text:
Wonder Woman - Season 1, Episode 2
Air Date: April 28, 1976
Those crazy Nazis are at it again, and this time their plans to capture Wonder Woman are more ridiculous and confusing than ever. In this episode:
A car chase that ends with one automobile running out of gas
To blend in with Germans, Steve Trevor wears a ridiculous hat
Nazi henchmen who look like adjunct professors at a community college
Wonder Woman proves she's stronger than a Wookie
Steve Trevor summons German peasant women by whistling
So, what are you waiting for?
In the last episode we met femme fatal, Baroness Von Gunther. This time it's Fausta Grables, an Aryan bitch so cold blooded she makes Herman Goering look like Alan Alda. Think Ilsa, wicked warden of the SS, and you're on the right track.
Fausta is played by Lynda Day George, primarily known for her role on Mission Impossible. After she left the show, her and her husband, Christopher George, appeared together in a bunch of TV episodes and movies (including this one).
|The top secret Nazi case file on WW
If there's one thing fictional Nazis are good at, it's concocting diabolical plans. "Vee vill use Steve Trevor as bait". Their plan to take out WW could've been so simple, but no. They have to formulate some convoluted series of impossibilities. But that's the beauty of these old stories - before viewing audiences and comic readers got cynical and "wise" to the absurdity. This trope is known as "complexity addiction":
Complexity Addiction: The villain does try to kill the hero, but employs some ridiculously elaborate (and thus easily-foiled) method, rather than just shooting them.
So, Fausta disguises herself as a cleaning woman and douses Steve with knock-out gas. She then ties him up inside a crate in a warehouse. The next day, she gives Diana an anonymous tip of Steve's location.
This is peculiar because Fausta doesn't know WW's secret identity. Yet, in an attempt to lure WW to the warehouse, she calls Diana's desk?
And who these bloodthirsty Nazis that plan to meet WW at the warehouse? Surely, they must be the most merciless killers of the SS. Let's take a look at these horrific henchmen of Hitler...
W-W-WHAT? English Lit professors or the Invoicing Department at Morgan Stanley, but not bloodthirsty Nazis! These guys aren't a match for WW.... they're barely a match for a normal woman. Not surprisingly, WW dispatches of all four in under a minute.
Those of you keeping score, this makes Steve rescue number 4
Recognize the fella on the right? You probably know Keene Curtis as Daddy Warbucks or as the snippy owner of the restaurant above Cheers.
Now that one plan has failed, it's time to move on to an even more absurdly complex scheme. Daddy Warbucks will pose as an MC at the annual war bonds rally held by the War Department (?). Fausta will disguise herself as a masked WW as part of the event.
Have you ever heard of anything so confusing? Since when does the "War Department" hold exclusive carnivals?
Just as the Fraulein expected, the real WW shows up to put this charade to rest. Elvis impersonations are all well and good, but don't be cashing in on the WW shtick (even if it is at a war bonds benefit rally).
If this whole escapade sounds a little silly, take note of the original comic....
"Wanted by Hitler, Dead or Alive" was the story in Comic Cavalcade (No. 2, March 1943) where the Fausta first appeared. The "Army Benefit Show" plot line with Fausta serving as a WW imposter is taken straight from the original comic.
But which is the real WW? The crowd watching this spectacle is maybe 10 strong (which makes why WW would give a flying shit about this shindig even more curious). All stand in hushed silence as the the mystery women battle feats of strength.
As the real WW begins to lift the weight one handed, a trap door opens beneath her. The crowd of 10 goes wild as the imposter is declared the winner.
Beneath the stage, an elderly Nazi ties WW in her own lasso and chloroforms her. Before she passes out, she reveals her weakness:
Nazi: Quick, tell me how do I make you helpless and take you prisoner?
WW: Remove... my magic belt.
Nazi: Is that the key to your strength?
WW: Yes... away from my home on Para- Paradise Island.
Nazi: Could this chloroform keep you unconscious?
WW: Yes.
Nazi: Sleep peacefully, Wonder Womans, you will wake in The Fatherland.
As I mentioned in the last WW post, the KO is a recurring theme throughout the series, as is Steve's role as damsel in distress. One wonders with such strength, she manages to be so easily subdued. It's a well known fact that the creator of WW, William Moulton Marston, had an interest in bondage and other fetishes.
Marston in an article from the August 14, 1942 issue of Family Circle magazine: "Tell me anybody's preference in story strips and I'll tell you his subconscious desires...Superman and the army of male comics characters who resemble him satisfy the simple desire to be stronger and more powerful than anybody else. Wonder Woman satisfies the subconscious, elaborately disguised desire of males to be mastered by a woman who loves them."
Another quote from Marston in a letter to his publisher: "The only hope for peace is to teach people who are full of pep and unbound force to enjoy being bound ... Only when the control of self by others is more pleasant than the unbound assertion of self in human relationships can we hope for a stable, peaceful human society ... Giving to others, being controlled by them, submitting to other people cannot possibly be enjoyable without a strong erotic element."
Did some of Marston's erotic predilections get transferred to the 1970s TV series? You can't help but think there's a vestige of it still around to keep things 'interesting'.
Steve Trevor and the lovable idiot, Etta Candy, are in attendance. Steve is suspicious of this WW, whereas Candy is woefully oblivious.
I should point out that Candy is played by Beatrice Colen. She's perhaps best remembered as the roller skating car hop on "Happy Days", but she was also the first person to sing "Plop Plop Fizz Fizz" on TV.
Meanwhile in the Fatherland, WW reveals her Amazonian origins to the SS under the influence of the Lasso of Truth. Without her belt, she is powerless to stop the interrogation. However, the head Nazi doesn't buy any of this nonsense - "I thought I told you to bring back Wonder Woman, not Dale Evans!" In a Nazi tantrum, he flings the belt and lasso at WW.... a big mistake.
In an effort to save WW, Steve Trevor goes against General Blankenship's orders and sneaks behind enemy lines with the help of his old buddy from college. "Steve, I haven't seen you since you threw me the touchdown pass at the Rose Bowl!"
Unfortunately, his ex-wide receiver just happens to be a Nazi operative named Rojak..... like Kojak with an "R". He's played by the Fausta's real life husband, Christopher George. George, in addition to starring in tons of films, is the uncle of Vanna White. He died in 1983 from a cardiac contusion he suffered on the set of Rat Patrol (1963) when he was pinned beneath a jeep.
George was also a model during the sixties, appearing in a number of Van Heusen advertisements. Interestingly, his ads were often featured in Playboy; a decade later George, himself, would be a centerfold (in Playgirl, of course).
|More bondage
Thinking he'll finally be the one to rescue WW (instead of the other way around), Steve falls back assward into trouble once again. WW has left for the US, not knowing Steve is captive by the same Nazi bastards that held her captive minutes earlier.
Notice Steve's disguise to blend in with the German locals. Worst disguise ever.
Back at the War Department, Diana Prince learns of Steve's capture. She changes into the WW costume in another slow motion spin, and for some reason doesn't have her bracelets.
As in episode 1, WW somehow uses General Blankenship's voice to gain information on Steve's whereabouts. A very peculiar (and somewhat disturbing) super power.
We get our first glimpse of the Invisible Jet as WW hauls ass to rescue Steve for the second time this episode. In the attempt, the two are locked in a room not unlike the Star Wars trash compactor. But WW is stronger than any Wookie or Jedi wannabe, and is able to push back the walls.
Fighting ensues, ultimately ending with the Nazi scum at the bottom of a well. Tired of being treated like shit by her Nazi compatriots, Fausta helps Steve and WW vanquish their enemies and escape to safety.
WW gushes with compliments for Fausta and is concerned about what will become of her. She offers to take her back with them to the US, but Fausta won't leave her home country. Steve says he has the answer and literally puts his fingers to his lips and whistles! Out comes a peasant girl from the shrubbery behind them who works with the German Underground who whisks Fausta away with her. Bizarre.
FAVORITE SCENE: Insane war bonds stage show with WW and Fausta in Victorian masquerade head wear.
- Steve calls on his old Rose Bowl wide receiver to get him to Berlin, which is odd enough. That he turns out to be working for the Germans is a stretch.
- Steve pursues the Fausta in a car chase following the war bonds rally. He's unable to catch up to them because he runs out of gas and is all out of gas coupons.
Sybil Danning as Fausta
Ronny Cox as Rojak


text:
Registration for Major League Teams
International RoboCup Major League teams had to register to participate at the RoboCup German Open 2019 in Magdeburg.
Registration deadline was November 30, 2018.
Important Dates
15.10.2018 Registration opens
30.11.2018 Registration deadline for teams and number of team members
15.02.2019 Invoices are sent to team leaders
15.03.2019 Registration deadline names of team members
15.04.2019 Registration fee due
01.05.2019 Set-up day Major League teams (venue opens 12:00)
02.05.2019 Set-up day Major League teams
03.05.2019 Competition day (open to the public)
04.05.2019 Competition day (open to the public)
05.05.2019 Competition day, finals (open to the public)
Registration Data
We need the address of your institution, the team leader, the team name, the team website and the number of team members for your registration. This data is required by November 30, 2018. The organizers decide after this deadline if enough teams have registered for each league to hold a competition.
The final names of the team members are due by March 15, 2019 at the latest. Teams needing visa have to provide the names of their team members by November 30, 2018.
Participation Fees
The fee for RoboCup Major League teams participating in competitions consists of two parts. The base fee for the team is 350 EUR. In addition, each person in the team participating in Magdeburg has to pay 120 EUR. The team leader is a person of the team. The fee does not include accommodation. The invoice for the fee will be sent to team leaders after February 15, 2019. There is no refund of payed fees.
Late Registration
We accept late registrations of members of already registered teams between February 15, 2019 and April 15, 2019. The fee for each additional team member amounts to 250 EUR. Each late registration must be approved by the chair of the corresponding league.
Please visit our leagues pages for a reference to the rules. We expect updated rules in the begin of 2019. Please contact your league chair, if you have detailed questions concerning the rules of your league. The contact addresses are given on the leagues pages.
If you like to book rooms you may contact magdeburg-tourist.de or the booking service at +49-391-63601-404.
Delivery of Robots
If your team wants to deliver robots by cargo, please use the following address:
Messe- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft Magdeburg GmbH
RoboCup German Open
Tessenowstraße 9
39114 Magdeburg

