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Add questions to be answered by text, checkbox or dropdown and have customers agree to terms and conditions. Even customise which questions should be asked for which service and which require an answer to continue and make a booking.

To add a question to your online booking tools, go to your online booking settings under the booking tools tab and scroll to the booking questions section.

How to add a question

  • Click add a question
  • Select the type of answer you require - text, checkbox, dropdown or terms and conditions
  • Enter the question or the URL for the T&Cs in the question field
  • For dropdown type, add in the answer options
  • Set whether an answer to this question should be required to continue in the booking process
  • Select whether this question should be asked for bookings made externally (by the customer, online), bookings made internally (by your staff at or all bookings
  • To apply this question to all services, select all services
  • To apply this question to specific services, select those services
  • Click save changes.

Answers to questions are stored alongside the notes of that booking, in the notes tab. You can easily find any notes relating to a customer by going to the customer's record and clicking the bookings tab. Click view booking and the notes tab. To have info included in the customer record you need to use customer fields.

How to re-order booking questions

You can set the order in which you wish your questions to be displayed. To change the order, just click the three lines on the left of a question and drag it up or down.

Top tip:

If you're asking questions for bookings made externally (or all bookings), we suggest turning off the notes step of the online booking process. This will ensure that the booking process is quick and relevant. See more about notes here.

Did this answer your question?


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Help Center

Map Mailchimp Member (Contact) Rating

I want to map the Member Rating field from Mailchimp to Salesforce, I think they call it Contact Rating now, but I am not sure what field type to create in Salesforce to house the data.

Is it a text field? Number field? Image field?

Thanks and you can map to a Text field works fine as the Contact Rating (Member Rating) is a negative number to a positive number based on Stars given.

See Mailchimp help article here...

save image

Have more questions? Submit a request

Cazoomi Resources

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1. Ensure your network ports aren’t being blocked by Firewall / router / antivirus software. (Refer: Firewall and port settings)
  2. Confirm the hardware is correctly attached and ensure the correct microphone and speakers are selected in software settings.
  3. Check to ensure the microphone is not muted (some have a hardware mute button) and the speaker volume is turned up.
  4. If you are using a bluetooth headset, use a USB dongle instead of relying on the computer’s native bluetooth. Retry with a USB headset or a 3.5mm headset and compare the call quality. Since each device behaves differently with each browser, it can be more than a little trouble to tackle such hardware related issues.

For more information about improving call quality, please refer to this article.


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3D exploration of the Raikeswood World War 1 prisoner of war camp

Craven Museum, Skipton

The history of Skipton’s World War 1 Prisoner of War camp can now be accessed through the website Surface Impression created for Craven Museum. This user-focused website presents a 3D model that invites the audiences to discover more about what life was like in the camp. We collaborated with students at the School of Computing and Creative Technologies at Leeds Beckett University, supporting them to develop the 3D model themselves. It shows a number of different points of interest (POIs) in the camp, identified by a label and a red arrow. Users click on the arrow, triggering a window pop up containing more information. Where available links to other informative pages within the site are presented, together with a button to see that piece of the model into more detail. The aim is to enable users to immerse themselves in what life in the forgotten camp might have been like.

One of the main features of the site is a timeline comparing Skipton events against global events, helping audiences to broaden their historical perspective and understanding. For each Skipton event in the timeline there’s a ‘find out more’ button that leads audiences to the relevant pages, containing pictures, quotes, and researched text. This approach gradually reveals layers of content based on relevancy, ensuring high engagement levels and smooth user journeys.


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XML Sitemap

This is a XML Sitemap which is supposed to be processed by search engines which follow the XML Sitemap standard like Ask.com, Bing, Google and Yahoo.
It was generated using the WordPress content management system and the Google Sitemap Generator Plugin by Arne Brachhold.
You can find more information about XML sitemaps on sitemaps.org and Google's list of sitemap programs.

URLPriorityChange frequencyLast modified (GMT)
https://surfaceimpression.digital/proud-sponsors-of-the-lets-get-real-conference-2019/20%Monthly2019-01-24 19:59


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yes, me

I must survive myself pretty much everyday. I tend to be a little too blunt and a little too much of a grump – so just getting past myself is a job unto itself. But I’m actually a nice guy, so give me and my blog a try.

I live in Brooklyn and I have a job that pays the bills. This blog is an attempt to rid myself of the many thoughts that envelope my mind each day.

I like – sports, hip-hop, ice cream, dogs (especially mine), blogs, the real world/road rules challenges, working out, dumb stuff, reading, writing, yelling when i’m drunk, 80’s stuff… more to come…

I don’t like – people who walk slow, people who stop in the middle of the sidewalk, crowded trains, rain, meat, when i layer the toilet with paper and then it falls off… more to come…

Please send me all the hate/love letters you can to survivingmyself{at}gmail{dot}com. Seriously, I love reading other stuff, so don’t be shy.

Thanks for putting up with me. Believe me, I know it’s not pretty, but I hope you enjoy the blog anyway.

35 responses to “yes, me

  1. A friend sent me a link to your site because she said reading it reminded her of me.

    We look pretty different, but I’m a big fan of your humor. And, your perspectives feel pretty familiar to me.

    Come check me out, and tell me what you think.

  2. argyle – Thanks. I’m gonna check it out now.

  3. All those things you don’t like?

    Except for meat. I do like me some meat.

  4. See, I used to not mind people who idled along on sidewalks or randomly stopped.

    Then I moved to New York for a year.

    Then I moved back to Seattle.

    Now I swear to god I want to kidney punch every dumbass that moves less than 10 mph.

  5. aimelina

    yeah, I’d have to agree.. slow people make me want to drown kittens.

  6. Where is the email me button?

  7. notsojenny

    when slow people randomly stop i like to run right into the back of them and act like i had no idea that was going to happen
    they’re asking for it

    … but i love meat. love meat. go meat!
    (this is some big comment font)

  8. I’ve only made it through a few pages, but have laughed out loud more times in the past few minutes than I have all week. You, sir, are a hero indeed.

  9. i don’t just love your blog because we’re both using pressrow. i love it because we share misanthropy. and you’re the only other person i know who’s indignant about static electricity. high-five for that.

  10. melissalion

    I just love that you’re sitting there with your iphone.

  11. Mallory

    i do like to eat oranges. in fact, i’m eating one right now.

  12. i also hate that toilet paper thing. but i firmly believe layering toilet paper is a better way to go than those flimsy seat covers provided. those are just insulting.

  13. i love your blog haha mate your hilarious
    keep it up

  14. Heidi

    Marry me?

    Seriously. You are The Shit. “The man was rocking roller skates.”

    You are a true American hero.

  15. Miz

    …What Heidi said! 🙂

  16. *officially added to teh blogroll*

  17. I’m going to be in Brooklyn next week. We should grab copious amounts of beer and discuss how funny we both are!

  18. iphone!

    Came here through freeandflawed. Like what I see so far (except about Angelina. You’re so wrong!)

  19. Nice intro! I’m new to the whole blog world but as you said ~ as this blog is an attempt to rid myself of the many thoughts that envelope my mind each day. I second that!!!

  20. I hate people that walk slow, too. Don’t get me started on the tourists in Midtown/Downtown/everywhere nyc that think it’s perfectly acceptable to stop in the middle of the sidewalk to decide where they want to eat.

    Kidney punches all the way.

  21. I hate when the toilet paper falls off too. Ever have it fall off twice in a row? Maddening!

  22. Sandy

    We have basically ALL of the same dislikes. Sometimes I think I have anger management issues when it comes to slow walkers/ drivers, because I literally want to flip out on them. I don’t, though.. you know, gotta make sure that nobody else knows I’ve got the a.m. issues..

  23. love the blog.
    you’re quite the interesting fellow.
    even when you try not to be so interesting.

  24. Love you, and think everyone else should to! Can I borrow your brain for a bit? I promise to return it (fingers crossed behind back)
    Gave you shoutout, check it out.

  25. Romina

    I came across your blog and I must say it’s very witty and made me laugh alot which caused a lot of strangers to turn around and stare at me in the very quiet computer lab.

  26. Hina

    you think sidewalks are bad? try going back to highschool.

  27. oh my… just stumbled here in a post-lunch blog surfing haze and am dumbfounded. best. blog. ever. linking to you asap.

  28. Love your writing.
    Thoughts ring true in almost every way.
    Can’t wait for more.

  29. You have a great blog here. 🙂

  30. funniest blog i’ve read in a LONG time… post about the hills- hilarious. keep on doing what you do! xoxo

  31. How come I decide to check your blog like two days before the year finishes? haha, you’re definitely going to my list of blogs I read 😀 happy new year!

  32. hautepocket

    I hate all of the things on your ‘do not like’ list, except for rain. I love rain. What I do NOT love is how moronic people in Los Angeles become when it rains. Are they that way in Manhattan as well?

  33. I can’t believe it took me this long to find your blog.. you’re HYSTERICAL!

  34. I absolutely love your blog! And, as this award has just been bestowed upon me, I am passing along to you the Kreativ Blogger award- check out the post on my blog for the rules if you want to pass it along 🙂

  35. chris?
    get at me when u can … if is u of course

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Have You Seen the Missing Letter A?

Mr. Sun discovers the letter A is missing when he tries to spell “a new day”. Join him on a fun rhyming adventure as he searches the community to find out what happened. The Missing Letter A exposes young children to the letters of the alphabet, to new vocabulary words and to a world of rhyming. Read it with them today!

Click HERE to purchase The Missing Letter A from amazon.com


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Chatterbox Community Café, Selby, UK

The North Yorkshire town of Selby in the UK is home to the aptly named Chatterbox Community Café. Rob Matthews, self-confessed chatterbox, launched the café in 2017 because he is passionate about helping people, and helping people to help others too.

