text:
When you are entering into an employment contract with a new employer, when you are renewing your employment contract, if you receive a promotion or raise, or if you wish to receive a severance package when your employment is terminated, etc. you may be required to execute a non-compete agreement and/or non-solicitation agreement.
The employer may require you to sign the agreements before you are able to gain employment, continue employment, receive the promotion with that employer, or receive the severance package. But what are non-compete and non-solicitation agreements and are they enforceable? Can employers require you to sign the agreement in consideration for employment?
Non-compete agreements are contracts usually between an employer and an employee. Typically, in a non-compete agreement, the employee agrees not to “compete” with the employer for a given period of time after the employee stops working for the current employer. This can be an agreement not to work for rival companies or competitors. It can also include an agreement that the employee will not contact current clients of the employer in an attempt to solicit business. Finally, a non-compete agreement typically also prevents an employee from starting a business of his or her own, in direct competition with the current employer. This type or portion of a non-compete agreement normally covers a specific area or region of the country.
Limitations on non-compete agreements include both length and scope. The length of time the employee is bound by the non-compete agreement must be “reasonable.” A year is considered a reasonable amount of time for a non-compete clause. Ten years would likely not be considered reasonable by a court. The scope of the agreement is also limited. For example, the non-compete agreement may limit an employee from working for a direct competitor. However, it would be unreasonable (and therefore unenforceable) to include a clause prohibiting the employee from working anywhere in the world in any type of job for a period of one year.
With very few exceptions, non-compete agreements are not enforceable in the state of California. California Business and Professional Code (BPC) § 16600 states that contracts “by which anyone is restrained from engaging in a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind” is void as to that clause of the contract.
There are certain situations wherein a non-compete agreement will be legal and enforceable in the state of California. For example, if you are selling a business or your ownership interest in a business, you can, as part of the sale, enter into a contract with the buyer agreeing to “refrain from carrying on a similar business within a specified geographic area” which covers the area the business currently operates, as long as the buyer owns the business. California BPC § 16601.
Another situation wherein a non-compete agreement is legally enforceable in California occurs during the dissolution of a partnership or the disassociation of one of the members of the partnership. In that case, the parties can enter into an agreement wherein the partner leaving the partnership will not engage in a similar business within a defined geographical area as long as the other partner or partners continue to carry on the business. California BPC § 16602.
California’s BPC also contains a provision for using a non-compete agreement where there is a dissolution of a limited liability company. Further, if a single person’s interest in a limited liability company is terminated, a non-compete agreement can be used, with terms and conditions identical to dissolution of partnerships or sales of businesses.
A non-solicitation agreement is also a contract. In a non-solicitation agreement, an employee agrees not to solicit the employer’s current customers or clients after the employee leaves the employer. The agreement could prohibit the employee from contacting clients on his or her own behalf, if the employee starts his or her own business, or it could be on behalf of another business, if the employee now work for a competitor.
A non-solicitation agreement can likewise prohibit an employee from soliciting his or her co-workers, and other employees within the current employment, to recruit them to work for the employee’s new business. This would also extend to recruiting for an employee’s new employer.
The short answer to whether non-solicitation agreements are enforceable in California is “maybe.” As a general rule, an employee is bound by a reasonable contract that prohibits an employee from soliciting former clients or employees of the employer. However, there is nothing that would prohibit a former employee from reviewing and considering a former co-worker’s application for employment that arrived unsolicited.
Similarly, depending on the language of the non-solicitation agreement, one may be prohibited from contacting and actively recruiting clients of the former employer. However, there may be a situation where a client contacts the employee’s new business and places an order. These types of agreements can be very fact specific.
In the limited circumstances where a non-compete agreement is allowed, as well as where an employer requests a non-solicitation agreement, these can be signed at any time. Non-solicitation agreements may be included as a matter of course with any new employee, or the employer may request it at some point during the employee’s employment.
Because courts have upheld non-solicitation agreements, it is critical that non-solicitation agreements be reviewed and completely understood before signing. Under no circumstances should you grant an employer’s request to sign a non-solicitation agreement after you have provided two weeks’ notice of termination of employment.
If you have been asked to sign a non-compete agreement, or a non-solicitation agreement, it is a good idea to have an employment attorney review the agreement on your behalf. Employers will naturally write the agreement in a manner that is most favorable to them. Ensuring your rights are protected is critical. Employers should give you the opportunity to have an attorney review the contract prior to signing.


text: My little boy LOVES to greet and howl with you as soon as you get to the door and see him! He loves to play fetch and play rough with all the other big dogs! Little boy is about to be 5 months old. We drove ten hours away to get him and he is very special to us! He is very very smart and energetic!

industry_corpus2: Others


text: On Thursday 16th of August our school community gathered to enjoy a night of science based activities. Everyone had a fantastic night. The night could not have happened without the assistance of all staff, parents and pre-service teachers who assisted on the night.

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


text:
D Dipasupil/FilmMagic(LOS ANGELES) -- Penny Marshall’s official cause of death has been revealed.
According to Marshall's death certificate, obtained by Entertainment Tonight, the filmmaker died from heart failure, resulting from heart disease and diabetes.
Marshall, who starred in the classic '70s TV series Laverne & Shirley and went on to direct films such as A League of Their Own and Big, passed away on December 17 at the age of 75.
A rep for the family released a statement to ABC News at the time, saying, in part, "Our family is heartbroken over the passing."

industry_corpus2: Film & Entertainment


text:
One of the most important requirements of the R2 Standard is Provision 5e which calls for due diligence of downstream recyclers. R2 Certification not only relies on an annual audit by the Certification Body, but also on the monitoring performed by recyclers on their own recycling chain. Working with bad actors can seriously undermine your credibility. A downstream vendor (DSV) may provide all the right answers on paper, and even put on a good show during an in-person visit, but their everyday operations may not always be consistent with the image they portray. One important aspect of due diligence and auditing is determining whether the evidence sampled represents the normal, everyday processing of the DSV.
The DSV has a written process, but little or no evidence of execution of that process. For instance, the recycler might provide a table of contents to their EH&S Manual, but when you ask for the record of their last facility inspection, they have none or it is five years old. Look for ways to verify the information that is being provided to you. For example, you could ask who was the last person hired, and then ask to see their training records to confirm they are up to date.
A generic process with cookie-cutter documentation that merely restates R2 requirements. Such a document is meaningless without verification that the process has been fully implemented and followed in everyday operations. Generic documentation can be purchased cheaply on the internet allowing recyclers to simply fill in the blanks with their own name. While this might meet the basic requirements for written documents in an EH&S management system, generic systems are often indicative of a management system that is not fully implemented.
During a recent SERI spot audit, a cell phone refurbisher presented a data destruction procedure for how to wipe hard drives – not cell phones. It was obvious this process was purchased in an attempt to meet Provision 8.b, but unfortunately it had no application to the mobile phones that the refurbisher processed.
Outputs don’t line-up with the inputs by quantity or type. The outputs of a process should be consistent in volume to the inputs. For instance, if the recycler is dismantling LCD monitors, then the amount of mercury lamps sent to a downstream vendor should be consistent with the number of LCD monitors received by the recycler. A high-level comparison can quickly evaluate whether there is consistency without calculating exact quantities. If thousands of LCDs are received each month, yet only one drum of lamps was recycled in that year, then it is obvious that most LCDs are not being dismantled but likely diverted. Where are the LCDs going?
While audits have been a useful tool for improved accountability, they are still just a snapshot in time. It is important for both recyclers conducting due diligence and certification body auditors to verify beyond the written process that the recycler is doing what they say they are doing, and doing it for 100% of their operations. Ongoing conformance relies on recyclers holding each other accountable through their due diligence. The R2 Standard does not dictate who recyclers must partner with. It is the recycler’s choice, as long as the partner meets the R2 requirements for downstream vendors. Unlike ISO 14001 or OHSAS 18001, R2 requires more than a paper system or once a year audits. It requires continuous performance and accountability by all vendors in the recycling chain.
Bottom Line: R2 Certified recyclers have made the investment in time, money, and resources to demonstrate their credibility and commitment to industry best practices. Poor performing partners not only put their own credibility and R2 Certification in jeopardy, but also that of the R2 Certified recyclers who do business with them, and by association, the entire R2 Certified community. Don’t put your investment and R2 Certification at risk by giving others a free pass.

industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


text:
All the style of a Sports Utility Vehicle. All the practicality of a family hatchback. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Renault SANDERO STEPWAY.
Renault Sandero Stepway exterior design.
Designed for adventureRevealed in 2009 and completely renewed on the occasion of Paris Motor Show and revealed in Egypt 2014, Renault SANDERO STEPWAY is a Renault SANDERO designed for adventure. A car of sleek, muscular design, aimed at younger customers looking for a car that is low on price and big on personality.
With its raised ground clearance, front/rear skid plates, fog lamps and two-tone lengthwise roof bars, Renault SANDERO STEPWAY is clearly ready for the wide open spaces.
In terms of engines, Renault SANDERO STEPWAYships with power plants reputed for their reliability and low fuel consumption, in petrol version.
Renault Sandero Stepway interior design.
Recognized expertise in safetyRenault SANDERO STEPWAYbenefits from the recognized expertise of the Renault group in safety. In terms of active safety, particular emphasis is placed on the braking system (ABS). The vehicle also features an array of passive safety features, including the use of materials such as high yield-strength steel, which makes the cabin more resistant by limiting possible deformation, particularly in the event of head-on impact.

