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Showcasing simulation tools to optimize the entire manufacturing process for casting, additive manufacturing, sheet metal forming, metal and polymer extrusion and more. Utilizing Altair's user-friendly and affordable simulation software, users are able to validate designs early in the manufacturing and design process.
Optimize the entire manufacturing process
Simulation Driven Design for Casting Parts and Process Design
Find out about the benefits of introducing manufacturing simulation software early in the design process. During this session, we will explain why Altair Inspire Cast makes your designs more reliable, optimized and accurate.
New designs in combination with new materials demand designers to evaluate their designs early. As the process gets refined the ability to further investigate and optimize the process makes Altair Inspire Cast uniquely valuable during the entire product development cycle from early design to manufacturing.
Design for Additive Manufacturing Using Topology Optimization
Learn how companies are increasing functionality while decreasing costs by combining design optimization and advanced additive manufacturing technologies. During this session, we will explain why Altair Inspire makes your designs more reliable, optimized and accurate.
Topology optimization and generative design software further exploit the benefits and capacity of additive manufacturing by generating designs that increase function and reduce material, weight, design time, and cost.
Simulation of Multi-Stage Stamping Process Fully Automated and Highly Scalable without Sacrificing Accuracy
With recent advances in simulation technology and cloud computing, enormous opportunities are emerging to design lighter products with superior performance and manufacturability. High cost associated with advanced high strength and special materials requires up-front assessment of manufacturability and material utilization, simultaneously keeping focus on structural performance and assembly requirements.
Industry experts will present:
Streamlined Metal and Polymer Extrusion Simulation
Increasing manufacturing costs and stiff completion coupled with low profit margins are posing tremendous challenges to extrusion companies, especially automotive and aerospace industries. One way the leading companies stay ahead of the competition is by reducing the product development time and production costs through virtual testing. Design engineers and analysts use CAE software to analyze and validate die designs and thereby reduce/eliminate costly die trials.
This webinar explains how extrusion simulation framework provides an easy to use CAE environment to:


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Xylank-Lord of Disease (Deity)
He is offensive and merciless. He favors the insidious and lazy, but especially the brutish. He opposes cleanliness and compassion.
He is seen as repugnant even among evil gods and they tend to avoid association with him except when seeking his aide. His followers are dark and bitter, seeking to destroy their foes from the shadows and from within. Pollution extends his sight and he gains the senses lost due to disease.
Alignment: Neutral Evil (-1, -7)
Worshipers: Orcs, Livecaps, Assassins, Anarchists
Symbols: rats, sickness, death, poison
Colors: green, black, brown
Blessing: +2 poison damage 1d3 turns
Gifts of Power: Tire, Parasite, Poison, Noxious Gas, Disease, Unstable Affliction, Plague
Artifacts: Infected Seed, Crown of Flies
Xylank is kind of a fringe god in Trethal. Could you worship such a loathsome deity? Would he make a good deity for the baddies? Let us know in the comments below.

subset: commoncrawl


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'Proven Reliability' quality 2-ply white, 17.5gsm (x2) paper wipes. Supplied as a pack of 6 200mm x 150mtr rolls (each sheet approx. 370mm long) with cardboard centre-tube, these wipes are embossed, giving a greater surface area for improved absorbency and bulk in the hand.
If using in a centre-feed dispenser, simply remove the cardboard centre-tube first.
Specs (approx.):
- Paper - 17.5gsm x 2
- Roll Length - 150mtr
- Sheet Size - 370mm x 200mm
- Roll Dia - 185mm
- Core Dia - 65mm


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Alumnus to be Honored with Award at EDUCAUSE Conference
by Pamela Batson (July 2008)
Dr. John Nworie '04 is the recipient of the 2008 EDUCAUSE Quarterly Contribution of the Year Award. Nworie, a Ph.D. graduate from the College of Education's Instructional Systems program, is the director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning at Fayetteville State University, a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina system. He was selected for the award based on an article he co-wrote with Dr. Michael J. Albright, associate professor and director of Online Learning at Dakota Wesleyan University.
The article, Rethinking Academic Technology Leadership in an Era of Change was published in the January-March 2008 issue of the peer-reviewed journal. In their research, the authors identified a lack of senior administrative positions in higher education that provide strategic leadership and direction for the broad spectrum of instructional technology services and initiatives. After conducting a study on several college campuses, they recommended the establishment of a senior academic technology officer (SATO) to serve as a visionary, leader, director, planner, facilitator, collaborator, catalyst, advocate, change manager, and evangelist to coordinate all applications of instructional technology in meeting the institution's academic goals.
"I am thrilled about the recognition and award. When we wrote the paper, it was not with the intention of being recognized. We were merely sharing with colleagues the issues we were deeply concerned about. Those issues being the need for senior leadership to be more involved in the use of technology to support instruction," said Nworie
The award is given by EDUCAUSE, a non-profit association whose mission is to "advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology." EDUCAUSE distributes this quarterly practitioner's journal "about managing and using information resources in higher education. Articles published in the magazine are referenced in such national indexing and abstracting services as ERIC, Computer Literature Index, and Higher Education Abstracts."
Along with Nworie and Albright, EDUCAUSE will honor recipients of the Leadership Award and Catalyst Award at its annual conference in Orlando this October. The recipients will also be asked to participate in special conference sessions to share their experiences.


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At this time's publish is delivered to you by Emma Neely, a Michigan State Alum and our latest Advertising Govt. Emma is effectively traveled having been to 18 nations (and counting), however at this time she shares some suggestions concerning the final nationwide park street journey within the Southwestern USA!
The desert is all the time calling and right here within the Southwestern United States, we now have a number of the most photographed and most visited websites within the nation. Right here's our picks for the Prime 10 Southwest Nationwide Parks you have to add to your bucket checklist. Prepared to start out mountaineering? Take a look at the AllTrails App for nice mountaineering critiques.
1. Zion Nationwide Park
Whereas there are a lot of spots to hike on this awe-inspiring nationwide park, Angels Touchdown is by far essentially the most well-known and well-worth your time. The trek to the very high has various levels of incline, steep drop offs, and is rated troublesome, with essentially the most difficult half being the optionally available path to the summit the place you maintain onto chains to tug your self up. Regardless of this, the views you get are so price it! Prime tip- Keep away from the huge crowds and scorching temperatures by going exterior of peak season.
2. The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a agency favourite so far as nationwide parks go and for good purpose. It's immensely huge and accessible from quite a few factors every with their very own superb views and actions. Ever marvel the place to search out these well-known postcard views of the Grand Canyon? The South Rim is the place it's at. Right here you'll discover a great deal of actions like guided hikes, artwork studios, biking, tenting, retailers and even an IMAX theater! This aspect is greatest for each folks eager to hike to the underside or simply take a look at the candy vistas. The North Rim will offer you related actions like mountaineering, biking and tenting, however with noticeable variations. As a result of it's a entire 1,000 ft larger in altitude than the South Rim, it's cooler (an important for mountaineering within the scorching summer season) permitting vegetation and wildlife to thrive there and is way much less crowded. It's a dramatically completely different expertise, however nonetheless awe-inspiring. It's also possible to experience mules! Lastly, however definitely not the least, we now have Grand Canyon West. Visiting right here is ideal for these adventurers with no worry of heights – right here you may step onto the well-known Skywalk which juts out 70 ft over the canyon.
3. Horseshoe Bend
This spectacular geological formation overlooking the Colorado River is positioned simply 7 miles away from the "official" Grand Canyon, and is sometimes called Grand Canyon East. It's pretty straightforward to entry by driving, however nonetheless entails a reasonably difficult (and utterly unshaded) hike.
4. Havasu Falls
Ignore TLC, get on the market and chase these waterfalls! This spot close to Grand Canyon West is dwelling to 5 world-famous and insta-worthy ones to marvel at. We are able to see why it's known as a modern-day "Backyard of Eden." This journey just isn't for the typical hiker – its 12-mile path would require tenting and permits as it's positioned on tribal lands.
5. Arches Nationwide Park
Fancy mountaineering Indiana Jones fashion? This red-rock wonderland was featured in "Indiana Jones and the Final Campaign" and can absolutely amaze anybody who visits. When in Arches there are two trails, we'd extremely advocate the Satan's Backyard Loop and the Delicate Arch Path. The previous is a troublesome hike which entails Spider-Man climbing up rock partitions over water swimming pools and the latter is a bit shorter and extra average than the Satan's Backyard Loop. Right here you'll discover the enduring arch that's additionally featured on Utah license plates!
6. Bryce Canyon
Dwelling to the well-known spire-shaped rock formations, Hoodoos, it's laborious to do Bryce Canyon justice in your digital camera. There are such a lot of issues to see and do right here there's one thing for everybody. Whether or not you favor mountaineering and horseback driving, staying in camp grounds, moonlit hikes, telescope stargazing, there's nothing fairly like Bryce Canyon anyplace else on this planet!
7. Monument Valley
All the time puzzled what the American Southwest appears like? That is it! Monument Valley has been the setting for numerous motion pictures and commercials. This place is about as tough to get in as backstage at a live performance. They solely let 20 folks in a day because it's throughout the Navajo Reservation. For those who can't get in, driving down US-163 is your only option to witness these monumental constructions. It's on this freeway you may snap some traditional street journey selfies – you received't be dissatisfied.
8. The Wave and Antelope Canyon
These geological beauties are constructed from vibrant Navajo sandstone and though close by supply starkly completely different experiences. The Wave, made well-known attributable to its choice as a Microsoft desktop background, is an unimaginable sight to see. However as a substitute of gazing your pc display, go see it with your personal eyes (if you ought to be so fortunate). It's strict concerning the variety of guests they let in, so be sure you plan this journey waaaaay upfront as there are extremely aggressive and complicated allow processes together with an internet and in individual lottery. For those who can't see this, Antelope Canyon, essentially the most well-known slot canyon on this planet, can be in it of itself a bucket checklist merchandise and solely requires a information be current. Each are equally lovely and price a go to.
9. Capitol Reef Nationwide Park
Filled with white sandstone domes and cliffs (paying homage to and named for the USA Capitol constructing), colourful canyons, and bridges -this place is a hiker's dream! The park is understood for its indigenous historical past which is proven within the many pictographs (painted on rock surfaces) and petroglyphs (carved or pecked into the rock floor) on rock surfaces. The highest three rated trails (per AllTrails, any hikers go to app) on this park are: Hickman Bridge Path, Cassidy Arch Path, and Grand Wash path by way of Northeast Trailhead, and Capitol Gorge Path. Hungry in any case that mountaineering? Capitol Reef Nationwide Park has orchards to choose fruit in. Finest loved stargazing at evening as a result of this park doubles as a global darkish sky park!
10. Canyonlands
Regardless of being Utah's largest nationwide park, Canyonlands is likely one of the most underrated and least crowded. Take a scenic drive to the Island within the Sky district for the most effective views, go boating within the Rivers, or get away the four-wheel drive for some backcountry off-roading within the Maze. For those who're eager to work these legs, attempt the simple 2-mile hike 'Grand View Level Path' for unimaginable panoramic views alongside the cliffs edge.
Eager to get began in your checklist? Take a look at our 7 Day Southwest Highlights and Nationwide Parks tour right here.


