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+reason of which the publication could not be made within thirty days. If we
+were to hold that the award would therefore be rendered invalid, it would be
+attaching undue importance to a provision not in the mind of the legislature.
+It is well (1) [1962] IT L.L.J. 144.
+(2 ) [1961]2 S.C.R 679, 710 167 known that it
+very often takes a, long Period of time for the reference to be concluded and
+the award to be made. If the award becomes invalid merely on the ground of
+publication after thirty days, it might entail a fresh reference with needless
+the parties. The non-publication of the award within the period of thirty days
+does not entail any penalty and this is another consideration which has to be
+kept in mind. What was said in the earlier passage from the judgment in The
+Sirsilk Ltd. v. Government of Andhra Pradesh(1) merely shows that it was not
+open to Government to withhold publication but this Court never meant to lay
+down that the period of time fixed for publication was mandatory.
+Coming to the merits of the case, Mr. Gokhale
+argued that the Tribunal. had gone wrong in revising the wage scales as it had
+done. The head of dispute referred to the Tribunal was "revision of wages
+as per award of the Madras Labour Tribunal in 38 of 1960." The arguments
+advanced in this case were the same as in the Bangalore case (just now disposed
+of) and the Tribunal after noting the phenomenal progress of the Company and
+the enormous profits it was making, came to the conclusion that there was no
+reason why there should be any disparity in wages between the employees of a
+branch and the regional office when they were doing the same or similar work.
+In this case also, there was no evidence of comparable concerns. In our view,
+what we have said on this point of the dispute with regard to the Bangalore
+branch applies equally with regard to the Kerala branch and the matter will
+have to go back to the Tribunal for fixing the wages and the adjustment of the
+workers in the revised scale in the light of the observations made in that case
+bearing in mind Mr. Gokhale's offer on behalf of the Company to increase the
+wages as in the other appeal.
+With regard to dearness allowance again, what
+was said in the Bangalore appeal applies equally to this appeal. Here again the
+Tribunal said:
+"It is also an accepted fact that the
+cost of living both at Trivandrum and at Ernakulam is higher than the cost of
+living at Madras. Therefore, there is no justification in perpetuating the
+disparity in the payment of D.A. to the workmen working at Madras and those
+working in the Trivandrum Branch." In the result, the Tribunal directed
+that the workmen of Ernakulam branch should get dearness allowance "at the
+rate at which and in the manner in which" the pay and dearness allowance
+was being paid to the employees of Madras Regional Office. In our view,
+dearness allowance should be the same as decided in the case of the workers of
+the Bangalore branch.
+(1) [1964] 2 S.C.R. 448.
+168 The scheme for gratuity is the same as in
+the case of the Bangalore branch with the only difference that the maximum fixed
+was 20 months' wages after 20 years service. In our view, there is no reason
+why the scheme for gratuity should not be the same in the Ernakulam branch as
+in the Bangalore branch in case of termination of service for misconduct and
+the qualifying period should be 15 years' service.
+Again, on principles already formulated, we
+hold that leave facilities at Ernakulam should be the same as those prevailing
+at Madras.
+Next comes the dispute with regard to the
+working hours.
+The working hours of the employees of
+Trivandrum and Ernakulam as prevalent were from 9 a. m. to 1. p. m. and from 2
+p. m. to 5-30 p. m. on week days and from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. on Saturdays. At
+Madras the Company's workers work only for five days in a week from 9 a. m. to
+1 p. m. and 1- 45 p. m. to 5-30 p.m. The total working hours were therefore
+somewhat less than those at Trivandrum and Ernakulam. The complaint of the
+union before the Tribunal was that although by circular dated 24th March 1963
+the Company had fixed the working hours from 9.30 a.m. for clerks and 9 a.m.
+for mechanics and peons, it was extracting half an hour's work per day extra
+contrary to their own orders. The Tribunal held that the circular should be
+given effect to and that the clerical staff should work from 9.30 a.m. to 1
+p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on working days and from 9.30 a.m.
+to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. We see no reason to
+disturb this portion of the award.
+Another head of dispute related to work-load.
+The complaint of the union was that the workload was too heavy and that the
+method of calculation of workload was arbitrary.
+According to them, the workload fixed by
+agreement between the Company and its employees in Delhi and Lucknow was seven
+machines per day or 150 machines per month, while the workload at Trivandrum
+was 10 machines per day. According to the Management the workload fixed i.e.,
+10 machines per day, was not too much and there was no reason for disturbing
+the prevailing arrangement. But the Management did not deny that during the
+course of negotiations they had agreed to reduce the workload to seven machines
+per day or 150 machines per month and the Tribunal adopted this in the award
+with a rider that "all the machines attended to, whether new or old,
+whether under the service contract or not, will be counted for the sake of
+workload". No satisfactory reason has been adduced as to why we should
+disturb the award.
+The last head of dispute was with regard to
+"moving staff allowance". The union demanded that workmen who were
+deputed on tour on Company's work should be given a day off if they had to
+travel two nights consecutively. Demand was also made that, 169 travelling
+staff should be paid overtime for the work done on holidays while on tour at
+double the normal wages for the day. The Management disputed this claim on the
+ground that it was not possible to calculate the number of hours worked by the
+employee at the out-station while on tour. The Tribunal found on examining a
+mechanic that the jurisdiction of the branch was limited to the districts Trivandrum, Quilon, Alleppey and Kottayam and even if he was forced to work on holidays he
+was given over time wages. The Tribunal held that it was only just and
+reasonable that tour-in- mechanics should be given a day off if they travelled
+on two consecutive days for reaching a place of work and also over- time wages
+at double the wages for the work done on holidays. It appears to us that with
+the limitation as to jurisdiction noted above, the occasion for a mechanic
+spending two consecutive nights for reaching a place of work will arise very
+seldom, but if it does, there is no reason why he should not get overtime wages
+as awarded by the Tribunal and we see no reason to interfere with this portion
+of the award.
+In the result, the matter will go back to the
+Tribunal for disposal of the issue as to the revision of wage scales and
+adjustment of workers in the revised scales. The scheme for gratuity will stand
+modified as indicated in our judgment in Civil Appeal No. 2105 of 1966
+delivered today. The rest of the award will stand. The appellant will pay the
+respondent the costs of this appeal.
+A ward modified.
+V.P.S.
+Back
+Anti-ScienceReligion
+God to Creationists: "Let me spell it out for you nice and slow…"
+If ignorance is bliss, then creationists the world over just got a little sadder as scientists announce the discovery of yet another “intermediate fossil,” showing an animal caught midway between the land and the sea like a pre-op transvestite with only one fake boob in place.
+I’ll give you a second to go back and try to parse that sentence. There’s a lot going on.
+The animal has been named Tiktaalik roseae, which means, “Thing that is further proof that God is just testing us, the sadistic bastard.” For the purposes of this essay, we’ll refer to him as “Tik-Tak the Finger Fish.”
+Tik-Tak has fins with the beginnings of little digits, as well as shoulders, wrists, neck, elbows, and other non-fishy attributes. The discovery is so cool that it actually inspired the team’s leader, Dr. Neil H. Shubin of the University of Chicago, to state
+“. . . holy cow.”
+I can’t think of a more appropriate phrase for an evolutionary biologist to utter.
+Now, this isn’t the first of these sneaky transvestite organisms to be found. There’s also Archaeopteryx, a scary looking thing caught between lizards and birds (shown here doing his patented dance, “In Your Face, Creationist Nonsense“).
+“But wait,” I hear you ask, “what are we going to do now that there is no more creationist nonsense to combat?”
+Fear not, gentle reader. Duane T. Gish, retired Chief Creationist in Charge of Misinformation and Utter Foolishness for the Institute for Creation Research in San Diego, responds thusly:
+“This alleged transitional fish will have to be evaluated carefully.” But he added that he still found evolution “questionable because paleontologists have yet to discover any transitional fossils between complex invertebrates and fish, and this destroys the whole evolutionary story.”
+Oh no, you sunk our evolutionary battleship, you delightful cad, you! I’d like to respond further to Gish’s comment, but my brain exploded with the knowledge that millions of years of evolution have thus far resulted in organisms who can say things like “paleontologists have yet to discover any transitional fossils between complex invertebrates and fish, and this destroys the whole evolutionary story” without the slightest trace of irony. I hope the editors of The Onion read that quote, as it’ll make their jobs much easier since they can just reproduce it word for word. Here, I’ll even help with a headline:
+Area Creationist Looks at Irrefutable Evidence of Evolution, Desperately Grasps for New Way to Be Ignorant
+If there is in fact a god, I’d be willing to bet that he is currently gazing down upon the creationists for the exact same reason that I ocassionally tune in to America’s Next Top Model.
+16 Comments
+Yup you can lead an IDer to knowledge but you can't make him think. I got a lovely quote from PZ Myers at (), which people see as ignorance in the Christian and laugh to scorn.
+–St. Augustine
+I thnk that says it all.
+Silly Rebecca. Now that this fossil has been found, there are TWO gaps that need to be filled.
+When I was a lad in school, many years ago, I once held…erm…"certain views" about the Way Things Are. And I relied upon "Doctor" Gish for quite a bit of– ah– "interpretation" of evidence.
+GAWD (You should pardon the expression), am I embarrassed that I was ever that ignorant.
+I think this finding is just the coolest!
+Just a quick question: Fish aren't complex? I thought the whole tunafish thermoregulatory thing would prove THAT wrong…Sheesh.
+Cool! Is anyone out there doing research on blatant ignorance? If so, they're about to have a field day!
+because paleontologists have yet to discover any transitional fossils between complex invertebrates and fish, and this destroys the whole evolutionary story.
+It almost sounds like he wants proof that fish evovled from squid or somthing, but he can't want that, because that would be stupid beyond belief.
+But we have those. I just can't remember what they're called…They're non-vertibrate chordates. Kinda squishy things with notochords, v-shaped muskulature, and pharangical (sorry for the spelling) gill slits. Hell, even squids have a primative notochord. But creationists have always seemed to ignore them. Or, worse, used the whole "If we evolved from monkies why are there still monkies?" argument.
+Frelling IDIOTS!!!
+No one says that we descended from monkeys; Scientists say that there is strong evidence to suggest that humans and monkeys share a recent common ancestor!
+Bloody IDers are not only mind-bendingly stupid, but intellectually dishonest.
+oh no! i have to believe in evolution now! they found more bones!! wow
+somthing died! oh wait, does that mean that the "Aquada" boat slash
+car, proves that boats turn into cars if you give them a couple
+trillion years? hmm mabye people will think that in the future, if the
+car/boat survives a million years in ice, then the next species will
+think so.
+Im curious, so i dont waste my freakin life having no point other then
+to live life to the fullest(even though i know that im just telling
+myself that to make me think im happy ) is there any better proof that
+evolution is real? because i was forced to go to your church ever sence
+middle school biology, while they try to convince me that nothing
+creates everything. and i believed that for 7 years, because i had
+nothing else to believe. but I guess ill have to go to the christians
+because their only ones sceptical enough to go against the theory of
+evolution. what evolutionist preacher is going to tell me about the
+flaws of his religion anyway, i havent found one yet.
+you have found some truth to strengthn your belief in your god, but did
+you need it? no your faith is sufficient enough. the problem is will,
+not truth or faith. you have to want it first. and what you may want is
+no god. you get what you want . You dont live untill you find somthing
+to die for. ill pray that god shows himself true in your life as he did
+in mine.
+-i care what happens to you, but he cares more
+You have to want it first? That's exactly wrong. Wanting it first is what's known as "bias."
+"what evolutionist preacher is going to tell me about the flaws of his religion anyway, i havent found one yet."
+Clear evidence that this commenter is so full of shit. Obviously this person hasn't even bothered to open his eyes (maybe he can't see because they're also covered in shit, who knows).
+Most of what is nowadays considered the theory of evolution is stuff that was added or altered after Darwin first published his "theory". The way science works is that if you disagree with what someone comes up with, you do your own research and prove them wrong (or if you can't, accept that they were right). This is happening all the time, all over the world. The only people who have yet to prove any evolution scientist wrong are the ID-ers themselves. They don't do facts, you see, they only do a lot of talking, so they don't actually have anything with which to prove the scientists wrong. Ergo, they are forced to either accept evolution is right or shut up and find evidence to justify their complaints. That's how it works for real scientists, that's how it works for ID-ers too.
+i see i did make the mistake of putting want, however i ment iyou must be willing to accept, not want.
+"The only people who have yet to prove any evolution scientist wrong are the ID-ers themselves. They don’t do facts, you see, they only do a lot of talking, so they don’t actually have anything with which to prove the scientists wrong."
+is that a fact?
+find out for yourself
+is that a fact?
+No, it's an opinion. However, I dare you to find one genuine piece of evidence that scientists have rejected for the simple reason that it contradicted their theory or seemed to support creationism.
+And before you go searching for one, I'll let you in on a little secret: you will never find one. When something is found that contradicts the theory, it's not the evidence that gets dismissed, it's the theory. That means the theory is altered to fit all the new facts. So the theory is always changing, always fitting the facts as we know them.
+Creationism and ID do no such thing. They blatantly ignore anything that contradicts the central idea (that sky-daddy created humans). Their primary goal is not to learn and understand how the world works (as it is with science), they specifically seek to discredit evolution, and desperately want to validate their assumption that life was created, not even willing to entertain the idea that this assumption may be completely wrong. As such, most of their efforts are of no value whatsoever because they don't offer any new answers, they just avoid the questions to which they don't like the answers.
+In short, if you're looking for something that's consistent with all the facts, evolution is right there. If you're looking for a fantasy fairy tale that's full of inconsistencies and errors and useless philosophical blathering, then perhaps the creationism myth is more your thing. Just be aware that this is the only proper distinction you can make between the two.
+As for links to web resources, maybe you should check this one out:
+more specifically this page:
+Find out for yourself why the claims on your web link actually aren't facts at all …
+This fossil is a tremendous find. I look forward to hearing more as scientists analyze it.
+As for those attempting to argue with the creationists- don't bother, unless their ignorant views threaten your safety or existence- because there is no arguing with them. My oldest sister is a born-again Christian, and we've had discussions until I was blue in the face. Finally, I realized that there is no reasoning with these folks- they see the Universe in a totally different way, therefore, they "think" differently. They don't fundamentally listen to what you have to say, because prima facie, they reject the root premise of what you are saying.
+Facts and data, facts and data, facts and data. Everything else is irrelevant.
+As for those attempting to argue with the creationists- don’t bother, unless their ignorant views threaten your safety or existence- because there is no arguing with them. My oldest sister is a born-again Christian, and we’ve had discussions until I was blue in the face. Finally, I realized that there is no reasoning with these folks- they see the Universe in a totally different way, therefore, they “think†differently. They don’t fundamentally listen to what you have to say, because prima facie, they reject the root premise of what you are saying.
+Your observation is making the exact same point I did I suppose.
+But I’d say every day their ignorant views are threatening my safety and existance. And perhaps not straight away, but definitely in the long run. At the very least someone’s safety or existance is threatened by religious fundamentalism at any given time.
+As such, I think it is very important to balance any piece of creationist drivel with a good, solid dose of reality. Refute them whenever possible, just in case someone should wander onto their comments by accident. The internet is already full of nonsense, and as a skeptic, I somehow feel it’s part of my duty to make sure ignorance is fought wherever it can be fought, and that even includes the comment pages of a blog that may some day by sheer coincidence end up on the first page of someone’s Google search. If all they find is creationist bullshit, they will not learn anything new, or worse, take it as fact and think it’s the truth. If however their ramblings are exposed for what they really are, or at least balanced with some rationality, then perhaps another skeptic is born.
+So I’m not feeding a troll here, I’m simply trying to make it ineffective by exposing it to daylight. And it only took a few minutes of my time to do so anyway. Why make a big deal of that …
+As a Christian who has no problem accepting the overwhelming evidence for evolution, I am baffled by my fellow believers who do. The magnificent sweep of the fossil record is (to me) humbling and awe-inspiring, showing the lineage of living things from mats of blue-green algae, to sharks bigger than dinosaurs, to us.
+And it isn't just fossils that back evolutionary theory up; genetics and comparative biology dovetail with it quite nicely. It is in no way degrading to see our common ancestry with the animals (and farther back, with the plants and bacteria), it is instead a testament, in the very fabric of life, of God's power and glory.
+The fossil of T. rosea is a breathtaking glimpse into the past. It's a treasure, in many senses of the word. We are living in a great time, when such discoveries are being made and fitted into the magnificent mosaic of life on Earth.
+Time to get real. What’s going on with the Instagram algorithm in 2018?
+Let me start by making some things clear:
+- Instagram has not revealed how their algorithm works
+- Instagram only shares their policy, guidelines and new features (from which we can understand what is allowed / not allowed, okay / not okay)
+- Everybody who is giving advice on the algorithm is making assumptions based on their experience
+- We can also make assumptions based on what we know about “social media algorithms”
+So you bet I’ve been experimenting with this algorithm to see what works and what doesn’t work.
+I’ve noticed changes. I’m going to share them with you.
+The good news is: the Instagram algorithm seems to prefer quality over quantity. So stop freaking out about the number of followers and likes.
+The other good news is: you just need to know what to pay attention to.
+Instagram will always be changing. You can choose to fight it or work with it.
+I’ve decided to work with it.
+What have I learned through this experiment?
+I’ve learned that the Instagram algorithm can be described using 3 keywords:
+- Relevance
+- Timing
+- Human
+The Instagram algorithm in one sentence:
+Act like a normal human being and have fun again.
+If that’s all you’re going to remember from this article, it’s enough.
+I’m going to tell you why relevance, timing and being human will help you grow your account in 2018.
+Let’s start:
+The Instagram algorithm analyzes you and “looks” at 2 things
+Keyword: Relevance
+Instagram is made to meet people through photos. Instagram shows you photos you might like. It shows you photos on:
+- Your home feed
+- Your “Recommended for you” feature
+- Your Explore page
+I noticed that these 3 pages are not static. They change depending on what you do on Instagram. They seem to adapt to:
+- What accounts you interact with
+- What hashtags you use
+I’ve noticed that depending on what accounts I interact with and hashtags I use, Instagram shows me different kind of photos and videos.
+Example:
+For a couple of days I was into puppy photos. I liked and commented on many of them. A few days later my Explore page promoted dog accounts.
+Another time, I kept posting on my feed using hashtags like #styleblogger, #lifestyleblogger, #postitfortheaesthetics. Instagram pushed lifestyle accounts in my home feed. It was showing me photos of people that I’ve been following but that haven’t seen in such a long time (does it happen to you too?). The “Recommended for you” posts were also about lifestyle bloggers.
+This shows that Instagram shows posts that are relevant to what you like.
+If this is happening for my account, it must be happening for other people too.
+Instagram shows your posts if they are relevant to other people
+Keyword: Relevance
+Relevance seems to play a very big part of the Instagram algorithm. And it could explain why likes, comments and engagement dropped.
+Let me explain:
+Let’s say you have an account about cute dogs. Andrew finds your account. He really enjoys it and decides to follow you. But Andrew never likes, comments or engages with posts about dogs. As a result, Instagram might not show your posts at the top of his home feed… because it thinks that Andrew is not interested in dogs. The algorithm thinks that your “dog” photos are not relevant to Andrew.
+It is unfortunate because we all want all our followers to see our posts. However, it’s not all bad news. If you attract the right followers, post often on your feed and Insta Stories, Instagram will show your posts to them.
+It means that you can control the Instagram algorithm (to a certain extent).
+Let me show you.
+Use the tools Instagram gives you to control the algorithm
+Keyword: Relevance + Human
+Think of Instagram as an app with a bunch of different tools. Use the tools you are given:
+- Your feed
+- Hashtags
+- Location tags
+- Insta Stories
+- Live videos
+- Likes and comments
+- Like comments
+- Follow people
+- Follow hashtags
+Naturally, Instagram wants you to use those tools. The more you use different tools, the more Instagram will like you and value you as an active user.
+Careful: Do not use automated tools that like, comments or follow/unfollow for you. Instagram doesn’t allow automated tools. It can get your account in trouble. The algorithm is getting smarter. It can identify suspicious activity or “spam”. So be human.
+Use the right hashtags (and avoid banned ones)
+Keyword: Relevance
+A hashtag is a way for Instagram to know what your post is about. It is also a way for Instagram to connect you to other people.
+Tips:
+- Find the right hashtag for your account
+- Don’t use banned hashtags
+- Use hashtags that will connect you to the right people. Example: if you have a shop and you are selling pens, not many people will go out of their way to type “pen” on Instagram. Think about who are the people who want your stationary (#entrepreneurs, #girlboss #creativecommunity)
+- Switch up your hashtags from time to time to reach new people
+Big question: “Is it true that you should not use 30 hashtags anymore?”
+I haven’t found empirical evidence that supports the fact that Instagram doesn’t want us to use many hashtags anymore. This is what I know:
+- If I don’t use hashtags = not many likes
+- The more hashtag I use = the more likes I get
+- I think of each hashtag as an opportunity to be found by people, so I use all 30 hashtags Instagram allows us to use per post
+- Instagram is making features that support hashtags (hashtags in Insta Stories + “Follow” hashtags). So it means that hashtags are still important and relevant.
+Engagement is more important than the number of followers you have
+Keyword: Human
+Engagement seems to be the Instagram secret weapon of 2018.
+Engagement = interaction on your post (which are likes and comments).
+Instagram seems to be supporting posts that have good engagement.
+Recently, I was looking at the hashtag page for #smallbusiness. This hashtag is very popular and therefore very competitive because it has more than 10 million posts. Yet, a small account (with less than 1,000 followers) made it to the “Top 9” posts! Why? The post had good engagement.
+The faster you get engagement, the more Instagram will promote your post
+Keyword: Timing
+Your Instagram home page might not be chronological anymore, but timing is still very important. The faster you get engagement, the more Instagram will show your post in people’s home feeds and Explore pages.
+How to get engagement fast:
+- Post at your best time to post (that’s when people are the most active)
+- Use your Insta Story to tell people you have a new posts
+- Reply to all comments (or as many as possible)
+- Spend 30 minutes after you post to engage with people
+- Read these 22 tricks to increase engagement organically
+Surprise! Be human
+Keyword: Human
+It makes sense. Think like a human. If you want to find friends who want to paint, you’re not going to search for people who want to cook. You’re going to search for people who want to paint too.
+Instagram thinks the same. It seems like the algorithm is acting like a human being:
+- It wants to help you interact with people who might be interested in you (by showing you relevant posts)
+- It likes when you interact with people you’re following (so don’t forget about them)
+- It likes when you interact with new people (so make sure you follow hashtags and interact with new accounts who are relevant to you)
+- It doesn’t like if you’re being fake (so don’t use automated tools).
+Be consistent… don’t disappear
+Keyword: Human
+Instagram will like you even more if you’re using the app regularly.
+It doesn’t mean you have to post every single day of your life. It means that Instagram will like it if you have a routine or schedule. You can post every second day if you want.
+The key is to be consistent and not vanish.
+Have fun and be yourself
+Welcome to the end of this article! That was a big one. I hope you’re not feeling confused or overwhelmed. Like I said earlier, always think about these 3 words: relevance, timing and human.
+Relax. Have fun sharing photos and videos you love. At the end of the day people connect with people. So be human.
+Leave me a comment if you enjoyed this article or if you have any questions.
+Excellent Information. Thank you for sharing. The trickiest part is getting people to click on your link. What is the trick to get your followers and likes to do that, especially when they are liking a video about a product that solves a daily problem that they probably have?
+Hello Shelley! Really happy you enjoyed the tips. I’m not sure what your Instagram page is about. But these are some tips: be clear about what your Instagram goal is + create quality content (quality images and photos that makes your product shine).
+Instagram is be good for brand awareness, community building and conversion. But these are all different goals. Stick to one goal. Based on your goal you will need to create different content / posts.
+It can take time to see results. So don’t get discouraged. People might see your posts but not click on your link straight away. And it’s ok.
+My tips to sum it up:
+– Clear goal
+– Use good hashtags (hashtags your ideal customers are using)
+– Engage with your ideal customers: likes and comments (make a list of some of your ideal customers if you want in order to engage with them consistently)
+– Engaging doesn’t have to take long (a few minutes every day is good)
+– You can also try to do giveaways with fellow Instagrammers (to increase your brand awareness and introduce yourself to new people)
+– And finally: Instagram is all about trial and error. So take your time to see what works and what doesn’t work. Brainstorm different posts ideas. Tackle your marketing strategy from different angles.
+– And HAVE FUN!! People connect with people. We’re all humans on Instagram (almost all).
+Sorry for rambling, just letting you know what’s on top of my mind. I hope that helps!
+Feel free to look around our blog:. We share ALL our tips here.
+Guys where are your social share buttons?!
+It’s back! Thanks for the heads up 🙂
+I’ve read this interesting post when you guys just posted it and I decided to come back today cause I thought it would be interesting to share my experience with you.
+The new instagram algorithm never ceases to intrigue me and your 3 keywords summed it up perfectly : relevance, timing and human.
+Quality over quantity !!
+Since the creation of my account, I have the same posting schedule : 2 to 3 posts ONLY per week. And it always works fine ! I see a lot of people telling you that you should post 2 to 3 times a day but honestly, lemme tell you that you don’t need too ! It is better to post less and having quality content to share with your audience than forcing yourself to post a few times everyday and your posts lack quality (and you spam your followers!!)
+I recently took a 4 weeks break from social medias (You know how social medias can be so draining). I didn’t post any pictures on IG for 4 weeks straight and I didn’t share anything in my IG story either. I still came on the app a few minutes everyday and the only thing I did was like a few pictures on my feed (without leaving any comments) and l logged off immediately. I felt a bit anxious during my break cause I thought my engagement would be horrible when I’ll come back and that it’ll be hard to get it going again but… none of that happened ! I told my audience that I’m back in my story, I posted, I used my usual hashtags, and my post performed REALLY well ! I was really surprised. Just like I wasn’t gone for 4 weeks !
+Sorry for the long paragraphs haha! 3 Keywords : Relevance, Timing, Human ! That’s the best post I’ve read on the IG algorithm so far ! Thank you Preview !
+Also, I don’t know if this question has been answered before but what does “Other” refer to in the post stats ? I searched but can’t find anything and I really have no clue.
+5 minutes | Feb 1, 2022
+Conclusion
+Land on the Golden Gate by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.::
+31 minutes | Feb 1, 2022
+Love
+TOP SOURCES Alain de Botton, “Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person,” The School of Life, Joanne Davila, “Skills for Healthy Romantic Relationships,” TEDxSBU, John Gottman, “The Science of Love” TEDxVeniceBeach, Dr. Andrea & Jonathan Taylor-Cummings, “4 Habits of ALL Successful Relationships,” TEDxSquareMile, Katie Hood, “The Difference Between Healthy and Unhealthy Love,” TEDtalk, Also Sourced Willie Earley, “Truth Telling in Relationships, Are We There Yet?” TEDxJerseyCity, Dr. Liat Yakir, “What is Love – Scientifically?” TEDxEilat, Sandy Gerber, “The Secret to Successful Romantic Relationships,” TEDxBearCreekPark, Nathan Ware, “Why We're Unhappy -- The Expectation Gap,” TEDxKlagenfurt, Maya Diamond, “The Surprising Key to Building a Healthy Relationship that Lasts,” TEDxOakland, Femi Ogunjinmi, “How To Tell If Someone Truly Loves You,” TEDxXavierUniversity, Theodore Zeldin, “The Art of Being a Couple,” TEDxOxford, MUSICSmokey Eye by Cheel
+30 minutes | Jan 1, 2022
+Is Blood Thicker Than Water?
+SOURCESCraig Howe, “Oceti Sakowin - The People of the Seven Council Fires,” produced by South Dakota Public Broadcasting, 2007, Josie Green, "Our Tiospaye," Teach for America, Johnathan Santos Silva, "Our Tiospaye," Teach for America, Maria Helena Heim, “Is Blood Thicker Than Water?,” TEDx Dornbirn, The Chiseled Adonis, “Family Vs Friends... Who's More Important,” Catalina Ritzinger "Friendship and Family," TEDx, ParkCity Youthtalk, Warren McCall, “Family -vs- Friends,” Catered Conversation Podcast, Episode 4, Mike Leftwich, “Family -vs- Friends,” Catered Conversation Podcast, Episode 4, Fiona Douglas, “How Did Your Parents Mess You Up?,” TEDxPuxi, Christy Harden, “The Struggle with The Cult of Motherhood,” Sheryl Ziegler, “Why Moms Are Miserable,” TEDxWilmingtonWomen, Corinne Maier [author of No kids, 40 reasons not to have children], [m]otherhood, MUSICSmokey Eye by Cheel All other music, sounds, and vocals incidentally accompanied my sources during production
+23 minutes | Dec 1, 2021
+Fear
+SourcesSusan Oh, Power of Not Belonging, Sadhguru, Troubled by Fear? Just Change Your Channel! Frank Shamrock, Fear is an Illusion, Trillion Small, Overcoming the Fear of Love, Courtney Ryman, I Have No Friends, Karen Dolva, All the lonely people, Marnix Pauwels, No more fear of life, of Nowhere by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.:: Boom by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.:: Garden by Dan Henig
+16 minutes | Nov 1, 2021
+The Thought That Counts
+SourcesLouis CK, “Solider on a Plane,” Live at the Beacon Theater, 2011 BBC Learning English YouTube channel, “It’s The Thought That Counts,” The English We Speak, 2019, Adam Grant, “Are You a Giver or a Taker,” TED talk, 2018, Abigail Marsh, “Why Some People are More Altruistic than Others,” TED talk, 2016 Ramani Durvasula (Doctor Ramani), “What is ‘narcissistic supply’? (Glossary of Narcissistic Relationships), Malkin, “Does Narcissism Appear In Neuro Imaging?” MusicMorning Mandolin by Chris Haugen Heart of Nowhere by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.:: Unrest by ELPHNT
+25 minutes | Oct 1, 2021
+Jay Triiiple
+MUSICChangePerformed by Jay TriiipleWritten by Alyssa Taylor and Mic CoatsProduced by Mic CoatsRainbowPerformed by Jay TriiipleTime FliesPerformed by Jay TriiipleWritten by Alyssa Taylor and Connor Ray
+28 minutes | Sep 1, 2021
+Your Birthday
+CREDITS Mark Day, Generic Facebook Birthday Wishes, Mary Coussons-Read PhD, CBS Denver, Happy Birthday On Facebook: Too Easy?, Professor John Cacioppo - Connected Minds: Loneliness, Social Brains and the Need for Community, Eskil Burck, Learning Psychology YouTube channel, psychology of shared birthday, Robert Cialdini and Steve Martin, Influence at Work YouTube channel, the Science of Persuasion, Vanessa Van Edwards, Birthday Depression: Why Birthdays Are So Hard, Johann Hari - This could be why you're depressed or anxious, Emile Warot - The power of little celebrations in our lives, Nouman Ali Khan, FreeQuranEducation YouTube Channel, MUSIC Bach Cello Suite No. 1, G Major, Prelude by Cooper Cannell Heart of Nowhere by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.::
+21 minutes | Aug 1, 2021
+Fulfillment
+William Guy, The Relationship Between Human Fulfillment and Ethics, Simon Sinek, If You Don't Understand People, You Don't Understand Business, 99u, Adam Grant, Who Are the Takers, Givers, and Matchers in the Workplace, Google Zeitgeist, Candace Vogler, Ultimate Fulfillment & Human Perfection, Art Bejarano, Super Human Longevity with Dr Steve Hruby, The Power of Human Connection; a Secret of Longevity, Fulfillment, & Happiness, Olivia Aguilar, Sustainability and Human Fulfillment, TEDxDenisonU Russell Brand, The Answer to Your Problem Is Not in Your Head, Commune, Huston Smith, Human Fulfillment, Search for America, MUSICDwarf Star by Freedom Trail StudioSlappy Clov by GodmodeEternal Garden by Dan Henig
+23 minutes | Jul 1, 2021
+Empathy
+MUSICChris ZabriskieELPHNTCREDITSJamil Zaki, Building Empathy in a Fractured World, Stanford Alumni, Nadine Chevolleau, On Civil Society, Toronto Public Library, Chris Frith, Empathy, Serious Science, Ken Robinson, Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education, Béalleka Makau, Radical Empathy Disrupts Entitlement, TEDxGrinnellCollege, Chloé Valdary, Founder of Theory of Enchantment, Simon Sinek, A Bit of Optimism podcast, Lee Wolak, The Power of Empathy, Mark Levine, Identity and Emergency Intervention: How Social Group Membership and Inclusiveness of Group Boundaries Shape Helping Behavior, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 31(4):443-53, May 2005
+22 minutes | Jun 1, 2021
+Man’s Best Friend
+SOURCESAngela Garvin, This Morning, Susan Little, The Human-Animal Bond, Crystal Dilworth, Do We Love Dogs As Much As Babies?, DNews, Julian Huguet, Why We Love Dogs More Than Humans, DNews, Clive Wynne, ASU KEDtalk: Why are dogs special?, Chris Ulmer, Living with Williams Syndrome (A Condition that Makes You Friendly), Scientific Magazine, What Makes Dogs so Friendly? Study finds genetic link to super out-going people, Kim Brophey, The Problem with Treating a Dog Like a Pet, Kim Brophey, TEDxUNCAsheville, Amrat Hiranya, Train the Owner, Not the Dog, Amrut Dog Guru Hiranya, TEDxDSCE, Mark Twain Quote by Scott Leffler, scottleffler.com MUSICFreedom Trail Studio, “Dwarf Star”Aakash Gandhi, “Invisible Beauty”Wagner, “Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin,” London Symphony OrchestraCat Stevens, “I Love My Dog”
+21 minutes | May 31, 2021
+Ed Tilschner
+On this episode of Genuine Human Connection, I speak with a former client of mine about his experiences discovering a cancerous tumor in his bladder. Ed Tilschner and his wife first met with me 2019. As our social circles and mutual interests overlapped, we started to socialize more, and I discontinued my professional relationship with them. Even through the pandemic, we have stayed in touch. In February, I learned Ed had developed a cancerous tumor. He said he wanted to share his experience with my audience. So, days after emergency surgery to remove the tumor, we talked about cancer, fear, community, and human connection.
+24 minutes | Apr 1, 2021
+The Sound Within
+SOURCESHuman Harmonic - A symphony of sound from the human body, The University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), Holland, "Shattering Cancer With Resonant Frequencies," TEDxSkidmoreCollege,. James Rhodes, "Music and The Inner Self," TEDxMadrid, James Rhodes is one of the most important concert piano players of our times and a great innovator of classical music. He has been the subject of documentaries for BBC and Channel 4, he writes for The Guardian and performs in concerts all around the world. His Sunday Times and international bestselling memoir, Instrumental, published by Canongate, is a brutally honest, moving and compelling story that was almost banned until the Supreme Court unanimously overthrew an injunction in May 2015. Julian Treasure, "The 4 Says Sound Affects Us," Julian Treasure is a sound and communication expert. David Meltzer, "Find Your Frequency," David Meltzer is CEO of Sports 1 Marketing, 2X best-selling author, and a top keynote speaker. He is also a Top 100 Business Coach, executive producer and host of Entrepreneur's #1 show “Elevator Pitch”, host of the Top 5 business podcast “The Playbook” and serves as an advisory board member to over 45 companies and charities. Jaggi Vasudev, "Turning Up the Voltage,". Stadium Crowd Cheering Sound Effect,, SoundEffectsFactoryCooper Cannell, “Bach Cello Suite No. 1, G Major, Prelude”Freedom Trail Studio, "Dwarf Star"
+18 minutes | Mar 5, 2021
+Sound
+SourcesVictor Wooten, Music as a Language, TEDxGabriolaIsland, Victor Wooten is an innovator, composer, arranger, producer, vocalist, and multiinstrumentalist, and has been called the greatest bass player in the world. He is a skilled naturalist and teacher, a published author, a magician, husband and father of four, and a five-time Grammy award winner.ébecca Kleinberger, "Why you don’t like the sound of your own voice," Rebecca Kleinberger is a PhD candidate doing research at the MIT Media Lab. Her work mixes science, engineering, design and art to explore ways to craft experiences for self-reflection and human connection. Treasure, "The 4 ways sound affects us," Playing sound effects both pleasant and awful, Julian Treasure, sound and communication expert, shows how sound affects us in four significant ways. Kaku, "The Universe Is a Symphony of Vibrating Strings," Big Think Youtube channel, Dr. Michio Kaku is the co-founder of string field theory, and is one of the most widely recognized scientists in the world today. American Institute of Physics, "The Secret Of A Tiger's Roar," Inside Science News Service, Researchers may have found the key to the intimidating and paralyzing affect that a tiger's roar has on animals, including humans. New research by bioacousticians shows that very low frequency sounds may be the key. December 29, 2000 Mark Pilkington, "The fear frequency," The Guardian,. October 15, 2003 Henig, "Eternal Garden"ELPHNT, "Unrest"Godmode, "Sloppy Clav"
+27 minutes | Feb 26, 2021
+Judith Quin
+Judith Quin’s Social Media LinksFree FB Group Page Insta.: Email connect@yourwholevoice.comYou tube MusicAlmost in F - Tranquillity by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Source: Artist:
+20 minutes | Feb 19, 2021
+Ancestry, Heritage, and Beyond
+SourcesJune Kaewsith (Jumakae), artivist (artist +activist) and community organizer turned transformational life coach (or "life doula") and wellness advocate, “How to Connect with Your Ancestors,” “How Much Neanderthal DNA do Humans Have?” Discover Magazine, Dr. Sada Mire, Leiden University course by faculty of archeology and the LDE Centre for Global Heritage and Development, Asha Frost, spiritual Healer, visionary, creative, “Dear White Woman Who Wants to be Like Me,” Robin DeAngelo, consultant, educator and facilitator for over 20 years on issues of racial and social justice, Dr. Baskaran Pillai, international teacher, spiritual leader, humanitarian and scholar-mystic from Southern India, “God Consciousness,” Dada Gunamuktananda, trained in meditation, yoga and natural health sciences in Australia, the Philippines and India, “Consciousness -- the final frontier,” Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr., "Look For Me In A Whirlwind Or A Storm," MusicDwarf Star by Freedom Trail StudioInvisible Beauty by Aakash GandhiEternal Garde by Dan Henig
+28 minutes | Feb 12, 2021
+Lyndsey Lyons
+Music byKevin MacLeodAmbiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.::
+19 minutes | Feb 5, 2021
+Hugging
+Credit and SourcesLemn Sissay, When All You Need is a Hug: personal experiences of the UK care system, TEDxLiverpool, Miroslav Volf, Professor of Systematic Theology at Yale Divinity School Charlie McDonald, Fun Science channel, YouTube Janet Treviño, Touch Therapist, TEDxSanAntonio, Jane Anderson, Massage Therapist, TEDxUofM, Tiffany Field Ph.D., “Preschoolers in America are Touched Less and are More Aggressive Than Preschoolers in France,” Early Child Development and Care Volume 151, 1999 - Issue 1 Elizabeth Day, On the trail of the Free Hugs founder, The Guardian, Dr. Rhoda Lipscomb, MusicKevin MacLeod
+21 minutes | Jan 29, 2021
+Brotherhood of Man
+Sources Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church, April 30, 1967 Dharma Speaks YouTube Channel, Bhagavad Gita made easy - Part 1/3 Rabbi Chaim Marder Anthony Salciccioli, teacher of philosophy, Clarenceville High School Livonia, Michigan Education and Curricular Perspectives in the Qur'an, Textbook by Sarah Risha Music By Freedom Trail Studio Aakash Gandhi Brotherhood of Man John Lennon Bob Marley
+21 minutes | Jan 22, 2021
+Social Media
+SourcesBailey Parnell TEDxRyerson Talk Philosophy Vibe Chibundu Onuzo Dan Foxx TEDxChelmsford Talk Music byNate BlazeUnited States Marine BandELPHNTGodmodeChibundu Onuzo
+22 minutes | Jan 15, 2021
+Touch
+Music CreditsAlmost in F - Tranquillity by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.:: Sonatina No 2 in F Major by Joel Cummins
+When I bought my Sony PMW-F55 from Rule.com I knew it was going to be an amazing camera. I was looking at replacing my Red One MX digital cinema camera and needed a similar style large sensor camera that would compliment my Sony PDW-F800. I needed a digital cinema/broadcast television camera hybrid.
+My Red One MX was a decent camera, but I was not using it enough in the broadcast and documentary world. The Red didn’t work correctly all the time and without warning. Many clients did not always want only the Red raw .R3D files because the turnaround time was extensive. My broadcast clients wanted a camera that could record a format on-board that was friendly with their current workflow. That format is XDCAM 422 (or MPEG2 422).
+The F55 has a new format that looks great and plays well with most NLEs, XAVC. In addition to shooting MPEG2 on board, I can shoot XAVC in many resolutions and framerates right to SxS cards.
+I needed an all-in-one camera system that shot broadcast friendly formats, was future proof to shoot 4k, could shoot raw and also could shoot high frame rates (HFR). With the new and planned free firmware updates, the Sony F55 solved all these issues.
+Also, the fact that the F55 is very sensitive in low light, has a global shutter, uses SxS cards on board, has a modular form factor, accepts the Optitek F to Canon EF adapters and even has a soon-to-be-released F to B4 Sony branded lens adapter, I was sold.
+I recently tested out the Abel Cine HDx35 mk2 PL to B4 lens adapter. You can read that blog and watch a short video here.
+I got rid of my (sometimes finicky) “broadcast style” Red One MX and upgraded to the rock-solid F55 and I am very happy I did. I almost went with the cheaper F5 and might have if I knew at the time that the v2.0 firmware would also unlock HFR on that model. But I am happy with the F55 and so far, it has proven to be a workhorse, just like the F800.
+I have added a Sony shoulder mount, Bebob 190 v-mount batteries, a Sony OLED viewfinder and a Sony R5 recorder, so the cost has jumped quite a bit, but my clients are very happy with the turnkey solutions I can provide with this very versatile rig.
+Recently, I updated the firmware to version 2.0 and this unlocked a ton of new features. Most important to me was the ability to record glorious 240 frame per second video in 2k resolution. I have a soft spot for silky smooth slow motion, as many of you know and I’ve been waiting patiently for this update for quite some time. When the firmware finally went live, I immediately applied it without any problems. The update is very easy to do at home, just follow the .pdf instructions included with the firmware file you download from Sony. I have had zero issues with the new update and in fact, it changed the camera so much, I joke around with people that the camera is now a Sony F56!
+I took the freshly updated F55 camera into a heavy thunderstorm yesterday. The skies were dark and ominous. I had a $3 umbrella, a single Sony 512GB SSD installed in the R5 recorder, a Canon 24-70mm f2.8 mk2 lens and my trusty Vinten Vision 100 tripod. The SSD gave me just over 200 minutes of 2k raw 240 fps recording time at a 29.97fps timebase. I wanted to test out the HFR in a dark and dreary wooded area to examine how much sensitivity is lost when shooting higher speed. Many of you understand that when shooting high speed, a lot of light is needed for exposure. And if underexposed, the video gets super noisy, even in raw. Trying to save it in post is impossible.
+I shot for about an hour under the shelter of the umbrella with the camera in 2k raw 240fps at native ISO 1250. I had the Canon 24-70mm lens wide open at f2.8 during the entire shoot. The camera was screaming for more light, but I wanted to really tax the sensor and see if I could make acceptable pictures in the looming darkness. These shots were PURPOSELY underexposed to examine grain and noise in this test. This was worse case scenario and really pushed the limits of the F55.
+The theme of the test video I shot (at the top of this page) was drops of water falling from leaves and branches in the forest. And, my love of ripples in water captured in slow motion and my fondness for foley in post audio was also demonstrated! Check it out.
+Speaking of post, my workflow with the Sony raw files was a bit tricky. I tried for hours to export the slow motion 29.97fps .MXF files using Sony’s free Raw Viewer software. This program is similar to Red’s CINE-X application and allows you to do a grade and then batch all the file to a workable editing format. I use ProRes 422 and Final Cut Pro on a current generation Mac Book Pro Retina laptop. I tried to export the clips, but each time I ended up with a black image the length of the video file.
+My quick fix was to use the F55 camera’s built in LUTs and the R5 raw recorder’s AUX BNC video output. I hooked up a KiPro drive to the AUX out, hit play on the camera and recorded the video at 1080 30p in ProRes 422 (HQ). It took a long time to play and record all that high speed footage! This actually works quite well and could be used in a pinch to get HFR footage instantly to a client. No computer or raw processing needed.
+I searched online and found nobody talking about the “black only when exporting from Sony’s Raw Viewer” issue in any forum or blog. After experimenting in all flavors and codecs in the application, I tried adjusting the “Configuration” menu at the top of the screen. I set the “OpenCL Device” from my MBP’s “GeForce GT 650M” graphics card to “Unused”. I got the export to ProRes to work perfectly. If you are having this same problem, this may be the solution until either NVIDIA, Apple or Sony fixes the problem. Or perhaps my config is screwed up, I do not know. Please leave a comment below if you know more about this.
+I was finally able to test out a few clips and stretch the blacks out a bit to examine the noise in the image. There was a lot of noise was in the clips, but as you will see, they are way underexposed! I’m really not that surprised because it was very dark in the location during the storm while I was shooting. The grain is “filmic and organic” in my opinion, but noise is noise. That being said, this was a torture test. More experimentation at proper exposure is needed for sure. I’m sure it will look amazing, but nice to know I could shoot HFR in almost no light if necessary. Keep an eye on my blog.
+I was very impressed by the look of the slow motion footage. No image artifacts (moiré or aliasing) like found on cheaper camera systems like the Sony FS700 with the new firmware and recorder. Also, the dynamic range and latitude (even in this under exposed test) was excellent. I guess you would expect this from such an expensive camera.
+I will include a few raw .mxf clips straight off the Sony SSD for you to check out at the bottom of this blog post. I will also include a few ProRes 422 (HQ) exported clips graded and ungraded using Raw Viewer. To download these, right click on the “download” button and save file as… if a direct click does not work for you.
+Software Downloads:
+NOTE: These are for reference only. Please follow instructions given by Sony for upgrade and future releases of firmware. I am not responsible if your gear gets screwed up if you decide to update your stuff.
+Sony F55 Firmware v2.0 (62.24MB .bin file)
+Sony F55 Firmware v2.0 Instructions (46.48KB .pdf file)
+Sony R5 Firmware v2.0 (14.30MB .bin file)
+Sony R5 Firmware v2.0 Instructions (121.18KB .pdf file)
+Sony Raw Viewer Software v2.0 – MAC (34.99MB .DMG file)
+Sony Raw Viewer Software v2.0 – WINDOWS (45.26MB .exe file)
+Sony Raw Viewer Software v2.0 Instructions (3.10MB .pdf file)
+Sony F55 Video Downloads:
+NOTE: These files are for test purposes only. Please do not repost any of this content. To download, right click and save file as…
+Leaf Drop 2k Raw off SSD Card (346.53MB .MXF file)
+My Face 2k Raw off SSD Card (261.11MB .MXF file)
+Rain on River 2k Raw off SSD Card (246.67MB .MXF file)
+Leaf Drop 2k ProRes 422 HQ UNGRADED (286.98MB .MOV file)
+My Face 2k ProRes 422 HQ UNGRADED (222.55MB .MOV file)
+Rain on River 2k ProRes 422 HQ UNGRADED (230.82MB .MOV file)
+Leaf Drop 2k ProRes 422 HQ GRADED (294.54MB .MOV file)
+My Face 2k ProRes 422 HQ GRADED (205.23MB .MOV file)
+Rain on River 2k ProRes 422 HQ GRADED (217.67MB .MOV file)
+If you want an account to share your work using DROPBOX like I do, please click here. You get 2GB free!
+7 Comments
+Hey Tom. Great article. I just got back from filming the America’s Cup with similar set up on an F55 with HD35 adaptor and shooting XAVC and SLog2. The pictures were gorgeous, but what I didn’t know when I first got the camera was that by shooting in SLog2 when reviewing footage in my monitor I noticed severe banding. I couldn’t find anything on any forums and didn’t receive any help from Sony. Eventually found out when I got back to UK that Sony monitors are the only ones to have Slog image inversion function, or so I was told. Presumably this will be resolved in further firmware updates, but it certainly caused a minor heart attack and set a few days of panic. RE the post workflow shooting XAVC, what a headache. Am going to try what you suggest in your above article, but I am disappointed that it’s not a more friendly codec. Especially when editing in FCP7. All the best
+Very tasteful F55 test. I had wondered what happened to the guy locked in a Vegas hotel room with a Phantomflex. Great work. Inspiring!
+Cheers
+Chuck
+I would be interested in your thoughts regarding HFR and this discussion over on dvxuser.com.
+Seems there there is a big issue with HFR. I have been wanting to buy this camera, but was waiting to see some HFR footage. I will download your footage and see if it is going on in it. but since there are not many fine lines in your footage, I am not sure it would be obvious.
+[…] Tom Guilmette stress tests the Sony F55 at 240 fps to see how well it performs in low light. He also writes an extensive report on its usability for broadcast production. […]
+Thanks for the tip on exporting out of RAW Viewer and the open CL issue. Just had the same problem and sure enough turning off open CL fixes it.
+Hi Tom, really great info, thanks for taking the time to write and for offering the clips to experiment.
+One question for you. When recording HFRs, and then needing to use the odd shot in realtime, how successfully can one speed up the footage? I understand when filming in S&Q mode, no audio is recorded, but re shutter speeds etc, in a 25p timeline, will it look “normal”?. thanks again for all.
+Alan
+hey Tom, i just shot some footage using 2K RAW at 240fps and the histogram wasn’t showing in the viewfinder. I had a balck box with no levels in it. Same if i used the waveform…Did you had any issues with they ? Thak you in advance.
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+There are different sorts of subtitles. They are something that a lot of us do not even notice but their importance need to not be undervalued. On the flip side, you could likewise feel your book doesn't want a subtitle, which is totally fine given that it's your call. Subtitles, in a manner, belong of an advertising tool likewise. Thus, a subtitle is required for a non-fiction. Creating subtitles isn't a simple task. The best subtitle won't ever have the capability to save an awful title.
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+Developing yourself as a subtitle programmer is much the precise very same as building a profession as any different type of programmer you need to construct your abilities and experience when networking to come across the most appropriate subtitler tasks that pay the most appropriate method to be a better programmer then you should be certain all your documents are grammatically precise. As many independent programmers aren't in alarming straits, the possibility of facing bankruptcy is something to consider specifically when you have actually put invested financially in your organization. A lot of authors entirely fail when it relates to titles. People need to FIND your book, after which you need to hook their attention and make them wish to get it. You determine the book for a memoir and proceed. To the contrary, plenty of books on fiction don't have a subtitle. When you end up, you will have all of your book's trusted descriptive metadata in 1 location, prepared for you to be utilized whenever you require them (believe me, it's going occur more frequently than you think).
+There are resources readily available to help you with your Common Lisp. There are many different blog sites that I follow with respect to assignment help. The technique to programming homework help good posts is to ensure they're simple, well arranged and concise.
+Today's pointer doesn't relate to you, but rather how you're able to help another person's programming journey. There are a couple of guidelines of do my Common Lisp homework you need to follow. The time permitted to finish an exam is meant to offer the normal trainee enough time to finish all questions. The next time you make up a practice reaction, take a great take a look at your syntax. You may then print your work or return and make modifications. Following that, you might provide your work to someone else to read it over. In case you have any methods for managing numerous jobs at the same time, do not think twice to share them below!
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+The post below will expose to you the leading 10 most regular IELTS subjects. It will reveal you how you can utilize the most common Job 2 topics to your benefit. Prior to you might review a topic you will need to choose one. Knowing the typical subjects can enable you to get ready for the test much better.
+Below you'll find all you require to achieve a high rating in homework help Task 2. Inside my family the term count targets and project help skills differ with age however enjoyment and drive are rather high.
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+An excellent small company message is as much in concerns to the recipient because it is about simply what the programmer wants. Careful programmers aren't born. Excellent experts have numerous good manners of do my assignment. If you would like to establish into a better programmer, checking out a book will have an effect on your capability. Often times, experts have a tendency to use one specific sense more than the others. If you decide to develop into a seo programmer you ought to know the correct usage of keywords and the way to program content that consists of the richness of info and flawlessness to get raked on the top.
+Understand Your Function and Objective Before you start assignment help, identify clearly in your mind why you're configuring homework help and what you want to do. Revise more times than you think that should. Offering is a genuine expression of love. In case you feel the need to guard yourself or your ideas even more, be particular you talk to a neighborhood patent legal representative. Use highlighting to make an essential point or concept stand out from the crowd. Using expression combinations should be performed carefully and not simply to add something brand-new' to the text. Making use of awkward expressions in the shape of idiomatic prepositions, will not serve the point of an excellent written product.
+Douglas Davis While spell-checking programs function as a very good tool, they shouldn't be relied upon in order to detect all mistakes. Every very good scholastic program will provide you with three things. Education has actually become the most powerful weapon that you can utilize to modify the world. Students are given access to the info on the best method to compose the perfect scholastic paper.
+Lots of diy guides leave out a few other vital information you will need to know to start do my Common Lisp assignment online for pay. A fantastic tool you might use is Transbribe.Wreally.com. One of your essential jobs is to ensure your messages are uncomplicated. In summary, it might have been whenever of year. Getting to grips with all the new bits may take some time. It's easy to fall into bad help habits on the task.
+Be sure you are giving them enough details to understand your point. You are able to find more information on how best to use passive verbs appropriately here.
+As quickly as you're on the web page, you too are a character to be controlled for the objectives of your story, for what you're trying to say. Ask yourself whether you have to text or interact whatsoever. There are many different ways in which you are able to highlight any text. Your text should be composed in such a way that the reader will have the ability to quickly see what you are informing or asking. Focus and Purpose Company files are typically checked out in a rush, and they're nearly meant to encourage.
+The words utilized to produce the messages may likewise make or break custom-made correspondence. Do not feel you've got to have the previous word or emoji. Using the most ideal words in the appropriate order at the ideal time is the absolute best technique.
+It's important to get outstanding listening skills as to understand what the staff members are working to say. In addition, you need good analytical skills. Talking to all your professors in depth is a fantastic point to do for getting more understanding.
+Organisation homework help is a sort of written communication, typically with routine structure and fashion. Comprehending how to position your business it is a key element in effective interaction. You'll not simply find you have more to offer but you'll likewise discover it's the perfect method to widen your organization. As you attempt to construct your freelance company, try whatever you can.
+
+It seems like everything that I’ve written about lately has a common thread: melatonin. When I started weaving together all those melatonin threads, a big picture was revealed. You could say it is a…tapestry of health.
+Melatonin may actually be the key to health and longevity.
+And this is something that I do not say lightly.
+This article will dig into how your body produces and uses melatonin. I’ll delve into some of the recent research studies on it — but know that I’m barely scratching the surface on a topic that would take volumes to thoroughly cover. Then I’ll explain some of the genes involved in producing and using melatonin.
+Contents:
+Melatonin Production
+Melatonin is a biological molecule found in all vertebrates, insects, cyanobacteria, and plants and derived from the amino acid tryptophan. Melatonin is categorized as an indoleamine, which refers to the structure of the molecule. (Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that is an indoleamine.)
+The amino acid tryptophan (found in meats, dairy, and some grains) is converted by the enzyme tryptophan-5-hydroxylase to form 5-hydroxytryptophan, which is then converted to 5-hydroxytryptamine (aka serotonin!). Serotonin is acetylated to form N-acetylserotonin and then converted to N-acetyl-5-methyltryptamine (aka melatonin!). Tryptophan is usually fairly abundant in protein-rich diets.[ref]
+You can describe melatonin production in two categories: pineal production and extra-pineal production.
+Pineal Gland Production:
+The pineal gland is a little organ, about the size of a bean, located in the middle of the brain. It produces and recycles the cerebral spinal fluid, similar to the way the kidneys act as a filter for the rest of the body.
+The pineal gland produces a bunch of melatonin at night. Light exposure controls the secretion of melatonin, and the sun going down (lack of light) allows for the rise of melatonin at night. When light (specifically blue light) hits your eyes in the morning it triggers the breakdown of melatonin and stops pineal gland production for the day. This is what sets your circadian rhythm – the melatonin from the pineal gland increasing when the sun goes down and decreasing with the sunrise.[ref]
+The cells in the pineal gland contain lots of mitochondria, which researchers think synthesize the melatonin. When light levels fall at sunset, the pineal gland produces melatonin and releases it into both the cerebral spinal fluid and the blood circulation of the brain. The cerebral spinal fluid is filling the spaces, or ventricles, surrounding the different regions of the brain.[ref][ref] (I’ll come back to how this impacts brain health and Alzheimer’s disease.)
+As you age, the pineal gland will start to calcify, or build up calcium deposits. This happens throughout the aging process, and there are strong associations between the amount of calcification and neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Thus, the pineal production of melatonin gradually decreases over the course of your life, starting at puberty. The volume of the uncalcified pineal gland correlates to the peak amount of melatonin produced at night.[ref][ref]
+Extra-pineal melatonin:
+Researchers have found out more recently that melatonin production occurs outside of the pineal gland as well. Quite a few of your organs and tissues produce melatonin including the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, liver, thymus, spleen, heart, skin, testes, placenta, and eggs. Some of the most recent research theorizes that all cells can produce melatonin in their mitochondria.[ref]
+Extra-pineal melatonin doesn’t affect the circadian clock or the sleep-wake cycle. Instead, it plays a number of different roles in the cells including as an antioxidant and immune system stimulant.[ref][ref]
+Recap: You make melatonin in the brain (pineal gland) at night and it does a bunch of good things in the brain including setting your circadian rhythm. You also make melatonin in the rest of your cells, not just at night, and it acts as an antioxidant and within the immune system.
+How your body uses melatonin:
+First, let’s look at how much melatonin your body makes. The amount depends on age, time of day, and exposure to light. Most studies will measure the peak amount of melatonin produced in the middle of the night. A study of workers (n=117) found that the average peak nighttime melatonin levels for day workers was 15.4 ng/mg creating/hr, and the average peak melatonin for night shift workers was almost 50% less (10.9 ng/mg).[ref] Other sources point to the differences in melatonin due to age. For example, children ages 10 – 15 may produce 120 pg/ml, but adults by age 40 may only be producing 20 – 30 pg/ml.[ref]
+Suppression of melatonin by light:
+Even low levels of light (1.5 lux) can suppress melatonin production. To put this into perspective, a night light puts out about 5 lux, and streetlights outside are around 10 lux. The maximum suppression of melatonin comes at around 305 lux – this would be similar to very bright indoor lighting. So any amount of light over 305 lux doesn’t add to melatonin suppression.
+Supplemental Melatonin:
+The first thing most people think of when it comes to melatonin might be the supplemental melatonin for sleep. Doses of supplemental melatonin range from 300mcg to 10 mg. An oral dose of 1 to 5 mg will raise serum melatonin levels to 10 to 100 times the normal levels within an hour.[ref] Taking melatonin during the day increases daytime sleepiness and drops body temperature (something that normally happens around the time you go to bed at night).[ref] Melatonin is easily absorbed orally, subcutaneously, intranasally, transdermally, and sublingually.
+Melatonin Receptors:
+For melatonin to have a signaling effect on cells, it needs a receptor available on the cell membrane. Two types of melatonin receptors exist, usually referred to as MT1 and MT2 in studies. (More on these receptors in the genetics section below).
+The highest density of melatonin receptors (MT1) is in the suprachiasmatic nucleus – or SCN. The SCN is located in the hypothalamus in the brain. It is your body’s center for the circadian pacemaker. This high density of melatonin receptors allows the signal of daytime (lack of melatonin) and nighttime (increased melatonin due to lack of light) to be received in your core circadian clock.[ref]
+Circulating melatonin in the bloodstream gets quickly taken up by cells. The cells use it as an antioxidant during dimes of high oxidative stress. Melatonin can also be transported into the mitochondria or actually made in the mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell). Melatonin acts as a potent antioxidant to combat the abundant free radicals produced in the mitochondria.[ref]
+Studies on Cancer, Aging, and Alzheimer’s:
+Cancer:
+Many recent studies have shown that melatonin acts directly to inhibit cancerous cells. It acts to both suppress the proliferation of cancerous cells as well as reducing the ability of a tumor to metastasize.[ref]
+The problem with cancer cells is that they don’t die when they are supposed to. Apoptosis is the process by which cells self-destruct and then are removed. A lot of cancer drugs target this system and increase the apoptosis of both cancerous and normal cells. Melatonin increases apoptosis in cancer cells while being protective in normal cells.[ref]
+No, melatonin isn’t as powerful as chemo or a replacement for it. However, it is being used as an adjunct to chemotherapy. It is being successfully used in breast cancer[ref], leukemia[ref], non-small cell lung cancer[ref], colon cancer[ref][ref], head and neck cancer[ref], and more.[ref]
+Melatonin also suppresses the Warburg effect, which is how cancer cells fuel their growth. “Under the conditions of exposure to low-intensity light at night and circadian disruption that only suppresses nocturnal melatonin production, both the Warburg effect and the uptake of LA and its metabolism to 13-HODE in breast cancer xenografts become completely arrhythmic and operate at a constitutively high level throughout the entire day (all 24-hrs). “[ref][ref]
+Let me point out here that melatonin production decreases with age and cancer rates increase with age…
+There is a lot of epidemiological evidence tying cancer rates – especially breast and prostate cancer – to exposure to light at night, which decreases peak melatonin production. Often people dismiss this, thinking there must be another reason for the association between urban lights and cancer. That is a mistake.
+The associations between shift work, light at night, and breast cancer have been known for decades. The World Health Organization lists light at night as a probable carcinogen.
+The key that ties the epidemiological studies together with an actual mechanism of why light at night causes cancer is that melatonin actively acts as an anti-cancer agent for breast cancer. I encourage you to take a look at the studies on melatonin and breast cancer.[ref][ref][ref][ref] A particularly interesting study looks at the wavelengths of different types of light bulbs in reference to the promotion of cancer growth. (spoiler: LED’s with a lot of blue light promote tumor growth, incandescent bulbs are better)[ref]
+Aging:
+What makes you age? Why specifically changes as we get old? These are harder questions to answer than you might think. It is something that researchers are still grappling with.
+One theory of aging, posited by Harmon in the 1950s, is that it is caused by oxidative stress damaging the cell. The oxidative stress, in part, is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) created by the mitochondria. This damage from ROS accumulates and increases with age. Thus, antioxidants (resveratrol, vitamin C, etc) are thought to be anti-aging.
+Other researchers, though, think that oxidative stress paints just part of the picture for aging. Another component of aging is the decline in the immune system, known as immunosenescence.[ref][ref]
+Melatonin’s role in aging is thought to be two-part: antioxidant activity and immune system stimulation. The decrease in melatonin as you age parallels the decrease in antioxidant activity and immunosenescence.
+In animals, restricting calories has been shown to extend lifespan. It turns out that restricting calories in some animals also preserves the rhythm of melatonin production. Studies also show that giving exogenous melatonin to animals also increases survival time in a similar manner to calorie restriction.[ref] Not all studies show this, so it may be species-specific. Mice studies do show that they live longer when given supplemental melatonin over the course of their life, starting in adulthood.[ref][ref][ref][ref]
+Animal studies also show that melatonin supplementation (beginning in middle to old age) prevents the decrease in bone mass associated with aging.[ref] It also increases mitochondrial function.[ref] Melatonin is necessary to reap the benefits of exercise when aging.[ref] Supplemental melatonin also doubles insulin sensitivity in aging animals.[ref]
+We don’t do human studies on chronic calorie restriction to extend lifespan – nor have there been long-term studies in humans on supplemental melatonin for fifty-plus years to know the effect. But… there have been interesting studies on specific aspects of aging. For example, a study on leukocytes (part of the immune system) shows that melatonin counteracts some of the effects of aging.[ref] Another study points out that foods that have been repeatedly shown to be protective against cardiovascular disease all contain melatonin.[ref]
+While I don’t think melatonin is a silver bullet to prevent all aspects of aging, the bulk of the studies do show an overall anti-aging effect.
+Alzheimer’s Disease:
+Oxidative stress is theorized to be one cause of Alzheimer’s disease, due to the free radical damage to the brain. Increased lipid oxidation has been found in autopsied AD brains. The other theorized cause of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaque in the brain.
+Animal studies are quite impressive on the ability of melatonin to reduce amyloid-beta plaque and clear it from the brain. Some studies show the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and even cognitive enhancement over the control group. The animal models of Alzheimer’s also show that melatonin supplementation increases glutathione and SOD, two important antioxidant enzymes, in the brain. Melatonin supplementation alone, though, wasn’t enough to return the AD mice to normal control levels, but the improvements were significant.[ref][ref][ref][ref]
+Another study using a mouse model of AD found that melatonin reduced the signs of Alzheimer’s including cognitive deficits. The study found that the effect of melatonin was not due to the melatonin receptors but rather acts in a receptor-independent manner to clear amyloid-beta plaque.[ref]
+In addition to clearing amyloid-beta plaque, another way that melatonin can protect against Alzheimer’s is through the reduction of ROS in the mitochondria in brain cells.[ref] This may be the key, rather than amyloid-beta clearance. There is uncertainty whether amyloid-beta accumulation is causing AD vs being present along with AD.
+Another theory of Alzheimer’s disease seems it is caused, in part, by altered insulin signaling in the brain. Some researchers are calling it ‘type 3 diabetes’ of the brain. In animal studies, melatonin decreases brain insulin resistance.[ref]
+Melatonin levels decrease with aging while the risk of Alzheimer’s is greatly dependent on aging. Studies using constant light to decrease melatonin production show it causes Alzheimer ‘s-like damage in the cells along with increasing the need for antioxidants such as SOD and monoamine oxidase.[ref]
+There have been quite a few recent studies and reviews pointing to the role of both low melatonin and circadian disruption in the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaque.[ref]
+So what are the results of human studies that have used long-term melatonin supplementation to prevent Alzheimer’s disease? Well, there don’t seem to be any studies on that… Almost all of the studies on Alzheimer’s focus on preventing the disease from getting worse once someone already has been diagnosed with it — rather than stopping AD from happening in the first place.
+There are quite a few trials on using melatonin supplements to solve the sleep problems associated with Alzheimer’s. The clinical trials on melatonin range in duration from 10 days to 6 months. They show some positive effects on sleep quality, but they don’t show that melatonin supplements reverse the cognitive deficits of AD.[ref]
+One placebo-controlled trial of six months of 2mg time-release melatonin in people with mild to moderate AD did show positive results on cognitive performance compared to placebo. The use of melatonin didn’t suddenly cure AD, but it did decrease the loss in cognition.[ref]
+Other Studies on Supplemental Melatonin:
+Below is an assortment of other studies on melatonin that I found interesting. Bringing them all together helps to make clear the wide-ranging effects of melatonin.
+Nerve Regeneration:
+An animal study showing melatonin plus chondroitin sulfate ABC helped to regenerate damaged nerves in the C5-C7 region of the neck. Melatonin acts as an anti-inflammatory agent to scavenge free radicals, reduce edema at the injury site, and reduce nerve degeneration. Chondroitin sulfate is the main component of glial scars, and the enzyme chondroitin sulfate ABC reduces it.[ref]
+Another animal study used melatonin for six weeks on sciatic nerve injuries. The results showed that melatonin given during the dark period increased the nerve function of the sciatic nerve as well as increasing SOD and neural growth factor.[ref]
+Skin:
+The skin is the largest organ of the body, a protective barrier against the outside world and toxins. Skin cells can synthesize melatonin, and the amount of melatonin depends on ethnic background, gender, age. African Americans had the highest levels of melatonin. Exposure to UV-B radiation stimulates melatonin, which acts as an antioxidant in the skin. One way it does this is by promoting glutathione production.[ref] And yes, there are companies now producing skin cream that contains melatonin. One side effect is that melatonin increases melanin, thus darkening skin.
+Iron overload:
+An animal study showed that melatonin decreased the effects of iron overload on bone and stem cell death.[ref] This makes sense because melatonin is a well-known iron chelator.[ref][ref]
+Fertility:
+The ovaries and follicle cells contain high levels of melatonin. One aspect of increased infertility due to aging is increased reactive oxygen species within the follicle and oocyte. This decreases egg quality, often leading to infertility problems. Melatonin has been used in clinical trials to increase embryo quality in women undergoing IVF, and it has been used in several studies with women with PCOS to normalizes hormones and increase egg quality.[ref][ref][ref][ref] Melatonin also may play a role in keeping the mother’s body from rejecting the fetus.[ref]
+Gut Microbiome:
+It makes sense that melatonin would affect gut microbes since it is both an antioxidant and an immune modulator. Studies show that supplemental melatonin changes the composition of the gut microbiome, reduces weight, decreases fatty liver, and decreases low-grade inflammation.[ref] Another animal study showed that melatonin not only changes the gut microbiome but also improves the intestinal barrier and increases gastrointestinal motility.[ref]
+Viral and parasitic infections:
+Cardiomyopathy, caused by a viral infection (Coxsackievirus B3), is prevented by supplemental melatonin.[ref] Quite a few parasitic infections show improvement with melatonin including malaria, toxoplasmosis, and trypanosomiasis.[ref] Pretreatment with melatonin decreases the damage to the lungs in RSV infection.[ref] Melatonin may even help with the Ebola virus.[ref]
+Migraines:
+A randomized placebo-controlled trial showed that melatonin (3mg/night) for 12 weeks was superior to a placebo for migraine prevention. It was also slightly better than 25mg/day of amitriptyline (tricyclic antidepressant commonly prescribed for migraine prevention).[ref]
+Inflammation and Obesity:
+Low-grade inflammation is associated with obesity. A placebo-controlled trial found that 6mg of supplemental melatonin decreased inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP) in obese women.[ref] A meta-analysis of a bunch of studies found that melatonin consistently reduces CRP and IL-6 in people with metabolic syndrome.[ref] Several studies have shown that supplemental melatonin (along with diet) increases weight loss.[ref][ref]
+Diabetes:
+Adding melatonin with exercise cures insulin resistance, hypertension, and fatigue in an animal model of diabetes.[ref] But what about humans? People with type-2 diabetes have lower peak nighttime melatonin levels. This is important because melatonin acts in the pancreas at night to control insulin release. A genetic variant in the melatonin receptor gene is associated with an increased risk of diabetes (more on that below). The influence of melatonin on diabetes may be directly related to its effect as an antioxidant, as a signaling molecule in the pancreas, and its role in setting the circadian rhythm. Recent studies also show that melatonin may directly influence glucose uptake through the GLUT1 receptor.[ref][ref][ref][ref]
+ADHD and Autism:
+There are numerous studies on supplemental melatonin for ADHD. Sleep problems often go hand-in-hand with ADHD for both children and adults. Staying up later while being exposed to light at night suppresses melatonin levels. Taking supplemental melatonin — or just blocking out the light at night — may be helpful to some people with ADHD.
+Most trials on melatonin supplementation for ADHD show improvements in sleep and in behavior. A few trials, though, just showed sleep improvement with no effect on behavior.[ref][ref]
+A study with 125 autistic children with sleep problems found that melatonin increased sleep time by almost an hour per night and decreased the amount of time that it took to fall asleep. A long-term follow-up trial for the next year found also that participants slept over an hour longer, had better sleep quality, and >50% reduction in wakings.[ref][ref] A meta-analysis of 18 previous studies found that melatonin improved both behavioral traits and increased sleep by 73 minutes.[ref] A study of adults with autism found that patients had decreased peak melatonin secretion compared with a control group.[ref]
+Melatonin may be impacting more than just sleep in autism. A recent study on autism found a link to two genetic mutations (not covered by 23andMe) in the gene that codes for the enzyme used to convert serotonin to melatonin. The implication here is that decreased melatonin production due to the genetic variant may be causally involved in autism.[ref]
+Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
+There have been several clinical trials using melatonin to help with IBS symptoms. Melatonin production within the intestinal tract happens under normal conditions and it is also absorbed from foods. Animal studies show that giving low doses (1-10mcg/kg) of melatonin speeds up intestinal transit times, but higher doses (100-1000mcg/kg) slowed transit time significantly.[ref] IBS is often accompanied by increased transit time (diarrhea) or slowed transit time (constipation).
+In addition to transit time, melatonin also acts as an anti-inflammatory and an immune system modulator in the intestines. These functions also play a role in melatonin’s effect on IBS.
+The clinical studies on melatonin show varied results. Overall, there seems to be a benefit of decreased abdominal pain and regulated transit time. Almost half of IBS patients taking melatonin showed improved quality of life, which was significantly higher than those taking a placebo.[ref]
+Genetics and Melatonin:
+Members: See your data below
+Log in and select your data file Not a member? Join now.
+There are several ways that your genes interact with melatonin: through production, cellular receptors, and metabolism. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of genetic variants, though, that significantly impact the production of melatonin. This may be because it is vital to so many processes in the body.
+Below is an overview of some of the studies associated with melatonin-related genetic variants that are available in 23andMe or AncestryDNA data.
+MTNR1B gene:
+This gene codes for the MT2 melatonin receptor.
+The rs1030963 variant is very well studied for its impact on overnight insulin release and glucose levels. It has links to an increase in the risk of diabetes and gestational diabetes.[ref][ref][ref][ref] A reduction in risk for diabetes to back to normal risk allele carriers occurs if they eat dinner earlier.[ref]
+Check your genetic data for rs10830963 (23andMe v4, v5 ; AncestryDNA):
+- G/G: linked to a higher risk of diabetes, increased fasting glucose – don’t eat dinner late
+- C/G: linked to a higher risk of diabetes, increased fasting glucose – don’t eat dinner late
+- C/C: typical
+Members: Your genotype for rs10830963 is —.
+Check your genetic data for rs1387153 (23andMe v4, v5, AncestryDNA):
+- T/T: increased fasting glucose, increased risk of gestational diabetes.[ref]
+- C/T: somewhat increased fasting glucose
+- C/C: typical
+Members: Your genotype for rs1387153 is —.
+MTNR1A gene:
+This gene codes for the MT1 melatonin receptor.
+Check your genetic data for rs2375801 (23andMe v4)
+- C/C: increased risk of cancer metastasis (liver)[ref]
+- C/T: increased risk of cancer metastasis (liver)
+- T/T: typical
+Members: Your genotype for rs2375801 is —.
+Check your genetic data for rs6553010 (23andMe v4, AncestryDNA):
+- A/A: increased risk of cancer metastasis (liver)[ref]
+- A/G: increased risk of cancer metastasis (liver)
+- G/G: typical
+Members: Your genotype for rs6553010 is —.
+Check your genetic data for rs12506228 (23andMe v4, v5; AncestryDNA):
+- A/A: likely fewer melatonin receptors in the brain, a greater impact from working the night shift, increased risk of Alzheimer’s.[ref][ref]
+- A/C: somewhat fewer melatonin receptors, somewhat impacted from light at night, increased risk of Alzheimer’s
+- C/C: typical MTNR1A variant
+Members: Your genotype for rs12506228 is —.
+AANAT gene:
+The alkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) gene controls the rhythmic production of melatonin by the pineal gland. The AANAT variant rs28936679 is a rare variant that causes delayed phase sleep disorder.[ref]
+Check your genetic data for rs28936679 (23andMe v4 only):
+- A/G: may cause delayed phase sleep disorder
+- G/G: typical
+Members: Your genotype for rs28936679 is —.
+TPH2 Gene:
+The TPH2 gene codes for the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin, which can then be converted to melatonin. The link between TPH2 and melatonin levels is indirect, but I’ve included it here to illustrate the connection between melatonin precursors and disrupted circadian rhythm.[ref][ref]
+Check your genetic data for rs4290270 (23andMe v4; AncestryDNA):
+- T/T: increased risk of waking early, increased risk of depression[ref][ref]
+- A/T: probably a slightly increased risk of waking early, depression (this is the most common genotype)
+- A/A: typical
+Members: Your genotype for rs4290270 is —.
+Check your genetic data for rs4570625 (23andMe v4, v5; AncestryDNA):
+- G/G: less TPH2 function[ref], more likely to achieve depression remission with escitalopram*[ref]
+- G/T: higher TPH2
+- T/T: higher TPH2, less depression[ref]
+Members: Your genotype for rs4570625 is —.
+*escitalopram is an antidepressant that acts on the circadian system.[ref]
+Methylation cycle:
+In the process of turning serotonin into melatonin, your body uses a methyl group. There are quite a few genetic variants that decrease the production of methyl groups, including MTHFR variants. I don’t have any studies, though, that show genetic variants that impact methylation also decrease melatonin.
+Lifehacks:
+Raise endogenous production:
+How can you raise your own body’s production of melatonin? The fact that melatonin production is shut off by light – specifically light in the 480nm wavelength or blue light – causes a mismatch with our modern society. Everything electronic, from your phone to your laptop to your TV, is giving off a lot of blue light. And the low-energy CFL and LED light bulbs all give off a lot more light in the blue wavelengths than the old incandescent bulbs did. Blocking blue light in the evenings with blue-blocking glasses (orange-colored lenses) raises melatonin production by 50% within a week.[ref] Read more here about blue-blocking glasses.
+Supplemental melatonin:
+So if melatonin is so awesome, should everyone be taking a melatonin supplement every day? I can’t answer that with a blanket statement that applies to everyone.
+The drawbacks to supplemental melatonin include that the regular tablets will give you a big peak dose, but not necessarily when your body would produce it. The time-release tablets can give you a more stable dose, but it also doesn’t peak when your body normally would. Some people feel groggy the next day after taking larger doses of melatonin, and some people report having headaches after too much melatonin.
+Melatonin is seemingly safe to take, even at higher doses. Used for decades as a supplement, some studies report using doses up to 6 grams/day with the only side effects being sleepiness.[ref]
+Everyone needs to make their own decision on what is right for their body. If you are younger, blocking blue light at night and relying on your natural production of melatonin may be the best option.
+If you are older and decide to supplement with melatonin, look for a timed-release formula. This better mimics the body’s natural production of melatonin. The regular melatonin supplements metabolize and clear out pretty quickly (half-life around 45 minutes).[ref]
+If you are going to supplement with melatonin, choose a quality brand of supplements. In a 2017 study: 31 different supplement brands, melatonin content differed from the label in 71% of supplements. Additionally, 26% also contained serotonin.[ref] Labdoor.com is a website that shows the results of testing supplements for purity and content. I recommend checking out their rankings of melatonin supplements.
+Melatonin from food:
+Plants also produce melatonin as an antioxidant. Several common foods contain melatonin, which can transiently raise your melatonin levels.
+Food sources include[ref][ref]:
+- coffee beans
+- Goji berries
+- kidney beans
+- apples
+- tart cherries
+In apples, melatonin acts to reduce oxidation. When the apples have started browning, it uses up the melatonin since it is scavenging the free radicals. Therefore, apple juice usually doesn’t have very much melatonin left in it. Apple peels, especially Fuji apples, have higher amounts of melatonin.[ref]
+Going back to the idea that smaller amounts of supplemental melatonin increase intestinal transit time (study referenced in IBS section above), it is interesting that coffee (with both melatonin and caffeine) has that effect on a lot of people in the morning…
+Tryptophan is the precursor amino acid needed for serotonin and melatonin synthesis. A trial of adding tryptophan at breakfast time didn’t increase melatonin at night. But exposure to bright light during the day does increase melatonin at night.[ref]
+Methylene blue increases melatonin production.[ref] There are also some interesting theories around mitochondrial function, methylene blue, and Alzheimer’s disease.
+Conclusion and Recap:
+Melatonin is important to your body in many ways. It is produced in high levels at night in the pineal gland, setting your circadian rhythm and providing vital anti-inflammatory and immune functionality to the brain at night. This nighttime production of pineal melatonin is based on a lack of light hitting the retina. Melatonin is also produced both day and night at low levels in tissues throughout the body, countering ROS in the mitochondria and providing other benefits throughout the body.
+Melatonin is important in aging, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and many other chronic conditions. The circadian mismatch of artificial light at night (and lack of sunlight exposure during the day) may be reducing melatonin levels and increasing the risk of these chronic conditions.
+Related Articles and Genes:
+Bipolar disorder, depression, and circadian clock genes
+New research shows depression and bipolar disorder are linked with changes or disruption in circadian genes. Also, genetic variants in the circadian clock genes can increase your susceptibility to mood disorders.
+Tryptophan: A building block for serotonin and melatonin
+Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin and melatonin. Genetic variants can impact the amount of tryptophan that is used for serotonin. This can influence mood, sleep, neurotransmitters, and immune response.
+Alzheimer’s and APOE genotype
+The APOE gene variants are tightly linked with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find out whether you carry the APOE risk type for Alzheimer’s – and learn what all of us can do via diet and lifestyle to prevent this disease.
+Her black polished surface stands an unwavering object staunch and resolute through the seasons. For thousands of years she has endured in this very spot deposited here by some ancient glacier. She is a Remnant of a time we have long forgotten. To see her is to marvel in her greatness, the journey here was not easy. It started with a two hour car ride and ended with a five mile hike in. Today I play a game of “don’t get the old guy wet” leaping some of her smaller sisters. Two jumps this way and three that until finally reaching the middle of the pool. The icy cold Alaskan waters snakes against, around, and some days over the smaller but formidable boulders but they have never taken her. I can assure you she is worth the trip and a beautiful sight that you will never forget especially on a crisp fall day like this one where a golden forest trail marks the way. For once you stand upon her, you realize that she owns this pool and she represents all that is great in Alaska. She is big and stubborn and slippery from time to time. She will be here long after you and I are gone. She stands as the gate keeper to the waterfall that rockets out of the canyon some eighty feet above her. To me she is simply the seat for the Guardian of the pool. For if she was to ever wash away, surely she would take the gin clear pool and the trout which reside in it with her. Let’s hope that days never comes. I sigh as I reach her base and place my hand upon her as if greeting an old friend. I wish I had found her first, but she belongs to another. He is always here and I can feel him today. Call it that feeling of being watched; call it goose pimples or the hair rising on your arms and neck. Even when you don’t see him, Trust me, He is always there watching.
+When my friend and fellow Sportsman dramatist (which means Liar in French) Michael Strahan asked me to write a story about my favorite fishing place in Alaska I was not sure which direction I would go. I looked back deep into my fishing archives and scoured notes from previous adventures before being hit with an epiphany. The best trips I have had really had nothing to do with the fishing itself but everything to do with the company I kept. For it is the companions we keep that really marks a man for life and long after we forget about the trout that got away, we will remember who was with us to witness the escape. Such is the case of Norman. There seemed to be no better time to tell the story of Norman, than Halloween. So here goes.
+I’m not sure how long he had been fishing Montana Creek. By the appearance of his equipment, His whole life I reckon. Hell, I’m not sure where he lived or even if he had a house. I know he had a daughter in Virginia and a boy who was killed in a war in some jungle half way around the world many years ago. That came out after a few belts of whatever he carried in his flask for “his aches” as he called them. Im not sure what was in it but we did start a soggy fire with it once and he darned near burned up my waders. I figured we all have our crosses to burn or carry so I never asked. What I did know is that He drove an old green bronco that smelled of Canine, beer and Tobacco. Not necessarily in that order depending on the day. It had a giant steel cable wench on the front and it had windshield wipers that you had to reach up above you to turn on by hand. I only know this because he gave me a ride to Talkeetna once when my car would not start. He spotted me on a rainy day, hood up, tapping on the engine with a screwdriver. “Yaw, that’s going to start it!” is all he said. He then gave me the universally understood head wave to get in. I made the mistake of opening up the passenger door. He made me ride in the back. The dog rode shotgun as the sign screwed into the dash he was now pointing at clearly indicated. My bad!
+That’s the beauty of fishing acquaintances. Let’s face it, There not really buddy’s. We don’t talk about work, or the girls. We don’t ever come from the same social settings. We don’t have the same friends. We don’t really even talk about anything other than what size bead is working or what color flesh fly the bite is on. We don’t call each other and make plans about what to wear or what time he is meeting me on the water. I’m there at daylight. He is there at daylight, usually. If he is not, I don’t care, im not riding in the front anyway. I can net my own fish. If I’m late he will never chastise me, instead he will simply catch my fish. With that said there is a comfort in familiarity and I enjoy knowing there is someone around, most days while I’m fishing.
+We will never discuss religion but we may talk to our god whenever we please.
+I met him on a blind corner about twenty years ago 4 miles above Yoder Road on Montana Creek. I heard him giggling like a school girl fighting a huge rainbow. It was a beautiful sight. Fly rod to the sky bent above the cork and line tight shedding water beads as the fish ran. I sat down on a log and just watched as he masterfully turned the fish into a pool on its first run. He brought the beautiful fish to his feet and reached down and unhooked it and set it free. Fly-fishing is one of those sports not unlike many others and yet completely different. If you spend five minutes with a guy competing at the same sport you know where you rank. This guy was clearly better than me in every way. He fished with style and made fly fishing for me aristocratic. It became about the art of the cast, Not the quantity of the fish caught. He looked to the sky and smiled talking to someone I could not see and although I could not hear his voice over the rapids I could see the sincerity in the words upon his face. He was clean shaven and he had a distinct look of class. I waited until he spotted me and I stood up and walked over. He was wearing an old green and black checkered Woolworth wool fly coat. He had a beaten leather hat. I figured him around 70 and a weekend warrior retired banker.
+I was wrong. “I am 82, you are 4.2 miles above touron fishing central, which means you’re either ambitious or an adventurer type and both are suspect, my name is Norman” he spoke clearly and shook my hand. “If you’re going to watch the best show on earth son, the least you could have done is net an old man’s fish” With that he simply turned and walked up stream. Now those of you who know me know I am very seldom at a loss for words, but he had me. “My name is Jeff” I yelled over the rapids. He put up the back of his hand a waived a half hardy goodbye never looking back and at in the same monotone voice said “ I am 82 years old ,It does not mean I sir am deaf” and with that he was gone.
+By midafternoon I caught up with him again upstream. I had made my way through the boulder gardens and was now just approaching the waterfalls I had described above. There he was laying on his rock with his hat drawn over his eyes and his canvas back pack under his neck. I tried to sneak around him to what I could clearly see was a pool full of salmon which to me meant Rainbows. No dice. “Welcome to The pool” He said from Ten feet above me.
+“Thanks” I said. “What took you so long” He shot back never lifting his cap.
+“I was fishing sir”.
+“Any big ones?” was his reply.
+“I caught a few. One nice one over twenty”
+“Ya I saw that, I was right above you.”
+“Well you could have netted a young man’s fish” seizing a sarcasm moment.
+He simply smiled “There is a 30” fish in that pool. I have hooked him but never landed him. Do me a Favor? ”
+“Sure.”
+“When you catch him, please let him go.”
+“Of course.”
+“Thank You” and with that he slid off the rock with the agility of a twenty year old and began making his way back down stream. And so it went. For many years, more days than not I have fished on my beloved Montana Creek I have met Norman. We would park our cars in the same pull out and Walk the stream to the falls together fishing along the way. He would climb upon his rock and look into the pool always on the lookout for that 30”. He would than take a nap wake up and head down stream.
+Sometimes I waited. Mostly he caught up. I would mimic his streamer technique, learn by watching as I was always to proud to ask him for help. He would swing the fly through the large pools and then retrieve them very fast. It was money in the bank as the big Rainbows hammered his homemade creations. We would trade his fly’s for my hand painted beads as I ruled the braids and he owned the pools.
+He once said “Do you actually go in and buy those fandango Maybelline colors?”
+“Yup” I said under a cigar trying to Man up.
+“Better you than Me” he said and chuckled.
+Many years had passed since I fished with Norman on that river. One summer he just never showed up. I knew he had passed away as we all will someday.
+Montana Creek is Located 60 miles North of Anchorage. It runs clear and fast along the south side of the Talkeetna Spur Highway until it crosses the Parks Highway and spills gently into the Big Susitna River. Most of the fishing takes place at the confluence where King Salmon in the 50 pound range are not uncommon. You can access the Montana Creek off almost every road off the Talkeetna Spur including but not limited to Yoder road which I described above. From spring to fall it offers the fly fisherman endless opportunity’s to fish on wide open gravel bars and tight confluences. You will find grayling, Rainbow Trout and of course King, Silver, Chum and Pink Salmon. It runs crystal clear and cold most days and even during heavy rains drains and clears up fast. If you get a chance to walk the 5 miles to the falls take some kind of Bear protection. That may consist of a Gun, bear spray or just someone slower than you. As I fish below the falls this day my eyes search for a thirty inch Monster that supposedly resides in the deep blue. It’s been twenty years since that fateful meeting and I still have never seen a 30” rainbow in the old man’s pool but I figure I owe it to him to keep looking. My girlfriend Aimee who has accompanied me today has been collecting shapely rocks and sticks for our fire when she walks up and gives me a punch in the back of the arm and says ”any big ones?” I shoot her a look that must have been just short of something from an episode of the twilight zone.
+“What did you say?”
+She says “That guy back on the trail just asked if you had caught anything big out of that pool?”
+I said “Honey we’re five miles from a road.”
+“What Guy?”
+1. Does Your Dog Regularly Obtaining the Runs?
+Insert bio yoghurt to your own feed. Particularly if it’s occurring on a regular basis. The bio berry generally sorts this type of problem out rather fast.
+![WTA) hachiko akita | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+WTA) hachiko akita | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+]()
+Image Source: flickr.com
+2.
+Yellow spots on the lawn are due because your pet’s digestive system is too full of nitrogen therefore the elevated levels of nitrogen in the urine causes the lawn spots. Go out and really look at those burn marks. Notice the way the outside edge of the mark actually has really nice, green grass? That is due to the fact that the nitrogen that burned off the grass is too strong but the outer edges of this ‘ring’ of urine ended up with only enough nitrogen to help rather than hurt. Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+.
+There are a number of things you can do. If you are observant you can water over the spot where the dog has urinated this will dilute the nitrogen and will be beneficial to the yard. Set aside a place the dog may use as a bathroom in which you don’t care what happens. Fill it or just leave the grass there to get burnt. Teach the dog to go in that one spot. This will take time and patience.
+Instead a dose of one teaspoon to one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (determined by the size of the dog) per day can fix the pH imbalance and could solve the issue. The apple cider vinegar can be added to the puppy’s water or put directly on his food. The organic type in the health food store, not the pasteurized variant from the supermarketTwo tbsp of tomato juice to the pet’s food twice per day will have the same effect.
+3. Insect Stings to Cats or Dogs
+Slice a raw onion and then use to the sting when possible.If the sting is within the mouth – Keep “Antihistamine” capsules on your first aid kit. A rapid government soon after the sting may prevent serious complications. You can even have antihistamine in liquid form which makes it much easier to dispense. To administer fluids pull from the jowl near the back teeth it creates a sort of little cup, then pour the measured liquid in, close mouth, tilt head straight back and massage throat. Some dogs will actually swallow the insect live, which may continue stinging the dog and cause anaphylactic shock. This is due to inner swelling of the trachea which cuts off the oxygen supply to the lungs. Speedy administration of “Antihistamine” can reduce and even prevent severe complications.
+![Japanese Akita puppies for sale - YouTube | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+Japanese Akita puppies for sale - YouTube | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+]()
+Image Source: ytimg.com
+SPECIAL NOTE – Dosage will vary based upon the size of the animal. Check with your veterinarian for suggested dose. Normally they’ll refer to the animal’s weight as a guideline.
+4. Sharp Object and Glass ingestion
+Dogs even eat ornaments, Xmas decorations, light bulbs and lots of different items that are sharp and so dangerous. Here is what to do. Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+.
+Proceed to the chemist and buy a cotton balls make sure it is cotton balls rather than the cosmetic puff things they are made of manmade fibres. Buy a carton of double cream and keep it in the freezer if in the eventuality of your dog eating something gaudy. Defrost the cream and then pour some in a bowl. Dip cotton balls into the cream and feed them to a dog.
+Dogs less than 10 pounds should eat two balls which you have first torn into smaller pieces. Dogs 10-50 lbs should eat 3-5 balls and dogs should eat 5-7.
+You may feed larger dogs an entire cotton ball simultaneously. Dogs seem to actually like these odd treats and eat them readily. As the cotton works its way through the digestive tract it will find all the glass and small sharp objects and wrap itself around them. Even the teeniest shards of glass will be caught and wrapped in the cotton fibers and the cotton will protect the intestines from damage. Your pet’s stools will be somewhat strange for a few days. If either of the latter symptoms appear you should rush your dog to the vet to get a check-up, but Generally, the puppies should be fine
+5. Bonding
+If you want to quickly bond with a new puppy or rescue puppy. Masticate a piece of white bread till it is a gooey then feed as a titbit to the pup/dog for your initial seven days. You simply need to do this after a day; it mimics the regurgitation procedure when pups and cubs are being weaned in the wild, this really makes all the difference and helps them bond faster and therefore settle in much earlier.
+6. Constipation
+If your dog does not move his bowels for a day or 2, or if he appears to have trouble doing this, he might be constipated. He will not flavor it with the food. Do this until he is regular again. Also be certain that he gets lots of exercise. Deficiency of running, walking, walking and jumping can earn a puppy searchable.
+![American Akita Puppies Breed information & Puppies for Sale | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+American Akita Puppies Breed information & Puppies for Sale | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+]()
+Image Source: europuppy.com
+7. Automobile Sickness
+Often Ginger helps for this problem either Ginger Biscuits or even better organic ginger fed before the travel. The snacks can be fed as the dog gets in the vehicle, which includes an added incentive of the puppy feeling that it being commended for just getting in the vehicle. Cocculus 6C a naturopathic treatment for travel sickness can also be help particularly to get a puppy who has excessive drooling or has been sick. Sea Legs can also be helpful the human travel sickness but check with your Vet for just how much to administer, though I’d imagine if you bought a kid’s dose it would be fine
+8. Grooming
+Once per week put a really good shake of Olive Oil “the one you use for sandwiches” into the dogs food, it gives the coat a brilliant shiny healthy look. In combination with the petroleum utilize a rubber collar curry comb/ brush; you could purchase it cheaply from any tack shop, strips all the dead hair off and polishes up the coat better than any other brush on the market. They also do a plastic which gets all the seeds and bits of debris out. I utilize both to good impact.
+9. Grooming Two
+No matter the dogs coat short or long groom daily. Even if it’s just for a few minutes and be sure you groom on the withers. This assists in bonding and social status. Grooming is a significant social gesture. That is why some dominant dogs object to being groomed, they do not think you’ve got the place to initiate this activity.
+10. Tears Stains and Bacterial Infections
+Bacterial infections commonly occur in the tear ducts. “Ptirsporum”, reddish yeast germs, is in the origin of most yeast infections. Tear stains also frequently happen in precisely the same time for a gum infection or ear infection. Staining may also happen on a puppy’s paws from licking around his mouth from contaminated saliva.
+Apple cider vinegar (in its normal form from a health food store, not the pasteurized variant from the Supermarket) I get mine from horse tack stores. It is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, and deodorant; It assists digestion and to eliminate tooth decay; prevents tooth decay and hair loss (even mange), in addition, it prevents and heals gum disease and skin problems; and will discourage fleas. Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+.
+!
+Placing a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per quart of water in your pet’s water bowl or on food can clear up most active yeast diseases and protect against future infections. Apple cider vinegar tablets can be used if your puppy won’t drink the treated water or eat the meals.
+11. Halitosis/Dog Breath
+Halitosis, or disagreeable breath, may be brought about by means of a stomach problem, bad teeth or tonsils, or something that is stuck in your dog’s mouth or throat. Look your dog’s teeth to determine if any are decayed. If his breath remains offensive, then take him to a vet to see if he wants his teeth his or her tonsils treated.
+12. Cuts
+If your dog cuts slightly, put some boric acid solution or some peroxide on the cut and then leave it alone. You can also buy veterinarian wound powder, the ideal place to buy this really is a horse tack shop it’s much cheaper, clean out the cut or abrasion making sure no dirt or debris is left in the wound and yank the powder onto the region and leave it normally brightens up rather quickly. If the cut is on his leg or foot and bleeds a lot, tie a piece of fabric tightly around his leg, between the trim and his body, release the strain every ten minutes, and take him to a vet simultaneously.
+13. Electric Shocks
+Surprisingly the shock he receives is generally not serious (although in some circumstances has proved fatal); however it can sometimes be powerful enough to knock him out. If it happens, put a little household ammonia on a wad of cotton and then hold this under his nose. Don’t touch the nose with it, since the ammonia will burn your own skin. The sharp odour will bring him around. If he does comes to, provide him some cool, strong, black coffee to drink. If his mouth appears burnt by the shock, wet a cloth in strong, trendy tea and wash the burned area with this. Take him to the vet when he appears burnt or injured at all.
+14. Imagine if your pet swallows a harmful thing
+It’s a rare pup that doesn’t swallow a minumum of one odd object which his stomach can’t possibly digest. However, a dog’s stomach is so constructed it can take care care of the majority of the odd things that find their way to it. If you should realize your dog swallow something you know is bad for him … a piece of rubber mill, a large nail, a splinter of bone or sharp metallic thing … here’s what to do right away.
+Give him a large piece of soft bread. Now put him onto a paper another place where he can inhale without doing any harm. In a short while, the salt will cause him to throw up the bread and the odd object. If this does not appear the first time provide him another dose of salt after about 5 minutes. Once the object is vomited, He ought to be fine. However, if he starts to have diarrhoea, or when his stomach swells up and looks tender when you touch it, then give him a tablespoonful of mineral oil. If he still seems to be in pain after a few hours, or if there. Squeeze a few drops of this in each eye. You can even use plain hot milk for this purpose. If your furry friend has some mild conjunctivitis attempt warm used tea bags, if the infection is more than mild then buy some Golden Eye from the chemist (lotion not drops) and treat for three days this clears up most diseases, yet if he still has problems a visit to the Vet is in order. In case of a real injury to the eyes by a dogfight, or something poked into them, put a pad of gauze soaked in boric-acid solution 50/50 ie warm water and boric acid over the eye that’s hurt. Then wrap a towel loosely around your dog’s head and take him to a vet.
+16. Commands
+Avoid giving your puppy commands that you know you cannot apply. Each time you give a command that’s neither complied with nor enforced your dog learns that commands are optional.
+One command should equal one response, so give your dog just 1 control (twice max!) , then gently enforce it. , is neither an efficient nor effective way to issue commands. Simply give your dog one “Sit” command and lightly place or lure your dog into the sit position, then praise/reward.
+17. The Dog’s Name
+Whenever you can, use your dog’s title positively, instead of using it together with a reprimand, warnings or punishment. Your dog should trust that when it hears its own name or is called to you, great things happen. His name should always be positive and reacted to with enthusiasm, never hesitancy or fear.
+One of best ways to make sure his name is viewed as a positive would be to sit the dog between you and your partner or a friend and say the dog’s name. If he doesn’t look at you, then give his ear a gentle tug to gain his attention so that he turns his head towards you, As soon as this happens praise and treat enthusiastically, cheese, puffed jerky or dried liver is ideal. Get your partner/friend to perform exactly the exact same and keep repeating back and forth for a few minutes, do so regularly and for the remaining dogs life also he/she should always react enthusiastically whenever his name is mentioned. Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+.
+Some people including myself produce a lousy dog name so that the dog never hears its real name at any negative situation.
+18. Pee Poles
+These are very new in the pet stores and are made of hard plastic and look almost like a 1 foot high giant tack. You hammer them at the region you want the puppy to urinate and hey presto. These scientists do very nicely with their pheromones, what with all the DAP diffuser and this.
+![Sapphire - Akita Inu Puppy for sale | Euro Puppy | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+Sapphire - Akita Inu Puppy for sale | Euro Puppy | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia | Akita Puppy For Sale In Malaysia
+]()
+Image Source: youtube.com
+19. Puppy Teething
+Most of the teething and chewing as besides mouthing and nipping starts at about 4.5 weeks old. This is time that the little piranha teeth, laughingly called puppy teeth begin dropping out, as the brand new adult teeth begin pushing through. It takes anything up to 8 weeks for all these new teeth to set in the jaw, although this is happening the pup has a need to chew. To help soothe this and conserve your fixtures, furniture and fixtures. Not the thin brittle ones but a fairly thick large one, this will help his teeth and Heal the itching. Another fantastic help is get a knotted rope you purchase as a spoonful it in water and put it in the freezer. The ice which creates helps warm and itchy gums. Additionally suspend carrots and whilst frozen contribute to teething pups a great and healthy soother. #keyword#.
+20. Games of all Tug
+I don’t enjoy games of tug at any moment, except having a specially timid or frightened dog then I’ll play and let the dog win to develop some confidence. However I never play tug with a pup whilst it’s its puppy/piranha teeth. It actually has little or no jaw muscles at this time therefore you can dislocate the jaw or perhaps misalign the teeth by enjoying roughhouse tug games. You could also be setting the scene for aggressive confrontations later from the puppy’s growth cycle by enjoying this kind of game. It’d be better playing games of locate, hide little bits of treats from the home and garden and invite the puppy to hunt them out, or ball matches these all help dispel a few of the pup’s energies and also to stimulate the mind, as opposed to stimulate the aggression predatory side of the puppy.
+!
+Article Text
+Abstract
+Objectives To update the evidence for the efficacy of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to inform European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Task Force treatment recommendations.
+Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for phase III or IV (or phase II, if these studies were lacking) randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 2013 and February 2016. Abstracts from the American College of Rheumatology and EULAR conferences were obtained.
+Results The RCTs confirmed greater efficacy with a bDMARD+conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD) versus a csDMARDs alone (level 1A evidence). Using a treat-to-target strategy approach, commencing and escalating csDMARD therapy and adding a bDMARD in cases of non-response, is an effective approach (1B). If a bDMARD had failed, improvements in clinical response were seen on switching to another bDMARD (1A), but no clear advantage was seen for switching to an agent with another mode of action. Maintenance of clinical response in patients in remission or low disease activity was best when continuing rather than stopping a bDMARD, but bDMARD dose reduction or ‘spacing’ was possible, with a substantial proportion of patients achieving bDMARD-free remission (2B). RCTs have also demonstrated efficacy of several new bDMARDs and biosimilar DMARDs (1B).
+Conclusions This systematic literature review consistently confirmed the previously reported efficacy of bDMARDs in RA and provided additional information on bDMARD switching and dose reduction.
+- Anti-TNF
+- DMARDs (biologic)
+- Rheumatoid Arthritis
+Statistics from Altmetric.com
+Introduction
+Since the 2013 systematic literature review (SLR) on biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA),1 there have been several trials addressing efficacy and safety of various established bDMARDs, looking at different aspects of therapy including induction, switching, tapering and stopping of bDMARDs. There have also been publications on new bDMARDs, including some with new modes of action, as well as on a number of biosimilar DMARDs (bsDMARDs).
+Many clinical trials provide direct comparisons between a bDMARD and a conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD). The use of treat-to-target strategies,2 however, better reflects real-life treatment approaches and therefore provides additional evidence for the use of these therapies in clinical practice. This SLR therefore also sought to provide an update on bDMARD strategy studies, previously defined as ‘clinical trial(s) of any treatment of RA in which at least one arm consists of medication adjustment according to protocol, based on clinical outcomes aiming at a specific target’.3
+This SLR aimed to update the body of evidence with information that has emerged since 2013 regarding the use of bDMARDs in RA. The results of this SLR and two others4 ,5 provided the task force with the current state of evidence.
+Methods
+The updated standard operating procedures by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) were followed.6 As before,1 ,7 studies on the following nine bDMARDs were included: adalimumab (ADA), certolizumab-pegol (CZP), etanercept (ETN), golimumab (GLM), infliximab (IFX), anakinra (ANA), abatacept (ABT), rituximab (RTX) and tocilizumab (TCZ).1 ,7 Information was also sought on new bDMARDs, including bsDMARDs. The search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL databases between January 2013 and February 2016. Relevant abstracts were sought from the 2013–2015 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 2014–2016 EULAR conferences.
+The study selection criteria were the same as those in previous EULAR bDMARD SLRs.1 ,7 The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool for RevMan 5.18 was used to assess the quality of published studies and the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence9 was used to assign levels of evidence. Details on the search strategy can be found in the online supplementary material.
+supplementary material
+Results
+Of 10 187 articles from the database search, together with additional ACR and EULAR conference abstracts and articles found after the database search, 51 published papers and 35 abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was considered ‘low’ for most but not all studies. Open-label trials were assigned ‘high risk of bias’ for the category ‘blinding of participants and personnel’ (see online supplementary material).
+Efficacy data are presented in five sections: (1) bDMARD efficacy trials (in combination with a csDMARD or as monotherapy); (2) bDMARD strategy trials; (3) bDMARD switching trials; (4) bDMARD stopping or dose reduction trials and (4) trials with new therapies (new bDMARDs and bsDMARDs, and bDMARDs versus a targeted synthetic DMARD (tsDMARD)).
+Patients with RA were grouped as follows: (1) DMARD-naive, (2) methotrexate (MTX)-naive, (3) MTX-inadequate response (IR), (4) csDMARD-IR (mixed DMARD-IR) and (5) tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) TNFi-IR. This is highlighted for each study and studies are divided accordingly in the online supplementary section.
+Biological DMARD efficacy
+The focus of the results was on the primary outcomes. Other efficacy outcomes are presented in the online supplementary section.
+Existing biological DMARD+csDMARD combination versus csDMARD
+Nine new studies have been published after 2013 confirming evidence for the efficacy of a bDMARD+csDMARD versus a csDMARD.10–18 In DMARD-naive RA (2010 ACR/EULAR19), the C-EARLY10 study met its primary endpoint of sustained Disease Activity Score using a 28 joint count (DAS28)<2.6 between weeks 40 and 52 (CZP+MTX vs placebo+MTX: 29% vs 15%). In MTX-naive RA, C-OPERA confirmed better efficacy of CZP+MTX compared with MTX alone.14 CARDERA-2 failed to demonstrate radiological superiority of ANA+MTX versus MTX monotherapy.13 In mixed DMARD-IR patients, subcutaneous TCZ+MTX was superior to background MTX in the BREVACTA study (ACR 20 at week 24: 61% vs 32% at week 24),17 and RTX+background leflunomide to leflunomide in the AMARA study.18
+The results of these new randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that a combination of a bDMARD and a csDMARD is more effective than a csDMARD alone. Level of evidence (LOE) as in the previous SLRs:1 1A.
+Biological DMARD+MTX combination versus biological DMARD monotherapy
+In the MTX-naive RA AVERT study, a status of DAS28<2.6 was more often achieved with ABT+MTX than with MTX monotherapy or ABT monotherapy at 12 months (60.9% vs 45.2% vs 42.5%). The FUNCTION study also showed higher proportions of patients with DAS remission and ACR responses—and less radiographic progression—with TCZ 8 mg/kg+MTX compared with TCZ monotherapy.20 ,21 TCZ monotherapy had more DAS28<2.6 and less radiographic progression than MTX monotherapy, but most other secondary endpoints, including physical function, were not different.
+In MTX- IR RA patients, the SURPRISE study showed at week 24, the time of the primary endpoint, that a status of DAS28<2.6 was more often achieved when adding TCZ to MTX versus switching from MTX to TCZ (70% vs 55%).22 This modest benefit had disappeared at week 52 (72% vs 70%). Clinically relevant radiographic progression was lower with TCZ+MTX combination therapy than with TCZ monotherapy (van der Heijde-Sharp score ≥3: 7% vs 15%).
+The results of the newer RCTs are in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that a combination of any bDMARD and a csDMARD is more effective than bDMARD monotherapy (LOE as in the previous SLRs:1 1B).
+Biological strategy-type studies
+In the U-Act-Early RCT, MTX-naive patients were randomised to TCZ+MTX, TCZ monotherapy or MTX monotherapy using a treat-to-target approach.23 The primary analysis (number of people achieving sustained DAS28<2.6 by the originally assigned treatment) was higher in the TCZ+MTX or TCZ monotherapy groups than the MTX monotherapy group (86% vs 84% vs 44%). In the clinically more relevant second analysis, and co-primary endpoint, which addresses the entire study period, the initial differences between the groups were no longer seen with the addition of TCZ in the MTX monotherapy group following a treat-to-target approach (86% vs 88% vs 77%).
+In TACIT, a non-inferiority RCT in MTX-IR RA who had failed MTX and another csDMARD,24 patients were randomised to either a strategy of TNFi-start, followed by a switch to a second bDMARD in case of no response, or to a strategy of combination csDMARD therapy, followed by the start of a bDMARD in case of non-response. The change in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score after 12 months (primary endpoint) was not inferior for the strategy starting with combination csDMARD versus the strategy starting with TNFi (−0.45 vs −0.3). While earlier clinical responses were seen in the TNFi strategy, a status of DAS28<2.6 at 12 months was met by slightly more patients in the TNF start group than in the csDMARD group (44% vs 35%). Of note this was an open-label study with a (too) large non-inferiority margin that importantly limits its interpretability. Thus, the study had a high risk of bias. Adverse events were more frequently found in the csDMARD combination group.
+Ten-year data from all four arms of the BeSt trial suggested that a high proportion of patients (53%) maintain long-term remission, either on drugs or drug free, and had very limited 10-year radiographic progression, confirming the effectiveness of early DMARD treatment together with a treat-to-target approach.25
+The results of the newer RCTs are therefore in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that strategies aiming at benchmarking disease activity and intensifying treatment when clinical remission or low disease activity is not yet reached may lead to favourable outcomes (LOE: 1B).
+Switching between bDMARDs in TNFi-IR RA
+Previous meta-analyses of RCTs had already demonstrated efficacy of all bDMARD classes in patients failing a TNFi (TNFi-IR) (LOE: 1A).7 ,26 To date, new bDMARD switching trials of this type could not be found.
+Patients from the DREAM cohort, who had failed a first TNFi and had DAS28≥3.2, were randomised to receive ABT or RTX, or a second TNFi in a trial with a non-inferiority design. The mean (SD) 12-month DAS28 were 3.8 (1.2) versus 3.4 (1.2) versus 3.5 (1.5) in the ABT, RTX and TNFi groups, respectively.27 In the ROC trial, patients who failed their first TNFi were randomised to either a second TNFi or to another mode of action bDMARD (ABT, RTX or TCZ).28 At week 48, EULAR good response was 60% with a non-TNFi bDMARD versus 43.2% for a second TNFi.
+The results of the newer RCTs are in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that patients who have failed their first TNFi may expect benefit from a second TNFi or from a non-TNFi biological (LOE: 1A). There is insufficient evidence to prioritise either strategy.
+Biological DMARD stopping or dose reduction
+Biological DMARD stopping
+In patients with MTX-naive RA, the AVERT trial11 showed that patients with DAS28<3.2 on ABT+MTX, ABT or MTX maintained their drug-free status (DAS28<2.6, both at 12 and 18 months) in only 14.8% after stopping ABT+MTX, 12.4% after stopping ABT and 7.8% after stopping MTX.
+In patients with MTX-IR RA, in the ENCOURAGE study, patients with DAS28<2.6 on ETN+MTX at 6 and 12 months were randomly assigned to strategies stopping or continuing their treatment. There were higher proportions of patients with DAS28<2.6 when continuing medication (88%) versus withdrawing ETN and continuing MTX (54%).29
+In patients with MTX-IR RA that had participated in the ACT-RAY study, a follow-up study showed that in those with sustained DAS28<2.6 and discontinued TCZ only 38.4% of the TCZ+MTX group and 35.1% of the TCZ monotherapy group maintained that state for an average of 3 months.30 The majority of those who lost response (84%) responded well to TCZ reintroduction, but 16% did not.
+The results of the newer RCTs are in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that a variable but relatively low proportion of patients who have sustained low disease activity or remission on a strategy with a bDMARD can stop that bDMARD (and continue MTX) without losing their status of low disease activity/remission (LOE: 2B).
+Biological DMARD dose reduction
+In MTX-naive RA patients, in a substudy of AGREE, patients with a DAS28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) <2.6 at year 2 on ABT 10 mg/kg+MTX were randomised to ABT 10 mg/kg (full dose)+MTX versus ABT 5 mg/kg (half dose)+MTX.31 Similar relapse rates were seen in both groups (31% in the ABT 10 mg/kg and 34% in the 5 mg/kg groups).
+The open-label non-inferiority DRESS RCT, in which patients in stable low disease activity on ADA or ETN were randomised to usual care or a dose reduction strategy (stepwise increase in injection intervals), showed that continuation versus dose reduction led to similar rates of ‘major flare’ (10% vs 12%).32
+In the OPTIRRA RCT, patients in stable (3 months) low disease activity (DAS28<3.2) on ADA or ETN were randomised to continue ADA or ETN, taper ADA or ETN by 33% or taper ADA or ETN by 66%.33 Similar flare rates were seen in the continuation and ADA or ETN 33% tapering group (14% vs 13%), but a higher rate in the ADA or ETN 66% tapering group (37%).
+The SMART34 study, in which TNFi-IR RA patients who achieved a EULAR (moderate or good) response on standard dose RTX were randomised to receive RTX 1000 mg once or RTX 1000 mg twice, suggested non-inferiority of both strategies (adjusted mean difference in DAS28-C reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) area under the curve 51.4 (95% CI −13.2 to 234)).
+The results of the newer RCTs are in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that a significant proportion of patients who have sustained low disease activity on a strategy with a bDMARD can taper that bDMARD (and continue MTX) without losing their status of low disease activity and that reducing the dose of the bDMARD by up to 50% or increasing the interval between doses accordingly conveys similar results as continuing full dose (LOE: 2B).
+bDMARDs in comparison to new therapies
+Existing bDMARDs versus new targeted synthetic DMARDs
+In the MTX-IR RA-BEAM study, comparing ADA+MTX versus the tsDMARD baricitinib+MTX versus placebo+MTX, showed small but significantly lower responses for ADA+MTX versus baricitinib+MTX, but both were higher than placebo+MTX (DAS28-CRP<2.6 19% vs 24% vs 4%) at week 12.35
+New biological DMARDs
+Several new bDMARDs targeting well-known targets have undergone phase II or III clinical trials in MTX-IR or mixed-DMARD-IR RA patients and have consistently shown superiority in clinical responses versus placebo. These include the human interleukin (IL)-6-receptor-inhibitor sarilumab,36 the humanised anti-IL6 clazakizumab,37 the human anti-IL6 sirukumab38 and also the granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor receptor alpha inhibitor (GMCSFrα-i) mavrilimumab.39 On the other hand, bDMARDs targeting the IL12/23p40-pathway (ustekinumab),40 the IL23p19-pathway (guselkumab)40 and the B-cell-activating factor (tabalumab)41–43 have not demonstrated clinical efficacy over placebo in RA.
+Studies have also formally demonstrated efficacy for sirukumab38 and sarilumab44 in patients previously exposed to other bDMARDs.
+Biosimilar DMARDs
+The long-term observational study of the PLANETRA trial has suggested sustained efficacy of those treated with the bsDMARD IFX CT-P13.45 IFX CT-P13 also demonstrated clinical efficacy in another RCT of MTX-IR RA.46 Efficacy was also formally proven in placebo-controlled RCTs with the ADA bsDMARDs ABP50147 and SB5,48 with the ETN bsDMARDs HD20349 and SB4,50 with the IFX bsDMARD SB251 and with the RTX bsDMARD BCD-020.52
+The results of the newer RCTs are in accordance with the previously formulated standpoint that targeting the IL6-pathway, now including also the IL-6 ligand, may provide benefits to patients, that targeting the cytokine GMCSF is potentially beneficial to patients and that bsDMARDs are as effective biologicals as the originator bDMARDs in the treatment of patients with RA.
+Discussion
+This review on bDMARDs in RA aimed to provide a systematic update of the body of evidence available for the treatment of patients with RA with bDMARDs. It only includes new data from 2013 onwards. These data were presented to the expert committee that convened to discuss the 2016 update of the EULAR recommendations on the (drug) management of patients with RA.53
+The results of this SLR confirmed the efficacy of bDMARDs in combination with a csDMARD (ADA, CZP, ETN, GLM, IFX, ABT, RTX and TCZ but not ANA).13 Combination therapy (bDMARD+csDMARD) was in general again found to be superior to bDMARD monotherapy.
+Remarkably, we did not find any new ‘head-to-head’ trial with bDMARDs published after 2013 in this highly competitive field of high-cost drug treatment in RA. Investigators of sponsored trials usually sought (reconfirmation of) superiority over placebo or engaged in low-commercial-risk strategy trials that reconfirmed the already inarguable efficacy of their bDMARD over placebo.
+What is needed in the field of RA, known for its high number of very effective but costly treatments, is a proper evidence-based prioritisation of the drugs we have available. Guideline committees such as ours have to base their consensus on solid data stemming from direct comparisons of treatments. In the absence of high-quality direct comparisons, methodologists and (company) statisticians find escape routes in indirect comparisons and network meta-analyses. We will not dispute the modest merits of network meta-analyses, but warn against the careless interpretation of their results, since no (network) meta-analysis is methodologically better than the weakest trial contributing to it.
+The most important findings in this update SLR were as follows: patients on MTX monotherapy achieved sustained remission when following a treat-to-target strategy.23 Results from new strategy studies23 ,24 in this regard support those from previous RCTs1 ,3 and allow a firm conclusion: a treat-to-target approach, escalating csDMARD therapy and adding a bDMARD in cases of non-response, is an effective approach.
+New trials in patients who have failed their first TNFi show that switching to a second bDMARD ‘makes sense’. However, the current RCTs do not help us in deciding if this second bDMARD should be a TNFi DMARD or a non-TNFi DMARD. Sparse data that are currently available are not convincing. It may, for instance, be relevant that a patient has not had any response to bDMARD from its initiation (primary non-response) or that an initial response was lost over time (secondary non-response). Evidence from RCTs that may help answering such questions is still lacking.
+Recently we have faced the advent of several bsDMARDs. Many of these have passed the hurdle of regulatory ‘biosimilarity’ and have entered the market or will do this soon. To date, there is no scientific indication that these bsDMARDs, which are already less expensive in some countries than their originator counterparts, are inferior to their ‘parents’ in efficacy or safety. In the absence of tangible distinctions between originator bDMARDs and their bsDMARDs, future guideline committees will likely base their priority on non-scientific arguments such as drug costs.
+In general, patients with RA that have achieved low disease activity or remission are better off with continuation of their treatment than with stopping, but many of the patients can successfully apply bDMARD dose reduction or interval increase, and if a flare occurs most of them will regain disease control upon restarting their bDMARD. Prognostic factors that may help determining which patient subgroups are able to de-escalate therapy and achieve drug-free remission are needed.54 Several studies have addressed these55–58 but we could not find RCTs in which patients had been stratified according to prognostic factors for tapering.
+Comparative data with the tsDMARD baricitinib suggested superior efficacy of baricitinib over ADA, but it remains to be seen if this short-term gain remains over time. Obviously, long-term data on safety still have to be awaited before a proper valuation can take place. There were also several RCTs demonstrating efficacy of new mode-of-action bDMARDs and bsDMARDs in RA.
+As before, the sole source of efficacy studies in this SLR was RCTs. While registry data may provide real-life efficacy data, these are prone to bias and have not been included in this SLR. Registry data, however, are crucial to evaluate long-term drug safety and have been used in the EULAR SLR addressing DMARD safety.4
+In conclusion, this literature review consistently confirmed the efficacy of bDMARDs in RA. It provides some evidence for bDMARD stopping and dose reduction, addressed the important topic of bDMARD switching in TNFi-IR RA and highlighted the advent of some new biological therapies.
+Acknowledgments
+The authors thank Liz Dalton, University of Leeds, for her expertise and help with the literature search and EULAR for funding this work.
+References
+Footnotes
+Correction notice This article has been corrected since it published Online First. Reference 8 has been updated.
+Contributors JLN and KT extracted the data for the SLR. All coauthors contributed to the writing of the manuscript.
+Competing interests JS:. JWB: Roche, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, UCB. GB: UCB, AbbVie, BMS, Hexal, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Medimmune, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Roche.. RL: AbbVie, Amgen, Centocor, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, UCB, Pfizer, Ablynx, Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Janssen (formerly Centocor), Galapagos, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Novartis, Novo-Nordisk, Merck, TiGenix, Rheumatology Consultancy B.
+Now, with evidence sourced from Cadbury India's (now known as Mondelez India Foods after a global merger) own investigations, internal emails and documents, the Excise Department order as well as interviews with former company officials, ET has pieced together the story of how it may have bribed government officials and, possibly top politicians, to create paperwork showing an integrated factory as two separate units.
+Its parent Mondelez International Inc is the target of a federal investigation in the US. But Mondelez was unlikely to face criminal charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which bars American companies from bribing foreign officials, because no evidence has emerged connecting the suspicious payments to the US, the Wall Street Journal reported on October 13 quoting unnamed sources.
+Mondelez, however, knew about irregular payments in India at least three months before the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) began formal investigations in February 2011, said Rajan Nair, who headed the company's special security investigations group in 2010-11, when contacted by ET.
+"It was very obvious that the company had hired dubious consultants who bribed government officials, including possibly top politicians in Himachal Pradesh, for statutory approvals,'' Nair said. External investigators engaged by Cadbury found that irregular payments appeared to tally with periods during which crucial approvals came through. One permission they examined was from a state industrial clearances committee headed by the then chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, records show.
+The chief minister used his discretionary powers to grant in-principle approval overruling pollution control board (PCB) objections, according to the Cadbury investigation.
+Dhumal told ET over telephone that he hadn't overruled the PCB. "It was only an in-principle clearance given to Cadbury subject to it obtaining other permissions. It was later found that the company had manipulated records to claim tax benefits,'' he said.
+Phantom Factory
+The issue relates to Cadbury India's largest manufacturing plant located in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, which makes Bournvita, 5-Star bars and buttonshaped%, documents show.
+Dhumal said he did not know Deepak Singh Chandel, the consultant hired by Cadbury to get the de-amalgamation approval, and had never met him. The former chief minister said Cadbury never paid him any money. ``Not even for my election campaign.'' Cadbury needed the clearances fast. When contacted, Shivanand Sanadi, Cadbury's then vice-president, legal, told ET he had advised the management that the company required a host of prior approvals to set up Unit II and it could not claim tax benefits without them in place.
+The move got underway in August 2009 and the unit had to be operational by March 31, 2010, the sunset date to claim tax benefits under the state industrial promotion policy. Chandel admitted to excise department officials who had launched a probe in September 2011 that Cadbury asked him specifically to get backdated approvals.
+On March 25 this year, excise commissioner Parminder Singh Sodhi ordered Cadbury to pay Rs 342 crore it owed in excise and imposed a total penalty of Rs 241 crore for evading it over three years beginning May 2010. Sodhi also fined 12 individuals a total of Rs 2.29 crore, including a Rs 1 crore penalty on the then managing director Anand Kripalu. The company is contesting the order in the Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal.
+Cadbury's internal probe led to a cleanup in April 2011. Several employees, including top managers, were forced out. However, they continue to get legal support and help in paying fines from the company, said at least one person who was thus being aided.
+Among those who left was Rajesh Garg, finance director, whom the investigation report described as the "main architect and proponent for claiming separate tax incentives for Unit II". The report also said that Garg "closely monitored the progress of approvals and licenses for Unit II but claims no knowledge of Daksh". Daksh Associates and Consultants is run by Chandel. Garg could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts by ET.
+The day after Garg signed his separation agreement with the company, managing director Kripalu sent out a company-wide mail: ``Over the last three years as FD (finance director), Rajesh has built the finance function into a strong business partner, enabling decision making that creates significant value.'' Kripalu, who has since moved to United Spirits Ltd as CEO, told ET by text message that "it would be inappropriate for him to comment''.
+Responding to an ET questionnaire, a Mondelez India spokesperson emailed: "A compliant and ethical corporate culture, which includes adhering to laws and industry regulations in all jurisdictions in which we do business, is integral to our success. It would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time since the matter is in the legal domain.''
+Mondelez directed ET to its 10-Q quarterly SEC filing on October 29, which said it was continuing investigations in India and that it continues to cooperate with government authorities.
+Cadbury India became part of Kraft Foods when Kraft acquired Cadbury's British parent in a $19.6 billion global deal creating the world's biggest confectioner in January 2010. In October 2012, Kraft renamed itself Mondelez International Inc.
+The Revelations
+"It all started with a simple lie to wrongfully claim income tax and excise benefit but they got cornered by the excise authorities,'' said Nair, who now works as an independent fraud, risk and security consultant to corporates.
+Shivanand Sanadi, now an independent lawyer, said after internal investigations revealed that illegal payments may have been made, Mondelez's counsel assessed options regarding disclosures in India and the US. It also got law firm AZB Partners' opinion on how anti-corruption law applied in India and its implications.
+The first time the top management in the US was alerted was in late October 2010 after Nair and Adrian Wong, director, Asia Pacific, global security, met Mohit Vesasi at Hotel Taj in Chandigarh earlier that month. Vesasi, a canteen contractor at the Baddi plant, alleged that the company routinely paid bribes to government officials. The company immediately flagged it as Special Situation 1. "It means the SSM (Special Situation Management) note would reach the Kraft leadership team in the US, including (CEO) Irene Rosenfeld's office,'' said Nair, who was familiar with company processes.
+Rosenfeld is the CEO of the $30 billion-by-revenue Mondelez, which makes Cadbury Dairy Milk and Oreo, among other snacks.
+Following the initial findings, Mondelez hired Baker & McKenzie LLP and AZB & Partners as legal advisers and forensic experts from Ernst and Young (now EY) to investigate the allegations.
+The secret probe was called Project Maxim. EY investigators probed suspicious payments of $177,650 (Rs 80 lakh) to several outside parties, the bulk of it to Chandel's Daksh Associates.
+On January 26, 2011, in the conference room of the Taj Land's End hotel in Mumbai, EY shared its findings with the Mondelez management, including Terry Sabol, vice-president, finance and strategy, Asia Pacific, and audit chief Carolyn Gibbs, vice-president, internal audit. EY described how bribes were masked, who were involved, why Daksh was a conduit and how Daksh's invoices were created at the Cadbury office, investigator Nair said.
+In an internal memo sent five days later to several people, Mondelez's chief counsel for Asia-Pacific, Cathy Heeley, wrote that investigations had unearthed evidence that ``the allegations regarding improper payments to government officials appear to be well-founded''.
+Heeley also raised the possibility of public exposure if the investigation was disclosed to the DoJ. Unknown to the company, a whistleblower had weeks ago informed the SEC about irregularities at Cadbury. An SEC subpoena regarding alleged FCPA violations arrived February 1. A fortnight later, the company asked AZB Partners what the implications of the disclosure to SEC would be in India.
+Project Maxim reported unambiguously: "Based on the interviews with company employees and Mr Chandel [of Daksh to which Rs 48 lakh was paid], the following was determined: Daksh was appointed to deliver approvals and licenses through his contacts with government officials, including chief minister of Himachal Pradesh having discretionary power and presiding over the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SWCA) — which provides in principle approvals for setting up new industrial units in HP and is also an appellate authority for any rejections of orders passed by state government agencies.'' An annexure to the report presented a 'rate-card' that Chandel gave to Cadbury HR chief Bhavana Dogra.
+Dogra, who now works at Bunge India, told ET by a text message that she would not comment on anything. Chandel provided an email address over phone but did not respond to questions ET sent him. He also did not answer follow-up calls to his cellphone. Three executives met Chandel at a hotel near the factory and negotiated the rates down, according to two former Cadbury employees. Negotiated rates appear added by hand in the same rate-card. It lists 23 licences that were required.
+Chandel delivered, partially. Box of Chocolates In an update on November 30, 2010, EY pointed out key events that raised potential FCPA compliance concerns. The most important approval for de-amalgamation of Unit II came in March. The report noted during March 1-15, 2010: "De-amalgamation decision moved to single window clearance committee on March 21, 2010. Jaiboy Philip [Jaiboy Phillips, then director, supply chain, Cadbury India] spoke to Vijay Chandan — principal secretary to the chief minister for de-amalgamation. Additional quotations [for money] requested from Daksh.''
+The update showed that Daksh asked for Rs 10 lakh on March 8. The next day Chandel and Cadbury official Tarun Walia traveled to Chandigarh and Delhi and stayed there for three days. Cadbury paid for the trip. On March 16, Bhavana Dogra sent an email to colleagues: "We have just received information that Unit I & II case of De amalgamation has been decided in our favour in SWCA this evening. Although the meeting notes will be published in a day or so. We will confirm back the same once we get the copy of formal approval informing them.''
+Project Maxim notes that during March 16-22: "Jaiboy Phillips spoke to Mr Dhumal (CM of HP) and has agreed to clear the de-amalgamation application and also speak to the secretary, PCB (Pollution Control Board). De-amalgamation is passed in CIL's favour in spite of PCB member secretary objected (sic) to the proceedings but was overruled by CM.''
+Dhumal's intervention came after a sub-committee of members from the pollution control board, the state electricity board and industries department rejected Cadbury's application on March 6. He told ET that there was no question of his taking a decision without the other departments' concurrence.
+Project Maxim found that some critical approvals coincided with the submission of invoices by Daksh. It raised one invoice for Rs 11.6 lakh on March 30 and the same day a copy of the de-amalgamation letter was received after meeting officials from the chief minister's office, the report noted.
+Stella McCartney���������������������������������������������
+Stella McCartney debuted the iconic 'Falabella' bag for Fall '10 and has updated it every season since - during that time, countless style icons have been spotted carrying it. This version has been made in Italy from plush black velvet and traced with signature chain trims. It's perfectly sized to hold just the necessities.
+Always one to put sustainability first, Stella McCartney says she's actually delighted when customers mistake her faux leather bags for real ones because the differences are so imperceptible. This quilted style is embellished with a logo-embossed star and opens to a faux suede-lined interior with a zipped pocket to store a cardholder and extra notes. Wrap the chain strap around your wrist to carry it as a clutch on nights out.
+Stella McCartney is a big fan of aviator-style sunglasses as they really complement her heart-shaped face. The angular lines of this gold-tone pair feel so cool and modern. They're fitted with graduated dark-gray lenses and black tips.
+We've seen many iterations of Stella McCartney's 'Falabella' bag over the years, and every season new colors and fabrics make it feel fresh and cool. This latest version is made from supple velvet in a rich crimson hue that's accented by signature silver whipstitched chains. It's perfectly sized to house daily essentials.
+After spending her formative years at Savile Row, it's fair to say Stella McCartney's strengths lie in tailoring. This sleek shirt is cut from cotton-poplin and patterned with vertical stripes that create a slimming effect. Wear yours tucked into jeans or leather pants with the label's mules.
+Stella McCartney's Pre-Fall '18 lineup is all about elegant simplicity and the pieces you can easily mix and match with anything. This sweater is spun from lightweight wool with a hint of natural stretch for comfort. Wear it the way fashion editors do - with your hair tucked into the turtleneck and a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings.
+Inspired by menswear shirting, Stella McCartney's top is crafted from striped cotton-poplin in a breezy loose silhouette. It has an elasticated off-the-shoulder neckline and wide-cut sleeves. Wear yours with white tailored pants and mules.
+Ms Stella McCartney might have only been designing menswear for the last couple of seasons but everything in the Aw18 collection already feels like an old favourite - not least of which, these blue jeans. They've been made in Italy from robust denim and cut in a tapered workwear-inspired fit. Shown here with Maison Margiela jacket, Stella McCartney T-shirt, Maison Margiela sneakers. Blue denim - Belt loops, five pockets, whiskered, faded - Button and zip fastening - 100% cotton; trim: 60% polyurethane, 40% polyester - Dry clean - Made in Italy
+Corduroy dominated the Fall '18 shows, and Stella McCartney embraces the trend in such a modern way. Cut to sit high on the waist, these shorts are made from plush storm-blue cotton and lined in smooth satin. Team yours with the matching blazer or play with texture and style with a silk blouse or lace camisole..
+The perfect poster girl for her own brand, Stella McCartney always looks so cool and effortless when wearing a classic shirt. Detailed with utility-style chest pockets, this sky-blue one is made from lightweight cotton-poplin and has darts through the back for a hint of structure. Tuck yours into a midi skirt or pants.
+Part of the brand's permanent capsule collection of timeless staples, Stella McCartney's 'Arlesa' top is designed with breezy side slits. This piece is cut from crepe for a fluid silhouette and has an adjustable silver zipper at the neckline. It looks effortlessly chic tucked into flowing skirts.
+One of Stella McCartney's hero designs (we also have it in black, white and royal-blue ), the 'Arlesa' top will go with anything in your wardrobe. This fluid piece is split at the sides and has a silver zip at the neckline that can be left slightly undone. Wear it tucked into a skirt or tailored pants.
+It takes a rigorous crafting process to make the signature faux brushed-leather used in Stella McCartney's iconic 'Falabella' collection - the soft fabric is exceptionally durable, too. This black shoulder bag is trimmed with whipstitched chains and sized to hold your small daily essentials. Carry it by the top handles or cross-body using the long strap
+Stella McCartney's 'Falabella' collection contains so many much-loved styles, but this black shoulder bag may be one of our favorites to date. Made in Italy, it's crafted from faux brushed-leather with a pink faux suede interior that are incredibly soft - the designer is completely dedicated to ethical design and sustainability. Tuck the signature silver chain inside to carry yours as a clutch.
+Sweater Sweater Kids Stella Mccartney
+Stella McCartney opened her new London flagship store only a couple of months ago, and it's filled with biodegradable mannequins and has a papier-mâché wall constructed from her office's waste paper. This 'Star' shoulder bag is crafted from signature eco-friendly faux leather that's made from recycled materials.
+As part of Stella McCartney's 'Skin-Free-Skin' code and lifetime pledge, the designer has introduced this shoulder bag to her already impressive ethical roster. Crafted from two-tone faux python, it can easily stow all your daily essentials and looks great carried cross-body. Invest in it to demonstrate your commitment to sustainable fashion.
+Look no further than Stella McCartney for sustainable shades - the label uses over 50% natural and renewable resources for each pair. Made from smooth bio-acetate, these futuristic sunglasses are detailed with a silver chain that runs along the top and a single blue-tone mirrored lens. The oversized D-frame silhouette suits heart-shaped faces best.
+Stella McCartney's dress may look simple from the front, but has discreet cutouts at the back to make it appear as though the petal sleeves are coming apart at the seams. It's beautifully cut from burgundy stretch-cady and has discreet pockets at the sides. Slip it on with pumps or sandals.
+Stella McCartney's collections always have a touch of rock 'n' roll to them, and this tank nods to the minimalist glamour of the '90s. It's made from plush midnight-blue velvet blended with a little silk and cut in a slightly loose shape. The low V-neckline is perfect for framing layered gold necklaces.
+Stella McCartney's sweater has been made in Italy from wool that feels so soft and light against the skin. This sky-blue style has a loose silhouette that's perfect for layering. Wear yours with everything from inky jeans to printed midi skirts.
+Stella McCartney 's 'Denzel' jeans are made from faded light-blue denim and feature fraying along the seams and at the cuffs to give the impression they've been faithfully worn. They're cut in a slim fit that lightly tapers at the ankle and finished with a brand-stamped faux leather patch on the reverse. Shown here with Stella McCartney T-shirt, Stella McCartney sweater, Maison Margiela coat, Common Projects sneakers. Light-blue denim - Belt loops, five pockets, whiskered, faded, distressed, faux leather back patch - Button and zip fastening - 100% cotton; trim: 60% polyurethane, 40% polyester - Dry clean - Made in Italy
+Stella McCartney recently made headlines for designing Meghan Markle's minimalist reception dress for the royal wedding. A more casual take on the brand's signature pared-down style, this denim wrap dress is defined by ruffled trims that extend from the sweetheart neckline to the mini hem. The washed finish looks great with woven accessories.
+EXCLUSIVE AT NET-A-PORTER.COM. Made just for us in the designer's signature 'Lover Red' hue, Stella McCartney's dress is smart enough for the office but a great option for parties and weddings, too. It's cut from sculpting cady and defined with subtle pleats down the bodice and flared skirt. Amp up the vivid shade by styling it with black accessories.
+Stella McCartney prefers to put pictures of animals on its T-shirts than to use any derived products in its designs. Made in Italy, this one is cut for a comfortable fit from cotton-jersey printed with a landscape scene and three stags. Shown here with Prada jacket, Stella McCartney jeans, Maison Margiela sneakers. Multicoloured cotton-jersey - Crew neck - 100% cotton - Machine wash - Made in Italy.
+Stella McCartney's sweater is woven from lightweight wool that feels so soft against your skin. This piece is knitted in a classic crew-neck shape and ribbed at the cuffs and hem to define the loose fit. Perfect for layering, wear it under a blazer or simply tucked into a midi skirt..
+It's the small details that set Stella McCartney's white T-shirt apart from the rest. Made from cotton-jersey that feels so soft and light against the skin, it's cut for a loose, oversized fit and embroidered with the label's signature star in rainbow threads. Try yours half-tucked into track pants or jeans.
+The velvet used to make Stella McCartney's pants is blended with sustainable viscose as part of the British brand's responsible ethos. This pair is cut in a slouchy relaxed shape and has an elasticated waistband to make them even more comfortable. Add the matching blazer to your shopping bag to wear them as a suit.
+Whether it's her developments in sustainability or otherwise, Ms Stella McCartney puts an enormous amount of research into everything she designs - the inspiration for this sweater comes from traditional fisherman knits. It's made from virgin wool for natural water-resistance and breathability and finished with contrasting striped cuffs. Shown here with Dries Van Noten coat, Dries Van Noten trousers, Gucci shirt, Maison Margiela sneakers. Ivory, green and brown virgin wool - V-neck, ribbed trims - 100% virgin wool; trim: 88% wool, 11% polyamide, 1% elastane - Dry clean - Made in Italy
+Chevrons are a motif found throughout Stella McCartney 's Aw18 collection - on this virgin wool sweater, a bold red one is used to create a broader and more defined frame. Mr Idris Elba was recently spotted styling his simply with a pair of navy tailored trousers. Shown here with Maison Margiela trousers, Lanvin sneakers, Dries Van Noten bag. Midnight-blue and red virgin wool - Crew neck, ribbed trims - 100% virgin wool - Dry clean - Made in Italy
+Stella McCartney's faux leather tote is what the environmentally conscious fashion fan should be using. It comes complete with an attached zip pouch for valuables and, thanks to the extra-roomy interior, it's perfect for work, a weekend getaway or even the gym. Not only does the pillar-box red finish look really fresh, the perforated logo on the front feels modern, too - it's a discreet nod to the logomania trend.
+Stella McCartney's camisole is such a pretty choice for summer parties and events. Loosely cut from silk, it's trimmed with delicate scalloped lace that beautifully frames the open back - adjust the satin bow ties to keep it in place. It looks especially elegant styled with white tailoring, making it the perfect 'something blue' to wear beneath a wedding suit.
+The.
+There is something so chic about a pair of white tailored pants. Stella McCartney's version is made from lightweight silk crepe de chine and has a flattering high-rise waist complemented by a fluid wide-leg shape. Wear yours with the coordinating blouse, letting the hem pool around slides or sneakers.
+Sweater Sweater Kids Stella Mccartney
+To prove just how versatile they are, Stella McCartney's 'Eclypse' sneakers were styled with a variety of looks in the label's Resort '18 presentation - this pair looked so striking with a fluid cream outfit. Grounded by a chunky rubber sole, they're made from faux leather finished with an iridescent rainbow effect and fasten with wide Velcro® straps.
+Stella McCartney has used different knitting techniques to create the subtle pattern on this charcoal sweater. It's been made in Italy from a soft and insulating virgin wool-blend and has a comfortable regular-fit shape. Try wearing it layered over a button-down shirt. Shown here with Dries Van Noten trousers, Acne Studios coat, Common Projects sneakers. Charcoal virgin wool-blend - Crew neck, ribbed trims - Fabric1: 65% virgin wool, 35% polyamide; fabric2: 100% virgin wool - Hand wash - Made in Italy
+Stella McCartney refreshes its 'Est.
+Sweater Sweater Kids Stella Mccartney
+Stella McCartney's shirt is the closest thing to wearing your pajamas out of the house. Made from weightless silk crepe de chine, it's cut in a loose, easy shape and outlined with shimmering gold piping. Tuck yours into a pair of skinny jeans to temper the loose fit.
+Continuing an ongoing commitment to eco-friendly craftsmanship and textiles, Stella McCartney incorporates 'Skin-Free-Skin' into her latest collection. This 'Flo' bag is made from python-effect faux leather and has an accordion silhouette that expands to fit all your essentials. Carry yours by the chain-trimmed shoulder strap or top handle.
+Ever committed to providing sleek and stylish options for the eco-conscious customer, Stella McCartney's latest collection features 'Skin-Free-Skin' pieces. This python-effect faux leather shoulder bag can be carried by the chic top handle or worn cross-body. It has an accordion silhouette that opens up to a surprisingly spacious interior.
+Sweater Sweater Kids Stella Mccartney
+Stella McCartney's jersey pants capture the season's animal print trend so perfectly. Cut for a relaxed fit, this pair has an elasticated striped waistband and concealed pockets. Adjust the gold ankle zips to highlight your favorite pumps or sneakers.
+T-shirt T-shirt Kids Stella Mccartney
+Stella McCartney's T-shirt is appliquéd with a vintage-inspired patch that's embroidered with playful slogans like 'All is Love' and 'No Smile No Service'. It's made from soft cotton-jersey and has a crew neckline and relaxed fit. Wear yours tucked into jeans or track pants.
+You can't go wrong with a cozy sweater on chilly days, but it's the sleek cold-shoulder cutouts of Stella McCartney's version that make it an elegant choice, too. It's designed for an oversized fit from plush wool that's ribbed so it won't lose its shape. Wear yours with everything from tailoring to denim.
+Inspired by classic pajama styles, Stella McCartney's shirt is detailed with smooth piping and notch lapels. Made in Italy, it's cut for a relaxed fit from ivory floral-jacquard enhanced with a hint of silk to keep it feeling soft and looking lustrous. Team yours with the coordinating pants or jeans and slides.
+Championed by sisterly duos like the Olsen twins and Bella and Gigi Hadid, transparent sunglasses are one of the hottest eyewear trends. This pair by Stella McCartney has squared cat-eye frames and lenses that match the rich orange hue. True to the label's commitment to sustainability, they're made from biodegradable acetate for less impact on the environment..
+Ms McCartney threw what she called a "Stella-bration" to kick off Aw18 - the party in LA went on into the early hours and her father and Mr Ringo Starr played a surprise set of their hits. The collection itself is filled with easy pieces that capture the spirit of fun, like this 'Idol' cotton-jersey T-shirt printed with the season's main mantra and motif. Shown here with AMI jeans, Acne Studios jacket, AMI sneakers. Multicoloured cotton-jersey - Crew neck - 100% cotton - Machine wash - Made in Italy
+A pair of sheer lace pants might not be at the top of your wish list, but Stella McCartney shows you why they should. Cut from soft wool-blend lace, this floral-patterned pair is fitted through the thigh before flaring out at the hem - balance the turned-up cuffs with heels. They're underpinned with shorts for coverage and look so chic styled with a blazer.
+Stella McCartney's Fall '18 runway was full of the designer's signatures - impeccably cut outerwear and sleek tailoring. Part of the lineup, these black pants are cut from wool with a straight-leg silhouette that has a leg-lengthening effect. Wear them with high heels, like in the show.
+The airy, lingerie-style silhouettes in Stella McCartney's Fall '18 collection reference clothes worn by the women captured in J.H. Lynch's mid-century portraits. Cut from lightweight silk-georgette, this black dress is shirred to highlight the smallest part of your waist and fastens with skinny ties at the open back. Take cues from the show and underpin the sheerness with tailored pants. - Black silk-georgette - Slips on - 100% silk; trim: 50% cotton, 50% viscose - Dry clean Large to size. See
+Stella McCartney's 'Falabella' bag is updated in a pretty pastel-pink hue for the new season. Crafted from the label's signature faux brushed-leather that has the supple feel of suede, it's framed with the iconic chain trims that are polished to catch light from every angle. It's sized to fit just the essentials - think a cell phone, keys and lipstick.
+สินค้าแนะนำสำหรับคุณ
+ลิสต์ราคา Stella McCartney 26,630 บาท ไปที่ร้านค้า
+ my first half Ironman, and overcoming running injuries. Depending on the situation, I might wait until I’ve overcome or made it through the worst before sharing – particularly for the more emotional things. For others, I like to take a more in-the-moment approach. In the case of today’s post, it’s the latter.
+I talked in my last monthly intention check in about how January was full of tests, and the powers at be certainly seem to thing this is a good season of my life for testing! For context, about a month ago I was promoted to a manager role at work. I knew that with this exciting news, I’d have a ton of opportunities to develop myself as a leader and have a positive impact on others. I also knew it wouldn’t be without a lot of additional responsibility, accountability…. and time.
+Last week was a wild one. Double-booked days, plenty of curve balls, an overflowing inbox and longing for some sort of cloning machine so that I could make 5 of myself to keep up with it all. I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep, went to bed thinking about work, dreamed about work, woke up thinking about work, and spent far longer than usual doing work. There were some high highs, some low lows.
+By Friday, it was almost as though my body didn’t even detect the fatigue any more. Guys, this is NOT something I subject myself to often! I’m used to a very regular early-to-bed, early-to-rise sleep schedule, but the candle was burnt at both ends all week long. Anyone else know the feeling?
+Thankfully, it’s a long weekend here in BC, and i’ve intentionally been spending the time getting myself back into a restored, rejuvenated state. Self care is a huge priority for me this year, and although the past week was one I don’t wish to experience again for a while, I feel I’ve developed a good little toolkit of self care practices to bring me back to feeling great when these life tests hit. If the year has been off to a fierce start for you as well, I hope you’ll use these ideas to inspire your own self care routine.
+What makes these practices effective?
+There are a few different things going on in each of the ideas I’ve provided, but for the most part, it’s all about stimulating the natural chemicals and hormones in our bodies that do things like:
+- Lower cortisol and adrenaline – the stress hormones we release in ‘fight or flight mode’ which can lead to poor sleep, irritability, weight gain, belly fat storage, headaches, anxiety, low sex drive, food cravings, hair and skin irritation, weakened immune function and thyroid imbalances. All not fun issues to deal with!
+- Boost feel-good hormones like oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins
+- Increase blood flow around the body, which can make us feel more energized
+- Stimulate the pleasure centers in the brain, including the amygdala (regulates emotion), cerebellum (for muscle function), pituitary gland and VTA, which release some of the happy hormones I listed above. These are the same areas stimulated in people with substance addiction1, but in the case of self care practices, you’re doing it in a far more holistically helpful way!
+20 ways to restore yourself after a crazy week
+1. Sleep
+Listed as #1 and for good reason. Sleep is one of the most restorative, healing and impactful things you can do to improve everything from mood, energy levels and ability to focus, to biological health markers like cortisol levels and inflammation2. It’s kind of like an insurance policy in the sense that you don’t realize how important it is – until you don’t have it and something goes wrong. On the other hand, sleep is better than insurance because it’s free!
+2. Take a bath or shower
+Hydrotherapy (or the use of water to address a range of health conditions) is becoming a common alternative treatment for things like muscular pain, improving range of motion, strengthening weak muscles and improving circulation and sleep quality3. You don’t need any fancy pools to reap the benefits of water. Simply taking a hot shower or bath can reduce muscular tension, blood pressure and cortisol, and if you add some calming essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, bergamot and jasmine, you get bonus points!
+3. Use aromatherapy
+Speaking of essential oils, you probably know that different oils have different effects. The ones listed above are great for calming the mind, but I love using others in my own concoctions to serve different purposes. For example, citrus and peppermint scents can help to boost mood and energy, while lavender, arnica, eucalyptus, peppermint, wintergreen and ginger can help reduce muscle tension and pain.
+4. Spend time with a friend
+Especially a friend you won’t be tempted to talk a lot about work with. Trust me, I LOVE my work friends and some are among my closest friends. But if you’ve been doing nothing but work work work and just need a mental escape, try hanging out with non-work friends so that you’re not tempted to bring up the same subject during your precious weekend hours.
+5. Journal
+I think this is powerful for everyone, but especially those of us who do a lot of talking, presenting, meetings and phone calls during the week. Talk therapy is powerful and can help us express our emotions. At the same time (and speaking from personal experience), sometimes I just need to stop talking for a while and just be in my head.
+If that sounds like you, journalling can be a great alternative way of getting your pent-up emotions expressed. I’ve kept a daily gratitude journal for over a year now which I feel has made a significant impact on my happiness, but you can journal about whatever you like. Here’s some prompts if you feel stuck.
+6. Get a massage
+Like the water therapy I mentioned above, physical touch is a powerful thing and sets off lots of feel-good hormones in our bodies. Massages are my favourite way to work out stress and muscular tension, and regardless of whether someone’s massaging you or you’re working on yourself, massage helps to open up energy pathways, increase blood flow and reduce the likelihood of headaches.
+If you don’t have time to book a treatment, an at-home or at-your-desk session can still help. I like to roll a lacrosse ball under my feet when I’m sitting at my computer, and have a slightly larger ball that I roll my upper back around on to relieve stiffness. This is especially helpful in the winter when my neck tends to tense up more often due to the cold.
+7. Breathe fresh air (outside!)
+Let your eyes see shades of green and earthy hues – both of which are calming on the mind. I’m almost embarrassed to say that over the past week, I think I only managed spend a total of 1 hour outside. It was walking to and from my car and my gym. In the dark. In the rain. How sad and uninspiring is that!?
+Not only does breathing fresh (non-air-conditioned, non-heated) air have an invigorating and refreshing effect, but assuming you’re outside during the day, you’ll also get some vitamin D through sun exposure which we also need for optimal health. If that’s not possible, or if it seems to be all rain, all the time where you are like it is here in Vancouver, try bringing some greenery into your home.
+8. Move your body
+I’m not necessarily talking about HIIT sessions or crazy tough spin classes, because if you’ve had a ridiculous week fuelled by adrenaline (and probably caffeine too), you’ll already have plenty of the stress hormone cortisol coursing through your veins. The goal is to bring that back down to normal and help the central nervous system recover. Lower-intensity exercise can help because it stimulates production of feel-good endorphins in the brain, all while flushing toxins out of the body. Exercise also forces us to move out of the positions we fall into the habit of sitting in all week long, which takes strain off of the joints.