subset: commoncrawl


text:
When a politician discovers that he's rhetorically "stepped on his dick," his reaction is guaranteed to be either or both of the following:
- Claim he was misinterpreted (alternately, "taken out of context");
- Counterattack the motives of those he managed to outrage.
Andrew Cuomo, the leftist princeling currently governor of New York, recently donned an imaginary miter and pontificated to "his" state:
You have a schism within the Republican Party. … They're searching to define their soul, that's what's going on. Is the Republican party in this state a moderate party or is it an extreme conservative party? That's what they're trying to figure out. It's a mirror of what's going on in Washington. The gridlock in Washington is less about Democrats and Republicans. It's more about extreme Republicans versus moderate Republicans.
…You're seeing that play out in New York. … The Republican Party candidates are running against the SAFE Act — it was voted for by moderate Republicans who run the Senate! Their problem is not me and the Democrats; their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that's who they are and they're the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that's not who New Yorkers are.
If they're moderate Republicans like in the Senate right now, who control the Senate — moderate Republicans have a place in their state. George Pataki was governor of this state as a moderate Republican; but not what you're hearing from them on the far right."
That looks pretty definite to me. What about you, Gentle Reader? If you're not a New York resident, would Cuomo's remarks as quoted above make you feel that you'd be welcomed here? As for this libertarian-conservative / pro-life / pro-Second Amendment / pro-traditional marriage commentator, well, I'd like to tell you about my reaction, but there are laws about that sort of thing.
Apparently, there was more backblast than Cuomo expected. Quite a lot of it arrived as comments to the cited article and others that covered the governor's edict of disdain. But as Doug Ross has noted, the Right gave him both barrels, from:
...among others, and Cuomo decided he had to back away from the clear meaning of his words, while laying down a verbal claymore for his foes:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration penned an open letter to The New York Post on Sunday, two days after the governor's comments on "extreme Republicans" were heavily criticized by conservatives... The letter -- posted to the governor's website Sunday afternoon -- claims the Post "distorted Governor Cuomo's words" by claiming Cuomo told conservative Republicans to "leave New York."
..."When you listen to the complete interview, it is clear that the Governor was engaged in a discussion on political campaigns and responding to a question about fundraising for his own campaign," the letter reads. "He was talking strictly about the two parties and political candidates, and making an observation that far right candidates cannot win statewide elections in the New York because their political philosophy is not a reflection of the state's electorate."
"Far right!" The pejorative the Left applies to Americans who believe that the Constitution means what its text says, rather than what some overfed blowhard with no achievements outside of politics thinks it means. The denigration it applies to Americans who cherish human life and want to see it protected by the law. The sneer it awards to Americans who value the nation's tradition of citizen armament, and the control that tradition enforces upon the ambitions and actions of...why, of men like Andrew Cuomo.
Politicians like Cuomo and his unlamented father are a New York disease. They, like predators of all types and times, positioned themselves where the prey is fattest. In state politics, the prime hunting grounds are where they've always been: California, Illinois, and New York. The concentration of left-liberals and government dependents in the immense cities that dominate those states gives panderer-tyrants like Cuomo an edge that makes them very difficult to defeat.
There will shortly be an exodus from New York. We who are at or near retirement age are highly unlikely to remain in this vulpine state for our final years. We'll take our pensions and savings to some state friendlier to their retention. Our offspring, except for those who secure themselves a job in state government or one of its outcroppings, are highly likely to choose a locale less financially rapacious, regulation-strangled, and gun-hostile than New York as the place to develop their careers.
It's already happened to California. New York is only a little behind the crest of the wave. Remember that you read it here first.


text:
Brendan Shanahan, Leafs send shot across bow of Nazem Kadri – & Toronto's roster – to effect culture change
For months on end, people have approached Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan everywhere he went with advice about his team, and although everyone says it to him in their own special way, they've all said the same thing:
You've got to do something, Shanny. We can't take it any more. For Salming's sake, do something. Do anything.
And in approximately 11 months on the job, Shanahan has done something. Rather than just coming in and firing everyone on the payroll, he evaluated the situation at length. He could've just thrown bodies overboard, as if he were in a pro wrestling battle royal and not selecting crew members for a deep and lonely submarine journey. And as part of that process, he's fired his head coach and has almost completely revamped Toronto's front office. He's presided over a process that has shipped out former Leafs Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli, David Clarkson and Daniel Winnik. And, most importantly, he's got team ownership on board with a long-term, basement-to-chimney rebuilding program that has never been seen in modern franchise history.
But still, he hears it from the You Gotta Do Somethings and the That Don't Impress Me Muchers.
It's about culture change in the dressing room, Shanny. It's about making the players accountable. What you've done is a start, but c'mon, do something about that. And hurry up, already.
On Wednesday morning, Shanahan spoke to reporters after doing something about that – namely, sitting out center Nazem Kadri for at least the next two games (after he already had been scratched for Monday's tilt against the Isles for being late for a team meeting). Shanahan was frank when he said Kadri had a "history" behind this latest incident that caused management to act as it did:
In essence, Shanahan, GM Dave Nonis and the organization were sending a shot across the bow not only of Kadri – whom Shanahan stressed remains a big part of the team's future – but of the entire Leafs roster. We don't know the specifics of his troubles, but we do know the Leafs have grown impatient with Kadri's progress away from the ice, and they've decided he no longer deserves the luxury of having all his dirty laundry cleaned behind the scenes.
Here is your culture change, Shanahan said Wednesday morning. This is what setting expectations for players looks like.
And do you know what happened after Shanahan did that? Those same complainers who were wearing their You Gotta Do Something t-shirts peeled them off and revealed they were wearing another shirt underneath it that said, "Maybe You Should've Kept This In-House" and "Why Didn't You Do This To Phil Kessel?".
Do you see why management in this city eventually blocks out everyone but those in whom they trust? You can't win with a lot of people, especially if they've been embittered by the nearly five full decades of losing that have hung in the air over Toronto like an atomic stink bomb. Nothing will ever be quite good enough. The changes won't come fast enough. The names traded won't be big enough. And if change comes fast and the names involve are big in the off-season, the problem with Shanahan will suddenly be he was too rash and should've held on to the current core.
This isn't about Shanahan and Leafs management scapegoating Kadri. If Shanahan wanted to throw anyone under the bus, he could've picked a number of other players and avoided this scenario with Kadri, but he tackled head-on what he perceives to be a serious problem. This doesn't spell the end of Kadri's time with the Maple Leafs, but there are no guarantees in the Shanahan Era. Kadri can stay, grow, and be part of the solution, or he can refuse to meet management's expectations and be moved out of town this summer or sometime next season.
As Shanahan showed with Carlyle, he's willing to give people a second shot. But in suspending Kadri, he delivered an unmistakeable message: the players ultimately aren't going to call the shots in Toronto anymore.


text:
At one time, there was speculation that the Hydra could be pretty good as a big beater in a deck fueled by Whisperwood Elemental and Mastery of the Unseen. Being able to manifest it and flip it for only 2 green mana for a 5/5 seemed like awesome value. It seemed like a good candidate to find a place in the Hardened Scales decks that were a thing in Standard for awhile. Neither scenario emerged, though. By February 2016, Hooded Hydra became a $1 card, an all time low price, around which it stayed for some time, before creeping slowly towards $2.
What makes Hooded Hydra a good buy at $2 or less? We've seen how good getting X tokens for X +1/+1 counters can be. Hangarback Walker is a perfect example. While obviously not as splashable as Hangarback Walker, it doesn't take much of a mana investment for this to be good. Plus, if it enters as a Morph creature, it gets an additional 5 +1/+1 counters when it's flipped face-up. The Hydra will always at least replace itself.
The good news for Hooded Hydra is that it's very Commander playable. Since he creates Snake tokens for each +1/+1 counter he has when he dies, he's become a staple in Kaseto, Orochi Archmage EDH decks. Being a Snake tribal deck, more Snakes are always welcome. Rosheen Meanderer, a Red/Green Commander who loves Hydras in their X casting cost, loves this Hydra too. The Giant's ability gives 4 colorless mana to pay for any X casting costs. That makes Hooded Hydra at the very least a 4/4. Other commanders that can use Hooded Hydra on a regular basis include Seshiro the Anointed (Snake Tribal), Ulasht, the Hate Seed (Hydra Tribal), and Vorel the Hull Clade (+1/+1 counter mayhem.)
With even foils around $3, Hooded Hydra is a pretty good pickup just based on how playable it is in Commander. While it could be quite a long time before Hooded Hydra ever sees a jump in price, it's a safe buy if you plan to play him in Commander.


text:
Drawn by Jason Wong
T-shirt graphic for the summer interns at Paperless Post
EmailNot published
The first of our interns are here! Let summer camp activities commence. We made tees for the campers + counselors: http://t.co/zzLAgfCUI9
Thought it won'udlt to give it a shot. I was right.
© Friends of Type Contributors 2009-2022, All Rights Reserved.
This original work is for inspiration, not replication. Contact the Friends if you'd like to hire a friend, collaborate, host a workshop, or have us talk.


