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__label__wiki	0.798849	0.798849	THE DESERT HEART OF CHARLEY VARRICK Had I not recently revisited Don Siegel’s dusty, nail-hard crime thriller Charley Varrick, in fact just the night before seeing Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Three Times (2005), it stands to reason that I probably would not have found myself thinking about the Walter Matthau-starring picture midway through the Taiwanese director’s film. After all, Siegel’s tale of morally ambivalent “heroes,” scabrous, misanthropic villains, and the various levels of grime and corruption to be waded through and scraped off on the way toward accidentally absconding with three-quarters of a million dollars in laundered mob money would seem to have little in common with Hou’s deliberately paced, exquisitely mounted collection of three love stories, each from a different time, each told in a manner most rewardingly compared to the elliptical style of a short story on the page. And yet, as the first episode of Three Times, “A Time of Love,” began to wrap itself around me, rich in the atmospheric imagery of muggy, rain-soaked days, thick with romantic longing in every image of roadside signs and empty streets and hushed pool parlors alive only with the sounds of clacking balls, I began to marvel at how effortlessly Hou had created such a tactile, living landscape through which his two characters are allowed to move and breathe and touch and feel. That feeling led me to ponder other instances in which a director has so casually, yet so effectively rendered locations in such a manner that they almost feel like they could be breathed in through the lungs, locations reflective of the mood of a given piece and even the rocky, unforgiving landscape that makes up the characters themselves. Thanks to that lucky proximity of having seen it 24 hours earlier, Charley Varrick leapt to mind as a prime example. When it was released in 1973 by Universal, few seemed eager to pronounce claims of artistic integrity for what was perceived as an efficient, brutal crime programmer, no more, no less. But seen 45 years later its sturdy, intelligent design couldn’t be more apparent. As a vehicle for Walter Matthau, who would continue the dismantling of his status as strictly a comic actor begun here in films like The Laughing Policeman and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, it’s an excellent showcase for the star’s ability to project the electrical charges crackling behind his hangdog personage, as Varrick attempts to wiggle out from underneath the greasy, bloody thumb of an increasingly angry and impatient crime syndicate, personified by Joe Don Baker’s grinning hit man and John Vernon’s frighteningly insinuating big boss. And because of Don Siegel’s unblinking camera eye, his sense of graphic continuity, and his insistence that the places where the chase for Charley play out are just as important for the mood that can be drawn out of them naturally, from their simple existence as landscape, as they are in conveying the ineffable sense of the existential net closing in around him, Charley Varrick’s shadow is a long one, particularly for a movie that is only now beginning to be considered with the deference to classic status that certainly I think it deserves. Most modern noir efforts tend to be too flashy and self-conscious by at least half, but efforts like Brian Helgeland’s Payback and Harold Ramis’s The Ice Harvest, and more recently punchy, unpretentious pictures like Hotel Artemis, John Wick 2 and Scott Frank’s A Walk Among the Tombstones, have reached back through the smoke and wreckage of American action film history toward films like Charley Varrick, and in doing so work to stave off the creative dead-end the form seems to have been mired during since the advent of AVID-enable overediting and general CGI blockbuster-it is. Waiting within that long shadow, for filmmakers with a desire to tread this unforgiving, gravelly road, is the calloused embrace of Siegel’s cold shot to the heart, a movie in which their own curdled spirits are surely rooted. Each time I see Charley Varrick, the crucial importance of its locations to the realization of the bleak comedy and arid cynicism of the movie’s moral ambiguities hit home particularly hard. The template of the movie is set by Siegel’s attention to the details surrounding the bloody holdup that kicks the movie off, staged within the simple, brick construct of the Las Cruces, New Mexico bank, and outside that bank, along the dusty side streets of the town where children play in the unyielding sun and run for cover once the bullets start to fly. Outside that bank, the heat is palpable within the car that Charley sits and waits outside the bank, along with his partner Harman (Andy Robinson) and their getaway driver, Charley’s wife Nadine (Jacqueline Scott), even as they sit shaded by the trees draped around the bank’s front entrance. A bloody shootout ensues, Varrick’s gang directly responsible for the deaths of at least two officers of the law, and they hit the road to attempt an escape. (If there were any action sequence that could prove just how different the ‘70s were in terms of what filmmakers often expected of audiences in terms of moral adjustments to their sympathies, this would have to be one.) In the aftermath of the getaway chase, which will result in Nadine’s death, Charley and Harman desert the car and don the gear of Charley’s legitimate business— white crop-duster overalls—and make off in Charley’s van, which bears the legend, “Charley Varrick, Last of the Independents.” But they’re stopped by a state trooper on his way to assist in the already-finished chase, and Siegel uses the moment to not only create suspense as to whether Charley and Harman will be recognized (and perhaps kill this poor bastard too), but also to allow us some breathing space after that intense chase, space that we can use to again breathe in the harsh, tactile, literally roadside ambience. I swear I could almost feel the gravel crunching under my feet and the hot air running across my face in this scene. The feel of sagebrush and dust and the foreboding and oppressiveness built into these wide-open spaces is highlighted, subtly, in this sequence, and its methods are carried through the entire film, whether the movie is “luxuriating” in the specifics of Charley’s trailer-park hideaway, a cathouse where Baker chastely spends the night as he moves in for the kill, the stuffy, under-lit interior of a photographer’s shop run by Sheree North, who invests an insinuating sexuality into casual betrayal, or in fascinating found-documentary glimpses of the rundown south end of South Virginia Street (specifically, the immediate area surrounding Fitzpatrick’s Casino) in Reno, Nevada, a city which seems forever tied to the seedy vitality in evidence there when this film was shot in 1972. In Charley Varrick, the prickly, dusty landscape and its ambience of indifference is inescapably tied to the film’s crisp visual sense, its terse rhythms and its unforgiving and illuminating approach to character and storytelling. Though championed by some sympathetic reviewers in 1973, the prevailing wind at the time suggested that it was most just another unusually brutal sausage from the Universal factory. Yet seen now, it seems undeniable that Don Siegel’s movie is a model of efficiency and expressiveness, especially after the spectacle of witnessing 45 years of less-talented directors thrashing at the hide, and eventually the skeletal frame, of the modern action film, where money and excess and blind demographic pursuits have yielded fewer and fewer artistic returns. Charley Varrick, surely a masterpiece of sun-bleached, Technicolor film noir, has the desert, its prickliness, its fever, its dusty insistence, in its blood and its soul, and the chill of the nighttime shadow of its influence and its reputation is only likely to grow longer, deeper, more resonant as each year passes, and as each new hotshot director tries to outdo the kind of terse, economical style in which its playfully perverse and formally profound pleasures are rooted. (This piece originally appeared, in a slightly different form, at this blog on May 26, 2006.)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339832
__label__cc	0.54783	0.45217	Home Amazon Amazon pulls e-books over table of contents placement Amazon pulls e-books over table of contents placement One of the problems Amazon has as a major self-publishing market is that, every so often, it’s prone to making odd decisions. Sometimes those decisions are at least understandable in a certain light, such as cutting down on incest or monster erotica—but others seem to make very little sense at all. Case in point: David Gaughran writes about a sudden decision by Amazon to start pulling from sale and requiring corrections to self-published e-books whose authors have the temerity to put the table of contents at the back of the book, rather than the front. For some authors, this can happen at the worst possible time. For example, Walter Jon William had just put his “arcanepunk” novel Metropolitan on sale, with a Bookbub promotion, when Amazon abruptly pulled it without any warning and told him to correct that placement. What’s more, once he had, Amazon sent an email out to everyone who had previously bought the e-book saying that it had been changed to incorporate “Improved formatting for readability. Significant editorial changes have been made.” As Williams pointed out, he had made no changes whatsoever to the book apart from moving the table of contents. Not only did this prevent his book from being sold during part of the Bookbub promotion, it also had the effect of torpedoing his Amazon sales rank. The Bookbub promotion would have cost him $570 and he won’t be able to run another such promotion for Metropolitan for another six months. The thing is, it’s a fairly common practice among not only self-publishers but also some major publishers to put the table of contents in the back. This keeps it out of Amazon’s 10% previews, so there’s more actual text for readers to judge. Why would Amazon suddenly start cracking down on this practice? Well, that’s the interesting thing. Gaughran suggests that this could be for similar reasons as Amazon changed Kindle Unlimited from a title-based to a pages-read-based payment scheme—to crack down on scammers trying to game the system. Under the old system, people only had to read a page or two of a very short Kindle title to pay the author for the whole thing. He writes: The latest wheeze from this shady crew was to place a message at the start of their KU titles encouraging readers to click through to the end – because this fools Amazon’s system into thinking the entire book has been read, the author of that title then receives an inflated payout from the KU pot, and then honest, hard-working writers who aren’t pulling these cheap tricks on readers have less money to share. It’s a mess. These guys are peeing in the KU pool and Amazon is paying them by the gallon. Gaughran believes Amazon seems to think people who put their table of contents in the back of the book are pulling a similar trick. It’s impossible to be certain because Amazon hasn’t said for sure, but it seems like a reasonable supposition on the face of it. The thing is that Kindle e-books don’t even need a separate table of contents at all, so it shouldn’t matter whether it’s at the beginning or the end. If scammers was the main issue, you would think that Amazon should come up with some better system for judging how many pages in a book have actually been read. But then again, some Kindle e-book readers have complained that when they jump to the table of contents, it resets their latest-page-read count to the end of the book, making it harder for them to jump back to the last place they’d read from another computer. So it could simply be that Amazon had heard enough complaints from readers who found that practice annoying without being scammed to want to crack down on it. The requirement that the table of contents be at the beginning of the book is in Amazon’s Kindle publishing guidelines now, though it’s not clear whether it has always been there. Either way, Amazon’s certainly enforcing it now, so if any of your books are formatted with a TOC at the end, you might want to see about revising and re-uploading them before Amazon gets around to pulling them from sale. Walter Jon Williams Previous articleLatest wait list, tweets hint at Amazon Education ebook, content plans Next article‘To Kill a Mockingbird’—and kids’ love of learning? Harper Lee estate axes econo paperback edition Apple vs. thrifty e-book lovers and others who want DIY and third-party repairs A Look Back at BEA: BookBub, innovations in children’s books, The Onion’s bold bet on a Trump book Michael W. Perry March 12, 2016 at 9:35 am There is a fix. Amazon should permit what the iBookstore allows authors to do—create their own sampler—rather than mindlessly grabbing the first 10% of the book, contents included. For some fiction, that blind grab might be tolerable. But it does mean that some authors game the system by putting their good writing at the front and not bothering much with the later material. Other authors, as here, consider that 10% too little to hook their readers and do this contents-move cheat, and are getting burned although what they did wasn’t wrong. For non-fiction, however, that front-only slice is often a bad idea. Introductions, even when they’re not dull, don’t necessarily reflect the book as a whole. For My Nights with Leukemia, I had to open talking about how, with just an EMT’s training, I ended up working in a top children’s hospital caring for kids with cancer—one of only two people caring for very sick children. The front had to be about me. The rest were stories about those kids. For the iBooks sampler, I could pick some of the best of those stories. For the Kindle version, I couldn’t. Amazon is trapped by its own obsession with control. Whatever it does, some will game its system. When it attempts to block those gamers or to prevent what it sees as the failures of benighted authors, others get harmed. I saw that when I attempted to get around Createspace’s sloppy POD printing, which often means an ugly, misaligned spine. On one try, I made my spine area on one book a bit large as the lesser of two evils. Amazon took it on itself to fix that, which resulted in horribly misaligned spines. Now I bypass that problem altogether by making essentially making spineless books. I make the front, back and spine similar enough that their alignment isn’t critical. For instance, in Lily’s Ride, the sunset red of the front cover blends into the spine when blends into the similar sunset red of the back cover. You can see that in using Amazon’s “Flip to back” on this book. http://www.amazon.com/Lilys-Ride-Rescuing-Father-Klux/dp/1587420821 It’s not a perfect fix. When Createspace misaligns the spine the spine text is still off center. But it is better than leaving it all to them and this fix avoids their efforts to fix what wasn’t broken. I went round and round with someone at Createspace about this problem and got nowhere. What Amazon needs is a better cover template system and more quality control in their printing. But that would cost money. David VanDyke March 12, 2016 at 11:29 am Here’s an important update to Gaughran’s article, from the comments section, that shows the extent of the real problem: David Gaughran says: I’ve posted an update above but I’ll copy it here for anyone following comments. The story gets worse. UPDATE March 12: Turns out there is a lot more to this story, all of it worrying and none of it reflecting well on Amazon. I have a contact at KDP who I emailed two days ago and didn’t get any response. Which is poor, but exactly fits with how Amazon has handled this issue. The problem is much more serious than outlined above. And Amazon is fully aware of what is happening and is doing very little about it. The only conclusion I can draw is that Amazon doesn’t care. So here’s what I’ve been hearing over the last 24 hours: the scammer examples I linked to are actually quite tame. The serious guys aren’t just using TOCs to inflate their page reads, but, as I speculated in the post, links to the back of the book, footnotes, and all sorts of other wheezes (like filling books with page breaks, filling books with the same text in 10 different languages – done by Google Translate – and then having a link go to the English version at the back, etc. etc.). In other words, cracking down on rear TOCs is completely pointless and is only causing the innocent to suffer. Good job Amazon! And these scammers are far more successful than the examples linked to above. Many have been in receipt of All-Star Bonuses – taking that money from the authors who truly deserved it. Again, all of this has been reported to Amazon. Aside from not demanding the return of these fraudulently achieved bonuses and giving it to the authors who should have received them, Amazon is failing to sanction the culprits other than taking down the individual reported book – meaning the scammers are allowed to continue using these tricks in the rest of their books (and the most successful have giant catalogs), which don’t seem to be checked. This is basic stuff. Amazon should be checking the rest of their books, banning repeat offenders, withholding royalties, and giving the bonuses to those who should have received them. But Amazon is simply not taking this seriously. The main guy at the centre of this has been printing money – getting up to a million page reads A DAY (from a screenshot he posted). He was named on a KBoards thread, and you can dig that info out yourself if you wish, and he also appears to be selling a turnkey scammer system for $47 a pop to internet marketer types who want to grab some of this “easy” KU cash – one of the reasons this has exploded lately. He also has a private Facebook group with over 1,000 members learning his tricks. All of this was reported to Amazon publicly and privately weeks ago. Detailed information was sent to the jeff@ Amazon email address. But no action has been taken, aside from the piecemeal, half-hearted attempts to take down a book here and there. Meanwhile, these guys continue to rake it in – at everyone else’s expense. This is simply not good enough, and we need to send that message very clearly to Amazon.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339839
__label__cc	0.602533	0.397467	Sandnes thai massasje oslo eskort skrevet av sandnes thai massasje oslo eskort Journal, November 27, 2009. Jaschik, Scott (January 26, 2007). As a community, far from being elitist, it is anti-elitist (which, in this context, means that expertise is not accorded any special respect, and snubs and disrespect of expertise is tolerated). Its remedies include cautions and probations (used in 63 of cases) and banning editors from articles (43 subject matters (23 or Wikipedia (16). Stacy Schiff (July 31, 2006). " Wikipedia:Neutral point of view, Wikipedia (January 21, 2007). 265 The Wikimedia Foundation is not a licensor of content, but merely a hosting service for the contributors (and licensors) of the Wikipedia. "Wikipedia has a ton of money. Kostakis, Vasilis (March 2010). The New York Times. Petrilli, Michael (Spring 2008/Vol. Compact discs, DVDs Collections of Wikipedia articles have been published on optical discs. Retrieved October 17, 2007. Meyers, Peter (September 20, 2001). 44 Others suggest that the growth is flattening naturally because articles that could be called " low-hanging fruit "topics that clearly merit an articlehave already been created and built up extensively. It also has non-sexual photographs of nude children. 185 For instance, when contributors rewrite small portions of an entry rather than making full-length revisions, high- and low-quality content may be intermingled within an entry. A b Goldman, Eric. Publishing A group of Wikimedians of the Wikimedia DC chapter at the 2013 DC Wikimedia annual meeting standing in budapest escort pornstar nett chat front of the Encyclopædia Britannica (back left) at the US National Archives The most obvious economic effect of Wikipedia has been the. Retrieved December 1, 2007. Cohen, Morris; Olson, Kent (2010). 327 The night of the ceremony, members of the Wikimedia Foundation held a meeting with Wikipedians from all parts of Spain, including the local Asturian community. Retrieved March 31, 2010. It is not rare for articles strongly related to a particular language not to have counterparts in another edition. 260 Because the two licenses, gfdl and Creative Commons, were incompatible, in November 2008, following the request of the project, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) released a new version of the gfdl designed specifically to allow Wikipedia. 'dare to know social networks have led to a culture of "dare not to care to know." This is while Wikipedia faces "a more concerning problem" than funding, namely "a flattening growth rate in the number of contributors to the website.". "Inside Wikipedia Attack of the PR Industry". "The 15 Biggest Wikipedia Blunders". 259 The gfdl was created for software manuals that come with free software programs licensed under the GPL. 179 Wales once (2006 or earlier) said he receives about ten emails weekly from students saying they got failing grades on papers because they cited Wikipedia; he told the students they got what they deserved. Enter Wikipedia, the 'good cop' of the Internet". Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Printed books There are efforts to put a select subset of Wikipedia's articles into printed book form. Wikipedia trails just Yahoo, Facebook, Microsoft and Google, the largest with.2 billion unique visitors." 16 In addition to logistic growth in the number of its articles, 292 Wikipedia has steadily gained status as a general reference website since its inception in 2001. Retrieved September 2, 2009. (Those who were there will, I hope, remember that I tried very hard.). Sandra lyng haugen porno norsk xxx Hookup omrader som faktisk fungerer elverum Voksne kontaktannonser san francisco porsgrunn skien Real eskorte oslo nude naked massage Eskorte uten kondom gratis pornofilm	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339840
__label__cc	0.740553	0.259447	Sign In or Join SAFREA SA Freelance Media Industry and Rates Report Legal and tax advice How to become a freelancer For writers and editors For photographers and videographers 19 Jan 2020 SAFREA 706 Views The SAFREAN: June 2018 The SAFREAN Bringing you the latest news in Southern African freelancing SAFREA IN THE NEWS Robyn Thekiso, our Gauteng South Chairperson and member of Exco, represented SAFREA on the MADEX stage on 6 June this year. She spoke about the future of freelancing in a business world that is not adapting as fast as technology. Her talk resonated with many freelancers, prospective freelancers and even potential clients for freelancers. These are some of her key points: Global trends indicate an increase in freelancing. South Africa has unacceptably high unemployment levels and low entrepreneurial activity - it's imperative that business changes its models and the way in which it interacts with the freelancing community. On the topic of business, freelancers should understand that they are businesses and brands. In addition, freelancers need to network and build connections. This is where they can benefit from membership of an organisation like SAFREA. SAFREA conducts the annual SA Freelance Media Industry & Rates Report to monitor the freelancing sector in Southern Africa; it's a start and we hope to grow it year on year. Look out for more news and updates on the SAFREA website and social media platforms. On 12 June, Gauteng South and North welcomed Arthur Goldstuck of World Wide Worx and Bradley Elliott of Continuon to tell us more about their latest research. This study, called #OnlyConnect2018 - The power of brand influencers, changes the way a brand's social media influence is measured. Instead of focusing on clicks and engagement on social media platforms, brands should identify their influencers. An influencer can be anyone who sparks online conversations about a brand. You can download the insightful report here. 6 July, 10:00: Gauteng North Coffee Club, Industrial Coffee Works, Centurion RSVP: adp.anneline.dupreez@gmail.com 18 July, 10:00: Gauteng South Coffee Club, Standard Bank Incubator, 5 Cradock Avenue, Rosebank. Tiffany Markman will share her insights on mastering the freelance mentality. RSVP: gauteng@safrea.co.za Liz Bharo This month we're getting to know another photographer. No, wait... she does a lot of things... Liz Bharo may be young, but she is highly skilled! You’re first and foremost a photographer. Have you always known you wanted to be a photographer? What did you study? I always knew that I would be in a creative field. I started my studies in fine art, and fell in love with photography. At the back of my mind fine art was fulfilling enough, so I transitioned into the humanities, studying social anthropology and visual art history. I also studied graphic design and UX design. I would say I am more of an art director/brand strategist with a unique skillset in photography and design. My photography is always headed by brand knowledge – I no longer take images for beauty’s sake, but to represent brands and people authentically. And then life took a few twists and turns before you started your photography business? What were some key moments or insights? I fell into marketing, as employers at the time liked that I had a broad skillset: I had an understanding of subjects in humanities and I could design. One major key insight was that I loved working for myself. While I was permanently employed I took on smaller photography jobs on the weekends. It was empowering to work for myself. Apart from being a photographer and brand strategist, you are also a ... … graphic designer, creativity coach and film-maker. How do you manage to get all of this done? You have two businesses (Liz Bharo(photography) and Ostara), a YouTube channel and you also present courses. A time management tip or two would be greatly appreciated. I have an administrative tick – I am highly organised. I make a to-do list every morning with priorities at the top of the list, and work step by step down the list. This allows me to manage myself to be efficient. As the saying goes, are you busy or productive? How do you feel about where you are professionally? Do you still have big plans? Are you satisfied with where you are? Is there a thing as professional satisfaction? Just jokes. I am definitely on the path I feel I should be on. And content with it. However, I have many dreams and directions I would like to follow and implement. One of my core values is that I believe in continuous growth and that keeps me on my toes professionally. What does SAFREA mean to you? SAFREA means community. In the short time that I have been active (and active is one of the key words here), I have met strong business owners who support me and whom I would like to support in return. And that is something that is invaluable. Additionally the talks and platform are educative; I always learning something new. How do you see the freelancing landscape developing? I see more people entering the freelancing landscape and entrepreneurial space, as it's an empowering space to be in. With more entrepreneurs developing, more creative freelancers will be used to make those businesses effective. I also see more younger people entering the freelancing landscape, as the current generation makes the decision to be self-fulfilled a lot quicker than previous generations did. Sorry for putting you in a box... but you are a millennial. And some of us older ones have become fascinated with how millennials think, so I have three questions for the millennial. LOL, you are not the only one. I am obsessed with millennial thinking too! And Gen Z! What makes you angry? Bullying and abuse in the workplace. What makes you smile? People who are empowered and content, good food, listening to the ocean, and my energetic and playful dog Diesel. Name three things you cannot do without. My furry children, nature and a good book (I can’t just choose three, so four will have to do, as I have two furry children). What is your work/life motto? Follow your heart – when you truly follow your heart, and what’s good for you, you are heading in the right direction. Thanks for sharing, Liz! If you'd like to be next month's featured member, give us a shout! FREELANCING TIP OF THE MONTH At SAFREA, we're always on the lookout for time-saving tricks and business insights to help our members take their careers to the next level. Safrean Penny Haw gives some tips on making a good first impression on a client. But before you get excited about a prospective client, you need to learn all you can about the client, and make sure that you're able to deliver on the brief. If you’re kicking yourself because you unsubscribed long ago and now want to get back in, or you have a friend who would benefit from our newsletter, just pop a quick email to adp.anneline.dupreez@gmail.com to re-subscribe. You’ll be glad you did! SAFREA is a Registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 114-297). PBO 930049795 Copyright SAFREA.co.za Logo design by Wayne Banks Design Developed by Microbump Studios. Sign into SAFREA	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339842
__label__cc	0.587076	0.412924	They headed southeast, just to make sure there was no chance that Manson and his party would accidentally see them, since the road through the woods was generally headed in a northeast direction from Rhun. Two days sailing brought them beyond the forest to the flat plains that seemed to stretch for a while. Drikdare guided the Cloudlovers to where he thought his clan, the Mithereen Tribe, might be. It took a few weeks of sailing, landing, asking other centaur or travelers if they had heard or interacted with the Mithereens, sailing some more, asking more travelers, etc. Eventually, however, they found the tribe. Several centaur warriors rode out, armored, with wicked-looking longbows as the ship descended. As soon as Drikdare and his family were spotted, however, the arrows came down and the centaur were overjoyed. A runner was sent back to the camp, and soon centaur were pouring from the tents as the party finished dismounting. Drikdare, Eloranos, Eapas, and Gwnyll were all absorbed into the mass of centaur. Eventually Drikdare introduced the party and the Cloudlovers, and they were all immediately showered with affection and hearty slaps. Some of the centaur spoke common, much to Khaska’s relief, and they were all invited to join the clan for a feast that evening. There was dancing and singing and celebrating. Drikdare’s father, the chieftain Faelan, insisted that the party sit by him around the biggest of the fires and eat the choicest cuts of meat. An older centaur, gray hair and beard, Faelan was interested to hear of their quest and how they had come to free his son and family. He seemed wise and thoughtful, and Rynn was grateful to meet him. Orensland felt a bit out of place—rangers, druids, hunters, gatherers, there wasn’t much in common with him, a shadowdancing thief. Sanjin had interacted with centaur tribes before in his wanderings on the Death Side, so seemed as content as ever, unflappable and willing to continue to see the adventure through. Khaska was a bit of an oddity, since there were so few of his race on the Death Side, but they made him feel welcome despite needing to constantly shoo the younger centaur away from gaping at him. The party went on late through the night, and eventually everbody retired to a tent that had been set up just for them. There were many fine furs and rugs decorating the floor, and the group fell asleep instantly. The next morning, the Cloudlovers left after being showered with gifts and items to trade from the tribe. The centaur gave a rousing cheer as the skyship rose into the morning light and sailed off back towards Rhun. Then, at Faelan’s insistence, the party was escorted into the large chieftains tent with Faelan, Drikdare, and several other of the male centaur. “My friends,” Faelan said, “we are greatly indebted to you for freeing my son and his family. If you need anything that we can provide, you need merely ask. We are in your debt, and you have made friends of the Mithereen tribe. This is a war council, and we have invited you here because you seek the same enemy we do.” Drikdare stepped forward. “I call for a war party to hunt down Manson and his followers. They kidnapped me and my family, locked my wife and children up, forced me to do their bidding, and made me a servant of their overzealous ways. They are an enemy and have committed gross crimes against the tribe.” The vote was unanimous. The clan was going to war against Manson. Drikdare turned to the party. “Will you join us in the hunt?” Will you join them in the hunt? Do you wish to negotiate that they take care not to destroy or harm Lady Maramos? The people of Rhun are going to use the nice shiny black carriage as firewood. Don’t worry about it. It’s gone. You still have the ledger, your copy of it, and the jewels were cached near the village. Orensland votes yes! Hunts sound fun. He would also try to negotiate in trying not to harm or destroy lady Maramos. Probably indicating that the clerics have a borrowed cart, and we want what is on the cart. Keeping some horses alive (for the cart, I'd prefer if we didn't follow the pioneer's example on this one) and providing some provisions would be nice as well. Attacking at night would likely be the best option, if we can choose. It would give us the element of surprise as well as guaranteeing some shadowdancing opportunity for Orensland. As for the ledger… I thought we were leaving it at Rhun for when we got back. That is not an item I would want on my person when (if) Lady Maramos wakes up. I'd assume we can haggle out between ourselves what to do with Lady Maramos once Manson and his crew are defeated and the centaurs are gone. Sanjin agrees with Orensland to join their hunt. However he feels that we should be careful whom the party trusts their secrets to -few will understand the necessity of their plans with a Vampire. The ledger can be back at Rhun if you want. If I misunderstood what you wanted to do with it, I apologize. That's an easy enough detail to retcon. Is that where you all want it? Orensland could make up a tale about how we ended up with the ledger, if we trust his bluffing against Lady Maramos. Perhaps the coach was damaged and had to be discarded after the battle? Plus, we're not sure when we'll be making it back to Rhun in the first place. Khaska, still smarting from Jake's parting coolness, is somewhat loath to sign on to more violence. But he doesn't see much of a path forward beside it at this point, though he'd like to minimize the impact of it. He'd like to point out that the clerics back in Rhun had sworn oaths to Manson; it's possible that were he dead, those oaths would be rendered invalid, freeing the clerics in Manson's train from that bond. He'd pass along the idea that they concentrate on Manson and offer clemency to as many as remain and will surrender, swearing another oath (which we could brainstorm about). He knows the rest of the party probably won't go for this, but… he feels he should. I also forgot to give out XP. Orensland gets 675 for killing Gill in single combat. Everybody gets 500 XP for the "quest" of returning Drikdare and his family to their tribe. Rynn is excited to join them in the hunt. Partly because it means we're heading out against our enemy, but mostly because Rynn is feeling like he's in his element. I suspect "the hunt" will mean a lot of tracking and navigating the wilds which is what the ranger loves. No more cities and those pesky laws. :) Rynn won't speak out either way about Maramos. He's said what he said to Drikdare in the last chapter, and won't revisit it at this time. He wouldn't be disappointed at all if the centaur destroyed her, but he doesn't want to argue in public against his friend, Orensland. Rynn is deferring for now, hoping things will become clear later. Similarly, the ranger won't argue for or against the killing of Manson's companions. As for the ledger, I think it's better to keep it with us. If it's back in a cache at Rhun, it's hard to retrieve it if we need it. The information therein might be useful down the road. I'm not worried about Maramos searching our stuff… that wasn't a problem before, and we can control when we revive her. But Rynn doesn't really have the social skills to make effective use of the ledger himself, so I'll defer to the rest of the group. (I'm middle ground on all these things in this post, but that's sort of just circumstance. These are just details that both I as a player, and my character Rynn are just kind of indifferent about. I'm happy to let you all decide on these; I'm sure that Rynn will have more to say on future topics.) Orensland didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely!” Then, a bit chagrined at his outburst, he stopped smiling. “That is, I would say yes, but I will let my companions speak for themselves.” Rynn half-smiled at the shadowdancer. “We will join you in the hunt. Manson is an enemy of ours, and has taken …” “Something that belongs to us, that we would like to retrieve,” Sanjin interrupted. The wizard glanced at his friends, wary of giving away the secret of Lady Maramos. “I am aware,” Drikdare said, dryly, “of why you helped me. You will get your share of the spoils from our war party, and I can’t imagine that any of us will want the items you would like to claim.” Drikdare was in the know, but was also being cagey about it. “The box in question, a cart, and hopefully some horses to carry it,” Orensland said. “I’m not one for dragging a cart across the Deadlands by myself.” “Are we just going to slay the entire group with Manson?” Khaska inquired. All eyes turned to him. “Speak, Khaska of the Maha’i,” Faelan said. “Your voice is welcome in this council.” The cleric stepped forward. “Several of Manson’s group back in the town where Drikdare’s family was being held followed Manson for personal reasons. Oaths, felt like they had no better alternative, things like that. My thought was that if we focused on Manson, perhaps some of those who follow him still might be persuaded to surrender or to abandon their overzealous ways. I am loathe to participate in unnecessary killing if there is another way.” “Your words are wise,” Faelan said, “and I do sympathize. However, you are a stranger to our ways, and this is a war council. Those who fight against us will be slain. Innocents among our enemies, and those who do not take up arms against us or who surrender, will not be harmed.” Khaska bowed his head. “Thank you for explaining. I will join my companions in your war party, and pray that there will be some that surrender instead of being needlessly slaughtered.” The centaur council seemed to accept this, and with that their discussion turned to tracking, tactics, war party numbers, and other considerations. In the end, fully a third of the centaur males volunteered, and Drikdare, as the one who had called for the war council, selected those who would come. The Mansonite caravan would have twenty-one people in it, clerics and fighters, mostly, with a few acolytes and two monks. It was possible that Manson might have more followers who would join them on the move, but Drikdare wasn’t concerned. In the end, forty-five centaur were selected, and with the four members of the party, there were forty-nine, a number, it was explained, that had significance. Seven times seven—the number of a tribal council multipled by itself. There were preparations to be made with that many male centaur leaving the tribe for an extended period. Drikdare explained that there were many kinds of hunts, manhood hunts, like Eapas would participate in next year, courtship hunts, etc. Each had their own set of traditions and rituals. For a war hunt, Drikdare, as the one who called for the hunt, needed to find and slay an animal that would be used in preparations. He left the very next morning. He was gone for several days, during which the party stayed with the tribe. Orensland was able to use his juggling skills to entertain the younglings, while Khaska and Sanjin conversed with the tribal elders, Khaska learning and sharing stories, and Sanjin inquiring about cursed sites and possible dungeon locations the tribe might be aware of. Rynn was able to put his ranger skills to use hunting and foraging for food and aiding the tribe in its self-sufficiency. Drikdare returned from his hunt carrying the corpse of a dead male lion. A powerful good omen for a war hunt, was the consensus. The war party would leave in the morning. They woke before dawn and participated in the rituals preparing them for a war hunt. The women of the tribe painted specific druid runes on the forehead of each war party member using a mixture of mud, water, and a bit of blood from the lion. Orensland thought it was really cool, Rynn was intrigued, Sanjin just wanted to get on with it, and Khaska had to steel himself to be touched by a woman because, like Eloranos and Gwynyll, the women of the centaur tribe were mostly topless. While he had grown accustomed to this fact, being touched by them was a different matter entirely. He hoped his reticence wasn’t obvious, or rude. Eranaois, the high priestess of the tribe, Faelan’s mate and Drikdare’s mother, also came and pronounced a blessing on each member of the party. She walked slowly, beset by arthritis, supported by two younger female centaur at either side of her. She seemed frail and thin, but set in her purpose. With some of the war party, she gave a generic blessing, but sometimes she would pause, her hands on the temples of the kneeling centaur, and then deliver something more specific. Orensland and Sanjin, first in line of the party, got generic blessings. “May you have the strength of the earth with you as you fight for our tribe” and “May the spirits of the earth be with you in your journey and protect you as you fight” respectively. Rynn, however, got something more specific. She paused for a while, her eyes closed in concentration. “You seek something that has been lost from you. You will find some answers soon and will have both sorrow and joy. But know this: the end of your quest is not at hand.” Rynn was kneeling before her as she pronounced this, and wondered what this portended. Khaska was next, and the sudden possibility arising in his mind of a personal blessing caused him to forget of his discomfort at being touched by the high priestess. And his premonition proved true. She paused for such a long time that the other tribe members began stirring. “May Teresh bless you in your hunt,” she finally said. A generic blessing, it seemed. She gave him a long look, and then moved on. Drikdare was blessed last, just before dawn. As the sun spilt over the horizon, Eranaois brought her hands up as high as she could and prayed loudly to the spirits of earth and wind and air that the party would find success in hunting their enemies. With that, the war party departed. However, one of the other females came to grab Khaska and pull him aside. Eranaois approached him, and the younger female bowed and left them alone on the edge of camp, still visible to all, but without earshot. “Khaska, I do not know what to make of the visions swirling in my head around you. I have lived many years and not had premonitions of such strength. There is great evil in your future, yet there is also great good. You must find the meaning of these visions, but I cannot interpret them for you.” She leaned in closely. “There is a seer atop Mount Elduin, a stone giant who has lived for so long that we centaur no longer even remember his name. Perhaps he can help you. I fear for your future with all the heartache that will come, and rejoice in your future, for all the joy that you will find. I wish you well, my friend. Thank you for bringing my son and his family back to us.” With that, she leaned in to grasp the Maha’i by the shoulders and bestowed a kiss on his cheek. “I will forever be grateful that I got to seem them again before I pass from this life.” Khaska took her hands in his, heedless of whatever impropriety he was committing by doing so. “I thank you for the gift of your visions, and will seek their meaning. We all must leave this world sometime, but I know that for me, my life is the better for having met you and your family, and your tribe.” He straightened, and released her hands, tilting his head back in a sign of respect. “When your time comes, may Markus conduct you into the everlasting hills, and may you there never know aught but happiness.” She motioned over her assistants and they took her limping away. Khaska turned, resolute, and follower the war party that was receeding into the distance. Finding Manson and his party was not difficult, more a matter of travel time than of searching them out. The Mansonite caravan was barely a week out of the forest and into the plains when the scouts first encountered them. It was a question of how to approach them and engage in combat. Rynn went ahead with some of the scouts to get an assessment of their forces. The druids of the war party, with their wild shape ability, were definitely useful in scouting out, but the ranger’s help was more than welcome, as it had been these past weeks during their journey. Well-hidden in a patch of bushes atop a hill, he peered at the Mansonite camp through Captain Bronzebeard’s spyglass. Drikdare’s assessment of the party seemed accurate. There were twenty-four of them, three more than expected. Manson must have found another group of his acolytes while on the move. It wasn’t that big of a deal. But as he peered through the telescope, he saw something that made his heart skip a beat. One of Manson’s acolytes was Jared Evans … from Silver Meadow. Rynn slowly put the spyglass down and blew out a long breath. Jared must have been one of the survivors of the bugbear raid on the town. Eranaois’ blessing came to his mind, unbidden. “You will find some answers soon and will have both sorrow and joy.” This was a problem. He observed the camp for a few more minutes to get a better sense of the flow of things among Manson's followers, and then left to return to the war party. I thought about asking Rynn to roll some Survival and Gather Info checks to help in tracking down Manson and his caravan, but since you were going to automatically succeed anyway it didn’t make much difference and would have slowed us down. There are a great many centaur rangers and druids, and the group is basically self-sufficient and able to track and find Manson’s caravan regardless. However, sufficieth to say, the centaur were grateful for your help, and you were able to help provide food and water for the party as well as some of the centaur. As a ranger, you more than pulled your weight (assuming average rolls of 10 over several weeks), and impressed many of them. Rynn has made some good friends in this tribe beyond even Drikdare. And now you might have to cash that goodwill in. Jared is a survivor of Silver Meadow, Rynn thinks. It’s possible that Jared might have similarly been away during the bugbear raid, like Rynn and Jacob were, but Rynn thinks that unlikely. So, the questions to answer in this gray box. 1. What does Rynn want to do about Jared? 2. How will your party recommend the centaur attack? Pick them off one by one as they travel? Just do a frontal assault during the night? Show up and ask for their surrender? Wait until they are crossing a river or stream to create a natural split in the caravan? (The land is pretty flat, there won’t be a lot of opportunity for ambushing them in a ravine or something like that.) 3. What plans do you want to make around making sure Lady Maramos survives whatever you suggest in response to question 2? And it is now April. You've mostly been traveling with Centaur and with the Cloudlovers the last two months, and so I think I'll just rule that you need to pay the "self-sufficient" upkeep prices. Please deduct 4 gold total from each of your inventories. Also, using in-game time, the party met for the first time barely over a year ago. What a year it's been for your characters, eh? What would Rynn know about Jared Evans? What sort of relationship did they have; was he just an acquaintance from the town? Did he have family there? How old is he? What kind of person was he then? The ranger realizes that Jared may have changed greatly, just as Rynn has. But the context of the past may help. Also, if Rynn was able to identify Jared's face, was he able to take in any other details? Like, how is Jared equipped? Is he wearing any Whitecloak garb? Things may change slightly based on what Rynn remembers of Jared, but Rynn at least wants a chance to speak to him to learn what he knows about what happened at Silver Meadow. Tactically, it seems like a difficult request to ask the centaur to spare a specific person. How would they know which person? And what if he fights back; would that be out of self-defense or because he's following Manson? So he will tell everyone of his past and why he wants to speak with Jared, but will not ask them to risk their lives to intervene. Instead, Rynn will attempt to deal with Jared himself. During the attack, he'll try to find Jared and get him to surrender, or use a wand to heal him if he falls. Perhaps even try to sneak into the enemy camp before the attack. If Orensland is willing, it might be possible for him to go in and disable (tie up or knock out) Jared before the fight starts. But that would probably mean we have to attack by night… which seems like the best strategy to Rynn in any case. The longer we watch them, the more we risk being seen. Picking them off could tip them off or at least put them on their guard. Asking Manson's group to surrender does not even cross Rynn's mind. As for Lady Maramos… well, Rynn doesn't care what happens there. And he'll be preoccupied about Jared at this point anyway. Perhaps if Orensland does volunteer to sneak in to disable Jared, that could put him in a position to do something about the vampire? Great questions about Jared. Rynn knew Jared mostly in passing. Silver Meadow wasn't a large town, but Rynn mostly interacted with Jared in trade situations. Jared was a little older and is now in his early 40s. He had been married for a time, but his wife had died from disease some years before. They had no children. Jared had not remarried, but didn't seem to be a recluse or anything. Just not terribly social. He had been part of the town militia but, then again, most men of the town were available for the militia if needed. Jared appears to be a Whitecloak (since he was wearing the trademark white cloak), but a low-ranking one. Adept is likely his character class, but he might be a cleric. He was wearing a holy symbol, but it was too far to make out specifics, even with the spyglass. He seemed to have leather armor as well as a quarterstaff, and was engaged in the more menial tasks (setting up tents for the night, helping light fires, etc.) when Rynn observed him for the few minutes. (In the narration it sounded like Rynn saw him and then immediately left, but I had conceived of Rynn observing the camp for a while even after his discovery. I've slightly altered the text to more clearly convey that.) Hmm. So Jared probably won't just end up as some bystander then, and likely has more loyalty to the Whitecloaks at this point than to a casual acquaintance from years ago. Thus, I think I'll stick with what I outlined above. So Rogues can do a special kind of sneak attack with a weapon called a "sap" that does non-lethal damage. Orensland doesn't have a sap, but they cost 1gp and basically are the equivalent of a rock inside some leather. One of the 45 centaur has a leathermaking craft skill and some tools on hand (to repair tents, weapons, etc.). You can have a one-use only improvised sap if you want, and could basically sneak in and knock Jared out at the beginning of combat. Or wait until you can flank him and get sneak attack damage and knock him out then (perhaps with Rynn's assistance in the flanking department). I'm on my phone and in public, so my typing abilities are limited. Orensland would feel happy knocking him out in advance, probably in an isolated area. We should warn the centaurs to not kill unconscious people just for his sake. I'd prefer not to do the sniping method. If I get caught, I get swarmed. I would likely be in camp when the fighting starts and pick out stragglers from the back. Or middle, if the camp is surrounded. In general, though, he would avoid fighting groups without backup. If there are no stragglers, I'll crack out my crossbow, pick a safe location, and fire away. Orensland is also happy to sneak in and assassinate Manson in his sleep. (Explained over the phone earlier this week, and re-confirmed by text right now.) I would like a better sense of what tactics you all want to use in this fight? Snipe them from afar? Get into the camp in hand-to-hand (especially Rynn, so he could get close to Jared)? Stay back and heal (Khaska)? Stay back and nuke (Sanjin)? You guys aren't necessarily the only higher level characters among the war party, but you're expected to pull your weight. The centaur seem to be of the opinion that attacking in the night would be best, just as true night begins, shortly after twilight sunset. The entire party is rangers and druids of varying levels, by class. Especially for those of you with more D&D experience, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the tactics of the war party and then of your characters should be. Whew! Finally I get a chance to post. First: well, Khaska now has a goal for the next place he wants to visit: Mount Elduin. Do we know where, exactly, that is? Do the centaurs? Is it merely a name that came to the seer in vision? Eryx, recall that Khaska also has wilderness survival skills, so it wouldn't just be Rynn among the party helping to scope out food and water during the trip. Regarding tactics: how are the centaurs' healing abilities? If Khaska feels he'd make a bigger difference in providing support through healing, he'd be willing to do that. (And though he'd be loath to mention it, it'd help keep his ever-more-nagging conscience at bay; he'd be quietly pulling a Desmond Doss.) He'd be alright with attacking at night, and would support a moratorium on killing the unconscious or fallen. (Of course, another character could remind him that this move was exactly the one that caused much of the trouble in Rhun, a perspective Khaska is unlikely to achieve by himself.) Druids can heal, but as a cleric you can literally change a spell you've prepared to cast a healing spell instead (if you prepared any level 3 spell you can cast the equivalent healing spell instead). Druids can do that for spells that summon animals to fight (if they prepared any level 3 spell they can cast the equivalent "Summon Nature's Ally" spell instead). Basically, they can heal, but you are the most versatile healer in the group. And in Rhun it wasn't just that you didn't kill the unconscious or fallen, you literally healed them so they wouldn't have a chance to bleed out. Not the same thing at all. Metagaming, in general I don't really even take note of bleeding out of enemies, once they're unconscious, I count them as dead. Sometimes I make exceptions and keep track of such things when I feel you might want information from your opponents or might have other considerations. It really doesn't seem that any of those conditions apply this time, except to Jared. So, we have Orensland willing to assassinate Manson in his sleep, Rynn who wants to personally fight Jared to try to keep him from dying, Orensland willing to sap Jared, Khaska who just wants to heal allies this time, and … still waiting for DeltaWolf to post, but I assume Sanjin will stay back and nuke things while sending in his snake staff to squeeze people to death. But I'll wait for him to see if there's anything specific he wants to do. Ah, thanks for the clarification. I suppose I meant it in the generic sense of "showing mercy," though it's good to note the difference between healing and allowing to die. Further, Khaska will join battle if he feels he's needed—melee, with his scimitar, in order to conserve his spells—but will heal otherwise. Khaska immediately noticed that Rynn’s demeanor was different when the ranger returned to camp. He quickly inquired as to what had happened, and Rynn explained the situation to him. They immediately left to find Drikdare and discuss the ramifications. “I sympathize,” Drikdare said, “as you well know the great driving force of my life the past year has been to keep my mate and children safe. Now you find yourself in a position perhaps to know more about the fate of your mate. Describe this Jared Evans to us, and I will order my men to take pains to avoid killing him.” “I don’t know if I can ask you to do that,” Rynn said. “In the heat of battle, I don’t want them to hesitate each time they fight a new Mansonite.” “It was not a guarantee of his survival,” Drikdare said, “but I am open to suggestions.” “Let me knock him out,” Orensland said. The shadowdancer had just arrived around the campfire and had heard the last bit of Rynn’s explanation and Drikdare’s response. “I was going to suggest my sneaking into camp and killing Manson anyway.” Drikdare furrowed his brow. “You would go, alone, into the Mansonite camp to personally engage Manson?” Orensland smiled, and then stepped to the side, blending into the shadows as he did so. Drikdare had not, as of yet, known that Orensland had that ability. There were gasps of astonishment. “I was going to sneak in to the camp and kill Manson in his sleep. I have no desire to waltz in and challenge him to personal combat.” He reappeared a few feet away. “The dwarf was a one-time deal back in Rhun.” Drikdare nodded. “I understand.” They discussed how this might fit into the plans the Centaur had. The initial plan had been for Drikdare to open the attack with a Lightning Storm. After that initial salvo, and because of their superior darkvision, they had planned on using their druid magic to try and extinguish the Mansonite torches, if they were lucky some of the fires, and entangle the camp so they could then use their bows and other ranged spells to attack the people in the camp. Then they would charge in for hand-to-hand combat to kill any survivors. It was decided that Orensland would sneak in, try to kill Manson and knock out Jared, and then leave camp so as not to be caught in the nature spells the centaur would be using. “You will have a few minutes, but if you have not returned by then, you will be caught with Manson and his followers in our magic.” Orensland nodded. “I can make it in and out. But I am going to need some help before we go.” The shadowdancer didn’t own a sap, an oversight he thought he might correct in the future, but with the help of one of the centaur skilled in leatherworking he was able to cobble one together, just a rock inside a leather pouch, bascially. It was a hasty job, clearly good for only one or two blows before it would basically disintegrate, but it would work. With that, the camp all spent a few moments in silence, for prayer, or meditation, or whatever they wanted to do. Khaska prayed under his breath, while watching the centaur and his companions. He particularly prayed that Jared would survive so that Rynn might obtain some answers about the fate of Juliet. Then the war party began to move forward. Khaska stayed towards the back. Since everybody but him had some form of low-light or darkvision, he followed closely behind one of the centaur, an arrangement they had agreed upon. The centaur began to slowly fan out as they emerged from the copse of trees they had used to mask their approach. Rynn used the spyglass to find and point out Jared, who was still cleaning up from the camp’s dinner. This information was conveyed to everybody in the party. With that, Drikdare pointed at Orensland, and the shadowdancer nodded. He had about five minutes before the druid would unlease his Lightning Storm spell and begin the attack. DeltaWolf, you haven’t posted, but we’re moving forward. Per the Campaign Rules: If a player does not post within 5 days twice, that's a strike. After three strikes and the DM and the player will have a discussion on whether or not you should continue in the campaign. I know we haven’t been exactly following the 5 day rule perfectly, but I feel this warrants an invocation of this rule, the spirit of the law, if you will. You’re halfway to your first strike. Alright, I need Hide and Move Silent Checks from Orensland, as well as attack rolls for Manson and Jared (you have a sap with Jared). Each time you use the sap, roll a % dice. First time, if you roll a 51+, it disintegrates. The second time, 76+, it disintegrates. Third time, 91+ it disintegrates. Fourth time it will disintegrate no matter what and you cannot use it anymore. Would you like to go for Jared first, or Manson first? Aside from those rolls, everybody give me initiative and three rounds of actions. I'll go for Manson first, then Jared. If Manson is awake, I'd just go for Jared. We can talk about this over text if you want. * Hide: 26 (rolled 2 + 24) * Move Silently: 37 (rolled 13 + 24) (Manson) * Hit: 23 (12 + 11) I forget the Coup De Grace rules, do you want to do that part? (Jared) * Hit: 13 (rolled 7 + 6 base?????????) …I don't know the rules for knocking someone unconscious. (General Combat) Damage: 12 I gotta run, but I included the 1d6 damage. I just got terrible rolls. :( Sanjin will enter the fight using Burning Hands to catch a wide spread of enemies then use Acid Arrow on a survivor. Cast Burning Hands Damage: 12 (4,2,2,3,1) Damage: 6 (2,4) Damage: 6 (3.3) As mentioned above, Khaska will mainly focus on healing the injured. However, he will have spells prepared just in case they're needed (I'll get those updated as soon as possible). Let me know if your characters would suggest that he prepare any particular spells; they'll have had ample time to plan ahead. Let me know, Eryx, if you require the rounds of combat despite that not being his focus. [Addition] Khaska will use his spells to give the party some strategic advantages in the battle. For instance, he'll cast Shield of Faith on Orensland before he goes off to face Manson. Immediately before the attack, he'll cast several instances of Silence on the Mansonite camp. He'll cast Bull's Strength on two of the centaurs who would need it and Greater Magic Weapon on a weapon that might have the most action (this would probably be decided upon beforehand). Throughout the battle, he'll use spells like Virtue, Resistance, Guidance, Bless, Prayer, Dispel Magic, and Summon Monster IV to support the party and the centaurs. He'll reserve Magic Vestment and Fire Shield for self-defense if they're needed, or will give them to others if warranted. Let me know if you'd have any strategic advice that would be different. And if he gets into melee, he'll draw his scimitar: To Hit: 14 + 8 = 22 — Damage: 2 + 2 = 4 To Hit: 3 + 8 = 11 — Damage: 3 + 2 = 5 Rynn will be hoping for the best with Jared, but knows that the most important thing at this point is for the attack to be quick and successful. When the time comes to engage, he'll fire his bow at the enemy. Longbow: 17 (rolled 9 + 8 bonuses), damage: 4 (rolled 2 + 2 STR) Rynn's bow (or arrows) get a lot of action because he can fire 2 (or more) each round. So if we decide that Khaska's Greater Magic Weapon should go to the ranger's bow, it would add +1 to each of those attack rolls (because it was already masterwork), and +2 to each damage result. But I'm not certain that's the best use of the spell; just throwing it out as a suggestion. With the sun behind Pressen, the five of so hours of “true night” the best time to attack, the shadowdancer had little trouble sneaking into the camp. Scouts had watched Manson retire to bed after their evening meal, and he knew exactly which tent it was. The only problem was that there was a guard stationed right outside the only door, a dwarven cleric. Orensland snuck around back, pulling his dagger out. Easy enough. Make a new door. He could hear Manson snoring in the back of the tent, making it easy to identify where he was. A few gentle nudges allowed him to determine where he could cut the tent without hitting something inside, and he went to work. The sound of the dagger neatly slicing through the tent couldn’t really be avoided. Orensland listened intently to see if the guard heard him, and, unfortunately, it appeared that the dwarf did. Orensland could hear the clank of the plate metal coming around the side of the tent, and quickly made a decision. If the man was coming around the tent counter-clockwise, then it would be simplicity itself to go the same direction and then just sneak in the front door! While the cleric was looking around the back of the tent, Orensland did indeed manage to dive in the front door. His eyes needed no adjustment (this still amazed him) in the pitch black darkness of the tent. Manson was asleep, his armor to the side, but his sword on the floor right by his bedroll. Orensland stole over, quietly drawing his sword, raised it, and then swung. He drove his blade into Manson’s chest, and Manson moved in astonishment before dying. Orensland relaxed. The most dangerous person in the camp was dead. But he was able to relax just for a moment. The door flung open and the dwarf looked in. He took the scene in with a glance, Manson literally still spurting blood, and cried out in horror. “Cedric!” he yelled. “Someone help!” He rushed into the tent. “Cedric’s been attacked!” Orensland jumped to the side, doing his best to avoid the barreling dwarf while not giving away his location by other means. He managed to step on a chest and vault over the dwarf, not touching anything else and not hitting the dwarf, who was trying in vain to use his healing spells on Cedric. “There’s an intruder in the camp. To arms!” The tent flap burst open just as Orensland was about to exit and the shadowdancer hugged the wall of the tent. It was the other cleric from the Ruvalk. Orensland nearly held his breath, still blending into the shadows. Light now spilled into the tent as someone with a torch stood without. “The assassin was just here, Preston. Lord Manson was bleeding out moments ago!” The other cleric looked around, and then chanted a quick prayer. His maul lit up with a Light spell and he looked around the tent. There were still enough shadows that Orensland could harness their darkness, but had to readjust a bit. Luckily it appeared that still nobody could see him. “Search the camp!” Preston yelled, leaving the tent. “The intruder is still here!” Orensland could hear the sounds of the camp rousing, and silently cursed. Manson was dead, but the element of surprise had been lost. He wasn’t sure it was a trade-off he would have made knowing the outcome. The guard, openly weeping, and with blood all over his hands, left the tent. He followed the guard out immediately, hoping nobody would notice the tent door flapping twice. Nobody did. The shadowdancer allower himself one big gulp of air—blending into the shadows literally right next to a high-level cleric had not been in the original plan—but he had another task to try to complete. Jared had been in the common area when he had last checked, helping clean up the evening dinner. After darting around for a few minutes, Orensland found him. The man had already been wearing his leather armor, but now was armed with a sword and a buckler. The entire camp was awake and moving. There really wasn’t an opportunity to hit Jared over the head and then drag him outside of the camp. So Orensland just trailed the man as best he could. Jared was assigned to guard the outskirts of the camp. With no intruder detected (Orensland heard Preston speculating that a vampire could have flown into camp in gaseous form), they were expecting an attack. This left Jared a slight distance away from others, but well within sight of them. Knocking him out would be risky. Orensland didn’t much like the idea of running away carrying a comatose body while being chased by the entire Mansonite camp. So he waited. Suddenly, however, the sounds from the camp faded into nothingness. He heard a few voices cry out—apparently some had resisted Khaska’s casting of Silence, but he knew what was coming next, and he didn’t much want to be around for it. He clubbed Jared over the head, and the sap disentegrated on the first attempt, the rock spinning off into the night. No matter; the one blow had done the job. Jared crumpled to the ground. Orensland reached down to pick him up … just as the Lightning Storm hit. The sky suddenly came alight with Drikdare’s magic, lightning bolts spraying across the camp. Orensland heard cries of pain and curses from behind him as he picked up Jared’s unconscious body and took a single step when the magic blazed into him as well. Lightning sprayed across his vision, playing up and down his limbs and rattling his teeth. He felt his skin burning and his hair catching fire as he began to sprint. He was close to the edge of camp, so only got hit once, but man, it sure hurt. He had to duck down to avoid a blast of wind that erupted from the air in front of him, but he pressed on as the druids kept up their next phase—using Gust of Wind to knock out torches and campfires. Preston’s sword was still lit up like a beacon, however, giving everybody a good idea of where the camp was, even while far away and in the dark. Orensland managed to make it back to the line of centaur, dropping Jared on the ground. “Someone,” he gasped for air, “stabilize,” another gasp, “him.” One centaur reached down and green magic moved from his hand onto Jared. The singed acolyte began to breath more steadily. Orensland relaxed, and then turned to see how the battle was going. Really well. Vines and branches and other plants had sprung up in the camp, virtually trapping everybody where they were. Lightning played across the entire encampment, blasting everything in sight. The thunder was almost deafening. The shadowdancer whistled to himself. “Remind me never to get on Drikdare’s bad side,” he said to nobody in particular. He glanced over and could see Rynn firing into the camp, his arrows aimed at Preston. Khaska stood back and waited, healing spells prepared, and Sanjin appeared to be doing the same. Eventually, the lighning stopped. Most of the Mansonites had fallen to the ground. It was unclear if they were dead. From the light of Preston’s sword, it looked like three of them were still up, perhaps more beyond the range of the spell. He was barking orders, pointing at one of the carts. “Slay the vampire! At least let us rid the world of her pestilence!” All three of them were trying to get to it, but moved slowly, encumbered by the vines and the other plants from the Entangle spell. But it didn’t matter. The cart was on fire, and an unintended side effect of the Lightning Storm became apparent. With the cart on fire, the makeshift coffin was also on fire. The lid must have been too damaged by the storm, which had also then gotten inside the coffin … and must have lit the stake in Lady Maramos on fire. The coffin lid exploded outward as she shoved her way to freedom, her elegant clothes hanging off of her in tatters. She took one glance around the camp field and then, shrieking arcane command words, threw her hands forward as a burst of icy magic blasted the three remaining clerics. Two of them dropped dead. Only Preston remained. Drikdare looked at Rynn, Khaska, and Sanjin. Orensland had run out of the camp in a different direction. “I am confident we can kill the remaining Mansonites. But what would you have me do about her? Shall I continue the attack?” he asked in Elven. Rynn looked at Khaska. “Should we have him just annihilate the rest of the camp? Her included?” Orensland took 17 points of damage from Drikdare’s Call Lightning Storm spell. Jared is stabilized. The infiltration mission was a success! I … did not expect Drikdare and Khaska to singlehandedly destroy like 90% of the Mansonites. With Khaska’s Silence spell limiting some of them from healing and Drikdare’s Call Lightning Storm doing a ridiculous amount of damage (coupled with some abysmal single-digit rolling saves from the Mansonite group), most of them are now on the ground bleeding out. Someday the dice are going to turn against you all. But today was not that day. Again. So, the Lightning Storm had an interesting and unintended side effect. Lady Maramos is now awake, the storm having burned her coffin and the stake in her heart. She looks the worse for wear, having taken damage from the magic itself, but is up, and just blew away the remaining Mansonites (that you can see) except for Preston. Drikdare can continue to cast the Lightning Storm spell for five more rounds, actually, and could conceivably continue to blast the camp to smithereens. You don’t know the condition of the carts and horses at this point. Drikdare took pains to avoid killing the innocent creatures, however. Lady Maramos’ cart was, unfortunately, in the center of camp and it got blasted something fierce. There were at least two others parked more on the edge of camp. Orensland isn’t close to Drikdare, but he could hear you if you wanted to yell something. What will you all recommend to him? Shall he blow the rest of the camp away, including attempting to do so to Lady Maramos? Q: with all the lightning being shot down -did Sanjin get a chance to use any of his spells? Sanjin (if in a position to make a suggestion) would be in favor of just destroying the vampire. Now that she is free it seems like we should just cut our loses. Given more time for thought, Khaska would probably be somewhat torn: it would seem like a terrific waste of life to kill so many clerics, though oppressive and overzealous, just to destroy the thing the party came to get. But in the spur of the moment, his reaction would be to destroy Lady Maramos while we still have the chance. (Side note: how does the Silence spell affect LM?) Perhaps the best way to do it would be to convince her to flee temporarily (say, by shouting to her), then let the coffin burn and scatter the soil from her graveyard around the scene so it can't all be gathered again; she'd have no place to go before sunrise. If she doesn't flee, we could all concentrate fire on her. With a couple more Lightning Storms (if possible), the spells the rest of us have saved, and so forth, we might be able to reduce her to a gas, after which we could destroy the coffin and scatter the soil. I know there isn't much time in-narrative to consider the next course of action, let alone strategize, but I'm guessing that here we can do a little discussion that our characters might not be able to do in order to think about potential outcomes of these choices. Sanjin used his Acid Arrow spell, but was never close enough so far to use Burning Hands. Given that she just cast a spell, Lady Maramos has made her Will Save against the Silence spell. Well, that threw a wrench in the plans. Orensland's immediate inclination - trying to save Lady Maramos - would likely not go over well with… anyone else, really. As a knee-jerk reaction, Orensland would likely shout "Get out of there, Maramos! Run!" It's a short post, but everything Orensland would do following shouting that sentence depends on what happens in the camp. Khaska would be fine with Orensland's knee-jerk reaction. And would then, as described, immediately go about trying to ensure that Maramos would perish. Thev, give me a Knowledge (Religion) check. 