Lately the news is filled about technology and its impact on our lives and world. We can speculate as to how we humans will grow from our interconnectivity, wonder 'What will be next?,"or worry that our reliance on smart devices will keep us blogged down and interfere with our abilities to think and communicate as humans.
Emily Listfield, in Parade magazine's Generation Wired, discusses some of the challenges of raising children in this time of "nonstop connectivity." "The latest research suggests it may even be rewiring their brains." Instead of contemplating and forming pathways to remember, our brains are often busy gathering, skimming, copying, and sorting endless information. Brzezinski and Scarborough opine that "unfortunately, technology is short-circuiting our children's imagination." Kids are showing short attention spans, are rarely alone or disconnected, and often addicted to their smart phones, even sleeping with them under their pillows.
Interestingly, in Martin Lindstrom's recent New York Times article entitled, You Love your iPhone, Literally. he describes what brain studies are revealing about this apparent addiction to iPhones. As expected, subjects using the iPhone show increased audio and visual stimulation, but even stronger activation of the insular cortex of the brain, which is associated with love and compassion. When torn away from their iPhone, many exhibit stress, in a way most similar to separation anxiety from loved ones.
Hopefully the feelings of compassion that rise from our iPhones will help us become more loving to our fellow humans rather than toward our smart devices. In his commencement address to Stanford's Class of 2005, Steve Jobs spoke of love, loss, finding what you believe is great and work that you love. He noted that we only can connect the dots of where we're going when we look backwards from the future. Jobs also talked about death as the best invention of life because it clears out the old and makes way for the new. He encouraged living one's own life and following the heart and intuition, because they always "know what you want to become. Everything else is secondary."
The technological legacy left behind from Steve Jobs, who passed on last week, is inspirational, admirable, and impactful. He was an innovative, passionate, and creative genius, with an invisible crystal ball to see into new product future that changed the world. I find it fascinating, too, that Jobs was adopted, dropped out of college, and had sought enlightenment in India prior to his career. He preferred alternative medicine, was a pescetarian and Buddhist. Though early on described as "temperamental," he grew to mellow and share a wisdom in how to live well.
If we do what we love, have faith in where we're going, remember our time is limited, and always listen to our heart and intuition, we can each come to live our own highest life. We can apply these messages from Jobs to use technology to lead us forward, unite, and create more of what we want, rather than letting our tech gizmos distract us away from presence and trap us in time and energy wasting ways. Also, we can encourage our children towards more real time interactions, tech-free alone time, non-virtual creative activities, and nature romps. We can re-instill ethics education from early childhood to enable growing hearts and minds to make good choices so they, too, can use technology to create a better world.
Where can you make more time for your passion in life by unplugging yourself from smart devices? Where do you find technology serves to bring you further in your path?


