pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 73
1.03M
| source
stringlengths 37
43
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__cc
| 0.542143
| 0.457857
|
Made in Manchester – GB Taekwondo name squad for home World Grand Prix
Double Olympic champion Jade Jones and twice World Championship gold medallist, Bianca Walkden, are named in a 16-strong squad for the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester from October 19-21. The duo won the overall Grand Prix titles in their respective weight divisions last year with heavyweight Walkden unbeaten in the 2017 Grand Prix series….
Manchester Grand Prix Mascots
Thank you to all our British Taekwondo members who applied to be a mascot at the forthcoming World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester later this month. We had a tremendous response and have now notified all the members who have been selected at random. Congratulations to all mascots who will be participating across the weekend. The World…
ENTRY INFORMATION – National Poomsae Championships 2018
British Taekwondo is pleased to release the entry information pack for this year’s National Poomsae, Freestyle and Para Championships 2018. The Championships will take place over the weekend of Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December at the SportsDock UEL, University of East London, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD. All applications are to be made online…
The Countdown Continues…
It’s just 2 weeks from the World Taekwondo Grand Prix arriving in Manchester and over 200 of Taekwondo’s best athletes will be welcomed to the city. British athletes Jade Jones, Bianca Walkden and Lauren Williams will all be on hunt for medals once again and will be hoping the home crowd can provide that extra…
Manchester Grand Prix Competition
A huge thank you to all who entered our Exclusive British Taekwondo Manchester Grand Prix ticket competition. We experienced a fantastic response, and we are delighted to confirm the 21 lucky winners have been contacted and will be heading to Manchester across the weekend of 19th-21st October. If you were not lucky enough to win,…
Assessment Day 3 – British Taekwondo Level 2 Coaching Qualification
British Taekwondo has organised a Level 2, Assessment Day 3 for Instructors that have already attended days 1 & 2 of the BT Level 2 Instructors course but have still to attend their Assessment Day 3. If you or anyone from your club has attended days 1 & 2 of the BT Level 2 Coaching…
National Dan Promotion Test – Sunday 23rd September
British Taekwondo National Dan Promotion Test Sunday 23rd September 2018 VENUE Kanghan Martial Arts Centre 197 Beardall Street Hucknall Nottingham NG15 7JU TIME Doors open 9.00am – Registration 9.30am Dan Promotion – starts immediately after registration for all grades THE LAST DAY FOR RECEIVING APPLICATIONS IS 18 SEPTEMBER 2018 FURTHER INFO Master…
Manchester Grand Prix Mascot Recruitment – Now Closed –
**********PLEASE NOTE THAT RECRUITMENT HAS NOW CLOSED************ *****SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED w/c. 1st OCTOBER***** With the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in Manchester taking place next month, British Taekwondo are launching a campaign to recruiting a number of British Taekwondo members to lead out GB or World Taekwondo athletes as mascots across the weekend. We…
The holidays are over for the Summer, and things are getting back to normal. Now is the best time to recruit new members. British Taekwondo would like our clubs to maximise how many new members they can recruit during this period. To assist with the recruitment process, BT has listed the three most relevant factors…
Safeguarding Team at the 2018 National Championships
Would you like to play an important role at the Nationals? We are looking for a small group of people to volunteer to be part of our Safeguarding Team at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield on the weekend of 27th and 28th October 2018. In return we can offer: T-shirts so that we are…
The World Taekwondo Europe Under 21 Championships 2018
The World Taekwondo Europe Under 21 Championships will take place in Warsaw Poland 8-11 November 2018. British Taekwondo will be sending a team to represent Great Britain at this event. Athletes should apply in the first instance by sending an email nationalteam@britishtaekwondo.org for selection information and criteria. British Taekwondo Coaches are also invited to apply…
EXCLUSIVE BT MEMBERS COMPETITION – WIN MANCHESTER GRAND PRIX PASSES
*************** THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED *********************** Next month will see Taekwondo’s best athletes descend on Manchester to take part at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix – and we are offering you the chance to be there as part of our exciting exclusive British Taekwondo members competition !! We are delighted to be giving…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line325
|
__label__cc
| 0.628734
| 0.371266
|
The award 2017
Register and Apply
THE CEREMONY 2017
“Il Buon Governo Award” is an international grant aimed at enhancing the culture of public governance in Kazakhstan, promoted by the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Astana and LATTANZIO Group, a leading Italian consulting firm for public administrations and institutions, which owns the format.
Purpose of the award
The Award is intended to encourage and to provide an opportunity for development of significant research ideas of students and professionals, with the aim of contributing to the reform of Kazakhstan Public Administration and to the improvement of its capacity and effectiveness.
After a successful experience in Italy, LATTANZIO Group is supporting the Academy of Public Administration in order to give visibility and support students and young professionals passionate about PA modernization. Selected applicants will benefit from the mentorship of professionals and the expertise of leading institutions and international consulting firms.
All Kazakhstan’s nationals who meet the following requirements are welcomed to participate:
They are not older than 40 years old by 31st December 2016
They have a Master’s Degree or are currently enrolled in a Master’s course
They have a good command of English
The research idea they will submit must refer to institutional reforms within the National Plan “100 Concrete Steps” Document proposed by President of Kazakhstan, namely:
#1 “Establishing a modern, professional and autonomous state apparatus”
#5 “Functioning as a transparent and accountable government”
All the projects will be evaluated according to:
– Coherence with the priorities of the Government
– Innovation of the solution proposed
– Thoroughness of the analysis and feasibility of the research plan
– Operational value and possibility of the solution proposed
About the Award. In Italy, the culture of an effective public governance has been developed since the 14th century. The naming “Il Buon Governo” is inspired by Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s frescoes in the Civic Palace of Siena, depicting the allegory of “Good and Bad Government”, one of the most remarkable accomplishments of the early Renaissance.
Indeed, it is this very value, “il Buon Governo” – good governance – that is behind this initiative, aimed at giving an input to those who want to commit to it and propose their own public administration reform ideas, in line with the National Plan “100 Concrete Steps” Document proposed by President of Kazakhstan.
The visual of the Award itself recalls all the values encompassed by the concept of “good governance”:
The tower stands for solidity, as solid is a government built over the centuries and that looks after its citizens’ rights and obligations to people, as well as open to reform for their sake.“The Laurel Wreath”, a metaphor of awarding and, at the same time, instilling a sense of community and unity.
About LATTANZIO GROUP. An Italian leading consulting firm, LATTANZIO Group is a hub of excellence that provides knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS), ranging from management consulting, e-learning, communication, health and safety at work to ICT and audit, with more than 40% income generated on international markets.
Thanks to its innovative KIBS integration, the Company delivers high-level solutions to complex projects, supporting the implementation of public policies and development programs in Italy and abroad. LATTANZIO GROUP assists public administrations, institutions and international donors in the fields of PA modernization, justice, local and rural development, agribusiness, education and digital transformation.
LATTANZIO Advisory, LATTANZIO Communication, LATTANZIO Learning, LATTANZIO Safety Quality Environment, LATTANZIO ICT Lab and LATTANZIO Audit are the companies part of LATTANZIO Group, each one created to meet specific needs. The Group has a 15-years history of steady growth and offices in Milan, Rome, Bari, Bucharest, Brussels, Washington DC and Astana.
info@buongovernoawd.it
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line327
|
__label__cc
| 0.648322
| 0.351678
|
Creating Rare Earth-Free Permanent Magnets
ChE/MIE Professor Laura Lewis was awarded a patent for developing a method to create "Rare earth-free permanent magnetic material".
The invention provides rare earth-free permanent magnetic materials and methods of making them. The materials can be used to produce magnetic structures for use in a wide variety of commercial applications, such as motors, generators, and other electromechanical and electronic devices. Magnets fabricated using the materials can be substituted for magnets requiring rare earth elements that are costly and in limited supply. The invention provides two different types of magnetic materials. The first type is based on an iron-nickel alloy that is doped with one or more doping elements to promote the formation of L1.sub.0 crystal structure. The second type is a nanocomposite particle containing magnetically hard and soft phases that interact to form an exchange spring magnetic material. The hard phase contains Fe or FeCo, and the soft phase contains AlMnC.
Chemical Engineering, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Faculty, Research
Laura H. Lewis
Developing Alternatives to Rare Earth Materials
ChE/MIE Professor Laura Lewis and ECE Professor Vincent Harris are working on alternatives to rare-earth metals which are used from everything from smartphones to guided missiles to reduce our reliance on China.
Prof. Laura H. Lewis Selected for the 2018 Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni Honorees at UT – Austin
The University of Texas at Austin has selected ChE/MIE Professor Laura Lewis as one of the “2018 Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni Honorees”.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line333
|
__label__cc
| 0.522764
| 0.477236
|
Game Boy Advance >>
Cheats & Codes for Game Boy Advance (GBA) Games Starting with "Y"
Cheats, cheat codes, unlockables, easter eggs, glitches, guides and more for Game Boy Advance (GBA) games beginning with Y. Cheatcodes.com has everything you need to dominate Game Boy Advance (GBA) games.
Browse by Game Boy Advance game for cheats
Game Boy Advance Games that start with Y
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Yu-Gi-Oh World Championship Tournament 2004
Yu-Gi-Oh! 7 Trials to Glory: World Championship
Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveler
Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack
Yu-Gi-Oh! Double Pack #2
Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Monsters
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Duel Academy
Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Eternal Duelist Soul
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sacred Cards
Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters Championship 06
Yu-Gi-Oh! Vol. 1
Yu-Gi-Oh! Worldwide Edition: Stairway to the Destined Duel
Yu-Yu Hakusho: Spirit Detective
Yu-Yu Hakusho: Tournament Tactics
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line334
|
__label__wiki
| 0.807848
| 0.807848
|
You are here: China > Features >
By Yuan Yuan
0 Comment(s) Print E-mail Beijing Review, June 13, 2019
Ma Guoxian is with the students displaying their indigo artworks in the class in Dulongjiang township of Yunnan province on April 25. [Courtesy photo]
Ma Guoxian, a 23-year-old graduate of Yunnan University, organized an art exhibition on campus in late May, keeping a promise he had made to young students he had taught in Dulongjiang township, southwest China's Yunnan province.
As part of a larger activity on May 22-25, the exhibition was a collection of indigo batik and tie-dye artwork made primarily by the students from the township, a small and isolated place nestled among snow-capped mountains bordering Myanmar in Yunnan.
The 86 pieces were categorized into three parts. One was about the daily life of the local people, the second was a comparison of the township's past and present, and the last part illustrated how local people celebrate Kaquewa Festival, the most important festival for the Derung ethnic group, Dulongjiang's main residents.
Students create their dyeing patterns in class in Dulongjiang township, Yunnan province, on April 25. [Courtesy photo]
A unique class
All the art was created by Ma and the students, who learnt the technique from scratch in less than six months.
Coming from east China's Shandong province, Ma arrived in the school in September 2018 as a volunteer teacher. It took him about two days to get there from Kunming, capital city of Yunnan, where his university is located.
Ma got the idea of teaching dying techniques after about three months at the school. Since he majored in batik and tie-dying techniques with a bachelor's degree in fine arts, Ma wanted to figure out a way to help local students to develop more interests so that they could have more choices in the future.
Students show their artworks at class in Dulongjiang township, Yunnan province, on April 9. [Courtesy photo]
He wanted to impress upon the students that apart from focusing on getting high scores in the regular college entrance exam, they could also choose to learn arts.
Ma submitted his proposal to set up a class for batik and tie-dye study to the School of Art and Design at Yunnan University. The school immediately replied with full support for his idea.
It donated 10,000 yuan (US$1,470) for the purchase of art supplies. Ma ordered everything he needed online. "It doesn't need much money to maintain the class," Ma explained. "After we got all the basic materials like the oven to start the class, we just needed to buy more dying materials as time went on, which only cost less than 3,000 yuan (US$441) per semester."
Ma Guoxian teaches students in class in Dulongjiang township, Yunnan province, on April 25. [Courtesy photo]
A classroom was renovated into a batik studio. It was not a regularly-scheduled class and students who wanted to learn had to give up there nap time after lunch and play time after dinner. Even so, it was popular among many students.
The class was divided into a weekday class and a weekend class, with roughly 45 students in total.
"I told them that they could dye anything they wanted on the cloth, especially elements from the Derung ethnic group," Ma said. With his help, the students created a pattern of an ox head, a very important part of Derung culture, the tattooed face of a Derung woman, the snow-covered mountains and scenes from people's lives.
The indigo artworks made by students hang on the wall in the classroom of Dulongjiang township, Yunnan province, on March 9. [Courtesy photo]
Before Ma, there had been no such craft techniques in the township. In May, Ma completed his volunteer work in the school and went back to Kunming to prepare for the exhibition. In the fall, he will continue his postgraduate studies at Yunnan University.
After the exhibition closed, Ma went back to the township and celebrated Children's Day with the students. He shared photos of the exhibition with them, and they were very excited to see their works on display in a place where most of them had never been.
He Tangzhong, a 25-year-old teacher at the school, took over Ma's work of running the studio. A graduate of Yuxi Normal College in Yunnan with a major in visual communication design, He is a regular teacher of fine arts at the school.
"I am also new to this technique," He told Beijing Review. "I learnt it from Ma and like it a lot."
The class schedule didn't change after Ma's departure and now the school provides financial support for the class.
"The total number of students in the class has increased to more than 60," He said. "I plan to continue the class as long as possible."
Students in Yunnan tell their stories through the art of dyeing.
Beijing Review
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line335
|
__label__wiki
| 0.596878
| 0.596878
|
Kazimir Malevich
Bureau and Room
Bureau and Room, 1913
1878-1935 Russian painter, printmaker, decorative artist and writer of Ukranian birth. One of the pioneers of abstract art, Malevich was a central figure in a succession of avant-garde movements during the period of the Russian revolutions of 1905 and 1917 and immediately after. The style of severe geometric abstraction with which he is most closely associated, SUPREMATISM, was a leading force in the development of CONSTRUCTIVISM, the repercussions of which continued to be felt throughout the 20th century. His work was suppressed in Soviet Russia in the 1930s and remained little known during the following two decades. The reassessment of his reputation in the West from the mid-1950s was matched by the renewed influence of his work on the paintings of Ad Reinhardt and on developments
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line337
|
__label__wiki
| 0.925232
| 0.925232
|
Home / News / Philippines / Uber readies $1.5 million back office in Pampanga
Uber readies $1.5 million back office in Pampanga
MABALACAT, Pampanga – Uber on Thursday inaugurated here its second customer support facility in the Philippines, a year after it sold its ride-hailing business in Southeast Asia to Grab Inc.
The $1.5 million (P78 billion) facility will provide back office support to Uber's global operations spanning human resources, analytics and reporting, said its global head of community operations Troy Stevenson.
The facility is expected to be operational by the end of April and will cater to the needs of Uber’s customers globally including New Zealand and Australia.
It is the first Uber back office to open in the Philippines since Grab acquired the San Francisco-based firm's ride-sharing and food delivery operations in Southeast Asia. Uber's first Philippines back office, located in Taguig City, opened in 2015.
“We were looking at massive expansion and we knew we need to expand beyond Manila. We found Pampanga is best fitted for our needs now and also for the long haul,” said Ricco Gamboa, site lead for Uber's Mabalacat "center of excellence."
Building a back office in Pampanga was an "easy decision" due to the rehabilitation of Clark International Airport and the construction of a new government and commercial center, Clark City.
"We find that we get some of the highest customer satisfaction metric, provide great service to customers, we have access to incredible talent and we serve customers around the world from the Philippines," Stevenson said.
Uber currently has 165 customer service employees in Pampanga, which it plans to “triple” by the end of the year, Stevenson said.
Uber has facilities in up to 40 locations globally with over 30,000 agents worldwide. Its customers speak 40 languages but their largest COE is in Manila with 1,200 employees, Stevenson said.
Uber readies $1.5 million back office in Pampanga Reviewed by AsianPolicy.Press on 11:44:00 AM Rating: 5
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line342
|
__label__wiki
| 0.977983
| 0.977983
|
International Edition |
Member Center: Sign In | Register
Your E-mail Alerts
Iraq election agreement may change
New government could be set by direct vote, caucus 'hybrid'
L. Paul Bremer said the coalition's goal is a representative Iraqi government.
U.S. Apache helicopter goes down near Baghdad.
Experts risk their lives to dismantle explosive devices in Baghdad.
Activists seek equal rights for women in a new Iraqi government.
Special Report: U.S. and coalition fatalities
Iraq speech colonel quits UK army
Interactive: Who's who in Iraq
Interactive: Sectarian divide
Timeline: Bloodiest days for civilians
Coalition Casualties
Special Report
Paul Bremer
or Create your own
Manage alerts | What is this?
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration is working to create a "hybrid" election plan to keep the transition of government in Iraq on schedule for this summer.
The administration originally offered a caucus-style system that would allow for a transitional National Assembly to assume power by June 30.
But prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Sistani rejected the plan. He favors direct elections, similar to those in the United States.
One administration official told CNN that the United States is working on a "hybrid plan," under which direct elections would be held in Baghdad and surrounding towns, an area dominated by Shiite Muslims, while caucuses would be held in other areas of the country.
Such a compromise, the official said, would placate Shiites while allowing diverse representation from around the country.
In November, the Iraqi Governing Council agreed to the plan for political transition, which included the caucus system.
The plan calls for regional caucuses to pick a national assembly by the end of May. The national assembly would choose a transitional government by the end of June. Sovereignty would be transferred from the coalition to Iraqis in July.
The constitution would be written and democratic elections would be held by the end of 2005. (Full story)
The administration official said that changes to the transition plan were not the result of Sistani's comments over the weekend rejecting the plan, but were undertaken in recent weeks in an attempt to address widespread concerns among Iraqis.
The official said the United States has been reaching out to Sistani for some time through a series of emissaries.
In the past week or so, the United States has tried to send members of the Iraqi Governing Council who have good relations with Sistani to talk to him. In addition, letters between L. Paul Bremer, the coalition's chief civilian authority in Iraq, and Sistani have been exchanged on possible compromises.
The official said Sistani "has shown some flexibility in some areas to seize upon."
Sistani, the official said, is worried that a caucus would result in deals being made that would cut the Shiites out of the political transition.
The official said that Bremer and U.S. officials in Iraq are conveying to Sistani that the Bush administration fully expects Shiites to have a strong role in Iraq's political future but wants "adequate representation" by Iraq's other ethnic groups.
"We feel we are making headway," the official said.
The United States has said a countrywide direct election would be impossible before the June 30 deadline for a political hand-over to Iraqis.
A direct election only in Baghdad would still take a lot of work to arrange, the official said, but it would be a "workable compromise" to appease Sistani, who is influential among the Shiite majority in Iraq.
Speaking separately Tuesday, Bremer did not rule out changes in the current plan, but told CNN that there is not enough time to create an electoral infrastructure before the scheduled handover to an Iraqi government.
He said there's not enough time to create an election law, conduct a proper census, prepare a voter list and conduct a series of other steps that would lead to fair elections.
"These things cannot be done in an appropriate fashion between now and when the Iraqi people want their sovereignty back," he said, pointing out that two direct elections are scheduled for 2005 -- one to select delegates to a constitutional convention and another to elect the government that will take over for the transitional assembly.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that U.S. officials were working to simplify the caucus process for the coming spring in order to make it more transparent and more democratic. Bremer did not directly address the report, but he did not rule out changes.
"We're democrats to our very bones," Bremer said in a taped interview to be broadcast Tuesday night on CNN's "Paula Zahn Now." "We have been practicing democracy for 200 years. Elections are always the best way to select a representative government. The problem we have is time."
Bremer also said the coalition was not concerned with the idea of an Iraq government made up of a Shiite Muslim majority.
"We believe in majority rule and the majority will rule," he said. "The process we put into place will ensure participation by all the various sects and religions in the timeline we agreed on."
Iran poll to go to run-off
• U.N.: Truck bomb killed Hariri
• EU 'crisis' after summit failure
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line350
|
__label__wiki
| 0.730677
| 0.730677
|
Surviving Pamplona's running of the bulls
By Al Goodman, CNN • Updated 9th July 2014
By distance, the running of the bulls course in Pamplona is pretty short: just 850 meters, or half a mile.
But with six, half-ton raging bulls and their menacing horns closing fast, the run can strangely seem like an eternity.
An eternity of thrills, of bravery and bragging rights, and sometimes, of tragedy.
Thrill-seekers tested their bravery by running alongside fighting bulls through the streets of the Pamplona on Sunday.
Commerce surrounding the annual "Running of the Bulls" in Spain has been hurt by the economy. CNN's Al Goodman reports.
The tradition of running bulls in this northern Spanish city dates back 400 years, and became known worldwide after author Ernest Hemingway wrote about it in his 1920s novel, "The Sun Also Rises," also published under the title "Fiesta."
Nowadays the annual San Fermin festival is so popular that Pamplona's population of 200,000 can triple during the eight consecutive days of running, held from July 7 to 14, at 8 a.m. daily.
Hordes of international travelers, many of them young, crowd in for a chance to watch from the barricades and balconies.
Many even try their luck with the bulls.
Some years ago, I was one of them.
I made my only run with the bulls and like most who take part, I didn't run very far.
The bulls are faster, and the runners -- now more than a thousand most days, and even more on weekends -- are densely packed.
MORE: 'Furious energy' Hemingway took from the bulls
No escape
I started close to the beginning of the course, near the top of the Cuesta de Santo Domingo, the hill leading up from the bull corrals, and then dashed across city hall plaza.
By the time I took cover, I couldn't even get close to the supposed safety of the wooden barricade on my right, because there were already clumps of runners packed against it.
Luckily, the bulls kept going straight and didn't turn right, toward me, I kept thinking afterward.
Animal welfare group PETA stages a protest
Courtest of Peta
Others went further that day, among them my Spanish friend Chema. Perhaps because he's from a farming village and knows more about bulls.
But for novices and others who don't know enough, there's fresh help.
Just days ago, a group of American, British and Spanish bull running veterans published an e-book: "Fiesta: How to Survive the Bulls of Pamplona."
Contributors include John Hemingway, grandson of the novelist and himself an author; Jim Hollander, a Israel-based photographer for the European Pressphoto Agency who's captured images of the running for years; and Alexander Fiske-Harrison, a Briton who's fought bulls.
Their collective advice goes well beyond the most important mantra -- that if you fall to the street while running -- stay down and don't move, and the bulls will likely step over you.
I didn't know that rule when I ran.
It's possible some others who in the past have been gored or even killed may not have known it, or heeded it. Because the instinct to get up from the street can come at the worst moment -- just as the bulls' horns arrive.
There've been 15 deaths since records began in 1924, most recently in 2009 when a 27-year-old Spanish man was fatally gored in the neck.
Thousands more have been injured, often hurt when falling or being pushed to the ground by frantic runners.
On the first three days of running this year, 13 people have been taken to hospital, three for goring-related injuries and the rest having being hurt in falls or collisions.
Of these, three were non-Spanish, including a 32-year-old man from Chicago who was gored in the right thigh, a 23-year-old from Japan and a 23-year-old man from Nottingham.
Ambulances and medical teams now line the course, and the injured are usually transported quickly to hospitals staffed with surgeons experienced in operating on bull goring wounds.
MORE: Spain's 7 natural wonders
Runners entering the bullring in Pamplona.
Jim Hollander
Police typically try to make the running safer by limiting the crowds inside the course, and prohibiting those who are clearly drunk or carrying objects, like cameras.
Yet some see red at this spectacle.
This year, animal rights groups again plan demonstrations decrying the bull running and subsequent bullfights where the animals are killed, in the afternoon.
Campaigners have had success in Barcelona, where the Catalan regional parliament voted in 2010 to ban bullfights in that region, but their criticism does not seem to have dented Pamplona's event.
The fiesta is an unrivaled source of revenue for the town, an intense week of tourism worth millions of dollars, and the bull running is just a small, albeit renowned, part.
Pamplona's city hall says nearly 1.5 million people attended the hundreds of concerts, parades, children's activities and religious events organized around last year's celebration of the city's patron saint.
Yet those eight days included just 17,813 bull runners, some of them repeat participants over several days.
Since my own, short run, I've returned various times as a correspondent to cover Pamplona's big event.
And one of my questions has brought an intriguing answer: some international revelers say they've never read anything by Hemingway.
Not a single book, much less his novel that brought fame to this town.
They've said it repeatedly, over the years, even in the shadow of the statue of Hemingway, which the town proudly erected outside the bullring.
For some, the details of his passionate writing are lost.
But they've picked up the gist: Pamplona, they will tell me, is a must see: this wild fiesta and this dangerous bull running.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line351
|
__label__cc
| 0.614864
| 0.385136
|
Population 17.2 million
GDP per capita 1,491US$
Country risk assessment
Czechia (Czech Republic)
You've already selected this country.
0 country selected
Add a country
Locate the country Print
major macro economic indicators
2018 (e)
2019 (f)
GDP growth (%) 3.8 3.4 3.9 3.4
Inflation (yearly average, %) 18.2 6.6 7.5 8.4
Budget balance (% GDP) -5.7 -7.9 -7.5 -6.9
Current account balance (% GDP) -4.6 -4.5 -4.8 -4.4
Public debt (% GDP) 60.7 63.1 66.9 69.2
(e): Estimate. (f): Forecast.
Mineral wealth (copper, cobalt, uranium, gold, diamond, manganese)
Agricultural wealth (maize, tobacco)
Significant hydroelectric potential
Dependence on copper, which is further accentuated by dependence on China, the main importer of ore
Landlocked and dependent on the transport routes of neighbouring countries
Electricity generation is insufficient and based almost exclusively on hydropower; unreliable transport networks
High levels of inequality; healthcare, educational and administrative deficiencies
Stronger growth subject to downside risks
Growth is expected to increase in 2019, mainly driven by the mining sector, which will continue to be the number-one target for private investment. Higher copper prices, compared with the low levels of 2016, should continue to support an increase in production volumes. Investment should also benefit related sectors such as transport, energy and construction. Conversely, hikes in mining taxes and waning investor confidence could be a drag on the increase in investment. In addition, the impact on copper demand of a slowdown in the Chinese economy could constrain export growth. Economic activity will also suffer from spillover effects linked to rising concerns about external debt. Inflation in the cost of debt service may therefore prompt authorities to trim public spending. Fiscal consolidation efforts, though cautious, will also affect public consumption and investment, with, in particular, many projects being suspended or postponed. Meanwhile, the slowdown in credit growth, following the rise in the cost of credit, is likely to depress private consumption. Although a rebound in agricultural production is on the cards for 2019, household consumption is expected to continue to feel the effects of the poor 2018 performance by the sector, on which nearly half of the population depends. Household income may also be eroded by inflation, which could increase given the deflationary pressures on the kwacha.
Debt sustainability in jeopardy
In 2019, the large fiscal deficit, resulting from increased public investment and subsidies, lower copper prices and higher debt service, is expected to shrink only modestly. The 2019 budget forecasts revenue growth through a change in tax regime for the mining sector and tax hikes, among other things. Furthermore, by focusing capital expenditure on projects that are at least 80% completed, the authorities hope to rationalise public expenditure. Despite these measures, however, lowering the budget deficit is expected to remain a slow process, partly due to debt service, which will continue to eat into public resources: in 2017, debt service absorbed almost a quarter of revenues, up from 6% in 2011. The rapid accumulation of public debt since 2011 (21% of GDP), and particularly of non-concessional external debt, which went from 23% of external debt in 2011 to 77% in 2017, is at the root of the increase in debt service. The risk of debt distress now looks high and contingent on a depreciation of the kwacha.
The current account deficit is expected to remain substantial. While the goods surplus is set to increase further on higher copper exports and lower capital goods imports, the deterioration in the income balance is expected to continue to weigh heavily. In addition to profit repatriations by foreign companies, debt service payments are expected to continue to affect the balance. External debt service, which is responsible for nearly two thirds of the country's foreign exchange outflows, has drained the foreign exchange reserves, which now stand at two months of imports. In this context, the kwacha is expected to remain under significant pressure, especially since negotiations on an IMF programme have stalled. The deficit in the balance of services, mainly related to mining, and the surplus in the balance of transfers, particularly from expatriates, are expected to remain relatively stable. The current account deficit is generally financed by FDI inflows.
Corruption scandals undermine the credibility of governance
Since the tense elections of 2016, which were won by Edgar Lungu (Patriotic Front), the political situation seems to have deteriorated. After being criticised for authoritarian abuses, in March 2018 the President and his government were the subjects of a motion to impeach tabled by the main opposition party – the United Party for National Development – for violation of the constitution. Although it was unsuccessful, the motion illustrates the difficult political climate surrounding Edgar Lungu's presidency. Within President Lungu’s own party, tensions persist over whether it is legal for him to run again. Zambia’s constitution limits the number of terms to two, and Mr Lungu served as interim leader in 2015 after the death of President Michael Sata. However, these tensions could subside after the Constitutional Court ruled in December 2018 that President Lungu could run in 2021.
Corruption scandals that were uncovered in 2018, including the misappropriation of USD 4.3 million in social protection subsidies, are fuelling perceptions of economic mismanagement in the country. In response to this scandal, four countries (United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and Ireland) decided to freeze aid to the country, contributing to a deterioration in the credibility of governance and the fight against corruption at international and domestic levels. Although relatively favourable compared to its peers in sub-Saharan Africa, the business climate still suffers from shortcomings (87th out of 190 countries in the 2019 Doing Business ranking), particularly in terms of cross-border transport costs.
Last update: February 2019
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line352
|
__label__cc
| 0.557182
| 0.442818
|
Discovery, Nature, Science
Low Oxygen Levels In The Ocean Could Lead To More Wildfires In The Future
By: Josh Davis/IFL Science Oxygen is just as important to life below the water as it is on land. The impact of low oxygen concentrations (anoxia) in the oceans can be disastrous, even contributing to mass extinctions in the past. Now, a team of researchers have modeled the effects of anoxic events and found that it takes the oceans at least a million years to recover from these events.
Focusing on the anoxic event that occurred toward the end of the Jurassic, known as the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, researchers documented the dramatic shift in oxygen concentrations and found that it was characterized by disturbances in the global carbon cycle. They found that anoxic events in the oceans are only terminated after gradual increases in atmospheric oxygen, which get reabsorbed back into the water.
Their results, published in Nature Communications, provide a better understanding of the dire and wide-reaching consequences of low levels of oxygen in the oceans, including effects you might not expect.
As the levels of the gas in the water drops, more organic carbon becomes buried in sediment on the ocean floor. While the warmer regions of the ocean may remain productive, bacteria and other creatures that might ordinarily consume it cannot survive in the anoxic conditions. This, in turn, drives an increase in atmospheric oxygen levels.
In response to this, the higher concentrations of oxygen in the air means there is an increase in the frequency of wildfires on the land. The researchers found that deposits of charcoal increased within the million years after the onset of the Toarcian Event, which occurred some 183 million years ago. This showed that wildfires raged on for at least 800,000 years.
The burning of plants on land over hundreds of thousands of years may have also played a role in bringing the anoxia to an end. Plants on land help free up nutrients in the rocks, which eventually make their way into the oceans and help organisms grow. If the fires prevented plants from growing, fewer minerals would have ended up in the oceans, meaning fewer creatures would have survived. This means oxygen levels in the water would have steadily built up.
The worrying thing is that we are currently on the brink of another global anoxic event. As climate change progresses, the chemistry of the ocean is altering, driving down the concentrations of the gas dissolved in the waters. Over the past 50 years, it is thought that the oxygen concentrations in the oceans have dropped by 2 percent. While this might not sound like a lot, it could be enough to start the formation of dead zones.
Cosmic Scientist / Report a typo
Italy To Make Vaccinations Mandatory For Schoolchildren
12 Eye-Opening Photos That Will Make You Think Twice About Going Swimming In The Ocean
Children Who Play Outside More Likely To Protect Nature As Adults
A Vaccine For Type 1 Diabetes Is Headed For Human Trials In 2018
20 Common Things People Realize When They Quit Drinking Alcohol
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line355
|
__label__wiki
| 0.858737
| 0.858737
|
San Francisco review
DAVID RUSSELL: MASTERY AND GRACE
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
During the 20th century, specialization became a powerful force, and the musical world was not exempt. Young musicians were encouraged to choose between either composition or performance as a focus for their careers, in spite of the fact that composers of previous eras, from Bach to Bartók, were often formidable performing musicians whose expertise as instrumentalists had a stimulating effect on their creativity. On Saturday, guitarist David Russell made a case for an alternative approach in a program of the music of five composers — Mauro Giuliani, Domenico Scarlatti, Enrique Granados, François Couperin, and Sergio Assad — all of them inspired by their own instrumental eloquence and virtuosity. The program was presented by the Omni Foundation and San Francisco Performances and drew a large, enthusiastic audience.
Mauro Giuliani began his career in Vienna in the early 1800s at the height of the classical era. He was a brilliant virtuoso on the guitar and established a reputation as a composer with a masterful sonata as well as the first concerto ever written for the instrument. In 1819 Giuliani left Vienna for Italy, where he became enamored of the music of opera composer Gioachino Rossini and wrote a series of six fantasias for guitar solo based on airs from his operas and titled them Rossiniane. David Russell’s performance of Rossiniana No.3 highlighted the music’s drama, pathos, humor, and ebullient good spirits in turn and handled the lavish cornucopia of musical material with mastery and an easy grace.
Domenico Scarlatti was an exceptional harpsichordist greatly influenced as a composer by the Spanish guitar. Russell told the audience that Scarlatti’s Sonatas K. 490 and 491 are depictions of Holy Week in Spain. The Sonata K. 490 is reminiscent of a processions of pilgrims commemorating the events of Christ’s Passion and resurrection, to the accompaniment of drums that beat a somber rhythm. The Sonata K. 491 portrays a subsequent celebratory dance. Russell captured a portrait of the pilgrims’ improvisatory vocal exclamations in a free and passionate cantilena and the drum accompaniment with rhythmically precise, repeated chords. He filled the celebratory dance with a sparkling exuberance and flashes of instrumental color.
He handled the lavish cornucopia of musical material with mastery and an easy grace.
Russell is not only an elegant musician but also a technician of the highest order. His arrangement of Enrique Granados’ Valses poéticos is the most difficult I have ever seen. The introduction, reminiscent of a vibrant Scarlatti sonata, suffered somewhat on this occasion with passagework marred by rhythmic discontinuities, but the subsequent Vals Noble was full of character and rhythmic subtlety, the Vals Lento profoundly tragic, the Allegro Humoristico mercurial, the Quasi ad Libitum sentimental, and the concluding Vivo breathtaking.
Russell has long been known as an passionate advocate of little-known Baroque music, and his performance of François Couperin’s Vingt-Sixiéme Ordre was both poised and stylish. Couperin was a master harpsichordist, much admired by Bach, who wrote distinctive melodies that were beautifully embellished by Russell with refined cross-string ornamentation. Each of the colorfully titled movements — “La Convalescente,” “La Sophie,” “L’epineuse,” and “La Pantomime” — was characterized by rhythmic precision and sensitivity.
His enthusiasm, beautiful tone, rhythmic liveliness, and unassuming virtuosity make him the ideal champion of the work.
The highlight of the evening was the San Francisco premiere of Sandy’s Portrait, a new piece by Sergio Assad. Named for Dr. Sanford Bolton, an enthusiastic classical guitarist and philanthropist, this is is a three-movement work based on a theme derived from the name Sandy. The first movement is an improvisatory prelude, the second a passacaille, and the last a toccata with a strong Brazilian flavor. All feature Assad’s trademark lyricism, love of life, and an easy idiomatic style based on years of practical experience on the stages of the world. David Russell took evident pleasure in telling the audience about the commission; his enthusiasm, beautiful tone, rhythmic liveliness, and unassuming virtuosity make him the ideal champion of the work. Afterward, he called the composer to the stage for an embrace and an ovation from the appreciative crowd.
Although Russell is not a composer, he was sufficiently inspired by his Scottish heritage to bring forward several of his own arrangements of Celtic music. His version of “Spatter the Dew” and an arrangement of “My Gentle Harp,” by English guitarist Gerald Garcia, brought the recital to a lovely conclusion. His first encore continued the mood with “The Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond,” dedicated to the memory of world-renowned luthier John Gilbert, a Bay Area resident and close friend of Russell, who died earlier this year.
Scott Cmiel is Chair of the guitar and musicianship departments at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Preparatory Division and Director of the guitar program at San Francisco School of the Arts.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line356
|
__label__cc
| 0.502968
| 0.497032
|
Sensors & Controls
Apprenticeship Scheme
Partnerships & Charities
AFC Bournemouth - Premier League Kicks
RFC Bournemouth - Community
Julia’s House
Macmillan Caring Locally
Curtiss-Wright UK
Curtiss-Wright Corporation has the most renowned legacy in the aerospace industry. In 1929, Curtiss-Wright was formed by the merger of companies founded by Glenn Curtiss, the father of naval aviation, and the Wright brothers, renowned for history’s first flight. These technological pioneers ushered in the era of aviation and their trailblazing spirit made history. Curtiss-Wright has changed dramatically over the past eight decades, and continues to transform itself to be at the forefront of the markets that we serve.
With acquisitions within the Christchurch area between 2002 and 2012 we have become a substantial local employer. With over 500 employees in our new state-of-the-art facility at Bournemouth Airport, we design, develop and manufacture a wide array of products for the global markets of aerospace, agriculture, construction, medical mobility and many more. Our products and technologies provide increased safety, reliability, and performance in the most demanding environments.
Diversity, commitment to excellence and dedication to the spirit of pioneering innovation continue to drive the employees of Curtiss-Wright.
Division »
Our facility at Bournemouth Airport houses centers of excellence from 3 different Curtiss-Wright Divisions.
An industry-leading supplier of highly engineered commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) module and system-level products designed for deployment in the harsh environments typical of aerospace, defense and industrial applications...Read More
Industrial Group
A recognized leader in providing components and sub-systems that enable customer specific solutions for on- and off-highway vehicles. These include medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and motor coaches, construction and agricultural vehicles, as well as sophisticated wheelchairs and scooters for medical mobility...Read More
Continuing the legacy of flight innovation, providing critical components on a variety of commercial, defense and industrial platforms. From solenoid valves and sensors, to linear and rotary actuators, we work closely with systems integrators to deliver the most reliable products on the market...Read More
Partnerships & Charities »
As part of our commitment to our employees and the local area, we support a number of charities and community projects.
PREMIER LEAGUE KICKS - AFCB
Premier League Kicks, which started in 2006 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary, has a long history of using the power of football and the value of sports participation to help hard-to-reach youngsters in some of the most high-need areas... Read More
RFCB
A pioneering Sports Club with an inclusive approach to performance, partnerships and community. We encourage good practice whilst remaining relevant and progressive... Read More
We provide practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, providing frequent and regular support in their own homes, in the community or at our hospices... Read More
A Charitable Trust operating from offices in the Macmillan Unit, which provides funding to enhance this care, and to provide an attractive, homely environment for patients and their families and visitors... Read More
Print Page Back to top
© 2019 Curtiss-Wright. All rights reserved. All trademarks acknowledged.
Use of this site indicates acceptance of our Privacy Statement.
Web Design by Dreamscape
Curtiss-Wright Divisions: Corporation Home | Industrial | Sensors & Controls | Surface Technologies | Defense Solutions | EMS | Nuclear
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line363
|
__label__wiki
| 0.819699
| 0.819699
|
HomeNewsDenison at odds with Granville Fire Department about ambulance
Denison at odds with Granville Fire Department about ambulance
Courtesy Ambulances, a private ambulance service located in Newark, Ohio began its contract with Denison University last Friday night, on Mar. 22.
According to Vice President of Student Development Laurel Kennedy, this contract is non-binding and “establishes the terms of how they will respond if we call them.” Kennedy and other administrators had been in the planning stages with Courtesy since January 2013. The Granville Fire Department, which usually dispatches ambulances to the university, is not in support of the new service, with Denison alumnus Captain Robert Otter ‘97 saying “we think it’s a bad idea.”
Kennedy wanted to bring Courtesy to campus to “maintain the high standard of care we want to provide while reducing our impact on the resources of the local EMS (Emergency Medical Services).” Kennedy revealed that there will be key changes in the university’s “high standard of care” – including how it is determined whether or not students will go to the hospital.
Denison is hiring an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) to “make decisions about the needs of students in distress,” says Kennedy. This EMT would assess the student and decide whether or not they needed basic medical attention from Whisler or transport to the hospital. Kennedy adds, “in the unusual event that the EMT finds a student in grave danger, the [fire department] can be called.” The use of an on campus EMT, Kennedy says, will make “medical response dramatically quicker than what we currently have”.
Conversely, Fire Department Chief Jeff Hussey and Captain Otter say that response time is one of their chief concerns. “Bypassing a resource at the bottom of the hill is potentially dangerous,” says Otter. Otter and Hussey point out that Courtesy Ambulance is headquartered in Newark, whereas the fire department is at the foot of the hill. Hussey also points out that the school’s hiring of an EMT may not be the best idea. “EMT’s only need 120 hours of training, but paramedics need 1200,” says Hussey. According to him, all full time and part time employees of the fire department are trained paramedics.
The fire department, whose funding comes from property taxes (Denison is exempt) began billing students’ health insurance last fall. Depending on the amount of life support needed (e.g. whether or not a student needs an IV) the bill can range from $495 – $805. When asked whether or not there was a financial stake in remaining Denison’s sole EMS provider, Hussey and Otter stated that money was not a consideration and that everyone, including Granville residents were being charged for ambulance transportation. This policy went into effect May 2012. “This is about best practice,” says Otter.
Hussey says that “best practice” is a primary concern given that Courtesy Ambulance primarily serves the elderly, while Otter adds that Courtesy is “not in the emergency response business.” Courtesy Ambulance, the largest private ambulance service in Licking County, has not served other colleges before now. “There are a lot of unknowns we’re not sure about,” says Hussey. One of these unknowns is whether or not Courtesy is equipped to handle extreme situations. “Can they respond to ten EMS calls like back in October?” asks Hussey, referring to Halloween weekend in October 2012.
Denison has received considerable press surrounding alcohol related EMS calls, with reports in The Newark Advocate and USA Today. When asked if the move to a private ambulance service was in part to keep EMS calls and transports off public record, Vice President Kennedy said “there are some members of the community who enjoy saying that and imagining the worst.” She calls these claims “disheartening.” Kennedy says that the village ambulances will continue to respond to students that make 9-1-1 calls. However, the same issue of transparency extends to campus.
Although many students seem uninformed of the addition of Courtesy Ambulance, Kennedy says, “I have reported religiously to the Campus Affairs Council (CAC)”, a committee that seeks to address social issues on campus and has several student representatives. Student body president and CAC chairman Drew Johnson ‘14 says that bringing Courtesy to campus “is more of an administrative decision” and “it wasn’t anyone’s intent to keep it a secret.”
Former student body president Hannah Frank ‘13 says she supports Courtesy Ambulance and believes it will be beneficial for students because the employment of an EMT “reduces inconsistency and inaccuracy in student health evaluation.”
“There’s an acute problem we’re trying to address,” says Captain Otter. Otter, a Denison graduate, says this problem is a culture issue at Denison that involves “excessive alcohol consumption and combativeness.” According to Otter, of the 52 alcohol related EMS calls that the fire department has had to respond to at Denison in the 2012-13 school year, “one fifth of those involved a student that either hit or spit on a paramedic.”
In the 2010-2011 school year, Denison had 55 alcohol related EMS calls, the highest in the past ten years, and Chief Hussey believes it’s possible that this year the record could be broken.
Still, Kennedy believes that Courtesy Ambulance is the best alternative for all parties. She concludes, “Granville’s EMS will be in a better position to meet the medical needs of others in the community. We see this as a win-win.”
Tags:ambulance, gpd, security
Active Minds founder speaks on mission of organization
Studio Art receives a $3,000 grant from OAC
Housing lottery for next school year, cheers and chaos
Curtis Edmonds
Curtis Edmonds is the current Forum Editor of The Denisonian and a sophomore from Chicago, IL. He is majoring in Communication and minoring in Political Science. He represented the Class of 2015 as a Senator in DCGA from November 2011 - April 2013. He has served as a member of the MLK Day Planning Committee and an Assistant Director of the University Programming Council. He is a member of Denison's Moot Court team. He is a member of the Black Student Union.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line364
|
__label__cc
| 0.707655
| 0.292345
|
Forum: Mystery Woman/Lee Hill/Alex Hunter
Contained in these threads is the story of a witch-hunt involving an innocent man and his family. The ones who perpetrated this fraud have gone unpunished while the target of their lies continues his battle to clear his name.
Sticky: Help Stop This Fraud. Now is the Time to Speak Up.
Started by Tricia, August 20, 2003, 12:07 pm Wed Aug 20 12:07:47 UTC 2003
RiverRat
January 20, 2008, 5:50 pm, Sun Jan 20 17:50:30 UTC 2008
Sticky: The Krebs File and the short version of the Mystery Woman saga
Started by Tricia, August 20, 2003, 2:33 pm Wed Aug 20 14:33:58 UTC 2003
May 25, 2007, 12:19 am, Fri May 25 0:19:08 UTC 2007
Sticky: Attachments/Phone Logs/Letters
Started by Tricia, December 21, 2004, 4:41 pm Tue Dec 21 16:41:20 UTC 2004
December 22, 2004, 1:02 pm, Wed Dec 22 13:02:35 UTC 2004
Sticky: The Krebs Interview
Started by Tricia, January 15, 2004, 10:41 pm Thu Jan 15 22:41:33 UTC 2004
March 1, 2004, 2:17 pm, Mon Mar 1 14:17:38 UTC 2004
Quick Navigation Mystery Woman/Lee Hill/Alex Hunter Top
Tricia,
Watching You,
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line374
|
__label__wiki
| 0.900081
| 0.900081
|
Phrases - Travel, Part 59
Fujiyama Volcano, Japan,
Earth Fluent >> Japanese >> Phrases - Travel, Part 59
Learn how to say "I'm going to Mexico.", "I went to Barcelona last year.", "When will you go to Guatemala next?", or "Is Catalonia on your list of stops to visit?" in Japanese!
I'm Going To Mexico.
私はメキシコに行くよ。
I'm Going To Mexico. in Japanese
Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?
カタルーニャは訪問するあなたのリストにありますか？
Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit? in Japanese
I Went To Barcelona Last Year.
私は昨年バルセロナに行きました。
I Went To Barcelona Last Year. in Japanese
When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?
次はグアテマラにいつ行きますか？
When Will You Go To Guatemala Next? in Japanese
► 私はメキシコに行くよ。
► カタルーニャは訪問するあなたのリストにありますか？
► 私は昨年バルセロナに行きました。
► 次はグアテマラにいつ行きますか？
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?.
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day..
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day., Can You Come Here?, I Am On The Way., How Are The Roads?, The Roads Are Slippery..
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day., Can You Come Here?, I Am On The Way., How Are The Roads?, The Roads Are Slippery., It Is North Of Here., That Is To The West Of Here., That Can Be Found To The East., You Want To Head South From There..
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day., Can You Come Here?, I Am On The Way., How Are The Roads?, The Roads Are Slippery., It Is North Of Here., That Is To The West Of Here., That Can Be Found To The East., You Want To Head South From There., When Do You Arrive?, I Will Arrive On Tuesday., Where Do You Want To Go?, Let's Go To The Bar..
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day., Can You Come Here?, I Am On The Way., How Are The Roads?, The Roads Are Slippery., It Is North Of Here., That Is To The West Of Here., That Can Be Found To The East., You Want To Head South From There., When Do You Arrive?, I Will Arrive On Tuesday., Where Do You Want To Go?, Let's Go To The Bar., Were You At The Town Hall Last Night?, We Were At The Library Last Night., How Was Your Trip?, My Trip Was Fine..
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day., Can You Come Here?, I Am On The Way., How Are The Roads?, The Roads Are Slippery., It Is North Of Here., That Is To The West Of Here., That Can Be Found To The East., You Want To Head South From There., When Do You Arrive?, I Will Arrive On Tuesday., Where Do You Want To Go?, Let's Go To The Bar., Were You At The Town Hall Last Night?, We Were At The Library Last Night., How Was Your Trip?, My Trip Was Fine., Where Should I Get A Taxi?, Do You Know Where I Can Order A Driver?, Are The Taxis Any Good In This City?, Should I Avoid Taxis Here And Use A Driving Service?, It Is Behind The Post Office., It Is In Front Of The Bus Stop., How Do I Get There?, Do You Know How To Get To The Market?, Where Is The Bus Stop?, Where Is The Post Office?, Where Is The Airport?, Where Is The Marina?, Does The Room Come With Air Conditioning?, Does The Room Come With Cable?, Are You Going?, Why Aren't You Going?, Fill Up The Tank All The Way Please., Fill Up The Tank Half Way Please., Where Is The Gas Station?, Do You Sell Gas?.
Words Covered : I'm Going To Mexico., I Went To Barcelona Last Year., When Will You Go To Guatemala Next?, Is Catalonia On Your List Of Stops To Visit?, How Is The Path?, The Path Is Dangerous., What Is The Room Rate?, The Room Rate Is Fifty Dollars Per Day., Can You Come Here?, I Am On The Way., How Are The Roads?, The Roads Are Slippery., It Is North Of Here., That Is To The West Of Here., That Can Be Found To The East., You Want To Head South From There., When Do You Arrive?, I Will Arrive On Tuesday., Where Do You Want To Go?, Let's Go To The Bar., Were You At The Town Hall Last Night?, We Were At The Library Last Night., How Was Your Trip?, My Trip Was Fine., Where Should I Get A Taxi?, Do You Know Where I Can Order A Driver?, Are The Taxis Any Good In This City?, Should I Avoid Taxis Here And Use A Driving Service?, It Is Behind The Post Office., It Is In Front Of The Bus Stop., How Do I Get There?, Do You Know How To Get To The Market?, Where Is The Bus Stop?, Where Is The Post Office?, Where Is The Airport?, Where Is The Marina?, Does The Room Come With Air Conditioning?, Does The Room Come With Cable?, Are You Going?, Why Aren't You Going?, Fill Up The Tank All The Way Please., Fill Up The Tank Half Way Please., Where Is The Gas Station?, Do You Sell Gas?, I'm Leaving Tomorrow., I Have To Get There By Tomorrow., Are You Leaving?, I Have To Leave Right Now., I Have To Go To The Library., Do You Have To Go To The Market?, Is This The Bus To Barcelona?, This Is The Bus To Barcelona., Where Is The Embassy?, I Need To Contact The American Embassy., Where Can I Send A Package?, I Want To Send A Package To America., Where Is She Going?, She Is Going To The Beach., When Are You Next Planning To Come?, We Are Planning To Come Next Year., Where Is Fifth Street?, Fifth Street Is Far Away., When Do We Get To Seventh Street?, Seventh Street Is Only Ten Minutes Away., How Is The Weather?, The Weather Is Good Today., 天気は悪くなるだろうか？, How Is The Weather Tomorrow?, Does It Snow A Lot In Patagonia?, Patagonia Doesn't Get Much Snow., Does It Rain A Lot In Vietnam?, Rain Is Regular In Vietnam For Half Of The Year., Is It Going To Be Hot?, Is It Going To Be Cold?, Is It Going To Be Rainy?, Is It Going To Be Dry?, It's Not Supposed To Rain Today., It's Supposed To Snow Today., It's Supposed To Rain Tomorrow., It's Not Supposed To Be Sunny Tomorrow., How Hot Is It?, How Cold Is It?, What's The Temperature?, What's The Temperature In Fahrenheit?.
Phrases - Travel, Part 49 - Learn how to say "Fill up the tank all the way please.", "Fill up the tank half way please.", "Where is the gas station?", or "Do you sell gas?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 50 - Learn how to say "Does the room come with air conditioning?", "Does the room come with cable?", "Are you going?", or "Why aren't you going?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 51 - Learn how to say "Where is the bus stop?", "Where is the post office?", "Where is the airport?", or "Where is the marina?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 52 - Learn how to say "It is behind the post office.", "It is in front of the bus stop.", "How do I get there?", or "Do you know how to get to the market?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 53 - Learn how to say "Where should I get a taxi?", "Do you know where I can order a driver?", "Are the taxis any good in this city?", or "Should I avoid taxis here and use a driving service?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 54 - Learn how to say "Were you at the town hall last night?", "We were at the library last night.", "How was your trip?", or "My trip was fine." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 55 - Learn how to say "When do you arrive?", "I will arrive on Tuesday.", "Where do you want to go?", or "Let's go to the bar." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 56 - Learn how to say "It is North of here.", "That is to the West of here.", "That can be found to the East.", or "You want to head South from there." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 57 - Learn how to say "Can you come here?", "I am on the way.", "How are the roads?", or "The roads are slippery." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 58 - Learn how to say "How is the path?", "The path is dangerous.", "What is the room rate?", or "The room rate is fifty dollars per day." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 59 - Learn how to say "I'm going to Mexico.", "I went to Barcelona last year.", "When will you go to Guatemala next?", or "Is Catalonia on your list of stops to visit?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 60 - Learn how to say "I'm leaving tomorrow.", "I have to get there by tomorrow.", "Are you leaving?", or "I have to leave right now." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 61 - Learn how to say "I have to go to the library.", "Do you have to go to the market?", "Is this the bus to Barcelona?", or "This is the bus to Barcelona." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 62 - Learn how to say "Where is the embassy?", "I need to contact the American embassy.", "Where can I send a package?", or "I want to send a package to America." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 63 - Learn how to say "Where is she going?", "She is going to the beach.", "When are you next planning to come?", or "We are planning to come next year." in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 64 - Learn how to say "Where is Fifth Street?", "Fifth Street is far away.", "When do we get to Seventh Street?", or "Seventh Street is only ten minutes away." in Japanese!
Phrases - Weather, Part 1 - Learn how to say "How is the weather?", "The weather is good today.", "Is the weather going to be bad?", or "How is the weather tomorrow?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Weather, Part 2 - Learn how to say "Does it snow a lot in Patagonia?", "Patagonia doesn't get much snow.", "Does it rain a lot in Vietnam?", or "Rain is regular in Vietnam for half of the year." in Japanese!
Phrases - Weather, Part 3 - Learn how to say "Is it going to be hot?", "Is it going to be cold?", "Is it going to be rainy?", or "Is it going to be dry?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Weather, Part 4 - Learn how to say "It's not supposed to rain today.", "It's supposed to snow today.", "It's supposed to rain tomorrow.", or "It's not supposed to be sunny tomorrow." in Japanese!
Phrases - Weather, Part 5 - Learn how to say "How hot is it?", "How cold is it?", "What's the temperature?", or "What's the temperature in Fahrenheit?" in Japanese!
Phrases - Travel, Part 59 -- Added to http://www.EarthFluent.com.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line378
|
__label__wiki
| 0.593474
| 0.593474
|
Source: RTDNA Canada
April 30, 2018 18:12 ET
RTDNA Canada announces Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) as the 2018 recipient of the Bill Hutton Award of Excellence
TORONTO, Ontario, April 30, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RTDNA Canada is pleased to announce that Journalists for Human Rights will receive the 2018 RTDNA Bill Hutton Award of Excellence. Formerly known as the “Friend of RTDNA Canada Award” the award was renamed in 2009 to honour the late Bill Hutton, RTDNA Canada’s first president. The award is given to individuals or organizations who have shown a true commitment to RTDNA and the betterment of journalism in Canada.
Journalists for Human Rights, Canada’s largest international media development organisation is committed to empowering journalists to cover local human rights issues ethically and effectively.
In announcing the award, RTDNA President Ian Koenigsfest said, “Having been fortunate enough to experience the work of JHR first-hand, I was struck at how closely aligned our two organisations are.” Koenigsfest added, “after forming a partnership with JHR several years ago, it became evident that their support was enhancing and strengthening several of our core mandates including excellence in journalism and strengthening journalistic integrity through the Code of Journalistic Ethics.”
"Journalists for Human Rights exists to strengthen media, both at home and abroad, in places where oversight is weak and human rights abuses are common,” said Rachel Pulfer, Executive Director of JHR, “we are delighted, encouraged and enormously humbled by this honour from RTDNA Canada, and take it as both a celebration of our work, and a challenge to live up to the standard it represents."
The Bill Hutton award will be presented to Rachel Pulfer, Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights at the President’s Reception on May 25 during the 2018 RTDNA National Conference & Awards Gala.
Previous recipients of the award include: the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, The Canadian Press, CNN Newsource Sales, CNW Group, WIC, VOCM Radio, Golden West Radio, Broadcast Dialogue magazine, CTV, media lawyer Dan Burnett, RTDNA International and all former past presidents of RTDNA Canada.
ABOUT RTDNA CANADA
RTDNA Canada is the voice of electronic and digital journalists and news managers in Canada. The members of RTDNA Canada recognize the responsibility of broadcast and digital journalists to promote and to protect the freedom to report independently about matters of public interest and to present a wide range of expressions, opinions and ideas. The RTDNA Canada Journalistic Code of Ethics, adopted by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, is used to measure fairness and accuracy in our profession.
Become a Member: https://rtdna.wildapricot.org/join-us
Ian Koenigsfest
President, RTDNA Canada
president@rtdnacanada.com
Jennifer Nguyen
RTDNA Canada Awards
info@rtdnacanada.com
http://www.rtdnacanada.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line384
|
__label__cc
| 0.666724
| 0.333276
|
Electron-phonon coupling and energy flow in a simple metal beyond the two-temperature approximation
Lutz Waldecker, Roman Bertoni, Ralph Ernstorfer, and Jan Vorberger:
Phys. Rev. X 6, 021003 (2016), pp. 11;
The electron-phonon coupling and the corresponding energy exchange are investigated experimentally and by ab initio theory in nonequilibrium states of the free-electron metal aluminium. The temporal evolution of the atomic mean-squared displacement in laser-excited thin freestanding films is monitored by femtosecond electron diffraction. The electron-phonon coupling strength is obtained for a range of electronic and lattice temperatures from density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations. The electron-phonon coupling parameter extracted from the experimental data in the framework of a two-temperature model (TTM) deviates significantly from the ab initio values. We introduce a nonthermal lattice model (NLM) for describing nonthermal phonon distributions as a sum of thermal distributions of the three phonon branches. The contributions of individual phonon branches to the electron-phonon coupling are considered independently and found to be dominated by longitudinal acoustic phonons. Using all material parameters from first-principles calculations except the phonon-phonon coupling strength, the prediction of the energy transfer from electrons to phonons by the NLM is in excellent agreement with time-resolved diffraction data. Our results suggest that the TTM is insufficient for describing the microscopic energy flow even for simple metals like aluminium and that the determination of the electron-phonon coupling constant from time-resolved experiments by means of the TTM leads to incorrect values. In contrast, the NLM describing transient phonon populations by three parameters appears to be a sufficient model for quantitatively describing electron-lattice equilibration in aluminium. We discuss the general applicability of the NLM and provide a criterion for the suitability of the two-temperature approximation for other metals.
The original publication is available by link DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.6.021003
File last modified: November 20 2016 11:33:57.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line386
|
__label__cc
| 0.584222
| 0.415778
|
Coca-Cola(R) and Coke Zero Join Blackhawks(R) Fans in Celebrating Victory with Collectible Championship Cans
Published on June 16, 2015, 14:07 GMT
There’s no better way to celebrate a momentous Chicago Blackhawks victory than to share an ice cold Coca-Cola or Coke Zero, especially when it’s in a special Chicago Blackhawks limited-edition commemorative can.
In honor of the Blackhawks and all of the dedicated supporters who cheered their team to victory, both Coca-Cola and Coke Zero are unveiling special 12-ounce cans, emblazoned with the Chicago Blackhawks logo. The limited-edition six-packs salute the Blackhawks for their outstanding 2014-2015 championship season.
“Coca-Cola congratulates the Chicago Blackhawks on this historic moment and joins the team’s countless fans in their much-deserved victory celebration,” said Eris Crosswhite, Manager of the Coca-Cola Production Center in Niles, IL.
“We are proud to make it possible for Blackhawk fans to pick up a special limited edition six-pack in stores throughout Chicago,” said Luke Emery, General Manager of Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution, LLC. “What better way to pay tribute to our hometown champs than by helping them share an ice-cold Coca-Cola with their friends and family?”
Beginning this week, fans can visit participating local retailers to purchase their own six-pack of the specially designed collectible cans, while supplies last.
Coca-Cola is a proud partner of the Chicago Blackhawks. As a longstanding team supporter, Coca-Cola annually offers a variety of programs designed to engage and excite Blackhawks fans, including consumer package promotions, VIP experiences and product sampling.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia, Dasani, FUZE TEA and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
About Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution LLC
Great Lakes Coca-Cola Distribution, LLC delivers refreshing Coca-Cola sparkling and still brands to stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, offices and college campuses in the heartland. A wholly owned subsidiary of Reyes Holdings, L.L.C., we are dedicated to adding value to the Coca-Cola supply chain, providing the best, most-reliable service to our customers and contributing to our community while creating an outstanding work environment for our team of 1,200 employees. For more information, visit greatlakescocacola.com.
US Retail Sales Rebound in February 2 views
Trading Outlook – EUR/NZD 1 view
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line387
|
__label__cc
| 0.551822
| 0.448178
|
The Electric Power System is Unreliable
The U.S. electric power system is designed and operated to meet a “3 nines” reliability standard. This means that electric grid power is 99.97 percent reliable. While this sounds good in theory, in practice it translates to interruptions in the electricity supply that cost American consumers an estimated $150 billion a year.
In other words, for every dollar spent on electricity, consumers are spending at least 50 cents on other goods and services to cover the costs of power failures.
These costs result from losses in affected industries being passed down to consumers. For example, broken down by business type, the average estimated cost of a one-hour power interruption is:
Industry Average Cost of 1-Hour Interruption
Cellular communications $41,000
Telephone ticket sales $72,000
Airline reservation system $90,000
Semiconductor manufacturer $2,000,000
Credit card operation $2,580,000
Brokerage operation $6,480,000
In an increasingly digital world, even the slightest disturbances in power quality and reliability cause loss of information, processes and productivity. Interruptions and disturbances measuring less than one cycle (less than 1/60th of a second) are enough to crash servers, computers, intensive care and life support machines, automated equipment and other microprocessor-based devices.
The problems of power outages and their associated costs are becoming more severe. Forty-one percent more outages affected 50,000 or more consumers in the second half of the 1990s than in the first half of the decade. The “average” outage affected 15 percent more consumers from 1996 to 2000 than from 1991 to 1995 (409,854 versus 355,204).
All signs indicate that the worst is yet to come. The system’s infrastructure is slowly deteriorating as a result of age and neglect. In fact, today’s electric power industry spends less on research and development than the dog food industry.
In the United States, the average power generating station was built in the 1960s using technology that is even older. The average age of a substation transformer is 42 years, but the transformers today were designed to have a maximum life of 40 years.
Another cause of the increasing number of power outages is congestion in the delivery system. A Department of Energy study from 2002 looked at 186 transmission paths within the Eastern Interconnection and found that 50 are used to their maximum capacity at some point during the year and 21 are congested during more than 10 percent of the hours of the year.
From 1988 to 1998, U.S. electricity demand rose by nearly 30 percent, while the transmission network’s capacity grew by only 15 percent. Summer peak demand is expected to increase by almost 20 percent during the next 10 years.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line388
|
__label__wiki
| 0.757186
| 0.757186
|
WOMAN OF STRAW - Content
WOMAN OF STRAW
After his enormous success as James Bond in 1962 with “Dr. No” and the following year with “From Russia With Love,” Sean Connery capitalized on his newfound popularity by making two brooding thrillers before going into production with “Goldfinger” (which would move him up to an even higher level of stardom).
The thrillers were Alfred Hitchcock’s “Marnie,” and another Hitchcock-like picture that has never been on DVD or Blu-ray until now, “Woman of Straw” (1964). Now Kino-Lorber has finally released the film in both formats.
Connery, left, Richardson, Lollobrigida, 'Woman of Straw'
“Woman of Straw” gives top billing to Gina Lollobrigida, an Italian actress who reigned during the 1950s and ’60s a notch below Sophia Loren on the international movie-star/sexpot market.
Lollobrigida plays a nurse hired by Connery’s character, the charismatic nephew of and secretary to a wheelchair-bound tycoon.
Ralph Richardson has the latter role, creating a cranky, mean-spirited old man who mistreats everyone around him, especially his black servants whom he belittles and humiliates with demeaning, abusive and racist demands.
Lollbrigida is appalled by Richardson’s behavior and threatens to quit on her first night with him, but after a time she begins to warm to him and Richardson begins to soften.
Meanwhile, Connery approaches Lollobrigida and confronts her with the shady past she’s left behind, seducing and manipulating her, and proposing a plan for her to marry Richardson and inherit his wealth, giving Connery a $1 million fee for his assistance in making it happen.
Eventually, she reluctantly agrees and finds herself developing sincere feelings for Richardson. But things, of course, go awry, secrets and lies abound, and the truth is ultimately revealed in a double-twist final act.
“Woman of Straw” is pretty good, primarily for the opportunity to see Connery and Lollobrigida in their prime. And the story is interesting, if not compelling, benefiting from filming in European locations and that unexpected ending.
The downside is that the stars demonstrate no heat in their relationship and the direction (by Basil Dearden, whose earlier work includes the excellent “The League of Gentlemen”) is sluggish and remote. (There's also a plot device with Richardson late in the film that is meant to be shocking but is instead unintentionally comical.)
A lukewarm recommendation from this corner but it's worth a look for fans of the stars lovers of mysteries.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line393
|
__label__wiki
| 0.521749
| 0.521749
|
Yellowstone Wildlife
Bison in field of dandylions
Yellowstone's abundant and diverse wildlife are as famous as its geysers. Nearly all of the wildlife species that inhabited the park when it was first explored over 100 years ago survive today qualifying Yellowstone as the only intact eco-system in the lower 48 states. Early morning and evening hours are the best times to view wildlife but during the evening is another productive time for wildlife viewing.
Habitat preferences and seasonal cycles of movement determine where a particular animal may be at a particular time. Early morning and evening hours are when animals tend to be feeding and thus are more easily seen. But remember that the numbers and variety of animals you see are largely a matter of luck and coincidence; however always remember we make our own luck.
The magnificent wildlife found in Yellowstone is one of the primary reasons that people visit the Park each year. Around every corner lies the chance to view bison, elk, deer, and even bear. This is truly the Wild West.
Wild animals, especially females with young, are unpredictable. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Each year a number of park visitors are injured by wildlife when approaching too closely. Approaching on foot within 100 yards of bears or wolves or within 25 yards of other wildlife is prohibited. Please use roadside pullouts when viewing wildlife. Use binoculars or telephoto lenses for safe viewing and to avoid disturbing them. By being sensitive to they need for elbowroom you will see more of an animal's natural behavior and activity. If you cause an animal to move, you are too close! It is illegal to willfully remain near or approach wildlife, including birds, within ANY distance that disturbs or displaces the animal. All Wildlife have what is known as a “Fight or Flight distance”, this the distance where they decided whether to take flight and run away from or too just stomp you to death, gore you, or maul you. It is not good to test an animals Fight or Flight distance.
A cow elk chasing wolves in Yellowstone. I suspect these wolves are hot on the tail of this cows calf.
Most harmful conflicts between people and wildlife could be avoided.Respect the needs of wildlife for undisturbed territory. Never chase or charge any animal. Taking these precautions is particularly important near breeding, nesting or feeding areas. Backcountry use may be restricted during certain times of the year to minimize disturbance of wildlife. Some animals may be quite curious, but resist the temptation to feed them. Even in low use areas, feeding wildlife can alter their migration, feeding habits, and reproduction levels, resulting in unnatural behavior, population structure and species composition. Some animals may readily approach humans but can bite, scratch and kick without warning. Detour around large animals such as moose, bison and elk, especially during mating season or when young animals are present.
While in Yellowstone always keep your camera ready as photo opportunities are often fleeting and it is important to be ready.
Yellowstone Fine Art Prints
Animals of the Greater Yellowstone Region
a woefully inadequate list
Click on photo to purchace print
Yellowstone's abundant and diverse wildlife are as famous as its geysers. Yellowstone Park is home to the largest concentration of large and small mammals in the lower 48 states. Most of the animals that live in Yellowstone Park also inhabit regions of Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding states of Wyoming.
Wild animals, especially females with young, are unpredictable. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Each year a number of park visitors are injured by wildlife when approaching too closely. Approaching on foot within 100 yards of bears or wolves or within 25 yards of other wildlife is prohibited. Please use roadside pullouts when viewing wildlife. Use binoculars or telephoto lenses for safe viewing and to avoid disturbing them. By being sensitive to their needs, you will see more of an animal's natural behavior and activity. If you cause an animal to move, you are too close! It is illegal to willfully remain near or approach wildlife, including birds, within any distance that disturbs or displaces the animal.
Habitat preferences and seasonal cycles of movement determine, in a general sense, where a particular animal may be at a particular time. Early morning and evening hours are when animals tend to be feeding and thus are more easily seen. But remember that the numbers and variety of animals you see are largely a matter of luck and coincidence. Check at visitor centers for detailed information.
A trophy buck ~ through the years.
A hunt is a hunt whether you will hunt an animal for harvest or photograph it, or to catch it only to release into the river. You seek it out, stalk it, and either shoot it, catch it, or click the shutter. Either way you hope to get either food for your freezer, the thrill of the catch, or a cover of a magazine................................all in Jackson Hole and Yellowstone is a goldmine for hunting no mater the apparatus of choice. The region is resplendent with many regal antlered creatures, elk are the obvious but Mule Deer are my favorite to photograph............................rest of the story
Elk Cervus elaphus
A bull elk bugles into a bison's ear
Elk were named by the early settlers, but some people prefer to call it by the Shawnee name wapiti (WAA-pi-tea) meaning "white rump." The name "elk" is a bit confusing because in Europe, moose are called "elk." and the European "red deer" is the same as the North American elk, which muddies the water even further. Evidently the same naming scheme that called for the American bison to be called a buffalo.
Elk were valued by the early settlers and Native Americans as a valuable food source, hides and fur for clothing, and antlers for utensils and trophies. Today elk are economically valuable for hunting and tourism they bring to the mountains of the west.
At the turn of the century, commercial game hunters, hired riflemen and subsistence hunters had killed off most of the elk in the west. In 1910, the U.S. Forest Service estimated that fewer than 1,000 elk remained in Colorado. A 1918 survey of Forest Service lands in Idaho showed only 610 elk remained. Places where elk had been protected, these prolific animals rebounded quickly. The winters of 1897, 1909, 1911 and 1917 all coinciding with the loss of their traditional wintering grounds to cattle ranching were also very tough on them. About 10,000 elk starved in Jackson Hole during the winter of 1897, a decade before Jackson Hole became the home of the National Elk Refuge.------------------------> more about elk
Trophy Wyoming Non-typical buck mule deer
Mule deer can be found throughout the entire western United States, including the deserts of the American Southwest, Mule deer have large ears that move constantly and independently, as do mules, hence the name, "Mule Deer." This stocky deer has sturdy legs and is 4 to 6-1/2 feet in length and 3 to 3-1/2 feet high at the shoulder. Most Mule deer are brown or gray in color with a small white rump patch and a small, black-tipped tail. Mule deer their fawns have white spots at birth. Buck deer have antlers that start growth in spring and are shed around December, these antlers are high and branch forward and reach a spread up to 4 feet in width bucks are larger than does. The life span of a mule deer in the wild is 10 years, but mule deer have lived for up to 25 years in captivity.
Mule deer can thrive nearly anyplace; their habitats include woodland chaparral, Sonoran desert, semi-desert, shrub woodland, Great Plains grasslands, shrub land forest, sagebrush steppe, and boreal forest. Mule deer are remarkably adaptable, of at least sixty types of habitat west of the 100th meridian in the United States, all but two or three are or once were home to mule Deer.
Mountain mule deer seasonally migrate from the higher elevations of the sub-alpine forests they inhabit during summer to lower elevations of the mountain valleys and desert lowlands. Deer prefer rocky windswept buttes where it is easier for them to find food during the winter and that provide escape from predators as needed...................................more about mule deer
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Fighting Bighorn Sheep in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep make their homes in the highest parts of the mountains, where people find it difficult to go. The Grace and beauty of the Bighorn Sheep is a treasure to see if you are lucky enough to come across any. Their agility and grace in their steep and rocky home is a marvel to watch. Bighorns are considered to the most regal of all big game animals.
Native Americans and early settlers prized bighorn meat as the most enjoyable of All-American big-game menu choices. The Native Americans also used the horns to fashion ceremonial spoons and handles for their utensils. Horns have also been popular for many centuries as trophies for proud hunters.
The natural range of The Rocky Mountain Bighorn is from southern Canada to Colorado. During the summer they inhabit high elevation alpine meadows, grassy mountain slopes and foothill country, all near rugged, rocky cliffs and bluffs, allowing for quick escape from mountain lion, wolves or bears. In winter, Bighorn prefer south facing slopes from 3,000 to 6,000 foot elevation where annual snowfall is less and the sun and wind help clear off the slopes, because they cannot paw through deep snow to feed.-----------------> more about bighorn sheep
Shiras Moose
Four bull moose fighting in Grand Teton National Park
The Shiras moose also known as Wyoming moose, is the smallest of North America’s moose however it is still quite large. The Shiras moose are found in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, British Columbia, and in isolated areas of Utah, Colorado, and Washington.
The Shiras Bull Moose has smaller antlers than the Canada moose. Its body color is a rusty-brown to black with pale-brownish saddle and its legs are gray to white. The Shiras cow moose are slightly smaller than the male and does not have antlers. The bulls can grow to seven feet tall at the shoulder and can reach10 feet in length. Mature Shira's moose weigh 600 to 1400 pounds. The cow moose weigh between 500 and 1200 pounds. Bull Moose have antlers that can span five feet and weigh up to 50 pounds. It has smaller antlers than the Canada moose and the antlers are shed between November and January.
Breeding occurs from mid-September through mid-October. Cow moose attract males with both calls and the scent of estrous. Bulls as do all ungulates engage in fights with other bulls to win the right to breed the cow moose. Bull moose behavior during mating season includes scraping their antlers on trees, creating wallows to roll in, not eating causing large weight loss and they become more aggressive than usual and may charge at people and cars.-------------------------------------------->more about moose
Grizzily #399 and her three cubs in Grand Teton National Park
The grizzly bear population within the Yellowstone ecosystem is estimated to be approximately 280-610 (Eberhardt and Knight 1996) bears. The park does not have a current estimate of the black bear population; black bears are considered to be common in the park.
During the last 23 years (1980-2002), bears have injured 32 people within YNP. Grizzly bears and black bears were involved in 25 (78%) and 4 (13%) of the injuries, respectively. The species of bear could not be determined for 3 (9%) of the injuries. Three injuries occurred within a developed area, 2 occurred during a bear management handling accident, and 27 occurred in backcountry areas. Of the people injured while hiking, 57% were hiking off-trail. All (100%) backcountry hiking injuries involved people hiking in groups of less than 3 people. Bear Management Area restrictions reduce the chance of bear/human encounters and the risk of bear-caused human injury in areas with known seasonal concentrations of grizzly bears.------------------------------->more about grizzly bears
Two wolves traversing a ridge below Death Canyon in the Grand Tetons
Perhaps more than any other member of the animal kingdom, wolves have historically played the villain's role. Misperceptions about wolves have abounded for centuries, historically, cultures worldwide, believed that wolves were so aggressive that they posed a risk to humans but, ironically, wolves are wary of humans because man has been killing wolves for millennia. Folklore is littered with proverbs and metaphors about this fearsome carnivore, from Peter and the Wolf in Russia to the wolf’s mysticism in Native American culture; wolves have long been a powerful symbol. Even today, wolves engender excitement merely at the possibility of an appearance on the wilderness stage.