Life hasn’t been an easy journey for Rob; he grew up in the care system, and knows only too well the road to rock-bottom, and how lonely and demoralising homelessness, addiction and mental health problems can be. It’s this experience, and the fact of overcoming these issues with the help of good-hearted people he met on the way, that gives him the determination and drive to build a community where no one needs to go hungry, and people look out for each other.

“Thankfully we don’t have a major homelessness issue here in Selby but, as in any community, there are so many vulnerable people. Haven’t we all found ourselves vulnerable at some point in our lives?”

People in the town are embracing the Suspended Coffee movement and have proved that it really is about so much more than the coffee.

A real community hub, everyone is welcome at the café, whether it’s for a drink, food (which is very good and offers gluten and dairy free options) or just to hear a kindly voice and share some human companionship. At the end of every working day, Chatterbox gives their leftover food away.

“I feel it’s so wrong that so many shops and retailers get rid of so much food away on a daily basis. This could be supporting the communities that they’re a part of, so that’s why we’re now doing this. We’re not getting financial support from any organisations, we’re a local business. Something’s wrong when bins are getting filled up, rather than people’s bellies,” says Rob.

Chatterbox also has an arrangement with the local Tesco supermarket to take their over-stock fresh bread and give it away for free, and have established a chain of contact with local agencies that can support vulnerable people.

“It’s important to give back,” Rob tells us. Clearly other people agree. “Because of the ethos of the café and the Suspended Coffee movement, some people have generously offered to give their time to work in the café without pay. That means so much to me and to the people we are here for.”

Rob has shared his passion with many other businesses in the town too, and Selby now boasts a Suspended fruit and veg shop, a cheese shop, a juice bar, a salad bar and a tea room. More and more businesses are getting on board to support and strengthen their community however they can.

“I have two young children and I want them to grow up in a kinder world than we have at the moment. What better way to teach them the importance of helping others than by working to build a community where people value and support each other?”

Selby’s Fabulous Five (and counting) :
Chatterbox Community Café ~ 18 Finkle Street, Selby, YO8 4DS, North Yorkshire, UK
Mollie Sharp’s Cheese Shop ~ 15 Finkle St, Selby, YO84DT, North Yorkshire, UK

Luv Fresh ~ 21 Market Cross, Selby, YO8 4JS, North Yorkshire, UK
Market Lane Tearooms ~ 9 Market Lane, Selby, YO8 4QA, North Yorkshire, UK
Fresh4You and Fresh4You Salad Bar ~ 5 Finkle street, Selby, YO8 4YB, North Yorkshire, UK


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Same Flavor. Different Site.

By swimcreative

Northern Waters Smokehaus, a wildly popular smoked fish and meats shop in Duluth, MN, had lines going out the door every day. In response to their popularity, they opened a restaurant version of their shop across town.

While the restaurant is similar in flavor, it has a completely different menu and setup. They turned to Swim to concoct a website that set the place apart without losing the artisanal feel.

Our designers, writers and programmers went to work. We wove Northern Water’s beautiful illustration work throughout, and crafted a website that captured the heart and tastes of the new restaurant.

They now have a site as tasteful as the dishes they provide. Check it out and let us know what you think!

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Fox Paw’s Coming Home

When we lived in South Dakota in the ’80s, my parents bought an ice scraper. Not just any ol’ ice scraper, mind you; this one was special. It was called the Fox Paw and came wrapped in faux fur, so your hand would stay warm when scraping ice from the car’s windshield. Pretty ingenious, actually.

Sunday they had me over for an early birthday celebration since they will be traveling on the actual day. The grilled teriyaki chicken and potato salad were delicious and the carrot cake divine, but the real joy came when it was time to open gifts. They handed me a wrapped package and said, “It’s time to pass this on now.” I had no clue what that might possibly mean, so I tore open the package and found…

Wait. Could it really be?!

It was!!

The Fox Paw is coming home!

Scoff if you will, but know this: when it’s ten degrees below zero and snowing like mad, my hand is going to be nice and toasty while I clear my windshield. (Actually, when it’s ten degrees below zero and snowing like mad, my whole body is going to be nice and toasty because if you think I’m venturing outside in that shit, you’re crazy. But, if I did, then yeah. My hand would be nice and toasty.)

There’s a beautiful symmetry to something coming full circle, don’t you think?

They also got me a gift card to Murphy’s Pub & Grill in downtown Rapid City. We stopped in for dinner and cocktails after our whirlwind Saturday there last October and loved the place. So the gift card is greatly appreciated and sure to get used. After all, they’ve got fried pickles there.

This past Saturday, we met up with my coworker Candace and her husband, Devon, for a day of cider tasting in Portland. And when I say “day” I do mean that in the all-day sense, as we ended up hitting three cider houses and a distillery over the span of seven hours. It was a lot of fun, though. And something we’d talked about doing for a long time.

The rest of the weekend was spent packing. I’m trying to strike a balance between getting as much stuff as possible boxed up early so there isn’t a last-minute scramble while still trying to make the apartment feel homey, but with three empty bookshelves and nothing but nails on the walls where photos and artwork used to be, it’s inevitably starting to look a bit barren now. On the plus side, since Audrey’s bedroom is empty, we are able to use that as a staging area for all our boxes. When we were preparing to move from the townhouse four years ago, we were surrounded by piles of boxes the last two months we were there. Out of sight is out of mind; at least now it just looks like we’ve embraced an extremely minimalist lifestyle.

Also, we’ve decided on going the U-Haul route as it’s the most economical way to move. Because of that, we’ve altered our plans slightly and will now be leaving one day earlier than originally scheduled – June 22 versus the 23rd. This is a significant date for reasons I’ll get into another time (hint: more symmetry). The bottom line is, our countdown has jumped ahead a day, which means every other post on the blog is now technically inaccurate. My inner perfectionist wants to go back and fix all those numbers, but I’m going to resist the urge. The date was never truly set in stone anyway.

Countdown: 59 Days


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Consulting Cyber Industry Marketing Research Solutions

65+ Statistics About Artificial Intelligence

Product–services bundles boost AI

Artificial intelligence may seem like a new edition to the business world– but it’s already transformed the way we sell B2B products and services.

SwissCognitiveArtificial intelligence may seem like a new edition to the business world– but it’s already transformed the way we sell B2B products and services. Early adopters of have achieved significant benefits – including increased efficiency, cost reduction, improved customer experience, revenue growth, and more.

But, many businesses still question the effectiveness and practicality of . If you’re skeptical about , today’s blog post is for you. We’ve compiled more than 65 statistics about . Keep reading!

The State of in Business

  • Only 23% of businesses have incorporated into processes and product/service offerings today.
  • The largest companies (those with at least 100,000 employees) are the most likely to have an strategy, but only half have one.
  • 47% of digitally mature organizations say they have a defined strategy.
  • 63% of businesses say pressure to reduce costs will require them to use .
  • 54% of executives say solutions implemented in their businesses have already increased productivity.
  • 61% of business executives with an innovation strategy say they are using to identify opportunities in data that would otherwise be missed.

Priorities and Plans

  • 83% of businesses say is a strategic priority for their businesses today.
  • 31% of marketing, creative, and IT professionals worldwide plan to invest in technology in the next 12 months.
  • 61% of business professionals point to and as their company’s most significant data initiative for next year.
  • 27% of executives say their organization plans to invest this year in cybersecurity safeguards that use and .
  • 95% of business execs who indicated that they are skilled at using big data to solve business problems or generate insights also use technologies.

The Future of

  • The market will grow to a $190 billion industry by 2025, according to research firm Markets and Markets.
  • Global spending on cognitive and systems will reach $57.6 billion in 2021, according to market research firm IDC.
  • IDC predicts 40% of digital transformation initiatives will use services by 2019.
  • IDC forecasts 75% of commercial enterprise apps will use by 2021.
  • China will reap the most economic benefit from by 2030, followed by North America.

The Impact of on Employment

  • PwC predicts up to 38% of U.S. jobs could be at high risk of automation by the early 2030s, higher than Germany (35%), the UK (30%) and Japan (21%).
  • Forrester predicts cognitive technologies such as robots, , , and automation will replace 16% of U.S. jobs by 2025. Of those jobs, office and administrative support staff will be the most rapidly disrupted.[…]

read more – copyright by

1 Comment

  1. Dr. Anthony Criniti IV a.k.a. "Dr. Finance"

    @SwissCognitive Hi AI Andy Fitze,

    Thanks for following and good luck achieving your business goals! :…

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Category Archives: subdomain

Cookie handling in multi-domain applications in Ruby on Rails

My team is working on a multilingual multinational application in Rails (I know this sounds incredibly pushy but bear with me). The application is at if you want to have a look at it, but it’s still alpha version.

In practice, this multi-multi-blah-blah means that we want to use both various national domains (like, — those links don’t function yet, they are only examples) and various subdomains (like or The national domains will filter content only to respective country (so will only have content from Germany) and the subdomains will be used to change the default language for the national domain (so if you are an English-speaking person living in Germany, is your place to go). The subdomain will also be important in multilingual countries like Switzerland.

Trying to implement this scheme we’ve run into problems with cookie domain handling in Rails. And cookie problems lead to session problems for users, like being erroneously logged out or loosing other settings.

Cookie Monster
Mandatory Cookie-monster reference (you wouldn’t believe how many hits from Google this provides).

It seems that there are two official (normal) ways of handling this — at least that’s what Google says. Either you set your default session options in environment.rb like this:

ActionController::CgiRequest::DEFAULT_SESSION_OPTIONS[:session_domain] =

Or you don’t set it at all.

The former lets you set cookies for any subdomain of, like, but no other domain. The latter sets cookie independently for each subdomain, causing different cookies for, and Neither is what we really want.

Spice Girls
So tell me what you want, what you really really want?

