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Australia is the kind of movie that makes you remember what movies can do, it's the kind of movie that wraps you up in the story and creates more than just striking images, it creates incredible film moments. Most movies are about telling stories, they go through the beats of the story in a perfunctory way, playing out the script to its conclusion. Some movies spend a lot of time on the visuals, and create beautiful images. But, truly great filmmaking is about a lot more than capturing interesting images. It's about combining those images with music, and the emotion you get from being engaged with the narrative to create something transcendent. Watching this film, I kind of knew most of the story beats, things proceed as you'd probably expect them to, but, like the best stories, it made me doubt that what I knew would happen would happen, making the moment that might seem objectively inevitable so powerful in the happening.
I love both Baz Lurhman's previous films, but see flaws in them as well. Moulin Rouge is a really frustrating movie for me in some ways because there's moments in there that are as amazing as anything in cinema, think the love song medley atop an elephant, which culminates in an utterly exhilarating, swirling 360 camera shot, or the harrowing "Come What May" finale. But, then there's moments that are just awful, like some of the goofier stuff with the Bohemians, and the "Like a Virgin" sequence. Romeo and Juliet is equally full of brilliant moments, the scene where Juliet walks past the fish tank with angel wings on is one of the most memorable single images of film in the 90s, and I love the overwhelming neon crosses lurking in the background of seemingly every scene.
Australia scales back on some of the eccentricity of his previous films, and their hyperpop postmodern aesthetic. It feels in a lot of ways like a lost film from classical Hollywood, epic in scale and emotion in the way those films were. An epic romance between an initially stuck up society lady and a roguish, but charming man against the backdrop of war could just as easily summarize Gone With the Wind as it could this film. Most classical Hollywood films didn't have the veneer of irony that lies over so much of our cinema, and culture in general, today. We can watch them and laugh at the overblown scores or overwrought acting, disparage the films instead of engaging with them. Admittedly, some of the films were just bad or overdone, but at its best, classical Hollywood managed to make films that created these exquisite emotional dramas and then played them to the hilt.
Think of Casablanca, a film that holds up today, and will forever. It's such a perfect mix of personal drama and larger scale conflict, using the war to magnify the individual stories. Without the war, the Rick/Ilsa drama doesn't mean as much, and without their relationship, the war story feels remote and intellectual, instead of emotional. The oncoming troops may be a real danger for all involved, but we feel that danger because of what it means to our heroes. One of the few films more recently that captures that feel is The Empire Strikes Back. That's a film that features a similarly big score and emotional scale, the doomed lovers and the evil empire are the same, only the circumstances are different.
Australia manages to capture that same feel, with its blend of interpersonal romantic drama and larger scale conflicts, each accentuating the other. It's not the most innovative or groundbreaking film that Baz has done, but it made feel so much for the characters, get so absorbed in the emotional moments, that's why I loved it.
The film has two fairly distinct parts, the cattle drive section resolves itself in such a way that the movie could end there and be perfectly satisfactory. This sequence has a lot more in common with most classic Hollywood Westerns than most of today's gunslinger driven Westerns. Driving cattle around, was always the big thing, with the conflict between the wild and civilization as the centerpiece. The film echoes the iconic opening and closing shots of The Searchers a number of times, with its positioning of Sarah in the door frame, looking out at her ranch. The traditional Western deals with a protagonist who is too wild for civilization, and spends his time on the outskirts, making new territory safe for the people in town. Hugh Jackman's Drover fits this description pretty neatly, and as is typical, he meets with up a civilized woman, who he in turn brings into his world, liberating her from stuffy societal expectations, and freeing up to a new kind of experience.
Like a lot of old Hollywood stars, Nicole Kidman has a very specific star persona. She has taken on a wide variety of roles, but there's always an essential coldness to her, and Baz plays on that cool here by starting her out as the very English ice queen, then gradually melting her through her relationship with The Drover. Nicole is widely known, but I don't think she's ever been a huge draw at the box office. A lot of people dislike her, and my favorite roles of hers do play on that image, particularly her work in The Hours and Dogville. There's a lot of joy in watching Sarah learn to do these wild things, like try to herd cattle or try to console Nullah after his mother died because we want to see Nicole Kidman do the same things. How would Nicole Kidman talk to you if your mother died? She can't express feelings, right? Well, the film plays with that, and lets us see her develop in the kind of person who can feel.
In this film, the conflict between the wild and civilization is incarnated in Nullah, the mixed race child. He is not at home in either world at the beginning, bound by Fletcher and societal rules that could get him taken away from home and sent to a mission. Over the course of the film, he embraces both sides of his personality, using the Aboriginal 'magic' to connect with his grandfather, and save the cattle from going over the cliff. That moment was one of the awe inspiring bits I'm talking about. We watch the cattle running wild, the horses teetering on the edge of the cliff, tension is huge, magnified by Flynn getting run over. It's all building up to this lone kid standing on the edge of a cliff, hoping to hold back the horde, and then he does it. In film, it's the build up where you really feel things. Even if the cattle ran over the edge, that would still be kind of an emotional release, you'd know what was going to happen. The tension is in uncertainty, in the cattle running at this kid as he grits his teeth and prays that he can stop them.
Another great setpiece is the entrance of Sarah, The Drover and the cattle into Darwin. It's an epic scale scene, with hundreds of cattle running around. Normally, why would you care who gets the army's beef contract, but the film makes you care. You're caught up in this struggle, even if the villains are pretty one note evil guys, not unlike Moulin Rouge's Duke. It's the emotional engagement that matters, and as tension builds while The Drover is looking for a way to stop the cattle, you're caught up in that moment.
I think a large part of the reason why I loved the movie, and why so many seem to have mixed opinions on it, is the film's total lack of irony or distance. We're so used to watching films that put emotions in quotations marks, that leave enough distance that if a scene doesn't work, you can just say, well, you weren't really supposed to care anyway. It's safer to do that, if you shoot something that's supposed to be bad, whether it be bad or good, you've succeeded. This film turns the emotion up to 11, and if you're not engaged with the narrative, I'd imagine it would come off as cheesy. But, the more you risk, the greater the payoff. By trying for real emotion, the film will ether totally grab you and put you through the wringer, or leave you cold. I don't need a film that everyone's going to like, I'd rather have a film that some people will love and some will hate. I loved the film so much, I feel like everyone would love it, but I suppose it is just as possible that people would be bored, or react against it.
After the cattle stuff is over, we get the wonderful kissing in rain sequence. One of the things I love about all Baz's films is that he really thinks in cinematic terms. The visuals are the characters' emotions, flooding forth onto the screen. Then, there's a bit of a Return of the King situation where we get what could very easily be an ending to the film, only to segue into some darker times, as everyone leaves Sarah behind, and the war comes to Australia. The war section of the film is even stronger than what came before, culminating in the film's best setpiece, the bombing of Darwin/rescue of the children sequence.
Watching this sequence made me that a filmmaker can still get this kind of budget to not do a sequel or blockbuster action movie. It's an idiosyncratic, singular vision, and Baz got the money he needed to realize it. It's so rare that you get a big budget movie like this, and if the Oscars are worth nothing else, they're worth it for making these movies financially viable. Without both the prestige and financial reward that Oscars bring, the studios would have no reason to fund a film like this.
The scene uses a lot of outright melodramatic techniques to engage you emotionally. There's the lengthy period where the Drover believes that Sarah is dead, her belief that Nullah is dead, and of course the fact that there's twenty helpless children endangered by evil enemy soldiers, and for a time, we're led to believe they're all dead. I just wanted them all to get back together, and be happy again, and I think that's a testament to the film. This one passed all those intellectual filters, that feeing that movies shouldn't just have a happy ending, I wanted everyone to be okay, and was riveted as they all struggled back together.
Visually, I love the way they made Darwin look, a post apocalyptic world set against an expanse of surreal orange sky, or the way the soldiers were faceless specters that arose out of smoke and disappeared back into it again. The rescue of the children was really well done, leading up to that most melodramatic of moments, Sarah waiting, hoping that Nullah will return even as everyone says she has to leave. She's going to go, but the boat's right there, how can she not see it? And then, Nullah starts to play "Over the Rainbow," and it's just totally heartrending. She hears it, the song crosses the sea, and she looks out to them and they're there. This finally leads to the reunion, drawn out shots build the suspense, until finally we get the embrace and reunion we've been waiting for.
The story ends with a reconciliation of the wild and the civilized, of white and black. King George will take Nullah on walkabout, but he's not going forever. George also says that this is "our land," he's accepted Sarah and The Drover, he knows that they love Nullah and respect his values. It's a mysterious ending, the story will continue even though we're not there to see it.
This is my favorite film of 2008 so far. It hit me on a deep emotional level, and felt so much more alive and urgent than most movies out there. You can see a joy in the storytelling, a love for the material and a total investment in the emotional world of the characters. That's what great cinema is all about, and this is great cinema.


