Today's Irish Times

<span style="font-size: large;">The Gloss, Interiors magazine is in today's Irish Times.  ODKM Architectural Practice along with our house is profiled in an article.  </span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Bones even gets a mention!</span><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWSf7EO7JP_dIEJd5Bq2zR7Kpp0Kp5x0ShmsVWtLYpU0OGC6_U5EI9P4fu7e62_IY3dSa7bx12K_sfN_njtTVnsQV1pciUUkxVOXZpU7-rmHC6EWtIrSQz5BFr478sQTIVBA1db-ZSrjf/s640/blogger-image-1409966959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWSf7EO7JP_dIEJd5Bq2zR7Kpp0Kp5x0ShmsVWtLYpU0OGC6_U5EI9P4fu7e62_IY3dSa7bx12K_sfN_njtTVnsQV1pciUUkxVOXZpU7-rmHC6EWtIrSQz5BFr478sQTIVBA1db-ZSrjf/s640/blogger-image-1409966959.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div></div>

Today's Irish Times

The Gloss, Interiors magazine is in today's Irish Times.  ODKM Architectural Practice along with our house is profiled in an article.   ...

Read more »

Today's Teamster News 09.12.13

<a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-sunsweet-overwhelmingly-ratify-contract" rel="nofollow">Teamsters at Sunsweet Overwhelmingly Ratify Contract</a>  teamster.org   ...Teamsters who work at the world’s largest dried fruit processing plant are now at work, under a strong contract that resulted from their solidarity...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/michigan-next-expressing-outrage-over-trade" rel="nofollow">Teamsters General President: Is Michigan Next In Expressing Outrage Over Trade?</a>   Teamster.org   ...Michigan in the last month has seen its fair share of low-wage workers walk off the job to protest pay and working conditions. But those demonstrations pale in comparison to what is going on a continent away in Colombia. And U.S. policymakers should take notice...<br /><a href="http://brick.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/township-council-talks-teamster-contracts" rel="nofollow">Township Council Talks Teamster Contract</a>  Brick Patch   ...The Township Council of Brick, New Jersey, has introduced an ordinance related to Teamsters Local 469 salaries, after months of negotiations...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/audio/download/91775/RICK%20SMITH%20PORT.mp3" rel="nofollow">Rick Smith Show: NJ Governor Turns Back On Workers</a>  Rick Smith Show   ...Labor radio host Rick Smith interviews Fred Potter, International Vice President and Director of the Teamsters Port Division, about New Jersey Governor Christie’s veto of pro-worker legislation...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/9112013trainingCSAcompliance.pdf" rel="nofollow">Commercial Drivers: Pipeline CSA Training To Be Held In Atlanta, Sept. 29</a>  teamster.org   ...The Teamsters National Pipeline Training Fund in collaboration with Teamsters Local 528 and 728 will sponsor a Compliance, Safety and Accountability training program on September 29 for all commercial drivers...<br /><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20130911/NEWS01/309110036/detroit-trash-pickup-contracts-emergency-manager-kevyn-orr-union" rel="nofollow">Detroit trash-hauling gets 10 bidders; city to review proposals</a>  Detroit Free Press   ...Detroit city officials will begin reviewing proposals this week to privatize trash collection, an initiative emergency manager Kevyn Orr says will save about $15 million annually and improve services to residents...<br /><a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gleason-to-lead-legal-team-at-teamsters-local-1224-223181501.html" rel="nofollow">Gleason to Lead Legal Team at Teamsters Local 1224</a>  Teamsters Local 1224    …The Airline Professionals Association (APA), Teamsters Local 1224 announced the addition of a new member to lead its legal team at Teamsters Local 1224. Edward Gleason joins Teamsters Local 1224 as Chief Counsel...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/pay-gap-between-1-percent_n_3900373.html" rel="nofollow">Pay Gap Between 1 Percent And Everybody Else Reaches Widest Point Since 1920s</a>  Associated Press   ...The gulf between the richest 1 percent and the rest of America is the widest it's been since the Roaring '20s...<br /><a href="http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/beat-the-press/government-policy-gave-us-inequality-not-the-market?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+beat_the_press+%28Beat+the+Press%29" rel="nofollow">Government Policy Gave Us Inequality, not the Market</a>  Center for Economic and Policy Research   ... we have a totally corrupt system of corporate governance in which CEOs select and pay off directors to look the other way as they pilfer the company by taking outlandish pay packages. Governments write the rules of corporate governance, not markets...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/11/how-the-1percent-won-the-recovery-in-one-table/" rel="nofollow">How the 1 percent won the recovery, in one table</a>  Washington Post   ...While only 49 percent of the decline in incomes during the recession was born by the top 1 percent (whose income share fell to 18.1 percent due to the recession), 95 percent of income gains since the recovery started have gone to them...<br /><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/behind-the-curtain-exclusive-the-koch-brothers-secret-bank-96669.html">Exclusive: The Koch brothers' secret bank</a>  Politico   ...It raised $256 million in the year after its creation in November 2011, the document shows. And it made grants of $236 million — meaning a totally unknown group was the largest sugar daddy for conservative groups in the last election, second in total spending only to Karl Rove’s American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, which together spent about $300 million...<br /><a href="http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/09/11/5198101/polish-unionists-march-to-demand.html" rel="nofollow">Polish unionists march to demand labor security</a>  Associated Press   ...Thousands of Polish labor union members marched through Warsaw in the rain Wednesday, sounding sirens, throwing smoke grenades and blowing whistles in a protest against government labor policy and pension system reform and to demand higher pay...<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/10/cigarette-free-trade_n_3899825.html" rel="nofollow">How Cigarette Companies Use Free Trade Deals To Sell To Women And Kids</a>  Quartz   ...Global trade negotiations in Washington this week will determine how cigarette companies will be able to market their products in developing nations—and potentially, overturn smoking restrictions around the world...<br /><a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/09/10/walmarts_sales_dropped_what_does_that_say_about_the_economy_newscred/singleton/" rel="nofollow">Walmart’s sales are down: What does that say about the economy?</a>  Salon   ...For the first time in quite a long time, things may not be looking too great for our favorite mega retailer, <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" rel="nofollow">Walmart</a>. <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/business/wal-mart-drop-sales-reveals-tale-two-consumers-6C10930050" rel="nofollow">NBC News reports</a> that Walmart has experienced a decrease in sales as well as a “cautious outlook for the rest of the year.” Wal-Mart blamed this drop on essentially everything under the sun except people not wanting to shop at their stores...<br /><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/09/10/2595491/sallie-mae-50th-corporation-dump-alec/" rel="nofollow">Sallie Mae Becomes 50th Corporation To Dump ALEC</a>  Think Progress   ...After months of protests by <a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/09/12237/after-student-protests-sallie-mae-becomes-50th-corporation-dump-alec" rel="nofollow">student groups</a>, SLM Corporation (the student loan company commonly known as Sallie Mae) acknowledged Saturday that it has dropped its membership in the conservative, corporate-backed American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)...<br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/businessupdates/2013/09/10/patrick-backtracks-tech-tax/gbeg7ObaaQKxxJ5Tya0nKP/story.html" rel="nofollow">Deval Patrick backtracks on tech tax</a>  Boston Globe   ...Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick abruptly changed course Tuesday and said he no longer supports a controversial new tax on computer software services that has triggered a fierce backlash from the state’s technology community and spawned numerous attempts to repeal it...<br /><a href="http://networkedblogs.com/OXING" rel="nofollow">Biz Journal Ranks Govs by Job Growth in Office: Walker 40th / Would Have 51K More Jobs if WI Kept Pace with US Average</a>  Uppity Wisconsin   ...every Democratic governor in the country ranks ahead of Walker in job growth...<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4328899339135469869#editor/target=post;postID=135741519885742533;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=link" rel="nofollow">WI Senate Fast-Tracks Bill to Close Forest to Benefit Out-of-State  Mining Firm</a>  Center for Media and Democracy   ...A controversial out-of-state mining company is closer to gaining control over a 3,600-acre swath of publicly available forest near where it is planning a massive open-pit iron ore mine in Northern Wisconsin...

