Meet Tim (27), your average everyday “Joe” working a 9-5 inside sales job in the ‘burbs of Philadelphia. Tim lives at home with his parents, goes to the gym once a month for a massage and generally enjoys life.  But Tim has a secret… his company is actually paying him to date cute local girls. How is this possible? Well, there’s an app for that. Actually, there are about 50 apps for that and he’s on them 3+ hours per day, in the office.

Most sales floors have some sort of bell, buzzer or even gong that is rung when an appointment is booked or a sale comes in. The sales floor in Tim’s office remains silent until there is an outburst of “TINDERRRRRRRR” Symbolizing a new connection on the latest hookup app. By the way to name just a few; Tinder, Grouper, DateHookup, Zoosk, Match.com, Dating DNA, OkCupid are some of the major players but there are many, many more. And how is Tim’s manager supposed to control this? He can’t, this is Tim’s personal phone that he also does work on.

Ever since employees started bringing their own devices to work, companies have struggled with how to control their actions during the business day. Allowing employees to get email on their personal devices is a great benefit afterhours but the use of distracting apps while in the office negates that benefit. Wouldn’t it be great if you could restrict Tim’s device during the work day and return control of it when he leaves at night? You can.

Mobile Device Management and Application Blacklisting/ Whitelisting is too bold of a tool to use on personal devices. An employee like Tim would be the first to file a complaint with HR or worse if you permanently lock down his precious device. Geofencing would enable Tim’s company to control his device ONLY when it is inside of the office. Upon leaving the building, his device would return to normal.

This is a real problem that all companies are facing. Take a walk around your office, you have a lot of Tims. Maybe we should factor “dates booked” into your daily metrics report…

I spent my summers at the jersey shore working and would often eat ” Mac and Manco Pizza” now called ” Manco and Manco” for literally lunch and dinner. It was cheap, cooked evenly throughout the pie, the perfect amount of cheese and definitely a jersey shore tradition. However, after summer was over I would find myself sad because there are not too many family owned, top quality little pizza shops in West Chester, PA… Until I drove 20 minutes, to a pizza shop called Franzone’s. Located in a small town called Bridgeport, 2 miles past King of Prussia, this place I definitely receives an A+ for the most unique tasting pizza I have had!

Franzones has a a dine in restaurant , take out beer and a pizza menu that will not disappoint. Philadelphia Magazine awarded Franzone’s “Best of Philly” and local sports radio voted this shop top ten for pizza in Philadelphia area. I now see why.

Franzone’s makes their fresh dough daily, which you can watch them make it in the window. The sauce is sweet which I have had nothing like it before- that is the secret. There is not too much sauce and its not thick and heavy, very smooth . There is a perfect amount of crust. They place the cheese down first then the sauce. I rarely eat more than one slice of pizza but when I had Frazones, I was able to eat 4, it was that good and addicting!  The picture does not do it justice, you will just have to try it out for yourself if anytime you are in this small town!

Personal style celebrates your independence of mind and unique point of view and is your very first impression to the world. An impression that conveys more that just vanity or frivolity, but professionalism and pride in oneself and their peers. A notion shared by Danielle Belardo, a fourth year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. Danielle spends her days alternatively in scrubs or in a white lab coat and as a girl who loves fashion, she is determined to bring her personal style to the (examination) table.

Danielle and her fellow fourth year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine, Vanessa Fabrizio, joined me in the city to bring some sartorial inspiration to their traditional medical uniforms.

Scrubs are the most challenging, however, it’s all about the right accessories and color is one of the easiest ways to bring some personal touches to this hospital basic. Danielle’s favorite way of incorporating color is through her footwear, “Patients always comment on my bright sneakers. I love that a simple accessory can put a smile on their face”. Even simply adding bright laces to a more neutral shoe can add a bit of unexpected color.

Ladies, when it comes to your hair, don’t view it as a hindrance. View your hair as an opportunity! Vanessa finds that braids are fantastic options that are simultaneously practical and visually interesting. For example, adding a braid to your everyday look can create a not-so-average-pony. Braids will also last through long shifts and keep bangs or pesky layers out of your face. To add some color to Vanessa’s fishtail braid we opted for an orange tie instead of a neutral tie. For Danielle, I created a simple twist following her hairline.As a professional, you want to put your best face forward and when it comes to your beauty routine remember to stick with the basics. Make sure to keep your skin looking its best by adhering to a regular skincare regimen. Healthy, happy skin requires less makeup, especially foundation and concealer. As a makeup artist, makeup that looks great for hours isn’t about caking on as much as possible to “last” throughout the day, it’s about using the right products in the right places.