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New online service to track remediation of high-risk buildings
A new government service to hold building owners to account for remediation works has been launched.
Under the new Leaseholder and Resident Service, those living in tower blocks will have access to updates on the status of their building's application to the government's Building Safety Fund. This will help leaseholders to understand where their building is in the process.
The service is designed to speed up the process of removing unsafe non-ACM cladding from the highest risk buildings, forcing building owners to be more transparent, and exposing those who have failed to take action to make their buildings safe.
This is one of a number of steps announced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities earlier this month to apply pressure on industry and protect leaseholders from unnecessary costs and delays.
Minister of State for Building Safety and Fire, Lord Greenhalgh said: "It is unacceptable that four years after the Grenfell tragedy innocent leaseholders are still living in buildings with unsafe cladding.
"Building owners are responsible for making their building's safe, and we will no longer allow them to shirk from their duties and hide behind processes and corporate loopholes.
"Everyone – including leaseholders – has a right to know what is happening with their building and to live safely. [This] launch is a key step in providing them with both the service and the peace of mind that they deserve."
In his landmark Building Safety reset on 10 January, the Secretary of State announced that leaseholders would no longer pay for the fixing of unsafe cladding, with building owners and industry footing the bill instead.
While the majority of building owners are already engaged with the Building Safety Fund, a £5.1 billion fund targeted at remediating unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential buildings 18m and over, a minority have yet to come forward and provide building information, leading to unnecessary delays and costs for innocent leaseholders.
Under this new service, a unique code will enable leaseholders and residents to track the progress of their building's application through an online service, with information updated monthly. This will enable leaseholders to keep track of their building's application and help apply pressure on their building owners if action is needed.
Leaseholders will receive a unique code from their building owners and are encouraged to contact owners if they do not receive their code, or if they have any further queries on the status of their building's application. Many residents will also receive their codes directly from government.
To maintain the pace of building remediation and ensure the Building Safety Fund is further targeted at the highest risk buildings, the Secretary of State is currently reviewing the wider programme ahead of the next phase of funding, expected early this year.
This is valid as of 27th January 2022.
Under the new Leaseholder and Resident Service, those living in tower blocks will have access to updates on the status of their building's application to the government's Building Safety Fund. This will help leaseholders to understand where their building is in the process. The service is designed to speed up the process of removing unsafe non-ACM cladding from the highest risk buildings, forcing building owners to be more transparent, and exposing those who have failed to take action to make their buildings safe. This is one of a number of steps announced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities earlier this month to apply pressure on industry and protect leaseholders from unnecessary costs and delays. Minister of State for Building Safety and Fire, Lord Greenhalgh said: "It is unacceptable that four years after the Grenfell tragedy innocent leaseholders are still living in buildings with unsafe cladding. "Building owners are responsible for making their building's safe, and we will no longer allow them to shirk from their duties and hide behind processes and corporate loopholes. "Everyone – including leaseholders - has a right to know what is happening with their building and to live safely. [This] launch is a key step in providing them with both the service and the peace of mind that they deserve." In his landmark Building Safety reset on 10 January, the Secretary of State announced that leaseholders would no longer pay for the fixing of unsafe cladding, with building owners and industry footing the bill instead. While the majority of building owners are already engaged with the Building Safety Fund, a £5.1 billion fund targeted at remediating unsafe non-ACM cladding on residential buildings 18m and over, a minority have yet to come forward and provide building information, leading to unnecessary delays and costs for innocent leaseholders. Under this new service, a unique code will enable leaseholders and residents to track the progress of their building's application through an online service, with information updated monthly. This will enable leaseholders to keep track of their building's application and help apply pressure on their building owners if action is needed. Leaseholders will receive a unique code from their building owners and are encouraged to contact owners if they do not receive their code, or if they have any further queries on the status of their building's application. Many residents will also receive their codes directly from government. To maintain the pace of building remediation and ensure the Building Safety Fund is further targeted at the highest risk buildings, the Secretary of State is currently reviewing the wider programme ahead of the next phase of funding, expected early this year. This is valid as of 27th January 2022.
Employees suffer serious burns at vehicle service centre
A commercial vehicle servicing and repair company has been fined after two workers suffered serious burns when flammable brake cleaning fluid ignited causing a fire.
On 27 March 2020, two employees used brake cleaning fluid to clean the grease from the walls of a vehicle inspection pit in the workshop. Shortly after they had finished cleaning the walls there was a loud bang and the entire wall of the pit where the brake cleaner had been applied became engulfed in flames.
One employee managed to get out of the pit and ran to help his colleague whose clothing had caught fire, pulling him out of the pit and extinguishing the flames. Both employees received burns to their hands and legs. One sustained 60% burns and had to undergo an emergency surgical procedure to relieve the pressure from the swelling which involved cutting either side of his shins on both legs and his left knuckle going down to his wrist. He subsequently underwent five skin graft operations on his left hand and both legs and spent six weeks in hospital.
The HSE investigation into the incident, which occurred at STA Vehicle Centres Ltd in Starley Way, Birmingham, found that the company failed to carry out a risk assessment to consider whether it was possible to eliminate or reduce the risk. They had not considered replacing the dangerous substance with another non-flammable substance or using a different work process. Jet-washing, a safe alternative, was already in use at the company's other site.
The employees were not aware of the increased risks associated with using flammable fluid in a poorly ventilated area nor the need for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn.
STA Vehicle Centres Limited of Halesfield 22, Telford pleaded guilty to breaching Section 6 (1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. They were fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £926.17.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Charlotte Cunniffe said: "Employers should ensure flammable materials are used appropriately and provide training for employees in their correct use. This incident could have easily been prevented."
This is valid as of 2nd December 2021.
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Property management company fined for fire safety failings
A property managing agent has been ordered to pay more than £80,000 for safety failings which "exposed a potentially large number of people to risk of death or serious injury from fire."
London Fire Brigade inspectors found serious fire safety defects during two visits to a five-storey building on Danbury Street in Islington, which is managed by Eurolets (UK) Limited.
An Enforcement Notice requiring the company to address the concerns was issued following a visit in 2016, which was subsequently sufficiently complied with. However, a later visit then found similar defects to the previous inspection.
The building consists of more than 40 self-contained flats let out to tenants and the inspections revealed deficiencies including:
• combustible material near the entrance to the premises
• lack of fire extinguishers and signage
• doors wedged open
• holes within the walls and a non-functioning fire alarm.
Eurolets was charged with 10 separate offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and the company entered guilty pleas to all charges.
The judge found that the company fell far short of the appropriate standards and there was serious and/or systemic failure within the organisation to address risks.
The Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Paul Jennings, said: "The combined effect of the deficiencies was that if a fire had started, there was a risk of an uncontrolled spread of heat, and smoke and flames affecting the whole premises, coupled with the only means of escape being overcome with smoke.
"In sentencing, the judge made it clear that she increased the fine because of the large number of residents that had been put at risk by the company's lack of action to address concerns.
"We are pleased with the outcome of this case, which is thanks to the hard work which is done every day by our fire safety inspectors. It should also serve as a warning to property managers that we will take action where people are not taking their responsibilities seriously.
"There's no excuse for leaving people's safety to chance, especially when information is so readily available to those with responsibility for safety in buildings to understand what their duties are and ensure they comply with the law."
Charges and penalties
Eurolets was charged with the below offences, entering a guilty plea to all. Failure to:
• take general fire precautions
• have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
• ensure appropriate fire arrangements
• ensure exit routes were clear and unlocked
• ensure appropriate fire safety measures in place and conveyed to employees and residents
• maintain and ensure fire safety equipment
• provide employees with sufficient fire safety information
• provide adequate safety training
• ensure adequate structural compartmentation.
• A further charge in respect of combustible items in the second inspection
Eurolets was ordered to pay a fine of £60,000 on the first charge (with no separate penalties for the remaining charges), a victim surcharge of £170 and costs of £20,000. The total of £80,170 is to be paid over 10 months at a rate of £8,000 a month.
This is valid as of 1st December 2021.
London Fire Brigade inspectors found serious fire safety defects during two visits to a five-storey building on Danbury Street in Islington, which is managed by Eurolets (UK) Limited. An Enforcement Notice requiring the company to address the concerns was issued following a visit in 2016, which was subsequently sufficiently complied with. However, a later visit then found similar defects to the previous inspection. The building consists of more than 40 self-contained flats let out to tenants and the inspections revealed deficiencies including: • combustible material near the entrance to the premises • lack of fire extinguishers and signage • doors wedged open • holes within the walls and a non-functioning fire alarm. Eurolets was charged with 10 separate offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and the company entered guilty pleas to all charges. The judge found that the company fell far short of the appropriate standards and there was serious and/or systemic failure within the organisation to address risks. The Brigade's Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Paul Jennings, said: "The combined effect of the deficiencies was that if a fire had started, there was a risk of an uncontrolled spread of heat, and smoke and flames affecting the whole premises, coupled with the only means of escape being overcome with smoke. "In sentencing, the judge made it clear that she increased the fine because of the large number of residents that had been put at risk by the company's lack of action to address concerns. "We are pleased with the outcome of this case, which is thanks to the hard work which is done every day by our fire safety inspectors. It should also serve as a warning to property managers that we will take action where people are not taking their responsibilities seriously. "There's no excuse for leaving people's safety to chance, especially when information is so readily available to those with responsibility for safety in buildings to understand what their duties are and ensure they comply with the law."
Eurolets was charged with the below offences, entering a guilty plea to all. Failure to: • take general fire precautions • have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment • ensure appropriate fire arrangements • ensure exit routes were clear and unlocked • ensure appropriate fire safety measures in place and conveyed to employees and residents • maintain and ensure fire safety equipment • provide employees with sufficient fire safety information • provide adequate safety training • ensure adequate structural compartmentation. • A further charge in respect of combustible items in the second inspection Eurolets was ordered to pay a fine of £60,000 on the first charge (with no separate penalties for the remaining charges), a victim surcharge of £170 and costs of £20,000. The total of £80,170 is to be paid over 10 months at a rate of £8,000 a month. This is valid as of 1st December 2021.
Homeworkers warned of increased fire risk
London Fire Brigade's latest advice comes as the weather gets colder and people continue to work from home.
Portable heaters – such as halogen heaters – are one of the most common alternatives people use to keep warm, particularly if they are spending a lot of time in one room and want to avoid switching on their central heating.
Fires caused by these types of heaters can have devastating consequences – and they are not an unusual occurrence, as the Brigade says it has attended more than 1,200 of them in the last five years. Firefighters are concerned that homeworkers, confined for most of the day to their spare room or office, may be tempted to use these heaters more this year.
There have already been 160 heating-related fires in London this year, with 26 people suffering injuries as a result.
Homeworkers tempted to use a portable heater should be aware of the dangers. Common causes of heater fires are people using the heaters to dry clothing or leaving things too close to them which then catch light. They can also be started by things like nearby paperwork and, in a worst case, could even catch light to a person's clothes, bedding or blankets if they are too close to the heater.
Fires involving heaters have a high mortality rate and, sadly, portable heaters have been the cause of 14 fatal fires in London in the past five years. Almost 200 people have suffered injuries from these types of fires since 2017.
Those with mobility issues using unsafe heating methods are also more likely to sustain a fatal injury.
The Brigade's Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: "Temperatures have noticeably fallen in recent days, and while we know we are a long way from real winter weather, people are still spending more time at home and we believe heaters will soon be switched on in homes across London to take the chill out of the air.
"We would urge people to take extra care if they are using additional heating appliances to stay warm as there is a very real risk of people being injured by heater fires.
"Fires involving heaters can be easily prevented if people take some sensible, common-sense precautions.
"Steps like keeping flammable items, such as curtains, blankets and furniture well away from heaters can make all the difference. It's also important not to sit too close to them, especially if you're likely to fall asleep, as there is a risk of serious burns, and make sure they are turned off and allowed to cool properly before being moved or put away."
Firefighters' tips for using portable heaters safely
• Make sure heaters are well maintained and in good working order
• Check that your heater isn't on a recall list – there have been many fires in the past year due to heaters that have been recalled
• Never install, repair or service appliances unless you are a competent professional yourself. Make sure anyone who does is a registered professional
• Don't take risks with old heaters – if it's sparking, wires are loose, or if it's showing signs of damage, replace it with a new one or get it tested and repaired by a qualified electrician
• Keep heaters well away from clothes, curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes
• Always sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair and cause you serious burns
• Before attempting to move your heater, turn it off and allow it to cool first
• Gas heater cylinders should be changed in the open air. If you have to change them indoors, make sure all rooms are ventilated and open the windows and doors
• Never store cylinders in basements, under stairs or on balconies and get empty cylinders collected regularly