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


text:
"If you outlawed RU-486 today and took it off the market, it would be a great thing but I'm not certain that it would stop one abortion," Mark Crutcher, of Life Dynamics.
2001-SEP-24: USA: Over 5,000 women received RU-486 from Planned Parenthood: One year after RU-486 was approved for use in the U.S., and nine months after it first became available, Planned Parenthood announced that over 5,000 American women have used this method of abortion. They report that the medication worked in more than 99% of the cases. Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) said: "We are particularly pleased by the high levels of success and satisfaction among patients and providers. Reports from across the country have been very positive and reinforce our commitment to bring this new option to more women."
Kim Gordon, spokesperson of the Iowa Right to Life Committee, believes that few women have used it because they have heard that the medication can cause deadly complications. She said: "If the doctors are not prescribing it, they must be aware of the dangers." She expects that RU-486 will eventually be banned. She said: "I don't think Americans are going to tolerate women dropping off like flies."
RU-486 became a frequently used alternative to surgical abortions for pregnancies less than 50 days duration. Although the very rare deaths of women who took the drug have been heavily publicized, the death rate appears to be similar to that caused by surgical abortion and is much less than the death rate caused by continued pregnancy and childbirth.
The FDA has circulated updated reports on the drug as more information became available.
Recommends that women be informed about the possibility of symptoms requiring medical attention.
Recommends that patients should take their medication guide with them if they visit a health care provider other than the one who prescribed Mifeprex.
Discusses the results of the French and U.S. clinical trials of RU-486. They found that the drug produced a complete medical abortion in 95.5 % of the French trials, and 92.1% of the American trials.
Lists contraindications to the use of RU-486 such as a suspected ectopic pregnancy, an IUD in place, and lack of access to medical care in the event of an emergency.
Stresses the importance of a followup visit about two weeks after taking Mifeprex to confirm that the pregnancy is completely terminated.
2008-JUL-11: World: Internet web site sells do-it-yourself abortion kits: A multi-lingual web site sells the drugs mifespristone and misoprostol to women who live in countries where abortions are not readily available -- including Ireland. They only sell drugs to women who declare that they are less than 9 weeks pregnant, who first answer a series of 25 questions, and can meet the minimum ©55 cost (equivalent to about US $109).
"The Women On Web site is very helpful and reputable. But for Northern Ireland women, it is encouraging them to break the law - and as an organization, we have to work within the law. We're really concerned about women accessing the rogue sites - we're hearing about it and we know it's happening. There are potentially serious medical complications for women from sites which aren't well managed and this could be the new era of backstreet abortions."

industry_corpus2: Health & Medicine


text:
Search jobs24 for Contract jobs in Long Stratton. jobs24 works with local recruitment agencies and employers to provide a large range of local Contract employment opportunities in Long Stratton helping you find your new job quickly and simply.
We have 0 jobs in Long Stratton that match your search.


text:
We offer backcountry ski, boot, and skin rentals. Prices listed are per day for demo-quality gear. Details below on our current assortment.
My wife and I are headed through SLC on Monday, April 23rd, and realized that it would make sense to ski some corn on Tuesday. We would like to rent some gear from you. What gear do you have available in the rental fleet? For her, boots size 24.5. Skis around 160-165 cm, 80-90 mm waist. For him, boots size 26.5 or 27.0. Skis around 170 cm, 80-90 mm waist. Please let us know as early as possible, as we need to start driving at around 10 am Monday to get to your shop by 4 pm-ish. Thanks!
Hi Chris, we have a pretty broad selection of skis that will fit your needs. For boots, we currently have Dynafit TLT7 Performance in our demo fleet. Store is open from 11-6 every day. Looking forward to seeing you.
My sister and I whant to rent full package Alpine touring ski for a few days on march 21th to 24th.
How can we reserve full package ?
Could you ship the package at our hostel (it's near from your place-Residence inn by Marriott) on march 20th at the end of the day ?
Hey Alex, we strongly suggest you come in to try on the boots first, especially if you will be in them for 3 days.

industry_corpus2: Travel & Geography


text:
> >>> which will perform a protocol action. Is this possible at all?
> >> some hints there on one way to implement this.
> > Thanks for the info.
> > the conversation window, similar to http links.
> > Tradepost: What can we supply u with today?
> > typing in the number of the command.
> There are similar URIs for XMPP, etc.
Thanks, this seems like what I want.
to handle the url instead of the browser.
but the function is never called.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


text:
Warehouse space available in East Kildonan. Space features new high efficient T8 lighting (2018) and new roof (2015).
Situated on Thames Avenue, just east of Watt Street. Convenient access to city’s core and major truck routes. Located near bus routes, one block north on Chalmers Avenue.

industry_corpus2: Real Estate & Construction


text:
Step 1. Check your lease agreement for an early termination clause.
Before you start the process of breaking your lease, you have to know your rights. Most rental agreements will outline valid reasons and procedures for breaking a lease in a separate clause. Contracts might allow you to get out of the lease under special circumstances and life-changing events, such as divorce or the death of a significant other. Certain contracts might contain a so-called “rent-responsible clause” that implies that you are responsible for paying rent until your landlord finds a new tenant. Some state laws require landlords to make reasonable efforts to re-rent your unit, so you will have to make sure that your landlord is actually making the effort as defined by your local legislation. Another potential stipulation is a “buy-out clause” that requires you to pay a certain fee or an extra month of rent. In any case, you will still have to give a proper notice of intent to vacate the property.
Step 2. Evaluate the consequences of early termination and decide whether it’s worth it.
A lawsuit. If you break a lease and stop paying rent, your landlord might decide to take legal action against you. Your landlord can file a civil lawsuit to make you pay off the lease balance. If the judge rules against you, you will have to pay out your debt.
Lowered credit score. If judge rules that you are in the wrong for breaking your lease, they could issue a credit judgment against you. This is an order for you to pay out your debt. This judgment shows up as a public record on your credit report separately from your credit score. You might be able to avoid the judgment by immediately repaying your debt or agreeing on a payment plan with your landlord. If you are found guilty of breaking your lease without legal cause, it can negatively affect your credit score as well. Such a credit ding can stay on your report for up to seven years. You may be able to avoid negative impact on your credit score if you immediately pay your landlord the debt you owe them, but we can’t guarantee it.
Difficulty renting a new place or getting a loan. The decrease in credit score for breaking a lease can be up to 50 points! This may affect your ability to secure a new rental apartment or to get a loan for a down payment if you decide to purchase a house in the future. On top of it, most properties ask for references from previous landlords. If you broke a lease, you may not receive a stellar recommendation.
Step 3. Determine if you have a legal reason to break a lease.
Illegal rental unit. Some landlords illegally convert garages, basements or commercial structures into rentals units. In many states, you can break a lease if you had no prior knowledge of the illegality of the rental. You might also be able to get back the rent you’ve paid or a portion of it. Make sure to check your local legislation.
Noncompliance with local health and safety codes, inability to maintain habitable housing, substantial destruction of the property or constructive eviction. Here, at Apartment List, we always say that everyone deserves a home they love. And most state laws confirm it! As a renter, you are entitled to a safe habitable home, and your landlord is responsible for the habitability of your apartment. So what does that mean? States have health codes that all rental properties have to comply with to be considered habitable. The property should have running water, heat, plumbing, trash bins, a roof over your head and stable walls. Keep in mind, a small roof leak is not a valid reason to break a lease early. There must be a major issue that can potentially threaten your health and safety. For example, a roof leak that results in mold and mildew may be grounds to break a lease. To act on this, you’ll first have to inform your landlord of the problem. Then you should wait for a reasonable amount of time for them to fix it. If your landlord fails to solve the issue, then you must contact the appropriate local housing authorities.
Violation of tenants’ privacy rights. Not everyone knows that a landlord usually has to give at least a 24-hour notice before visiting their property. And they better have a good reason for it! It doesn’t matter that the building technically belongs to them. As long as you are both bound by a rental agreement, you are entitled to privacy. The reasons for landlords or property managers to enter rental units include repairs and inspection of potential issues. They also may enter to show the unit to prospective tenants. In case your landlord continues to make unannounced visits, you should go to small claims court. Once you obtain a court order, you can start the process of early lease termination.
Military service. Tenants who enter active military duty after signing a lease have a right to get out of their legal obligations as tenants. If you are a full-time active duty member of the military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard), a member of the National Guard on federal orders for a period exceeding 30 days, a reservist on federal active duty or a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration administration, you are protected under The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The SCRA also covers the family. A spouse of the service member is not responsible for the lease despite their name being on the contract. To execute your rights, you would have to give a notice of intent to vacate to your landlord. You should personally deliver the letter or send it with certified mail. Don’t forget to attach a copy of your orders. Depending on the nature of your contract (month-to-month rental agreement or a fixed-time lease), your tenancy will be terminated either 30 days after the next day the rent is due or on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice was delivered. Note that a security deposit cannot be withheld as a punitive action for the early termination.
Domestic violence, harassment, stalking or sexual assault. In many states, victims of domestic violence, sexual harassment and/or stalking can terminate their lease early. The victim must inform the landlord that there is a real threat of future violence happening on the premises. It must be done in writing. The premises in this case are defined widely and may include inside the apartment, hallways, parking lot, laundry room, gym, yard, the front and the back of the property etc. There is a certain time period after the incident when the victim may send the notice of intent to vacate. It will vary from state to state. In some places, it has to be sent within 90 days after the actions. The notice should also be accompanied by documents proving the tenant’s allegations. Those documents can be police reports, court orders, medical records etc. The victim is only liable for the rent owed through the termination date and any other outstanding obligations. If a landlord faces monetary damages due to the termination, they may sue the “adverse party”. This party would be the alleged perpetrator of the assault, harassment or stalking. The landlord or the property manager also cannot withhold the deposit as a form of punishment. To get more guidance for your particular situation, please refer to your state legislation.
Step 4. If you cannot legally break your lease, determine how to get out of your lease with minimal losses.
Offer your security deposit as a compensation. You have to understand that when you break a lease your landlord might be facing significant financial loses. The best way to approach this situation and avoid a credit judgment, a public record on your credit report, is to reach a compromise. Offer to forfeit your security deposit as compensation for inconveniences and potential losses caused by breaking your lease early. In case there is damage to the property, the deposit would be kept anyway. So it would be a good idea to offer taking care of all the repairs and painting.
Try subletting. First of all, check if your lease allows subletting. If not, talk to your landlord. In many cases, you will be responsible for advertising costs to find new tenants. Might as well do it yourself! You will have to make a case for yourself and might have to pay for a potential sublessee’s background check out of your own pocket. You will be responsible for collecting rent payments from a new renter and delivering them to your landlord.
Appeal to your landlord’s better nature. Talk to your landlord and explain your situation. Landlords are humans too. If you are really in a difficult situation, they might be able to make an exception for you.
While we compiled a list of common ways to break a lease without a penalty, every case is different and details matter. Finally, we always encourage you to carefully read your lease and check out your local landlord-tenant laws.
If you have any other questions related to landlord-tenant issues or renting in general that you’d like us to cover in one of our articles, tweet us @ApartmentList.


