text:
I never metaphor I didn't like.
Poets use metaphor to help readers see familiar objects in new and provocative ways. Business authors use metaphor to help themselves sell books in new and provocative ways. Ever since Sun Tzu stoked fires in the well-padded bellies of corporate leaders with The Art of War (which for 2,500 years wasn't marketed as a business book, Tzu's original publishers having missed a trick), metaphor-laden books have sold briskly. Managers look to battle, sport, science, the arts, and -- sadly -- cheese to reveal truths not present in more literal-minded texts. The best way to understand what business is really like is to study things that aren't really like business.
The following A-to-Z rundown of business metaphors is by no means exhaustive: in the interest of limiting ourselves to 26 examples we've left out many items, from football to rocket science. But compiling any kind of alphabetical primer requires making trade-offs. In that sense, it's a lot like business.
A is for Antarctic exploration
In the eat-or-be-eaten world of business you'd expect the Donner Party to win the Most Admired Explorers title hands down. Instead, business readers are devouring the exploits of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the intrepid commander who used a rowboat, penguin meat, and benchmarkable management practices to save 27 men from freezing to death in the Ant-arctic. Yes, there is an I in ice, but that didn't stop Shackleton from forming effective teams and exhorting the personal best from each individual. Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons From the Great Antarctic Explorer, by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell, has been embraced by everyone from Fortune 500 to the CEOs of Internet start-ups, who presumably see in the disintegration of the floes beneath Shackleton's feet a situation analogous to their own. Except Shackleton got his people out in one piece.
B is for baseball
You couldn't ask for a better turnaround artist than Billy Martin, the baseball manager and longtime George Steinbrenner nemesis who spun into gold a succession of hapless teams. With his ferocious temper and penchant for infuriating people, Martin comes off like the Al Dunlap of professional athletics. But Michael DeMarco, author of Dugout Days: Untold Tales and Leadership Lessons From the Extraordinary Career of Billy Martin, considers his subject closer in style to Jack Welch. DeMarco also compares Martin to General Patton, who was famous for his boldness, discipline, and embrace of the warrior spirit. And who wrote the preface to Patton on Leadership: Strategic Lessons for Corporate Warfare? Why, George Steinbrenner, of course.
C is for commando
War is hell. Business is war. Ergo, business is hell. And into the fray where lesser men hesitate and are lost drops Richard Marcinko, presumably lowering himself on a rope made of hair hacked from his enemies' scalps. Leadership Secrets of the Rogue Warrior: A Commando's Guide to Success is no sedate screed on the elegance of well-wrought strategy. Marcinko, who earned his tough-bastard stripes as a Navy SEAL and burnished them as a consultant, barks and swears and talks about killing the competition. He means that metaphorically, of course. Probably. Perhaps.
D is for dance
Dance is about timing; business is about timing. Dance is about movement; business is about movement. Dance is about rhythm; business is about rhythm. That's about as far as the metaphor extends in Jeffrey C. Shuman's The Rhythm of Business: The Key to Building and Running Successful Companies. Despite dance-instruction diagrams plastered across the cover and occasional references in subject headers ("The Cash Flow Tango," "Leveling the Dance Floor"), Shuman's terpsichorean allusions are superficial at best. We ache for the lost chance to explore the graceful waltz of a well-formed alliance, the jig of an animated brainstorming session, the minuet of thoughtful process design, and the tap of fast, flawless execution. Bring in da noise, Mr. Shuman. Bring in da funk.
E is for Elizabeth I
You're out of cash. Your competitors are hungrily eyeing your assets. And although you've broken through the glass ceiling, your followers doubt that a woman can handle the job. You're ... Queen Elizabeth I, leader of one of the most dysfunctional family businesses in history. Elizabeth's life is a thoroughly modern managerial-success story. The new queen triumphed by mastering the facts of a situation, assembling a brilliant advisory board, tracking every penny, and rigorously controlling her image, explains Alan Axelrod in Elizabeth I, CEO: Strategic Lessons From the Leader Who Built an Empire. By definition, the personal affairs of the "Virgin Queen" were less satisfactory. Those desiring a role model for work-life balance should look elsewhere.
F is for fractals
At first glance, the illustrations in Leadership and the New Science: Learning About Organization From an Orderly Universe look like psychedelic gift wrap. But they are, in fact, fractals -- which Margaret J. Wheatley defines as objects that repeat "a similar pattern or design at ever-smaller levels of scale." In other words (and other words are very, very helpful here), fractals result when a shape or an equation or an organization's values are processed repeatedly in an endless feedback loop with each iteration producing similarities but also new levels of complexity. Something like that. Anyway, fractals are ubiquitous in nature, but they also characterize companies whose employees "trust in the power of guiding principles or values, knowing that they are strong enough influencers of behavior to shape every employee into a desired representation of the organization," writes Wheatley. So having a fractal organization is good. We think.
G is for geese
Forget the eagle. Yes, Donald H. Weiss knows that entrepreneurs like to imagine themselves as spiritual kin to the Great Bald: independent, fierce, soaring. But greatness "doesn't come to people perched in an aerie high above the world they seek to conquer," argues Weiss in Secrets of the Wild Goose: The Self-Management Way to Increase Your Personal Power and Inspire Productive Teamwork. Rather, Weiss is smitten with the collegial Canadian wild goose who "flies alone in full command of its own wing power ... individually contributing to the flock's progress, while relying on the other geese to do their share." Geese are like successful business leaders in that they manage resources well, effectively motivate their troops, and apparently practice a primitive form of succession planning. Sadly, geese score lower on planning and "visioning." And the book makes no allusion to their core competency, which blankets lawns and golf courses everywhere.
H is for Hollywood
Hoo-ray for: an information-intensive industry whose evolution into a project-based structure presaged the emergence of our technology-reliant networked economy. Dah dah dah dah dah dah dah...Hollywood! Tinseltown, historically ruled by all-powerful studios, has morphed into an amalgam of "loose, temporary project groups that draw from a central talent pool," explain Mark London Williams and Steve Barth in Knowledge Management magazine. That model -- in which intellectual capital (the acting talent of Ben Affleck, say) bounces from knowledge-based project to knowledge-based project ( Pearl Harbor to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) -- is de rigueur in companies that rely on outsourcing and independent contractors. "Hollywood's network economy isn't unique," explain Joel Kotkin and David Friedman in a 1995 article for Inc. "Eventually every knowledge-intensive industry will end up in the same flattened, atomized state." As one executive whose function was outsourced put it, "It's only the companies that got small."
I is for improvisational theater
All Sun Microsystems is a stage, and all its entrepreneurial leaders and flexible product groups merely players. So suggests Rosabeth Moss Kanter in Evolve! Succeeding in the Digital Culture of Tomorrow. "The drama of management was once like traditional theater," writes Kanter, who blasts both for their reluctance to innovate. On the other hand, the companies best positioned to make hay of the Web operate like "improvisational theater," the author notes. "A general theme is identified to get the actors started. Then the actors try out different moves, develop the story as they interact with the audience, and create a better experience with each round." Too bad so many audience members shouted suggestions like "online advertising" and "premium-tier services."
J is for jazz
In John Kao's Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity, Charlie Parker is the essence of a talented innovator, and bebop is the killer app. Jam sessions are the perfect metaphor for creativity management, Kao believes, because in "today's global marketplace -- turbulent, 'spacey,' and endlessly demanding of the new, the experimental, the faster, the better, and the cheaper -- there's no time for business managers to look for solutions in the archives of corporate sheet music." OK, organizations do need some sheet music -- in the form of budgets, agendas, and the like -- but they also need the freedom to improvise, to innovate, to feed and channel inspiration. Jazz artists walk the line in music that managers walk in business: "to locate the ever-mobile sweet spot somewhere between systems and analysis on the one hand and the free-flowing creativity of the individual on the other," writes Kao. Take five.
K is for kiddie stories
In his classic book, The Uses of Enchantment, Bruno Bettelheim revealed the psychological and existential truths that animate classic fairy tales. But a mine of management principles also lies beneath all those happily-ever-afters. In Goldilocks on Management: 27 Revisionist Fairy Tales for Serious Managers, Gloria Gilbert Mayer and Thomas Mayer translate what are essentially Aesopian morals into basic business sense. So, for example, Little Red Riding Hood demonstrates that competitors will take advantage of inexperience. The Pied Piper teaches us that consultants should be carefully managed. The Bremen Town Musicians is about the importance of functional teams. And The Emperor's New Clothes proves that the only reliable sources of accurate information are individuals without a vested interest. Like, say, the authors of business books.
L is for Lear
King Lear may be the definitive work on succession management. But it is also about the failure of authority and the ability of omnipotent executives to destroy organizations with one poor decision. "One of Shakespeare's clearest lessons is that when this much power is placed in one person, there is a great chance that the power will be used in a capricious or whimsical way," writes Paul Corrigan in Shakespeare on Management: Leadership Lessons for Today's Managers. And though today's organizations are less feudal than the England of Shakespeare's plays, Corrigan sees no shortage of modern Lears. One sign of progress: When contemporary business leaders blow it, their followers end up without jobs. When Shakespeare's leaders blew it, their followers ended up without heads.
M is for martial arts
From the jujitsu-schooled warriors of feudal Japan to cinema's crouching tigers, practitioners of martial arts are celebrated for their agility, speed, and ability to use an opponent's power against him or her. For business leaders, what's not to like? Judo strategy is particularly important for small companies, explain David Yoffie and Mary Kwak in Judo Strategy: Turning Your Competitors' Strengths to Your Advantage, because "it values skill over size and strength." The business world is awash in successful judokas: for example, Charles Schwab turned Fidelity's fee-collection strength against the giant by eliminating many of Schwab's own charges. Then there's Netscape, which initially outfoxed Microsoft in the browser wars by championing cross-platform technology. Of course, the outcome of that battle was predictable to anyone who's seen Raiders of the Lost Ark. All the fancy fighting in the world won't help you if the other guy has a gun.
