The Land Time Forgot: Sheffield General Cemetery

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Since its closure in 1978, the General Cemetery in Sheffield has become a tangled exhibition of plants and undergrowth. The classically influenced buildings have long since been bricked up and fallen into disrepair, while the tombstones of Sheffield’s Victorian luminaries disappear into the undergrowth. Ironically, the final resting place of 87,000 people has become a tranquil haven where plant and animal life blossoms unhindered, and looks more like the land time forgot than its once neat arrangement of tombs and terracing.

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A dream location for historians and urban explorers, Sheffield General Cemetery opened in 1836 as a Nonconformist burial ground – then a popular movement among the city’s leading industrialists. It was one of the first landscape cemeteries to be developed and paved the way for a national movement away from overcrowded church yards. The original buildings, including gate house, catacombs and Nonconformist chapel, feature designs influenced by classical Egyptian and Greek Doric (by architect Samuel Worth).




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An Anglican chapel designed by William Flockton was added in 1850 adjacent to the Cemetery Road entrance. Built in the Gothic tradition, the abandoned chapel is notable for having a steeple that is oversized by comparison to the rest of the building. This feature is deliberate, as the chapel was designed to be noticed – rather ominous considering a good deal of the business conducted there was funerals…




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An interesting surviving feature is the Dissenters’ Wall, which runs from Cemetery Road to the Porter Brook near the main entrance. The wall marked the separation between the Nonconformist and consecrated Anglican burial grounds. After the cemetery passed into the ownership of the local council following its closure in 1978, around 800 graves were cleared from the Anglican section to make way for a park. Since then, the site has become completely overgrown, although it is both charming and mysterious as a result.

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While a dove denoting the Holy Spirit is engraved above the General Cemetery’s main entrance, it has also been suggested that the location of the entrance next to the Porter Brook symbolises the soul’s final journey across the River Styx in Greek mythology. The General Cemetery is unique due to the decorative ironwork adorning many of the more affluent graves, highlighting Sheffield’s place as a national and global steel centre during the Victorian era.


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Famous residents include prominent industrialists Mark Firth and James Nicholson; George Bassett, inventor of Liquorice Allsorts; John Fowler, father of the man who designed the Forth Rail Bridge; James Montgomery, poet and publisher; John, Thomas and Skelton Cole, founders of Cole Brothers Department Store; Chartists Samuel Holberry and Isaac Ironside; Francis Dickinson, “one of the six hundred” taking part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War; and finally, George Partington, who ran off at the age of 17 to fight in the Crimea. One of the Heavy Brigade, he was badly wounded at Balaclava but nursed back to health by “the lady of the lamp” Florence Nightingale. Partington survived the battles of Balaclava, Inkerman and the siege of Sevastopol, but was later killed after being thrown from his horse.

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But it’s not all wealth and heroism. The cemetery is also home to thousands of others whose grave stones tell the tragic tale of social and economic deprivation that accompanied the wealth of Victorian England. Many of the terraces are created from grave stones, either those of “paupers” or reclaimed from the cleared Anglican area. Today, the Friends of the General Cemetery work hard to preserve this historic place, while the untamed foliage bestows a look somewhere between gothic horror and Tim Burton… But what’s clear is that Sheffield’s premier Victorian cemetery has become one of the city’s most mysterious abandoned places. Find more fantastic photographs of the cemetery in this series by Decadence.me.uk.

Incredible new Motion Sensing Computer Technology

Was this Alliance or Human ?????????

Was this Alliance or Human ?????????

Nine different ways to find a new job

The old days of finding a job right out of school and sticking with it until retirement are certainly in the past. In these modern times, people have become more adept at locating new job opportunities.

1. Networking

It is said that the majority of job vacancies are never advertised, often referred to as the "hidden job market." To land these jobs, seekers will need to find a way to get a foot in the door. Networking can go a long way in locating job opportunities; even if no one you know directly has knowledge of a job opening, there's a chance they know someone who does.

Networking can be done both in person and online. You can join professional associations, attend events for graduates of your school, or aim to connect with professionals who work in your field.

Various online tools also exist, such as LinkedIn, which allow you to network with other professionals and learn out about possible job openings. You may also be able to meet other professionals through social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

2. Referrals

Referrals also come from individuals you know, however, this method may get you an invitation to apply for a position without actually searching for a new a job. Some employers offer incentives to their employees for referring a successful candidate to their company - a win-win situation for everyone. You get a new job, and your contact gets a finder's fee for attracting a top-notch employee.

3. Job Boards and Career Websites

Job boards were traditionally just that - boards posting vacancies and employment opportunities. Though some of these boards may still exist in a literal sense, many job boards have moved toward a virtual format. Often federal or state governments will provide job boards and job banks that job seekers can access.

You can also use job search engines on the internet or the vast number of career-related websites that post job openings, such as Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com. These websites function in a similar way to the traditional want-ads, however, they have a much quicker turnaround time and allow you to search a much larger number of jobs over a large area.