text:
The global satellite manufacturing and launch system market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.32% to reach USD 25.90 billion by the year 2023. The application of satellites led by the military and the civil sector is increasing at a tremendous pace. The growing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and smart weapons has explicitly put a lot of constraint on the existing infrastructure. The growing use of such systems has increased the demand for satellites tremendously and will be one of the primary drivers of the satellite manufacturing and launch market. The development of the all-electric propulsion systems for spacecraft will increase the efficiencies and will contribute significantly to the market.
The satellite launch systems market is anticipated to witness an increased growth rate by the end of the forecast period and is anticipated to hold 30% of the global satellite manufacturing and launch market. There is an increase is investment in these systems by various nations, to have access to launch their satellites. The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the forecast period and is poised to be the largest market by the end of the forecast period. India and China will lead the growth globally in this space till 2023.
The rocket engine technology has seen much advancement in the last few years, especially because of private players entering the market and spending loads of money on research and development. Recently the China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASC) talked about the new invention to power up heavy launch vehicle CZ-9. This powering system consists of a gas generator and turbo pump structure for the 500-tonne class LOX/Kerosene Liquid engine.
March 2018: Following the successful launch of a pair of BeiDou satellites in January, China has launched two more navigation satellites into medium Earth orbits in March.
Major Players – Orbital ATK, Airbus Defense and Space, Boeing Defense Space & Security, Raytheon, among others.

industry_corpus2: Aerospace


text:
Pop sensation Anne-Marie is touring Australia this October. On what will be her first ever Aussie shows, she will be playing Sydney's Metro Theatre and Melbourne's TRAK Lounge Bar with a collection of hits from her debut album 'Speak Your Mind'.
The singer-songwriter will perform chart-topping tunes off the album including her most recent hit ‘2002’—a song she co-wrote with touring partner and long-time friend, Ed Sheeran. The track has soared up the charts in Australia reaching #3 on the Shazam AU charts, #3 Shazam Future Hits, #12 on Apple Music AU, #6 on iTunes AU and #7 Spotify AU charts.
Anne-Marie’s incredible voice has been celebrated on some massive features over her career. Her powerhouse vocals can be heard on Marshmello’s chart-busting track ‘Friends’, ‘Rockabye’ (the UK’s longest-running No.1 in 22 years) alongside Clean Bandit and Sean Paul, ‘Catch 22’ with Australia’s very own Illy which peaked at #11 on the ARIA Chart, and her most recent David Guetta collaboration ‘Don’t Leave Me Alone’. Since its release, ‘Friends’ has soared charts across the globe and become one of the year’s biggest worldwide hits after hitting the top spot on the global iTunes and Shazam charts. It is now Platinum certified in Australia.
No stranger to arenas, the singer spent two years touring as Rudimental’s lead live vocalist before concentrating on her solo career. She is currently touring the globe with megastar Ed Sheeran.
Grab your tickets and catch Anne-Marie on her debut Aussie shows this October!


text:
Weezer won new fans with their cover of Toto's 'Africa' last year, and now they've gone the whole hog.
Weezer's new album sees the American band cover 10 classic tracks from yesteryear including ELO's 'Mr Blue Sky' and Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'.
The Teal Album was released on Spotify late last night (January 23), and also sees new versions of Tears For Fears' ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’, a-ha’s ‘Take On Me’ and 'Sweet Dreams' by Eurythmics.
“SURPRISE. The Teal album is out now,” Weezer announced on Twitter.
Last year, Weezer responded to a long-running wish from fans for them to cover 'Africa' by Toto, and they duly delivered, along with a cover of the cult band's 'Rosanna'.
Toto later repaid the favour by covering Weezer's own hit 'Hash Pipe', with great results.


text:
Exploring geometry and reflection, these double-sided freestanding decorative Objekt mirrors are a playful way to add visual interest to a shelf or sideboard. Each Objekt has a regular mirrored side and a tinted mirror side, allowing for multiple looks and experimentation, especially when grouped together with other products from the Objekt range.
Product care: To clean, wipe the mirror surface with a cloth dampened in water then buff the mirror surface dry with a second lint-free cloth. Lightly dust the frame as necessary. Do not spray any liquids directly onto the mirror surface. Do not use any liquid cleaners that contain corrosive chemicals such as ammonia, products like Windex, or acids such as vinegar. Do not allow any liquids to come into contact with the frame.


text:
At a moment when tensions within anthropology are still simmering close to the surface, Sabrina Agarwal's and Bonnie Glencross' edited collection of social bioarchaeological essays highlight the importance of collaborative efforts within the discipline. The volume is definitely not light reading, however, it represents a carefully curated exhibit on the development of biological archaeology and traces its relevance to current research.
These papers proposed a revolutionary, strategic redirection from the existing model, which Washburn considered to be driven by anthropometry and speculation. Instead, the New Anthropology would be characterized by synthetic theory-driven research and motivated by hypothesis testing premised on models of evolution and adaptation (17).
In addition to Washburn's publication, several other notable studies were released, including Neumann's (1952) "Archaeology and Race in the American Indian," which provided methods for examining and reconstructing cultural history in relation cranial morphology. Within archaeology, researchers began to note the influence of long held external factors, such as the environment (e.g., Livingstone 1958), in population growth and political, economic, and social strategies. Lest readers think that the march toward biocultural approaches was inevitable, the authors highlight resistance within the subdiscipline to accept processual perspectives. However, it seems that shifts in research questions themselves (e.g., mobility and agricultural patterns, sexual and gendered divisions of labor, effects of undernutrition on skeletal morphology) warranted cultural and historical analyses to provide contextual support.
What was the significance of the ages of 6, 9, or 11 for enslaved children in colonial New York (typical ages of sale for slaves)?
Were these ages significant within the population?
What developmental conditions or experiences of childhood can be extracted?
The discussion explores the increased rate of dental hypoplasia through a historical and social lens that illuminates the social and environmental impact on the body.
Social Bioarchaeology makes an excellent reference for this subfield, and stresses the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach at a time perhaps when anthropology needs it most.
Note: Review copy provided by the publisher.


text:
Your baby has started to walk, it’s time to child proof your house.
A baby gate is an essential tool to contain and protect your little one, and the Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate is a safe and convenient way to do that.
Not only do parents want a gate built with durability and strength but they need it to conveniently install, and fit a variety of openings.
The Easy Step gate hits all the criteria with an all-steel construction, installs quickly by either pressure mount or wall mount and is adjustable to accommodate door openings between 29"-34" or 35"-38.5”.
Providing a level of comfort for parents, the Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate is made of an all-steel construction to hold up to the wear and tear of a toddler. Designed with convenience in mind, the baby gate installs quickly. We’re talking in minutes. Take down is just as fast.
Each of the four pressure mounts can be adjusted to create a stable and secure fit. Use the included wall cups if you’d prefer to attach it to the wall.
Standing 30” tall, the Easy Step Baby Gate is a perfect height to keep your little one safe and is easily expandable to fit larger openings. The expandable baby gate includes a 6" extension and fits doorways between 29”-34" or 35" -38.5”.
To step over a gate each time you need to pass through will become annoying fast. The walk through design allows adults to walk through by simply sliding the safety lock back and lifting the lever handle and the 16” door opening provides enough space for you to walk through.
When you need to take your safety gate down, the Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate is lightweight, portable and stows flat – making it easy to put in your closet before guests arrive or pack along on your next trip to grandma’s.
The Regalo Easy Step Baby Gate is backed by a manufacturer’s limited 90-day warranty. This safety gate has been certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). It also meets the safety standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).


text: Starck 3 offers a combination of great design and great value. There is no doubt that with the Starck 3 range Duravit revolutionized the bathroom world. Starck 3 offers a vast array of products which will meet all of your needs and tastes with over 64 variations.


