It's ok everyone, you can call off the search party - I've found it! I can honestly say, without a shadow of doubt, that I have located the best cup of coffee that I have personally ever tasted. And just maybe it IS the world's best. I'm not a big drinker of alcohol so when I find a coffee or juice that really hits the spot, I get a little excited about it. Do you want to know where this jivin' java can be found?

Palate Pleasure

Shop 1-3/ 350 Bong Bong St Bowral NSW 2576
Phone (02) 4861 7411 www.palatepleasure.com.au

Now if you don't believe me, I was with three other people who all agreed that it was one of, if not the best, cup of coffee they had ever tasted. So if you're gadding about in the Southern Highlands of NSW, make you way into lovely Bowral and have a taste for yourself. While you're there, be sure to check out Blue Illusion, Bed Bath 'n' Table and Three Little Monkeys, all located in the main street.

Ta.

It's a tough place to present. Being a Friday night the audience tend to neck the free beer and will happily chat throughout your pitch (no, we weren't being boring!). So we thought a little audience participation to demonstrate elements of the Snagsta algorithm might do the trick. We used a series of questions (and lots of coloured stickers) to establish people who had similar tastes. We then asked the folks with the same stickers to suggest books or restaurants to each other and see if they were of interest. I am not sure we quite pulled it off but from the photo I think you can tell we had a lot of fun doing it!

Here's our interview afterwards with Hermione Way of Newspepper fame and her overview of the night.

Today's list was inspired by Fabio De Bernardi, a good friend and the co-founder of Veedow, a social shopping site that recommends products in line with your own interests and taste. (Fabio is a surprisingly bad dresser for an Italian... I guess that's why he started Veedow!)

London's best Internet networking events according to my esteemed co-founder, Alex M:

1. DrinkTank

This one was set up fairly recently from the nice people at Huddle. Unlike other events they are fairly selective about the guest list. The last one I attended was very full, a lot of fun and good for business. No presentations or long speeches - just lots of beer and conversations.

2. MiniBar

One of the more informal gatherings on the circuit. Noisy and sometimes difficult to hear what the presenting companies are saying but still worth the trip to this wonderful part of East London. I have met some great people at this one.

3. Second Chance Tuesday

These happen infrequently but are excellent. The auditorium where it's held (The Royal College of Physicians near Regent's Park) is a great place to actually hear what the speakers are saying. The networking events both before and after the interviews in the library is also very well attended.

One of my favourite events - they should hold them more regularly.

4. Chinwag

The best name of any event by far and run by the amiable duo Sam Michel and Deirdre Molloy. This is another panel discussion event so most of the networking is at the end. The topics discussed are always well thought out but the event can be a little hit or miss depending on the quality of the panel members.

5. Mashup*Event

This is a more formal sit-down-and-listen-to-expert type event. I have only been once but learned a lot. The one minute pitches at the end of panel session are fun to watch.

6. Open Coffee

Takes place every Thursday in West London. I have been 4-5 times and have met a wide variety of people each time. It's a good place for those who are thinking about taking a leap and becoming an entrepreneur as it’s a rich environment to test out your idea on other people.

7. Imperial entrepreneurs

I haven't been to this one yet but my business partner Phil has been to a couple of these and has seen some excellent speakers present. Student run so takes a long summer break each year.

8. Facebook Developer Garage London

I went to one of these a few months ago. Not an event I would rush back to but useful if you're a developer looking to network with potential clients looking to build applications.

9. Social Media Café

I haven't been to this yet but I plan to get there soon - we've heard good things about it.

10. Bootlaw

AKA 'the Danvers and Barry show' in reverence to Danvers Baillieu and Barry Vitou of the law firm Winston & Strawn. Have yet to attend but it looks like it could be a very useful event for online startups to pick up some free legal advice and meet lots of other fellow entrepreneurs.

Have a great weekend.

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Fragmentation is caused by creating and deleting files and folders, installing new software, and downloading files from the Internet. When you delete files or folders, the first available empty spaces on the Hard Drive are filled in randomly when you create new files and folders, as you do when you save pics from your camera, install software, save emails, or create documents.

A fairly common point of view holds that defragging a Hard Drive is pointless and provides no measurable increase in system performance.

