text:
Amazon Prime Day is coming up: Here's why deal experts say you might want to skip it this year
By July 9, 2022 26 views
As Amazon gears up for Prime Day on July 12 and 13, shoppers may be less enthusiastic this year about the big annual sale.
"The explosive sort of growth year over year that we've seen with Prime Day, we may not see that any longer," said Nathan Burrow, senior deals editor at Wirecutter.
For starters, soaring inflation has led to higher prices across the board, causing consumers to cut back on spending and become more wary of the kind of impulse shopping thoseintermittent "Lightning Deals" are designed to encourage.
Here are 3 ways to deal with inflation
What people expect to spend more on as inflation surges
58% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck
In addition, as more competitors step up, Prime Day could lose its stranglehold on one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year.
Prime Day prices may not be Amazon's best-ever offer
Just because something is discounted on Prime Day doesn't mean it's the best deal you'll see anywhere, or even all year.
Naturally, Amazon will offer the best prices on its own gear like the Kindle, Fire TV streamer and private-label clothing. For example, the e-commerce giant is already advertising a 24-inch Fire TV for only $90, nearly half the retail price, while other early deals include up to 55% off the second-generation Echo Show, Kindle Paperwhite and Eero Mesh Wi-Fi routers.
Keep in mind that some items will be reduced further down the road. Prices on mattresses and outdoor furniture are likely to be lower around Labor Day, toys get marked down the most on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and TVs generally hit their lowest price point ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.
Even Amazon is looking beyond its own Prime Day with a second sales event now slated for the fall.
Competing sale events are upping the ante
Other bargains are not exclusive to Amazon at all. Walmart, Target and Best Buy, among others, are holding competing deals events — as they have in previous years — to coincide with Amazon Prime Day 2022.
This time, Target's 72-hour "Deal Days" kicks off earlier and runs for longer, starting on July 11, one day ahead of Prime Day. Plus, Target will price match select Prime Day deals and take an additional 5% off for RedCard members.
"Every year, they become a little bit more competitive," Burrow said.
Also expect to find equally worthwhile deals at Walmart on kitchen appliances, vacuums and Nintendo Switch accessories, he said, and count on Best Buy to compete on electronics and Apple devices.
Meanwhile, other retailers, including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Kohl's, Overstock, Samsung and Saks Fifth Avenue, will offer their own major markdowns, according to Rakuten's retail and shopping expert Kristen Gall.
How to make sure you're getting the best deals
To find the lowest prices overall, start crunching the numbers now, advised Kristin McGrath, a shopping expert at RetailMeNot.
Price trackers are the easiest way to monitor just how good a deal really is, especially for big-ticket items.
Kristin McGrath
shopping expert at RetailMeNot
McGrath recommends a price-tracking browser extension like Camelcamelcamel or Keepa to keep an eye on price changes and get price-drop alerts. "Price trackers are the easiest way to monitor just how good a deal really is, especially for big-ticket items," she said.
At some retailers, you can even stack deals by using a promo code or digital coupon and then pay with a rewards credit card for extra savings, said Rakuten's Gall.
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Crypto: You Asked, Ian King Answered


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MainAll NewsForeign AffairsNew Zealand PM: I didn't apologize over UN resolution
New Zealand PM: I didn't apologize over UN resolution
New Zealand's prime minister says his government still supports UN resolution condemning "settlements".
Elad Benari, 15/06/17 05:05
New Zealand's prime minister denied on Wednesday that he apologized for supporting a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli over "settlement construction", saying his government still supports the resolution.
Prime Minister Bill English's comments, which were made to the New Zealand Herald and quoted by JTA, came one day after Israel and New Zealand restored diplomatic ties and Israel agreed to order its ambassador to New Zealand to return to his post in Wellington.
New Zealand was one of the four co-sponsors of UN Resolution 2334, which was adopted in December by the UN Security Council. The resolution passed with a majority of 14-0, with the United States abstaining and thus allowing it to be adopted.
Reports following the vote suggested that New Zealand promoted the resolution and voted in favor of it due to pressure from the British government.
In February, Israel permanently downgraded its diplomatic ties with New Zealand and Senegal, two of the co-sponsors of the resolution. Relations with Senegal were renewed last week.
Following monthlong discussions with New Zealand, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with English several days ago, according to a statement by the Israeli government released Tuesday.
The statement claimed that English told Netanyahu that "I regret the damage done to relations between New Zealand and Israel as a result of New Zealand's co-sponsorship of UNSC resolution 2334."
English, however, told reporters in New Zealand that he did not apologize for the resolution or the country's sponsorship of it.
"The resolution expressed longstanding and international policy and we stand by those positions. What we do express regret about was the fact that it disrupted our relationship with Israel," he said, according to the Herald.
"Whether we agree with a country or don't disagree with them, we certainly prefer to have diplomatic connection and it's good that Israel has seen fit to restore their post in New Zealand," added English.
Tags:New Zealand, UN resolution 2334, Bill English

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I played 520 games in 2013! Woah ..... yes 2013 is really my first full year in BGG.
Navegador 8 (Probably one of my favorite, fall in love with it after Boonec introduce it to me), 7 Wonders 7 (What a coincidence! 7 Wonder 7 games!), Le Havre 7 (yes the very set I purchase from you), Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 7, Dominion 6, Thurn and Taxis 6, Chicago Express 5, Piece o' Cake 5, Village 5, El Grande 4.
Well I guess I'm really a medium euro leaning toward the heavier side. I don't know why, I never really like to play a game repeatedly even if I like it alot ....... I also don't mind playing with the occasional stranger but who I play with perhaps have a much bigger impact then how fantastic a gameplay can be. I rather play a lousy game with great gamers then play a great game with lousy players.
Last but not least, Happy New Year PYLP! May there be more good years to come!
hi Lex, happy new year too :) I would recommend playing some games a few times to better appreciate it. Like fine wine, some of the games will surprise you or encourage you to try the different paths to victory.


The film that made Peter Lorre an international star. He plays a psycho who can't control his urge to abuse and murder children. Just before a killing, he whistles "In the Hall of the Mountain King." Chilling. In German with English subtitles. HD restoration...loads of extras.


