text:
9 Ways to Lower Your Winter Energy Bill
9 Ways to Lower Your Winter Energy Bill
Here are 9 simple ways you can save hundreds of dollars on electric and natural gas bills during the winter months.
Cozying up in a warm house, watching holiday lights twinkle, baking cookies—all beloved winter activities. But long after the cookies are gone, you're left with energy bills that can bring out anyone's inner Scrooge. With the average monthly electric bill totaling about $111, plus added natural gas and water costs, it's easy to feel the pinch of utility bills during the winter months.1 Reduce energy usage and trim your bills with these tips:
Insulate your home
Start with your attic. Insulating an attic can be one of the most cost-effective ways to keep warm, and many people can do it themselves! For most homes, experts recommend using R-30 to R-69 insulation. If you already have the right amount of attic insulation and you're still having trouble keeping comfortable, consider adding insulation to your walls or basement.
Fix air leaks in doors and windows
Did you know that by weatherstripping your doors and windows to seal leaks, you could shave more than 20% off your energy bill?2 To identify problem areas, shine a flashlight into the edges of doors and windows at night and have someone outside watching for where light shines through.
Check heating filters
A dirty filter will make your heating system work harder and use more energy (which means it will cost you more). You can extend your heater's life and cut costs just by changing your filter once a month and having your unit serviced once a year. It's a small investment for potentially big savings.
Install a programmable thermostat
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star® program, the average homeowner can save about $180 a year by using a programmable thermostat. The beauty of it is you can set it to automatically reduce heat when you don't need as much (like during work hours or when you're sleeping), then watch your costs shrink.
Set your thermostat lower in the winter
We've heard it for a long time, but keeping the temperature in your home as low as you're comfortable with really can make a difference in your winter costs. Having a blanket nearby or wearing a sweater is a small price to pay to save money.
Buy energy-efficient appliances
Did you know the type of appliances you use could mean hundreds of dollars in energy savings each year? It's true—Energy Star-certified appliances use 10% to 50% less energy a year compared to standard appliances.3 In addition to costing you less to run, they may even qualify for rebates. Check out the EPA's list of qualifying products.
Set your water heater to 120 degrees
Most water heaters default to 140 degrees, but many households can still get plenty of warm water when lowering the temperature to 120. This single change can reduce your water heating costs by 10%.4
Put ceiling fans to work
Ceiling fans can be as good at warming up rooms as cooling them. Simply change the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise—there should be a small switch. This will cause air to be pushed upward, helping spread warm air throughout the room.
Replace light bulbs and holiday lights with energy-saving types
Although light-emitting diode (LED) lights generally cost more up-front, they last 25 times longer and use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.5 That means you'll pay significantly less for electricity over a year if you use LEDs. And, if you use LED holiday lights, they have a lower risk of fire than traditional types, are break-resistant and probably will last 40 holiday seasons.
At the end of the season, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see how these relatively small changes will have a big impact on your costs—which means more money in your pocket for other things.
Energy Star is a registered service mark of the US Environmental Protection Agency.
1Energy Information Administration
2Department of Energy
5Department of Energy


text:
Assignments are part of college work students cannot escape. Students should learn how to write essays as they are part...Read More
The methodology is distinguished as a main and crucial chapter of academic thesis or dissertation. It is often confused with methods, but they are not the same. The methodology deals with the profound philosophical background of your buy dissertation or thesis request is based on usage of quantitative and qualitative methods or a combination of both.
This section should provide information about data collection or gathering and its analysis on the scientific level.
Purpose of methodology chapter
The main aim of this section in your academic paper is to set out exactly what you're planning to undertake to research. The methodology should be directly related to selected literature to describe and explain methods you're using. The academic basis of your research is also a necessary constituent in this section.
Research methods
Social sciences distinguish two main groups of research methods. Those are:
- Empirical and analytical group
- Interpretative group
Let's consider them in detail.
The empirical and analytical methods address basic knowledge and so-called closed questions (can be answered with 'yes' or 'no'). Based on deductive reasoning, this group of methods approaches theory questions early formulated hypotheses. Here, explanation takes its place describing operational definitions.
The interpretative group of methods deal with the decomposing phenomenon and considering it as a whole. That interpretative way of data presentation focuses on subjective knowledge involving human subjects, concerning reasons and purposes why individuals do what they do.
Methodology structure
A skillfully composed methodology includes different sub-sections. They deal with particular issues and address certain problems.
- Introduction part where overall approach chosen to investigate research questions is stated. Here you denote methods used in your study (qualitative, quantitative).
- Next step will be indicating a connection between methods used and the problem of your research. It is necessary for methods to address issues directly.
- Certain ways of data gathering should be described next. Those can be interviews, questionnaires, surveys or any forms of research. While taking existing data to analysis, it is essential to note its origin or source of information.
- Received during research results should be analyzed. Here you have to explain what strategies you've used and describe your way of informational patterns dissection.
- You should keep in mind that there can be readers, who are unfamiliar with given by your information. In that case, you have to note scientific underpinning and a rationale for methodologies. Sometimes research issues and problems for investigating need more rationale to be apprehensible to objective knowledge mind.
- Rationalization of sampling process should also be included in your methodology section. Whether you intend to conduct questionnaire or interview, you should explain your way of selecting sample size of respondents. When there are statistics used, reasons of its usage have to be denoted. The same with all the other data sources: purpose of addressing them should be clear and concise for readers.
- Validity is one the important criterion in your methodological chapter, which shows the effectivity of the employing methods to approach the research question. It can be of an internal and external type. While internal validity uses pilot testing of instruments to make changes to obtained results, external – deals with results of the research deciding if they can form and reflect similar consequences in other fields of study.
- Variables can't be prevented or avoided in every methodology part. As every dissertation has problems that a writer can anticipate, they have to be faced openly. The risk of variables usage should be justified.
Further revisions
After all the constituents of your methodology are being written, revision of all the parts and sections is another step to take. Elements and components should be stated and noted easily. Don't forget about system and structure.
The preparation before gathering data, detailed description of research procedures, a protocol for information analyzing – all those processes are to be systematized chronologically. Information should also be divided into sections to take it clear. Lists and diagrams can also be helpful devices to separate data and make it easier to apprehend.
Though good methodology section research contains a terrific part of work, it can't be imagined without logical conclusions ending it. This section will steal lots of your time, but it is worth it. Conclusions prove the significance of your study and obtained results usefulness.
They can be designed in the form of a catalog or any other desired form, which will make them look clearly and neatly for the readers. It is also important to choose the most crucial results of your research and present them in the list starting with the most significant and moving down to the least.
The summary is frequently being confused with conclusions. But they aren't exchangeable parts of your dissertation paper. Summary doesn't conclude data and obtained results. On the contrary, summary reviews all the information and literature used, not touching the results.
Summary is a brief retelling of your methodology. It should be short but informative: your scientific research goal and the importance of chosen problems have to be stated; the purpose of using different methods are to be noted; the main idea of your master's dissertation or thesis have to be mentioned.
Those were advice which is going to help you to write my dissertation a profound and successful methodology chapter. But remember the main rule: choose a problem that is interesting to you. That way, writing a methodology will be an amazing experience, not a tedious one.
Custom writing service is here to help. You can always contact your essay typing help!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Watch us feature all of these items on TV! Here is the clip of our segment on WGN Chicago! Discount codes for everything we mention below. Check out the groomsmen gifts we are featuring too.
The Jewelry Bar – Personalized Necklaces
10% off code on The Gift Insider
I love personalized gifts, it always shows how much thought & heart you put into giving. This modern & handcrafted necklace was created by The Jewelry Bar, a very talented New York artist & it couldn't be more personalized. The birthstone & the initial will make each bridesmaid/friend feel very special and know how important they are in your life. I like how the gold plated initial disc has that cool hand crafted look, it comes in gold or silver. 16″ 14k gold chain. Awesome gift for bridesmaids or a special group of girlfriends. Love the idea of everyone having the same "girlfriend" necklace. Letter & gemstone of your choice $42
Hair of the Dog – Custom Flasks
10% OFF code on The Gift Insider
Love this for bridesmaids. These flasks are covered in a pretty floral print with a protective coating and then have a name plate that can be personalized. This creative product is brought to you by Hair of the Dog, an artistic duo in South Carolina. Any 5 flasks personalized with 5 different names for $90. Comes in a cute canvas drawstring tote and includes a stainless steel funnel. Can be a great gift for a group of friends you always hang out with or a birthday group or work buddies. Drink in style ladies.
Eye Candy Chill Spa Bucket
20% OFF code on The Gift Insider
Luxurious & affordable makes this a perfect bridesmaid gift or party favor or housewarming gift or thank you gift or for anyone who needs to treat themselves right. Eye Candy is a California company owned by 2 sisters who offer spa-at-home cool products. (I'm obsessed with their eye candy coolers to reduce eye puffiness). They just launched these 4 adorable spa bucket gift sets which come in Pink/Glam, Orange/Glow, Blue/Wash & as pictured Green/Chill. Each comes packaged in an all-in-one, cute see-through paint bucket, and includes one set of matching eye candy coolers/reusable gel circles that you chill in the fridge for a few minutes, a terry spa towel square and a 4 oz. bottle of either body scrub, wash, soap or body soak, depending on bucket theme. Indulge, it's only $24 & now there's a special Gift Insider discount below. Be a friend, give someone a bucket.
10% Off Code on The Gift Insider
The Dedication Company customized keepsake bracelets are a special way to honor your bridesmaids with a personalized touch. They are classic and elegant with a working vintage locket and include options for personalization with a monogram pendant and birthstones. Birthstones can even be customized to match wedding colors or bridesmaid dresses. Personalized gifts allow each member of your wedding party to feel they received a gift made especially for them.