• Halogen heaters can be cheap to buy, but it's important to buy from a reputable seller as our Fire Investigators have also attended serious fires caused by non-compliant/counterfeit heaters
• beware if you have children or pets in case heaters get knocked over or covered up, leading to overheating and a fire.
This is valid as of 12th October 2021.
Fire safety concerns in commercial property as incidents see 46% rise
Commercial properties left vacant or unattended throughout the pandemic are likely to have deteriorated over time, creating increasingly hazardous environments. Recent data has revealed that, despite a decline in fatal fire related incidents since 2011, there has been an increase in incidents attended proving that many properties still don't have the correct fire safety measures in place.
Commercial property fires saw an increase of 46% over lockdown, and whilst facilities are now likely occupied as businesses reopen, experts say fire safety measures should continue to be enforced to mitigate risk. Without the correct fire safety measures, not only are facility users, the property itself and surrounding areas in danger, but those responsible may be at risk of serious fines and prison sentences.
MSL Property Care Services has warned businesses of the top causes of fires and details how to prepare properties to help reduce fire related incidents:
Top causes of commercial fires
❯ Electrical and Lighting Fixtures
Issues, such as faulty fuses, loose connections, overloaded circuits, and defective wiring can all lead to fires breaking out within commercial properties. It's important to have regular professional checks of wires and fixtures, especially if you suspect a hazard.
❯ Heating systems
When used over prolonged periods of time or left unused, heating systems can be at risk of faults, leading to overheating and consequently fires. It's essential that systems are regulated, switched off or set to timers before leaving the premises along with ensuring that they are inspected regularly for any faults.
❯ Exposure to Flammable Materials
Exposure to flammable sources, such as cladding, chemicals, spray paint, alcohols, and foil increases the risk of a fire outbreak. Whilst many facilities and businesses will consciously and carefully store flammable materials away, some materials cannot avoid exposure. Here, it's important to assign a facilities management professional to assess materials, such as cladding and wood throughout the property.
❯ Cooking Equipment
Kitchen apparatus is the biggest cause of fire breakouts within commercial properties, with kitchen appliances equating for 41% of all fires on average. Whilst restaurants are most at risk, many businesses have cooking appliances on the premises, such as microwaves, toasters and kettles therefore it's important these are all tested for safety.
According to Jeremy Harrison, Managing Director of MSL Property Care Services: "The Fire Regulatory Reform (2005), states that those responsible for fire safety, can include various personnel such as the property owner, landlord, employer, occupier or facility manager, and it's crucial that those people are educated on fire safety for the premises. The correct training and safety plans should be in place, and businesses should consult professionals where needed to ensure the safety of all occupants".
Mitigating fires
• remove fire hazards
• invest in safeguarding inspections to ensure that any fire hazards are identified and mitigated. These checks should be routinely carried out and implementing them within your planned maintenance schedule will ensure this happens
• update your fire safety plan
• regularly revaluating the property, both internally and externally, is important so that the correct measures are put in place should a fire break out. It is also crucial that all staff and other facility users are aware of this plan
• implement training
• all regular facility users should have fire safety training before occupying the property. Should your safety plan change, the responsible person(s) should carry out this training again
• install or update your fire safety systems
• fires can spread at rapid rates, so installing fire safety systems, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, fire doors and extinguishers is a key. It is just as important to implement regular checks, which can be carried out by facility professionals to ensure these are working correctly.
This is valid as of 21st September 2021.
Commercial property fires saw an increase of 46% over lockdown, and whilst facilities are now likely occupied as businesses reopen, experts say fire safety measures should continue to be enforced to mitigate risk. Without the correct fire safety measures, not only are facility users, the property itself and surrounding areas in danger, but those responsible may be at risk of serious fines and prison sentences. MSL Property Care Services has warned businesses of the top causes of fires and details how to prepare properties to help reduce fire related incidents:
Kitchen apparatus is the biggest cause of fire breakouts within commercial properties, with kitchen appliances equating for 41% of all fires on average. Whilst restaurants are most at risk, many businesses have cooking appliances on the premises, such as microwaves, toasters and kettles therefore it's important these are all tested for safety. According to Jeremy Harrison, Managing Director of MSL Property Care Services: "The Fire Regulatory Reform (2005), states that those responsible for fire safety, can include various personnel such as the property owner, landlord, employer, occupier or facility manager, and it's crucial that those people are educated on fire safety for the premises. The correct training and safety plans should be in place, and businesses should consult professionals where needed to ensure the safety of all occupants".
• remove fire hazards • invest in safeguarding inspections to ensure that any fire hazards are identified and mitigated. These checks should be routinely carried out and implementing them within your planned maintenance schedule will ensure this happens • update your fire safety plan • regularly revaluating the property, both internally and externally, is important so that the correct measures are put in place should a fire break out. It is also crucial that all staff and other facility users are aware of this plan • implement training • all regular facility users should have fire safety training before occupying the property. Should your safety plan change, the responsible person(s) should carry out this training again • install or update your fire safety systems • fires can spread at rapid rates, so installing fire safety systems, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, fire doors and extinguishers is a key. It is just as important to implement regular checks, which can be carried out by facility professionals to ensure these are working correctly. This is valid as of 21st September 2021.
Fire Safety Bill receives Royal Assent
Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the Fire Safety Bill, it received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law).
The Bill had returned again to House of Lords for consideration of Commons amendments last Wednesday, in the latest (and final) round of Parliamentary 'ping pong'.
MPs voted 242 to 153 to defeat an amendment to the Bill, which sought to protect the owners of blocks of flats from passing the costs of required safety upgrades on to leaseholders.
The Bill, which has gone through many rounds of votes, aims to toughen safety rules after 72 died in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in west London.
The new legislation modifies a previous law to clarify that building owners must manage and reduce the risk of fire in their properties. The government was under pressure last week to get it passed before the end of the parliamentary session on Thursday.
Thousands of leaseholders are currently facing large bills to pay for safety improvements, including fire breaks, new balconies, safer doors and sprinkler systems.
Ministers have been defeated several times in the House of Lords while attempting to pass the legislation as the issue of who should pay for additional safety works became a sticking point.
Earlier this year, the government announced a new £3.5bn support package, with ministers insisting no leaseholders in high-rise blocks in England will face charges for the removal of unsafe cladding.
However, critics of the government's response have argued this will not cover all of the costs faced by leaseholders, which they said have emerged through no fault of their own.
Housing minister Chris Pincher said the Bill "is an important first step in our legislative programme delivering these recommendations and I cannot stress enough… the vital importance of this legislation and the ramifications if it fails as a result of outstanding remediation amendments."
Speaking at the House of Commons last week, Mr Pincher said there was not enough time to redraft the Bill to both stop leaseholders from footing the bill and address concerns with the existing amendment.
Also last week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced it has commissioned the British Standards Institution (BSI) to draft a code of practice for assessing external cladding.
Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the Fire Safety Bill, it received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law). The Bill had returned again to House of Lords for consideration of Commons amendments last Wednesday, in the latest (and final) round of Parliamentary 'ping pong'. MPs voted 242 to 153 to defeat an amendment to the Bill, which sought to protect the owners of blocks of flats from passing the costs of required safety upgrades on to leaseholders. The Bill, which has gone through many rounds of votes, aims to toughen safety rules after 72 died in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in west London. The new legislation modifies a previous law to clarify that building owners must manage and reduce the risk of fire in their properties. The government was under pressure last week to get it passed before the end of the parliamentary session on Thursday. Thousands of leaseholders are currently facing large bills to pay for safety improvements, including fire breaks, new balconies, safer doors and sprinkler systems. Ministers have been defeated several times in the House of Lords while attempting to pass the legislation as the issue of who should pay for additional safety works became a sticking point. Earlier this year, the government announced a new £3.5bn support package, with ministers insisting no leaseholders in high-rise blocks in England will face charges for the removal of unsafe cladding. However, critics of the government's response have argued this will not cover all of the costs faced by leaseholders, which they said have emerged through no fault of their own. Housing minister Chris Pincher said the Bill "is an important first step in our legislative programme delivering these recommendations and I cannot stress enough... the vital importance of this legislation and the ramifications if it fails as a result of outstanding remediation amendments." Speaking at the House of Commons last week, Mr Pincher said there was not enough time to redraft the Bill to both stop leaseholders from footing the bill and address concerns with the existing amendment. Also last week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced it has commissioned the British Standards Institution (BSI) to draft a code of practice for assessing external cladding.
Cameron House Hotel – Fatal Accident Inquiry Decision
Following a thorough investigation and criminal prosecution leading to the conviction of two parties Crown Counsel, on behalf of the Lord Advocate, have decided not to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of Richard Dyson and Simon Midgley at Cameron House Hotel in December 2017.
The multi-agency investigation carried out by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), West Dunbartonshire Council and Police Scotland was overseen by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
These investigations led to criminal prosecutions in which Cameron House Resort (Loch Lomond) Limited and Christopher O'Malley admitted responsibility for the fatal fire.
The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry is to determine the cause of death and to establish what lessons can be learned for the future in order to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.
Crown Counsel are satisfied that the reasons for this tragedy have been established and that the circumstances of the deaths were publicly identified during the prosecution process. The sheriff's sentencing statements from these cases are published and provide an account of the events of the fire and the failings which were admitted.
In addition, Crown Counsel note that SFRS will engage with the accommodation sector to highlight the investigation and the tragic outcomes from the incident at the Cameron House Hotel and that this approach will be shared with UK Fire and Rescue Services to inform best practice.
In light of these judicial findings and safety review, and the detailed understanding available to SFRS of the events around the fire, Crown Counsel concluded that the public interest would not be further served by an FAI as the purpose of such an inquiry has already been met.
Alistair Duncan, head of the Health and Safety Investigation Unit of COPFS, said: "COPFS appreciates the impact the fire has had on the families and friends of Mr Dyson and Mr Midgley and many other people who were at the hotel that night.
"The nearest relatives of those who lost their lives have been provided with detailed reasons for the decision not to hold an FAI and our thoughts are with them at this time."
This is valid as of 4th May 2021.
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Building owners could face unlimited fines following new measures being brought in to strengthen fire safety, the Home Office has announced.
As part of the government's work to ensure people are safe in their homes, these limitless fines will be handed out to anyone caught obstructing or impersonating a fire inspector as well as to those who breach fire safety regulations under the Fire Safety Order.
These new measures, announced as part of the government's response to the Fire Safety Consultation (see Reports), will come into force as part of the legislation in the Building Safety Bill.
The measures will amend the Fire Safety Order and will include a requirement for fire risk assessments to be recorded for each building and improve how fire safety information is handed over throughout the lifetime of a building.
The Home Office have also announced a further cash boost of £10 million for Fire and Rescue Authorities across England, on top of the £6 million already announced in the Fire Covid-19 Contingency Fund. This will help with additional tasks related to managing the pandemic – such as driving ambulances and assisting at testing and vaccination centres.
Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: "Everyone should be safe in the buildings where they live, stay or work.
"Our new measures will improve fire safety and help save lives but will also take firm action against those who fail in their duty to keep people safe.
"Our incredible Fire and Rescue Services have played a crucial role in our response to the pandemic, from assisting at vaccination centres to driving ambulances. That is why we are giving them this cash boost, so they can continue their life-saving efforts."
Roy Wilsher, National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, said: "The NFCC welcomes the extra funding to support Covid activities carried out by fire and rescue services across England. Firefighters are responsible for administering around 1 in 240 vaccinations to the public.
"We also welcome the government's response to its own fire safety consultation and the continued investment in fire and rescue services protection work.
"Ultimately, we want to see safer buildings for residents and are committed to working constructively with the Home Office and other partners on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and other key fire safety policy areas."
The new measures announced will:
improve the quality of fire risk assessments and competence of those who complete them
ensure vital fire safety information is preserved over the lifespan of all regulated buildings
improve cooperation and coordination amongst people responsible for fire safety and making it easier to identify who they are
strengthen enforcement action, with anyone impersonating or obstructing a fire inspector facing unlimited fines
strengthen guidance issued under the Fire Safety Order so that failure to follow it may be considered in court proceedings as evidence of a breach or of compliance
improve the engagement between Building Control Bodies and Fire Authorities in reviewing plans for building work
require all new flats above 11 metres tall to install premises information boxes.
The government intends to launch a consultation on personal emergency evacuation plans this spring to seek additional views on implementing the relevant Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations.
The Home Office intends, subject to the Fire Safety Bill receiving Royal Assent, to lay regulations before the second anniversary of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 Report which will deliver on the Inquiry's recommendations.
The Fire Safety Bill clarifies that the scope of the Fire Safety Order (FSO) and changes to the FSO outlined above will be delivered through it. The Building Safety Bill will create the first national Building Safety Regulator and overhaul the way buildings in scope of the new regime are designed, built and managed when occupied.
This is valid as of 24th March 2021.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


