text:
Humanitarian Response to Syria Must Address Development Crisis, Says UN Development ChiefSep 30, 2013
Geneva - While the need for life-saving humanitarian assistance for refugees and displaced peoples remains paramount, the international response to the Syria crisis must also include targeted development support, said the UN's development chief Helen Clark today in Geneva.
"Life-saving humanitarian assistance for refugees and displaced peoples is vital," said United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark. "As well, it needs to be accompanied by targeted, scaled-up, and rapid emergency development support, both to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian relief and to pave the way to longer term improvements in livelihoods and services, including in electricity, water and sanitation, and health."
Clark was speaking to the Executive Committee for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) during a special session to address how the international community can work together to help relieve the impact of the Syrian crisis on its neighboring countries.
"The political and humanitarian dimensions of the Syria crisis have been recognized from the outset," Clark said. "But there is now heightened awareness that this is also a development crisis and it will have a deep and long lasting impact on the development and future prospects of Syria."
The large flows of refugees to countries neighbouring Syria is becoming an increasing challenge.
"Trade, agriculture, tourism, and employment have all been seriously affected across the region, with unprecedented losses on revenues, taxes, and wages – particularly in Lebanon and Jordan. Within each host country, competition for already limited resources such as water and land, for jobs and livelihoods, and for essential services has increased social tensions within communities."
One-tenth of Jordan's population is currently composed of refugees, and nearly 25 percent of Lebanon's population by the end of the year is expected to be made up of registered and non-registered refugees concentrated in already-poor and vulnerable regions.
Last week, at the inaugural meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon, the World Bank and the UN gave estimates of the costs of the crisis to Lebanon of nearly 7.5 billion dollars in economic losses. Unemployment has doubled from ten to twenty per cent, and the country's budget deficit is widening.
Jordan is hosting around 550,000 Syrian refugees – both registered and unregistered. The government estimates that it needs nearly 2 billion dollars to address the impact of the crisis on its communities.
In Iraq, there are over 220,000 Syrian refugees, of which 61,000 have arrived since mid – August.
In Turkey, between 500,000 to 600,000 Syrian refuges have crossed the border since the start of the conflict.
"Clearly the costs on host communities and countries cannot be borne by them alone," said Clark. "The challenge now is to ensure that our collective response to this complex crisis is both humanitarian and developmental in approach."Contact Information
In New York: Christina LoNigro at firstname.lastname@example.com or +1 212 906-5301
In Geneva: Adam Rogers at email@example.com or +41 79 849 0679


text:
level that WT gave me one Christmas. I keep it here on the old oak
high school drafting table, I use as a computer desk, in the little
sitting area off the manor kitchen. I didn't realize until today, it's
obviously my Libra sense of balance, that draws me to this mellow
level, with its air bubbles housed in cloudy green glass.
Speaking of a sense of balance, the only thing about blogging, that's
making me feel incredibly unbalanced lately, is the fact that I'm
having a bit of trouble making it through the bloggyhood to visit all
you special peeps on a daily basis. You are the nicest, most creative
and intelligent group of gentle readers in the whole blogosphere. I
am one lucky blog duck. You mean the world to me, and that's why
You know how it is. I'm going down the mile, the ubiquitous green
blogroll mile, and the phone rings. I chat. I laugh. I return to the
mile, and it has grown. Not only that, but I've lost my place. I skim
down and click on a blog with an intriguing post. I click on someone
I know some of you like to send an email to everyone who leaves a
comment. I'm afraid this method would permanently attach my butt
to the chair, and I would soon collect dust and spider webs. Plus, I
think it's a bit redundant to reply by email, and also go leave a blog
comment. Not to mention, it chokes the old inbox. Some others of
you only comment to those who have left comments on your post.
I don't really care for that method either, because there are so many
interesting bloggers out there, that don't necessarily leave me a
comment on a daily basis.
So, what's a willow to do? I think my gentle readers will understand,

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Economic morale in the euro zone improved for the first time in almost a year in November, but industry's reluctance to invest next year bodes poorly for a quick recovery from recession.
Sentiment towards the bloc's economy rose 1.4 points to 85.7 beating forecasts and ending an eight-month run of falls, the European Commission's monthly business and consumer survey showed on Thursday, with Germany and France gaining strongly.
The Commission's survey of industry found expectations of a 1 percent fall in real investment in 2013 compared to this year, however, casting doubt on European policymakers' predictions that growth will return next year.
"The economic outlook for the euro zone remains pretty dreadful," said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics in London.
The euro zone fell into a recession in July-September, its second since 2009, as French resilience failed to make up for a slump across Europe and the three-year-old debt crisis dragged on Germany, Europe's economic engine.
The debt problems that emerged in Greece in late 2009 following the global financial crisis and have since spread through the bloc continue to reverberate around the globe and hold back a lasting recovery.
The Commission sees 0.1 percent growth in the euro zone economy next year, but the OECD and many international economists see the recession continuing in 2013.
"We expect the euro area to remain in recession in 2013," Citigroup said in a research note this week, predicting more interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank to try to stimulate the economy, which generates a fifth of global output.
Consumer confidence also fell in the euro zone in November, the survey showed, which is bad news because the bloc relies on shoppers to drive around half of its economic output.
Economic sentiment in November was still better than the decline expected by economists polled by Reuters, and the Commission said confidence in industry increased significantly by the first time since February, helped by orders.
That may be a sign that the euro zone, while struggling at home with the debt crisis, may be benefiting abroad as the U.S. and Chinese economies regain some strength.
Separately, the Commission's business climate indicator, which points to the phase of the economic cycle, increased by 0.42 points to -1.19, and showed an improved mood across much of the economy, including order books and output expectations.
Reporting by Robin Emmott; Editing by Rex Merrifield and Catherine Evans


text:
It's unfortunate, but not all kids feel comfortable enough with their parents to bring up the birds and the bees when the time to talk about it rolls around. The same goes with some parents trying to initiate the old sex ed talk. Addressing the matter to make sure teens stay safe and informed is BrdsNBz. It's a texting service that's geared towards teens and parents that lets them send in sexual health questions. The service promises that the asker will receive a response from a health expert within 24 hours.
The service is being offered by New Mexico and North Carolina. California has a similar program called HookUp 365247, which sends weekly sex ed tips and information on nearby reproductive health clinics to those who signed up.


text:
Mardi Gras has a rich history, but for many CU students, it basically marks a good reason to go crazy on a Tuesday night. There's some great live music happening around town, but what's a celebration without some shots and down-home grub?
11 a.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, 2922 Baseline Road
The Dark Horse is partying all day. Get into the spirit with party favors during the day, Bayou trike races at night and a $5.99 dish of authentic jambalaya any time in between.
7 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, 1109 Walnut St.
Find your own little slice of New Orleans at "Fat Two's Day" at the Absinthe House with two-for-one drinks, Budweiser promotions and the smooth sounds of funk and old school hip hop.
Shine Restaurant and Gathering Place
8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., 2027 13th St.
Enjoy some hot soup at Shine while taking in the tunes of Boulder-based funk quartet Hot Soup. The band has played with members of the String Cheese Incident and shared the stage with the Disco Biscuits, so the $3 cover is a total steal.
9 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, 1301 North Broadway St.
Join DjLARGECHILD for "Fat Tuesday BabeNight." Ladies drink free until midnight. Other drink specials include $4 hurricanes, $2 PBR drafts and $3 whiskey. Plus, The Goose promises "Fat Tuesday fueled mischief."
9 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, 1911 11th St.
The Walrus is celebrating "Mardi Bras." Any woman who brings in a bra before 11 p.m. receives a coupon for a free hurricane cocktail. As for what to do with the bra after you get the coupon, well, DJ Petey goes on a 10.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 1247 Pearl St.
Kick the day off in style with $3 hurricanes and New Orleans cuisine. Purchase a Mardi Gras special and get free beads!
11 a.m. Tuesday to 12 a.m. Wednesday, 926 Pearl St.
The West End Tavern is serving up drink specials and Mardi Gras food all day. Special bonus: if you find a baby in your cupcake, you get a chance to win a VIP bourbon tasting for two.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m., 1800 Broadway St. #150
Listen to the music of Justin Faye and Bobby Vigil while filling up on the $22.95 all-you-can-eat crawfish dinner at the 2nd annual event.
Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Place
11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 950 Pearl St.
If you're celebrating Mardi Gras Boulder style, why not do it Brazilian Carnival style as well? Centro has $8 drink specials and $5-12 food specials all day.
4 p.m. to 10 p.m., 928 Pearl St.
"Laissez les bon temps rouler" or "Let the good times roll" at Jax. The Fish House has $6 hurricanes and classic Louisiana cuisine including fried oyster and shaved tasso ham po' boys and crispy frog legs.


