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Can't Find a Parking Space? This App Can Help
Urban regions enjoy density. It's what makes for serendipity — running into someone you know in a crowd of strangers is all the more meaningful. It can also make certain infrastructures more efficient. The vast number of people cycling in and out of subways, coffee shops and freeway lanes is the grounds for an amazing data set, if those people will agree to contribute to apps such as Foursquare or Waze.
But, as much as we love the idea of democracy and helping out our neighbor, it turns out crowdsourcing will not solve all problems. While most drivers will log the gas price they are paying while waiting for their tank to be filled, app developers found that people are less likely to open an app to announce they're unoccupying a parking spot as they pull out to drive to the next destination. A solution not so dependent on personal whims would be needed. That's where technology comes into play.
Where Crowdsourcing Works
Cities can use crowdsourcing to improve the region for people who live there. SeeClickFix enables citizens to report potholes, graffiti or other issues so city planners can get a better sense of where improvements are needed. Another app, GasBuddy, relies on drivers to report gas prices at local gas stations so fellow drivers can navigate to the cheapest or nearest station. Waze has literally built maps based on 100% crowdsourced data in some countries, along with ongoing use of crowdsourcing for traffic information.
GasBuddy also gets pricing from stations, and Waze has made use of census data maps when available, but the ongoing engagement of users is what makes the apps valuable for other users. This is a much-desired network effect, and once a product engages its users in this way, it's much more difficult for a competitor to solve the same problem successfully.
In cities, one problem that begs to be solved is how to find a parking spot quickly and easily. City parking can be difficult to navigate and is often costly. While you might estimate the distance to your destination to be 10 minutes, it could take an extra 10 minutes, or more, to find an available parking spot. That's time, gas and money wasted.
One app, iSpotSwap, attempted to bring crowdsourcing's strength in numbers to parking. The company website encourages users, "Remember: Tagging Spots = Finding Spots." This sums up both the potential and the limitation of a crowdsourced app — for it to work, lots of people have to use it. The app has not been updated since 2010.
One company is relying on sensors instead of well-meaning citizens to tell you where to park. Instead of depending on users to drive its data, Streetline went directly to stakeholders — including city governments and commercial garages — for partnerships.
Types of Data Collected
When finding the right gas station relies on real-time pricing and location, parking relies on real-time availability and location, but it doesn't stop there. Streetline CEO Zia Yusuf says, "What we are seeking to do is build a smart parking platform, and that platform is based on data."
The four data types Yusuf notes can be plotted on two axis of a graph: there is on-street and off-street parking along one axis, and parking policy and real-time information on the other axis. These axes create four different boxes of parking situations. What time you can park due to street sweeping would be policy data and on-street parking box, while the number of open spots inside a parking garage would be in the real-time information and off-street parking box. All of this data is collected with Streetline's sensors, which are installed in parking spots, and through partnerships with many cities, including Indianapolis, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, and companies, including IBM, Siemens, Xerox, Telefonica and Citibank.
"Our on-street sensors are a critical source of new data," Yusuf says. "One of the things that we're very proud of is we've built up a fantastic ecosystem of partners that we go to market with."
Los Angeles actually changes the pricing of its parking spots dynamically based on supply, to optimize revenue. This optimization of revenue makes Streetline a great partner for cities and has fueled the company's rapid expansion.
Making Data Useful
Streetline's data is collected into APIs, and relayed to users through its apps. Parker is the company's consumer app, and if Streetline is in your city, you can see where parking spots are available and other information including pricing. ParkEdge is a parking platform for garages, which is used to manage reservations and coupons, among other things. ParkSight is a parking platform for cities, which supplies analytics through its partnership with IBM. In the future, Streetline is also looking to partner with university and corporate campuses.
But outside of its own applications, Streetline plans to open up the use of its data.
"We're definitely in discussion with app companies and several automotive companies, because ultimately the stuff belongs in in-car navigation," Yusuf says.
Another possible use of parking data is audio directions so the driver doesn't need to look down at a map. VoicePark is an app that provides a voice guide to available parking spots in San Francisco and utilizes data collected by the city. Founder David LaBua says the company plans to add more cities in an update in December.
"You're going to see this whole topic of smart cities more and more," Yusuf says. "[It's] innovation that actually impacts the day-to-day lives of people, and this is what attracted us to this market."


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Sugar Rush: Cacao Prieto
Your daily dose of something sweet.
Bon bons and chocolate bars are the call at the Cacao Prieto pop-up inside the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory, but you can't leave without a few chocolate letters, made with 66 percent couvertures. They make excellent little gifts, $.50 apiece; spell out what you desire, but call ahead because they often run out of popular letters!
As for bon bons ($2 each), the Smoke is otherworldly. It's a commanding flavor that does the name justice, in-your-face aggressive with haunting background notes; it's my favorite of the bunch. For something milder and pleasing, Honey-Caramel and fruit-and-nut parings like Pistachio-Apricot are solid bets. A Coconut bon bon, with muddled flavors, was the only letdown in the group. I had the Conquistador bon bon with cacao rum and madeira wine on my list, but alas, they were sold out. Until next time!
Cacao Prieto
At Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory
Fulton Ferry Pier, Brooklyn NY 11201 (map)

subset: commoncrawl


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Vancouver's BC Place to host 2015 Women's World Cup final
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Vancouver's B.C. Place Stadium will be the site of the women's 2015 World Cup final, the first time a championship game will be played on artificial turf.
The venue was announced Thursday by FIFA and Canadian organizers.
"There's a lot of factors,'' Steve Reed, a national organizing committee member, said following a news conference across the street from the 55,000-seat retractable-roof stadium.
"The final match, certainly, we wanted to maximize the number of participants, the number of people that are in the seats. B.C. Place obviously has that capacity.''
Montreal and Edmonton, Alberta, will host semifinals in the tournament that will run from June 6 to July 5. Games also will be played in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Ottawa; and Moncton, New Brunswick.


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Hey guys! So as you know, I've been blogging for just over a month now. While overall I feel like I have had pretty good success and have gotten a lot of positive feedback on my blog, as a new blogger you just make mistakes. Even if you have done your research before starting your blog, you are still entering a community where you don't know much of anyone, don't know what the standard is, and are mostly clueless about a lot of things.
So, while I'm still by no means an expert on all things blogging, I wanted to share with you (especially you knew bloggers) things that I have learned over the past month and a half. While I didn't make every single one of these mistakes myself, I did make a few of them, and I have also heard from other bloggers that did a few of these things as they were just starting out. That being said, here are ten mistakes you will want to avoid as a new blogger
1. Writing massive paragraphs
I may or may not have done this in my first few posts…….
Anyway, the big idea here is attention span. People on the reading your posts n=on the internet have a shorter attention span than professors that may read your papers or employers looking for a detailed and long report.
Nope, people on the internet are looking for fast, easy to read posts that are either 1,000 words or less or divided in some way, shape, or form (headings, pictures, bolded and engaging titles, etc.). So unless you are writing a short story (and I full encourage this…people who like reading short stories have the attention span to read them).
2. Using pictures the wrong way
Pictures can bring life to a blog. They can make it interesting and engaging, while also helping to break up your text. However, many new bloggers use pictures in the wrong way such as adding extremely small pictures to your blog or
breaking up text with extremely large images (yes this is an example of breaking text with a picture mistake, not an actual mistake. Also we are using orca whales because they are pretty much excellent). To avoid these mistakes, take time picking out your pictures and placing them. Also, make sure your pictures relate to your writing (unlike my whales….) and that they are aesthetically pleasing (exactly like my whales).
3. Following people just to follow them
Following, liking, commenting, and interacting with other bloggers is one of the sure-fire ways to attract readers to your blog. However, make sure that you actually care about those that follow your blog, and that you actually care about their blog. While following as many random people as you can will help you boost your followers count, most of the people that follow you or view your site will look at it once and then never return. Also, you need to consistently interact on your followers blogs in order to keep them interested in yours, and you won't feasibly be able to do this if you are following thousands of people right off the bat. I would recommend starting by following people you know personally or people that write within your niche. This will help to attract a solid group of followers right away.
4. Posting too little
I definitely made this mistake during my first few weeks of blogging, and looking back now, I realize just how crucial posting often is when you are a newbie blogger. At first, I was posting once or twice a week, if that, and I soon realized that I needed to be posting at least once a day, if not more. While this may seem obnoxious, this is something that can greatly increase your following. The more high quality posts that your are publishing, the more people will revere and respect you. This, in turn, will lead them to you blog. Also, posting often provides more and more experience for you so that you can consistently improve.
5. Making it about you
I think this is probably the most crucial point for new bloggers to realize: blogging is not all about you. Believe it or not, your readers will probably not want to hear about YOUR vacation, YOUR story, or YOUR life until they actually know you, see that you know and want to help them, and see that you are respected and somewhat of a professional. So what does this mean for newbies? Don't write about yourself all the time. While it's okay to occasionally post that selfie and lay out your personal experience with something, you should really try to stick with posts that will help your readers. This can either be done by writing how-tos, making useful and interesting lists, or somehow using your blogging topic as an advice column for them. For example, let's say your blog is about interior design and you just re-tiled the bathroom floor and shower. In this case, you have options. You could either make the entire post about YOU and YOUR experience with YOUR bathroom, or you could use your experience to write an excellent how-to article that others can use (you can totally add in small comments like "in my experience" or "when I did this").
6. You write about broad topics or create vague titles
People like to read posts that are short and to the point. They also like the post's title to coincide with what the post will cover, and to define exactly what they will be reading. Therefore, don't make the mistake right away of writing about ALL bird species in one post or by titling your latest post "the hopes and dreams of the average Target employee, gardener, and freelance writer" (unless of course you can tie all of these together and form a high quality post, which I would love to read by the way…). Blog posts should be concise and to the point, and titles need to hook readers, while also identifying exactly what will be covered in the post. Viewers reading your blog should be able to read the title of your post, scan over it, and understand the main topics. Don't write about something broad that takes a couple of pages to read.
7. Not using social media to advertise your posts
This is a big one. While many of your followers may come from WordPress or consist of other WordPress users, some of you followers may not have WordPress and will only get notified about new posts via email (and who actually has time to scroll through their spam these days right?) To inform all of your followers about new posts, I recommend announcing or sharing new posts on one or two social media platforms. I am currently using Facebook and Instagram to advertise my posts to followers, however I full encourage you to use Twitter, Pinterest, or whatever form of social media works best for you. Several social media platforms also allow you to auto-post directly from your blog so that you don't even have to manually create a new announcement on social media.
8. Not setting up
People enjoy reading blogs that are well organized, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to read. One mistake that many new bloggers will make (this was definitely me..) is to jump right in before customizing your blog. You want everyone that views your blog to receive a great first impression, so make sure you start this from the beginning. Add a theme, mix up the colors, add pictures, engaging posts, and life to your blog. In all honesty, customizing a blog does not take that long, (took me two to three days and that was with a large amount of procrastination….) taking the time to set up your blog and make it look nice is worth the time investment.
9. Not properly using links
This mistake may not seem like that big of a deal, but in reality the way you use links and advertise other posts (even if they're you're own) is important in how your readers view your site. When using a link, whether it be to another one of your blog posts, or to an outside source you're going to want to embed it into your writing and insert it as a hyperlink. For example, if I wanted to inform my readers build a better blog, I would insert a hyperlink that links to my post on that topic. Notice how I have changed this link from the typical, lengthy gibberish to a nice and concise few words that will not only clean up your blog, but will also inform your readers of what they are clicking on. Use this same format when linking to outside posts as well.
10. Not buying their own domain
I know you want to save money, and that domains are not free. However, if you actually want to attract readers outside of WordPress or your blog host, then you're going to need your own domain. For example, when I was on the free plan here at WordPress.com, the domain for this blog was http://www.authorscanvas.wordpress.com. Although I was attracting some readers to my site, (so yeah…it can be done if you're determined…) they were all from WordPress and I knew that no outside readers would ever even see my posts. My blog was also difficult to find and not professional. So, I upgraded my plan and bought my own domain, https://authorscanvas.blog/ and since then my traffic has increased, and more and more people are able to find my posts. On WordPress, this is available in three out of the four plans and, honestly, the money investment is worth it. Your blog will look more professional, will be easier to find, and will be more likely to be accepted by companies for advertising or monetizing in the future.
***That's it! Thank you guys so much for reading! Please feel free to share in the comments some mistakes you have learned throughout your blogging experience or things you know that might be helpful for new bloggers to know. I always love to hear your advice!***