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Developed By: iNFOTYKE
Sonowal distributes subsidies to ex-militants under Swabalamban
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday took part in a programme organised by Home Department and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, at Chamuapara in Darrang district to distribute subsidies to former militants and pro talk members of militant outfits under Swabalamban project.
He also inaugurated a goat farm built under Rashtriya Krishi Bikash Yoajan to rehabilitate pro talk members of ULFA at the venue.
Speaking at the programme, Sonowal said that the Swabalamban scheme was conceived by the state government to provide means of livelihood to the members of militant outfits who decided to come back to the mainstream society so that they could live a life of dignity. State government was putting a lot of emphasis on creating self-employment opportunities for the youth of the state and young generation must take up agriculture with a renewed vigour to contribute to the economic progress of the state, he asserted.
Informing that 18 lakh soil health cards were issued in the state during last 3 years, the Chief Minister said the farmers must be aware about the quality of their lands so that they could increase agricultural production. He also stressed on the need to provide water health cards for making the users aware about the quality of their water.
Informing about the state government initiatives like Mukhyamantri Krishi Sa Sajuli Achoni, Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana Sonowal said an amount of Rs. 30 thousand crores would be spent for implementing CMSGUY under which 8,900 villages had already been provided a tractor each. He also underlined the need for the young generation to take up agriculture as a viable and respectful means of livelihood for boosting agro-economy of the state.
Saying that agricultural products grown by state's farmers had been exported to international markets of London, Hongkong, Singapore, Dubai etc. Sonowal urged the farming community to take inspiration from such examples and endeavour to capture world markets with their products.
As many as 1800 beneficiaries have been selected under Swabalamban scheme in the state and Chief Minister ceremoniously districted subsidies to 30 such beneficiaries under the scheme. Twenty-eight pro talk ULFA members and their families would be benefited by the goat farm inaugurated today.


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Victims of the Outsourcing Nightmare
"I don't know if I have the strength to apply for jobs again. I love my job. I love working here. I'm good at doing what I do. I'd made plans around this being a secure job."
These are sorts of things colleagues facing redundancy in Children's Centres are saying, usually through a veil of tears.
Remember this photo?
It shows Coppetts Wood Childrens Centre workers on the picket line 2015 joining all members in the fight against outsourcing.
The last 3-4 weeks Barnet UNISON has seen one Children's Centre worker after another in tears. They are being made redundant as Barnet Council cut its budget to school's based Children's Centres by £½ million. This has meant that Fairway, Coppetts Wood, Bell Lane and Barnfield Children's Centres have around 1/3 sliced from their budget.
Many of these colleagues have been working for Barnet between 10-20 years offering valuable support to vulnerable families and their young children.
But they have done more than this. They have given solidarity to the branch and our members. Coppetts Wood most recently joined our protest about the fire alarms in Barnet House.
Children's Centre Staff urgently need your solidarity and support – something they have so readily shared with us.
Please send the branch your thoughts for us to pass on to these workers and come to the Capita Enquiry.


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Everything I know about Sammy Davis Jr. I either learned from comedians – the butt of a joke I didn't get – or Michael Jackson, who emulated the guy. In other words, it's all second or third hand, and has more to do with his historical importance than his actual work. So I'm not sure what I expected when someone sent me this excerpt from Shawn Levy's Rat Pack Confidential. Certainly not such a harrowing account of, well, you'll see, ht CR:
"Sammy Davis Jr. was the kind of guy about whom God seemed not to have been able to make up his mind. On the face of things, by his own reckoning, he had more strikes against him than you could count – he was short, maimed, ugly, black, Jewish, gaudy, uneducated. But he could do anything: song, dance, pantomime, impressions, jokes, and even, in a manner of speaking, drama. He overcame so much that his merely being there among them was an epochal triumph: He was the Jackie Robinson of showbiz.
"And yet when he saw himself in a mirror he was disgusted: 'I gotta get bigger,' he'd implore himself. 'I gotta get better.'
"He was so used to being excluded that he was willing to kill himself with work to be let in. He'd suffer all manner of indignities: Frank's clumsy racial jokes; years of Jim Crow treatment in theaters, hotels, and restaurants; …a patently bogus marriage to a black dancer intended to quiet journalists about his taste for white girls; the explicit disdain of mobsters and other bosses. But he kept at it, convinced that sheer will and talent would stop the world saying no.
"Who was he trying to impress? His mother, a showgirl, was a cipher in his life, a ghost whose approval he never seems to have missed; his father, a small-time song-and-dance man, he eclipsed when still a boy. All the know-it-alls, naysayers, and bigots who'd ever discouraged him he'd silenced with sheer talent, guts, and drive. The gods themselves nodded with pleasure upon him: 'This kid's the greatest entertainer,' declared Groucho Marx at Hollywood's Jewish mecca of leisure, the Hillcrest Country Club, one afternoon, 'and this goes for you, too, Jolson' (to which Jolie merely responded with a smile). He was not only the first black man through the door but one of the all-time greats, regardless of origin.
"Yet he felt hollow: All the money and fame and sex and sycophants in the world still couldn't squelch the nagging inner sense that he was a nothing – and that if he could only rouse a little more out of himself, he could finally be a something. He sang that he was '133 pounds of confidence,' that he was 'Gonna Build a Mountain,' that he had 'a lot of livin' to do,' and he sounded like he meant it. But each garish boast gave off a vibe of whistling past a graveyard; in his heart of hearts, he could never vanquish the sense that all the work he'd done to get so far could be snuffed out by a mere wave of Fate's lordly white hand."


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Pumpkin is definitely one of my most favorite things about Fall! I don't know about you, but I absolutely love pumpkin baked treats. One of them is pumpkin roll. I adore a good pumpkin roll but… I confess. I'm too lazy to make it myself. It looks like A LOT of work to me. These pumpkin roll bars are something else. You don't need to put very much effort into making these and they are just as delicious as a pumpkin roll! No hard work anymore!
I recently came across this brilliant idea on (where else?!) Pinterest. What would I do without it? Like many others, I spend too much time on Pinterest just pinning delicious food pictures. It's a mild obsession of mine. But a worthwhile one, with plenty of great ideas. Like this one!
These pumpkin roll bars with cream cheese swirl are super moist and so flavorful. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves – all fall spices in one bar. They are the perfect fall treat to satisfy everyone's pumpkin cravings. I still love pumpkin roll but these bars are absolutely incredible if you are looking for an easier version of this classic dessert.
If you are a pumpkin fan, you definitely have to try these yummy bars. I haven't found anyone who doesn't love them!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups pumpkin puree (I used homemade)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz. (225g) cream cheese , softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Set aside.
- In a larger bowl, whisk the eggs and sugars until combined. Whisk in the pumpkin puree, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients until combined. Spread about 2/3 of the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Set aside.
- In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla until fully incorporated and smooth, scraping down the sides if necessary.
- Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the pumpkin batter. Dollop the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese layer. Take a butter knife and gently swirl the batter. Sprinkle the walnuts over the top, and using a spatula, gently press into the batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center of the pumpkin batter is set and springs back when touched. Remove from oven and let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack. Cut into squares and serve.
- Store these pumpkin roll bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.