Today's Teamster News 09.12.13

Teamsters at Sunsweet Overwhelmingly Ratify Contract   teamster.org   ...Teamsters who work at the world’s largest dried fruit processing pl...

Read more »

What every teacher ought to do... before it is too late

<p> They've already decided. The decision is made. If someone is in danger, they'll be there. They'll put out the fire. Whether it is the kind of fire that crackles in flame or in the heated sparks of human emotion, it is their job. 9/11 or not, they're always where things run hot.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrxlpSNMdHX_Z4Utl5GVxG4RzXct3Jxx0wBRLvp0QkolEoLkdrVutDGYBxd4ILdPEAOtQdMZaRNa1J5cuG1VWzgpIaS2iZ1JGKpB7CDGagX4QpV2GJ_8jqtHO7r8jggKr8Dn7Uk49zJRQ/s1024/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252011%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A photo of a lone firefighter doing his job amidst the flame and heat" class="alignleft" height="667" id="blogsy-1378982774502.0425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrxlpSNMdHX_Z4Utl5GVxG4RzXct3Jxx0wBRLvp0QkolEoLkdrVutDGYBxd4ILdPEAOtQdMZaRNa1J5cuG1VWzgpIaS2iZ1JGKpB7CDGagX4QpV2GJ_8jqtHO7r8jggKr8Dn7Uk49zJRQ/s500/Photo%252520Sep%25252011%25252C%2525202013%25252C%25252011%25253A11%252520AM.jpg" width="500"></a></p> <p>Once a week in the fall when my son steps out on the football field, I worry if he'll be OK as he plays the game.</p> <h1>An Every Day Worry</h1> <p>Every day of every year of every season, the loved ones of firefighters and first responders wonder if they'll come home that night. </p> <h2>Does anyone understand?</h2> <p>Do any of us really understand what it would be like to live life like that? Do we have a clue?</p> <p>Even more, do we even say thank you?</p> <p>Not the generic 'thank you for all you do" but the more powerful:</p> <ul> <li>Thank you for your service.</li> <li>Thank you for keeping us safe.</li> <li>Thank you for responding even when it is scary or hard or upsetting.</li></ul> <p>There are public servants everywhere but few are paid as little and expected to do so much.</p> <h3>The Surprising truth about the offices of first responders</h3> <p>Yesterday as my students delivered and set up an appreciation for local law enforcement, they were met with gratitude. In two separate places they were told:</p> <blockquote><div>"People don't really want to come down here for good things, it is always the tough things we deal with."</div></blockquote> <h1>What every teacher ought to do at least once this year...</h1> <p>Many of you have been sharing on Twitter how you've had students create cards and do things to say "thank you." Wherever you live, whoever you are, if you teach - <strong>make sure you've scheduled one day and one activity this year to thank these heroes of our community.</strong> </p> <p>Too often we feel gratitude when their ears are cold and crisp uniforms are donned to lie in rest.</p> <p>I have one fine police officer in mind who gave his life in pursuit of a thief and was fatally shot.</p> <p>Did anyone ever come by before he died and say thank you? Did he feel the gratitude of a grateful community? </p> <p>Even more, did I say "thank you for your service?" I saw him the week before it happened and I know I didn't. I'm guilty. I didn't tell him thank you, even when he came in his dress blues to pick up his son from school. I knew he had a hard job working a tough part of town and I didn't say thank you. </p> <p>I can't go back -- but in his honor, I can say - never again. I will be grateful and lead students to be also. In his honor, I can ask all of you to do the same. </p> <p><strong>We best honor our fallen heroes by thanking their living brothers and sisters who carry on in the hard work at hand. You can do nothing about 9/11 and the heroes but use your sadness to inspire gratitude for the living.</strong></p> <h1>Gratitude can be taught and encouraged</h1> <p>In such a high burnout, low paying, highly emotional profession (sounds like teaching doesn't it?) - we should show our gratitude and inspire it in our students.</p> <p>In the US, September 21 is "National Thank a Police Officer Day" - while you shouldn't need an excuse - if 9/11 isn't enough then let that be your excuse. </p> <p>Whatever your country, you have people keeping you safe. Thank them. They deserve it.</p> <p><strong>Thank You Hymn</strong></p> <p>There are heroes among us serving every day in a quiet way.</p> <p>But if trouble is there, they are too, any time we ask - there's the blue</p> <p>If the worst happens and there's a fire - the thin red line will attack the pire</p> <p>Let's not wait to give their due, let's say thanks from me and you. </p> <h3>Make a date to appreciate</h3> <p>Will you get out your planner right now and plan something?</p> <p>And remember - gratitude is something we all impart. Whether it is being thankful for those in the community who serve or the lunchroom staff or janitors, or front office or teachers or parents or grandparents - being grateful for what is done for us daily is something we should impart to this generation. (We should be grateful for these precious children, they are a gift to our lives and our future.)</p> <p>Maybe some feel this generation are ungrateful because we're not teaching and fostering an environment of gratitude. </p> <p>Thank you to all the heroes among us, but as I continue to ponder in the afterglow of 9/11, I'm thankful because I know that there are many men and women here in Mitchell County and beyond who step in and do a hard job any time duty calls. </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> Remember your noble calling, teacher. Whether or not this generation will be grateful is largely up to us.</div> <p> </p> <p><em>This post is written in honor of <a href="http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=559182#.UjGaQcu9KSM" target="_self" title="">Lieutenant Cliff Rouse</a>, a local hero who raised a fine young man to carry his name and died too soon. May this world show your profession the gratitude it deserves.</em></p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

Inspiration Teaching What every teacher ought to do... before it is too late

They've already decided. The decision is made. If someone is in danger, they'll be there. They'll put out the fire. Whether it ...

Read more »

Low Coast Smartphone from BlackBerry: BlackBerry 9720

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After a long time Canadian mobile manufacturing company launched its handset in Indian market. The device comes with the tag of BlackBerry 9720. The company officially unveiled the smartphone last month. Device comes with the BB 7.1 OS. Company have made the promise to launch the smartphone at selected market.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvAkY-3ZHEM/UjGT4co-DHI/AAAAAAAAAVc/wdXKod25wLU/s1600/blackberry_9720-1-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="blackberry 9720" border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kvAkY-3ZHEM/UjGT4co-DHI/AAAAAAAAAVc/wdXKod25wLU/s1600/blackberry_9720-1-big.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ndtvgadgets</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Technical features:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thickness: 12mm.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Weight: 120 grams.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Display: 2.8 inch TFT touchscreen with QWERTY keyboard.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Resolution: 360-by-480 pixel with density of 214ppi.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Processor: 806MHz Tavor MG1 processor.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">OS: BB 7.1</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">RAM: 512MB</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Camera: 5 megapixel rear camera with 4X digital zoom and LED flash. Front facing camera is not available.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Battery: 1450mAh with 432 hours of standby time and 7 ours of talk time.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Storage: 512MB inbuilt and you can extant it up to 32 GB with the help of micro SD card.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Colour variant: Black, Blue, Pink, Purple and white.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Availability: From September 14.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Price:  Rs.15, 990.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other specification: FM radio, voice shortcut keys.</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is an affordable mobile set by BlackBerry available in the market like India. Mr.Sunil Lalvani Managing Director of BlackBerry for India made a statement at the launching event “The new BlackBerry 9720 smartphone builds on the incredible success of the BlackBerry 7 OS. This new smartphone is absolutely stunning and provides an ideal choice for urban youth and customers who are looking to upgrade from a feature phone or existing BlackBerry Curve smartphone to an affordable, easy-to-use smartphone with rich messaging and social networking connectivity."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/100638775997274345522" rel="author"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anil Swami</span></a></div></div>

OS QWERTY keyboard TFT Low Coast Smartphone from BlackBerry: BlackBerry 9720

After a long time Canadian mobile manufacturing company launched its handset in Indian market. The device comes with the tag of BlackBerry 9...