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Apple has released its latest version iOS, the long-awaited iOS 4.3 update. Available now through iTunes, the update introduces a few vitally interesting new feautres to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Amongst the biggest inclusions are Home Sharing (the ability to stream audio and video from iTunes on a local network to the iOS device); AirPlay (the ability to stream audio and video from the iOS device to an Apple TV or computer) for third-party developers; and the ability to create a personal WiFi hotspot from an iPhone or iPad with 3G support.
Headlining the iOS 4.3 update is support for AirPlay across all apps. This feature first appeared in iOS 4.2, allowing Apple's iOS apps to stream audio, video, and photo slideshows to a second-generation Apple TV. Apple opened up the feature in iOS 4.3, which means developers of media apps like Pandora are free to update their wares, if they choose, and offer AirPlay features to users.
iOS 4.3 also brings support for creating a personal hotspot, another increasingly popular feature among other smartphones, and also provided by independent devices such as 3's MiFi. The personal hotspot feature allows your iPhone 4 to act as a portable Wi-Fi router for up to five devices, powered by the device's wireless data connection (you can connect up to three devices via Wi-Fi, three via Bluetooth, and one with a USB cable).
Users locked into a data contract may need a qualifying data plan from your carrier and any necessary hotspot or tethering options to enable this feature. Users with an unlocked iPhone can use the feature without restriction. However, we advise users of this feature to keep a close eye on data charges as most mobile phone companies in the UK are now restricting data usage (with the exception of the Three network and its One plan, which allows for unlimited data).
iTunes Home Sharing, a surprise iOS 4.3 addition that Steve Jobs announced at Apple's iPad 2 event last week, allows iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users to stream any of their iTunes media from a Mac or PC on the same Wi-Fi network. It's not an over-the-air media sync solution, however, like the Home Sharing feature Apple added to iTunes 9 to make it easier to keep iTunes libraries on multiple computers in sync. If your iOS 4.3 device leaves your home Wi-Fi network, you won't be able to stream iTunes media from your Mac or PC.
A couple of minor features snuck into iOS 4.3. You can enable Push Notifications for Ping activity, and the iPod app's Now Playing screen offers the options to post about songs and like them on your Ping profile. Also new is a preference to specify how many times an SMS alert is repeated, as well as a conference dialing option to add a pause for entering a passcode.
Missing from iOS 4.3, however, are the new multitouch gestures that Apple asked developers to test on the iPad during the beta period. Gestures like four- and five-finger swipes could switch between apps and reveal the multitasking bar, and a pinch could exit an app and return you to the Home Screen. With the second iOS 4.3 beta, however, Apple clarified that these features were only for testing and would not ship to consumers in the final version. Obviously, they could return in a future iOS update or upgrade, but Apple hasn't stated any plans.
iOS 4.3 is available now as a free update in iTunes for the iPad, iPhone 3GS, the GSM iPhone 4, and third- and fourth-generation iPod touch. As for the Verizon iPhone 4, it runs a custom version of iOS 4.2.6 that includes some features like hotspot support. Comments from an Apple representative to Ars Technica at the iPad 2 event suggest that it might take a little while for Verizon's iPhone 4 to converge with the same iOS version as Apple's other mobile devices.

subset: commoncrawl


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CHEER, Just Google It: Digital Literacy and the Epistemology of Ignorance25 March 2019
Date: Monday 25 March 2019
Just Google It: Digital Literacy and the Epistemology of Ignorance
In this seminar, Dr.s Bhatt and MacKenzie will examine digital literacy and how it relates to the philosophical study of ignorance. Ignorance of how digital technologies work (eg. how users' online activities can be used to the advantage of platform owners without the users' knowledge, and how browsing can be confined) is still not well understood from the perspective of user practice. Building on work in Literacy Studies - which has often examined 'knowledge production' - they will argue that a social practice approach to digital literacy can also help examine how epistemologies of ignorance may be produced, reproduced and sustained. Using data from a study exploring the knowledge producing work of undergraduate students through interviews and recorded observations of assignment writing, Dr.s Bhatt and MacKenzie will also argue that particular digital literacy practices pave the way for the construction of certain forms of ignorance, and that this kind of literacy inquiry is a vital step in better understanding the implications of online practices.


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Samsung has announced that it will no longer seek injunctions over the iPhone or iPad using its standards essential patents (SEPs) in Europe. According to a statement released to The Verge, the company claims the move was made "in the interest of consumer choice." However, dropping its motions for injunctions in Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and the Netherlands may more likely have been prompted by an ongoing European Commission investigation into Samsung's abuse of SEPs against competitors.
Apple has gone after Samsung for what it calls "blatant copying" of its mobile devices, like the iPhone and iPad. The company sued Samsung in a number of venues globally over a variety of registered designs and utility patents. The success of these lawsuits has been mixed so far, but Apple did win a $1 billion jury verdict in the US.
Samsung retaliated by countersuing Apple, claiming the company infringed its patents related to 3G cellular networking in countries around the globe. Since Samsung claims its patents are essential to those standards, any device that implements 3G networking—including the iPhone—must therefore use the patented technology. And since Apple did not agree to a license, Samsung argued, it is by default infringing the patents, and Apple should either pay up or have its products taken off the market.
The issue with Samsung's strategy, however, is that Samsung agreed to let its patented technology become part of the 3G standards in exchange for a promise to license those patents on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. Essentially, anyone who wants to make a product with 3G networking is entitled to a FRAND license for Samsung's portion of the overall standard.
Typically, when companies can't agree on FRAND terms, a lawsuit is filed and a court will order a particular royalty rate. However, Samsung's attempts to leverage SEPs to gain injunctions have been viewed as contrary to its FRAND promise and a possible violation of EU anti-competition statutes.
The European Commission announced in January this year that it was investigating Samsung's lawsuits against Apple throughout Europe for potential anti-competition violation. The Commission hasn't made any formal announcements about its findings so far, but it seems likely that Samsung may have felt the investigation would not go in its favor. Dropping the requests for injunctions should effectively put an end to the Commission's concerns.
Samsung may also have been prompted by a decision yesterday by US District Judge Lucy Koh, which struck down Apple's request for injunctions against Samsung products in the first of two US infringement lawsuits between the two companies. Samsung had argued against the injunctions, saying that Apple should compete in the marketplace, not in the courtroom. It used similar rhetoric in justifying its decision to abandon its injunction strategy in Europe.
"Samsung remains committed to licensing our technologies on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, and we strongly believe it is better when companies compete fairly in the marketplace, rather than in court," the company said in its statement on Tuesday. "In this spirit, Samsung has decided to withdraw our injunction requests against Apple on the basis of our standard essential patents pending in European courts, in the interest of protecting consumer choice."
The statement makes no mention of lawsuits in other venues, but Samsung is also under investigation for potentially abusing its wireless SEPs in Korea. Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice is also looking at potential antitrust abuse by Samsung, and the FTC has made it clear that it won't tolerate the use of FRAND-encumbered SEPs to block competitors in the US.
Listing image by Chipworks/iFixit


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Twice-baked goat's cheese soufflés with apple & walnut salad
These fabulous soufflés are not as nervewracking to cook and serve as traditional ones, and can be prepared ahead
Nutrition and extra info
- Freezable
- Vegetarian
Nutrition: per serving
- kcal572
- fat46g
- saturates21g
- carbs22g
- sugars9g
- fibre1g
- protein19g
- salt0.97g
- 100g unsalted butter
- 100g plain flour
- 600ml full-fat milk, warmed
One of the most widely used ingredients, milk is often referred to as a 'complete' food…
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
Parmesan is a straw-coloured hard cheese with a natural yellow rind and rich, fruity flavour. It…
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp chopped thyme leaves
- 4 large eggs, separated, plus 1 large egg white (use the yolk, see below)
The ultimate convenience food, eggs are powerhouses of nutrition packed with protein and a…
- 175g rindless goat's cheese, crumbled
For the parmesan glaze
- 50ml double cream
- 25g grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
Parmesan is a straw-coloured hard cheese with a natural yellow rind and rich, fruity flavour. It…
- 1 large egg yolk
For the apple & walnut salad
- handful mixed baby salad leaves, picked and washed
- handful rocket, washed
Rocket is a very 'English' leaf, and has been used in salads since Elizabethan times. It…
- 1 red apple, cut into fine matchsticks
Grown in temperate regions, apples are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. There are…
- 1 tbsp chopped chives
- 50g walnut pieces, chopped
Walnuts are one of the most popular and versatile of all nuts. When picked young, they're…
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
Melt the butter in a large saucepan and use about 1 tbsp to grease 6 x 200ml soufflé dishes. Place the remaining butter back on the heat, then scatter over the flour and mix well. Cook for 5 mins, stirring constantly, then gradually whisk in the warm milk, a little at a time, until you have a thick, smooth mixture. Stir in the Parmesan, mustard and thyme, then set aside to cool slightly. Beat in the egg yolks, fold through the goat's cheese, season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a large bowl.
In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until they just start to stiffen and hold peaks. Use a metal spoon to fold them into the cheesy mixture, in 3 additions.
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spoon the mix into the soufflé dishes, then sit them in a roasting tin. Pour boiling water into the tin to reach halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake the soufflés for 20-25 mins until they are risen and coloured. Remove the dishes and set aside for 10 mins. Run a knife around the edges, then turn out onto an ovenproof tray. The soufflés can now be kept covered in the fridge overnight or frozen for up to a month. Defrost fully before reheating as below. To make the Parmesan glaze, whisk the cream, Parmesan and egg yolk until combined.
About 15 mins before you are ready to eat, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Drizzle the tops of the soufflés with the glaze. Bake for 10 mins, then finally flash under the grill until the tops are golden.
Make the salad. Toss the salad leaves, apple, chives and walnuts. Mix the red wine vinegar and olive oil together, season, then dress the salad. To serve, place the soufflés in the centre of the plates and scatter salad around each.


