Librarian I - Hamden Public Library

<strong>Librarian I - </strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Hamden Public Library</span></strong></strong>. Position definition: Performs professional library duties in the areas of reference services, technical services or children's services. Provides instruction in the use of electronic and print information sources in these areas and assists library patrons in the selection and use of library materials. Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the immediate supervisor as determined by the Library Director, who assigns areas of responsibility, outlines policy and procedures, provides guidance as necessary and evaluates work in terms of accuracy and effectiveness. Works with independence in assigned areas. Makes regular reports to Supervisor, including statistical information for activity reports. Supervision Exercised: Provides general supervision to Library Technical Assistants, Library Clerks, Library Pages and volunteers. Examples of Essential Job Duties: Performs basic professional librarian duties, the specifics of which depend upon the unit to which the employee is assigned. Minimum Qualifications Required: The minimum qualifications required for this position is a Master’s Degree in Library Science from an accredited college or university and some working or internship experience in a public library. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must have a working knowledge of library principles and practices. A working knowledge of the Dewey Decimal Classification System required. Must possess a working knowledge of and facility with current library-related technologies in a variety of platforms as well as the ability and willingness to embrace technological advances as they arise. Must be able to use the Town's email system. The ability to apply principles of library science to solve practical problems where only limited standardization exists is required. Must be able to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral and scheduled form. Must be able to work with patrons in a busy public service-oriented setting and have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the library staff. Applications and copies of the job description are available in the Personnel/Civil Service Office from 8:30 - 4:30 PM and on the Town of Hamden website, <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.hamden.com" href="http://www.hamden.com/" target="_blank">www.hamden.com</a>. Closing date: Thursday, <span style="color: red;">July 11, 2013</span> @ 4:00 PM.

Librarian I - Hamden Public Library

Librarian I - Hamden Public Library . Position definition: Performs professional library duties in the areas of reference services, techn...

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Back in the homeschool classroom: A chance encounter

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7q6CIQ5fuSDXBghlyaLneba7meMy6D-GS0nDYvkjWo9f86vG00gYZk3XjnRrp5_MG0jVBPJunGxIov9BhcRa6SbBX778qyvtPVmgGmPABR0aeqc1lLBYpNG6DD-6Zd8IpCM3krHJ3X5c/s800/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7q6CIQ5fuSDXBghlyaLneba7meMy6D-GS0nDYvkjWo9f86vG00gYZk3XjnRrp5_MG0jVBPJunGxIov9BhcRa6SbBX778qyvtPVmgGmPABR0aeqc1lLBYpNG6DD-6Zd8IpCM3krHJ3X5c/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle.</i></div><br />I ran into an old friend today while shopping at Martin's in Staunton ... a homeschool mom who joined our local homeschool organization while I was in leadership. It was good to see her and brought back memories of the years I educated my children at home.<br /><br />We got caught up in that quick in-a-nutshell way that you do when running into someone you haven't seen in a while in a public place like the grocery store, and then she said something that kind of stopped me in my tracks.<br /><br />"I read your blog."<br /><br /><i>"Really?"</i> I was flattered.<br /><br />I thanked her, and laughed about how I write about politics but then escape to the mountains or the back roads to take photos and enjoy the Shenandoah Valley. She smiled and nodded and said, "Your pictures of the beach...."<br /><br />"Ah, the Gulf of Mexico," I said nodding my head. "I had not been there in years but the water was just as blue as I remembered."<br /><br />She noted that it was beautiful and she had really enjoyed the pictures and it made her want to go to the beach. Yes, I told her, I had heard that from others, too.<br /><br />The photos are my window on the world that I enjoy sharing with others, the neat nooks and crannies of the places where I ramble and make discoveries and spend time taking in the beauty of wherever I am. It has always been amazing that people write to say how much they enjoy seeing them.<br /><br />It is equally amazing that a number of homeschool moms, some whom I've never met, read my blog. You would think they would have their hands full with required school reading so I consider it an honor that they take a few minutes out of their day to stop by SWAC Girl.<br /><br />A while back, one mom wrote that she especially enjoyed when I ended my posts with, "It's summer (spring/winter/fall) in the Shenandoah Valley...." Now when I type that line, I think of her.<br /><br />Our chance encounter today was once again a reminder that friends are priceless. And knowing that there are those who enjoy my blog is an honor.  <br /><br />And, Leslie -- great seeing you today! May the rest of your homeschool journey be especially gratifying and successful, and hopefully it won't be so long before we meet up again....<br /><br /><i>----- </i><br /><i>Lynn Mitchell educated her children at home for 16 years and was part of leadership in North Carolina's Iredell County Home Educators (ICHE) and Virginia's Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (PEACH). Her son graduated from Harrisonburg's James Madison University (JMU) in 2007 with a BS in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing. Her daughter graduated from Staunton's Mary Baldwin College in 2012 with a BS in Sustainable Business and Marketing. Lynn and her husband live in Augusta County located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The story of how she began her homeschool journey <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/01/back-in-homeschool-classroom-blazing.html">can be found here</a>.</i> <br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Seacrest, Florida <br />May 2013

Florida Gulf of Mexico homeschooling Lynn R. Mitchell Seacrest Shenandoah Valley Back in the homeschool classroom: A chance encounter

The Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle. I ran into an old friend today while shopping at Martin's in Staunton ... a homeschool mom ...

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Product development Engineer (opto-mechanics | motion control | Laser | Illumination systems | plasma light) (#109574)

<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 selected Product Development Engineer will work within the Wafer Inspection Division on Brightfield products. The Product Development Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, testing and implementing high brightness plasma light sources to support KLA-Tencor's roadmap in optical wafer inspection. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This role will involve requirements analysis, systems design and testing of complex inspection systems using expertise from multiple technical disciplines. The selected candidate will:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Work with marketing and engineering to define system architecture and develop requirement specifications and test plans - 30%<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Work with functional groups to define and review designs. Create and execute test plans and perform analysis to validate system performance. Will trouble shoot system and subsystem issues and work with various subsystem teams to find and implement solutions - 40%<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Support internal and external customers in implementing processes to build and use the tool effectively and optimize tool performance. Lead troubleshooting efforts in manufacturing and in the field. - 30%<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Occasional travel will be required.<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";">Must have a strong background in engineering or the physical sciences and demonstrated analysis and problem solving skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Must have a good understanding of Optical, Electromechanical and Software systems and their interactions in the context of complex industrial equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Strong diagnostic and trouble shooting skills in optics, opto-mechanics, and motion control systems<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Experience with lasers and illumination systems, CCD/CMOS cameras is a plus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Should be familiar with scientific and statistical analysis tools and SW tools such as Matlab, JMP, Zemax, and LabView.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Experience in developing a subsystem in one or more of the above areas are highly desirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing processes and image analysis is desirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Should have the ability to influence functional groups to drive system level decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Agility and ability to thrive on a fast paced program and respond quickly to field and internal escalations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ability to define objectives clearly, create and track schedules effectively, and drive the team to a solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Must be an effective communicator able to share technical information with functional groups and provide executive level reports to management and customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May be required to lead small cross functional teams.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">PhD in applied optics, mechanical/electrical engineering, physics or related disciplines desired<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 relevant industry 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 relevant industry 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 (Academic).<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 vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div>

Product development Engineer (opto-mechanics | motion control | Laser | Illumination systems | plasma light) (#109574)

Job Title: Product Development Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job description: Responsibilities: The selected Product...

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System design Engineer ( electron beam or ion beam | column and source design | integration and characterization) (# 109634)

<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";"> System design 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";">1. electron beam system development for semiconductor wafer review and inspection<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. electron optical column and electron source design, integration and characterization<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. system calibration feature development and trouble shooting<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. system level integration and characterization<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Data analysis<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6. team work with multiple functional groups and some leadership<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. Doctorate (Academic) in physics, electrical engineering and material science with at least 5 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Strong hand-on experience and modeling skill on electron beam or ion beam technology<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Good knowledge and experience on vacuum and high voltage<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Good knowledge and understanding on physics of charge particle related<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Strong data analysis skill and capability of drawing clear conclusion from complicated data set<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6. Experience on in-depth SEM image analysis is big plus<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7. Experience on design, integration of high-sensitivity semiconductor testing equipment is big 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";">1. Doctorate (Academic) in physics, electrical engineering and material science with at least 2 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. Basic knowledge of electron beam or ion beam or other charged particles<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Some experience on designing and characterizing relatively sophisticated system <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4. Good data analysis skill<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5. Good communication skill<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 vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></div></div>

System design Engineer ( electron beam or ion beam | column and source design | integration and characterization) (# 109634)

Job Title: System design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job description: Responsibilities: 1. electron beam system de...