N is for Newtonian physics
The influence of Sir Isaac Newton has been pervasive in business -- and not just in the years when Apple's sales were falling. Newton's rationalist view of the universe influenced everything from the mechanical models that underlie organizations to modern accounting systems. But the juiciest management meat is in the laws of motion and gravitation, says Richard Koch, author of The Natural Laws of Business: How to Harness the Power of Evolution, Physics, and Economics to Achieve Business Success. For example, entrepreneurs guided by the principle of action and reaction will stake out not the hot market of the moment but rather the hot market destined to emerge in opposition to it. The business equivalent of gravity is competition. And intense competition imitates the forces that create black holes. But black holes are an Einstein thing. And we already have an entry for "E."
O is for organized crime
Wise guy is an imperfect synonym for guru. So Bob Andelman has an excuse to seek management lessons in the wiretapped conversations and court testimony of mobsters. (See Context magazine, February/March 2001.) Take this bit of advice from Boston capo Ilario Zannino: "If you're clipping people ... make sure you clip the people around him first. Get them together, 'cause everybody's got a friend. He could be the dirtiest [bleep] in the world, but someone likes this guy, that's the guy that sneaks you." Andelman makes the management connection by telling leaders to use a "killer app" to "knock off an entire class of competitors" -- much the way that Home Depot sent hundreds of hardware stores to sleep with the fishes. The entrepreneur's viewpoint comes from The Sopranos' Paulie Walnuts: "How did we miss out on this? Espresso, cappuccino, we [bleeping] invented this!"
P is for philosophy
Who'd a thunk that Tom Chappell, founder of Tom's of Maine, used the works of theologian Martin Buber to get his toothpaste company back on track? Or that pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus may have introduced change management? Philosophy is relevant to business, and not just the Hobbesian stuff that floats the boats of masters-of-the-universe types. In his book If Aristotle Ran General Motors: The New Soul of Business, Tom Morris asserts that certain elemental truths "undergird any sort of human excellence or flourishing." The goal is to reinvent corporations along the principles of truth, beauty, goodness, and unity. And what would Aristotle do at General Motors? He'd make sure all the employees find their work personally fulfilling. That is, if his busy lecture-circuit schedule let him.
Q is for quantum mechanics
The Newtonian world is rational, predictable, ruled by numbers. The quantum world -- governed by the motion of subatomic particles -- is uncertain, unpredictable, prone to paradox. Which better describes your business? Probably the latter, says Ralph H. Kilmann, author of Quantum Organizations: A New Paradigm for Achieving Organizational Success and Personal Meaning. Kilmann prefers the quantum model because companies are made up of human beings (which he calls "self-motion monads") with minds of their own. Managers cannot predict human behavior in the same way they can predict, say, what will happen to a billiard ball when you hit it from a certain angle. Consequently, Kilmann argues, they should design strategies, processes, and reward systems with particulate care. (It is tempting to suggest that the quantum view is most appropriate for small companies because they are somewhat closer in size than large organizations to the atom. Tempting but silly.)
R is for religion
In this religious country, who better to dispense business wisdom than the results-oriented leaders of the Bible? Laurie Beth Jones has turned Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership into a mini consulting-and-publishing empire based on her subject's motivational and managerial strengths. But Jesus has some Old Testament competition, as evidenced by Moses on Management: 50 Leadership Lessons From the Greatest Manager of All Time. The authors of The Wisdom of Solomon at Work: Ancient Virtues for Living and Leading Today urge managers to also consider Ruth, Job, David, and especially Solomon, who may be the most relevant for entrepreneurs. "The great buildings of Solomon's reign serve as a monument to traditional ideas about prosperity and material wealth," the authors write. "However, if we reflect more deeply, we may face the question, 'for whom do you build up and why?"
S is for Star Trek
Great leadership is about the future, not the past. So why bother with long-dead heroes when you can study someone who won't be born for 200 years? Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the starship Enterprise, epitomizes strong, caring leadership, say Wess Roberts and Bill Ross in Make It So: Leadership Lessons From Star Trek: The Next Generation. Readers will marvel at Picard's focus during run-ins with the Borg and at his deft management of challenging employees, including Data, a humanoid android, and Worf, a Klingon. (This is the definitive book about managing diversity.) Jean-Luc is also a font of inspiration: "We must recognize that in the most dire circumstances, an officer must retain a sense of hope -- trusting in his own ability and in the competence of others to stand firm against what would otherwise be an overpowering tide of helplessness and gloom." Go boldly, Captain Picard. Go boldly.
T is for Tyrannosaurus Rex
Jurassic Park was released in 1993, so the 1994 publication of William Lareau's Dancing With the Dinosaur: Learning to Live in the Corporate Jungle was probably unavoidable. Lareau's focus on the jungle primeval, a conceit achieved chiefly by slapping suffixes such as "-asaurus" or "-adon" onto office stereotypes, is as elegant as it is effective (which is to say, not at all). A metaphor-translation chart explains that a "hotshotadon" is a hotshot and an "executiv-adon bloatasaurus" is an executive. Little can be learned by imagining employees pursued by a Faceupadon Tofailureasaurus, however, since Lareau chose his metaphor for its ability to cause "cognitive dissonance" rather than because corporate types are more like dinosaurs than, say, circus performers or roving packs of baboons. Honest to Godasaurus.
U is for U.S. Marines
Business loves boot camps. But bull-dogged drill sergeants and shorn recruits are not all that the U.S. Marines offer companies. "Everything about the marines -- their culture, their organizational structure, their management style, their logistics, their decision-making process -- is geared toward high-speed, high-complexity environments," writes David H. Freedman in Corps Business: The 30 Management Principles of the U.S. Marines. Marines make decisions quickly but never irresponsibly. Their range of capabilities allows them to handle any assignment. Most important, they get the job done even when the mission is poorly defined and the environment chaotic -- status quo for business today. The marine ethos is embodied by such business leaders as Robert Lutz, now of General Motors, and Fred Smith of FedEx. Of course, other branches of the armed forces have also spawned corporate leaders. But as Freedman reminds us, Ross Perot -- who built rigid, conservative EDS -- was a navy man.
V is for voodoo
Back when Internet companies were pulling sky-high valuations out of zero-profit hats, the new economy seemed magical. Even now that many of those businesses have vanished back up their conjurers' sleeves, we yearn for mystery, insist RenÉ Carayol and David Firth, authors of Corporate Voodoo: Principles for Business Mavericks and Magicians. Specifically, say the authors, we need voodoo. Originally, voodoo flourished among slaves, who drew strength in captivity from their Afro-Caribbean religion. The book's whimsy is that voodoo, in its corporate incarnation, "releases people from the slavery of old ways of being, thinking about and leading organizations" and "connects people with what is important, meaningful and instinctual." In practice, voodoo seems interchangeable with new economy. Voodoo's followers may march to the beat of a different tribal drummer, but we've heard the song before.
W is for Wizard of Oz
Business gurus promise magical transformation. But most are just ordinary folks pulling strings behind a curtain. In The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability, Roger Connors, Tom Smith, and Craig Hickman disdain business thinkers who -- like Oz -- promise a "solution" that doesn't exist. Fortunately, managers and employees -- much like a certain fictional quartet -- hold within themselves the power to achieve the desired results. First, though, they need the courage to see reality, the heart to "own" their circumstances, and the brain -- er, wisdom -- to overcome obstacles. They find those things on the road -- picture one with an ocher cast -- of change. "People relate to the theme of a journey from ignorance to knowledge, from fear to courage, from insensitivity to caring, from paralysis to powerfulness, from victimization to accountability," the book points out. That goes for Toto, too.
X is for x-presidents
The great thing about U.S. presidents is that, as chief executives of the most complex organization on earth, their wisdom is invaluable to business leaders. The great thing about dead ex-presidents is that you don't have to shell out $10 million to publish that wisdom. Past prezes with business tomes include Theodore Roosevelt (youthful, dynamic, progressive) and Ulysses S. Grant (hard-drinking, indecisive, and inconsistent -- but his "lessons" come chiefly from the battlefield, so it's OK). James M. Strock's Theodore Roosevelt on Leadership renders its subject as an aggressive, risk-taking master of PowerPoint-friendly advice. John Barnes's Ulysses S. Grant on Leadership: Executive Lessons From the Front Lines praises the general as an innovator, communicator, and delegator. Of course, Grant's chief claim to sage status is that he won a war. But winning isn't everything: Robert E. Lee has at least two leadership books to his name.
Y is for yacht racing
Is there anything so heartwarming as a business mogul and his sailboat? Ted Turner and Courageous. Larry Ellison and Sayonara. Roy Disney and Pyewacket. And wouldn't you know it, while those titans of industry are battling churning seas and screaming winds, they are also exercising valuable management insight, according to Peter Isler and Peter Economy, authors of At the Helm: Business Lessons for Navigating Rough Waters. The book compares the early days of an America's Cup campaign to an entrepreneurial start-up, but bootstrappers, beware: it costs, on average, $25 million to compete in sailing's most prestigious event. In addition, "it's often said that the perfect racing sailboat is one that has pushed the limits of what is humanly and technologically possible so far that it falls apart and sinks just after it wins the regatta," write the authors. So much for built to last.
Z is for Zeus
Just what company leaders need: another reason to think of themselves as gods. But that's what Charles Handy gives them in Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organizations. The Greek gods personify traits that characterize people and, Handy argues, corporate cultures. Do you run a small entrepreneurial company where decisions are quickly made and intuitively based on powerful empathy? Then yours is a Zeus culture, making you the top dog among top gods. The new economy, clearly, was a hotbed of Zeusian enterprises, most of which fell from Olympus. In the Internet age, even immortality won't save you from early death.
Leigh Buchanan is a senior editor at Inc.
Please e-mail your comments to email@example.com.