What we really want is to have the same cookie for any subdomain of and a different one for any subdomain of and so on. Nota bene, I’m not talking about a Single Sign-On problem, this is on much more basic level. We tried experimenting with setting DEFAULT_SESSION_OPTIONS “on the fly” in before_filter, but found out that this is too late (basically, this sets cookie domain for next request).

Fortunately, all is not lost. If all else fails, start reading code. And that’s what I did. The “entry point” for Rails is defined in dispatcher.rb file. Glancing over the code, I noticed something new for me: a before_dispatch callback. Google agreed that this may be a way to go, giving us link to, among others.

Here’s our solution:

require 'dispatcher'
module ActionController
  class Dispatcher
    def set_session_domain
        :session_domain => "#{^[^.]*/, '')}"
    before_dispatch :set_session_domain


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TahsinVersion2 or Tahsin Version 2.0: How? (2013)

The idea Tahsinversion2 is from Human body version 2.0 in “The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology” [1] by Ray Kurzweil. Tahsinversion2 indicates improvement in all aspects of life (if not exponential, at least linear with a high constant factor!). Tahsin version 2.0 or Tahsinversion2 is the next stable version of Tahsin!

I have always been a voracious reader of Self Management books. I learned tons of ways of improving myself in different spheres of my life.

My deep appreciation of human psyche, deep knowledge in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence guides me.

In 2011-12, I found out that by changing lifestyles, I could have better health and get younger.

Last year (2013), when I thought about continuous self improvement in every possible direction, I compiled a list of areas worth improving.
People change. So do I. But this list (compiled in 2013) is obviously a starting point.

Some of you might find some of the areas in your lives worth improving. Give it a shot!

Self management

  • Set short term goals and accomplish them. (Write down problems, topics related to your goals so that you think of them when you wake up and in your free time and able to keep focus all day.) Work backwards from the goal / goals to your current position. Identify problems. Plan. Try to control impulses, change habits (brain state control, Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence). Keep scores. Try to gradually get more done in less time.
  • Use feedback to your advantage. Keep scores. Go through your day and find out how you could improve it.
  • Learn time management. Clock your activities. Try to complete tasks in lesser time. Create distraction free environment and time.
  • Practice focused persistence. How do you maintain the brain state that made you think of being persistent on a particular task? Remember and write down the factors and their emotional values that made you think of being persistent. One way is to form habits.
  • Confidence – Faith {“I can do anything” attitude} {Only a strong mind has complete faith / is supremely confident and a strong mind is a capable mind.}
  • Creative visualization {“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true [or the possibility of a better life than what it is now] that makes life interesting.” Using thoughts, images, imagined situations [one single thought/image works best] (Lucid dreaming).}
  • “The happiness advantage” {The happier you are, the more motivated and energetic you are, the better your brain works.}
  • Inspiration
  • Self-control {brain state control, Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence}
  • Associating positive emotions/feelings with the task at hand. + Curiosity).
  • Identify the habits that are holding you back, need to be changed and change them.
  • Use mind mapping software. (XMind, FreeMind, mindmeister)
  • Always check if you feel happy, optimistic, focused, motivated, and energetic (Use Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence). Do you feel doubtful, shy, nervous, lacking in confidence, any blockage to thinking? Make yourself happy, focused, motivated, and energetic. Don’t do what you feel you ought to do (notice if you are building lists of reasons for doing unnecessary things). Rather do what you should do, what should happen.

Individual growth

  • Analyze (taking everything into consideration, asking how, why) & actively learn from everything you read, everything you see around you and all your experiences. Try to explain everything in terms of general principles / simpler constructs. Discover patterns wherever you look, whatever you think. Solve math problems, model things around you with mathematics / models {model thinking} / science.
  • Try to find creative solutions for everyday problems (better way of doing things) (Feynman) (learn from “design of everyday things”). (New / improved tech / scripts-software / apps / devices / machines, shortcuts)
  • Work-study-think 90+ hours a week.
  • Courses on Udacity, Coursera, EdX.
  • Learning Math, Engineering, Science: Wikipedia [Why Wikipedia? Image – Diagram (I learn Engineering and Science mostly from Diagrams and Images) Use Hyperlinks for Just-in-Time (JIT) learning.]
  • Language proficiency goals: English. Bangla. Spanish. Hindi. Arabic. Hebrew.
  • Know everything there is to know about America.
  • Read biographies. Learn history. (Are there patterns? Large time scale cause-effect relationships? Plan by higher power?)
  • Practice speed reading.
  • Consider taking part in trivia quiz contests/shows, US memory championship, US puzzle championship.
  • Read / think everywhere – all the time.
  • Learn more about education and learning. (Experiment with tutoring)

Social Life

  • Improve your ability of real time social cue and psychology processing. Try to understand people and society intimately. Find collaborators (online and real world).
  • Identify social problems. Devise solutions. (Study social entrepreneurship, social business, Organization / Motivation.)
  • Become a true “inverse-paranoid”. Try to see the positive in everything. Sincerely believe that whatever happens, happens for some good reason (at least in the long run) according to God’s plans. Don’t get lost in the forest, but climb higher and take a view of the forest and figure out how the forest might change with time as a result of different actions and interactions.
  • To understand others put yourself in others’ shoes. Try to view the situation from others’ perspective. Don’t micro-manage – think in long term. Think several steps ahead.
  • Learn from your own and other people’s mistakes. Make every mistake an opportunity for learning.
  • How do you build a magnetic, charismatic and authoritative (with necessary humility) personality? (Study Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, Body Language. Try dealing with people with different personalities and backgrounds differently.)
  • Tweet, Blog (Get feedback.) Later: Ebook – App, Book, Linkedin.

Spiritual Life

  • Rely on no one other than God / Spirit of God. Always keep the possible nature of ultimate reality in mind even while you are living your day to day life. (Practical reality <> Ultimate reality) (Science, Engineering, Social Entrepreneurship <> Dark sides of society)
  • Spend more time praying (and meditating {practice mindfulness; imagine-feel-senses-observe-reason-learn-create}) (Creative visualization; Law of attraction; Imagine & feel; Pray for others; Gratitude {Imagine-feel how life could have been if you didn’t have some of the things you have. Now, feel happy and express gratitude.}; Think about God-ultimate reality).
  • Pray and work on: increasing intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, creativity; increasing strength, courage, toughness, stability; purifying heart/soul. Pray for others. Express gratitude. Ask for guidance.
  • If you eagerly accept life after death, you have no fear, no worry, no doubts, nothing to lose.
  • As long as you are sincere in completing your duties & responsibilities, you have no fear of death. After life could be even better.
  • Express gratitude to God for all the blessings while praying.

Leadership Personality

    • রাষ্ট্রনায়োকোচিত Attitude (Attitude that is expected from the leader of a Nation). জনগণের পাশে থেকে জনগণকে নেতৃত্ব দেবো।

  • তোমাকে কত মানুষ পছন্দ করে, তুমি কত মানুষের আশা, স্বপ্ন, প্রত্যাশা ধারণ করছ – এটা সবসময় মাথায় রাখবে।
  • Be the smartest – lead from the front.
  • Strength, Courage, Toughness; Ready to sacrifice life; no doubts, no fear, no worry, nothing to lose.
  • Authority
  • Responsibility
  • Humility & Empathy
  • Deep thought, bold action
  • Body Language

A sense of authority and a sense of empathy. From authority and empathy comes responsibility.

Daily routine

  • Every morning energise yourself by creatively visualizing your enormous potential across different sectors. Remind yourself over and over again throughout the day.
  • Practice mindfulness.
Intellectual Life

Goals Set By Others

[November / December 2013]
Be the defining character of our time. (US Catholic Church)

Take Artificial Intelligence to the next level. (US Catholic Church)

Physical-Digital Computing pioneer. (Sergey Brin)

Grow yourself to be the smartest Economist in the world. (Dr. Yunus)


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Huge MSSQL Log size full with SQL Dump

When you use MSSQL server, you can locate a file inside root directory (X:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log). Some of us the directory is huge and content with SQLDump file.

The SQLDump is safe to delete, but it is actually shown that your system have memory issue.


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Tallaght RFC 38 Parkmore RFC 03

Tries:  Darran Kearney, Ciaran Stewart, Stephen Heaney, Stephen Abbey

Con: Ciaran Stewart 3

Pen: Ciaran Stewart  4

Spencer Pennant Group B

21/09/13 Tymon Park

After last week’s disappointing defeat to Railway Union, Tallaght were determined to hit back today.  They started well with the titanic skipper Simon Sweeney showing the way from number eight with a big run which gave out-half Ciaran Stewart the chance to open the scoring with a penalty for Tallaght to take a 3-0 lead.  Tallaght played smart rugby and kept pinning Parkmore back with intelligent kicking from Stewart and scrum-half Aodhan Tinney.  Every time they visited the Parkmore 22, they score points through the trusty boot of Stewart who scored three more penalties to make the half-time score 12-3 to Tallaght.

Despite their lead, Tallaght were frustrated not to have scored a try in the first half.  They didn’t have to wait too long in the second half though.  From a Parkmore maul, Sweeney ripped the ball away and set off on a run.  He offloaded to inside centre Jack Russell, who in turn passed to midfield partner Dave Clarke.  Clarke showed excellent judgement in drawing his man and releasing winger Darran Kearney who scampered over for the try.  Stewart surprisingly missed the conversion but he made up for it shortly afterwards.

Stewart took quick ball generated by a now dominant pack and passed to his inside centre Jack Russell.  Stewart looped round on Russell in the style of Jonny Sexton and took the return pass on a beautiful arcing run which saw him slice through the Parkmore defence from a try.  He converted his own try and Tallaght effectively had the game won, 24-3 up with twenty minutes to go.

Tallaght kept going though and when coach Brian Curtis started using the bench the subs made an impact.  Centre James Maher saved a try by intercepting a Parkmore pass close to the line and then he made a powerful run through the middle and offloaded to winger Stephen Heaney who scored a well-deserved try under the posts.  Stewart converted and then replacement scrum-half Stephen Abbey pounced on a loose pass in the Parkmore twenty-two and scored the try that secured the bonus point.

