Key tips to get along with angry colleagues

<p> I sit here at 7:11 watching Shadow and Krispy, the cats, eye each other in a circle wondering who will attack first. Oops. There they go. Krispy delivers a paw to the chest and Shadow lands a clean blow on the head. Now they are taking a moment to lick and they'll be back at it before the clock clicks another minute.</p> <p>I wonder why they fight. Shadow was saved from the jaws of four of the dogs at the farm almost a year a go. I'm not sure why people put unloved, unwanted pets out at Aunt Nan's house because she has some pretty scary looking dogs out there. </p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/TdUlfTNR8r/" target="_blank" style=""><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1378723774597.4585" src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/c410e9004a9f11e2bbed22000a9e28b0_7.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadow just looks innocent laying here in my arms one night. He's always ready to start a fight. ;-)</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>We couldn't resist. Shadow was a baby kitten and had no where to go and we know that Boots and Krispy are getting on up there in age. We bought them home on Easter weekend when my son who is at college was 8 or 9. So, although they look great, I guess these cats are getting on up there. Maybe even as old as me. I turned 44 this year. </p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/UGvVA_NR7f/" target="_blank" style=""><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1378723774614.9966" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/8920cb98574311e2a73522000a1faf50_7.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always accuse Krispy of being "sorry." He does little but sleep. But he's been part of our family a long time and even though he's not so smart, we do care about him.</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>I'm not one of those women who is ashamed of her age. Maybe I should be. My students don't really know how old I am - maybe it is because I'm a bit out there. I feel 18 most of the time except when I kneel beside them on my left knee and feel it crack.</p> <p>Shadow is lucky but Shadow is the new cat on the block competing for the same cushion and the favorite place on Kip's lap. Yet, here I am watching Shadow and Krispy and I wonder why they will always fight. </p> <p>I'll tell you why they always fight. <strong>They fight because Shadow starts it. Every single time.</strong></p> <p>Now. You might be a catologist and know all about why cats really fight, but go with me here. </p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/StohM2tR4r/" target="_blank" style=""><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1378723774638.2334" src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/19214b203c1211e2ba2d22000a1f97cd_7.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many colleagues like Shadow. Innocent when the boss man is around but causing trouble as soon as his back is turned. We need to have a peace environment for the sake of the children.</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>There are some animals who fight as a way of life. There are also some humans who do it too. A good rick rolling temper-flaring red-seeing fight is what they do. They are like Shadow, always circling someone ready to pounce. Some for entertainment and others because they saw it at home and a thousand other reasons that psychologists will lecture you about. Why people fight is not a simple thing.</p> <p><strong>Just don't let this be you</strong>. You can' do anything about the other guy but you can control yourself. </p> <p><strong>Don't let it be in front of students</strong>.I hate it when adults tie up in front of kids. Whether it is a parent jumping on a teacher (which is not ever a good thing) or two teachers disagreeing - it should go outside or away.</p> <p>Kids are very black and white. I "like you" or I "don't like you." How many times do they come up to you and say "so and so isn't my friend any more."</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <p>They don't understand how adults can have a heated professional disagreement over a subject at work yet still enjoy eating lunch together. It isn't in what they do. </p> <p><strong>Avoid them if you can</strong>. I've just learned that some people are like Shadow and they are best avoided. I don't know why Slingshot Sally or Buckshot Bill are always armed and ready to go but you don't have to engage them. You don't have to ruin your day and take them on. </p> <p><strong>Learn to be wise when dealing with difficult people</strong>. It is frustrating that certain people can be so tough to deal with but there are reasons. Early in my career I listened to a tape series "Dealing with difficult people" and the cover of the book had two people shaking hands. One of the person's hands were green and barbed like the skin of a cactus.</p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/QxGKX5tR86/" target="_blank" style=""><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1378723774599.5732" src="http://distilleryimage2.s3.amazonaws.com/a8a93618161011e2b19422000a1f9bc9_7.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day shadow joined us (shown here on my leg) we had no idea we were adopting such a firecracker. He picks on the other cats relentlessly. There are some in schools who do this too.</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>This is a great picture for me because it reminds me that some people are just naturally difficult to shake hands with. If I want to be the person who enjoys this life, if I can learn to be firm but kind. If I can be wise about how I use my voice (Did you know if you lower your voice and make it quieter as you pause, that you can deescalate a conversation?)</p> <p><strong>Treat it like a game</strong>. I admit, I've done this before. I've seen how many days in a row I can go getting along with certain people. Realize that "getting along" and "giving in" are two different things. You have to stand up and be professional. I've just found that I have to realize my part in the whole matter. It doesn't escalate unless I let it escalate. I even cut a deal with my husband "If I don't tie up with so and so all week - I get a prize." Sounds silly but it works and lowers my blood pressure.</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZWTAOwtR-W/" target="_blank" style=""><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1378723774644.06" src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/f5a4f1ccbdaa11e2976e22000a1fbc8d_7.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because we love kids we want them to have a good learning environment, not a toxic one.</td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <p><strong>Stand up when it is necessary</strong>. If you're ALWAYS arguing with a difficult person, they won't ever know when it is little stuff or big stuff. There are times you will need to get angry. Some angry people are bullies. Sadly, I've found that many bullies only understand one thing: someone standing up to them in the way they are accustomed. There are times -- not as many as you might think -- when you need to stand up. When you need to stick up for yourself or something is going to be done in a way that isn't good for a child. I hate losing my temper and do it rarely but there are times to go in a private place and deal with it.</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"> </div> <p><strong>Make sure it isn't you</strong>. It is also important to evaluate the circumstance. I give it the spouse test. If there is someone at work I'm always going home and mentioning to Kip - and he knows I'm struggling - then I have a problem. I ask myself if that person is "tying up" with other people. If they are known to be argumentative, then I relax and start working on strategies to get along. If they don't argue with many people but do with me -- then it is time to look at my own actions and behaviors. What am I doing to cause this?</p> <p>Power and personality differences are often two components in this. Some even have triggers because someone reminds them of someone else. Sad but true.</p> <p><a href="http://instagram.com/p/ZO_BTotR2n/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="500" id="blogsy-1378723774605.05" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/b0e4a9a2bb6f11e2868f22000a1f97ea_7.jpg" width="500"></a><br></p> <p><strong>Why is keeping the peace so important?</strong></p> <p>We aren't a Fortune 500 business. We aren't Wall Street or the Capitol Building or a back street. We work in schools. We work with tomorrow's leaders. </p> <p>Sometimes kids don't hear what we say because our actions are yelling too loud.</p> <p>Think of their circumstances. Every year they are thrown together with 30 people they don't know. Hopefully there are a few they love but there are always kids they can't stand. They can't leave. They can't ask for a transfer (not usually.) They have no say over whether they'll be at that school or in that class. Absolutely none at all. They have to get along.</p> <p>All these kids have is a budding psyche that is just learning to get along with others and the examples they see every day. They are watching us. How do we get along? How do we argue? Is our school a good place to be? Do people smile at each other? Do they ever laugh? Do some teachers enjoy being together? Do we have interests outside school?</p> <h3>Toxic environment, Toxic school</h3> <p>When the environment is toxic, people know it but more importantly the kids know it. Sadly, they know it.</p> <p>When times get tough, many people struggle with staying positive. This spills over into work relationships and into family. We have among us some great people who might just be dealing with a raw deal. </p> <p>But we have among us an opportunity. I'm going to tell you what many of you tell the kids: "Why can't we just all get along?"</p> <p>The rule at our school is if kids get in a fight - they both go to the office. We can't have kids fighting in schools. </p> <p>Yet in some schools (so I hear) disagreements between colleagues, administration, and even parents and teachers is pretty toxic. We have a double standard. Kids fight and go to the office but two colleagues disagree publicly and often the principal is the last to know. Some principals even make the mistake of passing judgement before they hear both sides in adult arguments when they would never do so with kids.</p> <p>If your school or your building is toxic due to one or more people, I'm just asking you - for the love of kids - take steps to deal with the problem. Many relationships are not as simple as the advice I've given here. Toxic environments are bad for everyone. Toxic often starts at the top. If more school boards and administrators and teachers would realize that it is all about relationships then many schools would be better off. </p> <p>When school boards argue and force people to take sides on nonessential issues, it is not good for the school system. Some issues are important to take sides on but we need to realize that we should all be on the same side when it comes to the school itself. There are times to make decisions and move forward. It is always time to stand together and get along for the good of the school and the kids.</p> <p>If there is an adult who can't hold his or her temper and is always spouting off at people - perhaps that person is in a job ill suited to their temperament. </p> <p>My Aunt Chandra answered phones at the local public high school for more than 30 years - she never gets angry at anyone. She was a gift to that school because she was a soft first hello for anyone who called. They missed her when she left. When I was a manager in the business world, I made sure that the first voice people heard was pleasant, helpful, and informed -- it prevented having people yell at me as they traveled up the line. Just a kind, warm person greeting callers makes a huge difference.</p> <p>Let's love the kids. Let's think of them. Let's do what it takes to work together and get along - the future is counting on us. Not all schools have these problems but enough do that it is worth writing about. These are tough times for schools, teachers, and administrators but we have to cope how we can deal with tough issues without being tough hearted and argumentative. We have to be functional in how we disagree and to understand that when we're struggling to get along that it is often signs of deeper issues that need to be handled.</p> <p>OK, the cats are asleep and it is time to clean the kitchen. I guess even fussy kitties get tired sometimes.</p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

