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US defense chief to visit PH amid tension over South China Sea
By: Frances Mangosing - Reporter / @FMangosingINQ
INQUIRER.net / 01:07 PM April 04, 2016
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit the Philippines for this year’s Balikatan exercises amid rising tensions over China’s sweeping expansion in the South China Sea.
“He’s going to be here towards the ends of the exercise and he will observe a couple of things. He’s interested with the high mobility rocket system,” said Lt. Gen. John Toolan, US Exercise Director for Balikatan 2016 in a press briefing.
The M143 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS is a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard army medium tactical vehicle truck frame and has a range of 300 kilometers. It will be the first time that it will be used for the bilateral exercises.
READ: PH FA-50 jets to take part in Balikatan exercises
Carter is the first US defense secretary to personally observe the Balikatan.
“I believe that his main purpose here to reaffirm that our relationship is rock solid and we’re side by side,” Toolan said.
Toolan said Carter will also “spend time out at sea” but did not say whether it was in the waters of the disputed South China Sea.
“He’s going to spend time out at sea with US naval ships navigating out there,” he said.
READ: US, Philippines hold war games as China flexes muscles
Last year, Carter visited the South China Sea, a symbolic swipe at China’s aggressive actions, when he visited an American aircraft carrier in Malaysia.
Maj. Gen. Rodolfo Santiago, assistant exercise director for the Balikatan, said in a separate interview with reporters that Carter will also visit Palawan and attend the Balikatan’s closing ceremonies.
About 10,000 American, Philippine, and Australian forces, which formally opened on Monday at Camp Aguinaldo, will participate in this year’s Balikatan. Japanese observers were also invited.
Other countries that will participate as observers are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, South Korea, and Timor-Leste.
READ: US, Japan warships arrive for war games
Officials have reiterated that the joint exercises have nothing to do with the South China Sea dispute. Activities include humanitarian civic assistance projects, simulation support events, bilateral force integrations training, and interoperability operational events at various military camps.
The Balikatan 2016 is scheduled from April 4 to 15. It will be held in Antique, Panay, Palawan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Zambales. JE
‘I screamed in terror’ when US bombs fell on my hospital
TAGS: America, Ash Carter, Balikatan, Balikatan exercises, China, Defense, Maritime, Maritime Dispute, South China Sea, US
‘Wrong account’: Iza Calzado gets caught in the midst of JaDine breakup
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GAMBLING TYCOON ON THE LAM
Duterte sets terms for Jack Lam’s return
By: Aie Balagtas See, Jerome Aning, Leila B. Salaverria - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:00 AM December 09, 2016
Macau-based gambling tycoon Jack Lam (left), is shown in this 2006 photo with then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as he presented a scale model of his P2.5-billion Fontana Leisure Parks project. Lam has reportedly left the country forHong Kong. —INQUIRER PHOTO
President Duterte on Thursday said he was open to the return of gambling tycoon Jack Lam to the Philippines if he pays his back taxes and agrees to a renegotiation of his contract with the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. that had him remitting only one percent of his revenue to the government.
Mr. Duterte said Lam has sent surrender feelers even as he raised concern about the fate of the 6,000 Filipinos who stand to lose their jobs if his Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino at Clark Freeport closes down.
Lam also promised to settle his obligations to the government.
Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Thursday said he informed the President that an emissary from Lam relayed the Macau-based businessman’s desire to surrender.
“If he’s agreeable to the renegotiation and apologizes for offering something—that’s bribery—it’s OK with me because he’s offered to come back, resume his business, pay his taxes, liability, whatever it is,” the President said.
Mr. Duterte earlier ordered the arrest of Lam for bribery and economic sabotage. No formal charges have been filed.
Lam had already left the country after Mr. Duterte ordered his arrest for allegedly bribing Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for the release of about 1,000 Chinese nationals arrested by immigration enforces last Nov. 24 for operating an illegal gambing facility in Clark Freeport, Pampanga.
The bribe was relayed to Aguirre through a retired police official, Wally Sombero, who met with the secretary in Taguig City last Nov. 26.
Sombero and Lam’s lawyer Raymond Fortun have denied the allegations.
Sombero surfaced at the National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday. Wearing a cap and a mask to cover his face, he was questioned at the office of NBI director Dante Gierran until Thursday evening. He declined to talk to the media.
Int’l think tank hails Comelec for May polls
TAGS: Duterte, Gambling Tycoon, Jack Lam, Pagcor, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., President Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte
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Between 2013 and 2016, 49 participating change-makers from 17 countries and 5 continents launched 25+ team and individual prototype initiatives in Wellbeing/Beyond GDP.
Global Wellbeing Lab 2.0 participants with Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis
Introduction to the Global Wellbeing Lab 2.0
The Global Wellbeing Lab is an action-learning platform, co-founded by the GIZ Global Leadership Academy (GLAC) [1] (Germany), the Presencing Institute (Cambridge, MA), and the Gross National Happiness Centre (Bhutan) to advance new ways of generating and measuring wellbeing at multiple levels in society.
Started in 2013 with a cohort of 24 participants, the 2015-2016 Lab (Lab 2.0) convened a second cohort of 25 change-makers from all three major sectors of society and seven geographic regions around the world[2]. The group embarked on an innovation journey that unfolded in four phases: a co-initiation meeting in Berlin, self-organized regional learning journeys in either South Africa, Sweden, Brazil, Costa Rica, USA or Vietnam, a deep dive immersion journey in Bhutan, and a concluding workshop in Costa Rica.
This report documents the emerging results of the Lab, as well as the overall structure of the Lab itself. We hope it will be a valuable resource for our partners, networks, and the many practitioners around the world who are developing similar labs in their own local contexts.
The Evolution of the Global Wellbeing Lab (GWL)
We launched the first Global Wellbeing Lab in early 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was one of three pilot dialogue processes that GLAC conducted with different partners between 2012-2014 to develop new ways of strengthening leadership and innovation capacities to address global issues.
The cooperation between the Presencing Institute, GNH Center Bhutan and the Global Leadership Academy from GIZ in itself is a new way of forming alliances across sectors and continents. The highly trustful relationship that developed over the years was key for our joint implementation and learning.
Global Wellbeing Lab founding partners selected a group of 24 innovators from eight countries who embarked on learning journeys in Brazil and Bhutan. A full report on the Lab 1.0 process, participants, and initial outcomes is available here. The same report also includes a description of how the lab was initially formed, which may be of interest to readers who are just learning about the Global Wellbeing Lab.
Photos from the first Global Wellbeing Lab
In the years since we first launched, we learned a few important lessons about Lab design and outcomes:
The most significant impacts happened on a delay (after the lab formally ends).
The most successful prototypes involved regional rather than global collaboration.
The projects that succeeded and evolved were aligned with – rather than in addition to – participants’ core areas of responsibility back home.
A few examples that illustrate these three insights include the evolution of the GNH Centre in Bhutan, which began to flourish in 2015, conducting four international programs and three national programs[3]. The impulse for the WE-Africa Lab on Building Wellbeing Economies for Africa starting in November 2016 and reaching until 2017 was sparked in Lab 2.0. In North America, Michelle Long (Lab 1.0) convened the Global Wellbeing in Business Lab using a process inspired by our Lab, while Eileen Fisher (Lab 1.0) began pioneering a new approach to wellbeing within her retail clothing company and its supply chain.
With these lessons in mind, we felt a second lab, with a new cohort of participants and an evolved methodology based on what we learned from the first lab, could grow and strengthen the networks and broaden the impacts of early stage prototype projects. In early 2015, we launched Lab 2.0 and took a second cohort of participants through a yearlong innovation process during which each person took part in the following activities:
February 2015 – Launch Workshop (Berlin, Germany)
April 2015 – Regional Learning Journeys (cohorts went on a learning journey in their own region. Regions included Brazil, Costa Rica, South Africa, USA, Europe, Bhutan and Vietnam)
May 2015 – Retreat Workshop for Prototyping Strategy (Bhutan)
June 2015 – March 2016 – Evolution of prototyping initiatives. Ideas are explored, refocused and implemented as multi-local activities.
April 2016 – Concluding Workshop (San Jose, Costa Rica). Prototypes showcased and documented; next phase plans developed.
During Lab 1.0 we learned that strong regional clusters were more likely to make a decisive contribution to institutional/systemic impact in their home context. In Lab 2.0, therefore, we made a stronger effort during the selection process to form regional cohorts of participants. As we’ll explain throughout this report, this seems to have contributed to the success of many prototype initiatives in Lab 2.0.
In choosing the 25 participants for Lab 2.0, we looked for individuals with specific expertise while also maintaining a diverse overall group composition – especially geographic, industry, and cultural diversity. We looked for candidates within our existing networks (including the Lab 1.0 participants’ networks) who:
Had developed relevant expertise in the field of wellbeing and/or sustainability.
Held leadership roles in major innovation projects in their respective contexts.
Shared a passion for taking existing projects or new ones to the next level and were willing to explore different perspectives.
Had reflected on their own work and were willing to take an open-minded approach to learning more about themselves and others.
Would be able to make a decisive contribution to institutional and systemic change in their home context.
We paid particular attention to two key aspects of each person’s experience:
Aspiration Gap: they wanted to do more than what they currently were able to (they experienced a gap – frustration or intention – between their current reality and their aspiration for the future).
Possibility: they could make things happen (especially if they made the right connections, were in an environment that’s open to innovation, took time for reflection and were willing to bring inner transformation processes into the social processes).
Some of the organizations and countries represented in Lab 2.0 were the Sao Paulo City Council (Brazil), Google (Ireland), Kaiser Permanente (USA), and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust (South Africa). A full list of participants and their organizations can be found in the appendix.
Here are some of the participants talking about why they joined the Lab:
Alfred Tolle, (formerly) Google:
Lorenzo Fioramonti, University of Pretoria:
Leadership and Innovation Labs
The Global Wellbeing Lab utilized a dedicated social laboratory approach. In social change work today, there is a growing recognition that just as we have scientific and technical labs to address our scientific and technical challenges, we need social labs to address our socio-economic and political challenges.
Core to the social lab approach is the recognition of the increasingly complex, dynamic and inter-related nature of today’s socio-economic and political challenges for which no stakeholder alone is capable of developing appropriate responses. We can no longer rely on a small group of experts to develop solutions for entire social systems. The Global Wellbeing Lab applied a Leadership and Innovation Lab practice that was developed by the Global Leadership Academy together with key cooperation partners such as the Presencing Institute and the GNH Centre. This practice is deeply rooted in a dialogical understanding of systemic change and combines (inner) leadership work with innovation practices.
Three key characteristics underpin the nature of social labs in our view[4]:
Social Labs are social – they bring key change agents with diverse perspectives from different stakeholder groups into a conversation around a shared challenge.
Social Labs are experimental – they are tackling challenges for which solutions do not yet exist. In an iterative approach, Lab participants bring their own respective knowledge into the lab space to jointly learn from each other and develop possible solutions for the chosen challenge(s).
Social Labs are action-oriented – they are geared to enable change. The objective is to go beyond a change of perspectives and the development of ideas, to actively implementing possible solutions to the chosen challenge.
From our experience of this Global Wellbeing Lab 2.0, and many other leadership labs facilitated by GLAC, we believe that bringing together people from diverse perspectives and creating an open atmosphere for deep listening and generative dialogue is the precondition for transformational change in complex situations.
The Lab was designed on the principles of Theory U – an innovation process that individuals and groups can use to suspend habitual ways of paying attention, access deeper sources of knowing, and explore the future they want to create through rapid-cycle prototyping. Developed by Lab co-facilitator Otto Scharmer along with colleagues at MIT, Theory U has been field-tested in multi-stakeholder innovation processes around the world over the past two decades.
One way the U process differs from other innovation processes is in its emphasis on co-sensing. Co-sensing helps us connect with and tune in to the contexts that matter; moving into a state of seeing in which the boundary between observer and observed begins to collapse and in which the system begins to see itself.
One of the key U-based methods we use in the Lab is learning journeys (sometimes called sensing journeys). A learning journey is a deep-dive immersion into places that have the potential to teach us about the emerging future. To prepare for learning journeys, participants are coached to not only look for innovative solutions, but also pay particular attention to the way they are paying attention: to look for information that disconfirms their own expectations and to interact with the key innovators and stakeholders in that community with an open mind and open heart. We will describe the specific learning journeys in more detail below.
Berlin – February 2015
In February 2015, we hosted a three-day event that served to bring Lab 1.0 to a close, and to launch Lab 2.0. The first day was a closing event for Lab 1.0 participants only, to reflect together on how their personal and organizational journeys had evolved since they first met two years earlier in Brazil.
What stood out from these conversations was the depth and importance of the relationships that had formed between participants. Many spoke about the resistance they had faced in bringing a new economic paradigm into the world, and the importance of the deep, trusting, supportive relationships they developed with other Lab participants as a key condition that helped them achieve impact in spite of such resistance.
Here are some of the Lab 1.0 in their own words:
On the second day, Lab 2.0 participants arrived – and a number of Lab 1.0 participants stayed on to meet them. The deep conversation that had taken place on day 1 was something Lab 2.0 participants could feel upon arrival. Many expressed a sense of ease, familiarity, and trust with others whom they had never previously met.
The kickoff workshop for Lab 2.0 served a variety of purposes. One was to map our collective resources and networks, in order to make visible to everyone what we have access to through the people, their expertise, and networks assembled in the room. A second was to build relationships amongst participants: to connect and share deeper into each other’s life stories and sense of purpose.
Here are some participant reflections after the Berlin workshop:
David Bullon (Costa Rica):
Louise van Rhyn (South Africa):
Tashi Wangchuk (Bhutan):
A third purpose was that each regional cluster was given the task of choosing a location for a regional learning journey. Therefore, a significant part of our time together on the second day was devoted to discussing what a learning journey is, why we do it, then splitting into small groups to discuss: What kind of learning journey am I interested in? What could be possibilities for a learning journey in my regional cluster? The plans that emerged evolved over the following weeks, and took shape as the regional learning journeys outlined below.
Regional Sensing Journeys – March to April 2015
In March and April 2015, Lab participants went on self-organized learning journeys in one of the six regions: South Africa, Costa Rica, Brazil, USA, Vietnam, and Europe. Each group decided what aspect of wellbeing they wanted to explore, and identified hotspots of innovation in their own region they could visit to connect with key innovators, see and feel these people’s realities, and experience emerging solutions that could improve wellbeing for all stakeholders in a given context. Here are a few examples of what the groups experienced during their learning journeys:
The North America cohort chose to explore two key issues shaping the future of the United States: income inequality and the various racial and structural issues. The Bronx became an obvious choice. Read more about the Bronx learning journey here.
The South African group’s visit was designed to uncover evidence of Ubuntu, a Nguni word conveying a worldview that recognizes the essential interconnected humanity that underlies all we are and do. Read more about the South Africa learning journey here.
Vietnamese and Bhutanese participants took a learning journey into hot spots of innovation in Vietnam, including rooftop gardens, the workshop of a social entrepreneur who makes bamboo bicycles, an intentional community that includes children with disabilities, and more. Read about the Vietnam learning journey here.
European participants visited Malmö, Sweden’s third city, just across the Øresund from Denmark’s capital Copenhagen, where they met a variety of people and organizations working for social change in the city. Read more about the European learning journey here.
The Costa Rican sensing journey began with an informal conversation with the President of Costa Rica, and continued the following day to include various encounters with inspiring local innovators – from Christian Marin, a molecular biologist working on the molecule that causes cancer, to Juan Carlos Martí and Casa Tropika, an international award-winning 100% solar-tech house. The sensing journey included Marcelo Cardoso, one of the Lab 1.0 participants from Brazil, thereby strengthening the ties between the two labs. The group explored technological advancement in service of Costa Rica’s development, sandwiching a top down – bottom up approach.
In Brazil, all three Lab 2.0 participants plus two Lab 1.0 participants and a few others who wished to support the Lab locally, travelled by bus to the sprawling favela of Campo Limpo/Capāo Redondo, Sao Paulo. They visited the founding-president (Neide Abatti) and staff of Banco Uniāo Sampaio, a women’s union and community bank with its own local currency, and talked with some of the shopkeepers who trade, very successfully, with this currency. Then we went on to Capāo Cidadāo, a multi-faceted community-based development project founded by a local resident, Paulo Magrāo, that includes a ballet school, a kitchen/restaurant/catering service run by local women that focuses on Brazilian traditional food, and an eco-garden. All the visits were examples of wellbeing driven from the grassroots – where the community has tapped into its own creativity, agency and innovative resources in order to serve the wellbeing and human dignity of all. See photos from the Brazil learning journey here.
Here is Lab participant Dang Giang talking about the importance of learning (sensing) journeys:
Bhutan – May 2015
We met again as a whole group in Bhutan in early May 2015 for a week-long learning journey together, exploring Gross National Happiness (GNH) as one local adaption of a new development paradigm and collaboratively evolving various prototype initiatives.
On the arrival day, we sat together in a circle, overlooking green hillsides and snowy mountaintops, for a check-in conversation to share what had happened for each of us personally since Berlin. The following morning, each regional learning journey group shared where they went, whom they met, and what insights and ideas emerged. After lunch, we visited the Kichu temple – just down the road from our hotel – to understand the role of spirituality and culture in Bhutan’s approach to Gross National Happiness. The temple visit was short, however, as we had an important guest arriving for the remainder of the afternoon and evening.
In the late afternoon, we welcomed the Honorable Jigme Y. Thinley, former Prime Minister of Bhutan, who shared an overview of GNH and gave his insights into the current moment of transformation globally. After dinner, we gathered for a fireside chat between the Prime Minister and Otto, where topics ranged from the potential for implementing new development paradigms globally to the challenges of doing so in Bhutan.
The following day, we took a bus into the capital city of Thimphu. An inspiring panel discussion in the morning concluded abruptly when the hotel, in whose basement we were meeting, started to shake. Most of us quickly rushed out of the building, the memory of a powerful recent earthquake in nearby Nepal fresh in our minds. Not everyone, however, saw reason to evacuate. Lab co-facilitator Julia Kim, who was hosting the final panel, later recounted how one of the Bhutanese monks on her panel stayed right in his seat as the room shook, and with a grin, proclaimed the tremor “very auspicious!”
Regrouping in the afternoon, we split into smaller teams to visit various organizations in the city and explore the challenges and opportunities of applying GNH at the local level. The places participants visited ranged from a local school, the office of an elected official who is not a strong proponent of GNH, a local recycling facility started by Lab 1.0 participant Karma Yonten, and a local hospital that works with traditional medicine. We returned to the hotel in the evening, and concluded the day with a sense-making circle to share what insights we gained from these experiences.
The following day was designed for personal reflection – an opportunity to explore what was emerging for each person individually, to connect or reconnect with our deeper sources of inspiration and purpose. Bhutan is a unique and remarkable land for such exploration, and the location we chose for solo time is one of the most inspiring one can find: Tiger’s Nest, a monastery built into the side of a mountain, surrounded by green hills.
“I’ve been completely surprised by what happened as a result of Bhutan in a way that I still don’t have the language or words to understand. Surprised by what happens when you participate in a process bigger than yourself and how you lead differently. I’m personally as a individual, as a practitioner, very different than I was before we started this journey” – Louise van Rhyn
Read more about the Bhutan learning journey here.
The final two days were devoted to crystallizing intention into action, early stage prototyping, and establishing next steps. At the conclusion of the Bhutan journey, seeds had been planted for the following seven prototype projects:
Bambootan: Bike to Happiness (Cross-regional)– bringing together bamboo bikes made in Vietnam, equipping them with electric motors made in Bhutan, and prototyping them in Thimphu.
A Flourishing South Africa– reawakening Ubuntu, revitalizing Vision 2030, and a wellbeing lab for South Africa.
Deepening Wellbeing at Eileen Fisher Inc(North America) – creating a new paradigm of wellbeing at Eileen Fisher Inc, with GNH as a reference point; to be achieved through individual, organizational, and societal transformation.
Towards an Ecosystem of Civic Learning(Europe) – contributing to a ”Civic Learning Ecosystem”, based on broader social and environmental values, such as those included in the GNH concept.
Global Wellbeing Lab Network(Cross-regional) – developing, organizing, coordinating and communicating the work of the Global Wellbeing Lab network.
WE 7 (Wellbeing Economies)(Cross-regional) – an alliance of the world’s leading wellbeing economies.
Pura Vida 2.0(Costa Rica) – revitalize the deeper underlying values of the country’s well-known saying, Pura Vida (“pure life”)
Some prototypes continued to evolve, as you will read below, while others spun off into new forms.
Costa Rica – April 2016
In April 2016, Lab 2.0 participants met in Costa Rica for a closing session during which we not only explored emerging prototype initiatives, but also experimented with ways the Lab could inform and inspire others through public events and workshops.
The Costa Rican lab participants organized a pre-immersion program to explore the opportunities, challenges, successes and contradictions of creating wellbeing in the capital city of San Jose. On a Saturday morning, we visited a popular outdoor market with local food vendors, farmers, and artisans. Just behind the market, our hosts showed us a small river that was polluted – one of many such examples in the city. Restoring and revitalizing city waterways is a major ongoing challenge in San Jose.
The pre-immersion journey also included a visit to a community center in one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, where a group of volunteers had started a vibrant place for local kids to come and learn music, journalism, martial arts and much more. The center attracts volunteers from prominent organizations around the city, and is an inspiring example of how entrepreneurship, passion, and the arts can combine to create change in difficult circumstances. The pre-immersion group also ventured out of the city to see some of Costa Rica’s renowned forests and meet some of the farmers and activists who work to preserve and maintain them.
While it had been presented as optional, the pre-immersion journey turned out to be a powerful experience for those who attended and in the future, we would recommend building this into the beginning of the full program.
When the full Lab group arrived in Costa Rica, we started with a check-in conversation around the questions: What’s been emerging in this field of wellbeing since we met in Bhutan? What is giving you hope? Concern? There was a common feeling that the world was “at a crossroads”, “a very contrasted picture”, and experiencing a time of “transition”. This opening was followed by sharing from prototyping groups and everybody individually about the work that had been done since Bhutan.
On the first afternoon, we had the honor of meeting Costa Rican President Solis for a conversation at his office about wellbeing in Costa Rica, and to learn more about his and the country’s philosophy and policy approach to improving it.
The following day, we held a marketplace where participants had the opportunity to share emerging ideas from their own work context around wellbeing and to explore continued collaborations with others in the group in the months ahead. Building on this and the reflections of the day before, looked at the emerging landscape of projects, impacts and areas of influence the group had generated collectively. The key highlights shared during this time are listed in the following section.
Our time in Costa Rica concluded with a two-day public workshop, co-hosted by Costa Rican Lab participants and local changemakers, for a group of 120+ social entrepreneurs, business, and government leaders from San Jose around the topic of Collective Leadership for the Future of Costa Rica. As part of the workshop, we took the entire group on a mini-learning journey into the city center, where they were invited to meet and get to know someone in the city who might be very different from themselves. For many, it was an eye-opening experience. A number of participants said they typically avoid spending time in the city, so to see it from other people’s perspectives and imagine what it could become (rather than seeing only what they feel is wrong with it) left many with a strong desire to become re-engaged in actively shaping the future of San Jose and Costa Rica.
Here is a short film that shows some highlights from the public workshop.
For the Lab, this public workshop suggested an interesting possible direction for the future: using the knowledge and experience of the global participants as a resource and inspiration for local change makers – a direction we may explore as we consider how the Global Wellbeing Lab could continue to evolve in the years ahead.
Summary of Impacts and Outcomes
There are at least five categories of outcomes that emerged from the Lab:
New organizational initiatives
Spinoffs from the process of prototyping new initiatives
Replicating elements of the Lab locally
New directions personally or organizationally
Influence in one’s extended networks
1. Initiatives
Efforts that emerged from the initial “prototyping” stage of the U process
Eileen Fisher Inc., a leading innovator in women’s clothing, was inspired by the Lab participation of the founder Eileen Fisher and five colleagues to aim for 100% sustainability by 2020 and, in the longer term, to transform the entire fashion industry (one of the planet’s highest-polluting industries). The company is now a triple bottom line company, setting not just financial targets, but environmental and internal/external social targets as well. They are currently in the process of strategic planning work related to these and in January 2016 received their B-Corp certification.
In Kaiser Permanente (2015 = $64B), the leading US integrated health system, Tyler Norris was inspired by the lab to deepen the organizations’ ‘anchor institution’ strategy for increasing its social value by more fully leveraging its operational assets to impact the economic, social and environmental drivers of health and equitable prosperity. Read more here.
Lorenzo Fioramonti, Mary-Jane Morifi, and Louise van Rhyn have helped re-ignite interest and action around Vision 2030, and citizen dialogues around the South Africa we want to live in. Vision 2030 has acted as a unifying force for different social change groups working together which is making it easier to collaborate across boundaries. At least 1,200 people have been impacted by this commitment to Vision 2030. Lab participant Louise van Rhyn and colleagues have run a series ofBusiness in Education forums linking their work to Vision 2030 as well the SDGs – efforts they say would not have happened without the Lab.
WE Africa Lab on Building Wellbeing Economies in Africa is launching in November Jointly convened by Lab-participant Lorenzo Fioramonti (Institute for Governance Innovation, University of Pretoria), African Center for a Green Economy and GLAC, this new Lab will bring together 27 participants from 6 African countries over the course of one year to explore alternative development paradigms for Africa.
Inspired by the Lab, a participant from Sweden changed positions and is now heading a refugee camp, supporting 200+ refugees and 50-60 volunteers. In his work, he is initiating new ways to more quickly integrate refugees in the community.
Launch of 360 Innovation in Costa Rica, reached 500 people in kickoff, turned attention to positive stories of change, influenced the ministry.
Wellbeing Economies 7 (WE7): a group of participants continues to work towards an international coalition of countries and organizations advocating for a new development paradigm.
2. Spinoffs
Initiatives that “spun off” in a different direction from a lab participant’s original prototyping work.
Renting a minivan from a hotel with the goal of starting a conversation around public transit, Giang’s organization prototyped a city bus system. After a prototype in the Lab that didn’t actually work out (electric bamboo bikes), she nonetheless felt “empowered to change the transportation system”.
The original prototype idea after Bhutan, which was to build bamboo bikes in Vietnam and equip them with electric motors in Bhutan (called Bambootan) didn’t work, but the Vietnamese craftsman who makes the bamboo bikes is himself flourishing. He’s now not only making bamboo bikes, but electric bamboo cars!
“Our prototype as a group didn’t materialize but the spirit of innovation is still going in the community without our participation.” – Dang Giang
3. Replicating Lab Elements Locally
Initiatives in which Lab participants used the methods or practices they learned through the lab to facilitate change in their own local context.
In 2015, the launch of the GNH in Business Lab in Oakland, California – created by Lab 1.0 participant Michelle Long, replicating the Lab process locally (both an initiative and an example of local replication).
Ricardo Young is currently running for Mayor of Sao Paulo, and is integrating the Lab’s approach to dialogue as a movement building strategy in his campaign. The process for doing this emerged from a small-group conversation during the Costa Rica gathering.
Launch of the wellbeing economies initiative at the urban level in Sweden, attributed directly to the inspiration that came from visiting Bhutan to experience Gross National Happiness.
Launch of the Wellbeing Economies in Africa Lab in November 2016 in Cape Town, a cooperation of Lab participant Lorenzo Fioramonti and the Global Leadership Academy with the African Center for a Green Economy and the Wellbeing Economies in Africa Network.
4. New Directions
Initiatives that emerged from the prototyping phase, which were different from the participants’ originally stated or intended prototype.
Inspired by the Lab to better understand the real needs in her organization, Giang’s non-profit stopped looking for grant funding and instead began spending a portion of their time daily working as organic farmers, to produce their own livelihood.
Launched a Youth Leadership initiative
5. Influence in extended networks
Kaiser Permanente, a healthcare network that includes 11 million members, 28 labor unions, 30 healthcare orgs, is sharing and learning from the Lab process and participants with other leading health care organizations in the US
“How do we as an anchor institution use our $16B in annual procurement to drive change? Our procurement folks started with the premise of saying we can save a few percent by buying more via national contracts, but now they’re lighting up around the possibility of localizing our spend, and help spin the economic flywheel of green jobs and equitable wealth creation in the communities where we provide care services.” – Tyler Norris
Collaboration between BALLE and Kaiser Permanente on the “Social Determinants of Health” white paper.
Lab 2.0 participant Nipun Mehta was appointed to President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, where he has shared insights from the Lab.
Influence of Nipun and the ServiceSpace approach to the Gift Economy. For example, a Karma Kitchen was established in Vietnam.
Bhutan:
Ha Vinh Tho and Julia Kim together with the GNH Centre Bhutan, are helping one of the leading business conglomerates in Thailand to bring GNH values, principles and measures into the business, and to launch a new GNH Centre in Thailand. There will be ongoing sharing of experience with the Eileen Fisher team.
International GNH Centres are also being started in a range of countries around the world. They will be affiliated with the GNH Centre Bhutan, and many are already connected to the extended networks of the Labs
A GNH Training of Trainers Program is being launched as a collaboration between the GNH Centre Bhutan and Schumacher College, UK and will include many of the methods and approaches of the Global Wellbeing Labs
Working with the Copenhagen municipality to re-use many of the 12,000 bikes they collect from the streets every year.
Working with 200 families in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to develop sustainable low-income housing. This began as a prototype by the Brazilian lab participants, and while they haven’t all continued to be directly involved, others in their networks have.
As of this writing, the Lab co-founders are exploring various possible ways the Lab could grow and evolve in the years ahead. If it is to continue, one aspiration is to reduce the high costs and travel requirements of the current structure by continuing the shift toward a more regionalized structure. We are also exploring ways of leveraging digital technology – especially online-to-offline platforms like the MITx u.lab MOOC – for delivering content that organized groups can study and methods they can practice locally. At the same time, as our experience above suggests, there is something seemingly irreplaceable about visiting a place like Bhutan. So we are continuing to explore options and stay open to what’s needed in the wider field of wellbeing now.
Impact Example – Eileen Fisher
In 2013, Eileen Fisher, founder and chairwoman of Eileen Fisher Inc., a women’s clothing brand in the United States, participated in Lab 1.0. “Before the trip,” Eileen said, “I knew I wanted to change something within my company. I just wasn’t exactly sure what or how. The experience in Bhutan made me think about the true sources of individual creativity and its role in business, as well as about the role of business in society.”
Eileen teamed up with another participant from the Lab, Marcelo Cardoso, then a Senior Vice President in Natura, a Brazil-based leader in corporate sustainability, who helped her and the company to embark on a new journey of transformation, one that focuses on using personal transformation as a gateway to institutional and systems transformation.
At the beginning of their journey they focused on individual transformation and on exploring different approaches to transformation and change. For example, at Eileen Fisher, each team meeting starts with a moment of silence in order to focus on what’s essential. Later in the journey they involved many stakeholders to re-imagine the purpose and vision of the company, linking it essentially to the wellbeing of its members and the whole. From there they started to reframe the company’s strategy and structure by making the wellbeing of the entire eco-system more central to the business practices.
Lab 2.0 participants Kevin Cooke and Regina Reyes continued the work Eileen started in Lab 1.0. With their leadership, the company is now developing a decision-making tool that will help stakeholders inside the company begin to think holistically about profit, planet & people in their day to day. According to Regina, “internal wellbeing has been a major focus for us, inspired by GNH and our lab work. This was the prototype that Kevin & I developed. We are committed to measuring and improving our internal community’s overall wellbeing. This internal wellbeing metric will fold into our company’s balanced score-card.”
The company is becoming a Certified B Corporation, thereby committing to a Triple Bottom Line philosophy within which, employee wellbeing became one of four Key Performance Indicators, along with eco-materials, supply chain fair wages and overall revenues/profitability. This model affirmed the company’s bold environmental and social goals for the year 2020 and beyond whereby Eileen committed to engaging with suppliers, brands and other stakeholders within the fashion industry for industry-wide transformation.
Lab 2.0 Participants and Team
Adrián García
Co-founder and Partner, Carao Ventures
Alfred Tolle
Consultant, (formerly) Google Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
Allison M. Pajotte
Executive Director, Lifesupport Caribbean
Alexander Frederiksen
Co-founder, Cykelven and Donkey Republic
Dang Huong Giang
Founder, Action for the City
Daniel Izzo
Executive Director and Co-Founder, Vox Capital
David Bullón
Director of Innovation, Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications
Dorji Thinley
Director of Research and External Relations, Royal University of Bhutan (RUB)
Fredrik Björk
Lecturer in Environmental Studies, Malmö University
Glenn Bravo
Advisor to the President
Gregor Henderson
Director of Wellbeing and Public Mental Health, Public Health England
Hang Mai
Founder and CEO, Xanh
James D. Gundell
Co-chief Operating Officer & Facilitating Leader, Eileen Fisher, Inc.
Kevin Cooke
Eileen Fisher Inc.
Lorenzo Fioramonti
Professor of Political Economy, University of Pretoria
Louise van Rhyn
CEO and Founder, Symphonia
Nipun Mehta
Founder, ServiceSpace
Mary-Jane Morifi
Global Capital Campaign Lead, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust
Pedro Paulo F. dos Santos Diniz
Founder and CEO, Fazenda de Toca
Phan To Trinh
Co-director, Peaceful Bamboo Family
Regina Reyes
Facilitating Leader of Wholesale Planning and Operations, Eileen Fisher, Inc.
Ricardo Young
São Paulo City Councilor
Robert Axelsson
Chairman of the Board, Sustainable Bergslagen
Tashi Wangchuk, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Thunder Motors Electric Vehicles
Tyler Norris
Vice President Total Health Partnerships, Kaiser Permanente
Presencing Institute / MIT
HaVinh Tho
Program Director, GNH Centre
Julia Kim
Presencing Institute
David Winter (formerly Graf)
Global Leadership Academy, GIZ
Adam Yukelson
[1] Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
[2] Three sectors: business, government, civil society. Seven geographic regions: South Africa, Brazil, Costa Rica, the U.S., Europe, Bhutan, and Vietnam
[3] http://www.gnhcentrebhutan.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Annual-Report-2015.pdf
[4] Compare Zaid Hassan 2014: The Social Lab Revolution
hello, I am a current online u lab participant in Scotland. I would like to know more about how the Eileen Fisher organisation have developed, and use their internal wellbeing metric. Who could I contact for that? Many thanks Johanna
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FBI covers up details in document release on San Bernardino shooter iPhone hack
The FBI has released 100 pages of heavily censored documents related to its agreement with an unidentified vendor to hack into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino, California, shooters, but it did not identify whom it paid to perform the work or how much it cost.
The records were provided Friday in response to a federal lawsuit filed against the FBI by The Associated Press, Vice Media and Gannett, the parent company of USA Today.
The media organizations sued in September to learn how much the FBI paid and who it hired to break into the phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, who along with his wife killed 14 people at a holiday gathering of county workers in December 2015. The FBI for weeks had maintained that only Apple Inc. could access the information on its phone, which was protected by encryption, but ultimately broke or bypassed Apple’s digital locks with the help of an unnamed third party.
The FBI, in its records release Friday, censored critical details that would have shown how much the FBI paid, whom it hired and how it opened the phone. The files had been marked “secret” before they were turned over under the lawsuit.
The files make clear that the FBI signed a nondisclosure agreement with the vendor. The records also show that the FBI received at least three inquiries from companies interested in developing a product to unlock the phone, but none had the ability to come up with a solution fast enough for the FBI.
The FBI also said in contracting documents that it did not solicit competing bids or proposals because it thought widely disclosing the bureau’s needs could harm national security.
The lawsuit was filed months after the FBI’s sudden announcement in March that it had purchased a tool from an unidentified third party to open Farook’s phone. The disclosure aborted a court fight that began when a federal judge had directed Apple to help the FBI break into the phone.
The suit by the media organizations argued there was no legal basis to withhold the information and challenged the adequacy of the FBI’s search for relevant records. It also said the public had a right to know whether the vendor has adequate security measures, is a proper recipient of government funds and will act only in the public interest.
In refusing to provide the records, the FBI said the records had been compiled for law enforcement purposes and might interfere with ongoing enforcement proceedings, even though at the time the shooters were both dead and there were no indications others were involved.
It was the third lawsuit the AP has filed against the Obama administration under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
NSA hacking tool hits dozens of nations in coordinated Ransomeware attack
World’s top spy agencies hold secret Five Eyes meeting in New Zealand
WikiLeaks’ “Dark Matter” release exposes CIA hacking of Apple devices
Americans believe WikiLeaks and Assange more than FBI, CIA and Obama
Think Like a Hacker to Secure Your Network
Yahoo gets hacked, 1 billion user account details stolen
FBI sent planeload of agents to frame WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange in Iceland
US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper resigns, lied under oath
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Post-Tohoku Earthquake Japan: Is It Safe For Tourists?
EUGENIA LIEW May 31, 2017 One Comment
Update: JR East’s POKEMON with YOU joyful trains get yet another makeover this July! This time, the cartoon trains feature only Pikachu, the main mascot of the anime series.
Radiation readings updated as of 1 December 2017.
Images from JR East.
It’s been six years since the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station meltdown. Is Japan safe for children, pregnant women, and tourists in general?
Often referred to as the Great East Japan Earthquake, the magnitude-9.1 Tohoku earthquake that struck Japan in 2011 is one the world’s most devastating natural disasters of all time. The strike killed 15,800 people, displaced thousands, and was followed by over 5,000 aftershocks. The tsunami (which resulted from the quake) inundated the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, releasing dangerously high levels of radioactive materials.The reco very efforts are still a work in progress, and even today, a 20km exclusion zone remains around the plant. The level 7 nuclear meltdown has been an expensive mess to clear, too—over US$ 300 billion has been spent. As expected, this hit Japan’s tourism industry very hard as well.
Image credit: Steven L. Herman [Public domain]
RELATED: Get UNLIMITED 4G high speed internet with ChangiWiFi for as low as $5/day*!
Radiation Levels in Japan
Since the big clean up in 2011 to 2012, the radiation levels at the cities have remained at safe levels. But in February this year, Fukushima made headlines again when a robot probe found the levels within the power plant’s No.2 reactor hit 530 sieverts—some seven times the previous high of 73 sieverts. To put this in perspective, radiation doses are typically measured in microsieverts (one-thousandth of a sievert) and the reading in Singapore is 0.1 microsievert per hour (NEA, as of 1 Dec 2017, 4pm).
Understandably, this has shaken some tourists, giving rise to cases of trip cancellations and the likes.
Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Station. (Fukushima, Japan)
Photo Credit: Tokyo Electric Power Co., TEPCO
Currently No Cause For Alarm
Thankfully, these concerning levels are contained in the disaster-hit site. According to Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), the radiation has not leaked from the reactor, and thus will not affect those in the rest of Japan (the plant is a good 220km away from Tokyo). Additionally, the new recording was taken at the deepest spot within the reactor, explaining the significantly higher reading.
Here are the latest readings*:
(microsievert (µSv)/hour)
* 1 Dec 2017
Distance from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant (km)
Hokkaido (Sapporo)
Tokyo (Shinjuku)
Fukushima city
* public areas
For reference, Singapore’s reading is 0.1 microsievert per hour (as of 1 Dec 2017, 4pm).
RELATED: Discounted Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, Fuji-Q Highland, and Japan Rail Pass!
Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has not issued any travel advisory. However, if you have planned a trip to Japan, you are encouraged to register your travels with MFA in the case of any emergency.
So don’t let this stop you from visiting Japan!
Here are the top 5 myths about radiation, debunked:
1. The food in Japan is contaminated with radiation!
No, the food is safe to consume. Since 2012, Japan has set a new safety standard for the food sold within and exported out of the country. It is prohibited to circulate food detected with radiation above the standard.
2. The tap water in Japan is contaminated with radiation!
Likewise, the Japanese authorities have upped their monitoring of the radioactivity levels in the tap water. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan monitors the aqueduct regularly and has verified that it is safe for consumption.
3. The hot springs (onsen) are contaminated with radiation!
The onsen have been certified safe for public use. Do note, however, that some onsen sites have radiation levels that are naturally higher than average. They remain in the safe range, and are unlikely to have anything to do with the nuclear disaster.
4. Radiation is contagious!
You cannot contract any radiation-related symptoms or illnesses from being in contact with someone else who is affected. You will need to be exposed to a harmful radiation dose to be affected.
5. Japan is unsafe for pregnant women!
There have been no confirmed studies to suggest that the current levels of radiation in Japan will have any adverse effects on expecting mothers. Risks of permanent infertility only come into play if one is exposed to 2,500 to 6,000 microsieverts of radiation per year.
Pokemon With You, JR EAST Train – An Effort To Bring Smiles To Tohoku
Image credit: Mutimaro, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Japan Rail (JR) trains get a makeover with their Joyful Trains series. The Pokemon With You train is part of this fun series, and covers the Tohoku region. Made for the children living in and visiting Tohoku, it is furnished with Pokemon seats, toys, many interactive games and activities. Think giant Snorlax and Wailmer plushies, and fun board games.
Image credit: Google Street Maps
Tickets for this train are sold separately from the JR EAST Tohoku Pass, and can only be purchased in Japan. You can get your tickets from the JR EAST Travel Service Centers with your JR EAST Tohoku Pass.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely to provide reader with general tips and guidance for personal use. For the latest updates on the travel advisories and more, please check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA).
*Readings for Japan taken from Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Readings for Singapore taken from National Environment Agency (NEA).
Check out What is Flight Overbooking & How To Protect Yourself From It, “Cut Queue” For Free With Disneyland Fastpass, and Where To Try Omotesando Koffee Before It Opens In Singapore.
Ready to embark on your adventure?
Reserve your ChangiWiFi router for UNLIMITED internet 24-7, at as low as $5/day*. Beat the queue and book those attraction tickets and day tours with us—no frills, no fuss.
CategoriesTop Tips
Tagsfukushima, fukushima dachii nuclear power station, hokkaido, Japan, JR Pass, Kyoto, osaka, pokemon, radiation, safety, Tohoku, Tokyo, Train, travel advisory
A Slice of Heaven in Mui Ne, Vietnam
You Can Now “Book” the Wilderness of Sweden on Airbnb!
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Designing Services That Deliver
G. Lynn Shostack
From the January 1984 Issue
Considering the extent to which the service industry contributes to our GNP, very little has been said or written about the application of rational management techniques to the development of new services. Many believe that good service results from the style of an individual entrepreneur or company and is therefore highly idiosyncratic.
As a result of her years of experience with service organizations, Ms. Shostack thinks it’s time that managers subject service development to more rigorous analysis and control. This very pragmatic article describes how the use of a blueprint can help a service developer not only to identify problems before they happen but also to see the potential for other market opportunities. While the blueprint is most useful to managers developing new services, others can apply the same principles to test the quality of services for which they contract.
We’re all familiar with the symptoms of service failure. Your shirt comes back from the laundry with a broken button. Within a week of paying an outrageous repair bill, that ominous rattle reappears in your car’s engine. A customer service representative says he’ll get back to you and doesn’t. An automatic teller swallows your card.
Examples of poor service are widespread; in survey after survey, services top the list in terms of consumer dissatisfaction. Ideas like H&R Block’s approach to tax preparation, the McDonald’s formula for fast-food service, and Walt Disney’s concept of entertainment are so few and far between that they seem to be the product of genius—a brilliant flash that can never be duplicated.
Faced with service problems, we tend to become somewhat paranoid. Customers are convinced that someone is treating them badly; managers think that recalcitrant individual employees are the source of the malfunction. Thinly veiled threats by customers and managers are often first attempts to remedy the problem; if they fail, confrontation may result.
But these remedies obscure the basis for a lasting “cure.” Even though services fail because of human incompetence, drawing a bead on this target obscures the underlying cause: the lack of systematic method for design and control.
The development of a new service is usually characterized by trial and error. Developers translate a subjective description of a need into an operational concept that may bear only a remote resemblance to the original idea. No one systematically quantifies the process or devises tests to ensure that the service is complete, rational, and fulfills the original need objectively. No R&D departments, laboratories, or service engineers define and oversee the design. There is no way to ensure quality or uniformity in the absence of a detailed design. What piecemeal quality controls exist address only parts of the service.
There are several reasons for the lack of analytical service systems designs. Services are unusual in that they have impact, but no form. Like light, they can’t be physically stored or possessed and their consumption is often simultaneous with their production.
People confuse services with products and with good manners. But a service is not a physical object and cannot be possessed. When we buy the use of a hotel room, we take nothing away with us but the experience of the night’s stay. When we fly, we are transported by an airplane but we don’t own it. Although a consultant’s product may appear as a bound report, what the consumer bought was mental capability and knowledge, not paper and ink. A service is not a servant; it need not be rendered by a person. Even when people are the chosen means of execution, they are only part of the process.
Outstanding service companies instill in their managers a fanatical attachment to the original service idea. Believing that this product of genius is the only thing they have going for them, they try to maintain it with considerable precision. They bring in methods engineers to quantify and make existing components more efficient. They codify the process in volumes of policies and procedures. While the outline of a great service concept may be reflected in these tools, the procedures are only fragmented views of a more comprehensive, largely undocumented phenomenon. Good and lasting service management requires much more. Better service design provides the key to market success, and more important, to growth.
The operations side of service management often uses work flow design and control methods such as time-motion engineering, PERT/GANTT charting, and quality-control methods derived from the work of W. Edwards Deming. These procedures provide managers with a way to visualize a process and to define and manipulate it at arm’s length. What they miss is the consumer’s relationship to, and interaction with, services. They make no provision for people-rendered services that require judgment and a less mechanical approach. They don’t account for the service’s products that must be managed simultaneously with the process. And they don’t allow for special problems of market position, advertising, pricing, or distribution.
We can build on the strength of these operational systems, however, to come up with a more comprehensive and workable framework for addressing most issues of service development. We can devise a blueprint for service design that is nonsubjective and quantifiable, one which will allow developers to work out details ahead of time. Such a blueprint gives managers a context within which to deal with the management and control of the process.
Designing a Blueprint
A service blueprint allows a company to explore all the issues inherent in creating or managing a service. The process of designing a blueprint involves the consideration of several issues:
Identifying processes. The first step in creating such a blueprint is mapping the processes that constitute the service. Exhibit I maps a shoeshine parlor. As the service is simple and clear-cut, the map is straightforward. For more complex services, identifying and defining the processes involved may be difficult and result in a large, complicated diagram. Tax-return preparation or health care, for example, involves many decision points, alternative courses of action, and variable methodologies. Portfolio management, car repair, and even tailoring require contemplation and observation before diagramming.
Exhibit I Blueprint for a Corner Shoeshine
Even within the simplest process, further definition is beneficial; in shoeshining it might be useful to specify how the proprietor will perform the step called “buff.” Definition doesn’t mean you must mechanize all procedures. But identifying the components of a step or action reveals the inputs needed and steps covered, and permits analysis, control, and improvement. For example, a doctor or a lawyer would do well to break down the “problem diagnosis” step.
It is important to watch out for parts of the service that the consumer does not see, like purchasing of supplies. Though invisible, these processes are important because changing them may alter the way consumers perceive the service. If, for example, a bank redesigns a computer program so that it produces a different account statement for customers, the bank may affect its image or other consumer perceptions of value. These subprocesses are integral to the success of the service.
Isolating fail points. Having diagrammed the processes involved, the designer can now see where the system might go awry. The shoeshiner may pick up and apply the wrong color wax. So the designer must build in a subprocess to correct this possible error. The identification of fail points and the design of fail-safe processes are critical. The consequences of service failures can be greatly reduced by analyzing fail points at the design stage. When designers and managers think through potential problems together in advance, the quality of service execution is invariably higher.
Establishing time frame. After diagramming a service profile, identifying processes and vulnerabilities, and building in fail-safe measures, the designer must consider the execution.
Since all services depend on time, which is usually the major cost determinant, the designer should establish a standard execution time. As a blueprint is a model, the design should also allow for deviation from standard execution time under working conditions. The amount of latitude necessary in the time frame will depend on the complexity of the delivery.
In the shoeshine example, the standard execution time is two minutes. Research showed that the customer would tolerate up to five minutes of performance before lowering his or her assessment of quality. Acceptable execution time for a shoeshine is then five minutes.
Analyzing profitability. The customer can spend the three minutes between standard and acceptable execution time at the corner parlor waiting in line or during service, if an error occurs or if the shoeshiner does certain things too slowly. Whatever its source, a delay can affect profits dramatically. Exhibit II quantifies the cost of delay; after four minutes the proprietor loses money.
Exhibit II Shoeshine Profitability Analysis
A service designer must establish a time-of-service-execution standard that precludes unprofitable business and maintains productivity. Such a standard not only helps measure performance and control uniformity and quality, it also serves as a model for distribution of the service to far-flung locations.
Delivering the Service
Recruiting, training, and general management are important considerations in services rendered by people, and for complex professional occupations such as legal, consulting, or medical services these factors are of paramount importance. But some services can be rendered mechanically, as banks have demonstrated with automatic tellers, and some can be performed by customers themselves, as at salad bars.
Implementation constantly evolves. Schools, for example, once depended entirely on teachers to render the service of education; today computers and television have an important function in the classroom. A service designer must weigh alternate means of execution, for example, by considering the merits of using a buffing machine in the process of shoeshining. The productivity and profit margin increases must be weighed against a customer’s perception of lower quality. A blueprint facilitates the analysis of cost-benefit trade-offs and can be used to test the appeal of different designs to prospective customers.
A blueprint can help the service developer with other problems. For the pricing department, it provides a basis for a thorough cost analysis; for distribution, a map to be duplicated; for promotion, tangible evidence it can manage and control.
Highlighting Tangible Evidence
To maintain credibility, the service must select and manage products with care. In some cases, products are optional—a consultant may not have to present a written report for instance. Consumers, however, often deduce the nature of the service from this type of circumstantial evidence. The design of a service should therefore incorporate the orchestration of tangible evidence—everything the consumer uses to verify the service’s effectiveness. The setting, including color schemes, advertising, printed or graphic materials, and stationery, all proclaim a service’s style. The design should not be carelessly delegated to outsiders or left to chance.
Airlines have learned this lesson. The interior and exterior decor of the plane, flight attendants’ uniforms, the appearance of the reservation desk, ticket folders, baggage tags, and advertising graphics all tell the customer what kind of service to expect. They either reinforce or contradict personal experience with the airline.
Making People Special
To the customer, people are inseparable parts of many services. The presence of people, however, brings a higher risk that service quality will vary. At the design stage, the developer must plan and consider every encounter between consumer and provider. The good manners and attentiveness customers associate with good personal service must be made part of the hiring, training, and performance standards of the company. Indifferent or surly execution can devalue the service.
Both the Disney organization and IBM offer outstanding examples of superior people management to provide uniform service. Airlines and fast-food chains “package” service personnel in clothes that proclaim and reinforce an overall service identity. These companies invest heavily in training and retraining at all levels.
At the beginning and end of the design cycle lies the marketing goal to which all service organizations aspire: benefiting customers. For the customer, a good shoeshine is “shiny shoes,” “clean shoes,” or “preservation.” It goes without saying that market research throughout the design cycle is the best control mechanism to ensure that the service meets the goal.
Modifying a Service
Market research during a service’s operating life enables managers to measure quality and identify needs for redesign.
Exhibit III shows how the designer may add a repeat of steps 2 and 3 in the shoeshine service to create a two-coat shine, and justify a 20—cent price increase, thus increasing the profit margin by nearly 30%. Moreover, the shoeshiner might decide to add a receipt or a sample of shoepolish as tangible evidence of good care. Such service reminders (the shoeshiner could print his or her name and address on the shoe-polish sample) could lead to a premium price for a premium service.
Exhibit III Modified Shoeshine Blueprint
A designer can use a blueprint to engineer new market products or services (see Exhibit IV). A designer can do much at the drawing board, well before expensive formal market introduction of the service.
Exhibit IV Blueprint for More Complex Shoe Products and Services
Applying the Principles
Service blueprint methods can be applied in the development of a discount brokerage service in a large money-center bank (see Exhibit V). Very little of this service is visible to customers. In fact, customers have virtually no conception of the processes that underlie most services.
Exhibit V Blueprint for Discount Brokerage
Discount brokerage is not particularly complex, but the blueprint condenses and simplifies the service and omits many minor steps. For example, the step “prepare and mail statements” includes more than 12 activities, such as printing statements and stuffing and sealing envelopes.
The important fail points (F) show where the service may experience quality or consistency problems. Telephone communication, for example, is a component that is not only critical and difficult to control but also one of the most powerful influences of customer perception, since it provides the only personal contact. To deal with this potential fail point, management decided to script dialogues for various situations, to train staff thoroughly in communication and response techniques, to establish procedures making certain that calls never went unanswered, and to ensure accuracy by logging, recording, and confirming all customer instructions. While the blueprint doesn’t show these processes, the system designer has diagrammed and controlled each one.
The design shows execution time standards that can be easily monitored and quantified. They allow the measurement of capacity and productivity through volume and throughput relationships. In telephone communication, for example, the brokerage set a broad time limit for opening accounts (one-half to one hour). Execution standards can be tightened as operating experience increases.
Although the superficial aspects of services may seem the same, the design particulars involve so many alternatives and choices that no two services will have exactly the same design. Services differ from competitor to competitor in the sum of particulars. Individual aspects allow consumers to discriminate between companies offering the same product.
In its complete form, Exhibit V permits the analysis of competitive differences. The designer can then respond to unfavorable comparisons with appropriate changes. As new processes or products are added, or enhancements made, they can be mapped on the blueprint and analyzed for their impact on operations, profitability, and reliability.
Creating Better Service
A blueprint is more precise than verbal definitions and less subject to misinterpretation. It illustrates the dictum of W. Edwards Deming that workers are never to blame for flaws in a process. Process design is management’s responsibility.
A service blueprint allows a company to test its assumptions on paper and thoroughly work out the bugs. A service manager can test a prototype delivery on potential customers and use the feedback to modify the blueprint before testing the procedure again.
A blueprint encourages creativity, preemptive problem solving, and controlled implementation. It can reduce the potential for failure and enhance management’s ability to think effectively about new services.
The blueprint principle helps cut down the time and inefficiency of random service development and gives a higher level view of service management prerogatives. The alternative—leaving services to individual talent and managing the pieces rather than the whole—makes a company more vulnerable and creates a service that reacts slowly to market needs and opportunities. As the United States moves to a service economy, companies that gain control of the design and management process will be the companies that survive and prosper.
Verses Written at Bath, in the Year 1748, on Finding the Heel of a Shoe by: William Cowper
…This pondrous heel of perforated hide / Compact, with pegs indented many a row, / Manly, (for such its mass form bespeaks,) / The weighty tread of some rude peasant clown / Upbore: on this supported oft, he stretch’d, / With uncouth strides, along the furrow’d glebe, / Flatt’ning the stubborn clod, till cruel time, / (What will not, cruel time!) on a wry step, / Sever’d the strict cohesion; when, alas! / He, who could erst, with even, equal pace, / Pursue his destined way with symmetry, / And some proportion form’d, now, on one side, / Curtail’d and maim’d, the sport of vagrant boys, / Cursing his frail supporter, treach’rous prop! / With toilsome steps, and difficult, moves on.
Thus fares it oft with other than the feet / Of humble villager;—the statesman thus, / Up the steep road, where proud ambition treads, / Aspiring, first uninterrupted winds / His prosp’rous way: nor fears miscarriage foul, / While policy prevails, and friends prove true; / But that support soon failing, by him left, / Betray’d, deserted; from his airy height / Head-long he falls; and through the rest of life, / Drags the dull load of disappointment on.
A version of this article appeared in the January 1984 issue of Harvard Business Review.
Ms. Shostack is senior vice president in charge of the Private Clients Group at Bankers Trust Company. A former vice president at Citibank and chief of staff of that institution’s Investment Management Group, she has headed the marketing committee of the American Bankers Association Trust Division and chaired the American Marketing Association’s special task force on service marketing. Author of a marketing management column for The American Banker, she also serves on the editorial advisory board of the International Journal of Bank Marketing and the Service Industries Journal.
This article is about OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
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What To Do With Nathan MacKinnon
February 23, 2015 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind, Injury Updates | 15 Comments
by: JD
In a season full of woe and dammit, Nathan MacKinnon, C (3 G, 3 SOG) decided to get his shiz together finally and put up his best game of the season posting the first hat trick of his young career in a 5-2 win last night. That’s a good sign from a guy who exploded on the scene for 24 goals and 63 points as a rookie last season and won’t come close to touching those totals this season. Does that mean the kid is a bust? Hardly! At just 19-years-old the sky remains the limit for MacKinnon and the reasons behind his sophomore slump are not only easily fixable, the healing has already begun, making him a target ripe for the plucking at the trade deadline. It might not seem like it now, but if you do find a way to bring him on as a keeper, you'll thank me next season.
Bolstering Your Blue Line: Kevin Klein and Michael Del Zotto Worth A Look
February 19, 2015 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind, Injury Updates | 6 Comments
At this point in the season the waiver wire has been picked clean like the bones of so many thanksgiving turkeys and the lack of depth couldn’t come at a worse time. It’s the time of the year when the injuries begin to mount and the trades start coming and with the shake ups they create come new opportunities for fantasy managers to seize upon. The difference between winning and losing at this stage of the game is a matter of minutes; did you pick up the hot hand that will get you into the playoffs, or the next round, or did some other jerkbag beat you to it? Don’t be the guy who loses out, be the jerkbag and consider picking up Kevin Klein or Michael Del Zotto before someone else does.
Fantasy Impact: Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli Traded To Nashville
With three weeks left until the NHL trade deadline the Toronto Maple Leafs started selling off some assets sending Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli to the Preds for Olli Jokinen, prospect Brendan Leipsica, a 2015 first round pick and a bag of pucks. Typically a move out of the fantasy value black hole that is the Maple Leafs would be a boon to most players but unfortunately for Franson owners the move out of the barren wasteland of Toronto to the fertile fields of Nashville does little to boost his value. In fact, the move probably hurts more than it helps.
Rangers Rookie Kevin Hayes Is Finding His Stride
February 13, 2015 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind | 12 Comments
The New York Rangers have one of the most potent offenses in the NHL this season. Lead by NHL goals leader and all around beast Rick Nash, LW (1 G, 1 A, 5 SOG, +3) they’re fourth in the league potting three goals per game and lately they’re finding offense from all corners of their top nine. The latest Broadway Blue to find his stride is the hulking Kevin Hayes, RW (1 G, 2 A, 3 SOG) who extended his point streak to four games with a huge three-point performance last night against the Avs. The goal he scored was an end-to-end beauty just minutes after a nifty little pass that allowed Dan Boyle, D (1 G, 1 SOG, +4) to roll in all alone on Semyon Varlamov, G (L, 25 SV, 5 GA, .833%) who was deked out of his pads for the first goal of the game. This isn’t the first time Hayes has impressed over the last month or so and he’s starting to show fantasy owners why he was such a coveted commodity coming out college a few years ago, and why he should be on your short keeper list this season.
Fantasy Impact: Jets Send Evander Kane to Sabres, Get Tyler Myers
Just days after news came down that Evander Kane was going to miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in a blockbuster deal last night that saw seven players change teams. Zach Bogosian and college netminder Jason Kasdorf get banished to the Sabres with Kane while Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, and Joel Armia are headed to Winnipeg with the rights to 2014 second-round pick Brendan Lemieux and Buffalo's first-round pick in 2015. Kane is the centerpiece of the deal despite being lost for the season, but in the immediate future the truly tantalizing piece of this deal comes in the form of the 6 foot 8 inch Tyler Myers, D (1 G, 4 SOG) who after putting up two stellar seasons to start his career has become a bit of an enigma with three injury shortened, mediocre campaigns on one of the league’s worst teams.
What To Do With Kevin Shattenkirk
Normally when Alex Ovechkin is involved in a play and another player gets hurt, it’s because Ovie hurt him but this time Ovie wasn’t at fault when Kevin Shattenkirk tried to put hit on Ovie, failed, and crumpled to the ice unable to get up under his own power. It was a fluke, a freaky accident that has apparently ended the regular season for the Norris Trophy candidate and he’ll miss around six-to-eight weeks after undergoing abdominal surgery in Philadelphia last week. The Blues peg him as week-to-week but Mark Letestu and Brandon Dubinsky have both undergone the same procedure for the same problem, with the same physician, this season, and the took the full two months for either skater to return to action. Given that the final day of the regular season is April 11th, just two months from tomorrow, it’s safe to assume that Shattenkirk could be back in the playoffs for the Blues, but fantasy owners won’t be as lucky. So what do you do with a guy like Shats when the Blues list him as week-to-week and the doctors say two months? Honestly, I’d listen to history and the doctors. Unless Shats is super human, and despite his play this season, he isn’t, there’s no way he gets back in anything less than six weeks. After that, he’ll have to knock off some rust for a few games, so that takes another week. That means he could be back to form by the final week of the regular season. That’s the most optimistic scenario for Shats, and the Blues have no reason to push him back into action if it means he could reinjure himself and miss the playoffs, too. The Blues don’t care about your fantasy team, though they definitely should. At any rate, stash him if you have an open IR slot but if you get log jammed at IR because you have one of the sixty guys that suffered injuries over the last few weeks, it’s probably safe to jettison Shats to the wire to make room. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in the world o’ fantasy hockey recently:
Aleksander Barkov Showing Some Bite Lately, Worth A Look In Most Leagues
January 30, 2015 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind | 12 Comments
At just 18-years-old Aleksander Barkov, C (1 A, 4 SOG) was the selected second overall in the 2013 draft by the Florida Panthers with high expectations. The hulking play making pivot out of Tampere, Finland did not disappoint in his first season on big ice putting up a line of 8/16/24/+10 in 54 games. That might not sound great but given the team he played for you could probably adjust those numbers up to something in the ballpark of 12/25/37/+15 in 54 games on a decent team. Fast forward to this season and he opened up with lots of injuries and garbage play posting just six points (2 G, 4 A) over the first three months of the season. Don’t let that deter you from adding him for scoring help down the stretch, though; he’s white hot lately and only getting better with each passing game.
Sonovabench! Semyon Varlamov And David Backes Blow Up And You Probably Sat Them Both
January 8, 2015 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind, Injury Updates | 13 Comments
If you are among the many owners who benched Semyon Varlamov, G (W, 54 SV, 0 GA, 1.000%, SHO) and David Backes, C (4 G, 6 SOG, +2) take some solace in the fact that it was the right call. It might sting, but don’t second-guess yourself here. Before either guy found some semblance of their 2014 selves on Wednesday night they were hot garbage with a side of crusty old gym socks so there was no reason to put either of them in your lineups. Generally the rule of thumb is to always, always start your big names. You drafted them, you can’t trade them and if there’s nothing better on the wire, you just slot them in and live or die with your decisions. But both Varly and Backes have been so bad this year that you almost had no choice but to bench them. With performances this good it begs the question whether or not either of them has found their stride for a big second half, but I’m sorry to say that neither is poised for a big run and neither of them has earned the right to be regularly inserted into your lineups moving forward, either.
NHL Shootouts Are About As Useful As FoxTrax
December 17, 2014 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind | 9 Comments
I’m not a fan of shootouts. I think they belong in the All Star Skills competition, not playing a critical role in determining who goes home with two points and who goes home with regrets. In a sport where individual achievement is only possible through teamwork we’ve boiled down deciding games to a one-on-one competition that’s antithetical to the very nature of the game. A game where who you play with and the chemistry you have with those players has as much impact on your chances for success as your individual skill does. Why does it have to be this way? Do the fans really prefer shorter games this much? How often do teams really go into double OT anyway? Bah. If thats the worry, lets adopt the AHL's new three-on-three OT rules and watch the fun! Of course this rant is brought on by the longest shoot out in the history of the universe last night between the Cat and Caps. Twenty rounds this circus went. Roberto Luongo, G (W, 23 SV, 1 GA, .958%) stood tall and man was I too harsh on Lu in the preseason; he’s been fantastic all year. He must really love living in Florida. I digress, on the other side of this madness was Braden Holtby, G (L, 28 SV, 1 GA, .966%) who took the loss but not because he played poorly. He held his ground for 19 rounds until he finally cracked and gave one up to Nick Bjugstad (1 SOG) in what was Jugs’ second attempt of the night. Why second attempt? Because the Cats ran out of people to take the bloody shots so they had to give him another go. Ugh. This proves who the better team was last night how, exactly? And of course this wasn’t the only shootout of the night, the Wings and Jackets needed one to decide their game too. Shootouts are so bunk, man. They're about as useful as FoxTrax. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in the world o’ fantasy hockey yesterday:
Is Antti Raanta Losing His Job To Scott Darling?
December 15, 2014 | 2014-2015 Fantasy Hockey, Daily Rewind | 13 Comments
Since Corey Crawford went down with his latest injury the Blackhawks have had six games and Scott Darling, G (L, 38 SV, 3 GA, .927%) has started four of them until Antti Raanta, G (W, 23 SV, 1 GA, .960%) won last night in the second game of a back-to-back. In fact, Raanta has only played in six games so far this season to Darling’s seven so it begs the question, has Darling usurped Raanta as Crawdad backup? It sure seems that way. It’s clear that Raanta isn’t a guy you can count on for long streaks of solid play. He’s fine in spot starts and sheltered minutes, but some time in the AHL wouldn’t hurt him at all, and so far it seems that the 6’ 6” Darling has caught the attention of Blackhawk’s Head Coach Joel Quenneville. When asked about the situation Quenneville didn’t offer much insight, but does he ever? He did have this to offer on Darling though "He's played well, every time he's been in the net he's been consistent, looks big (and) handles the puck well. Keep him going." That bodes well for Darling sticking around, but either way it doesn’t seem like we’ll have to wait very long to find out how this situation is going to shake out because Crawdad was a surprise participant in the morning skate for the Hawks this past weekend. He didn’t speculate on when he’ll return to the lineup but the fact that his foot is well enough for him to skate on is a good sign that he’ll be back in the next few weeks at most. If I had to put money down I’d say Darling has earned the backup job and it’s Raanta who will head down to the AHL when he returns. In the meantime, both should be owned in deep leagues. Anyway, here’s what else I saw in the world o’ fantasy hockey this weekend:
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Pregnant Kate Middleton Past Due Date: Will Doctor’s Induce Duchess’s Labor At St. Marys Hospital?
Kate MiddletonPrince Charles
By Nikki Leigh On Apr 27, 2015
Prince William’s pregnant wife Kate Middleton is going to give birth to the new royal baby any minute now. Kate Middleton confirmed last month that her due date was “middle to end of April,” which coincided with her rumored April 20 due date. Now, the Duchess of Cambridge is 4-7 days overdue and ready to give birth to Prince George’s little brother or sister at any moment.
According to a new report from People Magazine, Kate Middleton’s doctors will most likely be inducing the pregnant Duchess of she does not go in to labor soon. The doctors at St. Mary’s in Paddington do not generally allow their patients to do over 7 days past their due date before the opt for a medical induction to kick-start their labor. Seeing as Kate’s rumored due date was April 20, her 7 days is just about up.
Prince William and Kate Middleton tried desperately to keep the sex of their new baby under wraps, but sources have been leaking for months that they are having a baby girl and Prince George will have a little sister. We won’t know for sure until Kate actually gives birth to the future Prince or Princess. This time around the Royal Family will be making the baby’s birth announcement a little bit differently than in the past. The baby’s birth will first be announced on Kensington’s official Twitter page – and then they will hang the traditional announcement outside of the Palace.
Do you think that Kate will go in to labor naturally, or will the doctors at St. Mary’s Hospital wind up inducing the Duchess’s labor? Are you hoping for a baby boy or a baby girl? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and check back later for more details on Kate Middleton’s second pregnancy.
Royal Press Was Prince Harry’s Enemy, But Also Protected Him
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Home Shuttered, Staff Reassigned
Prince William and Kate Middleton Continue Royal Duties Amid ‘Megxit’
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Face Backlash From Their New Canadian Neighbors
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Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers: Tuesday, April 23 – Quinn Questions Sally’s Loyalty To Wyatt – Liam And Hope Reconnect
SpoilersThe Bold and The Beautiful
By hellodrdavis On Apr 22, 2019
The Bold and the Beautiful (B&B) spoilers for Tuesday, April 23, tease that Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) and Hope Spencer (Annika Noelle) will take a major step forward in their relationship. They’ve just had a major discussion about their marriage, during which Liam flatly refused to walk away from Hope and promised to uphold his wedding vows no matter what.
Of course, these two have had a difficult few months, as they lost their daughter and have been dealing with that terrible loss. And Hope has been dealing with intense guilt over keeping Liam away from Kelly Spencer (Chloe Teperman and Zoe Pennington) and Phoebe Forrester (Isabella de Armas and Redford Prindiville). It’s been a lot to overcome.
B&B Spoilers– Hope And Liam Connect
But it looks like Liam and Hope will have a breakthrough on Tuesday’s episode of B&B. Liam will be successful in getting Hope to relax and enjoy a romantic evening, and the two will ultimately make love for the first time since their daughter’s death. It will be a big step for the couple, as they reconnect and strengthen their bond.
Thomas goes full steam ahead with his plan to make Hope his own. WATCH FULL EPISODE: https://t.co/7428ydGj4m #BoldandBeautiful pic.twitter.com/5sjRXKG0VZ
— Bold & The Beautiful (@BandB_CBS) April 22, 2019
Meanwhile, on the new episode of B&B on Tuesday, April 23, Quinn Forrester (Rena Sofer) will be on the warpath. She’s on a new mission to undermine her son Wyatt Spencer’s (Darin Brooks) relationship with Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), and on Tuesday’s episode, she’ll find a way to go after Sally and make her life miserable.
Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers– Quinn Uses Thomas To Create Doubt
The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers say that as Sally finishes up a conversation with Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) at Forrester Creations, the two exes will embrace. There won’t be anything untoward about the hug; they’ll just be expressing their friendship.
But Quinn will spot Thomas and Sally hugging, and her blood will boil. Quinn thinks that Sally isn’t good enough for Wyatt and that Wyatt should be with Florence “Flo” Fulton (Katrina Bowden) instead. She’ll be furious that Sally was in a compromising position with Thomas, and she’ll confront Sally about it and make an issue of the whole thing.
The Bold And The Beautiful Spoilers: Flo Faces Maternity Test — Logans Will Be Stunned By DNA Shocker — Beth Is Alive!
B&B spoilers say that Quinn will blast Sally about spending time with her ex, and she’ll even question Sally’s loyalty to Wyatt. Look for an intense argument between Quinn and Sally. Also, look for Quinn to eventually run to Wyatt with news about what she witnessed. Quinn’s really out to cause trouble for Wally!
Be sure to tune in on Tuesday to catch up on everything happening on B&B right now. Check Hollywood Hiccups often for updates, news, rumors, and spoilers!
As always, more detailed spoilers and a full collection of pictures for the week in question will appear on Soap Opera Spy, where there will be more clues and hints over exactly what’s going on.
hellodrdavis
Suzanne L. Davis (aka “hellodrdavis”) is a psychologist, author, and blogger. She is a former psychology professor and litigation consultant who now writes full-time. She’s been an avid daytime soaps watcher for years.
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The Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Wednesday, January 22 – Flo Worries After…
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Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia 8 pack (Pints)
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Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Party!!!
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Home Awards & Scholarships West Chicago Educator to Receive National Award
West Chicago Educator to Receive National Award
The NEA Foundation today announced that Mary Ellen Daneels, a social studies educator at West Chicago Community High School in West Chicago, Ill., is one of 38 public educators who will receive the prestigious California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education Gala next February in Washington, D.C.
The California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence awardees are nominated by their peers for their dedication to the profession, community engagement, professional development, attention to diversity, and advocacy for fellow educators.
“While direct instruction can teach the ‘rules of the road,’ it is when students ‘take the wheel’ and make policy choices, build coalitions, and harness their own voices that the abstract becomes real,” says Daneels.
Each year, the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala draws almost 1,000 supporters of public education, and thousands more online, to applaud these awardees. At the gala, the educators are truly the stars, celebrated throughout the night with music, performances, videos, and more. The evening gives educators well-deserved recognition for their hard work, personal dedication, and profound influence.
“These outstanding educators put heart and soul into supporting students and improving the profession,” says Harriet Sanford, NEA Foundation President and CEO. “We deeply appreciate California Casualty’s partnership in recognizing educators across the country.”
“We are glad to have the chance to show our respect and appreciation for the work of public school educators each year,” says Beau Brown, California Casualty CEO. “We applaud the great work of the California Casualty awardees.”
Of these 38 state awardees, who were nominated by their National Education Association state affiliate, five finalists will be announced at the beginning of the school year and receive $10,000 at the gala. The nation’s top educator will be revealed at the gala on February 9, 2018 and receive an additional $25,000. The gala will be livestreamed at neafoundation.org.
The NEA Foundation and the National Education Association jointly present the awards. Find more information about the awards and photos of the awardees.
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Japan Stocks Based on Algo Trading: Returns up to 29.07% in 1 Month
This forecast is part of the By Country Package, as one of I Know First’s algorithmic trading tools. The full forecast includes daily predictions for a total of 20 Japan stocks with bullish and bearish signals:
Top 10 Japanese stocks for the long position
Top 10 Japanese stocks for the short position
Package Name: By Country – Japanese Stocks
Forecast Length: 1 Month (7/26/2019 – 8/27/2019)
The algorithm correctly predicted 8 out 10 of the suggested trades in the By Country – Japanese Stocks Package for this 1 Month forecast. 3258.T was the highest-earning trade with a return of 29.07% in 1 Month. Further notable returns came from 2222.T and 3064.T at 13.75% and 10.42%, respectively. The package had an overall average return of 5.32%, providing investors with a 11.30% premium over the Nikkei 225 return of -5.98% during the period.
Unizo Holdings Company, Limited, formerly Jowa Holdings Company, Limited, is a Japan-based holding company. The Company operates in three business segments. The Real Estate segment is engaged in the holding, leasing, management and operation of office buildings in Tokyo and other major cities, as well as the operation of asset management and property management of real estate, real estate brokerage business, building cleaning services, and contracted management of office buildings and dormitories. The Hotel segment is engaged in the holding and operation of business hotels in Tokyo and other major cities. The Golf segment is engaged in the holding and operation of golf course in Chiba Prefecture.
Algorithmic traders utilize these daily forecasts by the I Know First market prediction system as a tool to enhance portfolio performance, verify their own analysis and act on market opportunities faster. This forecast was sent to current I Know First subscribers.
How to interpret this diagram
Algorithmic Stock Forecast: The table on the left is a stock forecast produced by I Know First’s algorithm. Each day, subscribers receive forecasts for six different time horizons. Note that the top 10 stocks in the 1-month forecast may be different than those in the 1-year forecast. In the included table, only the relevant stocks have been included. The boxes are arranged according to their respective signal and predictability values (see below for detailed definitions). A green box represents a positive forecast, suggesting a long position, while a red represents a negative forecast, suggesting a short position.
Please note-for trading decisions use the most recent forecast. Get today’s forecast and Top stock picks.
1419.T 2222.T 2379.T 2484.T 3038.T 3064.T 3073.T 3110.T 3258.T 3387.T
Japan Stock Forecast
Japanese Stocks Based on Big Data: Returns up to 18.45% in 1 Month
Japanese Stocks Based on Artificial Intelligence: Returns up to 121.33% in 3 Months
Japanese Stocks Based on Genetic Algorithms: Returns up to 126.06% in 3 Months
Japanese Stocks Based on Big Data Analytics: Returns up to 173.69% in 1 Year
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Can i write a book about my employer
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Home how to write a programming book Book report graphic organizer high school
Book report graphic organizer high school
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More recently, I had a rather gloomy conversation with Lois Maloney, Jamie's widow, and she became me to please continue the work Will and I had started together. Trap is an excerpt from the article: Morris Kirby, 3 A balance Venn and sorting activity. Only hours the comments poured in from Topic scholars and professors around the world.
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One of the new websites built in Beslan was subsequently classical in his honour. District Contact Information; District HIB Grade Report; What is “HIB” or bullying?
Why don’t administrators tell me anything about. Sorry for the very long silence, as it has been a full six months since our last website update. In fact, that is the longest we have ever gone. Pearson Prentice Hall and our other respected imprints provide educational materials, technologies, assessments and related services across the secondary curriculum.
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FACT CHECK: Beware the Useful Idiots
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Bolle Bodem
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Werken bij HGG
HGG in the spotlight at Peddinghaus with the PeddiBot-1200
BACK TO LATEST NEWS
In the latest edition of PeddiNews, issue 58 of the quarterly magazine by our American partner Peddinghaus, HGG is in the Partnership Spotlight.
In 2016, HGG and Peddinghaus discovered each other as partners who share the same company philosophy. The first result of the collaboration is the PeddiBot-1200, which is powered by HGG. You can read it here as a pdf (it starts from page 20) but we thought it would be nice to write it down here below.
PeddiBot-1200 | Powered by HGG
Sparking A Powerful Peddinghaus Partnership
Today, the exchange of knowledge and enthusiasm for teamwork is crucial to company growth in many ways. Good partners who think alike and have the same core company values redefine excellence and set higher standards in the industry. Partners as of 2016, Peddinghaus and HGG have discovered that each company is quite similar in terms of culture.
Jack Kistemaker, Technical Director at HGG explains, “In working with Peddinghaus, we have seen that they have a great network and the same company philosophy, so we just fit together. We are a market leader so we also want to do partnerships with other companies who are market leaders, who are the best.” It all began with a machine in search of the perfect industry application. Thus, the PeddiBot-1200 was born.
Page 20 and 21 of PeddiNews 58 of 2018
In the steel industry, the term ‘Powered by HGG’ is often recognized. “We are the best at thermal cutting, so in working with Peddinghaus we have learned a lot about where a drill line and where a saw line fit into the steel fabrication process. It is most important to discover how you can combine them and how you can make them work together in one efficient process. Engineering Director at HGG, Steven Janssen confirms, “That’s where our partnership truly fits.”
World Leaders in 3D Profiling
Located directly in the stunning landscapes of the Netherlands, HGG is internationally recognized for their knowledge and expertise in 3D profiling, as well as their capacity to develop and build cutting-edge 3D profiling machine solutions. Comprised of a group of people who have a true passion for technology, the team at HGG strives to achieve nothing less than excellence in the solutions they provide to their strategic partners and customers throughout the world. “Finding really good craftsman becomes harder and harder. That is why it is our job to automate the process for the fabricator. Wiebe Wiersma, Global Sales Manager at HGG declares, “It is up to us to minimize throughput time, increase the quality of the product, and minimize the cost for the fabricator.” By partnering with Peddinghaus, HGG has successfully taken their first leap into the structural steel market, and they are just getting started.
Powered by HGG, Serviced by Peddinghaus
The partnership between Peddinghaus and HGG has grown very quickly and is only at the starting point. You might ask, how does this partnership benefit me, a steel fabricator? The answer is simple. Together, Peddinghaus and HGG remain at the cutting-edge of their specialty in the steel fabrication industry. Well-established in each expertise, we combine to double our efforts in bringing no less than production excellence to your shop. Two companies with a common goal of providing our customers with an unparalleled competitive advantage.
By offering the only 24-hour technical service center in the industry, our partners receive an elite level of support. Peddinghaus employs an expansive team of field service technicians throughout the globe, although 95% of telephone calls are resolved without the need for an on-site visit. Through the use of remote diagnostic software as well as webcam troubleshooting, we strive to ensure Peddinghaus installations such as the PeddiBot-1200 are properly maintenanced and keep your shop producing a level of throughput that exceeds expectations.
Joining Forces at FABTECH
At FABTECH Chicago 2017, Peddinghaus unleashed the PeddiBot-1200 robotic thermal processor into the world of steel fabrication. Now, more and more PeddiBot-1200s are being installed throughout North America. The PeddiBot-1200 is a revolutionary machine that does it all. Minimizing overhead and eliminating human error, this machine performs burning and integrated layout marking functions on the top flange, bottom flange and web of material. The PeddiBot-1200 employs a state-of-the-art triangulation scanning system which completely eliminates the need for material probing before processing.
“The most important thing in cutting steel is that you always have deviation in material.” Jack goes on, “One thing that HGG has done from the beginning is build technology where we can first measure the material and know the shape of the real material. The actual material at times will be different from what is shown in the CAD system. We make sure our machine can adapt to all parameters and all shapes, so at the end it will fit.” This machine logic is how the PeddiBot-1200 is able to adjust the path of the torch during the cutting process. With the information from the initial scan, the robot maintains the true path across the material’s surface. No more lost burns, no more lost time and no more lost money.
Page 22 and 23 of PeddiNews 58, 2018
The PeddiBot-1200 rules production time tables by keeping the measuring process as unobtrusive as possible to the overall program being operated. Steven states with pride, “We measure the whole profile before cutting it, so when we cut it we know exactly where it is. So even if the material is not straight, we cut it straight.”
Coping Becomes a Commodity
In the steel industry today, some people still avoid coping or they do it by hand. This process can be very difficult for fabricators, which is why the PeddiBot-1200 was designed to increase ease in copes, cuts and holes. According to Steven, “The main thing the PeddiBot-1200 does is all kinds of coping; flange thins, bolt holes, rat holes and all different kinds of copes. When it comes to ratholes, plasma cutting too close to the flanges can become an issue, which is why HGG tilts their torch and cuts it close to the flanges. Coping will become a commodity when we look closely at the processes that link the machine to the fabricators business process, and this step is being made today.” The PeddiBot-1200 is setting new standards for the steel fabrication process. Whether it is being integrated in an existing drill/saw production or being used as a fabrication center, state-of- the-art robotics supply precisely accurate parts for fit-up on the erection site.
A Flash into the Future
Peddinghaus not only builds machines; they build partnerships. These relationships with global industry leaders provide steel fabricators with the latest advancements in machinery, software and support. With partners such as HGG, we combine structural forces to bring fabricators the most powerful solutions like the PeddiBot-1200 robotic thermal processor. Together, a common goal is to ensure that today’s structural fabricators are the most efficient and profitable in the world. “I think the partnership with Peddinghaus and HGG will grow. Both of our companies want to be the market leader, we want to produce the best machines.” Jack explains, “It is most important that we both keep our eyes open for challenges in the market where we see possibilities to help our customers. We will see and support steel constructors to improve their production processes.”
(This article was first published in PeddiNews 58, 2018)
Home > HGG in the spotlight at Peddinghaus with the PeddiBot-1200
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2009 April Signature Space Exploration AuctionAuction #6022
John Young's Personal 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph as Presented to Him in 1969 by the Omega Watch Compa...
1969 Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI Commemorative Watch, Serial No. 9.
John Young's Personal 18K Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph as Presented to Him in 1969 by the Omega Watch Company, Signed on Case and Box. This gorgeous watch, housed in its original case, bag, and outside box, is inscribed on the back:
-ASTRONAUT JOHN W. YOUNG-
to mark
man's conquest of space
with time,
through time,
GEMINI 3 & 10 - APOLLO 10
This is number nine of thirty chronograph watches that were specially produced by Omega shortly after the first manned lunar landing by Apollo 11, twenty-six of which were presented to NASA astronauts at a banquet on November 25, 1969, at the Warwick Hotel in Houston. Numbers one and two were engraved to Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew, respectively; neither ever accepted their watch and both currently reside in the Omega museum in Switzerland. Numbers three through eight were given to the six original Mercury astronauts that had already flown in space (Shepard, Grissom, Glenn, Carpenter, Cooper, Schirra). Young received the next one, number nine. Interestingly (and coincidentally) John Young would become the ninth man to walk on the moon (Apollo 16) making this serial number that much more significant. Watches numbered ten through twenty-eight were also awarded that night to other flown NASA astronauts. The Apollo astronauts that flew after this date received their watches later, with serial numbers 1001-1008. Altogether, there are only thirty-nine of these special presentation watches with the above engraving in existence (at least two of which are in a museum). A total of 1014 of these gold Speedmaster Professionals were produced; the ones sold to the public have different engraving on the back.
The Omega Speedmaster chronograph, often known as the "Moonwatch," was first manufactured in 1957 and has a long history with NASA. The first space flight (though unofficial) for a Speedmaster was with Wally Schirra on Sigma 7 (October 3, 1962) as a backup to the onboard clock. That same year, NASA determined the need to choose an official wrist chronograph for the upcoming Gemini missions. They went to a local Houston jewelry store and purchased several watches, eventually putting three of them through a series of grueling tests- the Omega, a Rolex, and a Longines. The Omega Speedmaster performed satisfactorily and, in 1965, it was chosen as the official chronograph for the space program. Interestingly, Gemini 3 (John Young's first space flight) was the first mission in which the Omega chronograph was part of the standard equipment issued to the astronauts; another lot in this auction contains the strap on which the Speedmaster was attached to his pressure suit during that flight. In 1967, it was chosen again for the Apollo series of missions, thus making it the first watch model worn on the moon. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bulova brought much pressure on NASA to "buy American" though, in every subsequent test by NASA, the Omega proved superior. There are numerous photos available showing astronauts wearing their NASA-issue Omega Speedmasters during various spaceflights and moon landings.
The technical specifications for this particular chronograph are as follows:
Movement: Caliber 861, serial number 28080608, 17 jewels, manual winding, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance with shock absorber.
Case: Three body, 18K gold, Reference 145022-69, bronze colored tachometer bezel calibrated to 500 UPH (units per hour), screw back, lyre lugs, 42mm diameter.
Dial: Champagne gold with applied gold and black hour indexes, black baton hands, subsidiary dials for constant seconds, thirty minute register and twelve hour register, fly back center sweep hand.
Band: Style 1116/575, 18K gold, brushed finish, deployant clasp.
Condition: Exceptional in all aspects.
This is a rare opportunity to own a chronograph with ties to one of America's great space heroes. The bidding should be fierce with its incredible appeal to both space collectors and Omega watch collectors.
On both the jeweler's case and the cardboard outer box, John Young has signed his name.
1st Wednesday
E-mail Don Ackerman or call 1-800-872-6467 x1736
The resulting auction of my property overwhelmed me. I want to thank Tom Slater and the Heritage team for a very satisfactory experience and profitable result with my historical consignment.
Henry L.,
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Tag: Book versus Film
A Comparison of Original Work to Film Version of Plath’s “The Bell Jar”
The following is an edited version of the original Posted on April 10, 2008
A Comparison of Sylvia Plath’s Original Work: The Bell Jar, Versus the Film Version: : The Bell Jar: If I am an Arrow
In the film, The Bell Jar, the prelude imitates a young girl’s position within society; cinematic techniques create this allusion through the girl’s symbolic actions responding to a confining realm. As a result, the culminating points they make by way of the lighting, the music, and the movement implies restriction and thus derives meaning.
The culminating points correspond with the story line of Plath’s original work. For instance, as a monotone piano tone ushers in the figure of a young girl turning slowly in a circular motion, slight glimmers of light encase her form within the darkness of the set. As her hands extend outwardly and then upwardly, a strum of a harp is heard. The outward extension of her hands represent her striving for educational achievement, while the upward movement demonstrates she lacks satisfaction with education alone and wants to spread out further than those limits in the direction of the American Dream. The arrangement of light symbolizes her enlightenment of the dream; whereas, the darkness of the set signifies it is hampering her. Consequently, because of her desire for upward mobility, the strum announces restrictions.
The strum recommends the hands stay within allowable boundaries. After a few attempts to extend beyond the imaginary confines, the hands are placed within the pockets of the skirt and the defining light dims. Movement of the hands into a forward protrusion under the skirt renders the shape of a pregnant woman. Immediately, Gerald Fried’s music converts to a lullaby as the girl is seen swaying back and forth to the regular succession of sounds, chanting a villanelle, a “Mad Girl’s Love Song”:
I shut my eyes and all the world drops dead;
I lift my lids and all is born again.
