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Topic: Custom printed mugs (12)  (Read 940 times)
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« on: March 18, 2008 10:28:12 AM »

I recently got some custom printed mugs for some company or the other... a dozen of them, I thought they would be a different design, so now I don't know what to do with them... anyone have any knowledge of how to take off the custom printing? not sure if they're just printed, or if they're glazed... if glazed, don't think I can scrape off the design, but maybe I can cover? dunno... HELP!

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« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2008 07:35:10 AM »

If you can't get the glaze off... maybe you could cover them somehow (paint, magazine clippings with modge podge), put some potting soil in them, plant some seeds and when the flowers start to bloom give them to people as gifts?

« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2008 10:32:16 AM »

if it is not glaze try nail polish remover, the one with acetone in it
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2008 10:32:33 AM »

try using sandpaper to get it back down to the white bisque pottery. Then you can re paint or do what you want with a "clean canvas"
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« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2008 06:24:50 AM »

You could always paint over them. The art supply store near me sells small bottles of glass paint for about a dollar fifty. You let air dry for 24 hours, them bake it for 30 minutes at 350 or so, this supposedly makes them dishwasher safe.I just painted my first mug,but gave it to someone,so I can't swear it holds up-but it's supposed to.And I have no artistic talent! But it was fun to do.

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« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2008 04:18:43 PM »

omg i too have an overload of mugs, i just have to say they make great little holiday gifts when filled with goodies

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Browns' Kevin Griffin brings new meaning to cheerleading

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Kevin Griffin has a unique perspective when it comes to game presentation, and it's not just because he brought weiner dog races to Seattle Sounders games.
As we mentioned in this week's print story on Griffin, the Browns' vice president of fan experience and marketing, the nephew of Archie Griffin was a four-year letterman in football at Ohio State.
Griffin was the first player to verbally commit to former Buckeyes coach John Cooper's 1994 recruiting class, and if you're an Ohio State diehard, you certainly remember Griffin scoring a touchdown on a blocked punt in the 1999 Sugar Bowl.
Griffin transitioned from big-time college football recruit to big-time soccer when he became director of fan development and community relations for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders FC in January 2005.
In 2012, the Sounders set a Major League Soccer attendance record for the fourth consecutive year with an average crowd of 43,144 — 20,008 ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy, who were second in attendance.
The Sounders continue to thrive in Griffin's absence, with a 2013 norm of 40,520 fans per game, which leads Major League Soccer by almost 19,000 per contest.
“It's an incredible environment,” Griffin said of Sounders matches. “I've been fortunate enough to travel around the world and experience some of the better sports cultures and stadium experiences, and that's all kind of played into this (role with the Browns).”
When he was one of about 30 candidates to interview with team president Alec Scheiner for a job that is a unique one in professional sports — a person in charge of keeping the fans involved — Griffin knew the Browns' game-day atmosphere, like the roster, needed some work.
“When Joe (Banner, the team's CEO) and Alec interviewed me, and I did a lot of research myself, there were a few things that stood out,” Griffin said. “I had been to a few Cleveland Browns games in the past. Some of (the things that stood out) were (stadium) structural issues that we will fix but will take a little longer.
“The other stuff,” he continued, “was just from a creative standpoint and a game presentation standpoint — looking at resources and applying some creativity to that — and making the game more entertaining.”
When I interviewed Griffin at training camp a couple weeks ago, he was quick to note that the best way to improve the game-day experience at FirstEnergy Stadium is for the Browns to build a winning on-field product.
That's the job of Banner, general manager Mike Lombardi and the coaching staff.
Griffin's job is to worry about the rest — the music, the video presentations, the player introductions, even the dog races (which are expected to make their Cleveland debut at halftime of Thursday's preseason game against the Lions).
One much-griped-about subject on which the Browns' new regime clearly agrees with the fans: It's a football game, so stand up and cheer.
“We should all be standing,” Griffin said. “Who should be sitting on third down? Anybody that complains about somebody standing in front of them on a third down, that's crazy. We're at a football game, right?”
When Griffin decided to interview for the role Scheiner created in an effort to close the widening gap between the Browns and their rabid fans, he heard from a few friends in the NFL about the Browns' game-day presentation.
“I had other executives around the league before I took this job, they said, 'You should look at what they do for pregame introductions,' ” Griffin said. “That speaks volumes to where a team is going to invest in a brand. Video production — there have been a lot of things (the Browns are changing).
“But I can tell you this,” Griffin continued. “It wasn't for the lack of the type of people we have in the building, because I've been really impressed with our staff. They work hard. It was really more of the matter of maybe bringing the vision together and having a collective idea of what we're trying to do. That's what Joe and Alec have been able to do — bring that idea to life.”
Last Thursday, the Browns made their preseason debut with a win over the Rams in which they actually looked like they had a plan. They seemed organized, well-coached and were undoubtedly aided by a Rams team that appeared as if they were about as interested in playing preseason football as many season-ticket holders are about being forced to pay for it.
There was, as expected, a rejuvenated game presentation, too.
Players were introduced with smoke and fire, and there was a disc jockey on the field prior to the contest.
It had a different feel, and if Griffin gets his way, it will play a small part in fans having a better experience at FirstEnergy Stadium.
As a former Buckeye, he is well aware that the on-field product is how most fans define their stadium enjoyment.
But the other stuff matters, too.
As we noted in the Crain's print story, what Griffin and the Browns are doing is far from revolutionary.
Pro sports franchises have to do everything they can to keep their fans involved.
Watching a game at home — especially in the NFL, with the Sunday Ticket, Red Zone channel and fantasy football — often seems like the best way to experience pro sports.
Weiner dog races and DJs don't change that.
What can: Making the fans feel like you care.
Previous regimes did a poor job of conveying that.
It's (very) early, but Scheiner and Griffin and Co. are slowly changing that sentiment.

Bernie, Bernie — how you can call (a game)

Banner, as has been the case during his lengthy NFL career, acted swiftly once word of Bernie Kosar's TV commentary became national.
Once St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher voiced his displeasure with Kosar's on-air criticisms of the Rams during last week's broadcast and Sports Illustrated writer Peter King chimed in on Twitter, the Browns had to get involved.
Some found Kosar's comments about the Rams' receivers and backup quarterback Kellen Clemens amusing. Others — King was clearly in this camp — thought they were offensive.
Banner did the right thing by issuing a statement early Sunday night saying the Browns didn't “condone” Kosar's “personal and unprofessional approach.”
By putting the opinionated — and often off-the-wall — Kosar behind a live microphone for three hours, the Browns know there is a chance something outlandish will happen.
Thursday, that was the case.
By acting quickly and decisively, Banner squashed the controversy before it made the national rounds on Monday.
And by keeping Kosar paired with Jim Donovan on preseason broadcasts, fans who are otherwise bored with preseason football can still hear Bernie's analysis — which, in addition to being strange at times, is far more insightful than the likes of Dan Dierdorf, Steve Tasker and Tony Siragusa.

You can follow me on Twitter for sports information, analysis and, in a month, memorable moments from Dan Dierdorf's latest NFL broadcast.

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Duke Nukem Being Rebooted

A rumor hints to a possible franchise relaunch.

Erik Norrisby Erik Norris

There’s a rumor circulating the gaming industry water cooler, straight out of Official Xbox Magazine, that says Gearbox is looking to relaunch the Duke Nukem franchise with the next entry in the series. This reboot title will supposedly be called “Duke Begins.” We’re already wondering Gearbox is taking a page out of Chris Nolan’s Batman Begins playbook here.

Apparently, Duke Begins is actually what Gearbox was working on before they picked up the reins on Duke Nukem Forever to carry the 14-year-old torch over the finish line. Duke Nukem Forever may not have been critically acclaimed, but the game solid incredibly well. And with Gearbox now being the sole owner of the Duke IP, you can bet your ass that we’ll be seeing more Duke Nukem titles in the future.

Now the question remains: is it a good idea to go back to the beginning and let players experience the no-so-humble beginnings of the gaming industry’s crudest hero? Honestly, we’re OK with it. The ‘90s action relic version of the character has run its course. The reviews of Duke Nukem Forever speak to this, but Duke Nukem, as he stands now, doesn’t make for such a compelling character anymore. He’s a one-note song. A reboot of the Nukem franchise could address this flaw and give us a better, more rounded hero.

But as a public service announcement, you better check your excitement right now. Technically, this news is all hearsay at this moment. Official Xbox Mag is reporting that Gearbox is picking up and dusting off Duke Begins, but until we hear directly from Gearbox, we can’t accept it as truth.

So what do you guys think, would you like to see a reboot of the Duke Nukem franchise, or do you want it to continue down the path it’s been traveling for the last 20 years?


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LETTER: Bus service withdrawal rejection

Your views.

Your views.

Have your say

I would like to correct an impression created by the article in the Crawley Observer, relating to the withdrawal of the No 2 bus service to The Orchards and Apple Tree Centre .

In the last paragraph the Metrobus spokeperson Nick Hill is quoted as saying they had consulted the councillors whose wards were on Route 2 and most had been in favour of the changes’

I strongly deny that this was so in my case, I spoke with Nick Hill and voiced my objection to the withdrawal of the bus service, I also asked him to consider a slightly reduced service to that part of the route in an effort to maintain a service to the area.

