DEWALT DWE7480 10 in. Compact Job Site Table Saw
DEWALT is a reputable household name in the Table Saw industry. And their unit, the DEWALT DWE7480 10-inch, is a great combination of power, portability, and safety, not to mention the affordability. This unit is best for general carpentry.
DeWALT's motor could run up to 15 AMP, but the model could also be connected to a 20 AMP outlet. It's a very powerful saw with a spinning speed of 4,800RPM, effortlessly cutting through wood and other materials.
If you are looking for a stable and precisely adjusted fence, look no further. This fence works with perfect 90 degrees, and can lock in place and extend out to 24-1/2" so you can slide down a sheet of wood lengthwise.
DeWALT DWE7480 is relatively light, measuring 26.5 x 25.8x 17.5 inches and weighing 56lbs. The saw is also durable, as it's protected by a steel roll cage. In conclusion, this table saw is portable, but still efficient and powerful.
The Miter Gauge's protector is made out of plastic, so it stays fixed in one place, which is very inconvenient when you perform a different angle slice. Also, the blade is made out of carbide, not an excellent material for you to work with when you are a professional.
Hitachi C10RJ 10" 15-Amp Jobsite Table Saw
Hitachi "The Hulk" C10RJ Table Saw is one of the most durable units we have here. With solid construction, powerful motor and multi-functional, this table saw is the best one for pro carpenters who want a machine that is built to last.
If you are here for some manufacturing work, you can count on Hitachi C10RJ. This table saw comes with a 15-AMP motor and generates up to 4,500RPM. No matter how hard your materials are, with high torque provided by the blade and a wide 35-inch rip capacity, this machine can rip them apart in a second.
The table saw consists of a lot of safety features as well so you won't have to worry about any danger, including soft start and electric brake. The assuming system is also worth mentioning, with a bevel range from 0 degrees to 45 degrees and at a depth of 2-1/4 inches.
A high-quality Portable Table Saw all and all, but a lot of complicated features will give you a hard time to get used to, such as different types of Miter gauge or blade performance.
Hitachi "The Hulk" C10RJ needs someone who knows the machine, who understand all of the advanced features a table saw could have. It's definitely not for beginners.
Makita 2705 10-Inch Contractor Table Saw
The unit runs a 15-AMP motor which could deliver 4,800 RPM, combined with an amazing rip capacity of 25", it could conveniently rip up a full-size plywood sheet 3-5/8" depth at a 90-degree angle and 2-1/2" depth at a 45-degree angle. This design alone makes the model a top of the range table saw.
Makita 2705 10-inch weighs around 115lbs with transport wheels, making portability much more comfortable. This table saw also has a three-piece modular safety system, namely a riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, and a blade guard.
If you are looking for a companion to help you begin carpentry, this will be the one.
No matter what are your specific needs, uses, or even budget, our list has compiled and narrowed the winner down for you. Shopping for the best portable table saw should no longer be that challenging. We would recommend DEWALT DWE7480 10-inch as our go to Portable table saw, considering its power and various supporting features.
We hope you find this article informative and helpful. Don't hesitate to share it with your fellow carpenters, and check out the top 5 products above to choose your best "sidekick" in woodworking projects.


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The Unspoken Truths
Cipher Goings, Staff Writer
May 31, 2017
Coming soon to Garfield High School's (GHS) library is an African-American history exhibit for two days on May 31st and June 1st. "The Unspoken Truths" traveling museum is a museum founded and ran by Delbert Richardson, a community scholar and second generational story teller. The museum will be...
Cap It All Off!
Esther Chien
May 31, 2017
The idea of "One Garfield", as represented by identical gowns and caps in color at graduation, has been discussed for a while, but the issue became increasingly controversial in recent years. Last year, former class of 2016 ASG vice president Hannah Farrell and other members of ASG strongly advocated...
News Briefs
Alex Ferry
May 31, 2017
So fire I got heatstroke On Monday, the temperature hit 83 degrees, which is the warmest Seattle has been since August 26. Seattleites are quite happy with this weather shift, especially because this has been the first dry week since September, for anyone keeping track. With the warm weather, people...