text:
WASHINGTON — Spain's ruling People's Party has a corrupt former treasurer, the High Court in Spain ruled. The court continues its current pre-trial investigation into corruption charges against Luis Barcenas.
Reuters reports that the Spanish judge, Pablo Ruz, has sent Barcenas to jail without bail while pre-trial procedures go on because he is a flight risk, could pressure witnesses and destroy evidence.
Barcenas worked for the People's Party for almost 30 years and mostly in the party's accounting department. In the words of the Reuters article, he "had failed to explain the origin of up to 48 million euros held in Swiss bank accounts."
That is an understatement by all accounts.
The ruling party is in utter turmoil as this is one of two major corruption scandals and comes when Spain is struggling with its ongoing recession and significantly high unemployment.
The rest of the European Union is not doing very well either. Greece has over 50% youth unemployment and is on the brink of fiscal insolvency, although its prime minister said it's on track for bailout payments.
Still, the E.U. is not in the best circumstances right now regarding their entire economy with 12% overall unemployment.


text:
Supreme Beef Chili
1 pound beef
1/4 cup black beans, soak over night
2/3 cup kidney beans, soak over night
1/2 small onion, chopped
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 cup bone broth
2/3 c. carrot, chopped
2/3 c. celery stick, chopped
2/3 c green zucchini, chopped
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp coriander
pinch black pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp organic tomato paste
1 c marinara sauce
2 vine ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 large handful finely finely finely minced kale
cilantro-optional, to top
In a medium sauce pan put your soaked beans in water to cover and simmer 1 hour. Drain when soft.
In your dutch oven or large sauce pan add 2 tbps ghee or coconut oil. Sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini until veggies are soft. Add in and all spices. You may need to add some extra ghee to the pan.
Make a well and add the ground beef until cooked through. Add the tomato sauce, paste and broth. Simmer for 45 min. Add the minced kale and chopped tomatoes and simmer for 10 more minutes or until all flavors are blended.


text:
By Chad Emerson
Every year, thousands of amusement industry officials descend on Orlando for the annual IAAPA Attractions Expo. Walk the halls of the massive Orange County convention center and you'll find just about any service or product that an amusement facility could possibly require. Indeed, the 2014 show alone included over 1,000 exhibitors comprising over 550,000 square feet of exhibit space.
But, as great as the expo is, there are also other places and methods for meeting your annual vendor needs. For this Large Park Report, we visited with several industry officials to find out how and where they find the services and products they need to succeed every year.
The Effect of Technology
Technology has made communicating, and, as a result, doing business, much easier and more efficient. Prior to email, video-conferencing and other virtual ways to interact, the annual exhibitor events were the key to meeting as many possible vendors in the shortest period of time. That's changing, though, as video-chat and real-time document exchange technology has improved.
Granted, there's still great value in touching and physically testing some products (as opposed to just seeing them online) but several industry officials told us that the increased cost of travel has to be balanced with the increased reliability and efficiency of virtual meetings. In fact, several large park operators like Disney and Universal have advanced communication systems that allow them to interact with prospective vendors and service providers without requiring direct in-person interaction.
While Disney and Universal may be able to utilize the advanced, custom technologies, they might be out of the price reality for some medium-sized and smaller facilities. Fortunately, less costly and extremely useful technologies like Skype and Apple iChat can fit almost any budget. In addition, large document exchange tools like Dropbox as well as Cloud-based technologies like Google Drive all have business versions that have customizable options while remaining extremely affordable. Plus, these are just a few of the hundreds (if not thousands) of apps and technology tools in these areas.
The reality is that almost any facility on any budget can utilize some form of video-conferencing and real-time document exchange technology to reduce the need to travel for meeting vendors in person.
At the same time, industry officials noted that these type tools have not completely replaced in-person meetings and travel for the Six Flags and Cedar Fairs of the world. There will still be some meetings, especially those finalizing an important purchase or engagement, that warrant this type interaction. However, one official advised us that they used virtual meetings for many preliminary purposes while exploring vendor options and offerings. They then generally limited in-person meetings to final negotiations.
Make Them Come to You
It is true, though, that the choice isn't strictly limited to traveling to a vendor or interacting in a virtual way. Another option, one that has been around since the earliest sales calls, is to have the vendor or service provider come to you. This is a particularly interesting possibility in the amusement industry since it is generally filled with many more professional consultants and vendors than actual amusement facilities. And, according to several operators, the number of vendors and service providers seems to be growing faster than the number of facilities.
As a result (and not just for large parks and resorts), many segments of the amusement industry are seeing a buyer's market for vendors and consultants as they aggressively court new facilities for their products. This increases the likelihood that these providers will agree to come to your facility for demos and product tests. Not only does this reduce the cost of your travel but it also provides the benefit of seeing the products more directly in the setting of your facility. This can be a huge benefit for everything from small kitchen equipment to sophisticated point-of-sale systems.
Ultimately, large parks and resorts continue to flock to the various industry exhibitor events each year. This is unlikely to change soon because in-person contacts continue to have real value. However, what is changing is the increased use of technology for vendor demonstrations and consultant presentations as the amusement industry adapts to the reality that every interaction doesn't require an actual handshake. Sometimes a virtual one can work just fine.
(Reach Contributor Chad Emerson at firstname.lastname@example.com.)


text:
2018 Guelbenzu Azul Ribera del Queiles
Save Liquid error (product-badge line 32): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Bit of a bargain here. Ripe red and dark berries with a terrific vein of spice and ground pepper. Toasty oark notes with a savoury, herbaceous angle adding more interest.
Year: 2018
Country: Spain
Region: Ribera del Queilles
Colour: Red
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: 14.50%
Grape/s: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo


text:
Israel's Maccabiah Games Kick Off With Record 10,000 Athletes
by JNS.org
JNS.org – Israel kicked off the 20th Maccabiah Games Thursday night with a record 10,000 athletes.
"Welcome to Jerusalem and welcome to Israel," Israeli President Reuven Rivlin told a crowd of some 30,000 people at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium for the opening ceremony. "Welcome home and welcome to the thousands of wonderful athletes that came to join us from 80 different countries."
The Maccabiah Games, which are dubbed the "Jewish Olympics," will feature athletes competing in 43 sports this year. Held every four years, the competition is the world's third-largest sporting event. From July 4-18, the games will have the added significance of coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the reunification of this year's host city, Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged the athletes to "achieve everything you want and beyond what you want."
"We are all one people," Netanyahu said. "The Maccabiah is named for the Maccabees; 2,200 years ago we were conquered by the descendants of Alexander the Great and the Maccabees, five brothers, liberated the Jews against all odds, they liberated Jerusalem. You are all winners, you are all champions."


text:
Black and Copper Murano Y Necklace
SKU: yneck07
- One of a kind hand crafted
- Known as a "Y" type necklace
- 18" chain aprox
The second photo, shown on a model, displays how a "Y" style necklace hangs on the neck. Exquisite at least! (photo for reference only. This listing does not include the necklace shown on the model)


text:
The Jockey® Sport range of underwear is suitable for everyday activities and sports.
Exceptionally soft and comfortable microfiber fabric offers great breathability and outstanding moisture regulation.
4-way stretch fabric allows more a wider range of motion
Quick dry microfiber fabric blend
Soft elastic waistband with Jockey® logo
Lightweight cooling mesh panels allow skin to breathe, keeping you cool and helping with odour control
Sport Trunk style
92% Polyamide, 8% Elastane


text:
Puccinellia distans subsp. distans (L.) Parl.
Quick facts
|Threat status Europe
|Not evaluated (IUCN)
|Valid parent species
|Puccinellia distans
The EUNIS species component has very limited information about this species.
The main focus of the EUNIS species component is to provide relevant information about the European species protected by Directives, Conventions and Agreements. The species assessed in the European Red Lists prepared by the IUCN for the European Commission are also included.
See here what is Europe from a geographical point of view.
Other resources available below may have more information.
Common names and synonyms
|Poa retroflexa
|Atropis pseudoconvoluta
|(Klokov) Stankov
|Puccinellia retroflexa
|(Curtis) Holmb.
Other resources
|GBIF search
|Global Biodiversity Information Facility
|ITIS (accepted)
|Interagency Taxonomic Information System
|NCBI search
|National Center for Biotechnology Information
|NOBANIS: Puccinellia distans ssp. distans
|European Network on Invasive Alien Species


text:
Please go to his website and leave your own message - not just a name to be counted against the many more who will register their support for the death penalty in his state, but a voice that might move him to reverse this grim decision. Whatever or whomever she is a channel for, Teresa has been a blessing to other women doing time, and could continue to be so.
You needn't be "born again" yourself - or even speak the same language - to try to save this woman's life. I honestly don't know what it will take - if anything at all will work a miracle with this man. I do think that it matters in the greater scheme of things that we take the time nevertheless, to show that we care.
Teresa is to be executed on September 23, so please act today.
Dear Governor McDonnell,
As you know, Teresa Lewis is scheduled for execution on September 23, 2010. Only you can stop this from happening. She has taken more responsibility for her conduct than most adults ever do, though she has the cognitive abilities of a child.
For centuries people with developmental disabilities have been treated as less-than human; objects of ridicule or curiosity; subjects for experiments and involuntary sterilization; workers to be exploited at slave-wages; scapegoats to carry the burden of our collective failings.
We've come a long way in recent decades in how we treat the mentally disabled. Our readiness to execute them, however, indicates that we still have a ways to go.
Virginia has a precious opportunity to secure a place in history by deciding not to dispose of the life of this humble woman who has given of herself to others at a time of their deepest remorse and despair, despite her own predicament.
Teresa is not the one begging you to spare her life - we are. By her faith, her death on earth will reunite her with the Christ in Heaven whose love she is clearly a vessel for now to other women in prison.
What message will carrying out her execution deliver? That there is no room in American justice for mercy, or in the human spirit for transformation, or in the hearts of our people for grace?
We aren't asking you to end the death penalty in Virginia, or to save this woman's soul - the latter has already been done. She will die more free than many who demonstrate twice her mental capacity. We're simply asking you to be a vessel of God, too.
His justice would not exact more of her than of those "normal" men who committed the actual murders. His justice would not value her life less than theirs. He would look across this country at the countless Americans who have taken the time out of their lives to fight for hers, and hope that humanity is on the precipice of learning mercy for the condemned - particularly for those who are so visibly touched by His grace.
Teresa Lewis committed a horrible crime that she cannot compensate her victims for, even by surrendering her own existence, as she did the day she took responsibility for what she had done. If given life in prison she would not harm another human being again, and could even help others heal. It is not her who threatens us any longer - it is our need for vengeance that endangers this nation now.
It takes power to exercise mercy which - throughout the course of human history - has been the quality that distinguishes those who conquer from those who lead. Please reconsider your decision to allow this execution to proceed.
Thank you for your time.
Margaret J. Plews
Phoenix, AZ