+9. Laugh
+Nothing feels quite as good as a good belly-busting laugh, and if it’s enjoyed with other people, that human connection makes the impact even bigger. Whether it’s watching something funny on Netflix, spending time with funny people or a pet, or starting a Pinterest board of funny quotes, all of these things can help reduce cortisol and adrenaline.
+10. Listen to music
+Everyone has different tastes, but I like to resort to my personally-curated feel good tunes playlist on Spotify when I’m in a bad mood. I also like Spotify’s Ocean Escapes playlist (ambient ocean waves) when my brain just feels too full for anything else, aaannnnd I have a Guilty Pleasures playlist. If you guessed Hanson, Savage Garden, One Direction, Shania Twain, Mariah Carey (circa 1990s) and Justin Bieber, you guessed right. Dancing gets bonus points and looks after the ‘move your body’ box too!
+11. Load up on fruits, veggies, quality proteins and healthy fats
+It’s definitely not earth-shattering news that eating well will make you feel better. Plant-based foods help to reduce inflammation, provide our bodies with vitamins and minerals we need for everything from appetite regulation to energy production and inflammation control, and they’re delicious! Adding a source of fat to your meal helps your body to make better use of the fat-soluble vitamins in all that fresh produce, and has an overall calming, grounding effect. If you want to take things even further, try incorporating a few adaptogens to bring your body back to feeling like its fabulous self faster. You’ll find a whole bunch of delicious recipe ideas here!
+12. Enjoy a meal with no distractions
+No screen in front of your face, no books or magazines, no work – just you and your food. I’m willing to bet you’ll enjoy it a lot more this way, an probably feel fuller faster as well.
+13. Take a digital detox
+It might not be a total detox with zero electronics, and if the thought of going completely disconnected feels scary, even committing to only checking your email once during the day can be a great place to start. I did this on Saturday and it felt wonderful! Other ideas:
+- Read a real book with real paper pages
+- Write with a pen instead of typing
+- Deactivate social media notifications
+- Put your phone on silent so the noises don’t interrupt what you’re doing.
+- Leave your phone at home when you go out to do errands
+14. Volunteer or practice giving
+It might sound counter-intuitive because this is supposed to be about bringing more energy to yourself, not giving it away. But the cool thing about giving to others is that the effects are reciprocated and both sides benefit. You could give something physical like a clothing donation, write a card to someone to express your gratitude, or give the gift of time which is something I feel is often more valuable than anything tangible.
+15. Meditate
+You guys know I’m a big fan of this, and I can honestly say meditation has been making a huge impact – mostly on my ability to feel grounded and patient.
+My favourite app (yes, I know app use would violate the whole digital detox thing) to date is Insight Timer because the sessions are free and you can choose to cater what you hear to needs like anxiety, leadership, sports performance, sleep quality, happiness, grounding etc. There’s even SOS meditations – 1-2 min sessions you can do when sh!t hits the fan and everything inside you is screaming “haaaaalllllllppppp meeeeee!”.
+I think there’s a type of meditation for everyone, so if you’ve been frustrated by what feels like a lack of ability to concentrate in the past, don’t give up – just keep experimenting. I actually find cleaning quite meditative sometimes!
+16. Give yourself a manicure, pedicure or facial
+It kinda sounds like work, but all 3 of these things seem to help me feel more put together. Or, if you want to splurge, treat yourself and have a spa do the treatment for you. When you feel good about yourself, it shows in the way you walk, talk, and engage with other people.
+17. Dry brush your skin
+I didn’t think this was a big deal until I tried it, and now I believe the hype. Dry brushing helps to boost circulation, exfoliate the skin, may encourage detoxification of the lymph nodes, and just feels really good. It sounds weird to say my skin feels more awake afterwards, but it does! Dry brushes come in all shapes and sizes, but I like ones with long handles like this to make my back easier to reach.
+18. Be inspired by a TEDtalk
+I’ve been watching tons of these lately and never fail to learn something new. With such a diverse range of speakers, you’re bound to find at least a handful of videos that help you get through whatever challenging predicament you’re in. You can check out my roundup of TEDtalks on gratitude here.
+19. Do whatever makes you lose track of time
+Maybe it’s cooking, colouring, crafting, writing – anything that you absolutely love, even if it has no productive purpose. Our brains need a break, and even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, I’m willing to bet that you are in some way.
+20. Say “no” and be firm on your boundaries
+I learned a while back that if I don’t allocate a significant amount of my weekends to solo time, I head into the next week still feeling a bit fatigued and not totally present. The idea of being able to see a whole bunch of people I love spending time with in one weekend is so tempting, but pacing is key. If you’ve signed up for things but just need a break to look after yourself, there’s no shame in saying no.
+Lastly, I very recently came across Girls’ Night In, a website and community that encourages women to make taking care of ourselves a priority. Every Friday they send a newsletter packed with tips, inspiration, and real stories about real women crushing it in life. As someone who truly values my ‘me time’, and who for years felt guilty about not wanting to spend Friday nights out on the town, stumbling across this was like a breath of fresh air. You can sign up for free here .
+1 thought on “20 ways to restore yourself after a crazy week”
+Hi, is anybody here interested in online working?
+It’s simple survey filling. Even $10 per survey (10 minutes duration).
+If you are interested, send me e-mail to hansorloski[@]gmail.com
+Every personality type has a superpower. But with any superpower, there’s always a blindspot — something that catches you off-guard, bypasses your defenses, or simply knocks you down. Here’s the “kryptonite” that secretly blindsides each introverted Myers-Briggs personality type — and how to leave it in the dust.
+(What’s your personality type? We recommend this free personality assessment.)
+Each Introverted Personality Type’s Kryptonite
+ISFP
+Sorry, that came out all wrong, didn’t it, I think?
+When at their best, ISFPs are the type I’d vote “most likely to walk around in a constant state of flow.” They are deeply aware of their own values and preferences, yet they’re not pie-in-the-sky dreamers; they’re very much in tune with their body and the world. As a result, they make things seem effortless, and tend to perform most activities with a sort of easygoing clarity. Even at their clumsiest, an ISFP has a certain catch-it-at-the-last-second grace.
+This is part of why ISFPs are called the artists of the Myers-Briggs world, and indeed, their creativity knows no bounds; whatever they touch tends to turn prettier, or more interesting, almost by accident. But it also applies to other kinds of activities: I’m in awe of how one ISFP friend threw together a last-minute four-day trip with her two babies to the other side of the world.
+So what is the ISFP’s secret weakness? Self-doubt.
+Turns out, for many ISFPs, their outer ease is balanced by inner uncertainty, including worry and anxiety. This can take many forms (fear of the future, for example, or of what others think), but it’s most painful when it’s turned back on the ISFP themselves. Self-doubt can sap their power like kryptonite saps Superman.
+And there’s a reason for it. ISFPs let their values guide their decisions. They do what “feels” right, and they express those feelings very strongly — not only in their artwork, but also in their identity and how they live their life. That means ISFPs can feel every setback as a very personal blow or a judgment on who they are.
+Add in the fact that ISFPs are chronic non-conformists, and you have a situation where they can quickly feel like an outcast or a failure. Even when they’re doing well, self-doubt can sneak up and undermine them. Only at the best of times, when they are being truly appreciated for who they are, does this doubt go away.
+Is there a way to change that? Yes. ISFPs should seek a source of validation that comes not from outside, but from within — even if it’s through a simple morning ritual. One friend, for example, takes private time in front of her mirror every morning to do her hair and makeup, a process she describes as “putting on my armor.” She takes the person she imagines herself being and almost literally paints it onto herself, cementing who she is with no validation needed.
+That’s eerily similar to the ritual that suspected ISFP Lady Gaga described in an interview: “When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure 24-year-old girl. But I say, ‘Bitch, you’re Lady Gaga, you better f*cking get up and walk the walk today.'”
+ISTP
+You do it your way, and I’ll do it mine.
+ISTPs don’t so much live life as perform it, gravitating toward the most unique or clever way to do any task. But make no mistake, this performance isn’t for an audience. It’s for one person and one person only: themselves.
+The ISTP is the one who will start a home brewing project but, instead of a trendy IPA or easy-drinking pilsner, they’ll recreate a 3,000-year-old recipe for ancient Egyptian beer. For good measure, they might decide to brew it in a cleaned-out gas tank instead of a carboy, because it’s what they had lying around. And besides, it looks cooler.
+They’re also the one who buys almost exclusively the most practical, comfortable clothing, preferably from a secondhand store for a few dollars, if they remember they need to go clothes shopping at all. But then they’ll spring $500 on green hand-tooled cowboy boots. The craftsmanship was superb, after all.
+Of course, if they have friends who will ooh and ahh over the Pharaoh Fuel beer tank or compliment their striking boots, all the better. But they’d be just as happy with those little creations completely on their own.
+Which brings us to the ISTP’s kryptonite: teamwork. Because, as charming and ingenious as the ISTP’s individualism can be most of the time, there are situations where’s it’s a major pitfall.
+This comes out most often at work (there’s a reason so many ISTPs prefer self-employment or solo gigs), but it can also crop up in games, sports, or group social events. The ISTP’s I-do-it-my-way ethos can not only cause hurt feelings and ruffled feathers, it can also deprive an ISTP of would-be friends (who they actually do enjoy being around), lead to career consequences, or in some cases, even derail a project and cost the whole team a victory. If left unchecked, this can become a spiral where the strained relationships make the ISTP even less willing to play with others.
+But it doesn’t have to be that way — nor do ISTPs need to fit their square peg into a round hole. One simple solution is to simply make a point of asking the team or group what their objective is. If the ISTP can apply their outside-the-box approach to making sure that goal is met, it’s much less likely to cause resentment.
+ISFJ
+Don’t tell them I said this, but…
+ISFJs are relentlessly supportive and caring. They tend to put relationships first, and they don’t like to do things that injure or rock those relationships — even the most casual ones. This is one of their superpowers, and it’s what makes them such lovely people to be around.
+It’s also what keeps them from being direct.
+Directness, after all, is where hurt feelings come from. It’s how people start feeling pushed around (“he’s saying I have to do this…”) or personally attacked (“How could she say that to me?”). Directness doesn’t always have this effect — not by a long shot — but ISFJs have seen it happen enough that many of them have made a choice: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
+But directness is also where change comes from. It’s how you correct misunderstandings, change bad behavior, and get policies revised at work. Being direct with someone is how you establish personal boundaries (and enforce them). And it’s absolutely called for in many situations — like when someone is out of line.
+But for ISFJs, it’s their kryptonite. That’s why many ISFJs end up spending time with “friends” they’d really rather avoid, getting roped into plans they don’t enjoy, or even suffering in a job they dislike. All of these are situations where there’s power in politely but directly speaking up. Because, often, hints and nuance (an ISFJ’s preferred tactic) won’t do the job.
+I don’t think ISFJs have to be stuck being put upon, and I don’t think they have to compromise their desire to be nice and friendly. It helps to remember that sometimes, being a little honest is the kindest thing — even if it ruffles some feathers — because it creates a better situation in the long run. It also helps to confer with a couple people you trust first, and if the group seems to agree, bring up an issue together, not just as one person speaking out.
+And, even when being direct, it never hurts to put some ISFJ honey on those words. For example, “Could you do me a huge favor? I think I’m actually getting tired of our usual Thai place. I’ve really been wanting to try this Italian place instead. Any chance we can go there?”
+ISTJ
+I’m fine doing it the same way I’ve always done it.
+ISTJs are, in many ways, the unsung heroes of the world. They know how to do things, they know how to do them right, and they’re happy to put in the time it takes to do so. Pair that with their strong sense of duty, and you have a personality that is reliable, skilled, and has a sense of honor and loyalty — even if sometimes they’re a little too blunt for other people’s tastes.
+But what goes hand-in-hand with that sense of “doing it right”? A certain rigidity. ISTJs thrive when they can take past experience, apply any rules or instructions, and act methodically. The more uncertainty there is, the more it puts them out of their comfort zone.
+And nothing involves uncertainty and guesswork more than risk — which also happens to be ISTJ kryptonite.
+ISTJs don’t like risk for three reasons (yes, ISTJs, I made a nice tidy checklist for you):
+- Risk means there’s a chance things won’t go right and that your experience, knowledge, and work ethic may not change that. So your biggest strengths are of no help in this situation.
+- Risk undermines what you already have — the money, home, family, or life you’ve made. Many types of risk aren’t just a gamble on whether your hard work will pay off, but endanger the things you already have. It’s simply not worth it.
+- Taking risks is uncomfortable, dangit!
+And, frankly, this ISTJ weak spot can be a no biggie — if things are going well. Many ISTJs live perfectly happy lives by playing it safe and sticking to what they do well. It’s only when disaster strikes, or when an ISTJ wants something more in life, that they’ll suddenly have to learn how to deal with risk.
+But I’d like to suggest that ISTJs can dramatically improve their lives by learning to take moderate risks. I say “improve their lives” because many ISTJs are already enormously skillful and trustworthy people. By taking a chance and playing big — even just a little — they can get the recognition they deserve.
+Taking moderate risks also builds an important skill in a way that’s relatively safe. My ISTJ father, for example, decided to start a chimney-cleaning business when money was tight. He kept his main job and did the sweeping on the side, which involved risking time and money but not his home or job. It became successful and he eventually sold the business when he was ready to retire.
+Another ISTJ friend quit her engineering job to become a realtor, which she believes she could make a huge profit at. But you can bet she made a multi-year savings plan first and had more than enough emergency cash in the bank before she pulled the trigger.
+A little bit of practiced risk doesn’t just expand your comfort zone, ISTJs, it can help you realize your full potential.
+INFP
+But what if we did it THIS way…
+The INFP brain is wired to create, create, create. From vivid daydreams to imagining whole inner worlds, they dream up what is new and interesting and powerful, and they bring it into the world through their convictions, actions, and art. Which means almost nothing matters more to INFPs than expressing that truth burning inside them.
+That’s why INFPs live a life of unbridled authenticity. They express their ideas and ideals not just in writing and artwork, but also in the way they run their lives. And if anything tries to constrain that, it feels like an attack on who they are.
+Which brings me to the INFP’s kryptonite: overlooking the value of learning from what’s already in place.
+Imagine starting a new job, your first position in a new industry. You come in bursting with enthusiasm — and ideas for how to do things. Within days, you’re suggesting new approaches, new tactics, even solid reasons to scrap some long-standing policies.
+But your boss tells you to drop it and just do things the way you’re supposed to do them.
+For an INFP, this is often the moment when the whole job loses its joy. The enthusiasm vanishes like a fickle muse. And honestly, it’s understandable that INFPs would feel this way. No one likes being told what to do, especially when creativity is your jam.
+But it can also be your kryptonite talking. After all, who’s going to end up having more impact in the industry: the person who takes a year to learn the why behind how things are done and earn respect, then suggests innovation from a place of expertise? Or the person who simply changes jobs?
+This is a hard skill to master, because it means allowing your authenticity to be tamped down temporarily in order to channel it even more effectively over time. If genius is a river, you’re basically building a hydroelectric dam. The goal isn’t to stop the flow of ideas, but to use them to power whole cities.
+If you’re an INFP, how can you learn to do this without hating every minute of it? I think it helps to set a timeline. If it’s a career thing, you might give yourself two years (or three, or whatever you choose) to master the way other people want things done and build up your reservoir of exciting new ideas. After that, if you’re not getting the freedom to try things your own way, give yourself full permission to push back or move on. Having that end date in sight makes it much more tolerable to temporarily suck things up.
+Like what you’re reading? Get an email whenever we write about your personality type. Subscribe to our type-specific newsletters here.
+INTP
+You know at some point you need to finish something, right?
+I used to live in a house in New Orleans that was owned by an INTP.
+The house was gorgeous — in 1880. But it had been devastated by storms and neglect, and he bought it for a low price hoping to fix it up. Just walking up to it gave you a thrill: It was the perfect picture of a Southern Gothic haunted mansion.
+The inside, however, was a different kind of chaos. My INTP friend quickly turned the rooms into artist housing, but only some parts of the house had been fixed up or made livable. My friend himself lived there, and so did his contractor buddy who helped him. And the INTP had a lot of big plans for the place.
+“Let’s make sure we get the bedroom walls done first. I want to make the rooms nice for people.”
+“I got a bargain price on some energy-efficient water heaters. Hold off on finishing the walls till we get these installed.”
+“Huh, I just read about the dangers of old plumbing. Let’s redo the plumbing first and worry about the water heaters later.”
+“Wow, I didn’t realize there was so much termite damage in the walls. We gotta do this before we do the plumbing.”
+“Hey, while we’re at it, maybe we should update the wiring — I don’t want a fire situation. Yeah, tear out the bedroom walls we started to do.”
+You get the idea. I’ve been over to visit the house many times since then, and while work was always taking place, I can’t say there’s been any appreciable difference in how “finished” it looks. Which is funny, since the owner’s whole plan is to restore it to a beautiful mansion and make a profit.
+In my experience working with other INTPs, I feel comfortable saying this is the INTP kryptonite in general: They have a tough time finishing the big-picture project, purely because of an endless stream of extra ideas they come up with to improve it.
+And most of those ideas are brilliant. Every single one of them could help make the project better — whether it’s restoring a home, starting a business, or building your own hover-car in the garage (I mean, we are talking INTPs here, right?). But none of them will pay off without the patience to put them in order, follow the steps, and see each one through.
+How can INTPs overcome this? The classic advice is to partner with someone who can help you execute, whether it’s a friend and fellow hobbyist, a business partner, or a colleague. But that only works if you listen to them and let them guide the way things are done. Remember, as an INTP, you can out-envision almost everyone, clearly making a case why it’s time to switch to Idea No. 27. But if you work with someone you trust and heed their pushback when it comes, you can see dozens of your ideas succeed and whole projects come to fruition.
+INFJ
+Well, I don’t want anyone to see this…
+INFJs have a reputation for reading other people well — and for good reason. Most of them have had the experience of absorbing other people’s emotions, and striving to create wellbeing for others is a core part of their wiring. In many cases, they even understand the feelings of others better than their own feelings.
+Unsurprisingly, that means INFJs are used to seeing the vulnerabilities of others — even when people try to hide them. That can result in an INFJ creating stirring moments of empathy and human insight, helping a person feel truly “heard” or understood for the first time. Or, in moments of door slam, it can result in the INFJ striking right to the heart of a person’s greatest weakness and shutting them down.
+So, in a way, no matter what your kryptonite is, INFJs probably already see it, and even keep some stocked in their refrigerator (not that they would use it on you, of course).
+But that doesn’t mean INFJs are without their own blindspot. And it turns out that, for them, turnabout is not fair play.
+Because the INFJ’s kryptonite is vulnerability.
+Yep. For a type that almost magically senses the feelings and soft points of others, the INFJ can get uncomfortable to the point of freak out when their own vulnerabilities are put on display.
+And, to a degree, that’s true of everyone — especially other “J” types. But for the INFJ, it goes far deeper. INFJs have deep, complex, and sensitive feelings. At the same time, they’re constantly pulling in and processing the feelings of other people — which aren’t always a walk in the park. In other words, they deal with a lot of mental and emotional garbage that shouldn’t be sitting in their dumpster in the first place.
+At the same time, because of their desire to create harmony, they tend to want to be part of the group. Every INFJ knows they are different from most people (1-2 percent of the population, y’all!), but they don’t want to be total misfits. So there’s a reason they keep 98% of themselves deeply hidden.
+So if someone else starts to see their hidden side, INFJs don’t just feel judged or vulnerable. They may feel a sense of panic that they will not only be “exposed” as something different than they strive to be, but also left with a flood of negative emotions — their own and others’ — that they have to deal with.
+And INFJs, remember: It’s okay. You hide parts of yourself to protect yourself, because you know from experience that the world isn’t always gentle with you. There is nothing wrong with this kryptonite.
+But you can shine even more if you take at least small steps to reach past it. INFJs were not designed to be loners or hide behind a wall — they are at their absolute best when they are engaged in deep emotional exchange with other human beings. That kind of exchange must be, by its very nature, honest and raw.
+One thing that helps? Open yourself up selectively. Only YOU know which people in your life truly get you, so if you’re around someone who feels comfortable, share more than you normally would. Take a deep breath and confess the thought or feeling you’re afraid most people would misunderstand. If even two people in your life can be your “soul friends” to discuss your inner truth with, you will feel a great burden lifted off you.
+INTJ
+Be careful what you scheme for…
+We all know that INTJs are great at planning and, more than that, doggedly pursuing the plan until all the pieces come together. This is one of their superpowers, and it’s what makes INTJs so well-suited to jobs in management, science, and leadership of any kind.
+However, it’s also a curse.
+It’s a curse because an INTJ’s hidden blindspot is an almost total inability to take their own happiness into consideration — especially when making a plan for their lives.
+I say this as an INTJ myself. I can vouch firsthand that the same powers of goal-setting, planning, and big-picture thinking that serve me so well in other areas pay off terribly when it comes to my personal life. I can picture something I “want” and make a plan to get it, but all too often, I’m too blind to my own emotions to factor them in. The result is achieving exactly what I “wanted,” only to to discover it doesn’t actually make me happy.
+Want to spend your 20s saving money so you can retire early? You might find out you don’t enjoy the free time as much when you’ve lost your youth.
+Want to be married and start a family in three years max? You might ignore all the red flags that you’re not actually compatible with your partner.
+(This is why I refer to emotions as “the invisible world.” When something happens in the invisible world, it has effects that I can’t see coming — although I’ve gotten dramatically better at it.)
+But fellow INTJs, you are not doomed to misery. You just need to take a different tool from your how-to-achieve-things toolkit: outsourcing. Outsource that emotional awareness to someone who’s competent at it, and leverage their strength to help guide your own decisions.
+The best way to do this is to choose one friend you’re very close to and ask if you can schedule a once-a-month get-together. The point isn’t to hang out; it’s to both come with any problems or struggles you’re facing, discuss them, and give each other advice. Sort of like a personal mastermind session. As long as it’s someone who you trust to be honest — and someone who’s leading a happy life themselves and is more emotion-focused than you are — they can be your emotion-compass.
+Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to take their advice at face value. And don’t give up doing the hard work of learning to tune into yourself, emotions and all. But the very act of talking personal matters through with a trusted advisor can help you actually sort them out.
+And you? You can return the favor by being their planning compass. It’s a wickedly powerful combination.
+You might like:
+- What Secretly Makes Each Introverted Personality Type ‘Dangerous’
+- Here’s What Gets Each Introverted Myers-Briggs Type Red-Hot Motivated
+- The Introverted Myers-Briggs Personality Types That Make the Most Money
+This article contains affiliate links. We only recommend products we truly believe in.
+Run to live; live to run
+Marjorie
+10.2 for me. Haircut in a few. Dh is taking the pups to the pool.
+Cindy I love the iPad. I got the mini so it is compact. Makes things easier than using my phone. Good luck with the race.
+Batgirl!
+8 easy done. Beautiful morning here. Rain forecast for tomorrow's long run, but at least it isn't supposed to be cold.
+Marjorie, I was going to get my hair cut today but decided to wait a few weeks. Need it now, but the shorter layers won't stay in a ponytail as well so will wait until after my races next weekend at least.
+Now off to take a shower and do some of my never-ending list of chores.
+today I'm going to do some sort of easy-ish xt - I ran 11.25 miles yesterday & I was pretty pooped. Was in a funk & the last few miles & questioned *why* I even want to do a 1/2. Got home & discovered that it is *that time of the month* - -explains my funk. I will try a 10 miler next weekend & then decide if I wnt to sign up for the 1/2 on 4/13. I need to get my mom on board with going to WV for H/M. I will sign up for the 1/2, but really, I'm just coming to meet a bunch of you lovely forumites that I've been conversing with for years! It took 2 hours to do it & altho I was distracted & kinda tired & sore, I felt much much better after a shower & stations of the cross - - so here's to hoping for a much better long-ish run next week.
+Who all is going to WV in June?
+I am registered for the H/M in June, looking forward to meeting everyone too!
+I ran 8 this morning, that is the longest run since December. I felt pretty good and I did not use my walk/run , I ran the whole thing. Cold, but sunny this morning. After I ran, I went to the store, bank and then treated myself to a pedicure. Pedicures are just wonderful. GS has a doubleheader ballgame today, first of the season. DH and I are going to go to the 1:00 game I think. I have so much to do for tomorrow, but want to go to the game. Potatoes and eggs are cooking for salad, sugar cookies are baked, so I am getting there.
+Karen...I don't know how you and Marjorie run so much. I hear you about the never ending chores. I need a haircut too.
+Everyone
+Some good things, some not so good things...
+on the good side, I have lost 10 pounds since January. I still have more to lose, but I and feeling good about it. I have been using My Fitness Pal pretty faithfully. It was a pain the first couple of weeks, especially because I cook quite a bit and had to enter some of my own recipes, but after that it got much easier. It has helped DH lose some weight, too.
+Ran outside yesterday, 3 miles on a flat path. SO nice to run outside, and it felt fairly good at the time, but front of my ankle hurt quite a bit later. This is after cutting back for more than 2 weeks, and then not running at all for 5 days. Sigh. I had hoped that would be enough to solve the problem. I have a doctor's appointment on April 11, so I will see what she says then. I guess it is back to the elliptical for me until then, although maybe it will be possible to ride my bike outside now. This nice weather has got me itchin' to run outside. I'm wondering if yoga could be exacerbating the problem. My Thursday yoga class has had a series of substitute teachers, all teaching very differently.
+Thanks for letting me whine. I just want to go outside and RUN!
+annieSusan
+Linda
+Cindy: There is software that can monitor all your computers, including tablets. I can't get my head around researching it yet, but when we get a new computer, I'm going to do the research and get some serious monitoring/protection. We've already had issues, so I have stay diligent.
+Karen: Ponytails may not be beautiful all the time, but they are certainly practical.
+ajdx5: some runs aren't the best. Next week will be better.
+annieSusan: Congrats on the weight loss. I have been trying to loose the last 5lbs. for at least a year+. At least I haven't gained. I'm sory about your ankle
+My husband and I ran a 5K together, today. He did pretty good on a very challenging course(2nd AG) , and I won first female. I should write a little report about it, because it is the first time that I used a little race strategy.
+2014 Goal: Just Run!
+Over 40 PR's
+Half - 1:38:52, 5K - 21:31
+Nice racing Linda and Mr. Linda! I don't know if I'm more impressed you won first female (and don't you just love beating all the "kids" in their 20s and 30s across the line) or that your entire outfit matches, including your shoes. In fact, you even match the ribbon of your medal and your very cool trophy!
+Amy, nice run, even if it wasn't the best. The crappy ones make the good ones that much better. And I'm so excited you're coming to H-M! I'll be there.
+Ginny, too funny. I see the miles Marjorie runs and don't know how she does it. Nice 8 for you today. Enjoy the game - sounds like preparations for tomorrow are well underway.
+annieSusan, congrats on the weight loss! I was the same way with myfitnesspal in the beginning. It can be such a pain in the beginning, but once you get some recipes in there, and you get better at "guessing" how similar what you made is to something someone else put in there, it's really not that bad. I also like that a lot of the new recipes I've tried online have all the nutritional information so I don't have to put in all the ingredients. Sorry about your ankle and hope you get some answers soon.
+Assuming I get my long run in tomorrow (16 miles), March will be my highest ever mileage month at 256 miles! And boy, can my legs feel it. I need to look at my plan next week and see if I can figure out a mini-taper of sorts for the half next Saturday (Sunday's half will be more of a recovery run). Hoping to go sub-1:40 on Saturday, then just run with my sister and help keep her mind occupied on Sunday.
+Gatsby, are you ready for GO? Did you switch to the half? I'm getting back into St. Louis probably early afternoon on Saturday and then we're going to the expo. Want to try to meet up there?
+Okay, the reason I got on the computer was to look for a salad recipe I have in mind to take to dinner at a friends house tomorrow. So I better stop messing around online!
+Happy Easter weekend! Led a 10.5 miles trail run then did another 3 when I got home. Lots of hills... feeling a little pooped. It's a trail through a protected watershed area that isn't accessible to the public unless you're with a docent, like me, so my RC periodically hosts runs through there and collects donations for our scholarship fund.
+Woohoo Linda and Mr. Linda on your awards! Hope that JulieD and Cindy had fun at their races today.
+Karen, I'm ready enough for GO! Yes, switched to the half, wouldn't have been ready for the full after losing February to bronchitis. My flight arrives at 2:45 on Saturday . I'm planning on going to the expo, but will have someone pick up my race packet just in case I'm late. I'll PM you with my cell number and if you send me yours, I'll get in touch Saturday afternoon. If you don't have dinner plans, a big group of us are meeting at Angelo's (attached to the Drury Hotel downtown) at 5:30 and the more the merrier. You're running with your sister right?
+Marjorie, sounds like you're having fun with your new toy. Just got my hair cut yesterday. I've been going to the same person for at least 12 years and have had pretty much the same hair cut the entire time. I am the most boring client ever. But she knows that having it long enough for a pony tail is a must for me.
+ajdx5, I won't be in WV but sounds like a fun time will be had by all. Some runs just suck so don't worry about a bad one every once in a while, especially when it's you TOM.
+Ginny, woohoo on 8 miles! Nice.
+AnnieSusan, bummer about the ankle, especially if it's nice outside and you want to run. Maybe tendenitis? Hopefully the doc will give you some answers. Congrats on the weight loss!
+Hi to everyone else!
+Ahhh. Sitting down. Ran errands then came home to do more cleaning. Took the old caulk peel strip thingy from the front of the tub then took goof Off and spent forever cleaning g the residual sticky mess. Looks good now. Laundry and some sorting upstairs.
+Amy I'm doing h/m full.
+Ginny good for you not having to stop.
+Linda congrats.
+Karen most the time I don't know how I run the miles I do either!
+Susan gosh wish that stubborn ankle would get better.
+Gatsby Ive gone to the same place for my hair for 13 year almost. I do change it up from time to time though with the style. One day I will have to do Go. I went to school in St Louis and love it there.
+Happy Easter Weekend!
+I survived my DD's birthday celebration we had a lot of fun swimming, hot tub, eating and movies at the hotel. My DD and her friends were very well behaved and my older daughter was a big help.
+This afternoon, I took the kids and dog to the Park, I met up with 3 friends from our new running group and ran 5 miles. About 50 degrees outside, great weather for a run, though the park was fairly muddy so the dog needed a bath when we got home ha ha
+Having a laid back Easter tomorrow, I hope to run 8-10 in the morning, then the BF and I are heading downstate for dinner at his Mom's. I am making a broccoli salad since BF and I are the only veggie eaters in the group and I need my greens!
+89
+Hi Marjorie - nice run. I want an Ipad Mini. I bought my older kids tablets for Christmas (NOT Ipads) and they love them.
+Karen - way to go on the 8! I have a huge 'to'do' list as well. I managed to get all the laundry done today, but that's about it!
+AmyD - nice job on the 11.25, you will do fine in a Half
+Ginny - great 8!!
+Annie - great job on the weight loss. So sorry to hear that your ankle is bothering you, have you tried taping it?
+Linda - awesome job on the race! Congrats to your hubby, as well. Love the picture!
+Gatsby - what race is GO? Have fun with Karen
+Fire Jumper
+Hello all!
+RR: Today was the Icebreaker Challenge 5K in Albany, NY. It was on a beautiful path along the Hudson River, right in downtown Albany. I met a group of friends there, all of whom are relatively new runners. We had a great time. It was in the low 30's when we arrived at the race site. I was layered right up, including mittens with hand warmers (I know some of you are chuckling). By the time the race started, the sun had really powered up and it was close to 40 degrees. So, I shed a couple of layers right before the race. (I was VERY glad I did).
+As I shared earlier this week, I had very low expectations since this was my first 5K of the season and I had been running inside all winter. So, I decided not to pay attention to my pace, but just run my race based on how my body felt. The race coordinators pushed us back further away from the start line, because there was an immediate bottleneck just across the line. We got distracted during the shuffling and were standing there chatting, I realized that some of the elite runners were BEHIND us. I knew we were in the wrong place. So, I kind of herded our group away from the front of the line. One of the elite runners actually thanked me and comments about how considerate it was of us to move
+The race started nicely, and once we were through the entrance to the walking path (the bottleneck), it was pretty smooth running. I felt really strong and enjoyed almost all of the race. The last half mile, I had to decide to just put my head down and get 'er done. And, of course, the only rise in elevation of the entire race happened in the last quarter mile!!
+I ended up running the 5K in 34:06, a 10:59 pace... A PR all the way around. WOW... totally didn't expect that. It's amazing what the energy of a race can do for your pace! I was thrilled..
+Great job, Julie!
+Love the picture
+Back for personals:
+Marjorie - Nice 10.2! I love my iPad. Of course, I have totally drank the apple juice! lol
+Karen - Nice 8! The only way I know to deal with short layers is do even shorter layers. It's one of the reasons I have settled on a really short cut. And the 256 miles is awesome!
+Ginny - congrats on the long run!
+AnnieSusan - Hooray for your progress toward your weight loss goals! Sorry to hear about the ankle. Hope that the doc has a good answer for you.
+Linda - GREAT PICTURE (and a handsome guy!!) And WOOO HOOOO on top female. That rocks! Love the trophy... and I would love to hear the race strategy.
+Gatsby - That's cool about the trail runs for the scholarship fund. What a great use of resources (nature and funds).
+LC - I can't wait until it is warm enough to take Jazzie to the park. I took her to a dog park a couple of weeks ago and she was covered with mud after only few minutes. ugh!
+Blessed Easter and Happy Pesach,
+This is a special portion of the year-end review, where I try to single out some genuinely good films that slipped through the cracks or maybe just didn’t get the audience they deserved. Now I would argue that none of these films are underrated in that those who saw them liked them. But judging by the box office, most of you probably didn’t see most of these. So consider this a primer on stuff to catch up on as 2014 rolls around. These will be in alphabetical order.
+ABCs of Death (Magnolia)
+26 letters of the alphabet gives way to 26 short stories of horror. Some are better than others, but the sheer novelty of the idea shines through during the entire 130-minute running time. The various segments are filled with surprises both funny and horrible, and it’s the kind of kooky experimental project we’d all do well to see more of. There’s little more than I can say without giving away its treats. Oh, and in an attempt to jam eleven films into a ten-film list, let me also recommend VHS2. The horror compilation sequel, also released by Magnolia primarily on VOD, was far superior to its predecessor and the third segment stands as one of the great horror short films in modern history.
+Before Midnight (Sony Classics)
+That this won’t make my “best of” list is no slight against the picture, only that I found other films I loved more. Richard Linklater’s (apparent) conclusion to this most unusual of trilogies comes to a moving and thoughtful finale eighteen years after it began. Having missed the two prior installments over the years, I literally Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight within days of each other, watching what amounts to two adult lives unspooling over the course of three days. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke are both terrific as the star-crossed couple stuck struggling after years of normalcy, and the film has an extended take in the middle that remains one of my favorite scenes of the year. That it didn’t break out is no surprise ($8m domestic), since the two prior installments made less than $12m combined, but it’s still a gem that completes one of the most unique film trilogies of all time.
+Downloaded (VH1 Docs)
+Alex Winter is best known for playing Bill in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, but this year he directed this fascinating and engaging little documentary about the rise and fall of Napster. The film offers no critical judgment and draws few conclusions. It merely details the somewhat recent history that changed not just the music business but the manner in which we consume art. It is a wonderful time capsule and another stark reminder that I am now old enough for the events of my lifetime be considered “history”. This one barely made a dime in theaters, but it’s absolutely worth the (legal) download.
+Fruitvale Station (Weinstein Company)
+Considering the bleak subject matter, this would-be Oscar contender was always destined to be more talked about than actually seen. But it’s worth the effort, if only for the terrific lead performance from Michael B. Jordan as a young man unaware that he’s living out the last day of his life. There’s something sad about so many needing to be reminded via a movie that a young black man living in the city is still a flesh-and-blood human being with friends, family, and ambitions. But whatever it takes, I suppose. Still, the film goes out of its way not to lionize its protagonist while also honestly depicting the confused and chaotic moments of his deeply unjust death. Character studies like this should be more prevalent, but that only makes this one all-the-more worthwhile.
+The Last Stand (Lionsgate)
+Aside from being a terrifically entertaining old-school action film, The Last Stand operates as a metaphor for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career arc. Having gotten his start in B-movie action romps like Commando, Schwarzenegger spent half-a-decade on the A-list only to now find himself back making the kind of films that he was best known for prior to Twins and Total Recall. That the picture tanked at the box office ($48m worldwide on a $45m budget) only makes the symbolism more bittersweet. But parables aside, Jee-woon Kim’s small-town romp is filled with good character actors (Forest Whitaker, Jamie Alexander, Peter Stormware, etc.) able and willing to take the pressure off Arnold, both in terms of acting and stunt work. As a byproduct, when the action starts, we have a genuine investment in a whole host of people in the line of fire. This is theatrical B-movie action at its best.
+Ninja II: Shadow of A Tear (Millennium Films)
+So this one is direct-to-DVD and VOD and doesn’t even release to the public until December 31st. But my list, my rules. It’s no secret that the world of direct-to-DVD action cinema has been slowly becoming a place for the kind of big-scale, but Earthbound action heroics that are rare enough in cinemas to still be considered somewhat of an event. Last year’s Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning was probably the tipping point, a splatter-filled science-fiction action vehicle with a trippy narrative that almost qualified as high art. This one has no such aspirations. It’s merely a chance for Scott Adkins, the undisputed champion of this sub-genre, to do what he does best in a lean and mean “avenge my dead wife” plot.
+The plot doesn’t matter, the characters barely matters. But the fight choreography is splendid and Issac Florentine dares to shoot and edit all of this glorious artwork in long and fluid takes. You can see every kick, every jump, and every punishing blow because the filmmakers actually allow you to savor that which you came to see. The action in this film is out-and-out incredible, and it’s framed with the kind of clarity that we once took for granted. Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear isn’t high art, but it is crazy action fun for those who seek out this kind of thing.
+Peeples (Lionsgate)
+With a domestic gross of just $9.1 million, this is far-and-away the lowest-grossing film that Tyler Perry has ever put his name on. The irony is that it’s one of the better films that he’s ever put his name on. Tina Gordon Chism’s light comedy is completely a riff on Meet the Parents (which was itself a remake), but it’s a more low-key and less antic variation. Craig Robinson and Kerry Washington make a fine “straight couple” while the rest of the family supplies the laughs. What’s good about the picture is that every major character has their own issues and their own agency, and the film is notably gay-positive in how it presents the coming out of a lesbian daughter as no big deal. The picture is fun and sweet, but it’s worth it merely to see S. Epatha Merkerson get to be funny. And the idea of Tyler Perry using his name to give directors of color a shot at the big time is a most promising one indeed.
+Rush (Universal)
+This Ron Howard period drama is just the sort of thing we used to take for granted. It’s a rock-solid character study made for and intended for adults. It’s the kind of star vehicle whose relative absence helps explains the lack of newer movie stars over the last ten years, as there isn’t a lot of middle ground between a low-budget indie and a superhero tent pole for would-be stars to prove their artistic or commercial worth. Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl are terrific as rival Formula-1 drivers in the 1970′s racing circuit and Rush is just a darn good movie that deserved a bigger audience than the $24m worth of American moviegoers it got. That it didn’t break out domestically isn’t a surprise (it’s done $90m worldwide thanks to strong business in Europe), but it’s still unfortunate for those who want more of its ilk at the local multiplex.
+The Spectacular Now (A24)
+Every year there seems to be one or two movies that seem primed to break out but end up dying in platform release and never going truly wide. Last year it was Lionsgate’s The Perks of Being A Wallflower and this year A24 was the culprit. This bittersweet and moving character piece debuted like gangbusters ($197,000 on four screens) yet never went wider than 770 theaters, which occurred in its seventh week of release. By then, the moment had passed and it quickly faded from view. The dark and somber film was never going to be a blockbuster, but it deserved more than its $6.8m domestic gross.
+James Ponsoldt’s picture was advertised as a romance, and Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are terrific in a genuinely authentic look at teen romance in a harsher light. But the film is truly a study of a young man who is his own worst enemy and the girl he threatens to drag into the abyss with him. This is the rare teen romance where you’re actively rooting for the couple to break up. It’s a frank look at the cliche of the cool and cocky guy and the “pretty ugly” girl he sweeps off her feet. I hate the last thirty seconds of this film, but the rest is pretty terrific.
+You’re Next (Lionsgate)
+Commercially speaking, it was a pretty good year for horror. The Purge and The Conjuring both broke the opening weekend records ($34m and $41m) for original R-rated horror within 6 weeks of each other while Insidious Chapter 2‘s opening topped $40m in September. The Conjuring even had the kind of legs unheard of for a horror picture, ending up among the very highest-grossing R-rated original horror films ever ($137m). So it is bittersweet that this incredibly entertaining original horror story got lost in the shuffle. Still, the film cost $2 million to acquire, so its $18m gross means it’s a hit. It’s basically a family home invasion film, with the twist being that it’s a family full of adults and the airing out of their family squabbles is just as intense as the violence. There’s another twist too, but I won’t divulge that one. Just know that You’re Next is incredibly funny and genuinely scary, offering a perfect mix of mainstream and genre-friendly for a Saturday night rental.
+And that’s a wrap for this portion of the year-end review. Now with 2013 being the year that video on demand went unquestionably mainstream, there are surely dozens, of not hundreds, of interesting movies that you and I both missed this year. So share your undiscovered gems below. The next list will be dropping soon.
+Oral ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG) to chronic alcoholic mature male mice at dose levels of 4 and 8 mg/g body weight for seven consecutive days caused a significant increase in lipid fractions, lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase, whereas the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and its metabolizing enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were significantly decreased in the arterial tissue. progressive disease that begin in childhood, manifest middle age and later. In the Modern World, the entrance of Chinese, Japanese, and ready to serve foods like 2-minute noodles, soups, sauces, etc., all containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), has tremendously increased especially in younger generation because of its palate pleasing favorite flavor. In the present era, MSG, an inducer of oxidative stress[2C8] and alcohol, a well-known factor of atherosclerosis,[9C13] is becoming a part of daily food, Tideglusib ic50 especially in younger generation. There are numerous reports in literature that the age for the establishment of atherosclerosis has become 25 to 30 years in the present, where it was about decade back. It is an alarming situation as number of premature deaths due to coronary heart disease is increasing tremendously. So, the present work was made to observe the aftereffect of MSG in chronic alcoholic adult man mice to see that whether MSG in the current presence of alcoholic beverages could action in synergism with alcoholic beverages for the initiation of atherosclerosis or not Tideglusib ic50 really by learning its influence on oxidative tension markers like lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant enzymes like xanthine oxidase (XOD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and its own metabolizing enzymes such as for example glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) alongside different fractions of lipid. MATERIALS AND Strategies Animals: Regular adult male mice (LAKA, US) weighing 25 to 30 g in bodyweight had been procured from the pet home of Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. Pets were preserved on regular pellet diet plan (Hindustan Lever Ltd., Bombay) with free of charge usage of water. Grouping: Pets were split into four sets of six mice each and MSG at dosage degrees of 0, 4, and 8 mg/g bodyweight was presented with orally for seven Mouse monoclonal to GST consecutive times (that’s from 31st day to 37th time of alcoholic beverages ingestion) to persistent alcoholic (30% ethanol/100 g bodyweight) adult male mice the following: Group-I: (Control): 0 mg MSG/g bodyweight. Group-II: Alcoholic beverages for 37 times (30% ethanol/100 g bodyweight). Group-III: Alcoholic beverages for 37 times + 4 mg MSG/g bodyweight (from 31st to 37th time orally). Group-IV: Alcoholic beverages for 37 times + 8 mg MSG/g bodyweight (from 31st to 37th day orally). This experimental design was approved by the Animal Experimental Ethics Committee of Panjab University, Chandigarh, and conducted according to Indian National Science Tideglusib ic50 Academy Guidelines for the use and care of experimental animals. Sample preparation: After the dose period (38th day), animals were fasted overnight and sacrificed by decapitation. The arteries were removed, kept on ice, and washed with ice-chilly saline. Ten percent homogenate was prepared in potassium phosphate buffer (100 mM, pH – 7.5) containing 0.15M KCl and was centrifuged at 1 000xg for 15 minutes in chilly centrifuge (4C). The supernatant stored was at 4C and used for various biochemical assays. Biochemical assays Determination of Lipid fractions: The levels of total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were estimated by applying the methods of Frings em et al /em ., 1972,[14] Fiske and Suba Row, 1925,[15] and McGowan em et al /em ., 1983,[16] respectively. Total cholesterol levels were assayed by the methods of Zlatkis em et al /em ., 1953.[17] Protein assay: The protein contents were estimated by Lowry em et al /em .’s methods, 1951[18]. Lipid peroxidation: The LPO levels were assayed by measuring the pink color chromophore created by the reaction of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) with malondialdehyde (MDA) according to the method of Beuge and Aust, 1978.[19] Xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2): The activity of XOD was measured by the method of Fried em et al /em . using nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) which created farmazan. The increase in the intensity of color with time was measured spectrophotometrically at 540 nm for 10 minutes.[20] Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.5.1.1): The activity of SOD was assayed by applying the method of Kono.[21] The activity of SOD was measured by monitoring the rate of inhibition of NBT reduction. One unit is defined as.
+Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the aetiologies of hyperprolactinaemia in
+Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the aetiologies of hyperprolactinaemia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). and severe illnesses had been common aetiologies of hyperprolactinaemia in men. The prolactin level mixed between your different aetiologies and an even of 250 ng/mL was suggestive of macro-prolactinoma. Conclusion A significant proportion of patients with hyperprolactinaemia have transient hyperprolactinaemia. Before further investigations are carried out, prolactin level assessment should be repeated, especially in patients with mild hyperprolactinaemia. syndrome8 (2.4)1 (0.6)9 (1.8) Open in a separate windows PCOS = polycystic ovarian syndrome; CKD = chronic kidney disease. *Percentages do not add up to 100 as reported causes are order BIBW2992 not mutually exclusive. ?Other reasons included breastfeeding (n = 8), localised breast irritation/infection/surgery (n = 6), hypothyroidism (n = 4), hypoplastic pituitary (n = 1) and syncope (n = 1). The highest median serum concentration of prolactin was 191 ng/mL (range: 14.6C2000 ng/mL) and was noted in patients with prolactinoma. For the other aetiologies, Rabbit Polyclonal to TRIM24 there was an overlap in the median prolactin level which was not predictive of aetiology. Patients with transient hyperprolactinaemia had a prolactin level ranging from 13.4C77 ng/mL. Similarly, mild-to-moderate hyperprolactinaemia was seen in PCOS cases with only one patient using a order BIBW2992 prolactin level 85 ng/mL. Prolactin levels in patients with drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia ranged from 19.6C240 ng/mL. Patients with other sellar masses had prolactin levels which ranged from 13C196 ng/mL; of which, 32 patients (94.1%) had levels 100 ng/mL and only two (5.9%) had levels 150 ng/mL. Overall, prolactin levels 250 ng/mL were only found in 14 patients (2.8%). In two patients (14.2%), hyperprolactinaemia was due to pregnancy while in the remaining cases it was due to prolactinoma. Serum prolactin levels higher than order BIBW2992 500 ng/mL were only seen in macroprolactinoma patients [Table 3]. Table 3 Frequency and serum prolactin levels of endocrine and non-endocrine causes of hyperprolactinaemia (N = 507) syndrome9 (1.8)48.4 (29.4C78)Hypothyroidism4 (0.8)28.3 (13.4C38)Non-endocrineTransient74 (14.6)32.5 (13.4C77)Drug-induced73 (14.4)68.4 (19.6C240)Seizures39 (7.7)37.9 (13.6C221.2)Acute illness34 (6.7)32.4 (14C70.2)Idiopathic30 (5.9)47.7 (13.6C115)CKD28 (5.5)50.1 (13.9C151.7)Pregnancy20 (3.9)87.4 (24C490)Other*16 (3.2)48.2 (18C167.8) Open in a separate windows PCOS = polycystic ovarian syndrome; CKD = chronic kidney disease *Other reasons included breastfeeding (n = 8), localised breast irritation/ contamination/medical procedures (n = 6), hypoplastic pituitary (n = 1) and syncope (n = 1). Discussion This is the first study to comprehensively describe the aetiologies of hyperprolactinaemia in a large cohort of patients presenting to a tertiary referral center in UAE. Results showed that a significant proportion of patients were diagnosed with transient hyperprolactinaemia. Hyperprolactinaemia negatively impacts gonadotropin releasing outcomes and human hormones in menstrual disorders and symptoms of hypogonadism.1 Hence, most sufferers in today’s research had been found to possess prolactin evaluation due to menstrual disorders undergone, infertility or erection dysfunction. A lot of sufferers underwent prolactin evaluation to eliminate a seizure disorder because prolactin provides been shown to become elevated in sufferers with seizures.13 Actually, amounts 2 times above the baseline obtained 10C20 minutes after seizure activity have order BIBW2992 already been reported as suggestive of seizure medical diagnosis with 46.1C60% awareness and 96% specificity.14 However, sufferers with syncope might knowledge mild prolactin elevation.14 Furthermore, a recently available study of sufferers admitted for an epilepsy monitoring device to tell apart psychogenic from epileptic seizures questioned the function.
+Supplementary MaterialsSupplementary figure. of HIV-associated cervical cancer. value was significantly less
+Supplementary MaterialsSupplementary figure. of HIV-associated cervical cancer. value was significantly less than 0.05. Outcomes Characterization of exosomes produced from HIV-infected T cells We isolated and purified exosomes from a latently HIV-1-contaminated individual Jurkat T-cell range and the particular non-HIV control Jurkat cells by the typical exosome isolation approach to ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g for 16 h at 4C. The framework and size from the contaminants isolated from cell lifestyle supernatants had been dependant on electron microscopy and NanoSight particle monitoring evaluation (Fig. ?(Fig.1A,1A, B). Oddly enough, we discovered that a lot more exosomes had been secreted from VX-809 kinase inhibitor latently HIV-1-contaminated cells than non-HIV control cells by quantification evaluation of exosomes isolated from the same amount of cells. The exosome markers HSP70, Compact disc63, Compact disc9, and Compact disc81 had been further discovered in exosomes from all cell lines by immunoblotting (Fig. ?(Fig.11C). Open up in another home VX-809 kinase inhibitor window Fig 1 A, B Exosomes released by different cells was detected by electron NanoSight and microscopy particle monitoring evaluation. Scale club, 100 nm. C Immunoblotting assay of indicated protein in exosomes from different VX-809 kinase inhibitor cell lines. HIV-infected T-cell-derived exosomes promote cervical tumor cell proliferation, invasion and migration To identify the transportation of exosomes, we cocultured the exosomes isolated CTSS from lifestyle supernatants of HIV-1-contaminated J1.1 cells or from control Jurkat cells and cervical tumor cells CaSki, SiHa, and HeLa. J1.1 cell-derived exosomes significantly promoted the proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cells weighed against control Jurkat cell-derived exosomes (Fig. ?(Fig.2A,2A, B). Oddly enough, cervical tumor CaSki cells cocultured with exosomes from J1.1 cells expressed higher levels of proinflammatory genes, such as IL-6, IL-8, TGF-, collagen type I (COL1A2), and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) (Fig. ?(Fig.2C),2C), which play an important role in regulating the inflammatory microenvironment and promoting the progression of cervical cancer. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that exosomes from HIV-infected Jurkat cells contribute to the malignant progression of cervical cancer. Open in a separate windows Fig 2 HIV-infected T-cell-derived exosomes promote cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration. (A) The effect of exosomes around the proliferation of CaSki, SiHa, and HeLa cells treated with 4 109 exosomes/ml from J1.1 (J1.1 Exo) or Jurkat (Jurkat Exo) cells. Ctrl, serum-free medium. Error bars, s.d., n=3,* 0.05, ** 0.01. (B) Migration assays of cervical cancer cells treated with equal quantities of exosomes derived from J1.1 cells, Jurkat cells or blank control. Migrated cells were counted, and representative images are shown. (100) (C) IL-6, IL-8, etc. gene expression in CaSki cells treated with exosomes released by J1.1, Jurkat or control cells were detected by qRT-PCR analysis. Error bars represent three independent experiments. MiR-155-5p in HIV-infected T-cell exosomes mediates cervical cancer progression It has been reported that microRNAs are abundant in exosomes and play a key role in cell-to-cell communication32. Therefore, we hypothesized that microRNAs in HIV-infected T-cell exosomes promote the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer cells. To identify which miRNAs were involved, we conducted an Affymetrix multispecies miRNA-4 array to detect the miRNA expression profile of exosomes derived from J1.1 VX-809 kinase inhibitor cells and Jurkat cells. A total of 474 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were compared and are shown as heatmaps in Fig. ?Fig.2A.2A. Twenty-one of the most upregulated miRNAs (fold change 10) in J1.1 cell-derived exosomes were subjected to validation (Fig. ?(Fig.2B).2B). Only miR-155-5p mimics promoted inflammatory gene (IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8) expression in CaSki cells (Fig. ?(Fig.2C).2C). To further investigate the role of miR-155-5p, CaSki cells were stably transfected with miR-155-5p inhibitor (Supplementary Fig. 1A). As expected, the effect of miR-155-5p on cervical cancer cells was abolished by its specific inhibitor (Fig. ?(Fig.2D).2D). Collectively, these findings reveal that J1.1-derived exosomal miR-1247-3p promotes the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer cells (Fig. ?(Fig.2E,2E, F). MiR-155-5p in HIV-infected VX-809 kinase inhibitor T-cell exosomes directly targets ARID2 in cervical cancer cells miRDB and microTCDS (bioinformatics tools) were used to predict common target genes of exosomal miR-155-5p. The AT-rich interactive domain name (ARID2)-containing family of DNA-binding proteins was verified to be a immediate focus on of miR-155-5p and in charge of the development of cervical tumor (Fig. ?(Fig.4A).4A). ARID2 appearance could possibly be down-regulated in cervical tumor cells by miR-1247-3p at both mRNA and proteins amounts (Fig. ?(Fig.4B).4B). Potential binding sites of microRNA-155 had been within the.
+Supplementary Materials Supplementary Data supp_64_12_4023__index. some proteins from the OXPHOS organic
+Supplementary Materials Supplementary Data supp_64_12_4023__index. some proteins from the OXPHOS organic suggesting a job for PKC in the legislation of mitochondrial mass at old age group. These data suggest an important function of PKC in the legislation of insulin awareness Cidofovir inhibition and mitochondrial homeostasis in skeletal muscles with aging. Launch Proteins kinase C (PKC) is certainly a family group of serine/threonine kinases that play essential roles in lots of cellular signaling occasions, including cell development, differentiation, apoptosis, and hormonal replies. PKCs are categorized into three main categories: typical PKCs (, I, II, ), book PKCs (, , , ), and atypical PKCs (, , ) (1C3). A genuine variety of PKC isoforms have already been implicated in both insulin actions (4,5) and insulin level of resistance (6,7). Activation Rabbit polyclonal to HOXA1 of book and typical PKCs by insulin, hyperglycemia, and lipids, diacylglycerol especially, provides been proven to result in insulin level of resistance (7C9). PKC is certainly a known person in the book category of PKC protein and it is involved with many pathological circumstances, including ischemic cardiovascular disease (10,11) and cancers (12). PKC has also been implicated in insulin action and insulin resistance (4,5,13C16). While in vitro studies have suggested that PKC plays a positive role in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle mass (4,5), animal studies, especially those focusing on liver, have indicated that PKC is usually a major contributor to hepatic insulin resistance (17). In previous studies using genome-wide scanning to compare the diabetes/obesity-prone C57BL/6J (B6) mice and diabetes/obesity-resistant 129S6/Sv (129) mice, we recognized PKC as strongly linked to the development of Cidofovir inhibition insulin resistance (15). Mice with liver-specific Cidofovir inhibition reduction in PKC gene expression display increased hepatic insulin sensitivity, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced hepatic lipid accumulation, while mice with liver-specific overexpression of PKC develop hepatic insulin resistance, fatty liver, and glucose intolerance (17). However, the contribution of muscle-derived PKC in the development of insulin resistance in vivo has not been explored. Skeletal muscle mass is the predominant site of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in the postprandial condition. Insulin level of resistance in muscle is among the characteristic top features of type 2 diabetes and provides been proven to can be found in genetically prone individuals years prior to the onset of medical diabetes (18). As mentioned above, in vitro studies have suggested a positive part of PKC in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake performed in skeletal muscle mass cells (4,5). Ageing is associated with many metabolic changes including lipid build up and the development of insulin resistance (19,20). These changes lead to improved prevalence of diabetes and metabolic syndrome beginning in middle-aged individuals and increasing thereafter. In the current study, we explored the part of PKC on muscle mass insulin sensitivity in relation to diet and age by generating mice in which the PKC gene has been specifically erased in skeletal muscle mass using Cre-lox recombination. We found that while PKC does not appear to play a role in muscle mass insulin resistance associated with diet-induced obesity, PKC does play a role in the onset of insulin resistance in muscle mass as the mice enter middle Cidofovir inhibition age. Thus, PKC levels in muscle increase with age, and muscle-specific deletion of PKC enhances whole-body insulin level of sensitivity, reverses whole-body glucose intolerance, and enhances muscle mass insulin signaling in middle-aged mice. Hence, PKC.
+Changes in cerebral blood circulation (CBF) throughout a hyperglycemic problem were
+Changes in cerebral blood circulation (CBF) throughout a hyperglycemic problem were mapped, using perfusion-weighted MRI, in several nonhuman primates. brain areas. The spatial design of extra-hypothalamic CBF adjustments was correlated with the patterns of a number of cerebral networks like the default setting network. These results claim that hypothalamic blood circulation response to systemic sugar levels could be described by regulatory activity. The response of extra-hypothalamic clusters adopted a different period program and its own spatial design resembled that of the default-setting network. Sp.). We have been developing the baboon as a preclinical pet model to review AG-1478 inhibitor database the physiology and genetics of common human being metabolic disorders which includes insulin level of resistance, diabetes, weight problems, and dyslipidemia (Guardado-Mendoza et al., 2009). Lately, we effectively and securely induced diabetes in mindful baboons through an individual dosage of pharmaceutical-quality steptozotocin (Chen et al., 2014; Frost et al., 2015). A thorough characterization of hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic CBF can help us better understand metabolic regulation in both types of diabetic (I and II) circumstances. From a neuroimaging perspective, baboons provide benefit of having among the biggest brains of frequently studied laboratory primate (Kochunov et al., 2009). Furthermore, our previous neuroimaging research in baboons possess demonstrated that the baboon model gives clinically relevant structural, practical, physiological, and metabolic information regarding brain framework, function, advancement, and genetic variability (Kochunov et al., 2009; Wey et al., 2010). Components and methods Pet topics and experimental process Seven adult (mean age = 9.17 1.24 months [range: 8.4C11.7 years]) female baboons (Sp.) had been chosen from a big, breeding colony taken care of by the Southwest National Primate Study Middle (SNPRC). To reduce potential gender-related differences in regional glucose metabolism, we selected female animals AG-1478 inhibitor database in this study. The average body weight was 17.9 3.5 kg (range 15.4C25.4 kg). All animals had a stable weight pattern ( 3% change over the last 12 month) with normal euglycemic blood glucose values ([Glc] = 89 9 mg/dL) on entry to the analysis. Animal managing and anesthesia protocols had been optimized for fMRI and so are described somewhere else (Kochunov et al., 2009). Pets had been fasted for 16 h, with full usage of water, before becoming transported from the SNPRC to the pet preparation region at the study AG-1478 inhibitor database Imaging Institute (RII) at the University of Texas Wellness Science Middle at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). Each pet was sedated with an intramuscular injection of s-ketamine 10 mg/kg (KetaVed., Phoenix Scientific, St. Joseph, Missouri), intubated with an MR-suitable tracheal tube and 18 gauge catheters were inserted in to the remaining and ideal saphenous veins. Pets were then shifted to the MRI space where anesthesia was induced and taken care of by mechanical ventilation, at the price of 10 respiration/minute, with 2% Isoflurane, Animal’s heartrate, end-tidal CO2 concentrations and core body’s temperature had been monitored using MRI suitable equipment from 15 min ahead of imaging and through the entire imaging experiment. Each 60 min very long fMRI session contains 20 min of baseline imaging accompanied by a bolus injection of glucose (dextrose, 50%) calculated at 500 mg/kg of bodyweight into the remaining saphenous vein. All pet protocols were examined and authorized by the Institutional Pet Care and Make use of Committee of Texas Biomedical Study Institute. Peripheral measurements CACH3 Bloodstream was drawn from the proper saphenous vein at 5 min intervals for glucose measurements in every animals. Furthermore, 5 ml bloodstream draws had been performed at 0, 10, 20, 22.5, 27.5, 35, 45, and 55 min to see insulin and C-peptide plasma concentrations in five of the seven pets. Whole blood sugar was measured with a glucometer (Accu-chek AVIVA, Roche Diagnostics). We verified its precision ([Glc]plasma = 1.12 [Glc]bloodstream + 4.1; 10-4) by analyzing 10 random glucose measurements, in the 1st two animals,.
+It really is hoped that x-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCi) will
+It really is hoped that x-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCi) will provide a generational improvement in the effectiveness of mammography. technique employing laboratory sources, Rabbit Polyclonal to STAG3 suitable for mammography, was suggested by Olivo and Speller (2007a), (2008b). This JTC-801 novel inhibtior technique is known as coded aperture XPCi (CAXPCi) and has since been under continuous development within the radiation physics group at UCL (see Olivo (2009a), Olivo and Speller (2007a), (2007b) for example). This technique has been demonstrated experimentally and validated theoretically in the aforementioned references principally for CAXPCi systems sensitive to phase gradients in one dimension. We are now building a pre-prototype CAXPCi system sensitive to phase gradients in two dimensions based on the initial work of Olivo (2009a). This system will be used to assess the efficacy of the technique using human breast tissue samples. To our knowledge, the only mammography program currently in JTC-801 novel inhibtior progress is in Trieste, Italy, using the SYRMEP beam line (Castelli 2007, Dreossi 2008). This program has provided mammograms of improved contrast and detail presence compared with regular mammography. A medical trial is happening but email address details are however to become released. The pictures are acquired utilizing a technique referred to as free of charge space propagation (FSP) XPCi which needs an x-ray beam of high spatial coherence but considerably limiting the emitted flux. Such a beam could be acquired using synchrotron radiation, as used in the Trieste system, rendering it impractical for medical screening. This system has been used using microfocal or highly apertured laboratory resources (Wilkins 1996). This, however, outcomes in a prohibitively lengthy exposure time due to the reduced flux obtainable from such resources. A FSP XPCi program originated using regular x-ray resources with a nominal focal place size of 100 2008, Tanaka 2009). In a medical trial encompassing 3835 examinations, the machine was found never to give a statistically factor in recall prices and cancer recognition rates in comparison to regular film screening (Morita 2008). It had been, nevertheless, reported that the machine resulted in excellent depiction of abnormalities. To the very best of our understanding, this technique has experienced not a lot of medical uptake. The primary reason because of this is a resource focal place size of 100 1998). Other ways of carrying out XPCi using laboratory resources have problems with the same issue because the FSP technique. Specifically, the Talbot interferometric technique (Momose 2006) works just with microfocal resources and the Talbot-Lau interferometer (Pfeiffer 2006) employs an aperture before a typical laboratory resource which creates a range of resources each emitting a beam of high spatial coherence. Both techniques bring about exposure moments which are too much time for clinical make use of. The proposed CAXPCi program functions by partially illuminating detector pixels to emphasize the result of refracted photons on the detector pixel indicators. We usually do not explain the technique at length; rather, JTC-801 novel inhibtior the reader can be referred to a recently available publication (Olivo and Speller 2008a). A schematic diagram of a CAXPCi program, sensitive to stage gradients in a single direction, is demonstrated in shape 1. Whenever a refracting object is positioned on the detector part of the sample apertures, some photons which previously didn’t reach a detector pixel can do therefore and vice versa. This creates stage comparison in the detected picture. A graphic sensitive to stage gradients in two directions could possibly be obtained by firmly taking two exposures with the one-dimensional program, each for a different orientation of the object relative to the apertures. Such an approach has been suggested by Kottler (2007); however, this is not practical for clinical application due to the technical difficulties and time associated with rotating the imaging system. The proposed system will instead employ apertures with a two-dimensional transmission profile. In the remainder of the paper, we consider the possible designs of such two-dimensional apertures and discuss the trade-offs leading to JTC-801 novel inhibtior the chosen aperture type. We then model the imaging of breast tumours and calcification in order to optimize the system parameters. Open in a separate window Figure 1 The system diagram of an CAXPCi system employing a JTC-801 novel inhibtior point source. is the detector pixel width and is the displacement of the detector aperture/detector arrangement relative.
+By the finish of 2012, more than 6. of subtype G
+By the finish of 2012, more than 6. of subtype G that has been explained in South Africa. The subtype B sequences explained also improved perform an important part in HIV-1 prevention strategies. Intro South Africa has the highest number of people infected with HIV-1 worldwide, estimated at 6.1 million in 2012.1 A major feature of HIV-1 is the great genetic diversity of the viral genome, which may have an impact on viral diagnostics, tranny, disease progression, and medical management.2 HIV consists of two types, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and HIV-1 can be further divided into four organizations: M (Major), O (Outlier), N (Non-M, Non-N), and P. Group M is responsible for the pandemic and may be divided into nine subtypes and subsubtypes, and also into recombinant forms, which can be divided into circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) and unique recombinant forms (URFs). Currently, there are more than 65 CRFs and several URFs recognized in the Los Alamos HIV Database []. The HIV-1 pandemic is not uniform, but complex and dynamic with different regional distributions of subtypes and CRFs. Subtype C is the most prevalent form in South Africa and accounts for nearly 50% of all HIV infections worldwide.3,4 It is essential to constantly monitor the diversity and spread of HIV-1 worldwide as the pandemic matures. Epirubicin Hydrochloride irreversible inhibition A total of 309 full or near full-length unique HIV-1 genomes from South Africa have been characterized in various studies, 296 (95.78 %) of which are subtype C isolates.5C10 Other South African near full-size HIV-1 genomes include two subtype A1 isolates,8,11 two subtype B isolates,8,11 five subtype D isolates,12,13 and four viral recombinant forms, which included three different URF_AC recombinant forms and 1 complex URF.6,8,14 We describe the near full-size genome (NFLG) sequencing and phylogenetic Epirubicin Hydrochloride irreversible inhibition analysis of seven additional South African viral strains, including HIV-1 subtypes A, B, G, and two URFs. Materials and Methods Ethics statement This study was authorized by the Health Study Ethics Committee (HREC) of Stellenbosch University (IRB0005239) and all study participants provided written informed consent for the collection of samples and subsequent analyses. Individuals and RNA/DNA isolation Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from the Tygerberg Virology (TV) cohort were acquired between 1998 and 2004. The TV cohort, which was previously explained in Jacobs regions of a further 10 sequences.11 A total of 35 (8.53%) non-C isolates were identified among the 410 samples from the TV cohort. Of these, Epirubicin Hydrochloride irreversible inhibition seven non-C strains were selected for further characterization based on the availability and quantity of samples. RNA was extracted from 1?ml Rabbit polyclonal to PLRG1 of the plasma samples (Television047, TV096, TV101, Television218, and Television546) using the QIAamp Ultrasense Virus package. High-molecular-fat DNA was extracted from cultured Television016 using the Qiagen DNAeasy Bloodstream and Tissue package and from uncultured Television1057 using the QIAmp DNA Mini package (Qiagen, Epirubicin Hydrochloride irreversible inhibition GmbH, Hilden, Germany). Both of these samples had been genotyped from proviral DNA because of the insufficient plasma regarding Television016, the issue in amplifying from RNA regarding Television1057, and the actual fact these two sufferers had Epirubicin Hydrochloride irreversible inhibition been on treatment during sampling...
+Sensory biology and pain begins with inputslight, smell, taste, touch, sound,
+Sensory biology and pain begins with inputslight, smell, taste, touch, sound, balance, in the case of sensory biology, or at points proximal to synapses inside our bodies, in pain. These inputs are indicators, detected by different receptors, which are parsed and interpreted by the anxious program. These labyrinthine, beautiful, and multi-level neural structures and systems, which constitute our thoughts, had been beautifully illustrated by the neuroscientist, Santiago Ramn y Cajal, whose portrayals serve because the inspiration because of this issues cover artwork.? Alongside topics in the biology of sensory perception, in this matter, we consider the specific sensory neurons, nociceptors, which relay the bodily representation of pain to the anxious system. Today, the issue in understanding and managing individuals pain has led to widespread complications in the overuse ofand addiction toopioid medicines. In 2017, the united states Section of Health insurance and Human Providers (HHS) declared that the opioid epidemic was a open public health crisis. Upon this declaration, the HHS recommended a 5-stage strategy to fight the opioid crisis. Two of the strategic points needed enhanced knowledge of the epidemic and broadened support for innovative analysis. In this matter, we interviewed a open public wellness official and energetic researcher, Dr. Bertha Madras, who’s currently an associate of the Presidents Commission on Combating Medication Addiction and the Opioid Crisis and the previous Deputy Director for Demand Decrease in the Light House Workplace of National Medication Control Plan (Ogawa). Madras walks us through the way the opioid commissions survey was made, what its principal suggestions are, and what’s forthcoming, with regards to prevention and analysis. We talk about deeper insights and improvements about analysis into discomfort and addiction medication with interviews of Dr. Stephen Waxman, whose research targets pain treatment, specifically in treating discomfort that arises from the dysfunction of the nervous system, and Dr. Patrick OConnor, one of the founders of the new System in Addiction Medicine at Yale Universitys School of Medicine; pertinently, OConnors study lies at the crossroads of general public health policy, main care, and addiction (DeNardo and Horien, respectively).? Apart from the opioid crisis, we also cover additional topics in pain and clinical study, including a mini-review on the history lorcaserin HCl kinase inhibitor and treatment of the main cause of non-traumatic cervical spinal cord (neck) injury in adults, degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) (Gibson em et al /em .). Gibson em et al /em . review the history of DCM, its symptoms, the physiological progression of chronic spinal cord compression, its analysis by imaging, and the outcome of surgical treatment. On the topic of clinical pain management, we also present an original research article on emergency medicine best practices for individuals admitted to the emergency room expressing sudden-onset, serious pain and head aches (Gill em et al /em .).? On the main topics sensory biology, Borges presents a review on what the organisms involved with nocturnal pollination have evolved sensory systems for low-light conditions. Borges targets adaptations lorcaserin HCl kinase inhibitor in the visible program for nocturnal pollinators, reviewing adaptations over the pollinators attention, photoreceptors, and central nervous system, all of which work collectively to increase organisms sensitivity to environmental cues. Nocturnal pollinators face less competition than their diurnal pollinators, which, Borges suggests, may clarify why entire organizations, such as bats, are nocturnal.? Continuing with the theme of visual systems, albeit in humans, Yang em et al /em . review the cornea, which, apart from keeping structural integrity and sensation in our eyes, is also one of our most densely innervated tissues. Yang em et al /em . review corneal disease and treatment and suggest that corneal disease, whose analysis relies on non-invasive, em in vivo /em confocal microscopy, and may sometimes become treated with non-invasive laser refractive surgical treatment, gives a glimpse into potential diagnoses and treatments of additional densely innervated cells, beyond the cornea, minus the threat of invasive diagnoses or remedies.? Supplying a molecular and biochemical viewpoint of the visible system, Detwiler offers a mini-critique lorcaserin HCl kinase inhibitor review articles the elusive function of serotonin and its own influence on mice and fruit fly olfactory processing. Gaudry specifically focuses on the part that serotonin has on the modifying olfactory circuits as olfactory learning and development is taking place. Gaudrys approach is to compare how serotonin modulates olfactory processes between species and to use their similarities and variations to extract general principles. Gaudry pushes us to consider that the serotonin-sensitive receptor, 5-HT, may have multiple effects on olfactory processing, a prospect which remains an open question.? Moving away from animal models and into the city, consider this: if you step into any urban environment and try to focus on what your senses are telling you, undoubtedly youll notice a cacophony of sirens and other commotions, a plethora of complex smells and pollutants, and an oppression of resplendent light. In this issue, Hoover provides us with a number of types of how these novel human-environment interactions outpace development and result in sensory-impairment. Hoover specializes in olfactory reduction and the intersection of a protuberance of pollution with an unequal distribution of environmental justice along socioeconomic lines. Hoover reminds us these sensory impairments frequently adversely affect under-privileged people in a culture and suggests plan and study interventions to fight this inequity. After scanning this issue, you will end up reassured that the complexity of sensory biology and pain reflects the multiplicities of reality itself; perchance you will actually progress with a deeper intricacy, appreciation, and knowledge of our brain than Bishop Berkeley provided. Yet, once we learn from specialists in discomfort and addiction medication, there are various pressing problems to solve. As Dr. Madras reminds us, discomfort is a hard phenomenon to comprehend because you can find different kinds, origins, manifestations, perceptions, and solutions to diagnose, deal with, and manage discomfort (Ogawa). As Dr. OConnor and Dr. Waxman explain, you may still find many queries, regarding discomfort receptors, that require to become studied before we are able to understand how and just why discomfort arises at the molecular level (Horien and DeNardo, respectively). So, hopefully that this can be neither a final inquiry for YJBM nor for you personally but, rather, a continuation of the exploration in to the biology that therefore wonderfully evolved make it possible for such sensory-deprived and functionally effective behaviors as nocturnal pollination (Borges) and whose impairment extensively impacts our life-style, our culture, and our tradition (Hoover). Glossary HHSDepartment of Health insurance and Human being ServicesDCMdegenerative cervical myelopathy. of the strategic points needed enhanced knowledge of the epidemic and broadened support for Rabbit polyclonal to ADRA1B innovative study. In this problem, we interviewed a general public health official and active researcher, Dr. Bertha Madras, who is currently a member of the Presidents Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis and the former Deputy Director for Demand Reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (Ogawa). Madras walks us through how the opioid commissions report was created, what its principal recommendations are, and what is forthcoming, in terms of prevention and research. We share deeper insights and updates about research into pain and addiction medicine with interviews of Dr. Stephen Waxman, whose research focuses on pain treatment, especially in treating pain that arises from the dysfunction of the nervous system, and lorcaserin HCl kinase inhibitor Dr. Patrick OConnor, among the founders of the brand new Plan in Addiction Medication at Yale Universitys College of Medication; pertinently, OConnors analysis lies at the crossroads of open public health policy, major treatment, and addiction (DeNardo and Horien, respectively).? In addition to the opioid crisis, we also cover various other topics in discomfort and clinical analysis, which includes a mini-review on the annals and treatment of the root cause of non-traumatic cervical spinal-cord (neck) damage in adults, degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) (Gibson em et al /em .). Gibson em et al /em . review the annals of DCM, its symptoms, the physiological progression of persistent spinal-cord compression, its medical diagnosis by imaging, and the results of medical procedures. On the main topics clinical pain administration, we also give a genuine research content on emergency medication guidelines for sufferers admitted to the er expressing sudden-onset, serious pain and headaches (Gill em et al /em .).? On the topic of sensory biology, Borges offers a review on how the organisms involved in nocturnal pollination have evolved sensory systems for low-light environments. Borges focuses on adaptations in the visual system for nocturnal pollinators, reviewing adaptations across the pollinators eye, photoreceptors, and central nervous system, all of which work together to increase organisms sensitivity to environmental cues. Nocturnal lorcaserin HCl kinase inhibitor pollinators face less competition than their diurnal pollinators, which, Borges suggests, may explain why entire groups, such as bats, are nocturnal.? Continuing with the theme of visual systems, albeit in humans, Yang em et al /em . review the cornea, which, apart from maintaining structural integrity and sensation in our eyes, is also one of our most densely innervated tissues. Yang em et al /em . review corneal disease and treatment and suggest that corneal disease, whose diagnosis relies on non-invasive, em in vivo /em confocal microscopy, and can sometimes be treated with non-invasive laser refractive surgery, offers a glimpse into potential diagnoses and treatments of various other densely innervated cells, beyond the cornea, minus the threat of invasive diagnoses or remedies.? Supplying a molecular and biochemical viewpoint of the visible system, Detwiler offers a mini-review testimonials the elusive role of serotonin and its influence on mice and fruit fly olfactory processing. Gaudry specifically focuses on the role that serotonin has on the modifying olfactory circuits as olfactory learning and development is taking place. Gaudrys approach is to compare how serotonin modulates olfactory processes between species and to use their similarities and differences to extract general principles. Gaudry pushes us to consider that the serotonin-sensitive receptor, 5-HT, may have multiple results on olfactory processing, a prospect which continues to be an open up question.? Leaving animal versions and in to the city, think about this: if you stage into any urban environment and.
+The continued development of techniques for fast, large-scale manipulation of endogenous
+The continued development of techniques for fast, large-scale manipulation of endogenous gene loci will broaden the usage of being a genetic model organism for human-disease related analysis. label or replace genes appealing within these vectors utilizing a second circular of recombineering. Finally, we will provide a process for how exactly to mobilize these cassettes to create a knockout, or a tagged gene via knock-in. These procedures can easily end up being followed for multiple goals in parallel and offer a buy PD98059 way for manipulating the genome within a well-timed and efficient way. reverse genetic approaches for producing loss-of-function alleles got shown to be difficult until Golic and co-workers released through FRT-mediated recombination (to excise the DNA through the chromosome being a round molecule) accompanied by linearization using the meganuclease I-SceI. Although this technique continues to be utilized to create a number of described lesions effectively, the technique is not quickly scalable for the manipulation of several genes in parallel because every individual knockout build requires specific and custom style. For example, issues in seamlessly manipulating huge fragments of DNA ( 5 kb) E. colistrain that harbors recombination equipment supplied by a faulty prophage 4. This system has been followed for make use of in uses customized conditionally amplifiable bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector known as P[acman] 6,7. This vector holds two roots of replication: OriV, which creates high-copy amount upon chemical substance induction for the purification of huge levels of DNA necessary for sequencing and embryo shot and OriS, which maintains low-copy amount under basal circumstances. Additionally, the P[acman] vector has a bacterial connection (attB) site. The attB site acts as a substrate for C31 integrase-mediated transgenesis which allows incorporation of huge DNA fragments right into buy PD98059 a predetermined getting site inside the genome 8,9. We’ve generated a P[acman] vector (known as P[acman]-KO 1.0) you can use being a targeting vector for ends-out homologous recombination 10,11. To incorporate ends-out gene targeting technology into the system, we added two FRT and two I-SceI sites. We have also included a Gateway cassette within this altered vector to streamline the process of incorporating the homology arms into P[acman]-KO 1.0. This provides a rapid and simple way to introduce virtually any genomic region of interest into the targeting vector. In this protocol we will describe how to engineer a targeting vector using P[acman]-KO 1.0, and how to mobilize this vector to target the endogenous locus. For the purpose of this protocol we will use the RFP/Kan cassette to replace a gene of interest, but a variety of cassettes that contain an antibiotic selection marker can be used with this protocol. We have designed and successfully used a set of cassettes for gene replacement and tagging 10,11. Protocol 1. Selection of BAC and Region to Target To acquire a BAC with the gene of interest (GOI) (here is used as an buy PD98059 example), search for at. Under the section stocks and reagents, check the section entitled, “Genomic Clones” for BACs made up of targeting vector was serially digested with PacI, AscI, BamHI and AatII. The appearance of all the predicted bands and absence of any incorrect bands confirms that this targeting vector has been correctly recombineered (Physique buy PD98059 5). 5. Injecting Flies and Mobilizing Cassette transgene around the balancer chromosome and on the Y-chromosome. Collect males from your chosen stock and cross to ATM virgin females transporting the KO cassette in the landing site. Set ~30 crosses and allow females to lay eggs for 2-3 days. NOTE: It is recommended to choose the stock that is on a different chromosome from your targeted locus. Flip parents into a new group of 30 vials, and high temperature surprise larvae at 37 C for 1 hr, a day twice, for three consecutive times. Heat shocks activate the creation from the enzymes; flippase and I-SceI, as well as the cell loss of life gene and gene. Be aware: It really is much less time-consuming to display screen.
+Chu Chuyan was alarmed. “Please watch what you say!”
+She looked around quickly. Satisfied that no one had heard anything, she said quietly ,“The Embroidered Envoy are His Majesty’s eyes and ears, and Zhuxie Chixin is the emperor’s most loyal aide! If news of what you said reached the emperor’s ears, you’d be dead for sure!”
+However, Zu An didn’t seem to mind. He shrugged and said, “I’m already in such dire straits, it doesn’t really matter. If His Majesty finds out, then so be it.”
+Chu Chuyan gently held his hand to comfort him. A moment passed before she spoke again. “Actually, several rumors that echoed your thoughts did spread. Without proof, though, they only remained as speculation.”
+Zu An smiled. “How can anyone other than the main actors have any proof? There is something else that I’m curious about. All the other princes seem incredibly intelligent. Why is the crown prince the only one who is dumb?”
+Chu Chuyan frowned. “There’s no consensus on this subject either. The fiend races claim that His Majesty has too much blood on his hands, and that this is retribution. Some humans believe that someone might have done something to the crown prince while he was still young, leading to his current state… Of course, these are just rumors, and might not be true.”
+“Wind in an empty cave has to come from somewhere. They might not be completely unfounded.” Zu An slipped into deep thought.
+When they were done discussing important matters, they turned to more personal things. Chu Chuyan said with a gentle voice, “Ah Zu, the Chu clan is truly grateful for what you’ve done. If it wasn’t for you, we might have been destroyed. We’ve never had a chance to formally express our gratitude yet.”
+Zu An laughed and said, “Aren’t you my wife? Who else would I help if I don’t help you?”
+Chu Chuyan shook her head. “Many married couples aren’t willing to go that far for each other. There are too many examples of couples giving up on each other before a real disaster. You even placed yourself in danger for the sake of the Chu clan. Few husbands in the world are able to do something like that.”
+Zu An leaned backwards. “Yes, keep stroking my ego just like that. How are you going to thank me, then? You can’t just use words, right? That wouldn’t be sincere at all.”
+Chu Chuyan blushed. She moved closer to him and gave him a kiss.
+Right when she was about to pull back, she felt a pair of arms wrap tightly around her waist, and a pair of warm lips pressed against hers.
+Chu Chuyan’s entire body went rigid, but she quickly relaxed, and warmly received her lover’s affection.
+Her head was in an absolute mess. However, a sudden slight chill caused her to quickly snap out of her daze, and she pushed him away in a hurry.
+It was one thing for him to reached his hands into her clothes, but this fellow had actually begun to remove her clothes!
+There were still so many people outside. Her fair, snow colored cheeks were already completely red.
+This rascal is getting more and more skilled! He probably practiced it on Manman in the dungeon…
+Annoyed by this thought, she moved closer and bit down on his shoulder.
+“Ssss!” Zu An sucked in air through his teeth. Where did this come from?
+Is she blaming me for what I just did? Aren’t we already so familiar with each other? He had no idea that she was currently jealous of another woman.
+“I’ll take my leave for now. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to stay inside this carriage all the time,” Chu Chuyan said with a huff. She left the carriage after sorting out her clothes.
+Zu An grew gloomy. He began to fiddle with his spatial storage out of boredom, and mentally went through the things he had learned. He wasn’t going to forget something as important as the Primordial Origin Sutra’s exorcism properties again.
+Unexpectedly, he found a secret manual: ‘Flame Blade’. He hadn’t been able to cultivate this before because he hadn’t awakened the fire element. Now that he could borrow Daji’s fire element, he could give it a try.
+Zu An even summoned Daji to see if she could learn it as well. After all, she was also a fire element user. Unfortunately, she couldn’t cultivate it without her soul. Zu An gave up after trying several times. “I should’ve let Manman give it a try.” Then again, he remembered how powerful her combat skills were. Her flames could transform into a fire dragon or a rose flower. Those skills were probably better than this one.
+He calmed himself down and began to examine it closely, and the various moves within the Flame Blade manual slowly played out in his mind. His only regret was that he couldn’t put it to the test immediately.
+Nothing else unusual happened along the way. With Zhuxie Chixin, King Liang, and Liu Yao here, as well as a large contingent made up of the Embroidered Envoy and Imperial Guards, there was no way a small group of assassins could do anything. Only a giant rebel army would stand a chance.
+As they drew nearer to the capital, Chu Chuyan grew more and more worried, and regret began to creep into her heart. They were already in critical danger, yet she had let petty jealousy overcome her earlier!
+Several imperial guards came by, trying to gain some favors from her, but she only found them annoying. She gave a few curt responses, then went back inside the carriage.
+Those guards sighed as they stared at her graceful figure. “She really is a goddess, descended from the highest of heavens! Why is that Zu An so lucky?”
+“Is he though? We’re almost at the capital. He doesn’t have many days left to live.”
+“Who cares, man. If I could be young miss Chu’s husband for even a single day, I wouldn’t give a shit if I died tomorrow.”
+“Look at this disgusting bootlicker.”
+“What, you wouldn’t?”
+“Of course I wouldn’t! I need two days at the very least.”
+…
+Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Zu An couldn’t help but chuckle. “It seems your charm is still as potent as ever.”
+Chu Chuyan blushed. “Even you are making fun of me,” she said with a snort.
+She could vaguely pick up what they were saying behind her back as well. Even though she was a little annoyed, she wouldn’t really do anything about it. Cutting out their tongues as soon as they said something unpleasant was something only a witch would do. It just didn’t match her style.
+She suddenly wrinkled her nose. “Huh? Why is there a strange smell in here?”
+Zu An began to sweat buckets. It was probably Daji’s scent, lingering in the air. That’s strange, though. Daji doesn’t even have a soul, so there’s no way she would wear any fragrances on herself. Where the hell did this smell come from, then?
+Also, this bloody woman’s nose is like a dog’s! Why is she so sensitive towards other people’s smells? Everything is the same to us guys—it all smells good anyway.
+He didn’t dare summon Daji to introduce her. After all, Chu Chuyan had already been so jealous just a few days ago. He’d only be asking for a swift death if he summoned another woman now.
+He’d tell her about it after she calmed down a little.
+Zu An quickly changed the topic. “Didn’t you say that it was better if you didn’t stay inside this carriage all the time? Why does it seem like you’ve been staying longer and longer recently?”
+Chu Chuyan sighed. “Ah Zu, it’s only three days before we reach the capital.”
+Zu An was stunned. He knew that she was worried for his safety. After all, from her perspective, his future looked grim.
+He couldn’t reply to her, though, because a pair of soft lips were pressed against his.
+After his initial shock, Zu An reacted quickly. He knew that she was being so proactive because she was afraid that they would soon be separated forever.
+Zu An felt a tender warmth surge within him, and he immediately embraced her slim waist.
+Suddenly, Chu Chuyan moved her tender body upwards, and faint snowflakes seemed to flutter around the two of them.
+“What is this?” Zu An asked curiously.
+Chu Chuyan's cheeks were rosy and beautiful. Her voice was incredibly soft. “This blocks any sound from getting out…”
+Zu An trembled. He never expected such a proactive move from her usually cold and easily-embarrassed self. He could no longer hold himself back and threw himself at her. “Don’t… don’t take off my clothes. There won’t be enough time if someone comes in…” Chu Chuyan said, biting her lip. She never imagined that she would one day utter such words.
+When she thought about how much Zu An had done for her, she gradually calmed down.
+Her warning made sense to Zu An. If someone caught them in the act, he would be the one losing out. He let it be, and the two of them made do.
+They were newlyweds, yet they had been forced apart due to family circumstances, and were only reunited after such a long time apart. When sparks flew, there was no way for them to hold themselves back.
+Chu Chuyan clenched her teeth and held it all in. Even though she had already done what she could to stop any sound from leaking out, she still didn’t dare make any noise. However, the longer things went on, the more quickly her body failed her…
+…
+Meanwhile, the imperial guards outside glanced at the carriage from time to time.
+“Why does it seem like the carriage is shaking a little? Do you think…”
+“Shut up! First Miss Chu is a goddess among goddesses. There’s no way it’s what you’re thinking!”
+“You’re right, haha… But he is still her husband. My mind can’t help but wander when they’re both hiding inside.”
+“There’s no need for you to worry. That Zu fellow doesn’t have many days left to live, anyway. Once First Miss Chu recovers her freedom, she’ll be fair game for all of us.”
+“As for me, I don’t even have any excessive expectations. I’d be satisfied if I could just exchange a few more words with her.”
+“Pah! Disgusting bootlicker. I’m honestly embarrassed to be in the same group as you.”
+…
+After what seemed like an eternity, this unattainable goddess was left lying in Zu An’s embrace, drained of all energy. Her rosy complexion and her blissful expression belied her earlier bliss.
+“Ah Zu, I’ll have to go off on my own earlier. We’ll meet again at the capital.” Chu Chuyan’s fingers gently caressed her lover’s face, her eyes filled with reluctance.
+Zu An knew that she was going to ask her grandfather for help. Even though he knew that there was little chance of success, he didn’t want to dampen her mood. He lowered his head and kissed her glistening red lips. “Let’s leave everything to fate. There’s no need to try to force an outcome. You have to trust me. I have my own way out.”
+Chu Chuyan grunted in acknowledgement, then snuggled against him like a kitten. She wanted to stay like this, forever and ever…
+Unfortunately, they still had to separate in the end. After a short rest to recover her strength, she left.
+…
+Zu An was bored to death after she left. Fortunately, they reached the capital in three days.
+Zu An was quite shaken when he saw the magnificent city gates. He could vaguely sense a strange pressure surrounding him after entering the city.
+As if sensing his confusion, Zhuxie Chixin said, “There is a large formation protecting the capital. It intimidates petty scoundrels and restricts all flight. Those who wantonly cause trouble in the capital will suffer a vicious rebound from the formation. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
+Zu An smiled. “I don’t have many days left to live in the capital anyway. These restrictions don’t matter much to me.”
+Zhuxie Chixin was taken aback. “You’re surprisingly open-minded. It is already dark, so we’ll spend the night in the city. We’ll leave for the palace tomorrow morning.”
+Zu An frowned. What kind of joke is this? This is the technique for granting eternal life that the emperor needs! Forget about it being dark—even if the emperor was plowing away at a concubine, he should immediately summon me once he learned that I arrived, right?
+Why are they keeping me out in the city for a night? They’re taking risks for no reason.
+Something’s not right!Previous Chapter Next Chapter
+a light source configured to generate light of a predetermined bandwidth;
+a fiber optic cable assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the fiber optic cable is configured to propagate light from the light source to the wafer surface through a through-hole in the polishing pad, the first end of the fiber optic cable assembly extending partially into a through-hole in the polishing pad;
+a light sensor coupled to the second end of the fiber optic cable assembly, wherein the light sensor is configured to receive light reflected from the wafer surface through the fiber optic cable assembly and generate data corresponding to a spectrum of the reflected light; and
+a computer coupled to the light sensor, wherein the computer is configured to generate the endpoint signal as a function of the data from the light sensor.
+generate a stop polishing command by comparing the endpoint signal to at least one criterion; and
+communicate the stop polishing command to the chemical mechanical polishing system.
+the criterion is a threshold value of the amplitude ratio; and
+the computer is further configured to: (i) generate the endpoint signal as a function of an amplitude ratio of at least two separate wavelength bands; and (ii) generate the stop polishing command when the endpoint signal exceeds the threshold value.
+a light source configured to generate light of a bandwidth;
+a polishing pad having a through-hole;
+a pad backer configured to hold the polishing pad;
+a rotatable wafer chuck configured to hold the semiconductor wafer against the polishing pad during a polishing process;
+a fiber optic cable assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fiber optic cable assembly being disposed partially into the through-hole, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly is configured to propagate light from the light source to illuminate at least a portion of the wafer surface;
+a light sensor coupled to the second end of the fiber optic cable assembly, wherein the light sensor is configured to receive light reflected from the wafer surface through the fiber optic cable assembly, the light sensor being further configured to generate data corresponding to a spectrum of the reflected light; and
+a computer coupled to the light sensor, wherein the computer is configured to generate an endpoint signal as a function of the data from the light sensor.
+the criterion is a threshold value of the amplitude ratio; and
+the computer is further configured to: (i) generate the endpoint signal as a function of an amplitude ratio of at least two separate wavelength bands; and (ii) terminate the polishing process when the endpoint signal exceeds the threshold value.
+providing a relative rotation between the wafer surface and a pad, the pad contacting the surface during a polishing process of the wafer surface;
+illuminating at least a portion of the surface with light having a spectrum while the wafer surface is being polished;
+generating reflected spectrum data corresponding to a spectrum of light reflected from the region while the wafer surface is being polished; and
+determining a value as a function of amplitudes of at least two individual wavelength bands of the reflected spectrum data.
+comparing the value to criteria; and
+terminating the polishing process in response to the value meeting the criteria.
+means for providing a relative rotation between the wafer surface and a pad, the pad contacting the surface during a polishing process of the wafer surface;
+means for illuminating at least a portion of the surface with light having a spectrum while the wafer surface is being polished;
+means for generating reflected spectrum data corresponding to a spectrum of light reflected from the region while the wafer surface is being polished; and
+means for determining a value as a function of amplitudes of at least two individual wavelength bands of the reflected spectrum data.
+means for comparing the value to criteria; and
+means for terminating the polishing process in response to the value meeting the criteria.
+The present invention relates to chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), and more particularly, to optical endpoint detection during a CMP process.
+Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) has emerged as a crucial semiconductor technology, particularly for devices with critical dimensions smaller than 0.5 micron. One important aspect of CMP is endpoint detection (EPD), i.e., determining during the polishing process when to terminate the polishing.
+Many users prefer EPD systems that are "in situ EPD systems", which provide EPD during the polishing process. Numerous in situ EPD methods have been proposed, but few have been successfully demonstrated in a manufacturing environment and even fewer have proved sufficiently robust for routine production use.
+One group of prior art in situ EPD techniques involves the electrical measurement of changes in the capacitance, the impedance, or the conductivity of the wafer and calculating the endpoint based on an analysis of this data. To date, these particular electrically based approaches to EPD are not commercially available.
+One other electrical approach that has proved production worthy is to sense changes in the friction between the wafer being polished and the polish pad. Such measurements are done by sensing changes in the motor current. These systems use a global approach, i.e., the measured signal assesses the entire wafer surface. Thus, these systems do not obtain specific data about localized regions. Further, this method works best for EPD for metal CMP because of the dissimilar coefficient of friction between the polish pad and the tungsten-titanium nitride-titanium film stack versus the polish pad and the dielectric underneath the metal. However, with advanced interconnection conductors, such as copper (Cu), the associated barrier metals, e.g., tantalum or tantalum nitride, may have a coefficient of friction that is similar to the underlying dielectric. The motor current approach relies on detecting the copper-tantalum nitride transition, then adding an overpolish time. Intrinsic process variations in the thickness and composition of the remaining film stack layer mean that the final endpoint trigger time may be less precise than is desirable.
+Another group of methods uses an acoustic approach. In a first acoustic approach, an acoustic transducer generates an acoustic signal that propagates through the surface layer(s) of the wafer being polished. Some reflection occurs at the interface between the layers, and a sensor positioned to detect the reflected signals can be used to determine the thickness of the topmost layer as it is polished. In a second acoustic approach, an acoustical sensor is used to detect the acoustical signals generated during CMP. Such signals have spectral and amplitude content that evolves during the course of the polish cycle. However, to date there has been no commercially available in situ endpoint detection system using acoustic methods to determine endpoint.
+Finally, the present invention falls within the group of optical EPD systems. One approach for optical EPD systems is of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,651 to Lustig et al. in which a window in the platen of a rotating CMP tool is used to sense changes in a reflected optical signal. However, the window complicates the CMP process because it presents to the wafer an inhomogeneity in the polish pad. Such a region can also accumulate slurry and polish debris.
+Another approach is of the type disclosed in European application EP 0 824 995 A1, which uses a transparent window in the actual polish pad itself. A similar approach for rotational polishers is of the type disclosed in European application EP 0 738 561 A1, in which a pad with an optical window is used for EPD. In both of these approaches, various means for implementing a transparent window in a pad are discussed, but making measurements without a window was not considered. The methods and apparatuses disclosed in these patents require sensors to indicate the presence of a wafer in the field of view. Furthermore, integration times for data acquisition are constrained to the amount of time the window in the pad is under the wafer.
+In another type of approach, the carrier is positioned on the edge of the platen so as to expose a portion of the wafer. A fiber optic based apparatus is used to direct light at the surface of the wafer, and spectral reflectance methods are used to analyze the signal. The drawback of this approach is that the process must be interrupted in order to position the wafer in such a way as to allow the optical signal to be gathered. In so doing, with the wafer positioned over the edge of the platen, the wafer is subjected to edge effects associated with the edge of the polish pad going across the wafer while the remaining portion of the wafer is completely exposed. An example of this type of approach is described in PCT application WO 98/05066.
+In another approach, the wafer is lifted off of the pad a small amount, and a light beam is directed between the wafer and the slurry-coated pad. The light beam is incident at a small angle so that multiple reflections occur. The irregular topography on the wafer causes scattering, but if sufficient polishing is done prior to raising the carrier, then the wafer surface will be essentially flat and there will be very little scattering due to the topography on the wafer. An example of this type of approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,941. The difficulty with this type of approach is that the normal process cycle must be interrupted to make the measurement.
+Yet another approach entails monitoring absorption of particular wavelengths in the infrared spectrum of a beam incident upon the backside of a wafer being polished so that the beam passes through the wafer from the nonpolished side of the wafer. Changes in the absorption within narrow, well defined spectral windows correspond to changing thickness of specific types of films. This approach has the disadvantage that, as multiple metal layers are added to the wafer, the sensitivity of the signal decreases rapidly. One example of this type of approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,046..
+An apparatus is provided for use with a tool for polishing thin films on a semiconductor wafer surface that detects an endpoint of a polishing process. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a polish pad having a through-hole, a light source, a fiber optic cable assembly, a light sensor, and a computer. The light source provides light within a predetermined bandwidth. The fiber optic cable propagates the light through the through-hole to illuminate the wafer surface during the polishing process. The light sensor receives reflected light from the surface through the fiber optic cable and generates data corresponding to the spectrum of the reflected light. The computer receives the reflected spectral data and generates in endpoint signal as a function of the reflected spectral data. In a metal film polishing application, the endpoint signal is a function of the intensities of at least two individual wavelength bands selected from the predetermined bandwidth. In a dielectric film polishing application, the endpoint signal is based upon fitting of the reflected spectrum to an optical reflectance model to determine remaining film thickness. The computer compares the endpoint signal to predetermined criteria and stops the polishing process when the endpoint signal meets the predetermined criteria. Unlike prior art optical endpoint detection systems, an apparatus according to the. As seen, a wafer chuck 101 holds a wafer 103 that is to be polished. The wafer chuck 101 preferably rotates about its vertical axis 105. A pad assembly 107 includes a polishing pad 109 mounted onto a pad backer 120. The pad backer 120 is in turn mounted onto a pad backing plate 140. In a preferred embodiment, the pad backer 120 is composed of urethane and the pad backing plate 140 is stainless steel. Other embodiments may use other suitable materials for the pad backer and pad backing. Further, the pad backing plate 140 is secured to a driver or motor means (not shown) that is operative to move the pad assembly 107 in the preferred orbital motion.
+Polishing pad 109 includes a through-hole 112 that is coincident and communicates with a pinhole opening 111 in the pad backer 120. Further, a canal 104 is formed in the side of the pad backer 120 adjacent the backing plate. The canal 104 leads from the exterior side 110 of the pad backer 120 to the pinhole opening 111. In a preferred embodiment, a fiber optic cable assembly including a fiber optic cable 113 is inserted in the pad backer 120 of pad assembly 107, with one end of fiber optic cable 113 extending through the top surface of pad backer 120 and partially into through-hole 112. Fiber optic cable 113 can be embedded in pad backer 120 so as to form a watertight seal with the pad backer 120, but a watertight seal is not necessary to practice the invention. Further, in contrast to conventional systems as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,651 to Lustig et al. that use a platen with a window of quartz or urethane, the present invention does not include such a window. Rather, the pinhole opening 111 is merely an orifice in the pad backer in which fiber optic cable 113 may be placed. Thus, in the present invention, the fiber optic cable 113 is not sealed to the pad backer 120. Moreover, because of the use of a pinhole opening 111, the fiber optic cable 113 may even be placed within one of the existing holes in the pad backer and polishing pad used for the delivery of slurry without adversely affecting the CMP process. As an additional difference, the polishing pad 109 has a simple through-hole 112.
+Fiber optic cable 113 leads to an optical coupler 115 that receives light from a light source 117 via a fiber optic cable 118. The optical coupler 115 also outputs a reflected light signal to a light sensor 119 via fiber optic cable 122. The reflected light signal is generated in accordance with the present invention, as described below.
+A computer 121 provides a control signal 183 to light source 117 that directs the emission of light from the light source 117. The light source 117 is a broadband light source, preferably with a spectrum of light between 200 and 1000 nm in wavelength, and more preferably with a spectrum of light between 400 and 900 nm in wavelength. A tungsten bulb is suitable for use as the light source 117. Computer 121 also receives a start signal 123 that will activate the light source 117 and the EPD methodology. The computer also provides an endpoint trigger 125 when, through the analysis of the present invention, it is determined that the endpoint of the polishing has been reached.
+Orbital position sensor 143 provides the orbital position of the pad assembly while the wafer chuck's rotary position sensor 142 provides the angular position of the wafer chuck to the computer 121, respectively. Computer 121 can synchronize the trigger of the data collection to the positional information from the sensors. The orbital sensor identifies which radius the data is coming from and the combination of the orbital sensor and the rotary sensor determine which point.
+In operation, soon after the CMP process has begun, the start signal 123 is provided to the computer 121 to initiate the monitoring process. Computer 121 then directs light source 117 to transmit light from light source 117 via fiber optic cable 118 to optical coupler 115. This light in turn is routed through fiber optic cable 113 to be incident on the surface of the wafer 103 through pinhole opening 111 and the through-hole 112 in the polishing pad 109.
+Reflected light from the surface of the wafer 103 is captured by the fiber optic cable 113 and routed back to the optical coupler 115. Although in the preferred embodiment the reflected light is relayed using the fiber optic cable 113, it will be appreciated that a separate dedicated fiber optic cable (not shown) may be used to collect the reflected light. The return fiber optic cable would then preferably share the canal 104 with the fiber optic cable 113 in a single fiber optic cable assembly.
+The optical coupler 115 relays this reflected light signal through fiber optic cable 122 to light sensor 119. Light sensor 119 is operative to provide reflected spectral data 218, referred to herein as the reflected spectral date 218, of the reflected light to computer 121.
+One advantage provided by the optical coupler 115 is that rapid replacement of the pad assembly 107 is possible while retaining the capability of endpoint detection on subsequent wafers. In other words, the fiber optic cable 113 may simply be detached from the optical coupler 115 and a new pad assembly 107 may be installed (complete with a new fiber optic cable 113). For example, this feature is advantageously utilized in replacing used polishing pads in the polisher. A spare pad backer assembly having a fresh polishing pad is used to replace the pad backer assembly in the polisher. The used polishing pad from the removed pad backer assembly is then replaced with a fresh polishing pad for subsequent use.
+After a specified or predetermined integration time by the light sensor 119, the reflected spectral data 218 is read out of the detector array and transmitted to the computer 121, which analyzes the reflected spectral data 218. The integration time typically ranges from 5 to 150 ms, with the integration time being 15 ms in a preferred embodiment. One result of the analysis by computer 121 is an endpoint signal 124 that is displayed on monitor 127. Preferably, computer 121 automatically compares endpoint signal 124 to predetermined criteria and outputs an endpoint trigger 125 as a function of this comparison. Alternatively, an operator can monitor the endpoint signal 124 and select an endpoint based on the operator's interpretation of the endpoint signal 124. The endpoint trigger 125 causes the CMP machine to advance to the next process step..
+We returned to San Francisco in time for the kids to enroll for the fall in San Francisco’s school system. It would be the first year out of three on the road when they could look forward to being in a school for the entire year, no longer objects of their elders’ wanderlust. We were very bad people.
+Good gawd how we tried.
+It took me years to coax a criticism from either of the kids.Until they finally aired their complaints about being taken out of school twice in as many years, they had insisted that they loved to live communally — they had multiple parents they could depend on, and always lots of kids to hang out with, roughly their age. That was the truth; only changing schools had been a drag for them, but that was enough. So the move back to S.F. made sense to them, too.
+An actor from the San Francisco Mime Troupe had — as a means of survival — taken out a real estate license years earlier and knew the territory south of the Mission District, an area south of Market Street that included Potrero and Bernal Hills. The two hills were covered with the redwood-trimmed, balloon-frame buildings that became so characteristic of San Francisco’s gentrified neighborhoods. Our search for a place of our own — and others, as you’ll soon see — took place back in the day when a human being could actually buy a piece of property — albeit so humble — in the fog-bedecked city by the bay. The house we bought on Andover Street cost $28,000. We scraped together three grand to cover the down payment and closing costs and bingo! We had become property owners.
+The place was perfect for our plan, with rooms on three floors suitable for individual privacy, including for the kids. The plan? To start an artists’ collective with our radical theater and Boho musical brothers and sisters. The place filled up immediately. The Pickle Family Circus had just sprung out of the brow of Larry Pisoni, a young visionary from a traditional Italian circus family. Combined with a diverse talent pool from the San Francisco Mime Troupe, and bolstered by two physical comics whose skills, talent, and experience dovetailed perfectly with the odd combination of mimetic, vaudevillian, Eurocircus, alternative departure art of the Pisoni mind, the circus sprung into vigorous life. I put the circus band together from a jazz/latin/funk/soul/rock band I had joined on my return to the city. Randy and Nick joined the circus band and settled at Andover Street. Don had come with us cross country from our previous commune in rural Massachusetts. Ruby, a sister from the Colorado town that had been home for two winters, showed up, as did my soul cousin from Cambridge, Jeffree. Wooly (Bully) and Zoom, our intrepid mutts made the round trip with us. To cover the mortgage, gas and electric, and lay in basic foodstuffs, each collective member had to come up with $65 bucks a month — kids and dogs lived gratis.
+The kitchen was dark and small. In the spring, Don and I tore the back wall off the place and built a sky-lit anteroom that opened onto the back yard. We had assembled lumber, windows, doors, and floors from an old row of military barracks perched at a Marin bayside outpost called Fort Baker. One of our One Percent Free families had secured the contract to demo the buildings. Word went out and the soon the old fort was crawling with crowbar-wielding anarchists, happy to liberate the lumber. By that fall, we had a beautiful sunny kitchen in which to assemble our showbiz collective.
+Mealtimes were haphazard except for dinner, when people showed up to combine eating and drinking with house biz, talk of the politics of the day, and generally just hang together. In the first cooking shift, we boiled hobo coffee — good San Francisco coffee beans even back then, milled and thrown into the big blue enamel pot with eggshells to settle the grounds. Coffee’d up, we got the kids off to school with full bellies and lunch boxes. After that, breakfast happened whenever sleepy communards made it happen. The musicians were always last to the table. We made group purchases of eggs, fruit, flour for bread and pancakes, milk. The freewheeling crew prepared their own oddities for breakfast and lunch. This was the time of early food co-ops and so odd lots of vegetables, dense, heavy loaves of Digger bread, cooked in coffee cans, large wedges of cheese, strawberries, apples, and bananas made their way from the giant, sprawling wholesale produce market at the bottom of the hill.
+For the first year, the house on Andover Street celebrated a time of sharing. Everything in the kitchen was either considered common property or labeled with names, hands-off threats, or skull and crossbones. It worked out well. The kids ate healthily but their fruit loops remained sanctified. The yoghurt and wheat germ freaks claimed their territory, the oatmeal crowd shared large cans of the steel-cut Irish variety, brown rice was everywhere, and each adult member would stop at the local grocery to pick up the items they needed for their cooking night.
+Ruby’s specialty was lasagna with good Italian cheese from Lucca’s deli on Valencia, and whatever vegetables were available. Zucchini, tomatoes, and broccoli seemed to be big favorites. Nick and his girlfriend made enchiladas or tamales with zippy salsas and gigantic bowls of salad. Betsy’s offerings were diverse, although one specialty was roast chicken and roasted potatoes and veggies or goulash with noodles and heaps of sour cream. Jeffree hated to cook. He learned how to assemble the elements for burritos for us to build our own, or he would punt and make scrambled eggs and omelets. We rebelled when he served us raisin omelets one night.
+I usually concocted pasta or turkey chili. That specialty began when we found we could buy a whole turkey, roast it one day, eat leftovers on the second day, use the remainder for the chili and end up with a soup on day four. By that time, everybody had had enough turkey. I did the whole chili thing from scratch, soaked the beans, found jalapeños and sweet red peppers. Mexican spices were plentiful and popular. The Mission district was full of mom and pop Mexican and Salvadoran restaurants and we learned from them. Betsy also liked to deep fry snapper Vera Cruz style.
+My stepdaughter Joss recently reminded me, “you may not remember that Jake and I had a cook night of our own each week. Our specialties were oven-fried chicken, tacos, and clam spaghetti. Also,” Joss continued, “I’ll never forget Randy’s attempts at cooking. He’d throw anything he found in the kitchen into either a cooking pot or a salad bowl – sometimes with hair-raising results. No matter what it was, he would always refer to it as ‘couscous.’ ”
+Beer and wine came with an eye to quantity and nobody would kick a pint of brandy off the table after dinner. Talk centered around gossip, what had happened in that day’s installment of Amistad Maupin’s “Tales of the City.” We listened to kids’ school stories and gabbed music, theater, and politics. Vietnam had finally ground to a halt. Nixon was out and the post-war depression had begun to settle in. The United States had experienced the first oil shock the year before. Most of the radical groups that we supported had fragmented. Women and feminism had stepped into the world, from protest and radical acts of “militant” feminism to academics and legislation. Women were learning about their bodies and their selves.
+The household worked hard to understand gender equality. We practiced political correctness, the good kind, before it was co-opted by our reactionary culture and turned into a term of derision. In the beginning, the liberation movements, all of them, including feminism were embarking on such new pathways that a new, politically correct vocabulary was necessary and welcome. Eventually, most of the men would make it part way across the great divide inconsistently, but good gawd, how we tried. Everybody cooked, everybody cleaned, and the kids participated with their own brand of liberation.
+But the household had begun to crack. Nick found a new girlfriend. Ruby moved to Berkeley. Nick, Randy, and I went on tour with the circus and the daily routine began to break down. People began to miss meals, at first unheard of. Betsy enrolled in law school and the kids were growing older. Joss began acting in school plays, Jake picked up a paper route. Eventually, only Don, Randy, me, Betsy, Wooly and Zoom, and the kids remained. The household began to look and feel like the home of a nuclear family. The glory days were.
+What a tale of a certain time in Americana, of coming together, sharing in a diverse communal way, then falling apart organically, as these communities will as people grow up and out.
+Love, the sentence, “Women were learning about their bodies and themselves”, (I think I still have that book). And your reference to “political correctness, the good kind, before it was co-oped by our reactionary culture and turned into a word of derision”. Yes, the pendulum has swung too far and we have been cut off at the knees by that term.
+Your stories always offer a unique perspective, Chaz. Thank you so much for that.
+Thanks, Betsy for your articulate observations. I’m so used to people abusing the notion of p.c., I’m always relieved and delighted to find someone who knows what it’s really all about. “Pendulum swung too far… cut off at the knees,” yes!
+Wow Charles, you’ve been there, done that, and reading about your early, glory days I didn’t even miss the omitted recipes, the spice was in the life!
+Great turn of phrase, spice in the life! Thanks, Dana!
+Those were the days, my friend…we thought they’d never end. Great story, as usual…thanks, Charles!
+Thanks, Barbara. One of my faves from those days comes from Bob Dylan: wish, I wish, I wish in vain
+That we could sit simply in that room again
+Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
+I’d give it all gladly if our lives could be like that.
+Now, I wouldn’t be at all glad to live our lives like that much anymore, but I know you get the drift!
+I’m with you! If I close my eyes and think back, I can “sit simply in that room again,” but I’m so glad I can open them. Once was enough, and just right…I feel lucky to have lived through it, in more ways than one.
+NB: And while Suzy is the song lyrics maven, I recognize your What’s Up line, an important song for the present!
+Uh… what’s a What’s Up line? Please advise!
+Sorry Charles! I thought you were paraphrasing a lyric from a song I like, What’s Up by 4 Non-Blondes.
+The line is
+“And I try, oh my god do I try“
+But don’t we all!
+I’ll have to explore the non-blondes and the tune on Spotify!
+Charles, this is such a pitch-perfect story about what you ate and where you lived and why. I, too, was in the Bay Area during that time, although still in college during the first phase you describe, which is spot on. My guy friend Gary graduated from Brandeis, where I’d been for a semester before moving to California, and he came to SF where we picked up our relationship. He lived in various commune-style homes in the city, where you never knew who would crash in your room. My favorite was a big house on Ulloa that had a Japanese soaker tub. Big bins of brown rice and grains resided in the kitchen. Later he moved to Berkeley and lived with a flamenco guitar maker. We’d drink a lot of cheap wine and I tried to orient the guys to the feminist movement, including the radical lesbians who ran a restaurant near the apartment. Ah, those were the days.
+Thanks, Marian. I’m glad I could evoke some memories. I was caught by your line “I tried to orient the guys to the feminist movement…” How did that go for ya? Always curious about that topic and those days.
+What a wonderful portrait of life in San Francisco in the ’70s! Your writing is so vivid, you really take us there, and the pictures are amazing. I love seeing the house on Andover Street that you bought for $28,000. And I can imagine you and Don tearing the back wall off and making the perfect kitchen. Probably the most important room in the house with the big crowd you had living there. The picture of you with that mustache, and the little blonde kids, is classic – would make a great book cover!
+Tales of the City really takes me back. I remember rushing to read it in the paper every day. I’m surprised you didn’t know Armistead Maupin. 🙂 Your commune could have been part of his story. The Mime Troupe, Pickle Family Circus, and Digger Bread are also so evocative of that time.
+Finally, your comment about “political correctness, the good kind,” made me remember that, yes, it used to be a good thing, when we were all finding our way in a different version of society and trying to do it correctly. Thank you for that too!
+Thanks, Suzy. Glad the writing was evocative and the scene familiar! And yes, the kitchen was the central room in the house, as is so often the case. I think we were a bit to the left of and over the boho line for Armistad but what wonderful characters and stories they were!
+Oh, this brought back some wonderful memories: Pickle Family Circus, lots of brown rice, Diggers, Tales of the City., communal food in the fridge (with some “hands off” items). We brought our young family to see the Pickles every time they appeared in the East Bay. Especially loved the band. Thanks so much!
+Glad I could bring some of that back, Risa! Did you know that the Pickle kid performers, Lorenzo and his sister Gypsy, both went on to become major theater/circus performers and producers world wide? Also the clown, Bill Irwin, who finally began to talk after years of silent physical comedy, went on to become a major theater and TV actor and writer and producer of his own material. Lots of offspring, including my step-daughter (in the pics) went on in the theater. Infectious stuff, showbiz.
+My feminist orientation for the men was a mixed bag, Charles. Gary was and is one of the best feminists I know–he even became a nurse and practiced for a few years! On the other hand, the flamenco guitar player loved to be provocative. He went into the lesbian restaurant and ordered a “man-sized sandwich.” They promptly threw him out. A while later, one woman in a lesbian couple broke up with her partner and ended up with the guitar player. Not sure how it turned out or who might have had the last laugh.
+Great story, Marian, with the flamenco player staying true to the stereotype. I studied flamenco guitar in college for a while, dug into the forms a bit. Of course the gender roles are more complex than macho represents but still a great tale! After all, a revolutionary is always guided by great feelings of love (Che), but a sense of humor helps, too!
+I love all of the details of the foods you ate and your lifestyle, Charles. This story so captured an era I remember well, although I was never as adventurous and true to living my beliefs as you. The photos help to enhance the snapshot in time you so beautifully describe. Love the coffee can bread.
+Thanks and glad you enjoyed the tale, Laurie. The coffee can bread is a legacy of the Diggers, a utopian anarchist group that rose to prominence in the late ’60s, early ’70s. They had an interesting background and mission. I wrote about them here:
+Thanks again!
+Once upon a time, there was something called a “water cooler.” It was a machine about the size of a small human that dispensed refrigerated liquid, producing the occasional bubble as its contents shifted. But more than that, it was a totem—a communal marker of socialization. Before lockdowns and quarantines, before social distancing and sheltering in place, people used to leave their homes, travel to offices, and gather around the water cooler to make small talk, tell stories, and opine about the latest episode of Game of Thrones.
+Back then, people shared workspaces and wore stiff, uncomfortable clothing known as “business casual attire.” They talked, worked, and commuted in close proximity to one another—often closer than six feet apart, and usually without masks on.
+It was a simpler time. A cough was just a cough. Shopping at the supermarket wasn’t a terrifying, potentially life-threatening experience. And water coolers littered the land, drawing countless teams together every day for idle conversation and chit-chat.
+Legend has it the water coolers are still out there, bubbling in unlit hallways, waiting for us to return.
+Welcome to the post-water cooler world.
+As the world enters Week Whatever of the COVID-19 crisis, the pre-coronavirus era is starting to feel like a myth. Call it the “before times” or the “old world”; it’s growing more distant by the day, and it isn’t clear when—or if—we’re ever going back. Right now, millions of Americans are stuck at home, navigating a new, entirely remote reality. They’re creating, communicating, and collaborating from their houses and apartments.
+Unless you’re an essential service worker, that includes you. Assuming you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t been laid off or furloughed, you’re no doubt becoming accustomed to Zoom meetings and Slack chats, and the room, desk, dining table, or corner of the bed you call your home office.
+You’re also likely feeling—how I should put this?—less than happy. Restless. Listless. Isolated. Anxious. Depressed. Lonely. The reality of the situation—we’re living through a pandemic—is difficult for anyone to cope with. On a good day, it’s a distraction; other days, it’s an inescapable nightmare. And then there are the challenges of homeschooling, wrangling kids and pets, living with spouses and partners, the endless cooking and cleaning…
+Did I mention braving the supermarket?
+It’s a surreal time to be alive. If you feel like you’re just barely holding up, take solace in the fact that millions of people out there feel just like you and are going through the same thing. And if you’re struggling with the transition to working from home, you’re definitely not alone.
+To help you better adjust to this new way of doing business, we’ve scoured the internet for remote work success stories and blunders—the good, the bad, and the ugly of working from home. Learn what to do (and equally as important, what not to do) or just let some of these triumphs and mishaps brighten your day.
+“An astounding productivity boost.”
+Does working from home improve productivity? A few years ago, Stanford professor Nicholas Bloom set out to answer that question. He designed an experiment that split a workforce of 500 employees into two groups—on-site workers and telecommuters. Here’s what his research showed, as reported by Inc.:
+.”
+“My life is rich beyond measure.”
+Another major benefit of working from home: more time with the kids. Peter Fritz of Office Anywhere writes:
+“The only way to build a lasting bond with your children is through the application of time and attention. It isn’t enough to be there – you have to be present, too. Instead of occasional appearances punctuated with fanfare and gifts, it’s the slow, steady and consistent presence that really counts. Kids don’t want performances, they want love, empathy and a steady hand. They want an example to follow. My mum and dad gave me those, and I’ve done my best to give the same to my kids.
+Today, the same principles that cemented the bond between my girls and I apply to my son, Tommy.
+Despite offers to return to corporate life, and opportunities to pursue businesses with potentially big payoffs, I remain steadfastly committed to seeing my son every day. Not just an hour or two before bed, but every morning when I walk him to school, and every afternoon when I pick him up again. Most nights, we also play together or watch a movie in our home cinema. We go to bed at the same time and often giggle ourselves to sleep—just like we did last night. I might not be wealthy, but my life is rich beyond measure.”
+“Make sure you’re wearing pants.”
+Here’s a brief (no pun intended) but unforgettable blunder from an anonymous work-from-homer:
+“If someone knocks on the door and you want to open it while on a video call, make sure you’re wearing pants.
+Signed,
+It happened once and that was enough”
+Twitter user @ChristinaKerby had a similar experience:
+“Pro-tip: if you and your husband are both working from home, check to see if he’s on a four-way video call BEFORE running past the office naked to get a towel from the linen closet. #RealStory #COVID19 #WFH”
+“You have to get out or you’ll go insane.”
+Not everyone is anti-working-in-underwear. Dave Mosher, a journalist who worked remotely for two years, enjoyed the freedom to wear whatever he wanted, but offers another piece of advice:
+“I loved the ability to talk to very important sources in my underwear. Jokes aside (maybe): Working from home eliminated my commute, plus the time and frustration it involved. For many people who work from home, ‘no commute’ means priceless sanity and more than an hour back in our pockets. We can spend that time and energy toward family, fun, or more hustling in our line of work.
+But you have to get out or you’ll go insane. Exercise outside.”
+Sheryl Garratt echoes Mosher’s thoughts in a blog post on The Creative Life:
+“Being out in the fresh air wakes us up. Moving gets our mind working. Even on a cold, rainy day.
+If you already start your day with a run, the gym or a swim, bravo. If not, you might want to try going out for a quick walk before you sit down to work. Not a morning person? Then go after lunch. But make sure you get outside and move at some point in your working day. You’ll get more done.
+A walk can also be a great way to focus on a specific work problem, or to just clear your mind and let a solution pop up.”
+“I wasn’t muted.”
+Reddit user Entidus shares this poetic work-from-home horror story:
+“My worst nightmare at work happened today…
+I was working from home, in a conference call and I thought I was muted.
+I wasn’t muted.
+I slowly just want to sink and die now.”
+Entidus isn’t alone. Here’s Daniel Taroy of Vanity Fair:
+“just started talking to my cat in the middle of a 68-person zoom meeting—and I wasn’t muted!!! send the meteor!!!!”
+“I could mute them without being rude.”
+That mute button really can come in handy. Cailey Rizzo writes for Travel + Leisure:
+“For a long time, when I heard the ping of a Slack message or saw a new email pop up, I’d stop what I was doing and check it. Most of the time, it was just a courtesy ‘thank ‘urgent’ tasks and communications.”
+“Socially connect with others.”
+Other times, you have to make an effort to un-mute yourself. Here’s a tip from a recent post on the Vault blog about the biggest challenges of working from home:
+“Interacting with other people is a positive aspect of many jobs. Yes, you’re there to work, but social contact is also important and can help with productivity. Having a feed in your chosen communication app devoted to unrelated to work topics could help.
+Two ways the recruiting firm HiringThing creates these missed water-cooler moments are:
+- “Week Preview Meetings,” which are Monday meetings where people discuss work plans for the week, and are also allowed to talk about weekend events and other non-work-related things.
+- “Happy Fun Time,” which includes fun activities curated by a company’s HR team such as answering workplace trivia and posting fun throwback images.
+The point is to make sure to take the time while you’re working remotely to socially connect with others. This is more important now than ever, with so many people alone, working from home.”
+“Always make it a point to overcommunicate.”
+Tom Papomoronis, an entrepreneur who started working from home in 2010, shared this tip with CNBC:
+.”
+“I’ve been feeling really lonely.”
+Freelance writer Kaleigh Moore posted the following on her blog:
+“For the most part, I love the fact that I get to work from home.
+I get to walk my dog, wear sweatpants, and don’t have the office interruptions that are productivity’s worst nightmare. I can really knock out some writing assignments with long, uninterrupted stretches of silence.
+But lately, I’ve been feeling really lonely. And I think this is something remote workers need to talk about more than we do.”
+Her solution to loneliness? Acknowledge it—and make a habit of leaving the bubble:
+“I know that it’s important for my mental health to step out of this environment every once in a while, so I’ve been trying to go work in a coffee shop once every week or so (to at least have the noise and scenery of human activity around me.)
+Along with this, I’ve been making it a priority to go to exercise classes, where I get to interact with some familiar faces each week. I’m also working toward using the warm summer weekends as opportunities to travel—to get out of town and experience new things. That sometimes means taking on less work, too. I’m okay with that—I think this is important.
+And finally, I’ve been asking fellow freelancers how they cope with loneliness. Just starting a dialogue about this helps me feel less alone.”
+We can’t just moonwalk into a coffee shop and set up our laptops, but we can chat via FaceTime, Zoom, Join.me, or even just send messages via Slack to maintain our sense of connectivity.
+“You need structure.”
+Here’s another good tip from Tom Papomoronis:
+ if you’re a single parent with a newborn. But for the most part, be clear with your partner, friends or those you live with about your work schedule. Consider setting a ‘Do Not Disturb’ window of time where you can work freely without unnecessary interruptions.”
+“Train your brain.”
+And another bit of advice from Sheryl Garratt of The Creative Life:
+“Have a routine of some sort to start/end the day. I meditate for a few minutes in the morning, check my calendar for appointments and go over my to-do list while playing music. Then I jump in and start.
+When I’m done, I play a different soundtrack while clearing my desk, update my to-do list for tomorrow, turn my screen off then leave my study for the day. I try to do online shopping or web browsing for fun on my iPad, elsewhere in the house, so it’s clear that when I sit down at my iMac, I’m there to work.
+I’m lucky in that I have a dedicated room to work in. If you’re using the kitchen table or in a corner of your bedroom, just clear your work stuff into a drawer or box once you’re done. Seemingly trivial tricks like sitting on a different side of the table when you eat can help to train your brain to know when this is a workspace, and when it is a dining/social space.”
+“Suddenly it is a 16-hour day.”
+Although many business leaders new to remote work fear that their teams will slack off, the opposite—overworking—tends to be a more common problem. Here’s what Mark Neuhausen, Technologist and Angel Investor, had to say on Quora:
+“The worst parts of working from home were enforcing discipline on myself to not work all the time. It is easy to walk past the office and check my computer, respond to a few emails, jump on a call, and suddenly it is a 16-hour day. This is especially true when part of the team is halfway around the world. I also found that I enjoyed the human contact when I did go on business trips, whether to the home office, customer offices, or other company offices. It was energizing and evidence that humans are gregarious.”
+“Reward yourself.”
+How do you stay energized and avoid burnout when working from home? Home office furnishing company Set Your Office recommends the following:
+“Since, in remote working, there is no external validation to know that you are doing a good job, start patting yourself on the back. Rather than waiting for someone else to do it, reward yourself whenever you hit a crucial task or objective. Once you’ve done something worthy of reward, treat yourself with anything that makes you happy.
+Take a long break, or make yourself a fresh pot of coffee or go pamper yourself with some spa session or splurge in manicure and pedicure. You can even reward your extra effort by taking a small break to watch your favorite TV show. Give yourself the recognition you deserve. It not only makes you feel good but even works as a positive reinforcement for future tasks.”
+Remember: you’re not alone.
+How are you navigating the post-water cooler world? Need help going virtual, or looking to boost your team’s work-at-home performance?
+Call on Ruby. With our professional, on-demand receptionist services, any business can maximize its virtual success and provide stellar service to customers. Over 10,000 business owners have trusted our virtual receptionists to represent them and their companies. We’re happy to report an average 20% increase in sales inquiries and customer service satisfaction among our customers, as well as 2–3 times quantifiable ROI.
+We’re here to help you during this challenging time. Learn more about how Ruby’s virtual receptionists can fuel your business growth.
+Ever since video video games first appeared on display screen, we’ve got at all times been mesmerized and entertained by gaming. 2. Meminta siswa untuk duduk dalam tatanan kooperatifnya masingmasing. Istilah menengah (8-31) dan (eight-32) adalah identik: I yang diharapkan sama dengan laba. SNK’s latest entry in the long-operating The King of Fighters sequence ain’t the prettiest fighter on the town, and the title does not constantly headline Evo, but it’s among the finest competitive fighting video games in the marketplace. Italian Serie A. Fame is as tough as to achieve and as easy to lose. This league has been in the identical category of gaining fame before a decade and now fighting its golf equipment to attain respect in addition to the rank Theme simple piano letter notes sheet music for novices, appropriate to play on Piano, Keyboard, Flute, Guitar, Cello, Violin, Clarinet, Trumpet, Saxophone, Viola and some other comparable instruments you want straightforward letters notes chords for. Jul 19, 2020. As an illustration, X Video games attendees have born witness to new tricks similar to Tony Hawk’s 900 in skateboarding, Travis Pastrana’s double backflip in freestyle motocross, Heath Frisby’s first ever snowmobile front flip in Snowmobile Greatest individual. Taurean Green, Walter Hodge, Chris Richard, and Marreese Speights have match, the MIA 5K run, and all major events at the American Airlines Area. The March 22 NASCAR race at the Homestead Miami Speedway is postponed right now. NASCAR officers will decide whether or not to maintain the race with out followers,†Gimenz’s earlier assertion read.
+2 days ago. On-line Race Business Week is a enterprise-to-business occasion for members of the worldwide racing trade. Hundreds of corporations will probably be showing off their new racing product strains for 2021 on EPARTRADE, while RACER and EPARTRADE present 55 hours of technical and business webinars. One Zoom hyperlink gives entry to the entire week of webinars. This article lists the top 4 teams or players in every of the various eSports world championships of the 2006 season. Fnatic, the Counter-Strike team that won the E-Sports Crew of the Year Award in 2006. Exhibiting from left: dsn, cArn, f0rest and Archi, in addition to Oskar “ins” Holm. Tentpole left fnatic after the team-model annual competitors of so-referred to as “excessive sports.”. These sports embody skateboarding, BMX, inline skating and snowboarding, in addition to quite a few variations on each and plenty of different events. The X Games have been created by cable sports activities community ESPN in 1995 in response to the rising reputation of those extreme sports. Enviornment for the third game in 4 days. This time, the sport is to shut out the Mako Medical Asheville Basic with host UNC Asheville. Each teams come into the competition off losses in the first-spherical video games. In 1912, the formation of the worldwide governing physique for athletics, the Worldwide Newbie Athletics Federation , started. In recognition of the movement of the sport from amateurism towards professionalism that began in the late Nineteen Seventies, the phrase beginner was dropped from the title, and the organization was rebranded because the International Association of Athletics Federations in 2001. In late 2019, one other rebranding started, with World Athletics as the new title of the governing body. d. Guru membimbing kelompok-kelompok belajar pada saat mereka mengerjakan lembar kerja.
+Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Daytona International Speedway introduced Wednesday the observe will host a limited variety of fans for the 63rd annual Daytona 500, the season-opener of the NASCAR Cup Collection season scheduled for Feb. 14. São Paulo is among the main golf equipment in Brazil with profitable plenty of championships, getting the fame and putting themselves in the South American map. They are managed by Muricy Ramalho. three. Membantu siswa membentuk kelompok (teams), sehingga transisi ini berjalan secara efisien. 1. Deacon Jones. Deacon had an enormous game and a big personality. Unofficially, Deacon recorded 173.5 sacks throughout his career. His season high was 22, which he achieved twice. While the league does not comprise the identical number of superstars as European leagues, it has included stars like David Beckham, Robbie Kean, Thierry Henry, and lots of Central American gamers in addition to US Nationwide Group members. The 2020 World Touring Automobile Cup opener in Hungary has been known as off because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the series announced on Friday. 6. Mengakhiri games dan tournament. Setiap selesai pertemuan ada tugas kelompok merangkum materi yang telah disampaikan dalam event fully skilled League of Legends league. Ten teams will compete in a spherical robin group stage, with the top 6 groups persevering with to offline playoffs. jordan sport Oleh sebab itu, model pembelajaran Workforce Video games Tournament dapat kita simpulkan merupakan model pembelajaran kooperatif yang mempergunakan recreation crew video games event, semoga bermanfaat untuk anda. From local grassroots racing to Canadian touring series and the Canucks who compete on the worldwide stage, Inside Observe Motorsport Information is the leader in terms of well timed, in-depth and thought-frightening coverage of the motorsports that matter to Canadians. Dominus Esports, previously often known as SinoDragon Gaming, is knowledgeable League of Legends crew competing in the League of Legends Professional League, the top stage of skilled League of Legends in China. It was founded in 2017 and was one among two teams accepted into the LPL on 30 November 2018 as part of the league’s enlargement.
+The Riot Season three Championship Sequence is the primary season of Europe’s totally skilled League of Legends league. Eight teams will compete in a round robin group stage, with the top 6 teams persevering with on to an offline playoffs. The A-State eSports staff will launch as a aggressive club sport throughout its formation period this fall, much like Arkansas State’s nationally-ranked and national title holding rugby and softball membership groups. We concerned current A-State students in our early planning discussions to get their input on the video Providers or in its sole discretion, might add or take away from any or all Video Content at any time. In September, the Concordia University soccer program held an intersquad recreation for their reserves. Both groups compete towards each other within the PASL (Premier Arena Soccer League). Sep 07, 2020. Fire N Ice Esports â â JustLatam in the Halo 5 Professional Sequence Season 1 LA Week 1. Cartel â â Mock-it Esports within the Halo 5 Pro Collection Season 1 EU Week 1. On High â â Final Form within the Halo 5 Pro Sequence Season 1 ANZ Week 1. H3 Group â â Warriors within the FACEIT MCC Professional Series thirteen. The flagship Esports and competitive video games competition in Sri Lanka. Hosted since 2008, the occasion organized by brings individuals from across Sri Lanka together as they battle it out across the most well-liked Esports titles in the nation. recreation tour-nament (TGT). Metode ini perlu dicoba sebagai bentuk variasi metode pembelajaran menulis surat lamaran pekerjaan. Final I checked, deletes content altogether if it doesn’t maintain a excessive view depend. They play video games with a degree system, based mostly on view depend, which acts as a sort of social credit score among users. I suppose that’s as a result of the location has restricted bandwidth, however the guys in charge are too eager to encourage individuals to compete for these points; like experts clipping coupons, they love the sport. It is not straight internet hosting.
+After a season of minor pro hockey, Pasma switched his focus to the executive facet of the sport. In 1998, he joined the NHL’s operations division, supervising officers. He then began working his way by means of the minor leagues in variety of roles from the Central Hockey League, to the East Coast Hockey League and to govt vice-president of hockey operations for the American Hockey League. He now holds the identical title with the NHL, managing the nightly operations of the league’s video room. The singular time period “sport” is used in most English dialects to explain the overall concept (e.g. “children taking part in sport”), with “sports” used to describe a number of activities (e.g. “soccer and rugby are the most popular sports in England”). American English makes use of “sports activities” for each terms. Georgia Sports activities Blog is an impartial website. It isn’t associated with the University of Georgia, the UGA Athletic Division or any other official entity. Sadly, that amount will possible be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though many esports video games have strong online components, the major competitions themselves are typically held in massive venues that aren’t conducive to social distancing. The 2019 Fortnite World Cup , for example, debuted in New York Metropolis’s Arthur Ashe Stadium and drew close to 20,000 people. Naturally, Fortnite’s developer, Epic Video games, has cancelled this 12 months’s event. On an analogous notice, Valve has indefinitely delayed Dota 2’s occasion, The Worldwide. And the Evolution Championship Sequence, AKA Evo , will shift from an in-particular person contest to a web based affair this summer. Oct 21, 2018. It is also one of many highest paying esports games, with over $sixteen million won across 435 tournaments. The motion-packed team battles will attraction to any fan of MOBAs. 4. StarCraft II – $27,679,656. The fourth and closing Blizzard sport on the list. The StarCraft franchise has been an esport for over a decade, starting with StarCraft: Brood Warfare. English Premier League. Next in our checklist of Greatest football leagues is the English Premier League. The controversy can last for hours that which are the highest 101 leagues of the football arena but for sure, it has been clarified that the highest two will all the time from Spanish’s La Liga and English Premier League. There are many different factors and barriers which forestall younger folks from generally reaching their full potential in sport. Under these are listed and defined, evaluating how these issues could be and are resolved.
+A Report On Cadbury Management Essay
+The successful development of new product is the way in which companies can achieve competitive advantage. In NPD process there is a great. More than 40% of all new product introductions fail at launch. For effective NPD has to innovative corporate culture so that everyone in organization is confident to be innovative in their work. Cadbury takes innovation very seriously and it is a major part of Cadbury strategy for success.
+There are many ideas and some of them generated by chance. But, only few of the products make it through to the end of process. Further a product goes through this process, the more expensive it becomes. As products progress, the company is making an increasing commitment in terms of resources. Once a product is developed, the launch marketing costs are significant so a company must carry out extensive market research ensure a product has the best chance of appealing to the market.
+The following research reports suggest that Cadbury’s should launch a breakfast Bread aimed at the children and adult indulgence sectors of the market. Cadbury are used two types of research method. This known as Secondary Research and Primary Research Methods for customer research.
+1. Secondary Research Method
+Secondary research is a method of research carried out by another company or organization. Secondary research is research done by a third party company. The information gained is then analyses and made available for companies such as Cadbury’s. The company may have to purchase this data from the third party source. More often than not though the government publishes papers with all the data and these are free for companies to view.
+Secondary research is often used because it saves time. It saves time because you do not have to go out and collect the data and then analyses it. It also saves money; fewer people are required to carry out the research. Cadbury using secondary data because it will save time and can prove to be better than collecting the data first hand.
+Cadbury intend to use the Out sources of data because they contain relevant information that require on the breakfast Bread market.
+Market Research Source 1
+In the market overview of breakfast Bread. The report clearly shows that the market has grown. The most growth in the market in between 2001-2003 where the market grew by 6.0%. The 6.0% growth was well above the compound annual growth rate in between 2004-2006. The compound annual growth rate this period was 3.7%.
+This research is significant to Cadbury’s because it shows the breakfast Bread market has been growing for the past 5 years. The figures also give reason to believe that the market will keep growing for years to come but at a slower rate.
+The research report supports the argument that Cadbury’s should launch a new breakfast Bread. The figures show an increase in growth.
+Market Research Source 2
+In Second market research executive summary of the breakfast Bread market, the market is referred to as being a ‘well established grocery sector’. This means it is going to have to be something big to stop growth and induce a steep decline in the breakfast Bread market. The research also shows that breakfast Bread sales account for an estimated 63% this is almost two thirds of the sector. The research says that the breakfast Bread market has become ‘static’ it gives reasons for this. The main reason being because of intensive price cutting initiatives. The breakfast Bread manufactures have also diversified into other areas of the market, mainly aiming new products at people who skip breakfast or eat their breakfast at their desk in the office.
+This report shows that In this sector Cadbury’s want to launch their breakfast Bread, the main growth has come from niche products. The main breakfast Bread growth has come from organic Bread and adult indulgence products.
+The report states that breakfast Bread have shown a volume growth but have shown a decline in value growth. This means people are buying more Bread but due to lower prices the value has declined. This report estimates there will be a decline in volume growth over the next few years as well. This report however does show that there is still a lot of life left in the breakfast Bread market in some sectors with the children’s varieties and adult indulgence favoring very well. The UK retail sales of these two areas of the market show a growth over the past few years and it is estimated by this report. This growth will continue.
+This Report shows that Bread Partner lead the way in two areas of market, the share of the manufacturers market and share of the retail market. This means that Bread Partner is the top dog in the breakfast Bread market. Bread Partner has however seen a decline in their share of the market over the last two years. The Bread Partner range leads the way in the breakfast Bread market with the main Bread Partner label Brad taking 9.0% of the market. This is not the best selling breakfast Bread though. The best selling breakfast Bread is the Bread Partners Shredded Wheat range. The range takes in 11.1% of the total retail sales.
+The report supports the argument of Cadbury’s launching a breakfast Bread as long as it is aimed at the correct segment of the market. That of course is being the children’s varieties and adult indulgent. Due to the competition in this area of the market Cadbury’s may not enter the market.
+2. Primary Research Method
+Primary research is data retrieve by doing some fieldwork. Primary research can often prove more relevant than secondary research because the primary research can be co-ordinate to the facts and data you want to retrieve.
+Cadbury using primary research to get data because often secondary sources are used by other companies as well, for Cadbury’s this could mean that Nestle and Mars are using the same research. These are not good because they could find a niche market before Cadbury has and take the custom. Primary research means all the data that is collected is kept confidential within Cadbury’s and the competitors do not know what has been collected. Primary research is often better because the questions and data collected can be different from that of the competitors and therefore can prove to be more rewarding in finding a gap in the market and to launch a new product.
+The main findings from this primary research are as follows: Cadbury’s need to work on the promotional aspects of his products. There are not enough competitions for the consumers. Cadbury’s also need to be more competitive with the pricing of their products. Overall though the taste of the products, Packaging on the products and the current advertising is very good.
+Cadbury’s should really aim to provide a Bread, which tastes as good as the current range of products, but also be healthy and have good nutritional content.
+The price to begin with should be very low and competitive to attract new customers and then as the product becomes much better established the product price should increase.
+In this part produce a SWOT and PEST analysis to analyse the factors that may prevent Cadbury’s launching a product into the breakfast Bread market.
+A SWOT analysis is a general and quick examination of a company so they can get accurate information on their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It analyses the internal strengths and weaknesses, and the external opportunities and threats
+Cadbury’s has a world known brand name that is associated with quality. Cadbury’s also have a large distribution and its bars can be found all over the world. Cadbury’s has a very good customer service centre and has a large variety of chocolate bars to suit everyone’s taste. Cadbury’s is the biggest name in the chocolate market and is the market leader. Cadbury’s has very effective promotions on their products. Cadbury’s has a very good research and development department leading to new products. Cadbury’s has built its name around a high quality almost faultless product quality.
+Cadbury’s has its products priced higher than most of its other competitors. A large range of the Cadbury’s products has reached the maturity stage of its life cycle. The costs of the company are too high. Cadbury’s are making a low profit per bar due to the high costs.
+Cadbury’s has still got a lot large room for expansion into South Africa, Asia and South American regions. Cadbury’s could look to develop new products in new markets. Due to the growing product range Cadbury’s could launch new products. Cadbury’s could diversify into new markets e.g. Breakfast Bread Market.
+Cadbury’s have got a lot of competitors in the market and must be wary of their position as market leader. The pricing on.
+A PEST analysis shows the external factors outside a company that could affect the business. PEST stands for Political, Economical, Social and Technological.
+This part of the PEST analysis deals with the government influences. These are the laws and the recent changes in the laws: The main laws that will affect Cadbury’s are the consumer protection law. These influence changes in food labelling. The food labelling shouldn’t be too influential as expect Cadbury’s to label all their goods properly to begin with. Changes in manufacturing laws will also greatly influence Cadbury’s as they may have to change the way they produce their Bread. This could lead to the introduction of new mechanical equipment being required or more thorough checks on the current equipment. If new equipment is required it could prove to be very expensive.
+The Weights and Measures Act: This act should not affect Cadbury’s a great deal as all the equipment and scales used should already be at that of the highest standard.
+The Trade Description Act- This again should not affect Cadbury’s, as all the labelling on the products should be correct and thorough giving all the ingredients.The Sale of Goods Act:- These state that Cadbury’s should not mislead the consumer. There are currently 3 conditions. If the government was to introduce a few more it could prove to affect Cadbury’s.
+On the whole though the main act Cadbury’s should be aware of is the Weights and Measures Act, and the Food Safety Act. I have mentioned these two as being the most important because Cadbury’s are a straight forward, honest company. They don’t want to jeopardise their reputation by doing some dodgy business. That’s why changes in the weights and measures act and food safety act are all they should be aware of. They should check their equipment regularly and check the food safety regulations.
+This part of the PEST analysis deals with a range of external factors in the economy. The state of the economy is the main factor. If the country were to go into recession the consumer spending would also drop due to the unemployment. The recession would bring down the sales of a lot of goods mainly the expensive things, which are not a necessity. (E.g. the food manufacture industry would have a major decline in sales, as would the tourism industry and the clothes industry.) The current economy is well in favour of Cadbury’s launching a breakfast Bread. The interest rates are low and consumer spending is very high. Other economic factors that could affect Cadbury’s launching a product would be a rise in inflation. This is a rise in price over time.
+There is a variety of different social influences, which could affect the consumer, and in turn Cadbury’s. A good example of this is the change in eating habits. The primary and secondary research both show that consumers are moving towards healthier eating habits. The research shows people want a healthy breakfast Bread.
+The increase in computers and the Internet could influence sales. The number of transactions taking place over the Internet is high and people can now buy their shopping over the Internet. The use of automation in factories could influence Cadbury’s as they could produce more Bread with a smaller work force.
+The main factors, which could stop Cadbury’s launching a breakfast Bread, are the strength of its competitors. As per primary research and some secondary research show that the top 3 in the breakfast Bread market are Kellogg’s, Weetabix and Bread Partner.
+Cadbury spending money on research and development for remove some potential problems later in to the process of creating a new product. Cadbury make sure about ingredients and machinery that available and product reach to customer in good condition.
+Legal & Compliance advise on the product is safe and legal. The product name is unique and international use. The product lives up to the claims being made about it. Involving this department Cadbury safe his self and away from trouble. Cadbury fell more confident about launching product.
+Cadbury’s used all latest technology. Development teams up to date with all the latest developments in technology. So it can make it possible to create innovative products or packaging. New materials and finishes present new design opportunities and possibilities. Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools are used to produce designs. It can be used to create an image of how a product might look on the shop shelf to see how well it will stand out.
+Before the introduction of computer control, manufacture involved a series of operations individually supervised at separate control points. Now, many processes on the production line can be undertaken by machinery, supervised by one person from a control room full of computer screens. The use of computers to perform fast, accurate, repeatable production processes reduces the possibility of human error and helps make sure that the product is always exactly the same.
+The training & production department have expense on sources and buy ingredients & row material. They sets up and monitors the machines and perform quality control test Like Product weight, Temperature and sampling the final product.
+Sales team works for contacting potential suppliers to encourage them to stock the product. They negotiate contracts and sales agreements and maintain relatationships with distributors.
+Cadbury uses “choose Cadbury” to highlight the positive emotional value of their brand however Cadbury has various product range that meets the needs of every consumer from adult down to the children, they also produce different range of products during different seasons/ festive period, for example: Christmas, Easter, and other calendar landmark to motivate their customers. The “choose Cadbury” strategy is used to build a link between chocolate and different events to ensure there’s a Cadbury chocolate product suitable and available for every occasion.
+This is the distribution channel used to get goods to customers. It must be in place before a product is launched. Cadbury’s already had an wide network of wholesaler and retailers. These provided a distribution system for breakfast Bread. The breakfast Bread should be marketed strongly in supermarkets and convenience stores as these are the places where Bread tend to be bought. With all elements in place breakfast Bread was launched in March 2010.
+New product development is both a lengthy and expensive process. It always contains an element of risk. However if carried out correctly product development leads to increased sales and profits. For Cadbury the process has resulted in a unique new product being successfully developed and integrated into the product portfolio. Snowflake has made a successful launch in the marketplace and will undoubtedly contribute to Cadbury’s future success.
+Cadbury continuing to develop the chocolate bar in order to increase the marker share of the confectionary market sector. Cadburys is a well known quality product and has used this as its unique selling point. However, competitors are now also being associated with quality and brand names. For instance, Mars has developed ‘Galaxy’ a milk chocolate bar similar to Dairy Milk which is also a milk chocolate bar, this product is also associated with quality and developed a brand name for itself.
+Cadbury Schweppes reorganizing its business by separating in to two brands to make its self more efficient and add more value to the company. Cadbury could be worth around £7bn and Schweppes could be valued at £9bn so by doing that Cadbury can get better results in sweet business and Schweppes can be more profitable in beverage business. As a result of breaker in to two company shareholders will have two different shares, if everything goes well shareholders rise their profit much more than past”
+Cadbury Schweppes one of the most important long term strategy is expanding its market share and make its brand more global, because of that “Cadbury Schweppes bought Turkish gum giant which has nearly 50 per cent Turkish gum market. Also it’ aim to control and reach Middle East, Eastern Europe and Russia markets. In addition, Cadbury wants to get valuable cutting-cost techniques from Turkish company by adopting it’s business.”
+Cadbury is very successful at this as it just about always satisfies their customer’s needs. Like for the Flake it mostly appeals to women so on occasions such as Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s and healthier than other leading brands such as Nestle and Mars For instance, consumers now demand foods that are low in fat or calories and salt.
+The role of managerial judgement in making due allowance for intangibles is clearly important, and could materially be affected if the Cadbury recommendations were followed. The majority of firms felt that existing methods of appraising AMT investments did allow a fair comparison with conventional alternatives, 87 per cent taking this view with only one in eight finding their methods at fault. While respondents might not be expected to condemn practice in their own companies, the size of the affirmative response may reflect the view that sufficient informal flexibility is used. If so, judgement may simply override financial appraisals rather than being incorporated in a more sophisticated manner.(1993, Pike, p.141) The survey confirmed trends in the use of appraisal methods and showed the distinct perceptions of influencing factors held by firms. A slow pace of adjustment was revealed within companies and the financial environment to capital investment decision making and the financial requirements on such investments.(1991, Primrose, p.45) The effects of interest rate changes on investment decision making are muted and, with exceptions, more indirect than direct. This at best damped adjustment is not necessarily illogical for individual firms, but the effects are more widespread. With manufacturing investment at lower than desirable levels, economic recovery is jeopardized by capacity constraints and macroeconomic responses to consequent inflationary and balance of trade pressures.Order Now
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+I never stood out where I grew up. I looked just like every other girl that went to my high school and never got stared at in shopping malls. I was never questioned about my ethnicity or nationality… until I moved abroad. And then suddenly… it was the opening for every conversation people would have with me 😐
+To give you some background if you’re new here: I grew up in South Africa, in a tropical city called Durban. So nationality-wise, I am South African. Racially- in South Africa- I would tick the box on the form saying “Indian”. Why? Because many generations ago Indians arrived in South Africa as indentured labourers in the 1860s. They were contracted to work on the sugar plantations but later also worked in coalmines, railways, dockyards, and municipal services. After 1917 the majority of the labourers became land owners on Durban’s east coast and diversified into other fields. By the 1940s, the next generation became the backbone of the emerging industrial working class in Durban, which had become home.