For both Danielle and Vanessa, I used a small amount of foundation best suited to each of their skin types only in the most necessary areas. The goal for their makeup was to keep them looking fresh, well-rested, polished, and professional. My favorite trick for making eyes appear more awake is making your eyelashes the focal point. If they need to be curled, do not skip this step, it is crucial! Look for mascaras that are long-wearing or flake-free, if your mascara smudges or flakes throughout the day that darkness could be mistaken for dark circles under your eyes. Also using a light eyeshadow to highlight the inner corners of your eyes and along your browbone reflects light and draws attention the shape of your eye. For a bit of color on your cheeks and lips that will keep you glowing throughout your shift, try a duo lip & cheek stain.
Though most of the time, Danielle and Vanessa wear white coats over their professional attire, these stylish med students have found that infusing their work wardrobe with their own personal touches, does not go unnoticed by both patients and supervisors alike. In fact, a large study done at the Medical University of South Carolina showed that patients were more likely to trust and have confidence in their physicians who made an effort in their appearance, preferring physicians who were more “dressed up” (76.3%) versus physicians in casual wear (4.7%).
In the above photo, Danielle and Vanessa chose ensembles that illustrate their personal styles and how to transition outfits suitable for the hospital to a look that works for a casual cup of coffee with friends or running errands. Vanessa chose printed pants, classic ballet flats, and a brightly colored cardigan to show her self-proclaimed “preppy” style. “I find it easy to incorporate my classic and preppy style into an appropriate hospital wardrobe. My style reflects professionalism while also being fun and current” Vanessa explains. Don’t be afraid to bring color to your professional environment. It can be easy to get lost in a sea of grays, blues, and black. Just make sure the item is a proper length, fit, and fabric for a professional setting and you’ll be sure to beak up the monotony!

Danielle opts for pieces that are distinct and likes to blend in current trends. She chose a striped skirt as the focus of her look and added a sheer button down blouse plus very comfortable boots. What’s key about Danielle’s look is choosing just one piece to stand out while keeping the other parts of the outfit more subdued in color and more classic in shape. Danielle feels that the ritual of choosing an outfit is a great start to her day, “Fashion is an art similar to how medicine is an art; I admire designers who take chances and think outside of the box, just as I admire my attending physicians who are inventive and innovative in their field”.
To take her outfit from day to night, Vanessa swapped her print for faux leather and added a sleek pair of booties, a jacket, and a bit of evening sparkle. Danielle gave her boots the night off, put on her favorite pair of pumps, and chose a lace top to complete her after hours ensemble. By using a few key basics in their current wardrobes these savvy med students did an excellent job of demonstrating how to stylishly create looks that are work for the hospital, casual plans, or evenings on the town. Danielle and Vanessa each have their own personal style yet they both understand the importance of their image in their professional environment.

Thanks so much to Danielle and Vanessa for being great models, opening their closets, and sharing their personal experiences, words, and time!

All you wanted to know about my set up and more…lol

http://www.silbermedia.com/qrd/archives/63TLugo.html

http://www.therecordstache.com/2013/06/nothing-much-to-lose-compilation.html

Copernicus and many that followed him charted their ways based on the stars. Amazonians and other indigenous peoples were led by visions encountered in dream state. Here’s to those who follow their own paths, whether they happen to be guided by the stars or their dreams. ~ WayOutWest

http://nbtmusicradio.playtheradio.com/

TuneIn (for Windows Phone, Blackberry and Android):NBTMusicRadio
iTunes: Click on ‘Advanced’ then ‘Open Stream’
and paste: http://listen.radionomy.com/nbtmusicradio.m3u
or search Under ‘radios’ /’eclectic’
stream thru WinAmp, VLC or other media players: http://listen.radionomy.com/nbtmusicradio.m3u

ShiShi( Puerto Rico/Usa- Patetico Recordings)
SUB( Argentina- Triple RRR Discos)
OCEAN NOISE( Mexico- Independiente)
Rapa Nui banda( Peru- Necio Discos)
Flores De Bach( Chile -Sello Recolector)
http://latinoamerica-shoegaze.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-storm-in-heaven-radio-show-progr-13.html

Penn co-rec intramural summer softball is back! Penn Park is a beautiful place to play softball, but sometimes the Philly weather doesn’t cooperate. Check out the photos below from the Tuesday and Thursday games last week.