Read more »

Angel, 1,000.000 BC

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfo9wz1rZj9RiJ-eNw4LweFrvstrDgceypv_AaTW8nOnOQzBeEYTiB8tMdr8R_-wt1sQpUOCohXyq56jj7eftQqNui5VRF5efnfQlpPo4QdnObS6zLVwm1AJy3c5ZUEOJLG2qmfAcJqgq/s1600/ATT000257.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfo9wz1rZj9RiJ-eNw4LweFrvstrDgceypv_AaTW8nOnOQzBeEYTiB8tMdr8R_-wt1sQpUOCohXyq56jj7eftQqNui5VRF5efnfQlpPo4QdnObS6zLVwm1AJy3c5ZUEOJLG2qmfAcJqgq/s640/ATT000257.jpg" /></a>

Angel, 1,000.000 BC

Read more »

Kindle Fire HD Tablet: Images Disclosed

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Next generation Kindle Fire HD Tablet’s latest images leaked online. Frist of all a tech blog, BGR published the images of Amazon Kindle Fire HD tablet.<br /><br /><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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-NUc4dP47o/UjFRu3LHtZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/DZVwYGfmm5g/s1600/kindle_fire_hd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="kindle fire hd tablet" border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-NUc4dP47o/UjFRu3LHtZI/AAAAAAAAAU8/DZVwYGfmm5g/s1600/kindle_fire_hd.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mashable.com</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://pc-gadgetworld.blogspot.in/2013/07/kindle-fire-hd-tablets-for-next.html" target="_blank">Technical specifications </a>:<br />The tablet comes with 7-inch and 8.9 inch display. The 7-inch tablet will feature a 1920-by-1200 pixel resolution screen. The device is powered with quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor and running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS. The storage of 32GB and 64GB is provide by Amazon with 2GB of RAM. For better connectivity Wi-Fi and optional 3G/ LTE is available at Kindle Fire HD tablet. The frond facing camera is also there for video calling. The mystery of price and launching date is not open yet. But according to rumors company will launch this product at the end of September.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUrD-Vy8ZG0/UjFSDyXGsvI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Gr21xLpbgNc/s1600/605x386xamazon-kindle-fire-2-1-605x386_jpg_pagespeed_ic_NFzWF3LmQi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LUrD-Vy8ZG0/UjFSDyXGsvI/AAAAAAAAAVM/Gr21xLpbgNc/s1600/605x386xamazon-kindle-fire-2-1-605x386_jpg_pagespeed_ic_NFzWF3LmQi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch tablet have also same configurations expect the resolution of display. The screen resolution include the pixel of 2560-by-1600 with the front facing camera for video calling.<br /><br />The weight of both tablet is less than previous models. Amazon is not available for comment.<br />  <br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/100638775997274345522" rel="author">Anil Swami</a></div></div>

android 4.2 jelly bean HD. Kindle Fire HD Tablet: Images Disclosed

Next generation Kindle Fire HD Tablet’s latest images leaked online. Frist of all a tech blog, BGR published the images of Amazon Kindle Fir...

Read more »

New iPhone has Great Features

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Hola y’all! Well, Apple held its annual cult meeting the other day to introduce the new iPhone 5? 6? I would just go with iPhone 69. Anyway, apparently the new iPhone has all kinds of bitchin’ cool features. It has a 64 bit chip and it will store your fingerprint and share it with the NSA so that only YOUR finger will turn it on. And … OMG!!!!! … IT NOW COMES IN GOLD!!!!! *SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!* <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But, what makes this phone worth the thousands of dollars you’ll spend on the phone over the mandatory two year contract is the hidden features they don’t tell you about! Luckily for you, our crack team in the Technology Division of IWS World Media has discovered some of them … <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- The Wizzer: </b>This is a special hidden app that when activated will provide you with clean urine when you get called in for that random drug test. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- The Handicapper:</b> Sends you advice on which teams to bet on each week of the football season. It would be something like this: “Psst take Wisconsin -2.5 over Arizona St.” <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ9aobkt3Bp-2K9GYQyE0maZ6EJ7_YYcGT72AMKjMDS669vE7p65blci4xNjykozmuLre4an2ellO8GAT4yxwL6YXHSnEma5HEXHwOGmRboq_n3-9Q6YHAzRMT2biFJ0wkZPMnAh8Lvib/s1600/Wisconsin+Fan+Hot+Sexy+Babe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ9aobkt3Bp-2K9GYQyE0maZ6EJ7_YYcGT72AMKjMDS669vE7p65blci4xNjykozmuLre4an2ellO8GAT4yxwL6YXHSnEma5HEXHwOGmRboq_n3-9Q6YHAzRMT2biFJ0wkZPMnAh8Lvib/s1600/Wisconsin+Fan+Hot+Sexy+Babe.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Babe Number Scanner:</b> Very clever app here! You carry the phone as if you’re busy texting, but the phone is actually scanning everyone around you and recognizing babes. It then secretly (with the help of the NSA) secretly snags their phone number so you can call them later. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- The Flask:</b> What looks to be the spot where you plug in your ear buds is actually where you pour your bourbon so you can take a few nips during the workday when things become just too unbearable. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Joint Case:</b> Just activate the “Toke App” and the case opens and there’s your hippie lettuce. The cops will never figure it out. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- The Commenter:</b> This app monitors your Facebook Newsfeed and make the <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/06/help-with-facebook-comments.html" target="_blank">appropriate comments</a> for you so you don’t have to see their posts. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Taco Emergency:</b> An app that is constantly updating to let you know exactly where the nearest Taco Truck is just in case you suddenly crave a taco and/or burrito. Happens far more often that one might think!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Celeb Alert: </b>Constant alerts letting you know what your favorite celebrities are up to each day. Lindsay Lohan arrested again? You’ll know before TMZ does. A new celebrity sex tape “leaked?” Watch it right there on your phone during your lunch break while sitting in the park. Also things like “Psst: ScarJo Cleavage Alert!!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvlISFm7mSzTAjGeulWHBfh5gvhoT1c-sk9wprF9UcifoOXX-pVYgTc1Ei7rXudK0Nj-r1SHHozU3mAAfnHXcW7psD3Mh-Sqkq8YtP0FzsynjxNK6hRvsy6mj4_8ThW4UQe_RofaC_sE4/s1600/Scarlett+Johansson+Boobs+Cleavage+Hot+Sexy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvlISFm7mSzTAjGeulWHBfh5gvhoT1c-sk9wprF9UcifoOXX-pVYgTc1Ei7rXudK0Nj-r1SHHozU3mAAfnHXcW7psD3Mh-Sqkq8YtP0FzsynjxNK6hRvsy6mj4_8ThW4UQe_RofaC_sE4/s1600/Scarlett+Johansson+Boobs+Cleavage+Hot+Sexy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- The Sexer:</b> It’s app that allows you have sex with your phone which is pretty handy because most people love their phone more than anyone or anything else in this world. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>- Shoot ‘Em Up Bang Bang:</b> If there’s anything Americans love more than their cell phones it’s their guns. So, obviously an app that allows your phone to be used as a gun with infinite reloads via the internet is a big need. You know, in case you see a trophy buck crossing the street downtown as you’re leaving work. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There you go folks. Ten of the best hidden features and apps of the new iPhone 5S or 6 or 7 or whatever the hell it is. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://facebook.com/jayman68" target="_blank">Facebook</a> <br /><a href="http://twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

New iPhone has Great Features

Hola y’all! Well, Apple held its annual cult meeting the other day to introduce the new iPhone 5? 6? I would just go with iPhone 69. Anyway,...