One example of this type of thinking taken from a forum I visit frequently is as follows: “Disk cleanup is pretty useless, and defragging should only really be done if you recently moved around very large files on your hard disk”. This point of view has some support in the tech community.

On the other hand there is also considerable support for the following point of view: “Disk fragmentation leads to system slowdowns, PC crashes, slow startups and shutdowns”.

So which point of view then is more likely to be accurate given that hard disk fragmentation makes the disk drive heads move more than necessary when reading files which can lead to reduced performance in file input and output?

Despite the fact that it is difficult, if not impossible, to measure an increase in system performance following Hard Drive defragmentation, there is a slight leaning in the tech community toward defragmentation being a positive maintenance process. I support this point of view.

Personally, I defrag with Auslogics Disk Defrag a free disk defragger from Auslogics Software regularly. The program is extremely easy to use, does not require any analysis phase and is faster than most disk defragmentation software I’ve tested in the past, and best of all, it’s free. In my view, it’s one more maintenance process that helps me get the maximum performance from my hardware.

Before you begin a defrag process it’s important to run a program such as CCleaner which will empty your Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet Files folder, and other locations where clutter tends to accumulate on your PC. Alternatively, you can let the application remove temporary files by adjusting program settings accordingly.

As well, you should consider uninstalling any applications you no longer use. Revo Uninstaller is a free utility that will uninstall unneeded applications more thoroughly than the Windows native uninstaller.

Quick facts:

Improve computer performance and stability

Increase your productivity - no more waiting for files to open

Defragment disks in minutes

Disk fragmentation map and detailed fragmentation report

Defragment USB/memory sticks

Two million downloads of this application from CNET, and an average user rating of 4.5 Stars speaks to the value of this small application.

System requirements: Vista/XP/2000/2003, 32-bit and 64-bit and dual-core CPU supported.

Download at: Download.com

In order to be happy, I think, you have to realize what is important.

I have to keep in my mind what is important to me. I have to stay focused on what makes me happy and what I need. Further, I have to keep others out. I cannot allow someone else's opinion bring me down, to ruin what makes me happy, to make me second guess what I want.

When I was the Ice Queen, I was cold and strong as the largest wall of glacial ice in existence. Now that my heart beats bright red blood fueled by love, I am more emotional and mutable than ever. Only with focus and determination will I be able to shape the abilities and resources I have to become the best. The best person. The best son. The best boyfriend. The best friend. The best ad infinitum..

"I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite."

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (May 29, 1874 – June 14, 1936) was an influential English writer of the early 20th century.

Fruit Salad Gay Podcast

Upcoming Fruit

Wed, September 3rd @ 8:00P (PST)

Tony Nominated Actress and

star of Broadway's Legally Blonde

ORFEH!!

FruitSaladShow.com

" If you never heard about the little languages problems we have in Belgium, I think this picture is definitely worth 1000 words..."

(poza este facuta in Bruxelles, asadar ambele indicatoare "spun adevarul")

In campingul din Billund am dormit pentru prima oara intr-un cort - experienta cel putin interesanta, mai ales noaptea, cand ploua torential (serios acum: chiar se auzeau placut stropii mari de ploaie care loveau cortul). Tot acolo mi-am lasat intreg bagajul in cort o zi intreaga si nimeni nu l-a furat [! "it's Denmark, here nothing bad will happen'" - ne-au zis organizatorii celor sceptici inainte de plecarea din camping].

Legoland e un taram de vis mai ales pentru copii - toate sunt create pe masura lor :) In MINILAND vezi Osaka, Nyhavn, Statuia Libertatii, Acropole, palate, aeroporturi, ferme, cartiere de case, gari, animale, pasari, oameni - toate create in miniatura din LEGO bricks. Ca un copil mare ce sunt, asta m-a incantat :) Mi-a placut mult ca nu erau doar peisaje statice - totul era dinamic, in miscare si parea cat se poate de real (de exemplu chiar am vazut un vaporas ca acela cu care am fost cu cateva zile inainte in CPH, in miscare, plin de omuleti LEGO si cu ghidul care zicea aceleasi lucruri ca si in realitate!).

