News for today's 2018

Another Teamster organizing victory in Washington!

12:34 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8l930CpSGL2AKGok6-GogY_cKooswz-jhmFSmGBnJLamxEZ_S_dddNnYjmrEXdOzt34CHyR6QbmhzLgh4NtNdHjdnvkq51ilJqfNST9YhMuSJwnl93njREjs1zQeHyyyXqByV_IFzKj6/s1600/victory.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8l930CpSGL2AKGok6-GogY_cKooswz-jhmFSmGBnJLamxEZ_S_dddNnYjmrEXdOzt34CHyR6QbmhzLgh4NtNdHjdnvkq51ilJqfNST9YhMuSJwnl93njREjs1zQeHyyyXqByV_IFzKj6/s200/victory.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div>Welcome to our 64 new brothers and sisters who work at an IKEA distribution facility in Frederickson, Wash.! They <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/warehouse-workers-ikea-vote-join-teamsters">voted by a 2-to-1 margin to join Teamsters Local 117</a>.<br /><br />The warehouse workers voted on September 18, seeking fair treatment, respect, job security and strong representation. <br /><br />Mario Sapilak, a four-year IKEA employee, says he is thrilled to be a Teamster:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">We are excited to have the strength of the Teamsters behind us. We need to have a voice at work and to have management listen to our concerns, and the Teamsters will help us achieve that.</blockquote>During their organizing drive, the workers got international support too. <a href="http://www.uniglobalunion.org/Apps/uni.nsf/pages/homepageEn" rel="nofollow">UNI-Global Union</a> and other unions in Sweden that represent IKEA workers sent letters of support to Local 177.<br /><br />Tracey A. Thompson, secretary-treasurer of Local 117, said global solidarity and Teamster support paid off:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">We are grateful for the strong support of our labor partners abroad as well as the support of our own international union – the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We are happy to welcome the IKEA warehouse workers to the Teamsters. We look forward to working with them to improve their working conditions and to help them achieve a strong contract.</blockquote>This is a big win considering that IKEA is not exactly the most union-friendly employer. In 2011 the furniture giant <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2011/04/welcome-to-3rd-world-danville-va.html">moved its factory in Eastern Europe to Danville, Va</a>., to cut labor costs and take advantage of Virginia's "right to work" for less law against unions. And our brothers and sisters in British Columbia are <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/07/ikea-locks-out-teamsters-for-8-weeks.html">still locked out by IKEA</a> after rejecting a concessionary contract.<br /><br />Unionized IKEA <a href="http://www.uniglobalunion.org/Apps/uni.nsf/pages/homepageEn?Opendocument&exURL=http://www.uniglobalunion.org/Apps/UNINews.nsf/vwLkpByIdHome/B1970B05D330CBB9C1257BEB005548F1?OpenDocument" rel="nofollow">workers in Germany are also struggling</a> with the company.<br /><br />IKEA's bad labor relations are <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/10/business/la-fi-ikea-union-20110410" rel="nofollow">well known</a>. Fortunately for our new brothers and sisters in Washington, they now have the protection of a strong union and a great local that fights hard for its members.<br /><br />Welcome to the Teamsters!

Welcome to our 64 new brothers and sisters who work at an IKEA distribution facility in Frederickson, Wash.! They voted by a 2-to-1 margin t...

Puttin' Out For Allah

12:32 PM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><br />Those lucky Mujadeen.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2304128/Tunisian-girls-head-Syria-offer-Islamic-fighters-sexual-jihad.html"><b>Tunisian girls 'head to Syria to offer themselves to Islamic fighters as part of sexual jihad'</b></a><br /><br /><blockquote>Reports spread on internet calling for girls to offer themselves to fighters<br />Tunisian media said 13 girls traveled to rebel-held Northern Syria <br /><br />At least 13 Tunisian girls reportedly traveled to rebel-held Northern Syria to offer themselves as sex workers to opposition fighters.<br /><br />The report comes as concerns in Tunisia grow about religious orders or 'fatwas' that have circulated the internet calling on women to perform jihad through sex.<br /><br />Last week, a Tunisian minister of religious affairs appealed to girls not to be influenced by Islamic preachers outside of Tunisia who, it has been reported, made a number of 'sexual fatwas'. </blockquote><br />Here is an example of the sensuous delights they can look forward to in a rare exotic setting otherwise known as a bathtub to the rest of us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddD0-FO5MhvBo2kiVA4Gdir5VO5gKifeA75q0lEY-gbWDG_2dcB4Sv9QRHab0F3lcmjU5oFm0jSiurrZxccEq7GF3MMyq4CdZvpOYch1ysrsa5-ackPpK3prcVjFy9U1U7dGiHc_OhV3q/s1600/4eqo5Nd.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddD0-FO5MhvBo2kiVA4Gdir5VO5gKifeA75q0lEY-gbWDG_2dcB4Sv9QRHab0F3lcmjU5oFm0jSiurrZxccEq7GF3MMyq4CdZvpOYch1ysrsa5-ackPpK3prcVjFy9U1U7dGiHc_OhV3q/s640/4eqo5Nd.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Yeesh.<br />I'd rather fight.

Puttin' Out For Allah

Those lucky Mujadeen. Tunisian girls 'head to Syria to offer themselves to Islamic fighters as part of sexual jihad' Reports spread ...

Bohemian Gravity: A physics thesis that will get read because of an awesome video

12:03 PM Tukiyooo 0

Bohemian Gravity: A physics thesis that will get read because of an awesome video

The strange world in which we live is that a masters student will likely get his thesis read because it is attached to a really incredibly g...

Nice But I Don' Wanna Visit

11:55 AM Tukiyooo 0

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OY_2Xgxhmgftfh4dT5lXF5hI5qfiU6gi1sbSPcGTbon9pquH4EJLlQkwlCAsXoP3O60hmE6o84uN00Vb1D-yBMlPnqMIcPeINqrHjQEkSwKuV98uU8hyXZbrdT6X7qJnJG7VItsgASrv/s1600/Jailhouse-Hottie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OY_2Xgxhmgftfh4dT5lXF5hI5qfiU6gi1sbSPcGTbon9pquH4EJLlQkwlCAsXoP3O60hmE6o84uN00Vb1D-yBMlPnqMIcPeINqrHjQEkSwKuV98uU8hyXZbrdT6X7qJnJG7VItsgASrv/s640/Jailhouse-Hottie.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />Yeah.<br /><br />I deleted the last post. After sleeping on it I figure it probably wasn't such a good idea to leave that up.<br /><br />A little venting is all. Yeah, that's the ticket, venting, yeah.<br /><br />Nothing to see there anyway.<br /><br />I know that nothing ever truly disappears forever on the internet but making someone search is preferable to leaving it in plain sight.<br /><br />I'm innocent man.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KJv1M4wLa6_F3mY1Trxw7ZK3rX_LbFnJX7CRe-pR9x23bdAfkU-Z-xkkYvO8v_9YHRxHxIMc_CXIyTWfvnf4zxySYp8BSqY7BD9gZmmLI8qP2F1-zuhD_lZ1YiIBvFBaegTQ9TbSRxyh/s1600/http:__www.hdwallpapers.in_walls_cute_baby_innocent_eyes-normal.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KJv1M4wLa6_F3mY1Trxw7ZK3rX_LbFnJX7CRe-pR9x23bdAfkU-Z-xkkYvO8v_9YHRxHxIMc_CXIyTWfvnf4zxySYp8BSqY7BD9gZmmLI8qP2F1-zuhD_lZ1YiIBvFBaegTQ9TbSRxyh/s640/http:__www.hdwallpapers.in_walls_cute_baby_innocent_eyes-normal.jpg" /></a>

Nice But I Don' Wanna Visit

Yeah. I deleted the last post. After sleeping on it I figure it probably wasn't such a good idea to leave that up. A little venting is ...