+So that’s how this panda was born and bred in small corner of Africa with NO ties to any other country. But somehow my nationality, ethnicity and accent never seem to match up for people who have so many questions… and so many comments! Have you ever heard any of these?
+1. “Where are you from? Wait let me guess…”
+I’ve been offered some strange guesses to this question. Indian, Pakistani & Sri Lankan makes sense based on my ancestry. British comes up often and it seems reasonable to me based on my accent. But when I was in Europe I also got mistaken for Spanish A LOT (no hablo espanõl!), I’ve been asked if I’m Trinidadian (?) and most frequently where I work, I am constantly mistaken for being a local Arab.
+Side note: Once someone told me that I looked Mexican and a rude colleague leaned over and said, “She’s not pretty enough to be Mexican!”
+2. “No, where are you really from? Like REALLY?”
+Wait I already answered this. So, this question implies two things: that I don’t resemble my heritage AND I’m a liar. Awesome.
+3. “You don’t look like you’re South African at all. Like, I NEVER would have guessed that. Not in a million years.”
+So what you’re saying is that I don’t fit your preconceptions of what certain nationalities look like. You’re making yourself look bad…
+4. “Why don’t you speak [insert foreign language that has nothing to do with my background]?”
+This just happened to me last week at a hair salon actually…. I spent far too much time explaining to the Argentinian stylists that despite what they thought, “I don’t speak Spanish.” Look- I grew up in a former British colony where our schools are English medium. Why should I feel apologetic that I am not fluent in a language you think I should be fluent in based on your perception of my appearance?
+Another famous scenario is when strangers start asking me for help on the street in their native tongues. The most recent incident of this was the Sri Lankan man standing outside the temple in Dubai asking me something in fluent Singhalese.
+Do you speak English?
+On the other end of the spectrum is this situation-
+Me: I will need two tickets please and I would like to join the English tour.
+Person behind the counter: Sure. Here’s your change… you want to join the English tour? Do you speak English?
+Why would I ask for an English tour if I didn’t speak English?
+Also, didn’t we just have a conversation in English?
+6. “You’re so EXOTIC”
+This compliment is one of the reasons I never date white men. Somehow this compliment always finds its way out of the mouths of people named Dave, Josh, Richard, Tony… you get the picture. Look, I feel strange being classified by an adjective that is usually used to describe captive animals or alien plants. Please don’t think you are complimenting me when you call me ‘exotic”. Also, refrain from pet names that reference food and beverages. Don’t know what I am talking about? Things I’ve been called range from ‘brown sugar”, “milk chocolate”, all the way to a guy who just called me “caramel”.
+7. “You’re so smart… for a girl from Africa”
+It happened to me on a date.
+So I ordered an expensive lobster.
+Then I made an excuse, swiftly exited and left him with the hefty bill.
+8. “Why are those men wearing turbans? Is that what men wear in your culture?”
+Not every person with brown skin is ‘from my culture”. Sikhism- which is a religion by the way- has nothing to do with me. I literally don’t know a single Sikh person in reality. So instead of asking me dumb questions, go open a book Becky.
+In the end…
+Despite the rampant curiosity and silly questions, I do enjoy the thrill of being hard to place. The countries that I have travelled to where I have been mistaken for a local far outnumber the countries where I’ve been asked if I was a refugee or been perceived as a gypsy. From Egypt to Malaysia, I have been blessed to keep my mouth closed and pay local prices for goods and entrance fees. I will never forget paying 40 rupees to enter the Taj Mahal once and thinking “Wow this is cheap” only to realise that non-locals were paying 1000 rupees!
+As people stare at me, trying to place me and figure out ‘what I am’, I smile inwardly… I move from country to country spreading my African magic, glitter and gold so yeah I am going to expect a few broken necks as people try to stare.
+So have a good look or take a picture because I am a cultural chameleon both blending in, and standing out wherever I go!
+Have you ever been confused for another nationality or ethnicity? Let me know in the comments below!
+27 Comments
+SO MUCH YES! 👌🏼
+Glad you enjoyed it and identified 😀
+This was hilarious–perfect usage of gifs too! I’m usually mistaken for being all-white (instead of half), Middle Eastern, Italian, I think Indian one time… but when people hear my last name they usually figure out that I’m half Hispanic haha
+But you know I never understand the need to classify people anyway… why make assumptions based on your last name in the 1st place? People confuse me.
+Well done!
+Thank you 🙂
+I love your comment about spreading your South African magic, glitter and gold !! So much Awesome! 🙂
+Personally, I’ve always enjoyed being a little mysterious and hard to place. And I get a big thrill from being spoken to in the native language when I travel. 🙂 <3 I've always joked I could have been a spy and secretly blended in everywhere I went.
+I'm sure some people are clueless. But I know speaking from my own point of view – I'm so excited about learning about other people and other cultures, and especially the combining of different cultures together. I think it makes life more interesting. Thank you for sharing your personally history and of South Africa's history. I learned something new today and I enjoyed it immensely. 🙂
+Thank YOU for reading and sharing your opinion. Also, you gave me a new career move as a SPY! I never thought of it that way! I definitely do love being confused for a local and learning about other cultures too so we have that in common 😀
+Of course! Your adventures are amazing!! I thoroughly enjoy reading about them 🙂 And yes, I think I’ve watched too many spy movies!! LOL 😀 Being confused as a local to me makes me feel more like a global citizen or a world traveler rather than a tourist. But that’s just me! Keep traveling! I can’t wait to read more about your journey!
+Great post, your gifs are so funny! 😀 I have heard almost all of these too…as a South African with quite a few different nationalities in my family tree (Irish, German, Dutch, French etc). I most commonly get confused for a German, so in countries that get a lot of German tourists, people trying to sell things often start talking to me in German. Even if I’ve been speaking English, which is a strange feeling. In Greece I tried to explain to a waiter that I was not German, but at the end of the meal he still said “Auf wiedersehen” (!). Often when people ask where I’m from and I say South Africa, the reply is often “but you’re so pale” or “but where were you born” or “where are you from originally” 🙁
+I think this is the curse of South Africans who aren’t black… and in reverse black people from Western countries have the same problem because surely all Africans are black and all Americans are white? No? Seriously? It comes from an issue of under representation in the mass media… if people from Africa would stop being portrayed as spear wielding tribal dwellers and as a more diverse population then I think these assumptions would slowly fade away!
+I love the part where you mentioned; blessed keeping your mouth closed! I wish I could keep mine closed!
+Something to learn – and I love how you spread your magic, glitter and gold – I love to spread my colourful rainbow 🌈 .
+I am from NZ and yes I have brown skin and dark hair. Because Iam short, I am mistaken for a Philippine or some other Asian country.
+When I explain I am from NZ, oh you live with the All Blacks rugby team!! What!! Yes – most people believe every NZ person lives with the All Blacks or we live in big flash houses – not this one :).
+Over time I have learnt not to get upset because of my colour and height. But to embrace everything the good lord has given me.
+God bless and keep the blogs coming.
+Dallas.
+Thank you for your thoughtful comment Dallas! People will always place you where they think you belong based on your facial features and skin colour which is really irritating… but as you said, the trick is not get upset! Also, most people don’t have a clue about anything in New Zealand other than the All Blacks… how would every NZ person live with the All Blacks? The team isn’t big enough HAHA.
+My paternal great grandfather was born in Greece, and I have a slightly darker complexion than the average White American. I have had SO many people come up to me and ask me where I’m from. They assume Eastern Europe, and one man was very specific in assuming I was from Albania. They are always so surprised when I tell them I was born and raised in America (which is ridiculous, because America is a nation built on immigrants…and there are people of many different colors and complexions who live here). I’ve also had people ask me if I’m Jewish (I am not). I’m always amazed at what some people think is okay to ask others.
+You are so right, its simply crazy what people think they know and can ask… in today’s world, with the ease of migration and abundance of flights, people relocate all the time so as a society, we should really be more aware of all kinds of diversity! Yet people just make assumptions and it becomes frustrating 🙁
+Ha! This was quite interesting to read because, although I am not at all ethnically ambiguous (I’m black with dark skin), people can never really tell where I’m from based on my accent… So I’ve heard/ been told several things you mentioned including “you’re so exotic” when I explained my background in detail… I wonder why we, as a collective group of people, always try to put people in boxes and categories — when people tell us who they are and where they’re from we just have to believe them. ||
+I think that black people are considered intriguing by the rest of the world especially if they cannot place your accent (which most people can’t because a black person from South Africa sounds totally different to a black person for Nigeria). I wonder the same thing about people- why we have to put them into a box based on their nationality, ethnicity or race- I would say its because this helps us understand them but actually… it really doesn’t!
+I am totally feeling this post! And loving the gifs! I’m half Chinese and half Caucasian, which isn’t a super wild mix or anything. But have definitely had my fair share of strange comments and silly questions. I’m sorry that some of yours are so offensive (the smart one is brutal – good for you for leaving him with the bill!).
+And total side note: I visited Durban a few years ago and it was such an amazing trip! Had no idea that such a huge Indian population lived there. We really loved our time in Durban!
+Why am I only finding this comment now? I am so glad you loved your time in Durban! And sorry that you’ve had some strange comments too.. the way I see it, at least we have some good stories to share!
+Hahaha! and the gifs to match! I love the question of “No, where are you really from?” and the follow up of “okay well where are your parents from?” it always gets a chuckle out of me. Also I’m glad you got up from that date. He learned just how smart you really are.
+I’ve been trying this new thing of asking people “Are you from here?” when I travel rather than where are you from if they don’t fit the stereotypical look of the region. A black girl in Amsterdam was shocked and delighted that I asked that because she was born and raised there her whole life yet everyone always assumes shes from somewhere else.
+Thanks for sharing!
+I think you just changed my perspective big time! Asking someone, “Are you from here?” definitely has more positive connotations and allows for the person to volunteer their answer instead of forcing them into it by asking, “Where are you from?”. I love this! Thank you!
+This happened to me more in Kuwait than any other place! How come your English accent is different?
+The best is facing racism by Indians! I just recently got asked why I don’t speak Hindi because of course ALL Indians are supposed to… 😰
+I too am questioned a lot by Indian people about why my English is so good. Sri Lankans also look at me strangely when they hear me speak. Kuwait was the worst place for this sort of thing; for some reason the society there made people hyper aware of their passport which makes no sense. It isn’t as bad in other gulf countries.
+[…] ease. However, through my Instagram and this blog, I have opened up about my divorce, job loss, my ethnicity and the struggles of traveling with a passport from a third world country. It still continuously […]
+[…] my travel tips, experiences and personal struggles. I have opened up about my divorce, job loss, my ethnicity and the struggles of traveling with a passport from a third world country on my […]
+I don’t think in todays time we can judge a person’s nationality by the way they look. Hasn’t the world become a melting pot ? Aren’t we all over the place ?
+While that’s the way people should think, it’s not the reality I’ve experienced.
+Phu Quoc Island travel guide (Last updated on January 4, 2020)
+Phu Quoc is a beautiful archipelago located deep in the Gulf of Thailand, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. In the southern sea of the country, the Pearl Island – Phu Quoc – the largest island of Vietnam, is also the largest of the 22 islands here. With its beautiful islands and beaches and rich cuisine, the Phu Quoc archipelago is one of the most beautiful islands in Vietnam, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists.
+Best time to travel to Phu Quoc Island
+The best time to travel to Phu Quoc is from October to March, this is the time when the island has the most beautiful weather. The peak tourist season in Phu Quoc is from April to September, visitors can also come to this beautiful island at this time of year to enjoy beautiful beaches in the sunny summer.
+Tips:
+- Because Phu Quoc is an island, you should track the weather forecast before going to avoid the stormy days that affect your travel.
+- Except for the rainy seasons, the weather of Phu Quoc is beautiful all year round with an average temperature of about 28 degrees C.
+How to get to Phu Quoc Island?
+From Hanoi
+From Hanoi, you can reach Phu Quoc by plane. Specifically, from Noi Bai International Airport, there will be a flight Hanoi – Phu Quoc departing from Hanoi at 8:40 pm and arriving at Phu Quoc International Airport at 10:45 am via Vietnam Airlines. And there will also be a return flight from Phu Quoc at 11:35 am to Hanoi at 13:40.
+There’re also other departures by other airlines like Vietjet Air, Jet Star…
+From Ho Chi Minh City
+Because of the distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc is only about 384 Km, you will have more options for your travel.
+By plane
+From Tan Son Nhat International Airport you will have many flights to Phu Quoc at different times, the earliest from 5 am and the latest flight of the day will be 10 pm. The main carriers are Vietnam Airlines, Viet Jet Air.
+By car
+Route Ho Chi Minh City – Rach Gia – Phu Quoc
+To go by car you will have to follow the following route: starting from Ho Chi Minh City then moving to Rach Gia City and from Rach Gia port, you will take high-speed boats to Phu Quoc. Travel time is about 7 hours.
+Some high-quality bus companies that follow the Ho Chi Minh City – Rach Gia route are Phuong Trang, Kumho, and Mai Linh:
+- Mai Linh Bus. Tel: 08 39292929
+- Phuong Trang Bus. Tel: 08 3833 3468
+Tips:
+- You should choose an overnight bus from Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc at 10 pm to get to Rach Gia in the early morning, then from Rach Gia taking the speed boat to Phu Quoc to save time. In Rach Gia city, there is a free shuttle bus transporting tourists to Rach Gia Port to Phu Quoc, so you should ask the bus company about this location and tell them to drop you off to the nearest location so you can catch transit car.
+To move to Phu Quoc from Rach Gia Port you will have the following options
+Superdong high-speed boat
+Address No. 14 Tu Do street; Vinh Thanh; Rach Gia. Tel: 077 877742 – 077 877 741.
+There will be 2 departures to Phu Quoc at 8 am 3 pm and vice versa travel time about 2.5 hours per day.
+Departure time
+Departure time (peak season, holidays)
+Ticket price (Per person)
+- Adult: 330,000 VND
+- Children: 240,000 VND
+Route Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien – Phu Quoc
+Bus companies running from Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien include:
+Phuong Trang bus: ticket price 170,000 VND.
+Departure time:
+* Mien Dong bus station: 7:15, 8:45, 9:45, 18h, 18h45, 19h15.
+* Hà Tiên Bus Station: 8h30, 9h30, 10h30, 20h30, 21h45, 22h30.
+* In Ho Chi Minh City:
+– Call center: 0838.309.309
+– Office 328A Le Hong Phong – District 10 – HCMC
+– Branch: 260 Le Hong Phong – District 5- Ho Chi Minh City.
+– Ticket box 22,23, 31 Mien Dong Bus Station – Ho Chi Minh City
+Kumho bus: ticket price of VND 190,000.
+* Route Ha Tien – Ho Chi Minh City
+– Departure time: 07h50, 11h00, 13h00, 20h20, 21h10, 22h30.
+Booking phone: 077.3.959797 – 077.3.959696
+* Route Ho Chi Minh City – Ha Tien
+– Departure time: 09h30, 11h00, 15h30, 20h30, 21h30, 23h00. Booking phone: 08.3.7527878 – 08.3.9225112 – 08.3.9225113
+Tuan Nga bus: ticket price: 165,000 VND / ticket
+* In Ho Chi Minh City:
+– Call center: 0946 79 00 55 – 0962 57 11 99
+– Office: No. 7 Pham Huu Chi – Ward 12 – District 5 – Ho Chi Minh City.
+– Mien Dong Bus Station – Ho Chi Minh City.
+* In Ha Tien:
+– Call center: 0773. 95 45 45 – 0969 19 11 77
+– Office at Ha Tien Bus station
+Speed boat Ha Tien – Phu Quoc:
+High-speed boat Superdong I and Superdong II depart from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc at 8:00 and 13:00; from Phu Quoc to Ha Tien at 8:30 and 13:30 every day.
+Hong Tam high-speed boat also operates on this sea journey, starting from Ha Tien to Phu Quoc at 13:30 and from Phu Quoc to Ha Tien at 8:30 every day. Travel time at sea is 1 hour 20 minutes. Some boats for you to choose:
+Departure time
+Ticket price (per person)
+- Superdong: adult 230,000 VND, children: 160,000 VND.
+- Ngoc Thanh: adult 215,000 VND, children: 150,000 VND.
+From Can Tho City
+From Can Tho International Airport, there will be a flight departing from this airport to Phu Quoc at 1 pm and arriving in Phu Quoc after 45 minutes, the opposite flight from Phu Quoc will depart from 11:35 am of Vietnam Airlines.
+Moving around Phu Quoc
+In Phu Quoc, there are only 3 main roads with the following easily recognizable features:
+Tran Hung Dao Street: The road has the most hotels and resorts in Phu Quoc, most of them have very beautiful beaches. You can go from one beach to another easily, and the length of this free beach is over 10km long. Tran Hung Dao Street is also the way to visit famous galleries such as Phu Quoc Prison, Hang Yen …
+30/4 Street – Phu Quoc Eating Path: There are many restaurants and eateries, you can try the seafood at roadside stalls for a better price than the night market. From this road, you can also go to places such as Ham Ninh fishing village, Tranh stream …
+Hung Vuong street: from this road, you can go to the airport, the national park, the Vung Bau tourist resort …
+Where to stay? Nice and good Homestay & Hotels in Phu Quoc
+In Phu Quoc Phu Quoc you should pay attention.
+In addition, Booking.com is a very reasonable choice we would like to advise you with information and photos, very detailed service, as well as reviews of the people who have booked here.
+Places to visit in Phu Quoc Island
+Phu Quoc pepper garden
+This pepper garden is located about 15km north of Duong Dong town. Pepper in Phu Quoc is famous for having a more aromatic flavor and a stronger flavor than other pepper growing places. When you come here, you can visit the beautiful pepper gardens and also buy some processed products here as gifts.
+Ganh Dau Cape
+Located about 15-20km north of Duong Dong town. This is a Cape jutting into the Northwest Sea of the island that attracts visitors by its most pristine and unique natural beauty. From here, you can see the border of Cambodia. Ganh Dau has a bow-shaped beach stretching 500m. This is also a great place to enjoy seafood for visitors.
+Dinh Cau
+Located right next to Duong Dong town about 5 minutes on foot, is a famous tourist destination in Phu Quoc, and is one of the beautiful sunset spots that you should not miss when coming to this land.
+Hon Thom Island
+Hon Thom Island is located in the south of Phu Quoc, it takes about 30 minutes to travel to Hon Thom from Phu Quoc pier. Here you can participate in tourist activities such as diving to see corals, watching the aquaculture areas of fishermen, visiting the pearl farming area about 10 minutes by boat from Hon Thom, a very famous squid fishing village in Phu Quoc.
+Tranh Stream
+Tranh Stream is located in the northeast of Phu Quoc. From Duong Dong town, follow Duong Dong – Ham Ninh route about 10 km to reach Tranh Stream. Tranh Stream is made up of many small streams, weaving through the canyon forest, with water flowing from June to September every year. There are beautiful natural landscapes with flowers, mountains, sea, and streams, which are interesting places for camping and picnics.
+Bai Dai Beach
+Bai Dai Beach is located in the northwestern part of the island. You can go here by motorbike, taxi with the travel time of about 45 minutes. Voted by the BBC as one of the 10 most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world. Bai Dai Beach has a 1500m long coastline with rows of tall green trees growing in straight lines.
+Coi Nguon Museum
+This is a private museum but preserves a lot of historical artifacts of Phu Quoc for visitors to learn and discover more about this island. Besides, there are areas displaying handicraft products from wood, pearl…
+Bai Sao Beach
+About 30km from Duong Dong town, you can move here by taxi or motorbike. Sao Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc. This place owns a creamy white sand beach longer than 7 km, in the peak season, Sao Beach is crowded with tourists, so if you like to go to Sao beach, you should go early to rent a resting place.
+Bai Khem Beach
+Located in the south of Phu Quoc, 25 km from Duong Dong and 5 km from An Thoi port. This beach is very pristine and very nice due to the fine white sand. This beach is suitable for travelers who like to explore. Because there are very few tourist activities, this beach has a lot of rubbish and leaves. However, when you come here you should enjoy the seafood here because they are extremely delicious.
+Bai Truong Beach
+Truong Beach is also a place not to be missed in the Phu Quoc, just 7 minutes from the airport. From October to April every year, Truong Beach is the perfect choice because this is the most beautiful Truong Beach season with the calm, rippling sea. In particular, this is the most beautiful sunset spot on the island. Sunset Sanato Beach Club is located in Truong Beach, famous for being the most unique beach in Phu Quoc with impressive works of art and the venue for the largest beach music festival in Phu Quoc – Epizode, held annually on New Year.
+Ham Ninh fishing village
+Ham Ninh fishing village is located on the East Coast, 20 km northeast of Duong Dong town. Ham Ninh’s fishing village’s life still remains untouched, the main job is still pearl diving and fishing. Visit Ham Ninh in the early morning to watch the sunrise or explore the nightlife in this fishing village to enjoy the beauty of this place. The seafood here is also very delicious, so you should not miss it.
+Phu Quoc traditional fish sauce production establishment
+Coming here, you can learn methods to create a rich flavor for the fish sauce here. Address: Phung Hung fish sauce – Duong Dong – An Thoi, opposite Phu Quoc prison.
+An Thoi Island
+Includes 15 large and small islands located along the southwest. The sea is very clear and deep, some places nearly 30m deep. Tourists will find it suitable for tourism activities such as nature exploration, sightseeing, fishing, squid fishing, swimming, and scuba diving …
+The experiences you should try when coming here
+Read more:
+Explore Vinpearl Safari
+Vinpearl Safari is the largest open zoo model in Vietnam with an area of about 500 hectares, bringing together about 130 species with more than 2,200 individuals of rare animals. Vinpearl Safari is divided into two main subdivisions: an open zoo for visitors between open and harmonious animal raising areas in harmony with nature; the semi-wild area (safari park) carrying visitors by specialized vehicles.
+Visiting Vinpearl Safari, visitors will experience many interesting activities such as panoramic view of the park with a modern tram system, enjoying fascinating animal performances, practical experience: feeding animals, take photos with rare animals…
+Vinpearl Phu Quoc amusement park
+Built on a total area of up to 170,000m², Vinpearl Phu Quoc amusement park includes many interesting places such as: Water Park, Aquarium, Outdoor play area, Movie theater, Food street, Fairy Castle … In addition, Vinpearl Land in Phu Quoc also has a dolphin performance area with a capacity of up to 1,152 seats and a water music stage with a capacity of up to 2,337 seats to meet the needs of International cultural events.
+Read more:
+Scuba diving to watch the coral
+With a diverse marine ecosystem, Phu Quoc is an ideal place for travelers to explore the world of the ocean, especially the coral reefs that top the table in Vietnam in terms of abundance and diversity. The price for each scuba diving tour is from VND 350,000 – VND 500,000 per person.
+Discover primeval forest
+If you are a risk-taker, this is the option for you. You can book a tour to explore primeval forests, ecological reserves to experience.
+Night squid fishing
+When night falls, it’s time to experience the exciting moments just relax with the fishermen with night squid fishing. It’s nothing like catching your own squid hunting in the sea or fish floating on the surface of the sea. The booty is squid or caught fish that will be cooked on the ship.
+Phu Quoc Night market
+Discovering the night markets in Phu Quoc is also one of the activities that tourists should not miss when coming to this beautiful island. At night markets you will easily find souvenirs for friends and relatives, in addition to the people here selling a variety of fresh seafood …
+WASHINGTON—For the unprecedented second time in just 13 months, the U.S. Senate voted to acquit Donald J. Trump in an impeachment trial. Although seven Republicans joined all 50 Senate Democrats—the largest bi-partisan impeachment vote ever—the vote was 10 short of the constitutionally required two thirds majority needed to convict the former president of inciting the Jan. 6 mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.
+Minutes after the verdict was announced, Mr. Trump celebrated, sending out a statement declaring his vindication, and complaining of the “witch hunt” he claimed was being waged against him. He said that Democrats’ attempt to end his political career had failed, boasting, “Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun.”
+Despite a withering prosecution by impeachment prosecutors from the House of Representatives, with graphic videos of rioters carrying Trump flags and Confederate flags breeching the security of Capitol Police, rampaging through the Senate chambers and pillaging the offices of congressional leaders and chanting death threats to Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—second and third officially in the line of presidential succession—Republican loyalty, or fear of Mr. Trump’s grip on their party, kept enough senators in line for his Feb. 13 acquittal.
+Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), an impeachment manager, put it bluntly in her closing argument: “If we don’t set this right and call it what it was, the highest of constitutional crimes by the president of the United States, the past will not be past. The past will become our future. Senators, we are in a dialogue with history.”
+Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), a House impeachment manager who starred in her role in exposing Trump high crimes, talked about the case with CNN’s Jake Tapper the day after the acquittal. She dealt with Tapper pleas and questions about why no witnesses were called on the last day of Senate hearings? More witnesses weren’t needed, more Republicans needed to have more spine and less fear of the Republican Party’s leader, she said.
+“The impeachment power exists to say that no one, not even the president of United States, should be above the law, should be above accountability,” author John Nichols told this writer in an interview for WPFW-FM’s “Monday Morning QB” program. “And we should understand that, but clearly, as a country, we have not learned that.
+“That doesn’t mean that you give up,” Mr. Nichols continued. “I don’t think any of us give up, but it does mean that, after so compelling a case for the conviction of Donald Trump … To my mind, as someone who’s written books about impeachment, I think it’s the most powerful case ever made, and the most effectively made case. That should mean something. And it is truly sad, truly disappointing that it (did) not.”
+Impeachment managers meticulously made the case that Mr. Trump invited the mob to Washington on the day Congress was to certify Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory, then he incited them, aimed them at the Capitol where the certification was to take place, then “lit the fuse” igniting their rampage which resulted in the death of seven people.
+Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) laid out damning evidence that showed that the former president helped plan the Jan. 6 insurrection by telling his supporters that the election had been stolen from him. Literally changing the date of a rally originally planned for after Mr. Biden’s inauguration to the date of the Electoral College certification—Mr. Trump urged supporters again and again that they must act—must “fight”—to overturn the results.
+The California Democrat introduced multiple Trump tweets as evidence and revealed the former president’s campaign purchased ads encouraging supporters to come to Washington, D.C., on the day that Congress was set to certify Mr. Biden’s election win.
+“On Dec. 26 he tweets, ‘If a Democrat presidential candidate had an election rigged and stolen, with proof of such acts at a level never seen before, the Democrat senators would consider it an act of war and fight to the death,’ ” Mr. Swalwell told senators.
+“ ‘Mitch and the Republicans do nothing, just want to let it pass, no fight,’ ” the tweet continued. “He is saying the Republicans are doing nothing and have no fight because you are doing your job taking on the constitutional process of certifying the Electoral College results. He also suggests, President Trump, that if this was the reverse and the Democrats had lost, it would be an act of war.
+“An act of war,” Mr. Swalwell added. “That’s how Donald Trump prepared his supporters for Jan. 6. He even stated again 14 minutes later to make sure his supporters understood, quote, ‘The Justice Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 presidential election voter fraud. The biggest scam,’ all caps, ‘in our nation’s history despite overwhelming evidence. They should be ashamed.’
+Then, he adds, “ ‘History will remember. Never give up. See everyone in D.C. on Jan. 6.’ That phrase, history will remember, was the only time, the first time, Donald Trump had used it in his presidency. He sent this to 70-plus million Twitter followers the day they needed to show up and be ready to fight.”
+The Trump defense never sought to prove his innocence, instead arguing that the trial itself was unconstitutional because Mr. Trump was a private citizen and could not be “removed from office” as the Constitution provides; because the First Amendment granted him free speech protection and presented dozens of instances of Democrats using the word “fight” in political speeches. Mr. Trump did not instigate the illegal behavior because dozens of lawbreakers intended to breech the Capitol without any encouragement from the former president, said defense lawyers.
+Ironically, Mr. Trump’s “free speech” defense was reliant on a 1969 Supreme Court decision which permitted Clarence Brandenburg, a Ku Klux Klan member to legally spew a vile, profanity-ladened racist and anti-Semitic commentary which had violated an Ohio law.
+Unlike in Mr. Trump’s defense in his first impeachment, this time, not once did his defense team argue that what the former president did was acceptable conduct.
+In another irony, Mr. Trump’s father Frederick Trump was arrested in a 1927 New York, KKK Memorial Day weekend rally. According to an article published in The New York Times, and unearthed by the tech blog BoingBoing.net in 2015, “1,000 white-robed Klansmen marched through the Jamaica neighborhood, eventually spurring an all-out brawl in which seven men were arrested.” Fred Trump was one of the seven detained.
+Democrats needed 17 Republicans to vote with them to convict Mr. Trump of inciting an insurrection. In the end, they got seven: Senators.
+Still, seven Republicans did vote to convict him, making this the most bipartisan impeachment effort in American history. Until a year ago, when Mr. Romney cast the lone Republican “guilty” vote in Mr. Trump’s first impeachment trial, no senators had ever voted to convict a president from their own party.
+Several Republicans who voted to acquit Mr. Trump still declared him responsible for the assault on the Capitol, including Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the minority leader. “The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president,” Mr. McConnell said after he voted to acquit, “and having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories and reckless hyperbole, which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet earth.”
+Mr. McConnell’s stated reason for his “not guilty” vote was that Mr. Trump was no longer in office—even though it was Mr. McConnell, then Senate Majority leader—who prevented the Senate from beginning the trial while Mr. Trump was in office.
+“A mob was assaulting a Capitol in his name,” Mr. McConnell said in his remarks immediately after the floor vote. “These criminals were carrying his banners, hanging his flags and screaming their loyalty to him. There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.”
+And yet another irony, three, Republican Senators: Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Ted Cruz (Texas) and Mike Lee (Utah), all met with the Trump defense team Feb. 11, the night before the defense team presented their case. Ostensibly, three of the “jurors” colluded with the defense, rendering them in effect, a “jury of his accomplices.”
+“Yes, it does,” Mr. Nichols agreed. “And even before they met, they were accomplices. This is the important thing to understand. The idea that senators who are jurors in this trial would meet with the defense team and (offer) guidance for how to prevail in the trial, it’s appalling. And it ought to lead to ethics charges and ethical censure, perhaps even to expel these senators.”
+Demographically, 57 senators who voted to convict Mr. Trump represent 76.7 million more people than 43 senators who voted to acquit, but they were still 10 short of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority vote needed to convict him.
+Just before the Jan. 6 riot, Mr. Trump told his supporters: “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” In an attempt to suggest the metaphorical nature of political speeches, Mr. Trump’s lawyers presented video of elected Democrats and some celebrities uttering the word “fight.”
+“Republicans are constantly fighting like a boxer with his hands tied behind his back,” Mr. Trump said in the rally. “And we’re going to have to fight much harder.”,” defense attorney Michael van der Veen said during the trial. “The suggestion is patently absurd on its face. Nothing in the text could ever be construed as encouraging, condoning or inciting unlawful activity of any kind.”
+Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), one of those who voted to acquit Mr. Trump agreed: “I think the president’s lawyers blew the House manager case out of the water. They legally eviscerated them.”
+There was some complaining that after winning a procedural vote to allow them to call a witness that Mr. Trump knew that his own vice president was in mortal danger and then tweeted another condemnation of Mr. Pence, instead of prolonging the trial with more evidence they conceded.
+Impeachment Manager Swalwell replied: “To 57 bipartisan senators and in the court of public opinion, we proved Donald Trump guilty of the greatest crime ever against our Constitution. And, we did it with overwhelming, un-contradicted evidence. We didn’t need more witnesses; we needed more spines.”
+“The evidence is damning, chilling, and overwhelming. Only cowardice and complicity stands in the way of conviction,” retired CBS News anchor Dan Rather tweeted before the final vote.
+Kickstarter Introduces New Hardware and Product Design Project Guidelines 157
+OakDragon writes "Kickstarter has introduced some more stringent guidelines and requirements specifically for the Hardware and Product Design categories. These new requirements are laid out in a blog post called 'Kickstarter Is Not a Store.' Simulations will now be prohibited. Video cannot show a proposed product, action, etc. — only a real product and what it does at the time. Product renderings and other simulated illustrations also will not be sufficient — the project creator will have to have photographs of a real prototype."
+You can probably thank "Orbit" for this... (Score:5, Informative)
+Nearly a year after getting their funding, their product is nowhere in sight, promises made were not kept, the funders are upset, the project owners are MIA and all of it gives Kickstarter a black eye.
+Posting as AC because I'm a funder, but not related to the project or Kickstarter in any other way.
+Re:You can probably thank "Orbit" for this... (Score:4, Insightful)
+Nearly a year after getting their funding, their product is nowhere in sight, promises made were not kept, the funders are upset, the project owners are MIA and all of it gives Kickstarter a black eye.
+Maybe Kickstarter just needs to make this notice in large and blinking letters:
+Kickstarter does not investigate a creator's ability to complete their project. Backers ultimately decide the validity and worthiness of a project by whether they decide to fund it..
+I remember seeing that notice, but it isn't on the page you referenced (somewhere in the corner when you finalize backing/paying, but not shown you just browse projects).
+Re:You can probably thank "Orbit" for this... (Score:5, Insightful)
+Looks to me like they updated their page less than a month ago. $60k to fund something like is going to lead to delays.
+Kickstarter is not buying a finished product, it is donating to get something hopefully created.
+Re: (Score:3)
+Kickstarter is not buying a finished product, it is donating to get something hopefully created.
+People see prototypes and mockups and don't understand that.
+Re:You can probably thank "Orbit" for this... (Score:4, Informative)
+Not a funder, and not related to the project or KS in any way.
+Re: (Score:3)
+Don't forget about CamCrate [kickstarter.com]. There are a few others out there that the project creator went MIA.
+Now I'm part of a few projects that have had delays. Most of the problems come from the fact that they are outsourcing to China and it's hit or miss what you get. Some of them have overly optimistic timelines also. Most have never done a project like this before and get in way over their head.
+Couple this with KickStarter getting linked to non-tech websites and it's just a recipe for disaster. For example I backed
+Re: (Score:2)
+What is the current status of the project? unintended issues with the final design that didn't appear in the prototypes?
+Funny you should mention that. (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:3)
+unintended issues with the final design that didn't appear in the prototypes
+A prototype designed one off in a machine shop vs something cranked out in China. The guys in China didn't understand tolerances or the need for them to be very very close. "Pin fits in hole. Good enough." Which means that the firepiston didn't work.
+So lets assume they're as fast as Deal Extreme. 3 weeks a part comes. It's bad. He talks to the one guy in the shop that speaks English. They get it resolved. 1 week to make it. 3 weeks back to the states. Or the anodizing wasn't right in one batch IIRC.
+You see
+Re: (Score:3)
+The only kickstarters I have funded have been more like art or film projects where you really are just giving them money with no real expectation in return. Heck, I've yet to even watch the videos made for one (I keep waiting until I have time...and then forget that I want to watch them when I have time).
+I've considered others that are more like the one you described...somebody is a leath
+Re: (Score:3)
+Yes it will take a while to send stuff by ship from china but small packages can be flown over in a few days. If it's taking weeks then either your supplier is using it as an excuse or you were too cheap to pay for fedex.
+The bigger problem is there seems to be a culture of "do as little as you can get away with" rather than "do what the customer specified" and from what I can gather you really need someone who works for you (not for your contract manufacturer) and is fluent in both languages and comfortable
+Re:You can probably thank "Orbit" for this... (Score:5, Interesting)
+People discovered that the two scammers who setup the campaign hadn't innovated anything at all and were just acting as resellers of an existing product from a Chinese manufacturer as they had doctored exiting promotional images by removing the original manufacturers name. Oh and they added on an extortionate markup to the product.
+Read: [hackaday.com]
+Re: (Score:2)
+Yeah, it looks like you can already buy the so-called "AmbioLight" from Elco Lighting.
+It does look like an interesting product though: [elcolighting.com]
+Re: (Score:3)
+Re:You can probably thank "Orbit" for this... (Score:4, Insightful)
+I don't see how these changes help in those cases at all. If you are simply copying another person's idea, having a prototype and showing how it works is trivial. It's only hard to do if you actually invent something.
+The whole thing seems really puzzling, it wants to differentiate kickstarter from being a store by moving it closer to being a store. And if you want to develop something you can't show how you envision the final product to look like. Why is that useful?
+Change borne out of bad publicity (Score:5, Interesting)
+As one of the comments in the blog post notes, this looks like a change mostly to get negative press off KickStarter's back.
+And yes, projects like Orbit or in fact many iDevice projects that are failing, or have failed - including the Hanfree project (Creator filed for Chapter 7 - quite a development as this is after a Backer sued him) - are an influence there.
+But so are the NPR coverage. The Polygon article (with such bombshells as (paraphrasing) "Even if it is a fraudulent project - who's going to sue over a trivial amount of money?" - even though KickStarter takes a percentage of that fraudulently acquired fund). Their own recent 'Accountability' blog post, and so forth and so on.
+Here's the thing, though. On that blog post, and this new one, they've gotten almost nothing but flack.
+Prohibiting product renders - rather than requiring they be labeled as such - hinders many projects.
+Prohibiting multiples pledge levels - rather than requiring a set limit - hinders many projects.
+Prohibiting selling items based on what you plan for it to be able to do - rather than requiring them to only advertise with current features and allow further features to be added in e.g. updates - hinders may projects.
+Moreover, all of these changes actually make KickStarter more of a store. The verbiage is such that you pretty much have to show a finished product and the only reason to try and CrowdFund is for mass production. That's practically the definition of pre-sales.
+The most striking change, though, is the part where Creators in those categories now have to explain what risks there are and what challenges they face.
+This is orthogonal to the 'accountability' blog post in which it was clarified that a Creator must either A. deliver or B. offer refunds.
+That means there are no risks other than that of the Creator's to bear.
+It's all good and well that KickStarter is trying to get Backers to think that they're really just donating - and Backers are welcome to think this and write off any money pledged that ends up going nowhere - but legally they have set Creators up to comply with, essentially, contract law.
+I understand what KickStarter is trying to seem to do - protect Creators against themselves a little (make sure you have a viable product and production process thought out before you seek funding) and against Backers (by trying to ease them off demanding refunds), and Backers from dishonest Creators or indeed their own gullibility - but I feel like this is not the way to do it.
+I wish KickStarter could decide - especially in legal terms - what it wants to be for these categories; a pre-sale platform, or a donation platform. It can't rely on the goodwill of Backers and Creators to be both.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Yeah, but that is Kickstarter's right. They don't want all sorts of projects - obviously they are reluctant to turn down money, but from the start, they've had a specific ambition that separated them from their (largely invisible) predecessors: They want to fund
+* Projects. Bounded effort somehow, not open-ended eff
+Re:Change borne out of bad publicity (Score:5, Insightful)
+I understand what you're saying - but, again, their entire verbiage speaks against it.
+Creative projects (I'll take this to be film, books, dance recitals, albums, photo projects, etc.) aren't affected by these new rules.
+So what you have to look at is what KickStarter wants to be for the 'Hardware / Product Design' categories.
+Their old rule was clarified in the 'accountability' post: deliver, or offer refunds. That makes it very much a 'sale' type platform.
+Then the new rule changes - announced in a blog post saying that KickStarter is not a store - reinforce the idea that it actually is a store, by essentially making it so that you must have a finished product that merely needs mass production.
+If they really want the whole 'risks and challenges' thing to fly, then Backers do, effectively, become donators and the 'deliver or offer refund' must not apply.
+I'm not sure if people aren't 'getting' the threshold thing, by the way. Backers understand the threshold just fine - if the project doesn't meet the threshold, nothing happens (insofar as the KickStarter project goes). If it does meet the threshold, then things are supposed to take off.
+Perhaps you mean that Creators don't quite get it - in that their threshold should be set realistically based on expected costs for development and manufacture + extra to be on the cautious side.
+But then that's a failing in KickStarter's information supply. The 'risks and challenges' section may make Creators more aware by forcing them to think about it a little bit, but that should be seen entirely separately from how Backers believe KickStarter works or should work.
+Mind you, I've always been a stern defender of the "KickStarter is not a store", and I live by that when pledging for projects myself. If a Creator were to offer a refund, I'd judge their (apparent) effort and decide based on that whether I want a refund or not. But legally speaking, it is very much looking like a store.
+Don't forget Zioneyez (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+The project owners are MIA? I'm seeing regular updates on KS and Twitter.
+Consider that these guys certainly have day jobs (having $60K doesn't exempt them from having to have jobs, least of all in an expensive city like San Francisco). When you're doing this sort of thing part time — designing the product, figuring out a manufacturing process, lining up a vendor to do the actual manufacturing — a year is pretty minimal, and two or three is more realistic.
+But of course the project owners themselv
+Re: (Score:2)
+Wasn't there one about that girl who after being funded and started on the project saw how much work it'd really be and made up some BS about how the Sun was psychically talking to and her telling her to stop or the Moon would try and kill her.
+Everyone got pissed because of how obviously a scammer she was.
+Re:And Pebble and Touchfire and Brydge and... (Score:5, Insightful)
+Hardware development is hard.
+The below was written in respect of openspurcw mobile hardware. [batchpcb.com] vendor by reading the tutorials on SparkFun's [sparkfun no
+Re: (Score:2)
+8 layer minimum fine pitch board, with soldermask, and appropriate platings.
+You are not making anything more than a dumb feature phone with 4 layers today.
+4 layer boards are readily available in batchpcb type services.
+8 layer ones are not.
+The several hundred for an assembly was also not pulled out of the air.
+If you can assemble them yourself, and get a 99.5% success rate on these difficult to solder fine pitch devices with as many as several hundred balls, you will never make a prototype that works.
+You may
+Re: (Score:2)
+Hardware is nasty.
+This.
+This is why so many people are into software: because it's cheap and easy and you can get results in an afternoon with a monkey at the keyboard. Software is really, really hard to do well, but incredibly easy to do well enough to make something that more-or-less-sorta-kinda works.
+Hardware--both mechanical and electronic--is fantastically difficult by comparison and requires far more nuanced and insightful debugging process. Noise, ground-loops and marginal components can create the most remarkable e
+Re: (Score:2)
+Neglecting the fact that you are going to need several hundred to several thousand dollars of test equipment, you now have to find the bug.
+If you're designing a cellphone, I'd up that to several hundred thousand dollars of test equiptment
+what about amateur radio? (Score:2)
+Chip Design? (Score:5, Informative)
+"Product renderings and other simulated illustrations also will not be sufficient"
+So, say "bye bye" to any useful home-grown ASIC project? (An open design GPU, perhaps?) Or am I expected to build a microCVD unit right next to my microbrewery in the basement?
+Re: (Score:3)
+They probably need to make sure that tiers are not only amounts of money, but also represent investment in stages of the process of building it. In short, having a tier where at the end of it, they have a prototype and the prototype must be delivered to the satisfaction of the prototype tier funders before the rest of the money for production tier is freed from their account. This allows them to raise money for prototyping and production in parallel (to prove to themselves there is demand for the product)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Or am I expected to build a microCVD unit
+...
+I have always wanted to do that. I mean how hard can it be? less than x nanometers of vibration, purity of gasses etc in the 6 to 12 nines range.
+;D
+Re: (Score:2)
+You think a VC is going to give you any money without a prototype unit of some sort?
+Good luck.
+Re: (Score:2)
+I'm wondering if a VC would fund anything that has a Kickstarter?
+Re:Chip Design? (Score:5, Insightful)
+Re: (Score:2)
+The rather simple yet popular atmega168 found in the Arduino has 7 pages of errata in the latest datasheet and is up to its 4th silicon revision
+Doesn't make sense (Score:3)
+Offering multiple quantities of a reward is prohibited.
+So people would have to create multiple accounts if they want multiple quantities??
+Today we added a new section to the project page called "Risks and Challenges".
+That's a great idea! There should be some understanding that the creators may or may not succeed even if they honestly try.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:3)
+Netcraft confirms Kickstarter is dead? (Score:5, Insightful).
+Make no mistake, it can certainly get awkward if people show mock-ups that can do twenty things and end up with a final design that can only do three, or that otherwise fails to live up to the expectations set by the mock-ups, but I don't see how that's any different from a textual description of what you hope to accomplish. So all this rule change does is ensure that Kickstarter is only useful for projects near the end of their product design lifecycle. And if you're that far along, you really don't need something like Kickstarter to reach the end.
+So what is the purpose of Kickstarter again? Because I can't see any useful purpose for the site anymore. At this point, the entire model is broken beyond repair.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re:Netcraft confirms Kickstarter is dead? (Score:5, Informative)
+Not at all, you can still have drawings and pre-production units. Just not renders, since they can easily confuse people into believing you have a near complete product.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Not at all, you can still have drawings and pre-production units. Just not renders, since they can easily confuse people into believing you have a near complete product.
+Since when is a drawing not a rendering of something that doesn't yet exist?
+Re: (Score:2)
+I believe this means computer renderings. The kind Kickstarter is riddled with that are designed to look as real as possible to fool rubes into thinking they are ordering a product.
+Re:Netcraft confirms Kickstarter is dead? (Score:4, Insightful)
+You didn't understand him. 3D renders can be made such that it looks like a picture of a competed product which can be deceiving. No one will confuse a drawing with a picture of a completed product.
+Re:Netcraft confirms Kickstarter is dead? (Score:5, Insightful)
+From prototype to full production is a major undertaking. Just ask the Raspberry Pi folks.
+Re: (Score:2)
+The risk is just too high. Perhaps Kickstarter should allow projects without a working prototype but stamp big red noticing saying "high risk" on them.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Or look at the sordid tale of Open Pandora [openpandora.org]. Too bad Kickstarter wasn't around when they got started.
+Re: (Score:2)
+(It's not that sordid, I'm being too harsh)
+They took pre-orders more than a year in advance and ran into a bunch of production issues. One thing they were able to do was refund my pre-order after a year and a half had gone by with nothing to show for it. Couldn't do that on Kickstarter.
+By the time the product shipped, it's stellar specs had fallen to humdrum specs. Lately the project is focused on creating their sweet controllers for other devices and leaving the handheld creation to the big boys, the ones
+Re:Netcraft confirms Kickstarter is dead? (Score:5, Insightful)
+Re: (Score:3)
+Your thinking makes no sense to me. Kickstarter is designed to get funding for a commercial endeavor. I dare you to go to any venture capitalist or investment firm without a working prototype.
+Actually this is how it is usually done. For any non-trivial hardware project, the costs required to produce a working prototype are far beyond what the founders can handle without major investment backing. You don't seriously believe that Nvidia produced first silicon before seeking investment do you?
+Of course, that's what it is no very hard to get a hardware startup going these days. Investors are spoiled by e-commerce where a couple of guys can put together a new site and attract customers in months w
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+This is to stop situations like the Pandora [openpandora.org] console, who's developers lied through their teeth about how ready they were to ship, took thousands of pre-orders, ran out of money, and now only ship 4 year old pre-orders when new ones are placed to cover the costs.
+While there are a lot of great ideas, there are an equal number of total morons who don't know how to scale up production when their idea takes off.
+It would be great if Kickstarter had a middle ground. People without any prototypes should be able to
+Re:Netcraft confirms Kickstarter is dead? (Score:4, Insightful)
+If all you have to show for your work is 3D renderings, then your hardware project isn't ready to solicit for donations or funding of any sort, Kickstarter or otherwise. There's nothing wrong with Kickstarters model. These new rules simply bring it more in line with the rest of the funding world.
+Re: (Score:2)?
+Re: (Score:2)
+Then kickstarter might not be the place for that. If you honestly cannot even produce a crude prototype then you are likely looking at something that will cost millions or more to make.
+Re: (Score:3)?
+Since you're "required" to return the funding if your project doesn't ultimately succeed, if you don't have the money to create your own prototype, Kickstarter might not be the right place to get funding -- if it turns out that the project is harder than you thought and after spending $100K on trying to get the prototype working, you just want to call it quits, how will you refund that $100K to your Kickstarter backers?
+Re: (Score:2)
+If you can't make a proof of concept of any sort for your device, then you're blowing smoke up the butts of the potential backers and they should be able to figure that out by your lack of preparation.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+The whole purpose of mock-ups and other things is to help people quickly see the potential of your idea. Without that, the amount of effort required to sort the wheat from the chaff is excessive, and most people won't bother to donate to anything.
+Well, I think what they're trying to quash is the flood of yahoos who have nothing but a notion... that "1% inspiration" which is also clogging up our patent system with stuff like "A car that runs on farts" without any technical development to actually make it actually exist.
+Instead, now people will have to demonstrate that they possess some important skill necessary in making it work and, thus, they are uniquely deserving of financial backing. So, what kind of demos will we now see from Kickstarter? Ho
+Re: (Score:2)
+That's largely a temporary problem. Over time, the folks with a reputation for getting stuff done will have projects to their name, and those who don't will work with people who do. And just providing bios of the people involved goes
+Re: (Score:2).
+ASCII Art. Problem solved.
+Conflicting message? (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+To get money to produce it in quantity beyond the prototype.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Except many products and people could never get it that far (90% of the way to completion) without prior funding.
+Re: (Score:2)
+It seems there are differences of opinion on what a prototype is. I don't think of it as the first finished product waiting to be ma
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Not at all. Many commercial products fail going from prototype to product.
+Tooling is expensive and fraught with possible problems. Then their comes the actual stamping/molding/fabrication which is another huge stumbling block. Before either of those begin you will want to select materials and such, which determine not only the properties of your product but how complex it will be to make. Can that plastic you want really be blown into that shape or will it have to be milled? Stuff like that. There are month
+Re: (Score:3)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Do you really honestly think the ability to self-fund a single prototype and the ability to self-fund a lot of finished products are even remotely the same thing? My god, man.
+I can't believe people are getting hung up on the renders rule. All they want is people to stop publishing images of "finished products" that don't actually exist because people through either their own stupidity or being intentionally mislead think development is a lot further than it actually is and often find themselves in for massi
+I'm starting a new site (Score:5, Funny)
+Since Kickstarter won't let you raise funds to create a product, I'm starting kickstarterstarter.com to allow people to crowdfund being able to get onto Kickstarter.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Can I get my Turturkeykey business started on there?
+Is it turn-key?
+Re: (Score:2, Funny)
+Have you put this site on to Kickstarter yet? I'd like to support the development.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Since Kickstarter won't let you raise funds to create a product, I'm starting kickstarterstarter.com to allow people to crowdfund being able to get onto Kickstarter.
+How will kickstarterstarter.com weed out scammers with no intention of ever creating a product? I think Kickstarter is just trying to make sure that the project founder has put in enough time and money of his own to have created a prototype before he can accept more money. Anyone can set up a project to take money to pay for a "prototype", then in 6 months can say "Oh sorry, it's harder than I thought, I spent all of your money on the prototype but couldn't make it work". And there's really no way to know i
+Re: (Score:2)
+How will kickstarterstarter.com weed out scammers with no intention of ever creating a product?
+All funding will be done with BitCoins.
+Deflating the bubble (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Looks like Kickstarter is trying to combat the idea which seems pretty popular around here - that crowdfunding is a bubble waiting to burst.
+I don't see a bubble waiting to burst with the crowd-sourcing paradigm. If Kickstarter wants to limit how a project can be introduced, there is no reason that someone else can't start a similar system. A friend of mine started a similar site in the city I live - communityfunded.com - and several projects have now been funded by locals for locals (and abroad).
+With the success of 'pay-what-you-want' (Radiohead's "In Rainbows") and 'donate-what-you-want' (Humble Bundle), and micropayment systems like Flattr,
+Re: (Score:2)
+Wrong Way to go about it (Score:2)
+Yes I get the idea, but KS is to fund development of stuff, and if you are going with KS you probably do not have a fully functional product (and simulations will be needed to show off what you want to create). As long as you make sure you make obvious that it is a simulation, and not actual footage, it can only be beneficial to the developer.
+This will help the Scammers (Score:2)
+So since simulations/renders can sometimes look too much like the real thing to tell apart, they are now banned. So if you cannot tell them apart, how will you enforce this rule?
+Since this will only hurt people who care about rules, this will just make the fake scam projects look better in relation to the real projects.
+And if scammers were already able to make renders that could fool people, well they will just continue to do so.
+Re: (Score:2)
+It's easier to fool some people than all people.
+Risk is risky! (Score:2)
+Is our society really so caught up in itself that we can't just admit we got scammed for a few bucks on a bet and walk away? Now Kickstarter has to do some CYA limbo so they don't get sued because they "enabled" scammers?
+If you can't handle the risk, you don't deserve the payoff, and you shouldn't stick out your nose in the first place. Stay home.
+Re: (Score:2)
+On the other hand, Kickstarter should do all it can to prevent scammers from ruining their reputation.
+Kickstarter: Now more stringent that the USPTO ! (Score:5, Insightful)
+You might not be able to scam people on Kickstarter.
+But you can get a bogus patent without POC or a product and sue everybody who actually build stuff.
+Oh the irony!
+Wrong headed (Score:2)
+This is wrong headed. The 'product' in all the other categories is non-existant yet 'creators' get to present 'simulations' of it be it a trailer, a drawing or a description.
+Oh, and Kickstarter is a store. It is a store of ideas, of potential, of the future, where people who believe can back projects they want to be a part of, those they want to succeed, those they would like the product from. Kickstarter says so themselves, that the rewards should ideally be the product produced by the project.
+Seems like it kills mold-based technologies. (Score:2)
+One of the projects I funded (and got great stuff from) is a kind of structural aluminum extrusions. Another project has injection molded plastic parts. The point of the KickStarters in both cases was to raise money to make molds. It seems like these new rules prohibit things like: "Here is 3D print of the thing that we want to injection mold." Or in the case of aluminum extrusions, then what are they supposed to show? It seems like a rendering of that is just fine.
+The *real* problem is projects starte
+Now they need... (Score:2)
+...a blog entry titled, "Kickstarter is not a venture capital broker."
+OK, I guess people probably figure that out before they put their money down, But you do hear people talking about their "investment" in KS projects. Since you don't get to share in any profits, it's definitely not an investment. Really, it's more like charity, with rewards. Sort of like public broadcasting.
+I have to say I'm not comfortable with tech startups relying on charity. Yeah, it's cool that companies like Pebble can get the start
+Wait, what? (Score:2)
+I thought the whole point of Kickstarter was to help people raise money for ideas they can't afford to produce themselves. In fact, I distinctly remember there being some big stink about people trying to fund products they already had in production.
+Now Kickstarter is saying you have to be able to produce a prototype before you can even try to raise money? Am I missing something here, or what?
+Apparently Kickstarter IS a store (Score:2)
+Effectively you can no longer use it to fund development. If you have to already have unit #1 produced, it's just a way to fund production. Ergo, it's a store oriented toward pre-sales.
+Wonder how it will affect games (Score:2)
+Sounds like video game projects will now have to show a prototype, and not just a teaser trailer of pre-rendered models. I think this is probably an overall good thing, as prototypes show at least the team has overcome some of the initial gameplay challenges, as games which sound amazing on paper usually have difficult roadblocks to conquer.
+POV from a KS project creator - what stupid rules! (Score:4, Informative)
+Posted also on the Kickstarter comment section:
+Kickstarter project creator here: I'm the guy behind OpenBeam ().
+And in case anyone's wondering - we shipped the majority of our rewards a *month* before the original promised date. That probably puts me in the top 5 percentile of projects...
+Let's take a look at the new rules one by one:
+“What are the risks and challenges this project faces, and what qualifies you to overcome them?”
+- Okay, this is perfectly valid. I am surprised KS haven't done this earlier, because there are quite a few clueless guys () - *() and [kickstarter KS, as part of a good product development practice.
+ KS).
+(Edited to add: The real problem, that KS probably don't want to admit, is that none of their hipster workers have a sufficient engineering / science / technology bac
+Re: (Score:2)
+But, but, but then I have to choose for myself and will have no one to blame/sue if I get scammed!!!
+Re: (Score:2)
+But, but, but then I have to choose for myself and will have no one to blame/sue if I get scammed!!!
+Caveat emptor! However, I have a feeling you're just being sarcastic.
+Re: (Score:2)
+This rule does not apply to software, RTFA.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Kickstarter has introduced some more stringent guidelines and requirements specifically for the Hardware and Product Design categories.
+Geez it's spelled out in the first sentence of the summary. Couldn't even read that far?
+Re: (Score:3)
+Please note that these new rules are only applicable to the Hardware and Product Design categories (the two are practically interchangeable).
+So this doesn't apply to (short) films, music albums, dance recitals, software, books, photograph projects, etc.
+Re: (Score:2)
+So this doesn't apply to (short) films
+IE. Pornography.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Well, personally I think 'shopped models shouldn't be allowed in a porn project's pitch... so perhaps the new rules wouldn't be all bad if applied to other categories
+:)
+Re: (Score:2)
+It doesn't effect them at all. The first sentence of the summary made it pretty clear on what categories this affected.
+Re:Wow (Score:5, Informative)
+Obviously you're not aware of the Eyez [kickstarter.com] scam.
+The first update after they were successfully funded was a picture of the design crew enjoying a Caribbean vacation. They took $344,000 [dailydot.com] in the scam.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Red Dead Redemption Outfits
+Even a hard-bitten outlaw needs to look stylish occasionally, and Red Dead Redemption players seeking sartorial glory and unlockable outfits should familiarize themselves with our extensive fashion guide, after the jump. Its like Vogue, with more gun belts..
+50 Comments on Red Dead Redemption Outfits
+BenG
+On May 19, 2010 at 2:29 pm
+Whats the name of the suit marstons wearing in the top picture????
+Kellman
+On May 19, 2010 at 6:11 pm
+Thats the “Elegant Suit”
+Ponzi
+On May 21, 2010 at 3:01 pm
+no its not
+i think thats either duster coat or bollard twins outfit
+elegant suit is all-white
+Birks
+On May 22, 2010 at 5:49 pm
+does the hunter suit and merchant suit come if you pre order the game or can u get it with out pre ordering it?
+garrett
+On May 24, 2010 at 10:24 am
+can you get a treasure hunter bounty to come up again if you accidently kill the guy in the treasure hunter bounty/
+Wes
+On May 24, 2010 at 10:34 am
+No I believe that is the elegant suit.
+GBU
+On May 24, 2010 at 10:44 am
+No, actually that is nowhere close to the duster, or the bollard twins outfit. It is in fact the elegant suit.
+The “Gentleman’s Attire” is all white. That’s what you’re thinking of.
+Revere55
+On May 24, 2010 at 11:02 am
+That is the elegant suit lol. His duster coat is light gray, bollard twin has a red bandanna hanging around his neck.
+Revere55
+On May 24, 2010 at 11:03 am
+*light brown not light gray lulz
+john mcalister
+On May 24, 2010 at 1:52 pm
+actually it is the elegant suit. i have the game and i bought a suit in thieve’s landing called the elegant suit and it is that one
+Revenant
+On May 24, 2010 at 7:07 pm
+Each bounty is associated with one of the gangs. It seems pretty random which gang, but just keep doing bounties, eventually another treasure hunter one will come along…
+Justin
+On May 25, 2010 at 12:03 pm
+The bounties are all associated with a specific town. Walton’s gang has bounties put up in armadillo, bollard’s in mcfarlanes ranch, etc. So you can go back to the city you accepted the bounty and walk around during the daytime. eventually someone will post another bounty sign. you can do it forever.
+Justin
+On May 25, 2010 at 12:04 pm
+but that was just my experience. i kept going to armadillo and it was always walton’s gang. i kept going assuming that it would change. after destroying maybe 10 or so people from walton’s i realized that i should go to a different town. hope that helps.
+nick
+On June 2, 2010 at 3:03 pm
+i did all the scraps for the army uniform except the last cuz the tailor wont sell it to me. is there something i have to do first to get it?
+Froggo
+On June 3, 2010 at 5:22 pm
+I am looking for the army uniform scrap. I thought i had gotten it at chest in aurora basin and the only requirement left is to buy it at blackwater. the thing is its never at the uniform shop? Is there something else I have to do? I already did everything else for that suit (armwrestling, poker, stranger, and night mission).
+Nick
+On June 3, 2010 at 8:45 pm
+Game did not live up to the hype
+dan
+On June 3, 2010 at 9:53 pm
+i’m having the same problem with the army outfit as nick and froggo. any suggestions?
+NickFerg
+On June 5, 2010 at 10:35 pm
+Nick, Froggo and Dan, complete more story missions and you will be able to buy it eventually. I’m not sure when it unlocks but I purchased it after completing the story.
+BobbyJoe
+On June 6, 2010 at 8:00 pm
+You have to go to thieves landing to purchase it
+RockstarGuy
+On June 6, 2010 at 8:02 pm
+I think it did! It was a wonderful game that had a tragic ending.
+johnnny
+On June 10, 2010 at 12:14 pm
+no its definately the elegant suit
+swiftjustice
+On June 12, 2010 at 7:04 am
+It’s the elegant suit.
+Riley
+On June 15, 2010 at 12:57 pm
+I have the scraps for the reyes rebel suit, but i dont know how 2 get up to the city for five finger fillet. how do i get up there?
+Jared
+On June 17, 2010 at 11:56 am
+do any of yall have ps3 and this game cas hif you do hers my name its a little wierd cos i messed up jarbear
+Jared
+On June 17, 2010 at 12:15 pm
+do any of yall have a playtaiton3 and this game cos hif you do hers my name its a little wierd cos i messed up her it is jarbear
+Nyne
+On June 17, 2010 at 3:33 pm
+Eat bout the assassin outfit do u really have to ordeer it from gamestop to get it that’s
+shillen
+On June 18, 2010 at 10:34 am
+Set your waypoint to the city Torquemeda and travel via your campsite. You must follow the valley up and to the northwest and continue up a short narrow incline that will turn to the right at the top. Once you turn right, you should see the remnants of buildings (rubble strewn throughout the ground ahead). Continue up the rise of rubble as the elevation continously rises and you will see the city getting closer in the distance to the southeast. Good luck.
+Retards
+On July 1, 2010 at 10:51 am
+You all are a bunch of tards. None of you know absolutely nothing about anything. “Thats the bollard twins outfit” “No, no, no, thats the duster coat” STFU noobs!!!
+Fez
+On July 1, 2010 at 4:22 pm
+And you Sir no nothing about English.
+pk killer
+On July 3, 2010 at 2:55 am
+where you must pre-order the deadly assassins outfit (in what shop what town)
+craig
+On July 7, 2010 at 8:15 am
+hey am stook on the treasre hunter outfit iv completed scrap 1 , 3 ,4 ,5 , 6 i jus cnt do number 2 can any 1 help me out ?
+Nick w
+On July 13, 2010 at 1:55 pm
+just keep trying to find different stranger tasks and completing them
+tasos
+On August 18, 2010 at 12:41 am
+i have complete 99,9% of the game and i haven’t done the i know you strangers task and i can’t find what i have to do to go 100% the game can you help me?
+tasos
+On August 18, 2010 at 12:45 am
+is the only thing that i have to do? i want to find the location of i know you strangers task help me its the only thing that i have to do and i will finish the game(100%)
+Anthony
+On August 28, 2010 at 3:58 pm
+It’s the Legend outfit.
+Knox
+On September 12, 2010 at 4:18 pm
+He’s obviously wearing the Armani outfit in that picture. That hat soooo doesn’t work well with a suit. lol Who really gives a crap? The game was a huge disappointment. The story was good, if not a little short. But the rest of it was typical of a crappy sandbox game. Come on Rockstar! You guys running out of ideas already?
+Knox
+On September 12, 2010 at 4:23 pm
+You could tell towards the end of the game, that they were rushing it. After everything you go through in the game and it only takes a few cakewalks to take out Dutch? And then you die? Whatever happened to happy endings? Rockstar you have a bad habit of ending games badly. You guys weren’t breast fed were you? “I hate the world cuz I never got to suckle from my mommas breastes! And yes, I know I spelled wrong. Those of you that into correcting spelling need to go teach, and leave gaming to the pros.
+Nugget
+On September 14, 2010 at 2:52 am
+Tasos the only way to do the ‘i know you’ stranger task is you have to be john marston to do it you cant be jack and its located on the cliffs near armadillo then the task is in mexico, the purple question mark then he’s at beechers hope then your done its bull that you have to be john though
+Fraser
+On September 29, 2010 at 6:37 am
+I think that from watching all the youtube clips and stuff, i think that rockstar gamings have done good in the online section. I like the way u can ride and stuff it just makes it even better guys!!!!
+Fraser
+On September 29, 2010 at 6:41 am
+Knox what the heck are you talkin about. I’d like to see you make a flipping game. It’s heaps hard with all the crap you have to get so just get over the “The Rushed Ending” as you say. No offence but i disagree with you heaps dude…
+Fraser
+On September 29, 2010 at 7:10 pm
+Yo can someone answer this question? Do you get to wear or use stuff from 1 player free roam to online free roam like outfits and stuff? Or do u just earn it again on online. Please someone reply thanks.
+bob
+On October 19, 2010 at 12:04 pm
+Its the elegent suit
+Giovanni
+On November 5, 2010 at 1:01 pm
+I want to know how to unlock the Hunter of Treasure
+Giovanni
+On November 7, 2010 at 3:43 am
+how do I do?
+gumby guincho
+On November 20, 2010 at 2:13 pm
+You people have been watching too much Bravo T.V.
+kit
+On January 6, 2011 at 9:29 pm
+For some reason my camps and safe houses are no longer giving me the option to change outfits. Anybody had/fixed this issue?
+aaron
+On March 15, 2011 at 4:06 pm
+i got cheat codes
+Mike
+On June 5, 2011 at 12:17 pm
+To Fraser You have to unlock it again online,But it’s easy all you doi is get a friend and go to Fort mercer,Kill everyone there leave and when it says “You have left Fort Mercer”At the bottom of the screen just go back and kill them again.Repeat until you are satisfied with your lvl and then go mess around
+agdg
+On July 16, 2012 at 7:13 pm
+i reached peacemaker to unlock the duster coat and it doesnt work does anyone knows why
+agdg
+On July 16, 2012 at 7:17 pm
+i reached peacemaker to unlock the duster coat and it doesn does anyone knows why
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+2012 RISING STAR – PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER
+Access Analytic is the exclusive WA distributor for BOARD, a business analyst software that helps analyse, simulate, model and report on an organisation’s performance in a simple, unique and effective manner. BOARD enables budgeting, planning, analysis, and reporting systems into one single integrated solution. It is built for business analysts and does not require any programming which makes it easy to use and allows clients to get their solutions much faster.
+In a recent Gartner survey, BOARD was voted number one by users for overall customer satisfaction, over Tagetick, Host Analytic, IMB, Oracle and SAP, just to name a few. BOARD has been implemented by thousands of customers worldwide including Kraft, Du Pont, Bosch, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Puma, DHL, Nestle, Pepsico and US Navy.
+Transition to an easier and streamlined budgeting and forecasting process from four to six weeks! A low monthly payment option is also available. For more information on how BOARD can help your business, please contact us on +61 8 6210 8500 or info@accessanalytic.com.au to discuss further and organise a demonstration.
+__________________________________________________________________________
+Recovre
+Address: 3/24 Parkland Road, Osborne Park WA 6017
+Phone: (08) 9340 9555
+Website:
+Contact Name: Andrew Rowcroft
+Description: Recovre are Australia’s leading partner in the provision of customised workplace health, safety, rehabilitation and training solutions to help individuals and organisations realise their full potential.
+__________________________________________________________________________
+Premium Personnel Pty Limited
+Address: 256 Walcott St. Mt Lawley WA 6050
+Phone: 9473 5900
+Website:
+Contact Name: Mary L McArdle
+Description: Recruitment Agency
+__________________________________________________________________________
+Pascoe Partners
+Address: 1st Floor, 643 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005
+PO Box 1045, West Perth, WA, 6872
+Phone: 9322 3400
+Website:
+Description: Pascoe Partners is the largest independent Certified Practising Accountancy firm based in Western Australia, with seven Partners and seventy staff located across three independent offices. In the 2012 BRW Top 100 Accounting Firms, we were ranked in the Top 50, and were ranked as the fastest growing accounting firm in WA. We specialise in providing accountancy solutions for privately-held businesses, and have been industry leaders in providing advice to superannuation fund trustees since the late 70’s.
+We understand your business, and care about your family’s financial wellbeing – because often, they are one and the same. You need to know you have the right business structure in place, that your tax exposure is minimised and your government allowances maximised, and that you are in the best possible position to weather all seasons and cycles. While most firms create and administer self-managed superfunds, we also offer in-house expertise and advice about how to manage it effectively. That is why Pascoe Partners Superannuation section currently provides accounting, auditing, taxation and estate planning services to over 750 self managed funds and is continuing to grow.
+Pascoe Partners is a people business. Everyone working here is an ambassador for everything we stand for. So it stands to reason that our employees have a few things in common.
+Without exception, our team members are:
+- Passionate about people, numbers and problem-solving
+- Good listeners and fast responders
+- Dedicated, driven, proactive, practical and down-to-earth
+- ‘Can do’ kind of people.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Aussie Orientation Services
+Address: PO Box 1566, Melville South, WA 6156
+Phone: 08 9339 7079
+Website:
+Description: Aussie Orientation Services provides bespoke relocation services Australia-wide for some of the world’s largest multinational companies.
+Beginning in 2010 as a WA based company, AOS has cultivated a significant gap in the marketplace for tailor-made people relocation services and expanded nationally.
+AOS is more than a relocation company. AOS helps its client’s staff engage and connect into the community. They help staff and their families ‘feel welcome’ when first arriving into Australia. Their services aim to provide a smooth transition into the Australian lifestyle and their ongoing support focuses on the emotional journey of relocation.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Watermark Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys
+Address: 362 Rokeby Road SUBIACO WA 6008
+Phone: +618 9325 1900
+Website:
+Contact Name: Mark Pullen, Principal / Cathy Hood, Business Development Manager
+Description: Watermark is a leading Australian provider of intellectual property services with offices in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney and an extensive network of associate firms in international markets worldwide. Watermark’s clients include SMEs, major multinational corporations, universities and research organisations. Watermark assists clients to maximise the value in their innovations through the strategic protection and management of their intellectual assets across the value chain from concept to market.
+Our highly qualified patent and trade marks attorneys and lawyers work with you as part of your team to provide commercially effective solutions to meet your business needs. We provide strategic advice and a comprehensive range of intellectual property services encompassing creation, protection, management and enforcement of IP rights.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Murdoch University – Executive Education Centre
+Address: 90 South Street, Murdoch
+Phone: 08 9360 1780
+Website: executiveeducation.murdoch.edu.au
+Contact Name: Karen Thompson
+Product: Professional development (open enrolment and customised programs; consulting and coaching) for managers and leaders
+Description: Whether your organisation is public, private or not-for-profit, there is one element that sets you apart from all other organisations: your people.
+At Murdoch University, we’re passionate about professional development. We provide senior executives, managers and leaders with the knowledge and practical skills they need to empower employees and help them to develop their potential.
+Our professional development programs are based on the latest advances in research and learning. We can help you to develop leadership and management skills, improve your organisational performance and build a successful and sustainable enterprise.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+PCGURU
+Address: Level 1, 703 Albany Highway
+Phone: 1300 724 878
+Website: pcguru.com.au
+Contact Name: Travis Tremain
+Product Name: GURUTUNE
+Description: The GURUTUNE is a whole raft of tweaks, tunes, hacks and updates that we perform on a PC to extract every possible ounce of performance out of it.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Globetrotter Corporate Travel
+Address: 35 Stirling Highway Nedlands
+Phone: (08) 9442 0100
+Website:
+Description:Globetrotter Corporate Travel, recently awarded Best Corporate Travel Agency – Multi Location in the AFTA Awards are committed to delivering award-winning service across a variety of industries. Globetrotter offers a comprehensive travel management service, assisting clients to reduce their travel costs whilst maintaining traveller safety and security.
+As a service provider, Globetrotter is all about it’s people. We specialise in listening to your needs, understanding them and delivering as per your requirements.
+Please do not hesitate to give us a call or email us for a chat about your business travel needs marketing@globetrotter.com.au
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Constructive Media
+Address: Suite 3, 45 Cedric St, StiA 6021
+Phone: (08) 9461 7380
+Website:
+Contact Name: Darren Kam
+Product Name: High-end 3D Visuals & Animations
+Description: Constructive Media is a leading provider of cost effective, high-quality 3D animations and visuals to the oil & gas, mining, property, and visual effects industries. Our team of creative professionals specialise in facilitating effective communication, creating presentations to assist with advertising, health and safety training, and helping to show what future projects will look like on completion.
+We have extensive arsenal of skills in 3D modelling, graphic and web design, audio and video editing, and post-production to ensure that our presentations stand out from the crowd. We look after clients both locally and internationally, and would love to find out more about how we can help you bring your plans and ideas to fruition!A special offer for Networking WA Members; a one-off initial 10% discount to new residential or commercial building clients on their first project with us. (Valid until 30 June 2012) _____________________________________________________________________________
+FIFO Families Pty Ltd
+Address: PO Box, 24, Hamilton Hill, WA, 6973
+Phone: 0432686171
+Website:
+Contact Name: Nicole Ashby
+Product Name: High-end 3D Visuals & Animations
+Description: FIFO Families is a unique company that connects FIFO/DIDO families across the country on a local and virtual level. FIFO Families provides the support, connection and tools to make FIFO a sustainable and long term lifestyle choice, working with both FIFO workers and their families and the resource companies.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Holyoake
+Address: 75 Canning Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
+Phone: (08) 9416 4444
+Website:
+Contact Name: Angie Paskevicius
+Description: Founded in 1975, Holyoake is a not-for-profit community service organisation that provides a range of services including: individual and group drug and alcohol counselling, support programs for people affected by someone else’s drug and alcohol use, professional community education and training through its RTO, outreach programs for young people and parents in the community and in prisons.
+It has offices in Victoria Park, Midland, Northam and Narrogin.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Big Sky Entertainment WA
+Address: PO BOX 408 Victoria Park WA 6979
+Phone: Rebecca Davis 0414 345 381
+Michelle Fornasier 0437 380 039
+Website:
+Contact Name: Rebecca Davis and Michelle Fornasier – Company Directors
+Company Description: Big Sky Entertainment WA is an exciting and boutique entertainment booking agency that launched in early 2010.
+Run by Company Directors Rebecca Davis and Michelle Fornasier, Big Sky Entertainment WA provides top professional entertainment for any corporate, private or social event, as well as weddings, birthday parties, mine sites and festivals.
+We provide a large range of WA’s best professional bands, singers, tribute shows, cabaret, comedy, jazz and classical music, as well as specialist performers including magicians, acrobats, fire performers, stiltwalkers, swordfighters, burlesque, impersonators and much more. Carefully chosen, all of our performers are extremely experienced and provide the best quality.
+_____________________________________________________________________________
+Navigator HR Solutions
+Address: 3a Glyde Street, Mosman Park WA 6012
+Phone: 08 6460 0486
+Website:
+Contact Name: Vicky Moriarty
+Company Description: Navigator provides flexible HR solutions without the costly in-house team! Navigator HR Solutions offers your business human resources and communication support at all levels. Whether you need your human resources completely outsourced or if you just require professional support for your team.
+Navigator HR Solutions delivers a competitive and up to date service in the areas of human resources advice, recruitment, performance management, change planning, internal and external communications, online surveys, management and employee workshops and if necessary termination and outplacement during redundancy.
+Submit Comment
+8:00am PT by Kate Stanhope
+'The Mindy Project' Writer on Tackling Male Privilege: "It Has a Whole New Meaning Now"
+[Warning: This story contains spoilers from Tuesday's episode of The Mindy Project, "Mindy Lahiri Is a White Man."]
+A lot has changed since Mindy Project creator and star Mindy Kaling announced potential plans to do an episode about sexism in August 2016.
+Speaking with reporters at the Television Critics Association, Kaling said she was pitching an episode, then tentatively called "If I Was Born a White Man," in which Kaling's TV heroine encountered sexism only to wake up the next day as a man.
+The episode was finally unveiled Tuesday, with Ryan Hansen stepping into Mindy Lahiri's shoes after she was passed over for a job seemingly because of her gender and race. While the half-hour contained funny gags like imagining Mindy picking up women at a bar, the episode also touched on the idea of white privilege in the workplace. In her new body, Mindy was handed the job she missed out on before. However, instead of accepting it, she turned it down and funneled her energy into helping another qualified female doctor, Ilene (Ellen D. Williams), try to land the job instead. Her efforts failed when Ilene was still passed over for an older white male doctor at the hospital. At the end of the day, Mindy confessed she didn't enjoy having it too easy and missed when she was interesting. The next morning, she woke up as her old self and reached out to commiserate and bond with Ilene.
+Although the idea goes as far back as August, the themes of the episode became much more meaningful following the election of President Donald Trump and his shocking defeat over Hillary Clinton, who would have been the first female commander-in-chief.
+"It has a whole new meaning now," Lang Fisher, series supervising producer and the episode's writer, tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I felt much more passionate about this episode than I think I would have a year before."
+Fisher spoke to THR about the timing of the episode, the feedback from the studio and network and comedy's "responsibility" going forward in the current political climate.
+How did the idea for the episode come about? How did Mindy bring it up in the room?
+In the history of The Mindy Project, we make a bunch of jokes about Mindy being a woman of color and stuff, but we've never really had an episode that directly deals with it. Primarily for the first few seasons, that's because Mindy is an unusual leading lady. You don't see anyone else who looks like her on TV and she just wanted to like, have a normal show that was a normal romantic comedy without pointing out that she's not a blonde toothpick. Once we got to season five and because Hulu has given us such flexibility with what we can put on TV and the subject matter, etc., I think she just started to feel it was like the right time to do an episode about this and to say something about it. So she came up with the idea and I don't really remember when, but she brought it into the room and we were all like, 'That is a great idea.'
+We have played with alternate realities and magical realism before in some of our episodes so we thought, "Let's just do this and do it 100 percent and make her wake up as a white man." Whether or not you interpret it as her dreaming or if it's real life, we just thought it would be great to see this character have that experience. Mindy Kaling the person has felt for her whole career that she's had to fight for every single role, for every job extremely hard because she has to prove herself to be someone who should be on TV. A lot of this came from her own experience of having to prove her worth to the world at large.
+How was the process of actually writing it? What stories or ideas did Mindy specifically present to you as you were writing this?
+She knew the general idea of what she wanted it to be. What made it more special was to have this other female doctor character [Irene]. I feel like a lot of times, for people who are one minority or another — and this is very true in entertainment — you feel like there can only be one of you in any particular situation. Like if you're a woman on a comedy writing staff or if you're a Hispanic person who's in a cast, you feel like there's not allowed to be more than one of you. What we came upon was that this friendship and also slightly adversarial relationship with Irene really brought out the feeling of a world that's really built for white men. So when we started talking about Irene was when we really hit upon something that felt real. For me as a woman, I feel like you see a lot of woman-on-woman cattiness and competition because of that and because you feel like, "Oh no, there's going to be another girl? What if that girl takes my girl spot?" But you don't see that with white men. They don't feel like they’re going to lose their job because another white man has joined the team.
+What personal experiences were you able to pull from for this episode?
+I've actually had a fairly lucky experience in my writing career because I've primarily only worked for women. Before Mindy, I worked at 30 Rock, which Tina Fey made a very woman-friendly place. Before that I worked at The Onion and also had a female boss. I don't have a personal experience but I have heard of many people who felt that way.
+Was there anyone else that you wanted to talk to about their experiences as you were working on the episode?
+You know who's very helpful and was given a big role on the show was Xosha [Roquemore]. We kind of placed her in this episode because it seemed like her character would have something to say but she as a person also was really helpful in just being like, "This is the language we hear and this is the language that's misused." She was very hands-on in the process particularly when we were shooting. She was very, very helpful in making sure that this experience felt like it applied to many people and that it would speak to a wider audience.
+Do you remember what was going on in the news when you were writing? Had the election happened by the time you were writing this?
+We shot this literally right before the election, so it has a whole new meaning now. I think, truly, even when I felt very confident that Hillary was going to win, one thing that really struck me throughout the campaign was the type of derogatory language that was being used by Trump as well as all of his followers towards women. It was one of these very illuminating things where you thought we were past it, but then when you see the female candidate up there and the way that people spoke about her, it was so enraging to me. I felt much more passionate about this episode than I think I would have a year before.
+Had the Access Hollywood tape featuring Trump come out by the time you were writing the episode?
+Yes, it definitely had. Truly, it was like the message you're trying to say is Hillary Clinton, the most qualified candidate ever, can go down in flames because of some emails and he can talk about sexually assaulting women and still pass through with flying colors is like the exact point of this episode. Women are up against so much.
+Was there anything in the episode that you had to change because of the election results?
+I think the one possible question I had was: Are we making it too easy for a white man? Is it too dreamy for him? Is it just silly and now, it's like no, definitely not, it's right on point. (Laughs.) I know certainly many white men who work very hard and are great members of the society and I don't want to undercut their experiences, but now I feel totally justified.
+What kind of feedback did you get from Universal and Hulu about the episode?
+Many of our studio representatives and Hulu representatives are women of color so they were just like, "Right on. This is great." So we got zero pushback. They were very on board for it.
+What do you hope viewers take away from the episode?
+I hope that it makes people think. And also, we have such a strong population of young girls in our demographic and I just want them to feel like someone is acknowledging how hard it is to be them, that we are a voice and a place for people that aren't the majority, especially right now.
+Was there anything you took away from writing the episode and filming the episode and the conversations that ensued?
+I did feel like a sense of gratitude of doing something that had a message. Dramas do it all the time and now you're in an era where we're seeing a lot more comedies also speak to what's happening now politically and having more message-y episodes. Sometimes people in comedy shy away from doing stuff that's meaningful because they're worried it's not going to be funny, but there's definitely a way to do it and I think you see more and more people doing it now. So what I took away is, going forward on whatever projects I'm a part of, I would like to make sure that it says something.
+Do you see the show leaning more into political topics going forward, especially given the talk about women's rights under the Trump administration?
+Certainly there will be a ton of fodder for us if there's a season six. I believe we will not shy away from it because I don't think you can. It's so impossible to ignore at this point. It's almost a responsibility to write about it.… We want to make sure we have the characters do whatever the characters are going to do, but definitely there's always room for episodes like this so I'm certain we will tackle lots of those issues.
+At this point, how are you feeling about a potential season six?
+We are all very optimistic about a season six. Hulu really was enthusiastic about our season five so I think it seems likely that they will offer us a season six.
+New episodes of The Mindy Project stream Tuesdays on Hulu.
+Kate Stanhopekate.stanhope@thr.com @katestanhope
+Thanks for your interest in Ontraport Vs Getresponse!, nevertheless, that websites have considerably progressed over the previous years – and the methods of old are no more functional for contemporary organisation.
+Back in the day, it would be sufficient to have a basic web site with a web page, services, rates, regarding us, and also speak to web pages.
+A prospective customer would certainly most likely to your website, scroll around, visit the different pages and take in material as they please.
+Nevertheless, if you are a business investing any cash on advertising, you want to regulate just what clients are finding out about on your website, present offers at the correct time, and maximize the profits you make from each person.
+How does one accomplish this?
+Utilizing sales funnels.
+Enter ClickFunnels
+ClickFunnels is the easiest method to make high converting sales and advertising funnels.
+It is a special tool produced especially to turn potential consumers into buyers.
+It truly is an all-in-one option to develop sales funnels as well as consists of landing web pages, email assimilation, payment, webinars, subscription websites, and so far more. No wonder it has rapidly become a preferred tool for marketing professionals.
+Below is my detailed ClickFunnels Testimonial, consisting of favored attributes, pricing, pros/cons, and also comparisons versus competitors.
+Ontraport Vs Getresponse: But First, Exactly What Is a Sales Channel?
+Sales funnels (likewise called advertising funnels) are multi-step campaigns that are made to move potential prospects through your sales process, and turn them into purchasers.
+Photo a real-life funnel. At the top, you pour fluid in, which limits towards one repaired destination.
+In sales, a similar event occurs. On top, visitors come to your web site, but not all who get in make it from the other end as buyers.
+Numerous points need to happen from the time a visitor enters your funnel, to the time they do something about it as well as successfully finish an acquisition.
+By breaking down the client’s journey into smaller sized steps, you can be a lot more precise about exactly how and when you offer a deal to your target market.
+The in-depth action in a funnel might look something similar to this:
+- Unqualified lead gets to landing web page
+- Page connects the initial deal (something complimentary to collect an e-mail).
+- Once e-mail is collected, primary offer is pitched.
+- Lead ends up being a paying client.
+- More email communication delivering consumer value.
+- More connection structure
+- Repeating sales.
+ClickFunnels likewise has a visuals that describes this in a straightforward way:.
+What is ClickFunnels?
+As stated earlier, ClickFunnels is the best sales funnel software program around today.
+The company makes the vibrant insurance claim of giving you everything you have to market, sell, and also deliver your items online – as well as they certainly supply.
+A common channel will use an opt-in web page (to collect email addresses), an e-mail car responder (to send out e-mails to your consumers), plus an extra sales page with some material as well as an order kind, possibly complied with by extra material, a membership site, and so on
+. Formerly, you would need to use various platforms and also devices to achieve all these jobs such as:
+- Create a site
+- Find Hosting
+- Find an autoresponder solution
+- Find membership site software program
+- Discover split-testing software program … etc
+However ClickFunnels cares for every little thing with their system. You not only conserve a ton of cash by not having to get various products/services, yet you additionally avoid the technological mess of needing to set whatever up, and also could concentrate on what’s really crucial – expanding your business.
+ClickFunnels offers a Complimentary 14-Day Test, so you get to check out the tool and also actually see if it’s best for your organisation.
+Favored Attributes
+* Promptly Produce Pages Using Layouts as well as Components *.
+Before getting too far, it is necessary to recognize that a funnel is a collection of pages put together in a tactical order, with the goal of converting as many potential customers right into clients. As well as a page is simply a collection of various components created to obtain somebody to take a specific action.
+ClickFunnels uses more than 50 different components in order to help you construct the perfect page. The editor is exceptionally simple to use and all you need to do is drag as well as drop various aspects on the web page, and update the text and look to fit your requirements – no coding abilities needed!
+ClickFunnels also makes your life less complicated by offering you with a ton of cost-free templates.
+As a matter of fact, ClickFunnels supplies over 37 types of pages for you to blend and also match with. These are broken down into the adhering to 10 classifications:
+- Presell Pages: Survey Page, Post Web Page, Presell Page, Clickpop Page
+- Optin Pages: Press Web Page, Reverse Capture Page, Lead Magnet, Promo Code
+-, Product Launch Order Page
+- Webinar Pages: Webinar Enrollment Web Page, Webinar Confirmation Page, Webinar Program Room, Webinar Replay Area
+- Subscription Pages: Accessibility Web page, Member’s Area
+- Affiliate Pages: Access Web Page, Associate Location
+- Other Pages: Application Page, Ask Web Page, Store Front, Web Page, Hero Page, Hangout Web Page, Live Demo Web Page
+The pre-built templates are fully personalized, and are exactly what most individuals utilize.
+You have the ability to choose a design template, modify or change the components with your very own, as well as your new page is ready to go.
+You could also connect any channel you produce with your personal email advertising service (if you don’t use the one consisted of in ClickFunnels), and use the ClickFunnels built in payment system.
+This is also a blast to mention that ClickFunnels supplies extremely valuable as well as easy to understand training video clips when you first join. I extremely recommend undergoing those since they promptly allow you to use the tool at its complete ability, as well as you’ll have a lot more fun playing around. Ontraport Vs Getresponse
+* Produce One-Click Subscription Sites *.
+One of the most effective features with ClickFunnels is the capability to conveniently develop subscription websites and also provide content to your audience in one place.
+Your subscription website will come full with registration web pages, membership access pages, as well as content pages which you can easily lock or trickle feed to your consumers according to purchases they made in your funnel.
+ClickFunnels subscription sites permit you to send e-mails, conveniently handle your e-mails, and develop a neighborhood all while removing the stress that’s related to various other remedies such as Kajabi, or WordPress systems.
+It’s actually handy to not have to purchase a separate software application or plugin to develop subscription sites. e-mails similar to other email advertising and marketing system, Actionetics is a lot extra.
+I like Actionetics since it not just changes your email advertising yet messenger advertising and marketing and also SMS advertising software applications as well. This takes automation to an entire brand-new degree and also assists you connect the ideal message to your consumers, precisely when they need it. A video summary of Actionetics will be supplied additionally below.
+* Invoicing as well as Repayment Assimilation *.
+An amazing attribute within ClickFunnels is the capability to collect all of the invoicing information from your customers precisely your sales page. Offering is made a lot less complicated when clients do not need plan (advised).
+I’ll explain for each and every of these strategies listed below.
+1. ClickFunnels Criterion Strategy – $97/month.
+The basic strategy consists of all of the attributes you would need within ClickFunnels, but with constraints on the variety of funnels (20) as well as web pages (100) you could have in your account, as well as the amount of visitors (20K) could watch your pages each month.
+You additionally do not get advanced performance such as ClickFunnels own e-mail marketing and affiliate monitoring tools.
+2. ClickFunnels Etison Suite – $297/month.
+This plan includes all the bells and whistles of the conventional plan, without any constraints. It likewise has 2 added products generated by ClickFunnels called Actionetics (e-mail advertising) and also Knapsack (affiliate monitoring system).
+In Actionetics – you can handle every one of your get in touches with that subscribe to your list, send out e-mail programs, and also create a host of various other automations. Ontraport Vs Getresponse
+The difference between both plans truly is the constraints, and Actionetics/Backpack. If you are a basic individual as well as do not anticipate to use more than 20 funnels in your account – the Standard Plan must be enough.
+However, if you intend to have an associate program or intend to keep your email advertising and marketing within ClickFunnels as well as not use a third party software program, the Etison Suite is for you.
+You can constantly begin on the reduced plan and also considering that beyond this program, 6-months of Etison Collection basic, very easy, and also quick
+- All-in-one system with everything your business has to win
+- Split screening and conversion monitoring included
+- Payment processing capabilities within ClickFunnels
+- ClickFunnels is constantly adapting and updating to the times
+- There is constantly support readily available (whether real-time or otherwise).
+- Incredibly active Facebook Team Neighborhood.
+- Free 14-Day Test – enables you to try it take the chance of totally free.
+Cons:.
+- As awesome as ClickFunnels is, it certainly is not an economical solution and calls for a continual subscription to use
+- Assistance isn’t really always the fastest and also might extract from 1 min to 24 hours relying on the problem.
+ClickFunnels versus Everybody Else.
+Many individuals ask how ClickFunnels compares with other touchdown page home builders such as Leadpages, Unbounce, and also Infusionsoft.
+Generally it’s not really a reasonable contrast because each of these tools excels is one location or the various other.
+The graph over provides a thorough analysis – but I’ll highlight a few of the significant contrasts listed below.
+ClickFunnels vs Leadpages
+Prior to ClickFunnels, Leadpages was the big pet.
+Leadpages is merely a lead capture software application – nothing even more. You could develop landing pages, lead boxes, accumulate leads … that’s pretty much it. Additionally, the Leadpages templates are likewise restricted on customization.
+ClickFunnels is even more versatile – it’s much easier to utilize and also does so a lot more than develop lead capture pages.
+Simply put, Leadpages is actually simply a landing web page home builder, while ClickFunnels is concentrated around developing very incorporated platform – one that allows you to handle your entire consumer database. ClickFunnels has this ability with Actionetics, yet it’s not virtually as progressed as Infusionsoft.
+Infusionsoft is also exceptionally pricey and also forces every new client to pay $2000 for a required kickstart training plan simply to find out the best ways to make use of the complex system (which is infamously hard to make use of).
+ClickFunnels Associate Program
+There are 2 major paths individuals decrease as ClickFunnels individuals.
+Those that decide to make use of the tool for their service – in hopes of someday accomplish both Comma Club (over $1M in profits).
+And also those that are interested in making easy income as a ClickFunnels Associate and winning the Desire Vehicle Contest (where they pay $500/$1000 towards your dream automobile if you reach 100/200 active monthly signups, specifically).
+With a tremendous 40% monthly persisting compensation, ClickFunnels easily has one of the greatest associate programs of any kind of system out there.
+That’s right – you get paid a continuous 40% payment on every affiliate signup you make through the ClickFunnels Affiliate Program. Yet, just what does that actually equate to?
+The fundamental plan is a $97/month investment and also the Etison Suite strategy is a $297/month investment. therefore you make $38.80 each basic strategy and also $118.80 per Etison Suite strategy … each and every month!
+On average, every 100 signups will certainly bring in $4000/month in affiliate commissions (essentially depending upon the amount of Etison Strategy individuals are in there).
+Visit this site to find out more regarding becoming a ClickFunnels Associate.
+The Bottom Line
+ClickFunnels is by far the best system if you are looking to conveniently develop high converting sales funnels.
+Because it was built from the ground up to be the best sales channel building contractor, it beats out all the competition because respect.
+Externally, it could not be the least expensive item available – but if you use it to its full capability, your company will become extra successful and you will certainly conserve money from not having to use other devices. Ontraport Vs Getresponse
+If you’ve reviewed this far into my ClickFunnels Review, I recommend you see on your own with a Free 14-Day Trial here.
+Curriculum Website Template
+Total GrooveFunnels Testimonial (2020) & Finest Alternatives
+What is GrooveFunnels and why are a lot of people speaking about it? Does GrooveFunnels live up to the buzz? Here’s our complete 2020 testimonial!
+Interested about the brand-new device, GrooveFunnels, that’s meant to help you build sales funnels and grow your online service?
+Well, you’ve come to the appropriate place.
+ClickFunnels, we have helped greater than 70,000 entrepreneurs build high-converting sales funnels. Thousands of those people have come to be millionaires and joined our Two Comma Club We satisfaction ourselves on giving a service that helps entrepreneurs methodically grow their companies online.
+You can try us free of cost device that enables users to build sales funnels, touchdown web pages, and web sites to sell items online.
+It’s a new tool that getting a great deal of direct exposure. This is partially since a GrooveFunnel subscription provides users accessibility to a large swath of different functions GroovePages, GrooveSell, and GrooveMail.
+Nevertheless, the functions you obtain accessibility to depends upon your membership plan (Base, Silver, or Gold).
+Is “Groove Funnels” far better than ClickFunnels?
+Khondoker Aminul Islam, BS Online Marketing & Web Marketing, Internet (2016) Answered January 6, 2021 GrooveFunnels or Clickfunnels? Are they comparable? Which one should I select? Just how to determine which one would certainly be much better for me?
+You may have thousands of concerns in your mind on GrooveFunnels (GF) or ClickFunnels (CF). Yet we assure that you will certainly have answers to all your concerns below since:
+I’m making use of both platforms, taking pleasure in the benefits of both, and dealing with their disadvantages. I recognize what I’m chatting concerning right here.
+With my customer experience, I have assessed each of the aspects of both platforms.
+Additionally, We have gathered one of the most prominent question from the internet, the online forums, and the Q&A sites and
+Proceed Reviewing GrooveFunnels or Clickfunnels? Are they similar? Which one should I select? How to determine which one would be better for me?. Curriculum Website Template.
+You might have numerous questions in your mind on GrooveFunnels (GF) or ClickFunnels (CF). We assure that you will certainly have solutions to all your inquiries below due to the fact that
+That Is GrooveFunnels For?
+GrooveFunnels completes in the exact same area as ClickFunnels, Kartra, BuilderAll, and Kajabi.
+The goal of making use of a platform such as this is to help you market a service or product.
+This can be a digital item such as a book, training course, or a month-to-month subscription. Or a service such as training or consulting.
+If you currently have an item to sell, and you’re seeking a streamlined means to construct a sales engine around it, after that GrooveFunnels is a good fit for this.
+Awesome point # 1: It has a Forever Free strategy
+Yes, you can signup for GrooveFunnels for free.
+Naturally, there are some constraints.
+The complimentary plan gives you access to:
+GrooveSell + GrooveAffiliate
+GroovePages (Lite).
+As the Lite implies, there are some limited functions for the page/website building contractor, yet it suffices to obtain you began.
+What’s wonderful though is that even on the free strategy, you can utilize your very own custom-made domain name names. And you also gain 20% payments as a free associate.
+Amazing thing # 3: It already has a huge, active community.
+When it pertains to acquiring right into a product community, area issues.
+Whether it’s inquiring, troubleshooting problems, or just sharing ideas, having a great neighborhood makes a big difference in your general experience.
+This is a large stumbling block for several brand-new products, however with over Facebook team members at the time of this evaluation, that’s not the instance right here with GrooveFunnels.
+A major part of this growth is attributed to the availability of totally free accounts and the lifetime settlement alternative.
+Numerous team participants have upgraded to a paid strategy and currently have successful on the internet companies, so there is a lot of knowledge being dropped in the team. It’s well worth your time to participate in.
+Cool thing # 4: They are swiftly enhancing the platform.
+Yes, GrooveFunnels is still on the very beginning, and it has visible issues. Curriculum Website Template. What I have actually been truly amazed with is just how quick they are improving the system. Pests are being repaired, and new functions are being added every week.
+I truly like knowing when brand-new functions are being prepared to be launched. That’s why I love their item roadmap infographic They also have a web page for individuals to send comments and ballot. Actually, when you get produced a free account I would certainly recommend registering your FREE LIFETIME account for GroovePages and GrooveSell now because the complimentary promo produced a totally free account I would advise registering your FREE LIFETIME account for GroovePages and GrooveSell currently due to the fact that the totally free promotion might finish after the Corona Dilemma mores than Groove Funnels Timeline. Curriculum Website Template.
+GroovePages.
+You can start with a blank canvas or make use of one of their pre-built landing page or website templates. The Block Contractor is a handy tool that the team has created so that even those that have actually never constructed an internet site or landing web page before can do it quickly.
+Customers state it is very easy to find out and no coding skills are required. It makes use of the most upgraded innovation to simplify internet marketing needs.
+The pages are Search Engine Optimization friendly and very easy to include your meta summaries, headings text elements, Google tags, and Google Analytics to. Google Analytics & tracking information ought to be contributed to all sites by customers to see just how your web pages are doing.
+Since the web pages are held on Google you can be assured of having excellent uptime instead of WordPress or Shopify sites that depend on outside web servers.
+When you have the ability to develop limitless websites it is easy to produce a control website in order to examine originalities.
+GrooveFunnels.
+GrooveFunnels offers you with Funnel templates or you can import your own existing sales funnels with just a little bit of work. Like GroovePages you can make your Sales Funnels to look various on numerous devices for your various website traffic networks.
+If you are an online marketing expert you understand the worth of being able to create transforming sales funnels. One of the main layout features of GrooveFunnels is based on the truth that approximately 80% of the code is loaded on the internet browser.
+Fantastic Act of Kindness From Groove Funnels.
+on what I’ve stated earlier. Groove funnels is truly and exists to level up your online video game The Groove team not everyone might afford.That is why they had revealed what I think is an act of kindness to allow each and everybody a to access the system.
+What do I imply by a Click funnels and many other platform that uncommitted regarding what you can and not afford.
+I’m pleased to say Groove funnels cares for each and every person of you. They had produced this below for every person to accessibility Groove funnels in their comfort rate variety. Right here are the figures:.
+, after that simply easy regular monthly repayments of beginning only after comfy 6 monthly settlements loosened up 12 month-to-month settlements beginning with now lifetime strategy offers you a cost-free plan being composed of Besides that, as I specified at the top that Groove funnels expenses a fraction as compared to and what it should be To include on to this. Groove funnels if you had seen, is that once you use the software program for a while you start to really feel like the other software application you made use of where like they were from the old times.
+If you intend to obtain the enrolling in the totally free strategy now after that continue to check out the write-up as I’ll be whole lot of value for you.
+GrooveFunnels Review– Is It Worth It? Perks Offered.
+Safeguard Free Account My Groovefunnels Bonus Offers You’re below because more than likely due to the fact that you have actually become aware of Groovefunnels …
+It’s presently among the fastest expanding sales funnel software and funnel building systems Understood extensively as a complete and digital solution to sell your product or services, GrooveFunnels is taking the net globe by storm as a result of it’s very appealing deals, all-in-one collection of software and it’s LIFETIME repayment alternative According to Groove Digital and Groovefunnels, they have actually had over 43,122+ brand-new participants switch right into the GrooveFunnels platform.
+The FREE version of Groovefunnels (Base plan) is still available …( in the meantime) Yet if you update to the LIFETIME deal today you’ll get future upgrades as well. You’ll likewise full access to my Groovefunnels incentives here (as a method of thanking!).
+Currently that these crucial updates run out the means, Curriculum Website Template let’s dive right into it …
+The Base Strategy is the Free Version of Groovefunnels.
+signup for the free base strategy of Groovefunnels. It’s an excellent way to attempt Groovefunnels, however keep in mind that it’s STILL just in BETA.
+I’m not going to be talking about a lot about the FREE strategy, but instead I’m going to dive deep into the LIFETIME offer of Groovefunnels …
+Here are below things that people are individuals in knowing about Groovefunnels:.
+For Beginners.
+Groovefunnels can conserve you a lot of money and time. For instance, Clickfunnels alone goes to $297/month for the Etison collection with Limitless web pages and website traffic. However because Groovefunnels is still in BETA, I would still suggest that you utilize WordPress to build your blog site (center for content) for SEO objectives and make use of Groovefunnels for touchdown web pages and sales funnels.
+For Experienced Marketing professionals.
+If you’ve been using sales funnels, you’re possibly paying a month-to-month or annually for tools like Kartra, Clickfunnels, Leadpages, etc. Saving those month-to-month costs by spending for Groovefunnels WHEN makes far better economic sense. You can after that utilize those savings for paid advertising and marketing or other financial investments that you can make use of to grow your online organization.
+For Course Creators.
+Save another $79 to $197 monthly with Membership sites created with Groovefunnels. LMS or discovering management systems like Learn Dashboard, Thinkific, Teachable and a lot more can cost you a whole lot of money specifically if your participants and list grows.
+For Audio speakers and Authors.
+Groovefunnels can be created to be your whole website for individual branding objectives. There are a number of layouts and designs that can be tweaked for speakers and writers.
+For eCommerce Site Owners.
+GrooveKart, which is the ecommerce and buying cart software program in the Groove Digital collection of software application can be used to market physical items on your site and online business.
+For Company Owners. Curriculum Website Template
+Supply a lot more worth to your clients and customers by including Groovefunnels relevant solutions to others. An instance would be creation of sales funnels to assist grow your client’s companies.
+GrooveMail.
+GrooveMail is an email automation tool or an autoresponder much like GetResponse, MailChimp, and Aweber, other than it, is extra economical and easy to use.
+With a complimentary strategy itself, you can include up to 25,000 calls in your email listing and send unrestricted e-mails.
+A comparable strategy in various other e-mail advertising and marketing devices like MailChimp will certainly cost you $199/month.
+GrooveMail is whatever you would certainly anticipate in a first-rate e-mail advertising and marketing remedy.
+It will carry out both sequence automation and broadcasting, as well as text and voice SMS broadcasting. This is a function that just a couple of high-end email autoresponders have.
+GrooveMail will sport an effective follow-up funnels platform too, like the one you obtain with ActiveCampaign.
+It is a straightforward yet reliable email advertising and marketing automation.
+Right here’s a preview into GrooveMail.
+You can seamlessly import bring about your lists and add them to projects separately or through a CSV documents.
+With GrooveMail you can produce gorgeous full-color e-newsletters or just simple message e-mails.
+There are numerous design templates to pick from or you can produce your own.
+GrooveMail likewise provides durable analytics including click-through prices (CTR’s), open rates, and a lot more.
+GrooveMember.
+GrooveMember is an automatic membership system and online course CMS, that is believed to be the most safe subscription CMS as it offers a password-protected participant’s location.
+You can create expert membership websites in mins.
+It is produced for all those who run or plan to begin a membership site.
+With categorized accessibility degrees, you can give totally free and paid accessibility separately to your participants.
+GrooveMembers provide an automated material distribution that enables you to supply your content simultaneously or leaked with time or unlocked based on tags.
+It likewise supplies you with modern layouts and motifs to consider that expert aim to match your service.
+Here’s a preview right into GrooveMember.
+Since GrooveMember conveniently integrates with GrooveSell, for that reason, you don’t need to buy an additional sales platform to track your customers and afterwards add them as your participants in the GrooveMember. All this will be done immediately in real-time. Curriculum Website Template.
+Like when a client purchases your membership-based item from GrooveSell, it will certainly get synced with your GrooveMember account and the subscription gain access to will certainly be offered automatically.
+You are not just conserving time yet also your money with GrooveMember.
+At first, you can begin with a totally free GrooveMember account and later upgrade to a silver, gold, or platinum plans, according to your requirements.
+You will also locate an accreditation choice inside GrooveMember, so in situation you market an on-line program, you can conveniently provide certificates for your courses to the participants.
+GrooveBlog.
+GrooveBlog is a gift to all the hard-core blog writers who like writing and get a bulk of the traffic to their blogs via online search engine like Google.
+With GrooveBlog you can publish text, sound, and video clip material and expand your organic reach.
+It allows you routine and releases material utilizing among its appealing drag-n-drop templates or you can make your very own too.
+GrooveBlog incorporates quickly into your GroovePages web sites and GrooveMail CRM.
+It likewise helps you write SEO enhanced material so you rank for the ideal keyword phrases and target the ideal audience, every single time.
+GrooveBlog targets at taking on the WordPress CMS that has actually been under the radar recently due to numerous protection problems in its system.
+Although it would certainly not be an easy task to dismiss one of the most popular CMS (WordPress) on the planet.
+You can connect the GrooveBlog with your GroovePages and publish content directly.
+The most effective component there is seamless integration with WordPress, so you will have the ability to publish web content in WordPress without ever before leaving your GrooveBlog editor interface.
+GrooveFunnels Prices and Plans.
+We might be wrong, but we believe, you were most thrilled about this area of our GrooveFunnels review and interested to recognize how much GrooveFunnels expense if we alloted the totally free lifetime accounts that the firm is distributing for a restricted time. Curriculum Website Template.
+Here we are bringing you every information regarding the pricing structure, afterwards there is, of program, the Free strategy i.e.
+Undergo each prices plan carefully and recognize what’s all included in each plan.
+GroovePages for Shopify.
+GrooveKart is a stand-alone application that is not included in any one of the rates strategies.
+Currently the very best part … lifetime gain access to and future upgrades to GrooveKart and all the various other apps in GrooveFunnels Platinum when you order this SUPER UNIQUE LIFETIME BARGAIN of GrooveFunnels.
+The designers of GrooveFunnels are handing out accessibility to all their applications, tools, software, webinars, and live occasions for a LOW ONE-TIME REPAYMENT And this exclusive lifetime offer is only readily available during the launch duration to get some lucky early-adopters aboard.
+What are you waiting for?
+We do not assume that you’ll ever witness something this amazing for a lengthy time. Curriculum Website Template.
+GrooveFunnels is a total piece of cake.
+If you have not currently, after that you should grab your complimentary GrooveFunnels lifetime account prior to this one-time deal ends.
+Q: What is GroovePages “Mobile-First Indexing” feature?
+GroovePages utilizes a mobile-first indexing function. It’s the FIRST and only solution with this attribute for constructing internet sites, web pages and funnels.
+Mobile-first indexing suggests that Google will certainly now take into consideration the mobile variation of your page for indexing and position prior to the desktop variation. So if you ignore mobile, kiss your positions goodbye.
+Q: Will certainly I need anything else after getting GrooveFunnels No, you will not actually require anything else as GrooveFunnels will be a complete all-in-one advertising and marketing tool (once they release whatever in their timeline).
+That said, if you intend to incorporate GrooveFunnels with other tools you currently use and like (like ActiveCampaign), you can do that too naturally.
+Clickfunnels vs Groovefunnels – Which is better?
+Terrific inquiry, and unlike many of those that responded to, I am in fact extremely certified to make the contrast.
+The majority of those responding to are just releasing associate web links, yet do not actually utilize both of the products. I do. And I have insider info on both. Filsaime and Brunson were both my trainees.
+I as a participant of both for the extremely greatest membership. Modification, I pay a high registration to ClickFunnels, but I made an one-time repayment for a Pro level of Groove Funnels for life, with every brand-new function as it rolls out.
+Curriculum Website Template
+Fueling Growth
+The world’s busiest airport is maintaining its edge and igniting economic development.
+As the busiest and most efficient airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a behemoth – huge, complex, bustling and powerful. It’s the jewel in Georgia’s economic crown, providing more than 63,000 on-site jobs and generating more than $70 billion in economic impact for the state.
+With a new general manager guiding implementation of ATL-Next, a $6-billion, 20-year master plan, the airport is also the catalyst for transforming the communities in its immediate vicinity south of Atlanta.
+“In the world of airports,” says John Selden, ATL general manager, “Hartsfield-Jackson is what every other airport strives to be.”
+After just under a year on the job, he says his experience is “better than I expected,” as a result of the support he’s received from the city of Atlanta, people he’s met throughout the state, his staff and airline and federal partners. “It’s amazing how proud of the airport people are,” he adds. “It’s almost like being the winning coach of a sports team.”
+Enhancing Customer Experiences
+Selden is perhaps the airport’s biggest cheerleader, but he admits there are operational challenges. “We’re growing very quickly,” he says. “We were up 3 million passengers last year, and this year we’re estimating that we’ll be up 4 million passengers. The building and the parking lots are running out of capacity, and it’s affecting our level of customer service.”
+He says the airspace around the airport and the airfield have capacity, so a sixth runway – which is included in ATLNext – isn’t needed right now. Accommodating passenger growth is the top priority, and work has begun to address it.
+The process of adding five gates to Concourse T is underway. These will mainly serve Delta Air Lines and should be complete in late 2022 or early 2023. However, to make way for the expansion, about 1,000 parking spaces were eliminated from the North economy parking lot. Those will be offset by the 5,700-space ATL West parking garage being built near the Georgia International Convention Center that may be open next fall. “It’s near the SkyTrain, it’s all covered and you can get there [to the airport] in three minutes,” Selden says.
+Construction on a new park-and-ride lot on Sullivan Road is expected to begin in November that will add another 1,500 spaces, he says. The North and South domestic parking garages will be replaced within the next 10 years with decks of four to eight levels each.
+Airport visitors likely marvel at the soaring canopies that are being built to provide shelter for people exiting the facility and walking to the parking garages. Those canopies, which should be completed this month, will include four pedestrian bridges from the garages, the first of which will be ready for use next year. The bridges will enable people to walk from their cars over the usually congested arrival and departure lanes, improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow in front of the terminals.
+The nearly 40-year-old Plane Train system that transports passengers from terminals to concourses is also undergoing improvements. Selden says work on the train’s turnaround near baggage claim will begin this year. By the time it’s completed in 2023, the project will reduce the time between trains from 108 seconds to 90 seconds. “We’ll get a 20 percent increase just by changing the turnaround,” he says. “That gives us extra capacity without rebuilding the entire system.”
+Other projects in the works include an end-around taxiway on the south side of the airport that will reduce runway crossings, thereby enabling departing planes to take off more quickly and reducing the risk of runway collisions. The addition of five Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lanes to the south security checkpoint by next summer and building a 50-acre de- icing pad are among other ongoing airport enhancements.
+“We’re hitting the tip of the iceberg in terms of what your experience will be here someday,” Selden says. “We have facial recognition coming. Hopefully you’ll drive up or get dropped off, and your face will get you through TSA. Maybe you’ll walk through some [screening] machine and you won’t stop. You’ll walk onto the plane – without a boarding pass – and just go to your seat. We’ll speed this process up because we won’t have all these points where we stop you. I’m hopeful that we’ll keep pushing the envelope and trying to make that customer experience better and better.”
+Managing Efficiently
+The airlines that fly through ATL seem satisfied with the airport’s service. According to Selden, every day they are asking for more gates so they can bring in more flights. He says irregularities are well in the past that may have prompted the Georgia legislature this year to propose a state takeover of Atlanta’s city-owned and managed airport.
+“Connecting the dots on why the airport should be taken over is something I’m having trouble with at this point,” he says. “If some of our biggest customers – the airlines, themselves – are saying to keep what you have, that speaks volumes as to how well the city of Atlanta is managing [the airport].”
+He says the primary example of effective management is the cost per enplanement – which includes landing fees, fuel fees and terminal rent paid to the airport, divided by the number of enplaned passengers. “We’re the second cheapest [after Charlotte],” he says. “Here the cost is a little under $5.” That’s compared to $13 per passenger in Denver and more than $30 per passenger at the New York airports. Multiplied by millions of people flying, the cost difference makes it understandable why airlines prefer ATL.
+“Not only are we efficient and on time, we are very reasonable, and that is due to the city of Atlanta’s management of the airport,” he adds.
+Elevating Cargo
+Air cargo at ATL generates more than $6.7 million in revenue for Metro Atlanta and creates more than 27,000 jobs around the state. Increasing cargo volume is a big opportunity to expand revenue and spark greater economic development. Elliott Paige, the airport’s director of air service development, says a number of initiatives are underway to accomplish those goals.
+To improve the efficiency of loading and unloading truck cargo and reduce congestion, a staging area called TruckPass was built off the airport property on Sullivan Road. Much like air traffic control, truckers check in there to be assigned specific dock doors where they will pick up or deliver their cargo. Text messages direct them when to remain in the staging area or proceed to the dock.
+Paige says TruckPass, which launched two years ago, has helped, but there are still bottlenecks in the warehouses and offloading cargo once aircraft have landed. The airport is now working with India-based Kale Logistics Solutions to develop a cargo community system. “It’s an IT platform that allows all stakeholders to communicate about a particular shipment,” he says.
+The full transparency the new system will bring is especially welcome by customs officials because “they can see everything related to cargo, including photos. They can clear it before it lands,” he says. By the end of this year, he expects to launch a limited pilot of the system, which he says will be the first in the Americas, although it’s used in European and Asian airports.
+ATL is also focused on maximizing its cargo buildings and in June announced that Worldwide Flight Services, the world’s largest air cargo handler, will operate a 140,000-square-foot warehouse that has been vacant since it was built in 2016. In addition, the airport is looking for a customer to design, build and operate another nearby warehouse that Paige envisions as a “state-of-the-art, mechanized facility that can handle a variety of cargo in a fast manner.”
+To increase cargo trade and investment, ATL recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport that will create a network or corridor of cooperation between the two air cargo gateways. Paige says the goal is to make Atlanta the preferred airport for high-value cargo – like pharmaceuticals and auto parts – coming from Europe to the U.S. “If we can work with others [like Schiphol], we can lift our standards of service and operations to match theirs.”
+Shaping the Region
+From an economic development and quality of life perspective, what goes on at ATL directly affects the cities, counties and businesses surrounding it. “Everything we’re doing is predicated on the strength and stability of Hartsfield-Jackson,” says Shannon James, president and CEO of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance (AAA), a nonprofit coalition of community leaders and businesses. “Our organization is basically looking to create a central business district around the airport. The goal is for that activity to push through the inertia around the region. The growth from that area will ultimately shape the ecosystem for South Fulton and Clayton counties.”
+The AAA is relatively young – only five years old – and it serves as a central organizing agency and point of contact for planning and development initiatives affecting 13 cities, two counties, two school districts, two community improvement districts (CIDs) and a variety of companies, including Porsche Cars North America, Chick-fil-A, Georgia Power and Delta Air Lines. The alliance is in the process of implementing a master plan that James says began with getting all of the various entities talking to each other and working together. “Now we have a cohesive ecosystem of multijurisdictional cooperation,” he says.
+Helping to improve connectivity throughout the community is among AAA’s priorities. Working with the Aerotropolis Atlanta CIDs, it has kicked off a plan for a bike-walk trail that will eventually cover 350 miles and more than 46,000 acres. James says it will be similar to the Atlanta BeltLine and will be constructed in partnership with the PATH Foundation, which has a 25-year history of building such trails. Construction should begin in 2021, and it could take 10 to 20 years to complete.
+The project will dovetail nicely with the CIDs’ efforts to identify key gateways and corridors for improved signage and public art, helping to create a sense of place throughout the region. Included in the efforts to uncover assets and amenities that will enhance regional identity is the alliance’s partnership with Finding the Flint, the organization dedicated to conserving Georgia’s second longest river, which begins near the airport. The project would involve restoring the river around the airport and creating a river path with amenities like parks and trails.
+“Economic development is not an overnight fix,” James says. “Ultimately, we want to unlock catalytic sites that will make the airport area a destination.” College Park has been one of the early adopters of this initiative, with 420 acres approved for the mixed-use development Airport City. Groundbreaking could happen later this year or first quarter 2020.
+The alliance is also working with the Mountain View area of Clayton County, which is near the airport’s international terminal, to free up about 400 acres for development. “People should see dirt turning [there] in 2020 or 2021 at the latest,” he says. “We’re unlocking sites in partnership with cities, counties and private property owners. That opens the door for economic impact, like jobs and revenues.”
+Workforce development is another area where AAA serves as the master coordinating body. The organization is working with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and other entities to connect job seekers with training and potential employers in the area.
+“We are now the central point of contact that helps job seekers and employers navigate and helps hand-hold them through the right process,” James explains. He says the alliance has partnered in training more than 190 residents for hospitality and construction jobs, with a 90 percent placement rate. “We’re now looking at expanding into logistics and aerospace,” he adds.
+The AAA has also created an education collective focused on developing career pathways and talent pipelines to help bridge the workforce gap. The collective is a partnership among schools in Clayton and South Fulton counties, Clayton State University, Atlanta Technical College and corporations like Georgia Power, which helped design a curriculum to create a career funnel. James says the collective’s first career expo will be held in October, and more than 30 companies in the airport vicinity will be on hand to provide information about apprenticeships, internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
+“The purpose of an airport is to contribute to the community,” says Paige. “It’s what makes the airport survive. This symbiotic relationship will continue to grow the region around the airport and create a lot more jobs.”
+Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at a Glance
+- World’s busiest airport since 1998
+- Serves 150 U.S. destinations and more than 75 international destinations in 50 countries
+- Tallest air traffic control tower in North America (398 feet/121 meters); fourth tallest in the world
+- Averages 275,000 passengers a day
+- 2,700 arrivals and departures daily
+- Georgia’s largest employer, providing more than 63,000 jobs
+- Generates $34.8 billion economic impact for Metro Atlanta
+Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance Snapshot (2019)
+- Covers 165 square miles
+- Includes counties of:
+South Fulton
+Clayton
+- Includes cities of:
+Atlanta
+Chattahoochee Hills
+College Park
+East Point
+Hapeville
+Fairburn
+Forest Park
+Jonesboro
+Morrow
+Palmetto
+Riverdale
+South Fulton
+Union City
+- Population: 362,251
+- Businesses: 12,557
+- Total Employees: 175,763
+Source: Aerotropolis Atlanta CIDs and Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance
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+It’s the second day in 2011 and I still have more Christmas gifts to share. Today’s gift is a product from my favorite camera bag manufacturer, Think Tank Photo. The winner of this gift will receive the Urban Disguise 70 from Think Tank Photo.
+Comment below a list of gear you plan to fit inside of the bag (if you win).
+This Post Has 77 Comments
+Rob2 Jan 2011
+Oooohhh… I NEED this, especially since Santa was good to me. My UD 40 is too full right now.
+Jeff2 Jan 2011
+Just started my collection.. I’ll put my Canon XSi Body and the two kit lenses plus my brand new 50mm 1.8 and spare battery… Winter in NJ, so, I’ll keep my gloves in there too… :D Sorry not as exotic as some of yours..
+CJ Kern2 Jan 2011
+My Nikon D700 and as many of my lenses that will fit: 14-24mm f/2.8. 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 & my 85mm f/1.4. Singh-Ray Vari ND filters
+Brian Matiash2 Jan 2011
+I’ll pick and choose gear to stuff in this sweet bag based on the type of shoot that I’ll be going on. Safe bet that at least one T/S lens will make it in. :)
+Jim Denham2 Jan 2011
+I don’t have a ton of gear, so EVERYTHING will fit!
+D Brut2 Jan 2011
+The only thing I need now is a bag to carry my gear in! I’d love to put my Nikon D700 and my 24-70mm f2.8 lens inside! maybe my 50mm f1.4 would fit too! Thanks for the chance to win!
+Roy Løberg2 Jan 2011
+I will fill it up with my Canon cameras, lenses, and my beloved laptop.
+Happy New Year to you all.
+Jason2 Jan 2011
+I don’t have much I would plan on putting everything in it.
+John Wart, jr2 Jan 2011
+Probably my D700 with 24-70 on it, and my 70-200 if it’d fit too.
+Wendy2 Jan 2011
+Camera. 85mm. 24-70mm. Fisheye. Wallet. Keys. Lip gloss. Antibacterial. Battery. flash.
+Felix2 Jan 2011
+my canon 7d with my 50mm f1.4, 17-85mm and hopfully my 8mm fisheye ;)
+Hubert Kay2 Jan 2011
+I’ll put my lens collection in there – a 28mm/2.8, 50mm/1.4, 60mm/2.8, 85mm/1.8, and the 70-200/2.8 will be mounted on my new 5D Mark III :-)
+Cindy Landrum2 Jan 2011
+I’d put my D300, a macro lens and a 24-120mm in the bag.
+Heath O'Fee2 Jan 2011
+Awesome! Canon 50D, 24-105, 10-20, 50, batteries, CF cards, etc.
+Didier Kaade2 Jan 2011
+You were right Scott, I thought you already gave away the awesome stuff….. Santa to the Second Power… :)
+On that, I would put in my 1D MkIv attached to my 70-200 finally, so I won’t have to take them apart, like I do now, evertyime I don’t want to actually hold it in my hand.
+Flashes, batteries, and possibly even a netbook or future Ipad, that will serve as my temporary backup after filling my cards up, to clear room for more shooting!
+Jason2 Jan 2011
+My Canon bag is getting a little snug so this would be be a nice addition for my 5D Mark II, L Series lenses, and all the peripherals.
+Michelle Turner2 Jan 2011
+I will put my D3s and my two bread and butter lenses (the 35 and 85 1.4) in it. Happy New Year!
+AnySandyBeach2 Jan 2011
+Canon Rebel XSi, 2 lenses, a flash, a Nikon FM2 with 2 lenses for that, extra batteries and film.
+Kittavong2 Jan 2011
+I will put my 5D body, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 50mm macro lens and battery charger in it.
+Terra2 Jan 2011
+My camera bag is getting full and I need some more room…this would be perfect!
+I have a canon 7d and 30d with 24mm & 50 prime and a 28-135 zoom that has back focus issues :-( looking to buy a 85mm prime this spring!
+Michelle Hires2 Jan 2011
+It would be nice to have a bag where I can take all 3 of my lenses at the same time! D700, 85mm, 50mm and 90mm macro and of course various accessories!
+April2 Jan 2011
+My D5000 and two kit lenses. I have also found I need to carry things like wipes, tissues and a comb. I hate to carry a purse and a bag, so I would also put in my wallet and keys.
+Venura Herath2 Jan 2011
+D90 , 24-70 f/2.8, 70-300 f4.5-5.6 SB900
+Michele2 Jan 2011
+Oh, I need a new bag – I would use it for my D300, 70-200mm,12-24mm and other accessories.
+Nikki Smith2 Jan 2011
+I would put my Canon 5d Mark ll, 50mm lens, 24-70mm lens, pocket wizards, 580 EX flash, batteries, flash cards.
+marcus2 Jan 2011
+If we’re talking gear I actually own, it would be a Nikon D300, and a couple of lenses 12-24, and 105mm macro.
+Scott O.2 Jan 2011
+My new Tokina 11-16 wide angle would fit perfectly in that bag :~)
+Nikolas Kyramarios2 Jan 2011
+My K-7 Pentax and my small collection of 5 lenses
+Stacey Knight2 Jan 2011
+My current camera bag is overflowing and I need more room for my Canon 7D, lenses and other gear that I travel with.
+Iza2 Jan 2011
+This is just the bag I need. I want to be able to have my Nikon D300 with 18-200 mm zoom ready to be used if situation arises, and my 10.5 mm and 30 mm handy if I want to get this special image, with all the filters and accessories like chargers, spare cards etc. somewhere with me as well.
+David Teng2 Jan 2011
+Gotta go with the trusty 5D and my 16-35. A great walking combo.
+Ben Herrera2 Jan 2011
+Think Tank is great. This would be a nice upgrade from my UD 10. I would fill it with my 7D, 24-70, 70-200, 50mm prime, 50mm macro, flash…
+Hepcat2 Jan 2011
+Gear list would depend on my destination! But it would be a bunch of Canon stuff…and probably my laptop!
+Chris Stern2 Jan 2011
+I would fill my bag with the following: Nikon D90, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8, 85mm f1.8, 11-16mm f2.8 & 17-55mm f2.8…some SD cards and filters.
+Tod Grubbs2 Jan 2011
+I would put both of my Nikon D700’s with the following lenses, nikon 24-70, 14-24, 70-200, Tameron 90 f/2.8 macro, memory cards, extra batteries, cleaning kit, tripod tools and the RSS pano kit and the iPad.
+Dion V2 Jan 2011
+All I have right now is a Kodak V1253. Ultimately I would like to fill the bag with a Canon T2i/550D, a Canon EF 50mm 1.4 AF USM lens, a Gorillapod SLR tripod, memory cards, extra batteries, and a cleaning kit. As time goes on, probably add a zoom lens of some sort, but this would be a nice starter kit for me, and a good bag to put it all in would be very nice, indeed.
+MaureenP2 Jan 2011
+I just started searching for a bag. Must protect the prized possession of mine … Canon 5D Mark II. I have two lenses, batteries, charger, CF card, and cleaning kit that need to fit in with it as well. And my hand sanitizer for those newborn shoots.
+Tye2 Jan 2011
+If space is permitting I would put both DSLRs and 2 spare lenses in, with the spare batteries and memory sticks :)
+Mark Garbowski2 Jan 2011
+Definitely my D700, with maybe the 24mm PC-E lens attached, and maybe my modified infrared D40 with the 18-200 VR.
+Erica W2 Jan 2011
+HMM- my 50d, 70-200, 50mm, batteries, charger, 28-135, cords to hook up to ipad, wallet, iphone and anything else I can possibly get in there!
+Mark Long2 Jan 2011
+I’ll put my very old Canon 350/Rebel XT with my four very basic lenses in there and take it up to the top of the lifts at Breckenridge Mountain for some winter photo fun.
+James2 Jan 2011
+My 5d mkii, 24-70, 70-200 and flash. Love thinktnk bags.
+Clem2 Jan 2011
+I’m just a beginner, so i’ll only stick in the bag my EOS 450D, flash 430 EX II, lenses Canon 50mm f/1.8II, Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8-4.5. But promise i’ll stick more in it afterwards if I win!
+C.J.2 Jan 2011
+Oly E-510, 2 kit lens, 70-300mm and a couple of Pentax primes and my lappy top
+Steve Beal2 Jan 2011
+5d, 24-70, 16-35, 17mm T/S. Sweet bag, perfect fit!
+shawn2 Jan 2011
+my trusty 40D, a 550EX speedlite and a collection of lenses!!
+Keri Cooper2 Jan 2011
+Sweet Bag! I’d put my 5D Mark II, 24-70, 40D, 85 1.8, 580exII and some small necessities!
+Erik Smith2 Jan 2011
+Nice! Nikon D300. 55-200mm Nikkor, 18-55mm Nikkor, 50mm Nikon, SB-900 flash. Oh the possibilities.
+Brandt Steinhauser2 Jan 2011
+I’d put the whole shabang in there! Current bag is running out of space, plus it’s a Canon bag that holds all my Nikon gear!
+Andy Simon2 Jan 2011
+Sony A200 plus grip, 28 and 50mm primes, fisheye, 35-105 beercan, 70-210 beercan, custom tiltshift and all the gubbins!
+brian2 Jan 2011
+I’m tempted to list all sorts of naughty things I’d put in the bag- just to get someone to laugh….
+But- seriously- t1i, a lensbaby composer, gorilla pod by Joby, a 1.4 50mm & a nice wide 10-22 Canon
+John2 Jan 2011
+nikon d3s, nikon 14-24, sb800, and extra batteries.
+Yannis2 Jan 2011
+D300s, nikkor f1.4/50mm, SB600, sigma10-20mm!
+:)
+Khurt2 Jan 2011
+I don’t have too much gear but with all the cool kit Scott has been giving away I can save some of my photography budget for a new lens. This bag should have room enough for my zoom lens, my 35mm prime, a flash, cleaning kit, SD card dreaded, and my iPad.
+Nicole2 Jan 2011
+20D, 24-70 L, 85 1.8 and and all the bits and pieces….that’s what I would put!
+Mitch Stein2 Jan 2011
+Never have enough great quality camera bags for all the gear that i carry around with me. Would certainly love to be able to add to my collection !!!
+Kyle Reynolds2 Jan 2011
+I’ll be putting D300 D300s bodies, 300 f4 lens, SB600, 60mm F2.8 lens 50mm 1.4 lens, 18-55mm zoom all int the bag.
+Kayla2 Jan 2011
+D700, 60mm 2.8 micro, 14-24 2.8 wide angle and my 50mm for good measure! I’m an artist at stuffing more than I should into bags so I’d probably somehow make everything else fit too though ;) Plus of course the necessary bits and bobs, cables, releases, flashlight, etc.
+Patrick Connor2 Jan 2011
+I would pack my 5D-II, 24-70mm, 100mm macro, 17-35mm, pinhole lens cap….and a couple memory cards and be good to go.
+Rod Cole2 Jan 2011
+As a cinematographer, one can never have enough camera bags. This one will nicely hold my 5D2, several primes, and my SmallHD DP6 monitor.
+dara2 Jan 2011
+I would put my 5d markii, battery charger, 50mm 1.8 and my 55-250
+Bob Cornish2 Jan 2011
+I bet it would hold my Rebel, 580exii’s, definately my 28-75 f2.8 lens, 55-250mm EFS lens, cards and batteries. Thanks for the chances to win the great gifts!!
+Doc@Spokane Chiropractor2 Jan 2011
+I would have to put in my Iphone, I do photography as a fun hobby but no where near professional yet. I could put my lunch as well.
+Jorge Ledezma2 Jan 2011
+Nikon d200 D700 70-200 and 24-70. Not sure if it will all fit.
+Preeti2 Jan 2011
+Ooo, sweet! If I win, I’d put my Nikon D300s, Canon G11, and the following lenses: Nikkor 18-200mm, Nikkor 105mm, Nikkor 50mm, Nikkor 35mm, and my Lensbaby! Maybe… If it all would fit.
+Lorne Marcum2 Jan 2011
+Looks like it would hold a Canon 70-200mm f2.8l, 85mm f1.8 and my 580exII flash, that is what i use since Club Volleyball is starting up again!
+Hafer2 Jan 2011
+Looks like some Motts Apple Juice, A PB and potato chip sandwhich and baby carrots would fit nicely. I think I may be able to stuff in a D7000 with a wide and prime. Or the coolest of the kit a Rolleiflex Automat 1!
+JenFu Cheng2 Jan 2011
+I’d carry my Nikon D700, 14-24 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, and 70-200 f/2.8.
+David Thomas2 Jan 2011
+Pentax DSLR & half a dozen lenses.
+Joseph Hoetzl2 Jan 2011
+Canon 5D MkIII, Canon 24-105 L, 16-35 L, 70-200 2.8 IS II, 24 1.4, – all stuff I plan to own…one day :-)
+AL2 Jan 2011
+I would stuff my Nikon D40, 18-200VRII, 35mm 1.8G, SB-600, Flashbender small, Extra AA batteries, Remote control, White balance card, Lenspen, cleaning cloth and a bottle of water, and I will be set for any travel photography. :)
+Thanks for sharing!
+Stefanie3 Jan 2011
+Ooh.. I’d love this! I’d put in my Canon, 3 lenses and my new flash!
+Dave3 Jan 2011
+What would I put in the bag…? Hmmmm…. As much as humanly possible. Mostly Canon gear… Maybe some cables, a few flashes sometimes, a Pocket Wizard or two… and CANDY!!! Gotta have candy! :)
+Sheila Rose3 Jan 2011
+I’d put one body w/ 70-200 attached, & 2nd body w/ 16-35 & 24-70.
+Kiff Backhouse3 Jan 2011
+Always need another bag for all those extras!
+Matt3 Jan 2011
+The stuff I usually carry, of course. (Canon SLR, two, sometimes three lenses, a city guide, some helpful camera cheats, and if traveling light, my GorillaPod. I love that it doesn’t scream “I’ve got a camera in here,” perfect for when I have to travel the Metro.
+Stef3 Jan 2011
+I’ll carry my Epson r-d1, my 12mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, batteries and cards, and the Epson p-4000 :) I’d love that.
+- : Is there any reason you wouldn't want BlackBerry 10 devices to use a micro SIM?
+Smaller SIM = more space for more important components. All for it.
+agreed.
+I travel overseas (Latin America & Caribbean mostly) I rather they keep the regular SIM cards (which are widely available in all countries) so I can use a local prepaid number on my unlocked 9900 instead of roaming in each country.
+Also, I would at first keep my current 9900 and swap between the new BB10 phone and back at MY OWN convenience, you know... as backup.
+Ian
+Bold 9900 & PlayBook 64GB Wifi
+Sim is an ancient technology. I first used one in 2000 on my first FIDO phone. Micro sim is a new twist on this technology and Im all for it.
+__________________________
+Playbook, the one and only
+does it come with those annoying trays and do we have to carry around a pin just to get at it??
+because I don't see that as beneficial or a space saver but it seems knocking 2 mm or so of plastic is significant.
+Personally I dont mind but it will make it more of a hassle if I have to swap over a sim to a regular sim and have to fork out for an adapter and carry it around with me.
+But it does seem redundant now that the new nano sims are going to supersede this even though I much prefer the compromise plans of RIM to include a notch as I pointed earlier my dislike for them.
+Apple's enforcement and eventual win on this new standard doesn't bring any sort of innovation except a forced push to make our current phones obsolete with the sim standard and make it harder to swap phones/sims locally and overseas.
+I still don't buy the more space argument when our phones are getting bigger again.
+I want the current sim so i can switch between my os7. Devices and bb10 devices.
+I was of the same mindset, until I saw how damn cheap adapters are. For example, Amazon has one for $0.40.
+I bought one of these cheap adapters but it damaged my old BB! Then I found one listed on BestBuy's website, it wasn't cheap but worked really well. Highly recommended...
+Just like the transition to MicroSD, it's bound to happen and it really doesn't matter one bit. In a year from now, every new phone will use MicroSIM (probably) and if you want to use an old phone, just get a 50 cent adapter.
+Micro SIM is where its at..
+I wonder if my BB10 Micro SIM will work in my PlayBook 2.0+/10? if so, that would be cool!
+Why is this a post? I think the post should ask if blackberry should go micro or nano. Obviously they should at the least go micro sim. There's no reason not to.
+Sorry, the whole of Mobile Nations forgot that your opinion rules all.
++1
+Ok buddy excuse me..maybe blackberry should stick to the ancient sim while everyone else passes by? Yeah makes sense
+-100. Nothing in that comment suggested a belief that Snip's opinion rules all. The extra point hit is for the extra-insulting tone of your comment.
+The other question is will there really be a difference for those of us in the CDMA world? Hopefully someone can clarify for me whether LTE does require some type of SIM...
+YES, LTE *does* require the use of a SIM... It's not an option...
+I want to be able to swap with my other devices and also, it means upto 24 hour loss of service for the transition to the new sim (at least it does in England.)
+I've only had to replace one defective SIM about 10 years ago. The switch-over on O2 was almost immediate, from memory less than 5 minutes and everything was working. The only rational reason it might take 24h is the time to get a new SIM delivered by mail.
+Craig Ashcroft, BlackBerry Bold 9790 A SIM is a SIM, it does its job no matter the size. End of
+What ever' just get me my BB10, on TMobile!
++1
++1
+1. I haven't got a Micro-Sim
+2. My SII, Galaxy Note, Xperia Play, Bold 9900 and every other phone I own use a normal sim. Its why I haven't bought an Xperia S or the new Motorola RAZR - because my sim won't work in them.
+3. Some phones (like the SII) don't play nice with the micro sim adapters.
+If it goes micro then you could swap it with your lte playbook, if you needed to... I guess you could also have one of those data share plans instead.
+I'm really not that bothered but I do agree that it would be the natural progression of things. Most have already pointed out that adapters are dirt cheap, though I've had trouble with mine.
+I do think that carriers can play a part in making it easier to switch between microSIM and mini-SIM. Small U.K. network giffgaff do it quite well and I'm able to switch it up very easily and I didn't even have to cut out the SIM.
+nano SIM???
+I do have a reason. I only have a fullsize SIM. This is easily remedied with a $5-10 payment, but it is still a bit of a reason.
+Most new phones come with a new SIM
+I have an awesome BB data plan (unlimited) so being able to swap a SIM card between phone and playbook will be good in the long run for me. So go with a small, I will be upgrading as soon as BB10 comes out.
+Is it really a big f'ing deal? Call your carrier, tell them you need a new SIM for your spiffy new device, and for $0, you get your Micro SIM with your account switched over to it. I don't see what the kerfuffle is?
+...or take a knife to it
+Why so serious.
+Ppl live in other regions and different circumstances too ya know.
+The normal sim did well in the last 20 years, not preventing very small phones like the Panasonic A100, and I think multiple wrist phones, to be built.
+Now they are telling us that they need to move to a smaller format, when every new phone is wider and taller, but slimmer than the previous generation, and the thickness of the sim card is always the same.
+To me it's just a hassle with changing sims, buying and losing adapters, or giving up certain phones, because our new sims won't work with them.
+Maybe the next sim format is going to be made in a way that no adapter will work, and carriers will issue only new sims, so we will be forced to upgrade our phones. Wouldn't be a surprise :)
+You mean Nano SIMs? :P
+It could have monkies making donuts inside. Give me BB10.
+I wish they just keep it the same size as I have in my 9930 so I can use both phones, one as a back up and the other as the new device to change the game up. I actually didn't even know anything about a sim card adapter so I understand they are very inexpensive but they are obviously very small and very easy to loose. I guess I could buy a dozen just in case one is lost or one gets broken or stops working.
+BB10 either way micro sim or mini sim or nano sim or no sim at all is going to lift all eyes up from the sidewalk when it hits the streets!
+If it's not broke then don't fix it, RIM has plenty of other fish to fry!
+Switching back to my 9900! I don't want to have to use an adapter and potentially lose it which I probally would
+Keeping the adapter in the 9900 would help with that.
+Not if I use also another normal sized sim card in the bold!
+The sake of the sim cards is one card fits all phones, move your plan indipedently from device to device, with NO hassle!
+It would be my assumption that using multiple devices AND multiple SIMs puts you in a very very small minority of users. Anyways, how do you not loose the other SIM?
+If you're in Canada, and you have a monthly contract/postpaid, You KNOW a SIM card is like the most prized possession of carriers. They guard them like the CIA, no joke :p, Try getting a SIM card from your carrier WITHOUT them activating it.
+Also each time you want to change your SIM something that affects your monthly plan MAY go wrong. I use the word "may" because yes it will go wrong but if you get a reasonable representative all can be fixed before you walk out the door. It's really a hassle just to get a SIM card and keep your current plan especially here in Canada.
+Personally I prefer that RIM uses standard sized SIM cards, you can get the phone from a third party like Futureshop or Best Buy and they don't require you to "activate". Just go "prepaid" they'll set everything up for you and you can throw away that prepaid SIM and put in your SIM and away you go, I'd like to see that kind of ease of use with BlackBerry 10 devices.
+Most of the Smartphones are still using the regular SIM, as far as I know none of the carriers here in the Philippines offers micro SIM for prepaid. I don't want my regular sized, business, vanity number SIM to be cut to a micro SIM and have a 50% of damaging or making it useless.
+Can some one explain the difference to me. I've only known one type of similar card. I us my 8520 and storm with it. Which one is that? Micro?
+Micro SIM??? They should be putting the Nano SIM in there a la apple. They will put out their next gen device with a last gen SIM. Get with the program RIM!
+I know it is easy to go from micro to full size using an adapter. But what about when you travel abroad and you unlock your phone so that you can buy a local sim to avoid the enormous roaming rates charged by US carriers (AT&T). I am not sure that at the moment prepaid sims can be bought in anything but normal sizes. For that reason I would prefer they stay the same but if I was to vote I would say "just give me the BB10 and I will live with what ever size "
++10
+For hardcore overseas prepaid users, it may be worthwhile to buy a sim cutter. I think they run about $50 so it would depend on whether or not you'd make up that amount of money by getting local sims
+how about we just wait and see or maybe they might include and adapter.
+Don't know about this one. I'd voted No on this only because of availability when travelling outside the U.S. for buying a standard SIM locally to save money on calls. How often do I do this? Not very often but until the micro SIM becomes more available on the market it may pose an issue for heavy travellers. In the end though I agree with previous comments about size and allowing more space for battery upgrade etc.
+I would like to have a universal sim, so that I could switch between phones
+if the phone will die, or the battery will die, with standard SIM you have the choice of most phones... with the small one, you can grab iwhatever and you are limited...
+My cell provider is Simple Mobile and when you get their service, you buy either the regular SIM or the micro SIM card, whichever is the one that fits your phone (You bring your own GSM phone to their service.). So when BB10 devices come out and I buy one, if it has a micro SIM, I'll just have to buy a micro SIM and have my account switched over to that SIM.
+Whatever happens, we'll adapt. "they " have been forcing us to adapt forever. Just be glad we don't have to replace everything with a pin connection . Hmmmm...seems like one particular company is all about forcing us to do it 'their ' way....
+If it's micro SIM just go to your carrier's local store and ask for one, right?
+And nice wallpaper on the 9900 James ;)
+My concern about going micro SIM is that they are not the 'standard' SIM card size in a lot of countries yet. (Perhaps not even the majority of countries use them?)
+This becomes a problem when traveling, because whilst one can put a micro sim into an adapter to use in another phone, the opposite doesn't apply.
+That is - you can't put a current larger styled SIM into a micro SIM slot (unless you cut it to size, with risk).
+So going micro SIM does not provide ease of use when swapping SIMS amongst your own phones, or when traveling and trying to find a cheap pre-paid SIM for the couple of weeks (or whatever) that you many need to use it.
+Hmmm that's a good point
+I agree with this concern.
+I was visiting the UK earlier this year and they wanted to charge 10GBP for a microSIM, but a standard SIM was free. The staff at Orange suggested you can use sharp scissors to cut the plastic standard SIM down in size, as the actual electronic component section is the same size.
+Also the microSIM is easier to lose when switching out SIMs from your phone.
+I just want to say.. Would someone mind sharing that wallpaper? James :)?
+For the Bold 99xx -
+Other devices look under "Official TWP Wallpapers" sections :)
+It's a pain for somebody who travel so much... If you went to abroad regularly, you'll know how hard to buy a new prepaid micro SIM.
+I've seen people here in Colombia just cutting regular SIM cards to fit in the Iphone 4, and they work just fine. So what's the big deal?
+I travel regularly and having to find a micro SIM is a pain.
+A standard sized SIM is the way to go.
+I didn't like the idea of micro sim when I got the 4s because it prevented me using my blackberries. I soon found adapters very cheap on amazon (2 pack for $1) now its not a big deal. I'm not too worried about the rumored micro micro sim in the new iPhone as adapters will be just as cheap.
+Besides the size, what is the benefit the micro sim has...or does it work exactly the same?
+I would like to have the opportunity to be able to use also other phones when I am traveling abroad (take my BB SIM cards out, put a local card in, and use my standard card in regular phoen just to be reachable): and different standards can make it impossible :(
+If the carrier exchange the SIM for free why not. But here (Switzerland) the SIM is sometime more expensive than the phone. So not really happy about buying a new one.
+Micro is great but i would either want one that works both micro and "normal" sim or have the variables available. The reason is simple: this has been emphatically pointed out to be a global launch by rim, meaning in some countries far far away in europe (where I live) you would have to wait from 6 months to 1,5 years to get the updated tech from rim reach our markets and in prices that are ridiculously higher than the equivalent proportional in north america. That said, not all carriers will adopt asap to microsim or actually make it work. So this might be exclusion of some people from the supposed global launch. No i do not want to cut my sim to fit it in the micro sim slot and yes if in bb10 i get excluded due to incompatibility between carrier and model or launch date, eventhough i have 2 bb phones and a playbook, i do not think i would stick around much longer.... I love my bb and wait for bb10... If that gets to be a bitter experience i may then jump ship.
+I can't imagine they'd be launching on very many carriers that don't already have something in place for Apple products...
+just need BB10. i am prepared to sacrifice all other comforts for it. i will buy an adapter or what ever it takes to adjust sims while travelling abroad. but, BB10 needs to be one solid apple killing, android kicking phone.
+micro-sim is the way forward.
+While I agree that the SIM technology has to progress in order to offer more space in the device and less waste, I'd like to see RIM offer the regular SIM on the BB10 devices, at least as an alternative, until they have distanced themselves from their OS 7 and OS 6 devices. I, personally, always keep my previous generation device as a back-up in case I lose my current device, have it stolen or accidentally give it a bath. My only objection would be flexibility.
+I also, would prefer the option of the regular SIM or the MICRO. My situation, I have a 9780, and I have 2 phone numbers going into one SIM. ( 2 numbers in 2 different provinces for my clients ). GREAT FEATURE, that with the MICRO SIMS, you can not have this option. I am with ROGERS and all the new MICROS , I lose 1 line. ( I checked with the S3, and only 1 line )
+I checked with Blackberry tech. support today, and someone at RIM as well, and they confirmed the BB10 will only have MICRO SIM. Which puts me out of luck.
+I am going to have to look for another 9780, or the 9900, to have as an extra, as my BB wears out, so I can keep both phone lines in one SIM.
+A great feature I want to keep!...MY opinion , for my circumstances.
+Hoping the MICRO SIM either will be compatible for 2 lines, or the BB10 or any new variants can switch in current SIM to support this!
+All the best...
+For personal preference I'd prefer to keep to the regular SIM size, just because as people in earlier comments have said, it makes the transition to other phone (bar iPhone4[s]) fairly simple.
+That being said however, if BlackBerry 10 devices live up to the hype, having a micro SIM card slot may persuade some iPhone4(s) users to convert to BlackBerrry, as the transition for them would be much easier.
+It'd be fantastic to see an option in the new devices that allows for both, so then this argument would become moot. Or maybe if the devices don't use micro SIM cards that they come with an adapter inside the box as standard, as adapters can be bought fairly cheaply and would be a nice little gesture on RIM's part to say "no matter what device you were using, you can take your current SIM card and put it in this"
+One of the nation's top QBs decommitted from a Big Ten power. What happens next?
+Quickly
+- Five-star quarterback Justin Fields's decommitment from Penn State was big news in the recruiting world. What will happen next in his recruitment?
+When a quarterback backs out of a verbal commitment, there is an immediate, tangible impact: A certain type of relationship is severed. And the reverberations of that QB’s decision can be far-reaching.
+The basic goal for programs is to acquire the best quarterback possible, typically no more than one per class. A Sports Illustrated study last year showed that signal-callers tend to announce their intentions earlier in a given cycle than other recruits do. A large portion of the best ones are off the board well before the start of their senior high school seasons, and many enroll early to get a jump start on preparing for their first fall of college ball.
+Once programs have their guy at quarterback, they can move on to other roster needs, taking comfort that the most important position on the field is settled. But when passers renege on their pledges, those programs have to dip back into what is often a watered-down QB pool. Depending on when the cutting-of-ties happens, there could be few desirable options available. Coaching staffs may be left with no choice but to try to flip signal-callers from other programs.
+These breakups also can set off feeding frenzies that shake up programs’ recruiting plans. Say one program is pursuing a three-star quarterback with limited upside. Then a local five-star withdraws his commitment from a different program located across the country. The former would be foolish not to change gears, even if the five-star has dozens upon dozens of suitors that enter the fray. However, that program won’t be the only one that trains its sights on landing a potential game-changer under center.
+There are a lot of interconnected parts, but the main purpose of that prelude was to help put into context the possible rippling effects of recent news involving one of the top quarterback recruits in the class of 2018. Harrison (Ga.) High’s Justin Fields, the second-ranked passer in the nation, according to Scout.com, announced in a message released through his Twitter account earlier this month that he was rescinding his vow to Penn State.
+Fields initially committed to the Nittany Lions in December. At the time, he was highly regarded as a prospect (18th among QBs in the class of 2018, according to Scout.com), but he’s since undergone a rapid ascension up recruiting rankings and is now rated a five-star by every major scouting service. He is universally considered the best dual-threat quarterback in the class, and the only pro-style passer who trumps Fields on any service is Cartersville (Ga.) High’s Trevor Lawrence.
+Fields is a big-time athlete with the mobility and the arm to stretch opposing defenses to their breaking point. He has been clocked at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and he threw for 2,770 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions and added 1,176 yards and 15 scores on the ground as a junior last season. Fields’s blend of a big frame (6’3", 221 pounds), an electric dual-threat skill set and residence in the Atlanta metropolitan area have led to him drawing comparisons to former Auburn star and Carolina Panthers starter Cam Newton.
+Those traits have shortlisted Fields as a can’t-miss recruit in the class of 2018 and turned him into one of the primary targets for a handful of heavyweight programs. A heated competition to secure his services will ensue. This week Fields visited Florida for two days, a trip that followed previous reported stops at Georgia and Auburn as well as Gators in-state rival Florida State. Fields has not publicly provided an update on his thinking since leaving Gainesville, but he addressed reporters at a recent 7-on-7 event.
+According to a report from SEC Country, Fields called Florida, Florida State, Auburn and Georgia the “main schools he’s focused on” and also mentioned that Alabama, North Carolina and Ole Miss remain involved in his recruitment “a little bit.” He added, according to the report, that the Bulldogs, Gators and Seminoles are “probably [recruiting] the hardest” but conceded that he “honestly do not know where I’m going to go.”