4. Job Fairs

Job fairs are typically targeted toward specific industries, though some job or recruitment fairs are more generalized. These ads will usually come with a list of the organizations that will be present. Investigate any companies that interest you, bring a number of resumes and be ready to sell yourself.

Consider any conversations with recruiters as mini interviews that can set you apart from other applicants. Some organizations may even offer on-site interviews to candidates that match their requirements.

5. Company Websites

If you already have your dream employer in mind, why not go directly to the career section of their website? If you watch for openings on their site, there's a chance you'll find just the opportunity that you've been waiting for.

Create a list of employers that you'd like to work for and visit their websites often. If you're really set on working for a specific company it may take some time to find just the opportunity that fits your skill set.

But if you've got the luxury of time, this might be the optimal method for finding your dream job.

6. Cold Calling

If you don't see any job listings posted for a company you're particularly interested in, you might consider making a cold call.

You can use the telephone or email to contact individuals within an organization by finding their contact details on the company website or by inquiring with a receptionist. Contact individuals directly to find out if they foresee any upcoming vacancies, and be sure to attach a copy of your resume to any emails you send.

You can also ask for information about types of jobs, or what kind of skills or qualities the organization looks for in a candidate. Keep in mind that this kind of contact may not always be well received, but there is always a chance it'll give you the inside track on upcoming vacancies.

7. Head Hunters and Recruitment Agencies

If you're looking for some professional help in your job search, head hunters and recruitment agencies can definitely lend a hand (though in some cases it may come at a price).

There are a number of organizations that hire through recruitment agencies because it helps to streamline the lengthy process of locating and interviewing candidates.

Head hunters locate individuals to fill a specific vacancy within an organization or find a position for a job seeker who has hired their services.

Payment is often based upon commission. Keep in mind that many high schools, colleges and universities have job placement services that can help new graduates to develop their resumes and assist both current students and alumni with their job searches.

8. Temping or Internships

Sometimes temporary employment can lead to permanent positions. If you're without work, finding a temporary position with a great company is a great way to get a foot in the door, or provide you with useful business contacts to call upon in the future.

Many recruitment agencies can assist with locating temporary or casual positions and contract work.

Internships are a great choice for students who are just graduating from college and many schools' job placement services can connect students with opportunities. Volunteering can also be a great method for gaining valuable industry contacts.

9. Creative or Outlandish Tactics

In a competitive job market, some job seekers have moved toward more creative methods for drawing attention to themselves.

Billboards, chain letters with a copy of your resume attached, or even pasting your resume to yourself and walking around the city as a human billboard are just some of the methods individuals have used to get noticed by potential employers. Though these methods can actually work, be cautious.

You may get the attention of recruiters, but you may also be sending the wrong message. If you're going to resort to creative techniques, be sure that it's appropriate for the industry in which you're attempting to find employment.

The Bottom Line

In the modern job market, finding the very best job opportunities often requires a combination of methods. Always keep in mind that there are a variety of methods available for finding job opportunities, all with their own strengths and weaknesses, so don't be shy to experiment with a variety of techniques.

MEDIA REPORTS & HOT ISSUES

MEDIA REPORTS & HOT ISSUES

3 Thoughts On The N.Y. Fracking Ban

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office is said to have briefed a small number individuals on Thursday. According to the Times, the governor intends to open up New York to, “one of the fastest-growing — critics would say reckless — areas of the energy industry.”
Hyrdrofracking, or fracking as it is commonly known, is a controversial method of natural gas extraction in which large volumes of water, chemicals and sand are mixed and injected into the ground to access natural gas supplies. The practice is legal in Pennsylvania and several other states, but health and environmental concerns have kept it out of New York for the most part.
Now it appears that is about to change. There is still plenty to be learned about Cuomo’s plans for natural gas development in the Empire State, here are a few things that will likely have to be addressed.

1. No more side-by-side comparison for policies and conflicts of interest
New York’s moratorium on horizontal drilling provided an easy way to compare environmental impacts of the practice to neighboring Pennsylvania. The Marcellus Shale formation lies beneath both states, but each state has taken a different approach to dealing with fracking. While New York has been cautious, Pennsylvania has been the focus of countless environmental and regulatory concerns. Ian Urbina of The New York Times has focused much of his attention this year on reports of Pennsylvania’s inability to properly treat radioactive material in fracking wastewater before it is dumped into waterways.
Pennsylvania has also come under fire for having a regulatory process that is largely controlled by companies involved in fracking. In March, Clean Water Action said that of the 30 members of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, more than a quarter came from companies who directly made donations to the governor’s campaign. During the most recent meeting of that commission, many Pennsylvanians encountered problems voicing their concerns to the commission. If New York plans to have a tight regulatory grip on fracking, its neighbor may not be the best example to follow.
2. What about wastewater?
Since fracking has become more prevalent in Pennsylvania and the West, environmentalists have focused on the possibility of aquifer contamination. While this concern is certainly legitimate, the more immediate concern has been the treatment of millions of gallons of fracking wastewater.
In the West, wastewater is typically stored in pits near frack sites. The lining of these pits and regulations stipulating what can be used for the lining has been a constant source of contention between regulators, the natural gas industry and citizens who live nearby. In places like Arkansas, wastewater has been stored in concrete containment wells. As more of these containment wells have been drilled, Arkansas has seen a sharp increase in earthquakes, something that has occurred in other places like Colorado and Texas where similar wells were drilled decades ago. Another method, used mainly in Pennsylvania, is to simply use treatment facilities to clean up the fracking wastewater before it heads into local rivers and streams. Urbina’s reports about this process have raised concerns about the state’s ability to do this effectively. So what will New York do? State officials clearly have choices — though all of the aforementioned choices have led to some serious wastewater concerns.
3. Can fracking be economical if properly regulated?
The water contamination concerns have led many to believe that the practice must be regulated. Keeping wastewater from spilling, making sure casings are of the correct thickness and continuing to study all of the unknowns, will require a lot of time, effort and money.
So the ultimate question is, if a proper regulatory framework can be put in place, can natural gas be produced in an economical way? This will depend on two factors. The first is the process that New York puts in place if it decides to allow fracking. The second will be the sheer economics of supply and demand. The economic factor will be interesting to watch as already the  natural gas industry’s claims about how much gas is available have been called into question by industry insiders. Given these unknowns, it will be interesting to learn if fracking makes economic sense in the long run. The devil will be in the details.