text:
I took a road trip with my dear friend Aileen to help her find an apartment, with which she was planning to live in with her lover. What started out as two teenage girls giggling and discussing raw food and veganism turned into frantic faxes at the twenty-four hour FedEx and multiple phone calls. Somewhere between rent money and credit scores, the phrase "co-signer" was indeed uttered.
In a fit of anger and frustration, Aileen's mother ended up spilling the majority of the beans of her plans to her otherwise unknowing father—conveniently leaving out that she knew about said plans all along. I ended up convincing Aileen that she should call her father and let him hear the truth from her, and not from her mother who was already exaggerating details. As I listened to Aileen's father berate and belittle her over the phone in tones soaring with rage, an extreme wave of guilt flooded over me. I tried hard to hold back the tears as I listened to him kick her out of her home, demand back many of her things, and call her names I would not wish on my worst enemy. Yet, another thought came over me as I thought about her father: One day, you will regret this.
I was raised by a liberally religious Episcopalian mother and a slightly grumpy ex-Catholic father. The church I attended as a child welcomed people of all walks of life and all faiths. As I grew older, my own religious beliefs became scattered. Much of it was caused by nonreligious peers, and another large part of it was caused by preferring to sleep late on Sunday mornings. I only talked to God when I felt I needed to. Regardless, if I had come to believe anything in my eighteen years, it was Karma. I am a strong believer in "what goes around comes around"—which I think can be applied to almost all faiths.
Seven hours later, thanks to a mostly-empty middle-of-the-night thruway and some extremely generous friends, we had successfully moved Aileen out of her home. This was the beginning of a new life for her. Sudden? Yes. Not exactly as planned? Even more so.
I think about that night every day. At work I have daydreams of Aileen's mother coming in, and me telling her that what I thought she did was selfish and malicious. Conversely, Aileen would never approve of that kind of behavior. She would never stoop to that level. And I tell myself that every time I look dreamily out the window into the parking lot.
If I can take comfort in anything, however, it is that I believe that one day, Aileen's parents will be judged. They will be judged for what they did. One day, they will truly regret their actions.
I believe that people can be good. I believe that people can be bad. But, if nothing else, people are people, and should be treated, regarded, and loved as such.
Your cart is currently empty.


text:
Heise Introduces New Auxiliary Lighting and Replacement Bulbs
Holly Hill, FL – Heise by Metra Electronics® is bringing new auxiliary lights and replacement bulbs to CES. These new LED lights have a significantly brighter output and longer bulb life than traditional filament bulbs. For easy installation, the lights have an integrated CANBUS system that prevents a "bulb out" warning or hyper flashing when replaced in vehicles with a smart monitoring system. The bulbs will be available as a two-pack in white or amber LEDs for a variety of sizes that will fit fog, running, reverse, brake, turn signal and license plate lights. The replacement bulbs may also fit some interior light applications and produce truer color temperatures than filament bulbs. Additionally, a two-pack of 5.5" and 6.7" self-adhesive white LED auxiliary lights will also be joining Heise's product line.
Visit Heise LED Lighting Systems® with Metra Electronics at CES from January 7-10, 2020 at booth 5211 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center to see these new lights on display. Additional information will be available at HeiseLED.com and in the 2020 New Product Guide, available on January 7, 2020.
About Metra Electronics®
At Metra, 12volt installation and integration is our passion. We strive to continuously offer the highest quality products to meet the fluctuating technological challenges of the automotive world. We actively listen to our customers' requests and invest resources in developing the highest quality dash kit and harness solutions. We make dash kits for more vehicle applications than anyone else in the world. That's why we've been known as "The Installer's Choice" ® for more than 72 years. Our other brands include: Axxess®, T-SPEC®, The Install Bay®, Heise LED Lighting Systems®, iBEAM Vehicle Safety Systems®, Shuriken High Performance Batteries®, Raptor®, Ballistic®, AmmoTenna®, Metra PowerSports®, Saddle Tramp®, Metra Marine® and Daytona Lights™. Metra's expertise in connectivity solutions is also applied to its division of premium home theater and surveillance products, Metra Home Theater Group®. For ordering information and pricing, visit Metra Electronics online at MetraOnline.com or call 386-257-2956.


text:
If you want to create a link that performs an action that can't be rolled back then you might want to stop the user from clicking that link unless they really want to. The best way to do this is to intercept the link with a confirm() command.
The first way to do this (and especially useful if you want to ad other functionality) is to use the following function.
function confirmDelete(delUrl) {
if (confirm("Are you sure you want to delete")) {
document.location = delUrl;
For each link that you want to use this function on just replace the href with a simple bookmarklet like the following, pass the URL you want to use within this function call.
Delete
Another way is to use the href attribute in the usual way, but to add an onclick event that intercepts the user clicking on the link. The confirm() function returns true or false if the user clicks ok or cancel respectively. With the addition of the return the onclick command will follow the link if the user clicks ok.
Delete
This is an accessible way of creating a system, especially if you know that some of your users will not be using JavaScript. However, you should be very aware when using this functionality that some bad things can happen. For example, if a search engine happens to come across a page with these link on it will click them all and you will find data in your system disappearing! This is a known gotcha and the only way around it is to simply use a button to run any action that destructs data.


text:
Everyone loves a self-starter–a wide-eyed visionary who transforms dreams into reality.
Patrick Schmidt comes quickly to mind, immersed in his universe of mult-media explorations but always reaching out to an "international" community of creative spirits.
Here's how he describes himself:
"I'm a tinkerer, artist, scientist, crafter, and many other things. I do small sculpturing and a lot of millefiori technique with polymer clay."
An admitted "drop-out" from academia, Patrick once pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering at one of Germany's elite educational sanctuaries. Add oceanic expeditions to the mix of his science-centered journeys, and one is confounded by a sudden career shift.
Perhaps, Patrick's mother, a clay artist, influenced him to follow his heart…..and soul? (Ironically, Patrick and I jammed, playing "Heart and Soul" at a recent Meet-up in Berkeley that fleshed out his passion for "improvisation–feeding still another creative undertaking)
Schmidt grew up in the "countryside" between Bremen and Hamburg, the son of an American citizen, school teacher. His childhood appeared serene as it was nourished by intellectual and artistic exposure.
After emigrating to the East Bay, San Francisco, Patrick ignited a new-found creative arts journey, stacking project upon project within an awesome, reverberant Solano space. (Freely donated, it welcomes voluntary contributions).
In short order, TWO of of Patrick's Meet-ups were born in this Open Fine Art Gallery, 1861 Solano Avenue A, Berkeley, CA, and one, bearing his hand print, happens to be the "East Bay International Creative Community." The other, "Berkeley Piano Improvisation," convenes each Tuesday with a mix of amateurs and professionals.
Since pictures are worth a thousand words, photos taken by Patrick at the most recent Solano-based "Meet-up" gathering reveal a unique ambiance of artistic expression in diverse forms:
The exhibiting artists, including Schmidt, offered nicely framed and unframed multi-media creations. (Even a toy piano made a prominent appearance among paintings, decorative necklaces, and more.) The gallery represents artists from Iran, Japan, Colombia, all over the Bay Area. They work in mixed media, oil, acrylic, collage, and polymer clay.
Schmidt idealizes this space as a font of education and artistic expression. His own millefiori technique is taught and showcased by him.
He explained the process: "Millefiori is an ancient art form that allows an artist to create patterns with a lot of detail. The technique involves a prototype being formed out of clay and shrunken down by pushing and pulling it into a long 'cane' or sausage shape. This cane is then cut into many thin slices; each slice shows the initial design with all its details intact. Depending on the final steps, these pieces can be made into all kinds of jewelry, ornaments, board game figures…"
Springing to life are his artful representations of DNA, RNA, and other biological strands.
Finally, Meet-up photos from the most recent Monthly Potluck, display vital "connections" forged within a cultural community that's growing in size and stature thanks to Patrick's efforts.


text:
Emergency Hospital Uganda Jobs 2021 – Diploma Radiographer
Job Title: Diploma Radiographer – Emergency Hospital Uganda Jobs 2021
Organization: EMERGENCY Life Support for Civilian War Victims
Job Location: Entebbe
EMERGENCY Life Support for Civilian War Victims Profile:
EMERGENCY Life Support for Civilian War Victims (EMERGENCY) is an independent Italian organization established in 1994 to offer high-quality, free medical and surgical care to victims of war, landmines and poverty. it promotes a culture of peace, solidarity and respect for human rights. In consultation with the MoH and the HSC, EMERGENCY will appoint national staff to work at the Children's Surgical Hospital in Entebbe.
In consultation with the MoH and the HSC, EMERGENCY will appoint national staff to work at the Children's Surgical Hospital in Entebbe.
Hospital facilities will include the following departments:
• Outpatients department (OPD)
• Diagnostic department t(Ultrasound, X-Ray, CTscan)
• Laboratory (hematology, clinical chemistry and microbiology)
• Operating Theatres N° 3
• Sterilization
• Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) N" beds 6, all equipped with ventilators
• High Dependency Unit(HDU) N° beds I6
• WARD N" beds 50
• Pharmacy
• Administration
• Technical department
• Ancillary and domestic services (laundry, maintenance, etc.)
Minimum Qualifications
Compulsory qualifications
• Must have a Diploma in Medical Radiography from a recognized institution
• Must be registered with AHPC and hold a valid practicing license
• Contract of employment: 12 months contract (6 months of probation period)
• Social benefits: GPA, National Social Insurance
• Holidays and leaves: according to the current law
• Working place: Entebbe
• Tentative starting date: May vary according to the position and hospital activities
How To Apply for Emergency Hospital Uganda Jobs 2021
If you meet the above requirements and are interested, please submit your application including curriculum vitae, academic and professional documentation, required registration with medical councils and name of 3 work related referees with the Email/daytime telephone contacts.
Submission can be done personally to EMERGENCY's office: Plot 120-122 Bishop Dunstan Nsummbuga Road – Entebbe or by email to firstname.lastname@example.com indicating the position and reference. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Deadline: 15th June 2021
For similar Jobs in Uganda today and great Uganda jobs, please remember to subscribe using the form below:
Subscribe to Blog via Email
No employer should ask you for money in return for advancement in the recruitment process or for being offered a position. Please contact Fresher Jobs Uganda if it ever happens with any of the jobs that we advertise.


