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At a glamorous gala dinner at London's Savoy Hotel, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Rubina Real Estate received the International Property Award in the category "Best Property Read more
It has been a long tradition: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Rubina Real Estate has been awarded the prestigious International Property Awards once again. Read more
The company Rubina Real Estate was once again honoured with the quality seal of the real estate industry in 2018 and is thus "BELLEVUE BEST Read more
Since this month, real estate consultancy Rubina Real Estate is proud to become a Google Partner for advertising! As digital pioneers of the real estate Read more
The European Property Awards are one of the most prestigious real estate awards in the world since 1995 and were awarded in London as every year. Read more
Rubina Real Estate has won two Five-Star awards within the Real Estate categories for Real Estate Marketing at the European Property Awards 2017-2018, one of the most prestigious industry events in the region. The company also received general awards for Real Estate and Property Consultancy. Read more
The Berlin-based real estate company Rubina Real Estate has been a member of the BFW Berlin / Brandenburg for two years now. A total of about 240 companies are members of the BFW, the leading association of private medium-sized real estate companies in the capital region. Read more
Berlin's real estate experts are the winners in four categories
Berlin, 31 October 2016. The Berlin real estate agency Rubina Real Estate has been awarded Read more
Second time Rubina is being welcomed into the circle of the most exclusive international real estate professionals
Berlin, 2nd December 2015. Rubina Real Estate receives the Read more
Premier developers, architects, interior designers and real estate agents from across Europe gathered at Read more
As a professional real estate expert Rubina Real Estate Berlin relies on the membership of the Real Estate Association "Immobilienverband Deutschland (IVD).
Read more
Berlin, 15th December 2014 – Rubina Real Estate receives the Award as 'Best Property Agents 2015' by Bellevue. Rubina can be very proud about this achievement and becoming Best Property Agents by Bellevue for the year of 2015.
I purchased a property in Berlin with Rubina Real Estate in March 2015. I found them to be very helpful in all areas of buying an overseas property especially as this was my first time. Katharina Horn guided me through the process and put me in contact with any relevant people along the way. The whole process was very streamlined and stress free and I would be happy to recommend them to any of my friends and colleagues, a great team.
We have been very satisfied by the successful cooperation with Rubina Real Estate. The fact that the company is arranging financial advice for their clients not only displays their dedication but also proves their full-service promise to be true. Based on our cooperation, the company proved to be competent and professional and I look forward to continue working with them.
The partnership with Rubina Real Estate is based on mutual trust and characterized by very good cooperation in the daily work. We know Rubina Real Estate only as a serious real estate agency with great market knowledge and a high sense of responsibility towards their clients.
I reserved an apartment in one of Rubina's exciting new development projects in Berlin's city centre after a few meetings with one of the agents. He gave me excellent advice and made me feel like I was in very good hands with my first real estate purchase. He assisted me in gaining a better understanding of the buying process and everything I have to consider.
As a foreign investor, I rely on dependable service from companies like Rubina to keep track on the entire purchasing process. Samira is a very very supportive and informative agent and I appreciate her efforts. Thank you for your excellent service.
I recommend Rubina Real Estate to every investor. During the past months, I have been working with Ms. Samira Issa on the purchase of an apartment. Ms. Issa is very professional in her work and she provided us with good service as a project manager. The level of her work is always exceptional. She performed her duties well and has excellent experience. She continues to be very helpful.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Rubina Real Estate is an internationally distinguished real estate consulting company focused on assisting international buyers with their real estate investments in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Rubina Real Estate is the first international member of the renowned real estate franchise network Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the fastest growing real estate network in the United States with over 1,500 offices.
© 2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate.
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Does anyone have a "get life to slow down" free card? I could use one. Things have been downright crazy around here, but I believe that God is working it all together for good.
Family members traveling, a family member dislocating a knee, yeah. It's been pretty crazy.
So, I've decided to move the reopening of my yarn store back to June sometime. And (ready for this?) I'm keeping the name Maiden Yarn. It's a good name, and it's a name my customers know. At this point I'm thinking "Wildwood Fibers" will be a sub-brand for some extra special products I'll be carrying. And don't think this means the store won't have some really neat additions and improvements! I'm still very excited.
In other news, I dyed forty-something skeins of yarn during the last two days for my friend at Annie and Co. That is a pile of yarn, y'all. I barely have room on my drying racks for all of it.
Yes, all the pictures for today are in black and white. My camera's little electronic brain was so blown by the sheer gorgeousness of the tones, it flipped out and couldn't portray them accurately. (And maybe I got a little filter-happy.)
So, the rest of May will be spent getting things ready for Maiden Yarn's reopening in June, and having some friends come in from out of town for a mutual friend's wedding. You can be expecting some pictures of the former (not the latter) in the weeks to come.

subset: commoncrawl


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With VisualApplets providing SICK with a wide range of new possibilities for application solutions, SICK's customer requirements can be adapted to their systems for a wider gamut of image processing applications.
Cooperation between SICK and Silicon Software implements VisualApplets
Martin Cassel | SICK
Intelligent cameras and sensors integrated into an image processing system place high demands on their flexible use in automation, industry 4.0 as well as in non-industrial environments. SICK AG, manufacturer of sensors and application solutions, and Silicon Software GmbH, manufacturer of frame grabbers and the award winning graphical FPGA development environment VisualApplets, have entered into a partnership to ensure that image processing devices meet current and future market demands for high data throughput, low latency and real-time processing. With VisualApplets providing SICK with a wide range of new possibilities for application solutions, SICK's customer requirements can be adapted to their systems for a wider gamut of image processing applications.
SICK offers a wide range of sensors, 2D / 3D cameras and integration solutions ranging from compact, easy-to-use devices all the way up to configurable stand-alone solutions that allow the creation of fully programmable sensor systems for the most demanding applications. The current product concept includes, among other things, programmability of the SICK devices via MVTec's image processing solution HALCON, whereby the software algorithms use CPUs or ARM-based processing. As an additional process technology, the devices contain system-on-a-chip architectures (SoC) or dedicated FPGAs for use in time-critical real-time image-processing functions.
In order to equip the SICK devices with even greater intelligence and minimal programming effort, FPGA programming is significantly simplified by the collaboration of the two companies for use in a variety of new image processing applications in demanding industrial environments. In addition to its own FPGA algorithms, SICK now uses Silicon Software's VisualApplets to graphically program tailor-made algorithms and applications, for image processing and signal processing directly in the device, which reduces the data load in the CPU and accelerates image processing results.
The programmable cameras, sensors and SIM 4000 (Sensor Integration Machine) of the SICK AppSpace Ecosystem can be further enhanced with VisualApplets. With over 200 graphical operators, users of the SICK products can easily, quickly and flexibly create complex drag-and-drop FPGA algorithms and applications for one product series and easily port them to other product series. Users retain full control over the FPGA resources and function of their VisualApplets applications. Compared to complex HDL programming, VisualApplets' graphical programming is accomplished via drag and drop data flow models providing an FPGA development speed increase from 10X to 100X faster than traditional FPGA development. This graphical design process now makes FPGA development accessible to both software developers and application engineers without any FPGA development experience.
Implement Once - Reprogram Forever
In order to enable SICK sensors and image processing devices that are FGPA or SoC based to be programmable with VisualApplets, SICK has created a dynamic IP core (known as an eVA Core) inside their devices FPGA using the VisualApplets Embedder Extension. The SICK device's eVA Core can now be re-programmed as often as desired to provide real-time image processing functionalities. The user's design can be transferred in a few steps to different hardware designs of other devices. The eVA Core integration process essentially requires the definition of the interfaces for the eVA Core and their integration into the FPGAs overall design.
SICK has prepared its hardware platforms, such as cameras, sensors and the SIM 4000, for VisualApplets programming using the VisualApplets Embedder to create customer-specific image processing applications. The opening of the SICK platforms allows users to optimize their performance by programming their own FPGA-based developments as well as achieving a faster time-to-market of their products and a simpler expansion of the product families. This allows SICK to react more quickly to individual product variations and market changes and to reduce system costs in the projects. With the VisualApplets Expert Extension, SICK users are able to use their existing HDL code libraries in VisualApplets as custom operators. Following the GUI-driven integration process, custom operators work like native VisualApplets operators and take advantage of the VisualApplets workflow, the high-level simulation, the resource estimation and the bandwidth calculations.
"SICK sensors and cameras are being developed to tailor solutions to specific customer requirements, which can be used in adaptive sensor networks for all industries. New applications and markets can be addressed more quickly. Application developers from various industries benefit greatly from the ease of use of VisualApplets", said Detlef Deuil, Head of Product Management for Vertical Integration Products at SICK. The company is also using the extended possibilities of sensor programming internally for its own application development.
"With the flexible programming of SICK image processing devices, we have successfully implemented our vision... the implementation of VisualApplets, our award winning graphical FPGA development environment, in any embedded FPGA hardware platform and SoC. These systems provide the performance of large system solutions that can be repeatedly and flexibly re-configured with new applications", affirms Dr. Klaus-Henning Noffz, CEO of Silicon Software.
The content & opinions in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of ManufacturingTomorrow
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CNS Drug News
These days we all suffer from information overload; by focusing specifically on CNS drugs, the CNS Drug News online service will deliver the information you need in a timely, flexible and convenient format.
An ageing population and ever better rates of diagnosis is seeing the incidence of major CNS sectors rise considerably – particularly demanding are the neurodegenerative conditions. Even so, levels of unmet clinical need remain high and growth is expected to continue.
For pharmaceutical company executives, researchers and commercial managers, staying in touch with the latest twists and turns is another matter. That is why CNS Drug News is essential.
The CNS Drug News service provides unbeatable coverage:
- The full text daily of the latest news reported on all types of CNS drugs for leading CNS conditions
- An easy-to-use interface that immediately takes you to the most recently-updated information
- An extensive archive of articles, which makes the service a valuable tracking and research tool
- A fast and effective search facility allowing you to identify information relevant to you
- Daily or weekly email alerts that will ensure you know when new information is added
- An RSS feed facility
Every day, Fitch Solutions researchers and editors
- Track the companies and research organisations that are shaping the industry
- Monitor results from major conferences and meetings
- Report the latest developments in current and up-coming CNS drugs, including those for:
- Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Depression
- Psychotic Disorders
- Analgesia/Anaesthetics
- Epilepsy
- Substance Dependence Therapies
- Nausea & Vertigo
- Cerebrovascular Disorders
- Eating Disorders
The CNS Drug News online information service is updated regularly. CNS Drug News is also available in pdf format, providing a fortnightly digest (minimum 22 issues per year) of the news published online.