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Michael Barrymore
Harrowing 999 call from Michael Barrymore's mansion after pool tragedy released for first time
A partygoer tells the operator "I think the geezer's dead, mate" in a chilling 999 call after Stuart Lubbock is found face-down in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool
Kyle O'SullivanTV Features Writer
The harrowing 999 call made from Michael Barrymore's home after the pool tragedy has been released for the first time.
In the early hours of 31 March 2001, a phone call is made to Essex Emergency Services to say a body had been found in the swimming pool of the television presenter.
The 999 call has never been released to the public until now in new Channel 4 documentary Barrymore: The Body In The Pool, which will examine what happened on the night of Stuart Lubbock's tragic death.
Now, 19 years on, this landmark documentary explores the full story behind one of Britain's most high-profile unexplained deaths, as told by the people closest to it.
At 05:48am, one of partygoers tells the operator he wants an ambulance to come to Beaumont Park Drive, Roydon, Essex.
Stuart Lubbock was found dead in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool nearly 20 years ago (Image: PA)
Michael Barrymore breaks silence as police urge him to come clean over death
Police say one of eight Michael Barrymore swimming pool party guests is killer
"A geezer's drowned in the pool," explains the caller, who has to reiterate that a man has drowned in the swimming pool.
The operator then asks if they have got the man, who we now know is Stuart Lubbock, out of the water.
After explaining that they have got Stuart out of the water, the caller then reveals they were at a party, adding: "Someone's just gone out and found him."
Barrymore, seen departing from his home in the village of Roydon, Essex August 15 2001, has always denied any involvement in Stuart's death (Image: PA)
Michael Barrymore's house in Roydon, Essex, where the body of Stuart Lubbock was found in the swimming pool after a party (Image: Daily Mirror)
The distressed caller then tells the call handler that it was the first time he had been out in years and he has his kids every weekend.
Referring to the grim discovery, he adds: "You don't expect it, do you?"
There is then a jump forward as the caller shouts out to another partygoer as the ambulance arrives at Barrymore's house.
Stuart Lubbock was found unconscious in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool on the morning of March 31, 2001 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
As someone waits on the main road for the ambulance, the caller says: "F**king hell. I think the geezer's dead mate."
At the time, Barrymore was one of the most popular entertainers in Britain and the incident sparked huge public interest with every detail poured over by the media.
Almost two decades on, a 90 minute documentary is set to shed new light on the investigation and reveal never before seen material and exclusive interviews with those involved.
Here is the full transcript of the chilling 999 call:
Operator: Where do you want the ambulance to come to please?
Caller: "No.4 Beaumont Park Drive, Roydon, Essex."
Operator: "Right, we'll get someone out for you."
Caller: "A geezer's drowned in the pool."
Operator: "Right...Sorry?"
Caller: "A fella's drowned in the pool."
Operator: "Are they still in the water?"
Caller: "No, we've got them out."
Operator: "You've got them out."
Caller: "There's a party going on and erm...Someone's just gone out and found him. I tell you what mate. The first time I've been out in four f**king years. I have my kids every weekend and..F**king hell. You don't expect it do you?"
The caller explains that someone has drowned in the swimming pool (Image: Channel 4)
The clip ends with the caller explaining the seriousness of the situation (Image: Channel 4)
Operator: "The ambulance is being turned round now."
Caller: "They're turning round!"
Operator: "If you get somebody out there ready."
Caller: "They're waiting out on the main road mate."
Operator: "Yeah, right."
Caller: "F**king hell. I think the geezer's dead mate."
DCI Stephen Jennings from Essex Police speaking at Essex Police HQ in Chelmsford, ahead of a new Channel 4 documentary (Image: PA)
Barrymore, now 67, and two other men - his ex-lover Jonathan Kenney and dustman Justin Merritt - were arrested and later released without charge, and police say the three have not been "completely eliminated" from inquiries.
Five others were at the party that night - Merritt's younger sister Kylie, chef James Futers, and locals Simon Shaw, Claire Jones, then 17, and Kelly Campbell. Det Chief Insp Stephen Jennings told a press conference: "One or more of the eight people at this party are responsible for Stuart's death."
The show is said to forensically piece together the perspectives of Lubbock family's, detectives, forensic pathologists and eyewitnesses, to explore what happened that night at Barrymore's Essex bungalow and the extraordinary events that followed.
Barrymore's 'dark side'
Barrymore breaks silence
Pathologist findings in full
How did Stuart Lubbock die
Terry Lubbock, Stuart's father, who is supporting the research, said: "This documentary is about the questions around what happened to my son Stuart Lubbock. Finally.
"The story has become so distorted and confused over the years. So much has been said and written. It's time to put all the facts together in one place."
Channel 4 commissioning editor Alisa Pomeroy said: "This film is a reflective piece that tells the story of an unexplained tragedy that unfolded in the glare of an unforgiving media.
"It sheds light on the complex relationship between celebrity, the criminal justice system and an all-powerful tabloid press in the early noughties, but most of all, it's the deeply moving story of the Lubbock family's continuing quest for answers and justice, nearly 20 years on."
*Barrymore: The Body In The Pool, tonight, 9pm on Channel 4
Stuart Lubbock
Brain TumoursWoman stayed awake during 8-hour brain surgery on tumour she had dismissed as headacheEmily Sudlow, 26, thought she just had a cold when she suffered a 13-day headache - but it turned out to be stroke which has left her with a stammer despite undergoing an eight-hour operation to remove a brain tumour
All over-18s promised first dose of Covid vaccine by September - and 'it could be June'
Universal Credit families could get £500 payment if weekly benefit is slashed
Universal CreditIn the face of growing dissent over plans to slash Universal Credit Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering a one-off £500 payment


Once the confetti is tossed and the New Year's Eve party favors are thrown away it's up to you to keep the momentum going. You may feel overwhelmed by the mere thought of planning and setting goals for 2018 and YOUR LIFE. Are thoughts of a career shift, starting a family, finally turning your hobby into a money maker, or making your health a priority swirling in your head? Feeling unsure about how to sort through the noise and FEAR and turn these thoughts into actions that produce results? No worries. I felt the same way three years ago when I decided to stop fantasizing about my dream life and start designing the life of my dreams. Guess what? So can you! The first step is to CLARIFY YOUR VISION.