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1 syllable
- all's, alls, awls, ball's, balls, balz, bawls, brawls, calls, crawls, drawls, falls, galls, gauls, hall's, halls, hauls, mall's, malls, nalls, paul's, paules, pauls, poehl's, ralls, rawles, rawls, salls, salz, sauls, schmalz, shawls, smalls, sprawls, squalls, stalls, valls, wall's, walles, walls, walz
2 syllables
- appalls, befalls, ingalls, installs, mccall's, mcfalls, recalls
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You have assembled the best crews and taken great care in employing honest, loyal workers. You know all your "guys" are on the up and up, so why should you be concerned with employee theft? Because, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, three out of four of your employees will steal from you this year.
One of these people will steal repeatedly, or has already done so. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees suffered the greatest percentage of employee theft; they are particularly easy targets because they have far fewer anti-theft controls in place. When the economy is in recession, employee theft greatly increases.
Business theft comes in many forms. It can be as simple as an employee taking a few paper clips, an ink pen, paper or stamps. In the field, it is very easy for an employee to pocket a tape measure, hand tools…even a sprinkler head.
But don't put it past employees to take larger items too, such as small power equipment, seed, plant material or fertilizer. It doesn't take someone very long to transfer any of these items to their truck when the workday is complete. Mowers or leaf blowers are more difficult to take, but not impossible.
If employees have access to any of your company's tools, supplies and equipment, be assured, they can be taken. A single employee can quickly reduce or eliminate your profits immensely. And if more than one is stealing, watch out.
Sarah Hermes, third generation at Hermes Landscaping in Lenexa, Kansas, says, "The reality is, if someone wants to steal something and they are knowledgeable about how the company operates, then they will. We have a large company that has been in business for more than 50 years, and we know for a fact that trucks, loaders and equipment, as well as cash, have been stolen before—and that's with everything locked up and surveillance cameras in place. It's inevitable in this type of business."
If you don't monitor theft and allow it to continue, your business will have a one-in-three chance of declaring bankruptcy or going under, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If there's a lack of control over inventory and preventive measures do not exist, you are creating a very high probability that your employees will steal.
Imagine this simple scenario: One of your crew members needs to borrow a wrench for a home project. You are too busy to ask, so he helps himself to not only a wrench, but a couple of screwdrivers and a pair of pliers, and puts the items in his personal toolbox.
He plans to tell you later and return them the next day, but somehow he forgets to say anything about it and doesn't bring them back. Was it by accident or intentional? Does it matter? It happened, and now your supply is a couple of tools short.
Here's another sobering statistic: An average employee steals ten times more than the average shoplifter. Ask yourself how much it would take for your company to recoup these lost costs? Not to mention the time and energy it takes to replace these stolen items.
An employee's motivation could be for their personal use, to sell the item or to use it on another job. But most of the time, employees steal from their employer not because of need, but rather because an opportunity to steal presents itself. Employees could also steal for emotional reasons. If an employee feels that the business has wronged him or he is being underpaid, he is more likely to steal.
One area of employee theft most owners don't think about is theft of time. Surprisingly, the cost of time can quickly add up to as much as an employee stealing material objects— sometimes more. If you have one crew member who is consistently late, your entire crew is affected and falls behind before the day even starts.
Or perhaps, before the job your crew stops to get doughnuts and coffee, eating up precious work time.
Five minutes wasted here, ten minutes wasted there; before you know it time flies by and thirty to forty minutes have disappeared from the workday.
Have you ever considered the time wasted when employees use smartphones or tablets on the job? Texting and viewing social media has become a part of daily life. Technology allows us to take a quick glance at bits of information. Our gadgets even alert us when we have received new information, such as a text message. How many employees do you know who won't take a peek when they get that alert, even if they are on the job?
However, it's not the quick look at a text, Facebook page or daily news that quickly adds up in time. It's taking that next step and texting back.
Let's take a look at how small amounts of time can add up. Say you're paying your crew members $20 an hour each, including the labor burden. One of those employees spends five minutes viewing his smartphone five times a day. This non-productive time adds up to 100 minutes a week, which is an hour and forty minutes of lost time.
For 100 minutes of non-productive time, you just lost approximately $35 a week. Do that every week and it comes to $140 a month. That times 12 months is almost $700 lost per year. Now multiply that by the number of employees you have— let's say 20—and all of a sudden there's $34,000 per year in non-productive time. That's a lot of money for most companies to lose.
A perfect example of this is when Tamatha Blanchard, president and owner of Homestead Landscaping in Bondville, Vermont, posted the company's Facebook page. "We put the page online at about 8 a.m.; our guys leave the shop by 7. By 8:15, I already had two of our employees, who were out working in the field, friending us."
Blanchard is taking a hard look at how to handle time as it pertains to cell phone usage on the job. "I have to wonder how much less productive we may have become as a workforce, due to the amount of time that we spend on our cell phones on the job. It's a problem, because all of our work is outside of our facility and we use cell phones to communicate with our guys," she says.
One solution is to eliminate cell phone use, or have clear rules in place regarding when employees can and can't use their cell phones. "But it's still a sticky situation and I don't know yet how we're going to handle it," admits Blanchard. Smartphone and tablet time theft is an issue employers will have to deal with in order to protect their bottom line.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to help stop or deter theft in the workplace. Remember, preventing losses starts with you—it's your business. If employees know there's a monitoring system in place, it will deter them.
To cut down on dishonest employees initially, make sure to screen them. Brad Gilbert at Walters & Associates Landscape in Rome, Georgia, says, "We do a drug test, then a background check and we check references to follow-up."
"It has not been a very big issue with us in the past five years," Gilbert says. "One of the reasons is that we try to make them aware of the consequences and the negative impact it has on the company and to the bottom line."
"Our personnel, which includes the design team, the field staff and the maintenance crew, go through a training program. We make it clear upfront and in the employee handbook what is company property and what is to be used for company purposes. That includes phones and cameras, as well as electronic devices."
Another way to screen employees is by doing a simple check on the Internet. Just by typing in a prospective employee's name, you can reveal some crucial information. These screenings can expose other integrity problems.
People who are more inclined to steal possess other behavioral problems, such as tardiness, laziness and having others do work for them. You'd want to stay away from employing such people, obviously.
You can always be more careful regarding your inventory and supplies. Count and verify items delivered to you with the packing slips.
Any variation to what was delivered and ordered should be addressed right there on the loading dock, before it is accepted or signed for. Reduce the amount of employees with access to your inventory.
Around your business and particularly in your yard, use surveillance cameras that provide 24-hour monitoring. This allows you to supervise employees' actions and prevent theft. Employers can also install GPS tracking devices on vehicles. Using GPS will help eliminate the occurrence of employees running personal errands on company time and company fuel.
Make sure all materials are under lock and key at all times, including large equipment. If necessary, use cable and lock systems, and always lock entrances. Unfortunately, this doesn't guarantee that your equipment won't be stolen. Just remember, one careless employee who forgets to lock up the equipment leaves the door open for theft. It is best to limit key access to the smallest number of employees possible.
Hermes said, "More than the preventive methods in place, it's about the culture you create. We really care about our employees and respect them as individual people. It begins with the type of people you hire. We have hired ex-convicts and they have turned out to be really incredible. We believe the reason it has worked is because we truly try to make this company feel like a family."
"We employ Mexican workers through the H-2B program and have had them say, 'I don't have a family; this is my family.' With this type of culture, we believe that they're not going to steal from family. We try to create an environment that they can believe in, feel safe in and be respected."
Even with precautionary measures, do you still think it won't happen to you? Then remember what most people say when they discover that someone had been stealing from them: "I had no idea; he seemed like such a nice guy."