Read more »

9/11/2001 ... thank you, NYPD

<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In Memory and in Gratitude to New York City's Finest</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This one's for you, Yankee Phil ... thank you for your 9/11 service.</i></span><br /><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108787140017493986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLMRby3mk8HU2rbFy4MyIMYQzbW6o2WkfSoBg895TBFzKwEQxWmRe_z_brSy6TdVMJskTRHa_TLldWpcWokr7KEp-Xs-ieG9LApROEfngrjVbkTNE0jBKCdJxJo6xWh7QZ24ETFRtwQw/s400/9-11+Twin+Towers.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="332" />On September 11, 2001, the New York City Police Department lost more officers in a single day than in any year previously. Twenty-three officers died in the smoldering collapse of the World Trade Center ... died saving hundreds of people from a burning inferno. Their sacrifice is not forgotten.<br /><br />In memory of those who served with <a href="http://yankeephilip.blogspot.com/">Yankee Phil</a> and did not return ...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NPtH_iftWMbVxsPmKp9hGVEUzFWAcTI-rqcN2uEBWXWrqRK5qbDuqhoFzF6ZxpCRnsJlyL7lbSwfTsABO4-kPhR262Jalb8GqHhnBz2_hWvr6db1szNA18vlgBr7KG2xxhBw9CnMot8/s1600-h/9-11+NYPD+victims.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108787135722526658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NPtH_iftWMbVxsPmKp9hGVEUzFWAcTI-rqcN2uEBWXWrqRK5qbDuqhoFzF6ZxpCRnsJlyL7lbSwfTsABO4-kPhR262Jalb8GqHhnBz2_hWvr6db1szNA18vlgBr7KG2xxhBw9CnMot8/s320/9-11+NYPD+victims.jpg" style="display: block; height: 149px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 112px;" width="240" /></a><b> The 23 NYPD officers lost on 9/11:</b></div><div align="center"><br />JOHN G COUGHLIN, Sergeant<br />MICHAEL CURTIN, Sergeant<br />JOHN D'ALLARA, Police Officer<br />VINCENT G DANZ, Police Officer<br />JEROME M DOMINGUEZ, Police Officer<br />STEPHEN P DRISCOLL, Police Officer<br />MARK ELLIS, Police Officer<br />ROBERT FAZIO, Police Officer<br />RODNEY C GILLIS, Sergeant<br />RONALD KLOEPFER, Police Officer<br />THOMAS LANGONE, Police Officer<br />JAMES LEAHY, Police Officer<br />BRIAN G McDONNELL, Police Officer<br />JOHN WILLIAM PERRY, Police Officer<br />GLEN PETTIT, Police Officer<br />CLAUDE RICHARDS, Detective<br />TIMOTHY ROY, Sergeant<br />MOIRA SMITH, Police Officer<br />RAMON SUAREZ, Police Officer<br />PAUL TALTY, Police Officer<br />SANTOS VALENTIN Jr, Police Officer<br />JOSEPH VINCENT VIGIANO, Detective<br />WALTER WEAVER, Police Officer<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUapdtRbjVq4Klq3BGRCGB-NsX6oKxVsVkF00DF_Giv1QGf5MHcEZrt6Y_Gosb6T6W3zE2zqlcNM7UOXDomb1vRAtD7fac2BhgExuNvVq6p9hUcrPCPVrWV3PZ1b6Iyyy_GupThSoETsc/s1600-h/9-11+rubble.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="317" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108787140017493970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUapdtRbjVq4Klq3BGRCGB-NsX6oKxVsVkF00DF_Giv1QGf5MHcEZrt6Y_Gosb6T6W3zE2zqlcNM7UOXDomb1vRAtD7fac2BhgExuNvVq6p9hUcrPCPVrWV3PZ1b6Iyyy_GupThSoETsc/s320/9-11+rubble.jpg" style="display: block; height: 157px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 158px;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b> <i>We will not forget.</i></b></span></div>

9/11/2001 New York Police Department NYPD Terrorism World Trade Center Yankee Phil 9/11/2001 ... thank you, NYPD

In Memory and in Gratitude to New York City's Finest This one's for you, Yankee Phil ... thank you for your 9/11 service. On Septemb...

Read more »

Household Median Income: Optimism vs. Pessimism

<b>For the Optimists:</b><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA_UBlgZ6PvsM-zFFZi4xWQ1FB6gnnLRkA3MpgDDlzU7saAsn9ghAvRnNIHATw7UnoGPkqhr06BfbXby43ZYO946JKX8HF44KMXRvJsLqb1qd3Xv3sVsZxPtKP1Q6438Dj-ZXBm5Lbiw/s1600/Household+Median+Income.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA_UBlgZ6PvsM-zFFZi4xWQ1FB6gnnLRkA3MpgDDlzU7saAsn9ghAvRnNIHATw7UnoGPkqhr06BfbXby43ZYO946JKX8HF44KMXRvJsLqb1qd3Xv3sVsZxPtKP1Q6438Dj-ZXBm5Lbiw/s320/Household+Median+Income.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />It's a sure thing! Can't lose!<br /><br /><b>For the Pessimists:</b><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDIksCwIKuNSDKNoDTOQ3OseSBV63-HrmbWypJ75l3oCzkGdhjB6EacOQxvVp8XrJSUof_jtQTrRdjLnaDhBkWncV_ejTs9ntlNz1ayDrATBQ9rpkF92TmU_y81vp1jiDgZf_di86Yro/s1600/Household+Median+Income+Growth.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDIksCwIKuNSDKNoDTOQ3OseSBV63-HrmbWypJ75l3oCzkGdhjB6EacOQxvVp8XrJSUof_jtQTrRdjLnaDhBkWncV_ejTs9ntlNz1ayDrATBQ9rpkF92TmU_y81vp1jiDgZf_di86Yro/s320/Household+Median+Income+Growth.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />It's a sure thing! Can't win!<br /><br />I sure wish there was a way to break the tie between the optimists and the pessimists. I could probably start by pointing out that the optimists have at least one thing wrong. Constant growth really should be using an exponential trend and not just a linear one. Here's the problem with a linear trend. If it takes roughly 20 years for median income to double once (as seen in the first chart for the most part), then it will take an additional 40 years for it to double again. See why linear trends kind of stink when it comes to growth?<br /><br />That's what makes the pessimist case slightly more believable. Growth is definitely slowing. Both charts clearly show it. It's just that the first chart shows it in a much more subtle way. What would happen if the growth continues to slow?<br /><br /><b>September 9, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://www.moneynews.com/Economy/demographics-income-median-work/2013/09/09/id/524506">Study: Demographics to Drag Down Median Income</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Americans who expect wages to rise as the nation recovers from the recession may be in for disappointment. <span style="color: red;">A new report suggests incomes may be headed downhill for decades.</span></i></div><br />Oh oh. Why?<br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Pointing to past decades, the economists say median household incomes rose 9 percent between 1979 and 1989 and jumped 13 percent between 1989 and 2000. <span style="color: red;">They say the primary driver of this growth was women</span>, The Wall Street Journal notes.</i></div><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/LNS11300002">Women!</a> I knew it! The *real* men among us will just need to convince women to each work 2 jobs! That seems totally doable in this increasingly automated and outsourced world with chronically high unemployment. I suggest, "I bet you can't work *two* jobs! You're just a woman!" That's sure to be a big hit in any household!<br /><br />And when I say big hit, I mean that the future's so bright I gotta prepare a cold compress for my eye. I'll have quite the <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shiner">shiner</a>! Although optimism means that I can expect the best possible outcome, I just don't have it in me. I'm clearly planning for more of a pessimistic worst-case bodily injury type of outcome, lol.<br /><br />In all seriousness, we're so @#$%ed long-term. This is not investment advice.<br /><br />This post inspired by <a href="http://jazzbumpa.blogspot.com/2013/09/revolting.html">Revolting</a> as seen at <a href="http://jazzbumpa.blogspot.com/">Retirement Blues</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update:</b></span><br /><br />I originally stated that this data was in inflation adjusted dollars. It was pointed out to me in the comments by mab that this data didn't look inflation adjusted though. After further review, he was absolutely right. Although the data source used inflation adjusted data for the 2-year and 3-year median income averages, it did not use it for the single year averages (which I was using). I have added the "my personal blunders" tag to this post. I should have spotted it. All the conclusions here remain valid. In inflation adjusted terms, things are much, much worse.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/income/data/statemedian/">U.S. Census: Income</a>

Household Median Income: Optimism vs. Pessimism

For the Optimists: Click to enlarge. It's a sure thing! Can't lose! For the Pessimists: Click to enlarge. It's a sure thing! Can...