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Sr System design Engineer ( Optics| metrology | critical dimension | Thinfilm| throughput MAM | modeling and simulations) (#109110)

<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";"> Sr system design 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";">We are looking for a senior systems engineer to support the development of the next generation film and CD measurement technology and hardware.  Following the KLA-Tencor Product Lifecycle methods, the candidate will be required to participate in all phases of the design, design reviews and requirements definition for systems and subsystems.  System requirements documents, feature requirements for software, analyzing system performance and modeling expected performance are key responsibilities for this position.  Other responsibilities for this position include interfacing with multi-disciplinary teams in the US and overseas, analyzing system level impacts, modeling and simulations of measurement hardware, and evaluating throughput MAM and optics efficiencies. <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";">Candidate should have doctoral degree in physics/applied sciences/ materials sciences with at least 5-10 years of experience.  Experience in the semiconductor industry and in other film/CD measurements would be a plus.  Candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills.  Candidates should be familiar with analytical tools such as Matlab, Mathematica.  Prior knowledge of Zemax or other optical design programs would be considered a plus.  Prior experience in polarization measuring instruments, reflectometers, ellipsometers, interferometers etc would be considered a definite 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";">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 7 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 6 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 (Academic) with at least 5 years of 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 vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</span></b></div></div></div>

Sr System design Engineer ( Optics| metrology | critical dimension | Thinfilm| throughput MAM | modeling and simulations) (#109110)

Job Title: Sr system design Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job description:           Responsibilities: We are looki...

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Complete Randomness

<br />Nothing exciting going on around here.  So, welcome to my brain randomly darting around to different ideas instead of being productive...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcvAzY-QY2jOcYq4iKc0VOcCovIv9Z60vXlWxbjQrAgWkS23YoNTxjImzhp2eQDWSYYzky3gtXd0MNMy5MDCh_DSEd5FlNfoDjEcurv9fYQa5-4R5AQ2jbrDWcdj_Dx3zLtUDoAoBFmo/s960/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><ul><li>It's Friday!!!! </li><li>6 months until Christmas.</li><li>My dog is officially dumber than a sack of rocks.  There's only two ways he will go to the bathroom.  The first way, his toes hit my bedroom carpet.  Simple cause and effect.  The second way, he has to be on a leash with me scolding him to "go, go, GO!"  He can be in the yard for an hour and never go even though he has free access to his preferred spot.  Nope, beeline for my carpet.  Little shit.  </li><li>I love Taco Bell, really really love Taco Bell.  This started in college when I realized I could get completely full for under $2 and it never wore off.  If I don't go for a few days I start to miss it.  I'm really missing my friend today lol</li><li>I am not qualified to have four kids.  I always thought I wanted four.  Two 4-year-olds and two 6-year-olds has been quite enough today!  I can snap a class of 20+ kids to attention, but this... holy cow.  And loading them in the car?  Four kids in booster seats!  I had to put the extra two seats in the back, which meant the older ones had to climb on top of the younger ones to get to their seats.  Granted they could have walked between the middle seats, but what fun would that be?  And they had to step on them and kick them in the face on the way back.  Then I had to climb back too because one couldn't figure out which one to plug the seat belt into.  A mini-van would work, with its lovely sliding door.  But I'm a truck kind of girl and you can't haul a horse trailer with a minivan.  So SUV it is.  And two kids are more than plenty.</li><li>It's $1 Flip Flop day at Old Navy tomorrow.  </li><li>Hubby can't get the kids to swimming lessons either.  I was tempted to let the crash and burn happen.  Not at the expense of the innocent though.  Yes, they were late.  And yes, I had to save the day with towels, drinks, snack, and sunscreen right before they pulled out of the garage.  Half of me thinks this was bait for me to take control of it, the other half thinks I'm reading into it and men don't do things like women do.  Either way, I think there's an awareness now of what it takes to get them going.</li><li>And the thing I'm really super excited about is that I live near another blogger.  Crazy close.  Like meet for lunch anytime kind of close.  I'm really looking forward to getting to know her!</li><li>Oh, and did I mention it's Friday?</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XyKCRbNy5cSVudlCqznzhEmB2nveCrTb4ujvMluYiqnwR_OfLEsVsnxT7HVlxUE9wBhLevzI28ygIH5b4kFTMbQhVu248zI_QvTAp_zroAEoSLDcS1wD078BJpDd0ka__gXl4FUjsHQ/s960/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XyKCRbNy5cSVudlCqznzhEmB2nveCrTb4ujvMluYiqnwR_OfLEsVsnxT7HVlxUE9wBhLevzI28ygIH5b4kFTMbQhVu248zI_QvTAp_zroAEoSLDcS1wD078BJpDd0ka__gXl4FUjsHQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCxqsLMGkYZLToCPI5E7ZUAMWFwnvnfcd11iEmGVT2aJ3y2kyKOzr2G1Hvanp1hXbbv0gJyiMgzZdHb4btuw6HFfNcsz8tzgvr4184R5LK14KPvqvZrf2D6Ca1GU00Ll-EcSi8i4x6_E/s320/For+Emily+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCxqsLMGkYZLToCPI5E7ZUAMWFwnvnfcd11iEmGVT2aJ3y2kyKOzr2G1Hvanp1hXbbv0gJyiMgzZdHb4btuw6HFfNcsz8tzgvr4184R5LK14KPvqvZrf2D6Ca1GU00Ll-EcSi8i4x6_E/s320/For+Emily+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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Complete Randomness

Nothing exciting going on around here.  So, welcome to my brain randomly darting around to different ideas instead of being productive... It...

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Why the Teamsters charged a funeral giant with lawbreaking

No one should be surprised that funeral giant SCI would lie and break federal laws during contract talks. SCI has in the past hired gun-toting goons to spy on its workers during negotiations.<br /><br />The $3.8 billion company buys neighborhood funeral homes, siphons money from the community and tries to impoverish its workers.<br /><br />SCI is currently in contract negotiations with Chicago-area funeral directors and drivers who are members of <a href="http://www.teamsterslocal727.org/">Local 727</a>. The Houston-based corporation is demanding the workers agree to elimination of their pension, increased health care costs and a wage freeze for new hires. And it's not as if the company is hurting. Its stock went up 56 percent in the last year.<br /><br />SCI is also lying to the employees and negotiators. That's against the law. The <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/unfair-labor-practice-charges-filed-against-funeral-giant-sci">press release</a> from Local 727 explains:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">On or about June 24 and 25, in violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), SCI engaged in bad faith bargaining with the union by making unlawful omissions and misrepresentations in memos issued to its employees and negotiators.  Additionally, SCI issued memos that contained implied threats to interfere with employees’ current benefits in violation of section 8(a)(1) of the NLRA.</blockquote>The funeral directors are asking the public for support. (You can help by signing this online petition <a href="http://www.integrityinillinois.com/online-petition.html">here</a>.)<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xLJFXbdJS7zZHEdek8rtuK4FWFE1rWs97R7yMCTu9HSzc7AhlCSFWMVQNLVbJ7Mb9W-PyMoPq932zMPYcJ34EIpUIGuoZZofLqZ5tliUOurJD6l0SdPTPJ6aJ9tTzADa4bG9OiQCsqqK/s1600/funeral+directors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xLJFXbdJS7zZHEdek8rtuK4FWFE1rWs97R7yMCTu9HSzc7AhlCSFWMVQNLVbJ7Mb9W-PyMoPq932zMPYcJ34EIpUIGuoZZofLqZ5tliUOurJD6l0SdPTPJ6aJ9tTzADa4bG9OiQCsqqK/s320/funeral+directors.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamster funeral directors rally for fairness</td></tr></tbody></table>Local 727 placed an ad in the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/">Chicago Tribune</a> and tried to place the same one in the Chicago Sun-Times. But the Sun-Times refused to carry it. <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/sun-times-refuses-union-advertising">John T. Coli, secretary-treasurer of the Local, said</a>.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The Sun-Times obviously does not want to offend a consistent revenue source. It’s ironic that a  newspaper that makes its money off the First Amendment would do this.</blockquote>Here's the ad, which warns of a labor dispute:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">We, the undersigned funeral directors and drivers, are proud to be able to assist grieving families in their greatest time of need, and we have dedicated our lives and careers to this important service. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Over the last seven years, we have made sacrifices — including wage cuts and freezes — in order to help SCI. Now, the company wants to eliminate our pensions and slash our benefits. Their shameful actions could force us out on strike and cause further harm to the Chicago community...</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOsefVB6EeVUsVxxYdmWsuduEwgRru_iboOjTJSwpTAsJgKUERuJ4Czn7274x1OKLb_xfzZ46EXjqBu2JE1AIJo-h1tXVZmIMhF1GSAbEfEQ21LmcUTiJ96A3LOC0tJ_IsA-gOe9NEN1W/s240/SCI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOsefVB6EeVUsVxxYdmWsuduEwgRru_iboOjTJSwpTAsJgKUERuJ4Czn7274x1OKLb_xfzZ46EXjqBu2JE1AIJo-h1tXVZmIMhF1GSAbEfEQ21LmcUTiJ96A3LOC0tJ_IsA-gOe9NEN1W/s240/SCI.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These walls hide real nasty behavior</td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">As funeral directors and drivers, we are not nameless, faceless workers; we are licensed professionals who have spent years fostering strong relationships with the families we serve. SCI needs to know they cannot treat us this way. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">In the event of a labor dispute, please visit IntegrityInIllinois.com or call (312) 206-4123 to be directed to alternative funeral facilities.</blockquote>About the guns:  Six years ago, the Teamster funeral directors were caucusing in a South Side hotel room between negotiating sessions with SCI. A female Teamster negotiator left the room and returned to find a large man who was clearly carrying a gun listening at the door. He tried to intimidate her, but she brushed past him. Funeral directors fanned out across the hotel grounds and identified several more armed goons. The Teamsters immediately filed unfair labor practice charges with the <a href="http://www.nlrb.gov/">National Labor Relations Board</a>.<br /><br />For more information, go to <a href="http://www.integrityinillinois.com/">www.integrityinillinois.com</a>.

funeral directors negotiations SCI Why the Teamsters charged a funeral giant with lawbreaking

No one should be surprised that funeral giant SCI would lie and break federal laws during contract talks. SCI has in the past hired gun-toti...