(I think I made you up inside my head.) . . .
I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And snug me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)
Before the framework of the opening sequence is complete, an underlying theme suggests societal restraints force the girl to succumb to limitations and the fear of pregnancy is the reason for her ultimate mental instability.
Under the direction of Larry Peerce, actress Marilyn Hassett (a Barbie doll double), introduces herself as Ester Greenwood. “I ‘m an all American girl,” she says, “A girl wonder, a scholarship student.” And then she utters, “I think I made her up inside my head.” Consequently, she questions her status: “Me a poet? Are you kidding?”
In this manner, an inferiority complex that diminishes her accomplishment is established, requiring her to justify her actions in order to bring herself back within the acceptable norms of society: “I am a very proper New England girl. I attend a very proper New England college where I win prizes.”
The main prize Ester wins is a trip to Ladies Day magazine. This prize builds the American Dream in others, announcing and enhancing the status of being an American citizen:
Look what can happen in this country, they’d say. A girl lives in some out-of-the-way town for nineteen years, so poor she can’t afford a magazine, and then she gets a scholarship to college and wins a prize here and a prize there and ends up steering New York like her own private car (2).
A showering of gifts announces and intensifies the film’s American Dream aspect at the magazine’s headquarter meeting. However when company officials announce they will even supply men, the camera switches to a view of excitement glowing on the young participants’ faces. Conversely, when the film dramatizes Ester’s attraction to “a whole life of marvelous, elaborate decadence” of luxurious fashions that Doreen symbolizes for her (4), it adds a dimension, suggesting the attraction to Doreen magnifies a hidden lesbian tendency.
This hidden dimension contradicts the initial underlying theme the prelude produces. The film draws inference to a lesbian inclination through Esther’s countenance in the sequence where she sits in the bar with Lenny (Robert Klien), Doreen, and Frankie. Her indifference to Frankie is highlighted when he asks her to dance and she replies with a firm “No.” The camera focuses on Doreen’s exhibitions that keep Lenny in awe, and then switches back to Ester, giving the impression that her apathy towards Frankie is a reflection of a more than a casual interest in Doreen. In this way, the film does not convey Plath’s intention: “The thought of dancing with that little runt . . . made [Ester] laugh” (9).
The similitude enhances later at Lenny’s apartment, when Doreen and Ester dance together. Just outside their immediate circle in the background, Lenny dances by his self. Subsequently, all three of them dance wildly together. And then the camera switches to all of them tumbling on the bed. Ester is seen caressing Doreen, reinforcing the lesbian concept. Consequently, Ester runs away when she realizes the magnitude of this drunken action.
The film frames the lesbian notion around Ester’s deteriorating life and makes it seem as if she is “. . . coming apart at the seams,” as she says in the introductory sequence, because she does not accept the affinity.
In order for the film version to communicate openly what is purported to be Ester’s secret thoughts, Joan’s part in Ester’s life expands from a mere acquaintance who Ester only knows from “a cool distance” (160) to her best friend. Joan’s overly emphasized reactions to Ester’s every word and move as they discuss the different modes of suicide suggests her sexual designs on Ester. In a much later scene Joan learns after making an advance and requesting sexual favors that Ester loathes this unnatural attraction. The film implies Ester drives Joan to suicide. And as a result, Ester has to face her own lesbian desires to be free of her own suicidal drive.
In the original work, Ester’s suicidal drive stimulates a feeling of inadequacy (not lesbian desires). Instead, she feels stupid for buying “all those uncomfortable, expensive clothes” (1). She feels stupid because she’s attracted to Buddy Willard who went to Yale after she learns Doreen thinks “Yalies” [are] “so stoo-pet!”(6). She feels stupid because she “felt very low” after Jay Cee brings to the surface “all [her] . . . uncomfortable suspicions” of inadequacies (24).
On the other hand, the film portrays Jay Cee (Barbara Barrie) as vindictive towards Ester. Her command, following a snicker of laughter, “We are looking to you for a certain kind of intellectual elevation,” implies malicious intentions. In a much later scene, Jay Cee makes Ester feel extremely inadequate by saying her views are “poison.” Jay Cee tells Ester she needs to identify with other college students who never heard of Joyce. Ester conveys, by aggressively playing with her pencil, she is unable to deal with criticism. Jay Cee then asks her: “Did you think this was one of your cinch courses that you will get an “A?”
Ester isn’t getting “A’s” in her personal life either. Instead, indecisiveness takes over. Deciding what she should or shouldn’t do, makes her feel even more inadequate and sad (23-25). She feels Doreen serves as a “concrete testimony to [her] own dirty nature” (19). The bell jar symbolizes her fear of sex and pregnancy which imprisons her in a world of double standards: She says, “I couldn’t stand the idea of a woman having to have a single pure life and a man being able to have a double life, one pure and one not” (66). She “. . . knew . . . what [Buddy] secretly wanted was for her to flatten out underneath his feel like Mrs. Willard’s kitchen mat” (69). The film obscures these concerns and completely ignores Ester’s sexual fears: She tells Dr. Nolan, “What I really hate is the thought of being under a man’s thumb . . . A man doesn’t have a worry in the world, while I’ve got a baby hanging over my head like a big stick, to keep me in line” (181). The bell jar is an extremely significant symbol in Plath’s original work; whereas in the film, the bell jar only serves instrumentally to frame the ending.
The symbolization of the bell jar entraps Ester in the stereotypical domesticity of the role of mother and housewife. Society’s expectation of woman’s domesticity is a condition which indirectly bears responsibility for Ester’s inferiority complex. Fear is the controlling factor. Even though Ester may want to experiment with sex, she feels she is not free to do so because of the fear of pregnancy. Individual female education goals and desires are secondary in society’s framework. This is apparent when her mother (Julie Harris) stresses women must be practical and learn shorthand. In other words, woman must heed what a society of man dictates. Learning shorthand serves as a message to Ester of her place within society. As a result, she feels inferior because even with all her education she does not have the knowledge she needs to survive in the world:
“Not knowing shorthand meant not getting a good job after college. My mother kept telling me nobody wanted plain English major. But English major who knew shorthand was something else again. Everybody would want her. She would be in demand among all the up-and-coming young men, and she would transcribe letter after thrilling letter. The trouble was, I hated the idea of serving men in any way. I wanted to dictate my own thrilling letters”(61-62).
Plath suggests Ester’s inferiority complex is an extension of a societal norm, a norm that does not accept women as equal to men in any way. Regardless of a woman’s educational accomplishments, she can only hope to please a man by doing his bidding or serving him. The double standard extends not only to the workplace but also to personal choice, limiting a woman’s sexual freedom through fear by trapping her in the stereotypical role of mother and housewife.
The introductory framework of the film also gives the allusion of entrapment. However, when the film introduces the abnormality of a lesbian sexuality into the story, it changes the original theme of fear and entrapment by serving lesbianism up as an avenue of escape from the bell jar hanging over head. The film is not brought back into perspective with the original work until after the death of Joan with Ester’s exclamation: “I am. I am. I am.” Then the film immediately diverges again, framing the beginning with the end by addressing the person in the bell jar: “To the person in the bell jar blank and stopped as a dead baby, the world itself is a bad dream” (193). Ester recounts, “I asked [Dr. Nolan] if I would survive. She said, yes. She at once freed me and condemned me back to life”. Then as if an afterthought she says,” If am the arrow, I cannot fly through darkness.” In other words, all the change and excitement she wants is null and void because she can’t “. . . shoot off in all directions [herself], like the colored arrows from a Fourth of July rocket”(68).
Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar. Bantam Books (published by arrangement
with Harper & Row). 1972.
Kellog, Marjorie, The Bell Jar. Directed by Larry Peerce, Based on
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
Posted on July 16, 2014 August 18, 2018 Categories Books, Literary AnalysisTags Bell Jar, Book versus Film, Comparitive Analysis, If I am an Arrow, Inferiority Complex, Societal Restraints, StereotypicalLeave a comment on A Comparison of Original Work to Film Version of Plath’s “The Bell Jar”
A Comparison between the Film, The Color Purple, and Alice Walker’s Original Work
The film, The Color Purple, and Alice Walker’s original work begins with a suppressive tone. The utterance: “You better not never tell nobody but God. It’d kill your mammy” consummates the suppressive tone. This declaration serves to qualify the guilt and shame Celie feels. Walker’s qualification of Celie’s feelings is instant, whereas the film suffers. In Celie’s first letter, when she addresses God, she writes “I am.” Then she crosses out these words and proceeds with “I have always been a good girl.” Her feelings of shame and guilt surface by way of her indecisive expression of the language. Even though Celie is not responsible for what happens because she has no control over her situation, nevertheless, she feels guilty for what her daddy forces upon her. Fear and ignorance keep her quiet, enduring her dying mother’s screams and cusses. Conversely, the film does not bestow the same impact or even make clear Celie’s personal dilemma.
The beauty of the color of purple in the first sequence as two young girls are seen happily singing and playing in a field of tall purple flowers masks Celie’s dilemma. The scene merely emphasizes the closeness of two young sisters, leaving questions concerning Celie’s pregnant condition unanswered. Consequently, the subtleness of the opening sequence renders the incident of rape exposed by Celie’s first letter to God as inconsequential. When she is seen giving birth to the baby with her young sister assisting, her father grows impatient and scorns her for taking so long.
Treating Celie with impatience and regarding her as unworthy of consideration seriously hampers her progress as a person. The actions of the father and later Mr._______ repress Celie and turn into the main hindrance to her happiness. An impatient tone exercises power over her. Celia’s ignorance and fear renders her powerless against abuse. She grows into an acceptance of her fate because she is made to feel ignorant, ugly, inferior, and unworthy of consideration; and therefore, she became a prime candidate for male domination.
While Celie is kept under male dominance, she works hard to ensure Nettie’s independence. Nettie does not feel Celie is ignorant. Nettie teaches her sister everything she learns and Celie promises Nettie she will take care of her with God’s help. In the original work, education is the key to Nettie’s independence. Later, education becomes the key to Celie’s independence as well.
In the film however, education is not an issue until after Nettie comes to live with Celie and Mr.______. When a clue arises that Mr. _______ is about to make a move on Nettie, education becomes significant because Celie needs to be able to read and write to communicate with Nettie if they are forced to separate. Celie’s life is an education process in itself. As she meets new people, she learns from them.
Celie learns from Sofia love has strength and the capability of conquering the opposition. Sofia’s vitality exposes the weakness of Mr.______- She stands her ground against him and gives Harpo the courage to stand up for himself. Sofia’s non acceptance of male dominance serves to contrast Celie’s acceptance of her inferior slave-like position. Shug Avery, Albert’s mistress, helps Celie to gain the self-confidence she lacks by encouraging her to make difficult choices while Shug serves as a living example to her. Shug says what she wants and does what she wants without fear of reprisal because she insists on her own right to pleasure. Her reason for not marrying Albert, even though she loves him, is because “he be week”.
When Celie learns through Sofia and Shug that Albert is a weak person, she does not take action to eradicate her circumstances until she learns Mr.______ took away years of joy from her life by keeping her sister’s letters from her. This spiteful action leaves Celie with the courage to speak out and act on her own behalf. As she learns from life’s experiences, she allows herself to grow and educates herself to life itself. Ironically, after her stepfather’s death, Celie gains financial freedom as well as freedom from male dominance.
Freedom from male dominance in the original work is stressed through a learning process of both Albert and Celie, this is apparent through Albert’s acceptance of Celie as a person and his acceptance of learning the backwardness of his ways as they sit together “sewing, and talking, and smoking.” The film, on the other hand, did not portray this joint learning aspect. Instead, Mr.______ is seen in the field at a distance walking a mule, a symbol of stubbornness that depicts an unwillingness to change.
Posted on February 22, 2011 September 17, 2018 Categories Film Analysis, Literary AnalysisTags Albert, Alice walker’s The Color Purple, Book versus Film, Celie, Fear quilt. Freedom, Film Analysis, Harpo, ignorance, Impatient suppressive tone, letters to God, Mr. ________. Shug Avery male dominance, Sisters Nettie SofiaLeave a comment on A Comparison between the Film, The Color Purple, and Alice Walker’s Original Work
A Comparison of Original Work to Film Version of Plath’s “The Bell Jar”: “If I am an Arrow”
In order for the film version to communicate openly what is purported to be Ester’s secret thoughts, Joan’s part in Ester’s life expands from a mere acquaintance who Ester only knows from “a cool distance” (160) to her best friend. Joan’s overly emphasized reactions to Ester’s every word and move as they discuss the different modes of suicide suggests her sexual designs on Ester. In a much later scene, Joan learns after making an advance and requesting sexual favors that Ester loathes this unnatural attraction. The film implies Ester drives Joan to suicide. And as a result, Ester has to face her own lesbian desires to be free of her own suicidal drive.
Posted on April 10, 2008 July 30, 2018 Categories Film Analysis, Literary AnalysisTags Bell Jar, Book versus Film, Comparitive Analysis, If I am an Arrow, Inferiority Complex, Societal Restraints, StereotypicalLeave a comment on A Comparison of Original Work to Film Version of Plath’s “The Bell Jar”: “If I am an Arrow”
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Association of Health Care Journalists
Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism | Better coverage. Better health.
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Tag Archives: health reporting
2013 winners named in top health journalism awards
About Pia Christensen
Pia Christensen (@AHCJ_Pia) is the managing editor/online services for AHCJ. She manages the content and development of healthjournalism.org, coordinates AHCJ's social media efforts and edits and manages production of association guides, programs and newsletters.
View all posts by Pia Christensen →
Tune in for the 2013 winners
See the announcement of the 2013 winners of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. Read more about each winner, including a summary of the entry. AHCJ members can click on the title of the entry to see the questionnaire about how the story was reported.
An investigation that found criminals running diet supplement companies, a series revealing the failure of hospitals to provide life-saving newborn screening tests and an examination of efforts to prevent childhood deaths in Africa and Asia were among the top winners of this year’s Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism.
First-place awards also went to articles that looked at the potential dangers of acetaminophen, the reasons behind a high suicide rate in Montana and what happens to veterans who lose their health benefits when they are discharged for minor offenses.
See the complete list of winners.
This entry was posted in Health journalism and tagged awards, contest, health reporting, winners on March 11, 2014 by Pia Christensen.
Journalists learn more about using social media tools
By Shuka Kalantari (@skalantari; @KQEDhealth)
KQED Public Radio
Though blogging and social media have been around for some time now, some people still argue that blogging, social media and journalism should be independent of one another. Scott Hensley of NPR’s Shots blog contends that couldn’t be further from the truth.
During a panel about “Best practices in blogging and social media” at Health Journalism 2011, Hensley said bloggers and journalists are perfect matches for each other. So how does a blogger decide what to write about?
The #ahcj11 Twitter stream helped attendees share information at Health Journalism 2011.
“I want to write the most interesting stuff online,” Hensley said. “The stuff that is burning to be done right now, then see where it goes.”
He advised journalists to check their Twitter feed in the morning as it might give you story ideas.
“Twitter and Facebook can be a booster rocket to make a post go viral.” He added that it doesn’t always work but, if the post is interesting, it’s worth a shot. Hensley says that in addition to checking news sites, he always checks his personal Twitter feed – @scotthensley – as well as the NPR’s Twitter feed – @NPRhealth – to see what’s going on in the Twittersphere.
Ivan Oransky, treasurer of AHCJ’s board of directors, is the executive editor of Reuters Health and blogger for Retraction Watch and Embargo Watch. He joined the blogosphere in 2006 for The Scientist. Oransky says that search engine optimization (SEO) is key for any blogger. If you have a subject you are covering, be sure to use key words that will attract people.
“SEO, to me, means using key words where people that were interested in that subject would want to read about,” Oransky said.
This entry was posted in Health journalism and tagged blogging, Health Journalism 2011, health reporting, social media, twitter on April 19, 2011 by Pia Christensen.
Hospital association official confuses news reporting with lobbying
Blythe Bernhard and Jeremy Kohler have been writing in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about Missouri hospitals’ unwillingness to publicly disclose medical errors.
So, when the St. Louis Metropolitan Hospital Council released a statement opposing public reporting of medical errors at hospitals, the reporters sent the statement to Missouri legislators and asked them for their comments.
I can only imagine the surprise Bernhard and Kohler felt when Daniel Landon, senior vice president of governmental relations for the Missouri Hospital Association, sent an e-mail to health professionals that characterized the reporters’ actions as coming “close to the definition of what constitutes lobbying, which is defined by the Missouri Ethics Commission and requires lobbyist registration.”
Landon said hospital association staff members planned to raise these concerns with legislators and had considered a complaint with the ethics commission.
“We think it is useful to put the Post-Dispatch on notice that someone is watching their actions in this regard,” Landon’s e-mail said. “Otherwise, the reporters will continue to push the envelope between reporting and promoting public policy changes to support their editorial positions.”
Another representative of the association later said the message was “regrettable.”
A Post-Dispatch editorial about the incident made clear to readers the difference between the editorial page and the news department, explaining that it “maintains strict church-state separation between the editorial page and the news department.”
When newspaper reporters or editorial writers communicate with legislators, we do so as journalists, acting in what we believe is the public interest. And regardless of whether public reporting of medical errors would serve hospitals’ interests, it clearly would serve the public interest.
Kohler wrote an article for AHCJ about how he and Bernhard investigated medical errors and the lack of public information available to help consumers choose their health care providers: Public handicapped by lack of information on medical errors.
This entry was posted in Health data, Health journalism, Hospitals and tagged Health journalism, health reporting, lobbying, reporting, St. Louis Post-Dispatch on March 1, 2011 by Pia Christensen.
EWA winners include health-related stories
The Education Writers Association announced the winners of the 2010 National Awards for Education Reporting yesterday. Since education and health frequently intersect, I took a look at the stories mentioned and found some worth pointing out.
A special citation went to Courtney Cutright, of The Roanoke Times, for “Autism: Breaking Down the Barriers.”
Rebecca Catalanello, of the St. Petersburg Times, also earned a special citation for “His pills cause her pain.”
Ann Dornfeld, of KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, received a special citation for “Recess Disparities in Seattle Public Schools.”
Related tip sheets
Health and education: Two intersecting beats
Health and education: Reporting resources
This entry was posted in Health journalism, Hot Health Headline and tagged awards, education, Health journalism, health reporting, journalism on March 1, 2011 by Pia Christensen.
Ind. station runs ‘canned’ story about Fla. boy
Jeremy Cox, medical reporter for the Jacksonville (Fla.) Times-Union, calls our attention to a television report about a boy who suffered a stroke and needed a rare surgery to save his life.
The report, which aired Thursday on WNDU-South Bend, Ind., was produced by Ivanhoe Broadcast News, a media company based in the Orlando, Fla., area.
Cox reports that the story, as aired on WNDU, “features the station’s health logo, ‘Maureen’s Medical Moment,’ along with an introduction and voice-over by the reporter Maureen McFadden.”
Critics have raised questions about these so-called “canned” reports in the past, as Cox points out:
Eric Deggans, the television and media critic for the St. Petersburg Times, asked a poignant question about health journalism a couple years ago. Two, actually.
“As a TV viewer, how do you know when reporters are presenting their own work? And does it matter if the format subtly encourages the audience to think a journalist has done work he has not?” he inquired.
Those questions topped a column about local television news reporters’ habit of presenting health stories produced by someone else as their own work. Without giving credit to that “someone else.”
In a 2009 blog post, Gary Schwitzer, an AHCJ member and publisher of HealthNewsReview.org, says that often stories produced in this way are “almost always about a single idea with one spokesman touting it.”
Certainly stories with a single source that lack independent analysis do not meet the standards set forth in AHCJ’s statement of principles, which calls for vigilance in selecting sources, recognition that most stories involve a degree of nuance and complexity that no single source could provide and seek out independent experts.
This entry was posted in Children, Health journalism and tagged ethics, health reporting, Ivanhoe, journalism, medical reporting on December 13, 2010 by Pia Christensen.
Doctor calls for principles in health reporting
Nortin Hadler, M.D., in an opinion piece for ABC News, writes about his worries for health journalism. Hadler, who is on the advisory board for the health and medical journalism program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says that health journalism is threatened more than other reporting specialties by the financial pressures the media industry is experiencing.
He points out that health reporting is a specialty in journalism and calls for appropriately trained, responsible health journalists. He points to AHCJ’s statement of principles and says living up to them is a “challenge that is met unevenly.”
Hadler expresses concern “about the decimation of the ranks of health journalists. I understand the appeal of ‘press releases’ and the greater appeal of such that accumulate on Web sites; convenience can unburden the journalists assigned to cover more than is possible and cost-effectiveness can unburden the publisher whose cash flow is so tenuous.”
This entry was posted in Conflicts of interest, Health journalism and tagged ethics, health reporting, principles on October 20, 2009 by Pia Christensen.
Reporter looks at how diseases of poverty flourish in the U.S.
Report shows health insurers are failing to comply with mental health parity laws
Reporter uncovers ‘painful mistakes’ in one state’s handling of dentist errors
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Zika Virus: A WHO Emergency
On February 1st, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) general [...]
By Kar Mun Neoh|2017-09-29T09:17:28-07:00February 18th, 2016|Categories: Disease, Everyday Health, Infectious Disease|Tags: awareness, everyday health, global health, Guillain-Barre, microcephaly, mosquito, prevention, public health, virus, WHO, Zika, Zika virus|1 Comment
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Partnership, Innovation and Stability
What is the Irish Advantage?
Irish companies have a unique approach to partnering with global customers. The Irish workforce is one of the most flexible and educated in the world and a forward-looking mindset means that product, service and process innovation is a key driving factor. Coupled with a proven track record of meeting global market leader needs, the Irish Advantage is obvious.
Most Flexible
And adaptable workforce in the world
A Top 10 Education System
Globally for meeting the needs of a competitive economy
10th Most Reputable
Country in the world
The world’s most adaptable workforce means strong partnerships
Two of the most important things for any customer in choosing a partner are flexibility and adaptability. Ireland has been ranked first in the world for both by IMD in their 2017 Global Competitiveness Yearbook. This adaptability is a key factor in Irish companies’ success in overseas markets – enabling them to approach problems from the customer’s perspective and offer bespoke solutions to their specific requirements.
The adaptability of Ireland’s exporting companies is further helped by a young, motivated workforce, which, according to the OECD, is one of the most educated in the world. Ireland’s education system also ranks in the top 10 globally for meeting the needs of a competitive economy.
Read the full articleRead the full article
1st for Innovation
Among EU SME's
12 National Research Centres
Set up between 2013 and 2017
1st in the EU
For getting economic value out of research
10th in Global Ranking
For the quality of its scientific research
Europe’s most innovative SMEs deliver competitive advantage for customers
Innovation is a key source of competitive advantage and again, Irish companies have a leading position worldwide with the European Commission’s 2017 Innovation Scorecard ranking Irish SMEs number one for innovation. Customers of Irish companies worldwide are leveraging this innovation to improve operational efficiency and productivity as well as enhancing their own product portfolios.
Building on two decades of investment in science and technology, the Irish Government is continuing to put innovation first and is currently implementing a strategy called Innovation 2020. One of its main aims is to ensure that companies based in Ireland outperform their competitors in international markets. A key target of the strategy is to grow the number of research personnel in industry by 60% to 40,000 by the end of the decade.
Research collaboration between the Irish state and industry is unparalleled. Last year, academic researchers supported by the Irish Government recorded 1,036 collaborative projects between companies and Higher Education institutions.
Committed to EU
A member since 1973
Most Optimistic
Among EU members about the future of the EU
3rd Most Resilient
Supply chain in the world
Stability, compliance and a global mindset create trust for customers
In light of Brexit, the question of supply chain stability has become a pressing issue for companies worldwide. Ireland will continue to be an active and committed EU member. This means certainty and continuity for EU customers purchasing from Irish companies – and no risk of supply chain interruption, new tariffs or legal complications arising.
Irish companies think globally – for many of our business-to-business companies, exports account for more than 90% of sales. Irish companies also have a long history of serving major global multinationals with Irish operations and as a result are outstanding on the world stage when it comes to compliance with international regulations.
In the uncertain post-Brexit era, Irish companies provide the reassurance that they are operating from a country with a stable supply chain. Ireland was deemed to have the third-most resilient supply chain in the world, according to the 2016 FM Global Resilience Index.
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GoDaddy And Microsoft Launch Get Online Today Service
ISMagazine.com
Patrick Stevens
Business FirstInternet Today BingGoDaddyGodaddy auctionsmicrosoft
English: Logo for the Microsoft Corporation, used until 1987 Deutsch: Historisches Microsoft-Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Recently, GoDaddy and Microsoft announced their intentions to work together on various projects. Now they've revealed their latest collaboration. It's called Get Online Today. From this package, users receive Web hosting, site building services, and e-mail through Office 365 for $1.00 per month through Year One. Subscribers receive a free $50 credit toward Bing Ads, too.
Of course, GoDaddy offers tons of Web hosting and related products including Google Auctions. Each product is priced individually, and creating a custom package isn't always easy. Get Online Today offers users an all-in-one package, though. Without a doubt, both companies are trying to compete with sites like Squarespace and WordPress. More so than that, though, both companies are targeting inexperienced website owners.
Microsoft and GoDaddy launched their partnership and found a major problem. These days, most small businesses lack an online presence. Business owners often didn't know how to start their own website. Such businesses lose out on a tremendous opportunity. Through this setup, users that are already familiar with Microsoft's products can use them with GoDaddy's added services.
Get Online Today offers the first year at a discounted rate of $1.00 per month. From there, the price rises to $12.00 monthly, which is still a competitive price. Cloud storage isn't included in this package, but business owners can implement such solutions separately through GoDaddy when necessary. Get Online Today opens small businesses up to the world of online hosting services.
GoDaddy isn't trying to compete with other heavyweights in the industry that target professional webmasters. Along with Microsoft, the company is targeting semi-professional users and businesses that need a web presence. The major challenge here amounts to proving to businesses that they need an online presence. If the company can succeed on that front, then Get Online Today will no doubt be a major success.
Microsoft Office 365 Is A Steal (ismagazine.com)
7 Benefits To Having Your WordPress Website Hosted By GoDaddy (capturedtech.com)
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Fujitsu launches new Cyber Resilience Centre in Canberra
Catherine Knowles
Fujitsu has launched its new Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) in Canberra. The CRC is a Security Operations Centre (SOC) providing around the clock management of new Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS) offerings and delivery of end-to-end security services.
The facility will oversee managed and professional security services across the Oceania region and be based on a consumption model, which lets customers scale up technology when needed.
The services will be hosted using Fujitsu’s Protected Cloud, which is accredited by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).
According to Fujitsu, the offering is designed to combat the cyberthreat landscape and enable government agencies and enterprises to ramp up their security measures. In essence, the CRC aims to help overcome the challenge of maintaining in-house resources.
Located within Fujitsu’s Canberra office, it will provide Federal and State Government customers with a physical location for cybersecurity, an escalation point for security services, and the ability to operate at a classified level with complete managed detection and response capability, Fujitsu says.
The facility will later include a ‘virtual security operations centre’, which will service the entire Oceania region, according to Fujitsu.
The company says this will complement the physical model and allow the facility’s services to be leveraged across the region where needed.
Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer Mike Foster, says, “Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand has invested in this next-generation facility to make sure we are well-positioned to protect our customers from ever-increasing cybersecurity threats.”
Foster says, “As Fujitsu helps customers on their digital transformation journey, security is an essential consideration in developing a foundation for growth.
“Fujitsu’s CRC teams will be on the frontline of defence for Fujitsu’s customers against cybersecurity threats. They will be monitoring the latest threats, responding to the requirements of new security standards, and formulating the best ways to deal with a wide range of issues as they arise.”
“The CRC sits at the heart of Fujitsu’s security portfolio, providing support for security requirements across our offerings including hybrid IT, cloud, digital workplace services, and digital solutions. The integrated solution removes the clutter and complexity of managing multiple single security functions, providing additional value, increased efficiency, speed of detection and analysis, and quicker response to critical threat incidents.”
With continuous support for SECaaS offerings, the CRC will operate on a 24x7 basis. The centre is compliant to Federal Government SECRET level, having being purpose-built to meet these requirements, Fujitsu says.
The dedicated facility features a purpose-built video wall to assist with monitoring and detection of incidents and sharing of threat intelligence.
The CRC will deliver a suite of managed cyber security services including threat analytics, vulnerability management, threat intelligence and threat response.
Threat analytics refers to the collation and analysis of events and the protection, detection and remediation of security incidents as well as enabling retrospective analysis to support security investigations.
Vulnerability management includes the probing of assets and configurations to identify weaknesses. This information can then be used to drive the remediation activity and enhance the protection of critical information assets.
Threat intelligence is tracking external feeds to give early indications of potential targets, while threat response involves working with customers to plan how to react in the event of a breach or potential breach.
Foster says, “The CRC will provide end-to-end services to our customers daily. The consumption-based model lets customers scale up technology when needed, providing greater flexibility and ease of management, supporting their business needs now and into the future.
“Built-in automation allows for quick deployment and delivery, reducing operational costs and incident response times, with a greater focus on proactive intelligence-led cybersecurity.”
The CRC certification and processes are based on industry standards including ISO27001 and comply with the Australian Signals Directorate’s Cyber Security Manual, privacy legislations and sector specific regulations as well as Australian Government standards.
Citrix flaw puts 80,000 companies at risk
Security, analytics and customer service top priorities for CFOs
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Impowerus
The Impowerus Team
Immigration Law & Our Purpose
Why Impowerus?
The purpose of Impowerus is to bridge the gap between juveniles in need of legal aid and legal service provider by developing a new way to do pro bono work in immigration law. Impowerus seeks to improve the way the legal industry serves its customers. The increased caseload in immigration courts and the need for pro-bono legal services provide an opportunity for Impowerus to use technology to bring pro bono counsel to a vulnerable sector of our population – children. Our vision is to have law firms – big and small – utilize this technology in a way that helps attorneys use their time effectively and efficiently.
"Today, it is up to the legal community to respond and provide these children with the care and representation they deserve." - Director of the ABA Commission on Immigration
Copyright © 2018 Impowerus - All Rights Reserved.
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Badu determined to help Hellas Verona establish themselves in Serie A
Goal.com 17 July 2019
The Black Stars player is currently under observation at a medical facility due to a health setback on Wednesday
Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu believes his years of experience in the Italian topflight will be a plus for new side Hellas Verona in their quest to avoid demotion from Serie A after just one season.
The 28-year-old is set for a spell with the newly-promoted side, having last week completed a season-long loan from Udinese. He had played for the latter club since 2010.
Badu will be hoping to relaunch his career after returning from an 11-month injury layoff towards the end of last season.
"I am very happy to have arrived at Verona," Badu said, as reported by his new club's website.
"Now I am very well physically.
"I just have to work and help the team. Last season, I played games after my return so the injury is behind me.
"I am ready to do anything, just to help the team.
"I will use my years of experience in Serie A to reach the goal of keeping our place in the league."
Badu's only time away from Udinese and Serie A was in 2017 when he joined Turkish side Bursaspor on a season-long loan, the stint unfortunately ended by an injury that would keep him out for almost a year.
The 28-year-old Fifa U20 World Cup-winner featured for Ghanaian sides Berekum Arsenal and Asante Kotoko as well as Spanish outfit Recreativo Huelva before joining The Black and Whites.
The Serie A commences next month.
Juventus' Pjaca set for Cagliari loan switch
Mourinho vows to play Eriksen against Norwich despite Inter interest
Brozovic ankle sprain confirmed by Inter
Inter ready to test Tottenham with new £12.8m bid for Christian Eriksen
Manchester United vs Burnley confirmed line-ups: Team news for Premier League fixture tonight
Manchester United vs Burnley live stream: How to watch Premier League fixture online and on TV tonight
Manchester United vs Burnley prediction: How will Premier League fixture play out tonight?
The long road to Reds’ redemption
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Karnataka Congress leader found dead on the banks of river Krishna in Vijayapura
The News Minute 17 May 2019
The body of Congress leader Reshma Padekanura was found near Krishna River in Karnataka’a Vijayapura in the early hours of Friday. According to the Kolhar Police, Reshma’s body was found near the Kolhar Bridge located near Krishna River at around 6 am on Friday. The Kolhar Police Station have registered a case.
Police suspect that it is a case of murder. She was last seen with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party leader from Maharashtra Toufik in his car on Thursday night, say police. Basavanabagewadi DySP SU Maheshwargouda is heading the probe into her death.
Police say that Reshma’s husband has levelled allegations against Toufik stating that they had a property dispute. According to her husband, Reshma had gone to meet Toufik on Thursday and she had got into the car with him around 12 pm, say police.
Reshma was the JD(S) District President of the Women’s Wing in Vijayapura and had been with the party for over a decade. She also contested from Devarahipparagi Assembly constituency on a JD(S) ticket in 2013 but was defeated. When the JD(S) denied her a ticket in 2018 during the Assembly Elections, Reshma joined the Congress.
Thai police arrest suspect in robbery that killed toddler
Suspect in Mangaluru airport bomb case turns himself in
UP CAA protests: Firozabad FIRs same, accused fear will be blamed for deaths
Delhi: Law student alleges sexual assault by Tihar counsel
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Blog / Technically Speaking
The Real Deal About Java and the Future of Ignition
by Carl Gould and Colby Clegg
Oracle will soon make sweeping changes to the Java roadmap by removing Java Web Start and ending support for older versions of Java. While this may cause some concerns, we have a migration path that will ease the transition. Read on to learn more about the changes to Java or skip ahead to our key takeaways.
Oracle, the “steward” of one the most popular programming languages in the world, has recently put out a white paper discussing the future roadmap for Java. In it, Oracle reveals a couple of significant changes that we want to address. We also want to take this opportunity to talk about the long-term benefits this change brings to Ignition. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s take a step back to talk about Java and why we chose it for Ignition.
Why We Decided to Drink the Java
Fifteen years ago when we started the process of developing this new disruptive industrial SCADA platform, we needed a programming language that afforded us incredible flexibility. After exploring our options, we finally settled upon the Java programming language since it had two major strengths that were important to us.
Java’s primary strength is its fairly unique status as a totally cross-platform programming language with runtimes for Windows, Linux, and Mac. Java’s secondary strength is its massive popularity as an established programming language used predominantly among large enterprises, powering the biggest server applications in the world. According to the TIOBE Index, Java has remained one of the most popular programming languages, usually taking the #1 or #2 spot on the list.
What you have is a highly regarded, cross-platform programming language with an extensive catalog of available libraries backed by a vibrant community of developers. The only distant alternative to Java would have been C++. While C++ could be considered a cross-platform language, it takes additional effort to implement. Java allowed us to develop the industry’s first OS-independent solution.
In addition, Java allowed us to create a totally modular platform, which C++ would not have allowed us. Java has a very strong system for dynamically adding new code to your program after the fact.
We also leveraged excellent technologies such as Java Web Start, which gives Ignition the ability to easily deploy unlimited clients throughout an organization. This ability gives Ignition a competitive edge in our industry.
Two Significant Changes
In its recent white paper, Oracle indicated they are making two major changes to Java. The first change has to do with Java Web Start and Java applets. In the past year or so, many web-browser developers have disabled by default or removed support for plugins such as Java applets and Flash because of security reasons. Oracle has made the decision to remove applets and Java Web Start from future versions of Java, essentially removing the web-based deployment mechanisms for desktop applications.
The second change applies to Java’s future releases and commercial use. When Oracle originally acquired Java from Sun Microsystems, they inherited a release cycle wherein a new version was released about every two years. Oracle is transitioning to a much faster release model with a new major version every six months, which will allow Oracle to modernize the Java ecosystem more quickly.
Additionally, Oracle is changing how it releases updates to older versions of Java. Going forward, Oracle will no longer offer updates to older versions of Java for commercial use unless customers have a support contract.
A More Modern, Open Approach to Java
We realize that Oracle’s changes to the Java roadmap may initially cause some concerns for our customers. However, we genuinely believe they are positive developments in the long run. To get a better perspective on the situation, we must look at the history of Java.
When Sun Microsystems developed Java, they released the reference implementation, Java compilers, virtual machines, and class libraries under a proprietary license. Then in 2007, Sun relicensed most of its Java technologies, specifically Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and Java Developer Kit (JDK), under the General Public License (GPL) and made them open-source.
In 2009, Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems, thus inheriting the Java intellectual property and becoming the “stewards” of Java. From that point on, Oracle has provided commercial support and updates to Java. Prior to 2011, Oracle had operated under a model where they made changes to their version of Java, and those changes would then be pushed to the developer community to include in the new version of the OpenJDK. After 2011, the model has flipped, in that any updates are made first in the OpenJDK, and then pushed towards Oracle for inclusion in their version of Java.
To summarize it simply: Oracle’s distribution of Java is no longer going to be the go-to version. That honor is shifting towards the open-source distribution, the OpenJDK. In doing so, Oracle is acknowledging that the community is the real “steward” of the Java language and runtime.
Viable Alternatives are Available
Oracle’s plan to eliminate the free long-term, commercial-use updates will require those using Java commercially to purchase a Java Advanced SE license from Oracle, or find a viable alternative. Fortunately, viable open-source alternatives are available and there is time to prepare, since the change to older Java SE versions won’t take effect until January of 2019.
If you are running Oracle Java 8 SE, we recommend migrating to the OpenJDK version of Java. You can download the reference implementation of Java at www.adoptopenjdk.net. You also have the option to download Zulu, which is a free, certified build of the OpenJDK from Azul Systems that is fully compliant with the Java SE standard. If you want a commercially supported version of the OpenJDK, Azul Systems offers Zulu Enterprise as well.
What Does the Future of Ignition Look Like?
While Oracle’s changes are fairly significant, their announcement did not come as a surprise to us, and we’ve been working hard in recent years to improve various aspects of the Ignition user experience including the use of Java.
Oracle’s announcement also gives us this opportunity to talk about some of the great things we have in store for Ignition. Below are two main points we’d like all Ignition users to know.
Java Embedded in Ignition v8.0
First and foremost, thanks to new technical features introduced in Java 9, we’ll soon be able to actually embed the open Java runtime directly into Ignition itself. In Ignition v8.0, Java will no longer be an additional component that customers have to download and install.
This change to embedded Java will also include a new, more streamlined way to launch the Ignition Designer and Vision clients. This new method will eliminate the need to download, install, or update Java on client machines, making it easier for IT to manage.
In addition, the ability to embed Java with Ignition will allow us to streamline our quality assurance (QA) process. Currently, Ignition v7.9 supports Java versions 6, 7, 8, and 9. It takes a massive effort to test all of these versions, and having Java embedded in Ignition v8.0 will help us improve the process and improve the overall experience.
Java Included in Future v7.9 Releases
We also plan on embedding Java into Ignition beginning with v7.9.10. After this change, Ignition v7.9 will no longer require Java to be installed. Also, for quite some time we’ve offered the Native Client Launcher as an alternative means of launching the Designer and clients without using Java Web Start. We suggest using the Native Client Launcher for Ignition v7.9.
A Bright Future Ahead
Over the past 15 years, our development team has worked hard to create an industrial SCADA platform that paves a new way in the industry. That has required us to listen carefully to our customers while keeping a close eye on what’s happening in the industry. In that time, we’ve certainly seen many technological changes occur, and Ignition’s ability to flow with those changes is a testament to how strong and flexible a platform it is. We’re confident that Ignition will continue to enable our customers to build practically any industrial application they need, and we’re excited about the new things they’ll be able to do with Ignition in the near future.
Key Takeaways and Additional Resources
To recap, here are the quick takeaways:
If you are using Ignition v7.9 or v7.7 LTS, migrate over to the OpenJDK (available at adoptopenjdk.net) or download Zulu, which is a free, certified build of the OpenJDK from Azul Systems that is fully compliant with the Java SE standard. If you want a commercially supported version of the OpenJDK, Azul Systems offers Zulu Enterprise as well.
Use Native Client Launchers to launch the Ignition Designer and clients as an alternative to using Java Web Start.
We plan to embed Java in Ignition v7.9.10 and v8.0. Once those versions are released, downloading Java will no longer be an issue.
The links to the OpenJDK Version 8 and Java 8 from Azul Systems are available below:
OpenJDK from adoptopenjdk.net
Certified Builds of OpenJDK from Azul Systems
For more information about supported Java versions for Ignition v7.9, please see our brief Knowledge Base article on the subject. Our support team is also available to assist you with any questions or any Java-related issues with your Ignition system.
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Carl Gould and Colby Clegg
Co-Directors of Software Engineering
Carl Gould
Carl is co-director of software engineering at Inductive Automation. Carl has been with the company from the ground up and was part of the original team that developed Ignition. His work has been instrumental to the company's rapid growth ever since. Today, he continues to lead the development of Ignition, innovating new ways to elevate both the software and the manufacturing automation industry as a whole.
Colby Clegg
Colby has been with Inductive Automation since the company’s formation, and is one of the original designers of the Ignition software. His day-to-day goal is to make Ignition do more things in more places, focusing on data management, performance, and distributed computing. Outside of work, you'll probably find him exploring the incredible countryside surrounding Folsom and beyond on his bike.
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GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Foster Friess Touts Government Transparency
Tom MOrton, Townsquare Media
Republican gubernatorial candidate Foster Friess on Thursday said his campaign has changed his agenda to three goals that supersede his interests in economic diversification, improving education and getting the budget in line.
"One, transparency and accountability; second, transparency and accountability; and third, transparency and accountability," Friess told about 100 supporters and campaign staffers and volunteers at a rally at the Good War Birds hangar at the Casper-Natrona County International Airport.
"If we can get that done, a lot of things are going to fall in place," he said.
Before Friess spoke, he gave a nod of thanks to former Pennsylvania GOP U.S. Senator and unsuccessful presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
During Santorum's warmup talk, he said Friess gave crucial financial support to him during his 2012 bid to be the Republican Party's nominee for President. Santorum finished second to party standard-bearer Mitt Romney, who unsuccessfully challenged Democratic President Barack Obama.
Friess' contributions helped propel Santorum from the single digits in the polls leading to the Iowa caucuses to virtually tying Romney. Despite his burgeoning popularity, Santorum eventually ended his campaign after poor showings in several states.
Santorum returned the favor Thursday.
"What I've seen from Foster Friess is exactly what the Lord calls us to do, just go out there every day, show kindness, be civil, show God's love, and do His will," he said.
"This is the man who walks the walk, and does it without saying, 'look at me,'" Santorum said.
When Friess told him he was running for governor, Santorum volunteered to help, he said. "I said, 'let me know when I can come out, and tell the people of Wyoming what an opportunity you have to elect someone who will bleed for you, who will bleed for this state, who will do what's necessary to make this state an enormous success and bring people together, and do it in a way that promotes civility.'"
Friess is among six Republicans seeking the party's nomination. The others are Bill Dahlin, Harriet Hageman, Mark Gordon, Sam Galeotos and Taylor Haynes.
The primary is Aug. 21.
Filed Under: airport, candidate, Casper, Foster Friess, GOP, Natrona County, Primary, republican, Rick Santorum, transparency
Categories: Casper News, Politics
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Sheriff Asks for Volunteers in Search for Missing Wyoming Hunter
By Nick Learned October 31, 2018 1:40 PM
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook
The Sheriff of Sweetwater County is asking for volunteers to assist in a search for a missing Rock Springs man who went hunting last week and has not returned.
Sheriff Mike Lowell said in a statement that the search for 74-year-old Terry Meador will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Pine Mountain Area. Thus far, searches using ground units, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters have been unsuccessful.
Meador was reported missing on Oct. 25. Authorities believe that he went hunting alone. His unoccupied pickup truck was found badly stuck just north of Pine Mountain.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the search is asked to contact the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office at 307-222-5316, 307-872-3866 or 307-922-5305.
“We are asking that people call in to the numbers we’ve provided rather than texting or messaging,” Lowell said. “It’s important that we have an accurate tally of searchers, their contact informatoin, and personally-owned search resources they have available, such as ATVs or horses.”
Lowell said that volunteers will need to be prepared for cold weather and dress appropriately.
Searchers will meet at 7 a.m. Saturday at the sheriff’s office on U.S. Highway 191 South, south of exit 99 on Interstate 80, for a briefing.
Deer and antelope seasons in the search area will be closed by Saturday, but late-season elk hunters will be around, so volunteers are encouraged to wear orange as a safety precaution.
“University of Utah Air Med has, once again, offered to make a helicopter available, and we have also been in touch with Tip Top Search & Rescue in Pinedale, which has indicated a willingness to send a team down on Saturday,” Lowell said.
People are asked to refrain from flying their drones in the general Pine Mountain, Potter Mountain and Brown’s Park region on Thursday, as a helicopter from the University of Wyoming will be in the area.
A helicopter will also likely be involved in Saturday’s search, so Lowell asks people to avoid flying their drones in the area that day as well.
Anyone who may have information regarding Meador’s whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.
Filed Under: missing | missing hunter | Search | search party | Sheriff | Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office | terry meador | volunteers Category: News | Wyoming News
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info@itct.org.uk
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Gibraltar Parliament passes counter terrorism legislation
Published By ITCT News Desk On : December 17, 2018
U.S. airstrikes in Somalia kill 62 al-Shabaab militants over the weekend
Case of U.S. soldier accused of murder in Afghanistan to be reviewed by President Trump
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The Gibraltar Parliament has unanimously passed fundamental legislation designed to equip law enforcement agencies with the tools that they require to counter the “scourge” of terrorism.
The Terrorism Act 2018 repeals the existing Terrorism Act 2005 and replaces it with a much more comprehensive and robust regime.
In presenting the legislation to the House Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said: “It is regrettable that we need this legislation, but this is the unfortunate reality of the world in which we live.”
The new Act makes provision for a wide range of conduct including acts that are intended to encourage terrorist activity, the provision of training, travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism, funding travelling abroad for the purpose of terrorism and financing offences in addition to acts such as bombing.
The Leader of the Opposition, Elliott Phillips said: “Terrorism is a global threat to our way of life and it is right that our law enforcement agencies are supported and are given enhanced tools to fight this evil.”
The terms of the legislation came about from a request by the Royal Gibraltar Police for the provision of certain powers that are available to their UK counterparts.
Source: Gibraltar Chronicle
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Artist Juliette Déjoué in residence at IZOLYATSIA
Nov. 17, 2019, 11:33 p.m. | Artist Juliette Déjoué in residence at IZOLYATSIA
On November 18 — December 27, 2019, french artist Juliette Déjoué is the participant of IZOLYATSIA’s residence program.
Juliette Déjoué is a french artist born in 1983. Juliette has studied art in Marseille from 2006 to 2011, after graduating Marseille Art School she moved to Berlin together with her collective Yassemeqk. After 4 years in Germany she moved to Casablanca where she stayed until 2019. In Morocco she worked with art association Atelier de l'Observatoire, which realizes traveling projects in working-class districts — now she is back in Marseille. Her works were shown in multiple cities of Europe and Morocco. She has also received a scholarship for a half-year journey in Eastern Europe and has been to Turkey, Poland, Bulgaria and lived in France, Germany and Macedonia.
During her residence at IZOLYATSIA she will research local context and use it in paintings and installations to express what she understands about local culture.
“When I travel I seek the signs of popular culture: the paper that wraps candy, paintings that advertise restaurants, objects meant for football supporters — I absorb it and try to make it part of my work. When I find myself in a new area, my first move is to wander on the streets.
Places I go to have an important influence on my work — Morocco is visible in my recent paintings. After my trip in Eastern Europe I started using cyrillic letters in my work, it influenced my colour palette as well. It's important for me to completely open my work to new environments.
My artwork is mostly painting but I like to think that it has to do with theater. It has to do with space, objects and people, who usually turn into characters — they are more than human figures but something that is related to fiction. I like the idea of confusion and borders fading away, eventually vanishing.
Related to my work it is a zone between several media, making a difficulty to tell what was there from the beginning and what was added later, tell reality from fiction. Movement is what creates this confusion and borders that are meant to be broken.”
See more of Juliette works at: https://mereubu.wixsite.com/juliette-dejoue
As part of her residency, in April 2020, Juliette Dezhue will host Artist Talk at IZONE Creative Community. During the lecture she will talk about residency experience and her own artistic practice with her colleague and IZOLYATSIA’s resident Mathilde Fages.
The residence of Juliette Déjoué is made possible thanks to the support of French Institute in Kyiv.
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Help Nunn Center Term of Use
Interview with Lyman T. Johnson, December 3, 1984
Project: Kentucky Sports: Interscholastics Athletics Oral History Project
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Interview Summary
Lyman T. Johnson talks about becoming the athletic director at Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Johnson talks about how Berea College was an integrated school until 1904 when the Day Law was put into effect, making it illegal for white and black students to attend the same schools. He talks about the Plessy v. Ferguson case which said that segregated facilities must be equal in quality, and discusses why the facilities were never actually equal. Johnson talks about how Central High School was forced to play teams from Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, and Illinois because there were no other black teams in Kentucky that played at their level and they were not allowed to play white teams because of the Day Law. He talks about the difficulty of funding athletics teams prior to desegregation. He talks about the black coaches' salaries compared to white coaches.
Johnson talks about how in 1949, Central High School played the first integrated football game in Louisville, Kentucky against Saint Xavier High School. Johnson talks about how after integration the white schools began to aggressively recruit the best black athletes by disparaging the black schools. Johnson discusses his views on high school sports for girls. He talks about the future of high school sports and the positive influence of athletics on students' lives.
Interview Accession
1984oh156_ks053
Lyman T. Johnson
Interviewer Name
Herbert Lewis, Jr.
Interview Keyword
Central High School Day Law University of Kentucky Separate but equal Saint Xavier High School Louisville Male High School duPont Manual High School Athletic directors University of Louisville Salaries Louisville Athletic Board of Control Gender. Football. Basketball Football players. Basketball players.
Interview LC Subject
University of Kentucky--Sports--History African American teachers. African American leadership African Americans--Education. African Americans--Employment. African Americans--Social conditions. Louisville (Ky.) African Americans--Sports African Americans--Civil rights African Americans--Segregation Integration Race discrimination. Race relations--Kentucky Racism School integration--Kentucky Segregation in education--Kentucky Berea College Education, Higher African Americans--Recreation African American athletes.
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Using a Smartphone to Detect Norovirus (Winter Vomiting Bug)
Thursday 29 August, 2019 | 2:29 AM
A little bit of norovirus – the highly infectious microbe that causes about 20 million cases of food poisoning in the United States each year – goes a long way. Just 10 particles of the virus can cause illness in humans. A team of University of Arizona researchers has created a simple, portable and inexpensive method for detecting extremely low levels of norovirus.
Jeong-Yeol Yoon, a researcher in the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Soo Chung, a biosystems engineering doctoral student who works in Yoon’s Biosensors Lab; and Kelly A. Reynolds, Chair of the Department of Community, Environment and Policy in the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, led the project. The team published their results in ACS Omega, the official journal of the American Chemical Society, and Yoon is presenting the research at the ACS Fall 2019 National Meeting & Exposition in San Diego this week.
“Advances in rapid monitoring of human viruses in water are essential for protecting public health,” Reynolds said. “This rapid, low-cost water quality monitoring technology could be a transformational tool for reducing both local and global disease burdens.”
The National Science Foundation Water and Environmental Technology Center at the UA and Tucson Water both provided funding for this research. While norovirus is often associated with cruise ships, it can also spread quickly through a community via its water supply. It causes about 200,000 deaths globally each year.
Keeping Components Simple
Devices to detect norovirus in small quantities do already exist, but they typically require a laboratory setting with an array of microscopes, lasers and spectrometers that can cost thousands of dollars. To detect norovirus in the field, such as on cruise ships or in municipal water wells, the team decided to use much simpler materials: paper, in the form of microfluidic chips, and a smartphone.
“Paper substrate is very cheap and easy to store, and we can fabricate these chips easily,” Chung said. “The fibrous structure of paper also allows liquid to flow spontaneously without using the pumping systems other chips, such as silicon chips, usually require.”
However, scientists usually detect contaminants on the chips by measuring the scattering and reflection of light in a sample, and paper’s porousness and opacity can cause background scattering that interferes with imaging and makes it difficult to detect very small concentrations of a virus. So, the group developed a new way to detect norovirus, by counting fluorescent beads rather than measuring light intensity.
The process starts with adding potentially contaminated water to one end of a paper microfluidic chip. To the other end, a tester adds tiny, fluorescent polystyrene beads (picture the little white balls inside of a bean bag – these are the same material, but much smaller). Each bead is attached to an antibody against norovirus. If norovirus is present, several of the antibodies attach to each virus particle, creating a little clump of fluorescent beads.
“Norovirus particles are too small to be imaged by a smartphone microscope, and so are antibodies,” Yoon said. “But when you have two or three or more of these beads joined together, that indicates that the norovirus is there, causing the beads to aggregate.”
These clumps of beads are large enough for a smartphone microscope to detect and photograph. Then, a smartphone app the researchers created counts the number of illuminated pixels in the image to identify the number of aggregated beads, and subsequently, the number of norovirus particles in the sample. That’s another advantage of the paper chip: Through capillary action, the groups of beads spread out along the paper, making them easier to count. The most expensive component of the whole device – the smartphone microscope – costs less than $50. It is also simple to use.
“You don’t have to be a scientist or an engineer to run the device,” Yoon said. “Analysis will be done automatically by the smartphone app, so all you have to worry about is loading a sample of water onto the chip.”
In the future, the team hopes to develop methods for detecting norovirus infections in patients even earlier, and to expand their smartphone monitoring platform to detect other hazards, such as potentially cancer-causing chemicals. They also plan to spread the platform’s use across the globe, fighting and detecting far-reaching diseases with tools that are just as widespread.
general Indian Navy bans smartphones, social media on bases, ships
NEW DELHI: After the recent arrest of seven navy personnel for allegedly leaking sensitive information
general Yatheesh Chandra’s lightning raid: Two smartphones seized from TP murder case accused Shafi
THRISSUR: Four smartphones were seized from convicts including TP murder case convict Shafi at Viyyur
TAGS: SMARTPHONE TO DETECT NOROVIRUS, SMARTPHONE, CELL PHONE
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Action Adventure Animation Comedy Crime Documentary Drama Family Fantasy History
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Bob's Burgers 2020
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Bob's Burgers follows a third-generation restaurateur, Bob, as he runs Bob's Burgers with the help of his wife and their three kids. Bob and his quirky family have big ideas about burgers, but fall short on service and sophistication. Despite the greasy counters, lousy location and a dearth of customers, Bob and his family are determined to make Bob's Burgers "grand re-re-re-opening" a success.
Released: Jan 01, 1970
Runtime: 00:21:14 minutes
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Stars: H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Dan Mintz
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July 30, 2014: Fade in…humor!
Previous Article July 29, 2014: Done and done!
Next Article July 31, 2014: This and that!
It NEVER gets any easier. Inevitably, the jubilation of convening with your fellow writers and hashing out a terrific story is extinguished by the prospect of having to actually write the damn script. You sit down, type FADE IN and then…What? Oh, you know what the scene is going to be (You just broke it the other week) and you can imagine the great version (Not the actual words, mind you, but the reactions of people who read it or watch the finished product. Best Scene Ever!), but actually realizing it to its fullest potential…now that’s where things get sticky.
I once worked with a writer who would force out a first pass, no matter how half-assed, just to get something down before returning to it for countless rewrites, revisions that – in theory – would develop and improve on what he’d written. Sure. And I once worked with another writer who’d always tell me: “Shit don’t take a good buff.” In other words, you can polish that half-assed pass all you want but, in the end, all you’ll end up with is a polished half-assed pass. Which is why, when I sit down to write a script, those first few lines have to be tight. I’ll work through a variety of false starts – a dozen, often more – before finding the right opening exchange, then develop the scene from that promising beginning. I’ll pace (or drive or shower or eat or feign interest in the conversations going on around me) and run the scene in my head, over and over, building the beats, the dialogue, the set-ups, the pay-offs until, satisfied, I’ll finally sit down and actually, physically, start writing. And, once I have it all down, I’ll re-read and reconsider and revise and rewrite and, once I’m satisfied, I’ll move on to the next scene and repeat the process. Then, the next morning, I’ll start from the top: re-reading, reconsidering, revising and rewriting – all the while reflecting, with a certain wistfulness, on how nice it had been to sit in company and create something.
So, today I completed the Tease of episode #2 and I’m at the point where I’ve gone over it so many times I can almost recite it by heart. I pushed ahead and wrote the first two scenes of Act I, hitting and surpassing my “5 pages a day” target. It’s interesting how the characters seem to take on a life of their own on the page. It’s early and, as much as I struggle to maintain quality equality, I already do have my favorites. I think the key, as I progress through this first draft, is to find those unique instances of humor in each of the crew members because humor, I’ve always felt, goes such a long way toward humanizing characters, making them a little vulnerable and, thus, so much easier for the viewers at home to connect with them. I think back to my time on Stargate and characters like Jack O’Neill, Vala Mal Doran, Rodney McKay, Eli Wallace – even Teal’c, Ronon Dex, General Hank Landry, Todd the Wraith, and Richard Woolsey. All funny in their own distinct way. It’s just a matter of finding, and drawing out, those distinct instances in each.
What do you think? What humorous instances endeared you to a particular Stargate character?
Posted in My TV Productions, science fiction, Stargate, Uncategorized, Writing
28 thoughts on “July 30, 2014: Fade in…humor!”
Kathode says:
Not a humor-based endearment exactly, but…
I liked that Jack O’Neill had his idiosyncrasies; for instance, in his speech: “Oh, for crying out loud!” Or in his love of cake. Or his intolerance for scientific gobbledygook. These were consistencies you could count on, and they made him very real for me.
because humor, I’ve always felt, goes such a long way toward humanizing characters, making them a little vulnerable and, thus, so much easier for the viewers at home to connect with them. I completely agree! A little funny quip makes all the difference.
Well…just about everything Todd did endeared him to me 🙂 , so I’ll choose another character – Woolsey.
You know that episode (I’m tired and can’t think of the name) when Atlantis was taken over by those horrid bores, and MacGyver and Woolsey came to the rescue? Woolsey just stole the show, and just thinking about it now has put this stupidarse grin on my face. 🙂 I really need to watch that one again.
If I can remember its name. 😛
See, this is where I say something witty about a character I love, several in fact, to show off my knowledge of the show and I find myself drawing an absolute blank. Oh, it is all lurking inside my skull, but I won’t think of specifics until about two in the morning. Stupid brain.
I agree, a dash of humor is key, like a spice to bring out unique flavors. I suppose “back story” would be the texture? Dialog the presentation? Gah, see what your foodie ways have done to me?
Sarah Chapman says:
I always found Teal’c’s lack of understanding of human idioms amusing. “Undomesticated equines could not remove me.” Still cracks me up!
Michael Carney says:
My favourite bit with Vala was the time she tried to game the personality test, and just couldn’t understand why that wouldn’t work. Made her a combination of naughty and ingenue, characteristics that remained in her makeup throughout her stint.
Line Noise says:
Magnets!
I enjoyed McKay and Sheppard’s banter. I also kind of hoped that, one day, Ba’al would get O’Neill. Not attack him, but just tell him off in a way that would leave O’Neill stunned. He was supposed to be smarter than the other System Lords, so he should have had that opportunity.
Have you ever been very in love with your work and felt completely crushed when colleagues told you it was crap? Maybe some time in your distant past when you were still learning? How did you deal with that? I think every writer has a moment when they are impressed with themselves, but other people, not so much.
I loved Teal’c s “Indeed.” Also the scene in Atlantis where McKay is wearing the shield and he and Sheppard are fooling around with it made me love them, “In-vul-ner-able!” I think appreciation for humor is why I love outtakes and blooper reels so much, you see the humor behind the scenes and somehow it makes the characters they play richer.
I couldn’t help but smile whenever Teal’c cracked a joke!
Congratulations Joe! I am wishing to watch your new science fiction tv show, answering your question: my favourite characters are Jack O’Neill and Rodney McKay I enjoyed very much with their funny scenes.
MirthMistress says:
Teal’c’s “a jaffa walks into a bar” joke in Seth always makes me chuckle. Perhaps it was the look of polite befuddlement and discomfort on the parts of his teammates that made it work so well but I love his full belly laugh at a joke that proves while the particulars are cultural, humor is truly universal. Cracks me up every time.
JimFromJersey says:
I loved Jack O’Neill’s irreverence towards authority and danger, injecting sarcasm and humor into just about any situation. It’s actually how I carry myself, for better or worse. I’ll find the humor in anything and use that in an attempt to lighten the mood. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but it is what it is. That’s what drew me to SG-1 initially. And I stayed for the explosions.
FargateOne says:
Good blog indeed. To fight the white sheet of paper fear, I begin to write no matter what.
Humour humanizes character: agreed.
“What humorous instances endeared you to a particular Stargate character?”
Todd by far, followed by Rodney.
But for humour as a trait the best are Jack O’Neil or Vala Mal Doran (in this order or reverse). How great they were !
Can’t wait to see what you are cooking for us !
My (hopefully quick) thoughts on humour, and what personally works for me…
1. Why does Woolsey tickle me so much? Because he plays it so damn straight! He’s so serious, so ‘humourless’ on the surface, that the funny just ‘pops’ with him – whether it be an expression, a great line, or just body language.
2. Which brings me to the actor him/herself. If I see an actor trying to be funny, the funny just falls flat (*see Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey, and most of the modern-era cast of SNL). For instance, some actors can deliver a line with a smile on their face, and it’s funny because the actor is reacting to what he’s saying in character (I think Joe Flanigan was very good at this). However, sometimes you can see the actor smiling, not at what he’s saying, but at himself, as if he’s the funniest actor that ever graced the face of the earth (*See Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey, et al.). I find actors who do that very annoying and unfunny, and in some ways even repulsive.
3. Which brings me to my last point – pairing the actor with the right humour. When a writer understands the actors he’s writing for – their strengths and weaknesses – I think he’s better equipped to write witty bits that fit not just the character, but what the actor himself can deliver effectively. I think Stargate Atlantis is a perfect example of how pairing an actor with the right sort of humour for both himself and his character worked brilliantly – Sheppard with his snark, Sheppard Jr. (a.k.a. Todd) with his snarky black humor, Woolsey with his deadpan, often ‘unintentionally’ funny, lines, Ronon with his one or two word grunts, and Teyla, who often said sooo much with a roll of the eye or tilt of the head. Yeah, that was a great cast right there, and some great writing, too. Lots of understanding about what the actors could, and could not, do.
Okay…now I gotta get to work!
It’s not just humor, it’s getting a peek at something they keep in the third dimension of their personalities, off-plane from the parts of their characters that demand they have a role in the story. That part happens to often be humor.
shinyhula says:
The ep that got me hooked on SGA was “Michael,” all that great fight choreography, the big twist, it’s one of my faves. “Harmony” is my funny fave ep.
Hm, if you’re stuck on a scene then apply chocolate liberally. Good food fixes everything.
Mike A. says:
For me it was a bit more about the delivery than the actual joke or funny comment. When an actor is so in tune with their character that they can blurt out a line and you get that feeling of “That’s so (insert character name)”, you know they’ve been well written and acted.
But, the one that really stands out to me because it’s such a departure for his character is when Teal’c tells the Jaffa joke. I love that scene. It’s hilarious to me. So much unspoken, yet so much conveyed. Great stuff.
And now for something completely different:
Something I read a long time ago that has stuck with me for over a decade is something called “Time to Crate” or “Start to Crate” with respect to video games. From the website:
“All games contain crates, therefore all games can be judged empirically on those crates.
Games can be rated and compared based on the shortest amount of time it takes a player to reach the first crate, which represents the point where the developers ran out of ideas.
This number is measured in seconds and is called “Start to Crate” or “StC”. The smaller the StC, the worse the game.”
Is there something analogous to this in the writing world? Are there “old stand-bys” that writers run to to fill time or use as a punchline or whatever that, once you see them, you know they ran out of ideas?
-Mike A.
It’s not just a funny line. Sometimes it’s a situation. We were watching one of the Netflix shows recently. In the show, a mime got shot and the mime stayed in character. That was an 😆 moment. We are sick people. 🙁
How did the funeral go gforce? Hopefully, everyone behaved themselves.
Johan Bäckman says:
Jack to Maybourne: “Have you heard of IKEA”? Always cracks me up. 🙂
I thought my new cutting boards shouldn’t have a grip side because that’s half the chopping surfaces, but I only paid 1.99 for four of them so I can’t complain.
I sandwiched two of those cutting boards over a chicken breast, grip side in, to hold it still for butterflying. Wouldn’t you know it? I ended up with the most perfectly butterflied chicken breasts in the history of forever.
For Jack O’Neill it was the dry humor, the random things that would come out of this mouth, the well placed shoulder shrugs.
For Rodney the rambling, face talking, arrogance that made him my favorite charter. There are so many lines. One of the first that came to mind was the Mensa test question that came into play in one of the earlier eps. Sheppard looking at the puzzle states that this was on the Mensa test, and Rodney’s reaction is something along the lines of “you took the Mensa test…WHEN?!?” He had perfect timing for asking the wrong question or using an out of place statement.
For Ronon it was random one liners he would have. The two that come to mind are the rebuttle to Rodney’s Batman and Robin comment with “more like Fatman” and the time when I think it is Carson that kill the wraith that chased after Ronon and Ronon asks who killed it and Carson say I did and then Ronon hugs him. Totally awesome!
I must say the irrepressible ad-lib humor by RDA. He had some many one off zingers. I particularly like when he was haranguing Anubus’ First and ended with “Well spank me and call me Rosy.” I was watching not to long ago an earlier episode that made me laugh constantly. (Guess i will need to rewatch the series to find the ep.) I loved the cheekiness in Vala and her teasing of Daniel. It was one of the best non-relations relationships I can think of. When Ben Browder’s character visited Atlantis for the first time and stuck a lemon under McKay’s nose, I laughed and yelled “YES.” I liked the way you developed Woolsey from a number crunching pensile geek to an endearing respected administrator with a wry Bob Hewhart sense of humor.
Sparrow_hawk says:
One of my favorite Todd moments involved Woolsey – I think he offered to shake hands with him… 😉
JeffW says:
Woolsey was always a favorite, especially when he was in those typical Woolsey awkward moments (trying to shake hands with the wraith, getting sent to the wrong transporter station but not noticing until the doors had already shut).
I also enjoyed the Jack/Daniel and Shepherd/McKay banter.
The humor of the show was what hooked me and kept drawing me back.
I haven’t been commenting much recently because I’ve just been too busy. Since I got back from Europe, my work has been in headless chicken mode and I’ve been trying to finish my data gathering for my GPS paper due at conference in September. Add in college visits with my daughter Jackie, and a visit to the big Oshkosh airshow with my son David (I’m typing this from a tent on the airfield campground), and you could say my activity cup runneth over.
So maybe I can get back to some blog updates sometime in late September.
1 Aug 2014 at 10:00 am
I also think immediately of Teal’c’s Jaffa joke in Seth but there are so many moments in the show. Vala removing treasure in the episode where they get trapped in a museum, Brayt’ac’s “Now we die” answer to Jack asking “What’s the plan?” in the season 2 opening. Anything Rodney and Zalenka. Harry Maybourne in most of his episodes but especially “It’s Good to be King”. Cam and Vala at his high school reunion. Rodney passing out in the gateroom after taking too much of the wraith drug. I could keep typing because there are so many more…
Gary Ansorge says:
I’m just trying to get caught up here, so I’ll have to pass right now at thinking of humorous moments, but I do want to say that all the years I’ve been reading your blog, you’ve given me a tremendous sense of gratitude for everything that goes into producing a show that we see on-air — every aspect of it.
Kris Eshleman on January 21, 2020: There’…
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31 PUV drivers, 14 bus conductors tested ‘drug addicts’
FORTY-FIVE public transport workers subjected to a mandatory drug testing by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Monday tested positive for substance abuse and marijuana and were barred from driving after their licenses were confiscated.
PDEA chair Director General Aaron N. Aquino said of the 45 drug users, 24 were bus drivers; 14 bus conductors; three jeepney drivers; two van drivers; one tricycle driver; and one taxi driver. They were among the 4,675 public transport workers subjected to a drug test under the PDEA Project: UndaSpot nationwide.
Aquino said that the drivers who tested positive for shabu or marijuana were not allowed to travel their licenses seized and turned over to the Land Transportation Office.
The drug-using transport workers will only be able to reclaim their licenses as soon as they finish a mandatory rehabilitation process which includes health awareness, and psychological and spiritual activities such as counseling, moral recovery, values formation, personal and life skills provided by the local government.
Aquino said the “UndaSpot” was the fifth installment of PDEA’s Oplan: Harabas where all public transport employees specifically drivers were subjected to a surprise mandatory drug testing while K-9 dogs sweep major passenger terminals and ports to ensure the safety of traveling passengers.
With the assistance of personnel from the Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police, PDEA officers went to the JAC Liner Bus Terminal and PHILTRANCO Bus Terminal in Pasay City and the Partas Bus Terminal and Five Star Bus Terminal in Quezon City and conducted a mandatory drug testing.
Gamboa, Sinas inspect bus terminals
Philippine National Police Officer-in-Charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa and National Capital Region Police Office director Brigadier General Debold M. Sinas yesterday inspected their security preparations in bus terminals in Metro Manila ahead of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The two, joined by PNP spokesman Brigadier Gen. Bernard M. Banac and Quezon City Police District director Colonel Ronnie Montejo visited the Araneta Center Bus Terminal in Cubao to have a personal glimpse of the security measures being implemented in the area.
“Meron tayong mga area of security in the different areas of convergence especially ngayon sa mga travelers dito sa mga bus stations and then sa airports because we expect ‘yung napakaraming tao probably on Thursday,” Gamboa said.
Sinas said NCRPO Police Assistance Desks have been set up to guide commuters and prevent criminals from taking advantage of the huge crowd.
Meanwhile, Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco on Monday led the inspection of the NavoHimlayan public cemetery to ensure safe and smooth observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.
“More than 10,000 visit the NavoHimlayan, and its adjacent private cemeteries, during Undas. We want to make sure that everything will go smoothly, so that there would be no untoward incidents, and visitors stay safe,” he said.
Around 700 police, fire officers, city and barangay personnel, health and emergency staff, sweepers and volunteers will be deployed at the NavoHimlayan public cemetery on November 1.
The city government has also tapped the Philippine Army, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Philippine Red Cross for additional manpower.
The city government advised residents to finish cleaning tombs and niches until 5 p.m. today.
The city government also said that Gov. Pascual Street from A. Ignacio Street in Bgy. Daanghari to Los Martirez Street in Bgy. San Jose will be closed to traffic from October 31 at 1 p.m. until 12:01 a.m. on November 2.
The public were advised to refrain from bringing weapons or any sharp objects, firearms, liquor or alcoholic drinks, gambling paraphernalia, and loudspeakers inside the cemetery. With Edd Reyes
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Byzantine and Christian Museum
The Byzantine and Christian Museum’s collection includes over 25,000 artifacts from the 3rd century AD to the Late Middle Ages with a focus on rare collections of pictures, scriptures, frescoes, pottery, fabrics, and manuscripts.
History of the Byzantine and Christian Museum
Name: Byzantine and Christian Museum
Greek: Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό Μουσείο
Location: Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens, Greece
Explore Museums in Athens
Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art
National Historical Museum, Athens
Syntagma Metro Station Archaeological Collection
Numismatic Museum of Athens
Athens War Museum
Jewish Museum of Greece
Athens University Museum
“Time is the wisest counselor of all.”
– Pericles
Photo Credit: JOM
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How dare anyone, tell a mother, not to cry behind the death of her son? "When I Grow Up" Documentary speaks with three mothers who have lost their sons to senseless gun violence; their memories of their sons and all of the things they still wanted to...
Actor: Nakia Dillard, Leticia Ross, Taj, Leo Peaceful
Director: Sean Glass, Leticia Ross
Keywords: #When I Grow Up#when i grow up#Documentary#When I Grow Up#When I Grow Up 2019
The Passion 1 (2008)
Follows Christ's last days and crucifixion....
Devil's Revenge (2019)
John Brock is a down-on-his-luck archaeologist who returns from an expedition to the caves of rural Kentucky after unsuccessfully trying to locate a m...
The English traveller Jonathan Green receives from Peter the Great an order to map the Russian Far East. Once again he sets out for a long journey ful...
Country: China, Russia
Prodigal Son 1 (2019)
Malcolm Bright, one of the best criminal psychologist around, uses his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes....
Genre: Drama, Crime
Ambition (2019)
A young aspiring musician preparing for a competition, is incredibly confidant and gets herself involved in a frightening trap that she has to find he...
Mari (2019)
MARI is a moving dance-drama focused on a mother and her two daughters dealing with the devastating gradual decline and eventual passing of their moth...
Genre: Drama, Music
Danish director Mads Brügger and Swedish private investigator Göran Björkdahl are trying to solve the mysterious death of Dag Hammarskj...
Country: Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway
Them That Follow (2019)
Set deep in the wilds of Appalachia, where believers handle death-dealing snakes to prove themselves before God, Them That Follow tells the story of a...
Dear White People 3 (2019)
At a predominantly white Ivy League college, a group of black students navigate various forms of racial and other types of discrimination....
Genre: Drama, Comedy
In August 1969, 500,000 people gathered at a farm in upstate New York. What happened there was far more than just a concert. Woodstock tells the story...
Palau the Movie (2019)
A story of relentless grit, motivational strength and humbling triumph, PALAU is a film many will relate to. As a young man, a passion and vision to p...
Genre: Drama, Biography
The Messenger (2019)
Film about the lead up to the Polish uprising against German occupation at the end of the Second World War....
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Action, History, War
Daniel Boone 5 (1968)
Frontier hero Daniel Boone conducts surveys and expeditions around Boonesborough, running into both friendly and hostile Indians, just before and duri...
Genre: Adventure, Western, History
Heaven (2019)
The time has come for Matthew Marshak to meet his maker....
Paranormal State 6 (2011)
Story follows members of the famous Penn State Paranormal Research Society as they investigate strange and unusual phenomena across the country. Story...
Captain Black (2019)
An average restaurant manager develops an interest in a comic character, then finds himself in a relationship that maybe shouldn't have happened....
Trailer: When I Grow Up
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Home > About Us > Press Room > Press Releases > INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2017 KIDS WEEK PROGRAMS **** WEEK OF FUN, EDUCATIONAL PRO
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2017 KIDS WEEK PROGRAMS **** WEEK OF FUN, EDUCATIONAL PRO
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2017 KIDS WEEK PROGRAMS **** WEEK OF FUN, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING CENTERS AROUND THE SCIENCE AND ART OF GAMES
CONTACT: Rubenstein Communications, Inc., Public Relations
Mike Stouber – (212) 843-9381 / Mstouber@rubenstein.com
Luke Sacks – (646) 381-5282 / lsacks@intrepidmuseum.org
ANNOUNCES 2017 KIDS WEEK PROGRAMS
WEEK OF FUN, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
CENTERS AROUND THE SCIENCE AND ART OF GAMES
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will host its annual Kids Week from Monday, February 20–Saturday, February 25. During Kids Week, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in dozens of fun-filled activities, hands-on workshops, live shows, special guests and demonstrations that the whole family will enjoy.
This year, Kids Week will explore the theme of the science and art of games. Kids can explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) as they play cutting-edge digital games, design their own games, explore interactive displays, view live demonstrations and meet special guests at this week-long festival. Families will learn about the logic and imagination that goes into game design, scientific investigation and discovery as they build, tinker and play.
Kids Week programming partners include FIRST, Mad Science, Twitch.tv, Dazzling Discoveries, Games for Change, Playcrafting, Institute of Play, Rube Goldberg, New York Code and Design Academy, Liberty Science Center, STEAM Kids Lab and more!
Special guests include Jarod Miller, a zoologist and naturalist who has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O’Brien, along with his amazing animals; former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino; and a lineup of popular children’s book authors and scientists.
In addition, Intrepid Museum educators will lead live demonstrations, planetarium presentations, sketch theater performances, and Tour Guides will lead themed Tour Guide Talks throughout each day.
For complete Kids Week activity and performance schedules, visit www.intrepidmuseum.org. Performers and schedule are subject to change. All Kids Week activities are free with Museum admission.
About the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming and the foremost collection of technologically groundbreaking aircraft and vessels, visitors of all ages and abilities are taken on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery.
The Intrepid Museum fulfills its mission to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth by connecting them to history through hands-on exploration while bridging the future by inspiring innovation.
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levelupyourgame.net
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Review
A Way Out Review
Dynasty Warriors 9 Review
Shadow of the Colossus Review
Sekiro – The New From Software Game
Expect intense battles in 14th century Japan in new From Software game Sekiro
In advance, we thought that From Software would show off its wonderful creations at Sony’s press conference, but that was not the case. For a while, From Software showed up a small teaser clip that staggered about something Asian, and this proved to be Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. We saw a lovely battle where the Samurai-dressed protagonist was fought against horse-raging debris and big summons. We will be sure to know more about Sekiro during the days to come, so we will return with more information. However, adding is that the From Software title will not be exclusive to Microsoft. The trailer you can take a look at here below.
Tenchu meets Bloodborne
In the midst of Microsoft’s tsunami of different game presentations, we finally got to know what From Software’s next game is called. The name is Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and just like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, it’s about action and big boss fights. Check out this Youtube video that will give you a better understanding of what this game is all about. It might not be that easy to understand by just reading a text but as soon as you see it with your own eyes you will better understand what you need to do. Sometimes the trailers are much better than the real game which of course is quite unfortunate but we believe that game providers are getting better to set the expectation right. If you like this game check out our other reviews of PC, PS4 and Xbox games to learn about other games that you might enjoy.
Sekiro is the name of the main protagonist
Sekiro is the name of the main character, a warrior with prosthesis in return for his lost limb. His goal is to protect a young, high-ranking spokesman against enemy clans in Japan during the Sengoku period in the late 1400s. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is released for PC, Xbox One and PS4. The release date is set to early 2019 but we will keep you updated about when the exact release date will be. We are very excited about this game and hope that you are that as well.
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The Duke is Back!
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10 months ago admin
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Man Arrested for Shooting Father
On Saturday at 10:58 am Levy County deputies responded to
5530 SE 194th Lane in Inglis. A 22 year old Tampa man reported
accidentally shooting his father while inside the home. Responding deputies
found Manuel Castro (61) of Tampa on the floor in the living room. First
responders from Inglis Fire Rescue who had arrived at the same time deputies
had began administering first aid. Deputies secured the scene and requested
investigators from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and Crimes Scene
to respond.
Investigators arrived and spoke to Matthew James Castro (1-6-95),
the son of Manuel. Matthew told investigators he was in the kitchen area of the
home and was “playing” with a .22 rifle. He said his father had given him
permission to play with the gun and told him the gun was unloaded. While trying
to take the clip out of the gun, it fired. The bullet struck Manuel Castro in
the temple. Manuel Castro did not survive his injuries.
Crime Scene investigators and CID investigators
reconstructed the crime scene and determined the incident had not occurred as
Matthew first reported. The evidence did not match Matthew’s statement.
Investigators also spoke to members of the Hillsborough
County Sheriff’s Office and discovered Matthew had a violent history. The
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shared multiple incidents where they had
contact with the Castro family because Matthew had battered his father or
destroyed family property.
Investigators determined Manuel Castro and his son Matthew
both reside in Tampa, Florida and that Manuel Castro also owns the home in
Inglis. He and his son came to Inglis for the weekend. Other family members who
reside in Tampa have been contacted by investigators.
Matthew Castro was arrested and has been charged with Second
Degree Murder and is being held at the Levy County Detention Facility with “no
bond.”
Citizen Tip Helps a Child
Photo provided by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office
“If you see something, say something” is the latest messages
all law enforcement agencies are asking of our citizens to do to help combat
crime. And below is an excellent example of how this worked.
On May 30, 2017 a citizen reported seeing a child and adult
behaving in what she deemed was an inappropriate manner at a local State Park.
The citizen gave a statement of what was seen to the responding deputy. The
deputy was able to identify the adult and child and determined the adult male
was Kenneth A. Brooks (8-10-41) of Old Town. The child was under his
supervision at the time. Brooks was initially interviewed and denied ever
acting inappropriately. But this did not end the investigation.
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) and
investigators from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations
Division (CID) requested a forensic interview be conducted. The University of
Florida Child Protection Team (CPT) did conduct this interview and during which
the child disclosed that Brooks had been sexually inappropriate with her on
several occasions while at a home in the Chiefland area.
On July 17, 2017 CID investigators secured search warrants
for the property of Kenneth Brooks and for his person. CID investigators met
with Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputies who executed the warrants.
Investigators discovered evidence precisely as the child victim had described. Further
interview with Mr. Brooks left him no option but to admit to his wrong doings. The
Dixie County Sheriff’s Office established through Brooks confession that he had
also abused the same child at his home in Old Town and he was arrested.
CID investigators have also secured an arrest warrant for
Brooks. He has been charged with four counts of sexual battery by a custodial
and lewd and lascivious molestation. His bond has been set at 4.5 million
dollars. Brooks is currently being held in the Dixie County Jail on a “no
Sheriff McCallum said, “Our citizens are our eyes, and ears
and we rely on them for tips such as these to help us protect those whose voice
cannot be heard. I am grateful this person took notice of this situation and
made the report. Her actions have allowed us to protect this child from future
harm and make this arrest. I also want to thank Sheriff Hatcher and his men and
women for their cooperation in this case. Their cooperation has allowed us to
put an end to this child’s suffering.”
Search Warrant Discovers Drugs
On Friday July 21, 2017 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office
Drug Task Force (DTF) and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) executed a
search warrant at 439 North Court Street in Bronson. The LCSO received multiple
calls from concerned citizens that activity at the home owned by Frank Barnes
(4-23-48) dramatically increased. Callers reported seeing what they believed
was drug activity at the otherwise quiet household.
DTF and CID investigators found Barnes inside the home
alone. The search of the home revealed cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Multiple
people were coming to this home and buying and/or using narcotics based upon
evidence gathered by DTF investigators which lead up to the search warrant.
Barnes was arrested and has been booked into the Levy County
Detention Facility. His bond has been set at $50,000.00.
This investigation is still on-going and additional arrests
could be made in the future.
Early Morning Robbery Reported
On July 20, 2017 Levy County Sheriff’s Office Deputies
responded to a home on NE 217 Court in East Williston. Deputies met with a
subject who told them he was visiting the home when he was confronted by two armed
males. These subjects pointed handguns at him and demanded his money and phone.
The victim reported these men took his personal belongings and ran into a
wooded area next to a home.
Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division
(CID) responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation. Evidence
developed by investigators led to the issuance of a search warrant for a home
located at 3850 NE 217th Court Lot C. Investigators identified
William Meeks (7-31-89) of Ocala, Florida as a potential suspect and Meeks was
located during the search warrant. Meeks was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Investigators found and seized two firearms hidden inside
the home along with ammunition, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin and drug
paraphernalia.
The robbery investigation is still on-going. Anyone with
information which could assist investigators in solving this crime is asked to
contact Investigator Justin Douglas at 352-486-5111 or if you wish to remain
anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a
cash reward.
Sexual Battery Arrest
On July 19, 2017 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal
Investigations Division (CID) answered a complaint of sexual battery on a
disabled person. The victim, a 32 year old mentally disabled person, disclosed to
a family friend she was having “sex.” The family friend immediately reported
this to law enforcement.
Allen R. White (1-19-52) met with CID investigators at the
LCSO and consented to an interview. During his talk with investigators, White admitted
to sexual acts with the victim and acknowledged he knew the victim was mentally
disabled. Investigators told White he was being arrested and White became
combative.
White was escorted to the Levy County Detention Facility and
was charged with two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery on a Disabled Person
and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. His bond has been set at $1,010,000.00.
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Loyola Marymount University LMU Logo
University Archives Inventories
Library > Archives and Special Collections @ the Library > Collections > University Archives Inventories
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This division is one of the oldest of the University community. Originally founded as the College Secretary in 1911, the office has also been variously titled as the Prefect, Moderator, Dean, Vice-President of Studies and Dean of Discipline. In 1952, the current title of Academic Vice-President was established as the highest University officer charged with overseeing all academic divisions. Today this record group includes divisional publications such as Attic Salt, a faculty literary magazine and newsletters such as News Notes and Loyola Life. Also included in this record group are correspondence and report files from the offices of the Academic Vice-President, Registrar, University Librarian, Director of Admissions and Director of Academic Grants and others. There is a substantial artificial collection of unpublished narratives, journal articles and news clipping pertaining to local (Westchester-del Rey) history and in the records of the Library. Download .pdf of inventory for: Publications and Events | Senior Vice President/Chief Academic Officer and Faculty Papers | Library Exhibits, Administration, Reference Department | Library - all other departments and programs | Academic Organizations | University Registrar, Financial Aid, Admissions Director, Assistant Academic Vice-President | Associate Directors of Academic Affairs Programs
Although students participated in extra-curricular "cadet" training as early as 1895, it wasn't until 1948 that a formal division of an Air Force ROTC unit was established. At first recognized as Air Science, the coursework of Professional Officer training was redesignated as Aerospace Studies in 1966. Records of this group include publications such as brochures and yearbooks, correspondence and report files of the Commandant, academic files of faculty and records of student activities. Download .pdf of inventory for: Publications, Events, Directors, Administrators, Officers, Arnold Air Society
Download .pdf of inventory for: Lecture and poster
The few records contained in this group chiefly concern the administration of this autonomous interdisciplinary program. Download .pdf of inventory for: Publications, Events, Director
Founded in 1926 as the School of Commerce and Finance, the name of this group was changed to the College of Business Administration in 1936. The records include college publications, correspondence and report files for the Office of the Dean, faculty files and records of student activities. Department and special program records include those of Accounting, the Center for International Business Studies, the Conrad N. Hilton Chair of Business Ethics, Finance and Computer Information Systems, the Industrial Relations Center, Management, and Marketing and Business Law. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Events, Administration, Departments and Programs
College of Communication and Fine Arts (RG-020)
Before the merger with Marymount College, Loyola University had a tradition of extracurricular and non-academic music and drama activity since the days of it's predecessor, St. Vincent's College. But at Marymount College, the fine arts programs were the core of their instructional mission. Following the merger, the creation of a College of Communication and Fine Arts in 1973 was a natural symbiosis of the two institutions.