Get to Know
Alex Ferry
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Garfield will be saying goodbye to many talented seniors this year, among them we have the incredible artist, Tuesday Smith. Art is something that can be practiced over and over just like any talent or sport, but some people have a natural talent that just can't be taught. "I think I've always...
The Unspoken Truths
Cipher Goings
May 24, 2017
Coming soon to Garfield High School's (GHS) library is an African-American history exhibit for two days on May 31st and June 1st. "The Unspoken Truths" traveling museum is a museum founded and ran by Delbert Richardson, a community scholar and second generational story teller. The museum will be...
I Can't, I'm Injured
Josh Chestnut
May 22, 2017
If there is one thing that athletes can agree on, it's that injuries are the absolute worst. As an athlete myself, I've been forced to cope with a fractured spine, broken foot, concussion, and many other injuries throughout my soccer career. Over my time on the sidelines, I've recognized that injuries...
In a League of His Own
Sydney Santos and Flora Taagen
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Garfield's head basketball coach and athletic director Ed Haskins was offered and accepted a position as an assistant men's basketball coach at Washington State University earlier this month. Haskins' recent departure has left behind a nearly decade-long legacy that has dramatically affected Garfield's...
Composing to Let Go
Jasmine Fernandez
May 22, 2017
For many, pinpointing defining moments of childhood memories is a difficult task. However, this process comes easy for Garfield freshman Tony McCahill. For him, one memory that clearly stands out is his mom signing him up for piano lessons at the early age of four. While the incident took place years...
Making it Personal
Ann Shan
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The college application can reduce four years of the high school experience to a GPA and an activities list, but through their writing, students can showcase the individual behind the numbers. The first 2016-2017 Common App personal statement prompt asked students to share "a background, identity,...
Get to Know.
Esther Chien
May 22, 2017
Ms. Cohan Q: What do you do outside of school? A: I always sing in the car and I'm super talented. Q: What is one thing about you most students don't know? A: I don't like leaving tzxzdhe house. I hate crowds. I'm terrible at holding a conversation; it's exhausting. Q: What was the most...
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Quinn Sullivan
May 22, 2017
Why LGBTQ+ labels should be none of your concern.
A Dangerous Portrayal
Lily Laesch
May 22, 2017
When Selena Gomez's passion project 13 Reasons Why hit Netflix at the end of March, it was an immediate and resounding success. Based on the best-selling novel by Jay Asher, the thirteen episode series is now regarded as the most popular Netflix show of all time. The plot revolves around Hannah Baker,...


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When I started covering cars for The Manual, my editor told me that the cars I should write about ought to be the kind that make an eight-year-old boy stand up and applaud. Or at the very least be worthy of his bedroom wall. Accordingly, I've covered supercars, mental sports sedans, and gorgeous concepts.
This week, however, I have a bit of an oddy. But I swear its worthy of youthful admiration. It's the FIAT 500 Abarth Cabrio and although it might be tiny and kind of funny looking, it's every bit a supercar in its own right. Let me explain.
The kinds of cars worthy of a young boy's bedroom wall are typically those with looks that could kill and power that actually could: Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Paganis, for example. Subcompacts rarely make the cut – and for good reason.
Subcompacts are built on a budget for a budget-minded individual who lives in an urban environ but doesn't want to be relegated to public transportation or bicycling everywhere. For this application, they're perfect. They're small an often rather robust, as they can withstand a bit of a beating from the rough and tumble life on city streets. Subcompacts are not, however, sexy. Well, at least not most. I dare say the FIAT 500 Abarth Cabrio is.
FIAT designers, to make the Abarth Cabrio, took their retro-inspired 500 and added scorpion badges and some special stickers on the side. Then they cut the roof and fitted a soft-top. Delightfully, however, they didn't stop there. They added 17-inch wheels, big brakes with red calipers, and fiddled with the engine a bit.