Mandisa Leads Idol Albums, Carrie Back in Top 100

7:52 AM Tukiyooo 0

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttdmP8KbyZL0BXSPwb6cPsyM-8pZfbZjiJAJXgtZM1Y-WZKX4YXo9Kae4sktF4NmZY2NO9G7E9mv1n69ggU0ixxLpo4cWZmj93g4vl6Uw8jlV1fgU_8Dnz50LLGLeZimTx6K1FgGtAc6X/s1600/bb200-20130920.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttdmP8KbyZL0BXSPwb6cPsyM-8pZfbZjiJAJXgtZM1Y-WZKX4YXo9Kae4sktF4NmZY2NO9G7E9mv1n69ggU0ixxLpo4cWZmj93g4vl6Uw8jlV1fgU_8Dnz50LLGLeZimTx6K1FgGtAc6X/s400/bb200-20130920.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green = Mandisa, maroon = Phillip, lt blue = Carrie, dk green = Kelly, orange = Fantasia</td></tr></tbody></table>The latest <a href="http://www.mjsbigblog.com/billboard-chart-date-092813.htm" target="_blank">BillBoard 200 album chart</a> now has only four American Idol alumni albums in the chart as Fantasia's "Side Effects of You" drops off the chart after remaining on the chart for 20 weeks since its April release, selling over 250K units. Leading the group for the third straight week is Mandisa's "Overcomer" album at #60, with Phillip Phillip's "World From the Side of the Moon" not too far behind at #74. Carrie Underwood sees her "Blown Away" album pop back into the top 100 at #93, but Kelly Clarkson sees her "Greatest Hits" compilation drop out of the top 100 to land at #119.<br /><br />It is now less than 20 days until Candice Glover's "Music Speaks" is set to be released, but does anybody even know that? I did find a somewhat <a href="http://www.candiceglover-official.com/" target="_blank">official looking website</a> for her, but all it has are pre-ordering links for her album. and links for her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CandiceGloverMusic" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/candiceglover" target="_blank">Twitter</a> pages. It does not even mention a release date for the album, which scares me to wonder if it will be moved yet again. The <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/music-speaks/id648566040" target="_blank">iTunes</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Music-Speaks-Candice-Glover/dp/B00CTX6EUG/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> links do not have a track listing, but at least they do still both say October 8. There is a whole lot more information on Scotty McCreery's new "See You Tonight" album (released a week later) on his site. Amazon has <a href="http://www.amazon.com/See-Tonight-Deluxe-Scotty-McCreery/dp/B00EUUJICM" target="_blank">his track listing</a>, but <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/see-you-tonight/id703759628" target="_blank">iTunes</a> does not. Plus his title track single is still getting some radio play and he is still <a href="http://www.scottymccreery.com/tour" target="_blank">playing shows</a> on the weekends. Of course, Scotty now has two albums worth of material he can perform live so he can play a pretty full set. His album releases October 15 and should hopefully have some pretty good sales numbers. We need these two American Idol releases in October to keep my album chart filled with pretty colored lines as Phillip and Kelly's album approach their one year birthday (and Carries continues well past it)! I am pretty sure Scotty will do it, but I am worried for Candice.<br /><br /><br />

Mandisa Leads Idol Albums, Carrie Back in Top 100

green = Mandisa, maroon = Phillip, lt blue = Carrie, dk green = Kelly, orange = Fantasia The latest BillBoard 200 album chart now has only ...

5 Reasons that will slow your Metabolism

7:33 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Metabolism is the processes in the body that convert food and drink into energy. Lots of reasons that will slow your Metabolism, we chosen 5 of them:  </span></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="5 Reasons that will slow your Metabolism" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBRjNGVs0jSV3qRg6hYILF0ZSpU89fFt6w__Dc5IwKuJ4oM9vnHYzSmOt_UDisUyUAtzefmcUrrk6y_YpMHOK83XhIPA4l5353kazqxkIx6ZCt0neJTw3nGV4ghiaP81zGc6ZzIVr6tU/s640/5+Reasons+that+will+slow+your+Metabolism.jpg" title="5 Reasons that will slow your Metabolism" /></div> </br><center><script type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></center></br>  <br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Salmon:</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The oil in salmon help your body process foods more effectively. The omega3 in wild salmon help improve insulin sensitivity, which shrinks fat from your waistline. Wild salmon also activates the thyroid hormone for a faster metabolism.</span></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Coffee:</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you drink coffee quarter of an hour before a workout, enabling you to train more intensely. Coffee stimulates adrenaline, which sends a order to your fat stores to burn fat. Advice; make it caffeinated and black.</span></div><br /> <br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Brazil Nuts:</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brazil Nuts containing high amounts of selenium (the enzyme most important) who plays a special role in controlling the effects of a thyroid hormone that helps us manage our fat metabolism.</span></div><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Do not starve yourself:</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you eat too little, your body will break down valuable muscle tissue for energy. If you want to increase your metabolism and continue lose weight, eat enough so do not starve yourself. You must eat six smaller meals throughout the day.</span></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Shortage of exercise:</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When your muscles are working, your metabolism speeds up.. When you don’t exercise, fat can build up in your body and slow your metabolism. Regular exercise can boost your metabolism over the long term.</span></div><br /> <br /></div>  </br><center><script type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></center></br>

Metabolism 5 Reasons that will slow your Metabolism

Metabolism is the processes in the body that convert food and drink into energy. Lots of reasons that will slow your Metabolism, we chosen 5...

Wreath no. 3

6:20 AM Tukiyooo 0

<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the third wreath I made to mark Autumn.  It's for my older sister - she loved the one I had made for my mother.  </span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbHo2oTS97oFLWJckfmCeJqRh46kGGtsrDyE-x3GxwkO6XzvztSk1ec39O7U3Qj6iSbxaXZfJUOJ7-9ce3n3ZQQWx7rvbcdvWrdDkzyvv6qNLXlDg6fXMNZv4HpVTZKzYWJCdm34O_EmG/s640/blogger-image--1458765303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbHo2oTS97oFLWJckfmCeJqRh46kGGtsrDyE-x3GxwkO6XzvztSk1ec39O7U3Qj6iSbxaXZfJUOJ7-9ce3n3ZQQWx7rvbcdvWrdDkzyvv6qNLXlDg6fXMNZv4HpVTZKzYWJCdm34O_EmG/s640/blogger-image--1458765303.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here it is hanging in her front door </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrFi9HoklkMkhtBVsM2S6JktxsdkwVWylxBTlZYqW-EeB5dUdAM8hNxNBqzvVUINRB4-mRoUC4PgxXcBO_kMyV9zVfWaYEhGPLUpcT93Gq-8DMWiBV9zAZZ8CbQN4eZppVbUw-TPFGlSU/s640/blogger-image--200288544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrFi9HoklkMkhtBVsM2S6JktxsdkwVWylxBTlZYqW-EeB5dUdAM8hNxNBqzvVUINRB4-mRoUC4PgxXcBO_kMyV9zVfWaYEhGPLUpcT93Gq-8DMWiBV9zAZZ8CbQN4eZppVbUw-TPFGlSU/s640/blogger-image--200288544.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzhnY54A0E6zgaU4qILwdqpVfVPxQY66cV8ppBfVYWLMCsvngbL1ogCsAOxuulU5Q0amZjUvwlB_PiHg2lnGYkMsRm6anRQB_n-G3i4YdUA6ZiUy0p-6z5hBwtnBEYEj3f9D1mimDVVkP/s640/blogger-image--418549923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzhnY54A0E6zgaU4qILwdqpVfVPxQY66cV8ppBfVYWLMCsvngbL1ogCsAOxuulU5Q0amZjUvwlB_PiHg2lnGYkMsRm6anRQB_n-G3i4YdUA6ZiUy0p-6z5hBwtnBEYEj3f9D1mimDVVkP/s640/blogger-image--418549923.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>