Read more »

8:30 p.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... President Bush addresses the Nation

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UaJ8SJze9Vc" width="420"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br />President George W. Bush addressed the Nation from the Oval Office. Excerpts of his remarks from the video:<br /><br /><i>Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.</i><br /><br /><i><span class="displaytext">These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong.</span></i><br /><br /><i><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext">Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.</span></span></i><br /><br /><i><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"></span></span><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext">Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.</span> </span></span></i><br /><br /><i><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"></span></span><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext">The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.</span></span></span></i><br /><br /><i><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext"></span></span></span></span></i><br /><i>I appreciate so very much the Members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. </i><br /><br /><i>America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. </i><br /><br /><br /><i><span class="displaytext">"</span><span class="displaytext"><span class="displaytext">A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. "</span> </span></i> <br /><i><br /></i><i>Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. </i><br /><br />9/11 ... may we never forget.

9/11/2001 George W. Bush Terrorism White House 8:30 p.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... President Bush addresses the Nation

President George W. Bush addressed the Nation from the Oval Office. Excerpts of his remarks from the video: Today our fellow citizens, our w...

Read more »

Puffs Fresh Faces Review!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJnugADrJTg/Ui5wFs87eqI/AAAAAAAAJkc/rl9XQLu9tUM/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJnugADrJTg/Ui5wFs87eqI/AAAAAAAAJkc/rl9XQLu9tUM/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was super psyched when I saw this box waiting on my doorstep, especially when I saw the name puffs right on the box.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I had no idea what it was but just knew it had to be good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I carefully opened the box and I noticed the prettiest box tied with a blue bow on it so I unwrapped it and it offered tons of puffs goodies inside!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So heres what was inside the box:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Travel compact mirror</div><div style="text-align: center;">Water bottle</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pedometer</div><div style="text-align: center;">Puffs tote bag<br />Sweatband </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nose and face wipes (adult version of boogie wipes)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to use the water bottle when I go to the gym and do my workouts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The nose and face wipes will come in handy for removing makeup, cleaning the face and giving it a fresh clean feeling with a gentle scent of citrus, lavender, or fresh scent!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also in Vicks for those horrible colds we sometimes get during the winter!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pedometer will come in handy for tracking how many steps I take throughout the day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The compact mirror is small enough to pack in my purse which is great for applying lip gloss!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Website:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boogiewipes.com/">www.boogiewipes.com</a></div>

Puffs Fresh Faces Review!

I was super psyched when I saw this box waiting on my doorstep, especially when I saw the name puffs right on the box. I had no idea what it...

Read more »

A Very Important Employment Trend Change

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP84L96JXYgM-O_yMuvNkf0x1H1KZtUBBbu8jhQBmN2BdO1LnGoz5dXLJvRTgusP9gn3-7iWsd3FARLl5-FPjsFP8pjRGNGG_wtpDYjztCBKMQ3BWbjDCZh1tS1QknZ33BC_t3hyphenhyphenS7ok/s1600/Employment+Trend+Change+-+Raw.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP84L96JXYgM-O_yMuvNkf0x1H1KZtUBBbu8jhQBmN2BdO1LnGoz5dXLJvRTgusP9gn3-7iWsd3FARLl5-FPjsFP8pjRGNGG_wtpDYjztCBKMQ3BWbjDCZh1tS1QknZ33BC_t3hyphenhyphenS7ok/s320/Employment+Trend+Change+-+Raw.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />The noninstitutional population of those aged 16 to 24 divided by the noninstitutional population of those aged 25 to 54 is shown in blue.<br /><br />The employment level of those aged 16 to 24 divided by the employment level of those aged 25 to 54 is shown in black.<br /><br />If you look closely, you can see that there is a divergence between the two series starting in 2000. They no longer generally move in the same direction.<br /><br />The following scatter chart shows the old trend compared to the new trend. I'm using 7 year moving averages to really smooth the data out (which helps eliminate the noise and the temporary effects of short-term cyclical recessions and short-term cyclical expansions). This allows us to more easily spot any structural problems that might remain.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9DIMAflikzJLCbQEwAg8sUhtespBc_66jThbvO-hNl622TOkRrRZBLOYsDe0v3zb-6TV0TAS6VtffwkZLX46eimS8kLEDCgL2agj4CSeZ2mEG3jYd2-yW15ZjXuZU-_nXbTIGBk1bw8/s1600/Employment+Trend+Change.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9DIMAflikzJLCbQEwAg8sUhtespBc_66jThbvO-hNl622TOkRrRZBLOYsDe0v3zb-6TV0TAS6VtffwkZLX46eimS8kLEDCgL2agj4CSeZ2mEG3jYd2-yW15ZjXuZU-_nXbTIGBk1bw8/s320/Employment+Trend+Change.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />As seen in the chart, there's a new trend in blue and it's looking mighty ugly. I think it really is safe to say that it is different this time.<br /><br />Pardon my language, but it really sucks to be 16 to 24 years old right now. It would seem that those aged 25 to 54 are not all that willing to give up their jobs in this difficult economic environment. This behavior change did not start in the aftermath of the housing bubble. It actually started at the very height of the dotcom bubble.<br /><br />Let me be very clear here on what the chart has been saying since April of 2000. The more 16- to 24-year-olds appear compared to their 25- to 54-year-old counterparts, the fewer jobs they get relative to their counterparts. This is a decidedly horrible trend, especially if we someday expect the younger generation to "rescue" the older generation's economy again. You know, by being first-time home buyers filled with irrational exuberance and what not. Sigh.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mjQ">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

A Very Important Employment Trend Change

Click to enlarge. The noninstitutional population of those aged 16 to 24 divided by the noninstitutional population of those aged 25 to 54 i...

Read more »