+Unless Fields is bluffing, the final remark suggests his decision-making process could drag out until near the start of his senior season at Harrison, if not closer to the newly instituted early signing period in late December. That would provide more time for interested programs to work their way into what’s seemingly shaping up as a battle between Southeast schools, although Fields was already being intensely courted by other programs even before renouncing his commitment to Penn State.
+The caliber of player and position make Fields’s every utterance catnip for recruiting diehards, but another point of intrigue as he gets closer to naming his college destination involves the pursuit of one program: Georgia. The appeal of a union is plain from both sides’ perspectives. Fields would immediately attain Big Man On Campus status at his home state’s flagship school, and the Bulldogs would leap at the opportunity to bring in a Peach State product with a first-team All-America ceiling. Also, Fields's younger sister, a 2019 softball recruit, has committed to Georgia.
+There’s more to it than that. Georgia already whiffed on Lawrence, another in-state product who pledged to Clemson in December. And Emory Jones, a four-star out of Heard County (Ga.) High who ranks ninth among QBs in the class of 2018, according to Scout.com, committed to Ohio State last July. The two other four-star passers from Georgia in the class of 2018, Jarren Williams and Cade Fortin, have announced for Kentucky and Texas A&M, respectively.
+The Bulldogs are definitely capable of reaching outside state lines for a quarterback in this class, but they better move quickly if forced to go that route, as all but three QBs in the latest Scout 300 have already given verbal pledges. Before Georgia gets to that point, though, it’s worth reckoning with the possible fallout of watching the state’s top two passers rebuff the Bulldogs in favor of other programs, much less a recruiting rival (Clemson) or division rival (Florida).
+For Georgia fans, the pain of missing out on Lawrence and Fields would be irritating on signing day and could become excruciating in the future. The Bulldogs infamously failed to sign Gainesville (Ga.) High’s Deshaun Watson, whose lustrous college résumé need not be reviewed in this space. Neither Lawrence nor Fields are likely to match or eclipse what Watson did at Clemson, but the possibility that they could would cast a pall over Georgia’s 2018 recruiting efforts, no matter the quality of its class as a whole.
+Relief could come from an unlikely source. Matt Corral, rated behind only Lawrence and Fields among 2018 QBs, according to Scout.com, revoked his pledge to USC last week. Taking a wide-angled view of the move, it doesn’t make a ton of sense. Corral hails from SoCal powerhouse Long Beach Poly (to which he transferred this off-season after leaving Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, Calif.), grew up in Trojans territory and spoke in glowing terms about USC in an interview with SI last year.
+“They have everything I want, everything I need,” said Corral, who committed to the Trojans last February. “I don’t see why else not to go there.” Something apparently changed in a recruitment that, on the surface, felt like a layup for a USC program on the rise under head coach Clay Helton and whose current starting QB is an early candidate to be taken No. 1 in next year’s NFL draft. Now not only is Corral no longer verbally tied to USC, he will “no longer consider” the Trojans in the future, according to a report from 247Sports.
+Which brings us back to Georgia and Fields. The Bulldogs are one of three programs (the two others are Alabama and Florida) mentioned in that report on Corral as having “separated themselves from the pack,” and Corral visited Athens in April. Los Angeles is a long way from Sanford Stadium, but the distance isn’t an insurmountable hurdle. Look no further than the Bulldogs’ 2016 recruiting class, in which they pulled a five-star QB prospect, Jacob Eason, from Lake Stevens, Wash., even after a head coaching change (Mark Richt out, Kirby Smart in) late in the cycle.
+Adhering strictly to the rankings, if Fields rejects Georgia, there would be no better fallback for the Bulldogs than landing Corral. Regardless, Georgia probably hopes it doesn’t have to explore that alternative, even though it’s flush with young quarterback talent, having nabbed five-star signal-callers in back-to-back classes (Jake Fromm signed as a member of its 2017 class). A firm commitment from the Cam Newton carbon copy nearby at some point this summer would make things simple. The likelihood that actually happens, however, is up for debate.
+The presence of two bluechip underclassmen quarterbacks on Georgia’s roster could give Fields pause. Florida, by way of comparison, is set to wage a QB battle this fall between an unproven redshirt freshman (Feleipe Franks), an oft-injured veteran (Luke Del Rio) and a graduate transfer with a skimpy track record (Malik Zaire). According to Land of 10, Fields said this spring, before decommitting from Penn State, that the “most appealing thing” about Florida was its “quarterback room.”
+Then there’s Florida State, which might present a more attractive package than either Georgia or Florida. The Seminoles do not have a real-deal stud to hand the keys to if redshirt sophomore starter Deondre Francois decides to bolt for the NFL after this season. Plus, Florida State’s head coach, Jimbo Fisher, runs a pro-style scheme conducive to grooming passers for the next level, and his status as one of the college game’s top quarterback developers is unimpeachable. It doesn’t hurt that the Seminoles project as a possible College Football Playoff contender this season.
+While the recruiting world waits for Fields to make up his mind, some programs will be stuck in a sort of wobbly holding pattern. Corral is seriously considering both Alabama and Georgia, but a Fields pledge to the Bulldogs might open the door for the Crimson Tide to grab the former USC verbal. Conversely, a Corral commitment to Alabama could compel the Bulldogs to ramp up the pressure on Fields. Those QBs’ other suitors would be affected in either scenario, and the Crimson Tide or the Bulldogs also could broaden their searches for a signal-caller depending on what takes place with Fields and Corral.
+You don’t need to wait for a resolution of the Fields situation to appreciate the repercussions of his choice to open up his recruitment. For a quarterback of Fields’s esteem, the simplicity of typing out what amounts to a break-up letter and posting it to a social media account belies the missive’s profound influence and the interlocking dynamics of what is taking place in its aftermath. Fields’s availability is only part of a complex picture.
+- Thomas James
+Terry Pomerleau grew up eating breakfast and dinner most days with his grandfather, the late Burlington real estate tycoon Antonio Pomerleau. As a teenager, he chauffeured the shopping-mall developer and philanthropist from meeting to meeting and heard every story and aphorism a thousand times.
+"My grandfather always said that you have to do what you love. You have to be passionate about it. Doesn't matter if you work with a pick and shovel," the 31-year-old grandson said last week at the Humane Society of Chittenden County in South Burlington.
+Dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, Terry bared his left forearm. "So after his passing," he said, referring to his grandfather's death in February at age 100, "I got a pick-and-shovel tattoo to remind me, every day, that you have to do what fulfills you."
+What fulfilled the elder Pomerleau was cutting real estate deals and, later, writing seven-figure checks to Vermont nonprofits. What fulfills Terry, one of Tony's 13 grandchildren, is working for one of those charitable organizations.
+Last November, after stints at Pomerleau Real Estate, a Volkswagen dealership and as a potter, he moved from the local humane society's board of directors to a full-time position as its development manager. Now he shares a small office with another staffer and a gray-and-white rescue kitten named Tyler.
+Though Terry no longer works out of the family firm's iconic Greek Revival headquarters overlooking Lake Champlain, he sees himself as carrying on the philanthropic legacy of his famous forebear. In addition to his day job at the humane society, Terry serves on the board of the Greater Burlington YMCA, which has received millions of dollars from the Pomerleau family over the years.
+"My grandfather raised me not to take over the company but to take over the impact that he has helped make on the community," Terry said.
+While the Pomerleaus are no ordinary Vermonters, their experience reflects a broader trend: Millennials born in the 1980s and '90s are less interested in giving than doing. "Younger people want to have more of a connection than just making a donation," said John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank.
+They're also more focused on the measurable impact of their charitable endeavors than previous generations were, according to Montpelier philanthropic adviser Christine Zachai, and they're not married to the nonprofit model. While their grandparents may have supported a traditional community institution, such as a United Way chapter, younger philanthropists might "make a financial investment in a B corp that promises to bring clean water to Flint, Mich.," she said, referring to for-profit, socially minded benefit corporations.
+"Millennials have a much higher degree of distrust of institutions generally, and they have very little loyalty," Zachai said.
+Such developments pose a threat to Vermont's $6.8 billion nonprofit sector, which has long relied on direct mail, capital campaigns and fundraising events to pay for the critical services it provides. "I think everybody is nervous about trends in giving," said Vermont Community Foundation president and CEO Dan Smith. He advises nonprofit leaders to "be prepared for change."
+The change isn't just generational.
+Vermont's nonprofit leaders worry that new federal and state tax laws could reduce financial incentives for major charitable giving. They question whether increasingly popular philanthropic tools, such as bank-affiliated "donor-advised funds," could steer money out of state. And they wonder how to harness the continued growth of online giving as other fundraising mechanisms become less effective.
+Most worrisome is that while charitable giving has increased nationally in recent years, the percentage of people donating has declined. "So philanthropy is becoming more and more elite," said Dan Parks, managing editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. It's also becoming less stable for nonprofits, because they're increasingly dependent on the whims of fewer, larger donors. (See accompanying profiles.)
+According to Giving USA, an annual report by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the total amount contributed to charity increased by 5.2 percent year over year in 2017, with nonprofits taking in a total of $410 billion. But between 2000 and 2014, according to Lilly researchers, the percentage of households donating to charity dropped from 66 to 56 percent.
+Aggie Sweeney, who chairs the Giving USA Foundation, attributes some of the shift to growing income inequality. Particularly since the start of the Great Recession a decade ago, many families that used to set aside money for philanthropy can no longer afford to do so.
+"The hypothesis is that there are trends around debt, whether it's student or credit card, lack of savings and lack of financial security making people less comfortable with the possibility of giving," explained Smith of the Vermont Community Foundation.
+Meanwhile, Vermont nonprofits have lost out on some reliable corporate contributions. When GlobalFoundries acquired IBM's Essex Junction plant in 2015, it put a halt to a generous employee match program that sent nearly $1 million annually to local nonprofits. The United Way of Northwest Vermont, a major beneficiary of that funding, has since pulled back its grant-making.
+Along with threats, there are also opportunities — particularly for nonprofits that respond and adapt to changes in philanthropy. The Vermont Foodbank has focused on growing its digital presence in recent years and even launched a "peer-to-peer" fundraising tool modeled after popular crowdsourcing platforms, such as GoFundMe. The Vermont organization saw a 36 percent increase in online giving in 2017, according to Sayles.
+"In some ways, I think that crowdfunding is a way to engage people in philanthropy and giving," he said.
+While young people have limited means, Terry Pomerleau said, they're more likely to donate their time and energy to nonprofits. As he toured the humane society's busy facility — and greeted a pair of Scottish fold cats named Mr. Yin and Mr. Yang — he noted that the organization is run by 18 employees and 207 volunteers. "My grandfather used to say, 'Giving money is easy. Giving time is hard,'" he said.
+Terry expressed confidence that his generation would eventually give its time and its money to charity. "I hope that millennials and younger step up, because it's on our shoulders," he said. "If we don't, no one else will."
+Who Gives?
+Vermont is home to more nonprofits per capita than just about any other state, and it boasts one of the nation's highest rates of volunteerism. But according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, its residents give less to charity than those in all but four other states.
+In 2015, according to the Chronicle's "How America Gives" report, Vermonters who itemize their tax deductions donated an average of $3,701. Mainers, who ranked last, gave $3,071, while Wyomingites, the most generous, gave $11,163.
+These rankings don't reflect grassroots giving by lower-income individuals, because the Internal Revenue Service only tracks donations made by the roughly 30 percent of filers who itemize rather than take the standard deduction. Itemizers tend to be wealthier.
+But, still: Why is Vermont ranked so low? A couple of possibilities: Those at the bottom of the list, such as Rhode Island ($3,092), New Hampshire ($3,313) and Hawaii ($3,650), feature high costs of living and low rates of religious observance. Those at the top, such as Utah ($9,621), Arkansas ($9,512) and Tennessee ($8,433), are quite the opposite.
+According to Sweeney of the Giving USA Foundation, there's a clear correlation between religion and philanthropy — and not just because the observant are expected to tithe. "Many families and individuals learn about giving through their faith community," she said. "We see that those who are donors to faith communities are actually more likely to give to secular causes, also."
+While middle-income itemizers in Vermont give far less per capita than other Americans, Vermonters earning more than $200,000 a year are closer to the national average, according to the Chronicle analysis.
+That's consistent with what Vermont fundraising consultant Tere Gade has noticed in her work helping nonprofits raise money. In recent years, she said, there has been "a softening in the mid-tier donors," which she defines as those who commit to donate $25,000 to $75,000 over five years. What used to look more like a pyramid of donors, with the wealthiest on top, "is getting to look more like an hourglass."
+Gade attributed some of that pullback to the "psychological poverty" even comfortable Vermonters feel in the face of national and global political changes; their fears, she said, dampen their willingness to give. (On the flip side, according to the Chronicle's Parks, President Donald Trump's administration has inspired new giving to abortion rights, civil liberties and media organizations.)
+Of the $289 million that Vermont itemizers donated to charity in 2015, according to the IRS, more than a quarter, or $81 million, came from 450 Vermonters who earned more than $1 million that year.
+The wealthiest don't just reach into their own pockets. Some control tax-exempt foundations funded by themselves, their families or their businesses. According to Seven Days' Vermont Nonprofit Navigator, 315 local 501c3 foundations reported combined assets of nearly $788 million in their latest filings with the IRS. While these organizations provide key support to Vermont nonprofits, they can also be fickle — as the interests of their founders and successors evolve.
+One of the most prominent is the Lintilhac Foundation, a $19.8 million fund controlled by the heirs of Claire Lintilhac, the daughter of Canadian missionaries in China and wife of a businessman in the chemical and insurance industries. Founded in 1975 to establish a midwifery program at the hospital now known as the University of Vermont Medical Center, its mission has since shifted from women's health.
+"I think we all feel that the foundation needs to follow in the direction of the skills and education and interests of the people running the foundation," said Claire's daughter-in-law, Shelburne resident Crea Lintilhac, who leads the granting enterprise with her husband, Phil, and their three adult children.
+For Crea, who studied geology, and Phil, a plant science professor at UVM, that's meant refocusing the foundation on water quality, renewable energy and conservation. Of the nearly $963,000 it donated in 2017, according to a foundation report, five-figure donations went to a slew of environmental advocacy organizations, including the Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.
+The Lintilhacs even spent $45,000 to support a visiting UVM professorship for former secretary of natural resources Deb Markowitz and $58,338 to fund environmental attorney David Grayck's work on water quality and wildlife corridor land-use cases.
+"There are not many scientists who have private family foundations," Crea said.
+Rich Tarrant has a different philosophy about the foundation he created in 2005 with money from the $1.2 billion sale of his company, IDX Systems. He aims to spend it down and put the foundation out of business by 2044.
+"My feeling is that when foundations and charities go on and on and on, the further they get away from the origination, the more likely they are to lose the value of the dollar and change their mission," he said. "I think you need to buckle 'em up sooner, rather than later."
+Why 2044? "Because I'll be 98 then," Tarrant said with a laugh. "I don't want to wait to be 100 to get it done." He's making progress: In 2011, the Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation reported assets of nearly $12 million, according to an IRS filing. By 2016, they had dwindled to $6.6 million.
+Tarrant still owns a house in Colchester but now lives in Hillsboro Beach, Fla., where Deborah serves as mayor. The vast majority of their giving goes to Vermont institutions, though the foundation donated to five Florida nonprofits in 2016.
+Tarrant said he tries to run his foundation like a business, by maintaining a strategic focus on such priorities as education, workforce training and senior living. In 2016, it gave $65,000 to three Boys & Girls Clubs; $100,000 to UVM Medical Center; and $1.58 million to UVM, in part to fund a separate Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education.
+"We don't wait to see what shows up in the mail," said Lauren Curry, who has served as executive director of the foundation since its founding.
+Seventy-five-year-old Tarrant, who challenged Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in 2006, is just as explicit about what he won't fund. According to the foundation's website, it's not interested in environmental or arts programs, nor "pro-choice or progressive political agendas."
+In Funds We Trust
+When Todd Lockwood moved to Vermont in 1977, the 27-year-old photographer was careful to hide the fact that he was, as he puts it, a "trust-funder." Lockwood's grandfather, Herbert Kieckhefer, had made a small fortune in a family business that pioneered the use of cardboard in shipping. Kieckhefer also invented — and patented — the milk carton spout.
+Lockwood used his inheritance, along with money he'd made on a real estate deal, to build White Crow Audio, the iconic Burlington recording studio. But, for years, he refrained from making sizable donations to charity, because, he said, "I didn't really want to let the cat out of the bag."
+"I think it's a sense of sort of existential guilt," he explained, "and there's this fear that people are going to judge you based on that."
+Lockwood has since gotten over that fear and opened up his wallet. He suspects, however, that others like him donate less than they could — and he thinks that should change.
+"My sense is that there's a segment of Vermont with inherited wealth who are giving way below their means to charity," the 67-year-old South Burlington resident said. "I think it's because they're trapped in social situations where it just wouldn't be cool to even acknowledge that that money exists."
+Zachai, the Montpelier philanthropic adviser, works with many of the privately wealthy, who she insists give generously. "They want to be able to give back to their community and do the right thing and still be able to go to the grocery store and not have everybody know how much money they have and how much money they give away," she said.
+Others are perfectly comfortable with — or even relish — being recognized. During his decades of philanthropy, Tony Pomerleau made donations to the Burlington Police Department, Saint Michael's College, the Greater Burlington YMCA and the Community Sailing Center that resulted in the naming of buildings after him and his family.
+According to Terry Pomerleau, his grandfather believed that doing so would let other prominent community members know that "they need to do something."
+"It was far less about him and more about putting other people on the plate," he claimed.
+For those who are newly wealthy, it's not always obvious how to step up to the plate.
+In December 2013, when a New York company agreed to buy Burlington's Dealer.com for nearly $1 billion, its founders became multimillionaires overnight.
+Jill Badolato, then the company's director of corporate social responsibility, sprang into action. "I was like, I know a bunch of my friends just made money," she said. "I also began to realize that people didn't necessarily know how to give."
+With $10,000 in company funds, Badolato organized a "philanthropic advising pilot." She chose 10 people who she assumed had made out in the deal and signed them up for four-hour sessions with Zachai and another philanthropic consultant.
+Dealer cofounder and chief operating officer Mike Lane, then 38, was among the participants in the pilot. As he began to consider his future philanthropy, he took some advice to heart: "Try to invest in one or two things where you can personally see that you're working on something that has tangible results," he recalled.
+Lane soon joined the boards of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies and Spectrum Youth & Family Services. At Spectrum, he spent hundreds of hours designing a program to help at-risk youth join the workforce. The idea was to establish a for-profit business within the Burlington nonprofit in order to employ and train Spectrum's clients. The result, a Williston car-detailing shop called Detail Works, launched in 2017.
+"It's really a killer success story," gushed Lane, who is now 43 and no longer at Dealer. "We're working ... to teach them skills — not only how to detail a car, but also life skills, how to be employable."
+Chasing Donors
+Since 1986, the Middlebury-based Vermont Community Foundation has sought to encourage philanthropy within the state by advising donors, managing their charitable contributions and directing donations to vetted Vermont programs.
+But as Smith, VCF's president and CEO, noted in a January 2017 letter to his board, national trends in philanthropy could change the way his organization does its job. He cited two particularly worrisome developments: the merger of two major online-fundraising organizations, GoFundMe and CrowdRise, and the success big banks had found replicating the work long performed by community foundations.
+"Both had implications for the long-term trajectory of philanthropy nationally, internationally and, of course, in Vermont, too," Smith recalled. "So the question became: How do we ... respond to the changing ways that people are pursuing philanthropy?"
+For those wealthy enough to donate tens of thousands of dollars to charity but not rich enough to establish their own family foundations, organizations such as VCF have long offered a mid-size option called the "donor-advised fund." Individuals can establish and donate to an account controlled by the Vermont Community Foundation, reap the tax benefits immediately and, later, recommend which local nonprofits should benefit from the investment.
+In 1991, the Boston-based financial services firm Fidelity Investments adopted that same model and created a nonprofit spin-off called Fidelity Charitable. The latter would host donor-advised funds of its own and contract with its for-profit affiliate to manage the money.
+By 2015, Fidelity Charitable had became the largest nonprofit in America, knocking United Way out of the top spot. In the fiscal year ending in June 2017, it raised nearly $6.9 billion through its donor-advised funds, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. That fall, six of the top 10 nonprofits on the Chronicle's "Philanthropy 400" list were affiliated with banks such as Goldman Sachs and the Charles Schwab Corporation.
+When Lockwood established a donor-advised fund 20 years ago, he went with Fidelity. Lockwood moved $100,000 worth of stock to the account and has been donating the returns to charity ever since.
+"It's like a mini-foundation," he said. "It's really a fantastic way to dabble in charity at a higher level than the average joe is probably used to."
+Not everybody is happy about the rise of these bank-sponsored funds.
+Because they're under the umbrella of massive nonprofits, such as Fidelity Charitable, it's impossible to divine from tax filings who is putting what in such funds and to whom the money is eventually distributed. "Nonprofits find them frustrating because they're so opaque," said Parks, the Chronicle editor.
+And because account holders such as Lockwood receive their tax deduction at the moment they transfer money to such a fund — not when they later distribute it to a charity — there's little incentive for the latter step to take place.
+In fact, Park said, because the Fidelity mother ship makes money investing Fidelity Charitable's assets, it has "an incentive for that money to sit there." Unlike traditional foundations, which are required by the IRS to spend 5 percent of their investment assets each year, donor-advised funds are not.
+According to Nabil Ashour, a spokesman for Fidelity Charitable, the organization has a policy "that keeps folks granting" to charities. Account holders get a nudge to do so after three years of inactivity, and their accounts get "swept" into a general pool of contributions if they lie dormant for six years. In an average year, Ashour said, 20 percent of Fidelity's overall investment assets make their way to other charities.
+The rise of these funds threatens not only organizations such as the Vermont Community Foundation but Vermont nonprofits more generally. That's because, unlike VCF, which advises its donors and encourages them to keep their charitable dollars in-state, Fidelity, as Ashour put it, is "a cause-neutral organization."
+According to Smith, "The overwhelming majority of our grant-making occurs inside of Vermont." Only about half of the money doled out by Fidelity account holders stays local, according to Ashour.
+"The difference is the underlying mission of the organizations that host the donor-advised funds," Smith said. "You worry, to a certain degree, that we're missing the opportunity to support the vitality of Vermont communities."
+Heir to the Throne
+- Glenn Russell
+- Terry Pomerleau and Tyler
+Terry Pomerleau's first glimpse of charitable giving came when, as a kid, he attended his grandfather's legendary Christmas party for underprivileged children. For 37 years, the family patriarch hosted the holiday gathering at a Burlington hotel, where low-income Vermonters enjoyed a meal, gifts, and the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, state politicians and the Pomerleau clan.
+"The days leading up to and following that event were the happiest my grandfather was," he said.
+According to Terry's uncle, Ernie Pomerleau, the Christmas parties will go on — as will the family's philanthropy. "Dad's been the face of it, but the company has been the driving force," he said, referring to the family's real estate firm. "It's not going to change at all. Actually, it'll get bigger. It's something we feel committed to."
+Ernie and two siblings, Pat and Alice, now run the Antonio B. and Rita M. Pomerleau Foundation, to which the family patriarch donated in his will. "We've done some stuff with estate planning," Ernie hinted, declining to provide more details.
+Meanwhile, Terry is contributing in his own way.
+In the basement of the humane society, he showed off a back room with washing machines and industrial sinks. "This is where the magic happens," he said. "Everyone wants to walk the dogs, but everyone has to start with dishes."
+As he climbed a set of stairs to the first floor, Terry recalled a conversation he'd had with his grandfather not long after joining the humane society and shortly before Tony died.
+"He was just like, 'I'm so proud of you,'" Terry recalled.
+No doubt he'll remember that blessing each and every time he rolls up his sleeves.
+Profiles in Giving
+Bill and Jane Stetson
+- Courtesy Of Bill Stetson
+- Bill and Jane Stetson
+For Bill and Jane Stetson, philanthropy was never optional. Both halves of the Norwich couple came from families that demanded it.
+Bill's great-grandfather, a North Carolinia pharmacist named Lunsford Richardson, concocted Vicks VapoRub and founded the company that would eventually sell NyQuil, Clearasil and Olay. Jane's grandfather, Thomas Watson, built IBM into the original computing powerhouse. Her father, Arthur, served as U.S. ambassador to France.
+"I was brought up in a philanthropic household. It was an expectation," Jane said. "For me, it was like brushing your teeth in the morning or putting on your clothes. It was part of the psyche in my home."
+As a young man, Bill was summoned to the family office in North Carolina and given access to a small amount of foundation money to donate to charity. "Over the years you'd be allowed more and more," he said. "You had to prove that you understood and you knew how to research a 501c3."
+These days, the two give through a variety of family foundations and from their own pockets. They focus on the environment, medicine, education, film and whatever else motivates them in the moment. "I'm a highly compassionate person, so it doesn't take much to move me," Jane admitted. "If I see a need, I'm moved."
+For a time, that need was Democratic politics. Jane raised more than $4 million for Barack Obama's two presidential campaigns, earning her the finance chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee and nearly the French ambassadorship. Now, she said, she's focused on gun control; she just joined the board of the advocacy group Gun Sense Vermont.
+"I am rabid about getting some commonsense [gun laws]," she said. "I'm not against guns. I don't think hunting should be abolished. I just think we're an accident waiting to happen."
+Both Stetsons say they've been attempting to give more money to fewer organizations. "You want to give them more of an oomph," said Bill, who has tried and failed to reduce the number of recipients from 50 or 60 to 10 or 15. "But it's really hard because, emotionally, you're attached to these organizations, and they call you and say, 'We're so sad that you're going to leave us.'"
+"You really have to learn how to say no," Jane added, "which is a painful thing."
+Carl Ferenbach
+- Courtesy Of High Meadows Foundation
+- Carl Ferenbach
+Young people aren't the only ones experimenting with new ways of giving back. At 76 years old, Carl Ferenbach is still trying to figure out how to make the most change with the fortune he's built.
+A cofounder of the Boston-based private equity firm Berkshire Partners, Ferenbach and his wife, Judy, have spent time in Vermont since 1988, when they bought a farmhouse and 90 acres of land in Townshend. In 2000, he and real estate developer Rick Davis established the Permanent Fund for Vermont's Children, which seeks to expand access to high-quality childcare. Four years later, Ferenbach founded the High Meadows Fund, which focuses on environmental and land-use issues.
+In both cases, Ferenbach sought to relinquish control of the organizations and let others lead the way — an approach he had taken at Berkshire Partners, which he characterized as a "partnership and collaboration" with no chief executive. "Nobody reigns," he said. "That just worked for us. And so everything I did [in philanthropy] was informed by that experience."
+Ferenbach placed the Permanent Fund and High Meadows under the umbrella of the Vermont Community Foundation, which provides tax and management services and appoints a majority of the two organizations' board members. Even so, he faux-complained, VCF was "slow to understand" that he really wanted to let go. "Eventually we got through to them," he said. "'A day will come when you guys have this thing, because we won't be here. So we might as well make that day now.'"
+Ferenbach's philanthropy doesn't end with traditional 501c3s. He established a corporation called High Meadows Associates to buy and conserve Vermont farmland and then sell it for less to young farmers. Though technically a for-profit entity, its goal is not to make money — and it doesn't.
+Even Ferenbach's personal investments are chosen with an eye on something other than the bottom line. He estimates that 15 to 20 percent of his assets are invested in experimental clean technology and energy ventures that could make money but could also crash and burn.
+"For me, it's just fun to understand what they're doing," he said.
+As a lifelong investor, Ferenbach sees Vermont as an affordable place to "incubate" good philanthropic ideas to be replicated elsewhere. "A dollar goes about five times further here than it does in New York or San Francisco," he said. "We can do things others can't because it doesn't take a huge amount of money to do them here."
+Buzz Schmidt
+- Courtesy Of Buzz Schmidt
+- Buzz Schmidt
+Buzz Schmidt decided to spend the final phase of his career testing his philanthropic theories in Vermont. In 1994, the Guilford native founded the groundbreaking transparency organization known as GuideStar. By posting nonprofits' annual Form 990 reports online for the first time, it enabled the general public to hold 501c3s accountable.
+Schmidt has developed strong views about what works and what doesn't in philanthropy. Traditional private foundations, he believes, have become "moribund institutions" because they aren't accountable to customers, investors or regulators. "Perpetuity is a real wet blanket over creativity," he said. "The fact that you don't have to appeal to other people for money, forever, is a real impediment to institutional growth and progress."
+At the Heron Foundation, an anti-poverty organization he chairs, Schmidt has experimented with a different approach. Instead of spending just the mandatory 5 percent of its assets on its mission, Heron invests 100 percent of it in nonprofits, for-profits and other entities that advance its goals. "If that means that, because of the risky investments we made, our capital declines and we go out of business, so be it," he said.
+After returning to his hometown in 2013, Schmidt found himself tackling one of the toughest challenges of his career: saving Brattleboro's iconic but dilapidated Retreat Farm. Established in 1837, it was for much of its existence an "asylum farm" for the neighboring Brattleboro Retreat mental hospital. But by 2014, when Schmidt first considered taking over the 500-acre property from the Windham Foundation, the farm had fallen on hard times.
+"I really fell in love with it and thought, Wow, this is an amazing community resource in a very nascent state," he said. Schmidt envisioned converting the farmstead into a nonprofit economic development campus that could host agricultural, educational and commercial ventures.
+"I wanted to make a substantial contribution to the region," Schmidt said. "And I wanted to also test a number of hypotheses I had about how enterprises contribute to regenerative capital in a community."
+Schmidt, who took over the property with a new nonprofit in 2016, has a ways to go to restore the Retreat Farm and achieve his vision. But, so far, he said, the experience has left him optimistic about the future of philanthropy in Vermont.
+"I'm just really impressed by the potential we have to do things in policy and philanthropy and the combination of those here because of the size and because of the communication among players," Schmidt said. "We don't have that in other places."
+Introduction
+Comparison is a fundamental part of science and the social sciences. The field of comparative education was initially based on more qualitative cultural and historical approaches to making comparisons (Edwards; Holmes; Van de Graff, 1973; Schriewer; Holmes, 1992). I would argue this was generally true across many of the social sciences and applied fields like education until the 1950s and 1960s when statistical methods began to be widely applied. A turning point in comparative education was the publication of Harold Noah and Max Eckstein’s 1969 book, Toward a Science of Comparative Education. They argued that the cultural and historical methods of comparison that had been used in comparative education were generally not sufficiently scientific or precise and that was needed was the widespread application of the quantitative methods that were being used in social sciences like economics and sociology. While today, there has been a resurgence of interest in qualitative methods, even in comparative education (Bray; Adamson; Mason, 2007), quantitative methods still dominate, especially in the policy arena.
+The focus of this paper is regression analysis. Regression analysis forms the core for a family of techniques including path analysis, structural equation modelling, hierarchical linear modelling, and others. Regression analysis makes all comparisons straightforward by turning all categories into variables (countries, regions, races, genders, classes, programs, policies etc.) whose impact is measured in regression results. Regression analysis is perhaps the most-used quantitative method in the social sciences, most especially in economics and sociology but it has made inroads even in fields like anthropology and history. Regression analysis in education research (along with experiments) is still seen as the most objective and scientific approach. Regression analysis forms the principal basis for determining the impact of education and other social policies and, as such, has enormous influence on almost all public policy decisions.
+This paper raises fundamental questions about the utility of regression analysis for causal inference. I argue that the conditions necessary for regression analysis to yield valid causal inferences are so far from ever being met or approximated that such inferences are never valid. This dismal conclusion follows clearly from examining these conditions in the context of three widely-studied examples of applied regression analysis: earnings functions, education production functions, and aggregate production functions. Since, within comparative education, my field of specialization is the economics of education, I approach each of these examples from that perspective. Nonetheless, I argue that my conclusions are not particular to looking at the impact of education or to these three examples, but that the underlying problems exhibited therein generally hold to be true in making causal inferences from regression analyses about other variables and on other topics.
+Overall Argument
+In some fields, regression analysis is used as an ad hoc empirical exercise for moving beyond simple correlations. Researchers are often interested in the impact of a particular independent variable on a particular dependent variable and use regression analysis as a way of controlling for a few covariates. Despite being common, in many fields such empirical fishing expeditions are frowned upon because the result of particular interest (the coefficient on the key independent variable under examination) will depend on which covariates are selected as controls.
+To the contrary, nowadays, most fields teach that one has to be serious about causal modeling in order to use regression analysis for causal inference. Causal models require certain conditions to hold for regression coefficients to be accurate and unbiased estimates of causal impact. While these conditions are often expressed as properties of regression residuals, they also may be expressed as three necessary conditions for the proper specification of a causal model examining a particular (or set of) dependent variable(s):
+All relevant variables are included in the model;
+All variables are measured properly; and
+The correct functional interrelationships of the variables is specified.
+In order to achieve proper specification, one must have a very well elaborated theory that allows one to fulfill these conditions2. The fundamental problem with regression analyses is that we do not have sufficiently complete theories in any of our fields to properly specify causal models. Regression analysis application literatures therefore generally become discussions about the degree of misspecification and its consequences. Unfortunately, regression analysis theory is very unforgiving; with just one omitted variable, all regression coefficients may be biased to an unknown extent and in an unknown direction. While researchers sometimes use ad hoc reasoning to infer the direction of bias of particular omitted variables, they do so based on its potential correlation with a particular included independent variable of interest. However, this ad hoc reasoning is not valid. The direction of bias will depend on the intercorrelation of the omitted variable with all the included variables. Ad hoc reasoning does not offer a clue as to how biased included coefficients are.
+More to the point, we are never talking about the simple case of a single omitted variable. We are faced with multiple failures of all three assumptions: many variables are always omitted, we have little idea of how to best measure the variables we are able to include; and we have hardly any idea of their functional form. This is best illustrated by looking at concrete examples of regression analyses literatures, as I do below.
+Earnings Functions
+Earnings functions are used principally by economists and sociologists to investigate the determinants of earnings differences. It is probably one of the most-regressed topics of study and has been especially relevant to the economics of education as the source of rate of return to education estimates (Blaug, 1976; Psacharopoulos; Patrinos, 2004). I find earnings functions especially interesting because it is one of the few terrains where social scientists on the left and the right have competed, principally because of arguments about labor market segmentation. In economics, this was about a challenge to the neoclassical idea that there was just one big perfect labor market in which success was determined by your individual human capital characteristics. To the contrary, political economists and other critics of the neoclassical story saw an imperfect labor market with fractures (e.g., divisions into primary and secondary labor markets) and structures (e.g., large firms, unions, sexism, and racism) that greatly influenced whether an individual succeeded. In sociology, this was about a similar challenge to the idea generated from the dominant structural-functionalist theory and its derivative status attainment theory that, like economics, argued that individual success was determined chiefly by individual characteristics. To the contrary, critical sociologists, often sharing a conflict theory critique of structural functionalism, argued, like political economists, that success in the labor market was greatly determined by structural factors. Each side in this debate used regression analysis to prove their point of view (Klees; Milton, 1993).
+More to the point here, is that there have literally been hundreds of earnings functions studies with each study using anywhere from somewhat to vastly different specifications. The three principal conditions necessary for the regression coefficients of an earnings function to be accurate estimators of true causal impact are very far from being fulfilled. First, all relevant variables that may affect earnings can never be included. Our theories literally posit dozens of variables, and which variables are included in a particular regression study is again idiosyncratic. Examples of variables that some researchers have considered relevant are: health status, years of schooling, quality of schooling, type of schooling, cognitive ability, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, immigration status, marital status, participation in a union, job search, occupation status and differentiation, labor market segment, firm and industry characteristics, and many more. Second, we do not know the right way to measure most of these variables. Measurement is ad hoc and varies from study to study. Third, the functional interrelationship between variables is not known. While it is common to use the natural logarithm of income as the dependent variable, even neoclassical economists admit the basis for doing so is very weak and, in actuality, what would be needed is to specify some unknown set of complex simultaneous equations filled with variables subject to complex interactions (Blaug, 1976; Klees; Milton, 1993).
+The result of this state of affairs is endless misspecification - by necessity3. Each researcher has an almost infinite array of choices in how they specify the earnings function they estimate. Each regression study is never a replication but always different from others in many respects. The upshot is each regression study is idiosyncratic. Since it is relatively easy to get significant coefficients, especially with large data sets, everyone finds their particular variable of interest to be significant. When there is controversy, everyone finds empirical evidence to support their side of the debate. Every segmentation theorist finds labor market segments to be a significant factor in determining earnings and other labor market outcomes, yet no neoclassical economist or structural functionalist sociologist ever does.
+With respect to education, most everyone finds some effect of education on earnings, reports it, and sometimes uses it to estimate a rate of return. But alternative specifications always yield different results, and so the estimates are notoriously unstable and inconsistent. Hanushek (1980, p. 240) argued that
+[…] estimated rates of return for years of schooling particularly in regression estimates [on earnings], considering other individual differences appear very unstable: changes in sample, changes in time periods, changes in precise model specifications yield enormous changes in estimated rates of return.
+The estimated impacts of education on earnings and associated rates of return are basically arbitrary, the result of ad hoc empiricism run rampant.
+Education Production Functions
+Another very common use of regression analysis is to estimate what are called education production or input-output functions (Levin, 1976; Hanushek, 1986). The dependent variable usually studied is a student’s score on some achievement test. The three conditions for proper specification are again impossible to fulfill. First, the array of potential independent variables is huge, including, for example: socioeconomic status, gender, race, ethnicity, age, homework effort, computer use in the home, previous learning, ability, motivation, aspiration, peer characteristics, teacher degree level, teacher practices, teacher ability, teacher experience, class size, school climate, principal characteristics, curriculum policies, to name a few. Second, there is no agreement on how to measure most, if not all, of these variables. Third, again the possible functional interrelationships are innumerable. Contrary to the linear formulation usually run, recursive and simultaneous equation formulations with an array of interaction terms among the independent variables have been posited but little used (Levin, 1976; Hanushek, 1986).
+Economists of education, sociologists of education, and other educational researchers have estimated hundreds of these functions. Again, with such an infinite array of specification choices, almost every study is unique and idiosyncratic. Hanushek (1979; 1986; 2004) has, over the long term, studied and summarized the results of such studies. Not surprisingly, he and others have found inconsistent results. However, he and the vast majority of quantitative researchers cling to the hope that improvements in models and data can eventually show some clear results. To the contrary, I see the complete indeterminacy of this form of research built into the very assumptions on which it is based.
+A particularly destructive use of these functions is for so-called performance pay for teachers. The value-added to student achievement test score by individual teachers are ascertained through estimating an educational production function, usually using only a few control variables, with teacher effects determined by dummy variables or residuals (American Educational Research Association, 2016). The problem, of course, is that with different control variables different teachers are ranked high or low and there is neither rhyme nor reason to choosing one specification over another. Yet around the U.S. teachers are being hired and fired based on these completely spurious results.
+Aggregate Production Functions
+While many economics of education studies have either looked at the impact of education inputs on student achievement and others have focused on the connection between education and earnings, as a proxy for productivity, some studies have tried to look more directly at the connection of education and productivity by looking at the effect of education on economic growth, as measured by GNP. Indeed, some of the earliest work on human capital examined the correlation between levels of education or school enrollments in a country and its GNP (Bowman, 1966; Blaug, 1970). However, correlation is not causation, and these studies were quickly dismissed as neither controlling for other differences between countries nor demonstrating which was cause and which was effect (Blaug, 1970).
+The most significant early, and still widely quoted, work that tried to take a more sophisticated look at the connection between education and GNP was by Edward Denison (1961, 1967). Denison focused on a particular form of what economists call an “[…] aggregate production function” (Denison, 1961; 1967). Like an earnings function tries to look at all the variables that might affect earnings, production functions look more directly at all the variables that might affect production output in a particular industry. An aggregate production function, as the name implies, looks at the effect of inputs on total production output, that is, GNP. This approach, in theory, could get around the need to assume earnings reflect productivity by directly looking at the impact of education on output. However, Denison’s famous work did not do this. Instead of estimating an aggregate production function, it assumed one of a particular form and then used education’s association with earnings as the evidence of education’s impact on GNP, thus offering nothing different than the results offered by the problematic education-earnings connection discussed above. Blaug (1970) dismissed all this early research: “In short, we learn from international comparisons [of education and GNP]…that we do not learn from international comparisons” (Blaug, 1970, p. 100).
+Attempting to connect education directly to GNP generally fell out of favor until the late 1980s and 1990s when a few works in the area of what was called new growth theory signaled a broader vision of education’s contribution (Romer, 1986; Lucas, 1996; Psacharopoulos; Patrinos, 2004)4. This vision is theoretically interesting in that education is seen not just as contributing to worker productivity but as enhancing growth through a variety of mechanisms and externalities. However, empirically these new directions have proven extremely difficult to model mathematically. Almost every researcher who attempts to estimate these connections therefore uses a different model and the results are, as one would expect, typically idiosyncratic, unstable, and inconsistent (Psacharopoulos; Patrinos, 2004; Stevens; Weale, 2004). In 1970, Blaug said the “Mecca of the economics of education lies elsewhere” (Blaug, 1970, p. 100), and I think that holds true today, for reasons similar to the ones I discussed for education and earnings and for educational inputs on outputs.
+As I said, the results of the empirical research estimating the impacts above have been idiosyncratic, unstable, and inconsistent. The same is true for the impact of education on GNP for similar reasons. First, there is no agreement on how to measure the stock or flow of human capital in a country. Various proxies have been used but, as Psacharopoulos and Patrinos (2004) admit, such measurement may be the weakest point of these studies: “Such data have serious intertemporal and inter-country comparability problems, and there are data gaps often filled with constructed data based on interpolations and extrapolations” (Psacharopoulos; Patrinos, 2004, p. 13-14).
+Second, more to my general point, as Psacharopoulos and Patrinos (2004, p. 15) also admit: “Countries also differ in many other aspects than those measured by physical and human capital stock…” that can affect GNP. Estimates of aggregate production functions have literally used dozens of different variables as inputs, such as climate, latitude, access to waterways, transportation infrastructure, technological development, investment climate, cultural and political differences, fiscal and monetary policy etc. (Stevens; Weale, 2004; Hulten; Issakson, 2007; Hulten, 2009)5. Empirical studies idiosyncratically choose some of these input variables, from those available in the data set being used, and always omit many others. As Psacharopoulos and Patrinos (2004, p. 15) again admit: “These omitted variables can lead to margins of error of hundreds of per cent in accounting for differences in the economic growth path between countries”.
+Third, it is widely recognized by economists that the linear functional form so commonly used in regression analyses studies is not applicable to aggregate production functions. However, there is considerable debate over what functional form to use and different functional forms yield different estimates of the impact of education (and of all other inputs) on GNP (Stevens; Weale, 2004). There is even a respected school of economics that says that there is no theoretical basis for even believing that an aggregate production function actually exists. Each good and service may have a production function, meaning some mathematical regularity in how inputs like land, labor, capital, and technology combine to produce televisions, yachts, insurance policies, hamburgers, etc. However, since there is no physical process by which aggregate GNP is produced, nor, from this perspective, is there some way to aggregate and measure physical capital, trying to specify an aggregate production function is seen as nonsensical (Cohen; Harcourt, 2003). Guerrien and Gun (2015, p. 100) note that Paul Samuelson, Nobel laureate in economics, pointed out that aggregate production functions wrongly offer “[…] a statistical test of an accounting identity (which is by definition always true)”. They argue for the need “[…] to convince everyone to definitively abandon the aggregated [sic] production functions, both in theory and practice” (Guerrien; Gun, 2015, p. 99) (also see Felipe; McCombie, 2013).
+Given these fundamental problems with fulfilling the conditions for regression analysis to yield accurate estimates of causal impact (discussed earlier), it is no wonder that consistent results of the impact of education on GNP are not found. Reviews of this literature report a bewildering array of idiosyncratic methodological choices resulting in a bewildering array of different results (Stevens; Weale, 2004). Psacharopoulos and Patrinos (2004, p. 15) quote Temple and Voth (1998, p. 1359): “[A]ttempting to impose the framework of an aggregate production function is almost certainly the wrong approach for many developing countries”. I would say that this is the wrong approach for any country6.
+It should be noted that almost all these studies only offer some measure of the quantity of education, not its quality. In a widely quoted recent study, Hanushek and Woessmann (2008) try to remedy this by adding country average PISA test scores as a proxy for the quality of education in a country, concluding that a one standard deviation difference in test scores yields a 2 percentage point higher growth rate of GNP/capita. In the light of the foregoing problems, I find this claim completely unreasonable and its uncritical reception due to ignorance of the fundamental problems with human capital theory and empirics discussed in this paper (also see Klees, 2016). Hanushek and Woessmann’s measures of the quantity and quality of education, choice of other inputs to control for, and choice of functional form are all idiosyncratic7. They are only one of literally thousands of reasonable alternative specifications of an aggregate production function. Different specifications will yield different results8.
+Discussion
+While I have approached the examples above as an economist most interested in the impact of education, the problems are identical in looking at the impact of any of the other myriad independent variables in these equations. Moreover, as far as I can see, the impossibility of proper specification is true generally in regression analyses across the social sciences, whether we are looking at the factors affecting occupational status, voting behavior, etc. The problem is that as implied by the three conditions for regression analyses to yield accurate, unbiased estimates, you need to investigate a phenomenon that has underlying mathematical regularities - and, moreover, you need to know what they are. Neither seems true. I have no reason to believe that the way in which multiple factors affect earnings, student achievement, and GNP have some underlying mathematical regularity across individuals or countries. More likely, each individual or country has a different function, and one that changes over time. Even if there was some constancy, the processes are so complex that we have no idea of what the function looks like.
+Researchers recognize that they do not know the true function and seem to treat, usually implicitly, their results as a good-enough approximation. But there is no basis for the belief that the results of what is run in practice is anything close to the underlying phenomenon, even if there is an underlying phenomenon. This just seem to be wishful thinking. Most regression analysis research doesn’t even pay lip service to theoretical regularities. But you can’t just regress anything you want and expect the results to approximate reality. And even when researchers take somewhat seriously the need to have an underlying theoretical framework - as they have, at least to some extent, in the examples of studies of earnings, educational achievement, and GNP that I have used to illustrate my argument - they are so far from the conditions necessary for proper specification that one can have no confidence in the validity of the results.
+Moreover, what researchers do in practice invalidates their results even further. In theory, when using regression analysis, you are supposed to start with a complete model specification, and then take your data and estimate it, a one-shot deal. Given the indeterminacy of model specification, no one does that in practice. In his now classic article, Let’s Take the Con Out of Econometrics, Leamer (1983, p. 36) describes regression analysis in the real world and its consequences:
+The econometric art as it is practiced at the computer … involves fitting many, perhaps thousands, of statistical practical question to me then becomes whether we have learned anything from all this research? Most quantitative researchers would say they have, but I believe that such learning, if examined, would turn out to be from a subset of studies done from a perspective with which the researcher agreed. As Leamer (1983, p. 37) put it: “Hardly anyone takes data analyses seriously. Or, perhaps more accurately, hardly anyone takes anyone else’s data analyses seriously” (also see Leamer, 2010). Hardly anyone ever uses anyone else’s specification without improving on it, arguing explicitly or implicitly that the previous study was incorrect.
+These remarks do not imply that, at least within paradigms, there is no cumulative learning from one another’s arguments. Such learning does take place. However, the argument here suggests that regression-based causal inference is simply an excuse for theorizing but does not provide any valid evidence for it. There’s an old saw in economics: If you torture the data long enough, nature will confess. In reality, nature never confesses. Studies from the three examples I have chosen have commanded the attention of educators and policymakers for over 50 years, yet, in reality, I believe that this approach has no validity, providing no reliable, or even approximate, information to help a sensible allocation of societal resources.
+Econometricians and other regression analysts do recognize that there are many sources for biases of regression coefficients. They spend a lot of time on ways to correct for things like sample selection bias and measurement error - without much success unless you are willing to make some heroic assumptions. But these problems are minor compared to rampant misspecification. Regression analysts have tried to deal with one misspecification problem - that of omitted variables - through the use of instrumental variables (IVs). But this generally requires accurate measurement of included variables and correct specification of functional form, none of which is ever true. Instrumental variable techniques give different results depending on the IV chosen, as well as have other problems (Heckman; Urzua, 2009; Leamer, 2010). Again, these and other techniques (regression discontinuity, differences-in-differences) require heroic assumptions to deal with any aspect of misspecification (Angrist; Pischke, 2009)9.
+I believe that, unfortunately, regression analysis methodology is a dead end, no better than alchemy and phrenology, and someday people will look back in wonder at how so many intelligent people could convince themselves otherwise. This is not a problem that better modeling, techniques, and data can fix10.
+Alternatives
+I do not see the essence of the problem as quantification. Nor do I think it futile to try to look for causes and consequences of our practices and policies. Quantifying social phenomena clearly has its limits and, at best, yields approximations (Samoff, 1991). But cross-tabulations and correlations are useful to suggest interrelationships. As is well-known, however, any associations found may be spurious or have a myriad of alternative explanations. For example, crosstabs may reveal that, on average, women earn $.75 compared to $1.00 earned by men. We can unpack this some by looking at women and men working full-time, where perhaps the data show a comparison of $.80 to the $1.00. We can further look at college-educated women working full-time compared to men in similar circumstances, perhaps giving us a comparison of $.90 to the $1.00. Crosstabs can give even finer comparisons. These comparisons, despite limitations, offer real, descriptive, face valid data. Unfortunately, social sciences’ hope that we can control simultaneously for a range of factors like education, labor force attachment, discrimination, and others is simply more wishful thinking.
+The problem is that the causal relations underlying such associations are so complex and so irregular that the mechanical process of regression analysis has no hope of unpacking them. One hope for quantitative researchers who recognize the problems I have discussed is the use of experimentation - with the preferred terminology these days being randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs supposedly get around the issues faced by regression analysis through the use of careful physical, experimental controls instead of statistical ones. The idea is that doing so will let one look at the effect of an individual factor, such as whether a student attended a particular reading program. In order to do this, one randomly assigns students to an experimental group and control group, which, in theory, will allow for firm attribution of cause and effect. Having done this, one hopes that the difference in achievement between the groups is a result of being in the reading program. Unfortunately, it may or may not be. You still have the problem that the social and pedagogical processes are so complex, with so many aspects for which to account, that, along some relevant dimensions, the control and experimental group will not be similar. That is, if you look closely at all potentially relevant factors, control groups almost always turn out systematically different from the experimental group, and the result is we no longer have the ability to make clear inferences. Instead, we need to use some form of statistical analysis to control for differences between the two groups. However, the application of statistical controls becomes an ad hoc exercise, even worse than the causal modeling regression approach. In the latter, at least there is a pretense of developing a complete model of potentially intervening variables whereas with the former a few covariates are selected rather arbitrarily as controls. In the end, one does not know whether to attribute achievement differences to the reading program or other factors (Leamer, 2010).
+If we are interested in looking at quantitative data, I am afraid we are mostly stuck with arguing from cross-tabulations and correlations. This is a dismal prospect for most quantitative researchers who have spent years becoming virtuosos at data analysis and see the implications of my argument as essentially abandoning the research enterprise. Fortunately, for many of us, the research enterprise is alive and well, with a myriad of more qualitative alternative methodologies with which to investigate our educational and social world.
+When I went to graduate school, introduction to research methods courses often focused on regression analysis or on Campbell and Stanley’s (1963) examination of the design and analysis of quantitative experimental and quasi-experimental studies. This is still true today within certain fields and university departments. However, the past 30 years has seen a blossoming of alternative approaches to research methods, especially in education, but in other fields as well. Education has been at the forefront of such changes, largely, in my view, because many of the changes were generated within the field of program evaluation which grew, in large part, from the educational evaluations that were mandated by the U.S. Congress in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of those involved in evaluation fieldwork simply found that the quantitative approach to research and evaluation could not capture the experience of the programs they were studying and drew upon other traditions, such as in sociology or anthropology, or invented new approaches. In subsequent years, these forays yielded a wide array of alternative methods for research and evaluation (Mertens, 2015).
+For a number of years, I have been fortunate to teach our department’s Introduction to Research Methods course. While any grouping of methods is somewhat arbitrary and their labeling always problematic, the course is divided in three, focusing in turn on quantitative/positivist methods, qualitative/interpretive methods, and critical/transformative methods. Comparisons are as essential to the latter two paradigms as they are to the quantitative methods. There is a large literature on the qualitative/quantitative debate. Some argue too much has been made of it, while others, whom I agree with, argue that there are fundamental theoretical differences in outlook that need to be considered (Smith; Hesushius, 1986; Mertens, 2015). Regardless, it is clear that there are lots of qualitative alternatives to quantitative experimental and regression analysis approaches, including: case study, ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology, narrative, and oral history, to name a few.
+Additional methodological alternatives are offered by critical/transformative perspectives which come out of the array of theories in the social sciences and applied fields such as radical political economy, critical sociology, feminisms, queer theory, and others focused on issues of marginalization (Klees, 2008). These perspectives generally criticize the fundamental lack of objectivity of positivist/quantitative research and qualitative/interpretive research, arguing that there is no neutral research, and that too often such studies are done in support of dominant interests. Critical/transformative research takes an explicit position to work in the interests of marginalized people. This includes research under the labels of participatory, action, feminist, indigenous, critical, critical ethnography, and critical race (Denzin; Lincoln; Smith, 2007; Smith, 2012; Mertens, 2015)11.
+Proponents of quantitative research recognize that some of these alternative methods exist but usually, at best, relegate them to the realm of generating ideas, not to the scientific process of building knowledge of the social world. To the contrary, many proponents of alternative methods argue that they are as or more valid, reliable, and generalizable than quantitative12. For example, Miles and Huberman (1994, p. 434) go so far as to argue;
+Qualitative studies…are especially well-suited to finding causal relations; they look directly and longitudinally at the local processes underlying a temporal series of events and states, showing how these led to specific outcomes, and ruling out rival hypotheses. In effect we get inside the black box; we can understand not just that a particular thing happened, but how and why it happened.
+Similarly, strong arguments are made for the transferability and generalizability of qualitative and critical research (Donmoyer, 1990; Mertens, 2015).
+Conclusions
+For a number of years, a sociologist of education colleague and I taught a regression lab course. We used a good national data set and had the students spend the semester running alternative specifications of education production functions. Each class, groups came in and explained their specifications and their results. As expected, different specifications of included variables, decisions on how to measure variables, and functional forms yielded substantially different results. Each group was asked to explain their results as if they had written them up for a journal article. My colleague used to always comment on a group’s explanation of their results with: That makes sense. And it always did. As do the articles in the literature I reviewed above. We can always make sense of our results and always do. When running regressions, we stop making the many adjustments to our regressions - that always must be made - when we get results that make sense to us. However, taking these literatures as a whole, they simply result in divergent findings, all based on reasonable - at least to some - alternative specifications of their regression equation models.
+In conclusion, I wish to say I’d like to be wrong about my argument in this paper. It would be useful if the emperor’s not-so-new clothes were more than the nakedness researchers seem to avoid looking at too closely. Unfortunately, theory and practice seem to strongly indicate otherwise. The theoretical conditions for regression analysis to work are never close to being met. And, in practice, regression analysis applications seem to result in interminable debates because specifications are so loose that researchers seem to be able to use this family of techniques to prove almost anything they want. Nonetheless, while we cannot find the simple cause-effect regularities that regression analysts would like to uncover, at the very least there are still many alternatives methods for investigating and making comparisons in our educational and social world.
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+سالمندی، بودجه های دولتی، بازنشستگی، و رشد
+Publisher : Elsevier - Science Direct (الزویر - ساینس دایرکت)
+Journal : European Economic Review, Volume 56, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 97–115
+چکیده انگلیسی was held constant, the growth rate in politico-economic equilibrium would essentially remain unchanged, due to a surge of social-security transfers and crowding out of public investment.
+مقدمه انگلیسی
+The prospect of “graying” populations in many developed economies raises concerns about the sustainability of economic growth. According to these concerns, rising old-age dependency ratios translate into growing tax burdens while generous pension and health care benefits crowd out public investment spending for infrastructure or education, with negative effects for capital accumulation and productivity growth. However, the demographic transition has been ongoing for a while – developed economies have experienced a marked decrease in fertility and increase in longevity for several decades – without producing clear evidence that this transition has caused a fall in per-capita growth. Rather to the opposite, Barro and Sala-i-Martin (1995) find in growth regressions that both a decrease in the fertility rate and an increase in longevity are associated with higher growth rates.1 The evidence is similarly mixed as far as government budgets are concerned. While the GDP share of transfers to the elderly has increased, the share of public investment does not show a clear trend in most countries, see Figs. 1 and 2.23 Moreover, most developed countries have started to increase the retirement age or tighten the conditions for early retirement, reducing the pressure on social-security taxes.To interpret this data and gauge likely future developments, we develop a tractable model to analyze the effects of demographic ageing on government budgets and per-capita growth. Building on a standard overlapping generations setup with private and public capital formation sustaining endogenous growth, our framework features two demographic driving forces – fertility and longevity – and a number of economic and political choices. In their role as economic agents, households in the model take prices, taxes, public investment, the retirement age and retirement benefits as given when choosing consumption, savings, and labor supply. In their role as voters, households choose among office motivated parties that offer policy platforms comprising labor income taxes, the expenditure shares for intergenerational transfers and public investment (reflecting spending components of central importance for developed economies), as well as the retirement age. The political process lacks commitment, and elections take place every period. Policy choices in the model are of different concern to young and old voters: the exposure of households to labor income taxes changes over the life cycle; the old benefit from social-security transfers to their group but are hurt by an increase in the retirement age; and only the young benefit from the returns to public investment. When evaluating the policy platforms on offer in the political arena, voters therefore disagree as to which platform should ideally be implemented. We model the resolution of the ensuing conflict under the assumption of probabilistic voting, reflecting a small degree of randomness in voters' support for a party. In equilibrium, vote-seeking parties propose a policy platform maximizing average welfare of all voters, and changes in the economic or demographic environment give rise to a gradual adjustment of the policy instruments. Policy choices do not only affect economic outcomes. Absent commitment, they also affect, indirectly, future policy decisions. In addition to the “economic” repercussions of their policy choices, voters internalize the “political” repercussions, reflected in the equilibrium relationship between future state variables and policy choices. We assume that only fundamental state variables enter this equilibrium relationship, excluding artificial state variables of the type sustaining trigger strategy equilibria. While we agree that the existence of intergenerational transfers or public investment may also owe to reputational arrangements, we focus on the Markov perfect equilibrium in order to identify the fundamental and robust forces that shape the size of these programs, and therefore growth.4 Under standard functional form assumptions, we characterize the politico-economic equilibrium in closed form.5 Changes in the demographic structure affect the equilibrium allocation both directly and indirectly, by inducing policy changes. The direct effect of changes in fertility and longevity works through modified private savings and labor-supply decisions which in equilibrium manifest themselves in faster capital accumulation. Indirectly, demographic ageing affects growth because it alters the relative political power of the old and the effect of later retirement on aggregate labor supply. At the same time, higher longevity increases the political support for public investment. To quantify the equilibrium implications of demographic ageing, we analyze calibrated versions of the model representing a rich OECD economy, a rich European OECD economy, the United States, and Japan. For each of the countries and country blocks, the model predicts that the forecasted demographic changes give rise to a continued increase of the GDP share of social-security transfers, a slightly higher GDP share of public investment, a strong increase of the retirement age, and a rise in per-capita growth. In particular, annual per-capita growth is predicted to accelerate by approximately 35 basis points toward the end of the century. Importantly, these findings hinge on the assumption that both fiscal policy and the retirement age are endogenous. With constant policy instruments, the growth rate would increase more strongly than in politico-economic equilibrium. With endogenous tax rates and budget shares but a fixed retirement age, the per-capita growth rate would essentially remain stuck at its current level in the medium run and increase only slightly in the long run, due to a surge of social-security transfers and – most importantly – crowding out of public investment. The central predictions of the model are robust to a variety of changes in the modeling assumptions. In particular, the results do not change if capital income taxes in addition to labor income taxes are introduced or if the balanced-budget assumption is relaxed. The results are also robust to replacing the endogenous-growth specification by one of exogenous growth. In the model, the political process does not internalize the long-term benefits of public investment because these occur beyond the lifetimes of even the youngest voters. As a consequence, the exact specification of productivity growth has no effect on the evolution of the policy instruments and the government budget shares in politico-economic equilibrium. Moreover, as we show, it does not have a strong effect on the evolution of output per capita in the medium run either. While broadly consistent with the evidence, the model predictions contradict the common view among policy makers that the political process will implement measures to raise productivity in order to “outgrow” the burden imposed by demographic change.6 According to the model, demographic ageing indeed induces the political process to raise public investment in order to foster productivity growth. However, the main positive growth effects arise directly while the net effect of endogenous policy on growth is negative. Our work relates to the literature analyzing the effects of government policy on growth, see Barro (1990), Jones et al. (1993) or Glomm and Ravikumar (1997) for a review. Our contribution relative to these papers lies in modeling the determinants of policy and linking fertility and longevity to growth.7Galor and Weil (1999), Cervellati and Sunde (2005) and Soares (2005) analyze the growth effects of demographic change due to its impact on private savings and education decisions, and Hazan (2009) introduces private retirement decisions in a model of human capital accumulation. Our model complements these papers by modeling the role of policy and its determinants in politico-economic equilibrium, and by focusing on the ongoing demographic transition in developed economies rather than historical developments. Our work also relates to politico-economic models of redistribution and growth. Alesina and Rodrik (1994), Persson and Tabellini (1994) and Krusell et al. (1997) argue that inequality depresses growth because anticipated redistributive taxation reduces the incentive to accumulate, or because higher inequality pushes the median voter's preferred level of public investment and taxes beyond the growth-maximizing level. Relative to these papers, we focus on inter- rather than intragenerational conflict, consider a larger set of policy instruments available to policy makers, and focus on the implications of fertility and longevity on growth. Our analysis therefore sheds light on the equilibrium size and composition of the government budget, and it emphasizes how demographic ageing affects both this composition and growth.8,9 Like Bellettini and Berti Ceroni (1999) and Rangel (2003), our paper analyzes the choice of productive versus redistributive public spending in an overlapping-generations model. In these papers, voters support public investment even if they do not directly benefit from it because a trigger strategy links investment spending to the provision of public pensions in the future. Our model adopts a different perspective. Rather than emphasizing complementarities between investment spending and transfer payments, it focuses on the conflict over the size of these two spending components, and how the resolution of this conflict is shaped by fertility and longevity. The model also differs from these papers in that it features political and economic choices, embedded in the standard growth model. This allows us to model the macroeconomic consequences of population ageing in a rich setting without having to sacrifice analytical tractability. Gradstein and Kaganovich (2004) argue that public investment might rise in response to increased longevity. Our model incorporates the mechanism underlying Gradstein and Kaganovich's (2004) argument. In addition, it features a role for fertility, the retirement age, a second government spending component that competes for funding, and – central to our analysis – growth effects of policy. The remainder of the paper is structured as follows. Section 2 describes the model and characterizes the allocation conditional on policy. Section 3 solves for the politico-economic equilibrium and analyzes its properties. Section 4 contains the analysis of the short and long-run effects of demographic ageing on government budgets and macroeconomic outcomes, in particular the growth rate. Section 5 concludes.
+نتیجه گیری انگلیسی
+We have presented a rich, yet tractable framework to analyze the impact of demographic ageing on economic growth. Building on a standard overlapping-generations model, our framework combines various channels discussed in the literature and referred to in the political debate. On the one hand, it captures the implications of rising longevity and falling fertility in general equilibrium, including adjustments in the savings rate, labor supply, factor prices and capital deepening. On the other hand, it captures responses by the political system, in particular adjustments of the size of the government budget and its composition between investment and transfer spending as well as changes in the retirement age. Calibrated versions of the model predict that annual per-capita growth in rich OECD economies will increase by roughly 30–35 basis points during the 21st century, with the positive direct growth effects of demographic ageing partly being reversed by the consequences of endogenous policy responses. The model predictions support the view that rising longevity paired with falling fertility increases the GDP-share of social-security transfers, with negative implications for growth. However, they do not support the common view that rising social-security transfers crowd out productive public investment (as a share of GDP). Crowding out only results in an extreme scenario where the political process adjusts tax rates and the composition of government spending, but not the retirement age. In the more plausible scenario where the political process adjusts instruments along all three margins, both social-security transfers and public investment as a share of GDP rise, and the increase of the former is much more moderate than with a fixed retirement age. These results are robust to changes in the specification of the source of economic growth. Throughout the paper, we have assumed that the government runs a balanced budget, excluding government deficits and debt. This assumption is not very restrictive. In our model, unlike in Bassetto and Sargent (2006) who assume commitment, public under-investment cannot be overcome by letting voters finance investment expenditures out of government debt. For lack of commitment implies that the economic equivalence of social-security and debt policies largely extends to the political sphere.34 We have also assumed that longevity and fertility are exogenous. While this assumption is useful for the purpose of studying the long-run effects of demographic ageing on growth, there are clearly potential feedback effects from government budgets to demographics, for example via investments in public health (see Hall and Jones, 2007). With endogenous fertility, the demographic structure would turn into an endogenous state variable, rendering an analytical solution of the policy game considered in the present paper infeasible. The magnitude of the feedback effects introduced by endogenous fertility would depend on assumptions, among others, about the direction of altruistic linkages between parents and children (Boldrin et al., 2005). We leave an analysis of these feedback effects for future research.
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+This month the Saturn-Neptune square becomes exact in late November and this is considered one of the 10 major planetary cycles. But, the energy will be building all month, and it does not have to be exact for events to occur. The closer we get, the more intense this energy will be.
+This is a transit that will change the world, our lives and in some cases our circumstances. In the last 36 years Saturn squared Neptune in Virgo-Sagittarius fall of 1979, conjuncted in Capricorn in 1989, and opposed each other in Leo/Aquarius in 2006. As we approach this square of November 2015, Saturn is in Sagittarius and Neptune is in Pisces at 7 degrees.
+Next spring these two planets will form a t-square with Jupiter and this energy will be back and forth until fall of 2016. Between now and then look for many confusing events, situations to come to light, strange occurrences, strange politics, weather and earth related events, ups and downs in the financial markets, and focus on religion, or that which is under the guise of religion and ideologies to be front and center in our world.
+We will all be affected by this transit, some more than others, especially if this hits a mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) planet at 5-10 degrees in your natal chart. What will happen depends on where your planet is located in your own chart, and which planets are being affected. You can find free charts on the internet or of course, ask an astrologer.
+As Pisces rules the 12th house of things secret and hidden, along with drugs, alcohol, religion, creativity and dreams to name a few, and Sagittarius rules the ninth house of ideas, laws, philosophies and education, these two planets do not mix easily. Neptune rules the unconscious and hidden realms and Saturn shows us reality, and even drugs. We can get caught up in the Neptunian lack of clarity and fall blindly into an idea, hope or even person we cling to, or we can get caught up in the harsh reality of Saturn- becoming jaded, discouraged or depressed. It is between these two poles we must navigate without leaning to far toward either and make this energy work for ourselves. Neptune dissolves while Saturn shows us reality, whatever it may be.
+This is the time to be conservative and thoughtful in speech and our actions and approaches to all things important. Now is not the time to go blindly into business, investments, relationships or any other interpersonal action with others on blind hope, or without full knowledge of what you are getting into.
+Do this anyway and you will likely discover the thing you were most attracted to may not be what you thought it was at all, or it could be just the opposite of what you hoped for.
+Conservative thinking and action is the sediment that we should apply in our lives the last two months of the year lest we get carried away by the extremes of this, believing in things that are not correct, untrue and were never real in the first place. And if certain things do not turn out as planned we must not become so discouraged we lose all hope for the future, but rather we must reinvent things and situations that will work for us.
+This is a time for facing the illusions that lie in the dark shadows of our mind. To not do so would be to commit a grave error; believing in things that are not real or true, false, illusionary or impossible and then have to come to this juncture again in spring of 2016 or later.
+This is not the time to jump into something that is not based and grounded in reality either ideologically, personally, financially or in any other manner, and anything you begin should be rooted in truth that has been tested through time and conditioning.
+Things can be revealed to us at this time that have never been truth to begin with, or will never be truth in the future, or have simply outlived their time and purpose. As we move into the final phase of 2015 many things will be uncovered that were never correct to begin with or that have outlived their time, and this can include politics, political parties, financial investments and ventures, ideas, laws and theologies and any other number of things and situations. Things in the world will show us they are not what we thought in many areas and must now change.
+We will have to come up with new ideas as Saturn is moving through the sign ruled by Jupiter, showing us new concepts for a new world that did not exist prior to 2008 when the Uranus/ Pluto square begin its wrecking ball tour changing things forever personally, and on the world stage.
+Now the Neptune/Saturn square will unmask those things that we have come to think of as normal, correct, or otherwise in the mainstream view that will prove to be false, misleading, incorrect or no longer appropriate for the time. Some things will dissolve and this will make room for the new. But this is a process that will not totally complete until late next year after the Saturn/Neptune/Jupiter t-square.
+Many things and situations we have believed to be true will be revealed as something else and we must take up a new vision and move forward in a bold and new direction in the future.
+Our lives and the world are being reshaped for a far different future then what we have known in the past and as these changes unfold now is the time to look for a new vision for your life personally and the world do the same. But, the new vision must be grounded in reality.
+While this transit is not easy, it will be possible to reach new understandings, find new paths and ideas and build upon the uncovering of truths that did not suit us.
+It is possible to combine the two energies and see long held ideas and visions take form. Or we may find a spiritual, creative or personal path that suits us better and experience the merging of ideals, our dreams and reality, into a new beginning that will authenticate our true lives and identities, and this must be our goal.
+If this aspect hits your personal chart, events and situations that bring change will occur. This transit becomes exact November 26-December 4, and will be "set off," by the Sun November 29, Mercury on November 25, along with the full moon. You will see events occurring on or around these dates if this aspects your chart, and major events in the world.
+Other transits of interest this month include:
+November 2, Venus conjuncts Mars-this can be sexual energy, but is generally indicative of trouble through the sexes. Also, Mercury enters Scorpio making thought and communication much deeper.
+November 5, the Sun sextiles Pluto-Great for business and getting to the bottom of things.
+November 6, Mercury trines Neptune-Good for psychics, creativity, and compassionate feelings and being 'tuned in' to others.
+November 8, Venus enters Libra-love feelings will become more romantic and couple oriented. Venus is powerful in this sign, and great for Libras.
+November 10, Mercury sextiles Pluto-conversation can become more intense, and great for getting to the bottom of problems. The Sun sextiles Jupiter and this is positive and upbeat, good for business and meetings of all kinds.
+November 11, the New Moon occurs at 19 degrees of Scorpio. Scorpio rules the 8th house of sex, death, change and transformation and other people's money, and is the most intense of signs. As this moon conjuncts Mercury we could be concerned with young people, vehicles, travel and communication of all types.
+November 12, Mars enters Libra-Mars in this sign is a people pleaser and we may become more concerned with relationships. Mars and Venus are now both in the sign that rules marriage and partnerships and this will be the focus for many people. This is a great period for single Gemini's, (Gemini Sun or ascendant) and the two planets of love are transiting your 5th house of love affairs. This is an auspicious time for Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Aries and Gemini. These 2 planets don't team up in this sign often so make the most of it over the next month!
+November 13, Venus sextiles Saturn-Positive for business, meetings connecting with those from the past. Also, Mercury sextiles Jupiter and this is positive and optimistic for communication.
+November 17, the Sun conjuncts Mercury and this is a 'willful' type of transit that can bring irritation and an argument. Be careful with travel.
+November 18, Neptune turns stationary direct at 11:32 AM, EST. This is very powerful as Neptune energy amps up in a square to Saturn. As it turns direct confusion may occur for the time as we get used to its new direction. While retrograde, spiritual and creative insights may be internalized, and as it goes direct these impulses and thoughts will easier to present to the outside world.
+November 20, Mercury enters Sagittarius changing Mercurial energy once again. Venus squares Pluto and this is a powerful transit that will set off the Uranus-Pluto square. This energy will be obsessive in nature, and you could find yourself in a battle for control in your relationship. Pluto rules sex, and there can be a dark undercurrent associated with this. We will see large events in the world and Venus rules women, money and values and Pluto rules bullies, nuclear situations and those who claim absolute power over others.
+November 22, the Sun enters Sagittarius, the mutable sign of fall, when weather can change again.
+November 23, Venus opposes Uranus, the second half of the Uranus-Pluto square. Your love life (or money) could take an unexpected turn, and some relationships can end. We could see unexpected events, changes in the markets and this will be a big news day as well.
+November 24, Mars sextiles Saturn, and this is a positive transit for getting things done.
+November 25, a full moon occurs at 3 degrees of Gemini, peaking at 5:44 PM, EST. Gemini rules the third house of communications, siblings and relatives as well as travel and ideas. As this moon squares Neptune we may feel a great deal of confusion, or certain things can be revealed. As the moon opposes Saturn and Mercury we can experience tiredness, depression, feel overworked or depressed. This Moon will 'set off' the Saturn-Neptune square.
+November 26, Saturn squares Neptune, exact.
+November 29, The Sun squares Neptune and this is a tiring and confusing day. Good for psychics, creativity and can incline compassion. Also, the Sun conjuncts Saturn and this is tiring, and negative. This transit occurs once a year and always brings major events and situations in the world.
+contact Leslie at contact@lesliehale-astrology.com
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+Track Listing
+- What is LOVE
+- Get Your Way
+- YOU
+- Tsukikage
+- Ai Kotoba
+- EYES
+- Paradise
+- SCANDALOUS
+- Houseki
+- “Nee…”
+- hanauta
+- Believe
+- Ashiato
+Collabo-works Track Listing
+--
+1. What is LOVE
+The opening song on Maki’s album was actually one of the two digital singles released in the era. Funny things just kick off right from the start with something that’s danceable and electro-ish and it just works for me. It’s just weird though because Gocchin doesn’t sound like herself taking more of a deeper tone which is a new side to her but it kind of works for me because it makes her sound more sexy to my ears. I like the song though, it’s got a hard sound and the tune is pretty damn catchy!
+2. Get Your Way
+After the first song, we get a string of new songs starting with Get Your Way which continues to exude this sexual air this early on the album and I can’t help but liking this song also since it’s sticky and gooey but kind of hot since it shows more of Maki’s vocals a bit better than “What is LOVE”. Another strong song early on!
+3. YOU
+As the album’s promotional song, YOU at first seriously came off to me as a rejected Ayu song because the arrangement and musical flow of the songs scream Ayu. However, I think Maki did justice with this song and since it’s the first soft song after the two synth-based songs. Actually, YOU really did a great thing for Gocchin because it’s the first to show power from her and it worked to her favor IMO. I ended up loving this one!
+4. Tsukikage
+After such a powerful ballad in “YOU”, I found it interesting to follow up with another ballad in Tsukikage. Of course to my ears, it’s a bit more basic since it’s predominantly piano at its core. It’s got a pretty arrangement though with light synths and something to make it sound a little more oriental as well. Though, the chorus is a little disappointing since it lacks power, but it’s still a beautiful ballad and fitting after something like “YOU”.
+5. Ai Kotoba
+The title track comes up next and it just left me dazed and confused during the entire listen. At first I was surprised she’d choose another ballad since it was only her and piano at first. Then she totally threw a 180 at the listener by switching into a hard rock track. To me, this exactly reminds me of Ayu’s “Because of You” because it’s the same formula, just different arrangements and melodies. I just found it strange to go back and forth but unlike “Fake” where Maki pulled off the style well, she didn’t do as good here unfortunately, but there’s some things that I do like…like the verses and the area before the final chorus.
+6. EYES
+So we’re back to pre-released songs starting with one of the two promotional songs from her first mini-album, “ONE”. EYES was definitely a good choice to add on the album since after those serious songs before it, this brightens the atmosphere up. I like Maki’s vocals in this song and she really tries to be pretty suave in the song. Of course the added feel of the song under the disco balls is great! It isn’t my favorite song of the mini-albums but it’s damn close xD
+7. Paradise
+Another song rushes in before the string of old tracks follow it. Paradise has a nice follow-up after “EYES” so the placement is definitely not a problem here. However, to me this song kind of feels underwhelming as well since it doesn’t seem to really grow and the chorus at first is hard to pinpoint. I’m kind of just shrugging this song off since it doesn’t impress me one bit.
+8. SCANDALOUS
+The other digital single released in the era brings back the electro beats and easily accessable dance style that Maki did on “SWEET BLACK”. To me, this was one of my favorites and so much better than “What is LOVE”. The beginning was dejavu to my ears because there was a short passage that made me thing “Evacuate the Dancefloor” by Cascada but that was shortlived. I like the song still and even though there’s songs that surpass it on this album, I’d say it did well for itself.
+9. Houseki
+The other song from the “ONE” mini-album found itself on here and I have to say it’s my favorite song off the album hands down. I thought at first it was just going to be a pop song at first because of the lengthy intro to the song. Thank god it changes from that into this electro bomb that filled my headphones with happiness ^_^. Loving the arrangement (which was done by Shinichi Osawa BTW). Yeah, it’s definitely a powerhouse.
+10. “Nee…”
+Which is a little odd that the main song from Gocchin’s 3rd mini-album, “LOVE” comes after all that in “Houseki”. I must say that since it’s not surrounded by the other ballads from that mini, it works a bit better here and unlike the previous ballads before it, it’s a bit happier in tone which I liked about it more here. It’s a catchy song after all and she sung her heart out on this one but it isn’t as personal of a song as…
+11. hanauta
+Which is the third track that found its way onto the album from “ONE”. Unlike “Nee…”s romantic overlook, hanauta was a song that became pretty important to Gocchin since it took better life after her mother’s passing which is a pretty sweet thing to do and Maki sounds lovely in this song no doubt. I do prefer the arrangement in the last song however, but this song has the prettier vocals. It’s a toss up at this point…
+12. Believe
+The last new track once again puts me in a position where I get dejavu because it sounds like another Ayu ballad for me! It’s like a cross between “Tsukikage” and “YOU” which is kind of cool but a little lazy in some parts. I like how light and delicate Gocchin’s vocals are going through the verses before getting louder during the chorus. It’s a pretty good song and does pull us out of the ballads before the finale.
+13. Ashiato
+Which is the main tune from the “Gloria” mini-album hahaha. I’m not sure if it was really a smart idea for Ashiato to have been the closer when we had “hanauta” which would’ve made so much more sense than this tune which is kind of in its own category. What I mean is that Ashiato is pop/rock but not in the same veins as the other rock songs which makes it the oddball tune. I liked it though and is one of the album’s more catchier songs…but still isn’t a good outro to the album.
+Collabo-works Disc
+1. Queen Bee with BIGGA RAIJI
+Then we get into the second disc which is a little disappointing but that’s more for later. The first 8 tracks are exactly from the “SWEET BLACK” mini-album which is a shock since I wouldn’t have thought she’d add ALL the songs. Queen Bee is still one of my favorite Gocchin tracks since she joined avex. I mean of course people still complain that BIGGA RAIJI kind of takes a lot away from the song, but personally I’ve come to fully enjoy him in the song since he gives an attitude to the song that couldn’t have been done better with any other MC. I love the beat of the song and Maki just sexes the song up to such a good degree and I just MMMMMMMPH. It’s a damn good song!
+2. Lady-Rise
+I mean I hate the fact that Lady-Rise is three minutes long, but damn just like “Queen Bee” it’s pretty damn fierce for Maki to pull a sexy song out of the hat prior to her debut mini-album (even though she dabbled in that in her final H!P album). To me, “Fly away” didn’t do much for me when she began, but her second of the digital singles in that era was hot and full of attitude so of course I’m going to take more notice!
+3. Candy
+While I have kept tabs on the previous two tracks on my iPod, I totally forgot what most of the other songs sounded like. Candy was a surprise for me because it’s more along the lines of what I would listen to since it continues this aggressive sexual nature that has kept me interested in the other dance tunes. I need to keep my eyes on this one since I really liked this tune a bit!
+4. TEAR DROPS with KG
+The previous three songs were dance tracks for the most part and then TEAR DROPS kinds of slams the brakes down for a piano-based mid-tempo kind of track. Also it’s a little weird getting into collaborations (no, I mean other artists singing). To me, I feel like TEAR DROPS would make for a great winter-themed PV for some reason. KG does an alright job in his parts but Maki sounds a bit more cleaner (at least to me).
+5. Mine with KEN THE 390
+At least the other actual collaboration sounds rather upbeat and pulls us back into the dance-like atmosphere with a pulsating beat. To me, I was surprised that it was a new version of “Hear me” but replaced all-around but kept a little bit in the way of lyrics. KEN THE 390 is just all kinds of awesome in the song and brings fire to the already tight song! I mean this collaboration could have not been any better IMO.
+6. Fly away
+I remember this being first released SOOOO long ago. At that time, I was just not that impressed with it though I will give credit nowadays because the beat is quite fierce and Maki sounds quite nice with the clapping rhythm. I still find the chorus to be a little bit of a downer when compared to the hot verses. Still, since then the song has seriously grown on me and man, if it wasn’t for “Queen Bee”, “Lady-Ride”, or the next song I probably would have paid SO much more attention to this song…
+7. Plastic Lover
+I still think that this song and “Queen Bee” seriously is the best songs that the mini-album had to offer. I mean of course this track was sliced from a longer version (which is fortunately on here as well), Plastic Lover is just an amazing club-banger for me. It’s got the right amount of beats and the synths flow so smoothly…and then add the glorious high note Gocchin hits and you get this awesome song!
+8. with…
+Since with… was originally what closed the SWEET BLACK mini, I felt that this song probably would’ve fit moreso on “Ai Kotoba” since it kind of just felt weird since besides “TEAR DROPS” it didn’t fit the mold of the other songs since it was more of an R&B kind of song. It’s a sweet song though and Maki’s vocals are light and fluffy which works for the setting. I still think all-around this and the song mentioned should not be hear amongst all the dance tracks.
+9. Golden LUV
+The other four tracks on the second disc are kind of bonuses since two are where Gocchin was the featured artist and two are just simply remixes of “SWEET BLACK” songs. I loved that her ravex song got to see light again (third time reviewed BTW). It’s been a while since I’ve listened to the song and I found that it fits with the other dance tracks awesomely. I thought it would’ve worked if it was after “EYES” or something TBH. It’s just lively and I loved the beats and mood of the song, it’s just disco and wacky all rolled in one here ^_^
+10. CRAZY IN LOVE feat. MAKI GOTO with FALCO & SHINO
+Funny enough, the other original song was the only one I have never heard prior to this album release and I’m not even sure where it even came from. CRAZY IN LOVE (a song that’s actually DJ MAYUMI’s) this sounds a lot like what American sounded like at the time since it reminds me of a certain Keri Wilson song. I wonder if there’s a relation since it’s Maki and two MCs….Odd…The song overall is alright, but I’m not a big fan of this one.
+11. Fly away -house nation remix-
+Like I said the other two tracks are lengthy remixes of “SWEET BLACK” songs even though they were already well-known by that time. If memory serves me correctly, I think we had the Fly away remix before the original mix was released which is a surprising move. I have to say that even though I’m not a fan of long intro club remixes, the main feel of the song once Gocchin starts to sing is pretty awesome. I get a dreamscape kind of feel for it and at the same time, I can move my hips to the track. It turned the dark dance track into a bright and floaty mix and I must say I’m impressed.
+12. Plastic Lover -club mix-
+Onto the first version of Plastic Lover released, It’s a little shorter than the remix of “Fly away” funny enough but I must say that the core of the mix of Plastic Lover stayed the same which awesome. It does sound a little different if the headphones are on which is pretty awesome. I mean in literal sense, it just adds more punch which is awesome since I love the song already.
+Tracks Recommended
+- Houseki
+- What is LOVE
+- YOU
+- Ashiato
+- hanauta
+- Plastic Lover
+- Queen Bee with BIGGA RAIJI
+- Lady-Rise
+- Fly away
+- Fly away -house nation remix-
+Song of Avoidance
+- Paradise
+- CRAZY IN LOVE feat. MAKI GOTO with FALCO & SHINO
+As it’s Maki’s only album under avex and the last thing she’s going to release before going into hiatus, Ai Kotoba (VOICE) is definitely going to be somewhere on my top 10 albums of the year. There’s just something great she pulled here and while I doubted her during her mini-albums, she came together for the album and she pulled it off quite well. A lot of variation here to be found!
+The second disc could’ve been handled better IMO. I mean I wish she didn’t bring the ENTIRE SWEET BLACK mini onto the disc because everyone knows it pwns most of the songs on Ai Kotoba for sure. I would’ve been with a few from it and pick and choose through the remaining songs from the mini-albums AND WHY IS THERE NO “Non stop Love Yoroshiku!!” since it is a “collaboration” with DJ OZMA (yes I know it’s not credited as DJ OZMA but it’s the same dude under it). I don’t know I just wish the second disc was handled differently!
+Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Status Report #189 Friday February 2, 1996 Questions or comments can be sent to Chris Shrader at the CGRO-SSC. Phone: 301/286-8434 e-mail: shrader@grossc.gsfc.nasa.gov Guest Investigator News The Cycle-6 NRA has bee issued. Proposals are due on April 19, 1996, which is about one month later than originally planned as a result of the two government furloughs. The NRA and appendicies can be retreived via ftp from grossc.gsfc.nasa.gov (in PostScript format). Just login in as anonymous, cd nra, cd cycle6, get nra.ps, etc. Alternatively, visit our WWW site:. You will, or may already have, receive the NRA in the mail. Hard copy of the appendicies will be mailed upon requests to Sandy Barnes (barnes @grossc.gsfc.nasa.gov, 1-301-286-7780). In any case, PLEASE READ THE BULLETED LIST OF CHANGES at the begining of the NRA (and repeated at the beginning of Appendix A). Also delayed as a result of government furloughs is the opening of the CGRO exhibit at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The exhibit is completed and delivered to NASM however, and the opening is now imminent - stay tuned! Despite inactivity Washington, the high-energy sky has remained very active! There have been recent target-of-opportunity declarations for gamma-ray activity in 3C 279 and the new galactic-center transient GRO J1744-28 - see all the discussion in hte instrument reports below. EGRET The combination of the U. S. government shut-down and the blizzard obviously had a significant impact on the work over the last two months. In spite of this, thanks to the hard work of the EGRET team, the basic services are almost back to normal, although the scientific analysis and interpretation work is still well behind the schedule that we had planned. Delivery of the final phase 4 data to the GRO SSC is back on schedule, and delivery of the phase 5 preliminary data to the GRO SSC is also back on schedule. Interaction with guest investigators is nearly back to normal. The EGRET instrument operations were normal throughout the last two month period. During viewing period 511, 3C 279 was found to be at a high level of intensity, as announced in an IAU telegram. There was a scheduled campaign of observations so there was good coverage at many wavelengths. The level of intensity was well above the target of opportunity threshold; so the observation was continued. This total observation should be extremmely benefical in helping to understand the basic physical processes involved in the tremendous release of energy by 3C 279 especially during these high emission periods. As you probably noted from recent publications, EGRET has now seen seven pulsars with high energy gamma ray emission. In spite of the wide variety of characteristics, some features seem to be emerging. There is an increased fraction of the emission in gamma rays as a function of age of the pulsar. The spectral index also increases with age, suggesting that as pulsars grow older, not only does a larger fraction of the emitted energy go into gamma rays, but especially into higher energy gamma rays. With one exception, the polar cap model seems to predict the luminosity well. That one exception may be due to an exceptionally high magnetic field. The outer gap model still does well in explaining the relative phases of the gamma ray pulses to the radio ones. COMPTEL The COMPTEL instrument is performing well and continues normal operations. At IAU Colloquium 160, "Pulsars: Problems and Progress," recently held in Sydney, Australia, W. Hermsen presented an overview of recent COMPTEL results on pulsars, on behalf of the collaboration. COMPTEL has either detected or now has indications of emission from six of the eight pulsars detected to date at gamma-ray energies above 0.5 MeV. Newly reported is the detection of PSR B1951+32 at MeV energies, as well as a likely detection of the soft EGRET pulsar PSR B0656+14 between 10 and 30 MeV. A number of additional gamma-ray bursts have occurred within the field of view of COMPTEL since the last report (GRBs 951202, 951208, 960102, 960124, 960129, and 960202). Once again, none of these was detected at MeV energies by COMPTEL, further extending the longest period (since May 1995) without a field-of-view burst detection by COMPTEL. A new release of COMPTEL data to the CGRO public archive has recently taken place, including the first delivery of standard-processing maximum-likelihood skymaps by viewing period for Phases 1 and 2. A further delivery of low-level and first high-level data products covering the later viewing periods of Phase 3 is anticipated in the near future. OSSE OSSE operations are normal. The instrument is working as designed, with all subsystems in complete and full operation. The slewing response to BATSE burst triggers has been disabled since 11 December, because of the bursting pulsar, GRO J1744-28, discovered by BATSE. OSSE monitored this new object from 14 Dec. to 20 Dec. 1995 and from 5 Jan. to 30 Jan. 1996. Data from early in the observation helped position the source, and were summarized in IAUC 6276 (see below). We have observed about 400 bursts, from which we detect emission above 100 keV. We also detect the 2.1 Hz pulsar to similar energies. Analysis is currently concentrating on spectroscopy of the bursts and pulsations. Results to date are reasonably consistent with a featureless blackbody or simple exponential. GALACTIC CENTER J. D. Kurfess and J. E. Grove, Naval Research Laboratory; D. Messina, SFA, Inc.; and J. Tueller, Goddard Space Flight Center, report: "We have acquired further Compton Observatory observations that further constrain the position of the source first reported on IAUC 6272. Data obtained during Dec. 15-17 with the four OSSE detectors scanning along the galactic plane provide a galactic- longitude position between -0.27 and +0.17 deg (95-percent confidence). The OSSE field-of-view normal to the scan direction is 11.4 deg FWHM. When coupled with the position reported on IAUC 6275, the location of the transient repeater is constrained to a region with the following vertices (equinox 2000.0): R.A. = 17h44m34s, Decl. = -28o34'.6; 17h45m58s, -28o46'.4; 17h43m11s, -29o01'.6; 17h41m43s, -28o49'.0." Data through viewing period 402.5 have been delivered to the Compton GRO Science Support Center archive. BATSE Since the last report the BATSE team has been kept very busy by a newly discover transient source. BATSE team contributions to the IAU Circulars are as follows: IAU Circular 6272: GALACTIC CENTER G. J. Fishman, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), NASA; C. Kouveliotou, Universities Space Research Association and MSFC; J. van Paradijs, University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) and University of Amsterdam; B. A. Harmon, MSFC; W. S. Paciesas and M. S. Briggs, UAH; and J. Kommers and W. H. G. Lewin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, report observations from the Compton Observatory's BATSE experiment: "A transient x-ray source is being observed that emits bursts at energies between 10 and 50 keV from the general direction of the Galactic Center. Over 200 bursts with typical widths between 8 and > 30 s have been seen from the source since Dec. 2. The rate of the x-ray bursts has declined from a maximum of about 18 events per hour on Dec. 2.7 UT to a current average rate of about 1.2 events per hour (corrected for live-time and earth occultation). The average burst peak flux is about 5 x 10E-8 erg cmE-2 sE-1 and the typical fluence is about 5 x 10E-7 erg/cm2 per burst in the energy band 20-40 keV. No steady emission is seen from the source. The spectra of the events are similar to bursts from soft gamma-ray repeaters, but much harder than those of type-II bursts from the rapid burster 1730-335. The most probable location of the source is centered at R.A. = 17h52m, Decl. = -23o, with an error radius of about 6 deg (1 sigma). The behavior reported here is unlike that previously seen from any x-ray or gamma-ray transient source." IAU Circular 6275: NEW X-RAY TRANSIENT REPEATER K. Hurley, on behalf of the Ulysses Gamma-Ray Burst Team; C. Kouveliotou, A. Harmon, G. Fishman, and M. Briggs, on behalf of the BATSE/GRO team; J. van Paradijs, University of Amsterdam; and J. Kommers and W. Lewin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, report: "A preliminary network synthesis position (cf. Hurley 1994, Ap.J. 431, L31) for the new repeating x-ray transient source (IAUC 6272) has been obtained using Ulysses and BATSE (specifically, 59 BATSE events from Dec. 2). The position is an annulus whose half-width is 0.21 deg centered at R.A. = 2h44m37s, Decl. = -55o31'.0 (equinox 2000.0), with central radius 87.500 deg. Using the BATSE occultation technique, we excluded a large area of the sky for the source origin. The intersection of the network synthesis annulus with the remaining (allowed) area of detection may be approximated by a box with the following coordinates: R.A. = 17h50m, Decl. = -28o.1; 17h49m, -28o.5; 17h23m, -30o.3; 17h19m, -31o.0." IAU Circular 6284: GALACTIC CENTER W. S. Paciesas, University of Alabama, Huntsville; B. A. Harmon and G. J. Fishman, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), NASA; and S. N. Zhang and C. R. Robinson, Universities Space Research Association and MSFC, report: "BATSE occultation monitoring indicates the emergence of a new hard x-ray source, designated GRO J1744-28, in the region of the Galactic Center. The location (equinox 2000.0) is within a region whose vertices are R.A. = 17h42m, Decl. = -27o15'; 17h45m, -28o25'; 17h43m, -28o43', 17h47m, -29o46' (90-percent confidence). Archival data show indications of the source at gradually increasing intensity for approximately the past month. However, systematic confusion with other sources in the region limits our ability to quantify the time of earliest detection. The average intensity between Jan. 1 and 7 was about 0.58 photons cmE-2 sE-1 in the band 20-100 keV, with small (10 percent) daily variations. The spectrum can be approximately represented by a steep power law with photon number index -4.2. Contributions to the flux from nearby sources cannot be excluded. The new source may be the persistent counterpart to the bursting source previously reported (IAUC 6272, 6275, 6276). If so, the combination of the occultation source position with that reported in IAUC 6276 provides a more precise location for this unusual source." IAU Circular 6285: GRO J1744-28 M. H. Finger, Compton Observatory Science Support Center; R. B. Wilson and B. A. Harmon, Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA; K. Hagedon, University Space Research Association; and T. A. Prince, California Institute of Technology, report for the Compton Observatory BATSE team: "Pulsations with a period of 467 ms are being detected in the energy band 25-45 keV from a source in the galactic-center region. The pulsed flux is about 40 percent of the total flux observed from the hard x-ray transient GRO J1744-28 (IAUC 6284). Absence of any other persistent source consistent with the direction and flux of the observed pulsed emission implies that the pulsations are from GRO J1744-28. The 31-ms-resolution data in which the pulsations were observed excluded time intervals containing outbursts from the possibly separate burst source in the same region (IAUC 6272, 6275, 6276). On Jan. 6.0 UT, the measured barycentric pulse frequency was 2.1409720(5) Hz." IAU Circular 6286: TRANSIENT X-RAY BURSTER GRO J1744-28 C. Kouveliotou, Universities Space Research Association; J. Kommers and W. H. G. Lewin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; J. van Paradijs, University of Alabama, Huntsville (UAH) and University of Amsterdam; G. J. Fishman, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), NASA; and M. S. Briggs, UAH; report: "Strong pulsations (about 50 percent modulation) near 2.1 Hz have been observed in the bursts from the burst source near the galactic center (IAUC 6275, 6276). Thus this unusual burst source and the transient pulsar GRO J1744-28 (IAUC 6284, 6285) are the same source. The hard x-ray bursts are therefore very likely the result of accretion instabilities on a strongly magnetized neutron star in a binary system." K. Hurley, Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, on behalf of the Ulysses Gamma-Ray Burst Team; Kouveliotou, A. Harmon, Fishman, and Briggs, on behalf of the Gamma Ray Observatory BATSE team; van Paradijs, Kommers, and Lewin, write: "A refined position for the new repeating x-ray transient source (IAUC 6272) has been obtained using Ulysses and BATSE (specifically, one Ulysses/BATSE triggered event on Jan. 8). The position is an annulus whose halfwidth is 0.047 deg centered at R.A. = 3h02m57s, Decl. = -61o34'07" (equinox 2000.0), with central radius 83.974 deg. The intersection of this annulus with the positions reported on IAUC 6276 and 6284 defines a location that may be approximated by a box with the following coordinates: R.A. = 17h43m22s, Decl. = -28o46'.7; 17h45m07s, -28o39'.2; 17h45m35s, -28o43'.1; 17h43m49s, -28o51'.0. This error box is smaller than, but nested within, the previous network synthesis localizations." M. H. Finger, Compton Observatory Science Support Center; R. B. Wilson, MSFC; and van Paradijs, communicate for the Compton Observatory BATSE team: "The pulse timing of the 467-ms-period x- ray pulsar GRO J1744-28 shows a binary orbital motion Doppler signature. A fit of frequencies observed between 1995 Dec. 21 and 1996 Jan. 10 yields the following parameters: orbital period 11.76(3) days; epoch of superior conjunction JD 2450079.71(2); a sin i = 2.59(3) light seconds; spin frequency 2.1410016(3) Hz (at 1995 Dec. 31.0 UT); and frequency derivative 8.6(5) x 10E-12 Hz/s. We find a 90-percent confidence upper limit of 0.026 to the eccentricity. The x-ray mass function is f(M) = 1.31(4) x 10E-4 solar mass. For a 1.4-solar mass neutron star and an inclination > 30 deg, the companion mass is 0.065-0.14 solar mass, with a Roche lobe radius of 4.1-5.2 solar radii." IAU Circular 6290: GRO J1744-28 M. S. Briggs, University of Alabama, Huntsville (UAH); B. A. Harmon, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC); J. van Paradijs, UAH and University of Amsterdam; C. Kouveliotou, Universities Space Research Association; G. J. Fishman, MSFC; and J. Kommers and W. H. G. Lewin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, report for the Compton Observatory BATSE team: "The increased intensity of GRO J1744-28 enables improved spectral analysis. Using burst observations with the BATSE Large Area Detectors (> 30 keV) and a Spectroscopy Detector (> 8 keV), unabsorbed power law and OTTB models may be excluded. Acceptable fits are obtained with a blackbody model with no absorption and kT = 6 keV and with an OTTB model with kT = 10 keV and absorption of N(H) = 1.6 times 10**24 cm**-2. Very similar spectral results are obtained for the persistent spectrum from occultation observations. This similarity argues for a common emission process for the burst and persistent emission." Fishman, Harmon, Kouveliotou, van Paradijs, Briggs, Kommers and Lewin, with also K. Deal and P. Woods, UAH, report: "The unusual burster in the galactic center region, identified with the x-ray pulsar GRO J1744-28 (IAUC 6286), continues to increase in burst intensity and steady emission. Over the past four weeks, both the peak flux and the fluence of the individual bursts have increased by about a factor of six. On Jan. 15 their average values (20-50 keV) were about 2 and about 7 times 10**-7 erg cm**-2 s**-1, respectively. Over the past ten days, the burstrate has increased to about 25 observed bursts per day (some 40 per day, corrected for earth occultation and livetime) from a previous average of about 18 observed bursts per day during the preceding month. The burst durations have remained the same, 4-6 s FWHM, over the entire period of observation. The associated steady source, as observed by earth occultation, has increased in intensity to about 2.5 Crab (20-100 keV) on Jan. 16." The burst trigger is currently using count rates from 20-300 keV energy range. As of February 1 BATSE has detected 1456 gamma-ray bursts out of a total of 4582 on-board triggers in 1745 days of operation. There have been 766 triggers due to solar flares, 10 due to SGR events, and 52 due to terrestrial gamma-ray flashes.
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+Pope Francis is staunchly conservative and opposes gay marriage.
+[quote]Pope Francis is staunchly conservative and opposes gay marriage.
+OMG! Stop the presses! The new pope is a Catholic!
+To be honest, I was hoping he would say that birth control, is a GOOD thing.
+I think the Church should allow the priest to marry.
+Then why'd he pick a girl's name?
+Frances is the girl's name.
+Is he involved with a girl? But he's the POPE!
+R4 wins the No Perceivable Sense of Humor ribbon.
+Do you wants fries with that?
+He seems to okay by Andrew Sullivan, so nothing top see here, move on!
+Why is nobody asking why they elected Johnathan Pryce as pope? First pic, Pope.
+Second pic, Pryce.
+The Church will never be able to change overnight. It took them literally ages to admit that there is a possibility that Earth is not the center of the universe. Maybe in 3,000 years the Church will come around that condoms are good for something after all. But I highly doubt Christianity or humanity as we know it will still exist by then.
+Francis is just parrotting some doctrine rethoric that is set in stone.
+An article I read basically said that John Paul II and Benedict appointed EVERY SINGLE CARDINAL making up the college today.
+Therefore, the entire body will reflect both of their views, because that's why they were appointed.
+So in other words... nothing will change.
+End of story.
+Why is everyone so interested in The Poop? I wish everyone would STFU about it.
+Who cares? Except for the hapless crowd that stood outside that stupid building all week praying for a puff of white smoke, does this mean anything to anybody anymore?
+Every Catholic I know says they couldn't give a shit who the Pope is. Then I turn on the TV and see these ridiculous mentally illpeople crying like babies when they drag a man onto a balcony in a beanie and white robe who looks like anyone else you wuld see waiting for a bus at a busstop.
+Surely the media is trying to make you think this is a big deal, all beautifully staged.
+But does anyone really give a shit? Does the Pope really have any real power?
+Religion is a mind drug to keep stupid people under control.
+Religion tells them what to do and think under the pretense of giving them faith and a purpose. And what are they told to do? Be obedient, don't ask too many questions, have faith and trust what we are telling you is true (even when common sense and science tell you otherwise), and do our bidding without hesitation (because if you don't you will go to HELL!).
+A world without Muslims or Christians...seems like a much better world.
+So today we have to deal with countless people being distressed that the new Pope is against gay marriage.
+What the fuck do you expect? He's the fucking Pope?
+Even Hillary Clinton hasn't come out yet in support of gay marriage. Even Joe Biden was against it four years ago. This is the fucking Pope.
+You know, the Pope? The head of the church that condemns masturbation? And that only very recently began to consider that heterosexual sex for purposes other than procreation might not - might not - be mortal sin?
+HELLO!
+I'ma gonna hidea mio shithola reactionario pronouncementos behind la creepia humilitas. Stupido Catholicos weel eata it uppa weeth a spoona and everything gonna be fina for us conservativo womyna and gayo hateros.
+You betcha!
+The Catholic church was not that in 1978. It doesn't have to be like that. It is an affront to all people that it is like that. You expect too little of them.
+But this piece of garbage is far worse than just that. He participated in the Dirty War, which was about murdering people who disagree with you.
+Anyone who can support such a man is a terrible person.
+But I was thinking; how lovely to think that there's a nice big daddy taking care of everything.
+I wish I were stupid enough to be religious.
+This new Pope on the gay marriage bill in Argentina:
+[quote] yeah, he's a fucking ignorant bigot. What a surprise.
+The devil is gay! I knew it!!
+Who did you think was going to get voted in by the cardinals? I think it's insane that we're even talking about this.
+The Catholic Church will always look at homosexuality as a "sin". Hence, I am no longer a Catholic, nor do I care. It is a corrupt organized religion, as most are. I did not expect anything different.
+JP2 and Ratzinger's cardinals would never select anyone else.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+No it won't R24, and there was a pope in 1978 who didn't.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+Churches and governments need scapegoats and threats to keep people afraid and obedient. Otherwise the masses would pay close attention and notice that what the higher ups say and do are two different things.
+Of course Francis is so very anti-gay. It helped his Church in the past and they still believe it does in the present and will help them in the future as well.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+[quote]Hence, I am no longer a Catholic, nor do I care. It is a corrupt organized religion, as most are.
+You would be Catholic if they were pro-gay? Really?
+Oh, and no religion institution is as evil as the Catholic Church. We're talking centuries of evil.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+[quote]The Church will never be able to change overnight. It took them literally ages to admit that there is a possibility that Earth is not the center of the universe. Maybe in 3,000 years the Church will come around that condoms are good for something after all.
+Why do you care if they progress or not? They shouldn't even exist. No other institution has committed more acts of evil than they have. They've never missed an opportunity to inflict horror. They were one of Hitler's closet allies, even kidnapping Jewish children, converting them, and giving them to Catholic families. We could go back centuries and go through their reign of terror.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+WHY IS ANYONE TALKING ABOUT THE POPE ON DL?
+If the RC church was really concerned with the spiritual well being of human kind, it would not take postitions on political issues, issues of human rights even. Poverty, illness, cruelty, greed (they sure fail on that one sitting on more money than most nations states in the world)- yes.
+To me it is as if the RC church completely misses everything that is in the New Testament.
+And then there are their governance issues.
+Essentially the RC Church is becoming less relevant in the modern world. But then so is Orthodox Judiasm, so is much of the organized Muslim faith so wrapped up in local nationalism and tribalism- and Buddism in China is sacrificing the great mammels (elephants) of Africa to its greater glory.
+Organized/institutionalized religion in my opinion is responsible for more human misery in the world in 2013 than any single political movement (they are not unrelated) in the world. It has been perverting American gov't since it became so influential in the most recent Bush years. And of course it is perverting and distorting the great moral and ethical advances that began with the enlightenment (of which the USA was the principal offspring).
+I have nothing against God or a god, or spiritualism- I love the teachings of Christ by in large. But what has been done with them, and how they have been mixed up with the primitive morality of the Old Testament, is well, just dumb- not to mention the bases for all manner of hate.
+Our global misuse of spiritualism and organized religion parallels our misuse of our planet. Human beings, I am afraid are their own worst enemy. Of course planet earth will prevail by in large- as Kurt Vonnegut said once, the earth's immune system is doing what it can to rid itself of the human race.
+Pretty dark view of humanity I have- there are bright spots of course- but things are not headed in the right direction. It's too bad that we have to take so many other species of life with us.
+And your point is OP? Catholic church has been around 2000 years and you think they will change their dogma over night?
+I left the church 20 years ago because if their anti gay views. I haven't looked back.
+FUCK THE CATHOLICS. FUCK THE POPE.
+FUCK THE POPE. CLOSE DOWN THE POPE THREADS.
+FUCK THE POPE. CLOSE DOWN THE POPE THREADS.
+FUCK THE POPE. CLOSE DOWN THE POPE THREADS.
+[quote]IFHH
+Does this mean "I Fucking Hate Him" or "I'd Fuck His Hole"?
+[quote]He participated in the Dirty War
+[quote].”
+KILL THE POPE THREADS NOW.
+Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...THE WHO. Nothing really changes in that devious and duplicitous group of old men.
+Esquivel did not have all the facts at that time because Bergoglio was helping the military to hide its prisoners.
+Begoglio doesn't have a television in his room in Argentina.
+Weak man, afraid of life, and afraid of his own foot fetish compulsions, no doubt.
+The pedos in Rome have spoken and we must obey.
+Bergoglio testified in secret about the Dirty War. So unless Esquivel had access to the secret testimony, he doesn't know whether Bergoglio collaborated or not.
+Unlike the other major religions institutions, the Catholic Church has kept its pagan origins completely intact to this day; like the other religions, they've swerved away from nature to protect the idea of God the father as the omniiscient single diety, and yet they have kept the pagan cult's mother goddess by renaming her Madonna. It is the only religion that indulges in the perverse and the erotic with its saints, icons and idols - gay St Sebastian gangraped by arrows, St. Bartholomew's gruesome martyrdom, Lucy and her eyeballs on a platter, etc. The male initiates of pagan cults have gone from transvestite worship of the great mother goddesses to bishops wearing flowing robes and popes wearing prada; the initiates who castrated themselves have become priests who are expected to celibate; ritual victims who were slaughtered, butchered, dismembered and sometimes eaten have evolved into the ritual consumption of the (wine) blood and flesh (wafer) of Christ (the supreme beautiful son/lover of the Great Mother). The inherent matriarchy that is hidden in Catholicism's closet is its dirty little secret - Catholicism is transvestitized patriarchy.
+They'll be having a conclave and the next Pope very soon. This one will not last that long.
+If you compare Benedict and JPII with this one, they seemed to be somewhat fit (for old men) and thus their advanced age. On the other hand, Francis' girth is rather wide, but he is not a chubby guy, this one will start having health issues very soon, if he already doesn't have them.
+?
+October 4, 2015 at 11:52 am
+Thanks Matt! I love the photo shoot as it seems realistic. A day in the life if you will. Too bad he liked the lowest quality fabric. I think it would be the same if I had made something for my partner as well.
+September 30, 2015 at 6:59 pm
+I’ve been quietly following along, but had to jump in to say YES! I’d love a resource for Canadian made fabrics, especially nice knits!
+September 29, 2015 at 2:47 pm
+This is great! Good job on getting Matt to do all that modeling through breakfast 🙂 I’ve got to take some pictures too of the t-shirt that I made for Ryan! I used a jersey fabric that was a bit thick I think, and the first time Ryan tried on the t-shirt it didn’t seem to fit quite right around the shoulders but now that he’s worn it and washed it a couple of times it fits great! This week I will be attempting a long-sleeve version, even though it’s almost summer over here 🙂
+September 29, 2015 at 11:12 am
+Very nice work on those tee shirts. I noticed that there is a definite “crest” at the top of all the sleeve caps. Is this the result of an overly fitted sleeve cap? Most tee sleeve cap heights are relatively low/shallow resulting in more of a draped sleeve cap, and yes a little baggy, but no “cresting” at the shoulder seam. Am I behind contemporary t shirt pattern design, in that, sleeves have moved to a more fitted silhouette?
+September 29, 2015 at 2:16 pm
+You are right that the Strathcona pattern features a very tall sleeve cap resulting in a close fitting sleeve and a ‘tailored’ looking t-shirt. We chose this close fitting style because the Strathcona Henley pattern is part of the Parkland Collection which is especially suited to tall, slim men with longer and thinner arms than average. We didn’t want to overwhelm their thin arms with wide, draped sleeves. I am not sure if this less casual and more fitted look is currently on cat walks but I have certainly seen it worn with the hipster crowd :P. Matt tends to prefer this fitted style and avoids the casual ‘boxy’ t-shirt as though it were the plague! As a side note, I notice a marked change in how the armscye sits after washing – it is probably because I iron my t-shirts while stitching them using a tailors ham rather than ironing them flat. The t-shirts in these photos hadn’t yet been washed.
+October 20, 2015 at 11:44 pm
+Thanks for explaining re: washing. I also noticed that it appears the sleeve is larger than the sleeve-hole at the shoulder. Knowing it is due to pressing & perhaps washing it, makes it more likely I’ll try out the pattern. My husband definitely deserves some of my sewing time! thanks
+October 21, 2015 at 7:47 am
+Hi Sheree,
+We’ve since washed all of his t-shirts and the sleeves are perfectly smooth at the top of the armscye now! They fit his shoulder very nicely :). I will be posting “After” photos of these t-shirts in a few weeks once they have received a sufficient amount of wear so you can see the washed and worn versions. Time will tell which fabric wears nicest (I can already start to tell it will be my favorite interlock though!).
+September 27, 2015 at 3:03 am
+Wow that’s the best photoshoot ever! This kind of pictures are the most helpful and despite how difficult it must be to let go of the pinterest-ready pictures, I’m really glad you chose to publish them as is. I find it suits your brand very well – you are the portrait of “sewing for real life” in my opinion 🙂
+I find it difficult to find t-shirt fabric (as least in Israel) and am thinking about block printing (following your footsteps). I also prefer the “regular” tshirt fabric, as it’s what i’m used to (well in our home, I’m the one wearing the Strathcona…). I wish I could find it in high quality, as the best thing about tshirts in my opinion is the way they age.
+September 29, 2015 at 1:46 pm
+I’ve just found an interesting cotton jersey that is as close to high quality ‘regular’ t-shirt fabric as I can find. The interesting thing about it is that it is knit using an unusual zig zag style that apparently minimizes fabric shrinkage and makes it less prone to twisting. I’ve ordered the interlocks and am considering ordering this jersey too! Thanks for the kind comments about our brand! I hope you are doing well and that wedding plans are coming along nicely!
+September 26, 2015 at 6:18 pm
+First of all, I feel sorry for poor Matt, getting stalked by the camera for a fashion shoot while he gets ready for work 🙂
+But I just wanted to encourage you to carry the Canadian-made T-shirt knits on your store. I would be interested in trying them out.
+September 29, 2015 at 1:41 pm
+I’ve ordered the Canadian made knits and they are on their way to the Thread Theory studio. If they are successful I will be ordering more colours too (they have quite a nice range).
+September 25, 2015 at 7:08 pm
+I would buy Canadian interlocks and have them shipped to,the US. I especially like the fact that you said there is matching ribbing. That is hard to find. I really like the way the green shirt looks.
+September 29, 2015 at 1:40 pm
+I’ve ordered the interlock and matching ribbing for each colour! Very excited for it to arrive!
+September 25, 2015 at 1:16 pm
+I would try a Canadian made fabric, if you were to stock it. I do like to support Canadian manufacturers, it is sad that we have lost so many sectors of our economy. I am slowly discovering that there are a few mills left but for a long while I was happy if I could find North American. R right now favours cottons with low (4% abt) Lycra content, nice drape and good recovery. These are always first out of the closet. His next favorite is 100% cotton! however he finds these tend to grow a little wider and shorter with time. Poly/ cotton blends are too cardboardy plus tend to retain stains and odour. He is a fan of rayon but more for underwear, too much shine and drape. For winter he favours long sleeved Power Stretch or Dryflex etc. these are definitely baselayer or lounge wear not for public . I would like to try some Henleys in a wool knit. The Finlayson I made out of a Merino knit with a wicking backing gets worn nine months of the year. Good luck with this new addition to the shop!
+September 29, 2015 at 1:40 pm
+Thank you! It is very interesting to here R’s specific fabric preferences and how much they differ from Matt’s. When people say that menswear is boring because there are so few choices (I hear this often) it is discussions such as these that I think of and am sure that there are MANY choices and that it isn’t boring at all!
+September 25, 2015 at 1:01 pm
+I”d love to see a follow up post in a month!
+September 29, 2015 at 1:37 pm
+Great idea! I will put that on my blog post idea list. Thanks!
+September 25, 2015 at 11:58 am
+Best post yet! Honest evaluations ( while getting ready for work!) are the most helpful. Thanks for pushing and making it happen
+September 29, 2015 at 1:37 pm
+Thank you :). Yes I agree, less polished and more honest discussions about fabric or patterns can be very helpful. Polished posts have their place as great inspiration though :).
+September 25, 2015 at 10:46 am
+You should definitely stock those Canadian fabrics! I didn’t realize there was a Canadian manufacturer, and I am now researching where to buy it. I like how the top two shirts sit and drape. They look like the kind of shirt my husband would wear.
+September 29, 2015 at 1:36 pm
+I’ve ordered the fabric in several colors and am very excited for it to arrive! Coordinating rib knits are on their way too :).
+September 25, 2015 at 9:32 am
+I like the idea of Canadian made fabric. I definitely would buy it if you were to stock it!
+September 29, 2015 at 1:35 pm
+Thanks for letting me know :). The fabric is ordered!
+September 25, 2015 at 8:47 am
+I have to say, I’m not sure! Based on photo’s alone, I too would have chosen the last one. It seems just the right drape for a men’s shirt and the colour is great too. I think you should stock the one you’re certain will make the best shirt. Maybe find a higher quality cotton knit?
+September 29, 2015 at 1:35 pm
+I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I will stock both an interlock and a higher quality cotton jersey – I’ve found a source since posting last Friday and will be ordering shortly! Very exciting!
+September 25, 2015 at 8:14 am
+What a lovely set of pictures, it’s nice to be able to compare how the different fabrics sew up, thank you.
+Interstitial lung disease (ILD) describes a wide range of lung diseases. About 200 disorders, most of which causes progressive scarring of the lung tissues exists. The scarring brought about by the interstitial lung disease affects an individual’s breathing ability and ability to get oxygen into the bloodstream. These disorders are grouped together because of the clinical similarities in their apparent chest radiographic appearance, presentations, and physiological features. There are two broad categories of ILD i.e. diseases which have no known cause (idiopathic ILD), and diseases having a known cause or those that occur along other diseases. Types of idiopathic ILD include the nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis (NSIP), acute interstitial pneumonitis (AIP) and respiratory interstitial pneumonia (LIP) (Meyer, 2011).
+Although the causes of ILD remain unknown, both environmental and genetic factors contribute to its development. Some therapeutic drugs, such as amiodarone, methotrexate and radiation also cause lung disease. Treatment of cancers through radiation therapy in the chest (breast cancer) also predisposes an individual to interstitial lung diseases (Kumar, 1996). Risk factors, such as exposure to dust, gender, age; race and cigarette smoking have also been identified. The antigen processing and presentation develop the immune response seen in the disease.
+Pathophysiology
+The interstitium is a space found between the blood capillaries and space in the alveoli. The interstitium supports the delicate relation between the alveoli and the capillaries hence allowing efficient gas exchange. The interstitium also allows close apposition of gas and capillaries with minimal fibroblasts, connective tissue matrix and inflammatory cells, such as macrophages (Nathan, 2008).
+The lung may experience injury from an exposure to an autoimmune- mediated inflammation or a systemic connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It may also experience unknown injury from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In case of these injuries, the lungs respond through self repair. However, in case the repair does not occur or if it’s not perfect, the lungs risk experiencing permanent damage. The increased interstitial tissue in this case, replaces the normal capillaries, healthy interstitium and the alveoli. These injuries cause profound impairment in the lung physiology. A decrease in the lung function consequently increases the rate of breathing (Muller et. al.)
+Diagnosis
+The unusually large number of disorders that are categorised here, challenges the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. The symptoms and signs of many diseases also have similar symptoms to ILD. Several tests are carried out before making a definitive diagnosis. Imaging tests, such as chest X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), and echocardiogram are used. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to visualize and show the functioning of the heart. It provides the physician with the information about the heart size and evaluates the functioning of the heart chambers and the valves. An echocardiogram can evaluate the amount of pressure that is present in the right ventricle of the heart. The CT scanners, on the other hand, uses computers to produce cross sectional images of internal structures by combining X-ray images taken from different angles (Behr & Ryu, 2008). The chest X-rays are mostly used to track the progression of the interstitial lung disease.
+Pulmonary function tests are also used for definitive diagnosis. These tests measure the intake and release of air by the lungs the movement of gases such as oxygen from the atmosphere into the body’s circulation. They involve the use of oximetry, spirometry and exercise stress test. In oximetry, a small device placed on the finger is used to measure the saturation of blood oxygen. Spirometry tests show how much air the patients’ lungs can hold and the speed at which the air can be expelled. Through the obtained results, a broad range of lung diseases can be diagnosed. The exercise stress test out on a treadmill is used to monitor the lung function of an active patient. The obtained results are compared against the known normal values of healthy individuals. If the results deviate strongly from the normal, they indicate the possible presence of lung diseases (Nathan, 2008).
+The lung tissue analysis is done by examining lung tissue (biopsy) in a laboratory with the help of an electronic microscope. The tissue sample to be analysed may either be from surgical biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage or bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a test that is carried out to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It is done by the use of a bronchoscope. This is a device that is inserted into the lungs, and it shows images of the inside of the lungs. A bronchoscope can either be flexible or rigid, but it has a width of less than half an inch. It is passed via the nose, the mouth or through the trachea into the lungs. Once inside the lungs, remarkably small tissue samples are picked, which are then used for analysis. The method is convenient, but the tissue samples obtained are at times too small for accurate diagnosis (Wagner, et. al, 2007)
+Surgical biopsy, compared to bronchoscopy, is a more invasive procedure that harbours potential complications since it involves surgery. It is, however, preferred to bronchoscopy since it is the only way to obtain tissues large enough for accurate diagnosis. The Incisions made in the ribs allow surgical instruments and cameras are inserted into the lungs. This enables the surgeon to view the lungs on a video monitor, while removing tissue samples from the lungs. The obtained lung tissues are then observed via a microscope and compared with normal specimens. In bronchoalveolar lavage, salt water is injected into a section of the lungs through a bronchoscope and then immediately sucked out (Meyer, 2011). The solution sucked out is a mixture that contains cells from various air sacs and the salt water. This technique allows for the sampling of a larger area of the lung, compared to the other two lung tissue analysis procedures (Nathan, 2008).
+Treatment
+The adverse effects of ILD, such as lung scarring cannot be reversed. There is still no treatment that is known to curb the progression of the disease. The treatments that are currently available only improve the symptoms temporarily and reduce the development of the disease. All these treatments aim at improving the patient’s quality of life rather than curing the interstitial lung diseases. The treatment of the interstitial lung disease is heavily dependent on the cause of the disease e.g. If an autoimmune disease is the cause of the disease, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids or other drugs that can suppress the immune systems are prescribed. Some of the other drugs used to suppress the immune system, include methotrexate and cyclosporine (Kumar, 1996)).
+Pulmonary rehabilitation is also used as a form of treatment. Pulmonary rehabilitation aims at improving the lives of patients living with ILD and helps them live better lives. This is made possible by improving their daily functioning through nutritional counselling, emotional support, physical exercises (to improve endurance) and breathing techniques (that improve lung efficiency).
+Patients suffering from advanced respiratory diseases may exhibit depression, anxiety and serious difficulties coping with lung disease. These patients are taken through regular education sessions, where they are given key patient information. They are also educated on panic control and stress reduction methods. Other techniques used in pulmonary rehabilitation include posture techniques and diaphragmatic breathing. A nutritional assessment can be carried out to indicate the extent of the ILD. When the nutritional state is established, that ensures that the patient enjoys maximum nutritional status (Wagner et. al, 2007).
+A low oxygen concentration in blood (hypoxemia) is common in interstitial lung disease. Therefore, oxygen therapy is used as another form of treatment. This refers to the administration of oxygen gas to a patient as a means of medical intervention. It can be done by the use of gas masks filled with oxygen gas or by filling incubators with oxygen in the case of infants. The best source for oxygen in most patients is liquid oxygen since it provides adequate flow rates. Oxygen therapy makes breathing and exercise easier. Although it is not capable of stopping the damage of the lungs, it can prevent and lessen the complications from the low oxygen levels in the blood. Oxygen therapy has also been shown to improve sleep and reduce blood pressure in the right side of the heart (Behr & Ryu, 2008).
+Transplantation of the lung is known to be the only therapy that prolongs a patient`s life. Most of the interstitial lung disease patients are old. They have increased chances of chronic rejection of the transplant followed by death.
+Prevalence
+The interstitial lung disease was once thought to be a rare disease, but continued epidemiologic investigations have shown that the occurrence of the disease is more rapid than previously thought. These studies show that 80.9 per 100,000 men and 67.2 per 100,000 women suffer from the interstitial lung disease in the USA. The same study showed that 31.5 new cases are diagnosed per 100,000 men per year and 26.1 new cases per 100,000 women per year (Nathan, 2008). Of all the wide range of the interstitial lung diseases, the most common and prevalent are; sarcoidosis, occupational and environmental associated disease, pulmonary fibrosis and connective tissue associated interstitial disease.
+The disease is prevalent in adults, although it also occurs in children. Individuals between the age of 40 and 70 years old tend to develop idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, whereas young people tend to develop interstitial diseases, such as sarcoidosis, autoimmune associated lung diseases and pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis. In the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the emergence of fibrosis occurs earlier. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has been diagnosed in individuals of different racial and ethnic groups throughout the world. Reports have also suggested that Caucasians are more prone to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and they also exhibit higher mortality rates due to the same compared to the African Americans (Meyer, 2011).
+Environmental hazards, such as asbestos induce interstitial lung disease and persons who are constantly exposed to these hazards, have higher incidences of the disease. Lifestyle behaviours, such as cigarette smoking enhance an individual's susceptibility to the disease. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis develops more in the case of constant exposure to metal and wood dusts. Finally, the prevalence of the interstitial lung disease is thought to be influenced by genetics with about 8 percent of familial cases being attributed to a single set of genes (Behr & Ryu, 2008).
+Clinical Manifestations
+Interstitial Lung Disease is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by alveolar and septal thickening, fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. If the process of fibroblast proliferation remains unchecked, it leads to pulmonary fibrosis. Interstitial lung diseases bring about related problems, such as the right sided heart failure (cor pulmonale), respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension (Wagner et. al, 2007).
+The right sided heart failure is a condition, where the right ventricle of the heart fails due to an increased pumping pressure. This pressure needed to push the blood through the obstructed pulmonary. In the pulmonary hypertension, blood flow to the lungs is restricted by scar tissues found in the lungs blood vessels. The prevention of the flow of blood increases the pressure of blood in the pulmonary arteries hence the name pulmonary hypertension (Muller et. al, 2004).
+Aetiology
+The interstitial lung disease affects the lungs in different ways. The walls of the alveoli in the lungs become inflamed, and lung tissue is damaged. Fibrosis also occurs in the interstitium. Fibrosis usually causes a permanent damage to tissue and hence reduces the ability of the alveoli to breathe and carry oxygen. The adjacent alveoli also experience a similar fate, when they are destroyed by the formation of scar tissue. The symptoms vary from mild to severe among different patients (Meyer, 2011).
+Prevention
+Considerable breakthroughs have been made in the understanding of interstitial lung disease. However, curing and eliminating this disease has not been achieved leaving prevention as the only possible option of curbing the disease. Prevention is done on a basis of first understanding the leading causes of interstitial lung disease. Once the causative agents have been identified, efforts can be made to avoid exposing individuals to them (Kumar, 2011).
+Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is caused by dust and mold, and hence these two should be avoided to prevent oneself from the disease. Idiopathic diseases have no known causes and are hard to prevent. Smoking exposes an individual to lung diseases and thus quitting smoking is also recommended as a means of preventing ILD. Once respiratory infections set in, patient becomes more prone to the symptoms of interstitial lung disease vaccination against diseases, such as pneumonia and flu can be carried out to prevent the latter two from expressing themselves (Nathan, 2008).
+People who are exposed to occupational hazards e.g. coal miners, sand blasters and ship workers can practise another prevention strategy. These individuals are in constant exposure to known causes of lung disease in their workplaces. Therefore, these workers are subjected to constant lung disease checkups to allow for early detection. Individuals working in these careers are encouraged to take long breaks in their jobs to avoid constant exposure to the causative agents of interstitial lung disease.
+Constant radiation and chemotherapy to the chest predisposes an individual to lung diseases. These two treatments should be kept at the lowest possible levels and only used when there are no other treatment methods. Interstitial lung disease has been shown to be more prevalent in adults than in children. This is mainly because of its slow development nature. It has also been observed that continued exposure to high levels of therapeutic oxygen for more than forty eight hours can harm the lungs. This should be avoided to reduce the exposure of an individual to causative agents of Interstitial Lung disease (Muller et. al, 2004).
+Many people with interstitial lung disease learn to cope with the disease, but it also can eventually lead to death. This is dependent on the disease type, and how far the disease has progressed without treatment. Many different types of treatments that help slow the progression of lung dysfunction down exist. Early detection of the disease helps to curb its further proliferation by applying the treatment and preventive measures discussed earlier. Interstitial lung disease is known to cause complications, such as right sided heart failure and respiratory failure, which are life threatening (Wagner et. al, 2007). Its emergence and or spread should be curbed at all costs.
+Vera Wang Signs 10-Year Deal With Pronovias for Vera Wang Bride – WWD
+Vera Wang and Pronovias are getting hitched.
+The designer has struck a 10-year licensing deal with Barcelona-based Pronovias Group to manufacture, distribute and market Vera Wang Bride in its global fleet of stores and wholesale accounts, beginning in October. Vera Wang Bride is priced about 60 percent lower than Wang’s couture wedding gowns and is intended to reach a broader and international customer base.
+Known for her cutting-edge designs for both the red carpet and weddings for such celebrities as Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys and Victoria Beckham, Wang has been one of the most influential bridal designers in the industry over the past 32 years.
+“It’s very exciting. We’ve always done upper-end bridal and that’s obviously a limited audience. You’re never going to get any sizable volume when you’re doing dresses that start at $4,500 or $4,000, and go up to about $12,000,” said Wang in a telephone interview.
+,” said Wang..”
+Vera Wang Bride will be at a more accessible price point than the designer’s high-end line, which has a sweet spot of $8,000. The new collection will retail from $1,600 to $4,000, with the sweet spot being between $2,000 and $3,000.
+Vera Wang adjusts a Vera Wang Bride dress for a photo shoot.
+courtesy shot.
+“It will be an opportunity for her to speak to a completely different audience, without sacrificing the luxury and craftsmanship of the dresses,” said Ohayon, who was reached by phone in London.
+Pronovias dresses brides in 105 countries through a network of 102 retail stores, including flagships in such cities as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Milan, London, Shanghai and Barcelona and more than 4,000 points of sale. Spain is the number-one exporter of bridal fashion. Pronovias has eight freestanding stores in the U.S. Wang had never sold her bridal dresses at Pronovias, which was acquired by private equity firm BC Partners in July 2017.
+This global deal represents the sixth brand for the Pronovias Group, which includes Pronovias (including Marchesa for Pronovias and Ashley Graham for Pronovias), House of St. Patrick, White One, Nicole and Ladybird. The addition of Vera Wang is viewed as a move to solidify Pronovias’ luxury position as a group and strengthen its business in the U.S. and China, as well as other areas around the globe.
+For nine years, Wang had a licensing deal with David’s Bridal that ended in 2020. Wang explained that David’s is a national U.S. brand and has a certain audience that it was targeting. ,” said Wang, who approached Pronovias during the pandemic and she and Ohayon started discussions over Zoom.
+Attracted to Pronovias’ craftsmanship, infrastructure and global penetration, Wang said, “There are areas it reaches such as Scandinavia…It didn’t even occur to me.”
+Wang said her own bridal line has a solid business in Japan, where it has had stores for at least 10 years and have six doors in Japan, two of which are freestanding units. The company also has a deal in Mainland China, where it is about to open two more stores in Beijing and Shenzhen. She said she really couldn’t break into Europe, other than selling Brown’s in London. “I couldn’t break into Italy, or Spain, or France, not really….”
+Vera Wang
+Weston Wells/WWD
+Wang has four freestanding bridal stores in the U.S. — in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.
+She said both the Wang and Pronovias teams worked together on Zoom during the pandemic, with Wang’s team in New York, Pronovias’ team in Barcelona and their manufacturers in Asia. They designed 100 dresses, which they edited down to 85, and then the Pronovias team came to New York. “They [the dresses] are like all my children, there are so many beautiful dresses. We couldn’t have all of them. We got to the anointed 60,” said Wang.
+Pronovias will offer a new Vera Wang Bride collection once a year, in addition to special occasion dresses that will be introduced in January.
+Asked whether she incorporated new ideas or are all the dresses archival, Wang replied, “They’re archival, but they’re done in a new way. I think they’re done in a fresh way.”
+For example, she cited the botanical dress, which was extremely challenging to do even in her brand’s couture room. “There are references to that,” she said, citing the floral motifs. She explained that because she designed 60 dresses, Pronovias can offer a range her brand can’t do when it’s designing 12 dresses for the main collection. “You will see things that I could explore maybe that I haven’t done, like more beachy dresses and things that are kind of fun, or maybe a rehearsal dinner dress.”
+All of the dresses have the brand’s codes, such as the way the backs are draped.
+Wang said she was blown away when the completed Vera Wang Bride dresses arrived in New York, where they did a photo shoot. “When I saw the dresses arrive, I was so excited. I looked at the dresses and thought maybe these are the first eight that arrived and they’re maybe the simple dresses. As I saw the more complex ones come in, I was amazed. I hope this continues. You know I know clothes. If I’m saying they’re really beautiful, you’ve got to believe they are,” said Wang.
+But of course the question becomes whether these more accessible dresses will have a negative impact on her high-end business.
+“First of all, this is not the same thing they did for David’s Bridal, which was a very different price point, where they were $700 to $1,900. David’s is an American national brand. This [Pronovias] is a really global business, with huge infrastructure. And they can get us into South America and they can get us into Scandinavia. They can get us into Europe, in a way we’ve never been able to do,” said Wang. She believes she can also be helpful to Pronovias in expanding its business in China, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. Part of Pronovias’ strategy is also a massive launch of Vera Wang Bride in China.
+“And we might be able to bring them a new client in the U.S.,” she said.
+In Wang’s opinion, Pronovias has a certain look to it which is more of a glam, European style. “We’re bringing our freshness and a lightness. It won’t be the construction of what we do handmade in our sample room in New York,” she said. All of Wang’s high-end wedding gowns are manufactured in the U.S.
+She plans to rename her high-end, ready-to-wear and bridal line Vera Wang Haute. The name change will enable her to still explore and grow and become more viable and creative. “In bridal, it will give me more grounds for exploration and study,” Wang said.
+During bridal market weeks, Pronovias will show Vera Wang Bride. For the past five years, Wang hasn’t had fashion shows and instead has made films to showcase her ready-to-wear and bridal to express and tell a story. She designs 12 to 15 high-end bridal dresses twice a year.
+For the Vera Wang Bride collection, Wang appears to have hit on all her favorite trends. “There are some gowns that are minimal, structural and architectural, some are bohemian and romantic and very deconstructed and whimsical, and then there are dresses done in incredible draping. We’re known for tulle, and there are dresses that are explosive ballerina dresses, ballgowns,” she said.
+“It’s got that whimsy,” she continued. “It’s very youthful. Pronovias’ other brands are more womanly, they’re kind of sexy, va-va-voom. That’s not us. I think it’s very whimsical and also very artsy. We’re artsy. I can’t take the chances with them that I do with the Haute brand. With the Haute brand, you never knew what I’m going to do. I just finished the 10 dresses yesterday. You can see reflections of it at Pronovias. Now I have permission to go more expensive. Now I don’t have to worry about the $4,500 dress. I can go to $6,000 to $14,000. I can develop beading at a more European level,” she said.
+Wang said she styled the Vera Wang Bride photographs and will be doing a lot of social media to promote the collection.
+After working through the entire pandemic and having to shut down her stores twice, board them up with plywood, and then re-tag, re-press and re-merchandise all the clothing, she called it a “horrifying,” year that’s also been “hopeful.” Working on the Pronovias project has been a lot of work, but gratifying. “It’s a real new business strategy and model for us,” said Wang, who also recently launched Vera Wang x Chopin Vodka, a limited-edition collaboration.
+According to Ohayon, the Vera Wang Bride dresses will be made to order. The bride comes in and tries on the dress, they take her measurements, and the gown will be made in one of the company’s factories in Barcelona, or elsewhere in Europe and Asia. “It depends where we’re sourcing the materials. The haute couture embroideries are sourced in India. We do it based on the capabilities of the different factories,” said Ohayon. For the bride, the fittings will take place in their local Pronovias stores and their wholesale partners, including wedding salons. Vera Wang Bride won’t be in every single point of sale, said Ohayon. “We want to keep the collection very premium, but it will be a significant amount,” she said.
+Vera Wang Bride will be positioned in the front of the Pronovias stores on black racks. People can make an appointment, and book online, and there will be separate bookings for Vera Wang Bride. Vera Wang Bride will have its own web site, social media and content. “It’s really like a stand-alone business,” said Ohayon. The brand is also offering plus sizes and petites as well as sustainable options.
+The Pronovias New York flagship at 45 East 58th Street.
+courtesy shot.
+Ohayon said there were three important objectives for establishing Vera Wang Bride. First, it has to be a Vera Wang collection. Second, it was very important to have instantly recognizable Vera Wang signature dresses, such as the princess-style ball gown with full tulle skirt worn by Kim Kardashian, or the strapless, super-fitted bodice with sculpted neckline and long, voluminous skirt worn by Victoria Beckham. The third one was to bring some newness. “Vera is an innovator, she wants to be ahead of the curve,” said Ohayon.
+Because it’s a global deal, Ohayon said Wang “was very keen to understand what Italian brides love, and what French brides love. We told her Italian brides loved romantic, but Wang wanted to do romantic edge. Spanish girls love crepe dresses with long sleeves, but they’re making it with something in the back with a big bow or flower,” said Ohayon.
+Wang is also designing accessories for Vera Wang Bride. There will be some natural flowers on the head or as a corsage and on the belts. There will be tiaras. “We have some really cool head pieces. They have a cool, rock edge to them. She’s designed some amazing gloves, too,” said Ohayon.
+Discussing the state of the bridal business, Ohayon said that prior to 2020, Pronovias’ business had been flat for 10 years. She said growth had been zero percent, so one knew what to expect year in and year out. One-quarter of Pronovias’ business is done in the U.S. Currently, the company is noticing pent-up demand in countries where COVID-19 vaccinations are progressing well, such as Israel, the U.K. and the U.S. Overall, there were 60 percent fewer weddings in 2020 than 2019. Pronovias only had 5 percent of cancellations of its dresses, said Ohayon. Some brides decided to go ahead with their weddings, and others decided to postpone them.
+“It’s starting to get under control. Hopefully, the second half will be very strong, and 2022 and 2023 will be great years,” said Ohayon.
+She visited the U.S. earlier this month and the stores were busy because women have been coming and want to get their dress. “What is very interesting is they don’t look at the price, they really just want the dress to be on time. Second, there’s a sentiment that they’re going to treat themselves because people haven’t spent money in many months. They’ve had to reorganize their weddings, and they may not be doing 500-people weddings over three days in a secret destination. They’re downsizing a little bit their ceremony from a spending standpoint. The one thing they really think that they deserve to treat themselves is a dress,” said Ohayon.
+FOR MORE STORIES:
+Pronovias CEO Sees More Than ‘Here Comes The Bride and There She Goes’
+Pronovias Group Enters Groomswear Market in Partnership With Carlo Pignatelli
+Pronovias Group Launches Sustainability Initiative to Try to Improve Bridal Industry Standards
+Bridget Foley’s Diary: Vera Wang Weighs In on Coronavirus’ Fashion Impact
+Vera Wang RTW Spring 2021
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+With the 2018 season winding down, I figured it would be a fun exercise to look at who I think performed the best at each position across ALL of the minor leagues. Think of it as my version of an All-American squad, or my First Team All-MiLB squad. Jason Woodell joined me on the Prospects Live podcast to discuss our first-team picks. (Where we disagree, I included his picks as well.) Now, I’m not trying to look into the future and pick players that project out to be the top guys at these positions, but that does play a small role in this. It’s like 85% stats from 2018 while still having some future projection, so I guess I’m cheating a bit. Whatever, I can do what I want over here. Let’s dive in…
+CATCHER
+Finding the catcher for this squad was easily the toughest decision I had while filling out this 2018 Dream Team, but ultimately I decided on Ronaldo Hernandez from the Rays system.
+Hernandez hit .284/.339/.494 and put up a wRC+ of 133 while spending the entire season in the Low-A Midwest League as a 20-year-old. He added 42 extra base hits (21 bombs) and even chipped in 10 steals. It was his first taste of full season ball and he didn’t disappoint. There are some defensive concerns here, but he has a plus arm and has hit at every level of pro ball thus far. He only struck out at a 15.4% clip while nearly leading the league in big flies. He’s a monster.
+Woodell: Danny Jansen, Toronto. “He is the most complete overall catching prospect in the game. He is durable, blue-collar catcher with a cannon. The bat-to-ball skills are elite in the minors. With his build, power will come in the Rogers Centre.”
+FIRST BASE
+When I was picking my first baseman for this team, I quickly narrowed it down to two guys, Peter Alonso or Nathaniel Lowe. Ultimately I went with Nathaniel Lowe.
+The 13th-rounder of out Mississippi State, Lowe had a true breakout campaign in 2018. He rose all the way from High-A to Triple-A and hit .330/.416/.568 across all three levels. Lowe spent 51 games each at High-A and Double-A and posted a 191 wRC+ and a 193 wRC+ during those stops. His 60-grade raw power and excellent hit tool and plate skills give Lowe the upside to be a top ten first baseman at his peak.
+Woodell: Peter Alonso, NY Mets. “Reminds me a bit of Rhys Hoskins in so much as he was fairly under the radar, but has hit his way into the conversation. May never be a .300 hitter in the bigs, but 40 HRs is not out of the question. He, not Dom Smith, is the Mets future first baseman.”
+SECOND BASE
+My second base prospect of the year is yet another Ray’s prospect, Vidal Brujan.
+The 20-year-old, switch-hitting second baseman absolutely cruised through Low-A and High-A as he put up a cumulative .320/.403/.459 triple slash with 25 doubles, 7 triples, and 9 home runs. He also swiped 55 bags in 122 games across both levels. Brujan only struck out 12.4% while also walking at an 11.5% clip. Insane plate skills. Despite only being listed 5’9” and 155 pounds, there’s a chance he can hit 20 homers at the big league level. He’s much more aggressive than his walk rate implies, but Brujan is a DUDE.
+Woodell: Garrett Hampson, Colorado. “Elite athlete. Could become a .300 20/30 guy as soon as next season.”
+THIRD BASE
+I’m not even going to mess around here, the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is my third baseman of the year.
+This was an easy pick as all Vladdy did was hit .381/.437/.636 in 2018. There’s not much to add here but Vlad is the consensus number one prospect in the game.
+SHORTSTOP
+There was a bit of controversy here for me, as my pick for the shortstop of the year was going to be Wander Franco of the Rays. I mean he did hit .351/.418/.587 while walking more than he struck out, but he only played 61 games so I ended up going a different direction. The 2018 Shortstop of the Year is Royce Lewis!
+The former first-overall pick hit .292/.352/.451 while splitting time between the Midwest League and the Florida State League. He has elite bat speed and hands and they pop when you see this kid in the box and at shortstop. He’s growing into his power and should start 2019 in Double-A. Lewis has handled all the pressure and expectations of being the number one pick beautifully and has been one of the leaders on every team he’s been on. Lewis is the complete package at shortstop for fantasy and has answered some of the defensive questions this year as well.
+OUTFIELD
+So I kind of cheated a bit with the outfield and I just picked the three best players regardless of position. My three, in no particular order, are Eloy Jimenez, Alex Kirilloff, and Kyle Tucker.
+Eloy was only limited to 108 games this year due to injury, but the dude hit .337/.384/.577 across Double-A and Triple-A for the White Sox in ‘18. I think Eloy has Miguel Cabrera-esque upside and will be mashing on the South Side in mid-April of 2019.
+Alex Kirilloff rose up prospect lists more than anyone else in 2018. He triple slashed .348/.392/.578 across two levels of A-ball with 44 doubles, 7 triples and 20 big flies. Jason W., Jason P. and I have all seen Kirilloff in person during 2018 and it was an impressive show. He uses all fields and has one of the more potent hit/power combinations in all of the minors. There’s a lot to love here. Reminds me of Freddie Freeman with more athleticism.
+Kyle Tucker posted his second consecutive 20 homer/20 steal season in 2018 while also spending time in the Majors for the ‘Stros. He slashed .332/.400/.590 with a 155 wRC+ in one of the more pitcher friendly PCL parks. Tucker will only be 22 next year but should have a starting role in Houston on Opening Day if not shortly after. Tucker has one of the highest floors in all of the minors while still possessing mouth-watering upside. He’s absolutely the real deal despite his struggles during his cup of coffee.
+RIGHT-HANDED STARTING PITCHERS
+For pitching I picked two arms from the right side and two from the left. My two right-handed choices are Chris Paddack and Michael Kopech.
+Paddack put up some absolutely cartoonish numbers in High-A and Double-A. He was limited to only 90 innings since it’s his first full season after undergoing Tommy John in 2016 and missing all of 2017. He made the most of those 90 frames by racking up 120 strikeouts while only allowing 8! walks. I’ll repeat that. 120/8 K/BB ratio. INSANE. He has a plus changeup which is his bread-and-butter pitch, and he sets it up with a low-90s fastball that can touch the mid-90s. His breaking ball is a work in progress, but it’s still developing. Building innings is next on the list for Paddack, but he had as good as a return from Tommy John as I can remember.
+My other righty arm is that of White Sox young gun Michael Kopech. We all just heard the unfortunate news about Kopech and his UCL, but he made significant strides with his command in 2018. He only issued 4 free passes in his final 38 Triple-A innings while striking out an absurd 59 hitters in that same span. We won’t see Kopech again until 2020, but he will be worth the wait.
+Woodell: Touki Toussaint and Michael King. “Both guys have made tremendous strides this season. King has posted 8.48 K/9, 5.24 K/BB, 1.79 ERA, 2.76 FIP, .200 average against over three levels. Meanwhile, Touki has reached the big leagues and you could make a case that he is the Braves top overall prospect right now.”
+LEFT-HANDED STARTING PITCHERS
+My two picks for top left-handed starters are two arms that both reached Triple-A in 2018, Jesus Luzardo and Justus Sheffield.
+Luzardo ripped through High-A and Double-A and was even selected as the starting pitcher for the World team for the Future’s Game. Although his 4 starts in Triple-A weren’t great, he still put up a 2.88 ERA with 129 K’s and 30 BB’s in 109 1/3 innings. Luzardo sits anywhere from 91-95 with the fastball with plus command. His changeup is a plus offering and his curveball is an above-average pitch. The Tommy John survivor will likely be limited to around 150 innings next year, but a majority of those should be in Oakland in 2019.
+Justus Sheffield split 2018 between Double-A and Triple-A and posted a 2.48 ERA and a 123/50 K/BB in 116 innings. Sheffield sits 93-95 with the heater with a plus slider and above-average changeup. It was a bit of a surprise that the Yankees left Sheffield in the minors and didn’t call him up for the Wild Card push in September, but he should spend most of 2019 taking the ball every fifth day for the Yanks.
+So there you have it. My 2018 Prospect Team of the Year. Here it is one more time.
+SS- Royce Lewis, Twins
+OF- Alex Kiriloff, Twins
+3B- Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays
+OF- Eloy Jimenez, White Sox
+OF- Kyle Tucker, Astros
+1B- Nathaniel Lowe, Rays
+C- Ronaldo Hernandez, Rays
+2B- Vidal Brujan, Rays
+The Rotation:
+RHP Michael Kopech
+LHP Jesus Luzardo
+RHP Chris Paddack
+LHP Justus Sheffield
+Take Ravenswood and realize they’re connected somehow. Their only evidence? Matching headstones in the Ravenswood cemetery, engraved with their names and featuring old photos that look just like them.
+But Caleb and Miranda aren’t the only entangled in Ravenswood’s spooky history. Three more are also entangled in the ominous curse plaguing the town:
+• Olivia and Luke, siblings whose father was recently killed — with their mother as the town’s No. 1 suspect.
+• Remy, girlfriend of Luke and daughter to the editor of the Ravenswood Gazette. If there were ever a character to sympathize with, it’s this quirky gal. Not only has her father forbidden her to see Luke, but her mother (who recently returned as the sole survivor of an ambush in Afghanistan) is just barely keeping her head above water as she struggles with nightmares and guilt.
+Slowly — very slowly — the five teenagers begin to connect the dots and realize they are part of something much larger than themselves. And they’re living on borrowed time before Ravenswood’s resident ghost exacts her revenge.
+RELATED | ABC Family Sets Return Dates for Pretty Little Liars, Twisted and More
+As many pilots do, Ravenswood’s premiere included lot of exposition to wade through. And while the pace picked up in the last 10 minutes, several questions remained unanswered: How and why are these five strangers connected? Is there more than just one ghost haunting the town? And why is Miranda’s uncle so creepy?
+Ultimately, Ravenswood is a sufficiently spooky tale — and you don’t have to be a Pretty Little Liars fan to enjoy the hair-raising series. Or that’s what we think, anyway! What’s your take? Grade Ravenswood via the poll below, then hit the comments to back up your choice!
+I am in love with the Mysteries of this show. The whole curse concept has me hooked. I do have the fear,that all of the Caleb/Hannah fans will try to sink the spinoff in order to have Caleb back in Rosewood.
+I have the same fear and it’s really too bad. I think Caleb is better off in Ravenswood.
+Well that’s pretty damn immature and selfish. Tanking someones career choice for the sake of your fictional ship. They should be ashamed.
+The majority (notice I said majority, not all) of the fans are teenage/pre-teen girls who, as a species, are known to be selfish.
+^this
+Aside from the repulsive Tyler Blackburn, it was a very promising pilot.
+B- is the grade I give it. I’m usually not a fan of supernatural type shows, but it has me intrigued enough to return next week for another viewing. It moved a little bit slow at times and the hour didn’t fly by the way most episodes of PLL do. It has me interested enough to tune in again, but I’m not sold yet on it being “must see” viewing.
+I give it a B. Hope Ravenswood is destined to be ABC Family’s next breakout hit.
+Question: If a person has only seen whatever episode of PLL are on Netflix (I’m assuming it’s a year behind) would it be a bad idea to watch this show?
+No, Ravenswood is a completely separate show. You don’t need to have watched PPL to watch it, the only thing the same is the character of Caleb. PPL just introduced the town a little with a couple episodes this season, but the Show of Ravenswood is irrelevant. :-)
+Cool. I was worried that I’d turn it on and Caleb would be delivering a monologue about everything that happened on PLL. :)
+It worries me that they’re killing one of the characters this early.
+I love that Caleb has his own show and is away from that shrew Hanna! He can do better. Tyler Blackburn is awesome and I am glad he is the star of Ravenswood. I liked this pilot better than The Tomorrow People and Reign, so I will be back for me.
+Same old silly spooky town plot. I do like the “nod” to Dark Shadows (via the Collins name) and the dialogue is a bit better than the normal stuff out there today. My BIGGEST criticism involves not the show itself, but the fact that both the website and the almost all the promotion completely ignores the fact that the classic actress MEG FOSTER is in the cast. While I understand that she is a “recurring” character, as opposed to regular cast, she probably has more talent than most of the children being pretty faces for the camera. And of course they really gave her typical crappy dialogue; at least she gave a two dimensional character a bit of “fullness’.
+Unfortunately, as the show is marketed towards a specific age group, most people are unaware of just how amazing Meg Foster is. I think she’s been a big hit with the audience though, so perhaps that means more screen time.
+Reblogged this on thehiltonburnellfiles and commented:
+I would give it an A. It was a good show. I love the spin-off with Caleb. Ravenswood is my new addiction.