text:
I'm thrilled to welcome my Ruby Sister Diana Layne to the Killer blog today in honor of her debut release, A Pirate's Proposal, a historical romance which will be out on January 18 from the Wild Rose Press, and her mainstream suspense/thriller, The Good Daughter, a mafia tale that is coming soon on Amazon. And since her guest blog is during our Killer contest, any comments left today will be extra entries for the Kindle or Nook grand prize!
So here's Diana!
Hi, everyone, I'm so happy to be here at Killer Fiction! Since we're all friends, I have a confession for you: Organization does not come easy to me. I have to work at it and work hard…and if I'm not diligent, I find that once again clutter is controlling my life.
Unfortunately, I came out of a book editing fog right before Christmas and noticed that clutter had once again regained control.
I had just started my baking and hadn't even begun wrapping. The mess of paper on the floor is what I dug out of the closet. I'm sure I put it up much more neatly last year. Didn't I?
Now, in my defense, there are anywhere from 7 to 10 people living at my house at any one time. Even though I have six children, four of them are grown, and how so many ended up back home is a puzzle to me. Currently we are at 7 ¾ as my new granddaughter will be born in March.
I homeschool my youngest two (ages 7 and 9), I write, I shop and cook for the bunch. Others have pitched in with the cleaning, and I suspect this is where I've lost control. No one knows what current organizing system I'm using…mainly because I don't know what system I'm using. I think coming up with a system needs to be a family affair now, right? Except they're all in school and working and having babies…oh, when do we have time to get organized?
Still, if I can dig out some minutes in our day, (FlyLady says organizing can be done in fifteen minutes a day, more on her in a minute),there are tons of resources available. A long time ago I started with Confessions of an Organized Housewife. Yes, we were married to the house back then. At the time I only had three children, all under age five, and I ran three home businesses: housecleaning, daycare and teaching piano, and I also played piano for our church. Writing was only a longed-for, far-off dream to escape the hectic pace of life. With the hours in my day rapidly shrinking, this book was a sanity-saver back then; although, I will admit, it took me a while to get everything she proposed implemented. For example, one of her tips was to label each piece of your puzzles (like puzzle one, label all pieces, A, A, A, puzzle two, B, B, B, etc), then cut out the pictures on the lids and store pieces and picture in a plastic zip lock bag. I believe she then hole-punched the bags and stored them in notebooks. Well, we had a LOT of puzzles (this was before Internet) and I ran out of the alphabet. So then I started on numbers.
I also realized I was a piler not a filer so I tossed them all in a big bucket instead of the notebooks. (Are you a piler or filer? Take the quiz: here.)To this day, 25 years later, I still have those puzzles organized, and we made it through the years only losing a few pieces.
Once I got a system going, my life, and my family's life, worked much better.
It seems like my organizing only lasts for so long though, and soon, I'm looking for inspiration to do it all again. This might be because at these times I've entered a new phase of life and need a new system. (Like homeschooling and writing and juggling a big family.)
If you Google, you'll find plenty of organizing sites. I love organizing sites; I could read about organizing all day….
But seriously, two I absolutely love are FlyLady and Organized Home.
When I became a Flybaby, I diligently polished my sink every night prompting my husband, at one point, to question just exactly why I was doing that. (I believe his exact words were, "Why the hell do you keep cleaning the sink?")
"I dunno," I replied. "FlyLady said I had to." And the FlyLady's point is if you wake up to a clean, shiny sink, your day starts off better. The only problem with that is with so many people living here—10 at that time—I always woke up with dirty dishes in the sink. At least at my house, I guess dishes multiply like rabbits. I will admit that discouraged me so I abandoned FlyLady—at least until I get rid of every—oops, I mean until everyone moves.
As for the Organized Home site, lots of good articles and ideas and plenty of templates to print out for your home notebook, which is a notebook to help you keep things organized. I love making these notebooks, and there are templates for every kind of notebook you can imagine. After they're made though, I tend to stare at them and turn the pages and admire their perfection. Use them though? Nah, not really.
Right now, what works best for me is my little day planner where I scribble everything down, even writing ideas. (This apparently is a piler tendency according to that test.) I decided at this time, I'm just going to try to hang on until the grown kids, spouses, and grandkids move back out, and then I'm renting a dump truck from the city and going through the house room by room and starting over. Just another year… :)
What about you? Do you have any great tips for staying organized?
Diana Layne writes in various genres, from historical romance to mainstream suspense. Her historical romance, Pirate's Proposal will be released on January 18, 2012 from The Wild Rose Press. And her mainstream suspense, The Good Daughter, will be live on Amazon soon.
Four lucky commenters will receive an IOU for either Pirate's Proposal or The Good Daughter (winners' choice). For more info on each book please visit www.dianalayne.com
Pirate's Proposal The Good Daughter
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Guest blogger: Diana Layne!
Posted by Anonymous at 2:31 AM
Labels: Amanda Brice, Diana Layne, guest bloggers
66 comments:
- Unknown said...
I love pirate books and haven't read one it a while so I would love this book.
I am not an organized person at all. Years ago I always thought I would be if I didn't have to work and take care of the house and kid. Now the kid is in college, I don't have a job but still take care of the household. Cook, clean, take care of the lawn and everything else that needs doing but I am still not organized. Now I blame it on the house being to small and there is no place to put anything but the truth is I am just not an organized person. I am just so so.
- January 7, 2012 at 5:13 AM
- Heather said...
Hi Diana! I am totally a piler because if its out of sight its out of mind and I forget about it (bills, stuff that needs attention). I have heard about flylady will have to check her out. You are a busy lady!
- January 7, 2012 at 5:16 AM
- Heather said...
Hi Diana! I am totally a piler because if its out of sight its out of mind and I forget about it (bills, stuff that needs attention). I have heard about flylady will have to check her out. You are a busy lady!
- January 7, 2012 at 5:16 AM
- Cheryl said...
Hi Diana. I have to admit I'm a piler as are my two teenagers. Unfortunately, any horizontal space is fair game to pile papers, bills. I have tried to be more organized but every time I try to sort stuff I get sidetracked and start on other tangents. Both of your books sound like something I would like to read.
- January 7, 2012 at 8:29 AM
- Michele L. said...
Hi Diana,
I am pretty much organized but I will pile stuff from time to time. So I am a fluctuater! LOL!
Oh cool, pirates! You sure a busy little bee! Sit a spell dear and take a load off.
- January 7, 2012 at 8:53 AM
- Callie said...
I'm still laughing at your husband's comment about cleaning the sink. I did the flylady thing for a while when my kids were little, and I got a similar remark from my husband. I'm sure he thought my mind snapped.
My 22 year old just moved back home, thankfully with no spouse or grandbabies, just himself. My 20 year old is only a freshman in college, so she'll be here for a while. Dirty dishes in the sink is my pet peeve, but I must live with it, or the dirty dishes would be piled up in their bedrooms, which makes it difficult to find things to place my dinner on.
Loved Pirate's Proposal, and am anxious for it to come out. Best of luck with it when it does.
- January 7, 2012 at 8:58 AM
- Diana Layne said...
ACH, somehow my hyperlinks didn't work! Me and technology, sigh.
Here's the filer or piler quiz link at Better Homes and Garden: http://www.bhg.com/bhg/quiz.jsp?quizId=/templatedata/bhg/quiz/data/fileorpile_10102003.xml
Organized Home: http://organizedhome.com/
and Flylady
- January 7, 2012 at 9:04 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Virginia, I loved the pirate romances of old, I hope they're making a comeback. I saw all the Pirate of the Caribbean movies and I was hooked again. It was great fun writing a pirate story with a female pirate captain!
- January 7, 2012 at 9:08 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Heather, for bills I'm still pretty much on top of it. I love those plastic drawers that come in all sizes. For my bills, I have a small set of drawers where I just toss the bills in and then two days a month I pull it out and pay the bills. I also toss the paid bills in a bucket that's in my drawer in my file cabinet instead of attempting to file. I do love flylady but I don't have the energy to tackle her yet, lol.