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Fab Universal (NYSE:FAB) announced that the very famous investor Jim Rogers long beloved by Financial TV has joined the Board of Directors. Fab is a small cap trading under $5. They are in the digital media space in China and creating lots of cash flow. So why would Jim Rogers accept a seat on the Board. He is rich and another buck may not be as exciting as it used to be. If he truly believes in the potential and no one doubts his integrity why not just buy a lot of shares, let the market know you are long and wait to cash in.
The Chinese market is seductive and enigmatic. Digital is a real play for the future. Jim Rogers is long recognized as an astute commodities investor and China is a huge commodities buyer. So he gets into China with a digital play. Google (Nasdaq:GOOG) has difficulties in China. Yahoo (Nasdaq:YHOO) has stubbed its toe in China and is still not sure if it was cheated outright or just diddled a little in the back seat of puppy love. But someone with deep pocketed books will most likely appreciate all the heavy lifting that`s been done and open up the cheque book. Amazon (Nasdaq:AMZN) Netflix (Nasdaq:NFLX) Facebook (Nasdaq:FB) are all looking for big bold plays and think nothing of billion dollar acquisitions. So on a current market cap of $72 million the numbers will work out rather well.
The communist party is still totalitarian if it got pushed strongly enough. But the China market is huge and enticing.
Fab Universal is still readily unknown. The Wall Street Journal at time of writing still says no news on Fab for the past two years. So this is what I think Jim Rogers is up to as he swings for the fences.
Buy in and arrange some preferably financing.
Expand services and get yourself on the map. Annual revenues are just in the tens of millions. With a compelling product and enough working capital the China market can be very kind to shareholders.
So as you are expanding and growing and creating cash flow and profits you will attract the attention of the big dogs who will want to buy a growing concern in the China Market. That's when the take-over offer is made at huge multiples and Jim Rogers cashes in yet again. So far so good. I can just see investors hit the buy button very hard.
Oh look here comes the Black Swan. We may have to wring its neck. The China market is not a private property driven liberal democracy with enshrined rights of ownership. They play by their rules which they make up as time goes on. Fab Universal will need to keep the Chinese political and economic power élite engaged, warm and fuzzy. If Beijing decides it wants to crown another king it will do so. The Chinese consumer will be switched over to other choices and forget about Fab.
The risk is political. We are speaking about media which politicians will watch over carefully. If Jim Rogers understands the China Market he needs to ensure the political factors are well ties down and stay in favourable trends as time goes on.
George Gutowski writes from a caveat emptor perspective.


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There's a new, very scary "Ransomware" attack spreading like wildfire across the USA in the last few weeks. It poses as the FBI, and states that you have downloaded illegal material (movies, music, child porn, etc.) They use VERY sophisticated means to convince you that you should pay money to them. The FBI is aware of the problem, as well as digital security pros everywhere. It's been dubbed "Reveton Ransomware" and it's a complete hoax, designed to get your money and/or steal your passwords. It's not easy to remove, and if you catch it the first thing you should do is CHANGE ALL YOUR ONLINE PASSWORDS from a different PC. Then, follow these instructions for removal. Finally, update ALL software, including Windows, Java, Adobe products, etc. Better yet, call your favorite IT Pro. :-). You can read full details of the attacks and the "bot" network that is spreading it here. (Thanks to Krebson Security!). IMHO the most concerning thing about this attack is the method of payment. They try to get you to go to a local store and buy a "MoneyPak" for electronic transfer! This will help them cover their tracks, and helps them skirt around blocks by credit card companies.
Posts Tagged 'virus'
UPDATE YOUR JAVA. I've cleaned up two very nasty PC infections this week that were Java-based viruses. BOTH had current anti-virus protection, which didn't stop the attack. When Java updates, it's usually to patch some security hole or other issue. The hackers and Bad Guys know this, and will exploit any software to take over your computer. If you're not sure if you've got the latest, click here to get the most recent version. WARNING: this install will try to get you to add the Ask Toolbar. Watch for the option and uncheck the box if you don't want it.
The DomainChanger (AKA DNS Changer) virus that I warned you about will "expire" this weekend. I'm getting lots of phone calls about the hubub, so I wanted to give some explaination. First of all, THE VIRUS IS IMPOTENT thanks to the FBI. They shut down the crooks that set it up, and replaced the bad server computers with some of their own (ours… the taxpayers). But if you ARE infected, the servers will be shut down soon. What's that mean? You won't get internet access on the infected PC. You'll have to remove the bug before you can surf. Here's a link to the site that will clean it up for you. Interestingly, the daily "new IP's" (or new computer addresses) to the FBI servers is still quite high: 300,000+ as of about a month ago. That tells me there's still a BUNCH of folks out there that are infected. If you have friends or family whose internet suddenly stops working this weekend, this is probably why.
WATCH out folks, and check on your elderly…. there's a phone scam going on that's worrisome. A guy with an Indian accent is calling people, telling them their computer is infected and they need to take care of it. He'll make it sound like he represents Microsoft. DO NOT listen, instead ask for company information, write it down, and report it to your state's office of consumer affairs. For Oklahoma, here's a link. These crooks are calling old people and scamming them out of money for junk software (and stolen licenses). The information they give points to a site called Micro PC PCare, and it all APPEARS to be legitimate, but it's not. My poor client got scammed out of $60 when there was nothing wrong with her PC. Her credit card wouldn't stop the charge because she agreed to let them do it! SHAME ON YOU VULTURES. The name he gave was Victor Lamb. The phone number listed was 877-753-5167. Warn your friends and family!
Yes, it happens. So there are LOTS of good reasons to enable privacy on your account. ESPECIALLY women and kids. But you'll often see ads that claim they can tell you things like 1) who is looking at your page and 2) who's searching the engines for you. THESE ARE FALSE, and might get you a virus instead. There's no way to do this without a warrant, so it's just another scam. They're trying to get you to sign up/pay for something that's impossible. Meanwhile, make sure you enable full privacy on FB and don't friend anyone you're unsure of. If you or someone in your family suspect ANY bad feelings about an individual, just remove them from the friend list. Better safe than sorry. I've also posted some good stuff in previous blogs to help protect/monitor your children. It's interesting to note here that LinkedIn (another social site geared more towards business) CAN tell you who's watching, for a price. You have to pay them for a premium account to get this feature.
For the third time in less than a week I just cleaned up a TERRIBLE infection on a PC with McAfee protection. My advice? GET RID OF IT. In my opinion you're better off with no protection at all than to go along thinking that your PC is safe, when it's NOT. I realize a lot of you get McAfee free from your cable provider or AOL. But seriously, you're better off with AVG free or some other product. For a pay product I like Norton Internet Security, but watch out for price gouging. The Symantec (Norton) site will try to stab you for $60-$80 per license. You'll get get MUCH better deals from resellers, office stores, or even Wal-mart.
VIRUS WARNING: There's an email circulating out there that will send you to an infected site. SUBJECT – ACH Transaction Canceled. FROM – The Electronic Payments Association. DO NOT click the link! The site is infected and will take over your PC. This one almost got me because I had just made an electronic payment. Luckily my antivirus (ESET NOD32) blocked access to the web page.
Well, the Android OS now takes the lead at 39%, and OF COURSE now there are viruses and bugs out there to watch for. A researcher at CA just discovered one that can record your conversations! See the full article here. Google found a bunch of infected app's that they pulled from the marketplace (read more here – and CHECK TO BE SURE YOU DIDN'T INSTALL THESE!). The general rule of thumb is to ONLY download from trusted sites or marketplace. But I think it's time for everyone to install anti-virus on your phones/tablets. Here's an article to get you to 4 good ones. I'm test driving AVG Android right now. I'll post more later.
If your PC gets attacked, don't freak out. First remember CTRL-ALT-DEL and TASK MANAGER can help you kill IE windows and other stuff without clicking the window (which sometimes ACTIVATES the critter!). To clean it up: your virus protection (you DO have it, right?!) may only catch part of the problem. The best tool to clean up other parts is Malwarebytes AntiMalware. It's free for personal use and you can get it here. Install it, run a full scan, and remove everything it finds. LOOK AT THE LIST and beware of anything that says ROOTKIT or KEYLOGGER. If you get one of these, you should CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS on any accounts you accessed with that computer. If you got a rootkit, contact a professional.
Ok, so the source of the latest digital attacks has been revealed! They are using Google API to steer people to infected sites. The source is in Russia. This was verified by a customer who inadvertantly gave their CC number to the critter (the one that pretends to be Antivirus), then contacted the bank. They rejected the charges based on location. So it seems that the Russian mob has found another way to steal lots of American money. IF I DISAPPEAR PLEASE TELL THEM TO READ THIS! 😉 I'd say avoid Google searches altogether until they clean up their act.