Coffee cake Connection Review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6aAH4G3Z5E/UjDn_ACFVHI/AAAAAAAAJmo/R9yybTdFqNE/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6aAH4G3Z5E/UjDn_ACFVHI/AAAAAAAAJmo/R9yybTdFqNE/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Buttermilk coffee cakes baked to perfection for your enjoyment made by <a href="http://www.coffeecakeconnection.com/">Coffee cake connection</a> .</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have tried coffee cakes before and loved them especially when I would pack them in my lunch as a treat when I was a little girl!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Just waiting in anticipation for lunchtime to come around to unwrap the coffeecake and take the first bite.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Not sure if it had to do with the cinnamon crumbled on top of the cake that made me love them as a kid.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Over the years they've perfected the coffee cake by adding other ingredients such as luscious berries and  chocolate.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>How awesome is that!?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When I came across Coffee Cakes Connections site online and saw the different varieties of coffee cakes they offered I just had to review them!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I couldn't wait to try them because I've only tried the plain old coffee cake many years ago and especially when I heard they had ones with chocolate in them! </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Serving suggestions:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Pop the coffee cake in the oven for a bit giving you the fresh out of the oven experience!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Remove the plastic wrap place it 170-180 degrees for 15-20 minutes</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You can also microwave 5-10 seconds  </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Caramel apple swirl and cinnamon crumble:</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6sAxt2qEE0/UjpAPz8BJKI/AAAAAAAAJvs/gy260yoessI/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6sAxt2qEE0/UjpAPz8BJKI/AAAAAAAAJvs/gy260yoessI/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I loved the sweet taste of cinnamon and the juicy apple pieces along with caramel!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>They were very good for a delicious snack!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lemon orange poppyseed:</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwWvySt5rbo/UjIHHkbGo9I/AAAAAAAAJnQ/JogEpVk0TqQ/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwWvySt5rbo/UjIHHkbGo9I/AAAAAAAAJnQ/JogEpVk0TqQ/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Mom and I shared this delightful coffee cake for breakfast this morning along with some yogurt and topped with blueberries. Popped it in the oven for a bit to bring out the butter flavor and boy was it delicious!?</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Great orange essence along with the zing of lemon with poppy seeds and can't forget the crumbly topping!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I absolutely loved it!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It wasn't too crumbly like a muffin and goes along perfectly with some yogurt!</i></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Gluten free double chocolate:</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-iy6RVXEOg/UjDn_BeRFZI/AAAAAAAAJmk/gWu9GN_h15w/s1600/13+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-iy6RVXEOg/UjDn_BeRFZI/AAAAAAAAJmk/gWu9GN_h15w/s320/13+-+2" width="320" /></i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>Loved how you could cut right into it without it crumbling. Sweet and delicious chocolate chips through this wonderful chocolate cake treat! Would go along great with a glass of milk or coffee!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br />Website:</i></span><br /><a href="http://www.coffeecakeconnection.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>http://www.coffeecakeconnection.com/</i></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Twitter:</i></span><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/connectwithcake"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>https://twitter.com/connectwithcake</i></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Facebook:</i></span><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CoffeecakeConnection"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>https://www.facebook.com/CoffeecakeConnection</i></span></a></div>

Coffee cake Connection Review

Buttermilk coffee cakes baked to perfection for your enjoyment made by  Coffee cake connection  . I have tried coffee cakes before and loved...

Read more »

Confessions of a US emergency doctor - The Conversation

<base href="data:">Walking into each room to greet my next patient often reminds me of Forrest Gump: "You never know what you're going to get." It's challenging to have only one chance to get it right but I love being an Emergency Room doctor.<br><br>Today, an older lady has slipped at home and she's taped to a hard backboard with a rigid neck collar in place. It's routine for all patients involved in car accidents or falls or anything that could cause a spinal cord injury. When I see her, her head is bandaged with gauze stained with blood. While medical staff attach her to a cardiac monitor and blood pressure machine, the paramedic relays her medical history to anyone who will listen.<br><br>My head makes a subconscious examination of the patient and the room. It feels a bit like being in BBC series Sherlock, where small icons pop up on the screen detailing the detective's thoughts, observations, and deductions; white female, age 60ish (higher risk of intracranial bleeding, probably needing CT scan of head) moving fingers and toes (doubt spinal cord injury), talking to nurse (higher cognitive function intact), open eyes looking around the room (unlikely lens dislocation, oculomotor centre functioning normally). Within seconds, I know the chance of a devastating bleed in the brain or spinal cord injury is extremely low.<br><br>Training my mind to process the subtleties of the human body didn't happen after four years of medical school, but with years of repetition and thousands of patients. Some puzzles are more routine and easier to meld observations, questions and decisions into a diagnosis while others cases are confusing and unexpected – and much more demanding.<br><br>As I'm talking I realise that I spend a lot of time conversing with patients in unusual positions: upside down, talking to their backs, or during an invasive pelvic or rectal exam. But it's all very matter-of-fact – like an art appraiser or a farmer inspecting sheep. We're more hands on than other doctors – we often don't have the luxury of knowing the patents beforehand or have information of previous examinations.<br><br>I feel the right side of my patient's face and note the significant swelling. When I remove the bloody bandage to inspect it, blood spurts onto the floor, just missing my nurse. She's not too pleased. All the while I ask her questions about how she fell, where she lost consciousness, and whether she walked around afterwards.<br><br>Interestingly, there are studies into how long different medical specialities wait before interrupting their patients. On average it's between 18-23 seconds; for emergency doctors it can be less than ten. I don't want to be rude so I'll often let patients talk for a while before cutting them off – but the reality is I just want the facts.<br><br>An increasing number of visits to hospitals in the US each year overwhelms staff in most ERs on a weekly basis. Pair this with demands for improved documentation and an ever-present force pushing us to go faster and the patient-doctor dynamic changes. Instead of having a conversation with patients, I rapidly spew questions for terse answers in the least amount of time possible to get the vital information I need. Much as I love hearing stories, the information patients often want to share isn't always what I need.<br><br>But amid these short interactions, where I'm held to the standard of not missing a life-threatening condition, I also have two other important goals: show empathy and make a personal connection.<br><br>My patient tells me she tripped and fell and hit her head against a dresser before phoning a friend for help. But she let the dog out first. As we laugh over her priorities, I suture her squirting wound. Connecting with patients is necessary. Despite all advances in medical practice, every patient has a mortality of 100%. I can't prevent death. Delay it maybe, heal an acute injury, hopefully, but I can always alleviate suffering. And relating to patients as human beings, not just diagnoses, helps to do this.<br><br>Personal connections also help us empathise. We're privy to the pain, struggles, challenges, heartaches, joys and relief our patients' experience. But while emotional investment can be positive fuel, negative and disturbing stories drain internal emotional reserves; drug abuse, homelessness, mental health disorders, and the rapidly failing bodies of elderly patients comprise more than half of my patients. I relate to patients while in the room but as soon as I walk away I shed this bond.<br><br>It's a survival mechanism, nothing more: keeping their burden on my shoulders would weigh me down and interfere with my ability to care for future patients.<br><br>I see my own mortality in each patient encounter. Luckily, today it's good news and the accident could have been worse. Her head, neck, arm and leg aren't broken and her forehead will heal. It's nice to meet her and she thanks me for making her feel comfortable. But it's time to shed another relationship.<br><br>I've got 20 patients to care for at the same time. By the time I return to my desk, everyone wants my attention: nurses with medication dosing questions, technicians with ECGs to review, medical students waiting to present their patients … all while my phone is ringing – a clinic wants to transfer a patient to me.<br><br>A pace this rapid may drive some physicians to early retirement, yet for me the challenge is becoming a multitasking Jedi. It forces me to be mindful of the happenings of the entire 60-bed department. Sometimes I'm in total control, other days I realise I haven't eaten or used the bathroom for over eight hours.<br><br>Pressure in chaos keeps me on my game especially in such a humbling environment. Just when you think you have the patient relationship, the medicine, the patient flow down, something brings you back down to earth. A bad outcome or an inexplicable tongue-lashing from a patient alters your day and future practice for an unknown period of time.<br><br>But it makes me love my job even more. The diagnostic puzzles and ability to give care to people in times of need is a special combination that outside of my family gives my life a higher purpose. To practice medicine in an environment that expects 100% accuracy can be tough but it's my calling.<br><br><i>Brian Drummond is a practising doctor and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona's Health Sciences Centre. He is also Medical Director of the University of Arizona Medical Centre's South Campus.<br><br>He is also a former doctor for the Marines in California.</i><br><br><br><a href="http://theconversation.com/confessions-of-a-us-emergency-doctor-18021">http://theconversation.com/confessions-of-a-us-emergency-doctor-18021</a><br><br>

Confessions of a US emergency doctor - The Conversation

Walking into each room to greet my next patient often reminds me of Forrest Gump: "You never know what you're going to get." I...