EDUCATION Inspiration Teaching Key tips to get along with angry colleagues

I sit here at 7:11 watching Shadow and Krispy, the cats, eye each other in a circle wondering who will attack first. Oops. There they go. ...

Read more »

Break's over ... Congress returns to D.C.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO4tVfAc5pVtsrRLwCaSf1flcYxr_Ig9Z-Sc29wMujbNJVZfdqbtwzfHMERtLhQBRL-Uc44DOmSM95CaMg0aZdE4f8cO2pd78m7gPkfAGy5xpzpkt7b9zD9jdhLBYg9tJDNCPZVt5N3I/s1600-h/Capitol+Building.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114369889513822082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMO4tVfAc5pVtsrRLwCaSf1flcYxr_Ig9Z-Sc29wMujbNJVZfdqbtwzfHMERtLhQBRL-Uc44DOmSM95CaMg0aZdE4f8cO2pd78m7gPkfAGy5xpzpkt7b9zD9jdhLBYg9tJDNCPZVt5N3I/s400/Capitol+Building.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br /><br />They're back. Congress returns to D.C. Monday from their five-week summer break with plans to tackle a full schedule. First up is the controversial decision on whether to use military force in Syria, a subject that has divided Americans on both sides of the political aisle. Another hot-button topic is facing those who want a government shutdown in October when the new fiscal year begins. Immigration is still front-and-center and promises to cause fireworks. Other issues concern the NSA and government surveillance, gun control, voting rights, closing Guantanamo, and food stamp cuts. <br /><br />From <a data-mce-href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/08/congress-syria-fall-agenda-debt-shutdown-immigration/2777765/" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/08/congress-syria-fall-agenda-debt-shutdown-immigration/2777765/"><i>USA Today</i></a>:<br /><blockquote>Congress <a data-mce-href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/08/congress-syria-fall-agenda-debt-shutdown-immigration/2777765/" href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/08/congress-syria-fall-agenda-debt-shutdown-immigration/2777765/" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/08/congress-syria-fall-agenda-debt-shutdown-immigration/2777765/">returns today</a> with 39 legislative days scheduled before the end of the year to debate the most consequential foreign policy vote (Syria) under President Obama, resolve pressing budget deadlines and determine whether an immigration overhaul has a fighting chance before the 2014 elections. Expectations are low for great successes in a divided institution plagued by partisan intransigence and abysmal approval ratings.</blockquote>Majority Leader Eric Cantor published <a data-mce-href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/us-house-schedule-for-monday-september.html" href="http://www.swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/us-house-schedule-for-monday-september.html">Monday's schedule</a> for the House of Representatives.<br /><br /><i>Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell</i>

Congress Eric Cantor U.S. House of Representatives USA Today Break's over ... Congress returns to D.C.

They're back. Congress returns to D.C. Monday from their five-week summer break with plans to tackle a full schedule. First up is the ...