- January 7, 2012 at 9:11 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Cheryl, I know I love to pile stuff, especially books and then the stack gets so tall they topple over! I hope if you get a chance to read one or both of my books that you enjoy them. Thanks!
- January 7, 2012 at 9:13 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Oh, Michele, I used to be organized. I envy you! Congratulations!
- January 7, 2012 at 9:14 AM
- Erin T said...
I think I am a borderline hoarder, lol. My house is not bad but my basement is an unorganized chaotic mess. That seems to be my catchall spot.
I give you a ton of credit for homeschooling. That is an amazing thing to undertake.
- January 7, 2012 at 9:16 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Callie, good luck with the older kids living there (temporarily, I hope). I think it's kinda harder to have older kids back home because I can't ground them if they don't help, lol. Thanks for the kind words on Pirate's Proposal!
- January 7, 2012 at 9:16 AM
- Refhater said...
Welcome to FB Diana!
I am a piler with OCD. Lethal combination! And sadly, I see the same tendencies in our 4 and 6 year olds. Thankfully we haven't reached "Horder" status yet... I try to keep organized with tubs, but now have tubs taking over one whole spare room. I'll have to check out those sites you posted for sure.
- January 7, 2012 at 9:22 AM
- Jana DeLeon said...
Hi Diana! Welcome to KF and thanks for guest blogging. :)
I just bought a Neat Receipts scanner. You feed your receipts/documents into it and it picks up certain info on the doc and files it according to the file structure you've established. I just got it, so I'm using it for 2012. So far, so good. :)
- January 7, 2012 at 9:58 AM
- petite said...
What a busy and wonderful life. Your books look intriguing and special. I am a real thrower. Anything not needed I dump.
- January 7, 2012 at 10:01 AM
- traveler said...
I am organized and have been that way all my life. I enjoy clearing out as much as possible since it make a clear head. I hate clutter. Your life sounds fulfilling and extremely worthwhile. Pirate books look amazing. Best wishes.
- January 7, 2012 at 10:07 AM
- Theresa N. said...
It's all in the filing cabinet and that's all I'm going to say on the subject. :)
Theresa N
- January 7, 2012 at 10:11 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Erin, my dump-all spaces are the storage building and carport. Although there is room for at least the front half of the van under my carport, lol.
- January 7, 2012 at 10:15 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Refhater, it so happens while I was at the grocery yesterday that the January edition of Family Circle magazine jumped onto the conveyor belt on the way to the register. I think because there was an Organize Your Life article in it. The article suggests using baskets and buckets and tubs. It's a good idea, just toss and hide. :)
- January 7, 2012 at 10:18 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Jana! Neat receipts! I heard it advertised on the radio, checked it out, coughed at the price and said...maybe later. But it looks like it would be fabulous! Let me know how it works!!
- January 7, 2012 at 10:20 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Petite, I wish I had the ability to toss things out like you! I know if I'd do it right away, it wouldn't pile up, but I always stack it up for...later.
- January 7, 2012 at 10:21 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Traveler, organized all your life! I do envy you! I agree, getting rid of the clutter clears your mind. Usually after every book, I take time to shovel the most pressing accumulation so I can think to start the next book, but one day I hope to get the whole house done again...
- January 7, 2012 at 10:24 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Theresa, I know just what you mean re: those filing cabinets. :)
- January 7, 2012 at 10:24 AM
- Elisa Beatty said...
Congrats on the two books coming out, Ruby Sister! Can't wait to buy them!
I live in a household of stressed-out pilers with barely enough time to cook and do laundry, much less organize. And we're in a tiny house with no basement, no attic, no carport, no room for baskets or tubs.
I've been trying to follow the advice of a terrific book called IT'S ALL TOO MUCH, which basically says you have to pare down your possessions to fit the space you have, or you just plain can't enjoy your home or your life.
We've made some progress, but the TIME it takes to excavate all the piles i hard to find.
- January 7, 2012 at 11:14 AM
- Chelle Sandell said...
I'm a piler. LOL. But mainly because we don't have enough room and I really don't know where to put everything. My office is the current catch-all room. We put little man back in school last year and I went back to work full-time...which means I'm struggling with keeping the house clean. I threatened little man's Legos with the vac this morning. ;)
- January 7, 2012 at 11:38 AM
I'm a piler, but the chaos drives me crazy if it gets too far ahead of me. I'd like to have "a place for everything and everything in its place", but when we downsized, we went a bit too far (which explains the also unorganized storage bin!) Hard to believe I once reorganized and streamlined an entire advertising agency's office system, isn't it? *sigh*
- January 7, 2012 at 12:22 PM
- Rebekah E. said...
I am horrible at organizing. Hopefully one day I will get the hang of it. My husband is always on me that I make things hader than it needs to be because I'm so disorganized.
- January 7, 2012 at 12:38 PM
- catslady said...
I live in chaos which drives my husband crazy. I know where things are as long as no one else moves anything and you know that always happens but I get blamed. I'm afraid I'm a packrat. I get totally attached to everything. I know I have a problem and every once in a while (like now) I give it a good try but it doesn't take me long to get back to where I was (sigh). So I'm afraid I'm no help to you at all.
- January 7, 2012 at 12:57 PM
- Barbara E. said...
I try to be organized with files and things, but I do tend to pile. I usually know pretty much what is in each pile, but things do tend to get forgotten that way. I try not to do that with anything important. If it's important I leave it out so I can't forget it or ignore it, as the case may be. Good luck with your organizing.
- January 7, 2012 at 1:38 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Ach, Elisa, I wrote you a response and then managed to lost it, again me and technology, lol. I don't know how you managed to do all you do, Ruby Sis! The book looks like a good start, just don't get overwhelmed and give up. FlyLady says 15 minutes a day. Break your house into tiny zones and work on one at a time.It might take you a year or more, but it will get done. Keeping it done, that's another thing, lol.
Part of my problem is that after my divorce I was homeless for a while. Though it was over 10 years ago, my psyche has not yet recovered and it is very hard for me to let go of "things". I imagine a counselor would have a field day with me, lol. (this is also why I let my older kids move back, know what it's like to go through tough times.)
- January 7, 2012 at 1:47 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Chelle, that shop vac works, I tell ya! I know it's tough when you're working full time. The time I was working full time and my kids had to go to school, I found we spent as much time on homework at night as it previously took me to homeschool! Add that to the full time job and writing, and it's tough. Just divide the house into tiny sections like I told Elisa, and attack one at a time. Toss ruthlessly. I try to tell myself that if I accidentally toss something I need, I can always get another. I will do this again, but not until everyone gets through college and moves out again.
- January 7, 2012 at 1:51 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Patricia, piling is not necessarily a bad thing if you can come up with a system. That's why I use my day planner to remind me of things to be done when I shove those piles out of sight...if I can remember to use it. Then there are times when I misplace the day planner in one of my piles...argh. :)
- January 7, 2012 at 1:54 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Oh, and Patricia, if you've done it once, you can do it again! That's what I keep telling myself!
- January 7, 2012 at 1:55 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Rebekah, yep, not only can being disorganized make things harder, but it can also cost more money if you've lost something you know you have but have to go out and buy another. Just keep trying different systems, or combine a few systems and then you'll come up with something that works for you, I bet!
- January 7, 2012 at 1:56 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Catslady, I'm rather at the point where you are about it being hard to let things go (see my comment to Elisa). So I can absolutely empathize. I have read that we can get rid of the things and keep the memory but the way my memory is these days, not so sure that's true...
- January 7, 2012 at 1:58 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Barbara, I leave things out, too, so I won't forget. For example, I pay my bills twice a month, but I usually write the check for the house payment and other things a bit early, then I have a place where I leave them and can see them every day so I can remember to mail when the money hits the checking account. Yeah, it adds to the clutter, but it's how I remember. :)