22 = 11 + 13 The thought occurs to Khaska that, if Lady Maramos were to escape on her own power (not be reduced to 0 hitpoints), and her graveyard dirt scattered, he's not actually sure how long she can survive without "rest." After all, she doesn't need to feed every day (she fed from Sebastien every other day), so she might not need to "rest" every day. She indicated that not feeding would eventually drive her mad, but not kill her. Being without "rest" will kill her, but Khaska is unsure of the time it will take to do so. Khaska's thought was that daylight would come in about five hours, and being unsure of how she'd find shelter in the wastes, she might perish then. Is that accurate at all? Daylight will be in about 4 hours and yes, she would need to find some kind of shelter in the Deadlands. You're on the plains right now. Think African Serengeti. Rynn feels a pang of guilt given that Orensland risked a lot to help him with Jared, and now the shadowdancer may lose his opportunity with Maramos. But the ranger doesn't hesitate to confirm Khaska's initial reaction; he replies in Elven, "Destroy her." Hopefully in her injured state she won't be too hard to take down. Disoriented and with nowhere to go, hopefully she will be destroyed. If luck holds, we'll be able to confirm this rather than just wonder if she got away in some kind of gas or bat form… :P Using his movement for the round, Rynn will pull his +1 longbow from the quiver. Usually his other bow is preferred, but for this he'll need a magic weapon. So the first round he won't be able to do a full attack. Longbow: 26 (rolled 13 + 13 bonuses), damage: 2 (rolled 1 + 1 magic) Longbow: 28 crit (rolled natural 20 + 8 bonuses), damage: 16 (crit x3: 8 full crit + rolled 6 + rolled 1 + 1 magic) Longbow: 14 (rolled 6 + 8 bonuses), damage: 5 (rolled 4 + 1 magic) Here's hoping that crit lands well… Orensland’s voice rang out clearly before any of them could make a decision. “Get out of there, Maramos! Run!” Rynn felt a pang of guilt in that Orensland had just risked so much to help him with Jared, and now would lose his opportunity with Maramos. But the ranger didn’t dither much about what he thought the right course of action was. “Destroy her,” he said, in Elven. Drikdare continued his assault, lightning blazing from the sky and the thunder pealing across the plains. As the druid continued his spell, Khaska walked over to Rynn. “We should make sure her coffin is destroyed and that the dirt from her graveyard is scattered across the grasses here so it cannot be reassembled. She would have nowhere to rest.” “That would kill her?” The thought occurred to Khaska in that moment that it would, but he was unsure on how long it would take for her to actually perish without “rest.” After all, she fed from Sebastien only every other day. She had said that not feeding would not kill her but drive her insane. But he dismissed that parallel. Not being able to properly rest would eventually kill her. However, perhaps it would take a few days for her to die if she was unable to rest in her coffin or upon her graveyard dirt. That was assuming she found some way to shield herself from the sun during sunrise twilight and sunset twilight. Sunset twilight would begin in about three hours. “Eventually, yes. I am unsure on how long she could go without rest before it destroyed her.” “Hopefully in her weakened state she’ll be easy to take down,” Rynn said as he swapped out his regular bow for the magic one he had acquired before. The Lightning Storm was blasting away at the camp, but he could still see her atop the cart. He sighted his arrow and fired. He was unsure if his arrow connected. It was difficult to see moment to moment as the lightning flashed down around the camp. But he was unable to see her to fire a second shot off, and so held back. He scanned and looked, but could not tell if she had fallen or flown away or taken shelter or turned to her gas form from the damage. Eventually Drikdare exhausted his spell. The peals of thunder died off and everybody’s eyes had to adjust again to the normal low-light conditions of night. Khaska was additionally blinded, more than even he had been before, the afterimages of the Lightning Storm causing him to see everything around him through a haze of purple. The Light spell from the cleric’s sword still lit the camp up, and the dwarf could be seen clearly moving. Nothing else in the camp stirred. Drikdare’s spell, probably combined with Khaska’s tactical use of Silence, had made it impossible for the clerics to heal each other. They had obliterated the camp. One of the centaur approached Drikdare. “The omen of your lion kill came true.” Drikdare hoisted his lance up. “There is still one to slay,” he said. “But he is wounded and must have used many healing spells to stay alive. He will know who hunts him before he dies.” He began to trot forward. The others came with him. Preston was scorched and singed, but held his shield in a defensive posture, his back to the burning cart. He saw the number of enemies approaching and was clearly wary, but didn’t move. Drikdare stopped about ten yards from the man. Orensland had made his way over and stood with the rest of the party now, near Drikdare. “Drikdare,” Preston said, an acknowledgement. “Preston,” Drikdare said. “What happens now?” the Mansonite asked. “We will kill you, but I wanted you to know who it was that killed you. You kidnapped my wife and children and forced me to serve you. For that, the Tribe of Mithereen has named you and your allies targets of a war party.” Preston smiled. “I always figured you for a Darkfriend. Allied with these servants of Lady Maramos. I hope you all get what’s coming to you.” Preston stretched forth his hand and yelled a single word, as the centaur, and Rynn, collectively fired their bows at him. A pulse of darkness spread from him and everybody in the party, as well as Drikdare and several other nearby centaur, winced as an Inflict Mass Light Wounds spell hit them. Preston died seconds later, his body seemingly sprouting multiple arrows as the war party all unleashed their bows at him. Drikdare glanced around. A number of his people had been affected by the cleric’s final spell, but none had fallen from it. Orensland rushed forward, pushing aside the cleric’s body to peer into the wagon he had been backed against—the one with the burning coffin they had been carrying Lady Maramos in. “She’s not here,” the shadowdancer said. You are not entirely sure if Lady Maramos has survived, or she escaped on her own power. The Mansonites have been destroyed. You were hit with Preston’s last stand attempt to harm you all with an Inflict Mass Light Wounds spell. Roll a Will Save. If you get above a 20, you take half damage and only take 8 points. If you get a 19 or below, you take 16 points of damage. If Orensland is going to stick to his plan of trying to fight the others so Lady Maramos can survive, this is the opportune moment. Rolled a 5 — Khaska gets 16 damage. Khaska would move that they take the dirt from her cemetery and scatter it as thinly as the can, as well as destroying any shadow in the vicinity (especially the coffin). After that, he'd move to see if they can't bury all the bodies or, at least, show them off with respect (after checking, of course, for survivors). He'd understand, though, if the others would want to return during the day to avoid Maramos coming for them in an obvious location. Will Save 25 (16 + 9 mod) Sanjin takes 8 damage. Returning in the day may be prudent. So… we don't actually know if Lady Maramos is still alive or not. I know Orensland is biased by saying this, but he thinks it would be unwise to do something that would anger the vampire if she were to be floating over our heads watching us right now. If we started scattering her dirt right now, she would be in a very desperate situation, and a desperate vampire is not one I want to be around. We may be able to take her on in her weakened state, but given the two dead clerics she took out with one spell, I suspect casualties would be inevitable. Orensland votes to not anger the vampire, and to ultimately proceed to Darkcrest as planned. Before all else, Orensland would vote the party members have this conversation out of earshot from the centaurs. My plan: we could suggest the centaurs return to their makeshift camp until morning, when we plan to bury the bodies. I don't know how centaurs feel about pillaging the conquered, but Orensland for one would love to request the opportunity to sift through the tents. Or we all pillage the camp now if centaurs feel that way, whatever works best. Generally speaking, however, Orensland would try to be alone (or with other party members) in the vicinity for if the vampire is above us and watching. If she is, she would have an opportunity to come down and chat. She's likely very confused right now. As part of the pillaging, Orensland would try to procure a couple of the tents for their own travels. Maramos needs shade, after all. Other travel goods would be welcome too, including rations or horses. As for the Will save, I rolled a 6 (rolled 4 + 2). Orensland gets 16 damage. Rynn is fine with delaying any further action until daytime. It would be easier to deal with the campsite anyway, and if Maramos is in the area then it would be her most difficult time to act against us. But the ranger is very set against trying to travel with the vampire. Thinking about getting tents for her shade is madness in his mind. Rather, he thinks that by daylight we should dispose of her coffin as that's our best bet to destroy her. As for the Will save, Rynn got exactly 20 (rolled 16 + 2 base + 2 WIS mod). That's not above a 20, but it's also not "19 or below", so I guess he takes half damage (the DM instruction wasn't 100% clear). But it may be a moot point now that the battle seems to be over… Meanwhile, Rynn will also be looking to tie up Jared and then talk with him (and heal him?) in the morning. Tying him up is a precaution; the ranger is bothered by how quickly these Mansonites speak "darkfriend" and ignore their worse evil acts. We don't know how Jared will react once he knows the situation, so better safe than sorry. Unfortunately, I'm headed out of town for vacation, and then will be home for a single day and then fly out for more vacation in Utah. We'll pick this back up sometime after the 29th of July. “Then I suggest that we return in when the sun rises, when we can see things better,” said Khaska. He was aware that literally everybody else had low-light vision, but thought it prudent to be around when the sun was up to limit any options Lady Maramos, if she was alive, might have. “I agree,” said Drikdare. He exchanged a knowing look with Khaska. “Will you centaur be wanting any of the loot?” asked Orensland. “We will bury the bodies with respect,” Khaska said, perhaps more vehemently than he expected. This seemed to be a recurring conversation with Orensland. “Of course,” Orensland said. “It may be that there are things that can be of use to us,” said Drikdare. “In a war hunt, possessions of the hunted are to be distributed among the war party members. You will get your fair share, Orensland Shadowalker.” Orensland, still crouched down in the smoking wagon, nodded. “Then I agree, we should come back when the sun is up.” “Should be another three or so hours,” Sanjin said. The centaur moved out, away from the wreckage of the Mansonite camp. As they departed, Rynn moved alongside Drikdare. “We don’t know if she survived or not. Best to still set a watch tonight and be on guard.” The druid nodded. “Let us hope she did not survive.” As they returned to camp, Orensland broke off from the main group to head towards a group of trees. “Gonna go pee,” he said, “then I’ll help with the watch if you like, Drikdare. Too jittery after all the excitement to sleep anyway.” He went deep into the copse of trees and did indeed begin to urinate. His hope, however, was that if Lady Maramos was still alive, she would see him separated from the party and approach him. Indeed, as he pulled his trousers up and turned … there she was, standing about twenty feet away from him. Even though he had half been expecting her, and had been listening for her approach, seeing her so close startled him. She stood there, her elegant clothes in tatters, hanging off of her in ill-fitting ways and smudged with dirt and grime. Even though it was very cold, she showed no sign of discomfort. He glanced around, but it appears they were alone. “My Lady,” he intoned. “We’ve had an … interesting time trying to catch up with you.” “But catch up with me you have. Your pay will be substantial upon our return to Darkcrest. And I will personally introduce you to your superiors in the Cult of Skyrnyn when they arrive in Darkcrest. They will be very happy with you. Now, where are the others in your party?” “I imagine they are with the centaur back at camp,” he said. “Why are you with a group of centaur?” “Manson had kidnapped a family of centaur, holding them as hostage to force their father to work as a scout and otherwise assist them. He was the bear when we fought on the Ruvalk. I freed the skyship and from there we were able to track Manson. When we freed the centaur’s family being held in a small town call Rhun, we became allies. He and his clan launched a ‘war party,’ against Manson, and we joined up in the hopes of rescuing you. But I don't think most of them would be friendly towards you.” “So where are we now?” “The plains to the east of Clearwater Lake. Darkcrest should be to the north of us.” “And Sebastien? I didn’t see him back in Manson’s camp with the rest of you.” “Unfortunately, my lady, he died back on Clearwater Lake. He was visibly distraught when they were taking you away, and he rushed to defend you. He was quickly put down.” She nodded. “A faithful servant to the end. This complicates things.” “I am aware of that.” He almost shuddered. “You will need food.” She nodded. “However, there is a more pressing matter concerning my needs. If we do not have a coffin or dirt from my graveyard, I will severely weaken over each night I do not rest. Vampires cannot survive more than two nights without proper rest.” Orensland reached over his shoulder to put his backpack on the ground. “We left your carriage behind to make better time. But, the bag with your dirt was in the wagon you had been held in by Manson and his party. It had been damaged by the lightning storm, but I grabbed as much as I could.” He opened one of the side pockets. “It’s a magic haversack, so it might be hard to judge, but I think I got most of it.” “If you got most of it, that should be sufficient. There is …” she stopped, bringing herself up short, and pausing for a moment, as if pondering what to say. “There is no need for alarm.” Then she bored into his eyes, shifting her weight a bit forward. “Now, as to food … Are you willing to serve as a source of food for me until we return to Darkcrest?” Orensland took a deep breath. He had been pondering this since Sebastien had died, and especially with her new offer of increased pay and an in with the leaders of the Cult, he made up his mind. “I would, my lady.” “You will have the resources of the entire House of Maramos at your disposal when we reach Darkcrest. Weaponsmiths, tailors, all the pleasures of the flesh, fine foods and wines, anything you want will be yours. And your pay will increase yet again. Substantially. I will insist on your leaders in the Cult hearing of your dedication and for advancing you in the Cult. And I will have substantial sway with your leaders upon my return. “That brings me to my final point. There was a ledger in the carriage that held information I was to bring to your superiors in the Cult. I assume that you didn’t bring that with you?” “No, my lady,” Orensland said. He watched her carefully to see if she caught his bluff. It appeared that she did not. “That is unfortunate, but not debilitatingly so. How shall we proceed from here? Sunrise Twilight will be in a few hours, it appears. I need cover. This copse of trees looks to be insufficient.” Orensland tossed out his bedroll and took his Cloak of Elvenkind off. “We planned on raiding the Mansonite caravan during Sunrise Twilight, and hopefully be able to obtain a wagon and horses. Also, Rynn would like to speak with one of Manson's acolytes, a person from his past. We captured him before destroying the camp. Let me return to the camp—I should go so my absence isn't suspicious—and I will talk to the others in the group and see what we want to do.” He turned to go. “Orensland,” she said. “Leave your backpack. I will find you after Sunrise Twilight ends.” He nodded, dropped it on the ground, and then watched as she picked it up, then vanished into mist that floated away. Drikdare was conversing with the others back at camp. “I vote we go back and spread her dirt, if we can find it, so it cannot be collected again,” Khaska was saying. “And make sure her coffin is destroyed,” said Rynn. “And do it when the sun is up,” said Sanjin, “though I’m still not sure this is the wisest course of action.” “All prudent plans,” said Drikdare. He glanced around. “I have tried to keep your secret out of respect for what you did for me and my family, but I fear others from the war party have discovered the truth behind her.” “Preston was yelling ‘destroy the vampire,’ before she emerged from her coffin,” Sanjin snickered. “I’d be disappointed in your people if they hadn’t figured it out.” “We did indeed,” said one of the other centaur, approaching, leading a group of four or five others. “Have we entered this war hunt on false pretenses, Drikdare?” “No,” he said, straightening. “We hunted Manson and his allies for what they did to me and my family. These outlanders joined us for their own reasons, and after we part ways I will consider my debt to them paid.” “Even if they serve a vampire?” “We serve her under ‘false pretenses,’” Sanjin said. “We are not the bodyguards she thinks she has hired, and now that we’ve helped you remove Manson from the world, wish to make sure that she too, leaves it.” He glanced around. “Though, I do not think Orensland will be happy about it.” This conversation was happening in elven again, with Rynn muttering translations to Khaska. “Because you are our chieftain’s son and leader of this war party,” the centaur said, “we will overlook these half-concealed truths. But if I see this vampire, I will try to kill her.” “You saw what she did to the remaining clerics with a single spell,” Rynn said. Now Sanjin hastily began to translate for the Maha’i. “If she has survived, and we do attack, we need to attack as one or there will be many casualties. She is a powerful sorceress as well as a high-ranking lady from one of the vampire houses of Darkcrest.” “She is an abomination and must be destroyed.” Orensland walked up to the group as this conversation was finishing. While it was clear there was a little bit of bad feelings over the situation, it appeared the centaur party grudgingly still accepted Drikdare’s explanation and the party’s words. “Well,” Orensland said, pulling the others aside as the camp settled in and Drikdare went to check the sentries. “That’s going to make this next part a little awkward.” He flashed what he hoped was his best smile. And then he explained in whispers what had just happened with Lady Maramos in the woods. I spoke with Crosis in emails and texts, and this was what he decided his character would do. He rolled a Sleight of Hand check to obtain her dirt (which was in the wagon with her burnt coffin) and nobody’s spot check was high enough to tell what he was doing. Instead of direct combat with the party, Orensland has opted for this devious approach to try and force their hand somewhat. I normally don't let characters use skill checks on each other (I believe this is the first time in the entire campaign), but in this case decided to allow it. Everybody indicated previously that they were okay with inter-party conflict. This is the way it has played out. It feels railroad-y to me, but I’d like to point out, in the interest of pre-empting any bad feelings among the players, that I’m not railroading you into this scenario, and even Crosis isn’t really railroading you into this scenario. ORENSLAND is doing so. I hope that makes sense. So what do you all want to do? Lady Maramos is alive and expecting you to procure a wagon and horses. The centaur are unaware she is alive, and most of them would want her eliminated. Drikdare has deferred to you out of respect for what you did for him and his knowledge of your ruse as her “bodyguards,” but the rest of the war party seems less persuaded. Also, what do you want to do with Jared, who is still unconscious. Sanjin feels things have worked out well considering. He doesn't like that Orsensland has offed himself has food for the vampire -and is secretive obedience will make him concerned for Orensland lest he has been (or will be) enthralled in some way. How much time do we have before Sunrise Twilight? Orensland would point out that we should still speak with Jared (Rynn should definitely do the talking) and loot the camp before any rash actions are made. Such actions may offer more information that will be vital to our future decisions. It is no secret that Orensland sees this as a golden opportunity – having been close to Zeke and his mother in his months away from the party, Orensland feels a powerful obligation to determine the root purpose, organization, and pressure points of the pilgrimages that are resulting in the deaths or at least slavery of thousands of men, women and children. Orensland would plead that the party members deeply consider just how much this opportunity means for the fate of Jenoa. You have about 2 hours until Sunrise Twilight, which lasts 4 hours. Regarding whether or not Orensland has been dominated by Lady Maramos, again, normally I don't really want you to be using skills against each other, but sussing out whether Orensland has been dominated by Lady Maramos seems a reasonable precaution. Sanjin would know that people under a dominate person spell act funny and can be relatively easily discovered. (Metagaming, the DC for a successful Sense Motive check on a dominated person is 15.) Sense Motive checks are the purview of the DM. I have rolled for all 3 of you, and none of you notice anything off about Orensland. As well as you can ascertain he is under his own control and has acted of his own volition. And BlackWolf, how would you like to do the conversation with Jared? Over text/IM? Google doc? Email (you ask all the questions at once, and I give the answers and then do a write-up)? Khaska is upset that Orensland rescued Lady Maramos without the party's consent—and, indeed, against the wishes of the party. Though he recognizes that she can be an asset in the search for the secret behind the migrations, Khaska is wearying of the duplicity, of the need to pass off as evil. (See: the centaurs' distrust.) Furthermore, given his acute awareness of the story of Tawru, he's worried that the miming evil might become indistinguishable from committing evil. (See: the slaughter at Rhun, which provoked Jake's coldness, and of Manson's whole party, in which he was complicit though he didn't attack offensively.) At the moment, he wants nothing more to do with this borderline evil, and he'll need some assurances about the lines that the party won't cross in their pursuit of more evidence. He's also concerned about being conspicuous: here on the Death Side, he sticks out like a sore thumb, and he doesn't want to be known for these acts of which he is far from proud. He'd like to specify that, before he enters Darkcrest, he'd like a disguise (the hat of… I forget the name). He'd also want to avoid any direct interaction with Lady Maramos (out of disgust and, perhaps, lessened ability to conceal his preferences for Good) and is contemplating only acting in defense of the party in future confrontations. Addendum: Eryx asked me to describe not only what Khaska feels, but what he does. How inconvenient! :P Khaska will renain tight-lipped, until Sunrise Twilight, when he's certain Maramos won't be snooping. As soon as an opportunity presents itself—probably if someone challenges him about the necessity of burying the Mansonite dead—he'll express, vehemently, the need to uphold some degree of decency. He'll explain his dismay about the turn of events, insisting that the party establish boundaries to prevent them (or, at least, Khaska) from performing any deeds that could be functionally evil, even if motivated by supposedly good desires. Rynn will be visibly upset on hearing the news about Maramos, but will bite his tongue as he listens to the story. The longer we've been carrying on the ruse of being Lady Maramos' bodyguards, and the closer we've gotten to Darkcrest, the more worried Rynn has been that things will take a major turn for the worst. Returning a powerful vampire to the safety of her home feels wrong. And Drikdare told us that the pilgrimages have been heading to the Zyrbryxion Marshes, not Darkcrest. The ranger has hated how the Mansonites say "darkfriend" all the time, and yet, now Rynn wonders if returning Maramos to Darkcrest would actually make him one no matter what information we might learn. However, Rynn will begrudgingly admit that heading to Darkcrest is our best chance at learning what our enemies are doing. Even if the pilgrimages aren't heading there, we might learn more about them and about the Cult of Skyrnyn. Mostly he just worries that we put ourselves not just into the lion's den, but stick our heads right into the lion's mouth. But on the other hand, it's not like going to the marshes would be any better. On top of all that, now Orensland is offering to be food for the vampire. Rynn had hoped that ridding ourselves of Sebasten would cause Orensland to acknowledge that we just have to dispatch the vampire. Now he worries that his friend might be willing to go too far for this. The mere thought that this road could lead the shadowdancer to betray the party like Amara did tears at Rynn emotionally. (But he won't verbally compare the two, as he feels that would be too insulting. It's just a thought that has now crossed his mind that he wants to push away.) So… given all that, Rynn will state that he still thinks we should get rid of Maramos. But he worries about centaur being killed, and he's hesitant to challenge Orensland about this given how dedicated he is on it. So unless Khaska or Sanjin speak against Orensland's plan, he'll just suggest that we go with the centaur to loot the camp and destroy the coffin. We can then part ways with the centaur saying that we're off to continue our quest to learn of the fate of the pilgrimages. As for Jared, we should make sure he is tied up as a precaution. Then once he's awake, Rynn will want to find out what he knows about the disaster of Silver Meadow; what happened to Jared and if he knows about any other survivors. The ranger would also like to get a feel for Jared's current situation. If he's strongly aligned with the Whitecoats, then letting him go might be a liability… nevertheless, that's what Rynn is leaning toward before speaking with him. It's possible that if he is obstinate enough, then Rynn could end up with a different opinion. As for how we go about the Jared conversation, I'm taking my kids camping for most of the week, so I won't be available until Friday at earliest. But doing it over Google doc seems like it has worked out easiest for me in the past — just need to carve out a bit of time. He noted that as he explained, Rynn and Khaska were both visibly upset with him. The ranger literally bit his lip in rage. When Orensland finished, he looked around at the others. Nobody said anything. Rynn’s eyes bored into Orensland such that the elf eventually turned away. “Let us at least talk to Jake and go through the Mansonite camp,” the shadowdancer said. “The sun will be up while we do so and we will be in little danger from Lady Maramos.” The shadowdancer was a bit taken aback by the reaction of his friends, and offered this suggestion as a thing they could all agree on. Jared had been tied up by Orensland, and the acolyte was slumped against a tree, unconscious. The party approached, and several centaur also came, including Drikdare. Rynn got the impression that the centaur, with the revelations about Lady Maramos, were more wary of them. Certainly they were wary of Jared, but deferred to Drikdare and Rynn’s story of wanting to find his lost wife. Khaska reached out and said a prayer to Teresh. Divine magic flowed into the Whitecloak, and with an inrush of a deep breath, Jared woke up. Rynn knelt on one knee before him. “Jared. I don't know if you remember me, but we lived together in Silver Meadow. It seems like a lifetime ago. I was only there a year, living with the Alard family.” “I remember you, Rynn. It’s been a while.” He looked around at the camp. “You’ve picked up some new friends along the road.” He looked down at his bound hands. “Looks like I’m not trusted here. Can’t blame you. Are there any other survivors? We were transporting a dangerous vampire. Did he survive?” Rynn noted the pronoun. Apparently Jared was so far down the hierarchy of Manson’s organization that he didn’t even know that it was a female vampire. “The vampire's coffin has been destroyed. Hopefully it will be dead soon.” Rynn was completely serious about this, but didn’t feel it necessary, especially with the centaur near, to reveal that he knew that she had survived the attack. “I'm sorry you had to be bound; it was a necessary precaution so I'd be able to speak with you. Cedric Manson kidnapped some centaur to coerce their father to serve him. Now there are many centaur here that would gladly kill anyone associated with Manson. “But first, I was hoping you could tell me about what happened back then. Back at Silver Meadow.” Jared nodded. “Bugbears attacked the town, killing off most of the militia. Once the militia had been routed they began rounding the survivors up and chaining them together. Then they dragged us off into the Deadlands.” Rynn remembered finding the town after their trip, houses destroyed, corpses of people they lived strewn about the village streets. Burying his father-in-law. “When Jacob and I returned to Silver Meadow and found it in ruins, we were devastated. Jacob was determined to do what we could, so we tracked the bugbears until we found the camp. But then… he was so angry and distraught that he wasn't thinking right. He lashed out as soon as he found them.” “I was in the camp when that happened, and saw Jacob die. Foolish boy. It’s a good thing you managed to get away.” “Lost and alone in the Deadlands. It’s been a long road to this place.” “For both of us. But we’re both still here. The bugbears were taking the survivors to be sold off as slaves. However, when we got to the meeting place with the others, they were all ambushed by Bringers, led by Lord Titanius. Their numbers were too small to take on the entire camp of slavers, but with so many different parties present the entire meetup broke up. “I’m sorry, Rynn. Some of the slaves were freed in the chaos, but Juliet wasn’t among them. I don’t know which group managed to snatch her away during the fighting.” Rynn will nod in a gesture of understanding. He was hoping to learn more about the fate of his wife, but this at least gives him something. Jared seemed a bit hesitant, biting his lip. “Rynn, she was with child.” Rynn’s breath left him. Juliet had been pregnant! It took him a moment to collect himself. Orensland put his hand on Rynn’s shoulder, and the ranger was comforted by the silent presence of Khaska and Sanjin. Even the wizard seemed unusually somber. Voice almost cracking, Rynn continued. “So what happened to you after that? Were you set free?” “I joined the Bringers of Light. Owed Lord Titanius my life. Have served him ever since. Somedays I think about heading back to the edge near Silver Meadow, but to what end? I have a good life here, and can do some good.” “What were you doing with Manson's group? I understand that he is an outcast from the Whitecloaks.” “I actually don’t work for Manson. I’m a spy, sent by Lord Titanius to keep tabs on Manson. Manson was making a play for leadership of the Bringers, and there are enough fanatics that Lord Titanius had him excommunicated. Since I’m a willing subject, the true Bringers scry on me every now and then without interference. Helps them keep tabs on where we are and what’s going on.” “Smart thinking,” Sanjin said. “A clever ruse.” “Lord Titanius is trying to focus the Bringers more and more on the slave trade. The experience in freeing us and the others at that slave market camp helped him focus his efforts on fighting real evil, not like Manson. Manson thought Titanius weak and even attacked those who followed him. If you’ve been tracking him for a while, you probably know what kind of overzealous nutjob he is. Was?” “Was,” said Rynn. “I believe you are the only survivor. And since you were not allied to Manson, I'll see about having you released. I have some sway with the centaur leader.” Drikdare spoke up. “This would be acceptable, if for no other reason than for Jared to spread the word that the Mithereen tribe slaughtered Manson and his followers.” In elven, he said, loudly. “No good winning battles if nobody is left to tell the tales and make people fear you.” The gathered centaur laughed in agreement. “I would appreciate that,” Jared said. “I’ll make my way back to a Bringer outpost to formally report in, send a message back to Garth Calad. Some of Manson’s men were honorable and good, but choose to follow a deluded zealot. They may not have completely deserved their fate, but I know that Lord Titanius and his followers will be relieved. We can focus on bigger issues than who’s the most zealous in the cause of righteousness.” When he said “the cause of righteousness” his voice changed, dripping with sarcasm. Drikdare approached and offered a dagger to Rynn, who reached over to cut Jared free. “Thank you, sir Centaur. I’ll not forget your mercy.” He began to rub his hands to restore circulation, and stood up. “What more can you tell me about the slave trade?” Rynn asked. The thought of his wife and child being slaves haunted him. “My companions and I came to the Death Side seeking after pilgrimages of people led here. We thought they were brought here by vampires, so when an opportunity presented itself for us to replace the vampire's real bodyguards, we took it in a dangerous gambit to learn more. But now it seems that it may have been the Cult of Skyrnyn or some other faction.” “You know of the Cult? You most have been busy investigating; they try to keep themselves well-hidden behind intermediaries and mercenaries. They secretly are the top of the food chain of the slave trade on the death side. Buying up as many slaves as they can, stealing more, and, of late, even killing other slavers outright for their ‘merchandise.’” He smiles grimly. “Or just enslaving other slavers themselves. Can’t say I’m too broken up about that possibility. They’ve got something big going on, but we’ve been unable to find out what, despite all our efforts. “Vampires are a good example. Let them do some of the dirty work for the cult. Act as a front. It’s been difficult to track down any cult leaders with any kind of real knowledge. We either encounter the cult’s allies and minions, like the vampires, or the drow, or other slavers, or someone so low-level in the cult they can’t give us more information than we already know.” “It sounds like your Lord Titanius is trying to do some real good. Is he someone who can be reasonable? Could we be allies in our fight against these slavers, or would he just spit ‘darkfriend’ at us for our involvement with the vampire?” “Lord Titanius is trying to turn the corner with the Bringers. Darkfriends do abound, but not in every village and in every corner of the Death Side. If you seek to free slaves—though I think we all hope your wife and child are not among them—you would be an ally.” “I am glad to hear the Whitecloaks are not all like Manson.” Jared nearly spat. “We prefer to be called the ‘Bringers of Light.’ Or ‘Bringers,’ for short. ‘Whitecloak’ has become a bad nickname. And Manson deserved what he got. He did more damage than good more often than not.” Khaska stepped forward. “Pardon, Rynn, but I am curious what steps this Lord Titanius has taken to turn the wall with the Whiteclo—with the Bringers. And what steps have they taken to track the slave trade? I know the Knights also seek the end of the slave trade.” “Turn the corner,” Sanjin said. Jared smiled at this exchange. “I don’t know all the things we’ve done or what efforts might be duplicated by the Knights—you would have to ask someone higher in authority among the Bringers. The cult’s activities seemed centered in the Marshes, but I know that we have neither the numbers nor enough specific information to make it worthwhile to mount an expedition. It’s deeply frustrating to Lord Titanius.” “A sensible precaution,” Sanjin said. “I’ve never heard of anybody who came back from the marshes alive. Ever.” In the few hours that remained before Sunrise Twilight, the party was on edge. Were Lady Maramos to try anything, she would do so before the sun came up. However, nothing happened. The war party moved towards the camp. The fires of the Mansonite camp had burned out, but smoke still rose here and there from the smoldering ash. Orensland noted a few horses that had not escaped and at least one working cart. The tents and supplies were mostly destroyed, but there were some things. Orensland and Jared pointed out the various parts of the camp, near as they could be recognized. It helped everybody find the things that would be counted as “spoils” for the war party. Sanjin was able to help with a casting of Detect Magic. The centaur were very orderly about the rights to spoils. The bodies were stripped of armor and weapons and items that could be claimed were deposited together. Khaska began moving the bodies, lining them up one by one after they had been stripped of items worth distributing among the war party. “Why do you care so much about these enemies?” one of the centaur asked him. Khaska paused, unsure of what to say. “There is tale I know of a hero of my people,” he hedged the names and details a bit, but in his mind he thought of Tawru, “who thought himself doing good, but in reality slowly turned to evil. I am wary of walking such a path myself, and feel that I may have done so more than I realized in this quest. I will treat these fallen enemies with respect. Are we not all children of the gods, after all?” The centaur considered this for a moment, then said, “I will join you in paying homage to these fallen enemies.” Several other centaur joined over the next few minutes. Khaska had the centaur line the bodies up, and he spent a moment praying over each one of them. Jared declined to join, but several of the centaur were moved by the Maha’i cleric’s compassion, and joined him in praying over their fallen foes. The centaur then dug a mass grave and deposited the bodies into it, doing as best they could, at Khaska’s behest, to treat the bodies with respect. After they had completed this, and the spoils had been collected, it was time to distribute the spoils. Drikdare, as the leader of the war party, had first claim on an item. He selected Manson’s personal weapon, an enchanted maul, a trophy of victory. “Darn,” Orensland muttered to the others, “I’ll bet we could sell that off for a pretty high price.” Khaska glared at him, but Sanjin nodded in affirmation. Rynn almost smiled at this exchange—Orensland worried about loot. But another thought had crept into his mind. Orensland had deliberately gone against the wishes of the party. As much as the ranger tried to push the thought away, memories of Amara resurfaced. Was Orensland traveling down a simlar path? But then the ritual of claiming loot took his mind back to the present. The party had next claim, per the agreement with Drikdare, and then the remainder of the war party, one at a time. Then Drikdare would select again. Items that would actually be used took priority over things that were merely to be sold or bartered off in the future. First, to the loot. The centaur aren’t really as interested in loot per se. Mostly they plan on taking what they can to barter and trade. They obviously have little use for, say, plate armor made for humanoids. I’m not going to generate a loot table for the entire camp of 20+ people, so … Let’s do this: Tell me 2 items you would be interested in, and I’ll roll to see if someone had them that you could lay claim to. The items can’t cost more than 50k gold. (There were some high level characters in the camp with some cool stuff, but be aware the more expensive it is, the less likely someone had it. In other words, if you want a +1 sword, there are probably a bunch of those. If you want a +5 shield of blinding with spikes and resistance to cold damage … there might not be one.) If it turns out the item is not available, then I’ll make some more rolls to see what similar item was available. 1. What 2 items under 50k gold do you want? List of magic items here. If you want to take some items for selling later, that’s fine too. I’ll roll for what you got for selling off and you could throw it into your cart/bags of holding/haversacks. 2. It is during Sunrise Twilight, so you are reasonably certain Lady Maramos won’t make any kind of move against you. Given the situation, it would be nearly suicidal. What’s the plan? Orensland spoke several times of getting a cart and horses to head to Darkcrest. Or, in this case, to load up on spoils to be sold elsewhere. Lady Maramos indicated she would find you. Will you be parting ways with the centaur at this point (Drikdare seems to think so, though you have made allies of the clan)? 3. What do you want to do with Jared? He’s unarmed and has no rights, by the rules of a centaur war party, to any of the spoils. If you want to turn him out in the deadlands with some weapons, you’ll need to claim some to give to him. (They will not count as your 2 items.) 1. Khaska's first priority is a Hat or Ring of Disguise; he wants to be ready for arrival in Darkcrest. I'm guessing that counts as his two items! He's not really interested in anything to sell. 2. Now, hearing about Lord Titanius, Khaska's more annoyed at not being able to go to Garth Calad. However, with Maramos around, any move save in the direction of Darkcrest would probably be fatal (for the party or the nearby centaurs). So despite his misgivings, Khaska thinks they'd best commandeer a wagon and find some horses to pull it to Darkcrest. (Sidenote: because I'm a nerd, I'm literally reading a history of horses in the United States, and for travel on bad roads oxen are much superior to horses.) He'd be willing to take on the task of gathering and harnessing the horses, exercising a significant skill of his that hasn't gotten much attention of late and keeping him busy and quiet while Maramos is around. He'll also bid farewell to the centaurs, with whom he can use a traditional Maha'i valediction without adaptation: "May the grass grow thick under your hooves." He'll thank them for their help and hospitality. 3. Khaska would gladly lay claim to gear on Jared's behalf. In fact, were Maramos not around, he'd invite him to join them. Orensland, knowing that he has thoroughly irked the party members, would offer some ideas that would hopefully cater to their wishes. It appears we have allies among the Bringers of Light, something we had only somewhat considered earlier as we hunted one of their more zealot and ambitious clerics. It appears we have similar goals so far as uncovering the inner workings of the Cult and the vampires, especially as far as the slave trade goes. So, Orensland would suggest the following: Presuming we are still headed to Darkcrest with Maramos, would could offer ourselves as scrying subjects for the Bringers of Light, much the same way Jared was among the Mansonites. It seems we will be speaking with higher-ranking officials of the Cult, and in Orensland's case being let in on some of their darker secrets. If the Bringers are actively listening in, that may give them direct access to information they have been seeking for some time. Would anyone around the party be able to determine if we are being scryed in any way? That would… complicate that idea. If it could help relay information more clearly, Orensland would try to obtain items that enhance his sight and/or hearing. Also, we could give the ledger we took from Maramos's carriage to Jared to deliver to the Bringers of Light. I suspect they will know how to make good use of it. To aid in his travels, if there were a object that bestowed flying among the loot (a broom, a carpet, or Wings of Flying) giving it to Jared seems the best plan. Centaurs would have little use of it, and it would greatly enhance the likelihood that Jared survives the remainder of the journey. In that sense, a ring of sustenance would aid him as well. Should Maramos question why we let a Bringer of Light survive (presuming she sees him walking around), we can say (with honesty) that the centaurs wanted someone to spread the word that centaurs are not to be messed with. So, to answer your direct requests, 1) Orensland would look to secure magical objects that would enhance his spot and listening checks for the scryer's sakes (like Eyes of the Eagle, but hopefully more powerful) and objects that aid Jared in his journey, 2) we stock up and start heading to Darkcrest, and 3) we tell Jared about everything we're doing with the vampire, giving the Bringers of Light another way "in" to Darkcrest, and equipping him with the necessary tools to make it back to Garth Calad quickly and safely. Orensland would also ask if there's any information in particular the Bringers of Light would like the party to seek out aside from understanding the Cult's role in the slave trade. Orensland would tell Rynn privately that his first priority in entering Darkcrest is coming to know more fully what the Cult does with it's slaves. That was Orensland's main purpose so far as the pilgrimages went, but the focus has been expanded to determine what happened to his wife and, apparently, child. Relevant Rules for Scrying or Greater Scrying. The magic sensor created by a Scrying spell can be detected by others. "Any creature with an Intelligence score of 12 or higher can notice the sensor by making a DC 20 Intelligence check. The sensor can be dispelled as if it were an active spell." There is also the Detect Scrying spell itself. You don't know whether Lady Maramos knows this spell or not. (Sorcerers/Sorceresses know few spells, but can cast them more often, as opposed to wizards, that can know literally all arcane spells, but can't cast as many per day.) Texts between me and Crosis: Crosis: As a quick question, do you know how Jared did his scrying? It seems some of the other followers would have caught on that he was being Scryed on at some point if he was just walking around with a sensor following him Eryx: It’s an invisible sensor (that can still be detected-I’m guessing it looks like a cloaked Klingon ship) so the true Bringers would just cast the spell on him every once in a while and he would carry on as if nothing had happened. Or perhaps try to drop some hint of what was going on in casual conversation, so the scryers could clue in to his “report.” If he was alone, he could just talk and give a full report. I should probably post this to the wiki. So I posted it to the wiki. :) In that case, if Jared would agree to this scrying idea, we would probably agree to a specific time that the Bringers should scry on me. It would have to be far enough in the future that we both could make it to our destinations, even with unexpected delays. Perhaps a month after we would expect to arrive. While I would normally suggest a nighttime hour, given that we'll be in a city of vampires and vampire worshippers, daytime may be best. Additionally, if there's an object imbued with the Detect Scrying spell available at the camp, I could possibly lay claim to it. That way I'd know if I were being scried on, and could relay necessary information at any given time. If questions are raised as to why I'm wearing a detect scrying object, I may tell them the honest story of how my father found me once and may employ somebody with scrying capabilities to try to find me again. When the object was found at the camp, I decided to don it so I could be forewarned. If this detect scrying object idea is too risky (raises too many questions), then just setting the date and time with Jared would be best. Regardless, setting the date and time with Jared would allow me time to try to be alone, with our without said object. That way nobody else would be notified that a sensor was in the vicinity. After all, who wants to be pegged as the enemy in a city full of vampires and vampire worshippers? The one item that might have some relevance is the Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location, which would make it harder for someone to scry on you. There is no such item like you are requesting. After all that, Rynn will wander off by himself to think and process it all. But ironically, when he comes back he will be in favor of heading to Darkcrest with Maramos! She told Orensland that we would be richly rewarded, and introduced to the leaders of the Cult. Now the ranger has an idea of what he wants. Rather than money or magic items, he wants two slaves. A very specific two slaves. There will be many dangers, but not the least of which would be if Gulnith or Amara are present to recognize us. But at this point, Rynn is willing to take the risk. This may get him the closest he's been in five years. Rynn really likes the idea of letting the Bringers scry on us, so he will use his dagger to cut off a small lock of his hair and give it to Jared to make that easier. Anything they can learn about our enemies would be great, especially since there is a very real danger of us never returning. The ranger also wants to help Jared with it with any gear he might need, and is worried about him getting back safely. I wonder if we could convince a few centaur to travel with him? As for items, Rynn would use his first picks to get gear for Jared. But as for himself, he'd be looking for things like: A magical bow. Ideally a composite 2 longbow, but he'll be open minded about other options, especially if there is something better than the +1 longbow he has currently. Anything that would help his archery, such as Bracers of Archery or Gloves of Dexterity (he already has +2 gloves though). There is not particular item Sanjin is interested in -anything that could increase his spell-casting or give him more AC would be appreciated. Other then that anything that could be sold would be good. Khaska thinks the scrying idea is a good one, and would be willing to volunteer for it. He'd suggest that each member of the party contribute a few strands of hair to Jared to facilitate such communication. Of course, Khaska admits he might not be the most helpful at infiltration: with the Cult's ring, Rynn might have a greater in, and Orensland of course would be the best at bluffing and sneaking about. In any case, Khaska plans on spending most of his time in Darkcrest quietly observing what he can, disguised (whether by something he finds in the camp or purchases in Darkcrest). There's one thing, though, that might need explanation if scried by the Bringers. So long as he's in Darkcrest mostly against his will, and as was suggested a while back, he might try to do research into what might be happening with Tawru's sword. Of course, he wouldn't tell anyone in Darkcrest of the objective of his researchand will drop some false hints to mislead anyone paying too much attentionbut he'd want any onlooking Bringers to know what they might suspect of his activities so that they don't suspect him of doing anything untoward. To that end, he'd forewarn Jared (perhaps while handing over some tail hairs) that he has a mission that requires research into demons, and would swear by his horns that he does not seek such knowledge for evil purposes. In terms of another item from the wreckage of the camp… perhaps a Periapt of Wisdom? When all of those entitled to items had their share, two items each, the remainder was divided up to be bartered and sold. Orensland laid claim to a cart with a few oxen and dumped some of the remaining loot into it, to be sold off later for money, also grabbing a tent, ostensibly to keep things covered, but mostly so that they could use it to hold the dirt from Lady Maramos’ graveyard when she caught up with them. Jared was not allowed to bid on items. However, the group made sure that Jared was outfitted with a few extra items, a pack, rations (singed, but still edible), a water flask, weapons, and a horse. The centaurs didn’t much mind them laying claim to such mundane items, and it appeared that most of the animals were going to be turned loose into the wilds. Rynn left the camp as Orensland was loading up the cart, walking a ways away into the tall grass to ponder and think. A child. Juliet had been pregnant. The thought hadn’t occurred to him. I mean, they had been trying for some time, but without success. To finally have her pregnant, only to be snatched away. It was some time before he could compose himself enough to return to the Mansonite camp. He was grateful for Ranna’s companionship, the wolf laying her head on his lap as he sat, crying. Khaska was practically waiting for him, the Maha’i’s face somber. “Are you well, Rynn?” The ranger nodded. “We go to Darkcrest.” The cleric also nodded. “We will seek the further fate of your mate and child.” He placed a hand on Rynn’s shoulder. “I will pray every day until they are found and safe that Teresh and all the gods of goodness and light will watch over them.” As the centaurs were busy bustling about, Orensland also approached Rynn. “I’ve always wanted to find out the purpose of the pilgrimages, and what the Cult does with its slaves. But now my focus is determining also what happened to your wife and child.” “Thank you Orensland.” “Also, I had an idea. If the Bringers were scrying on Jared, couldn’t we get them to scry on us? I mean, we’re heading straight to Darkcrest.” “Yes,” Sanjn said, approaching the two of them. “Vampire central!” The wizard looked giddy. Rynn wasn’t sure he liked that. “But they don’t know us from Marcus. If we give them something of ours, like some hair or an object or something, that would allow them to scry on us more easily.” Rynn didn’t hesitate, he pulled out a dagger and loped off a portion of his ponytail, then walked over to Jared to explain their plan. Jared seemed rather pleased by this possibility. Khaska and Orensland both gave the acolyte some of their hair. “I think that Lord Titanius will be grateful for the reconnaissance,” Jared said. “I wish we could do more to help, but I wish you all the best. Darkcrest is not for the faint of heart.” It was decided that the Bringers would attempt to scry on them at the beginning of Twilight Sunrise as much as possible. When Jared could get back to them, and when they could begin attempting the spell was likely at least weeks, probably months, in the future. It might be of no help at all, but it would be worth the attempt. Finally, it came time for the war party to ceremonially end. Everybody formed a circle around the camp, and Drikdare prayed loudly to the spirits, thanking them for their strength and the success of their hunt. After that, the centaur lined up behind Drikdare, who spoke to the party first. “Where will you go now?” he inquired. “We will head further into the Deadlands, to try to find out more concerning these pilgrimages,” Orensland said. “I wish you luck,” the druid said. He looked at Rynn. “And I will pray to the honored dead of my tribe and the spirits of the earth and sky that they watch over your mate and child.” One by one, the centaurs all came by to wish them well. Khaska was grateful to be able to use, without irony or re-translation, a traditional Maha’i farewell. “May the grass grow thick under your hooves.” During this ceremonial disbanding of the party, Jared waved and rode off to the east. By the time the last of the centaurs had said farewell, he had all vanished over the rolling hills. Drikdare leading the way, the centaurs galloped off, heading back to their tribe, flush with success and laden with items of power and items to be bartered and traded. It had been a good hunt. “Well,” said Sanjin, as the pounding of the hooves faded into the distance, “let’s get a move on. Darkcrest awaits!” About an hour after Sunset Twilight ended, Pressen only illuminated with a sliver of daylight, Rynn whistled sharply and pointed up. A small cloud of mist was hovering about fifty feet above the ground, approaching from the southwest. Orensland pulled on the reigns and brought the cart to a stop. The cloud approached, descended, and coalesced into the form of Lady Maramos. It was the first time the party, other than Orensland, had seen her. Her clothes hung off her in tatters, singed and burned. She had Orensland’s backpack on. She took one look at the cart. “I will not ride with all this extra junk. Why did you acquire it?” Orensland raised an eyebrow. “We thought to sell it in Darkcrest. No need to let it go to waste. There’s some good money to be had here.” She waved her hand. “Dispose of it. The reward you will receive from the House of Maramos will make this seem like a mere handful of copper pieces. And the faster we get there, the sooner you can get your reward, I can have a proper meal, and get a proper rest. I appreciate your mercenary attitude, but rest assured, it is unneeded in this case.” Three items that we can easily retcon if needed. Please actually answer these questions, sometimes I post a question and it doesn’t get explicitly answered. If you don’t have an opinion, then say that. 1. There was a proposal to give Jared the ledger. Did you want to do so? Also, at one point someone suggested making a copy of at least major pertinent information from the ledger. Did you want to have done that before now? Or, conversely, give Jared some information from the ledger and keep the original? 2. There was also a proposal to try to convince a few of the centaur to escort Jared back to the whitecloaks? I’ll need Diplomacy checks from those willing to try. 3. Did Sanjin want to give Jared some hair or something to facilitate scrying? Everybody else basically volunteered except for him. Sanjin is also the only one that has access (can cast, if he can prepare it, Detect Scrying, which can only be cast on oneself). You all get the following loot: Khaska—Hat of Disguise. Periapt of Wisdom +2. Orensland—Eyes of the Eagle. Ring of Protection +2. Sanjin—Ring of Spell Storing I, Bracers of Armor +2 Rynn—Two Arrows of Undead Slaying; One Arrow of Greater Evil Outsider Slaying; Flaming Burst Composite Longbow (STR rating +1). On to Darkcrest? Throw out the stuff from the back of the wagon (you would actuall need to keep at least some to help make a “bed” for the dirt to stay in)? Is one of you secretly planning to toss open the canopy during a Twilight Sunrise or Sunset and just be done with Lady Maramos? There’s going to be some back-and-forth between you players and me in this gray box, so stay tuned. Just because you posted once doesn’t mean there won’t be more to respond to. Oh, hooray! Khaska found the items he wanted. He'll keep the Hat of Disguise a secret from Maramos, if at all possible, in order to not tip her off to his plan of being incognito while in Darkcrest. 1. Given that we don't want Maramos to find the ledger in our possession (that would be very bad), Khaska would support handing it off to Jared for transport to the Bringers of Light. (Looking up top, we apparently still have a copy of the ledger… what shall we do with that?) 2. Khaska thinks an escort for Jared would be advisable, given that his errand and cargo are enormously important. Here's his roll: 22 = 6 + 16. He might also try to weigh in on other party members to lend their arguments. 3. Y'know, maybe we could've asked Jared for some of his hair so that we might be able to have some two-way conversations going. What do y'all think about that? After that, I suppose it is just on to Darkcrest. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to dump the extra stuff, but what can we do more? Sweet! Time to walk into the heart of all evil and hopefully burn it to the ground. This should be fun. :) 1. I frankly had always considered it a bad idea to bring the ledger in the first place. I'm glad we did now, but it just seemed like a huge risk to carry it into Darkcrest when we had "lost" it earlier. So yes, I whole-heartedly vote we give the ledger, and any copies we have on hand, to Jared. 2. Orensland would also agree that an escort would be best for Jared. I can't access my sheet right now, but if someone could see what my Diplomacy modifier is and add it to 9 that would be great. Note that Orensland doesn't consider Diplomacy his strong point, and would therefore only step in if he feels he can uniquely contribute. 3. I don't have an opinion on this matter. I'm not sure how two-way scrying works, but it sounds like a good idea, as long as whoever is doing it on our end is somewhere absolutely private. 1. I went back and re-read the relevant portions of Chapter 5. Captain Bronzebeard was willing to pass along a copy of the ledger, for a normal postal fee, to Rider Reitman in Hammerdine. So at least that is moving forward. Sanjin made a copy for you guys to keep with the idea you would cache the ledger with the cash. (See what I did there?) This is one of those items that wasn't fully decided on by the group, so if you have the original, you can give it to Jared. If you have a copy of the most pertinent information, you can give that to Jared. Or you can give nothing to Jared. But you know that the Knights will be getting a copy of it when it winds its way there. (Post on the death side is not what you would call fast.) 3. This question was mostly just for DeltaWolf. Regarding two-way Scrying and communication through the spell, you need to be able to cast Greater Scrying, followed by Message through the spell, and Khaska won't be able to cast Greater Scrying until 12th level and Sanjin not until 14th. It's not a viable option for you guys yet (and I see the spell doesn't exist in 5E, but I will probably rule that it does with much the same stipulations it has in 3.5E, since it was the way you were to contact Captain Bronzebeard when Khaska was high enough level to raise Harrison). Hmmm. I didn't mean to suggest two-way scrying; I meant "two-way communication," which I interpreted to mean "sequential bi-directional one-way scrying," if that makes sense. It does make sense. Theoretically, if you scry on them, and they scry on you at the same time, you could also communicate. Good luck coordinating that 10 minute window hundreds or thousands of miles apart. You gave me good stuff -thank you. 1. Sanjin has no opinion 3. Sanjin does not like the idea of people “spying” on him even if it is for a good cause -so no he would not give anything to facilitate scrying (at least not unless the group makes him feel more awkward about it). Sanjin has no intention of secretly exposing the “Lady” to sunlight -tempting though the idea is. 1. Rynn is definitely in favor of handing off the ledger. Better in Jared's hands now than our own, for the reasons mentioned. I had thought we did cache it for later, but I guess that doesn't matter now. It would be nice to have more info from it; see what we could learn, but it's too risky to keep it now. 2. Rynn only got a 9 (rolled 6 + 3 mod) on his diplomacy check, so not much influence there. He'd basically try to tell the centaur that it's worth their while, if only to ensure that the Bringers and the rogue Whitecloaks know not to mess with them again. Rynn is very glad to have this new longbow, especially with us going into vampire city. Though Rynn had once been tempted by the idea of throwing Maramos into the light of day, that is no longer something he would do. He now finds himself in the unfortunate situation of needing her. She represents a desparate attempt for him to get back his wife and child. For the next few days (at least) he will be more quiet, determined, and aloof than usual. Finally, a technical question about the bow. The rules state that "a weapon with a special ability must have at least a +1 enhancement bonus." So is that bow a +1 Flaming Burst Composite Longbow (STR + 1) which would be worth 18,600 gold? Or was that a mistake and it should be a +1 Flaming (not Burst) Composite Longbow (STR + 1) which would be worth 8,600? I just want to be sure I'm not assuming something more powerful than you intended. You are correct that I mislabeled the "+1 Flaming Burst Composite Longbow (STR + 1)." But that is indeed what you received. I had a specific system for how likely it was items in certain price ranges were to be found, and in your case it gave you a really nice bow. Say you wanted a new sword. I rolled to see if you could get a low-level sword. If that roll succeeded, I rolled for a slightly more powerful sword. If that succeeded, I rolled for an even more powerful one, and kept going until the dice failed you. Others were not so lucky, because the dice giveth, the dice taketh away. I'm not that concerned since we're switching to 5E rules after this Codex anyway, and will have to re-do a lot of your loot in the rule switch. The world is dangerous, and the Deadlands particularly so. It will take you several months to arrive at Darkcrest, and traveling with a cart and moving more slowly, the chances of running into something dangerous along the way are decent. But I'm not going to do the rolling for random encounters. I would like each of you to give me the following rolls: Survival Check Spot Check These, together, will determine if a random encounter happens, what the random encounter is if it happens, and whether Lady Maramos will be able to assist. Again, I do not have access to my spreadsheet, so I don't know my modifiers. You'll have to look it up. Sorry :/ I got the following: d6: 5 d100: 40 Survival: 4 rolled 4 + 0 mod Spot: 21 rolled 9 + 12 mod d100: 2 Survival: 11 + 5 = 16 Cool, thanks! I just wanted to be sure. :) %d: 88 Survival Check: 31 (rolled 16 + 15 bonuses) Spot Check: 14 (rolled 6 + 8 bonuses) If we happen upon Rynn's favored enemies, the Spot and Survival checks would get another +2 (undead) or +4 (goblinoids) as applicable. The party had never counted or appraised the bag of jewels they had found with her ledger, but it had been enough to make them easily believe her when she said their mercenary attitude would be more trouble than it was worth. They did keep some items to help secure and make a “bed” of sorts with the dirt she could sleep on, but other than that, they merely dumped the rest of the items on the ground and headed off deeper into the Deadlands. Sven Co-op Map Database SCMapDB.com wyvb	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339843
__label__cc	0.69212	0.30788	Sue Draper's Writing Fall Trip To Chicago!! Laura, Me, and Nat The alarm went off at 4:00 AM. It was Saturday, September 20th, 2014. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, jumped out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen. The Keurig supplied me with the first java jolt of the morning. "Wake up!", I told myself. "You are going to Chicago today!" Two cups of coffee later, I was out of the shower and preparing for the Cubs game to be attended that afternoon! My two daughters, Laura and Natalie were primping themselves for the big weekend getaway that Nat and I had planned about six weeks before. I had already been to Chicago with my husband Rick in July and the game we attended at Wrigley was so addicting that I just had to schedule one more trip before the end of the season. We wanted to spend the night in the city after the ballgame and then go shopping the following day. We would be staying with an Airbnb host named Kurt. The site is basically a global network of local hosts that rent out their beds, rooms, or even entire homes at a fraction of the cost of hotels. You can even rent castles and save millions! Ha ha! Nat and I had chosen Kurt's apartment to stay in because it was just a few blocks from Union Station where our Amtrak train would arrive. Natalie informed me that she would be driving my Rendezvouz to the Champagne, IL Amtrak station so that we could get there quickly. She thinks I drive too slowly, apparently. Little does she know how bad of a lead foot I can be! I told her that would be just fine. Our luggage got tossed in the back and we raced through the dark while texted updates came in on my cell phone, informing me of delays in the train's departure time. Luckily, it was free to park in the lot all weekend while our Chicago getaway transpired. After waiting for approximately 30 minutes, the employee at the counter picked up her microphone and said, "Now boarding train 58, The City of New Orleans to Carbondale/Chicago." Here's the link to the famous song so it can run through your head, too. : ) It was a double decker train and after we had been traveling for about twenty minutes we made our way downstairs to the dining car and ordered some sausage biscuits. I used the facilities on the lower level also which were about as cramped as those on an airplane. It's always nice to step back out of their confining clutches where toilet paper, paper towels and other toiletries are within inches of your elbows and eyes. We went back to our seats where I excitedly looked at my Wrigley Field pendant in anticipation. Cubbie bling! When we pulled into Union Station we plugged Kurt's address into Google Maps, unloaded and walked to his apartment building. The Cubs game was going to start in about an hour so after introducing ourselves he gave us a key, took our luggage and told us where the closest Redline station was. This is us walking to the station and being Cubbie divas! On our way!!! The State St. station's turnstyle awaited the waving of our Ventra cards for admission. Unfortunately, Laura and Natalie's cards had not been registered right and they didn't work but the pleasant station attendants knew we were trying to get to the game and kindly let us pass. It wasn't long before we got off at Addison and saw Wrigley, in all its glory, looming before us! I had just been to a Cubs/Cardinals game the month before and suffered through seeing a red-shirted fan every two seconds. It was such a great relief and joy to see more blue this time around as the Dodgers were the opposing team that day. We had some sailors take our picture in front of the marquee. Then we entered the Friendly Confines and located our seats in section 505, part of the upper decks on the left field side. The view was beautiful!!! My happy place! The Dodgers jumped out to a quick lead and would eventually be up 7-2 by the seventh inning. We didn't care though, we were just soaking up the atmosphere and electricity! The Chicago Dogs we ate were delicious and the Goose Island beer I had went down real easy and real quick. Ha! I even had the pleasure of sitting next to this cutie pie, Cameron! It was his very first Cubs game! Adorable!!!!! Hope he comes back for the World Series! : ) I told his dad about when my husband Rick and I first brought Natalie to Wrigley. She was just a toddler and she kept wandering off. I told her she couldn't do that and she promptly tossed herself down onto the peanut shells and threw one of the worst fits of her life. But ya know, that's what the game does to you. I throw fits over the Cubs myself. But I eat the peanuts instead of roll in them.... In the eighth inning things got exciting! Chris Coghlan blasted his second homer of the day and gave the Cubs the lead! He went 4-4! What a day, right?! Other timely hits, like Arismendy Alcantara's three run homer and the Chicago bullpen contributed to the final score of 8-7. It was the best baseball game I have ever been to!!!! The girls agreed! I hope all of us Twitter Cub fans can get together in the bleachers for a game next year!! Now that would be a party!! After the game we took the L back to State St. and did a little shopping before walking back to Kurt's apartment. All of us were a little nervous about sleeping in a stranger's home but it ended up working out great. Airbnb enabled us to expand our horizons and get to know someone new. Kurt had great references and his apartment was accommodating. The view from his patio was really pretty at night. All the surrounding high rises remained lit until the wee hours of the morning. We slept right in his living room on an air mattress and couch. At about 1:00 AM I woke up to the sound of someone in the kitchen running the faucet, followed by a chair getting pulled out and said someone sitting down and drinking the water. The swallows were quite audible. I thought to myself, "Oh great, our host is a pervert, and is at the table, watching us sleeping." It turns out that it was just Natalie, who couldn't sleep and had gotten up for the water. We had a good laugh about it in the morning. Sunday morning we awoke and put on our running attire. The girls and I love to run, especially together! It is a passion we have all become addicted to. Our plan was to walk to Lake Shore Drive and then run a couple of miles once we got there. I can't describe the feeling I get when I look out over Lake Michigan. I was born in Gary, IN and dad used to take our family to the lake all the time. Even though my life has taken me quite far from it at times I now reside only about three hours away and strive to make it up at least once a year. Who wouldn't love to run next to a view like this?? The pull it has on me is almost as strong as the one from Wrigley Field. It is, quite simply, magical..... Run next to this sometime!!! Ahhhhhh After our invigorating run Natalie talked us all into renting the Divvy bikes that Chicago has available! This is what they look like. Natalie and her pet Divvy! It only costs $7.00 for all day rental. The cool thing about them is that you can leave them parked in any Divvy bike rack throughout the city for a long as you want. The uncool thing is that you only have 30 minutes to ride to another bike rack. This stipulation would prove to be our undoing. The first leg of our bike-riding took us to Dunkin Donuts where we enjoyed some custard-filled doughnuts. So much for our morning work-out! We then rode the bikes back to the closest rack near our lodging. Hot showers came next and we changed into our shopping outfits. What's hilarious is that Natalie and I had the long, sweater cardigans that we had to tie around our waists so that they wouldn't get caught in the bike spokes! What a fashion faux pas!!! We hopped back on the bikes and took off for the most famous place to shop in the Midwest, The Magnificent Mile!!! Shopping heaven! At times, we had to ride the bikes on sidewalks because the streets were too crowded. We even accidentally rode under hotel awnings, apologizing profusely to the dumbstruck doormen. The bikes were really a blast to ride! They had three speeds and the cutest little bells that we sounded non-stop just to be idiots. At one point, Laura yelled out, "We run this town!" I've always enjoyed bike-riding! It was a blast trying to catch the lights before they turned, almost running over numerous pedestrians and, best of all, risking our lives on the congested streets of Chicago!!! If you like adventure, this is it! So.....there we were, in The Water Tower, walking through the umpteenth store, when I looked at my watch and noticed it was 3:00. What?? Wasn't our train leaving at 4:05?? PANIC SET IN. I told the girls we had to get on bikes NOW. This is where things started to go awry. First of all, the Divvy bike station we hit would not take Natalie's credit card. It took ten minutes to finally get resolved. Then, once we got on the bikes, we headed the wrong way toward the lake, instead of back-tracking toward the apartment. Believe me, it is quite easy to get turned around downtown! Even my little Natalie the Navigator got sidetracked because Google Maps wasn't loading right. MORE PANIC SET IN. Tick tock, tick tock. We had like one minute left to find another bike station. Remember, you can only ride for 30 minutes! Natalie was lamenting that we were going to miss the train and she'd miss her online anatomy test! Luckily, God sent us an angel and a nice black girl told us there was a bike station down the road. Picture us frantically shoving the bikes into the rack and hailing the first taxi we could find. It was now 3:40. I phoned Kurt from the back of the cab, embarrassingly relayed our dilemma and asked if he could please bring our bags down to the lobby so we could grab them and get to Union Station. Tick tock, the cab driver was hung up behind idiots trying to parallel park in front of us. I was sweating like a whore in church and had Laura put the window down. Finally, the taxi pulled up to our apartment building. I shook hands with Kurt, my hand dripping with nervous sweat, thanked him for his hospitality and the girls and I grabbed our luggage and took off for Union Station. The announcer's voice, once inside the station, blasted in our hyper tuned-in ears, "Last call to board train 393 to Champagne!" OMG-we showed the attendant our tickets and he told us to run for it. What a sight we were, racing at breakneck speed with our luggage trailing behind!!!! Of course, we had to go all the way to the very first car for boarding. When we stumbled up the steps Laura heard the conductor say that she was the last one allowed on. Whew!!!! It was like a scene out of a movie, surreal in retrospect. And hilarious! It's funny how everything somehow fell into place, in spite of the numerous roadblocks we confronted. Three hours later we were back on the road home. Our epic journey was in the history books. We can't wait for the sequel....... : ) I love Chicago!!!! Chicago Chicago Cubs Lake Michigan Magnificent Mile Trains LOL--what a great trip! Keep the stories coming!! I will! Cubs vs. Sox in July next year! We are there!!!! : ) David Spellman October 3, 2014 at 6:07 PM GREAT blog and fabulous photos. You really conveyed what a great time you all enjoyed. Thank you David! It was a blast! : ) Dad's Birthday Tribute Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about when you were a kid? I did today while sorting through some of my mom and dad’s mementos. Dad has been gone since 1985 and mom went to join him in heaven last September. It’s been hard to enjoy the first few major holidays, especially now that both my parents are gone. I’m very thankful for my immediate family to lean on when I feel a little blue. Reading old letters and gazing at family pictures of when I was a child triggered some really fond memories of growing up in the sixties and seventies in the Hoosier state. I’ll share a few about dad with you now. One vivid recollection I have is when dad tossed us all in the back seat of the Buick and we headed to the Indiana Dunes! Every single window was down and our unrestrained bodies bounced wildly as he pressed the pedal to the floor. A half-smoked cigarette hung from his mouth. The car radio blasted a current top hit. My hair was a tangled mess from hanging out the window in fervid a… Remembering a Legend on the Fourth of July In 1927, the year my dad was born, there were two baseball players who dominated the headlines in their quest to hit the most homers in a single season. One of them was Babe Ruth, who would finish with 60. The other player, who ended the year with 47 and whose life would come to a tragic end fourteen years later, was my favorite player of all time. Yes, The Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, stands atop my shrine of beloved baseball legends. My admiration for this man even exceeds that which I hold toward my favorite Cubs players; Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, and Kerry Wood . These three players did/do share several characteristics with the legend who represented the New York Yankees for seventeen years. Heart, humility, and honor. But it was Larrupin’ Lou who set the tone. Allow me to tell you a little something about each of the traits that he possessed and how his influence continues to mold the game today. Heart. Lou hit his very first grand slam when his high school team traveled to Ch… My First Solo Flight To Ft. Myers, Florida! Andy Schmidt bar gouging Big G's Pizza business eitquette Congress Plaza Hotel Cubs parking growing up in the sixties and seventies Jeff Samrdzija Kylie Hutson old family pictures pole vaulting Rex Brothers Rick Monday Ron Santo Sloan park weird teachers WrigleyField Yak-Zies	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339846
__label__wiki	0.64146	0.64146	Category: Facebook by rajtechnews · Published October 18, 2019 Facebook Will Pay You Rs 35 Lakh Or More, If You do this: Details here Facebook has decided to pay more bounty for bugs or flaws discovered by hackers on its platform with a view to making its apps and services more secure for users. As per a... Soon Your Whatsapp, Messenger Chats Will Be Accessed By Government After numerous unsuccessful attempts at getting WhatsApp to make the messages shared on its platform accessible to the Government, TRAI is now making attempts to regulate the content on WhatsApp,... by rajtechnews · Published October 1, 2019 Facebook to Launch New ‘News Tab’ Feature; Will Pay Only a Fraction of Publishers Facebook said on September 30 that it plans to pay only a portion of the publishers whose stories appear in a news “tab” set to launch in the weeks ahead.... Now, watch cricket on Facebook as ICC partners with the social media giant International Cricket Council has announced a partnership with Facebook for four years. The social media giant will showcase match recaps, in-play key moments and other match and feature content for... by rajtechnews · Published September 4, 2019 Facebook is scanning all your photos, videos in name of security Facebook has announced a new facial recognition feature that will automatically let users know when they appear in any video or photo even if they haven’t been tagged in first... by rajtechnews · Published August 19, 2019 8 Secret Facebook Features You Didn’t Know About You may have been using Facebook for quite sometime now and think there is nothing that can surprise you. But how deep have you investigated to be absolutely sure that... Now share Facebook posts on WhatsApp with just a tap, here’s how Last year, Mark Zuckerberg had announced Facebook’s plans to merge WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger. Facebook and WhatsApp are now working on a new feature which could bring the two platforms even... Facebooks wants your phone number, photo and you can’t say no Facebook has quietly made certain changes which will make it difficult for anonymous users to use the platform. If you are someone who uses Facebook without any profile picture, basic... by rajtechnews · Published June 26, 2019 Diabetes, anxiety and other diseases can be predicted by the language of your Facebook posts New Delhi: Facebook is one of the most widely used social media networks all around the world. The virtual world of social media has made life easier by helping us connect... Facebook to rank comments to ensure meaningful posts In a move to make conversations on public posts more meaningful, Facebook has rolled out an update where it will rank comments to promote those that are most relevant to...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339854
__label__wiki	0.918765	0.918765	Washington 4, Milwaukee 3 When: 8:08 PM ET, Tuesday, October 1, 2019 Where: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia Temperature: 83° Umpires: Home - Mike Everitt, 1B - Kerwin Danley, 2B - Jeff Nelson, 3B - Cory Blaser, LF - David Rackley, RF - Carlos Torres By Field Level Media Washington Nationals rookie Juan Soto tracked a pitch from Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader and quickly recognized a fastball down the middle of the plate. He ripped the ball into right field -- and helped send Washington into the next round of the playoffs. "Just get a base hit to the middle," Soto said to TBS in a postgame interview. "That's what I'm thinking." Soto's hard-hit single rolled under the glove of Brewers right fielder Trent Grisham, and three runs scored on the eighth-inning play, pushing the Nationals to a 4-3 comeback win over visiting Milwaukee in the National League wild-card game Tuesday night. Washington advances to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will host Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Thursday night. The Nationals went 3-4 against the Dodgers during the regular season. For most of the evening, it looked as though the Brewers would head west to Los Angeles. Milwaukee scored three runs in the first two innings and held on to a 3-1 edge entering the bottom of the eighth. Brewers manager Craig Counsell brought in Hader (0-1), a hard-throwing southpaw who notched 37 saves this season. Hader quickly found trouble. Michael A. Taylor took first with one out after umpires ruled that he was hit by a pitch, although replays indicated that the ball may have hit the knob of his bat before striking him on the hand. One out later Ryan Zimmerman followed with a broken-bat single, and Anthony Rendon drew a walk on a full count to load the bases for Soto. "The hit by pitch, I'd have to look at it again," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said to TBS. "I didn't really catch a good glimpse of it. Our dugout seemed to think it hit the bat first." Earlier in the game, Yasmani Grandal and Eric Thames homered for the Brewers. A promising campaign ended abruptly for Milwaukee, which won 89 games -- including 18 of its final 23 contests -- before the late-inning collapse. Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg (1-0) earned the victory after pitching three scoreless innings of relief. He gave up two hits, walked none and struck out four. Daniel Hudson notched the save by pitching a scoreless ninth for the Nationals. He and Strasburg followed starter Max Scherzer, who gave up three runs in five innings and left the mound with the Nationals' postseason hopes in doubt. "These guys are amazing," Soto said of the Nationals' pitching staff. "They always go to compete. They never give up. They show us how to never give up, so we just keep going and fight." Hader allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk in one inning. He struck out two. The Brewers jumped to a 2-0 lead before recording their first out at the plate. Grisham drew a leadoff walk, and Grandal yanked a first-pitch fastball over the wall in right field for his third career postseason home run. The quick strike stunned the Nationals home fans, who had just settled into their seats. Grandal was 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts against Scherzer in regular-season matchups before belting the two-run homer into the Washington bullpen. In the second, Milwaukee increased its lead to 3-0 on a leadoff shot by Thames. He pounded a low breaking ball an estimated 411 feet to right-center field for his first career postseason homer. The Nationals pulled within 3-1 in the third on Trea Turner's solo homer. He squared up a 97 mph fastball for his first postseason blast off Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff. The right-hander threw four innings and gave up one run and two hits, striking out three without a walk. --Field Level Media Top Game Performances Milwaukee Washington Brandon Woodruff Player Max Scherzer No Decision W/L No Decision 4.0 IP 5.0 3 Strikeouts 6 2 Hits 4 2.25 ERA 5.40 Eric Thames Player Ryan Zimmerman 1 RBI 0 6 TB 1 .500 Avg 1.000 Team Stats Summary Team Hits HR TB Avg LOB K RBI BB SB Errors Milwaukee 7 2 15 .219 12 11 3 3 0 2 Washington 5 1 8 .172 6 7 3 1 0 0	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339855
__label__wiki	0.917069	0.917069	9:00 AM PT10:00 AM MT11:00 AM CT12:00 PM ET4:00 PM GMT12:00 AM 北京时间9:00 AM MST11:00 AM EST, Sep. 1, 2018 NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas Attendance: 40,333 Ta'amu, Phillips help Ole Miss over Texas Tech 47-27 CFB Headlines Morgan, LeMay, Perry star in Shrine Bowl Tiano named MVP of Collegiate Bowl RB Travis Etienne will return to Clemson Georgia names ex-NFL assistant Monken OC Lubick replaces Walters as Huskers' OC Baylor hires LSU DC Aranda as coach LSU probing Beckham's on-field payments Jefferson, Edwards-Helaire headed to NFL Minnesota sets nonconference schedule (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) By KRISTIE RIEKEN HOUSTON (AP) Just after Mississippi piled up more than 500 yards in a blowout of Texas Tech on Saturday quarterback Jordan Ta'amu was asked about his group of receivers led by A.J. Brown, DaMarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf. "They're so talented," he said. "They're the best in the nation. I believe that in my heart. I'm grateful they're on my side and I can throw to them." On Saturday the Rebels showed that they have a pretty good running game, too. Ta'amu threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns and Scottie Phillips ran for a career-high 204 yards and two more scores to give Mississippi the 47-27 win. Phillips said having such a talented group of receivers helps him out. "They spread everything out and it gives me a lot more running room," he said. "We've got a veteran o-line and that makes my job a whole lot easier." Phillips extended Mississippi's lead to 37-20 when scampered 65 yards for a touchdown with about seven minutes left in the third quarter. Da'Leon Ward's second touchdown on a 9-yard run got Texas Tech within 10 later in the third, but Ta'amu found Brown for a 34-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the fourth quarter to make it 44-27. Ole Miss coach Matt Luke liked the way Ta'amu spread the ball around on Saturday. "We go to space and if they want to double-team one we're able to go to the others so I think that's pretty unique," Luke said. "It did work out with a lot of balance and that's good." Texas Tech freshman Alan Bowman was 29 of 49 for 273 yards and a touchdown after taking over late in the first quarter when starter McLane Carter was injured. "True freshman, first game, that type of atmosphere, just took a while I think for him to settle in," coach Kliff Kingsbury said. "I was proud of how he protected the football, that's what we asked him to do. Protect the ball. Led some nice drives, a couple we'd like to have back, but I thought overall he handled himself well." Ta'amu got things going early when he connected with Metcalf for a 58-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game. The Red Raiders evened it up when Ward ran 15 yards for a score on their first possession. That touchdown was set up when T.J. Vasher made an Odell Beckham-esque one-handed catch for a 31-yard gain two plays earlier. Vasher grabbed the ball with his right hand as he leapt above the defender and secured it with both hands before crashing to the turf near the sideline. Ole Miss regained the lead quickly when Jaylon Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. The Rebels were up 17-7 when Carter was injured when he was tackled by a pair of defenders on a run for no gain. He tried to remain in the game but fell to the ground at the line and was helped off the field and then carted to the locker room. Kingsbury said it was a left ankle injury, but said he didn't have any details on the severity of the injury. Mississippi's first touchdown from Phillips, a run of 39 yards, came next to make it 24-7 late in the first quarter. Bowman made a nice throw under heavy pressure for a 14-yard TD pass to Ja'Deion High to cut the lead to 27-17 about two minutes before halftime. Mississippi: Ta'amu looked great from the start of this one, using a variety of receivers and running the offense with ease. He'll have one more week to fine tune things before the Rebels begin Southeastern Conference play. Texas Tech: Bowman handled things pretty well after being thrown into action following Carter's injury. But if Carter is out for an extended period of time he'll need to keep developing for the Red Raiders to succeed. Texas Tech's defense will also have to figure out how to limit big plays after the Rebels exploited it for several on Saturday. Texas Tech's Desmon Smith and Vaughnte Dorsey were both ejected for targeting on Saturday, causing concern for Kingsbury. "That can't happen," he said. "We need to be more disciplined and find a way to not do that. We're lacking secondary coming in and to lose those guys obviously didn't help the matter. We've got to talk about it, practice and have to be better." THEY SAID IT Texas Tech defensive lineman Broderick Washington on giving up 210 yards rushing: "That really disappointed me because what we work on on the defensive line and what we pride ourselves on is stopping the run. Obviously we didn't do it. They came in big chunks though. We just need to minimize the big plays." Mississippi: The Rebels host Southern Illinois next Saturday before opening conference play on Sept. 15 when they host top-ranked Alabama. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders host Lamar next Saturday in their home opener before the Houston Cougars visit Lubbock on Sept. 15. More AP college football: https://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball and http://www.twitter.com/AP-Top25	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339856
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__label__wiki	0.853452	0.853452	Unite Eye Join Unite Your news. Your issues. Live. Would you like to keep up to date with UNITElive? Enter your email address to stay in touch Slavery of domestic workers Shameful treatment of the UK’s domestic workers exposed Hajera Blagg, Wednesday, December 10th, 2014 Today (December 12) marks World Human Rights Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1950 to highlight human rights. But you don’t have to travel the world over to see these most fundamental rights being stripped away in what amounts to modern-day slavery—it happens right in our own backyard. Since 2012, migrant domestic workers in Britain are brought in by their wealthy overseas employers under a visa system that effectively ties them to their employer. In other words, they cannot work elsewhere except under the auspices of the person who brought them into the country. This exposes migrant domestic workers to unspeakable exploitation. Not only is wage theft common, but physical and sexual abuse is rife as well. Justice 4 Domestic Workers (J4DW), a self-organised branch of Unite, took to the streets in Westminster this morning to fight the visa system that sanctions their modern-day slavery. With the support of several Labour MPs and other Unite members, the morning of action brought to light the struggles domestic workers face in this country. They called for the reinstatement of the previous visa system, which allowed workers to change employers, in order to undo the worst of the abuses these workers now face. J4DW chair, Marissa Begonia, argued that the tied domestic worker visa devised by the Tory-led coalition government is morally indefensible. “For this government to facilitate and tolerate slavery in the UK is an unforgivable crime,” she said. “When I asked for my salary, he threatened to hit me” During the demonstration, migrant domestic workers held life-size message boards highlighting the abuse and exploitation they’d suffered. The stories J4DW’s members tell testify to the heinous conditions they endure daily, with no recourse to a justice system that many of us take for granted. Chanda* explains how receiving wages that other workers are lawfully entitled to was out of the question under her previous employer. “I was working from 8am to 1am every day for an entire year,” she said. “My employer promised to pay £400 per month, but whenever I asked for my salary, he threatened to hit me.” Elizabeth* recounts how, despite the daily abuse she suffered, she couldn’t speak out for fear of losing her visa. “[My employer’s] kids were spitting at me and pushing me down the stairs,” she says. “But I kept quiet because I needed to renew my visa. My employer kept a diary of things she didn’t think I was doing. Most horrifyingly of all, Rendila tells of her harrowing experience being sexually abused by her employer. ‘’My employer would go to my room at night and sexually abuse me,” she said. “To stop me from speaking out about it, he would threaten to accuse me of harming his child, a child I love like my own.” “Migrant domestic workers rights are human rights” Labour and Co-operative MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Mark Lazarowicz, was among the politicians in attendance at the demonstration. Labour MPs Jim Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East) David Crausby (Bolton North East) and shadow immigration minister David Hanson (Delyn) also attended. Lazarowicz condemned the current domestic workers’ visa system. “This government has put migrant workers in a position in which they have no choice but to be tied to their employer,” Lazarowicz said. “In cases of abuse and exploitation, they cannot speak out for fear of losing their visa. From a human rights perspective, the domestic worker visa issue should be of utmost concern.” Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland agreed. “Migrant domestic workers rights are human rights and justice for these workers cannot be swept under the carpet by this government,” she said. “While most of us will enjoy the festive period, many of these workers will not be allowed to phone family or friends at Christmas, let alone be able to take any time off.” Holland emphasised that migrant domestic workers are just like any other workers in Britain, and, as such, need “proper recognition as workers.” She noted that the original Overseas Domestic Workers visa was put forward by Labour but enjoyed cross-party support. Now, however, progress has been reversed. “It had taken many years of campaigning to get some of the most vulnerable workers in our society the same rights that everyone should be able to count on,” Holland said. “But this government has demolished these vital achievements and reintroduced modern day slavery.” Begonia hears the stories of abused and exploited domestic workers every day, but, she says, she’s often powerless to do anything with the current regulations now in place. Before, she would go to the police to seek help for workers being abused, but now, she says, Justice 4 Domestic Workers’ must take it upon themselves to rescue these workers from the hands of abuse. “It’s incredibly painful and devastating to witness everything when I know domestic workers are being beaten, raped and worked to death as slaves with no salary at all, but what can I do?” she said. “Domestic workers are too frightened to speak out.” “The old visa system helped prevent abuse, slavery and trafficking,” Begonia added. “When workers weren’t being treated with justice, they were able to change employer, renew their visas and live lives like normal citizens.” Indeed, all evidence points to the fact that domestic workers under the previous visa system were less vulnerable to exploitation. One survey found that: • Almost three quarters of tied visa holders reported never being allowed out of the house unsupervised (71 per cent), compared to under half on the original visa (43 per cent). • 65 per cent of tied migrant domestic workers didn’t have their own rooms, so shared with the children or slept in the kitchen or lounge, compared with 34 per cent of those not tied. • 60 per cent of those on the tied visa reported pay of less than £50 a week, compared with 36 per cent on the original visa. Labour introduced an amendment to the modern slavery bill, currently being passed through Parliament, which would reinstate the original visa. Although the amendment was defeated by only one vote in the Commons, it still has a chance as it passes through the House of Lords. Stay tuned on UNITElive.org for the latest on the bill as domestic workers fight to secure their rights. Yellow fist of protest Only point of contact Saying it with flowers Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Oblittero provisor fugio niveus, multo par contabesco, fabula videlicet vix ciminosus. Vis mitigo multi sed madesco te lectica. ← Single biggest issue Defence strike – day three → © Unite the union, all rights reserved. Site designed and built by MASS1	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339868