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Since biobanking began in the late 1990s, the industry has grown…fast. This rapid expansion and growth has translated into huge volumes of samples – all requiring storage, organization and management for the various industries and applications for which specimens are [...]
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GRATA International Publications What to expect from the amendments in land legislation?
What to expect from the amendments in land legislation?
On 29 November 2017 the deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved in the first reading draft law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Regarding Regulation of Land Relations" (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Law"), developed following the work of the Commission on Land Reform.
The following is a review of the most significant, in our belief, amendments and additions to the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter referred to as the "Land Code") proposed in accordance with this Draft Law.
1. Competition for granting agricultural land for rent.
According to the Draft Law, land plots owned by the state and previously not transferred to land use will be granted through a competition. The district executive body will approve the corresponding list of the lands submitted for the competition.
The competition is held in the form of a tender with the submission of commercial proposals including a сorresponding business plan.
There are also the grounds for refusal, the conditions for determining of the winner, appealing the results of the competition, the grounds for recognising the competition as not held or not validly established.
2. Strengthening control over the rational use of agricultural land.
The draft law establishes:
- permanent monitoring of the use of agricultural land:
during the first five years of rent - annually,
in subsequent periods: every five years on the irrigable field and every three years on a dry-land field;
- the possibility of extending the rent period in case of positive results of a monitoring conducted and a multipurpose survey (provided that the terms of the rent are properly executed);
- approval of a model rent contract for agricultural land, indicating the specific requirements and obligations of land users and their responsibilities;
- endowing district (except for districts in cities) executive bodies, local executive bodies of cities of regional significance with functions for exercising control over the rational use of agricultural land.
3. Circumscription of limiting dimensions of agricultural land rented to Kazakh citizens and Kazakh legal entities.
According to the Draft Law, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan will determine the maximum size of land plots which may be in the temporary land use of citizen or legal entity of the Republic of Kazakhstan (and its affiliates) for farming or peasant household. Limit values will be set according to the types of agricultural land within the administrative region or oblast and within the whole Republic as a whole.
At the same time, there are already such limit sizes for agricultural land being (1) on the right of private property of citizens and non-governmental legal entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and (2) on the right of temporary land use of foreigners, stateless persons and foreign legal entities.
4. Strengthening requirements for granting lands in the border areas.
The draft law provides for a prohibition on the granting to private ownership and land use of land plots located in the frontier belt of the State boundary of Kazakhstan.
Granting of agricultural land plots in the frontier zone on the right of temporary land use is allowed only to RK citizens who are not married to a foreigner and to legal entities of RK without foreign participation. At the same time, the Draft Law does not regulate the issue of the indirect participation of foreign legal entities in such land users.
5. Extension of the list of exceptional cases for compulsory acquisition of a land plot for state needs.
The draft law expands the list of cases when a compulsory acquisition of a land plot for state needs is possible. In particular, this list is supplemented by the following grounds:
- meeting the needs of the population in grazing lands for cattle grazing;
- ensuring the population's need for lands for individual housing construction through withdrawal of lands in accordance with the general layout of settlements or a comprehensive development plan of a territory (which may include agricultural land).
At the same time, in accordance with the Land Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the case of disagreement of the owner, a compulsory acquisition is allowed only by a court decision.
6. Establishment of appellate commissions to appeal against decisions, actions (inactions) of authorities exercising state control over the use and protection of lands.
The Draft Law provides for the establishment of appellate commissions - permanent pre-judicial bodies which consider complaints against actions (inactions) of authorised officials in the field of land relations. Appellate commissions will be established at (1) the central authorised body, (2) the local executive body of the oblast, the city of the Republican significance, the capital, the city of regional significance and the district.
It is also provided that in case of disagreement with the decision of the appellate commission, decisions, actions (inactions) of authorities performing state control over the use and protection of lands may be appealed in court. Based on the provisions of Article 8.6 of the Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, it may not be possible to apply to a court before the dispute is considered by the appellate commissions mentioned above.
We hope that provided information will be useful for you. If you have any questions, please let us know - we will be happy to answer them.
For further information, please contact our staff:
Sulukhan Mukhamedzhanova, Lawyer
Т.: +7 (7172) 689-929
Email:smukhamejanova@gratanet.com
Maksim Burak, Partner
Email:mburak@gratanet.com
GRATA International, Astana
Author: Maksim Burak
Astana, Kazakhstan
18.01.2023 Azerbaijan is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which has contributed to the success of its trade policy. On... 18.01.2023 Domestic Framework The main domestic legislation that applies to the sale of goods contracts is the following: Con... 18.01.2023 Submitted applications (orders) are reviewed by a state body issuing the special permit to verify the accuracy of the in...


Convenient and reliable cooperation on insurance of your clients from all possible risks during their trips abroad or within Ukraine.
Is one of the conditions for accreditation or maintain the status of IATA accredited agency.
Provides compensation for a Bank which have issued a guarantee, for losses incurred as a result of travel company failure to fulfill its obligations to tourists.
Gives a discount to your tourists on their next trip, if in the period of the insured trip they suffered three rainy days. The amount of discount shall be compensated by ERV!


Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. A late start may result in customizing your service. For the pleasure of all of our guests, we ask that you turn off your cell phones.
Please provide 24 hours notice for any cancellations. A 50% charge may be applied to your account without sufficient notice.
A credit card is required or all group and bridal party bookings.
We know that your privacy is very important to you. That's why protecting any personal information, such as your name, address or phone number that you provide to us is of the utmost importance to Mahogany Salon and Spa. We have prepared this Privacy and Security Statement to let you know the manner in which Mahogany Salon and Spa collects, uses, discloses and otherwise manages the personal information you entrust to us.
When you provide personal information to us, you are consenting to the manner in which Mahogany Salon and Spa collects, uses, discloses and otherwise manages your personal information, as set out below.
Purchase, order, return, exchange or request certain information about our products and services.
Visit or register with our website, or participate in other feature of our site such as online purchasing or online bookings.
When you purchase gift cards or book appointments we will collect your pertinent information from our client consultation form and keep a history of your purchases. We will use this information to process your orders and to better assist you when you visit or call us.
All products are final sale. Gift cards are final sale. Gift cards do not expire and may be used for services or product. Gift cards may not be redeemed for cash and must be presented as proof of payment to receive service.
Regrettably we are unable to accommodate guests under the age of 12.
Mahogany Salon and Spa uses personal information, to continually assess and improve the products and services we offer. We would also like to inform you of products and services, sales and special offers that might benefit you. When you register online or participate in a survey, you will have the opportunity to sign up for e-mails about our products, services, sales and special offers.
We may also send you mail or email you with information about our products and service offerings if you have provided us with your name and address, email address and phone number.
How Secure is My Personal Information on Mahogany Salon and Spa's E-Commerce Site?
We work to protect the security of your information during transmission by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) software, which encrypts information you enter. Mahogany uses Moneris, one of the most credible companies for online purchases. It is important for you to protect against unauthorized access to your password and your computer.
Personal information disclosure: Mahogany Salon and Spa will not trade, rent or sell your personal information, without your prior consent, except as otherwise set out herein. If your purchases are being shipped to you, we will share your shipping information on a confidential basis with our delivery service providers (Canada Post, or other delivery companies we or you select). Our delivery service providers are prohibited from using your personal information for any purpose other than making the delivery.
Mahogany Salon and Spa reserves the rights to transfer any information we have about you in the event we sell or transfer all or a portion of our business to a third-party acquirer.
Please note that Mahogany Salon and Spa must provide your personal information in response to a search warrant or other legally valid inquiry or order, or to an investigative body in the case of a breach of agreement or contravention of law, or as otherwise required by law. We may also disclose personal information to assist us in collecting a debt owed by you.
In general, you can visit our sites without telling us who you are or providing us with any information.
May let us know who you are.
Are necessary to access your account information (stored on our computers) in order to deliver products and personalized services.
Will provide us and our service providers with information that we will use to personalize our sites in accordance with your preferences.
Cookies are also required to optimize your shopping experience in that they allow you to add multiple items to your shopping basket before checking out. You may set your Web browser to notify you when you have received a cookie. However should you decide not to accept cookies from our site, you will limit the functionality we can provide when you visit our sites.
Our sites may include links to the websites of our business partners, vendors and advertisers. Except as provided herein, we will not provide any of your personal information to these third parties without your prior consent. Mahogany Salon and Spa provides links to third-party websites as a convenience to the user. The inclusion of any link does not imply our endorsement of any other company, its websites or its products and/or services. These linked websites have separate and independent privacy policies, which we recommend you read carefully. We have no control over such website and therefore have no responsibility or liability for the manner in which the organization that operate such linked websites may collect, use or disclose and otherwise treat your personal information.
No data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure, Mahogany Salon and Spa cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us on our sites.
Accessing your registration information on our sites.
Writing to us at the address below. Please indicate your e-mail address and phone number with your correspondence along with the information needed to support your request.