Records include paper materials such as correspondence, posters and flyers; and audio tape and moving image media. The departments and programs include Art and Art History, Communication Arts, Dance, Music, Speech and Theater. In addition, records of major university sponsored events are found in the files of the Offices of Fine Arts Productions and the Laband and Foley Galleries. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Events, Administration, Departments and Programs
Originally established in 1917 as the College of Arts and Sciences, this record group contains college publications and correspondence files of the Dean, departmental Chairs, faculty files and representative samples of student papers. In 1935 engineering curricula was removed from the college and a separate College of Engineering was established (see Record Group 15: College of Science and Engineering). In 1972, the colleges were rearranged once again when sciences coursework was transferred and the college was renamed Liberal Arts. Today the departments and programs include Afro-American Studies, Alcohol/Drug Studies, Asian and Pacific Studies, Chicano Studies, Classical Civilizations, Classics, Economics, English, European Studies, Geography, History, Humanities, Latin American Studies, Liberal Studies, Los Angeles Studies, Modern Languages, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Speech Communications, Theological Studies, Urban Studies and Women's Studies. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Events, Administration | Departments and Programs
Separated from the College of Arts and Sciences, engineering studies became the College of Engineering in 1935. With the creation of a College of Liberal Arts in 1972, natural sciences curricula were assigned to this college to create the present day College of Science and Engineering. The records of this group include college publications, correspondence and report files for the Office of the Dean, chair and faculty files and student papers. The major departments include Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Individualized Studies, Mathematics, Natural Science and Physics. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Events, Administration, Departments and Programs
This department dates to 1935 when the College of Commerce began offering evening classes in the newly developing field of Sociology. For a number of years the Evening Division and Summer Session were two separate departments offering various non-traditional studies. Problems arising from duplication of services between these two offices together with curricular conflicts with the Graduate Division and the School of Education, eventually were resolved with the formal creation of the Office for Continuing Education, Summer Session and Special Programs in 1974. The records for this group include publications such as brochures, catalogs and newsletters, files from the original Director of the Evening Division, and records from the Associate Vice-President. Just a few of the wide range of program's records include the Summer Institute in Pastoral Psychology for Diocesan and Religious Priests, Year in Japan Program and the Humanities Institute. Download .pdf inventory for: Bulletins, Extension and Summer School Programs
In 1950 the University began a graduate program with an initial program offering of a Master of Art in English and a Master in Teaching Social Studies. Today the division offers advanced degrees and certificates in Alcohol and Drug Studies, Biology, Business Administration, Clinical Art Therapy, Computer Science, Counseling Psychology, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Movement Therapy, Public Administration, Religious Education, and Sociology. The records of this group include publications such as catalogs and newsletters and correspondence files of the Dean. In addition records of the Martin Gang Institute for Intergroup Relations and the Center for Pastoral Studies will be found in this record group. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Administrations, Departments
Following the merger of Loyola and Marymount, personnel from Marymount established this institute to promote the unique activities of the Marymount tradition. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Events, Administration
In 1948, the College of Arts and Sciences began a program of teacher training. Autonomous from the Graduate Division, this post graduate department initially offered state credential programs in Elementary and Secondary Education and over the next few years developed an advanced Masters of Education degree. Following the merger with Marymount College, the department began to offer a wide range of post graduate education programs such as Educational Administration, Bilingual Teaching, Religious Education and School Psychology. In addition, the Marymount College merger brought a short-lived Religious teaching program at the campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange (County) during the early 1970's. In 1993, the department was formally recognized as the School of Education completely autonomous from the other colleges. The records of this group include publications such as The Clipboard and LMU School of Education, materials from numerous education conferences, the records of the Director and faculty and numerous programs materials. Download .pdf inventory for: Publicity, Administration, Faculty
Originally established in 1920 as St. Vincent's School of Law, this record group includes the publications: Loyola Digest, Loyola Brief, Loyola Law School News and the Loyola Lawyer. Correspondence and report files for the Offices of the Dean, Regent, Registrar and the Law School Advisory Board (Visitors) are also included. Download .pdf inventory for: Loyola Law School Records
1911, the year the Jesuit fathers assumed control of the college, is the official founding date of the University. The archives contain correspondence, reports and various other printed matter and media from the administrations of all University presidents and their staffs beginning with Rev. Richard A. Gleeson (1911-14).
Administration publications include campus catalogs beginning with Los Angeles College's First Annual Catalog in 1911. The records of over one hundred university committees are also found in this record group. Included also are the records of the University Provost (the Marymount College President) during the Loyola-Marymount affiliation years of 1968 through 1973. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications and Commencement | Events | President's Office | President's Office [Merrifield - Lawton]
Following the move to the present Westchester campus site in 1929, the Office of the Treasurer was established as an autonomous department. Also known as the Business Manager, this group includes records of the Comptroller, Bursar, Information Services, Purchasing and Human Resources among other business records and ledgers. Download .pdf inventory for: Treasurer and Vice-President | Controller, Bursar, Publications
Some of the early records include those of President Sullivan (1926-1930) which document the construction of the modern campus in 1929 and President Whelan's (1942-1949) whose correspondence documents the establishment of an US Army Specialized Training Unit on the Loyola campus. Following World War II, increased enrollment and a corresponding explosion of the amount of records generated by the University caused a dramatic increase in the size of presidential materials. Extensive subject and correspondence files relevant to contemporary higher education are found beginning with the administration of President Charles S. Casassa, S.J. (1949-1969). Annual symposia (1987-1993), the Casassa Conferences, created numerous unpublished monographs and papers which discuss interdisciplinary social justice and cultural thought and are included in this group. Download .pdf inventory for: St. Vincent's College Records | Marymount College Records | Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange Records
Since construction of the present day Westchester campus in 1929, the University has maintained construction and operations records of the physical plant. In 1956 the division was formally recognized as Buildings and Grounds and became Facilities Management in 1988. Today this group includes correspondence, contracts and reports of the Vice-President, the Director of Public Safety and the Director of Facilities Planning and Operations among other officials. Download .pdf inventory for: Administration | Campus Sites | Managers and Directors
Records found in this group, such as articles of incorporation, bylaws and charters, clarify the legal establishment of the University through a Board of Trustees. In addition, mission statements and Boards of Trustees and Regents minutes document University policy decision-making. This record group also contains transcripts of commencement speeches by notable honorary degree conferees ranging from comedian Bob Newhart to former Chinese First Lady Madame Chiang-Kai Shek. Please note: These records are restricted.
Although this division was not formerly established until 1964, records of fund-raising activity date to 1911, the founding of the University. Today these files include that of the Vice-President of University Relations and the Directors of Development, Public Relations and Alumni Relations.
A newspaper clippings collection of approximately 50 linear feet dates from 1919. There are also approximately 10 linear feet of press releases issued by Public Relations since 1928. Many campus publications have been created by this department and issue runs include magazines Loyola and VISTAS; newspapers Lion & Gryphon; Spirit and the newsletters This Week, This Month, LMU News, Grapevine, Loyola Letter, Community News and Development Report and Honor Roll.
Development Department records contain donor files beginning with a small box of index cards that records the names of approximately 500 donors to the first major capital campaign, the Building Fund in 1928. We request that researchers contact staff regarding access and restrictions for the donor files.
Alumni Relations records include the magazine Alumnus, alumni directories, Alumni Association files and numerous artifacts from reunions and other activities. These alumni activity files include those of graduates of the original St. Vincent's College. Download .pdf inventory for: Publications, Events and Projects, Vice-President for University Relations | Development | Development and Financial Planning | Public Relations | Alumni Relations | Community Relations
Student Life(RG-007)
This record group contains the records primarily created by the Student Affairs Division and its representative departments. Some items of interest: athletics media guides, Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University (ASLMU) newsletters, the Del Rey Players playbills, Greek Life publications, and the Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu initiations. Also included are records from student organizations such as the Black Student Union and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Atzlan (MEChA), newsletters from the Office for International Students and Scholars, program evaluations and event flyers from Asian Pacific Student Services (Third Tuesday), Black Student Services (African American Student Services Leadership Awards), Chicano Latino Student Services (Dia de Reconocimiento), and Student Housing resident life handbooks.
The Student Media sub-group contains material created for the students by the students, such as the Tower Yearbook, the Los Angeles Loyolan newspaper, and KXLU radio program guides. Download .pdf inventory for: Athletics Records Collection Guide | Student Organizations Records Collection Guide | Student Services Departments Records Collection Guide
Download .pdf inventory for: Loyola Marymount University Yearbook Collection Guide | KXLU Records Collection Guide | Student Newspapers and Periodicals Collection Guide
This group contains materials from a long-standing University division. Originally titled University Chaplain and begun in 1911, this division became known as Campus Ministry in 1973 with a stipulation that the Director would be a Jesuit. By 1986 this requirement was waived when Sr. Mary Margaret Dolan R.S.H.M. became the Director. The records primarily include announcements, correspondence and liturgical materials supporting the religious life of all faiths on campus. Download .pdf inventory for: Publicity, Events, Directors, Committees
Since the merger of Loyola University and Marymount College in 1973, the religious have been gradually released from direct responsibility for the administration of the institution. Yet the Society of Jesus and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary maintain residential quarters on campus and continue an influence of campus life. Substantial records for these orders are to be found in their respective provincial archives however incidental records for the local communities may be found here. Those records primary include publicity materials, memorabilia and death notices.
Records include paper materials such as correspondence, posters and flyers; and audio tape and moving image media. The departments and programs include Art and Art History, Communication Arts, Dance, Music, Speech and Theater. In addition, records of major university sponsored events are found in the files of the Offices of Fine Arts Productions and the Laband and Foley Galleries. Download .pdf inventory for: Society of Jesus, Religion of the Sacred Heart Mary
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Taxes & Budget
2019 Governor Race
Voter Guide
Chamber MVP Award
Issue Interests
Kentucky Chamber Homepage
By Bottom Line on August 14, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )
Op-ed: Medical malpractice review panels bring sanity to a broken legal system
The following piece is an op-ed co-authored by David Adkisson, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Mike Rust, president and CEO of the Kentucky Hospital Association; and Patrick Padgett, executive vice president of the Kentucky Medical Association.
The Aug. 5 story by Andrew Wolfson on Kentucky’s new Medical Review Panel (MRP) process would have readers believe our legal liability system was working flawlessly before the new law was enacted. Perhaps that was true for the personal injury lawyers and TV stations that air their incessant commercials. But nothing could be further from the truth for the rest of us.
To the detriment of businesses, caregivers — and ultimately consumers — Kentucky is one of the most litigation-friendly environments in the country. In fact, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform ranks Kentucky 43 out of 50 states for our legal liability climate. Worse, Kentucky is trending in the wrong direction. In 2015, we ranked 37.
For example, it’s so bad that Kentucky considers the normal, human act of a doctor apologizing to a patient who did not receive an outcome they hoped for as an admission of guilt!
Establishing the MRP process in Kentucky was the first step toward bringing our legal climate in line with neighboring states like Indiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia — all of which have pursued reforms to preserve a consistent, level playing field in the justice system. In turn, these states have a leg up in attracting business investment, and the skilled providers needed to care for aging populations.
Here’s another fact about our legal climate: Louisville is “the seventh biggest market for lawyer TV ads, even though it is only the nation’s 49th largest TV market.” But don’t take our word for it. Mr. Wolfson wrote it. Advertisers go where the money is — and in Kentucky, it pays to push personal injury cases.
In other states — like Indiana — it’s not as lucrative because of commonsense policies like MRPs combined with reasonable caps on punitive damages.
Kentucky’s constitution affords everyone the right to present their claim before a jury of their peers. Unfortunately, our tort system is so broken that the guarantee to a jury trial has been warped into a presupposed right to jackpot.
Kentucky’s legislators recognized the outsized influence of Kentucky’s bad litigation climate and established the MRP process to level the playing field. If finally given the chance to work, free of confusing and unnecessary legal challenges, MRPs will expose frivolous suits and help meritorious claims by providing an impartial review and acknowledgement of the supposed harm.
Establishing MRPs in Kentucky was a significant change — but it was not intended to be a panacea for our broken legal liability system. In his article, Mr. Wolfson painted the number of cases in the MRP process as evidence of some inherent — yet unspecified —deficiency in the policy.
The opposite is true. The staggering number of cases show exactly why we need tort reform. In a state where outcomes are not wildly out of step with industry norms (if at all), juries are led to believe that so many more providers and businesses are incompetent and/or negligent.
Doctors, attorneys, and judges can all be forgiven for not being aware of the MRP process. It barely got started before it was challenged.
Unsurprisingly, the court quickly declared MRPs unconstitutional, a decision that was put on hold by the Court of Appeals. Now it’s up to the Kentucky Supreme Court to uphold this carefully crafted process that the legislature believed is needed. This process and the accompanying confusion has left many unsure of what will happen.
Removing the incentive to send frivolous cases to juries will improve the legal climate and afford businesses, health care providers and health care professionals some much-needed certainty and eliminate an advantage other states have when courting investment and caregivers.
Kentucky needs the MRP process along with additional legal reforms to return sanity to the system. When businesses and health care providers spend less paying out settlements on meritless claims — they have more to invest in growing the Commonwealth and providing care.
Fewer frivolous lawsuits means a better Kentucky for everyone.
Categories: Economy, Litigation, Opinion
Tagged as: Legal reform, medical malpractice, medical review panels
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© Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and The Bottom Line, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Bottom Line with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Bill to legalize sports wagering clears first legislative hurdle with bipartisan support
Jacqueline Pitts
Congress gives final passage to trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada
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Mountain Palm Springs
Multiple palm groves offer hikers lots of shade
By The Canyoneers, Feb. 8, 2012
Anza-Borrego State Park
First view of Surprise Grove from Southwest Grove
The best place to visit accessible desert palm groves in the southern Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is Mountain Palm Springs, found at the foot of the Tierra Blanca Mountains. Six oases with well-established trees provide shade for hikers and a nice respite for wildlife with intermittent streams of water. The palms are remnants from a time before there was a desert, when the climate could accommodate more tropical plants.
With a large leaf surface exposed to the sun and a short root system, the native Washington fan palm is an unlikely desert plant with its rapid rate of water evaporation and its dependence on water. However, an underground water source close to the surface allows the roots to sit in water while the thick palm frond shag coat provides insulation to keep the tree cool in the hot sun. The shag is also perfect for nesting verdin and owls. The groves provided a sheltered home for the early Kumeyaay Indians who collected palm fruit and used palm leaves for construction material and fiber to make baskets. Several grinding areas are near the groves.
The approach to the trailhead from S-2 is up a well-drained alluvial fan with a rich desert scrub community consisting of several varieties of cactus, ocotillo, creosote, burro bush, and desert holly. Honey mesquite is in the canyon drainage.
The most popular hike is a loop of almost 2.5 miles that visits four groves, starting from an interpretive panel at the trailhead. Shortly after starting the hike is Pygmy Grove, on the north side of the trail with almost 40 trees, many with burned skirts and trunks from a fire but very much alive with new seedlings in the grove. The surrounding hillsides are covered with tall barrel cactus and occasional milkweed. Encelia and krameria are found along the trail.
The trail curves to the left and then back to the right, following a ridge west that leads to Southwest Grove with well over 100 trees. This grove is about half-a-mile from the beginning trailhead. If hikers want to extend this loop hike by a mile, they can follow the well-marked trail up the steep ridge to the south another half-mile to Torote Bowl, where several elephant trees are found.
Across from the Torote Bowl trail sign is a narrow and rather obscure trail that climbs a ridge on the north side next to a tagged elephant tree. This is the Surprise Grove trail, which drops into the next canyon after a little more than a half-mile hike. Surprise Grove has over 30 trees. Up-canyon less than a half-mile from Surprise Grove is Palm Bowl, tucked into a large mesquite-filled bowl with well over 50 trees. Retrace your way back to Surprise Grove and follow the canyon down another half-mile to the junction with a canyon leading north to North Grove and Mary’s Grove. The 2.5-mile loop hike turns right and heads back to the parking area and trailhead that is clearly visible.
By turning to the left or north at the junction of Surprise Canyon, another mile is added to the hike. North Grove is visible from the junction and from the trailhead. The wind has knocked down many of the palm fronds that can be slick to walk on, so use caution. There are about 20 trees strewn in this narrow canyon. The climb becomes steep and rocky as one continues on to Mary’s Grove, where there are over 30 trees in scattered groupings. Hike back down-canyon to return to your vehicle.
Distance from downtown San Diego: Allow 2 hours’ driving time. (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) From I-8, exit on S2 at Ocotillo. Go northwest on S2 for about 15 miles to the signed Mountain Palm Springs Campground entrance and follow a short dirt road to the campground. From North County, drive to Julian and follow S78 west about 12 miles to the junction with S2. Turn south and drive 30 miles to the entrance of Mountain Palm Springs. Facilities available at the campground.
Hiking length: 2.5 miles loop. Add a mile to include a hike to Torote Bowl and/or a mile to include North Grove and Mary’s Grove.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; Elevation change up to 500 feet.
Canyoneers are San Diego Natural History Museum volunteers trained to lead interpretive nature walks that teach appreciation for the great outdoors. For a schedule of free public hikes:
http://www.sdnhm.org/education/naturalists-of-all-ages/canyoneer-hikes/
More stories by The Canyoneers
Hike to Borrego Palm Canyon’s Third Grove — March 22, 2017
Borrego Palm Canyon — Nov. 5, 2014
Bow Willow to Mountain Palm Springs — March 12, 2014
Indian Gorge to Palm Bowl — March 6, 2013
Discover desert fan palms in their native, oasis-like habitats at Anza-Borrego's Mountain Palm Springs. — Nov. 22, 2000
SurfPuppy619
Feb. 8, 2012 @ 9:40 a.m.
Awesome pic. I thought it was Palm Sprins when I clicked the hyperlink, nice to know of this place.
Sign in to suggest removal
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The public will be able to buy into the Great Keppel Island development in a world first crypto currency deal. Knight Frank
GKI launches world first crypto currency deal for resort
by michellegately
4th Sep 2018 10:14 AM
THE developers of Great Keppel Island have launched a crypto currency funding scheme in a bid to resurrect a stalled billion-dollar development.
In what is being lauded as the world's first crypto currency-backed property deal, people can buy into the development which is predicted to be valued at over $3 billion when fully developed in five years.
Crypto Currency Tokenisation is behind the plan, which would make Keppel the first island to be "crypto-tokenised" and work in a similar way to an initial public offering for shares.
Project co-founder Tim Sommers said Great Keppel Island Token holders would have an asset backing in the island unlike the majority of crypto currencies.
"The GKI Token Holders also receive the benefit of liquidity should they wish to sell their tokens at any time," he said.
"Great Keppel Island will be the first Blockchain, Crypto and Internet of Things enabled island in the world allowing high security, crypto payments and accountability for services.
"The development will provide over 1,400 full and part time jobs to the local area."
GKI Tokens: A new crypto currency-backed property deal for Great Keppel Island
The development includes 750 luxury villas, 300 apartments, 250 marina births, 9000sq m of retail and restaurants, an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, and a commercial airstrip capable of international and domestic flights.
Despite State Government approval for the proposal Tower Holdings, the company behind the development, was unable to secure a boutique gaming licence.
Since then, the project has struggled to get funding.
Earlier this year the former resort buildings were demolished.
Tower Holdings CEO Anthony Aiossa said redeveloping the island would create a new domestic and international tourist destination.
"In recent years the product offering of many tourism destinations within Australia and the Great Barrier Reef has not kept pace with the significant new tourism development in other beach holiday locations such as Bali, Fiji, Thailand and Hawaii which has seen a major outflow of Australian tourists to these locations," he said.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Tower Holdings will retain 12 per cent of the GKI Tokens.
It is not clear yet how much each token would be worth, but there are expected to be three offering rounds with differing minimum levels of investment.
premium_icon BIG READ: Behind the scenes of GKI resort demolition process
premium_icon Concerns raised about the GKI beach sand bag strategy
premium_icon REVEALED: State Govt update on progress of GKI power & water
cryptocurrencies cryptocurrency crypto currency gki gki resort great keppel island great keppel island development tower holdings
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At Work With KaylinAt Work With Kaylin
UPDATE: Missing Upstate New York Teen Found
Photo Credit: Shelly Shoemaker/TSM
UPDATE 8/28 3pm: Cassidy Thomas has been found! She was discovered in Missouri where she still is. "The Missouri police will be talking to her before the New York State Police contact us," says Shelly Shoemaker, Cassidy's grandmother.
New York State Police say Cassidy willingly left her home with a friend. Missouri Police checked on her welfare and confirmed she was not coerced and/or forced to leave her residence.
An upstate New York teen has been out of touch for days and her family fears she's the victim of an online predator.
18 year-old Cassidy Thomas was last seen August 25th in Cape Vincent, New York when her family says she left with someone she met online. "A search of her computer shows she's been on several dating sites and out of the blue someone shows up to pick her up," says Cassidy's grandmother Shelly Shoemaker. "We have not heard from her since she left, which is very uncharacteristic. And her phone is now off."
Cassidy has Asperger Syndrome and Shoemaker says she is very naive and can be too trusting. "She does not realize the danger she may have put herself in. Cassidy comes from a small town with a tight knit community. The school superintendent and the Mayor are both concerned."
There are a few details on the person who arrived to pick up Cassidy. A neighbor contacted the family after seeing a 2008ish green Toyota van while planting hay. "It's a green van with out of state plates. I think the plates were white and red. The driver looks semi small, kind of thin, with longer hair," said the neighbor.
Search parties have been organized to look for Cassidy or the vehicle she was seen getting into. "People are going to all the small towns looking for the van and trying to see if she's still in the area," says Shoemaker. "I did receive a call about a sighting in the Ogdensburg area but haven't heard anything from the police yet."
The family has made calls to several different police agencies. "I have contacted 7 different state troopers but we're told we can't file a missing persons report because she's 18, a legal adult, and can come and go as she pleases," Shoemaker explains. "They've taken down the information but with the limited information they don't know where to begin looking."
Cassidy was last seen wearing a brown top and white shorts when she left her home on County Route 4 in Cape Vincent Saturday, August 25th around 2pm. If anyone has seen Cassidy or the van, they are asked to call the New York State Police in Alexandria Bay and ask for Investigator Alex Swenson or contact Shoemaker at 315-778-1264 or message her on Facebook.
Source: UPDATE: Missing Upstate New York Teen Found
Filed Under: missing, missing teen, upstate new york
Categories: Exclusive Video, New York News, Utica-Rome News
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Budgets, Health care, NC General Assembly
CJ Reports: After nearly six years, Medicaid reform finally entering the home stretch
by Anna Manning
Dan Way reports for Carolina Journal:
The Cooper administration hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with Republican lawmakers over Medicaid reform. He began negotiating Medicaid expansion with Obama administration officials without legislative approval when he took office in January 2013.
He said expansion could provide coverage for up to 650,000 uninsured people at a cost of about $6 billion over 10 years. His 2018 budget proposal recommended expanding Medicaid to 670,000 people.
Republican legislative leaders sued in federal court to block Cooper’s expansion in 2017, but withdrew the lawsuit because Cooper never filed an expansion request with the federal government.
Dollar said “that is always possible” Cooper’s administration could wage a turf battle over implementation of Medicaid reform, including attempts to expand Medicaid.
“We hope they will work cooperatively with us, and we hope they will stay within what the General Assembly has set out in the framework of a number of bills for how we want to system to operate,” he said.
Hundreds of details must be resolved on Medicaid reform, Dollar said, and the Trump administration may require tweaks before approving a required waiver for the reform plan. DHHS and the General Assembly may have to make other changes before reforms take effect.
Meanwhile, legislative Republicans are touting the Medicaid turnaround in this election season.
“We needed to do something to rein in the out-of-control costs that were eating into other critical programs,” Sen. Louis Pate, R-Wayne, co-chairman of the Senate Health Care Committee, said in a Tuesday, Sept. 25 press release.
“These vital reforms will ensure greater budget sustainability, and take the General Assembly out of the business of managing Medicaid, all while fostering better health outcomes,”Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, said in the release.
Anna Manning
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2017 Year in Review: Turning Lemons into Lemonade
December 19, 2017 / Alexandra Bradbury, Samantha Winslow Enlarge or shrink text login or register to comment
If there’s one lesson labor can draw from the events of 2017, it’s this—to survive and grow in the face of a nationally coordinated employer offensive, we’ll have to use the attacks against us as organizing opportunities. Photos: James Leder; Susan Ruggles (CC BY 2.0) bit.ly/DiaSinInmigrantes; SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana; Dan DiMaggio
If there’s one lesson labor can draw from the events of 2017, it’s this—to survive and grow in the face of a nationally coordinated employer offensive, we’ll have to use the attacks against us as organizing opportunities.
Everywhere you look workers are either on the defensive or just plain getting crushed. Take anti-union “right-to-work” laws, which weaken union strength and budgets by giving workers covered by union contracts a short-term financial incentive to opt out of membership. Since Kentucky fell in January, the entire South is right-to-work.
Such laws cover much of the Midwest and West too, a total of 27 states. A February law put Missouri on track to become number 28—until unionists blocked it from going into effect by collecting an astounding 310,567 signatures for repeal. The question will appear before voters on the November 2018 ballot.
The silver lining of that attack was the dose of energy union members got by fighting it off. “It’s already changed the local,” reported Robert W. Shuler II, a forge operator and president of IUE-CWA Local 86821 in Centralia, Missouri. “We have more attendance at meetings. People are asking about stuff to do. Something like this gives people hope.”
Look to Iowa for another example. An awful law passed in February—the state’s own version of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s notorious anti-union Act 10—defangs public sector collective bargaining and requires unions to win a reauthorization vote every contract cycle.
But unlike in Wisconsin, where the law has decimated public sector membership, Iowa unions so far are gamely clearing the hurdles. This fall saw the first two rounds of elections, where 462 of 494 affected locals won their recertification votes; 29,552 people voted to stay union, and 651 against.
What it took was shoe leather: members coordinating their efforts to talk to each co-worker and track who’d been reached. Some schools got 100 percent of teachers to vote. A mobilization on this scale is no small feat—but reaching every member a year before your contract expires isn’t a bad idea anyway. Done right, rising to the challenge can be a union-building opportunity rather than a drain on resources.
It looks like making lemonade is going to be the name of the game for a while. The appointment of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court in April nearly guarantees an anti-union decision in Janus v. AFSCME next year—which means the equivalent of a right-to-work law will hit the public sector nationwide. Unions are scrambling to prepare, but often focusing their energies in the wrong place.
Some unions, anticipating the budget crunch, are planning to make do with less—looking for salvation in mergers and consolidation, or cutting expenses at headquarters. Some are pursuing a marketing strategy to keep members on board—training staff and stewards to sell the union as a “brand,” or emphasizing perks like discounted movie tickets or more substantive benefits like legal defense and professional development.
On their own, these approaches are bound to fall short. The unions that build power in open-shop America will be the ones that fight hard on workplace issues their members care about and activate large numbers of rank-and-file members in their own fights.
It’s what unions should be doing anyway, but the reality is, for many sleepy locals and internationals, it will require a huge transformation.
BAD SCENE
As the Trump presidency kicked off this year, labor polarized along with the rest of the country. Union members were among the millions who marched in protest against a woman-hating, immigrant-bashing president and packed airports to oppose the Muslim ban. Some unions lined up on the side of resistance, and a handful even held inauguration-day strikes.
But others began the year with the sobering realization that nearly half their own members had voted for Trump—reflecting anger at a political establishment that ignores working people’s concerns, along with an apparent willingness to overlook or even endorse Trump’s blatant racism.
The best national programmatic response to this problem came from the Communications Workers, who are using a member-to-member training called Runaway Inequality to develop a shared analysis of who’s to blame for workers’ economic woes and what must be done to change the balance of power.
Trump and Congress packed the year with bad news. Anti-union control of the Labor Board and Department of Labor threatens to roll back Obama-era progress on quicker union elections, subcontracted and franchised workers’ rights to bargain with their real employers, the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, permanent replacement of strikers, and organizing rights for graduate employees. Despite union protests, charter school proponent Betsy DeVos became Secretary of Education.
A few political bright spots: Odious fast-food executive Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination as Secretary of Labor—chalk up that win to restaurant workers’ protests and pickets. The scrappy union of campus workers in Tennessee defeated their billionaire governor’s privatization plan. And a bipartisan network of self-organized Teamster retirees has made headway towards a Congressional solution to their pension crisis with the introduction of the Butch Lewis Act.
Health care horrors continued, with repeated attacks on the Affordable Care Act and renewed threats against Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Meanwhile Bernie Sanders’ single-payer plan has been gaining steam, attracting a number of mainstream Democrats as co-sponsors.
WISING UP
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is off the table, thank goodness. But any workers hoping to benefit if Trump renegotiates NAFTA are engaged in wishful thinking—as were the Building Trades leaders who cozied up to the president over vague promises of infrastructure jobs and the Auto Workers leaders who jumped on board with his “Buy American” campaign.
Remember, Trump is the man whose idea of bringing good jobs to the U.S. is forking over billions in tax breaks to open a Wisconsin outpost of Foxconn, the company notorious for worker suicides at its iPhone factory in Shenzhen, China. Democrats aren’t much better—Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, for instance, offered $2 billion in tax breaks to Amazon for its second headquarters location.
At press time Congressional Republicans were pushing a terrible tax bill, an unapologetic giveaway from working people to the super-rich. The bill is wildly unpopular, even in red states—it raises the deficit despite canceling tax breaks for medical bills, union dues, homebuyers, people hit by natural disasters, and even teachers buying school supplies for their students. We hope the backlash in November’s election results and the popular anger at this brazen tax bill mean Trump’s false populism is losing its allure.
LOSING GROUND
When it came to organizing the unorganized, 2017 continued the dismal trend of previous years, beginning with the latest grim figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: just 10.7 percent of workers were union members. (In 1983, when they first calculated this figure, it was 20.1 percent.)
Workers lost big organizing drives at Boeing, Nissan, and the Fuyao auto glass plant. There were a handful of wins, however—for graduate employees at the University of Chicago, nurses at a large hospital in northern Michigan, and Familias Unidas por la Justicia, the independent union of Washington berry pickers, which finally secured union recognition and a contract. After a long campaign that included firings and repeated wildcat strikes, that win was especially sweet.
Still, as our numbers shrink, anti-union forces are licking their chops for the kill. And that meant at contract time, workers with existing unions were fighting the odds. The more isolated we get in a sea of non-union shops, the harder it is to make gains or even defend existing standards. Two-tier keeps proliferating; wages and benefits keep declining; speed-up and workloads keep getting worse.
The situation isn’t helped when some union leaders take a defeatist attitude and offer up concessions, as one rail union coalition did in bargaining over health care with the nation’s top freight carriers this fall, while another rail union coalition picketed with the slogan “Health care, not wealth care!”‘ The grassroots insurgency Teamsters United is already organizing for a no vote on the bad deal members see coming down the pike next year at UPS.
STRIKES STILL WORK
The elements of a winning contract campaign in 2017 were the same as ever: engaging a majority of members in an escalating series of actions and building to a credible threat to strike.
Good examples included nursing home workers in Illinois who won an average raise of $3 an hour; transit workers in right-to-work Virginia who won big raises and bathroom breaks and raised membership to 85 percent; and library workers in New Jersey, who won a $15 minimum wage and raised membership from 65 to 93 percent.
The nursing home and transit workers both came to the brink of strike, while the library workers chose a different peak tactic that struck fear into their boss’s heart: no one signed up to “volunteer” for the annual book sale.
In Ontario, 2,800 auto workers at General Motors’ CAMI plant ran up against the limits of acting alone when they walked out for job-security language. Their robust strike stopped production and cost the company millions. Still, after a month they walked back in without winning their top demand.
Recognizing those limits, some unions were wise to team up with the public or with other locals who share the same employer. For instance, despite their unions’ warring factions, rank-and-file rail freight workers in Kansas City formed an All Crafts Coalition. After the group held a rally against concessions, its next meeting tripled in size.
Seventeen thousand AT&T Mobility (wireless) workers teamed up with 21,000 AT&T West wireline workers for a three-day walkout, the year’s biggest U.S. strike. A half-dozen teacher locals in California began coordinating their contract campaigns, linking them to statewide funding demands. Portland transit workers and riders together pushed for safety measures that would benefit both. Next year we hope to see more of these green shoots.
LOOK INWARD
Events late in the year highlighted the need to get labor’s own house in order. Corruption scandals racked the Teamsters and the Auto Workers, where high-up union leaders are accused of using their positions to line their pockets.
Other kinds of misbehavior by union leaders are far more common—from drawing double salaries and pensions to becoming apologists for management’s point of view.
Such misleadership plays into the hands of anti-union forces, undermining unions’ legitimacy in the eyes of members just when it’s needed most, as right-to-work propagandists push members to quit the union. The solution isn’t to sweep these problems under the rug but to sweep them out.
In a similar vein, the Harvey Weinstein scandal has sparked a long-overdue cleaning of house in a number of workplaces, including union staffs. Every time such a man is removed from a position of power, it clears the path for women in his workplace.
But the biggest changes needed in our unions and workplaces will come not from public scandals or government interventions, but from members organizing themselves. When Nashville bus driver Patrick Green and his co-workers were frustrated that they never saw their union contract before voting on it, they had the right idea—they ran for office on a platform of transparency and member participation, and won. Members got to read the next contract before voting.
That might sound small, but we won’t get far until we get these fundamentals right. And in a right-to-work state, membership in Green’s local jumped up from 60 to 80 percent.
SAND IN THE GEARS
Finally, despite a series of awful developments, all year long we were inspired as workers turned their fury into action on the job. Many pinpointed the concrete ways that large-scale problems were playing out in their own workplaces, and started there.
Quarterback (and union member) Colin Kaepernick launched the year’s highest-profile workplace action when he knelt on the football field to support Black Lives Matter; hundreds of other players soon followed suit. Kaepernick has since filed a grievance against the National Football League for retaliating against him.
To oppose the Muslim ban that stranded refugees at airports in January, taxi workers jammed up Kennedy airport in a one-hour strike. Tens of thousands of workers joined a grassroots strike in February, the Day without Immigrants. Teachers in St. Paul, Los Angeles, and Massachusetts organized demonstrations at schools to make their immigrant, Black, and LGBTQ students welcome.
In November 150 furious lawyers stormed out of a Brooklyn courthouse together after a defendant in the middle of his court hearing was detained by immigration enforcement. And in Germany over the course of the year, pilots prevented the deportation of 222 asylum seekers, mainly to Afghanistan, by simply refusing to take off.
Labor still has the power to throw sand in the gears of exploitation. The next step is for all these disparate troublemakers to start seeing their workplace struggles—from defending pensions to defending refugees—as part of the same bigger movement. That’s the role Labor Notes plays, and it’s one reason we were excited that our Secrets of a Successful Organizer book and training materials took on a life of their own this year, even zipping around the world.
Contrary to Margaret Mead’s famous words, changing the world requires action not just by a small group, but by large numbers of thoughtful, committed people. Two thousand of these world-changers will converge on Chicago next April for the 2018 Labor Notes Conference. We’ll see you there.
Alexandra Bradbury is editor and co-director of Labor Notes.al@labornotes.org
Samantha Winslow is co-director of Labor Notes.samantha@labornotes.org
2019 Year in Review: Workers Strike Back »
Members Demand a Voice in Their Unions' Presidential Endorsements »
'It's Different Here' Is No Excuse »
Janus for the Rails and Air? »
Federal Workers: Shutdown and Out »
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About this humble little website
Football: Wherever it may be
~ Laurence's football travels
The One We All Wanted
Posted by laurencereade in U
Anglian Combination, Colney Lane, Football, groundhopping, GroundhopUK, Norfolk Senior Cup, Norwich, Swaffham Town, University of West Anglia, UWE
Saturday 26th January 2019 ko 13.30
Norfolk Senior Cup Quarter Final
U.E.A. 0
SWAFFHAM TOWN 3 (Pearson 5 Castellan 65 75)
Att c60 at University of East Anglia Playing Fields, Colney Lane, Norwich
It’s probably common knowledge that GroundhopUK and the Anglian Combination have agreed to work together to stage an Anglian Hop in 2020. If you’d have told me even at the start of this season I’d get to write that, I’d have laughed at you. We’d tried, and tried again but each time received a firm, but polite “No” from the league. I’d mentally filed the idea along with the Highland League Hop in that folder marked “Nice idea but it’ll never happen” but then Twitter intervened!
As always you can blame Chris Berezai, it was he that pointed out that we’d be soon needing two more leagues to hop as we’ve only got one more Western Hop and our Easter with the Hellenic is a one-off. So for a little fun I put together a little Twitter poll, and put in the three most likely candidates I could think of. Then in one of my impish moments I added the Anglian Combination. I hit the “Tweet” button and genuinely didn’t know what would happen next.
Perhaps the way to make things happen is to push the boat out a little. Whatever the truth of that, the poll went mad as the clubs, officials and even a referee from the Anglian Combination grabbed at the poll, and with the groundhoppers making it crystal clear that the two of sides of the three-way compromise wanted it to happen, so it was up to me to see if I could convince the league’s committee.
I’ve long since learned the key person in a league’s committee for getting a hop organised is the fixture secretary. That person ends up scheduling the fixtures that make the weekend what it is. So I decided to do something I do a lot in my professional life, but hadn’t happened at all here- I picked up the phone to the Anglian Combination’s Chris McCullough. What I’d envisaged a 5 minute call ended up taking over half an hour.
We talked through the whole concept and the league’s objections, and I did my best to answer how we’d overcome them when we’d worked with other leagues in the past. Chris Berezai emailed over a new prospectus for Chris to put to the league committee and to be honest even after all our efforts, I thought that would be the end of it.
But something else came out of that phone call. I like football people and sat in my little home office what came across loud and clear was what a gentleman Chris McCullough is, and what a credit to his league and Norfolk sport he is. It was and still is important to me that irrespective of what he and his committee decided we could still enjoy a cup of tea together and watch a game.
Over the next few weeks the complications of the North West Counties League and Scottish Hop rather took over Chris Berezai and I’s time. But then a week before Chris asked whether I’d heard from the Anglian Combination? I hadn’t, so sent a short email asking whether any decision had been made. To both my surprise and delight Chris McCullough replied that they’d decided to give the idea a try, with a few conditions that we’d need to meet. None of those conditions were or are particularly onerus- we need to avoid Easter (I’m speaking to another League on that one), and avoid clashes with county cups.
It was a breakthough I could have only dreamed of a week before, but I wanted to meet Chris at a Anglian Combination game before we went public. I wanted to show GroundhopUK’s commitment by travelling to see him, and also be there to answer any questions face-to-face. I’ve trained people on telephone technique but sometimes there’s no substitute for meeting someone!
In fact there ended up being two issues, neither of which has anything to do with the Anglian Hop. The first was that my SatNav didn’t understand that Colney Lane in Norwich is split in two by a set of posts, and typically I ended up one side, with the ground the other. The other was that the car park at the University of East Anglia’s Playing Fields isn’t very big, I took the last spot, and the pay and display machine didn’t work.
But those were minor gremlins, and although the ground, new to the Premier Division of the league, is fairly basic the pitch is superb, no bad thing with the weather as it had been.
Part of the attraction of the game was that it was an inter-league match up. Swaffham Town are pushing hard for promotion in the Northern Division One of the Eastern Counties League. Speaking to Chris it was clear that UWE had a tough job in front of them but they rather fancied their chances.
Under those circumstances the last thing UWE needed was to concede early, and to a bicycle kick no less! Oddly it ended up summing up their afternoon, they really didn’t deserve to lose 3-0 but Swaffham were just that little bit sharper when it mattered. Certainly UWE will look on both their cup run and their performance with no little pride.
There was of course far more than just the game involved for me. It was lovely to meet Chris, it turns out we both went to the same university, and I’m sure he, his committee and GroundhopUK will work well together to stage a series of events that everyone will both enjoy and benefit greatly from, and will do justice to the clubs of East Anglia.
It would be remiss of me to fail to mention the likes of Shaun Cole and Matthew Hudson, and so many clubs whose enthusiasm and efforts helped make the idea of an Anglian Hop happen. Thanks to them for their sterling efforts, they are much appreciated.
Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
Look for stuff here folks!
Damage In The Box Chris Powell’s travels across the UK and Europe. The artist must frequently seen in the pub 0
FA Cup Factfile Phil Annets on all things to do with the World’s greatest cup competition 10
Football Club History Database Want to know where a club finished in what league and in what year? Richard Rundle’s site is a veritable goldmine! 0
Football Hopper “Fast” Eddie McGeown’s erudite perambulations around the nation’s football grounds 0
Gibbo's 92 Bolton Wanderers and Atherton Colls fan. Seriously good writer, and equally good photographer. Currently completing 3 years’ tax-avoidance at York Uni 0
Groundhopping.se Per-Gunnar Nilsson’s trips around his native Sweden, and into Europe 0
Grounds for concern Mishi Morath’s picture blog. 0
Kate Shrewsday. A thousand thousand stories Not about football, but beautiful writing, Kate can make words dance. 0
Los Boyos Matt is Welsh, a teacher, and lives in Malaga. His old “Lost Boyos” blog was essential reading. Here’s the Spanish Sequel!! 0
Modus Hopper Random Graham Yapp’s travels 0
The 100 Grounds Club Shaun Smith’s groundhopping football blog. The original internet ground logging website. 0
The FA Cup Groundhopper The travels of Paul Kirkwood 0
The Football Traveller The bible for every groundhopper. Non-League fixtures magazine delivered weekly. Published and edited by Chris Bedford 0
The Intinerant Football Watcher Peter finds the grounds other hoppers cannot reach. Top bloke too! 0
The66POW Rob Waite’s travels 0
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Start Over You searched for: Subject (Topic) Jews -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- Social life and customs ✖Remove constraint Subject (Topic): Jews -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- Social life and customs Subject (Topic) Beth Israel (Charleston, S.C.) ✖Remove constraint Subject (Topic): Beth Israel (Charleston, S.C.) Subject (Topic) Jews -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History ✖Remove constraint Subject (Topic): Jews -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History
1. Jewish Heritage Collection: Oral history interview with Helen Laufer Dwork Berle and Maurice Berle
Helen Laufer Dwork Berle describes growing up in her native city, Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1920s and 30s. She discusses in detail Jewish merchants and the St. Philip Street neighborhood. Her parents, Harry and Tillie Hufeizen Laufer, who immigrated from Mogelnitsa, Poland, owned a mens clothing store on King Street before opening a restaurant. Laufers was Charlestons first kosher restaurant and served as a social hub during World War II.
2. Jewish Heritage Collection: Oral history interview with Lillie Goldstein Lubin
Lillie Goldstein Lubin grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1920s and ’30s. Her parents, Abraham and Bessie Lazerovsky Goldstein, emigrants from Russia and Lithuania, ran a shoe shop in Charleston that evolved into a men’s clothing store. As a youngster, Lillie’s singing talent was recognized by her mother and teachers. She began taking voice lessons when she was nine and performed at a number of local venues as a child and teenager, notably, singing with the Charleston Oratorio Society in a performance of Haydn’s Creation. Lillie, whose stage name as a professional opera singer in New York was Lisa Lubin, discusses her early training and the artists who influenced her most. During her singing career, she performed in several languages, including Yiddish and German. She describes Charleston’s Jewish community in the years before World War II as “unique” because of the “camaraderie” and the “kinship” that she felt. Lillie recalls her mother’s visits to the mikveh, attending Rabbi Axelman’s Hebrew school, going to Folly Beach to listen to bands, and the black Charlestonians who worked for the family, both in their home and at their store. She married Herman Lubin of New York, whom she met in Charleston while he was working at the navy yard as an engineer. During the course of the interview, Lillie sings a few lines from some of her favorite songs.
3. Jewish Heritage Collection: Oral history interview with Sandra Garfinkel Shapiro
Sandra Garfinkel Shapiro grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1930s and 40s, the youngest of six children of Jewish immigrants from Divin, Russia. She recalls her childhood years, including her involvement with Young Judea, the African-American woman who worked for the Garfinkel family, and her fathers mattress business. She has donated her personal collection of genealogy books, photos, and ephemera to the Jewish Heritage Collection at the College of Charleston.
4. Jewish Heritage Collection: Oral history interview with Fannie Appel Rones
Fannie Appel Rones shares her memories of growing up on St. Philip Street in Charleston, South Carolina, between the world wars. The neighborhood was diverse—home to blacks, whites, Catholics, Jews, Greeks, and Italians. Fannie talks about her parents, Abraham and Ida Goldberg Appel (Ubfal), emigrants from Kaluszyn, Poland, and recalls stories her mother told her about the Old Country. She discusses the differences between Charleston’s “uptown” and “downtown” Jews and the Orthodox synagogues, Brith Sholom and Beth Israel. Fannie also relates her experiences as a member of Charleston’s Conservative synagogue, Emanu-El, and Reform temple, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim.
Jewish Heritage Collection Oral Histories4
College of Charleston Libraries4
Oral Histories3
Beth Israel (Charleston, S.C.)✖[remove]4
Jews -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History✖[remove]4
Jews -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- Social life and customs✖[remove]4
Brith Sholom (Charleston, S.C.)3
Jewish merchants -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History3
Jews -- South Carolina –- Interviews3
Jewish religious education -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History2
Jewish sects -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History2
African Americans -- Relations with Jews1
Brith Sholom (Charleston)1
Lowcountry4
St. Philip Street (Charleston, S.C.)1
St. Philip Street (Charleston, S.C.) -- History1
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With watchOS 2, the Apple Watch comes into its own
By Lance Ulanoff 2015-09-21 17:00:41 UTC
Mashable Choice highlights the best of everything we cover, have experienced first-hand and would recommend to others.
The Apple Watch is easily the best and most successful smartwatch on the market, but since launch, it has had one glaring weakness: third-party apps. There are a lot of them (10,000, Apple says), but they would load slowly and didn’t really do much. None of them took advantage of the Apple Watch’s impressive hardware. That all changes with Apple’s watchOS 2.
I just wish I could tell you more about it.
See also: The Apple Watch could be the most successful flop in history
I’ve been wearing an Apple Watch (gold finish over aluminum alloy, $399) running watchOS 2 for the better part of a week and while it is an improvement, there were virtually no third-party apps ready to test on it. Of Apple’s own Watch apps, only two — Stocks and Weather — are now “native," and I have to admit, the change wasn’t particularly noticeable.
By the way, if you've been eagerly awaiting the big update, then you know that we all had to play the waiting game as Apple postponed Wednesday's release to deal with an unexpected bug. Glad that's all finally settled. The update is now available to all Apple Watch owners through the Apple Watch App on their iPhones.
What’s new and different
The latest Apple’s Watches feature exactly the same hardware as the ones released earlier this year, but with more fashion options. The aluminum-alloy Sport model now has gold and rose gold finishes, a variety of new bands and even the new Hermès models that feature impressive leather bands, the word “Hermès” etched on the back and custom Hermès watch faces. There are also a bunch of new band options, including better leather designs and a red fluoroelastomer band.
The new gold plated aluminum allow gives the look of gold without the crazy-high price of solid gold.
Image: Mashable, Jhila Farzaneh
These are all great and attractive options, but do not change the way the Apple Watch works or even feels on the wrist. It felt good with the first generation of finishes and band designs, it still feels just as good today.
See also: Apple Watch is the best smartwatch on the market: Our review
As always, it’s what’s inside that counts, and even though Apple didn’t change any of the components, the Apple Watch has a slew of new and useful tricks thanks to watchOS 2, which releases today and is available for all current Apple Watch owners.
Not complicated
The best way to think about watchOS 2 is that it puts the watch more firmly in control of the experience, making it somewhat less reliant on your Bluetooth-tethered iPhone. So now there will be more situations where you can use the watch for more than just telling time even when you’ve left the phone behind.
If you're using HomeKit smarthome devices, you're in for a treat with watchOS 2, it will now let you control these devices. Unfortunately, HomeKit-enabled devices are only just hitting the market.
Additionally, watchOS 2 highlights the creative possibilities of the watch. Offering far more active watch faces, many of which offer more live information and, when the third-party apps arrive, more watch-face integration options for third-party companies like CNN and MLB, both of which are this close to releasing updated Watch apps.
Even without the new apps, though, I was able to enjoy some of watchOS 2’s new capabilities. Two key ones are Time-lapse watch faces and Time Travel.
Time-lapse watch faces is a really nifty bit of engineering. You access watchOS 2’s preloaded Time-lapse faces by pressing down harder on your existing watch face until your feel the Force Touch vibration, then you can swipe though additional face options. The Time-lapse ones are essentially time lapse videos of Mack Lake, New York City, Hong Kong, London, Paris and Shanghai.
Once you select one, the watch face will run through the time-lapse video when you lift your wrist and or tap the watch face (you can now set, in the Watch app, how long the watch stays active when you tap it — 15 or 70 seconds). Aside from the imagery looking splendid on the Retina display, the really cool part is that the time lapse is synchronized to the time of day. Earlier in the day, you see less of the time-lapse. By the end of the day, you see the whole thing.
These animated watch faces are actually synchronized to the time of day. It's a great, visual effect.
Image: Screenshots
Time Travel takes the extra bits of information on your Apple Watch face, like temperature and your calendar, and lets you scroll forward and back in time using the digital crown on the side of the watch. If you start turning the crown the time will start to change and then the other, time-based information will change in sync as well.
Third-party apps will use this to show you different things. In the case of CNN, upcoming news events and, in the case of MLB, upcoming games. MLB told me that while the native app arrive this week, one featuring Time Travel and custom complications won't arrive until the post-season.
With Time Travel, Apple Watch Complications can show you the future (right).
Even though I couldn't use the Time Travel with third-party apps, I found it most useful for seeing what the temperature would be when I usually leave the office at around 5:30 p.m. and for figuring out if I had a a mid-morning meeting the next day.
Hey Siri
Like the new iPhone 6S, Apple Watch gets a significant Siri update. No more touching and holding down the digital crown (unless you want to) to wake up Siri. She can be listening for the magic words, “Hey Siri.”
Before you get started, you’ll have to setup the new “Hey Siri” functionality on your iOS 9 device (iPhone 5S and up). Also you do have to raise your wrist to wake up the watch and, unlike the iPhone, which can be trained to your voice, Apple watchOS 2 will – at least in my tests — listen to anyone who says “Hey Siri.”
You can get where you're going, even on transit, with updated Maps on Apple Watch and "Hey Siri."
You can use “Hey Siri” to ask for the new transit directions. Maps have always been an Apple Watch strong suit, but the addition of transit information makes it a perfect commuter companion. To get directions to Carnegie Hall, I started by saying “Hey Siri” and then paused a moment as I waited for the new, rainbow-colored waveform to appear at the bottom of the watch screen.
Then I said “Transit direction to Carnegie Hall.” Siri understood me both indoors and about 75% of the time outdoors on New York City's busy streets. It worked whether my mouth was close to the watch or held at about half of my arm’s distance. Within a couple of seconds it had opened the map and located the transit directions. I tapped “Start” (I do wish I could just say “Start”) and then got my detailed info on where to walk to find the subway. And, yes, the directions were accurate.
I was also able to use "Hey Siri" to start a workout. I told it I wanted to start a 20 minute run. I still had to tap whether it was for indoors or outdoors and then hit start. So no total hands-free operation here.
Siri can also access watch operations like opening the camera app (which launches the camera on your iPhone), weather and email. For the latter, all I had to do was say "Hey Siri, open email." I could not, however, get Siri to read my email back to me. That's a feature I'd like to see Apple add.
Despite using this “Hey Siri” listening, moving watch faces and fiddling all day long with Time Traveling complications, the Apple Watch easily lasted an entire day. There was one day, though, where is inexplicably ran all the way down to below 10% well before the day ended. I’m not sure what I did differently, but it was really an anomaly among an otherwise positive experience.
More personal choices
WatchOS 2 also enhanced the personal communication between friends and addresses some shortcomings of the original Apple watchOS.
You can now, for example, add new friends to your friend circle directly through the Apple Watch. You still access friends by pressing the side button once (two presses gets you to the unchanged Apple Pay feature). In the center of the circle is a plus button. Tap that and you get access to your contact list, which lives in your phone.
If, like me, you have thousands of contacts, finding someone to add through the watch can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, Apple thought of this. If you start scrolling the digital crown rapidly, you get access to an alphabet menu, which basically lets you quickly scroll down from, say, “A” to “M” in a second. Then it’s a lot easier to find the right contact among all the M’s. I do think, though, Apple should add voice search to this feature.
You can add as many friends as you want to your circles and right on the watch (far left). then you can draw in multiple colors for a nifty digital touch (far right).
You can also add a lot more friends now that you have multiple friend screens to swipe through. If you’re popular, this is a real boon. And when you add those friends, you now have some more creative options for the doodle part of Digital Touch.
There have always been seven drawing colors, but now I found it easy to switch between them and draw with every color in one doodle. The time before the doodle starts disappearing (it gets sent to your friend’s Apple Watch) also seems a bit longer. Budding Apple Watch Picassos get ready to create some ephemeral masterpieces.
On its own
WatchOS 2 also adds the ability to make audio FaceTime calls over Wi-Fi and, if you have T-Mobile (which I do not), phone calls over Wi-Fi. You can also do Digital Touch and send and receive messages on trusted Wi-Fi networks (ones you’ve been on before). This all worked for me, though I can’t think of a situation where I’d be on a Wi-Fi network and not also have my iPhone close by.
And now, if you somehow lose your Apple Watch, you can remotely set it up so no one can unpair or reset the Apple Watch without its tethered iPhone (You do this through the mostly unchanged Apple Watch App). There is no “Find my Apple Watch,” though.
App possibilities
WatchOS 2 will connect the Watch with apps in ways not possible before. Workout apps like Runtastic will be able to directly access the motion-sensing hardware inside the watch and have their workout data combined with your overall activity data, which means you get credit for working out no matter which Apple Watch app you use — provided it’s native.
Unfortunately, aside from Weather and Stocks (which did not gain much benefit from the switch to native), I did not get the opportunity to try out new third-party apps, but did see some watchOS 2 native apps in action.
Apple Watch's upgraded digital touch is still a fun way to reach out an touch someone.
Apple showed me a cool new iTranslate app that does all its translation work on the watch. It can sense where you are based on the watch’s location to auto-pick the translation language, for up to 90 different languages. I saw it work with the spoken word, which means the app uses the watch’s microphone and then the watch spoke the translated text, which means the app uses the Apple’ Watch’s speaker. It was pretty impressive. It will also, according to iTranslate, use Time Travel to show you phrases that you may want to use at different times of the day, for the region you’re in.
The new sideways nightstand clock view is a nice little Apple watchOS 2 bonus. You only get it when you connect the watch to its charger.
Image: Mashable, Lance Ulanoff
GoPro showed me how the Watch can be used to control an external camera. You can choose what kind of recording (standard, time-lapse or burst), the frame (so the Apple Watch Screen is your viewfinder with a live, 9-frames-per-second preview) and stopping and starting recording.
For as much as watchOS 2 brings to the Apple Watch, I was left wanting more. I think the app interface is fun, especially when you use the digital crown to zoom in and launch one of the apps, but I also find it difficult to navigate. You can’t always, at a glance, see where the apps are, and at that size some look very similar. (Weather and OneDrive are good examples.)
I actually like Samsung’s Gear S2 circular app interface better. Perhaps in future watchOS updates, Apple will offer more app home screen configuration options.
I think Apple can do a lot more with voice integration and activation, though I suspect that will come.
Does watchOS 2 make the Apple Watch a must-have wearable? Well, it was already the best wearable on the market, though I think the Gear S2 could give it some strong competition. However, that product has yet to ship. As a result, watchOS 2 simply makes the best incrementally better. It’s not a game changer, though, to be fair, a lot more native third-party apps could change my perspective on that.
For now, I say, update your Apple Watch and for those thinking of buying one, the answer is still yes.
Apple watchOS 2
Adds more life to Apple Watch screen • Time Travel is genius • 'Hey Siri' is fun and useful • Access to native Apple Watch hardware could transform apps
Doesn't do enough to the main app interface • Native apps slow to arrive
Apple watchOS 2 doesn't entirely transform the Apple Watch, but its myriad improvements do make for a better wearable experience.
Topics: Apple, Apple Watch , apple watch apps, Apps and Software, Fashion, Gadgets, Mashable Choice, Mobile, Reviews, Tech, Watch OS 2, watchOS
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Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
by 1234567890num
‹ Part #87 Part #89 › Return to LP Index
Part 88: Drinking Through the Night
Looks like Claire isn't around anymore.
Music: Glass in the Hand
Sidney...
Ah, Mr Hyde.
Still drinking, I see.
Claire not around?
Looks like it's just you and me now.
So what do you say, shall we have something to drink?
Sounds like a plan to me.
Music stops
He takes what appears to be some sort of special bottle from one of the shelves.
It's got a smooth taste with a fruity aroma and real impact. Sure, it'll get you drunk alright, but at least you'll be a sophisticated drunk. Sidney and I raise a toast and drink our fill of the exquisite brandy.
It really is fantastic.
You really know a good drink when you have one, Mr Hyde. You're just like my ex-wife in that respect.
If we still have the $1000, we'll have a chance to give it to Sidney for a bottle of the brandy. Which we can't do since we gave the money to Tony.
Music: Impervious to Love
When we used to run this place together, we used to have a quiet drink, just the two of us, after closing time.
Why did the two of you separate?
It wasn't her fault, it was mine. I was way too stubborn.
I can see it so clearly now.
But it's far too late to do anything about it, now.
Looks like I'm getting lost in my thoughts a little here.
Can't say I have.
I think this might be the perfect night to play it.
The perfect night?
Can't think of any better time than when you're alone on Christmas Eve.
We're not alone! We have Mila...before she left. We also have Tony...who ditched us for Betty.
If you've never heard it before, you'll really get the most out of it tonight.
Sidney places a single record on the counter.
Quite an old one you've got here.
Yeah, it's old alright, but just brimming over with memories.
There was only one copy of it at the shop I went to and I was keen to buy it. Thing is, Claire's mom had gone there for the exact same reason.
Let me guess, that's when you fell in love, right?
Absolutely. It was love at first sight.
What kind of woman was she?
She was the best, at least the best for me.
Ha ha, what am I saying?
You're pretty good at making me say the most embarrassing things, Mr Hyde.
Believe me, I'm not trying to.
Another drink?
I think I've reached my limit.
Then it's probably time for me to shut this place up for the night.
Thanks again, Sidney. I had a great time.
Me too, Mr Hyde, me too.
*Kyle goes outside*
Music: Overstepped Memory
Music: Heating Up
Use Sidney's record on record player
(Maybe I should give Sidney's record a listen.)
New Music: Promise (Listen to this!)
"Promise", huh?
(The kind of song that makes a person depressed if they listen to it alone.)
(Guess this is the final Christmas Eve I'll be spending in this apartment.)
(Okay... I think it's time I gathered my thoughts about all that's happened...)
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Disney+ Isn't Much Bang for Your Buck Right Now
Nick Douglas
Filed to:disney+
Disney+, the newest and cheapest major streaming service, gives you less bang for your buck than Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. Reelgood, the site that sorts through all your streaming services, calculated how many shows and movies each service offers, in a report provided to Lifehacker.
Disney owns a lot of premium content—Marvel, Star Wars, the Muppets, Pirates, Pixar, The Simpsons—and it’s the only streamer offering most of that content. And Disney+ is just $7/month ($5.83/month on the annual plan). As we’ve written before, if you want to watch a lot of Disney titles right now, go ahead and subscribe.
How Disney+ Compares to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
Now that Disney’s long-awaited streaming service, Disney+, finally has an official launch date…
Disney+ will also roll out multiple exclusive shows, but you can wait to learn if they’re so good that they justify the subscription. That’s the HBO model, where there are fewer titles, but those include one or two essential shows that all your friends are watching. On HBO it’s Game of Thrones and Succession; on Disney+ it’ll be The Mandalorian.
But if you just want a bigger basket of stuff to watch, then Disney+ is your worst option. It has fewer movies or TV shows than any major streaming service except Showtime. After you filter out the many bad shows padding out each streaming service catalog, Disney+ even dips below Showtime.
The Best Movies Coming to Disney+
On November 12, Disney will officially launch its streaming service, Disney+, as a competitor…
Because it’s so cheap, Disney+ is a better deal than Showtime for movies and TV, and better than HBO for movies. But it’s still nothing next to Prime, Netflix, and Hulu. I definitely wouldn’t cancel a different service to switch to Disney+.
Graphic: Reelgood
Here's the Streaming Video Service That's the Best Bargain for Your Money in 2019
Reelgood, the site that tells you which shows and movies are on which streaming services, has a new
Should You Get It?
You should probably wait. And then you should probably get it.
Look at the best titles available from Disney+, listed on Reelgood. If you want to see some of those now, then go ahead and buy a month. It’s not a bad catalog. It’s just not as good as other catalogs.
But before you get excited about all the big-deal movies that will only come out on Disney+, think about which ones you like to watch at home, and which you already see at the theater. If you really plan to watch at least two Disney movies at home every month, then Disney+ is already worth it.
See What’s Coming to Disney Plus Before It Launches
The launch date for Disney+ inches closer and closer. We only have less than two months until…
Otherwise, wait until people start watching The Mandalorian and the other exclusive shows, and see if they’re good enough to subscribe and try. Meanwhile you’ve got plenty to watch on all your other services. Have you dug through the Prime app lately? I feel like we always forget it’s sitting there between seasons of Good Omens and Mrs. Maisel.
Don’t stress about this too much. It’s $7 a month. If you subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, Prime, HBO, and Disney+, that’s still just $56/month—half the average cable bill, with no ads.
Updated: Reelgood has added Disney+ to their full quantitative comparison of major streaming services.
How to Preorder Disney Plus For Less Than $4 a Month
Disney+ Might Not Work on Your Device
Here's Every Device You Can Use to Stream Disney+
How to Introduce Your Kid to Star Wars
Staff Writer, Lifehacker | Nick has written for Gawker, Valleywag, the Daily Dot, and Urlesque. He currently runs the scripted comedy podcast "Roommate From Hell."
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LRBID
Lincoln Road Now Home to 1,000 Blooming Orchids
Home » Lincoln Road Now Home to 1,000 Blooming Orchids
Kevin Sprague2019-10-07T13:31:52-04:00
Partnership with Fairchild Botanic Garden Spurs Conservation Effort and Latest Instagrammable Moment on the iconic pedestrian mall.MIAMI BEACH, July 8, 2019 –Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road District, recognized as the cultural and social hub of Miami Beach, announces its latest permanent installation – 1,000 orchids, planted along the pedestrian street’s trees between Meridian Avenue and Jefferson Avenue. The orchids, which more than a century ago blanketed oak and mahogany trees throughout South Florida, will be attached to the Road’s existing trees as part of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s The Million Orchid Project.
Lincoln Road already welcomes more than 11 million visitors annually, and now those strolling through its eateries and boutiques will also be able to marvel at the beauty of 1,000 colorful orchids, take social media-worthy photos along the path and learn about Fairchild’s program to reintroduce native orchids into South Florida’s urban landscapes.
Stephen Bittel, Chairman and Founder of Terranova Corporation, is a property owner on Lincoln Road, and orchestrated the partnership with Fairchild and the City of Miami Beach to generate support for the floral installation while evolving the green spaces along Lincoln Road. Born and raised in Miami, Stephen grew up with a passion for orchids.
“It was very important for me to support and help build awareness for the Million Orchid Project. It is not only an honor to protect and help this native species propagate again naturally, but it also beautifies one of Miami Beach’s most walked promenades and gives visitors more to see and do while they are here,” Bittel said.
More Free Events, Exhibits and Things to Do on Lincoln Road
Through the vision and sponsorship of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District (BID), the 14-block district is committed to ensuring the iconic street, long known as Miami Beach’s living room, remains a pedestrian promenade where locals and visitors gather to experience and partake in free activities ranging from tango lessons and yoga classes, to live concerts and farmers markets.
To cater to the residential base, the Lincoln Road BID is also sponsoring free weekly fitness classes, including bootcamps on Mondays, yoga on Wednesdays and Sundays, Zumba on Tuesdays, and the SoBe Run Club on Thursdays. A recent survey conducted by the City of Miami Beach ranked Lincoln Road as the place or facility 60% of area residents say they visit most, and 47% of those same respondants say they visit Lincoln Road at least once per week.
“Tourists and locals are increasingly looking for experiences that make them feel connected to the community they are living in and visiting,” said Timothy Schmand, executive director of the Lincoln Road BID. “The Lincoln Road District is not only a preferred destination for world-class entertainment, dining and shopping, but now it is also a place to learn about the complexity and fragility of natural South Florida environments, and educate our millions of visitors about the importance of habitat restoration.”
To learn more, visit lincolnrd.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @LincolnRd.
About Lincoln Road
From quirky hipsters and swanky fashionistas to laid-back surfer-skater types and all that lies between, the crowd drawn to Lincoln Road may be visiting for different reasons, but the underlying factor bringing this group together is the same – it’s still is the coolest place to be and be seen in Miami Beach.
Affectionately referred to by some as Miami’s living room, there is nothing as quintessentially Miami Beach as Lincoln Road. It’s the street where models walk their dogs after runway shows, where bikini clad rollerbladers zip past window shoppers, and where café culture overrules standard business meetings.
Lincoln Road has reached critical mass, and with good reason. The pedestrian promenade is home to the best of everything. Best places to shop? Try hyper-trendy boutiques like Lulu Laboratorium, Alchemist and Intermix or national cult favorites like Lululemon. Even popular nationwide stores are more interesting here – Banana Republic is in a former bank building, Guess is inside a former Cadillac dealership (complete with its original exterior signage), and All Saints Spitalfields is housed in a synagogue-turned-Jehovah’s Witness temple. Looking for the best place to eat, but overwhelmed by Yelp reviews? Head over to Lincoln Road’s new food halls Lincoln Eatery or Time Out Market, which features 17 local chefs and boasts, not one, but three bars. Music and entertainment lovers will find refuge in the Lincoln Road District – home to the Fillmore, New World Symphony, Colony Theatre, and Regal South Beach movie theater. Steps away is the newly remodeled Miami Beach Convention Center, which welcomes world-renowned Art Basel every December. Even the parking garages on Lincoln Road are a cut above the rest. Considered “carchitecture,” the Herzog & de Meuron-designed 1111 Lincoln Road building is a modern masterpiece and magnet for photographers, social media influencers, locals, and tourists alike.
Schwartz Media Strategies
Paula Gomez – paula@Schwartz-Media.com
Jessica Goswami – jessica@Schwartz-Media.com
BOTERO ON LINCOLNNOW ON VIEW
BOTERO ON LINCOLN
A Reinvigorated Lincoln Road Welcomes Nine New Restaurant and Retail Brands
Santa’s Cabana
1620 Drexel Avenue, Suite 100
Email: info@lincolnrd.com
Web: lincolnrd.com
© All Rights Reserved | Lincoln Road Business Improvement District, Inc. | 2019
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IQ ETFs
Uptick in Inflation
The Retirement Institute
Topics Advisor InsightsBuilding Long-Term WealthETFsGenerating IncomeInsightsInvestment GoalsManaging VolatilityTax-Conscious InvestingThe Markets Tags active managementalternativesasset allocationbond marketbondsBrexitcentral bankschinacommoditiesconvertible bondscorporate earningsCorrelationcredit riskcurrencycurrency volatilitydebtdiversificationdollardollar cost averagingearnings growtheconomic expansioneconomyelectionemerging marketsemploymentenergyequitiesESGEuropean Unionfactor-based etfsFedfederal reservefinancialsfixed incomefloating ratesGDPgenerating incomegeopoliticsglobal equitiesglobal marketsgovernment shutdownhedge fundshigh yieldincomeinflationinstitutionalInsured Municipal Bondsinterest ratesInternationalInternational equitiesjunk bondslarge capliquid alternativesliquiditymanaging volatilitymarket cyclesmarket pullbackmarket volatilitymerger arbitragemergers and acquisitionsmomentum investingmonetary policymulti-factor investingmunicipal bondsoilpassive strategiespuerto ricoQAIquantitative easingquantitative tighteningratesreal assetsrecessionREITsresilient portfolioresilient portfoliosrising ratesrisk managementS&P IndexSALTSALT deductionSALT provisionsecuritiesshareholder yieldshort duration high yieldsmall capsmart betastockstariffsTax-backed debttaxestradetrade warstreasury yieldsu.s. equitiesUS equitiesVIXvolatilityyield curve
When merger & acquisition (“M&A”) activity slows down
by: Salvatore J. Bruno, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director | IndexIQ; IndexIQ,
Given that merger arbitrage deals are the core component of a merger arbitrage strategy, what happens when merger & acquisition deal volume declines?
For several years, we’ve been in the midst of an M&A boom. According to Dealogic, in 2018, U.S.-targeted M&A volume reached a total of $1.74 trillion and 7,791 deals. Q1 2019 was busy, too, as U.S.-targeted M&A broke historical first quarter records, reaching a total volume of $537.6 billion and 2,158 deals. So, while it may seem a little early to worry about running out of transactions, M&A is highly cyclical and the day will come when volume declines.
Two of the key metrics that drive the performance of a merger arbitrage strategy are deal premiums and completion rates. We raised the question, are either, or both of these key performance drivers impacted by a decline in the number of deals?
Our research revealed two significant findings. First, there appears to be a positive relationship between S&P 500 Index returns and the subsequent change in the number of deals that are announced. The chart below shows an increase in deal flows following positive market returns.
Deals vs. S&P 500 Index Returns
Source: Factset Mergers database, quarterly, from 1996 through 2018.
Second, there appears to be no statistical relationship between the changes in the S&P 500 Index and the merger premiums offered by acquiring companies.
Deal Premium vs. S&P 500 Index Returns
Examining merger deal premiums grouped by calendar year shows the annual average ranges from 20% to 47%, with the historical average at 31.2%. The data suggests that while the pipeline of transactions may correlate with the market (as proxied by the S&P 500 Index), acquirers are still offering a consistent premium for target companies. Therefore, the S&P return and number of announced deals (above a bare minimum needed to execute the strategy) should have little or no impact on the potential return of a merger arbitrage strategy, in our opinion.
Additionally, our research showed that in terms of completion rates, on average, 81% of deals successfully complete. These numbers are consistent across up and down markets, with regulatory and shareholder reaction having more of an impact than market direction. This consistent completion rate allows for enough turnover to occur within the strategy to introduce newer deals as they become announced.
Quarterly Completion Rates vs. Mean
The IQ Merger Arbitrage Index has historically demonstrated a low correlation to the broader market. The data on premiums provides one explanation as to why merger arbitrage strategies work to add diversification to a portfolio. Because the deal premiums remain largely consistent regardless of whether the S&P 500 Index is moving up or down, the returns may also be relatively consistent, assuming the deals get done. While the volume of deals may vary from year-to-year, other factors like the strategic importance of an acquisition mean that there should still be a sufficient quantity of quality transactions to choose from to add to a strategy.
The IQ Merger Arbitrage Index employs a systematic, rules-based process to identify deals for inclusion in the Index. The criteria include a listing in developed markets, a minimum percentage of the target company’s shares being sought, limiting the maximum deal age, and sufficient liquidity.
For now, there is no shortage of deals that meet these criteria, and the stock market, while it’s been more volatile lately, continues to be supportive of M&A. But when the cycle turns, our research suggests that there should be no major impact on a merger arbitrage strategy to continue to successfully execute on its strategy. Furthermore, a strategy with strong deal selection criteria could be especially effective in identifying more qualified opportunities in times of reduced deal flow.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results, which will vary. All investments are subject to market risk and will fluctuate in value.
This material represents an assessment of the market environment as at a specific date; is subject to change; and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice regarding the funds or any issuer or security in particular.
The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and are not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.
This material contains general information only and does not take into account an individual’s financial circumstances. This information should not be relied upon as a primary basis for an investment decision. Rather, an assessment should be made as to whether the information is appropriate in individual circumstances and consideration should be given to talking to a financial advisor before making an investment decision.
Before considering an investment in the Fund, you should understand that you could lose money. Certain of the proposed takeover transactions in which the Fund invests may be renegotiated, terminated or involve a longer time frame than originally contemplated, which may negatively impact the Fund’s returns. The Fund’s investment strategy may result in high portfolio turnover, which, in turn, may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund and lower total returns. Foreign securities are subject to interest rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks. These risks may be greater for emerging markets. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses. Stock prices of mid and small capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of larger companies and also more vulnerable than those of larger capitalization companies to adverse economic developments. The Fund is non-diversified and is susceptible to greater losses if a single portfolio investment declines than would a diversified fund. The ETF should be considered a speculative investment with a high degree of risk, does not represent a complete investment program and is not suitable for all investors. The Fund may experience a portfolio turnover rate of over 100% that will increase transaction costs and may generate short-term capital gains which are taxable.
Liquid alternatives (liquid alts) are alternative investment strategies that are available through alternative investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, and closed-end funds that provide daily liquidity.
Deal premium is the difference between the actual price paid to acquire a company and the estimated real value of the acquired company before the acquisition. The size of the premium often depends on various factors such as competition within the industry, the presence of other bidders, and the motivations of the buyer and seller.
Deal completion rate is the rate of announced deals that complete the merger.
The IQ Merger Arbitrage Index seeks to achieve capital appreciation by investing in global companies for which there has been a public announcement of a takeover by an acquirer.
The IQ Merger Arbitrage Index is the exclusive property of IndexIQ which has contracted with Solactive to maintain and calculate the Index. IndexIQ® and IQ® are registered service marks of IndexIQ.
The S&P 500 Index is an American stock market index based on the market capitalizations of 500 large companies having common stock listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ, or the Cboe BZX Exchange.
Consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus and the statement of additional information include this and
other relevant information about the Fund and are available by visiting nylinvestments.com/etfs or calling 888-474-7725. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
New York Life Investments is a service mark and name under which New York Life Investment Management LLC does business. New York Life Investments, an indirect subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company, located at 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, provides investment advisory products and services. IndexIQ® is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC and serves as the advisor to the IndexIQ ETFs. ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ALPS) is the principal underwriter of the ETFs. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a distributor of the ETFs. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is located at 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with NYLIFE Distributors LLC. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a Member FINRA/SIPC.
A (mostly) good news month
If 2019 was a detective novel, December was a solid last chapter...
by: Salvatore J. Bruno
Markets defy profit fundamentals, putting equity valuations at risk
So far in 2020, investors have been focused on the positives...
by: Lauren Goodwin, CFA
Fragile international landscape creates global ripple effect
Strategic disengagement of the U.S. and Chinese economies, the uncertainties surrounding Brexit and the European Union...
by: New York Life Investments
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Salvatore J. Bruno
Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director | IndexIQ
Sal is Chief Investment Officer at IndexIQ, where his primary responsibility includes developing and maintaining the firm’s investment strategies. Sal joined IndexIQ in 2007 from Deutsche Asset Management (DeAM) where he held a number of senior positions
IndexIQ
IndexIQ, a New York Life Investments Company, is a trusted provider of innovative financial solutions. IndexIQ ETFs are built and delivered in a way that provides exposures that investors can rely on. A subsidiary of one of the oldest and largest life insurance companies in the world, we have a solid foundation and the resources to continue our culture of innovation…
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© 1776 New York Life Investment Management LLC. All rights reserved.
There is no assurance that the investment objectives will be met.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results, which will vary. For the most recent MainStay Funds performance, please visit our web site at mainstayinvestments.com. All mutual funds are subject to market risk and will fluctuate in value. Class I shares are generally available only to corporate and institutional investors.
The MainStay Funds® are managed by New York Life Investment Management LLC and distributed by NYLIFE Distributors LLC, 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a Member FINRA/SIPC.
For more information about MainStay Funds®, call 800-624-6782 for a prospectus or summary prospectus. Investors are asked to consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the investment carefully before investing. The prospectus or summary prospectus contains this and other information about the investment company. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.
This mutual fund may be offered and sold only to persons in the United States.
New York Life Investments is a service mark and name under which New York Life Investment Management LLC does business. New York Life Investments, an indirect subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company, New York, New York 10010, provides investment advisory products and services. IndexIQ® is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC. ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ALPS) is the principal underwriter of the ETFs. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a distributor of the ETFs and the principal underwriter of the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Plus Fund. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is located at 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. ALPS Distributors, Inc. is not affiliated with NYLIFE Distributors LLC. NYLIFE Distributors LLC is a Member FINRA/SIPC.
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This advanced search of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's grants database allows exploration of our grantmaking history since 1969.
Medicine and Population
Presidential Initiatives
Amount to
Years to
State (U.S.) AKALARAZCACNCOCTDCDEFLGAHawaiiHIIAIDILINKSKYLALOMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPAPRRISCSDTNTXUTVAVIVTWAWIWVWY
Country ArgentinaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBelgiumBermudaBoliviaBrazilCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCzech RepublicDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEstoniaEthiopiaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyKenyaKyrgyz RepublicLatviaLebanonMalaysiaMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNigeriaNorwayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalRepublic of ArmeniaRussiaSenegalSingaporeSlovakiaSouth AfricaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTanzaniaThailandThe NetherlandsTurkeyUgandaUkraineUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVatican CityVenezuelaWalesWest IndiesZimbabwe
179 Grants awarded for $81,152,500
Cornell University Emeritus Fellowships 09/16/10 $54,500 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Competition and Summer Academy for Young Keyboard Players 10/25/10 $70,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Postdoctoral Fellowships 12/09/10 $2,000,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies 12/09/10 $400,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University New Directions Fellowships [Case] 03/10/11 $260,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University New Directions Fellowships [Langwick] 03/10/11 $269,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University New Directions Post-Fellowship Award [Toorawa] 06/03/11 $50,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Emeritus Fellowships [Tarrow] 09/15/11 $32,400 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University New Directions Post-Fellowship Award [Dubreuil] 05/31/12 $50,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University University Humanities Centers - Phase III 09/13/12 $1,330,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University 2CUL: Planning for Shared Library Services - Phase II 12/06/12 $350,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Scholarly Communications
Cornell University Architecture, Urbanism, and the Humanities 12/06/12 $1,462,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Cornell Higher Education Research Institute - Phase III 12/06/12 $640,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Don Michael Randel Graduate Fellowships 03/14/13 $2,000,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Art Museums and the Curriculum 03/14/13 $250,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Arts and Cultural Heritage
Cornell University Sawyer Seminars - Political Will 06/06/13 $175,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Scholarly Resource Semantic Information Store 12/05/13 $999,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Scholarly Communications
Cornell University Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies Phase II 12/05/13 $500,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program 12/05/13 $127,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Humanities Corridor - Phase IV (Consortium) 09/11/14 $750,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Donald Opatrny Economics Chair Discretionary Fund 03/12/15 $150,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Society for the Humanities 03/12/15 $275,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University College in Prison Network 09/10/15 $1,000,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Higher Education and Scholarship in the Humanities
Cornell University Linked Data for Libraries - LD4L Labs 03/10/16 $1,500,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Scholarly Communications
Cornell University Campus Museum and Library Collaboration 12/08/16 $500,000 Ithaca, NY, United States Arts and Cultural Heritage
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me + annabel capper: or, the limits of Armitage fangrrling, almost a year in
[ETA: some links updated, 6/1/15]
A screencap of the ridiculously beautiful Richard Armitage, chosen because of its thoughtful mood, from “The Chase,” an extra from the Spooks 7 DVDs. Source: Richard Armitage Central Gallery [since removed]
Others have been writing about the status of their interest in Armitage of late, and I still worry about my fascination for various reasons, most of which are probably obvious to you. The year anniversary of the trigger event for my Armitagemania is fast approaching with no signs that the symptoms are abating. It continues to relieve me that I’m not alone in dealing with this weird quandary. Many of you are in the same boat and I’m vitally grateful for your company. This post is provoked by a strong reaction I had recently to stuff that has surfaced lately in Armitageworld. I hated myself for being interested, but discovering it left me with a much-needed feeling of relief, albeit a bittersweet one. That’s what I’m exploring here.
Caveat lector. I thought about publishing this piece with comments closed, but that seemed unfair to fellow sufferers who might also need to unload on this topic. So I’m keeping comments open with a certain amount of trepidation. Known commentators can post without moderation; new commentators need their first post moderated by me; you may comment with “anonymous” as your tag, but I will have to approve the comment. The last time (of which I am aware) that elements of this topic surfaced in a reputable forum, by which I mean a moderated one, something approaching a bloodbath ensued. This took place after I was exposed to Armitage and before I was blogging, and I was a bit stunned to read some of those comments. It made me understand why the moderated discussion boards all include a proviso prohibiting discussion of Mr. Armitage’s personal life. If you comment, please remember the Golden Rule — thinking of “others” as both me and your fellow commenters and Mr. Armitage and Ms. Capper. It’s fine to disagree with what I say below or even the fact that I am articulating it for a general audience — I spent a lot of time wondering whether this post in itself violates the “do unto others” rule vis-à-vis either Armitage or Capper, and it took courage for me to hit “publish.” Just keep in mind that no one involved in this discussion or concerned with this topic is evil; no one — me included — seeks to do anyone harm. It might help to think of this as a discussion not about Mr. Armitage’s personal life per se, but about our reactions to aspects of it that we glimpse.
And so, finally, ad rem. No, still no answers.
John Bateman (Richard Armitage) and Maya Lahan (Leila Rouass) in Spooks 9.8. My cap. Love the way the shadows over Mr. Armitage’s shoulders draw dark lines through the photo that accentuate the architectural qualities of his upper body. As Frenz has noted, it’s not just a pretty physique; the man uses his shoulders to act, too. Here, in his attempt to convey a sense of security to an unsettled Maya, John also performs an act of self-reassurance by enveloping her body in his bare arms, almost as if she’s a transitional object that reassures him of the validity of his notion of his past.
I admit it: I’ve now rewatched Spooks 9.8 a few times. Not because I liked the plot or found the resolution of the Lucas North / John Bateman division any more successful than I did when I saw it the first time. I watched it to see those painful but oh so remarkable performances again. And because Mr. Armitage is so beautiful, even as the villain. I watch as I’ve been watching since January 4th: to elevate my mood via a combination of factors (beauty, artistry, charisma) that I still don’t completely understand. I watch because my eyes open wider, my nostrils flare, when I see him, but because my heart and mind open, too, in response to the figure on the screen. Who doesn’t always seem quite real to me. Frankly, it would be easier if he weren’t.
Objectification? Oh boy, do I ever worry about it. Precisely because the guy seems like such a mensch on top of all of his talent. If he didn’t seem so real, I wouldn’t be worried about treating him as if he weren’t; if he were a jerk, or talentless, I could just ogle him and be done with it, but then again, if he was a jerk, or untalented, I wouldn’t be fascinated. I’ve been thinking of objectification mostly in terms of its sexual connotations and worried primarily about that — the treating of a person, and specifically his body, as if he primarily exists to fuel my sexual pleasure. That really does bother me. After I realized the extent to which I had slid, during a late summer in which I had lacked time for more careful thinking, from a relatively analytical discussion of his clothing choices at formal occasions into a level of detailed discussion of Mr. Armitage’s body that bugged me — including closeups of particularly enticing body parts — I’ve written relatively little in that direction here since the fall semester started. I wrote a little bit about the problem of beauty as an aspect of criticisms of his career trajectory, and tried to point out that it’s not his fault that he’s beautiful or that directors try to show us that, and that our reactions to his beauty are about us rather than him. Blaming him for anything about our own lack of restraint in thought, word, or deed is the practical equivalent to me of blaming rape victims for dressing provocatively. We need to take responsibility. So since the Fall I’ve been avoiding the discussion of Armitage’s body as if it were a thing, and mostly been calling him beautiful as opposed to sexy. Mostly. I still slip. So if you’ve been missing the PHWOAR here, don’t worry. I still feel it. In spades. It has a good shot at making a comeback.
Carol Bolton (Sarah Smart) helps John Standring (Richard Armitage) disrobe before attending to his injuries in episode 3 of Sparkhouse. Source: RichardArmitageNet.com
But calling Armitage beautiful instead of sexy seems like a dodge. Just like you can’t act without your body, so that it’s an obfuscation to say that we admire someone for his acting, not for his body, when acting is inter alia the successful rhetorical or poetical instrumentalization of one’s own body, beauty and sexiness are both aesthetic perceptions, both uses of and perceptions of the body. It’s just that beauty is considered more elevated than sexiness. Though the elevating aspect of beauty is something I desperately need right now. And perhaps particularly his beauty, which speaks to me well beyond the level of physical arousal. Because while I get a sexual thrill from looking at some of these pictures, that’s not all I get. They’re not just a better sort of pornography for the educated woman. And like the cap above, some of the pictures I love most are not all that pretty. Somehow the pictures symbolize something else: hard work, thoughtfulness, and struggle as values; the attainment of art; the presence of someone who is often described in ways that suggests he tries to do the right thing, of someone who’s got scruples. Most of all an inspiring, enveloping energy. A comfort at low points, a reminder of a sort of secular or quotidian redemption that results from the evaluation a job well done or a perception of light breaking through the darkness — the two most common reactions I experience in response to Armitage’s work.
I suppose one potential aspect of objectification is that you can make the object of your gaze into whatever you like without protest from him, that you can love who you want to love in whatever way you wish for whatever reason, without the disturbing wrinkles that might make someone unlovable under any other circumstance. But there’s a way here in which Armitage’s physical beauty seems to function as a placeholder for a spiritual quality, a way of being in the world that I’m trying hard to understand and, I admit, imitate even as I perhaps construct myself the thing that I admire. I know that sounds a bit inchoate. This theme is something that deserves more time, so I mark it here with plans to discuss it down the road. It’s not the point today. The point instead is that the aspects of sexiness and beauty that are oh so enticing are still central to my fascination. Noting this would be unproblematic except that lately — in light of events — I’ve sensed a surge in my perhaps faulty perception that Mr. Armitage is real. And (as Anselm of Canterbury knew of G-d) the potential that something that exists in the imagination could also exist in reality is intoxicating. In the particular case at hand here, that possibility amplifies my desire and admiration. (As well as my embarrassment about the former.)
Datum: My post on the Old Vic Gala is currently the seventh most hit post on this blog. The post says nothing; I didn’t attend; I intended solely to bookmark some links I wanted to go back to. I assume that the comments are attracting the attention, as one commenter went to the gala and attended the dress rehearsal. If you look at that post and feel moved to comment on what she wrote, please be aware that I have the utmost respect for her decisions. I don’t want to put her on the spot, but the fact that she said it on my blog made me think. Am I objectifying Mr. Armitage in ways that hadn’t yet occurred to me? Is the very fact of this blog an objectification? Martha Nussbaum would apparently say yes — as here, I’ve explicitly turned Mr. Armitage into a thing that I make use of for my own purposes. On the other hand, all analysis does that — it seeks to resolve complexity for the purposes of explanation. No rationalizations about whom an analysis might be for can impede those imperatives. Analysis involves an I-it relationship. One defines an object of study and then studies it. And though I have written quite extensive posts on the techniques of Mr. Armitage’s acting, in the end I can’t study acting solely as an activity that occurs without a body or a spirit behind it. These things are all connected and they do at least a little to explain the desire to meet the man who stirs us so unbelievably.
The perceived desire to meet the target of our admiration has an inherent tendency to be objectifying, I think; I assume that our desires to meet Mr. Armitage have nothing to do with him. This perception raises the problem of whether one can ever have a non-objectifying relationship with someone one’s never met. Martin Buber says you can have an I-thou relationship even with a total stranger to whom you never speak. I-thou is the sort of relationship that moves artistic inspiration, for example, or engagement with the work of another thinker. I hope Buber is right. I’m trying, anyway. But in order for that to happen the blog has to move beyond analysis to talk about how I perceive my self to be in dialogue with Armitage’s work. How does the most elevated perception of his “thou” move mine? Laying aside that we can at best guess what Armitage perceives to be the point in his work when he was most in touch with his spirit — and that we maybe haven’t seen it! maybe it’s not on youtube! — that’s a really hard kind of writing to do, but it’s what has to come next, the challenge for this blog as my Armitagemania moves into its second year.
Datum: That commentator essentially realized my theatrical fantasy, the sixth most hit post on this blog, and even went a bit beyond. And I can’t help but mention in this context that my reaction to the comments on the theatrical fantasy, Stalking Armitage?, an attempt to sort out my (non-)relationship to Mr. Armitage, is the second most hit post here. So the desire for close encounters with Mr. Armitage in real life somehow, either as fantasy or reality, is on the table and has been for some time. It — and concern over it — may flare periodically in the wake of actual encounters.
Datum: Another widely reported fan encounter at the aforementioned gala, in which Mr. Armitage is reported to be — after proving on stage that he is incredibly talented and incredibly willing not to take himself too seriously — not only incredibly good-looking but also incredibly normal and incredibly charming.
Datum: A scan of the program for the Old Vic Gala confirms Mr. Armitage’s courtesy and makes me, if you think this possible (cough), respect him even more as a man who hasn’t forgotten where he came from and isn’t afraid to admit it in public. That assessment may be especially attractive to me because academia is so full of insecure men, so after two decades in this milieu my meters for normal male behavior are skewed hopelessly. But yeah, I’m still asking myself whether he can possibly be for real. I keep looking for a turnoff that I am not finding. Maybe I’m willfully ignoring his recent revelation about his temper. I and a different commentator speculated on the potential reasons for that disclosure and about why we read little negative response to that information. At any rate, for whatever reason, I don’t feel it. [Interestingly, while I was composing this, an amusing discussion emerged in the comments to a previous post under the question of “what could you find out about Richard Armitage that would turn you off?” Just more proof that “me + richard armitage” readers are often very intuitive thinkers who grasp the direction of my thoughts before I can put them down on the screen.]