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busy week
It has been a craaaaaazy week. I've been so so busy with a ton of things, and hardly five seconds to take a deep breath. I'm still trying to get all kinds of stuff done. Hopefully within the next week … Continued
It has been a craaaaaazy week. I've been so so busy with a ton of things, and hardly five seconds to take a deep breath. I'm still trying to get all kinds of stuff done. Hopefully within the next week … Continued
Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing day and get the appreciation you deserve! Today is the final day that E is free on Kindle. Grab a copy and curl up … Continued
OK, so who knew that launching a book was so much work? (All the other authors in the room raise their hands.) *Ignores them*. Lets just say… I knew it was work, but really, this is a lot. It's not … Continued
For a limited time only… Grab it now on Kindle: Your free copy of E. Come on. You know you want to. My free promotion has begun and will run through Sunday, May 11th. It's brand new, and this … Continued
To celebrate my launch, E will be free on Kindle from Wednesday, May 7th through Sunday, May 11th. Get a free copy and read up!
Launch day is finally here! My new dystopian novel, E, will be available on Kindle tonight. We're celebrating here with our own little launch party. Get it, read up, and let me know what you think. Book 2 is currently … Continued
Happy Star Wars Day to all you other SW fans! For the record, I don't consider myself a nerd. However, if I was going to be a nerd, I would be a Star Wars nerd. While I don't bother memorizing … Continued
OK, so obviously this blog is relatively new and if you're here, you're probably wondering about me. So here's a beginning. The dream. A lot of people talk about it– becoming a successful writer and quitting their day jobs. Getting … Continued
The feedback so far has been great! A lot of thoughtful, insightful comments. A good measure of praise. 😀 No major issues. I've made a couple of small tweaks, but for the most part, it looks like we are clear … Continued
At long last, E has made it through the extensive editing process and is ready to go to beta readers. I will be sending it out today. I'm totally psyched and ready for more feedback. Meanwhile, I will be working … Continued


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Cluster Policy – the Basis for Innovative Development of the National Economy
On September 11–12, 2014 the VIII Samara Interregional Economic Forum "Cluster Policy – the Basis for Innovative Development of the National Economy" took place in Samara, Russia.
The forum represents an efficient form of a dialogue between representatives of the government, businesses and the public on the matters of implementation of the cluster policy and cluster initiatives at the federal and regional level. This year the global topic of the forum is "Cluster policy of the country and management of cluster development in the new economic environment".
The president of the National Cluster Association, Pavla Břusková, participated in the event and presented there the current issues and the best practices of the cluster management and cluster policy in the Czech Republic and EU.


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15 Apps for Your New iPhone
Have you been lucky enough to get a new iPhone 7 Everything You Need to Know About the iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus No headphone port, water and dust resistance, and Apple's best camera yet -- this is the iPhone 7. Read More recently? Perhaps you've found one in your stocking on Christmas morning or treated yourself to a new bit of kit after a grueling year?
Once you've finished admiring your new gadget, you'll need to install some apps. But which ones should you download?
In this piece, I'm going to give you 15 recommendations. Some of them are the "must-haves" These iOS Apps Will Make You Want an iPhone Over an Android While many big-name apps are available on both Android and iOS, there are still quite a few that you'll only find on your iPhone or iPad. Read More , some of them highlight the iPhone's impressive hardware, and some make use of the iPhone 7's latest features.
Be sure to add your own recommendations in the comments.
The Essentials
Install these apps to instantly supercharge your iPhone experience.
1. Evernote or OneNote
There are loads of note-taking apps in the App Store. It can be tough to know which is the right one for you The Best Alternatives to Evernote You Need Today Has Evernote's recent price increase and two-device restriction for the free plan disturbed your note-taking workflow? Then, it's time to take another look at some of the best Evernote alternatives. Read More .
If you stick with Evernote or OneNote, you'll be on solid ground. Evernote hasn't enjoyed a great year after the revised price plans were released over the summer, but it's still unrivaled in terms of features.
OneNote is an excellent free alternative. It's not great on OS X, but on an iPhone it'll do everything you need to keep your life organized.
Download — Evernote (Free), OneNote (Free)
2. Google Maps
Apple's Maps app has improved considerably since it's early days, but it's still no rival for Google Maps. It leads the way on turn-by-turn navigation and boasts route options for walking, driving, public transport, and cycling.
Download — Google Maps (Free)
If you're a Windows user and want to avoid iTunes, VLC is the best ways to get video content onto your device Ditch iTunes & Use VLC For iPhone & iPad Media VLC for iOS does rather a lot that Apple would probably rather it didn't. It's also better than iTunes for media on the go. Here's why. Read More . Use the "Sharing Via Wi-Fi" feature (Menu > Sharing Via Wi-Fi) and you can drag-and-drop TV shows, movies, music and more directly from your desktop.
Download — VLC (Free)
4. SwiftKey
The SwiftKey keyboard has been popular with Android users for many years. Since Apple started allowing third-party keyboards in 2014, it's become just as popular with iOS users. It's the leading swipe-based typing app.
Download — SwiftKey (Free)
5. Signal
Disillusioned with WhatsApp since the Facebook buyout How to Stop WhatsApp Handing Your Info to Facebook Now that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, your data may given over to Facebook's hands -- unless you prevent it from happening. Read More ? Give Signal a try. The app is NSA-proof. It's open-source, everything is encrypted, and its server doesn't store any of your communications. Group calls and text are both supported.
Download — Signal (Free)
iPhone 7 Specials
If you're coming from a pre-iPhone 6S device, you're in for a treat: the devices now offer 3D touch Everything You Can Do With 3D Touch on Your iPhone 3D touch is really just a fancy name for a pressure-sensitive screen, but adds a whole array of extra input options to iOS. Read More . The technology lets you press firmly on your screen to launch actions instead of apps.
The phone also boasts better speakers and a much-improved 12 MP camera. Here are some of the best apps that utilize the newest features.
6. Shazam
Shazam was already a must-have app for any music lover. It lets you identify the title of a song by listening to it for a few seconds.
Thanks to 3D Touch, you can now identify songs faster than ever. Just press firmly on its Home Screen icon to get the ball rolling.
Download — Shazam (Free)
7. AFAR Travel Guide
Covering most of North America, Central America, and Europe, the AFAR Travel Guide is a handy app to keep on your phone.
3D Touch enables you to instantly see what's nearby. You'll never be left searching for a decent restaurant again.
Download — AFAR Travel Guide (Free)
8. Magic Piano
Not all apps use 3D Touch to launch quick actions. Magic Piano applies it to the volume control. The harder you press, the louder the note will be.
The app itself lets you learn to play the piano by using beams of light to guide your fingers.
Download — Magic Piano (Free)
9. Spotify
Spotify needs no introduction. But thanks to the iPhone 7's two stereo speakers, which can provide twice the volume of the iPhone 6S, the music sounds better than ever.
Perhaps that missing headphone jack Apple Launches New iPhone 7 With No Headphone Jack... [Tech News Digest] In case you've been living under a rock, we have a brief rundown of the latest Apple event during which Apple showcased the iPhone 7, the Apple Watch 2, and Super Mario Run for iOS. Read More doesn't seem so bad after all!
Download — Spotify (Free)
10. Camera+
Considering its size, the iPhone 7's camera is a joy to behold. It's got phase detection autofocus, a quad-LED flash, simultaneous 4K video and 8 MP image recording, face/smile detection, and HDR.
But the camera app is still not everything it could be. Camera+ addresses some of the shortcomings. It's got the best digital zoom on the market, lots of scene modes, a horizon level, a way to separately set exposure and focus, and even a front-facing flash.
Download — Camera+ ($2.99)
Prepare to be Amazed
The iPhone 7's new A10 Fusion chip is incredible. It makes the iPhone 7 the most powerful smartphone on the market by some distance.
Install some of these resource-heavy games and prepare to be amazed. If you've got an old iPhone laying around, a side-by-side will really highlight the difference.
11. CSR Racing 2
CSR Racing is the most successful drag racing franchise of all time. The game itself is fun to play, letting you build your garage of cars and customize them accordingly. But the in-game graphics are where it really comes into its own.
Download — CSR Racing 2 (Free)
Formula 1 is already sexy. What's not to love about some of the finest machines in the world flying around a track at well over 200 mph?
Thanks to the A10 Fusion chip, it just got a whole lot sexier. Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of marketing, promised "console-level performance" when running the Codemasters title. He wasn't wrong; the line between console and mobile is becoming increasingly blurred.
Download — F1 2016 ($9.99)
13. Deus Ex GO
Racing games are great 2 Ultra-Fast Racing Games That Truly Test Your Driving Abilities I came across a couple of racing games I hadn't spotted on SourceForge before. They're both well rated by the user base there, and they both promised to offer realistic physics engines that would make... Read More for showing off an iPhone's power. Their fast gameplay, impressive visuals, and thumping soundtracks draw on every aspect of the device's potential. But they're not for everyone.
If you're more into puzzle games, you've got to install Deus Ex GO on your new phone. Considering its genre, the graphics are stunning. You play the role of a secret agent who needs to unravel a mystery by solving grid-based problems.
Download — Deus Ex GO ($1.99)
14. Samorost 3
Samorost 3 is another puzzle game. Honestly, it's possibly the most beautiful game in the entire App Store. The artwork is stunning, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, and the gameplay is engaging.
Download — Samorost 3 ($3.99)
15. Geometry Wars 3
Geometry Wars 3 is an arcade shooter that sees you battle against hordes of baddies on 3D grids.
Doesn't sound like it's going to showcase the iPhone's hardware to its fullest? Think again. There are objects flying around everywhere, the color palette is intense, and the music is thumping.
Download — Geometry Wars 3 ($7.99)
Leave Your Recommendations
If you download these 15 apps, you'll have a great start to your life with your new phone. You'll have the basics covered and learn about the awesome power of the latest Apple device.
Of course, there are hundreds more apps that can simultaneously help you stay productive and showcase the newest features.
What apps would you recommend to someone who's just unboxed a new iPhone 7? Let us know in the comments below.
Image Credit: D_Zheleva via Shutterstock.com
Related topics: 3D Touch, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone Game, Note-Taking Apps.
Affiliate Disclosure: By buying the products we recommend, you help keep the site alive. Read more.