Tot acolo sunt recreate - de data asta in marime naturala - Vestul Salbatic cu ai sai cowboy, Lumea Piratilor de pe mare, The Great Buffalo Hunt, colibele indienilor din Native American Camp, viata dintr-un castel medieval, insula lui Robinson Crusoe, safari-ul... Era minunat sa te plimbi cu un trenulet/masinuta/barca/canoe prin aceste taramuri :)

In LEGO Builder te aflai pe mana unui robot imens care te plimba - tu ii programai miscarile inainte sa intri, iar in LEGO Shop puteai sa iti cumperi orice, de la originalele LEGO bricks (cu 1 euro/ 100 gr.) pana la cele mai avansate seturi LEGO (adica LEGO Mindstorms, cu pretul de aprox. 350 euro - noi am avut placerea de a ne "juca" cu ele o saptamana intreaga! :)).

O alta experienta pe care n-am mai traita-o pana atunci este cinema-ul in 4D! Mereu mi-am dorit sa pot merge la un film cu ochelarii aceia speciali cu rama galbena si acum am facut-o :) - era un film pentru copii, cu figurine LEGO, insa importanta era senzatia ca te afli in mijlocul actiunii creata prin efectul de apropiere de ecran, prin umbre, lumini si sunete. Unii prieteni care au fost la alt film mi-au povestit ca in filmul acela ningea, asadar ningea si in sala de cinema (cu fulgi de nea ce pareau aproape reali!).

La fiecare coada (se astepta minim 10 minute inainte de fiecare "ride") erau masute cu piese LEGO cu care te puteai juca nestingherit - excelenta idee, tinand cont de cati copii era la coada si de cat de scazut este nivelul rabdarii la ei. Recunosc ca m-am alaturat si eu copiilor de cateva ori :D

Ce imi pare foarte rau ca am ratat este LEGO Atlantis, un loc in care peretii si tavanul sunt de fapt un acvariu imens cu rechini, caluti de mare si pesti tropicali (de data asta adevarati!), dar si cu figurine LEGO care intruchipeaza submarine, nave si comori ascunse pe insule parasite. Next time :)

Daca dupa ce incerci tot, vrei o privire de ansamblu, LEGO Top e perfect pentru asta: un turn rotitor care te inalta la 36 metri si iti ofera o panorama a LEGOLAND :)

Ca incheiere va las cu cateva poze de acolo (click pe poza pentru original size):

Ето и диаграмата:

by: All Things Pakistan (Pakistan. Pakistani. Pakistaniat.) blog Thursday, August 28, 2008

Today we are going to feature Model Town, Lahore as one of the best planned localities of Pakistan. In the past we’ve featured North Nazimabad, Karachi and Eight bazaars of Faisalabad in the same series.

Model town is designed with very symmetric geometry. The area of Model Town is 5.9 square kilometers (or 1463 acres). see and read more ....

Ten years ago, every conspiracy theorist and book-smart rapper forecasted the impending "New World Order"-- the plan of a secret government to control the world with an invisible hand. This Fall, we're chiming in with our own take on the real order of the new world, in a collection inspired by our country's crumbling economy and failed Manifest Destiny tactics.

Your accountant plays a very important role in your life. This is why it is important to maintain a good business relationship with your accountant. Here are some things you can do to maintain a proper business relationship with your accountant and how to obtain the best service form your accountant.

Make sure that your accountant understands your needs from them. These needs not only include services but also the amount of attention you need designated and expect form the accountant themselves to ensure you receive the standard of service that you require. By doing this you will know what type of fees you will be receiving form your accountant, and your accountant will know if they can fulfill the obligations that you expect form them.

Your accountant is there to help and assist you at all times. Many accountants are there to help their clients and do not mind you sending a request for their services. Never be afraid to consult your accountant on what you should do in any financial circumstance as they are there to be your advisor for financial matters. Maintaining a open line of communication with your accountant will not only help you make the best decisions with your financial matters, but it will also help you avoid financial problems in the future.

Patience with your accountant is a absolute must. An accountant usually has multiple clients if not having a large database of clients. You must give your accountant time to respond to your requests. An accountant can become suddenly busy, so it is good to wait a reasonable time for your accountant to respond back to you request. By continually harassing your accountant about issues without giving them a reasonable amount of time to respond, will only decrease the communication and value between you and your accountant.