Read more »

Back to School: Berry and Banana Overnight Oats recipe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So! Its back to school season, which sucks but in a strange way i'm kind of excited about it! Mostly because back to school means Autumn is just around the corner. Forever my favourite season. <br />Oh and <i>*cough*</i> my birthday<i> *cough* </i>October 6th<i> *cough*</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyhoo, i decided to kick off my back to school series with a quick back to school breakfast. This recipe is perfect not only for all you busy students but for work too! If you tend to be tight on time in the mornings and find yourself...<i>dun dun duuuuuun</i> NOT HAVING BREAKFAST <i>*Gasp* *Faints* </i>i shudder to think of such things...always have breakfast! always! well, this recipe is for you... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UfYcWrVBuH8?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What you will need:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An air tight jar<br />A fork or spoon<br />Measuring utensils<br />A strong mixing arm! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b><br />1/3 cup Rolled Oats<br />1/3 cup Greek Yogurt<br />1/3 cup Almond Milk<br />1/4 of a Banana (or 1 small banana)<br />1/4 cup Berries </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Granola </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now all you need to do is put all of the ingredients, except for the granola, in the jar and mix with your spoon or fork! its that simple! Pop it in the fridge overnight (or it can be ready in 2 hours) and when you're ready to eat it, crumble some granola on top and there you go! It takes no more than 10 minutes to prepare.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are so many variations with this recipe too, you could swap out the banana and berries with so many other foods. I will definitely be experimenting further with this one! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmT8FSUirIJX9LgOF-WjvRoGrwBOW4H6dvGmIWJrMzn_jROc494E5t7sV0cqiharSZxBU9thmFhRFtZAXpUm8VqPrSSLdkBLvEGQfW_n-8WZYS78NxQrcPbkvD-wojJ1WtT8EedxZLBqdt/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmT8FSUirIJX9LgOF-WjvRoGrwBOW4H6dvGmIWJrMzn_jROc494E5t7sV0cqiharSZxBU9thmFhRFtZAXpUm8VqPrSSLdkBLvEGQfW_n-8WZYS78NxQrcPbkvD-wojJ1WtT8EedxZLBqdt/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Yuuuuuum!</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

back to school berry and banana overnight oats fitness healthy oats overnight oats porridge recipe Weight Loss Back to School: Berry and Banana Overnight Oats recipe

So! Its back to school season, which sucks but in a strange way i'm kind of excited about it! Mostly because back to school means Autumn...

Read more »

What's The Story Here?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LeWJ8n5Dy3nKr3zAkz9YdDkxm2H8flC3840ivVo-wzU-EWMmDlAQ1IAZCNIMhHISHoYubwRwxGmysowomYdvB7WXbtxfX4JriJGf4rXygB0zMxa4OEspraQ6T6GPZonAJv7QVauFzGfM/s1600/http:__i.dailymail.co.uk_i_pix_2013_07_03_article-0-1AA3CB0F000005DC-414_634x705.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LeWJ8n5Dy3nKr3zAkz9YdDkxm2H8flC3840ivVo-wzU-EWMmDlAQ1IAZCNIMhHISHoYubwRwxGmysowomYdvB7WXbtxfX4JriJGf4rXygB0zMxa4OEspraQ6T6GPZonAJv7QVauFzGfM/s640/http:__i.dailymail.co.uk_i_pix_2013_07_03_article-0-1AA3CB0F000005DC-414_634x705.jpg" /></a>

What's The Story Here?

Read more »

U.S. House schedule for Monday, September 9, 2013

<a href="http://majorityleader.gov/">From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH </b></u><br /> <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1491284939" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">On Monday</span></span>, the House will meet at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1491284940" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">2:00 p.m.</span></span> for legislative business. <br /> Votes will be postponed until <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1491284941" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:30 p.m.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>One Minute Speeches</b><br /><br /> <b>Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:</b><br /> <blockquote> <b>1) <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=361176-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 2052</a></b> - Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2013, as amended <i>(Sponsored by Rep. Lee Terry / Energy and Commerce Committee)</i><br /> <b>2) <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=361177-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 2844</a></b> - Federal Communications Commission Consolidation Reporting Act of 2013 <i>(Sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise / Energy and Commerce Committee)</i><br /> </blockquote><b>Special Order Speeches</b><br /><br /> <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=361179-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

Congress Energy and Commerce Committee Eric Cantor Lee Terry Steve Scalise U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House schedule for Monday, September 9, 2013

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor.... MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH On Monday , the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for...

Read more »

New Features: Samsung Galaxy Note 3

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Samsung’s most awaited smartphone Galaxy Note 3 comes with some new and exciting features which were not used in any smartphone before this. Here we are talking about the top features of Samsung Galaxy Note 3.</div><div>                                    <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uA0QOkhsCT0/Ui2KrQ1Y0nI/AAAAAAAAAUA/B1Hg0vEsvDE/s1600/Note-3-590x330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uA0QOkhsCT0/Ui2KrQ1Y0nI/AAAAAAAAAUA/B1Hg0vEsvDE/s1600/Note-3-590x330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>                                                                          geek.com</div><div>Multi-Window:</div><div>Multi-window was introduced with Note II in last year, but now it is improved in Note 3. Before improvement user can create two moveable panes on the display and drag apps from a particular sidebar to fill them but now in improved window user can run two app at same time and share content between them. This is helpful during two instantaneous chat and copy the message between them. User have also drag-and-drop option between two different apps, through this user can also drag the photo and document between two different apps.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scrapbooker:</div><div>You can plugs in to scrapbooker through two ways one from Air Command and another from its own Scrapbook app. With the help of this app you save the content to just draw a circle around it but for this you should activate you Scrapbooker.</div><div>In Note 3 this app is improved and you can save now any content, video and images in your circle and also play in Scrapbook app. If you want to check original source of your saved data’s the Scrapbook save the URL automatically. </div><div><br /></div><div>Action memo:</div><div>You can find this app on Air Command popup and it give you access to add a note quickly. Action memo can take you handwriting and change it in to readable format.  This app will recognize your handwriting in future.</div><div></div><div>                                        <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTp2IoKWB5s/Ui2KV2RrwYI/AAAAAAAAAT4/DTRbEpyPFZQ/s1600/2013-09-05-09_47_20-Introducing-Samsung-GALAXY-Note-3-YouTube-590x289.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTp2IoKWB5s/Ui2KV2RrwYI/AAAAAAAAAT4/DTRbEpyPFZQ/s1600/2013-09-05-09_47_20-Introducing-Samsung-GALAXY-Note-3-YouTube-590x289.png" width="320" /></a></div><div>                                                                     geek.com</div><div>Pen Window:</div><div>This app is useful to take quick overlay of a floating app at whatever size you want. For using this app you should select this app from Air Command window and use the S pen to draw a box any place on the screen of any size. After this device will ask you to the app name which is created within that space. You should write the app name you want to float.</div><div><br /></div><div>Availability and Price:</div><div>The Note 3 will be available in market from the September 25, 2013 and Price is $ 700.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/100638775997274345522" rel="author">Anil Swami</a></div></div>

apps pen window smartphone New Features: Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Samsung’s most awaited smartphone Galaxy Note 3 comes with some new and exciting features which were not used in any smartphone before this....