text:
Lasers and Lights, 4th Edition
Now $97.49
Part of the practical and dynamic Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series, Lasers and Lights, 4th Edition, brings you up to speed with today's best methods for using laser light to treat skin disorders. This well-organized text by Drs. George J. Hruza and Elizabeth L. Tanzi provides current, authoritative guidance on popular procedures including laser hair removal, tattoo removal, acne scars, vascular lesions, non-ablative fractional laser rejuvenation, ablative laser resurfacing, and tissue tightening. Drs. George Hruza and Elizabeth Tanzi offer evidence-based, procedural how-to's and step-by-step advice on proper techniques, pitfalls, and tricks of the trade, so you can successfully incorporate the latest procedures into your practice.
- Features a well-organized format with key points lists, pearls, and case studies as they appear in practice.
- Expert Consult™ eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, videos, and references from the book on a variety of devices.
- Includes expanded and updated chapters on non-surgical skin tightening and body contouring – two of today's most requested procedures.
- Contains new information on radiofrequency microneedling for skin rejuvenation and acne scar treatment, plus new details on the use of picosecond lasers for tattoo treatment and treatment of ethnic skin.
- Includes many new images and procedural videos that depict exactly how to perform the techniques.
1 Understanding Lasers, Light Sources, Other Energy-Based Technology
2 Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions
3 Laser Treatment of Pigmented Lesions and Tattoos
4 Laser Hair Removal
5 Nonablative Laser and Light Skin Rejuvenation
6 Nonablative Fractional Laser Rejuvenation
7 Laser Resurfacing
8 Nonsurgical Body Contouring
9 Nonsurgical Skin Tightening
10 Laser Treatment of Ethnic Skin
11 Complications and Legal Considerations of Laser and Light Treatments
George J Hruza, MD, Private Practice, Laser & Dermatologic Surgery Center Inc, Chesterfield MO USA Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology and Otolaryngology and Director of Laser and Dermatologic Surgery Center, St Louis University, St Louis MO, USA and Elizabeth L Tanzi, MD, FAAD, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, George Washington University; Medical Center Director, Capital Laser and Skin Care, Chevy Chase, MD, USA


text:
The thing, and not the thing
A recent OECD conference on "knowledge-based capital" could have discussed novel issues about big data, but didn't.
By K.N.C | PARIS
HOW to define big data? At a meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development last week, about 150 delegates were asked to raise their hands if they had heard of the term—all had. How many felt comfortable giving a definition? Only about 10%. And these were government officials who will be called upon to devise policies on supporting or regulating big data.
The conference theme was "knowledge-based capital". The good news is that the wise minds at the OECD can see there is something new and important taking place with the role of data in business and society, and they want to shape the intellectual agenda. The problem is that the civil servants and academics who flock to the meetings aren't always as avant garde in their thinking. That is not to say the event wasn't useful—it was. But there is much more to play for.
Take the session on accounting for intangibles. Thomas Günther of the Technical University of Dresden spoke about the ridiculousness of accountancy rules for things like brands, in which "goodwill" is treated as an expense but not an asset if it is developed internally; it only becomes an asset if it is acquired through a market transaction—even though it is the same thing, one day to the next. This begs the question of how to place a value on the data that firms hold. For instance, as much as one-third of Amazon's sales are said to come from its recommendation engine: shouldn't the vast pool of data that the company has on customers be considered an asset? But the idea went unaddressed.
Then there is intellectual property. It is a major impediment for big data. For example, data-mining techniques to put tens of thousands of research papers through a computer to spot patterns that may otherwise be missed (such as a drugs' side-effects being eliminated in the presence of another drug) has shown promise. But copyright law means these sort of "meta mining" studies require researchers to buy access to each article, just as if it were the 19th century and a pair of human eyes were to read it. Yet this and other issues weren't raised. Instead, officials from national patent offices bellyached about things like the backlog and time it takes to examine a patent. Worthy matters, yes, but not cutting-edge ones.
Just as delegates thought they were talking about "knowledge-based capital" as something with which they were familiar, the issues were more novel than they imagined. The uses of information are different with big data than in the past. They talk about one thing, but something else is happening. They are looking at the front door when it's creeping through the side window.
The American economist Michael Mandel of the Progressive Policy Institute did an excellent job of putting a stake in the ground, defining big data as the idea that data is an economic input as well as an output (building on his paper on measuring the data-driven economy from last autumn). Jakob Haesler, the boss of Tinyclues, a Paris-based startup, raised a worry that big data may mean we lose a degree of transparency in why computers make the decisions they do. A recent article in Nature relied on a formula so complex that it couldn't be published in print. And as the data always change and algorithms adapt, it is not clear that the scientific standard of reproducibility may hold. Big data raises epistemological questions, he concluded.
Depressingly, a European delegate asked about possibly of taxing data as a way to fill national coffers. The idea is similar to the "bit tax" that floated around Brussels in the 1990s. A big data tax smacks as retrograde—czarist!—that a nation might strangle a nascent area of economic growth by having the state enrich itself before its citizens can even reap the benefits.
The best comment of the day came from Andrew Wyckoff, the director of the division handling science and technology. The big data world relies on information, but we don't have any information about it with which to understand what is happening. How do we get the data?, he asked. As he explained: we have really good figures for R&D spending because companies break it out in their stock-market filings. And they do that because they get a tax credit. So what do we need to do to get the information from companies without having to pay them off?
"To measure is to know," Lord Kelvin is said to have remarked. We need data about big data.
More from Graphic detail
The difficulties of getting an abortion in Italy
Women are already having to travel across the country to find a willing doctor
Japan's government props up the yen for the first time since 1998
The intervention will not fix the currency's underlying weaknesses
The most liveable cities in the Middle East and Africa
Living conditions are improving—but familiar problems remain


text:
Dental implants are one of the most successful treatments in all of dentistry. At least 93% of dental implants last 20 years or more, according to long-term studies. But the current level of success doesn't mean that we're content with the way things are. We'll keep seeking ways to make the procedure more successful until we achieve a 100% survival rate.
And now a new study gives us hints about how we might improve our success rate with dental implants. The large study shows us that bone augmentation may lead to better success rates.
20 Years, 3000 patients, 10,000 Implants
There are many problems with studying the long-term success rates of dental implants. One of the biggest is simply designing studies that are long enough to get an accurate picture. That's why studies that are 20 years or longer are so valuable to us.
But when studies get long, they sometimes fall prey to another difficulty: having enough patients. Many studies of dental implants rely on just a handful of patients. So when we have a study that utilizes all the patients in three private practices for this time period, it's even more valuable.
The population for this study included 3095 patients (1693 of whom were women) who received a total of 10,158 dental implants. The average age of the patients was 52.4 at the time of implantation. Even though they were handled at three different practices, all patients received a standardized follow-up care, including a checkup three months after placement and yearly evaluations.
Although follow-up for this study was up to 20 years, most patients had much shorter follow-up periods. Ten-year follow-up was available for only 14.1% of patients, and 15 year follow-up was available for only 2.7% of patients.
Bone augmentation was used for 58.3% of procedures. Over the years, patients received many different types of bone grafts materials, including their own bone, and a variety of 13 different commercial bone graft materials.
Bone Augmentation Improved Survival Rates
The overall survival rates for this study were in line with other studies: 95.5% overall, and 98.1% for single-unit implants. Single-unit implants replace just a single missing tooth with a single implant and a single crown.
Bone augmentation led to significantly increased survival rates. Implants without augmentation had a survival rate of 94.3%, while implants with augmentation had a survival rate of 96.3%. The disparity was a little smaller for single-unit implants but still significant (97.1% vs. 98.8%).
The potential benefit for bone augmentation must be weighed against the additional cost of the procedure, but in many cases, bone augmentation just makes sense. It helps prepare the site for the dental implant, and if it improves long-term success rates it seems like a good choice.
What Is the Right Dental Implant Procedure for You?
During your dental implant consultation we will talk about your options and help you decide which is best for you.
To talk to an implant dentist about the best dental implant procedure for you, please call 940-322-2252 today for an appointment with StarImage Dentistry in Wichita Falls, TX.


text:
You have several ways to get into contact with our friendly team, you can send us an email, call us directly, fax, or even drop into our large showroom on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Our showroom is located at 11/13 Advance Road Kuluin, QLD, 4558
Please note our customer service phone line and opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8 am to 3 pm, and Friday's 7 am to 12:30 pm.
Alternatively, you can email us using the form below.
Order Hotline:
Phone: 1300 331 311
Office: 07 5443 5585
International: 61 7 5443 5585
Head Office Address:
Craft Products Australia
11/13 Advance Road
Kuluin, QLD, 4558
Postal Address:
P.O Box 1040,
Maroochydore QLD 4558
Please fill in the form below, we will reply in our opening hours mentioned above.
Please note: Occasionally our emails will end up in your spam folder please be sure to check that.