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March 7, 2017
The IT Leadership Award is part of a continuing effort to develop, encourage, and support IT Leadership at the UI. The annual award is co-sponsored by the CIO and the UI IT Leadership Development Team.
The award provides public recognition to an IT staff member who exhibits IT leadership. The recipient will be honored at the spring 2017 Tech Forum.
Nominations are due by Sunday, April 2, 2017. The nomination form and criteria are available at https://uiowa.infoready4.com/#competitionDetail/1758121. Please contact IT Leadership Development Chair Christopher Clough with questions.


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Broadgate is raw and it's real. Enter an underground playground that lies beneath the city where the gloves come off and beast mode comes on.
Expect the unexpected. It's the naughty Rebel of the family.
Studio Concept
Enter our most gruelling workout and prepare to be mentally + physically challenged. Expect quickfire rounds of high-powered treadmill sessions, dynamic weight sequences and a whole lot of endorphins. It's an experience that will challenge, inspire, burn fat and push you to exertion that you never thought was possible.
© Copyright 2022 powered by zingfit


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Welcome to our web site!Grim Hollow Stitchery is located
one mile south of Red Lion, just two blocks off of Rte. 24.The shop was established in June 1994, and carries
just about anything you may need for cross stitching. If there is something you would like, please inquire. If we don't have it we will gladly order it for you.Our walls are filled with beautifully stitched models.
A wide variety of charts are available at our store and are updated twice a month. Our thanks to our family and friends who have helped to make Grim Hollow Stitchery a success. Bless you all.Judy McCarthy
Judy McCarthy
You can reach us at 717 244-3220. We are looking forward to hearing from you. You can also contact us
at our e-mail address: firstname.lastname@example.com.
Our business is located at 1040 Grim Hollow Road, Red Lion, PA 17356.Feel
free to call ahead to make sure we are open. 717.244.3220
Rosewood Manor Cross Stitch Truck Show
September 8th-29th
Designed by Karen Kluba
See finished designs including new ones!
Lizzie Kate Truck Show
November 1st-19th
Grim Hollow Stitchery 717.244.3220
Hours: Wed. 10-5, Thur. 12-5, Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-4


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Armstrong has assisted tens of thousands of Americans with their steel building projects! Ask your neighbor about Armstrong Steel!
I expected my Armstrong building to be high
quality, but after actually unloading the building
and seeing the structure, which went very well
and with no damage, I was just REALLY impressed! Rick D.
We've been an integral part of projects in:
- Florida
- Texas
- Georgia
- California
and other locations like Illinois, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, & Ohio! The list goes on and on...


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Socialphobia (2015) โซ'เชิล โฟเบีย [[Sub Thai]]
ตัวอย่างหนัง Socialphobia (2015) โซ'เชิล โฟเบีย [[Sub Thai]]
เสียง : Sound Track6.5 HD
People tend to be intentionally provocative or extremely argumentative over petty matters on twitter. A woman who challenges men becomes targeted as a public enemy. Young men expose her identity and even show up on her doorstep. But what they find is MIN Ha-young, the woman who had hanged herself. What caused her death? Was it by suicide or murder? Socialphobia addresses the question of adopting a different identity on the Internet through the death of a woman. Two young men Ji-woong and Yong-min who were preparing for the police academy exam become involved in the case. What apparently looks like suicide is held under suspicion by the two as foul play. After posing the possibility of homicide, the young men return to the crime scene. However mystery itself does not seem to be the point of this film as it gradually exposes during the course of finding the truth to MIN Ha-young's death, her life as it really was and what the two men in pursuit of the real cause of her death wanted to


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Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences
Mini-Track: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
(Offered as part of the Human and Computer Collaboration Technologies Track)
The aim of this mini-track is to provide a forum for HCI researchers to exchange a broad and comprehensive range of issues related to the design, development, and assessment of human-computer interaction. Appropriate papers for the HCI mini-track will draw on the broadest range of research methodologies including developmental, conceptualization, theorization, case study, hermeneutic, action research, experimentation, survey, simulation, and so on. Likewise, a broad range of reference disciplines will be appropriate for participation in the HCI mini-track, including: computer science, information systems, consumer behavior, psychology, organizational sciences, and so on. Given the fast pace of change within this HCI area – new applications, new types of users, new types of devices, and so on – papers that help to bridge academic research and industry practice are welcome. Given the diverse goals of this mini-track, there are a plethora of appropriate topics for papers; possible topics include, but are not limited to:
- The behavioral, cognitive, and motivational aspects of human/computer interaction
- User task analysis and modeling
- The analysis, design, development, evaluation, and use of information systems
- Guidelines and standards for interface design
- User interface design and evaluation of the Web for:
- B2B, B2C, C2C E-Commerce
- Group collaboration
- Negotiation and auction
- Design and evaluation issues for small screen devices and M-Commerce
- Interface issues in the development of other new interaction technologies
- Information system usability engineering
- The impact of interfaces/information technology on attitudes, behavior, performance, perception, and productivity
- Implications and consequences of technological change on individuals, groups, society, and socio-technical units
- Issues related to the elderly, the young, and special needs populations
- Issues in teaching HCI courses
- Other human factors issues related to HCI
- Interface design for group and other collaborative environments
- User/Developer experiences with particular interfaces, design environments, or devices
Submission Guidelines.
- Authors may submit an abstract to the mini-track chairs at anytime for guidance and indication of appropriate content.
- Final papers will be submitted via the HICSS Review System, deadline is June 15, 2006.
- June 15, 2006: Deadline to submit full papers
- August 15, 2006: Authors receive decisions regarding paper acceptances. (Note: Acceptance may be conditional; revisions may be requested before final acceptance of paper.)
- September 15, 2006: All Authors submit the final version of their accepted papers for publication. At least one author of each paper must register to attend the conference by this date. Early registration fee $545 applies until this date.
- October 15, 2006: General registration fee $595 applies until December 15.
Kalle Lyytinen, editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS), has agreed again to fast track the best completed-research papers from the workshop for publication consideration at JAIS. The guest editors will be Ping Zhang and Bernard Tan.
|Dr. Joe Valacich
Washington State University
College of Business
Pullman, WA 99164
Phone: (509) 335-1112
Fax: (509) 335-5339
|Dr. John Wells
Washington State University
College of Business
Pullman, WA 99164
Phone: (509) 335-7112
Fax: (509) 335-5339


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Our Day Star, "Sol", is the ultimate Fire in Our knowledge of the Five Elements in Our Lives On Urth. We have Evolved to the point where We can begin to use this special fire like never before. We have learned to convert it into controllable energy. Energy that can make Our Lives have more options for Individual and Cultural expression.
The New Tribes should turn to Our Sun for More Strengths to Live Better Lives. We should turn away from the realm of chemicals as much as We can, The toxicity of chemicals is poison. This poison is one of the things the New Tribes should endeavor to leave behind, as much as possible.
Not all New Tribes will do this. Some of the New Tribes, that are negatively charged products of the Mammonite World, will choose to continue the use of the harmful products, such as petroleum distillates to use as fuel for the roaring vehicles.
Sunlight should be used, for this, instead. It comes to Us, for free, every day (unless blocked by clouds or smoke) It would be intelligent of Us to use it more and more. But here lies the difficulty of this beautiful concept.
Should certain groups of the New Tribalism, endeavor to learn the supply and tech skills and practice the technological art of manufacturing solar cells and other Sunlight utilizing devices…so as to not depend on the mammonite city cultures for this?
Do these special tribes have to be in cities to achieve this?
Could, some of the New Tribes begin their entire existence, on the production of Solar Technology? Could even these special tribes provide the education and training for other tribal groups to use Solar Technology?
Can the "raw materials" be obtained for this? The Knowledge and Skills?
Suggestion: Make use of what the city builders have wrought and then take it from there. No "throwing out the baby with the bath". Waste not, want not.
What superb achievement for New Tribalism this would be! Clean technology as part of superior clean living.
The possibilities and potentials are well established. This transition has begun. Make it so in your Life. I will make it so in mine.
I believe there is already fabrics that function to produce Solar Electricity.