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Steal $1B? Pay a fine. Criticize banks? 13 years.

A California man who chalked "Stop Big Banks" on a sidewalk faces a possible prison sentence of 13 years, while a banker whose firm "disappeared" $1.2 billion dollars faces no jail time whatsoever.<br /><br />The California man, Jonathan Olson, is a former aide to the U.S. senator from Washington. <a href="http://jonathanturley.org/2013/06/26/bank-of-america/">Blogger Jonathan Turley</a> tells us he can't even <i>bring up</i> the First Amendment during his trial.<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Olson used water-soluble statements like “Stop big banks,” and “Stop Bank Blight.com” outside Bank of America branches last year to protest the company’s practices. He eventually gave up his protest but prosecutors later brought 13 charges against him. Now a judge has reportedly banned his attorney from “mentioning the First Amendment, free speech, free expression, public forum, expressive conduct, or political speech during the trial.” It appears someone associated with Bank of American could finally go to jail, but it will not by the bank officials in the financial scandal. It is the guy writing slogans in chalk in the sidewalk.</blockquote>Jon Corzine, the former head of MF Global, faces a fine because his company robbed clients of $1.2 billion.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZoBJ-FreYpIzldJp8a3-hORZhYIRcFskU5hAp1HSESQE3rwECw_Lae8zUj8n39sL43Ora6LikmcKXAtCKx288QkdJs7u4WEl0QQHN8hEPVu5UjnVCuNGOdBMi_XOI0fRYjlAQIXpI6OL/s288/why-it-took-regulators-nearly-two-years-to-bring-a-case-against-jon-corzine-for-mf-global.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZoBJ-FreYpIzldJp8a3-hORZhYIRcFskU5hAp1HSESQE3rwECw_Lae8zUj8n39sL43Ora6LikmcKXAtCKx288QkdJs7u4WEl0QQHN8hEPVu5UjnVCuNGOdBMi_XOI0fRYjlAQIXpI6OL/s288/why-it-took-regulators-nearly-two-years-to-bring-a-case-against-jon-corzine-for-mf-global.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corzine</td></tr></tbody></table>The <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323873904578571681994899150.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories">Wall Street Journal</a> reports:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Federal regulators on Thursday filed civil charges against former MF Global Holdings Ltd. Chief Executive Jon S. Corzine and a top lieutenant for overseeing the misuse of almost $1 billion in customer funds, saying Mr. Corzine "bears responsibility" for the New York commodities brokerage's 2011 demise... </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The agency also charged a former executive at the firm, Edith O'Brien, with misusing customer funds, saying she aided and abetted the violations. The agency is seeking monetary penalties from Mr. Corzine and Ms. O'Brien and to ban the two from ever again trading commodities on Wall Street. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">The CFTC's 47-page complaint depicts Mr. Corzine as instrumental in making decisions that put customer accounts at risk by allegedly moving money in violation of strict rules prohibiting such transfers.</blockquote>Here's how relentlessly Bank of America went after Jonathan Olson, according to Turley:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Darell Freeman, vice president of Bank of America’s Global Corporate Security ...  reportedly demanded action from local prosecutors. Olson stopped when contacted by the San Diego Gang Unit in 2012. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Yet, the bank insisted the chalk caused $6,000 to clean up, a rather suspicious claim. These were slogans written on the sidewalk. Prosecutors hit him with 13 counts of misdemeanor vandalism charges and $13,000 in restitution to the City and to Bank of America. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Freeman reportedly continued to hound police to bring charges and reports state that on April 15, Deputy City Attorney Paige Hazard contacted Freeman with the good news. “I wanted to let you know that we will be filing 13 counts of vandalism as a result of the incidents you reported.”</blockquote><a href="http://www.economicpopulist.org/content/corzine-gets-sued">Economic Populist</a> writes:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">If the CFTC wins their civil lawsuit against Corzine, beyond being banned from trading, they could impose stiff personal penalties.  Generally speaking it looks like Corzine will be personally sued into political and economic oblivion as he has been bombarded with private lawsuits already in addition to the government now filing civil litigation against him.  Yet of course no one is actually going to jail for illegally using and losing over $1 billion of customer's funds.   </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Contrast that with the 20 year prison sentence commonly imposed for sticking up the local 7/11.</blockquote>Or with a 13-year prison sentence for writing in chalk on a sidewalk.

Steal $1B? Pay a fine. Criticize banks? 13 years.

A California man who chalked "Stop Big Banks" on a sidewalk faces a possible prison sentence of 13 years, while a banker whose fir...

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The Weigh-In......Are you Ready?

This will be a short entry - I will give a full normal Blog tonight.  Here is the video of my weigh in today on youtube!  Pay close attention as it reveals my STARTING weight and how much weight I have lost since starting belviq one week ago today.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/795_4qkgSTU" width="459"></iframe><br /><br /><br />I want to thank Karen Mann from the office of Dr. Michael Mann and Dr. Vanbiber, as well as the wonderful staff for being there as I weigh in for the first time!!!!!!<br /><br />I will post more tonight!!  But many are asking what the results where.<br /><br />HAPPY FRIDAY!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

The Weigh-In......Are you Ready?

This will be a short entry - I will give a full normal Blog tonight.  Here is the video of my weigh in today on youtube!  Pay close attentio...

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Workers near victory in reform of faulty Calif. jobs program

California Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign legislation to change a corporate tax break that cost Teamsters their jobs. <br /><br />The state Assembly yesterday approved the bill, AB 93, yesterday.<br /><br />For years, companies across the Golden State used the $750 million-a-year enterprise zone program as a way to relocate good-paying jobs to other areas deemed economically challenged. Then the companies pay the workers less in the new location. In some cases, corporations used the tax breaks for hiring decisions made years earlier.<br /><br />Brown called the program wasteful and pushed for reform. The bill approved by both chambers of the California Legislature this week strips the power of the state's 40 locally owned enterprise zones. It replaces the program with a broader slate of statewide business incentives. About $200 million would be used for updated enterprise zones that target the hiring of the poor and unemployed.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-enterprise-zones-20130628,0,4776272,print.story">California Labor Federation</a> praised the legislation for replacing the existing program with one that will improve the state's job market:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">By flipping the broken enterprise zone program into Gov. Brown's smart, strategic plan for job growth, the Legislature strengthened California's economic recovery. We applaud the Legislature for rooting out the waste and abuse in California's enterprise zone program and shifting those tax dollars to create good jobs that boost local economies.</blockquote>The governor, unions and others had complained enterprise zones strayed from their original purpose. The program had turned into a big business giveaway for jobs that largely would have been available without the tax breaks. It often led a company to move from one place in the state to another. In several cases, employers left their unionized shops behind to set up non-union workplaces elsewhere.<br /><br />Earlier this year, we<span id="goog_1350215508"></span> <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/03/workers-pay-to-lose-their-jobs.html">noted</a> Teamsters from building products distributor Blue Linx and laboratory supply and distribution company VWR lost their jobs when their employers moved elsewhere in California and they were told they could not follow the company to its new location. The enterprise zones program allowed businesses to receive tax breaks of $37,500 for each new employee they hired.<br /><br />

Workers near victory in reform of faulty Calif. jobs program

California Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign legislation to change a corporate tax break that cost Teamsters their jobs. The state Assemb...

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Today's archidose #688

Here are some of my photos of <a href="http://codapartywall.com/"><i>Party Wall</i></a>, the <a href="http://momaps1.org/yap/view/16">2013 YAP installation</a> at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, Queens, by <a href="http://www.co-da.eu/">CODA</a>. The installation is up until August 31, 2013.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9158087481/" title="Party Wall by CODA by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Party Wall by CODA" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/9158087481_fe64f43eeb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9158100723/" title="Party Wall by CODA by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Party Wall by CODA" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9158100723_0b1fed933b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9160321936/" title="Party Wall by CODA by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Party Wall by CODA" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/9160321936_20ed82ca9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9160331658/" title="Party Wall by CODA by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Party Wall by CODA" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/9160331658_c0979a971a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9160327906/" title="Party Wall by CODA by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Party Wall by CODA" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/9160327906_e486edc032_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/archidose/9158107971/" title="Party Wall by CODA by archidose, on Flickr"><img alt="Party Wall by CODA" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9158107971_5853238e90_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #688

Here are some of my photos of Party Wall , the 2013 YAP installation at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, Queens, by CODA . The installation is...