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Traffic sucks, so why not start your morning off with some music? You provide the toast and we'll provide the jams.
Hipster shit aside, I'm a Texan and like good music. Good country music. Willie, Waylon, Johnny, Merle. The girls, too. Dolly, Lucinda, Allison, Reba. I'm particularly fond of Junior Brown and his custom-made "guit-steel" hybrid guitar.
If you like guitar music and don't know Junior Brown, well, you don't like guitar music. Enjoy this apropos track from Junior and watch out for those smokies.


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makes 15 cupcakes
cupcake recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook
meringue recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
prep time: 45 min / cook time: 18-22 min
1 1/2 c cake flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
2/3 c sugar
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2/3 c buttermilk
3 c store bought lemon curd
If you want to make your own, use this recipe
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/2 c + 2 tbsp sugar
• Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 325˚ F.
• Line muffin pans with cupcake liners and set aside.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together in a large bowl and set aside.
• Whisk the eggs, vanilla and lemon zest together in a large bowl.
• Slowly whisk in the sugar until combined.
• Whisk in the melted butter in three additions until completely combined.
• Whisk in buttermilk.
• Sift one-third of the flour mixture over the batter and whisk it in (a few streaks of flour should remain). Repeat twice with the remaining flour mixture and continue to whisk the batter gently until most lumps are gone. Do not over mix.
• Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds full.
• Bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with a few crumbs attached, 18-2 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
• Let the cupcakes cool in the pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove from the pans and let cool completely on the racks before frosting, about 1 hour.
• Combine egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl of a standing mixer over a pan of simmering water.
* To not let the bowl touch the water or you will get scrambled eggs!
• Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved.
* Mixture should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingertips.
• Attach the bowl to the mixture fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Continue to mix until the mixture is fluffy and glossy and completely cooled (test by touching the bottom of the bowl), about 10 minutes.
• Using a paring knife, carve a small hole in the middle of the cupcake. Be sure not to cut too deep.
* You can use a spoon to gently remove more of the cupcake if needed.
• Fill the cupcake with lemon curd.
• Put the top back onto the cupcake and frost the top with the meringue. With a brûlée torch, carefully torch the meringue.
• This recipe has been halved from the original recipe.


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Getting ready for tomorrow's Vouvray twitter tasting with Snooth.com (Weds Aug 6 2014 (5:30pm PST; we'll be trying two dry wines and two sparkling wines and learning how Chenin Blanc thrives in the region, and the effects of that terroir) made me recall how many great wines from the Loire Valley in France I've had the pleasure to meet in the past year or two.
When it comes to white wines of the Loire Valley, people may think of Muscadet which grows along the river closer to the coast or Vouvray's Chenin Blanc which is further up river.
The Loire River demarcates France's weather between the northern climate and the south, adding a few degrees of temperature. Spring is cool with frost while during grape harvest months it may have rain. Hot summers are moderated by the Atlantic breezes.
The Loire's Sauvignon Blanc grows in the Touraine region even further up the Loire Valley. There, under conditions too harsh for other white grapes with high winds and freezing temperatures, its late bud break and early ripening allows it to flourish in the region's limestone soils.
Tonight's #wine lineup #sauvignonblanc #Touraine #tastelive pic.twitter.com/Dag6VOdI7C
— Gwendolyn Alley, MA (@ArtPredator) September 17, 2013
Last fall, we gathered at Que Syrah Sue's and tasted five Sauvignon Blanc from the Touraine region of the Loire Valley in France with the TasteLive crew at a twitter event, and what impressed us most about the group was the range of expression in the wines and the great value , with most of them $15 or less.


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Lately I have been discussing with other people (IT and non-IT) how important training is in the IT business. We also talked about the importance of self-study and about the new kid on the block: on-line training. There are just no excuses anymore to miss the boat.
Anyway, it should be obvious for all people working in the IT business: if you don't catch up from time to time on the new technology evolutions => soon or later it's game over because your market value will decrease exponentially! And this doesn't necessarily mean you are obliged to look for external (classroom) training or you need to attend specific software conferences. It only means you need to find the best way to update/upgrade/improve/broaden your skills. Some people are perfectly self-managing: they read books, articles, blogs, forums … and/or they simply experiment (hands-on) with new stuff in their spare time. But for the majority of people this isn't a valid approach and learning everything by yourself may give you a very biased opinion.
Attending software conferences give you the advantage to easily grasp the bigger perspective of what's going on in our industry and offer you the possibility to follow some side-tracks (consider it as off-road) which might be very interesting as well. And don't forget the different networking opportunities which may lead to the best geek talk you ever experienced. Still, IMHO dedicated classroom training is the best choice to improve specific skills in a short period of time. This is only true if the (interactive) classroom training is led by an absolute expert in the field who has dealt with many different challenges in real-life projects. To learn something brand new or to switch to another (similar) technology, there are many courses/classes which might do initially, but to get you to the expert level of a specific topic, there are not that many options. Once you get past the junior/medior level, it's a different game and you won't benefit anymore from the default training classes!
It's exactly that gap that I want to tackle in Belgium with the training offer (Master Classes) at Sparkles. In the past I partnered already with IDesign which has a unique position of software industry leadership and reputation. The team of Juval Löwy will continue in 2013 to deliver their famous and intensive Master Classes in Belgium. Next to that, I'm also looking to setup other training classes on various topics (dev & IT Pro) with local and international experts. The purpose is absolutely not to offer a typical 9-to-5 basic classroom training (which might be good for some people), but the goal is to create a unique intensive learning experience by selecting the best people – who are working in the trenches – to get you to that precious next level! Learn IT by the experts! Keep an eye on the upcoming training offering and I hope to add some extra confirmed classes before TechDays where Sparkles will be present with a partner booth.
A last note for companies freezing the training budget for their employees. I'm aware of the trade-offs which must be made, but in the end: not investing in the most appropriate training for your people is a double risk. One, you might lose your best talent who will take a job at the competition and your global knowledge level will stall which will lead to less attraction on the market to engage new talent. Mostly, the more well-spoken and brave employees are able to put some extra pressure on management to finally get registered for a software conference or a particular training class … but I do catalogue this outcome as a quick win and it will backfire soon or later. Treating your people as a cost will completely demoralize and demotivate your staff. I can already imagine some reactions: "but what if we train them and they leave the company"? OK, be sure to read this and let it sink. It depends of course greatly on the personal attitude of all individuals: basically they are in control of their continuous learning & career path. So, it's your call to invest in training or not!