I continue to object to the withdrawal of the service, especially as I am not convinced that other route users are anxious to have a 10 minute service at the expense of other bus passengers. A 12 minute service is perfectly adequate for the most part of the day and evening on this route. It was not so long ago that a 20 minute service was the norm. A more frequent service at peek times is beneficial but this is for a short period of the day. I live at the point of a bus stop on this route, and throughout the day there is not great demand for every bus every 10 minutes, one or two people are all that are collected throughout much of the day.

It is not only The Orchards and Apple Tree Centre that will be disenfranchised by the withdrawal of the No 2 bus. For many years Langley Green residents in Stafford Road, Burlands Langley Walk, and and other closes, have had to walk to the stop just past Warren Drive these residents welcomed the entended route. As residents become older their mobility reduces and also the desire to drive everywhere, parking is at a premuim in the town centre and also very expensive. The withdrawal of public transport is a significant player in our inability to reduce carbon emissions.

However, bus users need to remember that it was the Thatcher government who introduced the Transport Act 1985 following which the deregulation of buses came into force on 26th October 1986, at that time only 56 days notice to the Traffic Commissioners by a company was required to commence, cease or alter a route. Local authorities and elected members do not have any control since this time. It is therefore ingenuous of Metrobus to credit councillors’ views.

Brenda Smith, Crawley Borough Council (Lab, Langley Green), West Sussex

County Council (Langley Green and West Green


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We've got your colors covered We've got your colors covered

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  5. Three Scampering Mice craft

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    What is your favorite story, song, or poem about mice? Create your own little creatures to tell your tales.

  6. Three-Cornered Cookie Basket craft

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    Cute critters are hiding on your thumb! These whimsical homemade cards are crawling with good wishes from The Crayola® F

  10. Tickly Toes craft

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    Wiggle and giggle! Tracing feet is full of laughs with Crayola® Color Wonder™

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    Stingrays gracefully glide through water like flying carpets. Gather friends at a picnic table to create lots of friendl

  12. Tie-Dye Table Runner craft

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    Create a seasonal table runner with materials you have on hand. Unique crafts extend your family's holiday fun.

  13. Tie-Dye Treat Cups craft

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    Kids create their own colorful, mess-free tie-dye treat cups at a family picnic or birthday party.

  14. Tiny Telescope craft

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    Reach for the stars! Create a terrific tiny telescope for your next outer space adventure.

  15. Tiny Treasures Plaque craft

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  16. 'Tis the Season Cards craft

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    What's up with angels? These whimsical tissue angels make perfect gifts! Use them to decorate packages, trees, or a holi

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  19. Tissue-Box Train craft

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  20. Together in T-Shirts craft

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    Twist your tongue and your art! Illustrate a favorite tongue twister with Crayola® Twistables™.

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Samsung Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6s!

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Samsung Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6s Comparison Review – Features, Waterproof Test, Camera Test (Photos & Video) & Google Now vs Siri.

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21 Comments on Samsung Galaxy S7 vs iPhone 6s!

  1. My personal oppinion is that an andriod devices offers way more customizations. jailbroken phones are useless. On a andriod device whatever one you have you can install a custom rom. Better customization, the iphone is a good phone. The reason it makes it a good phone is because you cant get into the data. Things like icloud and everything else is really well made. If ios had a better way of customization, i think it will be safe to say that ios is better

  2. Why does it matter they are all good phone my self I have a s5 and a iPhone 5s why does it matter think about something there phone a phone in are day are smart these are smart if you agree with me please like this comment JUST STOP FIGHTING ABOUT WITH OHONE IS BETTER

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review – Budget gone Metal!

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My full review of the Redmi Note 3 from Xiaomi after using it as my primary phone for 10 days.
Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon 650 Review – https://youtu.be/Wbw1Mqv-zRU
Order a Redmi Note 3 from Merimobiles – http://bit.ly/1IvqiDQ

The Redmi Note 3 sports a 5.5″ Full HD IPS LCD display (401 PPI)

It’s powered by the MT6795 Helio X10 chip – that’s 8 Cortex A53 cores clocked at 2GHz each, coupled with a PowerVR G6200 GPU and 2/3GB of RAM and 16/32GB of internal storage.

The Note 3 features a 13MP rear and 5MP front facing cameras.

All this is powered by a non-user replaceable 4000 mAh battery.

This is also known as the Redmi Note 3 Prime.

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30 Comments on Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Review – Budget gone Metal!

  1. hi Ash,

    i bought redmi note 3 pro from china which come with global ROM, now this phone have many chinese features such as under setting theme and fonts and ring tones are Chinese when you download them..any way we cam change them completely in english please.
    any response would be much appreciated…

  2. Hello Ash….your reviews are very good…but please let me know 'Is Redmi Note 3 2GB variant or Le 1s or K4 Note. I'm a heavy user!! I'm not getting RN 3 32 GB from past 1 month!

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Archive | December, 2012

Happy holidays

Hi dears! I’m just stopping by to wish you all happy holidays! This year has been amazing for me and part of that are you, sweet readers who support me no matter what :). I’m wishing you all a fabulous 2013, joy-filled winter holidays – cherish every moment like there’s no tomorrow, give a hug to a loved one and just be merry!

See you next year :)

Tags: , , , ,

Color of 2013: Emerald green

So in one of my last posts I said I’ll be posting every day and I failed at that, but in my defense I can say that I had a reason – a fussy baby (enough said, right?). Anyway, today I’d like to add my two cents to the topic of Pantone choosing Emerald green as the color of 2013. I already expressed my affection for this color in previous posts having no clue that this color will have such a big impact on the design scene at some point – I guess I have foreseen a trend without even knowing it :). The richness of this shade is mesmerizing, showing a whole new level of green – a dense hue that screams refinement and elegance. I like how modern emerald green feels, definitely not the boring green one might expect :).

(continue reading)

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Sparkly DIY projects

It’s no surprise I’m crazy about everything that is sparkly and holiday like, so I was delighted to see a huge collection of DIY glittery projects. For the home, for your Christmas party, even for your wardrobe – you’ll find everything your heart desires. The best of all, each project is linked to its how-to tutorial and we can all try our hands at making a sparkly banner or some cute Christmas tree decorations (yes, I’m all about holidays these days, don’t blame me!). So because I love you so much, I had to share my find with you!

Which project is your favorite?

GlitterPartyDecor GlitterYourHome (continue reading)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Back to business :)

Hello, sweet friends! Do you still remember me? It’s been too long since I last posted something so if you forgot how am I – I can totally understand you (I do hope you’ll come back though!). So I had a baby boy about two months ago and I took some time off to adjust to this new role (which is much harder than it seems, by the way!). All in all, we’re good – baby M is growing up way too fast and already looks like a little man who laughs, ‘speaks’ his own language and makes us happy day by day :).

So today I’m here sincerely hoping I’ll be able to get back to daily posting (or a few times per week at least) and since Christmas is right around the corner of course I had to share a few inspirational, relaxing and pretty pictures with you just to put you in the right mood!

(continue reading)

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Fossil Grant Automatic Beige Skeleton Dial ME3099 Men's Watch

Model: ME3099

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Fossil Grant Automatic Beige Skeleton Dial ME3099 Men's Watch

The Fossil Grant Automatic Beige Skeleton Dial plays many a role, whichever you need at a given point of time. It’s a tasteful watch to wear while attending a job interview; makes the right impression when you are in a semi-formal setting and fits in nicely amidst understated and elegant atmospheres. Appear confident without being flashy; it’s the sole reason why you will always feel at ease with this particular design.

Stainless Steel Case
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Approximate Case Diameter: 45mm
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Creating Wines of Distinction

Chef’s Choice – Constantijn Hahdiek – Hartford House, Mooi River, KZN

In this popular series we feature selected restaurants from around the world. Each chooses a favourite Creation wine, tells us why and recommends a matching dish. This week we welcome back Constantijn Hahndiek from Hartford House in Mooi River, Natal Midlands.

Chef Constantijn says:

I’m a big fan of Creation because the team is so food focused; and then I’m a big fan of Chardonnay because of its diversity. The uniqueness of the Creation Art of Chardonnay makes it the perfect vessel for us to show off some spring produce. So, a delivery of Natal deep sea crayfish – and looking at the beautiful spring apple blossoms on our trees – presented a temptation we could not resist. Of course a fond memory of diving for crayfish off Hermanus near the Creation Estate also spurred a little inspiration. And so the dish of Crayfish with Crayfish Butter, thinly sliced Apple with Apple Blossom Foam, earthy Sweet Peas, Artichokes sautéed in a Lime Oil and Bronze Fennel was created.

Click here to read the complete blog and here to read more about the wine and to buy it online.

Creation Shines at Mondial des Pinots 2016    mondial

Creation is proud to announce that the 2015 Creation Pinot Noir received a gold medal at the annual Mondial des Pinots held in Sierre, Switzerland.