text:
There are so many reasons why you have to choose us for your once in a lifetime event. Getting married in Bali is one of dreams that you can achieve with not much cost. Beautiful places and sweet people everywhere, you will not forget how you feel when it's happening.
Some of our amazing venues you can choose if you plan to get married in Bali:
1. Sadara Villa
Sadara boutique beach resort is a stylish beachfront Nusa Dua hotel with 80 modish designed rooms; elegant swimming pools and seaside dining venues, plus a vibrant beach club. Every detail is designed with the intention to maintain Bali 's heritage.
The Sadara Hotel is one of our preferred wedding venues, located in Nusa Dua. The beachfront property offers a stunning yet completely private beach ideal for your wedding ceremony catering from 10-100 people. You can have the ceremony with the sand beneath your toes or on their beachfront garden area. The hotel offers a back up venue in the event of inclement weather and the management here are a pleasure to work with. If you are considering Nusa Dua as the location of your wedding and you are looking for an affordable venue that offers privacy and still has that "Bali feeling", we urge you to take a closer look at the Sadara Beach Resort. Nusa Dua is located 20 minutes from Bali's International airport easily accessible via the toll road. Please see our recent wedding here.
The six bedroom villa Puri Nirvana is set in beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoys an absolute beachfront on the dramatic black sand surf beach of Cucukan. Situated between Sanur and Candidasa, it is a world away from traffic and crowds. With one of Bali's best surf spots just minutes away at Keramas. Nestled in a traditional Balinese village, Puri Nirvana is a beautifully designed colonial-style villa set on 50 are of landscaped gardens. The airy and spacious villa boasts a number of unique features. With six generous guest rooms, each with its own luxurious en-suite bathroom, a games room and an entertaining area, three living rooms and wide verandahs throughout the villa, Puri Nirvana is a holiday destination that offers guests a chance to rediscover Bali. This stunning and spacious Bali villa sits right above the beach and provides large, well-manicured grounds with wonderful views of the ocean, making it the perfect venue for events of all sizes, and its extensive entertaining indoor and outdoor entertainment areas are sure to create the most memorable of occasions. Romantic weddings are a specialty and can be as simple or as lavish as required: from intimate ceremonies to large wedding parties by the beach.
A five-star art sanctuary, Padma Resort Legian is a serene paradise under the renowned Legian sunset. Just steps away from the nearby traditional art and fashion market, the resort is a sanctuary at one with nature. Able to cater from 10-80 people, the Padma offers a beautiful luxurious garden settings with ocean views and the famous Bali sunset. We like this venue as the management are able to offer weddings complete privacy, there is also an amazing old banyan tree that can really add warmth and charm to your wedding. There is a wet weather contingency area; the Padma is a great juxtaposition between modern conveniences and the warmth of the Bali spirit. Set in the heart of the Legian and Kuta area you are a short stroll to all the action and approximately 30 minutes from the international airport.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Climate change impact in 2055?
Climate change impact in 2055?
I'll let you know how often it rains.
They sim 10 days once every 24 hours. League started real but it's 2055 so it's evolved to all fictional. They expanded to 32 teams, adding Vancouver and bringing back the Expos. 4 divisions of 4 per league with two WCs, and an NFL-style playoff format for the WC round.
I'll take the Royals.
I thought you had me on ignore for political reasons. I'll vouch for you. Don't wreck it for everyone else!http://www.spotlightgaming.net/forums/index.php?threads/league-rules-roster-and-description.4/Read that. I'll P.M. you the main guy's email. Tell him I vouched for you.
MDS going to set fire to two teams now?
Ha ha ha, I am on ignore and can't send you a personal message.
Try it now.
I got OOTP 2016 and started playing the nats. I love the game, but just wondering how you deal with Scherzer's salaries n '19-21 at 42 million per?
I keep him until the end of 2018 and then trade him.
My online league currently has two openings.
I may be interested....
Read the rules and expectations I linked to eleven posts up and let me know.
"New players to the league are barred from trading for one in game calendar year." , that's kind of a bummer. I see that you just finished the 2054 season, how long until the next season starts? How long does a season last?
It goes by fast. The offseason takes about a week. We do a month in 3 days so in 18 days the season is over.
any money on the line too make it interesting?
Why does your league have a salary floor?
Page created in 0.146 seconds with 25 queries.