Wreath no. 3

Here's the third wreath I made to mark Autumn. It's for my older sister - she loved the one I had made for my mother. Here it is ...

Post Bikram Breakfast

5:55 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">After 6.30am Bikram (eek!) this morning we went to M&S for breakfast.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Half price breakfast - what a bargain!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOrO8xtw-fJ9OXhw89xKr2J8He3cD8bedUK4lcqznZMzFUKcAL-IzHtStlFOMTj2Orr4uPK8rgCqpYyOrTgv_vserVY7oLqkVUVv3vOp7beLc9tCUxU_0A_fKCmBJCM2DFrxQPWD9c5Uc/s640/blogger-image--154813794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOrO8xtw-fJ9OXhw89xKr2J8He3cD8bedUK4lcqznZMzFUKcAL-IzHtStlFOMTj2Orr4uPK8rgCqpYyOrTgv_vserVY7oLqkVUVv3vOp7beLc9tCUxU_0A_fKCmBJCM2DFrxQPWD9c5Uc/s640/blogger-image--154813794.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marks & Spencer's Restaurant in Grafton Street is bright and airy.  I took a picture of this side of the restaurant because there was no one in it - it was full on the other side!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6SEe2O0t9a6o_Pua8wkCwKa7QQJdlvmhzTsl7qCP_Pt_hI4f8Pne8ISIrqwHFXjnFHUR1h5kkQt5X6uOUIp3cmJq-xDOcDtaooj3NCpVNEmUmgR-mQz31ADwwUNnqd6JCrWev64qdFrf/s640/blogger-image-124904062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6SEe2O0t9a6o_Pua8wkCwKa7QQJdlvmhzTsl7qCP_Pt_hI4f8Pne8ISIrqwHFXjnFHUR1h5kkQt5X6uOUIp3cmJq-xDOcDtaooj3NCpVNEmUmgR-mQz31ADwwUNnqd6JCrWev64qdFrf/s640/blogger-image-124904062.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs in a bagel</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu9ozqNsBQw8C8crjurxeVxN1RqUQ1kPmsrjsqbN2TeQiWv_K7oCasgJc0rxNNSVPTLXlY67lGAevXSW4XqKu5XNz6YU0uiaPtW4uEescELlD9BOkOttLIAvIczR3seo3PSc78-oY-wpO/s640/blogger-image-1527197702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu9ozqNsBQw8C8crjurxeVxN1RqUQ1kPmsrjsqbN2TeQiWv_K7oCasgJc0rxNNSVPTLXlY67lGAevXSW4XqKu5XNz6YU0uiaPtW4uEescELlD9BOkOttLIAvIczR3seo3PSc78-oY-wpO/s640/blogger-image-1527197702.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pancakes with creme fraiche and berry compote</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXsSBZIGR28DgMuKfwi-sJMRC2-8coIMw6BHxT7HO3kNOeiSG8q0otPgM0mll_U09Eebn3VBtEYCFgZqgTLxBbH_TQqVOrxa3WYVxWCu_m0puKRB0IxU9EK87xqu3zCXWXKVH9DiyFDmY/s640/blogger-image-849767706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXsSBZIGR28DgMuKfwi-sJMRC2-8coIMw6BHxT7HO3kNOeiSG8q0otPgM0mll_U09Eebn3VBtEYCFgZqgTLxBbH_TQqVOrxa3WYVxWCu_m0puKRB0IxU9EK87xqu3zCXWXKVH9DiyFDmY/s640/blogger-image-849767706.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sourdough toast </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwsyX2qhAxK_PYbpft1bufdiKNyMD_SJ7qFvuWJEaj1FW7wGHdMJKH1gic04Povouqq_h415j5uiEsM5DHvI9os18bqT4Ds5NB65gQxWqCLARNi2EZISmjTeRk4owjIUIaW7IbSjWncYg/s640/blogger-image--285178678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwsyX2qhAxK_PYbpft1bufdiKNyMD_SJ7qFvuWJEaj1FW7wGHdMJKH1gic04Povouqq_h415j5uiEsM5DHvI9os18bqT4Ds5NB65gQxWqCLARNi2EZISmjTeRk4owjIUIaW7IbSjWncYg/s640/blogger-image--285178678.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eggs Benedict </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiSIoIicUnQ80RG5rTgbKh79_EHrStXy-3S-qz2p0OfAzEGOEEqVcdCm3PUtdapBlfMcc3cus2XWGG2Q4kTcbJSzTIPq4758uC-2kjlXoE6Zhwj_RwknrjKbSABlsHAx7Ux-qvS6KIBV8/s640/blogger-image-250120750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiSIoIicUnQ80RG5rTgbKh79_EHrStXy-3S-qz2p0OfAzEGOEEqVcdCm3PUtdapBlfMcc3cus2XWGG2Q4kTcbJSzTIPq4758uC-2kjlXoE6Zhwj_RwknrjKbSABlsHAx7Ux-qvS6KIBV8/s640/blogger-image-250120750.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtNUnHMMcAFQkNx2sziPOdgoQSibtICeRnln9y-PcyCleFM4wOkk7Ia2cDrCssSP3IjvCvfs4TMGVfxStuQEaBeBPa_qb1G3VAkkZ0bvuEgscqvQQoz0u6Orf4d0_g9y9qffsXQNOpupR/s640/blogger-image-1850908342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtNUnHMMcAFQkNx2sziPOdgoQSibtICeRnln9y-PcyCleFM4wOkk7Ia2cDrCssSP3IjvCvfs4TMGVfxStuQEaBeBPa_qb1G3VAkkZ0bvuEgscqvQQoz0u6Orf4d0_g9y9qffsXQNOpupR/s640/blogger-image-1850908342.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Such value!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0xgGc_tfdJuC1w7IYmIbjDw2xOmpVq8jleUCHC4nAN7H_av3pceMIg7X3_T43cDh0qIOpTJMXAYafroMRzL19oE9SlX0KsDOTKZbHBS6l5MU6JfzBPMhjoj-0dR6lkdUALdIWw1dkmXX/s640/blogger-image-1553022529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0xgGc_tfdJuC1w7IYmIbjDw2xOmpVq8jleUCHC4nAN7H_av3pceMIg7X3_T43cDh0qIOpTJMXAYafroMRzL19oE9SlX0KsDOTKZbHBS6l5MU6JfzBPMhjoj-0dR6lkdUALdIWw1dkmXX/s640/blogger-image-1553022529.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Post Bikram Breakfast

After 6.30am Bikram (eek!) this morning we went to M&S for breakfast. Half price breakfast - what a bargain! Marks & Spencer's R...