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While We Were Watching Downton Abbey
Bookshop sales support Indie stores
From the author of Ten Beach Road and Ocean Beach, a new novel of four friends— and a shared passion that could change their lives…
When the concierge of the Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings of Downton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and—even more unexpectedly—with each other…
Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money for herself and her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.
Claire Walker is now an empty nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old-world charm of the Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.
And then there's Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She's just starting to realize that it's time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.
For Samantha, Claire, Brooke, and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings, it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life's hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey.
"What do you get when you mix one dashing British concierge with three lonely women from diverse backgrounds, set them all in a historic apartment building in Midtown Atlanta, then turn on the television? What you get, actually, is quite a clever, fun little novel. And could Wendy Wax be any more clever naming it While We Were Watching Downton Abbey? That title alone is reason enough to pick up the book and see what the heck is going on."
—Craig Wilson, USA Today
"While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is a tribute to the transformative power of female friendship, and reading Wendy Wax is like discovering a witty, wise, and wonderful new friend."
—Claire Cook, bestselling author of Must Love Dogs and Time Flies
"Wax breaks from her Ten Beach Road series to indulge her obsession with the popular British television show Downton Abbey in her latest novel . . . [her] trendy premise makes for a surprisingly poignant and enjoyable story about friendship. Readers need not be fans of the show to enjoy this tale, but they may relate more to the characters' infatuation if they are."
"In the style of Karen Joy Fowler's "The Jane Austen Book Club," Wendy Wax's novel follows the story of three women who live in the same Atlanta apartment building and form a bond through a common love of all things Downton Abbey . . . engrosses its reader in the drama of these women's love lives and emotional struggles. Perhaps most refreshing is that the resolution for each woman comes not from "finding a man," but in finding themselves and strengthening each other through an unexpected sisterhood."
—Deseret News
"You needn't be a fan of Downton Abbey to enjoy While We Were Watching [Downton Abbey] . . the show . . . [is an] excuse to create a realistic friendship of such depth and strength, even the Dowager Duchess would approve."
—RT Book Reviews
"Whether you love Downton Abbey or not, you'll fall in love with these characters."
—Working Mother
"Wendy Wax's fresh approach to an entertaining story line hooks us with the idea that other things could happen 'while we were watching "Downton Abbey." ' It is hard to imagine that other lives, besides [Downton Abbey's] . . . would catch our attention. But they do . . . the bond of friendship and the responsibilities and rights within that bond are the heart of the novel . . . honesty in any relationship is vital, and Wax shows this truth in downtown Atlanta alongside the engrossing story of 'Downton Abbey.''
"Are you and your friends still discussing the fate of poor Matthew on the last episode of Downton Abbey? Then you'll no doubt identify with . . . Wendy Wax's While We Were Watching Downton Abbey . . . Fans of Wax's Ten Beach Road and Ocean Beach know Wax knows what breaks and makes friendships."
—Nancy Pate, On A Clear Day I Can Read Forever
"'While We Were Watching Downton Abbey', really pulled me in . . . This is a really fun read and I highly recommend it."
—Night Owl Reviews
"While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is a delightful novel of unexpected friendships and bonds. Downton Abbey first brings the characters together, but it's not what keeps them together. Similarly, I read this novel because of the Downton Abbey connection, but I ended up enjoying it for its own characters."
"If you're a fan of the highly popular PBS British drama, Downton Abbey, you will love Wax's latest novel . . . This warm and charming novel about struggling to redefine yourself will be your perfect escape this spring break."
—Lisa Steinke, She Knows
"While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is a grand, well-paced contemporary read definitely deserving to be on the best seller list!!! Great writing!"
—Crystal Reviews
"I love how Wendy really has her pulse on women's friendships and real-life situations. I felt that I could have sat down with these three characters on any given Sunday evening and left with life-long friends!"
—Life in the Thumb
"Gifted author Wendy Wax introduces her readers to a bevy of entertaining characters and a decidedly different plot set in an extraordinary apartment building. Readers will immediately relate to the women in WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBY as soul sisters. Wax has an incredible knack for taking vulnerable looking characters and developing them into women with hidden strengths. And jumping on the popular Downton Abby craze is ingenious and fun, exactly like her book. Five stars for this delightful read, WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBY by Wendy Wax!"
—Single Titles
"Wax excels at using humor, bits of local color, and multiple, complex female protagonists, and she uses all of these to good effect here . . . I also loved, as I typically do with Wax's novels, the memorable lines that say a great deal in a sentence or two . . . If you like women's fiction that makes you smile, warms your heart, and reminds you why friendship matters, this book is definitely one you will enjoy."
—Just Janga
"Beautifully drawn, the true-to-life characters felt like people I wanted to know. I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what would happen next, and even as I finished, I definitely wanted to read more about them . . . a complex story of human flaws and foibles and the bonds that develop between people, sustaining them through the tough times. Five stars."
—Curl Up and Read
"I would love to sit down and join in with these ladies – and Edward – when they have their pizza and wine nights."
—Dew on the Kudzu
"What do you get when you put together Downton Abbey, the American South, three women, and an attractive concierge? Gold. Pure plot gold . . . Wax has brought together the drama of the show with a modern life take of women who are going through dramas of their own . . . I highly recommend this book to all fans of great and witty fiction."
—Book Addict Katie
"I thought the premise of this book was very interesting because of the Downton Abbey angle but the book is about so much more than the show . . . I enjoyed While We Were Watching Downton Abbey . . . I only wish I could live atthe Alexander and be part of the club!"
—Reading Extensively
"I devoured this novel in a couple of days. I love novels that explore the rich relationships of women. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and was curious to find out how everything would work out for them. In addition, the nods to Downton Abbey made me smile, reminding why I love the show and easing the loss as I await season 4."
—5 Minutes for Books
"A story that has characters with complexity and secrets, moments of utter embarrassment and sheer frivolity . . . their story is just as enchanting and transfixing as the one on the screen."
—I Am, Indeed
"As an avid, borderline obsessive fan of Downton Abbey, I knew I had to read this book . . . just like the show, this book had so much charm that it was impossible to put down . . . heart warming . . . the concierge Edward adds a British charm that you can't help but smile at. If you're looking for a light, fun read . . .I'd definitely recommend picking this one up . . . charming . . . bound to touch the heart of anyone who reads it."
—Peace, Love, Books
"A true-to-life fiction tale of living life and building relationships . . . Wax creatively pulls together each character's issues and connects it to the lives on the show. It is more than just a fun read or refreshing—it is just plain GOOD!"
— From the Nightstand
"Beautifully drawn, the true-to-life characters felt like people I wanted to know. I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what would happen next, and even as I finished, I definitely wanted to read more about them. Perhaps in a sequel. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is a complex story of human flaws and foibles and the bonds that develop between people, sustaining them through the tough times. Five stars!"
—Rainy Days & Mondays
"I thoroughly enjoyed the backgrounds of each individual . . . I absolutely fell in love with Edward. I recommend this book to those who loved Downtown Abbey as well as those who haven't watched the show . . . if you like books about friendships, hurdles in life, a little romance, starting over again, finding love, keeping it, along with a touch of humor, I think you'll enjoy this book. I certainly did."
—A Reader's Journal
"This book has everything that Wax does so wellmazing character development, humor and shows the depth of female friendships. Again, Wax has knocked it out of the park. And, I must say that Edward the concierge is so like Carson in Downton Abbey."
—Great Thoughts
"I was sent this book to review and I loved it. This book shows the value of friendship and how something like a tv show can bring different people together that wouldn't have met otherwise . . .This was a new author to me and I highly recommend this book and this author to anyone who wants a book keeps you reading no matter the hour."
—As the Page Turns
As a child Samantha Jackson Davis loved fairy tales as much as the next girl. She just hadn't expected to end up in one.
Every morning when her eyes fluttered open and every night before she closed them to go to sleep, Samantha marveled at her good fortune. In a Disney version of the airline passenger held up in security just long enough to miss the plane that goes down, or the driver who runs back for a forgotten cell phone and barely avoids a deadly ten-car pileup, Samantha averted disaster in the once-upon-a-time way: she married the prince.
Over the past twenty-five years Samantha had sometimes wished she'd spent a little more time and energy considering alternatives. But when your world comes crashing down around you at the age of twenty-one, deep thinking and soul-searching are rarely your first response.
There was plenty of precedent for prince-marrying in the fairy-tale world. Sleeping Beauty had not ignored the prince's kiss in favor of a few more years of shut-eye. Cinderella never considered refusing to try on the glass slipper. And Snow White didn't bat an eyelash at moving in with those seven little men.
It wasn't as if Samantha had gone out searching for a man to rescue her and her siblings when their world fell apart. She hadn't feigned a poisoned apple–induced sleep or gotten herself locked in a tower with only her hair as a means of escape. She hadn't attempted to hide how desperate her situation was. But the fact remained that when the handsome prince (in the form of an old family friend who had even older family money) rode up on his white horse (which had been cleverly disguised as a Mercedes convertible), she had not turned down the ride.
The fact that she hadn't loved the prince at the time he carried her over the threshold of their starter castle was something she tried not to think about. She'd been trying not to think about it pretty much every day for the last twenty-five years.
Samantha smiled sleepily that early September morning when her husband's lips brushed her forehead before he left for the office, but she didn't get up. Instead she lay in bed watching beams of sunlight dance across the wooden floors of the master bedroom, breathing in the scent of freshly brewed coffee that wafted from the kitchen, and listening to the muted sound of traffic twelve floors below on Peachtree Street as she pushed aside all traces of regret and guilt and renewed her vow to make Jonathan Davis happy, his life smooth, and his confidence in his choice of her unshaken.
This, of course, required a great deal of organization and focus, many hours of volunteer work, and now that she was on the downhill slide toward fifty, ever greater amounts of "maintenance." Today's efforts would begin with an hour of targeted torture courtesy of her trainer Michael and would be followed by laser, nail, and hair appointments. Since it was Wednesday, her morning maintenance and afternoon committee meetings would be punctuated by a much-dreaded-but-never-complained-about weekly lunch with her mother-in-law. Which would last exactly one hour but would feel more like three.
Samantha padded into the kitchen of their current "castle," which took up the entire top floor of the Alexander, a beautifully renovated Beaux Arts and Renaissance Revival–styled apartment building in the center of Midtown Atlanta.
When it opened in 1913, the Alexander, with its hot and cold running water, steam heat, elevators, and electric lights, had been billed as one of the South's most luxurious apartments. Like much of mid-and downtown Atlanta it had fallen on hard times but had been "saved" in the eighties when a bottom-fishing developer bought it, converted it to condos, and began the first of an ongoing round of renovations.
A little over ten years ago Samantha and her prince spent a year turning the high-ceilinged, light-filled and architecturally detailed twelfth-floor units into a four-bedroom, five-bath, amenity-filled home with three-hundred-sixty-degree views and north- and south-facing terraces.
For Samantha its most prized feature was its location in the midst of trendy shops, galleries, and restaurants as well as its comfortable, but not offensive, distance from Bellewood, Jonathan's ancestral home in Buckhead, one of Atlanta's toniest and oldest suburbs, where both of them had grown up and where his often-outspoken mother still reined.
The doorbell rang. As Samantha went to answer it she pushed thoughts of Cynthia Davis aside and gave herself a silent but spirited pep talk. She'd married into Atlanta royalty. Her prince was attractive and generous. A difficult mother-in-law and a life built around pleasing others was a small price to pay for the fairy-tale life she led. As Sheryl Crow so aptly put it, the secret wasn't having what you wanted but wanting what you got.
Shortly after the morning's training session ended Samantha rode a mahogany-paneled elevator down to the Alexander's marbled lobby. The gurgle of the atrium fountain muffled the click of her heels on the polished surface as she took in the surprisingly contemporary high-backed banquette that encircled the deliciously carved fountain. Conversation groups of club chairs and sofas, separated by large potted palms, softened the elegant space. A burled walnut security desk, manned twenty-four-seven, sat just inside the entrance. The concierge desk sat in the opposite corner and commanded a view of the lobby as well as the short hall that accessed the parking garage and the elevators.
"Good morning, madam." Edward Parker's British accent was clipped, his suit perfectly tailored, his starched shirt crisp. His manner was deferential but friendly. A relatively recent addition to the Alexander, the concierge was tall and dark with rugged good looks that seemed at odds with his dignified air. "Shall I have your car brought around?"
"Thank you." She was of course capable of simply going into the Alexander's parking garage to retrieve her own car, but the last time she'd insisted on doing this Edward had looked genuinely disappointed, and the minutes saved would come in handy if she ran behind or hit traffic between appointments or on the way to lunch with her mother-in-law. Punctuality was a virtue that Cynthia Davis prized; tardiness a vice to be stamped out at all cost.
"Very good," he said, his brown eyes warm, his white-toothed smile decidedly un-British. When he lost some of the stiff upper lip that seemed welded to his accent and his occupation, there was a rakish George Clooney–ness about him. Although Parker was in his early fifties, Samantha's younger sister Meredith had pronounced him both "hot" and "dishy."
Samantha arrived at the Piedmont Driving Club—where the Davises had belonged since its inception as a gentleman's club in the late 1880s—ten minutes before noon, buffed, coifed, and polished. Though she was early her mother-in-law was already seated at a favored table with her back to the window, the better to keep an eye on the room's comings and goings. Samantha smiled and leaned down to kiss her mother-in-law's rouged cheek. Cynthia Davis might be seventy-five, but she was still formidable. Like her son and the husband she'd already outlived for a decade, she could drive a golf ball straight down a fairway and had a tennis backhand that was almost as sharp as her tongue. Born into one of Atlanta's oldest and most revered families and married into another, she remained a snob at heart; one who liked to remind anyone who would listen that "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" and the vaguer but more ominous "breeding will out." Samantha had heard these summations applied to everything from a disappointing fund-raiser to the scandal that had ensued when Samantha's father, Davis & Davis's managing partner, had dipped into client trust accounts, almost ruining the firm that had been in the Davis family since shortly after the Civil War. He'd been under investigation when his car had run off the road just a few miles from home, killing both him and Samantha's mother instantly.
Cynthia Davis had been horrified when her only son chose to marry the daughter of one-time friends who had disgraced themselves publicly before dying spectacularly. Samantha's failure to produce a grandchild had made her even less desirable in her mother-in-law's eyes.
Samantha had barely settled into her seat when Cynthia leveled her steeliest look at her and asked, "What do you intend to do about Hunter and Meredith?"
"Do?" Samantha ordered a glass of Chardonnay. Hearing her brother and sister's names on her mother-in-law's lips made her regret she could have only one glass. As she considered possible replies, she made a mental note not to schedule anything after their weekly lunch in the future so that she could drink as much as the meal required.
"I don't believe either of them are employed at the moment, are they?" Cynthia asked, as if there might be some doubt. For Cynthia Davis idleness was an even greater personality defect than lack of income.
"Not exactly, no."
"Then perhaps we need to put our heads together to come up with something for them to do." This was not a question. "After all, Hunter's last venture did show some . . . promise." Cynthia was referring to her brother's recent attempt to launch a chain of soul food/sushi restaurants in the Midwest, which had ended badly. Hunter could make a better first impression than almost anyone she knew and could sell almost anything while in the first flush of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, follow-through was not his forte.
Samantha smiled and nodded as if Cynthia's comment had been meant as a compliment, and perhaps it had been. Her mother-in-law did not approve of Hunter Jackson, or the money Jonathan spent on Hunter's upkeep, but she was not immune to Hunter's charm.
The basket of corn bread and rolls that neither of them would touch arrived. A group of women stopped by the table to pay their respects on their way out.
"Don't you think it's time we find Meredith an opportunity here in Atlanta where she can make use of her degree? She did spend quite a lot of time in school acquiring it." Cynthia had been furious when she'd realized the size of the tuition Jonathan had paid for Samantha's younger sister to receive a master's degree in Historic Preservation from the College of Charleston. But while Jonathan loved his mother and preferred her happy—or at least satisfied—he didn't ask her input on his decisions or bow to her wishes unless they happened to coincide with his.
"I don't imagine the Atlanta Preservation Board has heard about her little contretemps in Charleston yet. Maybe I could put a word in." This was so Cynthia—first the slap down, then the oddly magnanimous gesture. Samantha allowed herself another measured sip of wine. At least Cynthia hadn't brought up her sister's taste in men.
"And that last boy she brought to the Labor Day party at the club?" Cynthia shook her head sadly. "Really, dear. Meredith is quite presentable when she tries. I'd think she might aim a little higher."
Samantha swallowed slowly, bracing for the "bless her heart" that Cynthia all too often tacked on to the end of Meredith's name; the final condemnation of her sister and the job Samantha had done raising her. A job for which she'd been unprepared and which had led her to marry the first prince who had galloped to her aid.
Claire Walker had barely placed one dyed-to-match silk pump on the church aisle when she realized she was making a big mistake. Unable to find the courage to call off the ceremony, she'd walked as slowly as she could down the aisle to Daniel Walker's side. When she got there she smiled and said "I do" even though she didn't.
That was nineteen years ago and to this day she could still remember the lightning bolt of revelation, the bitter taste of the words she couldn't speak, and her fear that she might gag on them as she struggled to swallow them. For a crazed moment she'd imagined them bubbling up and spewing all over the minister, Daniel, and the two-thousand-dollar dress that her mother, who had eloped with Claire's father and deeply regretted not having a church wedding, had insisted on buying her.
She still wasn't sure how she made it through the ceremony and reception, but by the time the limo arrived to whisk them to the airport, she could hardly refuse to go on the island honeymoon that Daniel's parents had given them. Nor could she maintain the fiction of a weeklong headache, which was how she'd come home from Belize pregnant with Hailey.
She'd tried to convince herself that love and respect weren't absolute requirements for a successful marriage, but three years later, holding her two-year-old daughter in her arms, she'd done what she should have done that day at church; she apologized for the screwup and with equal parts fear, regret, and relief sundered what should have never been joined together.
Sixteen years of single parenthood on a shoestring had followed.
Today her life had changed again. Tonight she stood on the small balcony of the Midtown Atlanta condo she'd spent the Labor Day weekend moving into, trying to come to terms with that change.
She took an exploratory breath of the night air. It was thick with humidity, redolent with the aroma of marinara from a nearby Italian restaurant, car exhaust, and possibility. Bits of music arrived on the warm breeze, carried from one of the bars over on Crescent Avenue. Below on Peachtree, horns sounded. A siren blared. Voices rose from the sidewalk where despite the late hour a steady stream of people walked alone, in pairs, in groups; all of them going somewhere to do something.
Here, dark and quiet were not synonymous.
"You are so not in suburbia anymore," she whispered on another breath of night air. Here, people were living the kind of life that she'd barely allowed herself to imagine. A frisson of excitement ran through her and she leaned further out over the railing, not wanting to miss a thing. She'd have to be very careful not to accidentally click her heels together three times and end up back where she'd come from.
Her cell phone rang and she hurried inside. As she hunted for the instrument, a part of her brain reveled in the fresh paint smell of her new home, the sparkle of the tall windows that overlooked Peachtree, the gleam of the polished wood floor.
She stepped around the new gray flannel sofa and area rug from West Elm, scanned the Crate and Barrel dining room table that would double as her office, and checked the nightstand next to the brand-new never-before-slept-on-by-anyone queen bed, which she'd tucked into a corner behind a tri-fold screen.
Sidestepping half-opened boxes, she searched the stand on which her new flat-screen TV perched and the bookcases that bracketed the Murphy bed that would be her daughter Hailey's, when she came home from college. College.
Claire exhaled heavily. Breathed in shakily. Out with the old life. In with the new.
She found the phone hidden behind a box on the kitchen counter—a lovely dappled granite that she'd fallen in love with the first time she'd entered the studio apartment—and managed to answer it before it went to voicemail.
"Hi, Mom." Her daughter's voice was achingly familiar and surprisingly grown up after only two weeks in Chicago at Northwestern University.
Claire reached for a framed photo that lay on the counter and was intended for the nightstand. It was from Hailey's high school graduation and showed the two of them with their arms slung around one another's shoulder staring happily into the camera. They were both of average height and had the same even features and wide smiles above pointed, some might say determined, chins. Their heads were bent together in a tangle of hair—Hailey's long and smooth, the blond tinged with honey overtones, Claire's a shade that resembled dishwater and which she kept cut in short, low-maintenance layers.
Claire listened to the hum of happiness that infused Hailey's voice. It made her happy just to hear it. It also made her aware of just how alone she was.
No. Claire silently rejected the word and all its synonyms. She refused to be lonely. No new beginning was without its bumps.
"How was the move?" Hailey asked.
"Good," Claire replied. When you'd sold or given away 95 percent of your former life and arranged to have most of your new life delivered, moving wasn't particularly onerous. She'd been able to fit the few things she couldn't part with in her SUV.
"Have you met any of your neighbors?" Hailey asked. She had helped her search for a rental unit before she'd left for Chicago, tramping in and out of every unit in the geographical area Claire had outlined on her map. They'd made the choice together over cardboard containers of pad Thai and panang chicken, just as they'd made so many other decisions over their years of dynamic duo–dom.
"Not really. The concierge has been helpful and the other residents seem nice enough." There seemed to be a diverse group of owners and tenants, which was part of what had attracted her to the building. And while Claire hadn't seen anyone who looked like they were counting their pennies quite as carefully as she was—no one had turned up a nose or been unfriendly.
"Edward Parker is way hot," Hailey said turning the conversation back to the concierge. "That British accent is fabulous." She giggled. "I could probably be okay with him for a stepdad." She said this as if it were only a matter of time before she had one; just as she had since she turned five and began trying to picture pretty much every man they ran into—including her soccer coach, the mailman, and her favorite elementary school janitor—as potential husband material for her mother.
"I've talked to him exactly twice for about five minutes each time," Claire pointed out.
"But he's cute, right?" Hailey said.
"So are puppies, but I don't have the time or energy to housebreak one." Even Claire had to smile as she pictured leading the elegant Englishman to a pile of newspaper or out to a strip of green between buildings and ordering him to "piddle." "I'm not here to get married, I'm here to write," Claire reminded her daughter. Somehow in the years filled with work and single parenting that added up to too much stress and too little sleep, Claire had managed to write two historical romance novels and see them published. Writing Highland Kiss and Highland Hellion had been her great escape from the often overwhelming responsibilities of her real life; a chance to live in another time and place and to experience the kind of romantic love and devotion that people like her could only dream about; the kind of love that led to happily-ever-after.
"You're there to have a life, too," Hailey added.
"I already have a life."
"No, you had Grandmom and Grandpop to take care of all those years before they died. And you've had me and everything you had to do to take care of me," Hailey corrected. "That's not a life. Now it's your turn to just take care of you." There was a brief pause. "Or find someone else who will."
"I'm going to ignore just how chauvinistic that statement was to say that raising you has been a privilege and an honor. And I'm still here to take care of you when you need it," Claire said.
"I'd rather you write your breakout bestseller and find some hot men to go out with," Hailey replied. "And FYI, I don't think those things are mutually exclusive."
"God," Claire said, feigning displeasure. "How did you turn into such a relentless optimist?"
"I learned it from the same woman I learned everything else from," Hailey said quietly. "You deserve the best, Mom. I hope you're going to go for it."
A silence fell reminding Claire just how far away her daughter was and how completely their life had changed. She'd sold their home, bought what she needed to start fresh, and had exactly enough money leftover to pay the rent on this condo for one year. That meant she had three hundred and sixty-five days to plot and write a new and hopefully bestselling novel.
"One thing at a time," she said falling back on the adage turned mantra that she'd used to get over each new hurdle. To put one foot in front of the other. To take care of increasingly infirm parents and raise her daughter alone. To keep going no matter how tired she was or how short of cash.
Claire plugged in her earbuds and tucked her cell phone in the pocket of her jeans. "Tell me about your classes while I make up the bed," she said as she located the box marked sheets and ripped off the packing tape. "Did you finish that paper for Sociology?"
Hailey chattered happily while Claire smoothed on the bottom and top sheets, slipped pillowcases over the pillows, and arranged the comforter, turning one corner down invitingly. The bed might be new, but the sheets were well worn and familiar.
Moving into the bathroom, she laid out a towel and stacked the others in the linen closet, then arranged her toiletries on the bathroom counter. She'd do just what she had to tonight and tackle the rest in the morning. As they talked, Claire focused on Hailey's voice and her obvious happiness and knew that Hailey was hearing the same in hers. Both of them were poised to add a new and exciting chapter to their lives.
Hailey yawned midsentence and Claire glanced at the closest clock. It was getting late.
"I think it's time for both of us to turn in," she said when Hailey yawned a second time.
"Okay." The word was followed by another yawn. "G'night, Mom. I'll text you tomorrow."
"Night-night, sweetheart," she said automatically as she had so many times over the years. And then despite the fact that her daughter was eighteen and too grown up and too far away to be tucked in, she finished with the same nonsensical cliché she'd uttered when the bedtime story was over and the lamp turned off. "Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite."
The line disconnected and Claire stood alone in the center of the cluttered condo. Hers, all hers. A thrill of anticipation coursed through her. How in the world would she ever calm down enough to fall asleep?
"Don't be a goon," she said aloud as she plugged in the Snoopy nightlight that had always glowed in a corner of Hailey's room and which Claire had not been able to throw away. "You wanted a new life and you've got one."
Now all she had to do was hurry up and go to sleep so that she could wake up tomorrow morning and start making the most of it.
Claire gave herself two full days to unpack, hang her artwork and photos, and organize the kitchen. She slept fitfully both nights, thrown off by each unfamiliar noise that reached her from within the building and the streets below. Each time she woke she had to remind herself where she was. Then she would look around the apartment and consciously think the word "home," but as excited as she was to be here, her brain was not fooled. Home was the house on Juniper Lane with the fenced backyard and the cul-de-sac out front that filled with kids each evening after dinner.
In between bouts of unpacking she explored the Alexander trying to make it familiar and vowing to use the fitness room, the pool, and the clubroom with its big-screen TV, kitchen, and bar, which was available for entertaining. Even though she didn't know enough people in this part of town to fill her tiny bathroom.
Late on the second afternoon she stood in the center of her new home and pronounced it "done." Her laptop and a yellow pad of character notes and ideas sat on the dining room table/desk right next to the brocade-covered journal that Hailey had given her to record her new life.
Other than her brief conversations with Hailey, a food-and-drink order on a quick stroll up Peachtree, and a deep Dumpster discussion with Edward Parker, she hadn't really communicated with anyone. She cleared her throat just to make sure her vocal chords still worked.
"Okay," she said aloud just to confirm that everything was operational, "you're going to walk to Piedmont Park and find a nice shady spot where you can prime your pump by writing in your journal." Eager to get outside, she put on her sneakers, tucked the journal and a pen into her cross-body bag, and left the condo. In the lobby, she strode purposefully with her chin up and her eyes on the front door; a woman on a mission. Which may have been why she didn't see whatever it was that got tangled in her feet. Or understand how she ended up on the hard marble floor with something small and heavy on top of her and an unfamiliar woman's voice yelling in the distance.
Discussion Guide
Download a printable discussion guide for While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.
When Edward, the concierge of The Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings of Downton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and—even more unexpectedly—with each other…
Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money—for herself and for her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.
Claire Walker is now an empty-nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old world charm of The Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.
And then there's Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She's just starting to realize that it's time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.
For Samantha, Claire, Brooke—and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings—it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life's hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey.
About Wendy Wax
Wendy Wax is the author of eight previous novels. A former broadcaster, she lives in the Atlanta suburbs with her husband and looks forward to visits from her college-aged sons, who have turned her into the shortest member of their family.
Discussion Questions
1. How does watching Downton Abbey draw these characters together? Do you think this is part of the value of a hit television show? How has watching Downton Abbey or any other favorite show added to your life? Could you imagine yourself making a new friend through a shared interest in Downton Abbey?
2. Downtown Abbey chronicles the lives of the very wealthy and the people who serve them. How is this paralleled in the interactions we view between the characters in the book? How do these relationships evolve?
3. Samantha, Claire, and Brooke come from very diverse backgrounds and are each at a different stage in life. How do these differences help to bond them together and foster their friendship? How would their ultimate outcomes be altered if they had never become friends?
4. The relationship between mothers and daughters is a prevalent theme in While We Were Watching Downton Abbey. Readers witness Samantha's interactions with her mother-in-law, Cynthia Davis, as well as Samantha's motherly bond with Meredith; Claire's connection with Hailey; and Brooke's relationship with Ava and Natalie. Discuss the effects of each of these mother-daughter relationships on Samantha, Claire, and Brooke.
5. In a way, Downton Abbey is also a main character in this book. How would you define its role in the lives of those living in The Alexander? How is the show a catalyst for change?
6. Edward Parker's Great Uncle Mason says discretion, persistence, and valor "always win the day" (88). Do you think this belief is upheld in the book? Give examples from the story to support your answer.
7. Food is often described in the book. What role do you think it plays in different settings, such as during the Downtown Abbey gatherings, the family dinners with Samantha and Jonathan, and the meetings between Samantha and her mother-in-law? Can you think of other scenes where food is highlighted?
8. If you were to write a sequel to While We Were Watching Downton Abbey, how would it go? What do you think the future holds for these characters?