These mad Italian men took the fuel-efficient 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder gasoline engine and fitted to it a massive 18-PSI turbocharger – capable of spinning up to 230,000 RPM – along with two intercoolers on both the driver and passenger side air inlet, feeding thick, cool air to the turbo. This gigantic turbo slams air down the gullet of the 1.4 so that it can create 170 pound-feet of torque and 160 horsepower, which equates to 117 horsepower per liter.
Fitting a turbo to an eco-engine like the MultiAir is like buying a nice housecat because it's small, cute, and cleanly and strapping a coonhound to it so you can take it hunting. It seems like a good idea at the outset but will be very loud and a bit scary.
That's exactly what happened to the 1.4 MultiAir, too. FIAT designers, after adding the turbo, added a very loud exhaust. In fact, they bolted up 10 different exhaust systems before they found the exact sound they wanted. This one sounds like a lion being pushed through a jet engine.
Bolted to the boisterous four-cylinder is a "track-proven" and apparently very robust five-speed manual gearbox, which feeds all that turbocharged power to the front wheels. Keeping the 17-inch wheels pressed firmly to the road is an upgraded and stiffened suspension system. The new front springs are 33 percent stiffer and 15mm lower. The ones in the back, though, are even tougher. They're 300 percent more rigid than the European FIAT 500.
So the FIAT 500 Abarth Cabrio, then, is fast, sleek, and loud. But does it work? Yes, nearly.
With the top down, the traction control partially disengaged and a straight road ahead of you, the Abarth Cabrio is an absolute wonder. It truly gives the sensation that you're just belted into an engine. It'll rip your head back, and feel your ears with a very, very marvelous sound indeed. It's so exhilarating, in fact, you might feel inclined to mount an afternoon invasion of North Africa – the Italian spirit is that strong in the Abarth.
It's the corners, however, that give the Abarth some trouble. Its front and rear wheels are so close together that any change in throttle input or steering angle can send the Abarth off quickly in another direction. This can be very exciting but also very frightening, as you'll find yourself white-knuckling the oversized sport steering wheel just to stay on course and not go flinging off into the brambles.
I wish the engineers had spent as much time figuring out torque delivery to the front wheels as they had tuning the exhaust. There's no denying the Abarth's Italian lineage, though. While the Germans would have agonized into the wee hours over torque steer affecting drivability, the Italians simply worked long enough to make the Abarth loud and stylish and then went on break.
Speaking of style, though, let's look at the interior. The Cabrio is the most comfortable version of the 500 I've ever driven. The hardtop, for whatever reason, makes you feel like you're sitting on the car rather than in it. You can look around and feel like you're in a spacious subcompact but your head, neck, and back are telling you a very different story. The interior of the Cabrio, however, is spacious and comfortable – at least up front. FIAT says the 500 can seat four but the rear seat is best suited as a shelf for your Louis Vuitton luggage set.
Ignoring passenger space, which is never the reason anyone buys a subcompact anyhow, the Abarth has a cute little cabin. It has a big centralized instrument cluster with tach and speedo cleverly integrated together and it even has a place in the dash to affix the Garmin navigation that comes with the car – for a price.
What does the FIAT 500 Abarth Cabrio cost? It starts at $26,000, which is $9,000 more than the base 500. The one I drove, however, ran just shy of $30,000. I'll admit this is a considerable price to pay for a subcompact with a bit more gusto. But if you think about it, it's more than that.
The posters that line a young boy's bedroom are usually of wild, $200,000 drop-top Italian beasts with flashy bodylines, riotous exhaust notes, and more power than most anyone can really handle. They are, aside from the price, just like the Abarth Cabrio.
It shocked me to realize this but the Abarth Cabrio can give you the same sensation as a barbarous Italian hypercar. It'll put a huge grin on your face while it pushes you right up to the limits of your driving abilities and happily hold you there for hours.
I'd say, then, the Abarth Cabrio is the ferocious Italian supercar you've dreamt about since second grade, but for a price you can actually afford.
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