text:
First I feel I should give you a little background information on why we took the route we did, which was to buy and renovate an older home. At the beginning of the year when we decided it was time to search for a house, we had a brief flirtation with a new build and made multiple visits to Fertighaus Welt Nürnberg, which is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in building a new prefab house (Fertighaus Welt has similar parks located throughout Germany). In fact, we had a lot reserved and found a fantastic building company that ticked all the boxes and then some. However, the reality of the time, cost and stress of a new build set in. You have to consider so many other things than simply the procurement of your lot, and finding a builder. So if this is something you might be considering, really do your research so as to avoid any surprises or disappointments.
Just a few things to look into and consider if you want to go down the prefabricated house or new conventional build road that matter:
- Does the lot you are looking at include utility hook ups or will that come at an additional cost?
- Are there already services in your new neighborhood? Sometimes you can find that your service provider of choice for things like cable or internet may not be available in your area, not to say that they may not come later.
- Does the neighborhood where your lot is located place restrictions on things such as the height of your house (roofline, chimneys), exterior finishes or color choices, landscaping plants and materials, or even how far your home needs to be from the street or other things? Some neighborhoods can also require you to chip in for the cost of building parks.
- Do not be fooled by advertisements with price tags that seem too good to be true (like many of the yet to be built homes that you will no doubt come across on real estate listings). Those listings are usually just for an empty unfinished shell of the house.
- Consider doing some of the work yourself if you are equipped, able and industrious enough to do so. Why pay someone else a premium to do jobs that you can do? There are even some building companies like Living Haus for example, that are more than happy to work with you in this manner and even have partnered with OBI (a big box hardware/building store here in Germany, much like Home Depot or Lowes in North America) to offer classes to teach you how to some of the work yourself.
I am by no means an expert and we only took a very short walk down the path of building a new prefab house, but our eyes were sure opened to some things in that time. So again, I reiterate, do your research and ask a lot of questions. Do not hesitate to ask friends and coworkers for advice as well as they can be a wealth of knowledge. At the end of the day, they simply just do things differently here in Germany than my husband and I were accustom to in the United States and Canada.
After doing our research we ultimately decided that building new was not the best use of our resources. We knew that to get the size and type of property we were looking for that we would get more for our money if we could find an older house that needed a little love and updating. There will be more on that arduous process to come.


text:
E email@example.com
Download vCard
It all starts with close collaboration. Quickly identifying each company's or person's specific needs and goals is always my first step. Keeping the goal in mind, I work with my clients to analyze the issues and execute a legal strategy tailored to meet the mark.
Ed devotes much of his practice to restrictive covenant litigation and defending employers from workplace claims, including age, race, and gender discrimination; wrongful termination; retaliation; constructive discharge; and defamation. He regularly handles arbitrations involving unsuitable investments, financial services industry violations, regulatory investigations, and incentive compensation, many of which involve close coordination with expert witnesses.
Ed's experience in the employment field lends greatly to his higher education practice, where he defends colleges and universities in disputes involving student discipline, privacy issues, the accommodation of disabilities, and student and faculty contract and due process claims. His background includes working as an associate with a large Philadelphia law firm where his practice centered on high-profile multidistrict pharmaceutical litigation and government investigations. Before practicing law, he worked as a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority licensed representative for a national mutual fund company.
Caliber Home Loans v. CMG, et al., No. 16-01167, M.D.Fla (2016)
Merrill Lynch v. Dexter, FINRA-DR No. 12-01989, New York, NY (2014)
Johnson v. Temple University, No. 12-00515, E.D.Pa (2013)
Merrill Lynch v. Capps, FINRA-DR No. 11-02203, Richmond, VA (2012)
Osei v. Temple University, et al., No. 10-2042, E.D.Pa. (2011)
Azzam v. Temple University, No. 003215, Phila. Ct. of Common Pleas (2009)


text:
Freedom Sleep Mattress Review
This Freedom Sleep mattress review was completed by the MattressJunkie.com team recently. Freedom Sleep sent over a queen, red, white, and blue mattress to be reviewed by the MattressJunkie.com team. This mattress is listed for $599 on Freedom Sleep's website. Freedom Sleep prides itself in being 100% made in the USA of non toxic products. The water based glue the Madison, WI, company uses to hold the mattress together is made in the USA. Check out how the Freedom Sleep mattress stacked up against our review process.
Freedom Sleep Mattress Cover
The knit cotton cover of the Freedom Sleep is available in red, white, and blue or gray and white. The cover is soft and breathable so heat can escape throughout the night.
Freedom Sleep Mattress Under the Cover
The Freedom Sleep mattress is made up of 4 layers in addition to the cover. The first layer is 2 inches of Avena latex foam which gives the mattress its bounce and responsiveness as well as comfort and cooling. The second layer is made up of 1.5 inches of 4 pound gel infused memory foam. This layer is cooling and supportive while providing contour to the sleeper's body. The cooling gel helps control the temperature of the mattress keeping you sleeping cool all throughout the night. The third layer is 1.5 inches of 1.5 pound memory foam that transitions the top comfort layers from the bottom support layer. The fourth later is 5 inches of high density support foam that makes up the foundation and adds compression support.
What's the firmness level on the Freedom Sleep Mattress?
The Freedom Sleep mattress we reviewed had a medium feel. Not too soft and not too hard is the universal comfort used to appeal to most sleepers.
What Sleep Position Works Best with The Freedom Sleep Mattress?
The Freedom Sleep mattress would work best with side and back sleepers.
How is the Edge Support on the edge support on the Freedom Sleep Mattress?
If you sleep near the edge or like to sit on the edge of the bed, edge support can be an important factor. The Freedom Sleep mattress has adequate support.
How does the Freedom Sleep Mattress handle motion transfer?
The Freedom Sleep mattress handled motion transfer extremely well. Couples sleeping in the same room will not disrupt each other when they move or get up. I was impressed with the lack of interruption from one side to the other.
What type of base should I place my Freedom Sleep Mattress on?
We reviewed our Freedom mattress on the ground but any flat surface would work fine. A box spring, platform bed, or the floor are all options.
Will my Freedom Mattress have a chemical smell when taken out of the box?
All memory foam mattresses have a slight smell called off gassing when they are first opened from the vacuum sealed pack. This is normal and goes away after a short time. My Freedom Sleep mattress had very little to no odor out of the box.
What Type of Warranty Does Freedom Sleep Offer? Is there a sleep trial period?
Freedom Sleep has a 10 year warranty on manufacturer defects. Yes, the sleep trial period is 100 nights.
Is My Freedom Sleep Mattress Made of Safe Materials?
Freedom Sleep is made from high quality materials that are Certipur-US Certified so you and the environment are safe from any harmful toxins. Even the glue that holds Freedom Sleep together is water based and made in the USA.
How much does Freedom Sleep cost?
As of this writing the prices were…
- Twin-$349
- Twin XL- $399
- Full-$499
- King-$799
- California King-$849
Would we recommend the Freedom Sleep Mattress?
The Freedom Sleep mattress review speaks for itself. This mattress is reasonable priced, sleeps cool, handles motion transfer very well, and has a nice cover. Back and side sleepers should take advantage of such a high quality mattress at such a low price.
Learn More About the Freedom Sleep Mattress Here…… Save $50 dollars with code MJ50
Does The Freedom Sleep Mattress Have a Sleep Trial?
Yes, they offer a 100 night sleep trial
Does The Freedom Sleep Mattress Have a Guarantee?
They offer a limited 10 year warranty
Does the Freedom Sleep Mattress Have a Chemical Smell?
All petroleum based memory foam mattresses have a slight smell called "off gassing" when they are first opened. This is normal and goes away after a day or two. In testing our Freedom Sleep mattress had very little to no odor.
What is the Freedom Sleep mattress made of?
The Freedom Sleep mattress has 4 layers plus the cover. They are 2 inches of Avena latex foam, 1.5 inches of 4 pound gel-infused memory foam, 1.5 inches of 1.5 pound memory foam and 5 inches of high density support foam.
How does the Freedom Sleep Mattress handle motion transfer?
Freedom Sleep mattresses are great for couples. It handled motion transfer extremely well in extensive in-home testing.
Other Great Mattress Tests
If you are not sold on the Freedom Sleep Mattress then let us help find the perfect new bed for you. Consider our Hive Mattress Review, Molecule Mattress article or the Hive Mattress review. We know we can help you get the best sleep of your life.