- January 7, 2012 at 2:03 PM
- Pamela said...
I'm a one at a timer myself. Instead of tackling the forest, I force myself to focus on adressing each tree one by one until I'm done. Its the only way I have survived, because before i would be curled in fetal position with the thought of tackling all that I need to do.
- January 7, 2012 at 2:06 PM
- Cynthia Justlin said...
OMG, I'm a total piler. I have piles everywhere. Little hotspots of piles that somehow seem to crop up no matter how much I vow not to let them. Basically, my organization skills are nil.
I always say I'm going to do Flylady, and I'll try it for a week, and I'll fail miserably and give up. I'm to the point where I'm ready to try again because my house is driving me nuts. LOL.
- January 7, 2012 at 2:27 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Pamela, that is the way to do it! I've attempted that, but with so many here, it seems like the area gets unorganized as fast as I organize it.
- January 7, 2012 at 2:35 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Cynthia, I'm almost ready to try FlyLady again, too! Not quite. First, I want to get my 1000 word a day goal conquered with the new group I joined and then...life will be good and I can organize. Yeah, right, lol. Really, I'd included pictures of my clutter, but I guess they disappeared like my hyperlinks. You'd see why I lol'd over dreams of getting organized...good luck to you! And embrace the tendency to pile, somehow we can work with it instead of letting it work against us!
- January 7, 2012 at 2:37 PM
- Na said...
Happy Saturday, Diana! Congrats on your upcoming releases and those are two genres I enjoy reading. Pirates can make for pretty dashing heroes. When it comes to being organized I love making lists and allocating times to finish them. It's a visual reminder but also soothing to see each item getting checked off. I'll have goals and break them down into objectives -steps. The lists can be as informal as scaps of papers for daily to-dos to more complex such as spreadsheets.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/FieryNa/status/155751354227359744
- January 7, 2012 at 2:44 PM
- cheralyn said...
I'm a piler. I try to organize my mail,bills,books and magazines but sometimes I have an avalanche! Your books sound good, I'm looking forward to reading them!
- January 7, 2012 at 2:59 PM
- Brandy said...
I'm an organizer, but my family? Well, they drive me crazy. I even file my receipts according to month (only the important receipts get their own file folder). Bills are kept in a small pile next to me until payday when they're paid and then labeled as such before being filed. Hmm, I have too much paperwork. *g*
I also homeschool my two children and the teenager is a mess when it comes to keeping her things together and my Son isn't far behind her.So I have to go back behind them and try and keep their folders neat.
Twice a year I cull the house of outgrown clothes, toys and books that won't be kept on keeper shelves and donate those items. (Spring and Right before the Holidays.)
Congratulations on your book(s) release(s).
I've never checked out FlyLady or The Organized Home, I'll have to do that.
- January 7, 2012 at 3:14 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Na, thanks for tweeting, I just followed you! I like to cross things off my lists too, as long as I don't lose them, lol.
- January 7, 2012 at 3:40 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Cheralyn, I'm very familiar with those avalanches! :)
- January 7, 2012 at 3:42 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Brandy, I understand about the kids. I taught my older ones to organize but it seems like when they grew up, it all dropped out of their brains. I can't seem to teach the youngest, they are resistant!
- January 7, 2012 at 3:44 PM
- Chrisbails said...
I love pirate stories. You are a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I love to read and always looking for new books and authors to check out. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am so what organized. I do sometime pile stuff. If we are having company I will tend to put stuff out of site and then forget that it is there.
- January 7, 2012 at 5:37 PM
- mullymoon said...
I, too am a piler. I am trying really hard to reform. I can't tell you. Howmany times I've sworn I didn't get something ony to find it buried hip deep on my desk. One thing has gotten better. We have a recycling center in town. You can buy a big bin for$5, maybe $10. But you can take it in for $5 and they will shred it right in front of you. It rocks and at least I can take all the things needing to be shredded off my pile! It has def helped!
- January 7, 2012 at 8:00 PM
- Sarah S. said...
I always have grand plans on being organized, but if my garage is any indication it never actually works out. Although I know where everything is located. :)
- January 7, 2012 at 9:03 PM
- Diana Layne said...
ah, Chrisbails, that's sweet. I know that out of sight, out of mind. Sometimes it's fun to find things I've stuffed away. Sometimes it's not. One time I stuff the frozen broccoli in the cabinet over the stove. I still don't remember doing that, but I must've been in a hurry...only found it days later when I tore the house apart looking for the smell, ha.
- January 7, 2012 at 9:14 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Mullymoon, I would gladly pay $5 to have someone shred my papers, that is a great program!! My shredder and I have been fighting today as I'm trying to shred last years papers and the shredder is acting tired. I could just ditch the shredder altogether with a program like that!
- January 7, 2012 at 9:17 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Well, Sarah, if you know where everything is in the garage, you must have some sort of system. So maybe it doesn't look so neat, but being able to find stuff is half the battle, right?
- January 7, 2012 at 9:18 PM
- Kristi said...
I'm a piler. I pile books, mail, clothes, etc. It drives my husband crazy because he is so organized. Everything has to be in its place.
At work though, I am totally neat and organized because I can't work in clutter.
- January 7, 2012 at 10:20 PM
- krisgils33 said...
I'm pretty organized, so it's one of the easier things for me. :-)
- January 8, 2012 at 7:58 AM
- Diana Layne said...
Kristi, I think we should embrace our piling tendencies. It might take a little thought, but I feel like there must be a way to be a piler and keep things neat as well. I hope so, anyway!
- January 8, 2012 at 8:40 AM
- Diana Layne said...
krisgils33, another one to envy! Lucky you!
- January 8, 2012 at 8:41 AM
- Avery Flynn said...
I have mad love for Post It notes but the best organizational tool I have is the Wunderlist app. It syncs between my laptop, iPhone and iPad so no matter what I'm using I have my to do list. Plus it's free - or at least it was when I downloaded it.
Also, must have been kismet that I stopped by today. Was just explaining National Talk Like a Pirate Day to the kiddies. :)
- January 8, 2012 at 12:54 PM
- Brandie said...
You sound a little like myself. I have a home daycare and my own children. I'm constantly trying to organize my home. Thanks for the tips!
- January 8, 2012 at 1:34 PM
- Unknown said...
My to do list keeps my organized for the most part. I could use some help getting the clutter in my house organized.
- January 8, 2012 at 1:42 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Avery, lol, a little early in the year for talk like a pirate day? Bet the kids will have a lot of fun with that! :) Love post it notes, here, too. I don't have a smart phone or iPad, although I do have an iPod I bought used. I don't think I could use it to stay organized though, because I'm always misplacing the thing!
- January 8, 2012 at 6:54 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Brandie, I used to run a home daycare! That's when I first got serious about getting an organizing system. (and this was before Internet so that's why I bought Confessions of an Organized Housewife) Now, I'm in a different season of life so I need a new system!
- January 8, 2012 at 6:56 PM
- Diana Layne said...
StephanieJS, yes, I make lists in my day planner and if I remember to use it, then I do ok. But yeah, it's the clutter in my life that's got me down right now. I can't seem to carve out the time to get rid of it and get what's left organized, but I'm still working on it! Someone needs to petition to have more than 24 hours in a day, lol!
- January 8, 2012 at 6:57 PM
- Calisa Rhose said...
I am a pfiler. I file and then pile. I need help! lol But my hubby is as bad as I am so it drives me crazy when his piles breed with mine. There is no hope for us. I don't try to stop, though I do pare occasionally.
I'm so excited about your book's release day approaching! Yay and I love that pirate story. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to read it before publication. Good luck and may you have many sales!
- January 8, 2012 at 10:42 PM
- Diana Layne said...
Hi, Calisa, thanks for stopping by! Had to laugh about the piles breeding, yes, that would be problematic. :)
- January 9, 2012 at 7:07 AM
- chey said...
I'm a piler too.
- January 9, 2012 at 4:13 PM