This key international wine event highlights the elegance and subtlety but also the terroir-specific traits of the Pinot cultivar, offering producers the opportunity to measure and compare the quality of their wines against the world’s best.

Left is cellarmaster JC’s father, Hans-Rudi Martin receiving the award on his behalf.

Carolyn among the Magic of Hartford House Herb Garden

Click here to view Chef Constantijn from Hartford House and Creation’s Carolyn Martin as they converse about things herby, flowery and vinous. Click here to view Creation’s own Wine and Herb Chart.

Creation’s Waterblommetjiebredie in Die Burger Versnit

Creation’s innovative Culinary Team never fails to impress and delight the palate. Click here for Chef Francois Hugo’s exciting deconstructed waterblommetjiebredie recipe created as a delectable companion for the Creation Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot blend. The article, Sjef in Seisoen, was written by Samarie Smith and features in the latest edition of Versnit, a popular food, wine and travel supplement to Die Burger.

Giving back to the Community

A huge thank you to Standard Bank and all the visitors to the Creation Tasting Room who contributed to the total of R30 000 raised for the Diepgat Primary School in the Hemel-en-Aarde. (See picture below.)

We are also delighted to announce that the Hemel-en-Aarde Community Project managed by Pebbles is starting this week and welcome Elizabeth Naude, Pebbles Project manager, to our community! All future contributions received in the Creation Tasting Room will go towards the vehicle needed to safely transport the children to the Early Childhood Development Centre and Afterschool Club.

Another big thank you goes to our friends at the De Hoop Collection who generously sponsored the Whale Time Serenade musicians to perform at Creation on the evening of 14 September in order to raise funds for the vehicle and project. Click here for more details and to book for this event.

Our sincere gratitude to our Tasting Room visitors, Standard Bank, the Cape Wine Auction and Liz and Julian Beare from the Beare Foundation for their generosity and commitment to the people of the Hemel-en-Aarde.

Change of UK online agent for Creation Wines

Please note that we have changed online agents in the UK to Buy Great Wine. Click here to view which Creation Wines they have available for you.

Welcome to our Little Piece of Paradise

Situated some 18 kilometres from the coastal resort of Hermanus, Creation is more than a wine farm; it is a glorious destination where a warm welcome awaits young and old. Click here to make a reservation. Here are some comments recently made by our visitors:

Excellent wine pairing and three course meal. We brought out 2 x 3 year olds with us and they were kept busy in the separate playroom, which gave us a few minutes to relax. Would recommend to book well in advance if you want to be close to playroom.

– John-Adrian (TripAdvisor review)

It was our 4th Anniversary & I (as a surprise to my hubby) had booked a chocolate & wine pairing & asked if they could do something special like add strawberries since the traditional theme for 4 years is fruits & flowers … Not only were we welcomed with extreme kindness & professionalism but they even made the effort to write “happy 4th anniversary” with white chocolate on the wooden board & added chocolate covered strawberries, raspberries & beautiful flowers!!! The service was absolutely amazing & the attentiveness & professionalism was overwhelming (in a good way of course). The wines & chocolates were to die for & it really is worth the visit!! Beautiful views, wonderful wine & great people:) Thanx guys for making it such a fantastic experience!

– Kaylirah (TripAdvisor review)

We had tried to visit Creation the day before, but it was full, so we booked for the next day. We had the tapas. Well the food was wonderful, with each dish accompanied with a different wine. The waitress explained fully about the wine plus how it complemented the food. Unfortunately, I was the designated driver. This was allowed for with the offer of different teas and the same service offered. So after all the Tapas, we just had to experience the sweet as well – Oh dear. We were not disappointed.

– DaveA1966

Events Calendar

10 September 9h00 – 13h00: Hermanus Country Market, Hermanus Cricket Club A small market with a lot of soul where good friends meet hug and eat … You can look forward to an amazing array of fresh organic produce, homemade delicacies, artisan breads, probiotic yoghurts, handmade cheeses, home smoked fish, happy hen eggs, wheat-free bakes and local wines. For more information click here.

14 September 18h00: A Sunset Serenade at Creation, Creation Wines, Hemel-en-Aarde, Hermanus What better way to celebrate spring, than with a sunset performance by the renowned Whale Time Serenade musicians accompanied by a delectable three course meal prepared by our culinary team. Proceeds will be donated to the Hemel-en-Aarde Community Project to raise funds for a much needed vehicle to transport the children. A ticket costs R500. RSVP with Salome at before 12 September.

18 – 19 November from 16h00: Hemel-en-Aarde Classic Chardonnay Celebration, The Thatch House, Hermanus Imagine manicured green lawns, crystal blue waters, a delightful string quartet and world-class Chardonnay … The Hemel-en-Aarde Classic Chardonnay Celebration takes place for the first time this year, focusing on the exceptional quality and distinctiveness of this area’s cool-climate Chardonnay. While the spotlight will be on Chardonnay, other wines produced by the 13 winegrowers from the Hemel-en-Aarde will also be showcased. Save the date. More information to follow.

9 – 11 September 11h00 – 15h00: Wine, Whales and Music De Hoop Collection Nature Reserve, Bredasdorp This very successful musical weekend is always well attended and this year is nearly sold out already. The weekend offers spectacular whale viewing, fabulous wines and incredible music provided by members of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Creation Wines will be there to show our wines on the Saturday. Booking is essential. Email to book your spot.

23 September 18h00 – 21h00: The Annual Spring Wine Festival, Riverbend Art & Wine Gallery, Southbroom More than 40 of South Africa’s best wine estates will be profiling more than 130 top wines for the public to taste and purchase at cellar door prices on the night. Tickets are limited and cost R120 which includes a free tasting glass and hot and cold snacks to complement the great wines. Tickets are on sale at Riverbend. For more information, phone 039 316 6204.

8 September 10h00 – 18h00: Intrepid South Africa, Tobacco Dock, Pennington Street, Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane, London ‘Intrepid South Africa’ is Wines of South Africa’s major generic trade tasting in the UK and will focus on the fearless, brave and intrepid nature of South Africa as a winemaking country. For more information click here.

14 September 18h00 – 21h00: Creation Wines Tasting, The Workshop, 1414 62nd Street Emeryville, San Francisco Jean-Claude Martin will be hosting a tasting at The Workshop’s opening night in San Francisco. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

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Geminare Adds iPhone Integration to Its Cloud Recovery Services With Launch of iCloudRecovery

(July 20, 2010)

TORONTO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/20/10 -- Geminare Incorporated today announced the availability of iCloudRecovery, an iPhone application that lets partners and end customers manage their entire server ecosystem from their handheld device -- anywhere, any time. Fully integrated with Geminare's Recovery as a Service Platform (RaaS) and Cloud Recovery offering, iCloudRecovery links users directly to Geminare's portal environment, providing full access to an extensive suite of RaaS management tools.

Available through the Apple Store in Q3 2010, iCloudRecovery will allow current customers, partners and lead partners to access their portal accounts directly from an iPhone. Geminare partners can manage their entire customer base through iCloudRecovery, affording them a real-time service response level unparalleled in the industry.

"When the power went out in the downtown core the first thing we thought of was how long are the UPSs going to last?" said Aaron Seaton, vice president, IT for TAO Asset Management. "Within minutes we were on our cell phones to our technology partner requesting they failover our MS Exchange Server, SQL Server and BlackBerry Server to utilize the Cloud Recovery capabilities that were protecting our mission critical infrastructure. Accessibility to our control systems at all times is an absolute requirement and that is exactly what Geminare's iCloudRecovery iPhone application does. We can login and see current data replication statistics, and at any time choose to failover one or all of our servers. And then simply continue to monitor our environment from our handheld phones."

Leading the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in Recovery as a Service solutions, and available through a network of cloud hosting and telco providers, MSPs and VARs, Geminare's Cloud Recovery Server Replication ensures secure continuous availability of mission-critical applications by replicating a customer's server environment in real-time to a cloud of their choice. The Cloud Recovery environment engages seamlessly in the event of system interruption or failure.

"Extending the capability of both our Recovery as a Service platform and our Cloud Recovery product line is a further commitment to our customers and partners to provide the latest technologies to manage their critical technology assets and systems," said Joshua Geist, CEO of Geminare Incorporated. "With the launch of iCloudRecovery we are putting the power of our patented and market leading Cloud Recovery platform into the hands of mobile users, making technology management easier than ever. iCloudRecovery is one of several exciting product launches we will be announcing over the course of the summer."

Delivered through Channel Partners to the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) market to provide rapid deployment, Geminare's Cloud Recovery Server Replication includes the following key features:

  • Enterprise-class server replication in a Recovery as a Service (RaaS) Model
  • Ability to Failover and run your critical servers and applications such as MS Exchange, SQL, SharePoint, BlackBerry and others from virtually any cloud provider's platform, all through a single mouse click
  • Ability to also Failback through a single mouse click, restoring operations back to your primary servers
  • True visibility of your protection status with frequent, detailed and complete non-disruptive disaster recovery tests

For more information on Geminare's Server Replication in the Cloud please visit

About Geminare
Geminare is a pioneer in delivering Recovery as a Service solutions to the Small and Medium Enterprise sector. Dedicated to building game-changing Cloud technologies including its Cloud Recovery and Cloud Storage solutions, Geminare's products are delivered through a network of Channel Partners to the SME market worldwide. Currently in the market with Server Replication, Geminare counts amongst its partners Qwest Communications,, Bell, CA Inc. and many other leading organizations. Geminare is located in Toronto, Canada with operations and partners in the USA, Canada and Europe.