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Trenches II for iPhone and iPad
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Generic Company Place Holder Trenches II
Generic Company Place Holder Trenches II for iPad
When Wilfred Owen wondered "What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? / Only the monstrous anger of the guns. / Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle / Can patter out their hasty orisons," chances are good that the author of "Anthem for Doomed Youth" was not trying to describe the action in an iOS tower defense game. Yet, it would be a pretty apropos description for Trenches II, an offering from Thunder Game Works by way of Electronic Arts that translates the horrors of the first World War into a cartoonish strategy game.
Whether the War to End All Wars is appropriately depicted by grinning, mustachioed soldiers charging to their doom is a debate for another time, however. The question before us is whether Trenches II—or its iPad-optimized counterpart, Trenches II HD—succeeds as a mobile game. Fans of tower defense and real-time strategy games will certainly appreciate how either Trenches offering deftly blends the two genres. It's an open question, though, as to how long either game will hold your attention.
As the name would suggest, Trenches II is a sequel. I never got the chance to the play the original, but I gather that this latest version is a lot like its predecessor, only more so. You get a choice of which army to command—the British, Germans, or French—and you can either play against a computerized opponent or a real-live human being via Trenches II's multiplayer functionality through either Game Center, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. You can either play in Campaign mode, in which you advance your army across a map of Europe, or in Skirmish mode, which features one-off games like Supremacy, Last Man Standing, and King of the Trench. I found Campaign mode to be the most satisfying way to play the game, but individual skirmishes at least let you mix it up a little.
The mechanics in Trenches are pretty straightforward. You continually earn virtual money throughout a battle, which you use to buy forces to deploy—infantry units, machine gunners, artillery, and the like. The better the unit, the bigger the hit on your cache of coins. It's your job to dispatch each unit across the battlefield, taking advantage of the available trenches, buildings, and other scenery for cover against enemy fire. Your troops will charge forward automatically from the moment you deploy them, even if it means running straight into a landmine, so you better use your finger to draw a line to where you want them to go. Ultimately, you want to reach the enemy bunker, while keeping enough defenses behind your advancing infantry to keep your opponent from doing the same.
After each battle, you earn perks, which you can use to upgrade your forces. Racking up perks the old-fashioned way can be pretty slow-going; the impatient player can load up on them via in-app purchase. I prefer it when a game gives you the choice of whether you want to part with any real-world money, but perks are so hard to come by, I feel like Trenches II is pushing me to use the in-app purchase feature. When I've already paid for the privilege of downloading the game, that hard sell makes me feel a little resentful.
You'll quickly find that one strategy does not fit all in Trenches II. Even when you're battling a computerized opponent, you can't just employ the same strategy in every battle to come out on top—the AI is smart enough to vary what it throws at you. That's one of the game's stronger aspects. One of its weaker aspects, however, is how you jump back and forth to different parts of the battlefield: Trenches II makes you scroll back and forth at the top of the screen. For starters, it's easy to inadvertently tap a button to speed up the action when you're only trying to scroll, particularly when you play Trenches II on an iPhone or iPod touch. It's also easy to lose sight of troops you've left to fortify other areas of the battlefield. I would prefer a display that lets me jump to different units just by tapping a map. And while we're talking flaws, I appreciate Trenches II's ability to save battles if subduing enemy forces is taking longer than I anticipated; I'm less impressed by the fact that all my fortifications and reinforced bunkers disappear when I'm ready to resume waging war. You can rebuild them easily enough if you have an engineering unit nearby, but the duplicated effort bugs me.
Trenches II's multiplayer capability is great when it works, but in testing the app, I often had a difficult time getting the game to find me a real live opponent elsewhere in the word. If you're hoping to take advantage of multiplayer in Trenches II, you had best hope you've got a friend who also has the game and who's willing to play with you over a local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection—that approach seems much more reliable than the global matchmaking feature Trenches II offers.
Which is not to say Trenches II is a poor effort—far from it. It's a solid war simulation that successfully blends elements of tower defense games with the demands of a real-time strategy offering. If that's the sort of app that appeals to you, you'll find plenty to like about Trenches II, regardless of what device you use to play the game. However, more causal gamers may find some of Trenches II's shortcomings to be the real casualty of war.
[Philip Michaels goes into battle every day as the editor of Macworld.com.]
This story, "Trenches II for iPhone and iPad" was originally published by Macworld.
Generic Company Place Holder Trenches II
Generic Company Place Holder Trenches II for iPad
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text:
August 24, 2008
I uncork a 2003 Haut-Médoc, which has a delightfully oaky nose, and pour a glass for myself and a bowl for my subject, Louis, the gray-and-white mouse I've selected for this study. I've chosen him for his serious and restrained demeanor—among the other rodents, he keeps to himself. Cautious by nature, he sniffs the wine apprehensively, but after a sip or two he laps it up eagerly.
The Château La Croix opens up in the glass, developing a full body and a luscious texture, and really hits its stride by the sixteenth bottle. Once we get a good head on, Louis is able to do the treadmill for twice his normal length of time and I do a pretty solid forward roll.
August 25th
Late start today. I don't wake until after ten. (And that's only because the phone clangs like an air-raid siren. Debra wondering where I was last night.) Louis moans in his cage until eleven-thirty. A 1998 Saint-Émilion helps ease the crippling sensation of blood poisoning. A little hair of the dog. Try to jot some observations from last night, but, really, after I started dialling ex-girlfriends it's all a black hole.
Louis again shows an abundance of energy, however; he must've taken the wrong turn in the maze about eight times in a row before he realized the cheese was to the left. Once he gets it, he collapses in a pool of laughter and urine. And then I collapse in a pool of laughter and urine.
September 3rd
Louis is characteristically reserved and a bit testy before we get going, but after eight or nine glasses he's back to his jocular self. He even makes some astute comments about the 2005 Pomerol's peppery herbaceous finish. This is a terrible thing to say, but I like Louis better when he drinks.
After eleven bottles, Louis shows unbelievable muscular progress. He can lift my left foot and, according to the rabbit, he arm-wrestled the monkey to a draw. (I must have been dialling ex-girlfriends around this time.) I do what might generously be called a cartwheel but really is just me losing my balance. I fall and smash into a cabinet of borosilicate glasses.
The mice in the control group get the usual bowl of water and are asleep by nine-thirty. Louis and I don't crash until four, following a spirited argument about free will and half of "Norbit" on Starz.
September 24th
I call my wife and tell her I'm going to sleep at the lab. She reminds me that she left me a week ago. Louis tries to crack me up by pantomiming humping a chimp through the cage. I hang up and Louis high-fives me: "We're good to go, bro!"
Louis runs a half-marathon on the treadmill, then vomits into my decanter. I do a handstand.
September 27th
Last thing I remember is doing a handstand three days ago. That's O.K. But I wouldn't have minded if someone had moved me from the floor to a mattress. Or at least cleaned up the blood. Louis is staring at me. "You said some weird shit," he declares.
Louis is excited: he's heard of a study with endocannabinoids and THC as an anti-inflammatory. He suggests that if we're going to live forever we ought to have soft skin. I explain to him that we'd need to apply for a grant, which could take months, and, with the headache I've got, I really don't feel up to the paperwork. Louis suggests that we just score some weed at the record store.
October 10th
I look great! Louis looks great! Louis says I look thirty-seven. Louis is a year and a half and looks eight months. I thought Louis was me today. Mice are so weird. They're like humans in rodent costumes.
October 28th
It should be mentioned that Louis can now lift the cat. I can lift Louis. I could do that before, but now he's more muscular, so it's actually impressive. Do you follow?
After we smoke a bowl, I unscrew a 2008 Ralph's generic-brand red. It has a sugary vinegar nose and a vinegary, sugary, vomity biley taste, but after five bottles who gives a shit? Louis wonders aloud if resveratrol might also be found in tequila, Jägermeister, and cocaine. I have to dip a little further into the grant money, but we're able to score some blow by the side of the highway. Once we get back to the lab, we discover it's baking soda. Louis wants to hunt down the guy and murder him. It takes me, the monkey, and the entire control group of mice to restrain him. Fortunately, the hookers arrive and all is forgotten.
December 18th
A touch of vin triste today as we realize that the final mouse in the control group has passed on. Louis tore the little fellow's head off in a paranoid rage. Thirty-five bottles of red followed by crystal meth seems to have diminishing returns. Or so says the rabbit.
January 5, 2009
Where has all the grant money gone? We need cash, damn it! I can't give any more blood, that's for sure. . . . I get Louis a job down the hall testing the effects of loud rock music on hearing, but he fails the piss test. And I'd told him to take the rat's urine.
Then he's all in my face, like, "You think you rule the world, I do everything to please you, run the treadmill" bullshit, and I'm, like, "You should shut your fucking face, you fucking mouse animal rodent . . ."
Our first fistfight.
January 24th
i love louis i wrote a song about how much i love him it goes
souris means louis in france i sing him my song and he cries and i pet him and we are happy and we drink wine
March 4th
need to write more better journal writing
June 9, 2077
Louis is seventy today, which must make me three hundred and nine. The mouse and I share a laugh over a slice of Cheddar, thinking back to the old days. Oh, we had some times! This was before they found resveratrol in lettuce and way before the monkey and the rabbit staged an intervention. Louis and I were so mad at them then, but all is forgiven. . . .
Louis looks great for his age. Except for a distinguished salt and pepper along his chin and rear end, he doesn't look older than seventeen.
It's funny. I was just remarking to Louis that I can't even remember what life was like before the mice took over. He laughs and chucks a cracker into my cage. ♦


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Welcome to our online shop
Pin - Gold background
The design of the pin is based on the charity's logo - a golden ash leaf.
Minimum of 5 pin badges (due to cost of administration).
Suggested donation of £1 per badge plus P+P
We're sorry but we cannot currently deliver outside the United Kingdom.