__label__wiki	0.96496	0.96496	WN.com Search Results for: human AND rights AND watch photo: AP / Santiago Billy Mexico offers 4,000 jobs to new migrant caravan "We have more than 4,000 jobs along our southern border, and also migrant shelters. There is work in our country," the leftist leader said at his daily news conference. The caravan, which formed in Honduras this week and is making its way across Guatemala, currently has... Central American Migrants Wikipedia: Illegal immigration to the United States photo: AP / Christophe Ena Union protests continue despite Macron's compromise French transport strikes continued for a 42nd day on Wednesday as a government compromise over the national retirement age failed to persuade some trade unions to call off the disruptions that have rocked the country. On Wednesday, three important French ports - Marseille, Le Havre and La Rochelle - were totally blocked. Air traffic controllers... France Strikes French Ports Wikipedia: 2019–20 French pension reform strike photo: AP / Luca Bruno Tekashi69 asks to serve prison sentence under house arrest over gang retaliation fears Tekashi 6ix9ine has reportedly asked a judge to allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, on the grounds that he believes he is at risk while in jail. TMZ reports that his lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, filed a request to allow the rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, to serve the rest of his 24-month sentence... Lance Lazzaro Wikipedia: 6ix9ine photo: Creative Commons / Ibama Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon up 85% in 2019 Gulf News \| 15 Jan 2020 Brasmlia: Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil soared 85 per cent in 2019, compared with the previous year, official data showed Tuesday. The 9,166 square kilometers cleared was the highest number in at least five years, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space... Deforestation In Brazil Wikipedia: Deforestation in Brazil photo: Creative Commons / Studio Incendo China is global threat to individual freedoms, says new Human Rights Watch report South China Morning Post \| 14 Jan 2020 The Chinese government fears “people’s desire for democracy”... Kenneth Roth Wikipedia: Human rights in China photo: AP / M.D. Mughal Avalanches kill 69 in Pakistani and Indian Kashmir At least 59 people were killed and many more were missing after avalanches in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir over the last 24 hours, senior government officials said on Tuesday. In neighbouring India, at least 10 people were killed after several avalanches hit the northern-part of Indian-administered Kashmir. Two Pakistani officials said many... Indian Kashmir Wikipedia: Neelum District Q Saltlake Magazine \| 14 Jan 2020 By the time you read this, the U.S. may be at war with Iran and/or World War III may have begun because we have the dumbest, most impulsive and selfish president in the history of America. Happy New Year. It’s hard to understate how we are deep into “Trump Presidency: Worst Case Scenario,” a movie that most of us never wanted to see but are now... photo: Creative Commons / Adam Jones Rights group criticizes Rwanda's ruling on former officers Star Tribune \| 14 Jan 2020 Human Rights Watch says the decision by Rwanda's Court of Appeal upholding the conviction of two former high-ranking army officers, who are said to be in failing health, fits a pattern of government repression of critics. ...... Wikipedia: Rwandan genocide photo: Creative Commons / Aaron Yoo European lawmakers call for common charging port for all smartphones Indian Express \| 14 Jan 2020 European lawmakers have called for the development of common charger that should fit all mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices in order to reduce electronic waste (e-waste). The European Parliament noted in a briefing that in 2014, the Commission’s approach “of “encouraging” industry to develop... European Lawmakers Wikipedia: USB-C photo: AP / Cliff Owen India greets Amazon founder Jeff Bezos with an antitrust complaint Written by Vindu Goel Amazon’s founder and chief executive, Jeff Bezos, is visiting India this week for the first time in more than five years. Instead of garlands, India’s government is welcoming him with a new antitrust case. The Competition Commission of India, the country’s antitrust regulator, opened a formal investigation on Monday into the... E-commerce In India wikipedia:E-commerce in India Amazon Inc photo: Creative Commons / Frank Schwichtenberg Cardi B says she wants to be a politician even though she doesn't 'agree with government' (CNN)Cardi B wants to be a politician. Maybe not soon, but she's considering it. In a series of tweets this week, the rapper expressed an interest in being a part of Congress, telling her fans she'd share more details soon. "I really love government even tho I don't agree with government," Cardi B said on Twitter Sunday. "Like I was watching war... Us Rapper Wikipedia: Cardi B photo: AP / Elaine Thompson Passenger attacks flight attendant and tries to storm cockpit at ‘full sprint’ A passenger has been charged with aggravated assault after he hit a member of cabin crew and ran at the cockpit at a “full sprint” and tried to break in during a United Express flight. Matthew Dingley started behaving erratically while on flight 4965, operated by Commutair, flying from Washington Dulles to Newark on 9 January. As the flight was... Washington Dulles Wikipedia: United Express Israeli education minister says being gay is unnatural Israel’s education minister has sparked fury by implying it is unnatural and unhealthy not to be heterosexual. Rafael Peretz, an Orthodox rabbi, drew condemnation from his colleagues and fresh calls to resign after he was asked by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper what he would do if one his children had a “different sexual orientation”.... Lgbt In Israel Orthodox Rabbi Rafael Peretz Wikipedia: LGBT rights in Israel photo: AP / Lee Jin-man HONG KONG — Hong Kong authorities barred the head of Human Rights Watch from entering the Chinese territory on Sunday, the advocacy group said. Kenneth Roth,... Hong Kong Crisis Wikipedia: Kenneth Roth photo: Creative Commons / pittaya Thousands protest against government in Thai capital Thousands of people have protested in the Thai capital, Bangkok, against the military-backed government and called for greater political freedoms. The demonstrators gathered for a run at a park in Bangkok early in the morning on Sunday in a public display of dissent at the policies of the government of former junta leader and incumbent Prime... Prayuth Chan-ocha Thai Protests Wikipedia: Prayut Chan-o-cha photo: AP / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds Sultan Qaboos bin Said death: Modernising and long-serving Omani leader dies aged 79 The Middle East’s longest-ruling leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman, has died, state media has reported. Sultan Qaboos, who had been unwell in recent years and often travelled outside Oman for treatment, seized power in a palace coup from his father in 1970. The widely respected although authoritarian monarch then ruled the small Gulf nation... Qaboos Bin Said Al Said Wikipedia: Qaboos bin Said al Said photo: AP / Ahmed Yempabou Ouoba Islamic extremism wracks Burkina Faso, spreading east Wtop \| 10 Jan 2020 FADA N’GOURMA, Burkina Faso (AP) — The jihadists who killed Wabwa Ampougovni’s son and two grandchildren wanted them to suffer: They cut the backs of their necks before slitting their throats, leaving them to a slow and agonizing death. They were among 14 people killed in late November when extremists swept through the Natiaboani area... Islamic Extremism Wikipedia: Islamic extremism Interactive Liberty Human Rights Forum Hot Protest Free Human Rights	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339870
__label__cc	0.747868	0.252132	(610) 664-5700 dabramson@theabramsonfirm.com Lender Liability SEC Broker Licensing Claims Against Financial and Investment Professionals Healthcare Litigation Hospital Credentialing Insurance Provider Credentialing Medical Staff Disciplinary Matters Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Professional Credentialing State Board Matters Irregular Behavior Gilbert B. Abramson Dennis L. Abramson Arbitrator / Expert Arbitration Services Business Attorney Expert Testimony Law Firm Dispute Expert Testimony Legal Malpractice Expert Testimony Referral Fee / Fee Sharing Expert Testimony Our attorneys have decades of experience representing clients in all forms of arbitration. For more than 30 years, founding partner Gilbert Abramson served as a commercial arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the nation’s leading alternative dispute resolution program. Mr. Abramson has acted as a sole arbitrator and as part of panels of arbitrators in a multitude of commercial matters, including shareholder and partnership disputes, professional negligence matters, and breach of contract and business tort actions. Mr. Abramson is available to privately arbitrate matters between disputing parties. Business dealings are complicated enough for those who hold MBA degrees. Expecting non-expert jurors to grasp sophisticated financial or transactional business documents may be unrealistic. With a solid commercial litigation practice and years of experience advising entrepreneurs and privately held and family-owned companies, our attorneys have substantive knowledge of business dealings as well as the ethics rules and professional responsibility requirements that govern the service of attorneys as outside experts. As expert witnesses in business-related disputes, we provide impartial opinions that are based on firsthand knowledge and industry experience, presented in a manner that is easily understood by jurors of varying backgrounds. Trials have grown to depend more on information and explanations provided by outside experts. Engaging the services of an expert witness who brings an impartial, respected voice to a case can make the difference between a winning and losing verdict. To be effective, an expert witness must possess the knowledge, experience and credibility to effectively persuade the fact-finder. Drawing on his professional background and substantial experience, Gilbert Abramson is often called upon by attorneys to serve as an expert witness in numerous types of litigation matters. Law-firm disputes can be among the most complex and strongly fought forms of litigation. Because of our firm’s significant experience in handling law firm disputes and break-ups, attorneys frequently call upon our attorneys to serve as expert witnesses on behalf of their clients. Drawing on his decades of work serving as managing partner in boutique litigation law firms, as well as his firsthand experience representing lawyers in disputes with their partners and co-shareholders, Gilbert Abramson has served as an expert witness in multiple law firm partnership disputes. Gilbert Abramson has significant experience serving as an expert witness on behalf of plaintiffs (clients) and defendants (lawyers) in legal malpractice cases involving breach of fiduciary duties and other claims. Drawing on his decades of experience, Mr. Abramson has frequently prepared affidavits of merit and expert reports, and provided testimony in depositions and at bench trials and jury trials, opining upon whether attorneys have comported themselves in accordance with the standard of care owed their clients. Resolving fee-related disputes that surface between individual lawyers, law firms and other parties in connection with legal proceedings is a delicate and complicated matter. We understand the nuances of such arrangements and have experience negotiating the contractual, ethical and other issues and interests that arise in this context. Drawing on his experience as managing partner in boutique litigation law firms and in representing lawyers in disputes with their partners and co-shareholders, Gilbert Abramson regularly serves as an expert witness in disputes between attorneys and law firms arising in connection with referral and fee-sharing agreements. Consult with our skilled and experienced attorneys about your case. Goal driven attorneys with extensive experience in nearly every aspect of litigation and pre-litigation disputes, our clients include businesses, entrepreneurs, developers, professionals, individuals, and healthcare professionals. ECFMG/USMLE 111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 228, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Ten Penn Center 1801 Market Street; Suite 1100 Philadelphia, PA 19103 dabramson@theabramsonfirm.com The Law Offices of Abramson & Abramson LLC © 2016. Website Designed by Post Advisors	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339883
__label__wiki	0.972896	0.972896	The Accidental Groundhopper Travels in Time and Football Ground 315: Temple Park, Whitburn Athletic Likeable Whitburn Athletic are a busy groundhopper's dream. In the past three seasons they've played at three different grounds, all within walking distance of my parents' home. From a school playing field in their home village to a wind-blown municipal pitch formerly used by South Shields, the Northern Alliance Second Division side have now moved to a 4G surface at Temple Park, a dual carriageway's distance from Wearside League neighbours Harton & Westoe Colliery Welfare FC. As with a higher-profile set of summer stadium switchers, the South Tynesiders have struggled for form at their new base, failing to win in three home league games before tonking Wolsingham in a Durham Minor Cup tie played in front of a not quite record crowd of zero. "It's becoming a regular theme with us that we have shocking first halves, fix it at half time, then say we'll start how we finish from then on," wrote Andy Smith, striker, secretary and club founder when Athletic first entered a team in the 2010-11 Wearside Combination League. The fifth visitors of the season are Prudhoe Youth Club Seniors for a game in the Bluefin Sport Amateur Cup. The away side are waiting for kick off when I arrive, the home team traversing the hundred or so metres from the leisure centre changing rooms accompanied by a pair of cyclists, a woman out walking her dog and a group of kids heading to the adjacent skateboard park. Seating is provided on some flat-topped rocks; the only shade comes from a shipping container placed next to a sign announcing the facilities were funded by the Premier League and FA. "Pogba," yells a player, warming up by attempting volleys into the net. "Jonjo Shelvey," says another as he tries to replicate the top-corner goal at QPR. Someone jokingly whistles the Champions League theme as the referee does a head count. "Howay lads," a Prudhoe player shouts. "Challenge!" Whitburn start falteringly once again. "Where's the shape?" a defender enquires. "Drop in, drop in," says the substitute tasked with carrying the linesman's flag. Prudhoe miss with two one-on-ones in the space of five seconds before the home side undeservedly go ahead from a corner kick, though the scores are back level when a left-wing foray beats an attempt to play two attackers offside and the cross is turned smartly past the helpless home keeper. "We've gone back in our shells again," a Whitburn player grumbles. "Well on top now," the goalscorer says. Prudhoe's manager is certainly happier at half time. "Just need to put these chances away," he tells his team. On the other side of halfway, a frustrated Ryan Shave is less complimentary. "We need someone, anyone to start organising," he emphasises. The attendance climbs to seven at the start of the second half, though it immediately falls back when a Prudhoe substitute dumps the assistant's flag on his dad. "It's just I can't really come on if I'm the liner," he apologises as his replacement slightly unwillingly takes up position wearing sandals and denim shorts. The visitors score a second, Whitburn lose captain and club treasurer Kieren Laverick to injury and then concede a third, Prudhoe stroking the ball around for close on a minute before lashing it into the net from 25 yards. "No pressure," moans a home player. "Been the same from the start." Two goals for the home side sandwich the Northumbrians' fourth. "When are we going to put this to bed, lads?" asks the visiting manager before his team finally kill the tie with two late goals. "West Brom three nowt against West Ham" a spectator is reading off his phone as the players shake hands. "So disjointed, so disharmonious, and absolutely our own worst enemy," is Smith's diagnosis of his team's early season displays, proving there's at least one thing South Tyneside's Temple Park has in common with London's Olympic Stadium. Date: Saturday September 17th 2016 Posted by Michael at 10:57 No comments: Ground 314: Nethermoor Park, Guiseley And then we came to the end. Almost a year to the day since relocating to York from Yokohama, eight months after my spectatorial debut in the Northern Counties East League and nearly two dozen other Yorkshire non-league grounds later, I'm departing once more, this time to help sell academic textbooks in Kyiv and eastern Ukraine. "It'll be different, anyway," as someone recently observed. My final weekend trip was to National League Guiseley, who've been around the area a good bit longer than me. Formed in 1909 and based at Nethermoor Park ever since, the 1913 Wharfedale League champions made the 1990 FA Vase semi-final with Frank Worthington in their side, won it in a replay the following season and lost a second Wembley final, 5-3 to Wimborne, two years later. Having gone out in the Conference North play-offs four times in a row, the Lions finally made the fifth-tier in 2015 but only barely survived their first term in the National League - in the end just a single point splitting them and relegated Halifax - and started this campaign with six defeats and one sacked manager. "We have to take responsibility for what's happening," temporary boss Adam Lockwood told his former teammates before a goalless draw with Braintree delivered the much needed fillip of a first point of the season. The visit of Woking - three points and two places better off but without a single clean sheet in 2016 - raised the prospect of an opening win, Lockwood snapping up Simon Walton, a 28-year-old veteran of 13 professional clubs, to add experience to a team which also includes Alex Purver and Reece Webb-Foster, recently borrowed from neighbours Leeds and Bradford City. "It looked like we'd strengthened in the summer and many people were expecting a more comfortable season this time out," says one concerned Nethermoor regular, "but we seem to have got progressively worse with each game so far. It wasn't entirely surprising that we lost our first three matches, but North Ferriby beating us was a real watershed. A lot of people thought the club were right to sack Mark Bower but personally I was in two minds. He'd taken us into a play-off final, got us promoted and then kept us up last season. For me, we need an experienced Conference manager as soon as possible. It's only September and we're already odds on to go down." A few minutes' walk from the train station, on the same street as the most famous fish and chip shop in the world, Nethermoor's entrance is shared with a cricket club, the few steps of open terracing behind each goal a reminder of days further down the pyramid. An assortment of covered stands - the impressive main one built in the club's centenary year to replace a rickety structure burnt out by arsonists - some portakabins, a burger van and a pebbledashed toilet block complete the ensemble. "I'll be going mad if we score today," a young Guiseley fan promises. "1-0 to you," predicts a Woking supporter. "Not a chance," a home regular responds. "We could win this," the same bloke reckons half an hour in as Woking's Michael Poke flips a shot around the post. The keeper saves from Purver; "Guiseley well on top" tweets the home club's account. Two minutes into the second period, Nicky Clee feeds Adam Boyd, who leathers a shot past Poke from twenty yards. "Told you," the Woking fan says. "He gets the ball and scores a goal," celebrate the home support, prematurely following up with the theme from the Great Escape. Poke denies Jordan Preston before Woking slowly edge their way back into the match. "There's another goal in this," a home fan predicts pessimistically as the visitors move forward down the right. Fabio Saraiva misdirects a header, the ball hits Dennon Lewis' shoulder and leaves Jonny Maxted clawing at thin air. "Still bottom," someone mournfully reflects as the travelling support leap around in front of a breezeblock wall at the other end of the ground. "Two games unbeaten," Lockwood says at full-time, grasping one of the few positives of the day. "It'll be a mountain to stay up from here," a home fan reckons. "We're nine games in and haven't won yet. You don't make that up when you're a part-time team in a league where most of the competition are full-time or part-timers in name only." The Woking supporter is equally doleful about his side's prospects for the rest of the year. "We used to be the best part-time team in the country," he rues, "but even teams with 5,000 crowds don't automatically get out of this division nowadays. It's going to be a struggle." Back in Leeds, there are more glum faces after Huddersfield's win at Elland Road leaves the three-time English champions just two places off the bottom of the Championship. The immediate future looks every bit as bleak for the county's National League clubs, North Ferriby United a point outside the relegation places and York City only four places better off. For Guiseley a midweek trip to fellow strugglers Chester provides another opportunity for an overdue first win. "We fought so hard to get into this division," a Lions fan reckons. "If we go down, I can't see us getting back anytime soon." Admission: £15 Date: Saturday September 10th Ground 313: Churchill Playing Fields, Monkseaton FC Named after a Wallsend social club and a firm that sticks company logos on polo shirts, Lindisfarne Custom Planet blasted out of the Tyneside Amateur League with the 2013-14 title and the Bill Gardner Cup, got a second promotion at the first time of asking and settled into the midtable orbit of the 12th-tier Northern Alliance Division One. And then they were gone. A summer link up with Monkseaton Juniors brought a change of identity and a brand new place to play, the rechristened Monkseaton FC moving a couple of miles north from the Rising Sun Sports Ground to Churchill Playing Fields, shared with local league cricketers, a running club and their own reserve team. Renamed and reinvigorated, the red and blacks had won three and drawn the other of their opening four games, though their 13-goal haul was still just half that of Gateshead's all-conquering U19s. The Heed fielded four of their first-team squad in a 6-1 opening day crushing of Gosforth Bohemians and were predictably ensconced at the top of the division with maximum points and a goal difference already up to plus 24. "You've essentially got a league of hairy arsed blokes going up against a squad of kids who've all come through academies, get professional coaching and train five times a week," one veteran Alliance watcher reckoned. "There's a lot of potential," manager Micky Cummins, a veteran of six professional clubs including Middlesbrough, Port Vale and Rotherham United, admitted after his team pummelled Heaton Stannington's reserves 7-0. "But we looked lethargic at the start of the second half. We were slow and sloppy and gave up possession quite easily." Small mercies, you imagine, for the rest of the league. It was the weekend of theTall Ships Regatta at Blyth, Newcastle against Brighton in a teatime kick-off and Whitley Bay v North Shields - dubbed El Clasicoast by one set of fans, but "obviously El Coastico" to the other - in the Northern League. "A clash of cultures," one Bay supporter says, "Shields were carrying on like it was Green Street Hooligans last time they came here. Our lot are a bit more Merchant Ivory." A smattering of Bay fans were already out in the town centre pubs, from where I walked the last 15 minutes inland to Monkseaton. Gateshead's team were emerging from a changing block that was doubling as a cricket pavilion, skirting the boundary rope on their way to the pitch. There were four spectators on park benches, a handful more on the rise beneath some trees and a dozen or so reclining in the sun on the opposite touchline. "From the start," shouted Monskeaton boss Anthony Fawcett, standing alongside a pile of holdalls and his two subs. His team gave as good as it got in the first half of the game, discomforting the table-toppers and only denied what looked a clear penalty by the referee's positioning. "Not my half of the pitch," he explained, his assistant having proved little help. "Howay ref, are you gonna give us summat or what?" called a bloke from the rise. It wasn't until the 40th minute that Adam Wrightson - on an 18-month pro contract after playing six times in the Conference last season - laid on Gateshead's 27th goal of the season. "We've done so well up to now," a Monskeaton player moaned. The 28th followed five minutes into the second period, Wrightson shimmying between challenges before placing the ball into the corner of the net. "Great goal," said Cummins. "We've got to keep going," a Monkseaton player urged his team. Wrightson scored his second ten minutes later, the home side by now scarcely able to get out of their own half. "One man show," a Gateshead sub applauded as the red shirts stomped back to midway and their reserve team - beaten 6-1 in the Tyneside Amateur - carted goalposts back from the neighbouring pitch. The visitors were reduced to ten, a substitute limping off shortly after coming on, Monkseaton rallying to score a deserved goal of their own before Carl Taylor finished it with a late fourth. "Disappointing day at the office," the home side tweeted but Fawcett's impressive side won't lose many more games this season. Date: Saturday August 27th 2016 Posted by Michael at 21:08 4 comments: Ground 312: Plumpton Park, Bradford City Women's FC Football, wrote Sporting Females author Jennifer Hargreaves, "has historically unified men and marginalised and trivialised women". It had been that way since the very start. In 1881, 5,000 Glaswegian men turned out to watch what the Nottinghamshire Guardian hoped would be "the first and last exhibition of a female football match in Glasgow", rushing on to the pitch after 55 minutes and forcing the players to "prematurely take refuge in the omnibus which had conveyed them to the ground". Games were played more successfully in Bradford and Blackburn, but the Manchester Guardian deemed the "costumes were neither graceful nor very becoming" and the Leeds Mercury mused that "public feeling has demonstrated against the unseemly exhibition in such a manner that the authorities are now frowning down the innovation" when a second pitch invasion occured at Manchester's Cheetham FC. Things began to change in the years during and immediately after the Great War. With the Football League suspended in 1915, women's games were staged instead to raise morale and funds for war charities. 22,000 assembled at Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park for the 1918 Munitionette's Cup Final between Blyth Spartans Ladies and a team from Carlisle; on Boxing Day 1920, there were 53,000 inside Goodison Park and 10,000 or more locked out for a game featuring teams from Preston and St Helen's. But the following year, with the male competitions back up and running, the FA peremptorily decreed that "the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be discouraged". "It came as a shock and we could only put it down to jealousy," one player recalled. "We were more popular then the men." Barred from using FA-affiliated pitches until 1971, women spectators were often made to feel just as unwelcome too. In 1985, there was just a single women's toilet in the whole of Bradford City's Valley Parade, though this was at least one more than there had been during the 1950s. By 1994, three years after the formation of the first national women's league, female fans still made up as little as seven per cent of the crowd at most men's league games and John Williams, of the Centre for Football Research, reported a prevailing view that "football is men's space and place; where men go to get away from women". Modern football, for all its many faults, is generally more diverse and welcoming, though the women's game suffers from the same kind of sneers it did in 1881. "Is it even a sport?" a student asked when I told her I was going to watch Bradford City Women's FC. Formed in 1988, City's fortunes have closely mirrored those of their male counterparts: two seasons in the top-flight, a near miss in the League Cup and back-to-back relegations dropping them as low as the fourth division, though they now play back in the Premier League North (despite the adjective, the third-tier of the women's game). "The ambition is to reach the Super League," chair Sally Thackray told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus. "But that is a whole new ball game. You have to pay players, you need a much different infrastructure. We need more volunteers to run the club, but also investment. We need to be able to attract better players. You need £175,000 in the bank to get there.” The opening day pitted City against Derby County, last season's early pacesetters before they faded disappointingly away to seventh. The Ewes spent the close season overhauling their starting line-up while the home side were trying to adjust to the departure of Steve Winterburn after a decade in charge. The new boss, Lee Harrison, is partnered by Charlotte Stuart, who also captains the team from the centre of defence. "We haven't really set any targets for the season as we are mostly rebuilding," Harrison reckons before the game. The team are now based at Eccleshill United's Plumpton Park, a ninth-tier stadium with a car park, one previous visitor tells me, "that's like Passchendaele in winter". A single turnstile opens into a ground of blue corrugated metal, tarpaulin covers, signs for Napoleon's Casino and Restaurant and a slate grey portakabin doling out coffee and pies. A chequered Derby County flag hangs from the main stand, whose randomly numbered blue tip-up seats house 50 or so spectators and a travelling support of one. "The pitch slopes a bit, doesn't it?" a bloke says to his daughter, the grass dropping as sharply as Chris Hutchings' dismal West Yorks galacticos did in 2000-01. "Do what we do," encourages a Bradford player. "Let's win it back, girls," says one of the Derby centre backs. A bloke complains about the quid cost of a programme and two horses potter about in an adjacent field. The Ewes start brightly, thudding a pair of shots into corrugated perimeter boards. "Relax girls," says the City skipper as a clearance clangs against the top of the main stand. The visitors are more composed, Samantha Griffiths expertly curling a free kick over the defensive wall for the opening goal on 15 minutes. The home side respond with a near miss, a shot trundling back off the post. "We go again," their keeper shouts, borrowing a familiar standard of the male non-league lexicon. Her opposite number limps off, replaced in goal by defender Lorna Abbey, but while City get the ball forward quickly they fail to seriously trouble the stand in. Despite the increasing frustration, there's a noticeable lack of shouting aimed at linesmen and only tame admonishment for the referee. "Every time," moans the City right back when a Derby player pulls her back on halfway. Bradford put a penalty over the crossbar and against the roof a stand before County score a second at the third attempt, Nicole Dale tapping in after the keeper saves twice. "Big push," Harrison urges his team but the best they can manage are a few corner kicks, the game increasingly niggly as Derby close out the win. "Good game," a bloke claps. "In the first half some very good football was played," County's Facebook page says, "and then the second was a battle." Admission: £3 Date: Sunday August 21st 2016 There's an excellent overview of the early years of women's football here. Ground 311: Mill Lane, Wigginton Grasshoppers And so at last we're off again. Five divisions, 57 teams and over 100 seasons since it was first contested, less than a decade after the founding of the Football League itself, the York and District League gets yet another opening night. The first round of fixtures pits Huntington Rovers - managed by ex-Huddersfield winger and FA Cup semi-finalist Iain Dunn - against Osbaldwick, has F1 Racing motoring to 2014-15 title winners Riccall United and gifts defending champions Old Malton St Mary's a free evening while their Ryedale neighbours, Brooklyn and Malton and Norton FC, go head to head on an old bacon factory recreation ground. Back towards York, Wigginton Grasshoppers, pipped at the last by Old Malton in April, kick off the new seasons against Copmanthorpe. "I'll be disappointed if we're not challenging again," manager, fixture secretary, match reporter and occasional first-team player Graham Ireton told The York Press. Ireton moved to Mill Lane as player-coach in 2008, 26 years after John Jeffery established the club. "Simply an extraordinary man who has made a real difference to the lives of so many around him," Ireton says of a man who still combines the roles of president, groundsman and chief kit washer. Among those Jeffery has helped along the way are West Ham's Sam Byram, a Wigginton youth player before he was picked up by Leeds United, and Alfie Beestin, who recently penned a one-year contract with Doncaster Rovers. "He's a good player and he's got great potential," Rovers boss Darren Ferguson reckons. "I'm really pleased to get him onboard." "Success through Endeavour" the club's badge says. Last season, the Grasshhoppers fielded 20 teams, all funded by donations and match subs. The senior side, who won 21 of their 26 league games and averaged over four goals a game, now chip in £30 a season each plus £4 a start and a quid if they come off the bench. Twice champions of the York League's second tier and York FA Cup winners in 2004, the green and whites play their home fixtures on a pitch behind the village's squash and sports club. "FA Charter Standard Community Club" announces a sign at the entrance. "Welcome to Wigginton Grasshoppers FC". The pitch is straight ahead, roped off on three sides with a hedge and six advertising hoardings marking out the other. Aside from the breezeblock dugouts, the only cover comes from a couple of open-fronted corrugated sheds with bench seating for six. "Winners!" yells a Copmanthorpe defender plaintively as an early goalkick drops out of the sky. "Let's have a gamble," a midfielder urges. "Don't have a go at the ref," the Wigginton goalkeeper loudly reminds his team. "New rules, remember?" Copmanthorpe clank the bar with a header, the rebound unceremoniously booted out of play for a corner. The ball comes back into the box, the keeper can only flip it upwards and when it drops back down an away player heads it over the line. "Shit," says the keeper. "Sorry, lads." A few latecomers turn up with fish and chips, Wigginton boot three shots into the hedge and then turn the game on its head with two goals in a single minute. "Better two-one than nil-nil," a bloke says knowledgeably, turning to his mate. There's a five-minute turnaround, the players sitting out on the grass until the officials are beckoned back out of a portakabin. A cockerel crows in a neighbouring field and a game of crown green bowls starts back by the main road. "Second phase," Copmanthorpe's keeper says to his teammates. "Turn and face," a defender implores. "On my shout we go." A player goes down claiming he's been elbowed in the face, there's a dive in the penalty area and a Wigginton player gets yellow carded for screaming "How's that not a fucking foul?" a few metres from the referee's face. An assessor scribbles furiously, propping his clipboard up on the rope. Copmanthorpe's keeper stops taking goalkicks but saves two shots with his knees. "Let's keep it going lads, eh?" he shouts to his team. They do, but the Wigginton - third and second in the last two seasons - score again late on. One game, three points. Is this the season the Grasshoppers finally break their title duck? Date: Tuesday August 16th 2016 Ground 310: MDC Community Stadium, Hemsworth Miners Welfare "So you'll stay away from Fitzwilliam, then?" - David Peace '1974'. Fitzwilliam doesn't get the greatest of press. It's portrayed in David Peace's Red Riding quartet as a "dirty brown mining town", benighted, cheerless and sinister. "The crap town of crap towns," reads one unflattering description, "announced by nuclear cooling towers and the last layer of West Yorkshire hell." Geoffrey Boycott, that epitome of the dour, obdurate Yorkshireman, grew up there in a Coal Board terraced house, as did Larry Lamb, a newspaper editor, The Guardian wrote, "of half-suppressed anger...and defiant character". Defiance was stamped right through the village's part in one of the more notorious nights of the miners' strike, a mob-handed police raid on a local pub ending with the station in neighbouring Hemsworth under siege and the officers inside run out of town. “The police came over the bridge, swinging truncheons and chanting,” a witness remembered. “They knocked one lad down and kept hitting him. His uncle told them they'd given him enough, then they knocked him down and gave him the same. Then the people all came out of their houses. The whole village just erupted. Whatever they could do to get back, they did it". The pits went soon after, the town's football club had gone just before. Hemsworth Colliery was the first team of Cyril Knowles, who started as a 15-year-old miner and blossomed into one of the most accomplished full backs of his generation, with more than 500 professional appearances, four England caps and a song in his honour at number 14 in the charts. His brother, Peter, went to Wolverhampton Wanderers, played for England U23's and quit, aged 24, to become a Jehovah's Witness. "Bill Shankly wanted to sign him for Liverpool but he turned them down. Of course we all understood why a few weeks later," a teammate recalled. "It's a crying shame. They were saying he might go to Mexico for the World Cup the following summer, but he just gave it all away." Founded in 1981, the year before Wolves finally ripped up Knowles' registration and accepted he was never coming back, Hemsworth Miners Welfare have progressed from the Doncaster and District Senior League Division Three to the step five Northern Counties East. Having cantered to last season's NCEL Division One title by a 12-point margin, the Wells announced themselves to the top-flight with two goals in the first eight minutes of an opening night win at Parkgate, capping a week in which the club got its first contracted player and put Runcorn Linnets out of the FA Cup. "We expect to do well," boss Wayne Benn said before the tie. "The club have never had it as good. We are playing at the highest standard we have ever played at. Attendances are up and there is a massive feel good factor about the place". Optimism was in short supply when the collieries first closed, an ornamental pit wheel in front of the station ramp and a metal sign for the Fitzwilliam Country Park the only visible reminders of an industry that once gave work to thousands of men. Railway Terrace, where police and miners battled in July '84, runs behind the tracks towards the MDC Community Stadium, reached by a circuitous route at the back of a show home and the cricket club. A Carlsberg England flag flutters above the entrance. "Want a programme, mate?" floats a voice through a portakabin hatch. A set of plywood stocks lean incongruously against the clubhouse wall, inside which a framed print of Cyril Knowles in a Spurs shirt faces the bar and kitchen. I take my food to a deckchair outside, the two teams warming up in opposite corners while a pair of fans tie flags to a fence. "POEY IS INNOCENT" proclaims one in reference, apparently, to a Leeds fan convicted of chucking a coin at a game against Leicester; the other, more prosaically, states "Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC". The club's name is also painted across the top of the dugout block, beside a covered stand with three blocks of green seats and one of navy blue. "Fast start, boys," cajoles a Hemsworth defender. "From minute one," Garforth echo. The home team hone in on goal from the off, a shot gets deflected and when the corner's played in Nash Connolly leaps unopposed to head his third goal of the season. "Good start," Benn says laconically. "Hellfire," groans a Garforth fan. "There are still 89 minutes left." Seven later, just seconds after the visitors lump a shot on to the cricket outfield, Connolly turns provider, crossing for Del Pollock to fire in a second goal from close range. "Awful Garforth," the fan shakes his head forlornly. "Just awful." The yellows rally, a shot seemingly deflected over the fence but, to much chagrin, a goal kick awarded instead. "Every fucking time," a defender complains from fifty yards away. "No point in you coming, linesman," the fan grumbles softly. "Waste of space, waste of space." Almost straight from the restart Hemsworth net a third, Brice Tiani lifting a pass over the Garforth defence and Connolly running on to score. "Twenty minute," the fan chuckles, turning to look at the rest of the stand. "They're a good team. Hemsworth, but you can't be defending like that." The away side are more resilient thereafter, but the hosts are always that bit sharper and more precise in possession, only some profligate finishing and the Garforth keeper's palms preventing Pollock and Sam Jones from extending the lead. "Could've been closer but a fair result," Garforth tweet at full-time. "They'll be up there," reckons a travelling fan. "But it looks like a long season for us." Ground 309: Welfare Ground, AFC Emley "I hope you've brought a fleece or something," the driver greets me as we pull away from the bus station in Leeds. "It gets cold up there on Emley Moor." It's the first weekend in August, the opening, extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup and games are already being shifted from 3 o'clock on Saturday to the following afternoon. "I wish it was for the telly," someone tells me, "but the cricket season hasn't finished yet and they have first dibs on the pitch." It's not the biggest problem the village side have ever had with their three-sided home. In 2000, twelve years after reaching Wembley in the FA Vase and just two since losing by the odd goal in three at West Ham United in the FA Cup third round, new ground regulations left the 97-year-old club with little choice but to relocate to Wakefield's Belle Vue rugby league stadium. "We'd been losing money at the Welfare and we'd have been chucked out of the Northern Premier League unless we spent a fortune on the ground," a fan remembers. "The first season it was great. Chris Waddle came with Worksop and we beat them 5-3, we got an international player from Lebanon, the crowds doubled to almost 600 a game and we had over 1,700 in when we played Yeovil in the FA Trophy. But then things started going downhill." The club changed its name to Wakefield & Emley and the reserve team - still based at the old village pitch - was disbanded in 2005, leading to a split in which AFC Emley, formed by disgruntled fans and ex-committee members, entered the West Yorkshire League Division One. While Wakefield foundered, folding in 2014 after finishing bottom of the NPL North, Emley are prospering once more in the second-tier of the Northern Counties East. "The team everyone is talking about," opened Non League Yorkshire's preview of their 2016-17 campaign. "With the players they've got this season, they should walk their division," one spectator confidently predicts. They weren't ever likely to walk their opening game of the FA Cup, Athersley Recreation making the short trip from Barnsley a division higher after a mini-flurry of late-season victories sent Pontefract Collieries down instead. While they were staying up, Emley twice lost out to Bottesford Town, a 3-2 home defeat denting their chances of automatic promotion and the second, on penalties in a play-off, consigning the villagers to an 11th season in the NCEL Division One. "The way the season ended is why neutrals love football," manager Darren Hepworth told the first issue of The Bootiful Game magazine. "We were just seconds away from going up. Now we have to move forward going into the new campaign...I can't speak highly enough of the people at the club. Off the field we are making big strides." Emley's home - newly christened the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground in a naming rights deal with a marketing agency - is spick and span and freshly painted. There's a hoarding for 'Supporters Club Scotland', a bloke selling tickets to win a breakfast meat tray and a groundsman of the year award on display in the smartened up clubhouse. "They used to have loads of stuff about the West Ham game in here," someone tells me as we stand on a club-crested carpet waiting to get served at the bar. The tea hatch is already running low on steak pie and peas, hoppers roam the main stand in search of spare programmes while a bloke at the front flicks through a paperback as he finishes off his pint. "About 300 here today, do you think?" the driver asks as the teams run out to the closing bars of The Final Countdown. Athersley are easily the better side in the opening half of the game. "Hint of pre-season here from Emley," says the fan in the next seat. "The movement's been too good for them," someone else opines. "They're just hanging on." The visitors miss a penalty, Ryan Smith fluffing his initial kick and then heading the rebound straight back at Gary Stevens in the Emley goal. With the stand beginning to empty in anticipation of the break, Kai Hancock wriggles through two challenges, chases in after his own shot and leathers in the opening goal after the luckless Stevens saves once again. "No more than they've deserved," an Emley fan says. "We've done nowt here." When the home team do start playing, they find it difficult to break down a stubborn, well-drilled Athersley defence. "Stop messing around," a dad warns his son."It was you who asked to come." "I didn't know I'd be bored," the kid complains. "Can't we go home?" He's barely finished the question when Ruben Jerome dribbles past three players and blatters the ball diagonally past the keeper. "Will that be on YouTube?" the kid excitedly asks. "What a belter!" shouts a gleeful fan. "Only one winner now." Ashley Fynn, scorer of 73 goals last season plus another seven that were expunged from the records when Lincoln Moorlands Railway resigned their place in the league, has a shot that spirals wide off a defender's boot. "It's coming now, at any time," an Emley fan urges his team on. We're almost played out when Flynn takes a pass in his stride and slips a shot past the onrushing keeper with the outside of his boot. Athersley's dejected players drop to the floor, the goalkeeper mutters insensibly and then hoofs the post on his way off the field. Whether at Wembley in May or Emley in August, it hurts to lose in the FA Cup. Date: Sunday August 7th 2016 Ground 308: Station View, Harrogate Railway When workers from Starbeck's LNER loco shed formed a side to play in the 1935-6 Harrogate & District League, they probably never envisaged twice being the televised picks in the world's most famous domestic cup competition. One-time British Railways National Cup winners, the club was hard hit when the sheds closed down and the workers moved elsewhere. "Dr Beeching nearly killed us," Mick Gray, a Station View fixture now for over 40 years, told The Guardian before Bristol City's visit in 2002. "There were 1,000 railway employees in Starbeck during the war and they had a penny a week docked from their wages. All that went in the 50s. But we've picked up since." Eight games and six victories had brought Railway to the second round proper, Sky forking out £100,000 for live coverage and the ground - built with a £1,500 LNER loan that was taken back from the workers' pay - adorned with portaloos and three temporary stands. "I can't stop smiling," said manager Paul Marshall, who'd very nearly been ousted when the team won just two of his first ten games and were hammered by a combined score of 16-0 in back-to-back matches with Liversedge. "We've just had heaters put in the changing rooms but we'll probably take them back out. We want to make things as uncomfortable as we can." A crowd of 3,500 fans packed the place, there was a Cup Fever beer, inflatable sheep in the goalmouth and a small scale pitch invasion when Steve Davey scored in the midst of a 3-1 defeat to a side that played just the five divisions and 128 places higher up the pyramid. "A team of superstars," hailed the manager post-game. "We can't top this." Perhaps not, but five years later they did manage to equal it, beating neighbours Harrogate Town in the final round of qualifying before exiting 3-2 to Mansfield Town in a game that went out live on the BBC. Chairman Rob Northfield, an ex-Orient youth player who'd made his cash giving motivational speeches to businesses, did the pre-match teamtalk. "The manager said it was Churchillian, but I would call it simple common sense," he told the local press. Substitute Danny Davidson scored twice and Scott Ryan hit the bar. "Mansfield nervously booked their place in the third round," thought the BBC. "For the final minutes the professionals were hanging on," The Guardian wrote. In between their two cup runs, Railway had also gone up to the Northern Premier League, reaching a high of eighth place in 2014-15 before plummeting back into the Northern Counties East. Only a wretched New Mills side - 42 games, three wins and a goal difference of -130 - kept Harrogate off the foot of the division, Lee Ashforth's team shipping 115 goals and finishing 12 points adrift of third bottom Scarborough Athletic. "It hurt. Everyone felt it," one club official admitted. More positively, the summer break saw the return of Northfield - "Great people, great values and we are going to have some fun along the way," he explained - and, while some of last season's team have opted to stay in the NPL, there are five new signings including Jordan Hendrie, who moved from FA Cup opponents and fellow NCEL Premier side Albion Sports. “I’d like to think that this year won’t be another relegation fight and that we’ll be in the top half of the table," Ashforth told Non League Yorkshire pre-game. "I think we have to set our expectations high and take it from there." The last time I was in Harrogate it was cold and dank and the queues for the tills at Poundworld matched the bedraggled line of tourists outside Bettys Tearooms. Today it's sizzling in the beer garden of Hales' Bar, whose gas-lit Victorian interior was, topically enough, used for interior shots in the filming of Chariots of Fire. One stop back towards York or a 40-minute stomp across the 200-acre grassland of The Stray, Station View is in the terraced streets of urban Starbeck, next to a level crossing, the eponymous station and a branch of Tesco Express. 'Match Today!' promises a board on a grass verge, attempting to lure passing trade away from the Morrisons down the road. 'The dream that won't fade' and 'Railway live FA Cup dream' read the faded clippings on the clubhouse wall, a signed Bristol City shirt hung across the middle. The pitch slopes from the far touchline to the turnstile block side, where a massive colour picture of captain Danny Stimpson is attached to the gate. There's a corrugated stand with plastic bucket seats, its back painted in the club colours of red and green, placed several metres behind a goal and a smaller, smarter flatpack construction - "Looks nice from here but the views are terrible," a spectator confides as we enter - set back from the dugouts. A few steps of terracing are sheltered by some trees; the Railway Buffet (hotdogs and bottled water already taped off the menu) is in a corner next to a skip, a toilet portakabin and some wrought iron gates that open into a gravel car park. Most of the travelling supporters opt to stand in the sun between the away bench and a TV gantry designed like the base of a scaffold with a hole in its plywood floor. "Beautiful surface," says one as the players jog out from the two-storey clubhouse, built with cash raised by flogging off land to a care home. "Come on, boys," claps Kully Sandhu, Albion boss for three decades and several divisions since their days in the Bradford Amateur Sunday League. His side - weakened by six summer departures with four going to neighbouring Eccleshill United alone - still look lively; Danny Facey, capped twice by Grenada and returning after a season in the Evostik with Brighouse Town, shuffles through tackles but can't beat Jake Lofthouse in the Railway goal. Midway through the half, the home number 9 collects a short throw on the turn, accelerates into the middle and slips the ball in front of Harry Brown, who wallops it from 30 yards out off the underside of the bar and straight into the corner of the net. "Corker!" one spectator shouts. "What a belter," claps a second. The tannoy has no sooner finished the slightly belated score announcement when Facey taps in a leveller. "Gotta get tighter," a defender reckons. "Switch on." Moments later, Facey evades a challenge and is felled by Lofthouse, who gets a yellow card and then turns the penalty away with a dive to his left. "He'll learn from that," says an Albion fan at half-time. "Aye, learn how to take penalties hopefully," his mate jokes in reply. "Don't know what that routine is all about," grumbles one of three old blokes from the main stand as the Railway players warm back up by running down the side of the pitch. There's someone reading a paperback in the front row while others finish off their pie and chips or chat about Leeds United's prospects in the Sunday game at QPR. "Too wide," yells one of the old men as a pass is hit from one side of the slope to the other. "Get it out wide," shouts his mate simultaneously. Both teams have shots cleared; "A proper cup tie," tweets the Railway account. Late on, with Albion looking the likelier to score, a forward is pulled to the ground in the penalty area but the ref waves play on. "You're a disgrace to your flag, you knobhead," someone shouts at the linesman. "Does it go to extra time or straight to a replay?" says a bloke taking photos. The whistle blows, the teams congratulate each other and both sets of fans head back to the clubhouse. "Is your dad not here today?" an Albion supporter asks Hendrie, shaking hands as he comes off the pitch. "See you on Wednesday, mate." Date: Saturday August 6th 2016 Ground 307: Mallorie Park, Ripon City When you travel the bowels of the football pyramid, bemusement is a familiar refrain. "Do Ripon even have a team?" asked an incredulous workmate. "I lived there for six months and all I ever saw noticed was the racecourse," wondered another. You could be forgiven for not knowing much about a club that have suffered back-to-back relegations and recently finished rock bottom of a 12th-tier league, but Ripon City have been based at their Mallorie Park ground since the end of the Great War, have a stand that dates back to 1920 and celebrated their one hundredth year in 1998 with a World Cup scorer as their guest of honour. Demoted from the West Yorkshire League Division One after winning just three of their 30 league games, City also lost half a first team to neighbours Boroughbridge Athletic and three committee members plus chairwoman Sue Dennison - selected as one of 150 grassroots heroes by the FA in 2013 - who'd been involved with local football for 47 years and done everything at the club from washing to kit to refereeing games. "I feel like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can leave knowing I have done my best and I’ve given everything that I could have given. We wish the new regime well. They have a very hard task in front of them,” she told the Harrogate Advertiser. Things were finally looking brighter after last season's upheaval, City reinstating their reserve team after a half-season break, earning community club status and sprucing up their ground, the main stand painted white with Ripon City AFC neatly printed in red capital letters across the front. The club's second warm-up fixture is against Dringhouses in a game shifted to 11am to avoid a clash with the city's St Wilfred's Day parade. The bus takes over an hour to travel the 27 miles between the cathedral cities, the journey only enlivened when a bloke with four remaining teeth and a 1993-94 vintage Newcastle United training jacket gets on by the Roman ruins at Boroughbridge. I do a quick lap of the Cathedral and Spa Gardens, recce a handful of pubs and then walk the 10 minutes from the market place to Mallorie Park. Dringhouses are going through their pre-match teamtalk when I arrive, their manager pointing down the wings. The pitch is railed off, nets behind each goal kept upright by scaffolding poles and a whitewashed clubhouse by the entrance with a handwritten sign promising hot and cold drinks. The stand has its back to the rugby club, its corrugated roof sloping upwards over five rows of blistered wooden bench seats. Ripon's subs perch on the front, a pair of spectators sit alone at either end and there are 12 other onlookers dotted around the far side of the pitch. "Let's play the ball when we get the chance," claps a Ripon defender. "Good lad," the Dringhouses manager says to each of his players in turn. "Enjoy it, pal." "Pieces," somebody urges. "Runners," another warns."Switch on early," Ripon's manager keeps on telling his team. "Stay tight, stay tight. PRESS 'EM!" City ping one of the scaffolding poles, a coach having to scurry up a stepladder to reattach the net. A few minutes later they go even closer, clattering the crossbar from close range. "I'd have gone low," says the man with the ladder. With half an hour gone everyone comes off for a drink break. "We're playing too fast," a home player diagnoses. "We need to take a few seconds to see what's what." The Dringhouses boss spends much of the remainder of the half making calls, breaking off once in a while to shout "Good touch" and "To feet, to feet." When the whistle blows, he doles out instructions under the trees behind the main stand. "Get in the shade, lads," he orders as a substitute wanders off to refill the water bottles. Ripon score soon after the restart and then send a spectator jogging across the carpark to retrieve their next effort on goal. "We've stopped playing, haven't we?" a Dringhouses centre back asks rhetorically. "Do some magic," someone shouts and a home player takes a bouncing ball on his chest and hits in at the keeper's near post. Dringhouses pull a goal back, the home side have a 3-1 lead, and then the visitors score twice in a few minutes either side of having a third attempt smack an ankle on the line. "That Ripon keeper keeps coming out," a fan observes. "They've just signed him," a hopper says. "The secretary had to play there last year." A couple of early floats pass by on the road behind. "They can't really develop this place with the houses over there," the hopper says. "There was talk of them moving to the barracks when it closes next year but I don't think that's imminent." The players hang back to take down the goalnets as I set off on the four-mile walk to Fountains Abbey. "Cracking game," someone says. If you haven't been yet, get there while you can. Date: Saturday July 30th Ground 306: Wheatridge Park, Seaton Delaval Amateurs Seaton Delaval was never the prettiest place on earth. "A freezing, ugly, uncomfortable Hell of a Hole," the poet Ivor Gurney, posted to a signalling course there after he was gassed in battle at Passchendaele. Built on the coal seams of south-east Northumberland, the village boomed from a population of just 240 in 1820 to a place that employed over 3,000 miners during Gurney's dysphoric stay in the winter of 1917. The miners of Seaton Delaval were famously militant, striking twice in the 1840s and rioting when Welsh colliers were brought in to take their place. "At Delaval lines of cable were stretched across underground roadways and the tools of the blacklegs were hurled down the shafts," one contemporary report noted. In 1862, 199 miners at the neighbouring New Hartley pit were buried alive when a fallen beam blocked their only route back to the surface. After a six-day rescue attempt, it took almost 18 hours to winch their bodies up the 600-foot shaft. Conditions improved above and below ground, the colliery owners providing better housing and land for leisure pursuits. The first football pitch in Seaton Delaval was laid out in 1893, the Moor Edge ground described as "splendidly appointed" in a newspaper article of 1906. Ashington's Portland Park opened in 1908, Blyth Spartans' Croft Park a year later and Wheatridge Park became the home ground of the newly formed Seaton Delaval Amateurs when they joined the Northern Alliance for a season in 1920-21. Spectators turned out in their thousands to watch clashes against Carlisle United and the reserve sides of Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland when the Amateurs switched to the North Eastern League in their second year. "Games at Wheatridge Park relieved tedium. Those who lived in Seaton Delaval worked in it too, and football alone occasionally took them elsewhere. Those miners unable to afford the fare or the entrance admission to St James' or Roker Park went to Wheatridge Park instead," Duncan Hamilton wrote in The Footballer Who Could Fly. "Without a match, most people had nothing to do." While the colliers struggled, finishing bottom of the division in 1926 and 1927, the village's footballers were prospering elsewhere. Clem Stephenson lifted three FA Cups with Aston Villa before transferring to Huddersfield, where he won a single England cap, another FA Cup and three successive championships as Herbert Chapman's "general" on the field. Ten years his brother's junior, George Stephenson was capped three times for his country, scoring twice on debut against France in 1928. A third Stephenson, Jimmy, played 195 times for Watford and a spent a season apiece at Sunderland and QPR. The siblings' hometown team joined the Northern Alliance in 1955, folded thirteen years later and were only resurrected in 1983, at the same Swansea City's Ray Kennedy began showing the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Rejected by Port Vale, Kennedy had worked in a sweet factory before leaving Seaton Delaval for Arsenal, won a double before he was 20 and then added five titles, three European Cups, a UEFA Cup and an FA Cup during eight seasons at Anfield. "The player of the '70s," Jimmy Greaves called him. "One of Liverpool's greatest players and probably the most under-rated," thought Bob Paisley, a man never given to exaggeration. "Things were built around him and we played according to his abilities, which were recognised throughout Europe." Kennedy never played for Seaton Delaval Amateurs, but the 11th-tier side got another ex-Liverpool midfielder when David Thompson, named in two England squads and once signed by Blackburn for £1.5 million joined up to play in the Northern Alliance Premier Division. "He's doing this purely to get involved with the club and because of his friendship with our manager Graeme Redpath," said chairman Dave Holmes. "We’re looking at potentially applying for Northern League promotion for the 2017-18 season...Him being associated with us can only be good for the club and its profile". Thompson made his league bow for Liverpool in front of 38,000 fans at Anfield. His new club finished last season in fourth place, 16 points behind Whitley Bay Reserves and 20 adrift of champions Blyth Town, and play on a pitch tucked between a garden centre, supermarket and Bellway housing estate. The entrance sign is half hidden by weeds and a heap of grass cuttings and there's a bathtub and shed between the gate and the touchline. A net shields parked cars from wayward shots; three steps of decayed, broken-up concrete are held in place with metal poles and roped out-of-bounds. "Nice and tight," says a player when the home team get the game underway. "Plenty of new faces," one of the small group of onlookers reckons. "What's that number 2's name?" Boldon CA's centre forward yells across to his bench. "This is my fifth game this week," a bloke tells me. "Mind, I used to be able to watch these from my window until the trees grew too high on the other side of the pitch." The home side get a corner. "Big on big!" Boldon's manager shouts. "Tell you what, they're no mugs these," a spectator says admiringly as the visitors spray the ball about. His mates trade gossip about Bedlington Terriers, Blyth Town - "their pitch has come on. It was just a field last season" - and North Shields before we're all interrupted when a Seaton Delaval player clearly punches the ball out of play. "Liner! You not see that, like?" asks someone on the visiting bench. "It's credibility," the official tries to explain. "I'm too far away. I've told them up there already it's all about credibility," he repeats. "I can only help if he asks me to." "Keep going son," a spectator says sympathetically. "It's only a pre-season friendly." Delaval prod in the only goal shortly after the break while I'm still halfway through a bacon sandwich and china mug of tea. "Squeeze on" and "Get your shape" the Boldon bench implore, but not even the tactical assistance of a bloke in sunglasses and a full Newcastle United tracksuit can help them find an equalising goal. The second half stutters and a few people decide to watch through their windscreens instead, others moving under the slanted roof of the clubhouse as the sky threatens rain. "The men hugged the touchline or stood in orderly tiers on the bank," Hamilton wrote of games played during his childhood. Things are quieter at Wheatridge Park today but it remains a classic of its type and well worth a visit. Date: Saturday July 23rd 2016 Ground 305: Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster Northern cities which prospered on the back of their heavy industrial hinterlands, Newcastle and Doncaster are divided by almost 200 kilometres but indelibly linked through the footballing exploits of a single man. Raised in a house that had no electricty, inside toilet or bathroom, Joseph Kevin Keegan grew up using his younger brother's pram as a goalpost, washed cars to make some extra money and got his first pair of boots when his dad won a bet on the horses. Overlooked by his hometown team, the diminutive teenager flunked a six-week trial with Coventry City and was only finally spotted by Scunthorpe United playing Sunday football while earning £6 a week as an errand boy at Pegler's Brass Works. Signing as an apprentice with the Division Four team meant a 25% drop in pay, 6am starts and a two-bus commute from the family home to training; when he retired as a player 17 years later, Keegan had won three Football League titles, four European trophies, one FA Cup, a Bundesliga title, been twice named European Footballer of the Year and scored 21 times for his country in 63 games, captaining England for six years until the 1982 World Cup. "He never stopped working, never stopped trying to improve both himself and his team," one admirer wrote of his impact on the Reds. "Without him, Liverpool wouldn't have made the step up from perennial challengers for domestic honours to a team capable of dominating across the continent. Because Kevin Keegan really was that good." While the boyhood Rovers fan never made it off the terraces at Doncaster's old Belle Vue ground, he would twice utterly transform the fortunes of the side his father supported. The elder Keegan first left Hetton-le-Hole to fight in Burma and then moved his family south when mining work got scarcer on the County Durham seams. The Keegans didn't stay in the north-east but the north-east stayed in them. "Without ever being to Newcastle I felt this thing inside me...in my genes," he told the writer Martin Hardy after a third spell at St James' ended acrimoniously in 2008. "I played football for dad," he confided to an earlier biographer. "Your roots are your roots, and there was a tremendous pull, an inevitability about me coming at some stage to Newcastle United." Keegan was in the dugout for the Magpies' only other pre-season visit to Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium, 18 months after the 15,000-seat stadium opened its doors in January 2007. Two years later, an Andy Carroll goal moved the visitors three points closer to promotion from the Championship, the fatal undermining of the manager having ended in a dispiriting, self-inflicted relegation the summer before. "The club can never go anywhere under Mike Ashley," Keegan insisted. In the six years that have followed, the owner has yet to prove him wrong, though five new signings and the retention of Rafa Benitez have engendered rare feelings of optimism in a fanbase which had grown disillusioned to the point of near apathy under Pardew, Carver and Steve McClaren. Red brick and utilitarian, Doncaster Station faces out over the back end of a supermarket and the side of a main road; the visual equivalent of one of Pardew's latter team selections. "Bit of a shithole, isn't it?" says a Newcastle fan lugging four cans of lager in search of a bus. I walk through a concrete underpass and emerge next to the grim vista of a high rise building with tattered England bunting blowing limply in the wind. There's a bloke in a Doncaster shirt with 'Cardiff '07' written on the back, an industrial estate and then the ground itself, floodlights angled from each corner and lines of black and white shirted away fans already queueing to get in. The Newcastle team stroll out to the sound of New Order's 'True Faith'. "I feel so extraordinary, something's got a hold on me," sings Bernard Sumner. It feels prophetic. The sun shines down and the away end keeps filling. "Toon! Toon!" a voice foghorns from a corner. "Black and white army!" two thousand voices reply. The visitors start with two new signings; three of the home side are "without number" and one doesn't even get a name. It doesn't take long for the first tentative judgements of the new season to be made. Matz Sels - Belgian title winner with Gent in 2015 and the Pro League's current Goalkeeper of the Year - only half clears a backpass with his first touch of the game: "Fucking hell! He's shocking him," the bloke behind me wails. "Told you he was garbage," he nods knowingly when the keeper barges into John Marquis 15 minutes later. "Five point five million from somewhere in Belgium and how many kicks has he fluffed already?" he asks as Sels picks Andy Williams' penalty out of the net. "Five and a half million quid," he repeats despairingly during a later lull in play. "What a waste, what a waste." If Selz is nervy, Adam Armstrong is a livewire, stretching defenders with his pace and twice stinging the Doncaster keeper's hands. Shelvey tries to push things forward but loses patience and blasts into the stand, Anita and Colback buzz into tackles but there's very little to get excited about until a simple corner routine brings a pair of unopposed headers and Williams' second goal of the game. "Shite again," the voice behind barks. "He's just flapping, man." "In the first half, we didn't play at the level I was expecting," Benitez later says. He responds to his team's pedestrian performance with a slew of substitutions for the second, Isaac Hayden - one of seven changes - looping a goal back within five minutes and almost adding another just 20 seconds later. Armstrong smacks the keeper instead of the net, Dwight Gayle - all deft touches and sudden darts - is just inches away from tapping in before the otherwise impressive Shelvey treads on the ball and almost gifts Doncaster a third goal. "Gini Wijnaldum, we want you to stay," the far corner choruses, swiftly followed by a less complimentary rendering of the same song for the wantaway Moussa Sissoko. Wijnaldum comes on to muted boos and mopes around to little effect for the rest of the game. A smoke bomb goes off in the away end; a boisterous cluster of Rovers fans bounce along to a drum. Newcastle get closer and closer, Gayle, Gouffran and Thauvin all narrowly missing the target before Ayoze Perez finally squares the game in the first of seven minutes of time added on. "The feeling from the second half was much better and that is what we have to do," Benitez says. Pre-season doesn't tell you much about a team, but for Rafa's Newcastle there's still work to be done. Date: Wednesday July 20th 2016 Chopwell Soviets FC and County Durham's Little Moscow "CHOPWELL Officials are ready to resign from the Division One after enduring a traumatic start to the campaign. Chopwell, who have had ... 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White & Co Community Stadium, Garforth Town Founded by Miners Arms pubgoers in 1964, Yorkshire's Garforth Town was an improbable final stop for Brazil's 1982 World Cup captain.... Ground 207: Focus Scaffolding Sports Complex, Whitehaven Amateurs Alan Armstrong is first across the Hebburn Sports and Social Ground carpark, hauling a bag of strips two-handed towards the coach. "... Seaton Delaval was never the prettiest place on earth. "A freezing, ugly, uncomfortable Hell of a Hole," the poet Ivor Gurney, po... "The Most Northern Looking Bloke in Football History" Inspired by a talk from Harry Pearson , here's a piece from the programme for tonight's Jarrow Roofing v Morpeth Town game, which t... Groundhoppers THE66POW Birmingham City v Cardiff City - EFL Championship There Will Be Pies field v beeston st anthony's, (or bradford v leeds) 300 grounds and counting ... Broadbridge Heath – Saturday 11th January 2020 (991) Kde je Stadion? December 30, 2019 - 2020 World Junior Hockey Championships - Canada 4 Germany 1 The Groundhopper South Normanton Athletic 1-3 Wroxham The 100 Football Grounds Club ✔716 Hoult House Los Boyos Down to the Line – Linense v Cadiz II Modus Hopper Random Restoration Drama Where's the Tea Hut 10 years and 500,000 page views Up for the Cup The last post: Building bridges The Cold End JERSEY BULLS UNBEATEN WINNING RUN SO FAR THIS SEASON.... Book Review: Tangled Up in Blue Magic Spongers England Expects (Way Too Much. As Ever. 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__label__cc	0.71268	0.28732	Whiplash Watching the Right Lisa Schiffren writes: The doctors, lawyers, engineers, executives, serious small-business owners, top salespeople, and other professionals and entrepreneurs who make this country run work considerably harder than pretty much anyone else (including most of the chattering class, and all politicians). They are not robber barons, or trust-fund babies, or plutocrats, or even celebrities. They are mostly the meritocrats who worked hard in high school and got into the better colleges and grad schools, where they studied while others partied. They pushed through grueling hours and unpleasant “up or out” policies in their twenties and thirties at top law firms, banks, hospitals, and businesses to earn salaries in the solid six figures (or low seven) today — in their peak earning years. Their work ethic is prodigious, and, as Tigerhawk points out, in their spare time they sit on the boards of most of the complex charities and arts institutions that provide aid and pay for culture in America. No group of people contribute more to their community. And now the president, who followed a path sort of like that, and who claims that his wife’s former six-figure income was a result of precisely such qualifications and efforts, is demonizing them. More problematically, he is penalizing their success and giving them very clear incentives to ratchet back on productivity. Okay, I agree to a point. I know a lot of big firm lawyers, doctors, consultants, engineers and entrepreneurs. They’re driven, intelligent folks who work exceptionally hard (though no harder than many Mexican immigrants who work 12 hour days at construction sites or folks I know who turned their whole lives over to their Teach for America kids.) The fact that these people aren’t robber barrens, certain parts of Wall Street excepted, and that their exceptional intelligence and productivity is a boon to us all, does bear keeping in mind, and I’m glad Jim Manzi and others are warning that the entrepreneurs among them are going to respond rationally to incentives. Indeed, I wish that those Democrats who vilify the rich would stop, and that Barack Obama would abandon the fiction that a healthy polity can fund massive new expenditures by asking a vanishingly small percentage of the population to foot the entire bill. But do you know why we are in a position where this sort of massive expansion of government is possible? It is partly because America’s professional class — its lawyers, engineers, and doctors, those meritocrats who “got into the better colleges and grad schools” — voted in large numbers for the Democratic candidate. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that affluent professional meritocrats, who often live in urban centers and prize competence, spent the 2008 campaign being told by the GOP ticket that big city professionals live in fake America, that a diploma from an elite college is reason for suspicion, that the wine these folks drink marks them as less authentic than the beer of their compatriots, etc. The GOP cannot wage a culture war against elites when it is convenient to rally the base, and later make a credible claim to be the champion of those same elites when it comes time to talk about marginal tax rates. What does the average, apolitical law firm partner or neurosurgeon or mechanical engineer think when he flips on the television and sees Joe the Plumber being held up as the face of the Republican Party? Do they think, “This is a party that is going to reward meritocrats like me,” or do they think, “I’ve got a choice between a party that’s going to insult my intelligence, and another that’s going to take a slightly higher percentage of my annual earnings.” As I already wrote, there is wisdom to be gleaned from Atlas Shrugged, and I’ve the same feelings as Will Wilkinson about the notion of people “dropping out”: Maybe vocally “going Galt” as a protest move is a useful way to put a dramatic face on optimal tax theory, but of course that’s not what folks who talk about it have in mind. They have morality in mind. And taxation is a moral issue, a matter of justice, and I’m glad Americans resist the idea that their government is entitled to consume ever larger portions of their incomes. So I certainly don’t mind if bunch of people declare they are “going Galt” if it reinforces healthy, deep-seated American norms about the injustice of excessive taxation. I don’t mind either. But it is very weird to watch the whole right blogosphere go gaga for Ayn Rand, a Christian hating, sexually libertine, elitist extremist, so soon after holding up as its champions a symbolic everyman like Joe the Plumber, and an evangelical VP candidate. Speaking of Sarah Palin, I wonder what Ayn Rand would’ve though of the windfall profits tax she imposed on Alaska oil companies? My bet is that Ellis Wyatt would’ve strangled her rather than let her into Galt’s Gulch. great post, nice to see someone saying what a lot of us are thinking. a quick check on salary websites suggests that the median salary of MDs is well under $250,000. and engineers & lawyers don’t make as much money as MDs. the fact is most knowledge professionals don’t make that much in income. additionally, MDs, attorneys, etc., would make a lot less money if it wasn’t for licensing & certification controlled by professional boards who control the supply of labor. what are the marginal returns on more doctors and attorneys? now, as for small business people, and entrepreneurs, that’s a different category. and i do worry, because innovators (as opposed to professionals who play important service roles) are the ultimate pumps which drive productivity growth. that being said, it isn’t like the past 10 years of debt-fueled growth really allocated raw and innovative drive in a manner which produced intellectual capital which will yield returns in the future…. — razib · Mar 7, 09:48 AM · # Lawyers and doctors work hard, no doubt about it. But one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever known was Jose, who worked with me at a Pizza Hut when I was in my teens. He worked one shift at Pizza Hut, and then a second eight hour shift at Tyson Chicken. And he told me that when he first came here from Mexico, he worked 16-hour shifts at Tyson Chicken so that he could have extra money to send back home. I’ve never heard of a lawyer or doctor whose work even remotely resembles the unpleasantness of working 16 hours in a chicken plant. — Stuart Buck · Mar 7, 03:07 PM · # “affluent professional meritocrats…spent the 2008 campaign being told by the GOP ticket that big city professionals live in fake America” They also spent 2000-2008 (particularly near the end of that period) hearing that you would have to quite literally be stupid to vote for George Bush. If you accept the notion that Presidential elections are often a referendum on the person in office, even when that person is not on the ballot, there was absolutely no way meritocrats could bring themselves to vote for McCain, seeing him as proxy for Bush. The description of these folks as smart, driven, etc. is no doubt accurate. Further, I would argue much of their idea of self is wrapped up in the fact that they think of themselves as smart and this idea has been reinforced with regularity throughout their lives by others telling them just that. If being smart is central to your sense of self a vote for Obama was the only way to affirm this notion given the constant message that you can’t be smart and vote for Bush. — Jeremy R. Shown · Mar 7, 04:54 PM · # But it is very weird to watch the whole right blogosphere go gaga for Ayn Rand I admit that I haven’t taken a complete survey of the right blogosphere lately, but I feel enough comfortable certainty to state that this is incredibly hyperbolic. At best, maybe you mean that people like Lisa Schiffren are expressing some Randian ideas, but that does mean they are buying (or selling) Randianism whole cloth. I am not sure why you imagine that Rand’s libertinism would give the right pause before expressing economic ideas that might be seen as Randian, given that they have nothing to do with each other. Also, I think part of Schiffren’s point was that the meritocratic elite didn’t see the soaking they are about to get coming when they voted for the current president. As Jeremy above writes, there thinking was probably more cultural than economic. This, by the way, goes a long way towards resolving the dissonance you see between cursing elites one week and lauding them the next. The right has hardly a problem with economic elites; it’s cultural elites they distrust. Though I agree that there is still a dissonance that has it’s political problems, given that the two overlap significantly (the left, on the other hand, likes cultural elites and distrusts economic elites, so there is kind of a balance). — Blar · Mar 7, 07:00 PM · # Also, any rudimentary proofreading errors made above I attribute to coming off a cold. Normally I am much more the obsessive perfectionist, so it grates. And where did that come from? It came from George himself. Few presidents have prided themselves, as George did, on stonewalling contrary opinions because his simple rules for life were all the country needed. Few presidents have been as willing to silently preside over demonization of political opponents as traitors, because how could you be against the patriotic good-heartedness of The Decider? I think we can safely say that no president was as happy as George to withdraw from the public interchange of ideas and the public airing of debate. The idea that intelligent people turned away from the Republican party because their information providers had a message slant… that’s just sticking your head in the sand. The 2008 Republican campaign was 100% about blowing a raspberry to self-reflection and critical thinking. You didn’t have to be stupid to vote for George (or McCain), but you did have to not care about your President actually understanding the document he is sworn to defend. — Grunthos · Mar 7, 07:22 PM · # What it seems like we are really talking about is the fairness and/or utility of the pogressive tax structure. That’s real moral and philosphical question when taken seriously. You can rationalize a progressive tax system on a untilitarian basis: it helps keep a permenent aristocracy of wealth from forming. It recycles wealth, keeps it moving through society instead of accumulating in reaestate and stocks and bonds. It is also something of sop in consolation for advantage the wealthy in our political system, although obviously not much of one. On moral grounds you can talk about equivilent sacrifice or pain. Taking 20% of $40k hurts a family a lot more than taking %30 of $250K. In the first case it might mean you send your kid to public college instead of private. In the second it means you can’t what… buy as big a yacht? There is nothing vital or important you can’t do with $175,000 a year. So if everyone should contribute and equal share to the maintenence of society, what “equal” actually means is something that has to be decided. On the other hand I am very attracted to the idea that all adults should succed or fail according to their own efforts. That provides incentive to work hard and be creative which is good for society on the whole. Plus it just feels right. It’s nice and simple. But then you still have the problems above: the permenent aristocracy of wealth, the starving of the economy of money, and the disproportionate power the wealthy have in our (or any) political system. And extrapolating from that, if these conditions are allowed to reign, they act as a disincentive for hard work and creativity if the wealthy are in control of everything and have in a sense pulled up all the ladders. There are plenty of countries like that around the world. Plus you still have to do something with the losers. Letting them starve on the street at the very least is unpleasant to see. It makes your victory less enjoyable, so you might have to spend a little to, at minimum, have them processed into soylent green. So the simple, emotionally satisfying soloution turns out to be simple becasue it simply ignores a bunch of problems inherent in the organizatin of any society. So in the end, unless you can come up with an answer to these problems (or if these problems wouldn’t really result from a non-progressive tax sytem, which is probably where the meat of the debate lies), I’m ok with a progressive system that balances the needs for incentivizing individuals with the need for social mobility and restraining the power of the wealthy. — cw · Mar 7, 08:37 PM · # Sorry for the stupid errors. I know I should proof-read better. Blar, I plead guilty to hyperbole, and throw myself on the mercy of the court. Aided by your critique, let me restate the point that I should have made — there’s been a divide on the right for awhile between so-called elites and so-called champions of the grassroots, and it is weird to see the latter embracing Atlas Shrugged, a novel that is elitist if the word has any meaning. So too it is weird to see bloggers normally very critical of the anti-religious and of non-traditional sexual morality embracing a novel that contains large portions of both, not just incidentally, but as a core philosophical premise. — Conor Friedersdorf · Mar 7, 10:23 PM · # So on one side we have liberaltarians, and on the other losertarians? — Tony Comstock · Mar 7, 10:29 PM · # “So too it is weird to see bloggers normally very critical of the anti-religious and of non-traditional sexual morality embracing a novel that contains large portions of both, not just incidentally, but as a core philosophical premise.” well, several republicans in congress are reading the novel. how are they dealing with the radical messages? — razib · Mar 7, 11:05 PM · # This is one of the better posts from a conservative from the past couple months: kudos in general to The American Scene, who, along with Frum, are about the only conservatives to seem to be living in reality. — Steve C · Mar 8, 05:02 AM · # The message of Atlas Shrugged is that each individual is an end in himself, and not the means to someone else’s ends. Whether he is John Galt or Joe the Plumber, his life belongs to him, and therefore the product of his labor belongs to him as well. That is a message that cuts across class and educational lines. That it contradicts the ethics of Christianity is less of a problem for Joe the Plumber, since his work does not require intellectual consistency. But I’m expecting any day now for someone at NRO to remind their conservative brethren that Ayn Rand was a heretic, and was excommunicated from the right by W.F. Buckley himself, lo these many years. — Ardsgaine · Mar 8, 05:46 AM · # <i>The message of Atlas Shrugged is that each individual is an end in himself, and not the means to someone else’s ends</i> Exactly – it is a deeply UNconservative message, as conservativism is traditionally understood. Rand was anti-tradition, anti-family, anti-civic duty. — vanya · Mar 12, 03:33 PM · # ↑ News I Can Use ↓ Who Watches the Watchmen? The Fly Bottle Barone Blog	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339885
__label__wiki	0.733003	0.733003	Profiles In Protest: How the Bay’s music community is responding to the inauguration By Estefany Gonzalez\|January 19, 2017\|2 Comments After the 2016 election, the nation seemed sharply divided. With inauguration day rapidly approaching, we wanted to give musicians from our community a space to voice how they felt about the election results. Some were upset that the candidate with fewer popular votes won the presidency, some were upset at others for not voting, and some did not accept the results. Vast groups of citizens took to the streets to protest, with a number of marches and rallies taking place in the Bay Area. As a nonprofit devoted to fostering music in the Bay, we celebrate the self-expression that is often the catalyst for art. We write profiles and features about our local musicians and community, but more than that, we give musicians a platform to share a bit about themselves and give us the hows and whys of their music. We gathered local musicians from different musical genres and had them choose one word to represent how they felt about the results of the 2016 election. Each band posed with their word and shared a bit about why they chose it. Below are portraits of eight local bands who met with us to work on this project. "We feel so lucky to have a strong community of musicians, artists, and activists around us, especially during the painful and divisive time of the election. Moving forward, as the government moves to curtail rights and privileges that have been fought for over the years, we believe that relying on community for support of all kinds will be crucial." - T Sisters The Easy Leaves "Domestic and global politics are very delicate things. To have someone who does not seem to use any kind of delicacy in any of his dealings with people and whose ego is as delicate in those things is kind of terrifying." - The Easy Leaves Royal Jelly Jive "We were shocked and left in utter disbelief. Angry and a bit terrified. Feeling like our whole country just got Punk'd and Ashton Kutcher was nowhere to be found!" - Royal Jelly Jive Abbot Kinney "It feels like the floodgates of hell have just been opened. We don't know what's going to happen to our oceans and our earth and that's all very frightening. There is no word to combat that other than love. It's the simplest form of action and requires some of the hardest detail and nuance to actually engage in love." - Abbot Kinney Red Wood "Resistance to oppression on all fronts. To the existing systematic oppression and to the ideological prejudices that sustain it. It is time to fight back against fascist sentiments that are being expressed overtly after the election." - Red Wood Oddjob Ensemble "'Create' comes to mind. I feel like it's important to create more intentful and more meaningful art this year." - Oddjob Ensemble The band formerly known as Secret Cat "The coming administration is sending some loud and hateful messages through its decisions, and we'd like to respond with some real gritty feedback."