On July 24th Idea Cellular Ltd said that the Indian competition authority had approved its merger with the Indian arm of the UK's Vodafone Group Plc, clearing the path for the creation of the largest telecom operator in India by revenue. The Indian telecoms company said that the transaction will close in 2018, pending other regulatory clearances. Vodafone did not issue a separate statement.
The two companies announced the merger plans in March, in a bid to counter stiffening competition in the Indian telecoms sector. The merged entity will be worth Rs1.55trn (US$24bn). With almost 400m customers, it will claim 35% of the country's mobile market.
Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone will own a 45.1% stake in the combined entity and Idea will take up a 26% stake. The two partners aim to eventually own equal shares in the new entity. Upon closing the deal, Vodafone will spin off its Indian subsidiary into a joint-venture company.
Such deals among major telecoms companies in the country are a reaction to the entry of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (Jio), the latest player in an already crowded market. Most service providers have been hurt by Jio's launch of free voice and data services last year. In February, Bharti Airtel Ltd agreed to take over the Indian unit of Norway's Telenor Group.


text:
Museum Day Art Books Design Food Music & Film Video Newsletter
Why Can't Romance Novels Get Any Love?
The genre is long overdue to be the focus of serious study from academics
It's time for the Romance Novel to get its due as an influential genre in the literary canon. (Flickr user Stephen Coles)
By Emma Pearse
Novelist superstars Dashiell Hammett, Agatha Christie and Arthur C. Clarke have a few things in common: they are all canonized writers of popular genres that, for decades, have been critically devoured by popular media and literary scholars alike. English professors from Yale to the University of Alaska have long mined hard-boiled detective novels, science fiction and fantasy, identifying the tropes and memes as revelatory and significant markers of their respective eras -- the femme fatale, the sordid luxury of the Orient Express, or a singing computer in 2001:A Space Odyssey.
Missing from the popular genre discussion is romance fiction, both its evolution and contemporary state, a glaring omission that Sarah Frantz Lyons is so determined to fix that she has it tattooed to her right arm. Mixed in with quotes from the likes of Jane Austen and Roland Barthes is this line, selected ironically, from Germaine Greer's 1970 feminist call to arms, The Female Eunuch:
"Cherishing the chains of their bondage."
Greer was skewering the authors of romance novels, and the readers who made them bestsellers, suggesting they were submitting to nothing short of serfdom to their heaving, rippling fictional heroes: alpha males with giant pectorals, important lives, patriarchal views and very little interest in love…until just the right petite, witty heroine comes along.
But two years later, readers responded by making Kathleen Woodiwiss's bodice ripper The Flame and the Flower a ravishing success. The romance novel burst open the field, bringing a controversial eroticism and sex into the narrative along with all the tropes that Greer's contemporaries would soon further denounce, including the guaranteed happy ending of loving coupledom.
Frantz Lyons, for her part, is tired of the debate.
"We've been talking about this for 30 years: since the 1980s at least, it's been about empowerment versus oppression. Is this narrative empowering or oppressive to women?" she says. "We need new approaches to romance fiction."
Frantz Lyons is one of a new breed of literary scholars who are throwing open the velvet curtains behind which romance fiction has long been cloaked (or these days, behind the leather pages of Kindle cases), turning their highbrow spotlight on one of the most popular and underrated lowbrow pastimes (a genre so beloved that it is often pegged for floating the publishing industry—more than half of the mass market paperbacks sold in the US are popular romance novels).
"In fact, if you look back at the 18th century reaction to popular fiction for women, it's the same exact argument as we're having 250 years later. At some point, you've got to say, this is so ridiculous," says Frantz Lyons.
Over the past seven years, Frantz Lyons and these unabashed scholars of romance and its many subgenres—Regency, paranormal, gothic, time-travel, fantasy, science fiction— across the United States have been exhorting their colleagues, and funders, to help them give romance novels some much needed academic love.
In 2007, Frantz Lyons started the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance along with Professor Eric Selinger, a scholar of American poetry who teaches popular romance at DePaul University in Chicago. The IASPR has hosted conferences worldwide and in 2010 launched a peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Popular Romance Studies.
Their hope is for a scholarship foundation at a PhD-hosting institution and—so far a long shot—a full-fledged graduate program. "Popular romance is not high on the list when colleges are having to fight for their Renaissance and Shakespeare courses," says Frantz Lyons of this era's economic troubles rippling through the higher education system.
The association, though, has injected the genre with legitimacy in the eyes of academic institutions and romance fiction is now being debated and dissected in classrooms from George Mason University to the illustrious classrooms of Princeton, where William Gleason teaches a course on American Best Sellers, a syllabus on which Nora Roberts is a staple.
"By the time we get to Nora Roberts, students are attuned to the ways that popular stories like Last of the Mohicans and Uncle Tom's Cabin often place matters of the heart at their center, even if the love affairs of the central characters are thwarted or doomed," says Gleason, who allows his students to vote on the final novel for the semester. In 2011, Fifty Shades of Grey was the resounding choice. "After these earlier novels, students have a better sense of what it means, culturally, for a narrative to permit love to flourish."
Romance is one of the last fiction genres to find a place on college syllabi at a time when the academy seems to be welcoming serious scrutiny of everything from The Wizard of Oz to Beyonce and Miley Cyrus. And while there's all the fervent intellectual wrestling of any academic discipline, these romance scholars are writing a post-feminist narrative in which the anti-romance second-wave feminism of the '70s and '80s is over, along with all the dissing and belittling that came with it.
"Greer was one of the first early influential naysayers," says Pamela Regis, a professor of English at McDaniel College, with a tone of delight in her voice. Regis's book, "A Natural History of the Romance Novel" is seminal for contextualizing this new wave of scholarship. "Germaine Greer… inaugurated the modern criticism of the romance novel in 1970, striking a theme that becomes a commonplace in subsequent criticism—that of the romance novel as an enslaver of women.," Regis writes.
That the only influential scholarship arose more than four decades ago is the primary motivation for today's romance heavyweights.
"We're going to look at these [romance] books like any other literary text, as a product of the creative imagination," says Franz Lyons.
In many of these scholars' happily ever afters, romance fiction would be the object of scrutiny across the academic spectrum. "Be still my heart," says Selinger at the idea of a degree program in romance studies. In their ideal world, romance fiction's illustrated book covers and archetypal characters would glow provocatively from the desks of social scientists, theologists, feminists, historians, anthropologists, philosophers and the wonkiest of literary scholars.
The Journal of Popular Romance is the breeding ground for this future: "a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal of scholarship on romantic love and its representations in global popular culture," explains Selinger. In recent issues, scholars have meditated on the work of Nora Roberts for sure, as well as "Sapphic Romance in Mexican Golden Age Filmmaking" and "disability and romance" in vampire fiction.
The genre is slowly infiltrating other disciplines: there are medical professors looking at the ways that doctors and nurses are portrayed in romance fiction and professors of Middle Eastern studies flipping the pages of the sheik-hero romance subgenre.
Such a pan-disciplinary study was on full display at the recent "What is Love?" conference at the Library of Congress where John Cole, the director for the Center for the Book announced, "Romance fiction arrives center stage."
It was standing room only in a mahogany auditorium filled with romance enthusiasts across the spectrum. Several silver-haired men in blue suit jackets and bearded 30-somethings sat amid young women in cat-eye glasses, older women in gold accessories (and just a few pairs of Mom jeans.)
On a panel featuring social scientists, historians, psychologists and anthropologists, the discussion centered on the lack of happy endings in the real world. "Throughout history, marriage was not the happy ending but the unhappy ending. It was when you needed to leave the person you loved," said Stephanie Coontz, a professor of history and family studies.
"I have to say, the science is dreary," said Eli Finkel, a professor of social psychology at Northwestern University, citing studies that show romance inevitably dropping in marriages. "But, then again, the science says that the alpha male is, well, kinda hot. It turns out that everyone likes someone who is hot and ambitious."
But before the larger world of academia can dissect romance novels for their larger themes, the more niche group of literature scholars must also come to terms with the genre's broad reach and popularity—as well as the disdain that endures.
"The stereotype has been overweight women eating bonbons in bed, reading alone," says filmmaker Laurie Kahn whose forthcoming documentary Love Between the Covers follows romance authors, fans and scholars as a booming subculture of women that is either disrespected or ignored. "The truth is that people from every conceivable socioeconomic background are reading this fiction. And the authors are surgeons, lawyers, professors."
"Women write and read romance heroes to examine, dissect, subvert, discuss, revel in and reject patriarchal constructions of masculinity," said Sarah Frantz Lyons. "They're not just cherishing the chains of their bondage. They're figuring out what they are, figuring out how they fit."
"Love is my religion - I could die for it," one canonized romantic, John Keats once wrote. In romance fiction, death is not an option, "We need a happy ending," says Selinger. Today's scholars, like all good romantics, are figuring out how the genre in which love conquers all can get its own fairytale ending.
Books Literature Writers
The Amazing Results of Putting a Light Inside Fruits and Vegetables
No One Really Knows What a Shamrock Is
Timelapse Footage of a Giant Caterpillar Weaving Its Cocoon (2:34)
For six weeks, luna moth caterpillars gorge themselves on the leaves of the marula tree. Then, when they're ready, they instinctively weave giant cocoons around themselves in preparation for their stunning metamorphosis.
A giant killer hornet war is waged between two colonies, and the resources, territories, and survival of a new generation are at stake. Watch the battle unfold as these huge hornets risk their lives for their kingdoms.
Two Giant Killer Hornet Colonies Battle to the Death (3:25)
Green ants build their grand nests out of leaves, which they pull and join together with silk. Amazingly, this silk is produced by their newborn larvae.
Magnificent Leaf Homes Woven by Australian Green Ants (2:50)
It's commonly known that a single asteroid set off the dinosaurs' extinction. Even more destructive than its impact was the chain of events it set into motion.
How a Single Asteroid Wiped Dinosaurs Off This Planet (1:14)
Green tree vipers can kill in the dark. With special heat-sensing abilities, they can find prey that's all but invisible.
A Pit Viper's Sixth Sense (2:03)
Women of Harar Photo of the Day»
Divers Encounter a Human-Size Jellyfish Off the Coast of England
Before Going to the Moon, Apollo 11 Astronauts Trained at These Five Sites
Apollo 11 Rocket Will Be Projected Onto the Washington Monument to Mark 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing
The Invasion of Giant Pythons Threatening Florida
One Hundred Years Ago, a Four-Day Race Riot Engulfed Washington D.C.
Yosemite Gets Its Historic Place Names Back
A Lost Work by Langston Hughes Examines the Harsh Life on the Chain Gang
Human Flesh Looks Like Beef, But the Taste Is More Elusive
This Lady Scientist Defined the Greenhouse Effect But Didn't Get the Credit, Because Sexism
'Blown Away' Brings Glassblowing to Netflix
Audubon Photography Award Winners Show the Breathtaking Beauty of Wild Birds
Tiny Animals Trapped in Fossil Trees Help Reveal How Fauna Moved Onto Land
Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others?
The Delicious, Ancient History of Chocolate and Vanilla
The Heart of the Hawaiian Peoples' Arguments Against the Telescope on Mauna Kea


text:
Sunius is a genus of rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae. There are more than 60 described species in Sunius.