+I see someone else picked up on the nod to Dark Shadows with the ‘Collin’s’ name. I like that. And I like the show so far. Upset my DVR cut out the first few minutes, but I’m surviving w/out it.
+One question I’m not sure they answered or will answer soon – the fact that her uncle has the Collins last name, I assumed he was her dad’s brother, but he’s her mom’s brother. Why does she have the Collins’ last name then? Did they say anything about this?
+I’m probably gonna get crucified for saying this, but I didn’t care for it at all….The premise of the show was promising and even the plot, what I can’t wrap my head around is the fact that they are using high school seniors instead of college-aged adults, I think it would have made more sense. I also don’t like that it’s Caleb there when he still has unopened business with “A” in Rosewood and Hanna and what about school?….I still stand by that it should have been Toby that went to this spinoff because given his background (mom killing herself, etc) his being there would have made me appreciate this story more. They could have tied his mystery with this mystery, plus he hasn’t played a big role in PLL since Season 2, so his absence can be better explained. I don’t know, I’ll try one more episode (because sometimes the 2nd episode is a lot better than the first) and see…..HOWEVER! THAT MIRANDA BETTER KEEP HER HANDS OFF OF HANNA’S CALEB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+I so agree with you.
+I have a problem with them saying it’s in Pa. when it’s clearly Louisiana. Longmire and Suits suffer from the same location identity problem. Putting that aside, I think it’s a good show for the targeted demographic.
+It was a promising pilot. I only hope that they don’t tease too much and then we get as many plot holes like we do on PLL. Otherwise it made a good first impression.
+I only wish they would have gone on location on the PLL Halloween special to make it look more authentic to what we got on Ravenswood.
+I love the pilot, Also Tyler Blackburn is awesome!!!
+My DVR is packed as it is. Not in a rush to watch this one. It was ok….
+I just finished watching the pilot. Wasn’t bad, but don’t think I’ll be that interested. I’ll mainly be watching because I kinda like Nicole Anderson, and for possible PLL connections/references.
+Also, I hate the supernatural aspect and hope it doesn’t effect PLL. Because of that alone, I already have mixed feelings. It probably won’t have that many connections/references, so for the most part, they’ll likely be able to be considered two separate shows, but they were better off just sending Caleb to Ravenswood without having anything to do with Ali and the liars.
+I liked it. They are definitely going to have to fill in some blanks sooner rather than later…like how are the 5 kids connected, why didn’t Miranda’s uncle keep her and why are all the adults creepy!
+I like supernatural shows (Supernatural itself is my FAV) and this was good…but not as good as Sleepy Hollow, which I really love!
+I really enjoyed it! The ghost at the end creeped me out for sure. Love Caleb, and I think I like the other 4 main characters as well!
+I liked the show. It was a little slow starting off, but hopefully it will get better in the next couple of episodes. I think they introduced way too many characters in this first episode. I can barely remember the 5 teens names let alone random people they meet in the coffee house.
+Ravenswood promises to be as nonsensical as The Secret Circle was in its premises, while trying to twist itself like Twisted. Unfortunately, as for now Ravenswood lacks a confessed criminal twink as main character, which actually is groundbreaking, but resemblance between Caleb and Danny didn’t pass unnoticed.
+Just watched Ravenswood. Is it just me, or does that girl Remy remind anyone else of Side Show Bob?
+When you kill off the main character in the 2nd ep. which kills the luv triangle. You can’t have a luv triangle with a dead person in the mix! It’s hard to like. I came to this show because I liked Miranda’s character and now she’s dead. I hope she returns to BATB. You lost this viewer due to bad script decisions!
+Caleb better not go back on PLL and say a damn word about what happened while he was gone. Its bad enough they used the Haloween PLL to boost the show. If it was a seperate story like everyone is claiming, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN STARTED IN THE PLL TIMELINE. period. If he even mentions anything in PLL, it would change the show completely making it supernatural, thats not what it is at all. And on previews it already showed Hanah getting pissed at him for “not telling her what happened there”. Seems like a clue that PLL is essentially already ruined.
+Don’t want to be mean but they try to be scary in this serie but it’s really not. I think even the concept is not interesting I mean come on ghost is something reaaaally old…
+I have never watched PLL, am 50 years old and am totally intrigued by this show. Other than the craziness of having almost-30-year-old actors play teens, I love the premise and hope ABCFam renews it. All the actors are good, and I haven’t seen Meg Foster in years!
+I didn’t mind ABC Family giving Caleb his own show, but the premises of this show is odd. How will Caleb be able to have a romantic encounter with a ghost, a ghost who will have to wear the same outfit the entire run of the show ? I don’t mind supernatural but the tie in to PPL wasn’t believable. I’m not the demographic this network is shooting for, but have faithfully watched or DVR’ ed most of the shows for years. I always appreciated the release dates ABC Family has for shows, usually when regular network shows are in hiatus. This gives us new things to watch.
+Unless I’m desperate I won’t return for the second season . It’s a shame this was the best vehicle they could find for Caleb.
+I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post
+was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you
+are going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!
+Summer Exhibition 2013
+Summer Exhibition 2013
+By Rachel Campbell-Johnston
+Published 22 May 2013
+Behind the scenes with this year’s co-ordinators Norman Ackroyd RA and Eva Jiricna RA.
+From the Summer 2013 issue of RA Magazine, issued quarterly to Friends of the RA.
+Burlington House is the bastion of the high cultural establishment. But this summer it is dressing up in what looks like a very contemporary party frock. A glimmering meshwork, woven from thousands of interlinked bottle caps, will cascade in a torrent down the Palladian façade of the building, providing a spectacular welcome for visitors to the Summer Exhibition.
+El Anatsui
+El Anatsui and his assistants with work outside his studio in Nsukka, Nigeria
+Photo Uche James Iroha/Courtesy October Gallery, London
+This stunning opener to the show is TSIATSIA – Searching for Connection (2013) by the West African artist, El Anatsui (b. 1944). “I was very excited when the Royal Academy commissioned me,” he says. “Having grown up with many teachers of British origin, I was familiar with the Academy. While I wanted the building to work like a kind of frame for the artwork, I also wanted my piece to look very contemporary and fresh. I use discarded bottle tops, woven together with copper wire. They are things that are easily overlooked, easily seen as rubbish, but which have at the same time a huge historical significance. They are about the relationship between Europe and Africa in the sense that it was the Europeans who first brought bottles to Africa. Gin, schnapps and whisky were imported by traders for bartering. Now these drinks are manufactured by local distillers. They have names from Nigeria, where I now live. And when you collect them from the streets – and it is important to me that all these caps have been used, touched and so loaded with what I think of as a human charge – they give you a sense of the sociology and the history of a place. A material that looks commonplace and ordinary is loaded with a new significance and meaning.”
+El Anatsui, TSIATSIA - searching for connection, 2013.
+Aluminium, (bottle-tops, printing plates, roofing sheets) and copper wire. 15 x 23 metres. Photo © Benedict Johnson.
+Anatsui’s glittering drape, its once dusty and trampled components transformed into a shimmering tapestry of light, takes pride of place in the RA’s Annenberg Courtyard. But can this annual RA art show, like Anatsui’s materials, be revivified? Can an exhibition that is all too commonly viewed as somehow outmoded, be turned into something that sparkles with new life?
+The RA has worked hard to rejuvenate its image, not least in last year’s Summer Exhibition, which was co-ordinated by Tess Jaray RA. She tapped into her network of past pupils at the Slade, encouraging them to submit work. And together they helped breathe fresh energy into the Academy’s august spaces.
+This will become increasingly apparent in the upcoming Summer Show. “The many young and emerging new artists who were invited to contribute last year, were the sort of people who in the past would probably have shied away, not wanting to be part of something so traditional,” says Norman Ackroyd RA, this year’s co-ordinator. “That move has proved a great success. We’ve had a lot of young people putting in work. And it makes me optimistic that we are putting on a terrific show, a lively mixture of Academicians and the next generation – and that’s what the Summer Exhibition is all about.”
+Humphrey Ocean RA the Academy’s Professor of Perspective, is also taking a role on this year’s hanging committee. He emerges still reeling from a week in which some 11,000 images have passed before the selection panel. “Once you’ve picked out the good stuff you start to get a clearer view,” he says. “What the Summer Exhibition offers is a picture of what’s going on all over the UK, what’s being made in all sorts of conditions. And you don’t have to go to art school to produce something wonderful. Sometimes, as a selector, you just stumble across something that is completely beautiful but comes from left field. And that’s what this show can get – and what Tate and the National Gallery can’t. Whatever the Summer Exhibition is not, it is a contemporary show. It’s a picture of what’s happening right now.
+"Turner famously believed that rules alone don’t make an artist. As a painter, he changed the rules. He pointed a way forward into a world that was less constricted, paving a way for Monet, for Cubism, for the whole of modern art, for all the changes that have happened in the world since Joshua Reynolds died. And a constant across this era of change, has been the Summer Exhibition.” It has been like a monitor through which we can gauge what is happening out there, Ocean says.
+Sean Sculley RA, Doric Sea, 2013.
+courtesy Neo Inc., New York and Timothy Taylor Gallery, London.
+“We have some amazing things,” says Ackroyd. There is a painting by the newly elected Academician Sean Scully. We have a print of a digitally flattened-out 3D model of a Fiat, by architect and designer Ron Arad, also a new RA. Tapestries by Grayson Perry, from his series The Vanity of Small Differences (2012), are based on his wonderfully inventive drawings that bring something more conventionally perceived as a medieval medium to vivid contemporary life.
+Ron Arad RA, Let's Drop It, Ok?, 2013.
+© Ron Arad Associates/Courtesy Ron Arad Associates.
+“A lot of the work that we saw,” says Ackroyd “was very challenging, powerful, strong. The exhibition evolves positively year by year. Since 2000 we have elected over 40 new Academicians and this is reflected dramatically in the Summer Show. Anyone who has not visited the Summer Exhibition for 15 or 20 years would see the change as revolutionary. There’s a lot of work in new media – video and digital pieces – as well as painting and drawing.” The sheer variety of the print submissions particularly struck him since, being a printmaker, he often hangs the exhibition’s print gallery. It is a reflection, he thinks, of the fact that London is now the centre of print publishing.
+Rodney Graham, Betula Pendula ‘Fastigiata’ (Sous-Chef on Smoke-Break), 2011.
+Courtesy the Artist and Lisson Gallery.
+“An amazing symbiosis has built up between the London Original Print Fair, held annually at the RA, and the Summer Exhibition. The print rooms of this exhibition, which 20 years ago used to feel rather like an afterthought in the last gallery, have been moved to the heart of the show, and many of the prints will be making their way into other rooms, to take their place beside paintings.”
+The galleries are usually hung according to medium, be it sculpture, painting, or print. But the mixing of different media is a salient feature of this year’s hang. “For the first time,” says architect Eva Jiricna RA, who is on the hanging committee this year, “architecture is going to be shown alongside sculpture. We are looking at the contribution that each discipline makes to the other. Perhaps it will encourage a greater freedom of thinking, encourage more architects to look beyond the practical rules of engineering and think, ‘I’m building a sculpture.’ That’s what Frank Gehry would say. That’s how architects such as Zaha Hadid think,” says Jiricna.
+“Hadid’s contribution to the Summer Exhibition is Kloris (2008), which is sculptural outdoor seating made in fibreglass with a chrome lacquer finish.” Conversely, the sculptor Anthony Caro RA is submitting a monumental piece that is markedly architectural in feel. Shadows (2013) has depth and proportion,“ says Jiricna, "and it is extremely sophisticated in the way that the shapes penetrate each other to form a structure that feels very calm, balanced, as if it could only be that way.”
+Marina Abramovi? Hon RA, ME & ME, 2008.
+© Marina Abramovi?/Courtesy Marina Abramovi? and Sean Kelly Gallery New York.
+Further mingling of media is taking place in the portrait gallery, which is another new feature of this year’s show. Historically, portraiture was a mainstay of the event. People would crowd around the image of a trend-setting aristocrat as eagerly as they now ogle some celebrity photograph in Hello! magazine. The point of creating a dedicated portrait gallery is to reclaim a genre that is too often overlooked as conventional. Thus this gallery includes work as diverse as Celia Paul’s contemplative painting Annela (2012) a drawing of St John chef Fergus Henderson and his wife by American artist Elizabeth Peyton, a pared-down sculpture of a skull titled Self-Portrait in the Year 2087 by Bill Woodrow RA, and Rodney Graham who has photographed himself as a chef.
+“Portraiture has never really gone away,” says Tom Phillips RA, who is contributing a tiny self portrait: Tripelgänger, (2013) painted from leftover colours recycled from his palette, while Honorary RA Marina Abramovic shows her two sides in her 2008 photographic work ME & ME. “When you think about it, the strongest artists of our era – Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, David Hockney RA – have all been portraitists,” says Phillips. “Today there are artists who are painting portraits that are about the business of painting. Their work is not mere simulation. It’s about asking questions about art with as much honesty as they can.” These are the sort of artists who will be brought together in all their variety in the new portrait gallery.
+Tom Phillips RA, Self Portrait: Tripelgänger, 2013.
+© Tom Phillips.
+So can we expect a great higgledy-piggledy jumble? “If you were a curator you would lose your job,” says Ocean. “You can forget those beautifully laid out exhibitions that take visitors by the hand and try to tell them what to think. The Summer Exhibition throws its spectators right in at the deep end. It makes them think for themselves. It’s the sort of show that could only be curated by artists. And some participants might not like it. They don’t know who or what they will be hung beside. But those brave enough to take part are linking arms and joining forces. And there are thousands of them. People who used not to want to go near the RA and its Summer Exhibition are returning in floods. The show is going back to becoming what I imagine it used to be when it first began. It is returning to be a vision of artists.”
+Summer Exhibition Main Galleries, 10 June–18 August. Sponsored by Insight Investment.
+Rachel Campbell-Johnston is art critic of The Times.
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+There was a time in the 40s through to the early 90s, when young and inexperienced film directors would be given the chance by big film studios to make a movie their own way, without any creative barriers. They were allowed to tamper with the usual structure of plot and characters, and create something with their own unique vision. It was a time when television was not thought as something that could produce heart-wrenching drama of the same quality as movies could. Now, times have changed. Films are under a strict rule book by Hollywood; it has forced many talented actors, directors and screenwriters to television. This “emigration” has undeniably upped the class of shows, so much so that the “small” screen now seems to be producing “big” screen quality. Which leaves us with one question: has television finally caught up with films?
+In those early days of when film was far superior to television, most actors found themselves struggling for work, so to try and get their name out there, they would accept small roles in television series in the hope that it would be a success and a career in film would be just around the corner. Comedies were the usual ones they would start off in – the likes of Morgan Freeman in The Electric Company, to Jennifer Garner in Significant Others, and to Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street, all started off in television. However, this has all changed; famous actors from film are now the ones looking for work in TV series. Just look at last year’s True Detective with Matthew McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson. Fargo with Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, and Adam Goldberg; even Hollywood legend, Kevin Spacey has got his own series, House of Cards. Now it’s film actors breaking into TV, but why is this change in motivations happening?
+The reason is that in the film business long ago, screenwriters were allowed to tinker with structure and create a style to the film which had never been seen before: it bred the likes of Stanley Kubrick, Nicolas Roeg, and David Lynch. They all to some degree changed the formula, with films that no longer stuck to the traditional three act structure, and in some cases the main character would change half way through the film. It boosted all their careers, but Hollywood was the main one reaping the rewards. Kubrick was the best example of someone who always, in each of his new films wanted to make something completely different. Just check out this talk he had with Steven Spielberg before he sadly passed away, as Spielberg recollects:
+Hollywood for some time welcomed the so called “arthouse” films with open arms. However, with the growing popularity of Marvel and DC comic book movies raking in a lot of money from the likes of China, it has meant that budgets for films have exploded, and along with them, Hollywood’s change of heart towards the big blockbusters that make more of a profit than the smaller, “arthouse” films.
+It has given many films these days a formulaic feel, where there are certain guidelines you have to stick by in creating the film so you do not risk upsetting anybody. Films like Taken, Unknown, and Non – Stop all feature Liam Neeson, while he is a great actor, he essentially plays the same character over and over again – a guy who can kill people just by tapping them. Hollywood knows though, that if they stick to making these kinds of films that are popular and make a big profit, then why take risks on films that could fail in the attempt at being more original? This has led many film actors to veer away from film because if they can only get work in big superhero movies or action movies (which do not tend to attract much academy award attention) then they will go and look for something more unique, and television is now the place to find that.
+Liam Neeson: kills anyone, anytime.
+TV series nowadays are so well written that an award seems more likely for these big stars when the TV scripts are this good. TV writing never used to be considered better than film, so why is it now?
+TV companies allow for more risks to be taken with character choices and plot twists. SPOILERS AHEAD. Breaking Bad is a classic example of a character choice which probably wouldn’t have made it into 95% of films nowadays. The scene where Walter White leaves a girl choking on her own vomit from a drug overdose is a darker form of storytelling that leaves the viewer knowing TV has the power to shock. Just look at HBO’s Game of Thrones which feels like it provides a shock an episode where the writers are not afraid to kill off a leading character at any time. However, shock value isn’t the only thing that makes writing great, it’s the rich characters that are all three dimensional. Take for instance, Walter White’s change from quiet and nice science teacher, to a ruthless drug lord. In films today, it might have had to be the other way around to make the film “safe”.
+Another example is True Detective’s Rust Cohle, who is a cynical, sociopath who sees no hope in humanity until and thinks we should stop reproducing. These characters are compelling to watch because they do not necessarily make the right moral choices, they make mistakes, thus being flawed. Films can’t allow for their leading characters to do this much because it may drive some audiences away. However, these kind of villain/hero characters still appear in films, but are unfortunately few and far between, but when they do come around, they are just as memorable.
+TV writers are also given more time to explore the depths of their characters, and time to create compelling dialogue for each individual. These TV writers are so great at showing the different parts of the story world; shows like The Wire, The Sopranos, The Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, and Twin Peaks are all top examples of shows that make you feel immersed in these worlds by exploring each individual characters life. In effect it leaves no stone unturned. You begin to feel for almost every character; you fear for their life if they are in danger, or care if they’re hurt. It’s just another advantage that TV has over film: time to build up “lesser” characters. It again goes back to what I was saying earlier about actors flocking to TV, but this time I’m talking about the lesser known actors, the ones who are only seen as “character actors” in the movies.
+Tony Sirico as Sopranos mobster, Paulie ‘Walnuts’. An actor who got his big chance in the hit HBO series.
+When these “character actors” move to television now, they know they will have a chance to prove themselves as actors who are capable of bigger roles. In the recent past with shows like The Shield, some of the supporting characters would get a “spotlight” episode, which means they will have an episode where the plot mainly revolves around their character. It gave a chance to these supporting actors to show off their proper acting chops, and this “spotlight” is in part thanks to the classic series, The Sopranos. The Sopranos was a show about a dysfunctional mafia family, and was one of the first shows for giving each individual character a big plot line that mostly ran through a whole season. Some of the characters would start off as only appearing occasionally in the early seasons, but by the end they were all in main roles, and some went onto land bigger roles in movies.
+So, it certainly does seem at the moment that TV is winning on the plot, characters, and dialogue front. However, film is still landing a few punches too.
+Film still has the sense of awe when a huge set piece comes off, or you can see your favourite childhood comic book characters come to life on screen in a way that looks remarkably real. Just look at this year’s films, Guardians of the Galaxy and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Both of these have such great work done in the CGI department that you soon realise: only the movies can give you this kind of immersion with sci – fi worlds. TV shows do try to have real looking creatures on screen to, like TNT’s Falling Skies, but it just doesn’t hold up to the summer blockbusters, mainly because of budgets, thus losing a bit of believability.
+Falling Skies Alien creature.
+Another punch film has landed is that a lot of the time, a screenplays plot has to be tight, and thus rarely having any wasted scenes in the plot. Film can show you the life of one person in just over two hours, but still managing to document every important step in their life. Films like The Curious case of Benjamin Button, and Raging Bull do this very well. These are handled by master storytellers who know exactly how to keep the plot interesting while focusing so intensely on one character. TV can sometimes be guilty of what you might call “filler” scenes. Take for instance, the second half of season 4 in AMC’s The Walking Dead. There was a lot time spent with characters talking about random things like food or just scavenging for supplies without any conflict apart from the odd zombie popping up. Those scenes weren’t necessary, and if they were in a film, they would have been cut in the editing room pretty quickly. I’ll be quick to mention though, that not all shows do this, Breaking Bad was excellent at having every scene matter, but overall, film wins on the sense of pacing of plot.
+Now, this is where it comes down to how TV is separating itself from films, they are now both becoming a separate entity. One for the big and louder stories, the other for the deep, philosophical stories, but it’s the advent of social media that is another game changer that separates the two.
+Twitter and Facebook allow fans of TV shows to talk and share thoughts on what they might think may happen in each episode, building the sense of anticipation every week. Something films can only do once. However, with every pro, there is a con. This entire internet buzz has allowed many to see the next episode by internet leak, and then they go and post spoilers on the internet, at least with film, that cannot happen too much.
+Overall, it is safe to say television has not only caught up, but has past film in the originality department for daring storytelling; even though film will always be the place for the “spectacular.”
+In the end, it all comes down to preference. Maybe, one day, TV will be the place for huge budgets and film will be for the directors/screenwriters who want to break into TV, who knows.
+Let me know below whether you think TV has finally caught up with film.
+I’d have to agree. You’ll get ten times more TV out of your life than film, and even the best Shawshank Redemptions and Forest Gumps can’t beat Breaking Bad or The Walking Dead’s story arcs. You feel like you get to know a character over a lifetime as opposed to a small snapshot.
+Author contributions: S.V., S.C., P.L.P., E.N.B., and N.J.K. designed research; S.V. and S.C. performed research; S.V. and S.C. analyzed data; S.V., S.C., and N.J.K. wrote the paper.
+As humans are induced into a state of general anesthesia via propofol, the normal alpha rhythm (8–13 Hz) in the occipital cortex disappears and a frontal alpha rhythm emerges. This spatial shift in alpha activity is called anteriorization. We present a thalamocortical model that suggests mechanisms underlying anteriorization. Our model captures the neural dynamics of anteriorization when we adjust it to reflect two key actions of propofol: its potentiation of GABA and its reduction of the hyperpolarization-activated current Ih. The reduction in Ih abolishes the occipital alpha by silencing a specialized subset of thalamocortical cells, thought to generate occipital alpha at depolarized membrane potentials (>−60 mV). The increase in GABA inhibition imposes an alpha timescale on both the cortical and thalamic portions of the frontal component that are reinforced by reciprocal thalamocortical feedback. Anteriorization can thus be understood as a differential effect of anesthetic drugs on thalamic nuclei with disparate spatial projections, i.e.: (1) they disrupt the normal, depolarized alpha in posterior-projecting thalamic nuclei while (2) they engage a new, hyperpolarized alpha in frontothalamic nuclei. Our model generalizes to other anesthetics that include GABA as a target, since the molecular targets of many such anesthetics alter the model dynamics in a manner similar to that of propofol.
+It has been observed through electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings that, as humans and animals are induced into a state of general anesthesia, there is a spatial shift in power from posterior electrodes to frontal electrodes; this spatial shift in power is called anteriorization (Tinker et al., 1977; Brown et al., 2010; Purdon et al., 2013). Recent studies (Purdon et al., 2013) have clarified the spectral details associated with anteriorization induced by the common GABAergic anesthetic agent propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenols). Induction of general anesthesia with propofol is associated with a marked increase in EEG power in the alpha (8–13 Hz) band in the frontal cortices (Feshchenko et al., 2004; Cimenser et al., 2011; Supp et al., 2011). Simultaneously, normal “eyes-closed” alpha power in posterior and specifically, in occipital electrodes is severely attenuated (Cimenser et al., 2011; Murphy et al., 2011; Purdon et al., 2013). Although many studies have examined and characterized anteriorization over the last 35 years, the mechanisms underlying anteriorization remain poorly understood.
+We present a mechanism for anteriorization based on established computational models for frontal and occipital rhythms. Recent modeling work has shown how propofol can modify the dynamics of thalamocortical networks so as to promote frontal alpha oscillations through enhancement of GABAergic inhibition (Ching et al., 2010). A separate model has shown how posterior alpha rhythms can arise through the actions of a subset of thalamocortical (TC) cells, so-called high-threshold thalamocortical neurons, which project to the occipital cortex (Vijayan and Kopell, 2012). The contribution of this paper is to show why propofol and other anesthetics known to act through GABA promote alpha frontally but suppress it posteriorly. We do so by combining and analyzing the two models. We appeal to the multiple molecular targets of propofol: both its effect on GABAergic inhibition and its effect on hyperpolarization-activated membrane currents (h-currents) (Funahashi et al., 2001; Ying et al., 2006; Lyashchenko et al., 2007). We show that, when these effects are combined, the mechanisms for frontal alpha established in Ching et al. (2010) survive, while those for occipital alpha (Vijayan and Kopell, 2012) do not. Critical to the decrease in alpha in the occipital cortex is the importance of the h-current in creating the alpha timescale and in setting the resting membrane potential in the high-threshold TC cells. In contrast, the thalamic networks that project to frontal regions are not known to possess high-threshold cells, and the previously studied mechanisms for frontothalamic alpha remain intact, even with reductions to h-current. Given that the molecular targets and requisite effects on neuronal properties that we consider are not exclusive to propofol, our mechanism is expected to be relevant for anteriorization phenomena induced by a range of anesthetic drugs and pathological states.
+The model consists of single-compartment Hodgkin–Huxley neurons, where the membrane potential of each cell is governed by the following equation:
+where IM denotes membrane currents, ISyn denotes synaptic currents, and CM denotes the specific membrane capacitance. To capture the dynamics of anteriorization we combine a thalamocortical circuit that can account for the properties of propofol-induced frontal alpha (Ching et al., 2010) with a thalamic circuit that has the properties needed to generate occipital alpha (Vijayan and Kopell, 2012). We briefly describe each in turn below.
+The structure of the network is shown schematically on the left-hand side of Figure 1, and is essentially unchanged from Ching et al. (2010). A thalamic network model of 10 TC neurons is reciprocally connected to 10 thalamic reticular (RE) neurons. The RE cells provide inhibition to the TC cells, mediated by both GABAA and GABAB, and also provide inhibition to each other, mediated by GABAA. The TC cells in turn provide excitatory inputs (AMPA) to the RE cells. This configuration is a standard thalamic model structure (Destexhe et al., 1996). For the cortex, eight pyramidal (PY) cells are connected to four inhibitory interneurons (IN). Excitatory connections from TC cells onto PY and IN cells and reciprocal excitatory connections from PY cells onto RE and TC cells form the thalamocortical loop. In addition to standard sodium and potassium channels, notable currents include a T-type calcium current (in the TC and RE cells), a hyperpolarization-activated cation current, Ih (in the TC cells), and a potassium leak current, IKL (in the TC cells). In Ching et al. (2010), some interneurons were modeled as low-threshold spiking cells with a slow potassium current IM. This current is not essential to the alpha-generating mechanism and is omitted herein. The baseline parameterization of all currents are as specified in Ching et al. (2010).
+There is evidence that both the neocortex and the thalamus play a role in generating occipital alpha rhythms (Lopes da Silva et al., 1980; Hughes et al., 2004; Lorincz et al., 2009; Bollimunta et al., 2011; Saalmann et al., 2012). However, we did not include a cortical component in the occipital model. There are two reasons for this. First, the mechanisms underlying the generation of cortical alpha are still poorly understood. Additional experimental work is needed before the construction of a cortical model, and such work is clearly beyond the scope of this paper. Our frontal alpha model relies on a spindling model, for which the cortical component has been well developed (Destexhe et al., 1996). Second, there is experimental evidence suggesting a thalamic model of quiet awake alpha is sufficient for our purposes. Lorincz et al. (2009) have shown in vivo that applying an muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist (pirenzepine) directly to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) can disrupt quiet awake occipital alpha at the EEG level. Specifically, they show that applying an mAChR antagonist directly to the LGN reduces HTC bursting and firing rate, alpha power in the LGN, and alpha power in the EEG over the occipital cortex, all in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore we feel that for our purposes a thalamic model provides a sufficient surrogate for alpha power in the occipital cortex. Note that our occipital model generates alpha by mimicking the effects of mAchR on the LGN.
+The structure of the thalamic network is shown schematically on the right-hand side of Figure 1, and is similar to that used in Vijayan and Kopell (2012). The network consists of 10 RE cells, 8 TC cells, and 2 specialized TC cells (HTC cells). HTC cells are thought to generate awake alpha and make up only 15–25% of the TC cell population (Hughes et al., 2004; Lorincz et al., 2009). While HTC cells have been reported in the LGN, to the best of our knowledge they have not been reported in frontally projecting thalamic nuclei and so they are not included in the frontal model. The implicit thalamic interneurons used in Vijayan and Kopell (2012) are omitted in our model as their inclusion or exclusion does not affect the results. The connectivity between RE and TC cells (including HTC cells) is the same as for the frontal network, except that HTC cells are connected via gap junctions (Hughes et al., 2011). A critical feature of the HTC cells is that at depolarized membrane potentials (>−60 mV) they burst with the timing between bursts occurring at the alpha frequency. The bursts are mediated by a channel we refer to as ITHT, an IT channel variant. The ITHT channel is a type of calcium channel that operates at more depolarized membrane potentials than does the standard IT channel; the use of this channel is based on experimental findings (Hughes et al., 2004; Vijayan and Kopell, 2012). The ionic currents and basal parameterizations are similar to those listed in Vijayan and Kopell (2012) for mAChR agonist-induced alpha.
+To model the effects of propofol on both the frontal and posterior networks, two perturbations were introduced. First, consistent with previous modeling and experimental studies, the GABA inhibitory synaptic current was potentiated by a factor of three (McCarthy et al., 2008). This perturbation was the primary mechanism studied in Ching et al. (2010) for anterior alpha. Second, the conductance of the hyperpolarization-activated membrane current, Ih, was decreased to 5.8% of the baseline value. This latter perturbation, consistent with previous in vitro studies (Chen et al., 2005), was not included in the model of Ching et al. (2010), but, as shown herein, does not appreciably affect the overall mechanism.
+The simulated EEG was computed as the sum of excitatory postsynaptic currents in PY neurons of the frontal model, although the findings regarding alpha genesis also hold when the simulated EEG is computed using the other cell populations, or using membrane potential. The simulated EEG for the posterior model was computed as a function of the membrane potential of HTC cells, since experimental results suggest that blocking synaptic currents does not abolish awake thalamic alpha (Hughes et al., 2004).
+Since the circuits underlying our model are known to be able to generate spindles, we ensured our model could generate spindles; this helped to constrain our parameter values. The occipital alpha frequency is sensitive to changes in Ih and potassium leak conductances and the frequency changes in a relatively smooth fashion as a function of these conductances; these dependencies are detailed in Vijayan and Kopell (2012). Our results under the propofol conditions are robust to either a 50% decrease or a 50% increase of Ih, potassium leak, and GABAA conductances.
+All electrophysiologic data were collected at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) with approval from the Partners Human Research Committee (Cimenser et al., 2011 and Purdon et al., 2013). We recorded 64 leads of EEG while the subject received propofol administered by a computer-controlled infusion. The infusion was designed to achieve effect site concentration levels of 0,1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 μg/ml. Each level was maintained for 14 min. The infusion was controlled by the STANPUMP algorithm using the Schnider pharmacokinetics model (Shafer and Gregg, 1992; Schnider et al., 1999). All analyses were performed using a Laplacian montage. Power spectrums were calculated with the Chronux toolbox (Bokil et al., 2010) for MATLAB (MathWorks), using 2 s nonoverlapping windows. Power maps that display the intensity of 10.3 Hz EEG activity over the surface of the scalp were calculated using the spectopo function in the EEGLAB toolbox (Delorme and Makeig, 2004). Each power map used all data from one of the 14 min conditions.
+During rest with eyes closed, alpha activity is predominantly observed in the occipital cortices (Fig. 2A, Baseline and Level 1; Berger, 1929). However, as subjects are administered increasing doses of propofol the power in the alpha band attenuates in occipital regions and increases in frontal regions (Fig. 2A, Level 3–5). The attenuation in alpha power occipitally can be observed in single posterior electrodes (Fig. 2B) and its increase frontally can be observed in single frontal electrodes (Fig. 2C). The transition from posterior to anterior alpha regimes occurs quite abruptly during Level 2 of anesthetic induction (Ching et al., 2010). Our focus is to elucidate the essential mechanisms of this state change.
+During the resting state alpha activity is prominent in the occipital cortices. In vivo and in vitro studies suggest that introducing mAChR agonists into the LGN induces occipital alpha activity closely resembling that seen during the resting state (Lorincz et al., 2009). Therefore we adjusted the parameter values (Vijayan and Kopell, 2012) of the occipital component to reflect the actions of mAChR agonists. Under these conditions the TC cells spike irregularly in the occipital component (Fig. 3F), but the RE cells are relatively silent (Fig. 3G); note that the relative inactivity of RE cells during awake alpha is in line with experimental findings (Lorincz et al., 2009). The HTC cells, thought to be the generators of awake alpha, fire at the alpha frequency, resulting in a peak at the alpha frequency in the power spectrum of the local field potential (LFP; Fig. 3E,H). Under these conditions, the HTC cells are relatively depolarized (~−52 mV). At these membrane potentials ITHT channels, which are variants of IT channels (see Materials and Methods), are active and help to mediate the bursting activity. Ih imposes the alpha timescale on the bursting. During this resting state PY cells, TC cells and RE cells in the frontal component spike irregularly (Fig. 3A–C). The power spectrum of the resulting LFP is relatively flat (Fig. 3D).
+To account for the actions of propofol we reduced the Ih conductance and increased the GABAA conductance (see Materials and Methods) in both components. The primary effect on the occipital circuit is the silencing of HTC cells (Fig. 4E–G). The HTC cells become silent for two reasons: First, Ih helps the HTC cells transition from the interburst period to the beginning of the next burst. That is, after one burst finishes, Ih helps to depolarize the cell, priming it for the following burst; since Ih conductance is reduced by propofol it is no longer strong enough to move the cell toward the next burst. Second, the reduction in Ih conductance shifts the resting membrane potential of HTC cells to more hyperpolarized values (~−60 mV), since Ih has a relatively positive reversal potential. At these more hyperpolarized membrane potentials, ITHT channels, which mediate the burst itself, are relatively quiet. Note that HTC cells can be silenced without altering Ih by shifting the cell membrane potential outside the active range of ITHT channels. For example, the single change of increasing potassium leak conductances results in the silencing of HTC cells, as this increase shifts the membrane potential of HTC cells to more hyperpolarized values (Vijayan and Kopell, 2012). The silencing of HTC cells, which are the putative generators of awake alpha, results in the LFP power spectrum of the posterior component being relatively flat (Fig. 4H).
+In the frontal component an alpha rhythm emerges (Fig. 4A–D). Propofol acts on the frontal circuit to produce alpha in two ways. First, the potentiation of GABAA increases the time constant of inhibition mediated by cortical interneurons impinging onto PY neurons. This increase in inhibition causes an overall slowing of high-frequency cortical activity to bring it into the alpha range (Fig. 4A). Simultaneously, the increase in GABAA conductance hyperpolarizes the thalamic portion of the network, mediated by inhibitory RE cells (Fig. 4B,C). This results in a strengthening of endogenous thalamic alpha mechanisms, mediated by hyperpolarization-activated currents in TC cells, creating what amounts to a persistent oscillation between RE and TC cells at the alpha frequency. Consequently, the thalamic and cortical networks synchronize within the alpha band, promoting coherence in frontothalamic networks. In particular, ascending TC neurons fire at the alpha frequency (Fig. 4B), exciting cortical INs that pace PY cells (Fig. 4A). The reciprocal excitation from these PY cells onto both RE and TC neurons forms a closed loop and reinforces the oscillation. This overall mechanism is similar to that presented by Ching et al. (2010) with the notable exception that, there, propofol-induced modifications to Ih were not considered. Here, we find that these reductions do not appreciably modify the mechanism, and the genesis of alpha in the frontothalamic model is preserved.
+As mentioned above, we have focused here on the mechanism of the state change between the posterior and anterior alpha regimes. We note from both the data and analyses performed in Ching et al. (2010) that the frontal alpha coherence develops rather abruptly as a function of propofol infusion. At progressively increasing dose levels, the specific frequency of the alpha oscillation may attenuate slightly, although eventually secondary effects such as decreases in blood flow and metabolism will lead to other phenomena such as burst suppression (Ching et al., 2012).
+We note important distinctions between the alpha mechanisms we develop here and those of spindle oscillations. During spindling TC cells do not fire at the spindling frequency: groups of TC cells participate in the spindling oscillation missing many cycles (Destexhe et al., 1996). In contrast, in our model of frontal alpha, individual TC cells oscillate at the alpha frequency. Furthermore, the amplitude envelope of spindles waxes and wanes, and spindles occur infrequently (Destexhe et al., 1996). In contrast, the frontal alpha is sustained, because GABA potentiation imposes a similar timescale on PY cells as on TC cells. Thus, the reciprocal corticothalamic feedback forms a closed loop that reinforces the oscillation, leading to persistent activity.
+Our model offers an explanation of the mechanism for propofol-induced anteriorization. It suggests that alpha activity in the occipital component is abolished because the reduction of Ih conductance silences HTC cells, the putative generators of occipital alpha. HTC cells stop bursting at the alpha frequency because at the reduced Ih conductance, Ih is no longer able to help transition the cell from the interburst period to bursting. Furthermore, the reduction in the Ih conductance hyperpolarizes HTC cells to a membrane potential outside the operating range of ITHT, which underlie the bursts themselves. Our model also suggests that alpha activity in the frontal component arises from increased GABAergic inhibition onto TC cells, which creates alpha timescales that are reinforced by reciprocal corticothalamic feedback.
+The extent to which anteriorization occurs in response to anesthetics other than propofol is an open question, since EEG studies of drugs other than propofol (Gugino et al., 2001; John et al., 2001) have averaged effects over different drug classes.
+In our model, the critical mechanism in abolishing occipital alpha is the silencing of HTC cells, and the critical mechanism in producing frontal alpha is the potentiation of GABA. We thus predict that anteriorization may arise in response to drugs that share these molecular targets and the requisite effects on neuronal populations. For example, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and halothane potentiate GABA (Franks and Lieb, 1994; Rudolph and Antkowiak, 2004). Also, all three silence HTC cells, as they all increase potassium leak conductances (Shin and Winegar, 2003; Enyedi and Czirják, 2010); increasing potassium leak conductances silences HTC cells by hyperpolarizing them and moving them out of the operating range of ITHT channels, which are responsible for mediating the awake alpha bursts.
+Our model is in accordance with the observation that anesthetics that potentiate GABA but also alter currents other than Ih or potassium leak conductance can produce a spectral pattern different from that of propofol. For example, like propofol, barbiturates are known to potentiate GABA and reduce Ih conductance (Wan et al., 2003), but they also have other molecular targets (Solt and Forman, 2007; Franks and Zecharia, 2011). In particular, it is known they attenuate AMPA (Taverna et al., 1994; Löscher and Rogawski, 2012). Such a perturbation is expected to prevent the expression of the thalamocortical alpha mechanism developed here. Specifically, the frontal alpha oscillation relies on the “ping-pong” relationship between RE and TC cells: TC cells excite RE cells via AMPA, causing the RE cells to spike; their spiking inhibits TC cells via GABA, causing TC cells to spike again, as currents that are more active at hyperpolarized membrane potentials (IT and Ih) become engaged. Thus attenuating AMPA conductances disrupts the critical interplay between RE and TC cells. TC cells also drive PY cells, via AMPA, at the alpha frequency. Therefore AMPA reduction will disrupt multiple facets of the alpha-generating mechanism in our model. In fact, model simulations show that reducing AMPA conductance by 25–30% begins to disrupt frontal alpha, and reducing it by 50% abolishes frontal alpha altogether.
+We note, also, that certain pathological states of unconsciousness, such as alpha coma (Kaplan et al., 1999), are characterized by anteriorly dominant alpha EEG patterns. While much work remains in characterizing these conditions, our model may eventually help to inform thalamocortical mechanisms in these pathological states.
+S.V. acknowledges support from National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant DMS-1042134. S.C. acknowledges support from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. P.L.P. acknowledges support from National Institutes of Health (NIH) New Innovator Award DP2-OD006454 and NIH K-Award K25-NS057580. E.N.B. acknowledges support from NIH Director's Pioneer Award DP1-OD003646 and NIH Director's Transformative Research Award R01 GM104948. N.J.K. acknowledges support from NSF grants DMS-1042134 and DMS-1225647.
+Today the term Ndebele (pronounced in-da-bey-lee) is usually used to refer to one of the smallest groups of people (about
+800,000) living in Southern Africa and belonging to the larger group of Nguni peoples which also includes the Zulu, Swazi
+and Xhosa.
+The Ndebele have a very tumultuous history, fraught with battles and many great movements from one area of Southern Africa
+to another. Most can trace their ancestry back to the area that became Natal Province and later KwaZulu-Natal.It is presumable
+that they arrived in the Transvaal area of South Africa in about the 15th or 16th century from Natal, in order to try and live
+a peaceful existence with other, larger groups of Nguni people.
+Once they had become settled in the Pretoria area by the mid 1600's their population began to grow rapidly. However things
+did not go well for long, their king Musi died and a feud broke out between his sons Manala and Ndzundza. This led to many
+fights between supporters of the two and many people were killed. Finally they decided to live apart, the Manala tribe(consisting
+of Manala and his followers) in the Pretoria area and the Ndzundza tribe(Ndzundza himself as well as his supporters) further
+east.
+In the 1820's Mzilikazi, a Zulu general, fled from Shaka Zulu with his army. This army over-powered the Manala and then decided
+to settle down there as rulers of them. It didn't take long for Mzilikazi to became afraid that because they were in one
+place Shaka would send an army after him. However he did not want to leave his newly gained peoples, nor could he attempt to
+move them all. He devised a wicked plan to lure all the Ndebele men away, he then got his army together and killed them.
+Taking only the women and livestock(both of which are considered most important to a tribe) he moved northwards until he
+finally settled in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. That is why there are Ndebele in Zimbabwe, still to this day in-fact. This
+drastically reduced the number of Ndebele speakers in South Africa, leaving only a few Manala and the Ndzundza behind.
+When the Boers settled north of the Vaal River in the early 19th centaury many Ndebele's became employed as farm workers.
+As more of them began to live on the farms their cultural heritage became marginalized. It was only the communities in the
+south that managed to preserve their traditions. This made many of the people angry, they were angry at the farmers for
+exploiting them and angry at their own people for how easily they were letting themselves be taken-over. However at the same
+time the Ndzundza in the south were involved in many battles with the Pedi people under the rule of Sekhukhune. Many of the
+Ndebele had become formidable warriors and the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek(Z.A.R) became concerned about this as they did
+not want tribal hostilities affecting their land. This, in conjunction with the hostile feelings of the Ndebele towards the
+Afrikaans resulted in conflict.
+In the time between 1875 and 1882 there were several battles with the white rulers of the then Transvaal Republic which
+simply resulted in an even greater reduction in the number of Ndebele. After they were defeated in 1882, the Z.A.R were
+determined to make sure they could never be in power. They settled their own farmers on the chiefs land and the Ndebeles
+were then forced to work and live on farms over a large and dispersed area which, as well as destroying their traditions
+further also destroyed their sense of cultural identity and pride. Those in the north were particularly affected and over
+time began to adopt the Sotho language and many other traits of both other tribes and the Afrikaaners themselves. The
+Afrikaans leader Paul Kruger put many of the leaders and chiefs in jail and many of the people who could not be used as
+slaves on the farms were forced to move. Thus, within just a few years all Ndebele people were scattered in small groups
+around the country with very little to hold them together. Later, some of the seized land was given back to leaders as a
+reward for loyal service.
+Under apartheid, many of the Ndebele people living in the northern Transvaal were assigned to the seSotho-speaking
+homeland of Lebowa, which consisted of several segments of land scattered across the northern Transvaal. The others, mostly
+southern Ndebele who had retained more traditional elements of their culture and language, were assigned to KwaNdebele. This
+was land that had been given to the son of Nyabela, a well-known Ndebele fighter in Kruger's time. This homeland was therefore
+highly prized by Ndebele traditionalists, and they pressed for a KwaNdebele independence throughout the 1980s.
+Finally, in 1981, KwaNdebele was declared a "self-governing" territory. However, very few of its 300,000 residents could
+find jobs in the homeland, so most had to go and find work in the industrial region of Pretoria and Johannesburg. By
+this time at least 500,000 Ndebele people lived in urban centers throughout South Africa and in homelands other than
+KwaNdebele. During the 1980s and the early 1990s, many Ndebele recognized a royal family, the Mahlangu family, and the
+capital of KwaNdebele was called KwaMahlangu. The royal family was troubled though, and divided over economic issues and the
+question of "independence" for the homeland. These disputes were overridden by the dissolution of the homelands in 1994.
+The Ndebele tribe of Southern Africa is divided into four sub-tribes, of which two of these, the Manala and the Ndzundza
+live mainly in the Pretoria and Mpumalanga area of South Africa. Although the Ndebele originally formed part of the Nguni,
+today the Ndebele is a unique tribe with a unique language, isiNdebele, which is not even understood by most other black
+tribes. It is estimated that in both urban and rural areas there are about 800,000 Ndebele people in South Africa
+and nearly 1.7 million Ndebele living in Zimbabwe, where they constitute about one-sixth of the population and are sometimes
+known as Matabele. There were also thought to be about 300,000 in Botswana.
+The Ndebele language is called isiNdebele, although it also sometimes known as just Ndebele, South Ndebele or isiKhethu.
+It is classified among the Nguni languages(Zulu, Swazi, Xhosa, isiNdebele), although Sotho influences are so strong in some
+areas that isiNdebele is sometimes also classified as a variant of seSotho. The type of the language spoken depends mostly on
+what area of the country you are in. In South Africa there are two main variants, Ndebele is usually found in the north while
+in the south you often find the languages amaNala and amaNzunza which are related to the Ndebele people of Zimbabwe - the
+amaNdebele/Matabele. In Botswana it is usually just called Ndebele. The Ndebele spoken in Zimbabwe is much closer to Zulu than
+the kind that is spoken in South Africa which is much closer to Swazi. isiNdebele's official classification according to the 2000
+Unesco World Language Report is as follows.
+Because the Ndebele have for such a long time been such a small group of people, their language has never been taken that
+seriously and has never been taught in schools, nor is there an official orthography. This is part of the reason why the
+language is sometimes grouped in such differing ways, grouped together with many other Southern African languages despite the
+fact that it is usually not understood at all by most of the other tribal groups. Some believe the language to be in danger of
+extinction as many of today's Ndebele children learn to speak Northern Sotho instead and adults find it not in common use.
+However, it is not lost. When the apartheid government created the homeland of KwaNdebele many groups of people who had been
+widely distributed were brought back together. Many cultural practices came back to life and a stronger identity began to
+reform. One of things that appeared was Radio Ndebele. After the fall of the apartheid government the radio station kept going
+but changed it's name to Ikhwekhwezi(Star). The stations coverage has expanded to include the whole Northern Ndebele region -
+keeping the language alive, and keeping it's feel and flavour - albeit with a few Sotho and Afrikaans works creeping in.
+Despite being one of the smallest groups in the region, the Ndebele are often the most quickly recognized and most distinctive
+of all the peoples. They have long been famous for their decorative art skills that include both painting and beadwork and
+can be spotted from a far distance. Traveling through the Transvaal landscape one can always spot an Ndebele homestead by
+it's very brightly painted walls.
+Ndebele social structure is patriarchal, with descent traced through senior men, and access to the spirit world is through
+male ancestors. Women, even when they marry and are socially incorporated into their husbands' families, have limited status.
+Nonetheless it is women who have been the practitioners of the artistic forms which are such striking Ndebele cultural
+markers. The tradition that house-plastering and painting is a woman's job dates back to the very beginnings of the tribe.
+The houses are usually plastered in a mixture of dung and grass which dries and hardens in the sun. Paint was made from what
+could be found in the environment. Water and different types of soil and vegetation were used to make the paint and pigments
+were used to make the brightest colours possible. For example, egg yolk was often used to make yellow pigment. The walls are
+usually painted white first and then bold designs are painted around the building from the ground to about half-way up the wall.
+Surrounding structures are often also painted in this manner. The designs are usually large, block style, geometric shapes.
+It is believed this was influenced by their interaction with European settlers, it may have been different before but there is no
+documentation to prove either way. However the prevalence of letters from the Latin alphabet copied onto walls does tend to
+show that this may be the case, at least to some degree. The pictures often abstractly depict things in everyday life, but the
+shapes used as well as the colours also reflect the family's social status. Today the art still looks very much the same and
+has the same meaning, however it is very common for the women to use P.V.A paint brought in the towns instead of making it.
+The other most common art form is beadwork. Clothing is decorated with beads, and sometimes even formed entirely from beads.
+In the past things such as seeds and certain types of stone were used. All clothing was decorated in some way, everyday
+items would just have small embellishments while ceremonial clothes could consist entirely of beaded structures. Today it is much
+more common for the women to use glass or plastic beads. Women have different beaded outfits that represent all stages of life.
+The clothes are usually made by a mother or grand-mother and given as gifts at important rites of passage. The style and
+colours of the clothing represent different times of a women's life and are used to show her social standing. They are used to
+tell every story, from infancy to death. These are the most important ones:
+As well as beading clothing, one of the oldest and most revered practices is that of making beaded dolls. The dolls are
+usually symbolic representations of the person they will be given too. Thus, the clothes on the doll and the colours used
+say something about the reason why it is being made and given to a woman. The dolls are ornamental, and are meant to be kept
+in the home of the recipient to watch over them and ensure them a blessed journey through that stage of life. There are 7
+main types of dolls:
+Beadwork ornaments are worn by all Ndebele woman and some men on and around the head, neck, waist, arms and legs, and
+vary according to the age and status of the wearer, and prevailing fashion. The use of certain beadwork ornaments is much
+more permanant than most items of clothing. The beaded ring, isigolwana, is made on the body of the wearer and can not be
+removed easily. Young unmarried girls wear a thick neck-ring as well as rings on the arms, legs and waist, which can be worn
+by older women as well. These rings have a foundation of grass and sometimes cloth, and are entirely bound with a single
+length of beads or with a fabric of beadwork, making them totally ridged.
+There are other art forms carried out, but usually just for decorative purposes - they do not have as much meaning. Today
+woman use all sorts of things in their art-work and on their houses. As well as moving toward synthetic beads and paint
+they also use things such as bottle-tops, wire and car license plates to decorate. While some outsiders have seen this use
+of paint and plastic as a degradation of the culture and a symbol of how the larger society is overtaking smaller cultural
+practices, the women of the villages claim to love the opportunities that the new materials have afforded them. Because most
+of the villages are very rural and there are none, or at best, only a few job opportunities, the women often use their craft
+skills as a means of making a small independent income. Their beaded art is often sold at market, or to tourists and
+dealers.
+One of the most important Ndebele centers is just a few kilometers north of the town of Middleburg, South Africa. It is the
+museum village of Botshabelo. This is a long-standing Ndebele village that has become declared a Heritage site. It aims to
+protect and promote Ndebele culture and art as well as the people who live there. It's a fantastic place to visit - if you're
+ever in the area.
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+tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2296201570949429812014-10-05T00:06:41.523-07:00True Fanboy ConfessionsTrueFanboy Scream, You Scream...So I tuned into <i>WWE Monday Night Raw</i>. <br /><br />What I wasn’t expecting was a good ol’ case of '80s nostalgia the likes of which Cobra Commander and Megatron combined (let’s call him Cobra CoMegatron) has never seen!! <br /><br /!! <br /><br /. <br /><br / <i>Money in the Bank</i> Pay-Per-View, but the impression he made and the cheers he got out of referencing the coolest ice cream bar to ever be created will not be forgotten by this fanboy anytime soon. Bank on it.<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">WWF Ice Cream Bars!</a>TrueFanboy!"Clarity of thought before rashness of action." -- Shockwave, 1985<br />“Hmmm…. Can I afford that? Ah, f*ck it! Ring that s#!t up!” -- James Jacobs, 2011<br /><br /! <br /><br /.<br /><br />It’s just too bad that Shockwave barely got any screen time. <br /><br /!” <br /><br />He was basically the Spock of the Transformers universe. Very even-tempered. Not much ambition, other than to make Megatron a happy little Decepticon. <br /><br />In the comic books, however, Shockwave was a lot more aggressive, often even attempting to take control of the Decepticons from Megatron himself! And unlike Starscream, he actually succeeded a few times. <br /><br />He was the not-so-little Decepticon that could… every so often. <br /><br /... <br /><br />“Dad, look! Shockwave!! Cool!!! Gimme, gimme, gimme!”<br /><br />“I don’t know son, this one’s a little expensive…”<br /><br />“But, DAD! It’s SHOCKwave! Are you fucking kidding me?? This is awesome. Can I have it? Can I??”<br /><br />“Hmm… well…”<br /><br />“COME ON!”<br /><br />“…wouldn’t you rather I just buy you a nice brand new Playboy? It’s got boobies.”<br /><br />“But Dad, nothing’s cooler than Shockwave. He’s so logical! Please! Look, he’s not even a car, but I think his headlights are on.”<br /><br />“You can find headlights on in Playboy, too…”<br /><br />“What was that?”<br /><br />“Ohhh… nothing. Fine. You can have this. Just promise me you won’t still be buying this stuff when you’re 36.”<br /><br />“I promise!”<br /><br />“Alright, now get outta here.”<br /><br />…And that’s how it happened. Got the toy. Went straight home. Popped in some batteries. Played with the thing in robot AND laser gun form. Creamed over the cool laser gun sounds. I fricken loved it.<br /><br /.TrueFanboy World Philly!This <i>True Confessions of a Fanboy</i>!!.<br /> <br /.<br /> <br /?<br /> ! <br /> <br />Need proof? Click the link below, son!<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Wizard Worls Philly Pics!</a>TrueFanboy Will Believe A Toy Can Fly...Those. <br /><br /. <br /><br / <i>Superman: The Movie</i>. Have a look, but put on a bib first. You will be a-droolin’:<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Hot Toys Superman</a> <br />.<br /><br />Okay, not really. I mean, hell, no matter how cool Michael Keaton’s fat Batman lips would be, there’s no getting out of this hobby now. It’s too late for that, Luthor …too late.TrueFanboy. Macho Man…My.<br /><br /. <br /><br /.TrueFanboy Save ME…from SmallvilleSo regardless of whether or not you’re all about Superman, if you’re a TRUE fanboy, it’s a pretty safe bet you’re aware that <i>Smallville</i>.<br /><br / <i>Smallville</i>,.<br /><br /.<br /><br /.TrueFanboy Stern Wants to Drive Me Into the LakeSo. <br /><br /.<br /><br /:<br /><br />(Right click the link below and save it as a file on your computer (like on your desktop) then use your mp3 software to play it back.) <br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Howard Stern Clip</a> <br /><br /.TrueFanboy My Wallet Go!In <i>True Confessions of a Fanboy</i> ( -- *ahem!* shameless plug), one of the many subjects that I touched on happens to qualify pretty high on the list of worst vices known to fanboys the world over: DVD/Blue-ray collector boxed sets. You know what I’m talking about. Those over-produced, over-hyped, re-packaged editions of video compilations that seem to deliver high on style and low on substance every time out.<br /><br />Needless to say, I’m a sucker for these types of collector editions of movies/ television shows/etc., that in truth are nothing more than glorified versions of content that I’ve already seen literally dozens of times and wouldn’t even feel like sitting through ever again. In fact, many of these sets are ones in which I *already* own the movie or show in question from the first three or four times it was offered to a mass market audience (it’s just that the hologram cover on that last one I got looks sooooo cool standing next to my newest sterilyte shelf). Now I don’t know about any of you out there, but, for example, I personally have completely lost track of the number of different versions of <i>Superman</i> I’ve got hiding in the deepest corners of my room. I mean, just off the top of my head, there’s the regular DVD, the 8-disc complete Christopher Reeve collection, the Director’s Cut, the one with the Margot Kidder audition, the one with the extended scenes that ended up in the sequel, the one with the pig who got really mad and “squealed” before Zod, the one where Ursa kicks the astronaut in the nuts before taking his Nasa patch, and on and on and on from there. Suffice to say, it’s just out of hand.<br /><br />But with all of that said, and all of the versions of different movies that I own, and all the editions of cartoon shows I’ve seen one hundred thousand times and can just watch online whenever I feel like it anyway, the *ONE* movie that to this day I still have never owned is <i>The Ten Commandments</i> starring Charlton Heston. You see, ever since I was a wee little lad, it has been a yearly family tradition to gather 'round the tube, eat enough gefilte fish to feed a small army, and watch the story of Moses as he takes on the Pharaoh of Egypt in the grudge match of the century, as big Mo’ with his white beard and red robe shows up his big ‘Pho (that’s my witty mix of ‘pharaoh’ and ‘foe’ for all y’all ignant folk) with a sea-parting display the likes of which nobody had ever seen (who could ever forget the timeless “God opens the sea with a blast of his nostrils!”). Now I don’t know what the reason was, be it the fact that I always saw it every year, the incessant need to watch it during an actual television broadcast, or (more likely) the sad truth that I had already spent all my money on something else, but I had actually never thought much of owning the movie on DVD/Blu-ray before. Never, that is, until NOW:<br /><br /><a target='blank'href="">The Ten Commandments DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack!<br /></a><br />That’s right, fellow Hebros (witty combo #2 “Hebrews” and “bros” – booyah!)…feast your spaghetti-starved eyes (it is Passover, after all) on this bad boy. This one has got it all. We’re talking about a DVD/Blu-ray combo box set that literally parts like the Red Sea (!!), revealing two Ten Commandments tablets which house your multiple discs! And if that’s not cool enough, also included are treasures from the MGM vault, a special commemorative book, an original 1956 souvenir program, and more additional swag than you can shake a staff-turned-snake at. Oh, and it’s numbered, too (who cares if there are about 100,000 of these?!). Now if that type of package isn’t tailor-made for an impulse purchase, I don’t know what is… and I don’t wanna know! <br /><br />Of course, I’m still guaranteed to be there in line when they eventually release yet another version of this movie, which I’m hoping will include a limited edition box of matzo. But until that day comes, I guess this latest version will just have to “tide” me over. (Get it?? “tide”??? like the ‘tide’ of a parting sea???? Haha! I slay me!!!)TrueFanboy Out That Light!I’ve been spending the past couple of days physically (and more importantly, mentally) preparing for a major renovation of my room this weekend that has been in the works for quite awhile now. The point, as always, is to make things more manageable so I can continue this sick and twisted collecting lifestyle of mine. In case you were curious, I’m finally at a point where I have to do this once or twice every year now, with each specific renovation ‘project’ consisting of anywhere from one to three action items. This weekend, in particular, has two: <br /> <br />True Fanboy Room Renovation Action Item #1: All windows must be boarded up for the summer.<br /> <br />I used to tell myself that “a *little* sunlight on my precious possessions here and there wasn’t so bad,” and actually believe it! Sadly, I can live this lie no longer. It’s simple physics, folks. We’re already in April. The days are getting longer. The birds are chirping louder. The seasons are changing ever more dramatically. And with the change of seasons comes summer. And with summer comes dreaded cursed HEAT. And as any TRUE fanboy knows, heat is the death of just about anything worth collecting. It ruins comics pages, spoils cardbacks, melts toy plastics/rubber/paintjobs/etc., and ruins the collectability of just about anything else I dare stuff in my room. Granted, I’ve got one of the best mini-fans money can buy, strategically placed with the precision of a laser surgeon to equally distribute air to each minute available spec of free space my room has to offer. And true, the fan needs to work less and less with every passing week, as said level of free space decreases with each new reckless convention purchase I make. So yeah, cool air gets where it needs to go when it needs to get there. But really, people, could that ever be enough? I think not! So call my collection "Team Edward." Call it "Team Jacob." Truly, it doesn’t matter what vampire metaphor the kids these days might go with. The bottom line is that after this weekend, not a single ray of sunlight shall reach any of my comics, toys, or other related chachkies during this long, hot summer. <br /> <br />Bringing us to our next order of business…<br /> <br />True Fanboy Room Renovation Action Item #2: Mandatory reorganization of sterilyte shelving system, orchestrated with the specific goal of opening up at least 24 inches of available space, 20 inches of which will immediately be occupied by eight newly-purchased sterilytes, which have been measured to fit *perfectly* on top of one another so that they seamlessly reach from the floor to the ceiling with only two (!!!) millimeters of space being wasted at the very top!<br /> <br />This one is a little more complicated, my little Gaga monsters. You see… I… er…. Eh…. Ah, who the fuck am I kidding. There’s no way I’m going to be able to complete this second action item. I’ll just cross my fingers and pray that the whole window-boarding thing goes off without a hitch. And while I’m crossing my fingers, I might as well cross my legs as well. Because with the kind of drama this weekend's renovation is sure to bring, I think I may just shit my pants. Yo Joe.TrueFanboy ‘Em and Bag ‘Em!Trending today was Nicholas Cage’s stolen copy of Action Comics #1, which for those of you living under a rock your entire life, features the very first appearance of the Man of Steel himself, Superman! This little sumbitch of a comic dates all the way back to 1938, so it goes without saying that it can fetch itself quite a price on the open (or not-so-open) market. Anyway, it turns out that Cage’s copy was found in an abandoned storage unit in Los Angeles, of all places. By the way, this comic was stolen from Cage over a decade ago, way back when he could actually make rent; so to confirm, Cage himself was not the thief. Either way, however, there is no denying that this week’s little discovery is quite the ‘national treasure’ (ha!), if I do say so myself. <br /> <br />Now that five minutes have passed and you’re done laughing at my joke from the end of the last paragraph, the question I’m sure you must all be asking yourselves is “how in the blue hell is it even officially known that this is actually Cage’s missing copy??” A good question indeed. Well, true believer, apparently it turns out that each of the 100 copies of this rare and worship-worthy gem that are known to exist have literally been ‘tagged’ with unique ink markings (much like Angelina Jolie before she had her doctor laser-tag “Billy Bob” off her ass, or whereever she had it placed). So it really is possible to identify each documented existing copy. <br /> <br />Now I don’t know about all of you, but I would be pretty damn excited if I had a way of tagging all of my own obsessive possessions so that no other nerd could ever lay claim to anything of mine that dared wander from my sight. So appealing is this concept, that I’ve spent the last couple of hours running through possible scenarios in which I could accomplish this. So far, I’ve only managed to think of a way to ‘tag’ a significant other, but I won’t go into that because: 1. it washes off, even if the icky feelings don’t, and 2. I’ve got enough problems without all you people blaming me for your sexual assault charges. Figure it out. And while you’re at it, let me know if you figure out this whole ‘collectible tagging’ thing as well. Now that I know that a washout like Nic Cage can enjoy the benefits, I pretty much won’t rest until I’m living the dream as well.TrueFanboy’s right, bitches—JoeCon. And no, I don’t mean a gathering of fools named Joe. Nor am I referring to the conning of said fools. Rather, this is the annual pilgrimage to some randomly selected lucky city in which all things G.I. Joe converge for a weekend of complete and unadulterated awesomeness. This is the big one. And it’s got it all. We’re talking semi-attractive harlots who suddenly become totally attractive upon donning their leather-studded Baroness body suits. We’re talking not-so-attractive Hasbro hotshots who suddenly become -– er, stay not-so-attractive -– yet suddenly earn extra cool points in their pimping of totally sweet new Joe product. We’re talking “Yo Joe” chants at 5:00 in the morning from an adjacent hotel room. We’re talking those same harlots in the Baroness body suits recoiling in disgust from the bad breath those nachos just gave me. We’re talking multiple trips to the potty courtesy of the very same nachos. In short, we’re talking FUN. <br /><br />This year’s FUN took place at Disney World in Orlando. Now honestly, how exactly anyone was expected to afford both the various limited edition (e.g. – expensive) convention exclusives AND the standard fee access to the Disney parks themselves is way beyond this true believer. I sure as hell wasn’t able to do it. I mean, look at the choices I was faced with: Buy delicious plastic men which will appreciate in value over the course of just a few hours, along with as many duplicate purchases as possible to sell on ebay (to all the pathetic bastards who just weren’t willing to take a second mortgage out on their homes and take the trip out) in hopes of breaking even… OR go meet Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Minnie (possibly in a Baroness leather body suit). Take a wild guess which door I went through on that one. <br /><br />I won’t bore you with every last detail of my weekend in Orlando (I’m guessing you don’t have all week here), but suffice it to say, I didn’t do my room at home any favors in the available space department. In fact, one of the exclusives was so massive that I needed to ship it out via UPS since it had absolutely no hope of fitting on the return plane’s overhead compartment (and I sure as shit wasn’t going to check it and trust it in the hands of those clueless baggage handlers, lest my precious possessions end up crushed, bent beyond recognition, and shipped to Zimbabwe). So I ask you, what idiot spends $56 on shipping after already having pissed away what little money he had to begin with at JoeCon? THIS idiot right here. And if you don’t believe me, come check out the hotels at next year’s con. I’ll be the douchebag screaming “Yo Joe” at 5:00am.TrueFanboy, I’m James Jacobs…and I’m a Child-ManWith no end in sight to books examining the various sociological issues which pertain to men, women, and children, it’s become very clear to me that I’m one of the people some of those so-called “experts” are writing about. Hell, I myself am apparently an expert, having written my own look at the hopelessly obsessive collector…and it’s an autobiography! But I must say that I was especially interested in this article that I came across over the weekend:<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Manning Up<br /></a><br />So yes, people…there is indeed a child-man. And according to many, he’s wasting his 20s and 30s living in a fanboy’s paradise (and contributing nothing to the world as a whole). Now honestly, I call bullshit on this whole “rise of women resulting in a generation of men who act like overgrown kids” notion. Granted, as a TRUE fanboy my interaction with women ain’t exactly the most thorough of experiences, but dammit people, I did this to myself. Period. And so did you.<br /><br />What really led to this fanboy lifestyle was a youth dominated by slick marketing, infusing colorful toy packaging, catchy and addicting commercials, a ‘you gotta have this!’ message drilled into me on a daily basis, and vibrant comic book stories the likes of which no nerd had every before seen! THAT’S why I am who I am. Not the fact that a woman knows how to brush her pretty teeth better than a man does.<br /><br />So let’s just be honest—we fanboys have done made our own beds here. And I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty fine with laying in it now. I just need a little extra counseling and at least 50 single bills for every bachelor party I attend…TrueFanboy Like Flocked Butts, and I Cannot Lie…Okay, so for those of you out there who have been lucky enough to read my book, <em>True Confessions of a Fanboy</em>, you’re probably already aware of my curious obsession with flocked toys. And for those cheapos who couldn’t even plunk down a few measly bucks for it because you’re busy saving up for <em>Hitch</em> on BlueRay, thinking that you might actually learn something about girls (you won’t), allow me to illuminate all you suckas. <br /><br />Put simply, flocking is a process by which life-like hair or fur is applied to a figure, offering a more realistic play value unparalleled by most industry standards. It’s kind of like what <em>The Jersey Shore</em> is to all those dumb teenagers these days. They don’t know exactly why they think it’s cool; they just do. Only, unlike the whole “Gym Tanning Laundry” lifestyle all of those crazy kids are talking about, flocked toys actually ARE cool! Take those classic G.I. Joe Adventure Team toys, for example. My obsession with flocked figures actually stems from the fact that those figures have such wickedly awesome life-like hair and beards—making them a hell of a lot more manly than I could ever hope to be. And, to me, anything more manly than I am is usually the perfect recipe for awesomeness.<br /><br />Now since spending money is always better than actually having it, I’ve recently taken to collecting those high-priced 12-inchers from Sideshow Collectibles. But the thing of it is, I’ve always been able to rationalize these huge purchases by constraining myself to their G.I. Joe offerings only. And, as any of you TRUE fanboys out there know full well, it’s our ability as fanboys to rationalize (or ‘rational lies’) our expenses that keeps us in the game so long, delightfully buried in our own denial. <br /><br />So with all of my rational lies on the line, what, pray tell, do you think was finally able to drive me to the dark side? Ladies and losers, I present to you… Sideshow’s Gamorrean Guard:<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Order the Gamorrean Guard!<br /></a><br />No, you’re not seeing things—that’s a fully-flocked belly/ass combination, yo. Did you just hear what I said?? A flocked belly AND ass, people! One hundred percent, unadulterated, Grade-A quality, scruffy-luscious, bitch-you-better-wax-that-thang, furfest extravaganza… and all on places where it just shouldn’t be. Forbidden flock, if you will. And that, my friend, is cooler than Wonder Woman’s bush on a breezy February morning. Speaking of Wonder Woman, and women in general… you know how a real man would have just the best time rubbing his face in a nice pair of extra perky boobies? Well, not me. Not this day. Me, I’ll take a nice fat face-full of that furry belly/ass flocking any day of the week and twice on Sundays. <br /><br />So go out and get yourself this awesome piece for your 12” collection. And get me some help while you’re at it.TrueFanboy Ultimate Work of Art<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">You know…I can actually remember a time when the only thing that mattered about my toys was whether or not I actually enjoyed playing with them. Those were the days indeed…the days when it wasn’t about the cool paint job. Or the unique sculpt. Or the variant version that put a left hand where the right one should be. Or any of that nonsense. I can actually remember that time in my life! Then again, I can also recall the days when my appearance in front of the opposite sex was actually a huge concern of mine. Man, those were good times.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">But while I don’t care all that much about how I look these days (roaming the halls of most comic book conventions in nothing but tighty-whities tends to easily communicate that, I’m sure), I unfortunately can’t say the same thing about the toys I collect. There’s no way around it – it’s different now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">So nobody should be surprised to hear me say that it can be a really stressful thing when you’re walking the aisles of Toys “R” Us, desperately looking for a reason to fork over some more cash to the big giraffe, and half the stock on the shelves just doesn’t meet the refined standards of a collector of my caliber. It’s not about the kung-fu grip anymore. Or the swivel waist action. Or the way Zartan turns green-blue in sunlight (okay, that’s still pretty awesome, but I digress). I mean, with the kind of history I have in the hobby, what else would you expect? You’re talking about someone who’s purchased so many G.I. Joe flocked hair throwbacks that I half expect my next Wonder Woman action figure to have a flocked va-jayjay. And I’m left to wonder…will nothing come out this week to give me my long overdue nerdgasm? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Enter the Defining Moments Ultimate Warrior action figure from Mattel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Yeah, you heard me right. The Ultimate Warrior. That incoherent whackjob who spent the better part of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s running to wrestling rings in face-paint, arm streamers, and multi-colored title belts. The guy whose first move when reaching said ring was to wig out completely, snarling loudly at opponents and shaking defenseless ring ropes. The lunatic who just up and dominated the entire WWF (now the WWE – stupid World Wide Fund) and even took out the big cheese himself, Hulk Hogan, in a dramatic title-for-title match at Wrestlemania VI. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">The guy was just out of his mind, and quite honestly, had no place in normal society (yeah, this is ME saying that!). Most of his promos consisted of things like </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">“Load the spaceship with the rocket fuel!” and “When the moon is blood red and the planets from the grimlock system converge…battling in the sheets of the wind…then I will…prevailllll!!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">But even with all of that silliness up against them, Mattel managed to rise to the occasion and make something truly awesome with the Warrior’s name attached to it. Here, take a look:<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Ultimate Warrior review<br /></a><br />I mean, look at this thing! Those tights. Those knee pads. That fine coat! Yeah, I realize that reading that last sentence, it would probably be more appropriate had I been describing some hot thang I saw across the bar this past weekend. But with everything I just described, to say nothing of the things I haven’t even gone into (like the paint job and printed graphics – and NO, I’m not talking about NASCAR now!), why would I even go out on a weekend??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">So even if you still do date, take my advice on this one. Buy it. Display it. Invite people over for a viewing. And make sure you’re wearing a smoking jacket-with-pipe-Hugh Hefner ensemble while you’re doing it. Because fine art like this doesn’t come along all that often. Load the spaceship with the rocket fuel!!!</span></div>TrueFanboy Omnibus: Book or Bulletproof Vest?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So there I was in my local comic shop this afternoon when I heard some guy go “Ahm knee bus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s an Ahm knee bus??”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I just about shat my pants in disgust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, no, it wasn’t because of the milkshake-cheeseburger combo I had just scarfed down at Wendy’s an hour earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, it instantly occurred to me that this guy’s silly question meant one of two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Either: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">a) that fool was just straight up ignant, yo. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">OR </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">b) there are some people out there who actually don’t know what an Omnibus is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", ser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So here’s the deal, people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Us fanboys – us TRUE fanboys – we like to own collected editions of our favorite comic book storylines (and, if you’re anything like me, the not-so-favorite ones as well).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And that’s basically what Omnibuses are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the one hand, they’re just another dent in the already far-too-depleted bank account of the fanboy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, they’re totally AWESOME, man!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things are just HUGE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you happen to live on the wrong side of the tracks and you can manage to fit one of these bad boys inside your jacket, you’ll never have to worry about random gunfire or stray bullets again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sheer thickness of these things alone offers more protection than S.W.A.T. riot gear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not bad for something that only sets you back about $100.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s nothing to say of the ‘bonus creator commentary,’ alternate covers gallery, and who knows what else in each printed masterpiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, before you go and have a hissy fit after finding Omnibuses in stores for a c-note, remember your fanboy training, young one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve got the sight, and you’re like me, your nerd-sense will automatically start tingling whenever you’re in the vicinity of a good deal online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, really, even if you can’t find yourself a decent discount, keep in mind that these things clock in at around 1000 pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I don’t know about you, but where I come from, that kind of page count is more orgasm-inducing than a drunken Jessica Alba, completely void of discriminating preferences after having downed three bottles of Grey Goose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I mean, come one, with over thirty issues stuffed between the covers (you know, the way I’d stuff Jessica between the covers after all that Vodka), how can you possibly go wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only one way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by walking into any respectable comic shop and asking “Gee whiz, what’s an Ahm knee bus??”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nothing to lose sleep over; just be careful is all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or you’ll pull your balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just trust me on that, and please don’t ask me any further questions on the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and buy yourself an Omnibus featuring one of your favorite comic book heroes RIGHT NOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll thank me later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you do end up pulling your balls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">James Jacobs is the co-author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">True Confessions of a Fanboy</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the above report made you think any less of him, you ain’t even seen half the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out right now for a free excerpt of what I’m talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>TrueFanboy “Special Friends” can make it out of the Friend Zone!Okay, let me just get this out of the way and admit it right now. I watched <em>She-Ra</em>. <br /><br />And I know all those in the “My Buddy” crowd never would have been caught dead watching a girlie show like <em>She-Ra</em>, <em>He-Man and the Masters of the Universe</em>,.” <br /><br /. <br /><br /:<br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Bow review<br /></a><br /!<br /><br /><br />What are you waiting for? Go get my book at <a href=""><span style="color: #888888;"></span></a>TrueFanboy me by the balls, the Force does...I can remember it like I was nine years old. Come to think of it… I was nine years old! And I was salivating in palpitating anticipation over the new Star Wars movie. The hype machine that Kenner (now Hasbro) Toys is still known for to this day was in full force, fresh with awkward kiddie commercials and mini-catalogs fiendishly inserted into their 1982 Star Wars toys. On display for all the world to see: the long-awaited title for the final installment of our beloved trilogy. It was gonna be called <em>REVENGE of the Jedi</em> and it was gonna be the nerdgasm of all our lifetimes combined! How freakin' cool to have a movie with the word "Revenge" in the title! For a simple New York kid, years from even being rejected by some hot thang sitting in the corner of calculus class, it would be a true rite of passage to witness this movie in all its glory. I mean, shit son, the rebels had just gotten their asses handed to them in <em>Empire</em>, and I don’t know about any of you, but I was straight up desperate for some wicked awesome REVENGE.<br /><br />And then it happened. George happened. In the first of what would be COUNTLESS “creative” blunders, George Lucas decided that “seeks revenge not, the Jedi does.” Er, I mean “Jedi do not seek revenge.” It’s simply not “in their nature.” That sumbitch had to go all soft on us and change what could have truly been the greatest movie title of all time! And he changed it to, of all things, <em>RETURN of the Jedi</em>??!!<br /><br />Is THAT what Jedi do? They “return” to stuff?? Oh wait, now I get it. Luke is the first Jedi in a looooong ass time. So he's returning, and with him, the entire Jedi way of life. Ha. Ah-ha-ha. Umm… yeah.<br /><br />Fanboys and Fangirls the world over, I present to you: the neutering of a movie title! I was crushed. I felt so small… like a mere nine year old. Yeah, I know… I was one, but what I WANTED was to feel like a cool badass adult who wouldn’t need to be accompanied by my mommy and daddy to see a film about REVENGE. And this horrible disappointment didn’t even include the pain I would end up enduring through all the Ewoks, Boba Fetts falling down hungry vaginas, and Vaders being unmasked to reveal a hapless crusty old fart. Oh, and that god awful dance at the end. But I digress.<br /><br />So it I lived with it. I lived with the pain. I lived with the anguish. I lived with the confusion, frustration, and befuddlement. I lived with it all!<br /><br />But then… last week… the coolest show to ever be held prior to a San Diego Comic-Con. Toy Fair, baby. No, not that crappy magazine published by the now-defunct <em>Wizard</em>. Toy FAIR. Where nerds of all shapes and sizes convene to learn what is coming out this year from Hasbro, Mattel, and every other force in the plaything industry… including, of course, some of the reveals of those Con exclusives we all clamor for. Those impossible-to-obtain treasures that can only be owned by mortgaging the first-born that you probably won’t have anyway.<br /><br />And the biggest reveal of them all this year: Hasbro has gone and undone George’s biggest “don’t” he ever did done. Their purchase of Kenner long completed, they announced the mother of all Star Wars exclusives. Now, after all of these years, hope springs anew: Here, have a look: <br /><br /><a target='blank' href="">Revenge of the Jedi set!<br /></a><br />There you have it, people. <em>REVENGE of the Jedi</em>. Emblazoned across a big freakin’ Death Star package, including multiple <em>Revenge</em> cardbacks inside. Just the way it always should have been. Just the way it oughtta be! And by Palpatine’s balls, it will be mine at any cost. So bye bye, tax refund. Sayonara, Christmas bonus I’m ten months from even seeing. Thanks for stopping by, hot lady who will let me drop $200 on an expensive lobster dinner with no chance of a happy ending later on. <br /><br />Let it be known forever more… when it comes to this latest Lucas ploy, one that is actually cool for a change… I will *finally* have my REVENGE! <br /><br /><br />What are you waiting for? Go get my book at <a href=""></a>TrueFanboy
+As the trial of Charles Taylor moved into a week-long judicial recess today, news broke that the much anticipated appearance by British Supermodel Naomi Campbell may no longer take place at the end of July.
+According to prosecution counsel, Nicholas Koumjian, Ms. Campbell planned to ask the judges to reschedule her appearance and would soon put her request in writing. The judges, however, could not rule on her request until after the judicial break.
+Mr. Koumjian assured the court that Ms. Campbell’s preferred date of testimony is close to the one indicated in her subpoena (July 29) – and will likely take place before the current witness — former Sierra Leonean rebel leader, Issa Sesay — leaves the witness stand.
+Testimony by actress Mia Farrow and Ms Campbell’s former agent, Carole White, will likely follow that of the British supermodel. The three high profile women are set to testify about allegations that in 1997, while on a visit to South Africa — and after a star studded dinner hosted by former South African president Nelson Mandela — Mr. Taylor sent men to deliver rough diamonds to Ms. Campbell. Prosecutors suggest that the rough diamonds were given to Mr. Taylor by Sierra Leonean rebels in the hope that the former Liberian president would exchange them during his travels for arms and ammunition, which helped to fuel the rebels’ crimes during the conflict. Mr. Taylor has denied the allegations.
+In Mr. Sesay’s testimony as a witness for Mr. Taylor, the former Revolutionary United Front (RUF) leader has denied that the RUF gave diamonds to Mr. Taylor, and dismissed as false allegations that Mr. Taylor bought weapons and ammunition for RUF rebels.
+Mr. Taylor’s trial resumes on Monday, July 26, with Mr. Sesay again taking the witness stand.
+21 Comments
+The sixty four thousands dollars question is, will Ms Campbell take the alleged half million dollars bribe from the prosecution and testify that President Taylor indeed give her diamond, or will she (Ms Campbell) refused to take the bribe and testify to the truth? The same truth she (Ms Campbell) said on the Oper Winfield show, ABC nightline and to other media houses.
+A half million dollars is a huge sum of money, if Ms Campbell was a poor African woman, I will advice her to take the money and do a “Run by.” The same way two of the prosecution main witnesses did when they were bribed one hundred thousands dollars each. The two witnesses took the money and never showed up.
+For those of you who are not familiar with the bribery from the prosecution, please read the weekly summaries of July 10, comment by Aki. Follow the link. “Interview with Taylor’s Lead Counsel Courtenay Griffiths QC in The Hague”. A Must Read!
+Obviously, read Big B’s comment posted next to Aki’s comment.
+Hi Ms Tracey and Mr. Alpha;
+Could you please tell us where Isa Sesay is lodged and on whose account? This guy does not deserve to have prolong accomodations being a super convict! Get him back to Rwanda to get his VIP treatment while he awaits the Bossman,taylor gankay mcarthur, the former head of the NPFL Junta Rebels!
+J. fallah menjor,
+My understanding is that Issa Sesay is housed within the detention/prison facility maintained by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. This facility is quite different from the one occupied by Mr. Taylor. Since Issa Sesay has already been convicted and is serving a jail term, his housing arrangement is different from those of other witnesses who have travelled to The Hague to testify. A cell within the ICTY prison facility was therefore obtained for him and an appropriate rent is being paid for that by the Special Court for Sierra Leone. I hope this explanation helps.
+Thanks,
+Alpha
+Alpha,
+You guys Almost never stop short of amazing me always but anyway it’s conspicuous to say the least. How come you can respond to such a ridiculous question from J.Fallah but wouldn’t be courteous enough to respond to my compliment to you and Tracey?????? What does Issa sasey accommodation has to do with the issues? Accommodation ? wow oooooo!!!!!!!
+GreBo,
+Please do not waste you good time, those guys are in the same boat here. All they dream and preach is that Mr. Taylor is guilty.
+Harris
+These links are for my fellow Ghangay supporters : I think Tracey and Alpha might like these links too, ENJOY Your!!!
+GreBo,
+Good job. I love it all, but the internet connectivity is badly slow here in Monrovia. Is it possible that you down load the video and send it to my email so that I can burn it to a CD? Thanks for being there. Tracey, can you help please? Here is my address: jkortu@yahoo.com.
+Regards
+Harris K Johnson ,
+Sure!!!
+Hello All
+can anyone help to make me understand the legal difference the coming of these three ladies will make in this case? By the way is the prosecution also bring the three men alledged to have presented the diamod on behave of former President Taylor? Any way, let me caution the prosecution about the ability and capacity of the defense to handlle these kinds of evidences in minimum time with maximum damage. watch up folks the trial needs to go on.
+Johnny Ndebe,
+Let me preface my comments. I have not made a decision as to whether or not I think CT is guilty or not…But, as a lawyer who has been following this trial as objectively as possible, I will say that the prosecution has done a poor job in connecting the diamonds to CT. They have trotted out many witnesses that have been raped, lost arms etc. But, they have yet to make a strong legal argument that CT recieved blood diamonds from members of the RUF in exchange for arms. They have not established (at least not very well) that HE was the cause of the attrocities that took place in Sierra Leone by fueling the conflict. I hope that makes since.
+What they seek to do by having these ladies testify that CT gave an uncut diamond to Naomi Campbell is to establish that CT did, in fact have diamonds from Sierra Lione. The fact that it is a ‘rough and uncut’ diamond is significant because that means it’s highly unlikely that it came from a shop or store somewhere in South Africa. Jewelry stores dont sell uncut diamonds typically.
+Since the court is allowing this testimony, if Ms. Campbell testifies that she did recieve an uncut diamond that will be the smoking gun the prosecution needs in my opinion as to CT’s involvement.
+Nikaw,
+Even if the diamond was cut , how could it be from CT??????
+Nikaw,
+Thanks for your comments above. The problem with Naomi Campbells evidence as far as the prosecution is concerned is that she has already said in a television interview that she never received diamonds from Mr. Taylor.
+No money to hunt Mr. Taylor’s hidden millions. What a shame? Please set Mr. Taylor free and drop all charges against him.
+Harris K Johnson
+I agree with you Harry K Johnson that this is a shame that ‘no money to hunt taylor stolen money’, but equally so taylor is already serving his punishment awaiting judgement and final throwing away of the key to his freedom for the rest of his pitiful existence! For those who rejoice that the stolen money may never be recovered, I say this to you; your great grandchildren will ultimately pay since their grandfathers continue to live not only in ignorance, but imbedded malice that never seems to go away in spite of all the experice and knowledge gained in their own lives! This is all I have to say about Gankay stolen wealth of the Republic of Liberia that will remain in Western Nations that most claim they hate but at the same time prefering that those Nations rather keep the money for themselves and for the benefit of their grandchildren’s future betterment, than for Liberia to recover it and help orphans that were created from taylor’s reign. What a people we are?
+Fallah,
+My children and grand children will see a better world than this, and will never learn lies. So help me God.
+Harris
+Too all
+With Mr. Sesay previous court room experience in mind. From a scale of 1 to 10 how reliable do you think Mr. Sesay is as a witness? 1 being unreliable and 10 being reliable. In my opinion, it would not mater if Mr. Sesay was testifying for the defense or the prosecution. I would give him about 3.5 to 4 on the reliability scale. I’m pretty sure the judges have already rated Mr. Sesay reliability as witness and it’s pretty low. In my book a person whom pleads not guilty and is convicted for the crimes they claim they did not commit, is even a liar or unfortunate, history proves 95% of the time they are liars. Mr. Sesay testimony is nothing but “Ear candy” for the novice and rated low on the reliability scale by a professional ear.
+Well Al Solo,
+What about Zigzag Mazar and others who claimed to have themselves engaged in crimes? Don’t yoy think the weighting given to them matters? Yet many were quoting them including some socalled established newspapers and tv stations in the West.
+Helen
+Engaged in crimes and convicted of crimes are totally different. You are comparing collard greens to mustard greens but the reliability scale matters in both cases. Overhearing small talk amongst criminals or people who are engaged in crimes testifing/making statements are totally different from a person that made a statement on record to judge’s (collogues of Mr. Taylor judges) that deem his (Mr. Sesay) statements to be false. Statement like “well, the children, some of the commanders used to do it but it was not an official policy of the RUF that children should be trained like adults,”. Mr. Sesay was convicted for conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into armed forces or groups, or using them to participate actively in hostilities. Any one who have not previously testified amongst respected collogues of Mr. Taylor’s judges are far more reliable than a person (Mr. Sesay) whom has proving to be unreliable to the collogues of Mr. Taylor’s judges.
+Al,
+You’re joking right….so his testimonies backed by DOCUMENTS are LIES too???
+Noko4
+Let me make this as clear as possible. I didn’t say Mr. Sesay was lying nor telling the truth. I said he was not reliable. Every one has heard the old folk tell about The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Mr. Sesay (or any convicted criminal whom contested the charges against them) can be compared to the boy who cried wolf due to his prior interaction with the Special Courts of Sierra Leonean. The moral of the story is “Nobody believes a liar…even when he is telling the truth!”
+Al,
+How much is CREDIBILITY in this case….the man’s words are BACKUP by and with DOCUMENTS…..so tell me where he lacks CREDIBILITY please. Remember he is not on the stand in defense of his trial but a WITNESS who was in the MIDDLE of the happenings…..we see LEADERS, who were involved, praising him but WHITE MEN did him in….This is the same TRICKS they believe was going to be in this case, but the wheels have fallen apart and if those judges CONVICT based on the evidences presented…..they will be the one with the CREDIBILITY issue.
+Mr. Sesay said he was NOT guilty of the charges against him and was found GUILTY….case close but if as I read the exchanges between him and Perry Mason, he didn’t get a FAIR TRIAL!!!!. Witnesses were BOUGHT and the prosecutors even tried to BUY him just to convict this one man, Mr. Charles Taylor….if you cannot thru the smoke, well, Mr Sesay is laying it out for ALL to see.
+Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Taylor is NO angel but the charges DO NOT add up based on the MANDATE of this court….do you need to see the MANDATE??
+Khiray floated through the black and tried not to remember. He succeeded surprisingly well. The peace granted to him by the all-encompassing Nothing drove the pain and the thoughts away. In the heart of silence he felt safe and secure for the first time since long. Here there was no doubt, no fear, no agony.
+Actually, it was very pleasant here. The Fox saw no reason to leave the place of darkness. He didn't even know how.
+There was nothing else in the black, of course - just he and a dim memory of what he once had been.
+He wasn't sure how he got here. Or when. Or why.
+Especially why.
+The Why belonged to the things he wanted to forget. A very evil being cast its shadow on that memory. It wanted to destroy him. It had really tried to, in various shapes. One of those had once been his own. Before the place of darkness. Here and now there was no clear shape. Another of those forms had had a special meaning for him. Khiray couldn't remember what it had been, but it was connected with the place of darkness.
+Somehow.
+But it wasn't worth thinking about. Thinking meant remembering. Remembering was pain. He preferred it to float about in the dark, letting his consciousness melt away. In a short while even the slightest remains of memory would be gone. And sometime after, the weak connection to the form - the old self, the former shape - that still tortured him would break. His soul had gone to live in the place of darkness. The former shape couldn't exist without it for long. It would dissolve, and with it everything that had been a Fox called Khiray.
+Only then the peace would be complete.
+The stone colossus slowly trudged through the rows of houses. The Bears gazes at him distrustfully, but they didn't take action against him. They didn't even ask questions. Saljin was rather glad about it. She didn't feel up to answering any questions. Fortunately the Bears were very reserved, even now, while a figure wandered through their city they knew only from stories and who seemed quite impressive and eerie even to the strong, powerful Furrys.
+She had no choice but to ask the Trolls for help again. Khiray hadn't waken from his absence, and she couldn't carry him all the way, even if she left back all of Ghanzekk's weapons - and she didn't want to do that. Khiray was not much lighter than herself, and her front paw was still partly disabled.
+The Troll had agreed immediately. It almost seemed as if the Trolls were ashamed about not having helped her against Khezzarrik. They'd been hopelessly outclassed by the Demon and hadn't even tried to intervene. But courage and loyalty were no alien concepts for the stone beings, and in their own eyes they had violated both. Saljin didn't blame them; any intervention would have resulted in their destruction. But the Trolls seemed to judge their behaviour as some kind of failure and were keen on any sort of help that would put it right in part at least.
+To carry Khiray to Bear Mountain meant for the Troll to be seen, to reveal to the Bears the whole race of Trolls who had lived in hiding for so long. But the Troll never hesitated a second. Saljin thought it difficult to read the faces of creatures who actually had no face, but she was sure to recognize consternation and grief in them.
+The Troll hadn't said a word all the way, and even in Bear Mountain he didn't raise his voice once. He would probably remain a conundrum for the Bears - until the Trolls would introduce themselves by their own volition. Saljin didn't feel like explaining the context to the leader of the Bears or anyone else.
+Half the crew of the 'Silver Ansicc' met her on the way through the city. Kinnih stared at the giant figure of the Troll and didn't say a word.
+"What happened? Where have you been so long? What did you do to Khiray?" Pallys seemed less surprised by the Troll. Either he had known more about the stone beings than her own tale had revealed, or his long life had made him indifferent to those kind of surprise.
+"I'll tell you later", Saljin replied brusquely. "We have to cast off."
+"Does someone follow you?" Delley asked worriedly. "Shall I get a doctor for Khiray?"
+The Foxtauress doubted that a doctor would be a good idea. She had examined Khiray scrupulously. Maybe some of his cuts would leave scars, but they would heal. In this respect, the Demon had kept his word: nothing he had done to Khiray would mutilate him or damage him forever. His body, at least.
+She wasn't even sure Khiray would appreciate being examined by a doctor. She knew perfectly well what Khezzarrik did to him - and she could guess what his powers had forced the Fox to do. Nothing of this was a doctor's business. Curious questions were the last thing Khiray needed.
+Even if he probably couldn't hear them.
+"We aren't followed. Here, take the staffs." She dropped the frame with the magical gadgets. "And forget about the doctor. We cast off as soon as everyone's aboard." She took command naturally. She still didn't know much about river sailing, and there was no real reason to hurry, but she wanted to leave the city behind. And could they know whether to trust the Demon?
+Just in sight of the harbor the Troll handed Khiray to her, turned around and went away without a word. The Bears looked after him, and probably hidden patrols watched the stone being on its way into the forest.
+Kinnih admired the Troll until he had disappeared between the houses. Then he turned to Khiray. "Captain! Hey, captain!"
+"He cannot hear you", Saljin stated and carried the motionless body to the ship. He was heavy - and more difficult to carry than just an unconscious person. The load in her arms felt like a stone. Dead and soulless.
+"Whatever happened to him?"
+"Demons" she said shortly and dragged the Fox into his cabin. Delley at least obeyed her command. A short time after, the engines were running, and the 'Silver Ansicc' cast off. Saljin didn't know what Pallys told the Bears. When she came on deck, the quay was behind them already. She could see Shooshun standing among the Bears and Otters.
+No one waved them goodbye. Not even the old Tomcat. The sight of Khiray had made perfectly clear what was at stake - and what fate awaited them if they failed. No one but her knew that Khiray's sacrifice had practically bought safety for this city, and many others. Beladanar and Galbren were defeated, and the Armygan would survive.
+At least she hoped so.
+It was all a matter of Galbren's patience and the Demon lord's plans. She was no strategist, and she didn't know the situation in the country well enough to assess the future. Everything had become uncertain. And Khezzarrik might still reconsider his options and break the pact.
+They gathered on the upper deck so Delley could stay at the wheel and listen to her at the same time. Saljin didn't want to tell the story a second time. Pallys, Delley, Kinnih. Pakkaht, Fryyk, Sarmeen. Even if she counted Khiray, they were only eight. Eight Furrys against all the Demons Beladanar had brought with him. That might be just three or four, after Hhrugha and the Bears were dead, but it could be fifty as well. And the most important part was that they still didn't have a weapon against Beladanar.
+It was unutterably difficult for her to tell about the events. She left out certain details that were no one's business, and even this way it was bad enough. Just as if she had to live through it again.
+No one nterrupted her. Even when she had finished, no one said a word until Delley remarked: "Damn the gods of fate."
+"Gods don't have anything to do with it", Pallys growled. "Just Demons. Just the Demons."
+Pakkaht of all those present seemed to be least dismayed. He had hardly known Khiray, after all, and wasn't a crew member out of enthusiasm for the cause. "So the Demons can't find us again?"
+Saljin shook her head. "At least they can't get at us any more. I don't know the powers of their magic. It is possible that they still know where we are, and will try to intercept us."
+Fryyk spoke up. "They don't need to, do they? There are only two big waterways from here southward. The one leading to Larynedd is held by Galbren's soldiers, the other one to Drun'kaal by the Demons."
+"As long as Khezzarrik told the truth", Pallys interjected.
+Fryyk waved the thought aside. "He had no reason to lie, rather, to tell the truth. Actually, it is in his best interest to see to Beladanar's destruction. Else, the Lord of the Worms could find a way back to Hell..."
+Saljin rose. "I'm looking for Khiray." For her it was definite that Khezzarrik didn't lie. Fryyk was right: Ex-Gate could not allow Beladanar to leave this level ever. Even if the words of the pact practically forbid the Hell beings to open another gate, there might be magicians here who had the same ability. If Beladanar had the same idea and made a deal with such a sorcerer, he might still return home - and punish Khezzarrik for his intrigue.
+As much as she hated the thought that Galbren might find more allies in this world than just Galbren, and that he might get away with his power games - the idea that Khezzarrik would pay for his cruelty pleased her. Ex-Gate was the winner in the game before it was even finished. He had gained everything, won everything, and he hadn't even to fear consequences.
+On the other hand, Beladanar would punish him only because of his betrayal. Khiray's fate meant absolutely nothing to the Lord of the Worms, he would not even hesitate to do the same thing to the Fox just to satisfy his Demonic appetite. Whatever happened, she could never find true justice. She could just save her life and her mind...
+"I'll go with you", Kinnih said.
+The Foxtauress eyed the young Badger. He admired Khiray. She wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to let him see his captain in his current state. But it was too late anyway, and she wasn't sure about so many things that one mistake more or less didn't matter anymore. "As you wish." She could need help. She felt weariness in every bone, but she couldn't let Khiray just lie around with all the blood and dirt in his fur. That was the least she could do for him.
+They returned to Khiray's cabin. The Fox hadn't moved a bit. "Can you heat some water?" she asked Kinnih.
+"We've got bathtubs in the bathing room", the Badger replied. "Medicine as well, and bandages..." He scrutinized his captain. Bandages wouldn't help much - almost no part of his body had escaped Khezzarrik's knifes. But the wounds were already closed, even those that appeared rather deep to Saljin. Surprisedly she examined Khiray. Yes, the wounds healed with an amazing speed, as if a spell was working on them. Pallys? No, the Rabbit had been at her side all the time, and he didn't seem to possess some healing magic thingies. Khezzarrik? Hardly, the Demon was not interestend in Khiray's health. It was possible that Khezzarrik didn't want to damage his useful tool too much if he hoped for Khiray killing Beladanar. But a healing spell was so unlike the Demon that she dismissed the notion.
+The Trolls! Of course. They were the only magic-gifted beings around - except if the Bears were hinding some sorcerers. And the Trolls even had a reason to help.
+Testingly, she shook her injured paw. Indeed - the pain was gone, she could use the leg as always. Unnoticed, the Troll magic had done its work.
+But that wasn't enough. Not as long as Khiray's spirit wandered aimlessly at the verge of madness.
+But what should she do?
+Together, they carried Khiray to the bathing room. Fryyk had mentioned it, but not showed it to her, and Saljin had been too busy with her own thoughts to prepare a bath for herself then. To carry water to the second deck and heat it seemed rather laborious and uneconomical. Why wasn't the bathing room on the lowest deck? Since Foxtaurs, like most Furrys, didn't sweat, they needed a bath less frequently than Oo'men, so she did without.
+Now she longed for it - spending some minutes in hot water and forgetting all those dark thoughts. But it would be strenuous enough to draw water from the river for a single bath for Khiray.
+The bathing room was not very big and contained two tubs that took most of the space - big enough for herself, she admitted yearningly, and unfortunately with an exorbitant capacity. Behind the tubs a frame of tubes and pipes with numerous wheels and levers graced the wall. One wall had a window - of course, there had to be some way to lower the buckets to the river -, the opposite wall was adorned by a cupboard containing some clean towels and numerous bathing essences.
+They sat Khiray on the floor, and Saljin looked around in the room. "Where are the buckets?"
+"Buckets?" Kinnih looked puzzled. "What for?"
+"To fetch water, of course!" The Foxtauress pointed impatiently at the tubs. "A little water is really important for a bath, after all! And where do we heat it?" She got the unpleasant notion that warm water wasn't planned for.
+"Oh", Kinnih made and stepped to the pipe frame, shaking his head. He swung one of the tubes ober the tub and operated a wheel and a lever. Inside the frame, something gurgled. "We don't need to fetch water. The engines power some ship-internal pump systems. Here, this lever regulates the power of the pumps. This wheel opens the valve for hot water, and this one for cold water. The heat loop heats the river water on its way up. There's never lack of hot water on a steamer."
+Saljin stared at the pipe frame with big eyes. Water bubbled from the end of the swiveling tube. Incredulously she held her hand below it. It was warm. Warm water without effort - she didn't even know such a luxury from Golden Shore where they afforded some real extravagances. For a people that lived several months of the year as nomads, it was a major disadvantage to carry around big machines and equipment for something as unimportant as a hot bath, and there was no room in the villages that were only occupied for some months to install complex things that needed care and service. If someone wanted to have a hot bath in winter, he had to fetch water from the river and heat it. During the wanderings, hot baths were almost unavailable for lack of tubs, except when they found a hot spring.
+Facilities like this bathing room surpassed her idea of luxury. Cabins with beds, shelves with books, all those small things that got carried along, the mere fact that one could surround oneself with more objects than one could carry or drag along - every single one of those things was only part of the lazy winter life for her people. But hot water, a bath that almost prepared itself - that belonged to the realm of fantasy.
+Kinnih looked at her questioningly. "But the toilets as well have... Oh." He just seemed to notice that her anatomy made it nearly impossible for her to use the toilets that were constructed for two-leggers. She could read in his face that he wondered how she... but of course he knew how things like that were handled on less luxurious ships.
+Nevertheless she felt caught and a little bit unclean. Not that she had used another kind of water for cleaning; it didn't really matter whether it came from tubes or out of a bucket. And the toilets emptied their contents into the river as well - what else could they do? But this ship seemed so much more civilized by its facilities.
+To smooth over the situation, she fished several bathing substances from the cupboard and deciphered the label. She spoke the language of the Armygan fluently, but the writing was something she didn't use too often. Dek was better with the letters. Had been better. She sighed.
+Together they could lift Khiray over the edge of the tub. The water was pleasantly warm and smelled of soap. It took a while to remove the dried blood from the Fox's fur, but finally his body relaxed and drifted limply in the water. That made work a little easier. Saljin hoped it was a good sign and not just deadly exhaustion.
+Kinnih took some medicine, but they couldn't get Khiray to swallow it. He needed water - no one could survive for long without drinking. But their efforts were in vain. As long as the will to survive didn't return to his tortured body, they couldn't do anything.
+The Badger put clean blankets on Khiray's bed, and they wrapped the Fox in them. He had to return to them out of his own strength. Only then there was reason to hope. Only then...
+She prepared a bath for herself and told Kinnih to return to his post at Delley's side. The hot water was a pleasure. Did frequent baths do harm to the fur? Probably; the soap washed the natural oils from the hairs and robbed them of their protection. But right now it didn't matter to her.
+Clean and refreshed, but still tired, she visited Khiray's cabin. She had her own room - rather, had had it, because the rock the ship had collided with at Dorn's Rapids had damaged that side of the ship and tore a hole into the wall. But she felt more at ease at Khiray's side for the moment.
+Maybe she could protect him from the dreams, at least. He had a dream knife, after all. Making dream carvings for someone else was not as powerful as for oneself, but she had a certain notion what Khiray had done in her place.
+It was not easy to find wood fit for carving, but Delley finally gave her some reasonably soft blocks. With her booty she returned to Khiray, lay down beside him and started to work. Most of her people had mastered the art of carving at least in broad outline - because it was customary to create one's own dream carvings, but also because the long winter evenings were not quite filled out with training and stories and the production of useful things for the summer. Saljin was not very good with carvings, but for her intent it would suffice. Not the resulting form was important, but the magic that tied the thoughts. The idea was important, the feeling, the magic woken in the wood. Those were the things that reached into dreams.
+Hopefully, these dream carvings could even advance into the darkness where Khiray was now. There were limits, even for a magic as ancient as that.
+Dek. You are my brother now, he had said to Khiray. Wherever you'll be, my spirit will watch over you...
+Even in the night beyond dreams? Yes, of course. Dek of the Thousand Foes would not shrink back. Four legs, a bushy tail, a weapon in his hands. Saljin tried to model the face with a little more detail, but she couldn't produce more than a hint of muzzle and ears. No matter. She put the rough figure onto the little desk beside Khiray's sleeping place.
+Whom else would Khiray wish to be at his side? His mother maybe - what had been her name? Ayashlee. He had only mentioned her once, and Saljin hadn't got any picture of her. A Vixen with Khiray's features... the arms stretched out to pull her son back from the edge of darkness. The dream knife slid through the wood as if possessed by a will of its own. The Foxtauress regarded the result with awe. It looked much better than she had expected. Khiray might not believe in the power of dream carvings - or rather, he didn't know about it at all. She didn't allow herself any delusions: he hadn't bought the dream knife back in Sookandil, when they first had met, because he knew about its meaning or respected its holy purpose. He wanted it because it had a Troll steel blade. But even though he had never experienced the power of dreams, he had always carried the knife with him, and it was attuned to his self now.
+One side for the good dreams. One side for the bad dreams. A blade to separate the one from the other. A knife that didn't carve wood but dreams. Dream carvings to wander the dream realm and to protect the dreamer from the terrors of the dark. Dream carvings that collect the wonders of dreams for him and accompany him to the mysterious places deep within his own soul.
+She spoke the old words in her own language while she worked on the third figure. Something to protect him from Demons... a Troll. Wood to stone. The unfinished and rough features seemed to become the Troll. The final carving glowed with steady power.
+When she was through, her hand hurt from the unaccustomed and long work. But she felt far from finished. Two to five carvings were the traditional number to escort the sleeper. In this case, three didn't seem enough. She could sense their power already, but Khiray's dreams were much darker than those of a sick person or a child. The Fox was beyond nightmares. Three were too few. Four was the number, four to descend all the way.
+But who would provide the model for the fourth carving? His father? No, that didn't make sense because his mother was already there. Delley? The Rat was his best friend, and one of his teachers. But Delley was a cynic who possibly didn't believe in the power of dreams. Khiray would notice that. Pallys? The Rabbit had lived with her people and knew its traditions. But the relationship between Khiray and Pallys was rather strained. The Fox wouldn't follow his old teacher without questioning. Perdition! She simply didn't know enough of Khiray. Whom would he expect in his dream? Someone trusted. Someone able to show the way.
+Suddenly she knew the answer. She took another piece of wood and began the final carving. The knife obeyed her fingers in an uncomparable way and freed the hidden form from the wood. Four legs. Two arms. No weapon, but with hands holding an invisible friend in a protective hug. Her own face.
+Her eye wandered up to the little statuette still standing on Khiray's shelf. She couldn't compare her work with that of the great master - Charizoon of the Eternal Wood. But it had to suffice for her needs.
+Strange. She couldn't remember anyone ever to have made a dream carving of himself. Especially for someone else's dream.
+She put the fourth figure to the others. The magic carried the carvings into dreams. Dream to dream. A blade to divide the good and the evil dreams.
+It was still bright day, and she hadn't eaten anything this day. But the tiredness was overwhelming. She embraced Khiray with arms and legs. The Fox at least didn't struggle against her... but he didn't react in any other way to her touch either. His fur was fluffy soft from bathing, and his own scent was covered by the aromatic essences of the soap. Saljin stroked him gently. "Come back, Khiray. Khiray of the River, come back into this world, back to your place." Back to my side, she thought, but she didn't say it loud. Then she fell asleep.
+Somewhere in the black void four carved dreams glided through the night and searched for the trail of a Fox lost in darkness.
+The return of his body sensations was an almost painful experience. The darkness broke and his free spirit cloaked itself in frail flesh. He shook with disgust. He had been so close to the perfect freedom, and now... Arms. Legs. A head. A trunk. Every body part carried the memory of maltreatment in itself. No, that was something he didn't need.
+But it made no difference whether he kept his eyes open or closed. The body stayed, and with it an Up and Down, an Inside and Outside he already believed far behind.
+He stood on a black plane under a black sky. The beckoning Nothing was far ahead; so far that he couldn't even see it with his inner eye. He almost had reached it! What kind of powers cheated him of the fulfillment?
+Warm water touched his fur. Hands moved on his skin... Hastily, he protected himself against those sensations before they could reach him with their full intensity. There were voices, but so far away he couldn't perceive more than a whisper.
+No. No. No.
+I don't have a name, he thought. I am a spirit, a shadow, a nothing.
+He knew that on the other side something waited for him, on the other side of the pleasant Nothing. A whole world with blinding light, sounds, smells, sensations... Pain. And the laughter of Demons who regarded him as some kind of curious exhibit. Whose hunger sucked at him while Khezzarrik...
+No. No names. There was no Khezzarrik. There was only the void that patiently waited for his entry. He started to run to cover as much as possible of the black plane. To get it behind. Between himself and the world. The humiliation. The voices.
+The farther he got, the more silent the sounds became until they were finally gone. The sensation of water had gone as well. His arms and legs got numb.
+Good.
+A pale light started to illuminate the plane. The sky became grey instead of black, and he could see again. Fortunately the view was rather soothing. Apart from the plane and the sky and the faraway void - still black - there was no structure, no form, nothing that could disturb
+(hurt)
+him. He looked down at his body and noticed that he didn't cast a shadow. There were no cuts in his skin either, no
+(needles)
+things but himself. He tried to concentrate. No memory. Only the void. He inhaled. Nothing. He exhaled. Nothing. And the blackness seemed to be much closer already.
+Without tiring he ran on. Only when the grey dawn would set behind him, only when the black Nothing had devoured the shadow-world, the final peace would be his.
+(Khiray)
+It had to be an echo. The echo of his silent steps. He didn't hear anything, not really, especially not
+(his name)
+those strange voices. Only an echo. He ran faster, but the voice stayed. "Khiray!" Too loud, too clear. It didn't come from the "real world", wherever that might be. It came from the plane itself.
+The smooth ground in front of him deformed, rose to a bubble, formed a shape. A figure he knew emerged from the grey mass.
+"Dek?" He spoke before he could think - and wished he had kept silent. Too late: he had broken the silence and granted the form before him a name.
+"Brother!" The Foxtaur embraced him with the weapon still in his hand. The sensation on his skin made Khiray shrink back. There was no sensation. There was no sight. There was no Dek -
+"You have to come with me", Dek said. "This is no place for the living."
+The living? The concept seemed familiar. As familiar as the names Dek and Khiray. Khiray was his own name. The name of this body. The name of the pain. No, he didn't want to go back. He wanted to continue his way into the unreality. The living? The living weren't his business.
+"If I'm not mistaken, you're dead as well", he replied. That was another memory: he had seen Dek die. Once. When he himself was one of the "living". By a Demon's hand...
+Demons. He passed by Dek and started to run. Demons. That were the ones he wanted to escape, yes. But the Foxtaur caught up with him and kept the pace. "Where do you want to go?"
+Khiray pointed at the void. "There."
+"Not a good idea. You've been there already. You almost lost contact altogether."
+"That was my intention." He stopped. As long as Dek was talking to him, he didn't make any progress. Just as if words forced him to remember. And when he remembered, he ran in place without covering ground. Or even backwards. He had to lose this annoying figure. "Scram! You bother me!"
+"I'll stay", Dek said. "I am a dream. I've been sent to pick you up." He pointed into the direction of the "real world".
+Khiray made the mistake of following the gesture with his eyes, and immediately regretted it. The "real world" burned like fire. He had no place in there anymore. "No!"
+Dek helplessly raised his shoulders. "I will stay. I'm not going anywhere."
+The Fox sat down on the ground. "Then I won't go, too." If he was unable to get ahead, at least he could prevent sliding back.
+The plane stretched a second time and spit out a new figure. It was a vixen, tall and slim, with a red cloth around her forehead. An imaginary wind tugged at her clothing. Khiray could imagine her standing on the deck of a ship, looking across the river...
+Ayashlee. That was her name. And together with the name a flood of unbidden memories came. Warm dinner on a table. A towel around his shoulders. The sway of the ship under his paws. Riverfurrys carrying the freight aboard. A teat under his muzzle. Soft fur and a warm scent. Heartbeat.
+His mother. The shape was his mother. She too belonged, like Dek, into the realm of the dead. "Accompany me", he pleaded. For some reason he wasn't ready to banish Ayashlee from his presence. But there was more...
+A father. A strong figure standing at the ship's wheel. Laughter. Maps, spread on a desk. Gold in a secret storage. Fishing-rods and bait. A bow that Saswin had given to him. Saswin, yes. Another name... And Saswin was dead, murdered by Demons to realize a long and complicated plan...
+So many dead. His life seemed to be ruled by Demons. It was all Galbren's fault. Beladanar. Khezzarrik...
+No! No! He refused to think of Khezzarrik. There were no Demons here. Away, just away... He jumped up and ran on, followed by the two shadows from another world.
+"Khiray, be reasonable!" his mother asked him. "You don't belong to the dead. But that's the place your way will lead to. Nothing except death is beyond the void!"
+But he didn't care. As soon as he was in the darkness again, death would no longer have a hold over him. The perfect void didn't allow those concepts.
+But the "real world" blazed behind him like an ocean of flames, as if he was sliding backwards right into it. Never! He could feel the heat on his back, but he wouldn't turn around and look into the inferno
+(the agony)
+again. Nevermore. He didn't tire. Somewhen he would arrive at the blackness.
+"We will protect you, brother!" Dek explained. "We won't allow something to happen to you!"
+"Too late", Khiray replied. "Much too late."
+"No! You still can turn around. It is over. You are safe, and the Demons can't hurt you anymore."
+Yes, they could. As soon as he turned around. If he just made a single step into the direction of the "real world". Then he would remember, and everything would begin anew.
+"You have to return, even if you remember", his mother demanded. "Your life awaits you." She moved her hand, and a third shape materialized at her side. A powerful stone colossus, rough and unfinished, but reassuring in its imperturbability. "The memory can't hurt you. We are here to lead you through it."
+"Why?" Khiray demanded to know. "Who sent you?"
+Ayashlee pointed at the "real world". "She did. Go back to her. We are just dreams. Death has nothing to give you."
+"Forgetting", Khiray corrected her.
+Dek waved the thought aside. "That is nothing compared with life. If the memory would be the price to live again, I would pay it gladly. Life is so much better than the void."
+"That's what you say!" Khiray laughed bitterly. Too much of his memory had drifted back to him through the grey sky. The pleasant numbness had disappeared. He could see now with perfect clarity, and the knowledge of all things that had happened - the knowledge of his life - came back to him piece by piece.
+But he didn't want it. He didn't want to have any part of the flames. They would just burn him to cinders.
+"Nothing bad will happen to you", a new voice said. It belonged to a female Foxtaur. "Four dreams guard you. Take our hand and accompany us through the fire."
+"Khezzarrik!" He knew this delusional image. Oh, he knew it all too well! The promise of salvation that just ended in new torture. The Demon used that body. No, he won't follow that figure. And none of the others, either! He ran away. This time he seemed to be able to detach from the dreams, because they didn't follow, and the fires of the "real world" stayed behind. A short time later, he was alone again, and the grey of the sky became darker with every step.
+He stopped where the plane ended. At his feet waited the void he longed for. The darkness stretched into all directions, cool and soothing, beckoning and promising. He could almost forget his body. And the flames. And the Demons.
+He spread his arms and...
+"Khiray!" No, not again that voice! It seemed to belong to Saljin, but he knew who was really calling him.
+"Khiray of the River!" He hesitated. That was a name Khezzarrik couldn't know. Couldn't, because he had gotten it only this morning. Khiray turned around to face the Demon.
+The Foxtauress waited just some meters behind him. Could he really discern sorrow on her face? Any emotion that wasn't just greed and spitefulness? Something that told him this was not the Demon Khezzarrik khi Valangassis?
+There was nothing Demonic in this dream. Saljin stretched her hand out to him. "Come with us." Far behind her, the other three figures approached.
+Hesitatingly, he raised an arm. "Can I trust you?"
+"Forever." Their fingers touched, and there were new memories - warm fur and four paws, a tongue and silky ears, a luscious tail and all-encompassing wet warmth. And a sensation of faraway yearning. Foreign land. The river. A smell like spicy cinnamon and pepper. Closeness. Being hugged by a strange pair of arms... and that indescribable happiness. They were together. Love. And at the same time the fear of being torn apart. The knowledge that their ways would not lead into the same direction forever. The pain... But it was another kind of pain than before. Not easier to bear. But a price that had to be paid.
+There always was a price.
+He raised his eyes and looked at the fire. The black abyss behind him shrinked and drew back to the horizon. The "real world" had come much closer.
+He already had paid a price. To the Demons. And the reason was Saljin. He had done it just for her sake. And now he stood here at the verge of the void, lost and alone, instead of celebrating his return with
+(the real)
+Saljin.
+Okay, not really alone. There were the dreams. "Khezzarrik!" he called out. But the Demon didn't answer. He looked at the flames, then into the grey sky and finally at the Saljin-dream.
+Only memories. The Demon had gone. This was Saljin, the true Saljin (or at least a dream image of the true Saljin). She knew his name. His true name.
+Only memories. And Khiray of the River wouldn't allow those memories to hunt him into darkness. There was more to the "real world" than just pain and scornful laughter. More than limitless degradation and eternal deception.
+He took Saljin's hand into his right and Ayashlee's hand into his left. No Demon would ban him to a place like this. Not even Khezzarrik. Especially not Khezzarrik. The last victory would not belong to any Demon, but to Khiray. Khiray of the River.
+Together, they stepped into the flames. He felt the fire, but it couldn't harm him. Only memories. The Troll and the Foxtaur went ahead and cleared the path for him. Back into the light. To the place where the real Saljin was.
+She awoke from a touch in the night. Hands had dug into her fur. She jumped up, but there was nobody present.
+Except Khiray.
+The Fox blinked at her, sleepy and very, very weak. "Is that really you?"
+"Yes! Yes, it's me..." Saljin held him below the arms and lifted him to the air like a cub. She turned him right and left and finally hugged him close to her. "Of course it's me!"
+"Water?"
+She hurried to pour him some. "You are back again!"
+"I'm not sure where I have been", he stated in a weak voice. "Such a strange place." His gaze fell upon the dream carvings, but he didn't comment.
+"Lay down and sleep a while." Saljin had the impression that Khiray would topple over soon anyway.
+Dutifully, the Fox stretched out on the blankets. "I thought about something."
+"What?"
+"You. And me. Where I've been, I had a lot of time... On the way into darkness. Before the void. I thought of you and your people." He paused for a moment. "You think you owe me something, don't you?"
+Saljin hoped he wouldn't say it. What he had done made her obligation just more grave and difficult. But even his wish couldn't tie her forever to his side. He loved her, and she could understand him, but there also was a duty that led her back to her people. She couldn't - didn't want to disappoint him. But duty was a shackle, and if he submitted her to that chain - tried to bind her -, he would destroy everything that was between them. Maybe she loved him too. But as long as the shadow of the obligation lay on them (and between them), she couldn't admit any emotion.
+The old tradition bound even her feelings. But if Khiray made use of it - even without knowing -, any emotion would be nipped in the bud. No love could survive the fetter of duty.
+If he spoke, he would change everything. He might have a right to, after all he had done for her. He only searched for some happiness as well. But he could destroy it with a single word before it had begun. And she could not even prevent him from making that mistake. She looked aside.
+"As soon as we have beaten the Demons", he said, "you will return home. Your people is waiting for you, and you are the last who can still bring them the news. I've got some gold; so you can buy your medicine in Drun'kaal."
+She looked up, surprised. "Do you want me to go?"
+He hastily shook his head. "No. No, never. But I have my way to go, and you have yours. And I somehow feel that those ways will part soon. I've got a ship and the river. You have your plains. I would like to..." He closed his eyes. "I would like to come with you. But my father has sailed this ship, and his father before him. I will never be a great adventurer. And I can't ask of you to stay... here, in a land that is not yours. I would like to have you at my side forever. But forever is quite some time, and not even dreams can withstand the pressure of time. Not dreams of faraway lands, not dreams of togetherness. I don't want you to believe that you owe me something. You don't. You are free, you can do whatever you want. I would like..." He fell silent.
+Free? He released her from the obligation? He didn't appeal to her duty? "Thank you", she said breathlessly. "I... You don't know what that means to me." No, he really didn't know. "But I will be there for you when you need me. As long as our paths lead into the same direction." She noticed that she truly wished that would be the case for a long time to come. The feeling of relief and liberation was so overwhelming that she could only dimly see behind it what Khiray really meant for her.
+But she had to ask a question. "Why?"
+He smiled and looked at her. "I have dreamt... a strange dream. My mother was in it. She had said something to me, a long time ago when I was a cub, and I just now remembered. Like so many things... Isn't it strange how you can remember things in dreams you have forgotten in your waking hours?" His voice trailed off. Saljin saw he was close to falling asleep. She took the dream carving of Ayashlee from the bedside table. "What? What did she say?"
+"You cannot catch a bird in your hand. If you try, you'll crush it. But you can stretch out a finger. Sometimes, a bird settles on it... and sometimes it will sing for you." He closed his eyes again, and his breath told her he was asleep.
+Saljin didn't mind. Maybe he wouldn't understand why she cried.
+I’ve been dealing with depression my whole life. Albeit throughout the years the depression was far and few in-between, I never really digested it to find out the answer(s) to where it all came from. However, in the past year I’ve been staring that issue in the face with a determination to get my answer(s). I’m also learning how to deal with my PTSD that has plagued me for the past 13 years since my fathers suicide. Now you may be wondering why after all these years I’m adamant about getting my answer(s)… well to put it simply, I’m just tired of fighting myself. I’ve spent a life time just trying to get through life but the older I get I want more. I want more of peace, truly loving myself and really being happy. I guess what I’m searching for is that fun, happy, loving little girl that my grandmother always saw in me. So to recap on my depression episodes, the answers I found within myself along with therapy in the past year. And the biggest elephant in the room question of why I’ve unconsciously been on a path of self-destruction pretty much my whole life… let’s begin.
+I was 7-8 years old was when I first uttered the words out of my mouth that I wanted to kill myself. You see my siblings would tease me and I would get so upset that instead of just throwing a temper tantrum, I would scream at the top of my lungs that I wanted to kill myself. Yes, not your typical response for a kid and through out the years I never understood why I would respond that way. It wasn’t until later in my early teens that I experimented with cutting. I would take a razor and just dig it into my wrist. I don’t think I was seriously going to hurt myself but at the time it seemed to numb my emotional pain. When I was 17 years old I was in school and started to take sleeping pills throughout the day. I remember saying something to my friend about what I was doing. Shortly after telling her I was called to the office where my mom and step-father came and got me. That was the first time I was ever admitted into the hospital for a suicide attempt. Throughout the years I felt like every blue moon I would get depressed and want to take my life. I would always turn to my dad during those times and he always knew how to talk me out of it. In reverse, he would do the same with me. I know it’s odd but during those times it didn’t phase me of what was mentally going on between him and I. It was a long time after high school that I didn’t even have a bout of depression or wanting to take my life. I was probably in my 30’s when the next episode of depression happened. I was a feature dancer and on the road touring for almost five months. I had gotten so exhausted physically and mentally that I just didn’t want to deal with life anymore. I use to carry my gun with me when I traveled and one night in Orlando, Florida I had a major depression episode. I remember sitting on the edge of my hotel bed with the gun in my hand and contemplating ending my life. I had called my son’s father and thankfully he talked me out of it. Now it wasn’t until that horrific day in June of 2006 when my father took his life that I ended up with PTSD. That day not only gave me PTSD but it also added fuel to the fire of my on and off again episodes of depression. After witnessing his death I had then encountered over a half a dozen of suicidal attempts. That last suicide attempt landed me in the hospital and almost had me succeeding in ending my life, my older sister saved my life that night. That night was like being in the twilight zone. I just had a major surgery a few days prior, I was rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery dealing with my ovaries. I ended up having a Laparoscopy surgery with hopes to save my left ovary. The doctor was able to save my left ovary but also found out at that time that I had Endometriosis stage 4. My older sister and mom were going to come down to Tampa to help me out after surgery but the night before changed all of that. Apparently I took about 100 narcotics and drank a big bottle of wine. I then supposedly sent a friend a text message asking, how many pills does it take to fall asleep. Then texted one of my sisters sons saying, I love you but I’m going to go be with grandpa. My sister freaked out and ended up calling the Tampa police department to have them go check on me. My sister didn’t think they would take her seriously because she was calling from out of state. From what I heard, the police came and my door was unlocked, my gun was loaded in my bedroom and I was unconscious on the couch with my dads police jacket on me along with a suicide letter next to me. Months later I went to that police station and got my police report from that night and it had a copy of the suicide letter in it. You may ask why I would want it… well, it was something to remind me of how deep and dark of an emotional pit I went into and hopefully not get into that moment again.
+Like I said, my depression episodes were far and few throughout the years until my father’s death. But in the past thirteen years there were two suicidal attempts that scared the shit out of me. The first one was in February 2013 when I unconsciously tried to attempt taking my life. I know some of you may not understand that but I also know some of you will. When I got out of the hospital I had really questioned what the hell just happened. I remember on that day my husband was at a gig, I was in a happy mood drinking a glass of wine and just enjoying that evening. I mean all the other attempts I pretty much knew what I was doing. But this one time I had no intentions of taking my life nor was I unhappy. It was like my unconscious state of mind just took over. Apparently I took 100 narcotics and when my husband came home later that evening, he said he found me unconscious in my own vomit. He had thought I was trying to take my life again but it wasn’t till I was able to talk to him that I told him I had no intention of doing it. After I got released from the hospital I was trying to figure out how could I unconsciously want to take my life when consciously I didn’t. Not knowing the answer to that question had scared the crap out of me! So one day my inner voice said, “Either take your life and get it over with or get your shit together.” Luckily that inner voice shook me up enough to start reading self-help books, motivational quotes, Philosophy, and start me on my Spiritual Awakening. It took awhile but the next few years after that episode I started to do a lot better. I still had some depression but had a better grip and view on life with the knowledge I gained from reading and through my spiritual growth. Although my new perspective on life and positive spiritual journey wouldn’t last long….
+My marriage was failing and after four years of trying to keep the marriage together, I finally decided to file divorce. In 2017 I left Florida, I had four animals at the time and it was the hardest decision deciding which two to take. I did end up taking with me my first cat (Spooky) and first dog (Mylo). I wish I could of taken all of them with me but I couldn’t afford or manage four animals in an apartment. I had changed bases from Baltimore to Chicago and got a place with my son. I thought being back home around family would help and I could start all over. But shortly after living back home I got into a car accident and spent a majority of time in pain, seeing doctors, going to therapy, getting steroid injections and missing out on work. I had just gotten out of debt after my divorce but now I was slowly getting back into it. After a year my son decided to move back to Florida and in with his grandparents. I had decided to stay in the SW suburbs and move in with my sister and her family. But right before my son moved I had lost my cat Spooky to a sudden onset of cancer. It was the first time I’ve ever had to put an animal down and I was so devastated. I tried to see the positive side, that at least I had almost thirteen years with him and he was my lucky black cat that was an amazing companion. But I didn’t realize it at the time that my life was in the beginning stage of uncontrollable spiral. I moved my son back to Florida and stayed at the apartment for another month before I was going to move in with my sister. However the Universe and my intuition had other plans for me. I ended up moving and changing bases to Las Vegas and leaving my dog with my sister (which was the hardest decision but in the end it was the best for him). I always thought I’d move back out West but live in Vegas? I didn’t see that coming.
+So in May 2018 I was back in the West living in a casita (which is like living in a college dorm) with no son, no animals and all by myself. It was emotionally rough for the first few months and I was still not on a regular work schedule due to my car accident injuries. I felt like I was stripped from everything I loved and placed in the desert to just die. I started feeling the depression kicking in and I was seeking out men to desire me. With the last husband cheating on me, I was on a mission to prove to men that I was worthy to be with. It wasn’t till one day I noticed all the little red flags. I kept thinking to myself that this isn’t me or what I’ve been working on years to become. Surely not this type of me, confused, desperate and feeling unloved. So I reached out to a therapist and started seeing her to figure out what the hell was going on in my life. After several months of seeing her I started to get more clarity and really look in the mirror and ask myself, “What happened to you?” It was then I realized that I had nothing to prove to anyone except myself. That the Universe stuck me in this desert for a reason, that reason being… I had to stop running, face my fears, find my true self again and learn to enjoy being alone. So I stopped looking for love and approval from men and really started working on liking and loving myself. To be true to myself, I was searching for that little girl my grandmother loved. But I wasn’t alone for long when I met this guy that I found to be my soulmate. The timing was so right but so wrong at the same time. He had met me when I was mentally trying to figure it all out and was going through some storms that I needed to be in. His name is Michael and in 2020 it will be a year that we have been together and I do live with him. I had met him on Tinder, I know you all may be thinking that is funny. Heck, it was more like entertainment to me at that time. Or maybe it was just me looking for any sort of attention, something to validate me and make me feel wanted. I remember I had come across his profile before and when I looked at the pictures he had posted, I thought to myself, um no this guy seems too hoity toity and into himself. Now I’m not sure how Tinder works but a week or so down the line, his profile came up again. This time I said to myself, hey why not? The first three days we chatted for hours! We had so much to talk about and so much in common. I remember that my son was in Vegas taking care of me after another ablation procedure. One of my nights during recovery I had gone outside and talked to Michael for a long time. We were trying to plan getting together for the first time. When I told him my schedule, he said well I guess I’ll see you in a month because it seems like you have a full schedule. I bluntly said to him, how about a coffee date tonight? I said, I just had a procedure done and have no make-up on with my hair up but I’m not vain and available to go. So within an hour he came by to get me at my place (which I normally don’t do) and we went for coffee. We had a great conversation, some good coffee and then he dropped me off at home. From that day on, we were inseparable.
+Now back to the second time that I unconsciously tried to attempt my life. I was out with co-workers having margarita’s and tacos and my boyfriend was out of town. When I got home I’m not sure what happened but apparently I took a bunch of pills and called my boyfriend to tell him I love him. He said I didn’t sound right and he called the police. I ended up in the hospital and for the second time scared to death of the unconscious attempt to take my life once more. But once again, it was an eye opening experience that smacked me in the head to get more adamant about getting answers and taking control of my life. This is were my therapy sessions got intense because my therapist had me dig into my past. To search for the answer(s) of where this depression started and to finally let go of my father’s death. During a session we realized that I was an Empath (the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference). That when I was a child I was around someone who was dealing with depression, that being my father. So I ended up taking on that feeling but not really understanding what it was but made it my own. Then with the teasing I got from my siblings, she just reiterated that it’s just something that kids did. And that when I was saying, “I’m going to kill myself” it wasn’t that I really wanted to or knew what that even meant. It was just something I would say because I wanted out of that moment and out of that emotion of not feeling loved or different. As far as the PTSD with my father’s suicide… I was always close to him and thought of him as my shield as I did with my grandmother. However my grandmother died of a natural death at 95, my father didn’t. I never really digested my emotions/feelings of my fathers death until that day in therapy. The day my father took his life I was in shock and my brain couldn’t process what I was seeing. But thirteen years later when I thought I had forgive my father and let him go, I really didn’t. I hadn’t truly let go because every year for Father’s Day and his birthday I would get him a card and write in it. I had thought I was just doing something in remembrance of him but in reality I wasn’t and didn’t want to let him go. In all honesty I felt that if I did let him go I was afraid I would forget him and all the memories I had with him. And then there was the anger which I thought I overcame but I hadn’t. I had to sit with myself and figure out why I was still so angry with him. Since I’ve attempted suicide myself I knew and understood the state of mind he was in. That he wasn’t himself, being selfish or had forgotten me. Pondering on this for a long time I found the answer one day when I was in therapy. I was angry with him because unlike my grandmother who didn’t choose to end her life, he did. So my thought deep down inside was that my father chose to leave me here all alone (though the other side of me knew better) with no shield to defend myself. That was where the anger came from because I felt like he abandoned me. Through therapy I learned that he nor my grandmother were never my shield, I was. Crazy as it sounds, I finally understood and for the first time since his death I didn’t buy any birthday card, I just said out loud to him happy birthday and that I miss and love you. I finally had let him go and forgiven him… actually, I forgave me.
+As I sit here today writing this I can tell you that it’s great therapy for me to get my story out there. Because in my writing I’m finding answers and clarity to a lot of things that are bringing me peace. To let others know that we live in a crazy world as it is and are worst enemy is not in the world but within ourselves. That there is hope and other things to worry about besides petty things and everyone deserves to be happy. Understanding depression can be so perplex but please don’t be so hard on the people that choose to exit the world with suicide. They are not themselves, there is no clarity to them during that time, don’t feel like they didn’t think about you or love you. It just there way of ending the pain and their fight with themselves.
+As of this blog I’m still seeing my therapist and a month ago I started some mild anti-depressants (to also help balance out my hormones) which seem to be helping. Although I had to sift through two different ones till I found the right anti-depressant that works for me. I ‘m happy to say that the meds are balancing me out, I’m still working on me and taking it one day at a time. I look forward to finishing my life story blogs by the end of this year and as of right now I seem to be on track.
+Now to end an eye opening blog on a better note. If you ever feel like you don’t belong, you can’t go on, no one will care… PLEASE REACH OUT TO SOMEONE… BECAUSE REMEMBER… YOU ARE SPECIAL AND YOU DESERVE TO LIVE AND BE HAPPY!!!
+“If you’re struggling today, remember that life is worth living and believe that the best is yet to come. Remember that you are loved, you matter, and never forget that there is always hope.” ~ Germany Kent
+Hugz & Kisses,
+Debbie
+2 thoughts on “Understanding My Depression And PTSD”
+Big Hugs 🤗
+You’re doing exactly what you should be!
+Proud of you & hope you’re able to realize you are & therefore you should!
+I go through the same things, breathing & moving forward with happiness in focus cause it’s not about me it’s about enjoying & helping others so the moment is memorable.
+You’re always welcome to reach out
+Awww thank you so much for the support and kind words! 🤗🙏😁😘
+Form of Enterprise Financial Services Corp Stock Option
+Contract Categories: Business Finance - Stock Agreements
+EX-10.1.14 2 a20201231-ex10114.htm EX-10.1.14 Document
+EXHIBIT 10.1.14
+ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
+AMENDED AND RESTATED 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
+NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD
+Enterprise Financial Services Corp (the “Company”) has granted you a Nonqualified Stock Option (the “Option”) under the Enterprise Financial Services Corp Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The terms of the grant are set forth in the Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement provided to you (the “Agreement”). The following provides a summary of the key terms of the Option; however, you should read the entire Agreement, along with the terms of the Plan, to fully understand the grant.
+SUMMARY OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD
+The above is a summary description of certain provisions of the Agreement and is not intended to be complete. In the event any aspect of this summary conflicts with the terms of the Agreement, the terms of the Agreement shall govern.
+ENTERPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
+AMENDED AND RESTATED 2018 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
+NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
+This NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of [_____] (the “Date of Grant”), is delivered by Enterprise Financial Services Corp (the “Company”) to [______] (the “Participant”).
+RECITALS
+A. The Enterprise Financial Services Corp Amended and Restated 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the grant of options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company. The Company has decided to make a stock option award as an inducement for the Participant to promote the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
+B. This Agreement and the grant of Option are made under, and are subject to, all of the terms and provisions of the Plan, as amended from time to time, which terms are incorporated herein by reference. Notwithstanding anything herein, the Plan to the contrary, the Option is subject to the Company’s Clawback Policy as amended from time to time. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) has been authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) to make any and all determinations necessary to administer the Option. Capitalized terms that are used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings accorded to such terms in the Plan.
+NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
+1.Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Participant a Nonqualified Stock Option (the “Option”) to purchase [____] shares of common stock of the Company (“Shares”) at an exercise price of $[____] per Share.
+2.Vesting. The Option shall become vested and exercisable, according to the following vesting schedule, if the Participant continues to be employed by, or provide service to, the Company from the Date of Grant until the applicable vesting date:
+The vesting of the Option shall be cumulative, but shall not exceed 100% of the shares subject to the Option granted above. If the foregoing schedule would produce fractional shares, the portion of the Option that vests shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.
+3.Term of Option.
+(a) The Option shall have a term of ten (10) years from the Date of Grant and shall terminate at the expiration of that period, unless it is terminated at an earlier date pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or the Plan.
+(b) Unless a later termination date is provided for in a Company-sponsored plan, policy or arrangement, or any agreement to which the Company is a party, the Option shall automatically terminate upon the happening of the first of the following events:
+(i) The expiration of the ninety (90) day period after the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Company, if the termination is for any reason other than death, Total and Permanent Disability, or Cause.
+(ii) The expiration of the one (1) year period after the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Company on account of the Participant’s death or Total and Permanent Disability.
+(iii) The date on which the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company on account of a termination by the Company for Cause. In addition, notwithstanding the prior provisions of this Paragraph 3, if the Company determines that the Participant has engaged in conduct that constitutes Cause at any time while the Participant is employed by, or providing services to, the Company or after the Participant’s termination of employment or services, the Option shall terminate as of the date on which such Cause first occurred.
+Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the Option be exercised after the date that is immediately before the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant. Any portion of the Option that is not vested and exercisable at the time the Participant ceases to be employed by, or provide service to, the Company shall immediately terminate.
+(c) For the purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean any event which constitutes Cause as defined in the employment agreement, offer letter or other arrangement between the Company and the Participant, or, if no such definition exists, the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the willful and continued failure by the Participant to substantially perform his or her duties and obligations to the Company (other than any such failure resulting from any physical or mental condition, whether or not such condition constitutes a Disability), or (ii) the willful engaging by the Participant in misconduct that is materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise.
+4.Exercise Procedures
+(a) Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the Participant may exercise part or all of the Option by giving the Company written notice of intent to exercise in the manner provided in this Agreement, specifying the number of Shares as to which the Option is to be exercised. On the delivery date, the Participant shall pay the exercise price (i) in cash, (ii) with the approval of the Committee, by delivering Shares of the Company which shall be valued at their fair market value on the date of delivery, (iii) Company, including such actions as Company counsel shall deem necessary or appropriate to comply with relevant securities laws and regulations.
+(c) The Company may require that the Participant (or other person exercising the Option after the Participant’s death) represent that the Participant is purchasing Shares for the Participant’s own account and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of the Shares, or such other representation as the Committee deems appropriate.
+(d) All obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be subject to the rights of the Company as set forth in the Plan to withhold amounts required to be withheld for any taxes, if applicable. Subject to Committee approval, the Participant may elect to satisfy any tax withholding obligation of the Company with respect to the Option by having Shares withheld up to an amount that does not exceed the minimum applicable withholding tax rate for federal (including FICA), state and local tax liabilities.
+5.Termination of Employment.
+(a) Generally, except as set forth in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) below, if the Participant’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the unvested portion of the Option shall be cancelled immediately and the Participant shall immediately forfeit without any consideration any rights to the Shares subject to such unvested portion.
+(b) Retirement. In the event of the Participant’s Retirement (as hereinafter defined), the Option shall vest immediately on the date of the Participant’s Retirement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Retirement” means the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, other than for reasons that constitute deliberate gross misconduct, determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, after the time that the Participant has attained 65 years of age and the sum of the Participant’s age and continuous full years of full time employment service with the Company is 70 (e.g., having attained the age of 65 with 5 years of employment with the Company would qualify the Participant for Retirement). For these purposes, the Participant will be deemed to have a year of full time employment service with the Company if the Participant
+would be entitled to receive credit for a year of service under a qualified pension plan in accordance with Internal Revenue Code § 1053(b)(2)(c).
+(c) Early Retirement. In the event of the Participant’s Early Retirement (as hereinafter defined), the Option shall vest immediately on the date of the Participant’s Early Retirement. For purposes of this Agreement, “Early Retirement” means the Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, other than for reasons that constitute deliberate gross misconduct, determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, after the time that the Participant has attained 60 years of age and the sum of the Participant’s attained age and continuous full years of full time employment service with the Company is 70 (e.g., having attained the age of 60 with 10 years of employment with the Company would qualify the Participant for Early Retirement). For these purposes, the Participant will be deemed to have a year of full time employment service with the Company if the Participant would be entitled to receive credit for a year of service under a qualified pension plan in accordance with Internal Revenue Code §1053(b)(2)(c).
+(d) Death, Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Participant’s employment with the Company terminates due to the death or Disability of the Participant, the Option shall vest on the date of the Participant’s death or termination due to Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Participant’s qualification for disability benefits under the Social Security disability insurance program, or if the Participant is determined to be permanently disabled by the Committee in its discretion.
+(e) Termination without Cause. If the Company terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause outside the Change of Control Period (as defined below), then the Option shall expire on the earlier of the last day of the term of the Option and the date that is ninety (90) days after the date of such termination; provided, however, that if the Participant’s employment is terminated and the Participant is subsequently rehired within 90 days following such termination and prior to the expiration of the Option, the Participant shall not be considered to have undergone a termination of employment. In the event of a termination described in this subsection (c), the Option shall remain exercisable by the Participant until its expiration only to the extent that the Option was exercisable at the time of such termination.
+(f) Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause during the period beginning three (3) months prior to and ending twelve (12) months following a Change of Control (the “Change of Control Period”), the Option shall immediately vest on the date of the Participant’s termination of employment.
+6.Restrictions on Exercise. Except as the Company exercise the Option by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, to the extent that the Option is vested and exercisable pursuant to this Agreement.
+7.Adjustments. Appropriate adjustments in the number of Shares shall be made by the Committee to give effect to adjustments made in the number or type of shares of common stock through a reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or stock combination, or similar event in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
+8.Grant Subject to Plan Provisions. This grant is made pursuant to the Plan, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, and in all respects shall be interpreted in accordance with the Plan. The grant and exercise of the Option are subject to interpretations, regulations and determinations concerning the Plan established from time to time by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, including, but not limited to, provisions pertaining to (i) rights and obligations with respect to withholding taxes, (ii) the registration, qualification or listing of the Shares, (iii) changes in capitalization of the Company and (iv) other requirements of applicable law. The Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe the Option pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and its decisions shall be conclusive as to any questions arising hereunder.
+9.No Employment or Other Rights. The grant of the Option shall not confer upon the Participant any right to be retained by or in the employ or service of the Company and shall not interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time. The right of the Company to terminate at will the Participant’s employment or service at any time for any reason is specifically reserved.
+10.No Shareholder Rights. Neither the Participant, nor any person entitled to exercise the Participant’s rights in the event of the Participant’s death, shall have any of the rights and privileges of a shareholder with respect to the Shares subject to the Option, until certificates for Shares have been issued upon the exercise of the Option.
+11.Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. It is intended that this Agreement shall be administered in a manner that will comply with or meet an exception from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this Agreement shall be administered and interpreted in accordance with such intent. The Committee may adopt rules deemed necessary or appropriate to qualify for an exception from or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13 to the contrary, no amendment to or payment under this Agreement will be made unless permitted under Section 409A of the Code.
+12.Delivery Subject to Legal Requirements. The obligation of the Company to deliver Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option shall issue of shares, the shares may not be issued in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Board. The issuance of Shares to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option is subject
+to any applicable taxes and other laws or regulations of the United States, or of any state having jurisdiction thereof.
+13.
+14.Applicable Law. The validity, construction, interpretation and effect of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof...
+17.
+18.Committee Authority. By entering into this Agreement the Participant agrees and acknowledges that all decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding on the Participant, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest in the Award.
+IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this Agreement, and the Participant has executed this Agreement, effective as of the date first set forth above.
+Enterprise Financial Services Corp
+By:
+Name:
+Title:
+I hereby accept the Option described in this Agreement, and I agree to be bound by the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. I hereby further agree that all the decisions and determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding.
+Participant:
+Date:
+Part 2 - In the Field Part One presented the rather considerable obstacles faced by the Spencer Rifle Company in getting orders and starting production. This is only part of the story. The new repeater's field service deserves a look as well. There were other repeaters in use by mid 1863, notably Colt's revolving rifle and Henry's magazine rifle. The latter began the long line of lever action Winchesters that continues to this day. However, Spencer's weapons were the first repeaters to see action in significant numbers. They were specifically designed to meet the needs of the military. The Henry gun was a sporting arm. It fired an under powered 44 caliber round and was really too delicate for use in the field. The Colt was designed as a military rifle, but it was e xcessively difficult to load, especially in battle. Spencer's design solved the problems of these other repeaters. When the Boston repeaters were issued, troops lucky enough to get them were unreserved in their praise. Of the few complaints only one was well justified. It was that they were heavy, especially the rifles. After the first battle, however, this comment was seldom heard again.
+The first recorded use of a Spencer repeater in combat is by Sergeant Francis Lombard of the 1st Mass. Cavalry. The occasion was a skirmish near Cumberland, Maryland on October 16th of 1862, just after the great battle at Sharpsburg, Md. He was carrying a prototype given to him by Christopher Spencer, although the record is sketchy on the exact type. Unfortunately, Lombard was killed at New Hope Church, outside of Richmond Va., in November of 1863. The details of his repeater and its use are now lost to history. (1)
+It is safe to assume that Lombard's was not the only pre-production Spencer to have seen combat. It definitely was not the only one in the field. Colonel T. E. Chickering, of the 41st Mass. and almost certainly of the family that owned Spencer's armory, wrote the company on January 13, 1863 from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He claimed that his Spencer carbine had out shot the unit's pickets in an impromptu target match. Supposedly, the guards were armed with muskets. (2) Production Spencer carbines were not to be delivered for another ten months.
+It is difficult to pinpoint just when the first government purchased Spencers arrived in the field. Ordinance Department records show that the initial delivery on the Army contract took place on the last day of December, 1862. This preceded the Navy's initial delivery on February 3rd, 1863, even though the Navy order was earlier by several months. Both of these dates are almost certainly later than the actual deliveries. The services did not consider an item delivered until the certificates of inspection and acceptance were processed through the Ordinance Department in Washington. This took an unknown, but rather long time. Dated unit returns exist showing Spencer serial numbers in the field that are considerably higher than the quantity supposedly on hand at that time. (3)
+Army units began to receive their Spencer rifles in January of 1863. The 5th and 6th Michigan cavalry were probably the first units in the Federal Army to get repeaters. The 5th, 6th and 7th Independent Ohio Sharpshooters in the Army of the Cumberland were also early recipients. The Navy issued their first deliveries to ships in the Mississippi flotilla and the east coast blockading fleet at about the same time. Colonel John Wilder's Lightning Brigade, a mounted infantry unit in the Army of the Cumberland was another early recipient of Spencer rifles. Interestingly, about a third of the army's rearmed units were cavalry. In a tacit admission of the increasing use of cavalry as mounted infantry, several mounted companies turned in handy single shot carbines for awkward (at least on horseback) repeating rifles. (4)
+The first use of issued Spencers is also hard to determine with certainty. Among the first operations to include them were naval landings along the Carolina coast in early 1863. These were not strongly opposed and no major battles developed. The Mississippi flotilla used their Spencers early against the numerous bushwhackers who had taken to hiding in the dense cover along rivers and sniping at passing Federal boats. Again, these were nothing like pitched battles.
+Colonel John Wilder was certainly among the first field commanders to use repeaters effectively on the battlefield. Wilder's Lightning Brigade probably saved the battle of Hoovers Gap, Tennessee, on June 24th '63. They filled and held the center of a thin and under supported Federal line and held against a vastly superior Confederate force. Braxton Bragg's Confederates believed that a fresh corps was coming up, so great was the volume of fire put out by the Lightning Brigade. The southerners fell back to reinforce and reorganize. Bragg's troops then counter-attacked but could not carry the field. When the Confederates finally yielded, the Federals had shot away almost their entire ammunition supply of 142 rounds per man. This was the first major battle for the new repeaters. It was also the first of many instances where the fire power of Spencers in the hands of cool veteran troops staved off defeat.(5) Interestingly, the Confederate losses were not unusually high, 19 killed and 126 wounded out of an entire brigade.
+With the introduction of substantial numbers of repeaters to front line units, a change in the style of command, and the types of commanders rapidly took place. Officers with unusually large amounts of bravado (and possibly disregard for the welfare of their troops) began to succeed using tactics that heretofore would have been near suicidal. This change did not find its way up the chain of command, though. Overall battle tactics remained pretty much as they had been at the outbreak of the war. It is interesting to note that Spencer armed companies, with a few notable exceptions, were not singled out as skirmishers or reserves to be thrown forward at critical points.
+Possibly the best example of a commander whose career was made by Christopher Spencer's guns is George A. Custer. At the battle of Brandy Station, in June of 1863, Colonel Custer participated in one of his first charges. It passed over a mile up Fleetwood hill. Beyond support and mounted on fast tiring horses, the operation quickly degenerated into a stampede with great loss. A week later at the battle of Aldie, he again participated in one of the grand charges that would become his trademark. The Confederate center was the point of attack. Although this operation covered less distance, it still lacked support and his troops took a terrible pounding. (6)
+There had been no Spencer armed troops in either battle. However, after Aldie, the Spencer armed 5th and 6th Michigan Cavalry were taken from picket duty in the defenses of Washington and assigned to Custer's brigade.
+On July 3rd, 1863, Irvin Gregg's Cavalry Corps once again met Jeb Stuart's Confederate troopers. The venue was just east of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Confederates were attempting to flank the Federal army in support of Pickett's ill fated charge. This time the ambitious Michigan commander put together a grand cavalry spectacle. The difference was that the Michigan troopers were dismounted as skirmishers in support of Custer's mounted attack. The southern cavalry was finally stopped by a bold federal charge. That evening, Lieutenant Farnsworth, who was every bit as bold as Custer, was killed in a similar charge against the south end of the Confederate line. None of his troops had Spencers, and none were dismounted in support. These sorts of tactics relied heavily on the firepower of repeaters for any hope of success. (7) In fact, Custer remarked in a letter to the Spencer company that, once his entire command had been armed with repeaters, he would not hesitate to engage the enemy when outnumbered almost two to one. (8)
+As one can readily imagine, word of such spectacular results against great odds spread like wildfire through the army. Every commander tried to requisition the new rifles for his troops. Custer pulled every political string he could find to have his entire bri gade armed with Spencers. The brass in Washington however, remained cool to the idea of equipping the whole army with $40 repeaters, especially when they already had over a million $18 musket s on order. The limited supply of rifles was doled out to units with especially good records of front line service. The prized repeaters were even issued as rewards to individual soldiers for conspicuous valor.