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N9952A FieldFox Handheld Microwave Analyzer, 50 GHz
|Sold By:
- 50 GHz max frequency
- Carry industry's first 50 GHz handheld µW analyzer: standard model includes cable and antenna analyzer
- Expand capabilities with optional VNA, spectrum analyzer, built-in power meter, vector voltmeter, and more
- Save time by measuring DTF and TDR in a single sweep
- Simultaneously measure all four S-parameters
- Make accurate SA measurements (± 0.5 dB) without needing warm-up
- Easily measure average and pulse power with a USB sensor
- Lightest all-in-one analyzer at only 7.1 lb. (3.2 kg)
Industry-leading 3 year warranty
- AC/DC adapter
- Localized power cord
- Battery –rechargeable Li Ion
- LAN cable
- Soft carrying case with backpack and shoulder strap
- Quick Reference Guide
Industry's first handheld RF and microwave analyzers with RTSA up to 50 GHz
Learn about FieldFox Handheld Analyzers
FieldFox VSA Link
Cable & antenna test
Vector network analysis
Spectrum analysis
Interference analysis
Innovative method to measure long lossy cable using ERTA
Software for this Product
N9952A FieldFox Handheld Software
- Measurement capabilities to handle routine maintenance and in-depth troubleshooting
- Maximize performance with VNA, spectrum analyzer, built-in power meter, vector voltmeter, and more
- Order with new instrument or upgrade an existing instrument
PathWave Vector Signal Analysis (89600 VSA)
- Comprehensive demodulation & vector signal analysis
- Decode & verify MAC, RLC & RRC-layer messages across multiple radio frames
- Cellular, wireless connectivity, aerospace, defense, general-purpose
Instrument Control Software
- Easily connect and control Instruments with no programming.
- Acquire screen images and trace data in a few clicks.
- Rapidly build custom automated test sequences in minutes.
- APIs for controlling your instrument from your PC.
Frequently Bought Together
N9910X RF & MW Handheld Analyzer Accessories
- Equip your FieldFox handheld analyzer with quality accessories
- Cables, adapters, calibration kits, antennas, RF and microwave accessories and other general purpose FieldFox accessories
Mechanical and Electronic Calibration Kits
- Connector-specific calibration standards that measure the known devices of the system
- Simple one-connection operation
- Excellent accuracy without sacrificing time to calibrate
N9911X Economical Waveguide Calibration Components
- WR-137, WR-90, WR-62, and WR-42 waveguide components
- Waveguide to coax adapters
- Termination (load), short, and 1/4 wavelength offset parts
Metric and imperial flange sizes available
* Prices for: Bulgaria. Prices are subject to change without notice. Prices shown are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP).


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Toyota FJ Cruiser Expert Review
Toyota isn't breaking any new ground with the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. However, consumers will be drawn to its comfort and convenient technology that has been skillfully blended with the already popular styling and capabilities. Drivers still wanting to mix up their driving by going from regular pavement to the more adventurous terrains of rocks and sand won't be disappointed by the capabilities of the Cruiser. In fact, this newcomer is considered the most capable in terms of off-road capability in the entirety of the Toyota family. Those that are familiar with others such as the Tacoma and the Land Cruiser will find this claim quite impressive. This five-passenger vehicle is ideal for families serious about carrying passengers and cargo but still expecting a comfortable, convenient ride.
A new Trail Teams Special Edition features minor upgrades that help the FJ become an even more capable off-roader. It includes rock rails, 16-inch TRD beadlock-style rims, BF Goodrich tires, and wheel locks. The exterior is painted in an exclusive Cement Gray and the interior is finished in the same shade. All trim levels get new daytime running lights and power outside mirrors.
Though the concept of the Cruiser is based on a half-century old design, the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser masterfully claims its own look without being too derivative. Though it may be expected that this Jeep-like vehicle would only have two doors, the Cruiser actually boasts four, with rear-hinged back doors that make it very easy for passengers to enter and cargo to be loaded. The rear hatch, on the other hand, is side hinged so it can be opened widely. A swing-up glass hatch in this door can be opened by itself to make loading small items fast without having to open the entire hatch.
This is not a vehicle that one would describe as sleek, but slightly cumbersome in the traditional feeling of the off-road utility vehicle. This model features an exciting new color option, the Special Edition shade called Cement Grey that creates a cohesive and masculine appearance across the entirety of the body. Consumers may look at this as a smaller, more contemporary version of the super-macho SUVs that were popular several years back but have since become impractical and out of fashion. This Cruiser option is a strong presence without being so overwhelming that an observer feels intimidated.
The interior of the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser takes practical comfort to mind if somewhat to the sacrifice of elegance and luxury. The Concrete Grey color option of this model is continued throughout the cabin for a cohesive and pleasantly masculine look. Other color choices have a body-colored door panel option that is an attractive detail. The dashboard looks slightly odd in its aluminum coloring and simplicity, but this unadorned aesthetic is appealing to many who aren't drawn in to the bells and whistles of some contemporary models.
Cloth upholstery and rubber floor mats are to be expected in a vehicle that is designed for hauling and travel, which could turn off those that are more interested in the look and feel of leather. However, it is a positive note to families that aren't interested in the upkeep of leather. The regular glove box is supplemented by another storage compartment located in front of the driver, offering considerable space to store the necessities of traveling. An optional accessory that many drivers would find appealing is the Garmin navigation unit that can be fitted into the instrument panel but removed when needed for outside-of-the-car activities.
Long trips are made more comfortable with cup holders available for all passengers in the doors and in the center console. Power outlets are located in the cabin as well as the cargo area, making it convenient to charge any digital devices that passengers may want to use during long drives. The backseat is a 60/40-split that can be adjusted in several options that maximize cargo carrying.
Safety isn't the best of the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser's features, but it offers more than the large off-road contraptions that it was designed to resemble. ""Good"" ratings were earned in the categories of front, side and rear impact, while only an ""Acceptable"" rating was earned for roof strength.
The features that this vehicle does have are decent, including side curtain airbags and a roll-over sensor. For safety particularly in rear collisions, the Cruiser has been designed with active headrests that move in response to impact to reduce the motion of the passenger's head.
The 4.0-liter, V-6 engine is capable of outputting 258 horsepower, which is quite powerful despite respectable fuel economy. Those consumers that wish to use the vehicle for adventures into particularly rough terrain will want to opt for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser's four-wheel drive option, which offers a manual transmission. This feature supports greater control and maneuverability particularly in difficult terrains such as rocks and steep inclines. Unlike many vehicles in this class, the stability control of the Cruiser ensures a much smoother and more comfortable ride.
- Jeep Wrangler
- Land Rover LR4
- Nissan Xterra
- Toyota 4Runner


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Urban Exploration: A Hackers View
Rates : 2
The art of finding entry points into secured or abandoned buildings. Going to floors or areas of buildings nobody else does. Preparing for the exploration of new areas which are possibly rotted, damaged, or otherwise unsafe. Also some great stories and pictures of places these speakers have gone to in their ventures.
DOWNLOAD: http://clownsec.com/tech/Volume1%20-%20Hacking%20Freedom%20And%20Safety/07%20-%20Urban%20Exploration%20-%20A%20Hackers%20View.m4v


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Steven Shmerler of SASNet Design and I have been doing business together since the day of the "dot.com"
boom, surviving its bust, and thriving in a post-recession period where we collectively pool our resources and efforts to provide his clients with
the tools they need to effectively market themselves on and offline. Today he brings to me two clients that we will be designing and developing websites
for. The first client is Sundahl Waterproofing,
in business for 15 years and primarily serving the Westchester and Southern Connecticut areas. Sundahl's primary business is residential basement waterproofing,
foundation and crack repair, mold and mildew remediation, plus commercial application of same for existing and new buildings and homes. The second
client is the type of client Steven and I have much experience with, the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council (HHWNC).
The HHWNC is a community organization that provides a link between city government and residents. Sundahl will be getting a new site on the Business Catalyst platform, while the HHWNCwill be upgrading their Drupal-based website to be responsive and include a fresh new look. Read On
Read On


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Cream-colored pumps with plateau
Elegant Pin Up High Heels in the style of the 50s!
With the cream-colored pumps you Spice up your Pin Up Outfit visually, since the patent leather shoes underline the 50s style in addition.Our platform pumps in Mary Janes look bribe by the black finish as well as by the velvet trim with bows.Platform pumps like these fit great rockabilly dresses that give you a touch of a past decade in which women were dressed sexy and their style is now back in fashion.The patent leather pumps are therefore the perfect pin up high heels, if you're a fan of the 1950s.
Our cream-colored pumps fall on mainly by their smooth paint surface, because shiny shoes seem always very elegant.In addition, the heels are decorated with playful velvet, on which a sweet bow sits.Through the belt with buckle remember the shoes Mary Janes, who became known in the 1920s and are then occurred in the fifties again as sexy pumps.Sales of our patent pumps is a mere 11 cm high, is compensated by the plateau a bit, so you're indeed high, but you can run smoother.The insole is decorated with white dots, which also fits into the Rockabilly scene.Cream-colored pumps you combine best with our Halter Dress Black as well as the Eyeliner Extensions Eye Tattoo Classic Style So that your pin up look is perfect and you will at any party for sexy eye-catcher.
Information on the cream colored pumps:
- Colour: Cream
- Black velvet ribbon with bow
- Belt with buckle
- Padded footbed
- Heel height: 11 cm
- Platform Height: 1 cm
- Material: artificial leather, patent
Please note:
- U.S. Size 6 = EU Size 36 = 23.5 cm
- U.S. size 7 = EU Size 37 = 24.1 cm
- U.S. size 8 = EU Size 38 = 24.8 cm
- U.S. size 9 = EU Size 39 = 25.4 cm


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This unique collection features a variety of plush toys that make perfect souvenirs for adults and children alike! The families in the communities we work with in and just outside Vientiane get trained in hand-stitching and embroidery to make these very unique and popular products using traditional Laotian fabrics.
The stated prices are for retail purchases. Our sales officer will review your order and respond with a custom quote in case your ordered quantity qualifies for a volume based discount.