text:
Q: UTF8 breaking down, when trying to convert data to json in Rails I have properly configured encoding in my MySQL database as UTF-8. I am receiving data from database without any problem, then I am displaying it in my controller
def index
   @languages = Language.all
   render text: @languages[0].name
end

Rails is returning me correctly string "ąźaxza" with expected UTF-8 encoding, but when it comes to return data as json it crashes.
def index
   @languages = Language.all
   render json: @languages
end

It returns json with strings
{"languages":[{"languages":{"id":1,"country":"������a","name":"����axza","domain":null,"code":null,"engine_id":null,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null}}]}

What can be a problem?
@languages.inspect is returning
#<ActiveRecord::Relation [#<Language id: 1, country: "\xC4\x85\xC5\x9B\xC5\x82a", name: "\xC4\x85\xC5\xBAaxza", domain: nil, code: nil, engine_id: nil, created_at: nil, updated_at: nil>]>

In database.yml I have set
encoding: utf8
collation: utf8_unicode_ci

Query "show variables like 'char%';" is returning
character_set_client       utf8
character_set_connection   utf8
character_set_database     utf8
character_set_filesystem   binary
character_set_results      utf8
character_set_server       utf8
character_set_system       utf8

and query "show variables like 'collation%';" is returning
collation_connection    utf8_general_ci
collation_database  utf8_unicode_ci
collation_server    utf8_unicode_ci

A: I had to use gem mysql2 instead of mysql. If anyone has the same problem don't forget to change adapter in database.yml file.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Oh, Restoration Hardware, how I love thee. But those prices…not so much. Also, apparently you have to live in a mansion for some of this stuff. Case in point, check out these amazing zinc planters. The smallest one – smallest – is just shy of 16″ square, which sounds like no big deal until you see it and realize your puny porch doesn't stand a chance. Okay, maybe your porch isn't puny. Lucky you.
The biggest one is a commanding 38″ square, which basically means you live in the White House or you are Beyonce or something. But since I don't need a planter that doubles as a kid size swimming pool I decided to make one that would replicate the tall one – 16″ square and 32″ H. Their price – $625. Let that sink in.
This is a relatively simple project that can be completed in a weekend, and sized anyway you like. Want to build one? Here's how!
*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You can read more about what that means here.
Cut 4 16″x32″ panels. I used 1/2″ birch but you can pretty well go for whatever as long as it is smooth. I cut everything with a circular saw. Lay down some painters tape where you are going to cut to help keep the veneer from tearing out. The 4×4 piece should leave you just enough to cut the bottom out as well, which should measure 15 x 15.
Attach wood strips to the inside of each panel the same distance down for a shelf support. Your plant won't likely be 32″ deep, so you'll want to rest the base on something. I put mine at 12″ down, but that was probably a bit too far. You can use scrap wood for this, just make sure the height is all the same and that two of them are shorter so they all fit in the square box. Attach with glue and finish nails.
Glue and finish nail the panels together to form a box. This will mean the plywood ends show on two sides. It's no big thing.
Attach the crown. If you have never down crown molding before it can be a bit tricky. Actually, it can be tricky if you have done it before. Take a deep breath, go through it slowly. You totally have this. Here's the stuff I used, though you can use whatever you like.
Here's a video tutorial to help explain the process.
Guys, I cannot recommend the Kreg Crown Pro jig highly enough. The jig allows you to set the precise angle you need for your crown. Wrong angle = joints that don't come together. I said it in the video, but I'll mention it again – you will need to cut the crown upside down to get the bevels right. One thing I forgot to calculate for when making the video, however, is the trim around the bottom, which is sort of inverted trim. It seriously took me several minutes to wrap my head around that, and the dummy piece was a huge help. The key is that you will need to leave the trim right side up for the bottom, because in essence it is already upside down. That was a confusing way to say don't turn the crown upside down when you do the bottom.
Yes, it is possible to do this without the Kreg Jig. I have down crown that way. But, you know, I value my time and my sanity. It's at least worth $27 or so.
Whew, you made it through the crown! You are in the home stretch now. Check out how fast it goes.
Okay, maybe not quite that fast. By the way, my entire family made cameo appearances there, husband, kids, and even the dog. That's life, peeps, and I love it.
Okay, there are only a few steps from here. For the trim simply decide what size box you want and tack it on to the box sides with glue and nails. Mine is set 2″ in from the sides, and like 3″ from the top and bottom, which basically was because that way I didn't have to use more dowels. It's rather arbitrary, so do what looks good to you.
I did a quick sanding where the plywood ends show, then used joint compound and simply smoothed over the ends. I also used the joint compound to fill in all the holes where the finish nails were. You may have to use a nail punch to tap in some nails so they won't show.
Paint! Choose a dark grey base color. I used Serious Gray by Sherwin-Williams because I had some on hand. Give it two good coats.
Create the faux finish so this starts looking like an actual zinc planter. I decided it wasn't necessary to reinvent the wheel, and simply followed a tutorial by Salt Marsh Cottage. Per her instructions I mixed a tablespoon of glazing medium with a tablespoon of water. I found that was way more than I needed for this project, however, so if you do half of that you should be fine. Dip your brush in that, then place a healthy gob of silver acrylic paint on your brush. Brush that on over a small area, making sure your brush strokes are kind of all over the place. Then immediate dab it with a waded up paper towel. Or napkins if, like me, that is all you can find. It's kind of a firm dabbing action, and you'll need to go over all of the brush stokes. This gives it that modeled sort of appearance you are going for. Work in small sections over the entire box. Let it dry, seal it up with some good p0ly or sealer of your choice, and that's it!
Add a plant. Don't ask for my advice here, I grabbed a faux boxwood just to stage it and still need to figure that out myself. Step back and admire your work! You made a zinc planter…well, one that looks like one at least. Way to go, you!
I'm surprised you've had no comments on this – this is lovely!
Beautiful!! Thank you for this post! I have really REALLY wanted the RH planters but could never afford them.
I can't wait to do the tutorial!
Who can, right?! 😀 Thank you!
Great look! Maybe I missed it, but did you do anything to cover the top of the crown? In other words, at the top of the planter is there a gap between the sides of the box and the crown itself?
Hi Padaddy! Great observation. You are correct, there is a gap in there. I'll try to remember to photograph it for you.