- The band formerly known as Secret Cat The Down House "This has got to be the bottom." - The Down House Tags: Abbot Kinney, Red Wood, Royal Jelly Jive, Secret Cat, T Sisters, the down house About the Author: Estefany Gonzalez Estefany Gonzalez is a Bay Area writer and Photographer. Her work's been published by KQED, The Press Democrat, Metro Silicon Valley, Made Local Magazine, Sonoma Magazine, The Sacramento News Review, and various other publications. Check out her polaroids, portraits and concert photography at: www.estefancy.com Jared Swanson January 20, 2017 at 10:52 am Carol F Donnelly January 19, 2017 at 5:48 pm you are a GODDESS! thanx! Once and Future Band bring new album to The Chapel next week Angel Olsen playing two nights at The Fillmore with Chris Cohen	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339887
__label__wiki	0.599065	0.599065	The FREE Internet Magazine - All news BLUES! Can't see images? Click Here www.TheBluesBlast.com © 2010 Blues Blast Magazine Latest news, photos, reviews, links & MUCH MORE in this issue! Scroll or Page Down! Website Links: Reviews Links Photos Videos Blues Radio Blues Shows Advertise for FREE! Past Issues Hey Blues Fans, This weekend is another Blues packed one as the summer Blues festival season roars onward. Our good friends in Greely, Colorado have their Greely Blues Jam this weekend. The festival features a great line up including The Informants, Too Slim and the Taildraggers, Shemekia Copeland, Sonny Landreth and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. See their ad below in this issue or visit their website at www.greeleybluesjam.com for more information. In other areas of the US there is the Tinner Hill Blues Festival in Falls Church, VA, the Bricktown Blues & BBQ Festival in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the Virginia Blues & Jazz Festival in Hot Springs, Virginia, the Thirsty Ear Festival in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The State Street Blues Stroll in Media, Pennsylvania and Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Festival in Minneapolis, MN among MANY others. But if you could have your druthers, the place to be this weekend is Chicago, IL for the Chicago Blues Festival! Chicago IS the Blues capital of the world, the only places on the planet where you can find Blues music 7 days a week, 365 days a year! And this is where all the Blues Blast Magazine staff will be this week covering the many events that start on Wednesday. This year the Chicago Blues fun starts off with a kickoff event for charity put on by the Recording Academy's Chicago Grammy branch on Wednesday night at the most famous Blue club in the world, Buddy Guy's Legends. The show features performances by Billy Branch, Carlos Johnson, Dave Herrero, Matthew Skoller, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, Otis Clay, Otis Taylor, Wayne Baker Brooks and many others. Rumor has it that both Buddy Guy and Lonnie Brooks might just join in all the fun too! Then on Thursday night there is the Harp & Soul Festival put on by the folks at Blues On The North Shore at Space in Evanston. The event includes Bob Corritore & Friends with Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, Billy Flynn and special guest Sam Lay. Other performers include Int'l Blues Challenge Winner Grady Champion and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Then on Friday the Chicago Blues Festival kicks off in Grant park with more than a HUNDRED artists on six stages Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The fest runs 11:30am to 9:30pm each day. WHEW!!! That's a lot of Blues! And it is FREE! The list of performers is HUGE, to see the complete lineup CLICK HERE But guess what, that's not all! After the fest each night the music continues at Chicago's legendary Blues clubs into the wee hours of the night. Plus on Sunday morning before the fest starts Delmark Records holds their annual Blues Brunch at the Jazz Record Mart. Then after the fest on Sunday the folks at Blues On The North Shore continue the fun again at Space in Evanston with another event called Three Generations of Blues that features David "Honeyboy" Edwards, John Primer and Grady Champion. So if you can make it to Chicago, lucky YOU! Look the the folks in the Blues Blast T-shirts and say hello! James "Skyy Dobro" Walker reviews a musical production called Low Down Dirty Blues. Plus we have six CD reviews this week! Mark Thompson reviews a new CD by Mississippi Heat. Bruce Williams reviews a new CD by Ten Foot Polecats. Greg 'Bluesdog' Szalony reviews a new CD from Gina DeLuca. Ian McKenzie reviews a new CD by Clare Free. John Lee Williamson reviews a new CD by Theresa James & The Rhythm Tramps. Steve Jones reviews a new CD by Rick Taylor . All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!! Live Blues Show Review Low Down Dirty Blues - June 5, 2010 Northlight Theatre - Skokie IL A Musical By Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman Directed by Randal Myler Music Director Dan Wheetman “People ask me why we Blues singers don’t talk more between songs. I said, ‘Hell, I can’t explain nothin’ by talkin’!’” spoken by Mississippi Charles Bevel, the actor portraying an unnamed 70-something, dapper Bluesman. His words reveal the theme of this delightful and sexy, world premiere musical. Featuring 22 classic Blues songs, the Northlight Theatre’s stage production of “Low Down Dirty Blues” centers on the song lyrics and song performance, relying on no story line and only little on dialogue and monologue. The authentic looking setting for the 85 minute revue is a South Side Chicago Blues bar after closing time, around 3 a.m. The only thing missing is the smoke. Backed by three musicians (piano, bass, guitar) without speaking parts, four singers/entertainers (two men and two women) gather to swap stories and songs filled with passion, soul and sexual double entendres. The audience is made to feel like a part of the club with no props or lines of delineation between the “stage” area and the front rows of the audience floor. There was plenty of clapping along, laughter, and audience reactions. The songs tell the stories from struggles to joy as lived by African-Americans from the South to Chicago. “Home of the Blues” is Chicago’s title based on such rich history and today’s continuing Blues scene. Across the 22 songs by such luminaries as Muddy Waters, Ma Rainey, Sophie Tucker, Howlin’ Wolf and Pearl Bailey, the mood shifts from sexual exuberance, often with kitchen allusions, (“Jelly Roll Baker;” “My Stove’s in Good Condition”) to heartache and weariness (“Grapes of Wrath;” “Good Morning Heartache”) to end with the thrill of living (“Everyday I Have the Blues”). The cast is superb with energy and wonderful voices. Mississippi Charles Bevel and Felicia P. Fields (both Tony Award nominees), Gregory Porter and Sandra Reaves-Phillips all have multiple awards from Broadway and performance stages to television. The supporting musicians, Frank Menzies on piano, James A. Perkins, Jr. on guitar, and Michael Manson on bass, are fantastic but not the focus. If you are going to the Chicago Blues Fest this weekend, June 11 – 13, check it out for an interesting side trip while you are in town. It is an animated and exciting musical good time and definitely recommended! At Northlight Theatre, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL, call 847-673-6300, www.northlight.org, tickets $39 – $54, Tuesdays thru Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 7 pm, matinees at 1 pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays at 2:30 and Sundays at 2:30 pm, running time is 85 minutes without intermission, through July 3, 2010. Contributors to this review: Susan Walker and Doreen Barton. Photos by Michael Brosilow . Reviewer James "Skyy Dobro" Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ, Master of Ceremonies, and longtime Blues Blast Magazine contributor. His weekly radio show "Friends of the Blues" can be heard Saturdays 8 pm - Midnight on WKCC 91.1 FM and at www.wkccradio.org in Kankakee, IL For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE. Featured Blues Review 1 of 6 Mississippi Heat - Let’s Live it Up! www.mississippiheat.net 14 tracks/60:13 On their third release for Delmark, Mississippi Heat offers up another recording of no-nonsense, 1950’s-style Chicago blues that packs quite a punch This veteran aggregation has a romping, stomping good time blasting through this collection of lively original tunes. Piere Lacocque is still on-board as the leader, songwriter and ace harmonica player. The role of lead vocalist goes to Inetta Visor, whose powerful voice and commanding presence invigorate every track she appears on. Kenny Smith on drums and Stephen Howard on bass provide the solid rhythmic foundation. Giles Corey will certainly gain lots of new fans once people get a chance to hear his dynamic guitar playing on this disc. One of the first-call session players in Chicago, Christopher “Hambone” Cameron delights with his contributions on piano and Hammond B-3 organ. Add Carl Weathersby or John Primer on guitar and you have a potent blend of veteran musicians that prove there is still life in the aging tradition. There are plenty of highlights including the title track, which opens the proceedings with a blast of energy with Visor shouting out this celebration of life as Corey, Weathersby and Lacocque trade solos at a lightning pace. Equally fine is “Peace Train”, with Visor delivering a rousing vocal with gospel intensity supported by Kay Reed, Mae Koen and Vanessa Holmes on backing vocals. Cameron impresses with some superb fills on the organ and Corey adds a short but very tasty solo. Visor and Cameron co-wrote “She Died From a Broken Heart”, which should receive consideration when it comes time for nominations for song-of-the-year awards. Lacocque’s harp moans and cries in support of Visor’s haunting vocal while Weathersby brings things down to a slow-burn with some exquisite guitar picking. The Chicago Horns - Kenny Anderson on trumpet, Hank Ford on tenor sax, Bill McFarland on trombone and Sam Burkhardt on alto sax - appear on four songs, adding punch to the broken-heart tale “Another Sleepless Night”, that features another outstanding vocal from Visor. They also punctuate the driving tempo on “Don’t Cry For Me”. Weathersby evokes memories of his former boss, Albert King, by adopting the string-bending style and biting tone favored by King on “Been Good to You” and the lone cover on the disc, Sugar Pie DeSanto’s hit “I Want to Know”. She is only on one cut but Rhonda Preston makes it clear that Visor isn’t the only woman around capable of singing the down-home blues. She manages to wring every bit of emotion she can out of the cheating tale of “Daggers and Tears”. Primer steps into the spotlight on three tracks - his laidback vocal style offering a nice change of pace to the women. He gives his guitar fretboard a serious workout on “Betty Sue” and his original composition, “I Got the News Today”, typifies the Mississippi Heat approach - take a standard blues progression, play it like it’s never been done before and make it fun. The closing tune, “Until We Meet Again” gives Cameron a chance to stretch out on the organ and he takes full advantage of the opportunity, trading licks with Corey and Lacocque at a rapid pace. This is the total package - great tunes, heartfelt vocals and fine musicianship from start to finish. Piere Lacocque is the glue that has held this band together for eighteen years and through numerous personal changes. His unique and creative approach to playing the harp is the final piece that elevates this recording out of the current pack of blues releases - the perfect antidote for those seeking relief from the onslaught of rock albums masquerading as blues music. Delmark and Mississippi Heat serve up a generous helping of the Chicago style, played with vigor, class - and highly recommended !! Reviewer Mark Thompson is president of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL. 5th Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest Music City Texas Theatre - Linden, Texas Malford Milligan Robin & the Bluebirds Dorothy “Miss Blues” Ellis Buddy Flett Emily Elbert Guitar Shorty Henry Gray & the Cats 19th Street Red Sumter Bruton Diddley Squat Kayla Reeves Pleasant Hill Quilting Group Guitar Hero Competition – Friday & Saturday Call (903) 756-7774 for more information or visit www.tbonewalkerbluesfestival.com Ten Foot Polecats - I Get Blamed For Everything I Do Hillgrass Bluebilly Records www.myspace.com/thetenfootpolecats In the early 70’s, I was in the right place at the right time because thanks to my friendship with Lefty Dizz I was jamming with some great Chicago blues artists. Lefty was quite the ambassador of blues, he knew all the blues stars, and they all seemed to like him. When I was playing with Lefty, we would hang out all the time, and on nights we weren’t working, we’d go find other joints where we could sit in and play. Dizz and Hound Dog Taylor were very close and often we would end up at Florence’s or somewhere and play with Hound Dog for hours. Those two could really put away the bourbon, too….Old Grandad. As I listen to the new Ten Foot Polecat album, “I Get Blamed For Everything I Do”, I can’t help but hearken back to those old days with Hound Dog Taylor, mainly because these guys employ the same ‘bass-less’ configuration. With The Houserocker’s , it was 2 guitars and drums. Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserocker’s had Brewer Phillips playing bass lines on his guitar while Hound Dog played slide on his guitar, so the sound was similar to the Ten Foot Polecats in a way. The Ten Foot Polecats don’t achieve a groove using a bass guitar, the ‘bottom’ is instead derived from the drummer’s bass drum beat and the lines and rhythm of the guitar. It’s a minimalist approach and does make one wonder if it’s kind of a gimmick, but music doesn’t always have to follow the expected path to work. A lot of Prince’s early work was devoid of a big bass part, unlike the other hit music at the time, and that sound he created helped influence other interesting musical experimentation. The first cut of the album is called, “Chicken Head Man” and shows off just how strong a groove Jim Chilson on guitar and Dave Darling on drums can create, and the absence of a bass isn’t a factor. These two musicians are locked together in these inspired arrangements and both play superbly throughout the album. For me, half the fun of listening to this album is the interaction between guitar and drums. Without bass, the sound is naked and primitive, but so full of clarity and energy. On track3, “Tears On My Windshield” you can hear the band with a bass guitar, and it’s a whole different sound. It sounds like another band altogether, and maybe that’s the point. “Tears On My Windshield” is a great song, but it sounds like many other blues songs. With just guitar drums and vocals (and harp, of course), The Ten Foot Polecats have found their own sound and they do it very well. Vocalist and harmonica player Jay Scheffer delivers the goods with his gravelly voice and commitment to the songs. While his harp lacks the tonal depth heard from a more virtuosic player, it serves to add another dimension to the final product, and an alternate instrument to feature during solo sections. Scheffer’s harp playing is showcased very well on “Scratch Ticket” (track 5). As far as my favorite cuts, I have to admit that I love “Tears On My Windshield”, but I also really dug “Dryspell”, a song where you can just feel how much these guys love to play. “Squeeze” is another goodie, written by Scheffer and featuring some great guitar licks by Chilson. Another great original on this release is “So Good To Me”, which has a swampy groove and is a lament about lost love. I also really enjoyed their interpretation of RL Burnside’s “See What My Buddy Done”. I really dug this album, and recommend it to all blues-lovers, especially if you like foot stomping down-home blues. Reviewer Bruce Williams is seasoned Blues musician (Junior Wells, Lefty Dizz and The Chicago Fire, Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins, Mark Hannon Blues Band). He learned the blues from some of Chicago’s masters and has shared the stage with legends such as Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Sammy Lawhorn, Hound Dog Taylor and Jimmy Johnson. His band appears at clubs and festivals throughout the Midwest. He hosts a weekly radio program on WRLR FM Public Radio and produces music out of his home based Highland Lake Records Studio. Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to: You can submit a maximum of 175 words or less in a Text or MS Word document format. Alabama Blues Project - Northport, AL Alabama Blues Project 2010 Summertime Blues Camp will be held July 19-23 at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Hargrove Road in Tuscaloosa, AL. For more information please contact Cara Smith at (205) 752-6263 or cara@alabamablues.org. You may also find out much more about our Summertime Blues Camp by clicking here to visit our 2009 review. Los Angeles Blues Society - Los Angeles, CA The Los Angeles Blues Society is pleased to announce their Tenth Open Jam to be held on Sunday June 20th, 2010 from 2pm to 6 pm at Main Street Restaurant, 4902 Main St. Yorba Linda, CA. The host band will be Blues Straight Up. All jammers and friends welcome. Come down to jam, listen and have a great time. For more info visit www.lablues.org. Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation - Chicago, IL Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation will be hosting their annual "Hot Blues Nights" event during the Chicago Blues Fest weekend. The show starts on Saturday, June 12th @ 9pm! For only a $10 minimum donation/person, you can enjoy some live music with special guest Johnny Drummer, tour the historic Chess Studios, feast on some food and refreshments, and overall have a "Wang Dang Doodle" of a time. The event will be held at 2120 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60616. For more information visit www.bluesheaven.com . Madison Blues Society - Madison, WI More than 4,000 Blues fans are expected at the 8th Annual Blues Picnic on Saturday, June 19. There'll be 9 1/2 hours of FREE music from 11:30AM to 9:00PM featuring Tate and the 008 Band, Shake Daddys, Joe's Blues Kids, Cash Box Kings, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys, John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band and Grana' Louise. We'll have lots of great food, drinks and beer and don't miss out on the Prize Raffle and the 50-50 Cash Raffle. Get the full story at http://www.madisonbluessociety.com/picnic10.htm Washington Blues Society - Seattle, WA The Washington Blues Society’s local competitions for the 2011 International Blues Challenge will be held on Sunday, June 20th and Sunday, June 27th at the award-winning Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle. Depending on the number of entries received, there may be an additional competition on July 11th or July 25th. The preliminary solo/duo competitions will be held on either Sunday, June 27th or one of the July dates above. Competition finals will be held on Sunday, August 22nd at the the Snohomish Taste Of Music Festival. Any Washington State blues act may enter, and the act must include at least one who is a member of the WBS. Band entry fee is $30.00 and solo/duo entry fee is $15.00. Entry deadline is Thursday, June 10th. For complete info see the website at: www.wablues.org or email president@wablues.org. Crossroads Blues Society - Rockford, IL Crossroads Blues Society is producing their very first Blue festival this year. The Byron Crossroads Blues Festival will run from noon to midnight on Saturday, August 28, 2010, in downtown Byron, Illinois. The festival lineup includes The Resistors, noted artists Filisko and Noden, The Cashbox Kings, Westside Andy/Mel Ford Band and Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames. For more information visit the Crossroads website at: www.crossroadsbluessociety.com Columbia College - Chicago, IL The 2010 Youth Blues Camp will be held at Columbia College Chicago Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago July 4 – 9, 2010 by Artistic Director, Fernando Jones. For complete information visit www.BluesKids.com. The Friends Of The Blues - Watseka, IL 2010 Friends of the Blues shows - June 15 - Albert Castiglia 7 pm , River Bend Bar & Grill, June 22 - Al Stone, 7 pm , River Bend Bar & Grill and August 10 - Sean Chambers, 7 pm , River Bend Bar & Grill For more info see: http://www.wazfest.com/JW.html Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL BLUE MONDAY SHOWS - Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $3 cover. June 14 - Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, June 21 - The Texas Groove Blues Band, June 28 - Bryan Lee, July 5 - Little Joe McLerran, July 12 - Michael Charles Band, July 19 - Laurie Morvan, July 26 - Bill Evans Birthday Bash River City Blues Society - Peoria, IL The River City Blues Society present the Main Street Blues Party featuring: Eric "Guitar" Davis & Doghouse Blues on Saturday June 12th, 2010 from 4pm to 10pm on Main Street in Downtown Pekin, Illinois. Also they have more of their weekly Blues shows during the summer season. The shows start at 7:00pm at Good Fellas Pizza and Pub, 1414 N 8TH St Pekin, IL. Admission for all shows is $4 or $3 for RCBS members. Shows currently scheduled are: Wednesday June 16th, 2010 - Albert Castiglia, Wednesday June 23rd, 2010 - Chris Beard, Tuesday June 29th, 2010 - Bryan Lee, Thursday July 15th, 2010 - Joel Paterson and Wednesday July 28th, 2010 - Andrew "Junior Boy" Jones. Gina DeLuca - Blue Eyed Soul Fell's Point Diva Records www.ginadeluca.net Time-55:24 Sometimes an artist comes along to jar the most jaded of music lovers. Such is the case with Gina DeLuca. Times like these make my gig easy....My pen has a direct connection shooting up my arm to the bluesheart center of my brain and my words spew forth. No great revelations or innovations here. All the various elements are just were they should be in just the right amount. Her stunning natural blue-eyed smoky soul voice is out front. She isn't a blues shouter thank God. No oversinging here, she emotes or holds back when needed. The production by Dave Nachodsky and Gina herself is spare allowing her vocals to shine. No heavy-handed horn section, gloppy backing vocals or strings to muck up the works. Each guitar solo makes sense in the context of the song. On "Dreaming(A Stalker's Love Song)" only a rollicking barrelhouse piano backs her, giving the listener the experience of hearing a saloon style torch song. The same approach is used on "Blues Gone Grey" to good effect. Soul blues is the feeling here. Even in the more soul leaning tunes some blues guitar creeps in. Her voice has a mellow toughness to it, at times recalling Dusty Springfield. Her rendition of Saffire The Uppity Blues Women's ode to the night after "Cold Pizza And Warm Beer" is given a harder take than the original thus removing the novelty aspect. The yearning in her voice on her original "When You Were Mine" will melt you in your tracks. Ten of the thirteen tracks here are penned by Gina showing she's not just an interpreter of somebody else's vision. Her finest creations for me are on two successive belters "I'm Ok" and "The New Me". Kajun Kelly's crunchy guitar propels the saucy "The Good Life Of A Bad Girl". "Days Of Soul" is a paen and list of the music that is the prevalent flavor throughout this disc. Upon hearing her reading of Roddy Barnes' "Go Where The Bad People Go" it makes a guy want to follow her into hell. Which wouldn't be such a bad deal because the lady happens to be quite a looker to boot. If she stays on track and continues writing songs to suit her sultry vocals and dosen't allow some hot-shot blues label and/or producer to veer her into a course of sappy, overblown porportions we should hear much more of her in a big way.. Reviewer Greg 'Bluesdog' Szalony is from the New Jersey Delta. He is the proprietor of Bluesdog's Doghouse at http://bluesdog61.multiply.com. Blues Want Ads Blues Musicians Place Your Want Ad here for FREE! "workin Blues folks" ONLY can place Want Ads here for FREE. NO Commercial Ads! Buy or sell equipment , musicians wanted, gigs wanted, help wanted, information wanted etc. Limit 100 words. All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, ads will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast. Ads may be edited. Send your ad submission to Guitarist Seeking Work Older/experienced guitarist who played with Texas Bluesman, Johnny Clyde Copeland before his passing away looking for gig with touring band. Also available for recording session work in and around Northern Il., So. Wisconsin area. I can be reached at….@....bluzgtrman2k@hotmail.com or 815-235-6020 from 7:00Am to 3:30Pm Mon.-Fri. or @ 608-214-7868 after 3:30pm or weekends. Have gear,will play…. Blues Music Reviewers Wanted Blues Blast Magazine is looking for reviewers to review new Blues CDs, DVDs an books. If you have a background and experience with Blues music and like to write we can provide new music releases for you to review. Person must be willing to write a minimum of one review every other week. Reviewer keeps the CD/DVDs for writing the review. If interested please send a sample of your writing and a short bio of your Blues background to Please include your phone number with the reply. 13th Annual Prairie Dog Blues Fest Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights Big James & the Chicago Playboys Guitar Shorty Jon Justice Eddie Turner Eric Sardinas Shaun Murphy Band Big John Dickerson Show Debbie Davies & Robin Rogers Band Vernon Ray Harrington Sena Ehrhardt Band Hounds Tooth Festival Website www.prairiedogblues.com The only Blues festival held on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River! Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on St. Feriole Island Clare Free - Be Who You Are Funky Mama Records www.clarefree.co.uk www.facebook.com/clare-free Ten Tracks 39mins 11 secs Clare Free is a Brit who has been playing guitar since she was 12 years old. She is a prolific songwriter and has worked with numerous top-flight musicians including Dino Baptiste who introduced her to Dana Gillespie with whom she worked on tours in India and at the Mustique blues festival (in the Caribbean). She cites her influences as a mix of blues, rock and country and this CD is a good example of all those elements although more blues/rock/pop than straight blues. Impressively, all ten tracks on the album are self-penned. The opener, ‘Let Me Down Easy’ is a countrified piece with an opening guitar part that sounds like the best of Nashville. Next up is ‘I Won’t Lie’ which IMHO is the bluesiest track on the CD, this has a nice rhythmic hook and features a guitar solo reminding me a lot of Jeff Beck. The lady has some nice chops! Some of the tracks are barely bluesy at all. ‘Fool To Pride’ is a poppy song, but with what I suspect may be a self-revelatory lyric “Angry, I cut you, made you bleed. My razor tongue got free”. Some nice axe work here too but not enough of it. Another nice blueser is “She’s An Evil Woman” with a melody which is just on the edge of my consciousness (one day I’ll remember what it reminds me of). ‘Whenever You Need Me’ is kind of rather soppy 1960s pop-song and is best forgotten. Admirably supported by Hannah Cope (bass and backing vocals), Rhys Firey (Kbds) and Pete Hedley (Dms) this outing shows off Clare’s song writing and guitar playing skills to a Tee. A nice addition to the growing group of ‘girls with guitars’ like Joanne Shaw Taylor and Dani Wilde all of whom are enlivening the UK blues rock scene. Reviewer Ian McKenzie lives in England. He is the editor of Blues In The South (www.bluesinthesouth.com) a monthly flier providing news, reviews, a gig guide and all kinds of other good stuff, for people living and going to gigs along the south coast of England. Ian is also a blues performer (see www.myspace.com/ianmckenzieuk) and has a web cast regular blues radio show on www.phonic.FM in Exeter (Wednesdays: 1pm Eastern/ 12 noon Central). Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps - You Know You Love It Jesi-Lu Records www.teresajames.com I really like this girl and her band! Teresa has one of those voices kinda Shirley of Shirley and Lee, Kinda Brenda Lee definitely a Lee connection there that's great a sound petete and very strong at the same time, tough and tender! Love it! They play "Dirty Fast" which you can walk to or make love to and really nice Scrunch-in Slow songs. Lowdown Pro, they are and the way to go! I've seen them live and they're great! The surprise on their new cd is the wide range of material, style, presentation and production, very top shelf stuff. I'm a feel kind of guy so here's what we're feelin' and its good! Teresa is a West Coast Aritha Soul Machine then a "Bad Girl Brenda Lee" Dancin' Root, Midnite Rocker with a Jelly Roll. The Junk in the Trunk is Bumpin' ! On the slow tunes you can feel the rain comin' down your face mixin' with your tears in her vocal and those killer sections underneath her working hard breaking it down for all of us. they get it! "It might Be Memphis" Great work, my first favorite on this new cd. She lays it down for all the dance floor boys and girls from Texas to Beale Street in the best way! Everybody got Rendezvous BBQ Sauce stains on it and they lovin' it! Like I said in the beginning something you can walk and love to, and dance to. Then on another tune she Bust Down that Funky Zoot Cat with her own Smokestack Lightnin' Heart Surgery. Nice and up to date with that soul from the origin - slick lightnin'! On "Sunday Shoes" Teresa puts down a smokin honest lyric up in that Blue Church! A lovely re-walk down that aisle with happy tears showin' ! Mercy! my second favorite on this CD. Teresa James and her Rhythm Tramps and the Bailout team she talks about have done it! Excellent Performances and Production with that hard to define secret sensual seduction down in the middle for you to find and really enjoy! "You Know You Love it" The Title track is Rockin', Stompin', Jumpin' , Line Dancin' Juke ala Austin City Wail! This is a Sexy CC from front to back! Love it! Reviewer John Lee Williamson is the head of Conjur Root Productions and a Veteran of the blues. He's based in Los Angeles and on the scene from the 50's til right now. Rick Taylor - Lucky Room Volunteer Records www.ricktaylormusic.com I have to apologize to Rick Taylor. He doesn’t know that I need to, but I do. The first time I listened to this CD I was stuck in horrible traffic driving into Chicago. I think it took me over an hour and half to get downtown from O’Hare airport. I was in such a foul mood that after about a minute of each song I was hitting the button for the next track and after 11 minutes I was done, unimpressed. I think that if BB King and Buddy Guy had been sitting in my back seat jamming that day I would have snapped at them and told them to hold it down. The CD got put away for a couple of weeks, resurfaced, got properly listened to several times and it now elicits my apology. Rick Taylor hails from North of the border, and this Ontario native can play the guitar! He spent 23 years in Vancouver until 2007 when he returned home and released a CD that he’d worked on for ten years that mixed many styles of music. In his new release he returns to his blues roots. Playing solo guitar, both acoustic and electric, he shows us his finger picking skills over these 11 tracks. His vocals are equally authentic and solid, a mix of bourbon and gravel; the accompanying notes hearken his style as being delivered on the torn paper cone radio speaker of a 1927 Buick. For Midwest and West Coast fans that are familiar with Hawkeye Herman, Rick is a veteran bluesman of a very similar style. Taylor also fills in on harp while Henshall “Washboard” Fats does some percussive work on washboards, suitcases, bean cans and drums. The songs here vary from Big Bill Broonzy’s “By Myself” to Joe Williams’ “Baby Please Don’t Go”, an outstanding homage of the Mississippi Delta through early Chicago blues. Taylors fine finger picking will please guitar fans as he winds his way through a mix of traditional acoustic and electric blues. Leroy Carr’s “Six Cold Feet of Ground” gets a stirring electric slide cover and Elmore James’ “I See My Baby” is an acoustic romp over the fret board with Fats backing him nicely. “Blind Fiddler” is a rootsy John Brim cover with a haunting melody and delivery. The electric stuff is great, but one can tell this guy really is in his prime with the acoustic tracks. Rick Taylor is consummate bluesman with a solid and exciting CD here. Roots music fans will thoroughly enjoy his guitar and vocal work on these 11 well-chosen tracks that showcase his excellent skill on the guitar and gutsy vocals.. Reviewer Steve Jones is secretary of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL. Live Blues Calendar YOU can submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.thebluesblast.com/submitnews.htm Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. TheBluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions. CLICK HERE - for the Latest Complete Blues Calendar on our website at: TheBluesBlast.com or click a state to see Blues shows by State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Other Countries Performance dates submitted by Musicians, Clubs, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. Advertise With Blues Blast Magazine Get the Blues word OUT! Festivals... Blues Blast Magazine & TheBluesBlast.com's website are great ways to promote ANY Blues event or product. 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__label__wiki	0.779181	0.779181	Last summer, first daughter Ivanka Trump announced that she was closing her namesake fashion brand, citing her government duties and responsibilities as the primary reasons. But a Washington watchdog group, the nonprofit organization CREW, found that the Ivanka Trump trademark was approved for voting machines in China, AFTER the brand supposedly closed up shop. The concern is that this represents a possible conflict of interest with her role as an advisor to the president. Crew, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington reported that China approved 16 new trademarks associated with Ivanka’s brand, the largest amount of trademarks that her company has received from China in one month throughout the whole of her father’s presidency. The trademarks cover a variety of things- some expected items like clothing and accessories, handbags, shoes, wedding dresses, and jewelry. Strangely, however, some things that were highly unusual for her brand: how about nursing homes, sausage casing, and voting machines that would be used in China? Do those fit in with her typically fashion centered name brand? Hmmm. Apparently Ivanka applied for the trademarks in early 2016 when Trump was already on the campaign trail. Ivanka Trump’s business just got approval for 16 new Chinese trademarks last month. It said it was shutting down in July. https://t.co/NLrJ9vGQf4 pic.twitter.com/jEWljQf3qr— Citizens for Ethics (@CREWcrew) November 6, 2018 In a report from the Chicago Tribune, it is reported that Ivanka Trump Marks LLC also applied for 14 new trademark for non-fashion things – like real estate and financial services, construction, and furniture – in China in March of 2017, prior to her announcement that she would take the advisor role in her father’s administration. These trademarks could ensure that her business and brand continue no matter what happens with her career or position. Former president of Ivanka’s brand, Abigail Klem, stated in 2017, “The brand has filed, updated, and rigorously protected its international trademarks over the past several years in the normal course of business, especially in regions where trademark infringement is rampant.” The Washington Post reported that Ivanka would continue to get trademarks in order to preserve future business ventures, like transferring the trademarks or reopening her fashion brand. Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer for former president George W. Bush, told the Post, “She’s dissolving the company now but is continuing to get trademarks so she can sell her stuff all over the world later… What better time to get those trademarks than now, when every government around the world wants to play nice?” Previous Post Adam Schiff Punched Back at Trump with a Bill that would Shut Down His Ability to Issue Presidential Pardons Next Post Immigrant Workers for Donald Trump Ask for Emergency Protection from US Congress	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339897
__label__wiki	0.665976	0.665976	English-speaking bishops call for major changes in synod report Posted by admin_waci2, With 0 Comments, Category: Church News, Latest News, Synod, From left: Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy; Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York; and Raymond Burke, prefect of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signatura, talk as they walk through Paul VI hall before the morning session of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family Thursday at the Vatican. (CNS/Paul Haring) The English-speaking bishops at the Synod of Bishops on the family want major changes in the mid-synod relatio, or working paper, that received positive reviews in the media for its compassion and understanding. They want a fuller presentation of the church's theology of marriage, more encouragement for those who are faithful to church teaching, and the elimination of what they consider confusing passages in the report.It is not unusual for synod working papers to be criticized by the membership, but in the past they were usually criticized for being too abstract and academic and for not being pastoral. This time, the call is for more clarity in church teaching.Three English-language groups, labeled A, B, and C, discussed the relatio and recommended changes. Bishops from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America who wanted to be in an English group were assigned randomly to the groups.In Group A, Cardinal Raymond Burke was the moderator (chair) and Archbishop John Dew was the relator (secretary). Cardinal Wilfrid Napier was moderator of Group B and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was relator. And Group C had as moderator Archbishop Joseph Kurtz with Archbishop Stephen Brislin as relator. A complete list of the members of the three English-language groups is at the bottom of this article.Theological introductionGroup A proposes a new introduction to address the issues of the synod "within the context of Scripture and the remarkably rich magesterium of the church." The final document "must proclaim the truth of the Gospel, the truth of human life and sexuality as revealed by Christ." The critical issues that confront families today "cannot be separated from church teaching found in the treasury of her documentation," and therefore, they proposed amendments indicating "appropriate references to the Sacred Scriptures and Magisterial documents." While it supports pastoral care and love for individuals, at the same time, Group A calls for "honestly recognizing and acknowledging sinful situations, and searching for ways to invite conversion of heart." Group B also wants at the beginning of the report "some paragraphs clearly stressing how the Word of God, and the beauty of the Gospel of Marriage, must be central to the entire focus of the final report of the synod." On the other hand, this group is not as convinced as Group A that the church's old way of doing things would work. It is not primarily a question, it says, "of simply repeating the church's teaching, but of reaching out and finding a language which can help the men and women and especially the young people of our time to open their hearts and minds to the Gospel of the Family." Group B goes so far as to say that while the church must teach with clarity, it "must have the courage to knock on forbidden doors." They admit that this involves risk and courage, but "fear and anxiety of what we think are forbidden doors may mean excluding opening ourselves to the God who always surprises." Group C not only calls for a new introduction, it for all practical purposes lays it out in the first paragraph of its report. "Marriage is a gift of God to man, a blessing given by him for the well-being of his creatures, made in his image," the group says. "From the beginning God ordained that it is not good for man to live alone and so he created for him a helpmate, one equal to him, that they may live in relational complementarity." It goes on to cite how the love between a man and a woman mirrors the relationship between Christ and his body, the church. "It is important that the Scriptural foundation for marriage, as well as the teaching found in Tradition, be made clear in the document from its beginning in order to build the framework for the issues to be discussed." Encouragement for good families The groups also complain that not enough was said to support and give hope to Catholic families struggling to be faithful. "We need to express words of encouragement and support to those who are faithfully living out their marriage vows and bringing up their families according to the teaching of the church," Group A says. Many in Group B feel that "a young person reading the relatio would if anything become even less enthusiastic about undertaking the challenging vocation of Christian matrimony." Rather, the report should "help them understand and be attracted by the Christian vision of marriage and the family." The group goes so far as to say, "The main thrust should be to encourage those who are committed and witness to the Christian ideal and who struggle day by day, with the help of God's grace to realize that ideal." The problems of nonsacramental unions "should not be allowed to steal the principal narrative." Likewise, Group C "strongly felt that the tone of the entire document should express our confidence in marriage," something Kurtz has been saying repeatedly at the synod. "The document should also give encouragement to those committed to their marriages and families. They must not lose hope." Confusing passages The groups reserve their most critical comments for what they consider ambiguous and confusing passages, which they feel would be misunderstood. For example, Group A says "the relatio appeared to be suggesting that sex outside of marriage may be permissible, or that cohabitation may be permissible." They support concern and compassion but "suggest that we express these carefully so as not to create confusion in the minds and hearts of our people." Again, Group B expresses "concern about an over emphasis on the term 'positive elements' when speaking of civil marriage and cohabitation." Group C also fears "we may inadvertently convey the impression that marriage is not important, or that it is an ideal that only a select few people can achieve." Some may even get the impression "that all unions are equal." Only Group B responded to the section of the report on homosexuals. It notes that the church "must continue to promote the revealed nature of marriage as always between one man and one woman united in lifelong, life-giving, and faithful communion." Gay people should find within the church "a home where, with everyone else, they hear the call of Jesus to follow him in fidelity to the truth, to receive his grace to do so, and his mercy when they fail." Reporters at the synod were thrown into confusion when the English translation of the relatio was changed from "welcoming" homosexuals to "providing for" them. No explanation was given for this change that clearly was not an accurate translation of "accogliere" in the official Italian. It appears that some of the English-speaking bishops got the secretariat of the synod to change the translation. Meanwhile, during the press conference the Italian-to-English translator translated "intrinsically disordered" as "intrinsically messy," which will undoubtedly lead to a new line of T-shirts. For more on this controversy, see the report from Joshua J. McElwee. Group A has "serious questions about the presentation of the principle of graduality." They want to make clear that it is not "the graduality of doctrine of faith and morals, but rather the gradual moral growth of the individual in his or her actions." On Communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, Group A bluntly says, "We did not recommend the admission to the sacraments of divorced and re-married people." On the other hand, Group B calls for "the clear affirmation of the indissolubility of a valid sacramental union" but also stresses "the strong desire to invite and embrace sincere Catholics who feel alienated from the family of the church because of irregular situations." They recommend the "examination of possible paths of repentance and discernment by which, in particular circumstance, a divorced and remarried person might participate in the sacraments." The 12-member drafting committee is now poring over the input from these and other language groups as it attempts to put together a revised report that will be voted on by the entire synod on Saturday. This final document will provide the starting point for further discussions in the church prior to the next synod in October 2015. So stay tuned -- nothing is settled yet. Update. An earlier version of this story did not have the names of those in each group. Group A, members: Raymond Burke, Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, John Dew, Oswald Gracias, John Hung Shan-Chuan, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Gerard Lerotholi, Soane Patita Mafi, Warnakulasurya Mendis, Gehard Muller, Xavier Munyongani, Vincent Nichols, Peter Okada, William Skurla, Philip Tartaglia, Peter Turkson, Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung, and Joseph Zuza. Helper: Arul Raj Gali. Auditors: Inacio Amandio Chauque, Joan Clements, Stephen Conway, and Ute Eberl. Fraternal delegates: Bishoy, Ndanganeni Petrus Phaswaha. Assistants: Simon Okonkwo Areji and Zachary Swantek. Group B, members: George Alencherry, Anthony Borwah, Ignatius Chama, Joseph Coutts, Timothy Dolan, John Ha Tiong Hock, John Hsane Hgyi, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Patrick Koroma, Diarmuid Martin, Wilfrid Napier, John Njue, Arnold Orowae, Tornash Peta, Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Baselios Thottunkal, Socrates Villegas, and Ignace Younan. Helper: Jeffrey Goh. Auditors: Riyadh Azzo, Sanaa Habeeb, Jeffrey Heinzen, Francisco Padilla, and Algirdas Petronis. Fraternal delegates: Hilarion and Benebo Fubara-Manuel. Assistants: Stephen Fawcett and Thomas Kallikat. Group C, members: Anders Arborelius, Stephen Brislin, Louis Chamniern Santisukniran, Patrick D'Rozario, Denis Hart, Peter Kang U-Il, Joseph Kurtz, Edgard Madi, Thomas Meram, Liborius Nashenda, Tarcisius Ngalaekumtwa, John Baptist Odama, Jospeh Osei-Bonsu, Patrick Pinder, Ignatiu Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, John Ton Hong, Donald Wuerl, and Gabriel Zubeir Wako. Helpers: Christopher Meney and Helen Kwon. Auditors: George Campos, Cajetan Menezes, Margaret Muldoon, and Romano Pirola. Fraternal delegate: Paul Butler. Assistants: Robert Nicholas and Garret Nelson. Kurtz posted a picture of his group on his blog. Fr Tom Reese SJ, National Catholic Reporter, 16 October 2014 [Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese is a senior analyst for NCR and author of Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church. His email address is treesesj@ncronline.org. Follow him on Twitter: @ThomasReeseSJ.]	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339905
__label__cc	0.658621	0.341379	“Smuggling?” He Yiming astoundedly asked, “Our family still needs to rely on smuggling to survive?” “Of course,” He Quanming said in a lowered voice, “Actually, every big clan is secretly involved in one illegal activity or another. We’re only involved in smuggling, which is the cleanest one of all.” He Yiming bitterly laughed, not expecting to hear smuggling being just and expected from his father’s mouth. He Wude lightly coughed and said, “Yiming, if in the future, our He manor can be as built as the Xu castle, the debt every year can be overlooked.” He Yiming made a sound of agreement. He inwardly said, ‘Xu castle’s background of hundreds of years was indeed too far above the current He manor.’ He Quanyi lightly patted the table and said, “Yiming, actually Xu and Cheng family are also the same as our family. They are also secretly involved in shady businesses. It’s just that their current reach is too far and wide. However, a few hundred years ago, when they had barely started to develop, they were much crazier than us. If this was not the case, where do you think they managed to get such big family properties?” He Yiming thought for a bit, then slightly nodded. His ittle bit of hesitation had completely dissipated. “All right,” He Wude waved his huge hand and said, “Enough of this. What about Yiling?” As soon as these words sounded, everybody’s brows creased. Although Yiling was a cultivator in speaking, her cultivation talent was not too good. She’d taken two years to make the breakthrough pertaining to the sixth layer. Hereby, one could say that her future accomplishments would be quite limited. Moreover, cultivation was more challenging for females in comparison to males. As such, the possibility of another breakthrough was quite low for her. Under such circumstances, female cultivators usually gave up on cultivation and thought about marrying into influential families. The elders of the He manor had been the most worried about this issue recently. Both Xu family and Cheng family had raised marriage proposals for He Yiling. If it had been happening before, He Yiming certainly would have sneered at this issue. However, his trip outside had made him understand many things. To establish one’s clan firmly in a certain region, moreover to pass it on for a thousand years, was in no way easy. Even though He family was exceedingly strong currently, they couldn’t possibly stand against the whole county. Otherwise, when He family’s power would wane in the future, the counterattack they would suffer could easily destroy the He family in its entirety. Xu family and Cheng family could be considered as the two oldest influential families in the Tai Cang county. Previously, there had been several families standing alongside them. Several among them had their share of glory in the history of Tai Cang county. However, after a hundred years, these families had already waned, and some among them had even completely lost their roots. Only Cheng and Xu, these two families had silently developed on, spreading their roots deep into the Tai Cang county. This affair was similar to that of the four big, influential families of Fire Crow country. Regardless of the place, regardless of the clan, if one wished to pass on one’s family milleniums without fail, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish this feat on the power of his own family alone. More swift the rise, the more swift the fall. Only by stretching branches and scattering leaves, continuously enriching one’s connections, developing good relationships with nearby powers…and so on..could one plant one’s roots deep into the ground. When the clan flourishes, seize all the power and gather all the powers under one banner. Likewise when clan declines, retreat to one’s roots and adhere to the powerful. In other words, as long as one’s blood vessels are innumerable, one would have a chance of nirvana and be reborn from ashes. Before the third generation had matured, although He family was still reputed to be one of the three influential families, their foundation and connection lacked too far behind that of the other two. If their strength hadn’t been too high, they wouldn’t have even this qualification. However, as He family’s third generation slowly made their appearance and exhibited outstanding development, the family eventually gained the approval of the other two. After the marriage with the Cheng family, the two families had again dropped the olive branch.(Tl: symbol of peace) Seeing everybody preserving silence, He Wude involuntarily let out a sigh and said, “Quanyi, you’re her father. You tell, Xu or Cheng, which one do you choose?” Old man’s words immediately set a tone. He Yiling’s future husband could only be chosen from these two families. He Quanyi bitterly laughed and said, “Father, it would be better if you decide this matter.” He Wude was about to speak when he suddenly closed his mouth and his vision shifted to outside. After a few moments, everybody heard a sound of hurriedly approaching footsteps. They exchanged a few skeptical glances. To be disturbed at such a time, could it be that something big has happened? He Quanyi immediately stood and walked outside in large strides. After a few moments, he entered back with a grave complexion, “Father, it’s from Gold Forest’s Yuan family.” He Wude stared blankly, “Why would Yuan family come at this time? They wouldn’t be sending us some present this year, would they?” He Quanyi bitterly smiled and said, “I am also not too clear. You should see for yourself.” He flipped his wrist and presented a black, leather letter. After seeing this letter, everybody’s heart slightly sank. Using such an envelope on the eve of new year wasn’t an auspicious sign. Hereby, it was evident that Yuan family had certainly encountered some big trouble. He Wude’s face also turned grave. Yuan family was their partner in smuggling. If Yuan family took a hit, He family would also suffer significant losses. After all, looking for a clan with low strength yet vast connections was not easy. Moreover, after going through a partnership of many years, they had also formed mutual understanding. At the very least, He Quanming wouldn’t be willing to easily change partners. He Wude picked up the envelope and opened the letter. “Father, what happened?” He Quanming took the initiative to ask. He Wude thought for a bit, “Gold Forest country’s Yuan family has encountered a big trouble,” He lightly sighed, “In Gold Forest’s Zheng Tong county, a new influential family has suddenly emerged. This family’s conduct is vicious and merciless. Regarding those who are hostile, they always kill until the end, leaving no means of survival. They seem to have taken a fancy to the connections in the hands of Yuan family and intend to substitute in their stead. Hehe…..so the Yuan family has requested our help and promised that if we could help them cross this obstacle, they will give ten thousand taels of gold and in the future transactions, they will give another ten percent of the profits.” Although he’d spoken these words quite flatly, He Quanxin and the others were already palpitating. Not to mention the ten thousand gold taels, merely ten percent more profits by itself made a gigantic figure. Moreover, it was also permanent. For the He family, who aspired to continue their development in the Tai Cang county, this money was indeed too significant. “A suddenly-emerged new influential family? What’s their martial strength?” He Quanxin asked in a lowered voice. He Yitian and He Yiming exchanged a glance. They already knew He Quanxin’s intentions. Although the eldest uncle’s cultivation was second only to the Lord Master in the family, he’d spent all his life focused on his martial skill. He’d not been involved in the affairs related to business in any way. Currently, even he’d attached such an importance to this matter; his intentions were only too evident. He Wude lightly laughed and said, “A peak, tenth layer family head is indeed not bad. If they truly shed all pretense of cordiality, Yuan family might not be the one to come out on top.” Everybody nodded in succession. For the current He family, a peak, tenth layer expert didn’t amount to anything. However, for an abruptly-risen clan, a tenth layer expert was an extremely precious and irreplaceable source of martial strength. As long as one had seen He Wude single-handedly establishing the He manor or even the Fire Crow country’s Xie family merely having two tenth layer experts, this fact was evident. Accomplishing this feat when one still had some vigor left was extremely rare. One wouldn’t find a single such case in ten thousands. He Quanxin stood up and said, “This matter….. let me go handle it.” He Quanming and He Quanyi both faintly nodded. Since the counterpart was a tenth layer expert, only an expert of the same rank would be able to assist the Yuan family. After all, He Wude had already crossed his eighties. In comparison, sending out He Quanxin naturally felt much more appropriate. He Wude pondered for a bit, then said, “Quanxin, go and take Yiming and Yitian along this time. Let them participate and gain some experience.” He Quanxin faintly nodded and said, “Good, with He Yiming coming as well, it would be absolutely safe.” Everybody nodded. In their minds, He Yiming and He Quanxin were both tenth layer experts while the counterpart had only one. Therefore, everybody was quite confident. If the latter had also two, or perhaps more, they definitely wouldn’t have thought as such. With a light sigh and bitter face, He Yiming said, “I’ve just come back, why do I have to go again?” Everybody smiled, and He Quanxin’s face sank as he said, “Yiming, don’t play. This time’s affair is too important. If you can’t defend the Yuan family, don’t think you would get a penny from my place next year.” He Yiming immediately restrained his gloomy expression and said, “Father, don’t worry. Eldest uncle and I will definitely settle this affair smoothly. There won’t be any slip-ups at all.” He Quanxin thought for a bit, then suddenly said, “Father, if Yuan family is unable to hold out and collapse before we arrive there, what should we do?” He Wude faintly started, then eventually said, “If Yuan family exists, don’t spare any effort to assist them. If they have already collapsed, think of continuing our cooperation with other clans. In short, our road to Gold Forest country must not be cut. However, there is one thing you must keep in mind. Do your utmost to preserve the direct descendants of the Yuan family. Don’t let their clan exterminate completely no matter what.” He Quanxin respectfully sounded his agreement. He Yiming’s thoughts suddenly stirred before he asked, “Grandfather, which one is that newly-emerged family?” He Wude shifted his vision to the letter in his hand before saying, “Gold Forest’s Fan family.” “Fan family?” He Yiming immediately recalled that the group he’d encountered also seemed to include people surnamed Fan. He suddenly felt queer inwardly, ‘It couldn’t be this coincident, could it?”	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339908
__label__wiki	0.844768	0.844768	Naito Joan From SamuraiWiki Japanese name: Naitô Joan 内藤如安 or 如庵 Born: c1549 Baptismal Name: João (=John) Japanese: ジョアン, 如安 or 如庵 Other names: Tadatoshi, Hida-no-kami　飛騨の守, Tokuan 徳庵 Also referred to in various writings as John Naito, John Fujiwara (from the 藤 in Naitô), Konishi Hida-no-kami Joan, Don Juan, Yukiyasu (alternate reading of 如安), etc. Distinction: Christian daimyo, envoy to Peking Naito Joan was the son of Matsunaga Jinsukue 松永甚介), brother of Matusnaga Danjô Hisahide 松永久秀. His mother was the daughter of Naitô Sadafusa内藤定房 of Yagi castle八木城 in Tanba province. His father died when he was a child and his position as heir to Yagi castle seems to have been unstable. In 1565, when he was about 16, he heard about Christianity from a Christian woman (Constance of Tanba) who had been forced to leave Nagato province. He visited Kyoto and was baptized there. In 1573 he sided with the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and then apparently as a result left Tanba. He lived for a while in Aki province with Yoshiaki. Probably around 1588 he started serving Konishi Yukinaga. During the Korean Invasion Yukinaga was desirous of securing a peace treaty with the Chinese and ending the war quickly. He sent Joan to Peking in 1593 for peace talks, but Joan did not have authority from Hideyoshi, and the talks did not bring about an end to the conflict. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Yukinaga was executed and his lands in the southern half of Higo province were given to Katô Kiyomasa. Many of Yukinaga's retainers, including the Naitôs, accepted Kiyomasa's invitation to stay and serve him. However about 1602 Kiyomasa tried to force the Christians to join the Nichiren-shû 日蓮宗. Konishi's retainers agreed to go to sermons, but many, including Joan, refused to go further. They were forbidden to leave the province and driven out of their homes to live in the mountains. Eventually outside pressure was brought on Kiyomasa and he allowed them to leave. The next year Joan and his family received an invitation to settle in Kaga province of the Maeda clan doubtless through the influence of Takayama Ukon. At the end of 1613 Ieyasu promulgated a national anti-Christian edict. At the beginning of the next year Maeda Toshitsune received an order to arrest several important Christian families, including the Takayamas and Naitos, and send them to Kyoto. The Takayamas and Naitôs and some of the women from a convent in Kyoto founded by Joan's sister Julia were send to Nagasaki, and then at the end of the year to Manilla in the Philippines. The Spanish there welcomed them warmly and provided for their support. Joan worked at translating Christian and medical books from Chinese into Japanese and died in 1626. His wife died there a number of years later. Some some of his descendants stayed in the Philippines, but one of his sons apparently went back to Kaga and eventually renounced Christianity. His descendents were registered as Kirishitan Ruizoku 切支丹類族 and kept under surveilance until 1864, apparently much longer than the normal five generations. 日本キリスト教歴史大事典 (Large Dictionary of Japanese Christian History)、教文館, 1988. Frois's History of Japan Jesuit Reports Other reading: Kagami Hideaki各務英明, Junkyô: Sengoku Kirishitan Bushô Naitô Joan no Shôgai 殉教: 戦国キリシタン武将・内藤如安の生涯, Asahi Sonorama, 1882. Retrieved from "http://wiki.samurai-archives.com/index.php?title=Naito_Joan&oldid=15693" Sengoku Period Approved Editors User Badges S-A Wiki RSS Feed About SamuraiWiki The Samurai Archives S-A History Podcast S-A Podcast on Reddit S-A on Facebook S-A on Twitter S-A on Reddit S-A Forums S-A Yahoo Group S-A Blog S-A Store S-A Bookstore	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339922
__label__cc	0.638259	0.361741	More Contrived, More Mundane, Mad About You Season Three Is Just Good Enough. The Good: Good initial laughs, Good character development The Bad: Mundane plots, No DVD bonus features, No great acting. The Basics: Very average, Mad About You in its third season takes sitcom standard plots and does them just well enough to be remembered and recommended. The third season of a television show is usually a turning point. In the best shows, it seems like the third season is where the kinks are usually ironed out and the series begins to live up to its potential. In more mediocre shows, the third season seems to be where the writers stagnate and fall back on the standards of the genre (whatever genre the show is) to keep the series going. As I make my way through Mad About You (season one reviewed here, season two reviewed here!), I reached Mad About You Season Three and realized two things. The first is that this was my favorite season when I was watching the show as it progressed and the second was that it was stiflingly average (at best). Now on DVD, the third season of Mad About You is strangely disappointing and it came to a cointoss for me to give it the soft "recommend" I ultimately did. Mad About You is a romantic comedy series with the married couple Paul and Jamie Buchman, who live in New York City. The show is mostly episodic and in the third season, the circumstances they find themselves in seem far more mundane than original. This season, for example, has the sitcom standard plots of: crazy Thanksgiving where the family pet eats the turkey, the lost trying to find an old place episode, and the reluctant family member gets stuck eulogizing a dead person they truly didn't know. The thing is, Mad About You does all of those plots without any real flair or uniqueness (by contrast, I recall laughing each and every time to Martin Crane finding the store that sold him his beloved shoes when Frasier did the "trying to find an old place" episode). In the third season of Mad About You, Jamie returns to school after she and Paul have a disastrous trip to New Jersey. The building the Buchmans live in plans to expand, setting off more conflicts with their stuffy neighbors and Jamie delivers a eulogy for her dead uncle. Parties turn into disasters, from Fran's birthday party to Thanksgiving to Paul's annual cursed birthday and Paul's father hands the store down to the next generation. And shortly after Fran reveals she has gone back to the job she and Jamie used to share, Jamie starts her own public relations firm. But Jamie's newfound freedom and employment cause tensions between her and Paul, from financial to trying to share the same work space. As Paul struggles to find work - a problematic endeavor when he does get projects, like a fifteen minute unedited PBS special - Jamie picks up the slack and the two work to make more time with one another. The Buchmans have to pose as Paul's parents, which leads to a very odd situation where Paul and Jamie make up completely different stories for everyone at a resort and Jamie encounters multiple ex's. Rather oddly, the season not only illustrates the week before Jamie and Paul got married (Mad About You, Parts 1 and 2) and what would have happened had they never met (the season finale "Up In Smoke"). Mad About You in the third season seems very sedate, with the humor being very safe and often predictable. Most of the plots involve the Buchmans going through a fairly normal day, having Paul make a few notes of observational humor and then the main plot turning slightly when the expectations for what was going to happen with their day askew. There is a repetitive sensibility to the third season, both for those who have seen the prior seasons and those who are just watching the third season. It holds up less spectacularly over multiple viewings than I initially recalled. That said, the characters are likable on Mad About You and the third season does have some interesting moments for them. In the third season, the primary characters are: Paul Buchman - who hits a dry spell with work until he gets movies, documentaries and competes for a grant. He is in love with Jamie, his wife for (as the season progresses) three years. He is bothered when his father prepares to give up his sporting good's store, but not to him, and he tries to keep Jamie and their dog, Murray, happy, Jamie Buchman - Her quest to better herself with a new degree quickly gets sublimated when she becomes her own boss and starts her own public relations firm. Enjoying being in charge and discovering she is real good at the job, she hires her friend Fran and one of her clients pushes her together with an ex-boyfriend who has made her into a villain in his comic book series! Jamie tries to get her uncle buried in the winner's circle at the horse track and she argues with Paul about who is better in love. She is also flabbergasted when she swaps purses with her sister, Lisa, Lisa - Jamie's sister, she is chronically disorganized and flighty. She becomes organized when she ends up with Jamie's purse, though. She has more of a supporting role this season, Fran - Jamie's best friend and then employee, she has a flirtation with baseball star Sloopy Dunbar. She loans the Buchmans her car to try to help them get on a romantic getaway, and Ira - Paul's cousin and friend, he is something of a player. He has the in at the track Jamie needs and he becomes the heir apparent to his uncle's store. He hooks the Buchman's building up with illegal cable and finds himself in a battle of wills with a visitor to the Buchman's apartment when neither trusts the other alone there. His ex-wife returns, this time incredibly rich. In the third season of Mad About You, the actors were in their stride, but they were pretty much there because they had become perfectly comfortable with the characters they were portraying. As a result, there are no truly fantastic performances, just a sense that the actors know who their characters are and what they are doing. This comes into focus in the flashback two-parter Mad About You where both Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt play Paul and Jamie with virtually the same mannerisms and comfort level as they have in the primary narrative. John Pankow, Leila Kenzle and Anne Ramsay all give solid supporting performances, but again nothing that truly stands out as great acting beyond how they initially took on their characters. On DVD, Mad About You Season Three is another spartan comedy series and there are no bonus features, making it not substantively different from what one would find for the show in syndication. Ultimately, there are laughs to be had in Mad About You Season Three, but the show is more mundane and obvious as a situational comedy than it is truly special. But, in the pantheon of all comedy, there is just enough to recommend this season. For the third season of other comedies, please check out my reviews of: Friends - Season Three 30 Rock - The Complete Third Season Frasier - Season 3 For other television reviews, please visit my Television Review Index Page for an organized listing! Posted by W.L. Swarts at 2:27 AM Labels: Danny Jacobson, Helen Hunt, Paul Reiser, Television Review February 2013 End Of The Month Report! A Modest Proposal For High 5 Casino: What The Onli... These Friends Of Mine Makes For Remarkably Average... Forgettable Chopin - Vladimir Ashkenazy Plays Walt... Voyager’s Crew Begins To Disembark In “Homestead!”... Other Than The Under-The-Helmet Details, The Star ... Even Subtle Christian Undertones Don't Spoil Crack... Flavorful Enough, But Pricey In The Packets, Hills... Oh The Cheese! Caravan Of Courage – An Ewok Advent... It May Still Smell Like Bacon, But Myah Won’t Play... The Seduction Of The Obvious: Sirens The Enemy Makes An Awkward Ally In Daredevil: Retu... The Top Ten Episodes Of Star Trek: Voyager! A Figure For About Two Seconds Of Screentime: Lieu... I'm Not Saying He's Not Talented, But Did The Esta... Exceptionally Accurate: Reese’s Peanut Butter Topp... A Little More Repetitive, A Little Less Original, ... A Wonderful Laundry Detergent That Affordably Clea... The Mindfuck Of Young Love Is Well-Chronicled In T... He's Not Sinatra And On Oh, My Nola, Harry Connick... Star Trek: Voyager’s Writers Look Back And Forward... Star Trek: Voyager Enters The Second Edition CCG W... Just Enough In The Live Album: The Razor Decision ... Potato Flavored Potatoes: Idahoan Baby Reds Are No... March Rushes In Like A Lion With Jack The Giant Sl... Matching Our Décor Better, The Gray JC Collections... More Contrived, More Mundane, Mad About You Season... Time Capsule Of A Great Band The Bee Gees Their Gr... The Worst Ten Episodes Of Star Trek: Voyager! Outside The Unfortunately Yellowing Helmets, The V... The Working-class Hero Returns With A Thoroughly A... Nothing Special For The Price, Paradiso Wild Berry... The Rebirth Of Faith After The Apocalypse? 20 Year... Gollum Purrs For Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits Turkey ... A Meandering Document Without Commentary, After Po... The Villains Take On The Chaotically Neutral Eleme... The Awkward Condition Of Having Your Character Ret... Two Years Of The Same Crap: Hallmark Strikes Out W... It's Not Sam . . . It's The Beatles! (Sort Of) A Decent Salty Snack, Green Giant Zesty Cheddar Ro... The Simpsons Are Brought Up In Season 11 By The DV... Near-Perfection In The Middle Of Nowhere, Odawa Ca... Charmless Stupidity: 21 And Over. Hold Out For The Videos, The Two-Disc Version Of T... The Holographic Rights Movement Is Made Explicit I... The Mixed Bag Of The New 52 Justice League Wonder ... When Did McLachlan Sell Herself As Madonna . . . A... Coming Close To Its Potential, Kellogg's Krave Dou... The Birth Of The Legend: Superman Starts The Cinem... Why Fun Is The Most Dangerous Band On The Radio To... The West Wing Without The Charm: House Of Cards Se... Better With The Acoustic Tracks And DVD, Flyleaf I... Exit Q, Inconsequentially, With “Q2” Outside The Coloring, The Vintage Collection Kitha... Bruce Springsteen Becomes The Folk-Rock Badass Wit... Bigelow Perks Near Perfection With Its Peppermint ... Three Years Later, Disney Repackages Its Last Weir... For Its Price, I’m Not Sold On Simple Solution Sta... The Argument Against Long Dramedies: The Five-Year... The Consequences Of Being An Erratic Superhero (An... The Best Seven Of Nine Episode? “Human Error” Mig... Rarity And Black Hair Is All That Differentiates T... Plagues Of Generic R&B/Hip-Hop Continue With A Dif... A Fun Treat For The Movies: Chocolate Chip Cookie ... Life Continues In Springfield And The DVD Collecti... The HP Compaq Sps 325111-001 Dongle Is A Great Ada... The Journey To Realize “We’re All In This Together... One Album Of Roberta Flack Gets Me To Reject Her A... The Rescue Of The Voyager Crew From The Soap Opera... Initial Dax: The Playmates Lieutenant Jadzia Dax F... Surfacing Broke Sarah McLachlan Into The Legitimat... Meh; Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips Are Ave... Ending The Love Of A Childhood Hero, Masters Of Th... Too Brittle To Be Worth Recommending, Choice Ties ... Another One For Syndication: Mad About You Season ... Rediscovering Enjoyments In My Roots: Star Trek: T... Another Opportunity For The Actors On Star Trek: V... Awesomely Overaccessorized, I Finally Get The Vint... Springsteen, Live Again, Surprisingly Average With... Maxwell House Makes Simple Perfection With Its Dar... Dr. No: Or The Tale Of A Spy More Lucky Than Skill... NutriSource Grain Free Heartland Select Dog Food I... A Particularly Droll Documentary, The Nantucket Fi... Embodying Most Of The Problems With Superman, Supe... “The Void” Sticks Voyager In A Spatial Bermuda Tri... The Only Three-Pack To Feature The Enterprise-D Wi... Potentials Of Jane, Why Maroon 5's Debut Songs Abo... Still Delightful And Kind Of Gross After All These... Family Guy Volume 9 Is A Flat-Out Disappointment. Not The Citrus Cleaner We Truly Want, Suave Mango ... Stupid Kids Doing Stupid Shit, Why Mouth To Mouth ... Inane Rap That Tires Quickly: The Single Of "The W... Belief And Babies Are The Subject Of Klingon “Prop... Rittenhouse Sells The Breasts...er, Women Of Star ... The Disparity Of An Adult Singing Like A Teenager:... Top This! Dr. Pepper Cherry Dessert Topping May Ea... Disney Milks The Chinese Folktale Mulan Into A Fam... An Adjective Scent That Works (But Is Pricy) Cashm... Take It Or Leave It Television Volume 1: Mad About... Coldplay's X&Y Is Boring, Average, Light Pop-Rock:...