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We remain focused on our strategy to become a national middle market bank and serve our customers with an integrated set of financing and deposit products.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT), cit.com, a leading provider of commercial lending and leasing services, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian equipment finance and corporate finance businesses ("CIT Canada"), with more than US $700 million in assets, to Laurentian Bank of Canada. In addition, approximately 140 employees of CIT Canada will join the Laurentian Bank team.
"This transaction represents another milestone for us as we continue to exit our international businesses and focus on growing our core commercial franchises," said Ellen R. Alemany, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain focused on our strategy to become a national middle market bank and serve our customers with an integrated set of financing and deposit products."
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions, including all applicable regulatory notifications and approvals. CIT Canada and Laurentian Bank of Canada will continue to operate separately until the closing of the transaction.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to CIT Group for this transaction.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities laws that are based upon our current expectations and assumptions concerning future events, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The words "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "initiative," "objective," "plan," "goal," "project," "outlook," "priorities," "target," "intend," "evaluate," "pursue," "commence," "seek," "may," "would," "could," "should," "believe," "potential," "continue," or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements about our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations regarding future events and our financial performance, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. While these statements represent our current judgment on what the future may hold, and we believe these judgments are reasonable, these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially. Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our expectations include, among others, the risk that CIT is unsuccessful in implementing its strategy and business plan, the risk that CIT is unable to react to and address key business and regulatory issues, the risk that CIT is unable to achieve the projected revenue growth from its new business initiatives or the projected expense reductions from efficiency improvements, the risk that CIT is delayed in implementing its branch strategy, and the risk that CIT becomes subject to liquidity constraints and higher funding costs. We describe these and other risks that could affect our results in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made. CIT undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except where expressly required by law.
About CIT
Founded in 1908, CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company with more than $65 billion in assets. Its principal bank subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A., (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender) has more than $30 billion of deposits and more than $40 billion of assets. It provides financing, leasing and advisory services principally to middle market companies across a wide variety of industries primarily in North America, and equipment financing and leasing solutions to the transportation sector. It also offers products and services to consumers through its Internet bank franchise and a network of retail branches in Southern California, operating as OneWest Bank, a division of CIT Bank, N.A. cit.com
About Laurentian Bank
Laurentian Bank of Canada is a banking institution whose activities extend across Canada. The Bank serves one and a half million clients throughout the country and employs more than 3,600 people whose talent and dedication have made it a major player in numerous market segments. The Bank has more than $41 billion in balance sheet assets and $42 billion in assets under administration. Laurentian Bank distinguishes itself through the excellence and simplicity of its services. The Bank caters to the needs of retail clients via its branch network.
The Bank has also earned a solid reputation among small and medium-sized enterprises and real estate developers thanks to its specialized teams across Canada, namely in Ontario, Québec, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. For their part, B2B Bank is a Canadian leader in providing banking and investment products and services to financial advisors and brokers, while the expertise and effectiveness of Laurentian Bank Securities' integrated brokerage services are known nationwide. laurentianbank.ca
Matt Klein, 973-597-2020
Director, Media Relations
Barbara Callahan, 973-740-5058
Senior Vice President