The wolves of the Greater Yellowstone Region are members of the Canidae family, the Gray wolf (canis lupus), can grow to 4.5 to 6.5 feet in length. Adult males average about 100 pounds, but can weigh as much as 130 pounds. Females weigh slightly less. Gray wolves live up to 13 years old and can range in color from black, gray, or nearly white. A wolf pack is an extended family unit that includes a dominant male and female, called the alpha pair. In each pack, the alphas are usually the only ones to breed. Most packs produce only one litter of four to six pups per year. Pack sizes vary considerably, depending on the size of the wolf population in a particular area, whether they are feeding pups and the quantity of prey available. In the northern Rocky Mountains, packs average ten wolves, but the Druid pack in Yellowstone once had 37 members. The Druid pack later split forming several smaller packs. --------------------------> more
Black Bear - Ursus Americanus
Black Bear, Grand Teton National Park
The black bear (Ursus Americanus) ranges across forested Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia as well as much of the United States. A solitary animal most of the year, they pair up briefly during the mating season. Cubs remain with their mother for about a year, who protects which prevents them from being killed by the adult males.
Black bears swim well and often climb trees to feed on buds and fruit. They have a keen sense of smell, acute hearing, but poor eyesight. They can be seen at any hour of the day, but are most active at night. When very young, the cubs cry when afraid and hum when contented.
Black bears are omnivorous; their diet consists of about 75 percent vegetable matter, 15 percent carrion, and 10 percent insects and small mammals. Their love for honey is well known, and sweet, ripe corn in autumn also attracts them.
They have few enemies, but the one they fear the most is the Grizzly. Whenever their territories overlap, the latter is given a wide berth.---------------------------> More
Bison at Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park
The Greater Yellowstone ecosystem is the only place in the lower 48 states where an endemic population of wild bison has survived since prehistoric times. Perhaps no other animal symbolizes the American West like the American bison. In prehistoric times millions of these quintessential creatures of the plains roamed the North America from northern Canada, south into Mexico and from Atlantic to the pacific. No one knows how many bison were in America before Columbus arrived but the guesstimate is about sixty million. They were the largest community of wild animals that the world has ever known. For a good part of the 1800s bison were considered to be in limitless supply.
After the Civil War the push to settle the west was on, new army posts were established, coinciding with the westward push of the railroads. The army and railroads contracted with local men to supply buffalo meat to feed the troops and construction laborers.
Bison were hunted nearly to extinction in the late 1800’s--------------------------------------------> More
Pronghorn Antelope
Yellowstone region Pronghorn in Grand Teton National Park
When Yellowstone became a national park in 1872, the pronghorn population was reported to be in the thousands. However, the number of these animals declined as the Yellowstone area became settled. In addition, hunting continued in the park until 1883. By 1886, when the U.S. Cavalry arrived to administer the park, the pronghorn had been largely decimated. The Cavalry took measures to increase the number of these animals. Their tactics, controlling predators and providing supplemental feed, proved successful almost immediately.
The Pronghorn is a species of artiodactyl mammal native to interior western and central North America. Though not a true antelope, it is often known colloquially in North America as the Prong Buck, Pronghorn Antelope or simply Antelope, as it closely resembles the true antelopes of Africa and fills a similar ecological niche due to convergent evolution. The pronghorn is the ‘real' Great Plains large mammal. Although we often associate bison with rolling prairies, they are more adapted for living in woodland habitats than the American pronghorn. In fact, the pronghorn has never found subsistence outside the High Plains and sagebrush flats of the American West.------------------> More about Pronghorn
Mountain Goats cliffs just north of Alpine Wyoming
The Mountain Goats of the Greater Yellowstone eco-system make a home on the vertical planes of the Rocky Mountains where they cling and move around on the impossibly steep slopes of this unforgiving and barren terrain, Mountain Goats can survive on scant food in incredibly hostile environs. Mountain goats fit perfectly into the category of "charismatic mega-fauna." Their beauty, grace, and athleticism, is a treat to watch and their cute faces are always a thrill to see. The kids are precocious, able to move on steep slopes within hours of birth, an awe-inspiring site in itself.
Although the Yellowstone Ecosystem has an abundance of Mountain Goat habitat, Goats are not endemic to the region. Between the 1940s and the 1960s, there were several hundred of the shaggy cliff dwelling creatures transplanted from western Montana to the Beartooth, Absaroka, Madison, Bridger, and Crazy mountains and the Snake River Range. Hundreds of them now inhabit the high country. Some of those animals are willing to leave their preferred high-elevation habitat to cross rivers, and valleys too colonize new places. There haven’t been any transplants in the Gallatin Range, for instance, but goats thrive there today. -----------------------> more
Mountain Lion - Cougar (Puma concolor)
Mountain lion returning to kill outside of Jackson Hole Wyoming
The Mountain Lion cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, cougar, or panther, is a member of the Felidae family, native to the Americas. This large, solitary cat has the greatest range of any wild land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, extending from Yukon in Canada to the southern Andes of South America. An adaptable species, the cougar is found in every major North American habitat.
The Mountain lions of Yellowstone region were significantly reduced by predator control measures during the early 1900s. It is reported that 121 lions were removed from the park between the years 1904 and 1925. Then, the remaining population was estimated to be 12 individuals. Mountain lions apparently existed at very low numbers between 1925 and 1940. They maintain a secretive profile in the Yellowstone region. Although the cougar population numbered in the hundreds during the early 1900s, controlled hunts between 1904 and 1925 decimated the population. Today, twenty to thirty-five mountain lions reportedly inhabit Yellowstone Park, but sightings are rare.
Shy and elusive, mountain lions live solitary lives and practice mutual avoidance. Males and females interact for breeding when females are about 2 1/2 years old. Giving birth throughout the year, females can have litters of up to four kittens, but usually only one or two survive. Born spotted, the kittens stay with their mothers for about 18 months, after which time they will leave in search of their own home range.---------------------------------------> More
River Otter - Lontra canadensis
Yellowstone River Otters in Trout Lake in North Yellowstone
The North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) is a semi-aquatic mammal native to the North American continent and is found in and along its waterways and coasts and are common in the Greater Yellowstone Eco-system.
When you get lucky it is surely a pleasure to watch them frolic and play, they are among the most playful of animals they provide the most entertainment value, whether it’s sliding down snow banks on its belly or ice fishing. They like to wrestle, chase other otters, and play capture and release with live prey. Each of these "games" helps the otter become better coordinated and helps them fit into the social structure of the group.
Seeing them around Yellowstone requires a great deal of serendipitous luck but a place that is easiest to find the in Trout Lake in Northeast Yellowstone in July. The otters there are pretty habituated to humans and are less spooky than any others I have ever seen...................More
The yellow-bellied marmot
The yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris), also known as the rock chuck, is a ground squirrel in the marmot genus. They are heavy-set, brown grizzled animal with white areas on the chin and (as the name suggests) a yellowish belly. Marmots can be waddling fat in the fall, and their long fur makes them look even fatter. Adults are about 26 inches long and weigh up to about 11 pounds.
They live in the western United States and southwestern Canada, including the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada and are abundant here in the Greater Yellowstone Region. They inhabit steppes, meadows, talus fields and other open habitats, sometimes on the edge of deciduous or coniferous forests, and typically above 6,500 feet of elevation.............................More about Marmots
The Yellowstone Coyote (Canis latrans)
A coyote in Yellowstone National Park
A common site in the Greater Yellowstone region is coyotes hunting in the meadows for mice. It is fun to watch them stalk then leap high in the air for the decisive pounce that of ten times produces an unfortunate rodent.
The Yellowstone coyotes were living large in Yellowstone National Park for nearly a century. But after wolf reintroduction it became a different reality for the coyote. The exponential growth of the wolf population has been a bane for the former big dog of Yellowstone. The previously abundant coyotes have dropped off fifty percent from pre-wolf years. For some animals, this can be good news. Pronghorn antelope fawns, for instance, are frequent prey of coyotes. Anecdotal evidence so far is showing that Yellowstone's pronghorn population is doing better, with better fawn survival where wolves are present to keep coyote populations down..............................More about Coyotes
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red Fox kit in Jackson Hole Wyoming
You’ve probably read stories about the cunning fox trying to outwit his animal brothers and sisters. Foxes no doubt got their crafty reputation from the way they look, with their long thin faces and yellow eyes that have narrow slits for pupils. But in real life, foxes are more concerned with finding food than with playing tricks on anyone.
The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically diverse member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the Asian steppes. Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been introduced to Australasia, where it is considered harmful to native mammal and bird populations, as is the case with many non-endemic species. Because of these factors, it is listed as Least Concern for extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. .......................more about Red Fox
Beavers (genus Castor)
Beaver packing willows to his lodge
The beaver is utterly familiar, forty inches long, and over a foot upright, a beaver seems like a little person with a fondness for engineering. Beavers live throughout North America. They have brown fur and large, flat tails. They are among the most skilled builders in the animal kingdom. American beavers build structures called dams that stop flowing water. These dams help create wetlands. This provides habitat for mammals, fish, frogs, turtles, birds, and ducks. Their handiwork can be seen throughout the Greater Yellowstone System.
Native American legend across the country holds that the Great Spirit build the land, make the seas, and fill both well with animals and people: Long, long ago when the Great Waters surged in a blind and shoreless world, the gigantic beaver swam and dove and spoke with the Great Spirit. The two of them brought up all the mud they could carry, digging out the caves and canyons and shaping the mud into hills and dales, making mountains where cataracts plunged and sang. Some tribes believe that thunder was caused by the great beaver slapping his tail........................more about beavers
Yellowstone Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Flying bald eagle, Yellowstone National Park
Bald Eagles are again a common site along the rivers and lakes of the Greater Yellowstone Region, and they always bring a thrill to my tour and wildlife safari guests whenever they set their eyes on one of these magnificent birds. The bald eagle holds a position in the pecking order that parallels that of the grizzly. Of all the birds in the park, visitors are most interested in spotting this photogenic species. The Yellowstone/Grand Teton area is now home to one of largest populations of eagles in the continental United States They can be found along the lakes and rivers of Yellowstone where they perch in trees watching for fish. The Yellowstone Plateau, Snake River, Yellowstone Lake, and headwaters of the Madison River are prime spotting areas for this spectacular bird........................more about Bald Eagles
Pine Marten (Martes americana)
Pine Marten / American Marten
Life is full of surprises; you will rarely find a grizzly bear photographer as thrilled as when they get the opportunity to photograph a Pine Marten or long tail weasel during the course of their pursuit of photographing grizzlies. Grizzlies are easy for them to find, to get the opportunity to photograph a Pine Marten or a weasel it is a rare event.
Greater Yellowstone's American Marten or Pine Marten as they are colloquially know around here is a North American member of the family Mustelidae (Martes americana). The name "Pine Marten" is derived from the common but distinct Eurasian species of Martes....................More about Pine Martens
Yellowstone Owls
Great Grey Owl coming in for a landing
Here in the Greater Yellowstone area we have a good population of a variety of owls. Owls being mostly nocturnal are seldom seen by Yellowstone visitors, but they surely are a treat for the photographers who succeed at seeking them out.
The most common is the Great Horned Owl which is one of the most widespread owls in North America. Great Horned Owls can vary in color from reddish brown to a grey or black and white. The underside is a light grey with dark bars and a white band of feathers on the upper breast. They have large, staring yellow-orange eyes, bordered in most races by an orange-buff facial disc. The name is derived from tufts of feathers that appear to be "horns" Great Horned Owls hunt by perching on snags and poles and watching for prey, or by gliding slowly above the ground. From high perches they dive down to the ground with wings folded, before snatching prey. Their prey is usually killed instantly when grasped by its large talons. .......................... more about Yellowstone owls
Yellowstone Weasels
Badgers Coming Soon
Snoshoe Hare
Hares Coming Soon
Porcupines Coming Soon
Cottontail Rabit
Rabits Coming Soon
Pika Coming Soon
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line396
|
__label__wiki
| 0.887233
| 0.887233
|
Özil ‘shined a mirror in the face of the German nation’
Barçın Yinanç - barcin.yinanc@hdn.com.tr
German-Turkish footballer Mesut Özil’s decision to quit the German national team citing racism is a wakeup call for the country, according to a prominent sports pundit.
“Mesut meant to say: ‘There are other team members of foreign origins, but you are doing this to me because I am a Turk and a Muslim,’” said Banu Yelkovan, who is currently the general coordinator of the German edition of the sport magazine “Socrates.”
“He meant to say ‘you don’t do that to a Polish origin player.’ And there I think he is right,” said Yelkovan, noting that Özil was once a hate figure in Turkey because he preferred to play for Germany.
What is your view on Özil case?
It resembles a football game but there are no winners here so far. The first half ended with the famous photo incident (taken posing with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan). This was a personal choice. However, in his statement, he says he had done the same (pose with Erdoğan) in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and had asked for permission from the German federation.
The second part of the game came after the World Cup, when Mesut did not play well and Germany was eliminated. And then as he had said, he went from being the German Özil to an immigrant. Ironically, he was described as a traitor in Turkey when he choose the German national team. In his book, he describes how he was criticized when he gave up Turkish citizenship. He was not treated well when he went to the Turkish Embassy to return his passport; they did not talk to him. He was seen to be a German then, but now, he is seen as a Turk.
Why do you say there are no winners so far?
The German federation has lost and I think there will be many changes in the federation. The president and the manager will have to leave. Mesut is not in a good position either. Let’s admit that last year, he did not play his best in Arsenal (which by the way, is currently backing him up.)
He has begun a debate and has not kept it a personal issue but has made it a bigger case for instance, by mentioning the company Mercedes-Benz stopped sponsoring him. He said this is a company that has been accused of using illegal and unauthorized software devices. He said, “I have done something personal,” whereas Mercedes-Benz has done wrong in something that relates to millions. In other words, Mesut has declared a war, and now, I do not think he will find a sponsor in Germany.
He could have kept it personal and said, “I like Erdoğan,” for instance, but he has currently started a debate that is now getting bigger.
Erdoğan is a highly unpopular figure in the eyes of the German public. Was Özil also a controversial figure previously?
Mesut Özil is a love and hate figure. At one time, Turks hated him because he picked the German team. Özil said, “I was born here, grew up here, and my football is German.” What could perhaps be a point of criticism is (the fact that Özil underestimated) the German public’s sensitivity.
The Turkish president called German’s Nazis. Even though we know history perfectly, we cannot understand the sensitivity Germans have about this matter. I will try to explain with a personal story: My mother raised us with strict discipline, so my sister and I used to say as a joke that we have Gestapo as a mother. It was funny and everyone understood what we meant. But this is not a joke you can make in Germany. Because this is not a joke in Germany. There is huge sensitivity about it for very solid reasons.
But then Mesut said, “this is the highest authority of the country of my parents; I could not say no to that meeting.” And then without keeping the issue at a personal level he said, “you have a problem.” He shines a mirror in the face of the Germans.
But was he previously a controversial figure or was it that picture that triggered the controversy?
He has always been under criticism. When he picked the German team, he used to receive anonymous hate messages from Turkey after each national game. Currently, it is the opposite. He is a very good player. Even if he had a bad season last year, he is still really good. At one stage, he was like the glue for Germany. Together with his generation of players, he became the glue. Following 2006, German football underwent a big transformation and players of mixed heritage were included on the team.
What Mesut meant to say is, there are members whose origins are foreign but you are doing this because I am a Turk and Muslim. He means to say “you don’t do that to a player of Polish origin.” And there, I think he is right.
The editor in chief of the German version of the Socrates magazine, Fatih Demireli, also relates to Mesut. He says, “Mesut represents me too. I was born in Germany and raised in Germany. I am happy here. I am not discriminated. But there is some kind of a deep current here that has made itself known for some time. As a Muslim German with Turkish parents, I feel it is there.”
But now the debate has also included Turkey. I wish we in Turkey could take lessons from this ordeal and face what we have done to Mesut in the past. We will most likely not end up having to face our mistakes from this debate. It seems the Germans are set to take lessons from this discussion.
Is it normal to blame just one person for the failure of the whole team in football?
We do have this tendency in football. Sometimes you have figures in the front line and then they take on the blame in the case of failure. Mesut played bad and he was targeted but he says everyone played bad but he has been targeted because of that photograph.
He might have been picked on then even if there had not been a picture.
Maybe. You are in the loop when you have a leadership position on the field. Mesut was the leader in the German team. When I said Mesut was the glue, this is what I meant. At one stage, Germany realized society has changed. It said, “I have to reflect this on the national team.” So they undertook a huge endeavor in terms of infrastructure and in the end, they had players on the team from different nationalities like Jerome Boateng and Mesut. And they became successful. And they called it “multikulti.” They said this is the new Germany and this is Germany’s new national team.
At that time, Mesut had been criticized for not singing the German national anthem. He said, “this is the time I have to be most concentrated on the game, so I pray. That is why I do not sing the national anthem.”
This time, however, instead of keeping it personal, he made it a bigger case and said this was being done to immigrants. He dared to do it and he did so at the expense of losing his sponsors. Perhaps he had the courage to do it because he is a player in the Premier League.
But there is another dimension with Mesut and that is the fact he is Muslim. No one says Polish origin and Christian, but Mesut is mentioned as a Turk and Muslim.
So you believe he has now triggered a bigger debate in Germany?
In the long run, I think Germany might come out as the winner in this “game,” because members of other migrant communities have started to say “we feel the same.” So this has turned into a debate and an exercise for the Germans to face themselves. We have not derived lessons from our experience (with Özil) but I feel the Germans might do so.
Özil has shined a mirror on the Germans. He also did the same to us but we did not hold the mirror. It seems Germans might be better at self-criticism. But I have to make a reminder of one point: Germany and Turkey have both put their candidacy forward to host the UEFA Euro 2024 and the decision will be announced in September.
Do you think what is happening is also related to the political and social developments of the past few years?
Of course. Look at the rise in the votes of the far right, in Germany and Austria. Europe cannot handle 100,000 to 200,000 Syrians, while we host 3.5 million Syrians. There is real hypocrisy there.
Who is Banu Yelkovan?
Born in Istanbul, Banu Yelkovan is a graduate of the Saint Michel French High School. She later graduated from the international relations department of Istanbul University. She also studied photography in Paris.
She started her journalism career as a translator and continued the profession in different positions as reporter, editor, and editor in chief. She started sports journalism in the first half of the 2000s with Radikal daily.
While she worked as the editor in chief of football magazine FourFourTwo, she also became a frequent commentator on various television networks.
Yelkovan is currently the general coordinator of the German edition of the Istanbul-based monthly sports magazine “Socrates.”
Fenerbahçe denies rumors it will bring in Mesut Özil
Federer eyes 100th Wimbledon win and Nadal showdown
Zola says Chelsea got rid of Sarri too soon
Barty's Wimbledon party over but world No.1 looks ahead with hope
'Big Three' still cricket's dominant powers
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line398
|
__label__wiki
| 0.801962
| 0.801962
|
Project Gutenberg's Miss Muffet's Christmas Party, by Samuel McChord Crothers
Title: Miss Muffet's Christmas Party
Author: Samuel McChord Crothers
Illustrator: Olive M. Long
Release Date: April 15, 2010 [EBook #31997]
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS MUFFET'S CHRISTMAS PARTY ***
Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed
Internet Archive)
By Samuel M. Crothers
MEDITATIONS ON VOTES FOR WOMEN.
HUMANLY SPEAKING.
AMONG FRIENDS.
BY THE CHRISTMAS FIRE.
THE PARDONER'S WALLET.
THE ENDLESS LIFE.
THE GENTLE READER.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES: THE AUTOCRAT
AND HIS FELLOW BOARDERS. With Portrait.
MISS MUFFET'S CHRISTMAS PARTY. Illustrated.
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
Boston and New York
MISS MUFFET'S CHRISTMAS PARTY
A visitor came (page 4)
[ii]
[iii]
COPYRIGHT 1902 BY SAMUEL McCHORD CROTHERS
Published November, 1902
[iv]
TO MARGERY
BECAUSE, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
WE LIKE THE SAME PEOPLE
A visitor came (page 4) Frontispiece
Chapter Heading 1
Mrs. Muffet had read this in a book 2
To meditate on the passage of time 3
The kind of thing that Miss Muffet sat on 4
Fairly jumped off her tuffet 6
They sat down 9
Every town crier in England 13
The blighted being 15
Chapter Heading 18
Miss Muffet closed her eyes 19
She could catch glimpses of travelers 20
Tom Sawyer trying to "hitch on" behind 21
Alice with all the strange friends she had found in Wonderland 23
"This is the main caravan road to Bagdad" 25
Elves 28
The woods were full of merry little people 29
An old witch who was not nearly so bad as she looked 31
Introduced the Orientals to the North Country people 33
Aladdin explains the virtues of his lamp 37
"Listening . . . is hard on the eyes" 39
[vi]The shyest persons in the room 45
Scampering off into the dark 47
"I am sorry to be so late" 55
Hal cut his string 63
"I don't think I ever knew two persons more different" 65
"You dear little Rosamond" 67
One was beating the other 71
A little talk about dervishry 73
An expressive glance at the executioner 75
Aladdin's brother and the Dervish 79
"I must have the full set" 85
Telling anecdotes 87
"It all depends on grammar" 89
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod 93
He was a little prudent 96
The Rockaby Lady saying good-night 97
Flew away . . . into the night 100
Into his overcoat pocket 101
Red Riding-Hood's Grandmother began to dance 103
A long time to get on their overshoes 105
Closed her eyes 106
Tail Piece 107
Mrs. Muffet had read this in a book
'Twas the night before Christmas, and it was very quiet in Mrs. Muffet's house,—altogether too quiet, thought little Miss Muffet, as she sat trying to eat her curds and whey. For Mrs. Muffet was a very severe mother and had her own ideas about bringing up children,—and so had Mr. Muffet, or rather he had the same ideas, only warmed over. One of these was on the necessity of care in the diet of growing children. "First," said Mrs. Muffet, "we must find out what the children don't like, and then we must make them eat plenty of it; next to breaking their wills, there is nothing so necessary as breaking their appetites." Mrs. Muffet had read this in a book, and so she knew it must be[2] true; and Mr. Muffet had heard Mrs. Muffet say it so many times that he knew it was true.
So every morning little Miss Muffet had three courses: first, curds and whey; second, whey and curds; third, curdled whey. She had the same things for the other meals, but the order was changed about. An experienced housekeeper tells me that the third course is impossible to prepare, as whey cannot be curdled. All I have to say is that this housekeeper had not known Mrs. Muffet. Mrs. Muffet could curdle anything. But the worst days of the year for little Miss Muffet were the holidays, for they were occasions that had to be improved. Now for a little girl to improve an occasion is about the hardest work she can do, especially when she doesn't know how. If she had been left to herself, Miss Muffet wouldn't have improved them at all, but would have left them in their natural state.[3]
"Christmas," said Mrs. Muffet in her most economical tone, "comes but once a year, so we must make it go as far as possible. The best way for a child to do that is to sit and meditate. You've no idea how long a holiday seems till you sit still and think about it. Count sixty, that will be just one minute, and another, and another, and then another—sixty times one, and then sixty times that, and then twenty-four times that makes—well—it[4] makes—the exact number doesn't matter much," said Mrs. Muffet, who wasn't quick at mental arithmetic, "but you'll see that there are quite a considerable number of seconds in Christmas Day—quite enough for any growing child." So at Christmas time Mrs. Muffet would go out to visit the neighbors, leaving the little girl seated on a very uncomfortable tuffet, to meditate on the passage of time.
Perhaps some of you would like to know what a tuffet is. I have thought of that myself, and have taken the trouble to ask several learned persons. They assure me that the most complete and satisfactory definition is,—a tuffet is the kind of thing that Miss Muffet sat on. With this explanation I shall go on with my story. As she sat on her tuffet counting up the seconds of Christmas Eve, and had already reached the sum of two thousand one hundred and seven, a strange thing happened. A visitor[5] came and sat down beside her. You guess who he was? Yes—an elderly, benevolent spider. He was short-sighted and wore green spectacles, and had evidently a little rheumatism in his legs, but as he had eight of them, he managed to get along very well.
The kind of thing that Miss Muffet sat on
Now the way you may have heard the story is that when the kind old spider sat down beside her, it frightened Miss Muffet away. That story must be true because I myself have seen it in print, but it happened at another time, when Miss Muffet was very little indeed.
On the Christmas Eve I am telling about, she had become a very sensible little girl, and knew all about spiders, so instead of running away, she made room for him on the tuffet and said, "I am very glad to see you, Mr. Spider." Mr. Spider bowed and looked at her in a kindly way through his spectacles, but said nothing.
"I hope your family are all well; I mean the family Arachnida, sub-order, I forget the name. We've enjoyed dissecting those we could get; and you deserve a great deal of credit for the curious way in which you are put together, with your funny thorax and everything."
"Let's change the subject, Miss," said the[6] spider, moving toward the further side of the tuffet. "This is Christmas Eve."
Fairly jumped off her tuffet
"Yes," answered Miss Muffet wearily. "Sixty seconds make a minute; sixty minutes make an hour. Even Christmas Eve will come to an end some time; but what's the good? For then Christmas will come, and that will never get through."[7]
"What do you say to a party?"
Miss Muffet fairly jumped off her tuffet, for she had never had a party in her life. "Who will invite the people?"
"I will," said the spider.
"But do you think any one will come if you invite them?"
"Why not?"
"Oh! I was just thinking; some people are such 'fraid-cats; and then, you know, once, one of your family invited the fly to walk into his parlor. I don't believe the story one bit, but then, you know, Mr. Spider, it caused talk."
Mr. Spider positively blushed green. "If you have no objection, let's change the subject again. Business is business; as for flies, there is a difference of opinion about them, and we can't all live on curds and whey, Miss Muffet. But this is to be your party, and we should not invite flies but folks. How would you like to have a literary party, and invite all the people you've read about?"
"How delightful!" cried Miss Muffet gleefully. "What a dear old spider you are!"
"Let's write the invitations immediately," said Mr. Spider, taking out of his pocket a ream of the most delicate cobweb paper.
They sat down with their heads very close together, and such a number of letters you never saw as Miss Muffet and the spider wrote. Some of them were very informal, like those beginning "Dear Little Bo-Peep" and "Dear Red Riding-Hood." They said, "Won't you come to a party at my house? We're going to have games." Others were very formal like that addressed to
The Reverend Swiss Robinson and Family,
Tent House,
Desert Island,
stating that "Miss Muffet requests the pleasure of your company," etc. Then there were letters[9] addressed to Wonderland and Back of the North Wind, and to Lilliput and the Land where the Jumblies Live, and to all sorts of places which are to be found only on the best maps, and are not in the school geographies at all.
Mr. Spider was very careful and businesslike, and insisted that Miss Muffet should always put down the exact address, for it would never do to have any of the letters go to the dead-letter office. Sometimes, however, they were puzzled to find the right direction.
They sat down
"Shall I address this letter to Norwich or the Moon?" asked Miss Muffet, handing him an envelope.[10]
"Ah!" said the spider, "this is a difficult case; it's hard to reach these traveling men. Here is a gentleman residing in the Moon, who suddenly sets out for Norwich without leaving his address. Better direct the letter to 'Norwich, General Delivery,' and write in the upper left hand corner, 'If not called for in five minutes, forward to the Moon.'"
"And I suppose that Gloucester is Dr. Foster's address? That is where I last heard of him."
"No; I'm afraid we shall have to give the doctor up. He is a very peculiar man and took a prejudice against the town, and vowed he would never go that way again."
"Oh, yes, I remember," said Miss Muffet; "it was because he didn't like the way they kept the roads."
It was a difficult matter to get the correct titles for all the princes and princesses of Fairyland, and to learn the names of all the crowned heads. Of course, where their names were in the Court Directory it was easy enough, for the spider had a huge volume at his elbow; but he said that it was far from complete. All the giant-killers and the young men who married the kings' daughters were in it, but the kings themselves were often forgotten.
"'A certain king had three daughters,'" said[11] Miss Muffet; "that's all that I know about him, but he ought to be invited. The postman will want to know which 'Certain King' it is, and what he's king of."
"The best way to do," said the spider, "would be to address a hundred letters, each to 'A Certain King,' asking His Majesty to honor your party with his presence, and to bring with him a 'Certain Queen.' Then whenever the messenger comes across a king without any particular name he can give him an invitation. If you want to be more definite, you may address each letter to 'A Certain Kingdom.'"
"But he has usually given away half of his kingdom."
"That's true," said the spider; "you had better address it to 'The Other Half.'"
Miss Muffet was troubled about the persons who had only lately risen in life.
"There is Dumbling, who went out to chop wood, and the dwarf gave him a golden goose that made everything stick to it. The king's daughter in that certain kingdom had been so serious that the king had offered her to any one who would make her laugh; and when she saw Dumbling with the goose under his arm and the maids and the parson and all the rest following after, she laughed outright.[12] She didn't mean to, but she couldn't help it. And now Dumbling is a prince, and is living happily ever afterward. I wonder if that makes any difference in his feelings, or if he likes to be called Dumbling."
The spider said that it all depended on his wife. With such a serious person as she had been one must be careful about etiquette. Because she had laughed once was no sign that she would do it again.
"Shall you invite any plain boys and girls who live in the Every Day Country?" asked the spider.
This was a hard question, for the Muffets were an old family who had come across with Mother Goose, and at this moment Every Day Country seemed a long way off and just a bit uninteresting. But then Miss Muffet remembered how many kind friends she had found there, and answered,—
"Oh, certainly, we must send invitations to the Every Day Country, for some of the folks there are just as good as the Dreamland people, only of course they haven't had the same advantages."
Every town crier in England
So letters were sent to Prudy and Dotty Dimple and the Bodley Family, and to the Little Men and Little Women and Lord Fauntleroy and the rest.[13] A special letter was written to the little Ruggleses, and to Tiny Tim and all the Cratchetts, for Miss Muffet knew that they were always ready to have a good time on Christmas. A message was sent to every town crier in England, asking him to make immediate proclamation in the streets that if any small boy who was a Prince and a Pauper would make himself known, he would hear something[14] greatly to his advantage, for he was invited to Miss Muffet's Party.
The longest letter was that sent to Agamemnon Peterkin. Miss Muffet wrote it very carefully, underscoring all the important parts, and adding a map showing the way from the Peterkins' house to the palace. She asked him to bring all the family, including the little boys.
"I don't see how he can make a mistake," she said, "but he probably will. They are all so ingenious. They find out how to make mistakes that other folks would never think of."
"What about Mr. Henty's boys?" said the spider; "there are so many of them."
"There seem to be a great many of them," said Miss Muffet, "but I've sometimes thought that there may be only two, only they live in different centuries and go to different wars. Boys can do that, can't they, Mr. Spider, if they are very brave?"
The spider said he thought they could without changing their characters, but of course they would have to change their names.
So an invitation was sent to Ronald Leslie, alias Wulf, Roger, Lionel, Stanley, etc., On The Firing Line, Near Carthage, Quebec, Crécy, Waterloo,[15] Khartoum, or wherever the Enemy may be found in force. Forward by a swift messenger, trusty and true.
"I shouldn't wonder if they might be a little late, for they may be taken prisoner, and it always takes them some time to escape."
"Shall you invite any bad boys?" asked the spider.
"No," answered Miss Muffet severely, "not as a rule; but I think we shall ask Mr. Aldrich's Bad Boy, for he is a blighted being. I think it's our duty to have him,—and then it[16] would be such fun. And I suppose we ought to invite Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer to keep him company."
"Of course you will invite all the good boys?"
"Of course we shall invite them, as a rule. But the good boys in the books are almost too good sometimes; don't you think so, Mr. Spider? I mean almost too good to be true. But that reminds me; I suppose we should invite Rollo?"
"Yes," said the spider, "we certainly must invite Rollo; he's a worthy lad, and of an inquiring mind."
"Oh dear!" said Miss Muffet, tearing up the letter she had just written, "he's so intelligent. I'll have to write very correctly or he'll criticise the spelling; and then if I invite Rollo, I shall have to invite Jonas, too."
"Certainly," said the spider, "we must invite Jonas, and we must arrange some moral amusement. Suppose in your invitation you leave out the word 'party' and ask him to attend a 'serious symposium.' How would this do?—'Respected Sir, You are earnestly requested to attend a serious symposium at Miss Muffet's, to meet the Rev. Swiss Robinson and other persons interested in the education of youth. The Little Old Woman who[17] lived in a Shoe will preside. There will be a number of papers, to be followed by a discussion.'"
"How good that is! Jonas would so love a discussion," said Miss Muffet.
"Shall we invite any giants?"
"No; I don't want to be exclusive, but we must draw the line somewhere. Let's draw it at giants."
"Very well," said the spider, throwing into the waste-basket the letter he had just addressed to His Majesty the King of the Brobdingnags.
At last the invitations were all written, and the kind old spider said, "Now lie down, my dear, on the tuffet and close your eyes, and I will make all the preparations and wake you in time for the party."
Miss Muffet closed her eyes
Miss Muffet closed her eyes, and had already begun to dream of curds and whey, when all at once she was awakened and found herself in a most wonderful palace. The walls and floors were made of the sheerest, filmiest spider's-web, woven into a thousand delicate patterns. A soft light shone through the tapestries, and the dewdrops on the roof sparkled like diamonds. The music that[19] floated in through the open windows was not so much a sound as a part of the atmosphere. She was not sure whether she heard it or only breathed it in. Everything was so shimmering and so dainty that Miss Muffet might have thought that she was dreaming had it not been for the spider, who looked so comical in his dress-suit that she laughed outright. The moment she laughed, Miss Muffet knew that everything was real.
She could catch glimpses of travelers
Tom Sawyer trying to "hitch on" behind
For a minute she did not dare to trust herself on the floor, but when she took a step she had the most delightful experience of walking on air. She went to one of the great windows. If the palace had been wonderful, how much more wonderful was the view from it. Far as the eye could reach were the shining paths of spider's-web, each one[20] leading over hill and dale to the palace door. Now the paths were on the ground, now with bridges from grass blade to grass blade, sometimes from tree to tree; and far off she could see them spanning deep valleys among the hills. By and by she could catch glimpses of travelers on the road,[23] some in coaches, some on foot, some on horseback, coming by twos and dozens and scores.
"They're coming to the party," said the spider.
Sure enough, there was Cinderella in her coach with the Prince sitting by her side, and Tom Sawyer trying to "hitch on" behind. And there was Alice with all the strange friends she had found in Wonderland; and a very queer set they were, for Wonderland is rather out of the world, and the fashions of the Wonderlanders were peculiar, and[24] not at all like anything Miss Muffet had ever seen before. And then how they did act! It was a great relief to see, after the March Hare and the Cheshire Cat and the Duchess, who were skipping along in the most extraordinary manner, Mr. Robinson Crusoe. "He looks so solid and respectable," said Miss Muffet, "and so English, you know."
Alice with all the strange friends she had found in Wonderland
"Come to the east window," said the spider.
Miss Muffet went with him and looked out on a great level road stretching toward the sunrise. Just where it seemed to touch the sky she could see a grove of palm-trees, and she thought she could see, beyond, the golden domes and minarets of a city. But she was not quite sure of this, for it might have been the clouds. A faint perfume as of rare spices floated to her as the wind sprang up.
"This," said the spider, "is the main caravan road to Bagdad." A golden dust seemed to rise in the distance among the palms. At last Miss Muffet could see a caravan.
"Take this glass," said the spider, handing her an opera-glass. Then Miss Muffet could see very well. There were the Sultan and the Caliph and the Grand Vizier, and the silk merchants and the calenders, and the princesses of every degree,—all on camels most wonderful to behold.[25]
"This is the main caravan road to Bagdad"
"Do you see the Forty Thieves?" asked the spider uneasily. "If you do, we'd better count the spoons."
Then Miss Muffet went to the north window, and such a sight as she saw there! There was frost on all the roads, and snow on the far mountains, and the great pine forest on that side came almost to the palace doors. And such pine-trees as they were! Each one looked like a great Christmas tree. The woods were full of merry little people, with such frosty twinkles in their eyes that it did one good to look at them. They talked Swedish and German and Icelandic and all sorts of queer languages, but somehow they laughed so naturally, and were so simple and hearty, that Miss Muffet understood every word. There were hosts of brownies and elves and fairies, and intelligent white bears, and one or two reformed wolves, and an old witch who was not nearly so bad as she looked, and the Marsh King and his daughters, and an old gentleman who looked so much like Santa Claus that Miss Muffet was sure that he must be his brother. Indeed, she could not help noticing that a great many of these North Country folks bore a strong family resemblance to Santa Claus,—but perhaps it was only[28] the way they wore their beards. When she saw them all, she was sorry that she had not invited Santa Claus himself. She hadn't asked him, because, as she told Mr. Spider, it was Christmas Eve, and it might seem suggestive. But the truth of the matter was, as I suspect, that she thought he would probably drop in of his own accord, some time in the course of the evening.
The woods were full of merry little people
As the brisk little people from the North came up the palace steps, Miss Muffet was sure that Hans Christian Andersen must have had a party once, or how could he have described them so well? "Indeed," she said, "if I didn't know what day of the month and what year it is, I should almost think that this is 'Once upon a Time.'"
An old witch who was not nearly so bad as she looked
When the guests began to come in, Miss Muffet was all in a flurry for fear she should not do her duty as a hostess; but she needn't have worried a bit, for they were so much interested in themselves that they paid very little attention to her. Then she had the assistance of two widely traveled storks, who, having their summer residences in Norway and spending their winters in Bagdad, had a great number of acquaintances, and introduced the Orientals to the North Country people. It was[35] delightful to see how quickly they all became acquainted. Little Dutch Gretchen in her wooden shoes was not at all like the Persian Princess whom she now met for the first time, but they were soon warm friends though they had moved in such different society. At first Miss Muffet was afraid that the wooden shoes might spoil the spider's-web floor; but there was no real danger of this, for the spider, knowing that there would be a very great crowd, had made everything very strong.
Introduced the Orientals to the North Country people
There was a little man in a huge bearskin coat who came from Back of the North Wind. At first he was shy and awkward, but it was beautiful to see how soon he was put at ease when Aladdin came up and explained to him the virtues of his wonderful lamp. The little man said that such a lamp must be very useful, but when it came to illuminating power it was nothing to what he had at home, for he had an Aurora Borealis in every room. Then the little man chuckled to himself, for he wanted every one to know that the Back of the North Wind Country was not so uncivilized as people supposed.
In a corner she found a delightful group of seafaring folks. Dr. Lemuel Gulliver was telling the story of one of his voyages. He was such a[36] matter-of-fact person, and so accurate about the latitude and longitude, that Miss Muffet had the greatest confidence in him, and felt that, though he might be mistaken in regard to the main points, all the details happened exactly as he said. His story reminded Sindbad the Sailor of something that had happened to him. He told his story in a charming oriental way, but without a touch of exaggeration.
"That would have spoiled it," said Miss Muffet to Baron Munchausen, who was standing by. "Don't you like simplicity, Baron?"
The Baron bowed in a courtly, old-fashioned way, and said that he was inordinately fond of it. Miss Muffet heard a rippling, liquid sound which she at first mistook for laughter, but the Baron assured her that it was only the frozen truth beginning to thaw. This reminded him of a little incident which was wonderful to hear. Everybody was astonished except the Three Wise Men of Gotham. They remarked that if they were at liberty to tell their adventures, as seafaring men, the stories that had been told would seem quite tame; but they didn't feel at liberty, and only looked at each other so wisely that Miss Muffet wondered whether any persons could really be as wise as they looked.[37]
Aladdin explains the virtues of his lamp
"Listening . . . is hard on the eyes"
A sturdy, round-faced man stood just behind the group, but took no part in the conversation. Whenever Sindbad was talking he became so excited that his eyes seemed almost to pop out of his head, but he quieted down as soon as any one else began. After a time Sindbad came over to him, and taking out his purse, gave him a handful of gold pieces.
"A hundred sequins?" asked Miss Muffet.
"Yes," said the round-faced man, "that's my regular wages."
"It must be a very large amount."
He said he had no complaint to make, though a sequin didn't go so far in Bagdad as it once did, and he had to spend a great deal in clothes.
"I knew the minute I saw you that you must be Hindbad the Porter."[40]
"I used to be a porter before I became a professional listener. Listening isn't so hard on the back as portering, but it requires more attention and the hours are longer; that is, they seem longer. Besides, it's hard on the eyes."
"You mean on the ears," suggested Miss Muffet.
"No! on the eyes; you have to look interested."
"Oh! I understand," said Miss Muffet. "When first I heard about your being invited to dinner at Sindbad's and listening to his first tale, it seemed the very nicest thing in the world. And how unexpected it was, after you had enjoyed it, for him to hand you a hundred sequins and say, 'Take this, Hindbad, and return to your home, and come back to-morrow and hear more of my adventures.' Weren't you surprised to hear a story and get a hundred sequins besides?"
Hindbad said that he was surprised at first, but after a day or two he began to look at it more in a business way. He had always made it a rule to be thorough, for whatever was worth doing was worth doing well, and he determined to be the very best listener in Bagdad.
"You see, in my country, we have a great many gentlemen who gain wealth by having adventures.[41] When they come back from their shipwrecks, they naturally want to tell about them; but there's so much competition that it's hard to get a hearing. When they meet with people, like those horrid Wise Men of Gotham, who prefer their own shipwrecks, they go into a decline."
His eyes filled with tears, and Miss Muffet was sure that he was one of the most sympathetic men in the world.
"Now I had a great advantage," he went on; "I never had a shipwreck of my own, so that I could not be reminded of something that would make me interrupt. And then it is easy for me to have a story seem strange. I seem to have a natural gift for it. Any one can be surprised the first time he hears an adventure, but if one is to become a professional listener he must cultivate the habit of being surprised. Now that story about the roc's egg grows upon me; indeed it does! I don't think I appreciated it at first. That's the way with all big things; it's some time before you take them in. Even Mr. Sindbad says that it didn't seem as big when he saw it as it does now when he remembers it. And whenever I hear about those huge serpents it makes me shudder, and I ask Mr. Sindbad to hurry on and tell me that[42] he really did get away from them. I can't stand the suspense. The cannibals are frightful creatures, Miss Muffet; they say they eat people. Mr. Sindbad has a perfect genius for having accidents. They come in the most unexpected places. And then he escapes. I sometimes think that is the most wonderful part of it."
"Do you think a little girl who studied hard could learn your profession and practice in Bagdad?" asked Miss Muffet timidly. "You know I wouldn't ask for wages; I would do it just for the love of it."
Hindbad frowned darkly. "It would never do, Miss Muffet! I can't have little girls coming over on the banks of the Tigris and taking the bread out of the mouths of my family."
But when he saw that Miss Muffet was beginning to cry, he changed his tone and said, "I am sure you meant no harm, only you didn't understand about the wages. You could easily earn a hundred sequins at listening, and it isn't so hard to learn when you are young. I would give that much myself to have you listen to a queer thing that happened to me once in Bagdad. I've never told it before, for I never found any one who looked interested. It was in one of the narrowest streets[43] down by the water-side, and it was on the darkest night of the year, when"—
Just then the spider came to take Miss Muffet away to meet some children who came from The Golden Age. Their names were Harold and Edward and Charlotte, and they said they had an Aunt Maria, who had stayed at home because she had not been invited to the party. They had walked all the way along the Roman Road, which made the spider think that they must be tired. In this he was mistaken; though they said that they were ready for the refreshments.
The Golden Age children said that they didn't like to play with grown folks; after people got to be thirty or ninety they thought they became very uninteresting, and didn't have the right kind of feelings; unless they were Princes and went on adventures.
Miss Muffet didn't agree with this because some of her best friends were elderly peasants whose faces were all puckered up because they had been[45] smiling for so many years. She wished, though, that they were not so shy.
The shyest persons in the room
"I suppose it's because they are not used to going to parties; neither am I, for that matter, but then I'm not so much used as they are to not going."[46]
Perhaps the shyest persons in the room were an old German shoemaker and his wife, whom Miss Muffet had for a long time loved and admired, though they had not known it. Indeed, they didn't know that any one was ever admired unless he had found a pot of gold or done something equally praiseworthy. The shoemaker had never done anything but make shoes, and his wife did the cooking and made the clothes for the family. When they received the invitation to the party, they were greatly astonished and thought it must be a mistake, but the village priest, who read the letter, told them that it was certainly intended for them, though why they were invited was a mystery. When the priest told them that it was a mystery, they knew that it was so, and came along bowing and curtsying as if all the persons they met were their betters, though really only one or two were half so good. Miss Muffet ran to them and put her hands in theirs.
Scampering off into the dark
"I have just loved you since the time I heard what you did for the little elves who used to come at night after you had gone to bed and finish your work for you. Some people take what's done for them and think no more about it except that they're lucky; but you sat up till midnight and peeped[49] into the room where the elves were working, and saw that they didn't have enough clothes to keep them warm. Then you made each one a shirt and a coat and waistcoat and a pair of trousers and a little pair of shoes. What fun it must have been, next night, to watch them putting on their things and scampering off into the dark. I never heard of elves being dressed up like that."
The shoemaker and his wife laughed heartily as they remembered how funny the elves were. The wife confessed that the garments didn't fit closely, though she made them like her husband's, only smaller.
"Elves are not so square, are they?" asked Miss Muffet.
"No," said the shoemaker's wife; "but their clothes are. That's the only pattern I have."
"I suppose they are coming to the party? I sent a general invitation to Elf-land. There is to be elfin music and a frolic for them. I thought they might like it better to have their own games. Your elves can't say they have nothing to wear, because that wouldn't be true."
But though she looked everywhere for them, nowhere could she see the little elves in square coats and trousers. When the refreshments were served,[50] Mr. Spider noticed that everything went remarkably smoothly, and there was more of all kinds of provisions than he had ordered. He said he had no doubt but that the little elves were helping in the kitchen.
"It would be just like them; the little dears!" said Miss Muffet.
The shoemaker felt very much more at home when he met a young fellow named Hans who had come from the same village. He was not the Hans who married Grettel, but the one whom Miss Muffet had often heard of because he traded a horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and so on, all the way home. This caused a good deal of talk in the neighborhood, and some of the villagers thought he wasn't much of a business man.
Hans, however, was perfectly satisfied with himself, and was quite ready to talk.
"The secret of being a trader," he said, "is to be quick about it. You must not stop to think: that's where you lose time. If I had stopped to think, I should have brought the horse home with me, and I might have had it on my hands yet. There are ever so many people grumbling about the care of their property; they say it is a burden[51] to them. I tell them that it's all their own fault. If they kept their eyes open, they would find plenty of ways of getting rid of it."
Hans had such a shrewd twinkle in his eyes that Miss Muffet felt sure that he would always get the best of a bargain, no matter how it turned out.
While Hans was talking, she noticed a little man who looked like a tailor.
"Didn't you start on a journey once," she asked, "with only a piece of cheese and an old hen in your wallet?"
"Yes," he answered; "but that was a good while ago."
"I thought you must be the one. And you fooled the giant, and when he squeezed a stone till water came out of it, you squeezed your cheese till the whey ran out, and he thought your cheese was a stone, and that you squeezed harder than he did. And he never saw through any of your tricks, though I should have thought that even a giant would have suspected. Are all giants so stupid?"
The tailor said that not all of them were so stupid, though fortunately a great many were, and generally when they grew beyond a certain size, something happened to their heads.
"If it weren't for that, Miss Muffet, there would[52] be no room for us common people on the earth. The giants would eat up everything. Now and then there is a young giant like Thumbling who is active and keeps his wits about him. But Thumbling was very little to begin with. Most giants get foolish when they grow up, and then we can put an end to them."
When the talk got upon giants, it was astonishing to see what an eager crowd gathered around the tailor. There were some knights in armor who listened unconcernedly, for they knew that giants could do them no harm; but it was different with the tailors and fishermen and ploughmen. They had suffered so much that they could not speak of a giant without bitterness.
"But aren't there good giants?" asked Miss Muffet.
"I never heard of one," said the tailor, "except Christopher, and he is a saint and learned how to fast. It isn't a question of their being good: the trouble with them is that they are too big. It takes too much to support them. They eat us out of house and home. We can't get along peaceably till we are all more of a size."
They were all of that opinion, and the stories which they applauded were of the kind where a[53] little man gets the better of a big one. Miss Muffet could not object to this, because it was the kind she liked best herself.
"I never have been so much afraid of giants," she said, "since I learned about their diseases. They are not nearly so strong as they look. There was Giant Despair,—'in sunshiny weather he fell into fits.' It was while he was having a fit, you know, that Christian and Hopeful got away. If I were going where there were bad giants, I should go in sunshiny weather."
"I don't think you would have any trouble, my dear," said the shoemaker, "for you would take the sunshine with you."
And then he laughed to think of Giant Despair tumbling over in a fit when he caught sight of Miss Muffet. For though the shoemaker was a very kind man, he had no sympathy for giants.
There were so many interesting things going on at the party that Miss Muffet almost forgot the Serious Symposium. When she did remember it, she was very much troubled.
"What will Rollo think about me for being so negligent! I invited him particularly to come to a symposium, and now I don't even know how it is done."
"I am sorry to be so late"
The spider, however, told her that he had secured a hall up two flights, and had arranged the chairs and a table, which were all the arrangements necessary[57] for a meeting. He had seen a number of serious persons going upstairs, and he had no doubt that it was a success.
When she reached the hall, the papers had all been read and discussed, and the Little Old Woman, who was in the chair, was just announcing that the next business before the house was to adjourn.
"I am sorry to be so late," said Miss Muffet, "and to miss hearing the papers."
"If that's the case," said the Little Old Woman, "we will have them all over again. The speakers will read slowly, so that the papers will go further."
"Oh, please don't on my account!" cried Miss Muffet, all in a tremble. "Don't let me interfere with your adjourning. I know that must be important business."
The Little Old Woman said that it was the most important business of the meeting.
"Does it take long?" asked Miss Muffet.
"Not if you know how to do it," said the Little Old Woman.
"Then I will just sit down and watch it."
The Little Old Woman rapped upon the table with a huge button-hook, and went about the[58] business so briskly that before Miss Muffet knew what had happened, the meeting had adjourned.
"Were the papers so quick?" she asked.
"No, they weren't; papers are never that way."
"What were they about?"
"The white ones were about 'Child Study,' and the yellow ones were about 'Obedience to Parents' and 'Not Losing Your Thimble.' The yellow ones were the ones I knew best; I used to have them when I was a little girl."
"Then the white ones must be harder. Is Child Study harder than Arithmetic?"
"There are two kinds. One kind is where you take the children you are acquainted with and tell what you know about them. That kind isn't so good to make papers out of. It's too short. The other kind is where you get at 'the Contents of the Child's Mind.' I can't say that it's harder than Arithmetic, for it is Arithmetic, only it's further on than you've got. It's percentage. You take eleven hundred little girls in blue dresses and make them fill out blanks. You ask them which they like best, chocolate caramels or peppermint drops."
"Which do they like best?" asked Miss Muffet, who had often thought about that question herself.
"You can't tell," answered the Little Old Woman;[59] "all you know is the answers: they depend on which words the little girls can spell easiest. The chief thing is to get the percentage. Then you write a paper. If it doesn't come out right, you ask eleven hundred little girls in pink dresses and they answer differently. Then you have a Problem."
"What is a Problem?" asked Miss Muffet.
"It's something to discuss," said the Little Old Woman.
"Why don't they ask their mothers?"
"The mothers are too busy. Besides, their children are all exceptions. You can't make anything out of exceptions,—there are too many of them. If you let them in, it just musses up the Science. The best way is to keep them out."
"But their mothers like them," said Miss Muffet.
"Yes; they think that they are the nicest kind."
When she had time to look around her, Miss Muffet was surprised to see how different the company was from that in the other parts of the palace.
"They look as if something had been done to them," said Miss Muffet. "Oh! now I know who they are! They must be Youths. I've always read about Youths in the books mamma makes me read on Sunday afternoon, but I didn't know that[60] they were real. Some of them look almost like boys and girls, only less so."
Sure enough, the room was full of Youths. They came out of the Sunday-school books and the Fifth Readers and the Moral Tales and the Libraries of Instructive Juvenile Literature. Some had never been out of a book before, and found it impossible to talk in anything but the book language. Some were evidently very good, and some were painful examples of youthful wickedness, while others were chiefly interested in Natural History.
"Youths," said the Little Old Woman, "are easier to understand than boys and girls and other young folks. Youths have habits, and each one practices only one at a time. When they do a naughty thing, they keep on doing it regularly; that's the way you come to know which is which. It doesn't matter what it is, whether Vanity or Procrastination or Not Bringing in the Wood, they keep it up till they have been made to see the folly of it, or are given over to their evil ways. Now children are more changeable. When I lived in a Shoe, I was driven half out of my wits, for I never could be thorough when I reproved them, they were always naughty in a different way. I don't believe that any one could have got any of my[61] children into a book; they wouldn't keep still long enough to have their characters taken."
Almost all the Youths were accompanied by their parents or guardians, though some had private tutors. Two youthful persons from the eighteenth century attracted a great deal of attention. They were Harry Sandford and Tommy Merton. Harry was a great philosopher, and understood so perfectly the principles of the Wedge and the Inclined Plane and the Moral Law that it was hard to believe his friend, Mr. Barlow, who stated that he was only six years old. Tommy, on the other hand, until his sixth year had been quite worldly, and had held a number of erroneous opinions. Under Harry's instruction, however, he had been much improved and was now quite sedate and observing.
Somehow the painful examples appealed to Miss Muffet most, for she was very tender-hearted. There was the little criminal who once stole a pin. Miss Muffet had always understood that a pin was the very worst thing to steal; it had such fearful consequences. The last consequence generally is that one is transported. And there was an example of youthful obstinacy who wouldn't pronounce the letter G. His mother was almost broken-hearted for fear he might take a prejudice against other[62] letters of the alphabet. She sat up three nights with him and spent days trying to make him say G.
"It shows that she was a good mother, doesn't it?" said Miss Muffet.
"It shows that she didn't have to do her own work," replied the Little Old Woman.
A group of very old-fashioned children were talking together in whispers. They were evidently anxious that no older persons should hear them.
"There they are at it again," said the Little Old Woman; "they are Mrs. Opie's children. People don't know them so well now, but they used to be notorious for telling White Lies. I have no doubt that they are doing it now; they are exaggerating."
"What's that?" asked Miss Muffet.
"It's telling how large a thing is before you've measured it."
"But what if you haven't a tape-line with you?"
"Then you should say nothing about it."
"There is Hal," said Miss Muffet; "I know him by the miserable piece of string hanging out of his pocket. Hal cut his string. It was a sin and he suffers for it. His cousin Ben untied his and has[63] it always ready for emergencies. All his emergencies are of that kind; they need a piece of whipcord to bring them out right. I've no doubt but that to-night the coach of one of the very prettiest princesses will break down and Ben will tie it up. It would be just his luck."
Hal cut his string
Of course it was not long before Miss Muffet sought out Rollo Halliday.
"I always did like Rollo," she said. "I almost forget that he is a Youth sometimes. The nicest thing about him is that you always know what he means. He always tells you where he is and how he got there, without skipping anything that you ought to know. When he goes into a room, he goes through the door, opening and shutting the door just as you expected. He isn't at all like Humpty Dumpty. I don't think[64] I ever knew two persons more different. There was only one time when he puzzled me. When he went to Europe, and they told him how the French did things, 'Rollo laughed long and loud.' It was so unusual. I read it over and over, but I couldn't tell what he laughed at. I think he might have explained, but I suppose he forgot."
It certainly was a pleasant thing to see Rollo surrounded by a group of kindred spirits. They were the healthiest and happiest Youths in the company, for they had lived a great deal in the open air, and had kept their eyes open.
Rollo was engaged in a dispute with little Francis about the comparative merits of New England and a Desert Island for farming. Jonas said little, but what he did say carried great weight.
Rollo expressed himself as highly pleased with the Symposium. He was sorry that there was not time for a paper on "The New Boy" and a discussion of the question, "Are not the Young Growing Younger?" He said he had seen some dangerous tendencies in that direction.
"I don't think I ever knew two persons more different"
Having said this, Rollo walked to the other side of the room, and having found a settee, sat down on it.
Scarcely had Rollo sat down when Miss Muffet saw a little girl whose face was very familiar.[65]
"You are Rosamond, aren't you? And once you bought a beautiful purple jar instead of shoes, even though your old shoes had holes in them?"
"It was a youthful indiscretion," said Rosamond, "and I have learned a lesson from it."
"It was just lovely. Any one can have shoes, but a purple jar is something one dreams about: it's almost as good as having a party."[66]
Then she looked very anxiously at Rosamond and said,—
"I hope it didn't happen to you? Since first I read the story Miss Edgeworth told about you and the purple jar, I couldn't get out of my head the dreadful lines with which she begins,—
'O teach her while your lessons last
To judge the future by the past,
The mind to strengthen and anneal
While on the stithy glows the steel.'
It seemed such a dreadful thing to have your mind annealed, and you so little. I'm sure it's something uncomfortable. And then how hard it was for your mamma to make you choose to do all the unpleasant things. I don't mind doing them when I'm told to, but to have to choose them rumples up my mind. That must have been an awful time when you had to choose a needle-book instead of that funny stone plum that you could have fooled the boys with."
"But Mamma wanted to train me to be a Free Moral Agent," said Rosamond.
"I don't like agents," said Miss Muffet, and then she was sorry that she had been so rude. "I mean I don't believe in being one till one is more grown up. And now that we are talking about[67] it, maybe you could tell me what the other line means,—
'While on the stithy glows the steel.'"
"You dear little Rosamond"
"A stithy," said Rosamond, "is a kind of blacksmith shop."
"Now I know what every word means," said Miss Muffet, "but what was it all about?"[68]
"It was poetry."
"I suppose that this evening you had to choose between the Symposium and the rest of the party where they don't have papers? And you are glad you chose the Symposium?"
"No, I'm not," said Rosamond impulsively.
"You dear little Rosamond!" cried Miss Muffet, throwing her arms about her. "The annealing's come off. Now let's go where there's music."
As she returned from the Symposium, Miss Muffet was compelled to pass through some of the more remote parts of the palace, and whom should she see but the Caliph Haroun al Raschid, whom she recognized at once because he was in full disguise. He had no sooner come to the party than he had begun to poke around in search of adventures, as was his habit. At length he found two little girls engaged in a violent quarrel over a lamb. One was beating the other over the head with a crook, and accusing her of theft. This was just[70] what the Caliph was after, and summoning the girls before him, he prepared to try the case. The younger girl, whose name was Mary, testified that the lamb had followed her to school. The elder girl, known as Bo-Peep, stated that on that same day she had lost her whole flock of sheep.
"This is a strange coincidence," said Haroun al Raschid: "one girl loses her sheep and another has one in her possession. There is a great mystery here that must be looked into. Appear before me to-morrow, little girls, and tell me your stories." And then he added, with a terrible frown and an expressive glance at the executioner,—"And be sure, little girls, that your stories are interesting."
Miss Muffet had hoped to have a long quiet talk with Haroun al Raschid and to ask him ever so many questions. But when she saw the executioner she changed her mind, and she felt, too, that the Caliph was more used to asking questions than to answering them.
It was a great relief, therefore, to see a Dervish sitting on the floor, as if he had all the time in the world. He didn't seem in the least afraid of Haroun al Raschid; for Dervishes are great people in their way and have no need of being afraid of anybody.[71]
One was beating the other
"Good-evening, Mr. Dervish, may I sit down by you and have a little talk about dervishry?"
A little talk about dervishry
The Dervish said something she didn't quite understand about not talking shop on social occasions. "However," he added, "I will be glad to tell about my neighbors; that will be more polite." This suited Miss Muffet just as well.[74]
"It's what I really want to hear about," she said. "Dervishry must be very hard work when you do it well, but it gives you a chance to meet all the interesting people. Let me see; you have a bowl, and you sit under a palm-tree by a well, and then the Calendars and Cadis and Muftis and Merchants and Mendicants and the ladies of Bagdad come and ask you questions, and when they put things in your bowl you answer them?"
The Dervish said that that would be against the rule.
"Oh, I remember. You look wise and tell them to come again to-morrow. The next day they come again, and you tell them which camel was blind in one eye and where their lovers are. That is very wonderful."
The Dervish said that was the easiest part of it. The hardest thing was to look wiser than the Muftis.
An expressive glance at the executioner
Very soon they were having a delightful talk about all the great personages Miss Muffet had always admired at a distance, but the Dervish had known them intimately and could tell all their weak points, which were not in the books. Indeed, Miss Muffet was surprised to find how many mistakes the books had in them, all because the persons[77] who made them hadn't taken the trouble to talk with the Dervish. Almost all the numbers were wrong.
"There weren't forty thieves, there were only thirty-nine. I counted them myself."
"But didn't everything else happen as I was told?" asked Miss Muffet; "and didn't it come out as it is in the book?"
The Dervish admitted this, but said that that wasn't the important part: the important part was to count straight.
A remarkable discovery was that all the famous people had brothers, and the brothers were always the ones who ought to have been famous, but every one forgot about them.
"There is Aladdin, he's a greatly overrated man. I could tell you some curious things I learned about him. I know they are true, for they were told to me in confidence. People admire him because they think he is so lucky. Now if it had been his brother! He came over from China and used to sit by the day under my palm-tree talking about the chances he had just missed. They were truly marvelous. He missed more chances than Aladdin ever dreamed of, but nobody ever writes about him."[78]
"Perhaps they don't know about him," said Miss Muffet.
"That's the injustice of it."
"Speaking of brothers, did you ever find out why it is that the third one is always the wisest? I asked one of the North Country princes about it just now, and he bowed and said he thanked me for the compliment, but he was no philosopher. It doesn't matter where it is, in the Red Fairy Book or the Green Fairy Book or any color, the third is always the charm, and it seems very much the same way in your country. The oldest brother is always vain and selfish, and when he goes into the forest, always does the very thing he was told not to. And the second brother is selfish, and stupider, for he ought to know better when his brother doesn't come back and there are so many witches around. Then it comes to the third brother, and I never expect anything of him because he is so little and his stepmother has kept him back, but he turns out splendid. Did you ever meditate on that, Mr. Dervish?"
The Dervish said that he had meditated on it for a great many years, and had at last come to the conclusion that it was a law of nature.
"I am so glad to know that," said Miss Muffet, "for it has always troubled me."[79]
Aladdin's brother and the Dervish
The Dervish remarked that when one was troubled by that kind of questions, it was always better to consult a wise man at once. It was not safe to let the case run on.
"There's another thing I should like to ask about. Since I first read of the Three Royal Mendicants, I've always wondered what a Mendicant is. I know he must be very proud and great, but what does he do? The Mendicants are here this evening, but I don't like to ask them; it might seem rude."
Then the Dervish explained about the Mendicants, and seemed so familiar with their way of life that Miss Muffet suspected that he might have been one himself. He explained too about the Calendars.
The time passed so rapidly that Miss Muffet would have talked with him all the evening, had he not at last said that he feared he was monopolizing the attention of his hostess; besides, it was about time for him to do some more meditating.
There was a surprise at the party that delighted many of the young people. Old Mr. Esop passed through the hall, distributing handbills, announcing that, at immense expense, he had brought from Greece his unparalleled aggregation of Fables, which would now be open for exhibition in a grand pavilion just outside the south door of the palace. Out of compliment to Miss Muffet's party, admission[83] to the Fables would be free, though ten cents would be charged to those who remained to the Morals,—which, I am sorry to say, very few did. Some of the Fables were unusually terrifying, such as the Lions and the hungry Wolves, and Miss Muffet was glad to see what strong bars there were to their cages. But a number of the Fables, having been for a long time on exhibition, had become quite tame, and walked about conversing so amiably that the youngest children felt no apprehension.
It was while Mr. Esop was engaged in attaching the Morals to the Fables that Miss Muffet caught sight for the first time of Uncle Remus and the Little Boy. Mr. Esop was pointing out the Hare asleep by the wayside while the Tortoise was coming gayly down the home stretch, and he was about to exhibit the Moral when Uncle Remus broke out with a hearty laugh.
"You don't fool dis chile, does you, honey? Brer Rabbit he sometime play 'possum, but he sleep wid one eye open; he not let hisself be beat by a triflin' mud turtle. Jess when Brer Turtle thinks he's thar, Brer Rabbit'll give a jump, an' Brer Turtle'll find he's jess in time to be too late. Oh! I know Brer Rabbit's owdacious ways." But[84] still the Hare slept while the Tortoise came deliberately over the line. Then Uncle Remus cried out with infinite scorn, "Come along, little boy; dat ain't worth shucks; dat ain't Brer Rabbit, nohow. I 'low dat rabbit's stuffed."
"But, Uncle Remus," said Miss Muffet, "perhaps you will like the Fables better when you get acquainted with them. I'm sure they have always borne a good reputation. And now I should like to introduce you to Mr. Esop; it's such a pleasure to bring together people of the same tastes. Mr. Esop, allow me to introduce my friend, Mr. Remus. I am sure that you will feel a common interest in Zoölogy."
Miss Muffet felt a little frightened at making such a formal speech, but she knew that she was showing the quality called "tact," which is something very useful in a hostess. To tell one's guests what they are expected to talk about is often a great convenience to them.
But Mr. Esop, the moment he heard the name, drew back with an air that was quite chilling and businesslike.
"Another of those early Romans out of a job! He has just discovered that he is a Fable and is looking for a situation." Then turning to Uncle[85] Remus he said, "I'm very particular about my Fables, and I want everything straight and plain so that parents may have no hesitation in bringing their children. I don't like to mix up Myths with my Fables, for the chances are that the Mythical Personage, instead of having a Moral, may turn out to be only a Sign of the Zodiac. This is always confusing to the Public. I suppose, Mr. Remus, that you have brought Mr. Romulus with you. In the case of twins, I give no consideration, if I'm offered only a broken lot. I must have the full set, Mr. Remus."
"I must have the full set"
Uncle Remus's feelings would have been much hurt if he had not at that moment caught sight[86] of Mowgli accompanied by Baloo and Bagheera. Just how it happened Miss Muffet could never find out, but before she had time to introduce them they had become fast friends, and Uncle Remus only chuckled when she asked him if she might have the pleasure of making them acquainted.
"Nebber you mind 'bout us, we mus' hab met befo'. I disremember whar, but it mus' hab been somewhar down de big road."
And the old man laughed at the thought that there ever was a time when he didn't know Mowgli.
At the mention of the big road Mowgli began to sing the "Road Song of the Bandar-log." It was a very strange song, and not at all like those that her music teacher taught her, but for all that Miss Muffet felt that it was just the kind of a song she would sing if she were a Bandar-log.
Uncle Remus was in an ecstasy, and the Little Boy shouted for joy. Every one praised it except Sandford and Merton, who said that it didn't give any useful information except that monkeys had tails, a fact which was already well known, being mentioned in all the Natural History books. For their part, when it came to poetry they preferred some fine passages in Dr. Young's "Night Thoughts."
A great many boys and girls who were on their[87] way to the pavilion had remained outside listening to a pleasant gentleman who was telling them anecdotes about the Wild Animals he had known.
Telling anecdotes
This troubled Mr. Esop, who, though an excellent man, was inclined to be jealous. Miss Muffet went out to remind the children of the Morals, but in a little while she became as interested as the rest of them.
"His way of talking is different from Mr. Esop's, but I am not sure but he may be right. At any rate, I am glad to hear some one who speaks respectfully about animals, and who doesn't say anything behind their backs that he wouldn't say to their faces. He always remembers that they are persons and have feelings. Then when they do things, he doesn't blame them or call them bad names. That's one thing I don't like about Mr. Esop. He isn't quite fair, and he is always accusing them of Folly."
"It's remarkable how small the world is, after[88] all," said the pleasant gentleman, when more than a score of persons told him that the Wild Animals he had known were among their most intimate acquaintances, and that they had met them under a great many different circumstances. Then followed a good deal of gossip about their family life and the way they got their living. Miss Muffet was glad to hear that they were all so kind to their children, but the way they got their living troubled her. She remembered what the spider said, that "business is business," but that didn't make it seem any more kind.
"It's the Law of the Jungle," said Mowgli; and then he recited the law word for word just as he had learned it.
"Can't they change it?" asked Miss Muffet.
"The Jungle people can't. It's too strong for them."
From this the conversation drifted to hunting for sport. The pleasant gentleman who knew so many animals personally didn't like it. The Boy Hunters, who had spent a great deal of time in the woods, didn't agree with him. They said that the proper way to become acquainted with animals was to carry a gun. It showed that you entered into the spirit of the thing. They fancied that it was[89] good for wild animals to be hunted; in fact, that was what kept them wild.
Miss Muffet didn't think that was a very good reason, though it sounded logical; and she asked several of the Animals what they thought about it.
"It all depends on grammar"
A Duck, a Dodo, a Lory, and an Eaglet, who had come with Alice from Wonderland, were the nearest, and she asked them first, but they refused to answer on the ground that they never had thoughts so late in the evening. The Lory said that he had one at home, but he had forgotten to bring it.
"You can't make anything out of these Wonderland creatures," said Miss Muffet. "I can't really feel that they are animals I have known, though of course I know their names."
When Bagheera was asked his opinion, he only growled that it was all in the day's work. But wise old Baloo answered:[90]—
"It all depends on grammar."
This made every one look very solemn, for they realized now that it was a serious matter.
"First Person, Singular, I hunt. Second Person, Thou huntest. Third Person, He or She hunts. So long as you confine it to the First Person, it's proper and right. When you go beyond that, it's carrying it too far. When you get to the Second Person, that's where the danger comes in."
This was such sound sense that they all agreed to it, though Mr. Wolf declared that the First Person, Plural, seemed to him to be more sociable.
"Does it make any difference about the moods and tenses?" asked Miss Muffet.
"Passive—First Person, Singular, I am hunted."
There was a general cry of horror. "What a dreadful point of view!" said the Dodo; "it makes me shiver to think about it."
Even the wildest animals agreed that it was atrocious. What was most remarkable was that the Boy Hunters, who had been on the Orinoco and the Congo and all the most dangerous places, admitted that they had the same feelings.
"There's a limit beyond which hunting is not true sport. It should not be allowed to go as far as the First Person, Singular, in the Passive."[91]
"I'm so glad that you agree about it," said Miss Muffet. "I knew you would when you came to understand one another. That's the great good of being at parties; it makes us feel that we are all more alike than we thought."
When Miss Muffet began to be a little tired, Mr. Spider asked her to take a stroll with him into the open air. So he led her through a low archway which brought them at last into the Child's Garden of Verses.
"We had to make the entrance quite small," he said apologetically, "to keep out the big boys. They run over everything, and we should have to put up those horrid signs,'Keep off the Verses.'"
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod
"I am so glad that you have brought me into the garden where I can see the verses growing.[95] Mamma told me that people make verses just as they make the flowers on her bonnet. But I like the kind that grow, don't you, Mr. Spider?"
Mr. Spider said that he was no judge of poetry, but he was inclined to be of her opinion; which made Miss Muffet very happy, for she had not been used to having people agree with her,—at least before she had a party.
It was very pleasant in the garden, for the noisier children had not found it out. It was surprising how many things were in it. There was a little river with golden sand; and the tiniest mountain, which looked as high as the sky when you got the right point of view; and there were ships and pirates and a beautiful cow. When you looked in the right direction, you could see the big world stretching away much further than the eye could reach.
He was a little prudent
The Rockaby Lady saying good-night
Miss Muffet watched a wide-eyed little boy who was wandering about and having such an adventurous time as never was. Everything was so great and strange, yet he wasn't a bit afraid, only now and then when he turned a corner he was a little prudent, as any traveler would be who had come to the end of the world and was not sure that the next step might not take him off the edge. But it[96] never did, for no matter how far he went, there was always a next step for him, as if the good Scotch gardener who had laid out the paths had known that such a great traveler was coming. As[99] she left the garden she heard him singing to himself his glad little song,—
"The world is so full of a number of things,
I think we should all be as happy as Kings."
The idea of the little song was exactly the same that Miss Muffet had had in her head for a long time, though she hadn't been able to express it so well. Even after she came back to the company, she kept repeating the words to herself.
"I think the nicest part about being happy," she confided to the spider, "is that it keeps you from being lonesome, and it makes you like such a number of things."
"And such a number of people," added Mr. Spider.
"Yes; all the different kinds. It's not because they are so very pretty. You like the queer ones too, and you are glad that the world's full of them. There's Rumpelstiltzkin, he's not at all like anybody else, and his features aren't regular, but I'm glad he came to the party. He's so interesting."
Mr. Spider was sure that if he could get every one to feel that way, it would make life easier for the members of his own family. He agreed that[100] the way to keep people from being cruel was to make them happy in their own minds.
Flew away . . . into the night
"And it's such an easy way," said Miss Muffet, "I wonder that nobody has thought of it before."[101]
Into his overcoat pocket
Red Riding-Hood's Grandmother began to dance
There is not time to tell of all that happened at the party. As to refreshments, the Old Woman who lived on victuals and drink declared that victuals and drink were nothing to the good things which Miss Muffet had provided. Before the[104] evening was over the Pied Piper played so merrily that even Red Riding-Hood's Grandmother began to dance. The Twelve Dancing Princesses said that it was the first time that they had been able to dance as much as they liked. Before this they had had to stop when they danced the soles off their shoes; but this evening the spider had thoughtfully provided each one with several pairs.
And how did it end? All of a sudden, lights out, cobweb broken, and Miss Muffet left alone with her curds and whey? Not at all. It ended as all good parties end. The Rockaby Lady from Hushaby Street suggested that it was getting late. Then one by one the guests came to Little Miss Muffet and told her what a good time they had had, and how glad they were that Christmas comes once every year. Wynken, Blynken, and Nod sailed away in a wooden shoe. They were such dear little fellows that Miss Muffet was sorry that she hadn't noticed them till they came to say good-by. Mr. Esop put out the lights in his pavilion; and the Arabians mounted their camels and rode slowly toward Bagdad, first making the Sultana promise to tell them a story that would last through the whole Arabian Night. The Wonderlanders put on their queer bonnets and coats, all carefully[105] wrong side out; and the Man Friday hoisted his umbrella to keep the dew off Robinson Crusoe; and Doctor Gulliver put all the Lilliputians he could catch into his overcoat pocket; and Mother Goose flew away with all her family into the night. The little people from the North were the last to get away, for it took them a long time to get on their overshoes and fur coats and mufflers, but at last they too had gone.
A long time to get on their overshoes
Closed her eyes
"I see by the moonlight that it's almost midnight," said the spider. "It's time for little girls to go to sleep."
Little Miss Muffet closed her eyes very tightly indeed, but she didn't close her ears, so she heard the first tinkle of sleigh-bells far away, and she knew that Santa Claus was coming.[107]
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Muffet's Christmas Party, by
Samuel McChord Crothers
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS MUFFET'S CHRISTMAS PARTY ***
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line399
|
__label__wiki
| 0.974941
| 0.974941
|
Home » World » Yanukovich goes on sick leave in midst of political crisis
Yanukovich goes on sick leave in midst of political crisis
By Reuters - Jan 30,2014 - Last updated at Jan 30,2014
KIEV — Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich went on sick leave on Thursday after a bruising session of parliament, leaving a political vacuum in a country threatened with bankruptcy and destabilised by anti-government protests.
The 63-year-old president appears increasingly isolated in a crisis born of a tug-of-war between the West and Ukraine’s former Soviet overlord Russia. A former president said this week the violence between demonstrators and police had brought the country to the brink of civil war.
Shortly after his office announced he had developed a high temperature and acute respiratory ailment, Yanukovich defended his record in handling the crisis and accused the opposition, which is demanding his resignation, of provoking the unrest.
“We have fulfilled all the obligations which the authorities took on themselves,” a presidential statement said, referring to a bill passed late on Wednesday granting a conditional amnesty for activists who had been detained.
“However, the opposition continues to whip up the situation, calling on people to stand in the cold for the sake of the political ambitions of a few leaders.”
The amnesty offered freedom from prosecution to peaceful protesters, but only on condition that activists left official buildings they have occupied — something they have rejected.
Several members of Yanukovich’s own party voted against the bill, even after he visited parliament himself to rally support, and some of his powerful industrialist backers are showing signs of impatience with the two-month-old crisis.
Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on Tuesday after a sharp escalation of the street unrest, which began in November when Yanukovich rejected a European Union deal in favour of closer ties and a bailout deal with Russia.
The president, under pressure from Moscow not to tilt policy back towards the West, has yet to appoint a successor. Serhiy Arbuzov, Azarov’s first deputy and a close family friend of Yanukovich, has stepped in as interim prime minister.
“The president of Ukraine has been officially registered as sick, with an acute respiratory ailment and a high temperature,” a statement on the presidential website said.
A subsequent statement gave fullsome tribute to a police officer who was found dead early on Thursday, apparently from a heart attack while on duty — an indication of how important Yanukovich regards keeping the security forces on his side.