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Becca Dilley remembers the first time she saw newlyweds leaning in for the traditional kiss while arms rose from the sea of guests — holding iPads aloft to record the moment. "I have yet not to find it hilarious."
As a wedding photographer, Dilley watches with some concern as social media are changing a ritual that's mostly about the bride and groom to an event that potentially cedes control to anyone with a smartphone. On a day planned down to the mints, social media allow for random acts of mindlessness.
Wedding websites and magazines now include tips for dealing with well-meaning tweeters, stalkerish iPhone sharers, giddy Facebook posters or irrepressible Instagrammers.
Some couples embrace technology with gusto, while others wonder how to keep their vows from going viral. Social media are the new "plus one" at weddings, causing couples to consider how to manage the technology so that friends and relatives don't morph into Guestzillas.
Twin Cities wedding planner Alyson Newquist of Bash Collective became a believer in value-added social media after her own nuptials. Given the lag time for professional photos, it was fun for her to see friends' photos posted online the next day.
"There is a level of satisfaction of going on Facebook and being tagged a hundred times," she said. "What social media is doing to weddings is extending the space-time continuum in a way that's pleasant for many people."
Still, she added, "We're in a sort of no man's land in terms of social-media etiquette."
Say yes to distress?
National retailer David's Bridal annually asks brides what's on their minds. This year? Social media.
Almost six in 10 newlywed women said it's crucial to have social-media rules at a wedding. Slightly more than half say that the bride and groom must be the first to post wedding photos to a social-media site. And six in 10 brides admit they'd forbidden bridesmaids from uploading photos of them in their gowns before the ceremony.
Many couples draw a distinction between the solemnity of the ceremony and the more celebratory reception.
In any case, you need to make your wishes known, said Laura Barclay, an etiquette consultant who owns the Tampa/Minneapolis Civility & Etiquette Centres.
"Put a notice in the program itself — not at the top, at the bottom — noting that this is an 'unplugged' ceremony, which is the term people are using," she said. "Or you can have the officiant ask the guests to silence their electronics."
Unplugged goes for kids, too. "This should be part of their development, to understand proper behavior at weddings," Barclay said.
Other options include posting a sign as people enter the wedding venue, asking them to refrain from using electronics. Or place a framed notice at the guest book with a similar message. (But don't do both, Barclay said, or you're veering toward Bridezilla territory.)
Likewise, Newquist nixed a tip about having a basket where people can drop their phones. Sounds simple, but it could boomerang if guests think the couple have "an elevated sense of self-importance, which isn't very Minnesotan."
Newquist champions a light touch. "Humor is a great way to convey what you want communicated at a wedding." For example, riff on the turnoff reminders before movies or on airplanes. One wedding site noted a minister who joked that there was "a quiet room in the back for excited children and people busy with cellphones."
Dilley said guests using social media during the ceremony can keep them from truly experiencing a moment to which the couple have given a lot of thought. "I would question why you're taking photos instead of really being there," she said.
Professionals still needed
When Mindy Gallimore married Ryan Murray in August, friends created a hashtag handle, #murramore, for their tweeting and photo-sharing. No one considered it cutting-edge, just normal.
"We both work in advertising and marketing, and a lot of friends do, as well," she said. "Most of them are very attuned to social media. It's not just part of our social lives, but our professional lives."
Social media undeniably make weddings more public, she said, but also more distinctive. Last summer, she and Ryan attended a raft of weddings that, face it, could have blurred together. But each had a Twitter handle, which gave guests a way to participate to a greater extent than clinking champagne flutes.
She said their officiant asked guests to turn off any devices during the ceremony, although she hadn't specifically requested that. "I'd seen at other weddings that it wasn't a concern, that everyone knew to put their phones away."
Nor did the St. Louis Park couple field any arched eyebrows from older family members at all the tweeting. "They're so used to us having our phones out all the time."
The immediacy of Instagrams was fun, she said, because the photos showed more candid moments. "But nothing will ever replace professional photos," she said. "It's nice to see the Facebook posts, but they don't really compare."
For Twitter or worse
Technology is here to stay. The popular wedding website www. theknot.com suggests that if the bride struggles with not updating her status on the hour, she designate a Tweeter of Honor.
Photo-sharing sites let guests download photos at the reception to a designated wedding album. Couples can livestream their wedding to friends or relatives unable to attend, whether it's at a Fijian beach or a Burnsville church. Dilley has been to several where an elderly relative has been able to observe the ceremony or the toasts distantly via Skype, "which is actually very lovely when done well."
There are even couples who take time at the altar to change their Facebook status from "engaged" to "married."
That may send Aunt Frances into a tizzy, but then she may have driven Grandma Hortense into a tizzy by dancing the twist at hers.
"I mean, old etiquette books used to say to never mention that your parents are divorced," Dilley said. "It's always evolving."
Kim Ode • 612-673-7185


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Libra full Lunar Eclipse 2014 Can you feel the excitement and deep creativity arising at this moment? The chart for the lunar eclipse, which takes place Tuesday, April 15 at 3:42 am is a clear picture of the energy and possibility available to us all! The eclipse will be visible for those of us who live in the Americas, if we have clear skies.
This total lunar eclipse is the first of four total lunar eclipses over the next two years. You can find out more about the astronomical and traditional significance of these eclipses at this site: http://earthsky.org/space/what-is-a-blood-moon-lunar-eclipses-2014-2015. But this tax day eclipse is a cornucopia of excitement and action contained within its planetary patterns. It can already be felt as I write this and will reverberate long afterwards as well. The Moon has several companions, who give an earth consciousness message to this full Moon and eclipse. Ceres is exact to the degree of the Moon and represents the earth as mother, our home and provider. Her Greek name is Demeter, and, she has been involved in the pattern of new and full Moon charts over the last few months and year. She is the mother who mourns for her daughter, Persephone, and who brought winter to the earth in her sorrow.
The other very close companion to Moon and Ceres is Vesta. She is goddess of the hearth, the place where the law of women is found no matter how repressive the outer society. She represents the mysteries of women, which were squashed and supplanted by patriarchal invaders of the Mediterranean region five thousand years ago. In Roman society the vestal virgins were priestesses who kept the fires sacred to Vesta, and performed secret rites as students, and teachers of her mysteries. After thirty years service they could leave, marry and own property. Presently we are in the middle of a conversation about the role of women in society, government and as head of the family. Vesta and Demeter represent two personae that women play everywhere. They are in charge of fertility, food, and new life, but they are also seen as the arbiters of societal relationships and the mystery of the human body and the body of the earth. The crisis around the health of the planet, and our relationship to the earth becomes central as they take center stage with the full Moon this month.
Across the way, the companion of the Sun is Juno, Jupiter's wife, she who has rule over the relationships between men and women. She represents the revolution ongoing between us.
And of course, Moon, Mars, and the two deities, Ceres and Vesta are all located in the sign of Libra, which is about balance, about relationship, about marriage, about justice. Venus, presently sandwiched between Neptune and Chiron in Pisces, rules Libra. The healing power of Chiron is perhaps through the path of universal love (Pisces) and the spiritual power of music and release (Neptune). And now we must look at the very powerful energies of the planetary squares underway. Uranus, the revolutionary, is about to make another perfect square to Pluto—he who will not be ignored or turned back. Uranus is quite violent in Aries, and is at this moment, conjunct Mercury. We have seen a series of angry confrontations between demonstrators, counter demonstrators, police and world leaders. Pluto in Capricorn exacerbates whatever tension exists in corporate and political spheres. From clients and friends I hear of angry clashes in the work place, Capricorn. Mercury, conjunct Uranus in Aries, is not diplomatic, and war talk, between individuals and nations can be expected. Perhaps the fact that Mars (ruler of Aries) is in Libra will balance out the quick and hostile anger that can arise from all this Aries energy! In a few days, Mars, in retrograde, will form an exact grand cross with Uranus, Pluto, and Jupiter. The potential for manifestation of good and bad is great. Jupiter is opposite Pluto in the sign of Cancer. There is an expansion of family concerns. Pluto and Jupiter are brothers. Jupiter rules the upper world; Pluto ruled the underworld. They are equal in power, although not always in visibility. Once again we are given the opportunity to contemplate our relationship to opposite forces. The more we can absorb difference in ourselves and society, the more likely that this can be a time of deep human evolution. With our huge population, we have no choice but to move as lightly as possible, to dance together. This Aries Sun and Libra Moon are symbolic of the forces to harmonize and to differentiate, which we all experience, and must finally move beyond. The Sabian Symbol for the Sun speaks to the moment, and is beautifully illustrated by the Rider-Waite X of Wands: 'A man possessed of more gifts than he can hold: obsession by potentiality.'
The Sabian Symbol for the Moon can sum up this chart, which ricochets between Aries and Libra, Venus and Mars: 'An eagle and a large white dove change into each other.' Sabian Symbols are from An Astrological Mandala by Dane Rudhyar.