text:
* Executive Director of Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program, Inc. from 1990 till October 1992. Number of youth grew to 440 and the number of volunteers grew to 550.
I created the Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993 as part of the Cabrini Connections organization’s strategic plan, with a goal of helping high-quality tutor/mentor programs reach more youth in all poverty areas of Chicago. Today the T/MC is a resource used by people in Chicago and throughout the world.
With no professional fund raising staff, limited dollars, no board members with connections to City Hall or wealthy families, I raised more than $6 million between 1993 and 2011 to support operations of Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection.
I created Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC in 2011 to support the continued work of Tutor/Mentor Connection in Chicago and to help similar intermediary organizations grow in other cities of the US and the world.
If you are a business seeking to develop an employee engagement strategy that supports you workforce development and diversity goals, I can help you build a strategy similar to Lawyers Lend A Hand to Youth.
If you are a city seeking to build a comprehensive strategy to support volunteer involvement in youth programs throughout your city, as part of a strategy to improve the number of youth who finish school and move on to 21st century jobs and careers, I can help you build a strategy based on what we have learned from the Tutor/Mentor Connection.
If you seek to create a new volunteer-based tutor/mentor program or improve an existing program, the resources of the Tutor/Mentor Connection are available to support your efforts.
- Need Short term - quick answer - something that takes 5 to 30 minutes?
Send me email or connect with me on Skype @dbassill. I'll share ideas, point you to information on my web sites that you can learn from.
Based on the scope of your request it would take some thought, analysis, review, additional research on my part to help you; as you may know I have transitioned my organization to the Tutor/Mentor Institute and offer my services for my extensive requests as a consultant, I am very interested in your project and think I can help, do you have any funding available for this project?
I'm looking to form mutually beneficial partnerships and am willing to take on a few pro-bono clients, for the short term or medium term, because it helps the Institute build its client base or there can be a good reciprocal exchange of information, ideas, contacts.
a) Any of the essays in the Library could be the content for keynote presentations, or small group meetings of 2-4 hours.
b) Company volunteer recruitment and support. Based on Role of Leaders PDF I could help companies design year-round communications and volunteer recognition strategies that grew the percent of employees involved and the number of facilities involved.
c) Youth as Leaders - I could help a school, district, or youth organization build an on-going program where young people take on role of Tutor/Mentor Connection, focusing on their own school district, zip code or a community area that they choose to build expertise in. Such a program would teach youth research and communications skills, while expanding the talent involved in drawing attention and resources to tutor/mentor program strategies in high poverty. Thus, kids could be the missing leaders needed to draw more assets into their own community and school district.
d) Citywide Intermediary Strategies like Tutor/Mentor Connection - every major city in the world has areas of high poverty like Chicago and thus could apply the thinking and technology of the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC in their own efforts to reduce the poverty gap and help more youth to jobs and careers.
I've been working on a page where I could show various consulting packages and fees. This is based on what I've seen from a few others. Can you all help me develop this?
Hope this helps. Growing a consulting practice takes time, but you need to leverage referrals and ask whether the client has money for consulting, sometime they will say yes or refer you to others contacts.
Consultant advice. 15 Things to do to start your business. Between July 15 and Aug. 30 I've done most of these.


text:
These two most northerly summits in the Rum Cuillin are the closest to Kinloch and give a magnificent hillwalk. The terrain is steep and rocky on Hallival especially, but these two hills still give much easier going than the main summits if the full round of the Rum Cuillin is too difficult. They give astonishing views of mountain and sea.
Rough and rocky peaks with some easy scrambling.
Kinloch ferry jetty, Isle of Rum. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.
Beginning from the Calmac ferry pier, follow the landrover track which curves round the coastline of Loch Scresort. It passes the primary school and later forks; take the right hand branch. This leads down through trees to rejoin the coast at the old pier; keep left here, passing the campsite and island hostel. At the next junction keep ahead on the track signed for the castle. This soon reaches Kinloch Castle - built in sandstone shipped in from Arran and appearing utterly out of place on such a remote island. Rum was once the private domain of the Bullough family who bought the island in 1879 as a private shooting estate. Turn left onto a track immediately before the castle, then go through a gate on the left to pick up a marked path through the woods beside the burn (Coire Dubh path, marked with red plant symbol).
The path passes a small wooden shed and then a hydro building. When it meets a wider path / track, turn left along it. This soon passes a National Nature Reserve marker.
A well constructed path now continues through now sparser, more open woodland, generally keeping close by the Allt Slugan a' Choilich - the burn coming down from Coire Dubh. Height is gained gradually, and the made-up path ends at a small dam on the burn at around 200m. Continue on a rougher path that follows the burn and then swings right to pass between two tall gateposts.
The path returns to the burn, keeping high above where it flows through a steep-sided box canyon. Continue until you reach a small old stone dam - now washed out. Use this to cross the burn, then head up grassy ground to pick up the next clear section of path that climbing southeast towards Cnapan Breaca.
Once flatter ground is reached head up the open slope to the SSW towards the main ridge; any rocks are easily avoided. Once on the broad ridge there's a great sudden view of the main peaks of the Rum Cuillin - nearby Hallival, looking steep and rocky, adjacent to the highest mountain on the island, the formidable Askival. More distant is Ainshval, and Trallval to the right. Head towards Hallivall, initially along a broad ridge.
There are several rocky bands to negotiate which appear tricky from below, but all are fairly easily avoided by keeping to the left side of the ridge to find gullys or chimneys leading up through them. The ground is covered with tiny burrows - the breeding grounds for Manx Shearwater - amazingly a third of the world's population of these seabirds nest on the Rum Cuillin every summer. You may hear their eerie call from underground; Norse settlers thought it was the noise of trolls, hence the name of one of the other summits on the ridge, Trollaval. As the small summit is reached there's a sudden superb view down to the neighbouring islands of Eigg and Muck.
Most impressive, however, is the view of the ridge continuing towards Askival and the rest of the Rum Cuillin. The ridge leading this way soon leads to tricky scrambling, but our Hallival and Barkeval route simply retraces steps back down the northwest ridge the same way you came. Continue down to the Bealach Bairc-mheall, and then begin the straightforward ascent to Barkeval.
There's a fine cairn at 575m, then a massive rocky outcrop at 590m, but the true summit of Barkeval is a short distance beyond both at a cairn at 591m at the far end of the ridge. From here there's a great view down to Harris Bay and its mausoleum as well as a fine perspective of all Rum's hills.
Return to the Bealach Bairc-mheall. The descent from here into Coire Dubh is steep, but there is a trace of a path from the lowest point, keeping just to the right of a tiny burn. This path is boggy in places; continue down to rejoin the outward route at the remains of the old stone dam in Coire Dubh. From here retrace your steps to follow the outward route all the way back to Kinloch.


text:
Is Ombre Hair Right for You?
Are you wondering whether it’s time to go ombre with your hairstyle? Is it just a celebrity trend or something that will work for you? At DeWeese Design Salon, Inc. of Indianapolis, we’ve had an increase in customers wanting ombre hair—that darker, natural look at the roots that gradually fades into lighter ends. Before you decide to go ombre, consider these few questions.
1. Are you tired of touch-ups?
If you color your hair regularly, you may find ombre a welcome change. When you go ombre, you don’t have to be as rigid with getting those touch-ups. Your roots are already your natural hair color, so you can let it grow without really noticing major changes. We still recommend that you get those regular trims, but your stylist can work with you on a more relaxed touch-up schedule for your ombre look.
2. Have you colored your hair in the past?
To anyone who is new to hair color, ombre is a great option. You don’t have to go too bold with the lighter shades at the bottom, and the change can be less dramatic than all-over hair color. That way, you get a taste of a different color without having to be all in.
3. Do like the best of both worlds?
Blond or brunette? With ombre, you get a little bit of both! You can enjoy the perks of having those darker, rich colors that are great for the fall and winter while still enjoying the lighter look at the tips.
4. Are you willing to try something different?
If you’re new to ombre or hair color, the concept might seem a little odd. However, if you’re ready to completely change your look (without even having to change haircuts), then ombre is a great way to go.
To find out more about ombre hair color or to get a consultation with one of our stylists, contact DeWeese Design Salon today at (317) 271-8000. We’ll gladly tell you all about our services, your color options, and help you find a custom look that works for you.
Home » Blog » Is Ombre Hair Right for You?


text:
The rallylamps.com backed Hyundai World Rally Car uses side vertically mounted ST-4’s to compliment the horizontally Boomer mounted ST-8 driving lights.
2 x ST-4 LED driving lamps are mounted vertically and low on the rallylamps.com Hyundai World Rally Car to compliment the 2x ST-8 driving lights mounted horizontally using the Boomer mounting kit.
Delivering 3472 Raw lumens, the output from this lamp is roughly equal to the output from an OEM HID headlight. With a hybrid beam pattern ensuring excellent range and a broad close-range spread, this lamp gives drivers an outstanding level of night time visibility in front of the vehicle – ideal as a low mounted supplementary lamp for motorsport.


text:
Direct steam is an efficient way of cooking many foods, which is why the Southbend - KDPS-60F - 60 Gallon Direct Steam Kettle is such a great choice for your kitchen. Perfect for institutions, schools and more, the kettle (KDPS-60F) features a large 60-gallon capacity, allowing you to prepare large amounts of food in one place. It’s stationary design gives you added stability as you use the machine. The Southbend 60 Gallon Direct Steam Kettle (KDPS-60F) comes with a perforated strainer and a spring assist hinged cover, which makes it easy top open and close the unit as needed.
The Southbend - KDPS-60F is indeed a full jacket kettle. Please call sales at 888-388-6372 for help finding the correct product you need.