text:
Disenchanted With Politics? Who in The World Is Not?
Strong leadership is definitely in short supply. When did the governments of the big Western democracies last look this feeble—and all at the same time?
If the world today faces challenges that call for strong leadership, it had better watch out. When did the governments of the big Western democracies last look this feeble—and all at the same time?
At home, the Bush administration continues to watch its approval ratings sink. In last week's elections, Republicans could be observed delicately distancing themselves from President Bush—and some who chose not to wish they had. Sen. Jon Corzine, who won the New Jersey governorship for the Democrats by a surprisingly wide margin, mocked his opponent as "George Bush's choice." You cannot help but wonder what so enfeebled an administration can achieve in its remaining three years.
The Bush administration's best friend in Europe, Tony Blair, is also in deep trouble. Last week, Blair's attempt to pass a new security law (which, among other things, would have allowed the government to detain suspects without charge for 90 days, up from the current 14) was defeated in the House of Commons. This was a much more shocking development than most Americans probably realize. British prime ministers, who normally rule as elected dictators (a Tory minister who knew what he was talking about coined that phrase), are unaccustomed to losing votes in Parliament. And Blair had staked his reputation on this one. The fact that so many of his own Labor members in Parliament were willing to rebel against him is telling: It means that they think he is on the way out, and sooner rather than later.
German politics is in a state of something close to paralysis as well. An inconclusive election two months ago has produced, finally, a coalition of the unwilling: The conservative Christian Democrats have formed a power-sharing government with the leftist Social Democrats, under the leadership (bitterly resented on the left) of the Christian Democrats' Angela Merkel. It is hard enough to see this coalition surviving, let alone getting anything done. And the list of things that need to be done in Germany is long.
But America, Britain, and Germany all look fine compared with France, which is still in shock after the sustained and widespread rioting of recent days. Jacques Chirac's government was slow to respond to the crisis, and it probably made matters worse with injudicious comments from on high (the interior minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, called the rioters "scum"). The government is none too clear on what to do next.
It is tempting to draw connections—and why not, just for a moment, surrender to temptation? After all, some of the links are real, though not as tidy as you could wish.
One such link is Iraq. It goes without saying that Bush and Blair are both paying a heavy political price for the war. The failure to find weapons of mass destruction, which both leaders had emphasized as a primary reason for removing Saddam Hussein, and the costly, bungled execution of the postwar strategy, have bled support from both leaders. Each is tainted by the suspicion of dishonesty. At a minimum, there was less than full disclosure of official doubts over the WMD intelligence. Many voters in both countries believe they were just plain lied to about it.
Both leaders' competence is called into question, too. In Bush's case, this is straightforward: Responsibility for the postwar mess rests ultimately with him. For Blair, the coalition's junior partner, the charge of incompetence has a different cast: The United States duped him into war, some say, or else he simply failed to identify and assert Britain's interests. Last week, Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's ambassador to Washington before the war, gave an account, splashed across Britain's front pages, that was less than flattering: In dealing with the White House, he said, Blair was meek, inattentive to detail, and carried away by self-righteousness.
Bush's troubles are about competence more broadly: Iraq is only part of what is dragging him down. The Democrats' charge that he is an ideological extremist never got them very far, because Bush seems too likable—and too muddled—for that description to fit. But the charge of incompetence certainly sticks, and if you go with that line, Iraq falls neatly into place. Next, add the Hurricane Katrina fiasco. And while charges of incompetence and cronyism are still engulfing the presidency over that episode, the White House, as if to validate this whole line of criticism, goes and nominates Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court. Bush's opponents could not have scripted it more to their liking.
Iraq, and the issue of Islam and the West, also have a connection to events in France—but it is tenuous, and one should not make too much of it. France opposed the war, of course. And although most of the rioters are Muslims (typically, immigrants from North Africa), they seem driven less by religious or even secular anti-Western zeal than by a straightforward sense of economic and social exclusion from mainstream French society.
France has tried harder than most European countries—harder than multicultural Britain—to assimilate its immigrants, but seems to have had no more success than the others. And France, like much of Europe (but again, unlike Britain), has a chronic unemployment problem, and the burden of this falls most heavily on African immigrants. Unemployment rates among young Muslims run as high as 40 percent. When the failure to assimilate immigrants and their children—and thus to create a sense of belonging and participation—combines with a lack of jobs, the result is toxic. In a way, however, this is almost reassuring: Better to be dealing with fury arising from economic or racial disadvantage, bad as that may be, than from religious grievance. But, given the facts on the ground, it would not take much to give the riots in France an even more sinister, religious-war aspect.
High unemployment and a persistent sense of economic underachievement lie behind the political difficulties of many other European governments. Germany is a case in point. There, it is telling that the Social Democrats, who opposed the war in Iraq and thereby, in the eyes of most German voters, were on the right side of the argument, have gained very little from it politically. Germans understand that their economy needs to be fixed—that unemployment is too high and growth too sluggish. And they agree that their economy, not Iraq, or security more broadly, is the key issue. But they are hopelessly confused about the measures needed to fix the problem—hence this unstable and deeply divided governing coalition.
The encompassing theme, if there is one, is powerlessness. In all four countries, people feel that their governments are wrestling with issues that are beyond them. In no case, though, do they see a clear alternative to the government or policies they already have. It is a moment of maximum disenchantment with politics.
If the world needs strong leadership, this article began, it had better watch out. Does it, though? The question is worth asking. There are worse things than weak government: Strong government dedicated to (or inadvertently serving) bad ends, for instance. Inactivity is a seriously underrated trait in politics, in ordinary times at least. But these are not normal times. All four countries face enormous domestic challenges, including (but not limited to) the need to provide incomes and health care to their rapidly aging populations. Planning for that demographic transition requires difficult balances to be struck, across generations and within them. Who is going to lead that effort in the United States, or in Britain, France, or Germany? The answer today would appear to be, none of the above.
The world faces too many other challenges that will not wait, many of them requiring international action—on development, for instance, on the threat of pandemic disease, on international trade and finance, on climate change. And looming over everything is the fact that the West still faces implacable enemies who will, one day soon, get their hands on WMD. One of the biggest costs of the misadventure in Iraq is that it has—to some extent, as yet unknown—inhibited and disarmed America and its friends in that life-or-death struggle. If you doubt this, watch Iran's continuing defiance of the world over its nuclear program.
So, yes, the world as a whole needs strong leadership—especially in the United States. The failure of France and Germany to adopt policies that are friendly to private enterprise and good for jobs is costly, to be sure, but mainly for citizens of those countries. Blair's difficulties are an absorbing human and political drama, with much at stake for Britain's future direction; but again, it is mostly a local issue. For the world as a whole, the indispensable actor is the United States. The enfeeblement of the Bush administration is a setback not just for Americans but for everybody else as well—except, of course, for those enemies of the West.
Somewhere in there, maybe, is a consoling thought. If the reason that terrorists attack is to destabilize Western governments, why bother just now? Our leaders are doing so well unassisted.


text:
Pedro's Life Lessons
In this article, the founder of the Movement for the Abolition of Extreme Poverty tells us about Pedro, his struggle for dignity, and the "lessons of life" that he reveals to us. Spotlight on correspondents of the Permanent Forum on Extreme Poverty in the World.
The non-governmental organization "MAM" (Movimiento de Abolición de la Miseria) accompanied families living in intolerable conditions in the outskirts of Santa Fe, Argentina, for 10 years (until 2003). At its beginnings, the orgnization's members formed a group called "For a Better Quality of Life", which worked to create a partnership with very poor families of the "La Tablada" sector of the city.
MAM was unable to survive the economic crisis that shook the country. But while its legal structure no longer exists, the commitment that gave rise to it lives on in each of its members.
Pedro's Message
In an outlying area of Santa Fe (Argentina) where bricks are made, the residents knew that Pedro lived in a makeshift shelter under a tree. Alone and sick, he didn't let anyone come near him. You could see him when he went to look after his boss' furnace. People said that he received, for his wages, a plentiful supply of wine and a cold meal. His living conditions aggravated his state of health, and his suffering pushed him to approach 'Movement for the Abolition of Extreme Poverty' (MAM) and he was taken to hospital. From that moment on, feeling recognised as a human being, he began to reveal to us what he considered his 'lessons of life'.
When he arrived at hospital, Maria, a volunteer with MAM, took Pedro to the emergency services. The diagnosis of the young doctor who examined him left no doubt. He had wounds on his hands and arms, and in places his skin tissue was decomposing. The gravity of his situation meant immediate hospitalisation. The warmth of the welcome from the young doctor contrasted with everything he had suffered in his solitude, and the promise to visit him the next day made him accept being hospitalised.
The doctor did not hide from us the difficulty of combating an addiction to alcohol without a support group, and he had liver disease. Pedro stayed in hospital for three months, and because he felt supported and respected, his health improved greatly and he was even able to offer help to others. Patients who were not able to move from their beds called him, and he came to their assistance. And as no one knew loneliness better than he did, he revealed himself to be a real samaritan. Sometimes patients in their final stages of life called for him by name. They were frightened of being on their own and they asked him to keep them company. There was no one like him for comforting those who were suffering, for giving spoonfuls of water to those who were thirsty, and for doing lots of other little gestures of love. So much so that his companions in his ward did not want him to leave the hospital, and the nurses remarked on his transformation.
When he left the hospital, Pedro went to live amongst the other members of the group who welcomed him warmly. He agreed to be responsible for a group called 'alcoholics for a better quality of life'. He put various people up in his little home, and sent them to a volunteer to get sorted out and to have access to a doctor and be cared for as he had been. As he did not manage to create a permanent group, he sometimes resorted to drinking, but his real efforts could be summarised by what he said when faced with each new difficulty: 'It's not enough to talk, you must take action.'
One day, Pedro told people when his birthday was, and they decided to celebrate it at the same time as his successes. The day came, and everyone was there to see him, well dressed and nervous, waiting for the birthday cake. But when he saw that it was actually happening, and that they were bringing a cake and were going to celebrate his birthday, he could not handle the emotion and he left, simply saying, 'I never believed that I would ever receive a birthday cake.' He was moved to tears, and he went to drink in complete isolation and slept till the next day. When he came back, no one spoke about the incident. The acceptance of such situations is a lesson for each MAM volunteer, as deep respect is owed to the person who is ill or in difficulty.
One night, returning home, Pedro drowned in a ditch. His friends planted a wooden cross beside the ditch with the words, 'Indian, rest in peace'. They called him Indian, perhaps because of his coppery skin. They attached a bouquet of flowers to the cross and they asked the parish priest to come to that place to pray for his soul.
A few years later, Maria met a friend of Pedro's who told her that since his death, he had taken the decision to stop drinking and to support others to do the same, in order to carry on what Pedro had started.
Pedro left a very rich legacy, because in the last years of his life he was able to demonstrate his struggle for his own dignity and to pass on to others his great hope.
Ester C., Movement for the Abolition of Extreme Poverty, Argentina
To react to this article or send your own observations, click here.
Related articles
See also
- Poverty & Human Rights
- Initiatives for Change
- International Day - October 17