Having a automatic system set up with your accountant will save you a great deal of time. Setting up automatic updates for your accountant to send to you will provide you with the necessary information to see how all aspects of your financing are going while giving your accountant a deadline to have these updates ready for you. This will eliminate stress or confusion regarding your finances for both you and your accountant and will be a mutual convenience.

The best way to bring out the best services in your accountant, is to properly pay them on time. By not paying your bill on time, you only guarantee that your accountant will not give any attention or regard to your requests. By paying your accountant immediately or before the bill is due, you can expect the most attention and assistance form your accountant. By being loyal and fulfilling your obligations to your accountant, you can expect your accountant to fulfill their obligations you.

By following these tips, you will maintain a strong relationship with your accountant as well as maintain a good line of communication with them. These simple tips will also eliminate future problems that can arise with your accountant.

The UPS Store locations offer a full range of shipping services through UPS and other domestic and international air carriers. We offer a wide variety of delivery options that range from overnight to ground delivery.

Our delivery services include:

• UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.
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• United States Postal Service options available also

For all of your shipping needs or questions, please feel free to contact:

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Champlin, MN 55316 ]]> http://juniorblogger.wordpress.com/?p=401 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:04:41 +0000 juniorblogger http://juniorblogger.wordpress.com/?p=401

La Copenhaga am ajuns intr-o zi cu soare - genul de zi in care danezii sunt placut surprinsi de vremea placuta si de cele 24 (!) grade Celsius si ies la plaja :) [sau cel putin trec la pantaloni scurti]. Dupa o saptamana in campusul innorat si linistit, CPH mi sa parut aglomerata si plina de viata.

Mi-au placut din prima clipa atmosfera, stilul arhitectural, aglomerata pista pentru biciclisti, moda strazii, relaxarea de pe fata celor din jur. Interesant a fost ca in seara venirii noastre in CPH era in centru, in fata primariei, "The official opening party of Copenhagen Pride 2008" (mai pe intelesul tuturor: Gay Pride Parade, care se pare ca acolo dureaza o saptamana si lipsesc cu desavarsire babele care arunca cu oua si cei de la Noua Dreapta). Nu cred ca am mai vazut cupluri gay pana atunci si in seara aceea am vazut cateva zeci :D - mi-a placut ca se purtau foarte natural, erau dezinvolti si veseli, iar trecatorii nu pareau sa ii judece in vreun fel.

In continuare o sa vorbesc doar despre cateva locuri si lucruri care m-au impresionat acolo [daca ar trebui sa scriu cate ceva despre tot ce mi-a placut in CPH m-ar prinde toamna scriind :)].

BIG GREEN SPACES NEAR THE SEA

Spre deosebire de multe alte capitale, in CPH poti sa respiri un aer curat si sa stai intins la soare pe iarba verde, chiar langa Marea Baltica [in care unii se incumeta sa inoate la o temperatura a apei de doar 17 grade Celsius]. Interesant ca asta se poate intampla la doar 15 minute de mers din centrul orasului. Si mai interesant e ca in DK poti sa bei linistit in public (!), de aceea multi dintre tinerii care isi petrec cateva ore impreuna pe malul marii pot fi vazuti cu o bere in mana.

DANES

Atat fetele, cat si baietii arata si se imbraca foarte fain. Sunt naturali si relaxati, poate putin nonconformisti in vestimentatie, dar intr-un sens pozitiv, cu bun gust. Imi place ca toata lumea vorbeste engleza foarte bine - de la copii la bunicii lor. Fie pe strada, fie in autobuz sau intr-o cafenea - oamenii sunt binevoitori si politicosi. Eu personal nu am dat peste asa-zisa "raceala nordica" acolo.