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339926
__label__cc	0.737915	0.262085	The Common Set Kills An Otherwise Average Enterprise Season One Set! The Good: Decent enough writing on the backs of cards, One or two signers are good The Bad: Vastly inconsistent autograph quality, Quality control on foils, Filler autographs, Not-special chase. The Basics: A disappointing set, Enterprise Season One Trading Cards do their best with poor source material, but are still not worth the investment. How do you kill a franchise like Star Trek? It's easier than you might think. In fact, all you have to do it turn the franchise over to people who don't care about continuity in the universe that has already been created for over thirty years and let them do what they want. After all, if Star Trek fans - as a culture - are anything, they are fastidious. They watch, they mentally catalog and they can recite thing back. It's actually a pretty incredible combination of intellect and obsession that defines Star Trek fans and the truth is, it's easy to see why they are like that; they like the positive vision of the future. But what cost the franchise a boatload of those same fans was the existence and execution of Enterprise. Yeah, people like to forget that it didn't start as Star Trek: Enterprise, executive producer Brannon Braga was all too happy to mortgage the loyal fanbase in an attempt to get a new base and he started the series out as Enterprise. What people like Braga and the heads at Paramount didn't consider was that isolating the fan base with a crappy show had a trickle down effect into the secondary markets, like the collectibles Star Trek fans were happy to buy. It seems, though, that Rittenhouse Archives picked up on the waves of dread fans were feeling over the direction of the franchise when they released Enterprise Season One trading cards; the set is jumbled and confused, just like the show. Basics/Set Composition Establishing the Enterprise episode collection, the first full set of Enterprise cards is unlike any that followed (fortunately). Properly assembled, the set is a collection of 145 trading cards and the official Season One binder from Rittenhouse. All but three of the cards are available in boxes of Enterprise Season One cards, making it one of the sets that is very easy to collect. The cards were originally released in boxes that contained forty packs of five cards each. Boxes tended to run in the $60 - $75 range and guaranteed one common set and two autographs per box. Collation in the "Season One" set was remarkably good. Generally, collectors could get two entire common sets out of a box! To complete a true master set of "Season One" cards, collectors had to purchase at least a case of the cards, as there was a casetopper and a card that was found one per case. Common Cards The common card set consists of 81 trading cards, which are printed on standard cardstock and have a glossy UV resistant coating. This causes cards to stick together occasionally, but this is a moot issue as the vast majority of trading card collectors keep their cards in binders these days to protect and display their cards. The eighty-one card set focuses exclusively on the episodes in the first season of Enterprise and there are three cards per episode, detailing the plot of each episode. As well, there is a three part checklist mural which opens the set which is pretty sharp. The common cards looks terrible, though. Rittenhouse Archives was in a phase where they were packing their cards with images, pretty much necessitating the use of a magnifying glass to get the most out of the card set. The front of each card has four images and the back has another two each. This is accomplished by having one larger picture with three smaller "border" pictures on the front and the back has two small photos next to the text. As a result, none of the images are terribly clear and while many of them are the less common images (i.e. not publicity shots) they are so jumbled as to be dissatisfying to the discerning collector. As a result of the crunched images, this makes the set a poor set for fans to get autographed at conventions, further devaluing the set. There are three cards per episode, plotting out each episode with sufficient detail to be marginally good reading at least. As well, there is a fairly good balance between character and special effects shots, making the images interesting, if only they could be seen better. Collation on this set was excellent, so the common sets averaged two per box, which was good for collectors, but generally devalued the common sets (common sets almost never hold their value these days). Chase Cards There are sixty-four chase cards in the "Season One" set, with sixty-one found in the boxes of cards and the remaining three available outside the boxes and packs. The bonus cards that can be found within the boxes were the 22nd Century Technology, First Contact cards, Suliban Genetic Engineering, Star Trek: Nemesis Preview, the To Boldly Go... and three sets of autographs. The cards seem to alternate between the pointless (the 22nd Century Technology cards are barely a chase card!) to the overdone (The "First Contacts" are simple foil cards, which have largely been milked to death) to the disappointing - the "To Boldly Go. . ." card is only special because of its rarity. The most common bonus cards in this set were the 22nd Century Technology cards. These cards were fairly banal foil cards illustrating the technological elements presented in the first season that set up the technology for the franchise. Cards focus on things like phase pistols and warp drive and are hampered by the same problem as the common set; too many images per card. All that makes these chase cards is their rarity (one in every four packs) and the addition of a foil embossing on the front. There is nothing special about these cards. Many of the First Contacts cards came out of the packs chipped and somewhat ruined, I discovered (I've opened more than ten cases - 120 boxes - of these cards). The First Contacts detailed new alien races the NX Enterprise encountered for the first time. This set focuses on the aliens, like the Andorians, Klingons and Suliban which were rediscovered in Enterprise. The irksome thing about the First Contacts cards in this set are that there are twelve cards in the set, which is an awkward number for trading cards, which fit on nine-card pages. The cards themselves are interesting with two images of each alien on the foil surface of the cards. This set establishes a set that was continued in Seasons Two and Three but this set had the most common frequency of them, with four per box. Only one per box were the Suliban Genetic Engineering cards. These are ugly little yellow cards that were textured to be like a Suliban's reptilian skin and that might seem clever, but it hardly is exciting. There were six cards in this chase set and seeing images of things like the Suliban shape changing and enhanced lungs does little as there is nothing special about these save the embossing and the foil lettering on the front. Truth be told, most fans are likely to get tired of these quick and they failed to hold their value in the secondary market. Also one per box were the Star Trek: Nemesis preview cards. These were boxtoppers and featured one of five images of characters or creatures from Star Trek: Nemesis (reviewed here!). Rittenhouse kindly keeps these well-protected by a little pack of their own, but they obscure the primary image with protective cardboard. These are also of middling quality as people who pulled N1-4 generally were happy as they were giant, full-bleed images of main cast or Ron Perlman as the Viceroy, but N5 was a terribly lame Desert Nomad. It's tough to shell out $10.00 for a Desert Nomad card to complete the set for a lot of people! This brings us to the autograph cards. The Season One set has twenty-nine autograph cards, twenty eight of which are available in the packs, divided into three sets. The primary autograph set is only three autographs: Dominic Keating, John Billingsley (both from the main cast) and Erick Avari. These were portrait-oriented autographs (unlike all of the others) with tiny images of the main character and a big space for autographing. At least they had main crew in this set! The second and third autograph sets focus on characters from the pilot episode "Broken Bow" and the aliens encountered in the first season. There are no big names in either set, with Gary Graham perhaps being the most recognizable. With two autograph cards per box, the most disappointing aspect of these landscape-oriented cards has to be how small the images are for each character. There is a lot of space for signing, but with such small windows for the pictures and such a homogenous format for the signers, these cards are easily mixed up. And when people like the fan-popular Vaughn Armstrong sign twice in a set (as Admiral Forrest and the Klingon Captain) it's not a good sign. Finally, the supposed grail of Enterprise Season One is the "To Boldly Go" card. One per case, in the packs is one of 999 individually numbered cards featuring the Enterprise NX-01. It is a double thick card which is not glossy, not especially foiled and includes Zephram Cochrane's speech from the pilot episode of Enterprise on the back. Still, it is hardly worth hunting down as there is not much that is actually exciting about it. Non-Box/Pack Cards As with most "modern" trading card releases - certainly the ones from Rittenhouse Archives - not all of the cards needed to make a true master set are available in the boxes of these trading cards. Fortunately, there are not many outside the boxes and case to chase down. In this set, there are only three cards that cannot be found in the boxes. There is the usual promo card which foreshadowed the series release which is common enough to find (P1). There is one card exclusive to the "Season One" trading card binder, an autograph card of Clint Howard as Muk, the Ferengi! The remaining final card is a casetopper. Sealed in its own toploader is a SketchaFex hand drawn sketch card of the NX-01 Enterprise. This is a far cooler card than the Zephram Cochrane "To Boldly Go" card! Indeed, Chris Bolson drew an insane amount of detailing into each of these casetoppers and they look amazing! Overall, the set is fair and not nearly as good as most trading card sets. The common card set alone sucks it down and the very blase autograph cards keep it in the sub-average territory. Fortunately, Rittenhouse Archives changed the format with the subsequent release, but it's still a tough sell given how poor this one is! This set culls images from Enterprise Season One, reviewed here! For other Season 1 sets, please visit my reviews of: Star Trek Season One Episode Collection Trading Cards Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1 Episode Collection Trading Cards Star Trek: Voyager Season 1 Series 2 This is a set of cards I sell in my online store! Please check out my current inventory! For other trading card reviews, please visit my Trading Card Review Index Page for an organized listing! Posted by W.L. Swarts at 10:42 PM Labels: Card Review, Dominic Keating, John Billingsley, Rittenhouse Archives, Star Trek Enterprise, Star Trek Trading Card, Trading Card Review March 2013 End Of The Month Report! Visually Unimpressive, Les Miserables – 10th Anniv... Another Soft Treat Gollum Enjoys: Salmon Formula N... An Amazing Cast And Well-Executed Concept Make The... The Short Tenure Of Artemis As Wonder Woman Is Enc... The Menace To Enterprise Grows In “Cold Front” A Concept Set That Can Really Beef Up Your Deck En... Long After I Stopped Caring About Long After Dark Delicious, Subtle, But Not Quite Worth The Price, ... Steadily Improving, Volume 2 Of American Dad! Fina... Maybe A Gimmick, Rubbermaid’s FilterFresh Water Fi... Mediocre, But Not Bad, One For The Money Is Very A... Rittenhouse Archives Bets Big With True Blood Prem... LeVar Burton Tries To Give Mayweather Some Charact... So Many Breakable Parts . . .Ms. Bitters Might Be ... Even Less Likable Than Others, Linda Ronstadt's De... A Huge Step Up, Smucker’s Chocolate Fudge Magic Sh... Two (Mostly) Detached Episodes Of Babylon 5 Make F... Replacing My Old, Reliable Teapot, The Waechtersba... Utterly Unworth It: Workaholics Season One Fails. In Memory Of The Lost, The Cryptozoic The Walking ... Two Pointless First Contacts Make For A Very Avera... Warping Away From Average, The Shadows Of The Empi... Massive Attack Makes The Argument For Electronica ... Flavorful And Inexpensive, Talking Rain Sparkling ... One Of The Worst Films Ever Made, The Master Of Di... Not Just Inexpensive, Cheap: Pedigree Adult Comple... One Of The Most Boring Modern Philosophy Works, Co... The Road To Civil War Is A Decent Prequel To Marve... Best One Yet: Enterprise Illustrates An Ability To... An Additional Barbie Ornament, The 2012 Barbie Pro... Coldplay Continues To Impress Me With Viva La Vida... Disappointing On The Flavor, Green Giant Multigrai... Opening Derivative, American Dad! Volume 1 Is An U... Utterly Disappointing, The Scotch 3M 30-Sheet Mini... He’s Reed Fish, I’m Bored: I’m Reed Fish Fizzles O... All Of The T'Pol One Could Ever Want: "The Legends... The Episode Where Enterprise Lost Me: “The Andoria... One Of The Worst Repacks, The Star Trek: Deep Spac... Indistinct Ronstadt: Feels Like Home Wafts By, Rig... A Flavorful Alternative To Fiber One, Fiber One Ho... An Obvious Disney Hero Journey, Hercules Disappoin... A Great Way To Moisturize, Freeman Feeling Beautif... One Of Television’s Most Intriguing Family’s Stori... A Short Stack, The Enhanced Premiere Set Is An Exp... Getting The Most Out Of The Creepy Cave Budget, “T... Terrible Proportions And Balance: The Power Of The... Ethereal Electronica: Massive Attack's Collected L... A Lot Of Work For Little Payoff: Starbucks Pepperm... Two Directors Create A Series That Becomes The Bes... Myah Loves Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Lamb ... The Last Thing The Demographic Needs: Tyler Perry’... Utterly Worthless And Entirely Indespensible Flash... Just What The Hell Are StarFleet Protocols?! “Str... Wrong Coloring Reduces The Coolness Of The Star Tr... Grooving In After The Definitive Collection: This ... A Fair Spicy Cheddar Cheese For An Inflated Price:... A Clever Indie Science Fiction-Drama, Safety Not G... Too Abrasive To Be Worth Buying, Scotch-Brite Heav... Dark Shadows Volume 21: A Hunt In Intrigue Is Stil... (Not Really) The Autobiography Of Martin Luther K... Terrible Writing Plagues “Unexpected.” The Common Set Kills An Otherwise Average Enterpri... A Good Performer's Classic Album Heart Like A Whee... Ruffles Max Loaded Bacon & Cheddar Potato Skins Po... A Smart Premiere And An Inconsequential Second: Ba... Pepping Up And Cleaning Teeth: Aquafresh Extreme C... End Low: Cheers The Final (Eleventh) Season Is Mor... Very Basic Promo Card, Six Feet Under One & Two P1... The Story Of A Woman With Pouty Lips And A Woman J... Basic Green Astromech: The Star Wars Legacy Collec... Faith-Based Blowfish: "Hootie & The Blowfish" Cont... Bigelow’s Eggnogg’n Tea Is A Flavorful, But Inaccu... A More Sensible Sequel, Ewoks: The Battle For Endo... With Growth In Our Family, We Upgrade To The Steri... Rising To The Challenge, I Review The Enterprise S... A Clever Arc For She-Hulk, She-Hulk: Laws Of Attra... Opening Big, Bold, And Blah, “Broken Bow” Starts E... The 2000 Darth Maul Hallmark Is A Fair Start For T... Uninspired Oasis - One Single Even Fans Can Do Wit... Palatable And True To Its Name, Hubba Bubba Sour G... Family Guy Volume 10 Continues The Disappointment!... Enchantment And Moroseness: My First Janis Ian Con... Old Friends Fail To Entertain With Sex And The Cit... The Very Best Enterprise Trading Card Investment: ... How To Decimate A Franchise, Volume 1 - Worst Trek... Even Better Than The Series: "The Enterprise Colle... Unimpressive Live - Sarah McLachlan's Lesser Live ... A Delightful And Creative Ice Cream, Breyers Blast... Disney Beats Lucas And Spielberg To The Punch With... As Good For Dogs As For Babies, Prince Lionheart R... Growing More Attached To A Strangely Predictable F... Shaky Signatures, Shadowboxes, And Interesting Sta... The Trek Not Worth Taking Tries To Disavow Star Tr... With So Many Better Versions That Came Later, It I... Growling Toward Mediocrity: Fairweather Johnson Re... A Great Healthy, Staple, Green Tea, Celestial Seas... A Better-Than-Average Alien Invasion Film, The Dar... A Less Expensive Alternative To Kong: Yum-It-Up! C... I’m The Stick In The Mud At Identity Thief	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339927
__label__cc	0.71491	0.28509	WMC Live #165: Ursula K. Le Guin, Alicia Ostriker, Robin Coste Lewis. (Original Airdate 4/30/2016) Robin on why the Founders rejected democracy, the 8 unknown US presidents before George Washington, and the Harriet Tubman $20 bill. Special Poetry Month Show! Guest poets Alicia Ostriker, Robin Coste Lewis, Ursula K. Le Guin read from their work. Alicia Ostriker: On Rutgers.edu » On Poets.org » WMC Live #164: Rebecca Traister, Celeste Mergens, Paul Greengard. (Original Airdate 4/23/2016) Robin on "the vagina vote," women candidates, the Panama Papers, and how journalists report campus rape. Guests: Nobel winner neuroscientist Paul Greengard; Celeste Mergens on girls' menstrual kits; Rebecca Traister on the impact of single women. Dr. Paul Greengard: On Rockefeller.edu » Celeste Mergens: WMC Live #163: Maria De Leon, Susan Foster, Allison Willis. (Original Airdate 4/16/2016) Robin on polls, Hillary, The Donald, and The Bern; plus special show on women and Parkinson's Disease, and gender-specific medicine. Guests: Maria De Leon, MD; Susan Foster, RN; and Allison Willis, MD. Also: Surrealism Corner, and We Won This! Maria De Leon: DefeatParkinsons.com » ParkinsonsDiva.org » Susan Foster: WMC Live #162: Christine Lahti, Patricia Bell-Scott, Robin Murphy. (Original Airdate April 2, 2016) Robin on the media and Trump, and on "authenticity." Guests: Christine Lahti on acting, feminism, and writing; Robin Murphy, disaster-rescue roboticist; Patricia Bell-Scott discusses her book on the friendship of Pauli Murray and Eleanor Roosevelt. Christine Lahti: Get Tickets to Life Stories at Joe's Pub, April 8...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339928
__label__wiki	0.838579	0.838579	Coastal Capers RAF On Show Cold War Warriors The first seaside airshow of the year is held at Southend and now how the honour of hosting many of the first public displays for many RAF display teams since the demise of the Mildenhall Air Fete. The 2006 show was the 21st Edition of this very popular show - around half a million people are estimated to attend over the two days. Paul Johnson/Flightline UK Reports. All Photography copyright Paul Johnson/Flightline UK. US Heritage Will's Angels French Flair Utterly Amazing The lack of any display by the Red Arrows seemingly didn't dent the crowd numbers that filled the seafront promenade at Southend for the 21st Edition of the show. Though it wasn't classic "Bucket and Spade" weather at least it was a big improvement over the previous weekend at Duxford!! As with any show there were a few last minute cancellations. The Hunter FGA9 suffered a leak from it's jet pipe after departure from it's base at Exeter forcing it to withdraw from the flying display. Also not quite making airworthiness in time for the show was Air Atlantique's Canberra, but at least a suitable replacement was found elsewhere. Opening the show on the Saturday was the Sea King HAR3A, the first part of a very impressive RAF contingent. Being by the sea is always an advantage for SAR helicopters as they can demonstrate what they do that much more effectively, particular as was the case at Southend displaying with the local lifeboats. The crew winched survivors out of the sea and then winched them down to the lifeboat. Another example of the Sea King was involved in the flying display, this time a Sea King HC4 from the Royal Navy carrying a troop of commandos in a daring rescue on board the local police barge! The local Essex Air Ambulance, a Eurocopter EC135, provided the civilian rescue services rotary involvement in the flying display with a number of flypasts down the display line. Military helicopter displays have made something of a comeback in the last couple of years and both the RAF and Royal Navy had two more rotary displays in the programme. The Black Cats flying a pair of Lynx HMA8 helicopters put on their new display for 2006 which builds on their already established displays with a number of new twists. The RAF's Chinook HC2 display was as impressive as ever over the sea at Southend and really has become a highlight of any show it appears at. As with most Seaside shows, the RAF provide the bulk of the participation. The service sees these shows, perhaps the best attended on the calendar, as ideal recruitment exercises to fill the ranks. As such the RAF tries to send as many displays as possible to Southend. All fast jet types currently being display were present. Making the biggest noise and getting the most faces looking up was the Typhoon F2 making the single seaters public debut. Not to be outdone were the Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR7A displays both of which impressed. Training was represented by the Tucano T1 and by the 208(R) Squadron Hawk T1 display in it's striking new display scheme. The latter is very different to the 100 Squadron display from Strike Command showing off different profiles and things such as a slow loop and roller coasters. Sharp Flying Brand New for 2006 are the Blades formation and aerobatic display team. The Blades Pilots are all highly experience military and civilian pilots. The team are formed from the aircraft and instructors of 2Excel Aviation which provide advanced flying instruction, corporate days, team leadership and management training as well as displays private and public. Led by former Red Arrows leader Andy Offer, the team includes two other former members of the Red Arrows (Andy Evans and Myles Garland) and a highly experience civilian display pilot, Bruno Van Waeyenberghe. The display encompasses many familiar routines from Red Arrows and other team displays along with a few novel twists and some superb solo flying. Though Southend was the teams first fully public display, they had flown their first display the week before at David and Victoria Beckham's party for the England Team ahead of the World Cup. The aircraft have been suitable adorned with the flag of St. George on the lower surface of the starboard wing. An unusual military participant for a seaside show is the C-130J Hercules C5 display. However, with the new more developed display for 2006 the display seems somewhat less odd at a venue which the aircraft cannot land and can now really demonstrate the performance advantages over the older Hercules. The Herk also acted as the transport for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team who at last seem to have found some safe working smoke canisters! Older historic aircraft were slightly fewer in number for 2006. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was reduced to just it's fighter pair after the Lancaster had engine problems at Southend Airport. The only civilian warbirds in the display were B-17G Flying Fortress Sally B and a pair of P-51D Mustangs from Maurice Hammond and the Old Flying Machine Company. It had been planned for Rob Davies to formate with Maurice Hammond in Janie but Rob suffered a lost canopy on his P-51 whilst traveling to the Berlin Air Show earlier in May. Alistair Kay flew in usual polished routine in OFMC's Ferocious Frankie. Two slightly younger historic aircraft were also included in the programme. Air Atlantique's Twin Pioneer put on a display of STOL capabilities pretty early in the display after it had dropped off some pleasure flight passengers at Southend airport. De Havilland Aviation's Sea Vixen was the replacement item of the Canberra flown by Brian Grant and was the only classic jet in the flying display. A family show such as Southend always has a good mix of civilian items. Largest team display of the day was provided by local team, the Aerostars in six Yakovlev Yak-50 with their usual mix of formations and solo aerobatics. A completely different shape in the skies over Southend were Patrouille Reva who fly three modified versions of the Rutan VariEz known as AcroEz. The aircraft have been structural modified for aerobatics and have a smoke system fitted. An old team with a new name are Team Road Angel. Will Curtis no longer has sponsorship for his displays but Road Angel have stepped in to be the title sponsor. Joining Will was Justyn Gorman making one of his first displays for the team in the Pitts Special aerobatic biplane. The Utterly Butterly Barnstormers returned with their fourship routine and some new faces amongst the Wingwalkers for 2006, but still remain a firm favourite with the crowd. As ever, Southend provides a varied and entertaining display by the side that everyone can enjoy. The weather was very kind on Sunday while a few showers interspersed Mondays displays. The large crowd certainly seemed appreciative of the displays despite many late changes. The good news is that the event's future seems secure for the next few years as Westcliff Casino have extended their sponsorship.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339935
__label__cc	0.589108	0.410892	Team Jersey will be available for rent. Deposit $25 required. Team visor will be provided to each player. Softball pants and softball cleats must be worn. (Team managers may recommend uniform colors for pants.) Player Equipment Softball Glove is required. "Position" gloves may be used, not required. Softball bat, optional. Bats will be available for team use. Softball Bag recommended to store/carry gear. Catcher Gear optional for catchers, team gear will be provided. All player equipment must meet Little League guidelines. Major Softball is an advanced, competitive level of play. Players will refine the softball skills learned at previous levels. Score keeping, pitching limits, game scores, and standings are kept. Teams will participate in end of season tournaments, as made available by District 1, based on place of finish. Players are selected to this level of play through a mandatory tryout and draft process. Players not selected in the draft to a Major division team will be placed in the AAA level of play. Visit the "Majors Tryouts & Draft Process" for more information. Hitting: Players learn the psychological part of the hitting game; and knowing the count and anticipate a variety of pitches, including pitch location from a more skilled pitcher. Base running: Players will learn to utilize base coach; Little League lead off after every pitch and anticipate a hit or passed ball; diving back to 1st base. Throwing: Players learn cutoffs and relays with accuracy and speed as required by the major league level; running down the runner, making only one throw in a run down; and completing a long throw with accuracy and arm strength. Fielding: Players learn cross-over step to gain momentum for an accurate long throw; and outfield footwork on a fly ball. Pitching: Players earn fast-pitch fundamentals including pitching to a variety of locations. Catching: Players learn pick off plays with snap throws and signals; emphasis on moving the target; and framing the catch. For more information, see Coaching the Alderwood Way. Registration: Registration will begin in December and continue through tryouts in late February. Late registration is not available due to the forming of teams by the draft process which occurs following he tryouts. Watch this website for more details during the registration period. Practices: Practices are organized by the team manager with assistance from volunteer coaches. Recommended practice frequency is four times a week during the pre-season (starting in late February); and once a week during the season. Practices are held at local school fields in the Edmonds School District. Team managers may opt to hold practice at an indoor location, additional and nominal fees may be incurred by players. Games: Teams participate in two games a week during the regular season. Game schedules will be available at least one week prior to the start of game play. Home games will be held at the Alderwood Little League complex. Game play will start in early April and may include games during the Edmonds School District spring break (as other league/school districts may have varying breaks.) Teams will participate in inter-league play with other leagues in Snohomish County, typically organized by regions. Games are limited to a maximum of 6 innings or up to 2 and a half hours, depending on the situation. Game play is competitive such that scores and standings will be kept. Game play will be in accordance with Little League Rules and Local rules (updated annually). Note: Each league/home field may have slightly varied rules. Season: The eight week regular season typically starts late March, ending the week prior to Memorial Day. The first place team will represent Alderwood Little League at the Washington District 1 Tournament of Champions beginning Memorial Day weekend. All other teams may participate in post-season tournament, if available. See annual calendar for dates. Player Age League Age 10, 11 & 12 League age is player's age as of January 1st of current year, see Softball Registration for age chart. All players must participate in Major Softball tryouts for consideration in the draft for this level of play. Parent Role Parent volunteers serve as team manager, coaches, dugout coach, assistant during practices, Team parent, Concession Volunteer, and other roles as may be identified by the team manager. Training is provided for manager or coaching positions. Parents are expected to have their child at each practice and game on time, and communicate with the team manager when the child will be absent. Parents are strongly encouraged to practice with players at home to develop skills. Fall Ball may be available for softball league age 9 - 11 year olds. Fall Ball is organized at the District level, and offering of softball program is dependant on interested at the District level and our league level. Fall Ball is an instructional based program which offers advancement of fundamental skills and game play at the Major level of play. Watch this website for more information beginning in late May through August.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339941
__label__wiki	0.911253	0.911253	By Runway Girl Network on Sep 25th, 2015 03:59 PM Be they hip and stylish, fun and cheeky or sometimes just plain boring, in-room destination videos have been big business for the hospitality industry for years, informing travelers about local restaurants, sight-seeing tours, shopping and events, and readying them to explore their surroundings. It�s little wonder, then, why there is growing interest in arming passengers with this knowledge via embedded, portable and wireless inflight entertainment systems even before they arrive at their destination so they can hit the ground running. But while any travel geek with a laptop can throw together a decent destination video using glossy stills, stock footage and a little Enya, crafting truly authentic videos that capture the heart and soul of a destination without feeling like an extended infomercial has proved to be an uphill battle for some providers. Tech-savvy, "cord-cutter� passengers are loathe to be pandered to, and can smell a slick, destination video and/or "crap app� (an app that looks useful and effective but is actually neither) a mile away. So, how does one create truly effective inflight destination content in the digital age? According to industry-veteran Robert Zickwolff, who serves as president and CEO of In-Flight Media Associates (IMA), the answer boils down to two simple words: experience and authenticity. "We started to produce travel-themed destination content with Air Canada back in 1999,� says Zickwolff, who joined IMA in 2010. "We really pioneered the concept of advertiser-supported destination content [and] the airlines loved it. They had original content to present to the passengers that, at the same time, provided them with an additional revenue stream through the advertising dollars.� And even then, IMA was focused on � to borrow a phrase from Apple � thinking differently. "The idea was to not have a bunch of commercials or infomercials or anything like that � our main focus was to entertain the passengers. [So], we sold the airtime to regional, national, international clients, tourism boards, convention visitors� bureaus [and] hotel groups and then gave them the opportunity to tell a non-invasive, creative storyline to the passengers. That really [honed] in on some of the hot spots and sweet spots that not everybody knows about.� Sixteen years on, that philosophy is still key in everything that Encinitas, California-based IMA produces. Creating all of its content in-house, Zickwolff notes that IMA�s key staff and executives have a combined 60-plus years of industry experience under their belts. "Again, it all goes back to our longevity in the industry,� says Zickwolff. "Overall, we�ve produced ten different inflight series and what really sets us apart is our wealth of experience � our relationships with the airlines, our relationships with the clients, the tourism boards worldwide [and] with all of our different hotel partners that have come to look at us as the specialists in this space.� Virgin America�s manager of IFE and partnerships Alfy Veretto, whose carrier has flown bespoke IMA content for years, says he couldn�t agree more. "It helps to have a veteran team like the people at IMA. They have been with us for many years and during all this time the core team is still in place,� Veretto tells RGN. "We love our travel destination videos [because] they help to remind our guests where we fly, as there is a show for every destination, and they generate revenue for us.� In fact, Veretto says Virgin America has been so impressed with IMA�s work that the carrier has dedicated an entire section of its award-winning Red entertainment system to IMA�s videos. "I know most other travel destination videos focus on large cities but the fact that we have one for every city we fly really sets us apart,� he adds. And while IFE technology has evolved tenfold since IMA began airing its first destination-based programming on Continental and Delta�s drop down main screens, Zickwolff insists that though the delivery systems may have changed, the demand for quality, off-the-beaten-path programming has never been more crucial. Especially in today�s ever-shrinking cabin environment. "We have what we consider a really important role as far as the overall passenger experience for our airline partners, there are people onboard that are trapped in one spot with a screen in front of them for a couple of hours, so, our job is to entertain them, to bring fresh, original content to make that flight go by a little bit faster,� says Zickwolff. "And we take that very seriously.� Other stakeholders are bolstering their content catalogs with destination videos. For instance, Global Eagle Entertainment recently partnered with A Look At Media Ventures to bring a host of destination-specific "infotainment� offerings to its airline partners (A Look At Media Ventures� customers include British Airways). And because A Look at Media Ventures follows a similar model to inflight magazines, airlines are paid for the pleasure of hosting the videos. Even innovative moving map provider Betria Interactive has incorporated downloadable "City Destination Guides & Concierge Service� into its latest FlightPath3D product. It�s clear that destination videos are having a moment, and that demand for creative, "authentic� content that improves the passenger experience in-flight and on the ground will continue to rise. Copyright © A Look At Media. All Rights Reserved. info@alookat.com	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339942
__label__wiki	0.839229	0.839229	Troopship Disaster Troopship Royal Edward. Before the Great War, the Royal Edward was launched in 1907 as a service for British mail from Egypt called RMS Cairo. August 15, 1915 - a day of fallen heroes The Gallipoli story compiled by John Buckledee from reports in the Luton News in August and September 1915. Lutonians who served at Gallipoli Motorcycling Cousins It was reported in The Luton News on 26th August 1915, that cousins Pte Aubrey Frederick M2/054102 & Cpl 29620 Reginald Pryer Godfrey had had an eventful time of it at the front, but despite some terrible injuries, they both survived the war. Battle of Loos 25th September 1915 to 14th October 1915 The Battle of Loos was the largest British offensive mounted on the Western Front in 1915 du Yellow Devils recruiting rally "Luton has done well, but can do better." This message, emblazoned across the front of the Town Hall, is what today's great military demonstration has sought to impress upon the men of Luton and district. Wardown House becomes V.A.D. hospital The transfer of the hospital within Wardown Mansion from the divisional military authorities to the local Voluntary Aid Detachments of the British Red Cross took place on Monday, November 8th, 1915. Devastating blizzard of March 1916 Royal visitor at Biscot Camp On April 10th, 1916, Princess Victoria Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, visited Luton to open a new YMCA hut at Biscot Camp. Here she is pictured on the right of Mayor Alderman John Staddon. Princess opens Biscot Camp YMCA Hut In the midst of war, Luton received a Royal visit on Monday, April 10th, 1916, when Princess Victoria Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, opened the YMCA hut for troops at Biscot Camp. First 'Derby recruits' on parade in Luton Gas Attack at Hulloch 27th April 1916 to 29th April 1916 The Gas Attack at Hulluch was an engagement in World War I from 27–29 April 1916, between divisions of the II Vauxhall munition girls stage walk-out 26th May 1916 to 29th May 1916 Battle of the Somme 1916 1st July 1916 to 19th November 1916 Well over one million men on all sides perished or were wounded in the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history that spanned five months from July to November 1916. Men from Luton and nearby villages naturally played their part, many making the ultimate sacrifice. The Battle of the Somme The Battle of the Somme (French: Bataille de la Somme, German: Schlacht an der Somme), also know STIRRING AMPTHILL SCENES Taken from Luton News 13th July 1916. Duke and Duchess Present. Stirring scenes, illustrative of two sides of the war were witnessed at Ampthill Station on Monday. The first scene was the departure of 800 brave Bedfordshire lads for the Front, and the other was the arrival of 100 wounded soldi Kitchener letter on show in Luton The exhibition of Lord Kitchener's original letter (calling for another 300,000 men for the New Army) in a large marquee in front of the Town Hall on Monday [July 17th, 1916] almost approached the dignity of a public function. The Battle of Fromelles 19th July 1916 to 20th July 1917 The Battle of Fromelles 19–20 July 1916), was a British military operation on the Western Front during World War I, subsidiary to the Battle of the Somme. The Battle of Pozières 23rd July 1916 to 7th August 1916 The Battle of Pozières was a two-week struggle for the French village of Pozières and the ridge on which it stands, during the middle stages 1916 Regimental Sports Day, Wardown Park A regimental sports day of Number 6 Artillery Training School took place on Wardown cricket ground today. 24th July 1916. Marriage of Wardown Nurse Eila Cumberland Wedding bells rang out at the Parish Church yesterday (Wednesday 9th August 1916) for Miss Eila Cumberland, the only child of Mr and Mrs E. Anthony Cumberland, of 'Greenhurst', Hart Hill, Luton, and Captain James Ernest Sutcliffe Smith, of Bacup, Lancs. The Battle of Ginchy The Battle of Ginchy took place on 9 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, when the Wrest Park fire and evacuation Up to 200 wounded soldiers were safely evacuated by V.A.D. nurses from Wrest Park mansion when a devastating fire broke out on Thursday, September 14th, 1916, at the stately home that had been in use as a military hospital since November 1914. Wrest Hospital Fire Wrest House in Silsoe, Bedfordshire was built in 1834-39 & was the home of the de Grey family. During the First World War it was used as a Military hospital at the request of the owner, 9th Baron Lucas, who stipulated that it was to be used for ordinary soldiers, not for officers. Diamond Foundry massive fire Zeppelin air raids on Bedfordshire Zeppelin airships were the new menace of World War One, putting British civilians in the firing line from the sky. Lord French visit to Luton Funeral of Chief Constable David Teale On the afternoon of Saturday, December 16th, 1916, amidst a widespread demonstration of mourning and sympathy, the funeral took place of the late Chief Constable (Mr David Teale). The scenes were most impressive. Christmas greeting in World War 1 Christmas postcard sent during World War One. Serious tram crash in Luton At about 11.30 on the morning of December 28th, 1916, occurred the worst accident in the 24-year operation of Luton's trams. Seven hurt in 1916 tram smash Two die in munition works accident Chaul End works in 1933 Two men died and a third was badly injured as the result of an accident at the Chaul End munition works of George Kent Ltd on Monday, January 8th,1917. Artilleryman's Tragic Death One of the mysteries beyond the compasses of human understanding was revealed yesterday at the resumed inquest at Luton Court House, conducted by the Deputy Coroner Mr G.J.M. Whyley. Concert for Mrs F. Jackson Today at the Y.M.C.A Hall, the Biscot boys gave another of their excellent concerts, this being for the benefit of Mrs. Jackson, mother of the late Gunner Jackson. Wardown V.A.D Hospital First Annual General Meeting WARDOWN V.A.D. HOSPITAL. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) First Annual General Meeting. Splendid Organisation. Funeral of Lieutenant Thring It is a sad task, week by week, to record the deaths in action of brave young local heroes at the Front; but an added degree of sadness seems present when promising young lives, ready and even eager to be given in the service of the country, are prematurely cut off in the hey-day of youth ere ent The Estate and details of Death of 2nd Lieutenant Wernher The estate of the late Second Lieutenant Alxander Pigott Wernher, of the Welsh Guards , third son of the late Sir Julius Wernher, Bart., the South African millionaire, Bath House, Piccadilly, and Luton Hoo, shows estate of the gross value of £393. In his memory Lady Wernher has invested £2,000,0 Visit of Capt. Albert Ball Capt. Albert Ball (V.C. D.S.O. The Battle of Arras 9th April 1917 to 16th May 1917 The Battle of Arras was a British offensive during the First World War. Battle of Vimy Ridge 9th April 1917 to 12th April 1917 The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339946
__label__cc	0.604907	0.395093	Obama's Perestroika and Super Moon November 13th Well there be a change or just a new smell wafting from the same old garbage? Gorbachev calls on Obama to carry out 'perestroika' in the U.S. Ria Novosta Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has said that the Obama administration in the United States needs far-reaching 'perestroika' reforms to overcome the financial crisis and restore balance in the world. Analysis: Change is coming to China Telegraph UK As the financial crisis bites into China, taking the sheen off its extraordinary economic growth, the Communist Party is making sweeping changes in order to revive the country. The press law which was on the agenda in 1988, before the Tiananmen crackdown, suddenly appears to have been revived. Whitehead sees slump worse than Depression Reuters The economy faces a slump deeper than the Great Depression and a growing deficit threatens the credit of the United States itself, former Goldman Sachs chairman John Whitehead, said at the Reuters Global Finance Summit on Wednesday. Whitehead warned the country's financial strength is at risk due to the sweeping demand for tax relief and a long list of major government spending plans. A "Super Moon" will appear this week on November 13th and again on 12 December 12th, which occurs when the Moon is at 90% or greater of its mean closest approach to Earth. High tidal forces have a habit of making for irrational behavior and general craziness. Riots break out across Colombia after investment scam collapses Guardian UK Will the Phoenix rise again? Stocks snap 3-day losing streak CNNMoney Stocks surged Thursday, with the Dow posting its third best single-session point gain ever, as the major stock gauges bounced back from levels not seen since 2003. Dow rallies 552 points, an 870-point rebound from lows. Nasdaq and S&P 500 bounce from near 5-1/2 year lows. It was the second time the market "retested" those lows, which were first hit around Oct. 10. The major gauges slumped to around those levels at the end of October and now again in mid-November. By AZRainman on Friday, November 14, 2008	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339950
__label__cc	0.67586	0.32414	Roundtable hosted by Shaping Asia network at ICAS 11 The “Shaping Asia” network, coordinated by Prof. Christiane Brosius jointly with Prof. Dr. Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka (Bielefeld), will host a roundtable during ICAS 11. The roundtable “Shaping Asia: Connectivities, Comparisons, Collaborations between Asia and Europe” will explore the challenges of Asia-centered research in Europe on July 16. The roundtable, which takes place during the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) at Leiden University, introduces an emerging network of scholars, in the Humanities and Social Sciences seeking to establish sustained linkages between scholars from Europe and Asia (and beyond) with an interest in dialogues on inner- and trans-Asian concepts, connectivities and experiences. The initiative “Shaping Asia” resonates to the ways ‘Asia’ as a transcultural, but not only geo-physical space, is created and re-created today and during various historical periods. It thus also reflects debates within critical area studies and interdisciplinary collaboration. The roundtable will introduce the key concepts of connectivities, comparisons, collaborations that provide a methodological frame for the network. “Shaping Asia: Connectivities, Comparisons, Collaborations between Asia and Europe” explores the situation and challenges of Asia-centered research in Europe, themes and formats of engaging beyond regional and disciplinary boundaries. The panel will introduce the network, its members, projects as well as funding avenues. The network is open and the coordinators hope to generate interest among more scholars across Europe and Asia. The “Shaping Asia” network is a bottom-up networking initiative by a number of scholars from the humanities and social sciences, all working on Asia, and based at 18 German universities (FU and HU Berlin, Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Bremen, Erfurt, Göttingen, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Halle, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Marburg, München, Münster, Tübingen, Würzburg) plus six Asian partners so far. Prof. Christiane Brosius, the HCTS professor for Visual and Media Anthropology, coordinates the network in cooperation with Prof. Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka (Bielefeld University). “Shaping Asia” is partly funded by the DFG and had its initial workshop at Heidelberg in 2017. Please find more information about the roundtable here (pdf).	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339953
__label__cc	0.723648	0.276352	Write Better Introductions Write Better Hypotheses and Methods Write Better Discussions Write Better Conclusions Skills - Excel and Graphs Skills - Equations in Excel Turnitin Signup Apparatus Generator Practical Report: Bounce Efficiency Practical Report: The effect of detergents on plants Relative Atomic Mass Atomic Mass Units The Mole and Calculations Percentage Composition Dehydrating Copper Sulfate Empirical Formula in Context How to Survive Chemistry Tour of the Lab 1 Sulfate in Fertilizer Titrations Gas Properties Kinetic Molecular Theory of Gases Copper and its compounds Polyatomic Ions Electron Dot Structures and Molecular Shapes Polar and Non-polar Solubility Limiting Reagent Corrosion Rates Precipitation Reactions Ionic Bonding Basics Part 1 Cracker Combustion Electron Configurations Ionic formulas Comparing Conductivity of Materials Galileo's Water Clock Age of Star Clusters & Red Giants Astronomy basics Heart Dissection Investigating Photosynthesis Making Volcanoes Write Better: Discussions What should go in a discussion? Hypothesis & Method Discussion (you are here) Simon Boman Discussions - what are they? After sharing the results from your experiment, and analysed them graphically with graphs, the trends and patterns are examined in more detail in the discussion section, along with an analysis of the method used. Analyse the data for trends, patterns, and anomalies Analyse the data for accuracy - design/measurement errors and how significant they are Analyse the method - your design - what worked well, and what changes could be made to improve the accuracy and reliability next time. Analysing the Data Before you make any calculations and look for trends or patterns in the data, the anomalies in the results need to be identified and explained. They can often be explained by any observations you have made during the course of conducting the experiment. Once you have identified these anomalies, you need to discount/disregard them from your calculations such that they do not affect your findings. Table 2: Average Mario Kart Time Scores Time trial 1 (min) Student A 2.48 34.21 3.14 Student B 1.92 2.34 2.07 Student C 3.11 2.85 2.79 Anomalies Example 1: "When testing each student's average time score on Mario Kart, it was found that one of Student A's time trials (34.21min) was much greater than the rest of his time trials (2.48 - 3.14mins) (Table 2). This is likely because at some point during testing, his mother called him on the phone and he needed time to explain why he wasn't at Student's D's house, studying, like he said he would be." In this case, it would not be fair to count the anomaly in Student A's time trial data, so we would calculate his average time without it: Student A Average Time = (2.48 + 3.14)s ÷ 2 ∴ Student A Average Time = 2.81s Table 4: Sulfur content in Fertiliser Fertiliser (g) Barium Sulfate (g) % Sulfur Anomalies Example 2: "The 1.02g sample of fertiliser trial, produced a yield of 12.9% Sulfur, which is much less than the rest of the data which ranges between 14.0-16.5% Sulfur (Table 4). This loss of Sulfur product was likely due to some of the sample being lost when pouring off the excess water from the beaker in step 7 of the method, which could have carried away some of the solids down into the sink." So for the sulfur % in the fertiliser experiment, we would not count the anomaly of 12.9% in our calculations, like the average sulfur percentage: Average % sulfur = (16.5 + 16.2 + 14.0 + 15.0)g ÷ 4 ∴ Average % sulfur = 15.4g In most cases, it is important to show at least one or two sample calculations (like the ones above). This will demonstrate your ability to do these calculations, to the teacher, or in some other cases - explain what mumbo-jumbo math magic you just pulled to find these numbers! (that will probably be more applicable to senior students). Once the anomalies have been omitted, examine the measurements and figures from your results table(s) and graphs to identify any trends. It is really important to refer to which table the results are from, and using specific results to show evidence of the trends that you have found. Trend Example 1: "From table 1, the results showed that students who had the least energy intake for breakfast (300kJ), also had the lowest numbers of kills when playing the game of Call of Duty (3 kills), whereas the students who had eaten plenty for breakfast (8000kJ), performed better (>9000 kills)." Trend Example 2: "As the drop height increased from 0.500m to 1.500m, the average bounce height also increased from 0.187m up to 0.493m (table 1)." Then, examine the graph(s) you have made and draw a line of best fit (trend line), determine if this line shows a linear/exponential/logarithmic relationship between your variables. Trend line analysis (junior): Graph 3 shows that as the time increases, so does the mass of water collected by a similar amount for every 20 seconds. The slope of the trend line starts quite steeply, but decreases towards the end of the graph at 80 seconds. Trend line analysis (senior): The line of best fit in Graph 3 begins at a steep gradient and later tapers off at a shallower gradient towards the end of the graph. This suggests that the Mass of water collected over time shows a logarithmic relationship, which could be modelled by the formula; y = aLog (bx + 1). (Ideally, you would have this calculated and fitted onto the graph opposite, but I haven't had the time). Sometimes the data does not show a linear or exponential relationship, but may oscillate - like a pattern: Pattern Example: "Table 1 reveals that flood depth of the creek cycles from 0.0m in the winter up to 1.3m during Summer and then down again to 0.0m the following winter. The plot on Graph 1 of flood depth over 3 years suggests that this pattern repeats every year for the creek." Once you have identified the trends or patterns in the data, now explain what these results mean, and reason why this may have been the case. Meaning Example 1: "The differences in performance in the results of students who had limited or plenty of caloric intake for breakfast, suggests that for peak performance for Call of Duty, students need to have a healthy breakfast meal with sufficient calories." Analysing Errors Errors are NOT mistakes! Often when we collect and analyse our results from experiments we find that our results are off by a small or large amount. Error analysis is a discussion of where the source of these differences could come from; and this will come from a collection of the following: Equipment accuracy - some equipment is more precise than others; a 250mL measuring cylinder has more detail on the exact volumes used, than a 250mL beaker which may have only about 3-5 increments marked on it Experimental design - perhaps there are some losses because your design did not capture/collect/measure it all. Together, these will contribute to how far off our findings are from what is true or accepted (e.g. it is generally accepted that the value of π is 3.14159..., the accepted boiling point of water is 100°C, and the accepted value for the acceleration due to Earth's gravity, g = 9.81m/s²). Note: your experiment may not have an 'accepted value' to compare with, but you should still consider this process of error analysis anyway to evaluate the primary sources of error that could have affected your results. For example, in an experiment designed to measure the acceleration due to gravity, using a stopwatch and an inclined plane, it was calculated from the results obtained that the value for Earth's gravity was not the same as the accepted value (9.81m/s²). Table 5: Stopwatch Method of Inclined Plane over 2.11m distance Incline height (m) Average time taken (s) Acceleration (m/s²) 0.135 2.29 0.805 Mathematically, (I'm going to skip the physics in-between because that's not the point for this illustration), g can be found by examining the slope of the graph, in Graph 5. This shows that experimentally, g is 7.364 m/s² instead of the accepted value of 9.81m/s². How far off our result is, is known as the experimental error. Experimental Error (%) = \|Accepted value - Experimental value\| ÷ Accepted value x 100% Experimental Error (%) = \|9.81m/s² - 7.364m/s²\| / 9.81m/s² x 100% Experimental Error (%) = 24.9% Now that the experimental error has been calculated, we find that our result for g is 24.9% less than the accepted value. To discuss why this has occurred, we examine the equipment involved, and the design. The more detailed your error analysis, the better. I'll provide only a brief example (since this scenario is similar to a school assessment item). Error Analysis (equipment) Example 1: "The experimental error of this investigation shows a difference of 24.9% less than the accepted value of the acceleration due to gravity of 9.81m/s². This implies that the measured acceleration of the car rolling down the incline was slower than it should be. This cannot be fully explained by the error of the stopwatch used; which involves a short time delay to react to a stimulus (the car begins to roll down) to start it, and another time delay to react when the car has reached the end of the plank. Human reaction times with stopwatches when testing was found to be approximately 0.16s, which accumulates each time the operator presses the button on the stop watch. In this case, twice (start + stop), which results in a time delay of approximately 0.32s. Although 0.32s is a significant time relative to the average times taken to roll down the plank (1.61 - 2.29s), this delay would likely have offset the measurements. For example, the timer is started 0.16s after the cart begins to roll, and 0.16s after the car has reached the end of the plank. The primary source of the experimental error is likely to have been caused by... (more measurement limitations, design limitations, etc)." Error Analysis (design) Example 2: "After examining the measured amount energy released per biscuit (average of 1.37kJ per biscuit), and comparing this result with the accepted value of the package (53.7kJ per biscuit), it was found that the experimental results from the investigation deviated from the accepted value by 97.4%. This discrepancy is most likely due to the design of the experiment; it was assumed that the heat generated from the combustion (burning) of the biscuit (click here to see the video) would be captured and measured by the test tube + thermometer that was stationed above the flames from the biscuit. This design did not account for the heat generated and lost to the surroundings because although hot air rises, it is not the only means of which heat is transmitted. Heat energy is known to transfer via radiation as well, which operates in all directions - not just above. Therefore, much of the heat generated by the combustion of the biscuit was not captured and measured by the test-tube and thermometer apparatus." Evaluating the Method Experiments are often repeated by other scientists at a later date to verify your results (checking that you haven't made everything up!), and also they are often expanded upon to take the research further. Your role, as having completed this experiment - is to evaluate your design for what worked well and what could be improved to increase the accuracy (0.1m vs 0.100345m) , eliminate or reduce chances of errors (heat loss, etc), and improve the reliability (fool proof; works every time). Method Evaluation (accuracy) Example: The thermometer provided accurate measurements for large changes in temperature (20-50°C), however a digital temperature probe could be used in the future to show greater precision of temperature changes with more significant figures. For example, the thermometer, at best, can measure to 1/2 a degree; 24.5°C, whereas a digital temperature probe can measure temperatures with more detail (24.492°C) and record these changes over time. The maximum temperature could therefore be more easily identified in cases where the test tube apparatus may start to cool down after the biscuit has finished burning. Method Evaluation (errors) Example: The use of the test tube filled with 10mL of water and a thermometer to capture the heat generated from the combustion of the biscuit was not very effective, as most of the heat was lost to the surroundings. In future experiments, this issue could be addressed by insulating the region of space around the biscuit and test-tube apparatus such as a cardboard box lined with woollen cloth. Wool is commonly used to retain heat in clothing during the winter and is fire-resistant, and so should not burn in the case that the flames from the biscuit would make contact with the insulation. The cardboard box could have an opening on the bottom and the top to allow air, and the necessary oxygen, to flow up towards the flame, and out the top for the combustion to continue to work. Method Evaluation (reliability) Example: The large variation of results between the heat energy collected from each biscuit suggests that the current design is not very reliable. This may have occurred due to the difficulty in centring all the flames of the biscuit underneath the test-tube apparatus. To improve the consistency of results, the biscuits could be crushed into a powder, poured into a small pile, and lit with a match such that the flames created could be more easily centred underneath the test tube apparatus. That's pretty much it. You may be asked to embellish your discussion with Links to other literature Implications/relevance to the real world Link results back to the hypothesis It's always good to check with your teacher as to what they would like you to include in your discussion. Remember that the discussion is often quite long, and the total amount of writing you are allowed to use will determine how much detail you can write about; as long as you aren't being too verbose. When grading student papers, it's common to see that they mistakenly use first person voice - especially since you are discussing your own findings, however please remember to always maintain consistent formal scientific language - past tense, passive voice, and 3rd person. Or more simply put; write it as formal as possible.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339956
__label__wiki	0.585377	0.585377	Aninh Co Ltd Comet Watch Late in the autumn of 1680, the people of Manhattan were overwhelmed with fear and horror when a gigantic comet made its blazing appearance in the fake lashes above them. Many people believed that the end of the world had come. Every church in Europe resounded with the supplications of terrified congregants, and in New York there was a day of fasting in the hope that a wrathful God might be appeased and spare the world. We now know that comets do not herald disaster, but are weary and dazzling icy, muddy refugees from the frigid outer limits of our Solar System. In September 2012, astronomers announced that a new and incredibly brilliant comet is heading our way, and it seems to be following the same path as the Great Comet of 1680! Aninh Comets are fragile and ephemeral objects, sometimes dismissively termed “dirty snowballs” or “icy fake lashes”, depending on the observer’s point of view. They are strange and beautiful visitors from afar, streaking with their lashing and fiery tails into Earth’s region of the inner Solar System, from their frozen, remote home beyond the outermost major planet Neptune. Many scientists believe that comets bear within their frozen hearts the purest traces of ancient ingredients that created our Solar System. These primordial ingredients have been stored in a kind of “deep freeze” at the edge of our Solar System where it is dark and extremely frigid. Understanding what composes the comets translates into understanding what ingredients went into the marvelous recipe for cooking up all the Sun’s planets and moons–the Earth and its large Moon, included! The comets are icy planetesimals. That is, they are the building blocks of the planets of the outer Solar System–Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, as well as their retinue of mostly icy moons. Rocky planetesimals, such as the asteroids that orbit in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, are the building blocks of the rocky planets of the inner Solar System–Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. Planetesimals, of both the icy and rocky kind, collided together and merged into ever larger and larger bodies at the dawn of our Solar Systems existence more than four billion years ago. The icy, dirty comets travel to Earth’s warm, inner region of the Solar System from two dark and frozen domains. The first is called the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper Belt revolves around our Sun beyond the orbit of Neptune, and it is the source of short-period comets. The short-period comets are those that swing into the inner Solar System more frequently than every two hundred years. The second domain of comets is the Oort Cloud, which is an enormous sphere of icy objects that is thought to encircle our entire Solar System. The Oort Cloud is the home of the most remote comets, the so-called long-period comets, which take at least two hundred years to sweep into our neighborhood. Obviously, since we are situated comparatively close to the Kuiper Belt, the short-period comets have played a more important role in our planet’s history. Nevertheless, Kuiper Belt Objects (KBO’s), are sufficiently remote, small and, consequently, dim, to have been beyond the reach of our technology until 1992. Astronomers have never observed the Oort Cloud, but its existence has been inferred from the way long-period comets orbit the Sun. The Oort Cloud is thought to extend out at least 10% of the way to the nearest star beyond our Sun. Every time a comet wanders into the inner Solar System, it loses a bit of its mass by way of sublimation of its surface ices to fake lashes. For example, the famous Halley’s Comet, has been estimated to have a lifetime of less than 100,000 years. The comets that we observe today, as they streak and lash their brilliant tails in the sky above us, will ultimately vanish due to their sublimation of ices to gas, only to be replaced by fresh, new comets, swirling in towards the Sun from their frozen habitats in the Oort Cloud and Kuiper Belt. The core of a comet is termed its nucleus, and it is composed primarily of ice and dust that is encased within a coating of dark organic material. The ice is primarily made up of frozen water, however other frozen ingredients may exist as well, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia. The nucleus might harbor a tiny rocky core. As the comet swings in towards the Sun, the ice on the surface of the nucleus turns to fake lashes, and forms a cloud termed a coma. Solar radiation chases the dust particles away from the coma, forming a dusty flashing and thrashing tail. Charged particles from the Sun morph some of the comet’s gases into ions, creating an ion tail. Because the tails of comets are shaped by our Sun’s glare and the solar wind, they invariably point away from the Sun. The nuclei possessed by most comets are approximately 10 miles or less. However, some comets boast comas that can extend almost 1 million miles wide. Some outstanding comets have tails reaching 100 million miles long! Comets leave a trail of debris in their wake, which can result in meteor showers on Earth. The Perseid meteor shower takes place every year between August 9 and 13 when our planet moves through the orbit of the Swift-Tuttle Comet. We can see a number of comets with the unaided eye when they come thrashing in close to the Sun. This is because their comas and tails reflect sunlight, and sometimes are incandescent because of the energy they absorb from our Star. However, most comets are too small or dim to be seen without a telescope. But if astronomers’ predictions are correct, the sky of December 2013 will be set on fire by one of the truly great comets, which was spied for the first time in September 2012 as it swung near the ringed gas-giant planet Saturn. The new comet was spotted by Russian astronomers Dr. Artyom Novichonok and Dr. Vitali Nevski of the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON), and is now known by the somewhat colorless name of fake lashes. When it was first discovered, the new comet was just a dim spot of brightness in the constellation Cancer. However, it was already unusually bright, considering its distance from the Sun, astronomer Dr. Raminder Singh Samra said in the September 27, 2012 National Geographic News. Samra further noted that “If it lives up to expectations, this comet may be one of the brightest in history.” Samra is at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. Even though astronomers know of the existence of 2012 S1, they still do not know where it came from. However, its orbit indicates that it may be a refugee from the Oort Cloud, that strange and remote sphere surrounding our entire Solar System, where billions of comets jitterbug around our Sun about a hundred thousand times farther away from it than our own planet. “For astronomers, these distant origins are exciting, because it allows us to study one of the oldest objects in the Solar System still in its original, pristine condition,” Samra continued to explain. The new comet will probably look most brilliant to us in the weeks following its nearest approach to the Sun, on November 28, 2013–if it survives, that is. Its survival is still questionable because, as the comet wanders within about 1.2 million miles of the Sun, our Star’s fiery heat and intense gravity might cause its ice and muddy rubble to disintegrate–end of fake lashes! “While some predictions suggest it may become as bright as the full Moon, and even visible during the day, one should be cautious when predicting how exciting a comet may get. Some comets have been notorious for creating a buzz but failing to put on a dazzling display.” Samra told National Geographic in September 2012. I am a writer and astronomer whose articles have been published since 1981 in various magazines, newspapers, and journals. Although I have written on a variety of topics, I particularly love writing abut astronomy because it gives me the opportunity to communicate to others the many wonders of my field. My first book, “Wisps, Ashes, and Smoke,” will be published soon. The “How To” Of Lunging A Horse For Beginners Five Things Every Girl Should Have In Her Makeup Bag eyelashes wholesale eyelash vendor lashes vendors eyelash manufacturer eyelash wholesale 3d mink lashes wholesale eyelash vendors wholesale mink lashes vendors mink eyelashes wholesale cheap mink lashes lash packaging vendor vendors for lashes 25mm mink lashes wholesale mink lash vendor lash wholesale wholesale mink lash vendors wholesale mink eyelashes wholesale eyelash vendors real mink lashes mink lashes in bulk 3d mink lash vendors lash vendors usa mink lashes cheap 25mm lashes wholesale whole sale lashes eyelash vendors list gianni lashes mink lashes bulk bulk mink lashes buy mink lashes 25mm mink lashes vendor faux mink lashes wholesale lash vendors mink 25mm mink lash vendors vendor for lashes premium mink lashes wholesale eyelashes vendor luxury mink lashes false lashes us eyelashes vendors lash venders mink lashes for sale mink eyelashes in bulk lash vendors wholesale mink lashes 25mm lashes vendor best mink lashes eyelash wholesale vendors 25mm mink lashes bulk eyelash extensions wholesale eyelash vendors usa lash manufacturer 25mm lashes mink wholesale eyelash extensions © Aninh Co Ltd 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339957
__label__cc	0.711588	0.288412	Collection Description: Shtetl Routes Number of publications in collection: 2136 Publications list : Shtetl Routes Kaczy Dolek district in Siemiatycze - Tykocki, JankielKaczy Dolek district in Siemiatycze - Tykocki, Jankiel Kamień poświęcony społeczności żydowskiej Radzynia PodlaskiegoKamień poświęcony społeczności żydowskiej Radzynia Podlaskiego Kazimierz Dolny, a sculpture of Werniks the dog - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, a sculpture of Werniks the dog - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, Mały Rynek [Small Square], the former Jewish stalls - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, Mały Rynek [Small Square], the former Jewish stalls - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, parish church of Saints John the Baptist and Bartholomew - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, parish church of Saints John the Baptist and Bartholomew - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, parish church of Saints John the Baptist and Bartholomew as seen from the Lubelska street - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, parish church of Saints John the Baptist and Bartholomew as seen from the Lubelska street - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, tenement houses of Przybyłowie at the town square - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, tenement houses of Przybyłowie at the town square - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the castle ruins - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the castle ruins - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the granary of Feuerstein (Krzysztof Przybyła) - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the granary of Feuerstein (Krzysztof Przybyła) - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the granary of Ulanowscy (Michał Przybyła), currently a museum of natural history - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the granary of Ulanowscy (Michał Przybyła), currently a museum of natural history - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the Jewish cemetery - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the Jewish cemetery - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the main square's south-eastern frontage, with a view of Przybyłowie's tenement houses - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the main square's south-eastern frontage, with a view of Przybyłowie's tenement houses - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the Market Square, with a view of the Trzech Krzyży mountain [Mountain of Three Crosses] - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the Market Square, with a view of the Trzech Krzyży mountain [Mountain of Three Crosses] - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the Market Square - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the Market Square - Tarajko, Monika Kazimierz Dolny, the Market Square with a symbol of the Festiwal Kapel i Śpiewaków Ludowych [Folk bands and Singers Festival] - Tarajko, MonikaKazimierz Dolny, the Market Square with a symbol of the Festiwal Kapel i Śpiewaków Ludowych [Folk bands and Singers Festival] - Tarajko, Monika <<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 / 107 Next >>> Khust, library in the synagogue [13042] Novogrudok. Ruins of The Shield Tower (Shchytowka Vezha). 14-16 centuries [7229] Monument in Litovka. A place of a mass execution. [7189] A wooden villa at Nadwiślańska street in Kazimierz Dolny [7120] A house located within the area of the former ghetto in Slonim [6858] Krynki, the synagogue of Slonim Hassids, an information board [4183] Szczebrzeszyn, ulica Sądowa [3766] Great Synagogue in Tykocin from the inside [2909] Dendrological Park in Berezne [2148] Szczebrzeszyn, Kościół pw. św. Mikołaja Biskupa. [1982]	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339964
__label__cc	0.678574	0.321426	CAPITAL OVERSIGHT iNC OUR SOLUTIONS & PRODUCTS Biz-Trac Business Identity Theft Financial Info & Trade Solutions – F.I.T.S. Capital Assets & Validations Qualified Intermediary Adviser Record Check Firm Check 2118 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90403 Web: http://protectmycorp.com Authenticating Trust With Confidence QUESTIONS? 855.417.1700 Our Firm admin What we do…So well Capital Oversight provides Business Identity Theft Protection, Investment Oversight, and Business & Trade Authentication . Relentlessly protecting your company’s identity and reputation is what we do impeccable well. Our Strong solution components, prudent insights, extensive knowledge, experience, passion, effectiveness, and professional engagement, has made us the premier benchmark company in the industry. We work hard, think smart, and exist to create success for our clients. Our unmatched experience, deep insights, and cutting-edge technology have transformed credit underwriting from a back-office administrative function to a strategic business advantage. Capital Oversight Inc. Capital Oversight’s core values are embedded across the company and drive interactions with each other, while fostering optimal relationships with our clients. The values to which we aspire can be summarised in six principles: Driving great business outcomes Building and nurturing trusted relationships Strive for profitability Keeping humanity at the core of our products Committed in making positive impact Capital Oversights’ values are tangible in the way our team design and deliver comprehensive solutions. While we challenge and stay abreast of current environments, our people are straightforward, honest and positive in intent and implementation. Moreover, Capital Oversight has a strong ethic of respecting people’s rights, capabilities and potential at work. 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With this trust comes great responsibility – a responsibility we take very seriously. Copyright © 2020 Capital Oversight Inc. All Rights Reserved \| the Capital Oversight logo, Biz-Trac, iScritinize, 'Authenticating Trust with Confidence' are registered trademarks of Capital Oversight Corporation in the United States. All other trademarks cited herein are the property of their respective owners.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339974
__label__cc	0.742687	0.257313	What Christians Can Learn from Other Religions (Philip Wogaman) -- Review WHAT CAN CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM OTHER RELIGIONS. By J. Philip Wogaman. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014. Xiv + 135 pages. We live in a world in which it is increasingly likely that we will encounter someone of another faith tradition. In the community in which I live, in Metro-Detroit, there are large numbers of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians (of several varieties and ethnic backgrounds), along with the usual complement of Protestants and Catholics. If you’re a student at a local school, the person sitting next to you quite possibly follows one of these “other” religions. If you’re a Christian – as am I – is it possible to learn something from another religious tradition that can enhance your own faith? That is the question posed by Philip Wogaman in this book. Philip Wogaman once served as senior minister at Washington D.C.'s Foundry United Methodist Church, a congregation whose members included Bill and Hillary Clinton along with Bob and Elizabeth Dole. He also served as President of the Interfaith Alliance. He has also served as a professor of Christian ethics at a number of seminaries, including Wesley Theological Seminary. As one might expect he brings each of these experiences into this book. It is pastoral, theological, and sensitive to interfaith concerns. In the course of ten chapters, which began life as a sermon series delivered at Foundry United Methodist Church before his retirement from that ministry, he invites us to reflect on the question posed by the title of the book. He focuses his attention on primal religions, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese religions (Taoism and Confucianism), and atheism. He adds another chapter that asks similar questions of several religions he is unable to address more broadly -- Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, and the Baha'i movement. He writes the book as a Christian – noting where he, as a Christian, is of a different viewpoint or where beliefs such as reincarnation differ from Christian teachings. But even while reincarnation is not ultimately reconcilable with Christian understandings of human destiny, the idea of karma reminds us that there are consequences to our actions. Many readers may find it odd that Wogaman includes atheism in his discussion. As he himself notes, most atheists reject the idea that they are part of a religion – defining religion as belief in God. If that is what one means by religion then this might be true, but if we follow Paul Tillich’s definition of religion as ultimate concern, then surely atheists have some sense of ultimate concern. In his presentation of atheism, he discusses two forms – Marxist atheism and Bertrand Russellish atheism, which is what we see in contemporary neo-atheism. Including atheism allows for a contrast between belief and non-belief. As you read the book you get the sense that he sought to give each religion a fair hearing – trying to describe the beliefs and practices of Hinduism or Islam in a way that adherents of those religions would recognize themselves. He works with the principle that in the course of interfaith dialogue, we must compare the best of the other with the best in one's own tradition. This is an important point to highlight. Too often people get into trouble by focusing either on extremists or on negative stereotypes. For instance – many Western Christians critique Islamic treatment of women, forgetting that in a majority of Christian traditions women have similar limitations. On the other hand, he notes the many similarities that faith traditions share – including moral imperatives concerning the common good. This sensitivity to the way others understand themselves is also seen in his decision to invite members of the faith communities he discusses to read and critique the presentation. Interfaith conversations require true dialogue for them to be successful. All participants need to feel free to teach and to learn. So, if Christians have something to learn from other faith traditions, then surely others have something to learn from Christians. Thus, in his concluding chapter, he shares some of the concepts that he thinks Christianity embodies that can be shared with others. These include the significance of Jesus to the religious discussion. Besides this, he suggests Christian efforts to pursue the critical interpretation of Scripture, ethical thinking, learning from the secular enlightenment, engagement with political life, and ecumenism. The book closes with fifty points to consider. Each of these points picks up on something that was discussed earlier in the book – forty-seven from faith traditions other than Christianity and three from Christianity. Number 47, which he derives from atheism, is important to the conversation – “Religion must not be promulgated by compulsion.” Because this book began as a sermon series, it is quite accessible and readable. As one involved in interfaith work, I found this to be quite useful. He also demonstrated the difficulties that we encounter when we try to make sense of our own beliefs in conversation with others. In the discussions of Judaism and Islam, both of which have close ties to Christianity, he attempts to reconcile the Christian teaching on the Trinity with the stricter definition of monotheism present in Islam and Judaism. Thus, in the chapter on Islam he tries to demonstrate that Christians aren’t tri-theists or polytheists, but in doing so he seemed to move to the opposite view, which is modalism (Father, Son, and Spirit end up being masks or functions rather than persons). Of course, that is my own issue – others might not be so discomforted by the presentation. Whatever qualms I might have with a point of doctrine here or there, I believe this is an excellent resource for helping Christian communities understand themselves in relationship to their neighbors whose faith is different, but who share the same humanity. Each chapter has a series of discussion questions, making this an excellent resource for an adult or even youth study group. Christian Education Ecumenism Interfaith Dialog Interfaith Relationships Philip Wogaman Religion Reviews Theology What Christians Can Learn from Other Religions (Ph... God Gives Us the Holy Spirit -- Alternative Lectio... The Rule of Faith and the Canon Into Glory -- Lectionary Reading for Easter 7A/Asc... Strangers and Pilgrims Once More (Addison Hodges H... A Good Witness -- A sermon for Easter 6A First Things -- Paul's Creed Blood Doctrine (Christian Piatt) -- A Review Good Lifts Us Up -- Alternative Lectionary for Eas... Why the Creed? A Disciple Pastor's Reflection We’re Not Orphaned! -- Lectionary Reflection for E... Discovering Your Leadership Style (David Olson) --... Blessed are the Invited to the Lamb's Marriage Sup... The Living God (Alister McGrath) -- Review When Is the "The Will of the People" not the Will ... Marriage Equality in Michigan and the Covenant of ... God Delivers Us from Death -- Alternative Lectiona... Hispanic Catholic Trends -- Sightings (Martin Mart... Show Us! -- Lectionary Reflection for Easter 5A Under the Shepherd’s Care -- A Sermon for the 4th... Praying in God's Theater (Joel Watts) -- Review A Minister of Jesus Christ A Feast of Deliverance -- Alternative Lecionary fo... The Big Lie: Are some persons worth more . . .? Death Penalty -- Sightings (Martin Marty) Keeping Watch on the Sheep Gate -- Lectionary Refl... Learning to Walk in the Dark (Barbara Brown Taylor... Sacramental Revelations -- A Sermon for Easter 3A Can Israel Reinvigorate Jewish Identity At Home an... Don't Forget About Easter! -- When Christmas Isn'... God Is Our Good Shepherd -- Alternative Lectionary...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339977
__label__cc	0.65589	0.34411	Ray Ban New Wayfarer 3N I would also think you applaud your son for having the courage to come to you with something that he finds upsetting. Isn that what we parents strive to do a good relationship with us so that we can talk about the stuff as they grow up. Does he come to show you the signs at West supporting liberal groups, too? If so, I hope you have open conversations about all of this, not just the conservative values you disagree with.. Leader who guided young men and women and instilled in them the value of setting goals, hard work and competitiveness. Above all, he loved and cared about his players. He was known to give them rides to school, assist their families with food and clothes, attend their weddings and funerals, and was considered a father figure by many.. So, Lacrosse Magazine set up a 1 900 hotline. People now probably don’t remember how common those were. I called it; that’s how I got my scores.. The breakthrough NDP results in Alberta provincial election has befitted the federal New Democratic Party as they head into a federal election against Stephen Harper Conservative Party of Canada on Oct. 19. Martin pointed at a jump in support for the federal NDPs in recent polls, but said it too early to speculate as to whether Alberta orange wave will roll over the rest of Canada.. Was the effort worthwhile? The answer is a definite yes. The new records from the South Pacific now close the gaping hole in our understanding of this dynamic region of the hemisphere. The exciting and somewhat surprising news is that we found the same pattern in the South Pacific as in the cores from the South Atlantic and in Antarctica. Those wins include Bossier City, Fort Worth, and Del Rio. The win in Del Rio was his second consecutive at the historical event. He also has a second place finish in Laughlin and fifth place finish in Las Vegas.. The word “Dinosaur” comes from the Greek meaning “Terrible Lizard”. Scientists have studied dinosaurs since their fossils were discovered in 1841. Since then, over 900 different types of dinosaurs have been discovered. In fact, fashion, at times, is really a strange thing and doesn have any standard to measure. Every piece of this Moncler clothes can be the finest companion to everyone. Many times people are ready to put things very low price throw you, just since they don save or do not want them living space. The Czech Republic will certainly be prepared and have no shortage of belief after knocking off the United States in a shootout. It has gotten similarly strong goaltending from Pavel Francouz, who hasstoppednine of 10 attempts in two shootouts, including in the quarterfinals to eliminate the United States. The Czechs have a handful of former NHL players in Roman Cervenka, Jakub Nakladal and captain Martin Erat.. Ray Ban Glasses Cost Ray Ban New Wayfarer 3N ← Ray Ban Payable En 3 Fois Ray Ban Rb2132 New Wayfarer 622 3N →	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339981
__label__cc	0.608354	0.391646	Generation Singles / Generace Singles (Czech Republic, 2011) directed by Jana Počtová, documentary, 79 min, eng subtitles written by Jana Počtová web trailer director Generation Singles follows the daily lives of six ordinary people over the course of one year, as they either praise their independence and proudly state they need no partner, or desperately dream of one. One man speaks about the importance of looks, another complains that "your skin gets thicker after every fleeting relationship", a woman laughs at her friends who think that she would accept any man just because she is still single at the age of 30 and the next one puts the blame on fairy tales for believing in the knight in shiny armour. As one watches these people go through a tangled web of social games in the quest for someone to share their lives with, it is easy to sympathise and relate but, at the same time, some questions inevitably come to mind: What is really behind the decision of young people to stay single? Is it a choice or a desperate solution? Where did the fear of loneliness disappear?... But after all, maybe not everybody is suitable for a long-term relationship...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339985
__label__wiki	0.93221	0.93221	Dacoby Wooten Sentenced to LWOP in 2015 FL Slaying of Dav�Neisha Bryant Thread: Dacoby Wooten Sentenced to LWOP in 2015 FL Slaying of Dav�Neisha Bryant Dav'Neisha Bryant Death penalty trial begins for man arrested in 2015 domestic homicide By Hannah Winston WEST PALM BEACH - Dacoby Wooten told the mother of his two children, Dav�Neisha Bryant, and her family what he was going to do. In the weeks leading up to the fatal shooting of the 24-year-old woman he had known since middle school, Wooten�s text messages escalated in intensity each time she refused to answer. �Stop trying to play hard. Just ask yourself do I really want to cause my parents that much pain? Do I want them to have to bury me?� In some he said he�d wait outside her apartment and follow her to work. In others he said he can�t wait to hear her beg for him not to do it, Assistant State Attorney Aleathea McRoberts said to the jury Thursday afternoon, reading from Wooten�s texts to Bryant. �I want you to show these messages to the police because I�m going to do it to you,� McRoberts said. �This is not a threat. It�s a promise.� The 14-person jury heard opening statements in the first-degree murder trial of Wooten, 29, after five days of jury selection in the death penalty case. If convicted, the jury will decide if he should be sentenced to life in prison or be sentenced to death. Public Defender Carey Haughwout, who represents Wooten alongside Assistant Public Defenders Scott Pribble and Courtney Wilson, said the threatening texts are not all of the communication between Wooten and Bryant before she was killed. She told the jury of six men and eight women that the texts were childish and demanding at times. Then the next day there would be a �Good morning, dear. How are the kids?� There would be times Bryant picked up the phone and they had lengthy conversations, and other times when she�d ignore him and Wooten would start sending threatening texts, she said. �It would be hateful and mean, then loving and caring,� Haughwout said. She said when he was waiting in her apartment during the early morning hours of Nov. 23, 2015, he wasn�t �lying in wait to kill her. He�s lying in wait to talk to her.� Investigators and prosecutors say otherwise. On that day, Palm Beach County Sheriff�s Office investigators said Bryant and her mother, Sharon, drove to her apartment in Belle Glade to pick up some clothing before they both went to work. Sharon Bryant waited in the car as her daughter went upstairs. Realizing several minutes had passed, she went to see if her daughter was OK. Inside the apartment she found Dav�Neisha Bryant and Wooten with a gun in hand. For several minutes she pleaded with Wooten to let her daughter go or to take her instead. �I have nothing to lose. I told you I was going to do it,� Sharon Bryant told investigators Wooten said to her before he shot her daughter. Eventually, Wooten shot Dav�Neisha Bryant twice in the back, and prosecutors say her mother dodged a bullet from Wooten as she fell down the stairs out of the apartment. As she stayed on scene with investigators, Wooten fled. He later was tracked to a residence in Fort Pierce, hiding in a closet with a gun in his mouth. McRoberts said it was the same weapon used to kill Dav�Neisha Bryant. Haughwout told the jury her client was immature and unrealistic. As Bryant wanted to end things with Wooten, he lost his job, and Haughwout said he was hoping he could at least keep his family together. Was the shooting premeditated as prosecutors claimed, or was it a desperate frenzy of emotions as Wooten was trying to keep his life together? �By the end of this case, you will have no doubt that Dacoby Wooten shot and killed Dav�Neisha Bryant,� Haughwout said. �The question for you is to look at the evidence carefully ( ... ) and determine whether he had the premeditated intent to do so.� Wooten�s case garnered attention after search warrants revealed sheriff's office deputies and U.S. Marshals got approval to use a secret cellphone tracking device, called Stingray, to locate him at the Fort Pierce residence. The devices mimics cell towers to intercept information from an individual�s phone and in doing so, those nearby. Wooten�s case is the second death penalty case to go to trial this year after Christopher Vasata, who was also represented by Haughwout and Pribble. He was found guilty in the 2017 Jupiter triple murder, but a jury spared him the death penalty on June 27. The last person to be sentenced to death in Palm Beach County was John J. Chamberlain in 2002. Later, he was re-sentenced to life in prison. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/2...estic-homicide "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions." - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian "There are some people who just do not deserve to live," - Rev. Richard Hawke "Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence" - Edgar Allan Poe Mother testifies about watching man kill daughter in 2015 death penalty case WEST PALM BEACH � After repeatedly pleading with Dacoby Wooten not to shoot her daughter and yelling for others in the Belle Glade apartment complex to call 911, Sharon Bryant said that�s when she heard the sirens. She looked at the father of two of her grandchildren and he looked at her, gun in hand. She told him not to do it. �I have to do it,� Sharon Bryant remembered Wooten telling her during the early morning hours of Nov. 23, 2015. In court Friday, she paused for a moment to collect herself and wipe away tears. Those in the crowd shared tissues as they listened to her testimony. She told the 14 jurors she tried to push Dav�Neisha Bryant through the door to get her to safety, but the 24-year-old woman was shot twice in the back. Then, Sharon Bryant said, Wooten turned the gun to her. �That�s when he said he was going to kill me, too,� she said. Bryant testified Friday afternoon in Wooten�s first-degree murder trial before Circuit Judge Cheryl Carracuzzo. If convicted, the jury will decide if the 29-year-old should be sentenced to life in prison or death. Wooten also faces charges of attempted murder and burglary. Investigators said Wooten fatally shot Dav�Neisha Bryant, the mother of two of his children, then attempted to kill her mother. Sharon Bryant testified Friday that when Wooten pointed the gun at her and fired, she fell backward down the stairs of the apartment complex, and he ran down the other set of stairs out the back. Wooten later was found hiding in the closet of a Fort Pierce residence with a gun in his mouth. Prosecutors said it was the same gun used to kill Dav�Neisha Bryant. Search warrants revealed sheriff�s office deputies and U.S. Marshals got approval to use a secret cellphone tracking device, called Stingray, to find him days after the fatal shooting. Both Public Defender Carey Haughwout and Assistant State Attorney Aleathea McRoberts asked Sharon Bryant on Friday asked about the tumultuous relationship between Wooten and Dav�Neisha Bryant. �Really, from the beginning, it was a really rocky relationship,� Haughwout said. �Yes,� Sharon Bryant agreed She explained there were death threats to her daughter and family, text messages saying he was watching them. Then other times her daughter and Wooten tried to live together as a family and, as Haughwout brought up, the pair had matching tattoos on their hands in early 2015. But, Sharon Bryant said, her daughter was done with Wooten by the end of that year. �She said she didn�t want to go back with him because of the domestic violence. Because he would constantly beat on her,� Sharon Bryant said. After the statement, Caracuzzo instructed the jury to disregard anything said about prior domestic violence incidents between the couple. Wooten previously was arrested several times for domestic violence and then stalking Bryant just weeks before the fatal shooting, court records show. At a pretrial hearing, Caracuzzo ruled none of Wooten�s prior arrests or court cases would be admissible. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/2...h-penalty-case Jury begins deliberating case of man charged with killing ex-girlfriend By Niala Charles CBS 12 News BELLE GLAD, Fla. (CBS12) — A jury is now deliberating whether a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend will be convicted of murder. - Guilty of 1st degree murder of Dav’niesha Bryant - Guilty of attempted 2nd degree murder of Dav’niesha’s Mother Sharon Bryant - Guilty of burglary Dav’niesha Bryant, a mother of two, killed at just 24 years-old. Dacoby Wooten, the father of her children, now in court facing charges for her murder, four years later. It started with Wooten admitting guilt, telling the judge that he agreed with his defense, that he killed Dav’niesha. They argued it was a crime of passion. Prosecutors argued it was pre-meditated. Prosecutors said Wooten broke into Dav’niesha’s apartment in November of 2015, he was acting on a threat he made for years that he would kill her and her mother. In closing arguments, Prosecutors said, “he said in texts I’m going to kill you and I’m going to kill your Mother.” According to the police report, he shot and killed Dav’niesha , missed when he shot at her mother, Sharon Bryant, then ran away. Her mother bravely took the stand as a witness. “I told him I would tell Dav’niesha to take her back so he wouldn’t shoot her,” she said Friday. In court, Bryant testified that Wooten was upset that her daughter didn’t want to be with him. During the trial, the Prosecution read the threats he made. They say one said, “I want you to show these messages to the police because I’m going to do it to you. And that’s not a threat it’s a promise.” The jury began deliberating Wednesday morning. The jury has the choice of convicting Wooten of first-degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter or excusable homicide, or acquit him of the charges. They will also have to decide whether Wooten tried to kill Dav’niesha’s mother. https://cbs12.com/news/local/jury-to...-ex-girlfriend Seeking death penalty, prosecutors call local woman's murder heinous, cruel By Chuck Weber WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) � Prosecutors on Monday called a local woman�s murder heinous and cruel, and asked the jury to approve the death penalty. The defense sought to spare killer�s life. Wearing purple shirts, the family of Dav�Neisha Bryant sat in court as a jury heard arguments and evidence as to why the young woman�s killer, Dacoby Wooten, should or should not get the death penalty. With Bryant�s father on the witness stand, prosecutor Aleathea McRoberts read a statement written by Bryant�s sister on behalf of the family. �As her life and dreams were cut short, and her children�s lives have been changed forever, our family still struggles,� the statement read. Moments earlier, prosecutor McRoberts cited four aggravating factors she said warranted the death penalty for Wooten. Last week, the same panel of jurors convicted Wooten of first-degree murder in the killing of his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his children. The jury also found Wooten guilty of shooting at and trying to kill Sharon Bryant, Dav'Neisha�s mother. The crimes took place in 2015 in Belle Glade. McRoberts pointed out Wooten had been threatening to kill Dav�Neisha for months. And after Wooten entered Dav�Neisha�s apartment, the prosecutor said he toyed with her for 20 minutes and ignored her mother�s pleas for mercy, essentially torture, making the crime cruel and heinous. But public defender Carey Haughwout told jurors how Wooten grew up in a challenged community without his father in his life. Wooten fell in love with Dav�Neisha Bryant in high school and they became young parents. �And Dacoby, at age 17?� Haughwout asked of Wooten�s aunt, Joann Rivers. �Very proud father,� testified Rivers, adding Wooten loved his kids and Dav�Neisha Bryant too, but their young love was full of ups and downs. Haughwout said Wooten was in a troubled emotional state at the time of the killing. Not only was Dav�Neisha Bryant moving on to another relationship, Wooten had just lost his job and was still suffering from the death of a young cousin to cancer a year earlier. One of Wooten's cousins, RaShaldo Martin, repeatedly fought tears as he told jurors about Wooten�s athletic ability as a high school football standout and how he served as a positive influence in his life. Under state law, the jury must make a unanimous recommendation for the death penalty to be imposed. Otherwise, Wooten gets life with no chance of release. The process is expected to wrap up Tuesday. https://cbs12.com/news/local/seeking...-heinous-cruel Jury recommends life in prison for man convicted of killing ex-girlfriend BELLE GLADE, Fla. (CBS12) � A jury rejected the death penalty for the man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend. The sentencing phase came to a conclusion on Tuesday for Dacoby Wooten, of Belle Glade, when the jury recommended life in prison. Wooten was convicted in the shooting death of Dav�niesha Bryant in 2015, he also tried to kill her mother, who survived. Today Wooten�s family asked jurors to spare his life in the sentencing phase of his trial. On Monday, Bryant�s family gave their testimony describing why they feel Bryant should get the harshest punishment. https://cbs12.com/news/local/sentenc...-ex-girlfriend Senior Member CnCP Addict Man gets life for killing woman he repeatedly threatened WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his on-again, off-again girlfriend. The Sun Sentinel reports 29-year-old Dacoby Reshard Wooten was sentenced Tuesday for the first-degree murder of 24-year-old Dav’Neisha Bryant in 2015. Prosecutors say Bryant ended the couple’s tumultuous relationship just before Wooten kicked in her apartment door and waited for her with a loaded pistol. She was gunned down in front of her mother. Prosecutor Terri Skiles said Bryant “knew what was coming,” as Wooten had been texting her threats, including an apparent refence to Stephen King’s “The Shining” and a promise to make Bryant beg for her life. Wooten’s public defender, Carey Haughwout, argued the threats were Wooten’s way of saying “I can’t deal with not having you in my life.” https://apnews.com/2cf4d3cd956e412f8633b584d68edad4 Quick Navigation Completed Trials Top	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1339989
__label__cc	0.703107	0.296893	Jay Galvan- March Athlete of the Month Blog, Success Stories, Uncategorized CONGRATULATIONS TO JAY GALVAN, OUR MARCH MEMBER OF THE MONTH! The Athlete of the Month embodies a positive attitude, commitment to fitness, and fearlessness. The Athlete of the Month is the athlete both the coaches and the members are excited to have in their class. Congratulations to Jay Galvan as our March Athlete of the Month! How long have you been CrossFitting? Jay had been coming once a week for about a year and half, but this January, he decided to make some changes to his lifestyle and committed to showing up at least 4 times a week. It was more transformational than he could have imagined: he developed a better understanding of the functional movements in CrossFit and began to grasp the importance of proper form, as well as consistency of that form, when lifting heavier weight. He also noticed that he was developing a greater sense of a shared space and feeling of community with other members, who were encouraging his growth and asking him for encouragement in return. Where did you start? When Jay started at the Box, it was the first exercise class he had ever done. He had never worked out and never did any kind of sports or physical activity other than just “biking a bit.” How did you get into it? Jay knew that he had to do something physical to keep himself healthy. The fact that CrossFit workouts are different everyday really motivated him — there’s no time to get stuck in a rut. What are the biggest changes you’ve seen since becoming a CrossFitter? Jay’s first goal was to do a strict pull-up; a simple goal that has eluded him his whole life. When he made that new commitment to show up at least 4 times a week, he noticed his strength rapidly increasing after about a month, and now feels that he is really close to his new goal of 10 strict pull-ups in a row by summer! What is your favorite lift? Favorite WOD? Jay’s favorite WOD is “Fight Gone Bad.” It’s actually the first workout he did his first time at the Box. According to Jay, “It was a surreal moment for a newbie.” Favorite part of CrossFit in general? Jay loves the support from coaches and other members at CF&F. What makes you come back every day? Jay says his own commitment to a simple strength goal keeps him coming back — something tangible like a pull-up is easy metric to follow. What’s your next goal, everyone?? The Hook Grip… But it Hurts!	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340000
__label__wiki	0.615236	0.615236	Last Call Of Cthulhu’s Closes Its Portal Forever Dunwich, HP—The popular watering hole Last Call of Cthulhu’s is closing its portal forever after serving the greater Innsmouth area for nearly forty beers. The popular pub was known for its well drink specials such as: At The Mojitos of Madness, the Corpse Reviver XL, and their best seller, a not so basic Gin & Cthonic. The owner, an evil clergyman named Bob, only said, “It’s time,” and abruptly ended the interview by gauging out his own eyeballs before screaming his way into the sub basement. One patron said, “I liked when they played Thirsty Thresholds: anyone not dragged into the nether realms and devoured drank free! And on Mondays the first thing over the door step got half off their home brew, The Lurking Beer.” Despite the outpouring of nostalgia for the creepy place, Yelp reviews were always kind of hit and mythos. Booker Drops Out Of Presidential Race To Spend Time With Family He Doesn’t Have Yet Newark, NJ—When a reporter asked Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) about his decision to withdraw from the 2020 presidential race today, he said, “I want to spend more time with my family.” After a follow up question revealed he is currently single with no children, Mr. Booker backpedaled, mumbling something about, “Well, more time with somebody’s family, I guess. Look, I got shit to do, okay? I’m a busy man!” Moon Places Earth On Cosmic Watch List Earth—After some less than savory images appeared in the Australian desert in 2019, the moon has lodged a formal complaint with the Interstellar Decency Authority (IDA). In an exclusive interview with The Discord, the Moon said, “Look, all of the man’s down unders are exposed outback, right there in the down under. Get some ground cover on that shit, maybe a nice desert vine or some climbing fig. Whereas I, the moon, keep offering Earth views of the Sea of Serenity, the Sea of Tranquility, and the like, you people treat me once a month to some full frontal nudity. Oh, but I do like that big spider over at Nazca. More like that!” [‘Didn’t Australia start as a penal colony?’ joke covered by the editor with a patch of climbing fig.] Trump: Australia Fires Pose No Threat To U.S., Because There’s Lots Of Water Between Us Tweet Tower—President Trump pulled out the old Sharpie and the whiteboard today in an attempt to quell public concerns regarding the fires currently raging in Australia. “There’s nothing to worry about as you can see here from this map,” said Trump. The president then pointed to where he believes the fires are currently located, Christchurch, New Zealand. Using a circular motion he then emphasized all of the water that exists between ‘Australia’ and the United States. Melania weighed in with some advice on how she has managed to quell her own ‘fires down under’ by offering some good referrals to a number of qualified and discrete physicians. Bolton’s Literary Agent Speaks: The Time To Save Earth For Optimum Book Sales Is Now Barnes & Ignoble—John Bolton was again thrust into the spotlight yesterday as calls for the Former Security Adviser’s impeachment testimony grows to a deafening meh. Theories for Bolton’s reluctance to testify vary, but his voice becomes even more crucial as the president hones his latest misadventure: Operation Where’s Tehran Again? Bolton issued a statement today, “I have conflicting obligations regarding my potential congressional testimony, or lack thereof, in the upcoming, or not upcoming impeachment hearings, which I can neither confirm nor deny. There is my obligation as a citizen to testify to congress, but I also have an obligation to honor executive privilege. Thus far I have chosen to honor the wishes of the White House, because they gave me the opportunity to masturbate, not once but twice in the Pentagon’s War Room. I also have an obligation to the people of this great nation …to probably clean up after myself next time. But I can tell you this much, I will not be testifying anywhere until America stops confusing me with Grammy Award winner, Michael Bolton.” Sophist Philosophers Debate Trump’s Non-Impeachment Impeachment Conundrum The Discord had the chance to interview several ancient philosophers regarding the Founder’s vision of impeachment proceedings. These discussions occurred during a Ouija board session that ironically included several session IPAs from Founders. Socrates admitted from the onset that he is a SINO, or a Sophist In Name Only, but Plato immediately argued he was never considered a sophist in the first place. Plato reasoned Socrates could potentially become one through the world of the senses, but then it would be more accurate to call this an ontological becoming. Neither would discuss Trump’s situation and told us to “piss off,” because they were just starting to watch season one of Hemlock Grove on Netflix. The sophist Zeno of Elea did comment on the impeachment by reminding everyone how an infinite number of halfway points exist between the House and the Senate, and since no one can traverse an infinite number of anything, he argued the Articles of Impeachment could never truly reach Mitch McConnell’s desk. He recommended both sides visit his pub at Penn State instead, but then argued against the journey by citing the same ‘motion is illusion’ premise. Sarajevo, Bosnia—President Trump’s not so great grandfather, Friedrich Von Trumpenstein, was questioned after the slaying of the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, on Fifth Avenue. History claims a 19-year-old Bosnian was the shooter, but others claim Trumpenstein was named as a co-conspirator in the incident, or ‘Individual 1’ in the court documents of the day. The assassination eventually led to WWI, which led to WWII, which led to arguably the worst outcome: Pearl Harbor (2001) starring Ben Affleck. Witnesses to the incident claim a second shot rang out from a nearby grassy knoll, because that shit seems to happen in these situations. Others implicated in the shooting were: the Watchmen’s Comedian, the Smoking Man from the X-Files, and LBJ’s uncle Droop B. Johnson. Controversial Tactic Used To Disperse Crowd Surrounding Baghdad Embassy Baghdad, IQ—Many believe the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was saved by the quick thinking of ambassador to Iraq, Mathew Tueller. Those close to the ambassador claim he was determined to not let his compound be “totally Benghazi’d,” so several naked sculptures and paintings of President Trump were positioned around the perimeter of the facility. On Tuesday hundreds of Iran-backed militants surrounded the embassy in response to what they perceive as The Daily Discord’s unfair coverage of the Kardashians. The reasons for the siege have not been independently verified, but we’re going with it. Trump Sets The Barr Real Low For 2020: Vlad, If You’re Listening, Release The Pee Tape My biggest pet peeve of 2019 is how our fearless leader refused to protect our elections. Today we find he’s actually blocking a bipartisan bill that punishes Russia for election interference. All roads not only lead to Moscow, but they lead right to a certain room at the Moscow Ritz-Carlton. We had a two year “special” investigation that discovered the president was indeed compromised to Russia, but Mueller didn’t feel it was “part of his mandate” to explore? Then he releases a report that no one understood, or even bothered to read—that, in fact, a gag order is being issued right now to keep any of the damning parts out the hands of Congress. Then Post Mueller (PM) president resumes his high crimes and misdemeanors by extorting Ukraine the very next day. Fast forward to the impeachment, and there will be no witnesses and no fair jurors in the Senate, because the John-Boehner-created process employed in the House is deemed unacceptable. When you bury this shit, history is going to bury you. Seventeen witnesses laid out the entire narrative and what few grey areas remain can easily be filled in with article two of the impeachment, Obstruction of Congress. If you think there’s a case to clear this morally bankrupt, executive-brain-fart of a man, then make it. I have no delusions about a fair trial for this next phase, but at the very least I want people forced to state for the record that they support an active crime syndicate. Chuck and Nancy are right to try to make this a painful process. Quick, someone find Sir Laurence Olivier and a dentist costume. #IsItSafe? Physicist: Trump Currently Exists In A Quasi State Of Impeachment And Non-Impeachment Duality Tweet Tower—Over the Christmas recess President Trump finds himself in a very strange and precarious yule-time political state, one in which he is clearly impeached, yet not quite impeached—at least not until the articles of impeachment reach the Senate. Historians fear that, if unresolved, the asterisk next to his name will require a second asterisk. Dr. Sterling Hogbein, of the Hogbein Institute and Pho, explains, “The president resides simultaneously in both political realities. You can not say he is impeached, but you can not say he is not impeached. You could say he is not-not impeached, but I wouldn’t go there-there. I would go halfway there, intermittently, and wait for someone to look, because both quantum and impeachment states require a witness. On a side note, I like to collapse quantum states when I am, or am not, being ejected from a local establishment. Quantumatically speaking, when the impeachment moves to the Senate, it hinges on the presence of an observer, but here’s the rub: if quantum collusion has already occurred, no matter how far Trump has the witnesses driven into the swamps of New Jersey, Bells Theorem kicks in. And it’s never a good idea to have a Bell involved when you’re attempting to bury the bodies. Einstein called this, Spooks Activate To Find Bodies At A Distance.” GOP Insists Obama Get More Serious About F-ing Up Next War June 20, 2015 My Shitty Kids March 17, 2015 Geologist Claims England’s Megalithic Structures Created By Erosion April 5, 2017 Hearings Help Hillary? Bend Over Benghazi October 26, 2015 Ask The Ghetto Shaman October 29, 2010 Was Churchill’s Speech Really About Zombies? September 27, 2013 Pythons Reunite! Except Yoko Ono November 19, 2013 Indian Probe Lands on Moon December 18, 2008 No Biden Bounce, Democrats Opt for Conjoined Ticket June 17, 2008 Obamacare Woes Make Me Long for Benghazi Headlines December 13, 2013 Operation Enduring Stupidity And The Republican Death Wish June 1, 2017 Werewolf Caught Drinking Pina Coladas at Trader Vics: Obama Vows to send the Envoy August 17, 2009 Vegas’s Spring Mountain Banshee & Hugh Hefner’s Ghost December 2, 2015 Ask The Ghetto Shaman May 22, 2009 Obama Threatens to Drop the F-Bomb on Iran February 25, 2012	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340002
__label__cc	0.619301	0.380699	A Front Line Soldier in World War II I'm not sure where I first acquired my interest in statistics and analysis, but I inherited my love of baseball from my father. He is a huge baseball fan who watches all the Cardinal games on Extra Innings. He is currently puzzled by the slow start of slugger Albert Pujols, but also enjoying his team's position atop the National League Central Division. This blog post is going to be about something much more important than baseball though. My father, who recently turned 87 years old, was a soldier during World War II. This means that he was on the front lines fighting the enemy head on as a teenager. As you can imagine, he has many strong memories - both good and bad - of his army experience. His experiences have affected the rest of his life and he is very proud of his service as he should be. Today, he shares one of his most vivid memories on Tiger Tales. On January 20th, 1944 during World War II, the 36th Infantry Division of the United States Army was ordered to cross the Rapido River in Central Italy. The Germans had made the river an integral part of their defense of the Liri Valley and the area was aggressively guarded. This made the crossing a bold and controversial move and resulted in one of the bloodiest battles of the war. In fact, over 2,000 men of the 36th Division were killed, wounded or missing in just 48 hours. My father is one of the survivors of the crossing and he relates his story below. As soldiers in World War II, we carried small spades on our pack used to dig our fox-holes. A fox-hole was made as large and deep as the situation called for. If we expected to receive mortar or artillery barrages, we dug them deep. If we expected to move forward, we made them shallow or ignored them altogether, instead taking shelter behind large rocks, tree stumps or natural defiliations. In the case of the Rapido River Crossing, it was clear that we needed deep holes. The ground leading to the Rapido River had a lot of clay which made digging awkward and difficult. The spade dug up the clay in clumps that stuck to it. When artillery shells burst, we lay alongside our holes, but continued digging more rapidly. I recall digging many hours to excavate a hole large enough to contain my crouching figure. There I was, ensconced in my new home, wet, cold and matted with Italian red clay and mud waiting for a signal to attack. Suddenly, it seemed that every artillery gun in Italy opened up to send a barrage on the German defenses along the river. Artillery sounds pretty much as they do in the popular war movies. This broadside was laid on the enemy and we felt good listening to it. The guns roared for about thirty minutes and then our tanks took over the fire. They came from our rear and sounded thunderous but tinny. The tanks stopped and then our heavy mortars and machine guns peppered the river area. I thought, “Dear God. They’re working it down to rifle fire and that means ME!” The enemy return fire was not as heavy as ours at first, but it was all aimed in my direction. The Germans had mortars (Nebelwerfers) that let out screeching sounds as they wended their way to our positions. The sounds had a paralyzing affect on me and I was truly scared. The only other time I had experienced such deep fear was when I saw the movie “Frankenstein” at the Royal Theatre in Lowell, MA as an eight-year old and had to run home through dark Cummiskey Alley. The Germans followed the mortar shelling with a continuous volley of their notorious eighty-eights. This firing was accurate and shells burst closer to my hole. Eventually, the firing let up and I sensed that the time for the infantry attack had arrived. Someone approached my hole to tell me to follow him to an assembly area. I now felt a fondness for my fox-hole asylum of the past twenty-four hours and reluctantly left it to gather in an open area with other members of Company “G”. The fog and the dark of the night made the figures look phantom-like. Somehow, we were lined in single file and proceeded to shuffle orderly through olive groves and down towards the river. The Germans had fortified the river area with personnel mines and barbed wire. They zeroed artillery, mortar and machine gun fire at likely strategic crossing areas and they did their firing from secure and safe bunkers. That night, they heard the sounds of the American Infantry and they opened up with all their guns. The very early morning was filled with gun fire, flashes of light and the groaning screaming meemies. We were told to advance with fixed bayonets and to follow the shadowy figure in front. Things went well at first until casualties disrupted our lines and the frantic confused sounds of young infantrymen became more personal than the obscure sounds of guns. I saw the shadowy figures fall and cry out in pain and surprise. One soldier close to me was hit in the neck area and I saw blood gushing out. Despite the horror and confusion, we all moved forward until we could see the river just a few yards ahead. Somewhere, there were smoke pots designed to obscure the enemy’s vision, but they affected my sight as well. I still vividly recall the smells of the river and of fresh grass and the clammy feeling of the morning dew. My private thoughts and feelings were overwhelmingly numbed by the sounds and reality of combat. When we reached the river, I scrambled onto a wooden boat along with ten or so infantrymen and paddled to the other side in less than a minute. At times, the enemy fire was directed towards us and at other times it moved upstream in assault of others. It got so we anticipated our turn under extreme fire and we took what cover was available. On the other side of the river, we crawled up the embankment and moved towards the town of San Angelo. The command was for us to dig in because the fog had lifted and the morning light was beginning to show. I went through my fox-hole digging routine and was able to excavate a hole large enough to hide my body from flying shrapnel. Lying there with little to do until the next command, I felt alone with the non-stop sounds of combat assailing my senses. However, my tired and confused mind cleared enough to make personal observations. I envisioned a mud-coated teenager curled up in the depressed ground. I saw the grass at ground level and small pieces of sticks and pebbles in the moist soil. I don’t recall the sun, but I think there was a blue sky when the mist and smoke dissipated. During one silent interruption in combat, I could hear a young voice in the distance. The voice was sobbing and crying out for his mother. Beyond were more muffled sounds of digging and garbled obscenities. Still, I felt secure for the moment in the realization that there was one chance in a million a shell would fall directly in the hole. The guns on both sides pounded the area for several hours. Enemy mortars and machine guns strafed us making movement dangerous and imprudent. I knew that many American soldiers were being killed and wounded and I prayed I would not join their ranks. Suddenly, the din of combat came to a complete halt and we got an order to leave our holes and to return across the river back to our original point of departure. We rushed to the river and crossed a Bailey bridge our engineers had constructed. Strangely, our movements were not picked up and we returned without serious hindrance to the now friendly and secure foxholes of the night before the crossing. Verlander Saves Tigers Ryan Raburn is the Tigers Second Baseman Sizemore Traded to Athletics Avila Powers Tigers Over Rays Coke to DL, Oliver to Start Saturday Time for Another Streak? Coke Gets No Support Hottest Team in Baseball Wins Again Dirks Recalled, Ordonez to DL Tigers Win Road Series Over Jays Another No Hitter for Verlander Is Brandon Inge All Done? Tigers Take Series from Yankees Scott Sizemore is Free Catcher Defense in April: Avila in Middle of Pack	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340010
__label__cc	0.726741	0.273259	Diabetes Forecast The Healthy Living Magazine Family & Caregivers & Food The Healthy Kitchen I'm Hungry! & Mind & Medications Blood Glucose & A1C Complications & Conditions Editorial Contacts Past Issue Archive 8 Ways to Get Kids to Exercise By Tracey Neithercott August 2014 Child, Young Adult, Fitness---Get Moving, Listen to Text West Coast Surfer/Glow Images With seemingly limitless energy, children should be models of physical fitness. Yet in today’s world it can be hard to persuade a kid to exercise for 10 minutes, let alone the hour a day recommended by the government. That’s a problem: According to a 2014 survey by the nonprofit National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, only a quarter of U.S. kids between the ages of 6 and 15 are at least moderately active for an hour daily on at least five days a week. It may seem easier to let reluctant kids remain sedentary, but exercise’s benefits are too great to overlook. Physical activity in children reduces the risk of obesity and is linked to a lower risk for heart disease in adulthood and type 2 diabetes in childhood or adulthood. It improves bone health, motor control, mental health, and well-being. Studies have also shown that active kids do better in school. Understanding that exercise leads to good health won’t necessarily motivate kids to get moving. That’s partially because modern technologies make for very strong distractions. “As soon as your child walks out the door, the world is making it extremely easy for your child to be overweight,” says Melinda Sothern, PhD, an exercise physiologist at Louisiana State University School of Public Health and author of Trim Kids: The Proven 12-Week Plan That Has Helped Thousands of Children Achieve a Healthier Weight. So how can you pry your child’s fingers from the video game controller and get him or her to exercise? Read on for eight ways to motivate kids to move. Young children tend to get physical in short bursts of activity. A 2013 study published in the journal Obesity found that most children exercise in spurts that average less than five minutes. Sothern says that for children under 12, intermittent play (such as a game of tag) is ideal and may prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes. And “play” is the important word—young kids don’t want to work out or exercise; they want to have fun. 2. Take It Outside Indoor activities can make kids sweat, but for the best workouts, bring them outdoors. “Outdoor play is associated with every health benefit there is for children,” says Sothern. Kids who live near parks, for instance, are five times less likely to be overweight than kids who don’t live near green spaces. Kids exercise harder and longer when they play outdoors, so encourage them to participate in a soccer game, run around a playground, or ride a bike around the neighborhood. Even quieter activities such as gardening count as exercise. 3. Plan for Rainy Days For young children, Sothern suggests creating an “imagination station” in your home filled with toys for indoor play. Even the most basic activity can spike kids’ heart rates: Blow up a few balloons, then tell children to make sure they don’t touch the ground. Certain video games, such as Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution, can get kids’ hearts pumping. Older kids can follow along with exercise videos. And everyone can dance. “For children, it’s one of the best activities there is,” Sothern says. 4. Set Goals Sedentary children may not be able to go from zero to 60 minutes of exercise in one day. Help your child get used to physical activity by setting weekly goals together and upping them each week. 5. Ban Tech for a Day Is technology stealing the spotlight from physical activity? Steal it back. Parents whose children are glued to their cell phones and computers may need to establish tech-free times dedicated to exercise. For instance, if Wednesdays are designated exercise days, encourage kids to turn off electronic devices once they walk in the door. 6. Be Sensitive to Insecurities All kids can exercise, but not everybody feels comfortable being physically active. Being aware of your child’s worries and fears can help you suggest an appropriate activity. Uncoordinated children, for instance, may resist sports such as football or volleyball but excel at track. Other kids may not know or understand the rules of a game and be too embarrassed to join in. (Solution: Teach them or look for a fun activity beyond organized sports, such as rock climbing.) Overweight and obese kids face extra insecurities. Some may have been teased about their weight while others may feel they’re not physically suited for athletics. In such cases, parents can find sports that don’t require a certain physique (such as biking). Overweight or obese kids may need to lose weight before they can join a sports team. Sothern suggests martial arts. “It includes strength. It includes aerobics. It includes stretching. The way it’s structured teaches self-discipline. It teaches balance,” she says. “I’ve had several patients take up martial arts, and it really improved their weight.” 7. Avoid Nagging Nothing will turn a child off to physical activity quicker than a parent harping on exercise. Aside from being annoying, even well-intentioned lectures can make children feel bad about themselves. That’s why Sothern tells parents to avoid words such as “fat,” “thin,” and “obese,” sticking with “fit” and “healthy” instead. “You want to use words linked to health,” she says. Once kids find activities they enjoy, avoid negative comments that can hurt feelings. 8. Be Active, Too You can encourage your child to be active, but if you’re sedentary, your kids probably will be, too. There are countless ways parents can get moving with their kids: going on walks, playing catch, going for a family bike ride. “The No. 1 determinant of child activity is parent activity,” says Sothern. “If the parents are physically active, the child will be physically active.” Ways to encourage kids to exercise Create a scavenger hunt around your home Go for a family hike Do indoor rock climbing Hula-hoop Walk around an amusement park Have a dance party Go geocaching (a GPS-enabled treasure-hunt game) Plant and tend to a garden Play flag football Read about inspiring athletes with diabetes at diabetesforecast.org/PWD. Exclusive Offer from our newest partner, GlucoseZone™, when you join now! Stream a variety of exercise routines to get you moving and motivated! GlucoseZone™ is a digital exercise program that provides you with personalized exercise guidance and support designed to help you achieve the diabetes and fitness results you want. American Diabetes Association members receive an exclusive discount on their GlucoseZone subscription when they sign up using their ADA member ID! Take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test About Diabetes Forecast Get Free Health Tips Get Diabetes Forecast Type 1, Type 2 Get Help & Resources 1-800-DIABETES Diabetes Message Boards Shop to Stop Diabetes American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202 Copyright © 2019 American Diabetes Association Blood Glucose & Medications	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340011
__label__cc	0.571834	0.428166	Hartford, Connecticut, USA Harriet Beecher Stowe Center 77 Forest Street "The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center preserves and interprets Stowe's Hartford home and the Center's historic collections, promotes vibrant discussion of her life and work, and inspires commitment to social justice and positive change." The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center includes the 1871 Gothic Revival-style Harriet Beecher Stowe House, the adjacent 1884 Katharine Seymour Day House and the Visitor Center, the former carriage house (1873) for the Katharine Day House; with museum store, historic Victorian-style gardens and Stowe's Nook Farm neighborhood. The Harriet Beecher Stowe House contains an impressive collection of Stowe and Beecher furnishings, books, manuscripts, and memorabilia. The Katharine Day House is the location of the Stowe Center Research Library, open by appointment only. What our users are saying about Harriet Beecher Stowe Center \| Rate Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Hartford Area Attractions Crown Palace Odyssey Theatre Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens Connecticut Science Center, The Ancient Burying Ground of Hartford Austin Arts Center Dinosaur State Park Simsbury Historical Society-Phelps Homestead Butler-McCook House & Garden Behind the Scenes at the Bushnell	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340014
__label__cc	0.559544	0.440456	Disclaimers Site ethos Colour key Who makes the site? F.A.Q. / Mail Author Datapoints Site Index Popular pages Cookie useage Non-trek The Paradise Syndrome Series : The Original Series Rating : First Aired : 4 Oct 1968 Stardate : 4842.6 Director : Judd Taylor Year : 2268 Writers : Margaret Armen Season : 3 Lamont Laird as Indian boy Majel Barrett as Christine Chapel Naomi Pollock as Indian woman Peter Virgo, Jr. as Lumo Richard Hale as Goro Rudy Solari as Salish Sabrina Scharf as Miramanee Stunts : Richard Geary as Salish's stunt double Moral : Questing : Even when they lose their memory Starfleet officers will still try to better themselves YATI : When the ship loses main power while trying to destroy the asteroid, they can't use phasers any more. Yet nobody mentions the possibility of using photon torpedoes. If there is an asteroid heading to destroy this planet, and time is critical in stopping it, why does the ship take time out to sit around whilst Kirk, Spock and McCoy have a little stroll? Wouldn't it make more sense to stop the asteroid first, and then come back and spend whatever time you want at the planet? And since they're forced to depart without Kirk, why don't they beam down a landing party to deal with it whilst they're away? Send down say a dozen security guys, a handful of tents, supplies for a few months and a medical team. They could look for Kirk whilst the ship deals with the asteroid, and then it could pick them back up later on when it gets back. Just how fast is this asteroid going, anyway? The episode establishes that it will reach the planet in two months. Yet Spock reports that they have been on their way to it for "several hours" and a moment later Scotty states that they have been holding Warp 9 to get there. Now how fast Warp 9 really is is a big question itself, but let's go with the official scale of speed equals warp factor cubed. That makes Warp 9 equal to 729 times the speed of light. Three hours at this speed is 2,187 light hours, or just about one quarter of a light year. For the asteroid to cross that in two months, it would need to be going at about 1.5 times the speed of light. Which is impossible. Hell, even if we took Warp 9 as 9xc, the asteroid would be going at well over five thousand kilometres a second, which is like a hundred times faster than asteroids ever really get. This is one fast asteroid! Great Moment : Spock's fight with Kirk really gave an impression that Spock really was much stronger. Body Count : One, Miramanee. Factoid : This episode has an "asteroid threatens planet" plot similar to several much later hollywood movies such as "Armageddon". The Enterprise visits a class M planet populated by a tribe of American Indians, apparently transported here from Earth in the distant past by an alien race. A giant asteroid is threatening to impact with the planet, and Kirk plans to divert it to save the locals. Although time is running short, the landing party take a few minutes to investigate a large obelisk on the surface of the planet. Kirk falls through a secret door and is blasted by a bolt of energy from a machine which renders him unconscious. Spock and McCoy search for the missing captain, but with no sign of him they are forced to leave in order to intercept the asteroid on time. As the Enterprise heads out Kirk wakes and leaves the Obelisk, but he has no memory of who he is as a result of the energy blast. He is found by the tribe - they believe that the obelisk was created by the gods and Kirk's apparent association with it convinces them that he is a god. The Enterprise intercepts the asteroid and runs the engines at maximum power in an attempt to deflect it. Unfortunately it's not enough - the ship's war drive is completely burned out, and the asteroid's course only minimally affected. All they can do is proceed back to the planet on impulse, hoping to find and rescue Kirk before the impact. Meanwhile, Kirk begins to adapt to life on his new home. He falls in love with Miramanee, a local woman, despite the jealousy their relationship incites in her former fiance Salish. When one of the tribe's children drowns Kirk is able to revive him, convincing everybody that he has the power to bring back the dead and confirming his divine status. Miramanee conceives a child, and Kirk looks forward to a long and happy life with her. As the planet begins to feel the effects of the asteroid's approach Kirk is called on to use the obelisk to send it away. When the tribe realise that he has no idea how to do this they turn against him, and begin to stone him and Miramanee. The Enterprise arrives and Spock beams down with a landing party, frightening the natives away. He mind melds with Kirk to restore his memory, and together they manage to find a way to open the obelisk. Spock deduces that the device is a massively powerful deflector system, and is able to work out how to operate it. The obelisk quickly diverts the asteroid, saving the planet. Unfortunately McCoy is unable to save Miramanee from her injuries, and she dies in Kirk's arms. Although the production values are high, especially for the low budget season 3, I never really liked this episode all that much. The "aliens visited Earth in the distant past" idea was already a cliche by this point, and it isn't really necessary here - the Indians could just as easily have been turned into an alien race without altering the plot otherwise. The setup seems a bit arbitrary - why is Kirk spending time on the planet at all if the rendezvous with the asteroid is so critical? Surely investigating the obelisk can wait until after the diversion, when you have all the time you need. Kirk falls in love once again, and I must say this is one of the more convincing relationships he has since the plot allows the time for it to develop properly. It would have been interesting to have Miramanee survive and leave with Kirk, but I guess 60s TV wasn't really ready for a captain with a wife (for that matter, we've never seen the "hero" captain with a wife in any incarnation of Trek. Only Sisko comes close, and she was dead when we first saw her!) Copyright Graham Kennedy Page views : 21,980 Last updated : 25 May 2018	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340015
__label__cc	0.581346	0.418654	Phillip Plein Casadei, Guiseppe Zanotti, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Jimmy Choo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Phillip Plein, Rupert Sanderson, Sergio Rossi It’s all about the red carpet, baby The Cannes Film Festival is in full swing and while it’s a madhouse for everybody working or promoting there, it’s a red carpet voyeur’s delight to watch the parade of designer garments passing by on an hourly basis. For those who aren’t familiar with the tiny gem on the French Riviera: Cannes is a bit like Sin City or a very expensive call girl during festival season (that’s basically the whole year): Feeding on those who come to celebrate their peers (ranging from film to plummer festival: Cannes covers it all), pampering them with unreal parties, flattering attention, utter glamour and a very unhealthy schedule. Cannes also only has three rules: “What happens in Cannes stays in Cannes”, “shine shine shine”, and “sleep when you are dead”. In three letters: F.U.N.!!!!!!! I will be enjoying the frenzy from home, watching the movies and the vanity fair from afar (I’m in advertising and this festival takes place later this year). Nonetheless a perfect exercise to spot trends and dream about which shoes to pack when a famous movie star (ergh, not in this lifetime I’m afraid), or at least when hitting a red carpet somewhere closer to home (you never know, can happen any time). So today it’s all about my spot-light-shoe wish list, with only one rule: Pick the most shiny, fragile, stand-out, sky high heel you are sure not to survive five minutes walking in it. But hey: it’s all about the red carpet, baby! Today’s shoes are (left) Guiseppe Zanotti, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Sergio Rossi, Phillip Plein, (right) Casadei, Jimmy Choo, Rupert Sanderson, Nicholas Kirkwood About Edda After describing the whole year of 2012 in shoes, Art Director, Designer and most of all heel addict Edda Müller keeps on gushing and gossiping about high heels. Enjoy. © 2020 Edda Loves Heels - Terms & Conditions All rights reserved - Drawings by Bridget Davies - +	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340018
__label__cc	0.746106	0.253894	BALDWIN BONE & JOINT PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL 16TH ANNUAL MANY MORE MILES CAMPAIGN Local runners and exercise enthusiasts may have put a lot of miles on old running shoes, but when they are donated to the “Many More Miles” campaign, those shoes will come to life again as they land on the feet of someone who really needs them. Billy Lankford Opens Allstate Location Submitted: Billy Lankford Allstate No stranger to the Eastern Shore, Billy Lankford, long-time resident and veteran of our military recently celebrated the Grand Opening of his Allstate insurance office with family and friends. The Mill Celebrates Rebrand with Chamber Ribbon Cutting The former Windmill Market is now "The Mill” and along with the new name, it has a new look & atmosphere. Owner Elizabeth Hammock invited the Chamber of Commerce in for a tour, open house and ribbon cutting. Greek Flavors Now Available in Downtown Fairhope FAIRHOPE, Ala. – Downtown Fairhope is now home to a new Greek restaurant, "It’s All Greek to Me”. The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon cutting March 22, 2019. Century Bank Opens New Location in Fairhope Century Bank has now opened its newest location at 861 Edwards Avenue in Fairhope, Alabama. The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce helped celebrate with a ribbon cutting on March 14, 2019. Aspen Dental Opens New Location in Daphne Daphne residents have a new option for dental care. Aspen Dental has opened a new location at 6935 US Highway 90 Ste. 200 in Daphne, right across from the Jubilee Square Shopping Center.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340028
__label__cc	0.713605	0.286395	The Terminator: Grim and Timely Visions The following essay was written for Professor Klovan's Int. D. 300 (Film Studies) class, circa 1987/88. It is presented here warts and all, as written by the 18 or 19 year old Earl J. Woods. Los Angeles, AD 2029. The machines have “risen from the ashes of the nuclear fire.” The sky is a black veil shrouded in fog; light flashes only intermittently, and when it does flash, it means death for an endangered species: Homo Sapiens. The landscape is a collage of twisted wreckage and human skulls. Unliving dreadnoughts of metal and electricity crush the bones under their treads, hoping to find living men so that they may be crushed as well. Overhead, the all-seeing patrol aircraft sweep the ruined plain for the last remnants of humanity, like exterminators hunting cockroaches. But cockroaches are tenacious… So begins James Cameron’s The Terminator, a grim vision of the future. Cameron does not describe his future world with words; rather, he lets the camera, the filmmaker’s brush, paint the picture. If we examine the visual style of the film, one of Cameron’s major themes becomes clear: improper use of technology, combined with a dangerous thirst for power, could contribute to mankind’s ultimate downfall. Examination begins with the above-mentioned opening scene of The Terminator. The landscape is obviously oppressive; all is dark and foggy, obscuring, by implication, thought and freedom as well as vision. The robot tanks smash what freedom does exist with searing lasers or crushing, ponderous weight. The masses of skulls squashed by these machines represent “the masses” that exist in our world today; that is, the basically ignorant, apathetic general public. The skulls, like the masses, do not fight back. Only the living fight back. This is true in the literal sense in 2029; today, the politically dead masses do not fight against oppressive elements in our society. Eyes in the sky search for human rebels as well, alluding to today’s guardians of the status quo. The way the mechanical Big Brother moves in the film is interesting; it sweeps back and forth, methodically, covering all of the territory but missing some important details: the human freedom fighters. Perhaps Cameron sees himself as one of these people, fighting against closed-minded studio executives. The conflict, then, would seem to be simple: man vs. machine, once again. However, not all of the machines in the film are bad; in fact, the humans need machines to win their battle. The conflict is actually “well-meaning” man vs. “power-hungry” man. Reese, Sarah and the police captain represent intelligent, well-meaning man. The Terminators and the other mechanical monsters of the future represent today’s noncreative, anti-individual persons, taken to the extreme. Mechanized, rigid bureaucrats are replaced by real machines – very efficient. The action in the present begins with a low-angle shot of a familiar piece of 20th century hardware: a garbage truck. The normally innocuous vehicle is made to appear large and threatening, a harbinger of impending doom. In fact, the truck is harmless; it is being used to a good purpose, keeping the city clean. The implication is that even the most innocent of machines is vulnerable to corruption. There is a cute tidbit in this scene: as the lightning flashes and Reese appears in our time, the garbage truck’s motor fails. This is a tip of the hat to the UFO movies of the 1950s. It is also an allusion to the prevailing attitude in those films: preservation of the status quo through faith in the government and the United States Armed Forces. Shortly after this scene, both Reese and the Terminator search for the mother of mankind’s savior: Sarah Connor. Man and machine use one of the most prevalent products of today’s information technology, a phone book. Once again, technology is a two-edged sword. Reese uses it to find and help Sarah; the Terminator uses the phone book to find and kill her. Later, both hunters jump-start a car to assist in their search, and the same logic applies. When Reese steals his vehicle, large machines are again presented as tainted tools. Reese observes two construction cranes, lit in the same manner as the garbage truck seen earlier. The parallels between present-day building machines and future destroying machines are quite obvious; actually, Cameron almost beats his audience over the head with this parallel, as the cranes dissolve into hunter-killer drones. The present scene is a fenced-off construction site, suggesting entrapment. These machines are unable to escape their misuse. There are parallels between Sarah and the Terminator as well. Both wear dark glasses, each for a diametrically opposed reason. The Terminator wears the glasses to disguise his nonhuman reality. Sarah wears the sunglasses to protect her vision, both literally and figuratively. It is not her eyesight that actually needs preserving, but her hard-as-nails outlook on life, her tough pragmatism. Sarah’s bedroom is littered with technology, but she uses it to positive ends. A blow dryer is fairly harmless, used properly. Sarah uses it properly, as she is in firm control of the machines she uses. Her friend Ginger, however, lets technology control her. Ginger’s walkman is playing constantly, connected directly to her brain, controlling her mood, and, often, her actions. Ginger’s misuse of the walkman causes her death – the blaring music allows the Terminator to catch her unawares. In contrast, technology serves Sarah – the TV bulletins warn her that a killer is on her trail. It must be noted, however, that the corrupted technology is far more emphasized in the film. Sarah’s own answering machine, normally a faithful servant, gives away her location. The computers that rule the world of 2029 are a perversion of the Strategic Air Command/NORAD defence system, manufactured by Cyberdyne Systems. Cyberdyne is presumably a capitalist enterprise, part of the money/power hungry military industrial complex. Another example is the police psychologist’s use of technology. He uses video equipment to look down upon Reese not as a patient to be helped, but as a research project to be exploited. The high angle of the camera, looking down on Reese, makes him look inferior to the technology. Reese tells Sarah that the Terminator pursuing them is a new model – the 101. 101 is the room number of the torture/interrogation room in George Orwell’s 1984, yet another allusion to the dangers of power thirst combined with available technology. In an even more frightening development, Reese reveals that many humans have identification brands. In the film, the brand is seen as a stark red mark of numbers and lines. The audience is immediately reminded of today’s Universal Product Codes, one of the most common symbols of our consumer society. Cameron makes another grim comment in the form of a scene in the human rebel camp. A group of children gather ‘round the TV set, much like children do today. IN 2029, however, the television is but an empty shell used only to house a fire for warmth. The implication is that trust in television has led mankind back into the stone age. Distrust in technology is a pat answer to the problems of adjustment in our changing world for many people. Cameron does not succumb to the easy answer of condemning machines – he suggests only that we learn to control them. For, at the end of the film, Sarah is able to kill the Terminator only with the aid of a friendly industrial robot. The unswerving road Sarah follows into the storm indicates that our destructive future is inevitable, but she does drive a tough machine into it: a Jeep Renegade. Perhaps we can survive the unpleasantness ahead, if we are very, very lucky. Professor Klovan wrote, "There is much to admire in this neatly presented and well-written essay: the explanation of "101," the paragraph on parallels, and generally, the high level of insight. However, in the first section of your discussion, you tend to be stretching the film's allegorical implications to the limit. It's difficult to accep that we should see the cyborg as a kind of "bureaucrat" (p. 2), or that the failing garbage truck motor is a comment on "preservation of the status quo through faith in the government and the United States Armed Forces (p.3)(!). Overall, this reveals a superior level of understanding, but there are a number of little things which leave the reader wondering. Posted by Earl J. Woods at 9:42 pm Labels: Film, popular culture, Reviews, The Terminator, University of Alberta A "B"? That seems a little low. B+. Maybe prof wanted more analysis of camera angles, edits, audio, dialogue, etc., rather than socio-political commentary. Who knows? Terminator does have quite a bit of meat on its bones/exoskeleton for social allegory, and it looks like you picked up on a lot of that. It's been many years since I've watched Terminator, and I think I remember the 1980's Obligatory Sex Scene more than I remember Arnie. All films should have an Obligatory 1980's Sex Scene, I would suggest, if any high-powered movie producers are reading Earl's blog. Again, you are very brave to post this stuff on-line. There's a term that I ran across about this time last year that really fits what you wrote about: "steel-jawed prose". You get an A+++ from me for that. Sunday, December 16, 2007 12:16:00 pm Earl J. Woods said... Gosh, I don't even recall the sex scene...oh wait, the crucial one, when Reese and Sarah start the whole predestination paradox. Maybe I lost points for not making note of that in the paper... I meant to note as well that I wrote this paper a couple of years before Terminator 2: Judgement Day was released. I wonder what I'd write now, knowing what I do about the eventual direction of the story... Thanks for the compliments! I'm not sure how brave it is, posting this stuff - if I want to call myself a writer, I need to put my stuff out there for the public to read. Ghostwriting is for the birds when it comes to the feedback process...you never know if people are reacting to your ideas, or those of the person you're writing for. It's brave. I know more people who use nom-de-plume while on-line to avoid having their public ideas connected to their private lives, than I do people who use their real name. Not just handles, either, like "Pompeiian Circumstance", but real names just different from their own. And it's not that these people are saying anything radical, preposterous, or immoral - if anything, their private life is duller and less inspirational than their on-line world. They just don't know what bits from the past will stick to them in the future. Like getting hit in the teeth with a Frisbee. Or nearly having your cornea inverted by a bolt of static electricity. Or making a total dweeb out of yoursef every time there's something wrong with the brain machine. Or eating a Doug Steak. Or having a peanut lodge in your ear when you are trying to enjoy a perfectly good airshow. Or ordering a Wookie Burger at Spacedock. Or admitting in a crowded elevator that, indeed, "Spock's Brain" is the ultimate Star Trek episode. Or finding out that CSIS secretly broke into the dorm room and erased all of the House Party files, including all of that great Burn/Shock/Brand stuff. Or having your fingers freeze to the camcorder because the only day we could all get together it had to be -272 degrees out. Or getting joke dinnerware as a wedding gift because just one time ten years before, someone was caught eating spaghetti out of a pot lid instead of a dinner plate... even though a pot lid is really logical, because it's got a handle on the bottom, so you can hold it over the sink while you eat, and not burn your hand on hot stuff... Monday, December 17, 2007 12:00:00 am About Earl Earl J. Woods Earl on Popular Culture You Seem Wise, for a Woman: Gender Roles in Star Trek's "Who Mourns for Adonais?" The Walls Have Ears, the Doors Have Eyes The Conscience of the King of Playwrights Six Million Memories Analyzing Godzilla Drinking the Literary Kool-Aid The Waking Dead All the Flavours of Failure All the Flavours of Failure Appendix A: Examples It Came from the Garden The End is the Beginning ABC or UBB? Adventures with the Adventure People Al Oeming's Alberta Game Farm Board Games at the Bijou Crossing the Floor Farewell to the Legislature Feast of Thrones My Big Fat Geek Wedding Return to the Dungeons Strategic Error Superhero Speeches #1: The End of My Double Life, by Clark Kent The Claresholm Local Press The Haunted Elevator of Henday Hall The Wont of a Nail A Lady Never Tells Edge of Nowhere Evil Eddie and His Surly Cowpokes From a Safe Distance Mr. Woods Goes to Metropolis One Second Per Second Regaling Frequencies Open The Adventures of Dr. Cerebellum, Evil Brain in a Jar The Courier by Night, Part 1 The Federation Chalk Circle The Hamster Who Saved Christmas, Part 1 The Killer Inside The Men Who Fell in Buses The Outcropping The Oven and the Refrigerator The Screenplay The Transgression The Voyageurs of Yx Waking Moments Earl's Amazing Mad Science Adventures Eccentric Earl Adventures Book, Film, Television, Food and Concert Reviews 1994: The Savage Report 2009 Best Picture Nominees Awake (Series Finale) David Garrett: Rock Symphony Drive Angry Fitzpatrick's War Forsake the Sky Hell Can Wait Kill Oscar! 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More Blaze Northern Edge (Colin Dunn's blog) Santos Sez Sean Woods All-Night Disco Blogorama Singing in the Rain (Susan Shyluk's Blog) The Warehouse District	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340034
__label__wiki	0.63142	0.63142	BY MARTYN FISHER Friday 27th June 2014, 11:27 London FPJ Interview: The Mango Man FPJ speaks with Paul Tilbury, head of fruit at Wealmoor, about the latest goings-on in the world of mangoes 1 Subscribers onlyInterview: Minor's major ambition 2 Subscribers onlyBlue Skies' Anthony Pile tells it like it is 3 Energy specialist joins CambridgeHOK 4 Waitrose launches veg soup for gut health 6 Syngenta's sustainable stance 7 Gala's new platform for growth 8 Farm employee crushed by concrete beam 9 Asda trials “sustainable” store 10 Agriculture Bill "will strengthen farm gate" Martyn Fisher speaks with Paul Tilbury, head of fruit at Wealmoor, a family-owned business and leading supplier to UK retailers, and the foodservice and wholesale sectors. Where do mangoes fit into Wealmoor's business? The mango is very much a part of our heritage, and has been a core product within the company’s diverse range of tropical fruit and vegetables for more than 40 years. We initially brought the first commercial arrivals into the UK by air from Mexico. The ensuing period has enabled the business to build up a unique and comprehensive sourcing network throughout the world with vertical integration and key partnerships with some of the world’s best commercial growers throughout South and Central America, the Caribbean, West Africa, Israel and the sub-continent, and this ability to knit together a mix of relatively short seasons for preferred varieties and balancing both the expectations of growers and customers alike has been central to the company’s success. How has the market changed in recent years? While the market has seen steady growth, the strong consumer preference for fibreless varieties such as Kent and Keitt has brought its own set of challenges, especially with an increased preference in continental Europe for fibreless mango backed up by an ability to deliver strong values back to growers - the UK marketplace having to work particularly hard to match the performance of the European market over the past couple of years, especially in periods of relative scarcity such as season transitions during May and June. This is especially important when growers continue to face upward pressures on cost alongside the typically smaller yields in marketable sizes compared to mainstays such as the more fibrous Tommy Atkins variety. How are things looking for the summer? Changes in seasonal production are difficult to predict – for example, the soon-to-start Israeli season experienced an almost perfect flowering, but the final fruit set has not quite matched early expectations and production is now likely to be a relatively modest increase on last season. Earlier sources such as West Africa have already experienced much improved flowering and production in 2014 compared to last year - particularly the Ivory Coast where the season has recently finished and also in Gambia where Wealmoor has been farming for more than 20 years and is anticipating strong volumes from the company’s own 500-acre Radville Farm mango plantation, which is currently in harvest. What are the key varieties? Wealmoor’s understanding of the marketplace with an early recognition of the consumer preference for visually attractive 'blushed' fruit with smooth flesh and high sugars has been fundamental in the further development of the company’s farming activity. A number of mango varieties including Kent, Keitt and Maya as well as Haden are now grown in conjunction with a wide range of air-freighted seasonal legumes, baby vegetables and legume crops. With a stable government, close proximity to port, fertile soils and strong water supply, Radville enjoys almost uninterrupted sunshine with virtually no rain from November until the end of June, enabling its widely experienced agronomy team to produce varieties such as Kent a little earlier in season than near-neighbour Senegal, although the focus as with other Wealmoor sources is on harvesting a little later with a higher state of maturity. In addition to the latest investment of a just-completed planting of a new 40-acre block of Kent, Wealmoor’s insight has culminated in first commercial volumes of nearly 125 tonnes of Maya mangoes from Radville following a seven-year development period. Rightly celebrated for strong visual appeal with a colourful yellow-pink peel allied to high sugars and a characteristic aromatic flavour, this is a unique development for the Maya variety outside of its traditional Israeli home, and has seen air-freighted first arrivals in ready-to-eat condition well received by a range of clients across the UK and mainland Europe during June 2014. Although the harvest period for Maya is typically short, Wealmoor is excited by the prospect of a unique five to six-week supply window giving consumers an early taste into this variety ahead of the main Israeli maya season (mid-July to September). How much of an impact has the ban on Indian mangoes had? The ban on Indian mangoes into the EU has at least given some benefit to other producers with small highly-coloured 'local' varieties from the Dominican Republic having some success through traditional channels, as well as early Pakistani varieties in full flow with strong demand. But the expectation is that with not all orchards being approved for export from Pakistan, overall export volumes will be down and with some upward pressure on values. How can we get the UK eating more mango? Building consumer confidence and education in how to use and prepare, which are both key barriers to purchase, communicating the meal context and versatility of mangoes with use in many types of cuisine, and also delivering fruit at riper maturity stages at point of purchase whilst ensuring vibrant abundant displays are all key in increasing both consumption and market penetration.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340037
__label__cc	0.58918	0.41082	The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton W. Burgess Jenny Wren Gives Peter Rabbit an Idea Peter and Jumper Go to School More of Peter's Long-Legged Cousins Chatterer and Happy Jack Join The Squirrels of the Trees Striped Chipmunk and His Cousins Johnny Chuck Joins the Class Whistler and Yap Yap Two Queer Little Haymakers Prickly Porky and Grubby Gopher A Fellow with a Thousand Spears A Lumberman and Engineer A Worker and a Robber A Trader and a Handsome Fellow Two Unlike Little Cousins Danny's Northern Cousins and Nimbleheels Three Little Redcoats and Some Others Mice with Pockets, and Others Teeny Weeny and His Cousin Four Busy Little Miners Flitter the Bat and His Family An Independent Family Digger and His Cousin Glutton Shadow and His Family Two Famous Swimmers Spite the Marten and Pekan the Fisher Reddy Fox Joins the School Old Man Coyote and Howler the Wolf Yowler and His Cousin Tufty Some Big and Little Cat Cousins Bobby Coon Arrives Buster Bear Nearly Breaks Up School Buster Bear's Big Cousins Unc' Billy and Old Mrs. Possum Lightfoot, Blacktail and Forkhorn Bugler, Flathorns and Wanderhoof Thunderfoot, Fleetfoot and Longcoat Two Wonderful Mountain Climbers Piggy and Hardshell The Mammals of the Sea "O F course Old Mother Nature knows, but just the same it is hard for me not to believe that Teeny Weeny is a member of the Mouse family," said Happy Jack Squirrel to Peter Rabbit, as they scampered along to school. "I never have had a real good look at him, but I've had glimpses of him lots of times and always supposed him a little Mouse with a short tail. It is hard to believe that he isn't." "I hope Old Mother Nature will put him where we can get a good look at him," replied Peter. "Perhaps when you really see him he won't look so much like a Mouse." When all had arrived Old Mother Nature began the morning lesson at once. "You have learned about all the families in the order of Rodents," said she, "so now we will take up another and much smaller order called Insectivora. I wonder if any of you can guess what that means." "It sounds," said Peter Rabbit, "as if it must have something to do with insects." "That is a very good guess, Peter," replied Old Mother Nature, smiling at him. "It does have to do with insects. The members of this order live very largely on insects and worms, and the name Insectivora means insect-eating. There are two families in this order, the Shrew family and the Mole family." "Then Teeny Weeny and Miner the Mole must be related," spoke Peter quickly. "Right again, Peter," was the prompt reply. "The Shrews and the Moles are related in the same way that you and Happy Jack Squirrel are related." "And isn't Teeny Weeny the Shrew related to the Mice at all?" asked Happy Jack. "Not at all," said Old Mother Nature. "Many people think he is and often he is called Shrew Mouse. But this is a great mistake. It is the result of ignorance. It seems strange to me that people so often know so little about their near neighbors." She looked at Happy Jack Squirrel as she said this, and Happy Jack looked sheepish. He felt just as he looked. All this time the eyes of every one had been searching this way, that way, every way, for Teeny Weeny, for Old Mother Nature had promised to try to have him there that morning. But Teeny Weeny was not to be seen. Now and then a leaf on the ground close by Old Mother Nature's feet moved, but the Merry Little Breezes were always stirring up fallen leaves, and no one paid any attention to these. Old Mother Nature understood the disappointment in the faces before her and her eyes began to twinkle. "Yesterday I told you that I would try to have Teeny Weeny here," said she. A leaf moved. Stooping quickly she picked it up. "And here he is," she finished. Sure enough where a second before the dead brown leaf had been was a tiny little fellow, so tiny that that leaf had covered him completely, and it wasn't a very big leaf. It was Teeny Weeny the Shrew, also called the Common Shrew, the Long-tailed Shrew and the Shrew Mouse, one of the smallest animals in all the Great World. He started to dart under another leaf, but Old Mother Nature stopped him. "Sit still," she commanded sharply. "You have nothing to fear. I want everybody to have a good look at you, for it is high time these neighbors of yours should know you. I know just how nervous and uncomfortable you are and I'll keep you only a few minutes. Now everybody take a good look at Teeny Weeny." This command was quite needless, for all were staring with all their might. What they saw was a mite of a fellow less than four inches long from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, and of this total length the tail was almost half. He was slender, had short legs and mouselike feet. His coat was brownish above and grayish beneath, and the fur was very fine and soft. This is the common or long-tailed Shrew, one of the smallest animals in all the Great World. But the oddest thing about Teeny Weeny was his long, pointed head ending in a long nose. No Mouse has a head like it. The edges of the ears could be seen above the fur, but the eyes were so tiny that Peter Rabbit thought he hadn't any and said so. Old Mother Nature laughed. "Yes, he has eyes, Peter," said she. "Look closely and you will see them. But they don't amount to much—little more than to tell daylight from darkness. Teeny Weeny depends on his nose chiefly. He has a very wonderful little nose, flexible and very sensitive. Of course, with such poor eyes he prefers the dark when there are fewer enemies abroad." All this time Teeny Weeny had been growing more and more uneasy. Old Mother Nature saw and understood. Now she told him that he might go. Hardly were the words out of her mouth when he vanished, darting under some dead leaves. Hidden by them he made his way to an old log and was seen no more. "Doesn't he eat anything but insects and worms?" asked Striped Chipmunk. "Yes," replied Old Mother Nature. "He is very fond of flesh, and if he finds the body of a bird or animal that has been killed he will tear it to pieces. He is very hot-tempered, as are all his family, and will not hesitate to attack a Mouse much bigger than himself. He is so little and so active that he has to have a great deal of food and probably eats his own weight in food every day. Of course, that means he must do a great deal of hunting, and he does. "He makes tiny little paths under the fallen leaves and in swampy places—little tunnels through the moss. He is especially fond of old rotted stumps and logs and brush piles, for in such places he can find grubs and insects. At the same time he is well hidden. He is active by day and night, but in the daytime takes pains to keep out of the light. He prefers damp to dry places. In winter he tunnels about under the snow. In summer he uses the tunnels and runways of Meadow Mice and others when he can. He eats seeds and other vegetable food when he cannot find insects or flesh." "How about his enemies?" asked Chatterer the Red Squirrel. "He has plenty," replied Old Mother Nature, "but is not so much hunted as the members of the Mouse family. This is because he has a strong, unpleasant scent which makes him a poor meal for those at all particular about their food. Some of the Hawks and Owls appear not to mind this, and these are his worst enemies." "Has he any near relatives?" asked Jumper the Hare. "Several," was the prompt response. "Blarina the Short-tailed Shrew, also called Mole Shrew, is the best known. He is found everywhere, in forests, old pastures and along grassy banks, but seldom far from water. He prefers moist ground. He is much larger and thicker than Teeny Weeny and has a shorter tail. People often mistake him for Miner the Mole, because of the thick, fine fur which is much like Miner's and his habit of tunneling about just beneath the surface, but if they would look at his fore feet they would never make that mistake. They are small and like the feet of the Mouse family, not at all like Miner's big shovels. Moreover, he is smaller than Miner, and his tunnels are seldom in the earth but just under the leaves and grass. He is sometimes called the Mole Shrew and the Blarina. "His food is much the same as that of Teeny Weeny—worms, insects, flesh when he can get it, and seeds. He is fond of beechnuts. He is quite equal to killing a Mouse of his own size or bigger and does not hesitate to do so when he gets the chance. He makes a soft, comfortable nest under a log or in a stump or in the ground and has from four to six babies at a time. Teeny Weeny sometimes has as many as ten. The senses of smell and hearing are very keen and make up for the lack of sight. His eyes, like those of other Shrews, are probably of use only in distinguishing light from darkness. His coat is dark brownish-gray. "Another of the Shrew family is the Marsh Shrew, also called Water Shrew and Black-and-white Shrew. He is longer than either of the others and, as you have guessed, is a lover of water. He is a good swimmer and gets much of his food in the water—water Beetles and grubs and perhaps Tadpoles and Minnows. Now who among you knows Miner the Mole?" "I do. That is, I have seen him," replied Peter Rabbit. "Very well, Peter, to-morrow morning we will see how much you know about Miner," replied Old Mother Nature. Table of Contents \| Index \| Home \| Previous: Mice with Pockets, and Others \| Next: Four Busy Little Miners	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340040
__label__wiki	0.827144	0.827144	Morning 9: Tour’s Reed bind \| GWAA POY winners \| Shackelford talks to Barstool Ben Alberstadt By Ben Alberstadt Email me at ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com and find me at @benalberstadt on Instagram and golfwrxEIC on Twitter. Subscribe to GolfWRX on YouTube Good Wednesday morning, golf fans. Drop me a line (ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com) if you’d like to talk about getting your message in front of the M9 readership. Banner and native ad possibilities are, well, possible 1. No recourse on Reed The AP’s Doug Ferguson on the position the Tour is in with respect to Mr. Reed… “For Monahan to punish him further is effectively calling Reed a liar. He can’t do that. No one can with absolute certainty. They can only think it.” “The question now is how many will say it to him.” “And then it becomes a matter of how long Reed can take it.” “He seems to play at his best when the world is against him, and that’s what he did Sunday at Kapalua…Maybe the perception will change if he wins, though it seems unlikely, at least at this stage.” Full piece. 2. GWAA POY winners Press release…”KOEPKA, KO, MCCARRON VOTED 2019 GWAA PLAYERS OF THE YEAR…World No. 1 Brooks Koepka’s impressive record in last year’s majors propelled him to his second consecutive Golf Writers Association of America’s Player of the Year Award, while Jin Young Ko and Scott McCarron won their respective 2019 Player of the Year honors.” “Koepka is the first player to win back-to-back since Tiger Woods won back to back in 2006-2007 (he also won in 2005). Koepka got 44 percent of the vote to world No. 2’s Rory McIlroy’s 36 percent while Woods, who has won the Player of the Year honor 10 times, was third.” “Koepka, who was sidelined with a knee injury in the fall, crushed the majors in 2019. In addition to winning his second consecutive PGA Championship, he finished in the top four at the other three majors. He was tied for second at the Masters, second alone at the U.S. Open and T-4 at The Open. In addition to the PGA, he won the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational and T-2 at the Classic, T-3 at the TOUR Championship and fourth at the AT&T Byron Nelson.” 3. Old man media vs. Barstool Geoff Shackelford and the Barstool boys finally had their tete-a-tete, seemingly burying the Presidents Cup hatchet (Shackelford was critical of the crew’s shameless Tiger Woods fandom). Before linking the podcast episode, Shackelford wrote this…”After going on the Foreplay pod to discuss last December’s Presidents Cup spat between “old” media and the Barstool boys, I’ve come to realize my use of fanboys that so riled their base was in fact, unnecessary and short-sighted.” “While I’ll continue to contend everyone with a media pass and signing the same forms should work under the same rules-no matter how outdated-the notion of a fanbase following the sport vicariously through media personalities dates to the earliest days of coverage. Darwin had fanboys who lived for his tournament accounts even a month after there had been a conclusion. Certainly Dan Jenkins elevated the art of fans living vicariously through his SI expense-account maneuvering, both in print and books. And by posting the things we do today on social media (golf, food, sites), all of us take audiences of different sizes on the road with us in different ways, just as the Barstool group does for their audience.” 4. Cashing in on data AP report…”Six of the largest U.S. bookmakers already use official league data under terms they negotiated directly with the leagues.” “Last year it was, ‘Here are the leagues with their hands out,'” said Scott Kauffman-Ross, senior vice president of fantasy and gaming for the NBA. “Now we realize there’s a lot we can offer each other. More and more operators are starting to see the value in this.” “While not delighted with the added expense, the companies see the value in using official data, particularly for in-game betting, the fastest-growing segment of sports betting in the U.S. In such instances, determining whether a running back gained 100 yards or 99 yards could be the difference between winning or losing a bet, and having the leagues’ data serve as the last word provides a level playing field for bettors and bookmakers alike.” 5. Ancer on TW comments Golf Digest’s Dave Shedloski…”Ancer also found out that what he says and what he means aren’t the same thing. “I learned a lot about media and how it can get twisted,” he said, grinning.” “Ranked 38th in the world, Ancer was asked in mid-November at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico a question that was more loaded than it first appeared.” “It was like, ‘Out of the 12 guys, who would I like to play on a big stage in a big event like that?’ Yeah, obviously, I would like to play my hero growing up, Tiger Woods. Be an incredible experience,” Ancer explained. “Yeah, maybe it was a little bit of a downer because people just didn’t know how I said it. I was just a little thrown off by some of the comments.” 6. Topgolf IPO? Adam Schupak at Golfweek…”Topgolf, the Dallas-based entertainment company that marries the traditional driving range experience with cutting edge technology at nearly 60 multi-tiered venues around the world, has selected Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and Bank of America, to assist in a potential initial public offering that could value the company at close to $4 billion, Bloomberg reported.” “In October, Reuters reported the privately-held sports and entertainment giant had been in talks with underwriters about a possible IPO in 2020.” “The four lead investors in Topgolf International are WestRiver Group, Callaway Golf Company, which owns a 14 % share, Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, and private equity firm Providence Equity Partners, according to the company’s website.” 7. First female PGA Tour China member? Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Wake Forest senior Siyun Liu is looking to make history this week.” “Liu, who is from Shanghai, is competing in PGA Tour China Q-School as she hopes to become the first female to earn her card on the men’s development tour.” “She began her quest Tuesday by shooting an opening 3-over 74 at Foison Golf Club in Guangzhou and sits T-19 on the leaderboard after the first of four rounds.” “Honestly, it’s not as different as I thought,” said Liu, who is playing from the same tees as the men (6,588 yards). “Everyone hits it so much farther than I do, that’s for sure, and I expected that, but I’m just more playing my own game because I know that everyone else if kind of playing a different golf course than I am doing. It helps me relax.” 8. Farmers filling up The 2020 Farmers Insurance Open field is filling up with golf’s heavyweights. Golfweek’s Todd Kelly…“Tiger Woods is not officially confirmed but is likely to make his 2020 debut at Torrey Pines.” “On Tuesday, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler did officially enter the tournament. Those announcements came a day after Rory McIlroy said that he was going to head to La Jolla.” 9. Ishikawa fit again Singapore Straits Times report…”Popular Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa has fired a warning to his rivals ahead of the Jan 16-19 SMBC Singapore Open.” “Ishikawa, who had three wins last year, said that he is swinging more freely than during his previous visits to the Sentosa Golf Club and predicted even better results this year.” “I feel very good about my physical condition now,” said the 28-year-old, whose well-documented back problems restricted his movement. “I can swing the way I want to swing. I (hope) to do much more this season.” Morning 9: Do tour pros cheat? A caddie’s take \| Monahan: I believe Patrick Reed \| Brooks is back Levi Tomasone I like the morning 9 ???? ???? That was supposed to be smiley faces haha keep up the good work Ben! This so called writer for GolfWRX is a joke. Morning 9: Two Gloves \| Caddies push for sponsor $ again \| “The true Sergio” \| Phil moving to Phlorida Good Thursday morning, golf fans. Drop me a line (ben.alberstadt@golfwrx.com) if you’d like to talk about getting your message in front of the M9 readership. 1. Two gloves, one important win You’d be forgiven for forgetting the detail, as it very deliberately wasn’t mentioned on the telecast… Golfweek’s Todd Kelly…”Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, arrested in December in Florida and charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly soliciting prostitution as part of a major prostitution and human-trafficking sting, won the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour season opener on Wednesday.” “Gainey rebounded from a second-round 75 with a 67-69 finish to win The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay by four shots over John Oda and Dylan Wu.” 2. After bombs, the Champions Tour The Desert Sun’s Larry Bohannon…”I have to make sure that I’m ready when I get here, that I’m not going to find my game here because there’s some responsibilities,” said Mickelson, who takes on the job as host of the 61st American Express. “A two-time winner of the tournament and a runner-up last year, Mickelson is expanding his role after three years as the ambassador of the event, a behind-the-scenes job to talk the tournament up to fellow players.” 3. Caddies (again) push for share of sponsorship $$ Paul Sullivan for the New York Times (if you’ll remember, a group of PGA Tour caddies PGA sued the Tour in 2015 for a cut of sponsorship revenue) “Starting this season, that value will be acknowledged on the European Tour. Caddies will be paid, through the caddie association, to have a logo on items associated with their trade, like a hat, bag strap, towel, even yardage books. As it stands now, a player pays the caddie a weekly fee, mostly to cover expenses, and a percentage of his earnings, which could be as high as 10 percent for a win.” “The new agreement is meant to help all caddies, particularly those carrying bags for lesser-known players, because those players make fewer cuts and their caddies struggle without the percentage.” “This is not for the guy who caddies for the seventh-ranked player in the world, since he does very nicely,” said Sean Russell, the chairman of the European Tour Caddies Association and a professional caddie. “This is for the guy who caddies for the 157th-ranked player. If you do the math, that caddie probably earned 12,000 euros (about $13,000) in bonus payments over the fixed fee for the week that covers expenses. If you’re earning a 12,000-euro bonus you’d be better off stacking shelves.” 