text:
I was chasing this little bugger around the creek all afternoon. He moves fast. I am fascinated at all the variations and details in his feathers. He blends in perfectly with the bark on a tree.
We had our first snow of the winter over the weekend, and consequently there was a lot of activity around the bird feeders. I spent Sunday and today out in the cold (wind chill of -5) chasing birds. Needless to day, my feet got pretty cold as well as the rest of me. I don't have the option of puffing out my feathers like this female cardinal.
Another fall portrait of Adrienne. A friend of her's wanted to do a shoot in a cementary, so this is what we did. This was taken at Walnut Hill Cementary which had some great fall foliage at the time. We stayed for awhile looking at the old graves and remembering souls who had passed.
The thing about her that is so amazing is that she does not know how beautiful she is. I'm hoping she grows to be as beautiful inside as she is on the outside. I love her dearly.
Did a little birding Monday afternoon. This little guy zipped by and landed on the feeder. He is so cute, but have no idea what he is. Didn't know we had such interesting birds here in the MIdwest.
This finch landed 1 day for just a brief moment and blessed me with this image. I haven't seen it since.
Flowersgreenred flowerstill lifetexture


text:
In this article we will discuss Theories of origin of the earth which is the second article of the geomorphology course of Geography Optional UPSC, therefore, first of all, you should read the first article (Universe and Solar system) later on hop on this article.
Today you're going to learn various theories of the origin of the earth. First of all, you should know that all the concepts, hypotheses and theories propounded for the origin of the solar system are also applicable to the origin of the earth.
Let's get started.
In this article, we will read a total of 8 theories of the origin of the universe.
- Gaseous hypothesis of Kant
- Nebular hypothesis of Laplace
- Planetesimal hypothesis of Chamberlin
- Jean and Jeffery's tidal theory
- Russel's binary Star Hypothesis
- Hoyle's supernova hypothesis
- Schmidt's interstellar hypothesis
- Big bang theory
1. Gaseous hypothesis of Kant
Nebula – It is a primordial (primitive) amorphous (without shape) mass of cloud of gas and dust.
The gaseous hypothesis of Kant was based on the sound principles of Newton's law of gravitation and rotatory motion.
- Supernaturally created primordial hard matter was scattered in the universe.
- Nebula (Slowly rotating cloud of gas) and the matter was comprised of very cold, solid, and motionless particles.
- Particles began to collide against each other under their mutual gravitational attractions.
According to Kant –
- Due to mutual gravitational attraction and collision between the particles generated random motion in the primordial matter.
- As a result, Particles will collide together and also generate friction which generates heat, with the result the temperature of the primordial matter started rising.
- With the increase in temperature, the random motion as well as the rate of collision among the particles also increased. This gave extra momentum (driving force) of the rate of rotatory motion. The rise in temperature also changed the state of primordial matter from solid to gaseous particles. Thus, the original cold and motionless cloud of matter became in due course a vast hot nebula and started rotating around its axis.
- With a continuous rise in temperature and rate of rotatory motion, the nebula started expanding in size.
- According to Immanuel Kant – As the heat increased, the size of nebula increased and as the size of nebula increased, the angular velocity or rotatory speed further increased.
- Due to a continuous increase in the size of the nebula the rotatory speed became so fast that the centrifugal force (away from the center) exceeded the attractional or centripetal force (directed towards the center).
- The nebula started spinning so rapidly that an irregular ring was separated from the middle part of the nebula and was ultimately thrown off due to centrifugal force.
- By the repetition of the same process a system of concentric rings (nine) was separated from the nebula. The residual central mass of the nebula remained as the sun, and all the matters of each ring were aggregated at a point to form a core or a knot which ultimately grew as a planet in due course of time.
- According to Kant there was a primordial matter in the universe, but, he did not explain the source of the origin of the primordial matter.
- Kant did not explain the source of energy to cause the random motion of the particles of the primordial matter which were cold and motionless in the initial stage.
- The collision among the particles of the primordial matter can never generate rotatory motion in it. It is an erroneous statement of mechanism.
- Kant assumes that the rotatory speed of the Nebula increased with the increase of its size was against the law of conservation of angular momentum.
However, the importance of Kant's hypothesis lies in the fact that it was the first scientific attempt for the explanation of the origin of the earth. Kant's hypothesis plays a great role in the postulation of the Nebular hypothesis by Laplace.
2. Nebular hypothesis of Laplace
Laplace (French Mathematician) propounded his theory in 1796. Laplace's nebular hypothesis was in some way similar to the Gaseous hypothesis of Kant and appears like the modified version of Kant's hypothesis.
- He assumed that there was a huge and hot gaseous nebula in the space.
- From the very beginning huge and hot nebula was rotating on its axis.
- The nebula was continuously cooling due to loss of heat from its outer surface through the process of radiation and thus it was continuously reduced in size due to contraction on cooling.
According to Laplace
- He did not describe the source of the origin of the nebula.
- He did not explain that, why did only 9 rings come out from irregular ring detached from the nebula?
- If the sun is the remaining nucleus of the nebula as claimed Laplace, it should have a small bulge around its middle part which would point out the probable separation of the irregular ring from the sun but there is no such bulge in the middle part of the sun.
- According to the nebular hypothesis all satellites should revolve in the direction of father planets but few satellites of Saturn and Jupiter revolve in the opposite direction of their father planets.
- The nebular hypothesis is unable to explain the peculiar distribution of present-day angular momentum in our solar system.
Outcome: The merit of the theory lies in the fact that it is the most acceptable explanation in explaining the layered structure of the earth's interior.
3. The planetesimal hypothesis of Chamberlin (1905)
The planetesimal hypothesis of Chamberlin belongs to the dualistic concepts of the origin of the Earth.
According to Chamberlin initially there were two heavenly bodies (stars) in the universe –
- Proto-Sun
- and its Companion Star or Intruding star
The behavior and properties of proto-sun were not like other stars, It was formed of very small particles which were cold and solid.
Theory: When the intruding star came very close to the the Proto-Sun infinite number of small particles were detached from the outer surface of proto-sun due to massive gravitational pull exerted by the giant intruding star. This matter which is dust, gases, rock fragments eventually accrete forming planets & other celestial bodies that revolve around the proto sun.
Planetesimal hypothesis not only explains the origin of the earth but also throws light on the structure of the earth, the origin of its atmosphere and continents and ocean basins.
4. Jean and Jeffery's tidal theory
This theory is somewhat similar to Chamberlin's theory that an intruding star ejects matter from the proto sun. Chamberlin, in his theory, had assumed the proto sun to be initially as a cold body whereas the Tidal theory assumes the proto sun to be hot and incandescent.
According to Tidal theory, the matter ejected are not randomly thrown dust, gases, planetesimal.
The ejected matter was in the shape of a cigar and was called Filament from which the planets & other celestial bodies accrete.
This theory is the best interpretation in explaining the sizes of the planets as they have arranged themselves away from the sun.
5. Russel's binary Star Hypothesis
There is a binary star system (two stars coupled together and rotating around a fixed center of mass).
The intruding star comes close to the binary stars & eject matter from one of the stars. (It doesn't explain what happened to the intruding star and the remainant of the star from which matter got ejected.)
The ejected matter circulates into planets and revolves around the proto sun.
This theory is convenient to explain why the composition of planets is different from the sun.
6. Hoyle's supernova hypothesis
According to Hoyle initially there were two stars in the universe –
(1.)Primitive Sun and (2.) Companion star
The companion star was giant and later on became supernova due to nuclear reaction.
Over time, all of the hydrogen nuclei of companion star were consumed in the process of nuclear reaction and it collapsed and violently exploded
The Violent explosion of companion star resulted in the spread of enormous mass of dust which started revolving around the primitive sun in the form of a circular disc
The matter of this disc became building material for the formation of the future of planets.
Thus, the planets of our solar system were formed due to condensation of the matter of the disc.
7. Schmidt's interstellar hypothesis
According to this theory, the initial universe comprised of stars & randomly distributed matter filling up the space in between.
According to Schimidt, this dark matter, started to revolve around the primitive rotating sun and gradually the dark matter stars accreting & condensing & thus forming the solar system.
Though Schimidt did not explain the mode of origin of these dark matters. These dark matters were called 'inter-stellar dusts' by Schimidt.
This theory may be considered as explaining the processes that preceded the Nebular accretionary process of Laplace & Kant.
Big Bang theory's idea was first given by George Le Naitre in the 1920s & was gradually contributed by many scientists. But an important role was played by Gamenov (1970's).
According to this theory, Everything in the universe has emerged from a point known as the singularity, 15 billion years ago.
The galaxies moved apart from one another as the empty space between them expanded.
The universe expanded from a very high density & high-temperature state.
There was a major cosmic explosion 13-15 bn yrs ago from which all the matter of the universe was thrown out which eventually accreted to form stars, solar system and celestial bodies.
Evidence in support:
- Red Shift: As an object (light) moves away from us, its wavelength increases & shift to the Red end of the spectrum (Called Red Shift).
- CBMR: Electromagnetic Radiation which was present shortly after the big bang, is now observed as background microwave radiation.