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Country Furniture – Bringing A Comfortable Look And Feel To Your Home
When people think of country furniture, they usually picture the kind that is cozy and made of lightweight materials. However, country style can actually be created using contemporary styling as well as pieces made in country style. For instance, you can opt for a country style home decor featuring a wrought iron bed accented by floral prints or a colorful wicker chair on an antique table. Add cushions and you have an instant country theme. Here are some ideas for creating a country theme for your house.
*Keep in mind that a country style home usually displays the countryside or small town charm. In this case, choose country-style furniture pieces that have an earthy look to them like wicker or wood furniture, plain or carved country plaques and vases, and other accents with a country theme. Also, try to include photos of farm animals or landscapes to enhance the effect.
*A country style home may also be decorated in a cottage or log cabin theme. Cottages usually have a rustic or country look and feel. You can pull off country style decorating in a cottage by adding old barn stars, rope beds, and china accents. You can also go for accessories that have a country theme such as apron sets, country ceramics, and even country pottery. Be sure to also keep in mind that your country style home decor should appear more relaxed and cozy.
*On the other hand, if you prefer a more modern country style home, you can opt for a sleek modern styling that features geometric shapes, metal finishes, and brushed metal pieces. This kind of country style offers a more modern approach to country decorating. Try to incorporate sharp contrasts in color like black and brown or red and green. For the floor, you can choose tiles with bold contrasting designs like checkered or diamond mosaic tiles. As for wall decor, go for a warm color that complements your country theme like reds, oranges, and browns.
*You can also opt for wicker or rattan accessories. These types of country style furniture come in a wide variety of choices. They are often made from woven baskets filled with colorful fabrics. You can decorate your country theme by choosing rattan side tables, rattan chairs, and wicker dining sets. To finish off your look, choose throw pillows with bright country colors such as red, yellow, and orange.
*You can also use country-style paint or stains for your walls. You can do this on the walls, ceilings, and floors. Just be sure to coordinate the colors so you don't end up with a jarring contrast.
*There are also plenty of accessories you can choose from to further polish off the country look. You can purchase country pine or oak bedroom furniture. Try to choose pieces with traditional country designs and textures such as curved lines, knotty curtains, and rustic frames. If you're not into purchasing wooden pieces, then you can always opt for wrought iron accessories. You can accentuate country furniture by using rugs on your floors.
A country home can easily be created by selecting the right type of furniture, accessories, and accents. With just a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can turn your country theme into a masterpiece. Remember though, it will all start with the basics such as the right curtains, cushions, table, and mirrors. These items will set the mood as well as complete the look of your country style home.
Other essential accessories to complete the look of your country home include photos, prints, paintings, tapestries, and wall hangings. Tapestries and paintings in bold country themes are a great way to add a splash of color to your country furniture collection. Other accessories such as pictures and frames make your country decor even more inviting. Decorating your country home should be a fun experience that you can enjoy for years to come.
No matter what kind of country furniture you choose to bring into your country style home, be sure to keep a few accessories in mind. For example, tapestries should be properly hung to avoid creasing. Another accessory to consider is rugs to complete the look. Country themes are certainly perfect for just about any type of flooring; however, if you have tile, marble, or wood in your home, be sure to include some type of decor for these beautiful pieces. And don't forget to use coordinating accents such as pillows, throws, and curtains to pull the entire look together.
The beauty of country style is the simplicity of the design. You can have country furniture with a lot of bells and whistles or you can choose country furniture with few, if any, accessories. Either way, the look is very welcoming and comforting. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to create a country style decorating look. All you need are some quality country style lighting, comfortable country seating, a country theme tablecloth, and a country-style rug. Add a few country accessories, a country theme rug, and you've instantly transformed your home into a cozy country retreat.
Style Your House With Country Furniture
Styling a house isn't in any way an easy job to do. It contains diverse components like the shades on the walls, and furniture and artwork. But furniture is usually the hardest of the choices you have to make because they are usually the most costly items. You would be wise to highlight your house with those things which aren't just practical but are also aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Nowadays, it can be simple to re-model your house by accessing the internet. Likewise in terms of furniture, several websites are offering furniture that can be searched for by you. In addition, a lot of the on-line shops may supply good quality house decorating suggestions. It is possible to thoroughly investigate everything that is available.
For example, French Country Furniture: it's highly practical, and both refined and stylish at once. This type of furniture will ensure that your house can never be regarded as run of the mill. Pastel colours are usually available to match any desired colour scheme. This furniture style's principal characteristics that recommend them are:
1. It is plain and straightforward but at the same time is regarded as sophisticated. But this doesn't mean they're not designed with superiority, precision and elegance.
2. Handcrafted to perfection: Every item is really exceptional and hand made.
3. It will complement any kind of décor.
Over all, this type of country furniture can make your home a treasure island of calm, ease, and comfort.
Cottage Furniture Tips For Country Style Home Decorating
When searching for just the right look to compliment your beautiful country style home, you may find that purchasing cottage furniture can be just the thing that will complete the decorating scheme. When it comes to furnishing a home, nothing gives a home a more distinctive look than country style, classic style furniture. Indeed, country style is a very personal style in interior design and as such, selecting the perfect pieces for your decorating scheme can be a challenge. If you want to add a country-style touch to your decorating, perhaps starting with the articles of furniture most often associated with this style of decorating would be a good idea. Cottage furniture tends to be quite simple in design and as a result, this type of furniture can really help to give your country style home a truly charming look. Here are a few tips on how you can choose the perfect country style dcor chair and other country style home furniture for your home.
Although you may not want to go all out and purchase the pieces individually, you may want to select a few pieces first, in order to give your decorating a sense of unity and perhaps even set a few aside for guests who may show up unexpectedly (we won't tell them where you got them! ). You can find country style furniture at many different retailers both in brick and mortar stores as well as online. One of the best places to start searching for country style home furniture would be eBay and Amazon.
If you shop wisely and do your research, you will come across many great deals on the wonderful country style home decorating style that is available. You may be surprised at how reasonable these items can be and this may give you an incentive to purchase more than one or two items for your country style home decorating theme. Keep in mind that you do not have to buy everything at once; this would defeat the purpose of being thrifty. By keeping some of your items in stock, you can save yourself quite a bit of money while still having plenty of items for every room of your house!
French Country Furniture – Elegant Simplicity radiates From The Furniture
French Country Furniture – The focal point of any French Country home, and rightly so, is the beautiful French Country kitchen. Of course the heart of any French Country home is the dining room table, but the table itself can be surrounded by rustic wooden chairs, with some teak or mahogany side tables or even a coffee table for that extra touch of elegance. There are several popular styles of French Country furniture – the country classic, the country shabby chic or the European classic. Each style brings something a little unique to the table and can bring a splash of color to an otherwise simple or boring room.
French Country Furniture When choosing your French country furniture, you will want to choose pieces that evoke a bygone era of furniture. Ornate vintage pieces are perfect if you are wanting to create a lived-in feel in your dining room, or if you want a Tuscan feel in your bedroom. Traditional French country furniture designs from ages ago are a necessity when furnishing an authentic French farmhouse. French furniture made from solid wood, with a decorative motif woven through it, is often crafted from pine or oak, and in some cases it is even left its natural state.
Clean lines are characteristic of many styles of French country furniture, especially the more ornate or vintage pieces. Clean, geometric lines are present in their metal work and woods. The clean lines are often softened by the use of vibrant colors, whether you prefer soft muted colors or bold primary colors, such as orange, red, yellow or blue. As with any type of decor, your French country decorating scheme can vary from subtle to extreme; a more polished and refined elegance can be found in the more upscale offerings.
Choose Rustic French Country Kitchen Furniture
French Country is synonymous with quality and elegance. It is a decorating style that is synonymous with romance, imagination, and, well, you get the picture. As with French food, French country Kitchen style is constantly evolving to take into account new culinary trends and personal preferences, while not losing the rich, classic elements that make it so special. An armoire for storing China, a large farmhouse table for chatting around, open shelves showing off stoneware and copper cookware in nice clean rows, and a roaring stove on the open kitchen table are all essential elements of this beautiful look. You'll find the feel of warm, comfortable country living in every French country home.
If you want an authentic look that comes right from the French countryside, you should consider choosing an antique French country kitchen with farmhouse tables, farmhouse chairs, and an open shelf where you can store your treasured cookbooks. Rustic benches add a cozy element to your kitchen while accenting the natural beauty of your surroundings. And don't forget the salt blocks and paper towels. The rustic feeling of the entire room will only be enhanced by the addition of these items.
Many people associate country kitchens with their love of cooking, but many modern homes today have become more modern and rely less on traditional style furniture. While the style of your kitchen design is important, you should also pay close attention to the items of furniture that you choose to use within it. Choosing rustic French country kitchens with quality farmhouse furniture can give your home the feel of a true country retreat. Your guests will be sure to appreciate the welcoming atmosphere you create when you choose the right furniture pieces. This is one of the easiest styles of furniture you can buy because the materials are very durable. Many people choose this style because it is both practical and stylish.
Country Kitchen Furniture – Create a Country Style Decor
If you've always wanted to create a traditional country kitchen in your home, then look no further than the quality country kitchen furniture available at Kernow Furniture. Their pieces are full of antiques and are often made of durable wood. They are a great choice for a home with an old-world charm. In addition to their rustic aesthetic, these pieces are also ideal for displaying your vintage china and homeware. Whether you want to give your room a rustic or a contemporary look, these furnishings are perfect for you.
To create a country kitchen, start with the right color scheme. You can't go wrong with neutral colours. Choosing neutral shades such as white, grey, or beige is an excellent choice. Using muted tones can also make the kitchen appear larger. Ideally, you should stay away from colors like mauve and black; these colors will overpower your country decor and make your room feel drab. Instead, use light, airy colours such as pale yellow and white.
A rustic kitchen looks great in a wide range of colors. You can choose a kitchen sink made of concrete, stone, or wood. The best color combinations will create a cozy atmosphere. Try incorporating a large ceramic sink for washing vegetables. This type of sink is the most traditional option for a country kitchen. You can choose one with a large double bowl for an updated, modern look. The underlying style of this type of kitchen can also add charm and character to your space.
French Country Dresser by Vintage Home Decor
A French Country dresser is the perfect addition to your bedroom. This style is simple and elegant, and features a bird design and an applied decoupage technique. It also has two large drawers and a storage base. A French Country dresser is also a great way to update the look of your bedroom. The style is popular in many households and will bring a touch of the countryside into your home.
The seven-drawer, vintage white dresser can be used in a bathroom, entryway, or hallway. The long version includes a corrugated metal top and bottom. It is finished in a beautiful rustic grey. The top drawer is adorned with crystal knobs and has a distressed look. Whether it is used as a dressing table or as a sideboard, a country dresser is a great way to add a touch of history to your home.
Whether you want to add a pop of color to your bedroom or simply add rustic country charm to your home, a vintage dresser is the perfect solution. These furnishings are durable and will last for years. They will also be a stylish addition to any room. A French country dresser is a fantastic way to enhance any room. You can even paint the dresser with an elegant French bird garden stencil for an extra special touch.
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Latest Post:Monday, September 26, 2022