Read more »

Brrr it's cold

<span style="font-size: large;">The weather turned over the weekend.  At the moment it is 4 degrees celcius (about 40 degrees Fahrenheit).  It is forecast to get up to 18 today but somehow I just don't believe it.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClwvVjos46S2paZG_R3Q7-cgAA2aaXJTw5bZ6QXhUnSL1EZmaQVkTZWQrw6chbpBMkOAMo8S_1x5luFkkDjj079jlqexea81scsGGiHPEq6RhjD1ddA31GUrRsBTaTrKFfsp_KXpexTJc/s640/blogger-image--1101010055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClwvVjos46S2paZG_R3Q7-cgAA2aaXJTw5bZ6QXhUnSL1EZmaQVkTZWQrw6chbpBMkOAMo8S_1x5luFkkDjj079jlqexea81scsGGiHPEq6RhjD1ddA31GUrRsBTaTrKFfsp_KXpexTJc/s640/blogger-image--1101010055.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">The good news that the weather is expected to improve for next weekend.  I really hope so as Flight Fest is on in Dublin City and good weather is badly needed for that.  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flight Fest is a 3 hour spectacle where the largest and most unique planes in the world will be doing low flybys along the river Liffey.  I am really looking forward to it!  <a href="http://www.flightfest.ie/">Here is some information about the event<span style="font-family: .HelveticaNeueUI;"><span style="line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">.</span></span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloK4mkEZzztB6v7si9vaVAhD75S_yLH0jnjKKxaMDwQJ5Oy5Qf-PK4jmna_6DEhlbZ5UFqIW3dOoA9QAt5IMOCm2vVZS8KOmYyH3uXz8Oy4t5-PMq8UQKLB2gdGtHL2EB1qlcCIT0wMi2/s640/blogger-image--918960007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloK4mkEZzztB6v7si9vaVAhD75S_yLH0jnjKKxaMDwQJ5Oy5Qf-PK4jmna_6DEhlbZ5UFqIW3dOoA9QAt5IMOCm2vVZS8KOmYyH3uXz8Oy4t5-PMq8UQKLB2gdGtHL2EB1qlcCIT0wMi2/s640/blogger-image--918960007.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span><br /><br /></div>

Brrr it's cold

The weather turned over the weekend.  At the moment it is 4 degrees celcius (about 40 degrees Fahrenheit).  It is forecast to get up to 18 t...

Read more »

Ohio State Football Fans and All Americans Are Stupid

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Cheeeeeeeeers Chuckleheads!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvN7r6UMocOQSzInrnlN-7V-cHJGmLovFmahgyGsaiG6O_P0lPzYxYHncq3Bd1xJyKifISYarlGmyda5vw2fECrpR1LSv63vyXDYp1MpdEFGI82nVQBm5d9GnAz7pLIGxzdYixYKBHrS3/s1600/Ohio+State+Football+Fans+Suck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvN7r6UMocOQSzInrnlN-7V-cHJGmLovFmahgyGsaiG6O_P0lPzYxYHncq3Bd1xJyKifISYarlGmyda5vw2fECrpR1LSv63vyXDYp1MpdEFGI82nVQBm5d9GnAz7pLIGxzdYixYKBHrS3/s400/Ohio+State+Football+Fans+Suck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and that football fans everywhere enjoyed their first full weekend of the 2013 NFL and NCAA football season.<br /><br />There were a lot of great games, last minutes heroics, but mostly, drunken shenanigans in the name of football, and I appreciate that.<br /><br />I love this time of year.  It is still summer, but the nights are sometimes cool, and there is of course, the glory and partying associated with football taking place.<br /><br />This time of year is like Christmas in September and Labor Day in December, and no matter which way you slice it or parse it, those two holidays are analogous…or not.<br /><br />Anyhoo…<br /><br />I do have a problem with football fans these days and a problem with football in general.  Want to hear my problems with the sport and/or event that we call football?  No?<br /><br />Good, and I am anxious to write about it.<br /><br />Over the past decade, the number of football fans has exploded, but here’s the thing.  Many of these so-called fans, aren’t really football fans.<br /><br />They are at best sunshine football patriots who enjoy throwing a party, a feeling of belonging, and at faux fandom’s worst…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOW-e-SyFg0umt18NvA_qSdc5cHnuP62ARKdIz59c0IGckgFVw2TWZ-y8IUU_LhUnDVJvg3e326JmMwUdkE36fBp5ft2ZyVVZLmTbGRSE6ntrcXWri_8mGu4cacARxRQJL_jn1Fo5pD0Oq/s1600/OSU+Stupid+Joe+the+Plumber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOW-e-SyFg0umt18NvA_qSdc5cHnuP62ARKdIz59c0IGckgFVw2TWZ-y8IUU_LhUnDVJvg3e326JmMwUdkE36fBp5ft2ZyVVZLmTbGRSE6ntrcXWri_8mGu4cacARxRQJL_jn1Fo5pD0Oq/s400/OSU+Stupid+Joe+the+Plumber.jpg" width="277" /></a>Get to weave their hard life realities into the game day dialogue about “their team.”<br /><br />Y’know?  That last one…the “my team thing?”  That drives me crazy!!<br /><br />I don’t know about you, but here in Ohio, ninety percent of the college football “fans” are Ohio State fans. <br /><br />And for some odd reason, the ninety-nine percent of OSU fans of whom I speak, have no personal association, connection, nor anything in common with OSU other than they are both located in Ohio, and like those who do attend OSU, the fans can neither read nor write.<br /><br />I’m not an entirely stupid guy, but one thing I have never understood, is this slobbering, incoherent, live and die, cry if “my team” loses, mindset.  OSU fans that I know are like this, and I am sure that there are many more.<br /><br />Okay so you went to school there and even if you weren’t on the team you can be an uber fan, but if you didn’t go there and are still a voracious fan, you have issues…issues with which, I am intrigued, but would rather know nothing about.<br /><br />NFL fans are just as bad, and as they are typically older, it may even be a bit more disturbing…<br /><br />I am eighty miles from Paul Brown Stadium and three times that distance from Cleveland and yet, on a weekend basis during football season, I will see at least three dozen grown men wearing OSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Bengals and/or Browns jerseys etc…<br /><br />And I say to myself…<br /><br /><i>“Self, why are there jersey wearing adult men and women crying over a loss and celebrating over a win with which they had nothing to do…other than to watch others do it?”</i><br /><br />See?  It’s okay to wear a tasteful T-Shirt or what not in order to show some subtle and tasteful support fro a team, but when a grown person wears a jersey, it only exacerbates that abnormal thought in their head that they are part of the team.<br /><br />So please, stop it.  It’s getting out of hand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKOn1NDhTU6ucPCxrBFZKqyYnyvd7itItm_1wifAYK8HcRa5NxFtUYXQ9fNqhyooNKpf-X7zGz_Yuoq0SlltDoR5ysQdqGiPvIFUv0wK6-S2gLuTLa2euNRAqoE-pJuDpiDPRdxwWbAA1/s1600/sexy-steelers-girl+naked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKOn1NDhTU6ucPCxrBFZKqyYnyvd7itItm_1wifAYK8HcRa5NxFtUYXQ9fNqhyooNKpf-X7zGz_Yuoq0SlltDoR5ysQdqGiPvIFUv0wK6-S2gLuTLa2euNRAqoE-pJuDpiDPRdxwWbAA1/s400/sexy-steelers-girl+naked.jpg" width="258" /></a>I actually read on Facebook this week a comment from a Steelers fan commenting to one of his friends…<br /><br /><i>“Don’t talk to me until your team has won five Super Bowls like mine has.”</i><br /><br />I am sure….well, I hope he was joking…but it was the, “I am actually on the team” feel in his comment that gave me a case of the goo.<br /><br />The worse thing is, this fanatic feeling of rooting for and wanting to win, has invaded our psyche, the governing of our nation, and the political discourse that takes place in the media.<br /><br />Listen to Sean Hannity, Rachel Maddow, The Five, and Chris Matthews on TV for a couple of days, and you’ll find…<br /><br />They are just like an Ohio State football fan, they don’t care why, or what has to happen to make it so; they just want to win.<br /><br />Because winning and being like everybody else, and better who they think themselves to be individually, is far more important than due diligence and common sense.<br /><br /><i>Cheers!!</i><br /><i><br /></i> <i>Matt-Man</i><br /><i><br /></i> <i><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a></i><br /><i><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">@MattMan_IWS</span></a></i><br /><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mattmaniws" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">My Facebook Page</span></a></i><br /><br />And why you chew on that bone of sunshine, you can listen to IWS Radio…Jay and I had a masterpiece of a show going yesterday…AND our uber-lovely friend from Canada, Jamie, was so taken with us, she called in TWICE!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>                                   <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="http://player.cinchcast.com/?show_id=5383643&platformId=1&assetType=single" width="400"></iframe><br /><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;"><br /></div></div>