Stewart converted to make it a personal points tally of 23 points for the Fermanagh man.  He wasn’t alone though in putting in an outstanding display.  The pocket battleship that is hooker Ollie Murphy made major ground with his carries.   The second row partnership of young Alan Moore and …..ahem…..not as young Joe Ivers was industrious and effective.  The backrow was the outstanding unit on the day though.  Simon Sweeney was simply immense, while openside Aaron Morgan made several powerful runs and the ubiquitous blindside Paul Cunningham was seemingly involved in every Tallaght play, while also ruling the roost at the lineout.

To be fair to Parkmore they were missing several players and will come back stronger in the league.  Tallaght were excellent though, playing smart rugby and performing the basics of the game very well.  Certainly they will have tougher tests in the near future starting with Coolmine in the Metro League next week, but they’ve given themselves a platform now and there is an exciting season ahead.   Tallaght still have players to come back too such as Danny Behan, Trevor Byrne, Keith Mason, Sam Lawless and Emil Wyrebiak amongst others.  After this performance though, they will know they all need to work very hard to get back into the starting fifteen.

Skipper Simon Sweeney was very appreciative of the large turnout in support on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Tymon Park.  “It’s a massive boost to us when we’re on the pitch to see our friends, club mates and family on the sideline shouting for us, so a massive thanks to everyone who made the effort to turn up and support us.  In playing terms, we were well beaten last week by Railway Union but that didn’t make us a bad side.  We won well today, but just the same that doesn’t make us a great side.  We’re a work in progress, and there’s still plenty of work to do but all I can ask from the lads is maximum effort and they brought that today in spades and I’m very proud of them tonight.”

Tallaght R.F.C.

15 Alan Bernes

14 Darran Kearney

13 Dave Clarke

12 Jack Russell

11 Stephen Heaney

10 Ciaran Stewart

9 Aodhan Tinney

8 Simon Sweeney (captain)

7 Aaron Morgan

6 Paul Cunningham

5 Alan Moore

4 Joe Ivers

3 Declan Malone

2 Ollie Murphy

1 Tony McManus

Conor Kelly

Dave Kelly

James Maher

Stephen Kelly

John Cowan

Jim O’Connor ©

2 Replies to “Tallaght RFC 38 Parkmore RFC 03”

  1. Great report Jim, well done – I think the inspiration you gleaned from the ‘remarkable’ unidare report is subtle yet ubiquitous.

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Lootera Movie Review by Rajeev Masand

 Rating: 4

July 05, 2013

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha, Barun Chanda, Vikram Massey, Adil Hussain, Divya Dutta

Director: Vikramaditya Motwane

Like Udaan, his feature debut from 2010, Lootera, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, is exquisitely crafted. While Udaan was the coming of age tale of a small-town teenager going head to head with his despotic father, Lootera is steeped in old-fashioned romance. At the heart of this film is a young couple faced with insurmountable odds.

And yet, it isn’t so much the film’s story, but in its telling that Motwane woos you. Skillfully combining the key tools of cinema – pictures, sound, and music – he delivers a transcendent experience that’s hard to describe in words.

Lootera opens in 1950s West Bengal, where a new democracy is changing archaic laws and reclaiming princely estates. Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha) is the indulged daughter of an old zamindar (Barun Chanda) from Manekpur. She lives in a sheltered world, but you can see her straining for independence as she secretly drives the family car when she’s out of her father’s sight. Her world collides with that of archaeologist Varun (Ranveer Singh), who is invited to stay as a houseguest when he’s on an assignment to excavate a site on her father’s property. Varun and Pakhi are inexorably drawn to each other, even though he knows in his heart that he must leave her someday. The film’s plot is inspired partly by O Henry’s famous short story The Last Leaf, yet Motwane gives it a romantic, even thrilling twist.

There is a lyrical quality to the couple’s exchanges in Lootera. Varun and Pakhi communicate with their eyes at the start, then their relationship deepens over shared dreams and long conversations. Pakhi confesses that she wants to be a writer, spinning stories in her Dalhousie home. Varun, in turn, has the soul of an artist and wishes to paint a masterpiece someday. The director establishes a leisurely pace that matches the period, and a picnic scene in particular, where the couple is gently teased by their friends, feels straight out of a Merchant-Ivory drama. In the second half, Motwane opts for muted colours and sticks with those interminably long silences as the couple is reunited under very different circumstances.

There is attention to the smallest details in Lootera, like the art direction, the lighting, and particularly Mahendra Shetty’s intuitive camera that knows just how to capture the lovely landscapes as well as the somber mood of later scenes. Amit Trivedi’s beautiful songs and background score add another layer of feeling to the aching love story here. Yet it’s hard to resign yourself to some convenient coincidences in the plot, or even the naivete that filters in towards the end. In a film so close to perfection, the small lapses are hard to hide.

What you can’t find fault in are the pitch-perfect performances. Barun Chanda deftly marries a father’s vulnerability with the arrogance of a zamindar who believes he is entitled. Vikram Massey, playing Varun’s Dev Anand-obsessed friend, is cheeky and unyielding in equal measure, while Adil Hussain does a good job as a hard-nosed cop on the heels of a criminal.

Yet Lootera belongs to its two leads, Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, who do their best work here. Shifting seamlessly from feisty to fragile to bitter, Sonakshi delivers a deeply heartfelt performance that feels mature beyond her years. Ranveer, for his part, brings a quiet sensitivity to Varun, and occasionally a smoldering intensity. Offering a finely internalized performance, he leaves a lasting impression.

Moving without resorting to melodrama, Lootera is bittersweet in the end. Formerly an assistant to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Motwane reveals the same command over technique, and a similar love for sweeping visuals. But unlike Bhansali’s recent films, Motwane never distracts you with his tapestry.

I’m going with four of five for Lootera. Drop whatever else you’re doing, and soak in this love saga.

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Udon-and-salmon bowl

Udon-and-salmon bowl

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  • 4
  • Easy
  • Dairy free Fat conscious Health conscious
  • 5 minutes
  • 15 minutes

  • 2 red peppers, sliced into large chunks
  • 2 t extra virgin olive oil
  • 200 g baby spinach
  • Woolworths Asian udon noodles
  • 2 x 200 g packets good-quality beef stock 4 cups
  • 200 g Woolworths Norwegian salmon with pepper and dill

Cooking Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Rub the red pepper chunks with the olive oil, arrange on a baking tray and roast for 10–15 minutes.

Blanch the baby spinach or 1 minute in boiling salted water, then refresh in iced water.

Prepare the noodles according to package instructions and heat the beef stock in a large saucepan over a medium heat.

Divide the noodles and beef stock between bowls. Top with the spinach, red pepper and salmon.

Abigail Donnelly Recipe by: Abigail Donnelly
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Nothing excites Woolworths TASTE's Food Director quite as much as the challenge of dreaming up recipes with innovative new foods – or the thrill of creating deliciousness on a plate with the humblest of ingredients. With Abi by your side, you’ll be a cooking expert in no time at all.

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Forralt Bor (Mulled Wine): An Essential Part of Winter in Hungary

5 minutes read

Mulled wine (forralt bor) is an inextricable part of winter in Hungary. At this time of year it’s sold all over the city—prepared and served in anything from vats, pots, and barrels, and even coffee percolators—and usually handed over in a plastic cup to enjoy on the run. Every family and vendor has its own recipe for forralt bor. But however its prepared, it is the perfect antidote to the business of the holiday season. Between running around gathering gifts, reuniting with family and making time for holiday parties, it can be hard to justify taking a break. Unless of course there is forralt bor on offer.

But when enjoying a mulled wine in Hungary, there are a few important things to remember.

  • While both white and rosé forralt bor are available in Hungary, traditionalists prefer it red. The spices and seasonings benefit from the mellow heft of a dry red, even if it’s a cheap one. That’s because the hero of mulled wine is not the wine itself, but the selection and balance of the rest of the ingredients.
  • Don’t be snobbish when it comes to your mulled wine. The wine used for street-bought forralt bor is usually on the cheap side. No matter, the wine is just a delivery system for the spices, more importantly, the alcohol. It’s important that forralt, ‘boiled’ bor is not actually boiled, despite its name, as boiling evaporates the alcohol. And despite its sweet and tart flavors, there should be a noticeable bite from the alcohol, the momentary reminder that you are stealing a little celebration, gifting yourself respite to break up the day.
Photo credit: posztos
  • Recipes around the region vary—meaning that no two mulled wines will be the same—so don’t get overly attached to any one batch. Commonly used ingredients will be cinnamon, ginger, orange zest, cardamom, star anise, sugar, honey, and clove. The best mulled wines also add a dash of rum, a kind of drink for the drink. Your mulled wine should also be in a celebratory mood.
  • When you find a good mulled wine, take advantage, and don’t let the opportunity slip by. Spots to acquire forralt bor are strategically placed around town, at least in Budapest, once the temperature drops and the dead of winter begins to threaten. This is no accident. There are few better feelings than taking a spontaneous break from the bustle and indulging in a cup of forralt bor. Only don’t overdo it. Mulled wine is not intended to get one drunk, only to brighten the day, and make the cold more bearable.
  • Finally, do no confuse drinking an afternoon, or even morning mulled wine at a Christmas market with day drinking. Day drinking passes the day, mulled wine adds to the day, makes Christmas more celebratory, and generally brings cheer. The trick to mulled wine is to catch it where you can, not to drink too much, and let it work its warming charms on your frigid, busy winter day.
  • The Vörösmarty tér Christmas Market is an excellent place to try forralt bor (though also one of the most expensive)!