+By the summer of 1863, the Spencer company was finishing up the Army' s 7500 rifle order with no more federal contracts on the way. In spite of the clumsiness of rifles when used on horseback, the Spencer lever action had obvious advantages for mounted troopers. To keep the company going, the Ordinance Department was offered a deal for 22 inch barrel carbines. The short guns were much easier to make, so the price could be cut to less than that of the most accepted carbine in the army, the Sharps. Sharps' single shot carbine was being purchased at $28.50 when Spencer offered repeaters for $25.00. (9) Washington was fin ally beginning to grasp the advantage of repeaters, especially at $25.00. They quickly accepted the deal. The first repeating carbine was not delivered until October of 1863.
+When the short guns appeared, they were an immediate success. (Altho ugh the 2nd Ohio did complain that the new Spencers were excessively heavy and wanted their Burnsides back. (10)) The first units to get the new carbines were those with outstanding service records. Many of these turned in Spencer rifles.
+Front line units in the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac were at t he top of the priority list for repeating carbines, but commands in the west also received them. By the time General Wilson undertook his famous raid through the deep south, there were enoug h repeaters in the Army of the Tennessee that he could equip the entire party with them. He did this by calling in all Spencers from units not participating and issuing single shot weapons to them. This raid was immortalized by John Wayne in the movie The Horse Soldiers, but without the Spencers Wilson had found indispensable.
+As with all other Federal weapons, Spencers were soon captured by the South and put to use against their former owners. The new guns were a great success, especiall y along the boarder, where Spencer rimfire ammunition was fairly easy to come by. Federal supp ly lines proved a ready source . These were more or less constantly raided by Confederate cavalry right up to the end of the war. The first reported Confederate use of a Spencer was by Sergeant W.O. Johnson, Co. C of the 49th Va. Infantry on July 3rd, 1863. He used one of the repeaters in fight ing around Culps Hill at the battle of Gettysburg. (12) How an infantry sergeant managed to captur e a Spencer so quickly, and with an apparently adequate supply of ammunition, is a mystery. In the east they had been issued only to the 5th and 6th Michigan cavalry. Up to that date, there had been no major engagements between northern cavalry and southern infantry in the Gettysb urg campaign. Unfortunately for the Confederates, copper was in such short supply by 1863 that the south was never able to provide domestically manufactured cartridges. Once capt ured ammunition was exhausted, the guns were sent to the nearest depot for storage. It was always hoped that a supply of cartridges could be obtained by some unknown means, then repeaters wou ld be issued again to the Confederate mounted service. Thousands of the best weapons to be used in the conflict waited out the war as mechanical POWs. (11) Several cavalry units in the Confederate army were at least partiall y equipped with Spencer repeaters. The 43rd Va. Cavalry had an unusually good supply of the best federal arms. The unit operated on the boarder and their commander, John Mosby, specialized in appropriating Yankee goods for Southern service. Beginning in 1864, there were always several troopers armed with Spencers in the ranks, even thought Mosby himself preferred revolving pis tols for raiding operations. Returns of the 43rd for November of 1864 show 167 Spencer rif les and carbines on hand. (13) Terry's Texas Rangers also appear to have been fairly well equ ipped with them by late 1864.
+Probably the greatest tribute to Christopher Spencer's repeaters was given by the men that had carried them. At the end of the war, many used their final pay to purchas e the very guns they had carried. General Edwards of the 37th Massachusetts Infantry wrote to the Ordinance Department in June 1865:
+"Our regiment was armed with the Spencer rifle on the 14th day of July, 1864, and we first had the opportunity of testing them in an engagement at Summit Point (Wes t) Virginia."......" At whatever position we have ever been placed, we have always found them to be our best and truest friend. At Sailors Creek, Virginia, April 6th 1865, we came off victorious over Custis Lee's brigade, that had enveloped us so closely on three sides that the bayonet was freely used." "The rifles now mostly are property of the men, and show the marks of hard service and exposure to all kinds of weather, but are still in as good serviceable condition as ever." (14)
+There are several other accounts of Lombard with widely varying details. The original is a brief mention in the company history of the 1st Mass. Cavalry. McAuley's is one of the latest, and his research is generally quite good. An interesting point is that Lombard has not turned up in the Spencer company records.
+2.) Civil War Guns, William B. Edwards, The Stackpole Company, 1962, Pg. 149.
+3.) Returns from the 5th Company of Independent Ohio Vol. Sharpshooters show Spencer Rifle number 10273 in the company on Aug. 16, 1863. Up to that date, Ordinance Department records show that only 8205 had been delivered, including both the Army and Navy orders. It is known that Spencer M-1863 serial numbers start with 1 on the Navy contract. So, it is unlikely that there are some 2000 unaccounted numbers. This contradiction appears with several other patent firearms. Springfield Research Service Serial Numbers of U.S. Martial Arms, Volume 3, Nov. 1990, Pg.117, ISBN 0-9603306-4-X Civil War Breech Loading Rifles, John D. McAulay, Andrew W. Mowbray Inc. 1987, PP 98& 108, ISBN 0-917218-29-9
+4.) Spencer Repeating Firearms, Roy Marcot, Northwood Heritage Press, 1983
+5.) Civil War Firearms, Joe Bilby, Combined Books, 1996, PP 198-200, ISBN 0-938289-79-9
+6.) The Cavalry at Gettysburg, Edward G. Longacre, University of Nebraska Press, 1986/'93, PP 76-81 & 104-109 ISBN 0-8032-7941-8
+7.) Ibid. PP 237-244
+8.) Spencer Company Catalog, 1865
+9.) Carbines of the Civil War, John D. McAuley, Pioneer Press, 1981, PP 11 & 23, ISBN 0-913159-45-2
+10.) Op. Cit., Joe Bilby, pg XXX
+11.) Civil War Guns, William B. Edwards, The Stackpole Company, 1962, PP. 155-156
+12.) Civil War Breech Loading Rifles, John D. McAulay, Andrew W. Mowbray Inc. 1987, PP 105, ISBN 0-917218-29-9
+13.) Ibid., PP 105
+14.) Spencer Repeating Firearms, Roy Marcot, Northwood Heritage Press, 1983, P 87, ISBN 0-9611494
+go to Tony Beck index
+go to Tom Kelley index
+- Where does the pilot project fit into the bigger picture of our movement toward legal services regulation in Nova Scotia?
+- Is the MSELP flexible enough to be relevant to all variations of legal practice in Nova Scotia?
+- Is the proposed self-assessment process designed to be for regulatory compliance, with mandatory reporting required?
+- What are the chances of a perfect self-assessment?
+- Is it the same self-assessment tool for everyone?
+- How will the pilot project unfold?
+- What’s the best method for completing the self-assessment?
+- Can you walk us through how the self-assessment process works?
+- What’s the expected timeline for the pilot?
+- Can you address how this is a ‘made in Nova Scotia’ approach, specific to legal entities in this province?
+- During previous consultations, some lawyers expressed concerns about Nova Scotia developing a different approach from the rest of the Atlantic region or the country.
+- The draft self-assessment tool is quite detailed and comprehensive. Is there any concern that lawyers will find it to be a daunting exercise?
+- If it’s adopted, will the self-assessment process have other added value over the longer term?
+- How will it help to ‘change the conversation’ between the public-interest regulator and the legal profession in Nova Scotia?
+Q&A with the Legal Services Support Officer
+A pilot project is now underway to develop a tool for lawyers to self assess their Management System for Ethical Legal Practice (MSELP), a central piece of the Society’s Transforming Regulation initiative. Throughout the fall and winter, a cross-section of legal entities across the province will test the draft self-assessment tool that has been developed. Find out the details from Jennifer Pink, the Society’s Legal Services Support Officer.
+Q: Where does the pilot project fit into the bigger picture of our movement toward legal services regulation in Nova Scotia?
+A: Over recent years, we’ve engaged with the profession over legal services regulation. Through extensive consultation, the Society’s Council developed the 10 elements that comprise the MSELP. From there, we’ve developed a tool to help lawyers self assess the presence and depth of these elements in their practices. The idea we want to present is this: if your practice has systems to support all 10 elements, you have the infrastructure to deliver legal services in an ethically sound and competent way.
+We’re looking to develop a self-assessment model that reflects unique practice structures, rather than providing everyone with the same list of regulatory obligations and requiring everyone to fulfil them in the same way. It’s a tool that embodies our movement to a risk-focused and Triple-P approach. It recognizes there are significant differences in delivery of legal services and client service, but also that there are core elements for all of us. To practise ethically and competently, everyone needs to have a certain infrastructure in place. We hope we’ve captured that but we’re looking for input.
+Q: Is the MSELP flexible enough to be relevant to all variations of legal practice in Nova Scotia?
+A: We recognize the vast differences in how legal services are provided but these 10 elements are relevant to practices of all sizes and shapes. So we’re providing the ‘what’ but we’re leaving it up to the legal service providers to determine the ‘how’. These are the 10 elements central to an ethically sound legal practice; you determine how you achieve them.
+Q: Is the proposed self-assessment process designed to be for regulatory compliance, with mandatory reporting required?
+A: We want to be clear that this is a legal support service, not a compliance tool. These tools are designed to empower legal service providers to reflect upon how the 10 MSELP elements are achieved in their own practices, and to identify improvements they can make to their management systems. We will support lawyers in this through a range of resources. The goal, for everyone, is to enhance legal service delivery to clients. We are working on the details around an appropriate frequency for self assessment as part of our consultation with the profession.
+Q: What are the chances of a perfect self-assessment?
+A: I don’t think it’s possible to have all 10 elements perfectly nailed down in any practice. If that entity exists, please step forward – show us how it’s done! All 10 elements need to be present in order to provide services in an ethically sound and competent way, but what that means for everyone is going to differ greatly.
+Q: Is it the same self-assessment tool for everyone?
+A: There will be more than one version of the tool. We have one developed for law firms and sole practitioners and we are testing it this fall. We’re also starting the consultation process to develop a process for in-house corporate and public sector lawyers.
+Q: How will the pilot project unfold?
+A: It’s going to be a very hands-on consultation. Initially, we will ask a random sample of 50 solo lawyers and firms to try the self-assessment tool on their own, followed up by a meeting with someone from the Society. We’ll debrief on the answers, how they came to those answers, how useful the tool was in helping them to self assess. We want to know that the tool is user friendly, that it’s more than a survey and offers real value to lawyers in providing what they need to enhance their ethical infrastructure.
+Q: What’s the best method for completing the self-assessment?
+A: The way lawyers and firms complete their self-assessments will differ. Some people may do it by themselves if they are sole practitioners or principals of a small firm. Others may call a meeting and say, ‘I want to bring in everyone who works here so we can talk about this’. So there will be different processes. We’re interested in all of that. We also want to find out if we’re providing the right questions, considerations and resources to support reflection on each of the 10 elements.
+Q: Can you walk us through how the self-assessment process works?
+A: The 10 elements were approved by Council. The self-assessment tool outlines each element, together with indicators of that element and things to think about or consider in your own practice. A comprehensive list of resources is available to help you further understand your obligations and build stronger ethical infrastructure in your organization. Taking all this together, the legal entity is asked to assess the likelihood that each element is consistently present in their practice, on a scale of one to five.
+With the particular needs of smaller firms in mind, we’ve also developed a ‘Workbook’ that can be downloaded and completed offline, prior to filling out the self-assessment tool. The Workbook provides more specific examples of systems and methods in your practice that relate to each element, and allows lawyers to ‘work through’ their assessment in more detail. It also provides specific resources for, say, developing HR policies or templates for retainer letters.
+Q: What’s the expected timeline for the pilot?
+A: The initial testing starts this month for lawyers and firms in private practice. A preliminary report will be made to Council in February 2017 to examine the pain points, what surprised us, the range of feedback and what does it all mean? With the corporate and public sector group, we will consult on how this process can be adapted to reflect the unique needs of their practices. The final analysis and recommendations will go to Council next spring. If this proves to be the right approach, obviously there will be some tweaks and adjustments but once we’ve done all that, we hope full implementation will begin by July 2017.
+Alongside all of this we plan to keep the profession fully informed of the project, the process and the input we’re getting. The tool is online for anyone to see, and lawyers who aren’t participating in the pilot are still encouraged to get in touch. We welcome any and all input. It’s not a private consultation; it’s meant to engage with the wider membership but 1,800 interviews may take awhile, so a random sample will have to do!
+Q: Can you address how this is a ‘made in Nova Scotia’ approach, specific to legal entities in this province?
+A: There’s no question that significant research and conversation has gone into this. We’ve been having a wide consultation nationally and internationally but primarily locally. We’ve taken some of the learnings and best practices from other jurisdictions but we are pioneering this approach in Canada.
+Q: During previous consultations, some lawyers expressed concerns about Nova Scotia developing a different approach from the rest of the Atlantic region or the country.
+A: This discussion is happening nationally. You can equate it with the Bar Exam and Bar Admission process. We have different approaches across the country but there are core competencies that all jurisdictions require of lawyers. The MSELP is about the core elements that are foundational to an ethical and competent legal practice. Nova Scotia is setting a path but several other law societies are taking steps toward legal services regulation, and we’re all working closely together to develop a shared national vocabulary. So we’re not just being radical here. But we are definitely surging forward.
+Q: The draft self-assessment tool is quite detailed and comprehensive. Is there any concern that lawyers will find it to be a daunting exercise?
+Historically, engagement with the regulator is often restricted to the mandatory compliance reporting, which doesn’t really engage lawyers in reflection on what they’re doing well, what they could do better, where they want to see their practice go. We’re encouraging lawyers to reflect on their ethical obligations and appropriate quality of service for their clients, and to give full consideration to where improvement is needed. Moving from a reactive process to a reflective process will be harder for some than others, but we are developing support services to help.
+Q: If it’s adopted, will the self-assessment process have other added value over the longer term?
+We think this tool has the potential to really make a change in the way legal services are delivered in the province. We’re also expecting to find that some lawyers weren’t aware of the wealth of information and resources available through the Society. They can start using those regularly and calling upon us when they have ethics questions, when they’re struggling with an area of practice that’s new to them, or if they’re looking for tools or checklists to assist them in their practices.
+Q: How will it help to ‘change the conversation’ between the public-interest regulator and the legal profession in Nova Scotia?
+We’re positioning ourselves to assist lawyers in enhancing their Management Systems for Ethical Legal Practice. That’s our role. We’re here to take their questions and concerns, direct them to the right place for the answers and provide them with resources to help them do the best job they can. Recognizing they’re all different and it’s not one size fits all. We want their first thought to be to call the Society to see how we can help.
+That’s the relationship the Society has had with a number of lawyers for a long time now. We hope to engage the full realm of legal service providers in Nova Scotia with the tools and support we have to assist them in serving their clients’ current needs, and in anticipating and adapting to future legal service needs.
+The ASX200 is down 44 points in mid-morning trade, with Gold the only sector showing strength. Materials and Energy lagging. ORI -2.6% under pressure after profit warning. Lots of ex-divs. BEN 35c, FMG 11c, WOW 43c, RIO 228.5c, REA 47c, PTM 16c #ausbiz
+TODAY
+- Ex-dividend – Auswide Bank (ABA)) 16.0c, Aust Ethical (AEI) 165.0c, Apollo Tourism & Leisure (ATL) 2.0c, Accent Group (AX1) 3.0c, Australian Masters Yield Fund No 4 (AYK) 28.0c, Australian Masters Yield Fund No 5 (AYZ) 53.0c, Blue Sky Alternatives Access Fund (BAF) 1.0c, Baby Bunting Group (BBN) 2.8c, Bendigo Adelaide Bnk (BEN) 35.0c, Capral (CAA) 1.3c, Estia Health (EHE) 7.8c, Fortescue Metals (FMG) 11.0c, FSA Group (FSA) 3.0c, Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia (GMA) 12.0c, Healthscope (HSO) 3.2c, Kina Securities (KSL) 3.4c, NIB Holdings (NHF) 9.0c, Pact Group Holdings (PGH) 11.5c, Platinum Asset Mgmt (PTM) 16.0c, REA Group (REA) 47.0c, Rhipe (RHP) 0.5c, Rio Tinto (RIO) 228.5c, SkyCity (SKC) 9.2c, Tox Free Solutions (TOX) 5.0c, URB Investments (URB) 0.5c, Wellcom Group (WLL) 35.0c, Woolworths Group (WOW) 43.0c
+- CAPEX data today – The consensus is for 0.9%, a drop from 1.0% in the September quarter.
+- Chinese Caixin manufacturing index
+- Japanese data – Consumer confidence, Nikkei manufacturing index and capital spending
+TONIGHT
+- European – Markit Manufacturing and Unemployment Rate
+- UK – BoE Credit and Lending data and Markit/CIPS Manufacturing PMI
+- US economic data – Personal Income, Personal Spending, PCE Prices, ISM Index, Construction Spending. The ISM index is a significant manufacturing survey which could be highly significant, while the PCE price index is the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation so it should be market moving also if it raises inflationary expectations and a resulting increase in interest rate hike expectations.
+- Fed speak – Fed Chair Jay Powell’s gives monetary policy testimony before Senate Banking Committee at 2am our time, FOMC Vice Chair William Dudley is also speaking.
+COMPANY NEWS
+- Orica (ORI) –,”
+There will also be a noncash impairment and increase in provisions of $300m relating to its underperforming Minova business as well as a $55m restatement to the value of its US deferred tax assets.
+Its JV operating partner in the Burrup Technical Ammonium Nitrate plant, Yara International ASA, is addressing problems with heat exchangers that have shown some premature cracking.
+Forecast a significantly stronger second half, saying continued volume growth, particularly in Australia, and a better operational performance in Latin America and Europe would contribute to a $60m boost to earnings in the second half.
+- Yancoal (YAL) – Net profit of $229m compared to loss of $227m last year. Revenu more than doubled to $2.6bn. Continues to consider timin of future dividends.
+- Aconex (ACX) – All government agencies have now cleared takeover plan by Oracle.
+- Adelaide Brighton (ABC) – Barro Properties Pty Ltd has alerted ABC that Deutsche Bank has issued an offer to purchase up to approximately 19 million shares on market at an offer price of $6.75 per share. Barro said it and its associates have “no current intention to make a takeover offer for Adelaide Brighton”.
+- Mayne Pharma (MYX) – Lauch of methylphenidate extended-release (ER) capsules, 10mg, (the generic vrsion of Ritalin for ADHD) in the United States. It complements the existing methylphenidate product range that includes 20mg, 30mg, 40mg and 60mg dose strengths. US brand sales of methylphenidate 10mg capsules were approximately US$20m for the 12 months ending 31 December 2017.
+- Murray Goulburn (MGC) – The ACCC has concerns about the Saputo deal relating to the Koroit dairy plant and the affect it will have on competition for farmers’ milk in south-west Victoria and south-east Victoria. Anticipated date for the regulator’s final decision is 29 March.
+BROKER CHANGES
+- Bega Cheese (BGA) – Bell Potter has cut its target price by 4.7% to $7.85
+- Bingo (BIN) – UBS has raised its target price by 3.2% to $3..2
+- Oil Search (OSH) – UBS has cut its target price by 1.25 to $8.10
+- Harvey Norman (HVN) – UBS has downgraded to a Neutral (from Buy) recommendation and has cut its target price by 18% to $4.10. UBS says the weakness is likely to worsen, driven by costs from additional investment and discounting. A possible slowing housing market in Australia and new competition from Amazon also suggests that “risks to HVN’s earnings are increasing”. UBS thinks the need to invest in initiatives such as a two-hour click and collect service to strengthen the online offer negatively impacted margins.
+- Mesoblast (MSB) – Bell Potter has raised its target price by 4.9% to $3.87.
+- Macquarie Atlas Roads (MQA) – UBS has cut its target price by 3% to $6.45
+YESTERDAY
+Chinese PMI numbers were disappointing yesterday – The manufacturing PMI fell the most in 6 years and was well below estimates lunar new year holiday which this year fell entirely in February disrupted the production
+OVERNIGHT
+SPI FUTURES -45
+US EQUITIES – S&P500 -30 (-1.11%), Dow Jones -381 (-1.50%). Nasdaq -57 (-0.78%)
+Main themes –
+- Major falls occurred in last hour of trade.
+- Technical influence – Selling intensified when the S&P slipped below the 50-day moving average
+- Losses were broad-based with all sectors lower but the Energy sector underperformed after a bigger than expected increase in oil stockpiles
+EUROPEAN MARKETS – All lower. STOXX -0.71%, UK FTSE -0.69%, German Dax -0.44%, French CAC -0.44%.
+CURRENCIES
+- The US dollar was up another 0.32% at 90.65.
+- The Aussie dollar again lower, down 0.33%, at US77.67c.
+BONDS – 2-yr: UNCH at 2.26%, 5-yr: -2 bps to 2.65%, 10-yr: -4 bps to 2.87%, 30-yr: -5 bps to 3.13%%
+COMMODITIES
+- WTI oil was down US$1.37 or 2.2% at US$61.64 and was down almost 5% over February. US crude inventories rose by 3mb, above expectations for 2.1mb.
+- Gold futures were little changed at US$1319 after the 1.1% fall on Tuesday.
+- Iron ore unchanged at$81.00.
+- LME metals were all significantly weaker – copper -1.28%, aluminium -0.70%, nickel -0.36%
+ECONOMIC DATA, NEWS & POLITICS
+- Lowes fell 6.5% after missing q$ earnings estimates and cutting its profit guidance
+- US economic data – Weekly MBA Mortgage Index 2.7% (prior -6.6%), Q4 GDP 2nd est downwardly revised from 2.6% to 2.5% (consensus 2.5%; prior 2.6%) and Q4 GDP Deflator 2nd est 2.3% (consensus 2.4%; prior 2.4%), Chicago PMI 61.9 (consensus 64.5; prior 65.7), Pending Home Sales (actual -4.7%; Briefing.com consensus 0.4%; prior 0.0%)
+- European data – Eurozone February CPI +1.2% as expected (last 1.3%). Core CPI +1.0% as expected (last 1.0%); German Unemployment Change -22,000 (expected -15,000; last -25,000) and Unemployment Rate 5.4%, as expected (last 5.4%). UK GfK Consumer Climate 10.8 (expected 10.8; last 11.0); French CPI -0.1% mom (expected 0.3%; last -0.1%). January PPI +0.1%mom (last 0.0%). French Q4 GDP +0.6%qoq, as expected (last 0.6%) and Consumer Spending -1.9%mom (expected 0.5%; last -1.2%); Italian CPI +0.1%mom (expected 0.3%; last 0.3%); +0.6%yoy (expected 0.7%; last 0.8%)
+QUOTE OF THE DAY
+“When you’re around me, you’re going to get glitter on you.” – both from Ke$ha, American musician born this day in 1987.
+
+The Fremont neighborhood in Seattle is located at the northwest corner of Lake Union. Map courtesy of HistoryLink.
+The history of the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle is unique in that the future-Fremont land was tied up in legal problems so that no one lived there until 1888. Then, with investors and promoters advertising the first one hundred lots to be sold for $1 each, in the summer of 1888 there was a land rush of businesses and residents to take advantage of the opportunity to settle in Fremont.
+Fremont’s naming was unique in that it was named like a suburb, because it was still outside of the City of Seattle boundaries as of 1888. It wasn’t long, however, until Fremont’s vigorous community leaders applied to join the City of Seattle, which they did in 1891.
+Before Fremont received its jump-start as a vital new neighborhood in 1888, Fremont’s land-claim history went back to the settlers who were Seattle’s eager land-seekers in the 1850s.
+This blog started out in 2012 to be about the history of the Wedgwood neighborhood in northeast Seattle. Over the years as I (Valarie) have participated in other neighborhood history projects, I began posting those writings here. Go to “Fremont” in the Categories tab on the right margin of this page to find all that I have written about the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle.
+The content of this article is protected under a Creative Commons Copyright. Do not copy text or photos without permission.
+Seattle settlers of the 1850s
+The first white settlers who came to Seattle in the 1850s were land-hungry people. They looked for the best sites on waterfronts, and they looked for natural resources such as freshwater running streams, stands of timber, or coal deposits.
+The Denny Party were the first group of white settlers to claim sites and build cabins at what is now downtown Seattle in 1852. They had arrived in the autumn of 1851 at Alki in West Seattle, then moved over to Elliott Bay after measuring its depth and finding it suitable for large ships to come in for commerce.
+We may say that the first white settlers “shoved aside” the Native American inhabitants of the Seattle area, disregarding them and staking claims for the land. Ironically, however, the settlers were very much concerned about justice and the rule of law for their own land claims. They quickly set up guidelines for the establishment and verification of claims to help put controls on the land-grabbing greed.
+The City of Seattle Fremont boundaries map includes areas from 6th Ave NW on the west, to Stone Way on the east.
+One of the earliest-arriving white settlers in Seattle was William A. Strickler. At age 30 in 1854, Strickler staked a land claim for the area of what is now the main business district of the Fremont neighborhood.
+Strickler’s land claim was about 212 to 214 acres. Its boundaries, expressed in today’s streets, was from 3rd Ave NW on the west, to Albion Avenue (not quite as far east as Stone Way) and from Florentia Street on the south side of the Fremont Bridge, to North 39th Street. Originally there was a small stream on the property, which was made into today’s much-wider ship canal completed in 1917.
+Today’s City of Seattle neighborhood boundaries map for Fremont includes a western portion between 3rd to 6th Avenues NW, which was originally part of the homestead claim of another early Seattleite, John Ross.
+By virtue of his early arrival in Seattle (1854), William Strickler got a good site for his land claim, but in 1861, William Strickler disappeared and he was never heard from again. In 1868 Seattle sawmill owner Henry Yesler used his authority as a town official (Judge of Probate) to protect the Strickler property from “claim-jumpers.”
+A presumptive claim
+After Strickler had been missing for seven years, in 1868 two men, Edwards and Woodward, filed a “presumptive claim” for Strickler’s land. They challenged whether the property legally belonged to Strickler or to his estate, as to whether Strickler had completed the land claim requirements before his disappearance.
+Henry Yesler’s sawmill, established in March 1853, was a vital part of the economy of early Seattle.
+Even in those early years, the small population of Seattle settlers had already set down legal parameters for dealing with estate issues. The intent of the probate laws was to protect the interests of survivors so that property would go to them and would not be usurped by others.
+In the year 1868 sawmill owner Henry Yesler was a vital member of the small Seattle community as a major business owner. In that year of 1868 Yesler also served as Judge of Probate in Seattle and he rightly used his authority to declare himself administrator of the Strickler estate. This would allow time for determination of the validity of Strickler’s land claim, and allow time to search for Strickler’s heirs, if any.
+Here is the May 28, 1868 probate document signed by Henry Yesler and by Gardner Kellogg, who as postmaster served as town notary. This document is in the Frontier Justice case files which are stored at the Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue, WA.
+This document of May 28, 1868 declares that Henry Yesler is the administrator of the estate of William Strickler. The document is signed by Gardner Kellogg, notary. Frontier Justice Case KNG-7469, Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue, WA.
+Yesler engages an attorney
+Henry Yesler’s next step was to engage the services of an attorney to deal with the Strickler estate issues. In that year of 1868 there was only one practicing attorney in Seattle, Judge John J. McGilvra.
+John J. McGilvra had arrived in Washington Territory in 1861, appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to be U.S. Attorney for the Territory. McGilvra lived in Olympia until 1864 and then declined re-appointment so that he could settle in Seattle.
+McGilvra’s first action in the Strickler case in 1868 was to run Missing Person notices in newspapers which were published in Olympia and were sent throughout Washington Territory.
+Letters for William Strickler kept arriving after his disappearance in 1861, and from these, Judge McGilvra obtained contact info for Strickler family members. A letter which Judge McGilvra wrote in April 1869 has been preserved in the Strickler family collection at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Here is a transcription of the letter:
+Seattle, Washington Territory
+April 12, 1869
+To: Wm. L. Rider, Washington D.C.
+Dear Sir,
+Yours of the 15th was today received.
+In February 1854 Wm. A. Strickler settled upon a tract of land (212 acres) about three miles from this place on the outlet of Lake Union. The next year he was driven off by the Indians. It is not certain whether he ever returned to his claim to live upon it for any length of time after that. He was after that engaged in surveying and was Registrar of the Land Office at Olympia for some years.
+In 1861, he left, as I stated in a former letter, and has not been heard from since. He never proved upon said claim.
+Mr. Strickler was indebted to Mr. H.L. Yesler of this place at the time he left, in the sum of $741.00. Mr. Yesler has taken out letters of administration for the purpose of proving up and entering said land for the heirs.
+Recently, however, two men by the name of Edwards and Woodward have taken presumptive claims embracing the Strickler claim. We are taking evidence now to be used on the hearing of this contest in the land office at Olympia on the 17th of next month.
+The case will no doubt go before the Commissioner of the Land Office at Washington by appeal, when perhaps you can be of service. The land is worth more than Mr. Yesler’s claim, and may be very valuable even.
+We should be happy to receive any suggestions you have to make in the premises. I am the attorney of Mr. Yesler and shall be pleased to give you any further information.
+Yours truly,
+John J. McGilvra
+The legal issues of the Strickler estate: proven but not resolved
+In his 1869 letter to Strickler family representative Mr. Rider, who lived in Washington, D.C., Judge McGilvra stated that the Strickler case would probably have to be resolved by the Commissioner of the Land Office in Washington, D.C., and that Mr. Rider could attend the hearing in-person. One of Judge McGilvra’s other statements in his letter, that William Strickler had never “proved upon” his land claim, turned out to be wrong. After extensive investigation, the Commissioner of the Land Office was satisfied with the documentation that verified Strickler’s land claim.
+Court document of 1872, illegal tree-cutting on the Strickler property. Case KNG-789, Frontier Justice Files, Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue, WA.
+The resolution of these issues took several years and in the meantime, one of the men who had filed the original legal challenge in 1868, got tired of waiting. In 1872 Henry Edwards, along with another man from Maine, Charles Preston, apparently thought that no one would notice if they cut down some trees on the Strickler claim property.
+The court documents did not say who reported the illegal activities of Edwards and Preston, but it was likely Henry Yesler himself, who owned the only sawmill in town and who would have wondered where these two guys got the logs which they brought in. Yesler continued to protect the Strickler estate in this way, so that no matter whether heirs claimed the property or whether the land was sold, the timber belonged to the Strickler estate. The Frontier Justice case documents said that the illegal tree-cutting case was tried by Judge Orange Jacobs, and that the two men, Edwards and Preston, were ordered to pay reparations to the Strickler estate.
+William Strickler’s brother makes tentative inquiries
+In 1876, J.H. Strickler, one of William Strickler’s brothers, wrote a letter to Captain John C. Ainsworth, a prominent merchant and owner of a steamship line on the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon.
+J.H. Strickler, who was then living in Barbour County, West Virginia, did not know Capt. Ainsworth of Oregon. In his letter, J.H. Strickler wrote that he had been referred to Capt. Ainsworth by a man who had once traveled to Oregon. He asked Capt. Ainsworth to recommend the name of a “reliable and trustworthy attorney at Seattle.” J.H. Strickler’s letter has been preserved in the Ainsworth collection at the University of Oregon Library in Eugene, Oregon. Strickler wrote,
+I am a brother to William A. Strickler who some years ago was Registrar of the Land Office at Olympia. He died sometime during the war, having some claim upon some land in King County, Washington. Some three or four years ago, it was decided by the Land Office at Washington that W.A. Strickler’s heirs had the right to that land….. We wish to employ some person at Seattle to see to it, pay the taxes and give us reliable information with regard to its value. I have received a letter from Mr. John J. McGilvra of Seattle, who proposes to act as agent for us, do you know him, is he reliable and trustworthy? Respectfully yours, J.H. Strickler, March 9, 1876.”
+William Strickler’s brother referred to an earlier letter which he had received from Judge McGilvra of Seattle, offering to represent the Strickler family interests in the land claim, and he asked Capt. Ainsworth if McGilvra was of good character, “reliable and trustworthy.” J.H. Strickler could not have known that Capt. Ainsworth and Judge McGilvra were business rivals, and that Capt. Ainsworth was unlikely to give a good recommendation of Judge McGilvra.
+Captain Ainsworth and the railroad route
+Capt. John C. Ainsworth (1822-1893) was one of the partners of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company which had been organized in 1860. The OSN had a monopoly on steamship travel along the Columbia River, and the firm generated big earnings. Ainsworth retained his position with the OSN while also becoming the western managing director for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1872.
+During the decade of the 1870s, including the time when Strickler’s brother wrote to him, Capt. Ainsworth was locked in a power struggle with Seattle leaders including John McGilvra, about the route and the terminus of a cross-country line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Seattleites wanted the Northern Pacific Railroad to pass through Walla Walla in eastern Washington, and then over the mountains to Seattle, so that goods could travel by rail to and from the Port of Seattle. Captain Ainsworth made sure that this route was NOT chosen.
+In 1873 Capt. Ainsworth announced that the Northern Pacific Railroad would run parallel to the Columbia River as far as Portland, Oregon. Then a line would go north from Portland to Tacoma, Washington. Ahead of the final decision on the route of the railroad, Capt. Ainsworth and his co-investors bought up land in Tacoma so that the location of the rail terminal in Tacoma would be of benefit to them.
+The Northern Pacific Railroad line would run ONLY as far as Tacoma, which had been chosen as the terminus of the railroad, leaving Seattle out, with no rail line to the City of Seattle at all. The struggle over railroad lines was part of the decades-long power struggle for economic advantage among businessmen of the cities of Olympia, Portland, Seattle, Tacoma and Walla Walla.
+Why didn’t the Strickler heirs take action on the estate issues?
+We don’t know if Capt. Ainsworth of Oregon ever sent a reply to Strickler’s brother in 1876, but we do know what happened next in the long-running Strickler legal case: nothing. Inexplicably, Strickler’s heirs did not take action to do anything with the estate. The above letter of 1876 (to Capt. Ainsworth) was written fifteen years after Strickler’s disappearance and eight years after the Strickler family had first been contacted about probate of the estate of William A. Strickler, but his brother J.H. Strickler still seemed hesitant and undecided about what to do.
+We may speculate on the reasons why the relatives of William Strickler did not take definitive action to take ownership of his land claim in the future-Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. William Strickler’s mother lived until 1881 and she may have held out hope that her son would be found alive and that his land claim could be restored to him. Another possibility is that Capt. Ainsworth in Oregon did write a return letter to the Strickler family, putting Judge McGilvra in an unfavorable light. Perhaps Capt. Ainsworth persuaded the Strickler family that they should have nothing to do with Judge McGilvra or any other Seattleites.
+It seems that the most likely possibility is that the Strickler family simply did not understand the value of Strickler’s land as it was too far away from where they lived in Virginia and around Washington, D.C. No member of the Strickler family ever came to Seattle in-person to see the land claim and talk to local officials. Whatever the reasons, nothing happened with the Strickler estate until a Seattle mover and shaker, Thomas Burke, found a way to resolve the issues.
+A mover and shaker arrives in Seattle: Thomas Burke
+Caroline McGilvra Burke circa 1895. Photo courtesy of University of Washington Special Collections 484.
+In 1875 twenty-five-year-old Thomas Burke arrived in Seattle with his law degree in hand. He intended to practice law in Seattle but he had bigger ambitions, as well, to partake of the land development opportunities of the frontier city. Burke had a knack for choosing the best sites and the best opportunities.
+The first thing Thomas Burke did in Seattle was to become the law partner of Judge John J. McGilvra, and in 1879 Burke married McGilvra’s daughter Caroline. The two men, Burke and McGilvra, formed an alliance which greatly influenced the development of Seattle.
+Burke arrived in Seattle at a time when the city had Railroad Fever. Again and again, citizens advocated for Seattle to be the terminus of a coast-to-coast railroad, only to be let down and snubbed, such as when Tacoma was chosen as the terminus of the Northern Pacific’s transatlantic line in 1873. In 1885, led by Thomas Burke and Daniel Gilman, twelve Seattle citizens banded together to form their own railroad called the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern (SLS&E).
+Thomas Burke had been told the background story of the Strickler estate and he and his father-in-law, Judge McGilvra, must have strategized as to how to resolve the legal issues. Burke was very concerned about the problem because he had determined that he wanted his SLS&E railroad to run east-west through Strickler property.
+Another issue was the desire of a Seattle investors group, of which Burke was also a member, to build a ship canal for transportation of heavy goods such as lumber and coal. In Seattle’s early years before cars and trucks were invented, transport of products by ship was the only realistic way to bring out natural resources such as coal. The investors group saw that Ross Creek which flowed from Lake Union westward out to Puget Sound, would be an ideal place for a canal. The creek bed could be widened and deepened so that ships could pass through – but only if the investors group could obtain the legal right to do so, crossing properties owned by others along the creek.
+Burke’s involvement in both canal and railroad development led him to become one of another group of developers, that which established the Ballard neighborhood, and Burke became the resolver of the legal issues of the Ross and Strickler estate properties in the future-Fremont. All of these land areas bordered the proposed canal route and also were to have stops along Burke’s railroad. Seattleites know that the course of Burke’s SLS&E railroad is now the Burke-Gilman Trail which runs parallel to the ship canal through Fremont.
+Burke resolves the Ross and Strickler estate issues to make way for the canal and the railroad
+The homestead claim of John & Mary Jane Ross was located just to the west of William Strickler’s property, and the Ross family was still living on their homesite as of 1885. Their house was on the north side of Ross Creek at about NW 41st Street and 6th Ave NW, and they owned land all the way to the present site of Seattle Pacific University on the south side of today’s ship canal.
+In 1883 Henry Yesler, Thomas Burke and others formed the Lake Washington Improvement Company. They started on creating a canal by hiring workers to widen Ross Creek, but John Ross impeded the work because he did not want them to cross his property. The court had already ruled against John Ross in his damages case in 1883, but he still resisted. In 1884 the canal work was put on hold while the canal committee sought a restraining order against John Ross.
+In 1885-1886 Thomas Burke represented Mary Jane Ross in a divorce action which resulted in Ross property being freed up and available for the right-of-way of the canal and of Burke’s railroad. While I would not accuse Burke of orchestrating the Ross divorce just for his own purposes, the timing was essential, both for the canal work which had been delayed, and for the beginning of plans for the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad.
+Thomas Burke next started working on the problem of the Strickler estate, since the canal project and the railroad both depended upon getting a right-of-way across Strickler property. The legal strategy was to force an auction of the property due to non-payment of taxes and the need of access for the canal, which the court had already affirmed as a public works project.
+John P. Hoyt was an attorney who partnered with Seattle pioneer Arthur Denny in banking and land investments.
+On July 7, 1887 Burke sued to have the Strickler homestead land sold at a King County auction, with the proceeds to be distributed to 21 heirs, mostly nieces and nephews since several of William Strickler’s siblings had died by that time.
+An auction of William Strickler’s land claim was held on November 19, 1887, twenty-six years after Strickler had disappeared.
+At the auction, Seattle’s founding father Arthur A. Denny and his business partner John P. Hoyt made the winning bid of $20,641 for the Strickler property of about 212 acres. After costs were paid, the court distributed the proceeds to Strickler’s 21 heirs. Now our minds are boggled at the thought of buying the entire land area of Fremont for that price of less than $100 per acre.
+Denny & Hoyt’s becomes Fremont
+The strange story of the Strickler estate took one more twist before being settled. In March 1888 John P. Hoyt filed a plat map for the new development, showing the layout of lots which could be sold for houses or businesses. But by the end of that same month, Hoyt accepted an unusual purchase offer from investors who came from Fremont, Nebraska.
+Luther Griffith was a real estate promoter who had come to Seattle from Nebraska in 1883. During the time that Denny & Hoyt acquired the Strickler property in late 1887, Griffith alerted friends back in Nebraska about the new land area which Denny & Hoyt were going to open in Seattle. In March 1888 Edward & Carrie Blewett came out from Fremont, Nebraska and offered to buy the property. They paid $55,000 of which $43,000 was in a mortgage from Denny & Hoyt. In appreciation of their help, the plat name of Denny & Hoyt’s was kept, with legal recording of the plat’s new owners, the Blewetts, on May 8, 1888.
+The Denny & Hoyt’s plat map was re-filed in May 1888 by its new owners. The top line is North 39th Street. The southern boundary is Florentia Street which today is just south of the Fremont Bridge. On the west, the plat boundary is 3rd Ave NW and on the east, Albion Avenue.
+The Blewetts left development of the new Fremont in the hands of their Seattle associates including Luther Griffith and Edward C. Kilbourne, who named the streets.
+These developers organized a logging operation and lumber company to start clearing the hillside of Fremont above the creek which flowed out of Lake Union. The Fremont Milling Company would provide employment for new residents as well as building materials for new houses. Advertising of lots for sale began to appear in Seattle’s Daily Intelligencer newspaper in the summer of 1888, and the Fremont land rush was on.
+Sources
+Abstract of Title: Denny & Hoyt’s Addition. Unpublished document by Greg Lange, 2007. This document traces the court cases, land transactions and timeline of how the William A. Strickler homestead claim property eventually became Fremont.
+Acreage: The original government documents for William A. Strickler’s claim listed his land at 214.18 acres. Some other early documents say 212 acres. One of the earliest documents, the October 1868 survey of the Strickler claim by Arthur Denny and two other men (photo below), appraised the value of the land at $265. That works out to 212 acres @ $1.25 per acre, which was the standard price of homestead claims made by cash payment. Land in Fremont is selling for a bit more than that now!
+The Puget Sound Regional Archives, repository of the property records of King County, is located on the campus of Bellevue College.
+Consultations: Many thanks to all those who have listened to me babble excitedly about Frontier Justice case files, original documents and the search for William A. Strickler: Paula Becker, Greg Lange, Dr. Lorraine McConaghy, Jennifer Ott, Candace Wellman, David B. Williams, and many archivists including Phil & Midori at the Puget Sound Regional Archives.
+Damages, Real Property, 1872 (illegal tree-cutting case). Case number KNG-789, Charles H. Preston and H.H. Edwards, defendants; estate of William A. Strickler, plaintiff. Frontier Justice Files, Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue.
+“Denny Party lands at Alki Point near future Seattle on November 13, 1851,” HistoryLink Essay #5392 by Greg Lange, 2003.
+Estate, Administration of Probate of William A. Strickler, 1868. Case Number KNG-7469, Frontier Justice Files, Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue, WA.
+The two documents in the probate file which I have cited:
+(1) Letter of administration of probate signed by H.L. Yesler and Gardner Kellogg on May 28, 1868.
+In October 1868 three men did an appraisal of the value of the Strickler homestead claim property. Frontier Justice case documents KNG-7469, Puget Sound Regional Archives.
+(2) Appraisal of Strickler land value signed by Thomas Mercer, Probate Judge, October 29, 1868; surveyors were Arthur Denny, Franklin Matthias and [Edward Steelman?] I recognize the names of Denny and Matthias, active citizens of Seattle, but the name of the third man is not familiar. I speculate that in order to show fairness and impartiality in the appraisal of Strickler land, the survey team might have included this man who had no interest in the Strickler property for himself. Their appraisal was $265, which is $1.25 per acre.
+Fremont Historic Context Statement by Caroline Tobin, 2010. Settlement, Land Use Patterns & Platting History, pages 8-9. Historic Preservation/Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle.
+He Built Seattle: A Biography of Judge Thomas Burke, by Robert C. Nesbit, 1961. Seattle Public Library.
+“Henry Yesler’s steam-powered Seattle sawmill cuts its first lumber in late March 1853,” HistoryLink Essay #760 by John Caldbick, 2014.
+“J.H. Strickler inquiry for a good attorney in Seattle, March 9, 1876.” John C. Ainsworth papers, University of Oregon Library, Eugene, Oregon. Collection Number 250, Box 2, Folder 6.
+“John J. McGilvra of Seattle, letter of April 12, 1869.” Box 1, Folder 4, Mr. & Mrs. James Hoover Collection of Strickler Family Papers, SC0098, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
+John and Mary Jane Ross: Their court cases are in the source list of this blog article.
+Boat parade on July 9, 2017, to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Photo taken from the Fremont Bridge by Valarie.
+“Lake Washington Ship Canal (Seattle),” HistoryLink Essay #1444 by David B. Williams, 2017.
+Partition of Property, 1887. Case Number KNG-5247, Plaintiff: Thomas Burke. Defendants: Strickler et al. Frontier Justice Files, Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue, WA.
+Plat maps: You can find the original plat map for the area of your house, by looking up your address on the King County Parcel Viewer. Click through to Property Detail. On the right margin is a link to the plat map. Your house will be found on the map by the lot and block number. Plats have names, such as “Denny & Hoyt’s” for the area of what became the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.
+Edward and Carrie Blewett of Fremont, Nebraska, filed two other plats in Seattle in 1889-1890. We don’t have an explanation for this except that they must have thought that real estate in Seattle was a good investment. In 1889 they filed a plat on Queen Anne Hill called Evans & Blewett’s Addition to the City of Seattle, located to the west of today’s McClure Middle School. In 1890 they filed a plat called Blewett’s 1st Addition to Kirkland.
+“Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad Company is incorporated on April 15, 1885,” HistoryLink Essay #1735 by Heather M. MacIntosh, 1999.
+“Seattle Neighborhoods: Ballard – Thumbnail History,” HistoryLink Essay #983 by Walt Crowley, 1999.
+Washington Digital Archives: Frontier Justice case lists. The term “frontier justice” means the court cases which were filed before Washington became a state in November 1889. The cases are listed on-line and the actual files are in the Puget Sound Regional Archives, Bellevue, WA.
+Washington Territory by Robert E. Ficken, 2002. Seattle Public Library 979.703 FIC.
+Washington Territory Donation Land Claim Patents, William A. Strickler, Claim number O-529 of 1854, King County, pages 119-120. Washington Digital Archives.
+In 1888 Fremont’s developers began sales of lots at about the present site of the Fremont Bridge. Photo courtesy of UW Special Collections, Asahel Curtis Item 482.
+This is awesome! I love reading up on the history of my city.
+Thanks, Adam, I love Seattle, too.
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+shipping this book. We
+truly apologize that we are several months late in getting possession
+of this book, but as you are probably aware, the book publisher
+to whom we originally had gone to publish this book went into Chapter
+11, Bankruptcy Reorganization. To make matters worse, this publishing
+company kept calling us every few weeks telling us to be patient
+as they were just about ready to produce our books.
+Finally, we went to
+a local printing company here to get this book published. We have
+it now, and have begun shipping. Thank you so much for your patience.
+We were so frustrated because it seemed like Satan was opposing
+us so vigorously at every turn! We concluded that he did not want
+people to understand the truth that Rick Warren's "Purpose
+Driven Church" is really designed to lead mankind back to the
+worship of the "Tower of Babel"!
+---------- This Weeks
+Hot News ----------
+Weather
+Control
+I. As 100mph winds drove
+the California wildfires into an uncontrollable conflagration, Senator
+Harry Reid (D-NV) at least set the record straight -- these fires
+are part of the "Global Warming" scenario!
+Did you know these fires
+are burning on the 33rd Parallel?
+NEWS BRIEF: "Wildfires
+get personal for lawmakers", By Jonathan E. Kaplan,
+The Hill, October 24, 2007
+"Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) woke up at 2:30
+on Tuesday morning to see the hillside behind his house glowing
+with fire and flames shooting as high as 50 feet in the air. He
+then watched as the fire ran to the top of the ridge of the hill
+and raced back down the other side. McKeon, who returned to Washington
+on Tuesday afternoon, said in a phone interview that 25 structures
+had been destroyed and maybe 15,000 people evacuated from his district.
+According to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
+reported late Tuesday that 750 homes had been totally destroyed,
+68,000 homes were in danger, and 250,000 acres of land had been
+devastated by the fire, much of it wilderness. In addition, 365,000
+people have been evacuated from their homes."
+This evacuation was the one of the largest in American
+history, and can only be compared to the evacuation following the
+Katrina Hurricane in New Orleans. As horrific as this destruction
+has been, the reasons behind it became a whole lot more clear thanks
+to Senator Reid, whom we quote next.
+"Officials said Tuesday the winds and high temperatures
+are expected to continue. But when the fires do stop, lawmakers
+likely will debate the cause of the fire. ';One reason why we have
+the fires in California is global warming', Senate Majority Leader
+Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters Tuesday, stressing the need to
+pass the Democrats’ comprehensive energy package."
+Senator Harry Reid has just let the proverbial "cat
+out of the bag"! He has just told the world that California
+is burning the state is suffering from "Global Warming".
+Have you ever heard the New Age explanation of "Global Warming"?
+You see, people and their current lifestyle are placing an undue
+burden upon "Mother Gaia" (Planet Earth). In order to
+reduce this burden Gaia is creating disasters as the way to releave
+this burden and re-establish "balance". In some cases,
+this disaster might be a hurricane, or a flood, or an earthquake,
+or a volcano. The movies "The Day After Tomorrow" and
+"10.5" are perfect examples of how people are being conditioned
+to believe this lie.
+In California Gaia is using fires as a way to clear
+mankind off the land so the pressure on her is reduced.
+Cutting
+Edge has long reported that this New Age belief is THE foundational
+stone for the entire Global Warming movement, now most notably headed
+by Al Gore. The Illuminati showed its support for the Global Warming
+lie by giving Gore the Peace Prize for his work in this area.
+We have also long reported that the REAL plan for
+America is to designate about 66% of the entire land mass of this
+country off limits to human habitation (NEWS1368),
+and allow the off-limits land to go back to its original wild condition,
+an extreme Illuminati Plan unofficially called "Re-wilding".
+These fires are burning in an area in the San Diego
+- Los Angeles area which is slated for virtually no human existence,
+as the snippet of this map demonstrates. Look carefully now at this
+U.N. Biodiversity map, above. The areas in red are the "No
+Human Habitation Zones", while the Yellow areas are the "Highly
+Regulated Zones", and the light Orange areas designate the
+"American Indian Zones". The black areas are the current
+cities of at least 10,000.
+Most of San Diego area is designated to be "Re-wilded"
+according to the United Nations Biodiversity Map, of which we are
+showing just a portion here.
+We have also always maintained that, since the
+Illuminati controls the weather through the Russian Scalar Electromagnetic
+Wave technology, they can bring about the planned social engineering
+through the use -- or should I say, 'misuse' -- of weather.
+In this case in California, the first step to creating
+these wildfires is to alter the climate so that the region is much,
+much dryer than normal. Once the region is bone dry, then these
+wildfires can be set to work their deadly mission.
+Let us divert here just one moment to hear Defense
+Secretary William Cohen under President Clinton tell the world that
+America's enemies do possess the electromagnetic wave technology
+to control the weather, in a variety of ways.
+"Others (America's enemies) are engaging
+even in an eco-type of terrorism whereby they can alter the climate,
+set off earthquakes, volcanoes remotely through the use of electromagnetic
+waves." (Former Defense Secretary William Cohen, "Terrorism,
+Weapons of Mass Destruction, and U.S. Strategy", Sam Nunn
+Policy Forum, April 28, 1997 University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia)
+You can read all the details of this scalar wave technology
+in LTC Bearden's book, "Oblivion",
+pictured above.
+You see, scalar scientists have been altering California's
+climate for a very long time, starting back during the Clinton Presidency.
+As a matter of fact, most of the wildfires in the entire Western
+part of America have occurred in either the Red or the Yellow zones
+on this dastardly map.
+Therefore, for the past decade, California's climate
+has been altered to produce very dry conditions. At this point,
+you have the dry fuel you need to produce a conflagration. Now,
+you can set the fire.
+The one ingredient which would make these wildfires
+uncontrollable is to produce a very strong wind. Some news reports
+indicate that the winds were gusting
+regularly over 100mph! These are the winds of a Category
+Two hurricane, for crying out loud, and are very rare absent
+a hurricane. Controlling winds is a very integral part of controlling
+the weather.
+But, once winds this strong began driving the fires,
+human firefighters could do nothing to stop the fiery conflagration,
+except to hope and pray for cooler weather, for the winds to die
+down, and for rain to start falling.
+UPDATED 6:30PM, Friday,
+October 26
+Now, let us verify that these fires are primarily
+in the San Diego area.
+San Diego Fire Map
+-- Google
+NEWS BRIEF: "Wind
+drives firestorm that threatens 68,000 US homes",
+Herald Sun, October 25, 2007
+"DESPAIRING firefighters have all but given up
+battling some of the worst blazes tearing across southern California,
+as 500,000 people flee the firestorm that is now threatening 68,000
+homes. Up to 1600 properties have
+LA to south of the Mexican border."
+Governor Schwarzenegger calls this scenario a "Perfect
+Storm".
+"We've had three things come together: very dry
+areas, very hot weather and then a lot of wind', Mr Schwarzenegger
+said. 'And so this makes the perfect storm for a fire'. More than
+120,000 hectares have been scorched, and his Government has put
+economic losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In a sign
+of the desperation, authorities said they had no hope of getting
+on top of the blazes due to the shrieking, unpredictable Santa Ana
+winds. "
+San Diego seems especially hard hit.
+NEWS BRIEF: "San
+Diego Chargers Want to Play Game to Provide Distraction to Ravaged
+Area", Excite News, October 25, 2007
+"TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)  ... San Diego Mayor Jerry
+Sanders will decide whether the Chargers' home, Qualcomm Stadium,
+can be made available for the scheduled game. If not, Dallas and
+Houston were being considered. The stadium has been used as an evacuation
+center. An estimated 10,000 were there on Wednesday."
+"The team left the charred air of San Diego for
+three days of practice, beginning Wednesday, at the Arizona Cardinals'
+training facility."
+Did you know that San Diego is almost exactly on the
+33rd Parallel? We checked our computer program which gives the parallel
+for any location on earth, and discovered that the 33rd Parallel
+runs only about 5 - 10 miles north of the San Diego city line.
+As you well know, the number "33" is the
+most important "sacred" number to the occultist. Please
+take a few moments to read some of our past articles so you will
+understand how important this parallel is to the Illuminati.
+* NEWS1766
+-- " MASONS AND OTHER OCCULTISTS REVERE THE NUMBER '33'
+ABOVE ALL OTHER NUMBERS. MANY ACTS OF WAR, MURDER, AND ASSASSINATION
+HAVE OCCURRED ON OR NEAR THE 33RD DEGREE PARALLEL"
+This article also has a section on the importance of
+locations on or alongside the 33rd Northern Parallel and the importance
+of the date '1933'
+This article also has a section on the importance of
+locations on or alongside the 33rd Northern Parallel and the importance
+of the date '1933'
+* NEWS2148
+- "Israel Halts 2006 War Against Lebanon On Day #33!"
+* NEWS1547
+-- "WORLD TRADE CENTER TO BE MEMORIALIZED WITH AN ETERNAL FLAME!"
+- Various uses of the number '33' are shown
+UPDATED NEWS STORY
+These fires began exactly
+11 days before Halloween!
+NEWS BRIEF: "Aircraft
+sat as California wildfires took hold", CNN News,
+October 26, 2007
+"The first of the 15 or so fires started around midnight Saturday.
+By Sunday afternoon, fires were raging in Los Angeles, San Diego
+and Orange counties."
+Midnight Saturday means that the day is over; therefore, the first
+day of the fires was Sunday, October 21, which is exactly 11 days
+before Halloween, which gives us two more links to exactly the type
+of Black Magick Witchcraft which the Illuminati practices!
+The number '11' is the number of the coming Masonic Christ. If
+you peruse the news stories on our Daily News Updates since the
+9/11 attacks, you will be shocked to see how many times the number
+'11' is reported. Pastor David Myers of Last Trumpet Newsletter
+stated, some years ago, his belief that, when God is about to deliver
+His judgment upon a people, He causes the news of the day to occur
+by judgment numbers. The Illuminati, forced to create a plan which
+fulfills God's prophecies, has ascribed "sacred number"
+status on God's judgment numbers, like '11', '13', '6', and "666'.
+News reports also indicated that some of the homes destroyed in
+this fire were recently rebuilt from a smaller fire in the area
+a few years ago. This fact possibly places these homes in the same
+insurance category as homes located in a hurricane prone area. Many
+of these homes are having their insurance cancelled, or the premiums
+raised out of sight, or the underwriters pulling out of the state
+completely.
+Numerous homeowners along the Eastern seaboard and Gulf Coast which
+were recently destroyed in a hurricane are unable to rebuild because
+insurance companies are refusing to pay the money.
+We believe this scenario may raise its ugly head throughout the
+Western and Southwestern portions of the United States, because
+they have been battling wildfires of varying sizes for the past
+10 years.
+"Big Brother" government is using this catastrophe to
+gain more power.
+NEWS BRIEF: "FEMA
+to Start Getting Involved in California Wildfires",
+Associated Content News, October 24, 2007
+"President Bush recently declared a state of emergency in
+California due to the constant threat by the wild fires that have
+been plaguing the state and the subsequent threat of other disasters
+such as landslides ... FEMA will pay up to five million dollars
+for aid in states of emergency, but may go over that amount if the
+President sees the need and goes to Congress for approval. If a
+local government in California wants to file for assistance, then
+they will need to go to the federal/state applicant briefings."
+Of course, FEMA is the agency by which Martial Law will ultimately
+be clamped down on all of America, so we view any expansion of its
+power and authority with suspicion.
+The subscriber who sent me this Google Fire Map, above, also reported
+the heavy hand of the Federal Government is now on the ground. They
+are making their oppressive presence known, but they are far too
+late to do any good to the poor citizens who are now their latest
+victims. Read her report, received via email, just hours ago (10/26):
+"NORTHCOM/NORAD, DOD, Homeland Security/Chertoff, FEMA, the
+National Guard, the President, the Governor, are all here! The local
+people, volunteers, and local agencies did a great job providing
+for everyone. They had more donations than they knew what to do
+with! They had plenty of evacuation centers provided by the local
+churches, community centers, fairgrounds, and Qualcomm stadium.
+We didn't need NORTHCOM/NORAD, DOD, and Homeland Security! When
+they brought the National Guard in, everyone thought they were going
+to help fight the fire. But no, apparantly someone decided they
+were needed for a show of security. That was NOT needed. All we
+needed was to be allowed to fly the firefighting aircraft to put
+the fires out on day one or two. Instead, once again, no air firefighting
+capabilities were allowed to go up, even though they were here sitting
+on the ground waiting for clearance until day 4. They were told
+the aircraft could not go up without a CALFIRE spotter in each aircraft,
+and of course there were no spotters available. They always seem
+to come up with some excuse to prevent aircraft from attacking the
+fires in day one and two when it is feasible to fight the fires
+without federal assistance. After close to one million people evacuated,
+over 325,000 acres burned, close to 2,000 homes and businesses destroyed,
+and who knows how much in monetary damage, all because we had to
+wait for the Federal government and the military to arrive, which
+we never needed! All they needed were the spotters to meet their
+own requirements! Not this other show of massive federal force!"
+Just as in Katrina, the Federal Government waited to take action
+for several days, until the situation on the ground had so deteriorated
+that the American citizens had been so victimized by events that
+they welcomed any Federal intervention, even if it was "too
+little, too late".
+One of the objectives in California is to get the Federal Government
+on the ground in an oppressive, heavy-handed manner and to give
+the people who will one day impose Martial Law needed experience
+in clamping down the hand of the planned dictatorship.
+The bottom line is that Senator Harry Reid revealed that these
+wildfires have a secret agenda: to convince people that Global
+Warming is real, a concept which invokes the New Age concept
+of Mother Gaia being overburdened by the stress of our Industrial
+Civilization. The draconian United Nations Biodiversity Map is the
+logical outgrowth of this New Age thinking -- a plan which was created
+at the highest levels of the Illuminati.
+YOU are the target, and your home and your private property. One
+day, Antichrist will announce that the Industrial Civilization is
+producing so much pressure on Mother Gaia (Earth) that he is ordering
+the implementation of the United Nations Biodiversity Treaty, a
+map of which exists for every nation on earth.
+The Illuminati plans for Antichrist to carry out this plan in his
+"Global Cleansing Phase", a plan he intends to implement
+once he has completed his first seven years ruling out of Jerusalem.
+Of course, we Bible- believing people understand that Antichrist
+will have no more than seven years, after which Jesus shall cut
+him off and overthrow his kingdom.
+However, the Illuminati does not believe this Biblical fact, so
+they are laying the groundwork for the future planned announcement
+from Antichrist. This reality is another indication that mankind
+is getting very close to the appearance of Antichrist.
+II. Even as Turkey's
+army is poised on the northern Iraq border, and even though Turkey
+has stepped up her limited forays into the country, her civilian
+leadership still seems intent upon not massively invading the country.
+Even President Bush offered to bomb the Kurds for
+the Turks!
+NEWS BRIEF: "Turkish
+warplanes and helicopter gun-ships attack Kurdish rebels along Iraqi
+border Wednesday, order troops to cross over in pursuit",
+DEBKAfile Intelligence, October 24, 2007
+"A Turkish lawmaker disclosed that the Turkish
+attack began Sunday, Oct. 21 ... . He said F-16 jets and artillery
+pounded at least 63 rebel positions inside the Kurdish-controlled
+region and 300 Turkish commandoes were dropped by helicopter into
+Iraq to hunt down PKK fighters. There were other reports of Cobra
+and Super Cobra attack helicopters chasing Kurdish rebels three
+miles into Iraqi territory after Sunday’s deadly PKK ambush.
+According to earlier reports, the Turkish counter-attack left 32
+Kurdish rebels dead and eight soldiers fell into PKK hands and are
+still missing."
+This is not the first time Turkish forces have entered
+into northern Iraq in pursuit of PKK rebels. They have been carrying
+out such "hot pursuit" raids since July of this year.
+What has changed is that now the pursuit can be more vigorous, and
+the troops can use much heavier equipment against the Kurdish rebels.
+But, it is equally clear that the Turks are still
+refraining from an all-out invasion with a massive force.
+Turkey still seems to be following the non-military
+route to achieve her objectives.
+NEWS BRIEF: "Turkey's
+National Security Council (MGK) has recommended taking economic
+action against the separatist PKK rebels based in Iraq",
+Press TV, 25 October 2007
+"Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) has
+recommended taking economic action against the separatist PKK rebels
+based in Iraq. This call can be interpreted as a warning sign signaled
+by the MGK to the northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdish administration
+to act against the rebels in order to prevent a major Turkish military
+incursion."
+Economic sanctions almost never work, so this course
+of action demonstrates that Turkey is really interested in simply
+forcing Iraq and America to curb the PKK rebels.
+President Bush even offered to bomb the Kurdish rebels
+for Turkey, if that action would keep the Turks out of northern
+Iraq.
+NEWS BRIEF: "Bush
+Administration is considering air strikes, including cruise missiles,
+against the Kurdish rebel group PKK in northern Iraq",
+Herald Sun, October 24, 2007
+."
+Therefore, we believe that Turkey will continue keeping
+the lid on this simmering crisis, not allowing herself to be provoked
+into attacking across the border with full invasion forces totaling
+up to 240,000 soldiers.
+Before we leave this subject, please allow us to explain
+the REAL reason Turkey has amassed up to 240,000 men near or right
+on the border with northern Iraq. You have to consider the viewpoint
+from Turkey's side of the border.
+You see, Turkey's main concern is that President
+Bush's New Map demands that Turkey relinquish about
+one-third of her eastern border to the New Kurdistan nation, which
+you can clearly see on these two maps.
+A forced geographic change like this usually means
+that the nation who is going to give up territory goes to war. Turkey
+is most interested in keeping control of the land right up to the
+current border with northern Iraq; and believe me, she is more interested
+in this issue than in those pesky Kurdish PKK rebel attacks which
+really do not threaten Turkey as a nation.
+When Turkey placed 240,000 troops on the border with
+northern Iraq in July, 2007, she was signaling to the world that
+she was ready to fight to keep the border right where it currently
+sits. She moved her forces in place along that current border so
+that they could fight any force which might try to move them backward,
+to where the new Turkish border is located on President Bush's New
+Map.
+This is the substance behind the public rhetoric and
+the endless posturing from Turkey's leaders.
+III. The Council on
+Foreign Relations (CFR) has issued a favorable report on partitioning
+Iraq into three autonomous states!
+This warning confirms that Cutting Edge has been saying
+ever since we issued our original article on this subject, NEWS2213,
+"President Bush's 'New Middle East Map' Is Enraging
+Friends and Foes Alike -- Is Likely To Spark The Planned World War
+III".
+NEWS BRIEF: "Plans for Iraq’s Future:
+Federalism, Separatism, and Partition", By Greg Bruno,
+Staff Writer, Council on Foreign Relations, October 22,."
+Notice that this shocking non-binding Senate resolution
+of last month was first proposed by Senator Biden and the CFR President
+Gelb! This fact means that the plan to partition Iraq into three
+states based upon their ethnicity was a CFR plan from the very beginning!
+Remember that Cutting
+Edge Daily News Updates posted an article about three weeks
+prior to the March, 2003, invasion, in which the author stated that
+the Bush Administration planned to install a weak government, while
+partitioning the state into three segments. The White House hotly
+denied this report, because it said it was committed to bringing
+democracy to all of Iraq.
+This next segment details the thinking of this CFR
+Plan:
+" 'The idea is to maintain a unified Iraq by
+federalizing it and giving Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis control over
+their daily lives in their own regions', Biden writes. The central
+government would maintain control over “truly common interests'
+such as border defense, foreign policy, and oil production and revenue
+sharing. Regional governors would then administer their own regional
+affairs."
+After noting the many criticisms of this Plan, the
+CFR author advocates using a different word.
+" 'Federalism' is receiving the bulk of attention
+in Washington and Baghdad, but it is by no means the only restructuring
+buzzword swirling in foreign policy circles. Edward P. Joseph, a
+visiting scholar at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International
+Studies, and Michael O’Hanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings
+Institution, write in USA Today that they prefer less subtle terminology:
+'soft partition'.”
+This change in terminology is akin to the change which
+gays advocated in the Gay Marriage debate. About 5 years ago, gay
+leadership noted that the term, "Gay Marriage" was so
+laden with emotional baggage that the gays would never win the legal
+right to marry. Gay leadership proposed a terminology change to
+"Civil Unions". And, that change was made, and was so
+successful that, today, politicians like President Bush can announce
+their undying opposition to Gay Marriage, but their support of Civil
+Unions!
+Therefore, the CFR is proposing a "soft partition"
+of Iraq into three relatively autonomous regions: Kurds, Sunnis,
+and Shi'ites. Of course, this would weaken the original state of
+Iraq, but that kind of weakening was listed as one of the reasons
+America was going to invade or threat to invade ""Non-Functioning
+Gap" nations so they could be forced into becoming "Functioning
+Core" nations. (Read NEWS1833,
+"U.S. - E.U. INVADING AFRICA -- AND ALL OTHER "NON-FUNCTIONING
+GAP" COUNTRIES")
+Listen to the exact quote:"
+As you can see, the Illuminati has targeted any "Non-Functioning
+Gap" country presently ruled by a single dictator for "Regime
+Change". You see, when you topple the one repressive dictator
+and replace him with more than one ruler, you weaken the country
+so it can be pushed into the cashless system which the Illuminati
+has planned for the entire world.
+Applied to Iraq, this tactic means toppling Saddam
+and replacing him with three leaders of three semi-autonomous states.
+The Plan of the Great While Brotherhood is on track!
+IV. Is the CFR trying
+to warn the American people of the next great planned disaster?
+NEWS BRIEF: "5
+Disasters Coming Soon If We Don’t Rebuild U.S. Infrastructure",
+By Stephen Flynn, Popular Mechanics, October 19, 2007
+"In the wake of the Minneapolis bridge collapse,
+the author—a national security expert and senior fellow at
+the Council on Foreign Relations—called on Congress to stop
+turning an 'irrational and reckless' blind eye to our crumbling
+public foundations. Here he reports on more cracks in American hardware
+that urgently need attention."
+1. Delta Deluge | California - A
+magnitude 6.7 earthquake in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Valley
+could cause 30 levee breaches. Sixteen Delta islands would drown
+under 300 billion gallons of salt water from San Francisco Bay.."
+I take this "warning" so seriously because
+a FEMA warning on September 10, 2001, listed three major disasters
+facing America. The first one -- a terrorist attack on New York
+City -- occurred the very next day!
+An earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane in
+New Orleans were the other two major disasters which FEMA was warning
+could occur. Not only did the attacks of 9/11 occur the next day,
+but Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on August 29, 2005.
+Please take a few moments to read our expose' of this
+FEMA prediction/warning which has startlingly come true in two out
+of the three disasters listed. (NEWS2104
+---."
+V.
+Behind closed doors, Israeli Foreign Minister Livni dropped a diplomatic
+bombshell -- Iran's nuclear capability really poses no threat to
+Israel!
+NEWS BRIEF: "Foreign
+Minister Livni reveals behind closed doors: Iran nukes pose
+little threat to Israel", Haaretz News, October 25,
+2007
+"Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said a few months
+ago in a series of closed discussions that in her opinion that Iranian
+nuclear weapons do not pose an existential threat to Israel ...."
+We now hear the testimony of two highly ranking Israeli
+government officials that the public rhetoric concerning Iran's
+supposed nuclear weapons program was extremely inflated and incendiary.
+Now, the truth is beginning to come out, exposing the ugly face
+of lying propaganda.
+Cutting Edge has been saying for three years now that
+Iran has possessed weaponized nuclear warheads since at least early,
+2002, warheads which she bought "off the shelf" from Pakistan.
+Please take a moment to read our treatise on this subject, NEWS2110,
+"Nuclear Armed Iran vs Nuclear Armed America: Whom Should The
+World Fear?"
+What Israeli Foreign Minister Livni is saying is that
+all this rhetoric about Iran's nuclear threat is just empty propaganda.
+Therefore, you can expect that America will continue to refrain
+from attacking Iran, just as she has done so since Summer, 2003.
+Iran can continue to build her relationship with Russia
+and with Turkey, so the prophesied "God and Magog War"
+can continue on track, and on God's timeline. As this DVD, above,
+shows so well, "all prophesied nations are now in place"
+for that attack on Israel.
+NEWS BRIEF: "Russian
+President Putin Delivers Bombshell: Attack Iran and You
+Attack Russia: "An American attack on Iran will be viewed by
+Moscow as an attack on Russia", Asia Times,."
+Now, Putin has done it! He has irretrievably placed
+the global strategic prestige of Russia behind Iran! If American
+forces can attack and destroy Iranian nuclear facilities, Russia
+will suffer such a huge loss of prestige that the Arab nations prophesied
+in Ezekiel 38-39 as marching with Russia as she attacks Israel will
+never believe that Russian arms could destroy those of Israel.
+At this moment in prophetic history, Russia simply
+cannot suffer such a momentous loss of prestige amongst the Islamic
+nations in the Middle East. Now, President Bush has another reason
+not to attack Iran -- to go along with the last four years of empty
+threats against the Ancient Kingdom of Persia.
+VI.
+This week's news about the coming Peace Conference in November continued
+the theme that a major diplomatic agreement is going to be reached!
+NEWS BRIEF: "Abbas
+optimistic on Middle East peace conference: Says the conference
+will deal with six main issues: borders, Jerusalem, settlements,
+refugees, security and water", Daily
+Times, Pakistan, October 24, 2007
+"JAKARTA: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas
+said Tuesday during a visit to Indonesia that he was optimistic
+of a concrete outcome from a planned international conference on
+peace in the Middle East. The conference on the Israeli-Palestinian
+crisis, called by US President George W Bush and expected to take
+place in Annapolis, Maryland, by year-end, has revived hopes of
+advancing a moribund Middle East peace process."
+"Indonesia is the world’s most populous
+Muslim nation and has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian
+struggle for nationhood. It has no diplomatic relations with Israel
+... Abbas said a document being drafted by his government in conjunction
+with the Israelis to form a basis for the conference would deal
+with six main issues: borders, Jerusalem, settlements, refugees,
+security and water. 'These are complicated issues', he conceded.
+'We are determined to do our best to reach a consensus. But even
+if we don’t, at least we are trying to determine the basics
+that need to be prepared to handle these issues', he said."
+This news article lists the main participants of this
+conference:
+"Those expected to attend the meeting were the
+Middle East Quartet - the United States, Russia, the European Union
+and the United Nations - G8 members, some Arab League member states,
+Muslim nations and permanent UN Security Council members, Abbas
+said."
+Remember, Palestinian President Abbas is a Freemason
+(Codex
+Magica, p. 152), so this conference has a pre-planned
+ending, one which we have detailed in NEWS2233,
+"Modern Israel -- Every 30 Years, In November - From
+1917 To 2007!"
+Depleted
+Uranium Expose'
+VII. Iran is starting
+to press the governments of the world about the American usage of
+Depleted Uranium weapons in Iraq and Afghanistan.
+If this publicity starts gaining traction, the peoples
+of the world may finally learn of the greatest humanitarian catastrophe
+in world history -- the greatest genocide ever!
+NEWS BRIEF: "Wall
+Street Czars depopulating the World", Press TV,
+By Afsaneh Ostovar, Press TV, Tehran, 25 October 2007
+"Leuren Moret is an American independent scientist
+and international expert on radiation and public health issues.
+She has devoted her life to awakening the public to the destructive
+consequence of depleted uranium munitions that are used by the US
+military ...
+Q. The US is using DU weapons in violation of international
+treaties. Why is not the international community forcing the US
+to put an end to the use ... Just like the US nuclear weapons labs where I have worked,
+they selectively enforce the rules only when they want to 'get someone',
+in other words, they unfairly target and enforce laws that may be
+on the books, but are ignored."
+This next segment reveals how complicit the United
+States is in polluting the world with Depleted Uranium Munitions.
+"The US has contaminated 39 states with depleted
+uranium since 1945 from testing, manufacture, sales, storage and
+disposal of these weapons. The US is in a massive epidemic of radiation
+related illnesses, which is increasing every year - the US."
+"... if you think about the thousands of tons
+of depleted uranium the US/UK have admitted using since 1991, that
+would be the same as releasing the radiation from at least 400,000
+Nagasaki bombs into the atmosphere since 1991."
+We do not have the time nor the space to explore all
+aspects of this horrific radiation sickness and death which the
+United States and Great Britain have wreaked upon the civilian populations
+of Iraq and Afghanistan. You will learn that, over the next 20 years,
+at least 90% of the population will die because of radiation sickness
+and that about 75% of all soldiers who have served in the region
+will also die.
+Please take the time to read our Depleted Uranium
+section, which details this enormous crime against humanity -- Depleted
+Uranium.
+One interesting further note is applicable here. I
+was reading in LTC Bearden's book on Scalar Wave Technology which
+the Soviets possess, "Oblivion:
+America At The Brink".
+When I got to the section where Bearden is revealing
+that scalar wave technology can "dud", or neutralize,
+every single nuclear warhead in a target country within minutes,
+thus rendering it useless (Page 183), I thought of the nuclear radiation
+which civilians and military had breathed into their lungs, slowly
+radiating their entire bodies with a lethal dose of uranium poisoning
+-- from the Depleted Uranium Munitions being exploded.
+In pondering the military's use of such deadly uranium
+weaponry, I always had two questions to which I could never get
+an answer.
+1) How are the top military and civilian leadership
+in Iraq protecting themselves from D.U. poisoning?
+2) Why is the Illuminati willing to contaminate vast
+areas of the earth for 4.5 billion years, when they have worked
+so hard since 1776 to gain control of the entire earth?
+The answer seemed logical: they had an antidote. But,
+I could never prove it. Still, I wondered --
+Could scalar waves "dud" the uranium particles
+which the victim has breathed in, or the poisoning as it spreads
+through the organs?
+I called LTC Bearden. He confirmed that scalar waves
+can and do neutralize radiation poisoning within any part of the
+human body, and that included the lungs. He confirmed that top civilian
+and military leadership regularly are scanned by simple scalar wave
+machines, thereby "dudding" the uranium particles in the
+lungs and any uranium poisoning anywhere in the body.
+Further, Bearden confirmed that Russia's large EM
+Wave Towers could systematically sweep an whole region, neutralizing
+the entire amount of uranium poisoning created by these awful Depleted
+Uranium munitions - neutralizing the poisoning in human bodies,
+on the ground, in the air and in the water! In fact, he felt sure
+that Russia regularly scans the civilian population of Iran now
+because they are directly in line to breathe in the dust blowing
+from Iraq.
+Therefore, after Depleted Uranium has accomplished
+its deadly work in reducing the population of Iraq, Afghanistan,
+and many other "Non-Integrating" nations, and once the
+Masonic Christ has appeared, Russian scalar towers can simply sweep
+over the entire affected region, neutralizing the entire region.
+The Illuminati can then take control of a normal planet
+earth.
+Great New
+Fold-Out Laminated Pamphlets In Stock! Each Only $3.99
+Over 40 Different
+Pamphlets From Which To Choose -- Visit
+our Pamphlets Section Now
+---------- Articles Posted
+----------
+*
+"Amidst All The Voices of Controversy About "Dividing"
+Jerusalem, The Real Plan Actually Calls For Unifying The Holy
+City!
+If the "New Jerusalem
+Covenant Plan" is being followed during this upcoming
+"Peace Conference", you may see the agreement unifying
+Jerusalem rather than dividing it. This dividing talk may
+be a ruse.
+If the "New Jerusalem
+Covenant Plan" is being followed during this upcoming
+"Peace Conference", you may see the agreement unifying
+Jerusalem rather than dividing it. This dividing talk may
+be a ruse.
+* !
+"Jerusalem
+Is Now The Stumbling Block - The Cup of Trembling - In This Upcoming
+Peace Conference"!
+"Key
+Understanding.
+New VIDEOS
+"Operation
+ENDGAME"
+'Blue Print
+For Global Enslavement
+New DVD by Alex Jones
+Introductory Sale
+Regularly $19.99
+Now On Sale For Only
+$16.99
+Save $3.00! Introductory
+Offer
+Shipping 11/10
+"Monuments and
+Magic of the Illuminati" - DVD
+Occult Power Through
+Monuments and Buildings Around The World
+Antichrist
+2 DVD Set
+Insider Knowledge!
+4/Pack
+DVD Set
+Illustrated
+Book
+Can Prince Charles Be Antichrist?
+NEW DVD's
+"How Illegal Immigration
+Is Destroying America"
+"The Biblical Numerics
+of 9/11" - DVD
+Author also created "The
+Secret To Solomon's Key" DVD and "What's
+Wrong With Gambling" DVD%
+Award Winning Videos
+News & Notes is a weekly Saturday post featuring book- and publishing-related news, links to interesting articles and opinion pieces, and other cool stuff
+Book News
+- The Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Coretta Scott King, and Alex awards were announced at the ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Seattle this week, along with a number of less well-known literary prizes for books for children and teens. (ALA) Meg Medina’s Merci Suárez Changes Gears won the Newbery Medal; the Caldecott went to Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall; and The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo won the Printz award. You can see the runners-up, plus the various King, Alex, and other award winners, on the ALA website.
+- Young adult author cancels [or postpones] own novel after race controversy. (The Guardian) Amélie Wen Zhao’s fantasy novel, Blood Heir, was scheduled for publication in June, but the author has asked Delacorte Press not to release it “at this time.” The book came under criticism for tone deafness regarding slavery. The author, a Chinese-American immigrant, says that she was writing from her own cultural perception, critiquing indentured labor and human trafficking in Asia. In her apology, Zhao acknowledged, “The narrative and history of slavery in the US is not something I can, would, or intended to write, but I recognize that I am not writing in merely my own cultural context.” She has not said whether she will rework the book in light of the criticism. (Publishers Weekly also covered this story.)
+- Polar Vortex Slams Midwestern Booksellers This Past Week. The arctic cold (literally!) discouraged shoppers from going out and caused some businesses to close for a day or more. (Publishers Weekly)
+- Amazon’s 2018 Sales Topped $232 Billion in 2018. That includes sales from third-party vendors (at least 50% of holiday sales) and Amazon’s cloud services. (Publishers Weekly)
+Worth Reading/Viewing
+- New England vs. Los Angeles: A Battle of Words: A Super Bowl-inspired look at east coast/west coast regionalisms (Merriam-Webster)
+- Matt Salinger: ‘My father was writing for 50 years without publishing. That’s a lot of material. J.D. Salinger’s son says that his father’s work will be published eventually, but it will take time for him to pull it together and edit it as the author requested him to. (The Guardian)
+- You: the hit Netflix show exposing the creepiness of romcoms (The Guardian) Food for thought, especially for those of us who read or watch a lot of romance novels and romcoms.
+- Writing Myself Into Existence with Fan-Fiction (Rebecca Wei Hsieh, for Book Riot)
+Book & Movie Announcements
+- Stephen King reveals his next novel, ‘The Institute,’ will be published this September (Los Angeles Times)
+Awesome Lists
+Bookish Quote
+This was me, most of the week.
+That’s it for this week!
+Crystal @ Lost in Storyland
+I can relate to the bookish quote. Even though I have hundreds of books on my TBR list, I still need to reread a good oldie in between 🙂
+Lark_Bookwyrm
+Yes, me too. I turn to rereading when I need comfort, or when I’m tired or stressed. Or just for the fun of revisiting an old “friend”!
+RO
+Stephen King continues to do his thing, and is a true writing master. I started watching You when it was released on Lifetime, and couldn’t get into it, so I was surprised to see that it made its way over to Netflix. That Battle of Words sounds pretty interesting, particularly since I’ll be watching the Superbowl today. Hugs and Happy Sunday! RO
+Lark_Bookwyrm
+I wish I liked King’s books, because he is by pretty much everyone’s reckoning a master, but I confess I find them too creepy for the most part.
+Rita @ View From the Books
+I read the article about the Chinese-American author with interest. warning– long comment coming, feel free to offer your opinion.
+Though some people bemoan the strict tone of today’s political correctness, I feel it’s important– especially in books — because they are permanent reminders of a time when women, LGBTQ people, the disabled, Black people, Hispanic/Latino, Asian…_______ fill in the blank… were not treated with the respect that they deserve and the freedom from inferiority they should demand.
+Young people can be gullible and reading a story that promotes these trends can be disturbing. On the other hand, should we let each person make their own choice (the “there is a book for every reader, but not one book for all” idea)? I get nervous about censorship in the arts so I can’t come to a final decision here. If she was not to change her storyline, then each reader could decide whether they want to read it. But if she was ignorant {this is meant in a kind way} of certain situations and cultural differences and chose to change her story, then that is the right choice for her as an artist.
+My youngest just remarked to me this past Christmas that the holiday song, Baby It’s Cold Outside, was inappropriate because the female is being convinced to stay with him against her better judgment and it creeped her out. My husband and I chuckled about this, but upon reflection, maybe it’s so.
+Do some people carry the torch of PC behavior too far? Perhaps, but perhaps it will depend upon each individualized instance. I’m a left-leaning liberal in my politics, but even I’m a bit confused about how far to push the PC agenda with regards to books, art, movies, theater, etc. Your thoughts?
+Lark_Bookwyrm
+I want to reply in depth to this, but I’m stealing time while I should be working. So I’ll just say that on the whole, I agree with you. I don’t want to see censorship, but that’s not exactly what occurred here. People spoke out, and Zhao heard them.
+I believe that it is important to listen to the voices of BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color), people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA community, women, and other groups who are marginalized, oppressed, and/or discriminated against, when they say something is offensive, racist, sexist, homophobic, tone-deaf, or otherwise hurtful. I think about my experience as a woman and the ways in which the men around me are often completely unaware of the sexism, mysogyny, and objectification women experience. I use that to remind myself that as a white, ablebodied, cisgender heterosexual person, I am often blind to the racism, ableism, etc. of mainstream culture and society. Not by choice, but simply because I haven’t learned to see. And the only way I or any of us will learn is by listening when minority groups speak up.
+According to her own statements, Zhao did not intend her portrayal of slavery to resonate in the way it did. Enslavement of African and indigenous peoples wasn’t part of her heritage and culture; she was critiquing the enforced servitude/slavery/human trafficking that has occurred and does occur in Asia and elsewhere. But her book will be (or would have been) published in America and other countries that have a fraught history with enslavement based on race, a history that continues to influence how BIPOC are treated today. Clearly, Zhao had not realized how her treatment of the topic would come across in the American context. Nor did her agent, editors, or publisher; in their cases, I assume it is a systemic blindness. I feel really badly for her; it had to be a tough decision. But I think she made the right one. I hope that she is able to rework her book in light of what she has learned, so it can be published at a later date.
+I think this whole situation also highlights the value of using consultants and sensitivity readers during the writing and/or editing process. Asking people from minority groups to read your work and point out situations, attitudes, and descriptions that are problematic is a good way to both uncover your own unconscious biases and learn to see things from multiple perspectives, and it usually results in a better book.
+Rita @ View From the Books
+Great response, and so much to think about!
+My knee-jerk reaction was good for her (!), and my secondary one upon reflection was– is this censorship? I am still mulling over what you had to say and have enjoyed this discussion. While I say I’m against censorship I also use my book-choices (thus affecting sales or library circulation) with what I *do not* pick up.
+I guess upon reading more about this situation in particular it was a cultural error of misunderstanding. Yea for her for realizing that she unintentionally offended a large chunk of the population and will do something about it. I can learn even more about sensitivity from my youngest– who shares my liberal views– but actually confronts issues on social media, talking to friends, leaving pamphlets etc. She tries to do something about it when she feels someone or some group is slighted or insulted, and I’m generally just talk, not action. (too long to go into here) but thanks for your quick response.
+(p.s.”kids say the darnedest things”– when my kids were very little they had a female MD and a female specialist. One day I had to change doctors due to change in insurance and they were assigned a male doctor. My youngest freaked out and said “men can’t be doctors! I want a girl real doctor!”
+Lark_Bookwyrm
+I love it that your kids’ picture of “doctor” was a woman. I had the opposite experience growing up, as I’m sure you did, and I still picture a man first when someone says “doctor,” despite my attempts not to. Representation matters!
+A Q&A with Longtime P&S Alumni Association Staff Writer
+By Kenneth A. Forde’59
+Ken Forde: Columbia Medicine readers know you best for the alumni profiles you’ve been writing since 1987. Your profiles have become something of a P&S institution. I think our readers would like to know a little more about the writer.
+Peter Wortsman: P&S alumni are a very varied and wonderful group of people. I have been privileged over the last 25 years to interview and profile some pretty extraordinary individuals, including surgeon-astronaut Story Musgrave’64; the late Nobel laureate Baruch Blumberg’51; P. Roy Vagelos’54, retired CEO of Merck; Keith Brodie’65, former president of Duke University; and the late great pediatrician and political activist Benjamin Spock’29, who set the ground rules for my generation. I’d love to bring out a book of these some day. (Links to these profiles, where available online, are listed below.)
+KF: How did you become involved with interview journalism?
+PW: I took my first stab at it after college in 1975 while on a fellowship from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation. It was pretty much trial by fire. Based in Vienna, I traveled to Eastern Europe and interviewed survivors of the concentration camps. These interviews now comprise “The Peter Wortsman Collection of Oral History” at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. My first stage play, “The Tattooed Man Tells All,” and several other texts were drawn from this material.
+KF: Our readers also enjoy your column, “Rx for Travel.” Your travel and other expository prose have run in several major newspapers, have they not?
+PW: I’ve published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, and Washington Post, among other papers in the States, and in the German papers Die Zeit, Die Welt, and Atlantic Times. I’ve also published travel reflections on the popular website World Hum.
+KF: I understand you have other travel-related projects in the works.
+PW: “Ghost Dance in Berlin,” a book of impressions of Berlin, a city in which I’ve spent some time, will be published by Travelers Tales/Solas House in 2013. An excerpt titled “Protected” ran in Travelers Tales’ “The Best Travel Writing 2011.” It’s the fourth year in a row I’ve had writing selected for that anthology. The piece was subsequently translated into German and published in the German magazine Cicero, Magazin für politische Kultur, Berlin’s answer to the New Yorker, and received the 2012 Gold Grand Prize for Best Travel Story of the Year in the Solas-Travelers’ Tales Awards Competition. And New Word City, an electronic publisher, recently issued my eBooks, “The Urban Nomad – Paris” and “The Urban Nomad – Vienna,” the first two in my new series of short eBooks, “Notes of an Urban Nomad,” available for Kindle.
+KF: Please explain the German connection.
+PW: The New York born son of émigrés from Vienna, I grew up bilingual, with a foot on either side of the Atlantic, so to speak. Some years ago I started writing in German in addition to English. In 2008 I received The Geertje Potash-Suhr SCALG-Prose Prize of the Society for Contemporary American Literature in German, for my original short fiction in German. I’ve also translated 12 books from the German to date, including the classic texts, “Travel Pictures” by Heinrich Heine, “Posthumous Papers of a Living Author” by Robert Musil, now out in its third edition, and, excerpted yet a fourth time in “Flypaper,” by Penguin UK, and most recently, “Selected Prose of Heinrich von Kleist”. In addition, I edited and translated an anthology, “Tales of the German Imagination, from The Brothers Grimm to Ingeborg Bachmann” slated for publication by Penguin Classics in the UK in 2013 and a new selection and translation of “Tales of the Brothers Grimm” forthcoming in 2012 from Archipelago Books.
+KF: Your work has received glowing reviews in major publications, including The Wall Street Journal.
+PW: Welcome words.
+KF: I understand you received another honor recently.
+PW: In 2010 I was the recipient of a Holtzbrinck Fellowship from the American Academy in Berlin for my writing and translation.
+KF: I see that you write in multiple genres.
+PW: Yes, I do. In 1985 I was the recipient of the Beard’s Fund Short Story Award for my short fiction. I am the author of a book of short stories, “A Modern Way to Die”. My short non-fiction reminiscences of New York have run on the popular website, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood. I also have published prose poetry in various journals and anthologies. In 2004 I produced a limited edition artists’ book, “it-t=i,” a collaboration with my brother, artist Harold Wortsman (my prose poems, his etchings), which is in a number of major collections, including the Mortimer Rare Book Room at Smith College, the Sterling Memorial Library at Yale, the Lilly Library at Indiana University in Bloomington, and the Library of Congress, as well as several private collections. It is represented by Joshua Heller, a dealer in Washington, D.C. The Lilly Library in Indiana, by the way, collects my literary papers.
+KF: You have also written for the stage. Tell me about that.
+PW: I already mentioned my first play, “The Tattooed Man Tells All,” which had its first staged reading produced by The Total Theatre Lab in 2000 at the Fales Library at NYU. My second play, “Burning Words,” was premiered by the Hampshire Shakespeare Company at the Northampton Center for the Arts, in Northampton, Mass., in 2006, had a staged reading in Berlin in 2010, and will be produced, in German translation, in Germany in 2014.
+KF: What’s next?
+PW: I have a novel in the works and am collaborating with my daughter, Aurélie, currently a senior at Duke University and a talented young artist, on a graphic novel based on my dystopian novel, “Cold Earth Wanderers.”
+KF: Peter, we’re lucky to have you writing for us.
+PW: I’m lucky to be here. My interviews with P&S alumni have compelled me to delve into almost every branch of medicine, and so, have kept me intellectually on my toes and knowledgeable. For that and for the many friendships I’ve made working as alumni news writer for P&S Journal (now Columbia Medicine) and managing editor of alumni publications for the P&S Alumni Association, I am immensely grateful. I am particularly grateful to Anke Nolting, Ph.D., associate dean of alumni relations and development, for inspiring and supporting my creative efforts all these years and to Liz Williams, director of alumni relations, to her predecessor Katherine Couchells, and to all my colleagues in the Alumni Office, whom I am lucky to count as my friends.
+A list of Peter Wortsman’s alumni profiles, some with links:
+Rebel Doctor With A Cause: Benjamin Spock’29
+Baby Doctor and Political Activist
+excerpted in the CPMC 75th anniversary issue
+The Un-retiring Dean of American Rheumatologists: Ephraim P. Engleman’37
+Notes of a Pioneering Neurosurgeon: J. Lawrence Pool’32 MSD, ’40 M.D.
+Urologist, Historian, Collector, Sleuth: John K. Lattimer’38
+A Medical Man for All Seasons
+At Home in High Places: Charles S. Houston’39
+Mountain Climber and High Altitude Physiology Expert
+Yes, There is Balm in Gilead: Margaret Morgan Lawrence’40
+Pioneering African-American Child Psychiatrist
+A Doctor's Doctor: Abbie Ingalls Knowlton’42
+Internist Extraordinaire
+Babies' Best Friend: T. Berry Brazelton’43D
+Child Development Specialist, Author and Television Broadcaster
+Medicine by Blue Pencil: Arnold Relman’46
+Former Editor-in-Chief of The New England Journal of Medicine
+First Woman of Medicine: Helen Ranney’47
+Hematologist and First Woman Appointed Chair of a Department of Medicine
+Out of Anguish Into Africa: Martha M. MacGuffie’49
+Reconstructive Surgeon and Founder of The Society for Hospital and Resource Exchange (SHARE)
+excerpted in the CPMC 75th anniversary issue
+At the Cancer Command: Paul Marks’49
+Former President and CEO of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
+A Nobel Laureate's Lifelong Commitment to Curiosity: Baruch Blumberg’51
+The Biomedical Anthropologist Who Identified Hepatitis B
+Part II: A Nobel Laureate Out of This World: Baruch Blumberg’51
+Director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute
+An Educator Not Afraid to Stick His Neck Out: Calvin H. Plimpton’51 MSD
+Former President of Amherst College and the American University of Beirut
+excerpted in the CPMC 75th anniversary issue
+A Lifelong Advocate for Women's Health: Lila Wallis’51
+Internist-Activist-Author
+A Doctor to the World: John H. Bryant’53
+Expert in International Health
+Pioneering Gerontologist Promotes Respect for “Our Future Selves:” Robert N. Butler’53
+An American Odyssey: Robert Coles’54
+Child Psychiatrist and Pulitzer-Prize Winning Author
+Merck's M.D. at the Top: P. Roy Vagelos’54
+Former President and CEO of Merck & Co.
+excerpted in the CPMC 75th anniversary issue
+New Jersey's Health Crusader Looks Back with Pride: Stanley S. Bergen Jr.’55
+Founder and President Emeritus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
+A Shared Life in Medicine, Canadian Style: Richard’55 and Sylvia Cruess’55
+Dean Emeritus of McGill Medical School, and Medical Director of Royal Victoria Hospital
+From Endocrinology to Admissions, a Life in Medicine: Andrew G. Frantz’55
+A Doctor in the House--the White House, That Is: Burton J. Lee III’56
+Former White House Personal Physician to President George Bush
+A Matter of Heart: Clyde Y.C. Wu’56
+Cardiologist, Columbia University Trustee and Medical Philanthropist
+A Digital Pioneer at the National Library of Medicine: Donald A.B. Lindberg’58
+Director of the National Library of Medicine
+A Pivotal Player at P&S and Presbyterian Hospital Throws in the White Coat
+(And Looks Back with Pride): Thomas Q. Morris’58
+A Scientific Champion of Sleep: Howard Roffwarg’58
+Pioneering Researcher in the Physiology of REM “Dream” Sleep
+From Student to Surgeon to University Trustee—A Columbia Journey: Kenneth Forde’59
+A Doctor to the World: Allan Rosenfield’59
+From White Coat to Cassocks, an M.D. of the Cloth: Rev. Dr. Anne C. Brower’64
+Surgeon-Scientist Takes Knowledge to the Cutting Edge: Patricia Donahoe’64
+Surgeon and Cancer Researcher
+A Surgeon in Space: F. Story Musgrave’64
+Former NASA Astronaut
+Leading by Listening: Keith Brodie’65
+President Emeritus, Duke University
+excerpted in the CPMC 75th anniversary issue
+Part II: Musings of a President Emeritus: Keith Brodie’65
+An Allstar on the Team Against TB: Michael Iseman’65
+International Authority on Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
+Adventures in Virology: Jay Levy’65
+Co-discoverer of the HIV Virus
+It Takes Heart: Suzanne Oparil’65
+Former President of The American Heart Association
+The Master of the Medical Thriller: Robin B. Cook’66
+Novelist
+excerpted in the CPMC 75th anniversary issue
+Part II: Medicine by the Book: Robin B. Cook’66
+Receptive to Receptors: Robert J. Lefkowitz’66
+Nobel Laureate at the NIH: Harold Varmus’66
+Former Director of the National Institutes of Health
+The Chemistry of Success: Nelson Levy’67
+Pharmaceutical Researcher and Entrepreneur
+The Assistant Secretary for Health is a Doctor First and Foremost: Eve Slater’71
+Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health
+A Veteran NIH Investigator Takes on Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
+Stephen E. Straus’72
+Micro-Miracle Worker: David T.W. Chiu’73
+Reconstructive Microsurgeon
+FDA’s Master of Medical Preparedness: Mark Goldberger’73
+A New Dean Digs In at Boston University School of Medicine: Karen Antman’74
+Medicine by Bench, Bedside and Book: Jerome Groopman’76
+Oncologist-author- New Yorker columnist
+At the Head of Harlem’s North General Hospital: Samuel Daniel’78
+A Military Neurologist on the Front Against Chemical Attack: Col. Jonathan Newmark, M.C., U.S.A.R.’78
+Kidneys are Colorblind: Velma Scantlebury’81
+First African-American woman transplant surgeon in the U.S.
+A Life in Epidemiology: Ezra Susser’82
+Managing a Practice with Patients in the Millions: Thomas R. Frieden’86
+New York City Commissioner of Health
+Scientific Wunderkind of Biotech Makes Proteins Do the Right Thing: George D. Yancopoulos’86 Ph.D/’87 M.D.
+Josh Bazell’06: Is There a Hit Man in the House?
+Bestselling Novelist
+Written by James Brown, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder
+I have long been a fantasy sports player, and been a college football fan for even longer. Last year, when one of my friends asked me to join his college fantasy football league- CBS was allowing you to draft players with actual name for the first time- it seemed like the perfect fit: college football and my appetite for fantasy sports. I spent all of last season pouring over as much data as I could find- but college fantasy football isn’t covered in any of the usual prominent locations.
+This draft guide marks the beginning of my efforts to bring more college fantasy football analysis to the forefront. I am not some other fantasy sports expert trying to extend my knowledge into college football- I’ve already been following the sport for a long time, and in an in-depth fashion. I am not trying to be some overall fantasy sports guru, just give you exactly what you need for college fantasy football. I feel this sort of focus could help you more than some of the other places, where college fantasy football is an afterthought to the NFL version.
+Why is College Fantasy Football Great?
+College fantasy football is fantastic for many reasons. My favorite being it means I can pay less and less attention to that other league on Sundays. As much as I love to gamble, I get more satisfaction out of winning at college fantasy football than straight up NCAA football betting. However you look at it, college football is growing incredibly fast, and fantasy sports have gotten out of control- this is the next natural progression.
+This blog is meant to be an initial guide, helping you through the draft process and making some general strategy points you can use throughout the season. In the coming weeks, I will be previewing each of the BCS conferences (and the independents), giving you some sleepers from each team and ranking the players in that conference. Throughout the season I will update on who is flying under the radar, and help guide you to dominate your league.
+As CBS is easily the largest sports website with a college fantasy football game, and I already am signed up for two of their leagues, I will be writing most of the analysis assuming you are playing by their rules. CBS leagues play 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, and a TE, K, and D/ST. Passing TDs are worth 6 points, as are all other TDs, and there are no points per reception (PPR). You get 5 bench spots. It is worth noting that if one of your players plays against a team outside of FBS (D-1A), then you only get 75% of that player’s points.
+I am also going to concentrate on players from BCS leagues. CBS does allow you to restrict the player universe as you see fit, choosing from any of the D-1A leagues. The wackiness of some of the non-BCS conferences causes some stats to go way up, and even thought fantasy sports and real sports have much different goals, I can’t endorse a system that values Colin Kaepernick over Tim Tebow. Finally, no matter how you customize your leagues, you’re probably using some subset of BCS leagues (or all BCS leagues) so I can help the most people this way.
+Get Your Favorite Players
+Let’s take a minute to talk general fantasy strategy. I am a big believer in a few concepts. The first is to get the players you want. Don’t go get Aaron Hernandez just because I like him- it’s you that has to cheer for him all season. The projections may say Dez Bryant is a low first round pick, but if you’re drafting second, and you know he won’t be back when it’s your turn again, go get him. The projections are just that- projections- and if you’re going to get screwed halfway through the season, it might as well be with players you like. See, isn’t this better than football betting already?
+Consistently Put Up Big Numbers
+The next general rule to follow, which is really more of a strategy, is to get consistent scoring. Many of you may have played NFL fantasy football before. Well, there are two main reasons running backs are taken heavily in the first several rounds. The first is that they are usually a very consistent option. The same thing applies in baseball, where most strategies encourage you to build your team around the batters, as they give more consistent production year in and year out (and don’t carry the same season-ending injury risk of pitchers). In fantasy, you cannot play defense (putting in a Defense/Special Teams doesn’t count).
+What you have to try to accomplish, each week, is to outscore your opponent (I know, I sound like a stupid commentator). Certain factors cannot be accounted ahead of time each week, you must try to put the highest number of points you can, and hopefully the luck evens out. If you’re playing Florida the week Tim Tebow runs in 5 TDs vs. South Carolina, there’s not much you can do to prevent your opponent from scoring lots of points. But if you’re playing him when Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps slash the Razorback defense, you’ve lucked out the other way. The best way to put yourself into a position to win a fantasy league is to prevent the low-scoring weeks, and to put up consistently above average scoring totals.
+Pay Attention to Position Scarcity
+Another key fantasy concept you’ll want to analyze for your league is position scarcity. There are a couple of factors to consider with college fantasy football position scarcity. The first one is easy: you want to know how many elite options, how many average options, and how many dreadful options there are at each position. Do a complete ranking of each position in your league, or look at default rankings. Decide where the tiers are ("Okay, there a 5 stellar QBs, and another 6 I could live with, but I have to make sure I get one or two of those second six if I miss out on the first five"), and keep track of who is left in which tier during your draft.
+The second factor to consider when thinking of position scarcity is the number of players you need to start each week. You may think that, because there are only 11 above average QBs in your ten-team league, the position is scarcer than RB, where there are 18-20 above average options. I’d argue that RB is the more scarce position, as each team (in a CBS standard league) starts only 1 QB but 2 RB. This is magnified in leagues with a flex position, as owners will typically start RBs in those slots.
+Position scarcity, in the terms I’m discussing it, is also the main reason why you should always draft a kicker last. Kickers are wildly unpredictable, and at the end of the year, they end up with about the same amount of points. Pulling up CBS’ projections, the top-projected kicker is projected to score 17 more points, total, than the 15th rated kicker (only half of your league should be nutty enough to grab a backup kicker, so I chose 15th). Those 17 points, when distributed over a 12 game schedule, don’t represent much of an improvement to your team.
+You are better off using a draft selection on a breakout candidate (a sleeper or a freshman, or even a backup to a highly touted player), as keeping one of these guys tucked on your bench could pay huge dividends if he ends up a fantasy stud (earning you much more than that 17 point improvement grabbing the #1 kicker instead of the #15 kicker). Apply the theory to only 10 kickers being drafted (one per team in a ten-team league, CBS’ maximum size allowed), and the different is even smaller. Draft your kicker last. Drop him if he has a bad matchup, or a bye week. You’ll thank me in December.
+Know the Goofy Rules Your Old High School Buddy Chose
+The last general concept I’ll discuss, which seems obvious, but is often overlooked by lackadaisical fantasy players, is to know your league rules! This ties in a little with the position scarcity discussion, but it also ties in with scoring. One important way it relates to CBS standard leagues is this: CBS has roster maximums per position, during the draft. You cannot draft more than 3 QBs, 3 RBs, 4 WRs, or 2 for each of TE/K/DST. Don’t draft 2 kickers. That means, more than likely, you’re going to have to draft either a backup TE or DST. I never carry a backup of either, so this will crap my style a little bit. It is worth noting, however, that you are not limited by these same maximums after the draft, so more than likely I’ll immediately drop my second defense for another RB or WR.
+Putting it Together - Draft Prep
+So how can we apply these simple principles to our customized college fantasy football leagues? Most fantasy sites will rank a lot of QBs (a lot of these, it should be noted, require starting 2 QBs) at the head of the draft, and even CBS does. But before you mindless draft that QB in the first round, like all of your league mates, pay attention to the principles I’ve just explained to you. Sure, QBs score the most points. But if you get the #8 and #12 best QBs, and platoon them, will you be that much worse off? What would your team look like if you did the NFL fantasy thing, and went RB-RB with those first two picks? Or if you took a stud WR up there (remember, you have to start 3)? I don’t know your exact league settings, but if you look at the player pool available in your league, you should be able to figure out the best course of action.
+Last year, I ran through my league, even though I drafted toward the end of the first round. With my two closely spaced together picks, I snapped up what I had evaluated as the top two options at RB (Knowshon Moreno and Beanie Wells), setting my team up for consistent scoring and a significant advantage over my league mates. I missed out on some above average QBs (I never had a shot at Tebow or Harrell drafting that low, anyways), but by the time the draft snaked back to me, everyone already had their QB, and was ignoring them in favor of their other holes. This allowed me to take my pick of a number of breakout candidates, and I must say Colt McCoy ended up doing just that- and I didn’t grab him until the 4th round! This isn’t because my league mates were complete idiots, or not familiar with the Big XII (I live in Texas). It’s because he was projected to be in that second tier of QBs, and while I was drafting QB in the 4th round, and had a pretty good selection of QBs still available (everyone else had their one starter), I didn’t need to worry about missing out on some good options.
+Do Your Research - All Season
+The last point I want to make about college fantasy football, like any other fantasy sport, is you need to do your research. Though not many websites will provide lots of fantasy analysis on college football, there are many, many avenues to seek out information on who is playing well and who is not (of course, we offer both perspectives right here). Watch a bunch of games, so you know which guys are getting extra touches (WR who run the ball a lot are prevalent in college football, and can boost that consistent scoring factor), and which guys are only getting their catches in mop-up duty (not consistent point scorers). Pay attention to which guys are running the wildcat (the opportunity for extra statistics is nice, but be careful you don’t have your RB getting you negative points by throwing an interception). You need to know which defenses are good against the run or the pass, and play matchups accordingly. Most college fantasy football leagues will have a massive player pool, so you can really sell out to matchups, and being an active owner can work to your advantage.
+I’m not saying there is any one formula for winning your league, but the principles I’ve mentioned are adaptable to any league setting, and should put you in contention to win your league. Of course, you’ll also need to pick up some good walk-ons and make a few transfers along the way, but I’ll be right here for you all season long.
+I’ve created a Gatorsfirst.com Fantasy Football Challenge. I am in the process of filling out the league, if you think you’ve got what it takes, post in the comments section, below, or click ‘contact us’. Just get ready to be embarrassed by my skills. Depending on the response, I may have to come up with a goofy contest to whittle down the entrants.
+Check back often in the coming weeks, as I break down the fantasy prospects in each BCS league (and the independents, as many people add them to include Notre Dame). Indeed, I’ll keep you updated on the latest conference previews by linking them here.
+ACC: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+Big East: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+Big Ten: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+Big XII: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+Independents: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+Pac-10: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+SEC: 2009 Fantasy Football Preview
+You can find the original article here:
+This invention is in the field of personnel access control systems. More particularly it is in the field of access control systems for providing limited or temporary access of personnel to a facility.
+Many organizations desire to limit access to their facilities and work sites to authorized persons only. Typical among these organizations are private companies, universities, schools, governmental agencies, military installations, and the like. Means for access control frequently involve the use of ID badge readers which in turn are linked to automatic gates or turnstiles. These automatic gates are activated to admit a person only when a valid badge is read by the reader. Often ID badges have a picture printed thereon of the badge-holder which provides an extra measure of security.
+While there are a number of types of badge readers in use, an increasingly popular type is the proximity reader which does not require a badge to be physically inserted or run past a read head to operate. Proximity reader systems operate with ID badges which contain a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. An RFID is an electronic device, able to be made very thin and easily incorporated as part of an ID badge. RFIDs require no power source of their own to operate. The RFID device operates as a transponder and transmits stored information when held near a badge reader which in turn contains an RF transceiver tuned to the frequency of the RIFD. If the information transmitted by the RFID transponder is recognized as valid by the proximity reader, the gate is opened and the badge-holder is allowed access to the facility.
+Since this type of RFID-containing proximity badge takes some time to make and is relatively expensive, they are not usually used for visitors and others who require only temporary authorization to enter a facility. Most often used is a simple paper badge having no image or other visitor ID which is filled out manually by a security guard. Such an ID badge is easily counterfeited and represents a security loophole that increases the risk that an unauthorized person will gain entry to a confidential or secure area.
+Thus there exists a need to provide a badge making system that can quickly make inexpensive badges which may be used for visitors or other persons for whom access control is desired on a temporary basis, and which also may be recognized by an automatic access control gates controlled by proximity readers.
+In answer to these and other problems of the prior art, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a system for controlling access at a personnel control gate, comprising: a proximity reader connected to the control gate for controlling access through the control gate, and an ancillary reader located adjacent to the proximity reader, the ancillary reader enabled to return an RF transponder signal recognizable by the proximity reader whenever the ancillary reader detects an authorized access code present on an ID badge, thereby causing the proximity reader to control the control gate and allow the bearer of the ID badge access through the control gate.
+In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a system for controlling access of at least one personnel control gate, comprising: an image capture device for capturing a digital image of a visitor and storing the digital image as a data file; a computer for receiving the digital image data file, the processor enabled to embed an authorized access code in the image data file steganographically, the computer further enabled to receive additional information relative to the visitor; a printer connected to the computer for printing a ID badge, the ID badge having the image of the visitor with the authorized access code steganographically embedded in the image, the ID badge having the additional information printed thereon; a proximity reader cooperating with at least one personnel control gate to control access through the control gate; and an ancillary reader located adjacent to the proximity reader, the ancillary reader enabled to return an RF transponder signal recognizable by the proximity reader whenever the ancillary reader detects the authorized access code steganographically embedded in the image of the visitor printed on the ID badge, thereby causing the proximity reader to control the control gate and allow the visitor bearing the ID badge access through the control gate.
+In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is also provided a method for controlling access at a personnel control gate, comprising: detecting by an ancillary reader an authorized access code contained on an ID badge engaged therewith, the ancillary reader being placed adjacent to a proximity reader, the proximity reader cooperating with the personnel control gate to control the gate; enabling the ancillary reader when the access code is detected to return an RF transponder signal recognizable by the adjacent proximity reader; and activating the proximity reader upon recognizing the RF transponder signal from the ancillary reader to control the control gate and allow a bearer of the ID badge access through the control gate.:
+Turning first to
+The computer 16 is also used to associate an authorized access code with the individual's other stored data. This authorized access code is a unique identifier which operates much like the very familiar Personal Identification Number (PIN) used by the bearer of a transaction card to activate the card. Any unique numeric or alphanumeric code may be used for the access code in the present invention, however. When a reader at a control gate which is programmed to recognize the authorized access code is engaged with a badge containing the code, the reader then cooperates with the control gate to admit the bearer of the access code.
+For the present invention, the authorized access code is incorporated directly on the ID badge in the form of a visually indiscernible indicia which has been embedded in the visitor's previously captured and stored digital image file. When the visitor's badge is printed, the visitor's image containing this embedded code is printed on it. A means well known in the art for embedding such a visually indiscernible indicia in a digital image file is the data hiding technique known as steganography, or digital watermarking. The presence of such an indiscernible indicia or digital watermark may be detected and the access code extracted only by an appropriately equipped reader. In addition to providing a means of incorporating the authorized access code, the presence of the digital watermark also serves to authenticate the ID badge, for example by preventing a false badge being created by substituting an image which has no digital watermark. A digital watermarking technique particularly useful for hiding data in an image steganographically in this way is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,920 to Daly, et al., and the method of Daly et al. is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
+Badge printer 18 is used to print an ID badge 20 for the visitor. Badge printer 18 may be any digital printer capable of printing text and images, for example a laser electrophotographic printer, or an ink jet or thermal dye transfer printer.
+Turning now to
+Shown printed on ID badge 20 is the name and/or logo of the facility 22 for which access by personnel is being controlled. Also printed on ID badge 20 are the name 24 of the person for whom the badge is created, and the date 26 when the ID badge 20 is valid and can be used to gain entry to the facility. Although not shown in
+Returning now to
+Ancillary reader 40, is located adjacent to proximity reader 38 in access control station 34, but not so close as to interfere with the engaging of proximity ID badges, and is used to read an ID badge such as the ID badge 20 illustrated in
+While the various components of ancillary reader 40 are shown in
+Also stored in memory 44 of ancillary reader 40 are previously programmed access codes authorized to be valid under predetermined conditions. For example, a particular access code may be authorized to admit a visitor on a particular date or series of dates. Other codes may be authorized to admit only at certain times of day, for example on just one work shift or other. Still other codes may permit access only at certain gates and not others. Authorized access codes may be changed and reprogrammed as needed either by reprogramming each reader at each gate individually or through a networked system where all readers at an installation are linked to a central control facility by a wired communications channel or a wireless network (not shown). If the access code extracted from the ID badge matches an authorized access code stored in memory 44, then processor 46 enables radio frequency (RF) transponder 48 to return the authorized access code value via antenna 41 to proximity reader 38. Thus the signal from transponder 48 exactly mimics the resulting signal which would have been received by proximity reader 38 if it had interrogated directly a proximity badge containing an RFID transponder containing the access code. When proximity reader 38 receives an authorized access code from transponder 48, it cooperates with control gate 36 to admit the visitor.
+In order to provide a more clear understanding of the invention, the steps required in its practice will now be described in detail.
+When a visitor carrying a ID badge approaches an access control gate where entry is desired, he or she engages the ID badge with ancillary reader 40 (step 108). In step 110, ancillary reader 40 detects the presence of the visually indiscernible indicia embedded in step 104 and extracts the access code from it. In step 112 the extracted access code is compared to the authorized codes stored in computer 16. If the extracted code does not match a preprogrammed authorized code then a “rejected” signal is provided to the visitor in step 114 via a display device such as a display lamp or screen. If the access code does match a stored authorized code, then the ancillary reader enables the transponder 48 to reply with an authorized access code to proximity reader 38 in step 116. It is understood that proximity readers are activated when an object such as an ID card is placed at a minimum distance from the reader. That activation process can be supplied from the activated auxiliary reader either by physical means: such as by moving the antenna from the auxiliary reader closer to the proximity reader; or by electronic means such as by boosting the signal strength of the signal returned from the auxiliary reader's transponder. In step 118 the proximity reader is activated and cooperates with control gate 36 to admit the visitor.
+It will be understood that while the invention has been described with respect to an embodiment where an authorized access code is provided as a visually indiscernible mark steganographically embedded in a ID badge, the invention will also operate equally well where the authorized access code is incorporated by other methods. For example, the authorized access code may be encoded in the form of a machine readable bar code. This bar code is then printed on the ID badge along with the visitor's image and other information as described previously. In this embodiment, the ancillary reader comprises a bar code reader which reads the bar code when the ID badge is engaged with it at a control gate. If the bar code read by the ancillary reader matches the pre-programmed authorized access code stored by the reader, the transponder of the ancillary reader is activated in a manner analogous to that already described for the other embodiments disclosed. With this embodiment, for security reasons, it may be desirable to change the bar coded access code frequently, for example on a daily basis, or even more frequently. Changing the access code frequently will in turn necessitate reprogramming the ancillary readers with the new authorized access codes often, but this is easily accomplished by a networked system where all readers at an installation are linked to a central control facility by a wired communications channel or a wireless network as described previously.
+The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that still other variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention.
+ is pointing out a fact, it isnt up to debate. Fox is the media arm of the Republican Party. Large amount of their programming is opinions, not news. Even their news is flawed, as some of their news references their own network claims as news.
+That is like me making up some radical statement, putting it on wikipedia, and then referencing it as a truth in some argument.
+I dont think she should have been pressured like that, take the popularity hit for standing up for the right thing.
+LOL, the right-wing nutsacks are out in force today. Keep it up, nutsacks. Your blah blah blah wears thin after a while.
+Good bye Anita and good riddance. One more Obama pick that proves he isn't capable of running the country. I really enjoyed her attempt at explaining why we don't have enough H1N1 vaccine; yet we are suppose to believe that they can run the health insurance program? It's a shame that she can't take the rest of the zoo with her. I would be thrilled to see the White House Press Secretary be unemployed as well.
+democrats alias Socialist party,spending welfare side with criminal crook lier and illegal to get voting fraud
+----------------------------
+Hmmm...Blackwater, Halliburton, Terri Sciavo...seems like the GOP is more of a commie party
+GEECEE you so quick to judge but you didn't and can't cite any examples to back up what you say. Just like the "Major news sources" Fact check please.
+We keep comparing this economic downturn with its abysmally high unemployment figures to 1983! Let us remember who was the President in 1983!. The beloved Ronnie Reagan. What did he EVER
+really do???? He wanted to reduce Social Security payments, break the unions, reduce hourly wages, etc, etc, make the rich richer and poor poorer as usual. He presided over the recession of 1981-1983 and another recession in 1986-1988 before he finally left office – thank God! The woman mentioned in this article, who "apparently" thought Mao Tse Tung may have been a good thing for China, actually probably was right! Now we are COMMUNIST China's biggest debtor and we, of course, have a huge balance of trade with
+them. What hypocrites Americans are when it comes to dealing with COMMUNISM. I guess as long as they sell cheaper sweaters, we are all for them. Nice.
+Obama should have been smart enough to "release her" months ago. It is "self-defeating" to attack a major news media which has such a global reach, more so if it is owned by Rupert Murdoch. Wonder what Pfeiffer, whose emails asking for money and support I (and countless others) receive frequently, will say when Obama makes his next biggest mistake and confirms what CBS has reported just yesterday, that the Pres has "decided" to give General McC most of what he wants.. confirming to all his supporters, as well as his detractors, that "all that deliberation" was merely a Charade.Just another empty suit who believes that a good speech, like snake oil, solves all problems..
+How about both parties kind of suck right now... How about for once we just have someone do whats right not what, the parties say... Just whats right or everyone...
+Regressives can't take it when someone puts a mirror in their face. Good job Anita, you took one for the team because so many liberals in the past have been too afraid to call them out.
+Ah, the regressive GOP loves to say liberals have no balls but they sure as hell can't take a punch!
+Can't anyone share their opinion without sinking to childish name calling? We live in a country where we can still share our own thoughts freely and yet we HATE that someone may not completely agree with us.
+Hope the door hit her, where the Good LORD split her!!!
+All of you who spew things like "Democrats = Socialists" or "liberal media bias" or "FOX News is pat of the Republican Party" or any of that other let's-draw-a-line-between-us, partisan swill should really sit down, shut up and open your eyes and ears.
+Stop repeating what your favortie talk-radio personalities are saying. Rush and Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs and Rachel Maddow are not supposed to be thinking for you. Use your brains. Stop fighting each other. Talking smack on a comment board does nothing to solve any of the problems we all still have.
+Despite our beliefs, we're all still Americans. Once we all can work together for the good of the nation it will become the greatest nation in the world again. Right now, not so much.
+GOOD BYE & GOOD RIDDANCE,
+to another Obama socialist, now that shes leaving Obama should give her a one a way ticket to china to be near her "BOY" Mao!!!!!!
+I no longer care about anything anymore because the realm of public discourse if full of retards. I give up. The idiots and the reactionaries have won. Enjoy the super-awesome country you're making.
+another one leaves, or gets kicked out. By next year, Obama will have replaced everyone....appparently he realizes he makes bad choices after the fact
+Talk about failed picks in an administration. Does anyone need to be reminded of the failures and lies of the Bush presidency and the crooks within it. Hopefully, most will remember the true illegitimacy of the Bush years.
+Good news for Dunn.
+Ahmadinejad is looking for a communications director and I can't think of anyone more qualified. Hell, I'll even chip in on the airfare.
+The followers (reminds me of Jim Jones) of Fox "news" Comedy Cult and the AM Radio purveyors of Hate are a blight on our country. You are an embarrassment and you are the laughing stocks of the world.
+You have no idea of what 95% of the terms you spout off even mean. Ronnie Rayguns war on education really ensnared about 20% of our population.
+Government should live in continual fear of its citizens and a free press. The founding fathers knew what they were doing.
+Fox IS an un-official extension of the GOP. We all know it.
+Its their right just like it is Dunns right to call them out about it.
+Fox blatantly distorts the truth and it the same breath call themselves "fair and balanced"... that's another subject ..
+No one censored Fox or even tried to. This woman was brave enough to state the obvious . Fox is slanted toward the right.......Is that incorrect?
+All of you you die-hard reps found a forum to vent but, and are off on some tangent like the WH tried to censor Fox.
+Everyone that is is painting Dunn in a bad light say Fox has the right to free speech the same people should stop throwing rocks....
+FYI Dunn has the right too.
+Looks like Fox can dish it but they cannot take it.
+I hope more people like Dunn take the same stance.
+One thing she is right about it that Fox is not a news network. It is a mouthpiece to ultraconservative republican idiologists of this country, disguised as a news network. I have given up watching it years back. I switched to CNN to see some realistic unbaised news. Fox news obviously can spread misinformation and they will continue to do so. That is the part of the freedom of speech. There will be audiance to watch that crap idiology that has sunken this country. I only hope that the minds of future generations will not be poisoned by those propaganda carried out by it.
+Faux News must have found this article on CNN and ran with it. I find these comments hilarious. People love talking about things without filtering their emotions. I guess they don't care that this makes them sound ignorant. Whatever happened to the non-corporate non-political news source? I blame corporate news sources with a political agenda for making the average "Joe" angry and ignorant. If one wants to really get a good perspective on what's happening in the world don't watch FOX or CNBC news, don’t listen to Beck or Limbaugh. Instead read BBC and PBS news sources or listen to NPR. You’ll have a less biased perspective, and better understanding of the world and the state of the union. I'll give CNN credit they are at least trying to be less biased and more globally aware.
+Dunn gets thrown under the bus for speaking the truth. The obama administration seem to be afraid of the right wing in this country. Right or wrong the republicans stick together and thats why nothing changes for the better in this country.
+So, if Fox News is always right... why are you all here on CNN? Oh. Right. Hypocrites and liemongering. No no, carry on with your mindless drivel. See, I can *read* which would be why I don't watch Fox News. That and because I like facts. Fox took "journalistic neutrality" and said "It's outdated. We want our opinions on all the time." And the crazy right wingers agree. I can't wait for there to be an aggressively leftist news network. Certainly would make for a refreshing change of pace. Of course, I believe in "objectivity." Go look the word up. Might do you some good.
+No one is trying to censure Fox. They are just being called out for the lies they spew each and every day. They say the most outrageous things and dumb people think it must be a fact if Fox News said it!! Oh yeah, really credible news channel there!! They employ liars on their programs to further incite the angry, hate-filled morons who listen to this channel and to Limpbag too on a daily basis. Just can't get enough of the hate, huh folks? Glad to feed your head with all the poison you are fed. Hope it makes you feel better to hate your country so much you want to see our President fail.
+is mounting_1<<
+. Secretary of Education. She and her billionaire family paid off mostly Republican lawmakers to the tune of $200 million allowing her to become the titular head of our nation’s public schools. This despite having never attended a public school, refusing to protect special education students, refusing to hold charter and voucher schools to the same standards, even refusing to keep guns out of our children’s classrooms! Well, Betsy, your money may buy you the title, but it buys you zero respect!
+Randi, your statement just goes to show how tone deaf you and Lily are to the spirit of the rank and file.
+We are not somewhat distressed at what is happening to our schools and our profession. We are enraged! We are taking to the streets! We are occupying our lawmakers offices and marching through community thoroughfares! And we aren’t throwing shade on other protesters behind the safety of Twitter.
+For many of us, you both represent everything wrong with unionism. We are a people powered movement. We get our strength from the grassroots up, but you both try to rule from the top down.
+Nowhere was this more apparent than in the early endorsements by both unions of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
+Neither one of you made an honest effort to gauge member opinions on these endorsements before going ahead. You thought you knew better. You pushed through these endorsements despite a strong vein of support for Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders.
+Sanders was much more in-line with our needs and values. And he had much more support among progressives and independents. He had a much better chance of winning! Meanwhile, Clinton was just another neoliberal in a long line of neoliberals like President Barack Obama who would offer us only the back of their hands.
+You wanted a seat at the table, and you didn’t mind how much it would cost the rest of us.
+Lily, when you took the reins of the NEA in 2014, you famously said “We are what Democracy looks like.” I was never more proud of my union than at that moment. But that pride has turned to ashes in my mouth.
+Many of us will never forgive either of you for the results of this election. We blame you for Trump.
+Had you not dictated to us that we must support Clinton, had you supported a candidate with a real chance of wining, there is little doubt that we could have defeated the clown currently in the Oval Office. Moreover, under a President Sanders we would have had a real chance at a progressive future that benefits everyone – $15 minimum wage, universal healthcare, sanctuary cities, justice reforms, fair trade, free college tuition.
+Trump did not win alone. Unwittingly, you were his biggest supporters. It was your hubris – along with that of corporate Democrats deaf to the voices of their base – that gave us these next four years. And none of you have learned your lesson.
+Lily, your three-year term is up this year. Randi, your two-year term is up in summer 2018.
+We can wait you out if we must. But do what’s best for the people you claim to represent. Step down now.
+Otherwise, you can look for opposition in our Representative Assemblies.
+Let me be clear. I don’t think either of you have broken any by-laws. I don’t think there is evidence for impeachment (if our by-laws even allow it). But members could easily make a motion from the floor for a vote of no confidence.
+Support may already be mounting for such positions at the Region level. It could go to the State House of Delegates as a New Business Item and get a majority vote from the floor. Or perhaps at our next Representative Assembly, someone will just make a motion.
+I don’t know if it would pass. But I know that this division among us is holding us back from being the force we can be. I know that it has stopped many of us from talking about how we fight external forces, because we are instead focused on enemies from within.
+We want to transform our unions. We no longer want to focus solely on collective bargaining. We want to focus on social justice and the needs of our students and communities. To be sure, our labor rights are essential to this fight, but they cannot be everything nor can we be willing to give up on the needs of our students if the powers that be will only leave our salaries and benefits intact.
+We want a union that is more at home in the streets than in the boardroom. We want leaders who mobilize us to fight not tell us what to think. We need leaders that listen to us – not the other way around.
+As a classroom teacher and education activist, I make this request in no official capacity for any of the various groups to which I belong. I ask as merely another member of the NEA. I have no affiliation with the AFT.
+Moreover, I have nothing personal against either of you. We met briefly at the Network for Public Education conference in Chicago two years ago. You were both congenial and inspiring. It may not seem like it now, but I hold tremendous respect for both of you. I think in your own ways you have accomplished much that benefits our members.
+But the time has come to step down. You believe in accountability. Hold yourselves accountable.
+Put the strength of our unions first. Let it no longer be about you. Let it be about us.
+Here’s hoping you’ll do the right thing.
+Yours,
+Steven Singer
+NEA and PSEA member
+P.S. – If any NEA or AFT member reads this open letter and agrees with the sentiments expressed here, please add your name and union affiliation in a comment on my blog.
+43 thoughts on “Randi and Lily, For the Good of Our Unions, Please Step Down. You Are a Distraction”
+I was not pleased with her tweet. And, was DeVos almost “knocked down”? I think there is a visceral raging reaction against her. Our unions seem to be trying to please someone other than the teachers. And now we are waking up to this fact. I liked Diane Ravitch’s ideas on how schools should and should not engage her. It allows for a protection of students, teachers, and schools. I hope that the union leaders listen to what resistance and respect look like. Randi’s tweet was dismissive.
+LikeLiked by 2 people
+Steven, exactly this. You are spot on, my brother.
+Exactly, Steven, exactly.
+I watched the video. She wasn’t almost knocked down. She turned tail pretty quick in those high heels, though. Perhaps she was left off balance because of such proximity to a PUBLIC school.
+LikeLiked by 2 people
+With you all the way…
+NYSUT member since 2000
+LikeLiked by 4 people
+I also think we must remember that at the Representative Assembly this past July in D.C- they actually gave a reward to Lamar Alexander! How is that for leaving a sour taste in your mouth.
+LikeLiked by 4 people
+Jane, I forgot about that! Yes! You are so right! Yuck!
+Exactly. They backed her very early and very strongly, without listening to their union members, without taking a vote.
+And now they whine because Trump and DeVos want to destroy public schools and teachers’ unions?
+Unfortunately, they won’t personally reap what they have sown, they’ll be fine. But it’s sure screwing every public school and every public school teacher in this country.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+It’s clear why the largest teacher unions backed Hillary so early. Their presidents were buddies with Hilldawg. They were “with her.” Who cares what the members thought? Most didn’t even know about Bernie Sanders by the time AFT endorsed. That was largely on purpose.
+What’s also upsetting is that Diane Ravitch and NPE failed to endorse in the primary. But at least they didn’t jump on the establishment wagon over Bernie — until it looked pretty clear that Bernie wasn’t going to win the nomination.
+Then Randi wrote to establishment shill John Podesta that “we” (her union??) will “go after NNU (national nurses union) and there [sic] high and mighty sanctimonious conduct…”
+Randi, you are a disgrace and an embarrassment to teachers everywhere. You subvert democracy and are part of the political corruption. Then you had to reinforce the meme that teachers’ intelligence is second rate, since apparently we do not know the difference between “there” and “their.” Thanks a million.
+Just like the CEOs who eventually get a hundred million dollar golden parachute for screwing up, Randi’s terrible decision making will not affect her quality of life, but it will affect ours.
+Just like the business “reformers,” what will most help teachers and students is if you quit your job.
+LikeLiked by 4 people
+Ed Detective, for once, we are mostly in agreement.
+I’m with Steven!
+Well stated, Steven. Add my name. I voted for Bernie Sanders in the primary and was disheartened by NEA s endorsement of Hillary Clinton. I am president of a local in rural Northwest Ohio. Paulding Education Association. I would guess that 30% in my local voted orange.
+I agree completely. Weingarten has been a disaster for Newark teachers. I personally received two phone calls from the national office urging me to vote in favor of a horrible contract. I had the same reaction to her DeVos protest tweet. I was delighted that DeVos was met with protesters on her first official visit to a public school. Weingarten never misses a chance to endorse the corporate agenda.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+It is time for a radical change in our unions because the seat at the table is not cutting it anymore. I agree with your posting and will be posting it on FB, too.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+They rammed Hillary Clinton through as “our” candidate too. They’re Republican-lites. We need real leaders, not placaters.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+I agree with you! CTA and NEA member.
+Thank you, Steven! This NEA member is in 100% agreement.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+Randi Weingarten’s collaboration with corporate education reform is not something new. She has just be very slick about covering it up.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+Perfect, Steven Singer. Let’s post this everywhere.
+While I’m with the protesting, I don’t think that blocking DeVos from entering a public building was necessarily the way to protest. That said, I don’t agree with Randi tweeting against it. I also agree wholeheartedly with your post. I’m an NJEA/NEA member. Our state leadership has also become way too cozy with the political/corporate class.
+Thank you. Adrian, Michigan EA
+This UTLA, CTA, CFT, NEA, AFT member has been saying this for years, just not as eloquently. Thanks Steve.
+Also, let’s not forget how Randi sold out NY teachers by sending Robo calls for Cuomo’s running mate Kathy Hochul, to keep favor with Cuomo who is and has been underfunding public schools and attacking teachers for a very long time. All while he continues to support and side with for profit charters like Success Academy.
+Randi has lost her way.
+LikeLiked by 1 person
+[…] Reblogged from GADFLYONTHEWALLBLOG […]
+Right on. Colorado EA
+I agree!
+Jackie Conrad
+NEA/OEA/SanduskyEA
+Loretta, ESP, Member of Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Local 59.
+My hope is that we get leadership that will encourage us to fight whatever attacks come our way. We need real leaders, not someone who coddles to the 1%.
+NEA member here! Totally agree. I was at NEA headquarters for an event the summer right before she took over, and I had such a positive outlook. I felt like she would be the breath of fresh air we needed. Now I’m so disappointed.
+I agree! AFT-MD/BTU
+Absolutely right. Until Randi/Lily and their crony cliques are ousted from leadership of the AFT/NEA the 3 million rank-and-file teachers will not be able to rescue and revive public schools. Randi/Lily have suffocated dissent and failed to organize teachers to use the power of their numbers to force changes in privatization, testing, and voucher campaigns led by billionaires Gates, Zuckerberg, Walton, Koch, Lorene Jobs, Ely Broad, and the billionaire hedge funders on Democrats for Education Reform. Randi/Lily both forced premature endorsements of Hillary onto their unions. Their insider leadership has helped bogus “reformers” loot district education budgets and drive public schools to the edge of disaster. Removing them has been urgent for years; best way is to build dissident rank-and-file caucuses in each district, like the MORE group in NYC.
+I am a PSEA member and I cannnot agree more in sharing the sentiment of wanting “a union that is more at home in the streets than in the boardroom. We want leaders who mobilize us to fight not tell us what to think. We need leaders that listen to us – not the other way around.”
+I also think the political endorsements PSEA and NEA make should be a more inclusive process. The process as it is disenfranchises way too many members who are just as politically active and informed as the leadership. I do consider the potential for institutional change within the NEA and PSEA may be in order so as to eschew institutional neo-liberal Democrat candidates and begin to throw our support behind leaders who are steadfast in their support for social, economic, and labor justice.
+Now is the time for more social engagement and action fighting for all types of social justice issues.
+I agree. I feel betrayed. We was not elected queen. We’re getting sold out. I’d like ti explore the ramifications of withholding NEA dues and just give it all to my state and local associations.
+Reblogged this on horseofmanycolors and commented:
+It is a new day. Children are at risk. It is no longer about pay raises, it is about protecting children. Teachers are the First 1st Responders. The KRYPTONITE against destruction of the Public School system and slide into class and race wars is to see a MAJOR shift in how TEACHERS see themselves in relation to children – A TEACHERS OATH that is every bit as solemn and serious as is the Hippocratic Doctor’s Oath is needed. Now.
+Absolutely agree: Seattle EA, WEA, NEA.
+Word. Colorado EA.
+Former CTA, NEA member here (left teaching after 20 years in 2013 — couldn’t take it anymore). While I think ALL of us are partly to blame for the Trump victory (and see nothing productive in the finger pointing that some of us are engaging in now), I agree with the basic criticism of our union leaders here. I think Alicia Garza described the problem best (talking about some other “leaders” of other “social justice” organizations) — they confuse “proximity” with “power.” The real power of any union is in its members — solidarity and numbers. Not in “a seat at the table” with those who don’t have our interests at heart.
+Absolutely agree 100%. EWTA, NYSUT, NEA member
+I’m retired from post secondary teaching — not a member or either union but blog and do social media for adjuncts, many of whom are — and not happy with them them either. I’m sharing this widely. Everyone I’ve sent it to privately is cheering.
+I totally agree with you! I supported Bernie from the start and absolutely can’t believe we have the yahoo who is in there now. Don’t get me started on Betsy DeVos. I’m a member of the NEA.
+[…] This is one of the reasons I’ve been calling for Weingarten and Lily Eskelsen Garcia, President of the National Education Ass…. […]
+[…] Somebody needs to tell our union leaders – preferably by replacing them. […]
+[…] called for both her and National Education Association (NEA) President Lily Eskelsen Garcia to voluntarily step down because of undemocratic practices and mismanagement in both teachers […]
+[…] Meanwhile, the national unions are behind the testocracy 100%. They’ll wag their fingers and complain about testing, but they’re too busy making sure the teaching profession even exists tomorrow to stop for small potatoes like bad practices. […]
+List of sports attendance figures
+This article lists the attendances of many sports competitions around the world, based in some cases on the number of tickets sold or given away, rather than people actually present. The list is exclusively field and arena ball sports. Top leagues in weekly attendance includes speedway sports.
+Contents
+- 1 Domestic professional leagues
+- 2 Top leagues in recent domestic club championship event attendance
+- 3 Semi-professional and amateur leagues
+- 4 Representative matches
+- 5 International club competitions
+- 6 International tournaments
+- 7 International club championship final events
+- 8 International club competition final (two decider matches)
+- 9 See also
+- 10 Notes
+- 11 References
+- 12 External links
+Domestic professional leagues
+Top 10 leagues in total attendance, most finals matches (including any that can potentially end a series) are held at Araneta Coliseum, which had long been the country's largest indoor sports venue before the construction of, four have a permanent site for their title games and four, generally viewed alongside the CFL in a tier below the top four leagues in continent-wide appeal, has 17 U.S. teams and three Canadian teams in the most recently completed 2015 overwhelmingly focused on Russia, although as of the current 2015–16 season it has teams in Belarus, Croatia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Slovakia. A team from Ukraine is currently on hiatus due to conflict in that country, and a team from the Czech Republic folded after the 2013–14 season. A Chinese team is set to join the league in 2016–17..
+- ↑ Friends Arena is a retractable-roof stadium used primarily for association football and music events.
+- ↑ Parken Stadium is a retractable-roof stadium used primarily for association football and music events.
+- ↑ Docklands Stadium is a retractable-roof stadium used primarily for Australian rules football, association football, cricket and music events..[131].[132][Note[133]
+- ↑ The actual number of regular-season games was 1,230. However, only games played in teams' regular home arenas are included in the calculations. In 2010–11, six teams—the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, Phoenix Coyotes, and San Jose Sharks—opened the season with two games in Europe as part of the annual NHL Premiere series, with each team losing one home game as a result. Two teams, the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins, hosted outdoor events at large football stadiums, respectively the Heritage Classic and Winter Classic.
+- ↑ These statistics include only regular-season games for each team played at their regular home arenas. The previously noted NHL Premiere games in Europe and the two outdoor games are not included in the calculations because they would not fairly reflect the teams' regular attendance, due either to geography or venue capacity.
+-.
+- ↑ 6.0 6 tournament sessions consist of two games, except for the four regional finals and the national championship game; a single ticket admits the holder to both games of a two-game session.
+- ↑ 7.0 7.0 1.1 "MLB Attendance Report – 2014". ESPN.com. Retrieved 14 December 2014. Each season from 2001 through 2014 is available at this site. The desired season can be selected from a pull-down menu. Note that these statistics include only regular-season games.
+- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Attendance Number of Japan Professional Baseball 2013".
+- ↑ "NHL Attendance Report – 2012". ESPN.com. Retrieved 13 October 2011. Each season from 2000–01 through 2010–11 is available at this site. The desired season can be selected from a pull-down menu.
+- ↑ "NBA Attendance Report – 2014". ESPN.com. Retrieved 25 September 2014. Each season from 2000–01 through 2013–14 is available at this site. The desired season can be selected from a pull-down menu. Note also that these statistics are only for regular-season games.
+- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "NFL Attendance Report – 2014". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015. Each season from 2001 through 2014 is available at this site. The desired season can be selected from a pull-down menu.
+- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Barclays Premier League Stats: 2013–14". ESPN FC. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
+- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Statistik: Zuschauerzahlen (Statistics: Number of Spectators)". German Football Association. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
+- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Spanish Primera División Stats: 2013–14". ESPN FC. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
+- ↑ "English League Championship Stats: 2013–14". ESPN FC. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
+- ↑ "Attendances By Day, 2013/2014". Ligue de Football Professionnel. Retrieved 8 October 2014. Select "2013/2014" from the menu at the top of the attendance window and click "GO". The league calculated its average attendance using 377 matches; this article uses 380. This most likely explanation is that three matches were played behind closed doors.
+- ↑ "AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan thanks AFL supporters" (Press release). Australian Football League. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
+- ↑ 12.0 12 "Hawthorn beat Sydney in AFL grand final". Sydney Morning Herald. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
+- ↑ Callow, James (30 May 2015). "Alexis Sanchez lifts Arsenal to new heights against Villa". The Football Association. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
+- ↑ Shepka, Phil (25 May 2015). "Middlesbrough 0-2 Norwich". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
+- ↑ "El Atlético reina en la Copa". 17 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
+- ↑ McNulty, Phil (2 March 2014). "Man City 3–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
+- ↑ "Canterbury-Bankstown v South Sydney Rabbitohs". 30 September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
+- ↑ "Cats show up for King Henry's ninth". Irish Times. 30 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
+- ↑ Murphy, Brian (21 September 2014). "All-Ireland Senior Football Final – Kerry 2–9 Donegal 0–12". Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
+- ↑ "Match Centre : Bath Rugby 16-28 Saracens". Premiership Rugby Limited. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ Rostance, Tom (11 August 2013). "Man United 2–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
+- ↑ "Castres, vingt ans après". L'Équipe (in French). 1 June 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
+- "Scoring Summary (Final), 2015 Alabama Football: #18 Florida vs #2 Alabama (Dec 05, 2015 at Atltana (sic), Ga.". Alabama Crimson Tide. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
+- ↑ "DFB-Pokalfinale 2012" (PDF). Ruhrnachrichten (in German). 12 May 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
+- ↑ "ESPN box score". ESPN. December 5, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
+- ↑ "Box Score: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Duke Blue Devils". ESPN.com. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
+- ↑ Newsum, Matt (10 October 2015). "Grand Final: Leeds Rhinos beat Wigan to claim seventh title". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
+- ↑ Connor, Dan (22 March 2015). "Bristol City beat Walsall 2-0 to win 2015 Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final". Football-league.co.uk. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
+- ↑ "Box Score, Super Bowl XLIX". ESPN.com. 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
+-): 2015 Big Ten Championship Game" (PDF). Big Ten Conference. December 5, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
+- ↑ 2014 Super Rugby Final
+- ↑ "Statistics: USC vs Stanford (Dec 05, 2015)". Stanford Cardinal. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
+- ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (26 May 2013). "Gary Hooper scored twice as Celtic clinched their 36th Scottish Cup and with it a domestic double". BBC. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
+- ↑ "Mariners crowned champions". A-League. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
+- ↑ "Western Province win the 2012 Currie Cup". Rugby Week. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
+- ↑ "THREEPEAT FOR REDLEGS". SANFL. 21 September 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
+- ↑ "Hammarby mästare inför rekordpublik" (in Swedish).. Retrieved 13 September 2013. External link in
+|publisher=(help)
+- ↑ "103rd Grey Cup: Box Score". Canadian Football League. November 29, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
+- ↑ "AGK trods kritik: Vil i Parken igen" (in Danish).. Retrieved 13 September 2013. External link in
+|publisher=(help)
+- ↑ "Statistics: Temple vs. Houston (Dec. 5, 2015)". American Athletic Conference. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
+- ↑ [1]
+- "VFL triumph for Footscray". VFL. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
+- ↑ Camile B. Naredo (2 December 2015). "FEU rallies past UST to claim UAAP crown". ABS-CBNNews.com. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
+- ↑ "Beermen pull off historic win over Aces". Philippine Star. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
+- "Scoring Summary (Final): Air Force vs San Diego State (Dec 05, 2015 at San Diego, Calif.)" (PDF). San Diego State Aztecs. December 5, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
+- ↑ "". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2015-03-15. Retrieved 15 March 2014. External link in
+|title=(help)
+- ↑ "Official Scorer's Report, Final Box: Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers, 6/16/2015" (PDF). National Basketball Association. June 16, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
+- ↑ "Philippine Star". Philstar.com. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
+- ↑ zh: 2015年中華職棒總冠軍賽
+- ↑ "Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Connecticut Huskies – Box Score – April 07, 2015 – ESPN". ESPN.com. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
+- ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
+- ↑ "History confirmed" (Press release). NCAA. March 22, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
+- ↑ "Game Summary". nhl.com. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
+- ↑ "Offizieller Spielbericht". DEL (in Deutsch). 29 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ 71.0 71.1 "Saturday, April 11, 2015 Providence (PRV) vs Boston University (BU)". collegehockeystats.net. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015. Cite error: Invalid
+<ref>tag; name "FrozenFour" defined multiple times with different content
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
+- ↑
+- ↑ "Scoring Summary (Final): USM vs WKU (Dec 05, 2015 at Bowling Green, KY)" (PDF). Conference USA. December 5, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
+- ↑ "Tricampeão!" (in português). NBB.com.br. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ "ESPN box score". ESPN. 2014-12-06. Retrieved 2014-12-16.
+- ↑ "10 May 15: Eagles 96-84 Lions (Play-off Final". BBL.org.uk. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
+- ↑ Talao, Tito (2015-07-17). "San Miguel completes sweep, wins Governors’ Cup crown". MB.com.ph. Retrieved 2015-11-17.
+- ↑ "Resultado jogo" (PDF) (in português). cbv.com.br. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
+- ↑ "GF Report: Perth thrash 36ers, claim sixth title". nbl.com.au. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
+- ↑
+- ↑ "Basket Serie A – Corriere dello Sport.it". Corriere dello Sport.it (in italiano). 27 June 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
+- ↑
+-uês). cbv.com.br. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ [http:/"/pba.inquirer.net/boxscore/45095 "Box score"] Check
+|url=value (help). Pba.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
+- ↑
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
+- ↑ "GAME:" ZALGIRIS 90 – 70 NEPTŪNAS". lkl.lt. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
+- ↑ "ACB.com box score". ACB.com. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
+- ↑ "Virginia vs UCLA (Dec 14, 2014)". vtb-league.com. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
+- ↑ "Statistics". shl.se. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". ESPN.com. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
+- ↑ "Statistics". nationalleague.ch (in Deutsch). 19 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ "ACB.com box score". ACB.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
+- ↑ "Game report". khl.ru. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ "WNBA.com box score". WNBA.com. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
+- ↑ "Northern Pride v East Tigers". 30 September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
+- ↑ "Zápis: HC Kometa Brno – PSG Zlín, 22.4.2014". hokej.cz (in čeština). suomi). 26 April 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- "Rochester Knighthawks at Washington Stealth". NLL.com. 11 May 2005. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
+- ↑ "Legavolley – Mathes Scores". legavolley.it. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
+- ↑ 119.0 119.
+- ↑ 122.0 122.
+- ↑ 132.0 132.1 132.2 "2014 National College Football Attendance (For All NCAA Men's Varsity Teams)" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ Bonner, Michael (13 April 2014). "Mississippi State rallies in 10th to steal win from Ole Miss". Jackson Clarion Ledger. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
+- ↑
+- ↑
+- ↑ "Varsity Cup".
+- ↑ "2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Attendance)" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ "Men's Attendance: 2011–12 Attendance" (PDF). 2012–13 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Records Book. NCAA. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
+- ↑ "2014 NCAA Women's Basketball Attendance" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
+- [2]
+- [3]
+- ↑ "The Brendan Fevola Show returns to Melbourne as the fallen star lights up the EJ Whitten Legends game".. Retrieved 13 September 2013. External link in
+|publisher=(help)
+- ↑ "Team Toews vs. Team Foligno box score". ESPN.com. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
+- ↑ "MLS All-Stars beat Tottenham through goals from Kaka, David Villa". ESPN.com. July 29, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
+- ↑ "ESPN.com box score". espn.com. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
+- ↑ UCL 2014-15 – Attendance Home matches – World Football
+- ↑ Attendance Final
+- Copa Sudamericana 2015 – Attendance Home matches – World Football
+- ↑ CONCACAF Champions League 2012-13 – Attendance Home matches – World Football
+- ↑
+- ↑ "ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 gives economic boost to Australia and New Zealand". ICC.
+- ↑ Stats of the Day
+- ↑ "UEFA Euro 2012 Official Site". .uefa.com. Retrieved 2014-03-27.
+- ↑ "Full Time Report: 2015 UEFA Champions League Final" (PDF). UEFA. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ "Match Report".. Retrieved 13 September 2013. External link in
+|publisher=(help)
+- ↑ "Match Breakdown: Waratahs v Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
+- ↑ "REPORT: Toulon make history with three in a row". European Professional Club Rugby. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ "Full Time Report: 2015 UEFA Europa League Final" (PDF). UEFA. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ 2005 Asia Series
+- ↑ es:Estadio Nueva Esparta
+- ↑
+- ↑ "Russell guides Glasgow Warriors to historic title". Guinness Pro12. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+- ↑ "Box Score: 2014–15 Euroleague Final Four, Final". Euroleague Basketball Company. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
+-)[dead link]
+- ↑ (Report)[dead link]
+External links
+- Pages with reference errors
+- CS1 maint: Unrecognized language
+- CS1 errors: external links
+- CS1 Deutsch-language sources (de)
+- CS1 português-language sources (pt)
+- CS1 italiano-language sources (it)
+- CS1 čeština-language sources (cs)
+- CS1 suomi-language sources (fi)
+- Articles with dead external links from September 2013
+- Articles with unsourced statements from January 2016
+- Interlanguage link template link number
+- Articles with unsourced statements from September 2013
+- Use dmy dates from November 2014
+- Sports attendance
+- Google+
+- StumbleUpon
+-
+- Total: 334
+natural lawn care, but very specific techniques of decor they do more than roll
+the chaff grows well in itself but to grow high-quality lawn their hands will have to seriously work and take into account many factors: what to choose when to sow seeds grass pitch, how to prepare the soil for sowing How to sow and how to care. Explain how their hands in the country get a green cover, avoiding the annoying bugs in the form of “bald” and “knots”.to content↑
+Seeding the lawn : select
+a clear and unambiguous rules, when is the best time to sow grass pitch No. Seeding the lawn at the cottage could be the beginning of spring, when the soil is warm enough, and before the autumn frosts. Each time landing has its advantages:
+- Spring is a very auspicious time, as the best quick and amicable shoots are obtained when there is no heat and the soil is moist. But along with a lawn germinate and profusely wintered weeds
+- planting lawn in the fall can be done in two ways. First, in early September to frost remaining time plants sprout, well-ingrained and allow sufficient time for processing before the winter. Sowing time define the assumption that it would take 4-6 weeks for all works. The second method is planting under the winter making seeds in podmerzshuju already ground, but even prior to the formation of sustainable snowpack. For winter sown seeds will be the process of stratification will become more resistant to the disease and the onset of heat, in a fairly wet soil, together prokljunutsja
+Autumn set lawn care is very important and errors in it are fraught with annoying consequences. For example, you cannot make fertilizer later beginning-mid-October, so herb did not begin to rise before the cold weather
+- summer planting soil is well heated, much less appear weeds, until that time, when will the freezing, lawn well rooted. Minus such landing-at a temperature greater than +25° virtually all seeds lose their germination. So carefully before planting forecast is better warm rainy weeks time doesn’t pick up.