Read more »

Surprise! TPP won’t help American workers

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have one thing in common – American workers get screwed. Jim Hoffa says it best, “Corporations got NAFTA and CAFTA and workers got the Shafta.” If you don’t think the TPP holds the same fate, a new </span><a href="http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/TPP-2013-09.pdf"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Center for Economic and Policy Research (CERP) report confirms that average Americans stand to gain little</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from the deal.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG-OXyxkan4akUMr2jTDnnnS7QVe-Wndwj-PKuzMA3_z_jhFuPGIsa175_KK_zWyi3B1FV_Ag6n4q3xV2evln2i3VKlMRc8KQii3_qKvzkyWpGJUs094Ez0tbjgypKLUgRnNxqI_Y5Ivh/s1600/tpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG-OXyxkan4akUMr2jTDnnnS7QVe-Wndwj-PKuzMA3_z_jhFuPGIsa175_KK_zWyi3B1FV_Ag6n4q3xV2evln2i3VKlMRc8KQii3_qKvzkyWpGJUs094Ez0tbjgypKLUgRnNxqI_Y5Ivh/s1600/tpp.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Economist David Rosnick writes median wage earners would actually see a drop in salary due to implementation of the TPP once its effect on wage inequality is considered. Overall, the U.S. would only receive a 0.13 percent boost in gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Longer term, the negatives are even greater. The document finds that wage losses from a failure to restore full employment in the U.S. by 2025 due to the TPP are 25 times more than the potential gains from the trade agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Mark Weisbrot, CEPR’s co-director, says:</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most U.S. workers are likely to lose out from the TPP. This may come as no surprise after 20 years of NAFTA and an even-longer period of trade policy designed to put lower- and middle-class workers in direct competition with low-paid workers in the developing world, but it’s still important to examine the economic projections.<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> One doesn’t have to go back to NAFTA to see the negative effects of so-called “free” trade deals. A </span><a href="http://www.epi.org/publication/trade-pacts-korus-trans-pacific-partnership/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">July report by the Economic Policy Institute</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> showed U.S. exports to South Korea fell by $3.5 billion during the first year of that trade agreement, resulting in the loss of 40,000 American jobs.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure it out -- these trade pacts suck for U.S. workers. While corporations tout economic gains, the only ones profiting are big business. It’s time to stop shipping American jobs overseas and dumping wages and benefits overboard with them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the U.S. negotiates a trade agreement, every provision should benefit working families, not big corporations. And the TPP doesn't pass the smell test.</span></div>

job-killing trade deals Nafta TPP Surprise! TPP won’t help American workers

Trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have one thing in common – American workers get screwed. Jim Hoffa says it best,...

Read more »

Product development Engineer (Multiple Openings) ( Physics | optics | metrology | opto-mechanical | Optical Critical Dimension) (#109913)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Product development Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Product Development Engineer plays a central role throughout the different phases of the product life cycle.  This position is part of a team responsible for developing and supporting next generation Optical Critical Dimension  (OCD) metrology systems as well as supporting and improving current systems. The candidate will play a key role in next generation product development, from technology evaluation and selection, specifications development, product validation, verification, transfer to manufacturing, and support of customer ramp. The candidate will maintain ownership of the product through the life cycle and be responsibility for improvement projects and support of field and manufacturing issues. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership attributes and be able to lead high performing teams to achieve program objectives in a timely manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The engineer must be able to complete the initial diagnosis of any system issue, uncover root cause and devise or drive a team to define solutions for complex problems. Must be able to support the detailed analysis and tradeoffs for the various solutions, develop plan of action, and effectively communicate plan to colleagues to execute. Must have the knowledge and experience to effectively work with experts in optics, electronics, mechanics, software, and algorithms as required to resolve issues. Some travel may be required to support product transition to manufacturing, beta support at customer sites, and for complex cases that require on-site support. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Additional details regarding responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Develop concepts and designs for the next generation system. Investigate next generation opto-mechanical technology and analysis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Resolve inconsistencies between subsystems, conduct trade-off studies, identify high-risk areas, and develop risk mitigation strategies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ownership of creation and execution of prototype test plans for complex subsystems. This will involve integration of subsystems, testing against design tolerances and marketing specifications, analyzing test data, and generation of reports.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Drive product or feature introduction. This includes preparation of first draft of system alignment, calibration and troubleshooting diagnostics for existing and new products, training of operations and field personnel, and solving technical issues that may impact production introduction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Train operations and service and manufacturing employees.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Drive team to resolve system issues at customer site or in manufacturing. Work with engineers at locations around the globe to solve issues escalated to engineering: establish root cause, develop plan of action (POA), guide local teams in execution of POA, and document issues and solutions to improve design and/or procedures so that they may be implemented across the fleet in a standard manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Will require some travel (< 25%).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Strong background in engineering or the physical sciences with demonstrated analysis and problem solving skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Hands-on experience constructing and aligning opto-mechanical system is highly desirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Experience diagnosing and driving solutions to complex problems across whole systems by applying appropriate problem solving techniques.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Ability to communicate effectively to all levels of the division, customers, vendors and across cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6. Experience in the semiconductor capital equipment or manufacturing industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7. Familiarity with Matlab and JMP.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8. Project management skills (scoping, budgeting, and scheduling).        <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 5 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Master's Level Degree with at least 3 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Doctorate<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Kindly send in your resumes to <a href="mailto:vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com">vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></div></div>

Product development Engineer (Multiple Openings) ( Physics | optics | metrology | opto-mechanical | Optical Critical Dimension) (#109913)

Job Title: Product development Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Responsibilities: The Product Developm...

Read more »

NJ Gov. Christie: misclassifying workers is okay

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hj4QWGaEdz1D-ykDPYklBMpW9eIV_M58eMy2EY41Ejc2Tf0r_uDjACQzz_ZRRPZCjdYkox65doFKNTWokWsxPD6C_k_GXS_wFzLKu2e3NNvpklnto_CZENTTfpHepYKE4l6cC_YP0Dg1/s1600/misclassification.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hj4QWGaEdz1D-ykDPYklBMpW9eIV_M58eMy2EY41Ejc2Tf0r_uDjACQzz_ZRRPZCjdYkox65doFKNTWokWsxPD6C_k_GXS_wFzLKu2e3NNvpklnto_CZENTTfpHepYKE4l6cC_YP0Dg1/s1600/misclassification.jpg" /></a></div>This week New Jersey Gov. <a href="http://wepartypatriots.com/wp/2013/09/11/gov-christie-delivers-one-two-punch-to-the-gut-of-nj-construction-workers/" rel="nofollow">Chris Christie vetoed a bill</a> that would have helped the state crack down on the misclassification of workers in the trucking industry. <br /><br />By killing the <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/05/woot-nj-senate-approves.html">legislation</a> (A1578/S1450), Christie gave his blessing to employers that deny basic employee rights to port truck drivers and cheat the state out of tax revenues through willful and widespread misclassification.<br /><br />Teamsters International Vice President <a href="http://www.teamster.org/sites/teamster.org/files/91013A1578VetoCoalitionStatementdocs.pdf" rel="nofollow">Fred Potter said in a statement</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Governor Christie has demonstrated time after time that he does not care about New Jersey’s working families. He is leaving New Jersey behind by doing the bidding for law‐breaking trucking companies that willfully misclassify drivers to avoid paying employer taxes and to push the most basic cost of doing business onto the workforce.</blockquote>The problem of misclassification in the trucking industry is <a href="http://nelp.3cdn.net/000beaf922628dfea1_cum6b0fab.pdf" rel="nofollow">well-documented</a>. It's part of an industry-wide effort to keep workers out of the middle class so companies can rake in more profit. But it's also a problem that -- thanks in part to <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/07/teamsters-fight-misclassification.html">Teamster action</a> -- is finally being addressed in many states. The <a href="http://cleanandsafeports.org/new-yorknew-jersey/about-the-campaign/" rel="nofollow">Coalition for Healthy Ports</a> points out:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Across America, the trucking industry is being modernized as states crack down on the misclassification of truck drivers. A worker misclassification law was recently signed in Illinois and another one is expected to be signed in New York.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">And port truck drivers are not waiting for new laws to assert their rights as employees. In California over 500 claims have been filed with the CA Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (CA DLSE) by port truck drivers who say their companies have misclassified them. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">At a time when so many agencies and Legislatures are moving in the right direction on worker misclassification, Governor Christie’s veto is in the wrong direction.</blockquote>Thousands of port truck drivers in the U.S. are wrongly classified as owner-operators. Drivers are often required to buy or lease their own trucks from companies and pay for their upkeep. But they are denied "employee" status despite the fact that the companies control their compensation and regulate their work. This means the workers are not allowed to form a union and the companies avoid paying millions in taxes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thenation.com/blog/175424/industry-where-few-workers-are-employees-teamsters-mount-multi-front-attack#" rel="nofollow">Teamsters have been leading</a> the fight for workers' rights and against misclassification in the industry, using lobbying, lawsuits and organizing to bring dignity to drivers. In July, Teamsters successfully organized Toll Group <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/07/woo-hoo-another-teamster-organizing.html">drivers in New Jersey</a> following an historic organizing victory at <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2012/04/woo-hoo-historic-teamster-organizing.html">Toll in Los Angeles</a>. And just a few weeks ago Teamsters organized a <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/la-port-strike-ends-with-return-to-work.html">powerful one-day strike at the Port of LA</a>.<br /><br />But with anti-worker politicians like Christie at the wheel in New Jersey, there's still a lot of work to do to stop the war on workers in port trucking and beyond. <br /><br />Christie also used this week as an opportunity to <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/09/09/chris-christie-no-prevailing-wage-provision-in-tax-incentives-bill/?mod=wsj_streaming_latest-headlines" rel="nofollow">attack workers in the building trades</a> by gutting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevailing_wage" rel="nofollow">prevailing wage</a> provisions in the New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act of 2013. That's a blow to construction workers whose employers won't be required to pay prevailing wages even while they receive tax credits from the state.<br /><br />The struggle continues.