text:
Show and Tell: 10 Years Ago
This picture makes me smile, not because of the red and white flecked playsuit I was sporting, or my super fun American flag cake, but because it was taken in the kitchen of my childhood home. This photo dates back to July, although I'm not sure if it was 2000, 2001, or 2002. I was heading to a 4th of July party being held at a friend's.
That kitchen didn't change much over the years, aside from the time when my mom decided she wanted to put up green gingham curtains and stamp cherries on the walls. That tile countertop, that side door we never opened, those dark wood cabinets – not much changed. That top left cabinet had a hole that never got replaced, from when my mom hit it with a spoon out of anger one day [very out of character for mom]. The highest cabinet above the fridge held liquor that my parents were given, but never drank. I miss that kitchen, and I miss the mom that went in it.
How many pounds ago was this? God only knows, I don't weigh myself. I didn't have bangs for too long, and this is one of the better pictures of them. Cowlicks kind of take the fun out of bangs, and make them too much work. This was at the Hootenanny, which means you know I had to be about 19 or 20 in this shot. I didn't go too many years, as it just got overrun with people and it became unbearable. I would gladly get back down to this size after all of my training!
I don't have too many full-length outfit shots, but this is a good one. This dates to Christmas of 2003 or 2004. I miss this red velveteen dress, it was classy and oh-so-flattering. The pretty lady to my left is Suzy, who plays/has played bass in a number of SoCal bands. She hosts a mean Christmas party!
Test Results Tuesday!
Funny Korea Story
You May Also Like
One down, nineteen to go!October 15, 2021
The NumbersMay 30, 2011
MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #64November 11, 2011
6 Comments
oh la la.. i love the old photos! You were smoking!
Thanks! It was fun to go through all of them!
Straight Talking Mamasaid
oh I love that red velvet dress too! Beautiful!
Great photos! Love the Hootenanny outfit. I'm sure training will get you back to the shape and size you want.
Miss Dollie DeVillesaid
Ah Suzy! Too cute. I love that red dress too! Yes, I went to Hootenanny around 18 or 19, but not any more. I think we had the same experience. ha ha ha
@Natalia – I hope I'm even better shape than I was back then! I wasn't working out then either, I don't think.@Fiona – It was a great dress, and I don't remember paying too much for it. With the buttons at the neckline, you didn't even need a necklace.@Dollie – Yeah, I think we all knew the crowd that overrun that event, not to mention heat and beer and stupid people never make for a good combination! I always remember the social clubs fighting at the Hootenanny.


text:
I guess a lot of people reading this blog wont expect this interview, which is kind of interesting enough reason to do it. Matthias has without a doubt been a contest machine the last few years, I wanted this interview to dig a lil bit beneath the surface of one of the most talented riders on the globe currently. Read on.
Everyone knows you've had a great year practically winning everything, I guess the first question is, how do you motivated when you are always on the road?
Being on the Road is my main motivation actually! When I go on trip I always manage to stay with the local riders and this is so good. I was with the Pralex team in Canada, Ucchie Team in Tokyo, Terry Adams and Scott O'brien in New Orleans, Adam Kun in Hungary etc etc… So when you hang out and ride with the right person, now it's motivation! 🙂
This last couple of years you've been full time pro, I read on your blog that you recently went to sports college, sounds fun?
Yeah, after I graduated High school 2 years ago I asked my parents If I could live a full time pro life. They gave me a chance and they let me move to Paris (Living with Raphael Chiquet) and ride everyday. It was very funny but this summer after I came back from Hungary, I didn't feel doing another year like this. It's just to boring during the winter, when It's raining and you don't have any spot to ride, all of your friends are working… So I decided to go to college but I wanted something fun. I'm really into sport so I took a sport college. Basically I do a lot of different sport during the day (It's like 4 or 6 hours of different sport a day) and then ride 3 hours at night at the Opera Spot. I tell you, Nowadays I'm in my bed at 11 p.m, DEAD! 🙂
What sports are you doing? I gather you are getting much fitter, this will help your riding a lot and then the contradiction is at contests you always hungover, but still ride well? I guess you are still young…
Ahahaah Good one!
I'm currently doing Gymnastic, Tennis, Athletism, Boxing, Handball and Swimming. I'm really really fit right now and it helps so much for riding!
I'm kinda done with getting drunk every night actually, I really wanna push this sport (BMX) forward in the next years. But when it comes to contest, All my friends I haven't seen for ages are there in the same place, so we always have a little party. But I know my limit that's why I still do well at contests…
The only contest I didn't party the day before was Fieldcontrol in Portimao and I got 2nd Place (Which is lame ahaha) so I better drink I guess.
The drinking maybe takes your mind off riding? So psychologically helps you? Maybe that works for you. But another angle what about all the kids that look up to you? Do you feel any responsibility to how you present yourself?
You've got to be 18 to get into a party, when I'm drunk I'm actually in a party, so Kids under age can't see me. The following morning I'm just as normal as usual. You've get to drink a lot of water before going to bed and have some Red Bull in the Morning and you are brand new. In this way, I don't have to care how I look, I look good!
Tell me about the attitude to bike riding in France, what I mean by that is that it doesn't seem to hard for you and others to get indoor spots to ride.
Yeah yeah we have a pretty big scene in France and people try to make the things move forward. We have three clubs around Paris! Alex Jumelin's Flatland school in Acheres (50 Km from Paris), The Flatland club in Servon (30 km from Paris) and My Indoor spot and club in Ste Geneviève des Bois (25 km) so I guess this is pretty cool! I can ride 3 days a week indoor!
That's great for you and the scene there. Over the past few years you have been and are at the top of the contest scene, the rivalry with yourself and Sam Foakes is well documented, I got the feeling this year that you missed that rivalry, would that be a fair comment? And also as following question, who do you think is coming up that could pose a threat to you next year?
I didn't feel I had any rivalry with Sam. I just battled him in Japan for the last round of the 2008 world circuit and I won. I also won the world circuit the same year. Afterward Sam didn't reappear on the contest scene….I really miss him as a person and a rider because he always came up with new tricks and was cool to hang out with. Since there were no Rivalry, How could I miss him as a rival? The "new guys" who will be REALLY hard to beat at a contest in 2010 will be Martti Kuoppa, Alex Jumelin and Adam Kun. Definitely.
You mentioned you wish to help the sport grow, for me it seems one of the major developments this year has been rider blogs, now there are blogs updating daily, motivating riders worldwide, which in turn is good coverage for pro riders like yourself.
Yes, I really wanna Flatland to grow in the right way. That's why I put daily news on my blog. Here is my vision of flatland today (I know a lot of people will hate me for this): We wasted too much time with Weird bikes (crazy high seatposts, complicated frame, ….) and weird thoughts like "we need to stay underground". If we don't do things in a way to grow the sport (big contests, big sponsors, new style of tricks (Air tricks, quick routine, street oriented) I mean getting kids pumped when you watch Flatland, The whole thing is going to die slowly. I think the past year has been really positive for flatland, so many contests, new style of tricks, we need to keep on doing this and keep looking forward, live in the future, not in the past!
Interesting points, so how do you think the contests progressing beyond just battle format or three minute run, both have been used to death. Maybe a battle format is easier to understand for the audience?
I think 2min30 runs for qualification is perfect. For The final, of course battle are the best to entertain the crowd. There is no point to find another crazy complicated system cause this one just works fine…
You mentioned two of your good friends Alex and Adam as competition, what's that like competing against a close friend, can't be much fun? Or maybe it is fun, no pressure?
The thing is, the professional world of flatland is so small that everybody is good friends basically! That's why there is such a good friendly vibes in contests! But I'm very competitive in general so friend or not, it's the same when it comes to contest! But remember the battle between Justin Miller and Martti Kuoppa at Flatring 2006 , they were obviously not friends 🙂 and there was a real "battle" between both of them which made the thing so interesting for the riders, and for the crowd, because people can feel that! To conclude I'd rather battle someone I hate so I'd get more motivated to pull crazier tricks than him and just kick his ass! THAT'd be definitely fun. I'm gonna try to hate Alex or Adam in 2010 so it gets more interesting for you guys! But I can't promise anything 🙂 ahaha..
Very interesting what you have to say, I agree with what you say about the Martti and Miller battle at Flatring, that did an extra spice, and rivalry to the already existing contest tension, something the audience can take sides and get involved in, thus making flatland more appealing. You mentioned that you are very competitive in general, I noticed at nearly every contest that ive been at, you don't really ride that much during the practise time, but seem to just step it up in the contest, is that like a deliberate decision on your part not to ride in practise?
It's crazy you noticed that! hehe Yes It's a deliberate decision, I just fuck around with easy tricks during practice and I don't try the tricks I'm gonna do during my run. It's just superstition: If I pull my tricks at practice I may not pull them during the contest time. you get me? It's just a mind problem 🙂 Moreover people always watch practice and If you do the tricks you gonna do in your run during practice, there is no surprise you know?
Of course I notice haha… Thats good point that if you do tricks in practise then theres no surprise, thats one thing that I think is great with park and vert contests, you never know, the problem i found with flat, is no one ever goes away from the contest talking about "big" tricks, its kind of like a big selling point missing from flatland, I guess with your outlook on it you are trying to approach contests a lil differently.. In order to be that confident, to not practise your tricks in practise you must practise a lot? Any kind of routine to your training?
Yes It's stupid to drop bombs tricks in Practise… You can injured yourself and it doesn't get you any point for the contest. Worse: If you pull your "banger" first try in practise with luck, and let's say it takes you 3 tries to pull it during you run, Judges think you are screwing up and give you bad marks…
I don't practise my routine much at home. Actually I have what I call "Pieces of combos" nearly 50. Separately I can do them eyes closed. When It comes to contests, I just build my combos with theses "pieces of combos" in different order everytime. It's like a "controlled freestyle" 🙂 people never know what I'm gonna do.
Thats a very different technique than what most pros use, but seems to work for you. Video riding requires a total different approach, what is your approach to a vid project, such as the infamous Sevisual edits?
I really hate filming video parts. I go really really crazy if I don't pull the tricks I want in a short time, so I never made the effort to pull really really wild stuff that takes hours. I'm never happy of what I pull in videos. Actually I have a part comming up in the next SOUL bmx dvd I'm really happy about. It took me a long time to film it… make sure you'll check it out!
Video riding and contest riding are as you know two different things entirely, i'd imagine your pretty used to pulling stuff within a couple of tries. So its totally alien for you to be trying combos for hours. I guess going back a bit now, what got you into riding? I heard somewhere that Carlos Leal played big part in your earlier years
Yes, Carlos Leal has been my teacher for my 3 first years. He taught me everything. The really cool thing is I learned ALL the basics (squeaks for exemple). It drives me crazy to see some pros today that can't squeak! the fact I learned all the basic stuff definitely helped me out because I'm not locked by a technique I can't do you know.
What is flatland for you?
Flatland is my Passion… I'm addicted dude, It's fucking weird!
Do you live purely off flatland? If you do, describe as short as possible, how you made this happen?
I purely live off Flatland, and well I'd say. How I make this happens: 8 letters: S.P.O.N.S.O.R.S.
What motivates you now that you are at the top of the sport? Have you noticed a change in motivation since you began?
My motivation is bigger than before : Now I have all the basics I wanted to (street and Flat) I wanna learn tricks that nobody could think was possible on a flat ground.
If you could pick one what would it be- World champion or World circuit champion?
World circuit champion! Definitely more hard to win! because you have 3 round.
This year you did so many contests, I lost track, i'd compare this to being like a tennis pro, tell me your schedule for this year? How did you practise for contests always on the road?
I did about 20 contest this year 🙂 which is a lot I tell you! I'm gonna be at every contest my body can take in 2010! That's it! I'm not into contest practicing I told you 3 questions ago 🙂 so I don't have to worry about that.
What I meant more was this must so hard, away from home riding spot, sometimes away from home its not always possible to be on your home schedule (.i.e do what you like when you like), not to mention the travelling and toll it takes on your body?
ah Ok! Yes sometimes it's hard but you know it's the game. You can't stay home everytime! It's just too boring… But when I'm on trip I always hang out with cool people that bring me to good spot to Practise. And i'm like a 4×4, I can ride everywhere:) The worst when you travel is the toll that it takes from your body. Ask martti, I talked a lot with him about that.it's "eating pieces of your body :)".
Going back to sponsors, do you approach the sponsors yourself like how Terry does? Sponsorship deals are a lot of work, I think some kids think it just happens…
I really work hard with my sponsors. I try to stay in contact every week (I send news and stuff) as Terry does. And No, It doesn't happen like this, you gotta promote yourself!
For sure travelling is a killer on your body, I know all about that too…As you mentioned riding on so many different surfaces must be a huge help when comes to the differing contest surfaces. When you are riding at home, where do you ride? Opera? Always looks like people walking past….
When Im at home I have 4 différent spots. Saturday and sunday i ride my indoor spot in the suburb. Monday, Tuesday I ride at opera after 8 pm, so there are not much people passing. The rest of the week I ride in La Bastille (asphalt) or in Dupleix (marble) so yeah, the fact to have different surfaces to practice definitely help for contest riding!
Of all the travel destinations, which is the one you look forward to the most?
My favorite place in the World is Harajuku-Tokyo (japan) and my favorite spot is Ucchie's underground spot in Tokyo. The floor is magic I think :).
How does your life differ in the off season?
I wish I had a off season….
I thought you would be now to be honest! Whats your next contest? Figured it'd be the Tokyo World Classic? I presume you mean sponsorship work you have to do?
I'm going to Zurich on friday to do shows, then It's going to be V.U. in Pessac, Then I go to Australia for some reasons, then I go to another show in Italy… Plenty of stuff going on man… I'm always on trip so I don't have really off season..
Thats good though, proves there is professional flatland life if you work hard enough for it!! I know you love flatland, but must be really hard some times when you are burnt out and need a rest?
Yes, That's actually why I go to this sport school this year, not to get burned out. I also ride a lot of street now a days. It's just so much fun. I learned 180's, 360's, Whips variation. I still need to learn bunnyhop barspin and then it's gonna be fun. There are a plenty of way not getting burned out from flatland, so sometimes people, take a breath, go ride some streets or whatever;).
Ok Matthias lets wrap this up!
Multiple choice (pick one) after all those questions for bit of fun.
Paris or Tokyo. Paris for my friends.
Originality or style
Riding indoors or outdoorsOutdoor session for the summer, shirtless!
Fashion or Function
Summer or winter
Flatmatters or Global flatGlobal-flat because when I'm bored it's just so funny to read the forums shit! keep on doing this guys!! 🙂
The come up or Fat bmx
Martti Kuoppa or Adam Kun
Eddy Lookback or Sevisual. Two of my good friends and two really good video editors, can't tell…
Ninja spin or KOG.Best contest of 2009!!
Thanks for your time on this interview Matthias
Photos from http://matthiasdandois.blogspot.com