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How CEOs are getting richer at your expense

<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/06/07/2121581/first-quarter-of-2013-saw-largest-wage-drop-ever/">Americans are recording the largest drop in wages ever</a> while</span> the average CEO received $14.1 million in combined pay and stock options last year.  At the same time, <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/06/26/2220511/americans-paycheck-to-paycheck/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">three-quarters of Americans didn’t have enough money for a basic emergency fund</span></a>.  The <a href="http://www.epi.org/">Economic Policy Institute</a> <a href="http://www.epi.org/files/2013/ceo-pay-2012-extraordinarily-high.pdf">reports</a>:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">From 1978 to 2012, CEO compensation measured with options realized increased about 875 percent, arise more than double stock market growth and substantially greater than the painfully slow 5.4 percent growth in a typical worker’s compensation over the same period.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">These findings support what we’ve known all along: trickle-down economics <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/02/arthur-laffer-worst-economist-in-us-is.html">are a cruel joke</a>. A third of Americans, over 10 percent more than in 2008, say <a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/09/10/a-third-of-americans-now-say-they-are-in-the-lower-classes/">they are lower-middle and lower class</a>. <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/06/13-facts-higher-education">Income inequality is rapidly increasing</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chuck-collins/helping-the-kids-wealthy-_b_3354529.html">the chances of your kids ending up better off than you are rapidly decreasing</a>, no matter how hard they work.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The fact that <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/06/26/congrats-ceos-youre-making-273-times-the-pay-of-the-average-worker/">CEO pay is more than 270 times more than the average worker</a>isn’t a shock.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Turns out, even for one-percenters, CEOs are being paid ridiculous amounts:</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Over the last three decades, CEO compensation grew far faster than that of other highly paid workers, those earning more than 99.9 percent of other wage earners.  CEO compensation in 2010 was 4.70 times greater than that of the top 0.1 percent of wage earners, a ratio 1.62 higher (a wage gain roughly equivalent to that of 1.6 high wage earners) than the 3.08 ratio that prevailed over the 1947-1979 period.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That’s right.  CEOs still make more money comparatively than even other really, really rich people.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">   Too bad <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/06/07/2121581/first-quarter-of-2013-saw-largest-wage-drop-ever/">their nice bonuses doesn’t extend to your paycheck.</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVxpWTZ7NwFHg9wX0mn9nx43ldDWYTmdxmnxako1SUGeyLI2Q3QWPUhG0EUoxjaAX_xNldVrnouDf4P-U5at483LnNbYzjrJ9er9CGWhYdabKrFb5oAMmiSJngBKqNtDBNMV82oasfqdj/s626/Screen+Shot+2013-06-28+at+9.51.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVxpWTZ7NwFHg9wX0mn9nx43ldDWYTmdxmnxako1SUGeyLI2Q3QWPUhG0EUoxjaAX_xNldVrnouDf4P-U5at483LnNbYzjrJ9er9CGWhYdabKrFb5oAMmiSJngBKqNtDBNMV82oasfqdj/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-06-28+at+9.51.47+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /></div>

ceo inequality How CEOs are getting richer at your expense

Americans are recording the largest drop in wages ever  while  the average CEO received $14.1 million in combined pay and stock options last...

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freshening the foyer - part 2