text:
United Nations
Amid Rising COVID-19 Infection Rates, Medical Supply Shortages in Syria, More Testing Key to Gauging Extent of Outbreak, Humanitarian Chief Tells Security Council
While the confirmed number of COVID-19 cases in Syria currently stands at 3,618, reports from inside the country are pointing to a much broader spread of the disease, and it will not be possible to gauge the extent of the outbreak without more laboratory testing nationwide, Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the Security Council during a videoconference meeting on 16 September.
Delivering his monthly briefing to the Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, he said that community transmission is widespread, as nearly 90 per cent of newly confirmed cases cannot be traced to a known source. Infection rates among health workers are rising, while shortages of staff and supplies, as well as temporary shutdowns, are putting even more pressure on a health system decimated by nine years of conflict.
At the Al Hol camp for displaced persons, the first confirmed cases among its 65,000 residents were reported on 27 August, after five health-care workers at one of its field hospitals tested positive in recent weeks, he said. Noting that two thirds of Al Hol's residents are children from more than 60 different countries, he urged States to assume responsibility for their nationals, as required by international law. "It is cruel and inhuman simply to leave them detained in their current bad conditions," he said.
Underscoring the impact of COVID-19 on Syria's economy, he said that, according to recent data, 45 per cent of businesses have temporarily shut down, with another 25 per cent operating at reduced levels and 15 per cent permanently closed. In the north-west, where 45 per cent of households draw their income from day labour, more than 70 per cent of households say their income cannot cover their needs, an increase of 10 per cent since January. While the value of the Syrian pound remains relatively stable, food prices remain at their highest-ever levels after soaring more than 250 per cent in the last year, he reported.
Turning to the protection of civilians, he said that while the situation in the north-west remains relatively stable, there continue to be reports of ceasefire violations, with shelling close to the frontlines around Idlib and south of the M4 highway. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported at least four civilian deaths and nine civilian injuries in August due to shelling in the so-called de-escalation zone.
In the south, he continued, reports of kidnapping and targeted attacks continue almost daily, while explosive hazards killed at least 27 civilians, 13 of them children, between 1 August and 13 September. Following constructive engagement among several Member States, water from the Alouk water station — disrupted for almost a year now — reached several neighbourhoods in Al Hasakeh city on 27 August. "I hope this reflects a shared recognition that it is in everyone's interest, ultimately, to keep the water flowing," he said.
Focusing on humanitarian access, he said that the United Nations is adjusting its cross-border operations at Bab al-Hawa, in line with Council resolution 2533 (2020). The Organization's loading facility at Bab al-Hawa has been expanded, with sufficient capacity to manage increased traffic. He stressed, however, that the first convoys from Bab al-Hawa to areas previously served from Bab al-Salaam, including northern Aleppo, faced significant challenges on the Syrian side of the border, including substantial delays. One convoy had to turn back completely. Since then, agreements have been reached to simplify bureaucratic procedures to support unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid through lines of control. On cross-line aid deliveries within Syria, he called for redoubled efforts to agree on operational details.
Turning to the north-east, he said that bureaucratic procedures imposed by local authorities affected more than 100 aid trucks at the Al Tabqa crossing point, which nevertheless were able to cross earlier in the day (16 September). Many primary health clinics and mobile medical units on the frontlines have yet to receive supplies, with one non-governmental organization (NGO) partner that supports 38 facilities reporting a complete stock-out of insulin. In the south, the situation for 12,000 civilians at Rukban is getting worse, he said, calling for humanitarian access to be granted to the camp, which has received no aid deliveries for a year.
Most humanitarian assistance continues to be provided from within Syria, reaching more than 4 million people every month, he said. In July, humanitarian operations inside the country reached 4.6 million people, including food assistance for 3.8 million people, and over 900,000 medical procedures and 1 million treatment courses for those requiring drugs. All efforts are also being made to carry out routine immunizations, which have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, with 23,000 children under the age of five administered polio vaccines in Rural Damascus over five days in August. But the need for larger campaigns is increasingly acute to avoid a rise in the number of avoidable infant and child deaths, he said.
In the ensuing debate, Belgium's delegate, also speaking on behalf of Germany as the co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file, underlined the need to implement the Turkish-Russian ceasefire agreement in Syria's north-west. The COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming winter now present new challenges, he said, stressing that the dawning economic crisis is without precedent and the rising number of COVID-19 cases "is only the tip of the iceberg". Health systems devastated during years of war will be unable to cope, especially as millions of displaced people already live in camps.
Calling on all parties to allow neutral humanitarian assistance to reach those in need, he emphasized that administrative hurdles are unacceptable and said more crossline and cross-border access is required. While most Council members have consistently been in favour of such access, several claim that crossline deliveries from inside Syria will compensate for the closure of cross-border posts in recent months. "We cannot accept Damascus deciding who is to receive aid and who isn't," he stressed.
Germany's representative, speaking in his national capacity, described a scene from a regional court in Germany, where two intelligence officers recruited by President Assad stood accused of torture, sexual violence, murder and other crimes against humanity. According to a witness in that trial, in the city of Koblenz, the accused men took part in the delivery of mutilated bodies to a mass grave. The corpses showed evidence of torture, with fingernails pulled out and even genitalia cut off. Against such a backdrop, he emphasized that there can be no reconciliation, nor any reconstruction, in Syria without full accountability. "To all those who want sanctions lifted on Syria, I say no," he stressed.
France's representative said that the Syrian regime's COVID-19 figures are "well below reality" and while testing capacities are gradually being strengthened, they remain insufficient. Emphasizing that food security is worsening, he said that every effort must be made to put into place a nationwide cessation of hostilities and a humanitarian pause. The protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and civilian infrastructure must be a top priority. He called on all parties, "especially the Syrian regime", to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. He expressed regret at the lack of consensus in the Council on the cross-border mechanism, resulting in longer travel distances for humanitarian convoys. He went on to stress that until a credible political process is afoot, France and the European Union will not finance Syria's reconstruction. France's position on the lifting of sanctions and the normalization of relations also remains unchanged, he added.
Viet Nam's representative, emphasizing the need for full, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian assistance, urged all parties to preserve the relative calm on the ground and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. He echoed calls for a ceasefire and noted the delivery of World Health Organization (WHO) medical supplies in the north-east, adding, however, that shortages of humanitarian supplies persist. He urged all parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations and humanitarian partners and to maintain the provision of assistance to all those in need. Special focus should be placed on controlling the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating its impact on the dire humanitarian situation, he said, stressing also the need to ensure that Syria's ability to respond to the pandemic is not impacted by sanctions.
The representative of the United States said that there is no doubt that Syria's humanitarian challenges would be lessened if the Assad regime was committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of the Syrian people. The United States is increasingly concerned by reliable reports of massive outbreaks of COVID-19 in the Damascus region and elsewhere in the Assad-controlled areas, including in Homs, Latakia, and Tartous. It is also deeply concerned by reports that the regime is preventing the dissemination of coronavirus assistance to punish communities perceived as supporting the opposition. Noting that the United States has provided $32.4 million to assist Syria's response to COVID-19, she called on the Assad regime to grant full and transparent access to the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations to determine the scale of the pandemic, help to address the situation and save lives.
She went on to say that allegations that United States sanctions are preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Syria are blatantly false. "Such statements are cynically designed to distort reality through disinformation and lies," she said, adding that it is the Assad regime that is preventing medicine from reaching those in need. The Trump Administration, the largest provider of humanitarian aid for Syria, is a friend to the Syrian people, "and we will not forget you," she said.
China's representative stressed the need to take a holistic approach towards revitalizing Syria's economy and improving the humanitarian situation. Government initiatives to ease economic woes should be acknowledged, he said, adding that the international community should fulfil its humanitarian commitments to Syria without delay, with no strings attached and with no pressure on the Government. Relevant countries must lift unilateral sanctions immediately. Describing the COVID-19 situation as worrying, he encouraged the Government to continue its proactive efforts and called on the international community to increase multilateral and bilateral support. With the situation on the ground relatively calm since March, the various parties in Syria should take the opportunity to strengthen dialogue. Noting that more than 10,000 members of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) are active in Syria and Iraq, according a report from the Secretary-General, he emphasized that any ceasefire must not result in giving free rein to terrorist activities.
Estonia's representative expressed regret that some Council members have not made the Special Envoy's job any easier. Months after the closure of cross-border aid delivery points, there is still no clear-cut agreement between the Syrian regime and humanitarian organizations for aid delivery. Demanding unimpeded access to those in need in all parts of the country, he said that, through its sanctions on Syrian leaders, the European Union is committed to denying war criminals any funds and ensures that their crimes "will not be seen as something normal".
The representative of the United Kingdom, expressing deep concern that COVID-19 is still compounding the humanitarian crisis, condemned an attack on 14 September against the Turkish Red Crescent in Al Bab that left one aid worker dead and another wounded, as well as a car bomb attack in Afrin that left 11 people dead. As the 15 September report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic makes clear, such attacks may amount to war crimes. He described ongoing access issues in north-east Syria as the "especially galling" result of unacceptable and calculated obstruction. The United Nations must be given unfettered access and be allowed to deliver aid to those who need it most, he emphasized. With winter approaching, the Council must come together to prevent a worsening of the humanitarian disaster, he said, adding that the lifting of sanctions depends on the Syrian regime engaging seriously with the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria and the United Nations-led political process to bring a peaceful end to the conflict.
The representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines expressed concern that COVID-19 is now a nationwide issue in Syria, which is also facing a serious shortage of medical equipment and supplies as well as a weakened health-care system. Meanwhile, food insecurity and economic decline have also become commonplace in the lives of many Syrians. Against that backdrop, she called on countries to lift all unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria, which will only increase the burden on the country's people and hamper the fight against the pandemic. Also voicing concern about fires raging across some parts of the country in recent days, she hoped they will be swiftly subdued in order to save land and prevent further displacement. She went on to underline the importance of a continued ceasefire in the north-west while calling for a complete nationwide cessation of hostilities.
Indonesia's representative welcomed scaled-up humanitarian aid deliveries, calling on all parties to redouble their efforts to close gaps and reach those in need. The parties must refrain from obstructing that process, he stressed, adding that access to safe drinking water and other basic services is also crucial. A long-term solution is needed to prevent future disruptions to critical water infrastructure. "The Syrian people need a sustained calm," he said, reaffirming that all parties to the conflict must adhere to their obligations under international law. Calling for continued diplomacy, he emphasized there can be no military solution to the conflict.
The representative of the Dominican Republic described the now-confirmed widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in Syria as a cause for serious concern. Warning that infected people may be forced to choose between paying for medical care and buying food, he recalled that about 80 per cent of the population lived before the poverty line even before the pandemic struck. Humanitarian and medical workers face enormous risks due to the lack of adequate protective equipment and resources. Also sounding alarm about the rise of food insecurity — which requires unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need — he echoed other speakers in calling for the release of vulnerable and sick detainees, as well as detained women and children, as a humanitarian act amid the pandemic.
Tunisia's representative, noting the manner in which COVID-19 is complicating the humanitarian situation, said that restoring stability must be a priority to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. He reiterated the dire need to silence the guns throughout Syria, in line with resolution 2532 (2020) and calls from the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy for Syria, adding that all parties must respect measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. He underscored the need for urgent measures to combat COVID-19 and its longer-term economic impact, with health workers on the front lines getting the protective supplies that they need. It is also vital to keep supporting and funding United Nations efforts to support basic services and to secure humanitarian access while also respecting Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
South Africa's representative said nine years of conflict, a deteriorating economic situation, the impact of sanctions and rising cases of COVID-19 have resulted in a devastating humanitarian situation in Syria. Reiterating the importance of unimpeded and impartial humanitarian assistance, as well as the need to ensure the safety of humanitarian actors, he said aid delivery in the north-west was negatively impacted by the recent closure of border crossing points. The Syrian authorities must work with humanitarian actors to scale up and streamline the delivery of both cross-line and cross-border aid. Echoing calls on Member States to waive all economic sanctions imposed on Syria, he went on to ask the Secretary-General to provide the Council with an overview of the impact of such economic measures on the country.
The representative of the Russian Federation focused on the increasing capacity of delivering humanitarian aid within Syria, saying that little is heard in the Council about cooperation between the Government of Syria and World Health Organization to send medical supplies to hospitals mostly outside Government-controlled areas in the north-east. "Being responsible for its people, Damascus clearly demonstrates its cooperation on humanitarian issues." Citing a recent report from Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council titled "Hard Lessons", as well as the General Assembly's omnibus resolution on COVID-19, he said that partnerships with the Government must be enhanced and sanctions — which disrupt the humanitarian response enormously — lifted.
He expressed surprise at the ongoing silence of United Nations officials about the environmental disaster in north-east Syria and requested the Secretariat to provide an assessment of conditions in the Euphrates region. Underscoring his country's readiness to continue to help Syria and its people nationwide and without preconditions, he said that the situation in Idlib has stabilized, with people returning to their homes. He went on to announce that during its turn as Council President in October, the Russian Federation will propose that the political and humanitarian situations be discussed in a single meeting.
The representative of Niger, Council President for September, spoke in his national capacity, noting that COVID-19 has turned much of the world upside down and is now presenting challenges for children attempting to return to school — especially in conflict zones. Voicing concern about Syria's degraded health facilities, he said many people in the country — including students and those living in overcrowded camps — are now at serious risk of contracting the virus. Calling for scaled up humanitarian support, he said the strength of the Council lies in its unity and "it is a shame that is taking so long in this case". Members must step up and do better. Meanwhile, all relevant stakeholders should heed the Secretary-General's call to lift sanctions on countries as they confront the pandemic, and all the parties in Syria must uphold their international obligations, protect civilians and allow swift, unhindered humanitarian access to those in need across the country. Indeed, he concluded, humanitarian assistance must be fully decoupled from political concerns.
Syria's representative, quoting Joseph Goebbels, said that representatives of many Western Governments still adhere to the idea that if you keep repeating a lie, people will believe it. They insist that unilateral coercive measures imposed on Syria do not target its people, that their countries make great efforts to ensure that humanitarian exemptions are in place and that the Syrian "regime" — for that is how they describe the Government — is responsible for depriving Syrians of receiving treatment for COVID-19. The reality is every Syrian suffers every minute, every hour, every month from the catastrophic impact of unilateral coercive measures.
Targeting the Syrian people with economic terrorism is the result of the United States Administration's narrow vision based on sponsoring and serving Israel's interests at the expense of regional security, he said. Successive Administrations have imposed unilateral coercive measures on a variety of Syrian economic sectors, including health care, and in doing so made a mockery of United Nations documents and resolutions that confirm the illegality of such measures. In the past year, unilateral coercive measures directed at Syria have been tightened, leading to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, he said, adding that on 15 September, President Donald J. Trump said that his Administration was planning to assassinate the President of Syria.
While all Syrians are suffering from a wide range of coercive measures, the United Nations and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have ignored the Government's repeated requests — including in a letter to the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly on 31 May — to report on their disastrous effects, he said. Noting that the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and his predecessors have all been United Kingdom citizens, he said that the Office has delivered 68 reports and hundreds of briefings on Syria, yet it dares not address the need to end coercive measures. There is no need for satellites, telescopes or fact-finding missions to verify the situation on the ground. Those who have imposed unilateral coercive measures are war criminals who must face an international tribunal that is not affiliated with the United Nations, "which no longer represents international legitimacy".
He went on to stress the need to end Turkey's occupation of north-west Syria and the United States occupation of north-east Syria, and for European Governments to repatriate their "terrorists without borders". He concluded by wondering how the Council can maintain international peace and security when its Western members, both permanent and non-permanent, act as arsonist and firefighter at the same time.
Turkey's representative strongly condemned a recent terrorist attack against a Turkish Red Crescent convoy in Syria, which killed one staff member and injured others, pledging to hold the perpetrators accountable. Last week, the Council discussed the impact of COVID-19 on international peace and security, and Syria — one of the most dangerous places in the world with a highly vulnerable population and a devastated health system — is particularly at risk. In the north-west, the virus continues to have a multiplier effect on already dire humanitarian conditions. Recalling that some 3 million people there rely on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs, he said the recent closure of the Bab al-Salam border crossing has further complicated the situation.
"The limited cross-border delivery will have grave repercussions on the health system, which is already deteriorating at a large scale," he stressed, calling on the Council to immediately consider reauthorizing Bab al-Salam. Regarding the Aluk water station, he stressed that the sustainability of its water supply depends on electricity and noted that PKK/YPG has repeatedly and deliberately disrupted the electricity supply to Aluk for nearly a year. Those with influence over these spoilers should use it. While the Syrian regime continues to attempt to distract from its crimes against its own people, the Council should not forget. Turkey currently hosts about one fifth of Syria's pre-war population as refugees, he said, also voicing regret that COVID-19 is now being used by some countries as a pretext to abandon or push back migrants at sea.