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I've borrowed the title for today's post from Henry Miller's book by the same name Remember to Remember, although the resemblance ends there.
If you are trying to change something about yourself, it's clear that if you don't remember to do whatever it is you have decided on that will create the change, then nothing will change. So if you want to create firm triceps, or improve your accent in a foreign language, if you don't remember to do the exercises that either of those goals entails, you will not see any results.
When you work on changing inner facets of yourself - such as becoming less impatient, critical or judgmental, as I posted about a few days ago in Cultivating Patience, or other inner changes that I posted about in Changing the World: One Person At A Time, and in Intention - what you are undertaking, as a matter of fact, is remembering to remember to do these things.
Perhaps you think this is overly obvious. Why bother to state anything that is so obvious? And yet, what I see time and time again, with individuals from many different walks of life, is the fact that for all their good intentions, they fail to remember to remember to do the simple little exercises that will help them attain the desired goals. And especially when we are working on our inside, psychological and spiritual self, as opposed to our outer, physical self, or our intellectual self, we seem to have greater difficulty in remembering to remember.
For this reason I recommend something utterly simple: put up some post-its in your house, perhaps in your bedroom on the mirror, in your bathroom on the mirror, in your kitchen on the refrigerator, and on your laptop monitor, and write something on them that will help you to remember. What you write is less important than knowing that it means you are to remember to remember.
Creating a new and better, more balanced inner state is of prime importance for your inner well-being. Remembering that you want to remember to do the exercises or implement the new knowing, mode of behavior, or reaction each time such-and-such occurs, will be the first step to take you to your ultimate goal. What steps are you taking to improve your inner well-being today?
For more information about remembering, inner well-being, loving the self, creating healthy boundaries, and self-love, get my book Rewiring the Soul: Finding the Possible Self, available both in paperback and e-book for Kindle. Click here to download the first chapter.
Book Description
Ask anyone, whatever their circumstances, if their life is vibrant, fulfilling, harmonious and happy. An honest reply is likely to be 'no', because to answer a truthful 'yes' is no mean feat. Only to grow psychologically and emotionally is not enough. And only to grow spiritually is not enough either. All three dimensions need to be developed in order to realize your full potential. If you are willing to assume total responsibility for the self and to start what is an on-going journey, you will quickly begin to glimpse the first fruits of the ultimate goal: inner well-being, freedom, peace, harmony and joy. This book sets out the pathway to self-mastery and self-discovery and walking that pathway will be the most exciting adventure of your life.
Photo: Pre-Columbian site (precursor to the Incan sites) of Tiahuanaco, Bolivia