text:
With a number of meeting rooms, as well as significant private grounds which are ideal for corporate events such as archery, falconry or laser shooting, the Best Western Plus Orton Hall Hotel & Spa is a perfect location to host a conference or training event.
With seven conference rooms within the main building, the hotel has a capacity for over 150 delegates. The business suite has been designed with the comfort of the delegate in mind with five of the rooms featuring climate control.
As well as offering conference facilities, the hotel also boasts two onsite restaurants, so delegates can take a break and enjoy fine dining in the hotel’s Huntly Restaurant or relax at the adjoining Ramblewood Inn.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


text: Measuring only 5" by 8", our Compact Green Marble Cheese Slicer takes up less space in your kitchen, yet is elegant and easy to use. The solid and substantial green marble base keeps cheese cool, while the built-in stainless-steel cutting wire sinks easily into both hard and soft cheeses. Features marble handle and non-skid rubber feet. Cutting wire is easily replaceable. Hand washable, not dishwasher safe.


text:
Potential 1,000 new PR1MA low cost homes cancelled, new plans?
A few weeks back, I read about Ivory Properties announcing that it has won the rights to redevelop Plaza Rakyat and that the GDV was going to be RM8 Billion. This is indeed a huge project for Ivory Properties which is one of Penang’s very own homegrown developers. I have personally bought one property from them before. Quality is not the top end but then again, based on the price I paid, not too bad. This redevelopment was supposed to have included up to 1,000 units of low cost homes under the PR1MA scheme. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has other plans because they said that Ivory Properties was not appointed by them but by Plaza Rakyat Sdn Bhd (PRSB). Since the JV with PRSB has been terminated in April 2010, it meant that any decision made by PRSB is no longer valid.
From Ivory, its CEO Datuk Low Eng Hock said that they are still interested and willing to negotiate with the city hall in order to achieve a win-win deal for all parties involved. “We hope to meet up with DBKL soon to inform them about the details of our acquisition and rehabilitation agreement (ARA) with PRSB.” The initial plan was to turn the Plaza Rakyat into a mixed use development consisting of a mall, hotels, serviced residences and most importantly, a 1,000 unit low-cost homes in collaboration with PR1MA corporation.
Okay, my personal view is simple. If it is true that with this plan, 1,000 new low-cost homes would be built, then whoever DBKL decides should match if not better this number. Come on, if the authorities are seriously looking to tackle the lack of affordable properties, then please decide on a plan which incorporates these units and not one which may seem to profit DBKL but the number of units of the low-cost homes are either reduced or worst still, none built. Let’s watch this closely and see what’s the final plan going to be. Higher GDV, higher number of low cost homes and a new developer taking this up? I hope so.


text:
In the right home, Australian shepherds make excellent pets.
The Australian shepherd is a popular breed among rural communities in the United States. He’s especially well-admired by ranchers, who favor his easy-to-train nature and his strong herding instincts. The Australian shepherd, also known as the blue heeler, is growing in popularity each year. He was the 22nd was popular pet breed in the United States in 2012. This breed, like many herding breeds, has his personality quirks, but with consistent handling, they need not be a barrier to companionship.
Despite his name, the Australian shepherd as we know him today is an American creation, bred and refined by ranchers after World War II. The breed likely originated in Europe, as a herder working alongside Pyrenean shepherds. He was imported into the United States in the 1800s and found favor with Basque shepherds who had arrived from Australia around the same time. Once here, he became a popular and admired herder, capable, sharp and agile of mind.
He does have protective qualities, but these are not to his detriment. As is typical of most herding breeds -- notably German shepherds -- the breed is driven to protect his flock. Any perceived intrusion or threat is met with suspicion and potentially aggression. In a pastoral setting, the threat may be a wolf or a bear. In a domestic context, it could be the mailman. His protective streak drives him to bark at the strange visitors, watch the yard for intruders and keep a close eye on anyone approaching his master or family members while out in public.
The Australian shepherd, as a herder, is among the most intelligent of all dog breeds. Herding requires a sharp mind, so when the original custodians of this breed were selecting specimens for mating, it was the keenest minds that were selected, resulting in a universally intelligent breed group. Other roles, such as guarding or pulling wagons, emphasized strength over smarts, so certain breed groups were bred for brawn.
As well as protectiveness and intelligence, the Australian shepherd is instinctively driven to control movement. He may do this by nipping at the heels of any family member he thinks is deviating from the herd. He is energetic, easily bored and eager to please. For the right type of owner, he is the ideal pet.
Australian shepherds thrive in stimulating, active environments. They will not happily sit around all day waiting for the fun to start. If there’s nothing going on, they’ll make their own fun. Although they are protective and have guardian instincts, they are not to be relied upon as guard dogs. While they may be ideal as watchdogs -- alerting family members to any unexpected visitors -- they simply do not possess the strength, appearance or courage to tackle an intruder. Combined with a brawnier breed, like a rottweiler, they could form a formidable security duo.
Pets; Web MD: How Smart is your Dog?

industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


text:
Digital Identity is a truly established technology trend in the world. For a large number of citizens and stakeholders, it has become a daily reality. Identity is a link and it connects a person to his community. For the public authorities, the main aim is creating digital bonds that can secure the relationship between society and mobile identities. This is made possible via the public framework that is built on security and data protection. Measures are being taken to combat fraud and strengthen security that is well-accepted by the citizens. Regarding private security, a number of steps are being taken for data security and data protection.
There is a greater accountability related to privacy. The companies that do not offer proper data protection may be imposed huge fines. With daily challenges related to security, governments are looking for newer opportunities for harmonious and sustainable growth. A close collaboration between local and public authorities and the digital world is to provide effective implementation and solutions. The actual source of a new business opportunity is not a digital identity but the multiple applications that it allows. Banks and other operators are witnessing a change in the security trend. The introduction of digital identity is happening and many organizations are taking the help of https://www.ipsidy.com/solutions/access, a professional company that offers security.
Biometric verification is a procedure to authenticate identity and is used to check identity using detectable biological traits and it is an effective tool. Biometric ID methods can access facial recognition, fingerprints, retinal scans, and voice patterns. This technology has provided solid defenses against identity theft. Governments of several countries even think of using biometric cards to fight illegal immigration. Biometric identifications work in a similar manner as a credit card, but you are using fingerprints rather than a card. It shall be turned into a few numbers and run in a computer network.
Business data protection aims to secure customer details, sales figures, financial information, and other important business data. It offers protection to important assets. If you use the services of ipsidy.com/solutions/access, a professional security provider services, then you will not be ensured of valuable information protection but you will be able to comply with the rules and regulations of data protection. You must think of the backup options to better business data protection. This shall make sure that your data is kept safe and you will not suffer any kind of data loss even if your IT system breaks down.


text:
A positive outlook is the most important predictor of resilience. It’s not just Hollywood magic.
One of the most memorable scenes of the Oscar-nominated film Silver Linings Playbook revolves around Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, a novel that does not end well, to put it mildly.
Patrizio Solitano Jr. (Bradley Cooper) has come home after an eight-month stint being treated for bipolar disorder at a psychiatric hospital, where he was sentenced to go after he nearly beat his wife’s lover to death. Home from the hospital, living under his parents’ charge, Pat has lost his wife, his job, and his house. But he tries to put the pieces of his life back together. He exercises, maintains an upbeat lifestyle, and tries to better his mind by reading through the novels that his estranged wife Nikki, a high school English teacher, assigns her students.


text:
Thank you to Clemson Alumnus, Mike Rusenko, and Rusenko CPA, PC for their sponsorship!
Rusenko CPA, PC is a Clemson grad owned and operated full service public accounting firm based in Atlanta. They specialize in business and individual accounting, tax preparation, and consulting with a focus on superior client service and education. Mike and his qualified staff of CPA’s and accountants work hand-in-hand with their clients to ensure sure they are properly planning and preparing for the future in all aspects of their financial lives. Visit www.rusenkocpa.com to learn more and schedule a free consultation.