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Story highlights
- Hu Jia sends Ai Weiwei money after being slugged with tax bill
- Ai says the tax charges are "retaliation" for his views
- The artist created the "Bird's Nest" stadium for the Olympics
- He's not sure if he will appeal the order
Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has received support and financial aid from a fellow activist after Beijing this week ordered him to pay 15 million yuan ($2.3 million) in back taxes.
Prominent Chinese human rights campaigner Hu Jia, who was released from jail in June after serving a 3 1/2-year sentence for "inciting to subvert state power," posted the offer on his Twitter account.
"I sent 1,000 RMB ($157) to AiWW as a response to authority's tax verdict. My great gratitude and respect for what he has done," Hu wrote.
The message was also posted on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging site akin to Twitter, asking for people's support.
Hu told CNN he and his wife visited a post office on Thursday morning to transfer the money.
"Because I am still under restriction and deprived of my political rights, I cannot do too much more than sending money," Hu said. "We know that he used to help lots of people in difficulty, and is very generous. We cannot stand by when he is in trouble."
Hu said his online posts had garnered many responses from netizens, and other people were now also sending Ai money.
Ai, who called the tax decision "retaliation against a dissident," said that two Beijing tax bureau representatives visited him Tuesday and presented him with documents from the tax authority, ordering the company FAKE Cultural Development Ltd. -- registered by Ai's wife Luqing -- to pay the taxes within 15 days.
Ai, who designed the distinctive "Bird's Nest" stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, said he is not even the legal representative of the company, but that police warned him Monday that as the "factual controlling person" of the company, he'd better prepare the money and pay it himself.
"They told me that 'The country said that you evade tax, then you evade tax. The country won't change the verdict, so don't you ever think it will. There's nothing you can do,'" Ai said.
The artist was detained in April on grounds of tax evasion. However, his family and human rights advocates believe that the real reason for his imprisonment is his criticism of the Chinese government. Ai was released on bail in June for his good attitude and medical concerns, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.
Local authorities held a closed hearing in July on the tax evasion allegations despite demands for an open hearing from Ai and the company's lawyers. According to the artist, authorities also declined their demand to publish the accounting records and other evidence that lead to the tax evasion charge.
Ai told CNN he was initially detained and imprisoned on charges of "subversion of state power," but upon his release the charge was changed to tax evasion.
"This is against judicial law, and is unethical. How can a country use this way to try to silence dissidents?" he asked.
Ai said he'll consult with the lawyers on the next step, but so far there is no clear plan for him regarding how to pay the tax or if he is going to appeal. "The verdict is not reasonable, but we have to obey," Ai said. "If the government is not reasonable, no one can resist it."
"China always uses tax issues to cover up political issues. If the government keeps taking revenge on its dissidents with the law, it will only lead the country to its opposite side," Ai said.


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Choose your room
The studios (1 or 2 people - 18 to 25 m²) are sold as single room, twin, double and single or double sole use fitted with 1 sofa bed or 2 sleeps bed. One bedroom (1 to 4 people - 35 to 40 m² ) are sold as triple rooms fitted with 1 sofa bed or 2 sleeps bed in the living room and 1 double bed in the bedroom.
Apartments are in very good condition, well equipped and furnished to a very good standard. All are equiped with micro wave, baking tray, fridge, dishes, dish washer, table, chairs, desk, LCD screen and telephone. Cold buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant at the ground floor with modern style and lot of brigthness.
Recent building Nestled between the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the banks of the Seine, Poissy has much to offer in terms of natural, historical and cultural sites. Alongside gothic, romanesque and classical architecture, the city is also home to the famous Villa Savoye designed by Le Corbusier. A haven of peace just a few RER stations from Paris.
Guests must contact the residence directly no later than 24 hours prior to arrival in order to arrange for alternative check-in procedures.
Reviews: Hotel Appart City Poissy
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World Cup 2018: Socceroos get comfy in Kazan ahead of World Cup opener
The Socceroos are relishing the close confines of their World Cup base, settling into their Kazan training facility.
And an open training session at the Trudovye Rezervy Stadium let the Aussies make some friends before their World Cup opener against France on Saturday.
Socceroo Trent Sainsbury to likened it to a youth camp.
"It reminds me a lot of Canberra, the AIS, where I had some of my fondest memories," he said.
"I'm enjoying it because I'm with the boys pretty much 24/7 and one of the things I look forward to when I come into camp is hanging around with the boys as much as possible." Read on
Luongo sees Arzani shining in Russia
Four years on from his own formative World Cup experience, Massimo Luongo has backed teenage Socceroos prodigy Daniel Arzani to make an impact in Russia.
And he expects big things from the 19-year-old in the future - so long as he's not coached out of his individuality.
Arzani is the youngest player at the World Cup and enters the tournament off the back of a debut international goal against Hungary on Saturday. Read on
Sainsbury, Jedinak in Roos skipper stand-off
Trent Sainsbury says taking on the Socceroos captaincy at the World Cup would be a cherished honour but he won't be too bothered if the opportunity passes him by.
There's no doubt that Mile Jedinak, the long-term Australian skipper, is the spiritual leader of the team. Read on


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|Reviews Your reviews about cars, tires, wheels, exhausts, performance mods, parts, accessories, places
|Thread Tools
|July 13th, 2010, 10:53 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Pacific Grove, CA
Posts: 926
ROW M030 First Impressions
On 07/12/2010 I picked up my ROW M030 suspension from Sonnen Porsche in Mill Valley and drove south to Flintworks in Campbell, CA to have Alden Flint install it on my '99 Boxster. First I want to complement Alden for an excellent installation and, although this was the first ROW system he had installed, had it done in 5 hours. The time also included BS breaks as Alden does not mind if you stay around, ask questions, talk cars and life in general. The first thing I noticed was how new the car felt. Everything feels tight, like a new car, no rattles, shakes or shimmies while driving. It is definitely a stiffer ride, not uncomfortable stiff, but noticeably stiffer. In the 100+ miles I drove back home I encountered all types of surfaces, curves, corners and lane changes. The potholes in San Francisco were taken with ease as very little of the jarring was transmitted to the cabin, unlike the stock suspension. Lane changes at high speeds are quick and positive with no slop, you end up right where you pointed the car. Corners and off ramps are fast and sure with body roll well controlled and no noticeable over or under steer. So far this suspension mod has made a positive impression on me for daily driving and in a few weeks I'll have an opportunity to try it out in an AX so I'll add my impressions of it then. In a couple of months I'll be trying it out at a DE event at Laguna Seca and will have further comments.
|July 13th, 2010, 03:19 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Auburn, CA
Posts: 1,282
most of your new feel is in the shocks...
glad you feel your money was well spent You should enjoy the new suspension at your next AX and also at the track.
What did you do for alignment specs after the install?
GGR AX and TT instructor for 20+ yrs.
Maintained by Me
|August 1st, 2010, 10:26 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 201
I look forward to see what you think of the new setup on the track! I am thinking about changing to ROW 030 this Winter.
Most fun on 4 wheels. 03 S Midnight Blue Metallic.
|August 8th, 2010, 03:38 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Pacific Grove, CA
Posts: 926
ROW M030 First Impressions Update
Yesterday, Saturday 08/07/2010 the PCA RR and the 912 Registry had a combined AX at the Santa Rosa Airport with perfect AX cool weather for the day. I had my first opportunity to try my Boxster with the ROW suspension. My first run was a disaster as I got over eager, with cold tires and an unfamiliar course and went off course and did several 180's before I got the car under control, which seemed like forever. I adjusted tire pressure for my second time out and backed off the accelerator and came in with a time I had expected to start with. My next three laps I was able to shave over a second off my starting time as tires were hot and pressures were stabilized. In the afternoon I took the first two runs to get tires warmed up again and kept my times where I had ended up in the first session then my fourth run I shaved another full second off my time and registered my best clean time of the day (they also stopped putting cones in my way). Before the ROW my best time had always been 7-8 seconds slower than the fastest time and this time my best was 5 seconds slower. The driver with the best time is a consistent winner at our AX's, one of the best driver's I've seen so far and has a stripped down 912 fully set up for AX. So I have to say at this point all things combined, new car feel, better ride, better handling and better AX time I'm very happy with the ROW and have no problem recommending it as an upgrade. Next is a DE day at Laguna Seca so I'll post a review of it then.
|June 24th, 2019, 11:14 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: usa,california
Posts: 3
|April 27th, 2020, 02:49 AM
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 20
These cars are really amazing! it's my dream car.
|May 25th, 2020, 07:39 AM
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 3
Thanks for the share!
Check us here too! hvac cleaning joliet
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Currently ahead of All-Stars Chris Wondolowski, Robbie Keane and Thierry Henry in the scoring ranks this season, Crew forward/midfielder Dominic Oduro made a strong case for a selection to the MLS All-Star team with his team-leading eight goals so far in 2013. Although disappointed not to be headed to the MLS All-Star Game against AS Roma in Kansas City on July 31, the eight-year veteran respects the process of selecting the 20-man roster by a mixture of a fan vote, FIFA promotion, All-Star Game Head Coach Peter Vermes and two Commissioner's selections.
"I've been in this League awhile, and it is what it is," Oduro said of the process. "The League has its way of choosing All-Stars and you've got to respect it."
2013 marks the third-straight season a Crew player will not appear in the All-Star Game. Having played in two All-Star Games himself, Head Coach Robert Warzycha believes every club should be represented in the event.
"I think that it would be good for every team to be represented and be at the All-Star Game, but if it's not, what can you do?" the former Polish International said. "[The All-Star Game] is an experience. You're playing against AS Roma, who is a very good club. You can measure yourself against the best players."
Oduro won't let the snub affect him, however, as he is motivated for an even better second half of 2013. On-pace for a career-high in goals, the Ghanaian is focused on being more consistent in the Crew's remaining 15 matches.
"I have to keep focused," the speedster said. "I have to hunt for those goals. I need those goals. I don't need one, but I need more than one in a game. That will keep me going.
"I also don't like the fact that I'm scoring every other game or every other two games. I need that consistency. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I think I have to also look at the fact that I have to do my job right: that's scoring. I have to put myself in the right position. If I can't score, I have to try as much as possible to help my team win."
In seventh place and six points out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, the Crew is desperate to find a winning form. Oduro's pace up top and nose for goal will be a key ingredient in the Black & Gold's aim for success.
"With the second half starting, we have to focus," he said. "We have to win games, we're on the outside looking-in. We need every bit of points we can get right now."
Oduro and the Crew will get their chance to move up the Eastern Conference table when they host the sixth-place New England Revolution on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio), who currently sits one point ahead of the Black & Gold.