Source Reveals Girl Scout Cookies Actually Made From Girl Scouts

ABC Bakers, a subsidiary of Richmond, VA based Interbake Foods, Inc., is coming under fire today, after an inside source revealed that the "Official Girl Scout Cookie Bakers" have been using real girl scouts in their cookies, specifically in their "Thin Mints". Under conditions of anonymity, a former disgruntled employee of Interbake sent a written correspondence to the press which read in part,

Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have always been somewhat in competition with each other. In the late 1940s, someone noted that the Girl Scout equivalent to the Cub Scout was the Brownie, yet there was no Girl Scout equivalent to the Eagle Scout. This was considered a PR disaster until someone came up with the idea of baking a cookie so highly addictive, no one would ever again presume the Girl Scouts to be inferior to the Boy Scouts.

In a 1-2 punch, they deflected the criticism, and gave the girls who had no place to go after becoming "too old" to be girl scouts, a way to continue their contribution to the organization. These kamikazee girl scouts, upon reaching the age of 14, selflessly volunteered to give their lives to be ground up and used in baking the "Thin Mints", to be listed on the packaging under the second to the last ingredient as "natural and artificial flavors".

The idea originated with a troop leader who had visited a remote African village a few years earlier where they still practiced cannibalism. As the saying goes, when in Rome...so while visiting this tribe, she survived on a diet of mostly human flesh. When she came back to the states to run her daughter's Girl Scout chapter, she found that she was horribly addicted to the flavor of human flesh, and had begun to kill random hobos whenever the cannibalistic urge would come upon her. It was around that time that the criticisms of not having an Eagle Scout counterpart were launched against the organization.

It was the need to do something with the older girls, to give them a purpose after they were too old to be Girl Scouts, and to provide a counterpart to the Eagle Scouts, combined with this crazy troop leader's insatiable urge for human flesh which led them to create what Girl Scout Cookie insiders now refer to jokingly as "Soylent Cookies". The secret ingredient was not only flavorful, plentiful and cheaply acquired, but turned out to be one of the most addictive substances known to mankind. This is why it is nearly impossible to eat just one thin mint...with those things once you eat one, you might as well plan on eating the whole box within a day or two, and now the world knows exactly why that is. Bwooowaaahhhahahhahhaaa.

When confronted by zealous reporters, an Interbake spokesperson confirmed that the story was true, but that it was indeed only the most addictive cookie, the "Thin Mint" which used what had been known as "Secret Ingredient G". Attorneys for Interbake claim that until the late 1990s, they were unaware of what "Secret Ingredient G" was, they would simply receive barrels of it every year at the start of the cookie baking season and use it as directed. It was not until a piece of a merit badge was discovered baked into a cookie which was sold to a Flushing, NY woman in 1998 that Interbake officials became curious about the source of "Secret Ingredient G". Their own internal investigation lasted just over a year and uncovered the shocking truth, but they had signed a contract with the Girl Scouts to bake the cookies until 2008, and as one spokesperson put it, "we weren't going to try to break a contract with any company that would grind up little girls into cookie dough."

The FDA immediately moved to halt the sale of "Thin Mint" Girl Scout cookies, but rescinded their order after the public learned of the intent to bar the sale of any more "Thin Mints". Daryl Johnson, a 400 pound bouncer at a night club in Des Moines, IA had this to say, "I'd sooner be dead than never be able to have another one of them mint Girl Scout Cookies again." The feeling seemed to be mutual amongst almost everyone we asked. Most said that eating people was "a small price to pay in order to eat those delicious mint cookies." But the comments of Sue Prudhomme, a 29 year old crack whore from French Lick, IN seemed to sum it up best, "wass the big deal 'bout eatin' food made from people? Whaddaya think they make they meat from down at the Taco Bell, knawamsayin'?"