Previously, on Freshening the Foyer...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnTL2WKCtW37D4WpdvfB-i4ocGdVpGnSXzH-JtQTArrQaUNJi4eg9bRo_O-CTw-Lzv7d4NfBqLLs5nAu2MlsuQNDua0jxw5VvSq5AFLSs4sghqVmarV53N7fYDKB5LMVtAmNqQImOcVM3/s640/wallpaperremoved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnTL2WKCtW37D4WpdvfB-i4ocGdVpGnSXzH-JtQTArrQaUNJi4eg9bRo_O-CTw-Lzv7d4NfBqLLs5nAu2MlsuQNDua0jxw5VvSq5AFLSs4sghqVmarV53N7fYDKB5LMVtAmNqQImOcVM3/s400/wallpaperremoved.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were left with a blank space<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzuofiW9yKiW3kkNkMbTPNi9CxvUWH1xYXiSfocVYUbhSqaieZdgqzPog5YbX38hjD7LCPyyw-55KBh6pxoP6Ogha1neNyvwiRlPHCQQJ_kW5xedonvY_TqgFYS18RY2IVaEUAVK7CTTe/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzuofiW9yKiW3kkNkMbTPNi9CxvUWH1xYXiSfocVYUbhSqaieZdgqzPog5YbX38hjD7LCPyyw-55KBh6pxoP6Ogha1neNyvwiRlPHCQQJ_kW5xedonvY_TqgFYS18RY2IVaEUAVK7CTTe/s320/IMG_1493.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />and a can of this.<br /><br />Specifically, <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/luckyshamrock" target="_blank">Lucky Shamrock</a> by Benjamin Moore. <span style="text-align: center;">I have a lot of blue in my house and I really do love blue. But I didn't want to become one big blue house. So what goes with blue? What's welcoming and cheery? What would I want to see when I walk in the house everyday? </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51tOUzdp4Z0sn1plbDC-YdNK-A2spw5OVSRa_TXCMFm3XEOv4DbQG1dwMzGc1mFs1nNrYv8IrMVOKgKziY0X215imUnzk1G1B6Jy8tS7pdKUW3ku9LKH4uKMssrrtCjX6Q4iT-PsoX8sG/s1305/LuckyShamrockCeiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51tOUzdp4Z0sn1plbDC-YdNK-A2spw5OVSRa_TXCMFm3XEOv4DbQG1dwMzGc1mFs1nNrYv8IrMVOKgKziY0X215imUnzk1G1B6Jy8tS7pdKUW3ku9LKH4uKMssrrtCjX6Q4iT-PsoX8sG/s400/LuckyShamrockCeiling.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br />Green.<br /><br />And you all know how I like a good lookin' ceiling (like <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/03/one-room-challenge-reveal.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/p/living-room.html" target="_blank">here</a>) so I took that paint up north. Happy green ceiling - complete. Now for the walls.<br /><br />My ultimate dream would be some <a href="http://www.porterspaints.com/wallpapers/designer-for-porters/anna-spiro" target="_blank">Anna Spiro wallpaper</a> but for now that isn't in the budget. So I went with <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/sari-paisley-allover-stencil.html" target="_blank">this stencil</a> from <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/" target="_blank">Cutting Edge Stencils</a> thanks to a Sadie + Stella discount code a while back. (Thanks <a href="http://www.sadieandstella.com/" target="_blank">Lindsay</a>)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY-SuvDUwCI1PB3qNLvl4w9Sz4mp66a0FZ0QA-6kLRL-2VuVTpx1TBbHt4VOnhJ0mChTwMfMezfD7dnPndwoa5GPlelJiEXkqm2MACIqfAMtOTzTOW2BYVm9WgFy8HIZghLcp-FMBYbeI/s1600/Stencils.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY-SuvDUwCI1PB3qNLvl4w9Sz4mp66a0FZ0QA-6kLRL-2VuVTpx1TBbHt4VOnhJ0mChTwMfMezfD7dnPndwoa5GPlelJiEXkqm2MACIqfAMtOTzTOW2BYVm9WgFy8HIZghLcp-FMBYbeI/s400/Stencils.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And here is where this little spruce up went off the tracks a bit. I got the stencil, I was excited to use it and the walls were painted and ready. The hubs and I skimmed thru the directions (first mistake) and got to work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSIgViEmD7XoUwhqeHQedmUdOzFF4jpk5gra0k1zOMv15097OXZLYwiLa6HbQiLx3OzET8qXFBRSnPDzfe5Y9sMzWW3fLTonYEgH0SIVs9dNlEyCqc_zPC4_wsPuQ1u7JibQyfiBnkHyA/s1600/StencilFailed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSIgViEmD7XoUwhqeHQedmUdOzFF4jpk5gra0k1zOMv15097OXZLYwiLa6HbQiLx3OzET8qXFBRSnPDzfe5Y9sMzWW3fLTonYEgH0SIVs9dNlEyCqc_zPC4_wsPuQ1u7JibQyfiBnkHyA/s400/StencilFailed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And ended up with this. Ruh roh.<br /><br />How's this for real life DIY? They don't always go so smoothly, am I right? I blame the little dots in the stencil. They threw us off some how. To be honest, I don't know what happened. The whole process went so fast (which I was rather surprised about) we didn't realize it until we stepped back to admire our finished work.<br /><br />Major let down.<br /><br />This all happened right before the <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/06/party-like-its-1963-50th-wedding.html" target="_blank">party</a>, of course, so it was a good lesson in letting things go. There was no time to fix it and I just didn't have the mental fortitude to make it happen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloN9S703Kokbk3g0903k-dab7cbuEW0RkINcfswDYBNJdaB68Fyb98WMT-0kqFBgEKfq9v5eSh6yYJYkkDr31t1qrpx-PXESi1PpeUkdwAbHh45fPnF8x4rEcs6fn6-ZruHA0hy4zVuUG/s1600/StencilBeforeRoundMirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloN9S703Kokbk3g0903k-dab7cbuEW0RkINcfswDYBNJdaB68Fyb98WMT-0kqFBgEKfq9v5eSh6yYJYkkDr31t1qrpx-PXESi1PpeUkdwAbHh45fPnF8x4rEcs6fn6-ZruHA0hy4zVuUG/s640/StencilBeforeRoundMirror.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So this is how it looked for a few weeks. And it drove me bonkers. The stencil is on crack, the mirror doesn't play well with the bench and its hung too high. And the trim still needs to be painted. Calgon, take me away.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwCPUVgWgjy1kWLO3-m0EKD9Lqy9JHjtFQTXdVquE84vUQ-qw2nN1xO-bCdLL4l6a2Rkuu3DkLKDS0PlPftmEf78O77bnU7QhuDyyIHdU_8uyw7wdQomwhqMaHBEDIL5Gp7M2YDie-tYc/s1600/StencilStartover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwCPUVgWgjy1kWLO3-m0EKD9Lqy9JHjtFQTXdVquE84vUQ-qw2nN1xO-bCdLL4l6a2Rkuu3DkLKDS0PlPftmEf78O77bnU7QhuDyyIHdU_8uyw7wdQomwhqMaHBEDIL5Gp7M2YDie-tYc/s400/StencilStartover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Finally I psyched myself up to try this again. I repainted the whole space (thank god it is small) and after playing with the stencil BEFORE painting, revolutionary I know, I figured out what I needed to do.<br /><br />So learn from my mistakes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZhnyfJdJwvsU6MYnPHAmJ2evVVxbe9fgUxwY1mlj38EFZkihzmPbUMU3iLLrQdfARucYKph6Ycnt1_nvHnJR36BybeAppzRmi5k1BUH458hNFGfXxL8Btpo9owkAFwlXWzbF8NjdxYIg/s1600/StencilDoOver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZhnyfJdJwvsU6MYnPHAmJ2evVVxbe9fgUxwY1mlj38EFZkihzmPbUMU3iLLrQdfARucYKph6Ycnt1_nvHnJR36BybeAppzRmi5k1BUH458hNFGfXxL8Btpo9owkAFwlXWzbF8NjdxYIg/s400/StencilDoOver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is not something you can rush thru, even if it may seem straightforward. You will need to do one sheet and step back to check your work. Then place the sheet in the next spot and step back and check your work. Then roll the next sheet and, you guessed it, step back and check your work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXJmHvZTVbdq9HVMLuMllR7Axlw2qImadlaY0mafq3AQpALW2XDeo4cYkuej0XmwemZ5H8l2fX-A-VT3XCqVbNdG3eB3B-HGOeoeNGZn4jnfjLaSXWhHH5vMPuj_eWuSM-0tFAePAoEsR/s1600/StencilProgress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXJmHvZTVbdq9HVMLuMllR7Axlw2qImadlaY0mafq3AQpALW2XDeo4cYkuej0XmwemZ5H8l2fX-A-VT3XCqVbNdG3eB3B-HGOeoeNGZn4jnfjLaSXWhHH5vMPuj_eWuSM-0tFAePAoEsR/s400/StencilProgress.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br />You will want to go over the stencil several times with your roller. Don't. It just makes a mess. And always roll in the one direction. Never back and forth or you will just end up with a big smeared blob.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3s38TeQLIRMmzUMUCTGMNjjj_3IvP3ahyphenhyphengOK3ka8Lj-YsRWsj169gYoH_nADMtnHuc78OotmHsbn3pxFsjDB-HVgXbZeHDo86NzbDDrmeZ2Luo3-CRhzVLS9jmTYqguRwD_Q9b3dOsAV/s1600/StencilProgress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO3s38TeQLIRMmzUMUCTGMNjjj_3IvP3ahyphenhyphengOK3ka8Lj-YsRWsj169gYoH_nADMtnHuc78OotmHsbn3pxFsjDB-HVgXbZeHDo86NzbDDrmeZ2Luo3-CRhzVLS9jmTYqguRwD_Q9b3dOsAV/s400/StencilProgress2.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><br />Play with the amount of paint on your roller a bit before starting. The key is to find the perfect combo of the right amount of paint and the right amount of pressure so you can get the stencil on in one roll.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMnI9LtY4ph2KRcstrwBAmQ0V1DWr-THv8G8aKqscEhg7OWraBaSFeYfLX8noP-_A2Rdsbka344jI0SPBzNoeouUw-Ba8XRsnWOJ33uo4lqL7LSh5kZwXowTuKIHuoUfhlWtXszALMe8A/s1600/StencilFinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMnI9LtY4ph2KRcstrwBAmQ0V1DWr-THv8G8aKqscEhg7OWraBaSFeYfLX8noP-_A2Rdsbka344jI0SPBzNoeouUw-Ba8XRsnWOJ33uo4lqL7LSh5kZwXowTuKIHuoUfhlWtXszALMe8A/s640/StencilFinished.jpg" width="577" /></a></div><br />Much better.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7ETlc1pMqUdnDa1E7mYcTj0UfE4QpZvB04UyjJYF-trYzb1Q6BpKAq02CDk4E4jdT7U_PHrkk3fBMf95xbwkQPeIYwS_d54gIKSHSblZP0HrKjvG-TR9UoGO9M-_Tv7EddgMeEfSO1b5/s1600/Greenceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7ETlc1pMqUdnDa1E7mYcTj0UfE4QpZvB04UyjJYF-trYzb1Q6BpKAq02CDk4E4jdT7U_PHrkk3fBMf95xbwkQPeIYwS_d54gIKSHSblZP0HrKjvG-TR9UoGO9M-_Tv7EddgMeEfSO1b5/s640/Greenceiling.jpg" width="593" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTFvyH88oxdpVP7W9J7wa0P1xitJz65QIxDWjeE57lSUHljPy7fMnOUuHDLhBVuWBB45c1SaZxJz5XGsgsr_9zUAihYfM5pChY74IV57YE789krswb2d39iROzgbWpE8gqQwEcIL_HS_3/s1600/Greenceilingstencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTFvyH88oxdpVP7W9J7wa0P1xitJz65QIxDWjeE57lSUHljPy7fMnOUuHDLhBVuWBB45c1SaZxJz5XGsgsr_9zUAihYfM5pChY74IV57YE789krswb2d39iROzgbWpE8gqQwEcIL_HS_3/s640/Greenceilingstencil.jpg" width="611" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH452PX9qrANvwzJjoS0DmSkQ6uYmPUwuoz5PYun95pVm4tOIycHLlexe7ZfuY32cxsLwV_WgDuelG2SvLx3IOtCOowisH02wJ4zbqsS69OnrD56bT4jk1QcafyWjrvpB_ucUFfzWTxX_o/s1600/GreenFoyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH452PX9qrANvwzJjoS0DmSkQ6uYmPUwuoz5PYun95pVm4tOIycHLlexe7ZfuY32cxsLwV_WgDuelG2SvLx3IOtCOowisH02wJ4zbqsS69OnrD56bT4jk1QcafyWjrvpB_ucUFfzWTxX_o/s640/GreenFoyer.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now all that is left is some styling, finding some sconces and figuring out a solution for the mirror. The round one that was there originally just didn't work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This mirror is from the family room and I like it's size but I don't like the pine with the bench. But this mirror is from my parents and it is certainly a 'paint it and die' piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt91mWdMPZaNTvzXeUgltzo50FDP8psJx0i9j5TtTrmCFoSrjUzuz4QCVoRk3lGpcM21CWCnujuBub1Sgy_-EkxpQXUFmzoq02kTa-H_7hP23IJq-gEk57V_MQwZaUjI96COlzgxh6d4Tk/s1600/FinishedEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt91mWdMPZaNTvzXeUgltzo50FDP8psJx0i9j5TtTrmCFoSrjUzuz4QCVoRk3lGpcM21CWCnujuBub1Sgy_-EkxpQXUFmzoq02kTa-H_7hP23IJq-gEk57V_MQwZaUjI96COlzgxh6d4Tk/s640/FinishedEntry.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br />So my best girl <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/" target="_blank">Linda</a> is helping me to scour Craigslist and I've already got a few options. With her mad skills, I bet I'll find something in no time. What kind of mirror would you add?<br /><br />Look forward to the next installment of Freshening the Foyer to find out how this all ends. Will I get the trim painted? Will I find a mirror? Will I ever clean that floor properly? Too much excitement, I know.<br /><br />And don't forget Google Reader is donezo on July 1. Have no fear though, you can continue to follow my sparkling personality and quick wit on <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a>. Find out how to import your list from Google Reader <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2013/06/hasta-la-vista-google-reader-now-what.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Happy Day!

freshening the foyer - part 2

Previously, on Freshening the Foyer... We were left with a blank space and a can of this. Specifically,  Lucky Shamrock  by Benjamin Moore. ...