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Fighting garnishment of low wages for medical debt

To Her Credit
To Her Credit, Sally Herigstad
Sally Herigstad is a certified public accountant and the author of "Help! I Can't Pay My Bills: Surviving a Financial Crisis" (St. Martin's Press, 2006). She writes "To Her Credit," a weekly reader Q&A column about issues involving women, credit and debt, for, and also wrote for MSN Money, and, and has guested on Martha Stewart Radio and other programs. See her website for more personal finance tips and free budgeting worksheets.
Ask Sally a question, or read her previous answers in the To Her Credit archive

Dear To Her Credit,
I just received a garnish of wages in the state of Washington. I make $800 a month, and I support one child in high school. My ex owes me $13,000 in back child support.

I had an emergency hospital visit, with no health insurance. I tried to ask for assistance, but I never received an answer. I owe $1,679, and I sent them a cashier's check for that amount, but the collection agency sent it back and said the amount of $2,546.68 would be garnished from my pay.

What else can I do to stop my wages from being garnished? -- Pamela

Dear Pamela,
Your wages cannot be garnished. According to Boston bankruptcy attorney Theodore Connolly, Washington law prevents garnishment for earnings after taxes that are less than $253.75 weekly. You make less than $200 per week, so they're out of luck if you defend yourself.

That doesn't mean you can ignore notices of garnishment. Connolly says you must pay attention to any legal notices you receive and fight any attempted garnishment or other creditor action. That means going to court and representing yourself, if necessary. "She has an absolute defense with her wage amount," he says, "but she has to tell the judge what she earns. Judges will work hard to help a person who has come into court to help herself."

It's important that you keep track of all the collection agency's attempts to contact you and the tactics they use. The fact that they turned down a payment makes Connolly believe they may not be the most reputable agency. Their tactics, if they cross the line, may actually help your case.

Collection agencies must comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Among other things, by law they cannot attempt to embarrass you, call after 9:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m., or call or visit at work when they know it's inconvenient or that your employer doesn't allow such calls or visits. Connolly says, "She should keep track of how they try to collect. The more she can tell a judge about their tactics, the more sympathy she will get if she ever needs to go to court." If the collector violates the FDCPA, you can sue for damages and reimbursement of your lawyers' fees.

You also have a right to make them stop calling you.  You should send a cease and desist notice, after which they can only send you mail. Every time a collection company representative calls, ask for the mailing address and tell them not to contact you by phone again. Then send them a basic cease-and-desist letter by certified mail with receipt requested. You can use one of these sample cease-and-desist letters

Connolly also recommends that you be more persistent in calling the hospital to explain what has happened.  The hospital may reduce or eliminate the charges, based on your income level. Connolly says the hospital may take the debt away from the collection agency and work out a payment plan with you.

The important thing to remember in situations like these is to fight back. Connolly says, "She cannot be afraid, ashamed or try to ignore her debt." Work with the hospital, and go to court if necessary. Get legal help for that $13,000 in back child support, while you're in fighting mode. You and your son need and deserve all the help you can get.

See related: How wage garnishment works -- and how to avoid it, What types of income are protected from wage garnishment?

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Does a personal finance problem have you worried? Monday through Saturday,'s Q&A experts answer questions from readers. Ask a question, or click on any expert to see their previous answers.

Published: May 9, 2014

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LCV Republican Women Club Celebrates Presidential Birthday

Posted by on Feb 19th, 2015 and filed under Between Friends. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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The LCV Republican Women Club celebrated the birthday of President Ronald Reagan, which is on Feb. 6, at its Feb. 12 meeting. Shown are club Vice President Nicky Kapadia with former President Ronald Reagan aide, Peggy Grande. The meeting was held at the Oakmont Country Club.

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Friday, May 30, 2008

Drew Peterson's First Legal Shot Fired At Prosecutor On That Gun Charge

Joliet ILDrew Peterson’s lawyer, Joel Brodsky has filed a motion on simple, plain English grounds to dismiss the complaint filed over a gun seized last November by Bolingbrook police.

When the gun was seized Peterson was a police sergeant and member of the department’s SWAT team. The rifle was equipment that was used in connection with that assignment.

Unlike many police departments across the country, Bolingbrook requires their officers to find and purchase their own duty weapons. The officers are reimbursed through their police uniform allowance. That includes any weapons used by the SWAT team.

The complexities of department technicalities about issues of barrel length are just that, departmental issues. The weapons themselves are covered under a federal law preemption that immunizes the officers from criminal prosecution under any state law. Peterson was charged under Illinois law that cannot be used against him.

Frustrated state police investigators have no evidence of murder so they took another route to disrupt Drew Peterson’s life. Perhaps someone should have bothered to read the law first.

Here’s a motion filed today in The Circuit Court of Will County, IL:
Read this doc on Scribd: Dismiss Motion

TheBronze said...

This isn't going to fly. Not to mention that the motion has the wrong date on it, the intent of LEOSA was to allow "concealed weapons" (as specifically stated in USC) to be carried in all states. LEOSA preempts CERTAIN state laws only regarding carrying a concealed weapon, not for other weapons-related state laws (i.e. possession of certain types of weapons).

LEOSA does NOT preempt ANY Federal Laws regarding firearms.

So, LEOSA does not cover Peterson for owning an assault-weapon (AW) that has a barrel length under the Federal minimum of 16" regardless of whether he was a police officer or not. There is no legal exemption from the 16" barrel length for police officers, for short-barreled rifles (SBR's).

In Kalifornia, an LEO may only purchase an AW if authorized by their dept and for duty-use only. The LEO may not purchase/own an AW that is an SBR because it is illegal Federally (and under CA state law).

If a firearm is illegal to own, either under State or Federal law, LEOSA provides no protection for that.

Peterson will go down for this, when all is said and done.

Crimefile said...

Mr. Bronze:

What was the, “Wrong date on the Motion?” I suspect you are referring to the date the weapon was seized at Peterson’s home. That was November 1, 2007. They just got around to making the arrest and beginning a prosecution.

There was and is no wrong date.

1. The so Called “Assault Weapons ban has expired and in no longer on the books.
2. The California State law you quote thankfully does not reach Illinois or the other states.
3. Concealed weapon was used, NOT “HANDGUN”. A short rifle or shotgun was not excluded from the law that immunizes Peterson.

When all is said and done there are two issues that will free Peterson fro this bogus charge. The first being they measured the barrel wrong and it’s longer than 16”. The second is Peterson’s current motion will prevail in court.

In addition to the above a real wild card will be the US Supreme Court’s decision in D.C. V. Heller that will tell us if there if gun possession is in fact a right or a privilege subjects to prohibitions. That decision will be the law of the land as of any Monday before June 24, 2008.

If they want Peterson they will have to find a lawful way to get him rather than by violating his civil rights.

The Bill of Rights still exists in America and it protects more than just suspected criminals.

TheBronze said...

Um, yeah, see #2 in the motion. Wrong date. 1 Nov 2008 hasn't happened yet...

This has nothing to do with the expired Federal AW ban. Both Federal and (apparently) Illinois law make it illegal to possess a rifle with a barrel less than 16". There is no LEOSA exemption for that, even if you think that LEOSA covers rifles, which it doesn't.

Apparently, you didn't read (or comprehend) most of what I wrote. I wasn't saying that California law affected Peterson. But the point still remains. Peterson's lawyer is trying to stretch LEOSA to make it fit where it doesn't and Peterson will go down for it, because LEOSA doesn't cover him.

His Chief said that it was a personal weapon and not cleared by the police department. Even if it was a personally owned weapon, authorized by the department, Peterson isn't allowed to possess a barrel less than 16" long according to Federal (and probably State) Law. TEHRE IS NO LEOSA EXEMPTION FOR THAT. LEOSA doesn't mean what you and his lawyer think it means.

How do you figure that the barrel was measured wrong? I can plainly see from that picture that the barrel is way less than 16". It looks to be a 10" barrel. Unless the flash-suppressor is permanently attached (pinned and welded on) it doesn't count towards barrel length.

You're betting on the wrong horse, Paul.

Crimefile said...

Mr. Bronze:
You’re right about the year! It must have been a typo,

As for LEOSA, it covers concealable firearms rather than handguns. A short barrel rifle with a folding stock will conceal quite nicely even under your skirt, won’t it?

Don’t forget that ringer Supreme Court ruling due any minute.

TheBronze said...

A rifle (even an SBR) is not considered a "concealable weapon" in any jurisdiction that I know of. Doubtful that a court will rule that that is what LEOSA refers to, either.

Crimefile said...

Congress could have used the word handgun, pistol or revolver. Instead, in their infinite wisdom used a very ambiguous term, concealable firearm. That was to include short entry style rifle and shotguns. If you can conceal it, it qualifies.