Breathing space?
The bare announcement on his health gave no sign of when he might be back at his desk or able to appoint a new government, which Moscow says must be in place before it goes ahead with a planned purchase of $2 billion of Ukrainian government bonds.
“Today is the first day of the illness. He has a high temperature. We are not doctors, but it is clear that a high temperature does not go down in a single day,” a presidential spokesman said by telephone. “The doctors will do all they can so that he can recover quickly.”
Some opposition figures said they suspected Yanukovich might be giving himself breathing space after being forced into concessions to try to calm the unrest on the streets.
“This smacks of a ‘diplomatic illness’,” Rostislav Pavlenko, a member of boxer-turned-politician Vitaly Klitschko’s Udar (Punch) Party, told Reuters. “It allows Yanukovich not to sign laws, not to meet the opposition, absent himself from decisions to solve the political crisis.”
A close ally of Yanukovich, who was last seen in parliament on Wednesday night, rejected that interpretation.
The president had hurried to the legislature to herd supporters into voting for the amnesty bill. Mykhailo Chechetov, from Yanukovich’s Party of Regions, said the president had told supporters there he had come to the session directly from hospital. “He looked ill,” Chechetov said.
Photographs released by the presidential press service of Yanukovich holding talks with a European Union delegation earlier in the day revealed no obvious signs of illness.
Urgent tasks
In a statement the three main opposition leaders, including Klitschko, accused Yanukovich of ignoring violations of voting procedure in the Wednesday night vote.
“Viktor Yanukovich bears responsibility for the violations of constitutional norms... [he] personally went to parliament and by blackmail and intimidation forced his faction, which is balanced on the edge of a split, to go back in and push through a law even when there were not enough votes for it,” they said.
Thirty-year-old Ruslan Andriyko, one of the hundreds of protesters occupying Kiev’s City Hall, said it would not work.
“We will clear this building only if we get the resignation of Yanukovich, which is the main aim of our revolution, and the approval of the people on the ‘Maidan’ [Kiev’s Independence Square],” he said.
The president has not had a history of ill health. He has full control over the government and still has solid backing in parliament but there are signs of discontent in his Party of Regions over the continuing crisis on the streets.
He replaced his long-standing head of administration in mid-January and has since sacked his press secretary.
Former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski said he believed the hasty visit to parliament was a sign Yanukovich, who he has met many times, was afraid of losing support.
“I think this urgent visit by the president to parliament shows he is afraid that the majority is no longer on his side,” Kwasniewski said on Polish radio.
Ukraine’s richest entrepreneurs, whose support Yanukovich has had and needs now, are now taking a more neutral line.
Chemical and gas billionaire Dmitry Firtash called on all sides in the conflict to find a compromise by negotiations that would yield “real” results, according to a statement from him on Thursday. Ukraine’s richest man, steel magnate Rinat Akhmetov, made a similar appeal earlier this week.
Yanukovich’s most urgent task now is to appoint a successor to Azarov, who served him loyally for four years, while the opposition is anxious that he also signs into force a repeal of anti-protest legislation.
Ukraine badly needs a new government. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Moscow would wait until one was formed before fully implementing the $15 billion bailout deal.
The cost of insuring Ukraine’s debt against default rose to a new one month high on Thursday, and Ukraine’s central bank intervened for a fourth successive day, offering dollars on the inter-bank market to prevent a serious slide in the national currency, the hryvnia, from its peg at around eight to the dollar.
The statistics agency said the economy, dominated by steel exports, had ground to a halt in 2013. Analysts expect output to fall this year.
Six people have been killed and hundreds have been injured in street battles between anti-government demonstrators and police which escalated sharply after the authorities toughened their response. The police officer who died on the street on Wednesday night took the death toll to seven.
Ukraine PM resigns amid unrest; parliament revokes anti-protest laws
Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on Tuesday while deputies loyal to President Viktor Yanukovich, acting to calm violent street protests, back-tracked and overturned anti-protest laws they rammed through parliament 12 days ago.
Ukraine truce shattered, death toll rises
Ukraine suffered its bloodiest day since Soviet times on Thursday with a gun battle in central Kiev as President Viktor Yanukovich faced conflicting pressures from visiting European Union ministers and his Russian paymasters.
Ukraine protesters, police pull back in contest over president
Ukrainian opposition protesters ended a two-month occupation of city hall in Kiev on Sunday and opened a road to limited traffic to meet an amnesty offer aimed at easing a stand-off over President Viktor Yanukovich’s rule.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line408
|
__label__cc
| 0.512756
| 0.487244
|
Living Room Conservation: Gaming & Virtual Reality for Insect and Ecosystem Conservation
By Staff Reporter Apr 18, 2019 08:59 PM EDT
Gaming and virtual reality (VR) could bridge the gap between urban societies and nature, thereby paving the way to insect conservation by the means of education, curiosity and life-like participation.
This is what Florida International University's team of computer scientist Alban Delamarre and biologist Dr Jaeson Clayborn strive to achieve by developing a VR game (desktop version also available) dedicated to insect and plant species. Focused on imperiled butterflies, their innovative idea: Butterfly World 1.0, is described in the open-access journal Rethinking Ecology.
Butterfly World 1.0 is an adventure game designed to engage its users in simulated exploration and education. Set in the subtropical dry forest of the Florida Keys (an archipelago situated off the southern coast of Florida, USA), Butterfly World draws the players into an immersive virtual environment where they learn about relationships between butterflies, plants, and invasive species. While exploring the set, they interact with and learn about the federally endangered Schaus' swallowtail butterfly, the invasive graceful twig ant, native and exotic plants, and several other butterflies inhabiting the dry forest ecosystem. Other nature-related VR experiences, including conservation awareness and educational programs, rely on passive observations with minimal direct interactions between participants and the virtual environment.
According to the authors, virtual reality and serious gaming are "the new frontiers in environmental education" and "present a unique opportunity to interact with and learn about different species and ecosystems".
The major advantage is that this type of interactive, computer-generated experience allows for people to observe phenomena otherwise impossible or difficult to witness, such as forest succession over long periods of time, rare butterflies in tropical dry forests, or the effects of invasive species against native wildlife.
"Imagine if, instead of opening a textbook, students could open their eyes to a virtual world. We live in a time where experiential learning and stories about different species matter, because how we feel about and connect with these species will determine their continued existence in the present and future. While technology cannot replace actual exposure to the environment, it can provide similar, near-realistic experiences when appropriately implemented," say the scientists.
In conclusion, Delamarre and Clayborn note that the purpose of Butterfly World is to build knowledge, reawaken latent curiosity, and cultivate empathy for insect and ecosystem conservation.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line410
|
__label__cc
| 0.661126
| 0.338874
|
Is Blake Bortles the Answer?
October 2014 by Chris Austin
Blake Bortles standing with Roger Goodell after being selected #3 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars
Source: http://www.news4jax.com
When Blake Bortles was drafted, it was almost as a surprise to some in Jacksonville. A lot of the local media did not believe we would pick a quarterback with the number 3 overall pick. Many had it down to Khalil Mack, linebacker out of Buffalo. I was at a local eatery, along with many other football fans, for the draft day festivities and awaited the pick.
Once the decision was announced, there was a small, silent pause and then the usual, “what were you thinking” comments. I was even quite surprised. We knew Jacksonville was going to draft a quarterback and most of us expected at the top of the second round to be the earliest. All the scenarios dealt with us maybe drafting back and waiting for a specific quarterback (most thought Teddy Bridgewater — drafted by Minnesota) or just waiting until day two.
To be drafted in the first round brings pressure. To be drafted as a quarterback in the first round brings even more pressure but to be drafted number 3 overall as a quarterback that is a different kind of pressure….pressure to start and to start soon.
What is the plan for Blake?
There was a common thought process from the Jaguars organization. The overall goal was for the rookie to learn behind seasoned veteran Chad Henne and stay on the sidelines, like Aaron Rodgers, for the entire 2014 season.
Through the first 2 games of the season, this team played like it was the beginning of the 2013 season. Finals of 34-17 against the Eagles and 41-10 at Washington was not what the organization truly expected. They were preaching growth and a “race to maturity.” I feel the straw that broke the camels back was the first home game of the season against Indianapolis. The Colts ran, actually passed, all over the Jags and led at halftime 30-0. Then it happened.
Blake Bortles made his first appearance for Jacksonville and started the second half of the Colts game and really took over. You could feel it in the stadium and you new this was different. From a fan perspective, the Jaguars won the 2nd half by a score of 17-14 with our new quarterback at the helm. The feeling throughout Everbank Field was amazing and we are ready for the future.
Through 5 games, there has been quite a difference in this team with the biggest being an offense that can sustain drives allowing the defense to grow into what the organization was expecting.
Since Bortles first start against the Chargers in week 4, the Jacksonville offense has averaged only 14.8 points per game. His presence though has helped the defense tremendously.
Through the first 3 games of the season teams have scored an average of 39.6 points per game. Since the rookie came in, and has helped keep drives going longer and letting the defense rest, teams are averaging 19.8 points per game — yes opponent’s defensive touchdowns are included in this calculation.
The team is looking like the competitive team everyone was expecting at the beginning of the season. It has been in years since we, as fans, have seen this and it can be partly attributed to the arrival of the 3rd overall pick.
With the good comes the bad
Bortles currently leads the NFL in pick-6s with four, including two in the 27-13 loss to Miami on Sunday
He has 12 interceptions compared to 6 touchdown passes through his 5 games (on pace for 15 touchdowns and 31 interceptions)
Eight games are left on the schedule. Eight games for Blake Bortles to mature, grow and get the experience needed to get this team off the ground.
Let’s review some of the games left and see what we can expect:
@ Bengals (11/2) — the Bengals defense can be beaten but it is a road game in which the Jaguars have not won on the road this year. If Bortles can keep the turnovers in check, this may be a perfect trap game for the Bengals as they have a divisional foe the next week in Cleveland
vs Cowboys (London — 11/9) — One of the best teams in the league? Their defense can be beaten (right Redskins?). If we can keep the balance between the run game and passing game we should do fine. The big thing is the focus will be on the trip itself which may have the rookie quarterback a little more relaxed and ready to “ball out!”
vs Giants (11/30) — Tom Coughlin comes back into town and who knows how the Giants will play. This will be the first game of an “easy part” of their schedule and, yes, another opportunity at a trap. By this time, Bortle’s mistakes should be minimized and the run offense should be helping the young guy a lot
vs Tennessee (12/18) — I HATE THE TITANS! I think this is the breakout game for the team. National spotlight and everyone watching why Blake Bortles will be the best quarterback drafted in 2014. Do not be surprised if this game is not close and this should be the game that shows us what we have for 2015.
He is the answer
Jaguars fans, there is a lot of season left. We are going to see the growth of this team over the next 9 weeks and I expect it to be special. Will their be losses? Yes. Will there be wins? I expect a couple. Again, this is not the season to focus on the win column. Focus on the growth and the “race to maturity” that Head Coach Gus Bradley preaches.
Blake is going to be the main focus of this growth and he will be under a magnifying glass the whole time. The difference between him and the quarterbacks we have had the last 8 years is that he knows and welcomes this expectation.
As fans, we should be upset when we lose. It is our right and shows the passion that we have for this team. What I also want you to do is look at what is going on with the team right now. This is a special time for this organization. Although the team is young, we were spoiled with early success. Now we have the opportunity to see a team built from the ground up. Right now the foundation is set and the walls are going up. Get ready for the end result as I believe this is closer to completion that most people think!
Feedback is the best part of writing. I am not the best writer in the world but I write about what I am passionate about. Let me know what you think by posting below. also, let me know if there are other subjects that you would like to see.
Tags: Blake Bortles, Browns, Chad Henne, Chargers, Cleveland, Colts, Dolphins, Everbank Field, franchise, fumbles, future, Gus Bradley, Indianapolis, interceptions, Jacksonville, Jags, Jaguars, Miami, NFL, Pittsburgh, quarterback, Steelers, wins
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line412
|
__label__cc
| 0.519764
| 0.480236
|
Uncertainty Avoidance
The notable Dutch researcher Geert Hofstede, a pioneer in intercultural comparative research, is someone I owe gratitude to. His research has helped me think about what it means to be Western, and also what it means to be Chinese, from a standpoint of behaviors and values. The data behind Hofstede’s surveys informs the framework I use in Capricorn Monkey.
Hofstede calls one of his dimensions Uncertainty Avoidance. In other words, some people are more O.K. with uncertainty than others. But change itself is also an element of uncertainty that people wish to avoid. I look forward to exploring this dimension and the other five dimensions that are treated in the book, in a more casual way on this blog, drawing from pop culture, and so forth.
This calls for a fun movie example. In Luc Besson’s classic film Léon: The Professional, there is a memorable scene in which Danny Aiello’s character says to Léon: “Change ain’t good, you know Léon.” They are sitting in Tony’s Butchery, which is operated as a front for Tony’s criminal activities, and the two have just had an uncomfortable conversation about money. Léon is a contract killer for whom Tony is a sort of dual mentor and agent. Léon, to our cinematic delight, is the archetypal lovable bumpkin with a blood-splashed CV. In the scene, we learn that though Léon has been “whacking” people left and right, the payments for all that dangerous work have been made to Tony. And, reading the subplot, we learn that Tony’s assurances that no one can knock him over, like all the banks which get knocked over, starts to smell fishy. We can only assume from the wrought pregnant pauses that Léon’s money, stashed with Tony is a little less accessible than he thought. But going back to Tony’s comment, what about the talk of change? Tony is a criminal, mind you, and this is an extreme example of uncertainty avoidance; most criminals who remain uncaught are naturally very resistant to any change. But what does Tony really mean?
Well, the movie gives a few snapshots of the new reality that Tony is facing. The first is that new criminal syndicates, like Asians and Russians are encroaching on the old guard’s turf. Tony’s extreme Uncertainty Avoidance manifests itself in xenophobia. Also, we know that in most cop and robber films the bad guys only deal in cash. Tony’s continual ranting about the banking system reveals a lot about his character. He is not only the guy who stuffs wads of hundred dollar bills under his mattress, it is 1994 and he is the guy who is going to resist email. Sure, Tony is probably aware that he is foregoing opportunities by being so insistent, and then again, what is wrong with the old way of doing business, with a firm handshake, while looking into someone’s eyes? You can’t help but get the feeling that this whole new world of sophistication is unrolling itself before Tony’s eyes, but ol’ Tony just cannot help himself. In addition to being xenophobic, Tony is anti-innovation.
Again, this is an extreme example; no one wants to encourage criminals to be innovative. Tony is in the business of dealing death, a business littered with risk as the tables can turn in an instant; but he doesn’t like uncertainty. Tony’s mentality is a showcase of extreme Uncertainty Avoidance.
The generalization I will make is that Western and Chinese instincts broadly align around the need to be enterprising. That means pro-innovation, lots of reasonable balancing done between privacy protection and convenience, eagerness to meet new people; it means jumping onboard with AOL in the early 90’s- essentially everything that Danny’s Aiello’s character wasn’t. His character, Tony, portrayed a gangster ethos- something appears enterprising but is actually nothing but rent seeking. It is a key difference.
Uncertainty is one of those unavoidable components to enterprise, and rather than shy away from it, there is a shared bias to view change itself as opportunity. This is supported by Hofstede’s data, which shows the lowest variance between the Western values and Chinese values, in all of the dimensions tracked, is found in Uncertainty Avoidance. Wanting change doesn’t mean change for the sake of change, nor does it mean picketing for new politicians for the sake of new blood. It means enterprise as the base criterion. That doesn’t narrow to just mean business. Whether it is in education, science or medicine, Western and Chinese outlooks share optimism for the future, and confidence that people can make the world better. And then again, why wouldn’t you be O.K. with uncertainty if you believe it is in your power to live incrementally better tomorrow?
Tags Leon, Professional, Luc Besson, Hofstede, Danny Aiello, Jean Reno, Dimension, Change, Opportunity
← Context Matters"Capricorn Monkey"is on its way →
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line414
|
__label__wiki
| 0.875369
| 0.875369
|
Music Journalism and Services
About JEM Writing
Music~The Arts
CD~DVD Reviews
10 Questions For Wally Bryson, Guitarist Of The Raspberries
Publish Notes:
The Green Mountain Outlook Chester, VT. Jan. 27,2010
Cleveland, Ohio native Wally Bryson was the lead guitarist and contributing songwriter for the Raspberries, one of the pioneering bands of the early 1970’s “power-pop” era. Although the band would be short-lived, Raspberries had several Top 40 hits including their biggest single “Go All The Way,” which peaked at # 5 on the U.S. singles chart in 1972. The Outlook recently caught up with Wally for this exclusive, Outlook interview.
Photos courtesy of Wally and Kay Bryson
Joe Milliken: When did you start playing music and who were your musical influences as a kid?
Wally Bryson: I listened to early 1950's radio and after hearing Duane Eddy, asked my mother what that sound was, and she told me it was electric guitar. So, I got a four-string ukulele at age eight and got my first electric guitar at age 12. My first influences were James Burton in Rick Nelson's band, Buddy Merrill, and Scottie Moore with Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show.
JM: Your first band, The Choir, formed in 1966, featuring future Raspberrie members Jim Bonfanti and Dave Smalley. How did you meet Eric Carmen and ultimately form The Raspberries?
WB: Eric came to see The Choir at the Lorain, Hullabaloo. He wanted to audition for the band, but we had just hired Ken Margolis. Later I went to see Eric, Marty Murphy, Michael & Bob McBride in the band Cyrus Erie at the Mentor Hullabaloo. I joined the band the next day. After two years in Cyrus Erie, Eric, Jim Bonfanti, John Alecksic, and I started the Raspberries.
JM: Most music lovers do not realize the rich history of the Cleveland music scene during the 50's and 60's. Tell us something you remember or loved about the Cleveland music scene in the mid-60's? (I know The Choir had a #1 hit in Cleveland with "It's Cold Outside")
WB: I loved the fact that The Choir got to open for The Who, Herman's Hermits and The Blues McGoos at the Cleveland Music Hall. I remember asking Pete Townshend how he played the intro to Substitute, which he showed me.
JM: The Raspberries were the pioneering band of what would become the "power-pop" sound of the 70's. However, isn't it true that you originally drew influence from the British Invasion bands?
WB: The Beatles and The Who, Badfinger, Left Banke, Eagles, Bread and Small Faces were big influences on us.
JM: The Raspberries signed with Capitol Records in 1971 with Jimmy Lenner producing your four albums. Was Lenner a major influence in helping to develop those harmonies and melodies you became famous for?
WB: Both The Choir and Cyrus Erie were indeed, fully developed harmony bands. Jimmy (Lenner) was also a vocalist from working with The Tokens and the Four Seasons. I also remember one time, John Lennon had stopped in the studio (Record Plant, in New York City) to help Jimmy mix one of our records.
JM: The Raspberries biggest hit, "Go All The Way," peaked at #5 on the U.S. Charts in 1972. Is it safe to say that this is the crowning achievement of your music career?
WB: For me, headlining Carnegie Hall was just great. Jimmy Lenner told me Gene Cornish of The Rascals was there. After Raspberries, playing with Gene, Dino Danelli, Lex Marchesi, and Frankie Vinci in the band Fotomaker was another great achievement in my career. One other special aspect of my music career was recording a CD with my son Jesse.
JM: The Raspberries broke up in 1975. In hindsight, is there something you can share about the break up that will help your fans perhaps understand the situation a little better?
WB: Disputes over song writing credits and money will always break up a band if allowed to fester and are not be resolved.
JM: In 2004 the Raspberries did a reunion gig at the Cleveland House of Blues. Can you share a fond memory or story about that night?
WB: We got to play and sing a lot of my songs, including When You Were With Me which was a Choir single, and my family was there to enjoy it.
JEM Freelance Writing ~ P.O. Box 314 Bellows Falls, Vermont 05101 ~ joe@jemwriting.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line416
|
__label__cc
| 0.65231
| 0.34769
|
Blood:Water, Book
Help Send 800 Kids Back to School
I told you a couple weeks ago, Blood:Water surprised me with something wonderful to honor the release of my memoir, "One Thousand Wells." They secretly began a campaign to build raintanks at two different schools to bring 800 kids in Kenya access to clean water. They called it 1000:1000 — One Thousand Hours for "One Thousand Wells."
Book, Community
What I'm Reading Now... And Learning From It
I just finished reading a collection of short stories called The UnAmericans by Molly Antopol. They were powerful and masterfully written. The scenes were scattered among geographies and lots in life, but revolving around Jewish identities, communism and the red scare. The writing was vivid, palpable and astonishingly detailed. And though I couldn't articulate the literary themes across the stories like someone with an English degree may be able to, I could feel them, knowingly and deeply. They had something to do with loneliness, secrets and utter human frailty.
What is your audacious goal?
When I first ventured out with Jars of Clay to bring 1,000 wells to communities across Africa, it felt like an audacious, unattainable goal. But by the grace of God, we reached our goal. It shifted slightly to meet the needs of specific communities — sometimes a raintank was of more value than a well. In the end 1,000 communities had access to safe, clean water.
Now I can’t help but ask myself, what’s my next audacious goal? With where I am in life, I find that question hard to answer. Does it have to do with motherhood? Does it have to do with my move to California? Does it have to do with another 1,000 communities. My head hasn’t quite wrapped around it. So I’d love to hear your audacious goals.
Blood:Water is launching a social campaign to hear that exact same thing from you. It’s called #my1000wells. Here are a few samples we have received so far:
So comment below and post about your audacious goals on social media. Be sure to use #my1000wells. Let’s reach our #my1000wells together.
Even Dan Haseltine's dog, Grace, has a goal:
Blood:Water, Book, Travel
One-Way Ticket
I’ve flown out of Nashville hundreds of times before, but this flight was different for so many reasons. It was a true departure without a return. A one way ticket to the next wild and uncertain season of my life. (In case you read last week’s “Bookends” post, this is the second bookend I was referencing).
Though it's only been a couple of months that we've known that the Bay Area would be our next stop, James and I have know for the last year that something was brewing inside of us, which might necessitate a move out of Nashville. I just can’t quite believe we are actually doing this.
During the first days of Blood:Water, Roger Parrott, president of Belhaven University, asked if we would rather be a motorboat or a sailboat. A motorboat gets you to your destination quickly but doesn’t require much skill. A sailboat requires teamwork to operate and sometimes you have to be willing to change direction or make other adjustments to find the wind.
That’s how I believe we are supposed to move in our personal lives, as well. We must remain fully surrendered to where the wind will take us, not where we want to force it. Sometimes the patterns of our sailboat don’t make sense; sometimes it feels like there is no wind at all. And sometimes the wind carries us somewhere we never saw coming. But if we fully surrender to and trust the wind, we are sailing exactly where we should be. That doesn’t mean we let go of the mast and say, “Good luck, hope we don’t capsize.” It means we work the boat and sail into the direction into which we are led.
After a lot of prayer and hard conversations, James, Jude, and I are setting sail to northern California. I have never been more grateful for living in a day and age where technology allows me to telecommute. I will still be involved in Blood:Water, visiting Nashville and Africa often, all the while promoting my memoir. But my day-to-day work will be done in The Golden State. James has accepted the principal role at the Skoll Foundation in Palo Alto. The job will (should be) less demanding than what he’s been leading over the last six years. The pace we have been running is simply unsustainable if we want to be healthy and present for each other and for our son. We need to catch our breath.
The leaving is not out of an inherent desire to leave. It is out of a hope that a new location in proximity to family, to the beautiful outdoors, and to occupations that won’t occupy the whole of us will help us build and develop the muscles of a whole person that have atrophied over the years. That our marriage can find its way back to adventure and romance amid the diapers and the logistics of toddlerhood. That to take some of the edge off 24/7 responsibilities and 100+ days of travel a year will help sustain us through this season so we can come out of it full and ready to take on the next big, audacious goal. That somehow we rest, even if just for a season.
That way when the wind blows again, we are ready to surrender and follow.
P.S. I'm sure I'll will be posting more about this transition and our new life in California. Stay tuned.
Some life seasons are short, some long. Some seasons in life are smooth, others rocky. Some seasons simply fade into the next season without us really ever noticing. And some seasons have bookends — they end the way they started. That’s where I find myself today about to put the bookend on two big seasons.
More than 10 years ago, the Blood:Water journey began on a tour bus with Jars of Clay. I, the only girl, climbed aboard to a bus load of musicians into a world I knew nothing about. I cherish those memories.
Tomorrow wraps up 20-day journey across the country touring for my new memoir, “One Thousand Wells.” This time, only one of those musicians was with me - Dan Haseltine, the lead singer of Jars of Clay and Blood:Water co-founder. He and our two Blood:Water colleagues, Audrey and Kristin, piled into a beat up, maroon minivan with me — and hit the road to tour. With maintenance lights shining bright and dents edging the sides, the minivan was a far cry from the tour bus days of 10 years ago. But as Dan drove, I sat in the passenger seat driving next to a friend of 10+ years who has carried a vision into the world that only he could see and launch out.
As we traveled from Knoxville, Tenn., through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Charlotte, N.C., I looked out toward the landscape and soaked in the views and the memories of the last decade. With Spotify as a chest of sounds and memories, I was somehow inspired to open the door to the Jars of Clay discography - and I indulged, with Dan by my side, in the lyrics and songs that had served as the most consistent soundtrack of my life. For an hour, or maybe two, I picked songs from the annals of the Jars of Clay library and played through the ones that mattered most to me. “Redemption,” “Faith Enough,” “This Road,” “Water Under the Bridge,” “Light Gives Heat,” “Waiting for the World to Fall” — whatever the song — it brought me back to a particular moment, to a feeling that had somehow shaped me. And, I got to tell Dan as much. He, too, hadn’t heard many of these songs in years and heard them with new ears.
I felt such gratitude for an artist who had given me words and music to live by from 12 to 32, whose vision was big enough to let a 22 year old to take hold of it and opened the door of his platform, relationships, and dreams to let me in.
A few days later when we drove back to Nashville late after an event in Atlanta, Dan and I sang through an endless stream of songs - this time through albums of the Indigo Girls - which happen to both be favorites of ours, despite how different our life stages were when the songs were released. We duetted our way home, which was both hilarious and sweet.
Jars of Clay songs made way for the Blood:Water story. And through this 20-day journey Jars of Clay songs have ushered me into the new season of book touring. That’s bookend number one. As for bookend number two, that’s a post for another day, one I promise to share.
By the way, Dan wrote a guest post for my blog on what it has been like touring with me (he references our road trip music habits, too). If you haven’t read it, click here.
Thank you to everyone who has joined me at bookstores and coffee shops across the country these past 20 days. I am honored to have met each and every one of you.
"What is Next, is What Was and What Is" — Reflections on a Book Tour
When Blood:Water first launched, I spent countless hours on a tour bus with the band Jars of Clay. Eleven years later, Lead Singer and Blood:Water Co-Founder Dan Haseltine joins me on my tour across the country, helping champion my memoir, "One Thousand Wells." So I felt it only fitting Dan should write a guest blog post about what it's like touring with me this time around.
This is my second book tour, third if I count having Donald Miller as a guest opening up for Jars of Clay. I should say that there is something I can't quite put my finger on about people who commit to an evening at a bookstore listening to an author read excerpts of personal writing and talking about themselves. That may have sounded negative... this "something" is a positive sort of "something."
I remember that my wife and I used to go on dates to the local bookstore. We would grab a book and sit in a comfy chair and read. So I understand, to some extent, the allure of a good bookstore. To us it was a peaceful oasis in the middle of hurried lives and scattered episodes of drama and busyness. But I never knew when someone was coming to speak or share about a book, I wasn't in the circle where people spoke up and said, "Hey! (author blank) is giving a lecture at the local library about their recent exploits chronicled in their book (blank)." But I always thought those people were far superior in intellect and way more learned than the average weekend movie or concert goer.
I didn't have many expectations going into this book tour. I knew that my role was to interview Jena and captain the rental min-van from city to city. I knew that I would be subjected to copious amounts of well-curated introverted moody female singer/songwriters as they dripped their mid-tempo molasses out of the speakers and into my ear canals as I was sure I wouldn't have control of the radio.
Turns out I did have control of the radio... so we listened to, well, mostly mid-tempo laden female singer/songwriter records from the angsty 90's. Hey! don't judge me.
Aside from the musical selections, there was another surprise.
I hadn't expected the gift of awakening to the Blood:Water story with such sweet remembrances through the retelling of stories that missed the pages of Jena's book. I hadn't expected that the time spent in a van or a coffee shop or at a bookstore would bring me back to a season of life where wide-eyed idealism fed ideas into a frenzy and inspired plans to change the world simply on the perspective that we thought we could.
Over the course of a decade, the Blood:Water story had gotten complicated for me. It had gotten covered over by the tall weeds that kept the question, "Why is it so difficult to do a good thing?" at the entrance to every idea and start of every new audacious dream. I had stepped back and firmly believed that the best course for the organization was for me to keep my distance.
To be certain, I still believed in the work. I still championed the stories of people in Africa, but I didn't get my hands dirty. I didn't fill my hours with creative ideas to tell those stories, and I wasn't out on the road fundraising to make sure that we could keep fueling those African dreams. A big part of my zeal and activism around Blood:Water had moved on.
Jena and I are now "old" friends. We have been contributors to various milestones in the human life. I have watched her start a career, get married, become a mother, grapple with faith and real life, much in the way a big brother might. I have championed her from a distance, and have marveled at her growth as a human being.
What happens in the retelling of stories is a gift. Stories don't change, at least the events from those stories do not change. The elevation and deflation of what was important or what is important is as fluid as an ocean tide. It may crash in the same line, but it is never the same wave.
I am grateful that the vision and idealism that birthed Blood:Water is a well that won't run dry. The inspiration to love the world well is one with enough wind in the sails to keep it moving. Even if some days that wind is barely felt, there is a gift in the silence and the pause that still echoes with the noble and astonishing will to serve and to support and to care for those in our path and those we create paths to get nearer to.
It occurs to me that what is next for Blood:Water is what already is and what has been for Blood:Water. It is a connection to humans, a stewardship of stories and lives, and an affirmation of dignity that promotes health and dreams and love and responsibility.
Can't wait to continue the conversations on the road, and see what is to come for Blood:Water. I hope you will come and join us.
-Dan Haseltine
It's not too late for you to join Dan and me on tour. We have three more stops on the west coast.
9.10.15 - Seattle, WA 9.11.15 - Portland, OR 9.12.15 - Bay Area, CA
Africa, Book
Mountaintop Lessons
Africa is my home away from home. But so are the mountains. The crisp, fresh, quiet air relaxes me to my core. I breathe in and all the stress and worries of the day exhale with me. When I stand on a mountaintop I am reminded of two important lessons I had to learn somewhere along the way — 1. to take on immoveable mountains, the first thing you have to do is move; 2. it’s important to take moments of true rest.
I didn’t used to love the mountains. In fact, all mountaintops were my Everest — never seemingly within reach, a feat I’d never conquer. Back in junior high I went away to summer camp and settled into activities well within my comfort zone. I prefered the repetitive nature of the same activity day in and day out over trying anything new. But one day, my counselor put the kibosh, if you will, on my activity of choice and informed me I would be participating in an overnight hiking trip up a mountain.
If you read my memoir, “One Thousand Wells,” I go into more detail of this story. But to sum it up, the beginning of the trip was terrible. I was weak; I was not happy; I wanted nothing to do with the mountain. But fellow campers wouldn’t let me give up; they pushed me, and together we reached the summit.
I learned a lot that day — community, risk taking, reaching goals together. But most importantly, I learned that to take on immoveable mountains, the first thing you have to do is move. You have to grow used to the weight of your pack, adjust your lungs to the quality of the air, and build muscle for the grade of the incline.
We live in a world with an attention span climate that changes so fast many of us are too scared or too distracted to move in any one direction in particular. So we turn around in circles, never really moving. We must put down the comforts that are actually chains encircling us and step out of the repetitive activities we’ve cemented around our feet. We can climb our Everests together, but we must move.
I said at the beginning of this post that when I stand on top of mountains I am reminded of two lessons. The second may seem like an oxymoron to the first — it’s important to take moments of true rest.
Once we start moving or climbing, sometimes our momentum carries us so fast the world begins to rush on by. Priorities get whipped into the frenzy of deadlines and good intentions, that pieces of life begin to suffer. We can grind so hard at the mountain ahead of us, that we grow faint along the way and never make it to the top.
Just like moving is the key to taking on immovable mountains, so is resting.
This photo of me on a mountain was taken just yesterday. It’s in Estes Park, Colorado. I am currently on a 22-day journey across the country showcasing my new book. I’ve met amazing people along the way, and I’ve loved telling my story.
But plane ride, after car ride, after late nights, after early mornings begins to wear on anyone. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining. But that mountain couldn’t have come at a better time. It was brief, but it was exactly the rest I needed to continue climbing.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line417
|
__label__cc
| 0.553904
| 0.446096
|
K Street Financial Group
1801 K St NW Ste 210
About K Street Financial Group
Kurt Rupprecht
Mark Siciliano
K Street Financial Team
Fee-Based Financial Planning
Our team stands committed to providing the best customer service possible. If you have a problem or need assistance at any time, please let us know.
Jason A Colenda, CFP®, MSF
jason.colenda@nm.com
Jason was born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia and attended Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington. After graduation in 2006, he enrolled at Villanova University in the School of Business. During his time at Villanova, Jason obtained a B.S. in Business Administration majoring in Finance and Management with a minor in International Business. He walked-on the varsity basketball team, playing from 2007-2010, and was a member of Villanova’s Final Four team in 2009. Upon graduation Jason enrolled in a full-time M.S. program in Finance, completing the degree in 2011.
Jason began his professional career in Private Equity research, and worked in that capacity for 2 years before finding Northwestern Mutual. Jason started with Northwestern Mutual in October 2013, joining Managing Director Tony Stanley’s staff as an Associate Financial Representative as well as the Development Coordinator of the McLean VA District Office. In May 2015 Jason had the opportunity to work with District Director/Wealth Management Advisor Kurt Rupprecht in Washington DC as an Associate Wealth Management Advisor. On a daily basis Jason regularly interfaces with new and existing clients supporting the construction and implementation of our holistic financial planning recommendations. Jason is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and holds the Life and Health Insurance License along with the Series 7 and 63 investment registrations with FINRA. As Director of Investments and Planning, Jason is the primary point-of-contact for all investment service and planning related requests and is always excited to assist!
Outside of his work with K Street Financial Group, Jason owned and operated a gym in Falls Church from March 2011-August 2018. It’s where he met his wife, Caitlin, and they were married in October 2018. They now reside in Arlington.
Brendan Tracz
Director of Wealth Management
brendan.tracz@nm.com
Brendan grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and graduated from Gonzaga College High School and the University of Virginia. After spending five years building his practice at Northwestern Mutual, Brendan brought his passion for financial planning and deep commitment to our clients to K Street Financial Group as Director of Wealth Management in early 2019. Brendan lives with his wife Maria and son Charlie in Kensington, Maryland, and is a long-suffering DC sports fan.
Jackie L McLeod
Associate Financial Advisor
jackie.l.mcleod@nm.com
Jackie joined Northwestern Mutual in 1988 in Muskegon, Michigan. In 2006, she moved to Northern Virginia and joined my team. With nearly 30 years with Northwestern and having achieved her CLU designation, Jackie's experience and knowledge is a valuable asset in helping our clients with their insurance needs.
Jackie is married to Bruce and they reside in Arlington. She is active in their church, Cherrydale United Methodist, and enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Gunnar N Laasanen
Director of Insurance Services
gunnar.laasanen@nm.com
Gunnar is an Associate Financial Representative who started with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Representative Intern at the Virginia Beach office in 2013. He graduated from Freedom High School in Loudoun County, VA in 2009 and went on to attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. He graduated with a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Economics and joined the D.C. agency in 2014. He is licensed in life, health, and annuities as well as Series 7 general securities licensed. Gunnar had been with Northwestern Mutual in D.C. for three and a half years as an investment operations associate and a planning team associate before joining our practice. As Director of Insurance Services, Gunnar is responsible for all insurance-related operations for the team. Gunnar grew up in Hawaii frequenting the beach and playing inline hockey as a child. After moving to Maryland, he started playing lacrosse in middle school and all the way through high school and college in Virginia. He currently lives in Arlington, Virginia and enjoys snowboarding, golfing, and going to the beach and concerts in his free time.
Kathryn Keefer
Director of Marketing and Communications
kate.keefer@nm.com
Kate is originally from Hershey, PA. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Communications from Shippensburg University. After graduating, she moved to the DC Metro area and began her professional career at The Lucas Group as a Recruiting and Event Coordinator. She joined the K Street Financial Group in 2018 as the Marketing & Client Service Associate. Kate is responsible for marketing/client outreach strategies and assisting with client service needs. She currently holds a Life & Health Insurance License and is working towards becoming investment registered. When she isn’t in the office, Kate practices yoga, attends concerts, and enjoys traveling.
Kurt Patrick Rupprecht uses K Street Financial Group as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. K Street Financial Group is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Kurt Patrick Rupprecht is a Representative of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC), Milwaukee, WI (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), a subsidiary of NM and federal savings bank. All NMWMC products and services are offered only by properly credentialed Representatives who operate from agency offices of NMWMC. Representative is a District Agent of NM and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (long-term care insurance) a subsidiary of NM, and a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and member FINRA (www.finra.org) and SIPC (www.sipc.org).
Kurt Patrick Rupprecht is primarily licensed in Virginia and may be licensed in other states.
CA License: #0H74981
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line422
|
__label__cc
| 0.607268
| 0.392732
|
The economics of artificial intelligence
in: Analysis,Artificial Intelligence,Economy,Latest Trend,Science & Technology News
Rotman School of Management professor Ajay Agrawal explains how AI changes the cost of prediction and what this means for business.
With so many perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) flooding the business press, it’s becoming increasingly rare to find one that’s truly original. So when strategy professor Ajay Agrawal shared his brilliantly simple view on AI, we stood up and took notice. Agrawal, who teaches at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and works with AI start-ups at the Creative Destruction Lab (which he founded), posits that AI serves a single, but potentially transformative, economic purpose: it significantly lowers the cost of prediction.
In his new book, Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence, coauthored with professors Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb, Agrawal explains how business leaders can use this premise to figure out the most valuable ways to apply AI in their organization. The commentary here, which is adapted from a recent interview with McKinsey’s Rik Kirkland, summarizes Agrawal’s thesis. Consider it a CEO guide to parsing and prioritizing AI opportunities.
The ripple effects of falling costs
When looking at artificial intelligence from the perspective of economics, we ask the same, single question that we ask with any technology: What does it reduce the cost of? Economists are good at taking the fun and wizardry out of technology and leaving us with this dry but illuminating question. The answer reveals why AI is so important relative to many other exciting technologies. AI can be recast as causing a drop in the cost of a first-order input into many activities in business and our lives—prediction.
We can look at the example of another technology, semiconductors, to understand the profound changes that occur when technology drops the cost of a useful input. Semiconductors reduced the cost of arithmetic, and as they did this, three things happened.
First, we started using more arithmetic for applications that already leveraged arithmetic as an input. In the ’60s, these were largely government and military applications. Later, we started doing more calculations for functions such as demand forecasting because these calculations were now easier and cheaper.
Second, we started using this cheaper arithmetic to solve problems that hadn’t traditionally been framed as arithmetic problems. For example, we used to solve for the creation of photographic images by employing chemistry (film-based photography). Then, as arithmetic became cheaper, we began using arithmetic-based solutions in the design of cameras and image reproduction (digital cameras).
The third thing that happened as the cost of arithmetic fell was that it changed the value of other things—the value of arithmetic’s complements went up and the value of its substitutes went down. So, in the case of photography, the complements were the software and hardware used in digital cameras. The value of these increased because we used more of them, while the value of substitutes, the components of film-based cameras, went down because we started using less and less of them.
Expanding our powers of prediction
As the cost of prediction continues to drop, we’ll use more of it for traditional prediction problems such as inventory management because we can predict faster, cheaper, and better. At the same time, we’ll start using prediction to solve problems that we haven’t historically thought of as prediction problems.
For example, we never thought of autonomous driving as a prediction problem. Traditionally, engineers programmed an autonomous vehicle to move around in a controlled environment, such as a factory or warehouse, by telling it what to do in certain situations—if a human walks in front of the vehicle (then stop) or if a shelf is empty (then move to the next shelf). But we could never put those vehicles on a city street because there are too many ifs—if it’s dark, if it’s rainy, if a child runs into the street, if an oncoming vehicle has its blinker on. No matter how many lines of code we write, we couldn’t cover all the potential ifs.
Solving autonomous driving with prediction
Today we can reframe autonomous driving as a prediction problem. Then an AI simply needs to predict the answer to one question: What would a good human driver do? There are a limited set of actions we can take when driving (“thens”). We can turn right or left, brake or accelerate—that’s it. So, to teach an AI to drive, we put a human in a vehicle and tell the human to drive while the AI is figuratively sitting beside the human watching. Since the AI doesn’t have eyes and ears like we do, we give it cameras, radar, and light detection and ranging (LIDAR). The AI takes the input data as it comes in through its “eyes” and looks over to the human and tries to predict, “What will the human do next?”
The AI makes a lot of mistakes at first. But it learns from its mistakes and updates its model every time it incorrectly predicts an action the human will take. Its predictions start getting better and better until it becomes so good at predicting what a human would do that we don’t need the human to do it anymore. The AI can perform the action itself.
The growing importance of data, judgment, and action
As in the case of arithmetic, when the price of prediction drops, the value of its substitutes will go down and the value of its complements will go up. The main substitute for machine prediction is human prediction. As humans, we make all kinds of predictions in our business and daily lives. However, we’re pretty noisy thinkers, and we have all kinds of well-documented cognitive biases, so we’re quite poor at prediction. AI will become a much better predictor than humans are, and as the quality of AI prediction goes up, the value of human prediction will fall.
What cheap prediction means for human judgment
But, at the same time, the value of prediction’s complements will go up. The complement that’s been covered in the press most is data, with people using phrases such as “data is the new oil.” That’s absolutely true—data is an important complement to prediction, so as the cost of prediction falls, the value of a company’s data goes up.
But there are other complements to prediction that have been discussed a lot less frequently. One is human judgment. We use both prediction and judgment to make decisions. We’ve never really unbundled those aspects of decision making before—we usually think of human decision making as a single step. Now we’re unbundling decision making. The machine’s doing the prediction, making the distinct role of judgment in decision making clearer. So as the value of human prediction falls, the value of human judgment goes up because AI doesn’t do judgment—it can only make predictions and then hand them off to a human to use his or her judgment to determine what to do with those predictions.
Another complement to prediction is action. Predictions are valuable only in the context of some action that they lead to. So, for example, one of the start-ups we work with at the Creative Destruction Lab built a very good demand-forecasting AI for perishable food such as yogurt. Despite its accuracy, this prediction machine is worth zero in the absence of a grocery retailer deciding how much yogurt to buy. So, besides owning data as an asset, many incumbents also own the action.
A thought experiment for the top team
One approach to pinpoint ways to use AI in business is to review organizational workflows—the processes of turning inputs into outputs—and break them down into tasks. Then, look for the tasks that have a significant prediction component that would benefit from a prediction machine. Next, determine the return on investment for building a prediction machine to do each task, and simply rank those tasks in order from top to bottom.
Many of the AIs created out of this exercise will be efficiency-enhancing tools that will give the company some kind of a lift—possibly a 1 percent to 10 percent increase in EBITDA or some other measure of productivity.
How to identify areas of AI disruption—and value
However, to anticipate which AI tools will go beyond increasing efficiency and instead lead to transformation, we employ an exercise called “science fictioning.” We take each AI tool and imagine it as a radio volume knob, and as you turn the knob, rather than turning up the volume, you are instead turning up the prediction accuracy of the AI.
To see how this works, imagine applying the exercise to Amazon’s recommendation engine. We’ve found its tool to be about 5 percent accurate, meaning that out of every 20 things it recommends, we buy one of them and not the other 19. That accuracy sounds lousy, but when you consider that the tool pulls 20 items from Amazon’s catalog of millions of items and out of those 20 we buy one, it’s not that bad.
Every day people in Amazon’s machine-learning group are working to crank up that prediction-accuracy knob. You can imagine that knob is currently at about two out of ten. If they to crank it to a four or a five, we’ll now buy five or seven out of 20 things. There’s some number at which Amazon might think, “We are now sufficiently good at predicting what you want to buy. Why are we waiting for you to shop at all? We’ll just ship it.” By doing this, Amazon could increase its share of wallet for two reasons. The first is that it preempts you from buying those goods from its competitors, either online or offline. The second is that, if you were wavering on buying something, now that it’s on your porch you might think, “Well, I might as well just keep it.”
This demonstrates that by doing only one thing—turning up the prediction-accuracy knob—the change made by AI goes from one that’s incremental (offering recommendations on the website) to one that’s transformational: the whole business model flips from shopping and then shipping to shipping and then shopping.
Five imperatives for harnessing the power of low-cost prediction
There are several things leaders can do to position their organizations to maximize the benefits of prediction machines.
1. Develop a thesis on time to AI impact
The single most important question executives in every industry need to ask themselves is: How fast do I think the knob will turn for a particularly valuable AI application in my sector? If you think it will take 20 years to turn that knob to the transformational point, then you’ll make a very different set of investments today than if you think it will take three years.
Looking at the investments various companies are already making can give you an idea of their thesis on how soon the knob will hit the transformation point. For example, Google acquired DeepMind for over half a billion dollars at a time when the company was generating almost no revenue. It was a start-up that was training an AI to play Atari games. Google clearly had a thesis on how fast the knob would turn.
So if I were a CEO in any industry right now, my number-one job would be to work with my leadership team to develop a thesis for each of the key areas in my organization on how fast the dial will turn.
2. Recognize that AI progress will likely be exponential
As executives develop their thesis on timing, it’s important to recognize that the progress in AI will in many cases be exponential rather than linear. Already the progress in a wide range of applications (e.g., vision, natural language, motion control) over the last 12 months was faster than in the 12 months prior. The level of investment is increasing rapidly. The quality-adjusted cost of sensors is falling exponentially. And the amount of data being generated is increasing exponentially.
3. Trust the machines
In most cases, when AIs are properly designed and deployed, they’re better predictors than humans are. And yet we’re often still reluctant to hand over the reins of prediction to machines. For example, there have been studies comparing human recruiters to AI-powered recruiters that predict which candidates will perform best in a job. When performance was measured 12, 18, and 24 months later, the recruits selected by the AI outperformed those selected by the human recruiters, on average. Despite this evidence, human recruiters still often override the recommendations provided by AIs when making real hiring decisions.
Where AIs have demonstrated superior performance in prediction, companies must carefully consider the conditions under which to empower humans to exercise their discretion to override the AI.
4. Know what you want to predict
I work at a business school, so, using my domain as an example, if you read business-school brochures, they’re usually quite vague in terms of what they’re looking for in prospective students. They might say, “We want the best students.” Well, what does “best” mean? Does it mean best in academic performance? Social skills? Potential for social impact? Something else?
The organizations that will benefit most from AI will be the ones that are able to most clearly and accurately specify their objectives. We’re going to see a lot of the currently fuzzy mission statements become much clearer. The companies that are able to sharpen their visions the most will reap the most benefits from AI. Due to the methods used to train AIs, AI effectiveness is directly tied to goal-specification clarity.
5. Manage the learning loop
What makes AI so powerful is its ability to learn. Normally we think of labor as being learners and of capital as being fixed. Now, with AI, we have capital that learns. Companies need to ensure that information flows into decisions, they follow decisions to an outcome, and then they learn from the outcome and feed that learning back into the system. Managing the learning loop will be more valuable than ever before.
In response to a surge of advances in AI by other countries, particularly China, Robert Work, a former deputy secretary of defense, was recently quoted in a New York Times article as saying, “This is a Sputnik moment.” He was, of course, referencing America’s catch-up reaction to the Soviet Union’s launching of Sputnik I, the world’s first earth-orbiting satellite, in 1957. This initiated the space race, led to the creation of NASA, and resulted in the Americans landing on the moon in 1969.
This sentiment for defense applies broadly today. Organizations in every industry will soon face their own Sputnik moment. The best leaders, be they visionary or operationally oriented, will seize this moment to lead their organizations through the most disruptive period they will experience in their professional lives. They will recognize the magnitude of the opportunity, and they will transform their organizations and industries. And as long as proper care is exercised, we’ll be better off for it.
Via McKinsey.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line423
|
__label__wiki
| 0.53742
| 0.53742
|
Climb to Loma de la Cruz hill: An act of faith
The first two hundred steps are hurriedly over, then the feet begin to whine, the chest shakes a little, and you perceive that you are halfway there.
You sweat a lot. A cool breeze sneaks into your sweater, refreshes your body and face. You joke with friends who stayed behind, rest with them for a few minutes and keep moving.
You’re at the top. There are 458 concrete steps behind. You are not worried about the descent: “Down all the saints help,” say the Cubans and you know it’s true. Now you only think of how beautiful the city of Holguin is seen from above, with its parks and colonial buildings. You notice the cars, the tiny people like ants, and the red tiles that crown the roofs. You turn to look at the blessed cross of caguairán wood and the offerings left by some at the foot: lighted candles, food, coins and flowers.
Loma de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross) was declared Historical Colonial Archaeological Monument of the island of Cuba. Historians say that the first cross was erected in the year 1790. It was carried on the shoulders of the friar Francisco Antonio de Alegría, prior of the Franciscan community of Holguín. The religious founded the Romerías de Mayo (Pilgrims of May), a traditional Spanish celebration, inspired by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, died at the calvary, tied to a cross.
At the beginning of XX century, a Holguin historian named Oscar Albanés, proposed to the neighbors of the town to undertake restoration works in the slopes of the Hill. Raffles and collections were made to pay the fees of the architect Vicente Biosca. The company concluded on May 3, 1950, the day when a new cross was placed, a substitute for that foundational cross of timber deteriorated by time.
Towards the 90’s, a dry and unforeseen ray struck this second cross, which had to be replaced by the one we see erected today.
From the top of the hill, Pope Francisco blessed the city and its people on September 21, 2015.
The people from Holguin are lucky to have this sublime site, refuge of poets and dreamers. Pilgrimage to that place is an act of legitimate faith.
by: Susana Rodriguez Ortega
pictures: From Internet
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line424
|
__label__wiki
| 0.616636
| 0.616636
|
J-Wire
Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre “has done the right thing” in apologising to Manny Waks according to the child sexual abuse advocate.
On his website Waks, a victim abuse himself when a pupil at the Yeshivah’s school, said: “I’m delighted to share the formal personal apology I received today from Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre. It speaks for itself. I wish to thank Yeshivah, in particular Yechiel Belfer, for this appropriate apology.
Waks has published on his site Belfer’s full written apology.
Belfer wrote:
“Dear Menachem [Manny],
I am writing to you as representative of the Yeshivah Centre, as part of the Interim Committee of Management.
As of course you are aware, the Yeshivah Centre was the subject of a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. As an institution, we condemn any form of abuse and acknowledge the serious harm it causes. We have also publicly acknowledged that in the past the Yeshivah Centre was ill-equipped to deal with its response when abuse occurred.
We at the Yeshivah Centre have been working hard to properly respond to these issues and ensure that we cement in place policies and processes of the highest standards to guarantee a safe environment for our children. The Yeshivah Centre’s number one priority is the protection of children in its care, and we will continue on this journey and take all steps required to maintain and continually raise this standard.
We must also ensure that the conduct of our leaders, staff and members is of compassion and support to victims and their families. We acknowledge that you have been part of this journey, and for that you have our ongoing gratitude.
But we must acknowledge events of the past.
The Yeshivah Centre deeply regrets its failure to protect those who were victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by people in a position of trust in the Yeshivah Centre and its schools.
It was with this in mind that we established the Yeshivah Redress Scheme to ensure that these wrongs committed against children will not go unnoticed or unacknowledged.
The operators of the Scheme have advised us that you suffered extremely severe abuse on many occasions by two different persons at the Yeshivah Centre over a significant period of time; and of the severity of its impact and continuing impact on many aspects of your life. Further, of the impact that followed your public statements about your experiences of abuse which led to ostracism and intimidation by members of the Yeshivah Centre, including by members of its leadership.
It is our hope that the redress you have received through the Scheme, together with our sincerest apology, will provide some tangible recognition of the seriousness of the abuse, the breach of trust, and the hurt you suffered and continue to suffer.
And it is to you Menachem, that we personally repeat the words said when the redress scheme was launched:
You were entrusted to the care of The Yeshivah Centre. You were blameless. You were just a child. You had the right to be protected and to be cared for. You had a right to feel safe. You had a right to be educated in an environment that enabled you to reach your full potential. In each of these respects, we let you down, in ways that we can never fully make up for. For the abuse you suffered while you were in our care, The Yeshivah Centre management and its staff are profoundly sorry.”
Waks told J-Wire: “The main interest is the protection of the children. I will co-operate in the future to this aim. It will continue to be an ongoing process.”
Originally published at J-Wire.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line427
|
__label__wiki
| 0.580382
| 0.580382
|
info@internetofartists.com
WELCOME TO INTERNET OF ARTISTS
A London based company creating platforms to make art possible.
INTERNET OF ARTISTS brings artists together, connecting them with the businesses of their related industries.
By providing innovative communication tools and services, artists are supported throughout their artistic development and professional career.
The company is managed by a global team whose extensive experience in the Arts, Business, Digital Media and Product Development, make IOA unique in both understanding and meeting the needs of their clients.
INTERNET OF ARTISTS was founded by Riccardo Barbieri Torriani and Sergio Curadi Naumann in 2015.
Making a Contribution
Art is our human legacy. Art is a contribution that makes our world more beautiful by positively promoting unity, the sharing of different perspectives, and awareness.
There are many talented people all around us who feel limited in their artistic possibilities due to the complex structures currently in place. Through our platforms, our mission is to make accessible the services necessary in order to facilitate and celebrate artistic activities. By bringing artists together, encouraging an exchange of ideas, and putting them in direct contact with those who can help produce and promote their projects, we seek to motivate artists by removing barriers. We provide tools that simplify the process, in a cost effective way, thus making art possible.
AMY Music
After merging with the successful Brasilian company Fleeber, MyM Vision has evolved into AMY Music. AMY Music is a music community application that allows musicians to easily connect with other musicians, organize jam sessions and gigs, share their music, find teachers and schools, as well as get in touch with recording studios, venues, and record labels. Making music possible at any phase of development or stage of professional career.
AMY Studio
AMY Studio is a cloud based CRM that allows for Recording Studios, Rehearsal Spaces, and Venues to have their booking activities handled directly online. Increasing efficiency by simplifying the reservation and cancellation process, managing clients, handling the rental and sales of products, and by keeping record of payments, Amy Studio is an invaluable tool for increasing efficiency and better businesses management.
Riccardo Barbieri Torriani
CEO & Co.Founder
Riccardo solidified his legal experience with the Finelli & Associati Law Firm. He then joined the Granvela Group (a company specialized in investments and real estate) where he started as Project Manager, went on to become CFO, and finally was promoted to Managing Director. Riccardo began his professional musical career early, singing in the children’s choir of Teatro alla Scala from 1985-1989. Riccardo’s band, The Austen, has released 2 albums under the record label Nub Music (London), which were produced by 2-time Grammy Award winner Max MC Costa. Riccardo earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Milan (Italy) and subsequently passed the Italian Bar Exam in 2007. Riccardo has an MBA from Hult International Business School (London, UK).
Languages: Italian, English, French and Spanish.
Sergio Curadi
Creative Director & Co.Founder
Sergio founded EQUART in 1985, a multimedia company which he managed for 20 years. Notable clients included RAI, IBM, Olivetti, ENI, Banca Intesa, Cariplo, Vodafone, Wind, Conde Nast, Jil Sander, RCS, Publitalia and SMAU. Since 2003, Sergio has been a consultant for a number of multimedia agencies including Satiz.
Languages: Italian and German.
Jibran Qureshi
Jibran is a Chartered Certified Accountant with extensive Managerial and Financial expertise, and is specialized in guiding start-ups to create long term competitiveness and sustainability through effective financial control, ledger management and tax planning. Jibran earned his Executive MBA at the Hult International Business School (London), and has a Master’s Diploma in Financial Strategy from the Said Business School at Oxford University (UK).
Languages: English, Urdu and Hindi.
Ramon Canales
With over 10 years of experience in Product Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in sectors ranging from Sensitive Corporate to Startups, Ramon has specialized expertise in developing products to meet the requirements of the intended final user. Ramon founded the biggest platform for musicians in Brazil, which has since been merged into the Internet of Artists group. Ramon is also an accomplished guitarist and has toured Brazilian cities with several different bands for 5 years. Ramon earned a Master’s Degree in Mechatronic Engineering at the Polytechnic University in São Paulo, Brazil.
Languages: Portuguese and English.
Steve successfully built commercial digital businesses and organizations at scale in both the USA and Europe, bringing direction and innovation to Product Management, Software Development, Experience Design & Research. Steve started his career working in the Silicon Valley startup world while finishing his Computer Engineering Degree. Career highlights include designing parts of eBay, developing the first touch screen disc rental kiosk in the USA which revolutionized the media rental industry, as well as designing the UX evaluation framework used by Intel to measure UX for all new platforms used by billions of people worldwide. Most recently Steve assembled and managed the team overseeing the Italian portal for Vodafone serving 35 million customers, as well as for the portal of Coop, Italy’s largest grocery chain. Steve has a B.S. in Computer Engineering from San Jose State University (California, USA).
Languages: English, Italian and Spanish.
Nadia Staffini
Nadia’s experience in business includes having been Managing Director for Colima, an Italian company specialized in producing Level Control Systems, as well as the International Sales and Marketing Director for the UK multinational, Spirax. Nadia was also a successful entrepreneur, building her own hospitality business in Rome. Nadia is a Costume Designer and has worked for films both in Hollywood, Los Angeles and in Italy. Nadia graduated from the Accademia di Brera (Milan, Italy) in Fine Arts, and completed postgraduate courses in Marketing & Communication, Proposal Management and Business Management at Assoservizi, in collaboration with Bocconi University.
Languages: Italian, English and French.
Costanza Barbieri Torriani
Costanza started her career with the Giangiacomo Feltrinelli publishing house as Press Officer, and has since become personal assistant to the CEO of the Feltrinelli Group, Carlo Feltrinelli. Her responsibilities have included managing external relations and coordinating the management staff. Costanza holds both an undergraduate degree in Modern Literature and a Master’s Degree in Culture and Language for Communications from the University of Milan (Italy).
Languages: Italian, English and Spanish.
Max Costa
Head of R&D
2-time Grammy Award Winner. Considered one of Italy’s most famous sound engineers, Max is Co-founder of the Psyco Studios in Milan, Italy. His experience as a musician, arranger, sound technician, music producer and computer programmer give Max a unique, 360° expertise in sound production. Max has collaborated with such celebrated artists as Sting, John McLaughlin, Robert Fripp, Elio e Le Strie Tese, Nek and Laura Pausini.
Languages: Spanish, Italian and English.
Matthew Mee
Matthew has been Area Manager in Italy for a number of publishers including Pearson, Longman, Paravia Bruno Mondadori and the Eli Group. He has also been involved with several start-up companies and is an expert in internet solutions. Matthew is an accomplished trumpet player, regularly performing at the highest level. He was the Dyfed Amoco Young Brass Player of the Year in 1996, and has been a finalist in several prestigious competitions. In addition, he has written and recorded a number of albums. Matthew graduated with a Ba(hons) in Economics with European Studies from Exeter University (UK). He went on to study Jazz at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan (Italy).
Languages: English, Italian and French.
Flavia Lazzarin
Marketing Statistics Manager
Flavia is an e-commerce, social media and linguistic mediation specialist. She has been part of several national level projects in Italy in the areas of telecommunications, e-commerce and social media including Vodafone.it and Coop. She now focuses on driving metrics, performance analysis on social media channels.
Languages: Italian, English, Spanish and French.
International Partnership Consultant
Speaker, Writer, Business Consultant, Coach. MD The Academy of Rock and Human Dynamics. Proud to write, speak and deliver events for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin.com brand and Bloomsbury. Background as a scientist, leading innovation teams to bring life-saving drugs to market, including Human Insulin, breakthrough treatments for Herpes and the 1st treatment for HIV / AIDS in record time. Consultant at Nadine Hack's beCause Global Associates. Author of 7 1/2 books on business.
Alessandro Curadi
Art Director & Video Producer
Alessandro has 20 years of experience as a video producer, having worked for several multimedia companies including Avriolab srl. His activities include filmmaking, video editing, graphic design, Compositing, and UI/UX design. Alessandro is an accomplished painter and is a member of the “Associazione Italiana Acquarellisti” (Italian Watercolor Painter’s Association). His paintings of Jazz musicians, painted during live performances, have been exhibited at numerous galleries throughout Italy and Switzerland.
Leonardo Reolon
Leonardo was President of Nitrol Chemical Srl from 2004-2008. In 2002, he founded Vanagency, a consulting agency providing Photography and Art Direction services. Leonardo is also a trained violinist. Leonardo has a Degree in Accounting from V. Benini di Melegnano, and went on to study Art Direction and Graphic Design at IED (Milano, Italy).
Languages: Italian and English.
Jon Gill
External Legal Adviser
Jon is Corporate Partner at TLT LLP, the award-winning national law firm in UK, where he leads a team focused on private equity, venture capital and technology M&A transactions. He acts for a number of routinely acquisitive public and private companies, mid-market private equity firms, venture capital providers, entrepreneurial management teams and investee companies.
Nub Music
riseconf.com
websummit.net
INTERNET OF ARTISTS LTD
A London based company creating platforms to make art possible by bringing artists together connecting them with the businesses of their related industries.
Protected: Glossary
Steve Mariani 26 April 2018
582 Honey Pot Lane HA71JS
STANMORE - MIDDLESEX
internetofartists.com
© INTERNET OF ARTISTS LTD - VAT : GB225 1563 30 - All Rights reserved.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line428
|
__label__wiki
| 0.652288
| 0.652288
|
[LISTEN] Rachael Yamagata - Let Me Be Your Girl
Posted by Alexa Wilde on December 09, 2016
Rachael Yamagata announces two live dates at Omeara, London in April 2017 Rachael Yamagata has announced two UK headline dates at Ben Lovett's (Mumford & Sons) new venue, Omeara in Southwark, London on the 14th and 15th of April 2017. The news follows sold out launch events for Yamagata in November and comes in support of her new and fourth album.
The record, Tightrope Walker, will receive a full UK commercial release on March 31st 2017. Since Rachael Yamagata first broke onto the music scene with her critically acclaimed debut album Happenstance, she has shed her skin as the ‘troubadour of heartbreak’ emerging with an edge-laden sound characterised by universal themes of perseverance, compassion, and owning your own power.
In autumn 2016 Rachael Yamagata released to the world her new album, Tightrope Walker via Frankenfish Records/Thirty Tigers, taking it on the road as far as China. ‘Let Me Be Your Girl’ is a feel-good pop number that has been well received since the album release.
Tickets on-sale through WeGotTickets:
Listen to ‘Let Me Be: Your Girl’ from Tightrope Walker here:
live dates troubadour of heartbreak
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line431
|
__label__wiki
| 0.73138
| 0.73138
|
Archives for October 30, 2016
Interference for Lasantha murder investigations from above
October 30, 2016 by NHL Werasinghe 2 Comments
It is reported that investigations being carried out in connection with the murder of former Editor of ‘Sunday Leader’ Lasantha Wickremetunga would be hampered due to interference by various forces of the government on the CID.
Investigations carried out so far by the CID have revealed that 17 soldiers attached to Tripoli Army Camp had been involved in the murder and they had left for the murder from Tripoli Army camp in Colombo.
In such an environment the CID has taken measures to get the list of names of 270 soldier s in Tripoli Army camp through a Court order.
The CID had planned to summon groups of 20 soldiers at a time and question them. Accordingly, the first group of 20 soldiers was summoned on 26th October and was questioned. The second group of soldiers was to be summoned on the 27th. However, on the 27th a higher official of the government interfering in the investigation ahs said soldiers should not be summoned in groups and questioned.
As a result it has been difficult to identify who the 17 soldiers who had left for the murder states internal sources of the CID. If the group of 17 is not identified Lasantha Wickremetunga murder investigation would not be able to continue say sources.
Former Editor of ‘Sunday Leader’ Lasantha Wickremetunga was murdered at Aththidiya in Dehiwela on 8th January, 2009 by a group of assailants that had arrived in two motorcycles. On 27th September, after 7 years, his body was exhumed for further investigations.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line434
|
__label__wiki
| 0.745134
| 0.745134
|
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces further funding for Meningococal Adolesent ACWY program
August 6, 2018 Eliza Ault-Connell
Thousands more NSW students will be offered the free meningococcal vaccine in the next 12 months to protect them against the debilitating disease.
As the NSW Government launches its awareness campaign this week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced a further $3.6 million to extend the NSW Meningococcal W Response Program, which has provided free vaccine to more than 200,000 teenagers to date.
The NSW Government has invested $17 million into the statewide program since it was introduced in 2017 to protect teenagers against the rising threat of the W strain, which has an eight per cent mortality rate compared to four per cent for other strains.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/your-government/the-premier/media-releases-from-the-premier/more-free-meningococcal-jabs-for-nsw-students/
← Griffith University are conduting a clinical trial and research with Meningococcal vaccines Ferguson announces Tasmanian vaccination program →
49 Rangers Rd, Cremorne NSW 2090
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line437
|
__label__cc
| 0.579455
| 0.420545
|
Hearing-impaired Palestinian Dies of Wounds Sustained in Israeli Shooting at Protesters in Rafah
Short Link : http://www.mezan.org/en/post/22704
At 11:30am on Thursday, 5 April 2018, doctors at the European Gaza Hospital announced the death of Shadi Hamdan Al Kashef, 37-year old hearing-impaired Palestinian. Al Kashef’s death was resulted from his wound sustained in the head at 4:30pm on Friday, 30 March 2018. He was injured during his participation in a demonstration in Al Shoka area in eastern Rafah. The demonstration was one of the ‘Great Return March’ series, called for by a national committee of Palestinian factions.
Share# : 0
Tags / #march of return
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line438
|
__label__cc
| 0.53294
| 0.46706
|
Emperor Jahangir’s portrait auctioned in London
Print Issue: 16-30 April 2011
London: A magnificent portrait the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who reigned from 1605 to 1627, attributed to Abu’l Hasan Nadir al-Zaman and dated 1026 AH/1617 CE, was sold here to a Middle Eastern museum for £1,420,000 at Bonhams Indian and Islamic Sale on 5 April. The picture is a political tour de force in which the Emperor lays claim to a world-wide ambition. This is achieved through its full life-size magnificence, use of precious items in its creation, and the words that accompany it, all make his all conquering ambition plain.
The portrait in gouache heightened with gold leaf on a fine woven cotton canvas shows the Emperor seated on a throne. His head is surrounded by a radiating nimbus and he is wearing an embroidered floral tunic over a patka and striped pyjama, with applied plaster jewellery. There is a circular pendant around the Emperor’s neck set with mica, with jade and glass vessels at his side and carpet under his feet. The border has 26 cartouches of fine nasta’liq inscription.
Previously shown in the National Portrait Gallery in an exhibition on the Indian Portrait in 2010, the Emperor is shown seated on a gold decorated throne holding a globe, wearing elaborate robes and jewellery. The surrounding Persian inscription states it was painted at Mandu in 1026 AH/1617 CE.
Alice Bailey, Head of Indian and Islamic Art at Bonhams comments: “This is one of the rarest and most desirable 17th century paintings ever to come to auction. There is no other work of its kind known and its importance cannot be underestimated. The extraordinary detail and complexity of the painting both fascinate and bewitch the viewer.”
This article appeared in The Milli Gazette print issue of 16-30 April 2011 on page no. 17
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line441
|
__label__wiki
| 0.774492
| 0.774492
|
Delhi Minorities Commission forms fact-finding committee to probe Palwal mosque issue
The Milli Gazette Online
Published Online: Oct 20, 2018
New Delhi: To probe the allegations about the alleged foreign funding of a mosque being constructed in a village in Palwal, Haryana, Delhi Minorities Commission has constituted a committee which will tour the area, talk to police, administration, officials of the local panchayat, people of the area and members of the affected families in order to reach to the bottom of the issue.
The committee will present its report to the Commission which will be released sometime next week in a press conference. The committee is headed by the known human rights activist Ovais Sultan Khan, a member of DMC’s advisory committee, Sardar Gurmindar Singh Matharu, member of Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee Amritsar, and the well-known advocate and human rights worker Abu Bakr Sabbaq.
The committee will tour the area tomorrow, Saturday, and will also meet in Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi the affected families some of whose members have been arrested over the alleged foreign funding of the mosque in the village near Palwal.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line442
|
__label__cc
| 0.646175
| 0.353825
|
A Story of One – A Story of Millions
Posted on Thursday, November 12th, 2015 by Bassim Eledath
Recently, Maverick Youth became acquainted with the literal representation of a maverick. Farhad is one of the hundreds of thousands of refugees that made the perilous journey to seek asylum in the European Union. He left his home in Afghanistan and traveled close to 7,000 kilometers, travelling through seven different countries to get to Germany where he has now obtained his papers for the European Union. His journey embodies the struggle and pain every refugee endures. Here is his story.
By the name of Allah.
This is how my journey towards Germany began.
When my father was teaching in a school in Afghanistan, some of his students were interested in pursuing pharmaceutical studies and asked my father to teach them English. Teaching English wasn’t allowed by the Taliban, so after some time, they began to become suspicious of my father. After a week, some Talibs came into my father’s class and asked a student to tell my father to say a sentence in English. That was the second mistake my father made against the wild animals they call the Taliban. My father ‘disappeared’. And, the next day someone reported that they found his body. I was only two years old; I was a kid, and I didn’t know anything.
Due to security challenges in Afghanistan, I planned to journey towards Germany, although a lot of my friends and folks told me, “You may die on the way.” They even tried to tell me the exact percentage of people dying on the journey, which was 90 percent. They told me, “You may be beaten by border police and be thrown into prison for years. You may even rot in prison.” They told me that because of my illegal journey, the prison may not provide me with food, and I may die. Another relative told me that the Kurdish people could break my leg as a torturous punishment for trespassing.
My mother was very scared for me. She cried all day for me and told me she couldn’t sacrifice me the way my father did. She told me that since I was her only son, she didn’t have anyone else in this world. I cried as well, but not in front of her. So I went outside of Kabul for the first time to Mazar-e-Sharif. The smuggler made a mistake while making my fake passport. He mistakenly wrote my age down as 18 rather than 21, which is the age required for an Iranian visa. So I went several times to the Iranian Embassy after an interview. I couldn’t get the visa so I had to wait in Mazar-e-Sharif.
After about 21 days, I finally tried to go back to Kabul. The smuggler told me, “Give me one more chance, I will provide you with a visa tomorrow.” The next day, the smuggler called and said, “Come to the Embassy,” where he gave me an envelope. He told me not to open it when I gave it to the Iranian in charge of interviews. Without any questions, the Iranian gave me the papers to test my blood. After testing my blood, he gave me a provisional visa, so I flew from Mazar-e-Sharif to Iran. The smuggler told me to call him when I reached Iran, so that he could give me instructions.
When I called him, he told me to wait for about one hour for someone to come and pick me up. I waited for that person; he was from Iran, and he took me to a beautiful garden. I thought I would relax in this garden, but we continued to walk. Then, he opened a basement door, and I asked what I was to do in there. When I entered, there were 250 boys and terrible smells because the toilet was nearby. One piece of bread every 24 hours wasn’t enough for us, so we had to buy one biscuit, which was $10, and one bottle of mineral water, which cost us about $5. I was kept in that basement for about three days.
I missed sun rays during the three days in the basement. I missed the sun and couldn’t see well outside because we had been without light in the darkness. Everyone used their own hands to cover their eyes and when we came out of the basement. The man, who was responsible for us, suddenly chose five of us and put us in a trunk. I told him I would suffocate in the trunk, so he kicked me twice and so I put myself in the trunk. We were in the trunk for about 14 hours and these were overbearing moments for me. When I got out of the trunk, I couldn’t feel my legs or my hands at all. My spine was burning. I needed a moment to catch my breath.
After that, we spent the night in a Kurdish house, and in the morning the man came and moved us to a house that was close to a mountain. I did not know anything about those deadly mountains. A woman cooked some food for us. At 9:00 PM, we started walking to the hills. Slowly, the hills turned into mountains. I had three pairs of jeans, four t-shirts, one pair of extra shoes, gloves, and a cap with me in my bag. I was full of energy for what seemed like the first fifty hours in those deadly mountains.
I walked fast and continued on my indefatigable way. We spent 13 more hours on the mountain and I was very thirsty. So I asked the smuggler – who was a shepherd and knew the directions towards Turkey – for water. He lied and told me that after two hours of walking there would be a fountain; then after two hours, he said three hours. I was ultimately dehydrated, but with lots of trouble, we reached the other mountain where there was a mountain police base. Thirsty, I looked for water but couldn’t find anything except the remains of horses and donkeys, which had fallen ill in the mountains. I looked everywhere but I couldn’t find any water except the frozen snow. I had to drink water from frozen snow. I ate lots of snow and I put some snow in my bottle. I was so happy that I could finally find water. I put the bottle in front of the Sun rays, which melted the snow, but I saw that the bottle was filled with mud and water – I couldn’t see even a little bit of clear water, as it was all mixed with mud.
Our journey started once again, and the food in my bag was about to finish, so I wondered what should I do when that happens as we still had to walk across all the mountains? We started walking again, and finally we found something like a fountain. I drank lots of water and we spent almost 26 hours walking in that direction. It was around 2:30 AM when we reached the final mountain, which was very big. As I drank a lot of impure water, I started to feel nauseous, and had diarrhoea as well. I told the smuggler I couldn’t move, and he told me that if I didn’t go with him in one or two hours, I would be eaten by foxes and dogs.
I was too tired to sleep, so I didn’t sleep much. I thought about my mother and what she would do without me. Four Pakistanis told the smuggler that we couldn’t move until we were given something to eat. The smuggler replied, “ I don’t have anything to give you guys now.” He had left all his supplies at the border between Iran and Turkey.
We continued walking and walking. I was badly affected by stomach acid, but I still had to walk all the way across the mountains. Finally, at 7:00 AM, a big car came to take all of us to a barn where cows were kept.
After six hours, another car took us to Turkey. We moved to a house in Turkey and were given some food to eat because we were all hungry. After that, the smuggler gave us the tickets for the 304 bus which brought us to the nearest station. We were in that bus for about nine hours. After that, the smuggler booked us a ticket across the side of a bridge, which belongs to Europe. We stayed there for about one week. After that, a van came to the front of our building and took us all. The Bulgarian jungle awaited us. After three hours of driving, we were finally dropped off and had two smugglers with us. They had Internet and GPS, which showed us the exact way to Serbia.
We also met two women – one of whom was pregnant – and a few children. The other woman’s infant was around five or seven months old. The infant’s crying forced the smuggler to give the children sleeping medicine. Walking through a jungle full of thorns and big-small trees at 2:30am, without any light, was terrible. Whenever we tried turning the lighter on, the smuggler would shout at us, “Don’t try to use flash.” We continued walking without any rest. We were around 90 people, stuck in a Bulgarian jungle. Finally, when we passed through whole jungle, we saw five cars approaching us. Everyone seated themselves, and after a few minutes, a boy started repeatedly yelling in the trunk, “Mariz ast,” which meant, “She is sick,” – “she” being the pregnant woman.
After five minutes, he hit the trunk harder and the family inside kept saying that she was sick with fear. I couldn’t raise my voice, but finally, I gathered courage and asked him, “What happened?”. He kept yelling, “She is sick” I thought his sister was sick. I told him, “You dare to come then, please, stay a few minutes more.” Despite the cries, the driver carelessly continued with his driving- a speed of 120 kph. Finally, the pregnant woman raised her voice and said, “Please, for God’s sake! I am bleeding! I may have a miscarriage!”
I couldn’t stay relaxed in my seat. I tried to explain to the driver in English, but he didn’t understand me, so with hand gestures I told him that the pregnant woman was bleeding. I immediately changed places with her – I went to the trunk and I gave her my seat. There was another woman with us as well and she treated the pregnant woman. After two hours, the driver transported us to a barn where we stayed for about an hour, after which, a van came and picked up the group. We stayed in a place that belonged to our smuggler.