Today's Teamster News 09.20.13

4:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/strike-lockout-possibilities-darigold-workers/nZ2Df/" rel="nofollow">Strike, lockout possibilities for Darigold workers</a>  KIRO TV   ...Workers at Darigold, who have worked without a contract since June 1, staged an informational picket line a couple of weeks ago with signs that read "just practicing." Now the members of Teamster Local 117 believe their company has set the stage for a lockout or strike...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/union-membership-middle-class-income_n_3948543.html?utm_hp_ref=business" rel="nofollow">Middle-Class Decline Mirrors The Fall Of Unions In One Chart</a>  Huffington Post   ...This week the Census Bureau reported the <a href="http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p60-245.pdf" rel="nofollow">latest depressing decline</a> in middle-class incomes during the so-called economic recovery. But it may have missed an important factor in this story. As union membership declines, middle-class incomes shrink...<br /><a href="http://www.correntewire.com/income_poverty_and_healthcare_2012_the_patient_did_not_get_worse_but_remains_seriously_ill" rel="nofollow">Income, Poverty, and Healthcare 2012: The Patient Did Not Get Worse But Remains Seriously Ill </a> Corrente   ...A comparison of real household income over the past five years showed an 8.3 percent decline since 2007, the year before the nation entered an economic recession, and a 9.0 percent decrease from the 1999 peak of $56,080...<br /><a href="http://oilprice.com/Energy/Gas-Prices/The-Era-of-Cheap-Gasoline-is-Over.html" rel="nofollow">The Era of Cheap Gasoline is Over </a> OilPrice   ...The last time the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the United States was below $3.00, however, was the day before Christmas Eve 2010. AAA said that, on average, prices may never be that low again...<br /><a href="http://citizen.typepad.com/eyesontrade/2013/09/as-presidents-export-council-meets-no-chance-to-meet-obamas-export-doubling-goal-exports-fall-under-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eyesontrade+%28Eyes+on+Trade%29" rel="nofollow">As President’s Export Council Meets, No Chance to Meet Obama’s Export Doubling Goal; Exports Fall Under Free Trade Agreements</a>  Public Citizen   ...recent government data show it will be virtually impossible to meet Obama’s stated goal of doubling exports by the end of 2014. The same data shows that in 16 out of 16 months since the Korea “free trade” agreement (FTA) took effect last year, U.S. goods exports to Korea have fallen below the average export level in the year before the deal...<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/world/europe/pope-bluntly-faults-churchs-focus-on-gays-and-abortion.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">Pope Says Church Is ‘Obsessed’ With Gays, Abortion and Birth Control</a>  New York Times   ...Six months into his papacy, Pope Francis sent shock waves through the Roman Catholic church on Thursday with the publication of his remarks that the church had grown “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception, and that he had chosen not to talk about those issues despite recriminations from critics...<br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-ct-onlocation-film-czar20130918,0,4158515.story" rel="nofollow">Search for L.A. film czar drags on at City Hall</a>  Los Angeles Times   ....L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is still searching for a film czar to serve as an industry advocate in City Hall and to help stop runaway production...<br /><a href="http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2013/09/aar-rail-traffic-increased-in-august.html" rel="nofollow">AAR: Rail Traffic increased in August</a>  Calculated Risk   ...The Association of American Railroads (AAR) ... reported increased total U.S. rail traffic for the month of August 2013, with intermodal setting a new record and carload volume increasing overall compared with August 2012...<br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/19/meely-navy-yard-shooting-understaffed/2837045/" rel="nofollow">Union rep: Cutbacks cost lives in Navy Yard shooting</a>  USA TODAY   ...A top union official for Washington Navy Yard police says he believes fewer lives would have been lost had the department not been understaffed during the attack that left the shooter and 12 of his victims dead...<br /><a href="http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2013/09/tensions_between_bart_and_unio.php" rel="nofollow">Tensions Between BART and Unions Escalate, Transit Strike Looming</a>  SF Weekly   ...After another full day of negotiations Wednesday, it's fair to say things between BART and its unions are getting worse, not better...<br /><a href="http://peoplesworld.org/labor-to-play-heavily-in-state-elections-next-year/" rel="nofollow">Labor to “play heavily” in state elections next year</a>  People’s World   ...Organized labor, with its community allies, will "play heavily" in state gubernatorial and legislative races next year, its top two political operatives say...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/19/watch-the-growth-of-u-s-income-inequality-with-this-animated-map/" rel="nofollow">Watch the growth of U.S. income inequality with this animated map</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Washington Post   ...Here's <a href="http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2013/09/state-inequality-visualizations.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue;">a fascinating visualization</span></a> of how inequality in the United States has evolved over the years...<br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/business/news/2013/09/19/postmaster-says-usps-may-need-emergency-rate-hike/e8272wQV5SRxZ0N3eVHQgP/story.html" rel="nofollow">Postmaster says USPS may need emergency rate hike</a>   Associated Press   ...The Postal Service may need an emergency rate increase to stay afloat, according to Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe who says the agency’s cash balance next month likely will cover only five days of its average daily expenses...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-kucinich/monsanto-protection-act_b_3921968.html?utm_hp_ref=business&ir=Business" rel="nofollow">The Monsanto Protection Act Is Back!</a>   Huffington Post   ...The agrichemical companies may have the best lobbyists in town. Last May, the agrichemical giants -- Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta, Bayer, DuPont, BASF -- pulled off a stunning maneuver to protect their massive profits. These companies could have legal protection to continue selling their products even if the courts pulled the products from the market...<br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-jpmorgan-case-rare-admission-bank-broke-law-20130919,0,735274.story" rel="nofollow">In JPMorgan case, a rare admission: bank broke the law</a>  Los Angeles Times   ...The $920-million settlement <a href="http://www.latimes.com/topic/economy-business-finance/financial-business-services/jpmorgan-chase-%26-co.-ORCRP010217.topic" rel="nofollow">JPMorgan Chase</a> and Co. struck with regulators in the "London Whale" fiasco contains something rare: an admission the bank broke the law...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/more-amazon-warehouse-workers-sue_n_3950295.html?1379590888" rel="nofollow">More Amazon Warehouse Workers Sue Retailer Over Unpaid Security Waits</a>  Huffington Post   ...A growing number of Amazon.com warehouse workers are suing the online retail giant and its contractors for requiring them to undergo time-consuming and unpaid security screenings in order to do their jobs...<br /><a href="http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2013/09/19/misplaced-idea-to-private-the-tennessee-valley-authority-brings-unions-gop-together/" rel="nofollow">Misplaced Idea to Private the Tennessee Valley Authority Brings Unions, GOP Together</a>  The We Party   ...The budget proposed by President Barack Obama in April floated an idea to privatize the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a crown jewel of the New Deal.  Labor unions expressing deep opposition to the idea are being joined by unlikely allies in the fight...<br /><a href="http://www.prnewschannel.com/2013/09/19/ohio-unions-keep-watchful-eye-on-right-to-work-legal-challenge-in-indiana/" rel="nofollow">Ohio unions keep watchful eye on Right to Work legal challenge in Indiana</a>  PR News Channel   ...Ohio union supporters are anxiously watching the developments in Indiana on the heels of the state’s controversial Right to Work law being ruled unconstitutional by a Lake County judge last week…<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/penda-d-hair/wisconsins-antivoting-law_b_3942241.html" rel="nofollow">Wisconsin's Anti-Voting Law Heads to Federal Court</a>  Huffington Post   ...With deceptively little fanfare or attention, a federal judge in Wisconsin is poised to preside over the first trial challenging a photo ID law under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act...<br /><a href="http://florida%20gov.%20rick%20scott%20seeks%20supreme%20court%20review%20of%20worker%20drug%20test%20%20associated%20press/" rel="nofollow">Florida Gov. Rick Scott seeks Supreme Court review of worker drug test</a>  Associated Press   ...Florida Gov. Rick Scott plans to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of his executive order requiring random drug tests for thousands of state employees...<br /><a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20130918/NEWS04/309180048/Senator-Flawed-bidding-process-led-privatization-prison-food-service?nclick_check=1" rel="nofollow">Senator: 'Flawed' bidding process led to privatization of prison food service</a>  Lansing State Journal   ...A Republican senator told the Civil Service Commission on Wednesday that a flawed bidding process led to the state’s decision to privatize food service for 45,000 Michigan prisoners and eliminate about 370 state jobs...