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- Fecha
- Location
- Participants
- Premium, Gold, Pioneer members
Swatch Club Xmas Event 2014
Package & pricing
The event package contains the following:
- 1 special limited Event Swatch Watch
- Special Swatch Club Event Give-Aways
- 2.5 days of Swatch activities
- 3 lunches & 3 dinners
- 3 night accommodation in a 5* Hotel
Welcome to the Swatch Club XMAS Event 2014
Welcome to fabolous Las Vegas to all our Swatch Club Members for our 2014 Swatch Club XMAS Event!!!
The first official day of the XMAS event kicked off with the arrival of 111 Swatch Club members at the SLS Hotel and Casino.
Then off to the private welcoming party at the Swatch Store at New York New York, where Swatch US Brand Manager Stu Weiss joyfully embrace everyone in a welcome toast.
Dinner up in the Stratosphere
The night ended with dinner at the world famous Stratosphere Hotel. Breathtaking 360 degree views of Las Vegas and a roaming magician stumped and entertained all.
Many of our Swatch Club members dared to take up the challenge of riding X-Scream, Insanity and Big Shots; all death defying rides that are over 100 stories above the Las Vegas Strip, some going at over 45mph swinging through the open air and launching to the top of the Stratosphere!!
This was just the first night. Lots more in store... sleep well and goodnight.
By Jeeps to the Red Rock Canyon
The second day of the Swatch Club Xmas Event kicked off early this morning immediately following a delicious buffet breakfast with a jeep tour to Red Rock Canyon.
13 Pink Jeeps lined the valet area picking up all our beloved Swatch Club Members and whisked us off 17 miles to a breathtaking experience deep in the Nevada desert. The vast National Conservation Area showcases a sets of large red rock formations and sandstone peaks and walls called Keystone Thrust. Within these brilliantly colored hills are the vast expanses of fossilized sand dunes.
We hope you all broke out those cameras and captured the picturesque panoramic shots of these red, pink, orange and tan sandstone mountains!
Lunch at the Pioneer Saloon
The next Vegas happening was the old west ghost town experience and lunch at the world famous Pioneer Saloon in the town of Goodsprings. Within this small town lies rich history and heritage of the old mining towns, Hollywood and the Wild West! Built in 1913, The Pioneer Saloon is summed up by the two signs that greets the patrons: "Open Everyday Till the Drinking Stops" and "Poker Players and Loose Women are Permitted in this Establishment".
Hollywood came calling several times over the years with such movies as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Mexican and, recently, Ms. Congeniality 2 filming significant portions of the film on location. It was also frequented by screen legend Clark Gable.
Topped off with graffiti walls in the bathroom and on the outdoor seating, the Pioneer Saloon served up a fantastic and delicious lunch in an authentic wild wild west style!
A bandit attack
Lunch was abruptly interrupted by three gun wielding horseback riding bandits demanding the Swatch Club members to hand over a Swatch Club team member or else…
Shots fired, dust kicked up and reluctantly and unarmed, we handed over Giusy Damiano but with a vow to get her back. Tears in eyes and with fear plastered on her face, Giusy was captured and was locked up. The only way to release her was for the Swatch Club members to divide into groups, solve a mystery and puzzle that would reveal the combination to the locked door she was put behind. The Kings was the first team to solve the lock combination mystery and successfully rescued Giusy. Each winning team member was awarded a special not for sales watch, to which all cheered as this was truly the definition of a collector's item.
One more full day left with plenty more surprises, guest appearances and treasure hunting in the historic downtown Fremont section of Las Vegas!!!
A special wedding
Vegas Baby, Vegas! Only in Las Vegas can you walk into a wedding chapel and then the next minute you walk out married!
Our third day of the Swatch Club 2014 Xmas Event saw a really special Swatch marriage at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel ministered by Swatch Creative Director, Carlo Giordanetti. The bride and the groom were driven into the chapel by none other than the iconic American singer and actor, Elvis Presley, in a classic late 1950's model Pink Cadillac. A really special wedding was performed for our beloved Swatch Club Members!
This is also part of Las Vegas fun - did you know that there are about 50 wedding chapels lining the city?
Discovering Fremont Street
The second part of the day, immediately following the marriage, was a Swatch Club treasure hunt!
The Swatch Club was once again divided into teams by randomly selecting playing cards and given specific instructions on how to compete to win a one of a kind collector's item. Once divided, each team was given a booklet and camera to capture the treasures located on historic Fremont Street.
The teams run up and down Fremont St. locating clues, talking to locals to find the hidden treasures and of course snapping photos along the way. Some of their discoveries were: the birthplace of Las Vegas' first hotel, the Hotel Nevada in 1906 (present day Golden Gate Hotel); the first paved street in Nevada in 1925; the Golden Nugget, which was the first structure designed from the ground up to be a casino; a million dollar cash at the Binion's; a Gold to Go ATM.
During the lunch at the Golden Nugget, the winning team was awarded special limited Swatch watches.
LOVE - the show
The third evening began at the ultra chic Sayers Club, a perfect place for an evening cocktail. A nice relaxed atmosphere set the tone for the upcoming excitement of the evening.
An hour later, the buses departed for the Mirage for the world renowned Cirque du Soleil show, The Beatles - LOVE. Drawn from the poetry of the lyrics, LOVE explores the content of the songs in a series of scenes inhabited by real and imaginary people. The cast of 60 performers channels a raw, youthful energy underscored by an aerial performance, extreme sports and urban freestyle dance.
The extravagant mash-up of history and hallucinations, mixed with dazzling special effects, hot moves and tantalizing gestures, provided our Swatch Club members with more memories to treasure.
Santa and his special Las Vegas elves
The energized members of the Swatch Club headed out to the door, back to the buses for a ride down the strip, arriving minutes later at the SLS for the final evening event… Dinner at Foxtails with two special performances and an out of the ordinary event watch presentation.
As an upscale Las Vegas nightlife venue, open format nightclub and expansive outdoor pool area, Foxtails has an alluring energy highlighted with elaborate chandeliers and a raw display of street art. Before and during dinner, the room was entertained with musical tunes of a live band, with a surprise performance by one of our Swatch Club Member from Portugal!
After dinner, entertainment was provided by a Vegas' magician who performed and magically brought to life the 2014 Swatch Club XMAS Event watch – Swatchstrip (GZ293S)! A contemporary playful Santa Claus formally presented and distributed the watch to Club members with the help of Audrey Hepburn and a full team of Elvis impersonators.
Goodbye Brunch
After a whirlwind and action packed evening filled with entertainment and excitement, we awoke to a spectacular brunch at Beach LiFE, the SLS' dayclub.
The farewell brunch brought everyone together for one last morning of fun, sharing highlights and recalling moments from the four magical days of Las Vegas entertainment. We ate, we laughed and we hugged. All of us at Swatch would like to extend a huge thank you to all that attended the 2014 XMAS Event as you truly made it special.
We bid farewell to Las Vegas as we look forward to another memorable Swatch Club XMAS Event in a city to be announced in 2015! We wish you all and your families Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year!
… Remember, what happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas!!


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Challenge Modes are a great new addition to the game, I've spent a huge amount of time in them since MoP launched, but I've also noticed that a lot of people give up easily because the initial brick wall to figuring them out can be daunting. I want more people to enjoy and discuss these modes! They're a lot of fun
To that end, I've put together walkthroughs for all of the current dungeons so that groups starting a dungeon can have a reference to start with and adapt the strategy to their group, reducing some of the frustration and initial hurdle of learning what you can and cannot skip, which trash is hard, etc.
Some basic tips that hold true for all challenge modes before you start:
Consumables! You need these. There are:
18 second Invisibility Potions, that take 1 Ghost Mushroom and 1 Sungrass each.
15 second Lesser Invisibility Potions that take 1 Wild Steelbloom and 1 Fadeleaf each.
Flasks - Tanks should use DPS flasks
DPS Potions
Trash packs:
These represent a lot of the tank damage you will take during Challenge Modes, because you can't afford to CC most of the time and you often have to pull multiple packs together. The way you best handle these are by coordinating large tank cooldowns, smaller tank cooldowns, large healer cooldowns, and soft CC (interrupts, stuns, disorients, etc). For example, with my group a pretty standard 'hard' trash pull would involve a shadowfury on the pull, while I start a remorseless winter, leading to an extended stun while the DPS is AEing hard, then if there are casters that need priority interrupts we will have one person on each (or multiple on one as the situation warrants) and interrupt them while AE'ing the trash. If not enough is dead when stuns wear out, the tank will pop a big cooldown like Icebound Fortitude, or a healer cooldown like Tree of Life. Every party has a different composition, this is going to be the most challenging part to figure out. Once you know what you can do to keep a group mostly controlled for 30 seconds at a time, you will be much more successful in Challenge Modes.
Typically bosses are not a huge hurdle in Challenge Modes, trash represents bursts of intense difficulty, while bosses test your ability to sustain high dps and mechanical aptitude for longer periods of time. Bosses are typically where you will want to use cooldowns like Doomguards and Bloodlust/Heroism, but in some instances trash packs are good places for these as well.
Healers should be drinking before you pull any trash pack or a boss, mana is a huge issue and spending 2 seconds getting out of combat can save you from wiping when your healer goes OOM at the last 10% of a fight.
Guides for individual dungeons, listed in my personal of easiest to hardest:
Scarlet Halls
Gate of the Setting Sun
Mogu'shan Palace
Temple of the Jade Serpent
Siege of Niuzao Temple
Shado-Pan Monastery
Stormstout Brewery
Scarlet Monastery
I won't make any claims that these are the most efficient routes, but I know there are a lot of random videos and it can be hard to sort through to find good information on a few of the zones, so these all are at least a great jumping off point on your quest for Gold times, and maybe you'll start to think of your own tricks and take world first