I asked for a SIM card; one SIM card cost 40 Euros and one prepaid calling card cost 25 Euros. Everybody had to buy SIM cards to call their own smugglers and stay updated. We asked for food but food meant spending 10 Euros for one piece of bread.
Our smugglers told us to follow the train line. “Just take you first left hand street,” they said. We walked for about 14 hours with the whole group.
I was the only one who could speak English in the group. My teacher, Peter John Dalglish, the UNHABITAT country representative for Afghanistan, held English classes every Friday. We called them Super English classes. I have been taught social communication, how to be human, the meaning of humanity, and how to respect others, among other things. Peter has helped me in a lot of ways. “If you need money, I am always there to help you guys,” is what he would always say. We also had a lot of guests to our Super English Classes as well, who taught us lots of issues that we couldn’t learn about in school.
Finally, after 46-48 hours, we passed through the Serbian landscape, which looked to me like a desert. We had finally reached Hungary. We went to the police station; they did the necessary formalities, gave us papers, directed us to the train station, and then to a camp where they gave us shampoo, soup and ID cards. After spending three days in camp, the smugglers called us and told us to come to a park. We stayed in the park for about eight days.
During eight days of the stay, the people helped us with blankets, mattresses, food, clothes and everything we needed. Then, we had to continue our day hopelessly, because the way had been shut on us again! I didn’t know what to do.
I called my mother from Afghanistan and told her, “Mother I may die, don’t you worry about me. If I die here at least they will respect my body. My mother told me, crying, “Don’t say that ever again!”
One night, someone came and asked us if we could speak English. I raised my hand and he told me the city would become empty that night. “Just be careful, and translate it to your friends,” he said. Another man came and told us to “Stay together tonight and don’t get separated.” This time, we felt a little bit worried.
I was awoken from my sleep at 1:10 AM. Suddenly, I heard the police shout. We realized that there were 80 or more giant men who wanted to attack us, so we were all afraid. Some of us took thick sticks, and got ready to defend ourselves and our families. The police called for assistance, and more officers came for our protection. Luckily, no one was seriously injured that night.
That very night at around 03:00 AM, a bus took us to the Austrian border between Hungary and Utrish. After that, a train took us to Munich. We boarded the first train, and everyone was clapping for us. It was an unbelievable moment for me. They gave us lots of food. I got pizza, shoes, a coat, biscuits, chocolate – it was amazing. When I arrived at Bochum, the German people brought us lots of clothes and shoes. The German people have been very friendly to us, and I never expected they would be so nice to us.
Maverick Youth had the chance to ask Farhad a few follow up questions –
What are you presently doing in Germany?
Presently, the German government provides me Deutsch classes, which helps me to speak German.
What are your future plans and aspirations?
My future plans and aspirations are to continue my studies, and be an asset for the people here in Germany.
Would you like to leave the readers with a message?
So, if I knew beforehand that I would be facing hard times ahead, I would rather accept being killed in Afghanistan than coming here illegally like this. Every human smuggled has no worth in the eyes of their smuggler – you are like a doll to them. So if you want to have the same journey, don’t do it – you may get killed on the way, or be suffocated.
The above story underwent minimal editing by the staff at Maverick Youth. All the edits were approved by Farhad before the publishing of the story. You may view the original hand-written pages, sent to us exclusively by Farhad, by clicking here.
Articles Crisis, illegal, migration, refugee
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line445
|
__label__wiki
| 0.828676
| 0.828676
|
Maximum Ink Madison's Music Magazine
Rock Star Death Notices - March 2012
(1408) Page Views
Anders Askildsen Eikas - Died 1-31-2012 - Car accident (Punk) Born 1-20-1992 - Drummer - Was a member of Honningbarna (They did, “Nikkedemokrati” and “Fri Palestina”).
Leslie Carter (Leslie Barbara Carter) - Died 1-31-2012 in Buffalo, New York, U.S. (Pop) Born 6-6-1986 in Tampa, Florida, U.S. - Singer - (She did, “Like Wow!” and “I Need To Hear It From You”) - Led The Other Half - Sister of singers, Nick Carter and Aaron Carter.
King Stitt (Winston Sparks) - Died 1-31-2012 in Kingston, Jamaica - Prostate cancer (Reggae) Born 9-17-1939 in Kingston, Jamaica - Singer and deejay - (He did, “Herbman Shuffle” and “Fire Corner”).
Ricky Staple (Ricardo Staple) - Died 1-31-2012 in Panama City, Panama - Heart disease - Percussionist - Worked with Victor Boa.
Don Cornelius (Donald Cortez Cornelius) - Died 2-1-2012 in Sherman Oaks, California, U.S. - Shot himself - Born 9-27-1936 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Created and hosted the music TV show, Soul Train which featured artists such as Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
Mike Kelley (Michael Kelley) - Found dead 2-1-2012 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Suicide (Punk) Born 1954 in Wayne, Mich., U.S. - Singer, pecussionist and artist - (He did, “Gerber Gerbil” and “Outer Rink Magnifique”) - Was a member of Destroy All Monsters (They did, “Crying In Bed” and “I Love You But You’re Dead”) and The Poetics.
David Peaston - Died 2-1-2012 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. - Complications of diabetes (R&B - Gospel) Born 3-13-1957 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “Two Wrongs (Don’t Make A Right)” and a version of “Can I”) - Worked with The Distinguished Gents and Lester Bowie - Brother of singer, Fontella Bass and son of singer, Martha Bass.
Jonathan Gopani - Died 2-1-2012 - Car accident (Gospel) Born 4-1-1971 - Was a member of The Adams Family (They did, “Amandikonda”).
Nello Ferrara - Died 2-3-2012 in River Forest - He was 93 years old - Singer - He sang in duets with Frank Sinatra - Was the chairman for The Ferrara Pan Candy Company and invented the candies, Atomic FireBalls and Lemonheads.
Al DeLory (Alfred De Lory) - Died 2-5-2012 - Pianist, producer and arranger - Born 1-31-1930 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - (Co-wrote Larry Verne’s, “Mr. Custer”) - Worked with The Crystals (“He’s A Rebel”), The Beach Boys, Tina Turner and The Righteous Brothers - Produded and arranged Glen Campbell (“Gentle On My Mind” and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix) - Produced Wayne Newton, Dobie Gray, The Lettermen and The Turtles - Father of singer, Donna De Lory.
Noel Kelehan - Died 2-6-2012 in Dublin, Ireland - Illness (Jazz - Irish) Born 12-26-1935 - Pianist - Conducted of The RTE Concert Orchestra and 29 Eurovision Song Contest entries and was a musical director for Radio Telefís Eireann - Wrote the string arrangements for U2’s, The Unforgettable Fire album.
Alori Joh (Loriana Johnson) - Died 2-6-2012 - Jumped from a radio transmission tower (Hip-Hop) She was 25 years old - Singer - (She did, “Talking To Myself” and “The Love Religion”) - Worked with Schoolboy Q (“Phenomenon”), Kendrick Lamar (“HiiiPower”), Jay Rock and Ab-Soul (“More Of A Euphoria”).
Ronnie Tait (aka Ronnie Jack) - Died 2-7-2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland (Blues) Born 11-20-1946 in Roseburn, Edinburgh, Scotland - Sang and played harmonica and guitar - (He did, “You Are No Angel”) - Was a member of The Rootsie Tootsie Blues Band - Worked with The Rapiers, Bronco and The Blues Brotherhood.
Luis Alberto Spinetta (aka El Flaco) - Died 2-8-2012 in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Lung cancer (Rock) Born 1-23-1950 in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Sang and played guitar and keyboards - Was a member of Almendra (They did, “Tema de Pototo” and “Muchacha ojos de papel”), Pescado Rabioso, Invisible (They did, “Durazno Sangrando”), Spinetta Jade and Spinetta y los Socios del Desierto - Father of singer, Dante Spinetta.
Wando (Wanderley Alves dos Reis) - Died 2-8-2012 in Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil - Cardiopulmonary arrest (Brega) Born 10-2-1945 in Cajuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil - Singer and songwriter - (He wrote, “Fogo e Paixao” and Roberto Carlos’s, “A Menina e o Poeta”).
Jimmy Sabater (Jaime Sabater Sr.) - Died 2-8-2012 (Salsa) Born 4-11-1936 in New York, NY, U.S. - Singer and and timbales player - Worked with The Joe Cuba Sextet (They did, “To Be With You” and “Sock It To Me”) and Tito Puente.
Billy Fayard - Died 2-8-2012 in Louisiana, U.S. - From gunshot wounds he sustained in January (R&B) He was 70 years old - (He did, “I Don’t Know” and “I Get Mad, So Mad”) - Was a member of The Stokes (They did, “Whipped Cream”) - Worked with Allen Toussaint (“Sawdust Floor” and “Poor Boy Got To Move”).
Joe Moretti (Joseph Edward Moretti) - Died 2-9-2012 in Johannesburg, South Africa (Rock - Skiffle - Pop) Born 5-10-1938 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland - Guitarist - Worked with Gene Vincent, Vince Eager, The Playboys, Vince Taylor (“Brand New Cadillac”), Lesley Duncan, Nero And The Gladiators, Ronnie Jones And The Nightimers, Eddie Calvert, Johnny Duncan’s Bluegrass Boys, Tom Jones, Colin Hicks And The Cabin Boys, Chris Farlowe and Johnny Kidd And The Pirates (“Shakin’ All Over” and “Restless”).
Thomas Andrew Kravitz-Hear - Died 2-9-2012 in Las Vegas - Born 8-23-1972 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - Guitarist - Worked with Soulja Boy and Outkast.
Whitney Houston (Whitney Elizabeth Houston) - Died 2-11-2012 in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. (Pop - Soul - R&B - Gospel) Born 8-9-1963 in Newark, New Jersey, U.S. - Singer, pianist, model and actress - (She did, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and Dolly Parton’s, “I Will Always Love You”) - Acted in the films, The Bodyguard and Waiting To Exhale - She had been married to singer, Bobby Brown - Daughter of singer, Cissy Houston and entertainment executive, John Russell Houston Jr. - Cousin of singers, Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick - Aretha Franklin is her godmother.
Delores Ware-Spires - Died 2-12-2012 in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. - Illness (Gospel) She was 74 years old - Pianist - Developed the piano playing Spires Method.
Jodie Christian - Died 2-13-2012 (Jazz) Born 2-2-1932 - Pianist - Worked with Ira Sullivan, Eddie Harris, The Jazz Showcase, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons, Roscoe Mitchell, Buddy Montgomery and The Experimental Band - Co-founded The AACM (Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians).
Ice Pick Walt Gibson (Walter P. Gibson) - Died 2-13-2012 - Complications from cancer (Blues) He was 56 years old - Played dobro, piano, guitar and bass - Worked with The Dinosaurs and Flash Terry.
Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan - Died 2-14-2012 - Cardiac arrest - Born 1938 in Baroda - Played sitar - Worked with Ustad Alla Rakha, Buddy Rich and Paul Horn - He was a pupil of Ravi Shankar.
Dory Previn (Dorothy Veronica Langan) (aka Dory Shannon and Dory Langdon) - Died 2-14-2012 in Southfield, Massachusetts, U.S. - Born 10-22-1925 in Rahway, New Jersey, U.S. - Singer, guitarist and songwriter - (She did, “Twenty-Mile Zone” and “I Ain’t His Child”) - She wrote music for films including Pepe, Valley Of The Dolls and The Sterile Cuckoo - Her songs have been recorded by Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Chris Connor, Vic Damone, Bobby Darin, Dionne Warwick, The Sandpipers, Eileen Farrell, Jack Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Marilyn Maye, Frank Sinatra and Carmen McRae - At one time married to pianist, Andre Previn.
Tonmi Lillman (Tonmi Kristian Lillman) (Tommi Lillman) - Died 2-14-2012 (Rock) Born 6-3-1973 in Helsinki, Finland - Played drums, guitar, keyboards and bass and was a studio engineer and a graphic designer - Worked with Lordi, Sinergy, Kylahullut, Vanguard, Lie In Ruins, Reflexion, Twilight Ophera, Fear Of Domination, 3rror and To/Die/For.
Clive Shakespeare (Clive Richard Shakespeare) - Died 2-15-2012 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia - Prostate cancer (Pop - Rock) Born 6-3-1949 in Southampton, Hampshire, England - Guitarist - Was a member of Down Town Roll and Sherbet (They did, “Summer Love” and “Cassandra”) - Worked with The Road Agents - Produced Paul Kelly.
Luke Brandon - Died 2-15-2012 in Oak Ridge - Lung cancer - Guitarist, singer and producer - He was 87 years old - Born in Rockwood - Worked with Don Gibson, Archie Campbell, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers (“When Will I Be Loved”). Ricky Nelson, David West and Cowboy Copas - Produced Bobby Bare (“All American Boy”) - Son of guitarist, Luke Brandon Sr.
Gonny Klazen - Died 2-15-2012 in Rehoboth - Heart attack - He was 63 years old - Played saxophone, keyboards, guitar and drums - Was a member of The Reho Combo Langarm Band.
Jon McIntire - Died 2-16-2012 - Natural causes (Country - Rock) Born 8-13-1941 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, U.S. - Pianist - Was a manager for The Grateful Dead.
Bubi Chen - The Pearl of the East - Died 2-16-2012 in Semarang, Central Java - Cardiac arrest (Jazz) Born 2-19-1938, in Surabaya, East Java - Played piano and kecapi - Led The Chen Trio - Worked with The Jack Lesmana Quartet and The Indonesian All Stars.
Bruce McNichols - Died 2-16-2012 - Stroke (Jazz) Born 4-6-1939 in Oceanside, NY, U.S. - Played banjo and sang - Was a member of The Smith Street Society Jazz Band - Worked with Henry Newberger.
Michael Davis - Died 2-17-2012 in Chico, CA, U.S. - Liver failure (Rock) Born 6-5-1943 - Bassist and singer - Was a member of The MC5 (They did, “Kick Out The Jams” and “High School”), DKT-MC5, Destroy All Monsters (They did, “Meet The Creeper” and “Little Boyfriend”), Blood Orange and Rich Hopkins And The Luminarios.
Debby Jones (Ethel Deborah-Lee Jones) - Died 2-17-2012 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Born 6-25-1954 In Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sang and played clarinet and flute - Was a member of Four The Moment.
Enrique Sierra - Died 2-17-2012 - Kidney disease (Rock) He was 54 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of Kaka de Luxe and Radio Futura (They did, “Enamorado de la moda juvenil” and “La estatua del jardín botanico”).
Mohammed Osman Wardi - Died 2-18-2012 - Kidney problem - Born 7-9-1932 in Swarda, Sudan - Played the stringed oud and the Nubian tanbur and was a songwriter - Worked with Abdelaziz Mohamed Dauod, Osman Hussaein, Ibrahim Awad and Ismail Hassan.
Ken Goodwin - Died 2-18-2012 in Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales - Born 4-7-1933 in Manchester, England, UK - Comedian and singer - (He did, “Settle Down” and “Keep Your Heart”) - Appeared on TV’s, The Comedians.
Jaroslav Velinsky (aka Kapitan Kid, Vaclav Rabsky, C.P. Stonebridge and Agata Bila) - Died 2-19-2012 in Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic - Lung cancer (Tramp Songs - Folk) Born 12-18-1932 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Songwriter, guitarist and banjoist - (He did, “No to se vi” and “Jenofefa” and “Slaboch Ben”) - Co-founder of the folk, country and tramp festival, Porta - He also was an author of detective, sci-fi and adventure literature.
Bob Hendrix (Robert F. Hendrix) - Died 2-19-2012 in Hawaii, U.S. - Born 3-17-1946 - He was a senior VP and COO of Experience Hendrix a company he helped manage for the legacy of his cousin, Jimi Hendrix.
Latif Ibrahim - Died 2-20-2012 - He was 61 years old - Heart attack - Singer - (He did, “Nora” and “Mengharap Kasihmu”) - Brother of singer, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim.
Joe Thompson - Died 2-20-2012 - Illness - Born 1918 in North Carolina, U.S. - Played fiddle - Worked with The Carolina Chocolate Drops - Brother of banjo player, Nate Thompson.
Thom Enright (Thomas W. Enright) - Died 2-20-2012 in Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S. - Brain cancer (Rock - Blues) Born 9-26-1952 in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S - Bassist and guitarist - Was a member of The Young Adults (They did, “Complex World” and “Beer”) and The Night Drinkers (They did, “Intoxicated”).
Christopher Reimer - Died 2-21-2012 (Rock) He was 26 years old - Guitarist - Worked with Women (They did, “Black Rice”) and The Dodos.
Koji Kita - Died 2-22-2012 - Liver cancer - Born 1-20-1949 - Singer - Was a member of The Four Leaves (They did, “Olivia no Shirabe”).
Mike Melvoin - Died 2-22-2012 (Jazz) Born 5-10-1937 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S. - Pianist - Worked with Frank Rosolino, Leroy Vinnegar, Gabor Szabo, Gerald Wilson, Paul Horn, Peggy Lee, Tom Waits, Bill Henderson, Terry Gibbs, Joe Williams, Plas Johnson, Milt Jackson and Herb Ellis - Father of singers, Wendy Melvoin and Susannah Melvoin and keyboardist, Jonathan Melvoin.
Billy Strange (William Everett Strange) - Died 2-22-2012 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - Born 9-29-1930 in Long Beach, California, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and guitarist - (Co-wrote Elvis Presley’s, “A Little Less Conversation” and Chubby Checker’s, “Limbo Rock”) - Worked with Willie Nelson, The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys (“Sloop John B”), Nancy Sinatra (“Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”), Nat King Cole, Wanda Jackson, Randy Newman, Jan & Dean and The Ventures - He did arrangments for Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Duane Eddy - Was married to singer, Jeanne Black and at one time married to actress, Joan O’Brien - Rockabilly Hall Of Fame Inductee.
Ray Lamere (aka Sugar Ray) - Died 2-22-2012 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S. - Cancer (Big Band) Born 7-20-1929 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Sang and played double bass - Led The Ray Lamere Orchestra - Worked with The Sammy Kaye Orchestra, Sande Williams, Bobby Sherwood, Tommy Tucker, The First Class Orchestra and Meyer Davis.
Istvan Anhalt - Died 2-24-2012 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Electroacoustic) Born 4-12-1919 in Budapest, Hungary - Composer - Was the head of music at Queen’s University and a professor of music at McGill University - Some of his pupils were Donald Patriquin, Clifford Ford, Richard Hunt, John Hawkins and John Fodi.
Pery Ribeiro (Peri Oliveira Martins) - Died 2-24-2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Heart attack (Jazz - Bossa Nova) Born 10-27-1937 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Singer - (He did, “Garota de Ipanema” and “O Barquinho”) - Worked with Leny Andrade and Bossa 3 - He was the voice of Bashful in the Walt Disney movie Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs - Son of singers, Dalva de Oliveira and Herivelto Martins.
Andy Cornett - Died 2-24-2012 (Blues) He was 61 years old - Played bass and harmonica - Worked with Henry Gray And The Cats and Rue Boogaloo.
Red Holloway (James W. Holloway) - Died 2-25-2012 (Jazz) Born 5-31-1927 in Helena, Arkansas, U.S. - Played saxophone, banjo and harmonica - Worked with Roosevelt Sykes, Etta James, Red Rodney, Lester Young, Carmen McRae, Willie Dixon, Billie Holiday, Muddy Waters, Sonny Stitt, Memphis Slim, Lionel Hampton, Jimmy Rushing, Arthur Prysock, Brother Jack McDuff, Dakota Staton, Eddie Vinson, Al Smith, George Benson, Wardell Gray, Sonny Rollins, Chuck Berry, Ben Webster, Joe Williams, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Aretha Franklin, Clark Terry, Junior Parker, Lloyd Price and John Mayall.
Louisiana Red (Iverson Minter) (aka Rocky Fuller) - Died 2-25-2012 in Hanover, Germany - After a stroke (Blues) Born 3-23-1932 in Bessemer, Alabama, U.S. - Sang and played guitar and harmonica - (He did, “Sweet Blood Call” and “I’m Too Poor To Die”) - Worked with John Lee Hooker and Tommy Tucker.
Raul Abzueta - Died 2-25-2012 - Stroke - He was 49 years old - Guitarist - Worked with Caracas Sincronica.
Dee Cernile - Died 2-25-2012 - Lung cancer (Rock) He was 46 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of Sven Gali (They did, “Under The Influence” and “Tie Dyed Skies”).
Michael Parrish - Died 2-25-2012 in West Warwick, RI, U.S. - Run over during an altercation (Rock) He was 56 years old - Bassist and singer - Was a member of The Free Wheels, Sleeper and Nasty Habits (They did, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and “Ten 8”).
Davy Jones (David Thomas Jones) - Died 2-29-2012 in Indiantown, Florida, U.S. - Heart attack (Pop - Rock) Born 12-30-1945 in Openshaw, Manchester, Lancashire, England - Singer and actor - He was 66 years old - Jones joined The Monkees in 1965, with Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork.
Max Ink Menu
Live Music Calendar
Madcity Nights - July 2019
Echoes of Pompeii
Giants In The Trees
The Rousers
Rare Element
The JB3’s
Static-X 2019
See All By Date
Disc Reviews
Letter To the People
Rockstar Death Notices
Eclectic Vibes
Slipped Discs
Contact Maximum Ink music magazine
Contact: Webmaster(at)maximumink.com
© Max Ink, LLC. All rights reserved. Design: HTML5 UP.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line446
|
__label__cc
| 0.647144
| 0.352856
|
Facebook Ads and other social media ad platforms, for example, are pay-per-click platforms that do not fall under the SEM category. Instead of showing your ads to people who are searching for similar content like search ads do, social media sites introduce your product to people who happen to be just browsing through their feeds. These are two very, very different types of online advertising.
Social media marketing is a powerful way for businesses of all sizes to reach prospects and customers. Your customers are already interacting with brands through social media, and if you're not speaking directly to your audience through social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, you're missing out! Great marketing on social media can bring remarkable success to your business, creating devoted brand advocates and even driving leads and sales.
Creating high quality content takes a significant amount of at least one of the following: time, effort, expertise, and talent/skill. Content should be factually accurate, clearly written, and comprehensive. So, for example, if you describe your page as a recipe, provide a complete recipe that is easy to follow, rather than just a set of ingredients or a basic description of the dish.
In 1998, two graduate students at Stanford University, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, developed "Backrub", a search engine that relied on a mathematical algorithm to rate the prominence of web pages. The number calculated by the algorithm, PageRank, is a function of the quantity and strength of inbound links.[22] PageRank estimates the likelihood that a given page will be reached by a web user who randomly surfs the web, and follows links from one page to another. In effect, this means that some links are stronger than others, as a higher PageRank page is more likely to be reached by the random web surfer.
You may not want certain pages of your site crawled because they might not be useful to users if found in a search engine's search results. If you do want to prevent search engines from crawling your pages, Google Search Console has a friendly robots.txt generator to help you create this file. Note that if your site uses subdomains and you wish to have certain pages not crawled on a particular subdomain, you'll have to create a separate robots.txt file for that subdomain. For more information on robots.txt, we suggest this Webmaster Help Center guide on using robots.txt files13.
Page and Brin founded Google in 1998.[23] Google attracted a loyal following among the growing number of Internet users, who liked its simple design.[24] Off-page factors (such as PageRank and hyperlink analysis) were considered as well as on-page factors (such as keyword frequency, meta tags, headings, links and site structure) to enable Google to avoid the kind of manipulation seen in search engines that only considered on-page factors for their rankings. Although PageRank was more difficult to game, webmasters had already developed link building tools and schemes to influence the Inktomi search engine, and these methods proved similarly applicable to gaming PageRank. Many sites focused on exchanging, buying, and selling links, often on a massive scale. Some of these schemes, or link farms, involved the creation of thousands of sites for the sole purpose of link spamming.[25]
Facebook and LinkedIn are leading social media platforms where users can hyper-target their ads. Hypertargeting not only uses public profile information but also information users submit but hide from others.[17] There are several examples of firms initiating some form of online dialog with the public to foster relations with customers. According to Constantinides, Lorenzo and Gómez Borja (2008) "Business executives like Jonathan Swartz, President and CEO of Sun Microsystems, Steve Jobs CEO of Apple Computers, and McDonalds Vice President Bob Langert post regularly in their CEO blogs, encouraging customers to interact and freely express their feelings, ideas, suggestions, or remarks about their postings, the company or its products".[15] Using customer influencers (for example popular bloggers) can be a very efficient and cost-effective method to launch new products or services[18] Among the political leaders in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the highest number of followers at 40 million, and President Donald Trump ranks second with 25 million followers.[19] Modi employed social media platforms to circumvent traditional media channels to reach out to the young and urban population of India which is estimated to be 200 million.
Social networking websites allow individuals, businesses and other organizations to interact with one another and build relationships and communities online. When companies join these social channels, consumers can interact with them directly.[3] That interaction can be more personal to users than traditional methods of outbound marketing and advertising.[4] Social networking sites act as word of mouth or more precisely, e-word of mouth. The Internet's ability to reach billions across the globe has given online word of mouth a powerful voice and far reach. The ability to rapidly change buying patterns and product or service acquisition and activity to a growing number of consumers is defined as an influence network.[5] Social networking sites and blogs allow followers to "retweet" or "repost" comments made by others about a product being promoted, which occurs quite frequently on some social media sites.[6] By repeating the message, the user's connections are able to see the message, therefore reaching more people. Because the information about the product is being put out there and is getting repeated, more traffic is brought to the product/company.[4]
Another way search engine marketing is managed is by contextual advertising. Here marketers place ads on other sites or portals that carry information relevant to their products so that the ads jump into the circle of vision of browsers who are seeking information from those sites. A successful SEM plan is the approach to capture the relationships amongst information searchers, businesses, and search engines. Search engines were not important to some industries in the past, but over the past years the use of search engines for accessing information has become vital to increase business opportunities.[31] The use of SEM strategic tools for businesses such as tourism can attract potential consumers to view their products, but it could also pose various challenges.[32] These challenges could be the competition that companies face amongst their industry and other sources of information that could draw the attention of online consumers.[31] To assist the combat of challenges, the main objective for businesses applying SEM is to improve and maintain their ranking as high as possible on SERPs so that they can gain visibility. Therefore, search engines are adjusting and developing algorithms and the shifting criteria by which web pages are ranked sequentially to combat against search engine misuse and spamming, and to supply the most relevant information to searchers.[31] This could enhance the relationship amongst information searchers, businesses, and search engines by understanding the strategies of marketing to attract business.
In February 2011, Google announced the Panda update, which penalizes websites containing content duplicated from other websites and sources. Historically websites have copied content from one another and benefited in search engine rankings by engaging in this practice. However, Google implemented a new system which punishes sites whose content is not unique.[36] The 2012 Google Penguin attempted to penalize websites that used manipulative techniques to improve their rankings on the search engine.[37] Although Google Penguin has been presented as an algorithm aimed at fighting web spam, it really focuses on spammy links[38] by gauging the quality of the sites the links are coming from. The 2013 Google Hummingbird update featured an algorithm change designed to improve Google's natural language processing and semantic understanding of web pages. Hummingbird's language processing system falls under the newly recognized term of 'Conversational Search' where the system pays more attention to each word in the query in order to better match the pages to the meaning of the query rather than a few words [39]. With regards to the changes made to search engine optimization, for content publishers and writers, Hummingbird is intended to resolve issues by getting rid of irrelevant content and spam, allowing Google to produce high-quality content and rely on them to be 'trusted' authors.
As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work, the computer programmed algorithms which dictate search engine behavior, what people search for, the actual search terms or keywords typed into search engines, and which search engines are preferred by their targeted audience. SEO is performed because a website will receive more visitors from a search engine the higher the website ranks in the search engine results page (SERP). These visitors can then be converted into customers.[4]
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line450
|
__label__wiki
| 0.595888
| 0.595888
|
Orbituary
elliptical orbit--a story path veering off from the circular orbit of the conventional narrative; the oval-shaped path of a story, implying a movement away from tight plotting while still appearing to revolve about a recognizable theme.
Conventional short stories and novels tend to follow the structure of the domino theory. Events are arranged in close enough proximity to cause one dramatic event (a robbery, for example)to trigger another (unanticipated complication for the robber: get-away car stalls, flat tire, traffic jam). Any one or all of which triggers the arrival of an investigative agency responding not to the robbery but the stalled car, which triggers the appearance of the investigative agency responding to the robbery, which triggers a bureaucratic confusion in which the robbers escape, etc.
As stories and novels evolve beyond the conventional plot formation, the behavior of the characters involved becomes more notional, producing surprise and variations on reader expectations.
The writer's role in such stories is to provoke questions rather than to insist upon or even suggest answers. Thus do those frequent passengers, ambiguity and subtext, hitch rides on the traveling sphere, pulling the circular orbit slightly off course and into an ellipse.
Let Poe's "A Cask of Amontillado" represent the uniformly circular orbit or domino theory short story, with James Thurber's more recent trope on the same kind of revenge theme represent the tendency to veer off slightly, and Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain" represent the elliptical nature of the latest evolutionary step in the decidedly elliptical orbit of the short story.
With this in mind, the question to the writer becomes: What new thing can you do for story while still keeping it a story?
Posted by lowenkopf at 9:38 AM 0 comments
Labels: conventions, domino theory, elliptical, plot, short stories, story arc
Humans 10, Horses 0
beating a dead horse--pursuing a conversation, line of inquiry, or agenda that has been overcome by events; a character endlessly blaming himself or others for the consequences of some previous act or decision; taking a had-I-but-known trope to an even greater extreme of recrimination; not merely crying but sobbing over spilled milk.
The worst example of animal abuse or beating dead horses comes when a character flails self on the breast, bemoaning some missed opportunity or some previous seduction that seemed like a good idea at the time. Even the rule of three--three repetitions--can be one or two kicks too many. Try a scene in which a character recalls such a time. Or try a scene in which another character chastises the beater of horses of record with "You're not still blaming yourself for that, are you?"
Cutting material is an art of its very own, and difficult to learn, but one good place to start is with the kicked horse. Another way to approach this matter is to ask during the revision period how much the reader needs to be reminded. Remember as well the number of persons who called you out for having Denise blink her green eyes on page 41 when those same eyes were a reassuring coffee brown on page 28. Readers do note anomalies, even if they are deliberate ones set into place by such authors as Mario Vargas Llosa in his romp, Aunt Julia and the Script Writer.
Posted by lowenkopf at 10:29 AM 0 comments
Labels: anomaly, Aunt Julia and the Script Writer, dialogue as extra emphasis, needless repetition, overkill, reader feeder
M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e, Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse...
Mickey Mouse endings--an ending to a short story or novel in which justice triumphs with a loud tap of the gavel and the characters act as though they'd just been awarded E tickets to Disneyland; exaggerated all's-well-that-ends-well conclusions, prognoses, or payoffs.
True enough, not all stories require endings in which characters are being led to the gallows or guillotine or even seen rolling up their sleeve for a fatal injection. Many stories build to conclusions that by their very nature transmit touchy-feely emotions and are to be relished as, say, a frothy cappuccino would be relished or a bottle of Sierra Nevada pale ale. Mickey Mouse endings connote a mindless move toward propagandist tropes which pay homage to cultural decorations. Such endings relegate the protagonists of a story to the equivalent of the figures atop wedding cakes, a doughy, sugar-laced concoction colored with vegetable dye.
It is no accident that the iconic nice-guy figure from the second generation of comics in America has devolved into an adjective for types of music, books, and ad hoc events suggestive of music heard while riding in elevators or while waiting on hold for customer support from large organizations with whom we deal and have frequent issues. In a terrible celebration of wholesome excess, Mickey Mouse endings have become associated with the controlling imperatives of the company that owns him via copyright and registered trademark, a formulaic vision of the human condition, fostering a subtext of cynicism bordering on outright antipathy.
Much about endings of stories can be learned from reading the short stories of Anton Chekhov and James Joyce, adding to this accretion of wisdom the dead-pan wryness of Mark Twain, leavening the mixture with the individual writer's own special view on what it takes to make a go of life in the twenty-first or, for that matter, any century.
Yet more is to be learned from comparing the rules of behavior surrounding Mickey Mouse and his ensemble crew with the rules and regulations governing yet another figure from the animation world, Wile E. Coyote. From the former "bible," the writer can glean little more than ways to produce Mickey Mouse endings. From the latter, the writer can glean a workable recipe of humor, irony, and a GPS of the human agenda.
Labels: agenda, Anton Chekhov, James Joyce, Mark Twain, Mickey Mouse endings, Wile E. Coyote
I'll See Your Happy Ending and Raise You a Downer
happy ending, the--an outcome of a story or novel in which one of more of the lead characters is successful in achieving a goal; a payoff or result of a narrative in which the behavior of the protagonist leads the reader to feel optimistic; characters getting what they want without having to overpay.
One could almost paraphrase Tolstoy with the observation that happy endings are all alike, then qualify that observation with the added observation that the happy ending is the one where most of the characters achieve some measure of success after having competed for it. One could also consider the number of such endings that were dictated by publishers after having read the original endings produced first by their authors. Charles Dickens, who knew his way around endings, comes to mind with his original ending to arguably his most superbly realized novel, Great Expectations. Dickens's publisher was not happy with the ending, asked for, and got an alternate where things produced a greater glow of home, but at what cost?
In some noteworthy cases, publication seems to depend on the trope of the greater good rather that what works for a single character. The ending, which is to say the payoff of Lolita had to have a justice-is-served ending because the stakes were--and still are--so high. Conventional morality wants Humbert Humbert to have suffered more than he already has. Conventional morality wants to forget that Dolores-Dolly-Lolita might have been sophisticated and aware enough to have read Humbert and his intentions and, accordingly, to have "been there" for him.
Two notably happy endings that bear heavy irony are found in Huckleberry Finn and Catch-22; each novel ending with the protagonist fleeing from a decidedly impossible situation. Both these happy endings deserve consideration and study. Each one has the protagonist faced with an untenable fate. As readers, we join them in that escape and consequently experience the happiness of the ending. Humbert Humbert is in a no-win situation. Even if he'd been able to ride off into the sunset with Dolores, we know she'd probably have grown tired of him soon enough and, indeed, he would have grown tired of her because she was already on the verge of outgrowing his range of interest.
As in other relevant matters, the writer must be the arbiter of what constitutes the happiness part of the happy ending trope. The better way to look at the happy ending is to see it as a "justice served" moment, when the time has come to cash in the characters' and the author's chips for dramatic currency.
Annie Proulx's short story, "Brokeback Mountain," written to expose what she felt was the resident homophobia of most rural areas, can hardly be said to have a happy ending, but given the characters and the author's stake in it, the payoff of the story speaks to the issue of justice and the double standard in its service.
Happy endings and sad endings are opening hands in the metaphoric poker game of the contemporary story; the true ending, the literary ending, comes with the reflection on the fate of the characters involved as it is measured against justice, served or not served.
Posted by lowenkopf at 4:30 PM 0 comments
Labels: Brokeback Mountain, Catch-22, Great Expectations, happy ending, Huckleberry Finn, justice, Lolita, outcome, sad ending
Material Witnesses
material--raw dramatic data; outtakes from previous writing projects; unused research data; scraps of overheard conversation; notes and observations made in alternate states of consciousness; suggestions from friends, family, and well-meaning readers; newspaper stories (particularly tabloids) focusing on intra-family disputes and feuds; ideas generated as a result of responses of admiration or disapproval while reading the work of another writer; moral, ethical, and social problems apparent to a writer but not yet emotionally sorted through; handwritten comments over one sentence in length, written on rejection slips.
In the best-but-broadest sense, everything is material, like an untidy desk, eagerly awaiting the writer's attention for the sorting-out process to begin. More than a placebo but slightly less potent than a steroid, material is the writer's holy grail, the radiant aura surrounding a creative impulse, the assurance that this is the material--more than any other material, particularly previous material--that will transform the writer's life, craft, and career. It is the arcane book on knots, found by Annie Proulx at a yard sale, that inspired and prompted her breakout novel, The Shipping News. It is the inspiration for the poem, "Kubla Khan," that visited Samuel Taylor Coleridge's psyche and upon which he was embarked before a pair of door-to-door missionary workers knocked at Coleridge's entryway, frightening away the inspiration.
On the feeding scale, material ranks close to the bottom. It is less by far than a concept or a glimmer or a hint of story; it is deceptive and radioactive in its shimmery promise. It is all book tour and New Yorker appearance, but no story.
It is no small thing to have material or, indeed, to have Moleskine notebooks, flash sticks, external hard drives, or three-by-five index cards on which to store such material. It is no small thing to embark on the intent of a night's sleep, mentally sorting through such material, scanning for the right trope, the right word, the key that will set the WM, The Writer Mind, off on a dizzying spiral of connecting thematic and dramatic dots. It is no small thing to note and record material, even with the foreknowledge that doing so makes one of a piece with those odd-looking men and women with the electronic scanning devices who roam the beaches and park sites just before dark, hopeful of finding something of value, often finding nothing more substantial than a beer opener or empty foil packet of peanuts.
Material is the entry ticket into the big tent of writing. The instincts to collect it, evaluate it, store it help provide the muscle memory for the technique of being a storyteller. It is inconceivable to think of a serious writer who has not amassed a trove of material, even more so inconceivable to think of a writer who has not been confronted by a well-meaning friend or family member who wonders openly what the value of such material is, how many actual stories it has produced, what revelations and new insights into the human condition it contains.
In truth, the material a writer collects is of a piece with the core samplings the earth scientist or archaeologist or polar cap specialist takes. Material is a core sampling of ideas, conversations, measurements, and observations of the world of reality and alternate universes of the imagination. Material is best interpreted by a writer.
Labels: character-driven story, concept, ideas, inspiration, material, Moleskine notebooks
response--an acknowledgment, answer, or reply made by one character to one or more other characters; a dramatic answer to a dramatic question; an appropriate or inappropriate answer to an action, attitude, or question.
The spine of story involves confrontation of characters with differing agendas, a confrontation that can be developed within the framework of friendships, family relationships, professional relationships, or any conflation involving the manner in which individuals interact. This can be class- or status based, a PFC relating to a colonel or general, an employee dealing with an employer; it can also be generational, as in a grandchild dealing with a grandparent. The point here is that in dramas, characters don't go it alone--they react to other characters. This is also a necessary fiction in story and novel--and everything in between.
Some famous responses as examples:
Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.
Anton Chigurh and the convenience store operator in No Country for Old Men.
Bobby DuPre and the truck stop waitress in Five Easy Pieces.
Tom Sawyer and his friends in the whitewashing of the fence scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after M. loses his nerve for killing Duncan in Macbeth.
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, M.D., in any Sherlock Holmes mystery.
Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo in The Midnight Cowboy.
Jane Eyre and Rochester in Jane Eyre.
Gatsby and Daisy in The Great Gatsby.
Frankie Machine's response to his wife, Sophie, in The Man with the Golden Arm.
Bartelby and his employer in Bartelby the Scrivener.
Chief Bromden and Randle P. McMurphy in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.
In all of these examples, the characters have a layered, developing set of responses that grows by accretion as the story line progresses. To appreciate the interconnectedness of each is an enormous step toward the ability to constantly bring characters onstage together in ways that enhance the inertia and emotional drive of story.
Hint: There can be no chemistry between characters without response.
Posted by lowenkopf at 12:58 PM 2 comments
Labels: Bartelby, character-driven story, chone character on stage alone, Five Easy Pieces, Jane Eyre, Macbeth, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, response, The Great Gatsby, The Midnight Cowboy
Submissiveness
submission--an offering of a novel or short story for publication; a presentation of a manuscript to a literary agent or editor with hopes of impending publication; a practice engaged in by a writer in which work is offered to a publishing venue.
The moment comes when a writer knows a particular work is finished, that there is nothing more to be done to it without transforming it into something altogether different that what it is now, that readers will not be aware of any additional tweaking or changes.
If the work is a novel, the writer usually sends it to a literary agent because relatively few publishers will read book-length manuscripts unless they have been invited. If the work is a short story, the writer sends it to the editor of a magazine or journal, hopeful of it being accepted and scheduled for publication. Such is the nature of submission. Writers wishing to have their work published accept the process of submission as a way of life, just as the actor or actress accept the reality of audition, equally as the musician accepts the reality of audition.
True enough, some writers are invited to submit stories to journals and novels to publishers. These writers are generally veterans of previous publications, which came from previous submissions.
As a generality, writers whose work reflects a difference in theme and voice, while observing an awareness of what makes a story, will have a higher rate of acceptance than writers who strive to make their work less different, possibly even lapsing into derivative or imitative approaches.
Beginning writers see submission as some Sisyphean chore; published writers see submission as a way of writing life.
When Joseph Heller was told he'd have to change the title of his forthcoming novel, Catch-18, because it was on the same list as Leon Uris's Mila 18, Heller readily agreed to changing the title of his novel to Catch-22 because it had been submitted previously to twenty--one other publishers before being accepted.
Labels: auditions, College novels, Journals, publishers, pulp magazines, rejection, rejection slips, short stories, submission
Cheek Lit
chick lit--a literary form intended for women and young girl readers; novels and short stories intended to appeal to feminine tastes and issues; a separate genre from romance, with the ultimate goal specifically not focusing on marriage.
Relatively speaking, chick lit is a new kid on the block, an equivalent for feminine readers of the adventure stories aimed at male readers. As adventure stories run the gamut in voice from a drill-sergeant gruffness to a knowledgeable attention to the details of engines, motors, calibers of bullets, and the specific terrains of bull rings, chick lit reflects a full-bore enjoyment of professionalism, fashions, dating, sexuality, and relationships in general. The chick lit voice strives for and often achieves a tone of humor, with all the edge and potential for pain and sad understanding that implies. In other cases, the chick lit protagonist tends to be self-effacing, but by no means embracing victimhood.
It is not so much a case of men being barred from writing chick lit as it is a case of the potential for a male writer of chick lit sounding a few degrees too ironic, which becomes sarcasm, which is no fun for anyone to read. Nor is it a case of chick lit being the emergence of revenge fantasy writ large for women writers; chick lit is an emerged attitude about the conditions and problems of life that follow women about as though they were stalkers.
The works of Candace Bushnell are apt targets for studiers of chick lit, and although it is nonfiction, the works of Maureen Dowd are excellent study guides for what not to do when writing chick lit.
On balance, chick lit may be thought of as serious literature for readers and writers, which means its endings are of a piece with Thelma and Louise and, to mix the gender metaphor, of Huck Finn taking off for the territory ahead, fleeing from civilization. Some endings of chick lit novels are happy in the plausible sense. Others are reminiscent of Yossarian in Catch-22, taking off in a small boat for Sweden, hoping to flee the consummate madness that is war.
As with all emerging genera, chick lit is pushing envelopes of convention. To write it, the writer must remain abreast of the tide.
Labels: CA; Guilt Literature, Candace Bushnell, Catch-22, chick lit, Huckleberry Finn, irony, romance, sarcasm
A Pound of Life, Sliced Thin, Please
slice of life--a relatively plotless stream of incident from a segment of a character's daily routine; a term used with varying degrees of sarcasm to describe a collection of scenes that may or may not be a short story; a dramatic narrative of any length.
Earth and ocean scientists frequently take core samplings of terrain under, variously, polar caps, oceans, and soil strata to examine the processes of sedimentation, weather, pollen/seed density, etc. Similarly, some writers, perhaps in the process of building a background on a character, take a sampling of a day or year in the life of that character. You could pursue an argument with some weight that The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a slice of life; to be sure, it is a purposeful if highly romanticized one, said purpose substituting for a plot. It is beyond argument that the sequel, involving Sawyer's great chum, Huckleberry Finn, is not a slice of life but rather a plotted adventure, thus slice of life can be defined as a core sampling of life, being examined.
Instead of a denouement or negotiated settlement investigated in much twenty-first century narrative, slice of life depends on a single, evoked feeling, whether that feeling produces laughter, sadness, remorse, or nostalgia. Under close investigation, James Joyce's monumental core sampling, Ulysses, is slice of life writ large, its scrupulously close following of The Odyssey in no way a tie-in to a conventional plot. Another case for argument: Alexander McCall Smith's The Ladies Number 1 Detective Agency treads closely along the verges between slice of life and an actual plot. True enough, Mma Ramatsowe is given something to solve, but is it really a problem or more of an enigma?
Thus the resident enigma of the slice of life narrative: is it a story--or not? Writers aiming their narrative sights on a readership with more specific genre tastes will do well to consider McCall Smith's approach to narrative rather than the sometimes bewildering visions of Donald Barthelme or the short fiction of Raymond Carver as edited by Gordon Lish.
In slice of life as in the tightly plotted works of Harlan Coben and Lee Child, the ball is always in the writer's court, which is to say the senses of satisfaction and completion reside within the author and let the reader rather than the devil take the hindmost.
The writer at some point must arrive at an individual template for what a story is, then compose to the integrity of that template. To encourage the writer to think this point through, this question: Is Tobias Wolff's "A Bullet in the Brain" a short story or a slice of life?
Labels: Alexander McCall Smith, Harlan Coben, Mma Ramotswe, plot, Raymond Carver, The Odyssey, Tom Sawyer
How do I love thee? Let ME count the ways.
don't tell the reader what the reader already knows--a needless repetition of dramatic events already seen; repetition of dialogue exchanges; belaboring motivation, character flaws, and implications.
At some point in the equation, the reader has to be let beyond the red rope barrier to the entrance to the story, allowed to find a preferred seat, and participate in the story being told, in other words, allowed to infer. This comes at a price to the writer, who is likely to have been stung in other dramatic venues by readers who completely misinterpret, then go forth to make erroneous assumptions about the motivations of the characters and the intent of the author. Writers are enough control freaks as it is to take this challenge lightly, but the fact is that writers who over manage to make absolutely sure the reader "gets" his intention is in fact dumbing the story down and not taking necessary risks.
Hint: Always risk the possibility that the reader will understand. Information exchanged between two or more characters in dialogue may be summed up tersely in narrative later on. Example, "He told her the details of his conversation with Fred and Willie. She had no questions, seemingly understanding why he'd acted as he had."
Similarly, don't remind the reader with stage directions that Fred had a furious temper and was likely to fly into murderous rages. Let the reader see theme, intent, and dramatic inevitability the way, for instance, John Steinbeck did in his depiction of the character Lennie in Of Mice and Men, reminding us through incident of Lennie's unintentional potential for inflicting painful consequences on the very things he found attractive and comforting.
Labels: authorial intrusion, intent, needless repetition, Of Mice and Men, risk, the writer as control freak
venture--a deliberate undertaking or plan; the action taken by characters based on a decision to proceed with an idea, opinion, or agenda; going forth with an agenda as goal, against possible risk; an action thought to provide some profitable outcome.
Some characters venture opinions or advice to others, the risk being they may be disagreed with or outright shouted down. Some characters venture forth, perhaps tentatively, perhaps even foolishly, hopeful of achieving an inertia or momentum that will carry them farther along the path to a goal.
One example of the venture-gone-wrong is the discovery by Llewellyn Moss of the botched drug deal in No Country for Old Men. Had Moss read the circumstances as he did, then left the money and the local, leaving the principals and perhaps the law to deal with the situation, there would have been no story. Seeing the results, as evidenced by a number of dead secondary players and the money, Moss undertakes a venture of his own, which in turn pushes the story beyond the tipping point and on into inevitability.
Yet another venture is the one organized by the character Sonny in the film story,Dog Day Afternoon. Sonny and two friends venture forth to rob a bank. One of his two accomplices experiences a combination of cold feet and enlarged conscience, and the venture is accordingly pushed beyond the tipping point.
Another venture still, young Romeo Montague decides to crash a party given by the Capulets, a family engaged in a feud with the Montagues. We all know how that venture payed out; thirty-six hours later both Romeo and Juliet are dead.
Ventures do not have to be doomed from the start; whether they are romance, adventure, or fanciful speculation, they may close on a theme reflecting the positive joys of making plans, then setting forth to accomplish them.
Labels: agenda, character goals, Dog Day Afternoon, No Country for Old Men, plans, venture
risk--the potential for and probability of an unwanted outcome from a venture; the chances a character takes when acting or purposefully not acting on a decision; the possibility of a character having enhanced vulnerability as a consequence of a prior act.
The major defining trait of a character in story is agenda (See also goal, purpose); close on the heels of agenda comes the risk the character will endure in order to accomplish the goal. Faintness of heart may hang over a character, posing a threat not only of failure but of shutting the story down. A character who acts in spite of the faintness of heart is keeping the story and his hopes alive. Readers want to root for a character who has been pushed by circumstances to risk all in favor of the stated or implied goal. Think Gatsby for a few moments. Think Ishmael, signing on the Pequod if he'd known in advance of Ahab's agenda. Think of Dorothy Gale taking on the chores assigned her by the Wizard if she'd known his humbug status in advance.
An integral element of story is the epidemic sense of things going wrong to the point where the characters are often waiting for the next round of things that do go wrong, followed by the existential question, What next? Equally integral to story is the drive and willingness of characters to take risks in such story atmosphere.
If the risks in a given story are not of sufficient weight or consequence, the reader will come to realize soon enough that the story is in essence a matter of shooting fish in a barrel.
Labels: authorial animosity to characters, chance, consequences, goals, outcome, risk, venture, vulnerability
proposal--a presentation for a book-length project; a first chapter, outline, story map, and marketing materials for fiction projects; a thesis or operating statement plus table of contents, one or more developed chapters plus a marketing guide for works of non-fiction.
A cynical-but-practical approach for book-length works of fiction is the straightforward one in which "The completed manuscript is the best proposal." This is so because, should the writer find a publisher willing to contract a work from an outline or proposal, the publisher is most likely to insist on the finished product being closely allied to the proposal. This means that any changes or developments that occur to the writer after the project has been formalized will be regarded as something other than what was agreed upon in the first place.
The fiction proposal introduces in actual text one or more lead characters who forge a bond of appeal for a targeted audience. The character or characters then become involved in a situation involving accelerated vulnerability or a looming deadline with dire consequences for failure (which the author now proposes to resolve with dramatic flair).
In addition to actual text pages, the fiction proposal contains as detailed an outline as possible to show the story arc. Even though the outlines for the individual episodes of the TV series, The Wire, were not intended to serve as an outline for a book, they do convey the tone and theme of the overall design and serve as a guideline for the writers of individual episodes.
The purpose of the proposal is to show interested literary agents and publishers that the writer is capable of telling a story, has a viable one at hand and some sense of how it will play out. Unspoken in the transaction is the need to overcome the publisher's suspicion that the writer will not be able to complete the work, a suspicion allayed by presentation of the completed manuscript.
Writers who have produced one or more previous works may be granted greater leniency in presenting a proposal for a work of fiction. A larger number of nonfiction books reach contract stage on the basis of a proposal than those submitted as a completed manuscript.
An ideal fiction proposal would have at least one completed chapter, preferably the first, in which one or more of the major characters is introduced. This would be followed by a list of characters with a brief description of their roles. Then either a chapter-by-chapter gloss or a detailed enough outline to define the main plot points. This would be followed by the author's estimate of the demographics of potential readers followed by a brief statement comparing the instant work with one or more published works. Although thematic material will likely shine through, an accompanying statement about the writer's attitude and intent toward some relevant social, ethical, or political issue is a useful adjunct. Such books as Cliff's Notes, Monkey Notes, and Spark Notes provide useful approaches to the plot outline.
Successful proposals rarely if ever cite best-seller lists or predict sales figures.
Labels: book proposal, category fiction, chapters, characters, plot, story arc
Another fine mess...
combustion--the point in a short story or novel where dramatic elements collide with sufficient force to provoke action leading to a conclusion; the aggregation of forces prior to denouement; the literal and figurative boiling over of story.
A useful metaphor: story is a crucible into which such elements as characters and their agendas, opposing forces, surprise, reversal, and shifts of power have been added and the heat of plot inertia is applied. The pressure becomes so great that the story combusts, explodes, boils over, leaving the characters to clean up the mess, which is to say effect some kind of resolution, however permanent or temporary.
Most stories, longform or short, have combustion points; those that do not can profit from them. An excellent example of the combustion point in a short story occurs in Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain," where Anders has already been introduced as the point of view through whom the story is told, the bank robber is introduced, and the animosity between Anders and the bank robber set in motion. One combustion point comes when the bank robber fires a gun. A combustion point in a longer work occurs in the film, The Third Man, written by Graham Greene. The combustion point is viewable on You Tube (Third Man/Ferris wheel scene). Holly Martens, the protagonist, meets his old friend Harry Lime in a gondola car of a large Ferris wheel in the Vienna amusement park and Lime delivers his now iconic disquisition on the Swiss and the cuckoo clock. As a result of this cynical observation from Lime, a line is drawn in the moral sand between the two friends.
Each combustion introduces the element of change into the respective stories cited here, nudging each to its unique conclusion. The chemistry becomes: combustion causes change which forces outcome.
Hint: Aggravate, drive, tease, torment the characters to a point where one or more of them moves beyond what he or she appears able to take, causing the behavior that will make some things irrevocable, sweeping safer options off the table. Characters who are always in control ultimately tire the reader. Characters who appear to have breaking points concern the reader. Characters who either discover or are driven to an interior place they did not know they had become permanent residents in the readers' mind.
Labels: " Graham Greene, "Bullet in the Brain, characters, chemistry, combustion, novels, short stories, The Third Man
May the Farce Be with You
farce--a dramatic subset of comedy in which the pace and physical action intensify to the point of combustion; plot-driven circumstances which accelerate to the point where characters cannot adequately cope with them.
An appropriate analogy for farce is the now legendary state room scene from the Marx Brothers film, A Night at the Opera (available on YouTube), another analogy being the results when a professional juggler drops the dishes he has in motion and is now surrounded by broken china. The dramatic beats begin to come faster, adding a surreal note to the already comedic, physical atmosphere of the action, causing language and gestures that turn up the heat, leading to one final, uproarious explosion.
Farce may appear in any story, coming as a surprise, appearing when the reader least expects it but where, appropriately, the building tension of the story is growing more intense. Depending on the length of the story and the writer's ultimate goal for the conclusion, the whole narrative may have the atmosphere of farce. As an example, thanks to adroit use of farcical elements such as one or two over-the top scenes, Evelyn Waugh's satire, The Loved One, moves into farce.
The important point to emphasize here is that farce may rise above mere jokes, pie throwing, and slipping on banana peels even while using burlesque settings and techniques. For all its antic, zany humor, Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys has a strong texture of plausibility.
As with its cousin, humor, the intent of farce is to reduce some target by ridicule. Just as humor may well appear suddenly within a tragic or lofty narrative, so too may farce slip in the back door to work its effects. The goal of humor is the exposure of some painful truth or awareness. Farce aims further below the belt, wanting not only to destroy or render dignity inoperative but to inflict some damage on the furniture as well.
For the history-minded, Georges Feydeau (1862-1921), the French playwright, is generally considered to be the quintessential modern farceur, A Flea in Her Ear being one of the more legible and instructive.
Overly complex plots, mistaken identities, and misunderstandings are salient ingredients of farce, making such diverse examples as Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest, Noel Coward's Blythe Spirit, and yes, even Michael Chabon's The Wonder Boys arguable candidates for the farce hall of fame.
Labels: Coward, Evelyn Waugh, exaggeration, farce, Feydeau, humors, Michael Chabon, Oscar Wilde, satire, The Importance of Being Ernest
novella--a literary form of greater length and complexity than a short story; a prose narrative of at least 15,000 words and as many as 40,000; a narrative of greater length and thematic structure than a novelette.
Although there have been some longer short stories with more than one point of view (See Alice Munro, Margaret Atwood for examples), this facet may be a way of drawing the arbitrary line between short story and novel more deeply; a novella could easily support more than one teller of the tale. A novella could also support more thematic density than a short story, leaving word length as a major boundary market between the novel, which begins at about 50,000 words.
Novellas are widely believed to have originated in Italy, probably at the hand of Bocaccio, who gave it a satiric bite and thus invested the form with a tradition of edge or corrective humor, which passed along to Chaucer who put the form to work and to rhyme in his Canterbury Tales. Given their own edge and relative shortness, chick lit could be argued into this tradition of providing outgoing characters whose reach to readers is based on their non-traditional approaches to the traditions held up to them by a conformist society.
One of the older American novellas was Herman Melville's Billy Budd, which spoke to the naivete of a young person. John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a poignant novella about friendship among a group of farm workers, taking its thematic title from a Robert Burns poem in which "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley (go awry) and leave us naught but grief and pain for promised joy." It remains a stunning blend of tragedy and the reach for a satisfying life. Yet another facet of the thematic potential in the novella is found in Philip Roth's early Good-bye, Columbus, which returns the medium to the sharp edge of satire, directed against classism.
Because of its in-between size, the novella is not a comfortable fit for most book publishers. Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea first appeared in a magazine. The Roth novella appeared as a book, but the publisher added five short stories to provide greater bulk.
Arguably a writer who finds the length of the novella suited to his dramatic visions, Jim Harrison has produced a large number of them, his publishers bunching them in triads for book publication. His most recent collection of novellas is 2005 package,The Summer He Didn't Die.
Hint for writers: All the writers named herein have long since given up writing to a particular word length, rather they write for the story, regardless of its length or brevity. Should a novella emerge, it can be bundled with one or more others, used as a feature for a collection of stories, and simply mounted as an electronic publication.
Labels: Billy Budd, Boccacio, Chaucer, Goodbye Columbus, Herman Melville, Jim Harrison, John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men, Philip Roth
conscience--a societal barometer consulted with varying degrees of frequency by characters in pursuit of their daily agenda; a mediating device between "want" or "desire" and "ought I?" or "Is this ethical?"; a behavior fulcrum.
Conscience plays a major role in fiction, its very composition an effective analysis of a character, particularly when compared to that character's sense of self and that character's needs. If conscience is seen as a societal lens through which social and ethical behavior may be judged,the reader will automatically form opinions about where a character is placed on an ethical scale, much in the manner of charting the growth in height of a young person with pencil marks on some communal wall.
Readers are given frequent opportunity to assess characters and consequently form judgments about them based on the character's conscience-based responses to previous actions. At the end of chapter one of Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge, the reader has seen the immediate consequences of a severe trial of conscience to Michael Henchard. To call the response guilt is to put it in mild terms. A good deal of the arc of Henchard's response to that first-chapter lapse will cause many readers to root for him and his apparent redress of the enormous occasion of guilt, but Hardy piles more travail on Henchard, bringing him face to face with yet another moral quandary. Thus does the human attribute of conscience appear in the novel, almost as though it were a person itself, seeking another quality that may differ among an array of readers: atonement, redress, revenge. Thus does endowing a character with a large conscience or, arguably, no conscience at all, set the stage for drama. Every bit as compelling as the first chapter in the Hardy novel is the payoff scene in Eugene O'Neill's Desire Under the Elms, when the full force of what she has in her need for love done to her husband and stepson leaves its mark on Abbie Putnam's conscience.
Of a piece with the full-frame sensor on the Canon EOS 5D single-lens reflex, the conscience is also a receptor site, taking in intent, fantasy, consequences, implications; it may deliver a response of guilt or self-justification. Even with murderous and vengeful intent full upon him, Hamlet cannot bring himself to kill his intended target, King Claudius, not at this particular moment because he is at prayer. Macbeth, having made the decision to murder King Malcolm, momentarily relents when he sees a servant carrying a tray with a meal to Malcolm. Macbeth's conscience calls out to him in a sense with the reminder that this tray carries what will be Malcolm's last meal, from which trope he is reminded of the Last Supper, which to say the least puts a damper on his ambitions.
Conscience causes some men and women to refuse participation in armed conflict; as well it motivates their behavior relative to birth control and eating products derived from animals. Conscience makes its appearance in ways that may also add a note of wry off-the-wall humor, as in Frank Pierson's opera buffa, Dog Day Afternoon, which begins with three men deciding to rob the bank at 450 Avenue P, Brooklyn. No sooner are Sonny, Sal, and Stevie in the bank, guns drawn, shouting instructions to startled customers and bank employees, than Stevie decides he can't go through with his part, whereupon he leaves.
Back to Hamlet for a moment because of his observation that "conscience doth make cowards of us all," a reminder that many fear to act on their agendas for fear of the ransom gilt will require of the hostage. It becomes a fair question for the writer to ask of all his characters, How little or how much conscience does this character have? To which can be added, And what effect does that have on the character?
Labels: conscience, consequences, Desire Under the Elms, Dog Day Afternoon, The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Teller of the Tale
narration--any long dramatic recitation; an accounting of events; a story, novel, or drama; a dramatic discourse with a particular theme and/or goal; the way a story is related to the audience/reader; a manner of expressing dramatic information.
Narration is a generic term for story in one or more of its more specific forms (a film narration, a shortform narration, a stage narration). In context, it may also mean any part of a narration that does not include dialogue. Also in context, say Hamlet, one can refer to it as a narrative of revenge (implying that it does indeed contain dialogue). Narration is also spoken of in specificity as a narrative (a romantic narrative, a speculative narrative), leading us to the one or ones who transmit the dramatic information, the narrator(s).
Narrators are characters who carry the dramatic load for the author, removing the reader's or viewer's awareness of the author and contributing to the sense of the characters "coming alive" or seeming authentic.
General platforms for narrators are:
first person--the "I" who is relating or narrating the dramatic events.
second person--the "you" who is experiencing or narrating the dramatic events.
third person--the "he," "she," or a specific name, say Mary, or Mary Jones, or Jones.
multiple point of view--a number of third-person narrators.
omniscient point of view--where focus shifts to any number of characters within the same scene
authorial narration point of view--where the author appears to be saying things to the readers about one or more of the characters within a given scene.
Hint: There are some writers (Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, Don DeLilo, W. Somerset Maugham, for instance) who are able to include themselves in scenes, making authorial comments, but these and others like them present a challenge to the less skilled among us. Readers are more apt to believe characters than they are likely to take the word of writers.
Labels: authorial intrusion, first-person, multiple point of view, narrative conventions, narrator, omniscient point-of-view, second-person, third-person
revenge--a planned hurtful response to a real or imagined injury, a deliberate quid pro quo orchestrated by a character against another character, group, or institution; an act meant to restore a perceived loss of status.
Revenge is aptly thought of as the writers' emotion, beginning with an "I'll show them,"the them being teachers, family, and friends who thought writing was beyond the writer's ability or an infra dig profession), extending after the fact of publication to the "them" of critics who may have provided sneering reviews. It is the writer redressing the history of failed romances, failed earlier writings, even failed academic careers; allowing writers to refashion past failures, disappointments, and real or imagined slights. A romantic rival may be rendered as a blathering nincompoop, an academic concept may make its way past the stony reception of a tenure committee to a Nobel Prize or, worst case scenario, a Guggenheim Grant. A former lover may come to regret an intemperate decision to break off a relationship. Revenge may even produce a reversal of a known historical event.
Perhaps the most iconic of English-language revenge stories begins where a ghost appears to direct his son, Hamlet, to avenge his murder,although Wuthering Heights has claimed a spot on the wall. One of the quintessential American tales of revenge, Poe's 1849 short story, "A Cask of Amontillado," sets the inertia in motion with the first line, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge." Not quite a hundred years later, "Cask" had its second coming as James Thurber's "The Catbird Seat," in which "Mr. Martin bought the pack of Camels on Monday night in the most crowded cigar store on Broadway. It was theatre time and seven or eight men were buying cigarettes. The clerk didn't even glance at Mr. Martin, who put the pack in his overcoat pocket and went out. If any of the staff at F & S had seen him buy the cigarettes, they would have been astonished, for it was generally known that Mr. Martin did not smoke, and never had. No one saw him.
"It was just a week to the day since Mr. Martin had decided to rub out Mrs. Ulgine
Barrows. "
Business has been good for revenge in America. Just two years after the Poe story came forth, two novels, Moby-Dick and The House of Seven Gables set it in literary stone, where it has flourished ever since in such well-known appearances as The Great Gatsby, Charles Portis' remarkable True Grit, and Donna Tartt's The Secret History.
Back to you, England, for the says-it-all-in-the-title tale of revenge by Jeffrey Archer, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, and the earlier classics from Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations.
Take a character. Insert into that character's backstory the fact of having been wronged or carrying a grudge for a family member having been wronged. Add a few measures of revenge fantasy, then start writing.
hubris--a display of pride or entitlement so vast in nature that it overrides an individual's more sensible behavior; the resident sense within a character of being right to the point where the character's behavior intentionally or unintentionally humiliates other characters; a near evangelical course of behavior from a character in service of a belief and/or goal.
Hubris drives many characters in the dramatic and literary arts, leading the reader to suspect that eventually such a hubris-driven character will have to pay a huge price. Was Achilles being hubristic in The Iliad, particularly after he had slain Hector in battle, then paraded his corpse about? Was King Creon showing hubris when he exacted his directive against his niece in Antigone? Was Ahab showing hubris when he gambled and lost against the whale? Was Dr. Frankenstein showing hubris when he believed he could take on Nature by creating life?
What began as indifference to or a disrespect for the Gods and Fates (who knew a thing or two about retribution) became as democratized as other aspects of social and moral behavior to mere humans who became impressed by their own self-interest to the point of believing it is their due to get what they want. Consider Charles Foster Kane as a modern force of hubris, forcing his wishes upon those near him and extending to individuals he might never meet. Thus consider all these larger-than-life characters made in part what they are because of a complete lack of empathy.
A guiding definition of a hubris-driven story is: How the mighty are fallen, the powerful being led to humiliation of their own, pushed along the road by hubris. Bringing the nature of hubris into tighter contemporary context, we examine how anyone of an overarching position of pride is brought down into disgrace and humiliation or, as Jane Austen did with the representational characters of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, the characters undergo an acceptable shift toward empathy. Although, since Austen is known for her keen wit and satire, perhaps she is saying that the payment for the positions of pridefulness and prejudice is--marriage.
Under most literary circumstances, there is some payment necessary for having lived at the level of hubris.
Labels: Citizen Kane, entitlement, Frankenstein, hubris, Pride and Prejudice, The Iliad
In the Muddle of Things
in medias res--literally in the middle of things; a reference to dramatic works that begin with a good deal of backstory having already taken place; a dramatically convenient way to expose the reader to the main characters.
One of the older, more enduring narratives with an in medias res beginning is The Iliad, where the Trojan War has already been raging for six years, and begins with a relatively minor incident in which one of the major players, Achilles, feels he has been insulted and consequently decides to stop fighting, indeed removes his Myrmidon warriors from the forces attacking Troy, a decision that could turn the tide of battle. Some of the other major players try to talk him out of his decision, during the course of which we get doses of backstory.
In medias res openings begin at some dramatic point which sets opposing forces in enough motion to engage the readers before taking a dramatic pause to fill in relevant details, descriptions, stakes, and issues. No less popular now than they were back in the early centuries, these openings become a valuable tool for writers to study. They support the removal of chronological constraints, and they guide the writer into beginning with situations where characters are actively engaged in conflict, by their very nature making it difficult for the writer to spend too much time on description or backstory the reader has not yet been prepared to accept.
A more recent in medias res novel worth study is Ford Maddox Ford's The Good Soldier, which in addition to its jumbled chronology, features John Dowell, at first a seeming naive narrator then, by degrees, an unreliable one.
There is nothing toxic or wrong with telling a story in more or less strict chronology. Tobias Wolff's memorable short story, "Bullet in the Brain," is a compelling example. "Anders couldn't get to the bank until just before it closed," it begins, "so of course the line was endless and he got stuck behind two women whose loud, stupid conversation put him in a murderous temper. He was never in the best of tempers, anyway, Anders--a book critic known for the weary, elegant savagery with which he dispatched almost everything he reviewed."
From this beginning, it proceeds in close chronology to the dramatic payoff.
In medias res openings often come as a result of a revision tactic in which the writer purposefully reviews the entire narrative, searching for the most ideal place to begin. Sometimes moving the furniture about for a better arrangement will transform a story from the ordinary to the memorable.
Labels: Bullet in the Brain, chronology, in medias res, openings, revision, The Good Soldier, The Iliad
narrative hook--a dramatic device intended to draw a reader into a story; placing an interesting character in a situation of stress or vulnerability; using a mystery or puzzle to intrigue readers; any combination of narrative circumstances and circumstances that arouse interest and curiosity in a reader; an effective scene or situation placed at the beginning of a story with the intent of building sympathy or an empathetic connection between reader and character.
Some narrative hooks are so simple and straightforward on the surface that they completely belie their subversive intent, almost to the point of daring the reader to set the work down without thought of returning to see what happens next. This observation is made to suggest the infinite varieties of narrative hook, ranging from those of the plot-driven story (a man or woman in immediate trouble) to the more character-driven (a character is confronted with an intriguing choice which must be made almost momentarily).
Regardless of the genre and appropriate ominousness of the circumstances confronting the characters, narrative hooks have as their goal gaining and keeping the attention of the reader. The key is some form of action or a deliberate inaction in the face of some need to perform, meaning the narrative hook is action based, often with little or no support by way of explanation or reference to past events which might have some effect on the present moment. Indeed, some narrative hooks are little more than effective opening lines, such as "Call me Ishmael." Having decided to compose a novel based on the merest fact in Melville's Moby-Dick that Captain Ahab had a young wife, Sena Jeeter Nasland needed for her own novel, Ahab's Wife, a first line that was appropriate competition as a narrative hook. Her own first line is a masterpiece of narrative hookery: "Ahab was neither my first husband nor my last."
Since they are in large measure circumstantial, narrative hooks work best when they explain least, using innuendo, implication, perhaps even double entendre, certainly more action than description, emphatically more action than thought. Description often slows the narrative hook from its intended effect, suggesting that the writer is well advised to see a specific goal of the narrative hook the goal of causing the reader to have questions at roughly the same time as the reader digests the situational plight of one or more characters.
After the hook has been"set," which is to say the reader has become engaged to read the work through to the very end, then the writer may begin offering some clues and explanations of what the reader may expect down the road. To do so before the reader is caught up in active concerns for the characters and the outcome is to misplace the dramatic information. It is always better to withhold information than it is to provide it at times when the reader is not likely to be interested. A better dramatic effect is had when the reader is put on the information diet, rather than being force fed details.
In terms of percentage, the formula of sixty-five percent action to thirty-five percent dialogue and description is a useful suggestion for deploying dramatic movement and information such as backstory.
See also opening velocity
Labels: action, backstory, character-driven story, characters, narrative hook, opening velocity, plot-driven story
Moving Volition
volition--a character facing a decision and making a choice; the acts performed or not performed by a character in service of an agenda; a necessary quality of determination and purpose resident in a character; the inertial guidance system of a front rank character.
Integral to any understanding of character and the subsequent empathy for or antagonism to that character, volition is the analog of the purring engine, already converting fuel to energy, ready to move forth with elan. Volition is the engine of personality for a character, the defining set of impressions that determine how the character will behave in a given situation. Will that character elect, as Melville's iconic Bartleby did, to prefer not to? Perhaps the character is more of a mindset with Shakespeare's version of Henry V, invoking his troops to follow him into battle against the French at Agincourt, "...cry 'God for Harry, England and St. George!'" Of course girl and women characters bring an equally nuanced set of volition to the text. Look at Scout,the six-year-old narrator of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, who had to make some tough choices about the small Alabama town in which she was raised. Not to forget Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter. It is highly probable that her early independence and strong-willed nature led her to the rebellious affair that resulted in Pearl, a child born out of wedlock. Although the narrator appears to disapprove of her behavior, his increasing sense of admiration becomes apparent as she, subject to the humiliation and alienation inflicted on her, becomes contemplative as she develops into a more dimensional character than any other in the novel.
For the writer, learning who the character is becomes the first step in a triad of priority. Now the writer must intuit what the character wants, at which point the character is ready to leap from no or a single dimension into the realm of nuance. Will the character make that leap? Now comes volition: What is the character willing to do to accomplish the goal? With that awareness radiating within the character and suspected all along by the reader, what explosive results will come forth? With persistence and honesty, the writer is drawn into the equation with the discovery of the depths to which the character will go. Did, for instance, Melville know how far Bartleby was willing to go to make his statement? Did Melville have any sense that Bartleby's position of preferring not to do what was asked of him become the instrument of his death? Perhaps it was the added element that often attaches itself to the accelerated atoms of volition--perhaps it was surprise.
Labels: Bartelby, characters, Henry V, Herman Melville, Hester Prynne, Scout, surprise, volition
tragedy--a dramatic form based on loss and suffering; pivotal story conditions from which there is often no chance of recovery,in which characters experience excruciating grief; the actual or metaphorical loss of power, position, and happiness; stories in which individual characters appear to be led away from a course of action that would provide them with happiness by personality quirks they cannot control.
In grim metaphor, tragedy has become The Man Who Came to Dinner personified, visiting all segments of humanity, seemingly at whim. Tragedy is the Fates on a drunken spree, the forces of Life choosing a victim such as Job, seemingly from whim or boredom; it can strike nearly anyone, nearly anywhere; it can find its way into the caves of meditating yogis, the cells of monasteries, the congregations of synagogues, the mosques of the ultra-orthodox. Tragedy can strike at the heart of the most disciplined and severe aesthetic, he or she who has renounced all earthly things, by separating that individual from God. Thus tragedy is the ultimate vulnerability, the ever present threat that an individual can lose the one thing he values most, be it life, another person, youth, a special ability, or power.
Over its years as a staple in drama, tragedy has become democratized, extending its reach from the noble families of ancient Greece to the middle classes in America,say O'Neil's A Moon for the Misbegotten, Miller's The Death of a Salesman or All My Sons, and thence across the seas to the failed British comic,Archie Rice in John Osborne's The Entertainer. We can see tragedy personified in the wrinkled and battered face of actor Tommy Lee Jones, particularly in his portrayals of Ed Tom Bell in No Country for Old Men, and Hank Deerfield in The Valley of Elah. Tragedy inheres in the voice of an Iraqi mother, heard over NPR, wailing in Arabic over the senseless death of an infant child, an innocent victim of a suicide bomber. Tragedy is everywhere, in actuality and lurking behind a mere twist of chance.
Tragedy can come at any age. In retrospect, a failed teen romance may seem a trifle in comparison to the loss of a life-long companion. The death of a childhood pet may be trumped by the unthinkable tragedy of a parent outliving a child, but just as well, these early losses may leave life long scars on the emotions of the individuals involved.
By watching and reading tragedy, the viewer/reader is able to participate in that remarkable human ritual known as catharsis; by sharing in the tragedy of the characters, the viewer/reader is brought closer to terms with his own personal tragedy.
Much has been made and much more remains to be made of the narrow boundary separating the tragic from the comedic. Laughter, after all, has a cathartic effect of its very own. Accordingly, in that writer-like way of detaching the writer self from the self who has experienced tragedy of some measure, we may observe that timing is everything. The comedic is tragedy speeded up.
Labels: Archie Rice, Arthur Miller, catharsis, comedy, Eugene O'Neil, No Country for Old Men, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Valley of Elah, Tommy Lee Jones, tragedy
Frequent Reader Miles
transportation--the process of being taken to a mental, physical, and/or emotional state by means of reading a story or hearing it read; a condition of being caused as an observer of a staged drama, motion picture narrative, or televised presentation to identify with characters and cultures both in and out of your own personal background; a means of accepting and being convinced by the reality of a fanciful or realistic narrative.
The goal of the writer is to provide immediate, first-class transportation to the reader, with no hassle about lost luggage or chintzy in-flight meals; transportation recognizes the reader's passport immediately, does not insist on security checks. There are a good many competing conveyances out there in the world of conventional and electronic publication for the reader to have to experience any inconveniences. Frequent-flier miles are welcomed. Any successful story offers this seemingly ineffable quality of transporting the reader from his present, grounded reality into another reality in which the rules, conventions, and traditions of story exist to be broken, the ultimate goals being such destinations as disturbance, entertainment, information, and plausible suggestions for dealing with the moral and social conflicts of the reader's immediate present.