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other idiots.. anyone who talked to jim and semcha jacobovici on larry king last nite. they do pose intereting questions which jim himself admitted were compelling arguments which they considered. he and his mate never raised their voice while they were getting attacked from every angle, jim sarcastically feigned laughter at the cheap shots the baptist whatever fat white guys were saying like "and that's what this is, a work of science fiction" one dude got so owned that's what he resorted to.


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My girlfriends and I are just trying not to think about this week. It's not so bad actually. I have so much going on at work that it's possible I won't even notice all the Valentine's hoopla. That being said, there are a few things I love about this week. Another chance to tell the people in your life you love them, pink everywhere, an excuse to have themed girly sleepovers with chocolate cake and champagne this weekend. This is my kind of Valentine's Day…
one // Mademoiselle necklace – sweet, fabulous, timeless
two // Brut Rosé – duh.
three // #heartthis – hard to pick a favorite of these cozy By Luciana tees
four // Oysters – pair with champagne. Shuck all your feelings out.
five // Delicate stackable rings – if only I could afford like five of these Catbird rings
six // Dear Kates – cute and functional. Get 25% off with code "cupcakesforbreakfast" through Valentine's Day.
seven // Alexa Tote – the perfect (under $100!) bag to wish away this cold winter weather
eight // Parisian Pink lipstick – my perfect new shade
nine // Foods Before Dudes – aka my life


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Anderson Cooper rejects a Harvard study that says tweeting about one's self provides the same joy as eating or sex.
Post by: Anderson Cooper
Filed under: The RidicuList
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°


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We have been helping people purchase and sell homes in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario since 1972 (formerly A.R. Belluz Realty). We've earned our reputation of being a leading real estate company in our market providing superior service and achieving results beyond our clients expectations.
Whether you are selling and moving within our market place, buying within our area, or a first time home buyer, call the people you can trust. If you are moving out of our area, allow us to put you in touch with a professional within our vast Real Estate network.


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Consumer groups throughout Europe continue to take issue with Apple's warranty practices, even after Apple was fined by regulators in Italy. This time, it's a Belgian consumer group called Test-Aankoop, which filed a lawsuit against Apple for not complying with EU law and misleading customers about their warranty rights.
Test-Aankoop's complaint mirrors that of the one filed in Italy at the end of 2011. The basic gist is that EU law specifies that buyers should receive a warranty of at least two years for their electronics. Apple, however, offers a free one-year warranty on all its products from the date of purchase, and if users want to extend the coverage, they can purchase AppleCare to cover them for another two years.
The distinction is a minor but important one—Apple doesn't explicitly tell European customers about their right to a free two-year warranty and implies they must purchase AppleCare in order to get it. This is why Italy sued Apple for allegedly misleading customers, and it's also why Test-Aankoop has joined in. As noted by TNW, the organization argues in its suit that Apple is deliberately withholding information about the EU law because it wants to sell more AppleCare, and that Apple has been slow to respond to complaints.
Complaints about this issue have been picking up steam since Italy got the ball rolling in late 2011. A Portuguese consumer group announced its own plans to sue Apple over its warranty practices last July of 2012, and in October, the EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding asked the EU's 27 member states to review whether Apple had properly advertised buyers' rights to a two-year warranty. Apple has already been fined more than $1.2 million in Italy for its advertising misdeeds, but as long as it continues to avoid telling European consumers about the two-year warranty, it looks like there could be more where that came from.


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|Kirk Irwin photo
While Solvang is known as the Danish Capital of America (you knew that, right? *grin*) Santa Ynez is known for its beautiful horse ranches, vineyards and wineries. It's the heart of Santa Barbara County Wine Country. Of course, I don't own a horse ranch and I don't know much about wine. I'm just, you know, a struggling writer currently obsessed with throwing out as much as possible so I don't have to move it.
But, just because I'm not paying as much attention, doesn't mean things aren't happening in the publishing world. Here are just a few of the things that caught my notice in the past week:
Free E-Books
Everybody wants to get something for nothing and this website highlights some of the titles you can legally download every day (via Galley Cat). (Don't get me started on the whole book pirating thing.) This week's featured title: Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela Choi. Sounds interesting, no? Also still free (but only available for Kindle) Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman.
Best Book Deal Ever
Jane Austen's unfinished novel, The Watsons, sold at auction for £993,250 (about 1.5 million). Note to whoever ponied up the cash: I've got several unfinished novels and I'm willing to cut a much less expensive deal.
Shelf Awareness for Readers
Speaking of good deals, I'm now a book reviewer for Shelf Awareness (getting paid to read books=awesome deal for me!) and they're giving away a hardcover of The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman. Sign up here to enter the contest. Follow this link to read my review of Ripple by Mandy Hubbard.
Night of the Giving Dead
And just in case you were wondering, Carrie Harris raised more than $7000 with her book launch / fundraiser for the Mott Children's Hospital. Yay Carrie! And yay for those of you who bid on items, donated items, and scored some sweet deals. I snagged a t-shirt and signed copy of Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Australian author Lish McBride. Woo-hoo!
And that's about it from me. Some empty boxes are calling my name. Stupid things won't shut up! Ugh. Hope you're all having a more relaxing summer than we are...


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Patrice Evra has welcomed apparent interest from Paris St Germain but insisted he has no plans to leave Manchester United.
With speculation once again linking Sir Alex Ferguson with a move for Everton's Leighton Baines, Evra's position at Old Trafford has come under scrutiny. It was no surprise therefore that Evra's name should be linked with a move to PSG, who are making rapid strides in both France and Europe thanks to their massive Qatari-backed investment.
It seems Evra has no plans to go anywhere either. But the 31-year-old, who joined United from Monaco in 2006, did not exactly close the door on a return to France. "You would have to kill Ferguson before bringing me to Paris," he told Canal Plus.
"For now, there is nothing to do. I have a year left on my contract. I am at Manchester United.
"I am captain and I am happy.
"But it's always a pleasure to be wanted by a club such as Paris St Germain, especially as I am Parisian.
"I have never hidden my love of Paris, even though Monaco is still 'my' team.
"It has always pained me to see the club not win the title or qualify for the Champions League."
PSG are currently second in the French league, five points behind Lyon.
Last week they qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners, meaning they will be a seeded team for the draw on December 20.