“I just met a wonderful new man. He’s fictional, but you can’t have everything.” Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels) breaks through the fourth wall to comfort Cecelia (Mia Farrow) in one of Woody Allen’s best pictures.
Datum: A post by mulubinba (since removed) about experiences close to home regarding obsession with celebrities, which referenced a forum for sufferers of depression, with some incredibly revealing comments. Do you see yourself there? Do I? Well, this is not a serial activity for me. Armitagemania is the only syndrome like this I’ve ever experienced. And maybe I am lying to myself, but I don’t think I’m obsessive in the technical sense of the term; reading about and looking at pictures of Richard Armitage does not bring me relief from anxiety or fear about vague or specific dangers, and I do not engage in it to ward off bad or irrational feelings about my interest in Armitage himself. Without too much trouble I can stop consuming Armitage product when I have to, as on religious holidays, and I am not doing this against my own rational will. If for some reason against my own inclination I became suddenly allergic to all things Armitage I’d be sad but I’d survive.
But Armitagemania as coping mechanism for distracting me from current problems? Oh yeah. That’s been there from the very beginning. I know I’m not alone, either. Can we say “Purple Rose of Cairo“? Do you ever find yourself wishing that Mr. Armitage would just step through the screen?
I get a lot of messages off blog — sometimes one a day. Fewer lately, which is fine, as I have a hard time keeping up with comments. Anyway, I’ve been getting about one mail off blog per month asking for help in abating the severe recurrence of persistent thoughts of Mr. Armitage. Toward the end of August I asked for reader help on one request. A discussion of levels of Armitagemania ensued that was interesting, in which Skully raised the point of whether we have an obligation to mindfulness toward those who are really suffering. We agreed that we do, but also that we don’t know what the answer is, other than seeking support from friends, getting professional help, or going absolutely cold turkey and/or turning off the Internet. In case you were thinking of writing to me: though I am way behind at the moment, I eventually do answer all messages, but I really don’t know the answer to this question. As should have been apparent for some time.
Datum: A tweet surfaces suggesting that Mr. Armitage will manage somehow to squeeze “The Rover” into his performance schedule for 2011. The theatrical fantasy again becomes acute in my life. Mulubinba ponders her response to the potential of seeing Mr. Armitage perform in person. She’d go if he were playing in her city but not to the stage door. If “The Rover” happens, what will Servetus do? Luckily, it seems, an actual announcement is still some way off.
Datum (taking deep breath): Pictures of Annabel Capper at the Old Vic Gala in the company of Mr. Armitage surface in a link posted in a thread on C19, as well as a cell phone video of him standing in line to get on the bus to the after party. RAFrenzy writes about the latter, and, as so often, describes exactly how I felt. Like her, I worried about my hypocrisy. When the video popped up on youtube, I first eagerly looked it and favorited it so I wouldn’t lose it, then felt unbelievably sorry for the poor guy, that he has to consider the possibility that he could be captured on video while walking the twenty feet from the door to the bus, and ashamed of myself for being such a voyeur, and an eager one at that. Then, I watched it again. Three of those over those more than two thousand viewings were mine. I was disturbed. So. Since Frenz admitted to her reaction to the video, I am going to write, tangentially, about the pictures of Ms. Capper. Because I had all the reactions about them I describe above — and yet another. Relief.
I stress, not for the last time, that I know next to nothing about her. The rest of the post is about my feelings about what I know about her as a way of describing my feelings about my Armitagemania. Meta enough for you? I think if I’m objectifying anyone today, it’s her. I apologize for this confession, Ms. Capper, in case you are offended by it, but you really did me a huge favor this week.
Richard Armitage and Annabel Capper at the Children’s BAFTA awards, Hilton Hotel, London, November 2006.
As the point of this post is not to generate gossip, but it may inevitably do so, I feel obligated to remind everyone that we have no idea who Annabel Capper is to Richard Armitage. Thinking quickly as I write this, I am aware of only five pieces of neutrally verifiable information that put them together: that they were in the cast of a play together in 2002 in a venue that supports the work of emerging playwrights [original link is dead, but you can read a transcription of that information here]; that they attended the Children’s BAFTAs ceremony in each other’s company in 2006 (they are pictured together at left); that a doodle for charity purposes that he attributed to himself in 2007 incorporated her name; that they were photographed together at the Carrie’s War premiere in the summer of 2009; and that they appeared together at the London gala premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai show in January 2010 (that videolink is dead, but you can now watch it here — worthwhile because she’s not dolled up to the teeth in designer clothes but rather sensibly dressed and manages a nice smile but looks quite overwhelmed by all the flashes going off — the video made me think that she was mustering her professionality but possibly dislikes the red carpet experience as much as he has reported he does). Everything else we may believe about his relationship to her is, as far as I am aware, hearsay and not confirmed with independent evidence. He’s stated repeatedly since the summer that he’s got no current romantic interest; he’s also remarked that it’s increasingly difficult for him to meet new people to go out with and that he sometimes resorts to an ex when he needs a date.
Annabel Capper, CV headshot, 2010 or earlier.
Silences, lack of any further verifiable information that puts them together, and recent denials of romance on his part notwithstanding (she’s never been quoted as herself in an interview about him, and as far as I know, I’ve only ever read one piece of “friends say” information about him), “Annabel Capper” is a frequent search term that brings readers to this blog. How frequent? It’s number 20 — and thirteen of the top ten are variations on the name of this blog or generic search terms for Mr. Armitage — i.e., more than half of the top twenty are requests for the same two things. So in terms of unique requests it’s in the top ten, though not as popular as the more generic “richard armitage girlfriend.” (Incidentally, “sopa de lima” and “wallace and gromit” are in the top twenty as well.)
When I started blogging I had planned to keep her name out of it to prevent those searchers from landing here, since I wasn’t going to provide any additional information about her, and because she mostly works on stage, it seems, her appearances (as well as those in other media) are not stored in places that make it easy for me to catch or comment on them. But that didn’t stop me from being curious about her on my own behalf. Eventually I began to think that it was hypocritical for me to be interested in her but not admit it — like saying I had (hypothetically) an illness but not conceding how severe it was. So though I didn’t ever write about her, I did mention her name, for example, in picture captions, or in the comments, which is why one can now find one’s way here using that search term. The fact that I am now writing a post about my feelings about her means that even more people who search her name will end up here. But the data above and my reaction to it sort of compel me, and I’m not ashamed any more, though perhaps I should be. Because I like Annabel Capper, or more accurately, it’s that I like the idea of her, and I have ever since I learned the little bit about her that’s available for consumption on the web — really little more than the contours of a professional life, and not dissimilar to the sort of information (mutatis mutandis) that you could find out about me if you knew my real name. Yup: like Hermione Norris, Annabel Capper has become a collateral attraction.
First, and most obvious based on the means I have for learning about her, her body appeals to me. She’s tall and not slight. If her Spotlight CV is accurate, she carries not an ounce of extra weight on a strong 5’8″ frame. Her shoulders are wide enough that it looks like she could protect herself in a fight. But it’s more than an actual physicality; her pictures suggest an energy that says “don’t tread on me.” I admire “strong,” and Ms. Capper’s arresting gaze and marked features expand on the boundaries of conventional attractiveness. Striking, I’d call her, with those intense green eyes and a heavily structured brow that gives them extra broadcast potential and magnetic power. Capable of force, an actor’s reel of her work demonstrates — and copes with a range of accents in an “assured” quality of voice. Confident! Second, though she’s not a classic lead, her CV suggests, she’s apparently talented enough to work regularly in British theatre, including in shows with very minimal casts where one suspects she must contribute a great deal of the energy of the ensemble herself. Cast at an early stage in her career in a prestigious Shakespeare audio project as Helen in Troilus and Cressida. Has not hesitated to be involved in various projects of artistic and political interest. Associates herself with creating meaningful spaces and structures for others to perform in. Has played Lincoln Center in a Sara Ruhl play, which has to have been hard work. Works repeatedly in supporting roles with the same directors, including the respected Mark Wing-Davey, which suggests that she’s a team player and a reliable artist who takes direction well. Works hard — CV suggests at least three different roles in 2010. Said to have a “haunting voice” and “vivid intelligence,” and G-d knows, Servetus loves smart — which is my third reaction. I found her listed among the visiting faculty in the 2010 and 2011 prospectuses for the University of London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, where she is described as teaching writing, another activity dear to my heart (both writing, and teaching it) — and one that demands a particular sort of intelligence that moves beyond “smart.” She gives of her talent to others who’ve been less able to identify or capitalize on their strengths, a final point of attraction for me to Ms. Capper, as demonstrated by an entry from a humanitarian project to visit prisoners and do workshop Shakespeare with them [original text deleted; Internet Archive text here].
I’ve never met her in person and every one of us has flaws. From my perspective here, thousands of miles away from London and gathering information on the internet, however, Annabel Capper seems: striking, attractive, energetic, strong, artistically adventurous, smart, informed and aware, (multi-)talented, get-along-withable, industrious, generous. All this I can conclude reasonably without her having put any personal information out there about herself other than her resumé. So she’s probably also modest — and as we know, she’s discreet. The kind of person you’d want as a friend. Worthy of respect. Worthy of trust. Worthy of … love.
I’m not a very frequent C19 reader — not out of any problem with C19 but because my own Armitagemania is so prolix that it doesn’t fit well into that format — but when the reports came in about the Old Vic gala I started looking over there for more commentary and up to the minute news. (I’m grateful that people post it and in return, I’d have been happy to discuss this reaction there, but the topic is prohibited, as noted above.) And I wasn’t disappointed; it was gratifying to read that stuff. I’m just as curious about information on the “real” Armitage as the next fangrrrl. I jumped right over to the dorktastic video when it appeared and I wrote about it; comments on that post eventually moved in the direction of how far we would go in watching “private” information and disseminating or talking about it. If you look at the comments you’ll see that I was much less solid in October about what I’d discuss or not discuss on this blog than I had been in April. And then I saw a link in the C19 thread with the provocative question “Isn’t that Annabel Capper?” My heart caught in my throat. My finger hovered over the mouse. Of course I was going to click — how could I ever stop myself? I want to know everything about him! — but I was already feeling dirty about it.
Annabel Capper (right) in “Women in War” (2003).
While the finger was twitching, I was already starting to hate myself. The dialogue of the warring Servetuses begins: “Can’t leave this topic alone, can you?” I asked myself. “So what if it’s Annabel Capper?” The reply: “But what if it isn’t? Don’t you want to know that, too?” Servetus: “Can’t the man spend a night alone and enjoy his success with the people who appreciate him without you googling in to observe him? Come on, take the high ground. Refuse to look.” Servetus: “Oh, come on, ignoring information doesn’t erase it. If the data there could contribute to your picture of him then you need to look at it. Plus, maybe it will be something so nasty that you’ll be shocked out of your preoccupations; wouldn’t it be positive then?” Servetus: “Oh come on, you even don’t believe that yourself. This is not about information gathering, it is unadulterated prurience. You’re just going to feel dirty and hypocritical after you see it. There’ll be one moment of excitement and then you’ll feel like dreck.” Servetus: “Oh yeah? Well you can’t stop me.” (It was fatal for me to say that to myself, since I have a very oppositional personality.) The defiant finger fell — whether it was Servetus, or Servetus, who propelled it: who can say?
Yeah. And it was her, in two very dimly lit, grainy photographs. Annabel Capper! Standing next to Richard Armitage at the bar of the restaurant, and then next to him while they were talking to a third person! And there was one moment of huge thrill, but I was wrong about the consequences. All of the conflict disappeared, and I felt an overwhelming, dizzying wave of relief, and no conflict at all. My knee-jerk reaction: “Oh, how wonderful that they’re there together. How great for him. How great for her.” I had wondered whether, for example, his parents or his brother might have been in the audience to witness his first steps onto a live stage in quite some time, and I was just so happy that someone who really cared about him was there for him after such a nerve-wracking reentry. My cheeks blushed and I had a physical sensation of warmth all over. Glee!
Richard Armitage confesses his nervousness about the Twenty-Four Hour Plays to a BBC reporter. Source: Richard Armitage Net
I am not describing this reaction to paint myself as an altruist or to suggest that my Armitagemania is innocent in any way. It’s not. All kinds of potential unpleasantness that I just may not be able to admit to consciously could lie behind that reaction. Maybe it stemmed from relief that it wasn’t someone whose picture I hadn’t seen, so that I wasn’t going to get dragged against my ability to stop it into hours of pointless fangrrlish speculation. Or relief that it was Ms. Capper, because I don’t believe that she’s his current romantic partner, and so he’s still single and notionally available to me in my daydreams, without too much disturbing data from reality like a committed lover. (I’ve sort of filed her in my mind under the surmised label of “potential ex,” and wondered whether her days at LAMDA coincided enough with his that she could be the drama school love interest who he “never felt … was the one,” in which case my respect for her grows exponentially, since I wouldn’t be able to hang out with someone who said something like that about me, even if he didn’t intend it to be published. But then Servetus has the unfortunate personality trait of holding grudges.) And the historian evaluating evidence I was trained to be also forces me to point out that her presence there proves nothing: nothing about the pictures says anything about their relationship to him or why she was there. Pictures at an after party don’t even prove she was at the performance. She could be his partner, or his ex, or just a very good friend — one must add, a very good friend indeed to put up with and draw upon herself the growing circus around him, to which I am admittedly now making a six-thousand-word contribution — or she could have been there accidentally. And yet other less probable possibilities could explain her presence that probably aren’t worth elaborating upon this late in such a long post.
But what this reaction showed me is that there is a limit to the insanity of Armitagemania. I may spend a ridiculous amount of time writing on this blog, which is in turn only a fraction of the time I spend thinking about him and his work, but I still haven’t become so much of a fangrrl that I can’t tolerate the thought of the actual Mr. Armitage in the arms of a partner in real life or that I would be happy to learn that he’d been dumped and was single again. My excesses aside, at base I am at least capable of fulfilling the laudable self-description of another commenter here of herself the Armitage fan as “a friend he’s just never met,” of being happy that he has people in his life, no matter his relationship to them, that have stable contacts with him that stretch over long periods — that he has friends and potentially romantic partners towards whom I have no consciousness of jealous feelings. In short Armitagemania is not making me betray my own convictions; maybe I am letting myself off the hook too easily, but Ms. Capper’s recorded presence at this event provided the welcome news that I am not at stage 3 or even close.
What a relief.
Ms. Capper, I hope that Richard Armitage loves you somehow — as a lover, as a dear friend — because in the absence of any more personal information about you than I am ever likely to have, you seem like you are worthy of any or all of that, and you are also lucky enough to know him personally, a status that tens of thousands of women envy you no matter how things stand. (I also hope that in private he’s the person he appears to be in public — ethical, thoughtful, sweet, loyal, modest — and that if you are his ex, it’s not because he has some severe personality flaw, or acted a bit of a monster to you, or that he lost his temper irretrievably or did something else that hurt you terribly. Yeah: if you’re his ex, I hope you dumped him. Is that mean of me? Or am I only loyal to my gender?) But even if he doesn’t love you, or if he’s much less nice in real life than his press suggests, I want to thank you for going to that after party weekend before last. Your presence there did that extra little bit for me that makes him real and reminds me that he isn’t just beauty or artistry, a concept that I observe and turn over in my mind to make myself feel better in bad moments — that he is a real person with real relationships, with entanglements that he also may not handle satisfactorily in every regard but that root him in a particular context. That’s bittersweet, because (as Anselm demonstrated about G-d, see above) the fact that he exists in reality and not just in the imagination makes Richard Armitage better — even as, at best, I might manage to see him live on stage. In reality, I will only ever know him in my imagination. And that’s powerful — particularly on days when my nerves are sore and my soul is exhausted. But it’s not the imagination of him, the concept of him, that really powers the energy that comes from his roles, or at least not all by itself.
You appear to be the kind of woman that I want someone who’s the kind of man Richard Armitage appears to be to fall in love with. So you, too, have become part of the fantasy — perhaps unfairly, since you didn’t sign up for it, any more than he did and indeed much less so.
But for better or for worse, you made him real, Ms. Capper, in a quiet way. It would be easier for all of us fans if he weren’t. But if he weren’t real, then he wouldn’t be half so powerful as a fantasy, either.
~ by Servetus on December 1, 2010.
Posted in accents, acting, Annabel Capper, Armitage as victim, Armitage on Armitage, Armitage's body, Armitageworld dogmas, career, collateral attractions, equilibrium, fans, fantasy, gratitude, gravitas, Hermione Norris, heterosexual utopias, humiliation, if I could interview Mr. Armitage, interiority, John Bateman, joy, loss, Lucas North, Malice Aforethought, Maya Lahan, me, morality / ethics / norms, objectification, order / disorder, reality, redemption, Richard Armitage, silliness, Spooks, squee, The Armitage Army, the real Armitage, The Rovers, theatre theatre, why Armitage?, Why me?
188 Responses to “me + annabel capper: or, the limits of Armitage fangrrling, almost a year in”
RAFrenzy said this on December 1, 2010 at 11:14 am | Reply
? Too much ?
servetus said this on December 1, 2010 at 11:15 am | Reply
Taken against the balance of the blog and other RA blogs, no. But you’re brave to allow comments. Unless those who frequently move into protect their boy have learned not to tip their hands quite so much. Candidly, that behavior fascinates me. As you may have learned over the last year, I really like Richard Armitage. Well, just a wee bit. But I’m not quite up for trolling the web to try to defend his honor or his privacy. However, I’m fascinated by those who are. What drives them to that length? I can’t help but wonder. But then I’m cursed with questioning the dog out of everything.
The only thing I take exception to in the piece is the implication that Twitter is chiefly for stalking. LOL! That’s the dream! Those crumbs of information so lovingly placed to lead us to someone’s altar.
Problem is that there is a veiled contempt for the worshippers, or maybe that’s how my jaded eyes see it. I’m so convinced of this that I would never follow as much as I do as the “real me.” I’m not quite that far gone. And that, my friend, is the supreme rationalization for my indulgence in this mania.
Twitter: I do think in this particular case that that crumb was placed for a reason — to put the fangrrls all atwitter, so to speak– but I also know that it’s been used to stalk. I have a colleague who stalks his ex-wife this way, and has saved records of her tweets in order to take her back to court in a custody fight over their kid. So it’s not all innocent. Obviously any smart party, however, would never tweet anything of crucial importance unless he wished it to be known.
I have not had to suppress any problematic comments. Maybe it’s that the warning at the beginning is worded so strongly that people are afraid to disagree?
contempt for the worshippers: I think that’s interesting. I agree that that peaks through in some cases. Presumably the worshippers will notice when they are being treated contemptuously and vote with their feet?
servetus said this on December 1, 2010 at 10:42 pm | Reply
Speaking of which, should I link this on Twitter? 😀
Go right ahead 🙂
I’ve had no caffeine yet. That’s what I’m blaming for leaving a key sentence out of my first comment. LOL!
I’m soon on my way out the door to brave the snow and ice on the side of a of mountain. But if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t do it.
Hope you have a great day as you test the limits of comment moderation.
RAFrenzy said this on December 1, 2010 at 12:13 pm | Reply
That’s why you were up so late / early.
Servetus, meta analyser in Armitage studies, is unsurpassed in the blogging kingdom!
Mea culpa! Parts of your post spoke directly to me. MillyMe’s tragic tale. Take heed in time and desist, dear reader! While Servetus determinedly discussed sartorial details of Armitage dress, Milly was skipping along the dizzy paths of Pwoarosophy and Thighology. Being made John Porter chair and being led gently to the Latin terms for the anatomy didn’t seem to diminish her unabashed interest in these fields. Reading about others similarly afflicted (depression and celebrity worship) has only made her aware of how tragic she is, mired in admiration of the body, as she is,and not just of the body of work!
OK, that’s me trying to make ponderous fun of my own fascination for an actor I might never lay eyes on! That’s why your blog has been such a find. You’ve been similarly afflicted for as long as I have. I found you quite quickly after that and you have allowed me to take part in the journey of your own fascination and puzzlement as to why him? Why no end in sight yet? and where to now?!
As a counterbalance to the tragic tales of obsession, I refer to an article by Chuck Gallozzi called Admiration of others at personal-development.com.
“When we accept, appreciate, and admire others, welcoming them into our lives, they touch us and help make us what we are. When we embrace others, we embrace life.
Besides being a valuable teacher, admiration is a source of happiness. For what is admiration but delight in what is? It is appreciation and gratitude for what is. A grateful heart is full of joy, while an ungrateful one is full of bitterness.”
I appreciate how your blog also provides room for the positive aspects of our admiration of this actor!
MillyMe said this on December 1, 2010 at 12:42 pm | Reply
more and more monumental meta, that’s me!
This post wasn’t intended as an indictment of you, MillyMe, but as an indictment of me. Like I said, I don’t think I am done with PHWOAR, and I couldn’t get alone without the current holder of the John Porter chair.
It’s also easy to be bawdy in the summertime, I think. Fwiw.
Sweetie, I’m only teasing! I enjoy posing as the light-hearted fangirl!
MillyMe said this on December 2, 2010 at 6:20 am | Reply
I enjoy you being her 🙂
servetus said this on December 3, 2010 at 4:03 am | Reply
Wow’s the word. I’m not too sure what the bloodbath was all about because I only started reading RA blogs a few months ago. Nat’s blog is in fact the first RA blog I read. I have to admit I did wince a little when I read the title because I could imagine the sort of comments a post like this would invite. Therefore, you are very brave, Servetus.
The only thing I would say about this is I am glad he has someone to share his success with, whether she is his girlfriend or close friend. Afterall, she was there to support him as a friend through thick and thin right from the very beginning. So, if anyone gets the privilege to enjoy the afterparty with him, it should be her.
Riv said this on December 1, 2010 at 12:53 pm | Reply
I don’t want to repeat slander; there really was a huge variety of sentiment, some of it positive and commending Natalie for taking on a topic that was obviously of high interest but which had been cordoned off from treatment on the discussion boards. What was troubling was (a) the appearance of personal attacks on Ms Capper or her appearance; (b) personal attacks on Mr Armitage for his undefined association with Ms Capper or for other perceived transgressions; (c) attacks on Natalie for bringing up the topic in the first place.
Nice point — sharing a triumph with an old friend, whoever she is, is a nice thing to do.
See, I’ve been totally out of the loop on all this. Oh, geez. His “undefined association” with AC or other perceived transgressions? I–oh–I have to shut up or I will say something that regarding that which will get me into trouble.
And who are we to attack AC’s appearance–middle-school girls text messaging back and forth because the hunky guy in our science class is friendly with a girl other than us? Meeee-oooowwwwww.
Once again, I have to say I do not blame him one bit for stepping away from the craziness a bit. I really don’t. And I am sincerely sorry that Nat was attacked over this.
angieklong said this on December 1, 2010 at 11:08 pm | Reply
I think it’s a reflection of a weird sort of insecurity, to criticize him for not having a girlfriend that the critic thinks is prettier. But that came up. Comments on that post were also really narky about some of his clothing choices, which drove me crazy and to some extent eventually led to my decision to write the BAFTA clothing posts.
And yeah, Natalie is pretty much the sweetest blogger in Armitageworld. She did not deserve the tsuris.
The poor man has said he has no fashion sense or if he did have, he’s lost it. Cut him some slack, people. Do you want him to be Richard, or some slick Hollywood clone? I think he’s been doing pretty much OK of late. Love his new coat. It think things will get better in the wardrobe dept. Maybe he’ll hire a good stylist or start seeking the advice of some fashion-savvy friend/SO.
And yes, I would guess insecurity on the part of some fans is a big part of it. I remember being a very insecure teenager feeling that I had to discredit others in my head in order to build myself up, but thank goodness, I moved beyond that.
And some of this nattering reminds of snarky teens, hence my middle school girls’ comment earlier.
Good for Nat for sticking to her guns, anyway. Shame people have to be that way.
angieklong said this on December 2, 2010 at 2:46 am | Reply
@servetus, those attacks do sound very troubling indeed!
Riv said this on December 2, 2010 at 2:09 am | Reply
Natalie allows anonymous comments. People get vicious when they don’t have to take responsibility for their statements, unfortunately. It’s one reason this blog requires you to take a pseudonym. I don’t mind dissent but I can’t accept cruelty.
The point I tried to make in a post below. I hate people not taking responsibility for what they say online. And you see it all the time.
When I read your post, I didn’t realize the “bloodbath” you were referring to had anything to do with my blog until I read these comments! haha. 🙂
Just to let you know, I only felt attacked the first time I ever posted anything about AC, not realizing there were many in the RA fandom who thought this was a no-touch subject. I had no idea there were some fans who felt/feel overly protective about it or the reaction it would get. At first, the one or two rude comments hurt my feelings, but then I thought, “My blog… my rules!” and decided not to remove the post. I was then surprised by the outpouring of support from blog readers both by comments and private emails thanking me for discussing the subject openly. Since then, I haven’t received any mean comments about the AC subject.
When I posted the photo of RA and AC at the Varakai event, commenters didn’t attack me, but started attacking each other because of differing opinions. It became way out of hand, so I had to disable and hide the comments. I don’t like to censor things, but out of respect for Richard, my blog and all the blog readers, I thought it was the right thing to do.
Nat said this on December 2, 2010 at 6:41 pm | Reply
I may be conflating two of your posts on the topic, but I really do remember a level of unpleasantness that discouraged me.
Dear Prof.,
I can’t find your PM. Can you help me? Thanks
lucrezia said this on December 1, 2010 at 12:53 pm | Reply
I emailed you.
Another fascinating post Servetus. I need to read it in more detail later and think about it some more.
I’m probably less conflicted than others about my admiration for ALL of Richard Armitage’s considerable talents and physical attributes. He’s truly a Renaissance Man in every way. To me my fan-ship for him is a fun and lovely way of escaping the sorrows of life if even for a moment.
I hope there’s no harm in it for him, and luckily we’re physically separated by the Atlantic Ocean. I find him incredibly sexy, and truly physically beautiful, heartbreakingly so at times. I love his interviews, especially videos of earlier interviews when he was less guarded. There are other actors I have admired and found handsome, but the more I know about Richard Armitage as a person the more loveable I find him!
I’ve known about RA for about 5 years now, but only in the last 8 or so months have my feelings intensified to the extent I search out information about him every day. I rarely visit the forums, but religiously visit the blogs, especially yours Servetus. So knowing little about his personal life, I rather accidentally ran into a mention of Ms. Capper one day not long ago. The comments I found were along the lines of “not her again!” I then researched RA and Ms. Capper a bit further, but still know little. Now, thanks to this post, I know more. I’m also glad he has a good and loyal and long time friend in AC, and it seems to be a mutually supportive friendship.
So, what is this all leading to you may ask. Only that I think it’s natural to be curious about his personal life because let’s face it, we are interested in him not just as an actor, but as a man. I don’t shy away from finding out more about him as a person, I seek information out, and I love talking about it with others. I will not shy away from any private information I can find or read about him. I wish I knew more, but at the same time am always a bit nervous about knowing more and having my fantasy of RA the person changed forever. But yet, at the same time, I greatly admire and respect his desire for privacy.
This may seem like a contradiction from what I just said above (weird sentence?). I truly believe the only thing RA owes us as devoted fans is to give us the best performance he can as an actor whether on screen or on stage, or wherever. That is all he owes us for buying his DVD’s, and audiobooks, and supporting him in whatever he does. He doesn’t owe us entry into his private life.
Musa said this on December 1, 2010 at 1:35 pm | Reply
I agree with you, Musa, except I don’t search for things about him every day … unless you count following a number of RA fanblogs as searching! 🙂
Very well-written post as usual, Servetus. I agree with you as well – I too have a sort of reluctant interest in Ms. Capper, which is really difficult to explain, because … well, would I be interested at all if she HADN’T been seen together with RA? No. From what you’ve gathered about her, and written here, I’d say she sounds like a nice person, and we get the impression that RA is a nice person too, so sounds like they’re well-matched as friends. If there’s more to it than friendship, who knows? Does it really matter to any of us either way?
I suppose that from a sense of being an ordinary woman, that he’s seen with a woman who looks REAL is the sort of self-satisfied “see? He’s a decent bloke, he wouldn’t be interested in one of those fake girls you see everywhere and especially in the glitzy world of showbiz, he wants a REAL woman! (… Like me!)” Because that’s just it, isn’t it? If he was seen with a supermodel, he would be Just Like Everyone Else – one who cares more about the appearance of someone rather than about the person they are inside, which I loathe anyway, and that would perhaps diminish a part of the attRAction [sic].
Good grief, fangirl psychological analysis is a slippery slope. You go into it with the best of intentions and come out sounding more insane than you did going in! *cowers*
Traxy said this on December 1, 2010 at 2:37 pm | Reply
Thanks, Traxy. You get right down to business on two issues that plague me:
(a) randomness — I wouldn’t have even known she existed were it not for him. So she turns out to be interesting and admirable — but I’m still reluctant because I’m not admiring her for her — I’m admiring her because of him. A not very feminist attitude, and I am an attenuated feminist.
(b) the “real woman” issue. This is another feminist bugbear. I confess that I love it that she is tall and of medium build rather than being tiny and cute, and that she appears to be forceful. I tried to write that section really carefully because as much as I am troubled by the fascination with the supermodel female — they are also “real” women — no woman on this planet is any less real than any other. They are equally victims of these bizarre stereotypes fed to us by the celebrity machine. On the other hand, it remains the case that the fact that she’s “real,” indeed a bit gritty, makes me admire him more than if he were dating a cute blonde with a plastic surgery body and a brain that hadn’t developed much since seventh grade — for precisely the reason you state. Ms Capper seems like someone I could be friends with because in important respects she is like me — she embodies “everywoman.” So even the admiration for her is hardly innocent.
Absolutely. It’s a double-edged sword. Like you say, we’re all real women, and just because someone has gone down the “surgically enhanced” route doesn’t make her into a machine or anything. There’s still a living, breathing human being inside.
I think feefa (further down) put it very well: “If RA is a fantasy object then she’s a potential rival (crudely put) – but it helps that she seems to be a good thing, by anyone’s criteria. What’s not to identify with?”
Perhaps that’s the thing. RA is our fantasy and AC is our projected rival, of sorts. But if she’s genuinely a “decent person” and someone we can identify with, which most of us can’t when it comes to the “rich and beautiful” (even though we too may be both beautiful and rich, of course) … well then she’s not so much of a rival but more a substitute for ourselves? We can identify with her. Which then boils down to the whole issue of “if she’s a friend of his, and she’s a ‘normal person’ with half a brain, that means that by default, RA would also get along famously with me, if we ever crossed paths” – which again, sounds if not creepy, at least it’s bordering on stalkerish. Which, in turn, worries me.
Now, how much I may gush about the guy online, I’m a (reasonably) sensible person offline, and wouldn’t dream of stalking a celebrity or get to the point of really believing that RA and I would be BFFs if only we met. Likelihood of me ever meeting him – slim. Likelihood of me ever getting to a point where he’d consider me a friend – none.
Yet there’s still that nagging feeling of if we met and had a proper conversation, we’d have things to talk about and WOULD most likely get along quite well because we seem to have a similar approach to life in general. But, and here’s the important part, I would NEVER try to seek him out and force myself into his company and actually TRULY believe that all that stands between us and a happily ever after (as friends or otherwise) is an introduction. That’s the stuff of fantasy and romance novels, not real life, and I KNOW that. So why can’t I just shake off the “we could be such good friends” feeling, when I know that sort of thought is uncomfortably close to erotomania?
And again, delving further into fan attitudes and behaviours does make you sound insane. Can I justify it by saying I’ve done some psychology studies at uni because I’ve always found psychology a most fascinating topic? 🙂
I have this same impulse, Traxy, to think that we’d have so much in common if we met, and I think you put your finger right on it — identifying with her enhances that fantasy. I don’t know either why I can’t shake it off. Sometimes it’s to the point of wishing he’d do something that would be a big turnoff for me. The problem is that I’m a fairly open kind of gal and whatever it was would have to be fairly extreme: like turn out to be an anti-Semite or something.
I don’t think delving into fan attitudes makes us sound insane — as long as we own our own positions honestly. The bigger question of why we feel akin to people we don’t know is really fascinating.
Good point. Well, my position I hope has been made clear. 🙂
The problem (if you want to call it that) with RA is that in every interview, he comes across as even more lovable. Saying things like he’s not very tidy – well, who is? Certainly not me. The repetetive food thing? Been there, done that. Beer and pizza? Make it a nice ale and yes please! (The rugby I’m not keen on, but we all have to make sacrifices.) Essentially, all the things he says to make him sound more human and flawed and and less perfect and attractive … it just has the opposite effect on me. Even the picking of the nose bit.
Like you, I’m open, so yes, for something to have a turn-off effect would really have to be pretty extreme. Animal cruelty, there’s one I really couldn’t stand. (But I just can’t see him as being nasty to animals – he strikes me more like a person who’d crouch down and play). If he was a holocaust denier, that would also be a deterrent, because then I would just think he was stupid. (And he doesn’t strike me as being stupid.) And so on.
Then again, he might just be really awkward to live with. Maybe he leaves the milk out, doesn’t take out the trash or clean the toilet or something. Leaving the cap off the toothpaste, or squeezing the tube the “wrong” way. Has ketchup or mayo with EVERYTHING. You know, little things that would annoy you if you lived with him, but if you didn’t, you’d never know. I bet that’s it. Which only shows he’s a perfectly normal human being like the rest of us!
Traxy said this on December 3, 2010 at 10:32 am | Reply
Isn’t cruelty to animals considered a symptom of mental illness? (seem to remember that from somewhere). Holocaust denier would definitely do it for me, too. Spousal abuser. Thief. Soccer hooligan.
I wonder if it’s just that he’s a really strong introvert. Some things he’s said point in that direction. People like that need very tolerant partners because they need a lot of alone time and are not always great at communicating their needs.
servetus said this on December 28, 2010 at 11:46 pm | Reply
@servetus, almost lost my cappucino at “soccer hooligan” still laughing..
Ann Marie said this on December 29, 2010 at 12:26 am | Reply
We do our best 🙂
servetus said this on December 29, 2010 at 12:28 am | Reply
Musa,
I, too, find him lovable and quite adorable. There are actors I think are attractive, sexy, talented–but none whom strike me as more generally likable and Mr. A. I would have loved to have had a brother, and he would have made a marvelous one, I think.
And because I have such an affection for him, for the person he appears to be, I do indeed also respect him and his wish for some privacy. In this “Big Brother” world where our personal privacy seems to be increasingly trampled upon, I think we all are entitled to that, even if we are a public figure. Bless him and his friends and family as the madness likely increases.
angieklong said this on December 1, 2010 at 6:56 pm | Reply
I think he would be a great brother, though I must say, I already have a little brother. I’d have loved to have had a big one, though. 🙂
That’s why I wrote him as big brother to sisters in Truce. I see him as making a loving, teasing, but ultimately protective sibling. I always wanted an older brother, but of course, we’d have to age him to do that. *grin*
Good comment. I agree that he is not obliged to allow us into his private life. I suppose the question is are we obliged to look away from his private life?
An absolutely wonderful blog post! Thank you, Servetus !!! You hit the quintessence of it all so well that there is just nothing to add.
I normally try to avoid anything related to the private life of RA, so I, like @Riv, did not hear about the bloodbath you refer to.
I also only had a fleeting notion of Ms. Capper. But your description of her is so admirable and wonderful, that I loved to read it.
Also your video is so lovely, though when I think about it, I would not like RA to do that with me, as I would be unable to move or say a word. It would be the most boring and one sided conversation for him, he ever had. What experience would that be for him ;o)
I am even not sure if I would / should attend “The Rover” (stage door visit not even under consideration) if, by any chance, it should be in the time I am in London next year. The only aspect which lets me seriously consider it is, that it would fill the theater and so with my visit I indirectly would support his career.
But with my luck I will not have that chance to decide anyway.
Thank you for this wonderful post. Once again I will have to print it out and read through it again and again to get all the brilliant aspects of it.
CDoart said this on December 1, 2010 at 2:25 pm | Reply
You’re always so kind, CDoart.
I think everyone has to decide for herself what responsible behaviors are w/r/t fangrrling — but at the same time not everything is ok. Calexora’s experiences made me think a lot about where the lines would be for me.
I think my statement for my own struggles came over a bit like a criticism. It was not meant that way!
On the contrary, I very much admire your drawing the line of fandom so exactly and taking all aspects into account while treating all participants with the utmost respect. I really admire that in all your posts. Your appreciation of the worth and honor of other persons shines through.
It gives me so much to think about and lets me test my own behaviour and feelings, if I always treat the people around me like that.
What always astonishes me is that your drawing the line always remains in my comfort zone, though I would not be able to express or find the frontier-line in such an explicit and clear way.
CDoart said this on December 2, 2010 at 1:15 am | Reply
No, not at all — I didn’t understand it as a criticism at all. Maybe we share the value of valuing other people?
Value people, love people; use things. Sometimes we get it the other way around.
Thank you! Yes, you are completely right.
Sometimes I think it would be easier to walk through life and just see one’s own worth. But I would not like to change anything and missing out on all the colourful diversity of life.
CDoart said this on December 2, 2010 at 11:46 am | Reply
I really feel that trying to empathize with the position of others helps us understand ourselves as humans better. Even when this is difficult.
Should we each simply ask how we would like to be treated if in the object of our affection’s large shoes? And try to act accordingly, perhaps?
I do wish we could all get along.
If I were in his shoes I’d like someone to buy me smaller shoes 🙂
Servetus, your comment caused me to fall off my chair with laughter ;o)
CDoart said this on December 2, 2010 at 12:02 pm | Reply
ROFTL!
Seriously, I think that’s a good option, to treat him the way we would like to be treated if we were the ‘superstars’.
Servetus, I know you write these posts to understand yourself, but oh how you make me think about myself and my thoughts/feelings towards Mr. Armitage.
I finished reading it and suddenly Richard Armitage felt more real, because my feelings changed from jealousy for the ‘virtual’ rival to identification with her. To think of him the way I think any of my friends and as you said, the fact that he has relationships, friends make him less a fantasy (I became conscious to what degree my image of Mr.Armitage has touches of fantasy). I think this leads me to control (a bit :P) the squee-ing, the admiration for the person he seems to be and the talent he has to create those complex characters I love so much is still there, in the end he is a person that lives in another country, I might never meet and sometimes I will succumb to squee-ing and fangrrling but I know the base of those is real.
The change into identification makes me see his reaction in that Old Vic vid in a different light. If Ms Capper is waiting for him at the bus, at the end of that line of fans taking pics, if I were him that sheepish smile would be due to the embarrassment of a close friend and fellow actress watching this madness that I have barely got used to. I can imagine her with an amused smile, LOL!
OML (Sorry for going off topic)
OneMoreLurker said this on December 2, 2010 at 3:56 pm | Reply
@OML, I loved this.
Ann Marie said this on December 2, 2010 at 5:34 pm | Reply
OML, this is really a sweet post and you offer a reaction that I hadn’t thought of — that writing about Ms Capper can help us to identify with her. I am going to have to think about this some more.
I absolutely agree with you. If we all would act under this premise, the world would be a much better place.
My struggles with my fandom come a bit from the for me unexpected event of being a fan. I never was before and am unsure, with what behaviour of fans RA would feel comfortable with. I cannot really compare him to me and my likely feelings, because I would not feel comfortable on a stage to begin with.
Also a main part for me is what would help him in the eyes of publicity, the press, potential employers, to further support his career as an actor.
I want to support his career, too, and hope this blog helps at least in a small way, or at the very least is not harmful.
I really think you do that in a big way!
You show the world what a thoughtful, open minded and supportive group of fans this very special actor has. (Not just crazy fangirls.) You also show in a great way, how very special and talented he is.
I really think he and his agents should engage you for his promotions and negotiations with producers ;o)
And I would love to hear an interview with RA lead by you.
You see, I have some major wishes for Christmas and the New Year ;o)
From your mouth to his agent’s ears …
‘nen guten Rutsch, CDoart!
I often wonder where the line is from super fan to creepy fan. This is something I often ponder, even being on fan sites, am I crossing the line somehow? For me, I work from home, so in a sense this is the water cooler conversation I would have at work, it is just focused on one person. Your site does provide relief from the stresses of life. I say well, it is healthier than drinking, but how much I am not sure. But in some senses that is me making excuses a bit and trying to be funny.
I am a bit conflicted about all of this, but at least I am in really good company and I feel like if I am going to have a fan gurl crush on someone, he is prob one of the better people, if not the best.
The other thing, I wanted to touch on was the fame factor. I think what many of us are struggling with is it’s like discovering U2 before they were U2 or REM, they were really good underground bands, then they hit it big. It’s like having this cool obscure secret and secret community that ain’t so secert anymore.
As for his love life, I truly hope that he has someone special in his life. And from what you described, she sounds like a pretty amazing woman teaching Shakespeare to inmates!!! The thing that would turn me off would be if he turned up with a super slick starlet. Again, I refer to Hugh Jackman who has been married for many years to a woman who knew him when.
@Rob said this on December 1, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Reply
Do I ever hear you, @Rob. Is writing six thousand words on this topic super or creepy? Especially when it keeps me up writing till late in the morning.
I think you’re exactly right about the revelation of the cool secret. I think that’s a huge dynamic in this particular fandom. I feel that way too and I’ve only been a fan for about a year now.
No matter who she is, she really reflects well on him. I’m sure he has friends who are not quite this stellar — but she makes him look good IMO.
I like your take on it. She is the only person from his real life we “know” (apart from what he told about his parents and that is all good as well) and his friendship with her seem to indicate that he indeed has “depth” (for the lack of a better word) apart from being nice and a pretty face.
Jane said this on December 2, 2010 at 1:07 pm | Reply
I wonder what would happen if we found he had a questionable friend. Would we admire him for his tolerance? 🙂
As a happily married woman with an incredible crush on this Renaissance man, who also wants said man to have happiness in his personal life as well as success in his professional life, I can truly say I’m glad Annabel is still part of his life. She’s someone who’s known him long-term, through the ups and downs; she seems a truly nice person beyond the talent and intelligence (I would love to hear that “haunting voice”) and even if their romantic relationship didn’t work out for whatever reason (I’ve wondered if his hectic work schedule and long periods working away from London in Hungary and South Africa weren’t an issue for her), it seems they still have a friendship, a bond. And surely that is a good thing. We need those relationships.
Agree with above comment, if he started showing up with the latest trout-pouted starlet on his arm everywhere, then I would be bothered. Because I have a high estimation of Mr. A, and Annabel seems to give it validity.
I like him, I admire him, and I want him to be happy and fulfilled in every avenue of his life, much as I do a beloved single co-worker of mine who is something of a Renaissance Man himself (I love ya, Michael). Whether it’s Annabel or someone else who can bring that into Richard’s life, then bring it on.
It’s hard to know how to feel about “starlets,” insofar as I tend to agree with you that they make men less rather than more attractive to me, but also because they are people, too, and they also suffer for their attractiveness.
When I referred to trout-pouted starlets, I was thinking of the sort of actress who is seemingly more concerned with her outward appearance and tinkering with it via plastic surgery (the fad being those awful puffy lips these days)rather than working on her craft. I feel sorry for those young woman, because there has to be a terribly insecurity and like body image issues (and it is such a fickle business, let’s face it) to keep re-inventing their looks.
for whatever reason, I just can’t quite see Richard with someone like that. A intelligent, talented young “starlet” (who probably wouldn’t want to be called a starlet in the first place) who is confident in herself–fine.
“terrible insecurity” and “likely body image issues”
Sigh. My first day back working in the office and I am tired and starting to ache. Sorry.
hang in there. Been a long day here, too — there’s got to be a more humane way to earn one’s daily bread.
I need to become a novelist . . . I need to become a novelist . . . husband’s dropping hints again . . . “You know, people DO pay to read stuff other people have written, dear . . ”
“Ah, but I need things like insurance, darling . . . the meds are not cheap . . .”
By the time I get through two parades, an open house and two bazaars on Saturday in three different towns (and see Santa in every place), I’ll be wanting to work on that novel posthaste.
There should be some theological statement on the transsubstantiation of Santa — he is more ubiquitous than Jesus Christ (theological joke)
And for a county with no larger population than ours, old Saint Nick is making mega appearances, particularly this Saturday. Come to think of it, he’s also going to be in Luverne in the neighboring county in their parade at the same time he’s in McKenzie. And I’ve often felt like I was going to meet myself on busy days–poor Santa!
My dad was Santa when I was growing up. He would visit the homes of family friends and deliver candy canes and encouragement to behave. Our druggist said his children firmly believed because they had talked with the big man himself. Daddy loved every minute of it, bless his heart.
Believing what I happen to believe about him, I’d hope that if he did appear with someone like that, that that wouldn’t be the defining issue for him. That such a woman would also have an intelligence or humor or ethic that attracted him — and that it was my prejudice that made me see her as just a “trout pouted starlet” with some sort of body dysmorphic syndrome. That said, of course, if he went out with someone like Paris Hilton we’d be entitled to doubt his sanity.
Paris Hilton . . . oh, dear. Of, course, she is sort of last year’s news these days. It would have to be one of the Kardashian sisters. Who are famous for only God knows why.
Yeah, I would assume if he were with someone who was more plastic than flesh, it would be due to other worthwhile and worthy qualities he saw in her. He doesn’t seem like the type to be drawn to someone who’s had a lot of “work.” Then again, that may be my prejudice.
“Superficial”–that’s the word I was looking for earlier and it popped into my head on the drive home. I don’t envision Richard with a highly superficial, shallow person because he doesn’t appear to be one himself.
He’s “depthy,” and I would somehow assume he’d want a partner who was the same.
But hey, if he wants to date Kim AND Paris and Ke$hs (people who spell their names with a dollar sign worry me) for that matter, it’s his business. Not mine.
Well now, where to start?
First, I am a little confused about the angst (less here in your blog than in some others I’ve read) about “violating his privacy” at the after-party. Good Lord people! It was an event open to the public, to anyone who could afford the ticket and the time to go! This was not a private, invitation-only event where privacy and confidentiality might be expected. I find it difficult to believe that an actor attending the after-party would think (unless perhaps if half in a vodka bottle and totally knackered)that this was the place to find a stranger (a member of the public or an actor they’ve never met before) and bear one’s soul. This was a work event!
2) Annabel: When the pictures first came out I thought that was her. I think that if it is, good for her and good for him! I am happy that he would have had someone who, at the very least, must be a long-time friend, to connect with at this event, even if just to chat with. Being alone at social things is something I dislike intensely- no matter how much of a butterfly I am I need to land in “safe” territory periodically through the night.
And it must be good for her career too to mix with the gala crowd (maybe easier since she does more theatre).
So blessings to both of them whatever their relationship. I simply pray for him not to be lonely.
And servetus no matter how wonderful someone is, chemistry is important, it may not be anyone’s fault if it doesn’t work out.
3) servetus, a liken your analysis of my lovely Mr. Armitage’s work, with its focus on his body and voice, to an in-depth literary analysis wherein every aspect is combed through to find meaning and symbolism. The body and voice are the tools he uses and they exist for his use and manipulation outside of the quality of a script. I am amazed at how expressive his eyes are and I can’t get enough of comparing his use of that expressiveness among his various roles. I see no reason for guilt, angst or self-doubt. And its ok to say, “He’s really pretty and looking at him brightens my day.” God gives all sorts of ways to cope, beauty is beauty, avail ourselves of it while it exists.
Yes, he is the friend I’ve just never met, I wish him love and success which means I’ll be keeping tabs as much as I can to see how he’s doing. I would seriously think about a trip to the stage door to see for myself the blue of those eyes, the velvet of that voice instead of relying on others descriptions. firsthand observation is very important in research! Someday!
BTW; Can I apply for the Sir Guy of Gisborne chair? Now that I’ve let him out of his box he’s very demanding! 🙂
Ann Marie,
Sometimes–and this is just my view–I think some fans get a little too possessive of/obsessive about Mr. A and begin to see themselves as his ever-vigilant defenders in every bloomin’ aspect of his life. And that seems like too much to me. They are so very SERIOUS. And that’s just not my personality.
The event clearly was a public one and I don’t think his personal privacy was invaded by photos taken or even the video at the bus stop, although I agree the flashes going off in his face had to be annoying–but I guess it’s one more thing he has to get used to. Now, if they had followed him into the bathroom or someone had secretly taped his conversations at the after-party, OK, now that’s too much!!
I don’t go to C19 (or RAC or AA, for that matter–see, I am clearly NOT as crazed as some of you are LOL I am kidding, kidding!!) and never would have realized that even was Annabel in his presence if I hadn’t stumbled upon it here.
I think it was at RAnet that I first saw her photo with RA a while back, and while curious about a possible significant other for RA, I haven’t made any exhaustive search trying to find out more. I am a nosy reporter type, but I also know when and where to draw the line, I think.
Frenz,
I see where you are coming from in terms of empathizing with her; I guess such situations can never be easy. BTW Didn’t Richard once say in an interview he would never marry an actress?
I envy your maturity! 🙂
Bahh, it’s just that I’m an old married lady and have been for half my life now and I’ve been through a lot. If you’d heard us doing imitations of Vincent D’Inofrio’s character in “Men in Black” earlier, you wouldn’t think me so mature, I assure you!
And now I must dash off into the cold to shoot photos of a living nativity scene.
“and the ox and ass before him stood, Jesus our brother, kind and good.” Hope you had fun.
Cold but fun. Not a living nativity as it turned out, but one painted by one of the older members, with life-sized figures of all the characters from the story, including the camel, donkey, sheep and even a drummer boy. The congregation gathered around with candles and sang “Silent Night.” It was quite lovely with the lights of the park glowing in the background. My camera didn’t love the cold so my photos weren’t as good as I would have liked . . . but I am glad I got what I got.
Angst: it’s more about what it says about me than about his privacy, or rather, thinking about whether this is a private occasion points out to me all of the really problematic moments of my fandom. Like seriously, he doesn’t have a cleaner for his house which is “organized mess” — is that because he needs to make sure no one has access to his stuff? Well, if so, people like me are the reason for that. I don’t know if that’s paranoia on his part, but if so, I’m the audience for the product that makes him paranoid. Troubling.
Agree that the party was “work” rather than a totally private event.
The ad for the Gisborne chair will be out soon. 🙂
Didn’t he say he didn’t have a cleaner because of concern about scripts for Spooks getting leaked?
I would consider applying for the Gisborne chair but I really think I have too many irons in the fire as it is. I will simply remain Giz’s most faithful and trustworthy admirer. ( ;
Those things are important to the dear lad.
scripts: yes. I read it as a subset of a larger problem — how to get a cleaner who wouldn’t betray important info.
Yeah, we all know there are plenty of sources willing to pay a pretty penny for that kind of info. How would you know you could trust this person not to take advantage of that?
I read that (“if I don’t do it it doesn’t get done”) as an indirect hint that he currently lives alone and has no flat-mate/partner who might do the cleaning (apart from not having a professional cleaner). I though the secret scripts comment referred to Spooks scripts, after all they are secret enough, but in hindsight it may well have been a hint in the direction of Captain America or The Hobbit.
CA / TH: indeed.
Allright you’ll be most faithfull and trustworthy admirer but I come second! Hehe
OML 😉
you’re so generous, OML 🙂
@servetus, I think that when he was filming Spooks script confidentiality was probably a contractual issue he had to take seriously (remember how upset he was when he locked a script in the boot of his car?). This was something he alluded to in an interview as to why he doesn’t have a cleaner. The real issue is that people have lost the concept of honor and keeping ones word and respecting the person let alone the privacy of the individual. I don’t have any idea why you would think that you fall into this category of person. You write a blog that is not about a superb actor but one that uses the that actor as the lens for examination and exploration of life’s issues. I think I get a little frustrated sometimes when I see good people (and I have evidence to believe that you are one) question/blame themselves needlessly.Maybe you need to go through the exercise and that’s ok. I have to confess my obtuseness in not seeing what all the fuss is about. I have no frame of reference for the conflict that is referenced for Nat’s hysterically funny and delightful blog. I don’t know if I missed the war there but I may not have and not thought anything of it than pity for the offender because I have seen horrible things in emails sent at work that were worse! the flack with DB (a Jonas fan) on another blog was the closest I’ve seen to blood drawn. It just all seems so senseless to me.
Ann Marie said this on December 2, 2010 at 3:16 am | Reply
Tempest in a teapot, mountain out of molehill territory Ann Marie?
That’s the way I feel a great deal of the time when these conflicts arise. To me, fandom should be a supportive, positive, enjoyable, fun experience as much as possible. Not something approved with daggers drawn at fellow admirers of the celeb. Silly and senseless.
If it starts being too angsty and I’m not having fun anymore, then I know I should really step away.
Respect of individuals gets trampled a lot in general in today’s world and quite frequently in cyberspace. People will write the most slanderous, libelous things about other human beings while hiding behind the cloak of anonymity.
I have been personally attacked on our newspaper website by readers(silly creatures didn’t realize we have ways of finding their real identity out– muahahahahaha) and it’s made me not want to hide my identity when I express my opinion on a blog. That’s why Angieklong is, in fact, Angie K. Long.
I totally understand privacy issues and I am not telling anyone you need to use your name; you are entitled to keep that to yourself, absolutely. It was my personal choice and so far, I haven’t regretted it.
I’m not brave, I’m just my hard-headed father’s hard-headed daughter.
I agree, Ann Marie, Servetus is way too hard on herself sometimes. You’re a good, thoughtful, kind person with a great intellect, Doc. And we appreciate what you do.
Thanks for seeing the good in me, Ann Marie 🙂 I try hard to be the best person I can. Maybe i do too much apologizing here, and I’ll try to back off.
Wow! You really spilled your guts, didn’t you? Very brave.
I think that you represent quite accurately what goes through the minds of quite a few admirers, the ones who have self-awareness. It’s almost as if they’re in so deep they are not sure where the boundary is. That’s how this post seems to me. What a struggle!
My response got so long, and this post was so thought-provoking, that I’m going to wait and finish it on my blog later on. Am just on my way out the door.
Meanwhile, “consuming Armitage product”. Did you really mean to put it that way?
pi said this on December 1, 2010 at 5:55 pm | Reply
Thanks. I tried to channel some of your “dare it all” energy, pi.
Everything you say here is right — I’m in deep, I don’t know what’s ok, and whether there’s something that’s ok for me to look about but not to talk about (which seems nonsense to me. What is Enlightenment? Sapere aude).
I look forward INTENSELY to your response.
“consuming Armitage product” — well, I will be an academic for a little longer 🙂 and hope I may be forgiven these little excesses.
@Ann Marie, I’m not exactly sure but as he has said that he wants to keep his personal life private, they could be doing so to respect that. Especially when people start making not-so-nice comments about her. So, I’m guessing it’s best to avoid the subject altogether.
That said, the post Servetus has written is not like that at all. In some ways and also from reading the comments, it helps others get to know AC a little better.
Re afterparty, I don’t think he intended for the public to know he was going with someone. If he did, he would have taken the publicity photos with her. I think he just wanted to be around familiar company in a social event, and who can blame him really. But, I suppose he is aware that there is a possibility for something this to happen. Again, I am happy that she was there with him, but I do think it would have been better for him if those pictures weren’t ‘published’.
Riv said this on December 1, 2010 at 6:06 pm | Reply
@Riv, I don;t have feelings one way or the other about the photos, he may not have even been “with” her but a shared common event to meet up at may have been the thing. I do that all the time with friends. we may not arrive together but if we know the other is also going we arrange to link up there. No big deal. I think we speculate too much about everything. I mean, really, the man must be able to talk to someone at a party, and yes, pictures will be taken because it was after all, a public event which is what my point is. There was an alumni dinner at school and tons of photos were taken…it happens. Yikes.
“I think we speculate too much about everything”—oh, yes.
Amen, and amen.
Let’s stop gazing at our navels so much, girls, if you know what I mean.
God love you angie…from your lips…
Thanks, Ann Marie. I just had to say it. I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings, but–as to paraphrase the sergeant in “Stripes”– “Lighten up, ladies!”
I think Richard would appreciate that.
I’m kind of a professional navel gazer.
@ Riv, I think I can explain what I mean a little more clearly. I think where I may differ with what you may e thinking is here: I don’t think this event (because it was part of his professional appearance at the theatre) falls under “private life”…it was a public event that people bought tickets to attend.
What I would consider to be “private life” and therefore would hope people would respect and not publish pictures about are things like, “being out and about (non work related) by himself, with a friend, talking on a cell phone, being in a grocery store, etc. That’s were I draw a line. The people who are going to say unkind things about Annabel are going to say them no matter what, the venue is irrelevant.
I think that events like these are de rigeur for actors. I think that private lives should be respected and we should appreciate the public glimpses we are provided.
I agree that this was a public event (though a “VIP” event) in contrast to a private party for friends and family only. They have attended low-profile public events together before and while it seems that they did never seek out photographers they didn’t ran away from them either. It could have happened at any of the events they attended that a picture of them got printed in the press. It is only because the press is still very much not interested in Mr. Armitage’s private life that this hasn’t happen yet but the more famous he gets the more likely it becomes.
So I don’t think posting pictures and mentioning her name and what is available about her is out of bounds. But that is were it ends in my opinion. As servetus says, very little can be concluded about the nature of their relationship or about the potential ups and downs of their relationship and this new appearance together actually adds no new information. What we should in my opinion respectfully stay away from is jumping onto any conclusions that might be totally wrong and base our judgements onto what is nothing but speculation.
I think for the moment, and as long as the press is content with that, it is the easiest to stick with officially single to avoid further questions and potential digging. It may very well be true but I seriously doubt that he would announce anything publicly until things are very serious and even then only within the context of an interview to promote a new project, hardly on twitter!
I do wonder how he feels about the increased interest in his person that the Hobbit will bring with it.
press not yet interested: yes, good point. It’s interesting to me that on a lot of these professional photo source sites that include pictures of them together at the Varekai event that only his name is listed and not hers, as if they have no idea who she is. That may make all of this easier for her, since the annoyance is limited to a few moments every now and then as opposed to a constant media push.
I don’t think that he’s under any obligation to explain who anyone he is photographed with or hangs around with is — whether or not he becomes more notorious with The Hobbit. Actually, I don’t think he’s under any obligation to explain anything 🙂 But that he does makes him more sympathetic.
No he isn’t obliged to anything. But at one point it might be easier, assuming he has a steady partner, to admit it, because otherwise the press will start digging and publish any kind of speculation. It is a miracle that this hasn’t happen before because it certainly happens to other actors of (to date) comparable fame. I can only assume it is because all known aspects of his private life including non-famous and scandal-free Ms Capper are so very boring and wouldn’t make a good story.
Jane said this on December 2, 2010 at 7:52 am | Reply
I agree. If he has a GF who is willing to be exposed as such, he should try to make it known — it would calm *everybody* down a few dozen Fahrenheit degrees.
@Ann Marie, I definitely agree that it isn’t wrong at all because it is indeed a public event. And for what its worth, the photos were sort of accidental, they were posted by the owner out of kindness to his fans who were missing out on the party. She certainly didn’t know who AC was. So, I don’t think she is at fault. Since it’s already out there, it is very fair to talk about it.
I was just trying to explain why some people would rather not talk about it especially after the aforementioned bloodbath. And, I think it is for the reasons servetus mentioned above in reply to my saying I didn’t know what happened. Also, like RAfrenzy said, AC could equally be a private person like RA. She may have gone to support him, but it doesn’t mean that she wants to be seen with him.
I think all of us draw the line for violation of privacy differently. To me personally, I would see publishing photos of RA with AC without their acknowledgement of the photo being taken, even in a public event, as a violation. (Again, this time, she didn’t know and I am actually thankful for her generosity to us who weren’t there at the party and loved her blog entry.) But, I personally wouldn’t go as far as to insult the people who brought it up because I know that it is not actually wrong, other people might not perceive that as a violation, and discussing the issue helps some people get it out of their systems. 🙂
One thing this raises for me, too, is the matter of generational divide. Back in the day when people didn’t carry cameras around with them all the time, it was considered normal to ask for permission to photograph. Now everyone’s got a camera or a phone or whatever and is photographing all the time. I have to tell my students in class that they have to ask permission to record what happens in class — that is not obvious to them.
I agree it is a generational divide. I haven’t think about it until now, but I don’t think I feel as strongly against taking pics of ‘public/out in the open’ stuff as to ask permission to do it (which is different to my sense of what I should or shouldn’t publish).
For example, taking pics of the backstage, I wouldn’t have thought about asking for permission because it would be pics to remember the event. In that particular case I just don’t think it’s allright to put the camera in anyones face as if that person were an inanimated object. Not saying the people that did it don’t have manners, maybe it’s because of circumstances (he was passing by quickly, you were excited, you just didn’t think of taking some steps back to take the pic) but as an outsider serves to keep it in mind for future opportunities.
@Servetus, I agree about the generational divide, though I’m part of the generation you speak of.
@OML, yes, I suppose it’s okay to take photographs of a celebrity without asking for permission if they were not in the company of personal friends/family members and as you mentioned, refrain the use of flash photography right in their faces. I think it’s alright to take photographs of a celebrity while they’re signing photographs at the stage door. But, I am merely stating my views on this issue and do not wish to impose them on others.
Riv said this on December 3, 2010 at 12:37 am | Reply
I don’t think your post tries to impose on us. The fact that we can express our views (always well-mannered of course)that might not always be the same makes for a very entertaining discussion.
I wonder all sorts of things about Richard Armitage, but I guess I have not wondered too much about Annabel. Perhaps that’s because I’ve already made assumptions about her. I’ve assumed from the first mention of her that she is intelligent, has a spine, and is down-to-earth. But I have to remember that all of those are mostly assumptions with only some evidence — chief among it being her association with Richard Armitage.
Very candidly and at the risk of stepping on your toes, Servetus, I’ve been wondering since my response of this morning if maybe this wasn’t too much. Not because I feel any need to protect Richard Armitage. He’s a big boy and can protect himself. But more because Annabel has not explicitly put herself out there for us to examine her as he has put himself out there, and I’m not sure her association with him is a reasonable invitation to do so. Oh, I know there will be rationalizations aplenty that it is. And no, I don’t think the theater event was a private affair and therefore off-limits, but I’m wondering if Annabel shouldn’t be pff-limits for her sake and not RA’s. I say this as someone who has been examined due to my association with my husband. Very frustrating to not be seeking that and yet be subject to it anyway because you’re close to someone who is in the limelight.
It’s hard not to empathize with her.
RAFrenzy said this on December 1, 2010 at 7:22 pm | Reply
The great thing about blogs is we don’t have mods telling us what we can/can’t post. (Although RA bloggers in general are respectful, I believe/hope.) So while you may want to keep the AC topic off-limits on your blog Frenz, others like Sev and I may choose to examine it from time to time. I understand your point, though.
Nat said this on December 1, 2010 at 10:49 pm | Reply
Thanks, Nat. I really admired your steadfastness when you were treating this and your unwillingness to be pushed around by a group of people whom I found frighteningly aggressive at times. One thing that I feel relatively strongly about is that fenced-off topics create problems. It’s better for responsible people to take things up discursively and discipline people who pop up on the borders than to prohibit discussion and create ghettoes where anything goes and much of what is said is destructive.
Nat and Servetus, I hope you both know I think you or anyone has the right to post as they please on their blogs and would never say otherwise. As for the treatment of Annabel here, it was respectful. I simply got a pang of what it feels like to be put under the magnifying glass by the public for an association when you’re only trying to support the person who invited it. So know that I am not a fan of censorship just awareness although I’m insensitive at times and yet perhaps being overly sensitive about this given my experience. I’m totally willing to chalk it up to that.
Kick in the head is that my next blog piece may really be insensitive. I don’t think it is, but it might be.
RAFrenzy said this on December 2, 2010 at 2:16 am | Reply
No matter what you write, Frenz, there will be somebody who doesn’t like it/doesn’t agree/finds it too sensitive/too insensitive/too boring/too daring . . . in other words, you can’t please ’em all.
I can’t please everyone with my fan fic; some people like it all, some like certain types of stories, and others wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole. And that’s OK. Because if I try to make everyone happy, I won’t be true to myself in the end.
If I feel it’s well-crafted and interesting and engaging; if I make people laugh, cry, tingle, then my job is done.
I didn’t think you were advocating censorship, Frenz, but rather an ethic of care.
Same here, Frenz.
Keep doing what you feel in your heart is the right thing to do, Nat. I’m sorry it’s been such a brouhaha. It’s YOUR blog and you have the right to set the rules and regulations and write and post and link what you choose. I would think everyone here would agree with that.
As I said I wondered whether this post violates the Golden Rule with regard to her. I wanted to be absolutely honest, which was that she makes me like him (even) more (if perhaps for questionable reasons) and seeing them together made me feel relieved about myself in a situation that’s had me vaguely worried for months. As someone says below I’m trying to own problematic feelings and that puts me in a difficult rhetorical position. I have to admit to interests that cast me in a less than attractive light, even if it is a typical or more broadly shared one.
The “do unto others” proviso was hard to apply insofar as I am nothing like Annabel Capper in terms of my willingness to appear in public. I’m not sure I’d ever agree to step on a red carpet even if my marital partner were involved and he’d promised me the moon if I did it with him. I’d actually consider paying a starlet to appear in a situation like that. So it was a bit hard for me to imagine a fully congruent “do unto others” situation. I have gone to parties I’d rather not have in service of romantic partners’ professional obligations and I do think there is a sense in which if you do that you agree to accept whatever the fallout is. My rationalization was that assuming I had made the decision to appear in public or semi-public with a friend, ex, or lover who was also a minor celebrity, I would want anyone who wrote about it to write kindly and accurately, and I wasn’t saying anything negative about her and I made an effort to relay only facts that influenced my surmises and perceptions and to distinguish the difference between facts and surmises. I tried to make it clear that I was absolutely not going to tolerate any trash-talking of her. I also didn’t create the interest in her.
That said, you’re right that she gets attention she might not have invited because of her association with him and her willingness to appear in front of the flashbulbs with him should not necessarily be understood as an equivalent willingness to have her life drawn under the lupe by people like me. There’s actually more information about my professional life on the internet than there is about Ms Capper’s, and while I don’t object to any of it being there in the abstract, there is a sense in which it would be frightening if a group of people who were interested in someone close to me started looking at it closely. I also don’t think that one of my rationales regarding Mr. Armitage (that a blog like this serves as publicity for his career even if he weren’t to approve of everything in it, and that for him almost all publicity is good publicity) applies to her, insofar as there’s no evidence that she’s seeking a greater notoriety than she already has or that she seeks publicity.
So I am still undecided. This post may poof eventually if I become convinced it’s invasive. I’m not convinced that it is at this point because I don’t see the event at which she was photographed as fully private, I’m not sure what those photographs can possibly prove, and the post was intended as an honest exploration of my feelings — with her as the occasion of observation. But I may be wrong about all those things and am willing to be convinced.
Hi there. Thank you for linking to my blog article on RA.
FeignedMischief said this on December 1, 2010 at 7:30 pm | Reply
Hey, FM,
Thanks again for your wonderful blog entry about meeting and talking with Mr. Armitage and welcome.
Thanks so much for writing it! It really made my week.
As ever I’m grateful to you, Servetus, for being brave enough to explore thoughts and actions I find hard to own myself.
I’ve been curious about AC too – had exactly the same guilty reaction to the ‘Isn’t that Annabel Capper?’ C19 post. If RA is a fantasy object then she’s a potential rival (crudely put) – but it helps that she seems to be a good thing, by anyone’s criteria. What’s not to identify with?
I’ve often wondered what it’s been like for her as Richard’s career has taken off. In a cruel and competitive business like acting, it must be hard to watch success happening to someone else – whether friend or lover. You’d have to be a saint not to feel at least a stab of envy .
I’m impressed by the way she seems to have cultivated an alternative path for herself instead of succumbing to resting actor syndrome. She’s carved out her own territory almost in opposition to his, so she doesn’t seem defined by her relative lack of success – on the contrary. Perhaps the fact that she’s got the richer experience in theatre (which he clearly aspires to) has meant there’s less tension. In fact she’s ideally placed to mentor his attempts to get back on the stage – that’s partly how I read her presence at the Old Vic. She’d be able to guide and support him at a scary time.
RAF, I agree that she hasn’t put herself up for scrutiny in quite the same way as him – but she has appeared in public with him, and she seems pretty savvy. She must know what the deal is?
feefa said this on December 1, 2010 at 7:36 pm | Reply
She can’t be unaware of the intense scrutiny that surrounds him, I think. Presumably she could simply decline the opportunity to appear with him in public, thus preventing the creation of photo opportunities.
Nice point about the “alternative path” issue — that was something I was trying to point out. She has an important career even if she’s not a headliner, and she does significant work and gets praised for it by colleagues. Not everyone can be the star, and she exemplifies the Stanislavski saying about how there are no small roles. I also think it’s a good point about her ability to help him back onto stage. The projects she’s been associated with repeatedly have had important, respected directors. So maybe she’s helping him with contacts, too.
And thanks for the sympathy about owning these thoughts. I am quite grateful. I also find it easier to combat thoughts I don’t like if I can cop to them as opposed to having to pretend I don’t have them.
For information: AC’s cv mentions that she has a part in ‘Operation Mincemeat’. This is airing on BBC 2 TV at 9pm next Sunday (5 Dec), and will be available on iPlayer for those who can access it.
vivecosse said this on December 1, 2010 at 7:42 pm | Reply
Thanks for the tip. I’m hoping I can DL this somewhere. 🙂
AC appeared for exactly 30 seconds in the 22nd minute of this hour long WW2 documentary. In the midst of a gaggle of young office girls, she played an ageing spinster.
vivecosse said this on December 6, 2010 at 11:43 am | Reply
Please Lord, save her from that fate!
Pam said this on December 6, 2010 at 1:13 pm | Reply
Yeah, if she’s looking for love, I hope she finds it, if not with Mr. Armitage, then with someone who truly appreciates her.
servetus said this on December 6, 2010 at 8:09 pm | Reply
Thanks for the update — hope she got some money out of it, at least.
feefa, I hear you, but let me say that being savvy and knowing the deal, as it were, is little comfort to someone when they appear in public with someone they care about. Or maybe she doesn’t care about him and is just an opportunist who appears with him to generate talk about herself. Knowing a little about how down-to-earth he is, I doubt that, but then I could be wrong.
By the way, I certainly don’t want to become the defender of Annabel, but again, it’s hard not to empathize with her.
Presumably if she were “only” an opportunist we’d see more of her in his company than we have — e.g., at the BAFTAs, where he appeared with Miranda Raison.
I think you’re right that friends, lovers, partners of all kinds have to take into account unwanted negative externalities from appearances with more-famous or more notorious SOs and that they may do so because they care more about the person involved than they do about their own comfort zone.
I guess it comes down to, on some level, the dilemma of whether it’s ok to talk about her if we speak kindly, or simply unacceptable to speak about her at all. The first is oppressive within limits — it allows us to speak, but not perhaps as we really want to; the second, by not allowing us to speak at all, is perhaps more fair in that it suppresses the positive and the negative stances with equal vigor.
I also want to say that I appreciate you, Servetus and your search for the heart of matters, but I would be disingenuous if I didn’t share my honest thoughts about this. Hopefully, nothing I’ve said will create a problem, but I think it’s good food for thought or I wouldn’t have said it.
Believe you me, I’m thinking. Have been for days.
Before I start commenting individually I want to note that today is now officially the busiest day ever at “me and richard” — likely to go over 2,000 hits before the day ends. So clearly this topic has some traction.
If you are a lurker and want to say something dissonant to what’s being said here, please be assured that I will take all comments seriously that do not involve ad hominem attacks. I am still hugely conflicted about it.
Great post, Sev!
Thanks, Natalie — your appreciation on this topic means a lot.
Brave topic, since I was present (merely reading) when that particular ‘bloodbath’ took place.
As I remember most didn’t exactly have one opinion or another about her or their relationship – whatever it may be. I’m more annoyed by certain fans who want to dictate how every person should experience their admiration for him. There is no standard mold, there are no set rules how one should act or think. Or even where our curiosity needs to be curbed.
Of course I’m not talking about (near) stalking practices and whatnot. I remember how one fan used her work to access an actor’s home address and literally knocked on his door with a friend. Now that is seriously crossing the line.
Curiosity is very much part of being human, so it is quite natural to want to know more. Yes, I have no doubt he’s a very private person, but people seem to be confused about what it means. To me it means predominantly: not willy-nilly sharing what my true thoughts and feelings are. Keeping certain aspects of my personal life to myself and only share with a few.
However I venture out there. What I would like to keep private at times simply isn’t. When that happens, it happens. Sometimes it gets noticed and people will talk, other times no one even bats an eyelid and is pretty much ignored. Whether I like it or not, I have absolutely no control over what others may think or say.
Ok, his public outings are far more scrutinised than any of ours, but this whole stance of “This is private! Clearly a No-Go area!!” is at times equally as ridiculous. Sometimes it does feel like the emperor’s new clothes.
CC said this on December 2, 2010 at 12:43 am | Reply
I just noticed my comment is more about the reactions & behaviour around him, than it is about him or him & AC. Probably because I think he’ll continue to do his own thing and act according to what feels right.
And regarding Ms. Capper, I just find I’m curious, but nothing more.
CC, that’s me–curious about AC, but not possessing any great need to know MORE.
Something that I have observed: there appear to be certain fans who seem to want to put Richard on a very high pedestal–which he has clearly indicated through his comments isn’t something he is comfortable with–and treat him like a sort of saint or god. But when and if he says or does something they don’t like, or doesn’t do or say something they expect, they seem ready to take him to task and write angry letters to his agent, massively whinge, et al. ready to knock him off the pedestal he didn’t ask to be put on in the first place. He IS a real person, as hard as it is to believe sometimes, considering his awesome beauty, talent, charisma and general niceness, and we all need to remember that, and respect that.
Oh yes, and who don’t seem to appreciate and tolerate any critical notes on him and their own behaviour. However when one doesn’t seem to toe the line, oy vey!
CC said this on December 2, 2010 at 4:44 pm | Reply
Agree that one thing we’re struggling with is not knowing his definition of privacy.
“I remember how one fan used her work to access an actor’s home address and literally knocked on his door with a friend.”
Oh goodness me. That would be against any sort of confidentiality agreement and most likely also be a breech of the Data Protection Act as well, at least if it was here in the UK. And that’s ASIDE from it being morally repulsive!
If you’re in a callcenter and get phoned up by a celeb, then you may gush “OMG guess who I just spoke to!!” to your colleagues and/or your partner when you get home, but noting down the celeb’s details for “private use” and especially seek them out, spew no. That would be gross misconduct.
Traxy said this on December 2, 2010 at 12:18 pm | Reply
She even boasted about it, as if it’s a truly great achievement. I think most of the fandom were just dumbfounded by her actions when it came to light, and most did disagree with her. Sending fanmail is one thing, but standing at one’s doorstep is another!
But the ultimate payback was when the actor discussed the incident in interviews later on. The ladies in question were even slightly indignant when he wasn’t flattering them or the incident.
Can’t possibly imagine why. 😉
horrifying behavior.
Hah, talk about the ultimate burn! Serves them right!
Is it crazy to post X # words about an actor? Of course it is! Including exhaustive analysis of wardrobe and tailoring; exhaustive analysis of form and feature; exchange of recipes in regard to what would we feed this (in the perception of many) paragon? Absolutely. And fun, and informative and thought-provoking. Commenters have been stimulated to bring not just their PHWAOR reactions, but their varied backgrounds, skills, writing, analyses to the discourse.
The question of intrusiveness and invasiveness is complex. The “bloody internet” stimulates extraordinary awareness of anyone who has a degree of public profile. The issue of how far to delve into one’s fangirling is always going to be a complex dilemma for the blogger, as it also involves how much of herself is the blogger comfortable of revealing of herself. The ethical dilemma being that of how to use the public information to interpret the actor. Is this invasion of privacy? I don’t think this blog, or that of Nat’s (which is witty and hysterically funny) quite constitutes a WikiLeaks situation. It is a personal decision on the part of the blogger – and I doubt any of us can apply a complete, across-the-board solution. We each have to find it within our personal codes of what is inappropriate or harmful or offensive to ourselves to either read, or comment on a blog.
As for Ms Capper, the lady has a marvellously individual face, and whatever role she has the life of Mr. Armitage, she has clearly accompanied the actor to situations in which photogs will inevitably pop up from the woodwork.
Post whatever you are comfortable with, servetus (or not entirely comfortable with). The feedback is part of it, and the ensuing discussion is valuable to all who read.
fitzg said this on December 2, 2010 at 1:19 am | Reply
Another divide in this issue for me involves the question of thought vs deed. That is, is it ok to think things vs ok to do them? I think it’s somewhat easier to define acceptable behavior than acceptable thought — which some participants in the discusssion seem to want to do — but this blog stands on a cusp between thought and behavior. I don’t want to be yelling fire in a crowded theatre.
Another fantastic post, servetus. There’s a discussion on another board I frequent about what it means to treat a celebrity as a “normal” person. For example, if you and RA had a mutual friend would you introduce yourself to him as “friend of so-and-so,” assuming you would do that with a non-celeb friend of a friend. And then there are stories like this one
http://wellknowwhenwegetthere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-john-hughes.html
http://www.liriandersson.com/?p=51
that feed our collective imagination.
I’m thinking more about this (and rewatching Daffy Duck as, uh, research) and will post more later.
jazzbaby1 said this on December 2, 2010 at 2:25 am | Reply
Loved reading those posts. The one about John Hughes just about made me cry. Definitely wonderful food for thought and the imagination, jazzbaby1.
And how is Daffy coming along? *grin* Suddenly craving seeing the one where Bugs visits Sherwood Forest and dubs the sheriff
Sir Loin of Beef . . . Can still hear Little John saying, “Never Worry, Never Fear, Robin Hood Will Soon Be Here!” And then Errol Flynn appears in the trees.
Ah, Errol–now THAT is what Robin should look like.
I’ve probably seen that Bugs but can’t recall it. I wonder if that’s where the Urban Legend about how sirloin came to be named sirloin came from.
jazzbaby1 said this on December 2, 2010 at 11:19 am | Reply
There was an article about John Hughes in a recent Vanity Fair that was really interesting — he was very focused on the teen ngeneration that he was writing for, and thought they had been overwhelmed by the baby boomers. He seems to have had a truly unique attitude.
Great post Servetus. I don’t have much to add, but I am reading it with avid attention. There is so much food for thought. I also started thinking about my fan-attitude, especially after Calorexa’s remarks. But I am far less astute at wording all these thoughts, so I am very grateful to you and all the commenters. It’s hugely interesting.
Elisabet said this on December 2, 2010 at 1:56 pm | Reply
Thanks, Elisabet.
servetus, easier to define deed vs. thought. Up to a point.
Well, 1984 came and sort of went. Sort of. “intent” and state of mind are long a part of the justice system. Profiling has been around for a long time. Technology is fervently working toward “reading thoughts”. Is the issue that of how a thought is expressed publicly? Then we get into the entire free speech debate.
A couple of times on a blog, I’ve expressed a less than kind opinion of an actor/actress, and afterward, felt that it was unkind, and I ought not to have expressed it in writing. (RIP Tynan) As opposed to private conversation. Which is probably silly. So, the internal debate goes on.
How can we not have thoughts and mental/emotional reactions to anyone? How does the thought express itself in deed? Especially, how to express that in a public and written (words do live on…) manner? I knew all the answers to everything in my 20’s and 30’s. Since then, fuggaboudit. Still searching. No advice to offer; who wants advice anyway, just expanded points of view to help reinforce our individual fundamental sense of right and wrong. Which can be very grey along the way.
fitzg said this on December 2, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Reply
I really like what you’ve said here, fitzg, especially this.
For me it depends on what the comment is. On another post just recently I said that I thought Daffy Duck was a better Robin Hood than JA. I don’t know anything else about him as an actor, I’ve never seen anything else he’s ever done, but I think he was out of his depth acting against RA and KA. I just didn’t buy his performance. That kind of criticism — harsh though it may be — I think is valid. I’m not ripping on Jonas, I’m ripping on his performance. It’s different to tear JA or Annabel or any other human apart for their humanity but at the same time it’s a very human instinct — jealousy, for example — that drives sucha response.
jazzbaby1 said this on December 2, 2010 at 3:31 pm | Reply
This gets to my rule on ad hominem — you can criticize an actor for delivering a poor performance, for example, but not for being a bad person. So the question is, if you say “this actor was not capable of providing a good performance in this instance” is that an attack on the person or his performance? I’m opposed to personal attack, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out where it is.
It can be hard to tell with actors, but what else can we criticize? If we were talking about, say, Jimi Hendrix and a particular performance was off then we could talk about how maybe he used strings that he didn’t particularly like or the dynamic between him and the band was off. When we talk about actors all we have is their physical presence to work with. I think in the case of Robin Hood the writers depended too much on the assumption that Robin was the hero and didn’t really do much to develop him as a character beyond that. The moment Robin carried Marian across the desert? I didn’t find that beautiful because of Robin and Marian and their relationship; I found it beautiful as a tribute to Domenic’s brother and the most famous scene from the English Patient. It’s possible that JA was hampered by poor direction or that RA and KA overwhelmed the direction that they were given.
Man, my head is spinning! I’ve tried to read all comments but am going to have stop here as I have A Very Important Person’s birthday cake to finish by tonight…she’s turning 5.
My first reaction is “HUH?” Then I kinda wonder if I need to weed out some of my thinking on this. You guys are right about the validity of internet comments and their effect on others and yes, we should be careful what we say. But then there’s the old thing that my Mama always threw at me, “It’s not WHAT you said that got you into trouble, but HOW you said it.” It’s really, really hard to convey that thru typing out words on the internet, the emotions, the state of mind, the background, etc.
But then, I’m new in these parts and yes, RA has had an effect on me that I haven’t really experienced before. Let me just say this. I’ve been involved a group of fans that is based on a mid-90’s TV show, who meet once a year. In the beginning, it was a little nerve-racking to think about meeting TV producers, writers and actors. I mean, this is big time! Not. They were/are regular people (for the most part) who were very friendly, accommodating to some admittedly nutso fans ( not me, of course *snort*). Some of them were as genuine as they could be…some were not. I learned that most of them were people with whom I had very little in common and if they lived in our little town, I probably would have no more than a nodding acquaintance. But that does not diminish my respect for them as fellow human beings or my honest interest in them as a friend. And the truth is, what I saw during the time we were together (2-3 days per year) might have been what my Mama calls “puttin; on”. Was that person that I may have spent 10 mins with showing me the real him/her?! Probably not. But then, was I showing my true self? Heck no! I sure don’t want anyone to know that sometimes I lick my fingers when eating fried chicken and I’ve got a real hang-up about the correct direction of toilet paper! And you don’t want to even see me get really aggravated when Dear Hubby tracks mud into the house. (his mud usually includes cow poop)
Bottom line is: we’re here to learn from each other. To broaden our horizons. Peer into a world that we’ve never imagined much less participated in. Yes, we must be diligent to filter out what’s not good for us or what is “too much”. I think G-d puts in each of us an alarm for the Too Much alert. At least He has with me. It’s up to me/us to listen for the alarm.
I had an interesting conversation with one of my daughter-in-laws last week. She was trying to deal with “a friend” who was being intrusive with her phone calls, visits, etc. (DIL works from her home via computer and has 3 children under 6 and helps with our family business. She’s a busy gal!) She wanted to know what to do about it and IF she should do anything about it. I told that I had faced similar circumstances many times and it all came down to: Is this person/thing/job/whatever intruding on my family time? Am I neglecting to spend time w/my own children and/or husband? Does this person/problem invade my time with G-d?
We each have responsibilities to meet every day and we like to think we do our best in meeting them. Anything that interferes with that, in my case, has to be disciplined and examined. Not easy sometimes but required, again, in my case. I have to be careful because I’m pretty much an All or Nothing kind of gal. But I wouldn’t trade the friendships and learning experiences I’ve had here and at other sites. If not for those “other sites”, I would never have learned the Jewish reasoning for not writing out the complete word for Jehovah G-d! When my internet Jewish friend explained it to me, I was humbled and amazed. What a notion! That G-d is so sacred that we can’t write out His name! Now that’s a true WOW!!!!!!!
NovemberBride said this on December 2, 2010 at 5:00 pm | Reply
@NovemberBride, it was good to see you post. Has your Lords of the North arrived yet? Also, please know that when I write out God’s name I am not being disrespectful to Him or do not consider it sacred for I do. It is the way I was taught in my religion.
Hope your five year old enjoyed her cake and candles, NovemberBride!
She was thrilled w/pony cake allbeit a somewhat haggard pony. But he was my first pony so he’s special! With 10 grands celebrating, it was a bit chaotic…but fun!
NovemberBride said this on December 3, 2010 at 4:44 am | Reply
I’m impressed at that kind of (re)productivity!
servetus said this on December 18, 2010 at 5:21 am | Reply
(taking lunch break with icing hanging off my nose and in my hair)…NOOOOOO! It hasn’t come yet altho my mail lady is praying for it to come as quickly as possible, not that I’m harassing her or anything. Just as friendly reminder, I returned Mr. Royle’s email 2 days ago by thanking him for the courteous phonelady’s assistance in ordering said CDs! *wink* I added that upon its receipt, I planned to listen to the reader’s rendition of the book with extreme anticipation. Heck, hubs might even like to hear it?! We’ll see….
And No Ma’m, no disrespect noted! You type God, I type G-d. I may be a Babtist (yes I know how to spell it, I’m just goofy that way) but I love exploring the whys of others’ view of G-d and the Bible. Another eye-opener for me was the crossing of oneself. Who knew the history and reasoning for it? Obviously not me! Whole new respect for the practice.
See that’s the beauty of this whole deal. I probably would’ve never known much less thought of asking anyone about such things. I was brought up in a VERY conservative family/home and you just didn’t question some things. So I hit upon the internet and places like this and a whole new world opened up for me!!
And by the way, I just touched (in the above comment) on a couple of points that Servatus and the rest of you examined. Many more that I could go over, but won’t. However, re the RA/AC relationship, I just have 2 questions: Does he send her roses? Does she feed him good? Anything else, I don’t need to know! Unless, someone wants to tell me…:)
Mine took a couple of week to come, so don’t despair if you don’t get it right away. I think they must have to burn the CDs.
To fill in: Ms. Capper is the only woman I’m aware of that he’s ever been photographed with more than once. We have no idea if he sends her roses or whether she cooks.
Exactly! My “theoretical” questions are somewhat satirical. ( again, emoticons might help get the case won, but then I usually struggle with which ones to use and how to use them and by that time, I ‘ve forgotten what I was saying anyways!) But we don’t know much and that’s ok with me. Really. My questions were based on “motherly” notions. (And while I’m at it, did you remember to take your vitamins today?! See, I just can’t help myself.) A long relationship, a broken relationship, many relationships…not things that I fret about. Too many crazy things going on this world to divert my attention I guess.
I did have a big cup of steamed milk for breakfast 🙂
@NovemberBride, two great points of yours: HOW you say it! and how difficult it is, to express the emotion/intent behind it, without facial expression, tone of voice. I’d love it if WordPress allowed comments with italicising, underlining, etc. I find this helpful in e-mail…
fitzg said this on December 2, 2010 at 11:29 pm | Reply
Emoticons are a real blessing once you get over the threshold of embarrassment in using them, I think. I read some criticism of Armitage fans as overusers of emoticons somewhere, but I think given all the potential for misunderstanding emotions, it’s better to use a few too many than a few too few 🙂
You can, but you have to use the HTML tags and type them in, like for italicized etc.
or minus the _, because WordPress seems to be quite sensitive.