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Today's Teamster News 06.28.13

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/business/us-to-suspend-trade-privileges-with-bangladesh-officials-say.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&emc=edit_na_20130627&adxnnlx=1372346958-KTm9yJ1m5T2k+H7buNvy5g&">U.S. to Suspend Trade Privileges With Bangladesh</a>  New York Times   ...The Obama administration on Thursday will suspend trade privileges for Bangladesh over concerns about safety problems and labor rights violations in that country’s garment industry, according to administration and Congressional officials...<br /><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/macys-agrees-pay-175000-civil-penalty-immigrant-worker-treatment-here-are-h1-visa-workers-macys">Macy’s Agrees To Pay $175,000 Civil Penalty For Immigrant Worker Treatment; Here Are The H1 Visa Workers Macy's Asked For In 2011</a>  International Business Times   ...Congress is currently debating a major immigration reform bill that would increase the number of these and other categories of guest workers allowed to work in the United States...<br /><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/27/chile-student-protesters-evicted-schools">Chilean police evict student protesters from schools</a>  The Guardian   ...Chilean police have evicted student protesters from 21 Santiago schools that will be used as polling stations for the weekend's primary elections, a day after a massive march for education reform in the capital...<br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-27/ecuador-cancels-trade-pact-over-u-s-blackmail-in-snowden-case.html">Ecuador Scraps Trade Pact Over U.S. Threats in Snowden Case</a>  Bloomberg   ...Ecuador, the South American nation considering an asylum request from fugitive U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, renounced its U.S. trade benefits today, saying they were being used as “blackmail.”...<br /><a href="http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130626/AUTO01/306260127/1361/Mulally-warns-feds-about-impact-of-Japanese-trade-on-U.S.-auto-sales">Mulally warns feds about impact of Japanese trade on U.S. auto sales</a>  Detroit News   ...Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Alan Mulally warned senators and Obama administration office about the impact of Japanese trade and currency policies on U.S. auto sales. He said his message was needed for free trade agreements and the “importance of letting the markets establish the currencies” and ensuring that they reflect “the global trade rules.”...<br /><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/koch-brothers-pac-off-to-fast-start-2013-6">The Koch Brothers' PAC Is Off To Its Fastest Start Ever In A Federal Election Cycle</a>  Business Insider   ...KOCHPAC donated $559,000 to federal-level political candidates and committees during the first five months of the year, according to a Center for Public Integrity review of Federal Election Commission disclosure released today...<br /><a href="http://cironline.org/reports/license-plate-readers-let-police-collect-millions-records-drivers-4883">License-plate readers let police collect millions of records on drivers</a>  ThinkProgress   ...At a rapid pace, and mostly hidden from the public, police agencies throughout California have been collecting millions of records on drivers and feeding them to intelligence fusion centers operated by local, state and federal law enforcement...<br /><a href="http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/public-research-for-private-gain/Content?oid=3619535">Public Research for Private Gain</a>  East Bay Express   ...UC Regents recently approved a new corporate entity that will likely give a group of well-connected businesspeople control over how academic research is used...<br /><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/06/27/toronto-sunrise-propane-explosion-verdict.html">Toronto propane firm guilty in fatal 2008 blast</a>  CBC News   ...The directors of Sunrise Propane have been found guilty of environmental and workplace safety violations following an explosion in 2008 in northwest Toronto that killed a worker and forced thousands from their homes...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/delaware-judge-approves-139-million-settlement-in-shareholder-lawsuit-against-news-corp/2013/06/26/c720cbee-de9a-11e2-ad2e-fcd1bf42174d_story.html">Judge approves $139 million settlement in lawsuit against News Corp.</a>  Associated Press  ...A Delaware judge on Wednesday approved a $139 million cash settlement between News Corp. and shareholders in a lawsuit over the British phone hacking scandal and the media conglomerate’s purchase of an entertainment company run by News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch’s daughter...<br /><a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/26/floridas-governor-wants-you-to-go-to-work-sick/">Florida’s governor wants you to go to work sick</a>  The Guardian   ...As attempts to dehumanize the workplace go, few could be more sadistic than forcing workers to come to work sick, but that’s precisely what the Florida legislature and Governor Rick Scott recently did...<br /><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode-island/2013/06/26/senate-vote-paid-family-leave-bill/SRHQJKN2tatRFtJphNMZbM/story.html">RI Senate to vote on paid family leave bill</a>  Associated Press   ...A proposal that would allow workers in Rhode Island to take paid time off to care for a new child or sick loved one is heading to a vote in the state Senate...<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2013/06/27/new-york-passes-paid-sick-leave-law-but-u-s-still-far-behind/">Paid sick leave is now the law in NYC</a>  Washington Post   ...It will now be much easier for many New Yorkers to take a sick day from work . Early Thursday, lawmakers overrode a veto by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to pass a law that would require businesses to offer <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/nyc-becomes-most-populous-place-in-us-to-require-businesses-to-provide-workers-paid-sick-leave/2013/06/27/40ab33aa-def5-11e2-ad2e-fcd1bf42174d_story.html">paid sick leave</a> for their workers...<br /><a href="http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/06/fast_food_workers_rally_for_be.html">At New York City Hall, fast-food workers rally for better pay and allege 'wage theft'</a>  Staten Island Live   ...Fast food workers had a simple message outside City Hall Thursday morning: "We can't survive on $7.25."...<br /><a href="http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/BART-Negotiations-Underway-as-Strike-Looms-213369591.html">BART Negotiations Underway as Strike Looms</a>  NBC Bay Area   ...BART has asked Gov. Jerry Brown not to order a 60-day cooling off period that would delay a strike if an agreement isn't reached by Sunday. The unions' contracts expire Sunday at 11:59 p.m. If no agreement is reached, a Monday strike looms.<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/teamsters-approve-national-abf-agreement-most-supplements-also-approved">Teamsters Approve National ABF Agreement; Most Supplements Also Approved</a>  IBT   ...Teamsters employed at ABF Freight System, Inc. have voted to approve the national master portion of the ABF National Master Freight Agreement as well as 21 of the 27 supplements. Some local/area supplemental agreements, however, were rejected and issues in those areas must be addressed before the national agreement can be implemented...<br /><a href="http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50740/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=8300">Ask Congress To Fund High Speed Rail And Amtrak</a>  IBT   ...The Republicans in the House have taken a whack at funding for Amtrak and eliminated funding for high speed rail. They want to cut federal spending on Amtrak by 29 percent and eliminate funding for High Speed Rail. Please ask your representatives in Washington to support expanding the system in 2014...<br /><a href="http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/2989e6d883644c3ca35ad34930610ffd/US--Star-Ledger-Contract-Talks">Publisher threatens to close NJ's largest paper by year's end if unions don't make concessions</a>  Associated Press   ...The owners of The Star-Ledger plan to close New Jersey's largest newspaper by year's end if its production unions don't make concessions in contract negotiations, the publisher said...<br /><a href="http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2013/06/landmark_union_agreement_will.html#/0">'Landmark' union agreement will help Detroit auto show, officials say</a>  Michigan Live   ...A new labor pact between five unions and the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority should help improve the North American International Auto Show...<br /><a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/unfair-labor-practice-charges-filed-against-funeral-giant-sci">Unfair Labor Practice Charges Filed Against Funeral Giant SCI</a>  IBT   ...Teamsters Local 727, which represents funeral directors and drivers at Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI), filed unfair labor practice charges against the company today... <br /><a href="http://ricksmithshow.com/june-25%2C-2013-show">Getting Down With The ‘Roots!</a>   Rick Smith Show   ...The Rick Smith Show came to San Jose June 21-22 to talk to attendees at the Netroots Nation conference about the state of labor where employees of Wal-Mart and Google also shared the challenges they face in the workplace. <span id="goog_3853321"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Listen here</a><span id="goog_3853322"></span>. Visit the <a href="http://www.teamster.org/ricksmithtour">People’s Tour of America</a> page daily to hear the latest from Rick Smith’s road travels...

Today's Teamster News 06.28.13

U.S. to Suspend Trade Privileges With Bangladesh   New York Times   ...The Obama administration on Thursday will suspend trade privileges fo...