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- Bruce Arena and Eric Wynalda in the same booth? This should be a real doosie……
- I didn't understand ESPN 2's profile on Jimmy Conrad. It was totally incomplete. Okay it was a teaser but didn't appear that way.
- Rob Stone calling these games make them seem like the inconsiquental friendlies that they are.
- The choice of Jimmy Conrad as captain is a statement by Bob Bradley. He is not just going to anoit the best player as captain.
- I like seeing Ricardo Clark and Jon Bornstein getting the start. Bradley wants to see what they have.
- Oh great, Alan Hopkins returns. ESPN just never learns do they?
- Eddie Johnson starts. What exactly has he done in the last 12 months to earn a start with the National Team?
- Donovan takes on two guys! Whoa what a difference a meaningless friendly makes for his confidence.
- Donovan draws a foul and a free kick with the ball at his feet! Must be the home cooking, because he never does this outside LA.
- Nate Jaqua gets in the air and had a Brian McBride look to him!
- Bornstein's development will be critical as we have to stop using midfielders in the left back position. Eddie Lewis, John O'Brien and Bobby Convey do not belong on the back line
- We are getting beaten all over the pitch. We can't seem to keep possession or string together multiple good passes in a row.
- Denmark looks to be organized and have a lot of quality on the pitch thus far in minute 19.
- Donovan and Eddie Johnson are looking dangerous together.
- Albright is looking good coming forward but he better be careful not to get beat deep.
- Wyanlda is already down on Donovan! We've only played 32 minutes.
- I am surprised considering the superior quality Denmark had that it took 36 minutes for them to get a shot on goal. Of course they made it count and we are now down 1-0.
- Ricardo Clark does well and draws a pk!
- Donovan took a lot of time over that PK and struck it poorly but luckily the keeper botched up what should have been a routine save. 1-1.
- Alexi Lalas is so smug and totally unqualified to run a professional sports franchise.
- Donovan and Johnson both are looking winded and totally useless. Maybe Bradley should let some of the kids step in and get some experience and sit both of them!
- Cooper and Namoff coming on.
- Wow. Denmark just misses on a great chance.
- Heath Pearce comes on for Chris Rolfe. Pearce knows this Danish team better than any other US player, as he plays his club football in Denmark.
- Kenny Cooper gets behind the defensive line and finishes nicely. 3-1.
- Kyle Beckerman had a nice opportunity that he sailed over the goal.
- Good win for the USA 3-1. Not much you can take from this game other than that it was a win. Feb 7th in Glendale against Mexico will tell us more, as will the back to back friendlies during the FIFA sanctioned week in late March.
USA- Denmark Live Blog
January 20, 2007 Leagues: Major League Soccer, US National Team 51 Comments


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Design for adidas eyewear
adidas eyewear are inviting artists, designers and creators around the world to customise a pair of 'Original's' sunglasses using the provided template(s). Three winning iconic designs, as judged by the adidas Original's design team, will be considered for global production in 2013.
The eyewear model in this creative challenge already exists in the adidas Original's collection and is called the Santiago. The current Santiago range uses simple eye-catching prints to give the sunglasses a 70's look and feel. The distinctive keyhole nose bridge can either create a more heritage look but can also be highlighted in a different way to make the frame look more contemporary. The Santiago continues to attract attention from artists all around the world as it possesses a unique shape and design exemplifying its subtle difference.
Here you can check out and buy the adidas Originals collection.
The design team of adidas eyewear will choose three winners. The winners may have the chance to work closely with the design team to finalize their designs if selected to go into global production. In addition, each winner will receive:
One highly commended designer will receive:
The designer with the highest number of public votes will receive:


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Prevent winter fun from becoming a DUI
Send a link to a friend
[December 07, 2012]
(ARA) -- Many
Americans associate drinking and driving with New Year's Eve. But
throughout the cold-weather months, from holiday season office
parties through snowmobiling season in January and February to St.
Patrick's Day in March, there are ample opportunities for even
cautious drivers to let their guard down when it comes drinking and
Across the United States, the law is clear. It's a
crime for a driver to operate a motor vehicle, including snowmobiles
and all-terrain vehicles, while impaired by alcohol or drugs,
including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, according to
FindLaw.com, the nation's leading source of free online legal
information. Driving under the influence, a DUI, or driving while
intoxicated, a DWI, can carry significant consequences that can
affect all aspects of your life, from jail time to revoked driving
privileges to dramatically higher insurance rates.
The use of alcohol and other drugs also extends beyond the roads
to the slopes. In Colorado, for example, under the Ski Safety Act of
1979, it is "unlawful to ride a lift or to use any ski slope or
trail when your ability to do so is impaired by the consumption of
alcohol or any drug."
According to FindLaw.com, all states measure intoxication based
on a blood alcohol concentration above a set limit, now 0.08 in all
states. This means if you have blood alcohol content at or above
0.08, you are intoxicated in the eyes of the law, and no additional
proof of driving impairment is necessary.
"Many people mistakenly believe that a DUI is a traffic
violation," says John Callahan of Norris & Callahan, a Chicago-based
criminal defense law firm. "The reality is a DUI is a criminal
offense that carries heavy consequences, including jail time."
If you regularly drink and drive, the odds of being pulled over
for a DUI are just a matter of when. According to Mothers Against
Drunk Driving, about two-thirds of DUIs involve a first-time
offender. First-time offenders typically have driven drunk about 87
times before being caught.
Callahan reminds drivers that a police officer can ask you to
pull over for any traffic violation -- from a burned-out brake light
to texting while driving, which is illegal in a growing number of
states. If an officer suspects that you're under the influence, he
or she can begin the investigation process, which includes
observation, sobriety tests and blood alcohol measurement.
"Police officers are especially on the alert for underage
drinkers who attend schools in college towns, and during large
college events such as a college basketball game, where many
students may be drinking on- and off-campus," Callahan adds. "Many
states have zero-tolerance laws toward drivers under 21 who are
arrested for drinking and driving. These laws are much stricter,
where a DUI arrest can be made if a driver, under the legal age to
drink, has even a trace of alcohol in their system.
"Beyond the risk of injuring another driver or even the
passengers in your car, I strongly urge drivers, including
snowmobilers, to never drink and drive," Callahan says. "It's not
worth the risk. If you do choose to imbibe and you are charged with
a DUI, take my advice and get a lawyer who specializes in DUIs and
is located in the state you've been charged. Especially if you've
been convicted of a previous DUI offense, as the consequences are
much more severe."
[to top of second column]
Here are some additional tips from Callahan about
driving-under-the-influence laws:
Don't do it.
Period. The absolute best way to avoid a DUI is to never get
behind the wheel of your car if you've been drinking. Call a
cab. Arrange a ride with a friend who has not been drinking.
Agree with your spouse before you go to dinner or out to an
event as to who will be the designated driver for the evening.
Watch your
consumption of more than just alcohol. Pain or anxiety
medicines prescribed for an illness, such as severe back pain,
can impair your ability to drive, too. Read your prescription
label carefully for warnings about drowsiness.
Be careful at
holiday office parties. Avoid drinking at office holiday
parties. Not only could it lead to a DUI following the party,
alcohol can lead to embarrassing situations that could damage
your career.
Understand that
snowmobiles and ATVs count, too. Many states have DUI laws
that extend to other motorized vehicles. In snowy states from
Washington to Maine, operating a snowmobile or all-terrain
vehicle while intoxicated is illegal and can be prosecuted just
like receiving a DUI while driving an automobile.
Be aware of
sobriety checkpoints. During peak periods of alcohol
consumption, such as New Year's Eve or St. Patrick's Day, local
police may set up sobriety checkpoints in your area. Even if you
have not been drinking, it's important to cooperate with police.
Don't refuse a
sobriety test. When you obtain the privilege of driving a
motor vehicle, you are effectively giving your consent to DUI
testing if a police officer reasonably believes you are under
the influence while operating a motor vehicle. This is called
implied consent, and many states have these laws on their books.
If you refuse to take a breath, blood or urine test, prosecutors
may turn to the implied consent laws when you go to court. In
many states, refusal to submit to a chemical test may be used to
increase the penalties if you're convicted of a DUI.
Hire an
experienced lawyer. Don't take a DUI lightly. Hire an
attorney who is experienced in defending people who have been
charged with a DUI in the state in which you were arrested -- an
attorney who understands both the scientific and medical
concepts of DUI. While there is a fair amount of consistency
between states in regard to DUI, laws do vary from state to
state. To find a DUI attorney in your local area, visit the
lawyer directory on
Don't count on a plea bargain. It
doesn't work like the police shows on TV. Prosecutors rarely
negotiate plea bargains in DUI cases. Some states have laws that
prohibit prosecutors from offering plea bargains with DUI
Here are some additional tips from Callahan about
driving-under-the-influence laws:
Don't do it.
Watch your
consumption of more than just alcohol.
Be careful at
holiday office parties.
Understand that
snowmobiles and ATVs count, too.
Be aware of
sobriety checkpoints.
Don't refuse a
sobriety test.
Hire an
experienced lawyer.
Don't count on a plea bargain.
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And yet, Quentin still represents a potential value this upcoming season. Bloomberg Sports also projects 29 HRs, 65 RBIs, 4 SBs, and a .268 AVG for Quentin in 2011, which translates as the 70th best player in standard 5×5 leagues. As for where he's going in drafts, Quentin's average draft spot is 157th overall.
And remember, that's just with 459 at-bats. Quentin is the only non-catcher in Blooomberg's top 100 with less than 500 at bats. …
February 25, 2011
Bloomberg Sports on Carlos Quentin
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Lip Cutting Board
About the Brand
Ryan Silverman is a long-time woodworker, but he mostly worked on floors, ceilings, and furniture until he met chef Eileen O'Dea—his first few kitchen items were hand-made gifts for her. Now married and business partners, Ryan and Eileen work out of an airy Los Angeles studio, making rich, sturdy kitchen wares and furniture out of gorgeous reclaimed and American-grown wood. If there's one word that best describes their entire operation, it's integrity, which they achieve by staying high-touch with all of their pieces (if you need further proof, look to the "hand made" tattoo on Ryan's knuckles).


