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18 Chains
Photo Viz
Data Viz
Notebooks Blog About Let's Talk
Higher Ed Portfolio Editorial Portfolio Personal Portfolio Photo Posts
285 Fire Seasons Explore 285 Fire Data Data Posts
Photo Viz Higher Ed Portfolio Editorial Portfolio Personal Portfolio Photo Posts Data Viz 285 Fire Seasons Explore 285 Fire Data Data Posts NotebooksBlogAboutLet's Talk
Thence S 18.62 chains, thence S 77 deg 36 min E
Strip plot of Lake Chad Basin fatalities. This graph was produced in R with the ggplot2 package. Fatalities data are from ACLED, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.
In an attempt to improve my quantitative research skills I am learning the R programming language. I am primarily relying on courses from DataCamp and lessons gleaned from the R Bloggers blog.
One of the first steps in data analysis, after cleaning and tidying your data, is visualizing your data. This is my first strip plot. The strip plot shows each incident that includes a fatality. How many fatalities in the incident determines how high that incident is plotted. There are four countries in the Lake Chad Basin. Incidents are plotted according to which state they occurred in, and then states are grouped by their country.
In R, this meant faceting my graph by country. I also had to assign a "sum of fatalities" aggregate value to each state and reorder them in decreasing order within each facet (country), otherwise ggplot2 would order the states by number of incidents per state when the order I really want is sum of fatalities. I used the jitter geom width and height adjustments to slightly separate points that would otherwise be directly on top of one another. So, this graph is not about the precision of the points. It's more about generally comparing levels of fatal violence between states in the region.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to add text annotations (like my title) to a faceted graph in ggplot2 in R. Text annotations want to repeat in each facet, but I only want my title in one place. There is a way around this. You can pass a new dataframe to ggplot2 in order to plot a text label at a specific coordinate in a single facet. But I could not make it work for my graph. So I simply exported my graph as a jpg from R Studio, then opened the jpg in Photoshop to add my title.
From the visualization it is obvious that more people are dying in Nigeria than elsewhere (according to this ACLED data). Also, Cameroon and Niger each have a single state that is a major outlier in terms of number of fatalities compared to their other states. These are the kinds of simple observations that elicit more specific questions that will guide further analysis of the data. Another observation is that incidents are clustered around the 200 and 400 levels in Nigeria. When I turn off the jitter adjustments, these incidents fall exactly on the 200 and 400 marks. This suggests to me that the reports from the field are rounded or that the reports are general to begin with, which is something to be noted about the data set when trying to interpret any further findings.
The histogram below shows the number of incidents that occur by the number of fatalities per incident.
From here down I am putting fatalities back on the y axis. If we look at fatalities by country by year we see a huge change after 2013. And we see how many more fatalities occur in Nigeria than in the other basin countries.
Increase in fatalities in the Lake Chad Basin after 2013.
Next we will look at how each country's average number of fatalities moves per year.
In 2015, Niger's average fatalities was 18.37, up from 5 in 2012. Cameroon's average in 2015 was 17.9, up from 6.6 in 2012. Nigeria's 2015 average was 16, up from 6 in 2012. Chad's latest average was 15.7, up from 2 in 2012.
Even though Nigeria experiences many more fatalities than the other three countries, when it comes to the average number of fatalities, Niger and Cameroon outpaced Nigeria in 2015, though the differences are relatively small. Here is the same graph with the trend lines plotted. When looking at these trends of the averages, Cameroon comes out on top in 2015.
Trend lines. In 2015, Niger's average fatalities was 18.37, up from 5 in 2012. Cameroon's average in 2015 was 17.9, up from 6.6 in 2012. Nigeria's 2015 average was 16, up from 6 in 2012. Chad's latest average was 15.7, up from 2 in 2012.
Now I'll put fatalities back on the x axis so we can look at just those fatal incidents involving Boko Haram between 2011 and 2015.
Boko Haram fatality densities, considering only incidents with fatalities between 1 and 40. By 2015, fewer incidents caused less than 6 fatalities and more incidents caused more than 6 fatalities.
After 2012, the proportion of Boko Haram incidents that caused more than 6 fatalities began to increase. These densities show that the proportion of low-fatality incidents (1-5) was high in 2011 and 2012. Starting in 2013, the proportion of low-fatality incidents decreased as the proportion of higher-fatality (6+) incidents began increasing.
Now let's see these Boko Haram densities by country instead of by year.
Chad has far fewer fatalities overall, but higher fatalities per incident. Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon have higher proportions of low-fatality (1-9) Boko Haram incidents. Nigeria has exponential more fatalities, but they are spread across a much higher number of low-fatality incidents.
If we look at the densities for fatalities caused by government forces, we see a pattern similar to the Boko Haram densities. By 2015, fewer incidents killed less than 6 people and more incidents killed more than 6 people.
Government fatality densities, considering only incidents with fatalities between 1 and 40. By 2015, fewer incidents caused less than 6 fatalities and more incidents caused more than 6 fatalities.
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2017 NCAA Tournament Super Regional | 4 NCAA Tournaments | 3 Conference Championships
NECS Academy
Inside Look at Babson Softball
Celebrating Babson's Centennial with an inside look at the College's 22 varsity programs, continuing this week with softball. The Beavers are coached by veteran Dave Canan.
2018-19 Top Moments: #13-11
Nationally-ranked victories by men's ice hockey and men's soccer, and a historic first-inning uprising by softball highlight the latest group of top moments as we near the midway point of our countdown.
Women Finish Fourth in NEWMAC Presidents Cup Standings
WESTWOOD, Mass.—Following a year that included three regular season titles and one conference tournament crown, Babson College finished fourth when the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced its final Presidents Cup women's standings on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior Reflection: Field Hockey's and Softball's Ashley Tango
My athletics career as a two-sport student-athlete at Babson has been unconventional, but it is what made it so special to me. Not many people know this, but I originally only planned to play softball at Babson.
Mares, Paul, Tango Earn NFCA All-New England Softball Honors
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—For the first time in program history three Babson College softball players received All-New England honors when the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its all-region teams on Wednesday evening.
Four From Softball Collect NEWMAC All-Conference Honors
WESTWOOD, Mass.—The Babson College softball program had four players earn New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference when the league announced its postseason award winners on Tuesday.
Softball Tops Springfield 1-0, Falls to Wellesley in NEWMAC Tournament Elimination Game, 5-4
WORCESTER, Mass.—After staying alive with a 1-0 win over fourth-seeded Springfield College, the Babson College softball team saw its New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament run come to an end with a 5-4 nine-inning loss to sixth-seeded Wellesley on Friday evening at Rooftop Field on the campus of WPI.
Tango Collects NEWMAC Softball Academic All-Conference Recognition
WESTWOOD, Mass.—Babson College senior Ashley Tango (Reading, Mass.) was honored for her work in the classroom for the third consecutive season when the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Academic All-Conference team was announced on Wednesday.
NEWMAC Tournament Day Two Preview: Softball Faces Springfield in Elimination Game
THE SERIES • Babson and Springfield will meet for the 61st time on Friday in a series that dates back to 1999. The Beavers are 23-37 all-time against the Pride and have won five of the last seven games in the series.
Softball Edges Wellesley, Falls to No. 21 MIT on Opening Day of NEWMAC Tournament
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Third-seeded Babson College split a pair of games on the opening day of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament at Briggs Field on the campus of MIT on Wednesday. The Beavers edged sixth-seeded Wellesley College 4-2 in their opener before suffering a 1-0 loss the second-seeded and 19th-ranked Engineers.
NEWMAC Tournament Day One Preview: Softball vs. Wellesley
THE SERIES • Babson and Wellesley will meet for the 39th time in a series that dates back to 2005 in Wednesday’s NEWMAC Tournament opener. • The Beavers are 24-14 all-time against the Blue and have won seven of 10 games between the programs since 2016.
Babson Athletics Celebrates Class of 2019 at 38th Annual Senior Awards Banquet
BABSON PARK, Mass.—The Babson College Department of Athletics held its 38th Annual Senior Awards Banquet on Friday night to honor 74 student-athletes in the Class of 2019. A Night of Champions was highlighted by the selections of field hockey and softball's Ashley Tango (Reading, Mass.) as the Female Athlete of the Class and Jackson Greenspan (Meriden, N.H.) of the men's soccer program as the Male Athlete of the Class.
Regionally-Ranked Softball Sweeps UMass Boston in Final Regular Season Doubleheader
BABSON PARK, Mass.—Junior Brooke Stock (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) fired a one-hitter in the opener and senior Ashley Tango (Reading, Mass.) drove in classmate Josephine Mares (Houston, Texas) with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh in game two as Babson College swept visiting UMass Boston in non-conference softball action on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Doubleheader Preview: Softball vs. UMass Boston
THE SERIES • Babson and UMass Boston will meet for the 24th and 25th times on Saturday in a series that dates back to 1987. The Beavers are 15-8 all-time aginst the Beacons and have won six straight games in the series since 2014.
Doubleheader Preview: Softball at Coast Guard
THE SERIES • Babson is 22-35 all-time against Coast Guard in a series that dates back to 1991. The Beavers have won five in a row against the Bears, which included doubleheader sweeps in each of the last two seasons.
Softball Sweeps Coast Guard in Final NEWMAC Doubleheader
NEW LONDON, Conn.—Senior Alex Corrigan (Middletown, N.J.) drove in three runs in game one and junior Katie Gademsky (Hillsborough, N.J.) fired a four-hit shutout in the nightcap as visiting Babson College swept the Coast Guard Academy in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball doubleheader on Thursday afternoon.
Softball Swept by Endicott
BABSON PARK, Mass.—In a battle of regionally-ranked programs, Babson College dropped both games of a doubleheader to visiting Endicott College in non-conference softball action on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Beavers were defeated 6-4 in opener and suffered a 5-4 loss to the Gulls in the night cap.
Doubleheader Preview: Softball vs. Endicott
THE SERIES • Babson and Endicott will meet for the 20th and 21st times on Wednesday in a series that dates back to 2002. The Beavers are 10-9 all-time against the Gulls and have won the last five matchups between the programs.
Doubleheader Preview: Softball at Springfield
THE SERIES • Babson and Springfield will meet for the 59th and 60th times on Friday afternoon in a series that dates back to 1999. The Beavers are 22-36 all-time against the Pride and have won four of six matchups between the teams over the last two seasons.
Regionally-Ranked Softball Takes Game Two, Splits Doubleheader at Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Following an extra-inning loss in the opener, junior Katie Gademsky (Hillsborough, N.J.) tossed a complete-game five-hitter to help visiting Babson College earn a split of Friday's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball doubleheader at Potter Field.
Stock, Gademsky Help Softball Shut Down Framingham State in Doubleheader Sweep
BABSON PARK, Mass.—Juniors Brooke Stock (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Katie Gademsky (Hillsborough, N.J.) tossed back-to-back shutouts, and classmate Jacqueline Paul (Burlington, N.J.) drove in two runs in each game as Babson College swept visiting Framingham State University in a non-conference softball doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Paul, Stock Earn NEWMAC Softball Weekly Honors
WESTWOOD, Mass.—Babson College juniors Jacqueline Paul (Burlington, N.J.) and Brooke Stock (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) were both recognized when the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) released its weekly awards on Tuesday afternoon. Paul was selected as the league's offensive co-player of the week, while Stock collected pitcher of the week honors.
Doubleheader Preview: Softball vs. Framingham State
THE SERIES • Babson and Framingham State will meet in a doubleheader for the third season in a row on Wednesday. The Beavers are 12-6 all-time against the Rams in a series that dates back 1988 and have won 11 of the last 12 games in the series.
Softball Clinches NEWMAC Tournament Berth with Sweep of Emerson
BABSON PARK, Mass.—Junior Brooke Stock (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) recorded a win an a save, and classmate Kayla Schinik (Watchung, N.J.) finished with three hits and drove in a run in each game to help Babson College sweep visiting Emerson College in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Softball Rides Timely Hitting, Solid Pitching to Sweep of Wheaton
BABSON PARK, Mass.—Senior Alex Corrigan (Middletown, N.J.) and junior Jacqueline Paul (Burlington, N.J.) both had two hits in each game to help Babson College sweep a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball doubleheader against visiting Wheaton College on Friday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Weekend Preview: Softball Continues Home Stand Against Wheaton, Emerson
The Babson softball team will continue its eight-game home stand with a pair of NEWMAC doubleheaders against Wheaton on Friday afternoon and Emerson on Saturday.
Softball Takes Opener Behind 10-Run Fifth, Splits Doubleheader with Tufts
BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College put together a 10-run fifth inning in game one, but stranded 12 runners on base in the nightcap on the way to splitting a non-conference softball doubleheader with visiting Tufts University on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field.
Doubleheader Preview: Softball vs. Tufts
THE SERIES • Babson and Tufts will meet for the 40th and 41st times on Monday in a series that dates back to 1987. The Beavers are 13-26 in the all-time series but own a win over the Jumbos in each of the last three seasons.
Softball Takes Game Two to Earn Doubleheader Split at WPI
WORCESTER, Mass.—Visiting Babson College overcame a one-run loss in the opener by scoring in each of the first three innings of game two on the way to earning a split of Saturday's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball doubleheader at Rooftop Field.
First-Inning Fireworks Help Softball Roll to Sweep of Smith
BABSON PARK, Mass.—Babson College scored six first-inning runs in the opener and exploded for 12 in its first at-bat in game two on the way to sweeping visiting Smith College in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Alumni Field.
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2019 Season Program
Red-Hot Otterbein Jumps on Amherst in Season Opener
Amherst (0-1) 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 5 13 1
Otterbein (9-4) 0 6 0 3 1 3 0 3 X 16 14 2
2B: Max Steinhorn 2; Ariel Kenney; Joseph Palmo; Zach Horwitz
2B: Ben Beachy; Adam Stotler; Tim Snyder 2
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – In the opening game of the 2018 season, Amherst College faced a streaking Otterbein College team, and the Cardinals jumped out to a 6-0 lead en route to handing the Mammoths a 16-5 defeat on Sunday.
Amherst starts the season 0-1, while Otterbein has now won five straight and improves to 9-4 on the season.
Topher Brown '21 went 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI, and Max Steinhorn '18 and Ariel Kenney '18 each had two hits on the day for the Mammoths.
The Cardinals scored six runs in the second frame after sending 12 runners to the plate and chasing Amherst starter Sam Schneider '18 after an inning and two-thirds.
Amherst pulled two runs back in the third inning. Brown singled down the right field line to score Kenney after Kai Terada-Herzer '21 crossed the plate for the first run of the year. Terada-Herzer drew a lead-off walk, advancing to third on a Kenney double and came home on a throwing error.
It would be all Otterbein as the innings progressed, opening a 9-2 lead by the fourth and then blowing the margin open with a pair of three-run frames later on. Five Cardinals had multi-hit days, led by junior Tyler Thompson reaching all five times on a pair of singles and three walks.
Joe Palmo '21 and Zach Horwitz '20 each had RBI doubles in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, for the Mammoths.
Otterbein freshman Ethan Doty, improving to 2-0 on the mound after striking out seven batters over six innings. He surrendered just two runs, both unearned, before giving way to the bullpen.
On Monday, Amherst takes to the field in Fort Myers for a double-header against Wisconsin Lutheran. First pitch of game one is slated for 12:00 pm.
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York charity challenge event, 26 Sept
michaelshallcross
Team captain of the Golden Ball, York.
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Jun 17, 2015 10:43:25 GMT iang, bigjimsilverfox, and 2 more like this
Post by michaelshallcross on Jun 17, 2015 10:43:25 GMT
We're holding a charity challenge event at the Golden Ball in York on 26 September 2015, in aid of St Leonard's Hospice. I'm thrilled to say that Dave Ingram and Curt Driver have agreed to come along and take on all challengers. We'll have a cash prize for anyone who can do the seemingly impossible and beat the masters, with a £2 entry fee to have a game against either the world champ or the England captain.
More details will follow about our specific plans for the day. We're hoping to have an all-day barbecue, weather permitting, and maybe hire some other traditional pub games to put in the beer garden and round about for the kids (and grown ups!). We've also got lots of brilliant micro-breweries around these parts, so I'm thinking about trying to commission a bar billiards themed beer for the day!
We're hoping that this event will attract bar billiards enthusiasts from across Yorkshire and even further afield, and will get lots of local publicity that will help promote the game in York and the north more generally. As well as making money for charity, the event will also go a little way to helping the Golden Ball continue thriving as a community-owned pub. So please do shout about this from the rooftops, and we hope to maybe see you there!
God save tudor houses, antique tables and billiards
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Jun 17, 2015 12:28:21 GMT michaelshallcross and syorksbilliards like this
Post by tommo on Jun 17, 2015 12:28:21 GMT
What a great idea ! This, and events like the York/Sheffield/Northants 3-way challenge can only be good for the furtherance of the game.
Best of luck with the venture.
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 2, 2015 10:13:43 GMT curtd likes this
Post by michaelshallcross on Sept 2, 2015 10:13:43 GMT
Just a reminder to everyone that this event is coming up at the end of the month, on Saturday 26 September. We'd be really grateful if everyone in the bar billiards community could let people know the details through any channels available to them - social media, word of mouth, etc - so that we can get as big a turn-out as possible. Thanks!
BB Warrior
Venerable Master
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 2, 2015 10:58:56 GMT barbelman, curtd, and 2 more like this
Post by BB Warrior on Sept 2, 2015 10:58:56 GMT
I am really looking forward to my first visit to York later this month and to meeting all of the players up there.