Anonymous said...

A major problem with gun laws is they are written by the gun-haters trying to ban guns. Because of the gun-hater’s ignorance they are passing all kinds of laws that a. Don’t really ban what they are trying to ban. b. Ban things they really did not intend to ban. This same thing constantly happens at every level of government.

Joel A. Brodsky said...

The November 1, 2008 date is a typo. It should be November 1, 2007, the date on the criminal complaint. I don't understant thebronze's comment. Local cops use short barreled rifles all the time, (the MP5 issued to Peterson by the BB police dept. had a short barrel!) So how can they be totally illegal even if they are a duty weapon? LEOSA makes no distinction between duty weapons and private weapons. LEOSA makes it legal for a qualified law enforcement officer to conceal carry any weapon (except machine gun, silncer, or bomb), anywhere in the USA. Of course if one can conceal carry, then one can possess, reveal, transport, and store the weapon. (congress obvioiusly didn't intend for the officer to bath and sleep with the weapon concealed on his person 24/7) LEOSA applies to Peterson's situation and we will prevail on the motion to dismiss.

Anonymous said...

An Act
To amend title 18, United States Code, to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns.

I just reviewed the LEOSA to see what the definition of "firearm" was. It kind of contradicts itself, in that the Act states that it exempts the carrying of concealed "HANDGUNS" as stated above.
Then in the following section the term firearm is limited as outlined below:
`(e) As used in this section, the term `firearm' does not include--
`(1) any machine gun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act);
`(2) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and
`(3) any destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title).

Kind of confusing, but I'm betting that this boils down to handguns only.

TheBronze said...

Yes cops carry SBR's all the time, because they're department property!

A cop can not carry a personally owned SBR unless it is a) owned by the department or b) he has a tax-stamp for a personally-owned SBR (meaning: he went through the process with the BATFE, paid his $200 and received government approval (the tax-stamp) to own said rifle). In this case, it doesn't appear that Peterson satisfied either of those two requirements.

Let me be clear, there is NO federal exemption for a police officer to carry an SBR (except for the two exceptions I listed above).

LEOSA certainly doesn't provide it.

Also, SBR's were not the intent, or the language of LEOSA. Handguns ("concealable weapons") were/are. As I said before, no jurisdiction considers a SBR a "concealable weapon". Show me one (either in IL or Fed law) that does.

Once again, LEOSA applies to the carrying of handguns ("concealable firearms") across the US. It preempts state laws only in regard to concealed carry, not anything else (i.e., ownership/possession of a certain weapon). If a weapon is illegal to own/possess under State Law, LEOSA doesn't change that.

So here are my questions to you:

1) Does IL state law allow for a cop to posses a personally owned SBR?

2) If so, why are you invoking LEOSA? Either way, it doesn't apply to this case because his arrest isn't for carrying a concealed weapon, it was for possessing an illegal weapon.

3) Did Peterson's chief authorize him to carry that specific rifle as a "duty-weapon"?

4) Was the flash-suppressor "permanently affixed" to that rifle, as required by law?

I eagerly await your answers...

TheBronze said...

Paul, in re-reading my last comment, the first paragraph should be changed to this:

A cop can not carry an SBR unless it is a) owned by the department or b) he has a tax-stamp for a personally-owned SBR (meaning: he went through the process with the BATFE, paid his $200 and received government approval (the tax-stamp) to own said rifle). In this case, it doesn't appear that Peterson satisfied either of those two requirements.

Can you either fix that one, or post this one. It was edited for clarification.

Joel A. Brodsky said...

In answer to your questions.
(1) Yes, if the weapon is used "in the performance his duty", a officer in Illinois can possess a short barreled rifle. Your confusion stems from the fact that in the midwest most duty weapons are privately owned. This is not the case is the rest of the country. The AR-15 is on the approved list of optional weapons for swat officers issued by the bolingbrook pd. Officers can purchase these weapons at there own expense for swat use if they want. If the weapon is purchsed from a private party (another cop) or with a long barrel (that is later replaced with a short barrel) then no BATFE approval is required. (What is the citation of the federal law you say prohibits cops from possessing privately owned SBR's used in the line of duty?)
2. LEOSA cearly applies to Peterson's case. The statute refers to firearms, not handguns. (preambles are not part of the statute!) If he can legally conceal carry the firearm, then he can possess the firearm in an unconcealed fashion when it is not being conceal carried (unless you tell me congress intended him to shower with the gun concealed on his person) LEOSA is part of the federal fireams statute, which defines (sec. 921) both "firearm"and "handgun". Firearm includes rifles. Congress used the term "firearm" in LEOSA not handgun so rifles that can be concealed are covered. (An AR-15 with an allegedly short barrel and a collapsible stock is concealable!)
3. Yes. He was specifically authorized by a prior chief to use this specific weapon, and he was authorized by the current chief when the department issued written lists each year that listed each officer and which weapons they qualified with and were authorized to use.
4. The flash suppressor was screwed onto the end of the barrel which is threaded specifically for the suppressor.

TheBronze said...

Thanks for your replies.

To answer your question it is illegal (under Federal law) for ANYONE (an individual) to own a rifle with a barrel under 16", unless they have a tax-stamp from the gov't authorizing them to own/possess it. This is under the Nat'l Firearms Act of 1934. There is no exemption for LEO's under Fed. Law.

Regarding the flash-suppressor: it only counts towards the length of the barrel if it is "permanently affixed". If it can be easily removed (as you said it can), it isn't considered "permanently affixed", therefore his barrel is under the legal length of 16", therefore illegal under Fed. Law and IL State Law (unless there is an exemption for privately-owned rifles by LEO's under State Law).

You said "If the weapon is purchsed from a private party (another cop) or with a long barrel (that is later replaced with a short barrel) then no BATFE approval is required." That is not correct. As I said, there is NO expemtion for LEO's to possess SBR's without BATFE approval (tax-stamp). Regardless of whether it is legal for an IL LEO to own/possess an SBR, it's still illegal under Fed. Law. If Drew was authorized by the dept. and IL State Law to own that rifle, he is still in violation of Fed. Law.

Rifles cannot be concealed, by their very nature (of length). The intent of LEOSO was for LEO's to be able to carry CONCEALED HANDGUNS across the US, not for them to be able to carry anything they want. Read the text of HR 218 (
Like I said, show me any jurisdiction that says that a rifle (SBR or not) is considered a "concealable firearm". You can't.
I'll agree that 18USC, 926 has poor wording, but the intent is for handguns, not rifles. Obviously a court will hash that part out later.

Having said all that, I'll concede to you that IF Drew was authorized by the Dept. and IL Law to carry that SBR, then he'll be found not guilty, but it's not because of LEOSA.

Let's say that LEOSA does cover rifles (which it doesn't). LEOSA does not cover him for having an SBR, because it's illegal under Fed. Law to possess a rifle under 16" w/out BATFE approval. LEOSA provides no exemption from other Fed. firearms laws (SBR's in this case) and only gives State Law exemptions for laws relating to the carrying of concealed weapons. Either way, he isn't covered by LEOSA.

As far as I know, Drew was charged under State Law, not Fed. Like I said, IF Drew was authorized by the Dept. and IL Law to carry that SBR, then he'll be found not guilty, but it's not because of LEOSA.

However, if Drew got the AR-15 authorized by the dept. with a barrel that was the legal minimum of 16" and then cut the original barrel down or changed barrel's to a shorter barrel, he violated Fed. Law, and maybe dept. policy.

Crimefile said...

This case will end in a legal determination by a Judge that:
1. The barrel is simply over 16” long.
2. Peterson is immune to state prosecution because his SWAT duty rife is indeed cancelable.

There will be not trial or finding of Not Guilty. The case will never proceed that far.

Let’s agree to disagree. The loser of this argument will by a beer for the winners.

TheBronze said...

1) No. The picture plainly shows that's not the case.

2) That might be true, but it won't be because of LEOSA. A rifle is not a concealable weapon.

I think you're wrong. We'll see...

Crimefile said...

Mr. Bronze, tell me please, how does the photograph show that the state police are correct in their claim the barrel in exactly 3/8’’ shorter than 16”?????

Crimefile said...

Mr. Bronze are you saying you can hide that little rifle under your miniskirt? Sure you can!

TheBronze said...

Because the barrel is measured from the chamber end of the barrel to the end of the threaded part of the barrel (where the flash suppressor attaches). The barrel in that picture is approx 11" to 11.5" long.

Here is a pic that will help you:

Again, the flash-suppressor is not counted towards barrel length unless it's permanently affixed. Joel said that it isn't, therefore, it doesn't count.

Don't ask me about the ISP, I don't work for them, don't know what they said and don't know where the 3/8" comes from.

Just because I can hide it under my skirt, doesn't mean that it's concealable. Concealable/concealed is a legal definition. Concealable/concealed refers to a handgun, not a rifle.
I.E., say I'm carrying a sawed-off shotgun down my pant leg. I wouldn't get arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, I'd get arrested for possessing an illegal weapon, because it's sawed-off. The sawed-off shotgun isn't a concealed/concealable weapon and neither is Drew's rifle.