text:
It's another family classic! Oh yes, layers of delicious
I'm not sure why it took me so long to make one for myself, but I finally did – with some nudging from Stew hehe. I have helped my mom make it loads of times but never made one from scratch alone… I guess I thought it would just not be the same as my moms. But I am pleased to say, with my mom's assistance (she has no written recipe, so she just explained what she did and I figured out some measurements to suit my lasagna dish), I am pleased to say… SUCCESS!
When you get served Lasagna in a restaurant, or an Italians home, it may seem a bit complicated to make. Daunting even. But it is actually really simple! Granted, it does take some time to make, and a few pots to wash, but the end result is so worth it!
Not only is it RIDICULOUSLY yummy, but it is perfect for when you are hosting family dinners, and you can make it in advance and freeze it! I can't explain the happiness I felt when I would come home from school/varsity/work, and ask what was for dinner, and my mom would say "I defrosted Lasagna" – insert choir angels singing.
So with this blog post, you are getting a doubly delicious surprise, because to make Lasagna, you need Bolognese… Yup, I am finally sharing my Mamma's heart winning Bolognese recipe as well. Yay for everybody! So enough babbling and let's get to the recipe, shall we!
Mom's Classic Lasagna
For the Bolognese
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Large Onion – Diced
- 2 Large Carrots – Diced
- 500 g Beef Mince (or beef and pork mince mixed)
- 2 Sprigs of Rosemary
- 1/2 cup Red Wine
- 140 g Tomato Paste
Boiling water to top up
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (or one small whole chilli)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bechamel
- 500 ml Milk
- 50 g Butter
- 40 g All-Purpose Flour
A pinch of salt, pepper and nutmeg
For the Lasagna
- 1 box Lasagna Pasta Sheets
Lots of grated Parmigiano
First, make the Bolognese. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot. Add in the diced carrots and onions (most Italian recipes have diced celery as well so feel free to add it if you would like). Cook at a medium/high temperature until the carrots soften.
Then add in the beef mince and sprigs of rosemary (I add it in with the stalks and remove them before serving). Cook until the mince has browned.
Next, add in the wine. Cook until the alcohol as cooked out (about 2 or 3 min).
Now add in the tomato paste and mix it into the mince. Top up the sauce with boiling water, until the mince has basically just been covered. Add in small whole chilli or a teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper and salt. Let it cook for at least an hour, stirring every now and then.
When the Bolognese is almost cooked, start with the Béchamel. Simply melt the butter in a medium-sized pot at medium heat. One it is bubbling, add in the flour and whisk.
When this mixture is bubbling, which will be quite soon, add in the milk and nutmeg. Lower the heat a little bit and mix until the mixture is thick. This may take a bit of time (5-10 min). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
Now, here is where my Moms recipe differs to others. We add the Béchamel sauce into the Bolognese sauce and mix it together. Other more traditional recipes add the layers separately when assembling the Lasagna. But for this recipe, mix them together and set aside off the heat.
Now we can start with the Lasagna. We prepare a pot of boiling salt water, and parboil the Lasagna pasta sheets (for max 3 min), then lay them on a dishcloth.
To assemble, add a small ladle full of sauce at the bottom of your Lasagna dish and spread it around. This is to stop the Lasagna sheets from sticking to the dish.
Then you start to layer. Lasagna sheets first, then some sauce (NOT TOO MUCH, we want to be able to serve the Lasagna easily without sauce going everywhere), then some Parmigiano, then start again. The last layer should be a thin layer of sauce with A LOT of cheese!
You can then cover the Lasagna with foil and put into the fridge until ready to cook or freeze it.
Heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Cook the lasagne with the foil on for 30 min. Then remove the foil, and cook for another 15 – 20 min – until golden and crispy on the top.