Today's Teamster News 09.20.13

Strike, lockout possibilities for Darigold workers KIRO TV ...Workers at Darigold, who have worked without a contract since June 1, stag...

BETA BOT MALWARE

2:20 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="post-title-wrap"><h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsG4sVABlBSAL9ADYDex81_YKJV3rh34bioNKLJ2OZK0ikLoPdFm3ZpYyfSGy1zH3GDOMlsGe5nDLA752-0kaxAfOLyLVoS5ijh-1hCSEFNRGughP1VoT2n7752j4gDVf990vq2Jkq1Ya/s1600/thumb.php.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsG4sVABlBSAL9ADYDex81_YKJV3rh34bioNKLJ2OZK0ikLoPdFm3ZpYyfSGy1zH3GDOMlsGe5nDLA752-0kaxAfOLyLVoS5ijh-1hCSEFNRGughP1VoT2n7752j4gDVf990vq2Jkq1Ya/s320/thumb.php.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></h1><h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">FBI WARNS "BETA BOT" MALWARE CAN KILL YOUR ANTI - VIRUS PROGRAMS, STEAL DATA</span> </span></h1><h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;"></h1></div><a href="http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/fbi-warns-%E2%80%9Cbeta-bot%E2%80%9D-malware-can-kill-your-anti-virus-programs-steal-data?source=nww_rss" target="_blank"><strong>Source: Network World</strong></a><br /><br /> The FBI sent out a warning today about an uptick in the use of  malware known as Beta Bot that can steal sensitive data such as log-in  credentials and financial information.<br /> The FBI says Beta Bot blocks computer users’ access to security  websites and disables anti-virus programs, leaving computers vulnerable  to compromise. Cyber criminals aiming Beta Bot at financial  institutions, e-commerce sites, online payment platforms, and social  networking.<br /><br /> From the FBI: “Beta Bot infection vectors include an illegitimate but  official looking Microsoft Windows message box named “User Account  Control” that requests a user’s permission to allow the “Windows Command  Processor” to modify the user’s computer settings. If the user complies  with the request, the hackers are able to infiltrate data from the  computer. Beta Bot is also spread via USB thumb drives or online via  Skype, where it redirects the user to compromised websites.<br /><br /> Although Beta Box masquerades as the “User Account Control” message  box, it is also able to perform modifications to a user’s computer. If  the above pop-up message or a similar prompt appears on your computer  and you did not request it or are not making modifications to your  system’s configuration, do not authorize “Windows Command Processor” to  make any changes.”<br /><br /> The FBI recommends running a full system scan with up-to-date  anti-virus software on the infected computer. If Beta Bot blocks access  to security sites, download the latest anti-virus updates or a whole new  anti-virus program onto an uninfected computer, save it to a USB drive  and load and run it on the infected computer. It is advisable to  subsequently re-format the USB drive to remove any traces of the  malware, the FBI stated.<br /><br /> RSA’s Limor Kessem, Cybercrime and Online Fraud Communications Specialist, <a href="https://blogs.rsa.com/new-commercial-trojan-inth3wild-meet-beta-bot/">wrote about Beta Bot</a> in  May saying:  “It appears that a much anticipated event has finally  transpired in the cybercrime arena, with the release and active sale of a  new commercially-available Trojan family that has begun around January  this year, circulating under the name Beta Bot. RSA researchers have  recently come across samples of this user-mode rootkit, analyzing its  behind-the-scenes infrastructure. Beta Bot actually started out as an  HTTP bot and not a banking Trojan, but it has since evolved, donned a  trigger list, and was repurposed for financial fraud that includes  targets such as banks, ecommerce and even Bitcoin wallets.<br /><br /> According to research performed by RSA it was inferred that Beta Bot  (alias: Troj/Neurevt-A) is not the creation of an amateur. The malware  is a persistent Ring-3 rootkit with layers of anti-security protection  (such as not executing within virtual machines, thus avoiding  sandboxes), AV-disabling features, and even a DNS redirecting scheme to  isolate bots from security-themed online resources, including RSA’s  official website

BETA BOT MALWARE

FBI WARNS "BETA BOT" MALWARE CAN KILL YOUR ANTI - VIRUS PROGRAMS, STEAL DATA Source: Network World The FBI sent out a warning to...