text:
Michael Jackson's Estate Suing Over Photo Auction
Michael Jackson's estate is now in the middle of a lawsuit with a movie memorabilia store over a series of 20-year-old photos.
According to TMZ, the late singer's estate claims that Premiere Props of El Segundo, Calif. placed photographs from the Jackson brothers' 1984 Victory Tour up for auction. The shop also allegedly told buyers that they would own the negatives and copyright of the snapshots. Think about how much money could be made from printing and selling the rare photos — it's a huge incentive to potential customers!
Unfortunately, MJ's team says that Michael hired a professional photographer to shoot the concerts, and that the 'Thriller' star's estate owns all rights to the pics. If proven true, that means Premiere can't make any monetary gains off of the photos.
Premiere reported that the value of each picture is between $200 and $2k. The Estate is suing for the auction profits and to prevent the memorabilia store from selling any Michael Jackson items in the future.


text:
CNN's GUT CHECK | for August 21, 2012| 5 p.m.
– n. a pause to assess the state, progress or condition of the political news cycle
BREAKING: RON PAUL MAKES A DEAL… A stand off between Ron Paul supporters and the Republican National Committee over convention delegates appears to be easing, and both sides are close to announcing a deal that could help avoid a potentially embarrassing moment for Mitt Romney on the day he receives the GOP presidential nomination. – Mark Preston
DEVELOPING: ROMNEY WEIGHS IN, BUT AKIN WON'T BACK DOWN… Presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney pushed for Akin to step aside, writing in a statement: "As I said yesterday, Todd Akin's comments were offensive and wrong and he should very seriously consider what course would be in the best interest of our country. Today, his fellow Missourians urged him to step aside, and I think he should accept their counsel and exit the Senate race."
Yet earlier a defiant Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri said Tuesday he will stay in the Senate race to unseat Democrat Claire McCaskill despite mounting calls from across the political spectrum for him to withdraw over incendiary comments on rape and pregnancy. Akin cited what he called a grass-roots conservative movement in the country that needs a voice in government for his decision to reject increasing pressure from the Republican Party, congressional colleagues and others to step aside. – Tom Cohen
(Answer below)
The historian Flavius Josephus once wrote that "One may call this place the ambition of Nature." What place was he talking about?
MARK (@PrestonCNN) & MICHELLE (@MJaconiCNN)
What caught our eye today in politics
Our eyes were fixated on the writing and reporting of a singular reporter today: CNN's Peter Hamby. Hamby is in Tampa, Florida, chronicling the moves of the co-ed Republican Platform Committee with detail and diligence. Here is a day in the life of one of the best reporters on the campaign trail:
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 7:09 am
GOP platform draft, facing approval today, will condemn Fast and Furious & the Obama administration's effort to "repeal" (!) welfare reform
Email from Peter Hamby at 7:18 am:
This line shows up in the draft language of the GOP platform that will be debated today: "So many are now outraged by the Obama administration's recent decision to permit waivers for work requirements for welfare by the Obama administration's recent decision to permit waivers for work requirements for welfare benefits, in other words, to administratively repeal the most successful anti-poverty policy in memory."
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 8:35 am
Kansas Sec. of State Kris Kobach, immigration hard-liner, is one of the delegates helping write the Republican Party platform
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 9:39 am
and if anyone was wondering, multiple Romney campaign advisers have been present and involved in both days of GOP platform debate
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 9:53 am
GOP delegate introducing language into platform endorsing civil unions. we'll see how this goes.
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 9:58 am
and the proposal to include support for same-sex civil unions in the GOP platform goes down by LOUD voice vote
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 10:24 am
Republicans reject proposal to endorse same-sex civil unions >> http://on.cnn.com/NelpCs
Email from Peter Hamby at 11:36 am: abortion platform being debated now
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 11:37 am
GOP's abortion plank passes easily w/out big changes: McDonnell thanks committee for "affirming our respect for human life" ... "well done"
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 1:32 pm
Republican Party approves tough anti-abortion stance > http://on.cnn.com/NeBwjs
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 2:04 pm
Kris Kobach's amendment to endorse national e-verify system is being opposed a delegate from .... Arizona
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 2:07 pm
GOP platform committee agrees to strike language comparing illegal immigrants to "cattle"
Email from Peter Hamby at 3:46 pm:
Here is the language they finalized on Medicare: "While retaining the option of traditional Medicare in competition with private plans, we call for a transition to a premium-support model for Medicare, with an income-adjusted contribution toward a health plan of the enrollee's choice. This model will include private health insurance plans that provide catastrophic protection, to ensure the continuation of doctor-patient relationships. Without disadvantaging retirees or those nearing retirement, the age of eligibility for Medicare must be made more realistic in terms of today's longer life span."
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 3:26 pm
to clarify earlier tweet: GOP platform condemned traffickers who treat illegal immigrants like "cattle." committee still killed language.
Peter Hamby (@PeterHambyCNN) – 3:48 pm
GOP Platform says Obamacare is "disastrous" and has been "struck down in the court of public opinion."
Stay tuned to CNN television for the latest … Hamby appears on OutFront with Erin Burnett at 7 pm E.T.
the LEDE
Did you miss it?
Leading CNNPolitics: Missouri voters weigh in on Akin's Senate bid
"#Akin" was still trending on Twitter on Tuesday, two days after the Missouri congressman committed a gaffe on rape. And Missouri voters were still reeling from what many viewed as an incendiary choice of words. – Moni Basu and Chris Welch
Leading Drudge: WH Tells Reporters What To Ask
The White House is doing something with its local TV interviews that it could not easily get away with in encounters with the White House press corps, which President Obama has been studiously ignoring: choosing the topic about which President Obama and the reporter will talk. – Keith Koffler
Leading HuffPo: GOP Platform: Anti-Abortion Amendment, No Rape Exemption
Draft language for the 2012 Republican Party platform includes support for a constitutional ban on abortion without specifying exclusions in the cases of rape or incest, according to CNN. The news comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) suggestion that victims of "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant. The GOP Senate candidate running against Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) has faced calls to abandon his campaign from both parties despite attempting to walk back his remarks.
Leading Politico: 2012 brings bevy of bumbling candidates
It took a catastrophic, unforced error from a major U.S. Senate nominee to prove the point: In 2012, candidate quality matters – a lot. – Alexander Burns
Leading The New York Times: Akin Says He Is Staying in Senate Race, Defying G.O.P.
Representative Todd Akin said definitively on Tuesday that he would not leave the race for the Senate in Missouri, saying on Mike Huckabee's radio show that "there's a cause here" and that an outpouring of grass-roots support would propel him to victory without the support of the Republican establishment. – Jonathan Weisman
The political bites of the day
- Akin says don't judge on 'one word in one sentence in one day'… -
REP. TODD AKIN IN AN INTERVIEW WITH MIKE HUCKABEE: "I do receive continuing calls from other congressmen and people who are very supportive of what we are trying to do. I guess my question is - is there a matter of some justice here? That I misspoke one word in one sentence in one day and all of a sudden over night everybody decides well, Akin cant possibly win. Well, I don't agree with that."
- … while the drumbeat continues -
AMY KREMER, CHAIRWOMAN OF TEA PARTY EXPRESS, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH CNN'S "STARTING POINT": "I think what he said is completely indefensible and changes the narrative of what's going on here. The fact Claire McCaskill wants him to stay in the race speaks volumes. We need a good strong candidate. If he looks at the bigger picture, he will do what's best and step aside."
REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR ROY BLUNT OF MISSOURI IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT: "We do not believe it serves the national interest for Congressman Todd Akin to stay in this race. The issues at stake are too big, and this election is simply too important. The right decision is to step aside."
SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT: "Congressman Akin made a deeply offensive error at a time when his candidacy carries great consequence for the future of our country. In his heart of hearts, I'm certain that he is sincerely sorry for what he said but in this instance, when the future of our country is at stake, sorry is not sufficient. To continue serving his country in the honorable way he has served throughout his career, it is time for Congressman Akin to step aside."
- Obama complains about GOP big donors… but not his own -
PRESIDENT OBAMA AT A CAMPAIGN STOP IN COLUMBUS, OHIO: "The other side will spend more money than we have ever seen ever, I mean they got folks writing $10 million checks, $20 million checks. They should be contributing that to a scholarship fund to send kids to college."
What stopped us in 140 characters or less
Steve Brusk (@stevebruskCNN)
Uninvited visitor in Tampa during the RNC Convention: @jimacostaCNN confirms VP Biden will campaign there.
Belief Blog editors (@CNNbelief)
Obama, Romney open up about their faith in unusual Q&As with the magazine of @WNCathedral http://on.cnn.com/Nel1Uz
Rosalind Helderman (@PostRoz)
FRC's Tony Perkins said he's traded messages with Todd Akin. If Akin stays in, Perkins will remain behind him.
Nico Hines (@NicoHines)
Akin who? RT @FoxNews You're 'bacon' me crazy – From tacos to pancakes, these bacon dishes will blow your mind http://fxn.ws/NDCSV0
It isn't often that Flavius Josephus gets Gut Checked – so you know we had to have a reason.
Josephus was speaking about the Sea of Galilee when he wrote, in the Wars of the Jews, Book 3, Chapter 10, that "one may call this place the ambition of Nature." Little did he know that 20 centuries later, a U.S. congressman would be disrobing and taking a dip in this lake that "nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men's expectation."
After a long, hot day on a congressional trip to Israel, Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder of Kansas jumped into the Sea of Galilee without any clothes on, according to reporting by CNN.
Even though the swim happened a year ago, an ensuing FBI investigation followed into whether "U.S. officials were putting themselves at risk, or if any information the lawmakers possessed could have been exposed by a night of drinking and partying."
The Sea of Galilee is a holy site for Christians, a location where the Bible says Jesus walked on water.
(why aren't you in it)
Congratulations to Bernard Lin (@blin11592) for correctly answering today's Gut Check trivia question. Lin, who has won our trivia contest before, must be a big Flavius Josephus fan.
Our inbox awaits: firstname.lastname@example.com
Anyone can sign up for Gut Check by emailing email@example.com
Tips or comments? Send them to Michelle; send complaints to Preston, because he is already in a bad mood. We also want to give a shout out to Dan Merica, who runs our Twitter account @gutCheckCNN and enriches this product every single day.