I think this event was a great idea and hope that it will be well supported by the local players, it would be brilliant if some of them decide to enter some of the national tournaments in the future and for Yorkshire to join AEBBA again at some time.
World Champion - 2014
Oxon Open Winner - 2014
AEBBA Mixed Pairs Winner - 2014 (with Colleen Park)
Highest Break - 23,930 (Brighton League @ Albion Fishersgate 18/05/2016)
Bucks Plate Winner - 2009 & 2010 (The ONLY player to ever "successfully" defend a Plate Competition!)
gandalf the untidy
I'll beat you one day..... but it might take a while
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 2, 2015 12:02:15 GMT michaelshallcross likes this
Post by gandalf the untidy on Sept 2, 2015 12:02:15 GMT
Sept 2, 2015 10:58:56 GMT BB Warrior said:
Well done to Curt and Dave for taking the little jaunt up north, i wonder wether they have pegs or mushrooms?
PS just checked on the Tables map looks like they are pegs.... phew!
Last Edit: Sept 2, 2015 12:28:16 GMT by gandalf the untidy
bobhall
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 2, 2015 19:22:47 GMT via mobile curtd and michaelshallcross like this
Post by bobhall on Sept 2, 2015 19:22:47 GMT
Might have to drive up and try and take out the world champ and England captain
Finally hit 1st 20k break (20670) v kt sussex interleague 2013
Highest break and score 22830 Brighton singles @ Albion fishergate
First 20k against the break 20400 v Colin southouse Surrey open 1st round 2017
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 3, 2015 13:35:10 GMT
Post by milko on Sept 3, 2015 13:35:10 GMT
I like the sign on the outside of the pub.
iang
The Giff
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 10, 2015 13:33:02 GMT
Post by iang on Sept 10, 2015 13:33:02 GMT
A great Idea good luck and hope you raise lots of money.
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 23, 2015 10:52:17 GMT barbelman, iang, and 4 more like this
Post by BB Warrior on Sept 23, 2015 10:52:17 GMT
Well, I have just enjoyed my 5 minutes of fame recording an interview that will go out on Minster FM Radio about this event in the next couple of days.
I think it is great the amount of publicity and media support that the organiser (Michael Shallcross) has managed to arrange with articles also running in the local press in Yorkshire, including this one....
www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13772248.York_residents_invited_to_take_on_world_champion_at_classic_English_pub_game/
Hopefully this event will help to raise the profile of our game in Yorkshire as well as raising money for an excellent cause as proceeds from the day will be given to St Leonards Hospice for cancer.
I am really looking forward to the whole weekend and meeting some new friends.
"Silent"
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 23, 2015 11:22:14 GMT milko, curtd, and 1 more like this
Post by "Silent" on Sept 23, 2015 11:22:14 GMT
Good luck to everyone taking part, hope you raise plenty of money. Excellent article too look forward to hearing that 'Mr' Ingram and 'Mr' Driver get plenty of points scored against them
Matt Knight???
barbelman
Has whiskers and eats anything......
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 23, 2015 16:22:45 GMT gandalf the untidy, Auntie Pauline, and 1 more like this
Post by barbelman on Sept 23, 2015 16:22:45 GMT
Hope you all have a good day and well done to Curt and Dave for putting their heads on the block....
When religious people ask me "But don't you believe there's something better than us in the universe?", I answer, "Yes, most dogs." (R.Gervais)
Post by michaelshallcross on Sept 25, 2015 10:51:56 GMT
Thanks everyone - really looking forward to tomorrow. Here are a couple of other articles that have just been published in the last couple of days. The first one features some imaginative use of Dave's image on the part of the web designer!
www.yorkmix.com/life/sport/world-champion-celebrates-astonishing-revival-of-pub-game-in-york/
Some of the text in that one is adapted from the Ouse Boozer article that I wrote a while back. Here's another one in the University of York's student newspaper:
www.nouse.co.uk/2015/09/24/world-bar-billiards-champion-to-attend-charity-event-in-york/
We'll post up some pictures of the event on our website afterwards, and hopefully should get a follow-up article in the York Press with pics and details of the £50 winner, money raised, etc.
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 25, 2015 16:08:49 GMT barbelman, BB Warrior, and 1 more like this
Post by curtd on Sept 25, 2015 16:08:49 GMT
The day started at 5.30am for me. I was helping Mrs Driver muck out her horses.
Left home at 7.45 to make my trip to Reading to pick up a table from Dave Alder. 1 hr 45 mins later I got to Dave's and was invited in for a coffee. Mrs Alder was in a state of shock as apparently Dave doesn't normally offer to make drinks
Left Dave's at 10am to make the 4hr journey to York.
An hour into my journey I started to get the uneasy feeling that something wasn't right.
Van running ok......... Check
Suitcase.............check
Money ...........check
Cue........... Oh dam it ( or words to that effect)
Cue or no cue, really looking forward to the weekend .
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 25, 2015 21:47:35 GMT gandalf the untidy likes this
Post by tommo on Sept 25, 2015 21:47:35 GMT
Good luck to all with the event, the matchplay, the fundraising, the local publicity. I'm sure Dave and Curt will be able to pass on some encouragement and some useful tips......most of us have learned by watching others.
Something like this can only be good for the game: everyone's a winner.
Have picked this up from Twitter:
All set and ready to go !
No other details so far........
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 28, 2015 9:16:14 GMT NigelS, barbelman, and 5 more like this
Post by BB Warrior on Sept 28, 2015 9:16:14 GMT
Well, what can I say about the weekend....Unlike Curt I did remember to take my cue but sadly I had to leave Colleen behind as she had to work. So, I set off at around 11am with the SatNav telling me that it would be a 5 hour journey.... 5 hours later I was less than half way there with the SatNav telling me that I was still 2 hours 45 minutes away from York! Accidents on both the M25 and M1 had meant that lanes were closed and the roadworks on the M1 are simply a joke.... miles and miles of 50mph speed limits, narrow lanes and traffic cones but not a workman in sight anywhere.
Eventually arrived at the Waggon & Horses where we were staying around 8pm, it's one of the venues in the York League and the landlord (Tom) and staff immediately made me feel very welcome. I had a lovely room with ensuite bathroom and a great view out of the front of the pub. Curt and I headed over to the Golden Ball to meet Michael who had organised the event. Arrived at the pub and the first thing you see is the Bar Billiard table in the window of the front room.... full of people playing and watching. Their enthusiasm for the game hits you like a tidal wave and both Curt and I received an amazing welcome from Michael, Ben and all of the others.
The pub was too busy to put the table up that night so we had a couple of doubles games on the home table with Curt and I narrowly winning against Michael and Chris. Chris is the landlord of the Fulford Arms, one of the other venues in the League and they now have 2 teams in the League and THREE tables!! It would be fair to say that he is very, very enthusiastic about the game!
We arranged to meet up at 9am on Saturday morning and Michael and Chris were there to help us unload and set up the AEBBA table that Curt had bought up in the van. The original idea for the weekend was that Curt and I would take on challengers alternately during the course of the afternoon but Michael asked if we would be willing to also use the home table as well to play more games as there were so many people wanted to play, we happily agreed and moved that table slightly away from the window so that we didn't have to use the small cue that you normally had to use to play some shots.
With both tables ready to go by about 11am, we took a walk down into the city for a couple of hours and found a food festival going on, Curt proved that the American Cop films are totally true by not wanting to share any of the donuts that he bought.... so I had to buy some myself! We returned to the Golden Ball to find that a number of the York players were already there and Michael & Ben were setting up the BBQ in the garden area, the sun was shining and it looked as if we were going to have a great day for it.
We started promptly at 2pm and the challengers came thick and fast, Curt suffered an early defeat (to Chris from the Fulford Arms who played superbly to score nearly 6k which won him the high score award for the day) and we both had some very close games with players that ranged from complete beginners to people that played in the League regularly up there. The games were all played in a friendly spirit with both Curt and I offering a few tips here and there as we went to help the players to keep their scores and learn some new shots. A lot of the players were quick to learn with one of my opponents (Ian) stunning me by starting off with a perfect 3 times, one up and 100 split shot combination and nearly following it up with another one.... when I asked him after the game where he had played before he said that he had only started playing earlier this year in York and he had learned that from simply watching me play for the previous hour.... WOW!!
The afternoon soon became evening and more people were arriving and keen to play, some came back for a second game while Chris came back for a third game.... I think that I said he was enthusiastic! The BBQ looked great and was well supported although sadly I never got round to trying the food as there was always somebody else to play. Eventually, just after 10pm it was agreed that Curt and I would play an exhibition game to finish the day. I won the toss, put Curt in and watched him play the table out for a superb 18,200. Having been playing the other table for the previous 2 hours myself, that was a tough ask to try to catch a break like that and I duly came off early in my reply and Curt put me to the sword again.
Time to pack up then.... oh.... not quite. Even as we were about to dismantle the table one of the local players pulled the handle again and wanted Curt to help her learn the split shot! 15 minutes later she was still practising it! A few pictures taken around the table and eventually we got it loaded into the van (we nearly lost it to the lady who wanted to take it home and put it in her garage!) said our farewells and headed back to the Waggon & Horses. Fair to say that we were both pretty tired by then, I think we had probably both played around 25-30 games during the course of the day.
So, what is next for the York League. I know that it only started a couple of years ago as a challenge between 2 of the local pubs and that Michael Shallcross was one of the people that first started it as, at one stage, it looked likely that the table would be taken out of the Golden Ball. Since then it has grown to be a thriving League and will have 9 teams playing this season from 8 different venues and more pubs in the area have shown an interest in getting a table and having a team. At a time when we know that other areas areas around the country are losing venues, teams and players it was simply amazing to find the opposite here in York.
How has this happened.... in a word - enthusiasm! They have managed to get a lot of publicity from local media, both in the newspapers and on local radio. Chris told me that he was amazed that the local press had run lots of articles about the league first starting up but they had hardly mentioned the very large music festival that had taken place in York at around the same time. I think that may explain part of the reason that he has become so enthusiastic about the game as he knows that people want to support their local pubs and the Golden Ball (which is owned by shareholders from the local community) is a wonderful example of how much the people in York want to retain traditional pubs and pub games.
I know that it has been discussed that York will join the AEBBA in the future and, hopefully, that will happen this year. They hope to run other events in the future, maybe (given time) even an Open Competition although they want to walk before the start to run. Their League is played on a very friendly basis with all games played as doubles matches, inevitably some players are better than others and some of them are keen to improve further. Playing in AEBBA Competitions would help that in the long term.
I would certainly go back up to York for another similar event to this in the future and I know that they really enjoyed the recent challenge matches they had against Sheffield and Northants so hopefully things like this will be arranged again in the future as a way to bridge the long journey between Yorkshire and the rest of the counties that are members of AEBBA.
On a final note I would like to thank Michael and the others involved with organising and running the event for all of their hard work in arranging everything.... I was totally amazed at the welcome and the sheer enthusiasm you all have up there and I truly hope that continues for many years to come. Certainly a weekend that I will remember for a very long time for all of the right reasons.
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Sept 28, 2015 11:15:01 GMT BB Warrior likes this
Nice report Dave...well done to you both and to the York league.
First chance to take a look on the forum since the big day, and overwhelmed by David's brilliant account!
It was a great day, and we have David and Curt to thank for that. You couldn't ask for two better ambassadors for the game. Incredibly generous with their time and know-how, endlessly enthusiastic and committed despite a punishing schedule after a massive journey up the day before. It was basically an eight hour + shift that they each put in at the table on Saturday, and everyone who challenged them was given an inspiring hand up as well as a masterclass. Talking to other league players afterwards they were all saying how much they had learned, and what a boost it had given their game. It was great to see people grinning like little kids because they had racked up a respectable score against a top player!
Curt's 18,000+ tally in the penultimate exhibition match is something I won't forget in a hurry - absolutely amazing to watch. He certainly showed everyone who's boss after his surprise defeat to our Chris earlier in the day. Chris will be dining out on that story for a fair while!
I'm not yet sure how much we raised for the charity - I'll hopefully be taking back the sealed collection boxes tomorrow, so will post again when I have a total. I'm also trying to get some more photos collected up, and will hopefully get some up on our website and twitter before too long.
We'll definitely get our act together on joining the AEBBA soon, as we have a good half-dozen or so players who are keen to link up for more competitive events.
So finally a big thank you again to David and Curt for a proud and long-to-be-remembered day in the history of our league. It's a long trek up here from the South East, but you both have lots of friends here ready for another game whenever you fancy making another trip up to York.
Post by gandalf the untidy on Sept 28, 2015 23:19:07 GMT
Sept 28, 2015 20:52:59 GMT michaelshallcross said:
Nice to see some energy and enthusiasm for the game up north, looking forward to see some match reports coming through
regs cs
York charity challenge event, 26 Sept Oct 2, 2015 7:37:21 GMT BB Warrior likes this
Post by curtd on Oct 2, 2015 7:37:21 GMT
All I can do is agree with what Dave and Michael have already said.
A great day of billiards with a bunch of very enthusiastic players.
A great way to raise some money for charity .
I would like to thank Michael for inviting us up to take part in the day and congratulate Chris(3 tables) for getting the highest score of the day and beating me. The grin on Chris's face for the next 8 hrs said it all.
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‘No deal’ Brexit
Pharmaceutical companies are doing everything in their power to avoid disruption to the supply of medicines in all Brexit scenarios. This includes increasing stocks of medicine in the UK, changing supply routes, transferring medicine licenses and duplicating testing in the EU.
The focus for our members for many months has been to ensure uninterrupted medicines supply for all patients, whatever Brexit we end up with, including ‘no deal’.
This includes increasing stocks of medicines where possible, duplicating processes here and in the EU, planning alternative routes and reviewing supply chains. Manufacturing plants are running for extra hours and into the weekend.
Not everything is in the control of pharmaceutical companies. To ensure all medicines reach all patients we need to be able to get medicines across borders as quickly as possible, especially those with special requirements, like cold storage, short shelf lives or personalized medicines containing DNA.
However, despite all of the preparations that have been made by pharmaceutical companies, there a range of things outside of our control. This means that we remain concerned that should the UK leave the EU without a deal, there could be some disruption to the supply of some medicines. It is therefore crucial that a 'no deal' Brexit is avoided.
Preparing your business for the UK leaving the EU
The UK Government has provided a range of guidance to support companies to make all necessary preparations.
The Government has published an online tool to support businesses prepare for the UK leaving the EU. The tool aims to guide businesses to the most appropriate advice via a series of 7 questions.
The Border Deliver Group has also published a ‘Partnership Pack’ to support businesses to plan around importing and exporting goods.
If your business will need to process your own customs declarations and/or need to change your IT systems to comply with customs processes, you may wish to apply for funding to help train staff or update your systems. More information about this can be found here.
Businesses may also need to take action where personal data is transferred from the EU to the UK. The Information Commissioners Office has published further guidance.
Brexit Medicines Supply Contingency Planning Programme
The Department of Health established the ‘Brexit Medicines Supply Contingency Planning Programme’.
The Government has published the following under the Programme:
Letter from the Health Secretary to Pharmaceutical companies. The Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock wrote 2 letters to industry about contingency plans in the unlikely event of a no-deal Brexit, and requested companies to increase stocks of medicine by at least 6 weeks and ensure plans are in place to air freight products with a short shelf life that cannot be stockpiled.
Letter from the Health Secretary to suppliers of medical devices and clinical consumables. The Health and Social Care Secretary also wtore to suppliers of medical devices and clinical consumables to say that separate contingency plans are being developed and that stock holding at a national level will be increased.
Medicines will be prioritised at the border. The Government has confirmed that, in the event of any disruption at the border, medicines will be prioritised. The Government has secured additional roll-on, roll-off ferry capacity between the UK and EU specifically for critical goods such as medicines. These ferries will run on routes between the ports of Immingham, Felixstowe, Poole, Plymouth and Portsmouth to destinations in Cuxhaven in Germany, Vlaardingen in the Netherlands and Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, and Roscoff in France.
The ABPI continues to work closely with the Government as part of this programme. The programme team can be contacted at medicinescontingencyplanning@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
Any questions regarding clinical trial and clinical investigation supplies should be sent to ctcontingencyplanning@dhsc.gov.uk.
UK Government ‘No Deal’ Technical Notices
The Government have published a number of ‘technical notices’ to support companies on how to prepare for Brexit if there's no deal. These technical notices provide information on issues including:
Batch testing medicines;
Ensuring blood and blood products are safe;
How medicines, medical devices and clinical trials would be regulated;
For more information on ‘no deal’ Brexit and medicines, contact the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The Government is working with organisations who sponsor clinical trials, including industry. The Government has published this Guidance on the Supply of Investigational Medicinal Products for clinical trials in the event of a no-deal. In case of questions, please contact ctcontingencyplanning@dhsc.gov.uk
MHRA ‘no deal’ guidance
The MHRA has published a range of guidance to support companies to prepare for the UK to leave the EU.
European Medicine Agency (EMA) Brexit Guidance
The European Medicines Agency has published a range of guidance to support companies to prepare for the UK to leave the EU.
UK Government guidance for patients
The Department of Health has issued information and guidance for patients and healthcare professionals referring to getting medication in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. See below for:
The latest information for patients
The latest information for healthcare professionals, including Q and A
A Written Ministerial Statement with an update on continuity of supply
UK Government guidance for the NHS
The Department of Health has issued to the following guidance for the NHS referring to “Brexit operational readiness guidance for the health and care system in England” in the event of a “no deal” Brexit.