Of blogs and blogging–a guest post from Elkanah House Senior Primary School

1:51 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a guest post from Karen Stadler who is the ICT Integrator at Elkanah House Senior Primary in Table View. This </span><a href="http://karenstadler.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/of-blogs-and-blogging/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">post</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> appeared on her excellent blog </span><a href="http://karenstadler.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Things ICT</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. I asked Karen if I could use it as a guest post because Elkanah House Senior Primary is the epitomy of blogging in the school environment. The Principal, Arthur Preston, has a blog, both ICT teachers have blogs and the different grades have blogs. It seems there is also a Library blog and a Sports blog. All the known links will be shown below! Congratulations to Elkanah House  for setting this great standard in blogging at a South African school.</span></i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJFvIafOIr6B5NaVnlXYemFbQgK0s0RhCBcTRpFJqQ43zPMtkFuc1Ed-Qjd5svEI2mJPHei12KuSONXpMo82YHvbr0GsyqGeB_Nf0ndfsgZ0Oj3ZvNpsn_IKnjxiTpJPNitsgMVDfnMA/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6MPAJjzFxmitsdxNm_mTx3ANso9uw4RpMFC9AljMv07jc1Ko5E0X79xxdmkMz01gXY03hR-Ae9yzv1JapkF9fxnqi8xZ3dY3bOkLHUkIkSPuEpFie6WvjL5IRhLDKLxVny37zUfmK80/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karen reports in her post “</span><a href="http://karenstadler.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/of-blogs-and-blogging/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of Blogs and blogging…”:</a></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“One of my goals this year was to see that each student in our school was set up with a blog and also to set each Grade up (Grades 4, 5 and 6) with a Grade blog which the teachers could share and take turns to post articles or photos to. Well, I can happily say that I have achieved these goals – and more. We even have a school library blog and a school sports blog going now!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For the students I decided to use the <a href="http://www.kidblog.org/">KidBlog.org</a> platform because it is safe and secure and can be controlled by the teacher. It is a great stepping stone for future blogging. For the Grade blogs, Library and sports blogs I chose <a href="http://www.wordpress.com/">WordPress.com</a> simply because it has served me well and I have found it easy to use. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I have to say, getting the students to blog has been a whole lot easier than getting the teachers to blog. Granted, they have more features on their blogs, which have at times, been trying for the teachers and frustration levels have been high on occasion (especially when the internet doesn’t play along and loading images takes much longer than anticipated – and you know how teachers are about their time). There have been highlights too, such as a teacher blogging via her laptop directly from camp, so the parents got the latest camp news hot off the press! The students, however, don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t worry as much about mistakes. They simply keep on trying until it works or they are satisfied with the result. We are now at the stage where the students are asking to blog, which is most encouraging! The learning curve has been a little more steep for the teachers, but we are definitely getting there. Having said this, it is difficult to keep the momentum going (my own blog is proof of this) and the teachers need reminders to blog and keep their students blogging. They seem to have difficulty in finding topics to blog about, but this will change over time and it will become more intuitive the longer they blog. I have tried to help by sending them ideas for blog posts and also links to further reading for blog posts. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Reasons for teachers to blog</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I do believe blogging can play a very important role in the classroom and this is why I encourage our teachers to blog: </span><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It opens a window into a more personal aspect of your classroom life.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is another way of keeping in contact with your parents.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a way of sharing information, content, links etc. with students and parents alike.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It could be a showcase for student work, as well as a way in which to post homework.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a method of reflecting on work done, learning that has taken place or places that have been visited etc.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a blog you can share news in a paperless way!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blogging encourages responses from parents, pupils and other visitors, so it is another way in which to engage in a conversation.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you keep at it, it could transform your teaching and be the link to technology use in your classroom.</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Reasons for students to blog</b></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I believe our students should blog for the following reasons: </span><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It teaches them to write for a wider audience, not just their teacher.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They learn valuable skills such as proof reading.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They learn how to react to comments in an informed manner and also how to write effective comments.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A student blog could become an online portfolio of work done (something I am working towards).</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Student blogging forms an integral part of digital citizenship and makes up an important part of their digital footprint.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It opens their worlds up, especially when they interact with other students from around the world. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have something that they can be proud of and which is accessible anywhere in the world.</span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Although the blogging has come along in fits and starts so far this year, I am positive that if we stick with it and keep making the effort, the students and teachers alike will see the value in it and we will go from strength to strength.” </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SchoolNet says: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for letting us share your lovely article Karen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Known blog links at Elkanah House</span></b><br />Here are the known links to the Elkanah House Senior Primary blogs:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karen's lovely ICT blog 'All things ICT' (ICT Senior Primary): <a href="http://karenstadler.wordpress.com/">http://karenstadler.wordpress.com/</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arthur Preston's principals blog 'Head Thoughts':  <a href="http://headthoughts.co.za/">http://headthoughts.co.za/</a><br />Juanita Oosthuizen's 'Technoboffins' (ICT Junior Primary): <a href="http://technoboffins.wordpress.com/">http://technoboffins.wordpress.com/</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monni's Art (Art Teacher) blog: <a href="https://monniart.wordpress.com/">https://monniart.wordpress.com/</a><br />The Fabulous Fours (Grade 4): <a href="http://elkgr4.wordpress.com/">http://elkgr4.wordpress.com/</a><br />The Fantastic Fives (Grade 5): <a href="http://elkgr5.wordpress.com/">http://elkgr5.wordpress.com/</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Senational Sixes (Grade 6): <a href="http://elkgr6.wordpress.com/">http://elkgr6.wordpress.com/</a></span></div>

Blogging Of blogs and blogging–a guest post from Elkanah House Senior Primary School

This is a guest post from Karen Stadler who is the ICT Integrator at Elkanah House Senior Primary in Table View. This post appeared on her ...

Applications for Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts close on 30 September 2013

1:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpDPp4ZSw6aUNhJsa_ecea7GuSIAqVj08A8s1PhqZnNzzTEbyWve8zu_f1cFEiWkqsE_CH9DJmfmo_ya_vTY5x_nPwT6wsJn5HKHwuds4tddP6OAFLZNy00DXqBGfjQlbOybQhADRzH8/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXvBUpL3eVlWfla47xwUFh8aP0SJ3oHTxL6hJhfM8thFioWd15PyR8FJTif8mTokF0YPPsmeLPzFibMmhm9Gf03VuJu-6q25CQGKGKxyLA4S7jjl3KhEqqdFon4kaQCrLR6xopbiz-UI/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="218" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i><i>Submitted by Megan Rademeyer</i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have not yet uploaded your learning activity to the <a href="http://www.pil-network.com/">Partners in Learning Network</a> and applied to be a <a href="http://www.pil-network.com/Educators/expert">Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert</a> you have until 30 September to do so. From the entries that are received from South Africa and Lesotho, teachers will be selected to attend the Global Partners in Learning Forum taking place in Barcelona, Spain in April 2014. This year we are looking for teachers who have produced a creative and engaging learning activity AND who have the willingness and passion to share their skills with others. If you think you have what it takes to be a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert visit the <a href="http://www.pil-network.com/Educators/expert">Partners in Learning Network</a> for more information.   </span></div>

Microsoft Applications for Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts close on 30 September 2013

Submitted by Megan Rademeyer If you have not yet uploaded your learning activity to the Partners in Learning Network and applied to be a Mi...

Pop Quiz: Bernanke vs. Berezniki

9:15 PM Tukiyooo 0

Which one has the more unstoppable sinkhole policy?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bernanke:</b></span><br /><br /><b>January 6, 2010</b><br /><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/26/politics/main6141737.shtml">Obama Backs Bernanke for Likely 2nd Term - CBS News</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>The Fed is all but certain to keep its key bank lending rate - it affects a wide range of rates on consumer loans - at a record low near zero when the meeting concludes on Wednesday.<br /><br />It is also expected to renew a pledge to hold rates at record lows for an "extended period" to nurture the recovery. <span style="color: red;">Economists think that means rates will stay where they are for at least six more months.</span></i></div><br />At least 6 months! And in hindsight, give or take 5 years or more! Hurray!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Berezniki:</b></span><br /><br /><a href="http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/26/incredible-strange-amazing-sinkholes/">13 of the Biggest, Strangest, and Most Devastating Sinkholes on Earth</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i><b>2. Berezniki</b><br /><br />In Soviet Russia, the ground moves you. Berezniki’s sinkhole began in 1986 and just grows worse with each passing year. <span style="color: red;">It’s unstoppable.</span> Currently it’s over 200m deep, 80m long and 40m wide. In case you’re thinking “Berezniki? Who cares?” you should know that 10% of the world output of potash comes from this area, and <span style="color: red;">the sinkhole is very close to destroying the mine’s sole rail line</span>.</i></div><br />Unstoppable! Very close to destroying the mine's sole rail line! Hurray!<br /><br />Too much sarcasm?