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Let's Do This! Training GreensBig Moss Putting GreensLet's Do This! Training Greens The Let's Do This Training Green is a unique practice green designed by PGA National Teacher of the Year, Michael Breed. The green is set up for both a right & left handed putting stations. The unique upgraded backstops on the "Let's Do This" Green allow for use of The String Drill. This drill allows you to align a string above the intended path of the ball to use for guidance and reference. The string drill is a fantastic too to use for alignment of the body and putter in the set up. As well as targeting and guiding the putting stroke itself. The string drill can be used for both straight and breaking putts. This package also contains tour proven drills and tips coupled directly with the Michael Breed Golf Academy. Training with Michael's putting and chipping techniques will directly affect your short game in a positive way. Improving your technique instills the confidence it takes to consistently shoot lower scores. The package includes:
- 3 x10 ft Training Green with 3 cups
- 2 PVC backstops equipped with a string kit for use with the string drill
- Chipping Mat
- 3 Break pads
- Chipping balls
- Manual that includes Michael's Training Tips and Drills
Birdie PathBig Moss Putting GreensMichael Breed Birdie Path MB : True Practice ™ The Birdie Path MB is a training green we designed with Michael Breed to help build a repeatable & accurate putting stroke that is reliable under pressure. Colored lines have been integrated into the surface to aid set up, face angle, swing path, tempo, & targeting skills. FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Path & Cross help monitor the putter's path & face angle
- Target center, left edge, or right edge of cup using colored ball path lines
- Improve tempo & stroke length using target dots
- String Drill Included : Monitor ball path & target lines for both straight and breaking putts
- Use String Drill & Colored Target lines to make sure your eyes are always directly over the ball. Adjust your posture & set up accordingly
- 2 Inch Half Moon Reducer Included : Rotate the reducer to precisely target the center, right edge, left edge of the hole
- Chipping Mat Included : All Big Moss™ Greens are intended to be chipped on!
- Small foot print: 2' W x 8' L
Focus PointBig Moss Putting GreensMichael Breed Focus Point The Michael Breed Focus Point is designed to train your mind to narrow focus down to a very small target. Regularly using this tunnel vision technique will make a regulation sized hole appear gigantic! The integrated surface lines aid pin point accuracy; aimed directly to the center of a 2 inch cup. Placing the ball just in front of the middle cross hair allows you to check for a square putter face and gives the golfer an intermediate target with a perfect path line to the hole. When used with the front & rear boundary lines, this position can also be used as a stroke constraint intended to help tempo. FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Ultra High Quality 100% Nylon Surface
- Surface integrated square putt lines
- 2 inch accuracy hole
- Simulated Tunnel Vision Technique
- Compact design: 1 ft W x 5 ½ ft L
- Uphill Grade promotes a firm & confident stroke
Big Moss Putting Greens
Michael Breed > Products > Big Moss Putting Greens


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Like it or not, the image of the hairy feminist is a part of feminist history and like body hair the figure of the hairy feminist has become stigmatized haunting discussions of feminism since its second wave and casting feminists as 'unfun' and even feckless because body hair is not something to be taken seriously.
Summer 2015 though might be considered a watershed moment for body hair, with armpit hair in particular having its mainstream moment. Amongst this increased visibility there are also declarations that such rejections of the hairlessness norm are NOT feminist statements and I am intrigued by women stressing this (non-)facet of their abstentions. Could it be that consciously or not they feel the spectre of the unfun, unserious hairy feminist?
Here's a selection of these rejections:
This Woman Refuses To Shave Her Armpits, And Gender Equality Is Only Part Of It


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The Guardian/UK, Nov. 18, 2009
The case for continuing the war effort in Afghanistan is buttressed by negatives: the west can not afford to cede al-Qaida the space to regroup; there will be a civil war if foreign troops leave; Pakistan's fight against the Taliban would be undermined; Afghanistan would be abandoned for the second time in eight years. We can say what our forces are fighting against, but not what they are fighting for. Is it a second term of Hamid Karzai, whose inauguration tomorrow the west will endorse? The most devastating description of his government was provided by a former US marine captain, Matthew Hoh, who resigned as a US foreign serviceman in Zabul province. He described the government's failing as legion and metastatic: glaring corruption; a president whose confidants comprise drug lords and war criminals; provincial and district leaders who live off US handouts ; an election dominated by fraud and discredited by low voter turnout.


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WE BELIEVE that practicing law is more than just knowing the statutes. Practicing the law is about helping people.
WE BELIEVE that the most important thing we can do is listen to our client. Through listening comes understanding.
WE BELIEVE that the most effective attorneys are the ones who can advise and represent you through changing times and shifting challenges.
WE BELIEVE that successful relationships are built upon trust, honesty and hard work.
WE BELIEVE that communication is a two-way street. We have a responsibility to understand your needs and then to explain your options to you.
WE BELIEVE that there are no shortcuts to successfully representing our clients and no "one size fits all" solutions.
WE BELIEVE that actions speak more eloquently and accurately than words.


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The battery-charger circuitry in this UPS is good and gives the batteries a float voltage of 2.28 V DC at full charge. It's also priced very competitively, and passes the Droop voltage test and gives a good switchover time. Its backup time is pretty low standing at a mere minute and half, while the minimum output voltage to the load is slightly low. It just has a basic set of indicators, and doesn't have any additional features.
ELnova X1000 Type: 1000 VA line-interactive Price: Rs 9000
Backup: 1.5 min
Switchover voltage (max, min): 280 V, 158 V
Switchover time: 10.2 msV


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'DTA is available as a free download from Palm.'
Superb at multi-tasking support and visualization
Wireless charging
Better multitasking capabilities due to the 1GHz CPU
'The phone can run a bit hot. . '
'Overall, the Palm Pre Plus is a great smartphone. '
'The phone does feel more solid, and the keypad now has more room between the top row of keys and sliding screen.'
'The edges and corners are perfectly rounded, so you won't feel any uncomfortable jabs or sharp pokes in your palm when holding the phone.'
'Great media phone.'
'In every way, the Palm Pre is a gorgeous smartphone. '
'All things considered, the Pre is actually a pretty good phone. '
'incredibly sleek smartphone'
'capable phone thanks'
'More surprising is just how feather-light this smart phone is, weighing in at just 3.3 ounces.'
'beautiful and thin smartphone'
'We were able to pair the Treo Pro with the Logitech Mobile Traveller Bluetooth headset and the Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones with no problem.'
'Most Windows Mobile touch screens are a little unresponsive, but then comes along the Palm Treo Pro.'
'good phone'
'Not upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6.5.'
'Our friends said we sounded scratchy and we had a hard time hearing them, even with the volume at its highest level.'
'Flimsy stylus'
'Talk-time battery life is average, at 6 hours, 25 minutes in our lab tests.'
'the battery life is short.'
'somewhat poor 240x240-pixel resolution'
'built-in Windows Media Player 10 syncs music and video'
'You can't select multiple messages (for deletion or transfer to other folders), and you can't choose whether to delete downloaded mail from the server.'
'small overall screen size'
'an on-screen keyboard; unfortunately, Palm's familiar handwriting-recognition software doesn't come installed.'
'Most phones use some form of predictive text which can be tedious and slow to say the least.'
'the 600's camera was basically useless for indoor photography, had no zoom, and couldn't capture video; the 650 works better indoors, has a 2x digital zoom, and can capture brief video clips.'
'The Palm-based smart phone is available for $249.99 after discounts and rebates.'
'simply the best smart phone'
'the phone is so bulky and uncomfortable to hold you'
'meager integrated memory'
'PalmOne added a world phone with better battery life'
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,474 products.
© 2020 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.


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Cullen Dental Associates
Samuel A. Borquaye D.D.S., MS., PC
(281) 412-9000 office
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver the highest standard of dental care to our patients in the most caring efficient manner.
To treat our patients with skill and compassion to ensure patient satisfaction.
To offer our patients the most advanced techniques and procedures relevant to our practice of dentistry.
To continually advance our knowledge and expertise in all areas of dental and general healthcare to ensure the best care and protection for our patients and staff.


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The Chicago Cubs have called up Chris Gimenez per reports.
Gimenez signed with the Cubs in late January on a minor league contract. He used to be Darvish's personal catcher (like David Ross was with Lester) when both of them were with the Texas Rangers. Yu has struggled since joining the Cubs, but maybe bringing Gimenez up will help him. Chris has posted a .218 batting average with 22 homers in nine seasons.
Update: The Cubs have sent Victor Caratini down to AAA and DFA'd Efren Navarro
Follow us on Twitter @1N2W_ to keep up with the latest Cubs news. Scroll below for affordable yet authentic baseball jerseys.


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In my article on why guys suddenly lose interest, I discussed how caring too much or stressing over your relationship can irreparably damage it. The article sparked an avalanche of e-mails and comments from women who were feeling panicked over the state of their relationship. Most understood the point I was making in the article, but rather than relaxing and just going with the flow, they wanted to know: "How can I fix it if I was stressing too much?" "What should I text him to fix the situation?" "Is it OK if I tell him XYZ?" "Is he gone forever?" "How can I get him back?" OK, full stop. This is exactly the problem Eric and I have been addressing at length, not only on the site, but also in the newsletter and on our Facebook accounts.
But I realized that identifying the problem is only half the battle. The next step is to get to the root of it and figure out how to solve it.
When you eliminate the care (or worry or stress or whatever you want to call it), you are free to really be in the relationship. You can see the other person for who he is and you can give yourself to him freely – no strategy, no game-playing, no manipulation. You won't feel a need to control anything. You can just be and there is no greater feeling than that.
But how do we do it? How do we stop our minds from spinning into overdrive, sending out waves of unpleasant thoughts and alarm bells?
Read on to find out!