How about making your own mulled wine at home? Recipes abound, or you can just create your own! Here are a few tips collected from Taste Hungary’s culinary ambassadors:

  • Use medium quality wine, not the cheapest wine you can find (like many vendors do).
  • Start by making a spice reduction by adding spices to about two cups of water. Put as many spices as you can, don’t forget the orange and lemon zest. Boil the mixture until it reduces down by half, and then add half a cup of sugar. Strain it.
  • Try adding some fruit—such as apples, citrus, dried fruit, or pears—which has been cooked in water with sugar and spices.
  • Spices can include anything you like, including cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, rosemary, cardamom, black pepper, and star anise.
  • Try adding some black tea or fruit tea (or even a bit of fruit juice) to give the forralt bor more body and flavor.
  • Add the wine at the very end, after you’ve made an infusion with all of the other ingredients.
  • Don’t boil the wine! Otherwise all the magic (alcohol) will just disappear. Just warm it together with the spice mixture.
  • How about a mulled beer instead? One of our guides recommends replacing the wine with a dark beer!
  • Consider replacing the rum that is traditionally added with a bit of palinka! Or fortify it with an even fancier spirit (see the recipe below from Christian, a wine ambassador at The Tasting Table).

Want to learn more about the Christmas holiday traditions in Hungary? Join our Christmas Market & Food Walk to taste holiday foods and learn about the traditions, while visiting some of Europe’s best Christmas markets.

Forralt Bor

  • 2 liters of red wine
  • 2 dl (1 cup) of Grand Marnier
  • 100 grams (1/2 cup) of brown sugar
  • 100 grams of honey
  • The zest of 1 orange
  • The zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4-5 cloves
  • 4-5 pieces of green cardamom
  • 2 pieces of star anise
  • 10 black peppercorns

  1. Heat the wine and Grand Marnier very gently, without boiling.
  2. Add all other ingredients, and barely simmer, letting the wine infuse for 30 minutes.
  3. Filter the wine and serve it warm. Or leave it warm (always without boiling) until it's ready to serve.

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  • Best Contribution to Wine & Spirits Tourism

  • Best Wine Tour Operator Winner in 2017 & 2018

  • TripAdvisor logo

    Certificate of Excellence Winner (2011-2018)

  • Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame


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TasVacations 6 Night Tasmania Coastal Wanderer

6 Night Tasmania Coastal Wanderer

Dates & Prices
Your 6 Night Coastal Wanderer Includes:
  • 2 Nights Best Western Hobart - Hobart
  • 1 Night Eastcoaster - Orford
  • 1 Night Tidal Waters St Helens - St Helens
  • 2 Nights Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston - Launceston
  • 6 days all inclusive economy automatic car hire with Budget Rent a Car
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Dates & Prices
Travel Dates Price Per Person, Twin Share
01.05.19 - 13.05.19 From $685*
14.05.19 - 31.08.19 From $675*
01.09.19 - 30.09.19 From $678*
01.10.19 - 21.12.19 From $764*

For travel outside of the above dates, please enquire for pricing.

Terms & Conditions

*Subject to availability. These package prices are ‘from’ prices only and will vary depending on the date of travel and style of accommodation chosen. Specific room types and minimum night stays may apply. All prices listed here are based on per person, twin share. Car hire with Budget Rent a Car is fully inclusive of excess reduction coverage and all the fees and charges excluding fuel and other counter products.

6 Nights From
per person, twin share

Valid for travel
14.05.19 - 31.08.19

Please click     Dates & Prices tab for additional travel dates and pricing.

  6 nights accommodation
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Want to bring your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania? Want to hire a campervan? Contact a TasVacations consultant to customise this package

Contact to Customise


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Replace Marketing Myopia with a Marketing Mentality

In the business world, how many times do we think we know better than others? And by others I mean our customers or consumers- the lifeblood of any business. The answer to this question is too many times. This type of thinking can be particularly dangerous when it comes to marketing. Theodore Levitt coined a term  in his 1960 paper for the Harvard Business Review  that illustrates how bad thinking we know better than the consumer can be. He called it Marketing Myopia and what it basically means is focusing on what you offer instead of your consumers. It involves marketers spending more time on selling their product and its enhancements/features instead of on satisfying their customers' needs.

 Marketers need to avoid this and adopt a "Marketing Mentality"

A marketing mentality means that you understand more than what the consumers think they want or what they say they want. It means that you understand what your whole marketplace really consists of and the possibilities that exist within it so:

  • A good marketer should be customer oriented. That means thinking about the needs and wants of customers and benefits that we give to them to meet those needs and wants. He/she needs to also be able to listen to his/her consumer base and understand what exactly their pain points are. Do this and you will find that ideas for product enhancements will come quickly because you already know what they want.
  • A good marketer also should understand the competition. After all, the market is made up of customers and competition. You always have to think about your target market and how you are beating the competition for those customers. Ultimately you want to meet their needs and wants better than the competition.

Become an Effective Cross-Cultural Communicator & Connector

The Relationship Era of Marketing

I just discovered an incredible book Can't Buy Me Like by Bob Garfield and Doug Levy and I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about building their brand. Bob and Doug both contend that we are now in the "Relationship Era" of marketing whereby creating authentic and real relationships based on trust is the only sustainable way for businesses to have long term success. I agree with them. If you notice nowadays we as consumers are getting saturated with commercials and instead of connecting with them we either ignore them or use that opportunity to focus on tasks we deem as more important. Even the commercials that stick with us don't stick with us for the right reasons. We remember them for their one liners whether it is KFC's "I ate the bones?!" or Old Spice's "Hello Ladies!".

We do the same thing to billboards we drive by or internet banner ads yet majority of companies continue to spend money on marketing this way. That is a lot of money being spent on advertising and marketing for so little return.

Brands need to seek to build a rapport with their audience and gain their trust. That is the only way you can get consumers to actively seek you out. Amazon does this by giving its consumers a chance to voice their opinions whether it is through reviews or allowing them to create their wish lists. Amazon also offers recommendations to consumers based on past purchases. They involve their consumers every step of the way and sure enough Amazon has risen to become one of the top companies in the world. How many Amazon commercials have you seen on TV? Chances are very few if any.

To learn more check out Can't Buy Me Like by Bob Garfield @Bobosphere and Doug Levy @douglevy1

Become an Effective Cross-Cultural Communicator & Connector

The Road to Redemption For LeBron James and How it Applies to Everyone

It has been two days since LeBron James got his first ring and to say I am over the moon is putting it lightly. Not only is LeBron James my favorite athlete of all time but never have I been more emotionally involved in someone other than God, my family and close friends. But this is not about me. This is about LeBron James and what I have learned from him. Keep in mind I am not a journalist or anything. Just a fan sharing his opinion. It was in 2003 as a 13 year old eighth grader that I started paying attention to this 18 year old phenom that was about to graduate high school and declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. Here was a guy that had already graced the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 16 and had been deemed as the second coming of Michael Jordan before he was officially an adult-Think about it for a second BEFORE HE WAS 18!- But I digress.

Everything seemed to come easy to him. Upon graduating from high school, he was given a 90-plus- million dollar contract by Nike before playing his first NBA game and he was the darling of the media. Everybody loved him and how could you not? Here was a guy that had put up a 25 point, nine assist, six rebound and four steal effort on 12-of-20 shooting in his first NBA game against the Sacramento Kings. Here was a guy that had a triple double in his first ever playoff game. And who can forget his memorable game against the Detroit Pistons where he scored 29 of his team’s last 30 points.

Then there’s the fact that he reached his first NBA Finals at the tender age of 22. Albeit he ended up getting swept by the Spurs, LeBron was universally recognized as a man that had arrived and certainly deserving of all his monikers. He was the face of the NBA. Not many had anything negative to say about him. The MVP trophies came, the scoring title came, the All-Star MVP trophies came. All that was left to do was to win that NBA trophy but 3 point shooting Orlando Magic and the veteran savvy Boston Celtics would prove to be roadblocks along the way. At this point, some people had begun to doubt his ability to win an NBA finals trophy but he still wasn’t seen as a villain.

So after 7 years of constantly trying to win an NBA trophy and constantly falling short, he was a free agent and had to make a big “decision”. Little did he know that the decision he would make would forever change his reputation and the way he would come to be viewed. Ah that word, decision- such a simple word that means -a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration- would end up taking a life of its own.

On July 8, 2010, LeBron James announced that he was taking his “talents to South Beach” in a television special called "THE DECISION" and all hell broke loose! LeBron became a villain. His Jersey was being burned in his hometown, his former owner wrote a letter that absolutely vilified him and essentially called him a quitter and as if that wasn't enough he was being ridiculed by sports pundits and former players as a coward for supposedly taking the easy way out.

All of a sudden, he found himself in a position that he had never been in before. He seemingly had more “haters” than fans. A darling of the media had become a lightning rod and the most polarizing figure ever in sports. He was the brunt of so many jokes and his home state that usually rallied around him had deserted him.

So a guy that was forced to grow up quickly as a teenager and had been thrust into the national spotlight when most people were struggling with Algebra. A guy that had to take care his family since he was 13. A guy that had literally grown up before our eyes and anointed so many things was now the most hated player in the NBA and arguably the most hated athlete in the world because he decided to do what he thought best for himself.

Ask yourself how would you feel if you were suddenly hated and couldn’t go home and feel loved anymore? It cannot be easy right? But he had to shake all that off and move to a new city because he felt he was doing the best thing he thought would bring him a trophy- the one thing many thought would cement his legacy- and labor through a season where he would be booed in virtually every arena not named the American Airlines Arena.

He would eventually get his wish and reach the NBA finals in his first year but as we all know he and his teammates came up short.

The former face of the NBA now a villain had reached the top and now had reached rock bottom. He was in really unfamiliar territory now and what he decided to to do would pave the way for his redemption and ultimately his coronation. He would introspectively look at himself and figure out what he needed to do in his personal and professional life to improve as a person and work on those things.