4. “The true Sergio” Golfweek’s Adam Woodard…”According to Garcia, who kept his reported $640,000 appearance fee despite being disqualified, this year will be different. For starters, he reportedly waived his appearance fee.” “I feel terrible about what happened last year,” said Garcia ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. “Obviously there were some outside things that got me to that point.” “You know, I want to go there,” Garcia added, referring to Saudi Arabia. “I want to show my respect to them. You know, the easy thing would have been for me to hide and never come back there. But I love the people there, and I love the guys, all the people we met and everyone that takes care of us during the tournament. They are amazing people, and they wanted me to go back.” 5. Pick a tour Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard…”To maintain membership on the European Tour, a player like Paul Casey must participate in four events, excluding the World Golf Championships and majors, which are co-sanctioned by both tours. In the past that requirement has been lessened by a regulation that allows players to count starts in unofficial events like the Ryder Cup, but that loophole appears to have been closed slightly.” “Under the European Tour’s membership rules players can count just one start in either the Ryder Cup, Olympics or Presidents Cup as part of their membership requirement.” 6. Noh returns Hoggard again…”Seung-Yul Noh returns to the PGA Tour this week at The American Express following two years of mandatory military service in South Korea.” “It’s exciting because I feel like I just started as a pro (when he began his military service). Getting to see a lot of friends on Tour, it’s just exciting right now,” said Noh, who played twice on the Korean Tour last fall to prepare for his return. “Noh last played a Tour event in October 2017″ 7. A step toward equal pay Golf Channel’s Randall Mell...”A credit to Aussie imagination and audacity, the Vic Open was added to the LPGA schedule for the first time last year. While it may have been the LPGA’s smallest purse ($1.1 million), it was the tour’s biggest idea. Once again, male and female pros will tee it up at 13th Beach Golf Links in Victoria and play the same courses at the same time for the same amount of prize money. It was a mustard seed of an idea that is spreading, with the European Tour and Ladies European Tour teaming to co-sanction the Scandinavian Mixed tournament in Sweden this summer. Male and female tour pros will compete against each other there for the same purse and the same trophy.” 8. Taking his talents to South Florida …and away from the taxman! “Mickelson confirmed to GolfChannel.com Wednesday at The American Express that his family closed on a lot on Jupiter Island, Fla., on Dec. 23 and he hopes to begin construction soon. “Mickelson, who is the host of this week’s event, said the family’s current plan is to move to Florida after his youngest child, Evan, graduates from high school in a year and a half.” 9. Bryson rips Brooks lack of ripped-ness! Christopher Powers at Golf Digest…”DeChambeau, who has spent his off-season bulking up (just ask him about it), dumped more gas on the fire during a Twitch stream on Wednesday. In the clip below, he’s presumably talking about Koepka when he states “in [ESPN’s] Body Issue he didn’t even have any abs, I can tell you that. I got some abs.” @LukeKerrDineen on Twitter… “Yea I weigh more than him now. Significantly more.” “Did you see the body issue? He didn’t have any abs. I have abs.” “We don’t talk about it. We just don’t see eye to eye.” Morning 9: Feinstein: Don’t give up on Phil \| PGA Tour pace-of-play policy \| Golf Channel’s top 25 moments Good Tuesday morning, golf fans. Email me with your pace-of-play solutions in professional golf! 1. Don’t give up on Lefty! So cautions John Feinstein after examining the record of modern professional golf in general and Philip Alfred Mickelson in particular… “So, as he begins the year in which he will turn 50, at an event he has won twice, is it time to write off the man his myriad of fans love to call Lefty? Even though he’s actually right-handed?” “History says no.” “Golfers are frequently written off prematurely (see Woods, Eldrick T. and Nicklaus, Jack as prime examples) largely because they can re-find their game well into their 40s, long after most stars in other sports have retired to spouting clichés from a TV booth.” “Mickelson was 33 before he won his first major title and had been labeled a guy who could win non-majors, contend in majors and make huge money off the golf course, but couldn’t win on a Sunday that truly mattered. He had 16 top-10s in majors, including a second in the U.S. Open; a second in the PGA and four thirds in the Masters-including three years in a row-2001, 2002 and 2003. He was frequently on or around the podium, but never at the top of it.” 2. Golf Channel’s most impactful moments since its inception Hard to believe Golf Channel is 25 years old/hard to believe Golf Channel is only 25 years old all at once. How many years ago did they drop the “The”…I don’t remember… Here’s the complete list, 1-25, of Golf Channel’s most impactful moments over the last quarter-century. 1.Tiger Woods wins 1997 Masters by 12 shots 2.Tiger Woods wins 2000 U.S. Open by 15 shots 3.Tiger Woods completes Tiger Slam (2000 U.S. Open – 2001 Masters) 4.Arnold Palmer passes away at age 87 5.Tom Watson nearly wins 2009 Open at age 59 6.Solid-core ball developed 7.Tiger Woods wins 2008 U.S. Open on one leg 8.Tiger Woods ends major drought at 2019 Masters 9.Tiger Woods wins third straight U.S. Amateur and then says, ‘Hello, world’ 10.Rory McIlroy recovers from Masters collapse, wins 2011 U.S. Open by eight shots 3. The PGA Tour’s new pace-of-play policy Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…“What’s not addressed…In Hawaii, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was adamant that the primary objective is not necessarily to speed up play. “A focus on time creates other problems,” Monahan said.” “PGA Tour senior vice president and chief of operations Tyler Dennis confirmed that’s not the focus. “The overall round times haven’t really changed over the last 20 years,” Dennis said, citing research from historical ShotLink data. As such, these changes won’t address the amount of time it takes to play a round-especially on Thursdays and Fridays-or the difficulty some events face in finishing in the daylight.” “So, what is the change? The hope is to modify the habits of players that are leading to the growing frustration of slow play. According to ShotLink data, the slowest 10 percent of players take an average of 63 seconds for shots around the greens, more than 25 seconds than that of their fastest 10 percent counterparts. Approach shots (55 seconds for the slowest 10 percent) are another area of frustration.” Per Geoff Shackelford…”While GolfChannel.com’s Rex Hoggard notes the inability of Bryson DeChambeau to have convinced caucus goers he was worthy of adding context to the council’s prime area of concern-slow play-I’m struck by the departure of Matt Kuchar. “ For Immediate Release, the 2020 Slow Play Policy Advisory Council and players who have shown an ability to use their brain for other thoughts besides those revolving around golf, I mean PAC: PGA TOUR announces 2020 Player Advisory Council PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The PGA TOUR today announced the 16-member Player Advisory Council (PAC) for 2020. The PAC advises and consults with the PGA TOUR Policy Board (Board of Directors) and Commissioner Jay Monahan on issues affecting the TOUR. 2020 Player Advisory Council Ryan Armour Paul Casey David Hearn Harry Higgs Charley Hoffman Billy Horschel Russell Knox Anirban Lahiri Peter Malnati Ryan Palmer Jon Rahm Kevin Streelman Justin Thomas Harold Varner III 5. “I didn’t hit their shots” Via Golf Digest’s Joel Beall…“Conversely, Palmer was not particularly apologetic about his part in this sequence.” “On Sunday night, Palmer tweeted, “And for all those questioning the last hole, I’ll do it again next week so deal with it,” after his 18th hole bogey dropped him to T-4. He also sidestepped a question about why he didn’t hit a provisional, faux congratulating a Twitter user for “The Only Negative Tweet of the day Award” “However, Palmer must have received similar questions about the provisional throughout the night, because on Monday morning he responded that the final-hole adventures of Steele and Smith weren’t his fault, remarking “I didn’t hit their shots!” (And on Twitter) @RyanPalmerPGA: I didn’t hit their shots!! 6. 3 putts from 4 feet, minus $100K Golf Channel’s Nick Menta…“Lost in the craziness of Sunday night’s wild finish at the Sony Open was a most disappointing end to an otherwise-solid week for Collin Morikawa.” “Morikawa, who won his first PGA Tour title as a non-member last summer at the Barracuda Championship, was 1 over for the day but appeared headed for a final round of even-par 70 as he stared down a short putt for birdie at the par-5 18th.” “Instead, he three-putted from 4 feet, racing the first putt by the hole and lipping out the comebacker for bogey and a round of 2-over 72.” 7. Open champ exemption for LAA winner Golf Channel’s Nick Menta again…”For the first time in the Latin America Amateur Championship’s six-year history, its winner will receive an exemption into the game’s oldest major.” “The event, which has offered a Masters invitation to its winner every year since its inception in 2015, will now also offer a spot in The Open Championship.” “We are delighted to offer a place in The Open for the winner of the 2020 Latin America Amateur Championship,” Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said in a statement. 8. The world’s highest golf tournament! Golf Digest’s Oliver Horovitz on teeing it up in the Himalayas… “Listen, Ollie, I’ve got some exciting news. There’s going to be a major golf event here very soon. The world’s highest golf tournament…. “It will be played up at Kongde Ri. That’s 14,000 feet. We’re going up in choppers.”…There’s a pause, then Deepak arrives at his main point…”I think you should come over for it.” “I first visited Nepal in April 2016, with my friends Miles and Vlad. After trekking to Everest Base Camp, we put together an article on Nepal’s little-known golf scene. There are six courses in Nepal, including Royal Nepal Golf Club and the wonderfully named Yak Golf Club, Himalayan Golf Course and Nirvana Country Club. There are 700 golfers, of which one in 10 is a professional, earning cards at an annual Q school for the Professional Golf Tour of Nepal.” 9. XR vs. a golf course Via bunkered…”The climate change pressure group Extinction Rebellion has been branded “unreasonable” after it protested for a golf course in Brighton to be closed for “re-wilding”.” “Stephen Garrioch, the captain of Hollingbury Golf Club, hit out at the group after its activists staged a protest in the East Sussex town at the weekend.” “The campaigners are calling upon Brighton and Hove Council, which operates the facility, to abandon the course and let it grow naturally to encourage wildlife.” Tour Rundown: Sony Open Twilight Zone, Grace under pressure Ronald Montesano The 2nd weekend in January of 2020 marked the return of multiple events during a single week. Granted, one was rescheduled from 6 weeks past, another began on Saturday (and will conclude tomorrow), a third was an unfortunate swamp…DOESN”T MATTER! Televised golf that counts is back, and we’re watching! One of the world’s finest percussionists, Neil Peart of RUSH, left this world last week. In a salute to his mastery, find tributes to his songs scattered throughout this piece. With a heavy, non-golf heart, let’s read Tour Rundown for Monday, January 13th, 2o2o. Sony Open’s Twilight-Zone ending leaves lots of head scratching Not all comebacks end in victory, nor do all golf tournaments end in logic. Consider the 2nd part before the first: squeegees on the 18th green, golf balls ricocheting off bleachers, delays of over 10 minutes for the final group. It’s really no surprise that Brendan Steele had trouble navigating the closing stretch at Waialae Country Club. Some of it was his undoing, but much of it wasn’t. Steele came into the week in a massive slump, and led until the final putt, when he suddenly didn’t. And yet, to come so close to victory and not drink from the cup, is still a comeback. And perhaps that can suffice for now. Steele had a one-shot lead, and was standing in the middle of the 18th fairway, iron in hand. Exuberance gave way to a snapping hook, and his approach sailed over the grandstands. After a drop area was decided, the leader was unable to pitch far enough, to avoid the casual channel of water that traversed the final putting surface. Steele could only 2-putt, and hope that Smith would not make birdie (spoiler alert: he did.) The victor, Cameron Smith, was able to make up 2 shots on Steele over the inward nine. He birdied the 18th to reach 11 under par, and off the two golfers went to the 10th tee. Why not 18, you ask? Recall, if you will, the condition of the closing hole. It was quite messy, with sloppy turf along most of its 551 yards. The 10th is a wee drive and pitch, but it gave Steele fits. He drove his ball in the fairway, while Smith missed wide right. The Aussie played a remarkable recovery, onto the green, not far from the hole. With a tiny wedge in his hand, Steele gunned his approach far beyond the green, precisely where he didn’t need to be. Unable to get the ball up and down, Steele’s bogey was no match for Smith’s 2-putt par, and the Aussie had his first PGA Tour title. Webb Simpson and Ryan Palmer found themselves in contention, in the penultimate group. Simpson made a par to total -10, one putt shy of the playoff. Palmer’s finish was as bizarre as Steele’s. Palmer slammed his approach, from a fairway bunker, off the video board, over the grandstands, straight into a bogey. In one swing he went from potential playoff participant to 4th place tie. Can golf on the mainland possibly equal this? Doubtful. South African Open victory completes journey of Grace under pressure Within his home country of South Africa, Branden Grace had won every event of note but one: the Open championship. On Sunday, the 31-year old closed the trophy cabinet with a 3-shot victory over Louis Oosthuizen, winning his country’s national title at the Randpark golf club in Johannesburg. The victory moved him into the early lead in the 2020 Race To Dubai, the European Tour’s season-long points race. Inspired, perhaps, by the sublime 62 of Marcus Armitage on Saturday, Grace teed off on Sunday and posted a 62 of his own. Two items stand out from that performance: he was actually +1 through 2 holes; and he did all his damage in an eleven-hole stretch. Grace made bogey at the 2nd to fall a stroke farther behind the overnight leader. Then, in a 2.5 hour bottle, Grace caught lightning. Birdies at holes 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 through 14, in addition to an eagle at the 4th, lopped a massive 10 shots off his tally, pushing him beyond 20-under par. Oosthuizen had an eagle of his own. A perfectly-judged tee shot on the par-3 8th hole, played dangerously close to disaster, found the bottom of the cup. The 2010 Open champion had, incredibly, zero bogeys on the day. Unfortunately, he was able to pair just one birdie with the ace, finishing at a frustrating 18-under par. As for Armitage, had he visited a fortune teller before the start, he would have learned that he would stand over a critical putt on the week’s last green. No, not for the title, but for an automatic bid to the 2020 Open Championship, at Royal St. George’s in July. The Englishman drained a 20-feet putt for birdie, finished in solo 3rd position, and punched his ticket to the south of England this summer. Hong Kong Open decided after 6-week delay Wade Ormsby of Australia began his 2020 in the most proper way; he claimed the Asian Tour’s Hong Kong Open with a 4- shot triumph. The journey to conclusion began in November of 2019, when the tournament was originally scheduled. Anti-government protests were sufficient enough for tournament organizers to authorize a postponement. 1.5 months later, the event was contested at the Hong Kong golf club. No one was more on-form this week, than the soon-to-turn-40 Ormsby. He opened with 65, for a share of the lead, then stitched a quilt of 66s the remainder of the week. Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand stood 2 back of the Aussie on day four, and closed to within a shot when the leader made bogey at the first on Sunday. Right the ship? Indeed. Ormsby birdied holes 2-4 and added another at the 9th, to turn in 31 and remind followers that it had always been his week. Charoenkul admirably stood strong, finishing in 3rd place 5 behind the champion. It was the 2019 Champion Golf of the Year, Shane Lowry, who provided the fittest challenge of the day. Lowry closed within 1 of the week’s low round (63) with a 64 of his own. Standing 6 under on the day through 14, the Irishman had closed with a pair of strokes of the leader. Ormsby and Lowry each had bogeys at the daunting, par 4 15th hole. The 5 effectively ended Lowry’s challenge, as Ormsby was unlikely to fritter away his lead. The title was Ormsby’s 2nd Hong Kong Open win in 3 years. Among notable competitors, American Tony Finau finished 5th at 10 below par. Rashid Khan of Indonesia, compiler of the aforementioned 63, claimed 6th place after closing with 70. The Asian Tour resumes play this week at the Singapore Open, at the Sentosa golf club. Enter the warrior, today’s Wade Ormsby. Tournament of Champions to Thomas in energy-crackling finish Although it took place last week, the PGA Tour’s annual TOC earned a look this week, thanks to its unanticipated and dramatic finish. It’s rare when a PGA Tour player misses a driving range, but that’s what Justin Thomas did with his 2nd at the par-5 18th hole on Sunday. From certain victory in regulation, Thomas tugged his fairway metal (which he didn’t need to hit) on the widest fairway in golf, into the native gunge left. The ensuing penalty forced him to get up and down from 75 yards for par and victory. Well, that didn’t happen, either. Off went Thomas and equal-parts-stunned-and-delighted Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed to the 18th tee. Thomas and Reed negotiated birdies, which eliminated Xander’s par. Playoff part two at the same hole dealt pars from the middle of the deck to the survivors, so back to the hilltop they went, for a 4th go (including regulation) at the long yet reachable par five. Thomas made birdie and watched as Reed could only make par. The win was Thomas’ 12th on tour, and 3rd in a playoff. Much was learned with the resumption of the 2019-2020 PGA Tour season in Kapalua: Brendon Todd’s incredible run of top-five finishes came to an end (he placed 29th); Joaquin Niemann can play better than he did at Royal Melbourne (where he didn’t help the International Team a lick); and for Kapalua’s Plantation course to truly defend itself against the pros, it needs backward winds (which it got); brand-new greens (with new breaks, to stump the gods); and fairways that don’t run out (that will change as the redone turf firms up.) In other words, by 2022, Kapalua should be Kapalua again.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340056
__label__cc	0.596936	0.403064	ian4unite Ian Allinson, grassroots socialist candidate for Unite General Secretary Establishment candidates for Unite leadership “abusing power” 15 March 2017 15 March 2017 by admin Ian Allinson, the grassroots socialist candidate for Unite General Secretary, highlights abuses of power by both establishment candidates which are undermining democracy. Democracy means the rule of the people. As a union’s power comes from the participation of members, democracy is not an optional extra. Yet both Coyne and McCluskey are acting as if our union is the plaything of a tiny numbers of senior officers, sacrificing democracy in their pursuit of power. Democracy requires that any member be able to contest a General Secretary election. Yet both establishment candidates are abusing their position and power to deny members a fair choice. Categories News, Press ReleasesTags democracy, General Secretary, Gerard Coyne, Ian Allinson, ian4unite, Len McCluskey The suppressed report on women officers in Unite 19 January 2017 19 January 2017 by admin Unite General Secretary candidate Ian Allinson had asked Len McCluskey for a copy of the report into women officers in Unite and asked for it to be made available to members before nominations opened. The union refused to release it. Ian Allinson has now been sent the report anonymously, and has published it alongside this statement. Now having had the opportunity to read the report, it is clear both why it must be made available to members, and why the leadership of Unite has sought to supress it. Many union activists have to argue with employers that hiding problems prevents dealing with them, and to be more open and transparent about equality issues. This was the logic behind our lobbying for mandatory equal pay reviews, and even behind the Tories’ watered down gender pay gap reporting. How can activists expect to be taken seriously challenging employers when our own union is adopting a less than role-model approach? The research was commissioned by the Officers’ National Committee in 2016 and undertaken by two experienced and reputable independent researchers, Jennifer Hurstfield and Sarah Silcox. They have previously published in both academic and professional journals, and led research projects for organisations including ACAS, CIPD, the Department of Work and Pensions, the Institute of Employment Research, ACAS, and the Health and Safety Executive. The heart of the research was a detailed survey sent out to 76 female Unite officers, which achieved a 100% response rate. The report shows significant problems with sexism, bullying and harassment within the union and that many women officers do not trust the leadership to deal with these problems fairly. Many perceive that management will deal with problems according to the relative power of those involved within the Unite structure. As well as issues specifically affecting women officers, the report indicates problems with management and working practices in our union (e.g. work allocation) that are also likely to affect male officers. The wider implications involve not just women and those with other protected characteristics / equality strands but all employees and members of Unite. 68% of the 69 women officers who answered the question said they had experience a hostile working environment, and the breakdown of what that meant is frankly horrific. Over 70% said that Unite members were primarily responsible for the hostility they experienced – which shows this problem cannot be tackled under a blanket of secrecy. 70% of women officers report they have experienced hostility at work (primarily from Unite members) because they are women. The breakdown of what the hostility meant is frankly horrific. Around 40% have felt frightened because of a real or threatened incident. Over half of women officers have raised a bullying or harassment issue with the union in the past five years. Half of these do not believe that the issue was handled at all well by management. Only a quarter said management handled their problem well. Concerns were raised that how management dealt with a complaint of bullying or harassment could depend on the status of the people involved While many women said there had been an improvement in how complaints were dealt with, the largest group of women officers (42%) believe the working environment at Unite has stayed the same over the past five years (with equal proportions either side believing it has got better or worse) Many officers feel the current process for allocating work lacks transparency, 40% do not feel able to discuss work concerns with their line manager, and 40% also believe that talking about their work concerns is viewed by some colleagues and the organisation as a “weakness”. One third “struggle” to achieve any sort of balance between working for Unite and their life outside the union. One fifth have taken time off work that they attribute to work-related stress in the past 18 month. While Unite’s leadership claims that it is implementing the specific recommendations of the report, there is no way these issues can be effectively tackled behind closed doors. How can we win an argument with members and activists about challenging aggressive and sexist behaviour from members without talking about the problem, its scale and its impact? How can we reduce over-reliance on managerial authority and patronage without increasing democratic accountability? There should be no climate of fear in our union. Officers should have confidence that issues they raise will be dealt with fairly and effectively. No organisation in this sexist society can be immune from it, least of all one that deals with such a variety of employers, members and others. But we can aspire to be a role model in how we tackle such issues. Not only is this the right thing to do, but failing to do so makes the job of all our activists, challenging employers over similar issues, much, much, harder. Tackling these problems is essential if we have to have the best possible officers, rather than being unable to recruit, retain and get the best from some because of how they are treated. If elected I will: Begin an open discussion on how our union can address bullying, harassment and sexism within the union. This will include seeking the views of members and union employees about their experiences and their views on how we can address the problems we may find. Involve members, officers and staff in a major review of Unite’s structures to make them fit for purpose in the 21st century. Champion lay member democracy and participation, including a move towards election of officers, to shift the culture from top-down management to bottom-up democracy. Expand the lay companion scheme to involve more members (including those not in paid work) and free up officer time from individual casework. Categories NewsTags bullying, democracy, equality, officers, stress, women Leave your details to help Add a Twibbon Ian's Unite Site anti-union laws austerity BAEM Birmingham blacklist Brexit bullying civil rights construction democracy disability discrimination donate election equality free movement Fujitsu General Secretary Gerard Coyne Glasgow health hustings ian4unite Ian Allinson Jeremy Corbyn Labour Party leaflet Len McCluskey London Manchester migration Momentum nationalism nationlism NHS nominate organising partnership racism rules sector strikes UCATT video women Sign up for posts by email Enter your address to receive posts by email.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340060
__label__cc	0.749861	0.250139	Animals & Pest How To Get Rid Related Searches: How To Get Rid Of Ants Ants come inside your house because they’re attracted to your food. Food could also be used to repel ants as well. A good home made solution is spraying them with lemon or peppermint-flavored water. Below are more way of how to get rid of ants by using different traps and chemical insecticides. Stop them from invading your home The best way to get rid of a house pest is to prevent it from even considering your home an easy target. Hence, deterrence is a prime focus for every homeowner potentially susceptible to an ant invasion. Make sure you barricade your home properly. Ants are small, and they can fit into any crack through any part of the home. You won’t be able to see them all, but if you see a parade of ants then you’ll know you found your problem. Seal windows, doors and any cracks the ants crawl through caulk. Get some baby powder, or chalk powder, and sprinkle all around the home’s entrances and windows. Also if you want apply, vinegar in those areas as well. Kill the trail Find the ant trail, and wipe it off together with any ants on that trail. Then spray that trail, with soapy water, and then spray some vinegar on that trail to repel them from using that trail. Kill the Scout Scouts are the lonely ants you see on their own. If the scout detects any food source, then it will run back and inform the nest, to where they will send in their troops to collect the food source etc. So in order to stop this invasion from happening you will need to squish the scout ant. Usually alone, and roaming around. You can tell for sure who they are. Follow the Trail Might as well follow the trail, and find the ant nest. If you don’t want any more problems, then its time to kill off the ant nest. If you can find the source, carefully dig the soil and pour several gallons of boiling water into the nest. That should take care of the entire colony. Posted in Animals & Pest, How To Get RidComments (0) Related Searches: Ant Removal, Ants, How To Get Rid Of Ants, pest Flies may rule above, holding the title “Arguably the Most Annoying Air-Insect in the World.” For one thing, there’s practically an infinite number of flies that are existent around the globe. Insects surround us throughout our normal daily lives, both in mid-air and the ground. Respectively, there must be a ruler from below. Based on the population of this particular insect seemingly matching that of a fly’s, the ant takes the throne for ruling the ground. You recall those ant holes in your front or backyard, don’t you? Fortunately, ants are relatively easy to deal with. Liquid ant bait requires minimal patience. While it doesn’t fulfills its purpose as fast as you may want it to, it’s designed to kill both the ant that takes the liquid bait and the colony. The way it works is an ant collects some of the liquid bait, returns to its colony, and shares with fellow ants. Liquid ant bait is technically time-released. It gives the ant enough time to return to its home and split the finding. One thing is certan; the source (colony) will be killed off. Ants have a handful of entrances that lead to the inside of your home. They can enter through even a slight crack in the wall. Caulking an opening in the wall of any room will help keep ants out from invading your home. If it’s in your price range, then silicone caulk will be your prime choice. It doesn’t discolor and sticks exceptionally well. Regular caulk would work as well. Tree-Trimming Besides being detected on the ground, ants can also be found climbing up and down trees. They can also be seen on leaves. Ants can actually use trees as a means of entering your home, if the trees are close enough. Remove this mode of transportation from them by cutting a portion of whichever branches are touching your home. In addition to these tips on dealing with ants, take the same precautions as you would with flies: – be sure to cover food fully at all times. – clean up thoroughly after eating. – take out the garbage regularly. 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__label__cc	0.613865	0.386135	Amharic research paper pdf በር In a general sense, doors in the Bible represent the initial desires for good and concepts of truth that introduce people to new levels of Describe what this research will lead to for you in future years, or how it will help your mentor develop further research –what’s the next step?? What related projects/area of research could possibly stem from the proposed project? This section can be very brief –a couple of sentences of the main points of the paper you chose to critique!) If you cannot write a clear summary, you absolutely cannot begin to critique the paper. Nov 10, 2015 · Action Research on Student and Pupil Absenteeism in School. pdf. 2 Statement of the Research Problem 6 1. Amharic versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 and research-article eReader · PDF This paper describes the development of a spelling corrector for Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. The intention is to help you make an informed choice about your approach to your research. The developed Amharic Text-to-Speech system (AmhTTS) is parametric and rule-based that employs a cepstral method. un. 2 million highly diverse people with a life expectancy of 46 years for men and 49 years for women (UN, 2005). Ethiopia, Eritrea Amharic has a growing body of literature in many genres: LD 491/492 - Directed Study: Amharic. pdf FREE PDF DOWNLOAD Ge'ez (Ethiopic) syllabic script and the Amharic language I would also like to thank Dr Rosemary Sarri, Institute for Social Research and School of Social Work, University of Michigan and Dr James Rollin from whom I learned of the opportunity to teach at the School of Social Work, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with IFESH (International Foundation for Education and Self Help). I. Open Access. We present four approaches to the Amharic – French bilingual track at CLEF 2005. 5. edu is a place to share and follow research. Voters Intimidation in Ethiopia - EPRDF (Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front) has intimidated and suppressed voter in order to win the 2010 Ethiopian Parliamentary Election. Importance of Choosing a Good Title The title is the part of a paper that is read the most, and it is usually read first . Index Terms — Quality, Quality Management, Kaizen, 5S. Defiance County has a long history of change and growth. Seffi Gebeyehu. (IWMI Research Report 128) / irrigated farming / economic growth / food security / rainfed farming / national income / irrigation schemes / irrigation systems / Ethiopia / ISSN 1026-0862 5 Jan 2016 Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate. The definite article is -j (-t(a)j for fem), attached to a modifier like jä-. Pilot Study. Print on both sides of paper (flip paper on long edge) and fold to make calendar. I must share link of this blog with them. E banking research paper pdf. It is currently composed of twelve townships, Adams, Defiance, Delaware, Farmer, Hicksville, Highland, Mark, Milford, Noble, Richland, Tiffin and Washington covering 412 square miles. has also been much recent work on the internal syntax of the Amharic DP (Demeke 2001, Ouhalla 2004, den Dikken 2007), and the connection between this research and definite marking is discussed in Section 3. 15 Jun 2016 A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using the The Amharic version of EORTC QLQ-C30 had a Cronbach's α value of 0. No annoying ads, no download limits, enjoy it and don't forget to bookmark and share the love! of governance policies as outlined in Ethiopia’s second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-the Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to end Poverty (PASDEP), approved by Ethiopia’s Parliament late 2006. It is the second most-spoken Semitic language in the world, after Arabic, and the official working language of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Thomas Shull1, Molash Hailu2, Abera Nega3, Telahun Amharic Version Annex 10, Written Agreement Form. 14 Jan 2019 One hundered and seventy one patients with confirmed cervical cancer were enrolled for the study. Jul 17, 2018 · Therefore, this "little book" is being presented and printed in 2012 AD by The Lion of Judah Society of His Imperial Majesty to prepare, remind and exhort the Faithful Ethiopians and Elect Rastafari in these "last days and 21 Aug 2012 IYESUS (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] Boek downloaden boek in FB2, pdf, txt, ETHIOPIC APOCRYPHA/ Amharic Peppercorn Catalog 6, Books in African Languages Books in Amharic• B1 view sample pages at www. It can be either a term paper, a master’s thesis or a doctoral dissertation. In relation to these challenges, the following priority actions Abstract. Dates of works in Amharic , Review of Previous Research Works on Amharic Literature . And for you to be successful on that goal, catching their attention is a key factor. If you need help writing your assignment, please use our custom writing services and buy a paper on any of the criminal justice research paper topics. narrative-strategy-return-home-novels. CMP Implementation Manual Authors developed an apache spark based model to classify Amharic The study of hate speech detection has been growing only in the few last years. mpg. Sadly, Dawit’s Awramba Times is the latest in a long list of Amharic-language private publications to vanish from the market following the incarceration or flight into exile of their editors. Step 1: Identify and develop your topic. Consider some of psychology/s research questions, which you will be learning more Psychology is a science that seeks to answer such questions about us all ~how people just horn . 1. Jones. on this assumption, the study has analyzed Amharic internal reduplication and draw the fol- . 13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles) with a population of 74. The publication covers wide areas of the development process. It was established, as one of the departments under the formerÂ Faculty of Education, after receiving its birth from the Department of English in the year 1997 E. 25 Oct p i?? amharic?????addis zemen news paper in amharic vacancy mon 15 oct gmt addis zemen news paper in pdf addis. — Excerpted from Amharic language on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 1 Title of Project: Give your project a working title, which may or may not become the title of your paper. The translation of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 into Amharic version was made considering detailed procedures documented in EORTC Quality of Life Group manual [12, 13, 15]. 4 year old doesn't want to do homework. com Church in Ethiopia (HSEOTC), and the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church-in-Exile (HSEOTCE). 81. Translating Amharic to English and other languages, and translating other languages to Amharic, empowers users and brings immense benefits. Basic to his discussion was a division of languages into three order types: This sample Human Trafficking Research Paper is published for educational and informational purposes only. The theoretical models we have been assuming - known as the linear theory of representation-was quite successful in explaining a number of facts about sound systems. de/~astechow/Handouts/SOT_Parameter. Good to see, you share those research papers here. LANGUAGE: ENGLISH FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA COUNTRY STRATEGY PAPER 2011-2015 April 2011 Task Team F. All of the dates in this paper are in Gregorian calendar. If you successfully accessed this file, Adobe Acrobat is already installed on your computer. sis was the first foreign study Wundt published in his journal, her gender meant she . Further regard was given to the impact of the education reform on the duration of school attendance, especially to enrolment and dropout rates and the History of Ethiopia research papers discuss the history of the African nation of Ethiopia starting from the Middle Paleolithic era. INTRODUCTION Sep 27, 2012 · Check this space soon to learn about how to continue to access these publications. With citations in partial fulfillment of full text research ethiopian studies. In survey research, independent and dependent variables are used to define the scope of Jun 18, 2016 · On this page you can read or download amharic bookes tebesa pdf in PDF format. eva. 3. The Ethiopian Journal of Development Research (EJDR) is a bi-annual journal devoted to development oriented research and published by the Institute of Development Research. Amharic language writing skill context: The case of selected 19 Sep 2014 The main objective of this research was to design a WSD (word sense disambiguation) words were prepared for the development of this Amharic WSD prototype. The focus of cancer treatment, in addition to curation, is improving the quality of life (QOL). . minnpost. What is a research paper? A research paper is a piece of academic writing based on its author’s original research on a particular topic, and the analysis and interpretation of the research findings. Their constancy and love have Research is a systematic search for information and new knowledge. This research report is based on a study carried out to find out the factors affecting women’s participation in university management in Kenya. to be recalled that Addis Ababa University advertised the positions of Academic Vice President and Vice President for Research and Amharic is predominately spoken by upper and middle class Ethiopians. Amharic dialects are spoken over the 19 Nov 2014 judgments of second language speakers for linguistics research. Since there is no Amharic speech corpus, we developed a read Don't have a password yet? If you don't have a password yet, stop by the circulation desk the next time you're in the library. Dr. and Investigations (OIAI) Report 2013/06. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute. We hire top-rated Ph. Include UIN . I noticed a lot of students asking on Social medial platforms about the B. Selecting a topic can be the most challenging part of a research assignment. The paper was launched. Your research paper will be written from scratch. 7% of Ethiopia’s population. This article discusses the use of traditional medicine by Ethiopian immigrant patients in conjunction with conventional medications. The main aim of an action research is to find solutions to real problems faced in schools and searching ways to improve student success. Relying on the historical method of analysis, the paper traces the earlier period of development of ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES EVALUATION OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE RENDERED BY FUNCTIONING RURAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES: CASE OF FARTA WOREDA, A MHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA By Mebit Mitiku Bitew A Thesis Submitted to The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering This fact, of all the rest, motivated us to contribute to the research in NLP of Amharic by implementing a computational grammar as a resource in the GF library. Search Results for: amharic. In a standard research proposal, this section can take two forms, so consult with your professor about which one is preferred. It complements previous booklets on promoting pre-school language, reading and teaching additional Dec 05, 2016 · Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in North Central Ethiopia by the Amhara. Congratulations! If you are unable to submit your application electronically, please use the paper application and the appropriate release waiver, by printing and completing the items below: Ride Along Application [PDF] Adult Release [PDF] Juvenile Release (under 18 years of age) [PDF] Project: Write a paper 500-1000 words answering the following questions (due at end of week 9): Is “tupos” a technical term in scripture? By a narrow definition, some of the uses of the word may be non-technical. Looking for timely research paper help which won't ruin your budget? Address us for top-notch research paper samples and start writing right away with our expert-written research writing tips and guidelines. If copular tuebingen . Murphy Winona State University Abstract Action Research is an applied scholarly paradigm resulting in action for continuous learning in Amharic as they cannot communicate well. savethechildren. ijsrp. Research Report 3:Land Registration in Amhara Region, Ethiopia This research paper is an analysis of two approaches to land registra- Land Registration in Nov 28, 2018 · Weekly amharic news form ethiopia Sun, 09 Sep GMT Addis. A couple of weeks ago, newspaper editor Dawit Kebede, an International Press Freedom award winner, fled Ethiopia. The Chrestomathy is supplemented with linguistic and cultural comments of lexical, grammatical and ethno-cultural nature. ና Coming (Gen. Although Geez is ceased to be spoken popularly sometime between 900 and 1200 AD, it continues as a language of Ethiopian Church. Academia. Department of In this paper, we have designed text prediction model for Amharic language: a corpus of 1193719 Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in. 3 Preface As suggested by the title, this booklet is about the teaching of speaking, listening and writing. System (ŅǡƯĢ), which is the first of its kind. The directorate office manages all research and publication activities in collaboration with research centers, colleges, institutes and academic units. Use of Adobe Reader to open and fill in the form is strongly recommended (form fields may not function as intended when used with a preview app). Section 3 the significance of sentence-initial position in Amharic and other languages. Seminars are open to the public and based on a paper that is circulated in advance. 1 Choosing a Working Language in Multiethnic Nations: Rethinking Ethiopia ˇs Working Language Policy Fiseha Haftetsion Gebresilassie Abstract The language policy of Ethiopia during the imperial and the military regimes prioritized Amharic as the state ˇssole official language and discriminated This paper intends to illustrate an analysis about one of the common phonological process known as spirantization in Amharic in the framework of Optimality and Feature Geometry. D. org Factors Affecting Developments of Micro and Small Enterprises (Case of Mettu, Hurumu, Bedelle and Gore Towns of Ilu Aba Bora Administrative Zone) Belay kinati Debelo, AsmeraTeshome, Tekalign Minalu PDF. It covers topics in every field of science and perceptions of its scope and activities are unlimited. Abstract -- This paper introduces Graph-based Automatic Amharic Text Summarizer (GAATS), a generic and domain independent graph-based model for automatic single document summarization task, and shows how this model can successfully be used to generate extracts of high quality from Amharic texts. The aim of this research was to develop a self-learning Amharic based knowledge-based system to help the patients and physicians for diagnosis and treatment through Amharic language for kidney diseases. Recognition of Printed Amharic Documents. Thirteen-month calendar with photos and information in Amharic and English about healthy eating and diabetes. They definitely try this out and happy to get the research papers. Williams, E. You compose a research proposal to persuade potential sponsors or investors to support your plan. State your question or series of questions before you begin your research. The research claim is that Ethiopian human resource management practices differ from human resource management practices in the West, due to differences in cultural factors, economic systems, political systems, and legal and industrial relations. 41:14) denotes communication by influx. Www. Thirdly, efforts will be made to produce selected medicinal mushrooms as dietary supplements, especially mushrooms which are The Research and publication Directorate (RPD) is responsible to initiate, facilitate, and manage research endeavors and disseminate outputs. Like other free research paper examples, it is not a custom research paper. Product IYESUS (English Edition) [Kindle-editie] Boek downloaden boek in FB2, pdf, txt, ETHIOPIC APOCRYPHA/ Amharic Literature FIKARE IYESUS [in Amharic];Amharic - English and English-Amharic, is the first such dictionary written since Amharic The first complete Amharic Bible was produced in 1840, and went thru by Ras Iadonis Tafari. A Collaborative Research Project Funded by: Implemented by: Overview and Background Paper on Ethiopia’s Poultry Sector: Relevance for HPAI Research in Ethiopia. 31 May 2017 research paper [2]. For this reason, Ethiopia’s culture, politics, economy The Ethiopic script used for Amharic is also used for other languages, including Ge’ez, Argobba, Gurage, and Tigre. . (Date of access: 6 Nation, the 10 May 2012 With all these, the study found that the Amhara regional urban land . Ge’ez, which is chiefly a liturgical language, uses only 26 basic letter forms from this table. For this reason, Ethiopia’s culture, politics, economy The research claim is that Ethiopian human resource management practices differ from human resource management practices in the West, due to differences in cultural factors, economic systems, political systems, and legal and industrial relations. Office of Internal Audit . The general objective of the present research was to examine. compared with Agaricus mushrooms). View Amharic Research Papers on Academia. Case Document: new criminal code. History and profile[edit]. de/lingua/pdf/Glossing-Rules. Internal Audit of the . Raising a child to be bilingual can be extremely challenging when there aren’t many language resources available in the languages they are learning to speak. ajer. This systematic review seeks to identifies the best available evidence regarding strategies for allocating scarce resources during mass casualty events (MCEs). English Amharic Context Dictionary Top results of your surfing English Amharic Context Dictionary Start Download Portable Document Format (PDF) and E-books (Electronic Books) Free Online Rating News 2016/2017 is books that can provide inspiration, insight, knowledge to the reader. Therefore, it is imperative to put a system by which they get home-school language familiarization. The Effects of Outdoor Activity on Concentration, Rebecca Hyatt. netallianceresourceslastres. Geez was the official language of Ethiopia before Amharic. June 2013. As of today we have 101,111,245 eBooks for you to download for free. If you don't see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom ↓ . 1975 )y. Building a Cohesive Classroom: The effects of music on cooperation and community in a public, lower elementary, Montessori classroom, Julia E. com writing service you can order a custom research paper on Ethiopian Culture topics. Amharic is the second most spoken Semitic language in the World (after Arabic) and used for countrywide communication in Ethiopia. For example above in Amharic and Geez, raises a number of questions. However, keep in mind that this document is not made solely for that. Sample Organization for a Non-discipline-specific Research Proposal . pdf (185. pdf) The examples in my corpus and the ones used in this paper demonstrate . Addis Zemen (“New Era” in English) is an Ethiopian Amharic newspaper, published by the federal government. We present work aimed at compiling an Amharic corpus from the Web and automatically categorizing the texts. A research proposal may sound like a paper just for discovery and academic purposes. The classical broad divisions of research are: basic and applied research. Paper Masters suggests you narrow your research on Ethiopia to just one aspect of this country's rich history in the world today. Currently, he is a PhD student at Institute for Peace and Security Studies, Addis Ababa University. peppercornbooks. com momentchannel. pdf) and WaterAid's checklist documents provided on the project cycle. com Amharic (amarəñña, አማርኛ), also known as Abyssinian, Amarigna, Amarinya, Amhara, Ethiopian, belongs to the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. 6 million live in Ethiopia . and Master’s writers only to provide students with professional research paper assistance at affordable rates. Several years ago Joseph Greenberg (1963) set down a number of observa-tions about the distribution of various grammatical features in a sample of diverse languages. grade 12 september paper lo pdf research essay A good title contains the fewest possible words needed to adequately describe the content and/or purpose of your research paper. The prototype system is provided to the end users via computers. pdf>. Score A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Liquid soap business plan in nigeria. This collection includes reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Behavioral Safety Research program. The paper thus provides further empirical evidence that the morphosyntax of plurality does not only involve Num, and also develops a novel analysis At EssayLib. This is the reason why research project proposals must be realistic, time-bound, achievable, and appealing. How do we know that it is a technical term at all? FDRE Criminal Code - Amharic. project proposal in ethiopia pdf On proposal writing for international research projects in developing countries during the past. Amharic has close to 22 million first-language speakers and 4 million second-language speakers worldwide, of which slightly over 21. How a Minnesota paper became one of the world's leading sources Oct 6, 2017 Today, from Minnesota, ZeHabesha Newspaper [Sept. All experiments use a dictionary based approach to translate the Amharic queries into French Bags-of-words, but while one approach uses word sense discrimination on the translated side of the queries, the other one includes all senses of a translated word in the query for searching. PDF. 7 Definition of Terms 14 CHAPTER TWO: PRIMARY ELT IN ETHIOPIA 16 2. My sincere thanks also goes to the seventeen members of my graduate committee for their patience and understanding during the nine years of eﬀort that went into the production of this paper. Research Articles Some identify Amhara and national consciousness. By doing so, we believe, our work gives yet another perspective for current research and strengthens the attempts already made on the NLP of Amharic. This report presents A research project proposal is an initial document that researchers submit before they can push through with the study that they would like to immerse their selves in. Young Winona State University Eve Rapp Winona State University James W. Chapter three gives a review of literature on inflation followed by Chapter four, which discusses Nov 24, 2015 · Psychology's History Psychology's Big Issues and. Title must match title found on title page. Amharic is the official language of the federal government of Ethiopia. Nov 24, 2015 · Psychology's History Psychology's Big Issues and. An This is a sample PDF document. Is Amharic an SOV Language ?* by EMMON BACH 1. edu for free. Jan 25, 2013 · Action research is a reflective process and it deals with the practical concerns that are close to the instructors and allow them to make a change. Article (PDF Available) · January 2010 with 2,325 Reads. We present two approaches to the Amharic – English bilingual track in CLEF 2004. The algorithm is designed to be integrated into tolerant-retrieval search systems. Case document type: Looking for a Case Paper. org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/cafrad/unpan004654. This paper uses [x] US or [ ] UK standards for spelling and punctuation The Biblical Canon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church 1) Introduction The topic of Biblical canon formation is a wide one, and has received increased attention in the last few decades, as many ancient manuscripts have been discovered, Action research: enhancing classroom practices, Page1 Action research: enhancing classroom practice and fulfilling educational responsibilities Mark R. It is thus necessary to develop proposal Action research theses Paper 50 - 5 Introduction This document begins with a brief overview of action research and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages. Each customer will get a non-plagiarized paper with timely Dec 30, 2018 · Weekly amharic news form ethiopia Sun, 09 Sep GMT Addis. Conference Paper (PDF Available) This paper summarizes the research activities of the past decade on the recognition of handwritten scripts used in 1. There are many electronically published Amharic documents in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2017 183 ISSN 2250-3153 www. A table is included that describes herbs and spices commonly used in traditional medicine and potential interactions with conventional medications. Received 8 February, 2017; Accepted 6 April, 2017 for further research in related area. HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia – An Epidemiological Synthesis i World Bank Global HIV/AIDS Program This series of reports is produced by the Global HIV/AIDS Program of the World Bank's Human Development Network, to publish interesting new work on HIV/AIDS quickly, and make it widely available. Like other languages in the world,. Ethiopia Country Office . The spelling corrector uses Amharic Metaphone and edit distance algorithms to offer acceptable suggestions for misspelled words. 27 Oct 1998 PDF version for the language Amharic · Audio version for the language Amharic Source: National Commission for UNESCO, Ethiopia This paper is focused on the development of language policy in Ethiopia from the reign of Key words: Ethiopia, languages, language policy, Amharic, constitution whose research is focused on documentation of the Ongota language, a < http://unpanl. in a paper presented at the Eighth International Conference of Ethiopian Studies 23 Apr 2017 Full Length Research Paper. Most current speech recognition systems use hidden Markov models (HMMs) to deal with the temporal variability of speech and Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) to determine how well each state of each HMM fits a frame or a short window of frames of coefficients that represents the acoustic input. Modeling OCP-Place in Amharic with the Maximum Entropy phonotactic learner Rebecca S. verbs • verbs(use(acombinaon(of(preﬁxes(and(suﬃxes(to(indicate(the(subject,(person,(number(and(gender. . Application of corpus-based techniques to Amharic texts It is only recently that research in the This paper explores some of the BACKGROUND Cancer is a growing public health problem worldwide. 1 Introduction 16 2. 2. were encountered in the process of conducting the research (Section 1. Research practices and approaches vary. 2) Example summary and critique of primary research paper The fertilized eggs of marine snails are often enclosed in complex, leathery egg capsules with 30 or more embryos being confined within each Full Length Research Johan Galtung’s Concept of Positive and Negative Peace in the Contemporary Ethiopia: an Appraisal Temesgen Tilahun The author was a lecturer at Ambo University, Department of Political Science and International Relations. Defiance County, Ohio. This paper presents a speech synthesis system for Amharic language and describes and how the important prosodic features of the language were modeled in the system. Read Online Now amharic tax manual Ebook PDF at our Library. 5 Scope of the Study 12 1. A study of this sort can involve anything from a short paper-and-pencil feedback form, to an intensive one-to-one interview asking a large number of The following steps outline a simple and effective strategy for writing a research paper. The research shows that students lap at least a semester to fit to certain academic norm. Jan 14, 2019 · Reliability and validity of the Amharic version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of cervical Cancer module for the assessment of health related quality of life in women with cervical cancer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia English Amharic Context Dictionary Top results of your surfing English Amharic Context Dictionary Start Download Portable Document Format (PDF) and E-books (Electronic Books) Free Online Rating News 2016/2017 is books that can provide inspiration, insight, knowledge to the reader. Selt‟ i. This article draws on an ethnographic study of the realities of conjugal abuse and 8 Feb 1999 In this research work, we designed a model for an Amharic-English Search Engine and [35], this paper evaluates the use of a Machine Translation based Available at http://eprints. 3. Since the 13th century Amharic has been the language of the court and the population in Highlands of 6 set-up and equipment (eg. 14 Mar 2016 The present study tried to develop and validate the Amharic activity, mood, work [including house work], relations with other people, walking, the non-exclusive right to publish the Work electronically and in a non- commercial implementation of Amharic, a Semitic language spoken in Ethiopia , as a resource This fact, of all the rest, motivated us to contribute to the research in NLP This research is about Amharic Question Answering (AQA). There is a particular This paper presents a speech synthesis system for Amharic language and describes and how the important prosodic features of the language were modeled in the system. HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RESEARCH PAPER • Getting ready with data • First draft • Structure of a scientific paper • Selecting a journal • Submission • Revision and galley proof Disclaimer: The suggestions and remarks in this presentation are based on personal research experience. A research papers. For twenty years Hagley’s research seminars have brought innovative works-in-progress essays for wide-ranging discussions on Thursday evenings during the academic year. 37p. As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used. Water Supply and Sanitation in Ethiopia: Turning Finance into Services for 2015 and Beyond • Significant human resource capacity challenges, in particular at woreda (that is, district) level, despite large but disparate program-based capacity building initiatives. Amharic speakers encompass 32. Sample business plan in amharic pdf. Amharic is also spoken by 40,000 people in Israel as well as Free ethiopia papers, essays, and research papers. 1 SanitationMarketing’Toolkit’ ’ StudyDesignandQuestionnaire&Tips:& Things’toConsider’WhenDesigning’Quantitative’Surveys’andQuestionnaires’’ agriculture to the Ethiopian economy: Capturing the direct net benefits of irrigation. Amharic Version Annex 10, Written Agreement Form. Those planning to attend are encouraged to read the paper before coming to the seminar. The key contributions of this paper are as follows. The paper discusses an Amharic speaker independent contin- uous speech 1. Educational Research and Reviews Full Length Research Paper Investigating the practices of assessment methods in Amharic language writing skill context: The case of selected higher education in Ethiopia Hailay Tesfay Arba Minch University, Ethiopia. It is mother tongue for more than 19 million and second language for over 5 million people. Reply Delete Research on Teaching Reading Comprehension The present paper represents an attempt to address the "state of the art" relative to research on teaching reading comprehension. Vuda Sreenivasa Rao. The primary descriptive work of the paper is in Section 2, which contains the data on obligatory and optional definite marking. Box 5689 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251-11-646-2921 Jun 21, 2016 · On this page you can read or download download software nokia asha 302 amharic writing in PDF format. This paper describes the development of a spelling corrector for Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. (• Verbs(are(derived(from(roots. I am unequivocally indebted to give a special recognition to my parents, sisters and brother, who put with my many long hours of isolation during my learning. References -- lists only the literature that you actually used or cited in your proposal. Chapter one sets out the background of the research paper, statement of the problem, the significance of the study, research question and objectives, scope of the study, methodology, data resource management, ethical issues, limitation of the study and organization of the paper. Conference Paper (PDF Available) · January 2010 with 2,587 Reads. Pritchard1,4, Anna Di Rienzo1* The Amhara Region, the second Abstract Blood samples from members of the Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups of central Ethiopia were tested for 10 erythrocyte protein systems: ACP1, ADA, Research Scholar [1], Assistant Professor [2]. There are loads of topics in accounting from which students may select the topic of their interest for writing accounting research papers. Promising Practices in Refugee Housing (PDF 18MB) Available in English only Reliability and validity of Amharic version of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 modules for assessing health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients in Ethiopia. Mcgraw hill connect homework. pdf FREE PDF DOWNLOAD NOW!!! Source #2: news papers written in amharic language. Sep 13, 2018 · History and profile[edit]. Download By Pdf; Random Post. org. Such survey instruments can be used in many types of research, from case study, to cross-sectional survey, to experiment. Chapter . O. sa/52030/1/52030. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, Dec 2019 Overview and background paper on Ethiopia’s poultry sector: Relevance for HPAI research in Ethiopia Dawit Alemu, Tamirat Degefe and Setotaw Tefera Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Devesh Roy International Food Policy Research Institute Abstract. The Reader includes sample works of modern writers starting with the first story by Afewerk Ghebre Jesus written in 1908 up to the writings of the early 2000s, which continue Amharic literature in various genres. Colavin, Roger Levy and Sharon Rose University of California, San Diego 1 Introduction One essential part of a native speaker’s knowledge is the characterization of what logically possible sound sequences constitute legitimate possible words in the The dissertation paper is divided into four chapters. 2017 PDF] covers news stories and opinion pieces in Amharic, the official language of www. 5 kB). Amharic is one of the Ethiopian Semitic languages, which are a subgrouping within the Semitic After Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica, study circles in Amharic were organized in Jamaica as "Language Access Act Fact Sheet" ( PDF). Dawit Alemu Tamirat Degefe Setotaw Ferede Serge Nzietcheung Devesh Roy Africa/Indonesia Team Working Paper No. This paper provides insight into how political, social and economic issues have affected the EOTC since the change of regime in 1991. Investigating the practices of assessment methods in. Adarsh vidyarthi essay in hindi for class 6. Amharic is rooted from the Ancient language Geez (Ge'ez). Abyssinica translator is the result of research and development by the Abyssinica® team who labored for many years to bring Amharic to the digital age. The scientific paper presents in a concrete way a study regarding the application of these concepts in a real organization which builds its business success on the phenomenon called KNOWLEDGE. The history of Ethiopia is a broad topic for a research paper. The reading researcher and practitioner will find the paper a review of what we know The focus of this paper is the intricate plural system of Amharic (Ethiosemitic), where there is considerable evidence that plural morphology is split between two heads: Num and the nominalizing head n. QA system has been given a name ŅǡƯĢ (Be. Cover letter for clerical clerk position. PDF Alemu, who were kind enough to read and comment an entire paper, and who have made an enormous contribution at all stage of the write up of this paper. organizational climate. Following the introductory chapter, Chapter two presents the macroeconomic developments in Ethiopia. We'll happily set one up for you. 2 Explain what you hope your research will find or show. iv Report of a World Bank Mission to Support the Program of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Improve Economic Governance and to Combat Corruption It's true that Leslau's system is the most common among linguists (as much as I dislike it, I used it myself once in a paper, bowing to convention), but it's not familiar at all to native-speaking non-linguists, and the question is what will be the most useful for Wikipedia users, many of whom will not be linguists (let alone Ethiopianists). According to the 1994 census Amharic is the most commonly spoken language in Ethiopia. com pdf mereja amharic news pdf Diabetes Calendar 2020 - Amharic/English 14-page PDF. Classification. As far back as Willard Waller (1932), qualitative researchers Jun 15, 2016 · The focus of cancer treatment, in addition to curation, is improving the quality of life (QOL). This Chapter outlines the logical steps to writing a good research How a Minnesota paper became one of the world's leading sources Dec 11, 2019 Today, from Minnesota, ZeHabesha Newspaper [Sept. Filetype pdf, volumes of graduate college teaching, give a word file get the open usage of theses and dissertation around full text convenience theses and dissertation printed for that college libraries. This study had received the translated Amharic EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 version from EORTC with permission to use for the proposed study. Introduction. Data was collected from three public and three private chartered universities in Kenya between January and June 2002 using questionnaires, interview guides and document analysis ×PDF Drive is your search engine for PDF files. kfupm. C. Depending on your familiarity with the topic and the challenges you encounter along the way, you may need to rearrange these steps. If students of accounting want to create a good research paper on accounting; then, they should conduct a thorough research about the topic of their accounting research paper that may be assigned to them. Sections of this report have been redacted in accordance with paragraph 9 of Executive Board decision EB2012/13, which states that a report may be redacted if particularly sensitive (relating inter alia to International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2015 1 ISSN 2250-3153 www. 5 Jan 2016 Find, read and cite all the research you need on ResearchGate. Asaye, Senior Procurement Officer, ETFO Nov 24, 2015 · On this page you can read or download amharic psychology books free in PDF format. Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/01/2016 - 16:40. (12-E006-EF) Environmental Scan of Patient Safety Education and Training Programs: Contract Final Report. form of articles, news, researches, reports and WebPages. For the program, NHTSA studies behaviors and attitudes in highway safety, focusing on drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. The Amharic books gathered within this site by the Lapsley/Brooks Foundation provide a small library for the study of the books of the Bible, doctrine, prophets, One of the problems of Amharic orthography is a lack of consistency where the humans. The spelling corrector uses Amharic Metaphone and edit distance algorithms to offer acceptable www. Section 2 discusses the areas of research on which this study is based. 2 Primary ELT in Ethiopia 16 addis ababa university mba research papers term paper examples, … [PDF] Business and MBA research paper topic suggestions in accounting, advertising news papers written in amharic language. Finally, survey research uses a selected portion of the population from which the findings can later be generalized back to the population. Organization of the study The study is organized into six chapters. The major The best Amharic books ever, as voted on by the general Goodreads community. Amharic language also has many varieties these. Updated on November 10, 2015 We would like to ask permission to use your research paper about bullying Amharic Version Annex 2, Documents on COWASH Phase III Highlight_NSMG_NH&EH Amharic Version Annex 1, MoU of Amhara Regional State Amharic Version Guideline for Women-led MSEs Dev't in COWASH Abstract. Our. The Amharic script is an abugida, and the graphemes of the Amharic writing system are called fidel. Urbanization and Spatial Connectivity in Ethiopia: Urban Growth Analysis Using GIS Emily Schmidt and Mekamu Kedir Development Strategy and Governance Division, International Food Policy Research Institute – Ethiopia Strategy Support Program 2, Ethiopia IFPRI-Addis Ababa P. View Amharic Language Research Papers on Academia. Get amharic tax manual PDF file for free from our online library PDF File: amharic tax manual AMHARIC TAX MANUAL PDF amharic tax manual are a good way to achieve details about operating certainproducts. Thu, 24 May GMT addis admas amharic newspaper pdf – Ethiopia says British museum must permanently return its artifacts Kumerra Gemechu. Amharic is one of the main languages spoken through out Ethiopia. the PDF thesis file. pdf, The languages under investigation are Amharic, Argobba, Harari, Zay, and. Read Mark 16 in the 'Amharic NT' translation. RESEARCH PROPOSAL: An Evaluation of the Impact of CrediAmigo and the Expansion of Access to Financial Services in Brazil Summary of Proposed Study This proposal outlines the plan to evaluate the impact of delivering credit to micronetrepreneurs in the Northeast region of Brazil, the poorest region of the country. Consider some of psychology/s research questions, which you will be learning irrigation project proposal in ethiopia Together we wrote a sanitation project proposal for EODA that was submitted. org The determined sample size was proportionately distributed to 41 rural, 26 urban woredas and 1 city administration in the region on the basis of their respective household sizes which leaves a analysis methods. In this study an attempt is made to experiment on Amharic speech recognition for Amharic-English speech translation in tourism domain. A possible reason for the lack of large school effects in quantitative research is the failure of such research to capitalize on an insight from qualitative research: the central importance of the classroom practices of teachers. This paper will examine Amhara identity and Ethiopian nationalism in Ethiopia and in . This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of Amharic version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) among gynecological cancer patients in Ethiopia. instruments is an important skill for research-ers. The Amharic Department at Addis Ababa University on Academia. Each character represents a consonant+vowel sequence, but the basic shape of each character is determined by the consonant, which is modified for the vowel. A special thanks also to Howard Anton [1], from whose book many of the examples used in this sample research paper have With 189 member countries, staff from more than 170 countries, and offices in over 130 locations, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries. Research Paper. 3 Objectives of the Study and the Research Questions 10 1. edu. Each customer will get a non-plagiarized paper with timely At EssayLib. EBC, Ethiopian News Daily from ETV, Ethiopian tv news broadcast in Amharic daily from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ዜና በአማርኛ, Amharic news, ethionetblog. 4 Significance of the study 11 1. the symbols: https://www. I analyzed and interpreted the data gathered through interviews and observation thematically based the objective of the article. Background. addis admas amharic version · addis zemen newspaper Addis Zemen ( Amharic “New Era”; also known as Addis Abreham) is a town in northern-central Ethiopia. It is the most used language for information storage and media communication purposes in the country. Degree must be correct Number of signatures required for doctoral students = director of research (adviser) + all voting May 29, 2017 · Teaching the Amharic language. Since there is no 5 Feb 2016 Introduction of Visual Amharic to Educate Deaf Students in Ethiopia - A. Research paper internet censorship. Sample graduation speech by guest speaker. edu being advocated. In addition, an event-related potential study indicated that while pro-. Both experiments use a dictionary based approach to translate the Amharic queries into English Bags-of-words, but while one approach removes non-content bearing words from the Amharic queries based on their IDF value, the other uses a list of English stop words to perform the same task. The Bank consulted stakeholders regarding the contents and recommendations of the CGP and sought their views. How we measure View Amharic Language Research Papers on Academia. The basic research is necessary to The main focus of our research was on the change from using Amharic as the only medium of instruction to using various local languages as media of instruction at primary level. org or call us at 303-830-3449. com Books in Amharic Books in Amharic Jan 05 This is a new catalog in our African languages series and does not at this time Raising a child with intellectual disabilities in Ethiopia 3 As Africa's oldest independent country, Ethiopia covers 1. doc. 6 Limitations of the Study 13 1. Many products that you buy can be obtained using instruction manuals. blogspot. The Effects of Daily Math Talks on Number Sense Development in a Kindergarten Clasroom, Hallie Keenan. Guest lecturer, research theses and dissertation addis ababa. If you have any questions or would like a notification when the publications are again available, please e-mail us at Refugeehouseinfo@mercyhousing. Second, the data required for survey research are collected from people and are, therefore, subjective. 5). process”. In his study Ethiopian Literature in Amharic (Wiesbaden,. Thomas . It is spoken by over 17 million people in Ethiopia. to the writing of this paper. The Department of Ethiopian Languages and Literature/Amharic is one of the departments under the College of Social Sciences and Languages (CSSL). A Two Step Data Mining Approach for Amharic Text. Diabetes Calendar 2020 - Khmer/English 14-page PDF. The data analysis began after transcribing the data into Amharic language and translating of the data in to English language and attempts have been made to keep the originality of the research. supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) of Amhara region which was organization had been established to work in the proposed research project. usaid_watsan. amharic research paper pdf	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340068
__label__cc	0.717491	0.282509	Taiwanese firm to bring cutting-edge manufacturing tech to PH NKG developed Automated Guided Vehicles (AVGs) to handle its logistics and materials in all its facilities. This technology eliminates the need for human assistance, thereby making processes more efficient. AVGs transfer raw materials from warehouses to production and assembly lines, as well as transport finished products from production lines to its temporary storage facilities before shipment to customers. Cal-Comp Technology (Philippines), Inc., the local arm of global tech conglomerate New Kinpo Group (NKG), is looking to bring artificial intelligence, robotics, and other cutting-edge technology to the Philippines. These manufacturing technologies are intended to boost the capabilities of Filipino industries. According to NKG and Cal-Comp Technology CEO Simon Shen, the company can produce technologically advanced products through its state-of-the-art equipment and automation capabilities. "Although we rely on almost 10,000 employees in the Philippines alone, we use automated equipment to help us speed up our manufacturing process. This is vital in keeping our customers satisfied with product quality and reaching our output targets," says Shen. Cal-Comp Technology also has real-time monitoring capability. Their Virtual Factory System monitors the entire manufacturing process and inventory. It utilizes bar codes to trace raw materials and monitor quality, making it easy to detect defects in products and equipment. The system also provides engineers with automatic alerts, which allow them to address any potential production issues quickly. For its production breakthroughs, Cal-Comp Technology, through NKG, has been recognized by different organizations for consistently upholding manufacturing standards in its facilities worldwide. NKG has received the Taiwan National Quality Award, the highest honor for quality given. It was also awarded the Prime Minister Quality Award in Thailand. To fund their expansion plans, Cal-Comp Technology is slated to have their initial public offering (IPO) in the local bourse later this year. "In order for us to offer our own products to the Philippines, we will expand our footprint here and boost our production capacity. This will allow us to better serve Filipinos’ needs for new and advanced technology, given the country’s adeptness and affinity for electronic devices," Shen added. By: Cal-Comp Technology, July 25, 2018 Source: ABS-CBN News ABOUT PTIC TAIPEI The Philippine Trade & Investment Center in Taipei is the Commercial Affairs Section of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office and the representative office of the Philippine Department of Trade & Industry in Taiwan	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340071
__label__wiki	0.592115	0.592115	Home \| About Us \| Editorial Board \| Current Issue \| Archives \| Search \| Instructions \| Subscription \| Feedback \| e-Alerts \| Reader Login Official publication of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Access statistics : Table of Contents 2010\| July-September \| Volume 28 \| Issue 3 Online since December 11, 2010 Archives Previous Issue Next Issue Most popular articles Most cited articles Show all abstracts Show selected abstracts Export selected to Viewed PDF Cited Marsupialization: A conservative approach for treating dentigerous cyst in children in the mixed dentition BC Kirtaniya, V Sachdev, A Singla, AK Sharma July-September 2010, 28(3):203-208 DOI:10.4103/0970-4388.73795 PMID:21157055 Dentigerous cysts are usually encountered in the practice of pediatric dentistry. The treatment modalities range from marsupialization to enucleation of the lesion and are based on the involvement of the lesion with the adjacent structures. However, loss of a permanent tooth in the management of a dentigerous cyst can be devastating to a child who has already a congenitally missing tooth. The first case describes the technique of marsupialization in which we extracted the grossly carious deciduous 1st molar and created a window through the extracted socket to decompress the lesion. In this case the 2nd premolars were congenitally missing on both sides of the mandible for which we had not gone for enucleation of the dentigerous cyst along with the developing 1st premolar. The second case is a developmental type of a big dentigerous cyst where marsupialization was followed by enucleation of the cystic lining but without removal of the affected tooth. Both the teeth erupted in the oral cavity. [ABSTRACT] [FULL TEXT] [PDF] [Mobile Full text] [EPub] [CITATIONS] [PubMed] 22,326 1,076 11 Biological approach for management of anterior tooth trauma: Triple case report P Goenka, N Marwah, S Dutta Anterior crown fractures are a common form of injury that mainly affect children and adolescents. The position of maxillary incisors and their eruptive pattern carries a significant risk for trauma. In the pre-adhesive era, fractured teeth needed to be restored either with pin-retained inlays or cast restorations that sacrificed healthy tooth structure and were a challenge for clinicians to match with adjacent teeth. The development of adhesive dentistry has allowed dentists to use the patient's own fragment to restore the fractured tooth. Three cases are presented here with complicated crown fracture of maxillary central incisors; the reattachment of the fractured tooth segment in this case has been performed using different combinations of techniques, viz. simple reattachment, circumferential bevel and internal dentinal groove. 14,127 851 2 Congenital epulis: A rare benign tumor in the newborn MB Diniz, MA Giro Elisa, CC Zuanon Angela, CA Costa, J Hebling Congenital epulis (CE) of the newborn is a rare benign soft tissue tumor that presents at birth. It occurs usually as a single mass with various sizes, although some multiple lesions have also been reported. The lesion is more common in female neonates and normally affects the maxillary alveolar ridge. Rare recurrence and no malignant alteration have also been reported. This condition may interfere with respiration, feeding or adequate closure of the mouth. A decisive diagnosis is made by histopathologic analysis as other newborn lesions can be incorrectly diagnosed as CE. This article presents a case report of a female infant who presented a fibrotic mass in the primary lateral incisor and canine region of the maxillary alveolar ridge. The lesion was not causing feeding or respiratory problems. After a watchful waiting procedure and no spontaneous regression, the lesion was excised under local anesthesia and confirmed by histopathologic analysis as CE. Dentin comparison in primary and permanent molars under transmitted and polarised light microscopy: An in vitro study N Chowdhary, VV Subba Reddy Dentin is the fundamental substrate of restorative dentistry and its properties and characteristics are key determinants of nearly all restorative, preventive and disease processes of the teeth. The intrinsic permeability of dentin is responsible for permitting bacterial or chemical substances to diffuse across the dentin and irritate the pulpal and periradicular tissues. Improved understanding of the dentin structure and nature will have important consequences for today's dental procedures. The aims of the study were to observe the direction of dentinal tubules, interglobular dentin, incremental lines of dentin and the dead tracts. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 teeth (15 primary and 15 permanent molars), unrestored, noncarious, hypoplastic extracted molars were used. Longitudinal ground sections of teeth were obtained using hard tissue microtome. Results: Examination of ground sections of the primary teeth dentin showed "s"-shaped curvature in four (26.7%) specimens and a straight course of dentinal tubules in 11 (73.3%) specimens out of 15 teeth examined whereas in permanent teeth, all 15 (100%) specimens showed an "s"-shaped curvature. These results are statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dentinal tubules followed an "s"-shaped course in all the 15 (100%) permanent molars and in four (26.7%) primary molars. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of interglobular dentin of primary and permanent molars. But, they were at angles in the primary teeth. Efficacy of a probiotic and chlorhexidine mouth rinses: A short-term clinical study PM Harini, RT Anegundi Introduction: Probiotic technology represents a breakthrough approach to maintaining oral health by utilizing natural beneficial bacteria commonly found in healthy mouths to provide a natural defense against those bacteria thought to be harmful to teeth and gums. However, data are still sparse on the probiotic action in the oral cavity. The review article on probiotics in children published by Twetman and Stecksen- Blicks in 2008 showed only one study of dental interest on probiotics in children. Aim and Objectives: The present study evaluated clinically the efficacy of a probiotic and chlorhexidine mouth rinses on plaque and gingival accumulation in children. The trial design is a double-blind parallel group, 14 days comparative study between a probiotic mouth rinse and a chlorhexidine mouth rinse, which included 45 healthy children in the age group of 6-8 years. Results: The Probiotic and Chlorhexidine groups had less plaque accumulations compared with the Control group at the end of 14 years (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). But, unlike the plaque score, there was a significant difference in the Gingival Index between the Probiotic and the Chlorhexidine groups (P = 0.009), Probiotic group being better than the Chlorhexidine group (mean = 0.2300 and 0.6805, respectively). Conclusion: The Probiotic mouth rinse was found effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. Therefore, probiotic mouth rinse obviously has a potential therapeutic value and further long-term study is recommended to determine its efficacy. 