Like I said, show me a State or Fed. Law that refers to a rifle as a concealable/concealed firearm and I'll admit I was wrong.

TheBronze said...

This is what a true 16" barrel looks like:

Anonymous said...

1. There are procedures (tax stamps) required for a person, or even a police department, to own a rifle such as the one in question.
2. The federal law quoted does not protect / apply to Drew Peterson. In the text quoted in the motion it clearly states the law does not protect an officer who is: "the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency."
Peterson was under disciplinary action by his agency due to an unrelated incident at the time of his wife's disappearance.

TheBronze said...

Just FYI, tax-stamps aren't required for dept's because they're gov't entity's. They can buy whatever types of weapons they want.

I didn't know Drew was undergoing discipline, but if so, LEOSA wouldn't cover him. It doesn't anyway.

TheBronze said...

By your logic, would Drew be able to carry a .50 cal Barret rifle if it was illegal in IL (I don't know whether it is or isn't) under LEOSA?

TheBronze said...

To anonymous: I was incorrect. Dept's do have to get the tax-stamp, but they don't have to pay the fee's.

Crimefile said...

Geraldo knows nothing at all about firearms. The barrel on Peterson’s SWAT rifle was a shorter replacement barrel but I believe the one on the rifle is 16.1” in length. The Colt barrel that came on that frame was much longer than the law requires.

I don’t give a rat’s ass about the investigation into the disposition of Peterson’s wives. He’s absolutely innocent because he has not been convicted of anything. He’s never even been charged.

You’re reaction to the peterson publicity is un-American to say the least.

Unless someone can establish that either Peterson wife was actually murdered these cases are over. If one or both were murdered they will have to locate and charge a suspect.

No suspect can be convicted until either a guilty plea is entered or a jury finds the suspect guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Frankly, I don't believe that Peterson will be more than the subject of a lot of malicious gossip. We will have to wait and see.

The Taliban have a system of justice that would suit too many Americans these days.

Anonymous said...

Ok the supreme court ruled today how does it effect Drew's case?
He Still needed the tax stamp to own that thing?

Crimefile said...

After reading Heller I don't anticipate and impact on the Peterson case.

The issues of the actual barrel legnth and the federal exemption are his only avenues.


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You are here: Home / Contact Centers / Voice Analytics for Customer Service
Voice Analytics To Boost Customer Service, Even Save Lives
Voice Analytics To Boost Customer Service, Even Save Lives
By Shirley Siluk / CRM Daily Like this on Facebook Tweet this Link thison Linkedin Link this on Google Plus

A healthcare service-focused startup spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is using its voice-based insights into peoples' states of mind to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) improve mental health services to current and former members of the armed services.

Founded in 2007, Boston-based Cogito Corp. uses voice analytics software, Relevant Products/Services from voice recordings and mobile phone calls, and clinical research findings to assess engagement levels and other behavioral patterns during customer service calls. The company's customers include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and Partners Healthcare.

The software, called Cogito Dialog (pictured above), monitors human speech for patterns and behaviors that could indicate annoyance, confusion or disinterest, among other responses. Clinical research has found, for example, that rapid speech or frequent interrupting could signal that someone is annoyed with another speaker.

Cogito developed its analytics platform with grants and help from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and health-focused agencies, including the National Institute of Mental Health and Massachusetts General Hospital. In one Cogito case study, a healthcare provider using the firm's software reported a 25 percent increase in customer engagement and a 23 percent reduction in call times.

Voice Analysis To Identify At-Risk Veterans

In December, Cogito announced a contract under which the VA would use the company's analytics platform and mobile application to better assess the mental health of veterans calling for services as well as identify at-risk callers who might need suicide prevention or other new levels of care.

As part of the deal, the VA will gather information about callers -- who elect to enroll -- from recorded calls and mobile usage data, and then synthesize that data into "clinically validated behavioral indicators," according to the company.

"The fact the VA is investing in novel behavioral analytics and mobile sensing technology to improve the mental health of veterans demonstrates their commitment to finding innovative solutions that will improve health outcomes," said Joshua Feast, founder and CEO of Cogito.

'Real-Time Actionable Insights'

In addition to enabling healthcare organizations to improve phone interactions with clients and patients, Cogito also seeks to help a wider variety of businesses improve their call center experiences. That could help customers as well call-center professionals.

As a recent MIT article about Cogito noted, some 5 million U.S. workers -- about one out of every 25 people -- are employed in call centers.

The potential of the Cogito platform to improve productivity and satisfaction in such work environments has attracted the attention of Relevant Products/Services Ventures, which participated in a $5.5 million round of Series A funding for the company in November. The investment was led by Romulus Capital.

Cogito's software, "reveals unconscious signals in the human voice that improve how people relate to each other," said Romulus Capital managing partner Krishna Gupta. "Our experience has shown there is high demand for companies that can process complex data and produce real-time, actionable insights."

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by Lawrence A. Hoffman

Thank my fourth-grade teacher, Miss Schneider, for my introduction to Christmas. As public school teachers go, she was, I grant you, something of a religious fanatic (among other things, she held Gospel study classes in pupils' homes every Wednesday after school). I will never forget the day I sat on my front porch watching some twenty or so of my classmates follow Miss Schneider into the home of my neighbor and best friend just two doors down from me. Joining the class was "the thing to do," and I couldn't do it; I was Jewish. To be sure, with what can only be described as conversionary zeal, Miss Schneider tried regularly to "remedy" my religious status, a project that led my parents to remove me from her classroom by February. But in December, I was still a Miss Schneider ward. And that is where I encountered Christmas.

I was later to find out, however, that when it came to Christmas, all my teachers were more or less Miss Schneider clones. Every year, as autumn slipped steadily into winter, even the most humanly sensitive, Constitution-loving, and open-minded teachers became carried away by the spirit of what we now call, euphemistically, the "holiday season." By early November, the classroom was already being turned into a swiftly accelerating vehicle for welcoming Christmas. By late November, we had heard the Christmas story several times over. Red and green decorations floated lazily down from ceilings and doorways. A large decorated tree outfitted the main hall, and a smaller one greeted visitors entering the principal's office. In art class, you painted Christmas scenes; in English class, you composed Christmas stories; in music, you sang Christmas carols. A huge school-wide Christmas assembly, followed by a gala Christmas party, marked the end of the first semester, but everybody returned that night to hear the school's crack choir present its annual Christmas concert.

As welcome as I was in my country, there were certain times when I suspected that as a Jew I didn't quite fully belong. Heading up the list of such tunes was the annual Christmas fever that swept through almost everyone I knew, but passed me by. None of the Jews in my small town kept any Christmas customs in those days. The close-knit Jewish community, tiny enough to know everybody else's business, would have looked askance at such a thing. Having a Christmas tree, for instance, would have been viewed as but one step short of apostasy. In larger communities though, a small minority of Jews did decorate their own trees, hang stockings and give gifts. It seemed the American (if not the Jewish) thing to do.

It was, and still is, no picnic explaining to your children that Jews don't celebrate Christmas. They stare at you in disbelief. Everyone keeps Christmas, they plead. It is the topic of every television program, the display in every store window. The Radio City Music Hall features its annual Christmas spectacle and the Metropolitan Museum of Art displays Christmas artifacts. What do you mean, We don't celebrate Christmas? Does that make us the Grinch? maybe Scrooge?

When my children were young, a well-meaning baby-sitter looking to be creative helped each child assemble a tiny Christmas tree, made of colored paper, cellophane, and fallen branches collected from the wintry outdoors. The children beamed at us with glee when we came home. What does a rabbi's family do with a pair of ready-made, personally constructed Christmas trees? Certainly not call them Chanukah bushes and compound the sin of syncretism, doing injustice both to Judaism and to Christianity at the same time (fine irony to the "Chanukah bush," given the fact that Chanukah arose as a festival celebrating the Hasmonean fight to keep Judaism free of foreign religious influence). Patiently, quietly, and with all the love we could muster, we explained to our children that as much as we adored the work of their hands, the trees had to go. We were Jews; Christmas trees were for Christians; it would be wrong for us to have them-- wrong because it was false to Judaism, and wrong because it made light of Christmas. Chanukah was important for Jews; Christmas was sacred for Christians. But you can't be both Jewish and Christian, and you can't have both Chanukah and Christmas. It is one or the other.

Another year, Nick, our neighbor across the way, came to the door to announce his plans to show up in everybody's living room somewhere around midnight, dressed in his Santa Claus suit. Did we want to be included in the list of stops? The kids would love it, he assured us. We thanked him, but reminded him we were Jews. He knew that, but explained that lots of Jews would be on his list. What does a religious commitment to Judaism have to do with keeping or not keeping Christmas? For that matter, what does Christmas have to do with Christianity? For Nick, as for his Jewish takers, Christmas is just a fun time with music, parties, and wishes for world peace. Go argue with that. Scrooge indeed!

For Jews like me who take Judaism seriously, however, that is not what Christmas is. It is a feast on the Christian calendar celebrating the incarnation of the son of God. I take seriously the religious significance Christmas has (or should have) for Christians. Since I'm not a Christian, it is self-evident to me that I cannot observe the occasion, not in good conscience, anyway, even though life would be a lot simpler if I could.