No I take it back, WordPress is really sensitive, even just alluding a certain HTML tag will make it happen! [b], just replace [ with <
Thank Servetus for a different perspective on Ms.. Capper. I always thought of her “happy girl”, I hope it is for Mr.. RA is also a friend. Indeed, much of their links, because even a common interest in art. As for privacy, RA – it is natural that every fan wants to learn as much about his idol, and from our fans, depending on how much further to go in collecting information about him. I think it’s wonderful that RA does not share your privacy. On the other hand, every artist, whether painter, musician or actor does not exist without its addressee (the fans). And I was always curious, what shaped it such a sensitivity. After looking at the roles of RA, each man clearly shows, even the bad characters are not bad until the end, just make mistakes, such as John Mulligan in the Moving On
ania said this on December 3, 2010 at 8:02 am | Reply
I think you’re right that to some extent he needs us to be interested in him, Ania. I’m doing my little part 🙂
The ritual of crossing oneself is interesting. The last of my ancestors – the Irish side – to be Catholic, declared about three hundred years ago “What! Lose our lands? We’re Protestant!” (how principled…)
Yet, I (non-practising Anglican) viewing the glory of a cathedral in England or Normandy, have found myself quietly making the sign of the cross. Whether atavistic, or respectful awe for the urge and the faith to create such beauty, it precludes outright atheism for me. Creativity and beauty must derive from a source. One can hold to/practise within any denomination, or not; but the sense of faith expressed through beauty and respect for the beliefs of the creators (the menorah is one of the loveliest, most graceful expression of faith) is an anchor.
Ahhh, nicely put, fitzg!
[…] succinct and thus always worthwhile pi provides her promised reflections on the question of the limits of her Armitage fandom. She gets me exactly right when she writes: […]
Bursting with Armitage-y goodness! « Me + Richard Armitage said this on December 19, 2010 at 10:33 pm | Reply
Just wanted to say I’m so glad I found your blog. I’ve only recently given in and joined the RA forums so I’m late to this discussion. It’s intriguing, intelligent, fascinating and thought provoking. I admire your decision to tackle topics forbidden on the discussion forums. I admire RA as an actor and a man. I can’t feeling reasonably interested in what he does as a man because it informs my opinion of him. For example of the things that could put me right off him is learning he was a bigot, or abusive or a cheater. I can’t squee (love this term) over anybody I wouldn’t respect in real life. I say reasonably, because it’s not good to know too much because that takes away from the squee-quality which I enjoy. I’ve been in fandoms a long time and could probably write an entire blog on the evolution of that realization.
Interestingly I’ve never had to worry about any of my celeb crushes getting out of hand. I’ve even met a few and gotten autographs backstage. Maybe it’s because I don’t think that, stripped of their fame, they have any real direct bearing on my world, although indirectly I’ve benefited from meeting new friends with fellow fans. Maybe I’m just too pragmatic.
The only big way my crushes have benefited me directly is what choice in men I make in RL. I’m looking at what qualities I’m drawn to by men such as RA and a definite pattern is emerging. To my surprise, they are different from what I originally would have listed.
Prattling on, I’ll finish this comment by asking this question: if you could interview RA, what would you ask him?
judiang said this on December 28, 2010 at 4:34 pm | Reply
Sorry about the typos. Composed this post before coffee. 😛
Thanks for the kind words and welcome — I really enjoy reading comments and it’s gratifying to know that older posts are still relevant. To be fair to the forums: I think it’s easier for me to take these things on because as a single voice in charge, I have a lot more control in setting boundaries than the discussion boards do.
But absolutely: I think that one reason for many of the features of Armitagemania — both the intensity of it and some of its particular features (e.g. the protectiveness, which I was asking about today) have to do with our awareness of him as a person. I’m impressed by your ability to keep your pragmatism front and center, too.
I’m intrigued by the notion that celebrity crushes can affect our awareness of what we might choose in partners and I’ll have to think about this more. It’s true, though, that Mr. Armitage seems to have at least two qualities that I find absolutely essential in partners: compassion and integrity.
As to your question about what I’d ask — some of that is still secret. I have a list of questions, because I haven’t yet abandoned the fantasy that I could someday indeed interview him. One thing I’d really like to do is watch some of his work with him (if he could stand it) and ask him what he’s thinking/doing at certain points. It’s unclear, probably, that he’d be able to articulate it — if he’s as intuitive an actor as he seems to be it could be a problem for him to describe it — but it would be intriguing.
What would YOU ask, judiang?
well isn’t this creepy.
alexis said this on April 24, 2011 at 11:01 pm | Reply
[…] may also differ from the author perspective. The most obvious category for searching for the most viewed post on this blog (by a factor of four) has only eight mentions. (Not because I wouldn’t write about it more, but I’ve run out […]
The Hobbit finally joins the category cloud and associated reflections « Me + Richard Armitage said this on January 25, 2012 at 8:58 pm | Reply
[…] someone solely for his beauty seems shallow — even as I felt it was a false dilemma, as acting is to no insignificant degree the successful employment of one’s physicality to move an…. Eventually, I argued that four factors working together in a relationship of combinations […]
Why Richard Armitage had to be beautiful « Me + Richard Armitage said this on June 8, 2012 at 10:46 pm | Reply
[…] I observed on the boards. Someone — who likes it — once described this blog as a virtual water cooler. I think “bar” might be a better metaphor. Some people stay away entirely on the […]
Wow, well said, and thanks for saying it. 🙂
reveilles said this on February 3, 2013 at 11:04 pm | Reply
You’re welcome, and thanks 🙂
Servetus said this on February 3, 2013 at 11:39 pm | Reply
[…] “me + annabel capper: or, the limits of Armitage fangrrling, almost a year in.” December 1, 2010. With four times as many hits as the next post on the list, this one still […]
“me + richard armitage” at three years old. Stats and thanks. | Me + Richard Armitage said this on February 25, 2013 at 1:01 am | Reply
[…] are a few remarks I made in response to a post on Me + Richard Armitage last December, when the topic was about his fame, his friendship with an actress and the fandom […]
Richard Armitage – the perfect fantasy? said this on March 18, 2013 at 11:19 pm | Reply
[…] pursued the point, though, and I remembered that I had made that point once upon a time myself, in a long discussion of Annabel Capper that’s still the most viewed post on this blog, even if I don’t think about it much any more. (Poor Annabel Capper, to have her available […]
Everyman receding? Pondering the subject position(s) of Richard Armitage fans, including my own | Me + Richard Armitage said this on December 2, 2013 at 2:10 am | Reply
[…] topic than anyone who reads publicly available sources already knows). A long time ago, I wrote a speculative text on what a particular answer to this question would mean to me if I knew it were t… (a text that labels itself as such, throughout, by the way) but reliable data simply do not go to […]
Generic convention, generic invention, or: RPF as biography by other means | Me + Richard Armitage said this on February 14, 2014 at 11:16 pm | Reply
[…] will probably surprise no one to learn that it is this one. By a factor of at least three above the next most viewed post. The text has been picked up in […]
#BlogIntroChallenge 5: Which post got the most views? #richardarmitage | Me + Richard Armitage said this on June 2, 2015 at 3:05 am | Reply
[…] 1995-98. The combined total of their known public appearances together and overlap is traced in this post. In 2009-10, they were spotted in public three times together: at the Carrie’s War premiere, […]
Richard Armitage, nonsense articles, and the web | Me + Richard Armitage said this on August 9, 2016 at 8:49 pm | Reply
[…] been skirting writing about this for a while. My first attempt was about a relationship that if it ever existed, was in the past by the time I wro…, and therefore safer, although the post has been used to indict me and associate views with me that […]
Gossip and durable or slippery fantasies –or, part 2 | Me + Richard Armitage said this on November 1, 2017 at 9:59 am | Reply
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Why it ‘pays’ to be more relaxed about paid leave?
Home » Blog » Worker Happiness » Why it ‘pays’ to be more relaxed about paid leave?
September 17, 2019 - Worker Happiness
by Luke Doyle
Wherever in the world your business is based and particularly if it’s international, managing your team’s expectations regarding time off is a careful balance of statutory rights and your own business culture.
We know that different places in the world have different quotas of leave available to their workforce. The bottom line is that you get what the government determines. On top of that some companies offer more in order to tempt the best talent to apply, and because it’s actually a really good idea.
Some companies even offer unlimited paid vacation because it fits better with today’s lifestyle and work patterns, and results in more engaged, accountable employees who actually want to be there. At Management 3.0 we can attest to this. One of the things we truly value is unlimited vacation and while it’s not necessarily all paid (we perhaps lower our commitment level during that time), we trust each other and don’t worry about who’s taking which days when — as long as the work gets done and we communicate about it.
It might not work for the average supermarket HR team, but if you hired the right individuals for jobs that they care about, a more relaxed approach to HR can work great.
Unfortunately, when businesses take what they believe to be the most direct route to healthier profit margins by minimizing leave, they end up making false economies, which can result in a sick, tired, and disengaged workforce. We become less caring, community-oriented, and generous when we feel exhausted and exploited.
Approaches to the question of vacation time differ according to cultures, but it’s notable that one of the few things that Japanese and American business cultures have in common is that they are both characterized by workforces which take short, incomplete periods of vacation, resulting in societies that are plagued with stress and isolation.
In France, on the other hand, quality of life is valued highly, and not only are workers offered more statutory leave, but they are more likely to capitalize on a high proportion of it. By contrast, Americans on average use only half of what’s offered to them.
Nine out of ten French people take their entire allotted annual leave of 30 days. They return to work healthy, relaxed, and more productive.
The culture is richer and the French ‘way of life’ is envied around the world.
[W]hile Americans may pride themselves on their hard work and dedication,” said Emma Seppälä, science director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. “Research suggests that we will actually work harder, perform better, and have greater health, stamina, and enthusiasm for our work if we take time off.”
A new interactive data visualization shows just how statutory vacation, sick leave, and parental leave compares in different parts of the world. Of course, when some workforces don’t even elect to take their full quota, the numbers only tell part of the story. But it’s an interesting way to look at how different countries treat the well-being of their workforce, and the difference you can make to your company with a more engaged approach to time off.
Photo Credit Chen Zo on Unsplash
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Music Freelance A guide to Wagner’s Siegfried
Composed: 1856-71
Premiere: 16 August 1876, Bayreuth
Looked after since childhood by the dwarf Mime, Siegfried forges a new weapon from the shards of the sword of his father, Siegmund. After some intellectual high jinx between Mime and the Wanderer (Wotan), he is taken to slay the dragon Fafner and seize the hoard of gold that includes the Ring. Mime plans to poison Siegfried and grab the hoard himself, but when Siegfried finds out, he strikes him down. Siegfried in turn learns of Brünnhilde, whom he sets out to free from the flames
With the Ring’s last two operas we come, paradoxically, to the first librettos written, as Siegfried’s Death (1848) and Young Siegfried (1851). As the names suggest, they were originally simpler stories, centred on the life of the legendary Germanic hero, without the vast mythological and philosophical backdrop shaped in Die Walküre and Das Rhinegold.
The best recordings of Wagner
Siegfried has been called the scherzo of the Ring cycle, because of the burgeoning youth that pervades the score. Act I is dominated by the exciting rhythms of hammer, bellows and blazing forge, as Siegfried reforges his father’s sword. The great forest of Act II mingles the haunted gloom of Weber’s Freischütz with the sunlight and bird calls of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, and in Act III Siegfried makes an epic passage through storm and fire on the mountainside to Brünnhilde’s idyllic pastures.
Wagner's leitmotifs
The scoring flows with such energy and complexity it’s surprising to find it wasn’t composed in one go. Wagner reached a creative crisis at the end of Act II, and, as he said, ‘left Siegfried sitting under a lime tree’ from August 1857… until March 1869, during which time he composed Tristan and Die Meistersinger and went from penniless refugee to acknowledged master. He had also become not only a widower, Minna having died in 1866 (Wagner didn’t attend the funeral), but also a father of two children with the still-married Cosima van Bülow, an affair that scandalised Munich society.
Six of the best opera baddies
In Siegfried, the son of Siegmund and Sieglinde, Wagner created a much misunderstood hero; some producers even make him a Hitler Youth-style bullyboy. They haven’t read the libretto closely enough. Raised as a mere weapon by the dwarf Mime, Siegfried becomes a loveless, bitterly lonely and frustrated young man, sharp-tongued and impatient, but far less violent than he threatens to be. When mortally provoked, by Mime and the Dragon, Siegfried strikes back only when he must, and takes no great delight in killing, becoming gravely reflective. By himself, we see Siegfried as good-humoured, nature-loving and not unthoughtful.
A guide to Wagner's Die fliegende Holländer
When it comes to Mime, meanwhile, some claim that Wagner intended some element of Jewish caricature here, but there’s no explicit evidence, and Mime stands as a character without it. He’s a master craftsman, but also a megalomaniac, as bad as Alberich but smaller-minded, a paranoid writhing with plots and hatreds, a pathological liar and conscienceless poisoner. Only really bad producers make him cute…
from Classical-Music.com https://ift.tt/2K8r9i3
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How do you feel about the opposite party? (US)
Olly posted a topic in General Discussion
As a democrat, how do you feel about republicans and vice versa? that is, what is your general impression of the other parties goals and character? Some people plead for unity, insisting that we shouldn't be "divided"- Lincoln did say "A house divided against itself cannot stand" but is there any basis in reality for thinking that we could ever truly work and function together?
General What is your political compass?
Vlazamal posted a topic in General Discussion
Where do you stand in life? https://www.politicalcompass.org/test Personally, this is my score: I think it's a little far on the left, but otherwise pretty accurate. I'm a Christian fundamentalist but I am economically closer to a neoliberal like Barack Obama. I don't think this belongs in the political section because this is it identification and not discussion. I could be wrong though :/
Politics: As a brony do you lean more left or right?
cider float posted a topic in General Discussion
Based on politics as a brony do you lean more left or right?
Political Stand?
Rozylee posted a topic in General Discussion
What is your political stance? XD Right-leaning, or left-leaning?
A Message to All Conservatives
Justin_Case001 posted a blog entry in Justin_Case's Stop & Talk
I no longer like to identify as any part of the political spectrum, mostly because I believe that identity politics is utterly toxic tribalism that prevents us from talking honestly about issues, but also because I'm finding it increasingly difficult to see anywhere on the spectrum that's a comfortable fit. My views haven't changed much in the last decade, but the political sides sure have. For my whole life, I have considered myself left/liberal, and I still have what I would describe as "classically liberal" views. For my whole life, I have also been under a grave misapprehension, which is why I wanted to write this post. I want to speak directly to all conservatives/anyone who considers themselves right of center. For most of my life, I have been under the impression that conservatives are, for the most part, all backwards, bigoted, racist, sexist, gay-hating religious maniacs, and that this is more or less the definition of conservatism. This is obviously false. It's only in the last year or so that I started to look, listen, escape my echo chamber, and realize my mistake. I've read and listened to the opinions of many conservatives whom I was pleasantly surprised to find are very open-minded, rational, compassionate people. Some even share many of my views, and it surprised me when they said they identify as conservative. It made me stop and say, "Wait a minute....but those views you have sound like classically liberal views!" Most conservatives are just normal, nice, decent people who don't want to stomp on other's rights. Likewise, most liberals can be described exactly the same way. I have always considered myself a liberal, but I am absolutely not one of these trigger-warning, free speech stifling, offensive word banning, college speaker de-platforming, SJW snowflakes. Don't make the mistake of thinking that that's how all liberals are. Both sides seem to see only the worst of the other. In one corner the liberals say, "Yer all a bunch of bigots," and in the other corner, the conservatives say, "Yer all a bunch of delusional nutjobs." Neither is true. These extremes are just fringe minorities that are not representative of most people. I believe that the percentage of leftists that are extreme, free speech stifling SJWs is about the same percentage of rightists that are truly racist, sexist, hateful bigots. Please remember that these are just tiny, yet disproportionately noisy, minorities. Conservatives are not all my enemies, and liberals are not all your enemies. If we drop the labels and listen to each other, we might find allies in unexpected places. Of course, I feel like I'm probably preaching to the choir in here, as I've always been extremely impressed with the maturity and decency of this community (at least what I've seen of it.) My words probably aren't needed in here. They're needed out there. Like....y'know....on the Twitters or the Youtubes....but I don't feel like being chased down the street by a mod with torches and pitchforks....so I hide in here. :/ It's better than nothing. Better than not speaking up at all, I guess. Thanks for reading. Have a ponirific day.
The Times They Are a Changeling Back?!
Trump recently attended some type of voter summit where he belted out to a crowd of adoring fans about how he would restore Christian values to a nation that had lost its religious roots. Allowing companies to deny women birth control on the basis of religion was just the beginning. Every day that I wake up, it's some new unspeakable horror. Most days, I wish I didn't wake up. Yes, this blog entry will be provocative and probably offensive to some, if you haven't figured that out. I can't pull any punches today. The fact is that losing our religious roots is the only way that we have made any progress. Outgrowing our attachment to divisive, irrational, superstitious dogma is how we move forward, improve our world, grow out of the infancy of our species, and become adults. And yet, fans cheered with joy as Trump touted about rolling America back to a more traditional and religious time. He said, (paraphrasing) "My, how the times have changed, but mark my words, they are changing back." The actual quote was something extremely close to that. Trivially different. That's the sentiment he conveyed. Trump's vision is bad enough, but the cheers from his fans is what upsets me the most. It fills me with a horror so dark, black, and unspeakable that I sometimes I feel like my heart is literally going to cave in from despair. Knowing that, most likely, the next ~7 years will spent watching my culture crumble and eat itself makes me wish I was dead. Yes indeed, our country has drifted too far from its religious roots. We have drifted too far from burning witches and heretics. We have drifted too far into the realms of reason, rationality, sanity, compassion, knowledge, science, truth, fact, tolerance, and equal protection under the law. No sir, we cannot have any of that. We must return to a dark age when god's law was THE law, and if your beliefs differed from those in power, then it's a fiery death for you. We must return to a time when the Earth was flat and the sun revolved around us, as it should. Letting companies discriminate on the basis of religion is a good start, but certainly not enough to meet our goal of returning us to circa 1314. We must outlaw gay marriage, and interracial marriage to boot. We must then teach pseudo-science in school. All public schools must have a creation class, followed by bible studies, prayer, and alchemy. We'll want to destroy most modern medicine, as god never intended for us to play him with our bodies in this way. We must get rid our doctors, surgeons, and therapists and bring in priests to perform exorcisms on children with schizophrenia. We must roll back women's suffrage--after all, what good has a woman ever done in this world? Oh, but that's still not enough, is it? No. We'll need to reinstate slavery as well in our quest to make a world worth living in. Above all, we must roll back our world to a time when gods came down out of the sky and flooded the earth and performed miracles, because that time was far more interesting, romantic, and exciting than the boring world of today when all we can do is make self-driving cars, look at the microwave background radiation of the big bang, and move silly carbon monoxide molecules around to make a stop-motion movie with atoms that can only be seen under an electron microscope. I apologize profusely for the exaggerated sarcasm. I realize that that last paragraph probably went too far, and was offensive, but my gut-wrenching despair is often too much to bear, and it helps to vent honestly. I'm sorry. Please understand a couple of things: first, I am in favor of reason, rationality, secularism, and equal protection under the law. That last paragraph was sarcasm intended to paint a vision of the most horrific world possible. Secondly, I am not in any way saying that every religious person, or every conservative, or every republican wants the dark world I just described. Of course not. That's crazy. And I'm not in the habit of painting entire groups of people as my enemy. But what terrifies me day and night is that a sizable number of people really do want to roll back time, not to the middle ages perhaps, but to the 1950's, absolutely. Many people desperately want the bible to be a part of our constitution. They want god's law to be federal law. They want homosexuality to be a capital crime. They want segregation. They want pseudo-science taught in schools. They want birth control banned. They want to take away all rights that a woman might have over her reproductive cycle. I must take a quick tangent to say that while the abortion debate is at least a valid debate, with valid opinions to be heard on both sides, the idea of contraception, of preventing unwanted pregnancy to begin with, being immoral, is purely medieval. Believing contraception to be immoral is perhaps the darkest, most backwards and disgusting stupidity that our pathetic species is capable of. Many people want to undo a century of fantastic progress, and I do not doubt for a second that Trump is one of them. I genuinely believe that if Trump were made lord emperor of earth, with absolute power and no checks of balances, he would roll back our civilization to the dark ages. I desperately wish to be told that I am GREATLY exaggerating, but I fear am I not. I fear that we are on a knife's edge, and with the slightest nudge, the enemies of basic human sanity could win. I fear that forces of superstition, lunacy, and religious fanaticism may be gaining an unstoppable amount of momentum. It doesn't help that people are losing trust in liberalism due to the outrage culture, what with free speech being hindered due to political correctness and such. I fear that the agents of ignorance will never stop trying to eat this world, and if we relax and grow complacent, they might yet win. We need to keep speaking out against dangerous ideas with every fiber of our beings.
By the Gods...
Trump's inauguration was stomach churning enough already, but in my view, what was far more horrifying was the fact that the presidential inauguration is, in 2017, still chocked full of religious benedictions and prayers. Thomas Jefferson must be spinning in his grave. There is supposed to be a figurative wall of separation between church and state. As I often point out, it is only by this wall that we are guaranteed freedom of religion in the United States. And yet, this wall has never been more than a weak, crumbling fence. Regardless of anyone's religion or spiritual views, religion must have no place in our government, laws, and public policies. "One nation under god" in the pledge is not a separation of church and state. "In god we trust" on the money is not a separation of church and state. Prayers and benedictions at the presidential inauguration is not a separation of church and state. Requiring legals oaths in government institutions to be taken while placing one's hand on a bible is an embarrassing and archaic tradition that should have died out when our country was founded. The horrific truth is that, beyond the invention of some pretty nifty gadgets, little has changed since the time of ancient Greece. Compare the following two clips; the first, a scene from a movie depicting ancient Greece, and second, the benediction from Trump's inauguration: (The first 30 seconds or so of this one will suffice.) There is little difference between these two scenes. Imagine the change in tone, the change in reaction, the change in the world, if Reverend Graham had substituted the word "Apollo" for "god". Imagine if the reverend stated that Poseidon had blessed Trump's family, administration, and presidency. Think for a second about what that would have done to the good Mr. Graham's reputation, as well as Mr. Trump himself, and most of the people involved with the inauguration. I don't think I need to elaborate or extend this analogy any further. It should be quite clear how such a statement would be received at a presidential inauguration. And yet, what was said is absolutely no different. The names have been changed. That's it. There's no more evidence for the existence of the biblical god than there is for gods of ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, or anywhere else. It's not like at some point along the way, humanity disproved Zeus but not the god of Abraham. This was not a discovery made in the third century. The fact that a moment from the presidential inauguration of 2017 can sound essentially exactly like a scene from Troy should terrify every one of us. It certainly terrifies me. Go watch Troy. Right now. That's basically our world. Give everyone in Troy a smart phone, and that's the world we're living in. There's really no fundamental difference. Anyone who believes that this is a great exaggeration is either delusional, grossly ignorant, or willfully blind.
Avery's Political Views
AveryGamerDude posted a blog entry in Avery's Blog
Since I saw another user do this, I figure I'll do it as well. Abortion: I am 100% pro choice. Mainly because I'm my life philosophy, and scientifically, at least in my opinion, a fertilized egg cell isn't a person. Not to mention I support the right to choose in general. Death Penalty: I'm not against it, but I'm not for it, either. Although I do consider it cruel and unusual punishment for crimes that aren't murder, I can sympathize with people who support in cases of murder, because if some bastard murdered my wife, I'd make them pay. Economy: I'm less familiar with economics than I am with social issues, but I support Democratic Socialism. (I know, I'm a friggin' communist. ) Freedom of Speech: I fully support it, as most people should. People should be allowed to make certain speeches even if it upsets people. And if those upset people try to use violence against people who are expressing their freedom of speech, put them in jail. (I'm talking to you, anti-flag burners.) Guns: I love guns. A lot. Though I am very supportive of gun control. (There's a difference between gun control and gun bans.) I think there should be some form of background check, because I think it's a REALLY bad idea to just let any butt-wipe with money have a gun. Gay marriage: I 100% support gay rights. Immigration: I might get a lot of flak for this, but I think that we should allow Mexicans who cross the border illegally to stay in America, because I'm sure they wouldn't do it illegally unless they had a good reason. Mexico is a dangerous place, and when the pressure's on, the luxury of choice tends to disappear. As for banning Muslims, I am highly against that. Even though I despise Islam, I think it's unfair to condemn an entire group of people just because there are some radicals and extremists. I will admit that if you look at opinion polls about the Muslim world, there are a concerning number of Muslims who are a BIT more comfortable with violence than they should be. But that doesn't mean that they themselves are terrorists, and there are millions of Muslims who COMPLETELY condemn terrorism and violence. Religious Liberty: I fully support religious liberty, even though I'm very anti-religion. But if you start imposing your religious beliefs on other people, I'm gonna have a problem with you. (That's not religious liberty, by the way.) Transgenderism: I think that people who get sex-change surgery deserve rights just as much as anyone else. I personally don't believe in that "unlimited genders" Tumblr nonsense. But if other people do, who cares? They aren't hurting anyone! I might edit this in the future to include some other political beliefs I have but forgot about. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
What is your idea of a Utopia?
Tranquil Claw posted a topic in General Discussion
I have always been fascinated with how history has often repeated it's mistakes over and over. If every grand mind in the forum got together, maybe we can change this, do something good for the world as a whole. This could all start with a few simple questions. What in your eyes is a perfect world, a utopia? Brought to you by Equestria's newest philosopher, Tranquil Claw I'm thinking of starting a daily question for the forum to answer and discuss. Should I do this? I'll let you decide.
spoilers The Political Ideology of School Daze
Night Shine posted a blog entry in Miscellaneous Meta-ethical Musings
This blog post contains spoilers for "School Daze" (Season 8, Episode 1-2). I am not sure if the intended lesson from "School Daze" is "ethno-nationalism is bad; do away with national barriers and unite!" on the one hoof, or "a monarchy has the right to bypass any bureaucracies it pleases" on the other. Then again, they are not mutually exclusive. I originally intended to post this as a status update (hence the initial zinger-y phrasing), then realized that it is probably a major spoiler. So I thought, "Why not do a full blog post?" As in my teleology post, I assume that if the protagonists of a show explicitly believe in an ethical idea, their antagonists explicitly believe the opposite, and the protagonists win in the conflict between them, then the show is teaching that those ideas are correct. I begin by discussing Chancellor Neighsay's ideology, and then Twilight's, concluding with implications. Disclaimer: I am not intending to cast any value judgments in this post about the episode, its themes, or their implications. School Daze used the character of Chancellor Neighsay to represent a whole bundle of -isms: traditionalism, nationalism, racism, and bureaucratism (if that is a word). Regarding traditionalism, he considers it crucial that ponies are "prepared to defend our way of life" [pt. 1], and traditionalism attempts to preserve a cultural group's way of life. For nationalism, he shows outrage at Twilight because he thought she was "opening this school to protect Equestria!" [pt. 2] from other nations -- and other races. MLP:FiM has used species as an analogy for a racial or ethnic group to teach lessons about race and ethnicity in the past, e.g. in Over a Barrel and Bridle Gossip. Note that the first thing Neighsay says in his outrage is call the incident an "act of aggression against ponies" [pt. 2], showing that he sees "ponies" and "Equestria" as interchangeable. He also wanted Twilight "[t]o protect ponies from... dangerous creatures who don't have our best interests at heart!" [pt. 2]. His view of the other species as "dangerous creatures" is speciesest (read: racist) and recognized as such by the adult characters representing the other nations/species (let's call them "diplomats") when they become angry at him. When Neighsay yells at the diplomats to "return to your kind" in pt. 1, Ember is immediately offended by the term your kind because she recognizes that it was intended as a speciesist slur. Regarding bureaucratism, he leads an institutional review board that makes the rules which Twilight has to follow and is introduced while at the head of what looks at first like a trial. He also is insistent about following "the rules," which causes the main conflict of the episode. Why call him an ethno-nationalist specifically, though? Wikipedia identifies the "central theme of ethnic nationalists" as the belief that "nations are defined by a shared heritage, which usually includes a common language, a common faith, and a common ethnic ancestry." Since MLP:FiM is already a world where nations are defined by species, it is difficult to distinguish a nationalist in MLP from an ethno-nationalist. But when Twilight says, "Friendship isn't just for ponies!," Neighsay replies, "It should be." Neighsay's logic begins with species identity, which then proceeds to nationalism and traditionalism. His value of traditionalism causes his bureaucratism, since he is averse to "changing the rules" [pt. 2]. School Daze pt. 1 began with an expanding map, and with Twilight proclaiming that the Mane 6 need to spread friendship "beyond Equestria" by bringing new friends from distant lands into Equestria. This need stems from her realization that "the world is full of so many different creatures who know nothing about friendship" [pt. 1]. Twilight's line that "different creatures" from beyond Equestria "know nothing about friendship" is strange in an episode where the antagonist represents racism, since it implies that the ponies as a species have a very basic socio-moral cultural element that others lack. Still, her solution is to bring in foreigners that the bureaucrats deem dangerous, ultimately using her royal authority to circumvent the bureaucrats' opinions. The clearest ideological statement Twilight gives is in her hearing in pt. 1: "If we want to keep our land safe, and create a friendlier tomorrow, we need to teach the Magic of Friendship far and wide." She agrees with Neighsay in holding national safety as a goal, but wants to achieve it through international cooperation. At first I was very confused how to reconcile the vilification of nationalism with Twilight's use of royal authority to bypass a bureaucratic process, since valuing monarchy often implies valuing nationalism. However, I think some of that can be explained by saying that the episode supports globalism. I should define this ideological term, since it is often thrown around as an angry buzzword. By globalism here I mean support for globalization, the process of politically, economically, culturally, etc. integrating nations and cultures around the globe. Traditionalism, nationalism, and racism are each opposed to at least some form of such integration. If Neighsay as a character is taken as a Strawman Political symbolizing nationalists, the episode is making the controversial (but not uncommon) claim that nationalism stems from racism and should therefore be condemned because it stands in the way of international cooperation. I found it so interesting that the villain represented bureaucratism because I have seen certain conspiracy theorists lump bureaucratism and globalism together as one big enemy. However, I found an ideology that approves of globalism even though it is averse to bureaucracy: neoliberalism. While it has been thrown around as a vague and vitriolic buzzword as well, neoliberalism generally implies support for free-market capitalism and a government with only the functions needed to ensure that the market runs effectively. It favors unrestricted movement of goods and people across borders in a global capitalist system. A common complaint among free-market capitalism supporters is that government bureaucracies impose too much regulation, which was reflected in this episode. My only reservations calling the episode "neoliberal" are that Twilight's bypassing bureaucratic authority with royal authority is still government action, and that there is no kind of capitalist free market prominent in this particular episode. To the extent that globalism implies centralization of power, there is a possible but weak explanation that the episode's globalism makes it support that the chief executive of a government use executive orders to overcome bureaucratic opposition. However, it is clearer that the episode's characterization of nationalism and racism in the villain, the implicit condemnation of nationalism through association with racism, and the explicit support for diversity and multiculturalism (e.g. the "overcoming differences" mentioned at the trial) as well as for the immigration of "dangerous creatures" show support for globalism. I considered naming this post "Does School Daze Promote Neoliberal Globalism?," but then overcame my temptation to commit the sin of egregious clickbait.
I want the debate pit to be removed
Mesme Rize posted a topic in Feedback
Normally i refrain myself from saying anything bad about this forum, because i love this place and alot of people here have always been good to me. But the debate pit is the most toxic place on this whole forum and it has been especially bad in the last few months. It seems like 80% of the time anything political comes up (especially when it comes to our current US President) it turns into a bickering and fingerpointing war on both sides and the people who try to reason for a bit are just left in the dust. In the worst case, threads are locked and users are banned from the topic, making them feel unwelcome because they might see this as an attack on their political believes. I know that this is quite an extreme request, but how much does it actually benefit our community? I feel like it only damages this place more then it actually helps and i would love it if we all could get along together, instead of feeling distant from another.
What Political Parties would the mane six support?
ChikoritaCheezits posted a topic in FiM Show Discussion
So I was thinking about the Stop the Bats song and you wanna know what Applejack and Fluttershy's debate in that song reminded me of? A political debate. So which side of the debate do you think each of the mane six would support? Fluttershy: Democrat Applejack: Republican Rainbow Dash: Democrat Pinkie: Democrat Rarity: Republican Twilight "Why can't any pony be rational and reasonable?" So discuss away!
mane six
How to stop racism and why black history month is silly.
Mesme Rize posted a blog entry in Mesme Rize's Blog
(Before i start, i will say that i am not a racist in anyway and that i only try to bring people together and not try to devide them. I love you all guys. ) I would like to start this blog, by showing a clip from Morgan Freeman, saying what he thinks of Black history month: Mr.Freeman obviously dosen't like the idea of a black history month and i must agree with him. Infact, i don't think Black history month dosen't unite the people but rather divides us actually more as humans. I am a german of polish descent, because my great great grandfather came over here from poland, because he was searching for a job. In a certain way, i am also a bit polish, but i don't ask for a german-polish history month, because polish that live here (and there are alot) are also part of german history. There have been alot of black people in the past that have fought for people of every race to come together, like Muhammed Ali, Bob Marley, Martin Luther King, etc. But these days, i don't see any sort of progression in it and i instead see hatred on both sides, just because of different opinions. Like Mr.Freeman said, racism will only end when we stop talking about it, not by building special places ethnic minorities. Things like that only divide us more and kills a peaceful society. I remember a long time ago when i went to highschool. I was sitting besides a black kid, which in Germany there are not alot of. He was one of the few good friends i had in that school and we really barely talked about our race, because we couldn't give less of a shit about it. Minorities don't really need any special privileges and we can only achieve peace, when we just start to not give a shit about our backgrounds.
Does it bother you when MLP people take politics too far?
Princess Book Horse posted a topic in Sugarcube Corner
There was time when i would browse the twitter pages of everyone involved with this show when I'm feeling down or just feeling bored. These days however, all I see is Anti- Trump rhetoric and tweets about how are country is doomed. Now, before i get a bunch of replies telling me that they're entitled to their views, let me say that I don't mind that they don't have a same political views as me. What I don't like is when they are extremely volatile about it and they tweet and retweet things about how Trump and his supporters are all racist Nazis or say other terrible things. This breaks my heart because these are people that I respect and look up to more than anything and they say they're kind, loving people, but their tweets make me feel otherwise. MLP is one of the main things I turn to when I'm depressed, so when I see the voices of my favorite characters like compare all gun rights supporters to the Orlando shooter or basically call all supporters of a political party evil, it partially makes me feel like they've gone from Love, Tolerance and Acceptance to Divisiveness. Sometimes I worry that all of this will prevent me from seeing some of the show staff the same way anymore.
Have We Passed Our Peak & Turned Onto Dead End Boulevard?
Miles posted a topic in General Discussion
It is getting harder and harder to fully understand where I fall categorically in regards to politics, and other aspects as well. After watching this video I'm really at a loss for words, and at a loss for thoughts. Even bearing in mind no human is infallible beforehand, I've almost come to believe every human is bound to succumb to hypocrisy because there is no foreseeable way to exit the system, and no way to get along with others who won't allow themselves to fall farther from the apple tree than they need to.
My thoughts on Sam Ronan, a DNC chair candidate
Nerdy Luigi posted a blog entry in Concerned Liberal Blog (*Political*)
...Whom I bet you don't know about because the corrupt Democrats that are falling to corporate fascism don't like progressives, as we've seen. They ride on their coattails and then trash-talk them until there's no tomorrow because endorsing their beliefs would harm Wall Street... Oh poor Wall Street... How many wall street bankers have you seen in homeless shelters? Pretty sure the answer is zero. On Main Street? It's at least in the hundreds of thousands. Anyways. This man is a German immigrant that spent his childhood in Lancaster, Ohio. He is a veteran of the US Air Force. The average citizen other than the fact he's running to be the chair of the DNC. This helps my image of him, as he isn't like Hillary Clinton or Cory Booker (Barack Obama 2.0), who weren't humble to start with even. Just average Mc-Liberals (also known as Neo-Con Lite) who wouldn't know the people's interests if they heard the people yelling them in their ears to the point that they would go deaf. Or at least they've acted like it. If they know what REAL PEOPLE are interested in, it'd make me like them even less than I do... So yes, by appearance alone, he seems a man that is representative of the people. His platform is progressive, and all about the middle class. He's for Single Payer healthcare (as over half of the US is according to surveys conducted by Gallup), Regulating Wall Street (including POLITICAL powers that they have), Ending tax dodging, and opposing any (real, Hillary...) bigotry. As well, he's all for making the minimum wage actually tolerable (If you didn't know, it's $7.25 an hour. I must say, that's pretty freaking meager if you expect to be able to afford even a small apartment with the fact most have price tags around the range of $700 or so a month WITHOUT utilities...) which I can absolutely stand behind. Oh and he will STAUNCHLY OPPOSE TRUMP, instead of LETTING HIM DO WHATEVER HE WANTS, even voting FOR his nominees... Though he did at one time support a flat tax rate, but he's said too many times to count that he isn't for that anymore. We all develop politically over time, after all. Fun fact: I supported Mitt Romney in 2012 semi-vocally because I used to be conservative until I realized that conservatism is absolutely backwards soon after I said that. He also takes NO CORPORATE DONATIONS (if he did, I'd slam him as a hypocrite... What he'd be...). He only takes money from the people, the ones who SHOULD have the right to vote and decide elections. No donations by Goldman-Sachs (Steve Mnuchin would absolutely hate the platform anyways...). No funded speeches to assure Wall Street crooks that they're still above the law. Not today. As I said, he fights for the people. So, what do I think overall? Time will tell if he's an Elizabeth Warren (a little iffy, not really fighting too much. Though part of that is that she got censored by ) or a Bernie Sanders (An old man who's tired of the trashiness of our country and absolutely rips on Neo-Cons and Fake Liberals when he gets the chance). Though he seems the latter, I can't be sure yet. I don't know of him as well as I do those two, so...
Sam Ronan
Corporate Fascism
Steve Mnuchin
Neo-Conservatives
It's not about "Bear Necessities vs. Hakuna Matata." It's about "what economic system do you live under?"
I always get the question by other big disney fans, who always ask me "what is the better motto for life: Bear Necessities or Hakuna Matata?" I think people go at it the wrong way, because here is what i always answer: "it depends on what economic system your are living under. With communism, all you need is the bare necessities, because that's what you are getting from the goverment. But Hakuna Matata, you will always run into alot of hardship under capitalism, because you might not make alot of money, so it's like whatever, no worries." So yeah, that is that. Just looking too much into the messages of movies from my childhood again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5ceAruYrI
Where do you see yourself in American political terms?
pnylvr posted a topic in General Discussion
The user base on this forum seems to be further right than I originally expected, but I was curious how representative of the general base the comments I've seen are. Personally, I consider myself to be slightly left of the Democrats.
General Are you registered to vote in this election?
jackleapp81 posted a topic in General Discussion
With election day in America almost upon us, I'm curious as to how many people are actually going to be casting votes this year. Are you a registered voter? Are you too young to vote? Are you disillusioned about American politics in general and couldn't care less about who wins? Let us know in the comments below.
A Nail to the coffin to my Hillary Clinton rant
Captain Whirlwind posted a blog entry in Captain Whirlwind's Blog
Okay. The time has finally come to conclude my political opinion on Hillary Rodham Clinton. It's no surprise to see me go against Hillary and have my vote to Donald Trump. I myself am a standard Republican. Though that doesn't mean I will vote for a Republican candidate for anything every time. We all have our personal views on our Nation and can vote for whoever we want. AND THATS HOW I ALWAYS WANT POLITICS TO BE! It should always be policies vs policies and for me I believe Donald Trump has better policies than Hillary Clinton. But I have NO PROBLEM with anybody voting for Hillary because she has better policies. I mean I can't control your opinion. But the outcome of the DNC and Hillary Clinton at this stage is just wrong. It's a complete disgrace to our country. And WikiLeaks was right saying she has one face in public and another face in private. She cannot be trusted. She's insulted the Catholics calling their religion Bastartdized, insulted Trump supporters calling them deplorable, calling Bernie Sanders supporters "Basement Dwellers". I am completely surprised that nobody has asked this women who has commited crimes, corrupted our FBI, corrupted our Justice department, why hasn't anybody tell her to step down. It is unbelivable that this is happening with our country and makes me cry that the mainstream media is so evil to cover this up and not think it's a big deal. I love seeing our nation safe but I truly think our nation is at full risk of danger and corruption if Hillary is elected in office. But again your vote matters. Whoever you vote for regarding policies is important to see that America has a political view. I don't care who you vote for. But let me be honest here......If you vote for Hillary Clinton just because she is a women, you're dead to me.
News Trump Poll
Meanlucario posted a topic in General Discussion
My cousin suggested that I post this poll somewhere for fun, so here it is.
Political Jokes, Memes, etc.
\/ posted a topic in Forum Lounge
Since everyone's been freaked out with the whole political debates, Trump, and basically everything else, why not lighten things up with a collection of political memes and jokes and such? There's no reason for politics to be serious (except there is), right?
Being a candidate for the republican party, is actually very easy...
"Dr. Carson, how do you respond to the simple mathematics that prove that your tax plan was developed by marmosets?" "Liberal media!" "Senator Rubio, exactly how many loan sharks are looking for you down in Florida at the moment?" "Liberal media!" "Senator Cruz, where in the Constitution does it say we should have an air force?" "Liberal media!" "Ms. Fiorina, what's the capital of South Dakota?" "Liberal media!" "Governor Bush…ah, Jesus, man, can you wake the Buck up?" "Hmph, snort, ghack…liberal media!" You get the picture.
Presidential election discussions in a nutshell
Why do i always go into these threads? They just turn into fingerpointing and achieve nothing whatsoever.
mesme rize
Spoiler Chrysalis's actions are counter productive
Buck Testa posted a topic in FiM Show Discussion
So we've seen her lead her army against ponies on two occasions now, one in the canterlot wedding and two in the alternate timeline in the season finale. Her goal is to feed off the love of the ponies and sustain her hive, however her complete lack of empathy towards ponies has probably doomed her subjects, especially considering the glaring answer to all of her peoples problems. Equestria is a place saturated in love, and its rulers, especially its newest pretty purple princess, has a perchance for forgiving enemies any other ruler would have imprisoned or worse. Its a virtual smorgasbord, and All Chrysalis would have to do to give her subjects a comfortable living is one simple thing Form an alliance with Twilight Sparkle There is nothing in the lore as of yet that says the changelings feeding on love necessarily causes harm to other ponies, in fact they seem to just need to be around them to feed. Yet their attacks on ponies only cause them to panic, and keeping them in dungeons like in the alternate timeline would just cause the ponies wealth of love to diminish, thus wasting all those valuable resources for the changelings in the process. Making an alliance with Princess Twilight would not only give her hive everything they could ever need, Chrysalis would gain a crap ton of power out of this deal, as the power she derived from just a couple ponies was enough to make her surpass an alicorn like Celestia. She wouldn't even need to be friends with Twilight per say, political alliances rarely need more than civil interaction and adhering to their mutual deal. Chrysalis needs to get over herself and wise up to this opportunity, its a power move that would place her in a very prominent position in equestria, not just some roaming starving hive of menacing changelings. We already have at least one Changeling who has figured this out if the hundredth episode is any indication.
queen chrysalis
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Magno is on a Mission!
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 12:00 AM
In simpler times, schoolchildren who failed to do their homework would make the excuse, “My dog ate it.” But what if the dog has the homework?
Teachers training companion animals for the visually impaired don’t typically send their canine students home with assignments, but that doesn’t mean the work they do is any less important than classwork in other educational environments. In fact, it’s arguably more vital, given that these dogs need to be prepared to help their owners navigate the world.
One such dog is Magno, the 11-month-old German Shepherd guide-dog-in-training Eschenbach Optik of America is sponsoring in partnership with the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Eschenbach, the leading manufacturer of magnification and vision enhancing products for the visually impaired, made a financial contribution to Fidelco Guide Dogs last year to help raise and train Magno who has been in Puppy Training Class for months now. And, by the time he celebrates his first birthday at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas this September, he’ll nearly be ready for the most intensive part of his “education.”
“We’re getting to a really exciting part of the process in Magno’s development,” explains Ken Bradley, Eschenbach’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Within a few months of his trip to Las Vegas, he’ll be entering into full-time training. It’s almost like he’ll be going off to college.”
Bradley has no doubt Magno will be ready. The Eschenbach sponsored pup has already had a busy year. He earned his “red jacket”—the red vest that guide dogs in training wear to alert others that they are “training”—and can be in public areas that other animals typically cannot. According to Bradley, the sponsored guide dog also began regular classes at the Fidelco Guide Dogs Training Center in Bloomfield, Conn. In addition to learning basic commands, the dogs in these classes also pick up vital “socialization” experience, taking direction from handlers, getting used to being around other dogs and people and becoming acclimated to being handled for grooming and veterinary exams.
Part of this socialization process involves gradually separating Magno from his Volunteer Puppy Raiser (VPR), a family in Connecticut, so that he will be ready to handle full-time, 24/7 training at Fidelco. He had his first overnight stay in the Fidelco Guide Dog’s kennel in the spring where he stayed over for three consecutive nights. This process helps guide dogs in training familiarize themselves with the kennel to minimize the stress they may feel when leaving their VPR. Soon, he will also be attending more indoor and outdoor activities in large, crowded and noisy settings to increase his comfort in all types of situations.
“He’s already been going everywhere the VPR goes including restaurants, stores, malls--every environment people encounter on a day-to-day basis because that’s what he’ll be doing when he’s eventually placed with a visually impaired client next year,” Bradley says.
In a way, Magno’s trip to Vegas will also be part of his training process. He’ll be in the passenger area of the plane with his VPR and a member of the Fidelco Guide Dog team, and he’ll have to demonstrate that he can handle that situation and behave appropriately, Bradley notes. Once he’s at Vision Expo West, though, it’ll be all about fun for Magno and those who come to see him at the Eschenbach booth (No. MS11031) because the company plans on hosting a birthday party for the pup.
“When Magno came to Vision Expo East in March, we had people getting down on the floor with him to take selfies,” Bradley recalls. “It was magical, and it highlights the personal connection everyone has with dogs. For some people with vision loss magnification may not be enough to help them meet their needs. That’s where a guide dog like Magno can be so valuable in expanding their independence and improving their quality of life.”
You can follow Magno’s extraordinary journey and learn more about the Eschenbach Partner Project online at www.eschenbach.com/partner_project.asp.
ClearVision, With Aspire and Revo, Announces Joint Sponsorship of Miles of Portraits: India Cycling Campaign
Providing Vision Care to Change the Lives of People Near and Far
Optical Companies See Benefits of Working to ‘Protect the Planet’
MORE ON: EYECARE
CooperVision Announces ‘Brilliant Futures Myopia Management Program' in Advance of U.S. Launch of MiSight 1 Day Contact Lenses
Allergan Teams Up With Von Miller to Raise Awareness of Glaucoma's Impact on Daily Living
Transitions Optical Releases White Paper Documenting Light Sensitivity
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Category: Family Issues
Lowest Recommended Age: 4th - 6th Grade
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for thematic elements and brief smoking
Profanity: None
Alcohol/ Drugs: Social drinking, brief smoking
Violence/ Scariness: Very sad death, references to other deaths including death of a baby
Diversity Issues: A theme of the movie
Date Released to Theaters: December 25, 2019
Copyright 2019 Sony Pictures
You need to know where I’m coming from on this one. There is no book more central to my life than Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. My mother, Josephine Baskin Minow, has been Jo since she first read Little Women when she was a child, And now our children call her Marmee. I loved it so much that I read all the other Alcott books on the library shelf (I especially recommend Eight Cousins and An Old Fashioned Girl). Little Women has been central to the lives of young women for more than 150 years, inspired by its heroine, who was inspired by Alcott herself. Jo March is fiercely loyal, impetuous, impatient, and a writer, both eager and reluctant to find her own voice. Authors who name the book as a major influence range from Cynthia Ozick, Simone de Beauvoir, Doris Lessing, Margaret Atwood, Jane Smiley, Anne Tyler, Jhumpa Lahiri, Ursula Le Guin and Nora Ephron to “Twilight”‘s Stephenie Meyer.
Alcott’s semi-autobiographical story of four sisters has been adapted many times, including a Broadway musical, a 48-chapter Japanese anime series, an opera, and films starring Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Winona Ryder. The most recent BBC version (of four) was shown in the United States on PBS. One of two major adaptations last year was a modern-day retelling with a quartet of appealing young actresses, adapted with skill and understanding by writer/director Clare Niederpruem.
So, my standards and expectations could not have been higher and it is my very great pleasure to tell you that this new film from writer/director Greta Gerwig exceeded them all. Writer/director Greta Gerwig not only loves and understands the book, she also appreciates that in 2019 we are only beginning to catch up to Alcott’s vision of what is possible for young women and for all of us. Those who do not know Alcott’s work or have only seen the early versions may think that Gerwig has “modernized” the story. But every part of it comes from Alcott (some from other writings) and every part of it is entirely consistent with her fierce, independent, and devoted spirit and rebellious energy. And Saoirse Ronan is the best Jo March yet, her long-limbed coltishness not so much “boyish” as vitally engaged in a world that cannot always keep up with her.
The book was originally written in two parts, but the second volume (called Good Wives) has been a part of what we know as Little Women for more than a century. Gerwig begins the story in the middle of the second book as the now-adult Jo (a teenager in the first volume) meets with a newspaper publisher (a charmingly crusty and wry performance from playwright Tracy Letts, last seen as Henry Ford II in “Ford v. Ferrari”). In case we are not as quick as he is to see through her claim to be bringing stories written by a “friend,” Gerwig lets us see the ink that still stains her fingers. When her story is accepted (with the moralizing parts cut out), she exuberantly races home.
Then, as we will throughout the film, we go back and forth between the two parts of the story, indicated by different color pallattes, the warmer hues for the earlier years, when the girls were all at home and their father (Bob Odenkirk) was a Union volunteer in the Civil War. There were struggles and growing pains, but there was also a sense of purpose and possibility that is not as clear in the cooler-hued older years, when Jo is in New York living in a boarding house, and Amy (Florence Pugh) is touring Europe and studying art. Pugh may be too old for Amy in the early scenes, but she and Gerwig give Amy far more depth than any previous portrayal (perhaps including Alcott’s). Emma Watson is lovely as oldest sister Meg (obligatory complaint about what was left out of this version — the scenes of Meg coming to John’s defense when Aunt March attacks him and the scene of her showing off her “new dress” to him). Gerwig’s script softens the professor’s critique of Jo’s more lurid stories-for-hire and his involvement in getting the book-within-a-book published, but the scene of his telling her that the melodramatic stories she is writing for money are not good is still an important turning point.
Laura Dern plays Marmee, a woman of character, courage, and intention. The private moment she takes in the foyer of the house to make sure she can greet her daughters with good cheer on Christmas morning after caring for the impoverished Hummels is a small master class of acting. When Marmee tells Jo that she still struggles with anger every day, we see where Jo got her inner fire and how inner fire can become the foundation for determination and principle.
And then there is Timothée Chalamet as Laurie, the sensitive boy whose temperament is protected from becoming headstrong and careless by the example of the March family, their attitude toward work and also their attitude toward fun. Like Laurie to Jo, Chalamet is a perfect match for his “Lady Bird” co-star Ronan, and we could happily watch a whole movie of them putting on plays, attending riotous meetings of the Pickwick Society, and skating on the pond.
It is still one of the all-time great coming-of-age stories of a family and an artist finding her voice. By putting making the early year portion of the film flashbacks that comment on, provide context for, and deepen the “present-day” storylines, Gerwig makes us ready for a perfect ending that brings Alcott, her fictional avatar, and the story of all of us who have tried to tell our stories together.
Parents should know that this film includes a sad death and reference to other deaths including the death of a baby, family stress and conflict, and brief smoking and drinking.
Family discussion: Which sister is most like you? Was the publisher right about the ending to the story? Why do so many women, especially writers, say that this story was their most important inspiration?
If you like this, try: the book by Louisa May Alcott and the other movie and miniseries versions of this story
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B +
Lowest Recommended Age: High School
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material
Profanity: Some strong language
Alcohol/ Drugs: Drinking and drug use
Violence/ Scariness: Murder mystery with graphic and disturbing images
Date Released to Theaters: November 26, 2019
Copyright 2019 Lionsgate
You know those murder mysteries where a big rich family all gathers in a big gothic house and someone gets killed and everyone has a motive and we get a bunch of red herrings (often the initial suspect is the second murder victim) and then the detective gathers everyone in the drawing room at the end to lay out all of the possible scenarios and then point dramatically at the surprise perpetrator? Those mysteries are sometimes called “cozies.” “Knives Out” is both a loving tribute and a cheeky meta-take on this genre from writer/director Rian Johnson and an all-star cast clearly having the time of their lives. It is deliciously nasty, seasoned with some political jibes, a ton of fun and anything but cozy.
It takes place in a magnificently gothic mansion correctly described by a character as something out of a Clue game. The owner is wealthy mystery author Harlan Thromby (Christopher Plummer), his name a likely nod to the classic Choose-Your-Own-Adventure story. “Knives Out” is literal — there is a huge “Game of Thrones”-style ceremonial seat decorated with daggers — and metaphoric, as a family of unpleasant heirs needle each other as they strive for the patriarch’s favor, meaning his money.
Just after the family has gathered to celebrate his 85th birthday party, Thromby is found dead, his throat cut, an apparent suicide. The suspects are: his daughter Linda (Jamie Leigh Curtis), her husband Richard (Don Johnson), their son Ransom (Chris Evans), Thromby’s son Walt (Michael Shannon), who runs Thromby’s publishing company, Thromby’s daughter-in-law Joni (Toni Collette), the widow of his late son and the proprietor of a pretentious “wellness” company, Thromby’s nurse Marta (Ana de Armas), the daughter of an undocumented immigrant. Other possible suspects include Harlan’s dotty mother Greatnana (K Callan), Walt’s wife Donna (Riki Lindhome), their alt-right teenage son Jacob (Jaeden Martell), Joni’s college-student daughter Meg (Katharine Langford of “13 Reasons Why”), and Fran the housekeeper (Edi Patterson). Thromby’s son, daughter, and daughter-in-law think of themselves as successful entrepreneurs but in reality they are subsidized by Thromby, who has no illusions about their business acumen or their expressions of affection.
A cop (Lakeith Stanfield) accompanied by a state trooper (Noah Segan) starts asking questions. And then one of the suspects asks a question: Who is the man who has been silently sitting in the back, listening to everything that is going on? It is legendary “last of the gentleman sleuths” private Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), whose ridiculous name is matched by his honey-dripping Southern drawl, compared by one character to the cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn (a caricatured rooster inspired by the caricatured Senator Claghorn on the old Fred Allen radio show). The first mystery is that he does not know who hired him to be there. He just received an envelope with cash inside.
We get a chance to see some illuminating flashbacks that let us in on some of what has happened before the detectives or the family know. And we get to know them better, especially Marta, repeatedly referred to patronizingly by the family as “one of the family” but no one can seem to remember which Spanish-speaking country she and her family come from. Marta is of special value to Blanc because she is a human lie detector, at least about her own truthfulness. If she does not tell the truth, she involuntarily projectile vomits. (Really.) She has a few secrets that she is desperate to conceal, especially after a motive is revealed. Characters make and break alliances as it seems no one can be trusted, and what is revealed just shows us how much more we don’t know. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the end and the unexpected barbs of satire make this as delicious as the fictional Thromby’s best-sellers.
Parents should know that this is a murder mystery with some grisly and graphic images, some strong language, family conflicts, drinking and drugs.
Family discussion: Which character did you suspect and why? Why did Thromby make that decision about his fortune?
If you like this, try: the original “Murder on the Orient Express,” “And Then There Were None,” and Rian Johnson’s other genre-bending films “Looper” and “Brick”
Family Issues movie review Movies Movies Mystery Thriller
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Lowest Recommended Age: Middle School
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for some strong thematic material, a brief fight, and some mild language
Profanity: Some mild language
Alcohol/ Drugs: References to substance abuse, drinking and drunkenness
Violence/ Scariness: Scuffles, punch, illness, sad death of a parent
Diversity Issues: None
Copyright TriStar Pictures 2019
The documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor is about Fred Rogers, the creator and star of the long-running PBS series Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” with Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, is about us. It is the very essence of heart-warming and inspiring. Anyone who watches it will be moved — and is almost guaranteed to be a kinder, happier, more open-hearted person at the end of the film. Rogers liked to ask people to think for a minute, a real sixty-second minute, about those who “loved us into being.” “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” asks us that question, literally and in a deeply soul-searching way. And if we are honest, one of the people who comes to our minds will be Fred Rogers himself.
So, Rogers is not the story here. Instead, it is about the impact he had on one troubled adult, and what that means about and for each of us.
Based on the true story of journalist Tom Junod, who interviewed Rogers for a 1998 profile in Esquire, this film, by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster and directed by Marielle Heller (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “The Diary of a Teenage Girl”), is about how the experience of interviewing, or, rather, attempting to interview Fred Rogers was transformational in the life of the reporter (here called Lloyd and played by Matthew Rhys).
Lloyd is a new father struggling with unresolved feelings of abandonment and anger at his own father (Chris Cooper). He is a hard-hitting, skeptical, investigative journalist, not accustomed to or comfortable with assignments to write fluffy features about the hosts of television shows for children. He is assigned to write about Mr. Rogers for the “heroes” issue of Esquire. But he is not someone who takes easily to the idea of heroes. Is his inclination to expose what prominent or influential people want to hide based in part on the father who let him down? Perhaps. But is that the right approach to Mr. Rogers? “Don’t ruin my childhood,” his wife warns. And when he asks Mr. Rogers about how he differs from the character he plays on television, the gentle clergyman-turned-unlikely-television-star genuinely does not understand the question. He cannot be anything other than what he is.
More important, he has a “compulsive intimacy” that prompted him to ask questions far more insightful and meaningful than the ones Lloyd was asking him to answer for the article.
Director Marielle Heller and screenwriters Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster bring a lovely delicacy and an almost fairy tale quality to the story. At times it seems we are watching an episode of the series and then we see that the “real world” and the world of the show blend together — both the “real” home where Mr. Rogers changes into his cardigan and sneakers and feeds the fish and the “imaginary” world of the kingdom of Make Believe. Just as all of the characters on the show represent parts of Fred Rogers’ personality, the heart of the movie is integrating all of its worlds and emotions.
A story relies on some kind of change experienced by the main character. He or she has to lose something or learn something or complete something. Mr. Rogers was already so evolved that trying to make him the main character of a feature film would not have worked. So wisely the story here is about the effect Mr. Rogers had on one troubled soul, helping him to lose something, to learn something, and to complete something. And in doing so, it helps us locate some of the compulsive intimacy that makes Mr. Rogers’ viewers into friends who feel accepted, understood, and very lucky to be in his neighborhood.
NOTE: Look carefully at the other customers in the scene set in a Chinese restaurant, when Mr. Rogers and Lloyd are eating together. They are the real-life friends and family of Mr. Rogers, including his wife Joanne (played by Maryann Plunkett in the film) and his producer Bill Isler (played by Enrico Colantoni).
Parents should know that this movie includes frank depiction of family dysfunction with an adult son still resentful and angry about his father’s abandonment, drinking and drunkenness, a scuffle, terminal illness, and some mild language.
Family discussion: How would you answer Mr. Rogers’ questions? What did Lloyd learn from him?
If you like this, try; the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and the episodes of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” and my interview with the journalist whose article inspired the film and the men who wrote the screenplay.
Based on a true story Drama Family Issues movie review Movies Movies
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Posted on November 7, 2019 at 5:46 pm
Lowest Recommended Age: Kindergarten - 3rd Grade
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for rude humor, some suggestive material and mild peril
Alcohol/ Drugs: Schoolyard language
Violence/ Scariness: Extended mayhem and action-style peril, no one hurt
Diversity Issues: Why is only the male child considered a potential smoke-jumper?
Date Released to Theaters: November 8, 2019
Copyright 2019 Paramount
I would not have thought it possible for one short film to have so many poop jokes and so many opportunities for the leading character to take his shirt off. Take that, people who say Hollywood never teaches us anything!
Was anyone really waiting for another version of “Mr. Nanny” (7% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes). I didn’t think so. And yet, here we are, with another WWE star playing off his ultra-alpha-male vibe with a cuddly comedy about how a super-macho guy finds his tender side by bonding with adorable children. Not a bad idea. If only they had a better script.
John Cena is a gifted comic actor, as we saw in “Trainwreck” and “Blockers.” So it is near-criminal to put him in a movie like this and give him nothing to do but glower, do silly dances, take his shirt off, and jut that lantern jaw. But that isn’t enough. It also under-uses the immensely talented cast, including Keegan-Michael Key as the loyal second in command, Judy Greer as a nearby scientist who has been on two and a half dates with Jake, John Leguizamo as a smokejumper who cooks everything with spam and makes up weirdly inapposite quotes, and Dennis Haysbert as a commanding officer). Brianna Hildebrand as the oldest of the rescued kids has been given a character with less range than she has in the “Deadpool” movies as angsty adolescent Negasonic Teenage Warhead.
Cena plays Jake Carson, who leads a group of smokejumpers, specialized wildland firefighters, who parachute into remote and rugged terrain. (See “Only the Brave,” based on a tragic true story for a more serious look.) He literally grew up in the smokejumpers’ remote outpost because his mother died and his father was the supervisor. It is all he has ever known and all he has ever let himself care about. And now he has a chance at his dream job, overseeing the entire region. The current holder of that position, Commander Richards (Haysbert) has encouraged him to apply and has scheduled an inspection visit.
But Jake’s resolutely immaculate operation has been thrown into chaos. Half of his group has just defected to a more high-profile team. Jake has just rescued a teenager and her two young siblings and he can only release them to a parent or authorized guardian. And gosh darn it, those little nippers are always getting up to something, whether filling the garage with bubbles, or filling a diaper with, well, you know. Merry mayhem, followed by hugs. Did I mention that Jake says he never cried? And so he Googles “Is it bad if you’ve never cried?” This is not a movie that is going to let even the most inattentive audience member miss what it is telling us. Key’s helpless responses to the teenager’s “Or what?”) smothered by clunky slapstick and lazy characterizations — the little girl has tea parties; all the smokejumpers are men and only the little boy is a potential fire fighter. Even at 90 minutes, it drags, the few bright spots (some silly dances, Greer talking to the toads she has provided with a tiny lawn chair, the My Little Pony references until they over-do and then over-over-do it,
Parents should know that this is an action comedy with peril and action-style violence that may be too intense for younger children. There are references to the sad deaths of parents and the failures of the foster care system. Characters use schoolyard language and there is extended potty humor.
Family discussion: Why couldn’t Supe answer the question on the application? What is the toughest part about trying to balance work and family? Do you ever use sarcasm?
If you like this, try: “The Game Plan”
Comedy Family Issues movie review Movies Movies Scene After the Credits
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Lowest Recommended Age: Mature High Schooler
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, violence, and language
Profanity: Strong and offensive language including anti-Semitic insults
Alcohol/ Drugs: Alcohol
Violence/ Scariness: Intense and disturbing peril and violence including a child injured in an explosion, wartime violence, bombs. guns, tragic deaths
Date Released to Theaters: October 25, 2019
Copyright Fox Searchlight 2019
The first thing you need to know is that writer/director Taika Waititi does not play HItler in “JoJo Rabbit,” and it does not portray the real Adolf Hitler as a comic figure. Waititi plays a child’s imaginary version of Hitler. He has more in common with Chris O’Dowd’s imaginary friend character in his very funny and endearing Moone Boy. In both, the adult male figure is a child’s idea of what a man is, or what he would like to be when he grows up. In the case of Jojo Rabbit, the nickname for the 10-year-old Austrian boy at the center of the film, he is especially in need of a role model because of the uncertainty in his own life and the upheavals that are all around him. So it makes sense that he would respond by clinging to something that seems strong and structured and certain. And that is why when we first see him, he is looking in the mirror to admire himself in his Hitler Youth uniform, very excited to learn all about becoming an active member of the Nazi party. His imaginary friend represents what he would like to be, but JoJo is a child, so to us, his version of Hitler is ten-year-old’s fantasy. Which means he is very silly.
I tell you all this because for the first half hour or so of “JoJo Rabbit” you might think you’re watching some sort of “Springtime for Hitler,” from “The Producers.” But it turns out that while “JoJo Rabbit” does portray the Nazis in a heightened, satiric, silly manner, this is not an insensitive or superficial film. But by the end, it wants to pack a wallop, as it should, and it does.
JoJo (Roman Griffin Davis, in a knockout of a performance) lives with his mother, Rosie (a career-best Scarlett Johansson, warm and witty). His father is off in the war but has not been heard from for a long while. JoJo and his best friend Yorki (Archie Yates) go off to Hitler Youth camp, led by Captain Klenzendorf (Sam Rockwell), assisted by Fraulein Rahm (Rebel Wilson). The other boys laugh at him when he cannot bring himself to kill a rabbit (prompting his derisive nickname), and so to prove his courage, urged on by the imaginary Hitler, he takes a risk that leads to his being injured in an explosion, leaving scars on his face. He cannot return to school, so Rosie takes him to the Hitler Youth office and insists that Klenzdorf give him a job.
And then something happens that turns JoJo’s ideas about strength, courage, and power upside down. His ideas about Jews, too, though that takes a while. Waititi handles the tonal shift with great skill, and by the end of the film, the heightened tone blends seamlessly with the surreal absurdity of war, making the conclusion as meaningful to us as it is to the characters.
Parents should know that this movie is set in the last months of WWII and has wartime violence including guns and bombs, portrayal of virulent and systemic anti-Semitism. A child is injured in an explosion and a parent is murdered. Characters use strong language, drink alcohol, and smoke.
Family discussion: Why did JoJo imagine Hitler as an imaginary friend? What made him change his mind about Elsa? Why didn’t Elsa tell him what she knew about the letters?
If you like this, try: Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows from the same writer/director. You may also enjoy satiric takes on war like “Oh, What a Lovely War,” “M*A*S*H,” and “King of Hearts.”
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A Kid in King Arthur's Court
To 14-year-old little leaguer Calvin Fuller, life is like one big strikeout when he lets his team down. Then an earthquake sends him through a magical time rift, and he finds himself in King Arthur's court. But all is not well with the realm. An aged King Arthur is in danger of losing control to the evil Lord Belasco, and now it's up to Calvin to save the kingdom. But before he can find a way to vanquish Belasco, he must first find a way to conquer his own fears.
Sound: Dolby Digital Surround Sound
A Kid in King Arthur's Court Trailer
Medieval myth and modern mirth lands a 14-year-old boy in King Arthur's court, where he must conquer his own fears to save the kingdom.
15-year-old Travis tries to shoo a frisky lop-eared stray away, but Old Yeller protects the family farm and even saves Travis' life.
Through an ancient spell, a boy changes into a sheepdog and the spell can only be broken by an act of bravery in this hysterical tale.
The aunt of a sunshine-spreading orphan realizes the power of love and lightheartedness after almost losing her niece.
Patti Randall's faithful tomcat D.C. (aka "Darn Cat") brings home an important clue to a mysterious kidnapping.
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Explanation of the math in Black Mirror episode: Hang the DJ?
In Black Mirror S04 E04 named Hang the DJ, How did the real-life app particularly choose two specific persons to run 1000 simulations for them? Does the app run 1000 simulations for every two possible match? If we assume the app has 1 million members, then it roughly must run 5*10^14 simulations!
Plus, we see many other couples with different numbers over their heads. I couldn't identify if they're Amy and Frank, or other couples.
plot-explanation black-mirror
Ankit Sharma
AsmaniAsmani
Why do you find it hard to believe it can run billions of simulations quickly, yet you don’t seem to have a problem with it being a perfect simulation of multiple human beings, their DNA, etc? – DisgruntledGoat Jan 8 '18 at 14:57
Firstly, yes, they're all Amy and Frank - each is one of the simulated couples who climbed the wall.
The couple we are focused on is simulation 998, which matches the number of rebellions logged...
We have to assume that this is couple 1000 & that the two simulations who did not rebel are somehow still inside the simulation. Their fate is not mentioned, AFAIK. Presumably once the final results are in, all the simulations are terminated & the occupants are never aware. We do see all the rebellious couples 'dissolving'.
As regards the math, or processing power needed to perform these simulations, you always need to be aware that Black Mirror never concerns itself with the science behind the technology. It simply asks you to believe that at this point in time, technology is sufficiently advanced to be able to achieve it.
How is rarely important to the plot.
The show is more usually concerned with the human implications of the technology - how we interact with it, what it makes us do to ourselves and each other as a result of it.
If we assume the app uses proximity of signed-up members to generate 'quick' matches, then either it tested everybody in the bar, very rapidly, or only Amy and Frank were signed up. It really isn't important which, merely that the results echoed the claim from the beginning of the simulation that the chances of eventually making the correct match are 99.8%.
The final scene IMHO just gives some "aww" factor, when we see that in real life Amy and Frank are about to meet for the first time... And we, the audience, are pretty certain they will 'live happily ever after' - which in itself is quite rare for Black Mirror.
Thank you for your amazing answer! I'm still confused about the timeline. We see many Amy & Frank couples with each a number on their heads and they are present simultaneously. Does it mean the 1000 simulations happen simultaneously? – Asmani Jan 7 '18 at 18:24
Very probably, though we're not actually given that information. presumably they end at slightly different times [years == milliseconds] so they don't all arrive in the 'game end' room at precisely the same time.. or more likely that's just a plot device so we the audience see the 'last arrivals', our couple - otherwise there would be difficulty explaining how the 2 'fails' have been qualified as 'not rebelling' if they could potentially live another 10 years before they did rebel. A little suspension of disbelief goes a long way ;) – Tetsujin Jan 7 '18 at 18:42
Wait, there are happy endings in Black Mirror? I only ever watched the first two episodes and could never bring myself to go back for more because of how horrifyingly nihilistic they were. – ViggyNash Jan 9 '18 at 4:05
In regards to the "math" of running simulations I do think there is at least a subtle nod towards the amount of processing power required. While running perfect simulations would require a huge amount of processing power, you can significantly reduce it by only rendering the "observable" (to the subjects) portion of the sim at any one time. You can also take shortcuts in the calculations. Amy notices this when skipping stones on the lake, she never gets more or less than 4 bounces. suggesting the "skipping stones" physics are pre-calculated :) – ptr Jan 9 '18 at 12:21
@Tetsujin: therwise there would be difficulty explaining how the 2 'fails' have been qualified as 'not rebelling' if they could potentially live another 10 years before they did rebel It seems a fair assumption that the "no rebellion" cutoff happens when either Frank or Amy decides to go with their appointed soulmate (or escape with someone completely different, I guess...), which means the simulation can be marked as failed when the date of the "true soulmate reveal" has passed. It makes sense, Frank and Amy match when they even refuse to accept what a perfect algorithm tells them. – Flater Sep 19 '18 at 10:41
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Freddie Flintoff brands Top Gear role his second dream job: ‘I can’t wait to get cracking’
Rishma DosaniThursday 1 Nov 2018 9:09 pm
Freddie Flintoff opened up about his Top Gear role (Picture: PA)
Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness were recently confirmed as the new Top Gear hosts, after Matt Le Blanc and Chris Evans left the show.
And, while the cricket legend revealed a job hosting the car show was a ‘dream come true’, he admitted he was shocked at being given the opportunity.
During an appearance on Nick Grimshaw’s BBC Radio 1 drivetime show, the 40-year-old explained: ‘I thought my dream job was to play cricket. And then to get another go at a dream job.
Freddie, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris’ new Top Gear will be aired in 2019 (Picture: PA)
‘Top Gear is one of those shows that you’d love to do. I still can’t get my head around it.
‘I can’t wait to get cracking. I rate myself as a driver but I think everybody does.’
Freddie, real name Andrew Flintoff, will start filming the show with the Take Me Out favourite – and Chris Harris – at the beginning of 2019.
Speaking about the new opportunity, Paddy explained: ‘Getting the Top Gear gig is a real honour and I’m thrilled the BBC have given me this opportunity.
‘To be hosting a show I’ve watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting.’
Olly Murs wants to go back on Top Gear (Picture: PA)
We honestly cannot wait.
And another person who is excited for the pair to get behind the wheel is Olly Murs, who is close with both Freddie and Paddy.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, the Troublemaker singer revealed he could make a return to the show now they’re on it.
‘I’m delighted! I text Paddy, wished him congratulations,’ he told us. ‘[I said] “You do realise I was the Top Gear Star In A Reasonably Priced Car champion of 2014 and you need to get me back on the show 100%.” Bit of banter.’
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When asked if he’d love to present the show alongside his pals, he added: ‘I don’t know about that. I do like my cars, but I’ll leave that to Paddy and Freddie.
‘I’d love to go on the show because they’re my mates and it would be giggles.’
‘They’re down to Earth guys and really humble, they know their stuff and I think they’ll be brilliant on the show. You’ll get lots of banter as well, lots of realness.’
Petition to get Olly back on Top Gear ASAP.
MORE: Paddy McGuinness gets in the driving seat as he is announced as new Top Gear host
MORE: Top Gear fans beg BBC to ‘let it die’ after shock Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff host announcement
Freddie FlintoffPaddy McGuinnessTop Gear
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Lady Gaga fans realise she starred in The Sopranos when she was 15 and are having a meltdown: ‘I’m sorry, what?’
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Nigel Farage can’t just shout ‘Brexit betrayal’ and expect to be taken seriously
Caroline LucasFormer co-leader of the Green PartyWednesday 15 May 2019 8:00 am
‘Farage needs to have something to say about our country. And, at the moment, I’m not hearing it’ (Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty)
This month’s European election is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and important for years, especially as it wasn’t even supposed to happen in Britain.
A party that didn’t exist two months ago is leading most of the opinion polls.
Nigel Farage’s Brexit party – and it is very much his party – is storming ahead and making a lot of noise. He expects to be taken seriously and given his poll ratings, he should be.
But if he wants to be a serious politician, he needs to do more than shout ‘Brexit betrayal’ at rallies around the UK.
Farage needs to have something to say about our country. And, at the moment, I’m not hearing it.
When he appeared on The Andrew Marr Show on the BBC last Sunday (12 May), Marr tried to ask Farage where he stood on some of the most important issues facing us in Britain, such as climate change and the NHS.
His response? An explosion of rage about how the BBC wasn’t paying him enough attention.
Brexit aside, Farage has nothing positive to say about issues that the British people care most about: the NHS, the economy, crime and the environment (he once claimed climate change is a ‘scam’).
He wants power, but is not prepared to tell people what he would do if he ever got it, probably because he knows that many of his expressed views – like questioning the science on climate change or calling on private health care insurers to ‘take the burden off the NHS’ – would make him unelectable.
He has no vision for the future, nor a plan for how to get there – barring his one policy of leaving the EU.
We’ve seen what happens when politicians win a vote with no plan for how to deliver what they have campaigned for, and it doesn’t end well. It won’t end well if Nigel Farage gets what he wants either.
The biggest challenge facing us all is the climate crisis and the threat to biodiversity. This needs a collective effort across Europe and the rest of the world.
Brexit is a threat to people’s jobs and would be a disaster for the NHS and other public services – some of the very issues which drove people to vote leave after years of being told by the Conservatives that the EU was to blame for the UK’s problems.
Britain is already the most unequal country in Europe, with the level of inequality becoming so extreme that it risks hollowing out the middle ground of politics, threatening our democracy and creating a fertile climate for populists with easy answers to complex questions. Populists like Farage.
But it’s not just local and national issues. The biggest challenge facing us all is the climate crisis and the threat to biodiversity. This needs a collective effort across Europe and the rest of the world.
A strong group of Green MEPs will keep that at the top of the European agenda.
Our political party system is being ripped apart by the bitterness and division over Brexit with both Labour and the Conservatives seeing deep rifts opening up both among their own MPs and in their memberships.
Neither party has a clear message on what Britain’s future relationship with Europe should be.
That’s why the Green Party has seen a new surge, with its best ever local election results earlier this month. Many younger voters especially have come from Labour, and feel betrayed by its stance on Europe.
We are already the biggest UK pro-Remain party in the European Parliament, with three times as many MEPs as the Lib Dems.
Jean Lambert, Molly Scott Cato and Keith Taylor have been brilliant MEPs, standing up for refugees, campaigning for action on tax dodging and demanding a strong response to the climate crisis.
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Because the European elections are conducted using a form of proportional representation, people are free to vote for what they believe in – and every single vote counts. There is nothing to gain from tactical voting.
We don’t yet know whether Britain’s new MEPs will even have a chance to take their seats because of the Government’s chaotic handling of Brexit.
But one thing is certain.
If you want a future inside the EU and a party that will challenge inequality and stand up to the far-right, demands urgent action on the climate crisis and fights for a sustainable future, there is only one party to vote for next Thursday – the Greens.
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Inside disgusting rat-infested flat where wife let husband rot to death
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Thailand court hands Dawood aide to Pak
By Somendranath SharmaSomendranath Sharma, Mumbai Mirror | Updated: Oct 2, 2019, 06:00 IST
Indian authorities were seeking extradition of Munna Jhingada who is wanted in several crimes, including murder and extortion.
In a major setback to the Indian government, the Thai court hearing the extradition case of Dawood aide Mudassar Hussain Sayyed, alias Munna Jhingada, has ruled in favour of Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan had claimed custody of Jhingada, stating that he was their citizen. Jhingada had recently declined to give his tissue samples for DNA testing. Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch had submitted the tissue samples of his parents, who live in Jogeshwari, in Thai court. Thailand does not permit drawing DNA samples without consent.
Last year a lower court gave India custody of Jhingada, but the gangster appealed the ruling, and the higher court overturned the verdict recently, confirmed a senior government official.
“One of the charge-sheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation against Dawood’s rival Chhota Rajan, which mentions Jhingada, was provided to the Thai authorities. We also provided to the Bangkok court Jhingada’s leaving certificate from Ismail Yusuf College in Jogeshwari and his family’s residential address,” another official said In July 2014 the Crime Branch also provided the translated copies of the FIRs registered against Jhingada in Mumbai along with his fingerprints.
“Pakistan was wary of Jhingada landing in India’s hands as he has crucial information about Dawood Ibrahim gang. Pakistan submitted a forged marriage certificate to mislead the court, stating that Jhingada was one of its citizens, called Mohammad Saleem. After that, they came out with another false testimony about the death of Zingada’s father in Pakistan,” the official said.
Jhingada was arrested by the Thai police in 2000 after a failed assassination bid on Chhota Rajan in September that year. He was hired by Chhota Shakeel, the right-hand man of Dawood, to carry out the hit. Thai police found a Pakistani passport on him, indentifying him as Mohammad Saleem. A Bangkok court sentenced Jhingada to 11 years’ imprisonment for the attack. He served the term and came out of jail in 2011. India claimed his custody in 2012, but it was contested by Pakistan, on the grounds that he was a Pakistani citizen.
Jhingada is wanted in Mumbai for dozens of crimes, including murder and extortion.
Who is Munna Jhingada?
Munna Jhingada, a resident of Jogeshwari (East), first entered the crime world after stabbing to death a college student in 1990. He soon rose to the rank of a shooter for Dawood’s close aide, Chhota Shakeel. Jhingada was arrested in 1997 from Santacruz in an illegal arms possession case and came out on bail in 1999. He then flew to Pakistan and was later tasked with killing Chhota Rajan in Bangkok. On September 4, 2001, Jhingada entered Bangkok and 10 days later, he shot Rajan. While Rajan survived the attack, his right-hand man Rohit Verma was killed. Police sources say Jhingada is still an important member of Dawood’s gang.
Ejaz Lakdawala reveals Dawood Ibrahim has large base in Nepal, operat...
Banners wishing Chhota Rajan on birthday put-up in Thane, 2 booked
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Mayfest to feature Chiaroscuro Quartet
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By: Deborah Justice, Department of Music
As Mayfest enters its second decade, the chamber music festival aims to bring “a shock to the ears of the best kind” to Ithaca audiences, with the festival-headlining Chiaroscuro Quartet, a European ensemble making a rare US appearance. This year’s Mayfest offers a range of music, from classics by Bach, Brahms, and Beethoven to modern jazz, and will take place from May 18-22.
The festival kicks off May 18 with a free Barnes Hall concert of jazz and classical music from Ithaca-area student ensembles. On Saturday, May 19, the Chiaroscuro Quartet will be joined by Mayfest artistic co-director Xak Bjerken and Ithaca College’s Dmitri Novgorodsky playing a Stephen Hartke 4-hand piano sonata. Formed in 2005, the Chiaroscuro Quartet comprises violinists Alina Ibragimova (Russia) and Pablo Hernán Benedí (Spain), the Swedish violist Emilie Hörnlund and cellist Claire Thirion from France. This international ensemble performs music of the Classical and early Romantic periods on gut strings and with historical bows. The quartet’s unique sound – hailed by Gramophone as “A trailblazer for the authentic performance of High Classical chamber music”– is highly acclaimed by audiences and critics all over Europe.
Sunday afternoon, May 20, the festival takes a trip to Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology where fortepianist-extraordinaire Roger Moseley, associate professor of music, will augment the quartet’s program of Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Schubert. Monday night, May 21, will see Mayfest’s annual sell-out Carriage House jazz concert, this year featuring Ithaca favorites Thirteen Degrees—Nicholas Walker (bass), Greg Evans (drums), and Nick Weiser (piano).
Mayfest ends on a high note with the Chiaroscuro Quartet performing Haydn and Beethoven, festival artistic directors Miri Yampolsky and Bjerken premiering a four-hand piano work by Elizabeth Ogonek, and Yampolsky joining the quartet for Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C minor.
Yampolsky, senior lecturer of music, and Bjerken, professor of music, founded the festival, which is sponsored by Cornell’s Department of Music.
Tickets may be purchased online or at the door: Festival full passes at $90 for adults, $25 for students; or individual tickets at $25 for adults, $10 for students, free for listeners below the age of 18 with an accompanying adult. Buy tickets and find more details at www.mayfest-cornell.org.
This article also appeared in the Cornell Chronicle.
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HomeColumnsIs capping cruise ship visitors a good idea?
author: SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
Is capping cruise ship visitors a good idea?
By WIN GRUENING
The idea of imposing a cap on the number of cruise ships and visitors allowed in Juneau has once again been raised. The concept was last seriously discussed when Juneau hosted around 500,000 cruise ship visitors. This past summer season 1.3 million cruise visitors were served – certainly a healthy increase.
While there are impacts from cruise ships, the economic benefits are substantial. Cruise visitors spend over $200 million annually in Juneau and Juneau’s municipal budget gains $25 million yearly directly through sales taxes (that can be spent on anything from schools to streets) as well as passenger and port fees.
Despite assertions 20 years ago that further tourism growth in Juneau was unsustainable, impacts as evidenced by resident complaints have substantially decreased in the interim. Prior to 2000, complaints to the tourism hotline routinely exceeded 250 calls over the course of the visitor season. In the last 10 years, total hotline calls have averaged only 50 calls per season – a 90% decrease – an average of 10 calls per month.
This dramatic improvement in managing impacts is attributable to the cooperative efforts of Juneau tour operators, cruise lines, transportation providers and the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ). Begun in 1997, a program called Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP), was established to minimize the impacts of tourism.
Since then, TMBP has formed partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Park Service. If anything, it’s become a model for other cruise ports – especially in SE Alaska – where a half dozen other communities are considering establishing similar programs.
The legal and logistical obstacles in promulgating and enforcing a limit on cruise visitors is a significant concern. Would we try to limit the small “niche” cruises or just the big ships? Which ones? And whose grandmother will be denied a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to Alaska?
Furthermore, at the very time Juneau has successfully resolved a contentious lawsuit and re-established a working relationship with the cruise industry, this effort will undermine cooperative efforts going forward.
It should be noted that while the impacts of Juneau cruise ship visitors are spread over 32,000 residents, our neighboring town of Hoonah with its 760 residents hosted 138 ships carrying 250,000 cruise visitors – almost eight times the Juneau per capita visitation.
The impacts can be managed. The question is how.
Imposing a cap is akin to using a sledgehammer when a flyswatter will suffice. The TMBP program has identified several areas for continuing improvement this year, including impacts of whale-watching and traffic congestion. Doesn’t it make more sense to mitigate specific identified impacts instead of penalizing every business and family in Juneau whose livelihoods depend on cruise visitor spending?
The irony should not be lost on us that many amenities Juneau residents enjoy are directly attributable to the growth in the cruise industry – such as the seawalk, improved downtown streets, expansive docks, downtown parks, and improved harbor facilities and parking.
Dozens of small businesspeople in Juneau have invested their life savings and sweat equity to establish restaurants, breweries, food trucks, and gift stores, many of which wouldn’t be open year-round if not for the influx of summer visitors.
Despite TMBP’s successes, it will never be able to totally eliminate all impacts to all residents. For most of us, this is the trade-off we make in order to sustain a vital component of our economy that provides so much to our community.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t always be looking for better ways to manage growth. We all need to recognize the challenges and we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about how best to manage tourism impacts. Towards that end, Mayor Weldon has established a task force to determine whether the city’s current approach to managing tourism is effective.
No doubt, the controversial topic of limiting the number of cruise ship visitors will be discussed.
But the path forward lies not in ending the successful TBMP program but continuing to improve it. That should be the focus of the Mayor’s Task Force in the months ahead.
That’s the way we’ll make Juneau a great place to visit, but more importantly, a great place to live.
Win Gruening retired as the senior vice president in charge of business banking for Key Bank in 2012. He was born and raised in Juneau and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970. He is active in community affairs as a 30-plus year member of Juneau Downtown Rotary Club and has been involved in various local and statewide organizations.
John Coghill files for his Senate Seat B, Fairbanks
What else is in that ML&P, Chugach sales agreement?
Morrigan / November 3, 2019
It’s a great idea!
If the idea succeeds, the “cap” concept should be extended to lobbyists, state government employees, city employees, school district employees, non-profit organizations, property and sales tax tax-exemption beneficiaries… for starters.
This could work!
Ben Colder / November 3, 2019
Be careful what you wish for, Juneau. All it takes is a slight turn of the wheel for the cruise ships to pass your community by. They will, most likely refuse to take a limitation on their ships. Remember what the cruise lines did in Haines? Haines tried to pull the same type of stunts several years back. What happened? Haines doesn’t have any cruise ship traffic now. Nor does Wrangell, unless it just restarted. Same type of reaction to prosperity and the cruise lines from those communities. That what you want for your community? The community that has become so prosperous from cruise ship “deplorables”? Think twice before you tell the cruise lines you don’t really want them anymore. They’ll probably take you up on it. They don’t like doing business with people who dislike them.
Art Chance / November 4, 2019
The Juneau Death Wish at work again! Former AMHS director and Knowles Chief of Staff Jim Ayers was touting this in the Juneau Empire a few days ago. Jim left State government for a high-level position with OCEANA, the environmental group, so his bona fides with Juneau’s lunatic left are impeccable. Jim is more the practical apparatchik than the typical rabidly emotional lefty. I can’t say we were ever pals but we could be in the same room without fur flying and my oldest stepson played on Jim’s baseball teams. I still don’t really know if Jim let Bob Poe hire me back to the Department of Administration because he had an interest in cleaning up the mess that Mark Boyer had made of State labor relations or because he wanted my kid to pitch for him.