text:
Geist Expander: Trash Percussion is a collection of unique samples made from everyday household objects to add an organic touch to any beat.
The concept behind Geist Expander: Trash Percussion was to create an experimental collection of sounds by sonically recycling everyday household items. Captured in their raw form and in a variety of performances, these sampled items include crisp packets, waste bins, water drips, zips, teapots, rulers, car doors, saws, drills, glass bottles/vases and more! Odd and unique, suitable for any genre, swap out some traditional percussion sounds and add new creativity to your beatmaking.


text:
Free US shipping on orders over $99 *This is not applicable to boot shipping
SC Main / Rider / Women Apparel
SC Main / Rider / Women Accessories
SC Main / Horse / Bridles & Halters
SC Main / Lifestyle & Gift / Lifestyle
SC Main / Equestrian Stockholm / Accessories
This cozy sweater was designed for women whose lifestyle demands both functionality and style.
Cropped in the front and flowy in the back, the Mock Turtleneck Cape will be the piece you wear first out of the laundry again and again!
Sweater Knit: 81%Polyester 19% Spandex
We use cookies on our website to give you the best shopping experience. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …


text:
This Woman Conned 20 Boyfriends Into Buying Her 20 iPhones, Which She Sold To Buy Home
BEIJING, CHINA — Let us recognize today a heroic woman who parlayed her resourcefulness and hustle into a scheme that involved her convincing her 20 boyfriends to buy her 20 new iPhone 7s, which she then sold, using the profits to put a down payment on a house.
According to the BBC, a Chinese blogger using the pseudonym Proud Qiaoba shared this astounding tale about her friend Xiaoli (also a pseudonym), who sold the 20 iPhone 7s for a total 120,000 Chinese yuan (about $18,000) to a tech resale company, then used this money to pay for a new home.
While the BBC was unable to confirm whether this fantastic narrative was entirely true, they did, however confirm that the resale company did, indeed, buy 20 new iPhones 7s from a woman in early October.
May we all approach our goals with this scope of vision in the future.
Source: TIME


text:
Scientists at Poland's Wroclaw University of Technology are taking human-robot interaction to another level with their EMYS android, which expresses human-like dispositions, such as anger, surprise, confusion, joy, and sadness. The researchers say they are working towards a future where people and machines will interact in an entirely natural way.
If you're having trouble watching this video, try downloading the latest version of Flash Player or contacting your IT department.
Have any comments or questions about our video editions of IMPO? Or do you have a video you'd like to see featured in one of our deployments? Email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Monday, March 18, 2013
Bee block and RSS feeders
This is the latest bee block I am making for the hive members in the 3 x 6 bee on Flickr. It is from 501 Rotary Cut Blocks (which is a fabulous source of blocks). It is for Celine who requested all pinks.
So I, too, am joining the masses trying out the different RSS feeders at the moment. So far, I am liking Feedly and Bloglovin. Still can't quite figure Feedly out, but Blogloving seems pretty easy to understand. I did like my Google Reader tho :(
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
1 comment:
Hi, thanks for taking the time to pop by and leave a comment. I always reply to my comments by email so if you don't hear from me, it means you are a no-reply blogger. Have a great day!
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
A lack of interoperability has been a huge issue within the cryptocurrency space. There is an ever-growing number of blockchain platforms that provide amazing products and services, but without a way to make them function as a cohesive unit, these projects are unable to reach their full potential.
It seems that one firm may have created a platform to solve this problem. The Aion Network is planning on becoming the "underlying infrastructure" for the blockchain sphere and aims to create protocols that will support a network of interconnected blockchains. Will it be successful?
Maybe. The for-profit company sees itself as a sort of Linux Foundation for the blockchain sphere and wants to create something similar to the TCP/IP protocols that helped to leapfrog the internet into the future.
In a TechCrunch report, Aion CEO and co-founder Matthew Spoke said that "the core design of network we have been building is to connect various networks, and route data and transactions through a public network…it allows you to build bridges to other blockchain networks. That public network acts as relayer between blockchains." Aion was launched on April 25, 2018.
Crypto Grandma seems to be very enthusiastic about the project.
Data Security Concerns Will Need to Be Addressed
The network is essentially a public information highway, which is cause for concern for firms who want to transmit secure data between blockchains.
Spoke says that these concerns could be addressed with some clever maneuvering, like sending data proofs instead of data itself. Still, it's quite possible that new solutions will need to be created in order to make the Aion network or a similar network completely safe to use.
The Aion network will be powered by its own native cryptocurrency that will be used "to pay to be part of a common trusted protocol," Spoke said. "It comes down to the mechanism of consensus and being incentivized to do business in an honest way."
Spoke admits that it's likely that many moons will pass before the Aion network has the opportunity to reach its full potential. "We still need a few years of pure focus on infrastructure to make sure we are getting these layers right," he explained. "Every time you move data of any kind there are security vulnerabilities, and we need to make sure there are good specs and comfort in using it."
Source: Read Full Article


text:
The Grill on the Alley
The Grill on the Alley is a renowned steakhouse with a classic American menu to suit all tastes. Come enjoy fresh salads, seafood, steaks, chops and inventive side dishes. You'll experience unparalleled service in a sophisticated atmosphere reminiscent of the great grills of the 1930s and 1940s.
Serving: Lunch, Dinner, Catering
Reserve A Table
You May Also Like
Premier Shopping
The Promenade at Westlake brings you a mix of stylish boutiques, popular global brands and the latest trends in fashion, beauty, home goods and more.
Dining Destinations
Browse showtimes and purchase tickets for films now playing at Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Westlake Village.


text:
A Neo-Nazi group rallied outside of a Kansas City, MO courthouse over the weekend and ripped up a tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) in front of hundreds of booing counter-protestors, Vocativ reports.
The National Socialist Movement allegedly rallied outside the courthouse in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a night of systemic pogroms against German Jews by the Nazi government and a historic marker signaling the beginning of the Holocaust. A video clip shows one Neo-Nazi ripping up the tallit behind a police barricade, to a chorus of boos and protests.
ABC News reports that the rally had been planned for several months. The movement, which claims to be "the political party for every white American," has allegedly teamed up with other white supremacist groups, including members of the white Christian group Aryan Nations, the Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club and at least one affiliation of the Klu Klux Klan.
Jewish groups, tolerance groups, and grassroots organizations like Occupy Kansas City formed the counter-protest of the march, which outnumbered the neo-Nazis in at least a 3:1 ratio. Specific organizations behind the counter-protests included SHARP (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice), the Latino Coalition of Kansas City, and the Ida B Wells Coalition Against Racism and Police Brutality, among others.
Occupy Kansas City, which has over 8,000 followers on Facebook, fiercely opposed the event, declaring that "fascism is not to be discussed; it is to be smashed." The protest unfolded through live updates on Facebook and especially twitter, as participants shared many photos of counter-protests.
The ACLU has expressed concerns over the legality of a police cordon at the site, saying that closing off sidewalks due to the possibility of violence is not enough to prevent the expression of free speech, according to KCTV 5 News. They cited concerns over counter-protest restrictions, as well, including rules against posting signs and on picketing.


text:
2. I'm going to start watching anime again.
Kill la Kill
Reviews and previews
2. I'm going to start watching anime again.
So I watched the final episode of Sakamichi no Apollon a while ago but forgot to follow up with a series review.
The series seems to me like one that is stuck in slice of life mode when it wishes it wasn't. What I mean by that is there isn't really anywhere interesting for the show to go once the characters have gone through their angst and realizations and stuff. Sentarou sort of overreacts to his stepdad coming back, so he runs away forever. Kaoru also runs away from the small town and Ritsuko to become a doctor (default Asian occupation). Ritsuko cuts her hair. Those are all pretty much the most extreme things they can do because they don't have superpowers or mecha (aside from the power of Jazz, but we all know that disco is coming).
I thought the series was done well, with sort of a rushed ending and epilogue. I wonder what the takeaway from the whole thing is, though. Is it that it doesn't really matter who your friends are in high school, because you won't see them again for 8 years after you run away? Or is it that friendships do matter and after 8 years you can get into a really awesome three way? I guess that interpretation is left to the viewer.
I did like the jazz parts of the show the most, and if there wasn't that hook I may have not continued watching it to the end. Overall, it was a fairly average teen high school love triangle romance that was improved to a B+ for having some sick jazz in it.
So when we last left the jazz kids, things were in turmoil. Kaoru was super pissed at Sentaro for agreeing to join a crappy Beatles cover band. Also, Jun-bro was nowhere to be found.
Luckily, things resolved themselves pretty perfectly this episode. First, Ritsuko starts treating Kaoru super nice after his temper tantrum. It's probably because the other girls thought they were dating. After hearing that this was not the case, all the other girls were brought into Kaoru's yard (possibly drawn in by his milkshake?). Ritsuko probably needed this for social proof that Kaoru wasn't just some random thug. Then the two of them were put onto the school festival committee, which is pretty much a wedding sentence in anime.
Later on, we find out that Jun-bro is emulating his hero a bit too closely, strung out in the basement of Ritsuko's dad. This is majorly awkward since Yurika and Sentarou were about to make out, even though Yurika seemed more into Jun-bro.
Finally, when the day of the festival comes, the Beatles cover band is sabotaged by some upperclassmen, so Sentarou and Kaoru go unplugged and wow the crowd with a medley of jazz standards. Triumphant, and to sound applause, the two bros run off into the sunset to make jazz together forever, starting with My Bromance.
So… I'm not sure what's left for this series. I guess they can play more jazz, hook up with bitches ("I played that bitch some jazz; Bitches love jazz"), and get Jun-bro into rehab. After that there's not much more, right? Unless it's revealed that Yurika is really an alien and they need to save her from the Men in Black or something…
That Author guy pointed out that I didn't blog the end of this series. I guess I am getting really bad at that. I did, however, manage to watch the whole thing, along with Amagami SS++.
Ano Natsu was interesting in that it felt like an anime that should've (and had) been made years ago. It's basically a re-make of Onegai Sensei, with the same character types (but different characters). The thing that made Ano Natsu enjoyable was that it was executed damn near perfectly. The pacing, animation, humor, etc were all great. I think the one thing it lacked was a bit of originality. I guess you can't have your nostalgia cake and eat it, too, though.
While the show became a bit self-referential (at least to its genre and history), that was more of a fan service than innovation. I'm talking about how they went all out with the alien chase at the end, and made the "fufufu" sensei into an actual MIB agent. It reminds me of how Arrested Development went insane at the end, since they were ending the series anyhow.
Another thing they did well was the ending. Up until the last moment, you don't know whether the two main characters stayed together or not. I was kind of guessing they'd pull a Gainax ending (a la Mahoromatic), but they played it safe, just as you'd expect.
All in all, Ano Natsu De Matteru was a nice trip down nostalgia lane. 2000s anime doesn't get much better than this!
Sakamichi no Apollon continues with a double date featuring new hotness Yurika. Unfortunately, the couples do not match up neatly, and we are faced with a love square. Ritsuko likes Sentarou, but Sentarou likes Yurika, and Kaoru likes Ritsuko. It's not clear if Yurika likes anyone at this point.
The boys get in an argument because Sentarou is hurting Ritsuko by being flirty with the new girl. This sorta backfires on Kaoru since Ritsuko thinks he's jealous. But in a surprising move, Kaoru confesses his like for Ritsuko, so it's up to her to accept or reject him.
In other news, the two dudes have a jam session on "But Not For Me," which is quite appropriate for their current situation. Kaoru confesses to Ritsuko with "Someday My Prince Will Come," but apparently didn't do a good enough job (next time, seal the deal with "My Funny Valentine")!
I'm digging the quick plot progression of this series so far. Hopefully they will keep the jazz flowing and the drama going.