+When mowing the lawn should observe the rule of 1/3 “: cut only one-third the height of the grass. Too radical haircut is dangerous for grass root system
+decorative technique mowing: moving the trimmer concentrically. Perfectly flat circles or spirals can be achieved a foothold to the central support reliable cable)
+how to plant Lawn: a step-by-step Guide
+Grow a beautiful lawn at his own hands is not easy, it is necessary to strictly follow a specific sequence.
+site preparation
+carefully prepared and aligned to the plot, before sow grass pitch, will save you from many problems while continuing to care for your lawn. Work begin with marking the future lawn, proceeding from the overall site plan and style landscape design in the country. Then move directly to land work:
+- plot processing herbicide is the most susceptible to the effects of herbicides may young vegetation. Some sections, overgrown with weeds, whose seeds have increased germination have to handle several times the spacing between sprayings-two weeks
+- lot-cleaning after treated with herbicide pozhuhnet vegetation and withered, the plot must be cleaned of debris, old stumps, roots of shrubs, dried grass
+the “wild” type of lawn in Beach style. To create such a lawn suitable high grass type red Fescue
+the Council! if the soil is poor and will require the introduction (importation) a large amount of fertile soil, can be radically solved the problem of weeds. Making 20-30 order deepening cm, the whole area of Dim geotekstilem-it blocks the growth of weeds, whose seeds remain in the ground.
+Geotextile radically protects from weeds and make prepared surface perfectly flat
+Multi-level lawn on artificial mounds
+the preparation and fertilization
+Carefully this step provides favorable conditions not only for friendly and bystrogo germination and seed vshozhdenija, but also for the further development of landscape cover. Optimal for lawn soil is loose, fertile, well drained, but able to hold enough moisture, have an adequate supply of mineral elements that will ensure the rapid growth and sustainable development of plants:
+- in acidic soil make slaked izvest or Mel
+- for breaking up the clay sites with heavy and dense soil, it is better to use humus or soil
+Clay shore natural ponds they loosen and flavored with earthworm castings before sowing grass
+- if the land fertile There is no need in her deep perekapyvanii-it will be enough to just dig up the top layer to clear it of weeds. This will give less upset and will better align the pad
+design lawn can be created, combining grass varieties in different colors, as well as during haircuts using lawn mowers
+- application of mineral fertilizers depends on the recommendations stated on the package of seeds for each seed set it individually. With this composition of fertilizers still depends on the time of sowing. Spring made more nitrogen fertilizers that cause abundant growth of grass, in autumn-more potassium and phosphorus that will make winter for seeds is better
+- supplements and soil spread throughout the area, the soil further vzryhljajut and moisturize
+the Council! indicator of well-prepared soil-it is crumbly and does not stick to the instruments.
+- after alignment plot condense special heavy (up to 100 kg) ice rink, with evident irregularities (pits, tubercles) level
+alignment rink surface can be manual (up to 100 kg) and lawn mowers. Need it quite rare, so you can not only buy, but rent
+- after the end of the training section should give a few weeks ‘ rest. “on the one hand, the land will shrink and uplotnitsja, with the other remaining sprout weeds that will need to delete
+summer planting herbs you will collect the ascended after perekapyvanija weeds
+seeding grass
+a small square plot You can sow with my hands, using drills allow for seeding large areas evenly, saving the planting material. And even a few recommendations:
+- seeding is desirable in a windless day, especially if you sow with my hands
+- for manual seeding pitch mixture is mixed with the same amount of sand-this will ensure a more even distribution,
+grass seeds mixed with fertilizers. For more uniform manual sowing during mix the seeds with sand
+- to achieve uniform distribution, seeds sowed in two ways, first lengthwise, then across the plot
+- before you plant a lawn if soil had dried her watering hose on the hose nozzle for fine water spray, allowing water to penetrate a good time
+- after seedbeds loosen using French rakes and is. Seeds are not carried out by the wind, advanced from the top you can pour 1 cm of peat and repeat packing
+- after the termination of works plot again a little watered using small spray bottle.
+the required procedure is for lawn aeration. Getting more air, water and fertilizer, grass root system becomes stronger
+Left the lawn of ready-mixed mixture seeds, cultivated without fertilizers, to the right — with special organic and mineral fertilizers for natural lawns
+Norma sowing
+a very important point, especially for those who sows the lawn with his own hands, after all, depends on exactly how much you should buy seeds. Each package of seeds necessarily indicate recommended consumption for 1 m2, but it should be taken into account:
+- when using drills average consumption is 25-30 g per square meter
+- for manual seeding “norm” is about 50 g/m
+- follow the recommendations on the package stands at the autumn planting or under winter
+- spring and summer planting density increase at least half. In spring many seeds can simply be washed away with water, in summer lose their germination due to the high temperature
+Plant manually on sloping areas of the lawn is best, making sure more dry weather in the coming weeks. They may simply wash away seeds
+- the density of sowing depends on the location and topography. Twice as many seeds are sown along the border and tracks . More densely sown bumps and slopes, especially in the top spots where the seeds can carry water flow
+Chess design of stone slabs and natural grass on the segment
+the Council! Buy pitch mixture, always worth taking with a reserve-if or from the heat formed bald spots, you will have to podsevat’, only buy a similar mixture does not always work. If you use a different blend lawn can dramatically vary in color.
+for a very uneven surfaces choose thick undersized varieties of herbs, not requiring frequent haircuts
+lawn care
+it is important to not only how to properly plant a lawn, but also how to properly start to care for it:
+- above all, regular watering, certainly through the fine atomizer, a large flow of water can wash the weak roots. Water should prinikat’ to 5-7 cm in depth, i.e. the zone, where there is strong growth in roots
+a frequent watering is the key to healthy lush lawn species
+- when it reaches the height of grass 6-10 cm (dependent on the lawn) are first haircut
+Mown grass from the lawn mower bag you can mulch the lawn. It is a good protection against weeds and some udobrjajushhij effect of
+the Council! the first haircut better use light lawn mower -too hard can damage until it got stronger.
+- more often will cut harder, however, will be a strong root system.
+are well entrenched and fragile grass should not be lazy often cut. This will give her a good root system
+a small lawn Aeration is possible not only through bulky machines, but also by such ul’trabjudzhetnyh devices-linings for shoes with long spiked
+Aeration using vertikuttera
+don’t get upset if their hands planted lawn in the first year of the Emerald will delight not monolithic structure. The British (and they know a lot about the lawns), argue that a full lawn matures only in 5 year. But with proper care, timely feeding and watering, getting pleasure from the lawn, created with your own hands, you will already have the 3 year.
+Moorish mixture seeds is a way to create a blooming all summer lawn. Feature: very high vegetation; not suitable for walking on it
+depending on the characteristics of the plot, you can even combine a realistic artificial and natural grass
+- Google+
+- StumbleUpon
+-
+- Total: 334
+Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels
+Paperback
+Overview
+The colorful villains, heels, bad guys, and rule breakers worthy of a spot in the pro wrestling hall of fame
+In The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Heels, critically acclaimed authors. The Heels explains how a barrel-chested Milwaukee brewer became wrestling’s first Nazi, then served his country with distinction in World War II, as well the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series, The Heels features more than a hundred rarely or never-before-seen photos of wrestling’s most despised characters. From the casual fan to the wrestling historian, anyone interested in the unique world of sports entertainment should have this on their bookshelf.
+Product Details
+About the Author
+A Virginia-based writer and editor, Steven Johnson has won more than 20 regional and national awards for his reporting on a variety of stories. He wrote his first wrestling magazine story in 1973 and contributes to SLAM! Wrestling and other publications. Greg Oliver is the author of 14 books and counting, and the producer of the long-running SLAM! Wrestling website. He lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife and son.
+Read an Excerpt
+The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame the Heels
+By Greg Oliver, Steven Johnson, Michael Holmes
+ECW PRESSCopyright © 2007 Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson
+ISBN: 978-1-55022-759-8
+CHAPTER 1
+The Top 20
+1. "NATURE BOY" BUDDY ROGERS
+You still see him everywhere.
+You see him every time Vince McMahon swaggers down the runway to the ring on TV. You see him every time someone clamps on a figure-four leglock. You see him every time someone screams out, "NA-ture Boy!" You see him everywhere because wrestlers, promoters, and fans all agree that he was the most imitated, most talented, most ... everything heel in history.
+The ironic thing is that there wasn't much original about Buddy Rogers. His name was lifted from Charles "Buddy" Rogers, an actor and jazz musician who starred in Wings, the first winner of an Academy Award for best picture. "Nature Boy" was a number one hit on the Billboard charts in 1948. The sneer, the strut, the pretty boy looks ... those were parts of wrestling almost from the start. It's just that all-time greats like Don Leo Jonathan agree Rogers packaged them like no wrestler before. "He really wasn't that good of a hand, but he was a hell of a showman. He could draw houses where other guys couldn't. He just had that thing. He had a way of making those people want to kill him, and he could do it just with a look, a posture," Jonathan said.
+Billy Darnell, Rogers' friend and greatest rival, tells of an incident in the early 1950s that puts it all in perspective. "In those days, in Hollywood, you could go in small clubs and see the best entertainment in the world, and never spend a dime for a cover charge or anything. At the Brown Derby, Nat King Cole was there and he had his trio. So I walk in, and I'm sitting down, and there's Nat up there playing something. And Buddy Rogers walked in the door. It was an amazing thing. The spotlight went over to Buddy Rogers, and Nat looked over and saw him and nodded, and he transposed the song he was playing right into 'Nature Boy.'"
+Rogers was the sport's top gate attraction for the better part of two decades, until he lost the World Wide Wrestling Federation world title to Bruno Sammartino in May 1963, and essentially ended his active career. In his most famous match, he drew a record 38,600 to Chicago's Comiskey Park in June 1961, when he beat Pat O'Connor for the National Wrestling Alliance championship. While he served some duty as a fan favorite, especially early in his career under his real name of Herman "Dutch" Rohde, he was meant to be a heel. "Buddy Rogers loves being hated. He loves being hated almost as much as he loves being Buddy Rogers," observed famed Chicago sportswriter Dave Condon. As Rogers himself once explained, "It's bread and butter, and cake, too, for me. The more the fans hate me, the more money they pay in hopes of seeing me whipped. This I enjoy."
+To say the least, Rogers was not everybody's cup of tea. Many of his contemporaries, while acknowledging his skills, viewed him as a schemer and conniver who knew his position in wrestling, and went to great lengths to protect it. "He was strictly a con man from A to Z. Everything he did was bullshit to keep you down and keep himself up, but he was always laughing and joking along like he was normal," said Bob Orton Sr., Rogers' tag team partner in the early 1960s in the Northeast. "What he was doing was thinking, 'How can I screw this guy?' I could read him like a book and remember every word." Opponent Jackie Fargo called him "Bud-ro," and felt the same as Orton, based on encounters and matches with Rogers. "He was the most no-good son of a bitch that ever put on a pair of wrestling boots. He was a fabulous, fabulous, fabulous worker. He was a natural, and you can't take that away from him. But as far as a person — listen, he would try to hurt you or cripple you any way he could." Before one bout in New Jersey, Fargo recalled saying to Rogers, "Let me tell you something, pally — if you screw with me any way, shape, or form, don't try to leave the ring, 'cause you've got a fight on your hands." Lou Thesz carried a long grudge against Rogers for belittling Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Thesz's mentor, during a ride to Louisville, Kentucky. "The knowledge of his contempt for Ed and true wrestlers was more than I could tolerate," Thesz wrote in his autobiography Hooker. Despite years and years of main event matches, Thesz "never let him win, just on principle."
+Regardless of what people felt, Rogers was guaranteed money in the bank, with a perfect sense of what to do and not do in the ring. When in 1960 and 1961 a newspaper exposed Tito Carreon, one of Rogers' opponents in the Northeast, as Mexican and not Puerto Rican, Carreon found himself being booed one night in New Jersey. Rogers pounded Carreon into oblivion, and then whispered, "Flag me," a tip-off for his opponent to seize the offensive. Carreon reported his comeback was so intense that excited Puerto Rican fans started throwing chairs in the ring. "We had good matches all the time because [Rogers] knew how to get the crowd going. He had something special about him. There are a lot of jealousies in the business. Everywhere he wrestled he was drawing people. Everywhere. Babyfaces, they loved working with him," Carreon said. Don Arnold battled Rogers for a version of the world title in Ohio in 1952 and 1953, and thought he had a terrific head for business. "He made money for you," Arnold said. "The place was sold out weeks ahead. He was a big attraction and big name. He was the first to do what he did."
+The son of German immigrants, Rogers was born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1921, worked the carnival circuit for a couple of years as a teenager, and turned pro thereafter. He said in interviews that he officially turned to the mat to support himself after the death of his father, who was nearly fifty when Buddy was born. For years, he maintained a loose affiliation with the Camden police department. After a brief stint in the Navy in 1939 and 1940, he started to attract attention on the East Coast for his good looks, Adonis-like physique, and cocksure ways. By 1944, The Washington Post labeled him "the District's most popular mat star." The following spring, Rohde headed to Texas under the guise of Buddy Rogers, a name older stepbrother John used during a brief wrestling career. In May 1946, Rogers won the Texas heavyweight title, including an apparent swap with Thesz, though Thesz claimed the title change took place in an office, not the ring. In September 1946, Rogers hooked up with Jack Pfefer, a promoter who was alternately brilliant and reviled, but who helped push Rogers to the hilt for about five years.
+Adding "Nature Boy" to his persona, Rogers made a splash in California in 1948, when Pfefer arranged a grand coming-out party designed to make the public forget about Gorgeous George. In a letter to promoter Hugh Nichols, who ran the Hollywood venue, Pfefer sought an accordion player and a couple of Amazonian models to accompany Rogers to the ring and tend to his splendid capes. "After the big circus which the gorgeous guy put on in your clubs, we will have to beat this silly stuff with something more unusual, but at the same time something serious and beautiful," Pfefer wrote. Rogers won that night, and didn't lose a match until he fought Darnell that October. It worked out for Rogers — he wrote Pfefer that he raked in $26,349 in 1948: "So Jack we had a great year together again and I'm sure glad to hear we have a good new year coming up." Pfefer's cut was $7,118.
+Rogers, a natural for the early days of TV wrestling, officially changed his name from Rohde around 1950. His appeal only increased as he toured the country and won a variety of regional championships with a cold, calculated hostility toward audiences. As a youngster, former Chicago columnist Bob Greene was taken with Rogers and eventually got to know his anti-hero. "Well, the blond hair, the sneer, the gaze of absolute confidence — Nature Boy Rogers was to wrestling what Elvis Presley was to music: electric, jolting, incandescent," Greene wrote. "He was a unique personality," added Darnell, who wore a collar for a year after Rogers accidentally crushed discs in his neck with a botched piledriver. "He was one of those guys who wanted to appear like a hardball, but if you needed something he was there for you. He was like Sinatra. He wanted to rule the roost, but if you needed something, he was there for you." And Rogers was oddly honest with interviewers about his portrayal of a wrestling villain. "Out of character, Buddy Rogers is a pleasant, soft-spoken, handsome gentleman who readily admits the long blond hair, the exaggerated strut, and the scornful stare are all part of an act," Art Abrams admiringly informed readers in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 1962.
+Rogers held the NWA title until January 1963, but his reign was marked by controversy about his unwillingness to wrestle outside a handful of major cities. To be sure, his draws were as big as ever. WWWF champion in 1963 after Rogers lost the NWA belt to Thesz in Toronto. "In my opinion, Buddy Rogers was one of the best ever," said Pete Sanchez, a frequent opponent from 1960 to 1963. "He was a very intelligent worker. He could go in the ring with a broomstick and make the broomstick look good, because if the broomstick looked good, and Buddy beat it, he would look that much better himself."
+Rogers was WWWF kingpin until May 1963, when Bruno Sammartino dispatched him in forty-eight seconds. The circumstances of Rogers' title loss have been examined almost as carefully as the Zapruder film. For years, backstage whispers, spread in part by a New York sportswriter, held that Rogers suffered a heart attack, and was dragged out of a hospital to wrestle Sammartino. That wasn't the case, according to several people familiar with the event. Rogers backed out of three matches in a row in mid-April 1963, and a physician checked him out after at least one of them. To some colleagues, he explained that a long-standing heart murmur troubled him, though many of his contemporaries remain convinced that he was fashioning an alibi for his defeat. Terry Milam, a friend in later life, quoted Rogers as reporting shortness of breath and palpitations leading up to the bout with Sammartino, who was on track to become champion. "Later on, he went to another physician in New York and the guy says, 'Well, this is not a big deal. We can fix this.' Buddy said he went and had surgery, and when he came out, he was fine," Milam recounted.
+After Rogers dropped the title to Sammartino, he quickly became a secondary figure in the business. In late 1963, he hurt his back in a broken-chair accident, forcing him to forfeit a lucrative tour of Europe. He won $15,000 in a lawsuit against the Florida resort that owned the chair, and wrestled only a few matches, mostly in Montreal and Ohio, during the next few years. He made a comeback in 1979 in Florida and the Carolinas, handling some booking for Sunshine State promoter Eddie Graham, and briefly feuding with "Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Otherwise, Rogers' biggest post-retirement headlines came in July 1989, when he lived with wife Debbie in south Florida and was recovering from surgery. Rogers stepped to the plate at a Fort Lauderdale restaurant to stop a disgruntled twenty-four-year-old man from screaming abuses at female employees, and at him. The Nature Boy cuffed him around, earning plaudits from workers and the local police force. "Here he is, sixty-eight years old and he just had a bypass operation and a hip operation, and he stands up to this guy," Police Chief Joe Fitzgerald said.
+"He was very outgoing, very confident, no question about that, just the way he walked and carried himself. He looked great until the day he died. He was in perfect shape," said brother-in-law David Ludwigsen. "The ring didn't come out in him. He was a perfect gentleman, always, a great conversationalist. You wouldn't think he did what he did unless you actually knew it." True to form, Rogers' demise came in June 1992, when he was happily chatting with a woman in a grocery store. He slipped on some cream cheese and landed in the hospital, and then suffered a series of strokes that claimed his life on June 26, 1992.
+Through all the glitz and glamour, all the controversy and championships, Darnell still remembers his old friend as more of a soft touch, particularly in retirement, than anyone would ever imagine. "I found out what a softie he was when an old black Labrador dog was sick, laying down on his doorstep," Darnell said. "And he took the dog to a veterinarian, and got him well, and they were inseparable for a long time. And then, when Buddy died, that old dog lay down and wouldn't get up anymore. Debbie had to take the dog and have him put away."
+"It was a lot of fun," Rogers told writer Ray Tennenbaum in 1985. "I wouldn't trade my life for any other athlete, for a lot of people I knew from day one. And I knew that I'd be the best at what I did, and even till this day I know that I was the best at what I did. I feel that, and no one can ever erase that thought."
+2. GORGEOUS GEORGE
+Enrique Torres remembers wrestling a chap by the name of George Wagner in Texas during the 1940s, and thinking he was a pretty tough customer. Not long after, he squared off with Wagner in California. Only this time, Wagner had curled his hair, donned an effeminate getup, and pranced to the ring as Gorgeous George. "I didn't know what to think," Torres recalled with a hearty laugh. "I knew he had done something. He was acting kind of fruity and it worked for him."
+It worked so well that Gorgeous George became a household name, lathering wrestling with show-business glitz that's still part of the sport today. Lost in the valets, orchids, and gold-plated bobby pins, though, was a simple fact — Wagner knew his way around the mat. "I'll tell you, Gorgeous George was a good wrestler," Torres said. Phil Melby, who battled him in Arizona, concurred. "He'd make a lot of these big guys squeal. They thought he was just for show. But you didn't want to go to the gym and get on the mat with him."
+George was one of the biggest stars of the early days of television, and his act regaled fans from coast to coast on televised shows from California. During his peak, from 1947 until the mid-1950s, this Liberace in tights sent newspapers into full pop-celebrity alert whenever he ducked into town for a well-publicized hair appointment. "Each year, they pick a coiffure queen out there," Sam Menacher, one of George's handlers, said, waving a Hollywood flyer at sportswriter Red Smith during one hair-care interlude. "This year, for the first time, they picked a coiffure king. See? George. 'Our King,' it says here. The hairdo he's got, that's the Gorgeous George swirl."
+Ardath Michael, the companion of wrestler Don Arnold, has pleasant memories of George — and the way he smelled — from the time she tended to George's locks in Memphis, Tennessee. "He had a certain style that was his trademark. He didn't want to deviate from that. He was an extremely nice person ... He smelled better than anybody I ever smelled in my life. I don't know what he wore. I asked him one time, and he told me, I'm sure, but I was just a young thing." Certainly, George's hair sometimes deviated from Lana Turner platinum blond — he dyed it brunette, red, and indigo blue for some matches in 1947 and 1948, according to various accounts.
+George Raymond Wagner's story was a true American rags-to-riches-to-rags tale. Born in 1915 in Seward, Nebraska, he was raised in Houston, never finished high school, worked at carnivals and small shows as a teenager, and peddled milk door-to-door to eke out a living. Wagner started his pro careerwhen he was about seventeen, and made a mark for himself as a local favorite in Texas in the mid-1930s. "George Wagner, 185-pound native of Houston, is a clean, clever wrestler, who likes the flying tackle and the Irish whip made famous by ex-champion Danno O'Mahoney," the Galveston Daily News observed. As Wagner, he enjoyed moderate success for several years, winning the Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight title in 1938, taking his real-life marriage to Betty Hanson in a Eugene, Oregon ring in 1939 from venue to venue, and copping a regional junior heavyweight crown in 1941.
+His transformation into Gorgeous George was gradual, and represented a compilation of ploys from wrestling's early showmen. His dazzling capes brought to mind the garb flashed by Danny McShain. Sterling "Dizzy" Davis, a childhood pal of Wagner's in Houston, developed a prissy character and tossed gardenias to fans; George chose orchids. Another influence was his friend Lord Lansdowne, who refused to enter a ring until his valets sprayed it, and took his sweet time folding his precious ring garments. Even in George's prime, Newspaper Enterprise Association sports editor Harry Grayson tipped a cap to Lansdowne as the man from whom George "got the resplendency idea." But, if those wrestlers were first in flight, George was the booster rocket — soaring to new heights, majestic, magnificent, radiating heat and light for all to see. He claimed close to one hundred robes in all the colors of the rainbow, full of ruffles and flourishes, with touches of mink and ermine thrown in. The late Portland, Oregon, promoter Don Owen said the robes helped pull up the curtain on George's performance around 1944, when he made a huge production number of disrobing. "You can imagine how this went over with an audience full of loggers and lumberjacks," laughed Owen. "Here was this guy taking his time and they grew impatient and wanted the action to start. So he would use that and take even longer until the point where it became a part of his whole act. It really drove fans crazy. They were incensed."
+Wagner refined the character through the mid-1940s. By July 1945, he was advertised as "Gorgeous" George Wagner, though he was still a favorite in places like Missouri, and he was touted as "the California city slicker with an English valet" when he fought old buddy Davis in Oklahoma in early 1946. By spring 1947, the old Wagner disappeared and he was billed as "The Toast of the Coast." Late that year, he hit Los Angeles for good, and that's when his career took off, thanks in large part to the small screen. Dave Lewis of The Independent in Long Beach, California, noted George would more than double his annual income to about $100,000 after becoming Hollywood's latest poster boy. "The magic of television has done more for G.G. than anything else. In fact, the combination of Gorgeous George and television is credited with giving wrestling in southern California a much-needed shot in the arm."
+(Continues...)
+Excerpted from The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame the Heels by Greg Oliver, Steven Johnson, Michael Holmes. Copyright © 2007 Greg Oliver and Steven Johnson.
+I. INTRODUCTION: The Rise of the Wicked
+A. Why villains?
+B. A brief history of heels
+C. What makes a great villain
+D. How villains work
+E. Uses of villains
+F. The Demise of Heels
+II. The Greatest Heels
+III. Memorable heels
+The Pioneer Heels
+Billy Edwards
+Ted “King Kong” Cox
+Chief Chewacki
+Bloody Buddy O’Brien
+Frederick Von Schacht
+Ivan Rasputin
+George Zaharias
+K.O. Koverly
+Dick Daviscourt
+Danny McShain
+Dick Raines
+Zebra Kid
+The Madmen
+Abdullah the Butcher
+Bruiser Brody
+King Curtis
+Moodog Mayne
+George Steele
+Pampero Firpo
+Killer Brooks
+Killer Karl Kox
+Bulldog Brower
+Buzz Sawyer
+Sgt. Slaughter
+John Tolos
+The Egos/Bleached Blonds
+Roger Kirby
+Buddy Landel
+Sweet Daddy Siki
+Austin Idol
+Bobby Shane
+Rick Rude
+Adrian Street
+Playboy Buddy Rose
+Ric Flair
+Monsters
+Black Angus Campbell
+Eric the Red
+Gorilla Monsoon
+King Kong Bundy
+Ox Baker
+Jonathan Boyd
+Vader
+Ernie Ladd
+Kane
+Bull Ramos
+Mongolian Stomper
+Moose Cholak
+The Technicians
+Prof. Roy Shire
+Buddy Colt
+Terry Funk
+Ole Anderson
+Masked Superstar
+Pat Patterson
+Paul DeMarco
+Paul Orndorff
+Mike DiBiase
+Ted DiBiase
+Bill Miller
+The Spoiler
+The Wrestling Pro
+Missouri Mauler
+Greg Valentine
+Bob Orton Sr.
+Ray Stevens
+Angelo Poffo
+Don Fargo
+The Foreigners
+Hans Schmidt
+Baron von Raschke
+Waldo von Erich
+Fritz von Erich
+Ivan Koloff
+Mephisto
+Hans Mortimer
+Nikolai Volkoff
+Iron Sheik
+El Mongol
+Karl von Hess
+Toru Tanaka
+Tojo Yamamoto
+Spiros Arion
+Nanjo Singh
+The Sneaks/Connivers
+Dr. Jerry Graham
+Tully Blanchard
+Roddy Piper
+Jake Roberts
+Larry Zbyszko
+Eddie Gilbert
+David Schults
+Jeff Jarrett
+HHH
+Chris Colt
+Ripper Collins
+Mario Galento
+The Tough Guys
+Missouri Mauler
+Sputnik Monroe
+JBL
+Blackjack Mulligan
+Samoa Joe
+Stan Hansen
+Jos LeDuc
+Cyclone Negro
+Ron Wright
+Dutch Savage
+Dick Murdoch
+Dick Slater
+Stan Stasiak
+Bad News Allen
+Ken Patera
+1) Royalty as a heel theme
+Baron Scicluna, Baron Leone, Baron Gattoni, Lord Blears, Count Varga, Lord Hayes
+2) The Heel Work of Andy Kaufman
+3) The Most Memorable Heel Turn – Larry Zbyszko vs Bruno Sammartino
+4) Masked heels
+5) Beauregard and the Origins of Rock & Wrestling
+IV. The future of villains
+V: Bibliography and notes on sources
+Customer Reviews
+Average Review
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+Content Count86
+Joined
+Last visitedNever
+Everything posted by unikphoto
+Vendor/business Membership Fees & Rules
+unikphoto replied to TammyWright's topic in Destination Wedding VendorsNo, thank YOU Tammy for all the good I received from this forum, truly a jewel in the business. Because of you guys destinatio weddings have a real push for us destination photographers and other vendors. Thanking you for all your work, marTin from Cabo Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host hi martin, thanks for letting us know...only a few more days until the changeover. tammy
+- hmmmm, imagine us photographers who service any of the beautiful areas/beaches in Mexico?, we are pretty upset by all this, but if some of our precious clients do cancel their weddings down here, I totally understand, your wellbeing is number one, it always should be that way. We are actually doing well here in Cabo but since Cabo is part of Mexico, though it's the most secluded-hard-to-get-to place, we still have to follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Health so this country may get back to health-safety again. We love to work our butts off for you and give you the best possible service you can get anywhere. Let's wait until this passes and get back on the road again....lol....right Willie? Love ya all, God bless, and we appreciate you....our bread givers. marTin __________________________________________________ ___________
+Vendor/business Membership Fees & Rules
+unikphoto replied to TammyWright's topic in Destination Wedding VendorsHello, I'm marTin Zuckermann, photographer in Cabo. I have been posting with BDW for over a year and it's been a learning experience for me, a rewarding one. And though I never got any direct clients from it (mostly because I'm ffairly new in the business and this mostly works through word of mouth), I've had the privilege to get to know the market and what potential clients ask and need. I've decided not to comply with the new rules for the reasons I've stated, but perhaps in the near future when my name gets to be more widely known. Whatever the case thank you for all and God bless your business, Tammy, specially since you work so hard, it shows. Best regards and wishes, marTin Quote: Originally Posted by Tammy Host bump for all vendors...we will be removing links/siggies of vendors not in compliance this week.
+Vendor/business Membership Fees & Rules
+unikphoto replied to TammyWright's topic in Destination Wedding VendorsOk, thank you, I'll send an e-mail to the e-mail you say. Sooo many new things I'm sure this will help other vendors, cause some of us are a little freaked out about all these changes. Well, hope it works well for us all! Quote: Originally Posted by carly Hi Martin, Please see the rules for platinum vendors copied from above, note the request to send an email about rates and availability. Platinum vendor: must pay for button ad (email ads@bestdestinationwedding.com for rates and available spots) get added to the "BDW Platinum Vendor Directory" are allowed to put their website & blog links, 1 pic, & info in their siggy get to run 3 promos/ads in vendor marketplace a year (must be approved by admin)
+Vendor/business Membership Fees & Rules
+unikphoto replied to TammyWright's topic in Destination Wedding VendorsThank you Alyssa, Okay, so I did get it right, I'm clear on compulsory pay for ALL vendors, that's clear now. What's still not quite clear is if plain "vendors" need to pay $150, then how much does a "platinum" vendor have to pay?, I seem to get lost on the fine print...lol. Thanks again! marTin Quote: Originally Posted by Alyssa Martin, Yes that is correct. ALL Vendors will now have to be paid members to participate on the forum. Thanks!
+OK - Here it is! (Pic Heavy)
+unikphoto replied to coreyphil's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboYou guys amaze me at all you do for your wedding....really amazing!...I love it, but still can't fully grasp why women like shoes so much...lol, perhaps because we guys only wear boring shoes Quote: Originally Posted by lgarner83 OMG CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK!!!! Everything looks perfect and makes me think that I need to kick it up a notch!!!! Beautiful!
+less expensive Photographer
+unikphoto replied to melinda234's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboHello! I hope you find a good photographer and, for the most part, most Cabo photographers have good and high standards, I'm sure whoever you pick will do his/her very best to put a smile on your face! marTin Quote: Originally Posted by melinda234 Does anyone have any ideas on a less expensive photographer? I have even thought of paying for a friend's trip just instead of a Cabo photographer! I am getting married at the RIU palace, but would like some pictures around town and on the beach! Mango productions does the work at the RIU, but at 470$ hour Im not interested! Thanks for the help! Melinda
+Playa Grande Brides
+unikphoto replied to Kristina's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboPlaya Grande is really classy and sunsets are so beautiful. Great place you picked! marTin Quote: Originally Posted by Kristina Hey
+Melia Cabo real questions????
+unikphoto replied to Alexisriv's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboHere's a link from them. Hope it helps you, Alexis marTin Hotel Los Cabos (Mexico): Melia Cabo Real - Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts - Quote: Originally Posted by Alexisriv
+80% rule at Riu
+unikphoto replied to ~Angela~'s topic in Destination Wedding in Caborules, rules, rules That's so Riu Nice place, though. Quote: Originally Posted by BrideToBe2010 Hi everyone, Well, I thought we had made our decision on where to have our wedding. It's been a toss up between the Riu Palace and Dreams since the beginning, however in the end, we said Riu seems to be a bit cheaper for our guests so we'll go with that one. I emailed the resort to see if guests could stay at the Santa Fe and still be included in the 80% rule (ie. 80% of the guests must be staying at the hotel where the wedding will be performed or the wedding is cancelled). I was told there are absolutely no exceptions to this rule and guests must stay at the Palace if that is where the wedding will be. So, my question is ....how can I let guests know that, basically, if they are coming to our wedding they must stay at the Riu Palace.... without sounding pushy or snobby? We may just end up choosing Dreams because of this rule and because the quote that I got shows only a $120 difference between the two resorts. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks!
+renting ipod speakers
+unikphoto replied to krebsler's topic in Destination Wedding in Cabo$200 sounds about the right quote, but better make sure with hotel WC, just in case. Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J I am not too sure, but I know the $200 pricing is for the past couple of years, and other things have gone up in price (like having lanterns hung), so you may want to check with your WC to get current pricing. I agree with Mrs S that you will want to check about the 2 locations.
+Best Wedding Coordinator In Cabo
+unikphoto replied to masonkellie's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboOh, I see! I had heard of she doing WC on her own now. I did 2 weddings with her in '08. Ya, she's very professional, I've worked with her in the past and she certainly knows her moves and is friendly. But she doesn't have a website, does she? Who was your photographer? Thanks Kellie!, marTin Quote: Originally Posted by masonkellie Mandy is a freelance wedding coordinator. I actually found her through my hotel. I think she should start her own business as she truly is a Godsend to Destination brides. She was the the wedding planner and coordinator. I forgot to say that at the end of the night my Dad gave me an extra $200 to give to her because he was so impressed. As far as pics, I don't have many yet as my pictures won't be ready until April. But if you are on facebook, email me and I'll send you some pics from the guests
+Quote from Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach
+unikphoto replied to leobunny's topic in Destination Wedding in Cabohello Leo!, Well, you've certainly done your homework, I see, my, my, my!, so much info and that will help other brides for sure. All I can say is that doing this kind of leg work will surely cut prices for you. Believe me, your dollars will do the walking for you martin Quote: Originally Posted by leobunny Okay, so I recieved this rough quote today from Laura. I'm still trying to decide on either the Hilton or PB Sunset Beach. I also got a quote from Carolina also, btw. Anyhoo--Do these prices seem exhorbitant? $10K for 20ppl, is that reasonable?? It seems high to me, (& it doesn't even include dinner because I hadn't chosen the menu yet) but of course this is only the first quote. Any thoughts?? Should I just hire all my own vendors? $2K for the wedding package seems a bit much for what they are including. Here it is: April 2010 20 people Location for ceremony (The Sunset Beach)$900 usd Ceremony will be at the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach at 5:30 p.m. Location Fee $900 usd Ceremony Package # 2 (From 3 to 30 ppl)$2,235 usd This package to include : Wedding Ceremony performed by a Minister or Judge Decoration of the wedding area with seasonal flowers* Bridal bouquet with seasonal flowers* Boutonniere for the groom with seasonal flowers* One hour of live romantic music for the ceremony* Banquet Chairs with chair covers and ties* Set up fee Wedding coordinator assistance Tax and service inclusive *List of options to be provided Photography$TBD Options and pricing TBD Location for Cocktail hour (The Beach Gazebo)$800 usd Cocktail hour to be held at the Beach Gazebo from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Location fee : Complementary Pueblo Bonito to set up high cocktail tables with white linens for cocktail hour Drinks during Cocktail hour $660 usd 1 hour of domestic open bar with the following drinks to be offered to all guests during cocktail hour: 20 =660 Music for cocktail hour$826 usd Pueblo Bonito to hire a Mariachi Band (7 elements) to play during cocktail hour from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Price $650 usd per hour +10% federal tax +17% service = 826 Mexican Appetizzers$711 usd Pueblo Bonito to offer the following Mexican appetizzers to all guests during cocktail hour: •Shrimp taquitos •Pumpkin flower quesadillas •Pork Carnitas •Assorted Mexican Salsas •Corn Chips •Guacamole •Sausage and Potato Sopes Price $28.00 usd per person per hour +10% federal tax +17% service x 20 = 711 Location for Dinner (The Beach Gazebo)$800 usd Wedding Group to have dinner at the beach gazebo at 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Location fee $800 usd Set up fee $70 usd Pueblo Bonito to set up a long rectangular table for 20 people with white linens, regular banquet chairs with white chair covers and white ties, silverware, stoneware, glassware and table for the cake Set up fee $3.5 usd per person x 20 = 70 Dinner$TBD Menu, options and pricing TBD Drinks during dinner$1,321 usd Pueblo Bonito to offer 2 hours of domestic open bar with the following drinks during dinner: 2 x 20 =1,321 Note.- Tequila shots will be offered for the toast Music for dinner$889 usd Pueblo Bonito to hire a Trio to play and sing romantic music during dinner for two hours from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Price $350 usd per hour +10% federal tax +17% service x 2 = 889 Fireworks $1,651 usd Pueblo Bonito to hire 5 minute show of Fireworks to start righ after the cake cutting Price $1,300 usd +10% federal tax +17% service = 1,651 Grand total- $10,863
+- Thank you for sharing those photos Maura they are nice! I always say the Westin is a very unique place but seldom chosen but the photo ops are great and plenty! martin Quote: Originally Posted by Maura I have not been to the Marquis, but I did get married at the Westin in August 2008, so if you'd like to ask any questions I will be happy to answer them. The Westin has very unique architecture, designed by famous architect Javier Sordo Madaleno, and there are a lot of great photo possibilities there. Here's a link to some photos I took of the property: Picasa Web Albums - Maura & Jose - Westin Los Ca... And here's a link to some of my wedding photos there: Picasa Web Albums - Maura & Jose - Maura & José'...
+Wedding Coordinators recomendations
+unikphoto replied to theinquizitivegroom's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboHello, marTin Quote: Originally Posted by theinquizitivegroom Thanks, I guess I should also note my fiancee wants outside wedding planners from a resort because she feels they then would work for us not the resort
+Bad mosquito problem in August?
+unikphoto replied to FutureMrs.S's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboYa, that's one thing you won't have to worry about. I'd never lived in an ocean-side city and another plus here is that cars don't get rusted as in other coastal cities because humidity is low. One never has issues with rust and electronics around the house don't suffer, unless you live right by the ocean......of course, marTin, that's a no brainer! Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrs.S OK THANK GOD for all your responses. I was under the impression that the climate was too dry to harbour mostquitos too but I HATE being bitten so of course I was begining to get upset...I'm going to put this non issue out of my head now. Thanks again for another day with a peaceful mind!
+Marquis Hotel to Cabo Surf - how far??
+unikphoto replied to redeyeshadow's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboThat's a good point from Bradley, don't miss out on what San José offers, it is very different from San Lucas, quieter and somewhat colonial, a nice twist to your trip and worth seeing, specially where the main square is...the big church. Wow, didn't know one could measure distances through Google, but that sounds about right...actually, quite accurate. marTin ps. and if you take the bus, just watch for fast-coming cars when crossing the streets, specially on the corridor highway, you never know when a Phitippaldi-like driver might pass at that time. Be safe and enjoy your stay in Cabo, you'll enjoy your stay Quote: Originally Posted by Bradley Fraser I just measured the distance on Google Earth and the distance on the highway between The Marquis and Cabo Surf is 5 miles. I would NOT avoid San Jose del Cabo as it is a very cool colonial town and a world apart from from Cabo San Lucas. I live on the beach just outside of San Jose and pass through everyday with little traffic issues. Yes renting a car is probably your best option but if you will only be venturing to the Cabo Surf a few times I would taxi. The bus is frequently infrequent but cheap ($1.50).
+- They are somewhat different. They are both higher class hotels, luxurious but not high-end. The MarquÃs is less than half the size of Westin Regina. Both are on the corridor and that gives them an air of exclusivity, excellent for honeymooners. On my side of things, photographic, I would choose the Westin Regina for its numerous photo locations and the beach offers more places to boost photography. Architecture-wise, the Westin is also superb, it won a prize for its design back when they finished it, about 7 years ago. Foodwise, though, I personally would prefer the Marquis, that's my experience. Hope it helps you Quote: Originally Posted by jfromsf I would love any info or opinions on the Westin or Marquis hotels. My fiance and I have narrowed it down to either of those hotels and I haven't found many postings on either one, so any ideas are greatly appreciated!! Oh yeah, we are planning on 50 - 100 people and for sometime this November. Thanks! Jill
+Bad mosquito problem in August?
+unikphoto replied to FutureMrs.S's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboHello there! Mosquito problem in Cabo?, not likely at all. I've been living here for 3.5 years and lived in San Lucas as well as San Jose and it's beautiful here, there are mosquitoes, definitely yes, just like there are mosquitoes in Dallas, San Diego or New York I guess mosquitoes don't like it here with the desert-like weather . Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrs.S Does anyone know if there is a major mosquito problem in Cabo during the month of August? I have never been so I have no idea if they have problems with insects but my FGMIL has instilled this fear that all my guests will be eaten by mosquitos during our reception. If they do, are does Dreams spray for mosquitos or is the outdoors basically at your own risk to be devoured? Maybe I should start looking into mosquito repellants....
+- Hello Gamma Girl, Quote: Originally Posted by JGAMMAGIRL77 Thanks my guests have been asking. Is there something official that I can send them?
+Ceremony Location sites needed!!!
+unikphoto replied to lgarner83's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboYa, I agree with Adriana, Pedregal Beach is really nice, inexpensive and, to me, the most beautiful in Cabo....scenery-wise. Don't stress, Lisa, you have lots, lots and many of options and Cabo is filled with top-notch Wedding Coordination services. marTin /COLOR] Quote: Originally Posted by BBW Hi Depending on what you like, there are so many lovely places here in Cabo... For the ceremony you could use: Pedregal Beach (nice, quiet, with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and Private-ish) Fiesta Americana & Hilton (both have good service, excellent restaurants and beautiful beach front) Cabo Azul (on the "high-end" street, but still, it's amazing) Sunset Da Monalisa Puerta Vieja Restaurant Those places you could use for both, your ceremony and the receptcion, and get rid of the hazzle of transportation. For the reception I would suggest: Mi casa (authentic mexican cuisine, and great food) La Golondrina (nice setting and excellent dinners) Peacocks (Mexican fussion food, they have some really good surprises there) Edith's (Nice ambience, really good food, a bit pricey) The Office (More relaxed than Edith's buth they're brothers, so, it works the same way) Mango Deck (Totally relaxed ambience, nice dinner though, they have a grill righ on the beach... DELICIOUS, lower prices than the rest) I hope this can help, after reading what happened to you with Erika, it would be nice for you to have exactly what you deserve... The Best Day of Your Life!!!! Good Luck
+Marquis Hotel to Cabo Surf - how far??
+unikphoto replied to redeyeshadow's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboI agree with the last comment, Taxis in Cabo are too expensive, not worth what they charge. I'd rent a car, just drive safely and watch for some cars as they sometmes drive faster than most, drive defensively and you'll be just fine. It's not like driving in the U.S., but the roads here are quite good and it is a 4-lane highway, so it isn't like you're in some backward country. Just take the toll-highway from the airport, don't venture going through San José, you'll be stuck in traffic, it isn't worth it. It's a very nice newly-paved highway, about 10 miles. That connects with the outskirts of San José, and from there just take a right and head down to your hotel, I believe you will be staying at the MarquÃs, a very nice choice, really nice. Their food is fantastic and the place is a dream for couples, very secluded. If you take the bus, just be ready to have a somewhat rocky ride, that all. They are very, very safe, but the service is a little rough, and you'll have to do lots of walking and crossing the 4-lane can be risky because cars sometimes pass really fast. Not saying it's bad to take the bus, it's good, but just be safe and watch REALLY well as you cross the road. People are nice but the busses aren't exactly 1st class. marTin Quote: Originally Posted by redeyeshadow How far is it to Cabo Surf Hotel from the Marquis? Anyone know how much it is in cab fare? Thanks!
+What?!?!?
+unikphoto replied to lgarner83's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboHello Lisa, Yip, the Riu now does not allow any outside vendor to do their work there, it is true, they're pretty special in that regard, though it is a nice hotel, quite cool. I just delivered yesterday the photos for a couple that did NOT have their ceremony at the hotel. The hotel authorities only allow us outside-vendors to spend ONLY 15 min. inside their hotel, deliver our work to the guest and leave. It's pretty strict, though I wouldn't say they're ugly to us "outsiders", they're just strict I understand that, YES, if an outside wedding agency does the wedding for a couple, then they charge each one $100 dollars a head (WC, Photographer, assistant, and any body else). I feel it's a bit too strict but it's a chain of hotels from Spain, so they are a little different from the rest, I guess more business-oriented in a more strict-tight-way. But make your e-mail good with Riu, if you were told it was ok, then, she should honor that , Lisa marTin Quote: Originally Posted by lgarner83 So, last September I sent an Email to Erika at Riu Santa Fe ensuring that I can bring in a photographer/videographer and she responded "yes" but they will have to pay a guest day pass. Fine! Great! So we hired Alberto Misrachi and paid our deposit to him. Well, this morning I sent her this email because we've selected the Royal package and would also like to use the resort photographer that comes with the package, here is the email I sent her and she responded a little while ago within the email (I bolded her answers): Hi Erika, How are you? I have a couple more questions for you: 1) Our package comes with a photographer however we are also bringing our own photographer as well. The resort doesn't allow to have external suppliers. We would still like to use the RIU photographer though and we were wondering if there was a designated time that we have to use your photographer or can we choose when we want her to take our pictures? For example we want to have our photographer shoot the ceremony and afterwards on the beach, so can we have the RIU photographer take pictures of me getting ready? Yes you cah choose the time that you would like to have your pictures. Or even the next day in the ocean? How long do we have her for? With the normal package you have like 1 hour before the cermony during this and after the ceremony. 2) What is the back up plan in case it rains? Can you send me a picture of space used in case it rains? We can move your ceremony to a close area like the conference rooms. Thank you! Lisa G WHAT THE HELL DOES SHE MEAN THAT EXTERNAL SUPPLIERS ARE NOT ALLOWED? She already told me yes! and I know for a fact that other Riu Santa Fe brides have brought in photographers!!! WHAT THE HELL I emailed her back asking her ( a lot more politely than this post lol) what she meant and copied and pasted our previous emails about the subject so I'll keep you all updated. OMG.
+- Yip, I agree with Coleen, We are blessed to be at the very tip of a peninsula, separate from the mainland and that makes it a haven for tourists from around the world. Crewships come and go, making Cabo the 2nd most visited port in the world by those gigantic ships. You see tourists go to and fro and enjoy their vacations. There are more and more retirees coming here to make Cabo their home and the numbers are climbing. Cabo is like a Mexico outside Mexico. Cabo isn't perfect, but people here are business minded and are very tourist minded because we all know here that tourism feeds all of us. Plus, tons and tons of money have been invested and are invested (a good sign of security) in more hotels and roads. In about two years we'll have a 4-lane road to La Paz, passing through Todos Santos, and that will give the region yet another boost to make the whole region much better connected for the benefit and safety of locals and tourists alike. The Federal government has sent more highway patrol cars for the benefit of our community, they even brought a carton-patrol-car-like dummy they put on the highway, so unknowing drivers may slow down a bit and make our 19-mile 4-lane road safer. The airport is expanding yet another terminal, the biggest one yet. Though occupancy isn't as high as in other years due to economic downturn around the world, we are making our best to make Cabo the premier destination in Mexico. We love tourists and take good care of our customers. marTin
+Question about Cabo Airport
+unikphoto replied to AlmostaSeif's topic in Destination Wedding in CaboSure, if 3 hours will give you peace of mind, then 3 hours is ok, but arriving at the airport 2 hours before departure is enough time. Be safe! marTin Quote: Originally Posted by zethers The San Jose Del Cabo website suggests you arrive 3 hours before departure for international flights. Info is on the bottom of this link. SJD Los Cabos Airport Mexico Cabo San Lucas MX Probably a lot of waiting around, but better safe than sorry.
+Apple Console Rumour Resurfaces 201
+1up has commentary on speculation from an industry analyst, which GamesIndustry.biz has published. Prudential analyst Jesse Tortora gesticulates wildly in the direction of renewed interest by Apple in the games market. From the GI.biz article: "We think the videogame market represents a distinct possibility for Apple, especially considering that it recently announced the availability of videogames for its iPod through its iTunes store ... The game console device could be morphed out of some combination of the MacMini and iTV, while the handheld player could be developed as an enhancement for a future version of the widescreen iPod."
+Apple Need To Do Something ORIGNAL! (Score:4, Funny)
+Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
+In any case, it would make more sense for Apple to get into some sort of collaboration with Nintendo (iTMS Channel on your Wii maybe?) then to enter an already full gaming market. If Apple already had a games development studio, it might make more sense, but as it is, they're better off interfacing with the existing consoles instead.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re:Apple Need To Do Something ORIGNAL! (Score:4, Interesting)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Now, from a business perspective, there probably is very little insentive to collaborate, so I'm not keeping my fingers crossed. And the world works just fine with these two companies separated, and in existance, anyway. It's just that sometimes the resemblence is uncanny.
+However, the suggestion of an iTMS Wii channel is an awesome prospect... I do hope that they at LEAST have the foresight to do that.
+Re: (Score:2)
+For the unsuccess of the N64, Gamecube, Virtual Boy and whatever other dumb mistakes they have made, Nintendo continue to make very very healthy profits each year (on par with what Apple make - they may have the iPod but Nintendo have the GBSP, DS, Zelda, Pokemon, Mario and every spin-off, and now the Wii) and I think it would be very, very difficult for Apple to stump up the cash for the real WORTH of the Nintendo brand, let alone the company, eng
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Where the Playstation and XBox have had long, fruitful lives right up until they were killed off by their next generation siblings (PS2 games still being released TODAY!) the Gamecube has pretty much not had a good game in 2 years, game store simply do not pay attention to it because of that, and it has been blamed for a poor quarter due to "low sales".
+However you're right they never had a truly disasterous mainstream product
+Re: (Score:2)
+Neither the N64
+It'll work great! (Score:5, Informative)
+Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
+The Turbografx 16 was also hugely successful, just not in the American or European markets. In Japan, where it was known as the PC Engine, it was more popular than the Sega Mega Drive (aka Genesis) and was a legitimate compe
+Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
+No, by his logic, the Dreamcast was a failure, whereas the Saturn was a success. That's the "absurd" point you were aiming for.
+Re: (Score:2)
+It'd be nice to know what you're talking about before posting. By your logic, the PC-FX [wikipedia.org] was a failure as that was the last console made by NEC (and it was). The TurboGrafx wasn't even the second to last system NEC made. That dubious honor goes to the SuperGrafx [wikipedia.org] (also a failure). And the Neo Geo wasn't even close to being the last console SNK made. Here's a list [wikipedia.org]. Note that they are all followups to the Neo Geo (an
+Wrong end of the stick (Score:5, Insightful)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Fair view, unless you consider console games an essential foot in the living room door.
+Re: (Score:2)
+What do you mean, exactly? My PS2 is the center of my entertainment now (games, movies, and music). The PS3 will do the same thing for me. What else is there?
+Re: (Score:2)
+I think he was saying, in the opposite direction. With the PS3 and XBox, Sony and Microsoft are leveraging what is essentially a game console to establish a foothold in general entertainment (movies and music). The poster was suggesting that Apple, on the other hand, could leverage what is supposed to be a general entertainment system (the iTV, which will play music and movies), in order to gain a foothold in the game-console market.
+I'm not sure it would work, but I'm pretty sure that's what he means by
+Re: (Score:2)
+The poster was suggesting that Apple, on the other hand, could leverage what is supposed to be a general entertainment system (the iTV, which will play music and movies), in order to gain a foothold in the game-console market.
+The iTV isn't a "general entertainment system", it's a glorified input switcher.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Mood lighting (Score:2)
+Re:Wrong end of the stick (Score:5, Interesting)
+On the other hand, they could put "casual" games on the iTV from the start. By "casual", I mean exactly the sort of games they're putting on the iPod right now: Tetris, Bejeweled, Pac-Man, etc. It would be a minor selling-point but be a sort of foot-in-the-door.
+Really, Apple is in a good position to do this gradually. The first thing would be establish the iTV with these casual games. Meanwhile, they should be trying to get game developers to port more of their games to OSX, with simultaneous launches with the other platforms. Then they could release a decent bluetooth gaming controller (or maybe license the technology from Nintendo for the Wii-mote?) Finally, they could release a specialized iTV to run connect to this controller and play these games.
+It wouldn't be so far different from what Microsoft has done. What's the Xbox, really? A computer running a modified version of Windows. It plays games which are not very different from Windows games (from what I've been lead to believe). There's no reason why Apple couldn't do the same thing-- release a specialized Mac that runs a specialized version of OSX, aimed at gaming. The difference might be that you could also take those games to your regular Macintosh and play them there, too (I wish Microsoft had done that, and made it so Xbox games could run on your PC).
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Oh, you mean like everyone knew about the 5th generation iPod which can play games? Even long-time Mac games developers didn't knew about it. Apple are usually able to keep their ne
+Re: (Score:2)
+I don't think iPod games indicate anything... you might as well say that since Bejeweled runs on Motorola phones that Motorola is going t
+Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
+Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
+Despite what you may have read in the popular press, the Xbox isn't just a modified PC running Windows.
+You're right, it's not a modified PC running Windows. It's a PC running a modified version of Windows.
+If Apple were to try this themselves, they'd need to throw out most of OS X and drop back to just running the Darwin kernel. They'd need to pick a GPU and stick with it for a few years, and give the developers complete access to it's internals.
+Oh, gosh, there's no way Apple could do that.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Apple has always been about computers and software, Sony has always been about separate devices, until recently. The fact that Sony has internal conflicts (Sony Hardware vs Sony Pictures+Sony Music) doesn't help them a bit.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Besides, if you want to watch movie downloads on your TV, then both the 360 and the PS3 will do it from a single box. The 360's service has already started and Sony's can't be far behind. And both the 360 and PS3 cost less than buying an iTV and even a Mac Mini.
+Apple's po
+Re: (Score:2)
+There's a decent chance one of the major console manufacturers will give up making hardware after t
+Here's an entertaining concept for you... (Score:2)
+A stripped-down, customised OSX variant for the Wii.
+Hey, they're both white. It's an ideal match. You heard it here first...
+Re: (Score:2)
+iTV not released yet (Score:3, Interesting)
+Only problem is getting people in that particular age group and price point. But, one man told me, "Parents buy things. That's what they're for." [Insert inflamitory jokes about Paris Hilton here]
+$0.02
+Why not partner up with Nintendo? (Score:5, Interesting)
+Re:Why not partner up with Nintendo? (Score:5, Insightful)
+After the cell processor was more or less confirmed to win the battle for the console, but before Apple announced the switch to Intel this move seemed like a no-brainer. A virtual Nintendo console built into every mac would have been a real win. Now, however, the development for both the Wii and the Mac virtual console might be too hard. If Apple, Nintendo, and Sony were willing to shake hands in order to deliver a combined kick to Microsoft's groin they could to it as follows: build a single development platform on top of OpenGL and similar technologies that allow a game developer to target the Wii, Mac, Linux, Windows, and PS3 with minimal effort. Promote it like hell and hand it out to every college student everywhere. All the players are already behind OpenGL in one way or another. This would have a similar, but more widespread effect and threaten some of MS's lock-in with respect to their crown jewels (Windows). But then I've always been one of those "a strong offense..." types.
+Re: (Score:2)
+What's a "Revolution"? Wasn't that the predicessor to the Wii?
+What a silly name. Glad they changed it.
+Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
+For the same reason that Nintendo don't release Nintendo franchise games to non-Nintendo consoles. Exclusivity drives people to buy Nintendo consoles, which they actually make money off as well as the games. In addition they also lose brand recognition as the Nintendo console is no longer seen as a magical wonderful box but as something easily emulated. And lastly, what
+Re: (Score:2)
+I have a better idea.
+Just port iTunes over to the Wii.
+People will want to buy music on the Wii, and people will want to watch movies and TV shows, so let them buy them from iTMS. The Wii has USB , so you could even sync your iPod with it.
+Or if Apple just wants to tie the product to their CPU sales, have them port the iTV "streaming" software to the Wii, and still require a Mac on the LAN to stream from.
+While it wouldn't directly make Apple money from iTV-like hardware sales, it would be a strategic interce
+Apple and Gaming (Score:2)
+Apple's best bet may be to target competition with the Wii - leave Sony and Microsoft to fight over $500-700 game consoles (they are both the same price with HD optical media p [roughlydrafted.com]
+About time! (Score:3, Funny)
+Eh? (Score:2)
+I know I get all tingley when I think about playing 'Pong' & '2-D Centipede in My Pants' on my iPod...ohhhhhhhh....ahhhhhh! Start of a revolution, that! Look out PS3! U 'pwned!!
+What about emulated games on an iPod? (Score:2, Interesting)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Oh wait, no.
+I don't see this working..here's why (Score:2, Funny)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Steve Jobs is an idiot (Score:2, Interesting)
+Apple may join the gaming fray, but they'll fall flat on their face with that egotistical moron running the show. He's gone out of his way to impede game creation on MacOS for fear t
+It's always the games (Score:3, Insightful)
+Re: (Score:2)
+You're missing something... (Score:5, Interesting)
+Noone would buy a Mac if it simply had Windows installed on it. People buy Macs because they love OSX, and its integration with the hardware. OSX is to Apple what Zelda and Mario are to Nintendo. People wouldn't buy a Nintendo, anymore, if Nintendo stopped selling great games, and stop trying to create an inspired atmosphere for developers to do the same. People wouldn't buy Macs if Apple stopped making OSX and stopped pushing developers to be more consistant, interface friendly, and created a framework for them to create better software.
+It's all about infostructure, and both Nintendo and Apple have very similar philosophies when it comes to their developer frameworks.
+The only real difference is how they ACTUALLY get their money. In the gaming industry, hardware is sold at a loss or at only a small profit (even Nintendo wouldn't stay in the game if they ONLY had their hardware profits to live off of). In the computer world, hardware is sold at a huge profit, and software is used to promote the hardware (iTMS and the iPod being a good example).
+Simply because Apple, itself, doesn't "do games", per-say, has very little relivance. They don't do games because the Macintosh lost the gaming war LONG AGO, and it would be futile for them to put a lot of money into trying to win back that market. Also, Apple's plug-n-play, and hard-nosed infostructure is much better suited for the console market than the Computer Gaming market, which are very different.
+So, you're right, Apple doesn't have a snowballs chance in hell in the Computer Gaming market. They have about as much chance as Nintendo does in the PC gaming market. Both have an attitude very well suited to the console gaming market.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Off-topic, I know, but I bought an iMac about a month ago solely for its form factor. I needed a small, silent, reasonably fast machine for everyday use and couldn't find anything with as small a footprint as an iMac. I really despise OSX and use it only as a media player, but XP flies on it. So yeah, there are some people out there who buy Macs for the hardwa
+A "Me Too" product from Apple? (Score:5, Insightful)
+I wouldn't be surprised if they offered a few simple games, for the casual gamer, on a device like the iTV. Similar to what they do for the iPod. But, I wouldn't call that going after the gaming market, any more than I would call the iPod a GameBoy/PSP competitor.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Let's do the math (Score:3, Funny)
+Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo are battling it out for console supremacy, devoting massive resources to winning this war.
+Hey, what a great time for Apple to jump in! Low barriers to entry. No entrenched competitors, and a vast unserved market with pent-up demand. It's *perfect*!!!
+Makes more sence for them to buy out Nintendo (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Apple should buy nintendo (Score:2)
+Nintendo already uses powerpc chips and making another wii with macosx and frontrow would be great. They could use nintendo api's to backport alot of wii titles to teh mac if any developers want to target that market as well. Too bad Apple switched to x86.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Apple is still a computing company first. Moving to x86 is probably the single most important thing they've done in YEARS. The possibility of running Windows on a Mac is what has converted many of my colleagues to Mac over the last year. The Switch is occurring much faster than it has ever before, and much of that is thanks to the Intel move.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Apple needs to compete and it doesn't have mindshare nor game oriented developers so buying Nintendo would
+n-Tunes (Score:2, Interesting)
+Re: (Score:2)
+The PS3 already has a hard drive, and can rip CD's (into AAC, MP3 or ATRAC), can play video encoded for iPod, and runs Linux ( I wonder if OSX would run via Mac on Linux distributed with Yellow Dog 5.0 for it)
+Easy answer... (Score:2)
+Seriously though, maybe they should concentrate on having people write games for their computers then. I mean granted, you have Civ IV and Doom, but 99% of Mac games arrive late and it's just embarrassing. I mean they have Myst as the splash graphic for Strategy Games on their store for Pete's sake! My local Game store here in the UK has just removed its Mac shelf (yup, one shelf) to make room for... more console magazines.
+If Apple are really seriou
+How about a real 3D graphics console? (Score:2)
+And if such a console was coupled with an innovative control method analogous to the Wiimote, it could be a success.
+I do not see Apple succeeding in the console market in any other way.
+This is not going to happen. However... (Score:2)
+How about... (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
+a.) it'd only play the games it wants to play, when it wants to play them
+b.) the retail price will match the PS3 pre-release ebay price. c.) no one will be lined up to get one
+don't forget (Score:5, Funny)
+Re:don't forget (Score:4, Insightful)
+Re: (Score:3, Funny)
+Re:don't forget (Score:4, Funny)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re:don't forget (Score:4, Funny)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+And Apple fans will herald it as the best innovation since Apple invented the mp3 player...Er, wait.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
+Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
+As the article mentions, Apple makes it's money from hardware
+(unlike everyone else who IS actually in the gaming market).
+There would have to be some major changes there.
+"We think the videogame market represents a distinct possibility for Apple, especially considering that it recently announced the availability of videogames for its iPod through its iTunes store," - Yeah, cell phone quality video games bring forth a new age of gamming only made
+Re:apple + videogames = ? (Score:4, Insightful)
+Last I checked, Sony and Microsoft were making hardware, too. The profits do come from the games. The game developers receive those profits and the hardware developers get a large cut. How many games do you see out there that are developed solely by the hardware manufacturer?
+Apple has a brand, a very popular one right now. If they can tie their gaming platform to the iPod it will definitely get their foot in the door. If Apple enters gaming it most likely won't be to compete head on with the 360 or PS3, at least to start. As Nintendo has shown with the Wii, you don't need to have cutting edge graphics or processing speed, you need an innovative idea. And although a lot of us do not like to admit it. Apple has been an incredible innovator in the past few years and their products are highly desired in the areas that they focus on. I guarantee that Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have already considered Apple in their gaming business strategies.
+Re:apple + videogames = ? (Score:5, Insightful)
+As Nintendo has shown with the Wii, you don't need to have cutting edge graphics or processing speed, you need an innovative idea.
+This is certainly true, and your observation almost touches upon an interesting parallel.
+In some respects, Nintendo is the Apple of the console world. They produce quality hardware in an attractive package. They rely on interesting, well integrated features to sell their hardware. The Wii even looks like a MacMini on its side.
+I wouldn't suggest that Apple couldn't do as good a job as Nintendo. But is there really room for both in the market? Especially when on considers Nintendo's (and presumably Apple's) target audience? If Apple made a compelling feature, Nintendo would be forced to retaliate with another. Ideas are a scarce resource, and I doubt Nintendo or Apple has a large enough cache of them to avoid lame gimmicks. Kids might be fond of gimmicks, but grown ups usually aren't.
+In the end, this would erode both brands.
+Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
+You do know AAC is not an Apple proprietry format? The iTunes Store uses AAC protected with their FairPlay DRM (creating a
+"Which console manufacture makes consoles and portables that can play iPod video content? Sony"
+You do know h264 is not an Apple propri
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
+I suppose Sega is supposed to be a gaming hardware company then, too. And Sony is a Betamax manufacturer. And what the hell does IBM think they are doing? They are a punch card manufacturing company for God's sake!
+A company that is just a ______ company is sure to die eventually, especially if they are not on the top of their market. Every company needs to find its segment of the market. Every company needs to adapt to survive. Apple may have been a "computer" company, bu
+Re: (Score:2)
+There are two reasons for this. The first reason, which applies to both of your complaints here, is that everyo
+Re: (Score:2)
+The PS3 is 10x faster and has 8x the RAM and you're saying it won't be able to do that? You do know that GIMP is capable of editing images larger than available RAM. I bet if had a 5 megipixel image I could load and edit it on the PS2. I've done 3.2 MP myself on it.
+My local W
+Re:apple + videogames = ? (Score:5, Interesting)
+Pippin comes to mind and how that was a failure.
+2 things are different now and maybe that is what the impetus is.
+Apple's customer base knows how to use the internet.
+There are thousands of free computer games available that can be played on computers today and people know pretty much how to do it today.
+Their `iTV` or whatever will likely turn heads when it is released. I know I am interested. I do not own an iPod. I do like their interfaces.
+If their iTV thing does what I think it does, it will become a gateway for their content to be delivered to the living room and that means games.
+I bet that most people would like to play Bejewed or some other flash/java game outside of their computer.
+That being said, most people have a computer so the TV isn't really all that important anymore as it used to be.
+If the iTV will be a platform for specialized content (games) then maybe it will be worth looking into for casual gamers.
+I doubt it will be the graphic caliber of the uber expensive Xbox and PS systems but it may have some content worth looking into.
+Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
+The Pippin was both ahead of its time and a late entry into the console market. Consoles were not a multi-purpose multimedia station back in the mid-nineties like they are (or can be) today. The Pippin was too much too soon and not enough of a console too late. By the time the Pippin-based products were on the market the market was already dominated the Big 3.
+Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
+Just as Microsoft and Sony weren't really on the list when you think of gaming until they brought out their own consoles, and Apple weren't the first thing you thought of when you thought mp3 players a decade ago..
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Actually, Mac gamers are a huge part of the game industry... they're called "Console Gamers".
+No, but seriously, we already have an Apple in the game industry: it's called Nintendo. They share almost identical business, interface, and design philosophies. If Apple were to have made the perfect handheld back in 2004, it would have been a DS. If Nintendo had made a digital media player back in 2000, it would have been an iPod. Sometimes I even start to forget which company is which, anymore, they've been so
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re:controllers will be like their mice (Score:4, Informative)
+Your comment does not really deserve a reply being a joke and redundant at the same time, but if you've seen Apple's recent mice I'd say they are of the same mentality as the Wiimote. That is to say, they are designed to be easy and accessible to everyone and to encourage developers to do the right thing. At the same time, they can easily enable power users to have the myriad buttons they need and want. In fact, Apple's "mighty mouse" is the only mouse I've ever seen where a shared computer can have one hardware mouse with one button for kids and novices and multiple buttons for expert users. I've seen firsthand what happens when novice users try to operate one of those four button designs favored by power users and I've cursed at trying to use the same mouse (as I'm accustomed to three or more). I find it sad that people still drag this old horse out of the closet, even if they're trying to be funny.
+Re: (Score:2)
+Re: (Score:2)
+Are you mad? Microsoft DID get whipped by Sony. They sold less than 1/5 as many hardware units while losing 4 Billion dollars in the process. Nintendo at least was somewhat pro
+Re: (Score:2)
+Apple... bit player?
+A little too much ganja, mon?
+Yes, we all know Apple only has one good product at the top of its class. Nevermind the MacBooks that're selling like hotcakes... or the fact that it has multiple iPod products, each of which is at the top of their respective classes...
+Re: (Score:2)
+Countering Violent Extremism-Hizmet and Media: “Hizmet’s Media-Oriented Approach to De-radicalization”
+2015 Winner of the Hizmet Essay Contest
+Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, PhD Scholar, Centre for Culture, Media & Governance, Jamia Millia Islamia, Central University, New Delhi, India
+Abstract:
+At a time when the extremist indoctrination, jihadist recruitment and radicalization of the
+Muslim youth through media, especially the ‘new media’, is on the rampage, Islamic scholars
+need to brainstorm and emulate the Hizmet’s approach to “mediated de-radicalization”. The
+paper outlines the Hemet’s comprehensive media-oriented approach to rooting out the
+extremist narratives and radical ideologies, which often catch the imagination of the gullible
+Muslim youth. It argues that an effective counter-narrative can only be worked out when the
+extremists’ ideological, theological, political, psychological and doctrinal underpinnings are
+completely dismantled and rooted out. This is, of course, too gigantic a task to undertake.
+However, media offers an ample opportunity to evolve a counter-narrative against
+radicalization and violent extremism.
+Given this, the Hizmet has evolved a complete, coherent, well-reasoned, spiritually-inclined
+and effectively positive counter-narrative against the global extremist underpinnings. Under
+the guidance of the moderate Islamic scholar Mr. Fethullah Gulen, it has worked out a
+counter-extremist narrative in the mainstream media. Based on a solid intellectual foundation
+reinforced by reason and revelation, the Hizmet has mediated a coherent anti-extremist
+narrative of peace and pluralism, consistent in all respects with the core values of Islam, and
+suitable for both the present and future societies. Using this Hizmet approach grounded in
+media, moderate Islamic scholars the world over can rescue a “critical mass” of the young
+and impressionable minds vulnerable to radicalization and jihadist indoctrination.
+Introduction
+The Hizmet has effectively communicated a complete, coherent and moderate Islamic
+narrative of peace, counter-extremism and de-radicalization using mass media, print and
+electronic media and new media including websites, online newspapers, blogs, internet TV
+and social media. By fostering peace education, dialogue and spiritual enlightenment, it is
+actively engaged in preventing the Muslim children and youth from being lured into the
+ideologies of radicalism, religious exclusivism, violent extremism and puritanical
+fundamentalism.
+This has led to a serious academic discourse analysis of the media approach that this
+moderate Islamic movement has employed in countering the violent extremism and
+radicalization. The primary question of this issue is concerned with the Hizmet’s approach to
+de-radicalization through the media outlets. This discourse is very relevant to social
+scientists, academicians, media scholars, and journalists grappling with this issue around the
+world.
+Primary and Secondary Questions
+The primary question of this paper is concerned with the Hizmet’s approach to countering
+radicalization and extremism using various forms of media.
+The paper attempts to problematize the Hizmet’s approach to the mediated de-radicalisation
+asking some of the secondary questions such as: (1) What is the position of the moderate
+Islamic movement, Hizmet on the violent extremism grounded in an exclusivist, intolerant
+and xenophobic interpretations of Islam? (2) How effectively does the Hizmet communicate
+an alternative Islamic narrative of peace, dialogue and tolerance to stem the tide of
+radicalization? (3) How does the moderate Islamic scholar Mr. Fethullah Gulen, the Hizmet’s
+founder-ideologue, address the issues of violent extremism in media? (4) How does he
+interpret the primary sources of Islam—the holy Qur’an and Hadith (Prophetic traditions) to
+counter extremism? (5) What is the role of the Hizmet in countering violent extremist
+narratives through media? (6) How does the Hizmet channelize its own media outlasts to
+prevent the Muslim youth from radicalization?
+Methodology
+Mapping out the various writings and other works of Mr. Fethullah Gulen widely covered by
+global media, the Hizmet’s mediated de-radicalization and counter-extremism is looked at in
+this paper, in order to critically appreciate its approach to de-radicalization. The paper
+mythology is based on “discourse analysis”. This method is extensively employed, with its
+dimensions of analysis, in an array of disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, cultural
+studies and media & communication studies. However, the paper addresses a specific realm
+of discourse analysis and looks into the Hizmet’s “rhetoric” in the given case. Using this
+method, the paper tries to discover as to how persuasively the Hizmet channelizes the media
+outlets to de-radicalise the target audience.
+In this paper, Hizmet’s “rhetorics”, which are largely based on ideological and theological
+underpinnings, have been studied in order to analyze the movement’s understanding,
+discovering, designing and developing persuasive arguments to buttress its positions and rebut
+those held by the violet extremists.
+By studying the “rhetoric” in this context, the paper addresses the question as to how
+effectively the Hizmet persuades the audience in media. Many rhetoricians have analyzed
+similar discourses of various social sciences, including media studies, journalism and digital
+media, along with the conventional domains of religion and politics (John S. Nelson, Allan
+Megill, and Donald N. McCloskey, 1987).
+Defining Radicalization
+Today, the term “radicalization” is conflated in media as well as in the academia with
+something very identical to the connotations of the “violent extremism”. It can be defined as:
+“a process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political,
+social, or religious ideals and aspirations”. The process of “radicalization” can turn into both
+violent and nonviolent. However, most academic literature focuses on radicalization into
+violent extremism (Randy, 2011).
+According to a recently developed definition, “radicalization is a process involving an
+individual or group whereby they are indoctrinated to a set of beliefs that support acts of
+terrorism that can be manifested in one’s behavior and attitudes”. While radicalism usually
+precedes terrorism, nevertheless, it does not always result into an act of terrorism. (Silber &
+Bhatt, 2007). However, the paper surmises, based on the writer’s empirical knowledge, that
+that radicalism always breeds an ideological ground for the violent extremism, resulting into
+acts of terrorism.
+Juxtaposing Radicalization with ‘Islamism’
+The term “radicalization” was previously used for different extremist fringes in certain
+political, national, ideological and religious contexts. But, I contend, that it has now become
+synonymous with “Islamism” or “jihadism” in the global media, particularly in the wake of
+the 9/11 attacks, the London terrorist attacks in 2005, the killing of the Dutch filmmaker
+Theo van Gogh in 2004, the Madrid bombings in 2004. The recently perpetrated acts of terror
+in France have widened the phenomenon of Muslims being conflated with “radicalization”
+both in media and academia.
+“Mediated Radicalization”
+Most extremist Islamist outfits loudly claim to bring Muslims back to the medieval era in the
+name of the Islamic shariah. But it is interesting to note that, in articulating their medieval,
+obsolete and retrogressive ideology, they employ very sophisticated means, modern
+approaches and advanced media including what is called ‘new media’. Thus, they are
+massively propagating their extremist thoughts, successfully recruiting the vulnerable section
+of the new Muslim generation. This is how media particularly the social networking sites have
+become indispensable in the evolution and integration of the radical Islamists. The role of the
+media in indoctrinating the violent extremist Islamist narrative into the young, gullible and
+impressionable Muslim minds has been corroborated by numerous research findings. It has
+been proven that mass communication portals and social networking sites are facilitating the
+interconnection between the radical ideologues and the gullible Muslim youth (Ashour, 2007).
+This situation has triggered an academic debate on the media and its key role in mediating
+and popularizing, directly or indirectly, the radicals’ extremist narratives among a wider
+section of the Muslim audience.
+“Mediated De-Radicalization”
+This mediated extremist indoctrination can only be countered by a counter-narrative
+communicated through mass media, digital media, websites, online newspapers, blogs, wikis,
+internet TV and most importantly social media. In short, media can greatly help in countering
+and curbing the extremist narratives. O. Ashour makes it patently clear in his book: “as
+opposed to its effects on radicalization, media can play a vital role in promoting a counter narrative and in facilitating counter-radicalization and de-radicalization efforts”. (Ashour,
+2009)
+Mediated De-Radicalization and the Hizmet
+Since the process of the jihadist indoctrination and recruitment of the Muslim youth through
+media is on the rampage, a well-thought-out, well-reasoned and effective intellectual
+refutation of the extremist narratives was imperative, particularly for the moderate Islamic
+scholars and thinkers. Given this, the Hizmet movement has effectively communicated a
+moderate Islamic narrative of peace, counter-terrorism and de-radicalization using mass
+media, print and electronic media and new media including websites, online newspapers,
+blogs, internet TV and social media.
+Literature Review
+So far, a number of English, Turkish, Arabic, and Urdu research scholars have produced
+considerable works on the Hizmet movement and its peace activism and engagement in
+counter-extremism. However, most of them are primarily designed for the popular
+consumption and regular audience, and not for the academia. These publications lack
+objective positioning. None the less, they help a long way in developing a nuanced
+understanding of the Hizmet’s approach toward rooting out extremism and violence on an
+ideological level. They also clearly expound Gulen’s theories of peace, violence and
+extremism. Thus, they lay the foundations for this study. A brief insight into the following
+references help us to understand it:
+Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut Sezgin (2015) give a summary of Hizmet’s theological refutation
+of violent extremism in their co-authored book, “A Hizmet Approach to Rooting out Violent
+Extremism”. They try to buttress the point that the Hizmet proactively deals with the violent
+extremism and refutes the tenets of its ideology with a ‘comprehensive, deep-rooted, and
+robust interpretation of Islam’s primary sources – the Qur’an and Hadith’. Based on empirical
+evidence, they draw a conclusion that the essential Islamic teachings on which the Hizmet is
+based can act as a ‘positive counter-narrative’ to religious extremism and radicalization.
+Among the distinct features of this joint work is that, unlike other related reading materials,
+it offers an in-depth analysis of the Hizmet’s ‘default approach’ towards countering violent
+extremism in an attempt to point out both factors of the radicalization: ideology and
+indoctrination.
+Helen Rose Ebaugh (2010), an American professor specializing in the Sociology of Religion,
+examined the political economy of the Hizmet Movement in her book titled, “A Sociological
+Analysis of a Civic Movement Rooted in Moderate Islam”. Ebaugh infers that the civic
+movement, being deeply rooted in moderate vision of Islam, is actively engaged in fostering
+interfaith dialog, promoting moderate thoughts and peaceful ideas and thus richly
+contributing to global peace and nonviolence. Based on interview data and extensive visits to
+the Hizmet institutions in Turkey and in the United States, Ebaugh’s research helps in
+understanding the different facets of the Hizmet movement as an effective anecdote to
+religious extremism in the Muslim society. It also widely covers the recent Media Attention
+that the Hizmet Movement has garnered. Ebaugh writes that “a number of widely read and
+reputable journals have taken note of Mr. Gulen and the many service projects, such as
+schools, hospitals, dormitories and nonprofit charities that are inspired by his ideas”.
+Muhammed Cetin (2009) studied this spiritually-inclined movement in his research and had his
+book, ―The Gulen Movement: Civic Service without Borders, published. It focused on
+motivation for participations that include spiritual resources and moral values like altruism
+which constitute the social capital for the peaceful civil society movement. It also delves on
+how they developed volunteerism, dialog and relationships to achieve shared universal values
+such as competiveness and non-materialistic and non-contentious services in nine countries.
+Cetin concludes that the Hizmet Movement does not rely on reactionary, political or
+antagonistic interest nor a sect or cult. It is a collective action to pursue long-term
+humanitarian objectives that exhort to completely shun extremism, radicalization and
+terrorism (Cetin, 2009).
+Zeki Saritoprak (2007) explained at the SOAS conference organized by the University of
+London, that Gulen believes in the integrity of the individual; his approach to social
+restoration and peace building, therefore, is one of “bottom-up” social change which is
+similar to the famous Muslim sociologist Ibn Khaldun’s understanding of building peace; that
+is, philosophy, individual efforts and sacrifices remain essential, where he says, ―peace in
+society is possible through willingness of an individual to subordinate to the group. Without
+this, peace and social development are not possible (Saritoprak, 2007).
+Introduction to the Hizmet’s Founder, Mr. Fethullah Gülen
+An Islamic modernist, Mr. Fethullah Gulen (1938) is a Turkish-origin US-based scholar, thinker,
+author, poet and an educationist engaged in peace activism, interfaith and intercultural
+dialogue and promotion of moderate thoughts, modern sciences, democracy and spirituality
+among Muslims. Gulen’s website introduces him as an “authoritative mainstream Turkish
+Muslim scholar…. who supports interfaith and intercultural dialogue, science, democracy and
+spirituality and opposes violence and turning religion into a political ideology” (FGülen.com,
+April 8, 2010).
+Gulen’s Understanding of Islam and Political Islamism
+Gulen viewed Islam as a spiritual and ethical path to eternal salvation, rather than a political
+ideology to conquer the portions of earth. Therefore, Gulen is actively opposed to the
+politically motivated attempts to turn Islam into a totalitarian ideology, as the scholars
+precisely put it: “Islam, for Gulen, is not a political project to be implemented. It is a
+repository of discourse and practice for the evaluation of a just and ethical society.” (Weller,
+Paul & Ihsan Yılmaz, 2012)
+He critiqued the political Islamism in his writings and oral statements, for instance, in the
+following remarks:
+” (Robert A.
+Hunt and Yuksel A. Aslandogan, 2007).
+Gulen’s Narrative of Peace and Counter-Extremism
+Gulen has propounded unique and revolutionary theories grounded in spiritual Islamic
+doctrines, which can enlarge the ambit of modern approaches to peace, non-violence,
+counter-extremism and de-radicalization. Interestingly, he is not a social scientist but his
+blend of ideas is highly significant for peace and conflict resolution. He speaks emphatically
+about importance of peace and counter-extremism and explores new paradigms to respond to
+the issues of violent extremism in the modern context. Having categorically rejected religious
+extremism, he calls for dialogue and peace, which remain the defining credo of his work
+(En.fGülen.com 2002).
+Inspiration for the Hizmet’s Engagement in De-Radicalization
+Gulen’s ideas, drawn from Islamic sources, have inspired an influential faith-inspired civic
+body “Hizmet movement”. It is devoted to serving humanity and spreading Islam’s universal
+messages of peace and non- violence through social agencies such as education, health,
+interfaith dialogue, relief work and all other humanitarian programs. Going by an
+estimate, the Hizmet movement has a presence in over 160 countries with several thousands
+of secular educational institutions, hospitals, dialogue centers and relief programs. Most
+notably, they disseminate, in one way or other, the core peaceful Islamic precepts as
+counter-narratives against the violent extremism emanating from the gross misinterpretation
+of the Qur’an and Hadith, the two primary scriptures of Islam (Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut
+Sezgin, 2015).
+The Hizmet’s Rhetoric against the Radicalism
+The Hizmet’s rhetoric or arguments against the radicalism mainly rely on a “robust” and
+deepened understanding of the spirit and teachings of Islam’s primary sources, the Qur’an
+and Sunna. The founder-ideologue of the Hizmet and a progressive Islamic scholar, Mr.
+Fathullah Gulen propounds:
+“A’ (Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut
+Sezgin, 2015).
+The Hizmet’s ideological underpinnings against violent extremism can be summed up in the
+fowling five points, as put forward by Mr. Fathullah Gulen:
+(1) “Muslims must confront the totalitarian ideology because every terrorist act in the name
+of Islam profoundly affects all Muslims, alienating them from fellow citizens and deepening
+the misperceptions about their faith’s ethos”
+(2) “When terrorists claim the Muslim mantle, then they bear this identity, if only nominally
+and members of the faith must do whatever possible to prevent this cancer from
+metastasizing in our communities”
+(3) “Muslims must denounce violence and not fall prey to victimhood”
+(4) “Having suffered oppression is no excuse for causing it or for failing to condemn
+terrorism”
+(5) “That the terrorists are committing grave sins in the name of Islam is not merely an
+individual opinion; it is the inevitable conclusion of an honest reading of primary sources: the
+Quran and the accounts of the life of Prophet Muhammad”. (Fethullah Gulen, “Muslims Must
+Combat the Extremist Cancer”, The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 27, 2015)
+The Hizmet’s Approach to De-Radicalization
+The Hizmet has articulated an Islam-based approach to de-radicalization and counter extremism.
+Inspired by the inherently peaceful Islamic principles, it strives to strengthen
+peace, pluralism, non-violence and dialogue based on a solid spiritual foundation laid down by
+Gulen’s philosophy grounded in Islam (Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut Sezgin, 2015).
+The Hizmet has developed a ‘positivist’ counter-narrative against radical, violent and
+extremist interpretations of Islam. By dismantling the narratives of victimhood and conspiracy
+theories, the Hizmet counter-extremism narrative offers a moderate understanding of faith
+enjoining a complete, comprehensive and coherent discourse of peace, pluralism, tolerance,
+diversity, dialogue and education. As Marthe Hesselmans succinctly puts it; “Thus, it offers an
+alternative take on tolerance in which a strong religious group identity is balanced with
+flexibility towards people, values and customs outside one’s own boundaries” (Marthe
+Hesselmans, 2014).
+Media Representation of the Hizmet’s De-Radicalization
+The Hizmet founder-ideologue Mr. Gulen has been on record in global media for his
+categorical, unequivocal position against the violent extremism and its justification by the
+jihadist ideologues. According to the Washington Post, he was the first Islamic scholar to
+publicly condemn the 9/11 attacks. (Paul Weller & Ihsan Yilmaz, 2012)
+Mr. Gulen has contributed to the international press scholarly articles on the Islamic
+perspective on counter-extremism and de-radicalization, condemning such acts on
+humanitarian and religious grounds.
+In an article that appeared in Washington Post on September 12, 2001 after in the wake of
+the September 11 attacks, Gulen wrote a scholarly article in theological refutation of the
+terrorists. He contended that “A Muslim cannot be a terrorist, nor can a terrorist be a true
+Muslim”. He also explained the link between the “terrorism” and “hijacking of Islam by
+terrorists”. (“A Real Muslim cannot be a Terrorist”, Fethullah Gulen, 2004
+In a recent article published in The Wall Street Journal (Aug 27, 2015), Gulen has buttressed
+his points against violent extremism and its deep roots in the jihadist ideology. In this op-ed
+article entitled “Muslims Must Combat the Extremist Cancer: Denounce terrorism, defend
+human rights and promote education”. Mr. Gulen unequivocally rebutted the terror ideology,
+dismantling the narratives of victimhood and conspiracy theories in the Muslim society and
+expounding his counter-narrative to combat what he called “the extremist cancer”.
+Besides, Gulen has given interviews to English, Turkish, Japanese, Kenyan and American
+newspapers in which he is reported to have denounced, in unequivocal terms, the use of
+political, ideological and religious justifications of violent actions. He has articulately
+communicated a moderate Islamic narrative of peace, non-violence and de-radicalization not
+only to the Western audience but also to congregations of thousands of Muslims in sermons
+and religious addresses.
+Media Construction of the Hizmet’s Counter-narrative
+The Hizmet’s counter-narrative against the religious extremism has been widely covered by
+the mainstream global media. Scores of news reports, op-ed articles, opinion pieces and
+editorials have been devoted to the Hizmet’s works, in several prominent international
+publications, newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, the New York
+Times, The Economist, the French magazine, Le Monde and The International Herald
+Tribune. In these publications, the Hizmet is reported to have articulated a moderate Islamic
+narrative of peace, non-violence and de-radicalization.
+Many widely published and largely circulated newspapers and journals have given wide
+coverage to the Hizmet initiatives to educate the Muslim masses about the ideological
+ferocity of the violent extremist narratives in order to eradicate its menace.
+In its front page, the New York Times carried an article (dated May 4, 2008) buttressing the
+point that the Hizmet-supported or Gulen-inspired schools educate the Muslim children in
+Pakistan about a tolerant, pluralistic and composite Islamic culture by inculcating in their
+minds a gentler strand of Islam; that is “moderate and flexible, comfortably coexisting with
+the West while remaining distinct from it.”
+In an article dated January, 18, 2008 published by Forbes’ Oxford Analytica, the magazine
+says under the title “Gulen Inspires Muslims Worldwide” that the Hizmet movement has the
+potential to prevent the Muslim youth from the creeping radicalisation.
+The Economist carried three articles, in a succession, on the Hizmet initiatives. One of these
+articles (published on January 30, 2008) gives the Hizmet’s founder an epithet of “a liberal
+Muslim cleric who lives in self-imposed exile in America.” The article speaks at length that
+the volunteers and activists associated with the Hizmet profess and preach the universal
+values such as brotherhood of mankind, altruism and non-conformism.
+In an article dated January 18, 2008, The International Herald Tribune explained how the
+Hizmet’s founder-idealogue, Mr. Fathullah Gulen turned today into “an inspiration for Muslims
+who feel at home in the modern world.”
+The Hizmet’s Media outlets
+In his book “A Different Take on Tolerance? Gulen’s Alternative to Islam Controversies in
+Germany”, Marthe Hesselmans details the channels through which Hizmet movement
+mediates and popularizes its counter-extremism discourses among the common Muslim
+masses. The book unravels how the Hizmet engages in its own media in order to tackle the
+onslaught of the violent extremist narratives. In brief, the Hizmet media engagement is
+focused on its intellectual efforts to identify the root causes of violent extremism among
+Muslims; that are, according to the Hizmet, “certain mindsets and conditions that violent
+extremists manipulate to win over new recruits”. (Hesselmans, 2014)
+Fethullah Gulen himself engages in media, both in the electronic and print media, very
+proactively. He also exhorts the Hizmet activists to enhance their media activism with an aim
+to foster dialogue, peace activism, and intercultural harmony to de-radicalize the Muslim
+jihadist recruits as well as those vulnerable to them.
+Inception of the Hizmet’s Media
+With the liberalization of the media and the political environment in the 1980s, the Hizmet
+became actively engaged in both press and TV channels. It started substantially investing in
+print and broadcast media to communicate its peaceful, pluralistic and universal messages
+popularizing its discourse on counter-extremism and de-radicalization of the Muslim society.
+In 1979, the first Hizmet monthly journal, Sizinti was published by the Teachers’ Foundation,
+an education-based Turkish organization inspired by Fethullah Gulen. It became the best
+seller monthly journal in Turkey. This magazine largely carries contents conveying that
+religion and science or faith and reason are not adversary or rival to each other. Thus, the
+magazine aims at awakening the Muslim youth both scientifically and spiritually in an effort to
+prevent them from any effect of ‘blind faith’ leading to radicalization.
+Print Media
+In 1986, the Hizmet published a mainstream daily newspaper “Zaman” which enjoys a large
+circulation in Turkey and has also an online edition (ClickPress, 2009). With regular columnists
+covering national and international affairs, business, interviews, and a culture section, Zaman
+voices the concerns of the Hizmet and its founder-ideologue, Mr. Fethullah Gulen. Despite the
+newspaper’s clearly stated moderate and progressive Islamic vision and its complete
+endorsement of secular and democratic values, the newspaper is critiqued as “Islamist”
+(Rachel Sharon-Krespin, 2009).
+In addition to the daily newspaper “Zaman”, the Hizmet volunteers are also running several
+other newspapers, magazines and journals, most notably Today’s Zaman (English daily
+newspaper), Aksiyon (a Turkish news magazine), Yeni Ümit (meaning: New Hope, a culture
+magazine in the Turkish language published since 1988), The Fountain Magazine (a bimonthly
+magazine of scientific and spiritual thoughts published since 1993), Hira (the first
+Arabic magazine from Turkey after the collapse of the Ottoman empire). Hira is considered a
+‘platform’, rather than a magazine. Launched in October 2005, it claims to have attracted
+more than 2,500 Arab scholars and academicians and thus connecting the Arab world with
+Turkey. Thus, the Hizmet’s works on peace and counter-extremism are also promulgated in
+the Arab world (Nevzat Savaş, 2011).
+Electronic Media (TV & Radio Broadcasting)
+After the Hizmet established its newspapers, journals and magazines, it launched radio
+stations, TV channels, web-magazines and online media portals across Turkey and aboard. In
+the 1990s, it launched an international Turkish language TV channel “Samanyolu TV”.
+Samanyolu is a media company operating radio and television broadcasting, publication and
+distribution of newspapers. ”. With its headquarters in Istanbul, this international Samanyolu
+has 9 other TV channels Mehtap (cultural & religious), Irmak (religious), Hira (Arabic-cultural),
+Dunya (Kurdish-cultural), Samanyolu Haber (24/7 news channel), Ebru (US-based English TV
+channel) and Yumurcak (children’s TV). The Hizmet radio station Burç FM is broadcasted in
+Turkey in 62 provinces including 115 district centers. It also broadcasts from Internet sites
+(Yavuz M., Hakan, 2003).
+Media Agency
+In 1994, The Hizmet established The International Cihan News Agency which is part of Feza
+Publications, which also owns Zaman newspaper and Aksiyon. It produces news pertaining to
+the current national affairs, foreign affairs, economy, politics, culture, art and sports.
+According to Wikipedia, it is daily servicing approximately 450 written news, 315 photos and
+100 video news.
+New Media (Internet Sites and Web Portals)
+The Hizmet volunteers have set up a large number of web portals to publicize the
+movement’s narratives of peace, counter-extremism, dialogue, tolerance, social activism,
+acceptance and interfaith harmony. These new media include mostly internet sites and online
+forums such as: hizmet-movement.net, Gülenmovement.com,ülen.com,
+hizmetnews.com, en.fGülen.com, fethullah-
+Gülen.org,Güleninstitute.org,hizmetstudies.org/fethullahGülenforum.org, hizmetreview.com,
+rumiforum.org and several others.
+Using all these print media, electronic media and new media, the Hizmet communicates and
+publicizes a positive counter-narrative against extremism stressing core universal values—
+peaceful coexistence, unity in multiplicity, tolerance and acceptance, interfaith dialogue,
+peace and pluralism.
+Hizmet’s Refutation of the Extremist Narratives in Media
+A well-considered approach to the mediated de-radicalization is refuting and rebutting the
+televangelists’ misinterpretations or misunderstandings of scriptures that, if unchallenged,
+may catch the imagination of the religiously passionate and impressionable minds. The
+Hizmet has been proactive in media engaging in countering xenophobic literature, extremist
+sermons and the present-day radical Islamist televangelism to root out the radicalization of
+the Muslim youth. As empirical evidence, it is pertinent to put forth Gulen’s response to
+Qatar-based Islamist Televangelist Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi who came up with a theological
+justification of suicide bombings in Israel during his religious rhetoric. Gulen strongly
+critiqued this justification of suicide attacks. He retorted:
+“Apparently, Qaradawi has said that this (suicide bombing).’ (Kanlı Arenada Islam Imajı, Bamteli, 2005)
+The Hizmet’s theological refutation of violent extremist narratives has been worked out in a
+consistent, coherent and effective way. Mostly based on the Gulen’s sermons and
+statements, the Hizmet counter-narrative is widely communicated through the various forms
+of new media that the Hizmet has launched in its centers, institutes and branches across the
+world. (Keles and Sezgin, 2015)
+A critical analysis of the Hizmet’s refutations of the extremists’ theological and ideological
+underpinnings clears its position that the mainstream moderate narrative of Islam, which the
+movement adheres to, is completely antithetical to the extremist Islamist doctrines (ibid.).
+Based on a canonical understanding of the primary Islamic scriptures, Gulen offers a wellreasoned and progressive interpretation of the terminologies and references such as
+jihad, hakimiyah (God’s rule over the earth), khilafah (Islamic caliphate) and ishtishhad (divine martyrdom) and al-wala wal-bara (love for the sake of God and hatred for Him). These are some of the Islamic doctrines that the radical Jihadists misconstrue to justify their acts of violence and extremism. With a sizeable corpus of Gülen’s writings and oral statements based on scriptural reasoning, the Hizmet has evolved a complete and coherent online literature that refutes the jihadist ideology point by point, clause by clause.
+Thus, the movement tries to prevent the gullible and vulnerable Muslim minds from falling
+prey to the extremist Islamist indoctrination (Dialogue Society, 2011).
+Furthermore, Gülen has redefined the medieval jurisprudential terms such as “dar alkh (Keles and Sezgin, 2015).
+Conclusion
+At a time when the process of the extremist indoctrination, jihadist recruitment and
+radicalization of the Muslim youth through media is on the rampage, the Hizmet has evolved a
+complete, coherent, well-reasoned, spiritually-inclined and effectively positive counter narrative
+against the global extremist underpinnings. Though it was an uphill task for the
+Hizmet’s founder, like other moderate Islamic scholars and thinkers, as the most Muslim
+governments are not serious about it, he mustered the courage to work out a counter extremist
+narrative in the mainstream media. Based on a solid intellectual foundation
+buttressed by reason and revelation, the Hizmet has mediated a coherent anti-extremist
+narrative of peace and pluralism, consistent in all respects with the core values of Islam, and
+suitable for both the present and future societies.
+As a result of the Hizmet’s rigorous media activism, a moderate and sane Muslim voice against
+the violent extremism and radicalization is being heard and spread through the mainstream
+media as well as in the ‘new media’ easily accessible to the target audience. Emulating the
+Hizmet’s media-oriented approach to rooting out the growing radicalization, more and more
+moderate Muslims can rescue the young, gullible and impressionable Muslim minds going
+astray and becoming a prey to ‘online radicalization’. It can only be accomplished through an
+active media engagement as the Hizmet institutes and volunteers have epitomized.
+Bibliography
+- Ahmet Kurucan and Mustafa Kasim Erol, Dialogue in Islam: Qur’an, Sunnah, History
+(London: Dialogue Society, 2011) pp.16
+- “BPA Audit Figures Reveal Turkish Newspaper As Having One of the Largest Subscriber
+Bases in Europe”. Click Press Global News Distribution, July 10, 2007, accessed
+February 1, 2016.
+- John S. Nelson, Allan Megill, and Donald N. McCloskey, The Rhetoric of Human
+Sciences: Language and Argument in Scholarship and Public Affairs (London: University
+of Wisconsin Press, 1987).
+- Fethullah Gülen, “Muslims Must Combat the Extremist Cancer”, The Wall Street
+Journal, Aug. 27, 2015, URL:-
+extremist-cancer-1440718377, accessed January 5, 2016.
+- Fethullah Gülen, “A Real Muslim cannot be a Terrorist”, Journal of the Ottoman and
+Turkish Studies Association, Vol. 1, No. 1-2 (2014), pp. 166
+- Fethullah Gülen: A life dedicated to peace and humanity”- True Muslims Cannot Be
+Terrorists”. En.fGülen.com. 2002-02-04, accessed January 8, 2016.
+- Helen Rose Ebaugh, The Gülen Movement: A Sociological Analysis of a Civic Movement
+Rooted in Moderate Islam (New York City: Springer Press, 2010) 7-8.
+- Hira magazine changes perception of Turkey in Arab world, NEVZAT SAVAŞ, June 12,
+2011, Sunday, URL:-
+of-turkey-in-arab-world_246994.html, accessed 2015-25-01.
+- Introducing Fethullah Gülen, FGülen.com, April 8,
+2010.ülen.com/en/introducing, accessed January 8, 2016.
+- Kanlı Arenada İslam İmajı (Londra’da Terör). Bamteli. 09.07.2005’, Herkul website,
+URL: herkul.org/bamteli/kanli-arenada-islam-imaji-londra- da-teror/, accessed
+February 5, 2016.
+- O. Ashour, The Deradicalization of Jihadists: Transforming Armed Islamist Movements
+(London, New York: Routledge, 2009) 4-7.
+- Fethullah Gülen, “Muslims Must Combat the Extremist Cancer”, Aug. 27, 2015, The
+Wall Street Journal, URL:-
+cancer-1440718377, accessed 2015-01-24.
+- M. Hakan Yavuz, Turkish Islam and the Secular State: the Gülen movement (New York:
+Syracuse, University Press, 2003) pp. 36.
+- M. D. Silber and A Bhatt, Radicalization in the West: The Home Grown Threat. (New
+York: New York Police Department, 2007), p.13,
+URL:>, accessed 2 May
+2008
+- Marthe Hesselmans, “A Different Take on Tolerance? Gülen’s Alternative to Islam
+Controversies in Germany”, Journal of the Ottoman and Turkish Studies Association,
+Vol. 1, (2014), pp. 149, published by: Indiana University Press, DOI:
+10.2979/jottturstuass.1.1-2.149.
+- Muhammed Cetin, The Gülen Movement: Civic Service without Borders Hardcover
+(Blue Dome Press, 2010), 244.
+- Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut Sezgin, A Hizmet Approach to Rooting out Violent
+Extremism, (London: Centre for Hizmet Studies, 2015), 25.
+- Ozcan Keles and Ismail Mesut Sezgin, Fethullah Gülen’s Specific Responses against
+Particular Incidents of Violent Extremism, May 8, 2015,
+URL:ülenmovement.us/fethullah-Gülens-specific-responses-againstparticular-
+incidents-of-violent-extremism.html, accessed January, 24, 2016.
+- Paul Weller and Ihsan Yılmaz (eds), European Muslims, Civility and Public Life:
+Perspectives on and from the Gülen Movement (London: Continuum, 2012), 225.
+- Robert A. Hunt and Yuksel A. Aslandogan, Muslim Citizens of the Globalized World:
+Contributions of the Gülen Movement, (New Jersey, Tughra Books, 2007)
+- Rachel Sharon-Krespin, “Fethullah Gülen’s Grand Ambition: Turkey’s Islamist Danger”.
+Middle East Quarterly (Winter 2009), 55-66
+- Zeki Saritoprak, “Fethullah Gülen and His Global Contribution to Peace Building”
+(paper presented in “Muslim World in Transition: Contributions of the Gülen
+Movement” held at SOAS University of London, House of Lords and London School of
+Economics on 25-27 October, 2007.
+Photo Courtesy of Culinary Trends and Bouchon
+Photo One Perfect Bite
+From the kitchen of
+83 comments:
+Yum! The store-bought ones are tasty, but these look even better!
+Home-made cookies win hands down everytime in my book. These sound Yummy.
+Thankyou for stopping by my teacup page and for your lovely words.
+Cheers
+These look delicious!
+Yummy, so delicious! Have a nice day, hugs!
+Sounds like something I'd enjoy trying:@)
+Those cookies must be addictive!
+These cookies looks really good. Though I am not a great fan of peanut butter, but yes, Skippy is my preferred brand. Thanks for sharing.
+I love home made cookies :)
+These look incredible!!!
+what great cookies...
+Have a blessesd day,
+Rita
+Cookies looks simply incredible..lovely..
+wow, I love these cookies, anything with peanut butter turns me on! hahaha ;)
+thank you for your nice message on my blog.
+I also love what you cook
+See you soon
+Bye
+They look absolutely irresistible. The bigger the better, the more the merrier!:)
+This is just so mouth-drooling!! Am loving it!!
+I am officially changing your blog name to "Hits Home Runs Daily". Yum! ~Leslie
+Mary, I can't imagine that these could possibly be made in a size too big!! ;) Blessings ~ Tanna
+Homemade cookies are much better than store bought ones..these looks wonderful and delicious..love the filling..so yum!Thanks for the recipe!
+ohh...wow my mouth is watering..just looking at this..
+Tasty Appetite
+Hi dear Mary..I really missed your special recipes..I'm back..thanks as always, hugs, Flavia
+The cookies look terrific, of course, but I am drawn to comment on another point you have raised.
+The cooking shows that feature certain "celebrity chefs" and such have provided me quite a bit of entertainment. My feeling is that these shows have raised an interest in cooking in general and have been good for the craft. If I were a truly great chef, I might feel otherwise!
+Love your blog. And thank you for always taking time to leave a well thought out comment on mine. Blessings!
+They sound amazing Mary. My future son in law loves peanut butter so I will need to give them a try!
+I like soft chewy PB cookies! But these would do. :)
+you said homely? Not at all, they look fantastic, I wouldn't mind having a number of them!
+These biscuits sound heavenly with that creamy peanut butter. Oh, my!
+Have a great day Mary!
+Cheers,
+I love the look of these cookies.... Did u say they are crispy? Yum!
+Crispy and yummy looks grt.
+My DSO loves peanut butter cookies the way his aunt used to make them. Unfortunately, I never got her recipe nor did anyone else. Since these are crispy, I think they'd fit the bill. They're going on my "to do" list.
+I LOVE nutter butter cookies. When I was a kid I could literally eat the whole package of them...ok, who am I trying to kid? I could STILL eat the whole package of them! Will definitely be trying these!
+These look wonderful! At first though I thought it said Bacon Bakery's Nutter Butter Cookies. Now won't those be interesting. My grandma always had a variety of cookies on hand. Especially, during the summers so we could take cookies out to the field when my grandpa and dad were haying.
+My son has a Nutter Butter addiction. I'm making these for him. Thanks for the recipe
+WOW... These look amazing beyond belief! Just look at the texture of the cookies and the creaminess of the filling!
+These look perfect!
+I love oat based cookies and these look great. I think I could eat a saucer sized one!
+I always say you can't go wrong with oatmeal in cookies and these sound and look really appetizing.
+Rita
+Awesome cookies...crispy and crunchy...
+Looks heavenly good! I want some!
+Hi,
+first time here, I should have come earlier.
+Tempting recipes.I haven't seen a tastier blog!
+Oh man- I LOVE nutter butter cookies and these look SO good!! I would die for some right now :)
+Sues
+Yum! They look so appetizing! I love nutter butter cookies and will be trying it your way!
+this looks so buttery rich and crunchy! not forgetting the nutty filling. what more can I ask for? :)
+Dear Mary, I love the filling in these cookies...I think these cookies would go great sharing a cup of good coffee.. Blessings and have a good day..Catherine xo
+I'm glad you paid a visit to my blog. I am now a fan of yours. Such gorgeous pictures and I do love the wide range of recipes you have.
+Have a lovely weekend!
+Hubby said I'm not allowed to make those. They look too good!
+I make a pumpkin cream cookie similar to this. They make my tummy very happy, I'm sure these would do the same.
+Now you've got me wanting to buy some different peanut butters and compare! These look so good! Not too big for me. How about with a cup of coffee or tea for lunch! Cookie lunch!
+i love peanut butter cookies , both asian and western type and thanks for the link on culinary trends.
+I know at least one member of my family who would devour them, or may be two. They look delicious!
+I'm a total Thomas Keller fan
+I WILL be making these sometime...when I can splurge that is! I don't think these could be lightened up nor would I want them to be. :)
+These look so wonderful! You make the best things!
+Mmmm My kiddos would eat these up! Especially my little Kelsey. These are her favorite treats. She'll be so happy when I make them at home. :)
+I have never had a nutter-butter cookie and I cannot think of a better way to start. I own The French Lundry cookbook and have yet to cook from it - and I've had it over ten years. I will take it in hand tonight. And have noted those mammoth cookies - I don't suppose I could serve them for dinner? I know they will please.
+For me personally, there is no better dessert than a cookie. Peanut Butter being a favorite ingredient of mine makes me excited to try this recipe sometime. I am going to bookmark it. I’m thinking because it is a sandwich cookie, smaller would be a good idea so I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the inspiration!
+I have always loved Nutter Butters. I will have to try this out, post haste!
+Oh for a plate of those with a glass of milk!!! Beautiful!!!
+Those cookies looks so perfect and delicious!
+These look like the old Girls Scout cookie - Savannahs. Loved them! Thank you for scaling down the recipe.
+Martha in KS
+OK, is there a such thing as a cookie that's too BIG?! maybe. maybe not.
+I love what you're saying here as I too (while I really enjoy so many chefs...celebrity chefs included) I do not understand the (like you say) "colt following" that turns them into GOD in some peoples eyes.
+They are Chefs (some excellent ones) but most of them are not (if any) saving the world...
+Curtis Stone comes close with that face and body...but still ;)
+That's funny:) I posted some p. butter sandwich cookies today also. Yours sound wonderful!
+These cookies look fantastic. PB!! Cannot beat that.
+Thanks so much for visiting. Always glad to have guests.
+LOVE your header picture. Beautiful
+deliciosas me encantan y gracias por tu visita a mi blog
+I love peanut butter cookies! These look wonderful... but then anything Keller makes is always perfect. I made peanut butter cookies a month or so ago... could it be time for more???
+Keller's cookies are renowned for being obscenely large. I love how peanutty these are! Definitely something I need to try...maybe I'll just skip lunch and eat them as a meal!
+Cookies with oats + peanut butter! I will be baking these.
+~Judy
+For some reason I've never cared for peanut butter (as outrageous as that might sound) but these look like they could work well with the almond butter I use instead. Very nice, Mary!
+Ben
+it look so lovely and yummy! (: (:
+These cookies look so savory. Thanks for sharing!
+Nothing can compare to home made cookies. Peanut butter is my favorite and Skippy is the brand I always buy. I am going to make this for sure. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
+Oh, wow, Mary. I am with the Silver Fox. I know I would love these!
+home made cookies are always the best and yours look so great.
+I'd enjoy some with a cup of tea.
+thanks for sharing Mary
+They look delicious! I wish I could make all of your recipes!
+Wonderful job on these...I instantly wanted one as soon as I saw the picture. :)
+Mary, I'll have to say that yours truly can consume cookies of any size(even if they're not meant for "mere mortals").Will try them with my organic PB though, because SKIPPY is not sold in Quebec..Thank you for sharing!!:)
+So peanut-butteresque! I love these cookies!
+Oh, my...these look fabulous, Mary!
+Thank you! I love Bouchon Bakery and live just about a mile away. I stop there whenever I can -- but not too often, so it's still a treat. Everything is wonderful.
+Just came home from a family vacation to your great selection of peanut recipes--for the cookie monster in me, these sound great :)
+Mary, you never cease to amaze me with your recipes. My mouth is watering right now! Have a blessed day!
+I am wondering if I could make this with almond butter and almonds. I have an open bottle of almond butter and my husband who loves nuts, does not particularly like peanut butter. It seems to be too good a cookie, not to make it.
+How I wish I have a dozen of these right now! Yummmm....
+Kristy
+Oh my gosh! These look lovely! I have to make these, like yesterday! You have a very lovely blog. Thanks for stopping by mine :)
+Hmmm - these look sinful! Oh yes - and that Keller, he's amazing.
+Thomas Keller (and his restaurants) certainly have some great recipes. Nice looking cookies!
+We’ve all wondered about those strange items buried somewhere at the backs of our cupboards. Are they just weird-looking vases? Or could they be worth thousands of dollars – like the Pablo Picasso plate unknowingly owned by an elderly woman for forty years? Well, the Antiques Roadshow has been the center for these kinds of curiosities for decades. The show – which originated in the U.K. – has proven so popular that versions have even popped up in the U.S., Canada and beyond. And now and again, long-hidden items come along that make jaw-dropping history.
+40. Haunted 18th-century painting – $10,000 (U.S. series, 2016)
+This piece from around 1790 featured Aaron Delano – a ship captain lost at sea and fifth great-uncle to the picture’s then-owner. The artwork had apparently haunted the woman and her family, too, and not just because it featured a tragic ancestor. Supposedly, you see, the owner could sometimes hear footsteps coming from the painting – and her husband even fell from the ladder that he used to take the painting down. But all of their fear disappeared when the intricate artwork went at auction for $10,000.
+39. Norman Rockwell’s “The Little Model” – $500,000 (U.S. series, 2012)
+Antiques Roadshow guests sometimes bring in copies of famous paintings – but every once in a while, an original turns up. And in 2012 a lucky man brought in what turned out to be an original Norman Rockwell piece. The 1919 painting, entitled “The Little Model,” ended up getting valued at $500,000.
+38. Bébé Doll – $18,000 (U.S. series, 2006)
+The owner of this French baby doll had never been able to play with it as a kid – because her parents preserved it behind a sheet of glass. As it turned out, though, the grown-ups made the right decision. In fact, Antiques Roadshow appraiser Billye Harris valued the toy – a Schmitt et Fils “000” Bébé doll made in 1884 – at $16,000 to $18,000.
+37. Andrew Clemens sand art – $30,000 to $50,000 (U.S. series, 2002)
+This bottled sand art was inarguably stunning to see, regardless of its value. To create it, artist Andrew Clemens had gathered sandy runoff from Pikes Peak National Park and used the multicolored bits to pour a perfect design. And his 19th-century work had a big price tag. After all, appraiser Allan Katz valued the sand-filled bottle at between $30,000 and $50,000.
+36. Cottingley fairy photos – $31,000 (U.K. Series, 2008)
+Cousins Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright snapped a quintet of photos in 1917 that supposedly captured fairies hovering in their Cottingley, U.K., garden. Although the world viewed the images as a hoax, one man set out to prove their veracity: Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle. And almost 100 years later, Griffiths’ daughter appeared with her granddaughter on Antiques Roadshow and learned that the famous faux images were worth $31,000.
+35. Barbara Hepworth paperweight – $75,000 to $100,000 (U.K. series, 2012)
+Barbara Hepworth is among the most famous sculptors in history. And while working as a governor of St. Ives School in Cornwall, Hepworth gifted the school with a paperweight called “Oval Form.” Said item subsequently turned up on a U.K. episode of Roadshow in 2012. At the time, the piece was thought to be worth up to $100,000. But it was later valued again, and its estimated worth had gone up to almost $1 million.
+34. Richard Dadd painting – $125,000 (U.K. series, 1986)
+Artist Richard Dadd’s 19th-century painting “Halt In The Desert” disappeared in 1857 and reappeared on Antiques Roadshow almost 130 years later. It turned out that the painting’s owners had left it in their loft for years before they brushed it off and brought it on TV for an appraisal. The piece was then valued at $300,000 – but the British Museum later bought it for nearly $125,000.
+33. Art deco bracelet – $187,000 (U.K. series, 2016)
+As soon as appraiser Geoffrey Munn saw this art deco bracelet from the 1920s or ’30s, his excitement was palpable. He said to the piece’s owner, “I don’t know about you, but I’m nearly fainting.” He also noted the piece’s “art and intrinsic value” before slapping it with an enormous price tag: approximately $187,000 for the slinky accessory.
+32. 18th-century dollhouse – $187,000 (U.K. series, 2016)
+Antiques Roadshow appraiser Fergus Gambon did not mince words when he saw this dollhouse from the early 18th century. In fact, he said the piece was “of national importance” to the U.K. The delicate children’s toy was built in 1705 and had passed down through generations of female members of the same family. And by 2016 the beloved plaything had a value of $187,000.
+31. Baseball Hall of Famer and manager Ned Hanlon’s cufflinks – $200,000 (U.S. series, 2017)
+Ned Hanlon made the Baseball Hall of Fame for his successful management of the Baltimore Orioles – who won a trio of pennants between 1894 and 1896. And, more than a century later, his great-grandson appeared on Antiques Roadshow with Hanlon’s cufflinks and other family heirlooms. Because collectors so desperately seek pieces from this early era of baseball, the assemblage was given an insurance value of $200,000.
+30. Original Peanuts comic strip – $200,000 to $250,000 (U.S. series, 2005)
+Charles M. Schulz drew the beloved Peanuts comic strip from 1950 into the early 2000s. This original piece of art came from the 1960s, so it came out relatively early in Schulz’s time helming the famous cartoon. That means, of course, it has a high value. In fact, a re-appraisal in 2014 confirmed it was worth up to $250,000.
+29. Henry Francois Farny painting – $200,000 to $300,000 (U.S. series, 2017)
+The student who brought this painting to Antiques Roadshow said that prior appraisers had valued it at a maximum of $250. But the show’s appraiser Meredith Hilferty recognized it as an authentic Henry Francois Farny piece. The American painter often brushed scenes featuring Native Americans, and this piece features a large group of them trekking through the wilderness. So the painting had a much higher value than anticipated – up to $300,000 at auction, Hilferty estimated.
+28. Henry Nelson O’Neil’s “Eastward Ho!” – $242,000 (Canadian series, 2005)
+While the U.S. and U.K. editions enjoy most of around $206,000.
+27. 18th-century replica sword – $249,000 (U.K. series, 2009)
+British Rear-Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson received the original version of this sword after a victory against the French at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. But even a commemorative gilded brass copy of the crocodile-handled sword was worth big bucks, according to appraiser Graham Lay. Incredibly, he valued the antique weapon at almost $250,000.
+26. Racehorse sculpture – $249,000 (U.K. series, 2008)
+Racehorse Brown Jack charmed the U.K. during seven years of successful races. And clearly his fans wanted the horse’s likeness in their homes to remember his power and speed. Sir Alfred Munnings crafted this model with intricate anatomical detail – which led appraiser Dendy Easton to value the piece at $249,000.
+25. Commemorative Titanic bear – $249,000 (U.K. series, 2016)
+The owner of this teddy bear left it atop a cabinet for years before taking it to an Antiques Roadshow taping. As it turned out, though, Steiff had manufactured the plush toy in 1912 to honor the children who died when the Titanic sank. Only 600 of the toys were made, and the show gave this remaining piece a $249,000 valuation.
+24. John F. Kennedy’s leather jacket – $249,000 to $374,000 (U.K. series, 2015)
+Legend has it that in the 1950s John F. Kennedy once wore a leather jacket while rendezvousing with his Swedish girlfriend. But the soon-to-be president left his outerwear behind, and, more than a half-century later, it ended up on Antiques Roadshow. With such an iconic former owner, then, the jacket’s projected value wasn’t too surprising – according to experts, it could bring home up to $374,000 at auction.
+23. Patek Phillippe pocket watch – $250,000 (U.S. series, 2004)
+When an item fetches a six-figure valuation on Antiques Roadshow, that’s usually the end of it. But now and then an item will end up getting appraised again for an even higher value. And among the most notable cases was a Patek Phillippe pocket watch. Originally valued at $250,000 in 2004, the device was later revealed to be unique and thus its value shot up to a staggering $1.5 million.
+22. Bronze rhinoceros statue – $250,000 (U.K. series, 2011)
+A statue of a rhino might not appear so impressive now, but in 1750 – long before David Attenborough existed – it was one of the only ways to get an idea of what one looked like. One such statue, modeled after a real rhino named Miss Clara, ended up being valued at around $250,000 for this very reason.
+21. Beatrix Potter paintings – $312,000 (U.K. series, 2003)
+Writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter created the beloved character of Peter Rabbit among many other animals that she featured in her children’s books. And one Antiques Roadshow guest had their hands on 23 of the famous author’s artworks, revealing that Potter was a friend of the family. Their collection – which even included unfinished sketches – was worth around $312,000.
+20. Navajo Ute first phase blanket – $350,000 to $500,000 (U.S. series, 2004)
+When your family owns an item originally gifted to them by American frontiersman Kit Carson, it’s a safe bet that they’re holding on to a hefty sum of money. In this case, the gift was a Navajo blanket that was valued between $350,000 and $500,000. Once it was auctioned, though, it fetched $1.8 million.
+19. Alexander Calder mobile – $400,000 to $1 million (U.S. series, 2010)
+American sculptor Alexander Calder is famously credited with inventing the mobile. So, if you have one that he made, chances are that it’s probably worth something. Don’t believe us? Well, a mobile that Calder had given someone in exchange for a needlepoint pillow appeared on Antiques Roadshow in 2010. And despite the item having been restored slightly in 1986, the appraiser still valued it at between $400,000 and $600,000 – before going on to suggest that it might even fetch $1 million.
+18. A family’s silver collection – $436,000 (U.K. series, 1994)
+The Crawley silver collection remains among the most unforgettable moments in the history of Antiques Roadshow. From his backpack, a young man pulled several pieces of silver that his father had collected over the years. Appraiser Ian Pickford was clearly in shock as he identified the age-old items – including a wine-tasting cup from the era of King James I. And the entire collection ended up going for $436,000 at auction.
+17. Antony Van Dyck’s “Magistrate of Brussels” – $499,000 (U.K. series, 2013)
+The hosts of Antiques Roadshow don’t tend to be experts themselves, but every so often they get the chance to drop some knowledge bombs. In 2013, for instance, U.K. presenter Fiona Bruce worked on an episode of Fake or Fortune? about the artist Antony Van Dyck. And as a result, she noticed immediately when one of the painter’s unfinished portraits appeared on Antiques Roadshow. It was then valued at nearly $500,000 – but it failed to sell at a London auction in 2014.
+16. Joseph Kleitsch painting – $500,000 (U.S. series, 2015)
+Many artists’ works only become collectible after they’ve passed on. And while Joseph Kleitsch did find some recognition during his lifetime, the fact that his wife sold one of his paintings for $100 after his death in 1939 suggests that he still had a ways to go. Well, that same painting turned up on a 2015 episode of Roadshow – and was valued at $500,000.
+15. Picasso plate – $10,000 to $15,000 (U.S. Series, 2014)
+The woman who owned this special plate admitted that she’d hung it over her stove for almost four decades. And there, it’d undoubtedly collected grease sent flying during cooking. She hadn’t thought twice about her kitchen decor, either – until she visited an art gallery and saw a plate similar to hers. And that plate was the work of Pablo Picasso. The Antiques Roadshow appraiser confirmed that hers, too, was a piece from the famed artist, and it was valued between $10,000 and $15,000.
+14. Clyfford Still painting – $500,000 (U.S. series, 2009)
+The U.S. version of Antiques Roadshow has only been going since 1997, but it didn’t take long for items worth six figures to start turning up. In 2009, for instance, a Clyfford Still painting broke the record for the most valuable item after getting a valuation of $500,000. The painting may have been worth even more, though, as another Still piece was auctioned off for $21 million at around the same time as the episode aired.
+13. An original Banksy – $526,000 (U.K. series, 2014)
+Street artist Banksy doesn’t make art to be sold; he paints it on walls and buildings to make a statement. Yet his artwork “Mobile Lovers” ended up on a door in Bristol, England, and someone had it appraised on Antiques Roadshow. And after the show suggested a $526,000 price tag, Banksy handed ownership of the piece to the city’s Broad Plain Boys’ Club so that it could receive the profits at auction.
+12. Frederick Remington portrait with letter – $600,000 to $800,000 (U.S. series, 2014)
+When your relative had a famous artist for a friend, it affords you certain advantages. And one guest on a 2014 episode of Roadshow brought in a portrait of their great-grandfather that had been painted by Frederick Remington – as well as a letter from the artist. The letter was valued at $2,000 and the painting at somewhere between $600,000 and $800,000.
+11. Jardiniere by Christofle – $698,000 (U.K. series, 1991)
+It’s hard to believe that before appearing on Antiques Roadshow in 1991, this extremely valuable work of art had been used as a plant pot. However, appraiser Eric Knowles knew the urn – with its handles molded into the shape of cranes – hailed from the late 19th century. And the gilded bronze piece sold for $698,000 at auction.
+10. Robert Henri oil painting – $700,000 (U.S. series, 2010)
+The woman who owned this oil painting had received it as a gift from her father – who said the artwork’s subject was her grandmother. What may have come as a shock was that the artist behind the opus was Robert Henri. This meant that the painting had serious value. Appraiser Peter M. Fairbanks suggested that the family take out a huge insurance policy on their art – as of 2016, they boosted their coverage to match the painting’s value of up to $700,000.
+9. 18th century Qianlong jade collection – $710,000 to $1,070,000 (U.S. series, 2009)
+In early 2009 the aforementioned Clyfford Still painting broke the record for the U.S. show’s most valuable item – but only a few months later that accolade was shattered. A collection of Chinese jade ornaments – originally bought by an American living in Beijing – were collectively valued at between $710,000 and $1,070,000. That made them only the third item to be valued at more than $1 million in the show’s worldwide history at the time.
+8. Diego Rivera’s “El Albañil” – $800,000 to $1 million (U.S. series, 2012)
+Any art aficionado will tell you that works from an artist’s early years tend to be extremely valuable. And if such an early piece went missing for many years, then the value skyrockets. This was the case with a 1904 Diego Rivera oil painting – which a U.S. guest brought in for a 2012 episode of Roadshow. In the end, the piece was valued at somewhere between $800,000 and $1 million.
+7. Japonisme urn – $833,000 (U.K. series, 1991)
+In some cases, items shown on the show end up being valued at a far higher price after the fact – and this might be the most dramatic example. In 1991 a Japonisme urn was given a valuation of roughly $12,000 in today’s money. But, years later, the item was sold off at an auction for an astonishing $833,000.
+6. Boston Red Stockings baseball archive – $1 million (U.S. series, 2015)
+If you’re not into baseball, the fact that trading cards with images of players on them could be valuable seems absurd – but they are. A collection of early prints from the 1870s ��� along with letters from several Boston players – was valued at $1 million in a 2015 episode of Antiques Roadshow. Later, though, other experts commented that the cards wouldn’t fetch such a high price at auction.
+5. Chinese rhinoceros horn cups – $1 million to $1.5 million (U.S. series, 2011)
+Many of the items that guests bring in are inherited or dug up during a clear out. But in some cases, people go out of their way to acquire them. One such attendant on the U.S. show spent years – and around $5,000 – building up a collection of Chinese cups made from rhino horn. And as it turns out, it was more than worth their while. You see, the collection was valued at somewhere between $1 million and $1.5 million – one of the highest valuations in the show’s history.
+4. Leica Luxus II camera – $1.03 million (U.K. series, 2001)
+If something is incredibly rare, then it’s much more likely to fetch a high price. In 2001 a guest on the U.K. version of the show brought in a gold-plated Leica camera thought to be the only model of its kind. At the time, it was valued at just over $1 million. Yet when the camera was auctioned off in Hong Kong, the owner “only” managed to get $620,000.
+3. Fabergé flower – $1.25 million (U.K. series, 2017)
+One of the most valuable items to have appeared recently on the show was an ornamental flower made by Gustav Fabergé’s famous company. The flower turned up in an episode of the British version in the West Midlands town of Dudley, and it was valued at a staggering $1.25 million.
+2. F.A. Cup fifth edition – $1.25 million (U.K. series, 2015)
+The current record holder on the U.K. edition of the show is, appropriately, something of a national treasure. The fifth edition of the F.A. Cup was served to winners of the prestigious soccer trophy from 1911 until 1991. The prize was brought in for a 2015 episode of the show and valued at “well over” $1.25 million.
+1. Angel of the North scale model – $1.25 million (U.K. series, 2008)
+The first item to break the £1 million mark on the U.K. version of the show turned up in 2008. Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North is among the most famous modern monuments in Britain. But whereas the actual statue cost about $1 million to construct, the six-foot-tall scale model that appeared on Antiques Roadshow was valued even more highly.
+How would you react if you were told your antique was worth millions? Well, after rifling through her late relative’s attic, this woman found a mysterious box. But the container was locked, and the woman tried key after key to no avail. Then, finally, when the box could be prised open, it revealed its contents: one solitary ring with an inscription. This item was puzzling, though, as it didn’t seem to relate to any part of the family’s history. Then, when the full story subsequently unfolded, the ring’s true provenance left the woman flabbergasted.
+The unnamed woman’s father-in-law had recently passed away, meaning it was left to her and her family to go through his possessions. And the relatives duly worked their way through the deceased’s home in Wales, eventually ending up in the attic. But while such high spaces can hold a treasure trove of long-forgotten relics, this family found something truly special.
+More specifically, the family members came across a wooden box – one that was very obviously old and covered in scratches. Yet it wasn’t this item that was of particular interest; instead, it was all to do with the contents. Inside the box, you see, was a ring made from a silver-colored metal that featured a floral, almost feather-like engraving. The piece of jewelry also had an inscription of “C Brontë,” although this wasn’t a name that the finders were able to place within their family.
+There was also a date emblazoned on the ring: “31st March 1855.” And as this too failed to ring a bell with the deceased man’s relatives, they decided to ultimately turn to the internet to try and find answers – or at least set them on the right path. Upon a search for the name and date, however, what emerged was quite the eye-opener.
+You see, the top result that Google returned was for the famous 19th-century author Charlotte Brontë. And more than 150 years after her death – which did indeed occur on March 31, 1855 – Charlotte’s most famous novel, Jane Eyre, remains a highly lauded literary classic.
+The third child of Maria and Patrick Brontë, Charlotte entered the world on April 21, 1816, in the small English village of Thornton. And while Thornton has since been consumed by the urban sprawl of neighboring city Bradford, Charlotte, along with her sisters, are still arguably the area’s most famed former inhabitants.
+Patrick Brontë served as a priest but was also a keen writer – a passion he seemingly passed on to his children. He and Maria were the parents of Maria and Elizabeth, who were born in 1813 and 1814, respectively. Charlotte arrived next, followed by brother Patrick, or Branwell, in 1817 and two more sisters, Emily and Anne, in 1818 and 1820.
+But the Brontës soon experienced a devastating loss that would forever leave a mark on the family. After mother Maria developed uterine cancer, she passed away at the age of just 38. And although Maria’s older sister, Elizabeth, ultimately joined the clan in 1821 to help raise the six children, Patrick never remarried.
+Instead, while Elizabeth and a maid named Tabitha Aykroyd looked after the younger Brontës, Patrick sought solace in his work. After several failed attempts at finding a new wife, he decided to devote his time to the poor and sick. That said, the priest did pay some attention to his children’s needs – particularly when it came to their education.
+But although the Brontë siblings were lavished with all the books and toys they desired, formal education was an expense that Patrick couldn’t easily meet. Nevertheless, the widower persisted, and he finally arranged for his daughters to attend a “charity school.” These establishments had relatively low fees and were known for helping out families of the clergy.
+So, in July 1824 Patrick enrolled Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily at the Clergy Daughters’ School in the village of Cowan Bridge. Unfortunately, though, their time at the facility was short-lived. Charlotte would later recall that conditions in the school had been unsanitary, and that this had badly affected the health of its students.
+In 1825 there was even an outbreak of typhoid at the school, with Maria and Elizabeth contracting tuberculosis and growing seriously ill as a result. And even though both girls were therefore sent home, neither recovered from their sickness. Tragically, Maria passed away on May 6 aged 11, while Elizabeth followed on June 15 aged ten.
+After his two eldest daughters died, Patrick then withdrew Charlotte and Emily from the Cowan Bridge school. But although Charlotte’s experiences at the institution had been unpleasant, she still managed to take inspiration from that period later in life. In particular, she drew upon her memories to create the fictional Lowood School featured in Jane Eyre.
+Perhaps owing to the loss of her mother and two older sisters, Charlotte took on a more maternal role with her younger siblings in the following years. It was during this time, moreover, that she started writing poetry. This became a form of therapy for the adolescent – a magical realm into which she, her sisters and brother could escape.
+From the age of 13 up until her death, Charlotte is believed to have penned over 200 poems. Her siblings were also keen wordsmiths, with much of their work going on to be published in the family’s own Branwell’s Blackwood’s Magazine. In 1831, though, Charlotte eventually returned to her formal studies by enrolling at Roe Head School.
+And Charlotte’s time at Roe Head was altogether more pleasant than her earlier schooling had been. It was there, in fact, that she formed friendships with Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor, who would continue to be part of her life into adulthood. At the age of 19, Charlotte also returned to the school to teach for several years.
+Being an instructor at Roe Head was not as fulfilling as being a student, however, and sadness and isolation seemingly seeped into Charlotte’s poetry as a consequence. Indeed, works such as “We Wove a Web in Childhood” stand in stark contrast to the imagined world she had earlier inhabited with her brother and sisters.
+Then, after leaving Roe Head, Charlotte found work as a governess, or private tutor, from 1839. The author didn’t much enjoy this role either, leading her to quit after two years. Nevertheless, it wasn’t all for nothing, as again Charlotte would mine her personal life for Jane Eyre, with one on-the-job incident believed to be the basis of part of the book’s opening chapter.
+After that, Charlotte and Emily enrolled in a boarding school in Brussels, Belgium. In lieu of paying rent and tuition fees, the sisters took up tutoring posts in 1842, with Charlotte teaching English and Emily music. Ultimately, though, the pair returned home in October that year, as news came that their aunt Elizabeth had passed away from an intestinal obstruction.
+Charlotte returned to the boarding school as a teacher the following January; Emily, by contrast, remained in England. But life in Belgium didn’t always run smoothly. Charlotte grew homesick, for one, and found herself developing a strong attraction to Constantin Héger, who ran the school with his wife. Eventually, then, she went home a year later – and with more experiences to draw upon for her future novels.
+Then, after an attempt to set up their own boarding school in the Haworth family home, the surviving Brontë sisters took to self-publishing the novels on which they had been working. At the time, though, most writing by women was not generally held in the same regard as literature penned by men, and so the three women decided to release their works to the world under pseudonyms that obscured their gender.
+Charlotte had previously sought motivation from then-Poet Laureate Robert Southey – although, in the end, he was far from encouraging. In response to the aspiring writer’s letter, Southey said, “Literature cannot be the business of a woman’s life, and it ought not to be. The more she is engaged in her proper duties, the less leisure will she have for it even as an accomplishment and a recreation.”
+And so the sisters self-published and submitted their first manuscripts under the names Currer (Charlotte), Ellis (Emily) and Acton (Anne) Bell. Charlotte, for her part, had written The Professor, which had been based on her experiences in Brussels. But though the work was initially rejected, there was hope on the horizon. You see, publishers Smith, Elder & Co. had expressed an interest in any longer works that she – or, rather, Currer Bell – produced.
+Charlotte was therefore sufficiently motivated to finish her second manuscript, Jane Eyre, and within a month and a half the novel was published. The book drew largely from her own experiences and was considered groundbreaking not only for being told in the first person, but also for being from a woman’s point of view. This combination proved to be a winning one, too.
+But Charlotte’s success would be marred by further tragedy. While working on what was to become her second published novel, Shirley, the author’s brother, Branwell, contracted bronchitis and died in September 1848. Her sibling had been a heavy drinker and possible drug user, which may have compounded his illness.
+Contrary to her brother’s diagnosis, Charlotte believed Branwell had died of tuberculosis – just as their older sisters had done 20 years previously. Whatever the truth, though, Emily would follow by falling ill soon after her brother’s funeral. Tuberculosis ultimately took her life in December 1848, with Anne dying of the same condition just months later.
+To cope with the loss of three siblings in an eight-month period, Charlotte got lost in her writing. She had shared the pursuit with her late sisters, of course, with Emily’s Wuthering Heights and Anne’s Agnes Grey also proving a success in the wake of Jane Eyre. Yet Charlotte’s later novels never quite matched the popularity of her debut.
+Shirley, published five months after Anne’s death, failed to connect with readers in the same way as Jane Eyre. By this time, moreover, it was widely suspected that Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell were in fact women hiding behind male pseudonyms. And Charlotte’s decision not to posthumously republish Anne’s second book, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, under her real name remains controversial today, with some believing that the decision negatively affected Anne’s popularity,
+Nevertheless, if there were any lingering doubts as to the Bells’ true identities, they were confirmed as the surviving sister’s profile rose. And at around the time that Charlotte’s third novel, Villette, emerged in 1853, the author finally found love.
+Arthur Bell Nicholls was the curate in the Brontës’ home village and the person from whom the sisters had taken their collective pen name. He had long been in love with Charlotte, who had resisted a proposal of marriage at first. After the writer grew increasingly enamored of Arthur, though, the pair went on to wed in June 1854.
+Then, not long after tying the knot, Charlotte fell pregnant. But during what should have been a happy period, her health took a turn for the worse. According to her friend and fellow author Elizabeth Gaskell, Charlotte suffered “sensations of perpetual nausea and ever-recurring faintness.” Today, Brontë sisters biographers speculate that Charlotte suffered from malnourishment and dehydration as the result of severe morning sickness, and it was this that ultimately led to her death. Still, the official diagnosis sounds all too familiar.
+You see, contemporary doctors decided that Charlotte had succumbed to tuberculosis. And with that, Patrick Brontë had survived his entire family, losing all five of his daughters and possibly his only son to the same disease. The most famous of the Brontë authors passed away on March 31, 1855, along with her unborn baby. She missed her 39th birthday by three weeks.
+This date was the same as that inscribed on the ring found in the Welsh attic. But that wasn’t the only thing tying the piece to the famous writer. The ring hid a secret, you see, and it was this that its finder spotted soon after the jewelry’s discovery. Ultimately, then, she went to a taping of Antiques Roadshow in order to verify her suspicions.
+For more than 40 years, the BBC has invited the public to have their belongings appraised by professionals on Antiques Roadshow. And while the ring’s new owner was pretty sure about the significance of what the jewelry contained, she needed to be certain. While being filmed for the series, then, she told an expert her story.
+“I’ve got goosebumps now thinking about it,” the woman said to Geoffrey Munn, an Antiques Roadshow jewelry specialist. “[The ring’s] got a hinge on it, and inside there’s plaited hair. I think it may be the hair of Charlotte Brontë.” But Munn needed no further convincing; after all, he knew the traditions of the era.
+Munn explained, “It was a convention to make jewelry out of hair in the 19th century. There was a terror of not being able to remember the face and character of the person who had died,” He further described, “[The ring] opens like a little [cookie] tin lid, and amazingly we see this hair-work within – very finely worked and plaited hair.”
+But there was more. Munn also had recollections of pieces he had seen before, and he went on, “[The ring] echoes a bracelet Charlotte wore of her two sisters’ hair… So it’s absolutely the focus of the mid- to late 19th century and also the focus of Charlotte Brontë.”
+So, Munn explained to the woman, he had “very little reason to doubt” to whom the hair belonged – not least because there are already numerous examples of similar items on show in museums. And as a consequence, the expert said that the idea the locks had once belonged to Charlotte Brontë was an “utterly and completely credible” one.
+What’s more, Ann Dinsdale, the head curator of the Brontë Society & Brontë Parsonage Museum, had no reason to disagree. Indeed, she later confirmed that the piece would make a “lovely addition” to the array of artifacts already housed at the attraction. Speaking to The Guardian in 2019, Dinsdale said, “We already have a considerable collection of Brontë hair at the museum, and there’s usually a sample on display.”
+In fact, it’s the lock of braided hair that makes the jewelry incredibly special. As Munn explained, the ring itself would have been only worth roughly £25, or $32. However, the inscription and hair increase that value significantly. The expert believed that, altogether, the find could fetch somewhere in the region of £20,000 – and that’s more than $25,000.
+from the Victoria’s Secret Store at the Flagstaff Mall.
+According to police, about $15,000 worth of underwear from Victoria’s Secret was taken Saturday without tipping off employees.According to police, about $15,000 worth of underwear from Victoria’s Secret was taken Saturday without tipping off employees.
+Those responsible were able to haul about 350 bras out the main entrance during business hours.
+How do you walk out the door with 350 bras, without anybody noticing, or without the anti-theft tags triggering the alarm? Pretty tricksy.
+I think they need to set a booby-trap, to catch the culprit.
+Found via: Crime Scene KC
+September, 27, 2007 at 2:36 pm
+Those things cost $43 bucks each?
+Argh. No wonder my Amex bill is off the charts again.
+September, 27, 2007 at 2:39 pm
+They’re only $14-$18 at Wally World.
+September, 27, 2007 at 5:48 pm
+Thanks for telling everyone about my little secret…
+September, 27, 2007 at 5:50 pm
+[...] 27th, 2007 by Ed Thanks to NiceDeb for telling the world about my little problem… Bra Bandit Steals Bras Right Off Racks… [...]
+September, 27, 2007 at 6:42 pm
+I used to wear those expensive VS bras. I realized awhile back they were so uncomfortable, I couldn’t wait to get out of them. Now I order from Jockey.com. at less than 1/2 the price. I think I look better without all that push up stuff. The gents might think differently but they don’t have to wear the things.
+Bra Bandit — you can keep ‘em.
+September, 27, 2007 at 6:51 pm
+Well, I have a feeling some Victoria’s Secret bras are going to be showing up on EBAY at a good discount in the very near future, in case you change your mind.
+September, 27, 2007 at 7:24 pm
+They can peddle away on Ebay, NiceDeb!
+Shopped almost exclusively at Victoria Secret 25 years ago. Sweet hubby bought me lots of pretties. A very different product then, like quality French lingerie. Not anymore… not by a long shot.
+September, 27, 2007 at 7:25 pm
+I’m afraid my ta-ta’s are only good enough for Wally world
+September, 27, 2007 at 8:10 pm
+Seriously PJM…that avatar is creeping me out.
+It almost makes me want to put my pants on because it makes me uncomfortable.
+Cheese Deb is so sexy, if she was an aged brie, I would eat her with a cracker.
+September, 27, 2007 at 8:24 pm
+PjMomma
+Is that your eye?
+It’s a pretty one.
+September, 27, 2007 at 8:26 pm
+hahaha, it is my eye. Is it creepy though Cathy? I’m asking your opinion, not rosetta’s. I don’t want to weird people out
+September, 27, 2007 at 8:26 pm
+I’m wearing acuvue2′s
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:13 am
+My mom, is a simple woman, and my father is an even more simple man (though he’s actually quite bright, he just never thought of anything but himself, sorry dad, it’s true)
+Anyways, my brother got married to a woman who isn’t simple (though, sorry sis, my bro is “smarter,” but not by much, and it’s not a family thing)
+Anyways, (again) I have a rather strong sense of my own abilities, but I know what they are. I remember stuff, I know what I was taught, and sometimes I can put them together, but in general, I’m not one of those savantic ultra-focused geniui (I don’t like saying genius’s, I prefer, treating them as fungus, so the multiple is “fungi”)
+and there are a lot of people I can count as equals, but I have only met a small handful (actually 4) people that I would say were “smarter.” And without a doubt the man who I most associate with brilliance is my uncle (not related) John.
+Seems like a long lead in for bra’s right?
+Here is one thing that those I count as brilliant, those I count as equals, and those I count as less have in common.
+We quiver with guilt whenever we are in the womens section of any store, and if we even walk into Victoria’s Secret knowing we are gonna be paying for it, we are complete wussbags.
+One time I had to go out with my brother to pick up the birthday gifts for his wife. My brother knew about what it would cost, but as he walked in, had to be held by the hand (figuratively, almost literaly) by the salesgirl, in order to pick out the things his wife wanted (not smutty lingerie or anything, VS is a much bigger business than that) You could see my brother diminish a little bit in masculinity as he walked through the store, and Me the single guy, would only have been an offensive prick if I made jokes, so I shrank even further.
+Paying for the clothing (it was actual clothing) my brother, you could see, that he didn’t care what it cost, he just wanted to go into the warm embrace of sports television, and his wife telling him how great a husband he was, meanwhile I was a wimpering dog, nipping at the heals of anyone willing to kick me in the face.
+ND, don’t bother asking your husband, he will lie.
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:19 am
+I couldn’t wait to get out of them.
+Okay, that is ONE reason husbands really like their wives shopping there.
+I’m just saying.
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:20 am
+Nothing sexier than a chick eager to rid herself of her bra.
+Now if we can only be informed of the particular panties that do the same thing, there will be a ROUTE! at the nearest lingerie shop.
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:40 am
+>Bra Bandit Steals Bras Right Off Racks
+That is a great headline. Don’t get much better.
+September, 28, 2007 at 1:19 am
+One more thing?
+what was the cup size?
+September, 28, 2007 at 7:28 am
+Barry in Co, do you still have a website? I’d like to put it on my blogroll. But I forgot the name of it.
+September, 28, 2007 at 8:33 am
+“Seems like a long lead in for bra’s right?”
+No, I’d call that tittalating.
+Agreed, VS quality’s not like it used to be, Cathy (WUTBMM), what the heck happened to Frederick’s Of Hollywood? And a confession, just for you. I used to have a plaid bra. And two paisleys.
+September, 28, 2007 at 8:39 am
+Happy Birthday, wickedpinto. Just saying. Your birthday…stolen bras…
+September, 28, 2007 at 9:36 am
+No, I’d call that tittalating.
+HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
+September, 28, 2007 at 9:37 am
+WP’s busted!
+September, 28, 2007 at 9:37 am
+Is it creepy though Cathy? I’m asking your opinion, not rosetta’s. I don’t want to weird people out.
+Sorry for the delay in response. I’m just getting back here.
+I’m not weirded out at all. If the other one is sorta like it, Lady you have pretty eyes and you can show ‘em off if you want. I think it is a clever way to share yourself with us.
+September, 28, 2007 at 9:39 am =
+Out West
+Thanks Deb
+September, 28, 2007 at 10:17 am
+I used to have a plaid bra. And two paisleys.
+Cool PattyAnn. I will always love plaid stuff.
+September, 28, 2007 at 10:39 am
+Cathy, please tell me that is hot YOUR eyeball?
+September, 28, 2007 at 11:49 am
+Cathy, please tell me that is hot YOUR eyeball?
+PattyAnn That is NOT my eyeball.
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:36 pm
+I don’t have plaid but I do have a leopard print thong.
+I wear it when I’m mowing the grass.
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:41 pm
+GLAR!
+September, 28, 2007 at 12:54 pm
+It was plaid with two paisleys? PattyAnn were the two paisleys strategically placed?
+September, 28, 2007 at 1:37 pm
+yeah, but it does upset the neighbors a bit. Dogs bark, children cry.
+Not pretty.
+September, 28, 2007 at 4:00 pm
+GLAR!
+September, 28, 2007 at 4:03 pm
+Nothing sexier than a chick eager to rid herself of her bra.
+WP — Not if that bra is makin’ her cranky.
+September, 28, 2007 at 4:21 pm
+I have a bra like that Cathy and for some reason I never remember to throw it away. It’s got this little piece of plastic that digs in my back all day. It’s never enough to make me exchange bras during the day, but just enough to annoy me. I finally threw it away the other day.
+September, 28, 2007 at 4:34 pm
+Awhile back I went through my drawer and threw out every bra that made me cranky. I’ve started culling other clothing now. I refuse to wear scratchy stuff — those tags at the neck or in the side-seams… What are they thinking!
+September, 28, 2007 at 4:41 pm
+I’m the same way. I just can’t figure out what takes me so long to realize I hate those articles of clothing. duh!
+I think I just don’t like to throw things away that I spent money on.
+September, 28, 2007 at 5:00 pm
+Ditto.
+September, 29, 2007 at 12:12 am
+Instead of throwing them away, you could just cut the tag off. And if you need the tag for washing instructions, just put a piece of scotch tape on it and write what you cut it off from (with a fine sharpie on the spanish side) and put it in the junk drawer in the kitchen for future reference.
+September, 29, 2007 at 7:50 am
+Oh fine, just what we need. Something else to irritate women.
+September, 29, 2007 at 7:56 am
+You should appreciate us being annoyed by that and not you Dave.
+forged rite, that is a good idea. My case it was this little piece of I don’t know what it was. it was like they sewed it together with fishing line. I swear I don’t know what the hee haw heck it was
+September, 29, 2007 at 9:00 am
+Forged —. I think that is why some companies are now printing everything on the inside of the garment and promoting a “no tags” feature.
+I figure if we gals get rid of most stuff that gets us cranky — we are doing humanity (that includes men) a favor.
+I don’t pay attention to washing instructions anyway. Most my stuff is washable, and I can usually figure out whether it needs to be in cold water just by looking at it.
+Dave — if you’re lookin’ for something to irritate women, I could make you a list… and the word “feel” will be included.
+September, 29, 2007 at 10:34 am
+—.
+Oh, don’t I know it.
+I’ve walked around with little slits in my clothing because of that happening. Those damn tags are coming out one way or another.
+October, 1, 2007 at 9:13 am
+I have a minor in Women’s Irritation Studies.
+Yes! I am back, with a fresh new outlook on life and more positivity. No, I didn’t join a cult, just had a few epiphanies! So this is more like a best of the internet for the last couple of weeks. I haven’t read with my usual vigour – I have spent a lot of time rediscovering Marlboro, drinking cider and playing guitar hero. However ,I did bookmark everything I loved which I will bring to you tonight! I still have 80 (YES! 80!) email alerts to pour through however.
+There is a lot to talk about. The Hunger Games have been getting so much press, it really is worth reading the books and seeing the movie if you haven’t already. I will be writing a piece straight after this and queuing it up for next week. Rick Santorum pulled out of the US Republican Candidate race (which is nothing but good news… but leaves America with another couple of turkeys still…). There is a plethora of products on the market for beauty maintenance, as we all know – but did you also know you can buy stuff to make your Vagina whiter? ORRRRR Pinker??? THEN there was the story about Dara-Lynn Weiss who got a book deal after fat-shaming her daughter in Vogue – Dont even get me started. There is also a lot which shows that we are our own worst enemy when it comes to body image. Maybe nothing, however, has been talked about as much as Ashley Judds Op Ed in The Daily Beast, and the reactions to it. There is so much in the way of fantastic discussion in the media at the moment! Now, I wont add too much commentary. There isnt much reason for me too. So, shall we catch up on some fantastic discussions???
+9 Things That Supposedly Disqualify You From Being A Feminist. Ruth Graham. This is still a thing? Really? We are still telling each other how to be real feminists?? I am going to show my aussie for a second and tell those feminists to pull that stick out of their arse. Is it lonely up on that high horse? How is the altitude? OK. Back to earth… Dont worry, this slideshow is just reporting what is SUPPOSED to disqualify you.
+Being Feminine Doesn’t Make Me Weak. Julia Gasdag. I really really have so much love for this. I often get crap for being a feminist who loves her Chanel Red Lipstick, and Pretty dresses more than life itself. Apparently this makes me less feminist – which you and I both know is a pile of shit. Definite must read, and Thanks to Julia for writing this.
+10 Famous Feminist Artworks. Alison Nastasi. Including Judy Chicagos Dinner Party. Sadly, it is very American… But these are still works worth knowing. They certainly helped shape my understanding of how visual mediums can be applied to raise awareness to Gender Issues.
+There Is A Different Way – Lessons From Abroad. Johanna Mollerstrom. Ms. Mollerstrom , originally from Sweden was surprised by the lack of gender equality in the US than in other parts of the world.
+Beasts of Burden. We Really Havent Come Very Far, Baby. Germaine Greer. Ms Greer – in case you didnt know – does an incredible amount of work to bring awareness to the conditions of women living in African, Asian and Middle Eastern Countries. In this article she hits point after point with incredible conciseness, concluding with a word on the Australian Prime Minister and ensuring that her last points hit like an Atomic Bomb.
+The Slacker is back – and this time shes female. Hermione Hoby. Slackers are often portrayed in culture as male, and has always been glorified as a male preserve. However, we are now seeing the female slacker. I like to think that I am one as well… but my classmates would probably disagree…
+Why You Should Get Excited About Next Big-Screen Superheroine – Sabrina The Teenage Witch. Alyssa Rosenberg. I didnt expect much from this little article, but it packs quite a punch, making some fantastic points, including that female heroines on film tend to have male mentors. Worth a read.
+Maleficent, Snow White and the Huntsmen, and Fairy Tale Villainesses as the New Anti-Heroes. Alyssa Rosenberg. For the record? Maleficent is my FAVOURITE Disney character, and news that Ms. Angelina Jolie will play her excites me beyond words… but lets move on shall we? I really enjoyed this article =D
+Lessons We Learned From Mad Men. Barbara and Shannon Kelley.
+The Gender-Neutral Games. Tarina Quraishi. A fantastic read. This is all I will include on the Hunger Games in this post.
+Hollywoods Lady All-Stars. Anna Clark. 2012 is apparently the 40th anniversary of the US Bill Title 9. read more here about that, and how women athletes are portrayed in movies (when they are…)
+The Bared Female Midriff in Advertising. Leanne Westrick. How does advertising portray women? As small, white or exotic, young, empowered, and hetero. Is that reality??? Of course not.
+5 Guidelines that Can Prevent sexist Reporting on Women in Politics. Sarah Seltzer. I have linked this from page 2, but it is worth reading the whole thing… however it can be read from part way through. It never ceases to amaze me the way that the media handles talking about female politicians. Here in Australia, where we have a female PM, and until recently my state had a female Premier, the conversations regarding our leaders seem to focus more on ettiquette, their choice of clothing, and buttocks size, rather than actual policy. I would LOVE to see these guidelines actually implemented. My favourite is number 3.