text:
Today in the Times, Thomas Edsall lays out — I wish he could literally, lay it out on the ground and drive a stake through its heart — Citizens United, which many experts consider the worst Supreme Court decision ever. Inarguably, it is one of the worst.
Edsall's essay tells us everything about it, and details its awfulness.
Some excerpts:
In the eight years since it was decided, Citizens United has unleashed a wave of campaign spending that by any reasonable standard is extraordinarily corrupt.
To see how this operates in practice, let's take a look at how Paul Ryan, the outgoing speaker of the House, negotiated a path — narrowly constructed to stay on the right side of the law — during a recent fund-raising trip to Las Vegas, as recounted in detail by Politico.
In early May, Ryan flew to Nevada to solicit money from Sheldon Adelson — the casino magnate who was by far the largest Republican contributor of 2018 — for the Congressional Leadership Fund, an independent expenditure super PAC. Ryan was accompanied by Norm Coleman, a former Republican Senator from Minnesota.
The Leadership Fund, according to its website, is "a super PAC exclusively dedicated to protecting and strengthening the Republican Majority in the House of Representatives." It "operates independently of any federal candidate or officeholder."
Adelson could not legally hand over his check to Ryan, who is a federal officeholder. Incidentally, Adelson's company, Las Vegas Sands, reported a $700 million windfall as a result of the $1.5 trillion tax cut enacted last year by the House under Ryan's supervision.
So how did they conduct this delicate transaction?
First, Ryan, Coleman and others "laid out a case to Adelson about how crucial it is to protect the House," according to Politico's report. Then Ryan "left the room, Coleman made the 'ask' and secured the $30 million contribution."
The only cheerful note struck by this little tale is Adelson's big bucks did not "protect the House."
It's my guess political spending has become one of the US's major industries. Here are the facts, per Edsall:
Since 2010, when the case was decided, independent expenditures and other forms of outside spending have grown exponentially, according to OpenSecrets. In 2010, independent expenditures totaled $203.9 million; in 2016, it was $1.48 billion. In this nonpresidential year, with final reports still to come, independent expenditures totaled at least $1.18 billion.
Corruption? The man who wrote the decision, Anthony Kennedy, said no. But:
The key changes in campaign finance practices over the past eight years stem from the ruling in Citizens United and Speech Now that contributions to independent expenditure committees, including super PACs, pose no threat of "quid pro quo" political corruption. There is no corruption, Justice Kennedy wrote in Citizens United, because "an independent expenditure is political speech presented to the electorate that is not coordinated with a candidate."
Roll Call, in a story headlined "Firewall Between Candidates and Super PACs Breaking Down" described the myth of non-coordination:
The supposed barrier between candidates and unrestricted super PACs is flimsier than ever. As midterm elections approach, complaints are rolling into the F.E.C. from both parties about super PACs that share vendors, fund-raisers and video footage with the politicians they support.
The detrimental role super PACs play in campaigns prompted Albert W. Alschuler, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School, and three colleagues — including Tribe — to argue in a 2017 working paper that the negative attack ads spawned by super PACS are in themselves corrosive and provide adequate grounds to ban such PACs and the unlimited contributions that fund them…
Bob Bauer, a Democratic campaign finance lawyer who is now a law professor at N.Y.U., wrote me that the Supreme Court's
intervention in the political process has been defined by a lack of prescience or success. What the majority in Citizens United had to say about corporate independent expenditures and the risk of corruption seemed entirely divorced from reality…
Citizens United, "entirely divorced from reality." If only that could be its epitaph.


text:
OAKLAND, Calif.—Earlier this month, two federal judges in San Francisco allowed two significant labor lawsuits filed against Uber and Lyft to move ahead. In those cases, drivers for both services have sued in an attempt to be classified as employees rather than independent contractors. As an employee, workers have certain rights and benefits not traditionally granted to non-employees, such as overtime, minimum wage, worker's compensation, and more.Beyond those cases, court filings show that at least four new similar lawsuits (some of which are proposed class-action cases) were filed in state and federal courts in the San Francisco Bay Area over the past month against so-called "sharing economy" startups. The underlying issue is the same: who exactly is—or should be—an employee?
Here in Oakland, one law firm has brought two of the recent cases against Homejoy, a San Francisco company that describes itself as a "movement to make cleaning services available to a broad audience, rather than a luxury for the rich." The lawsuits, filed earlier this month in California Superior Court in San Francisco, are formally known as Zenelaj vs. Homejoy and Ventura vs. Homejoy.
Seated in his downtown 10th floor office overlooking Lake Merritt, Byron Goldstein described a common story among his clients (Vilma Zenelaj and Diana Ventura) who used to work as cleaners for Homejoy.
"They describe the job of going to these houses that they don't know anything about and doing a lot of cleaning and at risk of getting bad reviews and that impacting their pay or being removed," he told Ars, explaining that cleaners don't know very much about the house where they have been assigned to work, much less what state it is in prior to their arrival.
"A lot of the cleaners do want the opportunity to either be employees or to have more of their control, so they can increase their profit," Goldstein added. "Now they're just working very hard under specific rules without much opportunity to increase their profit. It's a very very difficult job."
Other similar suits (Levin v. Caviar Inc.) have been filed against companies that include Try Caviar, a food delivery startup that was acquired in August 2014 for $90 million. Another case was brought by Levin's Boston-based lawyers against Postmates, another delivery service, in Singer and Williams v. Postmates. In February 2015, a fifth civil complaint (Cobarruviaz v. Maplebear) was brought in federal court against Instacart, a San Francisco venture-backed startup that picks up and delivers groceries.
In many cases, workers for these companies sign contracts where they agree to stick to the lower employment status—however, those contracts can be challenged after the fact as part of a lawsuit. Just because someone has signed a document with their employer stating that they are a contractor does not make it ironclad.
None of these companies responded to Ars' request for comment, except for one. Katie Baynes, a Caviar spokeswoman, declined to comment.
"Cleaners cannot tell Homejoy how much driving they prefer to do"
Goldstein's co-counsel in this case, David Browne, also told Ars that companies often have their business set up to rely on independent contractors because it saves the company money. But even if a worker signs a contract agreeing to be a de facto freelancer, that doesn't make it so under the law.
"We think that with the amount of control that the companies have over the cleaners, they can't be classified as independent contractors—we think they need to be classified and paid as employees," Browne said.
In the case of Homejoy, the plaintiffs allege that there is strong evidence that they should be considered as full-fledged employees. Diana Ventura, a woman from Los Angeles County who worked for Homejoy for a total of nine months in 2013 and 2014, alleges Homejoy violated several provisions of California labor law.
Her complaint argues:
Cleaners are unable to provide any additional information before jobs are assigned. For example, a Cleaner cannot tell Homejoy that while she may have picked different zip codes or cities as part of her territory, she only wants to stay within one zip code, or within one small part of a zip code, each day. Instead, if a Cleaner chooses Oakland and San Francisco as part of her territory, Homejoy alone determines whether the cleaner will stay in Oakland on a given day, stay in San Francisco on a given day, or travel in between the two cities multiple times on a given day. Furthermore, Cleaners cannot tell Homejoy whether they want a little or a lot of down time between each job, or each job start time or end time. Cleaners cannot tell Homejoy how much driving they prefer to do, whether the jobs need to be near public transportation, whether the Cleaners prefer to be stuck in rush hour traffic or instead on routes that are reverse commutes, how many jobs the Cleaners want to perform each day, or whether or not they want to return to a previous customer.
Context matters
To be clear, this type of labor dispute isn't unique to tech companies by any means. Many labor law experts pointed to several years worth of legal disputes between FedEx and its drivers, nearly all of whom are independent contractors. In August 2014, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling, finding that drivers in California and Oregon were, in fact, employees. (Since 2011, FedEx has changed its hiring model in this region.)
But FedEx, by its own admission, continues to face dozens of related cases nationwide over this issue. As the company wrote in its annual report in July 2014:
Adverse determinations in matters related to FedEx Ground's independent contractors, however, could, among other things, entitle certain of our owner-operators and their drivers to the reimbursement of certain expenses and to the benefit of wage-and-hour laws and result in employment and withholding tax and benefit liability for FedEx Ground, and could result in changes to the independent contractor status of FedEx Ground's owner-operators in certain jurisdictions. We believe that FedEx Ground's owner-operators are properly classified as independent contractors and that FedEx Ground is not an employer of the drivers of the company's independent contractors.
On the federal level, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 is the governing body of law that dictates who is and isn't an employee, and it has some overriding principles. (California has a similar corresponding state law.)
As the United States Department of Labor writes on its website:
A number of "economic realities" factors are helpful guides in resolving whether a worker is truly in business for himself or herself, or like most, is economically dependent on an employer who can require (or allow) employees to work and who can prevent employees from working. The Supreme Court has indicated that there is no single rule or test for determining whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor for purposes of the FLSA. The Court has held that the totality of the working relationship is determinative, meaning that all facts relevant to the relationship between the worker and the employer must be considered.
In the case of Homejoy and the other civil complaints that he has read, one labor law professor thinks that the plaintiffs have a slam-dunk case and that startups will have a hard time defending their practices.
"At the end of the day, [companies] are going to have this common law test of who's an employee, and they're going to be disappointed to learn that courts apply the old-fashioned test of categories," Michael LeRoy of the University of Illinois told Ars.
Similarly, Ruben Garcia, a labor law professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, told Ars that someone like a plumber who is employed on a one-off basis by customers is an obvious independent contractor, but someone who is consistently spending long hours working for the same company is more likely to be considered as an employee under the law.
"Are these workers subject to the control of an employer?" he asked. "It doesn't matter if the employer is on site, is in your home, is telling you how to do every part of your job. If they exert sufficient control or the right to control they can be considered as employees. The problem or the issue with these companies is that they want to exert a certain amount of control and yet the more they do, the more they look like employers that have to pay benefits and all the things that come with being an employer."
Miriam Cherry, a labor law professor at Saint Louis University put it more succinctly:
"You don't want to regulate them out of existence, but not paying minimum wage—we decided that back in the Depression."