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Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom tells us via a spokeswoman: "There are now 10 pictures per second being posted with the hashtag #sandy — most are images of people prepping for the storm and images of scenes outdoors."
The total photos posted as of now:
- #sandy has more than 244,000 photos
- #hurricanesandy has more than 144,000 photos
- #frankenstorm has more than 23,000 photos
PandoDaily's Sara Lacy asks whether "Hurricane Sandy … could be Instagram's big citizen journalism moment."
Just like the last three Presidential elections have been transformed by a new social media service — YouTube, Facebook and now Twitter — natural disasters and tragedies are emerging as a way for social media services to gain respect and legitimacy as world-changing agents as well.
You can see why a national disaster as told through Instagram could be powerful… In theory, Instagram has Twitter's immediacy, and a broader reach, since it pushes notices out via Twitter, Facebook, Instgram's own network, and email. Clearly images are the best way to tell a story like this, and Instagram's whole raison d'être is to make people better photographers. Add to that the storm's target on urban, hipster, we're-not-scared New Yorkers, and the time seems as good as any for the revolution to be Instagrammed.
Related: 5 creative ways journalists are covering Hurricane Sandy online | That photo of the Tomb of the Unknowns guard in the rain? It's from September | The 6 memes of Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane Sandy coverage cliches in GIF form || Earlier: How to curate Instagram by reposting newsworthy photos | What journalists should know about Instagram