Species
These 65 species belong to the genus Sunius:

 Caloderma angulatum Casey, 1886
 Caloderma continens Casey, 1886
 Caloderma contractum Casey, 1886
 Caloderma mobile Casey, 1886
 Caloderma reductum Casey, 1886
 Caloderma rugosum Casey, 1886
 Caloderma tantillum Casey, 1886
 Sunius aculeatus Assing, 2005
 Sunius adanensis (Lokay, 1918)
 Sunius akdaghensis Anlaş, 2016
 Sunius algiricus (Coiffait, 1969)
 Sunius amanensis Assing, 2005
 Sunius anophthalmus Hernandez & Garcia, 1992
 Sunius balkarensis Assing, 2001
 Sunius bicolor (Olivier, 1795)
 Sunius bozdaghensis Assing, 2006
 Sunius brachypterus (Gemminger & Harold, 1868)
 Sunius brevipennis (Wollaston, 1864)
 Sunius brevispinosus Assing, 2005
 Sunius cagatayi Anlaş, 2016
 Sunius canariensis (Bernhauer, 1928)
 Sunius catalonicus (Coiffait, 1961)
 Sunius ciceki Anlaş, 2016
 Sunius concurvatus Assing, 2017
 Sunius confluentus (Say, 1834)
 Sunius confusus (Coiffait, 1969)
 Sunius debilicornis (Wollaston, 1857)
 Sunius dimidiatus Wollaston, 1864
 Sunius fallax (Lokay, 1919)
 Sunius fenderi Hatch
 Sunius fernandezi Hernandez & Garcia, 1992
 Sunius ferrugineus (Bierig, 1934)
 Sunius filum Aubé, 1850
 Sunius fortespinosus Assing, 2006
 Sunius golgeliensis
 Sunius hellenicus (Coiffait, 1961)
 Sunius italicus (Coiffait, 1961)
 Sunius kizilcadagicus
 Sunius lebedevi (Roubal, 1926)
 Sunius mallorcensis (Coiffait, 1969)
 Sunius melanocephalus (Fabricius, 1792)
 Sunius microphthalmus (H.Franz, 1979)
 Sunius monstrosus LeConte, 1863
 Sunius nevadensis (Coiffait, 1969)
 Sunius nitens (Duvivier, 1883)
 Sunius ovaliceps (Fauvel, 1878)
 Sunius ozgeni Anlaş, 2016
 Sunius palmi (H.Franz, 1979)
 Sunius peregrinus (Casey, 1905)
 Sunius plasoni Eppelsheim, 1875
 Sunius propinquus (Brisout, 1867)
 Sunius puglianus (Coiffait, 1961)
 Sunius quadripennis (Casey, 1905)
 Sunius reuteri Assing, 2017
 Sunius rufipes
 Sunius rugithorax Hatch, 1957
 Sunius seminiger (Fairmaire, 1860)
 Sunius sexpinosus Assing, 2006
 Sunius simoni (Quedenfeldt, 1881)
 Sunius tenerifensis (H.Franz, 1979)
 Sunius unicolor Mulsant & Rey, 1878
 Sunius valentianus (Coiffait, 1980)
 Sunius yagmuri
 Sunius yamani Anlaş, 2018
 † Sunius demersus von Heyden & von Heyden, 1866

References

Further reading

External links

Paederinae
Articles created by Qbugbot

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Sitecore ECM on CD is unable to find a campaign by ID (different core databases) I am getting the following exception when clicking on an ECM email link that points to content delivery server,
Campaign with ID {} has not been found.
Source: Sitecore.EmailCampaign at Sitecore.Modules.EmailCampaign.Core.EmailResponse.HandleEmailLinkClickResponse(String link, Guid campaignId, Guid automationStateId)

It all works if I change the URL from CD host to CM host.
Sitecore 7.1 with E-mail Campaign Manager 2.1 rev. 140214
CM and CD are configured to use different core databases.
Is there anyway to get ECM working in this configuration?

A: Needed to publish two folders with children,
/sitecore/system/Marketing Center/Campaigns
/sitecore/content/Home/Email Campaign Manager/Messages/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Labor's attack on Malcolm Turnbull's millions is fundamentally flawed, low-rent politics
By David Crowe
June 25, 2018 — 12.02pm
Mud sticks. This iron law of politics explains why Labor has launched an attack on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over his investments in big companies.
The claims are a shallow exercise in stretching a single fact into a web of connections that show the Coalition leader will personally prosper from his signature policy to cut the company tax rate.
But the fact the argument is flimsy will not stop it from working. That is why Labor frontbenchers are prosecuting the case so aggressively in their media interviews, even though most of their interviewers do not take the claims seriously.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with wife Lucy. Credit:Toby Zerna
Voters should be rolling their eyes at this rubbish.
This is another "class war" tactic from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten even though he was greeted with derision when he attempted the same attack on Turnbull's wealth in October 2015.
"They want to attack me for having a quid," the Prime Minister responded on Monday to the latest claims. "You're not allowed to have a go or be successful. The Labor Party has turned on everything it stood for – it used to be a party that supported aspiration."
To engage in a "class war" is one thing, but to try to hoodwink Australians is another. The party that wants to form government is behaving like the junior staff from the Hollowmen television series. That tells you what they think of voters.
The mud will stick but the claims make Shorten look desperate
Yes, the Coalition throws mud when it can. Turnbull calls Shorten a "sycophant" who has sold out workers. This is a race to the bottom in Australian politics but it is no reason to shrug off the latest example.
The Labor argument centres on the bill before the Senate this week to enact the second phase of the government's company tax cuts, which cost $35.6 billion over a decade and extend the benefits to all companies regardless of size.
"Self-evidently, Malcolm Turnbull would be a big beneficiary, not just of the company tax cuts, but also the personal income tax cuts that went through the Senate last week," Labor finance spokesman Jim Chalmers said on Monday morning.
The attack is no more sophisticated than that. Labor has no deeper analysis to establish just how many gold coins will be rolling into Turnbull's harbourside mansion.
What Labor offers is a list of investments that link Turnbull to global investment funds and, eventually, some of the big companies that operate in Australia.
These are investments on the public record. Labor lists about 16 funds that hold some of the Prime Minister's personal assets. Inevitably, these funds invest in companies around the world.
For instance, Turnbull holds units in an SPDR exchange traded fund, nicknamed a "spider" after the SPY code for the Standard & Poor's index of the 500 biggest companies on the US sharemarket. Nobody picks and chooses the companies to invest in because the fund merely follows the market.
By definition, the biggest public companies in America will be in the SPDR fund. Some of them will have operations in Australia. Another subset will be big enough to qualify for the second phase of the company tax cuts. The same applies to Turnbull's other funds.
How many companies? Labor has produced a list of about 32 with significant revenue in Australia. These include 3M, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Pfizer, Toyota and Siemens.
Labor makes no calculation about the actual profits of these companies so it cannot point to any specific gain for Turnbull, only the general gain from all these companies doing better.
It is a ramshackle way to make a case. What is the boost to profits? Labor cannot say. How much will the shares rise? No idea. What is the gain to all those global funds from a shift in Australian policy? Total guesswork.
Consider Microsoft, for example. It paid $87.3 million in tax in Australia last year, according to a report by ZD Net.
This was an unusual tax bill for Microsoft because it included tax owed over several years. Even so, it is a way of estimating the gain from a cut in the company tax rate from 30 to 25 cents in the dollar. At the lower rate, the tax bill might have been $72.5 million.
That is a $15 million benefit for a global company with an annual profit of $US22.3 billion.
Anyone who tells you this will boost the Microsoft share price and push the SPY index higher is having you on.
Even if this is extrapolated across the 32 companies on the Labor list, the effect is a rounding error.
And here is the other side to the entire argument. The government has announced a tax crackdown on digital companies. Will Shorten praise Turnbull for going after global companies even though it hurts his investments?
The point of the Labor exercise is to get a dream run in the media to remind voters of Turnbull's wealth. For that reason it is probably best to ignore the strategy entirely, but the flaws in the argument are so significant they need to be pointed out.
The mud will stick but the claims make Shorten look desperate. The latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll shows he rates poorly when voters are asked who they trust, with 39 per cent favouring Shorten while 48 per cent nominate Turnbull.
This is not a strategy that will turn that around.
Bill Shorten
David Crowe is chief political correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.