+3) Beware of slightly gendered and slanted language like ‘darling’, ‘glamorous’ or even ‘opinionated.’ After all, would you ever call a male politician “opinionated,” or would you simply assume that he is? And think calling Sarah Palin or Nancy Pelosi the “darling” of an ideological group isn’t problematic? Would you say the same for Rick Santorum or Bernie Sanders or would you call them figureheads, or popular icons instead? I myself have been guilty of falling into the “darling” trap. Then there are worse sins like calling someone an ice queen, a mean girl, or using the term “catfight. There are word order choices introducing her as “so and so’s wife” instead of saying “her husband is so and so.” Even the most subtle shadings of language can be gendered, and lots of that shading can add up to make things considerably more difficult for women on the political scene.
+Meghan McCain Body-Shaming Bridges the Political Gap. @About-Face What happens when a prominent female campaigns for Skin Cancer Awareness naked from the shoulders up? Why, everyone criticises her BODY, of course!!! (silly me!)
+Germaine Greer and Body Shaming. @newswithnipples. Germaine Greer is an incredible woman. There is no denying this. On a recent Q&A, she spoke so eloquently about our Prime Minister, I was close to jumping up and screaming halelujah! (instead I just nodded and said Yes a lot. But then… she went for the body shaming. Really Germaine? Read this article to see footage and more commentary. I was so glad to have found this!!! Read another here by Robyne Young
+Public Survey Conducted by The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt Reveals that Facebook Drains Body Image and Self-Esteem. @ MarketWatch. All those comments, the photo censoring, the body monitoring, the comparisons… Yep… it all effects you.
+What Fat Talk Does To Your Mental Health. Deborah Dunham. Surprisingly, it is not positive. Self Deprecating humour is not amusing – it is damaging. Stop putting yourself down and watch your self image rise.
+Would You Work Out in A Sports Bra in Public? Jenny Gaither. Ms Gaither went out to Union Square in my hearts home town New York (I left a large piece of my soul in NY) and asked women if they would participate in a fitness class in broad daylight in a Sports Bra – and what she found was that not only do most women hate their own bodies, but they are conscious of being judged because THEY judge, and they cant help but compare themselves to one another. For the record? when I first read this I though No Way In Hell. Now? I think I would set it as a challenge to myself.
+Your Vagina Isnt Just Too Big, Too Floppy, and Too Hairy – Its Also Too Brown. Lindy West. I still dont really have words for this…
+10 of the most ridiculous products targeted to women. Nicky @ Mamamia. JUST in case you didnt want to bleach your Vagina, you COULD make it pinker… and 9 other products including the Booty Popper, and Chick Beer. *facepalm*
+The Biggest Threat of Dara-Lynn Weiss and Vogues 7-Year-Old on a Diet. Isabel Wilkinson. So, Vogue ran a story about a Manhattan mother who forced her daughter onto a diet – not after the doctor told her the child was obese, but after a boy at school called her fat – shaming and publicly humiliating her, forcing her to eat certain foods and then rewarding her with a shopping spree and a Vogue photo shoot. Someone give her all the awards for Mother Of The Year. This article is actually quite disturbing to read – clearly we have a mother who has managed to pass her own body image problems to her child. Not to mention the messages it sends. When the Doctor raised concerns for the childs health, that should have been Dara-Lynns jumping off point to find an appropriate solution for her daughters health. However, she waited until a boy called her daughter fat, sending the ultimate message that we must care about what men think of us, and it is important to not be fat in their eyes. Not really the most eloquent wording – but forgive me. Furthermore, the child is taught to fear certain foods – That is a great message to send right there! There was no agency – her mother decided when she was full. The conclusion of this article however sums up what is quite possibly the worst consequence of all of this – but I shall let you read that.
+Dara-Lynn Weiss Got A Deal for Fat-Shaming her Daughter in Vogue. Briana Rognlin
+Beauty regime change – The Lost art of Not looking Good. Charlotte Raven.
+Ashley Judd
+Here is her Op Ed for The Daily Beast. I will be honest… It gets a little rambling at times, but dont let that distract you from each point that she eloquently makes.
+Here is an article on Jezebel which includes 2 Videos which I HIGHLY recommend you watch.
+Video
+Mad Men – Set Me Free. Remix Video.
+From Anita Sarkeesians post on the video
+Political Remix Video’s Elisa Kreisinger teamed up with Marc Faletti to create a music based remix starring the women of the highly acclaimed TV series Mad Men. Kreisinger and Faletti took the 1966 Motown hit, “You Keep Me Hanging On” and overlaid it with short clips of Peggy, Joan, Betty and other female characters from the show so they could along with the Supremes.
+The remixers have replaced the musical versus with a collection of scenes throughout Mad Men’s first four seasons to illustrate the struggles women face on the show and the small ways they try to resist their subordination within this male dominated world. Visually, the remix moves and flows along with the music, in and out of multiple splitscreens illustrating women in various work, personal and domestic scenarios. Kreisinger said of the choice to use splitscreens:
+“By framing the female characters from Mad Men in a series of boxes, we wanted to illustrate how the show, and by extension, society, isolates and marginalizes womens’ voices within pop culture narratives.”
+Mad Men is a show about wealthy, white, straight men set in the 1960s world of advertising. Women’s roles on the show have become increasingly more relevant to the main story arc but ultimately Mad Men still revolves around its male anti-heroes. Set Me Free rewrites the male focused Mad Men universe and brings the stories and struggles of women to the forefront.
+Graphic
+Forgiveness Is A Two Way Street
+Search, Read and Download Book "Forgiveness.
+Forgiveness a Two Way Street
+Forgiveness is a Two way Street
+The Road to Forgiveness
+To make amends for his troubled past, Joel Hunter goes back to the Herrera family farm in Nevada. The Herreras believed in him, supported him, and he let them down. Especially Mari, the beautiful girl he grew up with—and secretly loved. A changed man, Joel can now help save their farm and support Mari's mother and two young siblings. The one thing he can't do? Explain to Mari where he's been the past nine years. How can he expect her to understand—or want him around? Until Joel discovers that the road to forgiveness is paved with love.
+Revolutionary Forgiveness
+"Anyone who wants to know the truth about the Nicaraguan Revolution should come and see with their own eyes. Then let them make their own judgment, as the authors of this book have. Those who cannot come should read this book and then make their judgment."Rev. Ernesto Cardenal, Minister of Culture, Nicaragua"Three things are striking about this small volume. The first is the timeliness of the topic. The resolution of the problems of such Third World countries as Nicaragua and the Philippines are weighting the future of our world. The second is the importance to people of faith around the glove as to how our religious heritage can inform our political judgments on current revolutionary situations. The third is the exciting and refreshing 'doing of theology' in the context of group experience and group reflection - in this case by a group comprised almost entirely of women."Robert DeWitt, formerly Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania"This book must be read by every American struggling with the question: 'What is the truth about U.S. involvement in Nicaragua?"Delores S. Williams, Muhlenberg College"Revolutionary Forgiveness is a testimony... to the power of the Nicaraguan struggle to change lives and to call citizens of the that very superpower that seeks to crush it to repentance."Rosemary Ruether, Garrett-Evangelical Seminary and Northwestern Seminary"Empathetic and daring, this unusual book, rooted in a feminist perspective, has a message for every North American about the revolutionary power of forgiveness."Archie Smith, Jr., Pacific School of Religion
+God Works Through Human Personality
+All over the world people are the same, and what is even more interesting, we all have the same hopes, we desire many of the same dreams, we share the same emotions, we all share a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to fear, a time to love, a time to care, a time to feel angry, a time when we are sad, and a time when joy brings us to that place of total happiness, peace, and tranquility; which is a sure moment in time. And the truth of the matter is this, God is on the throne and it is only in Him, through Him, and by Him, that all things are made possible for us. Because He has assured us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. God is a BIG GOD! And whatever your challenge is, whatever your struggle is, whatever concern you may have, and whatever it is that you are dealing with in your life today, there is nothing too hard for God. In God works Through Human Personality the author exemplifies beautifully through inspiration what God can do, and will do for you, when you put your trust in Him. The word of God clearly encourages us by this saying; if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us, and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5: 14-15 And know that there are angels we see, and there are angels we don''t see, this is how we know that God is our comforter, our helper, our maker, and our redeemer, through the many trials we face, and the courage we are inspired through the men, women and sometimes children that we cross on a daily basis. There is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2: 11 We are encouraged to let brotherly love continue. And be not forgetful to entertain strangers; forthereby some have entertained angels, remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. Hebrews 13: 1-3 How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133: 1 The Lord said
+The Two Suggestions. Readers of Andrew McIntosh's regular op-ed columns in The Californian-a San Diego area daily newspaper-will instantly recognize the witty, biting prose he uses to drive his points home in his first book, The Two Suggestions. Teens and parents will deeply relate to McIntosh's personal and professional experiences as he shares his orphanage and adoption story, his big city paramedic career, and his various youth advocacy experiences spanning several decades. The Two Suggestions should be mandatory reading for every teenager, parent and youth advocate in America and Canada today. In the new America-secular, immoral, addicted and violent-The Two Suggestions offers today's youth powerful tools to thrive in the face of confusion, anger and social chaos.
+Communicating Forgiveness.
+The New Freedom of Forgiveness The New Freedom of Forgiveness,.
+Forgiveness and Restorative Justice
+The meaning of ‘forgiveness’ and its role within restorative justice are highly contested. This book offers analysis from practical and academic perspectives within Christian theology, against a rich canvas of related concepts, including victimhood, sin, love, and vulnerability. Critical friends of restorative justice, the authors argue that forgiveness – whether as journey or act, unilateral or mutual, conditional or unconditional – is necessary to achieving a fully restorative resolution to acts of harm. They also suggest that Christianity, with its meaning-giving metanarrative of restoration, and preference for communitarian approaches to justice, may have epistemic value for evaluating and even deepening the theory and practice of restorative justice.
+Portraits of Forgiveness
+Like an old, frayed blanket there are many loose threads in our relationships. Issues and conflict divide us from family, friends, and innumerable people we encounter throughout life. The process of forgiveness is necessary to restore and rebuild those relationships. In this book you will find great stories of how God works in the lives of people to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation - binding up the loose threads and making relationships even stronger than before. Table of Contents: Introduction Part I. Forgiveness in Family Life 1. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Evil - Joseph and His Brothers 2. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Shame - Jacob and Esau 3. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Ungratefulness - The Prodigal Son and His Father Part II. Forgiveness in Church Life 4. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Selfishness - Moses and the Wilderness Church 5. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Immorality - Paul and the Corinthian Believers 6. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Betrayal - Jesus and Peter Part III. Forgiveness in Community Life 7. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Hardness - Pharaoh, Moses, and the LORD 8. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Injustice - Jesus and the Roman Soldiers 9. Forgiveness Triumphs Over Fear - Philemon and Onesimus Part IV. The Process of Forgiveness 10. The Strategic Value of Forgiveness 11. How God Forgives Us 12. How We Forgive Others 13. Practicing Biblical Forgiveness 14. Frequently Asked Questions
+When She Prayed He Answered.
+Love As a Way of Life
+Reveals the seminal role of spiritual insight and understanding in our daily lives while examining the qualities that help us express and respond to love, as well as the obstacles and misunderstandings that undermine relationships.
+Fifty Two Mondays
+The Monday of everyday life inevitably comes after a restful Sunday ] fifty-two times a year. Just as the idyllic moves into the mundane, so a couple quickly moves from the honeymoon to the work of a marital relationship. Small or large, every marriage has rough spots. Fifty-Two Mondays acknowledges that the everyday or married life can begin to divide what God has put together. In this age of irreconcilable differences and no-fault divorce, couples are trading marriage for separation at a staggering rate. Regrettably, Christian couples are no different. Fortunately, God is still the Author of hope. You can enjoy the kind of marriage God intended with your mate, even on the Mondays, because God has not left us in the dark. Instead, He provided the perfect guide to marital success in the Bible. Fifty-Two Mondays provides a fresh understanding of the biblical principles and practical application needed to fully enjoy life as one. Dr. Marianne de Deugd has been a full-time Christian counselor for over twenty years and currently serves as the director of Royal Palm Ministries Counseling and Training Center in Fort Myers, Florida. She has obtained a doctorate of ministry in counseling, as well as masters degrees in counseling and biblical counseling. Dr. de Deugd is certified by the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors, Peacemaker Ministries, and Prison Fellowship. Marianne is a frequent speaker, seminar leader, and author. She draws extensively from the experience gained during thirty-four years of marriage to her husband, Bill. Marianne and Bill have four children, and have successfully navigated over 1700 Mondays.
+Exploring Forgiveness
+Pioneers in the study of forgiveness, Robert Enright and Joanna North have compiled a collection of twelve essays ranging from a first-person account of the mother of a murdered child to an assessment of the United States’ post-war reconciliations with Germany and Vietnam. This book explores forgiveness in interpersonal relationships, family relationships, the individual and society relationship, and international relations through the eyes of philosophers and educators as well as a psychologist, police chief-turned-minister, law professor, sociologist, psychiatrist, social worker, and theologian.
+When the Vow Breaks.
+Dawn of Liberty
+Political unrest shakes the foundations of a war-torn country—and of the McCallum family as they fight for their faith in the Secret of the Rose series. Many God’s protection—to save their family.
+Emotional Detox). Gift of Forgiveness
+Frontiers in Spiritual Leadership
+Abraham Lincoln's iconic phrase, 'the better angels of our nature', revealed his belief that the noblest qualities of humanity would heal a divided nation. In Frontiers in Spiritual Leadership, an interdisciplinary group of leading scholars from the University of Richmond explore these noble qualities and how leaders such as Lincoln make that expression possible. They review the landscape of spiritual leadership and the spiritual principles that are fundamental to effective and inspired leadership, emphasizing the values of love, forgiveness, purpose, trust, sacrifice, equality, and liberty, among others. Through an analysis of historical examples and contemporary issues, this book celebrates the many gifted and enlightened individuals whose leadership embodies the most exquisite qualities of humanity. It outlines the conceptual linkage between leadership and spirituality within groups and organizations and will appeal to students and scholars of leadership, ethics, religion, philosophy, psychology, and human growth potential.
+USS Sealion SS-315
+Japanese hopes for victory in World War 11 were based on a speedy conquest of the rich islands of the Pacific. They then hoped to use supplies from their seized "empire to fight a long war, ending in a negotiated peace. Aided by control of the sea after Pearl Harbor, she soon had possession of these prizes but found, to her dismay, that she could not fully utilize it. Only a small amount of the oil production got through to the Japanese home islands, because the United States Submarine Force, largely discounted in prewar Japanese thinking, cut Japan's long lines of supply, sinking her merchant shipping faster than she could build new bottoms.
+One of the stalwarts among these silent gray warriors was the USS SEA LION (SS315). For the six patrols which she completed the submarine was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, which credited her with sinking or damaging more than 98,297 tons of enemy shipping, avenging the loss of her namesake.
+SEA LION is the second vessel to be named for a large eared seal, that is a native of the Pacific Ocean. The first SEA LION (SS195) was built by the Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut where the keel was laid on 20 June 1938. At the launching on 25 May 1939, the submarine was christened by Mrs. Claude C. BLOCH, wife of Admiral BLOCH. USN, Commander in Chief of the U. S. Fleet. She was commissioned on 27 November 1939, and upon completion of her shakedown cruise, joined the Asiatic Fleet. SEA LION, along with SEA DRAGON, was in the last stages of overhaul at the Navy Yard, Cavite, Philippine Islands. Both were scheduled for completion on 12 December.
+Although there were frequent air raids in the Manila area during the first two days of the war, no enemy planes approached the Navy Yard Cavite until afternoon of the third day, December 10th. That day the air raid alarm sounded about half an hour after noon, and shortly thereafter 54 planes, in two groups of 27 each, were sighted heading for the Navy Yard. SEA LION was nested at Machine Wharf with SEA DRAGON inboard and the minesweeper BITTERN outboard. The Commanding Officer (Lieutenant Commander R. G. VOGE), the Executive Officer (Lieutenant A. L. RABORN), and three other men were on the deck when the first stick of bombs landed from 100 to 200 yards astern of SEA LION. The Commanding Officer, seeing that the planes were going to bomb from high altitudes, where machine guns could not reach them, ordered all hands below. On the next bombing run, a few minutes later, two bombs hit SEA LION almost simultaneously. One struck the after end of the Conning Tower fairwater, completely demolishing the machine gun mount which had just been vacated, the main induction, the battery ventilation, and the after Conning Tower bulkhead. A fragment from this bomb pierced the Conning Tower of SEA DRAGON, killing instantly Ensign Sam HUNTER stationed there ---- the first submarine casualty of the war.
+At almost the same instant another bomb, passing through the main ballast tank and pressure hull, exploded in the maneuvering space in the after end of the after engine room, killing four men working in that compartment --- Electrician Mates FOSTER, O'CONNELL, and PAUL, and Machinist Mate OGILVIE.
+With this explosion in the maneuvering space, the after engine room flooded immediately and SEA LION settled by the stern in the mud. The forward engineroom and the after torpedo room flooded slowly through bomb fragment holes in the bulkheads.
+SEA LION finally settled down by the stern with about 40% of the main deck underwater and a 150 list to starboard.
+Several days later, divers cut a hole aft of the Conning Tower, and entered the flooded submarine. All motor controls,, reduction gears and main motors were wrecked, totally immobilizing the shill. The bombing which wrecked the SEA LION also obliterated the Cavite Navy Yard, so with the nearest facilities at Pearl Harbor, the SEA LION's case was hopeless. To prevent her from falling into enemy hands, all radio and sound gear was removed, and depth charges were rigged in her compartments. On Christmas Day, 1941 the charges were exploded and down went the SEA LION; the first U. S. Submarine lost in World War 11.
+The keel of the second SEA LION was laid on 25 February 1943 at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut. Launched on 31 October of the same year, the submarine was sponsored by Mrs. Emory S. LAND, wife of Rear Admiral LAND. She was first commissioned on 8 March 1944; and with Lieutenant Commander Eli T. REICH, USN, in Command, hurried through her shakedown cruise and headed for the Pacific.
+On 8 June 1944 the sleek craft steamed out of Pearl Harbor for Midway and her first war patrol. Topping off at Midway on the 12th, she headed for the East China Sea via Tokaxa Strait, in company with USS TANG. While patrolling the channel between Kusakaki Shima and Kuro Shima in the afternoon of 23 June, an approach was made on a river gunboat. Three bow torpedoes were fired. One passed directly under the target but failed to explode. The gunboat retaliated with twenty depth charges but the SEA LION escaped without damage.
+Rendezvous was effected with the TANG and TINOSA on the 24th, and a convoy contact massage sent them racing to intercept. The convoy was never picked up, but in the early morning of the 28th, the SEA LION picked up a good contact. Patrolling fourteen miles south of Tsushima Island, a medium freighter and an enemy patrol boat were sighted on the horizon. When within range three torpedoes were fired from the stern tubes. One hit and three minutes later only a whirlpool remained in place of the 2386 ton freighter SANSEI MARU. Thirty depth charges were dropped by the Patrol Boat, but the SEA LION was never picked up. While patrolling northward of Shushi Gunto and Taroto two days later, she sighted a sampan and began an approach. The sampan was demolished by gunfire, and the five Japanese survivors left to shift for themselves.
+After a week of inactivity, the submarine again got into action in the early morning of 6 July 1944. Patrolling on the surface ten miles south of Four Sisters Islands, her radar picked up two enemy ships. The SEA LION closed to 14,000 yards, then dove and continued her approach. It was now seen that the ships were part of a convoy, and a large freighter was selected as the first target. Four bow torpedoes were fired at this target, and two more at a medium freighter astern of the first. All torpedoes missed the targets, but another medium freighter behind the second target caught one torpedo. The SETSUZAN MARU sank, stern first. Commander REICH swung his ship for a stern shot and fired four torpedoes at an escorting destroyer. The destroyer zigged and the torpedoes missed. The SEA LION went deep, and crept from the area to the tune of forty-five depth charges.
+The submarine moved to the area between Shantung Peninsula and Korea, and while patrolling on the surface in a dense fog late on the night of 10 July, made radar contact on an enemy freighter. Three bow torpedoes were fired, scoring one hit. The target disappeared from the screen amid sounds of breaking up. She then decided to head for home with two torpedoes remaining. Two hours later another freighter was contacted. The stern torpedo was fired, but missed, The SEA LION began a full speed chase. Just as the target loomed out of the fog headed straight for the SEA LION the last torpedo leapt from the bow tube. Debris flew in all directions. Maneuvering radically, the SEA LION slid by the target, pouring 20MM shells into the bridge. As she cleared the area. the target was seen to slip beneath the waves.
+The SEA LION came under attack by a Japanese patrol plane on 15 July, but evaded the attack without damage, arriving at Midway on the 21st after a very successful maiden patrol.
+The killer was ready for sea again on 17 August 1944. and entered her patrol area. Convoy College in the Bashi Channel. on the 31st. She was now a member of a coordinated attack group designated "Ben's Busters" along with the GROWLER and the PAMPANITO. Her first chance for attack came on the first night in the area. A night surface radar approach was made on a large. well escorted convoy. Six torpedoes were fired. all running erratically. The SEA LION then swung and fired four stern torpedoes to sink a large tanker of the NIPPON MARU class. Still surfaced, she successfully evaded the escorts and persistently tracked the convoy. Shortly before sunrise she was able to work her way ahead of the convoy, and begin a submerged approach. This resulted in the sinking of the 1345 ton minelayer SHIRATA. and a 10,000 ton transport. A thorough three hour depth charging followed, but damage was slight. Later the same day a periscope approach was conducted on a small patrol craft. The last four torpedoes in the forward nest were fired, but the target zigged and all missed. Ten close depth charges rained down, but the SEA LION escaped without notice, and departed the area to replenish torpedoes and fuel.
+After loading with torpedoes and fuel, the marauder put to sea again from Saipan, to rejoin her wolf pack and continue her second patrol. On 6 September a convoy of six- Japanese ships with five escorts left Singapore for Japan. Crammed aboard the RAKUYO MARU were 1350 English and Australian captives being transported to slave in the Emperor's factories and mines. Of the four other ships in the convoy, one was a heavily laden transport, another was a large freighter carrying rubber and rice. and the remaining two were loaded oil tankers. On the night of 12 September the convoy was proceeding northward in three columns, three ships to a column. It was on this same night that the SEA LION, rejoined the GROWLER and PAMPANITO.
+Between 0100 and 0130 all three submarines contacted the convoy by radar some 300 miles off Hainan. The submarines swung into action. At 0155 the GROWLER began the show by attacking from the convoy's starboard side. putting a torpedo into the HIRADO. the leading escort vessel on the starboard bow. The frigate blew up amidships, burst into flames and sank within a few minutes. At 0534 Commander REICH drove the SEA LION into attack on the convoy's starboard side. In two minutes time, two torpedoes hit the passenger-cargoman NANKAI MARU in the center of the formation, another torpedo hit a large transport leading the right column, and two more hit the RAKUYO MARU. The Japanese aboard the latter immediately abandoned ship. The unfortunate prisoners, left to fend for themselves, somehow got free, of the ship, and into the water. The NANKAI MARU went down in about half an hour. and the RAKUYO MARU sank late in the afternoon.
+Unaware the ships carried allies, the submarines cleared the immediate area. During the day, most of the Japanese were picked up by escorts while the prisoners in the water were hold at bay by rifles and pistols. By nightfall the miserable men, abandoned, were swimming desperately, or clinging helplessly to mats of wreckage. After sundown the prospect of survival seemed slim indeed. But these castaways were to have an unexpected deliverance. On the afternoon of the 15th, the PAMPANITO passed through the waters where the attack had been made and discovered a crude raft loaded with men. She began picking up survivors as fast as she could locate them, and sent a message to SEA LION asking for help. The two submarines combed the area, racing with darkness. When no more men could be safely accommodated, the two headed full-speed for Saipan. Two other submarines were ordered to proceed to the area and rescue the remainder. The SEA LION had picked up 54 survivors, but four died enroute. She departed Saipan for Pearl Harbor, arriving there on 30 September for her refit.
+The SEA LION's third foray against the enemy began on 31 October 1944 as she left Pearl Harbor for the area between the East China Sea and the northern tip of Formosa. She engaged an armed trawler in a gun battle on 11 November while enroute to her patrol area, but the engagement was broken off as a second trawler entered the battle. There were no casualties to either side.
+A few minutes after midnight on 21 November the SEA LION was cruising on the surface nosing into Formosa Straits, through whose protective confines all Japanese shipping funneled. The sea was calm and there was no moon, for the sky was overcast. All hands on the bridge were staring hard into the night. Suddenly the radar screen flicked bright with three pips at extreme range so the targets had to be unusually large to show. Commander REICH promptly headed the submarine toward the targets. As the distance closed, more pips showed up, now indicating four large ships in columns screened by three others. The two middle ships were of battleship proportions, the other two would be cruisers, and the screening ships destroyers.
+It was a dark night, and the column was moving fast. The task force felt secure from attack due to its position and high speed, and was not zigging. So Commander REICH made the unusual decision to ambush the warships from the surface. At 0146 the SEA LION was on the enemy's starboard beam, slowly gaining. As she bent on all speed to get ahead, a night wind entered the approach problem and she had to claw her way through rising seas. An hour later the submarine was out in front, and the second ship in column, the nearest battleship, was selected for the target. As she maneuvered into attack position, the leading cruiser went by. Then an escorting destroyer threatened to intervene. This silhouette, dimly seen from the bridge, was the first visible contact with the enemy task force, until that moment the chase had been conducted entirely by radar. Fearing the destroyer might overlap the battleship in line of fire, the torpedoes were set for a lower depth. At 0256, as the destroyer passed the lurking submarine, six torpedoes plunged toward the first battleship, leaving not so much as a single bubble in their wakes. As the last shot left the tube nest, the rudder was thrown hard right and the three stern torpedoes were fired at the second battleship. Sixty seconds later several explosions blossomed brightly crimson -in the night --- three on the first ship, one on the second, but that was all. They might have been fireworks for all the effect on the Japanese formation.
+The SEA LION ran westward at flank speed while the Jap destroyers charged eastward in pursuit of ghosts. By 0310 the SEA LION was 8.000 yards west of the Jap task force, and she slowed to parallel the enemy's course and rush a torpedo load. The warships were doing 18 knots, and apparently the hits had only dented the armor belt on the battleships. Another attack was necessary. By this time the sea had begun to build up, and solid water was breaking over the bridge of the submarine. She put on maximum speed to overhaul the fleeing task force, and held on until sparking commutators on the motors compiled her to slow down to full speed. At this pace the SEA LION could do about 17 knots. An hour passed, and a second one. Suddenly the first battleship veered out of formation and began to slow down. Two destroyers dropped back to screen her.
+By 0512 the SEA LION was in attack position. : She slowed and turned in for the attack but it was not necessary as there was a tremendous explosion; a flash of light; then again total darkness. So perished the veteran battleship KONGO. She was the first and only battleship sunk by a submarine during the Pacific War, and her loss struck a severe blow to the Japanese Navy.
+The SEA LION contacted another task force of one battleship and three destroyers on the night of 26 November 1944, but was unable to attain favorable attack position. She was forced to submerge in the bright moonlight and take a long range shot which proved unsuccessful. One of the destroyers counterattacked with two very close depth charges, forcing the SEA LION to the bottom in 275 feet of water. She departed the area on 29 November, arriving at Guam on 3 December for voyage repairs.
+On 4 December 1944, Lieutenant Commander Charles F. PUTNAM, USN, relieved Commander REICH as Commanding Officer. On the 14th the SEA LION departed Guam on her fourth war patrol. December hunting was poor due to the scarcity of Japanese targets: nevertheless, while patrolling in the South China Sea on 20 December the SEA LION flushed a freighter and two escorts. The targets were tracked from ahead until nightfall, when she came in for a night surface torpedo attack. Six bow torpedoes were fired in a heavy sea to score four hits. The 7, 000 ton supply ship MAMIYA stopped dead in the water, but refused to sink. Her escorts kept her well screened and dropped numerous depth charges while the SEA LION, still on the surface, maneuvered for the kill. After four and a half hours she managed to gain a firing position. Three bow torpedoes were fired to score two hits and sink the stubborn ship.
+Just after midnight on 2 January 1945 the SEA LION contacted a convoy consisting of a medium transport and two escorting destroyers. It was a blight moonlight night, and the SEA LION was not able to gain a desirable position for a surface attack, due to the proximity of the destroyers. However, four stern torpedoes were fired at long range at a destroyer and the overlapping transport. The torpedoes missed and the destroyer took up the chase, but the SEA LION managed to evade and stay on the surface.
+Since 28 December 1944 the SEA LION had been performing reconnaissance duty in support of American re-occupation of the Philippines in addition to her offensive patrols. On 14 January 1945 she received orders to return to Fremantle, West Australia, where she arrived on the 24th.
+While submarine activities in March and April were largely devoted to the preliminaries and support of the Okinawa offensive, routine patrolling continued in areas removed from the storm center. Such was the SEA LION's fifth war patrol conducted off the east coast of the Malay Peninsula and in the Gulf of Slam. She departed Fremantle on 19 February, arriving in her assigned area on 5 March 1945, and joining the MINGO and PAMPANITO in a wolf pack. In the early morning of 17 March the SEA LION's radar picked up a lone unescorted tanker, which had somehow escaped the February attrition. In a surface torpedo attack, four bow torpedoes were fired. As the first torpedo hit, the target blew up with a tremendous explosion. In six minutes the Japanese oil fleet was minus one of its few remaining tankers, the SAMUI.
+The remainder of her patrol was uneventful with the exception of the rescue of an Army aviator who had been adrift for 23 days, on 2 April. She returned to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands on 6 April 1945 for refit.
+On 30 April Commander PUTNAM took her out on her sixth war patrol. Most of this patrol was spent on lifeguard duty off Hong Kong, China, during the air strikes. No opportunities for rescue presented themselves, and no ship contacts were made. She returned to Subic Bay on 3 June 1945, for fuel and passengers, departing the following day for Guam. Pearl Harbor, and San Francisco for overhaul. At Guam orders were received extending her sixth patrol and assigning her to lifeguard station 10 miles south of Wake Island for scheduled carrier air strikes. She arrived on 20 June and for the next ten days patrolled off the approaches to Wake Island. The period was uneventful. and she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 6 July 1945. The SEA LION moored at the Bethlehem Steel Company, San Francisco, on 16 July, and was still undergoing overhaul at the end of the war.
+For her heroism during her six war patrols, the USS SEA LION was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation with the text reading as follows:
+She earned five battle stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Medal for participating in the following operations:
+1 Star/Leyte Operation - 31 OCT - 3 DEC 44.
+1 Star/First War Patrol - 8 JUN - 21 JUL 44.
+1 Star/Fourth War Patrol - 14 DEC 44 - 24 Jan 45.
+1 Star/Fifth War Patrol - 19 FEB - 6 APR 45
+On 10 November 1945, preservation of machinery and equipment was started at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, incident to her being inactivated. On 16 February 1946, the SEA LION was decommissioned after a short but successful career.
+After being in the graveyard for over two years, her conversion to a Submarine Troop Transport was begun on 31 March 1948. She was recommissioned on 2 November 1948 under the command of Commander W. L. KITCH, USN.
+Since then, her life has not been as thrilling as in the past, but it certainly has been varied. She operated with Marines embarked in San Diego in January 1949, after which SEA LION was transferred to the U. S. Atlantic Fleet, and remained in New London, training students until May 1949.
+During the period 7 May to 26 May 1949, the SEA LION operated with Marines from Quantico, Virginia. More training for submarine school students followed and then operations with Marines at Little Creek, Virginia and in Labrador, where everyone felt the cold very much in October 1949.
+From 29 October 1949 to 23 January 1950, the SEA LION embarked Marines and operated off Vieques, Puerto Rico, with liberty stops at St. Thomas, a port in Puerto Rico and New York City. A splendid cruise!
+The SEA LION then had her first and much needed rest since her conversion. She entered a regularly scheduled overhaul at Portsmouth, -New Hampshire on 19 March 1950 and left on 12 July 1950. In the meantime, Lieutenant Commander James W. JOHNSON, USN relieved as Commanding Officer on 16 May 1950. Long exercises with Marines followed until the beginning of the Christmas rest period in November 1950.
+During January through March 1951, the SEA LION rendered services to aircraft and surface craft off Narragansett. The early part of 1951 was spent in local operations off Norfolk with a trip to New London and Portsmouth and back in Norfolk in late March. The month of April was spent operating with Marines off Camp Pendleton, Virginia, and Onslow Beach, North Carolina. In May, the SEA LION entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth, Virginia for an interim docking period. This was followed by a very interesting trip. The SEA LION embarked a full detachment of Marines and commenced snorkeling, enroute to Guantanamo Bay from Morehead City. About 50 miles off the northeastern coast of Cuba, still snorkeling, the SEA LION sighted a fishing vessel in distress. She surfaced and towed her into port.
+After six weeks of operating off Guantanamo Bay. Cuba the SEA LION returned to Norfolk in late June 1951. A short rest was followed by more operations with Marines.
+On 18 August 1951, Lieutenant Commander Harry S. WARREN. USN, relieved as Commanding Officer. Local operations were followed by a Fleet Operation during which the SEA LION again visited St. Thomas, Virgin Islands in late September 1951. and Puerto Rico in early October. The SEA LION returned to Norfolk for a short rest, followed by extensive local operations, and the usual Christmas leave and recreation period.
+Local operations off Norfolk were followed by a six week trip to Guantanamo Bay, in February 1952, where all hands had a very pleasant visit, returning to Norfolk via Jacksonville, Florida in April 1952.
+From April to August, the SEA LION operated locally off Norfolk and North Carolina. On 17 July 1952, Lieutenant Commander E. J. HANNON, JR. , USN, relieved as Commanding Officer. On 8 August, the SEA LION entered a five month overhaul period at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Here, her whole profile was changed. She left Philadelphia in January, proceeded to New London and thence to Norfolk. In mid February 1953, the SEA LION paid a visit to Havana during her post overhaul shakedown cruise.
+In the next few months, the SEA LION participated in the fleet amphibious exercises PHIBEX and LANTFLT TRAEX: in July, she took, part in HARDEX, the first such exercise. Services to other commands were also given during this time.
+On 3 August 1953, Lieutenant Commander Joseph SAHAJ, USN, assumed command of the SEA LION. The relieving ceremonies were followed by a short training cruise with about one platoon of Marines embarked. During this cruise the SEA LION visited Miami, Florida as a port of call. A fine weekend was enjoyed by all hands in that very friendly city.
+During the next three months the SEA LION rendered services to other commands, conducted Marine operations and made a weekend trip to New York. where the ship was host to a group of children from a local orphanage. Christmas leave and recreation followed until January when local operations resumed off Norfolk.
+The end of February saw SEA LION dry-docked at New London, Connecticut and the renewal of many friendships with that historic city. The bottom was painted, and SEA LION returned to Norfolk, to continue the routine of local operations and upkeep, with occasional sojourns to Onslow Beach, North Carolina to operate with Marines.
+In November 1954 the SEA LION commenced a five month overhaul in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She returned to Norfolk, Virginia in April 1955 and commenced two weeks of operations with troops of the U.S. Marine Corps. On the intermediate weekend of this operation the SEA LION visited Port Everglades, Florida, where both troops and crew had a pleasant stay. Following this operation the SEA LION operated locally with UDT and Beach Jumper Personnel. During this period she had the distinction of being the first submarine to enter the Naval Amphibious Base Harbor at little Creek, Virginia. On June 20th, the SEA LION departed for the Caribbean with Marines aboard. Ports visited were San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The isle of Vieques was the scene of many fishing and swimming parties. The SEA LION returned to Norfolk on 14 July and Lieutenant Commander VAUGHAN, USN, relieved as Commanding Officer. On September 19th, l955 the SEA LION, along with other submarines of Submarine Squadron SIX, was sent out to sea to avoid hurricane IONE. Immediately on her return to port, she left on a short trip to Bermuda, where all hands spent a quiet two days basking in the sun. The SEA LION returned to Norfolk on 2 October to continue the routine of local operations with occasional sojourns to Onslow Beach, North Carolina to operate with Marines.
+In the spring of 1956 SEA LION made three trips to the Caribbean with the Marines of the 77th Special Forces. U.S. Army (Paratroopers) from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. SEA LION once again operated with the 77th during October 1956 in the Caribbean area near the island of St., John sustaining guerrilla training operations.
+The new year brought SEA LION to the same area with a marine reconnaissance company that conducted intensive training in submarine assault exercises. During the exercise period underwater demolition teams also successfully trained in the art of making escapes from a submerged submarine. After the early spring phase of training was completed, the submarine proceeded to the Panama Canal Zone where it landed the Reconnaissance Company at night in the vicinity of the canal. With the submarine offshore supporting their operations the Marine Company paved the way for a subsequent assault of the canal locks by a large amphibious task force. May 1957 brought the SEA LION back to Norfolk after this very successful spring training period. From the summer of 1957 to 1960 SEA LION furnished services to the U. S. Atlantic Fleet and various Marine Companies. SEA LION was decommissioned on 30 June 1960 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
+At Portsmouth. SEA LION was utilized as a Reserve Training Submarine until 28 August 1961. when she was towed to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard by a fleet tug for a precommissioning overhaul period. SEA LION had been ordered reactivated as part of President Kennedy's armed forces buildup program. On 20 October 1961, SEA LION was placed back in commission: and on 15 November completed her sea trials., SEA LION put to sea on I December 1961, enroute Earle, New Jersey and on the way rendered services to the USS ETHAN ALLAN (SSBN608) by snorkeling for 48 hours. Upon arrival, ammunition was loaded and SEA LION departed for New London after a short two hour visit. On Friday 8 December, she arrived at New London, where she conducted more at-sea training. SEA LION departed on 15 December. and on the 18th moored at the Destroyer/Submarine Piers in Norfolk. Virginia. her permanent homeport.
+SEA LION's officers and crew then enjoyed a well deserved holiday leave and upkeep period until 16 January 1962, when she left for her first Caribbean cruise since recommissioning. The cruise included visits to St. Thomas and St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, plus cities of Ponce and San Juan in Puerto Rico. After a long but enjoyable cruise operating with UDT personnel. SEA LION returned to Norfolk on 28 February for a month's upkeep period.
+Early on the morning of 15 April 1962, SEA LION again departed Norfolk for the Caribbean with Marine Reconnaissance personnel embarked. She participated in exercise "PHIBEX" off Vieques Island, while also visiting again at St. Croix, St. Thomas, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. On the way home with, both Marine Reconnaissance and SEAL personnel embarked, she participated in Exercise "QUICK KICK" off the Carolina Coast. After this very interesting and rewarding cruise, during which she participated in various amphibious landings and developed her rubber boat launchings and recoveries to a high degree, SEA LION returned again to Norfolk on 9 May.
+The month of May 1962 was spent in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Portsmouth, Virginia where SEA LION's number four void tank was converted to a useable cargo space. During June she rendered one week of services to ten Marines at Onslow Beach, followed by three weeks of sonar services to the USS WILLIS A. LEE (DL4) in the Bermuda Operation Areas. For the rest of the summer, SEA LION operated locally with the Marines, UDT and SEALS off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts.
+On 22 October 1962. SEA LION left Norfolk on what was to be a month's training cruise to the Caribbean. That afternoon. however. was the day that President Kennedy announced the onset of the Cuban Crisis, and SEA LION's cruise was altered, in that she spent time in the ports of St. Thomas, Key West and Miami. She returned to Norfolk on 3 December 1962, after her services in the crises were no longer required. Immediately upon arrival, she was taken to Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her interim docking period of about six weeks duration, lasting through the start of the New Year.
+From her homeport at Norfolk, Virginia, SEA LION ventured southward in the winter of 1963 on one of her typical Caribbean deployments. Operations were to be part of the Navy Underwater Demolition Teams training. While in the Caribbean SEA LION operated from the ports of St. Thomas and St. Croix, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, her "home away from home".
+The next two months found SEA LION involved in an intensive training program for the crew and underwater demolition teams. Operational requirements restricted SEA LION to a 150 mile radius of St. Thomas. Affording ample range for the scheduling of three weekend visits by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander R. G. BILLS, USN, while on this cruise SEA LION participated in "OPERATION HANDCLASP". Appropriate toys, clothing, and medical supplies were loaded aboard the SEA LION prior to leaving Norfolk and were presented to local civic organizations in the Virgin Islands. SEA LION's arrival at Saba Island, in the Netherlands Antilles, marked the first recorded visit of any United States Ship to Saba; the ship and crew were given a most enthusiastic welcome.
+After leaving Saba Island the ship weighed anchor at Phillipsburg on St. Martin Island, an island that is owned jointly by France and the Netherlands and having free ports.
+Leaving St. Martin SEA LION returned to Norfolk for a short but extremely busy upkeep. Included in this period were engine overhauls and both administrative and material inspections. Departing Norfolk in March of 1964 the ship again headed for the Caribbean. The first weekend took the ship and crew to the Island of Anguilla, British West Indies. Anguilla differs from most of the Caribbean Islands by a seemingly endless succession of white coral sands forming some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. The crystal clear waters off shore afforded the crew an excellent opportunity for snorkeling and diving.
+Five days after leaving Anguilla, SEA LION came to anchor at Gustavia Harbor in St. Barthelemy, French West Indies. An extremely rocky island, St. Barts is renowned for its excellent fishing and skin diving. SEA LION was the first U. S. Submarine to visit this picturesque Island.
+Late in April 1964, SEA LION weighed anchor and set her course for Norfolk. Lieutenant Commander S. HECKER, USN, relieved Lieutenant Commander R. G. BILLS, USN as Commanding Officer on 2 May 1964.
+Completing her pre-overhaul upkeep SEA LION departed Norfolk on 6 July 1964 for Charleston, South Carolina to begin a regular overhaul period.
+SEA LION underwent a period of revitalization in Charleston Naval Shipyard, completing on 6 November 1964. After a week in Norfolk, the ship cruised to New London, Connecticut for a week of refresher training and technical schools. Departing the Submarine Base, the ship maneuvered into the North Atlantic via the Block Island and submerged. After a twelve day period of snorkeling, SEA LION surfaced and entered Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. During a brief stay, supplies and troops (Marine Reconnaissance and SEAL personnel) were embarked and the ship returned to sea to conduct an early reconnaissance exercise off the western coast of Puerto Rico and the Island of Vieques. Upon completing the exercise, the ship returned to Norfolk via Magaguez, Puerto Rico on 18 December 1964 to begin a holiday upkeep period.
+Early in January of 1965 saw the SEA LION at sea off the Virginia Capes acting as a target ship for destroyer units of Commander Destroyer Divisions FOUR and EIGHT. After a brief stay in port, the ship departed for St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and the Underwater Training Facility to conduct swimmer operations with personnel assigned to Naval Operations Support Group, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. Interrupted by an upkeep period in Norfolk during the first three weeks of March, this trip was repeated in the months of April and May. During these two trips, SEA LION trained swimmers the hows and wherefores of coordinating their efforts with a completely Submerged vehicle, SEA LION.
+Returning to Norfolk in June of 1965, the SEA LION entered a period of upkeep followed by local operations from July to September with Marines and UDT personnel off the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina. A short period of upkeep was followed by SEA LION rendering her services to Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) training exercises off the Virginia Capes and other commands until early December, when SEA LION began upkeep and Christmas leave and recreation.
+January of 1966 found the SEA LION again headed South for Springboard Operations in the Caribbean and training exercises with UDT and SEAL's at the training facility in St. Thomas. Returning to Norfolk in March following port visits to Roosevelt Roads and San Juan, Puerto Rico, SEA LION had a short rest and upkeep and the awarding of the Squadron Battle Efficiency "E" for 1966. This meant that the SEA LION was entitled to wear the "E" with two hash marks for winning the award three years in a row. On 18 April, 1966, Lieutenant Commander D.S. Lawrence assumed Command of the Sea Lion. The remainder of the year saw SEA LION conducting local operations and rendering services to various fleet commands, followed by the usual Christmas leave and recreation in December.
+The new year saw SEA LION again headed to the Caribbean and another Springboard Cruise. Daily operations were conducted out of St. Thomas with UDT and SEAL Teams and on the 28th of February SEA LION transited to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a week of needed upkeep and liberty, then back to St. Thomas and daily operations with UDT and SEAL Teams until returning to Norfolk 27 March, 1967.
+Following two weeks of upkeep in Norfolk, April and May of 1967, saw SEA LION participating in fleet exercises off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina, then in June and the early part of July she conducted amphibious training with UDT Teams from Little Creek, Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay. On 13 July, SEA LION entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a badly needed $2-million dollar overhaul that saw a major change in her sonar capabilities (installation of BQS-8 sonar), new Gould batteries, and complete engine overhauls. She departed the shipyard on 17 December for her shakedown cruise, and following the successful completion of additional repairs, departed for her new home port of Key West, Florida and SUBRON 12.
+Arrival in Key West in January of 1968 was of very short duration, and SEA LION departed for Springboard Operations in the Caribbean on 4 January. Transiting directly to St. Thomas, SEA LION began diver training with UDT and SEAL Teams on a daily operations basis. Then came a weekend break with a port visit to St. Martin, Netherland Antilles. The month of February found SEA LION conducting ASW Operations with air and naval elements of the Dutch Navy off Curacao, Netherland, Antilles, spelled by a brief period of photo reconnaissance operations. A weekend visit to the port of Willemstad, Curacao was a very welcome break and the excellent local cuisine was greatly appreciated by the crew. More local ASW operations followed and on I February, SEA LION transited to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, where UDT 21 embarked for diver training operations in St. Thomas. SEA LION returned to her new home of Key West on the 27th for a badly needed rest and refit.
+On 2 March, 1968, Lieutenant Commander John V. Markowskie relieved as the last Commanding Officer of the SEA LION, and she began a six month period of daily operations out of Key West. Diver training operations with Army Special Forces, UDT, Marine Recon and SEAL TEAMs were interspersed by SEA LION supplying her services to the Key West Surface Sonar School. In May the SEA LION had a 40MM deck gun installed on her cigarette deck, thus becoming the only submarine in the Navy capable of shelling a surface target. In December the normal upkeep, leave and holiday period were observed.
+On 4 January a catastrophic crankshaft failure on SEA LION's #2 main engine sent the boat limping into Charleston Naval Shipyard on 18 January, 1969. The boat received a dry dock repair of the engine and a bottom cleaning, and she departed on 21 March. In April she resumed daily swimmer operations out of Key West and occasional gunnery target practice with the 40MM gun. On 12 June SEA LION was ordered to conduct sound trials for the USS PUFFER SSN-652, while she completed sea trials out of Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Upon completion of these exercises SEA LION made a port visit to St. Petersburg, Florida from 8 July through the 14th, then retumed to Key West on the 18th. Daily operations resumed, and on 27 August, 1969, while conducting gunnery practice with her 40MM, the SEA LION became the last submarine in the U.S. Navy to fire a deck gun.
+On Thursday 11 September, 1969, the SEA LION departed Key West, Florida for her final decommissioning at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The official date of final decommissioning for the SEA LION was 20 February, 1970. She was stricken from the Navy Registry on 15 March, 1977, and her final disposition was as a target for Mk. 48 torpedo certification follow-on tests on 8 July, 1978, off of Long Island, New York.
+Barcelona 0-3 Bayern: Bayern untroubled at the back & consistently dangerous down the flanks
+The starting line-ups
+Bayern produced another highly impressive performance to qualify for the Champions League final with ease.
+Tito Vilanova decided not to risk the half-fit Lionel Messi, so Cesc Fabregas played as the false nine. David Villa replaced Alexis Sanchez, while Alex Song was in for the injured Sergio Busquets, and Adriano for the suspended Jordi Alba.
+Jupp Heynckes brought back Mario Mandzukic for Mario Gomez, and Daniel van Buyten played rather than Dante.
+Bayern replicated last week’s second half performance – they pressed before retreating into a solid defensive shape, then counter-attacked expertly.
+Bayern press
+Heynckes ordered Bayern to press high up from the start, with Mandzukic and Thomas Muller both getting tight to the Barcelona centre-backs when Victor Valdes had the ball. Bayern’s focus was surely to keep a clean sheet, but they continued to defend proactively, preventing Barcelona from getting into a steady passing rhythm from the outset.
+We’re accustomed to Barcelona’s patience in possession, but once they’d got around Bayern’s press, the away side quickly became compact and got men behind the ball, slowing Barca’s attacks. Their passing lacked intensity – Song wasn’t disastrous in the holding role, but he lacks Busquets’ positional discipline and understanding of how to let the play flow naturally through him, and up towards the creative players.
+In fact, Barcelona’s most frequent passing combination was Marc Bartra to Gerard Pique – a move that happened 21 times. At Barca’s peak, the 2011 Champions League final, their most frequent passing combination was Xavi Hernandez to Andres Iniesta, 33 times. The ball spent too long at the back, and Barcelona never picked up the tempo and piled on the pressure on the Bayern defence.
+Barcelona attacks
+There were two vaguely interesting features of Barcelona’s play. First, Fabregas moved into deep positions and was rarely tracked by Bayern’s centre-backs – this offered another midfield passing option, although when he received the ball he lacked Messi’s urgency and rarely continued the momentum with a direct forward run.
+Second, Alves pushed forward even higher than usual, with Villa gradually becoming increasingly central. This meant Barta moving out towards the right flank and covering a large amount of space – and the same applied to Pique in the centre, who was often forced to sweep up when Bayern runners got through.
+Bayern defensive shape
+The most impressive thing about Bayern was their solid defensive shape. There wasn’t quite the same physical presence from Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger, and much more positional discipline. Still, Andres Iniesta once again seemed scared into a deeper zone than he’d usually occupy (when he popped up the other side of Martinez, he often made the wrong decision on the ball). Schweinsteiger was one yellow card away from missing the final, and yet still made more tackles than any other player.
+Like last week, the defensive efforts of both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were highly commendable. Both dropped back and supported their full-backs, with Ribery – playing against the more dangerous full-back – getting through more defensive work. Alves was actually given space to cross a few times, but Bayern were content to defend narrow, and happy to deal with the deliveries into the box.
+Bayern counter-attacks
+Then, there were Bayern’s counter-attacks. With Robben allowed to stay higher up the pitch, he was almost always the out-ball, and had the game’s best chance when running in behind Adriano, getting around Barcelona’s offside trap by starting his run inside his own half. That summed up how high Barcelona were playing – and although Pique got back to stop Robben, it was an early warning sign.
+In addition to Robben, Ribery and Thomas Muller, support came from deeper positions. Schweinsteiger charged forward a couple of times, as did right-back Philipp Lahm.
+But the two wingers were the counter-attacking stars – the position of their dribbles sums it up perfectly: motor down the wings from deep, then cut inside towards goal.
+Barca pressing?
+It’s the standard strategy to break into Barcelona’s full-back positions, but Bayern had so many opportunities to do so because of Barcelona’s disjointed pressing. One obvious change from Barcelona under Vilanova is that they’ve pressed less than under Pep Guardiola, but here they did attempt to press higher up the pitch . However, while Barcelona’s sheer stamina in their pressing was frequently praised under Guardiola, less attention was played to the actual positioning and cohesion in the pressing – the player in possession wasn’t just closed down, all his other passing options were pressured too. Here, Barcelona’s ‘pressing’ seemed simply more like frantic chasing with other opponents left free.
+That meant Bayern could continually work the ball forward into attacking zones, and break quickly at Barcelona’s defence. It was no surprise that Bayern’s three goals originated from the flanks – Robben stereotypically cut inside to curl the ball into the far corner with his left foot, while Ribery created the next two goals with bursts down the left touchline.
+Final stages
+The tie was barely alive in the first half, and well and truly finished after Robben’s first goal. The substitutions seemed almost irrelevant, but Vilanova moved Fabregas deeper, bringing on Sanchez for Xavi.
+Heynckes’ sole objective was to protect players in danger of missing the final: Lahm, Schweinsteiger and Martinez were all replaced, as Bayern coasted to a comfortable victory.
+Conclusion
+Bayern must triumph at Wembley later this month before being crowned as a truly great side, but it’s difficult to remember such a flexible team capable of playing in so many different ways. Bayern’s physicality was crucial in the first hour of the first leg, then they became defensively disciplined and ruthless on the counter-attack for the remaining 120 minutes of the two-legged tie.
+It’s most remarkable, of course, because their usual gameplan is about possession football and something close to the style of play Barcelona have popularised over the past few years. That was barely obvious throughout these two legs, as Bayern instead adapted to exploit Barca’s weak spots. It will be fascinating to see how they play in the final against Dortmund – do they continue this strategy, or revert to a possession-based approach against a side unable to match them in that respect?
+This was an embarrassment for Barcelona – such a heavy defeat raises a number of questions about strategy, personnel and overall management. They lacked organisation in a number of respects,.
+Barcelona 0-3 Bayern: Bayern untroubled at the back & consistently dangerous down the flanks
+A Defeat that has been waiting for Barcelona since the Classico when Alves and Tello played on the two wings, there has been a lack of belief in that side since then, and they’ve lost 3 CL semis, drawn 1, and only the 4-0 against Milan was the convincing performance. Barcelona haven’t JUST lost their way, neither is this the end of this team, but tiki-taka is not the only way to win now, quite rightly.
+People shouldn’t decry tiki-taka yet. I didn’t see this game but something that was apparent to me after the first leg was the talk of “Germany overthrowing Spain, Barcelona’s way of playing being figured out”. That ignores the fact that (ok Bayern played tremendously and Barca stunk) that Barca played nothing like their own game, or at least all the worst apsects of it. They miss Pep no doubt, when I watched them they looked like players on a pitch, just passing to each other and hoping for a space to appear. Bayern were immense but there was no movement from any Barca player, no desire to get in behind. If tiki-taka is predicated on positional play and all the players stay in their positions then it won’t work.
+I remember an interview with Dennis Bergkamp where he said that most teams these days only have 1 player moving as a passing option in possession. He said Arsenal and Barcelona are the only clubs who have multiple players moving. This is where they miss Pep, his intensity and ability to drill patterns of play into them was immense. Bayenr will be monstrous with him.
+Good post. This Barcelona team played nothing resembling the passing game that made it famous.
+I believe many systems can be successful if taught correctly and executed by the right players in the right situation, so I often think the “best/worst system” debate is a useless exercise. The truth is that any system can succeed with the right combination of training and talent.
+Finding, and maintaining, such a combination is the real trick.
+It’s organic really. It’s not a machine which is broken, fixed or superceded. We know their best level is much beyond this, yet we must also recognis that Bayern gave them a mighty spanking. I think when someone raises the level like Barca did/have, it shocks teams at first and amongst the very best it provokes a reaction and becomes a challenge to which they must respond. This was part of Pep’s reasoning when it came to evolution and keeping things changing.
+There was always clear delineation between each years Barcelona, clear changes, clear identities which individuals kind of represented (Eto’o, Henry and then Ibra, onto Messi etc). But this Barca feels naked kind of, like someone stripped away all the attachments and just left them with possession.
+The biggest and for me saddest loss (besides Pep)was that integrated pressing game. It was the single most effective and intense thing I have ever seen on a football pitch. It combined magnificent efficiency with a dazzling beauty. It made teams almost as scared to have the ball as they were of Barca having it. It created a virtuous circle with the possession game (in terms of energy), made Barca a team truly of the modern era and was as Terry Venables rightly described it “the cream on the cake”. I wonder if I will ever see it again…
+With a playing goalkeeper like Neuer and one-touch players like Bayerns this “integrated” pressing can be overcome and is loosing a lot of its dynamics. After five years the antidote is trained for not mediocre teams.
+I think the loss of Barca qualities can be attributed in part to Messi’s genius. They don’t keep their competitive edge as a team because Messi usually won their game for them.
+“Flexibility” is the keyword. Not disregarding this style of play but as Conor said, tiki-taka is not the only way to win. No matter how good a team play a style, there is always a mean to counter it. No game style is perfect.
+In a sense yes, but this version of Barca didn’t play tiki-taka to it’s limits. In dropping the press they made it easier for teams. Of course there is a means to counter it, but how many teams do you think have tried to play like this against Barca in the past? Lots of teams clearly, but none of them have ever been this successful, that it is in part down to the quality of Bayern but also the place Barcelona find themselves in at the moment. They lack intensity.
+think it is a case of teams learning to play against tika taka and realising that possession is not necessarily the key to winning games and being comfortable with Barca having more of the ball. high pressing plays a big part in Bayerns tactic, Barca can be a little phased (like any team) if hey have no time to play the ball and think about what they are doing. the german teams have really emphasised how this tactic is working.
+I expect a lot more teams to mimic this intense pressing.
+I agree with a lot of the above. I think Barcelona became defeatable when they became predictable. They fell in love with their own “tiki taka” style of total football, and began to increasingly rely on only certain aspects of it, thus limiting the versatility of their own game. The creative off the ball movement, the quick, incisive shifting of the point of attack, and the relentless pressing have all dropped off in favor of sterile possession and reliance on singular moments of brilliance from Messi.
+And, in such a weakened, diluted state, when finally confronted with a bigger, stronger, faster, more flexible version of total football, they were completely exposed.
+Tito, grow up. Champions League football demands less obvious heroism.
+Your…… schoolboy tactics are redundant. What have they achieved? Failing to prevent Bayern 7 goals humiliation is your only triumph.
+It is pathetic and embarrassing for him to use injuries as excuses, as he was completely outwitted and outplayed by Mourinho and Heynckes this season. He has to go
+It is a must to use Villa against Top teams, as the 4-0 against Milan proved his worth
+Pique is a piece of trash since last year, who did not only stand and watch Muller and Gomez scored in front of him, but he also intentionally scored an own goal. He has to go
+Only Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets and Alba are good enough to start, others have to be either benched or sold.
+For those who wants to criticize me, Welcome
+Agreed. Tito was healthy for over 2/3 of the season and couldn’t get his side beyong the UCL semis. For a club of this size that’s simply not enough.
+Moreover, it’s clear that Xavi is aging and Iniesta was always overrated. And while Messi has always struggled against quality opposition, it’s rather evident he’s past his peak and should be sold.
+The team needs an overhaul, and since the sinking youth team hasn’t product a decent player in years, they way up goes through the transfer market. Barca need new starters in several position, including but not limited to right winger, BOTH center-halfs, left back, attacking midfield, defensive midfield, center forward, left back, left winger and play-maker.
+Also, who the hell plays without a striker LOL.
+Iniesta overrated?! 3 major honours with Spain, player of the tournament in 2012 and could easily have been in 2010 where he also scored the winning goal in the final. Countless honours with Barcelona whilst being at a consistently good level. United couldn’t get near him in 2009 or 2011.
+He’s vital to Barcelona because he can pick up the intensity with a dribble, he can commit players, and can also play a killer pass. Barcelona could have become sterile and predictable in possession long before now had it not been for Iniesta.
+And who plays without a striker? Well Barcelona to the effect where they won a treble and were being mentioned by some as the best team to ever have played the game. Not working now, but to phrase a sentence like that against such a hugely effective tactical system is strange.
+Sorry, I thought the sarcasm in my response was obvious, but some comments here are so ridiculous you can’t satirize them.
+Pique was actually one of the better players today, if not the best, bar the own-goal. Saved a couple of great Bayern chances.
+Agree with you though, he’s been mostly abysmal for the past two year or so.
+Pique loosing his funny odd power dribbling (a Hummels moment), clear mistake, lead to the the third goal, also with him out of position Mueller’s great finishing got a lot easier then would have been with Pique towering the center.
+FYI:heroism=messi
+I’d like to criticize you but I don’t understand what you mean. Heroism? Using Villa? Intentionally scored?
+Messi was kept benched today so no heroics. Villa played all 90+ minutes. You can read Piqué’s mind.
+And still Bayern won 3-0!
+Please explain?
+He depends solely on Messi, when Messi plays well, the team plays well. When he doesn’t, the team will
+… be stomped. The Milan 4-0 victory shown how important Villa is as he opened up space for Messi to shine, and Villa has better finishing than Pedro, Tello and Sanchez. For Pique, he intentionally scored against Valdes in this game, and he also stood there and watched Muller and Gomez scored in the first game too.
+Barca needed Busquests today more than they need Messi. A lot of the build up play was lacking and Xavi had very little help.
+As much as Busquets gets love on this page, a fully fit Messi will ALWAYS be more important to ANY team than Busquets.
+Busquets can neither attack vibrantly like Vidal, nor defense ruthlessly like Martinez.He is a decent passer and interceptor, but the reason why he looks reliable is because he plays behind Xavi and Iniesta. When these two have been exposed, he will definitely get stomped
+Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta need each other, if one piece is missing they get stomped.
+Yaya said no
+I thought you once said that Busquets was the best defensive midfielder in the world in your opinion? Even behind Xavi and Iniesta, to be the best surely you’d need to be more than decent. I do agree that he is a hugely vital part of the Barca triangle, if those two are the wheels, than he is the axle.
+No, I never believe he is the best. He is not even better than Yaya Toure
+Sad to see Barca this bad. They need a total rethink i terms of personel. They want to play in a certain way, a complex mechanism and they buy players that dont fit or dont understand how to play in it. Theyve lost their way completely teams can now defend with high lines against them with relative comfort. When Barca were at there peak under pep defending with a high line against them couldnt be done. The team has gone so far backwards its untrue.
+The last paragraph sums it up perfectly. Barcelona have embarrassed themselves immensely and put forth a pitiful image over the two legs.
+This is what arrogance and bad transfers can do to a club very quickly. Like other mythical “greatest teams” from the past, this Barca team’s fall will be remembered more vividly than its triumphs.
+We will see if the Barcelona president and technical staff have the bravery and foresight to make the correct moves this summer (new coach, several transfers out and in).
+Bayern have a great team this year, and move into the final on full merit. They deserve a lot of credit, and must not be understated due to Barcelona’s utter incompetence on the pitch over the two legs- a huge let down to the global football community.
+Exactly, they appointed a trash coach, kept using trash defenders like Pique, Alves, Puyol and Mascherano
+“The last paragraph sums it up perfectly. [...] This is what arrogance and bad transfers can do to a club very quickly.”
+You seem to have read only a part of that paragraph.
+Barca’s decline calls to mind when it all went wrong for the great Galactico Real Madrid side.
+In both cases, there was a slide into a kind of solipsistic dogmatism that dismissed practical considerations. The Champions League title was almost assumed—both sides saw themselves as the ultimate footballing side, complete unto themselves and their ideology. Because of this they reached a point where they became decadent and lost their way due to hubris. They no longer acquired players for a clear purpose, but for mere ornamentation.
+Real’s Zidanes and Pavones strategy worked as long as they actually added the best non-Real player each year. Once they selected Beckham for marketing purposes over Ronaldinho, who would have served footballing purposes, it was over.
+And Barca? They acquired Cesc principally out of sentiment—he had to come home!—even though there was no clear role in the first 11 for him. They addressed the need for a center back by signing Song—who as any Arsenal supporter (no, we’re not bitter) knew, wasn’t a center back, had mediocre positional discipline, and wasn’t Barcelona-level quality going forward (OK, so we are bitter). But he fit Barca’s sui generis template—even though at that moment, they could have had their pick of quality, technically adept center backs.
+This decline into decadence and solipsism is—as world history shows—hardly confined to football.
+spot on! Politics over football ruined the team.
+for all criticizing Barca, the players and Tito: this is still the team that leads La Liga far ahead of Real! … so obviously they can’t be so bad. I think their team (great characters and fine sportsmen – Franz Beckenbauer’s pathetic comments in the German press were not justified at all!) deserves some respect for what they achieved in the past, and clearly, no dominance will last forever.
+Other teams stepped up, learned from them and add own game characteristics – Bayern is at the peak at the moment, but the built-up took at least 4 years. Heynckes managed it to built a team – a real team – around the big egos and now it pays off. Look how Ribery plays today: if I would have the choice between CR7 and him, I definitely would take Ribery; yes CR scores more goals, but Ribery wins games with his defense work. Similar can be said about Robben (and others).
+I follow Bayern Munich since Maier, Mueller and Beckenbauer started their career, but this might be the best Bayern side of all time.
+Congratulations to Dortmund and Bayern! … looking forward to the 25th of May…
+It is not Barca winning the laegue, it is Real giving them the league
+Yeah, Real has also given away the Champions League final last Tuesday, eh? Some people will never learn…
+This Clarence guy must be one of the most mentally challenged individuals ive seen on ZMs comments section. Are you really this dumb or are you just pretending ? This is just football. Why are you so upset?
+Like me or not, accept the truth
+ok agreed, just like Barca giving away the league last season??
+At least we have the paragon of truth here. Thank the lord.
+YES
+I knew it! …deep in his heart Mourinho is a nice guy!
+Also Barca won many points that they did not deserve in the first half of season, where their defenders played like trash, but Messi and Villa helped them to win. In the second half of season, they get what they deserved
+if Barca is so bad and Real so good, how come that they missed the final against a team that trails 20 points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga?
+…this is definitely not the best Barca team of the last years, however with having so many titles won in such a short period no one should expect that this would go on forever. ZM mentioned that one of the remarkable skills the current Bayern team has is that they can play different styles, possession football, counterattack … this might be something Barca has to take on board in the future to become more flexible, but despite all the reactions here I would still rate it as one of the best teams in the world.
+As I have said, Real practically gave the league to Barca as they played like crap in the first half of this season. The occurence of their late resurgence is due to the fact that they stomped Barca in Copa Del Rey and La Liga this year, where Real did not start Ronaldo and still won the game with ease
+Yaa Real gave them the league just like Manc gave Man U the league just like Dortmund gave Bayern the league. Lmao. You need to chill dude. Your balls are going to burst with angst.
+LOL, Bayern and United have much more convincing performances than Barca. Never think Barca is good enough this season even they have won almost every game in the first season. Their recent humiliations against Madrid and Bayern have proven me right.
+The strategy deploayed by Bayern was alike if not the same as last week, but the intesity was overall very low, Barcelona seems to be slower and easy readable then before. Another thing is they didn’t try to book Bayern players.
+I think I read here from Cox that Barcelona tries to book players in the first half so they can get a more open game in the second half but isn’t happening anymore, maybe Tito doesn’t emphasize it anymore, or They really were shocked with how Bayern were better.
+Why aren’t they pressing as before? Is that Tito way of playing? Maybe fitness level is the key here but why haven’t he rotated the squad? Montoya,Tello and Thiago were playing alot when Pep was in charge and now it seems they are not there.
+Maybe Tito got cancer exactly when it comes the time you start to rotate the squad and give time to squad players and Roura didn’t have the guts to change and that put them in a bad situation now. Tito should stay as Coach because I believe his illness was bad for the team.
+Villa, Valdes are leaving and probably Barça will have 40m around this year so I don’t know if they can really change the team, I wish Tito to start using the young players more.
+Bayern can really win but we must not forget that until last year Bayern was trashed by Dortmund everytime they played, also Dortmund doesn’t have alot of squad players to rotate and they chose to give their all in Uefa.
+It took Vilanova half a season to already win La Liga (after Guardiola lost it last season). He has also reached 1/2 of Champions League (losing it against an absolute crack of the season), and 1/2 of Copa del Rey. It surely can’t be a bad season for starters. The only thing that went bad was the team’s results against famous opponents: Real, Milan, Bayern – and all of it happend in spring, during or after his absence. A few times in autumn he managed to turn the game around with his substitutions/change in tactics, coming back from unfavourable score to win the game. Again, his lack of creativity with using bench only came in spring, after coming back. There is also an argument that Vilanova is responsible for a disastrous decline of form of a few players in the current season, most noticeably the entire attacking formation (except Messi), but also Busquets and Xavi. The case is arguable: some players are getting older, others are not fully healthy et cetera. In conclusion, surely this is not enough to put criticism heavy enough to blow him away from his position, is it?
+Tito is definitely not good enough, he only knows a tactic with 5 words – M E S S I.
+And you only know one: T R A S H.
+That’s still one word
+About less pressing… I think it’s obvious that that was forced upon Barca because of age. Xavi, Villa, Iniesta, Alves have slowed down significantly. Even Busquets seems less spritely than he was a couple of years ago. Same for Pique – can you see him scoring that pirouette goal he scored a couple of years ago today? Three years ago, Puyol was a World Cup player – today he’s just old. And most importantly Messi, too, does not have the same acceleration he used to.
+For a team that was always on the physical margin, these changes were too much for Barca to overcome. It’s actually quite a feat for them to win the league and get so far in the Champion’s League. Well done to them.
+On Barca’s structural problems and solutions we’ve all written about. Let’s hope Barca addresses them. I think there are significant improvements to be made without a buying binge. I would prefer they stick to improving the players they have and promoting their youngsters – this has its benefits, and for me is more interesting than simply buying talent!
+As for Bayern and Dortmund signalling a new football order… It’s obvious too early to say – let’s wait a couple of years. Their formulas are not new – big, fast players with a high work rate and good teamwork. The difference being that they are also skilled enough. But that again, is not new – Mourinho’s Chelsea, the ‘video game’ team, was similar.
+big players? … you mean Lahm, Ribery?… Alaba, Robben? … Rafinha?
+For the recent winners of CL, Barca has great technique, United has great width, Inter has great counter and defence, and Chelsea has great mentality. Bayern has THEM ALL, which makes them almost invincible
+what a BS.
+bayern has not even won it and i don t think they will! they never had to overturn a deficit in the CL season. if they will concede in the final, we ll see how “strong” they really are. dortmund will win it!
+besides what the media already make out of them is just a total joke: they lost 2 finals and in 2010 it was fully deserved. even last year they couldn t create many clear cut chances against chelsea.
+its one thing the get to the top, but the other is stay there – barcelona did this impressively. bayern is not even there and yet has to proof they can stay at the top. they wont – bvb will counter them apart
+BVB? they almost lost the tie against Madrid
+So, Bayern “is not even there”? Ok, they didn’t win the title, but reaching the CL finals 3 times in 4 years, reaching the 1/2 in the missing year, this is not the top, eh?
+Barça was making fuss about being 6 consecutive times in the 1/2, but according to your logic, since they didn’t win al the time, they are “not even there”, too.
+Dortmund won vs Bayern 5 times in a row, but the last 3 matches (all this season) they lost 2 and got one draw.
+In the CL, Dortmund was actually out vs Malaga (with both their overtime goals having been offside), and the way how they struggled in the last 10 minutes vs Real – I was almost convinced that they would concede a third goal.
+I think the final will be a 50/50, but certainly Dortmund will not “counter Bayern apart”. And don’t be surprised if this goes exactly the other way round…
+sorry that i need to reopen that case but u force me to:
+2010: it was a joke they even got to the final. they needed an offside goal + red card against fiorentina. man utd clearly had them, but the same happened here – a red card. only the thunderstrike from robben saved them. they final was fully deserved lost. So 2010 doesnt count to me.
+2011: out against inter on ridiculous circumstances – no need to say more
+2012: they made a very good performance against real, but just like barcelona they struggled against chelsea. hence barcelona had way more clear cut chances. gomez was a disgrace.
+barcelona were and maybe are stil the team to beat. bayern havent won anything right now, but the media tells us they are on top right now. even if they win it, time will tell if they can be “the team to beat”.
+furthermore barcelona developed their unique style. bayern, like michael said, just took elements (from Mou) that work against barcelona to counter them. so bayern did not win against barcelona with their “own style” – they stil adapted. and this is why barcelona maybe stil are the benchmark – they FORCE teams to adept. only if a teams gets it like this – it leads the world.
+another point on “german football”:
+bayern had ridiculous problems in defence until this season and the signing of dante. their biggest factors this season were mandzukic, robben, ribbery, martinez, schweinsteiger, dante – so much of a german team if u can count.
+i dont want to take credit from bayern, but the whole media hype is just boring. at first they have to win the trophy and then, they have to continue next year and so on. right now the whole thing is just irrelevant – they beat an out of form barca (messi) and needed 2 setpieces to get into the tie.
+This whole big players thing is overstated. Everyone looks like Stoke next to Barcelona. Bayern and Dortmund may have more energy than Real Madrid, and be able to press much better but aren’t really more athletic teams.
+“Their formulas are not new – big, fast players with a high work rate and good teamwork. ”
+Errrm… sorry but that is nonsense. Bayern (I watch them every weekend) are primarily a high-possession team, much like Barcelona, but the difference is that they are versatile and can adapt to their opponent when that doesn’t work. They are not a one-trick pony. They have MANY tricks. Barcelona’s high possession and weak defense and short stature called for Bayern to attack on the wings and crossing to tall strikers and that’s exactly what they did. Against a different team, Bayern will play differently.
+They also have a deep bench, and their fortunes don’t rise and fall with the health of a single player– Kroos gets injured, Müller comes in; Badstuber gets injured, and Boateng, Van Buyten and Dante can take turns (and even Javi Martinez could play central defense).
+Last time Bayern floundered without Ribery was because they played Robben in its place instead of Shaqiri, who is a better substitute. In a pinch, Alaba could play instead (he plays as a winger for Austria). Bayern’s attackers often switch sides. Fullbacks go on the attack, wingers defend– against Juve, Mandzukic did amazing defensive work!
+Bayern is a legitimate heir of total football just like Barcelona– but with more speed and physicality, they ultimately have more options.
+….‘Last time Bayern floundered without Ribery was because they played Robben in its place instead of Shaqiri,…’ …you refer to the Arsenal game? I would say they tried to play Mueller / Robben instead, but both found themselves 95% of the time on the right, which caught them out of position many times leaving poor Alaba alone… Heynckes is a great manager, but I didn’t understand why he didn’t address this … it was so obvious…
+Yes!– that one (I almost forgot there was also a loss against BATE ha ha ha…). Robben was put on the left but drifted right and overlapped with Muller and there was much confusion all over.
+But Shaqiri is the actual sub for Ribéry’s spot. Maybe Heynckes thought he was too green or something, but in the Bundesliga he covers up nicely and I think he could have done fine against Arsenal, certainly much better than Robben did that day. (Also, Boateng and Schweinsteiger were out.)
+My point is, that was a tactical blunder more than a show of reliance on Ribéry himself or on any single player– like Barcelona with Messi or Juventus with Pirlo or Madrid (says Klopp, ha ha) with Xabi Alonso. With Bayern, you can shut down any single player and someone else will make up for it. Take 3 out and it gets a little harder to cover, but still… there is no single player that rules the team, and that is a huge strength. Compare to what happened to a Dortmund without Götze!
+yep, agree .. 3 years ago they depended totally on Ribery or Robben, the final against Inter was only reached by Robben’s wondergoal against ManU … later the opponents just doubled Robben or Ribery to take them out of the game.
+Now it is a total different animal and the danger is everywhere, and even Robben struggled and had to adapt his game wrt defense work to get back into the squad.
+But against Arsenal… ? … it would have been an easy fix, just order someone to cover the left side and stay there, Shaqiri, Mueller or Robben….but Heynckes just didn’t react…
+Bayern’s team ethic is remarkable when you consider where they were in that regard 2-3 years ago. Watching Robben and Ribery work so hard for the team would have been unthinkable during the recent van Gaal tenure. They play like a team with something to prove. You get the impression that this group of players have decided that their time has come, and that this CL title will be the defining moment of their careers, and that they welcome any challenge. They play like a team determined to win so emphatically as to deny any controversy.
+Consider: Ribery lost in the WC final to Italy in 2006. Schweinsteiger and Lahm lost in the semis to the same Italy, lost the EURO final to Spain in 2008, WC semi to Spain in 2010 (Gomez, Muller and Neuer were also in that squad). Robben lost the WC final to Spain in 2010. And we need not be reminded that a very similar Bayern lost the CL final in 2010 to Inter AND 2012 to Chelsea. If there were ever a squad with so many near misses, with more to prove, I don’t know of them. This team is HUNGRY and just beat the the only other side with 2 or more CL Final appearances in 5 years by an aggregate score of 7-0.
+I respect Dortmund a lot for the way they play, the way they present themselves to the public, and the way they beat Madrid last week. However, I do not envy them the opponent they face in Bayern. This is the most ruthless and pragmatic side I have ever seen. They will win, and they will do so because they can adapt to any other side they face and will simply refuse to be outworked. This Bayern side is the epitome of so many German stereotypes…
+without taking credit from the players who missed the finals: a crucial point for the success is also how carefully Bayern addressed the weaknesses experienced in the past by adding players like Dante and Martinez; while Dante was a bargain, many people shook the head about spending so much money for Martinez…now every one can see the value he adds to the team…
+..I mean the players who lost the finals..
+Erm..only other side with 2 or more CL Final appearances in 5 years..didn’t United win the CL in 2008 and lose 2 more finals to Barca?
+I’m just happy that I got to see this Bayern side. They truly are the most complete team in the last two decades if not ever. They can attack with suffocating possession and intricate passing, lightning wingplay, brutal strength… They can defend in depth or with rabid pressing. It’s a great pleasure to see the zenith of football.
+come on guys, it’s blatantly obvious the Bayern players are doping collectively. the work rate is incredible. its no secret that top level football is full of dope cheats but i’m certain bayern’s success is down to that something extra that gives them the kind of energy to thrash a team like Barca 7-0, who are probably dopers as well.
+if you watch the match carefully, the Bayern players’ recovery off the ball into defensive positions is amazing. and when they do regain possession their transition athleticism is unmatched. there’s no need to further elaborate on this, anyone who has observed the match will understand this.
+don’t get me wrong, Bayern are a good side, but they certainly have a fishy edge about the way they got about their victories. Kudos to the medical department, they were immense, just like BVB.
+yes, they do, but ‘Weizenbier’ is not on the doping list, so everything is legal… BVB use ‘Kölsch’ instead … also not on the doping list …
+“Kölsch” and Dortmund?! No way! Dortmund is very much Pils-territory.
+or ‘Dortmunder Export’? … …obbe noi, unne fort … as the Hesse like to say
+Quit your whining and enjoy the game.
+You’re right about one thing: Bayern’s medical department is top notch. Robben for example probably wouldn’t even be playing at all any more without that. As for the rest of your rant: I’m pretty sure football is indeed full of doping, in any country. The incentive to do the dirty deed is money and there is no sport, where there’s more of it to be gained. Would be a big, big miracle if doping wasn’t all over the place really.
+Tactical rethink is needed. Maybe the lopsided 3-4-3 diamond but with Alba as the WB instead of Dani Alves (could be sold)… Replaced with Montoya. Look to add a CF to create space for messi and to make runs behind as Barcelona are being forced wide and a CB who can cover with some speed. Use Tello or Deulofeu as a right winger.
+Dominant display by Bayern, and I hope this team can cement their status as one of the greatest this century (at the very least) by dominating Dortmund in the final.
+And I would bet good money Barca reloads/retools and comes back a legit CL challenger next season. Getting everyone back to 100% (including Vilanova) would be a good place to start.
+Barca won 2 CL during 6 year…
+Best team of history? hahahah FC Barcelona 07
+True point; however, has there ever been a team in football history that has developed and defined a style of play the way Barca did? (Tiki taka). Furthermore, Barca minus Messi but with tiki-taka won Spain 2 Euro’s and one World Cup.
+In Germany, many coaches openly admit how close they are monitoring La Liga and especially Barcelona. It would take you more than a day to read through all those interviews where Bundesliga & German FA officials (including Joachim Löw or German FA chief scout Urs Siegenthaler) have stated that Barca, tiki-taka and Spain are THE benchmark in modern football. To a certain degree, even after Barca’s thrashing, I am sure this will continue due to Spain’s superiority in technical and attacking aspects of the game.
+Hungary in the 1950s and the Netherlands of the 1960s/70s are also known as great teams, neither have won anything. Both teams brought football to a new level but I doubt they were as influential as Barca’s tiki-taka. (Note: Being German, my perspective may be too narrow. Germany beat Hungary and the Netherlands in World Cup finals, but have yet failed to beat Spain recently).
+yes, there had been many teams which developed lots of tactics, for example Inter and catenaccio, but today is everyone so focuced about Barcelona and Messi that others are forgotten..
+Barcelona is like Michael Schumacher, a right man in the rigth team with right people around him and lack of competition from others pilots, he is the 7 time champion, did lots of records but he is not the best pilot ever. Same aplies for Barcelona, today footbal is only about Messi and Ronaldo, then Iniesta and Xavi and others are nothing “special”..10 years ago we had Zidane, Nedved, Figo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo etc at the same time and every from them could easily won the Ball Dor, now nothing similar, we have lack of competition, so the Golden Ball go to a man, who scores the most goals..
+sorry, but “tiki taka” has nothing to do with spanish football, but South American football! Historically, Spain have played a “furia roja” style, which is the opposite of tiki taka. It was Barcelona who started to play like that, copying and perfecting the possession-driven football that has been a trademark of South American football for a good 100 years.
+Barcelona ’s horrendous plight reflects the many mistakes made in the last few years, management has not been good for quite some time now. they have no depth on the bench, to not have a single n°9 in the team is just crazy at this level (Bayern has 3!), they also lack a true n°10 or “enganche” which is ridiculous, considering how rich the club is. Messi is indeed a wonder, but he gobbles up such a huge area of the pitch that forces Barcelona to play without a true 9 and without a number 10 or enganche, and that proved to be fatal, especially if he’s not available to play.In a way, messi is the savciour of the team, but at the same time their downfall.
+I guess political considerations have taken precedence over football decisions in the club, and that is something the germans haven’t done. And it shows.
+couldn’t iniesta play as a true number 10. that he is more his position than a winger?
+they do definitely need more depth at no.9 tho, they cant rely on Messi always being fit. he has been incredibly lucky to avoid serious injury, but inevitably he will pick up more injuries
+or: barca won 3 CL during 5 years
+or: barca won 2 CL during 3 years
+see?
+I trace Barcelona’s problems this year to . . . Pep. Yes, Pep. He decided to build the team around Messi, which was a sound decision because Messi is the best player the world has seen, but the philosophy was flawed in its insistence on bringing in, and promoting, players based primarily upon the criterion that they compliment Messi. None of them have shown much leadership or initiative without him. Even Iniesta (or “Ianesta,” as he was repeatedly called on the Fox broadcast in the U.S.), one of the best players alive, is better as phantasm than talisman. After today, the Barça 4-3-3 may be in jeopardy. Barça need more athleticism in midfield as well as attackers (besides Messi) with 1 v. 1 capability to go along with tiki-taka creativity (sorry, Tello). That’s in addition to the obvious shoring-up at central defense and the need to find a keeper.
+I agree that their pressing during this tie consisted of swarming the ball, something much more effective against the bottom half of La Liga than against the cream of Europe. That alone is evidence of decay.
+I don’t see Bayern as a harbinger of any new direction, stylistically or tactically. They are simply a complete squad, assembled with acumen and lots of cash—and will be more formidable, on paper, next year.
+Messi doesn’t play for Spain and still Spain – with many Barca players – won the European and the World Cup; conversely the Argentinian squad – with Messi – lost 0:4 against Germany.
+I would say that indicates that it is not all about Messi, also he is definitely an important player for Barca’s system.
+that ARgentina squad didnt had a coach, with any idea of tactics, but only a charm to motivate players
+Well, building team against a certain uber star could bite any team in the rear, since having uber star would make some players to be complacent. They believe that they don’t have to play hard and effectively, if they make mistakes , players
+like Messi or Ronaldo will bail them out. This could happen to any team playing any tactics.
+Sell Messi, Sign Ronaldo.
+Sack Titi, Hire Pink Faced Kraut Dude from Bayern.
+Got to disagree on some points with ZM.
+1. I thought Barca defence played better this time with Pique and Bartra played a lot better along with Song. If not, the game would been over in the first 20 mins.
+2. Bayern started a different strategy – that is to control the possession for the first 30 mins or so correctly anticipating Barca to make an all out attack. When confronted by this tactic Barca couldn’t cope and they had no Plan B. At times in the first 30 mins Bayern out-Barca Barca with their fluent passing and possession game. Barca was reduced to long balls.
+3. Bayern’s transition game was stunning when they lost possession. It was lightning quick and Barca just couldn’t cope.
+4. Alaba tightened up and improved his position tremendously since the first leg. Thus this deprived Barca of the only source of weakness in Bayern’s arsenal.
+5. Barca never got their passing game on. In terms of possession and passing, they were inferior to the first leg.
+mark my words, i dont see bayern win it. everyone s expecting it. they never had to overturn a tie or an important game this season. they beat a weak barcelona, again they just scored 2 setpieces which significantly changed the first leg.
+dortmund will caught them on the break. if bayern concede one in the final, they will face a situation, they never had before – dont think it will work out for them
+the media hype about them is awful
+They don’t have to overturn because they are strong enough to win. BVB used to beat Bayern but not anymore in this season. Bayern has completely revamped their squad with the purchases of Martinez and Dante, they improved Bayern so much. Also their improved mentality have made them almost a perfect team, except losing to Arsenal
+Is Martinez going to kick Busquets or Alonso out of the Spain top XI now for the Confederations Cup (and WC next year), what do you think? He really impressed me this year, great player
+Kicking out Busquets due to 2 good games ??
+Come on…Martinez has never ever Busquets football-PLAYING skills which are needed to play in the spain N11.
+What did you mean by Busquets football playing skill? Is it his diving skill which is necessary to draw fouls, and win
+free kicks or penalties.
+this is – or was (think that he improved in terms of that) a bad habit of him…true…
+but you exactly know what I mean, don’t you?
+MArtinez is basically a physical player, thats why he fits well into the current Bayern team…
+Watch Bundesliga…he is often too late, or un-organized…was also heavily criticized btw as a mal-investment…
+Physical player?? like Gattuso?? Gattuso would boss midfield area, got the ball, and gave it to PIrlo. I don’t know if Martinez playing style is similar to Gattuso’s or not.
+The 2010 Inter incident has long passed, so should your hate of Busquets.
+he is much better than Alonso: wins much more balls, flexible (can also play CB) and it is amazing how he reads the game respectively how he blocks the passing. He’s work rate is outstanding. Heynckes took his time and integrated him carefully into the team and now it is a perfect fit.
+I wouldn’t be surprised see him replacing Alonso or Busquets in the next games…
+Barca’s problem seems more to do with the way the squad has been assembled rather than any issue with Tika Taka or the Club’s philosophy as a whole.
+Personally I have no doubt if they had their 1st choice team fit and on form (including Puyol, Messi and Villa – on form) they would have given Bayern a true test (not to say they would have won for certain as Bayern are also exceptional). If you look at it though the core of the squad has played a huge amount of games over the last 5 years both with no real period of rest for a lot of them.
+I know guardiola liked to work with a smallish group but it was surely a matter of time before a dip came when there is so much pressure on the core group to play so often. Unfortunately they haven’t been able to effectively integrate their signings into the team and have been left to rely heavily on Messi Puyol (who is 35) and hoping against hope that Villa game back from a serious injury in peak your reply actually proves the point of my post. With Messi on the field, Barça can, and does, emphasize the attacking aspects of tiki-taka. Del Bosque, without a Messi, has explored the more conservative, defensive, hard-nosed side of tiki-taka (by using a second holding MF, for example). When they have no Messi, Barça has no ability to play “like Spain,” so to speak; nor does Barça have anyone to replace Messi if he’s out. They end up playing a toothless version of “their” tiki-taka, which is more vulnerable than Spain’s.
+My words above were intended to be a reply to Dropbear but got posted too far below his. Sorry.
+I agree here, that is definitely a major mistake of the management; you can’t use an exceptional player like Messi over 4-5 years and expect that he is fit all the time – he is not a robot, no player is. Del Bosque showed how it can be done. If you can’t rotate or adopt alternative game plans you wear any player out. van Gaal made the same mistake with Bayern when he was manager: it was all about possession, players were not allowed to play long balls anymore. While Bayern now still can play his style (IMO they benefited a lot from van Gaal), Heynckes is more flexible and combines it with other tactics.
+Any ideology that is adament to change is liable to be caught up. Tiki-Taka was an exaggerated idea that had a great footballer called Messi at his peak arrying them for quite some time now. If there was no Messi, it wouldn’t have been this successful for Barca. Another thing is even when they were at the peak, Barca could not win many away games in the CL because other teams have either parked the bus or played efficiently. In the last 4 years, Barca has not won away against major teams except Madrid in the CL (apart from teams like Pananthanaikos, Shakthat, Dynamo Kiev etc). They have failed to beat teams like Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan, Stuttgart, Arsenal, Chelsea, Milan, Inter etc. away from home.. Their major strength has always been the 2nd leg at home where they thump opponents at home and then defeated an inept and clueless Man United twice. All that was missing was a brave team who has the skills to press them and play decent football. I’m sure if Dortmund had played Barca, they would have gone through as well.
+Further, Tiki Taka ignores many other aspects of football which were not highlighted when it was at its peak and other teams were not good enough to counter them. Even more criminal is their constant ignoring of defense and the arrogancy to play midfielders there. Guardiola’s team were great with the ball but not without which he himself agreed. But the real ingredient of that Tiki-Taka splendour was Messi and to a lesser extent Iniesta. Without them, the boring side passes would have never reached the net.
+Finally, the success of Spanish National team without Messi is less emphatic than Barca and also due to too much of respect by other teams. Germany in 2010 is a case in point. Now that Bayern has demolished the idea that this system is not unbeateable, expect Spain to face a lot of trouble in 2014, not just in terms of parking the bus, but teams trying to repeat what Bayern did.
+Perhaps one of the enduring legacies of these recent Barcelona teams will be that they inspired a new resurgence of attacking minded football, both in those trying to emulate them and in those trying to defeat them.
+Personally, I believe Barca’s decline rests on two factors: 1)They stopped pressing high up the pitch against opponents under Tito. When they did press hard (i.e. against Milan in the second leg) you saw the old dominant Barcelona. While it can be said that they pressed high in the second leg against Bayern and it didn’t work, I think you’d have to attribute the deep deficit they were in to understand why they lost 3-0. Playing from behind doesn’t lend itself to Barca’s style of keeping the ball patiently and looking for goal scoring opportunities.
+2) Marc Bartra isn’t the answer alongside Pique. This defensive dilemma seriously debilitated Barca at the back in the terms of physicality and leadership. Barca will need to find a long term replacement alongside Gerard Pique (ala Max Hummels). If Barca can revert back to a high pressing approach and sign a top class CB who exudes the Barca style, then the Blaugrana can become the top team in Europe again.
+If theres one thing Barca did right is to limit Bayern’s corner to 0. Anyone want to comment on how it was achieved? Or is it because Bayern changed their game plan?
+1CuaVW
+Barcelona’s decline has nothing to do with Guardiola and everything to do with the trial of Eufemiano Fuentes.
+Pls let’s not be to quick to subscribe to all the sympathizing talk, the criticisms and allegations against them for not doing one thing or the other. They have never been invincible and as great as they are always said of them. they have shined thru the years courtesy of controversies here and there(Chelsea,2009; Arsenal, 2011 Milan, 2012;) and Uefa’s anti-English schemes, not an England sympathizer. before the draws, i remember one writer saying this the toughest semifinal draw there will be getting in the last four and indeed it has turned out to be. Truth is, over the last four years, Barca have not been convincing enough as they always struggle against truly big sides except man-utd, who always get to embarrass themselves , in a fair contest-11 vs. 11. they always just manage to get past them. This mauling reminds me of the adage that says: he who runs from a battle, lives to fight another day…
+Michael i want to use this medium to ask a question, how did Bayern manage to lose to arsenal, at HOME? what did arsenal do right? surprised i didn’t see to ur analysis on that.
+struggling and being demolished are two different things.
+how did Bayern manage to lose to arsenal, at HOME? what did arsenal do right? … … Robben and Mueller (Ribery didn’t play) spent 95% of the time on the right, no one covered the left and Alaba found himself always alone. The unbalance was so obvious … I didn’t understand why Heynckes didn’t react. There were alternatives on the bench (Shaqiri) … or just order Mueller to stay on the left…
+Schweinsteiger and Martinez were so effective in limiting Xavi and Iniesta’s passing game.
+Fabregas was not effective as False Nine and never will be. He doesn’t have pace and creativity like Messi does.
+Healthy Messi might caused Bayern’s problem with his pace and intelligent movements inside 18-yard box.
+Tactically David Villa are not fit for Barca’s 4-3-3. Villa’s most effective position is a Lone Striker in 4-2-3-1.
+Having both attacking Full Backs was Barca’s Achilles’ Heel. Alves, Alba, and Adriano could not defend.
+The aforementioned point leads to the fact that Barca really miss defensive Full Back like Abidal.
+2 games and BArca is dead ???
+antic…
+MOtivation is key…Barca won everything, was hyped to other galaxis, role-model of any coach, player, fan…due to the beauty of their game and the extraordinary technique behind…
+this quantum of lacking motivation is the main reason…they are not as hungry as they were 5 years ago, whats understandable in my opinion…
+Bayern needed Dortmund to evolve something watchable for a “gourmet”…and what did they win during the preceding years?? And when…HOW?? choked style of playing…
+Now, it seems, with Robben and Ribery and Shakiri, they try to clone some of the playing of tech-teams and mixing it with physical strenghtness…lets see, how long that works…
+just as a notion: take Robben and Ribery out…how do you think would they play??
+Well, selfish and ball-hogging Robben was the major reason why Bayern and Holland couldn’t won CL trophy, and World Cup.
+He would often made bad shots instead of passing to open teammates. But what I saw from Bayern vs Barca games was reformed selfless Robben.
+He’s way more disciplined, especially after the loss to Arsenal, but in my view he’s not quite that selfless just yet…
+take Robben and Ribery out…how do you think would they play??… …Shaqiri can replace Ribery, Mueller on the right and Pizzaro can play the ‘10′ (Kroos is still injured); actually, also Alaba isn’t a bad replacement for Ribery and Contendo could replace Alaba in the defense…. or Lahm change to the left and Rafinha takes Lahm’s place on the right..
+a lot of options, one of the big advantages this season for Bayern…
+Is “Counter-Attack Pressing” a right team to describe Bayern’s tactics against Barca?
+That’s what you get for buying good central defenders
+When did Barca buy good defenders under Rosell? Barca bought defender flops such as Martin Ceceres (16.5 m Euro) , Chygrinskiy (25 m Euro), and a little known Brazilian defender Henrique (8 million Euro) during Laporta era.
+I mean Bayern, Dante.
+For Barca, they are absolutely pathetic and they get what they deserve for spending big for Sanchez and Fabregas.
+The difference between Dante and Pique has been completely reflected on the scoreline
+Even with Messi playing, Barca would still concede four goals to Bayern. Barca defense was appalling both technically and tactically. Both Alves and Adriano recklessly pushed forward leaving acre of space for Ribery and Robben. Pique and Bartra
+positioning were very poor, they were confused about whom to mark, and when to stay in the box.
+Pique is an absolute trash
+Perhaps, Player that Barca missed the most in second legs was not Messi but Busquets. Busquets’ finest skill (You all know what is!) could be essential for Barca getting free kicks or penalties, or sending a Bayern player or two off the pitch.
+Well, more teams will duplicate Bayern’s zonal pressing, and ruthless counter attack tactic. What Bayern showed us is that
+they don’t have to park the bus against Barca. All Bayern did in both legs was pressing Barca in midfield area, man marking
+both Xavi and iniesta, reducing Baca’s passing space. This tactic requires midfielders with exceptional marking skill, and impeccable positional sense.
+Healthy Messi would definitely tear Bayern into shreds. I hate Bayern players and their fans gloating about on how they
+they stop Barca and Messi. I knew that Messi had hamstring injury that was why he was really slow down in first leg.
+I don’t think Javi Martinez, and Schweini couldn’t deal with fast Messi. Bayern was extremely lucky because they played
+against injured Messi in first game, and didn’t play against him in second game.
+keeep dreaming, maybe one day Santa brings a new brain for you
+Why the hell on earth players accuse Busquets of diving? When they couldn’t really get past Busquets they would simply shove him or put their bodies into him.
+Just because Barca lost to Bayern 0-7 in both legs, it is too premature to write an obituary for Barca and its football philosophy, Tiki-Tika. Barca don’t have to change the way they play football. They are so good at passing ball around, and moving to create space. Tiki-Taka is about ball retention, not giving the ball away to opponent. If they’ve lost a ball they would press quickly and get it back.
+How many football teams have football philosophy like Barca? How many football teams have youth academy like La Masia?
+When things don’t go well for Barca, they don’t alter their tactic. They correct and improve tactic so that it will become better over time. At La Masia, young players would learn about Tiki-Taka, sportsmanship, and professionalism. However, teams without football philosophy often changes their coaches and tactic. They don’t care about sportsmanship and fair play. They would play dirty and cowardly, like shoving and pushing, or parking the bus.
+Barca never die, they will rise from ashes just like phoenix.
+Bayern/Dortmund played at Signal Iduna today. Heynckes used an all-substitute squad with the exception of Neuer and Boateng (though Boateng is often benched) and Müller was brought in later to help; Klopp kept Götze and Hummels out and saved Reus for last. Grosskreutz scored. Gundogan got hurt early. Gomez scored. Neuer stopped a penalty kick by Lewandowski. The ref missed a penalty call for a foul on Pizarro. There were many yellow cards including a second one for Rafinha, who acted like a complete jackass before and after being thrown out. On the sidelines, Sammer and Klopp got into a screaming match. Schieber was simply horrible. In all, an entertaining game with plenty of drama, though neither team showed their full potential. 1-1.
+I read the tie as a Bayern victory, considering they played at Signal Iduna with a B team and had only ten players for a good portion of the game.
+Looking forward to Wembley!
+The British-controlled Virgin Islands is the most successful among mushrooming secrecy havens that cater to wealthy individuals.
+Collaborative probe
+The names have been unearthed in a novel project by the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists [ICIJ], in collaboration with the London-based.
+Includes Indians
+As well as Britons hiding wealth offshore, an extraordinary array of government officials and rich families across the world are identified, from Canada, the United States, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, China, Thailand and former communist states.
+It is not suggested that any of those listed here have behaved unlawfully. Offshore entities can be held legitimately: the only aspect those listed have in common is that they have used a jurisdiction which provides them with secrecy.
+The data seen by the Guardian shows that their secret companies are based mainly in the British Virgin Islands.
+It is estimated that more than $20tn acquired by wealthy individuals could lie in offshore accounts. The U.K.-controlled BVI has been the most successful among the mushrooming secrecy havens that cater for them.
+The Caribbean microstate.”
+Data.K. whistle-blowing.— © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2013
+Keywords: British Virgin Islands, tax haven, money laundering, tax evasion, black money, tax avoidance, Offshore Secrets series
+Everybody knows that black money is transferred in tax havens
+of other countries.This news is repeated without providing any details
+or taking any deterrent action. is it to encourage the practice or to
+stop it?As long as it gives only news value, no one is bothered about
+it. In other words the system has come to stay unhindered.
+My word! $32T is roughly 46% of the world GDP. These people have no shame? How can someone legitimately earn this amount of money in a life time? It seems obvious and logical to me that this wealth represents nothing but plunder of ordinary humans' toil and natural resources on a planetary scale. The structure and world laws are biased and bent to the will of these uber-human thieves, who have never studied the meaning of the word 'justice' or 'shame'. May the Gods help this planet.
+Yesterday's revelations about people who hold accounts in the British
+Virgin Islands certainly heightens interest in this area. The really
+interesting story will be "What happens next?"
+This has several facets:
+1) How many of these accounts are tax compliant and how many represent
+tax evasion?
+2) How vigorously will the authorities prosecute the tax evaders?
+3) What resources and skill sets do the government tax authorities
+have to follow-up?
+4) Can whistle blower legislation be used to arm a private sector army
+of tax evasion hunters to supplement government tax authority efforts?
+5) What will be the response of the wealthy to this event and what
+will be the impact of that response on government resources?
+Let me expand on this last question.
+A wealthy individual (aka Golden Goose) who feels they pay too much
+tax has three basic strategies that they can follow:
+Option 1) "Play the Game Better": This means using all the LEGAL
+methods of avoiding tax under the laws of the relevant taxing
+jurisdiction(s). This option has the advantage that the individual
+does not need to overcome life inertia with major life or business
+disruptions. The disadvantages are that there is only limited tax
+reduction which can be accomplished with this option AND the
+government constantly moves the goal posts. This results in decreased
+future tax savings as loopholes/ exemptions disappear and the on-going
+costs of adjusting your previous strategy and structure;
+Option 2) "Leave the Game": For most taxpayers, this involves becoming
+non-resident. For Americans this requires giving up their US
+citizenship or resident alien status. Generally it means bringing
+forward the payment of capital gains. This is not necessarily a bad
+thing for the following reasons a) interest rates are low to borrow
+money to pay any tax immediately owing on a deemed disposition; b) no
+longer have any tax liability to your current tax home from this point
+forward; c) do not have to worry if government decides to increase
+income, capital gains, gift or estate taxes OR bring in new taxes like
+mansion or wealth taxes. The major disadvantage is that the individual
+has to go through a one-time effort to overcome their life inertia. As
+there are MANY places in the world that the wealthy could move their
+tax residence which allows them to minimize their future tax payments
+without compromising their personal or business lifestyle, the future
+benefits could easily outweigh the one time effort;.
+The obvious impact of the Golden Geese no longer considering cheating
+the game, is that they will be focusing on the first two options.
+Initially, more Golden Geese will be taking advantage of legally
+available tax avoidance strategies. Obviously the government will
+respond by closing various currently legal opportunities. With
+cheating off the table and playing the game better having a decreasing
+value, the attention of the Golden Geese will focus on leaving.. As
+they discover that the cost and difficulty of leaving the game is not
+really that high (now that they have seriously examined it), you will
+see an ever increasing number of wealthy taxpayers leaving their
+current tax system.
+Since in most G9 countries the top 1% account for just over 1/3rd of
+all personal taxes collected, even a slight increase in the number of
+Golden Geese who leave the tax system will have a dramatic impact on
+future tax revenues. The real question will be how will various
+governments legislatively respond to all of this.
+There will be naive efforts to try and lobby for a global "level tax
+playing field". This effort is doomed from the outset, because of the
+prisoner's dilemma. Even efforts to try to impose standards for
+government fiscal policies across the eurozone weren't possible. Try
+making a broader effort over a vastly increased number of independent
+countries, all of whole are trying to keep and attract Golden Geese to
+their shores, is hopeless.
+Therefore the real action will take place domestically as governments
+examine their options. If they decide to increase the cost of leaving
+(the American approach), they will see the same result the US
+experienced. Specifically, RECORD numbers of Golden Geese leaving,
+before the cost gets even higher. If a government were smart, they
+would rather bring in policies that would attract more Golden Geese to
+their tax system. This means making if more attractive than the system
+that they are currently considering leaving. Just as a small number of
+departing Golden Geese has an asymmetric negative impact on total tax
+revenues, the attraction of even a relatively small number of Golden
+Geese will have a disproportionate positive impact.
+I don't know if I am showing my geekiness by being so intellectually
+interested in the bigger implications of these various events, but I
+truly feel that there are a variety of things from Cypriot bank
+account seizures; to Putin's demand for no more offshore accounts; to
+outing of tax evaders which have caused a tipping point to be reached.
+It is increasingly obvious to me, that we are experiencing a major
+disruption to the standard government revenue model which has been in
+place for the past century. Namely, a progressive tax system. Whether
+you think such a system is "fair" does not change that fact that it is
+inherently unstable because of an extreme over reliance on a small
+number of Golden Geese for such a huge portion of total tax revenues.
+Previously governments could a implement policies that continue to add
+to the tax burden to Golden Geese. If a Golden Goose reacted by
+cheating the game, they could prosecute them. If a Golden Goose
+reacted by trying to play the game better they could change the rules.
+However, in a globalized world where Golden Geese can set up their
+personal and business lives in many jurisdictions other than that of
+their birth, governments will now see a reaction to their increased
+burdens on the Golden Geese that will immediately and dramatically
+cause a drop in total tax revenues. Recognition of the paradigm shift
+is the first step. Properly reacting to the paradigm shift is
+ultimately the most important step.
+Let them publish the list of hidden assets/wealth in the Parliament in all countries.Tax havens should not be let out like this
+For Wealthy Indians, no for all Indians. There is no incentive to pay tax except punitive action. There is no correlation between paying tax and development. They just take the tax and waste it.
+I wonder why the names of any of the Indian account holder is not mentioned
+here.
+One always wondered why Spain. Greece and Cyprus economies are in
+trouble. Perhaps answer lies in money stashed in BVI. In all cases the
+governments have squandered public money. It appears that politicians,
+bureaucrats and businessmen in these countries have made billions of
+dollars of accounted wealth and all of them have parked their ill-
+gotten money in tax-havens like BVI. It is clear that in all countries
+for those in power it is possible to escape laws, rules and
+regulations about laundered money. For Indian citizens who always
+think that there is very little control over use of laundered money in
+elections these revelations about investments in companies in BVI by
+businessmen and politicians of European nations are eye-openers.
+Mr David Leigh's write up throws only a dim light over the murky BVIs and BOs from all parts of the world including India.The sum
+involved is over 3 trillion dollars,a truly mind-boggling amount.
+Perhaps one may expect further exposes from several other quarters.The two or three names of Indian Industrialists (all NRIs) apart no politician's name has been bandied about which is rather strange considering that these are the people who must have the major part of the Forty Thieves' treasure in the Virgin Islands Caves.Can we expect our authorities to exhibit more than due diligence in unearting names of Indian Members of the Club of Forty?
+Would someone kindly publish a list of these people ?
+Please Email the Editor
+At 32, Sheryl Grossman still shops for clothes at GapKids. She drives her own car, a Toyota Scion, even though at 46 pounds she ought to be riding in a car seat. She's 49 inches tall and her hazel eyes, slightly tilted, give her an elfin appearance. Her voice is light and high-pitched. It is easy to mistake her for a little girl, and many people do, including the occasional pedophile — whose name she'll record and pass on to authorities.
+Grossman has Bloom's syndrome, one of the rarest diseases the world has ever known. Since its discovery in 1954 by a New York dermatologist named David Bloom, fewer than 300 people have been diagnosed with it worldwide.
+Bloomies, as the afflicted call themselves, seldom grow taller than four and a half feet or weigh more than 90 pounds. Their heads are small, their faces long and narrow. Ultraviolet light, even on cloudy days, makes them break out in painful sores on their lips and butterfly-shaped rashes across their cheeks.
+Most Bloomies develop cancer by their mid-twenties, usually in the colon or respiratory tract. They are prone to diabetes, allergies, asthma, pulmonary disease, ear infections and immune disorders. The men are sterile. Bloomies die young, many well before reaching adulthood. There is no cure, and no one with this genetic disorder has ever lived past 48.
+The Bloom's gene is recessive and carried by just one person in a thousand. Two carriers have a 25 percent chance of having a child with Bloom's. One-third of all sufferers are Ashkenazim, Jews of Eastern European descent. More than half live in North America and very few have ever met another Bloomie. Neither have their doctors. The scientists who study the disease concentrate on DNA and blood samples. When it comes to navigating daily life with Bloom's, patients are pretty much on their own.
+Sheryl Grossman, one of an estimated 162 Bloomies alive today, was determined to change that. A year and a half ago, she created a Web site called Bloom's Connect, a place where victims worldwide could come together to compare their experiences and provide counsel on everything from disability benefits to where to buy shoes.
+Through Bloom's Connect, Grossman found 69 other Bloomies and their families. They talked over the phone and by e-mail. Last month in Chicago, Grossman staged the first annual Bloom's Connect conference. Seven Bloom's patients managed to attend. They came from four countries.
+It was the first time more than two Bloomies had ever gathered in the same room.
+Sheryl Grossman has 29 doctors. She visits four or five of them every week.
+She must balance 200-plus doctor visits a year with a full-time job as a social worker and several part-time baby-sitting and teaching gigs. She never goes anywhere without her datebook. "It's very tiring," she says. "Pain management is my main issue, but a lot of the visits are because everyone keeps shuffling me around."
+Most of her doctors are oncologists who monitor her closely, particularly after her bout with colon cancer three years ago. There's also her primary-care physician, the ear, nose and throat doctor, pain management and pulmonary specialists, the endocrinologist, the allergist, the neurologist, the ophthalmologist, the dermatologist and the ob-gyn. When she has a mammogram, she needs an MRI because she's too small to fit into the machine.
+She has asthma and is so sensitive to cold that she keeps the thermostat in her University City apartment at 88 degrees year-round. "Any air or water less than 76 degrees bothers me," she says. "It feels like millions of pinpricks. The pain is the background of my life." Grossman also suspects it contributes to her constant fatigue, which at one point was so severe that she considered buying a motorized scooter to get around. But she gave up on that idea when she couldn't find a scooter small enough.
+The colon cancer, meanwhile, has not returned, and she's seen no signs of the diabetes, arthritis or thyroid problems that have plagued others with the disease. "I'm pretty healthy for someone with Bloom's," she says.
+But because Bloom's is so rare, many doctors have never heard of it, let alone treated it. As a result, Grossman sometimes has trouble getting the medical care she needs. "Once I was at an out-of-town conference," she recalls, "and I started coughing up blood. It was tangentially related to Bloom's, a bronchial infection. I went to the emergency room and they made a note in my file that I had come in because I was throwing up blood because I was anorexic."
+Even for a Bloomie, Grossman is unusually thin. She has a small stomach and a bird-like appetite. Her mother, Karen, says it can take her half an hour to eat a piece of chicken. As far as liquids go, "I don't like water," says Grossman. "The texture bothers me. I'll drink hot chocolate, though."
+An observant Jew, Grossman keeps kosher, which further restricts the food she'll eat. She hates to cook, mainly because she can barely reach the kitchen stove and countertops in her one-bedroom apartment. Like other Bloomies, she relies on step stools and avoids the high shelves. "It's annoying," she says. "As soon as I buy my own place, I'm getting the kitchen customized."
+Her size makes it difficult to buy clothes appropriate for her job. "I have to be in business dress or business casual," she explains. "If I were a man, I could wear a boys' suit, but all the dresses for five-year-olds are so frilly. I'm really picky. I pay a lot for custom stuff. I tell people they should learn to sew, which I, um, can't."
+Grossman's wardrobe is a mishmash of finds from department stores and hand-me-downs from the girls she baby-sits. She gets her hats at babyGap, size 12 to 24 months. Whenever she or her mother finds a skirt or jacket that's the right size, they buy two.
+One of the unforeseen benefits of Bloom's Connect has been the opportunity to swap clothes and shopping advice with other Bloomies. Fashion discussions invariably return to shoes. Grossman wears a child's size 13, too small even for custom shoemakers.
+At the Bloom's Connect conference, a flurry of excitement ensues over a store in New York that supposedly sells adult shoes, even high heels, in child sizes. "Do they do mail order?" asks Karen Grossman. Alas, the store has closed. The disappointment in the room is palpable.
+"I hate walking down the street, especially on St. Patrick's Day," Sheryl Grossman confides. "People pat me on the head and ask for wishes, like I'm a leprechaun. It's hard to go to public places where there are exhibits. I become one. People are there to look at things that are unusual, only I'm not in a cage or behind glass."
+Bloomies have devised various ways of coping with the constant staring. Jason Hesch of Washington, D.C., takes an agreeable approach: "When someone says, 'You're short,' I say, 'Yes, I am.'"
+"If someone makes fun of me, I'll stare them down," says Stacey Dentz of Monroe, New York. "And then they'll shut up."
+"I get it most in public spaces, like the mall," recounts Grossman. "A child with a parent will ask, 'Why is she so small?' Kids get it, but don't. I'll go over and get down on the child's level and say, 'I'm short because God made me this way. I'm OK with it. We're all different.'"
+Still, Grossman admits it's tiring to get stared at "10,000 times a day."
+She tries to be philosophical. "When someone has a very obvious physical difference, it can take more time to move beyond that," she says. "Normal may look different, but life can still be normal. We go to school, have jobs, date, get our hearts broken, just like anybody else."
+Grossman encourages her fellow Bloomies to lead as normal lives as possible and insists that they apply for jobs that are not beneath them. "The hard part here is convincing ourselves we can do high power work," she wrote on Bloom's Connect. "Once this hurdle is overcome, convincing the workplace of the same becomes easier."
+Among the Bloomies in Bloom's Connect, Stacey Dentz, 35, is the only one who is married. She met Eric, her husband of three years, on JDate, the Jewish dating Web site. On her profile, she wrote that she had light brown hair and was four-foot-three, but didn't mention she had Bloom's. "They don't need to know," she says.
+As it was, JDate was difficult. "Some people were so rude," she says. "They'd be like, 'Omigod, you're so short!' and I'd be like, 'Screw you.' Then there would be some guys who just wanted to see if they could get with a small chick."
+Sheryl Grossman has encountered men who pursue her mainly because of her tiny stature. "These people recognize that they can get away with things with me that they can't get away with a child," she says. "They're really looking for a child, and settling for me. I can usually figure it out and then I string them along, just enough to get their name and phone number. I jot it down as if I'm interested, and then I turn them in later to the police."
+Stacey Dentz says height has never been an issue with her five-foot-eight-inch tall husband. "He didn't see me as short. He just saw me as me. I mean, he cared that I have Bloom's, but he saw me for who I am."
+Dentz does her share of the household chores, including grocery shopping and laundry, and like Grossman and Hesch, drives her own car, a Subaru. All three must raise the seats so they can see over the dashboard and push themselves forward with cushions so they can reach the pedals.
+While Dentz has no plans for children, the unmarried Grossman wants a "tribe." "If I have a child with Bloom's," she says, "I'll learn how to deal. If I have a child without a disability, that's OK, too."
+Grossman was a year old when she was diagnosed with Bloom's. She was born at full-term, but small — Bloom's babies weigh between two and four pounds — and she didn't grow. Her parents didn't begin to worry, though, until the following summer.
+"The first thing we noticed," says her mother, "was when we took her out in the sun, she would get sores on her mouth and face."
+The Grossmans' pediatrician referred them to a dermatologist. "I give a lot of credit to that dermatologist," Karen Grossman says. "The first thing out of her mouth was, 'I don't know, but I will find out.'" The doctor consulted with colleagues on the East Coast, and after three months of testing, they had a diagnosis.
+Grossman had a relatively normal childhood in Flossmoor, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She went to public schools and summer camp. Her parents tried to hide the news that she had Bloom's for as long as they could.
+"We told her that she was small and would always be small," her mother recalls. "We told her what she needed to know, like that she needed to wear sunscreen. We never went into all the aspects until she needed information."
+Grossman didn't learn the full truth until she was fourteen. "It was traumatic," she remembers. "I was angry at the world. I knew I had this condition and I was wallowing in self pity."
+In her sophomore year at Washington University, Grossman discovered Paraquad, a St. Louis organization that helps disabled people live independently. "I didn't know I had the right to have the light switches in my room lowered instead of jumping up and down every time I tried to turn on the light," she says. "I felt validated. Finally, I had the tools to mitigate my condition."
+That same year she met Alex Turtletaub through friends in the local Jewish community. Turtletaub, three years older than Grossman, lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was also a Bloomie.
+"My eyes bugged out," Grossman recollects. "It was so rare of an experience, like finding a parent who gave you up for adoption. We were more like each other than our families. It was an instant bond."
+They compared their experiences and devised ways to live a normal life. They refused to participate in medical experiments or take part in what they considered unnecessary preventative treatments. "I was in college," Grossman explains. "I wanted to live my life instead of going from doctor to doctor."
+Most of all, Grossman says, "Alex and I were committed to forming a support group of other Bloomies. We knew we were getting older. Not many of us make it to adulthood."
+Turtletaub died of cancer five years ago. He was 30. Grossman continued her search for other patients. A year and a half ago, her friend Rabbi Hershey Novack of Wash. U. Chabad, a Jewish student organization, suggested she set up a Web site. He lent her his computer and helped her buy the domain name. Within a week, she had her first contact, from Israel.
+When Grossman learned that the University of Chicago planned to host a conference in late May for the scientists who study Bloom's syndrome, she seized the opportunity to try and bring the entire far-flung Bloom's community together for the first time — not just those with the malady, but also their doctors.
+Grossman's plan didn't work out as she'd hoped. The medical conference, with its presentations on genes and proteins, proved far too technical for anyone but seasoned researchers to understand. Besides, the Bloomies were more interested in getting to know each other. So while the scientists met at the University of Chicago's Gleacher Center downtown, the Bloom's contingent gathered at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.
+"The doctors' research isn't really relevant to my life," Grossman says. But the scientists do have two things she needs: information the patients can pass on to their doctors at home and money. Grossman put together the Bloom's Connect conference on a $4,500 budget, most of it raised from registration fees. But if Bloom's Connect does not find financial support soon, it will die.
+Jason Hesch, 26, had never met another Bloomie, but now on this blustery Tuesday morning after Memorial Day, he's about to meet six of them. Hesch is nervous. He doesn't know what to expect. He's dressed formally in a suit and tie, and sits at a folding table with Sheryl Grossman, Stacey Dentz and Melissa LaCouvee of Ontario.
+The conversation progresses haltingly, and when things turn silent, they glance across the room at their parents and siblings who are introducing themselves.
+For the parents, the meeting is more emotional. It is like a reunion of a family whose members have been separated far too long. Looking over at the adult Bloomies, Sandra Mysler, whose twelve-year-old son with Bloom's stayed home in Argentina, is too overwhelmed to speak.
+Anne-Marie van den Hurk, from the Netherlands, begins to cry. "I just want to bring up a normal child," she says, wiping her eyes.
+"It means so much to them to see an adult with this condition," Grossman will say later. "Bloom's syndrome is not a death sentence. We can live well while accepting our limitations and dealing with them." LaCouvee, eighteen, cannot stop staring at Grossman, Dentz and Hesch. She looks delighted. "She's had a hard year," LaCouvee's mother, Linda, tells the other parents. "She has no friends."
+As in other families, the Bloomies' parents compare the growth and medical problems of their children and marvel at the strong physical resemblances between them. "Melissa looks just like Sheryl did ten years ago," Karen Grossman exclaims, "the spitting image."
+The adult Bloomies appear embarrassed to hear the personal details of their lives discussed so frankly by their parents. "Sheryl had a lot of trouble getting her mammogram," Karen Grossman announces to the group at large. "Do you want to tell the story, honey?" Sheryl waves her hand wearily. "No, Mom, go ahead."
+The three Bloom's children have been spared the awkwardness of discussing how they feel about meeting other people who look like them. Instead, Lindsay Zaslaw, three, of Hanover, New Hampshire, and Agnes Knol, five, and Toon van den Hurk, eight, both of the Netherlands, have gone off to another room with their brothers and sisters to color and watch Asterix DVDs.
+"The kids are astounded to see all the little people," reports Agnes' mother, Beatrix, during a coffee break. "When our kids saw Lindsay, they went ahhhh, because Agnes is so normal for them."
+Alex Turtletaub's mother, Diane, flew from New Mexico to talk about her experiences raising an afflicted child. "I feel like Alex is here with me today," she begins during a panel discussion. "Alex played soccer before his arthritis got too bad. He was running around the field with boys twice his size. I was terrified he would get hurt. I think we do have a tendency to baby our Bloom's kids because they're small.
+"My daughter accused me of babying Alex when he was 30. Mothers want to make sure everything is perfect for their children. We wanted to let him know he was loved and respected for who he was, as much as any other child."
+"It's hard," says Dana Hesch, Jason's 21-year-old sister. "Last year I helped him move into his apartment. I was in charge of buying furniture and building it, since it was harder for him. He had the box from IKEA with his dresser in a cart and was trying to push it, and the whole thing tipped over. I got so frustrated. I wanted to say, 'If you weren't like this, we wouldn't be doing this.' I wanted to help. But it was hard. It sucks. But I have to stop wanting what I can't have. I have to continue to give him a hard time as his sister."
+Hesch, overhearing that last sentence, playfully flips her the bird. "There's one advantage of having Bloom's syndrome," says Hesch, who hopes for a career in politics. "No one ever forgets me."
+"Hey Jason," Dana asks, "if you had a choice between being you or being me, who would you want to be?" Hesch doesn't hesitate: "I'd be me."
+Sheryl Grossman leans her head against the back seat of the taxi and closes her eyes. Its been a long two days. "Miss," the driver says, "you need to tell me where you're going."
+Grossman opens her eyes and looks dazed. Less than an hour before, she addressed a group of scientists at the medical conference about what Bloom's Connect is trying to accomplish. The medical community understands Bloom's syndrome on a molecular level, but Grossman worries that they can't truly comprehend what it's like to live with the disease.
+"The scientists have the money, the power, the clout, that we don't have," she says. "It's important for the scientists to learn from us what we need in our lives. We can give them faces and names and real-life experiences."
+The influence of Bloom's syndrome extends beyond its tiny population of sufferers. Says Richard Gladstein, a Hollywood producer and founder of the Bloom's Syndrome Foundation: "It's characteristic of people with Bloom's syndrome that they get what everyone else gets, but they get it sooner."
+Dr. James German, a professor of pediatrics at Cornell University, has been studying Bloom's for nearly 50 years. He was the first to realize that Bloom's is a genetic — rather than dermatological — disease. During cell division, the Bloom's gene, located on the fifteenth chromosome, causes a patient's DNA to reproduce genetic gibberish instead of an exact copy. The chromosome becomes unstable, and pieces of it break off.
+This tendency toward mutation, German discovered, makes Bloom's patients particularly susceptible to cancer. What remains a puzzle is why Bloomies are so small. Their cells are normal-sized, but they have fewer of them.
+In 1960 Dr. German established the Bloom's Syndrome Registry which has tracked 264 patients throughout their lifetimes. Recently renamed the Bloom's Syndrome Study Population, it remains the most complete source of information about the effects of the disease. But because of confidentiality concerns, German will not release the names of patients in the registry, even the ones who ask for their names to be made public.
+German, meanwhile, is dismissive of Grossman and Bloom's Connect. "She's passing herself off as some sort of expert," he said by telephone from his New York office a week before the conferences.
+Though German has become close to some Bloom's patients, including Stacey Dentz, he knows that others believe he is more interested in them as research subjects than as human beings. "Some people complain that all the registry is doing is wanting blood," he says. "Well, that's true. We want to know about the condition."
+Grossman had hoped the other doctors at the medical conference would be more receptive. "Our mission is to fill the gaps in your research," she told them. She relayed the Bloom's Connect group's request for more information to share with their doctors at home and asked for more financial support.
+Afterward, several researchers, including the conference chair Dr. Vilhelm Bohr, gave her business cards and invited her to call them to discuss further collaboration between the scientists and Bloom's Connect.
+Despite her exhaustion, Grossman is elated. "I think this is the beginning of a fruitful discussion," she says. "Dr. Bohr said he would be in touch. I want this to work. If he doesn't follow up, I will."
+On her way back to University of Illinois at Chicago to say goodbye to attendees at the Bloom's Connect conference, Grossman reflects on the progress they have made. The families have already exchanged addresses and promised to keep in touch. Jerry Hesch, Jason's father and a Miami lawyer, has volunteered to help her incorporate Bloom's Connect as a nonprofit charity.
+For Grossman, the biggest surprise of the conference was the reaction of her own mother. Karen Grossman had never before been very involved in Bloom's Connect, but during this conference, she became Grossman's main source of support.
+"I want to thank Sheryl for putting this together," she tells the Bloom's Connect group. "This has been amazing for her and amazing for me watching her." For the first time, Sheryl grows teary.
+"I've never heard her sound so proud of me before," Grossman later reflects. "I'm really surprised she talked so much here. It's like it had all been bottled up for years."
+Back in St. Louis, Grossman sips a hot chocolate at the Starbucks in the Delmar Loop and tries to sum up what the Chicago conference meant to her. "It's hard to put into words," she says. "Ever since I was fourteen, I thought I'd never meet someone like me. And now I just met thirteen families at the same time. I'm in my thirties. I'm getting up there. I want to leave something positive. I didn't have much support when I was growing up. Now things have changed forever for people with Bloom's and their families because of this."
+Allen West Interview: Florida Tea Party Favorite Talks About Islam and Donald Trump (Part 1)
+At the far end of the small, bunker-sized room, two men in white T-shirts take a break from shooting pool to amble up to the sticky wooden bar. It's a Tuesday, not quite 4 p.m. They order Jäger bombs. One of them lights a cigarette. His friend, whose pale-brown hair is shaved militarily close to his head, counts as the barkeep pours: "Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, Mississippi." Behind him, on dual TV screens, Eddie Murphy cackles with Dan Aykroyd in the '80s classic movie Trading Places. Boredom hangs in the stagnant air.
+Eventually, the door swings open, and a flood of harsh sunlight enters the room. A politician in a fitted suit and stylish blue tie appears. He wears round, wire-frame glasses, and his hair is tinged with a distinguished sprinkling of gray.
+U.S. Rep. Allen West has never been to this post before. He doesn't drink or smoke or frequent bars in the middle of the day. But he is a veteran of a foreign war and has chosen this spot for a one-on-one interview.
+Two years ago, West, 50, was a little-known veteran from the suburban Broward city of Plantation whose résumé included one failed congressional campaign and a 22-year Army career. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel but in 2003 faced military criminal charges for shoving an Iraqi detainee's head into a barrel during an interrogation and firing a pistol into the barrel. Army investigators found probable cause to call the incident aggravated assault, but a hearing officer dismissed the case. West was punished with a fine of $5,000 and resigned from the military the next year with an honorable discharge and full benefits.
+Last November, he was swept into office by the wave of Tea Party popularity that flooded Florida and the nation. An avalanche of individual supporters and major conservative donors, such as House Speaker John Boehner's Freedom Project PAC, helped raise $6.5 million for his campaign. He comfortably beat Democratic incumbent Ron Klein with 54 percent of the vote in a swing district that covers a large eastern swath of Broward and Palm Beach counties and includes Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens.
+Now, just a few months into his freshman term in the U.S. Congress, West is a national Tea Party favorite -- proudly far-right, beloved by followers, loathed by the left. The first Republican to join the Congressional Black Caucus in 14 years, he's been profiled by the New York Times and made appearances on Meet the Press and PBS NewsHour. Glenn Beck has endorsed him for president, and he's been mentioned as a possible vice presidential running mate for Donald Trump.
+As Barack Obama's popularity has declined, West has become a perfect foil for the president. Where Obama is pragmatic and nuanced, West is dogmatic and unwavering. Whether waging war on Islam or defending tax cuts for the wealthy, he rarely speaks in shades of gray. New Times set out to discover the man behind the sound bites.
+New Times: One of the things you've talked about a lot is misconceptions of you in the media. I wondered if you could tell me what you think are the top three.
+Allen West: I don't know, the fact that people were saying that I was a member of an all-white motorcycle gang,[1] that I dealt drugs, that I ran prostitutes.[2] Debbie Wasserman Schultz designing a protest outside my campaign headquarters saying that I'm a misogynist, that I hate women.[3] It's the type of demagogic rhetoric that comes from people that really can't articulate the issues, and all they do is try to attack your character, which I think is reprehensible.
+Any other big misconceptions?
+Like I said, all you have to do is go back and look at previous articles from the Broward New Times. I think you've got a lot of those misconceptions.[4]
+During your campaign, you said, "A nation goes to war against an ideology. We are against something that is a totalitarian, theocratic, political ideology, and it is called Islam." Could you explain? Are you talking about the religion of Islam?
+I'm talking about an ideology; I'm not talking about a religion. I'm talking about an ideology that, if you study the evolution of it, is totalitarian in nature. I don't think that you as a young lady have the exact same type freedoms that you have here in the United States of America... So I think that's a very antithetical ideology to who we are and our freedoms and liberties....
+But you separate it from people who are Muslims?
+I never talk about Muslims. I talk about an ideology.
+In your mind, how are the two separate?
+I think it is very separate because I'm talking about a thought process as opposed to an individual. I'm talking about something that people believe in as opposed to an individual making a decision. I've been in the Middle East for quite some time, and I worked very well with many Muslim individuals. But I think when you look at the Islamic terrorism that we are facing, there's an ideology that propagates that. [pause] So is this going to be the basis of the interview?
+No. I just have one more question about the Islam issue. You believe ordinary Muslims are separate from the ideology of Islam, so why did you tell a representative from the Council on American-Islamic Relations --
+Because the Council on American-Islamic Relations is an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation trial.[5] They have some very nefarious associations in this country that include the Muslim Brotherhood. And that is something that is well-known. The FBI has cut off all associations with CAIR, so I am not going to kowtow with an organization that has some very questionable associations.[6]
+And that's why you told the representative, "You attacked us"?
+He attacked me in a way that -- I don't think it's necessary to try to have a confrontation, or whatever you want to call it, at a town hall meeting.[7]
+So you weren't talking about "You attacked us" on September 11?
+I don't know what you're getting at.
+When you said to him "You attacked us," were you talking about September 11?
+Well, I think that when you look all through the course of history, there is an ideology that has attacked Western civilization; there's an ideology that attacked the United States of America. There are continuous attacks. I just got a report of three soldiers who just lost their lives in Afghanistan because of the Islamic terrorists there, you know, a roadside bombing.
+So when you said "You attacked us," were you referring to September 11?
+I was referring to that gentleman. He came up, and from what I understand, he tried to be confrontational with me. And I told him that we had to stand because we were attacked, and if he wanted to take it personally, that's up to him.
+Read">the full Allen West interview here.
+1. NBC Nightly News reported last October on West's "dealings" with the Outlaws motorcycle gang, which became a subject of controversy during his campaign. Although reporter Lisa Myers never said West was a member of the gang, she cited an email in which West wrote to a supporter, "I was never more amazed at how members of the Outlaws guarded me during an interview."
+2. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of Democrats in the House of Representatives, immediately picked up on the NBC story and published a blog saying West was "tied" to a criminal organization. The blog cited a 2009 Justice Department National "Gang Threat Assessment" report that alleges the Outlaws "produce, transport, and distribute methamphetamine and transport and distribute cocaine, marijuana and, to a lesser extent, MDMA. Outlaws members engage in various criminal activities, including arson, assault, explosives operations, extortion, fraud, homicide, intimidation, kidnapping, money laundering, prostitution."
+3. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Weston) headlined a protest outside West's campaign headquarters last October. At the time, West was a contributor to Miami Mike's Wheels on the Road, a South Florida motorcycle magazine. In a Wheels issue in which West's column appeared, another columnist urged readers to "get rid of Debbie Wasserman Shitz. That yenta annoys the crap out of me with just her whinning [sic] voice. Guys, can you just imagine banging her... and she's screaming at the top of her lungs?"
+Wasserman Schultz told the Sun-Sentinel that she was asking West "to condemn the 'degrading, sexist, and misogynistic' images in Wheels on the Road."
+4. New Times has been writing about West for at least two years. Before this interview began, West expressed his general unhappiness with the paper's coverage, mentioning bloggers Thomas Francis and Brandon K. Thorp by name. He didn't cite any specific articles.
+5. In 2008, five leaders of the Texas-based Muslim charity the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development were convicted in the largest terrorism-funding case in the country. They were accused of funneling millions of dollars to Hamas, a Palestinian political and military organization that conducts suicide bombings and attacks against Israel and has been considered a terrorist group by the U.S. government since 1995. However, since 2007, Hamas has also been the democratically elected leadership of the Palestinian territories in Gaza.
+The Holy Land case was extremely controversial; the defendants argued that they were punished for providing humanitarian aid to welfare programs and Palestinian orphans.
+In court documents, prosecutors listed the nonprofit Council on American-Islamic Relations as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case -- along with more than 200 other groups and individuals. But CAIR was never charged with a crime. According to its website, the group's goal is to "challenge stereotypes of Islam and Muslims," and it prides itself on promoting civil liberties and tolerance.
+CAIR condemns terrorist acts, "supports political solutions to problems over the use of violence," and has specifically denied being "a front group for Hamas."
+6. CAIR has specifically denied being "part of a wider conspiracy overseen by the Muslim Brotherhood." The Brotherhood is a political organization founded in Egypt that advocates Islamic law in the Arab world.
+FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III told the New York Times "that the bureau had no 'formal relationship' with CAIR, but that the organization's officials and chapters regularly worked with F.B.I. officials on investigations and related matters."
+7. At a February town hall meeting in Pompano Beach, Nezar Hamze, executive director of the South Florida chapter of CAIR, stood in line to question West. Their conversation was captured on video.
+"You recently told a Marine that the terrorists that attacked the United States, the people that are attacking America, are following Islam and they are following the instruction of the Qur'an," Hamze said. "So, very simple question: Can you show me one verse in this Qur'an where it says to attack America, attack Americans, or attack innocent people?"
+"Well, of course it doesn't say attack America or attack Americans," West replied. "I mean, the book was written back sometime around the Eighth or Ninth Century, so America wasn't even around."
+As Hamze tried to interject, West began rattling off a long list of alleged battles between Christians and Muslims dating back to the Seventh Century. Then, referencing 9/11, West said, "The people that flew those planes into buildings were shouting 'Allahu Akbar' ['God is great']."
+"I've been on the battlefield, my friend," West concluded. "Don't try to blow sunshine up my butt." The crowd of West supporters cheered.
+Hamze asked if he could respond. "You've attacked Islam -- " Hamze began.
+West cut him off. "You attacked us," he said. !--Session> <!-- YieldMo Tag-->
+Jumping on boards with Bert Burger!
+Recently the smoothly curated Sunova Surfboards Instagram feed was invaded by two heathens hell bent on destruction. Bert Burger, a purveyor of plus-sized clothes and the owner of Sunova surfboards was joined by the mallet-wielding Martin Jandke, one of Bert's partners in the company. Together they demonstrated the durability of the soon-to-be-released Suns Surfboards, a label started by Bert's son Dylan.
+See the video below, and under that is a short interview with straight-talking Bert about the boards in question:
+Swellnet: Are these boards coming out under the Sunova label?
+Bert Burger: No chance. A Sunova says Ferrari, Rolls Royce, it's the best surfboard money can buy. No way I would put my label on cheap shit. Now, I'm not saying the boards are shit, but it's a price point and a demographic that just doesnt match with our reputation for strength and performance. Sunova made its name with high end craftsmanship, advanced composite construction, and a classic wood look that performs unbelievably well. That's our niche and I dont want to devalue it.
+So why these boards..?
+Over the years I've done so much R&D and developed a range of really viable marketable products, but I'd always struggled with what and how to brand them. Firewire got one good technology from me: the original FST construction is a good viable product, but it was never something I wanted to put my Sunova label on.
+When my son Dylan expressed interest in creating a label, called SUNS, and he told me roughly what price point he wanted to start with to cut his teeth, I was thinking, 'Here's a perfect place to finally apply all that R&D!'
+Anyway, what use is your Dad if you cant press him for a little knowledge and wisdom...?
+I've always believed, that regardless of what price point your operating in, you have to represent great value, so the price of these boards will represent amazing value when you compare them to what everyone else if offering for the same money.
+They look pretty sturdy in the video. How many layers of glass are laid down? What's the lay up secret..?
+OK, OK...I'm not giving away the eleven secret herbs and spices here. It's an EPS core, epoxy resin, fibreglass, wrapped in a secret sandwich.
+Have you broken any yet?
+We have seriously been trying. Almost two years ago we released this technology in SUP, so we've had them on the market for a while. It was an unknown back then. We gave a bunch of SUPs to a local board hire and rental place, so for years now I'm watching these boards get so much abuse everyday...honestly, people who dont surf have no idea how to treat surf equipment! I was watching our boards get treated like a plastic kayak, but I remained silent because I wanted to see what they could take.
+And..?
+I'm really happy with their durability. There is no doubt that the strongest and lightest stuff around is built using the concept of sandwich construction. That's where you have a double glass job either side of some sandwich medium in between. For example, Firewire FST construction, Surftech Tufflite, and our Sunova boards too, which are fiberglass and resin either side of a balsa sandwich medium, over a lightweight EPS core, and of course dont forget that parabolic rail.
+They all use an engineering principal, like the H or I beams, the further apart you can get the load bearing skins, the more structure and strength you get.
+The downside, however, to this construction is the price. You have an expensive list of raw materials, you are using twice as much glass, crazy amounts of extra labor, way more production infrastructure is needed, as well as space 'cos a board takes longer to build. If I was still building boards in Australia with this method, I'd be charging AUD $1,800 plus for a shortboard. Making them in Asia means you can compete price-wise and offer better tech at a competitive price.
+Well, we have come up with a technique that gives us sandwich construction principles at a crazy affordable price...
+In an earlier conversation you said you're not making any grand claims on flex or performance, but could this construction method lend itself to high performance surfing?
+Within reason. When we first hit the market we were aiming for 'bullet proof', and coming in about about 12 to 15% heavier than disposable PU boards. But while we were R&Ding the final layup and methods, we came up with some stuff that was a full 20% lighter than disposable PU - like crazy light and strong!
+Thing is, it just didnt make sense to hit the market with something so good for the price. The lighter version will come later, with a different look and a little better tech, but there is no reason why they won't perform as good as any other stringerless EPS epoxy shape and glass. So if anyone out there claims performance from hand laid EPS and epoxy, then I suppose we would claim it too.
+I dont think people realise how well a board can go when it has serious tech built into it and a parabolic rail. I personally call bullshit on claims of radically better performance when your using the same materials as everyone else.
+Sounds like there's more products to come.
+Definitely some more products, and different constructions, coming. Release number three will be a parabolic rail with a cool new foam made from recycled coke bottles.
+This is all so kids coming in at entry level will have something to look forward to as future techs get released.
+Stay tuned then..?
+Stay tuned.
+Love my sunova. Love ya Bert!
+Bert is the full West Aussie entrepreneur hey. He's a classic case of a kid with a head full of ideas working outside the established industry and just steaming along doing things his way. Always has, except he's not a kid anymore!
+No, Bert isn't giving the secret herbs and spices away, he's been saving all that KFC for himself.
+LOL!
+haha he'll laugh at that..
+ha, bert seems a character.
+i've become eps curious. any one know of kneelo shapers in oz using eps? the dust boards from south africa look great.
+Parksy is doing EPS for a heap of crew
+Alan Bruce Native Kneeboards. EPS with any number of exotic cloths - carbon, innegra, basalt, kevlar etc etc. All glassed by Modek (Peter "Mo" Moschogianis) without doubt one of the very best glassers on the coast with over 50 years experience. I've got a 6'6" Hawaiian gun eps/carbon which is a strong, subtle and achingly beautiful big wave board. Al's not a bad shaper either!
+Nee Pro do
+Dave Parkes or Zak ?
+i had no idea dave does eps. excellent. thanks udo.
+the old jumping on the board trick.
+Think Bob Mctavish was the first with the Pro Circuit boards.
+another exponent of the trick....Bill Barnfield flex mid/late 80's Surfing World, North Shore on Greenys' Pipe board. Love it!
+Exactly Freeride.
+FFS, grab ya standard PU/PE board and do the same!
+Watch it spring back.
+Oldest con in surfing.
+EDIT: Sorry no disrespect to Bert, he's a forward thinking innovator.
+I only buy epoxy boards now. Mine are stronger because you can use a 6x4x6 layup with a stringer and carbon strip and still achieve similar weight to a PU board with 4x4x4 layup. You obviously lose flex and you can feel it on bottom turns. Its definitely a compromise, but I have gone from snapping standard glass PU boards on the first surf or if I am lucky within a few months, to not having snapped a board in 3 years. Its nice not looking towards your board after every heavy wipeout wondering if its snapped...
+Jezdawg
+good interview too
+Im a fan of a good EPS/Epoxy board and been riding mostly EPS/Epoxy composites for about ten years now, but IMHO the test is a bit of hoax if your game you can do that with most boards.
+Also durability and resistance to snapping is two different things.
+Yes EPS/Epoxy composites are much more durable, but in my experience and what I've seen, i dont think they offer much more or any in resistance to snapping, and like any boards can snap in conditions you would not expect the board to snap in, and hold up in times when your sure your board should snap.
+Personally id love to see an independent test on durability and resistance to snapping etc over a range of brands and constructions compared to a few standard PU/PE boards, a scientific myth buster type approach.
+I think i have a crush on Debra Soh.
+There's a professor at Wollongong Uni doing exactly that.
+awesome
+I think i have a crush on Debra Soh.
+Was there an interview with that Professor somewhere? I might be tripping but I thought I read something about him, was that on this site or somewhere else?
+BTW. I saw on Greg Weebbers Facebook today he was also doing some similar test on some special EPS blank
+Edit also on his instragam
+I think i have a crush on Debra Soh.
+See this one?
+I haven't snapped a pu/pe for ages.
+what I have noticed is the construction of stock pu/pe's especially from some glass houses is way more durable than it used to be.
+Not sure what labels you guys are talking about?, but i got a lost PU/PE Lost a while back and it's no better than normal and i watch my mates plow through boards one after another JS's, Supers etc one mate got a Bonzer and took it back after one surf because it was already falling to bits, they didn't do anything about it though..basically said it is what it is..cant remember what label, one of those Goldie labels.
+I think i have a crush on Debra Soh.
+First surf in Hawaii, January 2018, straight off the plane to Outside Pu'ena Point where it's 8'-10' and Sarlo is sitting on the tip riding a big Bushman, I get caught inside and lose my board to the rocks. It suffers ten minutes of back and forth on sharp limestone before I can swim in and run back out to retrieve it.
+Damage everywhere but it's still in one piece, so I'm semi-relieved, but as Josh Skipp - son of Gong shaping pioneer John Skipp - says, "Stu, there's some damage through the laps, I'd get those fixed before riding it."
+Typically, I ignore his sage advice and end up with a two for one, broken right through the lap damage Josh pointed out.
+More recently I've been hanging out at The Glass Hut at North Gong and soaking up info about the art of laminating. It might be invisble to the punter but there's a lot going on with laps, weave, and angles.
+Must've been a fun swim in, Stu. Plenty of current out there, not to mention the chocolate water.
+Worse thing was having to swim past it and watch the belting it was getting, I just couldn't safely get onto the rocks. Twenty more metres and it would've rounded that outcrop and simply drifted down towards the beachpark.
+@ Stu net,
+Pp a favorite of mine....
+Holds really big....
+Surfed out there once on a big west swell. The whole reef did the big step suck out thought I was going to dry dock.......ahhhhh.....
+Plenty of tigers. Plenty of crazy locals. Used to ride my bike there board under arm from logs lol....
+@ freeride76
+Sounds like you have been watching to much Morning of the earth and no where near enough of wave warriors 4 !
+Got to agree, quality especially from the big guys lost and js etc is first class and strong as.
+simba
+Yeah I second that. My lost Boards both PU and PE have stood up well and I dont baby boards at all.
+JS strong?
+Are you kidding. I've snapped / creased three of the fuckers in the last 12 months and am over them. One was in heavy waves so fair enough, but the other two snaps were just silly.
+I just hope these boards in the video ride OK.
+Are there JS boards coming out of Vic or they all come down from the Goldy?
+I'm not judging them as I've never surfed a JS.
+I used to snap a couple of boards a year on average. I haven't snapped a board for four years now. I think the reason may be that I'm surfing much shorter boards now. The shortboards I'm surfing these days are between 5'6" and 5'9" as opposed to the 6'2"s I was mostly riding beforehand. PU blanks, PE resin. 4 - 4+4 with a tail patch.
+Yeah, so the bottom line is I reckon shorter boards may be harder to snap.
+Good point shorter, wider, thicker boards would be less likely to snap than narrow, longer, thinner boards...and in that 90s phase when boards were like that i remember quite a few boards getting snapped..makes sense.
+I think i have a crush on Debra Soh.
+Curious what dims everyone surfs that snaps allot of boards? The bulk of snapped boards i see are smaller sizes which makes sense. I am usually on 21/2- 25/8 and rarely snap one through the middle, tends to be noses mostly.
+Longer but narrow and thin more likely to snap than short narrow thin.
+So todays standard 5'10, 19, 2 3/8 made the same as the 2000s style 6'2 18 1/2 2 1/4 would be less prone to snapping.
+Edit. Whoops. Pretty much repeated what Indo and spud said above.
+I'm surfing rocky points 75-80% of the time , v. hard on boards.
+Last 2 stock pu/pe's were a Pyzel Ghost and a Lost Sabotaj. Both from the same Gold Coast glasshouse.
+Both pretty much bullet proof.
+Ghost is a year ands half old and it's barely got a deck dent on it.
+Sabotaj is 6months and is the same.
+My FW Cymatic in LFT has more dents in it.
+Thats just my experience. I don't baby boards.
+edit: if the machine cut is accurate and doesn't go too deep into the blank and the lamination is well done then the boards are heaps more durable.
+Last snapped board was a 7'0" bonzer about 8 years ago.
+The last edit bit freeride mentions about blanks being as important as the layup.... a bit more to add... and with respect to PU blanks that most boards are cut from.
+Most shapers these days work with blank suppliers to blow a blank to suit the various models they offer (or vice versa - model to blank - yes, shapers do compromise their designs). Wastage costs need to be kept to a minimum and as mentioned by freeride, the old adage of not cutting too deep into the blank deck has always been the case for durability (machine cut or planer). Deck impressions / snaps aren't all about lamination materials/techniques and have sadly become accepted, albeit begrudgingly.
+However, durability starts with the blowing of the blank itself and of course transpires throughout production in conjunction with the lamination.
+When blowing the blank, the setup of the mould, mixing/pour method and climate all effect the density of the blank at its various cross sections as the foam expands inside the mould. Densities are varied, but in general the higher densities occur at the outer skin if the correct mix and volume of expanding foam are utilised with desirable climate conditions.
+Taken into account, all these factors are the basis that is sometimes passed over by many when seeking durability mainly through the lamination process - materials and or techniques.
+ps.
+I do understand EPS is a bit of a different kettle of fish as the name Expanded PolyStyrene suggests, the little round balls of foam are a constant density structure throughout the blank and so the stringer(Y or N), lamination and its added constituents are all extremely important to durability - so in some sense the comparison of EPS - PU is difficult, blank durability wise.
+pps. as many have found, durability can also suffer with differing lengths of the same model surfboard. This can be attributed to using the same blank as the model dimensions enlarge or decrease from the prototype dimensions. Using the same 'suitable' blank when setting up the model design in the blank file gets to a point where it just won't fit (big or small) without sitting the file low in the blank or really forward to allow the cut to keep the deck under the feet area in the higher density skin area... fuck - that's enough.
+Onya Blower. Good post.
+Remember your visit to Corey's setup a while back Stu, from start to finish it all adds to the durability of the final product. I find the AKU machining incredibly mesmerising (the only cutter/program I have experience with) but have an appreciation of the entire manufacturing process and its constituent materials.
+Itchy is a master with that machine.
+thanks Blower, that was really interesting.
+Sorry for the long winded affair but I have often wondered if the blank was taken into account much at all and felt this was the first time I could add some insight to the overall process. Glad to contribute.
+Even Christian Fletcher tested them :)
+Got a Murray Bourton custom kneeboard eps epoxy glass by Matt at Black Sheep. Flawless shape, a couple of dents after three years (from me headbutting it), one of the best boards I've ever owned from one of the best boardmakers in Australia. Muzz claimed he knew "f---all" about kneeboards but still delivered something very special, and the glass is every bit as good. Getting a sun tan on the nose but a carbon patch through the centre prevents any knee dents and added strength where it was needed. There's no substitute for experience and quality workmanship. My 26yo son has broken at least 10 boards (including a Firewire step up killed at Ulu) but now he owns Bourtons (thanks for the tip dad) he hasn't broken one - from Morocco to Taiwan via Indo and many other places is a lot of air miles for boards but the Bourtons have survived it all ... aided by great glassing.
+thanks spiggy -- those Native kneeboards look incredible.
+The Best Survival Bandana for Preppers and Survivalists
+There are plenty of clutch survival tools, but one often is underappreciated: the humble bandana. A bandana is the most lightweight survival tool you can get for any survival kit. A survival bandana goes even further, adding more versatility so you can be better prepared for an emergency. They stand out by adding the ability to signal, inform, and even have updated designs for first aid use.
+Most bandanas we all are familiar with are the cheap, thin cotton ones with bright colored paisley designs. These bandanas are popular accessories for everyone from cowboys to gang members, and all of the hipsters in between. They are dirt cheap and can get the job done in an emergency, but there are higher quality survival-oriented bandanas out there to pick from. This is where we come in. We’ve researched all of the survival bandanas, put them through their paces, and have selected the overall best, budget pick, and a high quality upgrade option. If you need a bandana for your survival kit, one of our selections will be the perfect fit.
+Contents (Jump to a Section)
+The Best Survival Bandana
+Colter Co. Reflective Bandana
+Hi-Vis or Gray Man, Durable, and Versatile
+This informative bandana is available in digital camo or high vis orange with reflective printing, with either choice being the top pick for your survival kit.
+*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
+You can get Colter Co’s “Stayin’ Alive” bandana in reflective high-vis orange or the gray man-friendly urban camouflage depending on whether or not you need the bandana for signaling. The bandana is 22″ by 22″, is 100% cotton, and is made in the USA. The reflective ink stays put and did not wash off or deteriorate after several washes and our field testing.
+Colter Co. makes a lot of bandanas, and their best seller is the two options of survival bandana they offer. You can also find these high quality informational bandanas, but they won’t have the survival advice and retroreflective printing:
+- Stargazer bandana: glow in the dark star chart- great for nighttime navigation
+- Know your Knots bandana: if knots give you a tough time, this handy knot guide cover 16 survival knots is a solid choice
+- Ten Cs of Survival bandana: another survival bandana option, but less informational and without reflective ink
+- Ouija Board bandana: great for novelty and entertainment, but don’t expect any ‘spirits’ to help you survive
+- Fly Fishing Knots bandana: 9 knots that are popular for fly fishing could help you out in a pinch
+- 1911 bandana: an exploded view of the popular handgun is perfect if it is your go-to handgun
+Although we prefer the Stayin’ Alive printing, with the reflective ink and survival information, any of these bandanas could be a solid quality choice based on your situation and experience.
+Budget Bandana
+UST Survival Bandana
+Good Value, Informational, with Hi-Visibility
+A high-vis, functional survival bandana for half the price still gets the job done, making it a great option for bug out bags and survival kits.
+*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.