industry_corpus2: Finance & Economics


text:
The rare Washington consensus behind government policy toward Burma is cracking as US businesses grow impatient to invest and human rights groups push back.
WASHINGTON—The rare Washington consensus behind the Obama administration’s policy toward Burma is showing signs of cracks as US businesses grow impatient to invest there and human rights groups push back.
The US is rolling back its long diplomatic isolation of the military-dominated nation, also known as Myanmar, and is looking to ease economic sanctions following democratic reforms there. It’s trying to open up commercial opportunities for US companies in one of Asia’s last untapped markets without losing the high ground on human rights that has driven the US agenda for the past two decades.
In an unusual move, a Democratic senator last week criticized opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a figure revered by both US political parties and key to bipartisan support for administration policy. During a recent trip to Europe, she cautioned against foreign companies entering business deals with Burma’s opaque state and gas enterprise. A prominent Republican echoed her concerns.
Those differences underscore how the administration’s job of keeping broad-based support for its Burma policy is getting more tricky.
The debate is playing out while explosions of communal violence between Buddhists and Muslims in western Burma leave scores dead, and the country’s military continues to clash with ethnic rebels in the remote north—reminders that human rights concerns still loom large.
Broadly, the rare political unity that has coalesced on the administration’s Burma policy endures. Both Democrats and Republicans back the easing of sanctions to encourage further reforms, and the Senate on Friday approved the appointment of Derek Mitchell as the first US ambassador to be based in the country in 22 years. Mitchell has served as a special envoy since last August.
But even within the administration, there are differences of opinion on how to allow US investment without feeding corruption and further entrenching Burma’s military-linked business elite.
For US corporations, time is of the essence. European companies are already free to operate in Burma, and within two or three months its government will open bidding on 18 onshore oil and gas blocks—an opportunity for Western firms to move in on a lucrative sector where China, India and Thailand currently dominate.
The US Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 3 million businesses and is a powerful lobbying force in Washington, is urging the administration to get going. The chamber has expressed disappointment that seven weeks after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged US businesses to invest in Burma, the administration has yet to issue the necessary regulations.
Democratic Sen. Jim Webb is a longtime advocate of engagement with Burma and has teamed up with a conservative Republican to press for a comprehensive lifting of economic sanctions. He chided Suu Kyi last week, asking whether “an official from any foreign government should be telling us what sectors that we should invest in and not invest in.” It was highly unusual criticism directed at a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent 15 years under house arrest before she was elected to parliament in April.
On the other hand, Republican Sen. John McCain has endorsed Suu Kyi’s comments, saying her concerns over the lack of accountability and transparency in the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, or MOGE, must be addressed before letting US companies invest in that sector. “We must prioritize our democratic principles,” McCain said in a statement.
Rights groups say the administration is now prioritizing US commercial interests instead.
And judging from US officials’ public statements, there has been a marked shift in recent months, despite the administration’s continued statements of concern over ethnic violence, political prisoners and Burma’s military ties with North Korea.
In early April, when the US announced a “targeted” easing of the investment ban, officials initially spoke of promoting investment in sectors like agriculture, telecommunications and tourism, rather than resource-based industries. But by the time Clinton gave the details six weeks later, she was inviting American businesses to invest across all sectors of the economy, including oil, gas and mining.
That angered activists like Moon Nay Li, coordinator of the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand, who says atrocities by the military are continuing in her native Kachin State in northern Burma. She launched a petition on the Internet that has gained 125,000 signatories in five weeks, demanding legally binding safeguards to ensure that US businesses don’t become complicit in rights abuses.
“Foreign business and extreme violations of human rights are virtually inseparable,” she said by email, charging that investment projects often result in land appropriations and forced relocation of villagers.
The Obama administration has said US companies would be expected to conduct due diligence and will still be barred from doing business with firms owned or operated by Burma’s military. The administration hasn’t said whether US oil and gas companies would be allowed to partner with state monopoly MOGE, a necessity for investing in the petroleum sector.
Patrick Cronin at the Center for a New American Security think tank said excluding US businesses, which are subject to rigorous US anti-corruption legislation when they operate abroad, would not help but hurt the course of reform in Burma, particularly when companies from Europe, Russia, China, India and other Asian countries are free to invest there.
While companies will resist calls for additional reporting requirements—that might, for example, monitor what they pay to Burma’s government—Cronin said that could be the trade-off for investing in a country with major human rights problems.

industry_corpus2: Politics & Administration


text:
In adults with slightly elevated parathyroid hormone following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, supplementation with either calcium carbonate or calcium citrate did not restore normal PTH level, according to findings published in Clinical Endocrinology.
In a 12-week randomized double-blind, controlled trial, researchers enrolled 39 adults (mean age, 49 years; 13 women) who had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery a mean of 6.2 years before study entry. Participants had elevated PTH levels after adhering for at least the previous 12 months to daily multivitamin supplement use (including 400-500 mg elementary calcium plus 400-800 IU of vitamin D3) plus use of a calcium carbonate (800 mg elementary calcium) and vitamin D3 (1,520 IU) supplement. The multivitamin was continued through the study period, whereas the other calcium carbonate and D3 supplement was discontinued at the start of the trial. Participants had PTH greater than 6.9 pmol (normal range, 1.6-6.9 pmol/L), 25-hydroxyvitamin D level greater than 20 ng/ml and normal levels of plasma ionized calcium (1.18-1.32 mmol/L).
Participants were randomly assigned at baseline to received either 1,200 mg elementary calcium daily in combination with 2,280 IU vitamin D3 (3,000 mg calcium carbonate daily as one tablet and one calcium-free placebo tablet 3 times daily with meals) or 1,200 mg elementary calcium in combination with 2,400 IU vitamin D3 (5,712 mg tricalcium citrate daily as 2 two tablets 3 times per day with meals). The primary outcome was the change in PTH from baseline to week 12.
Based on tablet count, both groups showed a high level of adherence to their regimens, according to researchers. Overall, the two calcium regimens were well-tolerated, although the calcium citrate group reported more symptoms of constipation vs. the calcium carbonate group (37% vs.10%; P = .047). At baseline, the calcium carbonate group self-reported lower daily intake of dietary calcium (791 g vs. 996; P = .042) whereas the calcium citrate group had somewhat higher levels of the bone-turnover markers CTX, osteocalcin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase.
At 12 weeks, the researchers found no difference between the groups in changes to mean PTH levels or number of participants with PTH greater than 6.9 pmol/L. During the intervention, the calcium citrate-treated group showed more significant decreases in the bone turnover markers P1NP (-16.6% vs. -3.2%; P = .021), osteocalcin (-17.2% vs. -4.3%; P = .007) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (-4.0% vs. 3.7%; P = .027), and these differences remained significant after adjusting for daily intake of dietary calcium, the use of loop diuretics and thiazide. No difference in urinary calcium excretion was observed between the groups.
No significant changes in mean PTH levels were seen among the entire cohort during the intervention. However, in a subgroup of 12 participants with PTH greater than pmol/L at baseline, the added calcium supplementation did lower mean PTH levels by 1.25 pmol/L; P = .005) regardless of the type of supplement used.
A study with longer follow-up will be valuable in further investigating this topic, Larsen told Endocrine Today.
Disclosures: The study was funded by the Research Council of Central Denmark Region, the Health Research Fund of Central Denmark Region, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the AP Møller Foundation and the Danish Diabetes Academy founded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The researchers report no relevant disclosures.


text:
These knitting patterns for felted hats include large, clear photos including photos before they were felted. Complete felting instructions are provided. All hats fit the average adult. Felting is lots of fun and since you form them to fit your head while wet, you can't go wrong!
Order securely with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express or a Pay Pal account and you can be knitting in five minutes with these instantly downloadable patterns. There are no extra shipping or handling charges.
After you complete your order, click on "continue". You will then go to the page where you can immediately download your pattern. Just follow the easy instructions on that page.
Please order one pattern or collection at a time (place only one order in your shopping cart and then complete your order; come back to the site if you wish to order a second pattern or collection). If you place more than one order in the shopping cart, you will be able to download your first purchase but the remainder will be emailed to you as soon as possible.
Purchase the complete collection at the bottom of this page and save!
Click on any photo to enlarge and see information on the yarn used.
The special price of the Hat Pattern Collection IV is $12.49 U.S., a savings of over $2.00 if purchased separately. This includes all five easy to knit patterns seen here! Click below to order.
The patterns are in Adobe Acrobat Reader format. This is a very easy to use program that allows you to navigate between the patterns, charts and photos in each collection. You can print out only the pages you need. Acrobat Reader is absolutely free and if you don't already have it installed, download it by clicking on the picture.


text:
I'm a new customer. I haven´t bought from W&W before.
I´d like to use my existing customer number to review all my previous orders online.
I have an old W&W invoice with customer number and invoice number at hand.


text:
At your first personal meeting to discuss a specific property or properties, real estate agents (brokers and salespeople) should give you an Agency Disclosure Form. The purpose of this form is to disclose the agent’s relationship with you or any other party to the transaction (buyer or seller). The form also includes explanations of the different types of agency relationships. Before you begin working with an agent it is important to understand the different types of representation and broker/agent relationships for both buyers and sellers.
Most property is sold and listed on your local MLS. Nationally about 80% of homes are purchased thru an agent that has listed a home on the MLS. The seller engages the services of a real estate agent to sell his/her property and to “Get the Home Listed”. This agent, called the listing agent, is the agent for the seller. This means that the real estate agent represents and works for the benefit of the seller. The agent must put the seller’s interests first and negotiate for the best price and terms for the seller. The Seller’s Agent, however, is supposed to disclose any known material defects about the property to the buyer.
Many purchasers of Real Estate end up calling the number on the sign and never think about representation. A buyer can and has the right to involve the services of a real estate agent to purchase the property. The real estate agent is then the agent for the buyer or “The Buyer’s Agent”. The Buyer’s Agent must put the buyer’s interests first and negotiate for the best price and terms for the buyer. This means that the real estate agent represents the buyer, and can and should disclose to the buyer any information that he can and negotiate for the best possible price.
Another key fact: The buyer’s agent is paid from the same seller-authorized commission split that is made in the listing agreement. The buyer’s agent doesn’t collect any money from the buyer. So, obviously a buyer benefits from having an exclusive buyer’s agent, but it’s even more remarkable when that agent is willing to rebate part of that commission to an informed buyer.
When a real estate agent works as a facilitator he or she represents you only as a customer. As a customer you have no written agreement and the agent assists the seller and buyer in reaching an agreement but does not represent either the seller or buyer in the transaction. The facilitator owes the seller or buyer a duty to present each property honestly and accurately by disclosing known material defects about the property and owe a duty to account for funds. Unless otherwise agreed, the facilitator has no duty to keep information received from a seller or buyer confidential. Be careful to understand that when you call “the number on the sign” you are usually talking to someone who’s interest lies with the seller and this relationship may not always be disclosed as it should.
Unless you enter into a written agreement designating an agent to represent you, the agent does not represent your interests or act as your agent (or act in your behalf). Unless you have a written agreement, you should not expect the agent to promote your best interests or to keep your bargaining information confidential.
In some states a real estate agent may act as a dual agent representing both the seller and buyer in a transaction but only with the express and informed written consent of both the seller and buyer. Written consent to dual agency should be obtained by the real estate agent prior to the execution of an offer to purchase a specific property. A dual agent is supposed to be neutral with regard to any conflicting interests of the seller and buyer.
Consequently a dual agent cannot satisfy fully the duties that would be offered by either a seller or buyer agent. A dual agent does, however, still owe a duty of confidentiality of material information and accounting for funds.
RebatesOnRealEstate.com has developed a network of agents that have experience in Real Estate transactions for your area and state. They are assigned to represent you in the real estate transaction with the added benefit of a cash rebate to you at closing! Their knowledge combined with our training, guidance and distinctive process’s enables them to help in narrowing your search, to better negotiate, network with the listing agents in the neighborhoods you may have interest, provide oversight and guide you to “win” the home of your dreams at the best possible price and terms.