Historians tell us that Christmas was not always the cultural fulcrum that balances Christian life. There was a time when Christians knew that the paschal mystery of death and resurrection was the center of Christian faith. It was Easter that really mattered, not Christmas. only in the consumer conscious nineteenth century did Christmas overtake Easter, becoming the centerpiece of popular piety. Madison Avenue marketed the change, and then colluded with the entertainment industry to boost Christmas to its current calendrical prominence.

To be sure, my Jewish festival of Chanukah, which falls about the same time as Christmas, is now being hyped as a sort of Jewish equivalent--as in "Chanukah bushes." It doesn't matter when Chanukah falls. Since it is pegged to the Hebrew calendar, it may occur any time from late November to late December. Regardless of which it is, people wish me a "happy holiday" around December 25, as if real holidays ought to happen then.

I have lit Chanukah candles happily and dutifully for almost half a century; some of my fondest family memories consist of standing with my arms around my children as we sang Chanukah songs in the flickering candlelight. But the religious part of me regrets the fact that fewer and fewer Jews observe the High Holy Days, Shabbat, and even Passover (which used to weigh in as everyone's favorite), while more and more identify Judaism as a gift-giving cult centered on Chanukah. In any event, the Chanukah hype won't work It may sell merchandise, and even inspire Peter, Paul, and Mary to write "Light one Candle"--a terrific song, by the way--but it won't make Chanukah into a Jewish version of Christmas, and it won't address the alienation of so many Jews who genuinely like the Christmas they see and feel all around them: a Christmas that they cannot share.

Where I live, Christmas starts officially at the end of November, with Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Cities outside New York schedule their own parades then, but Macy's version typifies the genre. It takes no semiotic genius to get the message. The parade route winds down Broadway following its own "Yellow Brick Road" to the shopping mecca on Herald Square. Bringing up the rear, but leading the way for the folk who follow the official parade route is Santa Claus, who will soon reappear daily at malls around the country promising goodies to good little children.

I am no Scrooge. I like Santa Claus too. I like the Christmas music--even the bad music--that surrounds the Santa ritual; I like the crisp winter weather, and the bell ringers, and all the rest of the paraphernalia that make most people look forward to December 25. I like my neighbors' wreaths and their Christmas trees, and the mistletoe, and above all, the genuinely religious Christmas carols that you can hardly hear any more because they are being replaced by soppy songs that melt down the Christian message of this holy day as quickly as snow in a heat wave. Great music is great music, after all; I enjoy it.

It is, in fact, my liking (or not liking) of Christmas that constitutes the key to the role of Christmas in American culture. By contrast, I neither like nor dislike Easter, just as I have no opinion of, say, Ramadan. As a Jew, I naturally evaluate my own holy days, but I generally feel no compulsion to appraise the sacred calendar of others. Christmas is an exception to this rule. American mores expect me, even as a non-Christian, to welcome Christmas as a positive good in my life. Not to appreciate the Christmas spirit is considered a cultural sin. An examination of that sin will tell us a good deal about what Christmas has become.

I have in mind three manifestations of Christmas in popular culture. The first two are modern-day fairy tales depicting the ultimate triumph of good over evil: the Broadway hit, Annie, and what, as I write, is being billed as "the summer movie of all time," Batman Returns. To say that both have been box-office bonanzas is to be guilty of understatement. They obviously touch something very deep in our collective cultural psyche.

In both, Christmas appears as a symbol of the myth of American virtue. The Batman theme is simple and direct: the forces of good arrayed against the forces of evil. Unlike real life, however, from beginning to end, and no matter how bad things appear in the middle, not a soul in the movie theater has any doubt about who the final victor will be. It is only a matter of time until Batman wins and Penguin loses. And at the end, the protagonist lives happily ever after. That is the nature of fairy tales. They portray things as we wish they were, not as they are-. They may be absolutely ghoulish in the hideous trials to which the heroes are exposed, but in the end, Cinderella marries the prince, Little Red Riding Hood escapes the wolf, Hansel and Gretel don't get baked in the oven, and Batman restores order to Gotham city.

What makes Batman interesting for our purposes is the fact that the hero's triumph is portrayed against the backdrop of Christmas. The entire movie is set in the Christmas season. In his last line of the film, Batman links his own success at foiling the Penguin with the underlying theme of Christmas. "Merry Christmas," he says, and good will toward men--and women." Christmas thus functions as a cultural trope for the way we wish things were, or better yet, the way we like to pretend things are. In the actual world bad things actually do happen to good people; real-life Penguins do prowl our land. The good-will quotient measured in the absence of ethnic, racial, and religious rivalries is rather low right now. But the myth of Christmas allows us to put aside untidy evidence from newspaper headlines and to believe instead that all's right in Gotham. Christmas stands symbolically for a secular version of redemption: Jesus doesn't save; Batman does. If evil has been eradicated it must be Christmas, goes the logic, as in fact it is in Batman Returns.

The evidence from Annie is even more transparent. Annie is an orphan, who is adopted by Daddy Warbucks. Along the way, evil raises its ugly head in the shape of the manager of the orphanage and her brother, who virtually kidnap Annie by posing as her parents. But in the end, their scheme fails, and Annie returns to her wealthy benefactor. As in Batman, Annie too has been written so that it culminates in Christmas. In the very last scene, not only Annie, but all the other orphans celebrate a lavish party in Daddy Warbucks' mansion. If Batman is the myth of good conquering evil in general, Annie is the application of that myth to American values in particular. Daddy Warbucks is a self-made man, a shining example of what hard work and business enterprise will get you. Never mind the fact that he made his money as a war profiteer--the play passes silently over the significance of his name, "Warbucks." The point is that Warbucks made it on his own. He hobnobs with FDR and the White House crowd, gets J. Edgar Hoover to unleash the FBI in his search for Annie, and lives the life of luxury that is the stuff of the American dream. But the message of Annie is precisely that those dreams can come true, if only we are hard-working and virtuous. Annie, after all, escapes the orphanage.

Again, we are dealing with pure myth. In real life, almost no one is self-made any more. When Annie came out, it is true, Wall Street millionaires abounded, and law firms were hiring first-year graduates at astronomical sums. But most of America was getting poorer, not richer. Homelessness on a scale unknown since the Great Depression was about to become the norm for millions. Nonetheless, Annie told us confidently that even the poorest orphan could become a Warbucks heir. American capitalism triumphed once again.

In Annie, Christmas functions artistically not simply as the embodiment of moral victory but as a potent symbol for material success. The last scene focuses on munificent gift-giving. There is absolutely nothing spiritual about the day. No one sings Silent Night, let alone Adeste Fideles; the birth of the savior is the farthest thought from anyone's mind. Christmas, pure and simple, is nothing but the myth of endless American wealth born of capitalist entrepreneurship. The myth of secular redemption has reached its pinnacle here.

Add to Batman and Annie the third piece of evidence: Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Dickens wrote his masterpiece precisely at the time that Christmas was becoming the cultural focus of the secular year. England had prospered from the Industrial Revolution, where, once again, the myth of capitalism was wrapped up in the tinsel of Christmas packaging. In reality, the terrors of the time are readily evident from almost every page of every book that Dickens wrote. But not here. The capitalist myth merges with Christmas as secular redemption allows Tiny Tim and his family to be saved from poverty (not from sin) and celebrate (a feast, not a sacrament) with Christmas plenty donated by none other than Scrooge himself. In his prerepentant days, Scrooge is the very antithesis of the capitalist ideal. He is a rich man like Daddy Warbucks, but he hoards his wealth and despises the poor. Naturally, he disdains-Christmas too. But in the end, he is converted. Christmas is the symbol for good will in general, gift-giving in particular, and the triumph of the capitalist ethic as a general good for one and all.

I now understand my own Christmas dilemma. Christmas has been secularized, "capitalized," and mythologized. As most people keep it, and certainly as popular culture presents it, it is the myth of the America we all pretend we inhabit: a place where Penguins are foiled, Annies are adopted, and even the poorest among us celebrate the wealth that comes from good old-fashioned hard work and industry. Not to observe Christmas is to blow the whistle on the myth, to expose such naked realities as a trickle-down economy where nothing trickles down, in a country rife with social ills and economic deprivation.

The problem is that even in its secularized form, Christmas is not religiously neutral. It is still Christian. So as a Jew, I am in a bind. I am naturally attracted to Christmas as mythic wish-fulfillment, marked by smiling Santas, festive parties, and gifts for everyone. At its secular best, it is at least one day in the year when we remember what we still might be: peaceful people infused with good will toward all, and a generous country, where everyone has a dinner to sit down to--heady stuff! But my conscience rebels against adopting what is still, for me, a Christian feast with a Christian message. There may be two Christmases here, the age-old religious celebration and the modern secular one. But they are not easily separated. Religious Christians may well be uneasy about the triumph of the secular variety, but at least they don't have to worry about sliding back and forth between the secular and religious landscapes. They can enjoy the American myth that the secular holiday presents and simultaneously observe the religious event for which Christmas was formulated in the first place. That is a luxury I cannot afford.