Twenty-first century readers may be transported to the eighteenth century,where they will experience a socio-economic landscape of pellucid clarity simply by picking up any of the three novels completed by Jane Austen. Similarly, readers wishing an entirely different type of transportation may follow the career path of one Valentine Michael Smith in Robert Heinlein's epic science fiction novel--regarded by many as the science fiction novel--Stranger in a Strange Land. Valentine Michael Smith is the son of two of the eight astronauts of an ill-fated first human expedition to Mars. Smith is raised in the culture of the native inhabitants of the planet, beings whose minds live in another world. By signing on for the trip, we get a picture of differing cultures and their effect on one another. Each of these two novels, written a tad over a hundred years apart, have influenced generations of readers, the one from a satirical observation point of view, the other from an imaginative gloss on differing views of human behavior.
In order for any work of the imagination to offer transportation, the characters involved must be caught up in some recognizable cultural and social clashes, enhanced by some form of deadline or emotional imperative.
Thus the question: How does a writer transport readers? The answers are various and simultaneous. The writer's first duty is self-transportation. Develop the vision of a place, a time, and the individuals who inhabit it, then write with the unfettered energy of enthusiasm for the vision, regardless of whether the vision is dark and gloomy or light and inspirational. Write with the detail and certainty it takes you to believe. The more imaginative the landscape, which is to say the more it appears to vary from convention, the more real it needs to seem, thus the characters must behave as though the terrain were absolutely, convincingly real.
Not easy to do, but not impossible: Your favorite writers do it for you most of the time.
Labels: characters, imaginary worlds, Jane Austen, reader, readers' expectations, reality, Robert Heinlein, satire, The Pocket Book of Science Fiction, transportation
fun--an engulfing sense of pleasure; a condition of being transported into a zone of carefree, sensuous, and intellectual awareness by a combination of stimuli; an antidote to boredom, depression, or gloom; what writing should be for the reader and the writer.
A number of writers, enormously skilled and well progressed in the development of their talent, neither suicidal nor given to depression, emerge as serious, argumentative, perhaps even gloomy. Philip Roth and Joyce Carol Oates come to mind in this context as examples. Nevertheless, these writers all continue at their writing efforts because not doing so would produce a sense of disconnect with the inner landscape they strive at such effort to achieve. No matter what one may think, they are having fun while they are working.
Writing has been justly described as hard work, but the mere fact of its difficulty should not and does not preclude the results of it being fun for the writer as well as the reader. Fun, it may be argued, appears when an individual becomes interested and involved in the work at hand. Albert Camus argued that Sisyphus, given his ordained task, was nevertheless a happy man, a judgment to give us pause. How, we wonder, can an eternity of performing a meaningless task, make the performer happy? And if Sisyphus is happy, does that mean he is having fun?
The very nature of writing produces frustration in the writer, primarily because of the difficulty in translating the vision of the project into words that do it sufficient justice. In a real sense, writers (artists of any sort) are doomed to the frustration of "not getting it right," which is to say not rendering the vision adequately enough. This is fun? Well yes,it is. Like Sisyphus, you take pleasure in lending your skills to a task that appears hopeless from the get-go, leaving you in the same mind set as Samuel Beckett, who said, "Fail again, only next time fail better."
Every time we read a poem, a short story, or novel that moves us in some primal way, our exquisite response blazes across the night sky of our imagination like a fire fly, intense, brief, and gone. In its place, to extend a mixed-metaphor, we are faced with the vision of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, handed a packet of crayons, then told, "Go thou and do likewise." And yet, some of us will do just that, diving into the project to the point of losing the hopelessness of the task, seeing connections, possibilities, opportunities. The last part of that equation is fun in action. Like the fire fly, it is intense and brief. It is the writer's job to keep it from being gone.
Elmore Leonard, a writer who knows a thing or two about having fun, has shone his light into the darkness. "Only write the scenes that interest you," he has said. This dictum could well be studied alongside Camus's essay, "The Myth of Sisyphus," for its implications. There is a particular scene that you don't feel like writing. A literary agent and/or editor wants that particular scene in place before the manuscript can progress toward publication. The answer: find a way to make yourself like the scene. Do something to it and the characters within it to make the writing of it become not a chore but fun. What attitudes did Sisyphus need to allow him to take pleasure from what would seem a hopeless, eternal exercise of rote behavior? How could he, of all people, think to fail better next time? Are the Karma Yogis--work as worship--having fun? And what about that remarkable line from the Bhagavad-Gita, "To the work you are entitled, but not the fruits thereof."? Surely there is flat out fun to be had from such approaches.
Labels: Bhagavad-gita, fun, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip Roth, Sistine Ceiling, Sisyphus
Visions of Sugar Plum Fairies
Labels: artistic vision, entertainment, landscape, Louise Erdrich, Love Medicine, outlook, philosophy, voice
chemistry--the tangible result occurring when two or more characters interact; an effect that seems to emerge and transfer into action when characters notably get along or develop an enmity; a palpable aura of reality emerging from the manner in which characters respond to one another; non-verbal signals which draw characters into friendships, alliances, or mutual distrust.
Chemistry is the unspoken glue in fiction, producing its own inexorable logic and the resulting consequences of that logic. Often coming as a surprise to the writer, particularly when it threatens to shift the predetermined direction of the story, chemistry is a jump-start to motivation and action. Sometimes the chemistry between characters is accepted by the writer and the reader on a non-verbal level, "just because it is." This very quality helps project a greater sense of reality and believability because of the way it overrides logic. Readers will probably have some sense in their own life of disliking or liking someone on sight, without any good reason; they probably make judgements as a direct result of such non-verbal signals, picked up by the sensory receptors of the social animal humans have become.
One of the many great chemistries in American fiction emerges in the characters of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, each drawn to the other in ways that make sense only after they are considered in light of the activities shared by the two. To Tom, Huck represents the freedom and anti-convention that runs rampant in a young boy, the ability to come and go as he pleases and the "worldly" knowledge such freedom brings. Huck on the other hand has come to accept Tom's views of conventional behavior, a slap-dash view of chivalry as seen by Walter Scott, and the classroom view of the way the world worked at that time. Tom was social, Huck wasn't. In this primordial ooze came their boyish desires for adventure, and from this came the chemistry that bound them.
In real life, Harry Longabaugh and Robert Leroy Parker met while in prison, each jailed separately on horse theft charges. The chemistry between them brings the Tom Sawyer-Huck Finn chemistry to mind. Longabaugh morphed into the Sundance Kid, an appellation doubtless hung on him by Parker since the name of the prison in Wyoming Territory where they met was the Sundance Prison. Parker, of course, was known as Butch Cassidy.
Yet another version of chemistry between characters emerged in the lengthy series of mysteries featuring Robert Parker's investigator, Spenser, and the unorthodox operative, Hawk, often retained by Spenser as a consultant (for which trope, read "backup gun hand").
Not to forget Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
The important fact for writers to consider takes in the reaches of partnering (say Dashiel Hammett's Nick and Nora Charles in the Thin Man series, and Dionysus and his slave, Xanthias, in Aristophanes' play, The Frogs) and leaving one character alone on stage for too long. When two characters appear to get on well or, as in Louise Erdrich's remarkable short story, "St.Marie," plucked from her novel, Love Medicine, a young Native American girl in a convent school forms a totally explosive relationship with a nun, run with the energy. Follow the trail. Exploit the chemistry.
See also fun
Labels: Butch Cassidy, character types, chemistry, dramatic inertia, Huckleberry Finn, reactions, Sir Walter Scott, The Sundance Kid, Tom Sawyer
Your Novel: Wax Museum or Dramatic Hoop-la
reaction--an answer or response made by one character to other characters and/or a stimulus.
The reaction of one character to another, to groups of characters, and to stimuli ratifies the presence of reality and importance necessary to cause the reader to accept the fiction as being plausible. Characters who do not react or, indeed, respond, help to impart a dream-like state to the narrative, making it more like an oratorio in which the principals are seated together in a pew than opera in which the characters interact on a stage, complete with blocking and mise en scene. In successful story of any length, one or more characters are working actively to change the status quo. Even if it is the lone, nameless protagonist of Jack London's "To Build a Fire," the reader is made to see the goal. The reader already knows the consequences of this character's failure to succeed--this is literally a life in the balance. Whatever else the reader may think of this character--how, for instance could he have allowed himself to get into this predicament?--the consequences of failure to achieve the goal are apparent.
Longer, more complex stories, such as Jim Harrison's Returning to Earth, pretty much illustrate the way reaction among characters works. The first of a menu of narrators is Donald, mid forties, a superb athlete when younger and now a man whose profession still keeps his relatively physical. Early on, Donald is diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS. Donald's reactions alone are worth the investment of time to read the novel. "...it seems I am to leave the earth early but these things happen to people." He begins to dictate his family history to his wife, Cynthia, so that their children will have a record of who he was and whence he came. Subsequent chapters are narrated by Cynthia, by her brother, and by the children of Donald and Cynthia, all of whom are reacting to the feelings set loose by Donald's impending death and his own wishes for how and where his life shall end and where his remains shall be interred.
Characters are neither required to flail about the story arc in an operatic manner nor be tight-fisted about demonstrating how they are responding to the circumstances that pester and plague them. Whether the story at hand is a Raymond Carver short story as intended by him or as edited by Gordon Lish, there is no mistaking that his characters are being affected by inner griefs and conflicts, possibly even being assisted by such add-ons as severe drink-related problems. Similarly, characters in short stories and novels by the Irish writer, William Trevor, present the reader with situations that impinge upon them like tight suits.
A story where one or more of the characters appear to move through the complexities of a torturous plot without reacting is suspect, surely not as memorable as stories in which characters demonstrate their feelings by some form of behavior as they pursue their goals, avoid reversals or frustrations, and continue their efforts.
On occasion in stage, motion picture,or television performances, actors will be seen to produce a "chemistry" that adds to the entire story. One such combination was Paul Newman and Robert Redford, respectively portraying the outlaws Butch Cassidy and Harry Longabaugh, aka The Sundance Kid. Another dramatic coupling, Neil Simon's play, The Sunshine Boys, produced yet another type of chemistry, the long-time vaudeville association of two characters who refused to speak to one another when off stage, a chemistry found in real life with the paring of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
Successful characters have been stoics, cowards, hypochondriacs, taciturn, and overly emotional; they have been afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome (Lionel Esrog in Motherless Brooklyn), and severe autism (Christopher John Francis Boone in The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night-Time); they have been as self-absorbed and difficult to like as Sherlock Holmes and his contemporary counterpart, Gregory House, M.D. They have in chemical common the fact that they react to the persons, places, and things about them. The reader may not, need not, like them, but the reader knows a character when he sees one.
Labels: characters, chemistry, Gilbert and Sullivan, Jim Harrison, Neil Simon, reactions, The Sundance Kid, The Sunshine Boys, William Trevor
The Politics of Concept, the Concept of Politics
concept-driven story, the--a dramatic narrative focused on theme; a novel or story whose plot appears to emphasize a particular subject such as revenge, redemption, or poverty while still providing dramatic structure.
Novels such as Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle may be seen as examples of the concept-driven story, and although equally at home in the categories of speculative fiction and cautionary fiction, so too are Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, George Orwell's 1984, and Philip Roth's The Plot Against America. Each of these deals with burning political and/or social issues to the point where they have become more than snapshots of a particular era but rather have assumed the status of museum-quality prints, hung in galleries.
Unless a concept-driven story has more to it than the potent dramatization of theme, it runs great risk (as many fictional protagonists do) of being caught in the bog of disaster, which is to say it forgets its debt to story. Alissa Rosenbaum, she who became Ayn Rand, is an unfortunate example of this forgetfulness, beginning her career with The Fountainhead, which took on the theme of art for art's sake to great popularity and, to many critics, to great extreme. Her magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged, a thirteen-hundred-page-plus novel, articulated her Objectivist philosophy in extraordinary detail, allowing her to express anti-communism, anti-fascism, and anti-welfare-state views in unbridled gallop, reaching a full, Libertarian crescendo in which she deplored any kind of state at all.
In this regard, Rand may be regarded as the right of Upton Sinclair's left. Although they were roughly contemporaries, Rand is probably the better--and more favorably--known, but the reputation comes from her philosophy and argumentative skills rather than her dramatic skills.
The point here is that story is the freighting device for the message. For the concept-driven story to have an audience in the first place, it must eventually have characters who become memorable not because of the smirks they produce but because of the heart tugs. Compare, for instance, George and Lenny with Howard and Domenique or, for that matter, John Gault.
See plot-driven story
See Character-driven story
Labels: Ayn Rand, George Orwell, John Steinbeck, Margaret Atwood, novels, Philip Roth, plot, short stories
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line454
|
__label__cc
| 0.65867
| 0.34133
|
Liturgy »
Western Rite Discussion (Moderator: Brigidsboy) »
Topic: Eastern Catholic vs. Western Orthodox?
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Go Down
Author Topic: Eastern Catholic vs. Western Orthodox? (Read 97153 times)
Aindriú
Faster! Funnier!
Re: Eastern Catholic vs. Western Orthodox?
Quote from: Melodist on February 24, 2011, 08:29:26 PM
Quote from: Papist on February 24, 2011, 08:14:31 PM
Quote from: deusveritasest on February 24, 2011, 06:29:48 PM
Hypothetically, if the Pope were to say, hey, we are gonna joining the Eastern Orthodox Church now, and the Catholic faithful followed (I know that wouldn't happen, but just say it did), would Latins be allowed to maintain the Tridentine Liturgy?
It depends on how close the Tridentine liturgy is to the Liturgy of Pope Gregory I and how much error is contained with it. Roughly speaking, as to what appear to be the minor differences between it and the EO version of it, I would hope so.
They would have to omit the filioque from the creed, distribute both the Body and the Blood to the faithful, and change the feast of the "Immaculate Conception" to "Conception of the Mother of God" along with some of the prayers that are particular to that feast day.
I also believe that "that it may become for us the Body and Blood" would be better as "that it may become the Body and Blood", but that is just my personal opinion. The latin does say "for us" so it is the proper translation, but then again I'm looking at that phrase and thinking of the implications of it in the modern context.
What are those implications?
I know it's not written from a modern perspective, but from a modern perspective, the "for us" sounds too much like "what's true for you isn't necessarily true for me". I think "that it may become the Body and Blood" conveys a more concrete reality of what we are asking for and what is happening in the consecration. But then again I suppose it could be understood in a context of "it's for us because we are who it is promised to and can't be found anywhere else". Like I said, just my personal opinion.
This reminds me about the current word fight over "for many" and "for all".
I'm going to need this.
Papist
Patriarch of Pontification
Quote from: Azurestone on February 24, 2011, 09:32:18 PM
It's actually exaclty like that. It doesn't affect that actual substance of what the Liturgy is conveying, but it is interesting from and experiential perspective. What do people think it is saying?
"For, by its immensity, the divine substance surpasses every form that our intellect reaches. Thus we are unable to apprehend it by knowing what it is. Yet we are able to have some knowledge of it by knowing what it is not." - St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa contra gentiles, I, 14.
On hiatus for the foreseeable future.
Is it being implied that there aren't any phrases in the Byzantine liturgy that could be misconstrued in a modern context?
As you probably know the latin says the blood was spilled "pro multis" not "pro universis". The argument is that "pro multis" is still validly translated "for all". The disagreement, and one of the reasons it is being changed in the new translation, is that (1) the words "for many" is from the Gospel of Matthew, and (2) "for many" signifies those that accept Jesus, excluding all those who do not.
From the Catechism of the Council of Trent
The additional words for you and for many, are taken, some from Matthew, some from Luke, but were joined together by the Catholic Church under the guidance of the Spirit of God. They serve to declare the fruit and advantage of His Passion. For if we look to its value, we must confess that the Redeemer shed His blood for the salvation of all; but if we look to the fruit which mankind have received from it, we shall easily find that it pertains not unto all, but to many of the human race. When therefore ('our Lord) said: For you, He meant either those who were present, or those chosen from among the Jewish people, such as were, with the exception of Judas, the disciples with whom He was speaking. When He added, And for many, He wished to be understood to mean the remainder of the elect from among the Jews or Gentiles.
With reason, therefore, were the words for all not used, as in this place the fruits of the Passion are alone spoken of, and to the elect only did His Passion bring the fruit of salvation. And this is the purport of the Apostle when he says: Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many; and also of the words of our Lord in John: I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them whom thou hast given me, because they are thine.
Beneath the words of this consecration lie hid many other mysteries, which by frequent meditation and study of sacred things, pastors will find it easy, with the divine assistance, to discover for themselves.
http://www.catholicapologetics.info/thechurch/catechism/Holy7Sacraments-Eucharist.shtml
Hermogenes
Quote from: Sleeper on February 24, 2011, 05:55:17 PM
Quote from: Hermogenes on February 24, 2011, 10:16:20 AM
I just received a copy of the Western Rite Service Book, for use in the Antiochian Archdiocese.
I don't know what I was expecting, but after all the passionate defense of its uniqueness I certainly wasn't expecting what I got.
That happens.
This is for all purposes, the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
It certainly feels that way, true.
The so-called Liturgy of St. Tikhon
It's no so-called, that's its official title
is the Anglican service of Holy Communion, with a few things tossed in to make it conform theologically.
Some things were removed too, but yes, it has been supplemented from the Rite of St. Gregory and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
The book also includes such "Orthodox" rites as the Stations of the Cross and the Adoration of the Blessed Sacramment--which appear to have been adapted from the Prayer Book of St. Augustine (a prayer book published early in the last century for high-church Anglicans).
Those aren't rites, they're devotions.
Even the order of services in the book follows the Anglican format. The Matins and Vespers services appear to be lifted from BCP nearly word for word.
My one response is--why?
Because all things true and beautiful belong in the bosom of the Holy Orthodox Church.
What is the point of this?
Taken from http://www.antiochian.org/sites/antiochian.org/files/wrv_history.pdf:
The purpose of the Western Rite Vicariate, as originally conceived in 1958, is threefold. First, the WRV serves an ecumenical purpose. The ideal of true ecumenism, according to an Orthodox understanding, promotes “all efforts for the reunion of Christendom, without departing from the ancient foundation of our One Orthodox Church.” Second, the WRV serves a missionary and evangelistic purpose. There are a great many non-Orthodox Christians who are “attracted by our Orthodox Faith, but could not find a congenial home in the spiritual world of Eastern Christendom.” Third, the WRV exists to be witness to Orthodox Christians themselves to the universality of the Orthodox Catholic Faith – a Faith which is not narrowly Byzantine, Hellenistic, or Slavic (as is sometimes assumed by non-Orthodox and Orthodox alike) but is the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all men, in all places, at all times. In the words of Father Paul Schneirla, “the Western Rite restores the normal cultural balance in the Church. The pre-schismatic condition is restored between East and West in symbol and potentiality. A primary result of this reunion is that the Church proclaims her catholicity. She demonstrates that the is the Oecumenical Church, not a tribal religion.” The WRV, while existing within the bosom of the Eastern Orthodox Church, has an entirely “Western Catholic” liturgical life, as it includes translated and adapted Latin liturgical texts for the Divine Office, the Mass (Divine Liturgy), the Sacraments, and various Blessings; forms for the observance of the Western Church Year and the old Roman sanctoral kalendar; the use of Gregorian chant as well as other forms of traditional Western church music and hymnody; ceremonial acts, vestments, architecture, ecclesiastical arts, popular piety and ethos. The basis for the WRV’s eucharistic texts may be found in two seminal documents: (1) the Liturgia Missae Orthodoxo-Catholicae Occidentalis (drawn up by J. J. Overbeck and approved by the Russian Synod in 1869, and by Constantinople in 1882), and (2) the 1904 response of the Russian Synod to Archbishop (now Saint) Tikhon concerning the 1892 American Book of Common Prayer.
Sums it up nicely.
Why is an Orthodox church using a Protestant prayer book, even assuming certain corrections for the sake of theological uniformity?
In the words of one wise man:
No honest human being could describe this as "The Book of Common Prayer." Although Anglo-Catholics would recognize it, and most Western Christians feel an instant and familiar sense of worship while praying it, St. Tikhon's Liturgy far exceeded any edition of the BCP...
Much less could it be called "Protestant." It is a liturgy compiled according to the instructions of the Orthodox Church, at the behest of Orthodox saints, by distinguished Orthodox theologians, blessed within the Orthodox Church, and celebrated within multiple patriarchates of the Orthodox Church for decades. No Protestant would be comfortable with the liturgy's fervent supplication of the saints and the Ever-Virgin Mother of God. He would not appreciate its commemoration of Orthodox hierarchs. He would find no "Zwinglian" content in its outspoken profession of the Real Presence. And no Calvinist -- the British variety of which paid thugs to smash church pictures and stained glass windows with a hammer -- would feel comfortable in a church that visibly expresses its acceptance of the seventh ecumenical council.
In giving its approval, the Church adoped the liturgy's every word and turn-of-phrase -- whatever its provenance -- as Her own. One is inescapably led to believe as the Orthodox Church does about this liturgy, and the Western Rite in general: that it conveys the fulness of Orthodox faith, worship, and devotion to those, of whatever ethnic background, privileged to share in its celebration.
- Benjamin Anderson, westernorthodox.blogspot.com
The Anglican Eucharist isn't simply different theologically: The entire intent of the service is explicitly different.
Texts don't have "intent," people do. If you'd like to know what those of us Orthodox worshipping with this beautiful liturgy "intend" you should come to one of our services
This is straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel. If I wanted to attend an Anglican service I'd go to an Anglican church. Many liturgies are beautiful. The Tridentine Mass with music by Vittoria or Palestrina is hard to beat for sure beauty. That is hardly the point.
This is Article XXVIII frpom the Anglican 39 articles:
"The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.
"Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.
"The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith.
"The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped."
So this explains quite clearly what the Anglicans thought they were doing when they wrote this liturgy. How much of this conforms with Orthodox eucharistic theology? Sincerity and truth are not synonymous.
I think I'm done with this discussion. Unfortunately, I appear to be nearly in the same place on exiting the discussion as I was on entering it. I would have been happy to see how my original views were mistaken, but the arguments just seem to go around in circles and make no sense to me. Not that you should care what makes sense to me. But maybe you should care that someone who was originally sensitive to your arguments and open to having his mind changed hasn't been able to see any more logic to these "Western Rites" now after six months of discussion that he could see before.
Fair enough, Hermogenes, and with all due respect, we don't need your approval. While it would be nice for our Byzantine brethren to understand where we're coming from, and receive their prayers on our behalf, as we pray for them in our Prayer for the Church, we'll be content with the approval and prayers of our bishops, our Metropolitan, our Patriarch and the Saints who brought this Rite to fruition. To put it simply, I think they know better than you
And quite frankly, until you actually attend a service where the Rite of St. Tikhon is served, most people would do well to ignore what you have to say. You quite obviously have no idea what happens at our services, no idea what we really believe, and no idea what we offer to God through our worship. In your clouded logic all you're able to see is BCP = Anglican, Anglican = Protestant, BCP = Rite of St. Tikhon, Rite of St. Tikhon = Protestant.
At the risk of wasting my time, since you've given up trying to understand where we're coming from, I'll reply anyway. Maybe other readers might find it useful...
Quote from: Hermogenes on February 25, 2011, 04:17:45 PM
It isn't "hardly" the point for those of us who believe all beauty and truth belong to God.
You'll note the 39 Articles are not found anywhere in the service book you purchased, and have no bearing on the Rite of St. Tikhon. Anyway...
So, the Supper of the Lord, as defined by this Article is, a) a Sacrament of our Redemption and, b) the partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ when it is received rightly, worthily and with faith. What exactly is the problem???
Perhaps these portions of the Rite of St. Tikhon might clear things up:
"vouchsafe to send down thy holy Spirit upon these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine, that they may be changed into the Body and Blood of thy most dearly beloved Son. "
"may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood."
"humbly beseeching thee, that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ."
"grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen."
"Almighty and ever living God, we most heartily thank thee, for that thou dost vouchsafe to feed us who have duly received these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ."
The Church has also added the same prayers from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for good measure:
"I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.
Of thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy Kingdom. Not unto judgement nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body."
I'm failing to see what the intent of Anglicans who assembled the original BCP and its Articles has to do with the Antiochian Orthodox Rite of St. Tikhon. Oh, wait, unless you were under the impression that everything that makes up the Byzantine Rite came from non-secular, Christian sources and Orthodox history is completely free of assuming and blessing cultural and linguistic things that came from outside of her boundaries. Surely that isn't true?
Perhaps you should discuss issues with the bishops and priests who have blessed and live out these "Western Rites" that you inexplicably placed in quotes, instead of relying on lay people who chat in online forums? Or, better yet, swallow your distaste and try attending a service and actually worshipping with your fellow Orthodox brethren before you make up your mind? But, that might require a little effort, and it's much easier slap unwarranted labels on things and draw unwarranted conclusions from things that have no relationship to one another.
In fact, I think I'll once again leave with the quote of another far more wise than you or I; His Grace Bishop BASIL:
MY observations begin with my own experience with Western Rite. Some of you who have known me since I’ve been consecrated have heard this confession before. Before I was thoroughly exposed to the Western Rite by attending services, I was very leery. I knew that philosophically and historically it was legitimate. But I couldn’t believe that it could be authentic. And that was because I hadn’t experienced it. So the confession is that you have a convert here.
Orthodox who are of the Byzantine Rite know that the way one worships is not a proof of anything. We have been in churches, and some of us have relatives who attend these churches that look like ours and they smell like ours, and if you would go to communion it would probably taste like ours. When you eat the holy bread it tastes like ours. The music sounds like our music. The accents that the people have are the same accents that we have, but it’s not the Church.
So for Orthodox people, the fact that something looks the same and smells the same is not a proof of anything. It is in this sense that our Eastern Rite people are coming to a greater appreciation for the Western Rite. It looks different, the vestments are different, the incense smells different, the words and music are different—and it is the Church.
I remember well the first time I attended a Western Rite service. It was not at one of our churches, but at an Episcopal cathedral. On this first visit, I wept. This was not just because it was aesthetically pleasing; I don’t cry at concerts. Rather, I wept because this beautiful and authentic tradition was in danger of dying out.
You are the inheritors of a precious treasure: the authentic and Orthodox rites that nourished thousands now in the Kingdom of Heaven. The Orthodox Church thanks you for preserving this tradition all these years, so that it could be restored to her through Western Rite Orthodox parishes.
The faith that you hold, combined with the rite in which you practice that faith, is more important than anything else.
Deacon Lance
Faith: Byzantine Catholic
Jurisdiction: Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
You'll note the 39 Articles are not found anywhere in the service book you purchased, and have no bearing on the Rite of St. Tikhon.
The pre-Institution Narrative paragraph of the Canon seems to reflect Article XXXI. The Anglican Use Roman Catholic Mass simply replaced the Anglican Canon with the Roman. Given all the fuss over inserting a Byzantine Epiclesis and Pre-Communion prayer and making sure the "merits" was replaced by prayers I am surprised this was glossed over. Please note I have no problem with the Liturgy of St. Tikhon with this exception.
"All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who (by his own oblation of himself once offered) made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again:(Liturgy of St. Tikhon)."
"XXXI. Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross.
The Offering of Christ once made in that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction,
for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other
satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was
commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission
of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits (Book of Common Prayer).
« Last Edit: February 25, 2011, 07:35:34 PM by Deacon Lance »
My cromulent posts embiggen this forum.
All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy,
Rite of St. Gregory (6th c.): “Therefore, most merciful Father, we humbly pray and beseech thee”
Missal of Robert of Jumieges (1000 AD): “Te igitur clementissime pater per iesum christum filium tuum dominum nostrum”
didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption;
Hebrews 9:15b (KJV): “that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
who (by his own oblation of himself once offered)
Hebrews 9:28a (KJV): “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.”
made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world;
1 John 2:2 (KJV): “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again:
Luke 22:19 (KJV): “this do in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV): “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”
I understand where you're coming from, Deacon Lance, but it's not like we Orthodox don't understand what's happening in our Mass, you know? The convert has obstacles to overcome no matter what rite he worships with. Our liturgies aren't don't happen in a vacuum, but are part of an entire life of the Church, the Western Rite of which is utterly steeped in Orthodox theology and experience.
And another thing, is that the Western Rite isn't finished. Things take time, and as the Rite of St. Tikhon gets rooted in our Western Rite experience, it will continue to develop and change as any rite naturally does.
The Book of Common Prayer predates the 39 articles.
deusveritasest
Agreed. As to the textual nature, these are minor differences. The liturgy will still be highly similar, almost exactly the same, with these necessary Orthodoxizing measures.
Roughly speaking, as to what appear to be the minor differences between it and the EO version of it, I would hope so.
The only real differences between the latin and AWRV is the insertion of an extra epiclesis and the precommunion prayer of St John Chrysostom.
Were these necessary additions?
Quote from: deusveritasest on February 28, 2011, 06:41:57 AM
Not really: they were made for pastoral reason-to assure the rest of the Orthodox that they were Orthodox, and shibboleths to demonstrate that they had embraced the Orthodox side of the debate on these issues. Btw, another change is the references to the merits of the saints has been changed to "prayers of the saints" etc., to conform to Orthodox theology.
Melodist
Very minor differences, and with the exception of changes made to how St Anna's conception of the Theotokos is celebrated, would not even be offensive to the current Roman tradition considering they currently acknowledge that the creed is orthodox as it was originally written and they allow for the laity to receive both the Body and the Blood in the Eucharist.
« Last Edit: February 28, 2011, 03:20:20 PM by Melodist »
Quote from: Severian on August 03, 2012, 01:40:16 PM
And FWIW, these are our Fathers too, you know.
Made Perfect in Weakness - Latest Post: The Son of God
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Go Up
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line457
|
__label__wiki
| 0.731679
| 0.731679
|
Volume 27, pages 281-300, 1942
THE MINERALOGY AND PARAGENESIS OF THE VARISCITE NODULES FROM NEAR FAIRFIELD, UTAH. Part 1.
ESPER S. LARSEN, 3d, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.*
The Fairfield variscite deposit is located about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City. The variscite occurs as nodules in a highly brecciated zone in limestone. The nodules are veined and surrounded by several other calcium aluminum phosphates; other, rarer phosphate minerals are in cavities in the nodules. Miscellaneous additional data are given on some of the minerals. Weissenberg x-ray studies were made on wardite, deltaite, and gordonite. On the basis of x-ray powder photographs, wardite is shown to be related structurally and chemically to millisite, and deltaite to pseudowavellite.
The paragenetic relations of the minerals are described in detail. Variscite was deposited as nodules, and the other phosphate minerals are alteration and replacement products of the original variscite. The alteration history can be divided into four stages: In the first stage, quantitatively the most important, the bulk of the pseudowavellite was deposited with some deltaite, then millisite and wardite with some deltaite and lehiite, and finally more pseudowavellite and deltaite. The second stage comprises the crystal-forming minerals in cavities of variscite and pseudowavellite; these are, in their probable sequence, gordonite, englishite, montgomeryite, overite, and sterrettite. The third stage represents the deposition of a small amount of pseudowavellite, and the fourth, the deposition of the members of the apatite group. Each of these stages has characteristic chemical qualities.
The variscite was formed by phosphatic groundwaters descending along open fissures; the source of the phosphate was probably a phosphorite bed, weathering at the surface. The deposition of the variscite was probably caused by the reaction of aluminous material with the phosphatic waters. Later groundwater, no longer phosphatic, reacted with the variscite to form the alteration minerals. The different chemical characteristics of each group of alteration minerals reflect the changing composition of the groundwater which in turn was due to the weathering of varying surface materials.
TABLE OF CONTENTS, PART 1.
Introduction ......................................... 282
Literature ............................................. 283
Purpose and methods of the study ........ 283
Acknowledgments ................................ 283
Geology................................................ 284
General geology.................................... 284
Geology of the deposit.......................... 284
Descriptive Mineralogy.......................... 286
Variscite ............................................... 287
Pseudowavellite .................................... 288
Deltaite
Lavender crystals of deltaite.................. 290
Chemical relationships............................ 291
Wardite ................................................ 292
Millisite ................................................. 294
Lehiite.................................................... 294
Dennisonite ........................................... 295
Gordonite .............................................. 295
Englishite ............................................... 296
Overite ...................................................297
Montgomeryite ...................................... 297
Sterrettite ............................................... 297
Apatite group ..........................................297
Alunite ................................................... 298
Other minerals ........................................ 298
The descriptive mineralogy of the Fairfield variscite deposit has been known since the publication of Larsen and Shannon's paper (1930b) on the subject, but little has been written about the paragenetic relations of this or any other variscite deposit. Since the mineral assemblage at Fairfield is unique, so far as known, there is the logical assumption that the conditions of origin were perhaps also unique. An investigation of specimens from the deposit has been made with this in mind.
This study was undertaken at the suggestion of Professor Charles Palache, who had acquired a large new collection of Fairfield specimens for the Harvard Mineralogical Museum from Messrs. Arthur Montgomery and Edwin Over. The writer was fortunate in having this collection at his disposal. Moreover, Mr. Montgomery very generously furnished a large amount of additional material whenever it was needed.
The Fairfield variscite deposit has been known to mineral collectors for a number of years. The variscite is present as brilliant green nodules, which are veined and surrounded by bands of yellow, white, and gray alteration minerals. The nodules are found in a shattered and altered limestone (the "Great Blue" of Upper Mississippian age).
The deposit is located about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City in the southern end of the Oquirrh Range; more exactly, on the north slopes of Clay Canyon, five miles west of the town of Fairfield. It can be reached by a poor road from Fairfield.
The nodules were first discovered in 1893, and they were mentioned by Kunz (1895) in the Mineral Resources bulletin as a new type of occurrence for variscite. Other similar variscite deposits in Utah and Nevada have since been found. The Fairfield deposit was mined at the surface in a small way for a number of years, producing a considerable quantity of variscite suitable for semi-precious gems and ornamental stone. For the past twenty years or more the deposit has lain idle with the exception of sporadic mineral collecting. In 1937 the deposit was claimed by Messrs. Montgomery and Over, who spent several months in 1937 and 1939 doing the first successful underground work. Their aim was to collect mineral specimens rather than gem material. The specimens used in this study comprised part of the material collected by them.
The literature on the Fairfield deposit is very meagre. Kunz (1895) gave a very brief description of the deposit, and suggested the name "utahlite" for the gem variscite. Packard (1894) analyzed some of the material from one nodule and identified the green material as variscite. Wardite from Fairfield was described by Dennison in 1896. Sterrett (1905, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10) briefly described the deposit and the types of gem material produced. In 1930, Larsen and Shannon published the first detailed description of the mineralogy of the nodules, and recorded eight new minerals and the general occurrence of the minerals within the nodules. Pough has recently described the morphology of wardite (1937 a) and gordonite (1937 b). McConnell (1938) discussed lewistonite and dehrnite from Fairfield in their structural relation to other members of the apatite group. Gilluly (1932) described the geology of the Fairfield quadrangle but did not describe the variscite deposit.
PURPOSE AND METHODS OF THE STUDY
This investigation was undertaken, in part, to expand the known mineralogy of the deposit, and in part to consider the origin of the variscite and its alteration products. All the minerals were studied optically, and where suitable single crystals were available, their structural lattice was determined by the Weissenberg x-ray method. X-ray powder photographs were made of all the minerals observed and were used for purposes of identification and comparison. Thin sections were used to study some of the textural features. The spatial relations and the sequence of the minerals were studied more fruitfully in broken nodules under the binocular microscope. The work was carried out entirely in the laboratory; the field descriptions have been taken from the literature and from personal communications from Mr. Arthur Montgomery. The writer believes that further field investigation of this and other variscite deposits would be of value in testing the validity of some of the suggestions proposed in this paper.
The principal collection of nodules used in this study was furnished by the Department of Mineralogy and Petrography of Harvard University, where the work was done. They also financed the chemical analyses and the making of thin sections Professor Charles Palache suggested the study and offered numerous valuable suggestions. Professor Esper S. Larsen gave valuable advice in the course of the work, and very kindly read and criticized the manuscript. Professor C. S. Hurlbut, likewise, read and criticized the manuscript. Drs. Wallace Richmond, Clifford Frondel, and C. W. Wolfe assisted greatly in the x-ray work. Dr. William T. Pecora contributed through many discussions.
I wish especially to thank Professor Harry Berman for his very constant interest in the work and his many criticisms, suggestions, and correction, both in the course of the investigation and in the preparation of the manuscript.
Mr. Arthur Montgomery furnished unstintingly an abundance of material used throughout the study.
Gilluly (1952) has described in detail the geology of the Fairfield quadrangle; the following brief description of the general geology of the area is taken from his publication and is summarized below.
The Fairfield quadrangle includes the southern end of the Oquirrh Mountains, the eastern extremity of the basin and Range province. The rocks, dominantly Paleozoic sediments, are in a series of north - north-west trending open anticlines of variable dip. The stratigraphy is described in detail by Gilluly. The aggregate thickness of the Paleozoic strata is near 25,000 feet, dominantly limestones. These strata were compressed into the present anticlines at the end of the Paleozoic or early in the Tertiary. Following this, and in the Tertiary, there were extruded several thousand feet of latitic volcanics now found principally to the north; the same magma later rose toward the surface forming stocks, dikes, plugs, etc., with which the ore deposits of the area are associated. Considerable local faulting is attributed to the intrusions.. Erosion during the Oligocene and early Miocene developed a "subdued mature surface" where the present mountains are located. From late Miocene or early Miocene to the present, the Basin and Range faulting has tilted the Paleozoic strata to their present positions, which, together with accompanying erosion, has developed the present mountainous surface. Huge alluvial deposits have formed in the present valleys.
GEOLOGY OF THE DEPOSIT
The variscite deposit lies on the east flank of the Ophir Anticline, the southernmost extension of the Oquirrh Mountains. It is located entirely in one sedimentary formation, the "Great Blue" limestone of upper Mississippian age. Gilluly (1937, p. 29) has described this formation as follows:
"The 'Great Blue' limestone consists of a lower and an upper limestone, separated by shaly beds herein named the Long Trail shale member. The lower limestone member, between the top of the Humbug and the base of the Long Trail shale, is . . . about 500 feet thick . . . (The Long Trail member) is about 85 feet thick.
MINERALOGY OF VARISCITE NODULES
"Overlying the Long Trail shale is the upper limestone member of the 'Great Blue' limestone, consisting of blue-gray limestone like that beneath the shale and containing sporadic chert layers, some sandy limestone, and a very subordinate quantity of black shale . . . 2750 feet (is) the most probable thickness of the upper limestone member ....
"Other than the Long Trail shale member, no good marker beds were discovered in the 'Great Blue' limestone; it is a monotonous thick series of limestones throughout. In local areas, as at Mercur, individual thinner beds, mostly shales, were recognized in the formation...."
The variscite occurs above the Long Trail shale member, but how far above is not known. The limestones have erratic dips and strikes in the neighborhood of the deposit, and at the deposit strike about N. 50° W. and dip 22° N. (Sterrett, 1908, p. 856).
No igneous rocks were mapped near Clay Canyon. Two miles northwest is a large rhyolitic plug (Eagle Hill) which may be genetically associated with the ore deposits near Mercur, farther to the north. There is no recurrence of intrusives south of Eagle Hill.
The structure of the deposit itself is only briefly recounted in the literature, and has been known only from surface workings. Kunz (1895, p. 602) wrote:
"The rock is a crystalline limestone, with layers of black pyritiferous slate. In the latter occur the nodules, varying from the size of a walnut to that of a cocoanut . . . . "
Sterrett (1908, p. 856) visited the deposit after the surface opening had been considerably developed, and wrote:
" . . . Development consists of a tunnel 110 feet long driven nearly north into the hill, and an open cut with a small incline. The tunnel did not cut the variscite lead. The country rock exposed in the workings is a black limestone, which strikes about N. 50° W., with a dip of 22° N. The variscite lead has a steeper dip to the north, nearly 45°, with approximately the same strike as the limestone. The variscite occurs in concretionary nodules in a brecciated, more or less decomposed, zone. Practically everything in this zone has a nodular shape, including the blocks of limestone breccia, etc. Chert forms a prominent part of the filling of the mineralized zone and has been fractured and cemented by calcite seams and limonite stains. The nodules of variscite range from one-fourth of an inch to over 4 inches in thickness. The nodules have been more or less fractured, and the cracks have been filled in with yellow and white phosphate minerals. Some of the larger nodules contain two or more smaller nodules or irregular masses of variscite, inclosed in yellow and white matrix or shells. Most of the nodules are surrounded by banded layers of the yellow phosphate and some have white coatings also."
Messrs. Montgomery and Over have recently done successful underground work on the deposit, and very kindly furnished data for the following more detailed description. Their work consisted of reopening a horizontal tunnel running into the hillside below the outcrop but which missed the mineralized zone (Sterrett, 1908). Lateral drifts from this tunnel struck the variscite area, and the zone of mineralization was followed from the lateral drift, to the surface, a distance of about 100 feet.
The mineralized phosphate zone dips about 25° to the east, slightly steeper than the limestone, and the pitch of the zone is more northward than the true direction of dip of the limestone. The mineralized zone is one of extreme fracturing and brecciation, with several small through-going vertical faults, and small dip faults. The nodules are centered about vertical fractures, and generally occur along bedding fractures near the main vertical fractures. There are generally two, and locally three, well-defined phosphate streaks. These are discontinuous, and have a maximum vertical range of eight feet, and a lateral extent of about three feet. Where the mineralization is strongest, two or three main streaks may be close together, but separated by barren limestone, the whole having a width of ten feet or less. A few isolated patches or stringers of nodules were found away from the main fractures, but in diminished quantities. The nodules are found in masses of apparently altered limestone of which most is silicified or limonitized; as patches or layers parallel to the bedding surrounded by iron-stained earthy material; as angular fragments in brecciated limestone (silicified?) - and as small nodules enclosed in angular alunite fragments. Many of the nodules are fractured and faulted, and a number of the bedding layers of nodules are offset, probably by late fracturing and small movements along them. The limestone in the mineralized area, and to some unknown distance away from it, is almost entirely silicified. Large cherty-appearing nodules and angular fragments of alunite are common. Late quartz and calcite were found in some of the fractures.
The amount of mineralization is considerably greater in the lower part of the workings, where the mineralized zone appears to expand. The nodular material at depth is completely altered to yellow pseudowavellite and a white mineral which may be pseudowavellite.
DESCRIPTIVE MINERALOGY
The minerals occurring in or associated with the nodules are discussed here from a strictly descriptive point of view; the details of their occurrence and sequence are considered in a later section. Each mineral found is described briefly; where new data have been gathered, they are given in detail. Morphological, structural, and chemical studies were made on suitable material if the data had not appeared in the literature. Three new phosphate minerals, overite, montgomeryite, and sterrettite, were found in the course of the study, and full descriptions of them are given elsewhere (Larsen, 1940; Larsen and Montgomery, 1940).
In all, fourteen species of phosphate minerals have been determined in the deposit; eleven were first described from this locality, and most of them are peculiar to it.
Following the scheme of classification of the phosphate minerals of Strum and Schroeter (1939), the minerals in the Fairfield deposit fall in the following groups:
Group 1. Anhydrous phosphates without additional anions.
Group 2. Anhydrous phosphates with additional anions.
Apatite group (lewistonite, dehrnite).
Group 3. Hydrous phosphates without additional anions.
Variscite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AlPO4·2H2O
Group 4. Hydrous phosphates with additional anions.
Pseudowavellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5·H2O
Deltaite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ca2Al2(PO4)2(OH)4·H2O
Dennisonite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ca3Al(PO4)2(OH)3·H2O
Wardite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CaNa4Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O
Millisite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Ca2(Na,K)2Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O
Lehiite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ca5Na2Al3(PO4)8(OH)12·6H2O
Gordonite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2·8H2O
Englishite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ca4K2Al8(PO4)8(OH)18·9H2O
Overite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ca3Al8(PO4)8(OH)6·15H2O
Montgomeryite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ca4Al5(PO4)6(OH)5·11H2O
Sterrettite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al6(PO4)4(OH)6·5H2O
Overite was placed in Group 3 by Strunz and Schroeter on the basis of the tentative but incorrect formula Ca3Al6(PO4)8·20H2O, published by Larsen (1939).
Table 2 presents the chief properties of all the phosphate minerals found in the nodules.
VARISCITE - AlPO4·2H2O - orthorhombic
The identity of variscite has until recently been confused in the literature. Breithaupt (1830) described the mineral peganite and in 1837 described variscite. Moschetti (1917) and Schaller (1925) have shown that the two minerals are identical and that the original analyzed peganite probably contained some wavellite. The callainite of Dana may be variscite (Damour, 1865), although McConnell (1940) has lately questioned . this. Lucinite, described by Schaller (1916) has been shown by Larsen and Schaller (1925) to be identical with variscite. Moreover, the euhedral material from Lucin, Utah, described by Schaller (1912 a & b) as variscite, has been shown by Larsen and Schaller (1925) not to be variscite but a new dimorphous form of AlPO4·2H2O, named by them metavariscite; this error has not been fully recognized by Hintze (1931) in his description of the crystallography of variscite. The names utahlite, chlorutahlite, and amatrice have been used as trade names for gem variscite from Utah. All these names therefore represent but two species, variscite and metavariscite.
Variscite is isostructural with strengite (Schaller, 1912 a & b) and recent studies (Strunz and Sztrókay, 1939; McConnell, 1939, 1940) have shown it to belong to the isodimorphous group including metavariscite, phosphosiderite, strengite, and others.
The variscite of the Fairfield deposit is a fine grained, massive, green aggregate, invariably in nodular form or as residuals in replaced or brecciated nodules. These nodules are the finest ever found and when polished make very handsome specimens. The color varies from a vivid emerald green to a lighter pea green. The colors are generally mottled over large areas, and the outer edges of the variscite masses in some nodules have a narrow line of darker green. Dark green lines of variscite, cutting massive variscite, can be seen on polished surfaces; this is probably a recrystallized variscite which has "healed" small incipient fractures.
A very minor amount of variscite is scattered through white powdery layers of a mineral related to pseudowavellite; Larsen and Shannon (1930 b) found this material to be in tiny crystals, coarser than the massive green mineral; the material studied by this writer was very fine grained and no crystals were found. Some of the white powdery layers have a faint greenish tinge on the surface facing the massive variscite, due to a concentration of loose variscite grains.
No crystals of variscite have been found at Fairfield, although the similar deposit at Lucin has yielded crystals (Schaller, 1915; Larsen and Schaller, 1925).
Two analyses of the Fairfield variscite have been published (Packard, 1894; Schaller, 1916); they both indicate a hydrous aluminum phosphate with some iron replacing aluminum. By analogy with strengite, the unit cell content of variscite is 2(AlPO4·2H2O) (Strunz and Sztrókay, 1939; McConnell, 1940).
PSEUDOWAVELLITE - CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5·H2O - rhombohedral DELTAITE - Ca2Al2(PO4)2(OH)4·H2O - rhombohedral
Pseudowavellite and deltaite are shown here to be isostructural and possibly isomorphous; for this reason they are discussed together.
Pseudowavellite was described by Laubmann (1922), and was identified as the dominant alteration mineral of the variscite at Fairfield by Larsen and Shannon (1930). It has been described from few localities, but there is little doubt that the mineral comprising the yellow crusts associated with variscite at the Utah and Nevada variscite deposits (see Sterrett, 1905, '06, '07, '08, '09, '10) is identical with the Fairfield pseudowavellite; specimens from Amatrice Hill, seen by the writer, contain pseudowavellite optically indistinguishable from the Fairfield material.
Deltaite was originally described from Fairfield by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b), and so far as is known to the writer has been found at no other locality.
Three types of occurrence of pseudowavellite were described by Larsen and Shannon. The most prominent mineral of the nodules is a yellow pseudowavellite forming successive layers on the outer parts of the nodules; this occurs as very fine fibers, either subparallel or matted, and having average indices of refraction ω=1.618, ε =1.623. Vitreous crusts and veinlets, and spherules, ranging in color from yellow to gray, are made up chiefly of granular pseudowavellite (ω=1.622, ε =1.631) with some deltaite. White chalky crusts surrounding variscite are composed principally of pseudowavellite with indices ω=1.619, ε =1.627; this is very fine grained, in part either isotropic or so fine grained, as to appear so. Analyses of these three types are given by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b, Tables 2 and 3).
The same writers likewise describe three types of deltaite. As noted above, deltaite occurs intergrown with some vitreous pseudowavellite; this deltaite has indices ω=1.641, ε =1.650, and in general has roughly euhedral outlines, apparently that of a trigonal prism, in very minute crystals. Gray cherty-looking crusts near variscite are made up of matted fine fibers of deltaite with indices ω=1.630, ε =1.640. White chalky layers between the gray deltaite and the variscite kernels are considered to be deltaite by Larsen and Shannon; it is very similar optically to the white chalky pseudowavellite, and has indices ω=1.621, ε =1.629, but is chemically somewhat different. This material was not seen by the writer, or else has been confused with the white chalky pseudowavellite. These three types of deltaite have been analyzed by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b, Table 4).
Three other types of deltaite have been seen by this writer. On one micromount are colorless minute crystals, apparently rhombohedra with a base, whose indices of refraction are ω=1.640, ε =1.650. Very similar material, but canary yellow in color, occurs as sugary aggregates of very tiny crystals lining cavities in the nodules, chiefly in lenticular openings between pseudowavellite shells. These yellow crystals have a maximum dimension of 0.02 mm. and thus are far too small to study with the goniometer. Upon immersion under the microscope they are seen to be almost cubic in outline, but extinguish parallel to the face diagonals, suggesting that they are rhombohedra; rarely a corner is truncated by what is probably the base. This material has indices ω=1.641, ε =1.651. A third type of deltaite comprises lavender colored trigonal prisms and massive aggregates of lavender to pale blue bands in a few of the nodules. This material has indices essentially identical with the types noted above. The lavender crystals constitute the only deltaite suitable for crystallographic and x-ray Weissenberg study; the results of this study are given below.
X-ray powder photographs of the principal types of pseudowavellite and deltaite were taken, and they are all indistinguishable. It is assumed therefore that the minerals, including all their various types, are isostructural, and since the lattice spacings indicated by the photographs all appear to be very similar, it is assumed that the lattice dimensions of all the types are essentially identical.
Lavender crystals of deltaite
A few small nodules contain small lavender crystals of deltaite lining cavities in pseudowavellite. These crystals occur as single units and sub-parallel aggregates growing with the c-axis normal to the cavity walls. The aggregates are intermixed with fine aggregates of pseudowavellite. Radial groups of a mineral belonging to the apatite group perch upon crystals in the cavities. The lavender deltaite is uniaxial positive, with the indices of refraction: ω=1.640, ε =1.651.
It has been impossible to prepare for chemical analysis a sample of the deltaite even moderately free from admixed pseudowavellite, since the densities of the two minerals are practically equal, preventing gravity separation, and the fineness of grain prohibits hand sorting.
The crystals of lavender deltaite are all simple, consisting of an elongated trigonal prism, terminated by the base. Their maximum dimension is near 0.2 mm. The base c{0001} reflects brilliantly, and on some of the crystals shows minute steps or striations parallel to the prism. The prism is rough with deeply grooved faces giving practically no reflections on the goniometer; a very weak train of reflections extends from the prism toward the base on some crystals. The prism, to fit the orientation chosen for the unit cell, is a{10 0}.
The character and orientation of the unit cell were determined by the Weissenberg x-ray method. Rotation, and zero, first, and second layer Weissenberg photographs about [0001], and rotation and zero layer Weissenberg photographs about [10 0] were taken. From these were calculated the following unit cell dimensions:
For hexagonal lattice: For rhombohedral lattice:
ao=6.98 Å ±0.02 Å ao=6.71 Å
co =16.10 Ã…
a:c=1:2.3066 a=62°40'
Vo=679.3 cu. Ã… Vrh=226.3 cu. Ã…
Mo=1213 for G=2.95 Mrh=405 for G=2.95
The space group is C3v5-R3m as shown by the following observed reflections:
For hkil, h-k+1=3n
hh2hl, l=3n
hh0l, 2h-1-1=3n
The rhombohedral cell agrees with the apparent rhombohedral form of the colorless and yellow crystals of deltaite described above.
Chemical relationships
Using the rhombohedral unit cell volume derived from the lavender crystals of deltaite, and the analysis of optically similar deltaite published by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b, Table 4, column 1), the calculated cell content of deltaite is close to:
Ca2A12(PO4)2(OH)4·H2O.
Other available analyses of deltaite (Larsen and Shannon, 1930 b, Table 4) show an excess of Al and a deficiency of Ca over that required for the above formula.
Since x-ray powder photographs of deltaite and pseudowavellite show the two minerals to be isostructural and to have essentially identical cell dimensions, the rhombohedral cell volume determined for deltaite was used in calculating the unit cell content of pseudowavellite from the analyses given by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b, Tables 2 and 3). The cell content thus calculated closely approximates:
CaAl3(PO4)2(OH)5·H2O.
with an excess of Ca and a deficiency of Al in some.
The analyses of deltaite show a moderate deviation in composition from that expressed in the formula toward that of pseudowavellite, and the analyses of pseudowavellite show a similar deviation toward deltaite. The two minerals therefore seem to constitute an isomorphous series, at least partly miscible, in which one atom of Ca in deltaite can be exchanged for one atom of Al, with a consequent adjustment of the (OH) content to balance the valence change, to form pseudowavellite. The formula for the series can be written:
Ca(Ca,Al)Al2(PO4)2(OH)4-5·H2O.
The formulae for the two minerals given by Larsen and Shannon do not suggest the isostructural character of the two minerals, or their apparent isomorphism.
WARDITE - CaNa4Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O - Tetragonal
Wardite was originally described by Dennison (1896) from Fairfield, Utah. Lacroix (1910) described the mineral soumansite from Montebras, France, and this was shown by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b) to be identical with wardite. Larsen and Shannon analyzed the wardite from Fairfield and determined its physical and optical properties. Pough (1937 a) has described the morphology of the Fairfield wardite. Montebras is the only occurrence of wardite mentioned in the literature outside of Utah; Zalinski (1909) and Pepperberg (1911) mention it as a probable constituent of the Amatrice Hill and Lucin variscite deposits.
Wardite at Fairfield occurs as subparallel aggregates of coarse fibers and aggregates and crusts of crystals, some individual grains exceeding one millimeter in diameter. They are most commonly blue-green, but grade to colorless. The crystals are tetragonal and characteristically pyramidal, terminated by the base. Most of the material is uniaxial positive, but some crystals are divided into four biaxial segments with a small 2V; this has been described by Lacroix (1910).
X-ray powder photographs of wardite and millisite are similar, indicating a close structural relationship; this is discussed in the section on millisite.
Rotation, and zero and first layer Weissenberg photographs about [001] and rotation and zero layer Weissenberg photographs about [110] were taken. The mineral proved to be tetragonal, as shown by Pough from the morphology, and has the following unit cell dimensions:
ao=7.04 Å, co =18.88 Å, both ±0.02 Å
The space group is C42-P41, or C44-P43 as shown by the observed reflections:
for h00, h= 2n
0k0, k=2n
001, l=4n
hk0, h0l, hkl - all present
The choice of axes agrees with that of Pough. The ratio of ao:co= 1: 2.682 indicates that Pough's choice of the c-unit is half the true unit; using Pough's morphological values, a: c=1: 2.6234. These two values differ by three per cent, which is not surprising considering the poor quality of the crystals and the great range of Pough's measured values. The ratio derived by x-ray methods is probably better, and has been used in calculating the angle table (Table 1) for the forms observed by Pouch. Included in the table are the measured mean values from Pough (1937a, Table 1). The form symbols have been changed to conform with the structurally determined units; the transformation is:
Pough to Larsen 100/010/002.
The dominant form t, given the symbol { 13.0.12 } by Pough, would become {13.0.24} with the present choice of unit, which is even less likely as a dominant form than with Pough's symbol. It seems most probable that this form should have the simple symbol t (102 } ; the p value of {102} by the new units is 53°17', which is lower by twelve minutes than any of the measured p values given by Pough, but his measured range is greater than four degrees, indicating both poor and inconsistent faces. Form {907} of Pough seems more probably to be {203} in the new setting ( {403} in the old); it is given as a doubtful form at best.
TABLE 1. WARDITE-ANGLE TABLE (Calculated from x-ray data) Tetragonal pyramidal?-P41-3 po=2.6818, a:c=1:2.6818
Form Symbol Calculated Measured Mean
Pough X-ray Pough
φ ρ φ ρ
c 001 001 ----- 0°00'
a 100 100 0°00' 90 00
t 13.0.12 102 0 00 53 17 55º 55'
u 201 101 0 00 69 33 69 08
b 112 114 45 00 43 28½ 45º 00' 42 51
Forms Requiring Confirmation
907 203 0°00' 60°47' 0°00'
301 302 0 00 76 04 74 56
447 227 45 00 47 18 47 05
134 138 18 26 46 40 17°44' 45 27
The atomic content of the unit cell was calculated from the analysis of wardite published by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b, Table 1), and their value of the specific gravity 2.81, which new measurements by the writer checked closely. The unit cell contains
CaNa4Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O.
This differs from the formula for wardite given by Larsen and Shannon in having two less molecules of H2O. The specific gravity calculated for this formula and the unit cell volume given above is 2.87, which compares poorly with the measured value 2.81.
MILLISITE - Ca2(Na,K)2Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O - Tetragonal?
Millisite was described from Fairfield by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b), and this is the only known locality for the mineral.
Millisite is invariably associated with wardite as alternating layers in spherules or crusts. It is light gray to white in color, and normally is present as layers of fine fibers normal to the layering. No crystals of the mineral have been found. Where it coats crystals of wardite, it is not in crystallographic continuity, but is present as a thin shell with a finegrained aggregate structure. Material sufficiently coarse indicates that it is biaxial positive with a moderate 2V, and indices of refraction slightly lower than wardite; fibers show negative elongation.
Millisite and wardite are very closely related chemically, as shown by the formulae:
Millisite Ca2(Na,K)2Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O
Wardite CaNa4Al12(PO4)8(OH)18·6H2O
in which potassium is very subordinate in wardite and is present in the approximate atomic ratio Na:K=2:1 in millisite. X-ray powder photographs of the two minerals are similar and the principal spacings are nearly identical; thus the unit cell volume of wardite ( Vo= 936 cu. Ã…) was used to calculate the probable unit cell content of millisite. The above formula indicates the probable cell content, assuming the measured specific gravity 2.83 from Larsen and Shannon. The calculated specific gravity for this formula is 2.87.
In all cases where the two minerals occur together (and they usually do) they are separate and distinct without any gradation from one to the other, and each maintains its separate properties. For this reason they are to be considered separate species and not necessarily members of a series.
LEHIITE - Ca5Na2Al3(PO4)8(OH)12·6H2O
Lehiite was described from Fairfield by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b) and this is the only known occurrence of the mineral. Material identified by this writer as lehiite differs somewhat from that described by Larsen and Shannon. It forms dense, light gray layers on the outer shells of the nodules, and is made up of fine to moderately coarse fibers generally in subparallel bands. It contains a few thin bands of coarse wardite. The original description of lehiite gives the optical properties: α =1.600, β =1.615, γ =1.629, 2V large, optically negative, and a large extinction angle. The material seen by this writer was very finely fibrous with approximately parallel extinction; the fibers have negative elongation and the indices 1.605 parallel to the length, 1.620 normal to the length. It is too fine grained to determine its optical character. Although its optical properties do not coincide with those in the original description, its appearance and general range of indices of refraction suggest that it is lehiite. An x-ray powder photograph of this lehiite shows it to be unrelated to any of the other minerals found in the nodules. It is apparently not related chemically to any other known mineral.
DENNISONITE - Ca3Al(PO4)2(OH)3·H2O
Dennisonite, described from Fairfield by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b), was not found in the material studied by the present writer. The chemical formula suggests a relation to the pseudowavellite-deltaite series, such that one atom of Al in deltaite is replaced by one atom of Ca to form dennisonite; however, its optical properties are completely unrelated in any serial fashion with those of pseudowavellite and deltaite. It is said to occur in cavities in pseudowavellite and deltaite as fibrous, white botryoidal to spherulitic crusts.
GORDONITE - MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2·8H2O - Triclinic
Gordonite from Fairfield was described by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b) and related by them to paravauxite on the basis of chemistry and similarity in the interfacial angles of a few poor crystals. Pough (1937 b) described in detail the morphology and showed the morphological relation to paravauxite, the ferrous equivalent of gordonite.
It occurs most abundantly as prismatic triclinic crystals in bands of subparallel aggregates on or near variscite. It is most commonly smoky white to colorless; rare crystals are pale pink at their tips, or are pale green. Its prominent {010} cleavage and crystal form serve to distinguish it readily from the other minerals occurring with it.
The lattice constants of the unit cell were determined by x-ray methods. Rotation and zero layer Weissenberg photographs were taken about the three axes chosen by Pough, and a first layer Weissenberg was taken about [010]. Pough's setting and choice of units agree with the normal setting indicated by the x-ray study. The following are the lattice constants:
X-ray Morphology (Pough)
ao= 5.25 Ã…
bo=10.49
co= 6.97
α=107°20' α=109°27'
β= 111°12' β = 110°57½'
γ= 72°12' γ= 71°40½'
α* = 77°49' λ = 75°36'
β*= 72°41' μ= 73°35'
γ*=102°52' ν=102°49'
ao: bo: co=0.5004: 1 :0.6644 a: b: c=0. 5192 :1:0.6942
Vo=332.7 cu. Ã…
The crystals are apparently holohedral, so the probable space group is P --Ci1. The structural angles and ratios shown above are in poor agreement with the morphological angles and ratios determined by Pough. This is not unexpected when the uniformly poor quality of the crystals is considered.
The form S { 1}, considered doubtful by Pough, was observed as a fairly large face; reflecting a good signal on six crystals out of twelve measured by this writer, and should be considered well established. Below are given the measured range, the best average, and the calculated values for the φ and ρ angles of this face:
Measured Range Best Average Calculated
φ ρ φ ρ φ ρ
-84°51' -87°16' 65°13 69°40' -86°21' 68°04' -86°02½' 68°06'
The atomic content of the unit cell was calculated from the analysis of gordonite given by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b, p. 333), using the value of Vo given above. and the specific: gravity 2.23. The specific gravity was determined from seven small samples (2½ to 7 mg.) of clear crystals on a microbalance; the average of these measurements was 2.23, as compared to Larsen and Shannon's value 2.28. The unit cell content is expressed by the formula given by Larsen and Shannon:
MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2·8H2O
The calculated specific gravity of this is 2.22 for the above value of Vo.
Englishite - Ca4K2Al8(PO4)8(OH)18·9H2O - Monoclinic?
Englishite was described from Fairfield by Larsen and Shannon (1930 b) and has been noted from no other locality. It occurs as subparallel aggregates of flexible plates, and has a white pearly luster on its very perfect micaceous cleavage. It is found in cavities with wardite, and replacing variscite.
A Laue photograph was taken of a cleavage flake with the x-ray beam normal to the cleavage surface The photograph was poor, due to the bent and aggregate nature of the cleavage flake, but showed a single plane of symmetry, indicating that the mineral is monoclinic. If the cleavage is considered the base, the optical orientation is:
Z=b Y near a, Z near c.
OVERITE - Ca3Al8(PO4)8(OH)6·15H2O -Orthorhombic
MONTGOMERYITE - Ca4Al5(PO4)6(OH)5·11H2O - Monoclinic
STERRETTIE** - Al6(PO4)4(OH)6·5H2O - Orthorhombic
These three new minerals were discovered in the course of this study and have been described recently in detail (Larsen, 1940; Larsen and Montgomery, 1940). Their chief properties are summarized in Table 2.
APATITE GROUP
Larsen and Shannon (pp. 324-327) described the two minerals, dehrnite and lewistonite, from the Fairfield nodules, and these have been shown by McConnell (1938) to belong to the apatite group. These minerals as described show considerable variation in their optical properties, and frequently have cores which are sharply distinct optically from the outer parts of crystals. They are found as hexagonal prisms, and subparallel aggregates of prisms; the crystals are commonly divided into six biaxial segments. In one type of dehrnite, the crystals show a uniaxial core surrounded by six biaxial segments; the core has the indices of refraction: ω=1.640, ε =1.633, and the border: ω=1.585, γ = 1.600. Another type, considered to be dehrnite by Larsen and Shannon, occur, as botryoidal crusts in cavities in pseudowavellite and deltaite; these are made up of coarsely crystalline units, some divided into six segments, and are biaxial negative with a small 2V, and the indices of refraction ω =1.610, β =1.619, γ = 1.620.
Lewistonite likewise shows wide variation in its properties. Stout hexagonal crystals associated with oolites of pseudowavellite are divided into six biaxial negative segments, with 2V = 42°, and α = 1.613, β=1.623, γ=1.624. Some of these have uniaxial cores with ε near 1.60. An amygdule is made up of stout fibers, apparently uniaxial negative, and ω=1.621, ε =1.611.
Larsen and Shannon give the formula for dehrnite : 14CaO·2(Na,K)2O·4P2O5·3(H2O,CO2) and for lewistonite: 15CaO·(K,Na)2O·4P2O5·8H2O. Lewistonite contains less alkalies and considerably more water than dehrnite. Their optical properties overlap considerably so that it is impossible to distinguish between them.
Other members of the apatite group, as shown by x-ray powder photographs, are present in the nodules. These have not been studied chemically; optically ω varies from 1.610 to 1.635.
The most abundant member of this group occurs as colorless crystalline aggregates and veinlets in pseudowavellite and chert fragments.
These aggregates are made up of stubby hexagonal prisms terminated by the unit pyramid; the crystals are rough and generally are subparallel groups rather than single individuals. Their optical properties are: 2V(-)=20°, α =1.622, γ=1.628; negative elongation.
The apatite-like minerals are readily recognized as such after some experience. They are generally in recognizable hexagonal forms, and range from colorless to very pale green. They are the only hexagonal minerals found in the nodules. All colorless needle-like crystals or acicular sheaf-like aggregates seen in the nodules by this writer have been shown to be apatite members by x-ray methods. Besides these, all colorless to pale greenish spherules having finely botryoidal surfaces are likewise members of this group.
ALUNITE - KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 - Rhombohedral
Round nodules up to eight inches in diameter and angular fragments are made up of about two-thirds alunite and one-third quartz. They are creamy white to dark gray in color, and break with an even conchoiclal fracture; they were originally thought to be chert nodules. They are very even grained, with the grain diameters of both the alunite and quartz averaging about 0.01 mm. The two minerals are uniformly intermixed.
Gently crushed fragments in immersion under the microscope show tiny rectangular grains which extinguish parallel to the grain diagonals; they have one index slightly higher than 1.570 and the other somewhat above 1.580. The grains are too small to give interference figures and thus the optical character is not known, but they are believed to be minute cleavage rhombobedra of alunite. The identification was confirmed by its chemical behavior. Heated in a closed tube it gives off acid water. Previous to ignition before the blow pipe it is insoluble in strong acids, but after ignition it is readily soluble in HNO3. The solution in HNO3 gives a white precipitate when barium chloride is added, indicating SO4; it likewise gives a strong test for sulfur when reduced with charcoal and sodium carbonate. Broken surfaces are readily scratched by a needle, but its hardness appears high for alunite, probably due to the admixture of fine quartz.
Quartz is the most abundant mineral of the country rock, comprising strongly brecciated fragments of gray to black chert. Very tiny quartz seams cut the variscite nodules and are associated with pseudowavellite. Tiny quartz crystals coat the surfaces of some of the brecciated chert. On the outside surfaces of some of the variscite nodules, coarse quartz forms rounded milky aggregates.
Calcite occurs principally as aggregates of coarse corroded crystals on the outer surfaces of a few variscite nodules; rarely it forms irregular masses on pseudowavellite inside a nodule. Much calcite, apparently original limestone, was seen in thin section surrounding a small nodule made up entirely of pseudowavellite; this calcite was almost opaque to transmitted light because of tiny inclusions of limonite (?). Most of the limonite contains abundant calcite, some in coarse grains.
Limonite is abundant as reddish to tan colored earthy material surrounding most of the nodules and commonly filling in between chert fragments. It is in large part incoherent and is mixed with varying amounts of very fine quartz. Some of the lighter colored earthy material may contain clay minerals.
Angular black fragments occurring enclosed in phosphate nodules are made up mostly of very fine grained quartz, but also contain evenly distributed tiny grains of an isotropic to weakly birefringent material, ranging in index from 1.58 to 1.62. It is insoluble in boiling HNO3 both before and after ignition, and thus is probably not a phosphate.
* Contribution No. 251 from the Department of Mineralogy and Petrography, Harvard University.
** Sterrettite has very recently been shown to he identical with eggonite Bannister, F. A., Mineral. Mag., 26, 131-133 (1941).
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line460
|
__label__wiki
| 0.802053
| 0.802053
|
Year : 2005 | Volume : 3 | Issue : 2 | Page : 1--2
Dr. N. N. Wig
Editors-Mens Sana Monographs
EM. Dr. N. N. Wig.Mens Sana Monogr 2005;3:1-2
EM. Dr. N. N. Wig. Mens Sana Monogr [serial online] 2005 [cited 2019 Jul 16 ];3:1-2
Available from: http://www.msmonographs.org/text.asp?2005/3/2/1/78383
[AUTHOR:1]Dr. Narendra Wig is amongst the foremost psychiatrists of India. He had his medical education at Medical College, Lucknow, where he obtained his degrees of MBBS and MD (Medicine). He also holds a double diploma in Psychological Medicine - one from England and another from Scotland. He is a fellow of India's prestigious National Academy of Medical Science. In 1991, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, London, honoured him with the highest award of the Honorary Fellowship of the College. Prof. Wig is the only psychiatrist from India to be thus honoured. In 1997, Dr. Wig was designated as Professor Emeritus, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
Dr. Wig started the Department of Psychiatry at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh in 1963 and was its Professor and Head from 1968. In a few years, this became one of the leading centers of psychiatry in India. In 1976, the department got international recognition as WHO Collaborating Centre for training and research in mental health. Among his various research studies, Prof. Wig will be particularly remembered for his work in Community Mental Health in the villages of Raipur Rani Block in Haryana, which became a model of Primary Mental health Care Programme in India and in many other countries.
In 1980, Prof. Wig moved to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, as Professor and Head of the Department. In 1984, he joined World Health Organisation as the Regional Advisor Mental Health and remained at Alexandria, Egypt, till 1990. In this capacity, he was responsible for developing mental health programmes in 22 countries, from Pakistan to Morocco in the Middle East and North Africa.
Dr. Wig is a leading figure in International Psychiatry. He has published over 300 scientific papers in different journals and books. He is currently a member of the WHO Advisory panel on Mental Health. For the last ten years, he is on the Steering Committee of the World Psychiatric Association's International Programme to reduce stigma and discrimination due to mental illness.
Dr. Wig has won many national and international awards. In October 2000, on his 70 th birthday, a book Mental Health in India 1950 - 2000 was published in his honour in which many leading national and international mental health experts contributed. In April 2003, Bombay Psychiatric Society honoured him with a Life Time Achievement Award. In September 2004, Fountain House, Psychiatric Centre at Lahore, Pakistan, named a newly constructed building as Prof. N.N. Wig Unit, in recognition of his services to the development of mental health in the countries of South Asia.
Dr. Wig has travelled widely to many parts of the world. After his retirement he has settled in Panchkula. He is happily married and has two sons. He continues to be active in clinical service, teaching and voluntary social service activities. He is closely associated with the work of Servants of the People Society, Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Chandigarh, where he conducts free mental health clinic twice a week and also organizes regular lectures and discussion groups on mental health for the general public.
Site Map | Home | Contact Us | Feedback | Copyright and Disclaimer
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line463
|
__label__wiki
| 0.700277
| 0.700277
|
‹ Back to Prospects
PLAYER PAGE
Tyler Biggs
North American Skater - Miami University, CCHA
Final Rank: 22 Midterm Rank: 5
Position: Right Wing Shoots: Right
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 210
Born: April 30, 1993 Hometown: Loveland, OH
Born in: Binghamton, NY, USA
Drafted: 2011: TOR (1st Round / 22nd Overall)
• A unanimous choice as captain in 2010-11, Biggs had 28 points (17-11--28) in 48 games competing in the USHL for the U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program.
• Biggs has represented the U.S. in two Under-18 World Championships, winning gold in 2010 and 2011 -- he scored the overtime goal, his second of the game, in the semifinal against Canada propelling the U.S. to the gold medal game in 2011. He also won gold at the 2009 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Timmins, Ontario, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Team Ontario in the final.
• His father, Don Biggs, was drafted in 1983 by Minnesota (156th overall) and in 1987 he played 11 games with the Philadelphia Flyers. After a successful stint with the Cincinnati Cyclones in the IHL, his jersey (No. 22) was retired. He is currently the head coach and GM for the Junior ‘A’ Queen City Steam, in the Central States Hockey League.
• He wears number 22 because it is the same number that his father wore and he will attend Miami University, located 40 minutes from his current home, in the fall of 2011.
• Prior to joining the NTDP, Biggs had 40 goals and 87 points in 72 games with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens AAA team in 2008-09.
• One of his favorite movies is Youngblood starring Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and featuring his father as an on-ice stuntman for the film.
NEWS: Biggs a physical force for US NTDP (click here)
NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL player: Jarome Iginla and Dustin Brown
Shootout move: “Close eyes and shoot the puck”
Goal celebration: “One arm with stick in the air”
Video game: NHL 2011
Movie: Youngblood
TV show: One Tree Hill
Actress: Sophia Bush
Website: NHL.com
Book: “Playing with Fire” by Peter Robinson
Pump-up song: “Monster” by Skillet
Home-cooked meal: Steak
Activity away from the rink: Golf
2018-2019 KALAMAZOO ECHL 13 4 5 9 18
2015-2016 WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON AHL 9 1 1 2 11
2010-2011 USA U-18 NTDP 55 19 12 31 161
2009-2010 USA U-17 NTDP 24 6 5 11 54
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line464
|
__label__cc
| 0.556553
| 0.443447
|
San Marino 2018 – Facts and Stats
This is the 22nd time that Misano has hosted a motorcycle grand prix event.
The first grand prix event to take place at Misano was in 1980; the 500cc race was over 40 laps of the circuit that measured 3.448 km and ran in an anti-clockwise direction and was won by Kenny Roberts.
The Misano circuit hosted a GP event for a total of ten occasions between the years of 1980 and 1993.
Misano did not have a grand prix event for thirteen years following the accident that ended the career of Wayne Rainey in 1993.
When GP racing returned to Misano in 2007, it was on a much revised 4.18 km circuit running in the opposite direction to the earlier layout.
There have been twenty previous San Marino Grand Prix events. The first San Marino Grand Prix was held at Imola in 1981. Three different circuits have hosted the San Marino Grand Prix – Imola twice (1981 & 1983), Mugello four times (1982, 84, 91 and 93) and Misano on fourteen occasions (1985, 86, 87 and from 2007 onwards).
Yamaha have been the most successful manufacturer in MotoGP since the grand prix series returned to Misano in 2007 with six victories, the last was with Valentino Rossi in 2014.
Honda have had a four MotoGP wins at the Misano circuit, including the last three years.
Ducati’s single victory at Misano was in 2007 with Casey Stoner. Since Stoner’s win in 2007 Ducati have had four more podium finishes at this circuit: Toni Elias 3rd in 2008, Valentino Rossi 2nd in 2012, and last year Danilo Petrucci finished 2nd with Andrea Dovizioso 3rd.
Suzuki has had two podium finishes in the MotoGP era at Misano circuit, both of which came in 2007 when Chris Vermeulen finished second and John Hopkins third. Vinales’ 5th place finish in 2016 was the best result for a Suzuki rider at Misano since Loris Capirossi finished 5th in 2009.
The most successful rider at Misano since racing returned to the circuit in 2007 is Marc Marquez with five victories (1 x 125cc, 2 x Moto2, 2 x MotoGP)
Dani Pedrosa’s victory in 2010 is the last time that the MotoGP race at Misano was won by a rider starting from pole position.
The MotoGP podium in 2015 at Misano was: Marc Marquez, Bradley Smith and Scott Redding – the first MotoGP podium where all three of the riders had graduated from the Moto2 class.
Three Italian riders finished in the top five at Misano last year, all riding Ducati motorcycles. The last time that three Italian riders on Italian bikes finished in the top five in the premier-class was at Imola in 1972 when Giacomo Agostini on a MV Agusta won from team-mate Alberto Pagani, with Ducati rider Bruno Spaggiari completing the podium.