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Episode 13
SOAPnet Goes Down The Drain
December 2nd, 2013
1 hr 22 mins 53 secs
About this Episode
Go Fug Yourself co-founder/co-editor Jessica Morgan makes her EHG debut as we discuss the imminent decommissioning of SOAPnet, and what we'll miss about it most. We take a moment to touch on NBC's live The Sound Of Music, and the new season of Best Ink on Oxygen, before Jessica presents Beverly Hills, 90210's "The Next 50 Years" for submission into The Canon. We click Around The Dial and name the week's winner and loser before getting to Game Time (though...not without some problems).


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Top Accessible Winter HolidaysBy Niamh Duffy -
Accessible Winter Holidays in London
Perfect for the whole family...
Head down to Oxford Street and get back on track with any last minute Christmas shopping or tick the landmarks off your bucket list starting with Big Ben, Millennium Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. Whatever you've always wanted to see.
London has something for everyone; from history and culture to fine food and a good time. Spend the night sampling what the city has to offer, we recommend dinner and a cocktail to finish the perfect day in the city.
Accessible Winter Holidays in Tenerife
Relax and unwind in the sun
It may be raining back home but in Tenerife it's blue skies. With an average monthly temperature of a very comfortable 20°C you can be sure to relax in the sun while everyone back home is getting their umbrellas out.
Before the chaos of Christmas take some time out to completely unwind at the Mar y Sol, treat yourself to a massage on their roof terrace overlooking the ocean or take a dip in the heated pool. Explore the island, from the top of the volcano to the countless breathtaking coastlines, or head to the beach to watch the world go by with your toes dipped in the sand.
As it turns to night head out to the promenade for dinner or a cocktail, watch the sun set over the Atlantic then head to bed to do it all again tomorrow.
Tenerife has excellent accessibility from the moment you land at the airport, so you will have no worries at all as you escape the cold back home, just make sure to take plenty of photos to make everyone jealous!
Accessible Winter Holidays in Belgium
Something different nestled round every corner
The aroma of chocolate fills the air, luring you to sample the very best of Belgian's offerings. Have a go at making your own traditional truffles or if you're adventurous head to Antwerps' Chocolate Line to sample a more quirky style. Chocolatier Dominique is based in the Town Palace so sample his 'melt in the mouth' pralines in this authentic empire setting.
From chocolate straight to another Belgian delicacy, beer. Watch over the bustling Bruges Markt Square as you sip on a pint at the Duvelorium. Or wander round the festive markets, treat yourself to a hot chocolate and pick up some souvenirs.
We have tried and tested local transport, hotels, and activities and picked out the very best of the best at all our destinations. So if you fancy ticking these breathtaking attractions off your bucket list just enquire now on the website or give us call on 0800 069 8060 and we will do the rest...


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I just saw two items as I was glancing down the headlines in my news reader.
"Google's Android becomes the world's leading smart phone platform," says the headline on the press release from a company conducting research that claims Google's open source mobile operating system was on 33.3% of the smart phones shipped in the 4th quarter of 2010.
"Apple's 4% mobile market share rakes in over half the industry's profit," says the headline on a blog post about another mobile phone industry research that focuses on "profitability." Wow! Only 4% of mobile phones have Apple's iOS operating system on them, but they account for over 50% of the industry's profit. Gee, that also sounds like something that would be leading.
I have no reason to believe if either of these items are accurate. Frankly, I doubt either is.
Nonetheless, when paired, they demonstrate a point I've tried to make here time and again: Never believe any statistic, unless it confirms what you already believe.*
*For readers unfamiliar with this blog, that was said in jest.
Related articles
- Apple is still sucking most of the profit out of the mobile phone business (tech.fortune.cnn.com)


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