text:
|Find the best surf spots
Friday April 18 2008 12:10:00 AM
Surf spot: Point Panic, United States of America
Session's Rate:
Wind direction: Offshore
Wind Strength: Light
Nb waves ridden: 8
Length of the surf session: 180 min
Surfboard ridden: Bodysurfing w/Kickboard
Fins: Vipers
Weather and water temp: 84 & 79
Waves height: 1.5m-2m /5ft-6ft
Waves Quality:
- Fast
- Hollow
- Tubular
Waves Shape:
- Walls
- One peak
- Bowl
Waves were great, there was a long lull but when the sets came in they were just almost perfect. This spot breaks so nice and it is great for Bodysurfers. It is a one-of-a-kind spot. There is a law at this break "for Bodysurfers Only", if you are bodyboarding or surfing in this break you will receive a $50 fine. That is why this is one of the greatest breaks on Oahu.
Created: Monday April 21 2008 12:31:39 AM
Modified: Monday April 21 2008 12:31:39 AM
Hits: 2570
Wannasurf.com on your mobile
RSS All the RSS feeds of Wannasurf.com
Newsletter All news by email


text:
Bequi calls Huntington Beach homebase but roams near and far finding adventures while homeschooling her two kids. In 2006 those adventures took her and her family to their first Bay Area Maker Faire and it was so awe-inspiring that they've gone back every year since.
When actually at home you may find her in the Art Space (aka her garage) fiddling with all manner of creative materials including pencils, paint, yarn (crochet), polymer clays, hot glue, paper and anything else that strikes her fancy at the moment. She's also been known to strum a tune or two on her ukulele and has a fondness for hats.
Being a producer of the OC Mini Maker Faire is a whole new adventure that she is thrilled to be on. She created Madly Making Orange LLC for the specific purpose of putting on this event but she hopes that it will serve as a means to bring together the Maker community in Orange County.
To contact Bequi email her at: email@example.com


text:
Phone number: (03) 5441....
Email: Click to view
URL: http://www.avis.com.au
Business Info
Avis Rent A Car System, LLC and its subsidiaries operate one of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 5,100 locations in more than 165 countries.
Car rental or reservation
Recommend This Business
The review system is a way for customers of this business to easily share their opinion. By sharing your experience with this business, you help other consumers find the right business for them! By leaving a review, you also earn STARPOINTS. Starpoints can be redeemed for cash or prizes like iTunes giftcards. Find out more about Starpoints here.
Some tips when posting a review: When writing a review, see if you can be as balanced as possible. What did you like, what didn't you like? Here are some things to think about - How was the customer service? How was the product or service quality? How was the price/value? Please also check and adhere to the editorial guidelines when posting a review.
Add your own review
Full Category Tree
Nearby Suburbs
- Golden Square (1) - 2.35 kms
- Kangaroo Flat (1) - 5.32 kms
- Epsom (1) - 5.71 kms


text:
Yi-Sin Huang-Silence Electric Bicycle
At Design Interviews
Interview with Yi-Sin Huang : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Yi-Sin Huang : To make deaf people to enjoy the fun of riding. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Yi-Sin Huang : Silence is an E-Bike designed for deaf people. Its radar and warning lights become the 2nd sensory organ for them. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Yi-Sin Huang : To make world widely deaf people to experience riding on Silence. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Yi-Sin Huang : 6 month. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Yi-Sin Huang : To help deaf people to have a safety riding and also to provide a brand new riding experience for every riders. .Frank Scott: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?. Yi-Sin Huang : I will intent to produce mine work myself. .Frank Scott: What made you design this particular type of work?. Yi-Sin Huang : Bicycle is the most easy use transportation. .Frank Scott: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?. Yi-Sin Huang : Dieter Rams, Marc Newson .Frank Scott: Who is the target customer for his design?. Yi-Sin Huang : Every one. .Frank Scott: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?. Yi-Sin Huang : Humane considerations. .Frank Scott: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?. Yi-Sin Huang : Dangerous is always hidden and appear every where, so there must have one project to help to shield on people. .Frank Scott: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?. Yi-Sin Huang : Technology and engineering books. .Frank Scott: What is the most unique aspect of your design?. Yi-Sin Huang : The condition of riding. .Frank Scott: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?. Yi-Sin Huang : My family member only. .Frank Scott: What is the role of technology in this particular design?. Yi-Sin Huang : Guiding people to aware where are the dangerous for these deaf people. .Frank Scott: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?. Yi-Sin Huang : No. I was influenced by the deaf people around me. .Frank Scott: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?. Yi-Sin Huang : The cooling mode of warning light system can be done by more efficient way in order to achieve the purpose of the low cost. .Frank Scott: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?. Yi-Sin Huang : To make the manhood better all over the world. .Frank Scott: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?. Yi-Sin Huang : Observing, thinking, and learning. .Frank Scott: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?. Yi-Sin Huang : Design for our life. .
Yi-Sin Huang-Silence Electric Bicycle Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to Design Honor Magazine homepage.


text:
Cold Front Returns.....
A cold front this time of the year is usually a gift. Sometimes during the summer the computer models tend to wishcast a little bit and kick a cold font into our area. Thankfully this time around it looks pretty legit.
A disturbance moving across the northern plains will boot a cold front south into our area for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures ahead of the front will spike well into the 90s; unfortunately, there won't be a major cool down behind the front until early next week.
The front will only give us a 30% chance for showers and storms but that's better than nothing. Storms that do develop could become strong to severe with damaging winds. Severe wind producing storms and extreme surface temperatures go hand in hand.
The tough part for the storms is breaking the CAP. If the CAP can be broken dry air aloft will create substantial cooling. That cooling falls rapidly to the surface in a rush of damaging microburst winds.
Stay away from windows until the storms have passed. Summer storms aren't major lightning producers with a reduction of ice and hail, but that doesn't mean they won't produce damage.


text:
Screen shots
ABC for Students
ABC for Writers
ABC for Researchers
ABC for Commuters
ABC for Runners
hy Audio Book Creator?
With Audio Book Creator, you can convert most digital text available to an audio book.
Since ABC creates several audio formats (WAV, WMA), you can use it with most mp3 players and CD players.
There is a ton of free digital content available on the web. We help registered users with locating freely available text from sites like Gutenberg.org and our own private collection.
You only pay for the software once. You can create unlimited audio books on your own.
Compare this to Audible.com or Audio books found in bookstores, try adjusting the speed or voice on the audio books from Audible.com or Audiobooks.
ABC remembers your preferred voice, speed for future use.
Works inside Explorer
Wider Selection, More options & Cheaper than Audio Books
Audio Book Creator has helped thousands of
Students, Writers, Researchers,
commuters, runners
to use their time effectively and to read better, faster, easier.
Audio Book Creator also helps
students learn to pronounce
foreign languages (English, Spanish, German etc., ) correctly.
Listening to the class notes or material on the computer will enable you to learn faster.
By converting text into audio usable in CD, Mp3 players,
you can learn any time anywhere.
You can even study when you are running or walking or driving.
A study conducted at UCI by MBA students found, by listening to the cases 3 times during driving in
one hour
produced better grades than reading the paper cases for 4 hours.
Our software is used by students at top schools like Harvard, MIT, UCLA, UCI, NYU, Michigan, Yale, London Business School, Insead, IIT ... and many more....
Try it for free....
AudioBookCreator is integrated
AudioBookCreator provides integrated readers for Internet Explorer, Outlook and Word as well as standalone readers.
With other software, you have to buy separate readers for each application draining your bank account.
Integrated into outlook
Partial list of features found in AudioBookCreator
Web pages, word, PDF documents to Audio for use with CD/MP3 player.
Web pages, word, PDF documents Out Aloud on the computer.
and Magnify Web pages, word, PDF documents as they are read.
words as they are read to make learning easier.
Removes pictures, ads and let you concentrate only what is important the text.
Alarm read
feature can read any document at a specific time.
feature can import and create audio at a scheduled time.
Creates several
audio files with just one click
Enables you to exchange the created audio with your friends.
One click regeneration of audio books.
Generates audio
Table of Content
with one click.
Spider feature
Imports all links in a web page with one click.
toolbar control which lets you control the program from anywhere.
You can hide and show the bookshelf to
maximize screen
Comes with over
30 Voices
for free.
Provides fine control for
and Volume.
your preferred voice, speed
Fully Automatic!