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The Devil's Tricks
Location: Blue Pool, Furzebrook, near Corfe
View this map on Multimap.com
Get directions on Multimap.com
Between the Devil and the deep Blue Pool
The Devil often plays mischievous pranks. It is said he has pushed many an unfortunate traveller into the Blue Pool. A former clay pit, which supplied local potteries.


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When I watched this video below about Sam and Esther, I was so saddened to see the state of some of the people in the world while most of us live in luxury and have the luxury of throwing away food we do not like. We may not all be able to personally go to these countries but if we can give to some worthwhile charity, then we are putting legs on the people who are on the frontline
Matthew 25:31- 40 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'


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Money Minute: Teaching Kids to Save Money
Don't let these kids fool you, they have a little change in their pockets!! Yasmin Young talks with Kawanza Humphrey, VP of KeyBank, to get tips to teach kids how to save money!
Teaching Kids to Save Money
Strategies to Help Your Children Manage Money
• The first step for kids learning how to manage their money is to let it accumulate so that they actually have something to manage.
• If your child is just starting to save all of the money they receive, then you may want to begin with a piggy bank at home. Clear piggy banks allow kids to watch the money grow, and understand the concept of how not spending today means they will have more tomorrow.
• What should you do if your child already has a piggy bank? How do you know if they're ready to transition from a piggy bank to an actual savings account? Here are a few signs:
o Their piggy bank is full and there's nowhere else for the money to go.
o They have a savings goal that will take them longer than a few weeks to save up for.
o You've explained the concept of interest and they're interested in the idea that their money could earn them more money.
• Now that you have a savings space set up for your child's money to accumulate, it's time to set up some strategy.
o Sit down with your child and decide together what portion of money should be saved. Share your own rule for this, and if you don't have one, now is a great time to make one.
o This strategy has a compounding effect because by creating this savings habit now, the amount of money they'll save will only grow as their allowance eventually becomes paychecks.
• Reinforce the Concept of Saving With Apps: Money saving apps that use gaming platforms to teach children are very powerful. Not only do your kids have fun, but they learn critical thinking skills, use their creativity and grow their capacity for "three-dimensional thinking."
• Check out these money saving apps to educate and reinforce savings behavior in your child:
o Unleash the Loot! (Free, Ages 5-8): Your child gets to help save endangered animals by earning and saving up money to rescue and take care of them.
o Money Metropolis (Free, Ages 7-12): Your child gets to choose from one of three saving goals. They can then direct their avatar through the world of Money Metropolis earning money, spending it and hopefully saving up for their goal — which is the whole point of the game.
o Savings Spree ($5.99, Ages 7+): Kids can start learning how daily habits can add up to more savings to be used toward actual savings goals or what happens when they spend all of their money away.
o Remember that in order for kids to have money to manage at all, they have to save it as soon as they receive it. Work through the strategies above, and this time next year your child will be ready to move onto more advanced stages of learning about money management.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Helping Kids Learn How To Budget
Money Saving Apps and Strategies to Help Your Children Manage Money
Two Fun and Easy DIY Piggy Bank Ideas
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Tips for Saving Your Money if you get a Raise
Change in Salary: Pay Increase
• A change in salary can have a major impact on your current lifestyle as well as your future. This financial transition will impact multiple areas of your life. Where should you focus your financial attention when you have a change in salary?
• Once you come back down to earth after looking at the extra digits in your new salary, it's time to take a realistic look at practices that can benefit from your pay bump. Here's a list of to-dos to help guide you through your pay increase with a requisite increase in financial savvy.
o Retirement Savings: Make sure you're maxing out your investment in both your employer and personal retirement plans. Increasing your contribution to your employer plan might mean more "free money" via your employer match to your retirement plan.
o Paying Off Debt: While your first inclination might be to slay your debt with your pay bump, make sure that you're still saving in a rainy day account so that you're not short on funds if there's an emergency. Accelerating your debt payoff can save you major dollars in interest payments, which is money better spent elsewhere.
o Think About Tax Time: That pay bump will likely give you a tax bump — as in you'll be paying more. Don't forget to adjust your tax withholding with your human resources department. If you're a freelancer and you land a choice account, be sure to stash a little extra for tax time.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Savings Account, Saving Money
Key Silver Money Market | Savings Account |
Save for Your Future
What is a Money Market Savings Account?
Steps for Saving
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Tips for Filing your Taxes
Deciding How to File Your Taxes
Online DIY Preparation
• Nearly 53 million Americans self-prepared and filed their tax returns online in 2016, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Pros:
o Easy to Use: Tax software programs walk you through the process by asking you questions to determine your tax refund (or payment) based on the answers you input. Which program makes sense for you? The Balance has rated the 7 Best Tax Software Programs to Use in 2017.
o You Set the Pace: You can take your time and prepare your taxes at home. If you forget something, you can simply log back on. You don't have to drive back to your tax accountant's office.
o It's Inexpensive: Depending on which tax software you decide to go with, the price can range from free to $70.
• Cons:
o You're Not a Tax Professional: Tax programs rely on you knowing which receipts to gather and it's possible you might enter information incorrectly or miss out on qualified deductions and credits.
o No advice: Tax software can't advise you on how to maximize your tax return for the following year.
• Questions to Ask:
o How comfortable am I with using tax software?
o If I decide to do them myself, will I get them done on time, or will I miss the deadline and risk a penalty?
o Hiring a Tax Professional
o About 60 percent of taxpayers use the services of tax professionals to prepare their returns, according to the IRS.
• Pros:
o Guidance: A tax professional will review all of your financial documents and ask for any relevant data, forms and receipts to help maximize your return.
o Representation: Licensed tax professionals can represent you before the IRS.
o They're Trained: Tax professionals know the ins and outs of the tax code. They can help you maximize your refund by noticing deductions you may have missed on tax software programs.
o Tax Deduction: For your tax return, you can still deduct the cost of hiring a tax professional to prepare your taxes.
• Cons
o Cost: Hiring a professional costs at least three times more than the most expensive tax software program — $273 on average for a 1040 with Schedule A and State Return, according to the National Society of Accountants (NSA).
o Time: At a minimum, you'll meet with a tax professional twice — once to submit all of your tax documents and financial information, and a second time to review and sign the tax return when they are done.
o The Potential for Fraud: Most tax professionals provide honest service. However, each year return preparer fraud is on the IRS' "Dirty Dozen" List of Tax Scams. To avoid being scammed, follow the IRS' tips in Things to Remember When Choosing a Tax Preparer.
• Questions to Ask:
o The NSA offers a comprehensive list of questions to ask a prospective tax preparer.
o It is important to note that any tax professional who files more than 11 tax returns in one year must e-file all tax client tax returns. So, whether you prepare your taxes online yourself or have a professional do them, your tax return will most likely be e-filed. And that's a good thing! According to the IRS, when you e-file, you can expect to receive a refund within three weeks — or faster if you elect direct deposit into your checking or savings account — versus six to eight weeks to process a paper form of your tax return.
o Regardless of who prepares your tax return, you are legally responsible for the information on your return. So make sure it's done right the first time.
This information and recommendations contained herein is compiled from sources deemed reliable, but is not represented to be accurate or complete. In providing this information, neither KeyBank, nor its affiliates are acting as your agent or is offering any tax, accounting, or legal advice.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Tax Time: Deciding How to File Your Taxes
The Impact Unpaid Taxes Have on Your Credit Score
Prepare Your Taxes: Paying a Tax Bill
Making Estimated Tax Payments: How to Avoid Penalties for Underpayment
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
How to Manage Your Retirement when You Switch Jobs
What to Do With Retirement Account When You Switch Jobs
• Did you know that you can expect to change jobs four times by the time you reach 32? That's what career networking site LinkedIn found when it surveyed its users. And if you're already in your 30s, you likely changed jobs at least twice in your first 10 years out of college.
• With all these new jobs, you've probably found yourself wondering: "Should I roll over my 401(k)?" Here are some ideas about what you might want to do with the funds in your old company's retirement plan.
• Understand What You Can Do With Your Old 401(k)
• First, take a step back and review your options. There are four things you can do with your 401(k) through a previous employer:
o Leave the money where it is
o Roll over your old 401(k) into your new employer's plan
o Roll over your 401(k) into an individual retirement account (IRA)
o Cash out
• There's a chance that option one isn't on the table. Typically, you must have a balance of more than $5,000 to leave money in your old plan. And if you leave 401(k) funds with your old employer, it might be easy to lose track since you can't actively use or contribute to the account.
• Cashing out your 401(k) is not the right move for most people, either. For one, cashing out triggers a big tax penalty you'll have to pay the next time you file your taxes. It also means dismantling part of your all-important nest egg.
• So the best option is usually to roll over your 401(k). The harder question to answer is whether you should roll over your 401(k) into your new employer's plan or into an IRA.
• Should I Roll Over My 401(k) to My New Employer?
o First, verify that your new employer has a 401(k) plan. Certain employers may not offer a retirement plan at all or they may offer a 401(k) alternative plan, such as a 403(b) or SIMPLE IRA. Also, know if your employer offers contribution matching.
o If you think it's important to keep your financial situation simple, rolling over your old 401(k) into your new employer's plan might be a smart move. By doing so, you consolidate your accounts and keep your retirement money in one place.
o While this is a good option for many people, there are still some downsides. You may not like the fund selection in your new employer's plan, for example, or the fees might be too high. You'll also miss out on some of the hidden perks of IRAs. For example, in certain circumstances, Roth IRA funds can be used to help you purchase a house. Whenever you make a major financial move, it's worth it to fully investigate all options and potential complications.
• Should I Roll Over My 401(k) to an IRA?
o This option provides you with more choice in how you use your retirement money, as you can choose to open an IRA with any financial institution and invest your money as you wish. It also means that you can name someone other than your spouse as the account's beneficiary, whereas, by law, 401(k) beneficiaries must be spouses, if applicable — or your spouse needs to sign a waiver before you can name someone else as the account's beneficiary. This option can also mean dealing with a lot more responsibility, though, since it's completely up to you to invest and manage your nest egg when you go this route.