text:
It's May. It's Green Ribbon Month.
The significance of the Green Ribbon is to get us talking about mental health, to start conversations. But do we know how to talk about it? What would we say? Do we have the words?
And would anyone want to listen?
We've been sporting our Green Ribbons this week at the Cork Life Centre and we've been creating a space to start conversations about the issues that affect our young people, and indeed those across Ireland.
Today we met Tony Bates founder and CEO of Headstrong and he didn't talk at us or to us, but with us. We had the most sensible and hopeful and real conversation about mental health that I have heard or witnessed in a long time. And it is an issue close to our hearts; and we have read and followed the Dail debates around budget cuts!
Tony Bates
In 90 minutes, we were given the benefit of Tony's lifetime of experience working with people experiencing mental distress. What we heard more than Tony's voice was that of the young people that inform the work of Headstrong and of their Jigsaw projects. These youth voices are not hesitant or given a tokenistic platform-they are central and they are steeped in respected wisdom.
Tony credits young people with all the pivotal lessons he has learned about mental health, the most important of which is:
"We don't want to be helped we want to be heard."
Common sense can be a rare commodity but it shouldn't take a genius to come to the conclusion that if you want to know what would help young people cope with problems and manage their mental health, you should ask them!
It was fascinating to hear Tony outline how positive a place of ignorance can be. One of the key tenets of our own ethos at the Cork Life Centre is a Philosophy of Ignorance: How can I deign to know what you need? How can I support you if I don't know you? If I don't understand you and your unique life circumstances and journey.
Philosophy of Ignorance
The above ignorance is positive if it lends itself to listening, to building trust and relationships. This ignorance is intentional. The unintentional kind is far more damaging and arrogant. It is the arrogance of thinking you can 'help' or 'fix' young people. It is the exasperation Tony outlined that society can have in saying 'If young people would only tell us what's going on we'd fix it!"
Tony's response to this kind of exasperation is calm, logical and inherently positive.
Firstly, he advises not to make the assumption that young people know how to tell us what's wrong. The process needs to be a bit more active than saying we need to create spaces for these conversations. How do we respond when given the opportunity to really talk to young people and hear what they are saying? Too many people have become terrified to respond at all. Professionals are terrified of not being 'qualified' to talk to young people about their problems. Have we become so risk heightened and averse that we can't reach out and help? For sure Ireland's mental health system needs an overhaul, I doubt you'll find many who disagree. But it seems there's a bigger shift in thinking required than that. We can't 'fix' the mental health system, we can't 'fix' people whose distress and despair makes us uncomfortable.
Tony Bates advocates for accepting that the world is full of disruption and that it will continue to be.
So what can we control?
Our own response is the answer. Our own response should we be privileged enough that a young person finds the right words, or indeed any words to share the distress and considers us the right person to share it with.
What could be simpler than the two key pieces of wisdom Tony Bates shared with a rapt audience at the Cork Life Centre today:
We should first respond by thanking a young person for sharing their feelings. Because by doing so they are engaging us to support them and this is a skill.
Secondly, we can always say to a young person: 'There is a very good reason for whatever you are feeling' because truthfully there always is.
Tony's talk today did not shy away from human suffering- he is not afraid to tell people they need to engage with their pain or that pain is normative in lots of situations life throws at us. But like the services of Jigsaw, Tony also focused on solutions and spent as much time speaking about what makes young people resilient as what might cause their struggles.
So the focus is not on eradicating human suffering, which is a part of the human condition. It is not on solving problems or removing obstacles for young people, but on identifying what puts them at an advantage in navigating problems, difficulties, stresses, and anxieties.
Years of research including the My World Survey by Headstrong points to three protective factors for youth mental health:
The ability to engage others with your problems. The skill of being able to seek support.
One good adult-not just a family member but any adult who knows you, believes in you, is available to you.
A recognition and development of your skills and talents, the nourishment of that one thing you are particularly good at.
A little goes a long way
What a beautifully simple and understated list! As Tony Bates commented 'A very little can go a long way with the mental health of adolescents.' What an immensely hopeful message. Tony Bates could not be more positive and hopeful about young people. Headstrong and Jigsaws philosophies are clear in their wonderful common sense and simplicity and lack of jargon and labelling. As an organisation working with young people we could relate to all that was said and are striving to put this into practice daily.
But why is this not obvious to our government, to policy makers and to all professionals on the ground working with children? It is not highly complex it is merely human.
If a little goes a long way why are we still falling down so badly in nurturing and protecting the mental health of our young people? Mental health does not exist in a vacuum to be cured-will do not see the mention of a diagnostic label or a prescription pad in the three protective factors. What you see in fact are closer to basic human and children's rights- all four categories-survival rights, development rights, protection rights and participation rights.
We will have a unique opportunity to explore these issues tomorrow not just with Tanya Ward CEO of the Children's Rights Alliance but Jillian Van Turnhout former senator and established Children's Rights Champion. Join us at 11am to meet Tanya or 2pm for Jillian!
A huge thank you to Tony Bates who has earned a special place today in the hearts of all he met behind our red doors. Your words were inspiring and will fuel our work and commitment to communicating to young people that it's OK not to be OK, and that it's definitely OK to talk about it.