Ohio State Football Fans and All Americans Are Stupid

Cheeeeeeeeers Chuckleheads!! I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and that football fans everywhere enjoyed their first full weekend of th...

Read more »

Our Employment Pickle (Musical Tribute)

The following chart shows day care employees as a percent of women workers aged 20 to 44.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBYl-V3dFczL04kN_m3e-AA4eLSnhew12MB909K9bTH7amf0inKhDs2ghbo0EsEbSqW8gvKrNc-ScvwAoEsw5JjtX5XMvwsdRceToE20hZ4sqJCpsUKLSMMoTl8Csfl_oLu6ufeUsVIw/s1600/Day+Care+Employees.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBYl-V3dFczL04kN_m3e-AA4eLSnhew12MB909K9bTH7amf0inKhDs2ghbo0EsEbSqW8gvKrNc-ScvwAoEsw5JjtX5XMvwsdRceToE20hZ4sqJCpsUKLSMMoTl8Csfl_oLu6ufeUsVIw/s320/Day+Care+Employees.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Stick a fork in that trend. It's not only over, but it's rolling over.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Fork-Someone%27s-Yard-Prank">How to Fork Someone's Yard Prank</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>If you want to get a little more creative, buy some pickles (or anything that will stick on a fork), and add them to the forks.</i></div><br />Genius! That's just what this economy needs. More pickles!<br /><br /><b>January 12, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/sunday-review/americas-productivity-climbs-but-wages-stagnate.html?_r=0">Our Economic Pickle</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>It is often thought that college graduates can escape these unfortunate wage trends. But college graduates — hit by the bursting of the tech bubble in the late 1990s and then by the deep recession — have been hit hard, too. <span style="color: red;">Seventy percent of the nation’s college grads have had their after-inflation hourly wages decline since 2000</span>, according to the Economic Policy Institute, with the typical graduate experiencing a 3.1 percent decline.</i></div><br />The future's so bright I gotta whistle!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kzMdqq6Z3n4" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://www.bls.gov/data/#employment">BLS: Employment</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mdk">St. Louis Fed: Employment Level - 20 to 44 years, Women</a>

Our Employment Pickle (Musical Tribute)

The following chart shows day care employees as a percent of women workers aged 20 to 44. Click to enlarge. Stick a fork in that trend. It&#...

Read more »

Dillingers with my sis!

<span style="font-size: large;">It's been awhile since I've been in Dillingers (prob 8 weeks or so) and in the time since I've last been they have slightly rejigged their menu.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly the mini corn dogs are off the menu - my sister and I thought they were such a fun item.  They also have no corn bread which we miss.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Last night we split a portion of mac & cheese (now served in a smaller bowl), crab cakes (disapointing and over priced at €9 for 3 crab "balls") and a portion of chilli fries.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Personally I love Dillingers for a casual Tuesday night but I would not recommend it for a special Saturday night meal out.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My twin sister and I like to sit at the bar, enjoy the atmosphere and have a good natter while we eat out food.  A nice chilled out meet up spot in the locality.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pISgFBGRmq3pbgxrBpFVZIEx_9z3yL51Oqy8OzQNNp66q_KneXi1orFNPuE52ESMCFi0VmcfPzaJJJnn-N6C9FaL5kkK6uaB_1jUxJ7BeyyolboOO-s9hW5UMokPNEW5elfy40n0qrc-/s640/blogger-image--975347433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pISgFBGRmq3pbgxrBpFVZIEx_9z3yL51Oqy8OzQNNp66q_KneXi1orFNPuE52ESMCFi0VmcfPzaJJJnn-N6C9FaL5kkK6uaB_1jUxJ7BeyyolboOO-s9hW5UMokPNEW5elfy40n0qrc-/s640/blogger-image--975347433.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DPMbdWmrwYM9Bw8rvBQ1EAyU50wlXn8ZafsjVEtzzN5dcPbjthRfnVIB0SdG7HZD_FjTt0KoW_lEGqnzLn-uB3T-luNt1xVVJ34MTs9kyCiv-i9Wqd8w4iZ-iiitK-1knpMXqfinPdU7/s640/blogger-image--1486010596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DPMbdWmrwYM9Bw8rvBQ1EAyU50wlXn8ZafsjVEtzzN5dcPbjthRfnVIB0SdG7HZD_FjTt0KoW_lEGqnzLn-uB3T-luNt1xVVJ34MTs9kyCiv-i9Wqd8w4iZ-iiitK-1knpMXqfinPdU7/s640/blogger-image--1486010596.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphc0359tWWOk5ZN225CX4l3Rp7bUOivXEn_IxYahgIMRhzrWSaG9F9tQcAopSIdGgCtxw-0xbQE7CRDBTbAZ3WZOCm8o3LaanbfukwYWAtGMU3NOR7ATKaY63-gFwMqd5xtOsn-v1sKts/s640/blogger-image--1685818669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphc0359tWWOk5ZN225CX4l3Rp7bUOivXEn_IxYahgIMRhzrWSaG9F9tQcAopSIdGgCtxw-0xbQE7CRDBTbAZ3WZOCm8o3LaanbfukwYWAtGMU3NOR7ATKaY63-gFwMqd5xtOsn-v1sKts/s640/blogger-image--1685818669.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div>

Dillingers with my sis!