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A Safe Place to Be Yourself and Do Your Thing

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Hola! So yesterday, a day which will live in infamy, Matt-Man got to strike something off of his Bucket List. He finally got to do an <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/06/paula-deen-does-not-hate-niggers.html">N-Word post</a>. Okay, I’m kidding. Kinda. Anyway, that satirical post accomplished its primary goal. Lots and lots and lots of page views! Hell yeah! *Hi-5’s Matt virtually* <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">There were a few people who didn’t enjoy that post though. No really! Some people found that post to be in poor taste or thought it was unnecessary to use the N-Word and blah, blah, blah. Well look, would I have written that post? OH HAIL NAW! Not on your life. But, that doesn’t really matter cause this blog here is a safe place for Matt, me or anyone else who is posting to speak honestly and post whatever they want. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This includes a satirical posts from Paula Deen. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is primarily a humor/comedy blog. Matt-Man and I are both free to post whatever we want here. We don’t stop each other from talking about any topic or anything else, nor should we. Too many people censor themselves on their own damn blogs because they’re afraid they’re gonna upset someone or offend people or whatever. I've been known to do that myself. We shouldn’t be doing that. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Your blog is the only place where you will ever be totally free to be yourself, or anyone else you want to be. Even if you want to be Racist Paula Deen.  Back in the day I did a post on my old blog where I blasted Elizabeth Edwards that resulted in someone calling me a “pig” in the comments section and then telling me “I hope you get cancer and die!” Okay, fair enough. I like it when people speak their mind. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdWI6brFGfmFGC89XAwNP_BiW7Yb1BfGR0dw5QNrNtqXcB_bJKOjt-Qqx_uAiNkFDAUiRp9T8JVXK0nZ0xqa5Jx-AkdjjFOy593_T9hIXQY-OwczRxZd86nf8FL3ZqbJSWPHvMuEBHww/s700/Hyuna-Hot-Legs-Sexy-Nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdWI6brFGfmFGC89XAwNP_BiW7Yb1BfGR0dw5QNrNtqXcB_bJKOjt-Qqx_uAiNkFDAUiRp9T8JVXK0nZ0xqa5Jx-AkdjjFOy593_T9hIXQY-OwczRxZd86nf8FL3ZqbJSWPHvMuEBHww/s320/Hyuna-Hot-Legs-Sexy-Nude.jpg" width="189" /></a>Having said that, I don’t always agree with Matt and he doesn’t always agree with me. I don’t always like what he posts and he doesn’t always like what I post. I’m sure there are times when Matt rolls his eyes at how hard I work to find a way to post a pic of a hot Asian babe even though it doesn’t really fit with what the blog was about. That’s perfectly acceptable.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, why am I bringing this up? Well, I‘ll tell ya why. Whenever you happen to read a post here that you fine offensive or upsetting we most definitely want you to let us know. It’s a little odd that the only time we get any feedback from people is when they aren’t happy, but that’s okay. We very much respect your opinions and beliefs as long as you respect ours. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, I got a few messages and emails from people who thought Matts’ post was in bad taste that thought we shouldn’t allow the “N-Word” on the blog. Plus a comment on a pic posted to the official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iwsradio?ref=hl">IWS Facebook Fan Page</a>. But, I dismiss that cause it came from a guy who I know to be a raging fucking hypocrite. I have no doubt Matt has also heard from people who either don’t like me or don’t think I’m funny or are bitter middle-aged white women who are jealous of hot, petite, sexy and exotic Asian babes. I’m just guessing on that last part. Point is you can't always make everybody happy and you can always worry about people's sensibilities. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The people who had something to say about Matt’s post did so nicely and without name calling or rudeness or over the top OMG I’M SO OUTRAGED crap. I really appreciate that. But, there is one thing Matt and I would like to request of people who feel strongly enough about something to email and express their feelings. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Please make sure you direct your comments to the person who actually wrote the post.</i><br /><br />That’s really all we ask and we think that’s more than fair. Seriously, we put our name on the posts ya know.Thanks for your cooperation. <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="https://www.facebook.com/Jayman68">Facebook.com/Jayman68</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws">@Jayman_IWS</a><o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

A Safe Place to Be Yourself and Do Your Thing

Hola! So yesterday, a day which will live in infamy, Matt-Man got to strike something off of his Bucket List. He finally got to do an N-Word...

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U.S. House schedule for Friday, June 28, 2013

<a href="http://majorityleader.gov/"><i>From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office....</i></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH </b></u><br />On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. <br />First and last votes expected: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>One Minute Speeches</b><br /><br /><b>Complete Consideration of <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=343574-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 2231</a></b> - Offshore Energy and Jobs Act, Rules Committee Print <br />(Structured Rule) <i>(Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings / Natural Resources Committee)</i><br /><blockquote>The Rule provides for no further general debate and makes in order the following remaining amendments:</blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><b>Rep. Peter DeFazio Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)<br /><b>Rep. Paul Broun Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)<br /><b>Rep. Alan Grayson Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)<br /><b>Reps. Capps / Brownley / Lowenthal Amendment </b>(10 minutes of debate)</blockquote></blockquote><b>Special Order Speeches</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY</b></u><br />Oversight & Government Reform Committee mark up of "<a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=343575-6846703" target="_blank">Resolution<b> </b>Determining that Lois Lerner Waived Her Fifth Amendment Privilege</a>” (Friday, June 28th, at 9:00 a.m.)<br /></div><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=343576-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

Congress Eric Cantor U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House schedule for Friday, June 28, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor's office.... FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. Fi...

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Breaking a sweat - sort of......???

Last night I texted Karen to tell them they need to be on standby today because, get this, I was going to WORK OUT!!  I wanted to make sure that I had the doc on standby for the anticipated breaks, sprains, swelling!!   My friend Britton has a guest pass for her gym so I went with her today.  Now, this may surprise you, but I actually have a lifetime membership at 24 Hour Fitness - I pay $45 dollars per year.  BUT I HATE GOING ALONE!!!!  I'll get more into my work out later.<br /><br />Today for lunch Britton brought this yummy chicken, pasta (whole wheat), broccoli cooked in a tomatos.  It was REALLY good.  I cut my portion size to what I would normally call "barely" which was about 2 cups total, maybe not even that much.  I chopped fresh vegetables for a salad and ate plenty of fresh raw veggies.  It was good!!<br /><br />Tonight, I am going to figure out diner, probably a chicken breast and some vegetables.  I'm not that hungry so I have to tell myself EAT!<br /><br />Ok, so, the gym.  Where do I start?  So, we get to the gym and I feel like the fat kid.  Wait, I AM the fat kid!  Britton was so great to get on the treadmill next to me to encourage me.  She usually does those step glider thingies.  I knew not to even TRY one of those.  That's like committing orthopedic suicide!  Anyway, she jogged while I walked.  I did a good 30 minutes at the speed of "2.5" whatever that was ha!!  It was a pretty good pace for a start.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05V1OmjOMaNpjAc_1oeQsZPoreK7wDqI35kM2DcbcLYmnEe4cP5CQkuPfDJVOwV_V-UzfUu3tB-Sj4IDaG6nvROGvHGfyKJZ95haWL5QX1cFgg-JEQrR396V6slnPmYNbxbBIdBhL-Q0/s640/IMG_5419%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05V1OmjOMaNpjAc_1oeQsZPoreK7wDqI35kM2DcbcLYmnEe4cP5CQkuPfDJVOwV_V-UzfUu3tB-Sj4IDaG6nvROGvHGfyKJZ95haWL5QX1cFgg-JEQrR396V6slnPmYNbxbBIdBhL-Q0/s320/IMG_5419%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>As you can tell, I am not exactly Miss Peppy workout queen</em></strong></div><br /><br /> I started off at 1.5 and ended at the 2.5   My legs started bothering me.  Well, I mean, if you had to carry this weight, I guess you'd be bothered too!!!  <br />So, I said, "I'll sit on the stationary bike".  <br /><br />I originally wasn't going to even do it in fear of my knees going on a permanent strike.  Well, the machine fascinated me so I decided to give it a go.  I broke the first machine!  NO JOKE haha!  I slid the seat too far back and we couldn't get it to move forward.  So, I jumped on the one next to me.  I was able to ride for about 10 minutes maybe at the most.  My knees were SCREAMING, so I decided to not push it.  <br /><br />This is an absolutely HIDEOUS picture.  But, I am all about exposing the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Ok, so the ugly is now exposed, I'm ready to promote to the bad!!  But, I am working out!!!!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvrCR5UGJXmbYtzYjAF8DLXEyFtsxWUnQZOaVAAb1aMk1vMOSjFo9Ei_C51bnpO7Z9M9A2Ro6habpDkC0q4sa3dcUzMRHVVFVueqQkVcaDd9r-IrH85TIqnXxHRFggdMliD8vbywbgss/s960/IMG_5424%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvrCR5UGJXmbYtzYjAF8DLXEyFtsxWUnQZOaVAAb1aMk1vMOSjFo9Ei_C51bnpO7Z9M9A2Ro6habpDkC0q4sa3dcUzMRHVVFVueqQkVcaDd9r-IrH85TIqnXxHRFggdMliD8vbywbgss/s320/IMG_5424%5B1%5D.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>This is why I am the photographer.  I do NOT like to be in front of the lens.  Thanks to Britton for capturing this ugly moment, per my request.  Who does that?  Hey, I am ugly, sweaty, and I am making noises I didn't know I could make, can you capture that for me for my blog?  I want to give my viewers the TOTAL experience!!!  (You should be thankful you cant scratch n' sniff the photo).<br /><br />The good news, other then a little wind, nothing else broke!  I limped out a little and I am TOTALLY feeling it in my legs, but that's what a pain pill is for!  Yes, I will be taking 1/2 of one tonight.  I think we will be trying this again tomorrow.  I wonder if I can conveniently forget my workout clothes - if Britton will notice that it was intentional?<br /><br />Tomorrow is the big day!!  I am going to weigh in for the FIRST TIME since I started taking Belviq one week ago!  I am NERVOUS.  I hope I lost at least 2 lbs!!  I would be happy with even just 1 pound!  I will be recording the weigh in tomorrow.  I will also officially tell you all tomorrow what my starting weight is!!  So, everyone, start taking bets.  1.  What was my starting weight (YOU WILL NOT OFFEND ME: 200, 300, 400, 500 LOL - just take a guess). and 2.  How much do you THINK I lost based of what you read on my blog this week.<br /><br />Feel free to post it in a comment like 500/2 - 500 is the starting and 2 is what I lost.  I want to see how in tuned you are.  Just a little background information, I am 5'7.  <br /><br />Ready, set, guess................................................<br /><br />Tune in tomorrow!!!