Brexit Health Alliance
'Avoid a 'no deal' Brexit' says UK pharma
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The dream begins as it always does, with no air. At first she struggles, screaming bubbles into the darkness as she drags her hands through the water, frantic in her search for an escape. But there is nothing to cling to, nothing that can lead her to an exit or can pull her out. There is only her, surrounded by the fizzy blackness of the sea. Water glugs, settling into the dips of her ears, and her hands glow pale and ghostly, frosted by the moon.
The currents grip her arms and legs and down and down she sinks until her knees touch the grit at the bottom. Her head moves in slow motion as she looks around, trying to make out shapes in the darkness. Mottled shadows quiver and peer out through crevices of rock. Their jagged outlines look like huge mouths that curve over her. There is certainly something wicked here, but it does not reach her – she is numb and, like a soft floating statue, she drifts on.
A curtain of silver fish, with pure white eyes, flicker into view. They flash and spark through tangles of weed emerging from the darkness, and there is a faint tug, a flutter at the back of her heart that tells her to follow them. Whispers of tongue-twisters float gently through the currents. From all sides they come. They are important and so she listens.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. How many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?
The voices are hushed and terribly sad and she does not recognise that they are her own. She then remembers she should not be alone, and twists around to look for him swimming this way and that.
“Where are you? Why aren’t you here?” The words come out muffled, get trapped in bubbles and then drift away. He is not here, though he said he would come, that they would do it together. He said they would no longer be soulless, hopeless things, that they would find their souls and be able to live. She can’t do this without him, she is certain of that.
It is when she realises that she is truly alone and that he will never come that the fear takes hold. It starts at the tips of her toes before smashing through her blood as she senses the thing; something black, fat and huge slowly gliding beside her. She stiffens, rotates and kicks. She scratches at rocks to find a way out, but cannot.
She goes on and on this way, unable to speak or breathe, with the dark shape by her side. It is a bad thing, the shape. Something so awful it is almost unbearable. It presses down on her, gets right into her bones, but she can’t swim faster than it, nor can she slow down and drop away. Gently the shape cocoons around her, its wet flesh sucking her in, its stinking, sweating skin trying to suffocate and seal her up.
It is just before she is nearly gone that the light appears. It is a far-away light which glimmers a bright sapphire blue. It always seems to be calling out to her with a desperate, high-pitched song.
She wakes from this dream as usual, tangled in a sticky nest of linen and sweat with such a terrible feeling of misery and hatred towards the world that it feels as though she has been soaked in lemons. Eyes shift to the clock. A curse is muffled and she shoves her face deep into her pillows. With no hope of returning to dreams she clambers out of bed with shallow breath and stiff knees and eyes still clinging to sleep. Sitting by the window on a little wooden chair she begins to make lists – lists of anything – things she needs, or things that must be done, but soon, as always, she grows tired of this and writes lists of words that rhyme, of all the street names she can remember in the town where she used to live, or of all the people she once knew. She sticks them on the wall around the solitary picture that hangs there – a rough shadowy painting of a man holding a flower stretched up above his head in a despairing offering to the stormy skies that swirl around him. It is a focused and diligent task, one which dismisses the noises that filter through the walls of her room – the moans and groans that come in the night – ignoring the footsteps and the shadow that passes by momentarily blocking out the light which glows through the gap where her door meets the floor. When she is satisfied, she turns back towards the window and stares at the glass. On catching glimpses of her face she glares at the faint creases on her forehead which, to her, serve as cruel reminders of age and of death.
There was nothing left to do
My son is dead and he is gone. These were the eight words that repeated themselves over and over in Deborah’s head like an annoying song to which she knew only a single line, being stuck, wedged in her brain until it slowly drove her mad. It was not the first time she’d thought this, of course, but so far she’d always found a way to distract herself, to think of something else. Tonight, however, it didn’t seem these thoughts were going to go away.
Deborah was curled like a cat on her sofa, a shabby, uncomfortable two-seater affair with a thin dusting of crumbs over the burgundy cushions and a half-empty bottle of gin stuck firmly down the middle. Her feet were tucked neatly under her, chin resting on her hands, elbows resting on knees. She stared at the television, which flickered and crackled, barely revealing the picture on the screen, as if the people within it were drowning in the middle of a huge, snowy blizzard. This did not matter to Deborah because ‘Germ busters!’ was on – it was her very favourite show. Glaring at the screen she hoped that, if she concentrated hard enough, she would forget those words that were incessantly being sung in her head. My son is dead and he is gone.
Today a woman in a pink suit and perfectly neat hair was swabbing the backs of people’s necks, their shoes, the insides of their sleeves and their coats. This woman would then inform the viewer, with unnecessary pleasure, that millions of germs were breeding all over them. The swabbed ones appeared mostly unfazed by this. Some would half-heartedly try to please her, coiling their faces into expressions of shock and dismay. Most would just shrug and then mutter “Oh well” before flashing the woman a feeble grin and then cracking a joke about eating dinner from the toilet seat.
Today Deborah’s face was like a fruit basket; plum and peach around the eyes, banana yellow and cherry red on her forehead where week-old scratches had formed scabs. She pulled up her T-shirt and winced at the red mark on her stomach and the dark, blood-speckled bruise that formed around it. She held some ice wrapped in cloth and was cradling it to her chest like a baby, then winced as she raised it to her swollen cheek.
Today had not been a good day – not from the beginning, when the screech of the alarm had forced her, naked and wrinkle-faced out of sleep. There was always that split second, before morning stuck its claws in, when she forgot. My son is dead and he is gone.
It had been six years since Deborah’s son had been born. They’d named him Jamie after her late grandfather. In a haze of screams and blood he’d squeezed his way out. He was a pink-skinned, bug-eyed scab of a thing. She remembered holding him. He’d had such a serious face! He frowned up at her as if to say “you are not what I bargained for” before letting his displeasure be heard with a huge red scream. Deborah had never been more frightened in all her life. In that moment, just for a split second, she’d toyed with the idea of calmly handing him back and then making a run for it down the hospital corridor, arse exposed, gown flapping in the breeze.
Before she’d got pregnant, it had just been the two of them. They’d rented this huge run-down cottage right by the loch and scraped a life together, surviving off cereal and watery cans of potato soup. Jack, her husband, though unqualified, had charmed his way into getting some building work in the town, while she had pulled pints for the local drunks in the shabby, sour-smelling pub down the road. On a Saturday, as a tradition, they’d walk up to the top of the hill behind their house, armed with a bottle of vodka, singing love ballads at the tops of their voices. Slogged up to the eyeballs, drunk as skunks and high as kites, they’d paraded around like a couple of thugs in love without a care in the world. They’d wedge close together, wrap themselves up in an itchy woollen blanket and stay all night long, looking up at the stars and slurring dreamily about all the greatness and the riches that were right around the corner.
A piss on a stick and everything changed. They got sensible. They had to leave, to get proper jobs, to be adults. So they’d upped sticks and moved, to their own little slice of the city to be a family. And that they were. Deborah had never felt it again, after that day in the hospital; she’d never regretted her son for an instant.
She sighed and raised the ice up to her face again, still staring at the television. She took a huge slug of gin from her glass, swilling it around her cheeks like a mouthwash to get a good sting before gulping it down. The woman on TV was now talking to a man in a white coat in a lab. There was a large window at one end of this lab and behind it a room with beige walls that appeared to have nothing in it. The woman in the pink suit and the man in the white coat were peering into the microscope in front of them and, each in turn, came up with faces of equal and appropriate horror. The man then said something and the woman in pink laughed, a lusty crinkled laugh, before touching his arm.
Deborah sighed again. No, it had not been a good day at all. She’d arrived at work just moments before Jo-Jo, the new PA, had bustled in making her usual spectacular entrance. Jo-Jo was so polished you could almost see your reflection if you looked into her shiny, perfect face. She would walk into the office, heels clip-clopping like a show pony across the floor, hair glossy, and swishing back and forth in time with her hips. She was so bloody perfect and so nice to everyone too – one of those ‘couldn’t say a bad word about her’ types. It was nonsense of course. Deborah had it on good authority that Jo-Jo was a nympho bulimic who had only got the job because she’d seduced Gary from accounts. Besides, Deborah was of the opinion that there was always something one could find to say that was bad about a person if one really truly tried.
Today, mere moments after Jo-Jo’s arrival, Deborah had been called in to Mr Dogman’s office. It was then that the day really took a turn for the worse. He had sat her down with a look of practised concern and explained to her that he thought it was best for the company’s ‘image’ if she took some time off.
“Miss Green,” he’d sighed, sitting unnecessarily close to her on the edge of his desk as he loosened his tie, as if to say ‘we’re all friends here, you can tell me things.’ “I want you to know how much we value you here. I don’t want you to think what I’m saying is a reflection on your ability as a member of the team. However, we do think it would be best for everyone if you took a little break.”
He then smacked his lips together and sighed. He had big crusts of sleep in clumps around his eyelashes and there was a blotch of something yellow and greasy on his tie. “Don’t worry – we’re happy to pay you up until the end of the month and of course keep your position open until you” – he paused and looked at the floor – “feel better.”
There had been a dreadful moment, a split second when Deborah had thought she might cry. It wasn’t that she wanted to cry. What she wanted to do was say something extraordinarily witty and suitably scathing – a perfect sentence that would encapsulate how little she enjoyed working for his poorly paid, no prospects, sad little company. That he could stick his job and that she couldn’t care less if she never set foot in his pathetic office again. The words just wouldn’t come though, and she became distinctly aware that there was a large lump in her throat. In the end she said little in protest and instead did what was normal and sensible by quietly packing her things in a box, shaking his hand and smiling and nodding when he said he would be in touch.
It hadn’t been a shock, of course. In many ways she was surprised that the self-important idiot had let her stay that long. When her son had died, naturally everyone had been suitably sympathetic. They’d given her time off and when she’d returned everyone had expressed how very sorry they were. It was the months after that the problems started, the days where she couldn’t get out of bed, the days where she couldn’t even be bothered to pick up the phone to tell them that she couldn’t be bothered to get out of bed. Then the rumours started that when she did show up she was drinking at work. It was when the bruises appeared that Deborah realised how uncomfortable they were around her. Everyone would hush when she walked to the vending machine and no one could quite look her in the eye.
She stifled a sob, took another gulp from her drink and glanced to the window. It had begun to rain. It wasn’t ordinary rain – the kind that starts in tiptoes while it makes up its mind whether to continue. It stamped from the sky in gusts, right up to the glass, insisting on her attention. She shut her eyes and wished it could wash away the words that spun in her head, around and around like a revolving door – one which was moving too fast to let her out. She wished that the rain would become so strong that it would dissolve the walls of her apartment and that everything would just be washed away until it was only her, on her sofa, surrounded by a vast sea. In fact Deborah wished that it would rain so hard that her skin would give in, and slip from her, and she would be nothing but a mess of veins and insides which would swell like balloons, great giant organs floating in solitude, until, too fat to stay afloat, they would sink to the bottom, and only then the rain would stop.
It was after their son had died that it had begun to brew in Jack. Deborah had seen it curdling in his eyes, all the sadness, all the regret, all the things he didn’t know how to put into words. It had started with a shove after an argument as he’d pushed past her to storm out of the house. It had been a reasonable reaction – that’s what she’d told herself while she rubbed the bruises on her arms and waited for him to come home. A shove and an apology – that’s how it started. Then the shove became a punch and the apology became extinct.
Deborah reached for the remote to turn the TV off. Just as she did, she swore in the flash before it went dead that she could see herself in the empty room leading off from the lab, her hands and face pressed up tightly against the glass.
The living room was large and square, with two sofas forming an L shape in the centre. Both were ratty and dirty and they didn’t match. In the corner, the TV sat unsteadily on a pile of books with torn edges and next to this a mantelpiece overhung a fireplace from which a hissing electric fire gave off a dusty, sour-smelling heat. On the shelves above stood an unloved, browning plant in a stone pot, empty photo frames, more books, and a row of tiny studded trinket boxes lined up neatly in silver and blue. A bare bulb hung precariously from a thin stretch of wire in the middle of the ceiling, casting a shadowy glaze over everything as it almost imperceptibly moved back and forth.
Deborah stood up and walked towards the window at the back of the room where she looked out at the skyline of endless cement. It wasn’t a bad area of the city they’d moved to, just up from Old Street tube. The flat was ex-council, but it had suited them well enough and they’d been happy here for a time. Even so, she’d always missed the country. It was where she had felt most at home – where she’d first met Jack, with his ice-blue eyes and that slight curl upwards of his top lip whenever he was laughing that made him look so mean, but so attractive at the same time. It wasn’t just the sense of freedom they’d had back then, the ‘us against the world’ attitude that they’d adopted fuelled by booze and youth. She also missed the weaves of the trees, the smells of bonfires and wild flowers and sounds of crickets and birds competing to be heard as the sun, as round and fresh as an orange, dipped low over the weather beaten hills. She missed the rain, the freezing winters, even the mice in the cupboards. Here a constant groan of traffic, a view of grey bricks and a smoke-sliced sky was all that greeted her.
Deborah turned and walked to the bathroom, just off the small hallway through a door on the left. This was her favourite room in the flat, mostly due to the huge free-standing bath that stood in the middle. The porcelain was a bit cracked and the water took ages to heat up but, even so, every time she lay in that bath she felt she was living in the lap of luxury. She leaned down and turned on the taps, rinsing away the rim of scum that had formed around the edges, before pushing the plug in. She listened to the familiar hiss before the water spluttered and coughed its way out. After a while the room filled with a thick steam and she stood back upright, faced towards the mirror, and watched herself fade away.
He’s gone. He is really gone. He is never coming back.
Deborah glanced at the clock above the sink. In exactly five minutes it would be precisely seven days since he’d left. She frowned as she tried to remember how it had happened – her on the floor, him leaning over her, leg cocked like a pissing dog. But he hadn’t been pissing, he’d been kicking. Every muscle, every tendon, was all coiled up like a spring, until he’d smashed it down over and over again, and she had felt her head knock back against the wall. She had tried to cover her face with her hands, but not before her tongue had split and the warm metallic taste of blood filled up her mouth until she was coughing and choking and spitting it everywhere.
He had been leaning over her, leg still raised for one last kick, and then, just like that, something in him had snapped like an elastic band. Suddenly he was no longer taut and ready to strike but instead a loose, rubbery thing that slumped to the floor. He’d pawed at the wall, crimson-faced and wailing like a child. Then he got up. He didn’t say sorry. He didn’t beg for her to forgive him. He just left – his final way of fucking her up.
Deborah took a deep breath and sighed into the empty room, her head throbbing. The memory of that night always exhausted her. For some reason, every time she thought of it she would find it harder and harder to remember the details. Must be blocking it out, she supposed.
As she waited for the bathtub to fill she crossed the hall to her bedroom. The window was wide open, propped up with a huge red-backed book with gold letters down the spine. The mirror which hung above her bed was a smudged circle of glass in a blue plastic frame. Walking to it, she gently pulled down the bits of paper that had been stuffed around its edge – the little scribbled reminders of things she had yet to do. When she had taken them all down she carefully gathered up the bits, walked over to the window and threw them out. The rain had stopped now. The buildings opposite glistened, illuminated by streetlights and framed by the night sky. A bus pulled up at the stop on the street below. A frail old man helped a frailer old lady step down and they shuffled off together arm in arm.
Deborah slammed the window down, pushing the memories out into the night, as if they were solid things, as if this would keep them out. She then stared at her feet, hoping an explanation would somehow creep out of them – a worm of hope that would make her change her mind. Nothing happened. There was nothing left to do.
It was as though she should be thinking something, doing something more significant – perhaps weeping as she clutched photos depicting scenes from her childhood, or writing heartfelt letters to her nearest and dearest with some sort of explanation or an appeal to them not to blame themselves. But it all seemed rather pointless. What she was about to do was so insignificant, so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, that she didn’t want to flatter herself by thinking that anyone would truly care about it, least of all people that knew her.
With her bath almost full, Deborah carefully smoothed the bedspread down and left her bedroom. Outside she paused and looked at the room opposite for a moment, its door firmly shut. If she turned her head in a certain light she could still make out the greasy outlines of little handprints on the paint.
“Happy birthday,” she whispered, and her face pinched, sour with grief as she forced herself away, and moved to the kitchen to check it one last time before switching off the light.
As the room absorbed itself into the night, Deborah turned and stretched for the black-bladed knife that was lying ready on the counter, grinning up at her through the darkness. My son is dead and he is gone. She walked back towards the bathroom door. As she opened it steam poured out and enclosed her, making her appear momentarily indistinct, as if neither dead nor alive. Then she disappeared into it and slowly, purposefully, shut the door behind her.
You can buy ‘Doctor Vanilla’s Sunflowers’ via Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smiths, Barnes and Noble and Google Books.
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Recent Posts by Arik Hesseldahl
Cloudera Lands $40 Million From Ignition, Accel Launches $100 Million Big Data Fund
November 8, 2011 at 5:03 am PT
Elephants, it seems, are attracting money. As Hadoop World gets underway in New York today, Cloudera, the start-up company that is putting on the event, has landed a big new investor.
A day after teaming up with the storage concern NetApp, Cloudera announced today that it has landed a $40 million series D round of venture capital funding from Ignition Partners, in a round led by its partner, Frank Artale. Previous investors include Accel Partners, Greylock Partners, Meritech Capital Partners and In-Q-Tel. Cloudera says it will use the funds to expand its marketing and sales operations. By my count, the round brings Cloudera’s total capital raised so far to $76 million.
Cloudera has been on a roll — it’s the Hadoop outfit that many companies are turning to when they decide to tackle their big-data problems. Among its customers are eBay, AOL, Facebook and Groupon. While Hadoop itself is free for anyone to download and install from the Apache Software Foundation, Cloudera provides support and training, and an enterprise-ready version of Hadoop that has been tweaked for easier deployment in big companies.