Mexico trip over Christmas. Valera, Boyan, Dentcho, and I flew to Mexico City and spent 16 days in that country, climbed two mountains, laid on the beach, saw lots of Mayan ruins, and had an excellent time in spite of the facts that we are from three different countries (Russia, Bulgaria, USA) and none of us spoke anything more than basic survival Spanish.
The first picture attached here (DSCN0288) is two of Mexico's most famous mountains, Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl. (Popo is on the right, with smoke coming out of it.) The vantage point here is the Mexico City Airport. Ixta is about 17,100 feet, and Popo is 17,800. In spite of being taller, Popo is actually the easier climb, but currently the Mexican government doesn't let anyone climb it, for reasons related to the smoke: Popo is right now the most active volcano in North America.
Our plan for this trip was to climb another mountain, La Malinche (14,600 ft), as a warm-up, then Ixta, and then Pico de Orizaba (18,400 ft), the tallest mountain in Mexico. We did La Malinche first, starting from a trailhead near a campground in La Malinche National Park. There were several stray dogs hanging around the campground, and when we got up at 4:30AM and started hiking, three of the dogs followed us - ALL THE WAY TO THE SUMMIT. Tough dogs. DSCN0333R is a picture of one of the dogs at the summit, just before sunrise, with Orizaba in the background. SSCN0349 is Valera, Dentcho, me, and Boyan at the summit. Dentcho and Boyan are holding a Bulgarian flag.
Next we went to Ixta, and all of us except Boyan hiked to about 14,000 feet and made camp for the night. (Boyan fell sick the day before, and stayed in a hotel in Cholula. Bummer.) We started dark and early (4AM) the next morning to make for the summit. DSCN0370 shows one of us in dark silhouette, with the lights of several towns and villages in the distance below. DSCN0382 was taken a few hours later: a snowfield near the summit, with Popo puffing in the background. On the right you can see three other climbers crossing the snowfield. DSCN0390 shows Dentcho, me, and Valera at the summit of Ixta, and also nicely illustrates why you shouldn't pick people at random to take pictures for you.
After that we went to Orizaba, right? Wrong. We met several other climbers on La Malinche and Ixta who all told us the same thing: Orizaba is extremely treacherous this year. Long steep slopes of glare ice. Four people killed between Thanksgiving and Christmas, a dozen more injured. Now, there are techniques for mountaineers to handle such conditions, but none of us had that experience, and we decided that we'd rather get home safely than reach the summit of Orizaba and then get killed on the way down.
So we went to Yucatan instead. We saw some Mayan ruins (DSCN0495), hit the beach, and saw a VERY good band at a bar/restaurant with no electricity (DCN0529). I emphasize - a VERY VERY good band. Eight musicians, six of them percussionists, playing powerful, supple Caribbean rhythms that I could have listened to forever. These guys would do justice to the Slippery Noodle.
After four days in Yucatan we returned to Mexico City. Hung out, saw a bullfight (DSCN0609), got lost, enjoyed the food, the markets, and the people. Especially the people: I can vouch that Mexicans are among the friendliest people on this planet. Everywhere we went we found people who were patient with our butchered Spanish and gave us whatever directions/help they could.


How time flies...the pioneer batch of train The Trainer Programme graduates today! But before that, they have to pass the examination - in terms of client consultation, sales presentation & fitness training. Seeing them go through it all reminds me of when I first started off as well. It really brings back good memories as the participants are probably still unaware of the number of lives they can positively transform by virtue of this very noble profession called personal training.
Here are some candid shots of what took place on the sidelines of the examination. Remember, it's all about having fun during training too!
I think judging from the build of the 'client', he's exaggerating...is it really that heavy?
Did he break a bone or ligament? Look at his facial expression!!
Congratulations to all the 4 newly minted personal trainers!
I've finally finished designing the Train The Trainer Programme certificate. Just in time to get it printed and issued when the guys graduate this Sat.
Looking at all the certificates I have received over the years, I decided to do away with the conventional designs that have a gold trimming as a border as it surely looks tacky. So for my Train The Trainer Certification Programme certificate, I came up with a design using strips and curves as the border. This reminds all of us that we have to be flexible in life and adaptability is important in this time and age. Playing with bright colours to liven up the mood, I chose orange (the colour of energy & vitality) and black (the colour of coolness & mystery).
Being a personal trainer is more than just about flexing your muscles. It is about knowing how to draw out the best in your client and 'infecting' them with your abundant energy. It is about being creative and designing new exercises when the equipment is spartan. Most importantly, it is also about being a steadfast beacon of support and motivation for your client when the going gets tough.
Paying tribute to my roots where it all started for me, I added in symbols of the the gym in the form of dumbbells and weighted plates. To this very day, I still train using them.


text:
Lloyd Owen
BORN: 14, April 1966 | England, UK
Lloyd Owen was born on April 14, 1966 in London, England as Richard Lloyd Owen. He is an actor, known for Apollo 18 (2011), Monarch of the Glen (2000) and Miss Potter (2006). He is married to Juliette Mole. They have two children.
Juliette Mole (? - present) ( 2 children)
He trained at London's RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), and was a member of the National Youth Theatre, GB.
He speaks fluent French and is accomplished baritone singer.
Son of Glyn Owen and Patricia Mort.
Attended Highgate School before The National Youth Theatre.
Has 2 children - Maxim and Mimi.
Brother of actress Cathy Owen.
Filming "Miss Potter" in Cumbria. [April 2006]
I was always made to read plays at school but I never wanted to. Then I was made to take part in a school play and I didn't want to do that either but I started to get approval for my acting. I was reasonably academic, good at sport, but somehow with the acting, people said 'that was fantastic'. So I thought 'maybe that's what I'll do then'. It went from there.


Find your summer look at Festival Place's Style Council!
Dear mummy, are you stuck in a style rut?! Wearing the same black clothes and jeans? Well, help is at hand!
Festival Place Shopping Centre in Basingstoke, Hampshire are kicking off their summer festivities with an event called the Style Council. It's a two-day event taking place on Saturday 20th June from 10am until 4pm and Sunday 21st June from 11am until 4pm, showcasing the shopping centre's fashion and beauty retailers and providing customers with valuable advice on what to wear this season.
If you are anything like my mummy you won't have a clue how to dress for this weather without feeling like a frump! You see she sticks to maxi-dresses to hide her bottle milk legs and baggy t-shirts to hide her mummy tummy. That's her comfort zone, so breaking out of this would help her!
Top stylist, Melissa Murrell, will be headlining the event and is an expert in determining and dressing different bodyshapes. Hopefully she can help my mummy get out of this style rut. During the event she will be hosting masterclasses at regular intervals which will help shoppers understand how to dress for their bodyshape and for any occasion.
Shoppers will also learn how to put together a capsule wardrobe with just 20 items of clothing – handy advice for your summer holiday and bulging wardrobes!
There will also be personal beauty advice and tips from Festival Place's retailers to help their customers feel and look great!
The event will be held in Porchester Square with two separate styling zones for beauty and fashion advice. We're thinking it will be a bit like Gok Wan's telly show!
For a style consultation customers can book in advance on the Festival Place website or simply turn up on the day.
To keep up to date with details of other upcoming events at Festival Place visit www.festivalplace.co.uk/summerfestival or find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
That's not all! The very generous Festival Place are also giving you the opportunity to share your photos of the Summer Festival on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram tagging Festival Place and using #fpsummer for your chance to win fantastic prizes!


5100 El Camino Real, #108 provides a chic and charming newer condominium home with a large wrap-around 735 sf patio, in a great, private location on the first floor. This is a desirable house alternative, well-priced for families who want to enroll in Los Altos excellent schools -- Almond Elementary, Egan Junior High and Los Altos High. (Please verify availability) Three bedrooms, two baths, an open floor plan highlighted by a dramatic designer light fixture, and two doors to access each side of the generous patio. The cheerful, light-filled home provides privacy and convenience, with dramatic, nearly 10 foot ceilings. HOA is well maintained and building is kept in sparkling condition.
I'd like some more information about 5100 EL CAMINO REAL 108, LOS ALTOS CA. Thank you.
I'd like to request a showing for 5100 EL CAMINO REAL 108, LOS ALTOS CA. Thank you.


Airbus A300-600 STANDARD DATA: Seats 281-331. Gross wt. 302,000. Empty wt. 168,259. Fuel capacity 11,361-15,324. Engines two 51,008-lb. s.t. General Electric turbofans.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 582. Cruise mph 570. Approach mph 154. Range 1,000-2,190. Ceiling 35,000. Takeoff run 6,150. Landing roll 5,600.
STANDARD DATA: (A310) Seats 236. Gross wt. 330,690. Empty wt. 169,842. Fuel capacity 13,746. Engines two 50,000-lb. s.t. Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4E turbofans.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 557. Cruise mph 532. Ceiling 41,000+. Range 5,240. Takeoff distance 7,575. Landing distance 5,000.
STANDARD DATA: (A320) Seats 179. Gross wt. 58,730. Empty wt. 84,171. Fuel capacity 3,380. Engines two 25,000-lb. s.t. CFM CFM56-5 turbofans.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 560. Cruise mph 522. Ceiling 31,000+. Range 2,640. Takeoff distance 5,630. Landing distance 4,750.
STANDARD DATA: (A330-300) Seats 300-440. Gross wt. 450,000. Empty wt. 145,000. Fuel capacity 24,500. Engines two 64,000-lb. s.t. General Electric CF6-80C2 turbofans. PERFORMANCE: Max cruise 475 kts. Economy cruise 464 kts. Ceiling 41,000'. Range 4,640-5,500 nm.
Production of the A300 Airbus is truly an international effort. Aerospatiale is responsible for building the nose section, flight deck, lower center fuselage, and engine pylons. Deutsche Airbus of Germany, made up of MBB and VFW-Fokker, manufactures the forward fuselage from the flight deck to the wings, the upper center fuselage, the rear fuselage and the vertical tail. Hawker Siddeley makes the wings, while VFWFokker of the Netherlands manufactures the moving wing surfaces. CASA of Spain is responsible for the horizontal tail surfaces, landing gear doors, and the main doors. The General Electric turbofans are built under license by SNECMA and MTU. The A300B1 was the initial version powered by 49,000-lb. s.t. engines. The B2 is the first production model and the B4 is the long-range version of the wide-bodied transport. Standard all-tourist seating accommodations are for 281 passengers, and a high-density arrangement allows for 331 passengers.
The 300 series Airbus has a huge array of variants, each modified for a market niche.