A beautiful day in Penn Park on Tuesday

Playing softball on a rainy Thursday

Rainy, cloudy, and gloomy on Thursday. Do you see the umbrella?

To qualify for the phones, individuals must identify themselves as being in the eligible economic group using their tax statements or Electronic Benefits Transfer card (which illustrate eligibility for welfare benefits into the stats).

PHOTOS: Michelle And Sasha Obama At The US Open

In one clip, presented by conservative activist James O’Keefe of Project Veritas, a man is seen venturing into a Stand Up Wireless store in Philadelphia, telling the worker he wants an Obama Phone to sell and raise funds for his heroin habit.

“Whatever you want to do with it … hey, I don’t judge,” the worker replied, smirking.

In another one, when a recipient of the phone is asking a worked to appraise its’ value, she tells him to check out the local pawn shop circuit.

PHOTOS: The Obamas Attend A Parent-Teacher Meeting

“OK, so I could get the phone and then sell it?” the plant asked the worker, who responded, “Yeah, I don’t care what you do with it.”

In another clip taken at a Terracom outlet in Minneapolis, a female plant tells a worker she wants to sell her phone for a new pair of shoes, which causes the worker to laugh.

A TerraCom rep told MailOnline that the company, one of a few involved in the Lifeline program, was keeping tabs on the situation and would take appropriate action where necessary.

PHOTOS: First Lady Stunning On Inauguration Day

Watch the video on RadarOnline.com

“We will immediately look into this matter,” the TerraCom rep said. “This kind of behavior is not acceptable and swift action will be taken to address this situation, including the employee’s termination from TerraCom.

“We are going well beyond the spirit of the FCC’s rules regarding the Lifeline program to ensure that we are preventing and/or quickly identifying potential cases of fraud, waste and abuse in the system.”

The phone gained fame and notoriety when a video of a female Obama supporter touting the phone went viral, with the woman saying, “He gave us a phone. He gonna do more!”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — Police say a construction worker was fatally shot from close range as he walked to a job in North Philadelphia.

It happened shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday in the 2800 block of North Lawrence Street in the city’s Fairhill section.

Philadelphia police Chief Inspector Scott Small says at least eight shots were fired from a semi-automatic handgun and that the 46-year-old man was hit in the head. He collapsed on the sidewalk and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say the victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was on the way to work at the time.

Authorities say at some point after the shooting, a woman, believed to be the victim’s girlfriend, arrived at the crime scene. She told police the victim was on his way to a construction site and that he lived near the scene.

Police are talking to witnesses and searching for possible surveillance footage from the area as they try to identify a suspect in the killing.

The motive in the deadly shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call 911.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Keeping tabs on an athlete’s health on the field is getting a technological boost: two devices that monitor for signs of serious head injury are due out over the next few months.

One is the CheckLight, a skullcap worn by itself or under a helmet. Reebok designed the $150 device to warn of the severity of a hit with blinking yellow or red lights.

“Brain is a soft tissue, kind of like tapioca pudding inside a bowl, and the bowl is the skull.”

Dr. Ausim Azizi, professor of neurology at Temple University School of Medicine, says injury can happen when the head is hit, or is jostled at high speed, or even is exposed to low-intensity vibrations, like a soldier might suffer from an IED.

“Anything that monitors the acceleration-deceleration or impact to the head is good.  It’s a partial solution that brings up the awareness of the parents and coaches and the athletes themselves that their head has been moved back and forth — and perhaps some of the sub-clinical symptoms which are mild, like headaches and lack of concentration, could be because of moving the head and because of head injury or compressions.”

But the CheckLight, and the X-Patch from X2 Biosystems, which packs an impact sensor and wireless transmitter into something that looks like a Band-Aid behind the ear, aren’t replacements for a doctor.

“They only monitor how fast or how slow the head is moving or has been hit.  But in no way do they indicate whether the brain is injured or not.”

About 3.8 million sports-related concussion-type injuries occur in the US each year, with very few of those who suffer them ever getting checked out at hospital.

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Russ and I will be running together, which will make this experience more enjoyable, more memorable, and we definitely run faster together than alone.

What are those lyrics…

“I’m a movement by myself, ooh But I’m a force when we’re together, Mami, I’m good all by myself, ooh But baby, you, you make me better.”