The eight Moto2 races that have taken place at Misano have been won by seven different riders: 2010 – Toni Elias, 2011 & 2012 – Marc Marquez, 2013 – Pol Espargaro, 2014 – Tito Rabat, 2015 – Johann Zarco, 2016 – Lorenzo Baldassarri, 2017 – Tom Luthi. Of these riders only Baldassarri is competing in the Moto2 class in 2018.
Five different riders have won the six Moto3 races that have taken place at Misano: 2012 – Sandro Cortese, 2013 & 2014 –Alex Rins, 2015 – Enea Bastianini, 2016 – Brad Binder, 2017 – Romano Fenati.
By Martin Raines| 2018-09-04T12:18:12+00:00 September 4th, 2018|Martin Raines Blog, News and Events|Comments Off on San Marino 2018 – Facts and Stats
About the Author: Martin Raines
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line465
|
__label__wiki
| 0.953915
| 0.953915
|
Ending an era: Reflections on leaving Iraq
By Tech. Sgt. Tanya King, 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs on January 11, 2012
When Maj. Tony Edwards took his last look around the supply warehouse, which was once a bustling place of activity and full of supplies, he marveled at its emptiness.
"It was completely vacated, as it should be," said Edwards, who was the 321st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron commander at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, from April to November 2011. "That was a sign of us leaving."
By December 2011, only echoes and memories were left from more than one million service members who have deployed to Iraq since 2003.
"We knew the draw down was going to happen since the end of combat in 2008," he said as he put his deployment into perspective. "But a withdrawal like this hasn't taken place since Vietnam. There was no guidebook to attempt something like this. We pretty much wrote the manual."
Edwards, a Reservist who owns a State Farm insurance agency in Everett, Wash., was in charge of a 60-member squadron with two missions: training and advising Iraqis and keeping the Air Force operations running.
"It was a big task for a Reservist because I was in charge of the most difficult mission at the time--we had to move all the people and equipment and train the Iraqis, all while achieving the daily mission," he said. "All eyes were on me and my Airmen."
"I thought it was going to be daunting when I first arrived," the 446th Logistics Readiness Flight commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. said. The reality he said was that no one convoy or plane would get all the vehicles, people and supplies out of Kirkuk in one load or in one day. The challenge then was how to move everything piece by piece efficiently, while still maintaining the ability to run the base and complete the daily mission.
Being a Reservist gave him an advantage he said because his civilian job helped him hone deliberate planning techniques.
"I have to find ways to market my business and figure out ways to encourage people to invest in our products," the Citizen Airman said. "My approach to planning helped me find ways to coordinate which assets we could let go while still conducting daily operations."
After prioritizing the assets he then had to make it all fit on a combination of flights, using space wisely so everything would be out of the country by the target date.
"It was also really tough to come up with a plan to move all the equipment out when the finish line kept moving," Edwards said. Each time their return date changed, his carefully laid out plan had to change as well, ensuring no assets were lost in the process.
"We had to account for everything, which had to be shipped somewhere or change ownership whether it went to the Iraqis or to another agency within the Defense Department." Edwards said and explained he worked closely with the Army to ensure success. "Very few items came up missing."
"We had to get it right and we had to get it done on time and still carry on the mission--that was the biggest challenge."
As the base supply dwindled to a mere fraction of its former self and service members slowly departed, the remaining few continued to train Iraqis and prepared to hand the base over to them.
They took a crawl, walk, run approach to training them until eventually they did it on their own completely. "After all," he said, "they ran their own military bases before we got there."
"To see their progress was really rewarding. Many of them were fighting for the Iraqi army or air force when the war began," Edwards said. "Now they see us as the example of who they want to be like."
It was a big accomplishment he said to turn over fuel operations, which is the largest in Iraq with more than 500,000 gallons of JP8, and teaching them how to sustain that mission themselves. While a small footprint of DOD members remain, Kirkuk is now an Iraqi air force base for training pilots.
As the people and supplies left in a safe and logical manner and his deployment came to an end, Edwards said he felt relieved and particularly proud of the mission they accomplished.
"We did it smoothly and it worked," said Edwards, who attributed his success to his Airmen and his ability to lead them to the confidence he's gained from his military and civilian careers.
As the last Army convoy left, Edwards sat on the plane hauling the final 12 people from his deployment out of Kirkuk and reflected on what they had just done.
"It was me, a couple of aerial porters and air traffic controllers and the guy marshalling the plane," he recanted. "It was an historical time--it was the start of us closing down the bases in Iraq. It was a great effort from everyone involved. We did things the correct way."
OTHER STORIES TO READ>>>>
COMPANY OF STRYKERS RELEASED
FOUR WINE BARS YOU'LL LOVE
HOW TO CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line466
|
__label__cc
| 0.517921
| 0.482079
|
Opinion Shackled for Praying
To Be Equal; The Great Divide of Income Inequality
Published on Thursday, 06 February 2014 17:08
Written by Marc H. Morial
By Marc H. Morial
“Income inequality” has become the political buzzword of 2014. President Obama, most recently in this week’s State of the Union Address, has made it a central theme of his second term. Both progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans in Congress are making it a focus of this year’s mid-term elections, and leading voices for human rights have called on government and business leaders to take immediate action to close the income gap for the sake of long-term economic and social stability.
Even last week, as the world’s elite – leaders from government, business and NGO sectors – gathered in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting, the issue of inequality was atop the agenda. WEF’s Global Risks 2014 report recently revealed that the “chronic gap between the incomes of the richest and poorest citizens is seen as the risk that is most likely to cause serious damage globally in the coming decade.”
Another voice was added to the chorus last week when the British-based anti-poverty organization, Oxfam International, released a report in advance of the Davos gathering revealing that the richest 85 people in the world control as much wealth as the bottom half of the global population – about 3.5 billion people. Commenting on the report, Oxfam’s Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima said, “It is staggering that in the 21st century, half of the world’s population own no more than a tiny elite whose numbers could all sit comfortably in a single train carriage. Widening inequality is creating a vicious circle where wealth and power are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the rest of us to fight over crumbs from the top table.”
According to the same report, in the U.S., where the gap between rich and poor has grown at a faster rate than any other developed country, the richest 1 percent of Americans have received 95 percent of the wealth created since 2009 – after the economic crisis – while the bottom 90 percent of Americans have become poorer.
While we are pleased that both sides of the political ping-pong table in the United States are now focusing on the domestic crisis and implications of this global problem, there are disturbing signs that the issue may fall prey to the same kind of ideological posturing that has stymied recent efforts to create jobs, reduce unemployment, raise the minimum wage and help the long-term unemployed. In fact, as reported by CNNMoney, almost two-thirds of the delegates surveyed during a debate in Davos on Friday said that the widening gap, or what I call The Great Divide, “between rich and poor is having a corrosive effect on U.S. politics.”
For example, Senator Marco Rubio (r-Fla.) sees the problem not as one of income inequality but of “opportunity inequality” and continues to resist efforts to raise the minimum wage. To be clear, opportunity inequality is alive and thriving in America; but any attempts to separate it from income inequality are divertive and lacking recognition of the correlation between the two.
Senator Rand Paul during a recent visit to Detroit, where unemployment has been above 15 percent for more than a year, said that it would be a “disservice” to the jobless to extend their unemployment benefits beyond the current limit. Further, Senator Ryan, another potential presidential candidate, has been traveling the country declaring how the government safety net – programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Head Start – has “failed miserably.”
In contrast, President Obama has warned that “The combined trends of increased inequality and decreasing mobility pose a fundamental threat to the American dream, our way of life and what we stand for around the globe.” He has called for an increase in the minimum wage – a move the National Urban League has been pushing since 2006 – and an extension of unemployment benefits as first steps in addressing the problem. On January 9, he announced the creation of five “Promise Zones,” in San Antonio, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma that will receive targeted government tax incentives to create jobs and reduce unemployment.
In a message to the Davos attendees, Pope Francis said that “the growth of equality demands something more than economic growth, even though it presupposes it… It also calls for decisions, mechanisms and processes directed to a better distribution of wealth, the creation of sources of employment and an integral promotion of the poor which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality. I am convinced that from such an openness to the transcendent a new political and business mentality can take shape, one capable of guiding all economic and financial activity within the horizon of an ethical approach which is truly humane.”
The need is clear. The Urban League has raised this issue constantly over the last several years – and people are finally listening. We must not let the seriousness and urgency of this problem get caught in the crossfire of ideological warfare. Americans need policy solutions developed in partnership with corporate, government and non-profit leaders – now. Awareness is good…action is better.
Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line468
|
__label__wiki
| 0.774954
| 0.774954
|
Naval Support Activity Bethesda is located in Montgomery County Maryland, North West of Washington D.C., situated inside the inner loop of the beltway. Bethesda is one of the most renowned communities in the Greater Washington D.C. area - home to numerous retailers, arts organizations, a thriving restaurant community and extensive downtown workforce.
Click here for area map
Click here for base map
Click here for WRNMMC map
Naval Support Activity Bethesda's history began with a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommendation that resulted in congressional legislation ordering the consolidation of National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC).
With NNMC and WRAMC being located in such close proximity to each other, military and congressional leaders recognized the opportunity to reduce duplication of efforts and facilities requirements; better utilization of facilities and infrastructure and consolidation and optimization of existing and future service contract requirements, capable of generating financial savings.
Years of planning, followed by a gradual transition of installation management functions performed by civilian, military and contract personnel at culminated in the smooth transition of base operating support management under a single, Navy-led joint military command.
Since the BRAC legislation was enacted, Army and Navy planners, support personnel and leaders steadfastly worked to ensure a smooth transition to NSAB. The transition was completed on August 27, 2011 when WRAMC closed after more than 100 years of service and integrated with NNMC, forming the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). While keeping patient care and safety at the forefront, the new facility underwent extensive construction and renovation projects to accommodate the expanded services and growing number of patients and personnel. For more history visit Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) homepage.
Our Mission: Naval Support Activity Bethesda exists to support the hospital as well as all of its tenant commands in their pursuit of excellence in patient care, medical research and education.
Our Vision: Our Nation's Premier Joint Base and the Installation of Choice in the National Capitol Region.
Population Served
Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) is responsible for providing installation support to 12,000 military, and civilian employees and their families, 40 tenant units, including Joint Task Force national Capital Region-Medical JTF CapMed),Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and other DOD and federal agencies.
Coleridge Drive
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line471
|
__label__wiki
| 0.617738
| 0.617738
|
Conservation Issues - Marine Research Photos, Pictures & Images
Image: 1 to 35 of 35 - Page: 1
Cape Fur Seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) killed by Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) - showing wound with exposed blubber. Seal Island, False Bay, South Africa
© Chris & Monique Fallows / OceanwideImages.com
Sea Turtle Researcher documents the nesting behaviour of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta). Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Sea Turtle Researchers and volunteers record the weight of a large Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Found in tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide. Endangered species on IUCN Red list.
Sea Turtle Researchers measure and record the carapace of a nesting Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. Found in tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide. Endangered species on IUCN Red list.
Aerial view of the Heron Island Research Station, which is run and operated by the University of Queensland. Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Qld, Australia.
Volunteers from marine conservation organization REEF count, measure, clean and inspect Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive species, caught by divers during a lionfish derby on August 17, 2013 in Palm Beach Shores, Florida, United States.
Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), mother and calf equipped with tracking device so researchers can monitor the animals movements. Also known as Sea Cow. Endangered species on IUCN Red List. Three Sisters Spring, Crystal River, Florida, USA
Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) mother and calf equipped with tracking device so researchers can monitor the animals movements. Also known as Sea Cow. Endangered species on IUCN Red List. Three Sisters Spring, Crystal River, Florida, USA
Scuba Diver with a catch of Lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive and poisonous species that has spread throughout the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic and threatens a variety of native marine life.
Female Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta), equpped with a pop-up archival tag device to help biologists at conservation organizations to check on mortality rates and clutch frequency. Photo taken off Florida, USA. Endangered species on IUCN Red List.
Aerial view of a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with research boat. Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico. Classified Endangered Species on the IUCN Red List.
© Mark Carwardine / OceanwideImages.com
Aerial view of a Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) with research boat. Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico Classified Endangered Species on the IUCN Red List.
Amazonian Manatee, or South American Manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Captive calf at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonas (National Institute for Amazon Research) in Manaus, Brazil. Rope scars on tail - animal was tethered by hunters.
Amazonian Manatee, or South American Manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Captive calf laying with INPA staff member at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonas (National Institute for Amazon Research) in Manaus, Brazil. Classified Vulnerable Species.
Amazonian Manatee, or South American Manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Captive calf being fed milk from baby's bottle by INPA staff member at Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonas (National Institute for Amazon Research) in Manaus, Brazil. Vulnerable.
Amazonian Manatee, or South American Manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Captive calf at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonas (National Institute for Amazon Research) in Manaus, Brazil. Classified Vulnerable Species on the IUCN Red list
Amazonian Manatee, or South American Manatee (Trichechus inunguis). Captive individual feeding on surface at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonas (National Institute for Amazon Research) in Manaus, Brazil. Vulnerable Species on IUCN Red List.
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) - branded female studied by researchers. San Miguel Island, Channel Islands NP, California, USA
© Suzi Eszterhas / OceanwideImages.com
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) - Point Bennett rookery showing a research blind on cliff. San Miguel Island, Channel Islands NP, California, USA
California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) - branded mother with pup, studied by researchers. San Miguel Island, Channel Islands NP, California, USA
Research Station. Churchill, Canada. Classified Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
This floating transmitter sends a signal to track this endangered Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) at Three Sisters Spring in Crystal River, Florida, USA. The Florida Manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee.
A National Marine Fisheries Service satelite transmitter can be seen glued to the shell of this Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). The number 4 has been etched into this individuals shell for identification.
Gill Net Issue
Marine Animal Conservation
Marine Pest
Reef Damage & Disease
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line475
|
__label__cc
| 0.552713
| 0.447287
|
Anyone for Cocoa
What is a Carman?
The Worshipful Company of Carman website with some historical information Link at http://www.thecarmen.co.uk A description of the work of carmen is found at Link to http://www.gander-exeter.freeserve.co.uk/gander/carmen.html The term "carman" is also used on railroads in USA and Nova Scotia and as a streetcar driver in UK. Usually it meant the driver of a covered cart. In colonial America carmen were regulated and had responsibilities for maintaining the streets. In the Dutch-Colonies mailing list Peter Christoph quotes from the Donogan Papers as follows: "The regulations in Albany in the 1680s appear in The Dongan Papers, 1683-1688, Part 1, pages 46-47 (where they are called Carmen). There were to be five and no more, appointed by the mayor and aldermen. They were to repair the streets when required by the mayor without compensation, cart the "dirt" (a euphemism) from all the streets to some convenient place. They were to be paid no more than three pence for hauling a load of goods except that for pantiles and bricks they were to be paid six pence, since they required special handling. The loads should be "reasonable for a horse to draw." The carmen are to unload and transport corn and wheat "with all possible speed." They are to make satisfaction for any goods they damage, and to behave civilly to all persons. No Negro or other slave shall drive a cart under penalty of twenty shillings to be paid by the owner of the slave (brewers' drays and beer carriages the only exceptions)." For all who have searched the surname Carman and found the occupation instead, this is a description of the English use of 'carman' as an occupation. The term was also used in 17c New York where carmen had specified responsibilities for maintaining roads. A carman was a delivery driver usually working for an employer. Could possibly be self-employed doing general haulage with his own horse and covered cart or wagon but these were mostly called 'carriers'. The Worshipful Company of Carmen was formed in 1516, to have the monopoly of plying for hire as carriers in the City. The Company would licence the vehicles, arrange where vehicles could stand awaiting custom and decide the rates to be charged. The livery colours are white and red, and a history of the Company (The Worshipful Company of Carmen by Eric Bennett, 1952) Records surviving at the Guildhall Library run from the 1660s to the late 20th century - the Court Minutes are the longest run, and some of the other records only cover very limited periods - lists of Freemen are only available up to the 18th Century, for example. In later time, a person may describe himself as a Carman, when he means that this is his trade, but if he is an employee within a large firm is most likely not to be a member of the Livery Company. The use of Carman (Master), or Master Carman probably indicates that the person is the proprietor of a firm of carriers, who may, therefore, (but not necessarily) be a member of the Livery Company.
Posted by Andy at Saturday, June 23, 2012 0 comments Links to this post
Victualling Yard Entrance at Deptford
Miss Kitty Colyer.
Miss Kitty Colyer played Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre Deptford in December 1920. A music hall singer and comedian of the 1920's Miss Kitty Colyer, was a well-known comedienne and dancer, and started her professional career at eleven years old She continued singing and dancing until she was eighteen, and then married. She left the stage for a few years. But an idle life did not suit her, and she said that during her absence from the stage she suffered from melancholia. She undertook all kinds of dancing, but gave special attention to acrobatic, toe, buck, and national dancing. Some of her most successful numbers were ''Good-bye, Jenny,'' ''My little snow house,'' ''Popping around,'' and ''Oh, Dolly.''
Posted by Andy at Sunday, June 10, 2012 3 comments Links to this post
A Tragic News Story from Deptford.
The fatal fire at Deptford was as sad in its consequences as the calamitous conflagration at Bethnal Green. We give a photograph of the fireplace of the room at 35, St Johns Road, Deptford, taken soon after the melancholy disaster on the 5th inst. At the inquest on the bodies of Thomas Aberthell aged 4 years; Amy, 3 years; Lily, 18 months, and Rose, aged four months, the four children who were asphyxiated in the fire, Lillian Aberthell, the mother, deposed that she left them sitting in the kitchen while she went to fetch some fish for her husband’s tea. When she had been away for about a quarter of an hour she returned, and was horrified to find the kitchen in flames. There were several people there, but apparently no one had made an attempt to save the children. She at once rushed in and succeeded in bringing out the two youngest but they were apparently dead. The Coroner commented on the carelessness of the parents having matches about in the way of the children as children were not able to appreciate the danger of fire, and would get matches whenever they had a chance. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Dog Attack at the Royal Oak Public House
A Deptford Suicide!
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line477
|
__label__wiki
| 0.869046
| 0.869046
|
One Tribe Films
Management Tribe
Dale Templar
Dale is a highly experienced senior producer who has worked in a wide range of factual genres. She has executive or series-produced numerous international co-productions for UK, US and international broadcasters. As SP she produced the double BAFTA and Emmy award-winning, landmark series “Human Planet” (BBC1/Discovery/BBC Worldwide). In 2011 she won the Royal Geographical Society Cherry Kearton Medal for Natural History Cinematography.
Dale is much in demand as an after-dinner, corporate and motivational speaker where she is able to draw on an extraordinary career spent in Earth’s wild places to talk about human endeavour and endurance and the planet’s inspirational wonders. Her travel writing sees her making regular contributions to The Daily Telegraph newspaper and National Geographic Traveller as well as many other publications. She is co-author of the Human Planet book.
Journalism-trained, Dale spent 22 years working for BBC TV across a range of departments including: science, natural history, documentaries, popular factual, and current affairs. Dale has worked in formats, structured docs, obs docs, magazines, drama recon and live events working with a range of budgets. She’s worked with many on-screen presenters including new talent. Dale is used to managing complex multi-camera productions with large teams and has been responsible for creating many new series from specialist factual blue-chip documentaries to popular factual and factual entertainment shows. She has filmed in more than 60 countries and in all environments including jungles, deserts, Arctic/Antarctica, mountains, oceans and hostile environments.
Dale has recently been working as the freelance Executive Producer of Bear Grylls: Mission Survive``, Britain’s Biggest Adventures with Bear Grylls (ITV1). She series-produced ``Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekends (with Miranda Hart & Jonathan Ross) (Channel 4), “Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railways” (Five) and “Extreme Endurance: Race to the Pole” (Five).
Dale is Managing Director of One Tribe TV.
Owen Gay
Owen is a highly experienced executive producer with an exceptional track record in primetime popular factual formats and documentary television. He has successfully launched numerous series for a wide range of UK and international broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4, Five, Discovery and NatGeo. He has worked in a wide range of genres including history, science and natural history documentary, obs doc, OB and events coverage and live magazines. He is used to running large production teams and managing complex budgets. Trained in journalism Owen is editorially rigorous, with excellent scriptwriting skills. He works closely with production teams to ensure visual flair and creativity, from shaping new formats through to the edit. He continues to direct.
Owen began his career at Channel Four News before moving to BBC News, working on Breakfast and Newsnight. In BBC Features he was the Editor of Watchdog, Crimewatch, Holiday (BBC1), Homefront (BBC2) and many more. As Executive Producer he was part of the team that brought RHS Chelsea Flower Show coverage back to the BBC. He created many BBC popular formats including Departure Lounge, The Flying Gardener, Holiday Hit Squad and Charlie’s Garden Army. His long-form documentary credits range from Cold Case (BBC1) and Million Dollar Moon Rock Heist (NatGeo, RTS Best International Documentary) to Fame: Remember My Name? (BBC1). As Commissioning Editor he was instrumental in the launch of The ONE Show.
In 2010 he left the BBC to work as Head of Popular Factual for Icon Films where his credits include: Sleepover at the Zoo (BBC4), Seven Days that Made the Fuhrer (Five), Secret Histories (Ch4), Betty White Goes Wild (NatGeo Wild), Animal Airport (Animal Planet), Secrets of Dead: Ben Franklin’s Bones (WNET/PBS).
Owen became Creative Director of One Tribe TV in February 2015.
Aisling O'Hagan
Head of Development
With 20 years’ experience in media, Aisling has worked in a wide variety of genres including live tv, children’s, comedy, reality and popular factual. Trained as a features journalist on The Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph she moved into tv current affairs and then onto The Big Breakfast, where she launched the careers of the Irish puppets Zig and Zag. She was also part of the Planet 24 Development Team that put together the original treatment for Survivor.
After 10 years working in corporate entertainment and branded content, Aisling returned to broadcast tv to produce the initial 3 series of The Only Way is
Essex, and then began a successful career working as development producer with a number of companies, including Optomen, Objective, Waddell Media, Channel 5 and BBC.
Luke Lovell
Series Producer Luke is also an experienced shooting Producer/Director and Editor specialising in factual and factual entertainment, particularly adventure formats and observational documentary. He is fascinated by people and what makes us human. His nose for a story has taken him all over the planet and he has produced in some of the most remote parts of the world...saying that, he is just as happy to work in UK, especially on his home turf in the South West.
Previous credits include: Bear Grylls’ Mission Survive (ITV); Seaside Rescue (BBC1); Bear Grylls Man V Wild (Channel 4) and DIY SOS (BBC1). He has worked with the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Discovery.
In addition to TV production, Luke also works in commercial media both for One Tribe Films and as a director of his own online/TV production company, making content for agencies based in Soho, London and others in South West England. Campaigns include work for Mercedes Benz, the NHS, and the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
Val Rogers
Production Manager (part-time)
Val is a part-time Production Manager working in the One Tribe TV Cardiff office on the BBC documentary 'Our Lives - Bardsey - Our Island Home', having previously also worked on 'Wildman to Ironman' for us. Val's career prior to this (known then as Val Turner) was in production management in BBC Wales and BBC Bristol, the last 15 years as Production Executive across the Factual and Music portfolio of programmes, managing up to 30 productions at a time, TV and radio, in Welsh and English, for Wales and network, with big and small teams and budgets!
Val enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and the outdoors, often to be found on the Pembrokeshire coastal footpath or in the Brecon Beacons and in 2019 will be walking part of the Camino de Santiago and taking part in the charity 'The Great Welsh Walk' from Machynlleth to Cardiff.
Rachel Lovell
Head of Brand & Marketing
Rachel has joined One Tribe as our brand and marketing strategist, with an expertise that spans food, cookery and farming. She is also a journalist, with a flair for writing and brand storytelling through copywriting and video, alongside being a creator of cook books. Having spent the last nine years building the brand profile of iconic veg box scheme Riverford through online digital content and collaborations, she is now applying that same expertise to Matt Pritchard’s Dirty Vegan.
A BBC trained specialist factual filmmaker whose directing credits include Countryfile, Vet Safari and Seaside Rescue, she has also been a magazine editor, and uses her creative skills to tell compelling stories that capture the imagination. With a degree in biological sciences from Bristol University, an MSc in science communication from Imperial College London and a Postgraduate Diploma in digital marketing, she has a scientific approach to digging into the facts and data of a topic – one of her favourite things to do.
In her spare time Rachel goes on countryside adventures on the River Dart with her husband and two children, reads voraciously, plays her violin, paints endless wild birds and runs through the countryside with her dog Devon. She loves cooking and is obsessed with vegetables, especially green ones. She also likes drinking red wine and writing about herself in the third person.
Production Tribe
Jessie Anderson
Jessie joined One Tribe TV in 2015, working across development, production and post production. Before joining One Tribe she worked in live programming at ITV and also worked in pre-production research and development across a range of projects.
Jessie studied at the University of West London and has a BA (Hons) degree in Television and Radio Broadcasting.
Since joining, as well as working on various co-productions, corporate projects and taster shoots for One Tribe TV set both in the UK and abroad, Jessie has worked on both BAFTA nominated series of 'Extreme Wales with Richard Parks', BBC Obs Doc 'Richard Parks on Everest', the 2017/2018 / 2018/2019 ONE Show films, our BBC regional / BBC4 Documentary ‘Civilisations: The Remains of Slavery', BBC1’s 'The Truth About Antibiotcs', and Channel 4’s 'Inside The Bomb Squad.
Matt Waddleton
Producer/Director
Matt is a shooting Producer/Director who loves telling unique, creative and engaging stories. Having grown up in the South West, Matt has travelled the globe, filming from Antarctica to Alaska. He has filmed people from all walks of life and loves to build trust and confidence in those around him.
Previous credits include: Gold Rush, World’s Toughest Drive, Crimewatch, A Matter Of life and Debt.
Assistant Producer
Tom is an Assistant Producer who has had experience across a range of factual and entertainment television programming. Graduating in BA Journalism in 2013, Tom has a passion for story telling through the art of film. Having worked with teams of one to one-hundred, Tom prides himself on being able to adapt to any project; from high-end productions to solo shoots.
Previous credits include: BBC Panorama, Hunted, Spies, Extreme Cake Makers & A Matter of Life and Debt.
Francesca Barbieri
Francesca graduated from University of South Wales with a degree in Performance and Media. During university, Francesca worked as a supporting artist on many major prime-time dramas including Casualty, Sherlock and Doctor Who. After graduating, Francesca was then selected for the prestigious industry talent scheme ‘The Network’ as part of the 2018 Edinburgh International TV Festival. During this talent scheme, Francesca was involved in producing a 30-minute live TV show.
Francesca first started with One Tribe TV as a runner, before progressing to Production Assistant and Personal Assistant to Dale Templar and Owen Gay.
Outside of work, Francesca loves going to music festivals and travelling. Francesca’s favourite places to which she’s travelled are San Francisco and Rome.
Cameron Howells
Cameron continues to develop and grow at One Tribe TV, having worked his way up from Runner to Researcher. A fluent Welsh speaker, he recently worked on Iddi, One Tribe’s series of short films for S4C’s Hansh, which promote exercise, the outdoors and beautiful Wales - a project that kept him out of the office and in the wild heart of Wales. After a stint on BBC1's The ONE Show he is now working on two new One Tribe productions for BBC1 Wales.
With ambitions to become a camera operator, Cameron is no stranger to looking through a lens: he’s an amateur photographer, keen astronomer and enthusiastic bird watcher (his favourite bird is the Goldfinch).
Mimi Templar-Gay
Mimi has worked part time as a researcher and runner for One Tribe TV for almost 4 years and during her time with the company and has assisted on countless shoots, set up filming days and works closely with development on creating new ideas.
Whilst living in London, Mimi worked for Boundless Productions on the BBC One science/factual series Cats V Dogs and at Directors Cut, running for the edit suites.
Outside of One Tribe, Mimi is studying for her BA Hons at the University of Exeter where she recently directed a production of ‘BU21’ by Stuart Slade at the Thornlea Studios. She also received a Foundation Degree in Acting at the East 15 Drama School in London in 2017.
Alongside television and theatre, Mimi’s other passion is travel, which has taken her through 6 continents and most recently on a one month adventure to Sumatra.
Alex Rowe
Alex is a junior researcher working on two new productions for BBC Wales out of One Tribe’s Cardiff office in Splott. She studied Media Production at the University of South Wales and graduated in 2016 with the Award for Academic Excellence. Since then she has worked with the Dragons (pro-rugby team) as their match day camera operator and production coordinator, as well as freelancing at other sporting events and conferences (including golf, flat-track bike racing, point-to-point horse racing). She has also helped make a couple short films including a documentary for BBC Wales.
Alex loves the outdoors, especially the ocean, and spends most of her time either, walking, horse riding or taking photographs of animals around South Wales.
Jenny Easley
Development Researcher
Jenny joined the team at One Tribe at the start of 2019, making the transition from the world of academia to take on her first full time role in TV.
With a longstanding passion for natural history, she has spent more than seven years studying Zoology across three different universities including the University of Cambridge. Finally leaving University behind, she now uses her curious mind and appetite for knowledge to help drive One Tribe’s development team.
A lover of nature and the great outdoors, in her spare time she enjoys rowing running and reminding people she is from the north.
Rory-John Anderson
At the grand age of two, Rory-John is our most junior member of the team and arguably most stylish, with an array of onesies which he regularly sports in the office. A grey whippet he is the office runner and arguably the fastest employee in television. Hailing from Stoke On Trent, Rory is currently on a part-time contract enjoying being in the office until lunch times. He thrives on doing the rounds for cuddles, attending meetings and most importantly…napping. He has made several appearances on BBC1’s The ONE Show, and is now learning to deal with his new found fame.
Technical Tribe
Jonathon Aiken
Jonathon began working as a camera operator and camera assistant with One Tribe TV in June 2016. At the end of 2018 he went freelance, but continues to work across One Tribe’s productions.
Jonathon has been making short films since the age of 9, always having
wanted to work in TV. He is also a keen photographer. Jonathon met Dale when she watched his 30-minute documentary exploring ‘The Rise of Atheism in Today’s Youth’ – a production he made independently when he was just 17.
Jonathon likes to travel, visiting most of Europe, Southern Africa and most of South America in the last few years. Highlights have included Iceland, Turkey and Namibia.
Jonathon has been the principal camera operator on One Tribe’s upcoming BBC1 The Truth About…particularly enjoying alligator wrestling with Angela Rippon in the swamps on the Louisiana/Texas border. He worked on both series of Extreme Wales with Richard Parks, regularly shoots One Show segments and was also main camera on One Tribe’s Civilisations Stories: The Remains of Slavery.
With 20 years’ experience in factual television and documentary production Rob has worked for every major UK broadcaster and National Geographic and Discovery Networks in the US and Asia. Rob specialises in filming in remote, difficult locations where keeping kit going, crew healthy and morale high is essential.
His experience ranges from being part of a 70-strong production for primetime entertainment series to managing small, entirely self-sufficient teams in some of the most remote and hostile corners of the World. He’s worked without power, accommodation or drinking water on expeditions in the jungles of Guyana, outback Australia, British Columbia and the Kamchatka peninsula in Eastern Russia. He has lived and worked in SE Asia, spent months shooting in the jungles of South America and braved the cold and altitude of Antarctica and Kilimanjaro.
A background in white-water kayaking and the outdoors plays a large part in this success. Rob loves filming in and around water and has excellent water safety, Media Diving HSE, Hostile Environment and trauma first-aid training.
His camera is never far from the action whether running alongside extreme endurance athletes, hanging from cliffs and helicopters or swimming alongside predatory fish as big as himself. Personable and relaxed Rob is always listening out for great content and building strong relationships with talent and contributors, as well keeping an eye out for the next great shot. He was principal camera on both series of Extreme Wales.
Recent credits include: Bear Grylls’ Mission Survive (ITV); World’s Toughest Army (BBC); Monster Fish (Nat Geo Wild US); Britain’s Biggest Adventures with Bear Grylls (ITV) and Xtreme Endurance: Race to the Pole (Ch 5). Rob has also had stills published in National Geographic Magazine.
Samuel Webb
Sam joined One Tribe TV in June 2018, as an Edit Assistant and has now moved up to Junior Editor. Graduating in Film Making and Creative Media at the University of the West of England in 2016, Sam has been working in the creative industry ever since. He joined us with a range of experience in producing, editing and shooting, having previously worked at Icon Films as a Production Technical Assistant.
Whilst at One Tribe TV Sam has been able to work on a range of productions shooting, working as an edit assistant and progressing into editing.
Recent productions Sam has worked on include: 'The Truth About Antibiotics' (BBC1), 'Wild Man to Iron Man', 'Dirty Vegan' (BBC1 Wales), 'Inside The Bomb Squad' (Channel 4). Sam regularly edits our films for 'The One Show' (BBC1) and has completed his first half hour documentary for the BBC 1 documentary strand 'Our Lives' called 'Our Island Home'.
Sonny Mackay
Technical Co-ordinator & Camera Operator
Sonny joined One Tribe TV as a runner back February 2018 and has now moved into the role of Technical Co-ordinator and Camera Operator. He is responsible for managing all of the One Tribe TV camera kit. Sonny graduated in Film & TV at the University of the West of England. He had previously been involved in numerous productions in and around Bristol including feature films and camera operating for Bristol City FC – one of his career highlights as he's a huge football fan.
Sonny has worked across all of our main productions including 'The Truth About Antibiotics' (BBC1), 'Wild Man to Iron Man', 'Dirty Vegan' (BBC1 Wales), 'Inside Bomb Squad' (Channel 4), BBC1’s 'Our Lives’ a primetime documentary called “Our Island Home”. Recently he has been second camera on our films for 'The One Show' (BBC1). And he is currently filming a new documentary for BBC Scotland.
Sonny is no stranger to the great outdoors and loves an adventure. He has travelled through Europe, visiting countries like Slovenia, Switzerland and Italy, filming his experiences along the way.
Lauren Thompson
Edit and Technical Assistant
Lauren graduated from Bath Spa University with a degree in Performing Arts and Recorded Media. After University, Lauren's first role within the industry was as a tour guide at BBC Bristol, using her skills with storytelling to entertain visitors from all over the world. Whilst with the BBC, Lauren also worked as a runner at multiple BBC events including Children In Need, Doors Open Day, and the Food Connections and Nature Festivals. Since then Lauren worked as a Runner for Films@59 in Bristol. Her highlight during this time was getting the chance to meet, Sir David Attenborough.
Lauren started at One Tribe TV in October 2018 as a Runner and is now progressing in the role of Edit Assistant. She is very excited to have been given the opportunity to work with One Tribe and her favourite production is Dirty Vegan.
Outside of work, Lauren loves to cook for her friends, watch movies and still likes to lead a tour every now and then.
Joe Hufford
Joe joined OneTribeTV in March 2019 as a runner.
Joe has been making films since a young age and in 2016 was selected for the BFI Animation and VFX Academy where his interest in the industry was cemented. He continued to create films through school and built a successful clientele making films for local businesses and weddings.
Joe’s grandfather headed up the production of steel in South Wales, whilst Joe himself grew up in Bridgend. Not surprisingly then, he is a keen rugby supporter.
Joe likes to travel and lived most of last year in Vancouver, where he spent his time snowboarding and hiking.
Joe has a great interest for welsh rugby which stems from his welsh heritage. He also likes to travel and spent most of last year living in Vancouver, where he spent his time snowboarding and hiking.
Ian Forbes
Expedition and Safety Manager
Ian has been working with Dale Templar (One Tribe TV’s MD) since 2002 on the hit BBC 2 series SAS: Are You Tough Enough. Since then he has been offering his essential expedition expertise and safety support on a range of series including Human Planet (BBC1) and Bear Grylls: Mission Survive (ITV). Ian spent 25 years in the military before joining The Lifesigns Group as an expedition leader, taking school groups to remote locations. He has personally led well over 50 overseas expeditions and projects in many hostile and challenging environments. Ian has trained journalists in hostile environment skills and understands the production demands of taking crews to remote and adventurous locations. Ian is qualified as a Mountain Leader, has a range of NGB qualifications and is a Wilderness EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). He has worked in the field on all types of extreme environment and locations including deserts (he ran the infamous Marathon de Sable in 2014), high altitude (extensive experience in Nepal and Peru) and has excellent mountaineering skills.
Fergus O'Hagan
One Tribe TV
One Tribe Talent
Dirty Vegan
One Tribe TV Limited
Charlcombe Lane
BA1 5TT
E: francesca.barbieri@onetribetv.co.uk
Meet the One Tribe team! Any excuse to eat cake … 19th June 2019
The ONE Show – The Transatlantic 100 14th June 2019
The ONE Show – WW1 Plane 30th May 2019
© 2019 One Tribe TV. - Designed by Fergus O'Hagan
All rights reserved OneTribeTV.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line480
|
__label__wiki
| 0.532569
| 0.532569
|
Detail From Library of Congress 22561, Edwin Forbes, June 15, 1864. The Jordan house chimneys can be seen in the trees on the left, Confederate Battery 5 is is in the center, with the steeples of Petersburg to the right of that.
Accounts of the assault on Petersburg on June 15, 1864, include several mentions of "French Rifle Pits" manned by Confederate defenders. Federal commentators clearly found this form of cover to be of interest, although they do not seem to have adopted it. What were these pits? It seems likely that artist Edwin Forbes captured them in the image above. These specific pits no longer exist and the type has not been noted elsewhere on the Petersburg front as of yet.
…General Burnham in his report said; ”I threw my skirmishers forward, and assaulting their line, advancing on the double quick, under a severe musketry and artillery fire. My line dashed across the open field to the enemy’s “French rifle-pits,” which they captured with the entire force that occupied them. Nearly a hundred prisoners were captured here and were hastily sent to the rear, a portion of them guarded by men from the Thirteenth New Hampshire, while others were probably driven to the rear without any guard whatever. Colonel Stevens then moved the line forward, and still encountering a severe fire, they dashed across the open plain, through the ravine and up to the enemy’s formidable works, assaulting and capturing battery No. 5 in a gallant manner.”[1]
…Just before sunset, General Smith moved the 18th Corps and the 2d division of the 10th in three lines upon the enemy’s works. First, a line of skirmishers reached and carried some French rifle pits from which the enemy had continued to fire until they were close upon them; then begged for quarters.[2]
…These pits were so constructed as to afford no protection to the rebels when they got into them. They are called French rifle-pits and are simple excavations shaped like an old fashioned kitchen dusting pan, like the half of a square box sawn through diagonally from corner to corner, with the deep end towards the enemy. The deep end is protection to our pickets, and then, if driven out, the next line has a direct fire through the shallow end upon any who may seek shelter in it.[3]
…The rebels had also constructed what were termed French rifle pits for their skirmishers, which were the first of the kind I had ever seen. They consisted each of an inclined plane about twelve feet wide which reached a depth of about three feet and had a perpendicular wall toward the front. A section of one of them would be like this figure.[4]
[1] New Hampshire in the Great Rebellion, Containing Histories of the Several New Hampshire Regiments, and Biographical Notices of Many of the Prominent Actors in the Civil War of 1861-65. Otis F.R. Waite, Tracy, Chase & Company, Claremont, N.H. 1870; pp 491-492.
[2] History of the Ninety-Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, During the War of the Rebellion, 1861-65. Isaiah Price, Philadelphia. 1875. Published by the author for subscribers. P 291.
[3] Letters of a War Correspondent. Charles A. Page. 1899. Boston: L. C. Page and Company. P.142.
[4] Days and Events, 1860-1866. Thomas L. Livermore. Houghton Mifflin. 1920. P. 369.
Cross section of a French rifle Pit (Livermore 1920:369).
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line481
|
__label__cc
| 0.721312
| 0.278688
|
Sad news from Žižkov
By Pivní Filosof April 30, 2012
U Slovanské Lípy, at least in its current form, will cease to exist as of this Saturday 5/5.
I've known about this for a few weeks already. I had seen it mentioned in Pivni.info, but before saying anything here I thought I would ask Michal. He confirmed the news, but also asked me to keep it quiet at least until they had sorted things out with the new people who'd run the place, which, I've been announced, has already been done.
The reason is, basically, tiredness. Michal told me that it hadn't been an easy decision, but the fact was that they were not up to it anymore and that he chose to keep doing the hostel upstairs, which also gives him plenty of work, but in more civilised hours.
I can't blame him. I know very well how hard it is to make a pub or restaurant work, the sacrifice and the constant worries that a tiny mistake can royally fuck everything up. So I wish him, his team and his family, all the best for the future and also to make public my utmost resp…
Prescriptivists vs Descriptivists
The other day, Cracked.com published a great article about Grammar mistakes that aren't actually so. In the Closing thoughts there was this bit:
"(There is) a war between prescriptivist grammarians and descriptivist grammarians (...) I'll briefly describe both sides, probably unfairly:
Prescriptivists document the rules of grammar, and sometimes, when no one's looking, make them up entirely. They also feel the need to enforce the rules of grammar, and in particular advocate that these rules and definitions shouldn't change. They argue this for a variety of reasons, but those usually boil down to "Otherwise, civilization will evaporate into an orgy of orgy-themed game shows and fad diets that consist entirely of eating each other's flesh."
Descriptivists also document the rules of grammar, but don't particularly care when they're violated, because fuck rules, man. And if the rules ever do change, descriptivists simply shrug and write down the ne…
A couple of things I've heard
Zlý Časy is getting bigger and will have 12 x 2 more taps. Hanz told me the other day that he was finishing the details to take over the dive upstairs (you know, the one with Staropramen, where some people ended up thinking they were going to the cult pub). The entrance will change, the space will be enlarged by knocking down a wall or two and a set of 12 taps will be installed. The other 12 taps will go to what is today the patio, which will be refurbished so it can also be used in winter. The new 24 taps will work like Pivovarsky Klub's, both sets will have the same 12 beers.
This means that work in the upcoming Pivovar Trilobit in Kobylisy (Hanz's other project) have been put on hold at least until the works in Nusle are finished.
Hanz was telling me all this, in great detail and with a lot of enthusiasm, while I was sipping the new Jubiler Mild Stout, from Pivovar Výškov. This beer, with its taxonomically confused name, reminded me of a couple of English Stouts I've ha…
"... brewers learned they could charge more for strong beer, considerably more than additional ingredients and labor would cost" I wonder if that isn't one of the reasons behind the extreme and other similar beers.
Actually, the quote above is incomplete, it starts with "As far back as the sixteenth century..." and was taken from Brew Like a Monk, a wonderful book by Stan Hieronymus, and it's only one of the many passages I could quote here.
Brew Like a Monk is a study of Trappist and Abbey beers and those they inspired in Belgium and the US. Is a book for audience with a more than basic knowledge of the brewing process, there is a lot of technical stuff (for example, there is a section that discusses the effect of the fermenter's geometry) and those who aren't familiar with it, at least in theory, will end up getting lost. Now, those of you who fulfill that "requirement" should not miss it!
The bulk of the contents are the stories behind …
Another way to see the "revolution"
Last week I discussed why I think "revolution" is too big a word for "craft beer". Some people didn't agree and Jeff, of Beervana fame, left a comment saying why he believes that, at least in the US, there is a revolution going. Although he supported this with solid arguments and data, I'm still not convinced, but, as someone said elsewhere, it's all a matter of semantics, really.
The following day, while I was reading this excellent article about the correlation between the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Islam, for some reason I remembered what I had read in Brew North, a history of brewing in Canada, and I thought that there might be another way to look at this phenomenon.
As we all know, the fall of the Western Roman Empire wasn't something that happened from one day to the other. It was a long process that started in the fourth century, if not before, and was the result of many factors. I won't pretend expertise on the subject, bu…
Selected Readings: March
Another month gone, and another month that left some interesting stuff to read and think.
We open the roundup with Boak&Bailey urging everyone to give yeasts the respect they deserve. There are brewers today that proudly announce what sort of hops they've used and (considerably fewer) others that every now and again tell us about the malts, but hardly anyone says anything about yeasts. Could it be that their names many times resemble post codes?
This English couple completely changes the subject with this sort of open letter to the owners of a restaurant who put a lot of care into every detail until they come to the beer selection, that is. Change a few names and cultural references and they could easily be speaking about Prague, where most restaurant critics still don't give much of a toss about beer and the high priests of the local gastronomy want to sell us pseudo-Belgian crap as something "gourmet", which brings me to Alan's nagging. Most of the celebrit…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line482
|
__label__wiki
| 0.919012
| 0.919012
|
Accueil Discovery Heritage buildings Typical villages
The village Lacoux
The village of Lacoux has been attached to Hauteville-Lompnes since 1964, and is located 6km from the town.
It covers an area of 693 hectares, a large portion of which is forested. It’s situated at an altitude of around 950 meters. Lacoux is a rural village, as is evident from its location, and it has retained its medieval character.
Longecombe is a very old village to the southwest of the town of Hauteville-Lompnes to which it has been connected since 1964.
Its territory covers 1,449 hectares, divided equally between forests and meadows. It’s set in a succession of undulating hills and valleys. In the twelfth century the Longecombe family began constructing the castle, which overlooks the village and faces Lacoux, which stands on the opposite side of the Gorge of the Albarine.
There is an empty plinth standing in the village, the only remaining part of a statue of the Virgin, erected in the last century. The present church, with its beautiful Gothic window, dates from the seventeenth century. The three carved wooden statues and the crucifix all date from the eighteenth century.ac
Heritage buildings
Pôle Muséal
The communal heritage
How did you hear about the Plateau d’Hauteville?
The observatory
The social and cultural centre
Cultural associations
Snowshoe trails
Toboggan runs
Dog sleighs
Snow bulletin
Seasonal lettings
Atypical lodgings
Regional flavours
Regional produce
Health clinics ans hospitals
Services and urgency
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line483
|
__label__wiki
| 0.949821
| 0.949821
|
Alicia Keys Lands Fourth Consecutive #1 On Billboard Chart With As I Am
Celine Dion, Led Zeppelin, Now! 26 enter chart's top 10 during busy sales week.
archive-Chris-Harris 11/21/2007
She's released four albums over the course of her career, and all four have debuted at #1 on the Billboard top 200, including her most recent studio offering, As I Am, which first landed in record shops last week. What this all means, at least in sports terms, is that R&B songbird Alicia Keys has a perfect 4-for-4 record.
But a fourth #1 opening isn't the only thing Keys is thankful for this week. With 742,400 copies sold, As I Am earns the distinction of being the singer's best-performing debut. Her 2001 LP Songs in A Minor sold 235,800 copies to enter the top 200 at #1 while 2003's The Diary of Alicia Keys scanned more than 618,300 copies; her 2005 Unplugged set sold close to 196,000 units. Plus, As I Am, according to the latest SoundScan totals, walked away with the chart's peak position, with her closest competitor, Josh Groban's Christmas-themed Nëel, trailing at #2 with sales reported at 223,000.
Keys' newest was one of 24 new releases to enter next week's chart, during what was a healthy week for album sales overall. During the previous week, the records comprising the top 200 sold a total of 4.2 million and change, while next week's top 200 scanned close to 5.4 million, which can means the holiday shopping season is once again upon us.
Four albums, including As I Am, bowed in the top 10, including Celine Dion's latest, Taking Chances, at #3 with 214,400 sold, and the 26th installment in the Now That's What I Call Music! compilation franchise follows at #4, scanning around 208,000 units; this latest edition to the family features tracks by the likes of Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kanye West, the Plain White T's, Daughtry, Nickelback and more. Coming in at #7, with 136,400 copies snatched up, its Mothership, a two-disc compilation set chronicling the works of Led Zeppelin.
Meanwhile, the rest of the top 10's saturated with some of music's biggest names. Garth Brooks' Ultimate Hits sits in the #5 position, with 203,600 in second-week scans, followed at #6 by the Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden, selling another 197,500 copies. Jay-Z's American Gangster drops seven spots to #8 on sales of 130,600; week-two sales of the album declined by nearly 70 percent. Carrie Underwood, fresh off her American Music Award wins, owns the #9 spot, selling 113,200 copies of her Carnival Ride, while Chris Brown's Exclusive rounds things out at #10, with 109,600 scans.
Comedian Dane Cook's latest, Rough Around the Edges: Live From Madison Square Garden, enters the chart at #11, with 90,200 copies flying off store shelves, while the Killers' Sawdust comes in at #12, with 81,900 scans. George Strait's 22 More Hits opens at #13 with 80,200 sold, and at #17 with sales of 63,000, it's James Taylor's new one, One Man Band. Boyz II Men return to the chart at #27 with Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA, an album that pays tribute to some of the legendary label's classic tracks; the set sold 41,700 units. Trisha Yearwood's Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love comes in at #30, selling 33,000 copies.
The Goo Goo Dolls' Volume 1: Greatest Hits, which implies a second installment somewhere down the line, finishes at #33 with 32,600 sold, while Seal's System follows at #35 with 30,200 scans. Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre bows at #36 with sales reported at 28,800, and coming in at #54 with 20,400 sold is Aretha Franklin's Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets With the Queen. Now That's What I Call Party Hits!, a compilation featuring contributions from Shop Boyz, Mims, Kelis, Amerie, Nelly Furtado and more, enters at #60 with 17,800 sold, followed at #65 by the Hives' Black and White Album, which scanned 17,200 copies.
T.H.U.G.S., an album of unreleased Bone Thugs-n-Harmony material, opens at #73 with 15,200 copies grabbed up, while David Gray's Greatest Hits enters at #96, selling 10,400. Aventura's K.O.B. Live comes in at #97 with sales of just over 10,300, with A.F.I.'s I Heard a Voice: Live from Long Beach Arena debuting at #133 with 7,400 scans. Meanwhile, the Dillinger Escape Plan's Ire Works enters at #142, with 7,000 sold. Ska kings Streetlight Manifesto's Somewhere in the Between opens at #154 with 6,300 scans, and finally, coming in at #173 with 5,500 sold, its Take Cover, a covers collection from American metallers Queensryche.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line484
|
__label__cc
| 0.517113
| 0.482887
|
M O R B I D E L L I
Giancarlo Morbidelli was born in Pesaro in 1934, eldest son of peasant family. He attends a technical school, and, at the end of the studies, he begins to work in a mechanical factory. After the “call up” period, with poor resources, but with great intelligence and passion, Morbidelli opens a little factory for the production of special woodworking machines.
Thanks to his great intuition and his great industrial and technical abilities, he is able to make his factory as one of the most important and famous in the woodworking sector; the industry knows a fast growth, and it comes to have over than 300 employees.
But Giancarlo’s greatest passion is the motorcycle, since he was a teenager, and he never forgets it.
Also to promote the Morbidelli brand all over the world, at the end of the 1960’s he decides to start the planning and the manufacturing of racing motorcycles; these bikes have a great success in the 1970’s, with many victories on the worldwide circuits and with the conquest of 4 world championships between 1975 and 1977.
At the end of the 1970’s Giancarlo begins to support his son Gianni, who starts his brilliant career of racing car driver with go-karts until reaching the F1 championship some years later. Giancarlo still follows and supports Gianni on the circuits where he participates to the races.
At the beginning of the 1990’s, Giancarlo is by now very gratified with his activities, so he decides to sell his booming industry to dedicate himself completely in his great passion for motorcycles.
He starts to plan and assemble a little series of 850 cc bikes with a V8 engine, a great and exclusive example of motorcycling technical, with no equal in the worldwide production.
For its incomparable characteristics, the bike enters in the Guinness World Records book and it is also displayed in the New York, Bilbao and Las Vegas Guggenheim Museum.
In 1999 Giancarlo, who collects old bikes since he was young, completes a Museum with a covered area of about 3.000 s.m. and an exhibition of about 350 motorcycles built from the first to the last decade of 1900 century. This work is the result of over than 25 years of research and cooperation with collectors and expert people of this sector all over the world.
The Museum is in Pesaro, where it is possible to see and admire the wonderful collection which wants to remember and recall the splendour of a glorious and fascinating history.
profile of Giancarlo Morbidelli
the birth of Morbidelli Museum
all days 1
do you like new website
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line487
|
__label__cc
| 0.743906
| 0.256094
|
K-Pax (2001) Credit Photo from HERE
Since It is kind of holiday mode for me myself now (until next coming week), so I got some free time for myself, finishing up leftover works, readings, and also watching many movies (And yes, I am also in travelling mode now for personal affairs).
I had been browsing through list of my have yet to be seen movies, and I found this one. It is K-Pax (2001). After watching it (in bit and pieces, I still did not get what it was all about, until I found this well-written synopsis [BEWARE of SPOILER] from one of YouTuber here:
After claiming he is an extraterrestrial from the planet 'K-PAX', 1,000 light years away in the Lyra constellation, prot (not capitalised and pronounced with a long O, rhyming with boat ***my own notes, I preferred to use capitalised P in this Blog***) is committed to the Psychiatric Institute of Manhattan. There, psychiatrist Dr. Mark Powell attempts to cure him of his apparent delusions. However, Prot is unwavering in his ability to provide cogent answers to questions about himself, K-PAX, and its civilisations. His medical examination only reinforces his story, as Prot can see ultraviolet light and he is completely resistant to the effects of Thorazine. Powell introduces him to a group of astrophysicists who are befuddled when Prot displays a level of knowledge about his claimed star system that was unknown to them.
Prot also wins over the other patients at the Institute, each of whom believes unquestioningly that he is indeed from K-PAX. Prot, who claims to have journeyed to Earth by means of "light-travel", explains that he can take one person with him when he returns. Thereafter, most of the patients at the Institute ask Prot to take them with him.
Upon learning that many of his patients expect to leave Earth on July 27, Powell confronts Prot, who explains that it is a predetermined date. However, Powell believes this to be a significant date in Prot's life, a day on which he suffered a severe psychological trauma. Powell decides to subject Prot to regression hypnosis, which works well. Using information gained from these sessions, Powell figures out that Prot may simply be an alter ego of Robert Porter, a man from New Mexico who attempted suicide in 1996 after his wife and child were murdered. Powell tries to confront Prot with this knowledge, but Prot's reaction is one of bemusement, and he cryptically tells Powell that he hopes he will take good care of Robert now that he has found him.
On July 27 as the hospital staff watch, the camera in prot's room cuts to static at the precise time Prot said he would leave Earth. Powell finds Porter lying on the floor in his room, catatonic, Prot having apparently left Porter's body for the light travel back to K-PAX. The other patients do not recognise Robert, as he is being wheeled out of the room. In addition, one of them is missing: Bess, a woman who had remained mute since her home was destroyed in a fire and who had been among the patients that asked to go to K-PAX with Prot. She is never found. Powell continues to take care of the catatonic Porter and tells him about how the patients he helped have gone on to live normal lives again, but Robert does not respond. Powell is left with no absolute answer as to whether Prot was in fact an alien entity or just a coping mechanism of the traumatised Porter, but seems far from convinced that Porter's behaviour was a delusion.
The final scene's voiceover is Prot explaining to Powell that the people of K-PAX have discovered that our universe will repeat its events again and again, so the mistakes we make will be repeated forever. Prot encourages Powell to make this time count, as it is the only chance we have. Inspired, Powell begins a new, better life by reconciling with his estranged son.
This is a kind of movie that I did not know why I missed it. It is remarkable work, and its concept is very convincing. Please try to grab a copy and watch it, then you will understand why I liked it. (Not for everyone, but it is definitely for me, and probably one of the most underrated movie of all time). The best scene is shown below, where I think that was WOW!
Best Scene taken from K-Pax (2001) when Prot shown his great Astronomy Knowledge
Labels: Alien, Astronomy, Belief, Earth, Einstein, Jeff Bridges, K-Pax, Kevin Spacey, Life, movie, Patient, Physics, Psychology, Religion, Sci-Fi, Society, Speed of light, spoiler, synopsis, UFO
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line489
|
__label__cc
| 0.581314
| 0.418686
|
Mytilene is the capital of Lesvos. The town of Mytilini was first founded on the small island where the enetic castle was later constructed.
Herodotus dates the foundation of the town, in his work ” Homer’s Life”, 130 years after the conquest of Troy, that is to say around 1053 a. C., if the conquest of Troy took place in 1183, as historians say. Mytilene reached her highest development around the 7th-6th century with the philosopher Pittakos and the poets Alkeos and Sapho. Mytilene got her name by one of Makaras’ daughters, the island’ s first colonist.
The Area of Mytilene consists of the villages Agia Marina, Taxiarches, Loutra, Panagiouda, Moria, Alyfanta, Afalonas, Pamphila and the city of Mytilene. It is about 188 miles from piraeus and it has about 25000 inhabitants.
Impressive buildings of a neo-classic architecture, historical monuments, unique archaeological treasures, like the mosaic-works found at Menandros’ s House (exhibited now at the Archaeological Museum) and the natural hot springs compose a rich cultural context. In the centre of Mytilene we will find the Ministry of North aegean, the Regional Administration of the North Aegean and the Central Administration of the University of the Aegean.
The construction operations of the waste treatment system, not only contribute to the improvement of the quality of the citizens’ life but they also contribute to the discovery of archaeological treasures found in the centre of Mytilini during the operations.
These archaeological treasures are exhibited either at modern museums or at specially equipped open – air spaces that are impressive and have a unique historical value.The town’ s foundations are extended over seven adjoining hills.
The centre of the town is divided into three main parts: Kioski, which is a very beautiful suburb, the central old neighbourhoods and the west neighbourhoods. The efforts of the authorities to reconstruct the centre of the town and to adapt the needs of the Municipality of Mytilene to the demands of the new century are remarkable. Kioski, the old aristocratic suburb of Mytilini where we can find the new Archaeological Museum, is not far away from the Enetic Castle.
The Castle was situated on the isolated, by the channel of Euripus, part of Mytilini and seemed like a small island. The channel of Euripus, along which there were a lot of bridges, had been uniting, in the past, the south port to the north port dividing, this way, Mytilini in two parts. At Kioski there are still authentic mansions of a traditional Lesbian architecture.
The main street that goes through Kioski leads to the north port, where we can see the shattered quay and other ruins of the past. In a small distance from there, there were found ancient ruins and the entrance of the channel that was mentioned above.
Important ruins of ancient and roman structures are also discovered in the north part of Mytilini.
Along the coast that starts from the Custom House (Teloneio), the visitor has the possibility to enjoy an interesting stroll, during which he will have the chance to admire the mansion, where the old Archaeological Museum is established, the beach that belongs to the Greek Touristic Organism (EOT), the small and clean beach, called ” t’ apeili”, and above that, on a small hill among the pine trees, the bust of Sapho, the poetess, worked out artistically and given to the Municipality of Mytilini by the American artist Erietta Fors.
Neapolis site is at a distance of a few Kilometers away from Mytilene’s town – the capital of Lesvos island – . It’s a piney area beside the sea, with many country-houses, and shops for refreshment and entertainment.
The basic element that dominates to the area is relaxed rhythms of life. Although the area is not far away from Mytilene, its architectural style divides it from the capital and so it is characterized as Mytilene’ s suburb. Luxurious hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants and taverns are expecting you all around the year. Neapolis is the main road junction between Mytilene and the surrounding villages.
Not far away from there, we find Varea site, another suburb with a unique cultural history, with the museums of the famous Lesbian painters : Theophilos Chatzimichael -folk painter -, of modern art and the library of the art-critic Stratis Eleftheriadis – Terriade, including precious works of art ( Picasso, Shagal, Mattes, Tsarouchis and other’s ).
As we go upwards we can visit the villages of Taxiarchis, Ayia Marina and Pligoni. Each one is unique. For instance, Taxiarchis village is situated on the eastern slopes of Mt Amali, having fantastic view of the Aegean Sea.
It is surrounded by a huge rock on the top of which Taxiarchis ( Archangel Gabriel ) church is built. It is a Byzantine church built during the years 1903-1958 and has replaced an older and smaller one. A rare fresco of Taxiarchis has been rescued ( painted in the 17th century ), which today is being exhibited inside an iconostasis.
At the village’s market we can see an old fountain constructed in 1753 and renovated in 1875. Also worth seeing are the underground springs at the small church of Ayia Thekla with arches constructed by tiles. There we find the post-Byzantine church of Panayia Potamoussa and the cave of Ayios Vartholomeos ( at Loutra site ).
Afterwards the road guides us to the village of Ayia Marina with old and picturesque little stone-paved streets. There we can visit the three-isled Byzantine church of Ayia Marina -built in 1797 – and that has been characterized as an archaeological area. It owns a wonderful wood-sculptured temple and a throne, both of them created in 1839. The ruins of an older Byzantine church (Panayia Amalis) have been used for the church’s construction. Here we find the mansion of Vernardakides ( rich Lesbian family ) and a monumental public fountain ( 1818 ). At the area of Neapolis’ beach a Byzantine basilica has been excavated including a baptistirium and precious mosaics of its central isle. It is a construction of the 5th century. At the upward area of the airport we find the springs of river Loudias that had been supplying with water Mytilene during ancient times. There we can see ten water-mills that were functioning till the year 1941. Pligoni is another village of the area, situated at a green site
After Neapolis we meet Kratigos area : the airport, fantastic beaches, pubs and various accommodations. We have to notice that during the construction of the airport ruins of ancient ( Hellenistic ) temples and Byzantine churches were brought to light. It’s very possible that here the ancient temple of god Apollo had been built as the Greek historian Thouckidides describes in his historic manuscripts.
At a distance of 16Km away from Neapolis – after the gorgeous beach of Charamida – we visit the piney area of Ayios Ermogenis with the homonymous small church built on a rock just beside the sea. Crystal like water and fish taverns just beside the sea waves are expecting you for fresh fishes and the local drink ouzo.
mytilene-01
Neapoli - Mytilene
81100, Lesvos - Greece
+30 22510 61444 - +30 22510 61646
hotel@princess-studios.gr
This is widget area. Set widget here.
POWERED BY TARGET POINT © 2015
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line490
|
__label__wiki
| 0.549113
| 0.549113
|
Home > Citizens Action and Concerns for Peace in South Asia > Forget Nato v the Taliban. The real Afghan fight is India v (...)
Forget Nato v the Taliban. The real Afghan fight is India v Pakistan
by William Dalrymple, 5 July 2013
other articles by the author
The Guardian, 26 June 2013
Afghanistan’s old ethnic conflict has become a proxy war for the bitter feud between the region’s two nuclear powers
The hostility between India and Pakistan, ongoing for more than 60 years, lies at the heart of the current war in Afghanistan. Most observers in the west view the conflict as a battle between Nato on one hand, and al-Qaida and the Taliban on the other. In reality this has long since ceased to be the case – we think this is about us, but it’s not. Instead our troops are now caught up in a complex war shaped by two pre-existing conflicts: one internal, the other regional.
Within Afghanistan the war i s viewed primarily as a Pashtun rebellion against President Hamid Karzai’s regime, which has empowered three other ethnic groups – the Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras – to a degree that Pashtuns resent. Although Karzai himself is a Pashtun, many view him as window dressing for a US-devised realignment of long-established power relations, dating back to 2001 when the US toppled the overwhelmingly Pashtun Taliban. By aligning with the Tajiks of the northern provinces against the Pashtuns of the south, the US was unwittingly taking sides in a civil war that’s been going on since the 1970s.
Today the Tajiks, who constitute 27% of the Afghan population, make up 70% of the officers in the Afghan army. Because of this many Pashtuns – who make up 40% of the population – support or at least feel residual sympathies for the Taliban.
Beyond this indigenous conflict looms the much more dangerous hostility between the two nuclear-armed regional powers, India and Pakistan. In reality the US, the UK and Nato are playing little more than a bit part – and, unlike the Indians and Pakistanis, are heading for the exit. The simple truth is that the Taliban are doing as well as they are in Afghanistan because they are being supported by Pakistan. And they are being supported by Pakistan because the Pakistani generals fear being squeezed in an Indian nutcracker, faced with not only a massive Indian presence to their south but a pro-Indian regime to the north in Afghanistan. Since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars – the most recent in 1971 – and they seemed on the verge of going nuclear against each other during the Kargil crisis in 1999.
After the Taliban were ousted by the US, a major strategic shift occurred: the government of Afghanistan became an ally of India, thus fulfilling the Pakistanis’ worst fears. Karzai hated Pakistan with a passion, in part because he believed that the ISI – Pakistan’s intelligence service – had helped to have his father assassinated in 1999. At the same time he felt a strong emotional bond with India, where he had gone to university. When I interviewed Karzai in early March, he spoke warmly of his days in Simla as some of the happiest of his life. With Karzai in office, India seized the opportunity to increase its political and economic influence in Afghanistan, re–opening its embassy in Kabul, opening four regional consulates, and providing reconstruction assistance totalling $1.5bn.
Pakistani generals have long viewed jihadis as a cost-effective and easily deniable means of controlling events in Afghanistan as well as Kashmir. It is unclear how many still endorse this strategy and how many are having second thoughts. There are clearly those in the army and the ISI who are now alarmed at the amount of sectarian and political violence the jihadis have brought to Pakistan. But that view is contested by others who continue to believe the jihadis are a more practical defence against Indian hegemony than even nuclear weapons. For them, support for carefully chosen jihadis in Afghanistan is a vital survival strategy worth the risk. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the commander-in-chief of the Pakistan army, was once in this camp. How far he has changed his position remains a matter of debate.
Pakistan-watchers are, however, unanimous that while Kayani is mindful of the Taliban threat in his own country, his burning obsession is still India’s presence in Afghanistan. As I was told by a senior British diplomat in Islamabad: "At the moment, Afghanistan is all [Kayani] thinks about and all he wants to talk about. It’s all he gets briefed about and it’s his primary focus of attention. There is an Indo-Pak proxy war, and it’s going on right now."
Much will depend on what India decides. It is unclear if its government will choose to play an enhanced role in Afghanistan after the departure of American troops. Some Indian hawks argue that by taking on a more robust military role in Afghanistan, India could fill the security vacuum left by the US withdrawal, advance its regional interests, compete with its Chinese rival for influence in the country, and thwart its Pakistani enemy at the same time.
The efforts of Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, to reach out to India may strengthen the hand of the moderates in Delhi. What is certain though is that the future will be brighter for all three countries caught in a deadly triangle of mutual mistrust and competition if Pakistan and India can come to see the instability of Afghanistan as a common challenge to be jointly managed rather than a battlefield on which to escalate their long, bitter feud.
• This piece is an edited version of the inaugural Brookings Essay, A Deadly Triangle: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
The above article from The Guardian is reproduced here for educational and non commercial use
India: ’Aye Button, Aye Button’, satirical song in hindi on the nuclear-button and boisterous talk of use of nuclear weapons
Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP) expresses shock at the Indian Prime Minister’s public nuclear sabre-rattling
Sri Lanka Easter Sunday Massacre of April 21, 2019 - Selected Statements / Meetings by Citizens Groups
India: CNDP Statement on the A-SAT Missile Test
Another India - Pakistan crisis
Take the next step now. In that lies the future of a peaceful Pakistan and a peaceful South Asia
To Govt’s of Pakistan and India: "Appeal for Reason" from 600+ concerned Indian citizens
CNDP Statement on Ongoing Indo-Pak Armed Conflict (28 February 2019)
India and Pakistan: Step Back from the Brink - Calls by Concerned Citizens for Restraint and De-escalation | Select Statements, Op-eds etc [Feb-March 2019]
Text of Joint Statement by the National Committees PIPFPD of India and Pakistan (26 February 2019)
Violence / Conflict
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line492
|
__label__wiki
| 0.827772
| 0.827772
|
Edward Burton Kelley | April 5, 1947–April 1, 2019
Wed Apr 17th, 2019 1:30am
Edward Burton Kelley, “Ed,” passed away peacefully on April 1, 2019, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. The third child of five children, Ed was born on April 5, 1947, in Battle Mountain, Nevada, to Donald R. and Iva Mae Kelley (Phipps). He graduated from Gooding High School in 1965 and enrolled at Idaho State University for a year, but was soon drafted into the Navy. In spring 1968, Ed attended Naval basic training in San Diego, California. He served 21 months in Vietnam in the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2 (HS-2).
He was honorably discharged in February 1970. During the same year, he married Michelle Darr. Ed re-enrolled in college and despite his humble beginnings, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho in 1974. In 1978, Ed married Barbara Weigel, where they eventually settled in a log home he built himself in Enumclaw, Washington. He enjoyed a long and fruitful career as a tax analyst/consultant for several Fortune 500 companies. Ed was very successful in his field, earning several advanced degrees and served as an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington in the College of Forest Resources. Fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams, Ed moved to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in early 2019.
Ed was beloved by everyone he met, but especially his family. He enjoyed the outdoors, sports and family. Since moving to Friday Harbor, he would frequently quip, “I could just pinch myself, I’m the luckiest guy!” Ed lived a remarkable, adventurous life, and truly enjoyed every moment. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, four children Marguerite (Maggie), Amanda, Shaun and Stephanie; grandchildren Sven, Seena, Kyla, Juno, Mia, Dominic and Solomon; siblings Kelly Shofner and Donna Phipps; and many nieces and nephews.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line493
|
__label__wiki
| 0.506067
| 0.506067
|
Mid-Week Break | Tiphanie Yanique Reads at Bread Loaf
Tiphanie Yanique reads from the opening of her novel, Land of Love and Drowning (Riverhead/Penguin, 2014) at the 2014 Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference.
Tiphanie Yanique is the author of the short story collection, How to Escape from a Leper Colony (Graywolf, 2010), the picture book I Am the Virgin Islands (Little Bell Caribbean, 2012), and the novel Land of Love and Drowning (Riverhead/Penguin, 2014). Most recently, her novel Land of Love and Drowning won the First Novel Prize from the Center of Fiction. Previously, her writing has won the 2011 BOCAS Prize for Caribbean Fiction, Boston Review Prize in Fiction, a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers Award, a Pushcart Prize, and an Academy of American Poet’s Prize. She has been listed by the Boston Globe as one of the sixteen cultural figures to watch out for and by the National Book Foundation as one of the 5 Under 35. Her writing has been published in Best African American Fiction, the Wall Street Journal, and American Short Fiction. Yanique is also the recipient of a Fulbright scholarship.
Yanique grew in the Hospital Ground/Round da Field neighborhood of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. She graduated from All Saints Cathedral School and the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra program. Both her mother and grandmother were librarians in the Virgin Islands. Yanique is now an assistant professor in the MFA and Riggio Honors programs at the New School in New York City. She, her husband, son, and daughter split their time between Brooklyn and St. Thomas.
All Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference readings are available for free on iTunesU. Want to hear more? Visit the the Bread Loaf website.
Filed Under: Audio
NER Classics | Home Planet | Marianne Boruch
Marianne Boruch’s testimony “Home Planet” appeared in NER 31.1 (2010):
I kept thinking about that collage, which was, in fact, a rather popular thing to put together then. A very hip friend of mine in the dorm, a girl who insisted on wearing sandals all winter, minus socks even, had done the same thing, searching through various publications—Life magazine always a good bet—for pictures that would make years of people and experience leap out of the wall with an electric, exuberant force. But it was doubly remarkable, there in the Sunderlands’ bathroom. Because it was very cool, making one of those, a wall flooded with various cultural heroes, people off the grid inventing whole new grids. I was sure something odd and quirky remained in those Sunderlands after all, something of the rebel. Here was evidence. Maybe Ned was at the heart of that. At least, on the wall he was.
Filed Under: NER Classics Tagged With: Home Planet, Marianne Boruch, NER Classics
Mid-Week Break | A. Van Jordan Reads at Bread Loaf 2014
A. Van Jordan reads his poetry at the 2014 Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference:
“Notes from a Southpaw”
A. Van Jor dan is the author of Rise (Tia Chucha Press, 2001); M-A-C-N-O-L-I-A (W. W. Norton & Co., 2005), which was awarded an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and listed as one of the Best Books of 2005 by the London Times, as well as Quantum Lyrics (2007) and The Cineaste, (W. W. Norton & Co., 2013). Jordan was also awarded a Whiting Writers Award, a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, and a United States Artists Fellowship. He has served on the faculty of a number of institutions including The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College, The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Michigan. He is currently at Rutgers University–Newark as the Henry Rutgers Presidential Professor.
All Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference readings are available for free on iTunesU. Want to hear more? Visit the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference website.
Filed Under: Audio Tagged With: A Van Jordan, Bread Loaf Writers' Conference
New Poetry from Joshua Bennett | NER 36.2
The Sobbing School | Joshua Bennett
[View as PDF]
is where I learned to brandish the black like a club,
you know, like a blunt object, or cobalt flashes of strobe
dotting damp walls after dusk drops the dark motion
our modern world can’t hold. There’s a process
by which bodies blend in, or don’t, or die, or roll on
past the siren’s glow so as not to subpoena the grave.
Mama never said surviving this flesh was a kind
of perverse science, but I’ve seen the tape,
felt the metal close & lock around my wrists, bone
bisected by chokehold. A crow turns crimson
against the windshield & who would dare mourn
such clean transition, the hazard of not knowing you
are the wrong kind of alive. But enough
about extinction. Entire towns mad with grief, whole
modes of dreaming gone the way of life before lyric,
all faded into amber & archive, all dead as the VCR,
all buried below the surface where nothing breaks, bleeds.
Joshua Bennett is a doctoral candidate in the English Department at Princeton University and has received fellowships from the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshop, the Center for the Study of Social Difference at Columbia University, and the Ford Foundation. He is winner of the 2014 Lucille Clifton and the 2015 Erskine J. Poetry Prizes. His poems have been published or are forthcoming in Anti-, Blackbird, Callaloo, Obsidian, Smartish Pace, and elsewhere. Bennett is the founding editor of Kinfolks: a journal of black expression.
Image by Stephanie Maniaci Vernon, from Poiesis
Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: Joshua Bennett, Stephanie Maniaci Vernon
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line502
|
__label__cc
| 0.698752
| 0.301248
|
Images of Courage Opening at Founders Hall Art Gallery
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 3, 2003
Wendy Harder
TWO YEARS AFTER 9/11... SOKA UNIVERSITY PREPARES TO OPEN "IMAGES OF COURAGE"
the West Coast debut of a stunning photographic exhibit by Danny C. Sze honoring those who lost their lives saving others on September 11th, 2001.
Opening Reception: September 11, 2003, 6:30 pm
Founders Hall Art Gallery, Soka University
1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Free exhibit open through January 15, 2004, M-F, 9 am to 5 pm
"Each sequence of events, from rescue to memorial, recovery to beams of light and the removal of the final beam...completing this series of photographs throughout the year was my way to comprehend these traumatic events and to memorialize the victims, heroes and citizens," writes photographer Danny C. Sze.
This exhibition features 92 photographs covering "Ground Zero" from the day after the terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001 to the last day of the memorial service on September 11th, 2002.
Sze, a resident of New Jersey, will be available for interviews by phone prior to the Opening Reception and in person September 10th and 11th. He can be reached at (609) 371-0119 or at szephoto@aol.com.
Color photo image from the exhibition is available online at www.soka.edu/imagesofcourage.html.
Soka University, Aliso Viejo is a private, non-profit, four-year liberal arts college located on 103 acres overlooking the 4000 acre Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park in South Orange County, California. It offers a 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio and Eastern and Western perspectives taught with a special emphasis on foreign language and culture. SUA's curriculum is non-sectarian. The university is founded upon the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights and the sanctity of life and is open to top students of all nationalities and beliefs. See www.soka.edu for more information.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line508
|
__label__wiki
| 0.976036
| 0.976036
|
D'Ya Like Scratchin'?
Top/ Glee (Audiogram, 1997) was the first album from Canadian music collective Bran Van 3000 (also Bran Van and BV3), an electronica collective from Montreal, Canada. It was founded by the DJ James Di Salvio, collaborating on a number of songs with musicians, among them Québécois rock star Jean Leloup. The album contains the international hit "Drinking in L.A." Middle/ A huge inspiration to countless sound seekers including Music Curator Max Chavanne of Sonic-Nurse.com, pop collage giant Beck towers above The Information (Interscope, 2006), produced by Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich. Yet another mind-bending release, the album includes the singles "Nausea", "Think I'm in Love" and "Cellphone's Dead", with an official video directed by Michel Gondry; the track samples Primal Scream's hit single "Loaded" quite prominently. Before its release, Beck said the album was not a "stripped down" record, in contrast with his previous Godrich collaborations Mutations and Sea Change. Bottom/ Single "Where's Your Head At" (2001) by critically acclaimed UK electronic dance music duo Basement Jaxx relies on a sample by electropop pioneer Gary Numan, of "Are 'Friends' Electric?" fame.