text: Today, the peaceful countryside to the west of Cambridge is mainly given over to agriculture, but for several years in the mid-20th century, things were very different. Then, the area was dotted with airfields from which Allied aircraft flew to war – and one of these was Gransden Lodge. When the airfield first became operational, the units that were stationed there were involved in top-secret radar investigation and trials work, but within a year these units had moved away and the station became the base of the only Canadian squadron in the R.A.F.’s élite Pathfinder Force. It was later joined by another Pathfinder Force squadron, and together they flew many hazardous missions, in all weathers, against the Axis. After the war’s end, Gransden Lodge was briefly used by a unit that pioneered radar-assisted airborne mapping, and as a base for transport aircraft. It was subsequently the venue for some of the first post-war motor races in the U.K., and for many years before its decommissioning was under consideration as a Cold War base for American forces. In the early 1990s the wheel came full circle and flying began again, when Gransden Lodge became the home of one of Britain’s leading gliding clubs. Over the space of more than seventy years, Gransden Lodge has seen aviation in many forms, ranging from secret trials and heavy bomber operations to competitive gliding. World-renowned servicemen and scientists have passed through its gates, and many whose names are now almost forgotten lost their lives after taking off from its runways. Trials and Tribulation is the story of this historic airfield, and it will appeal to those interested in military and aviation history.


text:
RH) Leeds, I never get bored of it.
RH) Watching something with my husband at the Cottage Road Cinema, I love that place.
RH) I cycled over the Golden Gate Bridge and looked down and saw a dolphin in the bay, living the dream there!
RH) I’m tiny so I get great legroom everywhere.
RH) Exploring a big city.
RH) Baking on a beach.
RH) A guy with a book in his hand.
RH) Being mean for no reason.
RH) Cats, I have one.
RH) Restaurant (if you’re offering).
West Yorkshire Queer Stories is a Heritage Lottery-funded project collecting & preserving LGBTIQ+ experiences and objects. For too long LGBTIQ+ histories have been ignored or seen as unimportant, but we aim to change that. You can email them at r.larman@mesmac.co.uk.


text:
The Foundation is a charitable organization that supports medical and medically related projects. Its 15 volunteer directors help raise, manage and distribute Foundation funds.
Casebeer is sales manager, and part of the executive management team at Capitol Auto Group. Fiskum is a real estate broker with Prudential Real Estate Professionals, and Goodreau is banker with Columbia State Bank in Salem.
New officers, beginning on October 1, are: Chair Kathy Gordon; Vice Chair Robert Ponec, M.D.; and Secretary/Treasurer Mari Bailey. Other board members are Garth Brandaw, Mike Delk, Barbara Furer, Jim Griggs, Barbara Halsey, Bud Pierce, M.D., James Wasenmiller, M.D. and Kelly Yunker.
Last year the Foundation approved over 2 million dollars for various projects including scholarships for students pursuing careers in the medical field, patient assistance and hospital equipment.


text:
The film, directed by George Tillman Jr. and based on Angie Thomas’ novel of the same name, centers on a young Black girl named Starr Carter (played by Amandla Stenberg). The story follows Starr as she navigates her home life, set in a predominantly Black and crime-ridden neighborhood called Garden Heights, as well as her school life, a majority-white, private high school called Williamson.
A major theme that is explored throughout the film is the idea of code-switching, the act of altering how you speak, act and present yourself based on the environment you are in. It’s something that Starr has to deal with every single day as she alternates between the person she really is at home and the person she has to pretend to be at school.
Starr’s two worlds collide, however, when her childhood friend, Khalil, gets pulled over while she is in the car. Though he is unarmed, Khalil gets shot and killed by the White police officer, and Starr witnesses the entire thing. The officer in question doesn’t end up getting indicted for the murder, inciting protests, riots and a whirlwind of events that forces Starr to come face to face with the realities of her oppression.
Sadly, this is a narrative that is all too familiar to the Black community, a people that have experienced racism and police brutality for over a century. The “Justice for Khalil” signs in the film could easily be replaced with “Justice for Emmet Till” or “Justice for Trayvon Martin” or “Justice for Sandra Bland,” all real cases of innocent Black people that were killed by their oppressors.
This film also highlights issues such as gang violence, redlining, mass incarceration, microaggression and more, all byproducts and weapons of the systems which continue to keep Black people and people of color at the margins.
I was able to relate to this movie in a way that is almost unexplainable. As a young Black woman who grew up in the U.S., and now goes to a predominantly white university, code-switching has become engrained into my everyday life. I have heard and experienced so many racial slurs, including on campus, that I have a running mental list of people to stay away from, for fear of being discriminated against…again. Microaggressions, including the classic “you’re pretty for a Black girl” or the subtle references to “you people,” are constant reminders of how frighteningly embedded into our language this ignorance is.
The opening scene of the film, where Starr’s dad is giving she and her siblings “the talk” about how to act, what to say and what to do when being pulled over by a cop, reminds me of a very similar talk I had to have with my older brother, making sure he knew that his life wasn’t worth standing up to an unfair police officer. Not to mention the alarming speed at which my own heart instantly starts beating every time I even see a cop while driving, my survival instincts kicking in at the mere thought of what a routine traffic stop could mean for me.
Thug Life: “The Hate U Give Little Infants F***s Everybody,” meaning what society feeds to kids and the youth grows into an uncontrollable force that affects everybody. The hate that exists today is a product of hate. It is a vicious cycle that will continue to destroy lives until we, as a nation and as a world, decide to break it.


text: Joolz is a Dutch company. The company behind Joolz, Milk Design, was founded in 2004 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The chief designer explains that they were watching people push prams on a sunny day and decided there was a better way. Joolz designs, develops and produces outstanding products, like prams designed around the human body. Your body and your baby’s body. The Dutch call it “Ergonomicz” (We know it as ergonomics, “working efficiently with the body”). That is a key part of the Joolz design philosophy. And Joolz prams are designed to attract the eye, as well.