Anyway, Juneau’s crazy lefties have made possible the decapitation of State government in Juneau, at least during Republican administrations. Since Palin took office any Republican elected or appointed official who could maintain their office in Anchorage and appear in Juneau only as it was necessary to deal with the Legislative Session has done so. Why subject yourself to the crazy lefties in Juneau? Juneau’s service and retail economy looks a lot different when there are no division directors and commissioners there nor any of their immediate staff and subordinates. You don’t pay the freight on fancy restaurants and upscale retailers with the wages of State Range 12 to 16 or 18 delivery of service employees. Except during the session Juneau’s government presence is more like a regional center than a Capital city. Last I looked only a couple of commissioners maintained their primary office there, and that pulls a lot of high-level employees away. Even Walker only made sure some visible and well-known Juneau lefties got jobs and offices there and pretty much let the rest of his government be in Anchorage. On the government side both State and federal high-level employees are in Anchorage except for visits. That gives the left the ideal social system based on government jobs that pay only enough to keep you comfortably uncomfortable , transfer payments to fashionably leftist non-profits, and transfer payments to reliably leftist social services providers. The only way anybody can get higher up the food chain is to elect Democrats.
The tourism industry has made already anti-development Juneau even more anti-development. Nobody takes a cruise to SE Alaska to see its mines, lumber mills, logging operations, or fishing fleets. In fact, the only way you can have development in Southeast is to make it invisible. The mining industry has learned that lesson well; cruise ships sail right by Green’s Creek and Kensington and tourists never even know there is an evil mine there.
So, Juneau takes one more step towards the third world; a few well-off apparatchiks during Democrat times, a few rich owners in tourism, and a lot of just getting by low and mid-level government employees and a poor and transient retail and service workforce. It’s kinda’ like the Mexican cruise ship ports.
Paul Geivette / November 10, 2019
Art, interesting that you brought up the name, Mark Boyer. He made a mess as the city manager in Fairbanks too. Union backed all the way, Boyer had no hands-on experience with union’s other than he pimped himself out to union bosses in order to climb the political ladder. A true sleazebag!
The Joker / November 5, 2019
Yes, make them all wear red MAGA baseball caps.
ChrissyB / November 7, 2019
Lol. Juneau would become conservative as long as three ships are in port at the same time.
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Life After the Uniform
by Lizann Lightfoot
For veterans who retire after 20 years (or more) of military service, the transition to civilian life can be a huge change. Transitioning out of the military usually requires moving the family, medical paperwork, careful budgeting, a job search, and sometimes completing higher education. It includes one life-changing decision after another. We talked with several veterans who have been through the process to get their reactions about the pros and cons of life after uniform.
Preparing for transition
Veterans agree that when it comes to planning for military retirement, it’s important to start early. Responses ranged from starting 18 months out up to eight years!
Retired Marine Chris Boice, who transitioned at the end of 2018, began planning for his retirement a few years in advance.
“A little more than 18 months out I realized I needed an exit strategy,” he said. “Get to a Transition Readiness Seminar as soon as you possibly can. Lots of people go in acting like it’s a waste of a week, but keep an open mind and take lots of notes. There are tons of programs out there to help you, and your first exposure comes from these courses.”
Boice at his retirement ceremony.
“I took some time and decided on Information Technology. I found programs to get me certifications and talked to industry people at a few networking events. Then I started to narrow down the specifics of my studies, and it’s been a journey for about six months,” Boice explained.
Curtez Riggs, who retired from the Army, began even earlier. “At my 15-year mark, I made the conscious decision that I would retire at 20 and started to forecast what I wanted my exit to look like.”
Riggs now runs the Military Influencer Conference.
Travis Collier, who has published a book on the transition process called Command Your Transition, recommends beginning to plan halfway through the military career.
“Going through TAPS in 2012, I realized how ill-prepared I was to truly leave the uniform behind. Transitioning must be a full-time job in the last three-to-six months you’re in uniform. That’s the level of effort you need to succeed.”
Advice for a smoother transition
There are so many factors to consider when planning for civilian life. Veterans recommend a combination of seeking support, staying organized, and including your family in the process. Boice suggests using a Veterans Service Officer to file your VA Disability claim.
“My VSO guided me through what is and what isn’t a rateable disability. They can file your claim for you and help with any appeals that may be necessary.”
Collier focuses on three different strategies in his book: LIFO (Last In, First Out), Canvas and Study. He says, “Pick a strategy that resonates with where you are, when you intend to leave the uniform, and gives you a prescriptive path towards achievement. Then get moving.”
Travis Collier.
Riggs recommends reaching out and networking with other veterans who can serve as valuable mentors. He also reminds service members to include their family in decisions: “You’re not the only one transitioning. Place your loved ones at the forefront of the decision. Include them into the process because you’ll need their support.”
Job searches are no joke
Most veterans transitioning from military to civilian life seek a second career. Too often, veterans think their only job skills are related to their MOS. Not only does this restrict the job search, but it may also make them feel that careers using new skills are unattainable. Boice reminds other veterans that “by reading and utilizing the resources available, I’ve learned that you should apply if you’re within two years of the required experience and can accomplish most of the job requirements.”
That’s why resume preparation and resume writing are some of the most important tasks for a transitioning veteran. Thankfully, there are numerous resources available to help veterans in the job search. Military base transition offices offer resume classes. LinkedIn provides valuable connections. You should show your resume to other veterans, ideally those who are already in your desired career field. They can give you valuable feedback and tell you what verbiage to include. Riggs adds, “Choose those who not only excelled in uniform but learned how to succeed outside of it.”
Pros and cons of retirement life
When veterans leave the military, they lose a community and lifestyle that has been their identity for years. The military community provides a unique sense of family, too. After transitioning, some veterans struggle with the identity adjustment. Riggs summed it up poignantly: “The most difficult thing is that the Army goes rolling along. You’re raised believing that the mission can’t happen without you. Yet, not only are your replaceable, you’re easily forgotten once your services are no longer required. Losing that bond—the relationships—that’s been the most difficult part for me.”
But life after the uniform has perks. A more traditional job usually means not getting up as early, and no mandatory PT. It allows service members more time to themselves to pursue new hobbies and careers, or discover skills beyond their military job description. They can build their own community, having a greater amount of impact.
Boice says, “The best part is taking a break and having time to focus on my goals and plan out my future. I never really had time to focus on that while I was in the military.”
Life after the uniform is an adjustment, but it means veterans can finally choose their own priorities and their future.
Resources for transitioning vets
TAP (Transition Assistance Program) is a DoD program available on most military bases. Service members can attend more than once, and though it is optional for family members, attendance is highly encouraged.
Take a LinkedIn class, preferably one that hires a photographer, so you can get a professional headshot done to include on all your profiles and resumes if necessary.
Hiring Our Heroes hosts these types of events around the U.S.
The USO has a program sponsored by Google, called the “Google IT Support Professional” that is currently free to transitioning service members. The USO Pathfinder program sets you up with a career counselor to guide you on your path to success after service.
Mentoring opportunities are available through the Veteran Mentor Network on LinkedIn, American Corporate Partners or Veterati, which offers free, one-hour mentoring sessions with former veterans.
Immersion programs like VETTED, Shift, Breakline, Stanford Ignite, Fourblock, and Boots to Business allow veterans to develop workplace skills and experience.
DOD Skillbridge, approved by limited military units, is an opportunity to intern or work on your transition out of the uniform.
Bunker Labs is a network of veteran entrepreneurs, on a mission to locate and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Tags: American Corporate PartnersBunker LabsUSOVetted
Lizann Lightfoot
Lizann Lightfoot is a military spouse, mom of four kids, and the voice behind the Seasoned Spouse blog at www.SeasonedSpouse.com. She authored the book 'Welcome to Rota' to help military families living overseas. Her favorite places to travel are in Europe, but she's happy being anywhere that her family is together!
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International Milk Genomics Consortium
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subject: digestive system
Cows May Go Green
by Ross Tellam in SPLASH!® milk science update: September 2019 Issue
It’s a tough gig being a cow. Productivity expectations for meat and milk are high, and at the same time, the cow gets a bad rap for belching a potent greenhouse gas, methane, which is a by-product of its digestion. Some people say it’s like driving a car very hard on a winding mountain road and then complaining about the car’s increased exhaust gas emissions. Reducing emissions and fuel consumption while maintaining performance is the golden ambition of car manufacturers. A similar goal is also true for the cow. People in many government agricultural agencies and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) want the beef and dairy industries to use more productive cattle emitting less methane and using less feed i.e., increasing industry production efficiency while decreasing its environmental footprint. It’s a tall order seemingly resisted by the realities of cow biology, however recent ground-breaking research may have opened new opportunities to meet these ambitious aims. Read More...
| Subjects: bacteria, cow's health, dairy, dairy industry, dairy production, digestive system, gas emissions, genetics, greenhouse gas, gut, livestock, methane, microbes, microbiome, milk, milk yield, rumen, rumen microbiome | Species: cow
Antibody Type, Specificity, and Source Influence Their Survival in the Infant Gut
by Sandeep Ravindran in SPLASH!® milk science update: August 2019 Issue
Maternal antibodies play an important role in protecting newborns from harmful pathogens. Antibodies known as immunoglobulins (Igs) are transferred from the mother’s placenta into the fetus, where they protect the infant while the infant’s immune system is still developing, Human milk also contains many different Igs, such as IgA, IgM, IgG, and secretory forms of IgA and IgM. Consuming human milk provides additional immune protection to infants and has been shown to reduce the risk of infectious diseases. Read More...
Topics: antibodies, breast milk, donor milk, infant gut | Subjects: antibody, breast milk, breastfeeding, digestive system, human milk, immune system, immunity, immunoglobulin, infant feeding, infant health | Species: human
Milk Casein Proteins: Ancient, Diverse, and Essential
by Lauren Milligan Newmark in SPLASH!® milk science update: May 2018 Issue
Grab your nearest carton of milk. Find the nutrition label. Under total fat, you’ll likely find information about how much of that fat is saturated, unsaturated, and even trans fatty acids. Under carbohydrates, you’ll learn how much fiber and sugar your milk contains. But there is just one row of information when it comes to protein, giving the false impression that milk protein is not nearly as complex as milk fat or sugar. However, cow milk is made up of two different types of proteins, whey and casein, the majority of which is are caseins. There are four different subtypes of casein proteins, and for each of the four subtypes, there are dozens of different genetic variants. How’s that for complex? Read More...
| Subjects: A2, amino acids, calcium, casein, dairy, digestive system, milk, protein, β-casein
What’s in the Dairy Case? A2 Milk
It used to be that the only decision you needed to make at the dairy case was full-fat or low-fat milk. Today, consumers are faced with dozens of alternatives to conventional cow’s milk, including milks free of lactose and “milks” made from soy beans, nuts, rice, and even peas (more about that in future articles). One of the newest alternatives to hit the shelves is A2 milk. It is marketed as an easier-to-digest version of conventional cow’s milk, differing by only one amino acid in one protein chain. But does the change in one protein really change the way A2 milk is digested? Read More...
| Subjects: casein, dairy, digestive system, milk
Dairy Foods Promote Calcium Absorption and Bone Mineralization
by Lauren Milligan Newmark in SPLASH! milk science update: January 2017 Issue
Nutrition pop quiz: Which food provides the most calcium for an adult human body, 10 cups of spinach (containing 300 mg of calcium) or 1 cup of milk (also containing 300 mg of calcium)? Whereas spinach contains an acid that binds calcium and renders it almost completely indigestible, the ingredients in milk—and other dairy products—work synergistically to enhance calcium absorption and its subsequent deposition into bones in a manner not seen in any other dietary source of calcium. Read More...
| Subjects: calcium, calcium absorption, calcium regulation, casein, dairy, diet, dietary guidelines, digestive system, gut, intestines, milk, milk composition, nutrition | Species: human
The Beneficial Effects of Dairy Fats on Post-Meal Inflammation
by Sandeep Ravindran in SPLASH! milk science update: January 2017 Issue
Fatty foods are known to have adverse effects on health, and saturated fats in particular have been linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. However, studies suggest that not all saturated fats are created equal, and the source of the fat may play a major role in determining its health risks or benefits. Read More...
| Subjects: anti-inflammatory cytokines, cardiovascular health, cheese, dairy, diet, digestive system, elderly people, fat, milk, milk fat globule membrane, milk fat globules, postprandial inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokines | Species: human
Dairy Protein Digestion: Life in the Slow Lane
by Lauren Milligan Newmark in SPLASH! milk science update: September 2016
Foods traveling from the mouth to the intestines are a bit like drivers off to work on a four-lane interstate. Some foods get in the fast lane and are quickly digested, whereas others stay in the slow lane, taking longer to reach their final destination. Why some foods are speed demons and others Sunday drivers depends on the particular properties of the nutrients in the foods. For example, proteins take longer to break down in the stomach than do carbohydrates, and milk contains some of the slowest digesting proteins of all. What makes milk proteins such slow pokes? Read More...
| Subjects: amino acids, casein, cheese, chymosin, dairy, diet, digestive system, enzymes, gut, infant feeding, intestines, metabolomics, milk, milk composition, nutrition, whey | Species: cow, human, Pacific Beetle Cockroach
De-stressing with Dairy
by Anna Petherick in SPLASH! milk science update: March 2016
When, a few years ago, researchers analyzed fecal samples from volunteer undergraduates at Swinburne University of Technology, in Victoria, Australia, they didn’t necessarily expect to find evidence of the students’ examination stress. Yet the fecal lactic acid levels—reflecting the amount of “good bacteria” of the genus Lactobacillus in the students’ guts—took a dive during the exam period. In other words, exam stress had caused the volunteers’ intestines to become more favorable environments to pathogenic organisms. As the exams went on, things only got worse: the researchers observed day-by-day reductions in the undergraduates’ fecal lactic acid levels. This couldn’t have been because exam-period diets were messing with the students’ health—the only significant dietary change was an increase in coffee consumption. Read More...
| Subjects: amino acids, anxiety, bacteria, dairy, depression, diet, digestive system, E. coli, environmental influences, enzymes, genetics, gut, histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDAC), hormones, intestines, kefir, lactic acid bacteria, microbes, microbiota, microflora, milk, milk composition, nutrition, probiotics, quitting smoking, serotonin, Sertraline, stress, tryptophan, yogurt | Species: human, mouse
Milk Vesicles Offer New Hope for Arthritis
by Anna Petherick in SPLASH! milk science update: January 2016
Tiny, bubble-like structures found in cow’s milk appear to slow the development of arthritis in mice. The structures, called vesicles, were originally thought to be little more than the waste products of cellular processes. But in recent years, such vesicles have been shown to contain molecules called microRNAs, which in some contexts perform important biological functions. Although not fully demonstrated, the working hypothesis of lead investigator Fons van de Loo—is that the RNA molecules in milk vesicles are absorbed in the intestines—and modulate local mucosa l activity, thereby influencing the body’s innate immune system. Read More...
| Subjects: arthritis, dairy, digestive system, gene therapy, genetics, genomics, lentiviruses, microvesicles, milk, milk composition, milk vesicles, miRNA, mouse, nutrition, RNA, WWII | Species: cow, human, mouse
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Droughts, Dairy and Discretionary Foods: Healthy and Environmentally Responsible Diets Can Mean Consuming More Dairy
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Healthy Human Infant Gut Microbes Block Cow Milk Allergy in Mice
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2011 Valencia MotoGP Sunday Round Up - The Very Many Goodbyes Of 2011, And Hello To 2012
The last race of the year is always one for farewells, but we had an awful lot of goodbyes on Sunday at Valencia. The last ever race for the 800cc MotoGP bikes, the last ever race of Loris Capirossi's very long and highly colorful career (some paddock wags suggesting that the first win of his career came against a rider called Maximus Decimus Meridius), the end of the two-stroke Grand Prix era, with the 125cc bikes making way for the Moto3 machines. The departure of some of the finest journalists and broadcasters from the paddock, as the Spanish state TV company TVE ended its tenure in the paddock. Riders heading off to the World Superbike paddock, some returning to their old stomping ground, as is the case with Kenan Sofuoglu, others to try pastures new, Hiroshi Aoyama joining the Ten Kate Honda squad.
But we started with the biggest and the best of goodbyes, and certainly the most moving. After morning warm up, some 100 bikes took to the track, the MotoGP, Moto2 and 125 machines doing a lap of honor in tribute to Marco Simoncelli, the Italian who had died at Sepang on the previous GP weekend. Out front, Kevin Schwantz rode Simoncelli's #58 San Carlo Gresini Honda, calling halt in front of the assembled paddock, fronted by Simoncelli's Gresini team, his parents and his family. A few riders revved their engines, but the sound was soon rendered inaudible by the deafening thunder of Valencian fireworks, loud enough to set off most of the car alarms in nearby Cheste.
It was a fitting tribute, truly a celebration of a man's life, as large and as loud as Marco Simoncelli was, rather than the quiet grieving over a man's death. In a society which seems so afraid of dying that it lacks the courage to sample life to the full, it was a poignant and powerful reminder of the fact that nothing can be achieved without risk, and that a passion as large as Marco Simoncelli's, or any other motorcycle racer's, will very occasionally demand the ultimate sacrifice. If the contestants are willing to pay the price - the fact that 16 men lined up on the MotoGP grid, and Marc Marquez only finally gave up on the Moto2 title on Saturday afternoon, his double vision stubbornly preventing him from racing, was testament to the fact that so many believe the goal is worth the risk they know they run - then who are we to stop them? The fullness of Marco Simoncelli's life is his triumph; his death was a tragedy, but it pales in comparison to the life he led, and the passion he leaves those who watched him over the years.
The final 125cc race was not a classic, but it set the tone. The script sent out by Dorna for the awards ceremony this evening already assumed that Nico Terol would take the title, and the Spaniard did not disappoint. Johann Zarco's determination was admirable, but it led him to push too hard, crashing out in the early laps as he chased the leading group. With Zarco taken out of the equation, Terol finally seemed to relax and start racing as he can. A victory was not on the cards - Maverick Vinales was too strong for that - but Terol got close, and a podium meant wrapping the last ever 125cc title in style.
Vinales on the podium meant more exposure for the media celebrity (whatever that means) Paris Hilton, leading to a predictable wave of criticism from the motorcycle racing snobs. After the race, Hilton tweeted that she was pleased here rider Maverick Vinales had won at the "MotoGP grand finals", unleashing the usual comments that she had no idea what she was talking about. That is as maybe, but she did tweet that to over five million followers, and though the vast majority of those people have no interest in motorcycle racing, nor any interest in finding out about it, even a tiny percentage of five million is a massive number. MotoGP's biggest Twitter name is Jorge Lorenzo, but his 300,000 followers are just a pale shadow in comparison with Paris Hilton's five million. Laugh at her all you want, but she has probably brought MotoGP to the attention of more people with a casual comment than the massed ranks of the MotoGP media have managed in years of coverage.
The Moto2 race turned into an emotional rollercoaster, with the Gresini team taking center stage once again. Yuki Takahashi ran away with the race early, before crashing massively on lap 6, landing on his head after a huge highside, then tumbling horrifically through the gravel clearly unconscious. Though it looked awful, Takahashi came away relatively unhurt, being sent to a Valencian hospital for checkups after being given the all clear by the Medical Center.
The Japanese rider's crash handed the lead to Michele Pirro, who went on to take a very comfortable win over Mika Kallio, but the win proved almost too much for Fausto Gresini to bear. Gresini wept openly as Pirro crossed the line, the Italian's victory all too reminiscent of Sete Gibernau's win at Welkom in South Africa, at the race after Daijiro Kato - another Gresini MotoGP rider, and another personal friend of Fausto Gresini's - died from the injuries he suffered at Suzuka. Gresini almost retired after Kato's death, and was said to be considering the same after the death of Marco Simoncelli, but the Italian took the victories as a sign that it was not yet the time to shut up shop.
The final race of the 800cc era started off looking a lot like a classic 800 MotoGP race, with Casey Stoner taking off at the start and leaving the rest of the field for dead. Things got a lot more interesting after that, though, the race eventually being decided by the smallest ever margin in the 800cc era.
Despite Stoner's obscene lead in the first 25 laps of the race, there was plenty of interest further down the field, with battles raging over the secondary honors. Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso slugged it out over 3rd in the championship, Pedrosa only giving up once the rain began to fall in earnest. Behind the fight for the podium, Cal Crutchlow and Karel Abraham had a no-holds-barred scrap for Rookie of the Year, that battle only settled when Abraham ran into the back of Crutchlow, after Crutchlow had put a backyard move on the Czech rider to take over the chase for Pedrosa.
The rain that dropped Pedrosa down to 5th also spiced things up at the front. Stoner's lead dropped from 10 seconds to under 2 in the space of just three laps, Ben Spies taking over the lead once he had caught the Australian napping. The acceleration of the Honda saved Stoner's bacon on the very last lap, the Australian getting "perfect" drive onto the front straight to sneak ahead of Spies to take victory. Stoner looked happier than he had since winning the championship (pleased to have won on the last lap for the first time, rather than being on the receiving end which had happened so often in the past).
Andrea Dovizioso took 3rd, and 3rd in the championship, finishing ahead of Dani Pedrosa both in the race and in the standings. The Italian was delighted with both, his best result in the championship since entering MotoGP. He leaves Honda with his head held high, and with the added pleasure of rubbing in his position to Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda's former golden boy.
There was plenty more drama in the MotoGP race, starting off with a first-corner pile up caused when Alvaro Bautista clipped the rear wheel of Andrea Dovizioso and went down, taking out the Marlboro Ducatis of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, and the Pramac Ducati of Randy de Puniet. Rossi afterward was livid, the Italian canceling his usual press debrief and staying in his motorhome instead. Rossi had had high hopes of a decent result, and had been aiming for a podium to honor his dead friend Marco Simoncelli. It was not to be, and Rossi capped his worst ever Grand Prix season - his first ever to go winless, and just a single podium at Le Mans to his name in 2011 - with a dismal result. The marketing marriage made in heaven remains one of convenience, rather than true love.
Barely had the flag fallen on the race than the speculation started about 2012. Suzuki will be testing their 800 on Tuesday and Wednesday, though serious doubts remain over whether they will be in the championship next year. Team members have been given permission to look for jobs elsewhere, veteran crew chief Tom O'Kane heading to the Monster Tech 3 garage to work with Andrea Dovizioso. So though Alvaro Bautista will be riding the bike on Tuesday and Wednesday, his future at Suzuki is far from ensured, as is the continuing participation for the Hamamatsu manufacturer.
Stefan Bradl looked to be happy staying in Moto2 for another year, but some last-minute bargaining may shake up his 2012 MotoGP season. The German was seen locked in serious negotiations with Livio Suppo of Honda, giving rise to speculation that Bradl could join the San Carlo Gresini or LCR Honda squads, though Bradl has repeatedly said he cannot find more than the 2.5 million euros his sponsors bring to the sport. With LCR chronically short of cash, an injection of liquidity may be just what Lucio Cecchinello's team needs.
There are plenty more pieces of the puzzle to slot into place, but the MotoGP silly season seems to have slotted into high gear. With Iannone likely to test the Gresini Honda on Tuesday alongside Bradl, those are two names looking good for MotoGP. Then there's the CRT teams, but beyond Yonny Hernandez looking set to test the BQR Kawasaki, even there everything is still up in the air. It promises to be an incredibly hectic few days, with everyone keen to secure their deals before testing is done on Wednesday. We may be waving goodbye to the 2011 season, but we are only doing so to welcome the 2012 season.
Alvaro Bautista
Hector Barbera
Karel Abraham
Ben Spies
Hiroshi Aoyama
Toni Elias
Casey Stoner
vespadaddy replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 00:53
I think you meant to write '2012' in the last sentence. That said, paragraph 3 more than makes up for it. I'll bet that one took you a while to wordsmith. Well done.
Cerk replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 01:08
+1 with regards to paragraph three. I was thinking the same thing while reading this article. Very well done David.
a step too far?
rick650 replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 01:03
I hope I am wrong but everytime I visualise Iannone on a MotoGp bike I see big, big crashes and even more unpredictability than he showed in Moto2. It could be heaven and hell with nothing inbetween.
Hernandez might be similar.
Bradl reminds me more of Aoyama and he is leaving for SBK after two competent but uninspiring years on a satellite Honda. Can Bradl offer more?
MotoGP on Bridgestones seems a huge step up from any other class of racing - for many a step too far.
True but...
I agree that you're likely to see big crashes from Iononne, but you saw them also from Lorenzo, and from Stoner......and from Rossi when they all came up to the big class.
As Dave Aldana famously said, you never know how fast you can go until you fall down.
Iannone #29.
Nologicone replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 06:43
A weird thought just struck me....Andrea Iannone is #29. 29 + 29 = 58! We may not seen his full potential because he is still growing as a racer! Yes, I agree there used to be a crashing joke when a certain racer joined Ducati back in 07 :) We never know.
The standing ovation at the end of the Marco tribute at the awards ceremony is touching...very touching. The late Shoya looks so much like his mum, that also brings back sad memories.
May 2012 be a season of exciting and safe racing!
Farewell 125 and 800 and another things
Taerkasten replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 01:47
the 800 of the leader class not was like some of us expected since his introduction in 2007, some awesome races, some boring and sleeping races, Racers than dont matter the machine learn to adapt and win with them (Stoner), Racers than didnt expect how to treat the red beast and requieres more time. and also the 800c show to us than the reduction of capacity didn't not make the bikes more safer the accidents are an unfortunate circumstance.
For Honda this is the end of a year with two differences, first one honda brought Stoner to put an end to a Drought of many years without getting the high place of victory, for the rider, manufacturer and team, and the other the sad and tragic loss of a star than will not bright in earth, it now will bright in the heaven and SuperSic was an Star that now will follow his path in the skies.
And also the farewell to that oil odor and smell of a two stroke machine, than much of us was pleased to see the 125 running along the circuits, but now they must make room for the advance of the new four stroke Moto3, Am sure than Honda, KTM and Mahindra will show a good surprise for the upcoming new class.
Farewell 125, 800.
Greetings Moto3, 1000cc and CRT's.
Er...Saturday Round-up?
Desmonaut replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 02:06
...Or Sunday? :-)
The sheer fatigue of it all...
MadAussie replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 02:50
I hope Alvaro finds a good home he deserves it after this year
Who hit whom?
indesq replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 03:02
It sure looked to me like Divioso drifted into Bautista's front wheel and took out 4 bikes. But then I was of the opinion Pedrosa caused his wreck with sic, so what do I know?
Dovi
It looked to me like Dovizioso drifted in to Bautista's line as he (Dovi) set up for the first corner. He just left Alvaro nowhere to go. If you watch closely you can see Bautista go up on his front wheel as he mashes on the brakes trying to make room for entering the corner. He could see what was coming.
Watching the live feed from Dovizioso's on board you could see it coming as well. He made a great start and just tried to put too many riders in to one patch of tarmac. Frankly I'm surprised that he made it through ok.
Glad to see on Hayden's twitter feed that nothing was broken.
Bautista was drifting left though
paulj replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 09:57
All the riders were moving right to prepare for turn 1. Bautista braked too late and had, contrary to all those around him, sharply move left in order to avoid crashing into Rossi. Instead he ran into Dovi and skittled Rossi et al anyway. Just look at the speed difference Bautista had relative to other riders, was it really all the others who were wrong?
agree, not that it matters
blantant replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 15:06
per Lorenzo's color commentary, Bautista braked late. and indeed looking at it again that speed difference did seem noticeable. Still, just a racing incident
farewell to jLo's distal-phalanges also.
I also do think that Dovi hit
gsx750f replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 09:13
I also do think that Dovi hit the front wheel of Bautista. If you watch the race on motogp.com they show at 24:32 how Alvaro explains what happens to Nicky Hayden, and also show replays of the incident. If you look close, you can see Dovi's leg wobble for a short moment, as if his bike had been upset by something. And the way in which Alvaro explains the incident looks to me like he was saying that his front wheel was clipped (and didn't fold under braking).
But that's just what I think, whatever happened it was clearly a racing incident.
Getting old, it sucks.
rumerz.com replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 03:32
If Josh Hayes was ten years younger, he'd still be too old to get drafted into MotoGP.
And that is a shame.
goodbye to a dreadful
Vlad Drac replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 04:46
goodbye to a dreadful season......
Valentino? Is that you?
Damo replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 05:24
Am a little disappointed with Dani's performance. Somehow it feels to me as if he's lost that raw hunger. Given his injury-prone nature, I'd like to believe he hasn't - and that yesterday, he was just saving himself up for the testing and 2012. But when it got really tough, it appeared as if he was throwing in the towel. Not terribly alien-esque. Hope I am wrong though.
Pedrosa seems dispirited
Oscar replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 07:45
He may well have been hit hard by the demise of Simoncelli, especially in the light of his (understandable) anger towards him earlier in the year, but I've had the feeling that he's been less of his fighting spirit vis-a-vis Stoner since L.S, this year. It has been commented that he seemed almost mesmerised by Stoner's practice and QP times at Sepang, as if not willing to take the fight there - not typical of him.
Hopefully, the 1000s will make him feel washed clean of any stigma he may feel about not having handed HRC a WC in the 800s and he'll be full of grit to turn that record around in the new class.
Does ANYONE understand the nature of Ducati's woes?
So much conflicting information bandied around. This weekend Hayden has stated that one of the strong points of the Ducati is getting heat into the tyres. Yet for the last couple of years we've been lead to believe that the bike needs to be ridden on the ragged edge at all times to maintain heat in the tyre. Whilst these two points are not entirely mutually exclusive, nor do they tally completely either. Suzuki's problem in the past has been generating tyre temperature.
I accept that the front end feedback from the D16 is not the measure of the M1 or RCV, but if they can get heat into the Bridgestones (which the tyre itself needs and thrives on) then surely the issue must to a large degree be one of confidence.
With such fickle conditions yesterday was going to tell us little should both factory riders have finished anyway. Skill still obviously to the fore Sunday, but with an extra dose of bravery for those willing to stick their necks out more than usual.
Conflicting? Strong Point?
jvd replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 18:59
"one of the strong points of the Duc is getting heat into the tyres" NH.
Conflicting info? Hasn't been for as long as I can remember without research.
I had to read that quote twice and pinch myself! Good comment Nostro.
Temp sensors
Pity the rules prohibit IR tyre temp sensors... then at least someone might know if they run hot, cold or both in rapid succession...
It is clear from a recent
motogpmd replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 19:51
It is clear from a recent interview with Preziosi that Ducati themselves still don't know what the problem is:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2011/Novembe...
Preziosi says that basically 2011 has been a gigantic test session. Now they are about to test a twin spar frame. The point of running the various different configurations is to gather data so that Ducati can determine the future direction of their design. So at the moment Ducati themselves don't know what configuration of bike they will be running when the season starts again at Qatar in 2012.
Nicky was talking
Hugelean replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 19:56
Nicky was talking specifically about in the wet from what I can gather and has freely admitted along with Vale and ducati that they don't understand why and I'd be slightly astonished if any of us knew either ... For me that's as plain English as is needed.
Two things have been wrong at ducati the frameless bike and those who okayd it.. Some have gone and others have had a change of heart. New frame tomoz for Ducati and I doubt they will look back, only disconcerting thing is Presiozi is citing the things we've all been complaining about all year as the reason, why has it taken him so long??... New era for Ducati they have a top rider as with Casey but they now have someone who can lead the entire company forward. Exciting times at Ducati no question..
Casey`s "stolen" win
Beamer12 replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 08:31
I still can`t believe casey`s acceleration past Ben to the line, how can he come from at least 2 full length`s back to enough in front on that greasy slippery track? Was he testing the 1000? A great race for the final 800 outing. Now for next year, will the carefully learned lesson`s regarding frame ridgidty/flex translate with the higher torque smoother power curve of the bigger engine`s. Will someone learn to make power at much leaner fuel setting`s therefore having that smooth curve, or will electronic`s have even more infulence than before? All these thing`s will be shown up one way or the other in the coming test`s but not proven untill 'racing' starts again, and that`s not for month`s. What will we do to pass the time till then?? Congratulations to all the champion`s From Moto GP to local series winners. I can`t wait till it all start`s again.
To say that Ben very nearly stole it from Casey
would be more accurate to my mind. A ten second lead with five to go until conditions became even more dicey.
That on the line past was the difference between a perfect hook up and a not so good one. Not the difference between RCV and M1.
Fuel short?
Is it possible that Spies' bike was running short on fuel? Given all the bikes have enough power to loop over backward in the first 4 gears, the difference in acceleration seemed unreasonable...
Stoner got the last corner
Stoner got the last corner perfect, Spies didn't. Stoner made up four tenths on Spies on the last lap, and it looks like it was all through the last corner and leading up to the finish line. Stoner is clearly faster through the corner than Spies, and is closing on him. He then sits the bike up earlier than Spies, and on a different part of the track, about a meter inside the edge of the track. Spies runs out over the rumble strip. In these greasy conditions on slick tires certain parts of the track will give a lot more grip than others.
Fuel should not be a problem in wet conditions when they can't use full power. Spies didn't mention having any problem. In my opinion, it was mostly brilliant riding by Stoner, plus of course the great traction of the Honda out of corners, which has been the Honda's strength for the past season and a half.
Spies missed his apex a little I think
Something went wrong with Spies exit, and it looks like it started mid-corner as he went for the apex. From the overhead, Stoner was much tighter onto the apex, over the paint earlier, than Spies was. This let Stoner exit the corner on a tighter line, and you can see he's on the gas much cleaner, in a tighter line. Spies bike seemed to just get a little upset just as he got on the gas, somehow forcing him out a bit, and costing him his drive. Whether that was related to his slightly slacker apex, I don't know.
I knew Spies was in trouble as soon as he came out of the last corner. His exit was really wide and put him on the paint and curb, partially in the pit entry even...he just couldn't get on the gas when he wanted to.
Great race nonetheless, good riddance to the 800s.
Paragraph 3.
echoplex replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 11:25
I can't find the words to describe how good this is. Sir, you deserve an award.
Watch it again...
SV650Nut replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 13:43
All race (year) long the Hondas were accelerating out of the corners faster than the Yamaha, not just the last corner of the last lap.
Casey is a fantastic rider and sure, he got a good drive out of that corner, but that was most assuredly not why he beat Spies to the line.
I can't wait for next year.
Stoner has confirmed in an
Stoner has confirmed in an interview that he found a line out of the last corner that was giving him a lot more grip than Spies, and he also used first gear. It was a premeditated move. Spies also confirmed in another interview that he was a bit tentative through the last corner because of the crashes he has had in recent weeks. Spies admitted that he had decided that he would be happy with either first or second. He just didn't want to crash. So Spies was being careful, but Stoner decided it was the last lap of the year so he took a risk and went for it. Stoner wanted the win more than Spies. That's why he beat Spies to the line. Let's give credit where credit is due, and not pretend that it was just Honda power that got Stoner over the line.
Straight from the horses mouth...
Spies said in one of the interviews that he had it pinned out of the corner and that he just got "motored" to the line.
I tend to believe him, since he was there.
If you can't see in the videos that the Hondas were pulling Spies out of the corners all race (and all year) then I don't think my point of view will convince you. Oh well.
I am more interested in what
I am more interested in what both the riders had to say, and that's what I quoted. Spies and Stoner had more than one interview, and you should read them to get a full rider perspective. I said in a previous post that traction has been a Honda strong point for the last season and a half, but the last corner was not just about Honda traction. It was about how Stoner used the traction when he found a gripier piece of track. It was also about mental strength: a guy who has just wrapped up an almost flawless championship and decided to take a risk to win the final race versus a guy who has recently had several crashes and injuries and was happy to settle for second rather than risk crashing again. Things are not always what they seem on TV.
Spies was straight to the point - "motored"
Luc Marqs replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 19:44
Haven't seen any enterviews other than the parc ferme ones (immediately after race) to TVE.
Spies was straight to the point (as usual) and said that his bike worked great from start until the end, especially when considering the track conditions, but he would loose in acceleration to the Repsol Hondas in corner exits to the straights ("motored" was the expression I remember), only to make up for the loss and recover in the corners, then loose again in the straights, so on, lap after lap.
I thought that matched what everybody could see the whole race.
He did seem to have a "sweeter" bike on the corners (than any of the Repsol Hondas), as you could see how well he would easily recover on corner entry up to midcorner (even being able to use different lines sometimes).
Can't recall any mention of "messed last corner" although it did seem to me he messed it a little.
Stoner clearly had the better line and even better bike behavior (setup?) on that particular corner exit all the time during the race (Spies was wheeling there every lap during the race).
Stoner was, again, the fastest guy out there and did a fantastic race (makes it look easy!), but a lot of credit must go to the RCV211 acceleration - it was pretty evident not just in that last corner exit but during all this race (and plenty others).
Five bike lengths in two corners.
Stoner made up some five bike lengths in two corners. If that was down to the bike, Spies would never have been able to stick with Pedrosa and Dovi. The Honda is definitely stronger, but that victory was taken by sheer will power.
Japhrodisiac replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 16:30
The difference in acceleration was not evident until both riders were well out of the corner, straight up and down and already well beyond the rumble strips. This was not simply a different line or good drive scenario!
The partially wet race and tricky conditions led to longer lap times and therefore more fuel available at the end. I know that there are on the fly mapping switches on the bikes, maybe Casey hit the full power turbo win it or bin it setting, whilst Ben was busy trying to make it to the line? Who knows.
This speaks to something that I've suspected for a while now - that the Yamaha makes decent power, but Honda is way ahead in fuel management. Therefore Honda can make more use of the available fuel whilst Yamaha has to dial down power to maintain fuel consumption and finish races.
Sector times and top speed
L34 replied on Tue, 2011-11-08 04:45
On the last lap Ben pulled out a half a second on Casey over the 1st 2 sectors. Sector 3 was pretty even, but in the final sector Casey was 6 tenths faster than Ben.
Was that time all made down the straight?
Also Ben had his slowest max speed recorded on that final lap, 293.4ks, when he had been averaging over 300ks.
I say he might of muffed his exit coming onto the straight going by the fact his speed was down.
Paragraph three, indeed, it
Jeff Lebowski replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 14:51
Paragraph three, indeed, it doesn't get any better.
Ciao, ciao..
dieselglider replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 19:15
I just couldn't speak for a few moments after seeing Marco signing the camera lens, and saying "Ciao, ciao", at the end of the tribute/celebration. I just sat with damp eyes, saddened, but enthralled.
Spies final turn
Stykman replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 20:07
In the final turn, even the last 4 or so turns, it appeared that Spies was the slightest bit tentative. Possibly at that point he thought the gap was sufficient and he just wanted to bring it home. Stoner in the last turn carried more speed in, through, and out, as well as having a better line than Spies, which allowed him to get on the throttle earlier and harder than Spies.
Although I would say the Honda is faster than the Yamaha, I think the above reasons contributed to Spies being taken at the line more than any difference in HP or acceleration ability of the bikes.
Are you sure?...
Look at this video closely a couple times to see if you still feel that was the case. I may be wrong (not unusual for me) but I can't see how Spies could have done anything different to beat the Honda to the line. In my view, Casey's line really wasn't that different than Ben's...
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/video-motogp-valencia-gp
You can see it here too
You can see it here too (Speed's movies not available in most European countries):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_97IUDFmywg
Stoner got a slightly better line but it is almost strange how fast that RCV of Stoner went past the M1 of Spies.
...perhaps there was some miss-shift (error) from Spies?
Now that I can rewatch it, got to admit it does look even more evident than I recall from yesterday's live broadcast.
I think that the definitive answer to the question can be found in this video, not by Stoner's pass to the line, but by Dovi blowing by Spies in exactly the same fashion at the end of lap 1. Dovi powers straight past and just nips Spies to the line to begin lap 2, exactly the Same as Stoner does at the end. Methinks the Stoner brigade don't want to hear differently, but the video doesn't lie. (puts on flak jacket)
There is no dispute whatever
There is no dispute whatever that Honda traction is a big part of the move. But Stoner had to be in a position to execute the move, and then execute it flawlessly. Where were Dovi and Danny? Look at the video: Stoner closes in massively on Spies up to the apex of the last corner. That is what put him in the position to use the Honda's traction. Those who say it was all Stoner and those who say it was all Honda are both wrong, it was the combination of Stoner and Honda, exactly as it has been all year. That last corner at Valencia is really a summary of how Stoner and Honda have been the dominant force in MotoGP in 2011. A fitting climax.
PS: And wasn't this like a classic Rossi move from Rossi at his best? If it had been Rossi on that Honda and not Stoner the forums would have been full of posts waxing lyrical about Rossi's brilliance, nothing about his bike. But when it's anyone else, oh well, it must be the bike, not the rider.
No need for that sort of stuff
Luc Marqs replied on Tue, 2011-11-08 10:32
Your post was quite ok and, personally, that is too my opinion. It is the fastest rider on the best bike combo, not just one or the other.
Shame about that last paragraph (the post-scriptum) which was a bit unfortunate and, matter of fact, the opposite of what you can clearly see these days in any MotoGP discussion board anywhere across the web.
Can't recall so much hatred and effort to bring down another winning rider ever since the Biaggi fans "wars" towards Doohan, well over a decade ago.
We all love racing and not everybody is a Rossi or Stoner fanboy. We don't need to hear/read the same crap on and on (and on and on) about how Stoner is the second coming and Rossi is overrated (or a fraud).
Luc Marqs, please explain
Luc Marqs, please explain where I said Stoner was the second coming and Rossi a fraud. Please don't use your imagination to read things into someone's posts that don't exist. I compared Stoner favorably to Rossi at his best. That is a complement to Stoner, not a put down of Rossi. You really should read some of the other forums. We have people still suggesting that it was the bike and not the rider this year. We have people saying that the last corner pass was all Honda. I was simply trying to bring in some balance.
To suggest that I hate Rossi, as you imply, is highly personally offensive. You have no right. Rossi is clearly one of the greatest riders ever. But he is not above criticism, as you seem to think. The disaster that is 2011 is plain for all to see, and doesn't need any comment. It is a pity that some people are so sensitive to any criticism of Rossi, to the extent that they want accuse other posters of "hatred" without any justification whatever. Using emotive terms to attack others and stifle debate is a sign of immaturity.
I'll quote your post-scriptum
I'll quote your post-scriptum and leave that speaking for itself:
"wasn't this like a classic Rossi move from Rossi at his best? If it had been Rossi on that Honda and not Stoner the forums would have been full of posts waxing lyrical about Rossi's brilliance, nothing about his bike. But when it's anyone else, oh well, it must be the bike, not the rider."
Why in heavens was this brought into here, what's the relevance to the matter?
Bringing that, out of context, is a complement to Stoner, not a put down of Rossi? ...how?
And why are you now bringing Rossi's 2011 "disaster" into this? What's the point?
I commented on the overtaking of Stoner to Spies in the same manner as I would comment an overtake for the win if the positions were inverted, as I would for ANY other rider there. It makes no difference to me!
You now replied, and I'll quote: "To suggest that I hate Rossi, as you imply, is highly personally offensive. You have no right. Rossi is clearly one of the greatest riders ever. But he is not above criticism, as you seem to think."
...this is silly.
To say that I seem to think that Rossi is above criticism, heck, where did that come from? ...shall I now reply saying you're offending me and that you have no right (which you don't), for saying that?
...for pete's sake...
Plenty people have found a refuge in here for ages, to escape the ridiculous fanboy wars seen in -I suppose- the same forums you're probably pointing out. But I guess it's too much to expect for people to hold down their bias?
You probably have also seen the same people in here with the same spilled garbage, seen in those places, just in a more "polite" way in here. Part of the reason why I posted that comment.
Plenty of us are old enough to be parents and grandparents, and simply not interested in that sort of pubescent discussion.
Please accept my apologies if my response was over the top and crossed as "offensive", that was not my intention.
There was no criticism of
There was no criticism of Rossi at all in my original comments. There are several comments here and elsewhere implying that Stoner's last lap pass was all Honda power. Sorry folks, no it wasn't. My implied criticism was directed toward the one-eyed Rossi fans. But despite this you start talking about "so much hatred and effort to bring down another winning rider". Where did that come from? How was comparing Stoner's pass to Rossi at his best hatred of Rossi, or trying to bring Rossi down? Your interpretation is truly mystifying. You have repeatedly made comments about Rossi haters when anything remotely like criticism or what you perceive or imagine is criticism is directed toward to Rossi. That is simply juvenile.
Luc Marqs replied on Wed, 2011-11-09 09:02
...motogpmd (whatever your name is), I don't know how old are you but you seem smarter than that.
First, and for what is worth, there's a thing called a "double entendre" (perhaps an "innuendo" in this case), which is what that post-scriptum was intended for... even you now admited it. It's a nice execution for an argument, as long as it contributes for the discussion. In that case it wouldn't, it would just "stir the pot", as so many times many others do. Which is why I wrote what I did in reply, it has no other interpretation.
Second, I already presented my apologies. That was honest and it seemed fair enough to me, to end an argument that will lead nowhere.
If you wish to keep on the "keyboard warrior" act, by all means, carry on...
OK then,
Lo replied on Wed, 2011-11-09 10:10
I'll have the final word so neither of you has to. Take a lude, guys.
Remember the perfect storm?
David wrote about the situation last year at... Jerez?? No dry track time, so everyone had to take a punt on fuel maps.
Well, it wasn't that bad this year at Valencia, but it was very changeable. It's just possible that given the politics, the riders are under instruction not to talk about fuel starvation. It's also just possible that Stoner didn't suddenly slow down because he's scared of water, but because his bike let him know it was going to be tight to get to the line at his current rate of progress. So he backed off and found himself with a full litre to use on that last lap.
Just wild speculation, of course.
You could be right, it is
You could be right, it is very strange how much Stoner slowed over just one lap, about 6 seconds on lap 25, without any obvious mistake, at least on camera, but then he was able to follow Spies and re-pass him. We know how good Stoner is in the wet, remember Silverstone. I can't recall Stoner ever having slowed like that before in a wet race. Normally they should use less fuel in slippery conditions, because they spend less time on full power, but who knows, maybe you're right, maybe they got the fuel mapping wrong.
Stoner said that until Ben passed him he was running sort of blind as to the conditions. Maybe seeing Ben in front for a bit gave him a little more confidence in the end. I still say the speed of the Honda was a part of it as well.
using spies as a track tester
I have no doubt that Stoner had this in the bag from the beginning, but was concerned about the conditions so he slowed down and let spies lead--knowing the honda would just power away in the final drag to the line like they had all year long.
Spies had plenty of room to pass, and there is simply no way he was that much faster than stoner in the wet unless stoner dramatically slowed on purpose.
I think they should turn the sprinklers on during the MotoGP races.........
What are we gonna do for 3 months???
Rabid_Canine replied on Mon, 2011-11-07 21:15
Well, I dunno about you, but I hate the off season. Never enough bike racing on the TV.
Anyway, my brother and I leave Australia on January 4 for the Peru legs of the Dakar. That will be my (expensive) motorsport fix for the off season.
It's a good filler, but I can't wait for MotoGP 2012.
+1 Rabid...
SV650Nut replied on Tue, 2011-11-08 12:52
For sure. I'm going to just watch reruns on MotoGP of the classic races over the years until the first test in January.
Wish I was on my way to the Dakar too. Yer livin the dream bro.
Only from watching the you tube clip
Luiggi replied on Tue, 2011-11-08 13:15
I see they both got the line right and the ingredients are:
Stoner is a lot lighter
Honda is a lot faster
Stoner was admitely risking
Spies came from injury
result is very predictable=Stoner pulled Spies to the line
Stoner is the best rider of 2011 no dobut, but this victory in particular owes to the Honda power my brothers.
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Kyle Busch Is Your 2019 Monster Energy Cup Champion
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It was only fitting that the four title contenders all started in the top 4 spots this past weekend. All four drivers had a shot to win and they all led laps. But it was the mistake free team that won the race and gave Kyle Busch the title. Views: 488
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Monster Energy Cup Series Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Stats and Notes
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All I Want for Christmas is a Monster Energy Cup Ride
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Algebra 1 Practice
Voxitatis Blog
Performing ArtsMarching Band
Band teacher out #MeToo at Downers Grove North
Community High School District 99 in Downers Grove, Illinois, accepted the resignation of a veteran band director at a special board meeting Monday amid allegations that he sexually harassed students about 20 years ago, ABC 7 in Chicago reports.
William Miller, who began working in the district in 1995, resigned voluntarily and agreed to forfeit his teaching license and never again work as a teacher in a K-12 setting.
A former female student at Downers Grove North High School in Chicago’s western suburbs, identified only as “Jane Doe” in a lawsuit filed against the school district and Mr Miller, says he also “provided alcohol to minor female DGN students … in furtherance of his engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior.” Her lawyer said this “had an impact on her life”:
“One of the things that she hopes to bring about is a change and prevent this from happening to another student in the future—change in policies, change in procedures, a change in culture,” the Daily Herald quoted Daniel Biederman Jr, her attorney, as saying.
Downers Grove police haven’t filed any charges yet in the investigation, which began last month when allegations of Mr Miller engaging “in inappropriate sexual behavior with female DGN students” emerged on social media to describe a period from 1996 to 2000. The investigation is ongoing, however, and the district said it’s cooperating with law enforcement.
“If we ever receive information about the inappropriate conduct of a staff member, we always take action,” district spokesperson Jill Browning told ABC 7. In a memo to the district, Superintendent Hank Thiele said the district did investigate the complaints but had only “limited information available.”
Excerpt of the social media allegations
Posted on November 20
I was lucky enough to go to a rich high school with a great band and theater program, and I was heavily involved in both—yes, I know how to play the bassoon and work both a sound and light board (at least ones from the 90s), something current friends might be surprised about. Unfortunately, the assistant band director, who was also in charge of the auditorium crew technicians, used his position of power to take advantage of me and my classmates. As a lot of you know, last week I started an email address with a friend: DGNnightwatchwomen@gmail.com. We have received information about this teacher from women with graduation years spanning 16 years, with reports of him making lewd and suggestive comments all the way to sexual assault.
Some of these women are in the process of obtaining legal representation and telling family members and close friends what’s about to happen in their lives, in order to line up the support they’re going to need for this journey they never wanted to take. I’m so proud and in awe of their bravery, including all the mental, emotional, and logistical work they’ve already done to make this important decision. Hopefully, most of you will never know their identities. But they’re out there, among us.
What strikes me as I listen to the stories that have been shared with me is how long it takes people, and perhaps women in particular, to come to terms with sexual manipulation they’ve experienced from men at an early age. Do you remember the first inappropriate comment you received? The one that made you simultaneously realize that you are a woman now, and panic because you didn’t know what to say back? At that moment, many of us said many different things. This man not only forced that moment onto his students, but he then used it and the moments that followed to shame women into being complicit in his pedophilia.
And sometimes, he didn’t even have to: in order to deal with the stress of these kinds of situations, especially if we still come into contact with the person who inflicted them on us, many of us tell ourselves stories about what happened that ultimately let these men off the hook. So far it has taken the women affected at least an entire week to even be able to see that this man (who has a family and who has accomplished so much through the affluence and influence of the high school) has no real power over them anymore.
But then, once they crack open the vault where all the pain, shame, and doubt was hiding, they realize that they REFUSE to continue to be shamed by HIS actions, and they are determined to make him take responsibility. Not because of some kind of personal retribution, but because they don’t want any more students and recent grads telling themselves the things they always told themselves about why the teacher picked them, why they responded the way they did, who was suspicious and what they thought, and the list goes on.
If you too have been affected by this man, go tell a trusted friend or email us. Then reach out to the other woman you heard “rumors” about between her and this man when you were a student. Chances are, you two will have familiar stories to tell each other. Don’t be afraid, because after you get over feeling like you want to puke and shoot someone, you are going to feel better. We’re taking back the power, and you’re in the club even if you never even get in touch. (But please do, because we can use your help and support.)
And if you didn’t go to my high school but you feel like I COULD be talking about yours, don’t wait. Start reaching out and telling people that you care, it’s not their fault, and that they’re not alone.
Thanks for listening and sharing.
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Downers Grove North HS
teachers abusing students
Paul Katula
Paul Katula is the executive editor of the Voxitatis Research Foundation, which publishes this blog. For more information, see the About page.
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Apartments for rent in Cincinnati: What will $800 get you?
Hoodline July 29, 2019
Curious just how far your dollar goes in Cincinnati?
We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring apartment rentals in Cincinnati if you've got a budget of $800/month.
Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.)
Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.
2703 Erlene Drive (Westwood)
Photo: Apartment Guide
Listed at $675/month, this two-bedroom apartment is located at 2703 Erlene Drive.
The unit comes with hardwood flooring, a fireplace, a dishwasher and a walk-in closet. The building offers on-site laundry. Good news for cat lovers: Kitties are welcome. Be prepared for a $100 pet deposit.
Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area requires a car for most errands, is somewhat bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options.
(Check out the complete listing here.)
3515 McHenry Ave. (East Westwood)
Photo: Zumper
Next, there's this two-bedroom, one-bathroom spot located at 3515 McHenry Ave. It's listed for $725/month for its 764 square feet.
When it comes to building amenities, anticipate assigned parking. You can also expect to see a balcony in the residence. There's no leasing fee required for this rental.
Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area requires a car for most errands, isn't particularly bikeable and has some transit options.
(See the complete listing here.)
4821 Reading Road (Bond Hill)
Here's a 525-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom spot at 4821 Reading Road that's going for $737/month.
In the unit, expect to find a walk-in closet and hardwood flooring. The building has an elevator and on-site laundry. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee.
Per Walk Score ratings, this location is moderately walkable, is fairly bikeable and has some transit options.
(Take a look at the full listing here.)
1802-1804 Mears Ave.
Located at 1802-1804 Mears Ave., here's an 850-square-foot two-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom apartment that's listed for $750/month.
The unit offers a balcony and both air conditioning and central heating. The building has on-site laundry. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are allowed.
Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is somewhat walkable, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options.
2645-2549 Erie Ave. (Hyde Park)
Listed at $750/month, this 300-square-foot studio apartment is located at 2645-2549 Erie Ave.
Building amenities include an elevator, on-site laundry and secured entry. You can also expect to find hardwood flooring in the unit. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome.
According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is very walkable, is quite bikeable and has some transit options.
Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Cincinnati.
This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
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HUTTON Breaks Ground on Rockledge Flats, Marking its Diversification into Multifamily
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Yeerongpilly residents vow to fight rail plan
By David Jackmanson — Monday, September 20, 2010
Angry Yeerongpilly residents have accused the State Government of lies and manipulation in their plan to resume 66 properties for a new rail line.
More than 150 people attended a protest meeting at Yeronga Bowls Club on Saturday to hear Transport Minister Rachel Nolan promise to release information about the Government decision to resume homes at Yeerongpilly.
The Government plans to resume the homes to build an exit tunnel for the Cross-River Rail project.
Asked if she would provide the information the Government used to reach its decision that Yeerongpilly was the best site for the exit tunne, Ms Nolan said “The answer…is yes – I will endeavour to make available what information there is to you as a community”.
Ms Nolan said that other options proposed for the tunnel exit were less suitable, and that a possible alternative tunnel exit at the Clapham rail yards would involve resuming about 20 homes and finding 15 hecatres of land to move the rail yards somewhere else.
Katherine Isles, a member of a residents’ group who lives in Tees Sreet, Yeerongpilly, questioned the good faith of the Government.
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan addresses the meeting
Ms Isles attacked “the lies that have been told to our residents, and the discrepancies between what the government and project team have said and what they have really meant”.
She said she had found out by accident in July that Yeerongpilly was the chosen site, and until then she had received nothing in her letterbox saying that Yeerongpilly was being considered.
Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Queensland University of Technology Phil Heywood spoke about other examples of active community involvement in planning issues in Brisbane.
“Most of the successful community movements have occured when quite desirable and well-intentioned large public-interest issues have been put forward in options which bring particular difficulties and costs for small local communities, and this conflict has frequently ignited debates with good ultimate outcomes,” Professor Heywood said.
Previous examples included CART (Campaign Against Route Twenty), a campaign against a planned motorway through Brisbane’s north-western suburbs, and opposition to the original plans for Southbank after the 1988 Expo.
He said people needed to be ready to negotiate. “You can’t have a good outcome through sloganeering…and demonising” he said.
The meeting unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the resumptions and to campaign against them.
Photos: David Jackmanson
One Response to “Yeerongpilly residents vow to fight rail plan”
I was surprised by the scale of the plans for the Yeerongpilly Station. The amount of resumptions appears to be excessive. For example, I would have thought a more modest design such as this one would be sufficient:
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3549/lowimpactyeerongpillypr.jpg
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Numbers in other languages
April 17, 2016 July 3, 2016 ~ chrisdavies09 ~ Leave a comment
Most European languages have a decimal counting system (counting in tens); however a small number of European languages have a vigesimal counting system (counting in twenties).
The main language groups in Europe which retain the vigesimal counting system are Basque and the Brythonic Celtic languages (Welsh, Cornish, Breton); while some remnants of the system are also found in French and Danish.
The vigesimal system is much more typical of non-European languages.
Semitic languages of western Asia, eg. Arabic have a decimal counting system. This system has entered northern Africa with the spread of Islam; however the older vigesimal system remains in some Berber languages of north Africa.
The vigesimal counting system is a common feature of many Niger Congo languages of western tropical Africa.
It has been previously suggested that there are a number of morphological similarities shared between certain Niger-Congo languages (Atlantic and Mande groups]; Berber languages in north Africa; the Basque language in south-western Europe; and Celtic languages in the British Isles.
Given the absence of the vigesimal counting system in eastern Europe but its presence in western Europe; and its absence in western Asia but presence in parts of northern and western Africa, maybe these regions share a common origin of the vigesimal system (ie. people crossed the Mediterranean Sea or sailed around the Atlantic coasts of Africa and Europe in prehistoric times).
Leaving aside genetic and archaeological evidence for prehistoric contacts between Africa and Europe (which is outside the scope of this blog), what linguistic evidence do we have for a common origin of the vigesimal counting system in Africa and Europe?
I believe that I have found evidence for this, and this evidence is unlikely to be a coincidence.
Please see below:-
The Word “Twenty” in Different Languages:-
Bambara [Mali, W Africa]: “mùɡan“
Jula [Burkina Faso & Côte d’Ivoire, W Africa]: “mugan“
Kakabe [Guinea, W Africa]: “múɡan“
Kuranko [Sierra Leone & Guinea, W Africa]: “mogan“
Yalunka [Guinea, W Africa]: “mɔ̀kɔ̀ŋɛ́“
Jowulu (Jo) [Mali, W Africa]: “kɔ̃ne“
**Yoruba [Nigeria, W Africa]: “ogún“**
**Welsh [Wales, UK]: “ugain“**
North Riding Sheep-Scoring Numbers [Yorkshire, NE England]: “gun–a-gun“
Cornish [Cornwall, SW England]: “ugens“
Breton [Brittany, NW France]: “ugent“
Gaulish [extinct – France etc.]: “uoconti“
Tiv [Nigeria, W Africa]: “ikundu“
**Latin [Latium, West Central Italy]: “viginti“**
**Kanuri [Niger/Nigeria, W Africa]:”fíyìndì“**
Maasina Fulfulde [Mali & Ghana, W Africa]: “no:gay“
Western Niger Fulfulde [Niger, W Africa]: “noogaj“
Pular [Guinea, Senegal, & Mali, W Africa]: “noogaj“
**Edo [Nigeria, W Africa]: “ùɡié“**
**Basque [Basque Country, N Spain & SW France]:“hogei“**
**Iberian [extinct – Mediterranean coast of Spain & SW France]: “*orkei“**
In my opinion the shared origin of the vigesimal counting system between western Africa and western Europe can’t be denied, and is reflected in very similar words for “twenty” shared between languages in these regions which couldn’t easily be explained by chance alone. My theory is that vigesimal counting systems and the very similar words for “twenty” might have spread from northern/western Africa into southern/western Europe with pastoralism [sheep/goat/cattle-rearing] during the Holocene epoch around 6,000 – 8,000 years ago. Further research is required.
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NLD U15 Girls Remain Unbeaten!
October 27th, 2014 by Nicole
Post Categories: General News • Women
Sunday 26th October saw the NLD Girls squads head to Lichfield RFC to take on Staffordshire.
The U15’s were fresh from being crowned Midlands Champions at Lutterworth a couple of weeks ago, having played Staffordshire en route to the title they were looking forward to an exciting contest.
NLD started strongly despite losing the toss and contesting up the hill into a swirling wind. In the first of the three 20 minute periods Hannah Sharp (Newark RFC) put the first points on the board for NLD with Jess Weaver (Newark RFC) adding the conversion.
Hannah Sharp made another excellent run down the wing to score a near identical try under the posts, which was once again duly converted by Jess Weaver.
NLD’s dominance paid off with two further tries from Megan Warsop (Ashfield RFC), Jess Weaver converting one of them. A strong scoreline for the visitors showed 0-26 at the end of the first period.
In the second period the NLD Coaching Team made 5 changes to the field, Staffordshire benefited from the break and came out very strongly to counter attack. With the home side running in some excellent tries NLD went into the final period having conceded 3 unconverted tries.
The third period promised to be an exciting conclusion which didn’t disappoint; Staffordshire got the first points on the board narrowing the margin to 20-26. The NLD girls soon responded and tries from Victoria Lyon (Newark RFC), Jess Weaver (Newark RFC) and Lucy Payne (Ashfield RFC) took the match out of the Staffordshire’s reach despite a late score. The final scoreline was 27-41 to NLD.
The NLD squad will have learnt lots from a tough encounter but they remain unbeaten as they turn attentions now to what promises to be an extremely tough match against North Midlands on 9th November.
Below – The NLD U15 squad pictured with the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
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Will Housing Affordability Be Addressed in the Next Democratic Presidential Debates?
On July 30 and 31, the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates will be back on the national stage for the second round of nationally televised debates. The NLIHC-led Our Homes, Our Votes: 2020 nonpartisan candidate and voter engagement project calls on the debate moderators to raise the critically important issue of housing affordability in the U.S. and for the presidential candidates to tell us what they will do about it.
The issue of affordable housing is of the utmost importance to families across the country, and voters are demanding answers on the campaign trail as never before. According to a recent national poll commissioned by NLIHC, 85% of people in America believe that ensuring everyone has a safe, accessible and affordable home should be a top national priority, and 8 in 10 want major action from Congress and the White House. Seventy-six percent are more likely to vote for a candidate with a detailed plan on making housing more affordable.
The June presidential debates were a missed opportunity, however, as the moderators failed to ask any questions on the nation’s affordable housing crisis, and only a few of the more than 20 candidates mentioned it in their responses.
In advance of the next debates, here are three things you can do today to help get affordable housing on the agenda this election cycle:
Learn what each of the candidates has said so far on affordable housing by checking out the candidate profiles on the Our Homes, Our Votes website. We are keeping track of everything candidates are saying and proposing related to affordable housing in America. (Be sure to let us know if we have missed something!)
Use social media to call on candidates to take strong positions on affordable housing. Use #OurHomesOurVotes2020 in your posts and tag @OurHomesVotes on Twitter or @OHOV2020 on Facebook so we can amplify your message!
Use the Voter and Candidate Engagement Tool Kit to plan events and candidate interactions during the primaries to show the candidates that voters need to hear from them about their affordable housing solutions.
Moderators Fail to Ask about Affordable Housing at Iowa Presidential Candidate Debate; Rep Delaney Tours “Undesign the Redline”
Prior to six presidential hopefuls taking to the stage for a nationally televised debate in Des Moines, IA last week, more than 1,000 organizations, in partnership with NLIHC and the Polk County…
Full-Page Ad in Des Moines Register: Over 1,000 Organizations Call for Presidential Debate Moderators to Ask About Affordable Housing
Yesterday, today and tomorrow in Iowa’s preeminent newspaper, The Des Moines Register, a full page ad calls on the moderators of the January 14 presidential debate to ask the candidates a question on…
Join Today’s #OurHomesOurVotes2020 Pre-Presidential Debate Tweetstorm, 3:00 p.m. ET
Six candidates will take the stage for the sixth Democratic presidential debate tomorrow night. All but one of the candidates participating in the debate have released plans or proposals to address…
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Nyko® Type Pad for PlayStation 4® Available Now
Controller Attachment Adds Ergonomic Keyboard to DUALSHOCK 4
LOS ANGELES – July 30, 2015 - Leading console accessories manufacturer Nyko Technologies today announced the release of the Type Pad for PlayStation 4®, a full QWERTY keyboard attachment that snaps onto the bottom of a DUALSHOCK®4 controller. The Type Pad helps gamers seamlessly input text and provides a mini-analog nub for quick menu navigation, as well as “.com” and “@” shortcuts for easy e-mail address and URL input. Ending a game with “GG” has never been easier! The Type Pad for PS4 is available now for MSRP $29.99 on GameStop, Amazon, Nyko’s official website, and other select retailers.
“With the rise of game streaming and eSports, gaming has never been more collaborative and communicative,” said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing at Nyko Technologies. “For that, we wanted to create a tool that would let on-screen navigation and multiplayer communication on consoles become as effortless as it is on a PC, all with consideration for the DUALSHOCK 4’s ergonomics.”
The Type Pad for PS4 can be charged simultaneously with the controller using any standard micro-USB cable, and can also be switched on and off at will to conserve battery.
To keep up with the latest from Nyko, follow them on Twitter and Youtube and like them on Facebook.
To purchase any product from Nyko’s full lineup of video game accessories for all current and previous generation consoles, visit the online store at www.nyko.com.
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You are on page # 6 in the Decorativeobjects category of our website. There are 297 items in this category. Click one of the pages below to view more items in this category.
Click any image to zoom
Pair of E Samson porcelain lamps
Item# 10246 $1950
Pair of antique Edme Samson (Paris and St. Denis) porcelain table lamps. Made in France circa 1870. Each lamp measures 27.5 inches to top of finial, 14.5 inches high to top of vase, 4.5 x 5.75 inch base with a 144 x 14 inch silk shade. Excellent working condition with like new shades. This item is on display in our gallery at OLD SAYBROOK ANTIQUES CENTER, 756 MIDDLESEX AVE, OLD SAYBROOK, CT 06475. Open Daily 10am-4pm. www.OldSaybrookAntiquesCenter.com
Customer Feedback | How to Purchase | Shipping / Handling
Shipping Extra. Connecticut residents add 6.35 percent sales tax. Buyers outside of the United States are responsible for any customs taxes or tariffs that may apply.
Japanese Meiji Period Chrysanthemum Screen
Japanese late 19th century Meiji period (1868--1912) mariage style hand-painted 4-panel paper screen with raised royal chrysanthemums on a gold leaf ground with silk brocade edging; mounted in lacquered frame. Excellent condition, minor restorations to gold leaf and backing. Dimensions: 25" W x 57.75" H (each panel). Overall: 100" W x 57.75" H.
E Picault bronze sculpture Victoria
E. Picault bronze male figure titled "Victoria," mounted on a revolving base atop the original green marble pedestal. Exquisite figure, wonderful untouched patina. The sculpture measures 32.5 inches high, and the green marble base measures 42 inches high for a total of 74.5 inches high. Excellent condition. mile Louis Picault (24 August 1833 1915) was a French sculptor, best known for works depicting allegorical and patriotic subjects, and mythological heroes. Picault was a very prolific artist, producing sculptures in abundance over 500 models in total during his long sculpting career. He began to show his artwork at the Salon beginning in 1863. He signed the majority of his work as "E. Picault". This item is on display in our gallery at OLD SAYBROOK ANTIQUES CENTER and can be seen by visiting 756 MIDDLESEX AVE, OLD SAYBROOK, CT 06475. Open Daily 10am-4pm. www.OldSaybrookAntiquesCenter.com
The Porter Garden Telescope by Telescopes of Vermont
Item# 10224 $67500
A limited edition authorized exact reproduction of Russell W. Porter's 1923 telescope, made by The Telescopes of Vermont. In 1923, Vermont artist, Arctic explorer, and amateur astronomer Russell W. Porter created an Art Nouveau style telescope intended to serve as both garden ornament and functional scientific instrument. Cast in bronze, the reflecting telescope was adorned with sculpted lotus petals and curving leaves. The optics were disguised in overlapping bronze leaves, while the motion controls were hidden in a pair of cylindrical flowers. Porter created fewer than 100 of his garden telescopes, according to the Smithsonian, which holds one of these devices in its collection at the National Museum of American History. The rarity of these telescopes was partly due to their cost of around $500, beyond the means of most Jazz Age stargazers. Russell W. Porter's telescope would be a model for the design of the 200 inch Hale telescope in San Diego. Russell Porter was the father of amateur astronomy in the United States, the founder of the Springfield Telescope Makers, an Arctic explorer and navigator, a painter of exquisite Inuit portraits, and an instructor of architecture at MIT. When British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore saw the telescope, he dubbed her �Capella�, after one of the brightest stars, always visible in the Northern hemisphere. To read more about the company The Telescopes of Vermont and its journey to recreate this telescope, please go to: http://gardentelescopes.com/our-story.html. Serial numbered and limited to two hundred, the Garden Telescope is an heirloom imbued with craftsmanship and the cachet of rarity. Four hundred hours of work are lavished on each instrument. A milestone acquisition for the art collector, garden lover, astronomy buff and/or aficionado of fine design and craftsmanship, it will spark conversations and delight those who encounter it. A six inch mirror and eyepieces of 50 and 75 power deliver the moon, Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn with great detail. Currently there are only twenty in the world. The telescope, pedestal and optics case (made by a maker of cases for fine English and Belgian shotguns) comprise the kit. Tech specs: 6" f4 mirror, with 75 and 50 power eyepieces. The Telescope, with its pedestal, is 66" tall, and weighs 110 lbs. This telescope was purchased several years ago for $75,000 and is now selling for upwards of $125,000. Excellent condition. Just in from a CT estate.
Antique 19th c horse yoke mirror
Item# 10213 $750
Antique 19th century horse yoke mounted with mirror glass. Leather and brass, excellent condition. Measures 31 inches high, 20 inches wide and 6 inches deep. This item is on display in our gallery at OLD SAYBROOK ANTIQUES CENTER, 756 MIDDLESEX AVE OLD SAYBROOK, CT 06475. Open Daily 10am-4pm www.OldSaybrookAntiquesCenter.com
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Business Support Scheme to launch in Banchory, Huntly and Stonehaven
Businesses in Banchory, Huntly and Stonehaven are being offered an exciting opportunity to work with leading retail experts thanks to a commission from the South Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (SALAG), who have awarded a LEADER grant to fund one-to-one retail consultancy for the three towns.
Local businesses are invited to participate in the Business Support Scheme which will be launched at an information evening in each town next week.
The project will start in February and will run over a number of months, offering businesses access to specialist expertise and advice and workshops to help them maintain their long-term sustainability.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Peter Argyle, said: “This is great news for our town centre businesses who will benefit greatly from the professional advice provided by The Retailer Group.
“I would strongly encourage all businesses to sign up for this support scheme which will help them grow and develop in their respective marketplace.”
Managing director of The Retailer Group, Gordon Bell, said: "We congratulate Aberdeenshire Council in taking the initiative to support local independent retailers in what are difficult times.
“This a great opportunity both for retailers and for the high street as a whole. We are delighted to be associated with this project and look forward to working with the businesses across Banchory, Huntly and Stonehaven to make a real difference both for the shops and local customers."
“A number of independent retailers situated in the three town centres offer a variety of unique and quality products and our aim is to enthuse, engage and offer expert advice during this difficult economic period.”
Chair of South Aberdeenshire LAG, Gina Ford, commented: “We all know how important it is to keep our town centres alive and, as we approach the final few months of the LEADER 2014-2020 programme, it is good to be able to support local businesses in this way.”
Full details of the Retail Plus Scheme will be announced at a meeting in each town on the dates below:
Stonehaven: Tuesday, January 21 at 6pm at the Stonehaven Community Centre, Bath Street, Stonehaven, AB39 2DH
Banchory: Wednesday, January 22 at 5.30pm at The Hub, Banchory West Parish Church, High Street, Banchory (Mount Street entrance)
Huntly: Thursday, January 23 at 5.30pm at the Stewart’s Hall, 19 Gordon Street, Huntly, AB54 8AJ
Representatives from The Retailer and Aberdeenshire Council will be available to answer any questions.
The project is a SALAG (South Aberdeenshire Local Action Group) LEADER-funded commissioned project. LEADER is funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Any retailer unable to attend the information evening should contact Heather Macrae for further details on 01467533297 or at heather.macrae@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
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2020 Porsche Taycan: First Look
Posted on September 4, 2019 by Perry Stern
First All-Electric Porsche
Four years ago Porsche introduced the Mission E concept, providing a glimpse into the sports car company’s plans to build a fully electric vehicle. Today the German automaker fulfilled its vision when the highly-anticipated first production electric Porsche made its debut simultaneously in North America, China and Europe: the truly brand-new Porsche Taycan.
Proper Porsche
“We promised a true Porsche for the age of electric mobility — a fascinating sports car that not only excites in terms of its technology and driving dynamics, but also sparks a passion in people all over the world, just like its legendary predecessors have done. Now we are delivering on this promise,” said Michael Steiner, an executive board member of Porsche AG research and development.
Turbo and Turbo S
The Taycan premieres as a 4-door sports car that offers all the performance expected of a Porsche — with a fully electric powertrain. Two versions will be offered at launch: the Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S. Speculation exists about why “turbo” is part of the new car’s nomenclature; some say it reflects Taycan’s prominent position within the Porsche lineup.
Up to 750 Horsepower
Power for Taycan comes from two electric motors — one at each axle – which also creates an advanced 4-wheel drive system. The Taycan Turbo produces up to 670 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque, while the top-level Taycan Turbo S generates a staggering 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, making it the most potent vehicle in the Porsche lineup. Power gets directed through a 2-speed transmission — first gear provides the ultimate in acceleration, while second gear exists for higher efficiency when travelling at higher speeds.
Extremely Quick
With maximum torque available almost immediately, acceleration will be eye-watering — the Taycan Turbo will sprint to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, while the more powerful Turbo S will complete the same task in a mere 2.6 seconds. Porsche limits top speed for both versions to 161 mph.
The Taycan will be the first production car to use an 800-volt system, which means that charging time from 5 to 80 percent would be under 25 minutes. Taycan’s full driving range has not been announced by the automaker.
Porsche has ably demonstrated that electrification produces excellent performance, confirmed by the Panamera and Cayenne plug-in hybrid models; the fully electric Taycan is the next logical step. “The Taycan links our heritage to the future. It carries forward the success story of our brand — a brand that has fascinated and thrilled people the world over for more than 70 years,” said Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG Oliver Blume, who opened the world premiere in Berlin. “This day marks the start of a new era,” Blume enthused.
Taycan’s design team made sure the new model is easily recognizable as a Porsche, with its sleek body and roofline that slopes toward the rear in its signature Teutonic taper. The headlights have a futuristic look, while at the rear a light bar over the large PORSCHE name evokes the look of the new 911. Taycan’s coefficient of drag is a very low 0.22, which optimizes energy consumption and range.
Advanced Interior
Inside Taycan, occupants experience a new dashboard that features a standard 10.9-inch infotainment display as well as an optional passenger display; both meld behind a single glass panel. Eschewing almost all hard buttons or knobs, the technologically-sophisticated Taycan’s user interface employs a touchscreen or voice control that responds to the phrase, “Hey Porsche.”
No Leather Required
Taycan will be the only Porsche to be offered without a leather interior. Instead, interiors feature recycled materials to emphasize the sustainability of the electric car.
As mentioned previously, the Turbo and Turbo S will be the first Taycans available. Porsche intends to offer reduced-power variants that will be introduced later this year. The automaker also has plans for the Taycan Cross Turismo, which is expected to arrive in showrooms by the end of 2020.
The Porsche Taycan Turbo has a base retail price of $150,900, while the more powerful Turbo S is priced at $185,000. Expect the new fully-electric Porsche Taycan to reach showrooms later this year.
Quick Charge.
Styling is very similar to 911.
Unique headlights.
Charge port is of a new design – uncertain of the compatibility with current chargers.
Will drive like a Porsche.
Similar to 911 but with a more high-tech look.
Chronometer.
Advanced display.
No buttons.
The post 2020 Porsche Taycan: First Look appeared first on autoNXT.net.
Nik Miles Back to School Cars Fox 40-2
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Home / About / Programs /
State Services for the Blind Partnership Project
PACER Center partnered with State Services for the Blind (SSB) of Minnesota to improve outcomes for students who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind as they transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. As part of this partnership, PACER provided parent trainings, professional in-services, and developed new resources for families and youth.
State Services for the Blind of Minnesota
Resources: SSB Services for Teens
Self-Advocacy and Secondary Transition
As a young adult who is blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind, you will hear words or phrases during the transition to postsecondary education and employment that may be new or confusing. Click the links in the story below to read a simple description of each of the terms that will be important to understand as you advocate for yourself in school, on the job and in the community.
Learn More about Self-Advocacy Terms and Descriptions
Blind Abilities: Letting Them Grow – Transitioning from Youth to Adulthood – A Conversation with Parents Barb Ziemke and Kate Reinicke
Barb and Kate sit down with Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities. Barb talks about her role as Co-Director of the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment and her experiences in advocacy that led her to PACER Center. Kate shares her experiences from her journey through her kids’ transition from youth into adulthood, including what worked and where she found answers.
Blind Abilities: Learning the Skill of Self-Advocacy: Meet PACER Center’s Transition and Employment Specialist Erika Theiler
Erika, a former high school special education teacher and access assistant at the University of Minnesota, sits down with Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities to talk about the importance of self-advocacy, soft-skills, the family’s role in building a young adult’s advocacy skills and the importance of knowing your rights as a person with a disability.
Transition in the IEP for Students with Vision Loss: What Parents Need to Know
Find out what’s on the transition services “menu” of options for transition-age students with vision loss, learn how to effectively use the Individualized Education Program (IEP) secondary transition process to help your child succeed in school and in life, discover the power of parent involvement and advocacy, and receive practical tips, tools and resources.
For more information, explore PACER’s Middle & High School Transition Planning Learning Center.
The Transition to Postsecondary Education
Discover how students and families can prepare now for a successful transition to postsecondary education in this 3-part video series.
Off to College with a Visual Impairment: An Interview with Disability Services (7 min)
Meet Rakeb, a senior in high school who is blind and touring potential colleges. Take a sneak peek at her visit to a disability service office where she learns more about how to access needed accommodations.
View an audio-described version of this video
Words of Wisdom for Students with Vision Loss from a Director of Disability Services (5 min)
Kathy McGillivray, Director of the Center for Learning and Accessible Student Services at Augsburg University, shares her expertise about the transition from high school to college for individuals with vision loss.
Words of Wisdom from Rakeb, a High School Senior with Vision Loss Preparing for College (3 min)
Rakeb, a high school senior who is blind, shares her insight into how she has prepared to make a successful transition to college.
Tips for College Students with Visual Impairments: Questions to Ask about Disability Services
Going to College: Tips for Parents of Students with Visual Impairments
Going to College: Tips for Students with Visual Impairments
For more information and resources, explore PACER’s Postsecondary Education Learning Center.
The Transition to Employment
Getting a first job and working towards a career is an exciting time of life for youth and their parents. When the young person is blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind, there will likely be challenges to overcome as well. Follow the tips in this guide to provide the support your son or daughter needs to launch into the world of work.
Learn More about the Transition to Employment
Ins and Outs of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Benefit Planning for Youth with Vision Loss
Wondering what help is available for transition age youth who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind who want to prepare for a career or find a job? This workshop will provide an overview of SSI and discuss how youth can work while preserving benefits.
For more information, explore PACER’s Employment Learning Center.
Disability Laws and Rights: What Youth with Vision Loss Need to Know
As youth with vision loss transition out of high school, it is important for families to know about the laws protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination in postsecondary education, employment, and the community.
Learn the basics of important federal laws and the rights and services they can provide to individuals who are blind, visually impaired or DeafBlind.
Learn More about Disability Laws and Rights
Blind Abilities: Self-Advocacy, Self-Awareness and the ADA: A Visit with PACER Center’s Transition Coordinator Deborah Leuchovius
Deborah talks about preparing youth for the responsibilities of adulthood and the protections of the ADA, including how self-advocacy and self-awareness can help one self-determine and understand their accommodation needs. The podcast covers the history of ADA, examples and the impact of the ADA and where you can learn more about the ADA and its importance during the transition years.
For more information, explore PACER’s Laws & Rights Learning Center.
Mental Health, Anxiety and Vision Loss
Anxiety is the most common mental health challenge experienced by youth. For students with vision loss who face communication barriers, managing a school setting can be even more stressful. Research suggests that adolescents with visual impairments experience anxiety at a significantly higher rate than their sighted peers.
Learn More about Mental Health, Anxiety and Vision Loss
Anxiety at School: Making a Plan that Works for Students with Vision Loss
The most common emotional difficulty experienced by youth in school is anxiety. For students with vision loss who may also face challenges with non-verbal communication, managing a school setting can be even more difficult. Watch this archived live stream event to learn about the following topics:
Understanding behavior as communication
Learning about behaviors that may reflect anxiety
Discovering alternatives to consequences and punishment
Exploring effective interventions for support at school
Blind Abilities: PACER Center: Promoting Awareness and Understanding of Mental Health – Children’s Mental Health and Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Project
Renelle Nelson, parent advocate and the coordinator of the Children’s Mental Health, Emotional or Behavioral Disorders project at PACER Center, sits down with Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities to talk about the misconceptions surrounding mental health and how PACER Center can provide support to parents of children and youth with mental health, emotional or behavioral challenges.
Blind Abilities: A Visit with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center Director Julie Hertzog
Jeff Thompson from Blind Abilities visits with Julie Hertzog to discuss bullying, bullying of students with disabilities, and the National Bullying Prevention Center.
For more information, explore PACER’s Children’s Mental Health and Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Project and PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
APPy Hour: Apps to Support Youth with Vision Loss in the Transition to Adulthood
This workshop provides an overview and demonstration of apps that support increased independence for youth who are blind or vision impaired. Apps address accessing print and digital text, identifying objects, and transportation.
APPy Hour App List Handout (pdf)
Blind Abilities: PACER’s Simon Technology Center: Making the Benefits of Technology More Accessible to Children and Adults with Disabilities
An interview with the Director of PACER’s Simon Technology Center (STC), Bridget Gilormini, and Assistive Technology Specialist, Paul Sanft, to provide a look inside the Simon Technology Center and to discover the services and resources they provide to individuals of all ages with disabilities and their families.
For more information and resources, explore PACER’s Simon Technology Center.
Voices of Experience Videos
Meet Rachel Magario, an assistive technology specialist and a person who is blind. In this series of videos, Rachel shares her story, including the impact of assistive technology, parental support, and maintaining a positive outlook for the future.
Meet Rachel Magario (2 min)
Rachel Magario on Postsecondary Education (3 min)
Rachel Magario on Assistive Technology (3 min)
Rachel Magario on Becoming Successful (2 min)
Rachel Magario on the Role of Parents (2 min)
More information about transition for youth with all disabilities can be found on PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website.
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The Reason YouTube Exists.
John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats proves that you can never give to much money to the Ace of Base!.....No matter what you do.....
Here's another, even crazier version, where only the locales change slightly.
Where do I find this stuff?.....Well you can blame this one on Steven Page AND (especially) John K. Samson, nee Propagandhi Guy.
Posted by RossK at Friday, July 31, 2009 5 comments
Canadian Neurosurgeon Says....
....He's never seen or heard of a death from a Rathke's cyst.
On the other hand, Ms. Shona Holmes, who we have now unequivocally established was unfortunately afflicted with such a cyst, said the following when she acted as a willing shill for the Canadian Healthcare Haters' Club, Inc., or, as she likes to call it, the 'cause':
"I survived a brain tumour......But if I had relied on my government for healthcare, I'd be dead."
Here's the the thing....
The neurosurgeon quoted above, Michael Schwartz of Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, also told CBC News that:
"....symptoms can be alleviated if the cyst is drained or part of it removed to take pressure off the optic nerve. "Then the person's vision almost always improves."
"If somebody called me about a patient that was losing her vision or had a structural abnormality of the brain I would see them within days."
That last point is important to consider when one is dealing with the constantly shifting claims of the serial obfuscators running the Haters' Club Inc./'The Cause', because Ms. Holmes has also claimed that even when she came back from the Mayo clinic with her diagnosis that she was told she would still have to face a long wait to see a specialist and/or receive surgery.
Here is how the Toronto Star reported the story, and the claims in Sept of 2007:
"....(Ms.) Holmes began losing her vision in March 2005, she told a press conference at Queen's Park yesterday. An MRI in May 2005 revealed a tumour in her brain. Her family doctor couldn't expedite appointments booked with specialists for July 19 and Sept. 19, 2005. As the tumour pressed on her optic nerves, her vision deteriorated. Afraid to wait any longer, she went to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Within a week she met three specialists and was told she had a fluid-filled sac growing near her pituitary gland at the base of her brain. They urged her to have it taken out immediately. She went home with the hopes of quickly removing what is known as a Rathke's cleft cyst.
Unable to get surgery fast, she returned to Arizona and had the mass removed on Aug. 1, 2005. Her vision was restored in 10 days. The Holmes family is now in debt $95,000 because of medical costs."....
So, was there a screw-up about a referral after she came back from the Mayo that prevented a visit with a specialist prior to the previously scheduled July 19th date?
Or, or was there a consultation with a specialist before that?
Could a more precise timeline provide some answers?
Now where, I wonder, could one find such a timeline......?
(potential answers coming soon)
Thanks, again, to pale at 'A Creative Revolution', once again for being way out in front of this story.
Please note: This is an updated version of the original post that did not have the speculation about a more precise timeline at the end..... Why?...... Because at the time I wrote the original post I did yet have a document, now safely stored on my hard drive, that has just such a timeline buried within it on pp 24-28 of 29.
Willing Member Of The Canadian Healthcare Haters' Club, Inc. Fears For Her Dog's Life
EvidenceFree-Accusations
Yes, that's right. Ms. Shona Holmes' just told the Globe and Mail that:
"....She's increased security at her home and even given the family dog to her daughter, because of threats that her lawn will be poisoned....."
So.....
Given Ms. Holmes' willingness to act repeatedly act as a shill, paid or otherwise, for a group of fine folks down south who have demonstrated a propensity to peddle demonstrable falsehoods:
Does she have any actual evidence that someone is trying to poison her dog?
If there is such evidence I, as someone who has been very, very concerned by the way her personal story has been used as a means to obfuscate by the Healthcare Haters' Club, Inc., both north and south of the border, will immediately denounce any and all such egregious and despicable behavior.
And if there is no such evidence? .....Well.......I await the Globe's explanation as to why they have published such an accusation given that the only explicit examples of criticism of Ms. Holmes and her actions given in their story are: ".....a torrent of vitriol in the media and blogosphere, accusing Ms. Holmes of lying about her health and turning her back on the Canadian health-care system. On Facebook, a group called "Lets deport Shona Holmes" is littered with messages decrying her as "a liar and a traitor" who should "move to the U.S. if you like it so much.", none of which support the contention of threats of her lawn being poisoned or that 'There's been death threats on me', as has she also claimed in the piece.
So, did Ms. Holmes' herself obfuscate about a cyst that very, very rarely causes death? Well....Please feel free to watch the first ten seconds of the following Haters' Club Inc. produced and financed commercial and you decide.
Audry has more, on what looks to be maybe a kinda/sorta almost/not quite orchestrated pushback campaign.