Anyway, moving on

In The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin says that, “To be happy, I need to think about feeling good, feeling bad, and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth”.  She goes on to support this statement with research and experience by saying that, “It isn’t the goal attainment but the process of striving after goals–that is, growth– that brings happiness…The satisfaction gained from the achievement of a large undertaking is one of the most substantial that life affords”.  

Some people build things, and some people write things or draw things or cook things, and those are all their atmospheres of growth.

Before I read the book, my plan was to not really train for the marathon.  Sure, I would go out and do longer runs, but I wasn’t going to push myself really.  My only goal was (and still is) just to finish the marathon.  After reading this book, I realized that one of my atmospheres of growth comes from running.  Sure, I love the races, as they act as milestone markers for how far I have come as an athlete, but what I really enjoy is getting to that point.  Not to say that crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles won’t be one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, but building up to that point is also something that I am looking forward to accomplishing, even more so with Russ.

It’s going to be an exciting journey and I hope you’ll stick around to read about it!What’s your atmosphere of growth?

By Jenn Bernstein

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police are searching for two suspects who shot a 24-year-old man outside of a home and stole his cell phone in the Lawncrest section of Northeast Philadelphia.

The shooting happened on the 5900 block of Tabor Avenue. Police received a 911 call reporting the shooting shortly after 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from five gunshot wounds to his right side and upper right thigh.

He told police he walked outside onto his steps to have a cigarette, when he was approached by two men who announced they were going to rob him.

“The only possession he had on him was his cell phone,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small.

The victim told police he gave up his cell phone, and then told the suspects he had no money.

“That’s when one of the perpetrators fired several shots,” said Small.

The victim was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center where officials say he is in stable condition.

Police were able to get a quick description of one of the men. He was described as about 5’10”, wearing a gray hoodie with a cloth covering his face.

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WASHINGTON — After Republicans lost the presidential election and seats in both the House and the Senate last year, many in the party offered a stern admonishment: If we want to broaden our appeal, steer clear of divisive social and cultural issues.

Yet after the high-profile murder trial of an abortion doctor in Philadelphia this spring, many Republicans in Washington and in state capitals across the country seem eager to reopen the emotional fight over a woman’s right to end a pregnancy. Their efforts will move to the forefront on Tuesday when House Republicans plan to bring to the floor a measure that would prohibit the procedure after 22 weeks of pregnancy — the most restrictive abortion bill to come to a vote in either chamber in a decade.

The bill stands no chance of becoming law, with Democrats in control of the Senate and the White House. Republican leaders acknowledge that its purpose is to satisfy vocal elements of their base who have renewed a push for greater restrictions on reproductive rights, even if those issues harmed the party’s reputation with women in 2012.

Read more

As graduation time comes around again, I see everyone asking the young graduates “what do you plan to do?”, so I know I’m not the only one still looking for ideas. There have been times that I have thought that I’ve done it all, but the truth is that would be neither possible nor even desirable.

After Emma died, my initial plan had been to follow her, but she asked that I not, so I respected her request. She must have wanted some time alone anyway. I had a relatively large sum of money, and had I stayed in my little apartment in South Philly, I projected I would not need any additional funds for almost ten years. All my life friends, relatives, and total strangers had suggested I write a book. I love the world of words, more so than photography, in that words direct the reader into a line of thought they had not considered, where a photograph may only do so to those whose minds are open to the possibility.

I remember three distinct “discussions” with my father in the Spring of 1977. One had was centered on the reason my father’s other son (the good one) had moved to California. Obviously it was my fault (it was, but not in the way he thought). He thought it was because I had pierced my ear and tended towards somewhat flamboyant ear rings. I must be gay (actually, the word he used was “faggot”), and he was too embarrassed to live in the same house. The truth was that I had seen a girl’s phone number next to the phone and called her, made a date, and then developed a relationship with her. The girl was one that my father’s other son was pursuing, I thought it had been a message for me. To make matters worse, she had only been talking to him to get close to me. So yes, he was embarrassed by my sexuality, but it wasn’t because of any ambiguous desires.