text:
@* Plantilla para mostrar un input de texto
 * @param id          Id y nombre del input
 * @param label       Texto de la etiqueta
 * @param field       Campo opcional que va a manejar el input
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 * @param tipo        Tipo del campo (text, password, etc.)
 * @param autofocus   Si se le debe colocar autofocus, false por defecto
 * @param extra       Cualquier extra que se le deba colocar, opcional
 * @param extraClass  Cualquier clase adicional que se le deba colocar, opcional
 * @param value       Valor que deberia tener el campo. No deberia estar definido
 *                    a la vez que el param field
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  id: String,
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  placeholder: String = "",
  tipo: String = "text",
  autofocus: Boolean = false,
  extra: String = "",
  extraClass: String = "",
  value: Option[String] = None
)(implicit messages: Messages)

<div class="form-group @for(f <- field if f.hasErrors){ has-error }" >
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               placeholder ="@placeholder"
               @if(autofocus) { autofocus }
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               @for(v <- value){ value="@v" }
               @extra
        >
        @for(f <- field) {
            @for(e <- f.errors) {
                @messages(e.message)
            }
        }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Like many Singaporeans on March 23, I woke up to news that the city-state's founding prime minister had died—but I was 1,600 miles away from home in Hong Kong. As a Singaporean living abroad, there were few to share the anguish, which in some ways made it feel more acute. It wasn't until I got to work that morning, amid the swell of tributes and the outpouring of emotion, that it hit me: I had to go home.


Famous for picking a fight with someone much bigger than himself, Finn McCool, a mythical warrior of Irish mythology is said to be responsible for what is known as the Giant Causeway in County Antrim in Northern Ireland, an area of around forty thousand interlocking columns in the shape of hexagonal dark stone steps of alternating size.
In reality though, the scientists among us know that the Giants Causeway is made of volcanic lava that is described as being flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean on one side and a landscape of dramatic cliffs on the other, it is a World Heritage Site.
"superlative natural phenomena, formations or features, outstanding examples of the most important ecosystems, areas of exceptional natural beauty or exceptional combinations of natural and cultural elements and an outstanding example representing the major stages of the earth's revolutionary history."
Truly an inspiration for artists and story tellers alike, it is quite a sight to behold. A natural phenomenon it is, but its nice to think that Finn McCool had something to do with it.
Finn McCool's Irish name was Fionn McCumhaill, who in mythology is a warrior, but in some stories he appears as a giant or a hero with a magic thumb which when sucked allows him to see anything going on. Wouldn't you just love one of those?
Fionn's father was Cumhaill, the leader of a small group of Irish warriors named the Fianna and his mother was Muirne, daughter of a druid whom Cumhaill had abducted. Later, left in the care of a warrior woman in a secret forest he was taught hunting and the art of war and it was during Fionn's boyhood and early adulthood that most of his adventures occur.
There are two versions of his most famous adventure, in both he is depicted as a giant who challenges the Scottish giant Benandonner to a fight, building the causeway across the water so the two giants can meet.
In one of the tales Fionn hides in a cave because he sees that Benandonner is way bigger than him and the second has Fionn disguised as a baby by his wife. When Benandonner sees the size of the baby he naturally thinks that Fionn, as the father, is more of a giant than he and returns to Scotland without a fight. Either way, not a punch is struck, and depending on which story you read either Fionn or Benandonner suffers from an attack of pre match nerves. In another adventure, Fionn comes to the aid of the Fianna, this time the tale involves a rather nasty fire breathing fairy called Aillen, a magic bag and a self induced headache!
What of the Fionn in his later years? Some say he is not dead, but sleeps in a cave somewhere beneath Ireland waking to defend his country when she needs him the most.


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text:
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As featured in MONTCO.TODAY's "Ask a Real Lawyer"
Question: My friend told me to find a collaborative lawyer for my divorce. I am not really sure what that is. Can someone explain this to me and tell me if there are collaborative lawyers in Montgomery County?
Answer provided by: Ellen S. Fischer, Esq. from the law firm of Fenningham Dempster & Coval LLP
Collaborative Divorce is a no court alternative to the traditional litigated divorce, child custody, property distribution, and support cases. Each spouse or partner retains a collaboratively trained family law attorney and then all of us sign a binding Collaborative Participation Agreement committing to not litigate and agreeing to resolve the issues in private meetings, held at one of the attorney's offices, at a time convenient for the clients. We sit around a table, no matter how difficult, and work together cooperatively to reach amicable agreements. The process is driven by the clients so that the discussions consider the specific needs of each family member as well as the whole family.
As part of the promise to not litigate, there is also the promise that the parties will be honest and transparent and will voluntarily share all relevant and necessary financial and other documentation.
But there is a downside. In the event one of the parties wants to leave the process, then the collaborative attorneys must be discharged and the parties must retain new litigation counsel. The parties must start over from the beginning with their new attorneys. Everything that was shared during collaborative negotiations, remains confidential. The collaborative attorneys are prohibited from speaking with a client's new attorney. This, of course, results in additional legal fees and even greater animosity.
Collaborative Divorce has been around since the 1990's, but it is only recently that people are hearing more about it, because some newsworthy folks have used it for their divorces. When the process was first developed, it was limited to the two attorneys and the two clients. But as the process has evolved, it has become a multidisciplinary process. In many cases now, the clients meet with a divorce coach, a licensed mental health practitioner with collaborative training, who helps them work with and through their fear and anger and learn tools for constructive dialogue. This ensures that each client has a voice at the table, even when the issues are so emotionally charged it is hard to think straight. There is also the option of using a divorce financial advisor who has also been collaboratively trained and who helps in developing budgets now that one household is going to be two households. The financial advisor can also help with ideas about how to creatively distribute the assets to maximize their value.
Collaborative divorce is a holistic approach to divorce. The lawyers, clients and, when necessary, the other professionals, work together as a team for the benefit of the entire family, while recognizing that each party is an individual with his and her own values, beliefs and goals. By eliminating adversarial proceedings, and prioritizing the needs of the children, many families find that the process allows them to develop a healthier relationship both during and after the case concludes. There is pain, no doubt about it, but staying out of court empowers the parties to reach beyond today's frustration and pain and to give space for planning for the future.
To arrange a free consultation with attorney Ellen S. Fischer, Esq., one of several member attorneys in Montgomery County who is experienced in collaborative law, click here to email a Montgomery Bar Association LRS advisor now (LRS@montgomerybar.org), or call 610-994-3656 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4PM). If contacting us by phone, please be sure to mention this attorney's name and how you heard.about us. Automated referrals to other Montgomery Bar Association member-attorneys in your area offering free or deeply discounted collaborative divorce consultations through our service are available Online anytime at RealLawyers.org.
More about this Montgomery Bar Association member-panelist (bio provided by this attorney prior to publication):
I am a caring, compassionate and knowledgeable family law attorney with a philosophy of the power of amicable settlement, collaboration and mediation. My years of practice have taught me the benefits of staying out of court and resolving divorce in a peaceful and respectful manner. Staying out of court relieves the children of the emotional conflict faced by separating families and allows families to focus on the benefits of having a healthy post-divorce relationship. But not all cases can resolve without going to court and when necessary, I am a zealous trial advocate.
I handle all areas of family law including divorce, custody, relocation, spousal and child support, equitable distribution, alimony, pre and post nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, paternity, name change, domestic abuse, post-divorce issues, and grandparent and third-party custody.
Throughout my career, I have advocated for and supported the LGBTQ community and was invited to join the Family Law Institute of the National LGBT Bar Association, a select group of international attorneys dedicated to pursuing the rights of LGBTQ individuals and families.
I have also learned the importance of helping those who lack the funds necessary to hire an attorney. I am a volunteer attorney with the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Program (MCAP), the Montgomery County Court on Protection from Abuse Days, the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP) and the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia.
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Read reviews about Feast Junction here! All reviews have been written by Quandoo users that have already booked and eaten at Feast Junction. We try to be as transparent as possible by providing you with real guest experiences. Find out what other diners are saying about Feast Junction.
Lovely beef in black bean sauce, as always. I also tried the vegetarian soup tonight, which was delicious. The staff are very polite and friendly too.
We ate at Feast Junction yesterday night. I like the newly refurbished Restaurant, for great food and good value. The staffs are very helpful and friendly.
It was my first time going there and so me being the inquisitive type, tried almost every single thing they cooked and i have to say they were ALL amazing! The service as well was top notch as they did their very best to make sure you would be comfortable through out your stay there. It is a 6/6 from me.
The food was really delicious and the ambience was good as well. I hope to visit again very soon. I shared my experience with my housemates. There should be a student discount at lunch hour for a specific day in a week or something like that. It would help students visiting frequently.However, I would rate 5.
Eight of us had Saturday lunch buffet yesterday to celebrate my mum's 70th birthday. We all really enjoyed it, plenty of food to choose from & the kids loved watching their noodles being cooked. Great service too. Hadn't been before but glad I booked it. Would go again.
Very good experience, booked for 6 people but 9 turned up, staff accommodated the extra people with no problem at all. Staff were very helpful, food very good, plenty of it and it was hot. I have no problem recommending this restaurant for a different kind of eating experience.