We spent a little time to clean up the bellhousing.
Here's the transmission all painted. We're real happy with how it came out.
Here's the fanshroud - the overflow tube is sunk into the side.
The bottom side of the tank - tons of work went into this. It's very flat and smooth.
The top of the tank - it's also very straight. Should look real nice bolted to the chassis.


In South Korea, it's the mouse that roars. Using the internet, Korea's new president, Mr. Roh. was able to pull off a victory using the grass-roots support empowered by internet activism.
The Internet allowed Mr. Roh to liberate himself from "black money" — corporate donations that are South Korea's traditional form of campaign financing. Largely through Internet-based campaign groups, Mr. Roh raised the equivalent of about $1-billion from more than 180,000 individual donors.
The newly elected Mr. Roh… is promising to use the Internet to make the government more open and transparent.
People on both the left and right boil in this space about what's happening outside. Yet outside blog space, there is just more of the same. The Times writes about Democratic hopefuls rallying to attack Bush for not making America safe enough. Wonderful. Who ever wins in 2004, we can be assured of more petty fascism to keep America safe.
Where is the candidate who asks: Must we sell our soul to win this war? Where is the political party that demands respect for principles that I thought were fundamental. If we must detain Arabs, must we do so inhumanely? If we must frisk every air traveler, can't we at least build in checks to the system to assure that it is not abused? If we must fight to defend America, can it at least be America that we defend?
I'm all with Dave that this space will be the space for political action in the future. If only the future comes soon enough.


text:
Q: Is this kind of scheme integral? Let $X\rightarrow Spec(R)$ an irreducible projective scheme over a dvr. Suppose the generic fiber $X_{\eta}$ is smooth (over the field $Frac(R)$) and irreducible. Is it true that $X$ is integral (i.e. reduced)?

A: Let $R = k[t]$ ($k$ a field) and let $X$ be the scheme which is $\mathbb{P}^{2}_{k[t]}$ with an embedded point lying over $0.$  Then $X$ is irreducible, but not reduced.  However, the generic fiber $X_{\eta}$ is $\mathbb{P}^{2}_{k(t)},$ which is smooth over $k(t)$ and irreducible.