It's been awhile since I've been in Dillingers (prob 8 weeks or so) and in the time since I've last been they have slightly reji...

Read more »

New retainer time

<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was badly overdue a new set of retainers so on the advice of my dentist I made an appointment with <a href="http://www.beechwooddental.ie/index.php/about/team/">Dr. Paul Dowling</a> in the Beechwood Dental Clinic on Friday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">After sitting in to Dr. Dowling's chair I had a look around his modern office.  It was a lovely day and he had a sliding door open to a lovely little bamboo walled in city garden - adorable.  I joked that it would be a great place for a lunch time cocktail :-)  His nurse quipped that the drinks area was around the corner!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">After showing Dr. Dowling my old retainers he talked me through options for new ones.  He then went on to take impressions for my new retainers.  That pink stuff they use to take impressions is repulsive and I gagged a little as I waited the short while for it to set (maybe a minute, or so).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm embarrassed to show a picture of my old retainers but for posterity here they are:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOVpRiaJKS-RoSqpzjXnv60p_CYUaakzaEWQfDNafE2CtS4-VO5bHQZNaSe9VZ5tKevf3ljIbBoPdIYvqnJBZHe4p6N4v7F8RnA0zTix5QhkEUmnv_jucj3pV5G7UFynOsSSl4_F_cMaB/s640/blogger-image--459760296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOVpRiaJKS-RoSqpzjXnv60p_CYUaakzaEWQfDNafE2CtS4-VO5bHQZNaSe9VZ5tKevf3ljIbBoPdIYvqnJBZHe4p6N4v7F8RnA0zTix5QhkEUmnv_jucj3pV5G7UFynOsSSl4_F_cMaB/s640/blogger-image--459760296.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">My new retainers will be ready for collection in a few weeks - I can't wait to get them and to get the rid of the old ones.  Hopefully I get a good few years out of the new ones!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">BTW, as an aside, when I got my braces off about 12 years ago I was told I would have to wear retainers regularly for about 5 years.  However after 5 yrs I left them off for 1 night.  The next evening when I put them on they were difficult to get on and were very tight - my teeth had moved!!! Since that time I religiously wear my retainer every night and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.  Your teeth constantly want to revert back to their original position - I don't want that to happen!!!</span></div>

New retainer time

I was badly overdue a new set of retainers so on the advice of my dentist I made an appointment with  Dr. Paul Dowling  in the Beechwood Den...

Read more »

ARAB GULF STATES TO FUND A U.S. MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN SYRIA?