Pop Quiz: Bernanke vs. Berezniki

Which one has the more unstoppable sinkhole policy? Bernanke: January 6, 2010 Obama Backs Bernanke for Likely 2nd Term - CBS News The Fed is...

Pizza Delivery Stories

9:00 PM Tukiyooo 0

Pizza Delivery Stories

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Save me from myself

7:36 PM Tukiyooo 0

It's been a long couple days with work stuff and i had to take a class yesterday and today for my state licensure.  Yesterday I got to come home to an empty house, had time to chat with a friend and decompress before they got home.  Today I wasn't so lucky and walked into the heart of a tornado of chaos.<br /><br />My adhd medicine wears off mid-afternoon which is fine.  Sometimes though the time release doesn't work right and I crash hard.  This might leave me headachy and tired, or like today the tiniest thing sets me off into a big ball of anger.<br /><br />Not that any of it was a tiny thing, my husband and children were coming at me from every angle assaulting me with questions and well just bothering me!<br /><br />So i threw a tantrum.  There's no other word for it.  Stomping feet and slamming doors and yelling at everybody.  I'm not proud of this but it's what i did. <br /><br />Kids are long since off to bed and hubby's out at a game.  I'm just here alone.<br /><br />I'm really sad because I royally screwed up.  i was awful to everyone.  I wish somebody could just save me from me.  I wish i could just have a hug (IRL lol) or maybe hubby could say something or do anything to snap me out of it while I'm being like that.  And it's not over for us, this will fester and blow out of control again in a few days.  We've talked about that, he's not interested in giving me attention if i'm being or was being difficult.  It frustrates the crap out of me.  Even if he doesn't want to help me, or make life more pleasant for him, i just don't see why he doesn't want to help his kids grow up with a better mom.  It's hard not to compare my relationship with those of friends and what you read.  Kind of depressing, really.<br /><br />A friend did something for me yesterday that was really sweet and took so much effort but i wasn't as appreciative at the time as I wish i was... dunno just feel bad.<br /><br />Friends had a baby last night and i didn't stop to see the little guy.  I had plenty of time while i was being all crazy and now i can't.  And i didn't call.  They go home in the morning and I can visit this weekend... just not the same. <br /><br />So all in all i've just been a bad person today.  Really really disappointed in myself.  Tomorrow's a new day though, just gotta keep my chin up until he gets over it.

Save me from myself

It's been a long couple days with work stuff and i had to take a class yesterday and today for my state licensure. Yesterday I got to c...

Real Retail And Food Services Sales per Retail Employee (Musical Tribute)

6:19 PM Tukiyooo 0

Real Retail And Food Services Sales per Retail Employee (Musical Tribute)

Click to enlarge. Source Data: St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart

Book Review: Cities Without Ground

5:30 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="http://citieswithoutground.com/"><b><i>Cities Without Ground: A Hong Kong Guidebook</i></b></a> by Adam Frampton, Jonathan D. Solomon, Clara Wong<br /><a href="http://www.oroeditions.com//book/cities-without-ground">ORO Editions</a>, 2012<br />Paperback, 128 pages<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd8TGP_i9O8mw0i9j1rcTIBKgY4dUHiQf8xYjbmG-dYUPO8F5iGvJ5st21REJcOkN5y5A1B3TBMNG091iPgNzgKu5LPVJx57Ez7w19g37yTCQqKY1WHQwl9w2sqH0jqSUdTL9dflP1DhQ/s1600/cover_CWG.jpg" /><br /><br />Think "guidebook" and most likely photos and descriptions highlighting particular objects—be they buildings, sculptures, parks, or even neighborhoods—comes to mind. But these entities are never separate from what is around them, a fact especially pronounced in cities, where new and old architecture, public art, and landscapes partake in almost constant negotiations with their surroundings. Then there are the networks—usually streets but comprising many more conduits in this age of infrastructure and flows—and this guide to Hong Kong, a "city without ground," is unique in this regard, for it focuses on the above- and below-grade walkways that traverse large sections of the city.<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiHCF9CQxV26kwJkJfPchmHAtK3DMkas4dmvBx8mMLHQxCUZArVwF8_9SO3NnFnZynTY5GH7hSkEEW_guR3aGMmgq49RIK9Ne1JTcGjVlcOFuiE90D2xu5I0wpH5kX4ka2oHyrS0g4pOR/s1600/11.jpg" /><br /><br />So given the carefully honed subject of the guidebook, the question is "how are the walkways presented?" Photographs, like the elevated walkway above, hardly do justice to the complicated network that winds its way between, above, below, and sometimes within buildings. So exploded axonometric drawings, as shown below, are used to describe the walkway networks in various fragments throughout the city. Buildings are ghosted and the vertical dimensions are exaggerated, both aiding the clarity of the diagrams.<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgQGnuqOhJc_HIImZwIzPuu5z6hqLmyXiY6ZrVVyTnJYYohzzYPBuT2z2EMLujxEUHXZy6CR7sdF5nUCtrx-kHeFqT5xn3cQdVBzGx_AyjRgxie6tC6fLaZvvw23a1BBKqy2omcLs5Tfx/s1600/09.jpg" /><br /><br />Given the complexity of the routes, and therefore the concomitant complexity of their representations, it's fruitless for the reader to try to understand every map in its entirety. Aiding one's reading of the diagrams are the numerous notes (shops, restrooms, bus stops, etc.) and activities (gambling, fishing spot, drunken expat, and men with bird cages, to hint at the variety). The latter is a particularly important part of the book, because it inserts the observations of the authors and their compatriots that helped make the book into the mix; and because it enables the reader to fictionalize and even personalize places and routes.<br /><br />After all, is there a big difference between a map labelled with an important event (Mr. X was born/died here; the Battle of X occurred here; etc.) and one marking a relatively unimportant but potentially exotic occurrence? In reality yes, but in the realm of maps, not really. Both the important and the mundane exploit the conventions of maps and help people to remember <i>something</i> by locating it in space. In the case of <i>Cities Without Ground</i>, I like the idea (especially having never visited Hong Kong) of taking a virtual stroll around Shun Tak Centre and Sheung Wan, for example, watching the tourists come and go from the casinos, then jostling past other passengers as I make my way to the Fabric Bazaar, passing "Save the Children" activists and a giant newscast on the way. It's a walk in my imagination, but one I wouldn't have taken otherwise without this guidebook.<br /><br /><b>US: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935935321/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1935935321&linkCode=as2&tag=aweeklydoseof-20" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy from Amazon.com" border="0" src="http://www.archidose.org/books/buy-from-tan.gif" /></a> CA: <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1935935321/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1935935321&linkCode=as2&tag=aweeklydoseof-20" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy from Amazon.ca" border="0" height="28" src="http://www.archidose.org/books/buy-from-tan-ca.gif" width="90" /></a> UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1935935321/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1935935321&linkCode=as2&tag=aweeklydoseof-20" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy from Amazon.co.uk" border="0" height="28" src="http://www.archidose.org/books/buy-from-tan-uk.gif" width="90" /></a></b>

Book Review: Cities Without Ground

Cities Without Ground: A Hong Kong Guidebook by Adam Frampton, Jonathan D. Solomon, Clara Wong ORO Editions , 2012 Paperback, 128 pages Thi...