text:
Microsoft's full-body motion controller Kinect, formally known as Natal, may enable mute players to have better options for communicating with their friends over X-Box LIVE. While the interface previously allowed users to utilize the chat pad to talk to their party over LIVE, this is a fairly clumsy and inconvenient way of chatting. This is set to change with Kinect, which apparently recognizes American Sign Language and can relay the signing to the party.
While this is a fairly unprecedented use for Kinect, it is rather ingenious on Microsoft's part to include this function. While we all take the ability to talk for granted, there are segments of the gaming population that aren't so lucky. This could open LIVE to a whole new branch of gamers, so I for one applaud Microsoft for thinking of handicapped gamers in this instance.
Update: Well, I'm the first to admit that I'm not perfect, and it seems that I've got some backtracking to do on this one. In VG247's original article, it mentioned that a patent that indicated Kinect's ability to understand and relay American Sign Language. However wonderful a dream this may have been, it's not the case in real life. Kinect will not recognize ASL at launch, and will probably never have the ability to do so. In order to reach the $150 retail price, Microsoft had to cut some features from Kinect to "dumb it down", and ASL capability was on the chopping block. It's a shame, because this would have been a really cool addition to the motion camera. Mea culpa. Read the whole story here: Kotaku


text:
Classic Journey Live
A Tribute to Journey with special guest Larry Pascale
Thursday, January 27 at 8 p.m.
Classic Journey Live is a tribute to Journey unlike any other. Immerse yourself in the most detailed replication of Journey to date. The clothes, hairstyles, lights, musical gear, stage, vocals and all the sounds that are Journey combine to create a living tribute to one of rock's greatest bands.
With its incredible attention to detail, Classic Journey Live leaves nothing to be desired. Take a ride with Journey as they rise from their San Francisco roots to superstardom and achieve unbelievable fame. Step back in time to experience the story as it began with Gregg Rolie (David Krol) and legendary frontman Steve Perry (Larry Pascale) together on stage, performing the early hits, just as you remember them. Watch as the band transforms with Jonathan Cain (David Krol) and his trademark red grand piano, and hear them play some of the biggest songs in rock history.
The impeccably authentic show features video excerpts, interviews, and performances from the members of Journey themselves, making this a concert you won't soon forget or want to miss!
All guests must be 21 years old to enter Theater or to watch shows at Bar 360. All tickets are sold with a no return or exchange policy. All schedules/times are subject to change at any time without notice.


text:
Hot Art In The Cultural District
You've probably already been to Heinz Hall to hear the symphony, or caught a show at the Benedum Center, but there are several other venues throughout the Cultural District that add vibrancy to the area, and many showcase must-see visual art. Here, we spotlight the best art events and exhibits of the season, so you can get your culture fix this summer.
Drawn In A Day
Through September 4
SPACE Gallery
812 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 325-7723
Hours: Wed -Thur 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri - Sat 11 a.m. -8 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Business Directory Listing
Website: www.spacepittsburgh.org
The best contender for hottest show of the summer in the Cultural District is Drawn in a Day. Robert Raczka asked a dozen artists to produce drawings directly on the walls of SPACE Gallery, during a one-day drawing marathon. SPACE Gallery is a huge, well, space, with gargantuan walls. The effort that these artists expended is herculean. The artists worked on the walls during the entire day and well into the opening reception on July 15. With few exceptions, the artists are from Pittsburgh, and have been producing work in the region for many years. The dozen or so artists exhibiting in Drawn in a Day include David Pohl, Eric Stern and Cara Erskine.
Selected Works from Charles "Teenie" Harris
Rhapsody in Black and White & Looking Forward: Images of Children
The August Wilson Center for African American Culture
980 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 258-2700
Hours: Tue - Sat 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Business Directory Listing
Website: www.augustwilsoncenter.org/
If you have an interest in local history, then The August Wilson Center for African American Culture is a must for any tour of the Cultural District. Along with its rotating exhibits, the August Wilson Center has an ongoing exhibit of photographs by Pittsburgh icon, Teenie Harris. A prolific photographer, Mr. Harris captured the everyday lives of African Americans in almost every neighborhood in Pittsburgh. His career spanned the decades from 1930-1970 and he was one of the principal photographers for the Pittsburgh Courier.
Shaw Galleries
805 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 281-4884
Hours: Tue - Sat 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Business Directory Listing
Website: www.shawgalleries.com
If the August Wilson Center hasn't satisfied your thirst for the historical, stop in and say hello to Kurt Shaw at Shaw Galleries. You never know what you are going to find in the bins and flatfiles of rare prints and maps, dating from the 18th century to the present day. Carefully archived, the collections span prints from such master artists as Miro, Degas and Renoir, sharing room with historical maps of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
Brian Sesack - Looking for Clues: Selected images 2003 – 2010
Through September
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
810 Penn Avenue, Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 391-2060
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Website: www.pittsburghartscouncil.org
There are always a few surprises along the way in the Cultural District, with artists displaying work in unusual places. Such is the case with Brian Sesack's photographs, on display in the offices of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council as part of their Art on the Walls program. Mr. Sesack presents work from several series in this retrospective, chronicling his efforts to hone his voice. The exhibit is extensive, displayed throughout the offices and in meeting rooms and the staff is always available to let you in so that you can tour the works. While you're there, you can pick up a map of public art located in the downtown area.
Installations by Ty Marshal (through Sept. 4), Michael Benedetti (through Aug. 6), and Kyle Hossli (Aug. 7 – Sept. 1)
Future Tenant
819 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh PA
Hours: Wed – Sun 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Website: http://futuretenant.org
Almost directly across Penn Avenue from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is Future Tenant. The storefront space is a joint project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, CMU's College of Fine Arts, and the Master of Arts Management program at CMU. During the summer months, Future Tenant will have rotating window installations by local Pittsburgh artist Michael Benedetti and Kyle Hossli and will have a bathroom installation by Ty Marshall. You can walk past the window installations any time, but the bathroom installation is, of course, only open for viewing during regular gallery hours.
You can definitely play the cultural tourist in downtown with all of these great exhibits. Every quarter, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust coordinates a Gallery Crawl with all of the downtown galleries and venues. Along with the visual fare, many of the galleries host DJ's and other performers. The upcoming Gallery Crawl is scheduled for September 30 and a full schedule of the event will be available on the Cultural Trust website.
Susan Constanse is a painter, living and working in Pittsburgh. Examples of her work can be viewed on her website.
for more features.


text:
In recent years, food trucks have taken over the streets of New York City. But for the casual observer, it can be difficult to distinguish between the good (organic, artisanal, locally-sourced), the bad (hello street meat), and the ugly (any of the cupcake carts in SoHo) when it comes to street food. To help, we've compiled a slideshow of some of our favorite mobile restaurants in NYC. You can thank us later.
%Gallery-144628%Big Gay Ice Cream Truck
The truck is in the garage until spring, but ice cream lovers hankering for treats like the Salty Pimp (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt, chocolate dip) or Mermaid (vanilla ice cream, key lime curd, crushed graham crackers, whipped cream) can stop by the new Big Gay Ice Cream Shop on East 7th Street.
Bistro Truck
A step up from your standard gyro stand, Bistro Truck serves high-quality Moroccan-Mediterranean food, like lamb over couscous, grass fed beef bistro burgers, and more. White linen napkins not included. Check their weekly schedule for locations.
With carts in SoHo and Flatiron, restaurants in Greenpoint and Red Hook, and appearances on Food Truck Revolution and the Cooking Channel under their belts, the brothers behind Calexico are taking over New York with fresh tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.
Halal Guys at 53rd and 6th
Their website proclaims, "We are different." Maybe that's why hundreds of people line up at the corner of 53rd and 6th Avenue each day for the Halal Guys' chicken, gyro, and mixed platters and sandwiches, while other midtown gyro vendors stay empty.
King of Falafel
The King of Falafel's falafel, shawarma, and chicken platters are more than worth the trip into the Astoria, where he holds court at the corner of 30th Street and Broadway.
Korilla BBQ
Korean tacos? Why not? The guys behind Korilla BBQ whip up fusion foods like bulgogi burritos and house-made tofu chosun bowls at locations around Manhattan. Check their Truck Finder to track them down.
Jamaican Dutchy
Try a taste of Jamaica (jah) at the Jamaican Dutchy truck, which serves full sized and mini meals of specialties like jerk chicken and curry goat. Follow them on Twitter to see where they're parked.
N.Y. Dosas
The best vegetarian dosas in town can be found at Thiru Kumar's food cart, which is usually parked on Washington Square Park, at West 4th Street and Sullivan. The accompanying chutney is unreal.
Red Hook Lobster Truck
Red Hook Lobster Pound's famous lobster rolls are now available on the road! Rolls are available Maine-style, with mayo, or Connecticut-style, with butter. Both are excellent. Stalk them on Twitter.
Solber Pupusas
Last year's Vendy Award winner serves authentic El Salvadoran pupusas, grilled corn masa patties stuffed with cheese and delicious fillings. You can find them at the Red Hook Ball Fields, or at the Fort Greene Brooklyn Flea Market.
Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
Nothing spells summer in New York like creamy red currant and Earl Grey artisanal ice cream from Van Leeuwen. Though the business has expanded to storefronts in Greenpoint, Boerum Hill, and the East Village, they still operate trucks in SoHo and Madison Square Park.
Wafels & Dinges
Traditional Belgian wafels, dinges, and speculoos can be found at the Wafels & Dinges truck, which makes the rounds around Manhattan and Brooklyn year-round. Save some room for the Belgian hot cocoa too.
[Flickr image via Bob the Astorian]