And that’s not all the new money sloshing around the world of Hadoop, the open source project with the cute cartoon elephant as its mascot. (Hence the money-origami elephant pictured above.)
Accel Partners, which led Cloudera’s last round, is launching a $100 million “Big Data Fund,” with Cloudera as a partner. The point, Accel partner Ping Li told me, is to fund companies working in what he calls the “big data stack,” whether that’s in infrastructure like storage or security or management, or building applications that run on Hadoop. And the opportunities for that are multiplying, he told me.
“We’re seeing an undercurrent of picks-and-shovels kind of innovation around solving big data problems,” Li told me in an email. The volume of data is exploding at such a rate that it’s breaking traditional data-management technology like relational databases. It’s a problem that touches practically every industry. The fund will be overseen by several Accel partners based in the U.S., Europe, China and India.
Tagged with: Accel Partners, big data, Cloudera, Facebook, Frank Artale, Greylock Partners, Hadoop, Hadoop world, Ignition Partners, In-Q-Tel, Meritech Capital Partners, New York, Ping Li, venture capital
Apple Denies Working with NSA on iPhone Backdoor
HP Is Negotiating to Settle Bribery Charges
CIOs Brand Enterprise Social Tools as Most Overhyped Technology of the Year
Malware Attacks by Syrian Pro-Government Hackers Are on the Rise
I’m a giant vat of creative juices.
— David Pogue on why he’s joining Yahoo
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Education Week's blogs > Teacher Beat See our Teachers news coverage
Madeline Will
From changes to teacher evaluation to the inner workings of the teachers’ unions, reporter Madeline Will keeps you up to date on the biggest issues shaping the teaching profession today.
« Despite Teacher-Evaluation Changes, the 'Widget Effect' Is Alive and Well | Main | Minnesota Teacher Licensing 'Confusing,' 'Complex,' and 'Broken,' Audit Finds »
State Chiefs Pledge to Maintain Teacher Evaluation Post NCLB
By Stephen Sawchuk on March 1, 2016 3:39 PM
The nation's state superintendents are trying to send the message that, even though there are no longer any federal requirements for teacher evaluation, states aren't abandoning their commitment to review their teachers on a regular basis.
"A question I get asked by reporters is, 'Aren't states just going to back away from teacher evaluations [post No Child Left Behind]?', and my answer is 'No,' " said Chris Minnich, the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers in a press call with reporters. But in the future, states must emphasize teacher development, he said: "These systems had a tendency to err more on the evaluation side than the support side."
And so in a document released March 1, the CCSSO lists a set of principles for teacher evaluation.
Teacher evaluation, the chiefs say, should be linked to broader efforts to improve teaching, such as by connecting the feed back teachers receive directly to the standards and curricula they have to teach. They should be geared to improving teacher practice, by serving as the foundation of professional development. And they should be fair, credible, and transparent, achieved by engaging educators in the refinement of the system, the use of multiple measures, and communicating the purpose of evaluations to parents and teachers.
The CCSSO says evaluations should also be connected to and inform "every component of the talent development system, including preparation, hiring, induction, and retention. Results should inform individual coaching, professional learning, assignment, tenure, career advancement, and teacher leadership opportunities."
"What we've found is that through our experience [with the NCLB waivers], we have had some unintended outcomes," said Virginia Superintendent Steven Staples. "The biggest one is that there's an over-reliance on a single measure; too many of our divisions defaulted to the statewide standardized test ... and their feedback was that because that was a focus [of the federal government], they felt they needed to emphasize that, ignoring some other factors. It also drove a real emphasis on a summative, final evaluation. And it resulted in our best teachers running away from our most challenged schools."
Staples said the state is looking to refine the way it incorporates student growth into teacher evaluation, away from crude measures like "student growth percentiles" and toward more sophisticated approaches.
Virginia Superintendent Steven Staples, at right, is eyeing ways to improve teacher evaluation in the state. Photo courtesy Virginia Department of Education
Federal Policy on Teachers (HQT, TQP, TIF, ESEA waivers, ESSA)
Denver Teachers' Union and District Reach Deal to End Strike
Denver Teacher Strike Continues as District and Union Inch Closer to a Resolution
3 Things to Know About the Denver Teacher Strike
TEACH Grant Recipients With Loan Debt May Soon Hear From the Ed. Department
L.A. School Board Approves Teacher Contract and Calls for a Pause on Charter Growth
--- Select a Category --- Alternative Certification (77) Common Core Standards (34) Federal Policy on Teachers (HQT, TQP, TIF, ESEA waivers, ESSA) (231) Research on Teachers (193) Teach For America (TFA) (11) Teacher Dismissals (76) Teacher Evaluation (230) Teacher Induction & Mentoring (11) Teacher Leadership & Voice (28) Teacher Licensing & Certification (66) Teacher Performance Pay (112) Teacher Preparation (239) Teacher Professional Development (116) Teacher Quality & Effectiveness (76) Teacher Recruitment & Retention (124) Teacher Salaries & Pensions (96) Teacher Seniority (51) Teacher Strikes (81) Teacher Tenure (90) Teacher Testing (edTPA, Praxis) (7) Teacher Unions (AFT, NEA) (609) Washington, D.C. Policy on Teachers (61)
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The best neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana
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We are now using a private online network called Nextdoor Blue Ridge, and we think you'll benefit from joining us. On our Nextdoor site, neighbors share community events, recommendations, items for sale/free, crime/safety concerns, ideas about how to make our neighborhood better, and more. Please join us to build a better neighborhood!
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Blue Ridge Uprooters!
I’m please to announce the immediate availability of our very own pair of neighborhood Uprooters! These were purchased with funds provided in part through the City of Bloomington’s Housing and Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program and your Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association dues. If you have invasive plants on your property, these tools are an excellent, herbicide-free way to remove them for good—roots and all.
We have one full-sized Uprooter (jaw capacity: 2.25 inches) and one Uprooter Mini (jaw capacity: 1.125 inches) available to loan out to any Blue Ridge residents. If you’d like to borrow one or both, just contact me. You will receive a “use and care” instruction sheet and will have to sign an indemnification form (please don’t sue us). The loan period will vary depending on demand, but I’d like to keep it to two weeks at the most.
For more information about these tools, see: https://www.theuprooter.com
Thanks to Vickie Provine (HAND) and Ralf Shaw (BRNA) for making this possible.
neighborhood association, yards and gardens
2017 Election Results and Analysis
Thanks to everyone that came to the meeting this past week. Even though we didn’t have any real competition among the candidates and the result was practically predetermined, we still had to hold an election by ballot because the constitution (now bylaws) required it. I also had forgotten to add an amendment to forego an election in cases where we only have one candidate. In any case, I think it was good to hold a ballot election because having the data would allow me to do an analysis of the results.
The analysis of elections in Indiana is a topic that I’ve been very interested in recently. I have already done analyses of several Monroe county elections including an analysis of IU Bloomington Faculty Council elections. I’m currently working on a website to publish these finding and hope to have it ready in the near future.
But back to our election. There were two voting systems used in this election: plurality vote and majority vote. The bylaws called for a plurality vote for the officers (Article IV § 6) and a majority vote for amendments (Article VII). A plurality vote means the winning candidate or proposition is determined by whichever has the largest number of votes. A majority vote means more than half of the votes cast are required to win. FYI: plurality voting is the system that is used in most (if not all) elections in Indiana.
The primary metric I look at when analyzing an election is its efficiency rating. The efficiency (or effectiveness) of an election can be determined by looking at the ratio of wasted votes to effective votes. Wasted votes are either unnecessary or insufficient to elect a candidate, while effective votes are both necessary and sufficient to elect a candidate. In general, voting systems that produce a greater percentage of effective votes than wasted votes are better for voters in that more of their votes actually matter in determining the outcome. Greater efficiency means that more voters’ voices are heard.
For the election of the officers, we only had one candidate for each office so there was really no need for an election in these cases. Each officer received a 100% of the votes cast and there were no write-in candidates. The threshold for election using a plurality vote is usually the second-highest number of votes. But when there isn’t any other candidates, the question becomes: “Are any votes necessary to elect a candidate?” The two possible answers are that either no votes are necessary or that only one vote is necessary. I searched Robert’s Rules of Order for guidance, but didn’t find any definitive answer. So I asked Brad King, the co-director of the Indiana Election Division. He said that as far as state law is concerned, there is no requirement that a candidate receive any votes to be elected. So without any other guidance or bylaw of our own, I set the election threshold to zero. The end result is that none of the votes cast in these races were necessary. This gives them a 0% efficiency rating.
Since the results were the same for each office (president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer), I’m only displaying the charts and graphs once.
President: Debora (Ralf) Shaw
Vice-President: Mike Trotzke
Secretary: Ann Birch
Treasurer: Shirley Watkins
Votes Wasted Votes Wasted % Effective Votes Effective % Total %
Directors-at-Large
For this race, we had four seats and four candidates. The efficiency rating of this race would have been identical to the officers’ races (100% waste) except there was one difference. We did have one write-in vote. This one vote actually increased the effectiveness of this race by about 7%.
This means if you cast a vote in this race, you had a 7% chance that your vote was effective.
Directors-at-Large:
Carole Canfield
John Grigutis
Jillian Kinzie
Jeremy Nation
Votes Wasted Votes Wasted % Effective Votes Effective % Vote % Ballot %
Grigutis
Basey
According to Article VII, a majority vote is required to make amendments to the bylaws. This is the basic principle that most organizations should be using to make decisions. It ensures that any choice or decision is supported by a majority of the voters as well as ensuring that a majority of the votes are also effective.
Compare the efficiency ratings of these results with the results of the plurality elections above.
Amendment 1: Shall the main document of the BRNA be renamed from constitution to bylaws?
Amendment 2: Shall the parliamentary authority referred to in article VIII be changed to reflect the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order and the name change from the previous amendment (if passed)?
Amendment 3: Shall Article IV § 6 be removed in order to require a majority threshold for electing officers?
In closing, I believe it’s the duty of those of us running elections (at any level) to make sure that they are as efficient and effective as possible.
activism, meetings, neighborhood association, voting
Blue Ridge: The Way It Was
These notes were made by Beverly Watkins, daughter of Odell and Velma Watkins, residents at 2908 Bankers Drive in “Blue Ridge Estates” from September, 1962 until May, 1973.
My father had his eye on the grassy hill that was later to become Blue Ridge Estates as early as the late fifties. He would drive us to a spot on Dunn Road – where he would slow down so that we could gaze up at the hill and he would say “If ever they develop this property I’d like to build a house here.” There were no roads….it was still farmland…only a grassy knoll above a rolling field, spotted with cows, but there was speculation that the area might one day become a sub- division.
Later, maybe ’59 or ’60, when it was announced that Urban Developers were, indeed, developing the property, Dad was one of the first in line to purchase a lot. He picked a spot that he had walked many times before the roads were ever cut, on the north side of the hill below the crest, a location that looked out to the horizon on three sides….to Cascades Addition across the valley to the west, north as far as the eye could see, down to Griffy Lake and the heavily wooded hilly terrain that wrapped around to the east. The half-acre lot was on a corner….the street in front was to be named Ramble Road West and the street on the side was to be called Drane Drive. Later, when Bankers Growth took over the development, Ramble Road was changed to Bankers Drive and Drane Drive thankfully changed to Blue Ridge Drive. The first winter after the lot was purchased, Dad would take my best friend and me to the “hill” and we would all three go sledding down “Drane Drive”!!
For the next two years my dad spent many a late night alone at his desk, working on a floor plan that would take advantage of the tremendous vista. Harold Bender, local architect, finalized those plans and Howard Young was hired as the builder. The house was begun in the early spring of ’62. I think we drove out to inspect almost every evening and we moved in over Labor Day weekend. (Our dachshund, Heidi, formerly a “city” dog, had her first encounter with a skunk and spent her first night in the garage following a tomato juice bath. Ugh!)
Our house was, I believe, the third house completed, following Delbert and Rosemary Miller’s and Russ and Joan Ide’s (who lived just east of us). The vacant lots surrounding us were covered in high grass and weeds. (Heidi would sneak into the weeds and spend hours digging for field mice and rabbits, coming home with her mouth and front paws caked with mud, flopping down on the kitchen floor with satisfied exhaustion! There were few trees on the north side of the hill, and the wind swept freely across the open space, rattling the windows, blowing patio furniture into the wrought iron railing and occasionally blowing out the gas lamp at the end of our driveway.
I was starting seventh grade that first fall at Dyer Junior High and we learned that there was no school bus service planned for Blue Ridge. My mother would take me to school and I would ride the bus home to the edge of Matlock Heights on Dunn and walk home. In the meantime, my dad and one other neighbor battled with the school board to get them to provide bus service to our addition. One day that first winter, while attempting to walk home, it was so cold that I finally had to drop my books in the snow at the entrance to Blue Ridge and run to the nearest house (the
Johnsons’, the only house east of the Millers’) where Mrs. Johnson tried to warm my frost-bitten hands while waiting for my dad to arrive. Shortly thereafter, the school board agreed to extend the bus route through Blue Ridge!
By the summer of ’63, many more houses were going up, and, with every new rooftop, someone, including us, lost a part of their beautiful “view.” In spite of that, it was exciting to see new families, some with small children, beginning to populate the neighborhood. The Berkleys (Dean and Dottie) lived just down from us, across the street, and had two small boys and a new baby. The Rockwells (Perry and Kathy) lived on the lower drive and had a young daughter and son. Together with the Ides’ young son, these little kiddies provided ample opportunity to earn baby- sitting money and I took full advantage! There were also a few children in junior high and high school (my sister was in college at IU).
Most of the homes ran down the hill in front of our house and around the “loop,” across to Dunn and back up the hill beside us. Beyond the bottom of the “loop,” just across the road to the northwest, there was still a farm house, complete with barn and silo. The family living there later moved and their land became part of the new phase of Blue Ridge, but the silo remained for a long time.
I remember a tumultuous time growing up at that time. 1963 was a year of protest marches and violence in the South, all captured on TV. In June, Medgar Evers was gunned down. In September, four little girls were killed in a church bombing in Birmingham. For me and my friend, Nancy Hall (daughter of Wayne and Martha who had moved in across the street), the grim realities we were watching every night rocked our young world. Then on Halloween night, there was an explosion at the Coliseum in Indianapolis, during the Holiday on Ice show, killing over sixty people. And of course, the event that rocked everyone’s world occurred in November, when President Kennedy was assassinated. Nancy and I said that 1963 was the worst year ever and celebrated its end on New Year’s Eve.
However, the tragedies kept coming and hitting closer to home. In May of ’64 there was a fiery and fatal crash at the Indy 500, killing two drivers, including Eddie Sachs, Nancy’s favorite driver, in full view of Nancy and her family who attended the race every year. But the tragedy that struck next was the one that ripped away any sense of safety that Nancy and I might have had. The Masseys lived at the bottom of the “loop” and they had a son that was close to our age. We didn’t know him but had seen him riding his bike around the neighborhood. One afternoon, he and some friends rode their bikes down Dunn near the Griffy dam, where there is a short but very steep hill that makes a sharp turn at the bottom near the treatment plant, a hill that no one I knew would ever risk biking down. The Massey boy, on that day, took the risk, went airborne, and crashed. He died a few days later. Nancy and I were so distraught that her father sat us down and tried to tell us that tragedies will always be a part of life…..not a lesson we wanted to learn at thirteen.
Sadly, this was to be only the first of three tragedies involving young Blue Ridge residents during my time there. Jody Miller, University High School cheerleader and daughter of Tom and Ruthie Miller, was severely injured in a car crash near the stadium and has been in a
convalescent center ever since. And one of the young sons of the Enguidanos family, who lived down the hill from us, was walking down Dunn when he was struck by a car and killed.
Living in Blue Ridge, however, was a wonderful experience. It was a favorite place for my classmates to bring their skateboards (yes, my dad took a few turns on mine) and a great place to walk your dog. Some neighbors kept to themselves and others were, well, neighborly! The wives met for coffee, the men would visit when they were out working on their yards. And the yards were immaculately kept back then…it was a matter of personal pride! There was a Blue Ridge “picnic” every summer and holiday lights decorated the yards at Christmas-time.
My dad and his good friend and neighbor, Wayne Hall, were always playing little tricks on each other. Once, Wayne, who envied my dad’s fruit trees, planted an apple tree and kept waiting for apples to appear that first fall. My dad knew that Wayne probably wouldn’t see any apples until the second season so he took an apple and tied it onto Wayne’s bare tree. The next day Wayne came over and proudly said “look, Odie, my first apple!” My dad finally confessed. So the following summer, Wayne tied a pear on my dad’s apple tree, shocking my dad until he realized he’d been “paid back.”
I moved away from home in 1973 but my parents continued to live there until my mother’s death in 2002. My dad lived there alone until he was moved to Indianapolis in 2006, where he died in 2007. My sister and I kept and maintained the home as our little weekend getaway until we sold it in 2011.We will always miss our home in Blue Ridge!
2017 Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association (BRNA) Spring Cleanup
What: Subsidized pick up of brush and limbs.
Why: The BRNA is sponsoring this collection of plant debris to help BRNA members secure a volume discount. In addition, the collection helps property owners comply with Bloomington’s Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 12.24.040 (2), which requires property owners to keep brush trimmed from sidewalks and streets.
When: Saturday/Sunday, April 1–2, 2017. Holding the cleanup in early spring, before plants leaf out, reduces the volume and cost.