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Jan H. van Harssel, Ed.D.
Professor Emeritus
- Email:
- firstname.lastname@example.com
- Phone:
- (716)622-8880
- Fax:
- (716)286-8277
Professor Emeritus Jan H. van Harssel completed his 28th year at Niagara University and retired in Fall 2016. His research and teaching interest center on community tourism planning and destination design, guest services management, event and attractions management, behavioral economics, special interest/heritage tourism, and all aspects of geography. He serves as a consultant to numerous local and regional tourism agencies and is a frequent presenter at industry seminars and workshops. He served on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau and is active in Western New York chapters of Meeting Planners International and the International Special Events Society.
Dr. van Harssel consults frequently on issues impacting the regional and national hospitality and tourism industry, and he is the author of several textbooks, including the college text Tourism, An Exploration, published by Prentice Hall and currently in its third edition. His latest project, published in 2013, was produced in partnership with the National Geographic Society. In The National Geography Learning Visual Geography of Travel and Tourism world destinations are covered in twelve sections divided into short, easy-to-digest chapters, each presenting regional geographic information and physical, cultural, and touristic details specific to individual countries and locations. Each destination features a flag, National Geographic map, descriptive introduction from the National Geographic Atlas of the World, key facts and data, travel and cultural tips, and information on significant tourist destinations and attractions. Each section contains National Geographic articles in the features "Insider Info," "Through the Visitor's Eyes," "City Highlights," and "Preserving the Future." In addition to extensive updates to reflect the latest trends and developments in world tourism.
At Niagara University, he teaches Tourism Planning and Destination Design, World Geography, Cultural Geography, Tour and Transportation Management, Tourism Planning and Destination Design, and Contemporary Recreation and Leisure Concepts. He also oversees the College's first semester freshmen year experience and coordinates the college's scholarship information database.
Educational Background
- Ed.D., Higher Education Administration, University of Vermont
- M.P.S., Tourism and Travel Administration, Graduate School of Urban Professions, New School for Social Research
- B.S., Business - Human Resources Management – Markendael College, Breda, The Netherlands
Teaching Courses
Hospitality Industry Systems, Tourism Information Systems, Tourism Geography, Cultural Geography, Economic Geography, Tourism Marketing, Tourism Planning and Destination Design, International Tourism, Leisure and Recreation, Attractions and Special Event Management, Tourism Destination Management and Marketing, Tour and Transportation Management, Tourism Transportation Operations, Travel Industry Project, Supervised Industry Project, New York State Tourism Seminar, and Senior Seminar.
Current Research Interest
Community tourism planning and development, guest services management, event and attractions management, behavioral economics, special interest/heritage tourism, and geography related topics.
- van Harssel, J. (2014). National Geographic Learning Visual Geography of Travel and Tourism. With Lloyd Hudman and Richard Jackson. Cengage.
- van Harssel, J. (2011). The application of integrated learning techniques in a hospitality industry service project. In P. Kot (Ed.), Case studies in active, integrative learning: Teaching innovations that make a difference (pp. 195-209). Lewiston, New York: Niagara University.
- van Harssel, J. (2011). Meetings and events management. In R. A. Brymer & M. M. Johanson (Eds.), Hospitality: An introduction (pp. 299-305). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
- van Harssel, J. (Chapter Contributor). Active, Integrative Learning. Teaching Innovations That Make a Difference. "The Application of Integrated Learning in a Hospitality Industry Service Project. Cambria Press. 2011.
- van Harssel, J. (Chapter Contributor). Meetings and Events Management. Hospitality. An Introduction. Kendall Hunt Publishing. 2011.
- van Harssel, J. (Chapter Contributor). Tourism Planning and Destination Design. Tourism. The Business of Travel. Prentice Hall. 2010.
- van Harssel, J. (Contributor). Fundamentals of Destination Management. Published under the auspices of the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. Glossary Chapter and Instructor's Manual. January 2006.
- van Harssel, J. Resource Guide to Dutch Heritage Sites and Events in New York State. 2009. Published under contract with the NYS Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson journey
- van Harssel, J. Presentation. Pennsylvania Bus Association conference. June 15, 2011. Quality Service Leadership.
- van Harssel, J. (2009). Classroom Integration of Service Learning Project. Western New York Service Learning Coalition Conference. Medaille College, October 24, 2009.
- van Harssel, J. (2009). Service Delivery and Employee Empowerment Workshop. Otesaga Inn. Cooperstown, NY. June 8, 2009.
- van Harssel, J. (2006) Seminar Session Facilitator. Customer Service Seminar. National Tourism Week. Invited by the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce. May 7, 2006.
- van Harssel, J. (2006) (Panel participant). Charting the Future of the Collegiate Travel and Tourism Curriculum. Travel and Tourism Educators' Symposium. SUNY Delhi. February 17, 2006.
- van Harssel, J. & Gentile, M., (2006). Integrating an intro course. Non-refereed stand-up presentation at Putting the Pieces Together: Fostering Integrative Learning. Niagara University, New York.
- Commissioner. National Park Service Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. 2008-present.
- Tourism Cares. Member of annual ASTA and Tourism Cares Scholarship Selection Committee. 2008-2012
- Member. Education Advisory Council. Tourism Cares. 2006-2012.
- Member. Educator Advisory Council. Destination Marketing Association International. 2007-2011.
- Member Buffalo Audubon Society's Steering Committee for the Joseph Davis Park Bird of Prey Center. 2006-2011.
- Co-Chair and Organizer. New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association's annual Silent Auction (to benefit scholarship fund). 2006-2011.
- Member. DECA New York State Business Partnership Network. Board Member. 2006-2018.
- Volunteer. Niagara Council on the Aging. Meals on Wheels. Deliver prepared meals weekly. 2002-present.
- 2000, Promoted to rank of Professor
- 1993, Awarded Tenure