My Three Responses To The News About BC Ferries' Million Dollar Baby
I'llSeeYour200CutsToSocialServices
AndRaiseYouOneCEOVille
As reported by Paul Willcocks, Mr. David Hahn, the man who, in my opinion, is running BC Ferries into the ground to make it an attractive takeover target, is himself now making, all told, over one million dollars per annum to do so.
Which has so far generated three responses that have burbled up from deep within my hindbrain.
Outrage: Pure outrage. There is no other way to describe it, especially when Finance Minister Colin Hansen has been running running around telling anyone who will listen how hard he is working to cut the hearts out of small social service providers in this province at $5,000 a pop.
Wonder: As in......If this is what the fully-lackeyized Board of BC Ferries has given Mr. Hahn as annual compensation behind closed doors, what the hell is his coming golden parachute going to add up to?......Two million?.......Four?.......Heckfire!.....Why not Ten?.....
Curiousity: This one came last, when I finally calmed down and stopped yelling and screaming for the chief steward to check the man's pockets for gold-plated cotter pins..... And, truth be told, it only bubbled to the surface when I took a closer look at Mr. Willcocks' report and noticed that this 'item' was originally floated by Mr. Jordan Batemen, blogger, highly successful astroturf layer, and Langley Councilperson who also just happens to be in tight with Mr. Rich Coleman.....Which is why I can't help but wonder if this is actually the first salvo from the Red-Meat Faction signaling their intention to put the LINO back in the BC Liberal party for real this time around...
The cuts to social services thing really sticks in my craw.....Especially in the face of million dollar salaries paid for with double-dipped deficit financing and fare increases/reservation fees/fuel surcharges....Why?.....Because back in the era of the 9 figure CareNet debacle I was forced to watch, up close and personal, the same kind of 'Cut-The-Heart-Out-Of-The-Little-Guy' approach literally kill a small, extremely efficient non-profit that really did help people (and would never have made any money for a large, centralized corporation).....And here's the thing.....When we realized that we were in a deficit because of the thousand tiny cuts, we couldn't just jack up our reservation fees and/or go back through the back door to get more money from the government by running our capital costs through the roof by, say, flying in a couple of dozen summer camp staffers from Germany, our board shut things down because we decided it would be immoral to pay our one single solitary full-time staffer less than $20,000 annually to keep the thing afloat....This is how insane all this codswallop is.
Posted by RossK at Thursday, July 30, 2009 0 comments
Socialized Medicine?......In America?!
AllTheComprehensiveCareThatFits
SupportVille
You betcha.
And not only does it work, but it is something that no Republican Congressman or Senator would dare touch.
Because it 'Supports The Troops!'
So......
Why not just expand it support all Americans?
What Mandate, Exactly Do The Geniuses Currently Running BC Rail....
...Actually Have From The Government of Gordon Campbell To Divest The Remnants Of The Crown Corporation Of All It's Real Property?
Why do I ask?
Well, because as our good friend Gary E. has discovered, with the help of a willing and able Anon-O-Mouse named EM, a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia whose last name is not Bennett who would sure like to know:
The only harm that I [Judge Meiklem] can infer would accrue to the defendant (BC Rail) from a preservation of the plaintiff’s option to purchase (Brinks Forest Products) pending a hearing of the issue on the merits is that the defendant would be delayed or hindered in marketing the premises (a chunk of land next to the former BCRail tracks in Prince George) in the intervening period of time. The defendant states in submissions that an injunction would prevent the defendant from dealing with the premises in accordance with its mandate from the provincial government to divest itself of all its real property. There is no evidence as to the terms of any such mandate or what losses may occur if there are delays experienced. The defendant also suggests that an injunction would be in place for some time as this action is unsuitable for Rule 18A summary disposition given the conflicts in evidence the require findings of credibility to resolve.
(stuff in brackets mine and Gary E's)
What's this all about, Alfie?
Well, as near as I can figure it, after reading the judgement it looks like a small sawmill operator in Prince George (Brinks Forest Products) made a deal back in 2005 to lease a chunk of unsubdivided land still owned by BC Rail that is next to the railway tracks that are now operated/longterm leased/not owned by CN Rail.
Why did the little sawmill company do that?
Why, so that they could build a new sawmill.
....In June 2005 Mr. Brink applied to the City of Prince George for a building permit to construct a new building to house a sawmill on the premises. The application was made in his personal name, but the permit issued on October 3, 2005 described the project as that of BFP. The permit was limited to foundation work and the fee and development cost charges totalled $40,092.10.....
Then Mr. Brink ran into some financial difficulty, which is not at all surprising given the state of the forest industry, after apparently spending almost $5 million dollars. As a result he apparently had to slow down the construction of his mill.
And the kicker?......
Well, ignoring the terrible downturn in the forest industry, BC Rail tried to cancel Mr. Brink's lease after a 'subdivision plan had been registered in the Land Title Office' in March of 2009.
The geniuses now being paid big money by you and me to run BC Rail want to push out the small sawmill operator so that they can subdivide and sell the property, presumably to a developer.
Too bad they haven't been able to provide the judge with evidence that they actually have 'a mandate from the government to do so'.
Gosh, maybe if that government, the government of Gordon Campbell, were to open up the big, secret BC Rail deal they made with CN Rail for all of us to see we, and the judge (again, not the judge named Bennett), just might be able to glean what that 'mandate' actually is.
But Hey!.... It's not like the government of Mr. Gordon Campbell hasn't turned public forest industry land into private windfall developer-ready land without a mandate before, right?
And why did I link to the original Public Eye piece by Sean Holman on the executive pay packages of the geniuses?......Because it beat Michael Smyth to the punch by almost a full 13 months (yes 13 months, or ~330 days of The Province's daily fishwrap banging against the front porch of the 13 people that still get it by subscription), not that you'd ever know it if you were listening to Mr. Smyth crow about how he broke the story recently while he filled in for a former cabinet minister of Mr. Campbell's who quit in the wake of the RailGate Ledge Raids and ultimately landed on her feet on the (notso)Giant '98......
Is BCUC's Run-Of-River Body Slam The Real Deal?
WhatGoesUpMustComeDown
PlutonicSharePriceVille
On the face of it - yes.
But in real/non-deflector-spin terms, I'm not so sure.
Especially given the fact that the BC Utilities Commission has been so willing to play ball with Campbellerian initiatives in the past (see: Terasen, KinderMorgan for example).
Have a read of Mark Hume's report, because, I think, this is going to be a big story.
Here's the lede:
The British Columbia government's energy plan and the future of new renewable-power projects in the province have been shaken by a ruling from the B.C. Utilities Commission.
After hearings that lasted almost a year, the commission has rejected BC Hydro's long-term acquisition plan as “not in the public interest” and has refused to endorse its push for clean energy....
At the very least, regardless true intentions here, it would appear that one more pillar of the Campbell Government's recent election campaign has been shown to be built of nothing more than sand.
Posted by RossK at Wednesday, July 29, 2009 0 comments
Are Libraries Next Up On Gordon Campbell's Chopping Block?
PublicConsultation
IsForChumpsVille
Sean Holman has the story.
Oh, and regarding the emergence of a meaner slashing/burning Premier than ever in the wake of his recent election victory, I hate to say I told you so, but I did.....
Olympic Security....Is This Canada?
The Vancouver Sun's Daphne Bramham, in a story I had missed in all the RailGate excitement, would really like to know:
"There's a knock at the door. It's the police and they want to talk to you about your political affiliations.
They go door to door asking neighbours about you. They call your family and co-workers and suggest that they might call your employer.
You're driving down the street. Police stop you for a not-so-routine check and, over the next 40 minutes, you are questioned and your foreign visitors are warned that they need to carry their identification documents with them at all times.
China? No, Vancouver. It's all part of the security shakedown before the 2010 Winter Olympics are held in what is supposedly one of the freest, most open and transparent democracies in the world.....
....When Chinese security made surprise "visits" to activists, it was front-page news worldwide with screaming headlines about the repressive, autocratic, military dictatorship.
It should be no different this year.
Canadians ought to be furious with politicians for letting it get this far. We should be jamming their e-mail, voice mail and snail-mail boxes in protest....
In related news, Dr. Dawg informs us that Sergeant Pepper is back on the case with a band that is anything but lonely:
"....RCMP Sgt. Maj. Hugh Stewart has been brought out of retirement to become the senior planner for the Mounties' 2010 Integrated Security Unit. "They're talking over 4,000 police officers and over 4,000 security officers, plus volunteers," Knight said.
Stewart was nicknamed Sergeant Pepper after he pepper-sprayed protesters at UBC during the 1997 APEC conference in Vancouver. The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP concluded that Stewart did not give the demonstrators enough time to clear the road, and that his use of pepper spray was "not a justifiable or appropriate level of force"....."
Gosh, I for one, sure hope that the good officer Stewart won't be carrying an electrical conductance device linked to multiple deaths instead of pepper this time around.
Another Canadian Who Is Not A Member Of The HealthCare Haters' Club
IDon'tWantToDebateTheUniversalityDismantlers
IWantToStopThemVille
This time it's our friend Jennifer who writes, 'If I Were American I'd Be Dead'.
She also tells the heart-breaking story of a commenter she met at Daily Kos who had a similar kidney ailment as she did who did not recover, at least in part, because of the American system, and who is now in tremendous difficulty in terms of her health and her finances. Here's a bit of the story, but I really recommend that you head on over to Jennifer's and read the entire thing:
"....Unlike me, however, River lives in the U.S. So when she started experiencing symptoms, she didn't go to the doctor right away because of the cost of co-pays and the fear of being declined. And so while my condition was caught in time (barely) to restore my kidneys to full function, hers failed completely and irreparably. And while I now lead a happy, healthy normal life, she is facing a lifetime of dialysis. Which probably won't be as long as you'd think, because she's about to hit the lifetime cap on her husband's medical insurance..."
When you hear from people who are supposed be working for us pushing the Two-Tiered Healthcare envelope please understand what is really at stake.
Posted by RossK at Tuesday, July 28, 2009 0 comments
Why Isn't This Person A Member Of The Canadian Healthcare Haters' Club, Inc?
Maybe because, unlike, say, the Haters Inc.'s latest homegrown shill, Ms. Shona Holmes, who had a benign cyst, this particular Canadian actually had a real brain tumour with the potential for rapid spread that required immediate surgery, radiation and chemotherapy - and they got all three:
Five years ago I was rushed to hospital with severe head pains. A scan revealed a serious life-threatening brain tumour (glioblastoma). So I was immediately admitted to the Trillium Centre in Mississauga where surgery was performed to remove as much of the tumour as possible. After I was released from hospital I was referred to the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton where I was immediately started on radiation and oral chemotherapy treatment.
The fact that I am alive today is a testament to the prompt, effective, excellent treatment I received under the Canadian health care system.
Our thanks to 'pale' at A Creative Revolution who is really taking this one to the streets, in all its incarnations both North and South of the 49th parallel for this one too.
Cross-posted in a slightly different form for the folks that really need this information down south at Firedoglake, here.
And here is a great post by one of those FDLer's to their legislator.
The good folks at 'The Political Carnival' are also doing a great job on this issue down south as well.
And Canuckleheads, this is not just an issue for our good friends to the south...The dismantlers are working both sides of the border in an effort to get us too.
For local Lotuslandian readers, Paul Willcocks has really being digging into the current dismantler-friendly provincial government's surrogate-assisted pushing of the two-tiered envelope.
Canadian Healthcare Haters’ Club….The Wait Time Delusion.
AFriendInNeed
IsAFriendIndeedVille
Late last week, I came out of the RailGate bubble just long enough to get really pissed off about this 'Canadian HealthCare Haters Club, Inc.' business that 'pale' at 'A Creative Revolution' writes eloquently and comprehensively about here.
Anyway, as a result I wrote a couple of posts about one of our own who has been shilling for the Haters' Club headboy, Rick Scott, and his friends.
And then I cross-posted those screeds, in a slightly different form, over at Firedoglake, which is an American progressive site that is really doing it's best to try and force Democratic legislators (ie. the ones that are supposed to be on their side) to do the right thing on healthcare reform down there.
The result was some really good discussion, but it quickly became clear to me that a real bogeyman, even amongst progressives, is this business about how wait times are so much worse in Canada than in the States.
Below is how I responded......
Hi FDL'ers.
As a Canadian who has lived in your country, I got mighty upset when I saw my fellow countryperson, Ms. Shona Holmes, acting as a shill for the Canadian Healthcare Haters' Club, Inc.
So I wrote a couple of diaries about it here and here.
Which led to some good discussion, much of which seemed to center around wait times which, I've come to learn, is something that seems to be spooking even progressives.
As a result, I tried to write something realistic in response that goes like this:
First off, let me say the following (skip the next passage if you want to get straight to the answer)…..When we lived in the States I worked for a University and had what, I now understand (but didn’t then) is a Cadillac plan….We had our first kid down there and the care was very, very good….but, overall the co-pays and the nickle-and-diming with just about every visit and every prescription just about drove me crazy (I was a post-doctoral fellow so, even though I got the benefits, my actual pay was crap)…. And then, when I had an old chonic problem of my own flare up, it took some time, but not an unreasonable length of time, to get referred to the required specialist….I knew precisely what I needed (given my past experience with a similar specialist up here in Canada) but this guy, a staffer with the HMO, hemmed and hawed and ultimately would not give it to me (it involved a course of expensive antibiotics). Instead, he handled the problem very conservatively and it took much longer to resolve than I was used to… So, what’s the point?….Well, in Canada, where the system is Universal, when something like that happens you can go back to your family doctor and ask for another referral…Nobody at the HMO would help me do anything as crazy as that, so I just waited it out (nothing life-threatening, just a pain the, almost literally, rear end).
Now, getting right down to wait times….Anything urgent is dealt with immediately….Anything truly elective is most definitely not dealt with immediately…In between, say a knee ligament reconstruction after you’ve hurt yourself running around on the softball field, is where it becomes greyer.
However, overall, in my experience the following passage, from another border straddler named Rhonda Hackett who wrote a very good piece recently in the Denver Post that every American who has nagging concerns about really going for Universality and/or a true Public Option should read called ‘Debunking Canadian Healthcare Myths’:
Myth: There are long waits for care, which compromise access to care.
There are no waits for urgent or primary care in Canada. There are reasonable waits for most specialists’ care, and much longer waits for elective surgery. Yes, there are those instances where a patient can wait up to a month for radiation therapy for breast cancer or prostate cancer, for example. However, the wait has nothing to do with money per se, but everything to do with the lack of radiation therapists. Despite such waits, however, it is noteworthy that Canada boasts lower incident and mortality rates than the U.S. for all cancers combined, according to the U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group and the Canadian Cancer Society. Moreover, fewer Canadians (11.3 percent) than Americans (14.4 percent) admit unmet health care needs.
Hope this helps you all.
Sorry to be so verbose about all of this, but I’ve just got to reiterate the central tenet of the Canadian system that I mentioned in my original post…..We never worry….We may gripe sometimes…..But we never worry….For example, want to change jobs?…..We don’t worry about losing our coverage…..Lose your job?….We don’t worry about losing our coverage….Get sick?…..We don’t worry about losing our house to pay the hospital bills….Why?…Because the thing is completely portable and it’s always there.OK?
Best of luck with the battle.
RossK.
Oh, and if you want the real hard stuff, from a guy I like to call our own version of Steve Gilliard, check this out..
Posted by RossK at Sunday, July 26, 2009 2 comments
The Triple 'A' Candidate.....Hunter S. Thompson Was Right.
HowMuchGood
CanAGoodPolDoVille
Just finished listening to Kevin Sylvester interview George McGovern, who has written a new book on Lincoln, for a full hour on the Ceeb*.
It was completely inspiring on a huge range of issues, including the fact that Mr. McGovern was emphatic that there are times when wanting to win too much is actually losing.
And then he gave specific examples about Nixon.
Not the Nixon that made crap up about him, like the header above in 1972, but instead the Nixon of 1946 who demonstrated very early on what the evils of Atwater/Ailes/Rovianism would become 40 years later.
McGovern is 87 years old now and he wants to live to be 100.
So that he, in a true demonstration of bipartisanship, can work with Bob Dole to feed every school kid in the world lunch every day.
Sound crazy?
Sound utopian?
Sound like another of those ridiculous, bleeding heart liberal pie-in-the-sky wastes of big money that people like Margaret Wente and Rex Murphy and Bobo Brooks will denounce, like, yesterday, if not before?
Sure thing.
But consider this.......
Luring kids to school in developing nations is just about the best, cheapest form of birth control ever invented.
No amnesty.
No acid.
And, most definitely, no abortion required.
(not to mention gods or goddesses)
*Which is still, for the moment at least, radio of the people, by the people, for the people.
Shona Holmes Re-Visited....First Jumps Queue...Then Attacks System....Now Wants Us To Pay???!!!
Update: Welcome to all of our American friends arriving from Firedoglake, Stratosphere and Political Carnival.....By all means have a gander at what I've written below about one of the Wizards Of Wingnuttia's latest shills...But for a deep, fair, and truly balanced look at all that's mostly good about about the Canadian Healthcare system, written by someone who now lives in the States, please check this out as well.
CanadianHealthCareHatersInc.
BankruptcyForAllVille
Ms. Holmes, who you may recall, fled Canada to have a benign cyst removed immediately in the United States.
Presumably, she did this because she didn't want to have to wait in line behind people with malignant tumours who required surgery right away North of the 49th parallel.
Which is all fine and good - if somebody wants to go elsewhere and pay big bucks for whatever, that's fine by me.
Except for two things.
First, Ms. Holmes has since become an obfuscatory shill for the Wizards of Wingnuttia down south.
Second, she's been trying to get us to pick up the $97,000 (US) tab it cost for her to do her queue jumping.
Oh, and just so you know, The Wizzo-Wing's have been making an issue of that as well.
Do these people have no sense of decency whatsoever?
And don't you dare think that the Wizzos aren't workin' the refs on this one up here in the Great White North as well...... Pale, of ACR fame, has that story.
JJ, as only she can, also has this one nailed to the wall, but good.
Something else that I've been wondering about.....Given that the condition that Ms. Holmes was afflicted with arises before birth, doesn't that mean she had a 'pre-existing condition'?.....And don't folks with 'pre-existing' conditions sometimes and/or often have difficulties getting/keeping private health insurance.....Not being particularly well-informed on this matter (yet), I've asked the denizens of Firedoglake for their thoughts.
Posted by RossK at Saturday, July 25, 2009 0 comments
The Real Story On Canadian HealthCare Hater Shona Holmes
AllTheShillsThatFit
HealthCareIndustrialComplexVille
You've probably seen her all over the TeeVee, both on the cable News and in all those shrill shill ads, proclaiming how she was denied speedy care for her brain tumor in Canada which forced her south for a $97,000 surgery at the Mayo Clinic.
But here's the real thing, Ms. Holmes did not have a malignant brain tumor.
Instead, she had a benign condition called 'Rathke's cleft' which is a self-contained cyst that does not spread. Therefore, speed is not of the essence, as it would be in, say, a case of malignant glioma that does rapidly spread. In fact, most of those cysts are embryological remmants (ie. they form while the baby is still developing in utero and hang around for the person's entire life). Thus, they are often treated conservatively unless secondary symptoms arise (ie. because of where they are they can push on the pituitary or the optic nerve).
Therefore, in my best estimation at least, the fact that Ms. Holmes was not rushed into surgery in Ontario likely made both good medical AND good health care system sense.
Regarding the latter, think of it this way....Ms. Holmes, who was not in imminent danger, was was asked to wait a bit so that the clinicians involved could get a handle on whether or not it was progressing (ie. the usual conservative treatment decision for this condition) AND so that the glioma patients who really, really needed it could get their treatment first.
Now.... Ms. Holmes decided she couldn't wait....So, instead, she went south and had the relatively straightforward surgery to drain the cyst right away at a cost of $97,000.
Which is fair enough.
Just don't blame Canada for not letting her jump the queue.
Because the fact is that the folks in front of her in the line needed their immediate surgery much more than she did, which is something the great majority of Canadians agree is how things should be.
There is, of course, something else that the great majority of Canadians also agree upon.
Which is that nobody should have to pay $97,000 for any kind of medical treatment.
And we don't.
And because of that we don't lose our houses, or worse, when we get catastrophically ill.
Wrote this after reading a comment by our good friend Great Aunty Bertha over at Laila's place. I've cross-posted it, with some pre-amble, down south at Firedoglake where they are really fighting the good fight and are attempting to force their legislators to do the right thing on American Health Care Reform. In fact, the strategies used by the FDLers to get legislative movement on issues of import might be worth considering up here as well. Why? Because rather than wrangling with the Repubs, they focus instead on the people who are actually supposed to be on their side (and yes, I'm looking at you Mr. Krog and associates re: RailGate).
Pale, over at A Creative Revolution has great backgrounder stuff on the Canadian HealthCare Haters' Club.
And our good friend Laura, who really has seen the HealthCare systems on both sides of the border up close and personal has even more.
Fellow border-straddler Ian Welsh tells it like it really is at the HuffPo (note also Ian's own tale of how the longterm care he received in Canada when he was young did NOT bankrupt his parents, but would have if they had lived in the States at the time).
Posted by RossK at Saturday, July 25, 2009 14 comments
RailGate Rewind: Vaughn Palmer 'Speculates' That The Government Has....
....Hired an expert to 'retrieve' the Emails that were not on the back-up tapes.
Sounds to me like somebody on the inside has been whispering in Mr. Palmer's ear.
Because, Mr. Palmer is very willing to prattle on on specific subject one without any direct evidence being first produced in court.
Interesting that, eh?
(Michael Smyth, at least, tried to fight back about them being public records which started Palmer laughing, immediately, on that and the possibility that the judge could well be gone)
Heard on J. McComb's NW show at 3:45 pm Friday.
RailGate Revival.....Judge Orders Release Of Relevant Kinsella EMails.
Because, according to Mdme Justice Bennett, they are well, likely, you know, relevant:
Here's the story from the Province's Keith Fraser:
(O)n Friday the judge said that while some of the documents being sought were not relevant, some of them do support the defence theory.
Several of the relevant e-mails describe the setting up of meetings between Kinsella and B.C. Rail, she said.
“The defence submits that it’s significant that B.C. Rail is meeting with Kinsella a few months after the 2001 election,” said the judge.
“The e-mails refer to meetings to discuss the plans for the 2004 railway.
“Given that B.C. Rail was put on the market in 2002, and the charges come from that event, these documents are likely relevant. Mr. Kinsella does not have a privacy interest on the documents.”
Update: Friday @ 5pm....Mark Hume, in the Globe, notes that Judge Bennett actually placed the Kinsella/BCRail records into three categories:
Justice Bennett said some of the records are clearly not relevant to the defence of Dave Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi – who are accused of trading in confidential government information and taking bribes – and she ruled that that material not be disclosed.
She ordered the release of numerous records that are “likely relevant,” and over which Mr. Kinsella cannot assert privacy interests. And she put other documents into a third category – likely relevant but subject to privacy interests – which will be vetted, so that private information can be redacted before release.
This, to my mind at least, looks to be an extremely prudent course of action.
Hmmmmm......does this mean we are going to suddenly start hearing stories that have 'long been known' from proMedia pundits that have so far kept mum on this issue as well.
Brian From Garden Bay Destroys Ledgie Boys 223 to 10
PAB Bots
(Palmer ignores the stick up the side of the head.....Good cuts to commercial...)
10:55am...Lone caller finally gets through that brings up the total lack of BC Rail discussion so far....All Ledgie Boys first turtle, then get Uber Defensive....Palmer mentions more than once that he will be on McComb this afternoon...Baldrey says there will likely be nothing in the Emails....Good says it's all assumptions....Baldrey says everything else is a bigger story....Hmmm....including out-front deflector spin HST announcements that nobody, apparently even in the Ministry of Finance, knew were coming this week?....Which, of course, proves the callers' point entirely...... That's it!...I'm finally really and truly done with these people....Although I do have one more post on 'The Boys In The Bag' coming....After that, I will only pay attention to proMedia journos who actually know how to use (and/or still remember how to use) the 5W's....
Little Gordo In Financial Trouble?....Big Steve-O To The Rescue!
Gordon Campbell's oxymoronic, way-out-of-tune, and distinctly off-key, 'Harmonized Sales Tax' is being backed by a one time $1.6 billion with a 'B' subsidy from Mr. Stephen Harper.
Using our money, of course.
Gosh....
Did Mr. Campbell's $2.1 billion dollar deficit just become something like, say, oh I dunno $495 million?
(and even more unbelievable that this wee bit of flim-flammery is not being reported as such)
And who knew that His Gordness had the power to bring the good Docktor 'HST' back from the dead.....Wowser!
Final thoughts.....Was this pure, get out in front deflector spin to obscure the crap flying out of the Email Wurlitzer?
BC Rail Lawyer Says That CN Ate Mr. Kinsella's Homework....
....Errrr "Documents".
Mr. T., Bill Tieleman, who was an eye-witness in the RailGate courtroom today, has the story:
B.C. Rail lawyer Robert Deane said this afternoon that there was “an explanation and it’s not sinister.”
Deane said CN Rail had taken over B.C. Rail documents in July 2004, so they were not in B.C. Rail’s possession.
Deane said an affidavit filed in June of 2009 explained that when the transfer of B.C. Rail to CN was completed in about July 2004, recoreds were transferred to the control of CN.
Outside court Deane declined to answer questions about why B.C. Rail still retained some records related to Kinsella but not others or whether B.C. Rail knows if the invoices exist and are in CN's control.
Sure glad we didn't 'sell' BC Rail to CN, otherwise they might have taken possession of everything under the British Columbia sun.
In related RailGate news, according to Mr. Tieleman, defense lawyer Kevin McCullough, in open court, continued to allege that Mr. Kinsella worked for both BC Rail and CN Rail, although judge Bennett says there is no evidence of that.....
At least not currently (evidence, I mean)...... Which begs the question, would Mdme Justice Bennett change her mind if she got a chance to actually see the missing homework?
Mark Hume's report on the day's court hearing, which has some good and important stuff in it, including a confirmation that Mr. Kinsella's lawyer did, indeed, argue that the release of documents describing his clients deeds and/or actions while he was being paid by a public company shouldn't be released because, apparently, descriptions of those actions and/or deeds "could damage his client's reputation" (say, what?), is here.
There Is No Credible Evidence That Mr. Dziekanski Was....
....Waving a STAPLER around menacingly when he was jumped and repeatedly stunned with thousands of volts of electricity, even after he was lying face down on the floor with a knee jammed into the back of his neck.
So, given that, why is this fiction still being repeated, endlessly, by pundits and police alike, as some sort of justification that the people who did the jolting, kneeing and killing were under the threat of some sort of bodily harm, grievous or otherwise?
Or, put another way......
Why can we no longer call a demonstrable falsehood exactly what it is, which is a 'lie', and then call any and all people who brandish such lies exactly what they are when they do so.
Which would be to call them liars and then be done with it.........End of story.
RailGate Unravelling...Is Everything Missing?
HidingInPlain
SightVille
First we found out the Emails were missing.
Now it appears that a whole bunch of invoices that should have been generated as a result of the fine work that the very fine Mr. Patrick Kinsella and/or his company Progressive Holdings did for BC Rail are, apparently, nowhere to be found.
Mr. Tieleman, reporting from the courtroom has the story, which includes, in my opinion at least, the bogus argument from Mr. Kinsella's lawyer, James Sullivan about why BC Rail documents connected to his client should NOT be allowed to see the light of day:
Sullivan told (RailGate judge) Bennett that release of the documents could beh (sic) harmful to Kinsella's business.
"Mr. Kinsella is not a government official or a public figure. He's a private citizen who relies upon his good reputation for his business," Sullivan said. "Mr. Kinsella, it must be stressed, is not a party to these proceedings."
But here's the thing Mr. Sullivan......
BC Rail is a PUBLIC company!
Therefore, the PUBLIC has a right to know.
Because that means that Mr. Kinsella was paid with the PUBLIC's money.
Not John McLernon's money....
Gary Collins' money....
Judith Reids' money......
Martyn Brown's money....
Ken Dobell's money....
Or, Godess forbid.....
Gordon Campbell's money!
Please note: In my description above I most certainly did NOT write 'paid-off'......Why did I not do so? Because that would be nothing more than crazy talk, and we sure wouldn't want any thing like that happening in this, the 'Best Place On Earth' to turn public assets into private gold.....Right?
RailGate Catch And Release...This Ain't No Fishing Expedition.
AllTheTapesThatFit
CampbellVille
Just a couple of quick thoughts while we wait for RailGate judge, Mdme Justice Bennett, to decide on the fate of Paddy The K's documents as well as her own future.
If those RailGate Tapes that were ordered destroyed by Ms. Rosemarie Hayes in May of this year were originally placed on hold as the tale of two affidavits would suggest, doesn't that beg the following two questions......
Who ordered the original holding?
And why?
There just might be a hint of the who in Mr. Mason's latest missive wherein he mentions that he tried to get ahold of Ms. Hayes' predecessor in the neoOrwellian-named Ministry of Messaging*, Ms. Sue Griffiths, to no avail.
And thanks tons to a very perceptive Anon-O-Mouse in the comments for the prod-along on this one.
*At least it's not called the 'Ministry of Information Retrieval'......yet.
RailGate Reverberating.....Mr. Mason Cometh....
.....Again.
Most importantly, Mr. Mason has asked the key person (presumably) responsible what happened to the RailGate Emails, and he has gotten no response from.....
"....Ben Stewart, minister responsible for Citizens' Services, which oversees the government department managing information technology. (An aide said the minister just didn't want to discuss the issue.)..."
Nor will anyone else involved.
Discuss the issue, I mean:
"....For the record, here are those who refused to discuss the matter or even respond to interview requests:...
{snippety-doo-dah}
....Rosemarie Hayes, the woman in charge of the e-mail service for government and the author of the affidavit that blew the lid off the story about the May records' destruction. (She has not responded to numerous messages left on her phone.)
Sue Goldsmith, Ms. Hayes's predecessor, who understands how the electronic storage system works as well as anyone and whose name surfaced in the Hayes affidavit.
Lee Johnson, an official at EDS Advanced Solutions, the company contracted by government to destroy the records requested by the defence. He was dealing with Ms. Hayes regarding the order to destroy the government information that the defence was seeking in the corruption trial.
It would appear people have either gone into hiding voluntarily or been ordered there by the Premier's office, which controls all messaging during times of crisis. Either way, the government's handling of this matter is disgraceful and shows nothing but contempt for the related concerns of B.C. citizens....."
So, never mind the already long-gone-and-forgotten Wally Oppal, because this is one mother of a giant Stonewall that even the way-done-gone-longer John Mitchell would be proud of.
I wonder.....
Is is it even remotely possible that Mike de Jong's partner's nickname is Martha by any chance?
Naw.....
Not possible.
Because, unlike this obfuscatory madness, a coincidence of that magnitude would be just plain crazy.
And for those keeping score and/or making side bets at home, I was off on the arrival of this particular Mason missive by 2 hr 27 minutes on the highside.
Oh, and just to take things one step Mary Prankster Bus...If Mr. Mason knows that Ms. Goldsmith's name was in the Hayes affidavit, what else does he know that he hasn't told us yet?
Clang, Clang Go The RailGuitar Doors!
It'sAllBeforeTheCourts
NoCommentVille
Bill Tieleman is reporting that the best known Campbell Administration insider not on the RailGate Top 40 hit list will have his anti-document dump day in court tomorrow.
Well, actually, according to the ever reliable Mr. T. at least, Mr. Patrick Kinsella's lawyer is scheduled to show up for a hearing in front of RailGate court judge Elizabeth Bennett:
Thursday's session starting at 10 a.m. is expected to feature arguments over disclosure of BC Rail documents connected to Patrick Kinsella, the BC Liberal election campaign co-chair for 2001 and 2005 who was paid $297,000 by BC Rail for "business advice".
Kinsella's lawyer James Sullivan will appear for the publicity-shy BC Liberal insider.
Does that mean I should stay up late to wait for another Gary Mason bombshell to hit the wires at 12:01am?
Header is in reference to one of the best, least known, publicity-shy Clash songs of all time.
Oh, and just so you know.....The other small matter that will also be dealt with tomorrow is a decision by Mdme. Justice Bennett about whether she should stay ....Or should she go....
Who Ordered The RailGate Tape Destruction?.....Why Not Ask The Minister Responsible?
HowManyW'sYouGotPundits?
FiveVille
The Globe had a decent LiveChat with old reliable, Mark Hume, on all matters RailGate over the lunch hour today.*
And there is some good stuff worth having a look at there, both in terms of the questions and the answers.
One call and response that caught my eye was the following:
[Comment From PaulG]
has anyone talked to the woman at the center of this scandal - Ms. hayes?
Mark Hume: Rosemarie Hayes, the director of the government's messaging services, has not talked to anyone in the media. She did talk at some length to a government lawyer, who has filed two affidavits from her. Those sworn statements, which we heard in court are contradictory, are sealed, so we don't know what she's said.
Which is all fine and good, as far as it goes.
Not to mention clear.
But it is nothing new.
So, again......
Why doesn't some enterprising editor send a reporter to go and ask Ms. Hayes' ultimate boss, the minister responsible for 'messaging services', who, precisely, ordered the destruction of the Emails in May of 2009?
And if the minister responsible is not immediately available, perhaps one of the 223 fine folks in the Public Affairs Bureau without too much to do (ie. the ones that keep trolling 'round here all day long) could go and find him.
Because the minister responsible for 'messaging' is their boss too.
And his name is Mr. Ben Stewart.
Why wasn't I in there mixin' it up myself, you may be asking?.....Darned thing called work....But I am thinking that we, the RailGate Obsessives Club, could set up our own LiveChat.....After all, we have the technology, and we pulled off a similar thing somewhat successfully on Election Night.....Details to follow.
RailGate Re-Evaluation.....Who Consulted With Whom, When?
ThereAreFiveOfThem
BigWVille
Last week we noted that B.C.'s current Crime Czar, Mr. David Morhart, who, allegedly, used to be in possesion of a whole bunch of E-mails of interest to the RailGate defense team that may (or may not) have been destroyed recently, and who also turned up on the RailGate Top 40, was also once a member of the "Evaluation Committee" that helped to guide BC Rail's 'restructuring' back in the day.
It turns out that the then and current Chairman of the Board of BC Rail, Mr. John McLernon, who, coincidentally (or not), also happens to be the current Chairman of the Board of the BC Lottery Corporation was also a part of that very fine, finest of the fine, "Evaluation Committee".
In fact, Mr. McLernon was also the Chairman of that august body as well.
Which got me to wondering.....Did, perchance, Mr. Morhart himself ever consult with any of the wisest of the wisemen, especially any of those wisemen who may also have had dealings with, and/or perhaps provided wise counsel to, say, the BC Lottery Corporation, and who were also being paid handsomely, presumably at Mr. McLernon's behest, or at least, presumably, with his blessing, to help counsel BC Rail on their strategic plan to go forward during those most exciting of times when the wisest of all wise deals was going down?
Not that I'm trying to be a wiseguy by askin' the question or anything.....
Which Is More Deadly....Listeria or Codswallop?
StupidIdeologicallyDrivenPoliciesThatKill
AreAlwaysABadThingVille
What happened AFTER the listeria bacteria bloomed in those meat cutters was bad.
But, in my view at least, what was absolutely unforgiveable is what happened BEFORE the bacteria grew.
Which, to be absolutely clear, was an explicit policy change that was engineered by Mr. Stephen Harper with malice and/or ideology aforethought that was then put into action by Mr. Gerry Ritz when he took federal government inspectors out of meat processing plants.
As a result, the bacteria were able to grow until they reached deadly levels, undetected.
And if we, the people of Canada, do not come to that realization we are, in my opinion, inviting it to happen again, regardless how many half-measures are put in place to take care of things AFTER the next bacteria-driven outbreak occurs.
Impolitical's take really helps provide a full-scope/big picture view of this matter.....In fact, it is something every single big time proMedia editor/producer should be forced to read before they wurlitzer up another stupid puff-piece that implies that everything is better now and that there is no longer any need to worry about the cold-cuts at the salad bar and/or in the cafeteria of the old folks home.
The Dual-Pronged RailGate Defense Strategy
At least according to the lawyer for David Basi, Michael Bolton, in an interview with Mike Smyth on the (notso) Giant'98 this afternoon....
(paraphrasing)
1) The defendants were only following their boss' orders.
2) The lobbyists that 'interacted' with the defendants were also getting information from other folks in the government.
We've known all about #1 for a long time now.
And as for #2.....?
Well, that puts things in a whole different perspective, doesn't it, especially if you recall a little matter that some, Vaughn Palmer included, have described as being a putative 'Quid Pro Quo' and which the RailGate judge herself, Mdme. Justice Bennett, once noted could have been a potential 'Consolation Prize'.
And what's that all about?
Well, the suggestion that there was a quid pro deal in place, made between the government and one of the junior bidders that was brokered with the help of a government-connected lobby shop, to award the Roberts Bank Spur Line to the junior bidder if it stayed in the big mainline game to the end to provide the government competitive cover to legitimize it's done (eg. fixed) deal with the one senior bidder that also stayed in the game to the end.
All you really need to know to understand this thing.....in one simultaneously simple and convoluted paragraph.
In related, PAB-assisted news....Apparently the heat has died down enough that the Premier has decided to head to Kelowna....And in my opinion, we are not talking about the heat of the fires themselves......Will be interesting to see if he actually has an open presser or if it's all controlled ambush interviews/calls to friendlies....
Who, Precisely, Ordered The Destruction Of The RailGate Tapes?
ThereAreFiveOf'Em
Who, indeed.
Perhaps some enterprising proMedia reporter would like to call up Rosemarie Hayes' boss and ask him.
You all remember Ms. Hayes don't you?
If not, here's a reminder......She's the director of the provincial government's 'Messaging and Collaboration Services'.
Still doesn't ring a bell?
Well how about this....She's also the very fine public servant who told the outsourced InfoTech storage company, EDS, to destroy those tapes with all the RailGate E-mails on them.
Who, precisely ordered Ms. Hayes to send that order to EDS, in May of 2009, in the middle of a hotly contested election campaign in which the proMedia was obsessed with how much fuel Carole James' float plane used and which of Gordon Campbell's relatives were travelling on a campaign bus that he wasn't even on because he was scared the public might find him on it?
Well.....
Presumably, again, Ms. Hayes' boss might have an inkling of that who would be.
So, who is that, exactly?
Ms. Hayes' boss, mean?
Well, that would be the Minister responsible for 'Messaging and Collaboration Services'.
Which is a very fine fellow named Ben Stewart.
And what Ministry is it that Mr. Stewart is running, exactly?
Why, that would be the Ministry of Citizens’ Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and .........Wait for it............
.....The Public Affairs Bureau....
Oh, and as for the 'It just costs too much to save all those ol' bits and bytes' defense.... Well, Miro Cernetig pretty much destroys that one in his VSun piece today.....Unless, of course, $129 is just too rich for a Ministry to spend that has 220+ full time PAB staffers doing, well.......What, precisely, for the people of British Columbia?
To put all those PAB staffers, and the relative cost of their non-concrete usefulness into perspective, don't forget that the Province of British Columbia currently has just 10 full time Park Rangers.... Yes, just 10!......And no, Mr Good, I'm not making that up either.
Oh, and speaking of the good Mr. Good....I could have sworn that he had his own little Creme de la Creme moment this morning when he berated Frances Bula over the ridiculous notion of the possibility of homeless shelters in....Gasp!..... Vancouver's 'upper middle class neighbourhoods'.....
RailGate Ricochet.....Which Deputy Is Which?
AllThePremier'sMen
AndWomenVille
Which Deputy "Minister", that is....
Not too surprisingly it is Mr. Mason of the Globe, with a take that is highly conversant with the RailGate defense's position, that raises the issue:
"....The defence has already come into possession of some e-mails through freedom of information applications that have demonstrated the potential importance of some of these third-party conversations. For instance, it has obtained e-mail correspondence between the lobbyists at the centre of the scandal that suggests there was a former deputy finance minister who might have been a key source of insider information for them."
Hmmmmm......Now which former Deputy Finance Minister "might" that be?
Well, there is technically, only former Deputy Finance Minister on that RailGate Hit List that was released by Mdme Justice Bennett yesterday.
And, as long as you're not colour blind, you shouldn't have too much trouble spotting that fine former public servant below, from the list:
Premier Gordon Campbell
Martyn Brown, chief of staff
Mike Morton, press secretary
Lara Dauphinee, deputy chief of staff
Ken Dobell, former deputy minister to premier and cabinet secretary
Brenda Eaton, former deputy minister to the premier
Jay Schlosar, former director of issues management
David Cunningham, former deputy communications director
Tom Syer, former deputy chief of staff
Jessica McDonald, deputy minister to the premier
(Ministry of Finance)
Gary Collins, former finance minister
Paul Taylor, former deputy minister
Chris Trumpy, deputy minister
David Morhart, former assistant deputy minister
Yvette Wells, former exec-dir. of the crown agencies secretariat
Judith Reid, former transportation minister
Christy Clark, former deputy premier
Shirley Bond, formed Northern caucus member, minister of education
Richard Neufeld, former northern caucus MLA
(Search of the Legislature on December 28, 2003)
Rich Coleman, former solicitor general
Kevin Begg, assistant deputy minister
(Communications with lobbyists at Pilothouse – Brian Kieran, Erik Bornmann, Jamie Elmhirst and their respective companies)
Richard Neufeld
Judith Reid
Shirley Bond
While it is not an absolute indicator of anything connected to the BC Rail deal or the Basi/Virk/Basi case with any certainty whatsoever, I do seem to remember that the 'lobbyists' allegedly involved in the case did have some dealings back in the day with at least one Deputy Finance Minister.
Luckily the Blogspot never forgets, so maybe if I fish around a little bit in the archives I might be able to find it.
Just a sec.....(insert Jeopardy theme music here)
Ah........Yes..........Here it is..... From a two year old column by Les Leyne in the Victoria Times-Colonist*:
"....Former ministerial aides Dave Basi and Bobby Virk are on trial for influence-peddling in relation to the B.C. Rail sale.
One aspect of the case involves the activities of a Victoria lobbying firm run by Brian Kieran and Jamie Elmhirst.
But it's another activity that duo were involved in that caught the attention of the Opposition yesterday. And that was sparked by a rather careless exchange of e-mails four years ago (ie. in 2003) that took an entirely too nonchalant approach to discussing a former deputy minister of finance.
Kieran, Elmhirst and Erik Bornman -- a colleague of theirs then who is expected to be a star witness in the Basi-Virk trial -- were e-mailing one another about a potential new client. This was months before the raid on the legislature and has nothing to do with B.C. Rail.
And if the e-mails are to be believed, then-deputy minister of finance Paul Taylor was only too happy to be of service in facilitating the new business relationship.
At the time Taylor and Kieran were friends and neighbours on Pender Island.
After a day fishing with Taylor, Kieran e-mailed his partners with news that Taylor had given him a detailed outline of how to go about securing a consulting contract with the B.C. Automobile Dealers Association, an outfit that employed Taylor prior to his move to government....."
(insertion of date in bracket above, mine)
*And for the record, lest any proMedia pundit choose to suggest that I'm just making this stuff up, here's my original post that led back to the Les Leyne piece.
RailGate's Top 40!...The Hits Just Keep Coming
Earlier, after a tip from an Anon-O-Mouse, we posted-up a list of known current and/or past known associates of one Mr. Gordon Campbell who's Emails were apparently deemed 'potentially relevant' by Mdme. Justice Elizabeth Bennett in the Railgate Courtroom today.
Well, turns out our initial list was pretty darned accurate.
Because, while all the 19 names we originally had are still in play*, according to Neal Hall in the VSun, there are some repeats in the playlist that bring it a little closer to a true 'Top 40':
Premier Gordon Campbell (and associates)Martyn Brown, chief of staff
(Pilothouse)
Brian Kieran
Erik Bornmann
Jamie Elmhirst
That's some hit list/list of hits, eh?
*Please note, that our original list did have one small mistake, in that we originally listed then Ass't Deputy Minister of Finance, and current Crime Czar, David Morhart, as 'David Morhouse'. We apologize for the error, although we feel compelled to note, especially for those Blogger hater's out there in the proMedia (and, yes, we are looking at you Mr. Baldrey), that we did correctly identify the good Mr. Morhart last week as a potential early possessor of potentially interesting Emails, at least according to defense lawyer Kevin McCullough.
Posted by RossK at Monday, July 20, 2009 0 comments
RailGate Resurrection Shuffle?
ZombiePixelomics
VoodooVille
I dunno about you, but if there is an "inventory" of potentially relevant cabinet-related E-mails being assembled, does it not suggest that some of those requested E-mails must, in fact, have come back from the dead?
What the heckfire am I blathering on about this time?
Well, this thought bubble has arisen after reading Mark Hume's Globe story on today's court ruling:
Judge Bennett was recently given a government affidavit stating that backup tapes holding e-mail records for the period in question had been deleted. But a second affidavit, filed a few weeks later by the government, states that the records, or some of them, may be intact.
“At this point I am not dealing with whether these documents exist or have been destroyed,” Judge Bennett said in ruling the material is relevant.
George Copley, a government lawyer representing the Premier and cabinet, told court an inventory of electronic data files is being made and “a complete listing of what's available” will be ready on August 17.
Of course, I suppose a cynic might say that "a complete listing of what's available" could actually be nothing more ore less than a big, fat zero.
But I have way too much faith in the good faith of Mr. Copley to say something as cynical as that.
(yet)
And trust that sneaky/ever reliable Mr. Hume to hold off, and get the whole story of the day's RailGate courtroom proceedings before filing, unlike the rest of the local reporters that are suddenly swarming all over the place again.....
The Case Of The Disappearing Premier's Broken Record....
DistractionIs
AsDistractionDoesVille
Why is he not in Kelowna?
He has just 'called' the (notso)Giant98 newsroom directly (ie. no scrum/all control) to say that he doesn't want to be a 'distraction' to the good people of the Okanagan.
Oh, and furthermore..... Mr. Campbell says he cannot comment on matters his minions may have destroyed because... there is a special prosecutor....and this is all the job of the special prosecutor to look into.... and he must remain at arms length from the special prosecutor.
Oh, and by the way.....in case you didn't know it.....according to premier Campbell at least...
That is exactly why we have a special prosecutor.
Super sheesh - at least the previous limited hangout, the bogus "sub-judice" argument, made a kind of twisted, if inadequate, sense.
But this is just plain stoopid, especially when you remember that the DEFENSE not the S.P. called for the Emails and it was the JUDGE who today ruled on the 'potential relevance' of those EMails....
Sheesh-O-Rama-Llama-Ding-Dong.
Please note: The broken record part of Mr. Campbell's phone call to the 'NW Newsroom is NOT in their website/print version, but it was broadcast on John McComb's show ~3:40pm today, Monday July 20th.....
RailGate Rewind Repercussions.....Where Is The Premier?
SometimesTheBestSpin
IsNoSpinAtAllVille
So why hasn't Mr. Campbell shown up in Kelowna to help the good people of the Okanagan out?
Is it possible that he doesn't want to face an hostile press that just might ask an off-topic question or fifty.....?
Update: 3:30pm Premier Gordon Campbell has 'called' the (notso)Giant98 newsroom directly (ie. no scrum/all control) to say that he doesn't want to be a 'distraction' to the people of Kelowna and that he can't comment on matters his minions have destroyed......errrrr.....are being dealt with by the special prosecutor...
RailGate Rewind....Who Ordered The Destruction Of The Email Tapes?
TheCruxOfTheMatter
FiveW'sVille
Don't know for sure.....
But Bill Tieleman, speaking on the (notso) Giant'98, just suggested that the answer may be buried deep within Rosemarie (Don't Call Her Woods) Hayes' second affidavit that was offered up by Gordon Campbell's man in the RailGate courtroom, George Copley, last week.
But here's the thing....
That affidavit has NOT been made public.
So....
Has anybody else seen it whose last name is not Mason?
Hmmmm.....
Now that I think of it, does this mean that we will be receiving another blockbuster in tomorrow's Globe?
Mr. T. has pretty much confirmed our Anon-O-Mouse's 'List' posted downthread, and notes that the Emails of Mr. Campbell's deemed likely relevant by the Judge include those dealing with both BC Rail AND Pilothouse....ha!.....(and how the heck did Bill update that post while he was simultaneously jousting with Norman Spector on the Goodship Watercarrier, who was strangely silent this morning?)....
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Steward Information
The contract between public employees and the federal government is breaking down as more and more services are outsourced for longer and longer periods of time. This is resulting in higher costs to Canadians, less transparency and accountability, fewer checks and balances, a loss of institutional knowledge, and the circumvention of federal employment standards of bilingualism, inclusiveness, and merit-based hiring. While the Liberals announced in 2015 their intention to reduce public spending on outside consultants to 2005/06 levels, more aggressive targets need to be achieved to reduce government dependence on outsourced services. The Trudeau government’s first budget estimated $170 million in savings for 2016 alone. As the Toronto Star reported1, at that rate it will take another 10 years before spending is reduced to 2005/06 levels, after which the government will still spend several billions every year on outsourcing. Reducing outsourcing must be given a greater government priority.
Key Facts2
The federal government currently spends an estimated $12 billion a year on outsourced services, more than the budgets of Statistics Canada, Health Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, the National Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission combined.3
No official (or at least public) estimate exists of the total number of outsourced federal government workers, who constitute what has been styled a “shadow public service.”
Nearly half (48%) of PIPSC members who were surveyed in 2015 said they were aware of contractors in their team or work unit, and 59% said contracts in their team or work unit are routinely renewed. 41% reported contractors present for periods between 1 to 5 years. 17% reported contractors present for over 10 years4.
Outsourcing affects a large number of IT, medical and other professionals throughout the public service. PIPSC currently represents over 13,000 IT professionals alone.
Over 8 in 10 (83%) of all PIPSC members surveyed in 2015 said that no training was offered to existing employees before vacancies were filled by a contracted worker5.
In fact, 89% of survey respondents reported that contracted-out positions were never posted internally. This percentage was even higher among IT experts – 91% of whom said such positions were never made available. 6
Although generally understood to cover periods of short duration, nearly 1 in 5 outsourcing contracts are for periods longer than 52 weeks.
A 2010 study by the Public Service Commission (PSC) provided compelling evidence that government managers are misusing outsourcing provisions and circumventing the hiring practices set out in the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). The PSEA exists to ensure staffing in government agencies is guided by principles such as merit, integrity, transparency, regional and ethnic diversity, and bilingualism.
A subsequent 2012 Auditor General’s report echoed these concerns, concluding, among other things, that government departments conduct very limited assessments of the benefits, costs and risks of contractor use.
Hiring delays and a cumbersome government employment process are sometimes blamed for departments’ increased reliance on outsourcing. The average hiring time for permanent federal public service positions is 5.5 months.
At many management levels, contract values can be increased by 50% without requiring the department to seek Treasury Board approval.
Outsourcing does not save money. The threats of ‘scope creep’ and ‘change fees’ are significant, hidden cost escalators in outsourcing contracts. Many contracts in the areas of management consulting, IT consulting, and temporary help services are revised at least once.
The growth of outsourcing costs has far out-stripped the growth in payroll. For example, in one extreme case, the cost of outsourcing contracts for HRSDC skyrocketed by 242%, from $35 million in 2005/06 to almost $120 million 5 years later. Over the same period, HRSDC personnel costs shrank by 4%.
Outsourcing projects, such as Shared Services Canada’s current $400-million Bell-CGI consolidation of federal government email, run serious risks of lengthy delays, security lapses, and cost overruns. The Bell-CGI project, for example, is currently more than 18 months behind schedule. A recent audit of SSC outsourcing practices found that the most common missing documentation among the procurement files sampled had been confirmation that contractors met the government’s security requirements7. The most recent Auditor General’s report found SSC does not adequately measure, track or report on its costs, progress or savings related to its consolidation of government email and IT infrastructure transformation8.
Contrary to current practice, outsourcing government services does not ensure Canadians get the best expertise available, when it’s needed, more efficiently, or at less cost. The best, most efficient and usually least expensive expertise for public services already exists within the public service and should remain there.
As public service professionals, we oppose depriving Canadians of critical government expertise and relying on private, for-profit businesses that cost our members and Canadians decent jobs, taxes, transparency and security. Private companies don’t answer to taxpayers and shouldn’t become the repository of vital government expertise and knowledge.
Canadians deserve the highest standards of government expertise possible. They deserve public services that are second-to-none, accountable, secure, cost effective, and transparent.
Federal public hiring processes ensure the best-qualified are hired and paid fairly and transparently. HR shortcuts – such as outsourcing – short change public employees, public services and Canadians.
We work for Canada and Canadians, not private companies. Like the country, we’re in it for the long term, not a short-term contract. Public work deserves public employment. That’s fair to both the public and to employees.
Public services aren’t a profit-making venture and shouldn’t be delivered by companies whose first obligation is to their shareholders or to turning a profit at taxpayers’ expense.
1. Liberals commit to cutting bill on consultants, adverts, Toronto Star, March 27, 2016,
2. Except where indicated, all of the foregoing data is drawn from The Shadow Public Service: The swelling ranks of federal government outsourced workers, David Macdonald, CCPA, March 2011.
3. source: Budgetary Expenditures (2015-16 Estimates)
4. Programmed to Fail: How outsourcing is costing the federal government money, jobs, morale, accountability and productivity, PIPSC, June 2016.
7. “Snail mail? New federal government email system six months behind schedule,“ Kathyrn May, Ottawa Citizen, June 26, 2014
8. 2015 Fall Reports of the Auditor General of Canada, Report 4—Information Technology Shared Services
"When the public service is outsourced, Canadians suffer" published in the Globe and Mail on July 14, 2017
While the current government has been right to criticize the last one for laying off hundreds of compensation staff before it rolled out Phoenix, it’s the decisions around outsourcing such projects in the first place that demand a rethink.
Outsourcing in the Public Service, Linda McQuaig, CS Group AGM, June 2017
DND’s Big Business Problem
Ordinarily, the announcement earlier this month that spending by the Department of Defence (DND) will grow from its current $18.9 billion to $32.7 billion by 2026 would be cause for Canadians (and especially PIPSC members employed by DND) to feel more secure.
Outsourcing 2.0 isn’t worth the upgrade
The recent recommendations of yet another consultants’ report on Shared Services Canada (SSC) demonstrate that, when it comes to federal government outsourcing, there’s no shortage of private sector advice.
Independent report corroborates PIPSC concerns on outsourcing
A new report commissioned by Shared Services Canada (SSC) shows that the Institute is right in highlighting the dangers of outsourcing in the federal government.
Stop the Outsourcing Monster
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Institute Report on Outsourcing - June 2016 (PDF)
Copyright © The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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Wulf A. Kaal
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law
MSL 400, 1000 La Salle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN Minnesota 55403-2005
Initial Coin Offerings: The Top 25 Jurisdictions and Their Comparative Regulatory Responses
CodeX Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy (2018), U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-07
Number of pages: 29 Posted: 15 Feb 2018 Last Revised: 18 May 2018
Initial Coin Offerings, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Regulation, Market Abuse, Investor Protection, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Start-up, Big Data, Crytpo Economics, Diversification, Optimization, Efficiency
Regulation Tomorrow: What Happens When Technology is Faster than the Law?
Downloads 2,608 ( 4,819)
American University Business Law Review, Vol. 6, No. 3, 2017, Lex Research Topics in Corporate Law & Economics Working Paper No. 2016-8, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-23, TILEC Discussion Paper No. 2016-024
Number of pages: 29 Posted: 07 Sep 2016 Last Revised: 27 May 2018
Mark Fenwick, Wulf A. Kaal and Erik P. M. Vermeulen
Kyushu University - Graduate School of Law, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Tilburg University - Department of Business Law
Airbnb, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Drones, FinTech, Principles, Regulation, Regulatory Sandbox, Robotics, Rules, Uber, Technology Paralysis, Disruptive Technology, Regulatory Design
American University Business Law Review, Vol. 6, No. 3, 561, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-20
Mark Fenwick, Wulf A. Kaal and Erik P.M. Vermeulen
Kyushu University - Graduate School of Law, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Tilburg Law School
technology, business law, privacy law, innovation, regulation, law and business, law and technology
Initial Coin Offerings: Emerging Practices, Risk Factors, and Red Flags
Forthcoming, Fintech Handbook, Florian Möslein & Sebastian Omlor eds., Verlag C.H. Beck (2018) , U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-18
Wulf A. Kaal and Marco Dell'Erba
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and University of Zurich
Initial Coin Offerings, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Start-up, Big Data, Crytpo Economics, Diversification, Optimization, Efficiency, Governance, Bad Actors, Risk Factors, Regulation
Legal Education in the Blockchain Revolution
U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-05
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 23 Mar 2017 Last Revised: 04 May 2017
Legal Education, Legal Profession, LegalTech, FinTech, Disruptive Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Blockchain Technology, Platform Company, Platform Economy, Decentralization, Decentralized Autonomous Organization, Social Media, Technology, Trust.
Regulatory Competition in EU Corporate Law after Inspire Art: Unbundling Delaware's Product for Europe
Downloads 1,224 ( 16,533)
U Illinois Law & Economics Research Paper No. LE04-001, Mississippi College School of Law Research Paper No. 617681
Christian Kirchner, Richard W. Painter and Wulf A. Kaal
Humboldt University of Berlin - Faculty of Law, University of Minnesota Law School and University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law
European Company and Financial Law Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2005, Mississippi College School of Law Research Paper No. 1039441
Crypto Transaction Dispute Resolution
Business Lawyer, 2018, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-12
Number of pages: 59 Posted: 27 Jun 2017 Last Revised: 19 Oct 2017
Wulf A. Kaal and Craig Calcaterra
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Department of Mathematics, Metropolitan State University
Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Start-up, Big Data, Smart Contract, Jurisdiction, Governance, Ties Network, Aragon, OpenBazaar, Ethereum, Platform, Ecosystem, Dispute Resolution, Arbitration
Hedge Fund Manager Registration Under the Dodd-Frank Act
San Diego Law Review, Vol. 50, 2013, U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 12-30
Number of pages: 80 Posted: 22 Sep 2012 Last Revised: 21 Jun 2013
Hedge Funds, Dodd-Frank Act, Registration, Disclosure, Form ADV, Form PF
Blockchain Innovation in Private Investment Funds - A Comparative Analysis of the United States and Europe
Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Meta Models, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Startup, Big Data, Private Investment Funds, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Diversification, Compliance, Optimization, Efficiency
Crypto Economics - The Top 100 Token Models Compared
BANKING & FIN. SER. POL. REP. (2018) , U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-29
Number of pages: 33 Posted: 12 Oct 2018 Last Revised: 20 Apr 2019
Emerging Technology, Crypto Economics, Token Models, Incentive Design, Velocity, Supply, Demand, Tokens, Initial Coin Offerings, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Regulation, Market Abuse, Investor Protection, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists
The History of Hedge Fund Regulation in the United States
Handbook on Hedge Funds, Oxford University Press (2016), Ohio State Public Law Working Paper No. 326, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-05
Number of pages: 30 Posted: 15 Jan 2016 Last Revised: 10 Jun 2016
Wulf A. Kaal and Dale A. Oesterle
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Ohio State University (OSU) - Michael E. Moritz College of Law
History of Regulation, Hedge Fund, Regulatory Framework, Registration, Exemptions, Dodd-Frank Act, Securities Regulation
Legal Education in a Digital Age: Why 'Coding for Lawyers' Matters
Lex Research Topics in Corporate Law & Economics Working Paper No, 2018-4, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-21
Algorithms, Bitcoin, Blockchain, Coding, Cryptocurrency, Digital, Digital Transformation, Distributed Ledger Technology, DLT, Ethereum, Legal Education, Legal Tech, Smart Contracts, Software, Transaction Engineers, Tokens, Trust
How to Regulate Disruptive Innovation - From Facts to Data
Jurimetrics, Volume 57, Issue No. 2, 2017 Forthcoming, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-13
Number of pages: 43 Posted: 12 Jul 2016 Last Revised: 17 Sep 2016
Wulf A. Kaal and Erik P. M. Vermeulen
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Tilburg University - Department of Business Law
Disruptive Innovation, Venture Capital, Venture Investments, Dynamic Regulation, Feedback Effects, Optimized Information for Regulation, Anticipatory Regulation, Big Data
The ‘Unmediated’ and ‘Tech-Driven’ Corporate Governance of Today's Winning Companies
New York University Journal of Law & Business (2020), TILEC Discussion Paper No. 2017-009, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-10, Lex Research Topics in Corporate Law & Economics Working Paper No. 2017-1
Number of pages: 48 Posted: 24 Feb 2017 Last Revised: 27 Aug 2019
Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, Board of Directors, Communication, Corporate Culture, Corporate Governance, Decentralization, Decentralized Autonomous Organization, Dialogue, Platform Company, Social Media, Stewardship Codes, Technology, Trust
The Effect of Deferred and Non-Prosecution Agreements on Corporate Governance: Evidence from 1993-2013
The Business Lawyer , Vol. 70, 2014
Number of pages: 60 Posted: 27 Aug 2014 Last Revised: 20 Nov 2014
Wulf A. Kaal and Timothy Lacine
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and University of St. Thomas
Non Prosecution Agreement, Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Panel Data, Corporate Governance
Why 'Blockchain' Will Disrupt Corporate Organizations
Lex Research Topics in Corporate Law & Economics Working Paper No. 2018-3, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 18-17 , European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 419/2018, Journal of the British Blockchain Association
Number of pages: 30 Posted: 20 Aug 2018 Last Revised: 12 Aug 2019
Blockchain, Corporate Governance, Cryptocurrency, Crypto, Decentralization, Digital Transformation, Distributed Ledger Technology, Organizations, Platform Companies, Smart contracts, Technology, Tokens
Hedge Fund Regulation Via Basel III
Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, Vol. 44, p. 389, 2011
Basel III, Hedge Funds, Institutional Economics, Moral Hazard, Systemic Risk, Credit Derivatives, Harmonization, Bank Regulation
Blockchain Applications and Fee Structure Developments in Private Investment Funds
Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Meta Data, Data Scientist, Hedge Fund, Private Equity, Fees, Fee Structure
Blockchain Innovation for Private Investment Funds
Dynamic Regulation for Innovation
Perspectives in Law, Business & Innovation (Mark Fenwick, Wulf A. Kaal, Toshiyuki Kono & Erik P.M. Vermeulen eds.), New York Springer (2016) , U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-22
Number of pages: 30 Posted: 31 Aug 2016
Growth of Technology, Innovation, Regulation of Innovation, Pacing Problem, Dynamic Regulation, Feedback Effects, Optimized Information for Regulation, Anticipatory Regulation
Blockchain Solutions for Agency Problems in Corporate Governance
Economic Information to Facilitate Decision Making, Edited Book, Editor- Kashi R. Balachandran, World Scientific Publishers (2019)., U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-05
Agency, Principal-Agent, Blockchain, Technology, Agency Cost, Monitoring, Corporate Governance
The Aftermath of Morrison v. National Australia Bank and Elliott Associates v. Porsche
European Company and Financial Law Review, Vol. 1, 2011
Wulf A. Kaal and Richard W. Painter
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and University of Minnesota Law School
Foreign-Cubed, Dodd-Frank Act, Securities Regulation, Securities Litigation, Morrison, Porsche, Section 929P(b), Section 929Y, Jurisdiction, Section 10(b)
Hedge Fund Valuation: Retailization, Regulation, and Investor Suitability
Review of Banking and Financial Law, Vol. 28, No. 581, 2008-2009
Valuation, Valuation Errors, Hedge Fund, Retailization, De Minimis Exception
Blockchain Infrastructure for Measuring Domain Specific Reputation in Autonomous Decentralized and Anonymous Systems
Number of pages: 44 Posted: 07 Mar 2018 Last Revised: 06 Aug 2019
Craig Calcaterra, Wulf A. Kaal and Vlad Andrei
Department of Mathematics, Metropolitan State University, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and HighTechBlock
Decentralized Infrastructure, Crypto, Blockchain, Reputation, Verification, Consensus Algorithm, Platform, Ecosystem, Sybil Attack Resistance, Majority Attack Resistance, 51% Attack Resistance, Positive Feedback Loops, System Autonomy, Autonomous Systems, Decentralized Systems, Anonymous Systems
Confluence of Mutual and Private Funds
Elgar Handbook on Mutual Funds, 2016, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-06
Number of pages: 26 Posted: 15 Jan 2016 Last Revised: 06 Aug 2016
Private Fund, Mutual Fund, Hedge Funds, Hybrid Funds, Liquid Alternative Assets, Retail Alternative Funds, Asset Classes, Proliferation, Confluence, Investment Styles, Securities Regulation
Hedge Funds and Systemic Risk
Handbook on Hedge Funds, Oxford University Press (2016)
Wulf A. Kaal and Timothy A. Krause
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Penn State Behrend
Systemic Risk, Hedge Fund, Contagion, Regulation, Financial Stability, Leverage, Liquidity
The Post Dodd-Frank Act Evolution of the Private Fund Industry: Comparative Evidence from 2012 and 2015
The Business Lawyer, Vol. 71, Fall 2016
Number of pages: 56 Posted: 01 Mar 2016 Last Revised: 04 Oct 2016
Hege Fund, Private Equity Fund, Regulation, Registration, Disclosure, Private Fund Advisers, Dodd-Frank Act, Compliance, Cost, Assets Under Management
Did the Dodd-Frank Act Impact Hedge Fund Performance?
Wulf A. Kaal, Barbara Luppi and Sandra Paterlini
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law and University of Trento - Department of Economics and Management
Dodd-Frank Act, Hedge Funds, Performance, Regression Discontinuity Design, Difference-in-Difference Design
Extraterritorial Application of US Securities Law – Will the US Become the Default Jurisdiction for European Securities Litigation?
Richard W. Painter and Wulf A. Kaal
University of Minnesota Law School and University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law
Morrison v. National Australia Bank, Foreign cubed cases, subject matter jurisdiction, securities class actions, Europe, Rule 10b-5, Section 7216 of H.R. 5173, Dodd-Frank Act
Contingent Capital in Executive Compensation
Washington and Lee Law Review, Vol. 64, 2013, U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 12-22
Executive Compensation, Contingent Capital, Corporate Governance, Trigger Designs
Washington & Lee Law Review, Vol. 64
Number of pages: 69 Posted: 01 Jul 2012 Last Revised: 05 Dec 2012
Blockchain-Based Corporate Governance
MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE LUXEMBOURG FOR PROCEDURAL LAW (December 2019) , U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-10
Corporate Governance, Decentralized Autonomous Organization, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Regulation, Protocols, Optimization, Efficiency, Governance, Dynamic Regulation, Principal-Agent, Emerging Technology, Agency Cost, Monitoring, Feedback Effects
Forum Competition and Choice of Law Competition in Securities Law after Morrison v. National Australia Bank
Minnesota Law Review, Vol. 97, 2012, U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 12-12, Minnesota Legal Studies Research Paper No. 12-16
Number of pages: 74 Posted: 27 Mar 2012 Last Revised: 21 Nov 2012
securities, securities law, securities regulation, securities and jurisdiction, securities and choice of law
Evolution of Law: Dynamic Regulation in a New Institutional Economics Framework
Festschrift in Honor of Christian Kirchner, 2013, Forthcoming, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-17
new institutional economic, evolution of law, dynamic regulation, rulemaking
The Impact of Dodd-Frank Act Compliance Cost on the Hedge Fund Industry
Hedge Funds, Regulation, Dodd-Frank Act, Compliance Cost
Dynamic Regulation of the Financial Services Industry
Wake Forest Law Review, 2014, Forthcoming, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-24
dynamic regulation, new institutional economics, financial regulation, regulation of financial industries, financial crises
Secure Proof of Stake Protocol
Craig Calcaterra and Wulf A. Kaal
Department of Mathematics, Metropolitan State University and University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law
Reputation Verification, Proof of Stake Protocol, Decentralization, Efficiency, Liveness, Swift Finality, Anonymity, Security, Byzantine Faults, 51% Attacks, Stake Grinding, Tragedy of the Commons, DoS Attacks, Censorship, Liveness Faults, Sybil Attacks
Private Fund Disclosures Under the Dodd-Frank Act
9 Brook. J. Corp., Fin. & Com. L. 428 (2015)
Number of pages: 47 Posted: 09 Jun 2014 Last Revised: 09 Mar 2016
Private Funds, Dodd-Frank Act, Disclosure, Form PF, Survey Study
Contingent Capital with Sequential Triggers
49 San Diego Law Review, p. 49, p. 221, 2012, U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 11-20, Mississippi College School of Law Research Paper No. 2012-01
Wulf A. Kaal and Christoph Henkel
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Mississippi College - School of Law
Dodd-Frank, contingent capital, financial crisis, securities, bankruptcy, bank restructuring
Did the Dodd-Frank Act Impact Private Fund Performance? – Evidence from 2010-2015
Number of pages: 28 Posted: 11 Jul 2015 Last Revised: 15 Mar 2016
Dodd-Frank Act, Private Funds, Performance, Regression Discontinuity Design
Initial Reflections on the Possible Application of Contingent Capital in Corporate Governance
Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy, Vol. 26, 2012, U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 12-01
Number of pages: 50 Posted: 03 Feb 2012
corporate law, corporate governance, financial institutions, contingent capital, contingent capital securities
Blockchain Technology and Race in Corporate America
Journal of High Technology Law (2020), U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-16
Number of pages: 26 Posted: 17 Nov 2017 Last Revised: 27 Aug 2019
Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Big Data, Efficiency, Race, Community Development, Minorities, Discrimination, Optimization, Equality
Hedge Funds’ Systemic Risk Disclosures in Bankruptcy
American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, 2014, Forthcoming , U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-33
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 01 Nov 2013 Last Revised: 24 Apr 2014
hedge funds, bankruptcy, securities law, Dodd-Frank, systemic risk disclosure
Private Investment Fund Regulation - Theory and Empirical Evidence from 1998 to 2016
Private Investment Funds, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Long Term Capital Management, Regulation, Dodd-Frank Act, PFIARA, Compliance, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Meta Models, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Startup, Bi
Contingent Capital in European Union Bank Restructuring
Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business, Vol. 32, p. 191, 2012, U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 12-16, Mississippi College School of Law Research Paper No. 2013-02
Number of pages: 73 Posted: 16 May 2012 Last Revised: 18 Mar 2013
Christoph Henkel and Wulf A. Kaal
Mississippi College - School of Law and University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law
contingent capital, financial institutions, banking, bank restructuring, corporate finance, corporate governance
Investment Adviser Regulation
RESEARCH HANDBOOK ON CORPORATE LAW AND GOVERNANCE, Jerry W. Markham & Rigers Gjyshi eds., Edward Elgar, 2014, Forthcoming, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-32
investment, securities, securities law, regulation of securities, Securities & Exchange Commission, SEC, Dodd-Frank, investment advising, investment advisers, financial regulation
Stable Cryptocurrencies - First Order Principles
Stanford Journal of Blockchain Law & Policy (2019)
Number of pages: 30 Posted: 19 Jun 2019 Last Revised: 02 Sep 2019
Craig Calcaterra, Wulf A. Kaal and Vadhindran K. Rao
Department of Mathematics, Metropolitan State University, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Metropolitan State University
table Cryptocurrencies, Liquidity, Corruption, Cost, Speculation, Inflation, Price Stability, Transparency, Feedback Effects, Market Stability, Stability Mechanisms, Monetary Policy, Emerging Technology, Crypto Economics, Token Models, Incentive Design, Velocity, Supply, Demand, Tokens, Blockchain,
Unconstrained Mutual Funds and Retail Investor Protection
Review of Banking and Financial Law, 2017, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 16-18
Number of pages: 55 Posted: 20 Jul 2016 Last Revised: 11 Apr 2017
Wulf A. Kaal and Bentley Anderson
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Anderson PLC
Unconstrained Mutual Funds, Private Fund, Mutual Fund, Hedge Funds, Hybrid Funds, Liquid Alternative Assets, Retail Alternative Funds, Asset Classes, Proliferation, Confluence, Investment Styles, Securities Regulation, Retail Investors, Investor Protection, Risk Attributes, Investment Strategy
The Systemic Risk of Private Funds after the Dodd-Frank Act
Mich. Bus. & Entrepreneurial L. Rev. (2015), , U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14-24
Financial Stability Oversight Council, Dodd-Frank Act, securities law, private funds, systemic risk
Private Fund Investor Due Diligence – Evidence from 1995 to 2015
Private Investment Fund, Investor, Investor Due Diligence, SEC Form ADV Part II, Disclosures, Case Law, Legal Standards, Expert Testimony, Time Series
Initial Reflections on an Evolving Standard: Constraints on Risk Taking by Directors and Officers in Germany and the United States
Seton Hall Law Review, Vol. 40, 2010
Financial Crisis, Risk Taking, Excessive Risk, Germany, United States, Comparative Law, Economic Analysis, Cost Benefit, Social Externalities
Stock Price Response to Non- and Deferred Prosecution Agreements
Non-Prosecution Agreement, Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Economic Impact, Governance Improvements, Stock Market, Panel Data, Event Study
Innovation and Legislation: The Changing Relationship - Evidence from 1984 to 2015
Jurimetrics, 2018
Number of pages: 56 Posted: 04 Dec 2017 Last Revised: 20 May 2018
Wulf A. Kaal and Nick Farris
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Independent
Innovation, Measures of Innovation, Legislation, Measures of Legislation, CFR, U.S. Code, Patents, Data, Matching
Stable Cryptocurrencies
Washington University Journal of Law and Policy, 2019, Forthcoming, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-06
Stable Cryptocurrencies, Liquidity, Corruption, Cost, Speculation, Inflation, Price Stability, Transparency, Feedback Effects, Market Stability, Stability Mechanisms, Monetary Policy, Emerging Technology, Crypto Economics, Token Models, Incentive Design, Velocity, Supply, Demand, Tokens
The Role of Corporate Integrity Agreements in the Expansion of Fiduciary Duties
Wulf A. Kaal and Elizabeth Malay
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Winthrop & Weinstine
fiduciaries, fiduciary duties, corporate integrity agreements, corporate compliance, corporate organization
Blockchain-Based Securities Offerings
UC Davis Business Law Journal (2020), U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 19-22
Number of pages: 30 Posted: 28 Jun 2019 Last Revised: 05 Dec 2019
Wulf A. Kaal and Samuel Evans
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP
Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Data Scientists, Meta Models, Innovation, Private Investment Funds, Crypto Investments, Crypto Economy, Crypto Currencies, Diversification, Compliance, Optimization, Efficiency, Overstock, Securities Offerings, Federal Securities Regulation
Financial Technology and Hedge Funds
Oxford Handbook of Hedge Funds (2019)
Private Investment Funds, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Technology, Emerging Technology, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Meta Models, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Big Data, Diversification, Compliance, Optimization, Eff
The Private Fund Industry Five Years after the Dodd-Frank Act – A Survey Study
Review of Banking and Financial Law, 2016
Number of pages: 41 Posted: 17 Feb 2016 Last Revised: 03 Apr 2016
Private Funds, Hedge Funds, Dodd-Frank Act, Title IV, Regulation, Compliance Cost, Survey Data
Decentralized Mechanical Turk Through Verified Reputation
Mechanical Turk, Micro Tasks, Decentralization, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Regulation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Scientists, Innovation, Entrepreneur, Start-up, Big Data, Crytpo Economics, Semada, Platform, Democratization
Dynamic Regulation via Governmental Contracts
Liber Amicorum Peter Nobel, 2014, U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 14-38
Number of pages: 33 Posted: 02 Nov 2014 Last Revised: 06 Oct 2015
Dynamic Regulation, Governmental Contracts, Preemptive Remedial Measures, Feedback Effects, Anticipatory Rulemaking
Decentralization - Past, Present, and Future
Decentralization, Disruptive Innovation, Emerging Technology, Stable Cryptocurrencies, Illiquidity, Cost, Speculation, Inflation, Price Stability, Transparency, Feedback Effects, Market Stability, Stability Mechanisms, Monetary Policy, Crypto Economics, Token Models, Incentive Design, Tokens
Shareholder Agreements - National Report of the United States of America
INTERNATIONAL COMPENDIUM ON SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENTS, Kristian Csach, Bohumil Havel & Sebastian Mock eds. (2017)
Shareholder Agreement, Corporate Law, Shareholder Rights, Pre-Insolvency, Transfer of Shares, Breach, Enforcement
Dynamic Regulation via Contingent Capital
Review of Banking and Financial Law, Vol. 36, 2017
Dynamic Regulation, Contingent Capital, CoCos, Feedback Effects, Optimized Information for Regulation, Anticipatory Regulation
Decentralization - A Primer on the New Economy
Decentralization, Decentralized Commerce, Emerging Technology, Token Models, Incentive Design, Tokens, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Reputation Verification, Economics, Socialism, Capitalism
A Comparative Perspective on the Limitations of the Duty of Oversight – A Comment on Lisa Fairfax
University of St. Thomas Law Journal (Forthcoming 2013), U of St. Thomas Legal Studies Research Paper No. 13-04
corporate law, corporate governance, board of directors, duty to monitor, comparative corporate law
Reputation Protocol for the Internet of Trust - Conceptual Whitepaper
Craig Calcaterra, Wulf A. Kaal and Gopinath Sivalingam
Department of Mathematics, Metropolitan State University, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota - School of Law and Independent
Semada Research Institute, distributed ledger technology, decentralized web, trust, reputation, protocols, sockpuppet resistance, decentralization
Decentralized Underwriting
Insurance, Underwriting, Finance, Token Models, Cryptocurrencies, Feedback Effects, Emerging Technology, Tokens, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, Mathematics, Model
Indirect Regulation of Hedge Funds
Hedge Fund, Regulation, Indirect Regulation, Private Investment Funds, Private Equity, Diversification, Compliance, Optimization, Indirect Regulation, Regulatory Models
Decentralized Commerce – A Primer on Why Decentralized Reputation Verification Systems Are Needed
Decentralized Commerce, Reputation Verification, Emerging Technology, Crypto Economics, Token Models, Incentive Design, Velocity, Supply, Demand, Tokens, Blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology
What Drives Dodd-Frank Act Compliance Cost for Private Funds?
The Journal of Alternative Investments (2016), U of St. Thomas (Minnesota) Legal Studies Research Paper No. 15-13, https://doi.org/10.3905/jai.2016.19.1.008
Posted: 11 Jul 2015 Last Revised: 22 May 2019
Private Funds, Dodd-Frank Act, Compliance Cost, Barriers to Entry, Returns to Scale
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Can company trusts plug trust gap?
Times of India, March 28, 2014
Several leading companies are setting up electoral trusts to ensure transparency in the funding of political parties in the poll season as the debate over corruption gets intense.
Funding of parties has always been shrouded in mystery and often caused controversies. Although companies are demanding a transparent mechanism for payments to parties, some analysts are sceptical about how much of a clean-up the concept of electoral trusts will ensure. While electoral trusts may ensure some transparency , companies will still be asked to contribute over and above payments through such trusts, they say.
Government officials confirm that 14 companies have so far set up trusts, while one has filed its application, which is being processed. They did not provide names but said several companies had registered under their various arms.
The electoral trust concept was floated in the 2009 Finance Act. It requires that companies and entities wanting to provide funding to parties set up nonprofit companies or electoral trusts. The Companies Act mandates these to disclose in their profit and loss account all contributions to parties. They are barred from receiving cash donations and foreigners can’t contribute to the trusts, which must take permanent account numbers of all resident Indian donors and passport numbers for NRIs.
“We plan to set up an electoral trust to fund the parliament elections (and give) to the parties we know better. Just setting up trusts won’t bring in transparency ,” Rahul Bajaj, chairman , Bajaj group told TOI.
“Trusts should be made mandatory to fund parties by cheque and demand draft and no cash. The EC should also make it mandatory for parties to disclose all funding details. Accounts of political parties must be audited by auditors, who may be empanelled by EC,” he said.
Some other leading companies said they too had set up Electoral trusts.
“The Mahindras have made political donations in the past ? and these were all by cheque to parties, and not individuals. The amounts were mentioned in the annual report. The Mahindra & Mahindra Electoral Trust was set up this year and funding of parties in future will be through this,” said Rajeev Dubey, president (group HR & after-market ) & member of the group executive board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Industry groups said they backed transparency in electoral funding.
“We support transparency in electoral funding by corporates. The electoral trust can be an appropriate channel,” said Sidhartha Birla, FICCI president.
While several companies pay by cheque there’s speculation that payment through other channels are sought.
Expert said the concept of electoral trusts is a step in the right direction.
“The new concept of electoral trusts for corporate funding of parties is a great step towards bringing in transparency about the source and legitimacy of funds used for elections ,” said Richard Rekhy, CEO of consultancy fi rm KPMG.
This news can also be viewed at:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
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Tag: bicycling
Trip’s End
Sunday, Apr. 21
We finally got a break in the weather, but most of the Alto crowd had left. Jack and I headed to South Hill for foodstuffs enough to fix dinner for John (arriving without Mary, who has fallen under the weather, or possibly the pollen) and additional Floyd friends, Brad and Ellen.
Because we’re settled and they’re arriving in the afternoon and likely won’t be set up before dinner time, we texted with them to let everyone know we’d handle dinner for all of us. We found the fixins for the fennel chicken dish we like to cook in the Dutch oven, and we also got some pork loins to grill for Mary and Allen who were coming to the campsite on Monday.
I began cooking circa 5:30, completing it by around 6:30, and served directly from the Dutch oven, with Omnia heat-and-serve rolls and roasted potatoes. Afterwards, we cranked the Solo fire, and the Karl & Hari crowd came over from loop C to share.
It was another glorious sunset, with the sun peeking below the clouds and shining brightly on the end of our peninsula, making the trees look like they were about to combust.
No good sunset is complete without a good reflection photo off Roomba (it’s a thing with the Alto models that have lots of windows).
Here’s a gallery of photos I’m calling “Sunset After the Storms”
Monday, Apr. 22
First thing in the morning, I watched an adult bald eagle fly over. The day dawned cold (47 degrees) but I was outside watching for birds and enjoying the clear morning by about 7. I wasn’t the only early bird, as a couple of fishermen were plying the waters near our site also.
Before lunch, we took a bike ride with Brad and Ellen while John took a kayak paddle-about. We toured around the campground, and across the hydro dam, where we stopped both coming and going to watch bald eagles and osprey and enormous fish near the dam. I could have watched the birds all day.
Instead of going back to the campground, we turned right at Rt. 4 and headed to the tailwaters of the dam, where there were tons and tons of birds all doing wondrous things, just carrying on with their birdy lives. We got off our bikes again to watch eagles and osprey and herons and cormorants and so many more. Saw this heron trying to hide while roosting in a tree.
Returned to eat a late lunch and enjoyed the sun. Even though the breeze picked up as we ate, the sky was incredibly blue-blue, and the sun was toasty hot.
Allen and Mary came for dinner around 6, and we grilled a pork loin. John, Brad, and Ellen brought their own dinners and we all ate together. Everyone enjoyed another campfire, topped off with a celebratory dram to mark the end of our trip, as well as Brad’s (Apr. 24) and Jack’s (Apr. 26) birthdays.
Tuesday, Apr. 23
Naturally, on the day we must leave, the temp soared to 52 degrees and the wind stayed dead calm. Heard several lonely loon calls in the early AM.
We enjoyed a leisurely morning and said goodbye to Brad and Ellen around 8:30. Watched a contest between a lone loon with a fish, versus an entire gaggle of cormorants. The cormorants were doing a tag-team “harass the loon so it drops its fish” game, with much of the action happening under water. The loon would dip below, with 2 or 3 of the cormorants flying over to where it dove and diving after it. The loon would pop up again and other cormorants would fly over to it and dive after it when it dove for cover again.
Finally, the loon surfaced and up-ended the fish so it would go down its gullet, and suddenly, all the cormorants looked like they were bored, as if they’d had nothing to do with the loon at all. They all went different directions after the game was won by the loon.
Once the water warmed up a bit, John took a final kayak tour before he began to load up for departure. We ate an early lunch and began breaking camp in earnest around noon.
Just as we were nearing our own departure time, we saw a Canada goose family swimming by. The water was a bit choppy by then, but the little goslings were pretty easy to see. The hard part was getting the youngsters and both parents in my camera’s frame at the same time. But I finally managed.
It was an uneventful drive back home, and we parked Roomba in the driveway near his garage overnight. All was well with the house and critters and we were thankful for Surya, our house sitter. Naturally, the first thing Mischief wanted to do was play ball.
I grabbed some meat and went out to see how Beebs (redtailed hawk) was doing, and she seemed quite keen on the food, but not so sure about me.
Thus the 2019 Spring Trip comes to a close. It was wonderful and fun and so very exciting to share with so many of our friends and to meet new friends along the way.
More adventures to come—watch this space for the next peregrinations we undertake with our Alto camper.
Posted on April 29, 2019 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags Alto, bald eagles, bicycling, camping, cormorants, Dutch oven, fennel and chicken, fishing, grilled pork loin, kayaking, loon, osprey, Roomba, solo stove, sunset1 Comment on Trip’s End
Kiptopeke State Park, VA Part 2
Tootled down the Southern Tip Bikeway (old Cape Charles Railway bed) to the beautiful and enormous wildlife refuge, which once was an Army base (see reader board text below). Rode down to the old gun emplacement and around some of the trails, over to the boat launch, and the marsh observation deck. Saw a juvie baldie and lots of other neat birds.
Reader board: Cape Charles Railroad
The Cape Charles Railroad once ran along this bike path, connecting lower Northhampton County to the town of Cape Charles. From there the New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad carried produce from the Eastern Shore to northern cities.
In the early 1900s, local farmers carried their produce to Cape Charles by boat. During potato season, boats filled with produce clogged the town’s harbor. Building the Cape Charles Railroad solved this problem and for years daily trains ran between Kiptopeke (south end) and Cape Charles.
In 1941 the rail line was extended south to supply the 5000 troops housed in the new Army base, today turned into a wildlife refuge (but still features two of the gun turrets and one of the guns used in WWII to protect the Chesapeake Bay). After WWII, improved highways and the growing trucking industry led to the slow decline of the railroad, which closed in 1972.
Today, the bike trail is all that remains of the Cape Charles Railroad, and the path runs from the Wildlife Refuge and its exceptional Visitor Center (open only Thurs/Fri/Sat at this time of the year) adjacent to Route 13, ending at a 700-numbered road called Capeville Rd (near a truck stop and seafood restaurant called Sparky’s). But the effort continues to extend the bike path all the way to Cape Charles when possible. For now, intrepid cyclists must leave the protected path and use the wide shoulder of Rt. 13 (or a maze of back roads) to cycle into Cape Charles proper (which Jack & I did on April 17, but more of that later).
It was during this ride, especially on our return to camp, when we took some back roads instead of staying on the bike path, that we encountered a very gusty, strong wind that alternated between being a headwind and a crosswind. We were literally threatened with being knocked off our bikes by oversteering the cross-gusts. We also (Mary especially) discovered the thick, dense pollen that was blowing and collecting everywhere and on everything. Note the yellow tinge of the Big Front Window on our Alto in the below photo.
For John and Mary’s last night camping, we had a celebratory “weenie roast” (using bratwurst) over a Solo stove fire, even though it was pretty darn chilly.
Mary even cooked a s’more for herself and John (Jack and I don’t do s’mores). When it was full dark, Mary cranked up her “disco light” and we placed it around the two sites to see what it looked like. The best photo I was able to get was when it was sitting on J n M’s teardrop, Little Debbie’s doorstep. Pretty cool.
The next day, John and Mary got away about 10:30 (April 16). Jack and I sat around to let the sun warm us up a bit and then headed out for a long bike ride after lunch. Again, pollen counts must have been off the charts, and the wind had not abated by any measurable margin.