text: Apple's iOS operating system is the most popular mobile platform among corporate workers according to a survey from Check Point Software. The firm polled over 700 IT professionals and found that iOS accounts for 30% of usage, with RIM's BlackBerry platform just behind at 29%. Check Point Software found that 71% of mobile devices have contributed to increased security incidents. Google's Android operating system was considered to produce the greatest security risk, however, 72% of polled users claimed careless employees were a greater security threat than hackers. The lack of employee awareness about security policies ranked as having the greatest impact on the security of mobile data. Some 65% of respondents reported that their organizations had devices that were personally owned by employees in addition to company-owned mobile devices accessing corporate networks.Check Point surveyed a total of 768 respondents across the United States, Canada,United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.


text:
Calendar Notice for David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole February 20 to March 14, 2009
NEW MILFORD, CONN. (January 5, 2009) - TheatreWorks New Milford kicks off its 2009 season on February 20 with the heartfelt, Pulitzer-Prize winning drama, RABBIT HOLE, by David Lindsay-Abaire.
RABBIT HOLE charts the journey of Becca and Howie Corbett, a typical, suburban couple from Westchester County whose world is turned upside down in the wake of a life-shattering accident. Without sentimentality or mawkishness, Lindsay-Abaire weaves a simple and honest tale of loss filled with brilliant dialogue, all-too-familiar characters, unexpected laughter, and an overriding sense of hope for Becca and Howie's uncertain future.
Under the direction of Susan Pettibone of New Milford, RABBIT HOLE features some of the region's finest actors: Heather Nicolson (Katonah, NY); Rob Onorato (Brookfield); and Kevin Sosbe, Jackie Decho-Holm and Sonnie Osborne (all New Milford).
RABBIT HOLE runs February 20,21 27,28, March 6,7,8 and 13,14. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on March 8. Tickets for all shows are $20.00 for reserved seating.
On Thursday, February 19, senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket.
Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.
TheatreWorks is an award-winning, local theatre company located on 5 Brookside Avenue, just off Route 202 (next to the CVS), in New Milford, CT.


text:
Presumably crossing the valuation of US$ 160 million in 2019, the global revenue of isoparaffin solvents landscape is pegged to expand at a 3.8% year on year over 2018. According to the projection presented by a new intelligence study, Persistence Market Research expects the global consumption volume of isoparaffin solvents to cross 120,000 tons towards the end of 2019.
With over 35% market value share, C9-C11 remains the top selling product in isoparaffin solvents space. C12 is projected to be the second best selling product type, whereas C4-C8 continues to register moderate demand in coming years, as indicated by the report.
Decently paced oil industry recovery resulting in the elevating oil production levels, and the subsequently rising oil refining capacity, are likely to sustain the demand for the consistent isoparaffin solvents supply in coming years. Besides industrial sector, personal care products and paints industry also raise decent demand for isoparaffin solvets at a global level.
Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/25462
Applications of Isoparaffin Solvents in Industrial Sector Translate into Maximum Revenue Generation
The PMR report forecasts maximum isoparaffin solvents consumption by the industrial sector for applications in industrial cleaning and metalworking, followed by other industries such as polymer, agrochemicals, and sealants and adhesives manufacturing.
Elaborating on the same further, a senior market research analyst at the company says, "The industrial end use sector represents more than 1/5th share of the total market revenue, and the market is projected for a 4+% year on year revenue growth in 2019, in the industrial domain". The analyst further adds, "Though industrial consumption of isoparaffin solvents indicate the highest incremental opportunity, the consumption volume registered by the polymerization industry is also significantly high. Polymerization holds more than 15% share in the isoparaffin solvents market value at present, followed by adhesives & sealants, and agrochemicals".
Get A Customized Scope To Match Your Need Ask An Expert – email@example.com
China Continues to Atop Regional Competition, SEA Countries Emerge Lucrative for Isoparaffin Solvents Suppliers
- China remains the largest consumer market in isoparaffin solvents landscape, with a current share of more than 1/4th of the revenue.
- Riding on the huge incremental opportunity forecast for Chinese market, the report foresees the report foresees the highest year on year revenue growth for the country in 2019, taking the regional market valuation beyond US$ 40 million.
- Along with the neighboring South East Asian countries, Chinese market for isoparaffin solvents is reaping major benefits from the thriving petro-chemicals and automotive industries.
- In addition, shifting of major manufacturing bases to developing Asian countries is likely to shape the consumption patterns of isoparaffin solvents in these markets.
- Europe is also an important market for isoparaffin solvents, followed by North America, says the report.
For in-depth competitive analysis, buy now@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/25462
Partnerships with Global Brands and End Use Industries Is the Key Expansion Strategy of Regional Isoparaffin Solvents Manufacturers
Exxon Mobil Corporation, Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd, and a few others constitute the key market players in the isoparaffin solvents marketplace that collectively account for more than 50% share of the total value at present.
Other important companies profiled in the report include
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Royal Dutch Shell plc.
- Demits Kosan Co Ltd
- Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
- Total S.A.
- Mehta Petro Refineries Limited
- RB Products, Inc.
- Maruzen Petrochemical CO.,LTD
- Braskem
Related Reports
White Spirit Market –White Spirit Market Segmented By Clear and Flammable liquids Form in paint thinners, cleaning solvents, degreasing solvents, fuels, and disinfectants.
Glycol Ether Market –Glycol Ether Market Segmented By E-Series Glycol Ether, P-Series Glycol Ether Product in Paints, Coatings and Adhesives, Cleaners, Automotive, Printing Inks
About us:
Persistence Market Research is here to provide companies a one-stop solution with regards to bettering customer experience. It does engage in gathering appropriate feedback after getting through personalized customer interactions for adding value to customers' experience by acting as the "missing" link between "customer relationships" and "business outcomes'. The best possible returns are assured therein.
Contact Information:
Persistence Market Research Address – 305 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007 United States U.S. Ph. – +1-646-568-7751 USA-Canada Toll-free – +1 800-961-0353 Sales – firstname.lastname@example.com
PR-Wirein, Menafn, Reportedtimes, iCN Internal Distribution, Extended Distribution, Research Newswire, English


text:
Hello! & Thanks for reading!
I was lucky enough to sample Nerium for the first time recently from my friend Heather. I had minimal previous knowledge on the product but was seeing a lot of great reviews and crazy awesome before-and-after photos on social media. I got the bottles in the mail and sampled Nerium for 5 nights.
I did a little research before starting just to get to know the product I was sampling. Nerium was discovered by researching the use of the nerium oleander plant, I like that this comes from a plant! Nerium is used to treat wrinkles, discoloration, and texture of the skin. I would say the texture of my skin is what I saw most improvement in. My face is more smooth and soft, it feels and looks healthier, and my pores are smaller!
The bottles themselves are really pretty and look nice just sitting out, not something you want to hide in the closet. There are two creams, a day and night cream. It says to use 4-5 pumps of the product but I only used 1-2, more than that seemed excessive. The day cream is like a really nice moisterizer that doesn't leave a weird greasy or sticky feeling, and I love it. The night cream is more of a gel/cream and goes on your damp skin with damp fingers. I actually love the night cream, it does have a different smell at first but knowing that it comes from a plant explains that. It goes on and starts to dry sort of a mask-like/tightening feeling and after it dries all the way my skin feels super soft.
I love this product. I love that I am not adding anything to my skincare routine by using Nerium, it's simply replacing my daily moisterizer and night cream. Seeing any kind of results in only 5 nights is amazing. I like that it's not just a product for people with wrinkles, or someone with discoloration, this is a product for everyone. I plan to continue using this product!
You can find more information about Nerium from Heather here!
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command; "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14