Who: Property owners and residents who are current on their BRNA dues are eligible to participate.
Note: According to the BRNA constitution: “New members shall owe no dues for the remainder of the calendar year in which they become residents of Blue Ridge.” So, if you are a new resident in 2017, you don’t have to pay any dues in order to participate.
Cost: Participants will pay $20 for the first load (4x4x8 feet). The BRNA will underwrite the remaining cost. Additional loads may be purchased for $40 each. Sign up by Tuesday March 28! Complete the online form and send your payment to BRNA President John Grigutis. You will receive distinctive tag(s) that identify your pile(s) for the contractor, Andy Fosnaugh.
How: By noon on Sunday April 2, stack the material in pile(s) (4x4x8 feet) near the street (NOT in it, please) and tie on your tag(s). The contractor will review the work on Sunday afternoon, so do not add to your pile after that time. Please do not cut brush into small pieces, as this takes longer to load or chip. Individual limbs should be less than 6 inches in diameter. No logs. And, be sure it is only organic material (no rocks, wire, dirt…). These rules allow the BRNA to offer this cleanup and will not be waived. The brush will be collected on Monday and Tuesday, April 3 and 4.
Help recycle! If you would like to have chips from the brush, let us know. The contractor can dump the chips on your driveway or other easily-reached, designated place on your property. This will help save time and cost by keeping some volume in the neighborhood.
Assistance: If you need help moving plant debris to curb, would be willing to assist our elderly or disabled neighbors, and/or can help with the management of this effort, please contact us.
Questions? Call/email John Grigutis (+1 812 369 1008 / jonukas@icloud.com) or Debora “Ralf” Shaw (+1 812 331 1322 / shawd@indiana.edu)
help, neighborhood association, work zone, yards and gardens
Jo Basey Thanked for Eight Years as BRNA President
Jo Basey was President of our Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association from 2007 to 2015. Milestones accomplished during her time in office include:
Blue Ridge annual meeting and election of officers conducted as an official meeting separate from the annual picnic
Blue Ridge website, which received the City of Bloomington’s 2011 Mayor’s Excellence Award
New landscaping and repair for the front gate
Spring brush pick-up
Smithville fiber optic cable installation
Jo’s fellow members on the Board of Directors thanked her for her service at our latest BRNA meeting. She was presented with a gift certificate from Bloomington Valley Nursery and an illustrated scroll with a limerick commemorating her contributions.
activism, community, help, meetings, neighborhood association, self-promotion
Looking for help on the Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association Board
Dear Blue Ridge Residents,
Our esteemed vice-president of the BRNA, Don Granbois, will soon be moving out of the neighborhood. This means that we are in need of a new vice-president to take his place and are looking for any potential candidates. The duties of the VP “… include performing the duties of the President in his/her absence or incapacity and performing whatever other duties as may be given him/her by the President, Board or membership.”
So if you’d like to get more involved in making your neighborhood a better place, please email blueridgebloomington@gmail.com.
Hand in Hand Program
Do you have non-perishable food items that you’d like to clear out of your pantry? Consider donating them to area food pantries though Stone Belt’s Hand in Hand program. This program provides individual with disabilities meaningful work by helping to collect food donations in neighborhoods in Bloomington and the surrounding area.
Call +1 812 332 2168 or email handinhand@stonebelt.org for more information or to schedule a pickup.
Photos from the 2015 Annual Picnic
community, neighborhood association, photos, picnic
Photos from the Smithville Fiber launch event
events, photos, self-promotion, utilities
2015 Neighborhood Brush Cleanup Weekend
When: Saturday/Sunday April 4/5 2015.
What: Free pick up of brush and limbs.
Who: All property owners and residents of Blue Ridge who are current on their Blue Ridge dues are welcome and encouraged to participate.
How: On Sat/Sun 4/4-5 stack the material in piles by the street (NOT in it, pls). The collection will actually occur on Monday and Tuesday of the following week, but it must be in place by Sunday afternoon so we can check and verify the amounts. We need to impose limitations on volume in order to stay within budget.
If you want to use some of the chips that are created in this process, contact us. We can have the contractor dump a load on your property. This will help save some resources by keeping some volume in the neighborhood.
Limits: 1 pickup-size load. This is a pile about 4ftx4ftx8ft or the amount a crew can pick up in 20mins or so. Please do not cut into small pieces to reduce volume, this takes longer to load or chip. Cut only into a managable size to be able to get to curb. Individual limbs should be less that 6inch in diameter. No logs. If you have more than this limit, contact us we may be able to arrange some extra volume for a reasonable price. And, be sure it is only organic material (limbs, brush).
We will verify the size limits, count and tag the piles before dark on sunday. Please do not add anything after that as it will not get picked up. The pickup will take place the following Monday-Tuesday.
Why: The Blue Ridge Neighborhood Association (BRNA) is sponsoring this collection of plant debris to help neighbors out with the discount of volume. In addition, it is to help folks achieve compliance with Bloomington’s Municipal Code Title 12, Chapter 12.24.040 (2) , that requires property owners to keep brush trimmed from sidewalks and streets.
Help: If you need assistance with moving plant debris to curb or conversely would be willing to assist our elderly or disabled neighbors, and/or help with the management of this effort, please contact us.
Questions? Call/email Rex Tayloe at 337-9525/rex@tayloehome.com, call Don Granbois at 332-5781, or email the BRNA board (board@blueridgebloomington.org).
Watch for additional details near the cleanup day.
If you're a resident who wants to get involved in neighborhood initiatives and events, we'd love for you to email us!
uReport: a one-stop access point for residents to communicate with the City of Bloomington.
Blue Ridge Real Estate
See current property listings in Blue Ridge and join the neighborhood!
Blue Ridge listings @ homefinder.org
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Copyright © 2019 Blue Ridge - All Rights Reserved
Developed by John Grigutis
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সেভেরাস স্যাপে
সেভেরাস স্যাপে Severus Snape *spoliers*
Lady_Hamilton posted on Jul 26, 2007 at 09:11PM
Okay so how many of you really believed that he was on Dumbledore's side the whole time?
And did you really like the way he died? I think you know my stand on that one...*bitter*
My heart skipped a beat when I saw that Doe in the book. I don't like how Rowling hardly gave us anything to go off of in the last book and then crams it at us in the end. I mean I guess she had to seeing as thats how she set up the book.
সেভেরাস স্যাপে 20 উত্তর
বছরখানেক আগে berly said…
I always thought he was on Dumbledore's side until he killed him, which changed my mind until 'the princes tail'.
বছরখানেক আগে piperpayton22 said…
I HATE HIM IT IS SO NOT KOOL THAT HE WAS IN LOVE WITH LILY OK CUZ LILY WAS IN LIVE WITH JAMES AND JAMES LILY SO SNAPE IS NOT IN THE FREAKIN PICTURE OH I HATED THAT PART IN THE BOOK
বছরখানেক আগে Lady_Hamilton said…
বছরখানেক আগে meeee said…
I never really liked Snape but I thought he was on Dumbledore's side.When he killed Dumbledore I thought he made the unbreakable vow and Dumbledore was probably going die that night anyway(don't hate me)because he was really weak from drinking the potion or whatever it was so I gave him the botd
বছরখানেক আগে ecconitro said…
I thought that was one of the greatest parts of the book. A man that is so deepley in love with a woman that he gives his whole life away in order to protect the one thing she left behind. He never needed to care about Harry. His love for Lily was strong enough get past the fact that harry looked like James.
How hard must that be to be so in love with someone and NEVER be able to move on. He devoted his whole life to protecting the last remaining memory of Lily Evans.
বছরখানেক আগে Saul_Mikoliunas said…
I always wanted Snape to be on Dumbledore's side but then after the sixth book I was just thinking how?? It's not possible. Especially the way JK made Dumbledore almost beg him and I was thinking that's terrible, killing him after he has practically begged you not to and then when Harry saw Snape's memories I was just like Awww!!
I love how she managed to keep everybody guessing until the very end. Although I have no idea how they are going to cram it all into a movie. I might nhot go and see the seventh movie because to be honest it will never be as good on screen as it was in my head. Maybe I'm just weird thinking that though.
বছরখানেক আগে Jillywinkles said…
I loved Snape from the very first book, he was awesome in his sarcasticness and he was actually a very good teacher!
When the sixth book came out, I thought the whole time that he was good. The way she wrote it, it could have gone either way, but I would have been EXTREMELY disappointed if she had made him evil in the last book. As it was, I was still disappointed a little in the 7th book, but at least all the Snape parts were fantastic.
As to how he died...I didn't want him to, but it made sense for him to die, and for Voldemort to kill him. That's the danger for people in Snape's position, playing both sides carefully. It was such a thin line, and I kinda knew from the beginning of that meeting with Voldemort that he was going to die.
Thinking on it now, I do wish that his death had been more climactic... imo Snape was a very powerful wizard, I mean he fooled Voldemort for years!
Still, the death fundamentally made sense, and it felt pretty right to me.
And I'm writing way too much now but let me just say one more thing: I feel that Rowling's quality of writing went down in the last book. That was my first impression after finishing the book, and people told me "No, no, you know what? It's because it's been so long since the first book that you don't realize how much she's improved." So then I reread the first book and reread the 7th book, and I still say that the first book is better written than the last book by far. The reason I mention this is that the facts of the plot----Snape dying, being good, being in love with Lily, saving Harry all along---were dramatic, beautiful, tragic, exciting. And while I did feel some of that, I wasn't sobbing my heart out by the end, and what's more, I felt that I could have been, had it been written better.
last edited বছরখানেক আগে
বছরখানেক আগে dragonrider said…
I always loved snape evil or good. I just like him. He is a negative character and that's why i like him because of his attitude. I knew that he was always on Dumbledor's side even though he killed him it was part of the plan
বছরখানেক আগে shortynme said…
I always liked Snape too. He pissed me off but there was something about him, the underdog. Everyone was always against him, and for no good reason! The 6th book killed me. I was so sad that he killed Dumbledore. My dad and I were talking about it though and we both agreed that there was more to the story than Snape being evil. After we both read the 7th book we were thrilled. Snape is the true hero of Harry Potter!
বছরখানেক আগে LadyAzkaban said…
I always thought he was on Dumbledore's side too.
I think that he couldn`t be on Tom Riddle`s side.
বছরখানেক আগে SnapesRose said…
I always knew he was on the good side. His death though could have been more meaningful. As for the rest, I have no issues of watching The Prince's tale, however, I can't bear watching Severus death. Sorry. Was it obvious that he had feelings for lily?
He picked on Hermione, yes, but he never had a nasty word. So in a sense in his ways he was trying to make good, which most still misunderstood.
বছরখানেক আগে Belatrix said…
He is one of my favourite characters. He maybe just seems so rude becouse he have a realy bad life. Lily left him, hes parents were bad, no one acctualy loved him. But he is good somewhere realy...REALY deep. But he is on the good side...probably.
বছরখানেক আগে bri-marie said…
He was (was? Is!) my favorite character from the very beginning. I too hated how she crammed most of his history into that last chapter and the way he died.
She could have given us more during the Occlumency lessons, or had least made Harry curious enough to dig a little deeper. (before the Worst Memory, obviously. I think after that fiasco, Harry would have left Sev's past in the past). I consider Severus to be one of the more important characters. We learned everything about Dumbledore's past, Voldemort's past, and Harry's past during the course of the series. We should have learned more about the man who saved Harry's life countless times and who, in my eyes, kept the war at bay.
Him dying by being bitten by a snake angered me. You mean to tell me that the youngest teacher in Hogwarts, the brilliant Slytherin who invented spells and perfected potions before he graduated could have found a way to save himself? You mean to tell me that the brilliant spy who fooled Voldemort, who made everything he'd fooled Dumbledore hadn't seen that coming? Nah. I'm not buying it.
Plus, it was very undignified.
বছরখানেক আগে popo6 said…
Snape is my favprite character i always knew that he was the best person and an amazing men but seriously i hated the way JK killed him of course it was romantic and heroic but still it was better that he never died :/ But still she is the creator of the book soo she is the master of the story but still she could have put more memories and more in the occlumency lesson with Harry. I totaly like agree with bri-marie she could have put more xD bri-marie love your answer xD ;)
বছরখানেক আগে severusgirlx said…
i beleved he was on dumbys side not sure why really he just gave me that fealing of loyalty even after his mistake we can all be drawn into things that are bigger than us when we are young and i think this is what happened to sev with disatorous conciquensus.. as for the death what rubbish he was a master of magic voldy wouldnot have fooled him ..after all he knew where harry was when he took him the sword voldy didnot!!! rowling was rushed into that last book when she was herself an emotional wreck and the outcome was as it stands...she wasnt happy with the ending herself..and now at the last minute the directors have changed severus death which is utter garbadge sure rowling has approved it but will we.. we who believe in sevs pain and dispare has his dimise met by a SNAKE????? for goodnasake i think not...
বছরখানেক আগে frostydragon said…
I have wondered if Rowling intended on going farther. That she had intended on more book and drawling the story out more but in no way did she figure the entire series being so successful. To live well was on thing but it has made her a multi-millionaire.
I have many issues as to how she made sure it was all closed out. Killing off just about everyone who made the story. Severus Damn, that is almost an insult to such an intelligent man. It's to me she wanted to (no pun intended) close that chapter in her life, and put Harry Potter behind her.
If she had drawn out the ending out at least in 2 books the movies could have been more complete instead of cramping so much info in 1 and a half to 2 hours. To much is getting lost.
Even up to the Half Blood Prince and Severus killing Dumbledore there was something more in my mind behind those two. The hand of Albus starting giving it away and then the search for horcruxes.
Just wish she had been more respectful to Severus. If he had to die why couldn't it have been decent. A Heroes Death, he knew to watch out for the snake. Albus gave him a hint. Even an accident protecting Harry or Draco by a Deatheater would have been more respectful than or at least of by snake they killed each other. Hello.
বছরখানেক আগে BlackHound said…
Death by snake is symbolic though. His House is Slytherin, its mascot a snake. The Serpent represents "forbidden knowledge", and in this instance, the Dark Arts which never truly lost its hold on him. The Serpent also represents the Kundalini, which has come to mean different things to different cultures, but ultimately, it is a Spiritual power; it is the Serpent that coils around the spine and anchors one's Soul to one's body.
But alas, I wax metaphysically.
Not everyone is open that line of thought, and I appreciate that. I also appreciate the fact that not everyone will understand why I have no issue with Severus' death by Nagini. I'm certainly not happy that his fate was to die, or die cruelly, but to me it is a far, far better way for him to go than being Cruciato'ed to death, or being AK'ed by that freak bastard Moldybutt. Or being left to the sick, derranged machinations of that bitch Lestrange. Or being brutalized by that walking dungbag Greyback. It was out of necessity that he die *by Nagini*, because there simply no other way for there to be time for him to give Harry what he had to give him.
In my belief, Severus *did* die a Hero's Death. He did not run. He didn't plead or beg for his life. His only thought was to get to Harry, and I can imagine those first few moments following the bite, what he must have been thinking...that he had failed Lily, that he had failed Dumbledore, that he had failed Harry. But there by the Grace of some Fate, there was Harry, and that man had the courage still to do what he did. A true Hero, in my book.
And if we're talking about ignominious deaths, whose death was more so? Severus', or Mad-Eye Moody's? I'll never get passed that one. Shot in the bloody damed FACE by Moldybutt because that coward MunDUNGus Fletcher couldn't hack it, and plummeted to the ground, but his body wasn't found by The Order of the Phoenix because the Death Eaters found it first, and that c-bomb Umbridge had his magic eye put ON HER DOOR so she could spy on people! How's that for ignominious? I don't even want to think about what horrible things they might have done to that mightiest of Aurors' body before they finally disposed of it. At least with Severus, we're spared that, and we can have a sense of closure (those of us who can accept it). Honestly, he *did* die Undefeated because he did what he set out to do, and he was not defiled after death.
And in a twist of poetic irony, our beloved Potions Master is avenged, and by none other than Neville Longbottom. I get such a giggle out of that.
And he's not *really* dead, you know. None of the characters we love are. As long as we love them, they live. So by that logic, he's Immortal.
Hope no one thinks I don't think he died a Heroes way but I would have rather him take someone or thing with him, even if it was that damned snake. I believe thats a better way of expressing how I personally would have loved it yet still having time to give Harry the memories. He did die protecting Draco but it would have been even better.
Ok, I get you there, I understand now what you meant. And I agree with you completely, I would rather have seen him go out fighting as well. I would have liked it even better if he'd been the one to kill Lestrange before dying. Or even Greyback. Or Lucius. But I got a lot out of the "Death by Nagini" thing. :p
Shortly after I made my post I did a stupid thing and read something I shouldn't have, and now I'm feeling really sick to my stomach and I'm praying that it's just bullshit speculation. I have a feeling it's not, but it damn well better be. Because if it's not, I think Rowling, Yeats and Snow aren't going to be able to out safely in public for a while.
All I can say is that if they're really going to have him die on the dock of the boat house, and if they're really going to have him have the time to whip out his damned wand and rip out a memory to give Harry, then he DAMN WELL would have had time to HEAL HIMSELF, give Harry the memory and tell him to go, then slip back into the Castle and to his lab, drink a potion, then join the battle somehow on the side he was always on. The Right Side. He could have gone out fighting, then. They way he *should* have. Not the way it looks like he's going to now.
I'm getting more and more worried about this ending. They done messed up the 1st part bad enough what are they gonna do to the end to f--- it up.
If there is anything Yates has done good is he got rid of the Disney Farie Tail look of the Characters. Other than that he's not done to well.