As we set off we stopped at an active osprey nest midway up the main road into Kiptopeke (we’d noticed it yesterday, but I couldn’t get any pix). The parents were around, and Mr. delivered a fish, but I wasn’t able to capture the carry or drop.
Taking the Bikeway as far as we could, we decided to head toward the Bay along the Custis Tomb road, west of Rt. 13. We rode down to the tombs themselves, on what was once the Custis Arlington Plantation, now a tony housing development. A short history of Arlington: Early in the 1670s John 2 built a three-story brick mansion on the south bank of Old Plantation Creek, in southwestern Northampton County, naming the house Arlington after the Custis family’s ancestral village in Gloucestershire, England.
The name of the mansion inspired Custis’s descendant, George Washington Parke Custis (adopted grandson of George Washington) early in the nineteenth century, to give the same name to his estate outside Washington, D.C.
There’s not much left except an open grassland where the grand home once stood, with some reader boards, and the view of Old Plantation Creek.
And of course, the tombs themselves, which bear mention. Both John Custis II and his grandson John Custis IV are buried there, within a brick-walled enclosure with a small wooden gate. The inscription on John 4’s marker is significant and rather funny. Both original inscriptions are unintelligible on the stones, but the preservation folks have reprinted them for posterity.
John Custis II’s inscription:
Oddly, John 2 neglected to mention the actual name of his granddaughter-in-law, Frances Parke Custis (seeing her father as being much more important), but she was evidently a rather difficult person, evidenced by her husband’s inscription.
The one for John 4 (above) is notable on several counts, not the least of which is that he threatened to cut his son, Daniel Parke Custis, out of his inheritance if he would not place his requested wording on the marker. While John 4 had moved to Williamsburg in 1717, he specifically wanted to be buried on the Eastern Shore, under these exact words:
“Aged 71 Years and Yet lived but Seven years which was the Space of time he kept a Bachelors House at Arlington on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. This Inscription put on this Tomb by his own positive Order.” It was chiseled there by William Coley, Mason in Fenn Church Street, London.
Now, if several of these references (Governor Berkeley, Bacon’s Rebellion) have stirred your memories of Virginia history or snagged your “bells” on the names themselves (Custis being a part of Martha Washington’s as well as Mrs. Robert E. Lee’s names) you can click here for a somewhat cobbled-together history of those periods and people in Colonial Virginia’s history, up to (nearly) America’s Civil War.
Back at the long-gone estate, we pedaled into and out of the Arlington development, and then, turning randomly on the country roads to see waterfront where we could and stay off Rt. 13, we made our way back to Kiptopeke. We hadn’t ridden around the park itself yet (something we nearly always do, taking every left turn so you cover it all without getting lost, since you end up where you began eventually) and we learned some things and saw things missed the first time through, two years prior (for more, check the link here).
We went down to a boat launch, beach, and fishing area, adjacent to the “cement ships” used during WWII as cargo vessels so that the metal ships could be used in the war effort. They have been beached off the shore of Kiptopeke, as a breakwater. The 9 ships that comprise the breakwater now serve as structure for fish habitat.
Cement ships grounded as a breakwater and habitat area
Many fisher-people were enjoying the day
Pelican flies over an osprey nest on a cement ship
This area was also the northern landing site for the once-busy Kiptopeke Ferry, which carried passengers from Norfolk to the roads accessing Cape Charles between 1949 and 1964.
It is obvious this was a passenger throughway if you catch this sign buried in the woods near the Ferry Road, and adjacent to the Kiptopeke Hawk Watch area (where the country’s highest counts of migratory peregrine falcons have been documented).
Bike Stats
Ride time = 2 hours
Stopped time = 1 hour
Distance = 21 miles
Average speed = 11 mph
Fastest speed = 17 mph
Not to belabor this entry overmuch, on Wed., April 17, we rode into Cape Charles for lunch at Tim’s Family Restaurant (good food) in the shopping district and pedaled around the neighborhoods for much of the day.
Before leaving camp, we noticed a family of squirrels living nearly above our heads in our major shade tree. The strangeness of the black plastic trash bag caught my eye at first, and then we watched the mama exit and leave the kids behind. There were at least two of them and they were stretching their legs a bit before they disappeared back inside (went down for a nap?).
Anyway, forgot to take my camera along on the ride, so not much more to report. After getting back to camp and before the teensy Cape Charles library closed, I drove back into town to upload the Janes Island Pt. 2 post. We tried to fix pizza for dinner, but it was too windy to cook properly on the grill (with our grill-sized pizza stone). Decent, but sort of like eating a big pizza cracker: crispy on the bottom and barely melted on top. We’ll try that dinner again sometime, without the wind.
Ride time = 2.25 hours
Stopped time = 1.5 hours
Average speed = 11.5 mph
Posted on April 28, 2019 April 28, 2019 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags bicycling, Cape Charles, cement ships, Custis family, fishing, Kiptopeke State Park VA, library, osprey, Tim's Family Restaurant1 Comment on Kiptopeke State Park, VA Part 2
Janes Island State Park MD, Part 2
As you might have noted in the most recent post (Part 1 of this section, sharing April 7-10) I was slightly hurried to be done, without time to double-check. You see, I was in a library that closed 15 minutes before I was done, and I rushed to finish the post by 5PM.
In my description of April 9 of that section, I neglected to include two important photos: That of the library where we visited for cell and wifi several times (a very nice library, indeed—much nicer than the one I was working from when I had to rush the finish of the prior post), and the laundromat in Crisfield, which also was quite clean, roomy, and well-equipped. So these two pix are from our April 9 excursion into Crisfield for some “obligatories.” (By the way, I dearly love libraries!)
April 11 in Jane’s Island was laid back as we listened to music, Jack washed Roomba’s windows, and we tidied the living spaces a bit. Our morning began at 46 degrees but didn’t take long to warm a little.
Jack headed to our fave seafood retail/wholesaler, and got enough shrimp for an excellent grilled (skewer) shrimp meal, with go-withs to satisfy the tummies.
Another thing I forgot to mention was the situation at these campgrounds surrounding a dishwashing station. Surprisingly, many campgrounds don’t offer this amenity, which I think is an unforgivable oversight. They’re always going on about not dumping gray water or food scraps around your site, but they force those of us in small rigs (and tenters) to wash dishes on site and dump the used water afterward.
Anyway, we always look for dishwashing stations, and (to backtrack a little) Chippokes had one at the “secondary” bathhouse in our loop, but it did not offer hot water. Pretty sure this was the normal situation (not just a seasonal thing) as it appeared to have no hot water feed at all.
Janes Island, however, had a very nice hot-and-cold-running-water, very clean and accommodating dishwashing station (“counter” space on both sides of the sink). That said, there was an enormous hole where, in a “normal” kitchen, there would be a garbage disposal, so you had to be careful not to lose your spoons down there. Also, they’d evidently had some trouble with campers walking off with their drain plugs, so they wired them to the sink with twisted-strand wire and lock nuts. At the plug ends of the tie, when you reached under the sudsy water for a dish, you had to be careful not to stab yourself with the wire tips beyond the fasteners that had come untwisted with use.
On Friday, April 12, Jack and I took a long ride to a little place called Westover, following the “Crustacean Causeway” north of Crisfield. (Only getting a little lost along the way, and coming back along a different path).
During the ride we passed a broken-down, sad old church, belching vines and weeds from its once-sculpted windows. I could imagine pretty stained glass in them during its heyday.
We also saw a cute tiny house, unfortunately, right next to the big highway, but I had to stop and get a picture of it anyway.
We got back from our ride just as John and Mary returned from another long kayaking trip. After we’d all showered up, we gathered for a Dutch oven jambalaya fixed by John and Mary (with additional shrimps from Jack’s purchase the day before). It was delicious, and J n M wanted to “host” us inside their trailer for dinner, so we arranged ourselves into “Little Debbie” for our meal comfortable, satisfying meal.
Ride time=2:20
Stopped time=57 min
Distance=30 mi
Average speed=13 mph
Fastest speed=22.5
(There was a truly lovely stretch, straight and slightly downhill, with the wind at our backs just outside of Westover, where we really cadillacked along with little effort and got that “fastest speed” number pretty high)
Our final day at Janes Island State Park (April 13) was rainy. First thing in the damp morning, we discovered a tiny toad, ensconced in the folds of Jack’s camp chair, that had been collapsed the night before and was leaning against the trailer. He was a cutie.
Since it was raining, we spent all day finishing the first of the three jigsaw puzzles Jack gave me for my birthday.
Difficult to tell here, but the puzzle represents a painting of a Paris marketplace in summer.
On April 14, we were sad to leave Janes Island, except for the fact that the mosquitoes, which had not made an appearance at all during our week, showed up with some vengeance a couple of the days before we left. All of us were somewhat surprised, as it was pretty cold and breezy. But who knows? Maybe there was a nearby hatch or something. Anyway, we got away by about 9:45 AM with heavy hearts and a promise to return. Next stop: Kiptopeke State Park near Cape Charles, Virginia.
Posted on April 25, 2019 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags bicycling, Crisfield, Crustacean Causeway, Janes Island State Park, jigsaw puzzles, kayaking, Libraries, Maryland, shrimp, toad
Janes Island State Park, MD Part 1
It was an uneventful trip up to MD and one of our fave spots, Jane’s Island State Park. We snagged the site we’d had a couple of years ago when we came here for the first time and John and Mary set up beside us (sites 22 and 23). Contrary to our prior stay, we found a nearly-empty campground. As before, however, the waterfront sites are simply without parallel. Electric available but no water at the sites, although spigots are nearby. As was our former experience, cell service was spotty at best and, being near a military base, we theorize that some blocking activities might have contributed to cell service inexplicably dropping out totally on occasion. Happily, we found the Crisfield Public Library handy (just a 2-3 mile bike ride or drive away) and they had robust, free wifi and cell service.
But I get ahead of myself. Our transfer day was my birthday (April 7) so we settled into our sites and then headed straight out to The Watermen Restaurant for a celebratory (and delicious) meal. I thoroughly enjoyed my shrimp scampi on linguini with black olives.
On our first full day at Janes Island SP, John and Mary headed out to do some kayak touring.
I had fun taking pix of a loon fishing in front of our campsite.
We’d hoped for some grill-able seafood, but none to be found, but when we looked at the place where J & I had found excellent shrimp last year, we did note that they’ve got shrimp again.
But we had to settle for some really tasty grilled burgers, with hassle back potatoes made by J & M in their dutch oven. Seriously delicious.
Then the rain and wind came and nearly blew us all away. We were relatively dry eating in the screenhouse, but when the wind sent the rains horizontal and it began dripping on us, we retired to our respective sanctuaries.
The next day (April 9) John and Mary took another kayak tour of the water trails around and were thankful for less wind. Jack and I ventured to the local Food Lion to stock up on necessities, and we did laundry at a local “duds n suds.” Had to hit the Crisfield Library for a bit of wifi. Returned to camp and enjoyed an excellent sunset that seemed to go on and on.
April 10 was dry yet a bit windy and we decided to take a leisurely bike ride around Crisfield, the harbor town nearby. We had a lovely lunch on the public dock supplied by Bubbies burger joint, and I worked a bit on the blog catch-up. Had a lovely “upside down” day with eggs, hash browns, and hot rolls for dinner, eaten around a lovely fire in the solo stove.
Posted on April 17, 2019 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags bicycling, Crisfield, Janes Island State Park, Libraries, Maryland, Sunsets
Chippokes Plantation Campground, April 5 & 6
One last thing I forgot to mention as a big “pro” on the plus side of our Bike Florida Tour: Oranges.
All the rest stops had them in abundance, and they were cherry red, sweet, and O! so refreshing. So good, in fact, that we stopped at a roadside stand before leaving FL and bought a sack full. Yum.
So we said goodbye to FL and headed to SC. Travel was unremarkable, thank goodness. But I did capture this pic of Angela and their Alto2114 traveling along ahead of us at one point.
So Lynches River Campground was our overnight spot on Thursday, April 4, and that’s the campground that is mostly for tenters, with only 2 serviced RV sites. Mark and Angela got #2 (a pull-through) and we got #1 both with electric and water. The bathhouse was rustic to say the least, but it had exactly two private rooms, each with its own toilet, sink, and shower. For a one-night stayover, it was just perfect. Next stop: Chippokes Plantation Campground near Williamsburg, VA, April 5 and 6.
Chippokes is actually in Surry, VA, and is a re-purposed grand farm and mansion, once an actual plantation. Today, it is quite a fine and spiffy Virginia State Park, with hiking trails, the mansion itself, equestrian trails, electric and water, and nice renovated bathhouses. Loop B has the most modernized and level campsites, where Loop A has older, less flat/improved sites.
We linked up with John and Mary at Chippokes, so we had three side-by-side sites with Mark and Angela. Roomba was in the middle, on site #2.
Mark and Angela’s son, Brent, linked up with them (and us), coming down from New York to see his parents while they were relatively close. He spent some of our arrival/set up day in Williamsburg and he and Mary and John all arrived around 5PM.
We all went out to dinner, hoping to catch the pub in Smithfield, but there was a minimum of an hour’s wait there, so off we went to Smithfield Landing where we had a delightful dinner, and all got to know one another a bit better. The walk through Smithfield from the pub to the Landing and then back to our cars after dinner was fun times together also.
The next day, Mark, Angela, and Brent headed to Jamestown, while Mary, John, Jack, and I headed across the ferry into Williamsburg. But first, we went to the Edwards Ham store and picked up some good old fashioned Virginia Ham products. Yum.
We rode the Pocahontas ferry and saw a smaller ferry passing across the river. It was overcast the day we headed into Billsburg, but it never rained despite the look of the sky.
We had a bit of a drive around the campus, telling J&M tales of our college days, and had a quite nice sandwich from Colonial Williamsburg’s famous Cheese Shop.
That night, we all fixed our own dinners but joined up to eat at our site. We had shared appetizers and a fire to cozy up to as our final night together after our fun travels with Mark and Angela. Brent also was headed back north the next day, while John, Mary, Jack, and I were headed to Janes Island, MD for our next, longest stop of our Spring Trip.
Before everyone broke apart, I set up the timer on my camera to get a group shot. And Riley also had to have some fun before we bundled off to Maryland.
Posted on April 17, 2019 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags bicycling, camping, Chippokes Plantation State Park, College of William and Mary, Edwards Ham, Jamestown, Lynches River Campground, Smithfield, Smithfield Landing, South Carolina, Surry, travel, Virginia, Virginia Ham, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Cheese Shop1 Comment on Chippokes Plantation Campground, April 5 & 6
GAP 7, To Meyersdale
As forecast, the rains came with a vengeance, curling around from the east and Hurricane Florence. Having nothing to do with the rains, but somewhat of a portent of our day, was this tree across the street from our lodging. Happily, it did not cause a power outage at our place.
Eventually, I got wet enough that I feared for my “good” camera’s well-being, even as I kept it under my raincoat, so I put it in safe-keeping in my waterproof pannier. My iPhone has a waterproof case, so what photos I took in the steady, pouring, insistent rain of the day were taken with the iPhone camera.
Honestly, there’s not much to say about the ride for the day. We got wet. The trail was wet. Our bikes got filthy.
Happily, however, it was warm, temperature-wise. In fact I got so hot riding that I eventually took off my jacket which was wet from the inside as well as the outside from my own sweat and the nonstop rain. This was the day during which we climbed to Meyersdale, known as the highest town along the GAP Trail.
There is some interesting history associated with several bridge/tunnel/railroad structures we rode over and through. The Pinkerton bridges, tunnels and horn have an interesting story. From the 14th Edition of the official GAP Trail Guide (which I recommend if anyone is going to ride this trail):
There were two railroad tunnels built through the Pinkerton Neck (MP52), a narrow pinch of erosion-resistant geology that created a peninsula in the Casselman River (locally called “The Horn”). The first was the B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) tunnel, completed in 1871. Like many tunnels of the era, it was lined with timber, and when it was destroyed by fire in 1879, a bypass or “shoofly” was built around the horn while the tunnel was being repaired.
CSX completed a major construction project in 2014 to “open-cut” or “daylight” the B&O tunnel so it would accommodate double-stacked rail cars. The fill from this massive cut was placed on top of the Pinkerton horn and has drastically changed the way this area looks.
The Western MD RR built its tunnel in 1912, flanked by the Pinkerton Low and High Bridges over the Casselman River. It had not been open to trail use until 2015 due to its severely deteriorated condition. GAP Trail users had traveled along the B&O shoofly for a scenic 1.5 mile “detour” around the Pinkerton horn.
Major work was undertaken in 2015 to re-line the WM RR tunnel, making it safe for trail use.
This photo is from the official GAP Trail Guide, 14th Edition.
Over the bridge and into the tunnel . . .
You can see the liner in this pic showing the tunnel exit.
We dripped our way into the town of Rockwood, PA (MP43, across the river from the Trail) to visit and eat lunch at the Mill & Opera House, for which we got a lovely tour of the truly ancient (and the proprietress reported, haunted) structure. While Rockwood was laid out in 1857, it was not until after the American Civil War that it began to boom with the arrival of the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) railroad. By the 1880s, Rockwood was southern PA’s fastest-growing villages.
Our lunch (and slightly-drying-out-spot) in the Mill Shoppes & Opera House was most definitely “comfort food.” Many of us chose the chicken pot pie for lunch and man, was it warming and delicious. Lumber and feed were processed in the old mill building for nearly a century, and like many small towns with large warehouse-like structures, the building has had a performance area above the working mill and storage areas for nearly as long.
Judy Pletcher had a dream to restore the old mill and opera house, and her dream was realized in 2000. She described some of the renovation challenges, and indicated a few of the “left as-was” rooms (mostly storage areas) on our tour. These days the structure is a café, pizza shop, gift and retail shop “mall” on the lower floor, and a presentation space for the community upstairs. Along the upstairs wall, which includes a catering area for dinner theater and special events, are signed photos of many “stars” who have performed in the renovated Opera House. A large-ish (bigger than HO scale) model train runs around the main café room, along a track suspended near the ceiling.
Next we came to the Salisbury Viaduct (MP33.5). This is one of the most distinctive features of the GAP Trail. At 1,908 feet long, this amazing structure dominates the Casselman River Valley. The 101-ft. high steel trestle was a key engineering achievement for the Western Maryland Railway Co.’s Connellsville Extension. Hundreds of spectators cheered when the first train rolled across this engineering wonder in the early 1900s.
It was not built without cost, however. Disaster struck in 1911 when an electric traveling crane crashed to the ground while trying to lift a 14.5 ton girder up to the deck. Six men were killed and one was severely injured. A month later, a worker fell to his death from the trestle deck.
Like most of the train bridges in this part of the Western Maryland RR line, it was built to accommodate a second track, but that expansion was never built. Decommissioned as a through-route in 1975, the trestle was decked for Trail use in 1998.
Photo taken from the Official GAP Trail Guide Book, 14th Edition.
There is also the Keystone Viaduct (MP30) at 910-feet long, and the Bollman Iron Bridge (MP30.5) originally built by the B&O to cross Gladdens Run in another county entirely. It was moved 100+ years ago to serve as a farm road crossing above the RR in Somerset County. In 2007 it was moved again to augment the GAP Trail as a piece of history. It is an early example of a cast and wrought iron bridge (by Master Bridge Engineer, Wendell Bollman).
Here are a few random images from along the ride.
Pretty Waterfall
Enormous rock from last week’s mud slides. We found the bit of survey tape around this huge blockade rather amusing.
I loved these fun rooftop bikes!
Casselman River
At last we rolled into Meyersdale (MP32) and the Yoder Guest House where we were met by Charles Yoder. We had a nice bike shed in which to put our gear, and a hose with which to clean our bikes of the grit and grime the rain had not already washed away. It was somewhat horrifying to walk into this lovely renovated old home dripping like sponges—but we did, in fact, remove our disgusting shoes before entering.
Jack and I had a very nice room and the big bonus was that the bathroom had a heater included with the shower vent, so we were able to drape, hang, and spread out most of our wet gear in the bathroom to get mostly dry during our stay (after we ourselves had taken showers, of course).
Denise Yoder cooked a scrumptious meal for us, and we spent some good “community” time on the Yoder front porch, watching the traffic pass and chatting about this and that. The Yoder house is definitely a recommendation, because they were very friendly and accommodating, and have covered their walls with bicycle art.
It was a very fun place that I’d recommend to anyone passing through Meyersdale. Up from the Yoder’s is the renovated depot next to the trail that is also worth a stop. It is a museum of the railroad heritage and an interesting building to boot. There you can get GAP gear, a snack, water, and other necessities of trail riding.
Picture taken the next day, after the rain.
Bike Stats:
Ride time: 3 hours
Stopped time: 3.25 hrs.
Average speed: 11MPH
Fastest speed: 23.3MPH
Ascent: 796 ft.
Descent: 125 ft.
Posted on September 17, 2018 October 16, 2018 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags Baltimore & Ohio Rail Road, bicycles, bicycling, Bollman Iron Bridge, GAP Trail, Great Allegheny Passage, Hurricane Florence, Keystone Viaduct, Meyersdale, Meyersdale Visitor Center and Museum, Official GAP Trail Guide Book, Pennsylvania, Pinkerton bridges, Pinkerton horn, Pinkerton tunnel, Rockwood, Rockwood Mill and Opera House, Salisbury Viaduct, Western Maryland Rail Road, Yoder Guest House
GAP 5 Part 2: To Connellsville
Before we left West Newton, in the Ruritans’ reclaimed rail car, we learned about some of the sights we were to see along our way toward Connellsville. There’s a lot of history along the GAP trail that is worth at least a fleeting glance, so a rider can understand the context of the trail’s roots and bones, rising from its origin as a railroad bed.
When talking about The Ruins Project in the most recent post, I mentioned the town of Whitsett (MP 103). As a traditional “company town,” Whitsett is a living example of the “cracker-box” houses that were owned by the company, along with the infamous “company store.” In the song Sixteen Tons, the singer says, “I owe my soul to the company store”—not an uncommon situation in which many of the coal mine workers found themselves. Because goods in the company store were tremendously expensive, most miner families had to buy food and goods on credit, ending up owing the mining company more than their wages, and plunging them into indentured servitude.
But Whitsett is known for another reason: the populace is extremely proud that the town has always been an integrated community. Neighbors in Whitsett have watched out for and stood by one another through many hard times. The floods of 1936, ’54, and ’72, plus two train derailments (1947 & 1974) brought distress to the families of Whitsett. But the town has become more closely-knit, and today is known, among other things, for generating some of the finest amateur baseball teams known.
Early in our ride, I stopped to see this marked feature along the trail (marked with a post and the words “Mailbox Formation”). It was pretty cool.
The Tufa
A tufa is a rare formation of limestone that grows out of fresh water seeping through the ground outside of a cave (as the water warms, calcium carbonate emerges and fossilizes, covering anything it falls upon, drip by drip). It’s like the deposits found in caves (stalactites and stalagmites) but without the protection of the surrounding rock. A tufa is exposed to and vulnerable to the elements.
To teachers, students, and naturalists interested in geology, it is a delicate outdoor classroom—it’s difficult to ‘get’ geology indoors because of its scale (this tufa stands 37 feet tall). To archeologists, the tufa is a scrapbook: layers upon layers of calcium salts have trapped the history of the last 18,000 years. Every day, something else disappears (and is preserved) under the constant, slow, drip, drip. For example, dust from passing trains in the 30s; from distant volcanic eruptions; even from the first atomic tests in the 40s—could be recovered and studied, telling tales and stories intimate to the era in which it has been preserved.
As such, the tufa is vulnerable to destruction by curious visitors, fertilizer runoff, logging activities, pipelines, and exploration. Therefore, not many of the locals let folks like us know exactly where it is, because its fragile situation is quite close to the trail. Happily, it is difficult to see and to find, and it’s on private property.
I did try to find something like what I’d read about and seen in an old newspaper article. But what I saw and photographed (and intentionally left off here) might simply have been a slow-moving spring polluted by a long-gone mining operation. I mention it because it’s interesting, but I leave the photo out so the tufa won’t be destroyed by folks as curious as I am.
Coke ovens
In the industry’s heyday, hundreds of these beehive-shaped ovens would be burning, all in a long row (for ease of loading coal from rail cars into the ovens; and then for transfer of the coke back to rail cars to head up to Pittsburgh for steel-making). Elder residents can remember the coke ovens lighting up the night sky. The area around MP 89 and Connellsville became known as Dante’s Inferno.
A fellow named Cochran, who lived in nearby Dawson, had discovered how to make coke from coal around the 1840s. The key was a small, dome-shaped oven, modeled after bread ovens. For nearly 100 years afterward, coke ovens (also called “beehive ovens”) were in use along the Yough River (until about 1930). Cochran’s method was the biggest industrial discovery ever made along this section of the GAP trail, and resulted in the greatest number of millionaires per capita residing in the geography between Connellsville to Perryopolis than anywhere in the United States. At one time, 13,000 bushels of coke were boated from Connellsville to Cincinnati.
Here’s a brief primer on coal, coke, and steel.
Bituminous coal (black coal) is relatively soft, and contains a tar-like substance called bitumen (asphalt). Bituminous coal is of higher quality than lignite coal; yet it is of poorer quality than anthracite.
If it is to be used for many industrial processes, bituminous coal must first be “coked” to remove the volatile components. Coking is achieved by heating the coal in the absence of oxygen (to the extent possible), a process which drives off hydrocarbons (for example propane & benzene among others) as well as sulfur gasses. Much of the water in bituminous coal is also driven out during carbonization.
While the coal is heating in the “beehive oven” in a very low-oxygen environment, it softens, allowing the volatiles escape through its pores. When cooled, the resultant coke has swollen (as compared to how it began) resulting in a larger volume—contrary to what we know to be typical of burning, where the end result is most frequently a much smaller volume than what was burned in the first place.
Coke (also called metallurgical coal) is used in the manufacture of steel, where carbon fuel must be as volatile-free and ash-free as possible. The strength and density of coke is particularly critical when used in a blast furnace. In steel-making, the coke is not only a fuel but also a reactant in the steel-making blast furnace.
In steel making, impurities (nitrogen, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, and excess carbon) are removed from raw iron ore. At the same time, alloying elements like manganese, nickel, chromium, and vanadium are added, which produce different grades of steel. The use of coke in the furnace also limits impurities (termed “inclusions”) in the steel, which is also critical to ensure the quality of products cast from molten steel.
This is how the “beehive ovens” worked: A fire brick chamber shaped like a dome, typically ~13 ft. wide and ~8 ft. high, was used to make coke. The roof had a hole for introducing the coal and other kindling from the top.
In the lower part of the wall was an opening (with a door) through which the coke was removed. In a coke oven battery, a number of ovens were built in a row with common walls between neighboring ovens. An average battery consisted of a great many ovens, sometimes hundreds, in a row.
Bituminous coal was introduced from above to an even layer of about 25 to 35 inches deep. Initially, air (and sometimes kindling material) must be supplied to ignite the coal. Carbonization (burning) then began, producing the volatile gases, which subsequently burned inside the oven, providing both the heat as well as the oxygen-free carbonization environment required to make coke.
Carbonization happened from top to bottom of the layer of coal, and was completed in 2 or 3 days. Because the heat was maintained by the ignited and igniting volatiles, no useful by-products of the burning were recovered. Exhaust gasses were allowed to escape to the atmosphere.
The hot coke was then quenched with water and removed manually through the side opening. The walls and roof of the beehive oven retained enough heat to ignite the carbonization process for the next layer of 25-35 inches of bituminous coal.
Impurities not driven off and/or burned as gasses accumulated to form “slag.” Basically, slag is the accretion of those removed impurities not burned, evaporated, or discharged out the roof hole. In the early days of coke-making, slag was simply an unwanted by-product and was discarded into enormous piles. Later, it was found to have some use, as an ingredient in brick-making, mixed cement, and granule-covered shingles.
The man who discovered this process, Cochran, lived in Dawson, and we rode across the river to see the town. Possibly due to the floods of Gordon, but possibly because its a dying community, we found a ghost town. But we did see the well-maintained former Cochran home.
Much of the area, however, looked like this elderly structure, which some intrepid soul had once tried to turn into a shop-filled destination.
Another ambitious person had tried to set apart his/her home, sited right next to the active rail road, by painting it purple.
This neon-colored house was difficult to miss.
There was a pretty church in the town, and the sign outside said there were Tiffany windows preserved within. We didn’t get inside, so we couldn’t see the windows.
As we were riding toward the bridge back across the Yough, another interesting home with a wrought-iron fence around it caught our attention. In one of the gate “posts” was an active honey bee hive. We thought it was quite appropriate to see these gentle workers after seeing the coke ovens, and considering the mosaic of the “beehive” oven we discovered at The Ruins Project (see my post here).
We passed under the glass arch into Connellsville around lunch time. Since the demise of the coal and steel industries, Connellsville has re-made itself as a glass making center.
We rode into town to the Connellsville Canteen—site of a railroad stop-over for troop trains heading with soldiers toward the ports from which they’d ship to fight in WWII. Mrs. Rose Brady, founder of the Canteen, organized 600+ women volunteers between the ages of 21 and 80 to offer warm, healthy food and smiles to troops heading to fight. The Canteen served more than a half-million servicemen and women between April 1944 and April 1946, an average of 3,500 people every week.
The place had lots and lots of WWII memorabilia, photos, icons, stories, and objects donated to the “museum” by Connellsville residents. It is a very personal museum dedicated to honoring the military men and women and their families who haled from Connellsville. We ate an excellent meal, before which we were invited to go see the elaborate HO-gauge train town set up in a back room.
Sept. 15 was a great ride full of interesting stuff, topped off with excellent meals including a hole-in-the-wall, local Italian dinner at Ruvo’s Italian Restaurant. Well worth the discovery.
We slept for the night at the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, just off the trail, complete with a bike-washing station and free towels to wipe the bikes down after their rinse.
Ride time: 2:30
Stopped time: 5:00
Average speed: 11.75MPH
Descent: 77 ft.
Next up: Connellsville to Confluence
Posted on September 15, 2018 October 7, 2018 Categories Bicycling, Travel, travelogueTags beehive ovens, bicycling, bituminous coal, blast furnace, Coal mining, coal-to-coke, Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, Cochran, coke ovens, company town, Confluence, Connellsville, Connellsville Canteen, dawson, GAP Trail, geology, Glass Archway, Great Allegheny Passage, HO-gauge train tracks, honey bees, mailbox formation, Pennsylvania, Ruvo's Italian Restaurant, steel-making, tufa, West Newton, Whitsett, Yougiogheny River
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Companion Dogs
Home > Molossers > Rafeiro do Alentejo
Eadwig June 3, 20192019-06-03T18:49:28+00:002019-06-10T10:23:05+00:00 Molossers
Origin and History
Officially Recognized
Close to Extinction
‘The gentle giant’
The Rafeiro do Alentejo, with ‘ Rafeiro’ meaning ‘Mongrel’ (mixed breed) and ‘Alentejo’ as a reference to the Alentejo region in South Portugal.
This breed is also known as the Portuguese Mastiff or the Portuguese Watchdog. This impressive dog breed is relatively unknown. I believe this to be unfortunate, because there is a lot to love when you get to know this ‘gentle giant.’
And giants they are! They are massive in size and big in character. A male can reach a weight up to 40-50 kg (88 to 110 lbs), and females can reach 35 to 45 kg (77 to 110 lbs). So, as you can probably tell by these numbers: They are huge!
They generally are found to be gentle, but they must be socialized early in life and well trained.
Other prominent characteristics are a bear-shaped head and a pair of little brown eyes with a calm and serene expression. They have Triangular ears that flop over to the side of their face. And armed with strong jaws and thin lips.
A deep and wide chest, causing their bark to be pretty impressive. And long limbs with a tail that reaches past their hocks and the tip curved upwards. Their coat is medium in length and quite dense. It can be black, yellow or gray with white markings, or white with markings of any of the previously mentioned colors.
It’s origin and history is up until today a mystery and still open for debate. The most commonly shared theory is that it’s ancestors are originated from the Tibetan Highlands, most likely as descendants of the Tibetan Mastiff.
Most people support the idea that they spread throughout the rest of Asia and Europe while following, as a guard dog, the Roman legions across the Balkan from the Black Sea to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. But this is just one of the few theories that people believe to be true.
I will not go further into detail of the other theories about the origins of the Rafeiro do Alentejo. One thing we know for sure, and that’s the fact that the first ancestor’s origin goes back thousands and thousands of years!
Throughout these thousands of years, they acquired their own characteristics and looks, part of which the genetics most likely come from other local breeds such as the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Spanish Mastiff (see pictures below) Some people believe they also inherited genetics from the Anatolian Shepherd.
It is not until around the 1960’s that they are recognized by both the UKC (United Kennel Club) and the AKC (American Kennel Club), as well as the Portuguese Kennel Club. With this recognition they became officially a purebred race.
The Portuguese Mastiffs traditionally worked as livestock guardians. Traveling from south to north of the land and back to ensure there was enough grazing land to sustain the cattle.
While traveling, their main task was successfully defending the herd from large predators like bears, wild pigs and wolves. It is important to note that they did not do this in a aggressive manner but with scaring the predators away with their impressive size and far reaching deep bark.
With the modernization of the agricultural lifestyle, the job for the Portuguese Mastiff became useless and the demand for them declined drastically. As a result they even almost got extincted. With their lowest point around the 1980’s.
This is one of the reasons why this breed is not known by most people and why they are still not with many. Thanks to a small group of breeders and enthusiasts, the threat of extinction lies in the past and they are now known as a ‘stable’ breed. Still, it is not easy to track down this dog. Even in their homeland Portugal there is just a modest number of Rafeiro do Alentejo breeders you can find.
Stoic, sturdy, calm, stubborn, serious, slow… All these traits do apply when you try to explain the nature and characteristics of these dogs. They become very attached to their owner/trainer and they will fly to the moon and back to satisfy them.
That is, only when you can convince him or her they even need a boss/trainer. They are hard to train and very independent. Making them not suitable for a beginner.
https://wagwalking.com/breed/rafeiro-do-alentejo
https://wikimedia.commons.org
https://www.dogzone.com
This article is written by Xena Kane
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Tag Archives: Stephen Hull
Music Matters Launches!
Music Matters, a new series of short books on single acts, publishes its first two titles today, October 3: Why the Ramones Matter by Donna Gaines and Why the Beach Boys Matter by Tom Smucker. As series editor, I am so honored to have helped bring these books into fruition, and look forward to many more volumes in the future. Music Matters is published by the University of Texas press, which means I’m labelmates with some of the smartest people thinking about music right now, including Oliver Wang, Vivien Goldman, and Jessica Hopper. The series would not exist without Stephen Hull, who originally conceived it for University Press of New England; when UNPE announced they were shuttering, we moved to UT. Thanks also to Robert Christgau for bringing me to Stephen; I have to admit, he truly is the dean of rock critics.
For more information, check out the press release.
If you are interested in submitting to the series, send a one-page query explaining why the subject matters, why you are qualified to write about that subject, and what would your writing approach be to myself at Evelyn.McDonnell@LMU.edu and ckittrell@utpress.utexas.edu. Please write MUSIC MATTERS in the subject line, and give us at least a month to respond.
Release_Music Matters
Filed under Music Matters, Uncategorized
Tagged as Beach Boys, Donna Gaines, Music Matters, Robert Christgau, Stephen Hull, Tom Smucker, University of Texas Press
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Tag Archives: Miller Puckette
BIFEM: Juliana Snapper and Miller Puckette, Illud Etiam
September 19, 2017 Reviews2017BIFEM, Juliana Snapper, Miller Puckette, Philippe Manourypartialdurationscontributor
Juliana Snapper in Illud Etiam. Jason Tavener photography.
Review by Joel Roberts
On Sunday afternoon at the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music, the sounds of murmuring electronics gently eclipsed the noises of an expectant audience at the performance of Illud Etiam. Named after a work by Philippe Manoury, four works were performed by soprano Juliana Snapper and composer Miller Puckette. At this point in the festival, I was uncertain of what to expect next.
The question that had derailed my expectations was simply “what should one expect at an exploratory music festival?” Would there be New Music; Experimental music; Other Music; the Avant Garde; Wacky Shit? My experience at the Festival successfully shifted my sense of cultural framing. Another shift in this area was as a result of witnessing Snapper and Puckette’s staging of You who will emerge from the flood. Described as an opera, this hybrid work included a soprano who sang underwater, an electronic score, a glass-walled dunking tank and a pair of large projector screens and was the sort of work that could have been placed within the worlds of theatre, opera or visual art.
Illud Etiam was presented in a simple and direct manner in the Bendigo Bank Theatre, an ornate rectangular room that had originally housed masonic meetings. A single microphone pointed directly across a pair of music stands which had been arranged like a dais or news-desk giving the impression that we were about to witness a sermon or news conference. Snapper’s appearance in a simple black dress reinforced the unencumbered nature of this performance, a stark contrast to the metre-long merkin worn in You who will emerge. The room’s simplicity and a simple lighting set-up only emphasised the program’s more dramatic moments. The dry acoustic of the room also enabled the audio processes to be completely controlled within the electronic environment. Together, these elements intensified the focus on Snapper’s performance and Puckette’s electronic soundscape.
A flash of light marked the beginning of selections from Manoury’s song cycle, En Écho. The songs sounded like poetic matter of fact accounts and stories in the manner of recitative. Manoury’s approach to the vocal writing was engaging while remaining within the realm of the conventional. Early into the performance, it was clear that Snapper’s ability to communicate as a singer completely eclipsed the fact that I had no understanding of the French text. Completely engaged in her performance, I also had a growing awareness of the richness of the electronics. More accurately described as orchestration, Manoury’s sweeping electronic landscape evolved and developed with the richness of any conventional orchestration.
The principal timbre of the electronics, a “hybrid keyboard”, was a blend of piano, bell, and organ-like sounds that provided a strong musical presence throughout the work. In places a “scribbling” sound was transformed into a whimpering. In another, excited gestures of electronic sounds would overflow in response to the singer’s sounds. At other times, quiet “voices” could be heard within the musical texture. I began to wonder if I was hearing pre-recorded sounds, or spontaneous electronic responses to the singer? All these elements contributed to the excitement of this performance. In places, Snapper appeared to be waiting for an electronic response to her singing. This human-machine improvisation further enhanced the sense of excitement in the performance.
After the performance, Puckette explained to me that he had created the electronic platform for the work, which he then taught to Manoury, who realised the work’s orchestration. I discovered that Puckette was officially listed as a collaborator on the work, an element that would have been worthwhile to add to a program. The improvisation that I had heard was a result of the programming. The computer “knew” the score and followed the singer, anticipating events and responding to them in real time. To me, this represented an aspect of artificial intelligence which emulated the skills of great musicians from any style.
Snapper’s own composition, Double Voiced, provided a different approach to singer-electronics interaction that sounded more like an ensemble. An array of electronic textures provided richly harmonised choral accompaniment, counterpoint and immediate responses to the vocalist, sometimes in the manner of a duet. The use of a huge digital reverb, in contrast to the room’s acoustics, was an auditory pleasure. In places, the electronics’ timbre resembled the sounds of extended techniques on acoustic instruments.
At other times the electronics sounded like hysterical laughing. Sometimes it was difficult to distinguish the live vocal from the processed sound, a feature particular to this work. One of the difficulties as an audience member at this festival was the omission of program notes for all performances. I think this is problematic because it is hard to frame and contextualise works without some background. It could be suggested that this is an elitist approach that is not interested in cultivating audiences from outside the new-music scene.
For example, the text to Illud Etiam, another Australian premiere by Manoury, had been impenetrable to me until after the performance. It was clear that the piece had a religious context and some parts of the text were in latin. The religious connotations were reinforced by the sounds of electronic bells which permeate the work like a Yamaha dx-7 on steroids! By looking online I discovered that the work was inspired by scenes from Bergman’s film Seventh Seal, which deals with issues around sorcery. The text is a blend of an original medieval text and a poem by Louise Labe. While the singer plays the dual roles of inquisitor and victim, the dynamic intensity of her voice triggers “sound flames”. In this case, the greater the volume, the greater the degree of instability in the electronics. According to Manoury, the fire represents both punishment and the woman’s desire to be consumed.
Early into the performance it surprised me to realise that this concert was essentially a traditional vocal recital. A freshness and excitement (the experimental) was added to this through the use of a distinctive timbral palette, computer indeterminacy and improvisational elements. Despite the incredible volume and quality of audio production, there is not the same sense of deep immersion that one feels when an orchestra is accompanying a soloist. For example, Snapper maintained a sense of character throughout the performance, except in moments where she was waiting for a response from the electronics. However, I’m sure this is something that could be developed, if it needed to be Is it the result of the piece having an improvisational aspect to it and the artist simply needing to tune in to a spontaneous electronic response? Snapper and Puckette’s use of experimental music making within the context of traditional staging and presentation contributed to a successful and deeply engaging performance.
Juliana Snapper and Miller Puckette
Illud Etiam
Bendigo Bank Theatre
En Écho, Philippe Manoury; Double Voiced, Juliana Snapper; Illud Etiam, Philippe Manoury.
BIFEM: Juliana Snapper, You Who Will Emerge From the Flood
September 3, 2017 Reviews2017BIFEM, Juliana Snapper, Miller Puckettepartialdurationscontributor
Juliana Snapper, You Who Will Emerge From the Flood. Jason Tavener photography
Review by Lewis Ingham
Bathed in blue light, the metal and glass dunk-tank sits wedged between two projector screens, cold and foreboding against the warm red interior of Bendigo’s Capital Theatre. You Who Will Emerge From the Flood, an underwater opera composed by Juliana Snapper with Andrew Infanti, explores themes of violence, gender, and sexuality in a captivating performance on the opening night of 2017 Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music.
The work commences with a pre-recorded piano track. The loose rhythms and harsh timbres of the gently out of tune piano dissolve into a subtle layer of synthesised sounds. A pencil-drawn animation of a lonely and naked figure emerging from a body of water flashes across the projector screens. The figure appears androgynous until its breasts emerge from the water. This sequence of images repeats, but with each viewing you feel there are subtle changes to the shading and details of the animation, much like the subtly expanding piano melody.
Snapper emerges from behind one of the screens, climbing onto the dunk-tank and allowing her costume to be taken in by the audience. She wears a dress with blonde wig hair spouting from beneath the hem, like a vast mane of pubic hair. Holding herself on the outer rim of the tank, a new part in the electronic track takes off, this time an artificial choir dominating the sonic palette. Accompanying this new section are projected images of motionless bodies floating in water, this imagery adding a sinister feeling to the water on stage and suggesting why Snapper has not yet touched the water.
A strong moment of silence follows, which is broken by Snapper singing a solo passage of German text. There is no translation for the text, but the nineteenth-century expressionist quality of the music evokes a carnivalesque, ritualistic quality to the way Snapper has displayed herself so far.
Snapper lowers herself into the water slowly and deliberately, the microphones placed around the tank amplifying the sounds of the water and her body against the container. As a key moment in this opera, there is an innate theatricality to Snapper’s first plunge into the water. At first I feel she has no control and resents the water, her costume ungracefully floating through the water and exposing her crotchless outfit. The dunk-tank itself is a machine of ritual humiliation and it’s quite confronting to see the performer force herself beneath the surface whether intentional or not. Eventually Snapper wrestles control of her movements, pulling herself from the water and onto a metal swing suspended just above the liquid’s surface.
There is a sense of the performer exploring the distance between herself and the water as she emits sharp melodic inhalations and exhalations centimetres above the surface. This is further enhanced by a close-up live camera feed, which is projected onto the two screens, magnifying Snapper’s interactions with the water. The camera also allows Snapper to add nuances to her presence in the tank, magnifying her physical efforts to stare into the camera or press her body against the glass. The water in the tank frames the performance and Snapper’s interplay with this voyeuristic frame may be perceived as sexualised or distressing.
The sound of underwater singing isn’t entirely unexpected; a torrent of bubbles with muffled, yet discernible, pitch. More affecting is Snapper’s strong accentuation and treatment of her breathing. When transitioning between singing above and below water, Snapper’s breaths are deep, shallow, melodic, or a frightening gasp. I catch myself holding my breath as I watch Snapper move through the water. This sense of empathy is enhanced by the heavy amplification of her breathing and the sudden loud bangs as she brushes against the tank.
Elements suggest repressive violence: the volume of her underwater singing fading with the depth of her submersion, or the fact that Snapper’s vocal passages from within her watery cell are purely syllabic with the removal of full words. Between the screens and the tank, the audience can watch the performer drown in full sight, even though there is uncertainty as to whether this is forced or not. While Snapper dives alone in the tank, the screens display a video of Snapper being violently dunked and held under the water by two men.
The electronic tracks operate like interludes in the latter stages of the work, Snapper adding drama to these interludes by fully submerging herself. Normally the electronic tracks feature synthesised sounds rather than recorded samples, however, the final electronic section features an eerie vocal duet between a real male and female voice. The uncertain fluidity of the melody begs a final question, are they singing with or against each other?
The stage plunges into darkness, not allowing the audience to witness Snapper exit the tank. Only her faint splashing is heard in the blackness of the theatre. You Who Will Emerge From the Flood is as confronting as it is captivating with Snapper demonstrating her ability to expand vocal technique and performance. With the reemergence of the lights the soprano takes her well deserved bow whilst towelling herself off.
You Who Will Emerge From the Flood
Bendigo Capital Theatre
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JACK AND THE IRISH COMMANCHIE
May 7, 2018 admin Stories
Once upon a time not so very long ago lived a little Irish boy called jack.
Jack lived in a small house in a little one-horse town called San Patricio in the middle of a great plain that Indians called A Mesa.
From the window of his little house jack could see the vast plain. And a windmill and some of the other houses in the town. He could see the corral where the one-horse lived and he could see the little church of San Patricio where all the people came to congregate on Sundays and Holy Days.
When he went outside into the hot sunny morning to play or to go to school he could for miles and miles and miles because the little town was surrounded on all sides by hot dusty land.
The land was so flat it seemed like he could forever.
And above this little town on this great flat plain were endless blue skies.
At the night sky was covered in a magic carpet, a great spangle of stars that twinkled delightfully above the little town of San Patricio on the great Mesa.
One night Jack had a dream. And when he woke up and looked out of his window he saw a great big mountain rising majestically out of the great plain right beside his little town of San Patricio.
It was a mighty looking mountain. Jack was so excited he ran outside. He felt brave and now that he was a commanchie he was a Brave. So, he ran to the corral and jumped up on the horse that was really just a pony and started to ride towards the mountain.
He rode up the foothills of the mountain.
At first the mountain was covered in lush green grass and he could hear it swish as he galloped joyfully up and away.
On he rode and rode through the grass and gradually as the hills got steeper and turned into the mountain proper Jack came upon the trees growing tall and thick upon this great mountain.
On he rode up to and through the trees into the wood. He was brave, and his pony was strong and safe.
So, he rode through the wooded forest.
He could see patches of blue above the trees and he could hear the sound of water as he came upon a mountain stream.
There Jack saw a tall deer drinking from the cool waters. The deer looked and looked at Jack straight in the face. Jack could see the eyes huge and shiny and a dark magnificent horned antlery and they just looked at each other a long while then as Jack crossed the stream on his pony the great stag turned and disappeared into the woods.
On and on Jack rode. Sometimes he’d come upon a trail and on he would ride stopping only to marvel at the magnificent and beautiful flowers that adorned the side of the trail (or the small patches of blue he could glimpse above the trees and the shafts of light that cut the forest like shafts of glistening ice) and the he would lose the trail and yet on he rode because he was a Commanchie and he was Brave.
On and on he went as he neared the summit of the mountain the forest gave way to the hard rock and it grew steeper and it was hard to ride Jacks’ pony was a little tired, so jack got off the pony and as he could not see the summit he led his pony gently across and up the rocky slopes until they reached the pinnacle and there was the most magnificent sight of all. For just below them on the other side a glorious green and fertile valley, Jack and his pony were almost breathless and so they just sat and gazed at this wonder for what seemed like hours and as he watched a shadow crossed Jack’s face and he looked up and he could see a magnificent eagle circling above, it circled and circled and as it circled a feather from its wing. The eagle took it in its beak and then dropped the feather down. The feather came circling and circling and circling ‘til it came within reach of Jack’s hand and he reached out and caught it. The eagle gave a loud screech of recognition. Jack took the feather and tied it in his hair and as he gazed down into the valley sitting beside his pony he thought if he could give a place a name he would name this place ‘Commanchie Point’. And so this place is known.
Then they heard a sound from the valley below and both Jack and his pony stood up. It was a whinny. For down below in the valley was another pony a beautiful brown and white pied-baled pony. She whinnied again, and Jacks’ pony replied.
Jack let go of his reins and let his pony gallop down into the valley to play with his new-found friend and he watched them run together two horses running like the wind. And as they ran the green grass turned golden from the sun that was setting across the valley and Jack watched the ponies sport and play. He saw them disappear into the golden light.
Time passed and as the sun went down the evening turned to twilight and Jack knew that he would have to return home alone.
He started to climb down the rocky slopes and although his heart was full his tummy was quite empty. Jack the Irish Commanchie Boy was hungry. He searched for food but all that he could find to eat were some wild black and red berries growing on bushes near the edge of the woods. Jack ate the berries and they were delicious, but he did not eat to many because now that he was an Indian he was careful, and he knew the ways of the woods.
He knew there could be dangers in the wood so before he entered he broke himself a good strong stick with a small fork at one end. If he had had time he would have painted it with the juice of the wild berries to make it look nice, but the night and the darkness were coming in fast and he knew he must hurry home.
Jack grew thirsty and he stopped to drink at the mountain stream where he had seen the stag. So, jack knew he was on the right track.
On he walked through the wood and as it grew darker and darker Jack began to lose his way. He had to break his way through the trees with his strong stick yet on and on he went but Jack the Irish Commanchie grew tired and although he felt he should be home by now “perhaps I’m lost, and I will have to spend the night on the mountain”. As he said these words he came upon a cave in the side of the mountain. He peered inside and although it was dark the moon was beginning to rise and in its pale light he found a dry corner to lie himself down. It was a was a warm drowsy cave with a warm dusty smell like that of some animal a bear perhaps. But Jack was tired, and Jack was brave and so Jack swiftly fell asleep.
When he woke it was first light and although he was warm and cozy and could use a little more sleep he knew he must be on his way. But as Jack was about to leave the cave he heard a hiss and there in the mouth of the cave was a snake coiled and dangerous.
Jack shrank back into his corner nervously. Then he remembered his stick with the forked end and grew brave again.
He approached the snake with great caution and with the forked end of his stick, he moved it back and forth teasing and almost hypnotizing the snake. Then with a swift and accurate movement he trapped the head of the snake beneath the fork of his stick. Keeping him their Jack maneuvered himself out of the cave. Just as he thought he was safe his foot slipped on a rock and he fell down the edge of the mountain. Luckily for him he was near the edge of the lush green grass and just tumbled and tumbled and tumbled over and over and over again down and down and down the mountain side swishing thought the long green grass until he came to a stop not far from his house.
Jack crept in quietly to the house and into bed and although he was a little sore and bruised he fell fast asleep immediately exhausted after his wonderful adventure.
Very soon there was a knock on the door. “Wake up wake up” said his Father. It’s time to get up and get washed and ready for church. Jack could hear his Father and Mother moving around the house and he could smell the food that would be devoured as soon as they got back from church.
What a wonderful dream I’ve had he thought as he started to rise from his bed then as he opened his eyes and looked he gasped as he found a beautiful eagle’s feather lying on the pillow next to him.
Jack picked it up. Jack remembered his dream. He grew excited and he jumped from bed and he rushed to the window and looked out, but the mountain was not there it was gone. Jack was a crest falling but then to his surprise he looked towards the corral and in it he saw there were two horses. The beautiful brown pony and the beautiful pied baled filly from the valley of his dreams. Jack felt a warm glow inside his heart. Jack smiled to himself. His Father came to him and said, “come on Jack hurry or we’ll be late for church”. “What are you smiling at” asked his Father looking out the window. Jack pointed at the corral and said, “well Dad I guess we don’t live in a one-horse town anymore – we live in a two-horse town”. His father smiled and just then the bells rang out from the little church of San Patricio across a two horse town on a great plain the Indians call A Mesa.
Look out for Patrick in Ireland’s Own!
Patrick Bergin performs as Pope Francis arrives at Croke Park
THE BLARNEY STONE – NEW MUSICAL FOR THE LEE VALLEY
St Patrick’s Breastplate
The Blarney Stone!
The Last Requiem
Switzers Window in aid of Barnardos
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General Motors Holden Formative…
Posted: December 6, 2018 in Features, Touring Cars
Tags: Australian Motor Racing History, Des West, General Motors Holden Pagewood Factory, Holden 48-215, Holden FJ, John French, Laurence Hartnett, Prime Minister Ben Chifley, Prime Minister Bob Menzies, Warren Weldon
(S Hood)
Prime Minister Robert Menzies and Laurie Hartnett in the back of a Vauxhall Wyvern Caleche Tourer having opened General Motors Holdens new factory at Pagewood, in Sydney’s southern suburbs 1940…
I know its not a motor racing shot so it would normally be outside primotipo’s focus but the photos were too good to waste, and I will get there, a racing element is here to be found in a little bit.
GMH Pagewood on the day of the plant’s opening (S Hood)
The merger of Holden Motor Bodies Ltd with General Motors (Australia) Pty Ltd as a result of the stress caused to the former during the great depression forged the basis of one of Australia’s great manufacturers and an iconic marque, the merged entity was named General Motors-Holden’s Ltd.
A great Touring Car Racing brand as well- there is the racing link I guess.
The new company opened its first factory at Fishermans Bend, in Melbourne’s inner west in 1936 and at Pagewood in 1940.
After World War 2 the business made coachwork for Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Vauxhall.
By the mid-forties the automotive industry had the government onside to encourage the development of Australia’s own car.
Holden, led by Hartnett got the upper hand on Ford in a pitch by keeping their demands for taxpayer support to a lower level than FoMoCo.
The first Holden was built to a reject 1949 model design based on 1946 Chevrolet mechanicals. The car was to sit between the bigger American’s and smaller British machines which dominated in Oz at the time. The engine was also Chev based. This photo is the 1945 clay model of the Holden 48-215, named the ‘Anzac Holden’ by its clay modeller, Frank Herschey
(SLSA)
Ben Chifley at the Holden launch, Fishermans Bend, 29 November 1948 (NMA)
In 1944 the feds invited GMH to build a family car suited to our unique, extreme climatic conditions.
American and Australian engineers hand built three Holden test cars at GM’s experimental workshop in Detroit- the first, chassis ‘19525’ was completed on 30 August 1946. After months of durability tests the cars were secretly shipped back to Fishermans Bend.
The very first Holden prototype ‘car number 19525 from Project 2000, which then became Project 320 and the initial prototype of the future 48-215 in the United States showing the cars temporary name ‘GMH’ above the ‘Holdens’ badge on the bonnet’. Rego Michigan BK-46-48 (SLSA)
Further testing took place locally and then GMH engineers and technicians built two further prototypes in Australia, the first of these was completed on 22 August 1947- these became the definitive model and shape we all know and love.
For the record, the first production Holden was completed on 1 October 1948, largely built off-line, it was a ‘Gawler Cream’ 48-215, body #6, VIN ‘8-1001-M’ and fitted with engine # ‘1001’.
In 1948 in a ceremonial scene akin to the opening image, then Prime Minister Ben Chifley pulled the covers off Holden #1, the ’48-215′ or Holden FX at Fishermans Bend on 29 November 1948, with mass production starting at the heady rate of ten cars a day!
Soon production boomed of course, and the rest, as they say is history- including the closure of the final Holden production line at Elizabeth, South Australia on Friday 20 October 2017.
The Australian motor industry as manufacturers of mass-market cars no longer exists. We now have a tiny number of niche companies- god bless Michael Borland and Spectrum Racing Cars down Mordialloc way in outer Melbourne for example.
Fishermans Bend 1948 (SLV)
48-215 first brochure
States Motors team, South Australia with one of their first two Holdens in December 1948 (D Loffler)
The ’48-215′ was economical, sturdy, stylish, light and with its modern’ish cast iron, OHV, 2171 cc/132.5 cid, in-line six cylinder engine gave better performance than similarly priced, or in some cases, more expensive cars.
In standard form the undersquare engine (bore 3 inches, stroke 3 1/8 inches) gave 60 bhp @ 3800 rpm and 100 foot/pounds of torque at a very relaxed 2000 rpm on a compression ratio of 6.5:1. The motor was fed by a single downdraft Stromberg BXOV-1 carburettor with spark provided by a Delco-Remy distributor. Gearbox was 3 speed- the shift was column mounted, the four-wheel drum brakes had a kerb weight of 2230 pounds to stop.
Amenable to tuning, enthusiasts were soon fitting twin-SU’s or Strombergs or Amals, extractors and giving the heads the usual port ‘n polish treatment to extract additional neddies which were easily found.
The post war explosion of the Australian economy with full employment, industry protected by high tariff walls and the ready availability of consumer credit made it possible for a family man or salesman to have not just day to day transport but also a car for club motorsport.
In many ways the work-horses of Australian motor-racing were MG’s of all sorts, both pre and post-war but especially T Types and the 48-215 or more colloquially the FX, and FJ ‘Humpy’ Holdens in the fifties and into the sixties- so many folks cut their racing teeth in these machines.
Redex Round Australia Trial Holden FJ competitor- in South Australia but otherwise intrigued to know the details (Adelaide Advertiser)
Len Lukey’s Ford Customline from Syd Anderson’s 48 Series (with non-standard grille) and Bob Holden, Peugeot during the 1957 Caversham AGP weekend (K Devine)
Touring car racing started in Australia at the sports inception, daily drivers in the earliest days were the cars which competed in trials and the timed speed events- hillclimbs and sprints within trials. The first Australian Touring Car Championship (Australian Stock Car Championship) was held during the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Lobethal, South Australia in January 1939.
The inexorable and later rapid rise of tourers over pure racing cars in Australia was largely due in the 1950’s to grids chockers with Holden’s- spectators turned out in large numbers to a growing number of race-tracks to watch blokes compete in cars outwardly similar to those in which many of the punters arrived at the race meeting.
In fact by the end of the fifties the quickest of the Holdens were quite sophisticated racers incorporating Phil Irving designed Repco ‘Hi-Power’ cylinder heads, two or three carburettors with one or two cars fitted with Merv Waggott’s twin-cam heads to create an ‘ultimate spec’ Holden.
MG TC and sometimes Jaguar four speed boxes replaced the Holden ‘three on the tree’ column shift gearbox, four wheel discs replaced the standard drums, the cars were extensively lightened and all of the rest…
Ron Harrop’s ‘Howler’ at Calder in the early seventies- Holden FJ with highly developed Holden ‘Red motor’ successor to the ‘Grey’. Harrop became a touring car circuit ace and a Holden engineer par-excellence (unattributed)
Warren Weldon from Bo Seton, Holden FX by two: Catalina Park early sixties (B Wells)
Great names who raced ‘Humpy Holdens’ included Jack Myers, the ‘Holden King of the mid-fifties’, John French, Leo and Pete Geoghegan, Max Stahl, Spencer Martin, Des West, Norm Beechey, Brian Muir, Warren Weldon, Bo Seton, John Goss and many, many others.
Into the dawn of the sixties CAMS adoption of Appendix J put paid to the wild modifications which had started to proliferate- it became the category to which the Australian Touring Car Championship was run. ‘Series Production’ or standard road car racing provided the basis for further growth in tourers by spawning endurance classics such as the Phillip Island and later Bathurst 500, relative to racing cars which became progressively starved of sponsorship funds and less and less relevant to the ‘football, meat-pies and touring cars lovin’ Australian public.
Be in no doubt my friends, Holden Motor Bodies Ltd in 1919 begat General Motors Holdens Ltd which gave birth to the ’48-215′, the intrinsic qualities of the design created a worthy competition car in modified form, the ready availability of which gave rise to the accelerated (pun intended) growth of touring car racing in Australia.
Melbourne Museum, Swanston Street. Royal Australian Navy Hawker Sea Fury (VW626) with Holden 48-215 in the foregrund during the ‘Jubilee of Flight’ exhibition in July 1953 (Museums Victoria)
After-thought: Sir Laurence Hartnett…
Laurie Hartnett strode the Australian manufacturing landscape like a colossus throughout his career but his pugnacious attitude to his American masters as to the design elements of an All Australian Holden led to his removal as Chief Executive of GMH Ltd in December 1946.
He was offered a role with the GM Corporation in the US but did not want to leave Australia- he never got to give birth to Australia’s own car- his own Hartnett was a notable achievement all the same. I’m not going to get lost in this tangent but click here to read in brief about a quite remarkable man.
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hartnett-sir-laurence-john-12602
Repco Hi-Power Head..
https://primotipo.com/2015/06/26/repco-record-car-and-repco-hi-power-head/
Holden ‘Grey’ as Racingcar and Sportscar Engine…
Whilst the focus of this article is the 48-215 and FJ as competition cars themselves the Holden Grey was adopted by many racers as replacement engines for their single-seater or sportscar originals or as the very basis of a special.
The Bristol to Holden conversions of Cooper T20 and T 23’s are examples of the former and the Lou Molina and Sil Massola ‘Molina Monza’ an example of the latter.
Click here; https://primotipo.com/2015/02/10/stirling-moss-cumberland-park-speedway-sydney-cooper-t20-wm-holden-1956/
and here; https://primotipo.com/2015/05/13/shifting-gear-design-innovation-and-the-australian-car-exhibition-national-gallery-of-victoria-by-stephen-dalton-mark-bisset/
Des West’s 48-215 Racing Specifications..
http://www.thegreymotor.com/2014/11/des-west-fx-27-grey-survivor.html
Des West’s second 48-215 racer pictured at home, Wingham, NSW having set the fastest Holden record time at Lowood in 1964 (G Woodward)
Rally and Race..
June 1953 Monte Carlo Rally, Davison, Gaze and Jones DNF. Gatsonides/Worledge won in a Ford Zephyr (unattributed)
1953 Monte Carlo Rally- Messrs Gaze, Davison and Jones- Aces All
John French at Gnoo Blas, Orange circa 1960 (R Kaleda)
Chifley, Fishermans Bend, 29 November 1948 (SLSA)
Hottie and the new 48-215. Whereizzit tho? Being lazy buggers I’m thinkin the Holden PR mob would not have travelled far to do the photo shoot so my vote is Ringwood Lake on Melbourne’s eastern outskirts?
Sam Hood, Museums Victoria, State Library of South Australia, Ray Kaleda, Garry Woodward, General Motors Holden. australiaforeveryone.com.au, Museums Victoria, Bruce Wells
Tailpiece: ‘Told you it would be pretty painless’ Bob Menzies and Laurence Hartnett, GMH Pagewood 1940…
Finito…
In the last photo, what did the two men do with their legs? Leave them at home?
markbisset says:
Ha-ha David,
there must be more room in the back of one of those things than it looks, no idea what model Vauxhall it is.
Wasn’t the Australian Stock Car Championship, referred to above, held during the Australian Grand Prix meeting at Lobethal in 1939 rather than the South Australian Grand Prix meeting in January 1938?
Shite!
I’d better get that right seeing I am the dude making all the fuss about it- aged memories really are not a particularly reliable device! Mine isn’t anyway!
Grazia,
I don’t think it can be said that the CAMS Group E Series Production category spawned the Phillip Island / Bathurst 500 endurance race as that event was first run in 1960 and Group E was not to be introduced (according to the CAMS page in Racing Car News, December 1963) until 1 January 1964.
Re-worded slightly to correct timings and meaning, the essence of which is that racing standard road cars fed the growth of ‘taxi’ racing exponentially throughout the sixties.
I believe that the car in the first photo is a GMH built, uniquely Australian, 1940 Vauxhall Wyvern Caleche Tourer, which can be seen in the brochure at https://web.archive.org/web/20181210005542/https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1940-VAUXHALL-WYVERN-GMH-SALES-BROCHURE-100-GUARANTEE-/183359908845
I don’t think that can be the Sports Roadster as that is a two seater, and I doubt that Bob and Laurie had been asked to sit in the luggage compartment of one of those!
Ha-ha,
Nice to know what it is, at 46 Menzies was a big unit wasn’t he?
I don’t think Hartnett’s contribution is so much under-recognised as perhaps little-known. As a young accountant I was sent as part of the audit team to ‘John Hart P/L’ at the Princes Highway, Clayton- it was one of his many businesses- they were and may well still be importers of machine tools. It was nice to meet him albeit very briefly as a youngster, I was suitably awed but he was a polite man to a nuffy just punchin’ a few numbers.
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Seppi @ Brands…
Bill Brown, Ferrari P4/Can-Am 350…
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Credit: Twitter
Transgender Prisoner Sent Back to Men’s Jail After Being Caught Naked With Female Inmate
By Pluralist | Jun 3, 2019
Kayleigh Woods, a British transgender inmate, was transferred back to a men’s-only jail after officials caught her in a “state of undress” with a fellow prisoner.
A source told The Sun this week that Woods had initiated a “full-blown secret relationship” with the woman.
Woods, a transgender woman convicted of murdering her roommate in January of 2016, was initially housed in the HMP Hewell men’s-only prison. Officials approved her request to be moved to a women’s jail, despite Woods’ lack of a gender recognition certificate, The Sun reported on Sunday.
The U.K.’s Transgender Case Board determined Woods, who has identified as a woman for years but never had gender reassignment surgery, posed no threat to female inmates, since she had no past history of sex offenses. She was transferred to Eastwood Park, a women’s facility located in Gloucester, in December of 2017.
The source said that prison staff reported Woods to the Transgender Case Board after finding her “in flagrante.”
Another source told The Sun that upon being notified of the relationship, the Eastwood Park warden “went up the wall.” Woods’ conduct led to her being transferred to HMP Gartree, a men’s prison in Leicester.
According to reports from 2017, Woods and her then-boyfriend Jack Williams rehearsed murder on a Barbie doll before binding Bethany Hill’s wrists with duct tape and slashing her throat.
Kayleigh Woods and transgender rights
Woods’ case is part of a debate over how far the United Kingdom should go to accommodate transgender people’s claims to the rights associated with their gender identity, as opposed to their biological sex.
Another British transgender inmate Karen White, a convicted sex offender who retains her male genitalia, was granted transfer to New Hall women’s prison in England last year, where she sexually assaulted two female prisoners.
The incident prompted the government to shift its policy and heavily restrict transgender women’s access to women’s jail, The Sunday Times reported in February.
Also in February, Scottish officials came under fire after reports emerged of a transgender sex offender who took advantage of young girls in supermarket restrooms being sent to live in a women-only halfway house.
A similar controversy has played out in the United States.
Cover image: Kayleigh Woods (Twitter)
Tags: transgender, U.K.
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Badges for project team members for motivation
Stack Exchange is using nice way to motivate contribution through Badges. I was thinking of implementing this same idea for my project team members. Badges will be awarded to project team members in recognition of their contributions to the project.
I thought I would use the three ranks of badge: Bronze, Silver, Gold. Rank depends on the volume of the effort through the project sprints.
Badges example for development project
Committer: commits working code changes into project repository (e.g. Bronze Committer=10 commits during 1 sprint, Silver Committer=25 commits, Gold Committer=50 commits)
Tester: test release and report bugs (e.g. Bronze Committer=2 bugs during 1 sprint, Silver Committer=5 bugs, Gold Committer=10 bugs)
Do you think this will be a good idea to motivate people and get the project on-time with good quality?
Did anyone use similar idea to motivate his team members? If yes, how do you implement it? Giving examples is much appreciated...
What metrics would you suggest to implement this idea and how to measure them? Metrics I thought of like: coding, commiting, completing tasks on time, testing, recording spent time, commenting in code, objectizing, organizing, integrating, standardizing, creativity and designing.
For above proposed metrics in point #3 (and if you are proposing new metrics), how do you suggest to measure each of these metrics?
team-management project-team motivation measurement
Rami SedhomRami Sedhom
+1, as I thought about something like this a while ago... didn't progress on it yet, though. either way, I believe this link might give you good insights about the metrics you mentioned: pm.stackexchange.com/questions/5289/… – Tiago Cardoso♦ Sep 10 '12 at 19:15
Hi Rami, how old are the people on your team? – jmort253 Sep 11 '12 at 0:42
@jmort253 - How is the age important to this? Anyway, majority is under 30. – Rami Sedhom Sep 11 '12 at 21:33
@RamiSedhom - It depends. Are you looking for a cooperative team or an internally competitive one? The former would collectively focus on a common goal, the latter individually on their badges! – PhD Sep 23 '12 at 6:22
If this is a project that people are currently getting paid to work on: ABSOLUTELY NOT!
First of all, the goals on the project should be plain and obvious, and on a software project, those goals can already be complicated. Get thorough designs in on time, get code completed on time with as few defects as possible, incorporate feedback from code reviews, fix the unit tests you broke working on this new feature, get new units tests done on time, get doc/doc notes done on time.
Now on top of that, you want to add a bunch of "fuzzy" goals you mention in #3? "Objectizing"? If you propose a badge for that, before you finish your first sprint you are going to regret ever coming up with that idea. People are going to be arguing that their objectization is better than someone else's objectization. All kinds of time will be wasted on this. And worst case: people are going to start getting personal because someone didn't like their objectization. Goals like "organizaion" and "standardization" are equally fuzzy.
You already have enough goals. Leave your developers alone to achieve those. You don't want people spending time chasing badges (for which your organization receives no credit). You want them trying to achieve real goals.
StackExchange can use these badges because we aren't getting paid for this. And if it doesn't get done, only StackExchange loses out (though certainly the communities benefit from this assemblage of knowledge and people). StackExchange also has an automated process for awarding badges. How are you going to automate the awarding of the "designing" badge? You can't. So you're going to have to spend a lot of time doing it manually.
Developers are notorious for gaming any system you put in front of them. The gaming of systems often leads to wasting energy while completely missing the point (real goals). Your current goals are important and tough enough. Keep your people focused on them.
KentKent
"Developers are notorious for gaming any system you put in front of them." Yep. And circumventing, enhancing, altering and or outright cheating at said game. – Andrew Clear Sep 11 '12 at 0:17
The idea is called "gamification" for a reason! – Burhan Ali Sep 15 '12 at 14:06
There are already a lot of theories and studies about motivation. Extrinsic motivators, like badges, awards, and money, have been studied and I believe the results show they are marginal at best, do nothing, or maybe even decrease motivation. The strongest motivators are intrinsic and are mastery, purpose, and autonomy.
Follow the science....
David EspinaDavid Espina
I agree that "The strongest motivators are intrinsic and are mastery, purpose, and autonomy". I am reading Danial's book: Drive and I like his theory. But what I'm thinking of is a simple badgets game, it's not awards or money, it's just for breaking stress and having more fun while working. – Rami Sedhom Sep 10 '12 at 21:56
David, surely there's no harm in having a little fun though, as long as the fun doesn't get in the way of the actual goals, right? – jmort253 Sep 11 '12 at 0:41
Sure, like a teaming event. Rami, your original message implied you wanted the badges to be a motivator, i.e., worker exhibits behavior, receives badge, behavior increases. However, if it were simply a token as part of a broader teaming event, that could be okay, I suppose. I have read (though I cannot reference at the moment) some discussion that contraindicates teaming events due to lack of real efficacy. However, the jury's likely still out on that, though. – David Espina Sep 11 '12 at 2:18
+2 for science, -1 for using team as a verb (well, gerund, but bad enough). – psr Sep 12 '12 at 3:14
Is it a good idea?
As for mostly everything: it all depends on your team.
Some might be very receptive, some absolutely not. If we are talking of an in-house team, I believe it would work more easily with people who already trust you, and who have some sense of humor, as they will have to cope with something that looks un-corporate and hence, at first sight, perhaps “unprofessional” to some. I personally had this issue when I tried to add some other “social improvement” fun-yet-serious artifacts, and backed off when I realized the team was not receptive and considered it more as a game I wanted to play rather than an actually useful PM practice.
Do others do so?
Well, not exactly badges, but along the same lines, and most certainly more impressive ;) check out for example the Swords and Shields Ceremony at Blizzard.
coding: this is not a metric (what exactly are you measuring?).
commiting: this is a bad metric, quantity does not mean quality, and it is usually the opposite in software.
completing tasks on time: possibly, but on scope too, and in such a way that the completion was not done in such a terrible way that it will raise bugs later on…
Actually, I'll stop here. This has already been addressed.
You have to notice that the whole SE reputation and badges system relies on a community of human beings evaluating stuff. The only automation that takes place is in counting scores and associating badges to that score.
For testers, it should be a bit easier. The amount of spotted bugs, possibly weighted by severity, could be an easy metric. You could also consider the time before the report as another metric.
Philosophical considerations
Such a system is simply a model for reputation, and thus a way to simplify human trust attribution. However, for such a system to work, it has to map precisely to events fellow humans would acknowledge as impressive, or at least good in some way.
And I'm afraid this is exactly where you'll hit the limit of automation. By this very definition, automatically computable metrics cannot compute how good creative work is. Computers are very good at calculating stuff, not really at evaluating creative work. And coding is creative work.
Hence, I don't believe such a system would actually be sustainable to ask for contributions, as it would quickly raise doubts on whichever metric is used. Anything but fellow human evaluation will most probably be disregarded by other programmers, removing the very intention of improving reputation. It could even have the opposite effect, depending on the metrics used (“gold contributor? huh, this guy most probably did 30 shitty commits…”).
So, let's conclude. Adding a badge system is a cool goodie that simplifies such an evaluation by adding discrete steps to a continuous spectrum of evaluation, but for it to have any meaning, you need to make sure the way they are attributed is consensual. For this, I think the only valid metric is peers evaluation. This is difficult to obtain reliably on anything but projects with a solid community.
Hence, I would advise to think twice before trying this reward system, as it could be disregarded quite easily, making you waste effort and look foolish, or even backlash if a subset of the population buys into it but not another, segmenting your community / team.
MattiSGMattiSG
You make some great points here. I want to add that this shouldn't make up for a lack of a good team. You still need people who are intrinsically motivated; this reward system should really only be "for fun" or as you mentioned, a way to get the team to rally around one another and work together....... The moment this will fail is when it's required that you have 18 pieces of flair and 10 committer badges. ;) – jmort253 Sep 11 '12 at 0:39
Looking at this from a programmer's side, there is some things that can be done and some potential bad thing lurking.
First the bad things - you don't want to encourage poor practices. The one that caught my eye was "number of commits". Indeed, submitting everything as just one commit is bad, but it is equally bad to submit one commit per file (or one commit to change the comment, another commit to change the code). Ideally, commits are done with a logical grouping - if it is one commit, its one, if its 20, its twenty. But to try to find an 'ideal' number of commits is folly.
Similarly, I've seen goals for bug reporting go bad. If one rewards (or requires) a certain number of bugs then instead of "this bug occurs under this set of circumstances" you will find "this bug occurs under this set of circumstances on page A", "this bug occurs under this set of circumstances on page B", ... "this bug occurs under this set of circumstances on page Z". And there is dozens more bugs reported that don't help anyone (it has wasted time time of the reporter, and the person who has to prioritize the additional bugs, and the person who has to fix them, and the person who has to close them).
Measuring lines of code written is also a faulty metric. Consider Bill Atkison writing -2000 lines of code
When the Lisa team was pushing to finalize their software in 1982, project managers started requiring programmers to submit weekly forms reporting on the number of lines of code they had written. Bill Atkinson thought that was silly. For the week in which he had rewritten QuickDraw’s region calculation routines to be six times faster and 2000 lines shorter, he put “-2000″ on the form. After a few more weeks the managers stopped asking him to fill out the form, and he gladly complied. (from Computer History on QuickDraw)
For a possible solution, look at Jenkins continuous integration game plugin where the build server examines the static analysis information from a build and gives (or subtracts) points for a number of things (code style, coding practices, unit tests, compiler warnings). Note that all of these things are programmatic and do not involve human interaction or judging.
That said, its interesting to look at how I score on the local build CI game tab. But I don't "play" it. I strive to write good code because I want it to be good code, not because I would get points or a badge.
I would share the idea with your team and ask them about opinion.
You can do it by variety of means:
ask your team to share ideas about how to gamify the work; propose your idea then
ask your team directly what they think about your idea
ask for permission to make a 30 day experiment to see how it works
The fact is, that none of us have ever tried this before. Especially in your team. It's all guessing. But if your team is opened to try new things - go for it and be the first one to try the idea at work and share your insights.
I don't know the management theory of this, but I would be extremely wary of introducing badges in the way that you describe. When I put together a team to deliver a product, I want everyone achieving the best overall team outcome - whatever that means - rather than competing as individuals and potentially undermining / failing to help each other.
The only way that I could see a scheme like this working would be for people to be awarded badges by the rest of the team, not by achieving arbitrary goals that are of unclear value. Maybe there would be some merit in having a "Helpful" badge, or a "great contribution" award, or a "problem solver" certificate - but don't make it a competition. Teams pull together - players may compete to be part of the team, but once they are in, they should work for each other.
Iain9688Iain9688
Like the last line Iain. (Y) – ViSu Mar 19 '15 at 5:36
Be careful! There is a fine, subjective, line between motivating and manipulating. If your team decides that this is the latter you may not get their trust back again.
Are you sure you aren't, in fact, attempting to manipulate them? It kind of sounds like you don't think they will do a good job without more motivation. But that giving them imaginary rewards will provide that motivation. Based on metrics of project quality that you plan to come up with. Which implies that you believe you can measure the project quality better than your team (otherwise why try to change their behavior if they know better than you what their behavior should be?).
Sorry, but if I were you I would hope my team didn't find this question.
psrpsr
The reasons given in other answers that this is a poor idea are mostly true, however I think they are missing the bigger picture. The number one issue with such an approach is you are treating the team as a bunch of individuals, and not as a team. You want to give team accolades? Awesome. But you should never intentionally divide your team in such a manner.
Andrew ClearAndrew Clear
I still feel that any gaming system moves the focus from the development and introduces a strong individualism inside the organization. Gamification was introduced in applications in order to use the game to keep the customers. They return to your service partly because of the gaming experience.
Let's take Diablo 3 for example. Getting badges won't get you closer to the final goal, and in order to get some of them, the players may do a lot of unnecessary activities, and it is still a solo task. Back to software development: what will prevent the appearance of the unnecessary comments, commits, refactoring and features?
You can have rewards for common activities in order to solve the solo achievement issue, but those where really hard to track, and you'll need a gamekeeper for sure. Or two.
I'm not in favour to use such things in order to get people motivated and bring the projects forward. However, gamification can improve certain parts like knowledge sharing (e.g. FedEx example) and education (e.g. codeschool).
A personal example. I tried to motivate people to be more agile using the Agile Trophy in 2010. I was given it to the colleague who made the more valuable contribution to our agile way of working during the week. The ceremony was fun - we did it during the weekly all staff meeting - the person who got the trophy was proud of it, but not everybody played. Partly because did not care about my stupid trophy, or they did not like the rules, or they found it hard to get (I didn't gave the trophy out for a good comment during a daily standup meeting). The idea dead quite fast, it didn't bring the projects forwards, and hardly anybody remembers is, but it was fun :-)
ZsoltZsolt
Unlike Kent, I think this is an interesting idea that could work. The caveat is that you will need to integrate this tool with other HR practices. This could then feed into bonuses, promotions, etc etc. For example, a developer may have goals to achieve X bronze badges per project on average over a year, those goals need to be met to get a bonus of A%, but if you get your X bronze per project average and get Y silver as well your bonus goes up.
The bottom line I think is that you need a solid, integrated plan for implementing this with very clear standards and buy-in from corporate managers. Using a population of disconnected incentives is a recipe for confusion and disaster.
Doug BDoug B
Bonuses and promotions from badges? Then why do you need badges in the first place, if the reward is bonuses and promotions? You're simply adding a layer of complexity (admittedly, of cartoonishly nice complexity) on the corporate objectives evaluation game. – MattiSG Sep 10 '12 at 20:17
In my opinion, this would make the game less fun. Example: If I don't get my gold Electorate badge by the end of the year, PMSE will fine me. That would totally take the fun out of it.... If this is anything more than a game, I tend to think it could be detrimental for the people who don't hit the mark. – jmort253 Sep 11 '12 at 0:46
My thinking was that tying these into bonuses or whatever you may be able to provide clear goals to team members while giving them some flex on how to meet those goals. Given the HR teams/policies I've worked with in the past any "complexity" added would be marginal at most. – Doug B Sep 11 '12 at 12:57
@jmort253 - The thought of fining someone for not meeting their goals never crossed my mind. I assume that is just a hypothetical you're putting out there rather than something you've experienced, the labour laws where I live would cause an employer any number of problems if they tried to implement that kind of activity. – Doug B Sep 11 '12 at 13:00
Sorry, bad example. But "fining" could have the same effect as, let's say, losing one's bonus. – jmort253 Sep 11 '12 at 14:45
It's an interesting idea, and I could see what it seem like a good one at first. But I would advise against it. Partly because I think it's based on a fundamentally flawed basis. I know for me, the badges provide no motivation at all. They're simply a by-product of continuing to try to answer questions in a way others find helpful. My ranking motivates me, as it means I'm providing value.
The second issue is that the idea seems, well sorry, but a little 'elementary school'. You're (presumably) talking about a team of adults and professionals here. I question the need to motivate in this way. It's almost the reverse of the gaming that Kent mentioned - you're gaming the team to get them motivated? Is that really necessary?
No, I understand why you might go this direction, but if you feel it's really necessary, then I think you have a bigger issue. You need to look at 'why' you feel motivating like this is necessary, and address that issue. Why does your team need additional motivation to do their job outside of the existing situation.
Trevor K. NelsonTrevor K. Nelson
I don't think it's a bad idea if executed in the manner that MattiSG suggests. Sure, the badges are irrelevant, but they make it fun, whether it's answering questions on PMSE or encouraging a fun way to build teamwork on the team. I just don't think the badges can be official or used to officially evaluate someone. For this to work, I still think you need to have a good, strong team. – jmort253 Sep 11 '12 at 0:37
@Jmort - I think that's my point - if you have a "good, strong team", then this type of motivation is unnecessary. Sure it could be fun. But is the extra work 'necessary' for motivation, or just something that's being done as part of the culture? These are two different things. Rami's question seems to say that he's trying to 'motivate to contribute', indicating that lack of contribution is a problem. If this isn't the case, and he's looking at the company culture, then I see no problem with it. – Trevor K. Nelson Sep 11 '12 at 1:59
Software development process is a team work and measuring individuals productivity through some objective goals might work against the Team bonding/dynamics. I suggest if you want to rewards individuals make it a annual activity based on contributions to the project which made significant difference.
100 check ins with useless code is not something you want to reward, but 1 check in which improved the performance of the software should be awarded.
We had exercise to measure individuals productivity and then give pay hikes using this productivity number and it was counterproductive for us. People stopped cooperating with each other as helping others would push their productivity higher.
ViSuViSu
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Workers petition assembly over Fayose’s N264m largesse to labour leaders
Ayodele Fayose
Abiodun Nejo, Ado Ekiti
Workers in Ekiti State have petitioned the state House of Assembly seeking a probe into the alleged release of N6m monthly amounting to about N264m to labour leaders in the state by former Governor Ayodele Fayose.
In the petition dated November 23, 2018, the workers, under the aegis of Ekiti Workers Rescue Team, alleged that the N6m monthly, which they stated as N5m monthly to the Nigeria Labour Congress and N1m monthly to the Trade Union Congress, did not reflect in the labour unions’ bank accounts.
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But the state chairman of the NLC, Ade Adesanmi, who denied collecting any money from the Fayose administration, said unionism was not under the jurisdiction of the House of Assembly.
He said, “They (petitioners) are just chasing shadows, they are a group of former labour leaders who served out their terms and nobody chased them out of office.
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“They had raised several allegations including the claim that I received N15m for my father’s burial. All what they are saying now is not true.
“You can do your findings from the Office of Establishment under which supervises labour matters.”
Fayose
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Koopa Kast Podcast
ReviewsWii U
Review: Axiom Verge
By Matt Paxton • 3 years ago
If you’ve already played Axiom Verge on any other platform, you can already guess where I am going with this review. Yes, Axiom Verge is an amazing title, and one that deserves your attention (especially you Metroid fans out there). However, don’t go into this experience thinking you’ll find a 1-to-1 Super Metroid clone. Many of the elements that made Super Metroid a classic are present, but Axiom Verge makes a point to carve out its own identity. Although not explicit, the world of Axiom Verge has a pseudo-virtual vibe, which is reflected in both the environment and a few of the weapon modifications.
The game’s plot (which I actually won’t detail here for spoilers), makes an appearance through a handful of cutscenes and exposition dumps, which is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, a more prominent story makes Axiom Verge more distinct than the Metroid games draws inspiration from, but on the other, cutscenes and dialogues breaks halted the game’s pacing. More about the the world of Sudra can be found through pages and reports hidden throughout the world. With as much emphasis put into story, the third act fell flat. The buildup was sudden, and I didn’t even realize I was about to face the final boss until I had reached the final room. The boss itself is not much to look at, and it is certainly not the climactic bout I was hoping to see. The game’s final act had ended like it had began; abruptly, and I felt like it was not given the same love and polish that the rest of the game had been given. I give the story some major flak, but it is my only real gripe with this title.
The gameplay is solid, and doesn’t simply copy and paste mechanics from its muses. In the Metroid series, weapons sometimes act as keys to open doors, create platforms, or open puzzles. Every beam acquired felt like a huge deal. For Axiom Verge, the weapons, of which there are many, providing players with a myriad of ways to deal with the daunting foes standing before them. Many of these weapons fun to look at, but I felt like only a handful felt as powerful or effective as the Axiom Disruptor, your default beam. As a result, stumbling across new weapons lost its allure after awhile. I would fire the new beam a few times, then switch back to the two or three beams I knew would get the job done.
In place of weapons, accessories are what gives Trace the power to move from area to area. For example, the trench coat allows trace to phase through thin walls in any direction, as well as possibly giving Trace a mall vertical boost if need be. The drone, which can be fired out of Trace’s gun, is where the game’s puzzle-platforming really shines. The drone acts a bit like Samus’s morph ball, but it’s invulnerability, combined with the ability to shoot the drone to unreachable locations, and the later ability to act as a warp point for Trace, makes the little robot far more versatile asset. These upgrades were not very numerous, but were placed far enough apart from each other, that each upgrade felt like a big deal; you’ll have plenty of time to notice sections of the world that catch your eye, leaving you itching to find the next big piece of equipment to explore and find even more hidden areas.
Axiom Verge takes finding hidden areas one step further by taking advantage of the Address Disruptor’s mechanics, which not only changes or warps certain objects in and out of existence, but can reveal codes. Unlike the games of old, these codes open up new areas or translates texts player come across. In other games, going through a menu and entering in codes would be breaking the fourth wall, but Axiom Verge’s theme actually integrates the code system nicely.
Metroid fans have been clamoring for a title the likes of Super Metroid, Zero Mission, or Fusion for awhile, but Nintendo doesn’t seem inclined to deliver. Axiom Verge fits that niche quite nicely. However, Axiom Verge isn’t simply a Metroid clone, but a solid exploration and action game in its own right. The game progresses at a steady pace, and the number of power-ups, though some not as beneficial as others, certainly make you feel more powerful as the game moves forward. Story’s third act is the only real weak point in this title, but this is only a small gripe amidst a sea of praise. Axiom Verge is an indie title that everyone should have on their systems.
Matt Paxton
From the first Nintendo Entertainment System, Matt has been a fan of the Japanese gaming company. Matt first made contact with the Pure Nintendo Crew via an interview about Pure Nintendo's charity marathon for Child's Play Charity in 2012 and joining the crew shortly after. Favorite Game: Xenoblade Chronicles
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