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX3aePLd63hH6FdL2BJtoeP0IBbAHhXs77aj4WpMYnF7i1O8CcKo8PbCfUJPXLHN72kkJ1fv-YJxf-8bIGSXqUifWl1XyO_-jHP9fAUz3AxZP1aAzCrW6fBoIPJwxX8h_O0rnmHSUEX4R/s1600/Arab-Gulf-States.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPX3aePLd63hH6FdL2BJtoeP0IBbAHhXs77aj4WpMYnF7i1O8CcKo8PbCfUJPXLHN72kkJ1fv-YJxf-8bIGSXqUifWl1XyO_-jHP9fAUz3AxZP1aAzCrW6fBoIPJwxX8h_O0rnmHSUEX4R/s320/Arab-Gulf-States.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ARAB GULF STATES</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ENERGY CHESS GAME: THE REAL REASON SYRIAN INTERVENTION? </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is the reported willingness of ARAB GULF states to fund a U.S. military campaign in SYRIA really about major oil and gas interests that run through the country?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The potential for trillions of dollars of energy revenue in deals that snake through SYRIAN territory may be a motivating factor for the U.S., RUSSIA, TURKEY and ARAB states in the current SYRIA crisis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SYRIA is a key energy transit route to EUROPE and a number of countries appear to be seeking dominance of the energy market that runs through SYRIA. In a hearing, Secretary of State John Kerry said ARAB counties have offered to pay for any U.S. military intervention in SYRIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“With respect to ARAB countries offering to bear costs and to assess, the answer is profoundly yes,” Kerry said. “They have. That offer is on the table.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., asked for an estimated amount the ARABS might contribute. Kerry replied that they offered to pay for a full invasion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“In fact, some of them have said that if the UNITED STATES is prepared to go do the whole thing the way we’ve done it previously in other places, they’ll carry that cost,” Kerry said. “That’s how dedicated they are at this. That’s not in the cards, and nobody’s talking about it, but they’re talking in serious ways about getting this done.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SYRIA: KEY ENERGY TRANSIT ROUTE TO EUROPE</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unmentioned are major gas and oil deals that could impact the economies of QATAR, TURKEY and SAUDI ARABIA enormously.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2011, SYRIA announced it had discovered a promising gas field in the city of Homs, which would later see some of the fiercest battles between SYRIAN President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and the rebels. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oil Minister Sufian Allawi told the state-run SANA news agency that the first wells “were in the Homs governorate and the flow rate is 400,000 cubic meters per day.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The discovery opens new perspectives in the region of Qalamun, and the SYRIAN company will continue its drilling,” said Allawi.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BESIDE THE PROSPECT OF ITS OWN GAS FIELD, SYRIA IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST STRATEGIC LOCATIONS FOR NATURAL GAS PIPELINES TO FLOW TO EUROPE</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">QATAR, home to the world’s largest gas field along with IRAN, has proposed a gas pipeline from the GULF to TURKEY that would traverse SYRIA to the MEDITERRANEAN, with the gas then being shipped to Europe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, Assad in 2009 refused to go along with the plan, instead inking deals with RUSSIA and IRAN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/qatar-and-muslim-brotherhood.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/qatar-and-muslim-brotherhood.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/crisis-qatars-transition.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/07/crisis-qatars-transition.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/04/qatars-great-power-games.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/04/qatars-great-power-games.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SYRIA IS SITE OF THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A MASSIVE UNDERGROUND GAS PIPELINE,</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">that, if completed, could drastically undercut the strategic energy power of U.S. ally QATAR and also would cut TURKEY out of the pipeline flow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dubbed the “Islamic pipeline,” the project may ultimately favor RUSSIA and IRAN against WESTERN energy interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set to open in 2016, IRAN, IRAQ and SYRIA signed a deal in 2010 to construct the 3,480-mile natural gas pipeline connecting IRAN’S South Pars field to EUROPEAN customers.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpLl29iw70RxTi5UHgiZel4pLlAYMwaXa4zegk6qlv9TLebMW9rxYKuqIixM_0Gk6dmA3JYer8dXnlmdEn35vU5nyS1kpr9023S-xM9aOMxakVd-_xzyIvnD9U4dpSiPhGF-ewIzH09LZ/s1600/casp11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpLl29iw70RxTi5UHgiZel4pLlAYMwaXa4zegk6qlv9TLebMW9rxYKuqIixM_0Gk6dmA3JYer8dXnlmdEn35vU5nyS1kpr9023S-xM9aOMxakVd-_xzyIvnD9U4dpSiPhGF-ewIzH09LZ/s320/casp11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IRAN announced the pipeline would ultimately have the capacity to pump 3.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The route is planned to pass through IRAN, IRAQ, SYRIA, the southern LEBANON territories and also through the MEDITERRANEAN basin with a refinery and infrastructure to be built in Damascus. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IRAN IRAQ AND SYRIAN GAS PIPELINE PROPOSAL A MAJOR ECONOMIC THREAT TO TURKEY</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A key portion of the pipeline is concentrated on the SYRIAN ports, which would export directly to EUROPE out of the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The “Islamic” pipeline is viewed as a major threat to TURKEY, which has long desired to become the main bridge for natural gas and oil between the East and the West.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TURKEY, however, is a key player in the Nabucco and other natural gas pipeline projects, which are being constructed or in process to be constructed in order to transit natural gas to EUROPE from the CENTRAL ASIA and CASPIAN regions. The pipeline is set to traverse AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, TURKEY, BULGARIA, ROMANIA and HUNGARY, and end in AUSTRIA. TURKEY has been a key supporter of the rebels fighting Assad’s regime, while QATAR has reportedly been supplied arms and training to the rebels.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If Assad can be deposed, TURKEY and QATAR would like the Nabucco pipeline to run through SYRIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/09/europe-and-caucasus-europe-fails-to-tap.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/09/europe-and-caucasus-europe-fails-to-tap.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/09/the-caspian-region-future-war-zone.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/09/the-caspian-region-future-war-zone.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/syrian-oil-and-gas-findings-propaganda.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/syrian-oil-and-gas-findings-propaganda.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/05/pipelineistan.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/05/pipelineistan.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SYRIA WILL BE IN SAUDI HANDS </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps in a bid to wean RUSSIA off of the “Islamic” pipeline, SAUDI ARABIA last month presented a plan to Moscow in which RUSSIA would reject SYRIA’S president in return for a huge arms deal and a pledge to boost RUSSIAN influence in the ARAB world.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Agence France-Presse reported President Vladimir Putin refused the plan in a meeting with SAUDI ARABIA’S intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/russia-and-saudi-arabia.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/08/russia-and-saudi-arabia.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/09/syria-is-pawn-in-tough-economic.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2013/09/syria-is-pawn-in-tough-economic.html</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><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/AVvXsEjtFyxUps_U7mLegM5Da-MNL8GpfeYHRNc9H0R8IZInZ6Vp80dy80e7CMZcEOB5jvN2IJTOXdHlSiCqNNBQo1TvcL1brrnqOTrSf9qTEBcd17k3Odmz6-E7BxSZN4BN9ziaK5hYo7NDqJzk/s1600/Leaders+of+the+Gulf+Arab+States+pose+before+their+Gulf+Cooperation+Council+(GCC)+summit+-+Reuters.gif" 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/AVvXsEjtFyxUps_U7mLegM5Da-MNL8GpfeYHRNc9H0R8IZInZ6Vp80dy80e7CMZcEOB5jvN2IJTOXdHlSiCqNNBQo1TvcL1brrnqOTrSf9qTEBcd17k3Odmz6-E7BxSZN4BN9ziaK5hYo7NDqJzk/s1600/Leaders+of+the+Gulf+Arab+States+pose+before+their+Gulf+Cooperation+Council+(GCC)+summit+-+Reuters.gif" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulf States Council </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bandar reportedly proposed that SAUDI ARABIA buy $15 billion of weapons from RUSSIA and invest “considerably in the country,” according to AFP.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Demonstrating that oil interests are clearly at play, AFP reported: “The Saudi prince also reassured Putin that ‘whatever regime comes after’ Assad, it will be ‘completely’ in the SAUDIS’ hands and will not sign any agreement allowing any GULF country to transport its gas across SYRIA to EUROPE and compete with RUSSIAN gas exports.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>

ARAB GULF STATES TO FUND A U.S. MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN SYRIA?

ARAB GULF STATES ENERGY CHESS GAME: THE REAL REASON SYRIAN INTERVENTION?  Is the reported willingness of ARAB GULF states to fund a U.S. mi...

Read more »