text:
8 Books for Nonprofits To Read and Book Giveaway
Every year around this time, I write a post about some books that should be valuable to those who work in the nonprofit and social good sector. Since my colleague , Marion Conway, prepares such a fantastic and focused list of nonprofit book recommendations and there are so many social media book lists, my list is eclectic. I'm also going to give away a copy of one of these books. If you are interested in any of these titles, please leave a comment about why you want to read the book. I'll pick a winner by Dec. 18th.
1. Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries by Peter Sims. I had the honor of keynoting the Social Good Brasil Conference with Peter Sims and had an opportunity to hear his talk about the ideas in his book which resonated. The book is about a concept called "Experimental Innovation" is a process of learning by doing, failing quickly to learn fast, being playful, immersing in a problem, gathering insights, and iterating many small experiments into big breakthroughs. Here's a recent article in Forbes about the approach and how it is being applied in the nonprofit sector. It is well researched and beautifully written and easy to read and love.
2. Giving with Confidence: A Guide To Savvy Philanthropy by Colburn Wilbur with Fred Setterberg. Colburn Wilbur is the former CEO of the Packard Foundation and before we moved into the new building, I had the great luck of having my desk be near by. I had the chance to chat with him about social media, technology, and giving and hear his wisdom and stories first hand. The book is intended to help donors both big and small give more strategically. My favorite chapter is "Making Generosity Contagious" and the advice about including some "risky" donations into your mix (see the first book above).
3. Giving Back: Discover Your Values and Put Them Into Action Through Volunteering and Donating by Steven P. Ketchpel, Ph.D. This is a practical guidebook and especially useful for those of us who are parents and want to encourage kids to be lifelong givers. It is a good primer to harness what is in your heart and strategically give of your time and or money – and do it as a family.
4. The Power of Infographics: Using Pictures and Connect With Your Audience by Mark Smiciklas. I've been obsessing about visual marketing, infographics, and data visualization this past year. This is by far the best practical guide about understanding, creating, and using infographics. It is a like a field guide to infographics, includes lots of useful resources that help you do DYI infographics or find a designer who can create one for you.
5. The Art of Explanation: Making Your Ideas, Products, and Services Easier to Understand by Lee Lefever. If you ever tried to explain social media to someone who might not understand it, you probably pointed them to one of the Common Craft videos. Lee Lefever is the voice behind those videos that explain complex ideas and technology in a way that makes it easy to understand – and with humor and a distinctive style. In this book, Lee shares his best tips and practices.
6. HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations by Nancy Duarte. I'm a huge fan of Nancy Duarte's work and her two other books on presenting. This newest one is great desktop reference that gives you lots and lots of practical advice and tips for presenting in a variety of situations. I'm a very experienced presenter – and thought I knew it all. But after reading Nancy's book, I learned a bunch of new tricks. I'm sure you will too.
7. The Wild Woman's Guide To Social Media by Mazarine Treyz. This book is written for small business owners, but is also very useful for small nonprofits as well. It is very practical – filled with lots of tips and checklists and templates.
8. APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur: How To Publish a Book by Guy Kawasaki. In 2011 the publisher of one of Guy's books Enchantment, could not fill an order for 500 ebook copies. Because of this experience, he self-published his next book, What the Plus!, and learned first-hand that self-publishing is a complex, confusing, and idiosyncratic process. With Shawn Welch, a tech wizard, he wrote a book called APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur–How to Publish a Book to help people understand self-publishing. APE's thesis is powerful yet simple: filling the roles of Author, Publisher and Entrepreneur yields results that rival traditional publishing. He calls this "artisanal publishing"–that is, when writers who love their craft control the publishing process and produce high-quality books.
And, of course, if you are looking for a book on measurement and learning, look no further than "Measuring the Networked Nonprofit." (Here's a recent review by a human and there are many more four-legged fans.)
Don't forget about the book giveaway. Leave a comment and tell me what book you want to read. I'll pick a winner by next week.


text:
Spot-A-NinjaTuesday, March 3rd, 2009
I'm always thinking of ways to communicate with readers, and I thought that one way we can facilitate that communication is by playing a game. Let's play Spot-A-Ninja! Send in photos of ninjas hiding (whether it be you in a ninja costume, a toy or plush ninja out and about, or ninja related items out in the wild), or links to ninja related stuff. Anything you send I'll post, and will toss you a shout out in the process. Let's work and see how many ninjas we can find!
I'll start off with one of the webcomics I've been enjoying lately.
I spotted Ninja Bunny, an adorable comic with incredible style. The backgrounds have a very traditional Japanese woodblock print feel to them that reminds me a lot of Hokusai. Amu and I were very lucky to have seen an exhibit on Hokusai's work in DC a few years back during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which is coming up again in about a month.
Let's find out what Ninja stuff YOU can find!
Send all Ninja Spottings to: spotaninja at gmail dot com.
And a hearty "PLEASE DON'T KILL ME" to Ross from The System comic, who's System in the Wild feature was the inspiration behind this endeavor.


text:
Product Description 2009-2012 Malibu Axis Wake Research Rear Sac 400lbs
Everything comes done for you with this custom rear compartment sac and the Axis Wake Research. The W736 fittings are already screwed into it where they go with pvc cement. Get two W740 and two W742 fittings and attach them to the end of the hoses that come in the Axis Wake Research and go plug & play. Its as easy as that!
The Valmex material makes the Pro X Series sacs the strongest on the market. They can easily withstand walking on top of them, placing boards on top of them and are much less vulnerable to punctures and abrasions that so commonly happen with a boat load of people. Also, to help protect the seems, Fly High has them welded and seam-taped. These things are nearly bulletproof.


text:
Alright, they've gone too far.
I don't ask for much, really I don't. I come to work, I do procedures, I chart, I take call, I attend meetings and conferences, I send messages to hoards of people using e-mail, I teach. I do all that stuff doctors are supposed to do.
But I like my coffee.
And every day, I enter the cath lab break room and have a cup. Carefully brewed, always using 1 ½ packets of the coffee grounds supplied (need the extra 'kick,' you know), wait patiently for the brewer to deliver, then head on my way.
One small Styrofoam cup o' Joe that I nurse 'til its gone.
And I rushed off. I was in a hurry.
I needed to see a patient to see if they needed a pacemaker.
I walked up to the ward. Set down my coffee far from the computers, far from the monitors, and far from the patients' rooms. Far from a place any mortal human being should be able to find. Then I reviewed the telemetry, used the jell goo on my hands and said "hi" to the patient. She needed the pacer after all. And then I returned to my cup.
But it was gone.
Gone, I tell you! I mean, who would do such a dastardly deed? Who's messing with my psyche? My fix? Geez, I was just on call. Is this too much to ask? For goodness sake! This is a patient safety issue!
I looked around and saw her typing.
"Um, excuse me."
"Uh, have you seen a cup of coffee that I left over here."
"You didn't throw it out did you?"
"Of course I did!"
"You didn't hear?"
"No. What?"
"JACHO's here."
Monday, December 08, 2008
Thievery, or Worse
4 comments:
- The Happy Hospitalist said...
Ahhh....the coffee patrol. You have 'em too huh?
Doesn't it just seem so silly?
- Mon Dec 08, 02:39:00 PM CST
- Kevin B. O'Reilly said...
LOL. Not LOL as in "that was kind of funny." But LOL as in I actually did laugh out loud.
- Mon Dec 08, 03:04:00 PM CST
- Dr. Deb said...
"JACHO's here."
Boy, that made me lol.
- Tue Dec 09, 06:16:00 AM CST
- SteveC said...
JACHOphobia can make most people run around as if their hair is on fire and their ass is about to ignite, but it's COFFEE! The Breakfast of Champions, for cryin' out loud...will the madness ever end?
Have a colleague prescribe you 200 ml of Folger's Extra Dark, PRN. They can't argue a properly authorized and formatted prescription... can they?
- Tue Dec 09, 06:36:00 AM CST
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Recommend a Video |VOTW Archive
New and interesting videos continue to trickle in through reader recommendations. Thank you very much!
This week, lest we forget to include it in our new "Video of the Week" feature, we showcase an amazing clip that ran at our AirVenture booth in Oshkosh this summer. Many AVweb readers stopped to speculate with us on what was going on in this clip – and we discovered just how many of you are Radio Control airplane buffs! If you've never been to an R.C. meet or have no interest in these tiny aircraft, this is just the clip to show you why so many people are fascinated by them.
Don't see a video screen?
Try disabling ad blockers and refreshing this page.
If that doesn't work, click here to download the video directly.