Posted by Sonic Nurse No comments:
Boing Boom Tschak
Top to bottom/ "We had a vision: to make electronic folk music. To become the Volkswagen of pop music; accessible to a big audience, but still innovating." Kraftwerk (German for power station) is a Grammy award nominated, electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The signature Kraftwerk sound combines driving, repetitive rhythms with catchy melodies, mainly following a Western classical style of harmony, with a minimalistic and strictly electronic instrumentation. Kraftwerk’s releases in the 1970s and early 1980s, most significantly a quartet of albums that would exert a huge influence on popular music—Radio-Activity (1975), Trans-Europe Express (1977), The Man-Machine (1978) and Computer World (1981)— continue to inspire many popular artists from many diverse genres of music and artists, from David Bowie to New Wave, to Chicago House Music, to hip-hop, to current electronic acts, among them LCD Soundsystem and the Chemical Brothers. The band is notoriously reclusive, as they reject to accept mail and allow no visitors at the Kling Klang Studio. It is rumored that their label partner, EMI, does not even have the members’ phone numbers. Originally announced in 2004, Kraftwerk released eight of their albums in remastered versions on October 5, 2009. Kraftwerk is preparing a new album, the first without co-founder Florian Schneider.
One Hell Of A Party
Top/ The "Surfing On A Rocket" E.P. (Astralwerks, 2004) by French electronica duo AIR includes the Tel Aviv Rocket Surfing Remake by Nomo Heroes and Joakim's To The Smiling Sun Remix. The band's name is a backronym for Amour, Imagination, Rêve which translates to Love, Imagination, Dream. Middle/ In the Court of the Crimson King (An Observation by King Crimson) (Island Records, 1969) is the debut album by the British progressive rock group King Crimson. The album continues to be a classic and has been a tremendous influence on other artists. Including seminal pieces such as the title-track, "21st Century Schizoid Man" and the visionary "Epitaph", In the Court of the Crimson King is generally considered by many to be the launching point of progressive rock where blues-oriented rock was mixed together with jazzy and European symphonic elements. The Who's Pete Townshend was quoted as calling the album "an uncanny masterpiece". Barry Godber (1946–1970), an artist and computer programmer, painted the "Schizoid Man" album cover. Bottom/ Epitaph (Atlantic, 1997) is a live 4CD set of 1969 concert performances and radio sessions by King Crimson.
Ley Lines To Glassdom
"This is a quiet, minimalist kind of groove with a shimmering luminescence. It's an acoustic, European variation on funk..." (JazzTimes). Influenced by Japanese ritual music, Bartók, and Stravinsky, Nik Bärtsch (born 1971) is a Swiss pianist, composer and producer from Zurich. He lives in Zurich and Berlin. Nik Bärtsch currently works in three parallel musical settings: as a solo artist, with the acoustic group Mobile and with the 'zen-funk' group Ronin. As a solo artist he performs his own compositions on prepared piano with percussion. Mobile plays purely acoustic music, performed in rituals of up to 36 hours, which include lighting- and room design. Ronin, by contrast, is more flexible and plays rhythmically complex compositions that contain elements of jazz, funk and acoustic rock. Bärtsch's earlier projects were released on Ronin Rhythm Records. In 2006 Bärtsch was signed to ECM and has released two albums, Stoa (2006) and Holon (2008).
Music Selector In The Soul Reflector
Bottom/ In Rainbows (XL, 2007) is the seventh album by the English alternative rock band Radiohead. Radiohead incorporated a wide variety of musical styles and instruments on the album, using not only electronic music and string arrangements, but also pianos, celestes, and the ondes Martenot. Days after announcing the album's completion, Radiohead released In Rainbows as a digital download that customers could order for whatever price they saw fit. Middle/ Featuring the tracks "Born of Frustation" and "Ring the Bells", Seven was the fifth album from James, released February 1992 on Fontana. Half of the album was produced by Youth. James are an English rock band from Manchester. They formed in 1981 and were active throughout the 80s, but most successful during the 90s. Their hit singles include "Sit Down" and "Laid". Top/ Insert from Björk's sixth full-length studio album, Volta (One Little Indian, 2007). It was primarily written and produced by Björk herself and features 10 new tracks, containing electronic, kora, pipa, and brass compositions. The disc features input from acclaimed producer Timbaland, Antony Hegarty and Sjón, among other artists.
Accept No Substitute
Savage Eye (Swan Song, 1975) is the eighth studio album by The Pretty Things, a rock and roll band from London that caused a sensation in England. They pioneered a raw approach to rhythm and blues that influenced a number of key bands of the 1960s British invasion, particularly The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie, whose first hero was Phil May. Their early material consisted of hard-edged blues-rock influenced by Bo Diddley (they took their name from Diddley's 1955 song "Pretty Thing") and Jimmy Reed. They were known for wild stage behaviour and edgy lyrical content. In the U.S. they, along with The Yardbirds and Van Morrison's Them, were a huge influence on hundreds of garage bands, including the MC5 and The Seeds. After a flirtation with mainstream pop, they embraced psychedelia, producing the concept album S.F. Sorrow during 1967-68. This album, released in late 1968, is arguably one of the first rock operas, preceding the release of The Who's Tommy
in April 1969 by a few months.
Too Cool To Conga!
Bottom/ Kid Creole and the Coconuts are an American musical group created and led by August Darnell. Their music incorporates styles like big band jazz, disco, and in particular Caribbean/Latin American salsa. Their breakthrough came with 1982's Tropical Gangsters, which spun off three Top 10 hits with "Stool Pigeon", "Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy" and "I'm a Wonderful Thing, Baby", written by musical director Peter Schott. Doppelganger (Sire) is their fourth album and was released in 1983. Darnell adopted the name Kid Creole (adapted from the Elvis Presley film King Creole) in 1980. The persona of Kid Creole is described as: "Inspired by Cab Calloway and the Hollywood films of the 30s and 40s, the Kid fills out his colorful zoot suits with style and grace, dancing onstage with his inimitable, relentless and self-proclaimed cool."
Middle/ Come Dance With Me! (Capitol) is an album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1959. It was the most successful album of Frank Sinatra's career, spending two and a half years on the Billboard charts. Billy May won the Grammy Award for Best Arrangement. Top/ Recorded in Los Angeles in 1958, Latin Fever by American percussionist Jack Costanzo was re-released on Capitol in 2003. Costanzo is best known as a bongo player, and was nicknamed "Mr. Bongo". He visited Havana in the 1940s and learned to play Afro-Cuban rhythms on the bongos and congas. He toured with Stan Kenton from 1947-48 and occasionally in the 1950s, and played with Nat King Cole from 1949 to 1953. He also played with Peggy Lee, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Xavier Cugat, and Frank Sinatra
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line509
|
__label__wiki
| 0.994134
| 0.994134
|
Jamiroquai return with new album
– September 6, 2010Posted in: London
@page { margin: 2cm }
P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm }
Jamiroquai are set to release their seventh studio album ‘Rock Dust Light Star‘, the first in five years, via Mercury Records in November. There will be a single released the same month from the same month called ‘Blue Skies‘.
Singer Jay Kay describes the album, saying: “Everything on the record is live. It’s a real band record. The last album was fantastic, but the whole thing became a little sterile. This time we’ve captured the flow of our live performances”.
The album has been recorded mainly at Jay’s home studio in Buckinghamshire, and also at legendary Hook End Manor in Oxfordshire. The album is entirely written by Kay and his Jamiroquai bandmates and produced by Kay alongside first time collaborators Charlie Russell and Brad Spence.
“I do feel rejuvenated, music-wise and business-wise” Jay says. He was physically knackered after completing his previous seven album record deal, but now, “Everything has clicked and I feel privileged to still be in the game.”
For more information visit the official MySpace.
Tags: 2010, blue skies, interview, Jamiroquai, jay kay, listen, nes, rock dust light star, tickets, UK Tour
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line510
|
__label__wiki
| 0.644636
| 0.644636
|
Disney's EPIC MICKEY 2: The Power of Two!
“DISNEY EPIC MICKEY 2: THE POWER OF TWO”
RELEASING ON MULTIPLE VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS THIS FALL
Warren Spector Pays Further Tribute to
Disney History with Sequel
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Debut in a Co-Starring Role and Make His First Ever Appearance as a Playable Video Game Character
Disney Interactive Media Group today announced the development of “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two”, the sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Disney Epic Mickey” video game. In “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two”, gamers will play as Mickey Mouse and for the first time ever, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s first cartoon star, in an all-new adventure of creativity and discovery. Created by video game industry luminary Warren Spector and Disney Interactive’s Junction Point game development studio, “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” returns the franchise to the Wii™ system from Nintendo, and expands it to new HD consoles including the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
“Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” returns Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Wasteland, an alternate world filled with 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions. But for the first time, Mickey and Oswald will join forces as true partners - Mickey with his magical paint brush that allows him to wield paint and thinner, and Oswald with his powerful remote control that allows him to command electricity. This new co-op play further enhances the idea that “PlayStyle Matters” – a unique approach to gameplay pioneered by Warren Spector where players dynamically tackle different challenges in order to explore all possibilities and storylines, but with consequences for their chosen actions.
Staying true to Disney’s rich musical heritage, “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is the first video game that can be described as a “musical.” At many points throughout the adventure, characters will advance the plot by expressing themselves in song, with all-original music and lyrics. In addition to this distinctive musical approach to storytelling, players will hear tunes and instrumentation that change based on their personal choices, ultimately allowing each player to “conduct” their own unique soundtrack. Disney Interactive has enlisted the help of Emmy award-winning composer James Dooley and noted lyricist Mike Himelstein to create these musical gameplay elements.
The magic of Disney will not only resonate through the game’s musical numbers, but also through the introduction of authentic Disney Character Voices talent who provide player direction through genuine character dialogue. In “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two,” all characters—most notably Oswald The Lucky Rabbit whose voice will be heard for the first time—will communicate by speaking to the player.
For more information, go to www.disney.com/disneyepicmickey.
timberland pro boots
SSSSSS August 10, 2018 at 11:38 PM
nike zoom running shoe
柯飞敏 August 21, 2018 at 1:11 AM
harry winston jewelry
zzyytt November 18, 2018 at 8:30 PM
zzyytt December 28, 2018 at 12:02 AM
yanmaneee May 27, 2019 at 10:05 PM
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line511
|
__label__wiki
| 0.882655
| 0.882655
|
South Metro 476455843
South metro briefs: Dakota County opens Pine Bend trailhead
March 10, 2018 — 11:19am
Dakota County debuted earlier this month its new Pine Bend Bluffs trailhead and visitor facility along the Mississippi River — which includes restrooms, a picnic area and several other amenities.
The trailhead provides access to the Mississippi River Trail, a 26-mile path that will one day join South St. Paul and Hastings.
The center also includes a bike repair station, drinking water and interpretive area, as well as access to the Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area, according to a county news release.
That natural area offers a restored prairie, wildflowers and places to view wildlife and birds. Picturesque views of the Mississippi River abound.
The county, the city of Inver Grove Heights and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources collaborated to fund and create the trailhead and visitor center project. The trailhead is located on 111th Street and Courthouse Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights.
The Pine Bend Bluffs Natural Area includes wetland, prairie and woods along the west bend of the Mississippi River. It takes its name from the white pines that used to flank the bluffs, according to the Friends of the Mississippi website.
Erin Adler
Tribe donates $100,000 for mental health
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) has awarded a $100,000 grant to Shakopee Public Schools for expanded mental health services, which will provide additional support for preschool and high school students.
"Education is crucial in preparing the next generation of leaders, but mental health issues can be an obstacle for some students," SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig said in a statement. "We're thankful to Shakopee Public Schools for providing exceptional education and support, and we are proud to help them expand their mental health services to help even more children and teens."
The grant will help district officials identify and support kids struggling with mental health issues, as well as expand education classes for parents to better understand common symptoms and seek necessary resources.
Interim Superintendent Gary Anger said the district is grateful for the gift, which will help students overcome "roadblocks to their learning and everyday life."
District 720 serves more than 8,000 students in Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and the Jackson, Louisville, and Sand Creek townships.
LIZ SAWYER
Shakopee principal dies after cancer battle
Melissa Zahn, principal at Central Family Center in Shakopee, died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.
Before heading the early childhood learning center, Zahn served as principal of Sweeney Elementary.
"Melissa possessed a tremendous spirit and passion for Shakopee Public Schools," said interim Superintendent Gary Anger. "We will miss her thoughtfulness and kindness. But, even more, we will miss her friendship and dedication to our students, families and district."
Anger broke the news to district staff in an e-mail, saying that he'd developed a strong friendship with Zahn in recent months. Anger was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in October and recently returned from a three-month medical leave to seek treatment. Zahn was on a leave of absence.
"During these times, we must support each other," Anger wrote to colleagues. "If you need support or someone to talk to, I'm available. You can also reach out to your building principal. We are here to help in whatever way possible."
Counselors were made available to those who worked closely with Zahn at Red Oak and Sweeney Elementary Schools, Central Family Center and East Junior High.
Sheriff Hennen vying to maintain position
Sheriff Luke Hennen, a 19-year law enforcement veteran, wants to keep his position as Scott County's top cop. Only this time, by means of a popular vote.
While deputy sheriff, Hennen was appointed to finish out the last two years of former Sheriff Kevin Studnicka's term when he retired in 2016. This week, Hennen announced his campaign for a shot at a full four-year term.
Since his promotion, Hennen has prioritized Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for deputies to better respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. All patrol officers are now certified, while remaining employees will complete the training within two years.
Hennen is also a partner of the Scott County Mobile Crisis Response team, which will provide round-the-clock assistance and support to crisis calls starting in April in an effort to keep vulnerable adults out of the emergency room or jail.
As local mental health resources dwindle, law enforcement assumes a greater responsibility in caring for those citizens "compassionately and effectively," Hennen said.
He currently leads a staff of nearly 170 employees, including licensed deputies, correctional officers, 911 dispatchers and civilians with a budget of $15.9 million. To combat technology crimes, Hennen added a county position to help investigate computer and cellphone records. A community engagement position was also added to improve communication between the sheriff's office and minority communities.
"We need a strong, experienced leader willing to work with the community to maintain trust and legitimacy in public safety. I'm proud to be your leader," Hennen said in a statement. "If elected Sheriff, I promise to continue to bring innovation and collaboration to maintain the high level of public safety we have all come to expect."
A lifelong Scott County resident, Hennen previously worked as patrol sergeant, detective and corrections officer. He holds a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and a master's degree in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
He lives in Jordan with his wife, Debi, and their two young daughters.
More From Local
More than 35,000 people were without power Monday night after a strong storm surged through the Twin Cities, flooding streets, downing trees and delaying flights.…
Congestion was up 1% last year when compared with 2017, and reached its highest level since the annual traffic surveys began in 1993. Slowdowns are most likely on I-35W in the mornings and I-494 in the afternoons.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, in the vortex of President Donald Trump’s Twitter attack on four Democratic congresswomen of color, raised more than $600,000 for her re-election…
Minnesotans inspired by Somali-Canadian journalist killed in terrorist attack
Somali-Canadian activist went back to broadcast "the other side of Somalia."
Four congresswomen targeted by Trump push back in news conference, online
WASHINGTON - After being singled out by President Donald Trump with racist tweets — following days of scolding from their own party leaders — four…
A few Amazon workers in Shakopee strike on Prime Day • South Metro
Two metro school districts will ask voters to help stave off steep cuts • South Metro
West St. Paul man likely set own house on fire • South Metro
Dakota County looking to Lyft residents with disabilities • South Metro
Minnesota BCA identifies officers who fired at man in fatal Eagan standoff • South Metro
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line514
|
__label__wiki
| 0.630699
| 0.630699
|
A note on: The Long White Thread - poems for John Berger
Delighted to have a new poem, dedicated to the man himself, in this new anthology released for John Berger's 90th birthday by Smokestack Books. http://smokestack-books.co.uk/book.php?book=124
"Novelist, draughtsman, film-maker, essayist and critic – John Berger is one of the major European intellectuals of our time. Since the 1950s he has been challenging the way we see the world and how we think about it in books like Ways of Seeing, Permanent Red, To the Wedding, A Painter of Our Time, Pig Earth, Once in Europa, Lilac and Flag, A Seventh Man, Pages of the Wound and From A to X. In 1972 he won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Booker Prize for his novel G. In 2009 he was awarded the Golden PEN award by London PEN for a lifetime’s contribution to literature. His Collected Poems was published in 2014. The Long White Thread of Words is a celebration of John Berger’s ninetieth birthday by poets from all over the world. Edited by Amarjit Chandan, Gareth Evans and Yasmin Gunarat nam, it features poets from Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Macedonia, Nigeria, Palestine, Spain, Turkey, the USA and the UK"
The bear stands upon its hind legs - SJ Fowler
Metaphor is needed. Metaphor is temporary. It does not replace theory.
John Berger A Seventh Man
Doubt is the product of a book.
At this point in the film, not believing he’d done it, the interviewer asks the executive whether the project will harm people? Everything in the wrong dose will harm people is the reply....
Tags john, berger, anthology, poem, poetry, poet, smokestack, books, the, long, white, thread, of, words, sj, fowler, bear, stands, upon, its, hind legs
A note on: Rest and Its Discontents exhibition at the Mile End Arts Pavilion
A beautiful job has been done, the exhibition runs until October 31st and is really well worth a visit. Some wonderful and works and installations by some brilliant artists and thinkers. http://hubbubresearch.org/event/rest-discontents/
DATE & TIME 30 September – 30 October 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
VENUE: The Mile End Art Pavilion Mile End Park, Clinton Road London, E3 4QY United Kingdom
Tags rest, and, its, discontents, exhibition, mile, end, art, pavilion, hub, hubbub, wellcome, collection, soundings
A note on: Rest and its discontents exhibition at Mile End Art Pavilion
Rest & its discontents, a new exhibition from Hubbub exploring the dynamics of rest, stress, sound, noise, work and mind-wandering. Rest & its discontents explores the dynamics of rest, stress, relaxation, sound, noise, work and mindwandering in an evolving laboratory of moving image, performance, drawing, poetry, data, sound, music and debate.
Rest & its discontents features a video installation of my Soundings project with Wellcome Library. A specially made highlight video, edited by Ed Prosser, shows my works with Maja Jantar, Emma Bennett, Tamarin Norwood and Sharon Gal.
DATE & TIME 30 September – 30 October : 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
VENUE: The Mile End Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, Clinton Road, London, E3 4QY United Kingdom
Tags rest, and, its, discontents, exhibition, hubbub, hub, wellcome, library, soundings, mile, end, art, pavilion
A note: my commission for The Verb on BBC Radio 3 - January 15th broadcast
A new page for my second appearance on The Verb, a brilliant, inspiring day at Media City in the company of Ian McMillan, Charles Fernyhough, Jennifer Hodgson and David Morley.
www.stevenjfowler.com/theverb
Amazing to be able to write this new piece of poetry, or theatre / performance as I see it, for The Verb and on such a wonderful topic and project. One of my favourite commissions I’d say.
"The Worm in its Core was commissioned as a new poem / performance by Radio 3's The Verb, hosted by Ian McMillan, for broadcast on January 15th 2016, in response to Hearing the Voice - a project which explores, and demystifies auditory verbal hallucinations. A great privilege to write something responding such a vital and intelligently conceived project, and to share it on The Verb, which has always maintained a laudable balance between all forms and modes of literature, bringing them where they belong, together, in brilliant conjunction."
Tags bbc, radio, 3, three, the, verb, hearing, voice, worm, in, its, core, commission, ian, mcmillan, charles, fernyhough
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line515
|
__label__wiki
| 0.897704
| 0.897704
|
The song's lyrics address Lorde's newfound fame.[32][33] In an interview with Spotify in May 2013, Lorde explained that "Tennis Court" was inspired by her friends and daily life in her hometown Auckland, saying that the song was a summary of the events she witnessed during the previous months of her life.[34] On her Tumblr account, she elaborated on the tennis court imagery as "a symbol of nostalgia" that embodied memories of her hometown. Lorde also elucidated that the track reflected the changes in her life at the moment, when she had ventured into a career in music.[35] She also took inspiration from "how superficial people can be" after having perceived the mechanism of the music industry.[36] Paul Lester from The Guardian opined that the song criticises the extravagant lifestyle of the rich and shares the same sentiment with "Royals" and "Million Dollar Bills" from The Love Club EP.[37] During the songwriting process, Lorde explained that she took an interest to the works of American photographer Gregory Crewdson due to his depictions of human life, suburbia and sense of loneliness.[38]
It was a thought — being a tennis player — that first came to me five years ago when I was months from my 55th birthday. It wasn’t that I imagined I was going to become an athlete. I am a tennis fan, and I turn on ESPN and attend the United States Open each year with the understanding that the men and women I love to watch are, as they were not when I was a boy, a breed apart: selection for size and intense training and competition from early childhood is increasingly creating a sort of warrior class in sports. I wanted to become a very good recreational player. Someday.
In order to assist litigants and attorneys using the Shreveport City Court, the court has created a Guide to Practice. This document is not meant to be a definitive statement of the law nor may it be cited to the court as support for any position. This document is merely a tool to be utilized to assist litigants and attorneys in access to the court. Legal citations are provided to assist litigants and attorneys in their quest to determine applicable law and procedure.
During the 19th century the Royal Tennis Court played a variety of different roles. It served as a theatre storeroom, a workshop and storage space, and a studio for the painters Antoine-Jean Gros and then Horace Vernet. It was listed as a national monument in 1848, then became a games room again under the Second Empire. Approaching the centenary of the oath, under the Third Republic, architect Edmond Guillaume was invited to restore it and convert it into a museum of the French Revolution. The architect used original engravings to reconstitute the spirit of the room, which had been modified and had deteriorated over the course of the century. The museum housed the statue of Bailly, busts of the most important signatories of the oath, and a monumental canvas by Luc-Olivier Merson, based on Jacques-Louis David's preparatory drawing. The museum was inaugurated on 20 June 1883 in the presence of Jules Ferry.
A break point occurs if the receiver, not the server, has a chance to win the game with the next point. Break points are of particular importance because serving is generally considered advantageous, with servers being expected to win games in which they are serving. A receiver who has one (score of 30–40 or advantage), two (score of 15–40) or three (score of love-40) consecutive chances to win the game has break point, double break point or triple break point, respectively. If the receiver does, in fact, win their break point, the game is awarded to the receiver, and the receiver is said to have converted their break point. If the receiver fails to win their break point it is called a failure to convert. Winning break points, and thus the game, is also referred to as breaking serve, as the receiver has disrupted, or broken the natural advantage of the server. If in the following game the previous server also wins a break point it is referred to as breaking back. Except where tie-breaks apply, at least one break of serve is required to win a set.
Have you always wanted to learn to play tennis, but you've been unsure of where to start? Do you love watching Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova dominate the courts, and hope to be just like them? Playing tennis can help you build speed, power, and fitness. It's also a great way to spend time with your family or your friends. Learn the layout of the court, the scoring system, and all the playing techniques you need to become a tennis pro!
A tie-break set is played with the same rules as the advantage set, except that when the score is tied at 6–6, a tie-break game (or tiebreaker) is played. Typically, the tie-break game continues until one side has won seven points with a margin of two or more points. However, many tie-break games are played with different tiebreak point requirements, such as 8 or 10 points. Often, a 7-point tie-breaker is played when the set score is tied at 6–6 to determine who wins the set. If the tiebreak score gets to 6-6, then whichever player to win the best of two points wins the set. [19]
The ATP World Tour Masters 1000 is a group of nine tournaments that form the second-highest echelon in men's tennis. Each event is held annually, and a win at one of these events is worth 1000 ranking points. When the ATP, led by Hamilton Jordan, began running the men's tour in 1990, the directors designated the top nine tournaments, outside of the Grand Slam events, as "Super 9" events.[87] In 2000 this became the Tennis Masters Series and in 2004 the ATP Masters Series. In November at the end of the tennis year, the world's top eight players compete in the ATP World Tour Finals, a tournament with a rotating locale. It is currently held in London, England.[88]
The tiebreaker – more recently shortened to just "tiebreak", though both terms are still used interchangeably – was invented by James Van Alen and unveiled in 1965 as an experiment at the pro tournament he sponsored at Newport Casino, Rhode Island,[23] after an earlier, unsuccessful attempt to speed up the game by the use of his so-called "Van Alen Streamlined Scoring System" ("VASSS"). For two years before the Open Era, in 1955 and 1956, the United States Pro Championship in Cleveland, Ohio, was played by VASSS rules. The scoring was the same as that in table tennis, with sets played to 21 points and players alternating five services, with no second service. The rules were created partially to limit the effectiveness of the powerful service of the reigning professional champion, Pancho Gonzales. Even with the new rules, however, Gonzales beat Pancho Segura in the finals of both tournaments. Even though the 1955 match went to 5 sets, with Gonzales barely holding on to win the last one 21–19, it is reported to have taken 47 minutes to complete.[24] The fans attending the matches preferred the traditional rules, however, and in 1957 the tournament reverted to the old method of scoring.
In the U.S. in 1874 Mary Ewing Outerbridge, a young socialite, returned from Bermuda with a sphairistikè set. She became fascinated by the game of tennis after watching British army officers play.[18] She laid out a tennis court at the Staten Island Cricket Club at Camp Washington, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York. The first American National championship was played there in September 1880. An Englishman named O.E. Woodhouse won the singles title, and a silver cup worth $100, by defeating Canadian I. F. Hellmuth.[19] There was also a doubles match which was won by a local pair. There were different rules at each club. The ball in Boston was larger than the one normally used in New York.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line518
|
__label__wiki
| 0.676816
| 0.676816
|
Now Booking / Coming Soon - Spring 2010
We've still not managed to sit down and sort out dates in our diaries let alone book tickets for most of these shows, so our plans are still a bit up-in-the-air, but these are the shows that have caught our attention so far...
At the Tron we'll be seeing "The Government Inspector" (also touring, including the Traverse), "The City" and if we don't leave it too late to get tickets, the National Theatre of Scotland's short runs of "Empty" and "The Miracle Man" (also playing in Musselburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen) The Tron is also host to some touring productions that we may catch there or elsewhere - Theatre Modo's "Sick" and Random Accomplice's "Promises Promises" by Douglas Maxwell which is a 'darkly comical' thriller. Full details of the Spring Season on the Tron Website.
The Citizens has a season very much to our taste, starting with "Backbeat" - based on the film of the same name and looking at the pre-Beatles days of the band. And we'll also try to see "One Million Tiny Plays About Britain" and "My Name is Rachel Corrie". Having loved XLC's take on Martin McDonagh's "The Pillowman" last year I'm really looking forward to see their production of his"The Lieutenant of Inishmore", and hopefully we'll make it along to Dialogue Productions "Neil LaBute Triple Bill". We'll certainly be booking for "The Grapes of Wrath" from the Citizens Community Company. And later in the season we're hoping to fit in NLP's "Blue Hen" written by Des Dillon who also has his own show "Des Tells Tall Tales". Other visiting shows that have caught our interest include Northern Broadside's "Medea", Absurdum International's "The Event", and "The Glass Menagerie" from Shared Experience and Salisbury Playhouse. As always the Citz have a series of student shows which we've often enjoyed in the past, but as we've seen most of the plays recently I'm not sure we'll catch any this time round. This year the Citz are also hosting events as part of the Magners comedy festival including Stewart Lee and Des Clarke. Full details of these and all the other shows at the Citizens on their website.
Perhaps it's just due to their new look website giving much more info on the upcoming plays in Oran Mor's "A Play, A Pie & A Pint" season of lunchtime play, but it looks stronger than ever with works by Daniel Jackson, Gregory Burke and Simon Stephens. I didn't make it along to the first play of the season which started on Monday, but I hope to get along for as many as I can over the next few weeks.
At Tramway, we're hoping to get along to "Clutter Keeps Company" (also touring).
The Arches have cleverly turned a difficult situation into an opportunity and due to works taking place up above in Central Station they have decanted with a series of 'off-site' events. I'm not sure we'll manage to see any, but they include "Birds and Other Things I Am Afraid Of" (staged in a shed) and Andy Field's "Motor Vehicle Sundown".
In Edinburgh, the Lyceum's production of "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" (also by Martin McDonagh) is on our list but the rest of their programme hasn't grabbed us. Similarly the Traverse programme hasn't anything that absolutely screamed "must see" at us, but we'll try to get along to "What We Know" (part of the Traverse Too scheme that brought us "Midsummer") and "Any Given Day". They also have a selection of plays transferring from Oran Mor in a lunchtime slot. Full details of the extensive Traverse programme in their Spring Brochure.
Staying in Edinburgh, site specific specialists Grid Iron are collaborating with Lung Ha's Theatre Company for a look at genetic engineering in promenade piece "Huxley's Lab". This is a short runs and tickets will go quickly - if you think this will be of interest don't waste any time in booking.
Up at Dundee Rep, "Equus" doesn't really appeal but we'll be looking to make the trip to see their version of "Sweeney Todd". I would have been keen to see "Proof" at Perth Theatre but having seen the film version fairly recently it would lack the sense of a story unfolding.
We really don't 'get' the idea behind the National Theatre of Scotland's "Wall of Death: A Way of Life" (at Glasgow's SECC, Aberdeen ECC & Edinburgh's Royal Highland Centre) at the moment so we'll wait until the reviews come out for that one. Later in the year they bring us their version of "Peter Pan" which tours Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and London, which we do hope to see somewhere.
Rapture are a company we have a huge amount of time for, and they always seem to be able to attract impressive casts, but I have to admit my heart sank when I heard their next show was to be "Hamlet". Even set in the Glasgow underworld I think I'd normally give it a miss, but Rapture have earned our trust over the years so we'll be fitting this in somewhere (it's currently running in Greenwich and then touring throughout Scotland).
And a mention also for a show I've heard enough about to be intrigued by - "Say You Love Me" from Punch Productions. A colleague is involved so I don't know if we'll comment on it here, but it sounds a little different.
And looking much further ahead, we've already booked for "Aladdin" at the Clyde Auditorium in December - the involvement of John Barrowman was enough to overcome our general dislike of panto.
As always, do let us know if there's anything else we should be seeing...
Posted by Statler at 2:54 pm
2 Heckles
Bluedog said...
Wall of Death seems to be dividing critics. Robert Dawson Scott gave it 1 star in The Times, yet Mark Fisher gave it 4 stars. Both were a bit uncertain about why this piece was being put on by NTS.
Proof was a bit disappointing in Perth, although the acting was good.
Statler said...
I haven't heard anything to suggest that Wall of Death is anything significantly more than the stunt show itself, and I don't really get the idea of trying to sell it as 'theatre'.
I've now been offered free tickets to it twice on a social media site (unrelated to us writing this blog) so it doesn't seem ticket sales are going particularly well. Which is a shame, as I suspect if they had done the same thing without the 'theatre' label it may have attracted more of an audience.
Post a heckle
"The Lieutenant of Inishmore" - February 2010
"The City" - February 2010
"Heaven" - February 2010
"Hamlet" - February 2010
"Company Policy" - February 2010
"The Government Inspector" - February 2010
"Crunch" - February 2010
"Promises Promises" - February 2010
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line522
|
__label__wiki
| 0.917323
| 0.917323
|
Vanuatu in US State Department’s list of 16 states vulnerable to China’s “debtbook diplomacy”
New US State Department’s report identifies 16 states vulnerable to China’s so-called “debtbook diplomacy” and economic coercion, including Vanuatu, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Micronesia.
The paper, obtained by The Australian Financial Review, says Papua New Guinea has “historically been in Australia’s orbit” but there is alarm that PNG has been “rapidly taking on Chinese loans it can’t afford to pay and offers a strategic location in addition to significant LNG and resource deposits”.
Former foreign minister Gareth Evans is quoted in the 40-page paper as characterising Laos and Cambodia as “wholly owned subsidiaries of China.”
In an interview, co-author and Harvard Kennedy School scholar Sam Parker said: “China is loaning hundreds of billions to countries that often can’t afford to pay it back, and it is going to want something in return for that money.”
“China’s public-private economic model enables it to convert economic debt into strategic influence and assets.”
The US document, dated 27 March 2018, emerged out of an earlier classified version written confidentially last year for United States Pacific Command.
The latest unclassified report, which has not been publicly released, was written for the US State Department policy planning staff, under the supervision of Harvard’s distinguished US-China researcher Graham Allison, a former US defence assistant secretary under president Bill Clinton.
The US report says debtbook diplomacy is “likely to play an important role in China’s multifaceted campaign to erode strategic advantages” of America and its allies and shift the balance of power in Asia.
Vanuatu is already “deeply in debt” to China and Beijing is “positioning itself to capitalise on the impending fiscal distress of Pacific Island Countries”, the document says.
Vila Times issue 171
Air Vanuatu reports VT296 mln profit in 2017 financial year
UMP urged not to bypass laws
While the national executive of Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) is preparing the venue of the national congress of the party to be held in the upcoming weeks to approve the list of its candidates for 2020 general...
Team Vanuatu for Samoa Games to be introduced to public tomorrow
All sports disciplines included in Team Vanuatu that will represent the country at the Pacific Games in Samoa will be introduced to the government and to public at large tomorrow in the capital. The introduction of Team...
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line523
|
__label__cc
| 0.519367
| 0.480633
|
Takeover Bid
2 Co-hosts
5 Catchphrases
6 Inventor
Bruce Forsyth
Claire Sutton
BBC1, 26 May 1990 to 15 July 1991 (28 episodes in 2 series)
The show always started with Bruce attempting to throw his hat and umbrella onto a hat-stand and always failed miserably. We individually met all the contestants and each one was treated to Forsyth's Fact or Fib?, where Bruce would first feel smug about the alliteration, then read a statement which was either true or false. They were given a selection of prizes,worth 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars and they had to decide which of those prizes they wanted to wager. (The 1-star prize was always some jokey item related in some way to the contestant - such as a lady whose surname was 'Topliss' getting a bra, a man called Des O'Connor getting - guess what! - a Des O'Connor LP and a lady who adored fancy earrings getting a pair of fire-bucket earrings. That was a nice, comical touch.) Bruce would always keep the contestant on the hook for a moment once the answer had been given and then he'd sound gloomy if they'd got it right and amused if they got it wrong - just to keep up that little touch of unpredictability. If they got the question correct they were able to start with a bonus of whichever value they had bid. If they failed, in the first series, they'd lose the prize concerned, but not in the second series. In both, however, the bonus would come in very handy if the contestant won the next round. (At this point, Claire would usually throw in some quirky fact related to the question and say, "I knew that," to which Bruce would respond, in mock-disgust, "Yes - you would!")
The round that followed, Crazy Cryptics, involved the contestants answering questions to steal prizes. A contestant had to nominate a prize of their own to bet against a prize of their choice from one of their opponents. Each prize was valued at 1 to 5 stars, and there was some rule that said you could only try to steal an opponent's prize that was one star better than the prize you were risking. These two people went head to head. The other contestant had to sit out, but, in the second series, could steal if neither of the others got it right. The contestant with the highest number of stars at the end of that round would get a bonus of 10 stars to take through to the end game, plus the bonus if he/she had got one in the first round - this was normally rounded up to the nearest 5.
Can I do it this week ladies and gentlemen?
Whoever won the big game went onto the final, Star Spin. There was a big circle on the wall divided into 10 subjects and there was a giant five-pointed star in the middle. The star was spun and wherever the five points landed would determine which subjects were asked. The contestants had to bid a certain number of the stars they had already won, depending on how confident they felt on the subject in question. If they reached 100 points before their final question, they could, if they wished (and they usually did!), bid all their points for the chance to win a holiday or some other big prize by answering that question. If they failed, they'd win nothing, although Bruce would always throw something in 'out of his own personal pocket' - apparently! There was always the risk that they might run out of points early on in the round, or they might not get enough to reach the 100. If the latter happened, they could at least cut their losses by bidding all their points to get some smaller prizes.
YES I CAN!!!
A bit like Raise the Roof. Except entertaining. And without a house. A shame that it only lasted two series - it was certainly worthy of more - but the reason that it finished when it did was probably the fact that it received some very poor (and often unfair) reviews from the critics.
Catchphrases
"Let's meet my first bargain-hunter!"
(When revealing the 'Fact Or Fib' answer): "Aaaahhh - you're absolutely.....right!" or, "Ha ha! You're absolutely wrong!"
"You haven't lost anything, but you haven't gained anything, either!"
"We want you to be ruthless, we want you to be mean, we want you to enjoy yourselves!"
"Get ready to steal, should you get the chance!"
"Are you there, Claire? Tell us what prizes are on offer tonight!"
Terry Mardell (q.v. Big Break) and John Lyons.
Theme by Ian M Wilson and Brucie himself. Altogether now:
I'm gonna make a Takeover Bid for you
I'm gonna shake you up and get rid of you
The time has come, the wipeout's here
I'd like to say I'm sorry but who's sincere?
Takeover Bid, I'm gonna make the Takeover Bid
I'm gonna be the first on the grid to take over you!
Hostess Claire Sutton was part of the cheerleading group G-Force on Gladiators and now presents for QVC.
An episode from 1991.
Retrieved from "http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Takeover_Bid"
Category: Family Game
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line525
|
__label__wiki
| 0.830361
| 0.830361
|
Breaking: Maria Sharapova Failed Drug Test, Announces In Press Conference
March 8, 2016 March 8, 2016 Soumyajit DasMazumdar News, Sports, Tennis
In a major and shocking press conference held today, international tennis superstar Maria Sharapova announced that she had failed the drug test at the Australian Open. She revealed that she got the news via a letter from ITF (International Tennis Federation) a few days back. The substance found in her body is known as Meldonium, a prohibited substance added to WADA’s (World Anti Doping Agency) this year.
Maria Sharapova At the Conference During The Announcement Of Her Failed Drug Test
Maria claimed that she has been taking a drug called Mildronat for last 10 years which is based on Meldonium. It was prescribed by her family doctor in 2006 to take care of her frequent bouts of flu, irregular EKG and an onset of diabetes. Maria said that the drug was not on WADA’s prohibition list earlier but it has been added since 1st January, 2016. ITF had sent a mail to her listing the prohibited drugs for 2016 on 22nd December, 2015 but she did not look at the list. “I made a huge mistake.” said Maria.
When asked what the consequences are for the failed test, Maria said she was not sure at the moment and she would work alongside ITF in the matter. “I have to take full responsibility of it because it’s my body and it’s what I put into my body. And I can’t blame anyone for it but myself no matter who I am working with,” said Maria. Maria also clarified that she has no plans of retiring as of now. “I know many of you thought that I would be retiring today and announcing my retirement. But if I was ever going to announce my retirement it will probably not be in a downtown Los Angeles hotel with this fairly ugly carpet,” she quipped.
The 29 year old Russian tennis star is a former world no. 1 player and an Olympic medal winner. She is one of the only 10 female tennis players to have completed a career grand slam. She is Tennis Channel’s one of the 100 greatest of all time and Time magazine’s one of the 30 legends of Women’s tennis. In recent years, her rivalry with Serena Williams of United States has been a spectacle enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide.
Watch The Full Press Conference:
Maria Sharapova Banned For Two Years By Internatio...
Pakistani Leg-spinner Yasir Shah Banned For Doping...
Tagged international tennis federation itf maria sharapova maria sharapova drug test maria sharapova drug test announcement maria sharapova drug test australian open maria sharapova failed drug test maria sharapova fails drug test maria sharapova mildronat drug test maria sharapova press conference maria sharapove meldonium use maria sharapva los angeles press conference meldonium mildronat prohibited substance found in maria sharapova's body wada world anti-doping agency
Bangladesh Move Towards Secularism, Old Case Revived To Drop Islam As State Religion
Marshall Islands Nuclear Explosions And Tests – In Pictures
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line526
|
__label__wiki
| 0.857112
| 0.857112
|
Proportion of Disadvantaged Entrants to Trinity Largely Unchanged Over the Last Five Years
An annual report has found that in 2014-15 only two per cent of new entrants came from 'unskilled' backgrounds.
Niamh EglestonDeputy News Editor
Róisín Power for The University Times
The proportion of students entering Trinity from the lowest socioeconomic groups has remained unchanged since 2011, a new report has found, despite significant efforts by College to improve access in recent years.
The Annual Equality Monitoring Report, see by The University Times and submitted to the College Board in October, reveals that of new entrants in 2014-15, only two per cent came from “unskilled” backgrounds, while 0.2 per cent came from the “agricultural worker” background. These figures have not changed significantly over the last five years.
The report is carried out yearly by the Equality Monitoring Advisory Group. It gathers data from across College to provide what the report describes as a “snapshot of the diversity profile of staff and students in Trinity” for each academic year.
It focuses its efforts on nine grounds for discrimination identified in national equality legislation: age, civil status, disability, ethnicity/nationality, family status, gender, membership of the travelling community, religion and sexual orientation.
These figures can be used to “provide an evidence base for strategic action and a benchmark against which progress can be measured”, according to College Equality Officer, Aoife Crawford, speaking to The University Times via email.
Among those surveyed, 42 per cent of new entrants identified their parents as being either higher professionals or employers and managers. The least-represented groups in Trinity were children of semi-skilled, unskilled, manual or agricultural workers – all four categories amounting to just 10.2 per cent of new entrants. Farmers were also underrepresented, with only four per cent of new entrants coming from that background.
These figures had not seen any great variation over the five-year period listed in the report.
Commenting on the findings, Crawford remarked that this was not a trend isolated to Trinity by any means: “The overall student population throughout higher education in Ireland still predominantly come from ‘higher professional’ and ‘employers and managers’ backgrounds.”
The total number of admissions from traditionally underrepresented groups – which includes those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, disabled students and mature students – was 23.4 per cent. Nine per cent of those came from the socioeconomic category.
According to Lisa Keane, the Post-Entry Coordinator for the Trinity Access Programme (TAP), which works to enable those who come from underrepresented socioeconomic groups to come to Trinity, this is important in understanding Trinity’s progress in the area.
Speaking to The University Times, Keane said: “Trinity originally had a quota of 15 per cent of non-traditional students. In a very short amount of time, thanks to the type of management there is and the focus on widening participation in college, we’re now working towards 25 per cent by 2019.”
Pointing to a number of different reasons for the figures, Keane said that while within TAP “numbers are increasing within the quotas” set by the university, there is still a need to expand the entrance opportunities for disadvantaged students.
Keane pointed to the existence of schemes that have helped to increase access, such as the Higher Education Access Route (Hear), which offers college places and extra college support to school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and the Disability Access Route to Education (Dare) scheme, which fulfils a similar function and is catered towards students with a disability. Keane commented that though helpful, these may not always cover as many students as they could: “[They’re] wonderful schemes, but some students from those groups do not meet the requirements for that scheme.”
She also spoke about Trinity’s foundation courses, which provide alternative routes for young adults whose social, economic and cultural experiences have prevented them from going to college, saying that “they’re there to alleviate these kinds of blockages, but they have capacity in that they can only take a certain number each year.” More emphasis on alternative access routes to the traditional CAO would improve the situation, she argues.
Keane cited the “crippling” impact of cuts to higher education: “If they’re key issues, those issues are going to be felt much more severely by those on the fringes here, and they’re the groups that they’re talking about.”
Other significant findings from the report included a continued increase in the number of students registering with the Disability Service since it was founded. Since 2000, usage has grown from 222 students to over 1,299. According to Crawford this trend is “most likely a reflection of the excellent service provided as well as a reduction in stigma around disclosing disability”.
The report found that 8.5 per cent of undergraduates and 4.4 per cent of postgraduates were registered with the service. Male students were overrepresented, making up 47 per cent of users. The report showed that 58 per cent of the student population was female, meaning that the near 50-50 split in those using the service did not reflect College demographics overall.
Most students registered with the service did so due to a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia. However, 21 per cent of students, the second largest group, were registered with the service for mental health reasons.
The report moreover had provided interesting insight into gender and ethnicity both among students and staff. The report found, for example, that even though women make up 58 per cent of the student body, they only comprised 49 per cent of scholarship and Gold Medal awardees respectively, a relative underrepresentation given their predominance. Seventy-three per cent of Fellows are male and only 22 per cent of Chair Professors are female, though this marks a 13 per cent increase from 2012.
Speaking to The University Times via email, Secretary of the Scholars Committee, Samuel Johnston, commented on the underrepresentation of women among scholars: “Generally speaking, it seems to be the case that men are slightly more likely to put themselves forward to sit the exams”, he went on to highlight that this was not an issue that had been overlooked by college authorities, saying that “senior lecturers often place emphasis on attempting to encourage greater numbers of women to sit the exams.”
In terms of staff appointments, the report found that over 80 per cent of applicants for employment in the university were white, and over 97 per cent of eventual appointees were of that same ethnicity. A further 11 per cent of applicants but only one per cent of appointees were Asian. Approximately one per cent of applicants and one per cent of appointees were black, and five applicants, zero appointees, were members of the travelling community, marking these groups as the least represented among College staff.
Widening participation of underrepresented groups in undergraduate programmes is a key objective in Trinity’s Strategic Plan 2014-19. College has worked to achieve this through programmes like TAP, which has operated for 17 years.
Last year, it was announced that Lady Margaret Hall, a constituent college of the University of Oxford would collaborate with Trinity on a four-year pilot scheme modelled on TAP. The scheme will see students from underrepresented backgrounds offered a “foundation year” at the university in the hopes of attracting a wider range of students from underrepresented groups.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line527
|
__label__wiki
| 0.80751
| 0.80751
|
Madonna at The Wiltern
Madonna Tickets
This upcoming November concert season is about to heat up when Madonna comes to The Wiltern in Los Angeles California to deliver a Monday evening of heart-pounding and breathtaking entertainment. This live concert appearance will be bringing the very top in musical talent and relentless passion and star power to offer fans their latest chance to witness what critics are calling the can’t-miss-premiere of 2019. But if you can’t believe the hype, then just look at what social media outlets are saying as fans sing praises to Madonna for never failing to bring the thunder and blow their minds with their unmistakable sound. So if you love epic music and want to experience the top concert performance this year, then make sure to clear your schedules and mark your calendars for Monday 25th November 2019. You can order your tickets today, by clicking the Buy Tickets button below. But don’t delay, because it’s no surprise that tickets are already flying off the shelves.
The Wiltern is the home of some of the unrivalled live in concert performances in all of Los Angeles California. That’s because this venue has a phenomenal sound system and some of the most engaging lighting and atmosphere around, which does a great job of pulling fans into the show. This attention to detail is more than enough to prove why The Wiltern is often rated highly on top 10 lists for best venue. But let’s not forget the star talent who always wind up on the illustrious The Wiltern stage each time they come to town. The very best in local and national talent has graced their stage and delighted fans from all across the country earning this venue praise for providing consistently high-quality entertainment. So if you love this genre of music or want to see Madonna live in concert at their very best, then you can’t miss out on this appearance. Click the Buy Tickets button below to order your tickets, today!
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line531
|
__label__cc
| 0.687379
| 0.312621
|
Hopsin - Hop Is Back
Posted by admin on May 10, 2019, 9:16 pm
DOWNLOAD on iTunes - http://apple.co/2e0wKXM
http://www.facebook.com/hellohopsin
http://www.twitter.com/hopsin
http://www.instagram.com/hopsinson
Directed by Hopsin & @George_Orozco
DP by Justin Jones
Music Video Produced by Moses Isreal
Special Effects by Kevin Tonkin
Knock Madness is the third studio album by American rapper Hopsin. It was released on November 24, 2013, by Funk Volume and distributed by Empire Distribution. Hopsin has said that the overall vibe of the album is different from his previous album Raw and that he has said all he needs to about leaving Ruthless Records. The album contains guest appearances from rappers SwizZz, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton, and Tech N9ne, among others. Like its predecessors, the album's production was entirely handled by Hopsin himself.
Knock Madness was supported by three singles, "Old Friend", "Hop Is Back", and "Rip Your Heart Out", the last of which features Tech N9ne. Hopsin also supported the album with the Fuck It Tour with Yelawolf, and the Knock Madness Tour. Knock Madness was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. The album also peaked at number 76 on the US Billboard 200
2013 10s Hopsin Hip-Hop
Tap/Click a tab for more artist info.
Artist name tag goes to the artist page.
Like / Share / Comment
Artist: Hopsin
Video title: Hop Is Back
Facebook Like & Comments
Share on/Post to Facebook
Category: Hip-Hop
Video Not Working? Click to report it!
"Hopsin" info
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line534
|
__label__wiki
| 0.575455
| 0.575455
|
Protests Erupt in Over 1,500 Cities Worldwide
Posted by admin on October 17, 2011 in World Events · 1 Comments
Posted Oct. 16, 2011, 1:08 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
http://occupywallst.org/article/tahrir-square-times-square-protests-erupt-over-150/
Tens of Thousands in Streets of Times Square, NY
Tens of Thousands Flood the Streets of Global Financial Centers, Capitol Cities and Small Towns to “Occupy Together” Against Wall Street Mid-Town Manhattan Jammed as Marches Converge in Times Square
New York, NY — After triumphing in a standoff with the city over the continued protest of Wall Street at Liberty Square in Manhattan’s financial district, the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread world wide today with demonstrations in over 1,500 cities globally and over 100 US cities from coast to coast. In New York, thousands marched in various protests by trade unions, students, environmentalists, and community groups. As occupiers flocked to Washington Square Park, two dozen participants were arrested at a nearby Citibank while attempting to withdraw their accounts from the global banking giant.
Occupy Bucharest
“I am occupying Wall Street because it is my future, my generations’ future, that is at stake,” said Linnea Palmer Paton, 23, a student at New York University. “Inspired by the peaceful occupation of Tahrir Square in Cairo, tonight we are are coming together in Times Square to show the world that the power of the people is an unstoppable force of global change. Today, we are fighting back against the dictators of our country – the Wall Street banks – and we are winning.”
New Yorkers congregated in assemblies organized by borough, and then flooded the subway system en mass to join the movement in Manhattan. A group calling itself Todo Boricua Para Wall Street marched as a Puerto Rican contingent of several hundred playing traditional music and waving the Lares flag, a symbol of resistance to colonial Spain. “Puerto Ricans are the 99% and we will continue to join our brothers and sisters in occupying Wall Street,” said David Galarza Santa, a trade unionist from Sunset Park, Brooklyn. “We are here to stand with all Latinos, who are being scapegoated by the 1%, while it is the bankers who have caused this crisis and the banks who are breaking the law.”
While the spotlight is on New York, “occupy” actions are also happening all across the Midwestern and the Southern United States, from Ashland, Kentucky to Dallas, Texas to Ketchum, Idaho. Four hundred Iowans marched in Des Moines, Iowa Saturday as part of the day of action:
“People are suffering here in Iowa. Family farmers are struggling, students face mounting debt and fewer good jobs, and household incomes are plummeting,” said Judy Lonning a 69-year-old retired public school teacher. “We’re not willing to keep suffering for Wall Street’s sins. People here are waking up and realizing that we can’t just go to the ballot box. We’re building a movement to make our leaders listen.”
Protests filled streets of financial districts from Berlin, to Athens, Auckland to Mumbai, Tokyo to Seoul. In the UK over 3,000 people attempted to occupy the London Stock Exchange. “The financial system benefits a handful of banks at the expense of everyday people,” said Spyro Van Leemnen, a 27-year old public relations agent in London and a core member of the demonstrators. “The same people who are responsible for the recession are getting away with massive bonuses. This is fundamentally unfair and undemocratic.”
In South Africa, about 80 people gathered at the Johannesburg Securities Exchange, Talk Radio 702 reported. Protests continued despite police efforts to declare the gathering illegal. In Taiwan, organizers drew several hundred demonstrators, who mostly sat quietly outside the Taipei World Financial Center, known as Taipei 101.
600 people have begun an occupation of Confederation Park in Ottawa, Canada today to join the global day of action. “I am here today to stand with Indigenous Peoples around the world who are resisting this corrupt global banking system that puts profits before human rights,” said Ben Powless, Mohawk citizen and indigenous youth leader. “Native Peoples are the 99%, and we’ve been resisting the 1% since 1492. We’re marching today for self- determination and dignity against a system that has robbed our lands, poisoned our waters, and oppressed our people for generations. Today we join with those in New York and around the world to say, No More!”
In Australia, about 800 people gathered in Sydney’s central business district, carrying cardboard banners and chanting “Human need, not corporate greed.” Protesters will camp indefinitely “to organize, discuss and build a movement for a different world, not run by the super-rich 1%,” according to a statement on the Occupy Sydney website.
Occupy Toronto
The movement’s success is due in part to the use of online technologies and international social networking. The rapid spread of the protests is a grassroots response to the overwhelming inequalities perpetuated by the global financial system and transnational banks. More actions are expected in the coming weeks, and the Occupation of Liberty Square in Manhattan will continue indefinitely.
Occupy Wall Street is a people powered movement that began on September 17, 2011 in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District, and has spread to over 100 cities in the United States and actions in over 1,500 cities globally. #OWS is fighting back against the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process, and the role of Wall Street in creating an economic collapse that has caused the greatest recession in generations.The movement is inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, Greece, Italy and the UK, and aims to expose how the richest 1% of people who are writing the rules of the global economy are imposing an agenda of neoliberalism and economic inequality that is foreclosing our future.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line543
|
__label__cc
| 0.546466
| 0.453534
|
Report of first doctor to help felled Lincoln found
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
Researcher Helena Iles Papaioannou was digging through records from the Office of the Surgeon General in the National Archives when she found the 21-page report of Dr. Charles A. Leale, the first doctor to attend Abraham Lincoln in the presidential box at Ford’s Theater after he was shot by John Wilkes Booth. Leale first wrote up the events of the tragic night of April 14, 1865 the next morning, just a few hours after Lincoln’s death. He sent the report to the Surgeon General’s Office and they filed a “true copy” — an exact copy handwritten by a clerk — in their correspondence files where it remained in obscurity until now.
Papaioannou is a researcher for The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, an ambitious project started by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency that aims to locate and digitize every single document written by or to Abraham Lincoln during his lifetime. Their researchers look through box after box of unrecorded papers that could include Lincoln-related documents, going as far afield as Japan in their quest.
Dr. Leale’s report was in one of hundreds of archive boxes containing incoming correspondence received by the Office of the Surgeon General between 1775 and 1959. The box was labeled “Letters Received, 1818-1889” and the report was filed under “L” for Leale. She recognized that it was an interesting document of the assassination, but she did not realize that it was the only one of its kind and had never been published before.
Other than filing the original report, Leale only shared his view of the events publicly twice in his lifetime. The first time was in July of 1867, when he sent Benjamin Butler’s Assassination Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives a cover letter and report “principally copied from (a never published) one written by me [Leale] a few hours after leaving his [Lincoln’s] death bed….” That report was never published since Butler’s aim was not so much to gather new information about the assassination, but rather to collect evidence implicating President Andrew Johnson in Lincoln’s murder. He was one of the seven prosecutors in Johnson’s subsequent impeachment trial, giving a four-hour opening statement when the trial started on March 30, 1868.
The second time was the first fully public airing of Dr. Leale’s recollections. He spoke of the assassination in a speech to the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States in 1909, the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. This is the version that was published and has gone down in history as Leale’s testimony. A lot of time had passed, though, and his 1909 story embellishes his role.
Dr. Leale’s original report, on other hand, is meticulous in documenting events in the theater and the Petersen house where Lincoln was moved as well as the medical details, the kind of document you’d expect an army doctor — Leale was in charge of the Wounded Commissioned Officers’ Ward at the United States Army General Hospital in Armory Square, Washington, D.C. — to file with the Surgeon General. Although it’s filled with the pathos and drama of that night, the report isn’t written in the sentimental melodramatic language that would become staples in later iterations.
I immediately ran to the Presidents box and as soon as the door was opened was admitted and introduced to Mrs. Lincoln when she exclaimed several times, “O Doctor, do what you can for him, do what you can!” I told her we would do all that we possibly could.
When I entered the box the ladies were very much excited. Mr. Lincoln was seated in a high backed arm-chair with his head leaning towards his right side supported by Mrs. Lincoln who was weeping bitterly. Miss Harris was near her left and behind the President.
While approaching the President I sent a gentleman for brandy and another for water.
When I reached the President he was in a state of general paralysis, his eyes were closed and he was in a profoundly comatose condition, while his breathing was intermittent and exceedingly stertorous. I placed my finger on his right radial pulse but could perceive no movement of the artery. As two gentlemen now arrived, I requested them to assist me to place him in a recumbent position, and as I held his head and shoulders, while doing this my hand came in contact with a clot of blood near his left shoulder.
Supposing that he had been stabbed there I asked a gentleman to cut his coat and shirt off from that part, to enable me if possible to check the hemorrhage which I supposed took place from the subclavian artery or some of its branches.
Before they had proceeded as far as the elbow I commenced to examine his head (as no wound near the shoulder was found) and soon passed my fingers over a large firm clot of blood situated about one inch below the superior curved line of the occipital bone.
The coagula I easily removed and passed the little finger of my left hand through the perfectly smooth opening made by the ball, and found that it had entered the encephalon.
As soon as I removed my finger a slight oozing of blood followed and his breathing became more regular and less stertorous. The brandy and water now arrived and a small quantity was placed in his mouth, which passed into his stomach where it was retained.
Read a transcript of the entire report in this pdf file. Scroll almost all the way down this page to see each page of the report scanned in high resolution, courtesy of The Papers of Abraham Lincoln’s laudable commitment to digitization.
Posted in Modern(ish) | 8 Comments »
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line544
|
__label__cc
| 0.676949
| 0.323051
|
Taking The Plunge – The London Escape Artist
It’s been a long while since I wrote a blog post, apologies for my disappearance. It’s been an exciting few months, rather mad and hectic but all in a good way. In the middle of last year my boyfriend (The Woodfashioner) and I came to the decision to leave London, not a decision taken lightly and one mixed with lots of apprehensions along the lines of…. ‘how will we survive without the bright lights and the hustle and bustle?’ ‘will life without our beloved London be too quiet and unsatisfying?’ But when faced with the prospect of being able to buy our own home (by the sea no less), an impossible scenario for us in London despite being on relatively good wages and having saved a fairly decent deposit (thanks to The Woodfashioner’s Mum putting up with us under her roof for the last two years), the apprehensions soon began to wane.
Lots of research went into possible areas, combined with lots of day trips, finally we came upon Harwich. An Essex town, known for its international port with the ferry to The Hook of Holland. It’s a town full of character with beautiful Historic Harwich one way and your classic English high street in Dovercourt the other, whilst being surrounded be sea, for us it seemed like it had it all on first glance. But despite this the worries were still there, mainly being that it would be too quiet after a London life, but it soon became apparent that maybe the slower pace of life with fresh sea air and friendly people might not be such a bad thing and actually one that we may possibly really relish. So just putting the worries down to the big changes that were on the horizon, we cracked on, and after a few months of looking and a few heartbreaks we finally found our dream home, ticking all the boxes. It was by no means ready to go, but we could see the potential and we wanted somewhere we could put our own stamp on, owned by a lovely man for over 50 years it had been truly loved and we know we are going to love it just as much.
A little glimpse at where to find Harwich…
On the 23rd December we very excitingly got the nod, the house was finally ours, definitely goes down as the best Christmas present ever!
Our new road, new keys and some very excited faces…
Our walk to our lovely local pub The Alma….
Lovely splashes of colour in Old Harwich….
This was it we were taking the plunge!
The life change also came with other big decisions, I had a full time job in London where I was Head of Locations at a location agency, finding locations for photographic and film shoots, where I had been for 6 years. Alongside this, as you know, I have been a vintage dealer working at markets at the weekends and trying to build an online presence, the dream has always been to do this full time, but the courage to do so is another thing. With this embarkment on a new life the courage came and finally I have taken the plunge, more about this is my next post on our new life by the sea. The Woodfashioner has been running his own business for the last few years but always based in London so another big decision for him, but one he has relished and now he is kitted out with his own new workshop, all to himself, unlike London where this was impossible due to the ludicrous rents.
The Woodfashioner contemplating our new life ahead….
It’s not been without its challenges which we are still discovering but so far we couldn’t be happier, life is relaxed, people have time for you, we get to see the sea everyday and I get my fix of London a couple of times a week with Spitalfields and Covent Garden Market. More to follow on the trials and tribulations of a London escape artist but for now a glimpse of Old Harwich…
Mid Century Wares And A Mid Century Affair
12 Jun in Uncategorised, Vintage Homeware
Pancakes Aren’t Just For Pancake Day
07 Mar in Uncategorised
An Edible Bloom
16 Sep in Uncategorised
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line548
|
__label__cc
| 0.626978
| 0.373022
|
The Paranormal Guide
Bigfoot, the Yeti and other cryptid "Wildmen", Part Three
Part Three: For centuries the Sherpa people of Nepal have held fear of a monster - a huge creature that is at least eight feet tall, covered in hair, strong enough to kill a yak with a single blow and said to make blood-curdling cries at night.
This is the Yeti.
'Mountain Man'
(Did you miss part one and two? Begin reading here: Bigfoot, the Yeti and other Cryptid Wildmen)
Drawing of a Yeti.
Home to a number of the highest mountain peaks in our world, including Mount Everest, the Himalayan mountain range crosses into and through five countries, including India, China and Pakistan. Made up of hundreds of mountains, lakes, glaciers and valleys, it is a place shrouded in natural beauty. Several sites are found within the area that are of spiritual importance to several religions, and a wide variety of unique flora and fauna species are found here.
It is here that for centuries the Sherpa people of Nepal have lived in fear of a monster, a huge creature that is said to be similar to the Bigfoot seen by many in North America. The creature is said to be at least eight feet tall, covered in grey or dark-coloured hair and said to make blood-curdling cries at night, usually right before livestock are found dead. The beast is said to be capable of killing yaks with a single blow, and even hunt local villagers. It is enmeshed in the local mythology and traditions, with the creature appearing in many stories of a "wildman" that was revered as a God, appearing in many Tibetan tapestries found in monasteries in Asia.
It is called the Yeti.
Translated it means "mountain man".
One of the footprints found in 1951.
The creature came to be called "The Abominable Snowman" by Westerners in 1921, after a reporter, writing an article about explorers attempting to be the first to scale the north face of Mount Everest, mis-translated a Sherpa word and coined the phrase in the description of a "snowman" said to have made tracks found by the expedition team. This crew was certainly not the first, and wouldn't be the last, to find evidence of a strange entity trekking through the area, as over the last 150 years a great number of people have reported seeing the creature, as well as making casts and taking photos of footprints spanning miles through the snowy terrain. It has even been reported that hair samples from the monster have been recovered.
Western interest in the possibility of a bi-pedal hominid roaming the mountain range grew when in 1951, mountaineer Eric Shipton, while on his fifth expedition on Mount Everest, photographed tracks of prints at 20,000 ft above sea level, estimated to be twelve inches long by five inches wide, spanning a couple of miles or so. These photographs are in some eyes the most compelling evidence to support the existence of Yeti, and have in the years since been the subject of heavy debate in the scientific community. Some believe the tracks were made by a known animal, such as a mountain ape or a bear, and were distorted by the melting ice and snow.
Yeti Scalp held in the Khumjung Monastery.
In March 1954 stories began circulating that expedition teams in Nepal had acquired hair samples from a Yeti scalp hidden in a monastery, however it is claimed that it was identified as hair coming from a antelope like creature common to the region. A Yeti hand, faeces and bones are said to have also been found on expeditions, all being tested with inconclusive results.
Scientists consider the Yeti to be nothing more than a legend, and maintain there is little hard evidence to support its existence. Sightings of the creature are put down to mis-identification with the Tibetan Blue Bear or mountain gorillas, and some purported Yeti hairs recovered have been proven to have a 100% DNA match with a sample taken from a jawbone found in Norway of an ancient species of polar bear, suggesting that the Yeti is indeed a bear, perhaps a rare species. However, many Western eyewitnesses and Sherpa natives maintain that they know the difference between what they are seeing and bears.
The Yeti is considered by many to be a more dangerous version of hominid, with many Sherpa women claiming to have been attacked or had their hair pulled by the creature, however in many more recent accounts the beast is said to flee in terror at the sight of humans, with it being seen jumping over crevasses to get away!
What are your thoughts on the Yeti?
Tibetan myth?
Or could a monster be hiding in the remote region of the Himalayas?
Please post your comments below!
Matty Sweeney has written many articles for The Paranormal Guide and has a interest in all things mysterious and macabre. Many of his articles explore unsolved mysteries, cryptozoology and UFOlogy.
Matty resides in the Riverland, South Australia, a place with a few mysteries of its own...
You can find more about Matty and his research at 'Marvels and the Macabre with Matty'
The Paranormal Guide Articles
Here you will find all of the articles written for The Paranormal Guide on all things paranormal, strange, dark, macabre, weird, strange and bizarre!
All photos with the blog posts remain the property of their respectful owners. If one of your photos is featured here without attribution please leave a comment on the blog and full credit will be given.
Bizarre Experiments
Cursed And Haunted Objects
Curses Demons And Exorcisms
Earth Mysteries
Fakes Frauds And Hoaxes
Ghosts Ghouls And Demons
Interesting And Inspiring People
My Paranormal
Paranormal Photos
Paranormal Vocabulary
Phobias And Philias
Post Mortem Practices
Psychics Predictions And Seers
Questions And Discussions
Spirituality And Miracles
Strange And Macabre Places
Strange And Tragic Deaths
This Week In Dark History
True Crime And Punishment
Ufos And Aliens
Urban Legend Superstition And Folklore
Weird Odd And Bizarre
Ashley Hall -
Ashley Hall explores The Paranormal, True Crime, Strange Deaths, Dark History, The Weird, The Strange and The Bizarre! Fact or Fiction? You decide!
Matty Sweeney
Peet Banks
Nic Hume
Check out The Paranormal Guide Podcast and join three paranormal investigators and researchers for honest and raw discussions on all things paranormal, strange, dark and macabre HERE!
Please note that dates are from when the article was originally made.
The Paranormal Guide does have posts all the way up to the current date.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line549
|
__label__cc
| 0.603834
| 0.396166
|
To view the documents about our Group
VIEW IN PDF
Constitutional Documents - Memorandum of Association
Constitutional Documents - Bye-Laws
Procedures For A Shareholder To Propose A
Person For Election As A Director
Pursuant to the Company's Bye-Law 85, a Notice signed by a Member (other than the person to be proposed) duly qualified to attend and vote at the meeting for which such notice is given of his intention to propose such person for election and also such notice signed by the person to be proposed of his willingness to be elected shall have been lodged at the head office at Rooms 1103-05, 11th Floor, East Town Building, 41 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong or at the Registration Office at Rooms 1712-16, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Hong Kong provided that the minimum length of the period, during which such Notice(s) are given, shall be at least seven (7) days and that (if the Notice(s) are submitted after the dispatch of the notice of the general meeting appointed for such election) the period for lodgment of such Notice(s) shall commence on the day after the dispatch of the notice of the general meeting appointed for such election and end no later than seven (7) days prior to the date of such general meeting.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line551
|
__label__wiki
| 0.93237
| 0.93237
|
Published · Thursday, July 11, 2019 02:39 PM
After announcing the return of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking 2015 Olivier award nominated musical Cats to Manila, producers have just revealed the full cast for the Manila season. CATS plays for a strictly limited season at The Theatre at Solaire beginning 6th November 2019.
World-renowned theatre star and the Philippines’ very own Joanna Ampil reprises her role as Grizabella. Joanna Ampil has performed in several West End musicals, including Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar and Avenue Q, and she played the role of Fantine in Les Misérables in London.
Joining her in the cast are Luke Fraser Yates, George Hinson, Gavin Eden, Kirsty Ingram, Elizabeth Futter, Sally Frith, Erica-Jayne Alden, Amy Whittle, Ellie Young, Holly Willock, Danielle Cato, Gabrielle Coca, Cian Hughes, Rhys Batten, Thomas Inge, Mukeni Nel, Lloyd Davies, Abigail Dever, Alexandra Wright, Elly Shaw, Liam Buckland, Lee Nicholson, and Brian O’Muiri. Resident director is Dane Quixall.
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Cats first returned to the West End in December 2014 reuniting the original creative team - Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Following a second season at the London Palladium in 2015 and a UK Tour in 2016, the production embarked on an international tour in 2017 and now continues to tour the world throughout 2018 and 2019.
On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
Cats, one of the longest-running shows in West End and on Broadway, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical, and ran for eighteen years. Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 15 languages and has been seen by over 73 million people world-wide. Both the original London and Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album. The classic Lloyd Webber score includes Memory which has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow.
The international tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre production of CATS is again presented by David Ian Productions.
RCBC Bankard is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Manila season of CATS.
for other info you may visit www.catsthemusical.com
Repertory Philippines Kicks Off Its Second Wave of 2018 Summer Workshops
Bibeth Orteza Joins the Cast of “Silent Sky”
Ampalaya Monologues Celebrates 2nd Anniversary With ‘Two Is Bitter Than One’ On October 14
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line557
|
__label__wiki
| 0.688333
| 0.688333
|
Monoliths
The Lost City
Mysterious disappearances
UFO crash in New Mexico
What killed the young pharaoh ?
Who is Behind The Murders ?
The Ghost Ship
Iron Mask
Eustache Dauger
Neanderthal
What Secret Hides the Legendary Monument ?
Did They Really Exist ?
The Assassination of John F Kennedy
Is It Real ?
The Sinner Denigrated by the Church
The Predictions of Michel de Nostredame
Olmec
The Oldest Civilization of Meso America
The Moai of Rapa Nui
The Decline of the Mayan Civilization
The Most Secret Military Zone In The World
Labyrinths are mysterious and have a special meaning in psychoanalysis. Dream of a labyrinth means that the elements of a mysterious case will unravel. Being in a labyrinth means that a mystery will be solved while finding the exit of a labyrinth means that the uncertainties will find their answer. But where does this concept of labyrinth that everybody knows come from?
The mystery of the labyrinth begins with that of his name. No satisfactory explanation has been found so far, yet many scholars have tried to give it meaning. The debate still persists among experts as to the Egyptian or Cretan or even Mycenaean origins of the Labyrinth. It was in 1739 that a professor at the college of Reims believed discerning in the word labyrinth the term BIRANTA (the Tower), which would have been according to him a building sheltering the Egyptian priests in charge of studying the celestial vault. Another genesis of the labyrinth, granted to the Egyptologist Brugsch, takes root in the phrase of seven hieroglyphs pronounced lapi-ro-hun-t. This sign sequence translates as the "temple at the outfall of the body of water" and applies as much to Egypt as to Crete. However, there is nothing to support this theory that can be found on the monuments of the Nile Valley or elsewhere.
Labyrinth of Egypt
There are more than five hundred labyrinths of all kinds in the world. One of the most spectacular and mysterious labyrinths in history is the Labyrinth of Egypt, also called the 8th Wonder of the World. This monument, which can be described as megalithic, was built under Amenemhat III, pharaoh of the twelfth dynasty, who ruled between 1850 and 1800 BC according to the current chronology. It is therefore contemporary to the Stonehenge stone circle. There are few official descriptions of the labyrinth of Egypt. It is believed to have been built 6 km to the south-east of Crocodilopolis, the city of sacred crocodiles. Unfortunately, today only a few remains of granite columns have escaped the exploitation of this monument as a quarry since Roman times. Apparently, one of the best descriptions that could be read would be due to a geographer named Strabon who would have visited it before the beginning of our era. The labyrinth would be three hundred paces long and two hundred and forty wide. It would rise on the edge of the famous artificial lake of Moeris charged with regulating the flow of the Nile, flanked at its northern extremity of the pyramid of Hawara raised by Amenemhat III. Here is an excerpt from Strabon's texts:
"I saw near Lake Moeris, near the tomb of the king who built it, this labyrinth which in no way yields to the pyramids. It is a gigantic palace divided into twelve parts, as many as provinces, or Nomes, in this country. Each of them has an equal number of rooms, contiguous and supported by heavy pillars. They are aligned along a common wall, forming a single building. Innumerable covered avenues are tangled in front of their facades, whose sinuous corridors intersect so that no stranger can find his way there or leave without a guide. The most extraordinary thing is that the ceiling of each of these rooms is made of a single and formidable stone. The galleries are also covered over their entire length of huge slabs, without any intervention of wood or other materials. If one climbs on the roof, accessible because there is no floor, one can see only a huge field of recumbent stones. This roof itself is carried by twenty-seven monoliths, besides the external supports which are just as prodigious ... "
According to legend, there is an underground floor that houses a gallery still more tangled than on the surface. Access would have been forbidden to travelers in the time of the Pharaohs and the splendor of the labyrinth. The guards refused entry on the pretext that the cellars serve as an eternal resting place for the royal tombs and as a cemetery for sacred crocodiles. The endless maze would have had as its first utility to prevent anyone from coming ransacked sarcophagi. According to Egyptian mythology, the crocodile Sobek was, like the Minotaur, the Devourer ...
A strange discovery
In July 2008, on the island of Crete, an exceptional find challenged the imagination of etymologists. An Italian archaeologist named Luigi Pernier, exhuming the fantastic ruins of the palace of Phaestos on the southern coast, discovered a strange clay object in an underground chamber that he supposed to be that of the Royal Archives. It is a kind of disc measuring sixteen centimeters and in which is engraved on each side, a spiral which is sort of like a four thousand years old five round macro-furrow. This strange object is also punching two hundred and forty-one mysterious symbols: squares, chisels, fish, leaves and flowers, scissors, men, axes ... Eminent scholars have quickly believed, wrongly, that this mysterious circular tablet holds nothing less than the key of the Labyrinth. This discovery reinforces the thesis of traditionalists who, based on mythology, place the location of the labyrinth of Crete in the vicinity of the immense cave of Gortyne, the cave of the Minotaur. Historians have traditionally shared the location of the Cretan labyrinth between supporters of Knossos, near Candia, in Greek Heraklion, and defenders of Gortyne, which lies 40 km further south.
Gortyn
Gortyn is a huge Cretan cave, dug under a hill and located east of the village of Haghii Deka, where it is possible to explore multiple galleries that intersect each other. It is possible to get there by taking the Heraklion road towards Ambelousa and Mount Ida. Access, however, requires a difficult walk of about an hour. Classic Greek mythology associates this place with the cave of the Minotaur, half-man and half-bull monster, which was locked and kept eternally prisoner in the labyrinth by the king Minos so that nobody ever discovers its existence. Many of the graffiti that can be read on the walls of the cave date back to the Middle Ages. The stones used to build the cities of Knossos and Gortyn would come, according to some, from this career. The scholar of Tournefort, who visited these places in the early eighteenth century, leaves us a vivid description:
"... We enter this labyrinth by a natural opening seven or eight feet wide, so low that only a man of mediocre height could pass without bending over ... A kind of rustic cave appears first and does not mark nothing singular; but as we move forward, this place seems quite surprising. These are only detours, whose main alley, less embarrassing than the others, leads by a path of about 1,200 steps to the bottom of the labyrinth, two large and beautiful rooms, where foreigners rest with pleasure ... "
And his text concludes with these terms:
"We must not believe that the labyrinth we just described is the one that the Elders spoke about. "
In 1878, a Greek merchant bearing the predestined name of Minos, discovered with amazement the remains of the palace of Knossos. Located 5 km south-east of Heraklion, the palace of Knossos is commonly identified with the origins of the labyrinth. It took 22 years before the excavations, initiated by the British School of Athens and led by Evans, began. An asphalt road leads to the site which is left on an elevation. It is a vast five-storey complex, built around the second millennium BC, so contemporary with the labyrinth of Egypt, but which has little analogy with it except the square plan. The quadrangle of Knossos, with no less than 1300 rooms and innumerable corridors leading to a huge central courtyard, corresponds much better to the concept and traditional image that people have of the labyrinth ...
Riddles ©2019 Worlds-Greatest-Riddles.Com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line558
|
__label__wiki
| 0.532241
| 0.532241
|
Does That Avatar Really Like That Brand? The FTC Endorsement Guidelines in the New Age of Virtual Influencers
Meet Lil’ Miquela.
She has 1.2 million Instagram followers: She’s modeled such famous brands as Diesel, Versace, Fendi and Chanel. In March, she appeared in a fashion spread in V Magazine as “The Face of New Age Logomania.” Last month she talked her audience through the latest GIF sets from Prada in Milan.
Also meet Shudu.
She has 125k Instagram followers. Last week she finished a fashion editorial for Women’s Wear Daily. She came to attention when Fenty (Rihanna’s beauty line) reposted an image of her wearing its lipstick, which received an astounding 222,000 likes on Instagram.