Sunday Independent Shoot

<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had the Sunday Independent out photographing the house for an article in a few weeks.  <a href="http://www.rugart.ie/">Rug Art</a> gave us a lend of two different Jan Kath rugs for the shoot.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUZOib7ycSw0M6NfEd0CTqREuggCJeoa3JCzB3biOh8qvysUym1nzh1CSqet1-JKqX6HPULQb8tCQY2WUXcmte7vuzwxcp6Qw49vD1EdaZ68UB7CIQZK6it4nahnCMmIj2i3eTsXUVu1y/s640/blogger-image--1531740484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUZOib7ycSw0M6NfEd0CTqREuggCJeoa3JCzB3biOh8qvysUym1nzh1CSqet1-JKqX6HPULQb8tCQY2WUXcmte7vuzwxcp6Qw49vD1EdaZ68UB7CIQZK6it4nahnCMmIj2i3eTsXUVu1y/s640/blogger-image--1531740484.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tony Gavin is the Sunday Independent photographer.  He has won numerous press awards for his work.  Here he is photographing the glass stairs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-VzbcbI4ktlwq2HuzPTLKwkjiFUQzhRmWwT6OFTvHQ8l14MZLvZCNOsJo7bxU4diU3Mk7reqc5uRDSM7uQyJgK_wT-2BsgbuqifTFhLISPvUeq6_aMXKF3zHiQTQY7kYvukmed4fqFCo/s640/blogger-image--881690523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-VzbcbI4ktlwq2HuzPTLKwkjiFUQzhRmWwT6OFTvHQ8l14MZLvZCNOsJo7bxU4diU3Mk7reqc5uRDSM7uQyJgK_wT-2BsgbuqifTFhLISPvUeq6_aMXKF3zHiQTQY7kYvukmed4fqFCo/s640/blogger-image--881690523.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I'm intrigued to see how this shot of the open door in the studio will look.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXLxkTMdT18YxbBHuiIL9b_cztWmEvGEeQszqdZ6nxYQ_4HmTymGbtNAVjgl_0epVOb-nwcGdtwP3x7hiam_rGJrLl1Ijh73OpX2va6tHHPFg9X4JBjv4t5H_pxEwL5rCTt7yK-hQNgrJ/s640/blogger-image-987321534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXLxkTMdT18YxbBHuiIL9b_cztWmEvGEeQszqdZ6nxYQ_4HmTymGbtNAVjgl_0epVOb-nwcGdtwP3x7hiam_rGJrLl1Ijh73OpX2va6tHHPFg9X4JBjv4t5H_pxEwL5rCTt7yK-hQNgrJ/s640/blogger-image-987321534.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I staged the area around the hot tub.  Cocktail anyone?!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI3rceDobFWwJFtpw7L0ewYZdoV5XtBk_JmpnyhR6Y66maXR2zdgA4EI3Gjt2PB8HaGX8utIhaO-v6fwqJb3ixSLCx0ouIQUyhzpDJcSRRoWZ6dBcvOBSIx6NsvXP6Zv_bu5MS1zHukKP/s640/blogger-image--131858789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSI3rceDobFWwJFtpw7L0ewYZdoV5XtBk_JmpnyhR6Y66maXR2zdgA4EI3Gjt2PB8HaGX8utIhaO-v6fwqJb3ixSLCx0ouIQUyhzpDJcSRRoWZ6dBcvOBSIx6NsvXP6Zv_bu5MS1zHukKP/s640/blogger-image--131858789.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's my Paddington Bear collection being photographed - along with a painting of Picasso that was painted by Ciaran's Dad.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUWpW-wAU74fj_DpTqI-Da6Jmv53Ntb0Slz9cy1RsAFXhQVHiI0Lr38QNHab4u_XRW82L9GCqxdLVNaPHouivcO4HrZXPhTL98xuzxaofvrMGv3zezDDSwdzy-_hFDANV9-_tlNOtAWO8/s640/blogger-image-284340865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUWpW-wAU74fj_DpTqI-Da6Jmv53Ntb0Slz9cy1RsAFXhQVHiI0Lr38QNHab4u_XRW82L9GCqxdLVNaPHouivcO4HrZXPhTL98xuzxaofvrMGv3zezDDSwdzy-_hFDANV9-_tlNOtAWO8/s640/blogger-image-284340865.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Sunday Independent Shoot

We had the Sunday Independent out photographing the house for an article in a few weeks.   Rug Art  gave us a lend of two different Jan Kath...

Read more »

Quote of the Day (Plus Charts)

<b>April 19, 2010</b><br /><a href="http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2010/world/u-s-urban-residents-cut-water-usage-utilities-are-forced-to-raise-prices/">U.S. Urban Residents Cut Water Usage; Utilities are Forced to Raise Prices</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>The unintended consequence of using less in most cities is that ratepayers pay more. The Cleveland region has increased water rates 45 percent to 80 percent since 2007. Cleveland Water Commissioner Chris Nielson explained to the The Plain Dealer last week that “revenue was $25 million below projections last year because of a decrease in consumption.”<br /><br />...<br /><br />“It’s funny, in the sense that it’s a double-edged sword,” Lamb told the Kane County Chronicle. “We tell people all the time to conserve water, conserve water. But then we, as the municipality providing the water, suffer because there’s less money coming in to maintain that system.”<br /><br />...<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">Despite the perils of the death spiral, the argument for conservation is strong.</span></i></div><br />Let us use this same theory for gasoline stations and see what happens.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqVN6DlcnxhkNDztcmRHaugNf0PD3DEA0ePq3a2O_oRJzV3BxY8ns6C9XS5PuC9w4-FkY7rZ6b761OBEqlrj1IUkJDPbGc8dCj8iaqf8W4rEC2ItlV1xFkt0GXJIZxma8giHEIPXgl5Y/s1600/Gasoline+Station+Sales.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqVN6DlcnxhkNDztcmRHaugNf0PD3DEA0ePq3a2O_oRJzV3BxY8ns6C9XS5PuC9w4-FkY7rZ6b761OBEqlrj1IUkJDPbGc8dCj8iaqf8W4rEC2ItlV1xFkt0GXJIZxma8giHEIPXgl5Y/s320/Gasoline+Station+Sales.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Since 2011, each gasoline station employee is selling less and less gasoline (by volume). This is unprecedented during an economic expansion. I wonder <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-illusion-of-auto-industry-recovery.html">what could explain it</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXxYRyr8YeTckNVyo8M0vHEeZOZdXAsVhF4dVUM4jvWNN4PmDbZS9dPCsso3af3HEY2VLEubaE7F_fu6nuNBMle2bNjvmFoJcVDpx-dv-TNwAQ9ol89aDts7G6UoFMp0-4IGFaesd1bo/s1600/Gasoline+Station+Employees.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXxYRyr8YeTckNVyo8M0vHEeZOZdXAsVhF4dVUM4jvWNN4PmDbZS9dPCsso3af3HEY2VLEubaE7F_fu6nuNBMle2bNjvmFoJcVDpx-dv-TNwAQ9ol89aDts7G6UoFMp0-4IGFaesd1bo/s320/Gasoline+Station+Employees.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Why has there been so much gasoline station hiring since 2010? Perhaps gasoline station owners have been getting drunk on the free money Kool-Aid? <a href="http://thediplomat.com/pacific-money/2013/07/24/worlds-tallest-building-capital-misallocation/">Capital misallocation</a> for the win?<br /><br />The "recovery" is strong! It can only get better from here! No <a href="http://dollardeathspiral.blogspot.com/">"death spirals"</a> possible! Blah, blah, blah.<br /><br />This post inspired by fried in the comments found <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/09/charting-mental-health-of-recovery.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/data.cfm#consumption">EIA: Petroleum Product Supplied</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=mcM">St. Louis Fed: All Employees: Retail Trade: Gasoline Stations</a>

Quote of the Day (Plus Charts)

April 19, 2010 U.S. Urban Residents Cut Water Usage; Utilities are Forced to Raise Prices The unintended consequence of using less in most c...

Read more »