Each 1/2 meter long grate features four lateral anchoring lugs to insure the grates withstand high-speed traffic and snowplow blades. Integral or bolt-down systems offer no such protection.
I nterceptor is a precast polymer concrete trench drain system for highway and roadway surface drainage. Since 1983, the PolyDrain precast trench drain system has provided superior performance and durability for commercial and industrial surface drainage solutions. Development of the PolyDrain Interceptor series brings the efficiencies of a precast polymer concrete trench drain system to roadway design and construction. Polymer concrete is resistant to salt, oil, most acids, and alkalis. This makes it an excellent material choice for a trench drain system for roadway applications.
Roadway design challenges such as limiting surface water spread and limiting drain inlet bypass can be accomplished by use of a trench drain system. Dangerous hydroplaning can be reduced while reducing roadway construction costs and increasing pavement service life. Continuous inlet line drainage is recognized as an effective solution to water sheet flow problems. The high capacity Interceptor trench drain system is founded on the proven ABT PolyDrain trench drain system and surpasses the limitations of traditional slot drains.
Based on discussions with Department of Transportation Hydraulics Engineers from several states, the Interceptor A-67 drain channel and drain grate were developed by ABT to provide maximum inlet capacity while maintaining "bicycle safe" openings. Four anchoring lugs help the Interceptor A-67 drain grate withstand high-speed highway traffic and snowplow blades. The Interceptor A-67 trench drain system provides the design flexibility to place the exact amount of open drain area just where it is required for any highway surface drainage conditions.
The Interceptor precast trench drain system for roadway construction is manufactured by ABT Inc., the industry leader in modular drainage systems for commercial and industrial use.


text:
Patriots Notebook: Eric Lee gets chance to stick it to Bills
By Mark Daniels /@MarkDanielsPJ
It wasn't too long ago, when Eric Lee was on the Buffalo Bills practice squad.
FOXBORO — It wasn't too long ago, when Eric Lee was on the Buffalo Bills practice squad. Fast-forward a week and the defensive end is now preparing to play his former team as a member of the Patriots.
After making his NFL debut on Sunday with the Patriots, his former Bills coach, Sean McDermott, expects big things from the 23-year-old.
"Eric's a good young man," McDermott said in a conference call with the New England media. "I heard he had a sack last week, which I'm happy for him. I'm happy for him that he got his shot, and I'm sure he's going to play for a long time in this league."
Lee may get a chance to play more against the Bills than he did on Sunday, when he played 25 defensive snaps against Miami. In the the Patriots' win over the Dolphins, the defense lost their two starting edge rushers — Trey Flowers (ribs) and Kyle Van Noy (leg) — to injuries. It remains to be seen if either practices or plays this week, but Lee could get a bigger opportunity.
When Flowers and Van Noy went down, Lee played well, getting his first career sack in the fourth quarter.
"I think Eric worked hard this week to try and catch up in a lot of areas," Bill Belichick said. "He made a play at the end of the game. He really had a lot to do with the sack that Trey Flowers got down in the red area where Flowers was actually unblocked, but Lee powered [Sam] Young on the other side and kind of collapsed the pocket. He was in on a couple of running plays. We'll see how it goes, but I think given the circumstances that he played in, did a really good job for us."
Brian Hoyer is enjoying the ride, as well he should.
The ninth-year quarterback was a member of the San Francisco 49ers, who were tied for the worst record in the NFL, when he was traded to the Patriots, who were tied for the best mark in the AFC, on Oct. 31.
And, now, with five games to go, Hoyer finds himself a member of a team that has plenty to play for over the final month of the season.
"I think it's just fun for me to be back in general," Hoyer said Wednesday. "With the way that my year has gone it couldn't have gone any better than to come back here, to a place I'm familiar with, to a team I'm familiar with, and guys that I'm familiar with and just try to come back and contribute any way I can."
With Tom Brady missing his second straight Wednesday, Hoyer found himself contributing in multiple ways. He not only directed the first-string offense in Brady's absence, but also the scout team.
"It was fun, a lot of fun," Hoyer said.
That meant the 32-year-old Hoyer, a pocket passer by trade, was asked to emulate the mobile Tyrod Taylor, whom the Patriots will face on Sunday when they travel to Buffalo to meet the Bills. Taylor has averaged 5.4 yards a carry and rushed for 14 touchdowns in 54 career appearances.
"Obviously, I don't have the same skill set as Tyrod, but I try to do my best," Hoyer said. "That's my job, to go out there and to give a good look, and even though I might not be as fast or as nimble as Tyrod I definitely try to simulate that as a quarterback who runs the scout team. It's always a lot of fun for me because you kind of get to see what other offenses do and you try to give the defense the best look they might see on Sunday."
No practice for Brady
After missing a practice last week with an Achilles injury, Brady came off the injury report before the weekend. After being hit eight times against the Miami Dolphins, the quarterback is back on it.
Brady missed Wednesday's practice with an unknown injury. The quarterback's weekly press conference was also pushed to Friday. Brady was on the injury report for two days last week — Wednesday and Thursday. He only missed Wednesday's session before practicing the final two days. He was removed from the injury report on Friday.
Brady never came out of Sunday's game, but could be seen shaking his right hand after taking one of eight hits from the Dolphins. Brady's been on the injury report several times this season, including an early stint with a shoulder injury.
The Patriots were also without starting right tackle Marcus Cannon and backup LaAdrian Waddle at practice due to ankle injuries.
Cannon has missed the last three-plus games and Waddle, who has been a capable replacement, departed Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins in the fourth quarter after pulling up lame. That left fourth-year pro Cameron Fleming and undrafted rookie Cole Croston to step in on the right side for practice.
"Well, we have to go about business as we always do," left tackle Nate Solder said.
Also missing practice on Wednesday were Chris Hogan (shoulder) and Trevor Reilly (head). Center David Andrews returned and practiced for the first time since Week 10. He missed the last three games with an illness. The Patriots also had Trey Flowers and Van Noy at practice. Both players left Sunday's game in the fourth quarter with injuries. Flowers returned for a snap before departing again.
Mark Daniels writes for the Providence Journal of GateHouse Media.
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Internet marketing types know that the only thing that matters is the sale – all that build up, spammy sounding long form sales copy, and gut wrenching emotional hot button pushing is about the sale and little else.
I get that, you get that, but you've grown up online in the more genteel social media environment and you'll go to your business grave before coming off salesy in that kind of way.
But here's the problem – many of you are going broke because of the belief that you can't sell and still be social media pure. I attended BlogWorld Expo in Los Angeles last week and, while I thoroughly enjoyed the people and the content, I was amused by the gyrations that speaker after speaker went through to assure us that they were not going to try to sell us anything.
Look, selling and selling your soul are not one in the same.
I buy stuff from people I know, like and trust. If you send me something out of the blue and I don't know you, there's a good chance that I'll ignore it and maybe ignore you, because I don't know, like and trust you. You may or may not be a spam sending sleaze ball, I just don't have enough data to really make an informed call.
Each speaker that I experienced at this event, however, had earned the right and the opportunity to sell me something and, in my opinion, did me a disservice by not helping me understand how I could get more of their brilliance.
It's time to stop being so sensitive about promoting what you do for a living. If you've built trust you owe it to our relationship to move beyond and your business will fail if you don't.
I know people that have grown to household name status in social media circles who can't pay their bills and it pains me to see the waste caused by the lack of a financial conversion component to their community building.
You've got to create content that educates, content that builds trust and content that closes if you want the content creation aspect of your business to do what it's suppose to do.
If you yourself are struggling with this notion, here's my formula for selling with complete integrity.
1) Tell your audience as you're building it that you have something for sale – don't hide it until you decide to roll out a new product or campaign. In fact, you can go as far as telling every new follower that you expect to earn the right to sell them something at some point in time and that they'll be happy when you do.
2) Make your free stuff better than your competitor's paid stuff.
3) Educate and give with every interaction in every network and through every vehicle.
4) Give people a way to try and experience you and your products live and in person.
5) Remind your followers that you're going to sell them something, tell them they are the first to get access to it, and then show them how they can acquire what you've been sharing with them all along.
I know this sounds simple, but the only way this works is if you create the expectation that they will want to buy what you have to sell and then you earn the right to ask for the order.
There are people we all follow that have our permission to send us a one line email that says something like – hey, I've got something new for you, click here to check it out, and we gladly click here – get to that place with enough people and you know you're doing the five steps above right.
The problem most people have is that they give and give and forget to build the case for the value that comes with becoming a customer. Then, when finally ask for the money, it's too late.
This isn't a trick of any kind, this is a simple acknowledgement on your part that you're serious, you have a business to run, value to offer and a deep burning desire to work with people that appreciate that.
Now, tell me this – what part of that sounds even remotely spammy or sleazy?


text:
Barbarian Princes is 1999 live album recorded in Japan recorded by Mick Farren and friends released under the name The Deviants.

The album was recorded with long-time friend and collaborator Andy Colquhoun and featured Wayne Kramer's backing band.

Track listing
 "Aztec Calendar" (Farren, Colquhoun)
 "Eating Jello with a Heated Fork" (Farren, Colquhoun)
 "Disgruntled Employee" (Farren, Lancaster)
 "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding" (Bob Dylan)
 "God's Worst Nightmare" (Farren, Colquhoun)
 "Leader Hotel" (Farren, Henry Beck)
 "Lennon Song" (Colquhoun)
 "Thunder on the Mountain" (Farren, Colquhoun)
 "Lurid Night" (Farren, Colquhoun)
 "Dogpoet" (Farren, Colquhoun)

Personnel
 Mick Farren – vocals
 Andy Colquhoun – guitar
 Doug Lunn – bass
 Ric Parnell – drums

References

The Deviants (band) albums
1999 live albums