He would work on his post game with Hakeem Olajuwon, rediscover the joy he found in playing basketball, propose to his longtime girlfriend and move his family to Miami. So throughout the course of the 2011-2012 season he would improve his game, surround himself with his family and friends and just play the game of basketball the way only he knows how to play. With joy.

This change was rewarded with his third MVP trophy, his first Finals MVP trophy, and his first Finals trophy.

It was not easy though. Take away the New York series, LeBron James and the Heat faced adversity every step of the way. Down 2-1 against the Pacers, Bosh out for most of that series, Down 3-2 against Boston, Bosh out for most of that series as well, Down 1-0 against Oklahoma and according to ESPN, Miami were the overwhelming underdogs.

Despite all that, LeBron James and the Heat prevailed and the road to redemption for LeBron was complete on Thursday June 21st 2012. The former media darling/ridiculed villain had vindicated himself and even his “haters” were forced to WITNESS greatness and hail King James.

I write all this not only to celebrate Lebron James but to show the world that even when one seemingly has everything, hard work, perseverance, and fortitude always wins out. It took 9 long years but it all panned out for leBron James and the rest of the world can learn from this. If you have a dream, go pursue it and be willing to do the work. In addition to that, make sure you have the right foundation of good friends and family around you.

-A Long Time LeBron James Fan Tayo Rockson

Become an Effective Cross-Cultural Communicator & Connector


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Both/And vs. Either/Or

I believe in both and NOT either or

 I refuse to believe humanity is this intellectually poor.

How did we get here?

Where your fear

is translated as me not having a care

and leads to despair.

Impulse is to react, react, react.

It’s like we've signed a contract that we can’t retract to overact.

Meanwhile, we've lost sight of the many voices around us.

Voices that can’t compete because they aren’t loud enough.

Now THEY think they aren’t enough.

But even YOU must admit that being this invisible is pretty rough.

These days, it seems like we only have two options

My way or your way.

It doesn’t matter what I say, anyway.

We have created binary systems to govern the nuance.

Where is the balance?

I’m just as guilty. I’m no innocent.

But as I sit with my thoughts and inspect,

I can start to see the cause of the confusion

and the blurry vision.

The whole picture just isn’t being seen and no one is clean.

We need to examine our lenses and take down our fences.

If we address our blind spots,

we can connect the dots.

Next time you want to tell a story from your perspective,

be more inventive and think of the collective.

Next time you ask a question, let it be open ended instead of close minded.

Step back to look at the whole picture.

You'll see that we are a beautiful and complex mixture.

Examine the canvas frame by frame

It will be hard, but do it all the same.

Move past homogeneity and create spaces for more forms of identity.

We all need to apply this sensitivity.

Please don’t ignore this because that’s how we got here in the first place

where what’s limited now is grace.

Seek to affirm not and not to confirm.

Remember, people want to be heard.

They don’t want to be a part of your herd.

Life should be liberating and enriching

not selective and elusive.

Your presence should invite other forms of existence.

I believe in both and NOT either or.

Become an Effective Cross-Cultural Communicator & Connector

How To Be An Inclusive Leader In The 21st Century

At an early age, I became inquisitive about the qualities needed for a leader to lead a diverse environment in the 21st century. As a young adult, I attended international schools, worked in international organizations and interviewed people from all continents which eventually shaped my views. In this talk, I share ways this experience led me to answering my own question of what qualities it takes to be a leader in the 21st century.

Become an Effective Cross-Cultural Communicator & Connector


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About TeaAroma

Founded in 2003, TeaAroma established exclusive distributorship with Dong Suh Foods Corporation to supply Maxim brand and 'Dong Suh Korean Teas' in North America.

Realizing the importance of providing the high quality Green Tea to the US customers, TeaAroma added April's Green Tea to the portfolio in 2009. Our products have received increased attention as a vital healthy green food, and are now distributed to the grocery stores in major cities of USA.

Our mission is dedicated to providing consumers with the finest premium green tea product in convenient eco-friendly packaging.

About Dong Suh

  • In 1968, Dong Suh Corporation was found.
  • In 1970, completed a joint venture with General Foods International (KRAFT).
    Key Product:
    • Maxwell House
    • Maxim Coffee Mix
    • Post Cereal
    • Philadelphia Cheese and Tea (Green Tea & Grain Tea)
  • In 1976, developed and launched the world's first coffee mix (3 in one coffee)
  • Licensing agreement with Starbucks in Korea in 2005


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10 little-known rules for eating Japanese food

Japanese food

RocketNews 24 (by Michelle Lynn Dinh):

Japanese food, called washoku in Japan, has just been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, but you didn’t need an official declaration to know that sushi and tempura are absolutely delicious. But while enjoying Japanese food, have you ever mixed wasabi and soy sauce as a dip for your sushi? Or how about using your bowl as a chopstick rest? If so, you’ve committed an etiquette faux pas. Take a look at our list of 10 little-known rules for eating Japanese food and save yourself some embarrassment while enjoying a traditional Japanese meal.

1) Never use your hand to catch falling food

Screen Shot 2013-12-17 at 5.59.40 AM

Cupping your left hand under your food to catch any falling morsels or drippings is actually bad manners. Using tezara (手皿), literally “hand plate,” may seem polite, eliminating any errant spills or stains on the table top or your clothing, but this common eating habit should be avoided when sitting down to a Japanese meal.

2) Avoid using your teeth to bite food in half

In general, you should always try to eat things in one bite and avoid using your teeth to tear food into smaller pieces. Since it’s impolite to place half-eaten food back on a plate, cover your mouth with your hand when chewing big pieces of food.

3) Never mix wasabi into your soy sauce

Screen Shot 2013-12-17 at 6.54.35 AM

This improper eating method is seen in many restaurants all over the world, but should be avoided. Instead, place a small amount of wasabi directly on the piece of sashimi and then dip the fish into the soy sauce.

4) Don’t invert the lid of your bowl

Inverting the lid of your bowl is mistaken as a cue for being finished eating, however, the proper cue is to replace the lid on top of the bowl, just as it looked when brought to the table. This is because you could damage the lid by turning it upside down.

5) Don’t place clam shells in the bowl’s lid or on a separate plate

shijimi clams

When served clams or other shellfish, many people tend to put the empty shell in the lid of a bowl or on a separate plate once they’ve finished the meat. This is actually impolite and should be avoided; diners should instead leave the shell inside the bowl it was served in.

6) Don’t hold your chopsticks before picking up your bowl

When eating a Japanese meal, you should first pick up the bowl or vessel you will eat from and then pick up your chopsticks. When changing bowls, first put down your chopsticks, then change bowls. Only after you have picked up the second bowl should you pick up your chopsticks again.

7) Don’t hover or touch food without taking it, and always pause to eat your rice

Mayoi bashi

Not sure which food to eat first? Hovering your chopsticks back and forth over the side dishes before finally choosing is a breach of etiquette. It’s such bad manners that the practice has an official name, mayoibashi (迷い箸), literally “hesitating chopsticks.” Touching a food with your own chopsticks and then pulling them away without taking anything is called sorabashi (空箸), or “empty chopsticks,” and should also be avoided. You better pause to eat some rice between those side dishes, if you don’t you are committing utsuribashi (移り箸), literally “transition chopsticks.”

8) Never rest your chopsticks across the top of your bowl

Screen Shot 2013-12-17 at 7.34.38 AM

You’ve probably seen this done so many times it seems like the correct thing to do, but using your bowl as a chopstick rest is a breach of etiquette. If you want to put down your chopsticks, you should do so on a chopstick rest, or hashioki (箸置き). If none are available, use the wrapper the chopsticks came in to make your own. If a wrapper isn’t available, you should rest your chopsticks on the side of a tray or other similar item on the table.

9) Don’t use the opposite end of your chopsticks to take food from a communal plate

Since the backsides of the chopsticks are where your hands rest, it’s actually not a very clean area and shouldn’t be used to pick up food. Asking the waitstaff for an extra pair of chopsticks or politely saying, jika bashi de shitsurei shimasu (excuse me for using my own chopsticks), and taking food using your chopsticks is actually the proper thing to do.

10) Never raise your food above your mouth

Many people raise their food to about eye level while saying, itadakimasu before eating. However, proper etiquette states that you should never raise your food above your mouth, the highest level your chopsticks ever reach.

Many people already know this, but you should never raise chopsticks to your mouth that are dripping with soup or liquid and never stab food with your chopsticks. You should also never leave your chopsticks standing straight out of your rice or pass food between chopsticks as these are reminiscent of funeral customs and seen as a bad omen if performed anywhere else.

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Godzilla: The new ‘Resurgence’ trailer

Godzilla: Resurgence” marks a number of firsts in the kaiju franchise. The film’s a hard reboot, meaning that it depicts Godzilla’s first destructive encounter with humanity for a whole new generation. It’s also the first “Godzilla” film produced by Toho Co., Ltd. in twelve years. Now a new trailer for “Godzilla’s” big return/debut, which is titled “Godzilla: Resurgence” in the United States, has been released.

The new film comes from directing team Hideki Anno (“Evangelion”) and Shinji Higuchi (“Attack on Titan”). Anno also wrote the script, which features the largest Godzilla in movie history. Now Godzilla stands 389 feet fall, making him even taller than Hollywood’s most recent take.

Godzilla enjoyed an American reboot with 2014’s “Godzilla” directed by “Rogue One: A Star Wars’” Gareth Edwards, which grossed more than half a billion dollars worldwide. A sequel is currently in development and is scheduled to arrive June 8, 2018.

Shin Godzilla” stomps its way into Japan’s theaters on July 29, 2016. No U.S. release date has been announced.

Godzilla and fellow kaiju monsters apologise at Japanese press conference for acts of destruction

RocketNews 24 (by Oona McGee):

And every formal Japanese-style apology comes with a heartfelt bow.