text:
Are you a enterprise personal and you might be searching for a perfect and successful methods to market your business? Harry's had rewards from primary males's grooming merchandise to a lifetime supply of razors. You have to be marketing all the time — wherever you are. 4. One of many leading concepts in advertising today is the idea of inbound marketing, or creating content material that actually attracts an viewers (and thereby potential clients) to your web site and builds brand recognition.
fifty eight. Provide a free download or free gift to make individuals keen so as to add their electronic mail handle to your list. 's 50 Electronic mail Advertising Suggestions and Stats for 2014 reported that entrepreneurs acquired a median return of funding of $44.25 for every $1 spent on e-mail marketing. 34. Optimize your web site and content for cell or unfastened out on potential prospects.
Alternatively, if you happen to've ever taken an internet course then you've undoubtably seen all of the Bonuses" that got here with it. It provides perceived value and makes prospects happier of their buy as a result of they obtained more than they really paid for like within the instance beneath. One of the simplest ways to figure out when your audience is most engaged, is to test open and click on by means of rates on your emails by sending them at completely different instances.
Consider donating a services or products of yours as a prize in a neighborhood contest or occasion. 76. Cross-promote your products and services with other native companies. I've additionally enlisted few pointers on my blog, Online Advertising method for Small Companies. Create Prospect lists (keep these non-public), customer lists, media lists and engage with those folks on these lists.
For instance if you happen to're an area dog strolling business, take heed to discussions of individuals talking about strolling their canine in your native area or when you're a national on-line retailer listen for discussions about your competition or around your niche. They'll additionally stay forward of their rivals, as a result of once we hear effectively, the client shows us the place the business mannequin must go.


text:
|Windows Script Components
|Exposing Events
|See Also
To add event capability to a Windows® Script Component:
Declare each event that you want to be able to fire.
Call a function to fire the event as required in the script component.
Some host environments also require that you generate a type library which they use to bind to events. For details, see Creating a Script Component Type Library.
The Behavior handler exposes events in a slightly different way. For details, see Exposing Custom Events in Behavior Script Components.
Declaring Events
Each event you want to be able to fire must be individually declared.
To declare an event
Create a <public> element as a child of the <component> element.
In the <public> element, include an <event> element for each event you want to declare.
For example, the following script component fragment shows how to expose two events:
Copy Code
<public> <property name="sname"/> <method name="factorial"/> <event name="namechanged"/> <event name="querydone"/> </public>
Specifying Dispatch Identifiers
COM programming provides event notification via dispatch identifiers (each referred to as a dispid), which are integer values that identify a component's events. The dispid is compiled into the component's type library and then used by the host application to bind to events.
The process of creating a type library for script components automatically generates dispids for your script component's events. However, if you prefer, you can specify your own dispids. Doing so allows you to:
Guarantee that events in your script component will always have the same dispid. If the type library generator assigns dispids, they can change each time the library is generated.
Map events in your script component to dispids with specific numbers. For example, if you want to fire a standard COM event such as an error notification, you can map your event to the values used by convention in COM.
To specify a dispid for an event, include the dispid attribute in the <event> element, as in the following example:
|Copy Code
<public> <event name="namechanged" dispid="22"> </public>
Dispids must be unique within the script component. You can specify a negative value for a dispid to map to conventional events, but must use only specified ranges, such as -999 to -500 for controls. For details about reserved dispid ranges, refer to documentation for DISPID in the MSDN library.
The dispid number zero is used to identify a default method or property. For more details, see Exposing Methods and Exposing Properties.
Firing an Event
You can fire an event by calling the fireEvent method, specifying the name of the event to fire. You cannot fire events that you did not expose in the <implements> element. You can fire an event in any script in your script component file. For example, the following illustrates how you can fire an event when a property value changes.
|Copy Code
<script language="VBScript"> <![CDATA[ Sub put_lowercaseName(newLCName) name = newLCName fireEvent("namechanged") End Sub ]]> </script>
See Also


text:
Martyn Gilbert
August 8, 2014
How often have you been told that 'health and safety' is the reason a common sense request can't be completed?
Over the last few years it feels like the H&S excuse has been increasingly trotted out to explain why almost any frustrating procedure is in place and why it cannot be changed.
Much of this stems from the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational (workplace) safety in the UK. But with all the inconvenience it causes, why on earth did we bring this legislation on ourselves, and was it really worth it?
When it comes to decisions that are attributed to health and safety, there is no shortage of baffling myths around.
In the workplace we have heard of office workers prohibited from hanging Christmas decorations, flip flops outlawed, engineers banned from climbing stepladders, and even trapeze artists made to wear hard hats - all in the name of health and safety.
Such myths continue in our public areas, with other reported cases of supermarket staff 'not allowed' to water dying plants, candy floss on sticks declared 'banned', and a pub that allegedly didn't provide a mirror in its disabled toilet 'for health and safety reasons'.
But what we must be aware of is that none of these has any grounds in the law.
In fact the urban legends have now gotten so great that the Health and Safety Executive has even set up its own Myth Busters Challenge Panel to tackle these reports and put right the outlandish stories so often distorted in the media.
With so much bad (and erroneous) reporting, it's no wonder we think of health and safety as the business of miserable killjoys who would prefer no one to have any fun.
Looking past such stories, the reality is that the Health and Safety at Work Act, forty years old this year, has radically enhanced safety in workplaces across the UK, and you now are less likely to die or be seriously injured in the workplace than ever before.
The Act led to the formation of both the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive, and it is these bodies which regulate the law, help reduce risk and bring irresponsible employers to justice in the courts.
For example, below are just a few of the key statistics on workplace safety in the UK:
• In 1974 annual deaths at work were at 650, yet today in 2014 they are at a record low of 133 - a fall of 85%.
• Injuries sustained at work have dropped by more than three quarters (77%) in the same period, from 336,701 to just 78,222.
• The UK's rate of fatal injuries at work, at 0.71 per 100,000 employees, is significantly below most other EU member states, including big economies like Germany and France.
I find it worthwhile to remember some of these figures whenever somebody quotes health and safety as an obstacle or complains about 'risk assessments', as well as upon hearing the current trend of politicians declaring a need to 'cut red tape' from the system.
Put simply, this 'red tape' has a proven track record of saving lives, or as The Telegraph's Philip Johnston explains it:
"[the health & safety at work act] has arguably saved more lives than any other piece of legislation, including the ban on drink driving or the compulsory wearing of seat belts in cars. It may well have reduced deaths by 5,000 or more."
Apart from creating a world-class regulatory system, vastly reducing the chance of an injury at work, ensuring employers have to take our safety seriously, and creating laws which ensure those who create risk are responsible for proportionately managing it ..... yes apart from all that, what has the Health and Safety at Work Act ever done for us?!
What health and safety myths have you come across? Do you think the balance between employer responsibilities and worker safety is at the right level?
Let me know in the comments.
At Spencers Solicitors we are fearlessly committed to our clients and ensuring that their best interests are central to everything we do. To maintain this focus, we request client feedback at the conclusion of every case we handle. By sharing the responses we receive, you'll find out why clients choose Spencers Solicitors to deal with their legal issues.
4.2 out of 5 following 116 client feedback results at Spencers Solicitors
Our offices are conveniently located near to Chesterfield town centre & fully equipped with onsite meeting facilities, disabled access and free parking.
08000 93 00 94
Drop into our offices
Online Enquiry


text:
Folks, Trump was close when he said that Bush was responsible for 9/11. The fact is that Bush and Cheney were responsible for 9/11. And it was deliberate. Cheney was the brains. George W. Bush was just following the Vice President.
And Ex-President H.W. Bush chose Cheney to help his son make the right decisions and Cheney wanted to run for VP so that he could get the contracts for the bases when they invade Iraq. There was no reason to attack Iraq. But Bush and Cheney had other goals.
There was no reason to attack Iraq but the President and Vice President wanted those positions so they could accomplish their goals. Bush junior carried out the mission that the president needed to do for his goal. Bush ordered his crew to ignore all information about bin Laden and he did. Any intelligence about bin Laden was received and ignored. The Bush crew just moved along, waiting. Meanwhile, his adviser begged Bush to have critical meetings on the present threat against America. But Bush refused all critical meetings from his adviser.
(All the time Bush and Cheney were cheering for a hit on America so they could carry out their goals.) Cheney wanted the base contracts once they invaded Iraq and Bush wanted to become a Commander-in-Chief during a war (true). He actually said that to his first writer. Bush did get his chance to be what he wanted to be. And Vice President Cheney got the base contracts once the invasion was successful. And Cheney became a billionaire. And no one said a word.
All the good intel was received and ignored about the terror group. Condoleezaa Rice turned down a high level meeting about urgent info on a threat against America.
Later, Bush also turned down another critical threat against America shortly before the terror group attacked in September. (Rice didn't have any idea what was going on. She had orders to turn down any critical meetings. Bush told her to ignore their adviser's plea,)
Bush didn't want to surprise the terrorists when they came calling. And the two evil doers got their rewards and all they had to do was sit down, ignore the FBI and the CIA.
Bush and Cheney wanted their permission to attack Iraq right after the attack on America. However, Bush's adviser, Richard Clarke, told him that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. When Bush was finally forced to invade Afghanistan, he found himself bogged down at Tora Bora against bin Laden and a large experienced army.
So Secretary Rumsfeld called Bush and told him to just let bin Laden escape and all the terror groups were saved and they went into Pakistan. That made it possible for Bush and Cheney to hook up with the other forces and invade Iraq.
And Bush and Cheney got their prizes and left a long trail from the twin towers at 9/11, then fumbled around in Afghanistan, then invaded Iraq- which is all they wanted. Yet. They left a long casualty list of children, men, women and citizens from America, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
All of those killed and wounded in three nations were only there so that President Bush and VP Cheney could finally get those two goals in Iraq.