Autumn food creations!

4:54 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7EDHL4J4Sk/UkIkFY4wIXI/AAAAAAAAJ18/ZUlDGHhcr6M/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7EDHL4J4Sk/UkIkFY4wIXI/AAAAAAAAJ18/ZUlDGHhcr6M/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since summer has come to an end I've been feeling very creative with recipes to cook up, not sure if it has to do with the change of season or what!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It all started with the popular website called Pinterest, I tell you it's addicting! </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can spend all day on there looking at all kinds of recipes, crafts and all kinds of things!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been on a smoothie kick lately and have one each morning for breakfast, and holds me over till lunch.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fall food finds:</span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTFVjXDbm4Q/UkNTrNCS64I/AAAAAAAAJ3U/l9VFOkSLTq8/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTFVjXDbm4Q/UkNTrNCS64I/AAAAAAAAJ3U/l9VFOkSLTq8/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Went to trader joes and such the other day hunting down the famous pumpkin Greek yogurt but couldn't find any, I found some other pumpkin products though!</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apples</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin patch cookies</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin butter</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin pie Lara bar</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin cream cheese</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin spice granola</span></i><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Some of these products would go great in a smoothie or even on a bagel!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also have one for dessert or an after workout recovery!</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qaoKGaNt9Wk/UkIj8LHGxII/AAAAAAAAJ1s/2rhw3lhXo2I/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qaoKGaNt9Wk/UkIj8LHGxII/AAAAAAAAJ1s/2rhw3lhXo2I/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They are simple to make and oh so delicious!</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apple pie smoothie:</span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTahuOhqSBI/UkB5da_tt0I/AAAAAAAAJzE/RRHqh9l2S44/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTahuOhqSBI/UkB5da_tt0I/AAAAAAAAJzE/RRHqh9l2S44/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All I did was dice up an apple and toss it in the blender along with a cup of almond milk, a cup of cinnamon apple sauce, a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a half of a teaspoon of cinnamon sugar and blended it all up.</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was sweet and delicious, great apple flavor and I added some truwhip on top with a cinnamon graham cracker and a dash of cinnamon sugar on top!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since the holidays are approaching and the leaves are changing their pretty colors, I've been browsing Pinterest just looking for recipes to test out and so glad I came across this delicious and creamy pumpkin pie recipe!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's on of my favorite things to eat during the holidays but can get very fattening depending on what you use.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aoIOKDrhak/UjuJoZRLWpI/AAAAAAAAJwk/3EBKDswpzjY/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aoIOKDrhak/UjuJoZRLWpI/AAAAAAAAJwk/3EBKDswpzjY/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can't go wrong with Greek yogurt, almond milk, banana, ice and pumpkin purée for this delightful festive drink!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tonight was the first time I've made it and wow!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Robust creamy pumpkin flavor topped off with some truwhip topping, crumbled graham cracker and cinnamon sugar it tasted exactly like pie!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just about freaked when I saw that the orange leaf frozen yogurt shop had a new flavor for Fall !</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you guess what it was?!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin pie:</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ6Exl5ux7I/UjjwKfFCs3I/AAAAAAAAJt4/TEfuuvTG8SQ/s1600/IMG_20130917_180640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ6Exl5ux7I/UjjwKfFCs3I/AAAAAAAAJt4/TEfuuvTG8SQ/s320/IMG_20130917_180640.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Delicious pumpkin pie frozen yogurt tasted just like pie but better because it was froyo and the spices tasted just right and went along perfectly with the graham crackers we had in the car!</span></i><br /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pumpkin cheesecake smoothie:</span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojITNEeG5jo/UjybC8mcfiI/AAAAAAAAJxc/IAlwCsVUjqU/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojITNEeG5jo/UjybC8mcfiI/AAAAAAAAJxc/IAlwCsVUjqU/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Similar to the pumpkin pie smoothie but with cottage cheese and a crunchy graham cracker blended in to make smooth and creamy just like pumpkin cheesecake!</span></i></div>

Autumn food creations!

Since summer has come to an end I've been feeling very creative with recipes to cook up, not sure if it has to do with the change of sea...

Teamster women get fired up at New Orleans conference

3:12 PM Tukiyooo 0

Teamsters Women's Conference Teamster women get fired up at New Orleans conference

Teamster women find sisterhood is powerful! One thousand Teamster women -- the most ever -- are in New Orleans through Saturday to re-energi...

Real Annualized International Trade per Capita

2:50 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXdrZXI8oHW0hp5WTW0vcWc6hYSkOjlVj0qjmcnlK9IG8VApQfBOHFEz-E7k6IPWPD2LTBfrrT3CNrpwjiTzTUWZ7gOOVyqOoFiFs8Wznl9ACXVUaVZMo4BbWKtlrpYnZRD4ebI1EIZE/s1600/International+Trade+per+Capita+-+Long-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXdrZXI8oHW0hp5WTW0vcWc6hYSkOjlVj0qjmcnlK9IG8VApQfBOHFEz-E7k6IPWPD2LTBfrrT3CNrpwjiTzTUWZ7gOOVyqOoFiFs8Wznl9ACXVUaVZMo4BbWKtlrpYnZRD4ebI1EIZE/s320/International+Trade+per+Capita+-+Long-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Let's zoom in for a closer look.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVufb153qC-vQyaRU4ygHPrz7sGzl8nxM8Ynh8hr1-hNbov3GhvAlw8PGD4kh2ERrvQf7t38uVAo1dqsFG2KyAE7pgNW-Lzyx4uIn3dhZGwfvueQ7LbHA1vETDSKhIxGBgYOoGx4OVjMk/s1600/International+Trade+per+Capita+-+Short-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVufb153qC-vQyaRU4ygHPrz7sGzl8nxM8Ynh8hr1-hNbov3GhvAlw8PGD4kh2ERrvQf7t38uVAo1dqsFG2KyAE7pgNW-Lzyx4uIn3dhZGwfvueQ7LbHA1vETDSKhIxGBgYOoGx4OVjMk/s320/International+Trade+per+Capita+-+Short-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Sorry, China. It looks like we're pretty much done being your exponential growth engine.<br /><br /><b>August 11, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2013/08/11/china-faces-years-of-slowing-gdp-growth-top-strategist-says/">China Faces Years Of Slowing GDP Growth, Top Strategist Says</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>“We need to get used to the fact that the boom is over,” said Andy Rothman, China macro strategist at brokerage CLSA. <span style="color: red;">“The days when you could just roll out of bed and make money, or the days when you could expect that the growth rate for most things was going to be faster next year — that’s done. We should expect that for the foreseeable future, every year on average, most major economic data points are going to be growing more slowly.”</span></i></div><br />It could never happen here of course. This is America. Thanks to <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mzd">perma-ZIRP</a>, booms will never end again! Hurray!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yFFljFuGfmc" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts<br />If this is love I don't wanna be hanging by the neck<br />Before an audience of death</i></div><br /><b>See Also:</b><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/06/sarcasm-disclaimer.html">Sarcasm Disclaimer</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mz9">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Real Annualized International Trade per Capita

Click to enlarge. Let's zoom in for a closer look. Click to enlarge. Sorry, China. It looks like we're pretty much done being your e...