The world of gachapon vending machine capsule toys just got even weirder with a new lineup of figurines from top Japanese toy producer Bandai. Called the “Godzilla Toho Monsters Press Conference”, the series depicts Godzilla, along with three other kaiju monsters from the acclaimed movie production and distribution company Toho, all appearing at fictional press conferences, complete with microphone stand and name plaque. These types of formal apologies are commonly seen on television news reports around Japan, in cases where high-profile politicians and celebrities formally atone for scandals and wrongdoings, expressing remorse to the public with deep, heartfelt bows. Only this time, it’s a group of well-known movie monsters making amends for their actions.

▼ Here, Mechagodzilla bows deeply, in formal stance with his hands by his side. At the front of the table is a scroll that reads “Hakai Koui” or “Acts of Destruction“, so the public can know exactly what he’s apologising for.

▼ Godzilla’s archenemy King Ghidorah bows all three heads in regret.

Hedorah, also known as The Smog Monster, is the only one to forgo the formal bow, replacing it instead with a long stare into the crowd with vertical red-and-yellow eyes.

Together, these figures create one of the funniest and most bizarre monster scenes we’ve ever seen. Available at gachapon capsule toy vending machines around the country from the end of June, these will be on sale for 300 yen (US$2.92) each.

Godzilla PS3/PS4 game’s release set for July

Godzilla PS3/PS4 game’s release set for July

Anime News Network:

Bandai Namco Games announced it will release the new Godzilla game on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in North America and Europe in July.

The game will get a retail release for PlayStation 4 in North America and Europe and a PlayStation 3 release via the PLAYSTATION Network.

Players will be able to control both the classic TOHO version of the monster and the 2014 American film Godzilla in the game. The game will also feature the Type 92 Maser tanks, Super X 2, Super X III, Super Mecha Godzilla, and MFS-3 — as well as Godzilla’s rivals: King Ghidorah, Biollante, Mothra, Mecha Godzilla, Jet Jaguar, Hedorah, and Destoroyah.

The “ultra-destructive Godzilla action” game commemorates the 60th anniversary of the titular monster by letting you play the monster itself against human civilization, as you clear missions by destroying buildings and weapons. The game recreates the camera angles that invoke the sense of scale, the fireworks explosions, and the latest techniques from the original tokusatsu (special effects) films.

Famitsu magazine described a backstory that takes its cues from TOHO‘s first Godzilla movies: Godzilla, who appeared in Tokyo in 1954 and was brought down by the secret weapon Oxygen Destroyer, has somehow made landfall again. As the players complete missions to destroy civilization, Godzilla will increase size and physical strength. Godzilla starts at 50 meters (164 feet) and can grow to double that size. Players gain points when Godzilla destroys the town, but the resistance from humanity becomes more difficult as the game goes on.

Godzilla for the PlayStation 3 arrived in Japan on December 18 for 7,600 yen (about US$64). The first copies of the game included an early unlock code for the Hollywood Godzilla (2014) as a bonus extra. Pre-orders included one of three randomly distributed “Heat Up Godzilla” reproductions of theater bonus figurines.

‘Godzilla’ (2014) Retold as an 8-bit Animated video game

CineFix has released a new episode of 8-Bit Cinema that retells the 2014 Godzilla reboot film in the form of an 8-bit animated video game. It was written and animated by David Dutton of Dutton Films with music by Henry Dutton.

Godzilla x Medicom Toy 1000% Bearbrick

Image of Godzilla x Medicom Toy 1000% Bearbrick

To mark the upcoming release of the new Godzilla film, the franchise has partnered with Medicom Toy to create a Bearbrick version of the iconic monster. The bearbrick features a blue body with Godzilla’s scales and plating across the front and back, while the figure’s face sports a menacing grin.

Pictured here in 1000% form, the Godzilla bearbrick is also available in 400% size. Look for the figure here.

How the 2014 ‘Godzilla’ Film Should Have Ended:

The latest animated episode of How It Should Have Ended (HISHE) features an alternate ending for the 2014 sci-fi monster film Godzilla. Character art and animation were created by Daniel Baxter with further animation by Chris Oldenburg, and background artwork by Otis Frampton.


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• Pure Ginger Lemingrass Loose leaf 200g

Pure Ginger Lemingrass Loose leaf 200g

  • Product Code: RRPTPGLT200g
  • Availability: In Stock
  • $18.50
  • $12.95

Available Options

The perfect tea to drink - anytime

This tea is one of our most popular blends. We have worked very hard to get the balance just right.

Lemongrass has powerful pain relieving properties. It helps to alleviate muscle spasms by relaxing the muscles thereby leading to the reduction of pain-related symptoms. It is thus useful for all types of pain including

abdominal pain, headaches, joint pains, muscle pains, digestive tract spasms, muscle cramps, stomachache and others.

Lemongrass has also been linked to increasing the body’s ability to repair damaged connective tissue such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons and is thus recommended for these types of injuries.

Ginger is a powerful digestive, provides great relief for motion sickness, nausea, dizziness just to name a few. When these two meet & are brewed with hot water, they give off a beautiful intense aroma, so before you take your first sip take in a deep breath.

When you are feeling a little under the weather, or sense a cold coming on, you add some honey & it almost makes syrup to soothe your throat and open your airways, sit with your head over the cup & breathe in the aroma, while sipping with both hands wrapped tightly around the cup.

Even when it gets cold it’s nice to drink, and is great when the weather is hot, to cool and then add ice. To have made your own iced ginger and lemongrass on a hot day is one of life’s simple pleasures. This truly is a lovely blend and we recommend it as a gift to buy a friend.
 Start enjoying the health beneifits from Lemongrass & Ginger tea

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Is Apple losing its cool - Part 2

Mac vs. PC ads

By Erik Christiansen

In my last post I asked the question, is Apple losing its cool factor? I also asked whether the market campaigns by Apple in the mid-2000s are equivalent to those carried out by Samsung and Microsoft.

I don’t believe Apple is losing its appeal (or cool factor) among those people who value Apple products. I include myself in this category, and those like myself generally feel the same way. Where Apple might be losing its appeal is among those who were exposed to the company’s products for a brief period and then moved onto something else.

The iPhone really had no decent competitors until 2011. Android phones were vastly inferior with regard to stability, apps, and consistency. Samsung and HTC (in particular) stepped up their game in 2011, and since then Apple’s market share in phones has dropped - losing some of its customers to Android and, to a lesser extent, Windows Phone. But where old customers are lost new ones are gained.

Both the iPhone and the iPad have seen year over year increases in sales. They just aren't growing as fast as Android, the latter being accelerated due the plethora of cheap devices available. (A little known fact is that flagship Android phones are not necessarily driving Android market share. The Samsung Galaxy Ace was - at one point - the best selling Android phone in the United States, not the Galaxy S II or III).

Should being outpaced by Android concern Apple? Well, that’s a matter of opinion. Some analysts argue that market share is more important because it gets devices into the hands of more people, therefore solidifying a platform as a standard (think Microsoft’s Windows). Yet, other analysts argue this is a short term strategy, and focusing on better more refined products makes for a stronger company in the long run. Also, the race in phones and tablets is far from over. There are five billion people in the world without internet access, particularly in Africa and Asia. Mobile phones are often their primary internet access point. The mobile computing market is a rapidly increasing pie. Apple’s market share is steady (still outselling the competition in the US), and they sell more devices every year. This is good.

Are recent offensive marketing campaigns evidence that Apple is no longer cool, or is it a sign of its competitors’ insecurity? I think it’s a little of both.

When Apple launched its Mac vs. PC ads in 2006, it was clearly the underdog. At this point, Apple was only a computer and iPod company, and it had a market share between 7 to 10%. Pretty small. Their marketing campaign was hugely successful. But as the years went on, Apple abandoned those ads. Why? Two reasons. First, it had expanded into phones and tablets, and Microsoft was no longer its chief competitor. Second, for the first time in history Apple had a majority share in a computer market, eventually overtaking Nokia and RIM. There is a sound piece of marketing advice that many companies follow. Advertise where you want to be. If one were to follow this advice, being on the offensive when outgunned by your competitor is perfectly legitimate. When you finally reach your goal of being a market leader, tone down the hostility. Why? Because, companies that dominate the market and continue very offensive marketing campaigns come across as bullies. It leaves the market wide-open for another competitor to call this behavior out. It’s for this reason Apple has shifted its branding tactics inward, highlighting the fact that it’s an American company with a focus on quality and consistency.

Microsoft highlights the partisanship among Apple and Android users in their latest TV ads.

Samsung's Galaxy SIII ads depict iPhone users waiting in line (like sheep), while Galaxy owners show off the nifty features not present in the iPhone.

There is no doubt that Samsung and Microsoft’s ads are effective in making Apple products look like something your parents want. They are very funny that way. But, I’m of the opinion that such campaigns are unwise when in a strong market position.

Samsung is not an underdog in terms of market share. One could argue it’s a market leader, at least in phones. Microsoft, while not a leader in mobile, is still by far the dominant PC operating system. Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft are all hugely successful (leading) companies. So, when Samsung makes (very funny and hilarious) ads that poke fun at the iPhone, they are saying two things. 1. “look how much better our phones are.” 2. “we are trying to hide our shortcomings.” How many times can you run ads like that? It doesn’t take long before they’re no longer effective. While consumers might not yet realize it, many tech journalists have grown tired of Samsung’s ads because they misrepresent their products. Their phones are solid, but lack the polish and refinement of its competition (and I’m not just talking about Apple). Furthermore, such ads take attention off the fact that they have inferior customer service and support.

I don’t think Apple has lost its cool, it’s just not quite as novel because more people use their products than ever before. If anything has hurt their reputation, it has been the continuous lawsuits against companies like Samsung, Motorola, HTC, and Google. And while all these companies initiate hostile legal battles globally, it’s considerably more damaging to Apple because, in many peoples’ minds, they are still  the underdog. That image is part of their heritage, and it’s baggage they have to carry.