But don’t try to meet these models in person. They’re avatars. Computer generated images (CGI). Designed by artists and built by computers. But they can strike a pose and sell products almost as well as any flesh and blood supermodel.
CGI influencers present the common situation where the law cannot keep up with technology. The first traffic laws came after the first automobiles. The state of Georgia initially classified cars as “ferocious animals.” By the 1920’s there were over 130,000 cars on the road trying to cope with the mayhem of some laws requiring driving on the right, while others on the left; and different traffic signs and signal lights in different cities. Today, the government is trying to figure out how to deal with the latest technology — self-driving cars. Bob Iger, Mickey Mouse’s step-father, has said, “The heart and soul of the company is creativity and innovation.” And, oh boy, have virtual influencer models become a creative and innovative way to keep lawmakers on their toes.
The FTC’s Revised Endorsement and Testimonial Guides define an endorsement as “any advertising message … that consumers are likely to believe reflects the opinions, beliefs, findings, or experiences of a party other than the sponsoring advertiser … The party whose opinions, beliefs, findings, or experience the message appears to reflect will be called the endorser and may be an individual, group, or institution.”
Further, “When there exists a connection between the endorser and the seller of the advertised product that might materially affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement (i.e., the connection is not reasonably expected by the audience), such connection must be fully disclosed.”
But, the virtual influencer is not “an individual, group, or institution” and she cannot have “opinions, beliefs, findings or experiences.” So does that mean that the use of virtual influencers escapes the disclosure requirements under the Guides? Maybe.
But what about the person who creates the avatar, can he/she be an influencer/endorser subject to the Guides? It’s not his/her opinion or experience that is being professed.
And is the connection between the virtual influencer and the brand already evident to consumers because the consumer may be able to tell that Lil’ Miquela isn’t real?
Like the cars v. traffic laws dilemma, the Guides may not have caught up with CGI influencers.
But what about good old reliable deceptive advertising? Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits “a representation, omission, or practice that misleads or is likely to mislead the consumer” Courts have held that deceptive visualization can be actionable, such as posting pictures of the results of product use that are not accurate. There are also some famous lawsuits involving the use of celebrity avatars in advertising/commerce. In 2012, the band No Doubt sued the maker of the video game Band Hero for using computer generated images of them performing songs for players to rock out to. In 1999, the actor Dustin Hoffman sued a magazine publisher for creating a computer generated image of him from the movie Tootsie wearing a fashion designer’s clothes. The picture did state “Dustin Hoffman isn’t a drag in a butter-colored silk gown by Richard Tyler and Ralph Lauren. Hoffman was originally awarded $3 million, but the Ninth Circuit reversed holding that the publisher was protected on First Amendment grounds. A recent law review article took the position that “all CGI’s of deceased celebrity endorsers fall short of the FTC standards for endorsements” because the FTC Guides provide that “the endorser must have been a bona fide user of [the product] at the time the endorsement was given.”
Dead celebrities, real rock bands turned virtual and Dustin Hoffman in drag only scratch the surface of what may be acceptable in virtual reality influencer marketing. We really don’t have a clear legal answer on how to disclose, if necessary, any message that the person you’re seeing isn’t a person and has no opinion about this product.
Some brands may just rely upon the fact that, for now, CGIs cannot be influencers under the law and that a person isn’t deceived when an avatar is pushing its product. Other brands may want to at least disclose that you’re seeing an avatar. Until (god forbid) more regulation is imposed, brands may just have to use their best judgment, like the drivers of yore trying to maneuver without any rules of the road.
Tagged: Advertising, CGI, Computer Generated Images, Deceptive Advertising, Influencers, Instagram, Marketing, Social Media
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line563
|
__label__wiki
| 0.658142
| 0.658142
|
Danny Cox and Brae
January 25 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Danny spent the majority of his early music career as a drummer based out of the Detroit area touring, recording and performing with a multitude of artists which included Bob James, Angela Bofill, Kirk Whalum, Alexander Zonjic, Jonathan Butler, Reo Speedwagon and many others.
In the late 1990s Danny recorded his first collection of songs as a singer/songwriter under the name “Daniel’s Crossing”. Over the years he has released six solo CDs as well as numerous singles. Many of these projects have garnered multiple Detroit Music Awards and have been used in many national TV shows such as Jersey Shore, One Tree Hill, and others.
2016 was a stellar year for Danny’s songwriting. His song “God of Power, Truth and Grace” recorded by Nate Marialke charted on Billboards top 20 Hot Singles Chart and his song “You Make My Heart Sing” was a semi-finalist in the International Song of the Year songwriting contest http://contestresults.songoftheyear.com/dannycox.htm Danny’s music takes you on a beautiful journey of life, love, loss, longing, gratefulness and hope. It is a beautiful ride and one you will want to take over and over again.
http://dannycoxmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Danny-Cox-Music-158853608432/
Brae
Brandon Husken spent years as a drummer in Michigan’s music scene before growing weary from past stalled musical endeavors. That’s when he decided to change his musical direction and began songwriting and composing music in a more personal setting. Songs began to flow, which turned the idea of beginning his own project into reality.
Husken’s songs draw from experience. “It’s a look into what has been and could be.” “The very notion that songs and their meanings can be conveyed in so many different ways to so many different people, is the reason I’ve continued to do it.” “It’s the magic that happens when you listen to a song, it’s similar to a spiritual encounter.” “The same way a person of faith reads their Bible and applies the messages to their lives, a similar encounter happens when hearing a song’s message conveyed.” “The song brings out an emotion in the listener that was already there.” “In reality, music helps release what you already are dealing with, even if the lyrical content has a different meaning.” “Conversely, that’s the difference in comparing music and bible reading, one is speaking direct truth, the other can be subjective.” “However, both cause you to personally relate.”
With the help of friends: Adam Serruys on electric/acoustic, Jon Sheard on electric, Michael Fellsman on bass and Nick Pruett on drums this group of individuals have formed the cohesive unit called Brae. The band who’s name happens to be a nick name for it’s singer/songwriter himself began in 2008 with the release of Catch You In The End. That album was then followed up by: Eating At The World (2010), Another Time And Place (2012), Find A Light(2012) and Mountains From Molehills (2016).
Date: January 25
Danny Cox and Brae – 6 PM ShowThe Crane Wives
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line566
|
__label__wiki
| 0.941895
| 0.941895
|
Microsoft Plots Programmatic Global Expansion, Promotes 'Direct Programmatic' Portal Agreement
by David Kaplan // Tuesday, September 24th, 2013 – 1:17 pm
Microsoft is hoping to gain more traction with higher priced, direct sales inventory on its network by striking an agreement with its fellow portals, AOL and Yahoo, to support technical specifications for automating the buying process around reserved ad sales.
In other words, Microsoft is joining the push toward "premium programmatic" that AOL trumpeted Monday night at its "programmatic upfront" event. During the lavish event, complete with rooftop party on the west side of New York, AOL touted commitments to use programmatic channels for guaranteed inventory by marketers such as LG and Hyatt Hotels, and with five of the six major ad holding companies. (WPP's GroupM is the main hold out, but AOL executives expressed hope for bringing them into the fold, eventually).
Still, Daniel Sheinberg, senior director of display marketplaces at Microsoft, emphasized that the three companies will be doing business independently and will not be combining "premium" inventory via programmatic methods.
"We'd been talking since the spring about our respective efforts around 'premium' programmatic and we wanted to see if the three of us could introduce a standard that the industry could coalesce around," Sheinberg said. "In order to get any traction for the idea that programmatic isn't just about remnant or real-time bidding in the marketplace, it's going to have to be an adjustment by the ecosystem and that's where we're all in agreement."
Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo will adhere to a common set of API specifications for direct programmatic ad sales so that buyers won't have to adjust their technologies when trying to access the portals' respective inventory through automated processes. The three expect to continue to revise the guaranteed programmatic sales specs over time, Sheinberg added, noting that Yieldex, iSocket and MediaMath are participating with the trio on what can best be described as a work in progress.
Secondly, it has nothing to do with the alliance the three initiated two years ago that involved the shared selling of each other’s non-reserved display inventory. While not much has been said about that pact, Sheinberg said that it is still alive and relevant.
"That agreement to leverage each other's remnant inventory through programmatic is very much in place and serves a very different purpose from the one we've just started around direct sales APIs," Sheinberg said. "The earlier project with AOL and Yahoo is about driving scale in our network offerings. It's been successful and we see it continuing."
This new alignment with AOL and Yahoo comes several months after Microsoft sold its ad serving platform Atlas to Facebook. At the time, the thinking was that Microsoft was getting out of the ad tech business after trying to go head to head with Google following the search giant's purchase of DoubleClick in 2007. But Sheinberg said that Microsoft Advertising is forming big plans to build out its AppNexus-powered exchange globally -- it's currently operating in 16 markets around the world -- and across devices.
"Over the next year, we'll be expanding to different markets and ad formats," he said, though he noted that nothing specific has been put in place. Sheinberg also declined to say what amount of programmatic volume goes through the network on monthly basis. "If you think about Microsoft's portfolio of ad offerings, we have just launched Skype on the exchange, and we're working to see what we can do with Xbox and the Windows App Inventory. But at the moment, the focus is on driving more quality inventory. And this is a first step."
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line570
|
__label__wiki
| 0.529959
| 0.529959
|
The Hession Group Page
The Hession Group Group Page
The Hession Group
Helping Women Get Ahead
Craig Styles, Philanthropic Advisor
Supporting the advancement of women and girls is an increasingly popular and worthy goal, but it can be complex from a charitable giving perspective. I recently talked it over with Melanie Schnoll Begun, Head of Philanthropy Management at Morgan Stanley. Here, she shares some ideas about how individuals who have a passion for helping women and girls can define their focus and have the most impact.
Craig Styles: When we talk about organizations that “support women and girls,” what does that typically mean? What kind of work should someone expect to see from an organization focused on supporting women and girls?
Melanie Schnoll Begun: Supporting women and girls through philanthropy can take many forms. It can range from supporting women’s health issues like breast cancer or maternal health, to funding scholarships that encourage more young women to study STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), to advocating for equal pay and upward mobility in the workforce. The key is to think about how specific initiatives supporting women can be incorporated into areas of your overall giving plan like education and healthcare.
CS: Do you typically think about this work in more of a domestic or international context?
MSB: I think of this work as designed to tackle global issues. Issues like maternal health, domestic violence and breast cancer affect women everywhere. I personally support causes that address these issues, and I also believe in investing in organizations that support women entrepreneurs.
CS: Why focus on women and girls as opposed to everyone? How would you respond to those who say this discriminates against men and boys?
MSB: Women’s issues are everyone’s issues. They affect all of our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, friends and neighbors. The reality is women and girls face different challenges than men and boys and those challenges require different solutions. They face health issues like complications of pregnancy and childbirth, which results in more than 300,000 deaths every year, and issues resulting from the fact that many are raising families alone. The solution to these issues can only be achieved by specifically targeting philanthropy towards women and girls. Most importantly, women can’t be alone in supporting women’s and girl’s issues. Men are a big part of the solution!
CS: What are some of the main issues you see facing women and girls in the U.S.?
MSB: In addition to workplace issues, poverty, hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, and criminal justice reform directly affect women and demand attention from the philanthropic community and society at large here in the U.S.
CS: What are some of the main issues you see facing women and girls internationally?
MSB: Access to adequate medical care and sanitation are certainly significant issues. Additionally, many women across the globe cannot legally own property or lack access to basic education.
CS: There’s a lot of rhetoric about supporting whole communities by supporting women, as though they’re a conduit. Can you explain that rationale? Do you agree with it?
MSB: It’s been shown that helping women gain access to financial resources can help them attain higher levels of education and earnings which, in turn, can lead to lower infant mortality rates and improvement in child health and nutrition, According to a Harvard Business Review study, women in emerging markets reinvest 90% of every dollar earned into “human resources”—their families’ education, health and nutrition—compared to only 30-40% of every dollar earned by men.
CS: How can folks start researching different organizations if they want to start getting involved?
MSB: The best place to start is by checking out research and nonprofit ratings websites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator or seek inspiration in publications like Morgan Stanley’s Perspectives in Philanthropy.
Important Information: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or instrument, or to participate in any trading strategy. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or its affiliates. All opinions are subject to change without notice. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
CRC 2069312 03/2018
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line573
|
__label__wiki
| 0.66431
| 0.66431
|
Why has support for the MDC plummeted so much? – By Simukai Tinhu
It looks increasingly unlikely that Morgan Tsvangirai will lead the MDC to the promised land.
Fourteen years ago, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) launched itself onto Zimbabwe’s political scene with great local and international fanfare. The MDC was seen as having given rise to a new understanding of Zimbabwean politics, which sought to explain the vulnerability of President Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU – PF). Not since independence from British rule in 1980, had an opposition party played such a significant role in the Southern African nation’s politics.
Indeed, for the first time ever, ZANU–PF went on to lose a majority in parliament, and its octogenarian leader was relegated to second place after being beaten by MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai in the first round of the 2008 presidential elections. Many Zimbabweans predicted that the MDC juggernaut would sweep to victory in the elections, which have been scheduled to take place at the end of the coalition government (formed after the 2008 elections).
Based on the evidence of voter surveys (notably, Afrobarometer and Freedom House) and some not-so-well-attended MDC political rallies (in comparison to 2002 and 2008 election campaigns), a feeling has developed that the MDC may have indulged in undue optimism. Indeed, the words “˜MDC’ and “˜lose’ are being flung around liberally these days by both local and international analysts.
Why are Zimbabwean voters deserting the MDC?
One contention is that, whilst in government, MDC politicians have been caught up in corruption scandals, which has made some voters doubt the party’s ability to run the country differently from ZANU-PF. Another contention is that ZANU–PF’s populist policies, such as the campaign for the indigenisation of foreign owned companies, have won sympathy from many Zimbabweans, who being largely unemployed, have aspirations towards entrepreneurialism. The MDC’s opposition to this policy has also been propagandised by ZANU–PF as evidence that Tsvangirai’s party is against black empowerment.
In addition, the recently improved performance of the Zimbabwean economy, in comparison to the period prior to the formation of the coalition government in 2008, has been a double edged sword for the MDC. Tsvangirai’s party put forth the argument that with the Finance and Industry ministries in its hands, the party has successfully transformed the economy from an inflationary nightmare to one that has consistently recorded growth (following years of ZANU–PF’s mismanagement), and the land grab policy that destroyed the agriculture sector (formerly the backbone of the economy). However, restoring the economic fortunes of the country has meant the end of the worst food shortages and tackling of hyperinflation. This means that the previously successful message on the need to fix the economy holds less weight.
Lastly, it appears the opposition has been unable to guard against an attack on the person of their leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. ZANU-PF has successfully turned nasty rumours into political currency, damaging Tsvangirai’s political fortunes. For example, the antics of the MDC leader in bed and the caricature of him as indecisive have seen some of his ardent supporters doubting his sincerity and capacity to lead the country.
Even Core Voters deserting MDC
These explanations suggest reasons why Zimbabweans in general are deserting the MDC, but not its core supporters. The majority of the party’s votes have traditionally come from urban areas and the Matabeleland and Midlands regions. Why is it that the attitudes of voters from these areas have changed recently?
Unnoticed, within the last five years, there has been a development that has had a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s political landscape; the mushrooming of urban based Pentecostal churches that target young urbanites doing well economically, or those poor who aspire to do so. These groups have traditionally been the core of the MDC support. Whereas ten years ago, the MDC had the capacity to attract sixty thousand young urban dwellers to a political rally, today it is the Pentecostal church leaders who get the crowds.
Led by the likes of the charismatic Emmanuel Makandiwa and Hubert Angel, these churches have built a strong following of mostly young urbanites, would be MDC voters. One characteristic of the groups is apathy towards politics, particularly as a product of religious teachings, and also a disturbing tendency towards a sort of puritanism that politics cannot provide. These young born-again believers have a moral repulsion towards politicians, and it is not surprising that a promiscuous presidential aspirant will have little chance in winning their vote.
ZANU–PF has also seized on a heightened anti–western mood amongst the young to intensify its portrayal of Tsvangirai as a front for neo-colonialists. Buoyed by the “˜Africa Rising’ meta-narrative, this message appears to be resonating with mostly young and educated Africans, and Zimbabweans are no exception. Judging from the two most recent elections in Africa; Kenya and Zambia, where Uhuru Kenyatta and Michael Sata ran campaigns based on sustained anti–western rhetoric, the MDC might need to devise a strategy to guard itself against being portrayed as its stooges.
The MDC’s alienation of voters from the Mateleland and the Midlands regions appear to have been shaped by a number of factors. First, people from Matebeleland and the Midlands state that they are dissatisfied with the MDC’s failure to secure decentralisation of the state, both politically and constitutionally. Second, voters from these regions, who are predominantly Ndebele speaking, have accused Tsvangirai of not doing enough to ensure that the issue of Gukurahundi, where 2000 civilians were allegedly killed by the state, is resolved or at least kept in the limelight. Third, some of Tsvangirai’s personal behaviour, such as impregnating a 23 year old girl from Matebeleland, denying responsibility and later on admitting that he was the father, seems to have helped reverse inroads that the party had made in this constituency in the last 10 years.
Finally, the Matebeleland and Midlands regions have become targets of competition by the resurrected Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU–PF), a party that was once led by Joshua Nkomo before he was forced into a political union with ZANU–PF, and the smaller MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube, crowding the MDC in the process.
ZANU–PF has its problems too
There have been a number of developments within ZANU–PF, which the MDC should use to increase its leverage and electoral punch. Most important is President Mugabe’s age and health which remain something of a liability for the party. It will be interesting to see how much campaigning Mugabe will be capable of in the run up to the elections. The younger Tsvangirai should use this opportunity to outdo Mugabe on the campaign trail.
Until recently, it was difficult to deny that ZANU–PF had a disproportionate advantage over the nation’s most precious resource; talented politicians. These chilly political entrepreneurs, who tossed aside democracy at the expense of power, have masterminded ZANU–PF’s stranglehold on Zimbabwean politics since 1980. However, some of these leaders have either recently died (Mujuru; Mudenge) or are now old and frail (Shamhuyarira; Murerwa, amongst others) or have deserted the party (Makoni; Dabengwa). Those who have remained have either been thoroughly discredited (Mahoso; Moyo), or fatigued and have withdrawn to the backstage of politics.
What are the Options for the MDC?
There are three possible options for the MDC. The first is to join a “˜coalition of the opposition’ and formulate an effective “˜grand’ campaign strategy that would articulate the parties’ policies using nationalist rhetoric. The advantage of creating an opposition with ZAPU–PF and the smaller MDC formation is that the “˜coalition of opposition forces’ have a chance at retaining votes from the Matabeleland and the Midlands. However, this might be problematic given enmity that exists between Tsvangirai and Ncube.
The second option is to scale back, and to be realistic in terms of what the party wants to win. The MDC must decide if it wants the presidency or a majority in parliament, or both. The reality is that winning the presidency now seems a very difficult task, considering Tsvangirai’s tainted leadership. Indeed, based on recent surveys, his chances are much slimmer than in the last two elections. This leaves the MDC with one option; recapturing the majority in parliament, this time with a much wider gap that will give the party a shot at pushing for reformist legislation. It seems the party will have to wait for Tsvangirai’s svengali, Tendai Biti, probably a more capable leader, to take over if they want to win Presidency too.
The third option is simply to ignore the polls. This “˜strategic denial’ appears to be the course that the MDC has opted for so far. Such a calculus, it appears, is based on the premise that these polls are in most cases wrong.
The shot at winning is long for the MDC
The demise of authoritarianism in Zimbabwe will surely come. But there is little reason to think that the day is near, and even less to think that the opposition MDC is the party that will torpedo the current dictatorship. Today the party is more dysfunctional and commands less authority and support than ever before, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise when it loses, even in a free and fair election.
If the MDC wants to enter the nation’s history books, and not end up as a footnote like Edgar Tekere’s Zimbabwe Unit Movement, they need, sooner rather than later, to win back the hearts and minds of those Zimbabweans who had so much hope and belief in them.
Simukai Tinhu recently graduated from the University of Cambridge with an Mphil in African Studies.
The Ringtone and the Drum: travels in ...
Africa’s fuel subsidies: Grasping the nettle – ...
Mali: military intervention is necessary, inevitable but (until now) impossible – By Gregory Mann
Beyond the Beijing Consensus: The everyday politics of China in Africa
By Magnus Taylor
Nigeria Forum: IDPs, Boko Haram and elections likely to be settled by the courts – By Idayat Hassan
Central African RepublicPolitics
How the Central African Republic can start to end its aid dependency
By Enrica Picco
The Ben Ali Gap: Tunisia’s youth revolution turns over the reins of power to increasingly wrinkled hands – By Brian ...
PoliticsZambia
Zambia’s 2016 elections: is a disputed outcome now inevitable?
Zimbabwe – why have the fortunes of the MDC declined? | Africa - News and Analysis 14 April, 2013 at 15:18
[…] Tinhu recently graduated from the University of Cambridge with an Mphil in African Studies. AA Share this:StumbleUponTumblrPinterestDiggLinkedInGoogle +1MoreTwitterFacebookLike this:Like […]
Making friends in London: is a new rapprochement on Zimbabwe occurring? | zimbabweland 6 May, 2013 at 06:31
[…] Tinhu offered a useful overview in a recent African Arguments piece. Phillan Zamchiya in a very detailed Crisis in Zimbabwe report reckons ZANU-PF is gearing up to win […]
Could China’s slowdown mark the end of Africa’s decade of growth? – By Barbara Njau, Senior Reporter at fDi Magazine, fDi Intelligence
African Arguments Editorial: Congo – elections alone will not fix this broken state
A Controversial Chatham House Report on Sudan
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line574
|
__label__wiki
| 0.580071
| 0.580071
|
Home Events UEFA 2016 Euro Wales top group as England finished second
Wales top group as England finished second
Group B day 3: Russia 0-3 Wales / Slovakia 0-0 England
Wales played their first ever Euro championship and they won the group where odds were not in their favor. Bale has scored in each of the match which nobody else has been able to accomplish so far. As for England, once again they created many chances but were not able to to break the deadlock and had to settle for a draw going through as second.
Chris Coleman, Wales manager reacts
“Our focus was on putting ourselves in a position where we’d have a chance in the last game of making the last 16.
To progress was fantastic, I’ve got to say how proud I was of my players. They were brave in possession and made a lot of chances, on the back of a crushing defeat by England. We enjoyed tonight. As a nation geographically we are small but if you judge us by passion you could say we were a continent tonight”.
Gareth Bale, Wales forward comments the win:
“Everything was on this game. It was in our own hands and we said before just to go out there, enjoy ourselves, have no regrets. The performance was probably the best I’ve been involved in. We said we didn’t just want to come here and make up the numbers. We wanted to put a real effort in and to win the group, we can’t do any more than that. Now we can look forward to who we’ve got next.”
Coach England Roy Hodgson reacts:
“We dominated the game from start to finish and had so many attempts and chances and one day we’re going to put those chances away.
As far as I’m concerned I can’t fault the effort and work the lads put in. It’s a little bit embarrassing that we’ve played three games and in each of the three games it’s been attack versus defence. I thought I’d never see an England team in a tournament be able to dominate three games as much as we’ve done so that gives me some sort of satisfaction.
And I’m pretty sure that sooner or later we’re going to make somebody pay because if we keep dominating and creating chances like we’re doing we’re going to score goals one day. Finishing second in the group is a disappointment as we’d have liked to have won it but we’re still in the last 16.
And who’s to say that the team we play by finishing second will be that much stronger than the team who finish third – you don’t know that”.
http://www.uefa.com/
Previous articleWhat we learned from Euro 2016 favorites
Next articleadidas Unveils EURO Knock-Out Phase Match Ball
The New King of Europe
Portugal wins first major tournament
France are favorites as Portugal looks to make history
Sturridge delivers the people of England
90Soccer - June 17, 2016
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line578
|
__label__wiki
| 0.961481
| 0.961481
|
Actor Alan Thicke dies at age 69
By George Pennacchio
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Alan Thicke, the actor best known for his role on the ABC sitcom "Growing Pains," died doing something he loved: playing hockey. He passed away of a heart attack on Tuesday at age 69.
In a career spanning almost 50 years, Thicke accomplished quite a bit. He was an actor, writer, producer, composer, host, author and more.
For seven seasons, from 1985 to 1992, Thicke starred on "Growing Pains" as Dr. Jason Seaver. He and his co-stars kept America laughing for 167 episodes.
Before he made the move the U.S., Thicke was a popular talk show host in Canada. And for a short time, he hosted his own late-night show in the U.S. called "Thicke of the Night."
IN MEMORIAM: Celebrities and notable figures who have recently passed away
He was a diehard hockey fan who was on the ice with his 19-year-old son, Carter, at Burbank's Pickwick Ice arena when the heart attack hit.
"You know, he seemed to be OK at the time and he was joking a little bit with his son, and then they took him out and that's the last we saw," said Kyle Staverk, who works at the arena.
On Tuesday night, Carter Thicke took to Twitter and wrote a heartwarming message about his father.
Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of it's finest. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time. pic.twitter.com/ZQd2NZMTx4
— Carter Thicke (@CarterThicke) December 14, 2016
"Today I lost my best friend and my idol, and the world lost one of its finest. You are a legend and I love you Pops. Until next time."
MORE: Celebrities react to Alan Thicke's death
The actor was also remembered at Tuesday's L.A. Kings game.
"He skated with us a number of times in a lot of our celebrity games, so he's surely going to be missed and our condolences go out to his family," said game announcers.
Thicke had a friend in the Eyewitness Newsroom -- weather producer and comedian Phillip Wilburn.
"He knew who he was and he knew how to have fun with himself, and that was the thing about Alan," Wilburn shared. "Alan was always up for the joke. He was always looking for the next thing."
In his composing career, Thicke was involved in creating some hit TV theme songs, including the original theme to "The Wheel of Fortune" and shows such as "The Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes."
Thicke married three times and had three sons, including singer Robin Thicke.
Robin Thicke told the LA Times his dad was "the greatest man I ever met" and "always a gentlemen."
Download the free ABC7 Los Angeles app for breaking news, weather and local stories on-the-go
arts & entertainmentlos angelescelebritycelebrity deathsobituary
Tournament of Roses officials increase security measures after float fire
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line579
|
__label__wiki
| 0.984493
| 0.984493
|
Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/c44d0c6b327c444dabfef2a2f9253098
Heather Wilson
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson is resigning
BY ROBERT BURNSMarch 8, 2019
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2017, file photo, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson is testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Officials say Wilson has resigned. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, once seen as a candidate to succeed Jim Mattis as defense secretary, said Friday she is resigning to become president of the University of Texas at El Paso.
A former U.S. House Republican member from New Mexico and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Wilson has headed the Air Force since May 2017, making her President Donald Trump’s first Senate-confirmed service secretary.
She had been an early skeptic of Trump’s interest in creating a Space Force as an independent military department, but she publicly embraced the administration’s proposal to Congress last month that would establish a Space Force as a separate service within the Department of the Air Force.
Trump praised Wilson on Twitter Friday. “A strong thank you to Heather for her service,” he wrote.
Wilson also had been mentioned as a potential successor to Mattis. After Mattis announced his resignation in late December, Trump named the former deputy defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, as acting defense secretary. But Trump has not yet nominated anyone for confirmation by the Senate.
In her resignation letter to Trump, Wilson said the University of Texas Board of Regents announced on Friday that she is the sole finalist to become the university’s next president, effective Sept. 1. “Under Texas law, my name will be public for three weeks before the regents take a final vote on my appointment,” she wrote.
“Upon a favorable vote by the regents, I will resign my position as secretary of the Air Force effective May 31, 2019,” she wrote. “This should allow sufficient time for a smooth transition and ensure advocacy during upcoming congressional hearings.”
She graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1982 and later earned masters and doctoral degrees as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England. Wilson is the first graduate of the academy to hold to hold the service’s top civilian post. She served in the House from 1998 to 2009. From 1989 to 1991, she served on the National Security Council staff as director for defense policy and arms control for President George H.W. Bush.
By going to the University of Texas at El Paso, Wilson said she was returning to her academic roots. She previously served as president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Her family home is in New Mexico.
Wilson said she appreciated the opportunity to serve as the Air Force’s top civilian official.
“It has been a privilege to serve alongside our airmen over the past two years, and I am proud of the progress that we have made restoring our nation’s defense,” Wilson said in a statement distributed by the Air Force. “We have improved the readiness of the force; we have cut years out of acquisition schedules and gotten better prices through competition; we have repealed hundreds of superfluous regulations; and we have strengthened our ability to deter and dominate in space.”
Rep. Michael Turner, an Ohio Republican, praised Wilson’s work as Air Force secretary.
“It is not surprising to me that Heather would be sought out by other organizations looking for her strong leadership,” he said. “I wish Heather all the best in her future endeavors. She will be deeply missed. Hopefully, someday we can see Heather Wilson as the first female secretary of defense.”
Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line583
|
__label__wiki
| 0.803463
| 0.803463
|
Click to copyhttps://apnews.com/d81dd3c3384044d58d107dbe1c6dbf98
Sam Acho
Linebacker Sam Acho re-signs with Chicago Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have re-signed linebacker Sam Acho to a one-year deal.
Acho played in 16 games last season with Chicago, making six starts. He had a sack and a forced fumble. He also played special teams.
The 28-year-old Acho was selected by Arizona in the fourth round of the 2011 draft. He played for the Cardinals for four seasons before signing with the Bears in 2015.
The team announced the contract Saturday.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line584
|
__label__cc
| 0.733696
| 0.266304
|
You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March 2017.
Let’s do this to the Ugly Roofscape of the Art Institute, Defacing Beautiful Grant Park, as Seen from Above by So Many!
March 13, 2017 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
Light projection project planned for Merchandise Mart
Elyssa CherneyContact Reporter
One of the most iconic buildings along the Chicago River will soon become the city’s largest art canvas.
Starting in 2018, images will be projected on the Merchandise Mart’s nearly 3-acre river-facing wall, Merchandise Mart and city officials announced Sunday. The art installation is being designed to illuminate the Chicago River.
Publicizing the privately funded plan, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the project reflects the city’s commitments to investing more in public art and increasing access to the recently extended 1.25-mile Riverwalk.
“The redevelopment of Chicago’s riverfront is vital to our ongoing efforts to attract 55 million visitors annually to the City of Chicago by 2020, creating new jobs and injecting millions of dollars into our local economy,” Emanuel said in a news release.
The Merchandise Mart is 25 stories tall and stretches across two blocks, according to Myron Maurer, chief operating officer of Vornado Realty Trust, which owns the building. In addition to the river, the building is bounded by Kinzie, North Orleans and North Wells streets.
A company drafted to take up the project has done similar work for the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the Empire State Building in New York City and other landmarks across the world.
A+I architects and creative studio Obscura Digital, the firms working on the project, are studying the feasibility of accomplishing the feat. City officials say the project also aligns with their mission of increasing public art, which in 2017 will draw $1.5 million in city funding.
echerney@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ElyssaCherney
Heading into Chicago, Snow or No
March 13, 2017 in Uncategorized | 1 comment
Have a meeting of the Chicago Literary Club to chair tonight in town, so snow storm or not, taking the train in from Harvard to the Ogilvie Transportation Center for the night’s festivities. Wish me luck!
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line586
|
__label__cc
| 0.580758
| 0.419242
|
Tulsa Pitching Lessons | Be Around Doers
by Geoff Rottmayer | Jun 4, 2018
Okay, go today we’re going to talk about as an apple you, it’s important, surround yourself with dreamers and doers believers and thinkers the most of all. It’s a multiple-offer, rounded up with those who see greatness within you, even if you don’t see them in yourself-and this is very important-don’t try to fit in try to find people who have the same dream that you do I’m trying to find people to. When seeking Tulsa Pitching Lessons make sure you know what you are doing. Ask you, because there’s a lot of people that have the same dream. There’s a lot of people that don’t act! Cute lot of people don’t want to put in the work. We don’t understand the work that I can borrow them. If they do, they don’t want to put in the work yourself with people who have good energy. Who are believers who are going to think for themselves. We were going to do thing that allowed them to succeed, regardless of what anybody says. So I could again this become very, very important who’s, the dreamers and doers the believers of thinkers it who you want to be-and you know what you unfortunately you’re, going to be the outside or when you do that, because everybody had the dream. But nobody wants to do everybody to believe her, but nobody wants to think for themselves. So when you start to surround yourself with people who are dreamers and do it in the act of cute and then man think become a lot of fun and when you start to surround yourself with believers and thinkers, then it becomes a lot of fun as well and then they’re out in yourself the greatness within you. Even if you don’t see them yourself with people who only see the good in you, even though you have from that brought. Everybody had bad frog bounce. But if you surround yourself with people who see greater than you and you’re going to start the surround yourself with great energy and again the energy to you, the more the better, the more positive energy you have around anymore, more good things happen to you as long as you keep beating yourself. The same thing, with the dreamers and doers needed a guy to have a dream to have a vision or not. I can landon getting away and they’re going to take daily step of what it takes in and do what it could take to get there to believe it in thinkers they are there. Are there constantly questioning what they do when they try to understand? What about the prayer of the kind of know, thy self? That I think that’s the biggest key that we have to do a task me than just that people in general. We have to know thyself if we have to have greater. Where did everything that we do and everything that we don’t do? No, we do that. Then we thought to have a plan for everything it wouldn’t have a plan for everything, then think the things in your life is kind of fucked-up mood a little bit better again find the dreamer in the deal with, and you know what it’s going to take time to find them, because everybody had the dream of that. There’s going to be people, that’s going to bash your dream to go to the people that you want to stay away from because they just laid there to the energy suckers and they said they’re going to kill your mood I’m going to kill you hope in the end, they’re all those things.. You want to surround yourself with people who want who believe in you who’s going to bring positive energy and their doors, and they know that the odds are against them is on 19th south and people have ever played in the big ludemann know that the odds are against them. Self understand that and then surround yourself with people who secretly get the energy to our about them, going to bring great around you so again throughout your diaper diemer dreamers and doers of these other people that are going to have pushed you do to people that are going to help you, the other people, to have positive energy. These other people that are going to get things done every single day. The rodger stop at believe it and think her. These are the people that are going to think baby hard I wasn’t doing they’re going to come up with routine they’re, going to know thyself they’re going to do whatever it is. They got to do there. They can be great at what they do so and then fine people who believe in you and feed greater than you. Even when you don’t listen to take this approach, you got to start paying attention to what people are good at got to start paying attention of their good quality. You start focusing on and it’s easy to do. People want to focus on people’s back while he’s all the time, and when you broke up my peoples, bad qualities, been you never going to see greatness I’m, not the problem, so you got to understand. Everybody has flaws and it okay to have glad that everybody has them. But you know what you just got to find people who can say true that the man, but here the good things about you and when you do that just started. You’ll talk to really don’t have a lot of confidence in yourself, because the people are going to think good pod. They going to bring good positive energy around you and they’re, going to they’re going to feed the greatness in your hand, when you have the other people who negative and all that stuff, they don’t speak to you about stuff and that’s the negative energy around you all the time. Stuff I understand that you know again had an athlete important for rodger, stop with doors and dreamers believer than think earth and most of all surround yourself with those with the greatness in you. Invest in the best when it comes to Tulsa Pitching Lessons.
Even if you don’t steal your self. This is a game-changer when you thought. I, understand there, because there are not a lot of people who are used to be considering your friend. There are not a lot of people, and then you should be surrounding yourself with. There are very few people who are dreamers and doers, find them and be with them and hang out with them and do things for them and get things done, and then there are few people that are believers and thinkers. People want to pick plums are people who want to think their way through the staff. The people who challenged in people questioning people who are currently thinking about better way to do things. That’s all. Are there multiple trying to tell people with the good news so again as an athlete important surround yourself with dude and dreamers believer than thinker than the most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you? Even if you don’t do them yourselfokay go today, we’re going to talk about as an apple you, it’s important, surround yourself with dreamers and doers believers and thinkers the most of all. It’s a multiple-offer, rounded up with those who see greatness within you, even if you don’t see them in yourself-and this is very important-don’t try to fit in try to find people who have the same dream that you do I’m trying to find people to ask you, because there’s a lot of people that have the same dream. There’s a lot of people that don’t act! Cute lot of people don’t want to put in the work. We don’t understand the work that I can borrow them. If they do, they don’t want to put in the work yourself with people who have good energy. Who are believers who are going to think for themselves. We were going to do thing that allowed them to succeed, regardless of what anybody says. So I could again this become very, very important who’s, the dreamers and doers the believers of thinkers it who you want to be, and you know what you unfortunately you’re, going to be the outside or when you do that, because everybody had the dream, but nobody wants to do everybody to believe her, but nobody wants to think for themselves. So when you start to surround yourself with people who are dreamers and do it in the act of cute and then man think become a lot of fun and when you start to surround yourself with believers and thinkers, then it becomes a lot of fun as well and then they’re out in yourself the greatness within you. Even if you don’t see them yourself with people who only see the good in you, even though you have from that brought. Everybody had bad frog bounce. But if you surround yourself with people who see greater than you and you’re going to start the surround yourself with great energy and again the energy to you, the more the better, the more positive energy you have around anymore, more good things happen to you as long as you keep beating yourself. The same thing, with the dreamers and doers needed a guy to have a dream to have a vision or not. I can landon getting away and they’re going to take daily step of what it takes in and do what it could take to get there to believe it in thinkers they are there. Are there constantly questioning what they do when they try to understand? What about the prayer of the kind of know, thy self? That I think that’s the biggest key that we have to do a task me than just that people in general. We have to know thyself if we have to have greater. Where did everything that we do and everything that we don’t do? No, we do that. Athletic Mission Baseball Academy is the leader in Tulsa Pitching Lessons. Then we thought to have a plan for everything it wouldn’t have a plan for everything then think the things in your life is kind of fucked-up mood a little bit better again find the dreamer in the deal with, and you know what it’s going to take time to find them, because everybody had the dream of that. There’s going to be people, that’s going to bash your dream to go to the people that you want to stay away from because they just laid there to the energy suckers and they said they’re going to kill your mood I’m going to kill you hope in the end, they’re all those things.. You want to surround yourself with people who want who believe in you who’s going to bring positive energy and their doors, and they know that the odds are against them is on 19th, south and people have ever played in the big ludemann know that the odds are against them. Self, understand that and then surround yourself with people who secretly get the energy to our about them, going to bring great around you so again throughout your diaper diemer dreamers and doers of these other people that are going to have pushed you do to people that are going to help you, the other people, to have positive energy. These other people that are going to get things done every single day. The rodger stop at believe it and think her. These are the people that are going to think baby hard I wasn’t doing they’re going to come up with routine they’re, going to know thyself they’re going to do whatever it is. They got to do there. They can be great at what they do so and then fine people who believe in you and feed greater than you. Even when you don’t listen to take this approach, you got to start paying attention to what people are good at got to start paying attention of their good quality. You start focusing on and it’s easy to do.
People want to focus on people’s back while he’s all the time and when you broke up my peoples, bad qualities, been you never going to see greatness I’m, not the problem, so you got to understand. Everybody has flaws and it okay to have glad that everybody has them. But you know what you just got to find people who can say true that the man, but here the good things about you and when you do that just started. You’ll talk to really don’t have a lot of confidence in yourself, because the people are going to think good pod. They going to bring good positive energy around you and they’re, going to they’re going to feed the greatness in your hand, when you have the other people who negative and all that stuff, they don’t speak to you about stuff and that’s the negative energy around you all the time. Stuff. I understand that you know again had an athlete important for rodger, stop with doors and dreamers believer than think earth and most of all surround yourself with those with the greatness in you. Even if you don’t steal your self. This is a game-changer when you thought. I understand there, because there are not a lot of people who are used to be considering your friend. There are not a lot of people, and then you should be surrounding yourself with. There are very few people who are dreamers and doers, find them and be with them and hang out with them and do things for them and get things done, and then there are few people that are believers and thinkers. People want to pick plums are people who want to think their way through the staff. The people who challenged in people questioning people who are currently thinking about better way to do things. That’s all. Are there multiple trying to tell people with the good news so again as an athlete important surround yourself with dude and dreamers believer than thinker than the most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you? Even if you don’t do them yourselfokay go today we’re going to talk about as an apple you, it’s important, surround yourself with dreamers and doers believers and thinkers the most of all. It’s a multiple-offer, rounded up with those who see greatness within you, even if you don’t see them in yourself-and this is very important-don’t try to fit in try to find people who have the same dream that you do I’m trying to find people to. Ask you, because there’s a lot of people that have the same dream. There’s a lot of people that don’t act! Cute lot of people don’t want to put in the work. We don’t understand the work that I can borrow them. If they do, they don’t want to put in the work yourself with people who have good energy. Who are believers who are going to think for themselves. We were going to do thing that allowed them to succeed, regardless of what anybody says. So I could again this become very, very important who’s, the dreamers and doers the believers of thinkers it who you want to be-and you know what you unfortunately you’re, going to be the outside or when you do that, because everybody had the dream. But nobody wants to do everybody to believe her, but nobody wants to think for themselves. So when you start to surround yourself with people who are dreamers and do it in the act of cute and then man think become a lot of fun and when you start to surround yourself with believers and thinkers, then it becomes a lot of fun as well and then they’re out in yourself the greatness within you. Even if you don’t see them yourself with people who only see the good in you, even though you have from that brought. Do your reasearch on everyone that give Tulsa Pitching lessons and ensure you know everythign there is to know. Everybody had bad frog bounce. But if you surround yourself with people who see greater than you and you’re going to start the surround yourself with great energy and again the energy to you, the more the better, the more positive energy you have around anymore, more good things happen to you as long as you keep beating yourself. The same thing, with the dreamers and doers needed a guy to have a dream to have a vision or not. I can landon getting away and they’re going to take daily step of what it takes in and do what it could take to get there to believe it in thinkers they are there. Are there constantly questioning what they do when they try to understand? What about the prayer of the kind of know, thy self? That I think that’s the biggest key that we have to do a task me than just that people in general. We have to know thyself if we have to have greater. Where did everything that we do and everything that we don’t do? No, we do that. Then we thought to have a plan for everything it wouldn’t have a plan for everything, then think the things in your life is kind of fucked-up mood a little bit better again find the dreamer in the deal with, and you know what it’s going to take time to find them, because everybody had the dream of that. There’s going to be people, that’s going to bash your dream to go to the people that you want to stay away from because they just laid there to the energy suckers and they said they’re going to kill your mood I’m going to kill you hope in the end, they’re all those things.. You want to surround yourself with people who want who believe in you who’s going to bring positive energy and their doors, and they know that the odds are against them is on 19th south and people have ever played in the big ludemann know that the odds are against them.
Self understand that and then surround yourself with people who secretly get the energy to our about them, going to bring great around you so again throughout your diaper diemer dreamers and doers of these other people that are going to have pushed you do to people that are going to help you, the other people, to have positive energy. These other people that are going to get things done every single day. The rodger stop at believe it and think her. These are the people that are going to think baby hard I wasn’t doing they’re going to come up with routine they’re, going to know thyself they’re going to do whatever it is. They got to do there. They can be great at what they do so and then fine people who believe in you and feed greater than you. Even when you don’t listen to take this approach, you got to start paying attention to what people are good at got to start paying attention of their good quality. You start focusing on and it’s easy to do. People want to focus on people’s back while he’s all the time, and when you broke up my peoples, bad qualities, been you never going to see greatness I’m, not the problem, so you got to understand. Everybody has flaws and it okay to have glad that everybody has them. But you know what you just got to find people who can say true that the man, but here the good things about you and when you do that just started. You’ll talk to really don’t have a lot of confidence in yourself, because the people are going to think good pod. They going to bring good positive energy around you and they’re, going to they’re going to feed the greatness in your hand, when you have the other people who negative and all that stuff, they don’t speak to you about stuff and that’s the negative energy around you all the time. Stuff I understand that you know again had an athlete important for rodger, stop with doors and dreamers believer than think earth and most of all surround yourself with those with the greatness in you. Even if you don’t steal your self. This is a game-changer when you thought. I, understand there, because there are not a lot of people who are used to be considering your friend. There are not a lot of people, and then you should be surrounding yourself with. There are very few people who are dreamers and doers, find them and be with them and hang out with them and do things for them and get things done, and then there are few people that are believers and thinkers. People want to pick plums are people who want to think their way through the staff. The people who challenged in people questioning people who are currently thinking about better way to do things. That’s all. Are there multiple trying to tell people with the good news so again as an athlete important surround yourself with dude and dreamers believer than thinker than the most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you? Even if you don’t do them yourselfokay go today, we’re going to talk about as an apple you, it’s important, surround yourself with dreamers and doers believers and thinkers the most of all. It’s a multiple-offer, rounded up with those who see greatness within you, even if you don’t see them in yourself-and this is very important-don’t try to fit in try to find people who have the same dream that you do I’m trying to find people to ask you, because there’s a lot of people that have the same dream. There’s a lot of people that don’t act! Cute lot of people don’t want to put in the work. We don’t understand the work that I can borrow them. If they do, they don’t want to put in the work yourself with people who have good energy. Who are believers who are going to think for themselves. We were going to do thing that allowed them to succeed, regardless of what anybody says. So I could again this become very, very important who’s, the dreamers and doers the believers of thinkers it who you want to be, and you know what you unfortunately you’re, going to be the outside or when you do that, because everybody had the dream, but nobody wants to do everybody to believe her, but nobody wants to think for themselves. So when you start to surround yourself with people who are dreamers and do it in the act of cute and then man think become a lot of fun and when you start to surround yourself with believers and thinkers, then it becomes a lot of fun as well and then they’re out in yourself the greatness within you. Even if you don’t see them yourself with people who only see the good in you, even though you have from that brought. Everybody had bad frog bounce. But if you surround yourself with people who see greater than you and you’re going to start the surround yourself with great energy and again the energy to you, the more the better, the more positive energy you have around anymore, more good things happen to you as long as you keep beating yourself. The same thing, with the dreamers and doers needed a guy to have a dream to have a vision or not. I can landon getting away and they’re going to take daily step of what it takes in and do what it could take to get there to believe it in thinkers they are there. Are there constantly questioning what they do when they try to understand? What about the prayer of the kind of know, thy self? That I think that’s the biggest key that we have to do a task me than just that people in general. AMBA is the place to go for Tulsa Pitching Lessons.
We have to know thyself if we have to have greater. Where did everything that we do and everything that we don’t do? No, we do that. Then we thought to have a plan for everything it wouldn’t have a plan for everything then think the things in your life is kind of fucked-up mood a little bit better again find the dreamer in the deal with, and you know what it’s going to take time to find them, because everybody had the dream of that. There’s going to be people, that’s going to bash your dream to go to the people that you want to stay away from because they just laid there to the energy suckers and they said they’re going to kill your mood I’m going to kill you hope in the end, they’re all those things.. You want to surround yourself with people who want who believe in you who’s going to bring positive energy and their doors, and they know that the odds are against them is on 19th, south and people have ever played in the big ludemann know that the odds are against them. Self, understand that and then surround yourself with people who secretly get the energy to our about them, going to bring great around you so again throughout your diaper diemer dreamers and doers of these other people that are going to have pushed you do to people that are going to help you, the other people, to have positive energy. These other people that are going to get things done every single day. The rodger stop at believe it and think her. These are the people that are going to think baby hard I wasn’t doing they’re going to come up with routine they’re, going to know thyself they’re going to do whatever it is. They got to do there. They can be great at what they do so and then fine people who believe in you and feed greater than you. Even when you don’t listen to take this approach, you got to start paying attention to what people are good at got to start paying attention of their good quality. You start focusing on and it’s easy to do. People want to focus on people’s back while he’s all the time and when you broke up my peoples, bad qualities, been you never going to see greatness I’m, not the problem, so you got to understand. Everybody has flaws and it okay to have glad that everybody has them. But you know what you just got to find people who can say true that the man, but here the good things about you and when you do that just started. You’ll talk to really don’t have a lot of confidence in yourself, because the people are going to think good pod. They going to bring good positive energy around you and they’re, going to they’re going to feed the greatness in your hand, when you have the other people who negative and all that stuff, they don’t speak to you about stuff and that’s the negative energy around you all the time. Stuff. I understand that you know again had an athlete important for rodger, stop with doors and dreamers believer than think earth and most of all surround yourself with those with the greatness in you. Even if you don’t steal your self. This is a game-changer when you thought. I understand there, because there are not a lot of people who are used to be considering your friend. There are not a lot of people, and then you should be surrounding yourself with. There are very few people who are dreamers and doers, find them and be with them and hang out with them and do things for them and get things done, and then there are few people that are believers and thinkers. People want to pick plums are people who want to think their way through the staff. The people who challenged in people questioning people who are currently thinking about better way to do things. That’s all. Are there multiple trying to tell people with the good news so again as an athlete important surround yourself with dude and dreamers believer than thinker than the most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you? Even if you don’t do them yourself,
You have to think about Athletic Mission Baseball Academy who was ranked by Youth1 as a top 25 baseball academies across the entire country when you think about investing in Tulsa Pitching Lessons to understand the college recruiting process.
Please call us at 918-856-9167 or send us an email at info@athletic-mission.com
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line587
|
__label__wiki
| 0.83357
| 0.83357
|
--- Keeping up-to-date on social exclusion wordwide --- Keeping up-to-date - Africa - HIV Keeping up-to-date - Asia - Pacific Keeping up-to-date - Australia Keeping up-to-date - Hong Kong Keeping up-to-date - India Keeping up-to-date - Inuit Keeping up-to-date - Ireland Keeping up-to-date - Las Américas Keeping up-to-date - New Zealand Keeping up-to-date - North America Keeping up-to-date - Oceania Pacific Keeping up-to-date - Scotland Keeping up-to-date - Thailand-Asia (กรุงเทพมหานคร) Keeping up-to-date - United Kingdom --- Keeping up-to-date - Deutsch Keeping up-to-date - Español Keeping up-to-date - Français Keeping up-to-date - Italiano Keeping up-to-date - Nederlands Keeping up-to-date - Norsk Keeping up-to-date - Österreich Keeping up-to-date - Português Keeping up-to-date - Svenska --- Keeping up-to-date - ελληνικά Keeping up-to-date - Čeština Keeping up-to-date - Türkçe Keeping up-to-date - Русский Keeping up-to-date - Tiếng Việt Keeping up-to-date - 中文 (China) Keeping up-to-date - 日本(Japan) Keeping up-to-date - 한국 (Korea) --- HEADQUARTERS --- TWITTER | EN TWITTER | ASIA TWITTER | FR TWITTER | ES TWITTER | BR TWITTER | Deutsch-Österreich TWITTER | UN --- EGAYLiTY Stigmabase Youtube
Tags about global social exclusion | Stigmabase history for researchers
Striking life-sized Indigenous sculptures on show for the first time at National Museum
AUNZ | 6,10h — Australian Eastern Standard (NSW) – June 07, 2019
Senior Indigenous curator and head of the National Museum of Australia's Centre of Indigenous Knowledges, Margo Neale, said the figures would ...
Australia -|
New Zealand -|
Oceania-Pacific -|
On Indigenous recognition and reconciliation, Scott Morrison faces test of leadership
In those two minutes, the emotions of our story, as Indigenous Australians, welled up in me. It's hard to express what I actua...
Batemans Bay Aboriginal women celebrates her first job – on the bridge
Batemans Bay Aboriginal women celebrates her first job – on the bridge ... for its commitment to recognising and respecting Austra...
Asia Pacific Animal Nutrition Market 2017 Analysis and Forecast to 2023
Geographically the Asia pacific animal nutrition market is segmented as Japan, China, India, Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN (I...
Coalition split on Indigenous recognition
The Coalition party room is split over the plan to introduce an Indigenous voice to parliament announced by Minister for Indigenou...
Business vows to lead on Indigenous voice
There was also concern Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt has left a lot of "wriggle room" on the call in the Ulu...
Ancient oasis reveals secrets of Indigenous culture after more than a century
In the Munga Thirri-Simpson Desert, an ancient oasis and habitation site of Aboriginal people has been rediscovered after being lo...
Intel and Uber among participants in India's first job fair for LGBTI
Intel and Uber among participants in India's first job fair for LGBTI - An LGBTI job fair, the first such event in India, attracte...
HIV rates among Singaporean gay men drop as PrEP uptake increases
HIV rates among Singaporean gay men drop as PrEP uptake increases - Australia's not alone in reporting a big drop in the number of...
The all-Indigenous firefighting crew breaking down barriers - just by going to work
The inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern has been the site of many historic moments for Indigenous Australia, and now its small fire st...
Mulhollands' Māori health inquiry submission to focus firmly on drug funding problems
A Palmerston North family are at the front of the line to make a submission to a select committee inquiry into Māori healthcare, b...
2010 - 2019 ―Stigmabase Global Initiative || Keeping up-to-date on global exclusion. Simple theme. Powered by Blogger.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line590
|
__label__wiki
| 0.681189
| 0.681189
|
HomeBooksPolitics
Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices
by Mosab Hassan Yousef and Ron Brackin
Son of Hamas is now available with an all-new chapter about events since the book’s release such as the revelation of Mosab’s Israeli intelligence handler’s true identity, and Homeland Security’s effort to deport the author.
Since he was a small boy, Mosab Hassan Yousef has had an inside view of the deadly terrorist group Hamas. The oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas and its most popular leader, young Mosab assisted his father for years in his political activities while being groomed to assume his legacy, politics, status . . . and power. But everything changed when Mosab turned away from terror and violence, and embraced instead the teachings of another famous Middle East leader. In Son of Hamas, Mosab reveals new information about the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization and unveils the truth about his own role, his agonizing separation from family and homeland, the dangerous decision to make his newfound faith public, and his belief that the Christian mandate to “love your enemies” is the only way to peace in the Middle East.
Publisher: Tyndale House PublishersReleased: Mar 4, 2011ISBN: 9781414364018Format: book
Captive in Iran: A Remarkable True Story of Hope and Triumph amid the Horror of Tehran's Brutal Evin Prison
Maryam Rostampour
From Beirut to Jerusalem
Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can't Ignore
ISIS: A History
Fawaz A. Gerges
In the Skin of a Jihadist: A Young Journalist Enters the ISIS Recruitment Network
Anna Erelle
Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America
Brigitte Gabriel
Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now
Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn
Daniel Gordis
ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror (Updated Edition)
Michael Weiss
Street God: The Explosive True Story of a Former Drug Boss on the Run from the Hood--and the Courageous Mission That Drove Him Back
Dimas Salaberrios
Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What It Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For
Michele Rigby Assad
Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948
Sandy Tolan
It IS About Islam: Exposing the Truth About ISIS, Al Qaeda, Iran, and the Caliphate
The Mind of Terror: A Former Muslim Sniper Explores What Motivates ISIS and Other Extremist Groups (and how best to respond)
Tass Saada
Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life
Sari Nusseibeh
Once an Arafat Man: The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life
A Time to Betray: The Astonishing Double Life of a CIA Agent Inside the Revolutionary Guards of Iran
Reza Kahlili
The Girl Who Escaped ISIS: This Is My Story
Farida Khalaf
Partisan Politics Are Trampling American Ideals In Kavanaugh Saga
Even if it could be proven that Christine Blasey Ford deliberately slandered Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh -- and I am not saying that's the case -- that act of willful character assassination wouldn't the worst thing about this horrid chapte
American Soldier Killed In Somalia
One American soldier has died and four have been injured in an attack by insurgents in Somalia, marking the first known U.S. combat death in Africa since an ambush in Niger last year.
The Terrifying Simplicity of the Stockholm Attack
Sharp, Bracingly Funny Film About 3 Young Women Living 'In Between'
Islamic State Claims Responsibility For NYC Vehicle Attack
Spain Terror Attacks' Victims From All Over The World, Including U.S.
The Panic President
Scared Stupid
I like to think that the people I know are of above-average intelligence. Most of them, anyway. (I do know lots of people in Washington.) Yet were you to ask them to list their biggest fears, they would offer up answers similar to those enumerated in
This Is My Mulk — What I Liked, And Differed With, In This Remarkable Film
The movie Mulk is a courtroom drama where an entire Muslim family has been implicated on charges of terrorism after one of the youths in the household is found to be involved in a bus bombing. Mulk is a tense courtroom drama which raises difficult qu
The Quiet Killer At The Core Of Patriotism
What? Another mass murder? Almost missed this one: Virginia Beach. Twelve killed on May 31, plus the killer himself, who was a city employee -- an engineer. He had legitimate access to the building where he shot people on three floors. His guns were
US Noose Tightens Around Pakistan as Trump Prepares to Declare It a Terrorist State
The Problem With Calls for 'Resilience'
Another Fatal Ramming Attack, This Time in Barcelona
Guns Play an Outsized Role in Deaths From Terror Attacks, Especially in the US, Data Show
Accused Shooter In New Zealand Mosque Attacks Charged With Terrorism
New Zealand police charged Brenton Tarrant, an Australian citizen, under the Terrorism Suppression Act. He also faces charges of 51 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder.
Pankaj Mishra: We Committed Intellectual Suicide After 9/11
Historian and intellectual Pankaj Mishra’s latest book Age of Anger: A History of the Present, published earlier this month, presents what Mishra calls “an emotional history” at a time of “worldwide emergency” when rage fills the global political sph
Hilary Plum on Terrorism, Autoimmune Disease, and Blurring the Self/Other Line
The Quality Of Mercy In Stemming Violence
More than 100 former terrorists are offering private apologies to their victims this week in Indonesia. The goal: preventing violence through contrition, reconciliation, and mercy.
How Novel Are America's Challenges?
Lightning, Bathtubs, and Banality
Nobody’s Asking For Trump To Be A Genius
Global Effort Begins To Stop Social Media From Spreading Terrorism
The Difference Between A Killer And A Terrorist
Car Strikes Charlottesville Crowd, 1 Dead
#NYCWrong
Scientists Are Trying to Get Inside the Mind of a Terrorist
Trump Was Right Not to Sign the Christchurch Call
Chatter After Pulwama: War Mongering Becomes Easy When You Know Others' Lives Are On Line, Not Yours
Fake Warriors In a video posted on Facebook, a comedian described the social media outpouring (mostly in the form of unhinged demands for revenge) after the death of over 40 soldiers in a terrorist attack in Pulwama as "performative patriotism". Peru
Chatter After Pulwama
Australian Police Prevent a Terrorist Attack
Son of Hamas - Mosab Hassan Yousef
A Word from the Author
Time is sequential—a thread spanning the distance between birth and death.
Events, however, are more like a Persian carpet—thousands of richly colored threads woven into intricate patterns and images. Any attempt to place events into purely chronological order would be like pulling the threads loose and laying them end to end. It might be simpler, but you would lose the design.
The events in this book are my best recollections, sorted out from the maelstrom of my life in the occupied territories of Israel and woven together as they occurred—consecutively and concurrently.
To provide you with reference points and to sort out the Arabic names and terms, I have included a brief time line in the appendices, along with a glossary and a list of players.
For security reasons, I have intentionally omitted much of the detail from the accounts of sensitive operations conducted by the Israel Security Agency, the Shin Bet. The information revealed in this book in no way jeopardizes the ongoing global war on terrorism in which Israel plays a leading role.
Finally, Son of Hamas, like the Middle East, is a continuing story. So I invite you to keep in touch by visiting my blog at http://www.sonofhamas.com, where I share my insights on breaking regional developments. I also post updates on what the Lord is doing with the book and in my family and where he is leading me today.
—MHY
Peace in the Middle East has been the holy grail of diplomats, prime ministers, and presidents for more than five decades. Every new face on the world stage thinks he or she is going to be the one to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. And each one fails just as miserably and completely as those who have come before.
The fact is, few Westerners can come close to understanding the complexities of the Middle East and its people. But I do—by virtue of a most unique perspective. You see, I am a son of that region and of that conflict. I am a child of Islam and the son of an accused terrorist. I am also a follower of Jesus.
Before the age of twenty-one, I saw things no one should ever see: abject poverty, abuse of power, torture, and death. I witnessed the behind-the-scenes dealings of top Middle Eastern leaders who make headlines around the world. I was trusted at the highest levels of Hamas, and I participated in the so-called Intifada. I was held captive in the bowels of Israel’s most feared prison facility. And as you will see, I made choices that have made me a traitor in the eyes of people I love.
My unlikely journey has taken me through dark places and given me access to extraordinary secrets. On the pages of this book I finally reveal some of those long-hidden secrets, exposing events and processes that to this point have been known only by a handful of shadowy individuals.
The uncovering of these truths will likely send shock waves through parts of the Middle East, but I hope it will also bring comfort and closure to the families of many victims of this unending conflict.
As I move among Americans today, I find that many of them have a lot of questions about the Arab-Israeli conflict, but very few answers and even less good information. I hear questions like:
• Why can’t people just get along in the Middle East?
• Who is in the right—the Israelis or the Palestinians?
• To whom does the land really belong? Why don’t Palestinians just move to other Arab countries?
• Why doesn’t Israel give back the land and property it won in the 1967 Six-Day War?
• Why are so many Palestinians still living in refugee camps? Why don’t they have their own state?
• Why do Palestinians hate Israel so much?
• How can Israel protect itself from suicide bombers and frequent rocket attacks?
These are good questions, all of them. But none of them touch on the real issue, the root problem. The current conflict stretches all the way back to the animosity between Sarah and Hagar described in the first book of the Bible. To understand the political and cultural realities, however, you really don’t have to look much further than the aftermath of World War I.
When the war ended, the Palestinian territories, national home of the Palestinian people for centuries, fell under the mandate of Great Britain. And the British government had an unusual notion for the area, which it stated in the Balfour Declaration of 1917: His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.
Encouraged by the British government, hundreds of thousands of Jewish immigrants, mostly from Eastern Europe, flooded into the Palestinian territories. Clashes between Arabs and Jews were inevitable.
Israel became a state in 1948. However, the Palestinian territories remained just that—nonsovereign territories. Without a constitution to maintain some semblance of order, religious law becomes the highest authority. And when everyone is free to interpret and enforce the law as he sees fit, chaos ensues. To the outside world, the Middle Eastern conflict is simply a tug-of-war over a small stretch of land. But the real problem is that no one yet has understood the real problem. And as a result, negotiators from Camp David to Oslo confidently continue to splint the arms and legs of a cardiac patient.
Please understand, I did not write this book because I think I’m smarter or wiser than the great thinkers of the age. I am not. But I believe that God has given me a unique perspective by placing me on multiple sides of an apparently insoluble conflict. My life has been partitioned like the crazy little piece of real estate on the Mediterranean known as Israel by some, Palestine by others, and the occupied territories by still others.
My purpose in the pages that follow is to set the record straight on some key events, lay bare some secrets, and if all goes well, leave you with hope that the impossible can be accomplished.
I steered my little white Subaru around a blind corner on one of the narrow roads that led to the main highway outside the West Bank city of Ramallah. Stepping lightly on the brake, I slowly approached one of the innumerable checkpoints that dot the roads running to and from Jerusalem.
Turn off the engine! Stop the car! someone shouted in broken Arabic.
Without warning, six Israeli soldiers jumped out of the bushes and blocked my car, each man carrying a machine gun, and each gun pointed directly at my head.
Panic welled up in my throat. I stopped the car and threw the keys through the open window.
Get out! Get out!
Wasting no time, one of the men jerked open the door and threw me to the dusty ground. I barely had time to cover my head before the beating began. But even as I tried to protect my face, the heavy boots of the soldiers quickly found other targets: ribs, kidneys, back, neck, skull.
Two of the men dragged me to my feet and pulled me to the checkpoint, where I was forced onto my knees behind a cement barricade. My hands were bound behind my back with a sharp-edged plastic zip tie that was cinched much too tight. Somebody blindfolded me and shoved me into the back of a jeep onto the floor. Fear mingled with anger as I wondered where they were taking me and how long I would be gone. I was barely eighteen years old and only a few weeks away from my final high school exams. What was going to happen to me?
After a fairly short drive, the jeep slowed to a halt. A soldier pulled me from the back and removed my blindfold. Squinting in the bright sunlight, I realized that we were at Ofer Army Base. An Israeli defense base, Ofer was one of the largest and most secure military facilities in the West Bank.
As we moved toward the main building, we passed by several armored tanks, which were shrouded by canvas tarps. The monstrous mounds had always intrigued me whenever I had seen them from outside the gates. They looked like huge, oversized boulders.
Once inside the building, we were met by a doctor who gave me a quick once-over, apparently to make sure I was fit to withstand interrogation. I must have passed because, within minutes, the handcuffs and blindfold were replaced, and I was shoved back into the jeep.
As I tried to contort my body so that it would fit into the small area usually reserved for people’s feet, one beefy soldier put his boot squarely on my hip and pressed the muzzle of his M16 assault rifle into my chest. The hot reek of petrol fumes saturated the floor of the vehicle and forced my throat closed. Whenever I tried to adjust my cramped position, the soldier jabbed the gun barrel deeper into my chest.
Without warning, a searing pain shot through my body and made my toes clench. It was as if a rocket were exploding in my skull. The force of the blow had come from the front seat, and I realized that one of the soldiers must have used his rifle butt to hit me in the head. Before I had time to protect myself, however, he hit me again, harder this time and in the eye. I tried to move out of reach but the soldier who had been using me for a footstool dragged me upright.
"Don’t move or I will shoot you!" he shouted.
But I couldn’t help it. Each time his comrade hit me, I involuntarily recoiled from the impact.
Under the rough blindfold, my eye was beginning to swell closed, and my face felt numb. There was no circulation in my legs. My breathing came in shallow gasps. I had never felt such pain. But worse than the physical pain was the horror of being at the mercy of something merciless, something raw and inhuman. My mind reeled as I struggled to understand the motives of my tormentors. I understood fighting and killing out of hatred, rage, revenge, or even necessity. But I had done nothing to these soldiers. I had not resisted. I had done everything I was told to do. I was no threat to them. I was bound, blindfolded, and unarmed. What was inside these people that made them take such delight in hurting me? Even the basest animal kills for a reason, not just for sport.
I thought about how my mother was going to feel when she learned that I had been arrested. With my father already in an Israeli prison, I was the man of the family. Would I be held in prison for months and years as he had been? If so, how would my mother manage with me gone too? I began to understand how my dad felt—worried about his family and grieved by the knowledge that we were worrying about him. Tears sprang to my eyes as I imagined my mother’s face.
I also wondered if all my years of high school were about to be wasted. If I indeed was headed for an Israeli prison, I would miss my final exams next month. A torrent of questions and cries raced through my mind even as the blows continued to fall: Why are you doing this to me? What have I done? I am not a terrorist! I’m just a kid. Why are you beating me like this?
I’m pretty sure I passed out several times, but every time I came to, the soldiers were still there, hitting me. I couldn’t dodge the blows. The only thing I could do was scream. I felt bile rising in the back of my throat and I gagged, vomiting all over myself.
I felt a deep sadness before losing consciousness. Was this the end? Was I going to die before my life had really even started?
The Ladder of Faith
My name is Mosab Hassan Yousef.
I am the oldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of the seven founders of the Hamas organization. I was born in the West Bank city of Ramallah, and I am part of one of the most religious Islamic families in the Middle East.
My story begins with my grandfather, Sheikh Yousef Dawood, who was the religious leader—or imam—for the village of Al-Janiya, located in the part of Israel that the Bible calls Judea and Samaria. I adored my grandfather. His soft, white beard tickled my cheek when he hugged me, and I could sit for hours, listening to the sound of his sweet voice chanting the adhan—the Muslim call to prayer. And I had plenty of opportunities to do so since Muslims are called to pray five times every day. Chanting adhan and the Qur’an is not an easy thing to do well, but when my grandfather did it, the sound was magical.
When I was a boy, some chanters bothered me so much that I wanted to stuff rags in my ears. But my grandfather was a passionate man, and he carried his listeners deep into the meaning of the adhan as he sang. He believed every word of it.
About four hundred people lived in Al-Janiya in the days when it was under Jordanian rule and Israeli occupation. But the residents of this little rural village had little use for politics. Nestled into the gently rolling hills a few miles northwest of Ramallah, Al-Janiya was a very peaceful and beautiful place. Its sunsets tinted everything in hues of rose and violet. The air was clean and clear, and from many of the hills’ peaks you could see all the way to the Mediterranean.
By four o’clock every morning, my grandfather was on his way to the mosque. When he finished morning prayers, he would take his little donkey to the field, work the soil, tend his olive trees, and drink fresh water from the spring that flowed down the mountain. There was no air pollution because only one person in Al-Janiya had a car.
When he was at home, my grandfather welcomed a steady stream of visitors. He was more than the imam—he was everything to the people in that village. He prayed over every newborn baby and whispered the adhan in the child’s ear. When someone died, my grandfather washed and anointed the body and wrapped it in winding clothes. He married them, and he buried them.
My father, Hassan, was his favorite son. Even as a young boy, before it was required of him, my father went regularly with my grandfather to the mosque. None of his brothers cared anything about Islam like he did.
At his father’s side, Hassan learned to chant the adhan. And like his father, he had a voice and a passion that people responded to. My grandfather was very proud of him. When my father was twelve years old, my grandfather said, Hassan, you have shown that you are very interested in God and Islam. So I am going to send you to Jerusalem to learn sharia. Sharia is Islamic religious law that deals with daily life, from family and hygiene to politics and economics.
Hassan knew and cared nothing about politics or economics. He simply wanted to be like his father. He wanted to read and chant the Qur’an and to serve people. But he was about to learn that his father was much more than a trusted religious leader and beloved public servant.
Because values and traditions have always meant more to the Arab people than government constitutions and courts, men like my grandfather often became the highest level of authority. Especially in areas where secular leaders were weak or corrupt, the word of a religious leader was considered law.
My father was not sent to Jerusalem simply to study religion; his father was preparing him to rule. So for the next few years, my father lived and studied in the Old City of Jerusalem near the Dome of the Rock—the iconic golden-domed structure that visually defines the profile of Jerusalem in the eyes of most of the world’s people. At the age of eighteen, he completed his studies and moved to Ramallah, where he was immediately employed as imam of the mosque in Old Town. Filled with passion to serve both Allah and his people, my father was eager to begin his work in that community, just as his father had done in Al-Janiya.
But Ramallah was not Al-Janiya. The former was a bustling city. The latter was a sleepy little village. The first time my father entered the mosque, he was shocked to find only five old men waiting for him. Everyone else, it seemed, was in the coffeehouses and pornographic theaters, getting drunk and gambling. Even the man who chanted the adhan for the mosque next door had run a microphone and cord from the minaret, so he could continue the Islamic tradition without interrupting his card game.
My father’s heart was broken for these people, though he wasn’t sure how he would ever reach them. Even his five old men admitted they only came to the mosque because they knew they were going to die soon and wanted to go to heaven, but at least they were willing to listen. So he worked with what he had. He led these fellows in prayer, and he taught them the Qur’an. In a very short amount of time, they grew to love him as if he were an angel sent from heaven.
Outside the mosque, it was a different story. For many, my father’s love for the god of the Qur’an only highlighted their own casual approach to the faith, and they were offended.
Who is this child doing the adhan? people scoffed, pointing to my baby-faced father. He doesn’t belong here. He is a troublemaker.
Why is this little guy embarrassing us? Only old people go to the mosque.
I would rather be a dog than be like you, one of them shouted in his face.
My father quietly endured the persecution, never shouting back or defending himself. But his love and compassion for the people would not let him give up. And he continued to do the work he had been called to do: urging the people to return to Islam and Allah.
He shared his concerns with my grandfather, who quickly realized that my father had even greater zeal and potential than he had originally thought. My grandfather sent him to Jordan for advanced Islamic study. As you will see, the people he met there would ultimately change the course of my family’s history and even affect the history of conflict in the Middle East. But before I continue, I need to pause briefly to explain a few important points of Islamic history that will help you understand why the countless diplomatic solutions that have been put forward have uniformly failed and can offer no hope for peace.
Between 1517 and 1923, Islam—personified by the Ottoman Caliphate—spread from its base in Turkey across three continents. But after a few centuries of great economic and political power, the Ottoman Empire became centralized and corrupt and began its decline.
Under the Turks, Muslim villages throughout the Middle East were subject to persecution and crushing taxation. Istanbul was simply too far away for the caliph to protect the faithful from abuses by soldiers and local officials.
By the twentieth century, many Muslims were becoming disillusioned and began to look for a different way of life. Some embraced the atheism of the recently arrived communists. Others buried their problems in liquor, gambling, and pornography, much of which was introduced by Westerners who were lured to the area by mineral wealth and growing industrialization.
In Cairo, Egypt, a devout young primary schoolteacher named Hassan al-Banna wept for his countrymen who were poor, jobless, and godless. But he blamed the West, not the Turks, and he believed that the only hope for his people, especially the youth, was a return to the purity and simplicity of Islam.
He went to the coffeehouses, climbed up on tables and chairs, and preached to everyone about Allah. Drunkards mocked him. Religious leaders challenged him. But most of the people loved him because he gave them hope.
In March 1928, Hassan al-Banna founded the Society of the Muslim Brothers, popularly known as the Muslim Brotherhood. The goal of the new organization was to rebuild society according to Islamic principles. Within a decade, every province in Egypt had a branch. Al-Banna’s brother established a chapter in the Palestinian territories in 1935. And after twenty years, the Brotherhood numbered about half a million in Egypt alone.
Members of the Muslim Brotherhood were largely drawn from the poorest and least influential classes—but they were fiercely loyal to the cause. They gave out of their own pockets to help their fellow Muslims, as called for in the Qur’an.
Many people in the West who stereotype all Muslims as terrorists don’t know about the side of Islam that reflects love and mercy. It cares for the poor, widows, and orphans. It facilitates education and welfare. It unites and strengthens. This is the side of Islam that motivated those early leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood. Of course, there is also the other side, the one that calls all Muslims to jihad, to struggle and contend with the world until they establish a global caliphate, led by one holy man who rules and speaks for Allah. This will be important for you to understand and to remember as we go along. But back to our history lesson. . . .
In 1948, the Muslim Brotherhood attempted a coup against the Egyptian government, which the Brotherhood blamed for the nation’s growing secularism. The uprising was interrupted before it could get traction, however, when the British Mandate ended and Israel declared its independence as a Jewish state.
Muslims throughout the Middle East were outraged. According to the Qur’an, when an enemy invades any Muslim country, all Muslims are called as one to fight to defend their land. From the viewpoint of the Arab world, foreigners had invaded and now occupied Palestine, home of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest place on earth after Mecca and Medina. The mosque was built on the site from which it was believed that Mohammad had traveled with the angel Gabriel to heaven and spoken with Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq immediately invaded the new Jewish state. Among the ten thousand Egyptian troops were thousands of Muslim Brotherhood volunteers. The Arab coalition, however, was outnumbered and outgunned. Less than a year later, the Arab troops had been driven out.
As a result of the war, about three-quarters of a million Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled from their homes in the territories that became the State of Israel.
Although the United Nations passed Resolution 194, which stated in part that refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return, this recommendation was never implemented. Tens of thousands of Palestinians who fled Israel during the Arab-Israeli War never regained their homes and land. Many of these refugees and their descendants live in squalid refugee camps operated by the United Nations (UN) to this day.
When the now-armed members of the Muslim Brotherhood returned from the battlefield to Egypt, the suspended coup was on again. But news of the overthrow plan leaked out, and the Egyptian government banned the Brotherhood, confiscated its assets, and imprisoned many of its members. Those who escaped arrest assassinated Egypt’s prime minister a few weeks later.
Hassan al-Banna, in turn, was assassinated on February 12, 1949, presumably by the government secret service. But the Brotherhood was not crushed. In just twenty years, Hassan al-Banna had shaken Islam out of its dormancy and created a revolution with armed fighters. And for the next few years, the organization continued to add to its numbers and its influence among the people, not only in Egypt but also in nearby Syria and Jordan.
By the time my father arrived in Jordan in the mid-1970s to continue his studies, the Muslim Brotherhood there was well established and beloved by the people. Its members were doing everything that was on my father’s heart—encouraging renewed faith among those who had strayed from the Islamic way of life, healing those who were hurt, and trying to save people from the corrupting influences in society. He believed these men were religious reformers to Islam, as Martin Luther and William Tyndale were to Christianity. They only wanted
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0031.json.gz/line592
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.