It reminds me of Ann Rices "Interview With the Vampire" then how messed up "Queen Of The Damned" was as compared to the book. And I agree Ms. JKR best take her multi-millions and buy an island some where and hide out if this is messed up. Not just for Severus but all the characters sake.
And the second part best be more than an hour and a half.
I lay the mess ups on JKR because she has to approve the go ahead for these changes. So it all falls on her shoulders. Heck maybe she's realizing how bad she messed up thee way she rushed through the Deathly Hallows to get it over with.
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Feminist Film Club: Mad Max: Fury Road
Are you tired of sexist tropes in Hollywood blockbusters? You need to watch this feminist action blockbuster.
A woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in postapocalyptic Australia in search for her home-land with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshipper, and a drifter named Max.
I’m not the biggest fan of action movies so I had no intention of watching Mad Max. I honestly thought people were trolling me when they told me it was this super feminist movie. How wrong I was! Mad Max: Fury Road sublimely subverts movie sexism in a number of impressive ways. On the surface Fury Road looks like your stereotypical Hollywood film; big budget blockbuster with well known stars, but really it challenges everything Hollywood stands for.
It’s essentially a story about escaping sexual slavery and it has zero sex in it. Can we just take a minute to realise how rare this is? Most mainstream movies abuse women on screen for “entertainment”. In this movie, we don’t meet the wives until they are free from the clutches of Immortan Joe.
Director George Miller definitely opts for show over tell as all these ideologies surrounding gender are just crushed repeatedly. There’s no narration or voiceover and Miller trusts his audience enough to figure it out. The movie completely rejects the “macho manliness” stereotype of action blockbusters too. The strongest example of this how Max’s stereotypical “Lone Wolf” status nearly gets him killed. Action movies are the worst for overlooking the danger of being alone against the world. He’s does pretty well on his own at the beginning, but it’s not until he teams up with Furiosa (and later, the Vuvalini) that he really stands a chance for survival. He’s 100% on board with this too, he even hands a gun to Furiosa as he knows she is a better shot. Max is the title character, but he essentially plays a supporting role.
Everything about this movie allows characters to shed tired tropes and constrained gender stereotypes. Miller has changed the game and set the bar very high; all Hollywood blockbusters should be like this.
WHAT DID OTHERS THINK?
I went back to the theater a second time for Fury Road, and I was ready to grab the blu-ray the day it came out – so safe to say, I liked it.
I am not a connoisseur of action film the way I am horror, but when something in a genre hits every note, it is a brilliant thing to watch. If I was only reviewing this Mad Max entry based on its skillful mastery of action, violence, and ingenious car chases, this would still be 100%.
However, we’re here for Feminist Film Club, and this is really Imperator Furiosa’s movie – or maybe every woman in the cast.
I cannot think of another time I’ve seen women so clearly dominate an action film – especially one woman receiving double billing with a male star (I nearly teared up at that title card with Theron and Hardy on it). The film allows Theron’s Furiosa to go toe-to-toe with Max: in service of her own redemption and that of a bevy of mistreated and abused women. It also places Max in direct service of Furiosa’s mission – his hand-off of a rifle with one shot to her better aim is about the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen, so who says chivalry is dead?
In my opinion, this is as feminist a film you can get, let alone inside the action genre. Edited by Margaret Sixel (also his wife), George Miller’s incredibly deft directing is quite literally guided by a woman, and I do think you can see this in the cut. Best sequence of shots? It may be any number of chase scenes, but for me, it was the women hosing themselves off outside the rig – it’s the stereotypical “ogle” of the male gaze, but the shots shift that focus from their bodies, to their chains, to the pregnant belly of Splendid. The film’s purpose is represented here: women reclaim themselves for themselves, and deliver water (and life) to the rest of the world.
– Alex Landers (@1CriticalBitch)
One Critical Bitch
Some have criticized the way in which Furiosa is a ‘Strong Female Character’ because she takes on masculine values in the pursuit of her goal, but I still believe in her central feminism as a character. She’s a product of her world and her world sucks; in order to thrive, she has to be a kind of terrible person. She’s a total badass behind the wheel and a trigger, but she believes in a better world where she can stop being that terrible person. Everything she does is a direct response to the terror, in hope that there will be no more terror.
Everything about this movie’s message screams awareness of feminism, Immortan Joe’s masculinity is toxic to the point that he shuns water. What kind of insane nonsense is that? Instead he prefers real human milk, which doesn’t even begin to make dietary sense, and shows very concrete subjugation of women in the process. He abuses ignorance, craving of acceptance, and youth to achieve his goals. He harvests a seemingly endless supply of young boys whose entire identities rest on the acceptance of a single father figure. Everything about the guy is so toxic, he can’t even breathe regular air. Even the world which produced Immortan Joe is the result of that same toxic masculinity: an entire world depopulated by war, resource exploitation, and the certainty of human exploitation that goes with it.
The fact that the only people who can visualize what’s wrong with Immortan Joe, and verbalize it enough to do anything about it, is a small group of women is telling.
– Jesus H Montogomery
The message I took away from this film was: feminism comes in all shapes and sizes.
Most people point to Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) as the key symbol of feminism in this film and I can see why; she aims better than Tom Hardy, she has an unrelenting self preservation and she’s all about protecting the women in her charge. Not to mention the fact that she was literally in the driver’s seat of the film. Another key symbol is the Vuvalini; women on their own rejecting gender stereotypes and surviving without men, they too fit a specific construct of feminism. However, this movie is feminist in far more ways than these two, perhaps ‘stereotypical’ examples.
Throughout, there is a clear undertone that women are in power and men do not challenge of doubt this. Women are responsible for some of the most satisfying kills, both Furiosa and Toast (Zoë Kravitz) take down the antagonist, Immortan Joe. The Splendid Angharad (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), the favourite of the wives, uses her status as a coveted and beautiful object as an asset. All of these characters are feminists, simply because they treat, or learn to treat, each other as equals.
Amidst all the explosions, radiation, death and dehydration, there is a powerful undercurrent of teamwork. With everyone utilising their diverse skill sets and working together, gender doesn’t even come into the equation.
– Gabriella Geisinger (@ellaquentt)
Ellaquence and Sonder
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Feminist Film Club · 29 Comments
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DannyUK (@DannyUK) says
Sounds interesting and well worth looking at! Thanks
Like you I’m not a fan of action movies either, in fact I generally dislike them. But the story and characters were so compelling in this I just couldn’t take my eyes off the screen, even though there are some very disturbing scenes in this, the movie isn’t dwelling on the nudity or gore, it’s all in the service of the story which I really REALLY loved.
And even though there are plenty of women who are very strong physically, I love how physical strength is not valued more than other kinds of strength. The wives are not physically strong but that never stops them from being badass. The pregnant one puts herself in front of the gun to save Furiosa, and one of them uses the sexist perception that men have of her, to her advantage and pretends to be helpless just so she can get on the car and help Furiosa in the end. They are so compassionate and supportive of each other and they have so much resolve, their defiance and desire to be free is as strong as any man or woman holding a gun in their hand, and they are all fleshed out characters and their own individual, they all have knowledge and value.
Also the movie is never endorsing violence, in fact, several times it asks the question “Who killed the world?” to which I think the response is war and violence, and when we meet the Vuvalini (Oh God I LOVE them so much) one of them shows you her bag of seeds and it when she’s telling her story you understand she never wanted to shoot or kill anybody, but that is forced upon them.
Furiosa and Max are both disabled(Max has braces on his leg) but their disability is not defining their characters, it’s never a big deal. This movie just gets so many things right it’s unbelievable, and it’s so exciting, I was so invested in the characters and the story everytime the movie would give me a few moments of calmness I’d realize I was either curled up or I was digging my nails into my arm.
Tara | C&CO. says
On the surface, it looked stereotypical that all the wives were flawless models but it makes perfect sense here narrative-wise. Since they’re ‘looked after’ like delicate objects and I loved that they played to that! That’s such a good point about Furiosa and Max actually, I didn’t even think of it that way. You’re totally right, it’s such an exciting movie and it really does give me hope for future blockbusters. Thank you for reading.
Rhian Westbury says
I never really thought about how much sex some movies have in them but now you’ve mentioned it you’re right. I might have to watch this movie now you’ve kinda sold it more than the trailers did x
Stressed Mum says
I don’t like action films, but am always open to watching new things, the only thing I wont watch is a horror film x
TheLondonMum says
It sounds like a really interesting and thought provoking watch. I’ll have to add it to my list.
fashionandstylepolice says
Love this blog series. I am not a huge fan of action movies, the story line has to make sense.
Eleanor Hirst (@elleanorwears) says
Ahh I’ve been wanting to watch this film for so long!
E x
elleanorwears.com
I promise you won’t regret it!
Rebecca Smith says
I will definitely be watching this now, I hadn’t been that interested before but it seems like a good watch!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I have actually really gotten in to action films recently, so I will add this to my never ending list of films to watch 🙂
Nayna Kanabar says
This sounds like a movie worth watching, think I will add it to the list to watch when we have a movie night in.
Laura Hartley (@WhatsHotBlog) says
I NEED to watch this! Everyone has told me such great things about it though I had no idea that there was a feminist angle too. Even more desperate to watch it now!
It’s such a fantastic film, isn’t it? I know when I started hearing from people that they felt it was a really feminist film, according to them, and I just thought ‘naaaah’, they’re just saying it (I don’t know exactly WHY they would!) So when I got around to seeing it? Fell in love with it. Honestly adored all the women in it, and that Max took a back seat (pardon the vehicle pun).
I also love that George Miller was going to initially have the entire film in black and white – supposedly it was going to be on the blu-ray as an extra but I don’t think it is, from Googling. But there was an edit done of it, and feel it looks just as good as it does in colour! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq233t0JiRE)
I agree, the women were fantastic. I think that was the favourite part of the movie, how many title characters play a supporting role? Oh this is interesting. I think the film would be really cool as a fade to black/white version like Park Chan-wook did for Lady Vengeance, so beautiful! Definitely check it out if you haven’t already!
Coline says
I think this movie was a huuuuuge improvement in the representation of women in Hollywood…but I’m still reluctant to call it a complete feminist film. The women were still scantily clad, hosing each other down to meet the male gaze, and in the end it was still Max who got the last word and saved the day. But Furiosa is fucking amazeballs, and it’s truly wonderful to see a kickass woman “action hero”!
Coline | Conflicted Beauty
Ana De Jesus says
See I genuinely enjoy action movies but I definitely would love a female James Bond I think it is time that women took center stage.
Emma White (@TheRealSupermum) says
oh I haven’t seen this film but it sounds amazing and right up my street I will have to see if I can find it will give me something to watch this weekend
fabfood4all says
Sounds much like Big Brother, love it when people come together:-)
I thought it was a pretty great movie too, and my son who is really into film making loved it as well. He was expecting typical Hollywood, but was pleasantly surprised.
kacielmorgan says
I haven’t watched a good film in ages. This sounds like just my thing!
Laura Haley says
You’ve definitely made me more interested in Mad Max, I really didn’t think it was worth watching before I read this.
Sarah Bailey says
I have to admit I haven’t seen this movie – I shall definitely add it to my too watch list now though. x
.Sara. (@OoSerzoO) says
This isn’t usually something I would watch but after reading your thoughts, I’d quite like to watch it now. It sounds really quite good! Thanks for sharing xx
Charli James says
As someone who doesn’t really watch films, this post has spiked an interest… maybe I need to branch out from Harry potter!!
I am a huge Mad Max fan and this for me was the weakest of all the films x
See watching this film has never once appealed to me but after reading these reviews my opinion has slightly changed!
Meme x
www.thedayinthelifeof.co.uk
dublinfeminist says
Yessssss I seen this in the cinema and it is deadly. I love to see women unquestionable IN CHARGE. ❤️
leeshastarr says
Mad Max really doesn’t appeal to me, it’s just not my type of film. Great reviews though
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Northwestern Football Is Exhilarating, Terrifying, and Bowl-Eligible
Northwestern is vincible. We all knew that the Wildcats would face trouble once they got into the Big Ten schedule, and they lost both games against difficult opponents. At the same time, they took care of business on the road in Minnesota and became bowl-eligible for the fifth consecutive season. Northwestern had only qualified for six bowl games in the entire history of the program before Fitz took over, although bowl requirements were much stricter in the 1950s and 60s; you didn't have the Winston Cigarettes T-Zone Bowl, or the Coppertone Asscheeck Bowl, or the Score a Touchdown/Give 'em Trouble/Lick 'em Like You'll/Lick That Stubble/Burma-Shave Bowl.
Unlike today's bowls named for ridiculous corporations, earlier bowls were
named after solid staple crops and advertised to people with the exciting prospect
of a gigantic naked infant lounging menacingly in the stadium. Note in both
programs, the stadiums are full of people who seem to be perfectly content
with their football game being converted into a crib for a baby the size of the
Chrysler building with no control over its own bladder and no sense of remorse
Northwestern has played more or less the same game for several weeks. The 'Cats go into halftime with the lead, then the coaching staff unveils its Sword of Damocles packages on offense and defense as we watch the lead evaporate. During the fourth quarter, the best word to describe Northwestern's playing style is "besieged." It's tremendously exiting.
Someone who actually knows something about numbers will probably see in one
second that this graph doesn't really show anything, but I would counter that a falling
blue line and rising red line correlate directly with the number of household objects
that I am destroying with my forehead as I watch Northwestern games because that is
the proper way to watch football. That's why I bring a briefcase full of scrap wood
with me when I watch a game at a bar, so I can quietly excuse myself after a big play
and smash it into smithereens with my forehead in a parking lot
COME BACK!
Northwestern has allowed comebacks in all but two of its games this season-- the South Dakota steamrollering, and the actual Northwestern comeback against Vanderbilt. The Commodores were so confused by the ordeal that they have refused to play Northwestern in football, canceling future dates with a letter to the athletic department instead of the traditional method of football scheduling, which involves sending a courier with a wax-sealed parchment or, at the very least, a falcon. Fitz faxed the Vanderbilt Athletic Department 145 pages of ASCII pictures of a fist that, when bound together, create an animated fist-pump flip book.
The Wildcats managed to hold on until the Penn State game, when the offense disappeared in the second half. This gave the Penn State offense the opportunity to unleash Matt McGloin, the flame-headed hobgoblin of Northwestern football. McGloin and human battering ram Mike Zordich found new life against an exhausted Northwestern defense in the second half, took over the game, and rallied the Nittany Lions to victory.
Last week, Northwestern was unable to hold the lead against Nebraska, as Taylor Martinez led the Cornhuskers to two unanswered touchdowns. Martinez has had two of his best games doing whatever it is he does that resembles passing against the Northwestern defense; the Wildcat coaching staff will be training DBs before next year's game by firing footballs at them from Napoleonic War cannons.
Allumez la mèche et trouvez le trou dans la zone de couverture
The comeback also happened while Northwestern was wearing its fancy new Big Game Black Alternates, which marks another loss in dandy duds. These new uniforms featured a stenciled Wildcat on the helmet instead of the traditional sculpted N, although by the end of the game, the logo seemed to be yowling in frustration as the Huskers marched towards the with the aid of the inconsiderate forces of inevitability.
Northwestern's running game remains impressive. Venric Mark is an electric back who terrorizes opposing special teams coordinators, and the option game with Colter is dangerous near the goal line. The passing game, however, is still developing. Northwestern averages just over 172 yards per game, good for dead last in the conference. That's less than Wisconsin, a team with a playbook that consists of two plays labeled "give the ball to Ron Dayne," with the words "Ron Dayne" scratched out and replaced by whoever is the current running back.
The Badgers are trying to find an Aaron Gibson equivalent for their Replacement
Daynes to run behind, but NCAA regulations currently prohibit tying two tackles
together and letting them share the same pair of pants
Kolter has drifted back into his role from last year, working as an option quarterback and slot receiver. Siemian is sent in on obvious passing downs. Fitz plans on slowly rotating running backs, receivers, and backup linemen into the quarterback spot; one day the entire Wildcat offense will come off the sideline all yelling "I'M QUARTERBACK," which will confuse the defense.
THROW OUT THE RECORD BOOKS, SORT OF
Northwestern has a burgeoning quasi-rivalry with the Hawkeyes: we don't like them, and they are vaguely indifferent. The Hawkeyes suffered some tough losses in their non-conference schedule, but are in the mix for the LEGENDS DIVISION. Like Northwestern, they've struggled in the passing game as they learn Greg Davis's system. It is Davis's sorry fate in life to be universally despised by fans of whatever team he happens to coach for-- crowds gather to chase him from town like a Reverse Pied Piper. Their offense has been boosted by unheralded walk-on Mark Weisman, who has managed to stagger out of the Hawkeyes' gruesome human rights disaster at running back to the backfield, like the football version of William Brydon at Jalalabad.
Weisman reports to practice after avoiding a diseased piece of dining hall turkey,
an out-of-control cement mixer, a crate of marbles spilled precariously around
the quad, a pack of wild dogs, and a crazed pre-med student desperate to collect
as many knee ligaments as he can before the authorities find him
Both teams see this as a crucial and winnable game. The game will be played at Ryan Field, and I expect a supportive crowd of 30,000 Nebraska fans who will be staying in Evanston as fans in residence after winning a grant from the Northwestern Department of Football Culture. Like all Northwestern games, this will probably come down to the last minute because I picked the wrong football season to stop sniffing glue.