On the other hand, I, along with most other Jews I know, have come to terms with our Christmas dilemma. By no means do I yearn to celebrate Christmas. As the public pomp and ceremony become somewhat overwhelming, I slip into the role of a visitor to a foreign culture. I appreciate, even enjoy, much of the Christmas ambience; I share my Christian neighbors' happiness, as they share mine when my own holy days roll around. The academic part of me wonders how the religious message of Christmas got so overwhelmed by its secular mythology, and the religious part of me feels a little sorry that it happened that way. There are Jews who keep a Passover seder, but with no idea that the event has any religious significance beyond the family's getting together. There is nothing wrong with family gatherings, but the life of faith is impoverished if the Passover meal is no longer rooted in the religious verities that have animated it through the centuries. I imagine the same must be true of Christmas for Christians. There is nothing wrong with sleigh bells, Bing Crosby, and Christmas pudding, but I should hope Christians would want more than just that, and as Christmas becomes more and more secularized, I am not sure they get it.

In the end, the problem of Christmas is not mine any more than Christmas itself is. The real Christmas challenge belongs to Christians: how to take Christmas out of the secularized public domain and move it back to the religious sphere once again.

By Lawrence A. Hoffman

Cross Currents, Fall 1992, Vol. 42 Issue 3, p357ff.

RABBI LAWRENCE A. HOFFMAN is professor of liturgy at the New York branch of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Among his latest works are:

The Art of Public Prayer: Not for Clergy Only (1999)
Not Yet Released.
My People's Prayer Book: Vol. I; The Sh'ma and Its Blessings (1997) (Editor)
My People's Prayer Book: Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries: Volume 2; The Amidah (1998) (Editor)
Israel - a Spiritual Travel Guide: A Companion for the Modern Jewish Pilgrim (1997)
Beyond the Text : A Holistic Approach to Liturgy (1990)
The Making of Jewish and Christian Worship (1998)


text:
Lanai Ocean-View Stateroom (CA): Maasdam Cabin Reviews

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Lanai Ocean-View Stateroom Cabins

12 Reviews
The Lanai Staterooms have two lower beds which are convertible to one queen-size bed, as well as a private bathtub & shower. Sliding glass doors lead onto the walk-around Lower Promenade Deck.

Lanai Ocean-View Stateroom (CA)
Decks: Deck 6
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Lanai Ocean-View Stateroom Cabin Reviews
Cabin 372
Mar 2017
Maasdam; Not a good value By: elyria3449
Reasonable space, good access to walking deck, window has one way viewing which is great. Terrible air conditioning. Sink problems. Cabin facilities are tired.
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Cabin 370
Oct 2016
Mixed Review By: a56traveler
Worst location for sleeping. Cabin is directly under the galley, and constant loud noises until 11:30pm, then starts back again at 4:00am. Ceiling insulation needs to be added for all the cabins in this area.
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Aug 2016
Okay but nothing special. Noise traveled easily through the cabin. HVAC comfort was inconsistent from day to day. Oftentimes room got very warm and Mechanical Department had to come out 5 times to fix the A/C and 3 times to repair the toilet clogs and leaks. If you stay at a hotel near the Airport in Seattle, avoid The Sleep Inn Sea Tac at all costs. We received awful service from the front desk. They evidently didn't care about their guests or were just so incompetent that they didn't know how to provide good Customer Service. All this for excessive prices of over $150 per night!
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Cabin 336
Aug 2016
The cabin was pathetic! NO refrigerator, NO drawers in the desk/makeup area, the carpet was VERY worn.A broken window in the dining room, chairs in the media center that were worn to the wood, curtains that looked like they had NEVER been replaced since 1993!
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Cabin 333
Aug 2016
Nice choice for us. Mid-ship with sliders to deck. A little small, but bathroom was good size. Tub had very high sides, so it was hard to get in and out of. Small sitting area - really cramped for both of us.
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Cabin 337
Jan 2013
Three New Countries By: grandmaR
Stateroom - We have a Lanai room (CA) on the Lower Promenade Deck and I had thought I might be able to get out onto the Promenade Deck from our room with the scooter. But the Lanai door has a lip of about 4" and no ramp so it would be hard to get the scooter over it. The scooter hangs up on all the thresholds out to the deck anyway - the ramps are too steep and I/we have to lift it over. We have two reserved deck chairs outside our room and the two mats for the chairs were in our room. The door is mirrored on the outside. I went out on deck through our lanai door to take pictures of the sail-away. To get back in there is a white plastic card which you have to hold up to a sensor and when the light is green (and it is very hard to see - sometimes I could hear the click but couldn't see the light), you can quick open the door. It is a VERY heavy door. A weaker woman than I am would not be able to open it. I enjoyed being able to get out on deck quickly, but did not make much use of our reserved deck chairs. Bob didn't care for it and he never used that door. The windows were cleaned each morning about 7:00 so they were always clean. The bed was made up as a king, and there wasn't enough room for me to get the scooter past it to the other side of the room so we moved one of the night tables over under the desk and shoved the bed over. That made enough room for me to come in and park by the bed, although I don't have an easy time getting to the nightstand or out of bed. We ran an extension cord from the desk under the bed to my side of the bed to plug in the power strip (for the scooter and computer). I eventually put the phone on the floor next to the bed as I had other uses for the nightstand. There was a small couch on the same side as the bed, and on the other side is the TV, with the ice bucket under it and the desk. The TV had Fox News on it which pleased Bob. We've moved the chair from the desk over next to the couch because of the nightstand under the desk. There are only two drawers in the two nightstands and three more in one of the closets which also has the safe in it. We had a safe which was opened with a number instead of a credit card like last time (this is better). There are two hanging closets and we had plenty of hangers, and one more closet with shelves. The steward kept the room clean and the ice bucket filled and made us towel animals, even though he had so many rooms to do. A couple of times he didn't get to us until after we were back for dinner. The bathroom had a tub and I asked for a shower chair so I could sit and use the handheld shower, but they said it would be a safety hazard. I think getting into and out of the tub is the hazard - not sitting on a stool in it. I also had a real hard time getting the shower to give me water that wasn't too hot. The bathroom had shelves where Bob could keep his razor plugged in. He had his pill keeper also on that side. I had mine on the other side, but the soap dish was there, and it kept getting wet, so I moved it to the bottom shelf. It is really nice to have a door that we can just open and it stays open without having to put a chock in it. Bob opens the door and then stands in the hall so that I can get out without running over anyone. The same with the bathroom door. It opens out flat and stays stuck to the wall rather than swinging. From the photos I took on our first Maasdam cruise I can see that they have redone the bathrooms
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Cabin 355
Apr 2012
We had a Lanai room and we enjoyed being able to go out on the deck. I think the kitchen or storage is above the lanai rooms. It wasn't noisy, but every once in a while we heard some strange sounds. Storage in the room was fine. The bathroom had a tub, which meant the shower area was large which was nice, but it was really deep which made it hard to get in and out. The bed and bedding were very comfortable
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Cabin 353
May 2011
I was in one of the what I assumed to be the newly designed Lanai staterooms. It opens out onto the Lower Promenade deck wrap-around walking area. That was treat, even though it was a bit cold to enjoy my private deck-chair.
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Cabin 358
Sep 2010
Stateroom 358, on Lower Promenade deck, is ideally located for providing quick access to everywhere on the ship, including just a few steps to be outside on the Promenade Deck. It also is a very quiet location on the ship, with no noise from above or from the corridor. (Avoid rooms on this deck under the galley!) This will become a "lanai stateroom" after Maasdam's drydock in April, which will change things -- including the price.
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Cabin 348
Jun 2010
Great location on deck 6 in the middle of the ship. Near the laundry! Plenty of closet and drawer space. Space under the bed for suitcases. Nice bathroom with bub/shower. It was quiet. However, we were on the lower promenade deck and did't realize that the promenade was outside our cabin window. We had to keep the curtains closed. If they were open we could read the book of the passenger sitting outside our window. This wasn't a terrible thing, but in the future I'll know not to book a room where everyone walks!
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Cabin 369
Jan 2009
The Marvelous Maasdam By: ViolaSwamp
The first sea day, we pretty much putzed around the ship getting to know where everything was. VERY easy ship to find things on, and our cabin C369 (which was an upgrade - thanks HAL!!) was in a primo location on the Lower Promenade deck. Three doors down from our own private balcony we called it! LOL The only complaint about this cabin is that you can see inside it at night. Which we didn't realize until about three days in. So we unwittingly provided entertainment for anyone strolling by… AMAZING bed. SO comfortable, like heaven!! FAR superior to RCCL in comfort and size, of the bed and the cabin itself. The bathroom was spacious and loved the tub setup much better than the RCCL shower stalls. The only problems with our cabin was when we arrived there was mold in our toilet! ???? Blecch. We complained to the front desk and it wasn't a problem after the first day. Also, it took a few days and several requests for our steward to keep refilling our ice bucket to chill our champagne. After a few days he did it automatically and wasn't an issue. We had no problems with the heat or AC in our cabin as several other past Maasdam guests have complained.
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