text:
Japanese Matcha Snacks
When it comes to making Japanese chocolate, many candy producers like to add matcha powder to their recipes as this flavor is very popular in Japan—and it's growing in popularity in the U.S. In Japan, matcha is often used to create mochi balls, ice cream, and soba noodles. Here at Bokksu, we favor many of these matcha snacks that combine the creamy goodness of chocolate with the light, almost vegetal taste of matcha. If you love Japanese treats, you'll definitely want to experience the flavor of matcha in our favorite Japanese chocolates. This flavor blends perfectly with the taste and texture of chocolate, creating a delectable treat for everyone.
- Filter: All


text:
Bear in the Big Blue House
98 Fans
Bear lives in a Big Blue House with several of his muppet friends: Treelo the lemur, Ojo the bear cub, Tutter the mouse, and Pip and Pop. Every day bear uses his reassuringly shaggy presence to help solve problems and explore a different topic of the day. He also talks to Shadow, who tells stories and sings nursery rhymes, and Luna the moon.
Last Episode05x08 This Is Your Life Bear Aired: Apr. 28, 2007
When Bear decides to do some relaxing and tune to his favorite station, WCHA-CHA, he hears an announcement for a contest. The station will play …
Next Episode
Canceled/EndedThe show had 5 seasons and 117 episodes air between 1997 and 2007.
More Trivia
Series Fun Facts
- [no trivia found]


text:
The liver serves many purposes in the body, including filtering harmful substances from the blood, producing substances that assist with food digestion, and helping to change food into energy. There are many kinds of liver diseases, such as: Cirrhosis: Scarring and hardening of the liver Fatty Liver Disease: Build-up of fat in liver cells Bile […]Read More
Get in Touch:614-451-6700
Affiliated with The Wesley Communities
Month: December 2017
Keeping Peace During Holiday Gatherings
The holiday season should be a time devoted exclusively to peace and joyful celebrations. When you think about this time of year, what comes to mind? For me, it's time with family and friends. In the hustle of everyday life, it is nice to take a step back to spend time with the people you […]Read More
Stroke and Nutrition
A stroke occurs when there is a change in the flow of blood to the brain that leads to a change in and/or loss of function. Some risk factors for stroke include: High blood pressure Stress Family history Health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity Lifestyle factors, such as a diet high in fat […]Read More


text:
As we approach the end of 2017, all I can say is that this has been a horrific year for me. I believe there are many within this circle who are nodding in agreement.
My own struggles have extended well beyond the breast cancer arena.
Lori's death in August devastated me in ways I can't even describe but I suspect no description is necessary, or would even scratch the surface. I still grab my phone to send her texts and realize there is no phone to text.
Six weeks before Lori's death, someone else who was so very dear to me, a trusted friend and confidante who was guiding me through this messy divorce also died. That was a death from suicide. Notice my choice of words. I don't subscribe to the notion that suicide is a choice but rather, the result of an illness. Wrapping my brain around that, however, took time. Guilt over not reaching out more frequently, as if I might have changed something. I still haven't fully resolved that in my mind and in my heart.
And Jack. I don't know what to say about Jack that hasn't already been said already. By hundreds, or more likely, thousands of people. I remember our very last phone call. I knew it would be our last and it was bittersweet hearing his voice with the knowledge he likely placed the call to say goodbye. And I was right.
I thought 2017 was finished dumping awfulness on me ... until ...
One week ago, on Christmas night, I was contacted by the older brother of a childhood friend. He wanted to make sure I knew that my friend died very early on the morning of Christmas Eve. We were friends at 12 years old and reconnected a few years ago through the magic of social media. He was not sick. In fact, three days before, he called to see if we could meet somewhere for a cup of coffee. In the pre-holiday madness, I was out running errands and I chose the errands over the visit. After all, we had plans to see each other on January 12. We would be visiting his mom, a holocaust survivor who found her voice at 70 years old and began speaking before large groups of people, accompanying groups of students to Europe to bear witness to what remains of the concentration camps. Instead, I visited his mom two nights ago to make a shiva call.
My friend, Keith was constantly checking up on me. Another friend nailed it when she described him as one of the "most sympathetic and emotionally wise men." Keith's death crushed me. There's something about a friendship that stands the test of time, about the shared history and memories. It's not that it's better, just different. There was nothing romantic about our relationship and his mother said it best when I saw her. "He loved you like a sister." He kept me grounded, guided me through the darkness. He made me laugh, sometimes through tears. Just 2 weeks ago, when I found myself in a place darker than I've been in over a year, I sent him a text to say just that. Within a second, he was on the phone, and inside minutes, he helped me sort through the mess. Trying to wrap my brain around "never again" is proving to be very difficult. I alternate between laughing over some of the silliness we shared and crying, sobbing really, over the silliness that will no longer be.
Then, there was a hospitalization of a loved one which was a horrendous experience for each of us, and for many other family members. Much of September was consumed with making sure proper care was in place. I worry about my mom, although I'm happy to share that her scans are showing improvement with the addition of Ibrance. Her routine three month scans were pushed out to four months and the next scan will be 4-5 months. So I take the good news and relish in the joy.
We had a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I spent it with my kids, my extended family and ultimately wound the holiday down at the home of my dear friend. I was with her when I learned about Keith. Grateful I wasn't alone, grateful his brother waited to contact me, absolutely certain the decision to wait until 6PM was to make sure I was able to enjoy the holiday, blissfully ignorant of the reality. Emotionally wise. Sympathetic. Considerate. Deep joy, immediately plunged into gut-wrenching grief.
And of course, I mentioned months ago that I finally made a choice to file for divorce. That was one year ago. I am not one inch closer to having this marriage dissolved than I was at any point since the paperwork was filed. I have been deceived for more than a decade and the lies and the character assassination in ongoing. I know they are trying to break me, but I may stumble, I may have moments of sheer disgust at the games being played but I leave the worrying to the two attorneys I was forced to retain.
Break, I won't. Feelings for the person I thought I loved, but after a year of reflection, realize I don't think I ever loved? Emptiness. I feel nothing. Not anger, not sorrow, not even sympathy which is quite uncharacteristic of me as it is my nature to be empathetic to nearly everyone. I'm indifferent when it comes to him. I'm irritated, however, that this could linger for years as they continue with the lies in an attempt to thwart a fair settlement. More than that, I can't say and in a public space, perhaps even this little blurb is more than I should say. But that reel of bullshit has been the background noise in my life and it can get on my nerves.
I stand, and I will always stand on a foundation built on truth. I will speak my truth, yes fearlessly, and without hesitation in any and every situation. I can't live my life on the sidelines. There are those who choose to stand in silent support and I respect those who make that choice. That, however, is not who I am today. It is who I was for far too many years. There are times I might believe it's best to remain publicly silent because I can accomplish more behind the scenes. But, in those times I choose to speak my truth, it is not to hurt anyone. It is simply to shine a light into a space where the darkness might be misleading good people. For anyone who might have been hurt by my actions or inactions, I am truly and deeply sorry. The truth matters above all else and I will always support people first, particularly over those with the appearance of advancing an agenda, for themselves or for the benefit of an organization. Respectful, always. But bullshit, in all forms, is just that and given how mired I am in it in too many aspects of my life, when it's appropriate to Call Bullshit. I will make the call. Not in defiance. Not with vengeance. Simply because I was raised by parents who, above all else, taught me, ingrained into my being, the value and the importance of truth and honesty.
This year, 2017 has been a year that feels like my life hit the pause button. One of tremendous introspection. I've remained involved in my advocacy efforts and I will continue to stay in this space as we turn the page anew and look toward 2018. I wish to each and every one of you a joyous 2018. In my year of looking inward, I have come to understand that the only way to experience joy so deeply is to fully surrender to every feeling. That which is painful may hurt much more than it otherwise might. But then, if I try to put a leash on my feelings, I would miss the depth and breadth of what I feel in the happy moments. And those moments can be as simple as gazing at a beautiful sunset or sharing a laugh with a friend or remembering a happy time with one who no longer walks this earth. Those memories have become an integral part of my healing process and yes, there is joy. Bittersweet, but still joy.
And so, I emerge from this year; Walking boldly, fearlessly, authentically and honestly into the next, releasing that pause button and at last, I begin the process of turning myself outward.
It's time.
Like it? Share it!


text:
Smart Shopfloor retrieves your machine and business data in real-time – without accessing your network.
Give us a call: +49 7551 948 093-0
Smart Shopfloor retrieves your machine and business data in real-time – without accessing your network.
Your business data are saved in a secure database. You decide where the database should be located.
Freely configurable dashboards enable you to select the information and analyses that are important to you. When it comes to accessing your data, you alone decide who, when, and where.
Different department in your company requires different information. Easily configure your dashboards via drag & drop e.g., for your production, sales, and management teams.
Use Smart Shopfloor on all your end devices via the browser. Whether on your smartphone, laptop, tablet, desktop PC, or large monitor: the display is always optimized to your device.
With Smart Shopfloor, you will no longer miss a thing.
Activate email, SMS, or push messages for immediate notifications of important events. And the best thing: you decide the events for which you should be notified.
We do not want to limit your freedom. You decide where your data are saved. If you would like us to help, we can do this for you, as safe as your bank. We encrypt all data, and our data protection standard is certified according to ISO 27001.
Whether machines, sensors, or your ERP system: Our Machine Interface enables you to connect any data sources, machine control units, and systems with Smart Shopfloor – without any special hardware or direct access to your network.Would you like to know more? Give us a call!
DESMA customers appreciate the easy-to-use and intuitive interface from Smart Shopfloor. There are no tedious introductions or trainings, so common for other software of the same type. Now, customers have the invaluable advantage of seeing the status of their DESMA machines with a simple click of a button. ...Get more information
place 88662 Überlingen, Zum Zander 8


text:
Enrico David
Gradations of Slow Release
Enrico David has distinguished himself as one of the most original artists working today. This monograph, published on the occasion of the artist's first US survey, celebrates an artist who uses unconventional mediums such as copper, wax, bamboo, bone, Vaseline, cashmere, and cotton to fashion imagery that revolves around the human figure and its many states of being. The generously illustrated volume includes an illuminating essay about David's practice by Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator Michael Darling, a compelling creative piece by Nathanaël, and an interview with the artist by Mark Beasley of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Flexi-cover, 120 pages with 64 illustrations, copublished by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and DelMonico Books•Prestel.
Enrico David: Gradations of Slow Release is organized by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, curated by Michael Darling, James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator, and presented in the Bergman Family Gallery at the MCA Sep 29, 2018–Mar 10, 2019.