FUCK IT DUDE, LET'S GO BOWLING
This season was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Instead, we've seen the emergence of exciting young players on defense, such as Chi Chi Ariguzo and NickVan Hoose, and Venric Mark is as dynamic a playmaker as the Wildcats have ever had. Northwestern has qualified for a bowl game, and the Big Ten's new status as a national joke has kept them in the LEGENDS DIVISION title hunt, where a championship will allow them to take their place in the pantheon of LEGENDS with the Legends of the Fall, Hercules's Legendary Journeys, and the Legends of the Hidden Temple. It is important to keep that in mind as the 'Cats dangle precariously from another fourth quarter cliff. And Northwestern is in position for an eight or even a nine win season, in position to go to a marginally less crappy bowl, and in position to wrench The Hat off of Tim Beckman's head and parade it in victory down Sheridan Road. Northwestern and Iowa may not have a fancy rivalry trophy, but they do have the opportunity to ruin each other's season, and that may be the sweetest trophy of them all.
Actually, it is not, it is still the hat, give us our damn hat back.
Posted by BYCTOM at 1:37 PM No comments:
Labels: Anglo-Afghan War, ASCII Fists, Burma-Shave, Fans in Residence, Greg Davis, Napoleonic War, Sword of Damocles Package, The Hat, The Ron Dayne Offense
Northwestern Fans, Let Us Become Unreasonably Overconfident
Northwestern will not lose another football game ever again. They will keep rolling through the competition all the way to Indianapolis, to Pasadena, to the very gates of the ancient capital Moscou.
Keep going east, men, what could possibly go wrong?
The Wildcats are 5-0 and ranked #24 in the AP Poll with only one win standing between them and a wretched bowl game. Of course, Northwestern fans are dreaming bigger with the dire state of the Big Ten. What looked to be a rebuilding year could be a triumph for Pat Fitzgerald and his invincible legions of perfect footballmen.
Meanwhile, the Northwestern trustees have approved a quarter-billion dollar football facility upgrade that will ensure that the team gets all of the triangular weights, vibrating belt machines, and tug of war ropes that they need to keep their competitive edge against other programs.
The facilities should have everything a modern college football program needs to succeed at the
highest level
RUSH AND ATTACK
Northwestern's offense took off against South Dakota, and exploded for a school-record 704 yards against Indiana. Kain Colter, Venric Mark, and Mike Trumpy have formed a three-headed rushing monster that has become unstoppable against inept defenses that specialize in mystified flailing (chin up, Hoosiers. We'll meet one day in the Big Ten Championship game through a combination of bowl bans, a flu that hits every city but Evanston and Bloomington, or a national obsession with Australian Rules football that leaves the two squads as the only rump club teams in the conference).
The 'Cats raced out to a 27-0 lead against Indiana until the third quarter struck and the team decided to momentarily terrify Northwestern fans.
The third quarter triggers a horrifying transformation for Northwestern's defense,
much like how Lon Chaney transformed from the mild mannered Dr. Jeckyll to
a guy who just put some Boston on the jukebox and c'mon it's Boston what
are you you going to do, just sit there huddled in the corner let's go get out
there, c'mon, I love this one, let's go, alright fine, but the next four plays are
all going to be Speedwagon
Colter rushed for 161 yards, grabbed another 131 yards receiving, scored four touchdowns, and returned to the multifaceted skill position role he played with Dan Persa last year. Meanwhile, Siemian connected for more than 300 yards in the air, and Venric Mark continued to do Venric Mark things. The ability to play Colter and Siemian at the same time should open up some interesting trick plays, including one where Colter disguises himself as an official and fakes an illegal shift flag on himself before running amongst confused defenders for an easy score.
A VALLEY
Things get tougher for Northwestern as they have to do the unthinkable and leave the welcoming confines of Ryan Field for the first time in a month. Penn State is certainly a program in disarray as the dust from the criminal investigation and NCAA sanctions settles and the wind sweeps away the makeshift Joe Paterno Ozymandii from the tailgate parking lots. The Nittany Lions are improving after a not entirely shocking slow start against Ohio and Virginia. They've handily beaten Navy and Temple, and they clobbered an Illinois team that looks bad enough to surrender The Hat to the rightful collective heads of the Northwestern faithful. Though Northwestern is undefeated and ranked, they will go into Happy Valley as underdogs.
Penn State has been a perpetual obstacle for Northwestern who have beaten the Lions in only three of fifteen tries. The last Northwestern win came in 2004 and half of 2010.
Dan Persa runs for a touchdown during his glorious return to
Pennsylvania, where he led the 'Cats to a 21-0 first half lead in
his home state and then I turned off the game and just assume
everything went swimmingly from there
Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin has successfully passed for more than 400 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions in his two games against Northwestern. Running back and Dickensian villain Silas Redd, who effortlessly ran through the Wildcat defense last year, has transferred to USC, though he still returns to State College to berate the indigent workers at his iron foundries and get his tophats and pince-nez fitted.
Workers asking for a Christmas goose can expect threats of dismissal, stiff arms,
and chop blocks
The Northwestern offense will face its stiffest test yet. Penn State's defense is currently fourteenth in the country in points allowed (a little over 13) and has given up just 127.8 rushing yards per game (Northwestern is ranked 14th in rushing yards allowed with a stingy 90), and I imagine that Colter and Mark will have a tougher time getting to the edge. On defense, Northwestern will have to contain Allen Robinson, who already has 32 catches for 439 yards and 5 TDs. I expect Bill O'Brien to test the Wildcat passing defense early with long passes, play-action, and a diabolical series of riddles delivered to the Northwestern sideline in wax-sealed parchments that will distract the DBs by making them search the Penn State bench for the secret to their defense while being unaware, for example, that the signals are stored on backup quarterback Steve Bench.
THANK GOODNESS THE BASEBALL SEASON IS OVER
The success of Northwestern has fortunately overshadowed a dark baseball time for Chicago. The White Sox surprised everyone by challenging Detroit for the AL Central title, but sputtered in their final few weeks. The Cubs, on the other hand, were out of it on April 2. They barnstormed to 101 losses as they train-hopped from city to city bringing opposing fans joy with their ineptitude on the mound, in the field, and in the batters' box. The pitching struggles could be partially explained by the inexperienced bullpen and loss of three top starting pitchers to trades and injury; no term better explains the Cubs in the second half than "staff ace Jeff Samardzija." They also finished close to the bottom in runs scored and tied the Astros for dead last in OPB with a paltry .302. The only chance Cubs fans will have to see the ivy turn brown on TV for the next several years will involve a deranged White Sox fan poisoning it and then calling in a radio show before signing off with "Let's go, go-go damn Sox."
The Cubs' futility was expected this season as Epstein and Hoyer are committing to a scorched-earth rebuilding program. They seem to have found a first baseman in Anthony Rizzo. Starlin Castro may inspire heated debates in mustard-soaked Cub fan antechambers, but he has become an elite league leader in making outs. Other prospects may take awhile to arrive. Neither Josh Vitters nor Brett Jackson seemed ready in their limited debuts; Jackson struck out in nearly 40% of his at-bats and was last seen with a shopping bag full of Jobu dolls.
The 2012 campaign has taken a toll on Theo Epstein, who plans to spend the
winter meetings ranting about those damn trains and gumming things
I expect the Cubs to make the playoffs when Bud Selig or any Future Bud Selig equivalents decide to do the right thing and allow all teams to make the playoffs, although the first round will be one game where teams rotate pitching, batting, and fielding and are eliminated on an inning-by-inning basis and then they have to flee from robotic tigers or a professional scythe-wielding bounty hunter named The Rt. Hon. Justice of the Scythe in order to escape because we all know that future sports immediately turn into horrifying post-apocalyptic death sports with elaborate betting systems for some reason.
Until then, we can be nothing but patient as the Cubs stave off triple digit losing seasons, failed prospects, nincompoopical base running, and all of the other hallmarks of hopeless baseball. In other words, it's basically reverting to pretty much every year of the Cubs, so you might as well stock up on overpriced bleacher tickets and t-shirts about drinking beer and try to inadvertently injure someone in a drunken high-five gone awry as Cubs fans have for generations.
THE UNDEFEATABLISTS
Northwestern has gotten to 5-0 with a string of narrow and occasionally harrowing victories over opponents who do not exactly bring to mind Notre Dame's Four Horsemen. The Penn State came may well be a sobering preview of a difficult end of the season. While no Big Ten team has looked like world beaters, it also means that they will be unlikely to take the Wildcats lightly as they will also be scrapping for every conference win they can get in order to get a chance to be publicly humiliated in the Rose Bowl. A win at Penn State, however, does a lot to show that Northwestern's record is not a scheduling fluke. I expect the Wildcats to go up 65-0 in the first half, then allow seven consecutive Penn State touchdowns before tackling Robinson three inches from the goal line as time expires and then Pat Fitzgerald explodes on the field leaving a pile of oakleys, crew cuts, and headphones.
Posted by BYCTOM at 9:56 AM 2 comments:
Labels: Damn Trains, Dickensian Facotries, Lon Chaney, Moscou, Napoleon, Ozymandii, The Rt. Hon. Justice of the Scythe
Northwestern Football Is Exhilarating, Terrifying,...
Northwestern Fans, Let Us Become Unreasonably Over...
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Investing in the S&P 500 Index July 16, 2019
I am quoted in U.S. News & World Report: “How to Invest in the S&P 500 at All-Time Highs” “Since the outlook for the U.S. economy over the next few years is good with GDP projected to grow at 2% or higher, interest rates expected to remain near historically low levels and corporate profits expected […]
CCT to buy 94.9% stake in German building for 133.4m euros from CapitaLand, Lum Chang July 17, 2019
CAPITALAND Commercial Trust (CCT) will acquire an effective 94.9 per cent interest in the holding companies of a freehold office building in Frankfurt, Germany, from its sponsor CapitaLand and mainboard-listed property and construction group Lum Chang Holdings.
Frasers Property secures novel A$500m green loan for two Singapore properties July 17, 2019
FRASERS Property Limited has secured a A$750 million (S$715.2 million) term loan, comprising a A$500 million green loan tranche and a A$250 million five-year tranche, the real estate developer said on Wednesday morning. The A$500 million tranche is Singapore’s first green loan with a pricing structure linked to the BCA Green Mark, said the company.
Prudential Singapore sues former top manager for up to S$2.5b July 16, 2019
PRUDENTIAL Assurance Co Singapore is suing its former top agency manager Peter Tan Shou Yi for up to S$2.5 billion for allegedly plotting to recruit at least 250 top Prudential agents for Aviva Singapore.
Discretionary portfolios finding favour with Bank of Singapore clients July 16, 2019
BANK of Singapore is seeing a surge in interest from clients in discretionary portfolio management (DPM) - with a 40 per cent jump among its Singapore clients seeking out the service between 2016 and 2018.
Best World gets SGX nod on expanded independent review July 16, 2019
BEST World International said the scope of its expanded independent review has been finalised and approved by the Singapore Exchange (SGX RegCo), with the independent review in progress.
Stocks to watch: CapitaLand, Lum Chang, CCT, Frasers Property, Keppel-KBS US Reit July 17, 2019
THE following companies saw new developments that may affect trading of their shares on Wednesday:
Retail tranche for Prime US Reit IPO set at 40.9m units July 16, 2019
THE manager of Prime US Reit has set aside about 40.9 million units of its initial public offering (IPO) for public subscription - well above the minimum offer size of 16.8 million units for retail investors.
Data lull sees quiet day on Singapore bourse July 16, 2019
LACKING fresh catalysts, there was little impetus in the local equity market for a session with vibrant or at best, average turnovers.
Prime US Reit sets public offer at 40.9m units, cites 'strong demand' July 16, 2019
THE manager of Prime US Reit has set the number of units under the Singapore public offer at about 40.9 million units, above the minimum offer size of 16.76 million units.
Philosophical basis for valuation
“A postulate of sound investing is that an investor does not pay more for an asset than it is worth,” says Aswath Damodaran, the well-known author of “Damodaran on Valuation”, a book on security analysis for investment and corporate finance. “The statement may seem logical and obvious, but it is forgotten and rediscovered at some
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LES EDGERTON - THE GENUINE, IMITATION, PLASTIC KIDNAPPING (2014)
Synopsis/blurb......
A mix of Cajun gumbo, a couple tablespoons of kinky sex and a dash of unusual New Orleans settings and you wind up with Les Edgerton’s latest romp fest!
Pete Halliday is busted out of baseball for gambling and travels to New Orleans to make his fortune hustling. Five years later, he’s deep in debt to bookie and in cahoots with Tommy LeClerc, a Cajun with a tiny bit of Indian blood who considers himself a red man.
Tommy inveigles a reluctant Pete into one scheme after another, the latest a kidnapping scheme where they’ll snatch the Cajun Mafia King and hold his amputated hand for some serious jack.
Along the way, Pete is double-crossed by Tommy and falls in love with part-time hooker and full-time waitress Cat Duplaisir. With both the Italian and Cajun mobs after them, a chase through Jazz Fest, a Tourette’s outbreak in a black bar and other zany adventures, all seems lost.
Fans of Tim Dorsey’s character Serge Storms, and readers who enjoy Christopher Moore and Carl Hiaasen will enjoy this story.
“A hard-driving, relentless story with grab-you-by-the-throat characters.”—Grant Blackwood, New York Times bestselling author
With Plastic Kidnapping, author Les Edgerton serves up an intriguing caper novel with plenty of black humour, some madcap ill-thought out criminal schemes, a pair of amateur bunglers, the Cajun Mafia and a hooker with a heart.
By the end (spoiler alert) we have a reluctant romance as main man Pete Halliday gets the damaged girl, Cat after surviving the worst their common enemy can throw at them and in Cat's case exacting some retribution on one of her former abusers.
In mostly chronological order we have......a hopeless gambler, a lost baseball career, moderate career ambitions with a po-boy joint, some low level New Orleans hustling, an ill-advised partnership with an incompetent crook - part-Indian Tommy LeClerc, a failed kidnap, some valuable lessons learned, on the run and hiding out, permanent pursuit by an unsympathetic debt collector, a dog fighting sting, jail time, a second go at the main event, amateur amputation hour, some kinky sex, a double cross, an unintentional love affair, a bale of cash, some time on the river, a new career beckoning, into the heart of the lion's den, a rescue mission, a chase, a showdown, some help from an unlikely source, freedom, forgiveness, dodgy plastic surgery and pastures new.
Events are recounted through from Pete's perspective and throughout there is plenty of banter and tension in his relationship with Tommy. Pete has an awareness of the seriousness of their situation and several times considers flight as the only sensible option. (Still aware that there is no rock far enough away on this earth that he can hide under.) However, he is weak in regards to acting on his impulses and is a sucker for Tommy's schemes. Just as well, or we wouldn't have have the book we have if fleeing the city won out.
Throughout I was rooting for Pete and it was interesting seeing him evolve and embrace love for probably the first time in his life. A more successful criminal career or even legit one might have beckoned if Cat was his partner from the start instead of Tommy.
Cat Duplaisir has her own troubled history and past, but part of her appeal is her refusal to be cowed by the cards life has dealt to her. Sold by a parent as a young girl to an abuser, who dispensed with her when a young teen and she was too old for his sick predilections. Damaged yes, but she's a survivor and retains her humanity and heart, whilst having the chops to ensure she won't be taken advantage of again. She's by far the strongest character in the book.
Funny, irreverent, non-PC, larger than life, darker undertones at times, outlandish and highly improbable but extremely satisfying. Great characters, great setting, fantastic outcome. There's nothing fake or plastic about Edgerton's ability to fashion an entertaining and exciting story with a heart.
4.5 from 5
Plastic Kidnapping was my second dance with Les Edgerton's work. The Bitch was enjoyed back in 2014 - thoughts here.
More from him sits on the pile. I shouldn't leave it so long next time - four years plus? Really!
Les Edgerton has his website here.
Source - purchased copy
Format - kindle
It does sound as though there are some great funny moments in this one, Col. I like the New Orleans setting, too. Sometimes, a madcap, strange adventure like this can work very well, especially if you let your disbelief go. Glad you enjoyed this.
Margot, I really liked this one - madcap sums it up with great characters and a strong sense of place.
Les Edgerton 23 August 2018 at 05:19
Thank you so much for this, Col. Here's something that may be of interest. The character Cat is based on a real person by that name, one of my girlfriends while living in New Orleans. She was a call girl and was sold by her mother to the head of the Mafia when she was 8 or 9 and when she turned 12 that was a major career mistake as that was too old for this guy's tastes. The "real" Mafia is vastly different than the fictional one created by Mario Puzo. While this story was fiction, Cat appears in my forthcoming memoir. Adrenaline Junkie, again, as herself and with a real account of her. She is, indeed, a fascinating character. And, I used her real name--she's not a reader so I'm not worried she'll find herself in these pages, but if it ever gets made into a movie, I'll be in trouble. However, I'd bet the house she's room temperature these days with her lifestyle... Again, thank you so very much!
Les thanks for stopping by - a great book sir. I did read your notes at the back of this volume and found them fascinating. Thanks for sharing them.
I'm hoping it's not another four years before I shine a light on your work again!
It would be interesting to read about New Orleans, for sure. Cover is eye-catching also.
Trayc, you might like this one. Echoes of Donald Westlake perhaps.
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HomePublication HighlightsEnhancing Australia’s Clinical Research Capacity to Respond to Methamphetamine and Emerging Drugs: A Consultation Paper to support the Development of Workforce Development Strategy
Enhancing Australia’s Clinical Research Capacity to Respond to Methamphetamine and Emerging Drugs: A Consultation Paper to support the Development of Workforce Development Strategy
Nicholas, R., Ryan, K., & Roche, A.M. (2019). Enhancing Australia’s Clinical Research Capacity to Respond to Methamphetamine and Emerging Drugs: A Consultation Paper to support the Development of Workforce Development Strategy. National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University, Adelaide.