text:
Elijah clung to his father as he ran through the trees. He wondered if Drake were okay. He couldn't believe his father had done that. Madison had brought Elijah just as his father had wanted. Why did he have to kill him? He began to struggle. He didn't want to go with this man any longer. He thought his father had a sense of honor. He didn't steal unless he could help it, and he always kept his word. He could feel his father's muscle strain as he tried to keep a hold of Elijah's squirming body. Finally, he stopped.
"What's the matter with you, boy? We have to keep moving."
"No." The word came out in a harsh whisper.
His father knelt down. Expecting a slap to the side of his head, Elijah flinched a little, but his father just grabbed him by the arms.
"She didn't come alone, boy. There's someone else here. Can you hear?"
Elijah cocked his head. He could hear someone running through the trees to the side of them. Elijah tried to step away from his father, but his father's hands tightened around his arms.
"What are you doing, boy?"
"I'm not going with you." The sound of the person in the forest was moving away from them. The person was going to miss them in the dark. Elijah realized that he could scream and whoever that was would be back on track, but Elijah wouldn't betray his father.
"You have to, boy. I'm the only one who can take care of you."
"No." Elijah looked back at the clearing. He could see a faint light through the trees, but he couldn't see Madison or Drake any more.
"You mean him. That pansy? He's not strong enough, boy. You know what we are. He won't know how to handle you when you get older. I can keep you safe. I can keep you from becoming what I am."
"I'm not like you. I'll never be like you."
They could hear someone crashing through the woods. They were circling back around. They would be here in a few minutes.
"You need to go. Now." Elijah raised his voice a little. He pulled back with all his strength and his father finally let him go. Flailing his arms, Elijah sat down hard in the damp pine needles.
"Go, Father. Go now!" Elijah stood and pointed into the trees. The crashing through the brush grew louder, and Elijah knew his father would never let himself be taken alive. He'd rather die than live in a cage. His father ran toward him. Elijah's heart sank as he realized his father wasn't going to give him up, but his father didn't stop to grab him. He kept running past Elijah and up the heavily forested slope. He was quiet. A lot quiet than whoever was scrambling around in the trees below him. When he heard a door slam and an engine start, he knew his father had gotten away. And, then, he screamed.


text:
General Order 95
Appendix H
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AMONG AT&T CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA CABLE & TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, CLEARLINX NETWORK CORPORATION, COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA DISTRICT 9, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND SAFETY DIVISION, CROWN CASTLE USA INC., INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 1245, NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC, NEXTG NETWORKS OF CALIFORNIA INC., OMNIPOINT COMMUNICATIONS, INC., dba T-MOBILE, PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY, SPRINT NEXTEL, VERIZON CALIFORNIA INC., VERIZON WIRELESS AND WILLIAM ADAMS
1. On February 24, 2005, the Commission issued an Order Instituting Rulemaking in R.05-02-023 to consider a new rule to GO 95 to establish uniform construction standards for attaching wireless antennas to jointly used utility poles.
2. Evidentiary hearings were conducted in the proceeding on February 7-9, 2006, during which the Commission heard testimony from nine witnesses and received 22 exhibits into evidence.
3. Opening and reply briefs were filed on March 13 and 28, 2006, respectively, at which time the matter was submitted for Commission decision.
4. On April 25, 2006, the Assigned Administrative Law Judge, ALJ Walker, issued his Proposed Decision (�the PD�). Opening and Reply Comments on the PD were filed on May 15 and 22, 2006, respectively. ALJ Walker has issued two revised versions of his Proposed Decision, which adopted Proposal 1 in its entirety, including the provisions of Rule 94.6 and 94.7.
5. On July 18, 2006, several parties in the proceeding submitted a joint petition to set aside submission of the proceeding pursuant to Rule 84 of the Commission�s Rules of Practice and Procedure. The petition requested the Commission set aside the submission of the proceeding temporarily to allow the parties to pursue settlement discussions. On July 20, 2006, Assigned Commissioner Geoffrey F. Brown and Administrative Law Judge Michelle Cooke ruled that the parties shall submit any settlement on or before August 10, 2006.
6. Pursuant to Rule 51.1(b) of the Commission�s Rules of Practice and Procedure, on July 28, 2006, the Settling Parties served notice of a settlement conference to be held telephonically on August 4, 2006.
7. On August 4, 2006, the settlement conference was held as scheduled. Following the settlement conference, the Settling Parties continued settlement discussions, resulting in this Agreement.


text:
The North American market has the largest disposal income of any market in the world, notwithstanding countries with a larger population, such as China and India. While the U.S. and North America is one contiguous market, it is also a series of different regional and demographic markets. How relevant each of these differences are will depend on your company's products and services.
MarketRiver's extensive experience in the field of international trade. Our company expertise includes import-export operations, international market research, working with government export promotion agencies, and consulting with foreign companies wishing to market their products in North America. We can therefore provide solid expertise to foreign firms wishing to introduce their products and services into the North American market.
If you're a foreign firm looking to sell your products/services in North America, we can carry out a thorough analysis of the North American market for products and services similar to yours prior to making an effort. Too many foreign companies waste substantial time, cost and resources attempting to introduce products to the North American market by not effectively conducting such necessary activities as:
- Properly studying existing competition,
- Identifying appropriate un-served market niches that your products fill,
- Planning the direction and strategy of placing your products in those niches, and
- Preparing support materials to assist in the marketing process.
MarketRiver can provide the following services to you:
- Performing a thorough market research and analysis of the North American market for your current and potential goods and services.
- Carefully planning and helping to carry out entry into the North American market.
- Managing North American sales development efforts for your goods and services.
- Working with you to establish a network of independent manufacturers' agent to market your products and services nationally.
- Finding a North American joint-venture partner for a co-marketing or co-production of goods and services.
- Assisting you to prepare appropriate sales support materials, such as:
- Sample and display programs
- Trade advertising
- Promotional literature for consumers and dealers
- Specification and ordering materials


text:
I'm currently in the ramp-up stage of a technical SAP Upgrade from ECC 4.7 to ECC 6.0. Gary Byrne, Managing Editor of the Financials and GRC hubs of SAPexperts, recently published an article "Key Questions to Ask During an SAP Implementation or Upgrade." [insert hammer to nail head mental image here] I'm writing in response to his article and to offer some additional "words of wisdom" from a security standpoint on how to manage a technical upgrade.
The greatest challenge a project team will likely face on a technical upgrade is lack of communication. It is often challenging to understand how the functional consultants and technical resources work together and when each resource is needed. When upgrading an SAP system, some tasks can be tackled simultaneously while others may require preceding technical work to be completed. Having a clear timeline (typically in the form of a Gantt chart) can aid the team in overcoming communication barriers and keeping the project on track. As Gary mentioned, it is important to understand the timing implications of making functional enhancements during an upgrade project. Often times, outlying issues come to the surface during a technical upgrade, a functionality gap or a spec for a custom report for instance, every project team should have a central repository to track issues and enhancements that can be processed post go-live.
We (the SAP security consultants of the world) are all well aware that the successful execution of a technical SAP Security Upgrade is all housed in transaction SU25. 2A-2D. I got beef with whoever decided that 4 steps was a comprehensive enough approach to such an arduous task. There are various aspects to consider before, during and after the execution of the aforementioned steps in order to pay proper attention to all aspects of the SAP Security landscape. Some of these considerations include the following:
1. What does the current role design look like? Does the client utilize derived or enabler roles? How will the upgrade affect the optimization of the security landscape?
2. With the introduction of new authorization objects comes the ability for increased design around local and global control points. Will these new objects have an affect on existing controls or call for additional controls to be added?
3. Are there any open transport requests that contain roles (customizing requests) or SU24 work (workbench requests)? Work with customer on plan to handle these during the upgrade.
4. Is the customer currently doing SU24 Maintenence? If so, SU24 must be maintained to reflect role changes that occurred throughout the upgrade.
5. Do you have an understanding of the roles that are currently assigned to users? Take a snapshot of security in the CURRENT production system.
6. Do new authorizations correspond to previously inactivated authorizations? Create a plan to work with the business to test effected roles and z-tcodes across various functional areas.
One additional pain point. When working on a SAP Security Upgrade, it's hard to pinpoint an exact time estimate prior to starting the SU25 work. SU25 could propose 500 or more role changes and more changes equals more testing and role maintenance.
Happy Hump Day! Weekend's just around the corner for me. Jetting off to Chicago Friday morning to visit some of the best friends in the world: JN, SZ, AW, KE, MG, JB! Phi or Die(CHI)?