text:
5 Steps To Write A Winning Resume
Education – the system of a social order which is not existing separately in itself. The developed network of communicative communications, interdependence and interactions with other social systems – Wednesday and its existence, development and improvement. In this regard – Wednesday the school is not only especially pedagogical educations of the system of education, external in relation to it. It is social the phenomenon and formation of the life surrounding it with which it, anyway, interacts, having on them the impact, changing thus itself. At the same time the condition of implementation of its educational and educational functions by school changes; Wednesday becomes the full participant of educational and educational process.
That modern scientists-teachers, sociologists, teachers did not speak about school, about need of radical restructurings for all school system, but for complete examination of this problem it is necessary to analyse opinion and pupils about its influence on development of the personality, as we tried to fill to some extent in the practical part given works.


text:
By Honoré de Balzac.
One of Balzac's greatest novels, and, an uncomfortable read. There's so much intrigue here. Balzac is cutting with his perspicaciousness and the subtle and not-so-subtle lampooning of individuals and the aspects of the Human Comedy that they embody. As always – fantastic witticisms:
"Money never misses the slightest occasion to demonstrate its stupidity. Paris would by now contain ten times the treasures of Venice if our retired businessmen had had the instinct for fine things that distinguishes the Italians."
"She struck a pose in a fashion that was enough to lay Crevel wide open, as Rabelais put it, from his brain to his heels."
At novel end, you breathe a sigh of relief. The characters have been through the ringer and the reader feels the same. But, masterfully done. Balzac was fired up and had things to say here. A final quote:
"'You remind me, Papa Lumignon,' said Stidmann, 'of the bookseller who used to say, before the Revolution: "Ah! if I could only keep Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau properly short of cash, in my garret, with their breeches locked up, what good little books they would write for me and I should make my fortune!" If fine works of art could be turned out like nails, commissionaires would be making them…"


text:
Here's how we strive to make the best out of a bad situation
Our diverse legal team is here to meet your needs and deliver the best outcome in your case.
Whether it's a divorce, personal injury, criminal charge, or bankruptcy, at Cravens and Noll we understand how difficult it can be to contact a lawyer for help. Improving our client's situation, we strive to deliver:
- Efficiency: We provide effective and competent legal representation in the most timely and cost-effective manner possible.
- Diversity: Our Richmond attorneys specialize in a wide array of practice areas including law, bankruptcy, personal injury, criminal and general civil matters.
- Personalized service: Every case and every client is different. Our representation of you will be tailored to your circumstances and individual goals.


text:
Our Events
- This event has passed.
Prayer and Spiritual Counseling Practice Sessions
November 25, 2021 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
An event every month that begins at 9:30 am on day Fourth of the month, repeating indefinitely
Dear Chaplains and Students of Prayer and Spiritual Counseling:
We invite you to join our Lead Chaplain at Unity of Sedona, Jeff Schlicht RScP, for open discussion and practice of prayer and spiritual counseling.
These virtual get-togethers will be held via Zoom on the fourth Thursday of each month, beginning Thursday, August 27th. The time together will be 9:30am-10:30am Arizona time (which is currently PST).
Because some of you have expressed difficulty in getting prayers from your heart to the spoken word, the focus of these sessions is practice, practice, practice. We will continue in learning the practice of prayer and counseling sessions. Together we will review the elements of the 5 step affirmative prayer and creating a sacred space between you and your clients. The discussion will also include questions and answers to support your continued growth in your personal practice.
These meetings are open to active chaplains at Unity of Sedona and those who have taken Michael Mirdad's workshops on "The Power of Conscious Prayer" or "Advanced Skills in Spiritual Counseling."
Participation in these online meetings is on a "Love Offering" basis. Use this link to make your Love Offering to Unity of Sedona. The donations collected will go to future building buildouts and beautification of the new center, Unity of Sedona.
Please register in advance for these meetings by entering your name and email address using this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meetings.
We hope you join in the fun to come together and practice with others from all over the globe to strengthen your skills and expand your relationship with God. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff by email.
Unity of Sedona & Jeff Schlicht RScP


text:
OPPO — does the name ring a bell?
If it doesn't, it's about to. OPPO is a fairly new entry into the smartphone market, and it's slowly making its way up the ranks. But while it's not exactly up to par with the behemoth Android players such as Nexus or Samsung, OPPO's latest offerings look like they're poised to make their mark in the market.
Take the OPPO Neo 5 for starters: I'd call it the gateway device into the wonderful world of smartphones. And surprisingly, despite any apprehension you might have about this phone, I'd say it's still one of the best phones within its price bracket. It looks great, can easily handle multiple tasks, and works fairly smoothly, all within that impressively easy-on-the-pocket price tag. Did I mention that it looks great too?
The OPPO Neo 5 is a nice looking phone. It's not the best one, but amongst other phones targeting the same segment of the market, it's still one of the more attractive ones. The contours of this handset mimics that of its high end counterparts, which means that quality was evidently a priority when creating the chassis for this phone — it's sturdy, and feels solid in your hands.
My main beef with it is a personal one. I'm not exactly a big fan of the pearl finish with that slight sheen. I much prefer matte finishes or aluminum and metal chassis that don't seem to attract scratches as much as shiny surfaces do. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose well. The way the OPPO 5 was designed means you won't be reminded that you have an entry level smartphone. What you have in your hands may be priced reasonably, but the way it looks tells you that you made a sound investment.
With a 4.45-inch screen, the Neo 5 lies somewhere in between the Xperia Z3 and the iPhone 6 — bigger than the former, but more compact than the latter. But despite the decent-sized screen, don't expect it to catch anyone's attention. It has a basic 480×854 resolution, with about 220 pixels per inch.
I suppose — with the Neo 5's features and limitations — its biggest competitor would be the Moto G, the latter having an advantage given its very prominent brand name. But if there was a compelling reason for you to consider OPPO over Motorola, it's this: even its entry-level smartphone can surprise the most jaded techie with its quad-core, 1.2 GHz processor. And despite its 1GB RAM, it holds up surprisingly well.
The biggest drawback for me would be the very limited storage. 4GB is all you have to play with. Your main apps, a limited playlist, a few photos and maybe an ebook or two are probably the only things you will be able to fit in it.
Still, it manages to do what a smartphone promises to do. You can stay connected via email and chat apps, take videos and photos and browse the Internet, all the while easily switching between one for the other.
Battery life
Honestly, I expected to run a little longer with the Neo 5. But as with most smartphones, you last a full day with it and that's about it.
It's fine; it's nothing great, but it will definitely do. You'd probably be better served with a small battery pack just in case.
This is the kicker for me — the Neo 5's 5-megapixel rear camera is really good. Not something you'd expect to hear when you're on the subject of low-tier, entry level smartphones. It's not up to par with the Apple cameras, definitely. But it's a lot better than its counterparts from more famous makers like Samsung and Motorola.
All in all?
Not a bad phone — for its price, for its drawbacks and what it has to offer. Is it better than the Moto G? Not on all fronts, but with a better camera, coupled with its fairly efficient interface and usability, it might just be enough to grab a big chunk of the market.
|132 x 65.8 x 9.2 mm (5.20 x 2.59 x 0.36 in)
|IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors; 4.5 inches
|Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7; Android OS (Jelly Bean)
|4 GB, 1 GB RAM; expandable—microSD up to 32GB
|5 MP, 2592 х 1944 pixels, LED flash
|Li-Ion 1900 mAh Battery


text:
Some of essaycrest.com writers are quite experienced orators who often have to hold speeches before various audience types. And this recommendation is actually universal, not depending on the topic of your speech and any other factors like a good plan or a colored presentation.
Here is how you can attract attention when having a speech.
To do that, you need to concentrate your attention on a single person, and not to try looking onto all of your listeners. Choose a person already looking into your eyes. Support an eye contact with that person. When some time passes, choose another listener to do the same thing. This will be easier, as till that moment more people will look at you.
Actually, the trick can be successfully used in many life situations, not only during the high speech declamation, but during regular friendly conversations as well. It can let you take all the attention in both big public audience and small circle of geeks.
Why This Trick Works
People Can Be Attracted by Attention
Especially when that attention is not concentrated on them. If you look into someone's eyes, the rest will notice you pay attention to someone. They'll start looking at you. Why? First, to see what you're doing. Second, they hope to get your attention, too.
People Get Closer
Eye contact is a very powerful instrument. When you catch someone's eyes, you offer a person to cooperate and interact with you. And they become more perceptive for your speech automatically. This trick is often used by politicians and motivational orators.
How to Learn Using this Trick?
To train this skill, you need to learn how to switch your attention while holding a speech. Try providing an "eye contact" with various subjects in your room next time you are going to get ready for the speech. Concentrate on a chair, for instance. Then, turn your look onto the window.
Try switching between right and left parts of the room, or between close and distant ones. During the real speech you are not going to look onto people sitting directly in front of you only.
With time, it won't be difficult for you to use this technique. You'll stop thinking over that and will perform these actions automatically. Then, the speech itself will bring you a lot more satisfaction.