Chris Christie misclassification New Jersey port drivers prevailing wage NJ Gov. Christie: misclassifying workers is okay

This week New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have helped the state crack down on the misclassification of workers in t...

Read more »

This "Recovery" Is Just About Over (Musical Tribute)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dJ66FWW1Dwi4etpYawggJQt0PkEIEnJj5LRlh3vk_O_ycK1pS4CQf-_7tzArkWvbbxrnij9dzjz_uVLyvr2wMN6bvyBqx1bYgsLhq5Ri4RGmN-vhGzVfN8s3eMW1sdaoGXAAgw192_E/s1600/Selected+Real+Retail+Sales+per+Capita.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dJ66FWW1Dwi4etpYawggJQt0PkEIEnJj5LRlh3vk_O_ycK1pS4CQf-_7tzArkWvbbxrnij9dzjz_uVLyvr2wMN6bvyBqx1bYgsLhq5Ri4RGmN-vhGzVfN8s3eMW1sdaoGXAAgw192_E/s320/Selected+Real+Retail+Sales+per+Capita.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Start with retail sales. Subtract off motor vehicles and parts (<a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-car-financing-vs-hours-worked.html">mostly purchased with excess credit</a>), gasoline station sales, food sales, and nonstore retail sales (since nonstores tend to hire non-employees). Adjust for inflation and divide by the population. The chart shows what's left. It's the perfect recipe for <a href="http://maxedoutmama.blogspot.com/">MaxedOutMama's</a> disturbing <a href="http://maxedoutmama.blogspot.com/2013/09/utterly-schizoid-nfib-report.html">Utterly Schizoid NFIB Report</a>.<br /><br />In my opinion, the core economy is running out of steam again. They say nobody rings a bell at the top. I guess everyone is just too busy <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mjo">counting their money while they're sitting at the table</a>.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kn481KcjvMo" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://www.census.gov/retail/">Census: Monthly & Annual Retail Trade</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CPIAUCSL">St. Louis Fed: CPI</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/POP">St. Louis Fed: Population</a>

This "Recovery" Is Just About Over (Musical Tribute)

Click to enlarge. Start with retail sales. Subtract off motor vehicles and parts ( mostly purchased with excess credit ), gasoline station s...

Read more »

Breaking: Paycheck deception veto upheld in Missouri

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT86FZMXGLsUnkbPFItCzepf6wijgS6u1JF9J7GKWC1oBGlipqcfx0EXOVajjfhMjkQJYGC3vFueg675ZsrVEsYI5eFXXv71yXlwBg2QyUAAscpaZSGH04upDkW0ukPA_2_pvewBqdnFv/s1600/victory.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT86FZMXGLsUnkbPFItCzepf6wijgS6u1JF9J7GKWC1oBGlipqcfx0EXOVajjfhMjkQJYGC3vFueg675ZsrVEsYI5eFXXv71yXlwBg2QyUAAscpaZSGH04upDkW0ukPA_2_pvewBqdnFv/s200/victory.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div>Great news from our brothers and sisters in <a href="http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/In-The-States/Missouri-Governor-Vetoes-Paycheck-Deception-Bill" rel="nofollow">Missouri: Gov. Jay Nixon's veto</a> of SB 29, an anti-worker bill, was sustained today. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">It's a big win for workers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br /><br />Lawmakers in Jefferson City are holding a session today to override the governor's vetoes on a number of issues. Not enough lawmakers voted to overrule his veto of the paycheck deception measure that passed in March. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">It's a billionaire-backed bill to <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/03/paycheck-deception-passes-missouri-house.html" rel="nofollow">forbid employers from honoring employees' requests to deduct their union dues from their paychecks</a>.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">This isn't a partisan issue. Republicans joined Democrats in a 22-11 Senate vote.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Big props to all our brothers and sisters in Missouri who worked so hard to make sure this bill did not become law.</span>

MO paycheck deception Breaking: Paycheck deception veto upheld in Missouri

Great news from our brothers and sisters in Missouri: Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of SB 29, an anti-worker bill, was sustained today.  It'...

Read more »

Product development Engineer ( Physics | Photonics | DUV | UV laser | characterization) (#110053)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Product development Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Laser Engineer will contribute to the development of high-reliability, high-power, deep-UV laser technology for KLA-Tencor’s inspection tools. He/she will prototype laser and nonlinear optics assemblies, thoroughly characterize those prototypes in the lab and use the results provide suggestions to improve the design.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Important tasks include:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Set-up and detailed characterization of prototype wavelength converters.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Evaluation and qualification of lasers and optical components.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Data analysis and statistical analysis<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Documentation of alignment and test procedures for transfer the manufacturing <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Careful experimentation is required to ensure that the results are accurate. This Engineer must be able to work without close supervision, complete the assigned tasks, and write up the results.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He/she will interact with the world-class team of optical, mechanical, electrical and software engineers who develop KLA-Tencor’s market leading inspection systems. He/she will work with KLA-Tencor’s manufacturing organization and outside vendors to transfer the technology into production.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. Hands on experience in carrying out experiments to thoroughly and accurately characterize high-power lasers and UV wavelength conversion stages.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Candidates for this position must have a strong background in the design, set-up and experimental characterization of high-power UV laser, and nonlinear optical wavelength converters. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Strong optical alignment, diagnostic, and documentation skills are required. Comprehensive experience with optical diagnostics and test equipment for characterizing the spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics of laser systems (power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, imaging equipment, spatial beam quality test equipment, etc.).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Must be a team player with good written and verbal communication skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Ph.D. in Physics, Photonics, or equivalent field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6. Deep-UV experience is highly desirable. Experience with mode-locked and/or cw  DPSS lasers is desirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7. Vendor management experience is a plus. Matlab and LabView skills are a plus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Doctorate (Academic) in Physics, Photonics, or related field and at least 2 years of relevant experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">OR <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Master's Level Degree in Physics, Photonics, or related fields with at least 4 years of relevant experience<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please send in your resumes to <a href="mailto:vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com">vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</a></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div>

Product development Engineer ( Physics | Photonics | DUV | UV laser | characterization) (#110053)

Job Title: Product development Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Responsibilities: The Laser Engineer w...

Read more »