Breaking a sweat - sort of......???

Last night I texted Karen to tell them they need to be on standby today because, get this, I was going to WORK OUT!!  I wanted to make sure ...

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The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brandon Watkins</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot more interest in becoming fit and healthy. There are lots of forms of exercise, as any good personal trainer Carlsbad can tell you. Most people choose a certain number of forms that best suit their situation, need and schedule. One of the most commonly chosen ways to keep your body in shape is to play a sport.<br /> <br /> How Sports Could Help You<br /> <br /> Sports are among the best ways for a person to stay active. Not only do they keep your body moving, they also provide a variety of opportunities for you to improve yourself, with different ones depending on the particular sport. Among some of the most common reasons why people choose sports over workouts in the gym are:<br /> <br /> * The team sports teach people how to work effectively together and how to trust each other.<br /> <br /> * They are much more of a social activity than gym sessions can be as depending on the sport, any number of people can join in.<br /> <br /> * They can be done anywhere suitable, which means giving you the chance to breath in fresh air and have a good variety in scenery.<br /> <br /> * They generally need little equipment and require almost no payment to play.<br /> <br /> The Most Recommended Sports<br /> <br /> Your personal trainer Carlsbad is going to have a good list of sports that you'll be able to play. They'll have been chosen based on what you're shooting for, what your current fitness status is and how much free time you've got in your personal schedule. The sports that are most commonly played for their fitness benefits are:<br /> <br /> * Volleyball<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Rowing<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Swimming<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> * Soccer<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> Why Listen To A Personal Trainer Carlsbad<br /> <br /> A personal trainer Carlsbad has been trained well to know that each person is unique and will therefore need a personal way to become physically fit. This includes choosing the appropriate type of sports for you. Carlsbad is an area that is known for its love of exercise, and due to the many people there who are looking to be fit, there are many options in terms of working out.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Being in excellent condition with the help of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-carlsbad/">Personal Trainer Carlsbad</a> not just improves your entire body but also your health too. The advantages that one can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/117219889004260885472/about">Carlsbad Personal Trainer</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

By Brandon Watkins Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot m...

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Proven Weight Loss Ideas From The Experts

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By John Taylor</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>If you have decided that your are overweight and want to lose some stubborn pounds, the very first place to make changes is to your daily diet. What you eat gets the most significant effect on your size. Physical fitness should accompany a sensible diet program as well, although primary emphasis should be on changing the foods you consume. The next article is packed with tips and advice to help maximize your weight loss.<br /> <br /> A good idea for losing weight is to begin drinking green tea. Green tea extract is proven to enhance metabolism and it's a fantastic natural solution to get power. Just have a glass of green tea each morning prior to your workout and you'll have more energy.<br /> <br /> Weight reduction will go faster in the event that you contain the bread. Eating out isn't necessarily a negative thing. Unfortunately if you eat out, servers quickly shuffle over with chips, dips, combinations, and warm loaves of bread. Do not take them. Send them right back for those who have to. Your stomach will thank you.<br /> <br /> Losing weight is something, but keeping that core weight soon becomes a fresh problem. To-do this, you are going to need to stay to a similar regime to the one that brought you to this new goal and improve it where need be. Don't let yourself go because you think the job is done after you lose the weight.<br /> <br /> Feeling hungry causes us to consume. Eating causes us to gain weight. Feeling total decreases our experience of hunger. Therefore a method to lose weight is to complete more often. One of the ways you can "trick" your body into feeling complete more generally is by eating spicy foods that have more capsaicin in them, including foods lightly spiced with cayenne or jalapeno pepper. No need to overdo it, adequate to burn off a bit will do fine.<br /> <br /> A simple way to lose fat is by eating a salad before every meal. Soups contain plenty of fibre that will fill you up without supplying you with excess calories to lose. Try not to put additional dressing or cheese to the salad, since this can just add fat and calories that you simply want to avoid.<br /> <br /> You could lose weight by drinking milk before a meal. Work will allow you to feel whole, thus, drinking it before meals will cause you never to overeat. In addition, milk is rich in calcium, which ensures you strong bones and healthy muscles.<br /> <br /> Popcorn is a good snack for slimming down. Avoid movie theater popcorn or making popcorn with lots of extra butter or oils. Corn is a whole grain and whole grains are extremely important to digest when on a <a href="http://themissingbridges1.blogspot.in/">weight loss program</a>. Buy or borrow popcorn air popper. The air going method is very healthy. In the event the popcorn choices too mundane for you, try playing with spices or even adding Parmesan cheese to the popcorn for different taste a few ideas that are not fat and laden with butters or oils.<br /> <br /> Make sure you are exercising, when you're striving toward your weight reduction goals. You do not want to exercise simply to exercise both, you want to create every exercise count. Remember, it's the caliber of the exercise that counts and not the amount. You can walk all day long and though it may help in reducing your weight, running will help you lose weight even more quickly.<br /> <br /> Before attending a vacation party or dinner, ask the coordinator to talk about the menu with you. Once you learn what's being offered, you can determine beforehand what you will eat. Bring a plate on a bit of paper and piece it out. Seeing it written down will make you feel committed to those parts while at the dinner. The less you have to make spur of-the moment decisions, a lot more likely you're to keep to your diet program.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Weight loss is deceptively simple, and as long as you have <a href="http://themistsbirch.weebly.com/">the information</a>, it is accessible.</div><br /> </div><br />

Proven Weight Loss Ideas From The Experts

By John Taylor If you have decided that your are overweight and want to lose some stubborn pounds, the very first place to make changes ...

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Obama to suspend Bangladesh trade privileges. Now let's fix the real problem.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/business/us-to-suspend-trade-privileges-with-bangladesh-officials-say.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0">Reports have been flying around today</a> that the Obama administration would suspend Bangladesh’s trade privileges in response to continued concerns over worker safety, yielding to pressure from labor and Democrats in Congress.<br /><br />Bangladesh has come under fire after <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/world/asia/report-on-bangladesh-building-collapse-finds-widespread-blame.html">1,129 workers lost their lives</a> when a factory collapsed this past April, capturing the world’s attention and calling into question the country’s commitment to improving working conditions and workers’ rights. The country’s track record is horrible, with many labor and human rights advocates <a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/04/25/bangladesh-tragedy-shows-urgency-worker-protections">questioning the Bangladesh’s Ministry of Labour’s Inspection Department’s competency</a>.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.laborrights.org/">International Labor Rights Forum</a> has taken action by drafting its “<a href="http://laborrights.org/sites/default/files/publications-and-resources/Accord_on_Fire_and_Building_Safety_in_Bangladesh_2013-05-13.pdf">Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh</a>” which calls on clothing manufacturers to take responsibility for the conditions at the factories where their products are produced. More than 40 apparel and retail companies have signed the agreement that requires companies to participate in and fund a program of independent safety inspections, remediation, and worker safety trainings with the involvement of trade unions. <u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p><br /><br />However, this is not a problem unique to Bangladesh, nor can we depend on the industry to fix the problem. The garment industry as a whole is viewed as being reluctant to take an active role in promoting worker safety and rights at facilities in countries that have weak or nonexistent labor laws. <br /><br />The only way to ensure that workers’ rights are protected is to change the way the U.S. drafts it trade agreements, building in human and worker’s rights provisions that must be followed by the trade partners. Until the U.S. holds its trade partners responsible for improving working conditions in poor, developing nations, we will continue to see tragedies like April’s horrific accident occur. Workers will continue to toil away for low pay in unsafe conditions with no recourse.  <br /><br />

Obama to suspend Bangladesh trade privileges. Now let's fix the real problem.

Reports have been flying around today that the Obama administration would suspend Bangladesh’s trade privileges in response to continued co...

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