text:
Our first winter together, Jamie and I spent our first Christmas apart, since he was in North Dakota visiting his family. After we had our own pre-Christmas dinner and present opening beside the tree next to the fireplace at his condo, (at which time he gave me my beloved, apple-green Kitchen Aid mixer, not knowing, I'm sure, the baking adventure he began for me with such a perfect gift) we drove to the airport the next day and hugged each other tightly at the security gate.
Although I knew he would be back in a few days, I couldn't help the tears that escaped at the thought of not spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together. I drove home from the airport that night, a snowstorm covering the highway in snow and ice, and arrived home, still lonely and missing him, but thankful for a warm apartment and a kitty who was very happy to see me.
A few days later, after all the presents had been opened, too many slices of pie with whipped cream eaten and many late night conversations catching up with family, he came home to me, and we cozied up at my place for the weekend. It was still freezing out, the snow from the storm days earlier still lingering on the ground and crunching under our boots.
For dinner that night, we made shepherd's pie. It was nothing fancy, just your basic layers of beef, onions, carrots, peas and mashed potatoes. But I didn't want fancy and complicated that night, just warm and simple comfort food to fill our stomachs before snuggling on the couch under a blanket, a warm fuzzball purring at my feet and Jamie's hands holding mine.
Last week, I thought I would recreate that recipe, but step it up a little from beef and carrots. Instead of beef, I simmered ground lamb, onions and garlic in a rich, savory red wine sauce. Roasted butternut squash, seasoned with sprigs of fresh thyme, replaced the carrots. Rustic mashed potatoes, perfectly imperfect with lumps and red potato skins, creamy with buttermilk and Parmesan cheese, topped off the savory layers beneath.
Before the shepherd's pie, we dipped the leaves of a steamed artichoke into garlicky aioli, one of our favorite pre-dinner snacks, and sampled goat cheese tartlets, a creamy and rich mixture of goat cheese, sour cream, lemon and green onions, that I piped into pre-made tartlet shells and topped off with a pomegranate aril.
With those memories of our first Christmas and cozy dinner after a few days apart, shepherd's pie will always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside - it's such a perfectly warming dinner on any night when you need a little bit of comfort.
Goat Cheese Tartlets
printable recipe
- 4 ounces creamy goat cheese (not crumbled)
- 3 heaping tablespoons light sour cream
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions, green and white parts (1-2 stalks)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- salt and pepper
- 16 pre-baked shortbread tartlet shells
- optional garnishes - pomegranate arils, smoked salmon, fresh basil, herbs...
In a bowl, combine the goat cheese, sour cream, green onions and lemon juice until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Scoop the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip and pipe into the tartlet shells. Top each with a pomegranate aril, if desired, or even a little smoked salmon, fresh basil or other herbs.
Cook's Note: Another option, instead of filling tartlet shells, is to use this as a dip for crackers and veggies. For a dip, prepare as directed above and add eight ounces reduced fat cream cheese, additional herbs, and a little more lemon; mix with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Yields 16 tartlets
Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen
Shepherd's Pie with Lamb and Roasted Butternut Squash
printable recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash:
- 1 butternut squash
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 3-4 sprigs of thyme
Mashed Potatoes:
- 4-5 medium-sized red potatoes
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Lamb Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 sweet yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas
Roast the Squash:
Preheat the oven to 400. Peel the butternut squash, slice in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Place squash on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and thyme. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender enough to be pierced with a fork.
Prepare the Potatoes:
Meanwhile, cut the potatoes (peeled, if you like) into 1-inch pieces. Place in a stock pot, cover with water, adding a little salt, and bring to a boil. Boil over medium heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes, then mash with the butter, buttermilk and Parmesan, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
Prepare the Lamb Filling:
While the potatoes are boiling, you can prepare the meat filling. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, with a pinch of salt, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the lamb, and cook until browned, 4-5 more minutes. Use a spoon to drain off the fat. Sprinkle the lamb with the flour, and stir to coat. Stir in the tomato paste, water or chicken broth, wine, garlic, spices, Worcestershire sauce and molasses; bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer over medium/medium-low for 15-20 minutes, until sauce is thick and flavorful; taste and add more seasoning if needed. Stir in the peas during the last couple of minutes.
The oven should still be preheated to 400 from roasting the squash. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Spread the lamb filling in the dish. Top with the roasted butternut squash. Spread the mashed potatoes over the squash, sealing it around all the edges.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are browned and the filling is bubbling. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Yields about 6-8 servings.
Recipe from Curly Girl Kitchen


text:
Last Word: It's 1:50 p.m. Where Are You?
By Peter Post
It's 1:50 p.m., and you're starting to feel uncomfortable. The meeting you're in was scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. But there is no end in sight, and you have a meeting scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. with your team to finalize a project that is due at the end of the week.
Back-to-back meetings are a scourge to businesspeople. Managers share their experiences and frustration with back-to-back meetings with me, so I often offer this scenario as a problem-solving exercise in business etiquette seminars for new hires.
If you find yourself in this "between a rock and a hard place" situation, two courses of action are immediately apparent:
- You can choose to blow off the second meeting. You think to yourself: "I'm sure my team will understand."
- Or you can choose to announce to the current meeting that you have another meeting to get to, so you will have to excuse yourself and leave in the next minute or so.
Neither of these solutions works—it is rude either to the people you are with or to the people you are meant to meet with at 2 p.m. Still, you need to resolve the situation one way or the other, and you need to do it in a way that is the least rude to everyone.
Begin by identifying which meeting is more important. If it turns out the first meeting is with your CEO, then it is more important. In that case, instead of simply announcing you need to be somewhere else in a few minutes, you could explain to your CEO that you have another meeting scheduled to begin in 10 minutes and you would like to ask them to push back the start time for that meeting. This way, you don't keep the people in the second meeting cooling their heels waiting for you.
However, if your second meeting is the more important one, then let the first meeting know of your situation and ask to continue it at a later time: "While I really like what we're accomplishing here, it's about 1:50 and we're meant to break at 2. I do have a 2 p.m. meeting I need to get to. Could we take a moment to schedule a continuation later today or tomorrow morning?" This approach shows respect for both groups.
The real issue here is that you let yourself get into the situation in the first place. Here are some tips to avoid the problem altogether:
- When you schedule meetings, make sure you provide a buffer time of at least 15 minutes between them. A 30-minute buffer is even better. If the meetings are in different locations, plan for that in your scheduling, too. Inevitably, despite your best efforts, you'll still find yourself tightly scheduled sometimes. When that happens, anticipate the problem and address it before the first meeting starts.
- If the first meeting is the more important one, contact the people in the second meeting, explain the situation, and let them know you'll be there ASAP or try to reschedule for later. Alternatively, you could ask a surrogate —an assistant or a colleague—to fill in for you until you can get there.
- If the second meeting is the more important one, check in with the organizer of the first meeting and let her know you have a hard stop at 2 p.m. and will have to leave before the meeting ends. That way when 1:50 rolls around, you won't find yourself squirming in your seat wondering what to do.
If you have business etiquette questions you'd like Peter Post to answer either in an upcoming issue of Training magazine or in an online article, please e-mail them to Trainingmagazine Editor-in-Chief Lorri Freifeld at email@example.com.
Peter Postis a director of The Emily Post Institute (http://www.emilypost.com/seminars), great-grandson of Emily Post, and co-author of "The Etiquette Advantage in Business."