NCETA was commissioned by the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED) to develop a Workforce Development (WFD) strategy. The Strategy will specifically address the WFD needs of the clinical research workforces that focus on methamphetamine and other emerging psychoactive drugs. A key priority for NCCRED is to develop current and future workforces which initiate, undertake and implement clinical research ranging from early intervention to tertiary interventions.
The aims of the WFD Strategy include:
Enhancing the understanding of the profile and characteristics of the current and future AOD clinical research workforce
Assisting the creation of a clinical research workforce that can innovate and rapidly transform research findings into practice
Identifying the capabilities that will be required of the future clinical research workforce
Identifying barriers and enablers to engaging clinicians in research and engaging researchers in clinical settings.
To inform the development of the WFD Strategy, NCETA conducted a literature review of the factors influencing clinical researcher WFD. A condensed version of the review was produced in the form of a consultation paper which is available from the NCETA or NCCRED websites.
NCETA’s review highlighted recent changes of relevance to the clinical research workforce including:
Shifting patterns of AOD use, and the shift towards the use of stimulants, pharmaceutical drugs and poly-drug use
New synthetic drugs
An expanding range of pharmacotherapies and other treatment options
Greater prevalence of co-existing mental health disorders and multiple morbidities
Increased awareness of trauma and trauma-informed practice in the AOD treatment sector
Problematic drug use across a widened age spectrum
Enhanced awareness of the adverse effects of stigmatisation of drug use.
The review also identified a range of recent WFD initiatives that have a direct bearing on the AOD clinical research workforce. These include:
Development of three e-Learning Modules by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to provide an introduction to the clinical trials environment, clinical research ethics, ethical review and research governance processes.
Provision of support by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for clinical trials proponents and clinical trials networks
Development by the NHMRC of Australia’s first V.E.T. accredited course (10562NAT - Course in Clinical Trials Application Preparation, Submission and Review)
Development by the NHMRC, in conjunction with Australian Clinical Trials Alliance, of competencies for non-commercially sponsored (investigator-initiated) clinical trials.
NCETA’s research also found that international efforts, particularly in the United Kingdom (UK) provide examples that could be used in the Australian context. For example, the UK’s Researcher Development Framework provides a professional development framework for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers. It describes the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of successful researchers.
Copies of the consultation paper can be accessed from the NCETA or NCCRED websites.
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You are here: Home / Podcasts / Bonnie Whitmore: Getting To The Root Of It All At Mile of Music
Catch one of Bonnie Whitmore’s show at Mile of Music
http://corbininthedell.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Bonnie-Whitmore-at-Mile-of-Music-.mp3
It’s Mile of Music this weekend in Appleton, Wisconsin where one of the most inclusive music festivals happens with the artists in mind. A most thought provoking songwriter, Bonnie Whitmore, will be included in the line-up. This is one voice of Americana which cannot be mistaken. On her latest album, Fuck With Sad Girls, Whitmore offers a certain Friedanesque soundtrack for a new generation of feminism. Listen in as she and I talk about why it’s so important for us all to come together and talk it out with vulnerable and honest hearts.
Special thanks for the support y’all have given me, as I launch this new Corbin In The Dell podcast. Be on the lookout for a new Itunes subscription link coming later this month. It takes a whole village of folks who give a damn to make a difference. Thanks for including me in your village!
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Job Title: Gateways Program Management and Support (16-333-A5/8/9)
Posted by: OASIS Systems on May 23, 2019
Support all aspects of Airborne C2 capabilities, capability gaps, systems integration, and developing JCIDS documents. Assisting with achieving interoperable, affordable, responsive, and sustainable C2 systems which satisfy Service, Joint, Interagency, and Coalition C2 information exchange requirements. Development of C2 investment strategies and providing technical assistance for airborne C2 systems integration planning. Support the generation of operational requirements for acquisition and integration of new or modified airborne C2 capabilities, recommending executable courses of action and providing technical reports, development and coordination of JCIDS documentation and Air Force (AF) Program Objective Memorandum (POM) documentation.
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in computer science, information systems, business administration, business management, mathematics, operations research or engineeringFive (5) years' direct operational experience in C2/TDL systemsFive (5) years' direct experience in analyzing, developing, and evaluating directives, policies, and procedures associated with modernization and sustainment of Air Force SystemsTwo (2) years' experience fielding of military systemsTwo (2) years' experience developing tactics, techniques and procedures for C2/TDL systemsThree (3) years' experience in a HHQ (e.g., MAJCOM, HAF or equivalent) staff officer or equivalent position creating, preparing, conducting, delivering, oral/written decision briefs, reports, positions, draft messages and other correspondence.Minimum of four (4) years' experience in developing JCIDs requirements documentsCandidate must be able to obtain, and maintain, the proper personnel clearance required for this position.
Provide personnel to support TDL gateway programs from concept approval, through operational field employment, integration into C2 network(s), transition to Program of Record status and sustainment such as but not limited to Roll On Beyond Line of Sight (ROBE - AN/USQ-175), Joint Air Defense System Integrator (JADSI - AN/TSQ-214), Joint Range Extension (JRE) Joint Range Extension TPMG Equipment (JTEP - AN/TYQ-123, AN/TYQ 235, and AN/FSQ 225), , Pocket J - (AN/FSC-134, and AN/FSC-135), Link 16 gateway for Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL - R/T 1719 and R/T 1720, Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), etc. Support the generation of operational requirements for acquisition and integration of new or modified C2/Comm/TDL capabilities, recommending executable courses of action and providing technical reports, development and coordination of JCIDS documentation and Air Force (AF) Program Objective Memorandum (POM) documentation. Support Weapon System Teams for programs and concepts, fielded (or fielding) under Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUONs), Urgent Operational Needs (UONs), Joint Emerging Operational Needs (JEONs), and Quick Reaction Capability (QRC). Analyzing new requirements and interoperable solutions, planning, programming, and integration. Provide personnel to support program/project management and analytic support for TDL and tactical edge network requirements, planning, and integration with air, space and terrestrial networks.Support generation of TDL, C2 and communications requirements; TDL planning; and TDL integrationProvide technical, analytical, cost and life cycle expertise to support the integration and implementation of TDL systems across the USAF, other US Services, and partner nations.Function as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for assigned systems. Employ SME expertise to assist operational users and provide constant liaison between operational users and product centers/program offices.Assist in all phases and subjects of program requirements management; e.g., Requirements Working Group, Requirements Review Board, etc.Advise and assist on cryptologic matters in support of future architectures (as an example JALN) to include Link-16 modernization, radio systems and data storage. Coordinate with platforms and monitor integration schedules.Coordinate, facilitate, and support requirements definition, refinement and validation through JCIDS processes to include but not limited to include development of JCIDS documents and supporting requirements analysis documents. ICD/CDD/CPD, Modification Proposals (AF Form 1067).Examine and analyze solution's ability to satisfy capability needs to include cost benefit analysis, operational benefit analysis and operational feasibility of potential solutions to satisfy requirements. Support design reviews and make recommendations/evaluations of approaches to include technical evaluations.Provide technical, analytical, cost, and lifecycle expertise.Assist in developing plans for sustainment and modernization of airborne gateway systems, to include integrated logistics support, maintenance, and training.Assist in oversight of the security, testing, and fielding accreditations. Assist with efforts required by Air Force Instructions to gain certification and accreditation in support of System Security Accreditation Authority, Certificate to Operate, Interim Authorities, and Spectrum Certification required for systems associated with TDL Transformation programs.Support development of migration strategies for current capabilities towards programs of record and their integration into future architectures.Support documenting Certification and Accreditation of IT systems in the Enterprise Information Technology Data Repository (EITDR).
https://oasiscareers-oasissystems.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1
About OASIS Systems
Oasis Systems is a premier provider of customer-driven, cost-effective and quality Engineering Services; Enterprise Systems and Applications; Human Factors Engineering; Information Technology and Cyber Security; Professional Services; and Specialized Engineering Solutions to the Department of Defense, FAA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies. We strive to be an exciting and welcoming company that attracts, develops, motivates and retains the most talented, skilled and dedicated people in the industry; where they are encouraged to achieve personal excellence, purpose, and their full potential and career aspirations; while supporting mission-critical national security technologies and programs.
Please visit this employer's Public Profile to see more jobs offered by OASIS Systems
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Luis Morales
Birth Date December 2, 1984 (34 years old)
Home Town San Salvador
NORCECA 6th $450
Overall 6th $450
Season Assoc Played 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Money Points Rank 12th 13th 17th 25th
2008 NORCECA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 $0.00 27.5 0 0 0 0
2009 NORCECA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 $75.00 35.0 0 0 0 0
2012 NORCECA 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 $175.00 80.0 0 0 0 0
2013 NORCECA 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0.00 5.0 1 0 1 0
(78th) 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 $450.00
(181st) 242.5 1 0 1 0
Total 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 $450.00 242.5 1 0 1 0
Partner Played 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Money Points 12th 13th 17th 25th
Franklin Flores 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 $0 5.0 1 0 1 0
David Vargas 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 $200 95.0 0 0 0 0
Carlos Escobar 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 $100 67.5 0 0 0 0
Rafael Vargas 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 $75 35.0 0 0 0 0
Ovidio Osorio 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 $75 40.0 0 0 0 0
Total 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 $450 242.5 1 0 1 0
Location Summary
Season Summaries 2008-14
2008 NORCECA
Date Location Partner Seed Finish Winnings Points
4/23-28 San Salvador, El Salvador Carlos Escobar 9 27.5
4/1-5 Guatemala City, Guatemala Rafael Vargas 8 $75.00 35
PB: l. Sergio Gonzalez / Karell Pina 15-21, 13-21
PB: d. Alberto Ozuna / Tirso Pineda 21-18, 21-19
PD: l. Jorge Bolanos / Erick Garrido 17-21, 21-16, 16-18
W1: l. Anthony Medel / Hans Stolfus 14-21, 11-21
C4: l. Ramon Calderon / Francisco Castro 15-21, 19-21
Matches Won-Lost: 1-4
Sets Won-Lost: 3-8
Points Scored-Allowed: 183-218
Best Finish: 8th
Winnings: $75
Ranking: 61st
3/23-25 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Ovidio Osorio 7 8 $75.00 40
3/30-4/1 Guatemala City, Guatemala Carlos Escobar 5 7 $100.00 40
Winnings: $175
Ranking: 47th
11/22-24 San Jose, Costa Rica Franklin Flores 9 12
11/29-12/1 Maracas Bay, Trinidad and Tobago Franklin Flores 10 17 5
Best Finish: 12th
Ranking: 112th
5/9-11 Antigua, Guatemala Franklin Flores 12 10
9/19-21 Boqueron, Puerto Rico David Vargas 4 6 $200.00 55
10/3-5 Chula Vista, United States David Vargas 10 40
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Lighting The Artwork Or A Photo Gallery
August 20, 2018 Lela
Flower art may be very beautiful. That is helpful for artists who work in a variety of media. Tretchikoff had considerable business acumen, turning work akin to The Dying Swan and Chinese Girl (additionally known informally as The Blue Lady) into prints and selling thousands and thousands world wide.
Although the meaning of the grid to artists is difficult to describe in phrases, it’s more than only a visual armature. The Summary Expressionists of the 1940’s and ’50’s also used this technique, for example, Jackson Pollock’s “drip” work. This exhibition of Shapiro’s work is an introduction to his numerous themes, his processes, and the meant which means of his work.
One could even venture to say that it is artists drawing how they really feel. For instance, there have been hundreds of paintings of Hercules choosing between Virtue and Vice. Every portray has a story behind it. Every brush stroke and each drop of color used is a written phrase on the canvas.
On the other hand, the Dutch painter and artwork theoretician Gérard de Lairesse (1641-1711), in a chapter of his ‘s Groot Schilderboek devoted to the subject of sunshine and shade, contends that probably the most good form of lighting in a painting is subtle or indirect gentle, gemeen licht.
A Totally different Type Of Art
Over that time, they created an unlimited physique of art on the walls of caves and rock shelters – the largest and most concentrated group of rock work in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Want To Analysis Prints Or Discover Posters?
Artwork has the potential to inspire some deep feelings in each of us. We will have a look at an ideal piece of artwork and really feel inspired and moved deeply, finding a type of beauty on the earth that we never before really although existed. The Indiana Plein Air Painters Affiliation (IPAPA) has partnered with Indiana Landmarks for Painting Indiana III: Heritage of Place. Chinese paintings it seems had been meant to be perpetually dealt with and embellished with nice calligraphy. Clearly, paintings became a big part of this motion.
El Caballo: The Horse in Mexican Folks Artwork, celebrates this enduring legacy through twenty-two examples, including ceramics, metalwork, paintings, paper art, and sculpture. Impressionist period painters include well-known artists like Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Canvas Artwork is a particular graphic oil painting executed on a strong heavy cotton or material material. During the mid-century, globally renowned architect Louis I. Kahn (1901-1974) envisioned the design for a chimerical arts campus where the Arts United Center and Fort Wayne Museum of Art presently sit. 13. The objects of interpretation are artworks, not artists.
Process: The check consists of 30 pairs of paintings, for each pair you will need to select which you favor and by how much. It’s most useful within the classical strategy of oblique painting, the place the drawing and underpainting are established ahead of time anad allowed to dry.
type of artist paint, type of article 15, type of articles in research
Art remedy involves the use of creative techniques similar to drawing, portray, collage, coloring, or sculpting to help people specific themselves artistically and look at the psychological and emotional undertones in their art. The country’s influential innovators included avant-garde muralist Amelia Peláez; painter Wilfredo Lam, who studied underneath Salvador DalÃ’s instructor and specialized in surrealist-fashion hybrid figures; photographer Alberto Korda, best known for his pictures of Che Guevera within the early days of the Cuban Revolution; and Corso de Palenzuela, whose folksy work depicted icons resembling Che, Celia Cruz and Ruben Gonzalez in a vibrant Cuban panorama.
artwork, gallery, lighting, photo
Genre Paintings In Visible Art
Trendy Art Movements, Artists, Ideas And Topics
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Calguns.net > THE CALGUNS COMMUNITY > CGSSA Southern California Chapters > L.A. Chapter
29th District / San Fernando Valley - VOTE FOR BEN BERNAL!!
CALI-gula
Calguns Addict
Cross posting this to the LA/San Fernando Valley forum for broader awareness.
The 29th District is comprised of the following:
North central San Fernando Valley, including the communities of Van Nuys, San Fernando, Pacoima, Arleta, Panorama City, Sylmar, parts of Sun Valley and North Hollywood.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Califo...ional_district
Vote this jerk-off out on Tuesday June 5th.
Ridiculous California, and its even more ridiculous Democrat Stalinists.
(See photos below.)
With Democrat idiots like Eric Swalwell and Rob Bonta calling for an Australia style gun grab, and Democrat Reggie Jones Sawyer claiming "This is California; we don’t pay too much attention to the Constitution" it's now become an all-out thing to promote you simply want to repeal the 2nd Amendment.
So out comes politico Tony Cardenas to try to up the ante on his colleagues' dictatorial agendas.
I got this junk-mail campaign flyer from Tony Cardenas who not only and proudly pro-claims he passed strict gun control laws and is fighting the NRA in Congress - which I'm not sure how he is doing that "in Congress" - but goes on a misguided attempt to persecute his opponent by claiming Ben Bernal "Vowed to Protect the Second Amendment in Congress", as if that were a bad thing.
I've seen a lot of asinine campaign statements, but this is one of the most grand. Ironically, I see it as a pro-campaign flier for Ben Bernal!!!
Benny Bernal for Congress in 29th District. My favorite quote from the LA Daily News article below is the following:
"Bernal is no limousine liberal. He’s a school bus driver, an L.A.-born father of six. Bernal’s activism included a role in the 2001 San Fernando Valley secession campaign."
The fact that Ben Bernal was a proponent of the San Fernando Valley secession is all the more reason I would vote for him!
Seeing that Tony Cardenas is willing to go rogue totalitarian, be Anti-American, and break his oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, I can't even begin to understand why ANY Californian would vote for him, regardless of his stance on these other noted issues.
Cardenas is essentially bragging, promoting, and blatantly vilifying his opponent for protecting civil-rights, and the most important one of all; the 2nd Amendment.
And ironically, the claims in his flier are outrageous; if anything, it's Tony Cardenas who is the carpet-bagger career-politician "Political Outsider" propped up by schemes, back-room deals, and is fighting questionable high-dollar expenditures even as he puts out this kind of repugnant propaganda.
Even the Los Angeles Daily News agrees:
https://www.dailynews.com/2016/05/17...29th-district/
In the race for Congress in the northeast San Fernando Valley, the incumbent and his best-known challenger are running under legal clouds. Fortunately, an earnest outsider offers a bright alternative.
The Daily News editorial board endorses Benny Bernal in the 29th House District.
If Bernal can finish in the top two among five Democrats on June 5th and advance to the November election, he will be poised to pose tough questions to either Rep. Tony Cardenas or Richard Alarcon.
Cardenas, D-Panorama City, is shadowed by speculation about why he has spent $300,000 in campaign funds on lawyers in the past year, apparently in connection with federal investigations involving a Cardenas aide.
Bernal is no limousine liberal. He’s a school bus driver, an L.A.-born father of six. Bernal’s activism included a role in the 2001 San Fernando Valley secession campaign.
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN - 29TH DISTRICT - VOTE OUT THIS JACKASS!!
FOR SALE: Click on the below to link to ads:
COP-4 Derringer $1,800
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