NYHAVN

Imagini cu cladirile colorate din Nyhavn gaseam de fiecare data cand cautam ceva legat de Copenhaga pe Google. In traducere libera din daneza, Nyhavn inseama "Portul Nou", numai ca din 1400 au trecut ceva ani :) Acum e un must-see, o zona plina de turisti - intr-o singura dupa-masa poti auzi acolo vorbindu-se nenumarate limbi. Noi ne-am oprit acolo doar pentru o ora, in care ne-am bucurat de soare si de aerul prospat si in care am asteptat vaporasul cu care urma sa facem un tur pe mare al Copenhagei. Bineinteles ca nu ne-am abtinut de la a face zeci de poze cu vapoarele si cladirile viu colorate :)

Pe Mica Sirena am vazut-o doar din mers (cu vaporasul), statuia fiind cu spatele la noi si inconjurata de turisti care o pozau. Initial, noi am ramas surprinsi ca vaporasul incetineste in acea zona pentru ca nu am vazut decat un mare grup de oameni la mal - nimic turistic in asta :) Celebra sculptura e mult mai mica in realitate decat pare in fotografii [danezii spun ca e "life-sized" :)].

TIVOLI GARDENS

Unul dintre cele mai vechi parcuri de distractii din lume, Tivoli l-a inspirat pe Walt Disney sa creeze Disneyland. Insa Tivoli nu e un simplu parc de distractii plin de rollercoastere care sa iti creasca adrenalina- eu, cel putin, l-am vazut ca pe un loc numai bun pentru relaxare. Acolo m-am simtit pentru cateva ore din nou copil si am incercat aproape toate atractiile parcului (asta si datorita organizatorilor, care ne-au facut surpriza de a plati pentru un Multi-ride ticket care ne dadea acces la orice de cate ori doream).

Dupa ce am vazut parada garzii de baieti de la Tivoli [am reusit sa o si filmez cap-coada!], am mers rand pe rand la toate chestiile pentru copii (clasicul carusel, condus masini de epoca intr-un parculet, acvariu etc.). Cel mai mult mi-au placut 2 lucruri: o mina [in care se mergea cu barca] locuita de un dinozaur urias si spiridusii lui si taramul povestilor, unde stateai intr-o imensa cutie de lemn care se plimba de la poveste la poveste (fiecare recreata din lemn, in miniatura si povestita pe scurt).

Pe marile atractii ale parcului (The Daemon si The Star Flyer) nu le-am testat - pareau prea "heavy" pentru gustul meu. Oricum, la Tivoli am mers pe principiul: "unde pot sa se dea copiii de 5 ani, pot si eu!" :) Poate data viitoare cand merg acolo o sa fiu mai curajoasa. Apropo de asta, pacat ca nu pot posta poza cu mine facuta intr-un rollercoster mediu ca dificultate [se fac automat si le poti cumpara la iesire, insa sunt extrem de scumpe]. Ma tineam strans de bara si aveam ochii inchisi :D - pretty funny image of me anyway.

DANISH DESIGN CENTER

N-am mai fost niciodata intr-un Design Center, deci nu am termen de comparatie, insa acesta mi-a facut o impresie foarte buna :) Poate daca nu eram cu o studenta la Arhitectura nici nu intram acolo, insa nu regret deloc alegerea facuta pentru ultimele ore petrecute in DK. Am vazut o papusa Barbie din 1968, o sticla de Cola la 0.25 ml din anul 1903, lampi din hartie carora le puteai schimba forma, lanterne fara baterii in forma de pisica [ochii luminau] - btw, mi-am cumparat una-, carti foarte faine [si scumpe] legate de arhitectura si design si fel de fel de alte minunatii. Apropo de minunatii: am vazut si o chestie care te ajuta cand aveai un hangover :)) All-in-all, o experienta foarte interesanta!

Doar atat? Da. Pentru ca ar fi prea mult sa incep sa povestesc si despre simpaticele figurine cu vikingi, despre schimbul garzilor la Amalienborg (Palatul Reginei), despre impresionantul muzeu Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek continand colectiile de arta ale lui J.C. Jacobsen, despre frumoasa Gradina a Regelui (Kongens Have) sau despre fascinatia localnicilor pentru H.C. Andersen. Insa ca incheiere la acest imens post as vrea sa va recomand sa vizitati acest incredibil oras. Eu sper sa ma intorc acolo intr-o buna zi :)

Take just a few minutes to enjoy nature... watch some children play... enjoy knowing you are loved... be grateful for something precious to you...

I guarantee if you look hard enough everyone can find some beauty in their life they can be thankful for...

Now enjoy the feeling you get when you are focusing on the beauty and hang onto that thought as long as you can thoughout the day...

Try again tomorrow with finding beauty in 2 places of your life...

Have a beautiful day!