To wrap up, I think it’s important to take a couple of things away from this discussion. First, there is always a long term and short term marketing strategy. Second, companies should project an image of where they want to be in the future rather than relying on short-lived, but forgettable, marketing campaigns.

I think Apple is polarizing. There are people who like their products, and continue to come back (despite their upfront cost) because they feel the experience is superior. This is their main customer base. Then there are people who live to hate Apple, and find comfort in using the great many alternatives out there. Both of these groups are good for Apple’s cool; all publicity is good publicity. If Apple wants to remain cool, they have to focus on innovation and market-changing products, continue push the design envelope, and provide industry leading customer support. Those are tactics for creating hundred-year companies, not getting distracted by marketing.


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ENTiTi Simplifies Creation of VR Content

February 23, 2016

6:43 pm

Each year at Mobile World Congress we get a closer look at the future of mobile technology. This year, one of the most common themes for mobile hardware is tied to virtual reality. From headsets powered by smartphones to advanced units like the HTC Vive and Oculus, the way we interact with content is about to change. Unfortunately one of the largest issues with this new technology is a lack of content; however, WakingApp is planning to change that with the launch of their new code-free virtual reality and augmented reality creation platform, ENTiTI.

Officially launching this week at Mobile World Congress, Tel Aviv, Israel based ENTiTi is being publicly released, making it easier for companies and content producers to create interactive VR and AR content without development skills. Their free platform currently works for both PC and Mac, and smartphone powered headsets. In a recent blog post the company also stated they will soon support Oculus and Vive.

With its public release, WakingApp is unveiling several new features and updates to their platform. In place of coding, the company’s patent pending logic system uses simple drag and drop motion rails and adjustable settings, which can result in content from a game to an interactive presentation. They have also expanded on their training resources, UX, and template library to make getting started easier.

“Our groundbreaking VR/AR creator allows professionals, from advertisers and architects to developers and designers, to create their own content and connect with their target audiences in new ways,” said WakingApp CEO Udi Shani. “Our goal is to connect to millions of potential content creators out there, so that billions of potential viewers have something to watch. Without an easy content creation tool, the virtual reality industry will grow slowly.”

Last November, WakingApp secured a new round of funding, successfully closing a Series C of $4.3 million. With the injection of new capital, the company will expand the platform and integration with third-party hardware such as controllers, sensors, and other headsets.

“We expect VR in 2016 to set the stage for mass adoption over the next several years,” said Piper Jaffray Assistant VP and Research Analyst Douglas Clinton. “One of the most important elements will be a broad array of compelling, high-quality content that excites the average consumer about what’s possible.”

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Elliot is an award winning journalist deeply ingrained in the startup world and is often digging into emerging technology and data. When not writing, he's likely either running or training for a triathlon. You can contact him by email at elliot(@) or follow him on Twitter @thejournalizer.


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Write For Us

After Facebook scrutiny, is Google next?

Facebook has taken the lion’s share of scrutiny from Congress and the media about data-handling practices that allow savvy marketers and political agents to target specific audiences, but it’s far from alone. YouTube, Google and Twitter also have giant platforms awash in more videos, posts and pages than any set of human eyes could ever check. Their methods of serving ads against this sea of content may come under the microscope next.

Advertising and privacy experts say a backlash is inevitable against a “Wild West” internet that has escaped scrutiny before. There continues to be a steady barrage of new examples where unsuspecting advertisers had their brands associated with extremist content on major platforms.

In the latest discovery, CNN reported that it found more than 300 retail brands, government agencies and technology companies had their ads run on YouTube channels that promoted white nationalists, Nazis, conspiracy theories and North Korean propaganda.

Child advocates have also raised alarms about the ease with which smartphone-equipped children are exposed to inappropriate videos and deceptive advertising.

“I absolutely think that Google is next and long overdue,” said Josh Golin, director of the Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Google-owned YouTube’s advertising and data collection practices earlier this month.

YouTube has repeatedly outlined the ways it attempts to flag and delete hateful, violent, sexually explicit or harmful videos, but its screening efforts have often missed the mark.

It also allows advertisers avoid running ads on sensitive content — like news or politics — that don’t violate YouTube guidelines but don’t fit with a company’s brand. Those methods appear to have failed.

“YouTube has once again failed to correctly filter channels out of our marketing buys,” said a statement Friday from 20th Century Fox Film, which learned that its ads were running on videos posted by a self-described Nazi. YouTube has since deleted the offending channel, but the Hollywood firm says it has unanswered questions about how it happened in the first place.

“All of our filters were in place in order to ensure that this did not happen,” Fox said, adding it has asked for a refund of any money shared with the “abhorrent channel.”

YouTube said Friday that it has made “significant changes to how we approach monetization” with “stricter policies, better controls and greater transparency” and said it allows advertisers to exclude certain channels from ads. It also removes ads when it’s notified of problems running beside content that doesn’t comply with its policies. “We are committed to working with our advertisers and getting this right.”

So far, just one major advertiser — Baltimore-based retailer Under Armour — had said it had withdrawn its advertising in the wake of the CNN report, though the lull lasted only a few days last week when it was first notified of the problem. After its shoe commercial turned up on a channel known for espousing white nationalist beliefs, Under Armour worked with YouTube to expand its filters to exclude certain topics and keywords.

On the other hand, Procter & Gamble, which had kept its ads off of YouTube since March 2017, said it had come back to the platform but drastically pared back the channels it would advertise on to under 10,000. It has worked on its own, with third parties, and with YouTube to create its restrictive list.

That’s just a fraction of the some 3 million YouTube channels in the U.S. that accept ads, and is even more stringent than YouTube’s “Google Preferred” lineup that focuses on the top most popular 5 percent of videos.

The CNN report was “an illustration of exactly why we needed to go above and beyond just what YouTube’s plans were and why we needed to take more control of where our ads were showing up,” said P&G spokeswoman Tressie Rose.

The big problem, experts say, is that advertisers lured by the reach and targeting capability of online platforms can mistakenly expect the same standards for decency on network TV will apply online. In the same way, broadcast TV rules that require transparency about political ad buyers are absent on the web.

“There have always been regulations regarding appropriate conduct in content,” says Robert Passikoff, president of Brand Keys Inc., a New York customer research firm. Regulating content on the internet is one area “that has gotten away from everyone.”

Also absent from the internet are many of the rules that govern children’s programming on television sets. TV networks, for instance, are allowed to air commercial breaks but cannot use kids’ characters to advertise products. Such “host-selling” runs rampant on internet services such as YouTube.

Action to remove ads from inappropriate content is mostly reactive because of lack of upfront control of what gets uploaded, and it generally takes the mass threat of boycott to get advertisers to demand changes, according to BrandSimple consultant Allen Adamson. “The social media backlash is what you’re worried about,” he said.

At the same time, politicians are having trouble keeping up with the changing landscape, evident by how ill-informed many senators and congresspeople appeared during questioning of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg earlier this month.

“We’re in the early stages of trying to figure out what kind of regulation makes sense here,” said Larry Chiagouris, professor of marketing at Pace University in New York. “It’s going to take quite some time to sort that out.”

O’Brien reported from Brookline, Massachusetts.

Note: If you think this story need more information or correction, feel free to comment below your opinion and reaction.
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20 Meter VGA Cable High Quality

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    • E-15 is also conventionally called RGB connector, D-sub 15, mini sub D15, mini D15, DB-15, HDB-15, HD-15 or HD15 (High Density, to distinguish it from the older and less flexible DE-9 connector used on some older VGA cards, which has the same shell size but only two rows of pins).
    • VGA connectors and cables carry analog component RGBHV (red, green, blue, horizontal sync, vertical sync) video signals, and VESA Display Data Channel (VESA DDC) data. In the original version of DE-15 pinout, one pin was keyed by plugging the female connector hole this prevented non-VGA 15 pin cables from being plugged into a VGA socket.
    • Four pins carried Monitor ID bits which were rarely used; VESA DDC redefined some of these pins and replaced the key pin with +5 V DC power supply.
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Moonbug nabs $145M to buy up kids’ digital media brands

Moonbug, a kid-focused media business founded by a pair of entertainment executives, has brought in a $145 million Series A investment led by The Raine Group, a merchant bank that supports technology, media and telecom efforts.

Venture capital firms Felix Capital and Fertitta Capital also participated in the financing.

Moonbug, headquartered in London, acquires and distributes media content made for kids. Recently, the company completed its first IP acquisition of Little Baby Bum, a children’s sing-along show popular on YouTube, Amazon and Netflix. According to a Los Angeles Times report, one of the show’s videos is the 20th most popular video in YouTube history, boasting 2.1 billion views. In total, Moonbug says Little Baby Bum has clocked in 23 billion views across multiple platforms.

With its Series A investment, Moonbug will amp up its M&A activity to expand its portfolio of content that “helps children build essential life skills.” Moonbug chief executive officer René Rechtman, who spent the last three years as the head of digital studios at The Walt Disney Co., says they plan to acquire eight media businesses.

Rechtman and John Robson, a former senior vice president of digital distribution at Paramount Pictures and vice president of global content at HTC, launched Moonbug earlier this year.

“I see an independent creator and I put them in very simple brackets: one is high viewership and engagement and one is quality of IP,” Rechtman told TechCrunch. “If they have both of those, I am very interested.”


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Fender Squier II Stratocaster MIK ca.1989 Electric Guitar – Used

For sale is a 1989 Korean-made Fender Squier II Strat. It is in good used condition and is in “Dakota Red” finish. Comes with a gig bag.

All prices are plus 7% sales tax.
We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

Ted’s Pawn Shop
2026 Delaware Ave.
Norwood, OH 45212
(513) 631-2112

Do you have a question about this product?

Contact Teds Pawn by filling in the form below. We will be more than happy to reply to any of your questions!