text:
Trump Republicans and understanding their God thing.
My latest post, that I think worth sharing. I leave off the beginning though here is a link to the song in question, it really is a beautiful profound things.
If after reading the following anyone had anything to add or subtract or play with, please do.
...We The People can not hope for President Obama and the cowering Democratic Senators to do this on their own! We as American individuals need to make the personal effort to demand they stand united and insistent on voting Merrick Garland into the Supreme Court.
This is for keeps! January 3rd is the last change to get a little check and balance back into our government > Something the absolutist, faith-based crowd are loath to do since these people have actually convinced themselves, they are on God’s holy mission.
What’s sad is that I know it’s not hard for an honest spiritual seeker to grasp that God is beyond petty self-serving human’s ability to comprehend, we can only know shadow plays and through those shadow plays better understand ourselves and our lives.
When I was young I can remember that in America a person’s Faith was reflected in how they lived their life and how they interacted with others and their communities. Heck it was my Southern Baptist grandma and her old Encyclopedia Britannica who taught me about dinosaurs, mastodons, evolution and helped spark my life long desire to learn about all aspects of Earth’s life story, then she’d say prayers with me at night. She lived her faith in God, she didn’t have to beat other people over the head with it!
Then came the 70s Jesus Freaks with their egomania and absolutism pretending that they had actually tapped into the real “God.” All the while perverting Jesus’ Passion into something it wasn’t. It’s ludicrous, but everyone let them get away with it and the brainwashing has been relentless ever since. Now this Trump comes along and played that scared, desperate-for-power tribe, like a fiddle. They are united and everyone’s future will be impacted mightily.
The thing that makes our future so frightening is that “Truth” and “Objective Facts” and “Constructive Learning” means nothing to these people - their mindscape sees nothing but their own self-interest, enemies and playing to win. They believe that fabricating fiction to replace objective facts is their Free Speech Right - in other words, to them fraud in the name of their personal God is okay. ... and the rest of us go along with their fantasy. Why?
Not to mention their difficulties with accepting the multiculturalism they forced on themselves. Plus their inability to grasp the simple facts of life and flow of years. (You know what I mean, more people, less room, accommodations must be made - Wanting to return to an imaginary yesteryear is an insane option. But that is Trump’s promise and their expectation. What will they do when he can’t deliver? What will they do when they learn they been played for fools? Or will Trump’s relentless rallies, create something else and much uglier altogether? Who will become the scapegoat for the failure to come?).
The general willful ignorance and arrogant disregard is appalling and all that stands between them and achieving their short-sighted dreams and We The People’s worst nightmares - is an overwhelmingly uninformed and apathetic public. Who’s going to wake them up?
This is a great article, but I think you may be giving Republicans too much credit. Yes, they have the absolutism of believing only they have access to God's wishes, but a lot of them are more crass, venal and duplicitous than that.
They met the evening of 2009 Jan 20th, Obama's inauguration day, and decided, en masse, to oppose EVERYTHING he did. The bail-outs had already started, as had the Dodd-Frank regulation process, but beginning with Obamacare, they decided that partisan advantage was ALWAYS (always, always, always, always, ALWAYS) more important than what was good for the country. If something would damage the US (and/or the world) AND damage Obama, that was ALWAYS preferable to something that would help the US (world) and help Obama. Partisan advantage always predominated over the good of the country (and the world). Once they gained control of Congress, they could stop many of the things he wanted.
When it was clear that there were cost-related problems for some with Obamacare, he offered to negotiate some sort of compromise to improve it, but they refused. They just wanted to repeal it. They now claim they want to "replace" it, but the only ideas they've had so far are to allow insurance companies to sell policies across state lines, plus medical savings accounts. If they think those things will make up for the ~20 M people who'll lose their medical insurance, they need their tin foil hats adjusted.
Obama wanted to pass an infrastructure repair bill, but congressional Repubs claimed they "couldn't find the money" and refused. Now that Trumpelthinskin also wants an infrastructure bill, what are the chances they'll SUDDENLY "find" the money? Three guesses, and the first two don't count. And that's despite the fact that tax cuts that will ultimately reduce revenues over time.
Obama offered them a 2:1 ratio of spending cuts to tax increases to reduce the deficit. In the past, they would have accepted a 1:1 ratio. Not this time. He would have compromised on an immigration bill. Of course the Party of No refused en masse, even though many of them had publicly supported reform in the past.
Obama even signaled that he'd accept corporate tax reform as part of a comprehensive compromise. The R's said "no!"
Obama may have have benefited from these things, so OF COURSE they refused. This happened over and over and over again. I call it evil and treasonous, but of course it's just the Repubs' modus operandi. The Democrats aren't evil and treasonous, so they'll probably work with Trumpelthinskin on points of agreement like infrastructure spending.
You're of course right about Trumpelthinskin's inability to deliver on his absurd promises. Not only is he not draining the swamp, he's putting the alligators in charge. His cabinet is the wealthiest in history, government of the billionaires, by the billionaires and for the billionaires. And of course fossil fuel funded climate change denial.
Startlingly, even Paul Ryan mentioned Trumpelthinskin's absurd hallucinations about coal miners getting their jobs back. A great many Repubs evidently hallucinate that "Obama's War on Coal" had something to do with the decline of the industry!!!!! Amazing!!
No, the coal industry collapsed because of the market. The M.A.R.K.E.T. Even the most rabid deniers in the world can't repeal those laws.
... Yes, they have the absolutism of believing only they have access to God's wishes, but a lot of them are more crass, venal and duplicitous than that.
That's an excellent point. Republican's total lack of good faith and dedication to destroying Obama's administration made failure inevitable, they never did get over him being black. It's hard to comprehend how primitive the thinking of many still is. That's why I'm relatively terrified of the next years. Myself being an old white guy living off sides and in the wonderful state of Colorado I feel slightly insulated, but I can't help being an empathic kinda guy, I hate seeing the suffering spread and Republican presidents are so damned good at dishing it out, without the slightest remorse, or even the notice. Here I'm thinking back on Cheney/Bush and Shock'nAwe and all that total obscene insanity that harmed all it touched (including the entire Middle East future) except for those masters-of-the-universe who created the entire monstrosity for their own enrichment. (yes, even 9/11 which was the product of wanton disregard for the national security advisors' admonishments.). And here we go with leaders who truly want to destroy America's government.
Opposed to that is a people who are filled up with Hollywood dreams and promises of endless stuff, folks who have lost all connection to the fundamentals of living life on this physical planet Earth, hell or even the point of living their own lives within their families. Plenty of expectations but no appreciation. Bricks in the wall. So many of them, I'd have never believed it. But after the past decades, nothing else makes sense to help explain it.
It seems to me that in the U.S. the "religion thing" is a simple proxy for the "power thing"
In the UK we saw it in our Brexit debate - the "right" framed the argument around the EU being "good/bad"
the climate deniers use this binary strategy to create FUD in the "agw debate"
Oh, yeah. Here you can learn about some of the details.
"This Republican Party of Lincoln has become a party of theocracy."
Well I finally found a succinct sentence to describe what I see when I see Evangelicals and other faith-shackled agenda driven minds.
Their egos are so overgrown they have mistaken it for God.
and no one has the cohones to confront them with the reality of their self contrived delusion.
And unfortunately, no one seems to think it's topic worth tackling, though we are now being run by faith-based absolutism who have disconnected themselves from the physical realities of our planet.
Where the love of religion and search for god or Jesus turns into a hideous poisonous monstrosity is when people convince themselves that they've found Universal Truth. In truth, it's a Personal Truth. We petty self-centered, often frightened and jealous, humans are absolutely incapable of encompassing all the understanding needed for any serious appreciation of God. We do the best with what we got - but we should be clear that's what we as individuals understand is tailor made (by virtue our unique life experience) for each - and not some universal truth.
They always act as if they have a complete knowledge of God.
But whenever being challenged, they always say, "God works in mysterious way".
Which is exactly why I think it's about time we confront them with the reality that their "GOD"
is nothing so much as a reflection of ones own over bloated ego.
but not to be confused with a UNIVERSAL TRUTH.
Absolutism, rather than confronting 'em as the abomination of Earthly reality that it is.
Here's another place to drive home the point that RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ARE PERSONAL TRUTHS - THEY ARE NOT UNIVERSAL TRUTHS !!!!!!!!!!!!
try to considering the flow of time and generations and all of creation, that simply can't be grasped with our human mind.
Beautiful Shadow Plays perhaps, but that's as close to a "true god" any human in any generation can hope to achieve.
is the GOPs unhinged ABSOLUTISM it really is too much, but seems to have been thoroughly mainstreamed.
Just as is the acceptance of lying and creating fictional alternative facts, when the down to Earth science interferes with self-interested economic interests.
Here's another one: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST?


text:
The Schneider 4x5.65" DigiCon 1 filter is used for a "filmic look" when shooting with digital cameras. When used in front of the lens, it optically raises black levels while lowering highlights.
“Thanks to the DigiCon, when we do exteriors, the pavement can be hotter and the foliage plays nicely. It allows me to create a much filmic look. I no longer have to reign in the highlights & I can open up the blacks.


text:
Most people think of investing in stocks similar to that of gambling at a casino. This is true because many people’s behaviour towards investing is exactly like gambling. They speculate on the next big thing and try to make a lot of money and they want to make it fast. This is contrary to real investing. If you read the book, The Clash of Cultures: Investment vs Speculation by John Bogle, you’ll soon realize that the whole financial industry has evolved from investing for the long term, to short term, quick speculative guessing. The old adage of buying and holding no longer exists. People feel the need to “beat” the market.
Since many people invest based on emotions, it’s no wonder that emotional investing and momentum investing have become such common terms in the investing world. Heck, it’s why Jim Cramer has a show on network television! Marketing agencies and promoters pump stocks like it’s the next big heavyweight champion. Yahoo and MSN articles grab your attention by stating “3 Stocks You Should Own Now”. It’s also why you don’t want to read my boring articles because I’m not giving you “5 Ways to Get Rich Quick” schemes. These are things that get our blood running and ultimately cloud our financial judgement.
Despite all the statistics, the charts and graphs, and all the technical studies that people do. Investing is like playing sports. It’s 90% mental and 10% physical. In the case of buying equities, it’s probably 99% mental and 1% physical. All it takes is a click of a button on your computer to buy. Before buying your mind keeps tell you “it’s a good thing”. After the purchase, your mind keeps saying “it’s a bad thing”. If we could get those demons out of our heads that would be wonderful. But we just can’t, damn it!
Most individual investors exhibit the behaviour of a speculator. Someone who is out to make a quick dollar by buying and flipping something quickly for a profit. These people are not investors, but speculators. Investors see the bigger picture and recognize that there is value that is being built by society and the companies that run it. They will see that mankind is out to further progress, not to destroy it. That growth is what we, as individual investors, should be investing in. It takes time to create positive change in this world. A lot of time!
To achieve success, individual investors shouldn’t focus on buying individual stocks. Rather it is more effective for individual investors to invest in market index funds like low cost mutual funds or ETFs that offer the diversification and balance needed to be successful. It also forces individual to become long term investors rather than gamblers and speculators because the market as a whole is a lot more stable than investing in volatile individual stocks. Investors need to take advantage of time and compounding interest to make their investments successful.
One of Warren Buffet’s famous line is saying that his “favourite holding period is forever”. This is true for real investors. They will understand that there are peaks and valleys. There will be years with negative returns and there will be years with outstanding positive returns. The important thing is what we get out of investing in the long run.
You may wonder why you should hold on to your investments even during the bad times. Why go down with a sinking ship? The fact is, investing is emotional, and tides can turn at any time. People try to time the market thinking they have all the answers, but they don’t. The markets can turn positive at any given time, but no one knows when. So why guess? The stock market in the long run has always trended up. So why would you try to time yourself out of a market that has historically trended up? Have you given up on humanity as a whole?
People who automatically declare the stock markets as being rigged and gambling are just being ignorant. They have yet to really learn about economics and how society functions through corporations. Personal finance is not something that is taught through the education system and it’s a real shame. The fault of our education system has created a society that is devoid of any real financial knowledge. It’s why I’m glad that you’ve found this blog and continued to read and learn. Nothing says more about caring about your own personal finances than taking the initiative to learn.