Welcome to 2016! Let's make sure we are starting the new year off well. I recommend starting with a review of 2015 and what worked or didn't go as planned, what efforts to concentrate more on and how on earth to know if 2016 was a success when we get to next December.
How to do all of this?
By setting clear, measurable goals!
When you are creating plans and new campaigns it's important to spell out why you're undertaking each campaign – what's the purpose? What action are you hoping your community takes? What will show as moving the needle? Set your goals upfront so you can measure what you do and KNOW what is or isn't working.
I set business and marketing goals for myself as a solopreneur and library consultant. You know that big corporations do it, nonprofits as well – and your library marketing team needs their own marketing specific goals as well, no matter how big or small your library or team.
S: Specific – you want a clearly defined, narrow, short – specific – goal.
Amorphous or wishy-washy, vague goals will get you nowhere. For example, saying what you want to gain or lose, but only in broad terms, leads to inaction because you don't know how to get there. That's why yearly resolutions to 'lose weight' fail quickly. How much weight? By when? By doing what? And why? Saying 'I want to lose 15lbs by November by going to the gym and walking or riding the bike 3x/week and eating meatless Mondays – so I can stop my knee pain' is something I'm more likely to achieve because it's specific – and also measurable, realistic and has a deadline. [And I really would like to avoid further knee pain!] More on those other letters in the acronym below!
Similarly, saying you want to 'improve our marketing' this year, or 'grow awareness of our library's story-time hour' is also too vague. I hate seeing library plans that have "all community members will see the library as a place that has something for everyone" as a goal. Yes, that's a real goal I've seen in library documents. [ouch. my head and heart hurt reading that] Dissecting ALL the problems in that one statement would take another post, but you can see that at minimum it's vague, with nothing to measure and no time frame. It's more of a vision statement.
You can, and should, get even more specific.
What does 'improve our marketing' mean for you? Will you take, complete all assignments, and get Bs or better for 2 marketing courses by June, one on graphic design and the other on social media marketing planning?
Wow, that's a lot more specific. And yet, I bet you could get even more so – by adding in more about deadlines, how you measure 'awareness', a percentage increase of attendance, etc.
M: Measurable – if the goal isn't trackable and measurable, it's not a good goal.
Saying you want to 'increase social media following' isn't trackable as stated.
If you had 100 Twitter followers at the beginning of 2016, and you ended the year with 101, well, technically you made your goal. You increased. But, c'mon, let's get real! Restate that goal to 'we want to increase our social media following on X platform by 25% by the end of the year'. Now you can measure your progress each month to see if you went from 100 to 105, then 110 and finally 125. Now you know you hit your goal and how you got there. It's measurable and it's also more ambitious and meaningful.
Goals that try to 'increase awareness of ____' are often hard to measure. How will you know if your target is more aware of something? You'd have to measure their awareness before you started a campaign or promotion and then measure it again afterwards. Big brands do that – but costs big bucks. You could try pre/post event surveys, or asking attendees how they learned about an event – not as statistically robust, but it gives you information as a baseline or to tweak your efforts.
Or … change the wording and framing of your goals to something you CAN measure, with the tools and resources you DO have. Whatever you do, don't forget to have the tools and plans in place from the beginning to measure your activities and check your progress.
A: Attainable – truly smart goals will stretch and push you top achieve more, go beyond what you've been doing.
But, they should also be something that your current resources support and that you have a reasonable shot at achieving.
Sure, you could set a HUGE goal with a number you could track – like 'increase our Twitter followers to 2000 (from 100) by the end of the year'. But is that attainable? (and is it realistic or meaningful?) You could set a goal of having 2000 subscribers on your mailing list at the end of the year … but if you only have 100 now, and your niche or audience is small, and you're a solo-practitioner – is that a realistically attainable goal? Do you know what you'd need to do to reach 2000?
If your website analytics show you already get 1000 real visits per month (awesome!),you goal should be bigger! If you've grown at 10% per month in the past, why not bump your growth goal to 15%? How many more visitors would that be? How many more new users could that turn into? And can you direct them where you want when they get to your site?
Likewise, saying you want to 'achieve 25% growth in your email list every month this year', when you've only averaged 2% the entire past year (or even 2%/month) means this goal will be really hard for you to attain realistically.
Some managers and bosses try to push their teams to 'go as far or high as possible' – but really they are setting their teams up for disappointment and to feel discouraged when they can't ever hit those lofty numbers. The team never sees and feels real success. That's a recipe for burnout and disaster. At the same time, you don't have to low-ball your numbers – goals should stretch a bit, push yourself but also keep it realistic and encouraging.
R: Relevant/Realistic – setting goals that matter, right now, right here.
Is the goal relevant for this month or quarter or for setting you up for success later?
Setting a goal to 'send out holiday cards to all your clients, prospects and leads from this year by Dec 15th' is great – if you set that goal in October or November, but not so relevant if it's April's goal.
Setting a goal to 'increase by 50% the number of new primary research projects you take on this quarter' is great, but not so relevant if you know you have commitments and existing work that means you can't complete 10 new jobs. Scale back the goal.
If your goal is 1000 more visitors per month via social media, think about what actions you will need to take in order to drive that many people from your social media accounts to your website. What will make them click through to your site? What content do you need? What headlines? What events are you promoting? What news will you share? How can you tap into popular events, holidays, culture or news? Your actions have to realistic as well – if they overwhelm you, scale back those goals. Is that a realistic goal for this time frame and what else you or your organization has going on? Achievable is what makes it a good goal and not just a wild dream.
Don't set a goal you don't have the capacity to meet with success.
T: Time-bound – Now you need deadlines and time frames for meeting those goals.
The other parts of SMART help narrow down your goals so you can see how to achieve them. But I've seen it said that 'a dream is a goal without a deadline'. The reasonable deadline aspect is so crucial to SMART goal getting … and achieving. Don't keep kicking the can of your goals down the road!
Setting realistic time frames for one goal also impacts the related or secondary goals you have, as well as your action plan(s) for achieving those goals. It's a balancing act.
Just like you don't want more kids than you can handle at a single story-time, you don't want to add so many story-time slots so quickly that you haven't got the awareness or attention of parents and kids to attend at those new times! Or the staffing to read the stories at all those new slots! Setting a goal to increase social media engagement by %x by end of the quarter or by the end of the year makes more sense than a weekly or monthly time period. You need time to develop your tactics, gain traction and make some minor adjustments.
Another part of SMART goals (especially for checking relevancy and attainability) is noting what your resources are. This is a big part of whether your goal is Attainable and Relevant.
How many hours per week can you dedicate to this particular goal and its subsequent tasks? What about your team? Do you all have the time? Do you have other commitments? Well, we all do – but is there flexibility there or are they firm, non-changing dates or events? Do you have the tools and resources that you need at hand? To work on the goals in the given time-frame? Is there some looming external factor that could throw your carefully planned time-frame out the door? Will you have to buy, rent, borrow, or beg for these resources?
Focus on areas that you can control for your goal setting.
Maybe you think it's realistic to get 5 new clients this year. But … whether your clients sign a contract may not be 100% in your control. What if you changed the framing to: you know that you need to contact and talk to 5 prospects for every 1 client that usually signs on board – then you could set a goal of contacting, getting a meeting with, talking to, and giving proposals to 25 highly qualified prospects this year. All those steps ARE in your control. And set you up for success.
Maybe your library has goals that rely too heavily on the input and actions of others, especially outside groups (and even a Friends of the Library group is outside of your normal, day-to-day operations team). Can you realistically control whether your town's Board of Supervisors will change the library's budget or that a millage vote will go in your favor? Maybe. Or maybe it's better to reword and reframe those goals into actions you can control – such as how many influencers in your town you can talk to, number of articles in the local paper in support of the mileage vote, number of doors knocked on by library staff, pamphlets handed out, etc. Don't rely on actions, time tables or resources of others for your full success.
Have you gotten your free worksheetson writing SMART Goals for Marketing? Now's a good time!
It's always a good idea to create internal benchmarks to measure your goals and success against. It doesn't matter much what another library, or business or nonprofit does. I don't care how many 'followers' I have versus other library consultants. I DO care how many I have versus the same time frame a year ago. I care more how many email subscribers I have, how many click-thrus on my emails (versus my OWN emails – not some 'industry average') and how many webinar attendees this quarter versus last quarter or versus a year ago. I recommend the same for you. Set and track your own benchmarks.
Want to know some of my marketing goals for 2016?
Add 200 new subscribers to my email list by end of 2016 via targeted, highly educational opt-in offers promoted on my website, via social media and by email.
Create and post a minimum of 1 in-depth, educational, marketing-focused blog post per month on my IntelliCraft Research site and share it via social media and email.
Increase my website traffic by 25% [VYA] with an emphasis on visits to Services, Workshops/Training and Blog posts via: posting on social media at least 1x/week and interacting with and leaving insightful and useful comments on appropriate forums/groups/blogs.
What do you think? Did I set SMART marketing goals for myself and follow my own advice? Leave me a comment or Tweet at me and let me know how I did as well as what YOUR 2016 SMART marketing goals will be!
Let's make 2016 our smartest and most successful marketing year ever!
Copyright 2018 by Jennifer E. Burke, IntelliCraft Research LLC.