o Read up on the differences between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. You may be able to choose whichever one you prefer when you initiate your rollover. If you convert your 401(k) funds to a Roth IRA, you will have to pay taxes on the converted amount. Depending on how much money you have in your 401(k), you could end up with a hefty tax bill.
• Getting Started
o The easiest way to initiate a rollover into a new 401(k) is to work through the process with your new employer. Or, if you choose to roll over to an IRA, you can initiate that process with your financial institution. These are known as direct transfers. The companies involved can handle the rollover for you, which means you won't need to deal with the funds yourself. Many times, this is a safer, more convenient option that requires little action on your part. On the other hand, with an indirect transfer, you get a check and then have to invest it within a certain timeframe. If you mishandle this or wait too long, you could accidentally trigger a tax penalty. So generally, it's best to go with a direct transfer.
• Whatever you choose, be sure to keep your financial future in mind and meet with your financial advisor to see how this works into your overall retirement strategy. It's important to make the most of the good savings work you've done already.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Should I Roll Over My 401(k)?: What to Do With Retirement Account When You Switch Jobs
Money Needed to Retire: When Will You Have Enough?
Rollover IRAs
Borrowing Against a 401(k): What to Consider
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Save Money with Fee-Free Checking
KeyBank Hassle-Free Account
- The KeyBank Hassle-Free Account was designed to put you in control of your finances. It's a free checkless account that provides you immediate and convenient access to your money – without the hassle of writing checks.
KeyBank Hassle-Free Account Details
- No Monthly Maintenance Service Charge and no minimum balances
- No overdraft fees. No bounced checks – there are no paper checks on this account
- Provides unlimited access to free digital banking including online and
- mobile banking and bill payment.
- Free monthly statements (paper or online)
- Once enrolled, our enhanced KeyBank Relationship Rewards® program allows you to earn rewards just by actively using your Hassle-Free Account, debit card or by expanding your banking relationship with Key.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Hassle-Free Account | Checking Accounts | KeyBank
Checking Account Selector
Compare Personal Checking Accounts | KeyBank
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
How to use Your Extra Money from Tax Reform
Tax Impact – Take Home Pay
• Starting in February, approximately 90 percent of US workers will see a slight increase in their take home pay, courtesy tax reform that reduces personal tax rates as much as 3 percent. (Source: US Treasury)
• Granted, those new tax rates won't result in significantly larger paychecks. But at KeyBank, we believe small steps can pave the way to turning big dreams into reality.
• KeyBank recommends the following steps that can help you make the most of extra income coming your way due to tax reform:
o Emergency savings falling short? You're not alone. According to Bankrate.com's most recent Financial Security Index Survey, only 39 percent of Americans would have enough emergency savings to cover an unexpected $1,000 expense. We recommend emergency savings of at least three months take home pay.
o Use direct deposit to automatically allocate your increased income to build emergency savings. And talk to your banker about savings account options to be sure you are making the most of your savings opportunities.
o Keep on spending less than you earn. In other words, don't use that extra income as a reason to spend more.
o On target to max out your 401K? Great news! Talk to your banker about establishing an IRA or other additional retirement account. Again, your increased income might not mean thousands more dollars, but small, regular contributions will add up
o Roll that extra income into your regular payment on high-interest credit cards. In addition to paying down a balance and saving on current interest, you can head off the impact of interest rate increases that might happen later this year.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Savings Account, Saving Money
Key Silver Money Market | Savings Account |
Save for Your Future
What is a Money Market Savings Account?
Steps for Saving
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Carrying Bigger Bills to Save Money
Why Carrying Bigger Bills Will Help You Save
• The temptation to spend your hard-earned cash is everywhere, from clearance sales and alerts for megadeals in your inbox to promotions at the trendiest restaurants in town. So how can you stick to your budget?
• It turns out that carrying around bills in large denominations can help you spend less.
• A study in the Journal of Consumer Research revealed that the size of your bills influences how inclined you are to spend them. The smaller the denomination, the more likely you'll be to spend the bill. For instance, you're more likely to spend 20 $1 bills than break a single $20 bill.
• Why is that? Well, it could be that we tend to view larger bills as more valuable and thus are more careful with how we spend them. Conversely, we think of smaller bills as less valuable and part with them more freely. It's far easier to part with a $5 dollar bill than with a $20.
• The same goes when you're making a purchase. You're more likely to buy 10 items that each cost $1 than a single item that costs $10, even though you end up spending the same amount of money. And that's why it's so easy to shell out far more money than you wanted to when buying lower-cost items, a phenomenon called nickel-and-diming.
• This happens partly because of mental accounting, where we irrationally separate our money based on criteria such as where it came from and how we plan on using it. So while larger bills may be designated for special purchases, the same amount in smaller bills may be easily spent on frivolous things.
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Tips to Save Money On Grocery Shopping
Grocery Shopping on a Budget
• No matter what's on your list, grocery shopping on a budget is hard to do. But with a little planning ahead and creative thinking, you can stretch your food budget farther than you ever imagined. Here are ideas to get you started.
• Let's start from the start: Going grocery shopping on a budget means creating a budget in the first place. To know how much you should spend on groceries, note your monthly income on a spreadsheet and subtract recurring expenses. Save receipts over time and note how much you're spending. Decide on a reasonable percentage for groceries and stick to it.
• Make Food Last Longer
o CNBC reports that the average American family throws away around $2,000 worth of food each year. Make your groceries last longer so you don't have to throw away spoiled food. Separate produce and meat in your fridge so they don't spread bacteria to each other. Poking holes in plastic bags will air out fruit and vegetables and make them last longer. And wrapping greens like lettuce in foil before refrigerating keeps them fresh longer, according to Self.
• Bulk Up on Staples
o Stock up on large packages of nonperishables, and buy in quantity when you spot a sale. Rice, pasta, oats and lentils won't go bad on you, and neither will canned tuna and beans. You can use these staples in many cost-saving recipes. Some grocery stores also allow you to buy ahead on baked goods. If you're planning a large gathering, ask your store's bakery if you can purchase that big cake or platter when it's on sale. Then bring in your receipt as much as a month later to pick it up for your big event.
• Befriend the Butcher
o There's no way around it - meat is one of the most expensive items in the store. To save, buy one large roast instead of shopping for various cuts of meat. Ask the butcher to remove the bone, which you can use for soup stock, then grind part of the meat for hamburgers and cut the rest for a pot roast. Or, consider pork - it's less expensive, especially if you buy a butt or shoulder, which you can easily shred to make pulled pork. While you're talking to the butcher, ask about getting a bag of chicken backs, necks and feet. Some butchers will just give it away and others may charge a small amount. Use these ingredients to make a rich stock for soups and stews.
• Buy Your Own Cow
o Got a big freezer? Some local farms and ranches might be able to help you with something that will probably go beyond your local butcher's scope. They may sell you a whole grass-fed cow - or one-half or one-quarter of one cow for much less than you'd pay at a grocery store. If that's too much meat for you, consider splitting the cow with friends or relatives.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Grocery Shopping on a Budget: Tips and Tricks
Planting a Garden to Save Money on Groceries
5 Healthy Meal Prepping Ideas That Kids Will Love
Eating Well on a Budget: Meal Prep Tips
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Saving Money Cashing Checks without a Bank Account
KeyBank Plus Check Cashing
• KeyBank Plus Check Cashing is now available at 18 Buffalo area KeyBank branches.
• KeyBank Plus Check Cashing allows individuals without accounts to cash their approved payroll, tax refund, or government checks for a low 1.5% fee at their nearest KeyBank Plus branch. By comparison, many check cashing stores charge between 3% to 7% per check cashed.
• This is part of our KeyBank Plus suite of banking solutions and free financial education designed to meet the needs of the unbanked and underserved populations.
• To use KeyBank Plus Check Cashing, customers need only bring an acceptable form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, state I.D., passport or Matricula Consular , as well as the payroll, government or tax refund check they wish to cash, made payable to themselves. At their first visit, customers will also need to provide the bank with personal information, including name, street address, social security number, birth date and a valid phone number.
• Once a client record is established, the client can go straight to the teller line when visiting a KeyBank branch and complete their check cashing transactions. There is a minimum fee of $3 and a maximum fee of $25 per check cashed. Checks of up to $5,000 may be cashed and tax rebate checks are not subject to the maximum fee limit. Additionally, every fifth check is cashed free and participants are eligible to receive five fee-free money orders when they cash their check.
• KeyBank is working with community partners to raise awareness about this service and make sure those who would benefit from it know about it.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
KeyBank Plus Check Cashing | KeyBank
Checking Account Terms
Key Student Checking Account
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)
Tips for Making and Sticking to a Budget
Making and sticking to a budget in 2018
• Road trips and travel of all sorts benefit from planning and preparation. The same goes for your financial journey. Get set to make good progress in the coming year with these important steps.
• Think about your goals. Both long term and short term. The big ones, like buying a house, and ones that are less big, but important to you. (A week in Hawaii or a cruise? A new computer, ASAP?) Making this your first step can change how you take the next ones, so don't be tempted to skip it.
• Using Hello Wallet, our Financial Wellness Tool monthly budget planner, make a plan to spend less than your monthly income. We've made it simple, and we'll walk you through a few items the first time you create a budget.
• Make it your New Year's resolution to regularly check your Financial Wellness Tool dashboard to track your spending trends and financial progress. Check your spending in individual categories to see if you're staying on budget, and see how your finances are doing overall.
• Remember, in many areas, you really can make changes in order to spend less. For example, maybe you pick up takeout food for dinner several nights a week, or buy your lunch at a deli near your office nearly every day. If you cook dinner at home and take leftovers to work for lunch, you can trim your meal costs by quite a bit. You'll save even more if you budget your grocery shopping.
• Another possibility: Are you paying for movies or shows you don't watch? If your cable package provides more content than you're using, a less expensive streaming service might be a good alternative for you, allowing you to cut your cable cord and reduce your entertainment expenses.
Additional online resources from KeyBank:
Budget for the Good Life
How to Make a Budget and Build Savings
How Do I Create a Budget?
7 Tips for Eating Out on a Budget
(This material is presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax or financial advice. Please consult with legal, tax and/or financial advisors. KeyBank does not provide legal advice. KeyCorp 2017. KeyBank member FDIC.)