Another had to do with my yearbook. There was a practice of taking quotes and having them printed under your picture. My quote was “To be successful in a group, one must first be an individual”. I was greeted as I came home with “What the hell is this supposed to mean?”, as my father, a rugged individualist, explained the virtues of conformity, at a volume that shared the information with anyone who might be within one hundred yards. I admit I did not have a proper response, it was only later in life I would learn to ignore fury and remain calm. I explained my meaning, that one’s value to a group is in having a distinct set of experiences and views, but on this day he wasn’t buying it.

The third had to do with what I wanted to be when I grew up. My response was “Happy”. Not good enough, as he spent a great deal of time explaining the intricacies of happiness and how it was not a goal, but the product of reaching one’s goals. Just a note here. If you ever find yourself trying to tell someone how to be happy, you’ll be more convincing if you appear to be happy yourself. Fortunately I decided not to share that jewel of knowledge at that point, and left the conversation with all my teeth.

{To be clear, my father only very rarely struck me, and I love him very much. Many of his lessons were time bombs. When I was nearing forty, I came to understand him much better. From that experience, I learned to be patient with my children, they’re starting to close in on forty now so we’ll see how that works out. Although he said many hurtful things over the years, I know he always meant well. I inherited from my father some wonderful qualities, he is a genuinely good man.}

When Emma died, I found that I was no longer happy. Not much of a shock to anyone. But I knew the path to happiness was in removing myself from society, and writing was a great way to do that. Unfortunately those pesky desires were still alive, so I sought out companionship. For better or worse I met the most incredible woman, and left Philadelphia behind. I altered my budget and still had five years in which to get things going, but I failed to recognize the expense of an ex spouse. My experience had been that the female tends to be on the profitable side. Take notice, that “rule” is not written in stone.

So finances went from black to grey to pink, and I’ve been actively pursuing employment for the last few months. It’s been an enlightening process.

My first application was responded to immediately. An animal shelter was looking for an experienced manager, but they were non profit and couldn’t pay what I was asking. I didn’t care, I took the job anyway because I love working with animals. I could see some obvious problems but was assured I could change anything that would make the shelter run more efficiently. I had never had a prospective employer lie to me before. Not only was I not the manager, nothing was going to change, and even providing appropriate care was not on the agenda. I left after two weeks.

I had a couple of other second interviews, surgical instrument repair, copier technician, and pizza delivery, but nothing really fit. I took the job at the farm, and a week later they told me they were cutting back. I started cold calling companies, and although they were polite, I don’t expect a callback. The most interesting was Chuck E. Cheese, they have a fascinating pre-employment test (really, you should apply just to take the test), and the kid who interviewed me was interesting. I keep trying to explain that I have no expectations of making anything close to my previous salary, but they get a little quiet when they realize your age. As if the twenty year old they hire will stay for twenty years.

A friend recommended me for a position in home care, helping a quadriplegic woman around the house and cooking. Sounded perfect, we liked each other, I completed all the background checks and such, and when I called her back she said “I read your blog, and you didn’t tell me you’re moving to Belgium”. Well, if I can’t find a job I will do so sooner rather than later. I can’t commit for the remainder of my life, that’s something spouses do. She could have least complimented my writing.

At anytime else in my life, I would be perfectly happy to face the possibilities, to play whatever hand is dealt, but for some reason I feel I have more responsibilities today than ever before in my life. I thought I was freer than ever before, but I am far from it. So I am less than happy.
That is not to say I am sad, but a number of disappointments have left me somewhat depressed. That feeling that accompanies the realization that you are finished changing the world. I did what I could do, and felt pretty good about it, but it’s messed up again and I feel left out sometimes.

There remain adventures ahead, and the maturity to appreciate and find the humor and beauty in them. And I have a wonderful companion with which to share them.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – National leaders on mental health are meeting in Philadelphia beginning today to discuss ways to improve access to mental health treatment.

Titled, “Opening Closed Doors,” the conference will focus on privacy and providing involuntary treatment for those with mental illness.

“Twenty-six percent of Americans in any given year can be diagnosed with a mental health issue,” says Joseph Pyle, president of Scattergood Foundation, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary. “It is a common issue across all communities, yet it is one we rarely talk about.”

He says the event brings advocates, lawyers, academics, mental health professionals and families together in one place to discuss the many obstacles to treatment.

“A big issue will be– do clinicians understand the impact of HIPPA and how they can work with families and community groups to make sure people can gain access to treatment when they are in crisis,” he says, “a big problem is that the way people share information because of HIPPA can serve as a roadblock to treatment.”

For more info on opening closed doors, go to ScattergoodFoundation.org.

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