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text:
Women who transformed AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry
Dec 11, 2019 | Real Estate
History abounds with instances and stories of plucky women who kept their shoulders to the wheel and achieved honey pots of success. The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)fields have churned out multiple women of wit and grain who transformed their respective fields. Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Barbara McClintock, and a host of women worked extensively to push the envelope.
Construction and real estate industries are on the crest of a wave. Builders are incorporating newfangled patterns and ideas to create novel living spaces. These real estate developers use reliable materials and infallible equipage to deliver marvelous living spaces.
What distinguishes them from their contemporaries is an unfailing set of values and ideologies.They dovetail distinctiveness with honesty to deliver homes in time.
A host of people and companies have made the construction industry what it is today. The AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry was metamorphosed by the touch of women. This blog talks about five such women. The second part of the blog will cover the remaining five jewels. Both the blogs aim at giving each woman accolades and fine, undivided space.
In 1898, Julia Morgan became the first woman admitted to the École de Beaux-Arts in Paris, widely regarded as the best school of architecture in the world. She returned to her home in California and became the first woman licensed by the state to practice architecture. She was a leading proponent of the Arts and Crafts movement and designed many buildings. Her YWCA buildings were institutions intended to serve women, but her most famous design was Hearst Castle, conceived for publisher William Randolph Hearst. Morgan supervised every aspect of the construction over the next 28 years, making her work a symbol of the utmost dedication to her career.
Janet Guthrie
Janet Guthrie is known for being one of the first female racecar drivers. She was the first woman to qualify for and compete in the prestigious Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. But, before she started racing, she was an aerospace engineer who learned to fly while she was in her teens. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in physics and worked as a research and development engineer for American aircraft manufacturer Republic Aviation. The work she completed during that time contributed greatly to Project Apollo.
Emily Roebling
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic engineering projects in America's history. It is stunning. Washington Roebling was its Chief Engineer, but when he became seriously ill in 1872, his wife Emily stepped in. She had been taking notes of what needed to be completed before he passed, and when he died, she began overseeing the day-to-day supervision and management of the project. According to ASCE, she learned about strength of materials, stress analysis, cable construction, and calculation of catenary curves. Every day, she went onsite to relay her husband's instructions to workers and to answer questions. She kept records and was said to have represented her husband at social events. She was Chief Engineer in all but name, and the bridge — completed in 1883 — bears a plaque honoring Emily and her husband.
HedyLamarr
HedyLamarr is renowned as a glamorous film star from the 1930s and 1940s, but few people are aware that she was also an avid inventor. At the beginning of World War II, she developed a radio guidance system aimed at combating the threat of jamming by enemy forces. The US Navy didn't adopt the technology until the 1960s, but the principles of her work live on in modern communications technology, including WiFi and Bluetooth.
Lillian Gilbreth
Lillian Gilbreth combined the fields of psychology and industrial and mechanical engineering to pioneer work in time and motion studies, as well as ergonomics. Gilbreth is credited with many "firsts" in the field of engineering, including household appliance and kitchen designs. In 1965, when she was in her late 80s, she became the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Due to her husband's concern with the technicalities of worker efficiency, Gilbreth studied scientific management principles that are still used today. Now, she is known as the "Mother of Modern Management" and is recognized as the first true organizational psychologist.
(Inputs from Interesting Engineering)