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This is a blog for you to visit and explore after reading a book. (So yes, that means that serious spoilers are included)
♥ For that feeling of uneasiness that you have after finishing a book, where the things that you loved and hated come back like flashes through your mind.
♥ For the exact minute after reading the final line, when you already miss desperately each one of the characters and declare your eternal love for them.
♥ For those feelings that we can't resist to express.
♥ For those moments when the polite reviews aren't enough because they don't match the intensity of our feelings.
♥ For when you feel the extreme need of sharing everything you're feeling after reading.


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Millennials Willing to Give up Coffee, Carbs and Sex to Travel the World for Free
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Millennials are quick to get a bad rap, but the truth is they are likely to share one important quality with TPGers: a serious love for travel. This generation has single-handedly put solo travel on the map and fostered a wave of entrepreneurs who have turned their lust for seeing the world into successful careers as digital nomads.
And now, thanks to a recent study from Contiki — a travel company that specializes in adventures for said generation — we know just how important packing up and seeing the world is to this group of sightseeing-hungry spirits. And the results may (or may not) surprise you.
When Contiki asked 1,500 American travelers 18 to 36 years old what they would be "willing to give up for around six months if that meant you could travel the world for free," 80% of those surveyed said the number one thing they'd relinquish is Netflix. (With so many quality IFE options these days, that's not entirely surprising.)
In terms of all things edible, 77% said they could go without coffee, while 73% said they could forgo alcohol and 60% could do away with carbs. Here's hoping their travel itineraries do not include a visit to coffee capitals such as Melbourne, the renowned wine regions of France or really anywhere in Italy.
The thing Millennials would have the hardest time parting with? Their phones. Of those surveyed, 57% said they would gladly abstain from sex for free travel, while only 41% would agree to power down their mobile devices in exchange for adventure. After all, as the kids say: Pics or it didn't happen.
For those who can't find someone to fund their trip around the world but still feel the call of the wild, here are a few starter posts for using points and miles to get you everywhere you want to go:
- The Beginner's Guide to Points and Miles: Essential Travel Tips
- Airline, Hotel and Car Rental Loyalty Programs
- The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
H/T: Travel + Leisure
Feature photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images.
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- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.


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The Ghana@60 anniversary committee has set aside August 4, to celebrate the birth of The United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
According to the committee, the 4th of August is a very significant day in the history of Ghana and as such, the day ought to be celebrated as Ghana marks its 60th anniversary.
Addressing a press conference at the Flagstaff House Wednesday, the Deputy Chief of Staff and member of the Anniversary Committee, Abu Jinapor, said the formation of the first Nationalist Political movement in Ghana, United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) on the 4th of August 1947 by Paa Grant and his colleagues heralded the country that we have today.
He underscored that the Democratic tenets such as Freedom of Speech, Rule of Law and respect for the fundamental human rights were conceived on August 4.
To that end, the Anniversary Committee has decided to organize a memorial Church service at Saltpond in the Central region where the UGCC was formed.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo will be the Special Guest of Honour at the Memorial Service.
Later in the day, a lecture will be delivered by the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Qquaye under the topic "4th August, Ghana's day of Destiny".


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2,320 forum posts
This trip was coordinated with my trail friends Bob and Jerome from Alabama. I've ran in to these guys (unintentionally) about four times since last summer when we met on the AT in the Smokies. So this time we actually planned a meeting!
Even though it's relatively close to me I had never been to Shining Rock wilderness. Though I was tempted to try and night hike in last Friday after work, I decided to be cautious and wait for the folks who knew the area. I'm glad I did; I would have had a hard time finding the trail head in the dark! So after meeting up with Bob and Jerome in Waynesville, NC I followed them to the wilderness. Jerome was still recovering from a severe shin splint and decided to shorten his route and meet us at a certain camp spot. The route across the Art Loab trail would take us over several 6000 + peaks and we would stay over 5000 for most of the trip I think.
So Bob and I start up the Flat Laurel Creek trail from HWY 215 in NC. I've been experimenting with footwear and for this trip I'm going with Brooks Beast running shoes and my custom orthotics. I know, I know, these are not trail shoes at all.
Flat Laurel Creek trail was short but beautiful! I could tell immediately that this new place was different than what I was used to even though it isn't that far away from my normal haunts.
Our first stop of the day was Sam Knob (the peak in the right of the photo is one of two peaks on the knob).
Here we are posing after summiting Sam Knob.
After leaving there we took the Art Loab spur trail up to Black Balsam Mountain.
And here I was on the Black Balsam summit. The road visible below me in the distance is the Blue Ridge Parkway.
And here was the view from the next peak; "Tennent Mountain" at 6040 feet.
Like other open areas I've hiked a few times before, the distance was deceiving up there. It looked like stuff was close but it took a while to get there!
We had to pose by the Shining Rock sign. That sign was one of the few signs of any kind around that place; that may have been the least marked area I've been to that is "established". I was glad someone was showing me around. Had I been alone I would have gotten off on wrong trails many times over. (no joke)
After meeting Jerome at camp we decided to do a bit more hiking and Bob took me to the actual Shining Rock. (a large area of quartz)
And here we are (Bob, me, and Jerome) at the chosen Camp of "Flower Gap".
Obligatory tent shot.
We were joined by Jeremy and Jenny for dinner; believe it or not these fine folks were also from Alabama! Freaky ...not just Alabama but the same city as J & B (and meeting on a North Carolina mountain). I was the odd man out from Tennessee.
Ah, but the moon rose in splendid Tennessee orange. :)
This was sun rise from my tent spot.
Jerome got me up to see the International Space Station that morning about 6:34 AM as it was briefly visible. Lol, you get the coolest experiences when you surround yourself with smart people who prepare well and "know things".
I snapped this pick of camp being struck while retuning from morning errands. (that's the Art Loab trail running through the camp).
J& B lead me through a bit of a bush whack to catch a different trail on our return route.
We were coming back on the Ivestor Gap trail.
Have you ever seen that many tad poles in one little pool? I hadn't.
After some trekking, Jerome peeled off at Black Balsam Mountain. He then shuttled Bob and I to our next trail head: Mountains to Sea trail.
Here is B checking out the view from an overlook on the M-2-S trail.
Yeah, the next step was a doosey.
Well the picture taking sure is easer when you hike with a partner!
Bob told me this was "Looking Glass Rock". I forgot to ask why it's called that.
I couldn't resist dropping the pack to climb that rock. Such things are refreshing.
Cool flora.
After winding down the mountain we eventually made it back to the car and said our goodbyes.
I still wanted some more exercise so I continued on the Mountains to Sea trail until time / responsibilities dictated that I turn around.
After about 20 minutes I reached this wonderful and unexpected meadow.
And I'll end with this beautiful tree from the meadow. I believe it's a flowering Cherry (Gonzan?, Trout?) .
It was a fabulous trip and I'm sure to go back to see the rest of the place!
Jerome and Bob: It was a great trip, fun times, and thank you both so much for showing me such a beautiful place!
I go solo so often that it was absolutely luxurious to be "shown around" and not have to stress about finding the right routes and water sources, etc…
Happy Trails!


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Trigger Point Yoga Wheel - Wood + Black
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