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Показване на уеб съдържанието
HTML5: App Guidelines
App GuidelinesSecurity Guidelines
Audio-Visual Guidelines
Design Guidelines
Security Guidelines
Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) are a common scenario involved in most iTV applications. New environments will require CORS headers set on the server-side and possibly some headers set on the client side.
- Validate URLs passed to
XMLHttpRequest.open. Current browsers allow these URLs to be cross domain; this behavior can lead to code injection by a remote attacker. Pay extra attention to absolute URLs.
- Ensure that URLs responding with Access-Control-Allow-Origin: * do not include any sensitive content or information that might aid attacker in further attacks. Use the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header only on chosen URLs that need to be accessed cross-domain. Don't use the header for the whole domain.
- Keep in mind that CORS does not prevent the requested data from going to an unauthenticated location. It's still important for the server to perform usual CSRF prevention.
- Discard requests received over plain HTTP with HTTPS origins to prevent mixed content bugs.
- Don't rely only on the Origin header for Access Control checks. Browser always sends this header in CORS requests, but may be spoofed outside the browser. Application-level protocols should be used to protect sensitive data.
Web Messaging
A preferred approach to cross-domain communication is to utilize iframes and the
window.postMessage() method in tandem with a 'message' event handler to communicate between different domains seamlessly. Web Messaging (also known as Cross Domain Messaging) provides a means of messaging between documents from different origins in a way that is generally safer than the multiple hacks used in the past to accomplish this task.
When posting a message, explicitly state the expected origin as the second argument to
postMessage rather than * in order to prevent sending the message to an unknown origin after a redirect or some other means of the target window's origin changing.
Here are still some recommendations to keep in mind:
- When posting a message, explicitly state the expected origin as the second argument to postMessage rather than * in order to prevent sending the message to an unknown origin after a redirect or some other means of the target window's origin changing.
- The receiving page should always:
- Check the origin attribute of the sender to verify the data is originating from the expected location.
- Perform input validation on the data attribute of the event to ensure that it's in the desired format.
- Don't assume you have control over the data attribute. A single Cross Site Scripting flaw in the sending page allows an attacker to send messages of any given format.
- Both pages should only interpret the exchanged messages as data. Never evaluate passed messages as code (e.g. via
eval()) or insert it to a page DOM (e.g. via innerHTML), as that would create a DOM-based XSS vulnerability. For more information see DOM based XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet.
- To assign the data value to an element, instead of using a insecure method like
element.innerHTML = data;, use the safer option:
element.textContent = data;
- Check the origin properly exactly to match the FQDN(s) you expect. Note that the following code:
if(message.orgin.indexOf(".owasp.org")!=-1) { /* ... */ }is very insecure and will not have the desired behavior as www.owasp.org.attacker.comwill match.
- Drop backward compatibility in implemented client/servers and use only protocol versions above hybi-00. Popular Hixie-76 version (hiby-00) and older are outdated and insecure.
- The recommended version supported in latest versions of all current browsers is RFC 6455 (supported by Firefox 11+, Chrome 16+, Safari 6, Opera 12.50, and IE10).
- While it's relatively easy to tunnel TCP services through WebSockets (e.g. VNC, FTP), doing so enables access to these tunneled services for the in-browser attacker in case of a Cross Site Scripting attack. These services might also be called directly from a malicious page or program.
- The protocol doesn't handle authorization and/or authentication. Application-level protocols should handle that separately in case sensitive data is being transferred.
- Process the messages received by the websocket as data. Don't try to assign it directly to the DOM nor evaluate as code. If the response is JSON, never use the insecure eval() function; use the safe option JSON.parse() instead.
- Endpoints exposed through the ws:// protocol are easily reversible to plain text. Only wss:// (WebSockets over SSL/TLS) should be used for protection against Man-In-The-Middle attacks.
- Spoofing the client is possible outside a browser, so the WebSockets server should be able to handle incorrect/malicious input. Always validate input coming from the remote site, as it might have been altered.
- When implementing servers, check the Origin: header in the Websockets handshake. Though it might be spoofed outside a browser, browsers always add the Origin of the page that initiated the Websockets connection.
Server-Sent Events
- Validate URLs passed to the
EventSourceconstructor, even though only same-origin URLs are allowed.
- As mentioned before, process the messages (
event.data) as data and never evaluate the content as HTML or script code.
- Always check the origin attribute of the message (
event.origin) to ensure the message is coming from a trusted domain. Use a whitelist approach.
Local Storage
- Also known as Offline Storage, Web Storage. Underlying storage mechanism may vary from one user agent to the next. In other words, any authentication your application requires can be bypassed by a user with local privileges to the machine on which the data is stored. Therefore, it's recommended not to store any sensitive information in local storage.
- Use the object
sessionStorageinstead of
localStorageif persistent storage is not needed. sessionStorage object is available only to that window/tab until the window is closed.
- A single Cross Site Scripting can be used to steal all the data in these objects, so again it's recommended not to store sensitive information in local storage.
- A single Cross Site Scripting can be used to load malicious data into these objects too, so don't consider objects in these to be trusted.
- Pay extra attention to "
localStorage.getItem"and "
setItem" calls implemented in HTML5 page. It helps in detecting when developers build solutions that put sensitive information in local storage, which is a bad practice.
- Do not store session identifiers in local storage as the data is always accesible by JavaScript. Cookies can mitigate this risk using the
- There is no way to restrict the visibility of an object to a specific path like with the attribute path of HTTP Cookies, every object is shared within an origin and protected with the Same Origin Policy. Avoid host multiple applications on the same origin, all of them would share the same
localStorageobject, use different subdomains instead.
Client-side Databases
- On November 2010, the W3C announced Web SQL Database (relational SQL database) as a deprecated specification. A new standard Indexed Database API or IndexedDB (formerly WebSimpleDB) is actively developed, which provides key/value database storage and methods for performing advanced queries.
- Underlying storage mechanisms may vary from one user agent to the next. In other words, any authentication your application requires can be bypassed by a user with local privileges to the machine on which the data is stored. Therefore, it's recommended not to store any sensitive information in local storage.
- If utilized, WebDatabase content on the client side can be vulnerable to SQL injection and needs to have proper validation and parameterization.
- Like Local Storage, a single Cross Site Scripting can be used to load malicious data into a web database as well. Don't consider data in these to be trusted.
The Geolocation RFC recommends that the user agent ask the user's permission before calculating location. Whether or how this decision is remembered varies from browser to browser. Some user agents require the user to visit the page again in order to turn off the ability to get the user's location without asking, so for privacy reasons, it's recommended to require user input before calling
getCurrentPosition or watchPosition.
Web Workers
- Web Workers are allowed to use the
XMLHttpRequestobject to perform in-domain and Cross Origin Resource Sharing requests. See relevant section of this Cheat Sheet to ensure CORS security.
- While Web Workers don't have access to DOM of the calling page, malicious Web Workers can use excessive CPU for computation, leading to Denial of Service condition or abuse Cross Origin Resource Sharing for further exploitation. Ensure code in all Web Workers scripts is not malevolent. Don't allow creating Web Worker scripts from user supplied input.
- Validate messages exchanged with a Web Worker. Do not try to exchange snippets of Javascript for evaluation e.g. via eval() as that could introduce a DOM Based XSS vulnerability.
- At this time web workers are not supported on the STB Webkit.
Sandboxed Frames
- Use the sandbox attribute of an
iframefor untrusted content.
- The sandbox attribute of an iframe enables restrictions on content within a iframe . The following restrictions are active when the
sandboxattribute is set:
- All markup is treated as being from a unique origin.
- All forms and scripts are disabled.
- All links are prevented from targeting other browsing contexts.
- All features that triggers automatically are blocked.
- All plugins are disabled.
It is possible to have a fine-grained control over iframe capabilities using the value of the sandbox attribute.
- In old versions of user agents where this feature is not supported, this attribute will be ignored. Use this feature as an additional layer of protection or check if the browser supports sandboxed frames and only show the untrusted content if supported.
- Apart from this attribute, to prevent Clickjacking attacks and unsolicited framing it is encouraged to use the header
X-Frame-Optionswhich supports the deny and
same-originvalues. Other solutions like framebusting
if(window!== window.top) { window.top.location = location; }are not recommended.
Audio-Visual Guidelines
Per CATO Requirements, a minimal level of audible notifications are required to be provided for customers with disabilities.
When an erroneous event, an application OSD is displayed, or omitted/disabled remote buttons are triggered, an audible sound should be played to notify any disabled customer that such an action is either not permitted or resulting in an erroneous situation.
Currently, a
navigator.playBonk() method is provided to trigger a native "bonk" sound within the STB under the above mentioned circumstances, to notify the customer of prevented actions.
Design Guidelines
To create beautiful and functional apps for the DIRECTV TV Apps platform, it is suggested that developers use the recommendations provided in the design guidelines which can be downloaded here.


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Ramadan Around The World
[ Read More ]
A look at how Ramadan is celebrated across the world. BY Arfa Shahid UNITED COLORS OF ISLAM: Muslim worshippers stretch their hands to touch the door of Kaaba, Islam's holiest site in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It was rebuilt by Prophet Mohammed(PBUH) after elements of nature eroded its foundation. PRAYING FOR PEACE: A Palestinian girl prays in front of the


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By Fareed Zakaria
In a strange act of historical coincidence, it is 60 years ago this week that Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev handed the Crimea over to the Ukraine. It might not have seemed a big deal in those days – everyone was part of one big, unhappy Soviet Union. But that act has created today's geopolitical crisis.
Russia has now made its move. It has essentially detached Crimea from the Ukrainian government's control. What remains unclear is what Vladimir Putin wants to do with it. Incorporate it into Russia? Use it as leverage to negotiate a deal with Ukraine? Both?
In any event, Washington's response should be clear and forceful. Russia has violated all kinds of laws and norms, including most crucially, a treaty that it signed with Ukraine guaranteeing that country's borders, in return for which Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons.
For Washington, for Americans, for people around the world, it would be a terrible precedent to allow issues like this to be resolved not through diplomacy, but by force. If Russia could detach parts of neighboring countries with impunity, won't other great powers like China decide that they too can act in such ways?
So what can be done? Well, for starters President Obama should cancel entirely his attendenace at the G-8 summit to be held in Sochi in June. He should try to persuade the other major powers to follow suit. Russia's membership in the G-8 should be suspended. Remember, the G-8 was created to recognize that post-Soviet Russia was behaving like an honorable member of the international community, not a rogue state . If the behavior has changed, Russia's status should also change.
Militarily there is less that can be done. After all, Russia's military budget is about 18 times that of Ukraine. But NATO should restart talks on providing assurances to countries like Poland – including perhaps building the missile defense system that was abandoned.
In economic terms, Washington and the EU should consider the only sanctions that would be effective: ones targeted specifically at individuals who could be held responsible for these acts of aggression against Ukraine.
Washington cannot do much to stop Vladimir Putin as he creates facts on the ground in Crimea. But step back and consider what a strategic disaster this is for him. Ukraine has slipped out of his orbit and most of the population there is going to be hostile to Russia for generations. Countries like Poland that had eased up relations with Moscow will now view it with great suspicion. All European countries will put their relations with Russia under review. Even China will surely oppose the brazen violation of national sovereignty, something Beijing is always concerned about. Within Russia people have seen that Putin is terrified of a democracy movement and will brutally oppose it, not really the image he wants to present.
So Putin gets Crimea, which is only 60 percent Russian. Parts of it will be deeply hostile to this Russian takeover – including the population of Crimean Tartars, who are Muslim and getting radicalized. Remember, Crimea is in the Northern Caucasus, the area where Russia has been battling a ferocious Muslim insurgency.
So even as he lines up one more piece – or half piece – on his chessboard, Putin will find that the price he has paid for it will be quite high.
That's a sharp way of thinikng about it.
Heck yeah bayb-ee keep them coming!
Dear Anonymous!Thank You for asking! I'm OK, but full of thngis to do. I feel uncomfortable to answer your question, because a lecturer of the Ventspils Augstskolas was just arrested because discussed this questions, stating that Latvia's banking system is not safe. Союз нерушимый республик свободныхСплотила навеки Великая Русь Let's say that in the near future I don't see any motive to the lats to devaluate. You have to pay attention to the Balance of Payments. When it become negative, than you may start to think about a possibility of devaluation. However, I think that the IMF will help Latvia and everything will be OK. But, as usual, they will produce an economic recession and a lot of people will become poor.
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If you are buying this rally for anything longer than the very short term, then all I can say is, "sold to you."
U.S. Economy: Manufacturing Shrinks as Orders Hit 60-Year Low
By Shobhana Chandra
Jan. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The decline in U.S. manufacturing deepened in December as demand for such products as cars, appliances and furniture reached the lowest level since at least 1948, signaling further cutbacks in factory jobs and production this year.
The Institute for Supply Management's factory index fell to 32.4, below economists' forecasts and the lowest level since 1980, from 36.2 the prior month. Readings less than 50 signal contraction. The group's new-orders measure reached the lowest level on record and prices slid the most since 1949.
"Every component suggests that the weakness is going to carry over into 2009," Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wachovia Corp. in Charlotte, North Carolina, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. "There's just not a whole lot of new business coming in," and companies will have a "painful adjustment" as consumers shun spending.
Today's figures underscore that, with private demand collapsing, manufacturers' best hope for new business this year may be President-elect Barack Obama's plans for an unprecedented stimulus package. Obama has pledged an investment program in roads, schools and the U.S. energy network akin to the 1950s- era interstate highway construction boom.
Stocks advanced on the first day of trading in 2009, following the biggest annual drop for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index in 71 years, on expectations government stimulus efforts will curtail the recession. The S&P index rose 1.4 percent to 916.16 at 11:08 a.m. in New York. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields rose to 2.25 percent from 2.22 percent late Dec. 31.
If you happen to be one of those who believe that bad news is actually good news, guess what? The Who were kind enough to do a performance just for you!
Don't Get Fooled Again:


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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MS) said Monday that it is maintaining a cautious asset-allocation strategy.
The broker-dealer's global investment-policy committee, in its latest round of commentary on global market and economic developments, says that its outlook has been heavily influenced by the "still inadequate" policy response to both slower U.S. growth and the recession in Europe.
"As economic data have largely continued to disappoint, it is increasingly clear that the direction of financial markets for the remainder of the year depends upon both the actions and rhetoric of policymakers across the globe," the committee said in its commentary, written by MSSB Chief Investment Officer Jeff Applegate and others.
"The potential for and vulnerability to shocks remains high, with the eurozone debt crisis and the U.S. fiscal cliff looming large," the committee added. "This does not create an attractive backdrop for bold changes in investment strategy. Accordingly, our broad strategy must remain cautious and mindful of the elevated nature of fat-tail risks."
The group's analysis suggests that many safe havens would have "less vulnerability" in the likely challenging economic period ahead. It has outlined asset-allocation models for fixed income, equities and alternatives that reflect this overall outlook.
Global Bonds/Fixed Income
While it is tough to make a compelling valuation case for cash and short-duration bonds when their yields generally fall short of inflation and appear expensive relative to equities and other risk assets, given the cyclical risks at hand, the defensive properties of these asset classes should provide ballast to a diversified portfolio, MSSB says.
Its investment-policy group is cautious of developed-market sovereign debt, as real yields on U.S., U.K. and German government bonds are negative and those on French bonds are barely positive.
In prioritizing safety and quality over wide spreads, MSSB is limiting its exposure to high-yield corporate bonds and emerging-market debt, while favoring exposure to investment-grade corporate bonds. (See its exact outlook for different fixed-income classes, below.)
1. Short Duration: Overweight
Given the heightened risk of recession in many developed economies, we favor this safe-haven asset class.
2. Investment-Grade Corporates: Overweight
These bonds offer relative safety and quality. In the US, yield spreads versus Treasuries are above average.
3. Emerging Markets: Market Weight
Attractive yield spreads are offset by a desire to limit exposure to risker asset classes.
4. Government: Underweight
With yields near historical lows in perceived safe havens and an unusual degree of uncertainty about additional credit downgrades and default risk in some countries, we see better value elsewhere within the bond market.
5. High Yield: Underweight
If the "growth scare" continues, yield spreads are likely to widen.
Global Equities
MSSB says it is maintaining a modest tactical underweight position in global equities and continues to prefer the emerging markets and United States. The reason? Liquidity.
"Despite a challenging macroeconomic backdrop, one of the primary reasons we have not cut back to an even larger underweight position in stocks is that central banks have significantly expanded their balance sheets in recent years," the group explained. "That ample liquidity must find a home and, with yields on many safe-haven investments at historic lows, the search for yield seems likely to lead many investors to the stock market."
Equity-dividend yields, the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney experts say, are higher than yields on U.S. and German government 10-year notes in some countries/regions.
"Essentially, equity markets offer a positive real—or inflation-adjusted—yield, while these government bonds do not," it concluded.
6. U.S. Equities: Overweight
We have a defensive stance that favors large-cap stocks at the capitalization level and growth stocks at the style level. Relative-valuation readings also support this positioning.
7. Developed Markets, Excluding U.S.: Underweight
At the regional level, we are market weight to Canada and the Asia Pacific ex Japan region (predominantly Australia) and underweight to Europe and Japan, where challenges to economic growth appear to be structural as well as cyclical.
8. Emerging Markets: Overweight
Fundamental factors such as economic and earnings growth, government balance sheets and indebtedness remain relatively favorable. Policymakers' focus has generally shifted away from containing inflation and toward supporting growth, and there is more scope for policy support than in the developed economies.
Global Alternative/Absolute-Return Investments
In the second quarter, commodities experienced a somewhat smaller decline than global equities, MSSB experts report: The Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Total Return Index declined about 4.5% vs. the MSCI All Country World Index, which dropped more than 5%.
Also, for the 12 months ending June 30, commodities underperformed most other risk assets and posted a decrease similar to that of emerging market stocks.
Moving forward, MSSB advises investors to maintain a balance in hedge-fund portfolios. "Given the up-and-down nature of the markets for the year, we believe that taking concentrated bets within hedge-fund portfolios may be ill-advised. Specifically, to deal with volatility, we continue to maintain global macro strategies of all stripes," the latest commentary explained.
The buffer such funds can provide in down markets, like in May, can compensate for occasional underperformance during rallies, such as in June, the experts add.
9. Managed Futures: Overweight
This asset class often performs well as a hedge against adverse equity market conditions.
10. REITs: Underweight
Given a backdrop of slowing global economic growth, and lacking a relative-valuation advantage, we are inclined to limit exposure to this asset class.
11. Commodities: Underweight
Demand for many commodities will be negatively affected by the slowing in global economic activity.
12. Inflation-Linked Securities: Underweight
With break-even rates close to their long-term averages and the threat of inflation subdued, we see better value elsewhere.
Check out these AdvisorOne Top 10 lists:


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Posted in Other 30+ days ago.
Type: Full Time
BDO s Core Purpose is Helping People Thrive Every Day. Our Core Values reflect how we manage our work, our relationships and ourselves. As an employee of the firm, you will live true to our Core Values of people first, being exceptional every day in every way, embracing change, feeling empowered through knowledge and choosing accountability. Our Core Values are the standards by which we conduct ourselves day in and day out, both internally and externally.
The Audit Senior will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day "in-charge" duties of planning, fieldwork and "wrap-up" to include the preparing of financial statements with disclosures, applying most areas of GAAP as necessary and documenting, validating, testing and assessing various control systems. This position is also responsible for acting as the client contact for basic questions and information and may be involved in reviews and agreed-upon procedure engagements.
- Bachelors degree in Accounting or equivalent required
- Masters degree in Accountancy preferred
- Two (2) or more years of prior experience in public accounting or four (4) or more years of relevant professional accounting experience working for companies in general industry required.
- One (1) or more years of prior supervisory experience preferred
- CPA preferred
- Actively pursuing completion of CPA licensing required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Prior experience with various assurance applications and research tools beneficial
Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Solid understanding and experience planning and coordinating the stages to perform an audit of a basic public and/or private company
- Knowledge of internal accounting controls and professional standards and regulations (GAAP, GAAS, Sarbanes-Oxley, etc).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt style and messaging to effectively communicate with professionals at all levels both within the client organization and the firm
- Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently and within a group environment
- Superior analytical and diagnostic skills and ability to break down complex issues and implementing appropriate resolutions
- Capable of working in a demanding, deadline driven environment with a focus on details and accuracy
- Solid project management skills
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.


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The Ancients' Tome
Space space space. Sick of it yet? Of course you're not. Here's some more!
I'm fully counting this as space because you defend yourself against UFOs, and UFOs are totally from space. In fact, if we wanted we could count anything as being about space! We're entirely floating in it right now. Anyway, the point would be, Pondwater's The Ancients' Tome is an excellent freebie indie game that you should absolutely be playing. If you're not running Vista. It no worky there.
The game is controlled through three rows of three keys, either QWE and down, or the numpad, with each key corresponding to an icon in your central floaty, er, thing. Combine the icons in the correct patterns and, er, stuff happens. Like staying afloat, or creating defences, or fixing your vessel's damage. But because the icons move around, and because you're quickly being asked to carry out very many tasks at once, your fingers are quickly a blur on the keys as you attempt to keep up with the demands. I found myself inwardly chanting, "Man, star, platform; man, star, platform; FIRE FIRE! FIRE FIRE!; face, bolt-thing," and so on. As you progress, you reveal peculiar letters telling the story. As well you should. Thanks to roBurky for the top tip.


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Trusted and influential Nutrition Spokespersons
Appetite for Health's co-founders Julie Upton MS, RD, CSSD and Katherine Brooking MS, RD are among the most trusted and influential registered dietitians and nutrition experts in the nation. They're available for spokesperson and other nutrition communications activities for commodity boards and select food and beverage brands.[sws_blockquote_endquote align="" cite="" quotestyle="style02″]When surveyed, 93% of consumers said that they're very likely or likely to try what Julie or Katherine recommend. [/sws_blockquote_endquote]Julie and Katherine provide third-party credibility to their clients' marketing communications campaigns. They work with select brands on a variety of spokesperson capabilities, including:
- Satellite Media Tour Nutrition Spokespersons
- Live, in-studio segments
- Media briefings for new product launches or campaigns
- Video and Audio News Releases
- Nutrition Spokespersons at Trade Shows
- Presentations for consumers or healthcare professionals
- Bylined articles for consumers and professional publications
To book Julie or Katherine or both Appetite for Health co-founders as nutrition spokespersons, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Nutrition Spokesperson Background & Experience
Julie and Katherine have made hundreds of appearances on local and national television, including the TODAY Show, Live with Regis & Kelly, The Early Show, CNN, ABC World News Tonight, The CBS Evening News, Access Hollywood, E! Entertainment News and Extra and over 40 local affiliate stations.
Between them, Julie and Katherine have authored and/or contributed to hundreds of food and nutrition articles for publications including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, the New York Daily News, Cooking Light, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Self, Fitness, Runner's World, Prevention and Health.
Through their Appetite for Health multi-media platform, they extend their influence and reach via broadcast, web and social media. Appetite for Health reaches seven million consumers a month, with segments airing every week in all 50 states.
Selected National Broadcast Appearances
Appetite for Health series reel featuring Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD and Katherine Brooking, MS, RD
The TODAY Show: Guide to Summer Produce
The TODAY Show: What the Cook Nibbled
WGNTV.com – Chicago's Very Own – Lunchbreak – Glass Noodles, Broccoli, Rabe, Cucumber and Tomato-Fish Sauce