THE MODERATOR: We're joined by West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins. Questions?
Q. We so often get to interview Mark Few as members of the Spokane media, but you had him on your show back in 2012 in Houston. Wondered what you thought of him as an interview subject?
COACH HUGGINS: I felt sorry for him. He was walking through the park, like somebody killed his dog. And Frank Martin and I were sitting there doing -- it was my coach's show. So I'm just trying to cheer him up, you know. Tried to help him. He was very happy at the end because he got, put some digs in against me in my own show. I think we talked about fishing, didn't we? I think so.
Q. Have you heard from Jerry West during the tournament at all, and what does he mean to you and to the university still?
COACH HUGGINS: Jerry is West Virginia. I mean, he's the most well thought of, the most popular, the most -- and Jerry's been great to the state. Jerry still comes back. He's got a house at the Greenbrier. He's been fantastic.
Jonnie played for me. I talked more to Jonnie than I talked to Jerry. In fact, I think Jonnie's come to the game. So, I don't know, he means everything. I mean, he's such a good guy, such a bright guy, and he cares deeply about our state.
Q. Since the Gonzaga team is one that often time gets overlooked because of the conference it's in and the schedule it plays, but it's still here with the 1 seed. That being said, how are you guys approaching this team and this game?
COACH HUGGINS: I don't think they get overlooked by basketball people. I think the basketball people know what a great job Fewy's done there. They know the tradition. He may end up being the winningest coach of all time if he keeps going the way he's going. I mean, I don't know how you take that lightly. They've got a great following. They've got everything that you need to have to have a great program.
Q. I was wondering, obviously you guys play in different time zones for your road games and the conferences. Are there any major adjustments you have to make for this team playing on the West Coast?
COACH HUGGINS: You know I'm not smart enough to do that. We're just -- we go where they tell us to go when they tell us to go. And the time zone thing, you know, it's 7:30 at home. So we generally play around that time when we're at home, anyway. So I don't think it ought to be an issue.
Q. You and Coach Few, how did you guys work out -- how did your relationship begin? Was it just being in basketball places at the same time?
Q. With Coach Few, yes.
COACH HUGGINS: Yeah, the Final Four, clinics, those kind of things. He's actually fun to be with. He doesn't look like that, but he's actually a lot of fun to be with.
Q. You had a matchup that you kind of had to win against Notre Dame at the point guard position. Gonzaga gives you a couple different ones, one at point but then the one inside. Is there one that's more important than the other for you to take away?
COACH HUGGINS: Yeah, I think the guards, because of the way we play. We've just got to try to do what everybody else does, just kind of limit their touches inside. But I mean the whole thing with us starts on the perimeter. So we've gotta do what we've been doing.
Q. The basketball people you reference, they generally regard them as one of the better defensive teams in the country. I'm curious what you see to explain that?
COACH HUGGINS: What who -- Gonzaga?
COACH HUGGINS: I think they always have been. They do a terrific job. I think they do, one, they do a great job of scouting, so they know what you're going to do. And they -- our game, to be successful in our game is about taking things away from people and they do a terrific job of taking things away. Then they've got that great size inside, not just size, but they're good. And they limit you to one shot.
Q. I'm asking you to go pretty far back here, but that tournament game against Gonzaga, when you got ejected and then Chuck got ejected. I'm just curious, looking back what you thought of that whole situation, and was Chuck somebody who frequently had those kinds of back and forths with the officials?
COACH HUGGINS: Chuck's father was an official. So for a long time a lot of the guys that we had, his dad broke them in, you know, to officiating. So he had a great relationship with those guys, because of his father.
I don't know, go and sit in one of those locker rooms for a half and see how you like it. They don't put a TV in there. Nothing. I mean, our orthopedic surgeon was coming in and telling me, you know, what the score was. And then the NCAA people came in and said you can't do that because I was sending messages back out.
I mean, people think I'm a hell of a lot smarter than what I really am if I can do that. I couldn't possibly do that. But I mean the biggest thing -- and cell reception in there was awful. Just horrible. And I wanted to call my mother and apologize for getting thrown out and embarrassing her. She said I can't believe you lasted as long as you did, the way they were calling things.
I just saw Mike Kitz (phonetic) in Buffalo. A good guy. He's a good guy. I wasn't even talking to him when I got thrown out. It was the other guy, but he threw me out.
Q. Piggybacking off of that, the last time you played Gonzaga in the tournament, you made some changes in the years following, too. I don't know, did the way that season ended and the two seasons that followed, what did that time do as far as shaping your response on how you got back to this stage?
COACH HUGGINS: Well, they were just -- they were better than us, but so was a lot of people. If you're talking about those two years. We weren't very good. They did a great job. I mean, if you remember, the year that you're talking about, if I am on the same page as you are, everything went through KJ. And KJ had one heck of a year.
I mean, when you're the leading scorer, leading rebounder in the Big East, you're pretty good back then. And they did a good job of kind of taking him out of the game. But, I mean we really relied on KJ and Truck, and they did a great job taking both of those guys out of the game.
Q. Gonzaga has obviously been very good for a long time, but it seems like they've taken a step forward this year. What, if anything, is different or even better about this year's Gonzaga team, from your analysis?
COACH HUGGINS: Honestly, I don't know how to answer that. I think they've been really good for a while. You look back at the players that they've been able to attract there, I mean, they've had great players. And I think we all know great players makes coaching a whole lot easier.
They got really good players again. And I don't know -- Mark could answer that better than me -- how this team compares to those other teams. I don't really have any idea.
It's always a pleasure talking to you guys. I mean, I just, I got woke up this morning excited about being able to come and talk to you folks. Thanks.
THE MODERATOR: We welcome the West Virginia student-athletes Jevon Carter, Nathan Adrian, Elijah Macon and Tarik Phillip. Questions.
Q. For any of you guys, Bob's got a bit of an interesting and I think unique style and kind of way he conducts himself on the sidelines. Is that something that you guys, it's taken time to get used to as you played for him? And what is it like playing for him?
NATHAN ADRIAN: I think all of us knew what we were getting into whenever we signed up for this. But I think that's kind of part of what we did, we enjoy playing for a coach like him and that's what we look forward to every day.
Q. Jevon, your guys' press obviously puts a lot of pressure and responsibility on the other team's point guard. I'm just wondering what you've seen out of Nigel Williams-Goss?
JEVON CARTER: He's a good player. Good size. He's poised. Try to play at his own pace, and it's our guards' job to make him uncomfortable.
Q. Elijah, as a team that's posted up as much or more than anybody in the country, you faced a team that liked to do it at that rate in Bucknell. But will the challenge be for you guys when you go up against two 7-footers who get the ball with great consistency?
ELIJAH MACON: Just to make it real hard for them. Obviously we'll front the post the whole game, but obviously you just make it really hard for them to score the ball even if they do catch it. It starts with the guards, just putting ball pressure on the guards and just make sure we do what we gotta do if they do get the ball.
Q. Nate or anybody else, he just mentioned if they get the ball. Your role to deny that entry pass in the first place, so they aren't even able to get into their offense.
NATHAN ADRIAN: That's kind of what we try to do. We try to take away passes to make them start their offense further away from the basket, make the entry pass harder, make it easier on our bigs.
Q. Tarik, you guys have had a number of close games this season. Something like that, where you've been through tight situations in the final moments of the second half, how much can that help when you're going into tournament play and you know that each time you step on the court you've got a quality opponent?
TARIK PHILLIP: We played against a lot of good teams. As you have said we've been in a lot of tough battles. I feel like our team is ready for those battles, poised for those situations. And we should be ready if we get into those type of situations.
Q. Jevon, I know it's a very different makeup of this team, but two years after the first time that you got a taste of the Sweet 16, what if anything is different this go around, whether it's just that you've been there before? Or how is this week leading up do you think been different from two years ago?
JEVON CARTER: This year is this year. Two years ago is two years ago. It's totally different. This is a different team. We're playing a different team. Different region. Different state. This is different. Everything's different.
Q. Nathan, what do you think of Przem Karnowski's beard and how does your compare?
NATHAN ADRIAN: His is better than mine and I'll never be able to grow one like that.
Q. His is better than yours?
Q. What about just beards in general. I think half your team has beards. I think it might be nine guys. If it were a beard competition, how would it work out, do you think, for any of you?
NATHAN ADRIAN: I have no idea. But I don't think we think about that too much.
Q. Starting with Nate, when you get into a situation like this, you're this deep in the tournament and you've got a head coach like Bob Huggins, who you guys -- he's been to a couple of Final Fours but never got in the national championship. How much do you at this point think of what it would mean to get him one, as much as you do obviously yourselves and the team?
NATHAN ADRIAN: I think that's something that would seal his legacy as one of the greatest coaches of all time. But we're trying to do it for ourselves, for him, for the state of West Virginia. We're trying to do it for a lot of things.
ELIJAH MACON: Yeah, just what he said, I feel like this is for the state. Not only for him, but it's really for us. I mean, we put in a lot of work over the summertime. We do a lot of workouts. I just feel like it would be a waste of time to come this far and just let it all go.
Q. Jevon, why is the press so effective this year? Has it gotten better in your career there and why?
JEVON CARTER: More experience. You know, we've been doing it. This is our third year at it. We've kind of seen what every team has to offer. And we have a good coaching staff. They do a great job of preparing us for what teams are going to do. And we want to win. You know, we're winners.
We want to go in there and prove people wrong. We have a lot of doubters. We keep that in mind. Like Nate said, we're trying to cap off Coach Hugs' legacy, give him a national championship. It would mean a lot for everybody in the state of West Virginia. It's what we came to do. We just came to win.


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Q: ImageResizer not working with virtual directories I am using the ImageResizer successfully on other areas of my site where the images are being served from a folder within the application (both .jpg?width=100 & .jpg.ashx?width=100 work),  but when I try images from a virtual directory located on the local machine, I can only get resizing to work if I specify the image page using the "jpg.ashx?width=100" method.
The site's application pool is using NetworkService identity and the virtual folder has pass-through authentication enabled.  I've granted Modify permissions to NetworkService on the virtual folder too hoping that would help.
I am using IIS 7.5 in Classic Mode and the resizer diagnostics page doesn't show any issues.
Does anyone have ideas on why this may be happening? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

A: Classic Mode requires the .ashx syntax, since ASP.NET doesn't see static file requests.
If you're seeing different behavior within the same site on the same host, then your virtual folder is probably NOT a virtual folder, it's likely a sub-application.