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Choice Family Membership
If you join us on a Family Choice Membership - you can add additional children who can benefit from all Family Choice has to offer and a place in our Swim School.
Family Choice Membership includes access to several sport and leisure facilities locally, so the family can enjoy a unique and extensive range of activities*.
Choose a game of badminton, a gym workout, a fun and rewarding group exercise class, a swim for all round benefits ....and plenty more for you both to do.
The big news on the Family Choice Membership is your children get FREE places on the Swim School Programme. With the Family Choice Membership you will also receive discounts on half term holiday activities as well as junior sports courses discounts too.
A variation of the Family Choice Memberships is available to include one adult and three children. Read more about the Family Flex Choice Membership back on the main memberships page.
- Unlimited usage for two adults and 2 children
- Over 50 classes per week
- Gym (if available)
- Swimming pool (if available)
- 1 swimming lesson per week per child
- 7 day advance bookings for classes
- 2 hours per week of court booking
- Kids swim times and classes
- No strings contract
For more information about pricing details please contact the centre on


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The counterpart to the Hell of the Worth; dispenses with cobbles and industrial archaeological landscapes to take in the beautiful purple heather clad moorlands, and wooded slopes. Ancient bridges and yellow sandstone houses.
Of course, to get to the breath taking views, you have to ride up hills. A lot of them.
The subtext of the route is to get over 4,000m in as close to 100 miles as possible. This makes the route rather challenging. And you'd be hard pressed to find another sportive that comes close to this in terms of intensity.
The route: Basically grab yourself a copy of the OL21 South Pennines outdoor leisure map, and ride all over it.
The route has three basic phases, with transitions between them.
Starting from the Dog & Gun pub above Oxenhope, the route crosses the third highest road at Cold Edge ( 432m/1417ft), before dropping down the picturesque Luddenden Valley to the first cross of Calderdale. This is the transition phase to drop back down to the Calder at Sowerbridge, with the start of "long gradual climbs" over the Southern part (almost the Peak districture) of the region.
The first of these big climbs is 12kms long, and takes you up through a changing topology until you crest the highest road pass (Buckstones Moss: 453m/1486ft).
A decent down to Denshaw, then the long climb back up to the fifth highest pass (Bleakedgate Moor, 405m/1329ft).
Finally, a climb up to the top of Cragg Vale. The descent of this is more interesting than the climb. 20 minutes of Freewheeling if you like. We broke the descent with a brunch stop at a great cycling-friendly cafe http://www.craggies.net/. Sat outside in the sunshine, admiring the views.
Then back into Calderdale for the second phase. (Upper) Calderdale is a steep classical U Shaped valley. With lots and lots of roads which go straight up. This included numerous infamous long steep climbs - Mytholm Steeps, Doghouse Bank, Shore Lane and so on. These would make a tough ride in themselves. You're on the rivet just trying to keep moving on them.
Then cut across some of the more wilder parts on a small road that transitions to the Northern section. Although this passes the highest point (550m), the road only maxes out at 392m/1286ft. Dropped down into Trawden for a second stop.
Then into the Northern section, less steep than Calderdale but still some great climbs. This area, Lothersdale, has a very low population density. It's also well bypassed by roads. So there isn't really any through traffic. This makes for very pleasant cycling, with about 1 car every 30 minutes or so on most of the roads.
This starts with a long climb up to the top top of Bleara Moor/Thornton more ( 361m/1184ft). Only the 12th highest road in the South Pennines, but right at the Northern edge with dramatic views of the Dales, Forest of Bowland, and, on a clear day, the Lake District.
Then a smashing 50mph descent into Carleton, before start the last 6 or so climbs.
Finally, crossing over a few valleys to take is to the Worth Valley, then some gentle climbs over to Harden, looping back round to take us back to the finish line.
A long day out. I wasn't very fit and had also been ill during the week. So by the time I had finished Calderdale I was just about done. Still had another 2000m of climbing to go at this point, so we dramatically slowed. But the early start and late finished meant that we saw the Sun rising and setting.
Ended up with 173km and over 4,400m of climbing (The route was extended by 3km from the 170km shown here, to take in the Cafe stop).


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Intel OpenCL SDK 1.5 includes important performance enhancements specifically designed for the latest Intel 2nd Generation Core Processors and outlines a path for future performance improvements.
Now, the implicit CPU vectorization module takes advantage of the Intel AVX instruction set that can process 8 floating-point numbers in parallel per available physical core. In addition, future versions will tune the implicit CPU vectorization module to make it easy for developers to take advantage of the future Intel AVX2 instruction set. It is not necessary to make changes to your existing code because the Intel OpenCL SDK 1.5 compiler operates in JIT (short for Just-In-Time) mode, and therefore generates the kernel's assembly code based on the available instruction set.
The vectorization module takes scalar code and generates the most appropriate SIMD instructions according to the available instruction set. For example, if you're running a kernel on a CPU with Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.1, also known as SSE 4.1, but without AVX support, the kernel's assembly code will use SSE 4.1 instructions. However, if you run the same kernel on a CPU with Intel AVX, the kernel's assembly code will use AVX instructions to take full advantage of the most powerful instruction set. This way, when you write code for kernels and you target Intel CPUs, you know that the implicit CPU vectorization will generate assembly code that's going to be optimized for the most convenient instruction set available in the future. You just have to make sure that you always install the latest version of either the Intel OpenCL SDK or the Intel OpenCL SDK runtime.
Intel OpenCL SDK 1.5 includes the Intel OpenCL offline compiler command-line client, version 1.0.2. There are two versions for the utility, a 64-bit version (ioc64.exe) and a 32-bit version (ioc32.exe). You can use the
-simd option to specify the desired target instruction set architecture. You can use one of the following three options:
-simd=sse41: Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.1
-simd=sse42: Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2
-simd=avx: Intel AVX
By using any of the aforementioned options, the offline compiler won't generate the assembly code based on the instruction set available in your workstation's CPU. For example, if your CPU supports Intel AVX instructions, but you use
-simd=sse41, the assembly code will just include SSE 4.1 instructions and won't use either SSE4.2 or AVX instructions. You can analyze the differences between the assembly codes generated by each target instruction set and you'll understand the power of the implicit CPU vectorization module.
It is also possible to use the GUI provided for the Intel OpenCL SDK Offline Compiler to select the desired target instruction set architecture. You just have to select Tools | Options… Then, uncheck the "Use current platform architecture" textbox. Select the desired instruction set architecture in the dropdown list below the checkbox and click OK. Figure 1 shows the available options. Finally, click OK and your next build will consider the selected instruction set architecture.
If you want to check whether a specific piece of code in a kernel is going to take advantage of AVX, it is easy to do with the newest Intel OpenCL SDK. It is a very important feature, specifically when you want to write high-performance kernels that target the most powerful Intel CPUs. In addition, you can generate the program binaries for each of the different platforms.
If you're new to Intel OpenCL SDK, you can read my previous post about Intel OpenCL SDK 1.1 If you have Intel OpenCL SDK 1.1 installed on your computer, you can easily upgrade by downloading and running the installation for the newest version here.