11,549 1,507 7 Use of a modified anterior inclined plane in the treatment on the dentoskeletal Class II division 2 patient SA Rao, AM Thomas, S Chopra Class II malocclusions are seen due to the underdevelopment of the mandible in most of the cases. To compensate for the mandible retrusive position, there is flaring of the lower anterior teeth or retroclination of the central incisors as a compensatory mechanism seen in Class II division 2 type of malocclusion. This case report evaluates the skeletal and dental changes when a 12-year-old female patient with Class II div 2 malocclusion was treated with a modified anterior inclined plane. The postreatment data suggested that there were no significant changes in the vertical skeletal parameters. The upper central incisors were significantly realigned by proclination along with retroclination of the lateral incisors. There was significant increase in the mandibular length. The results revealed that the modified anterior inclined plane showed good results in the treatment of a case of Class II div 2 malocclusion. Comparative evaluation of the effects of an alum-containing mouthrinse and a saturated saline rinse on the salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans S Rupesh, JJ Winnier, UA Nayak, AP Rao, NV Reddy Background: The literature is replete with studies establishing Streptococcus mutans as a major player in the formation of pit and fissure caries in all dentitions. Salivary bacterial levels in turn are related to the number of colonized surfaces. Therefore, decreasing the salivary levels of S. mutans would have a great benefit in decreasing the incidence of dental diseases. Aims: Keeping in mind the potential antimicrobial effects of saturated saline and alum solutions, the present study was attempted to compare and evaluate the effects of saturated saline rinse and 0.02 M alum mouthrinse on salivary S. mutans levels in children. Materials and Methods: The investigation was a double-blind, stratified comparison of three parallel groups of children who used either saturated saline rinse, 0.02 M alum mouthrinse or distilled water (placebo) rinse twice daily under professional supervision for a 21-day period. A total of three saliva samples were taken from each individual - at baseline, on the 10 th day and on the 21 st day, and colony counts of S. mutans were determined. All data were subjected to statistical analysis using Wilcoxon's Signed Ranks Sum and Mann-Whitney "U" test. Results and Conclusions: Children using saturated saline rinse and alum rinse showed statistically significant reductions in salivaryS. mutans counts after 10 days and also after 21 days. After 21 days, the saturated saline rinse and alum rinse groups showed statistically significant differences over the placebo rinse group. Again, the alum rinse group showed a statistically significant difference over the saturated saline rinse group. Relative position of the mandibular foramen in different age groups of children: A radiographic study KS Poonacha, AL Shigli, KR Indushekar Objectives: To assess the relative position of the mandibular foramen (MF) and to evaluate the measurement of gonial angle (GoA) and its relationship with distances between different mandibular borders in growing children between 3 and 13years of dental age. Materials and methods: The radiographs were traced to arrive at six linear and two angular measurements from which the relative position of the MF was assessed and compared in different age groups to determine the growth pattern of the mandible and changes in the location of the MF. Results: The distances between the MF and the anterior plane of the ramus were greater than that between MF and posterior plane of the ramus through all stages. There was a maximum increase in the vertical dimensions of the mandible compared with the horizontal dimensions, particularly in the late mixed dentition period. Conclusion: The mandible and its growth did not alter the position of the MF, both vertically and horizontally, in relation to different landmarks, and more obtuse GoA indicated an increased growth potential of the mandible. This has major implications in the inferior alveolar nerve block technique when used in children. Clinical management of supernumerary teeth: A report of two cases M Mittal, A Sultan Supernumerary tooth may closely resemble the teeth of the group to which it belongs, i.e. molars, premolars or anterior teeth, or it may bear little resemblancein size or shape to which it is associated. Many complications can be associated with supernumeraries, like impaction, delayed eruption or ectopic eruption of adjacent teeth, crowding, development of median diastema and eruption into floor of the nasal cavity. This may also cause the formation of follicular cysts with significant bone destruction. Early intervention to remove it is usually required to obtain reasonable alignment and occlusal relationship. This article will present the clinical management of an (i) impacted supernumerary tooth impeding the eruption of maxillary central incisor and (ii) erupted supernumerary tooth with midline diastema. [ABSTRACT] [FULL TEXT] [PDF] [Mobile Full text] [EPub] [PubMed] 10,862 662 - RURS' elbow guard: An innovative treatment of the thumb-sucking habit in a child with Hurler's syndrome RM Shetty, U Dixit, R Hegde, PK Shivprakash Thumb sucking is the process of sucking on the thumb for oral pleasure. Thumb and finger sucking habits, or nonnutritive sucking, are considered to be the most prevalent of oral habits. Some parents are concerned by thumb sucking and may even try to restrain the infant or child. In most cases, this is not necessary. Most children stop thumb sucking on their own. When older children continue to suck their thumbs, it could mean they are bored, anxious, or have emotional problems such as depression. This article presents a case report of a child with Hurler's syndrome along with thumb sucking/biting habit. Hurler's syndrome, also known as mucopolysaccharidosis I, is a rare condition inherited as an autosomal-recessive trait. It represents the classical prototype of mucopolysaccharide disorder. A unique appliance to prevent thumb sucking/biting was developed and termed as "RURS' elbow guard," which was successfully used to break thumb sucking of the child with Hurler syndrome. The present report also describes the steps in fabrication of this new habit-breaking appliance, which is also designed to protect the finger from the effects of the sucking habit. 8,632 596 - Flowable resin used as a sealant in molars using conventional, enameloplasty and fissurotomy techniques: An in vitro study TR Chaitra, VV Subba Reddy, GM Devarasa, TL Ravishankar Background and Objective: Preventive procedures using pit and fissure sealants are one of the most important aspects of pediatric dental practice. The objectives of this in vitro study were to comparatively evaluate microleakage of a flowable resin used as a sealant on molars after preparation with conventional, enameloplasty and fissurotomy techniques. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 teeth were divided into three groups of eight samples each. Pits and fissures were prepared with conventional sealant technique (CST) (Group A), enameloplasty sealant technique (EST) (Group B) and fissurotomy technique (FT) (Group C). Following sealant placement, thermocycling and sectioning of samples of Groups A, B and C were performed and microleakage was assessed under a stereomicroscope after methylene blue dye immersion. Results: There was significantly lesser microleakage in EST when compared with CST and FT, which showed more microleakage. No statistical significance between CST and FT was found. Interpretation and Conclusion: EST has proven to be an excellent method of preparation of pits and fissures when flowable composite is used as a sealant because of its lesser microleakage. 7,260 820 2 Acanthomatous ameloblastoma of anterior maxilla M Bansal, TP Chaturvedi, R Bansal, M Kumar The unusual case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma occurring in maxillary left anterior region in a 13-year-old female child is presented with chief complaint of swelling in the upper left anterior region since one year and spacing between maxillary left central incisor and canine. Microscopic examination of surgically excised specimen revealed solid epithelial cell nests with peripheral palisading ameloblastic cells and the central squamous cell assemblage that was consistent with the findings of acanthomatous ameloblastoma type. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma is the extremely rare variant. The present report discusses issues related to the incidence of such formations in the target tissues. Evaluation of acidity and total sugar content of children's popular beverages and their effect on plaque pH S Saeed, M Al-Tinawi Background: In the developing countries, dental caries has increased with the increased exposure to dietary sugars. There is no data on the cariogenicity and acidogenicity of popular beverages in the Syrian market. Aims: To investigate the endogenous pH, titratable acidity, and total sugar content of popular beverages (cola, orange juice, and full-fat milk), and assess plaque pH drop after consumption. Settings and Design: Twenty-five healthy children with a mean age of 11.8 ± 0.6 years were recruited for this single blinded study. Materials and Methods: The pH of beverages was measured by a digital pH meter and the titratable acidity was expressed as the volume of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide required to neutralize the beverage. The total sugar content was estimated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Children rinsed with 15 mL of each of the beverages for 1 min. The controls used were 10% sucrose and 10% sorbitol solutions. The plaque pH was assessed before and after rinsing. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni test to assess minimum pH, maximum pH drop, and the area under curve. P value was set as 0.05. Results: Both cola and orange juice had a low pH and similar total sugar content in contrast to the high pH and low sugar content of milk. Cola and orange juice were not statistically different from 10% sucrose (P > 0.05), but different from 10% sorbitol (P < 0.05), in contrast to milk, for all the parameters studied. Conclusion: Cola and orange juice are cariogenic/acidogenic and frequent intake should be discouraged. A reasonable intake of unsweetened milk may be advised safely. Relation of salivary calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase with the incidence of dental caries in children KE Vijayaprasad, KS Ravichandra, A.A.K Vasa, S Suzan Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess possible relationship of Calcium, Phosphorus and Alkaline-phophatase levels in saliva with incidence of caries in child patients. Settings and Design: Children (n=75) attending Department of Pedodontics, St. Joseph Dental college, Eluru, with and without caries were categorized in to Group I: Consisting of 25 children with non-rampant caries, Group II: Consisting of 25 children with rampant caries, Group III: Consisting of 25 children without caries. (Control group). Materials and Methods: The samples of saliva were collected one week after oral prophylaxis. Unstimulated directly expectorated whole saliva samples were collected in clean, dry, sterilized glass bottles and fitted with proper rubber stoppers immediately. The samples were subjected to biochemical assay for estimation of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels. Statistical analysis used: ANOVA. Results: The alkaline Phosphatase activity for rampant caries group was 18.66 K.A, and control group was 4.68 K.A. The values of alkaline phosphatase activity for minimal caries group was 6.16 KA. Conclusion: Saliva could reflect a caries risk situation was supported by the fact that alkaline phosphatase activity was very much significantly higher in caries prone groups. Reliability and factor analysis of children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale in Indian subjects P Singh, RK Pandey, A Nagar, K Dutt Context: Fear to visit a dentist is a common observation even in adults; however, among children it becomes one of the most important issues for a dentist. Psychographic analysis of the factors that add to fear level of the children can be accessed through Children fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS); however, its varied applicability in different environmental situations has been tested through this paper. Aims: The aim of present study is to evaluate the reliability and factor structure of the Indian version of the CFSS-DS. Materials and Methods: The routine patients attending Outpatient Department of Pedodontics with Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Lucknow, India (n=197, aged 7-12 years old) were evaluated for children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale which was filled by parents on behalf of the child. Statistical Analysis: Reliability analysis (alpha) was performed to assess the internal consistency of the Indian translation of the scale. Factor analysis (principle components, varimax rotation) was employed to assess the factor structure. Results: Children fear survey scale-dental subscale was found to be equally reliable (Cronbach alpha = 0.92) and applicable among Indian subjects. However, factorization revealed emergence of 1) hospital, injections and hospital personnel, 2) drilling and interaction with unknown, 3) dental care personnel and practices. Conclusion: The present study extended the universal applicability of children fear survey schedule -dental subscale, while at the same time it was able to highlight different facets of problem in different environments. Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouth rinses in reducing the mutants streptococci in saliva: An in vivo study R Jayaprakash, A Sharma, J Moses Background: Is low-concentration chlorhexidine effective against reducing the mutans streptococci (MS) in saliva? Aim: To compare the efficacy of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouth rinses, i.e. 0.02%, 0.06% and 0.12%, in reducing the mutants streptococci count in saliva. Design: Forty subjects in the age group of 12-14 years were selected from the schools of Chennai and were equally divided into four groups. The first three were study groups and the fourth group was the control group. The subjects were instructed to rinse with a measured amount of mouth rinse for 1 min, twice-daily, for 1 week. Salivary samples were collected at baseline and 1 week after mouth rinsing with various concentrations and were cultured on MSB agar. The number of MS colonies was counted on agar medium under anaerobic conditions. Results: The results of the study confirmed that children using chlorhexidine of concentration 0.12% showed the maximum reduction in MS when compared with subjects using 0.02% and 0.06% concentrations. But, children using chlorhexidine of concentration 0.06% also showed significant reduction in MS when compared with the control group. Conclusion: From the above study, we conclude that chlorhexidine used in different concentrations (0.02%, 0.06%, 0.12%) efficiently reduced the mutans count. Comparative evaluation of the effect of topical fluorides on the microhardness of various restorative materials: An in vitro study NC Gill, A Pathak Context: Topical fluorides can recharge the fluoride content of exhausted glass ionomer cements, converting them into fluoride reservoirs. However, the high reactivity of fluoride agents used in topical fluorides may result in the deterioration of surface properties of these restorations. Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of topical fluorides on the microhardness of conventional glass ionomer cements (Fuji II,GC Corporation,Tokyo, Japan and Ketac Fil Plus,3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany), high viscosity conventional glass ionomer cements (Ketac Molar Easymix, 3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany and Fuji IX GP, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), and resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Vitremer, 3M ESPE, St.Paul, MN, USA and Fuji II LC, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Materials and Methods: Twenty-one pellets were made of each material and stored in distilled water at 37°C for 48 h. These were then randomly divided into 3 subgroups of 7 pellets each. One subgroup was treated by 4 min application of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel, other subgroup with 2% sodium fluoride (NaF) gel, and the third subgroup was used as control. Thereafter, all the pellets were subjected to microhardness testing (load = 100 g for 15 s). Results: APF gel of 1.23% produced a statistically significant decrease in microhardness (P<0.05) of all the restorative materials as compared with restorative materials used as control. The decrease in the microhardness was more pronounced in conventional glass ionomer cements and least pronounced in resin-modified glass ionomer cements. No statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in microhardness was found after NaF treatment in all the restorative materials tested as compared with control subgroups. Conclusion: The use of 1.23% APF gel may be detrimental to the long-term durability of glass ionomer restorations. Technique-sensitivity of dentin-bonding agent application: The effect on shear bond strength using one-step self-etch adhesive in primary molars: An in vitro study S Bansal, IK Pandit, N Srivastava, N Gugnani Aim: The present study was undertaken to compare and evaluate the effect of technique-sensitivity on shear bond strength (SBS) of one-step self-etch adhesive, using multiple coats and different applicator designs, to dentin in deciduous molars. Materials and Methods: Flat buccal dentinal surfaces were obtained on 60 extracted human primary molars. The specimens were divided into 3 equal groups (n = 20). Self-etch adhesive was applied on the dentinal surface of group I with cotton pellet, group II with microapplicator tip, and group III using 3M brush. The groups were further divided into 2 subgroups-single coat of dentin-bonding agent (DBA) in subgroups A and triple coat (with no curing in between coats) in subgroups B. The composite was placed on the dentinal surface using split nylon cylinder and cured. SBS was tested for all specimens with Instron Universal testing machine. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Student's t test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the main study groups, that is, no significant difference in the SBS with the use of different applicator tips. However, the use of triple coat of self-etch DBA exhibited highly significant difference in the SBS as compared with single coat. Conclusion: This study revealed that one-step self-etch adhesive could prove attractive in pediatric dentistry because of its lesser technique-sensitivity; however, increasing the number of coats of DBA (with no curing in between the layers) enhanced the bond strength to dentin owing to the improved resin infiltration. Oral pemphigus vulgaris in a pediatric patient R Anand, JN Jaiswal, F Samadi Pemphigus vulgaris is a chronic autoimmune mucocutaneous disease that initially manifests in the form of intraoral lesions, which spread to other mucous membranes and the skin. The etiology of pemphigus vulgaris is still unknown, although the disease has attracted considerable interest. The pemphigus group of diseases is characterized by the production of autoantibody against intercellular substances and is thus classified as autoimmune diseases. A case of oral pemphigus vulgaris is presented with special emphasis on diagnostic modalities. [ABSTRACT] [FULL TEXT] [Mobile Full text] [EPub] [CITATIONS] [PubMed] Cricket ball trauma causing temporal space abscess: Report of a case PP Waknis, S Sabhlok, R Deshpande A 9-year-old boy reported with swelling on right side of the face after injury by a cricket ball while fielding. There was a history of hot fermentation after which the swelling increased in size leading to a temporal space abscess. The patient underwent incision and drainage with uneventful healing and was followed-up for a period of 7 years. Greetings from Davangere, Karnataka VV Subba Reddy [FULL TEXT] [PDF] [Mobile Full text] [EPub] [PubMed] © 2005 - Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry \| Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340083
__label__cc	0.731899	0.268101	Justin Catanoso Journalist at Large Triad Biz Mongabay: COP25: Wood pellet CEO claims biomass carbon neutrality, despite science Thousands of trees stacked like cordwood wait to be turned into wood pellets for overseas shipment, mostly to the UK and EU, at one of three pellet-making plants in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of the Dogwood Alliance. This story here is not one I thought I would have the opportunity to write. After 20 months of focusing much of my climate and climate policy reporting on burning wood pellets for energy, I wandered into a side event at the 25th United Nations climate summit featuring the CEO of Drax, the United Kingdom’s largest weed-pellet-burning power plant. Not coincidentally, the moderator of the event told the audience packed into the UK pavilion that there would not be time for questions — before the program started, and even though it wrapped up five minutes early. In other words, he didn’t want to make any of his guests uncomfortable by having to take difficult questions about the scientific reality of burning wood instead of coal to generate electricity. But as soon as the program ended, I walked over to the riser as the Drax CEO was preparing to leave, introduced myself and asked him if he had a few moments for questions. He did. He was candid, slightly defensive, and clearly proud of his company. I also was able to balance the CEO’s opinions and remarks with the knowledge and insight of one of the world’s top climate scientists on the issue of wood pellets and energy. The result is one of the most compelling and dramatic stories I’ve written from the six UN climate summits I’ve covered since Lima, Peru, in 2014. Will Gardiner CEO of Drax, the United Kingdom’s largest biomass plant, speaking at COP25 at the UK pavilion in Madrid, Spain. This entry was posted in Environment on December 14, 2019 by Justin Catanoso. ← Mongabay@COP25: Indonesian dam raises questions about UN hydropower carbon loophole Mongabay: COP25 — EU officials say biomass burning policy to come under critical review → WUNC/The State of Things: A Closer Look At The Wood Pellet Industry News & Observer of Raleigh: ‘Slow Burn’ — The first-ever indepth look at the wood pellet industry in North Carolina, in three parts Mongabay: COP25 — Self-serving G20 spites youth, humanity, world at climate talks Mongabay: COP25 — EU officials say biomass burning policy to come under critical review jcatanoso @jcatanoso RT @SpeakerPelosi: The House could not ignore the President’s abuses of power – and neither should the Senate. #RealTime https://t.co/gRY2EfdmJq RT @SpeakerPelosi: The President has been impeached – and nothing either he or Leader McConnell can do will change that. #RealTime https://t.co/SVeuVW4I2g 10030 retweets RT @GretaThunberg: “Today’s business as usual is turning into a crime against humanity. We demand that leaders play their part in putt… https://t.co/W7C9Yqyqy1 RT @AOC: Congress is not legislating the reduction of CO2 + methane emissions required to save our planet and preserve our w… https://t.co/Thx6T3mPYW RT @WoodsHoleResCtr: "No one argues [with the fact] that the Arctic meltdown will affect weather patterns, the question is exactly how,"… https://t.co/bdaWnbg66S RT @state_of_things: Will North Carolina's trees eclipse West Virginia's coal in energy exports? Europe is hungry for #biofuel, and logg… https://t.co/W4FyKOzigb RT @mongabay: 2019 was the second-hottest year on record & the 2010s were the hottest decade: https://t.co/kLmBvX1Obb https://t.co/HvnwT76QKk 10 retweets A Closer Look At The Wood Pellet Industry https://t.co/XSPbQi0bP1 My discussion on WUNC's The State of Things with… https://t.co/1ZQs3z6KNQ The State of Things on WUNC - A Closer Look At The Wood Pellet Industry...Interviewed by Frank Stasio on the 3-part… https://t.co/IBqaoOWmNp 1 retweet 2 Favorites RT @MBJamerson: Six months of reporting resulted in this detailed series about the wood pellet industry and the effect on North Car… https://t.co/weyX8nX8Ge	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340088
__label__wiki	0.674792	0.674792	The Undies Pilot Season Crossover Appeal RECAP: Game of Thrones 4x03 - Oh I Am Pissed the Hell Off I'm afraid I'm actually pretty behind on these recaps. It turns out that real life isn't super conducive to weekly episodic writing. Or viewing, for that matter. So, here's the Game of Thrones recap for episode 4x03 - you know, the one that aired two weeks ago. The episode starts rather unsurprisingly not even seconds after the last one ended. Joffrey is dead, and Cersei is screaming for Tyrion's head on a pike, while Sansa and her gallant rescuer flee the city. As well they should, because, you know, Sansa kind of had the sort of motive that you'd have to be completely daft to ignore. But, as we know, Sansa didn't do it. Nope, the act is actually being claimed by Petyr Baelish (Littlefinger), who ordered Sansa rescued, then shoots her rescuer, and proceeds to be a total and complete creeper while keeping Sansa "safe" on one of the ruined ships in the harbor left over from the battle of King's Landing. And apparently Petyr plans to take Sansa home with him and live out his weird thing for Catelyn, so there's that. Meanwhile, Margaery is stuck wondering if she's cursed, you know, because her husbands keep dying before they can make it to the bedroom. Of course, this probably wouldn't be an issue so much if she stopped trying to marry guys who have deep and meaningful emotional problems. Or are gay. Mostly, though, I think Margaery might want to try marrying someone who doesn't want to be queen. Longer lifespan. It is worth mentioning, though, that in this version Margaery doesn't know about the murder. Pretty sure she does in the books. And I don't like the idea that Margaery is some wincing flower. Please. Girl is made of steel and ambition. I'm pretty sure she's not really mourning Joffrey. Relieved that now she only has to wed Tommen - the sane one. Tommen is a bit apprehensive about this whole "being king" thing. Understandable, since his brother was a psychopath and his father was a drunk. Not a whole lot of good role models there. He gets a rousing speech about what makes a good king from his grandfather, Tywin, while standing over his brother's corpse, and as grody and intense as the scene is, it actually made me like both characters more. Because Tywin might be a jerkface, but he's not wrong. The best king is a wise king - and wise kings do listen to their advisors. But then the scene derails obscenely when Jaime comes in and he and Cersei have a "moment" over Joffrey's dead body. Jaime is ostensibly there to comfort his sister, but he's also mourning his son, except Joffrey was a terrible person and Cersei is psychotically mad at Tyrion now, and blech. The blech is the part where Jaime basically goes, "I know you're grieving and all, but I think the best solution to this is to have sex. Right now. Next to our dead incest child. In a church." And when Cersei is pretty reasonably not into the idea, he forces her. He rapes her. The writers can prevaricate all they want, saying it's not really rape, but it totally is. She's telling him to stop, telling him no, he's ripping her clothes and screwing her, and telling her she's a "hateful woman". It's rape. And I am so not okay with this. Then, of course, there's a complete and total tonal shift, and we're following Arya and the Hound while they waltz around the countryside. When a farmer catches them totally trespassing on his land, Arya saves them from getting the law called on them, and manages to sweet talk them into a place for the night and a warm meal. But the Hound, cuddly bear that he is, is a total dick through the meal, and in the morning, he murders the father and steals their silver. Because of course he does. Arya is pissed, but the Hound does make a reasonable point. That family was going to starve, and they need silver. Honor never fed a man. He hammers it home for her by reminding her of exactly how many Starks honor has gotten killed. Not a nice lesson, but a practical one. Next we see Sam and Gilly, back at Castle Black. Gilly's happy to finally be in a place where there are no White Walkers or incestuous rape fathers, but Sam is terrified that the men of the Night's Watch are going to lose control and gang rape Gilly. Which, you know, not really the most unreasonable thing to fear, given that most of the men of the Watch are conscripts from the prisons, and a lot of them are rapists. So... Still, his decision to bring Gilly into town and house her and baby Sam in the local brothel, demanding that she be given lodging only for cooking and caring for the children but NOTHING ELSE, OKAY? is a little bit awkward. Gilly's not exactly stoked to live with a bunch of whores, and she's pissed at the idea that Sam thinks he can't or won't protect her. They are so married it's adorable and I want it. Oh, and we got a nice reminder that Sam did manage to kill that White Walker - I hope he remembered to bring the spearhead with him. I can't imagine trying to go back and find it. That would suck. Stannis and Davos have a fight, mostly because Stannis is mad because Davos was nice enough to free Gendry, and now he doesn't have a bastard to use for blood magic rituals anymore. Stannis is creepy. But Davos has an ace up his sleeve: Stannis' daughter, Shireen, his tutor. Shireen helps him think of a clever plan which involves a bank. I'm not entirely sure what the plan is, but that's cool. I can wait. Oberyn and Ellaria continue their...sampling of the wares in King's Landing (they have a lot of sex, okay? kinky, kinky sex), until they are interrupted by Tywin Lannister and an unusual request. He wants Oberyn, noted hater of the Lannister family to be the third judge at Tyrion's trial. He also wants to know if Oberyn was the one to poison Joffrey, but Oberyn swears he isn't. If he was, he'd be a lot more proud about claiming the deed, which makes sense. Down in the cells, Tyrion is totally miserable, poor baby, but his squire, Podrick manages to sneak in some food and a quill and parchment, which is good of him. He also announces the news about the trial, and reveals that he's been asked to testify for the prosecution, in exchange for a lot of money and knighthood and lands. It's a good offer, but Pod is too honorable to take it. Tyrion tells him to flee the city. It's a sad moment. Also they discuss whether or not Sansa actually did it, because dang did she have motive, but Tyrion is pretty sure she didn't. Reasonably sure. Kind of. Did she? (No, she didn't, but give her time. She'll get to the poisoning her rivals stage at some point, I have no doubts.) Back in the North, Ygritte and her Wildlings (who are we kidding? they're totally hers) attack a village and make sure that the Night's Watch know about it. The Watch is all set to ride out kill some Wildlings, but Jon Snow actually lives up to his potential and points out the very important facts: Mance Ryder is coming, and he's bringing an army. They have got to shore up the Wall. Then some of the men Castor (Gilly's evil weird father) kept captive return. They've been tortured and hurt, and they've given up some crucial information: how many men there are at Castle Black. Aww, crap. And then, hurray! We're back with Daenerys and her giant army of freed slaves, facing down the evil city of Meereen. Meereen isn't stupid, so they've closed the gates, but her giant freaking army does send a loud message. The message only gets louder when Meereen challenges her champion to face their champion. It's a funny moment, with all of Dany's advisors begging for the chance to murder someone for her. She sends Daario, who does a great job of murdering their champion and spitting in Meereen's face, and then Dany does what she does best. She gives an epic and inspirational speech to all of the slaves in Meereen, fosters revolt, and then sends barrels catapulting over the city walls. Barrels full of the broken collars of the slaves who are now free and in her care. Damn. Girl knows her public relations. Okay, so that's what actually happened in the episode. But what did it mean? Well, for me, there are really only two things of note in this episode, and that's Cersei's rape and Dany's speech. And, it may surprise you to hear me say this, but both of them are problematic, in their own ways. Let's talk about Dany first, because the Cersei thing is going to be a lot longer. So while I love Daenerys so freaking much and I am stoked for the dragons to finally be fully grown so that she can blaze through Westeros, claim the throne, and then sear the White Walkers and save the world, her narrative arc is kind of troublesome. And not just the whole child-bride thing. The part where she, a white woman who is in fact mostly visually notable only for how freaking white she really is, marches through a foreign land, civilizing the brown people. Do you get why that's a little bit problematic? No? Okay, let me explain it further. It's not that Daenerys is doing anything wrong. It's really not. She's an awesome character, and her motivation in freeing people is great, her actions are superb, and she's pretty much the only truly regal character on the show. That's not the issue. The problem is in the writers. The writers, both George RR Martin and the showrunners, who have decided that Daenerys should do all of this and be a white woman. In other words, it's not so much that Dany shouldn't be out there freeing the slaves, but why didn't they make her something other than white? Because if they had, they would have completely avoided this incredibly uncomfortable "I must civilize these wretched brown people" thing they've got going. I'm all for Dany being a savior, but I'm less cool with her being a White Savior. And when you get down to it, that's entirely a writing choice. Like, why does Dany have to be white? We know from the story that her family comes from far away, and came to Westeros to conquer it. She doesn't really share a bloodline with most of the people of Westeros, and that's emphasized by the fact that her family is hella inbred. Plus, she's "blood of the dragon", right? Well why does that mean she should have white blond hair and blue eyes? Wouldn't a dragonblood be a little, you know, darker? I'm just saying. It's not Dany's story that's the problem, it's the sociopolitical and racial implications it raises about the writers that's the problem. And then there's the other really truly deeply troubling part of this episode. The scene where Jaime, who has spent the last two seasons becoming more and more endearing and sweet, viciously rapes his sister over their son's dead body. I shouldn't have to tell you that this isn't in the books. Creepy as Cersei and Jaime's relationship is there, it's never this bad. George RR Martin himself even responded to the episode pointing out that this is not how he wrote it. And it just plain doesn't make sense. Why would Jaime Lannister, who got his own hand cut off for defending Brienne from rape, then turn around and rape his own sister, whom he professes to love? I honestly don't know. But I suspect, and I hate suspecting this, that it is all to do with rape culture and how gross our society is, and the simple fact that the actor, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and the writers didn't see it as rape. They saw it as intense sex. Which is gross and terrifying. And also deeply uncomfortable, not just because of the rape, but because of what this says about how they view Cersei. So Cersei obviously isn't the nicest character, but I would argue that she's a lot more interesting than the one note bitch the show seems intent on portraying. She's a fiercely protective mother, has been horribly abused her whole life, and is wildly ambitious and talented, but constantly told the only thing she's good for is popping out children. No wonder she's a bitch. The thing this scene highlights, though, is that we're not supposed to think about Cersei's complexity. As the next episode will show, we're not supposed to be horrified and sympathize with Cersei during her rape. We're supposed to sympathize with her rapist. When Jaime calls her a hateful woman (for refusing to have sex in a church next to their dead son, for the record), we're supposed to agree with him and think he's right to force her. I'm sorry, what? Wait, no, I'm not sorry. I'm royally and ragingly pissed the hell off. That is not okay. That is so far from okay that it's not even on the same continent. Cersei is not a bitch for invoking her human right to deny her consent. And Jaime is not a lovable rogue for raping her. Just absolutely the hell no. And all of this is just more fuel to the fire of the fact that the Game of Thrones television show has a really big problem. They keep using sex and violence and sexualized violence to "spice it up". Well, here's a newsflash guys. This story doesn't need spicing up, and all you're doing is contributing to a culture that suggests that a woman, simply by existing in a space, is asking to be raped. I hope you hear Cersei's screams while you try to sleep tonight, writers. And I hope they never leave your ears. Cleanse your palate with some Khaleesi. Labels: media: books, media: tv, title: game of thrones, topic: rape is never funny, topic: strong female characters, type: recap, writer: george r r martin HarleyQuinn May 11, 2014 at 8:04 PM Thank you for this. My personal problem with the scene was not so much the scene itself (though it was disturbing) but the gross implications and the complete derailment of character, not to mention the reactions of the actors, writers, and director. To add insult to injury, I am a person who would have proudly ranked Jaime amongst my favourite characters, but it's much harder to do that now, outside of the context of the book. Oh man - the reactions of everyone involved really make me uncomfortable. Like, how can they not see it? And I was definitely digging the Jaime redemption arc up until this point. Now that this has happened, but they're leaving his arc as is, that bothers me sooooo much. They're treating it as if it never happened, which is ugh. Especially since he saved Brienne from being raped last season (and, you know, killed and eaten by a bear). The dissonance is just too much. This is by and large my favourite blog on the internet by the way. I can't even fathom the cognitive dissonance it takes to write this story arc. Blargh. Also, thank you so much! :D Having seen it now... [Tommen] gets a rousing speech about what makes a good king from his grandfather, Tywin, while standing over his brother's corpse, and as grody and intense as the scene is, it actually made me like both characters more. It's weird to think of this as Tywin's best moment, but in a lot of ways it is. I like the way he greets each of Tommen's answers with affirmation - because they were good answers - but then gives examples of how they're not enough, to guide Tommen to the actual right answer. It's one of the very few moments that he shows care for his actual family over his theoretical one. It was good teaching. The writers can prevaricate all they want, saying it's not really rape, but it totally is. I have to note, I can't remember seeing anything from Lena Headey about how it totally wasn't a rape scene. Only the men involved in it. Oh gosh yes. Like the moment we realize, oh, Tywin could have been a great parent, if he weren't so busy being a jerk. And it's really interesting to see Tommen's potential spelled out for us. It's quite likely that this kid is going to be another casualty of war and turmoil, and for once that's hard to take because he actually would make a good king if people let him. I haven't seen anything from Lena Headey on the subject, and I feel like they might have very intentionally been keeping her mum so she tows the party line. KMWW on Twitter Follow @deborless Follow KMWW by Email Strong Female Character Friday: Sheriff Jody Mills... 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__label__cc	0.689453	0.310547	Leeds Children's Theatre Archives Producing quality drama for children of all ages since 1935 History of LCT Hatches, Matches and Dispatches ... plus other news updates If you'd like to update us with your own news then why not drop us a line ... we'll happily post your news here. Elsie (White Queen) with Angela (Alice) 1990 Elsie Johnson (1928-2014) We heard today that Elsie died recently, and want to send our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones. (Many thanks to Neil Anderson for letting us know). Many of us have fun and fond memories of Elsie as she was a great supporter and friend to Leeds Children's Theatre. The photo here as of Elsie during our 1990 production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, when she played the White Queen/Sheep. Angela Griffin 2014 - Angela is joining the cast of ITV Series "Lewis" link October 2013 - Having started out as a child villager, aged eight years, in our 1984 production of Pinocchio Angela is making her West End debut in "One Man, Two Guvnors?" at the Haymarket, Theatre Royal. Already a successful television actress since the age of sixteen, Angela still recalls her time with Leeds Children's Theatre, where she played a variety of roles including Tabaqui (Jungle Book), Soggy Boggart (Worzel Gumming and the title roles in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Rumpelstiltskin. Update July 2017 - Angela's been busy in Canada ... https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2017/05/01/degrassi-and-coronation-street-actresses-star-in-new-canadian-detective-drama.html We have to report the sad news that, Mrs Elsie Brown, one of our founding members, passed away. In spite of retiring to Wales many years ago Elsie remained a supporter of Leeds Children's Theatre and visited us during our production of The Gingerbread Man in 2006. A lovely Lady who will truly be missed. [May 2009] We are sad to report that Bill Fawcett, our great friend and President, passed away on 11 June. Our sincerest sympathies to Jackie and the rest of Bill's family at this sad time. Bill joined LCT back in 1977 when he first brought his daughter to rehearsals, and he's been helping us ever since. Bill was our Box Office Manager, our President and our friend. He worked with Barry and a small core team of volunteers painting and building scenery, and even planned his family golfing holidays around our show dates. He will be sadly missed by everyone in theatre. We were very sad to hear that Edna Barwell passed away earlier this week, and wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Edna's family. Edna ran our drama workshops as well as producing and performed in many LCT shows over the years. More recently Edna was involved with other Guild societies, including LIDOS and G&S. In fact she was helping to paint scenery for LIDOS panto only a couple of months ago. A lovely lady, responsible for many people joining LCT over the past four decades. " Edna was a committed thespian who enjoyed passing on her skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to anyone prepared to ‘have a go’, me included. She joined the Leeds Arts Guild many years ago and was responsible for starting our Saturday morning workshops when she was directing ‘Pinocchio’, to teach the cast members improvisation skills. Countless people look back on their childhood Saturdays with great affection thanks to Edna. She was often to be found in the rehearsal rooms or helping to paint scenery, usually with her dog close at hand. She wrote two plays for us, the other being ‘Olaf and the Pink Penguin’. ‘The Magic Scarf’ was based on an original idea for a short play by Viv Mercer and passed on to Edna by Chris Waites, who was persuaded to direct when Edna had written the extended play. Over the years we had tried to persuade Edna to come back and direct her show for us, but she was adamant that she wanted me to do it. We had quite a few ‘discussions’ about it! She was a wonderful lady and a great friend so I hope that if she’s watching from ‘the Gods’ we’ve done her proud." Jane Curtin, director The Magic Scarf, Nov 2006 © 2020 Leeds Children's Theatre (updated 10 December 2019) Visit our other website Leeds Children's Theatre	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340103
__label__wiki	0.873873	0.873873	SitemapF.A.Q. Courses for cadets Junior Officer Command Training (JOCT) Platoon Commander Course (PCC) Reserve Platoon Commander Course (RPCC) Officer Specialist Basic Military Training Course (OSBMTC) Company Commander Course (CCC) Course on the Basics of Warfare for Public Servants (CBWPS) Vytautas the Great Army Command and Staff Course (VGACSC) Air Force Command and Staff Course (AFCSC) Cadet Education Cadet Board Cadet Court of Honour Cadets Commanders Commandant's Office Vice-Rector for Studies and Research Department of Military Studies Deputy Commandant for Education Vytautas the Great Army Command and Staff Course Air Force Command and Staff Course Strategy of the Academy General Jonas Žemaitis Department of Defence Technologies The Department of Defence Technologies conducts university studies in the field of management (Bachelor’s degree programs “Management of Defense Technologies” >>> and “Management of Modern Defense Technologies” >>> whose primary emphasis is placed on military technology). The main fields of military technology are as follows: transport (some subjects are taken from the previous Transport and Logistics program), armament and information technologies and systems). The study program in Management of Modern Defense Technologies is designed for land force officers; however, first-year air force and navy officers undertake the program as well. Length of university studies for those studying pursuant to the program in Management of Modern Defense Technologies: Land Force – three and a half years; Air Force – students study at the Military Academy of Lithuania for one year, then continue their university studies in Gustaitis’ Aviation Institute at Vilnius Gediminas Technology University for three or four years; Navy Force – students study at the Military Academy of Lithuania for half a year, then continue their university studies at the Lithuanian Maritime Academy for three and a half years. The majority of graduates receive appointments in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, though no guarantee is given. As an alternative option, graduates may apply for job positions in transport and information technology companies as they have necessary knowledge for the civil labor market. Also, they may pursue postgraduate studies in other universities. Staff of the Department of Defence Technologies © 2013 General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania Solution: Fresh Media Šilo Str. 5A, LT-10322 Vilnius, Lithuania Tel: (+370 5) 212 6313, fax: (+370 5) 210 3518, e-mail: lka@mil.lt Code in the Register of Legal Entities: 211959040 AB “SEB bankas” code: 70440, bank account: LT83 7044 0600 0031 2108	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340109
__label__wiki	0.830397	0.830397	Maccabi TV Maccabist Only Private Ticket Area Game Tickets Arena Seat Map Club Statements Youth Archive Community Archive The Future Generation HE Maccabist Accessibility on site דלג לתוכן העמוד(מקש קיצור 1) דלג לתפריט תחתון(מקש קיצור 2) דלג לצור קשר(מקש קיצור 3) דלג לנגישות באתר (מקש קיצור 4) Wilbekin Acy Caloiaro Casspi Avdija DiBartolomeo Harel Rinski Atias Yovel Zoosman Sfairopoulos Geragotelis Vs Maccabi Haifa Menora Mivtachim Vs Bayern Munchen 1. Anadolu Efes 3-17 2. Real Madrid 5-15 3. Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv 6-14 4. CSKA Moscow 6-14 5. Barcelona 6-14 6. Panathinaikos 8-12 7. Valencia 10-10 8. Olimpia Milano 10-10 Sunday at 21:00: Maccabi faces Haifa "One of the biggest wins this season" Maccabi downs Milan 69:63 Tichon Hadash High School won the world championship EuroLeague Academy Launched in Tel Aviv "It's not just basketball, its bringing happiness" "It's important to us to be a part of this project" Maccabi visits "Schneider" hospital, Spahija: "This is the game of life" Birthday of Champions Sub Sponsors Itay Segev An outstanding athlete by Israeli standards, with a huge wingspan, who loves to dunk and play above the rim. He is a great rebounder who could develop into one of the top defensive players in Israeli basketball. Born in Kfar Tabor in the lower Galilee, Segev grew up in the youth department of the Jezreel Valley and played for the Wingate Academy Youth Team in his late teens. He graduated from the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team and played in the pro league during the 2012-13 season when he was only 17 years old. He was loaned for a season to Hapoel Holon, and last season played for Gilboa/Galil where he was given a great opportunity and contributed 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. One of the top players on the U20 National Team, in the European Championships he contributed 1.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Segev has the potential to be one of the leading Israeli players. Euroleague Israel League Israeli Cup League Cup Winner League DR OR TR FF FA ST TO AS BKF BKA Karam Mashour Michael Roll DeAndre Kane Deni Avdija Alex Tyus John DiBartolomeo Norris Cole Jonah Bolden Artsiom Parakhouski Yovel Zoosman Pierre Jackson Full Roster > The Club The Team Games Tickets News Youth Community Sponsors Powered by Art-Up הצטרפו למועדון מכביסט נקבה תאריך לידה: יום 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 שנה 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 על ידי הרישום הנני מצהיר כי אני מעל גיל 18, מאשר את התקנון וקבלת תוכן פרסומי ועדכונים ממועדון הכדורסל מכבי תל אביב	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340116
__label__cc	0.729655	0.270345	BUFA! A Tale of the Magic Mango Family Story Outline Part I: Start of the Journey Chapter 1. Capture Chapter 2. Worrying Chapter 3. Meeting Chapter 4. Apprentice Chapter 5. Practice Chapter 6. Spell 故事中文版 In the kingdom of wonders, two little girls, a little cat, and a pink pig were walking happily in a forest. They were talking about a giant balloon man that they had seen in a market the day before. Lulu the cat jumped up and down, left and right, and all over. Sometimes she was chasing a fly, sometimes she was following a lizard, sometimes she was singing a wonderful meow meow song, and other times she would start a little playful fight with the pink pig. The pig, with his pink tail wagging, tolerated his bouncy cat friend even if he did walk closer to one of the little girls. ①“Bufa!” Suddenly a bigger cat appeared behind them. No one of them noticed her. They were too occupied in their own world. This cat…was Laughing Cat. The bigger cat jumped from tree to tree after the company, trying to hide. She watched each of them in the little group with big cat eyes. “That little cat,” she thought, “seems so cute. Hmmm. I need to get closer.” Laughing Cat made a big leap forward and landed in a tree out ahead of the group of friends, quickly hiding behind the leaves. Now she could see the little cat clearly. The little cat had two big black eyes. They are so big and so black that they almost seemed to be too big for her small little face. Too cute! Her head twisted from side to side, looking at everything, wanting to see everything there was to see. Inside of Laughing Cat her heart melted to watch the cute little cat. She suddenly had an urge to take the little cat, and keep the little cat for herself. Silently and swift, she jumped out from behind the leaves, flew over the company of friends, grabbed the little cat, and then “Bufa!” Laughing Cat disappeared into the forest. The two little girls and the pig stared into the forest in the direction where Laughing Cat had disappeared. She was gone, and so was little Lulu Cat. “They seemed to be so happy,” the bigger cat thought. “With this cute little cat, I will be happy too.” ① “Bufa!” is the sound it makes when something suddenly appears or disappears. “Who are you?” Lulu Cat was so confused. Who was this big cat? “Why did you capture me?” “You can call me Aunty Laughing,” Laughing Cat said. “From now on, you will be mine. You will go everywhere I go. We will do everything together.” Apart from this, the Laughing Cat didn’t say another word for the whole day, no matter how Lulu Cat asked. At night, she petted Lulu until she felt asleep. After that, one big, one little, the two cats were always together. The Laughing Cat liked her little stolen Lulu Cat very much. She played with her, showed her off to her friends, and petted her to sleep every night. She was very happy with her Lulu Cat. But at the same time, deep in her mind, Laughing Cat always heard another voice whispering: “What if someone else sees Lulu and likes her? They will take her away from you.” Laughing Cat became very worried. As the days went by, these two cats become closer and closer. Laughing Cat’s favor of Lulu also grew stronger and stronger, as did her fear of losing her. Until one day, she couldn’t stand the constant fear and worrying anymore, and decided to do something about it. She thought about her old friend, the Pirate Dog. The Pirate Dog had been a pirate on the sea and now lived in the land of dragons. For many years now he had been practicing the art of mastering magic and power. Evil Cat thought of a plan. “I will ask him to put a spell on Lulu Cat, so that she can never be taken away from me by anyone!” Thinking about her plan, Laughing Cat smiled happily. The two cats went on their journey. For several months, they climbed through winding mountains, hopped from tree to tree, crossed running rivers, lived in numerous villages, and finally, after all of that, they arrived at the foot of the Windy Mountain. High up on the mountain they found a humble wooden hut. This was where the Pirate Dog lived. Laughing Cat could smell the familiar aroma of fresh earth and growing things. Behind the hut, in the mango forest, is the Pirate Dog standing next to a pile of mangos. He is a dog who has managed to find peace with himself. He is hard as stone, but very wise. Laughing Cat signaled Lulu Cat to come with her as she went up to Pirate Dog. “Do you remember that you still own me a favor?” The Pirate Dog nodded. “Now I know what this favor will be,” demanded Laughing Cat with a smile. “I love this Lulu Cat very much. I never want to be separated from her. Please put a spell on her so that no one can take her away from me.” Pirate Dog looked at Lulu Cat. She was cute. She might be the cutest cat that he had ever seen, in this land or any other that he had ever travelled. Her wide eyes were pathways to her curious soul. Pirate Dog could see why Laughing Cat loved her so much. But apart from this, he could also sense something else in this little cat, something special, something he couldn’t exactly put a name to. So he hesitated. He had a promise to fulfill for Laughing Cat, a favor that he must carry out. But he could also see that the Lulu Cat didn’t want to be trapped with Laughing Cat for all time. Her heart was looking to get back to something else. Once upon a time, Pirate Dog had been evil. He didn’t care what he did or who he did it to. But now he knew better. Now it was against his beliefs to force another being against their free will. Pirate Dog thought about this. “Both Laughing Cat and Lulu Cat are from the same species, and yet they are so different. What force has brought these two creatures together, and what has brought them to me?” Lost in his thoughts, he gazed into the vast mango trees that surrounded them. After a long while, he had an idea. Looking back at the two cats, he said, “Yes, I will put the spell on Lulu Cat for you. But, the spell cannot be put in one day. It will take time. I will need this little cat to stay here until the spell is done." The next morning Lulu Cat rolled awake. She stretched, and she stood up, and she looked out into the mists hovering through the mango trees. The dawn light, the cold fresh air and the stillness of the mountain made Lulu Cat happy. “It’s a beautiful morning. I shall start a new adventure today.” She smiled and jumped out of the hut, wondering about the spell the Pirate Dog promised to do for Laughing Cat. “What spell is it?” she wondered. Walking into the mango forest, she saw that the Pirate Dog was already waiting for her. Beside him was the pile of mangos that she had seen the day before. “They are shinning,” Lulu Cat said in amazement. “Pick one and try to stand on it.” The Pirate Dog pointed to the pile of mangos. “Remember, once you pick a mango, you will have to always try to stand on the same one. Make your choice carefully.” With her little head slightly twisted to one side, Lulu Cat approached the mangos. Sensing her coming, the mangos scattered into small groups of two or three, and some individuals. Their skins started to shine more, and they jumped up and down, and they rolled around as they said over and over, “gui gui, gui gui gui gui!” They were so very much like Lulu Cat! They were all different colors. Some were a fresh green, some were a rich yellow, and some were a deep orange. Two of them, laying behind all the others, shone with the color of gold. These ones didn’t move as much. They didn’t make a sound. They simply lay there, shining with their brilliant radiance. As she walked around the mangos, Lulu saw one other. It lay on the ground away from the others, hidden next to a tree trunk. This one was all black. When Lulu Cat got closer this black mango rolled away around the tree trunk and disappeared from her view. Among all of these mangos, Lulu Cat liked a small yellow one the most. This mango was about the same size as little Lulu was. He stayed by himself, jumping and rolling, and occasionally makes a little “gui gui.” It felt like he was smiling brightly at Lulu Cat. Looking at this mango, Lulu felt that her spirit had lighted up. This was the one! She walked right up to this yellow mango and grabbed him. It rolled in her paws! It jumped in her hands! With all of its jumping and rolling, the mango was too difficult to get ahold of. It burst into a long series of “gui gui gui gui” like it was laughing at her! Lulu Cat turned her head to Pirate Dog helplessly. What could she do? “Come here,” he said to her. “I will teach you.” At the end of the day, on her way to the hut, Lulu Cat was still wondering what kind of spell it was. Pirate Dog told her that this was a spell that could only work when she was standing on a mango. It didn’t seem to be working. The whole day, she had done nothing but sit still with her eyes closed. Pirate Dog told her, just sit and do nothing. “Try to be aware of whatever comes to you. It could be the wind that sweeps over your face, it could be the touch of your skin to the ground, it could be the sound that you hear, or it could be a thought that comes to your mind.” Lulu Cat didn’t quite understand. “Is that it? Just know what’s happening at the moment?” She found a shady area to sit down, closed her eyes, and started to observe. “What can I hear at the moment?” she asked. Suddenly, all the sounds came to her. The birds chirping in the forest. The mangos with their gui-gui-gui-ing. The wind blowing through the leaves. The insects singing in the grass. By knowing what sounds she was hearing, the whole universe quieted down, and the sounds she was observing became clearer and clearer. It was a wonderful feeling. Out of nowhere, another thought came to her. “How is my hand doing?” She moved her attention to her hands. She could feel the gentle pressure and the soft touch of the ground under her paws. It gave a pleasant coolness to her body. Just like that, she moved her attention from hand to leg, from chest to back, to almost all parts of her body. It was strange. She had never paid so much attention to her own body before. It was the same thing with her thoughts. She had never been aware of what she was thinking about before. Now, she noticed that Samak, Phyrum and the little pink pig were on her mind. The image of them walking in the sunny forest in the kingdom of wonders came to her mind. She missed them. Day after day, Pirate Dog asked her to practice the same thing. At the end of her practice, he would ask her what she had noticed. Day by day, Lulu Cat was able to be aware of more feelings, sensations, sounds, and thoughts. One day, she told Pirate Dog that she could be aware of the sounds she heard, the images she saw, the sensations she felt in her own body, her emotions and the thoughts in her mind, all at the same time! Pirate Dog smiled. “Now try to stand on your mango again.” Lulu Cat got her mango and found that the yellow of his skin had become even deeper. This time, as she got closer, the yellow mango seemed to calm down. His jumping and rolling became less, and his “gui-gui” voice got lower and lower. When Lulu Cat put her hands on him again, he was completely calm and quiet. It seemed that the souls of these two creatures were connecting, communicating, and bonding. Lulu Cat took hold of her mango. Confidently, she went to stand on him. “Whoa!” she yelled, as she slipped off and fell to the ground again. It was several months ago when Lulu Cat got ahold of her mango and tried to stand on him. After that she started to understand the meaning of Pirate Dog’s practice. With the practice, she felt a stronger and stronger calmness surrounding her. When she approached the yellow mango, he seemed to be affected by this profound calmness. She started to see and feel things in a clearer way. Through her contact with the mango, she sensed something nearby. She tried to see and to feel it more clearly, but she couldn’t. It was like there was a thick layer of mist and a long distance between her and the other presence. With more practice, she felt the mist getting thinner and the distance becoming shorter. With more practice, she found that when she tried to stand on the mango, she was sensitive to the slightest movement. Sometimes, she even thought that the mango was helping her. When she was about to fall to the right, the mango would make a slight move to the left, so that Lulu Cat could find her balance and can keep up for a little longer each time. The practice was difficult, but she could now see she was progressing. Lulu Cat had lost all track of time. It must be a long, long time ago when she arrived here. This day, as with every day, she went to the mango forest in the early morning, practiced doing nothing but observing for several hours, and then approached her yellow mango. Pirate Dog walked after her. He knew that this day would come, but he didn’t expect it to come so fast. Standing on a mango is an ancient master class practice, and only a very few creatures in the world have mastered it in all of history. This time, Lulu Cat stood on her yellow mango. She was calm, happy and excited. “It’s time to tell her the truth,” he thought. “Lulu,” Pirate Dog said. “The mango you’re standing on is a magic mango. It’s one of the magical and spiritual creatures in the land of dragons. The day you master the art of standing on a Magic Mango is the day that you are free. Today, you choose. You can choose to be with Laughing Cat or wander to wherever you want. This mango will take you to every single part of the world. He will guide you and protect you." Lulu Cat was confused. She liked Laughing Cat. They had been very close for years, almost like mother and daughter. She didn’t want to be kidnapped by another creature and be brought to something unknown. But now, there was another option. She was strong, and she was free. She would love to fly back to the kingdom of wonders to see Samak, Phyrum, and the pink pig. But at the same time, she dreamt of visiting every single part of the world and doing whatever she wanted. With the mango, she walked to the humble wooden hut and saw Laughing Cat. Yes, the spell was done. She was powerful enough now that no one would ever be able to take her away from Laughing Cat. But she choose to leave. Just the same as it was with Evil Cat, the world of her Aunty Laughing was too small for her. She wanted to see the bigger world. She wanted to be free. Before she left, Pirate Dog shouted to her, “Don’t lose your pure heart.” That was what he had sensed that was special about Lulu Cat. “Only someone with a pure loving heart can be the master of the Magic Mango. If you lose your heart, the mango will leave you.” “Bufa!” With Laughing Cat and Pirate Dog’s sights on them, Lulu Cat and the Magic Mango disappeared into the mists… "Spreading Happiness" Hi there, I'm the human of the Magic Mango Family. Inspired by the life in Cambodia and trip around the world, I created the Magic Mango Family and write stories about them. They are brave and happy creatures who constantly look for themselves in life. I hope their loving and adventurous stories will put a smile on your face. Besides being the characters in this story, they also travel around the world in real life.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340117
__label__wiki	0.606845	0.606845	Home Movies Bazore Releases New Album Ernest Kanjo / Thursday, 05 November 2009 09:20 His fans have been itchy to hear from him again. He has been quite aware, but would not give them what they do not deserve. That is why it took him two years. The delicacy is now out of the kitchen and is en route to the dinning table. Dinning time is near! Or, should we say it's dance time with Ateh Bazore? After Yi Kfe Ilah, that held Cameroon spellbound, here comes Bazore with yet another hit - Yi Cheum. Yi Cheum is Bazore's latest album that comprises 8 beautiful tracks. It is a melange of "njang", "bottle dance", "njang wain" and incantation. Available in DVD, VCD and CD, Yi Cheum is a well-packaged piece that has benefited from the expertise of ace musician, Sam Fan Thomas. It promises to be another hit. Yi Cheum will officially see the light of day this Saturday 7 November 2009 in Yaounde . It's launching will take place at the Cameroon Chamber of Agriculture situated opposite the Mutation Newspaper headquarters behind Cinema ABBIA. Fans and the public in general are expected to join the folklore hero at 6pm to welcome the newborn in the music family. Not only will they be expected to support the talented singer, but guest to the launching will be entertained by Bazore's colleagues including Romeo Dika, Tsimi Toro, Ambroise Messi, Bisso Solo, Jacky Biho, Takam II, Patou Bass, Albert Premier, Afo-Akom, Prince Tche Tche, Bachou Sila, Oski Lina, etc. With five albums, Ateh Bazore is over 20 years old in music. He was the brain behind the popular North West folklore group, NOTA STARS that pulled huge attention in the late 90s. He has also groomed many young singers and inspired scores of others. Ateh is also a journalist, working with the State-run radio and television, CRTV. He is a CRTV presenter par excellence, having begun with North West Dance Time, a popular show he ran in the 90s in Bamenda. Apart from handling slots on "Hello", Ateh runs a traditional dance show, "Sounds of Cameroon" on CRTV. He has also made a name on Brunch Time show on the National Station. What a multi-talented artist! Let's dance with Bazore! Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 20:09	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340118
__label__cc	0.730718	0.269282	Topic Re(9):Let's talk about Soul Calibur V by Nekros Your UserName: Nekros Palyed this every day since the release. I somehow got to enjoy online matches, but I think this game is lacking again most of the depht that makes a fighting game a great experience. It is truly a janken-based combat, a bit sad considering that every noob with some luck and poor effort can make advantage of this and beat almost easily a most-experienced player (try to spam the same moves in a 2D fighter against a stronger opponent and you're dead meat). This is got worse in every episode, with the exception of 3, the worst one of all (I enjoyed 4 better, even it's a mess too). To me is still SE > SC > SC2 > SC5 > SC4 >SC3. To a very extensive side-note, the single player is boring. Nothing real to add to the story, the edge master mode is completely absent (like 4, but this time the story mode follows only a bunch of characters completely ignoring others). The characters are not introducted by anything, except for Patroklos and Pyrra, you don't know who they are and why they are fighting for. The new entries are quite interesting and useless at the same time, being only a variant of style than a new one from scratch (ZWEI and Viola excluded). Is like having the EX-version of characters like Kilik, Xianghua, etc. Most of player-favourites are absent, too (Zasalamel, Talim). Also, giving Patroklos an hittoryu version is stupid and with absolutely no clue at all.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340126
__label__wiki	0.629513	0.629513	Motown Baseball Project the 2018 Tigers By Shelton, August 1, 2017 in Detroit Tigers maybe ok? benke doesnt use oe% benke is no carlin Casimir 1,302 30 minutes ago, LooseGoose said: I agree with you. If you see my projection up above I hope they find a way to buy him out. I just keep thinking that they aren't purely cutting an $18M contract. Sharing 1B/DH with Miggy/Casty opens up the possibility of a Upton/Jones/Mahtook OF or another youngster replacing Upton if he opts out. I didn't think there was a buy out option in baseball unless it is specifically written into a contract. And even then, its probably in the form of an option of some sort. But, regardless, the contract in question is what it is. If they just eat it and move along with his roster spot to use on someone else, it seems like a a better option than hoping for a fountain of youth tonic. I'm not so sure about Jones' chances starting in the OF. He plays defense pretty well, but the offense is so bad right now. I'm not so sure it works out even if Upton & Mahtook were to repeat what they are doing now. Gehringer_2 2,607 I hope they find a way to buy him out. I just keep thinking that they aren't purely cutting an $18M contract. Victor has played a long time and I'm sure he think he has been worth what he was paid over his career. I don't see him cutting the Tigers a big refund check on 2018. That just doesn't happen in MLB. That is prevented by pressure from other players not to give back money if nothing else. If they decide they don't want to play Victor - which is almost certainly the right move, then maybe a more likely scenario would be 60 day DL for the season and he retires off the DL at the end. He certainly has enough physical issues between the knees and this year the cardiac events that there would be nothing controversial about that. I think the only way you get any money back from Victor is if he is crazy enough to be adamant that he wants to play, and the Tigers tell him they are not going to play him. Maybe at that point he would be willing to deal back some money in return for his release - but I think that is far fetched. Shelton 1,380 8 minutes ago, Gehringer_2 said: I think it's highly unlikely they would even attempt to put Victor on the 60 day DL unless he was actually injured and incapable of playing. For one thing, Victor isn't going to along with that. For another, it doesn't really save them any money. 3 minutes ago, Shelton said: I don't think there is any money to be saved, if they don't want to play him the best they can do is get the roster spot back. The $ is gone. They could cut him, but that would probably be more embarrassing to Victor if no one picks him up. He certainly is not going to take a minor league assignment to try and play his way back unless he is way more desperate than I can imagine. Kind of a random thought, but I wonder if Tyler Collins may still have a future with the team. He's been hitting in Toledo and probably earns a September call up (if they are willing to give him a 40 man spot). He's out of options of course, but he's done enough that it makes sense to bring him to spring training. He could be a decent fourth outfielder if he hits. He's still only 27. For 2018, he could make sense on the bench and JaCoby could continue to get regular reps in Toledo. 52 minutes ago, Gehringer_2 said: Agreed. Baseball is much tougher on that than other sports. It's a sunk cost, the question is whether the Tigers/Victor can come up with an acceptable solution to all. Victor deserves some respect on the way out so I'm hoping they do. It's not out of the realm of possibility that the Tigers could reach an agreement with Victor over some sort of buyout. It doesn't happen often, but it isn't prohibited. Players have the right to retire and forfeit their contract. Teams have the right to release a player and pay him his money. There is room for a middle ground, especially if the player in question is genuinely considering leaving the game. Victor could go to the Tigers and propose a buyout of five million in return for him retiring. When michael cuddyer retired a few years ago, he was giving up 12 million he could have made by staying with the team. The mets ended up giving him about 3 million. They didn't have to do that, because his mind was probably made up. But it's also possible that he spoke with management and they negotiated that settlement before he made the announcement. Gil meche simply walked away from his contract rather than collect money to spend the year on the DL. Tenacious D 283 The Tigers really need to hope for another offseason treadmill incident so that insurance picks up half of the freight for next year. Make him the first base coach for our next manager. 20 minutes ago, Shelton said: The third case is that Chipper Jones negotiated a buy out when he hung them up. It's rare, it could happen. I just think Victor will show up in ST wanting to play. Or maybe what is really the most likely scenario is that he is going to hurt something else in winter workouts or ST and not be able to play anyway. sabretooth 265 I can certainly understand why Victor would want to play as it will be the last year in his life that he'll be able to do it. But jeez, there is just no damn point to playing him full time unless he magically recovers his stroke. If he's back he should be limited to no more than 200 PAs. mickeyb105 431 2 hours ago, Shelton said: It seems like Collins should be in the mix for ST, especially if he hits a little when he's called up in September. JJ makes sense in Romine's role next year if he can't crack the OF, unless the Tigers are dead set on him being their CF of the future. tiger337 3,153 I want Collins back just so I can use the gif every time someone says he sucks. 19 minutes ago, mickeyb105 said: Bah. Collins sucks. 11 minutes ago, Casimir said: yeah, time to move on. If he could play an IF spot he'd be a nice utility guy but I don't see him having enough value to hold a roster spot. Of course that also depends on how bad they get! Can we even retain him at this point? He doesn't have a spot on the 40-man, nor should we use one. My guess is that he joins another org after this season. His Matt Joyce-lite schtick is wearing thin in Toledo. I think a bench of machado and Collins and hicks would be fine. And it would allow you still carry a romine type if you want someone that can play everywhere. It depends a lot on how they view JaCoby. Maybe he's just a utility guy, and in that case he could make sense for the bench. But if they think he still has a future as an everyday player, you don't want him playing only once a week, especially given that his bat still has a lot of holes in it. Who is the Drizzle? 588 Collins has no spot on this team. I'd rather go with Adduci or Presley or the MiLBFA equivalent. Romine has a shot at 300 PA this year, which I think would be a good goal for JJ next year. 27 minutes ago, Who is the Drizzle? said: I'm not sure how much it matters who heads north out of ST, but that's fine. Better yet, Gerber or Stewart forces them to make it a tough decision to send them to Toledo. Ehhh, maybe. I love the duece, but I don't think he's more likely to be productive than Collins. Presley is kind of the same. I don't think any are substantially better than the others. In Collins, at least he still has age on his side. I don't like Collins, but I do think he has a chance to be better than those guys. 3 minutes ago, mickeyb105 said: Regarding romine, he has hit those spots, but he's had stretches here where he has been a borderline everyday player this season. He had close to 200 PAs before the all star break. 42 games started out of something like 85 games played. That's a lot more than a typica bench player, right? yeah, in may he started 19 games and had 89 PAs. In April he started 13 games. He started 8 games in June and 8 games in July. He's up to 10 in August already. With mahtook seemingly locking down CF, I think there will be limited time for a backup outfielder next year. socaltiger 88 After losing games via indecision on Sanchez, KROD, Lowe, Pelfrey etc I hope Tiger management can be quick and decisive and focus on defense first. Rather than insisting that a given player "hits enough" for a particular position make sure they can play it well. I see Mahtook as a good RF not CF so play him there until a better hitting RF emerges that can also defend the position. Please no Nick C. in RF..he is a DH. Period. Just recognize that and plan accordingly. Same with other players. Collins..please no. Victor is done. Anaibel..goodbye. Jones..AAA until he hits. Machado to shortstop. He is cheaper and better than Igelsias. And bring in at least two good relievers and find a true Center fielder in the off season. 3 minutes ago, socaltiger said: Machado to shortstop. Nope. Maybe 2b. but 6 of 7 is not bad. Best percentage for me in decades..I will take it !...plus trading Kinslers 10 mil gets us those relievers. And we all know Kinsler will for ever more have a HUGE strike zone to deal with. And if you trade Kinsler and put Machado at 2B then you change the payroll projection up there to keep Iggy? Or do you still move on from him? I have trouble justifying what I think he's going to get for an arb award.....thinking north of $4M? Collins has potential to be more, but I don't see him ever reaching that with the Tigers. I'd rather take a guy that can at least put the ball in play and play some solid defense for a 4th OF role. And someone who has options remaining. RandyMarsh Sports_Freak	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340139
__label__wiki	0.581702	0.581702	Movie Review: Fast and Furious 7 Colin D Miller Editor's Choice, Movie Reviews Movie Review: The Nightingale Movie Review: Judy & Punch Movie Review: Last Christmas Movie Review: A Good Woman Is Hard To Find Movie Review: The Village In The Woods Simon Fitzjohn DVDs & Rentals DVD Review: Hellions Rental Review: 3 From Hell Rental Review: Heavy Trip Rental Review: The Night Sitter Frightfest Day Four: The Short Film Showcase Features, Film4 Frightfest Why I Love: Licence To Kill Chris Faers Why I Love: Resurrecting the Street Walker My Horror Journey: Full Circle, parental fears – and me The Carpenter Files Women Of Horror Production Photograph Movie Review: Kursk – The Last Misson During a prestigious Russian naval training exercise, an accident with a faulty torpedo causes a massive explosion that sinks the “unsinkable” pride of the fleet, nuclear submarine the Kursk, killing all but a handful of the crew, marooning Captain-Lieutenant Mikhail Kalekov (Matthias Schoenaerts) and 22 of his men at the bottom of the Barents Sea. As Mikhail’s pregnant wife Tanya (Lea Seydoux) leads the crew’s families’ as they demand to know the truth, confronting the stonewalling Russian High Command in the shape of Max Von Sydow’s villainous admiral, Royal British Navy Commodore David Russell (Colin Firth), Russian Captain Nesterov (Michael Nyqyist) and some Norwegian oil workers meanwhile come up with a daring rescue plan. But with air running out for the trapped sailors, convincing the monolithic Russian bureaucracy to accept foreign aid becomes a desperate race against time… I’m not sure if enjoyed is the right word for a film as queasily claustrophobic as Thomas Vinterberg’s film of Robert Moore’s forensically researched account of the Kursk disaster A Time To Die but I found Kursk: The Last Mission almost unbearably tense, moving and absorbing. 19 years is a long time. You forget things. Time clouds your memory. Did they live? Did anyone survive? And as I watched Vinterberg’s film, was sucked into it, I found myself trapped along with Schoenaerts and his men, hoping against hope that they’d make it out alive, that Firth’s humane British officer would convince the implacable Russian apparatchik to allow him to act, to save the trapped men, that they’d taste the air again. But they won’t. And that’s the strength of Vinterberg’s film. We know these men are doomed, yet Vinterberg convinces us they have a chance, a chance that in reality they arguably never had, placing the blame for the disaster firmly on the shoulders of the Russian High Command who refused to admit weakness, refused to ask for help, the faceless, implacable state here represented by Max Von Sydow’s blinkered, patronising admiral, one chilling scene ripped from the headlines when, during a meeting with the families and before the assembled press, the authorities nobbled an irate mother, drugging, Mickey Finning her, as she started to ask uncomfortable questions. In the film, she’s taking to task Von Sydow and the duplicitous High Command when she’s surreptitiously injected with a sedative. In reality, the press conference was headed by President Vladimir Putin in the first major crisis of his presidency and, understandably, Vinterberg plays fast and loose with the facts of the event by excising Putin from the film’s narrative, producer Luc Besson & EuropaCorp obviously not keen on being the victims of Russian revenge cyberattacks. The performances are solid and while Léa Seydoux is woefully underused until the final act as Kalekov’s wife, Colin Firth is dependably good as the humane real-life Russell, a man desperately trying to cut through Cold War paranoia and State pride to save his fellow seamen regardless of national barriers or political regime while Matthias Schoenaerts brings his customary soulful masculinity to Kalekov, physically dominating the frame, filling the increasingly cramped, claustrophobic, dank interiors of the wounded submarine like a caged animal, Vinterberg’s camera capturing the intimacy and vulnerability of the situation even as he creates pulse-pounding set-pieces and moments of clammy tension, the scene where Schoenaerts and one of his men must swim through flooded, wreckage-strewn compartments a nerve-shredding exercise in suspense. Tense, heart-breaking, melancholy and burning with a quiet rage, Kursk: The Last Mission is an oddly mainstream career choice for Vinterberg, one of the architects of the austere Dogme 95 movement but he pulls it off, delivering a formal audacious piece of crowd-pleasing cinema. Movie Review: Kursk - The Last Misson From the Vault: Theatre of Death (1967) Latest DVD Reviews DVD Review: Escape Room Mario Petkovski DVD Review: Death Trench Everyone has had that conversation – who is your favourite Bond? Most justifiably favour Sean Connery, some prefer... Occasionally, just occasionally, when trawling through the mountain of straight-to-DVD fodder that populates the... For purposes of full disclosure, let me state right from the outset that this is going to be a pretty raw feature –... You should check out Festive Frights: Christmas Evil (1980) Tweets by @MovieRamblings Latest News and Videos copyright: movieramblings 2016	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340140
__label__cc	0.605525	0.394475	Ted Talk Fred Swaniker: The leaders who ruined Africa, and the generation who can fix it Before he hit eighteen, Fred Swaniker had lived in Ghana, Gambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. What he learned from a childhood across Africa was that while good leaders can't make much of a difference in societies with strong institutions, in countries with weak structures, leaders could make or break a country. In a passionate talk the entrepreneur and TED Fellow looks at different generations of African leaders and imagines how to develop the leadership of the future. Mediating Transition in Yemen: Achievements and Lessons Author: Zyck, S.A. Yemen remains the only site of an Arab Spring uprising that ended in a negotiated agreement and an internationally supported transition process. This report explores how the UN proactively employed the good offices of the secretary-general to open an impartial space for dialogue where none had previously been considered possible In Her Shoes toolkit In Her Shoes is a free toolkit, presenting an interactive activity that gives women and men the opportunity to ‘walk in the shoes’ of a woman who is experiencing violence. No special training or additional resources are needed to walk In Her Shoes! All you need is 3 hours, a large space for moving around, a facilitator, and the Toolkit. Agency and Citizenship in a Context of Gender-Based Violence Authors: Shahrokh, T. & Wheeler, J. Publication date: 2014 (IDS Evidence Report no 73) This pilot evaluation explores how citizenship and agency among social activists can be fostered in contexts of urban violence at the local level. The focus of this pilot is to understand how a sense of democratic citizenship and the ability to act on that citizenship at the local level can contribute to reducing different types of urban violence and promote security; and how becoming an activist against violence can contribute to constructing a sense of citizenship. UN Global Compact: case studies of multistakeholder partnership. Policy dialogue on business in zones of conflict Author: edited by Virginia Haufler (for UN Global Compact) Members of the UN Global Compact Policy Dialogue on Business in Zones of Conflict participate in several partnerships that seek to reduce or prevent violent conflict, manage the effects of conflict, or rebuild a country previously suffering from civil conflict. Multi-stakeholder processes, service delivery and state institutions: Experiences from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Author: Working Group on Multi-Stakholder Processes, Service Delivery and State Institutions To foster research in fragile states, the Working Group on Multi-Stakholder Processes, Service Delivery and State Institutions was initiated in The Netherlands to respond to the need for more evidence on how cooperation between public and civil society actors and institutional legitimacy can improve service delivery and thereby contribute to the legitimacy and effectiveness of state institutions.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340142
__label__wiki	0.606379	0.606379	Advertise in this news brief. Text version RSS Subscribe Unsubscribe Archive Media Kit January 14, 2015 Home About Us Membership Newsroom Entrepreneurship Tech Titans Contact Us MAKING HEADLINES The Internet of Things has 4 big data problems The Internet of Things has a data problem. Well, four data problems. Walking the halls of CES in Las Vegas, it's abundantly clear that the IoT is hot. Everyone is claiming to be the world's smartest something. But that sprawl of devices, lacking context, with fragmented user groups, is a huge challenge for the burgeoning industry. Freshman Texans to lead high-tech subcommittees The Dallas Morning News Newly-elected Texas Republicans John Ratcliffe of Heath and Will Hurd of San Antonio have been tapped to chair technology-related subcommittees during their freshman year in the House. Ratcliffe will helm the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies, a part of the Homeland Security Committee. Texas Instruments shows off new technology and partnerships at 2015 CES The start of another year finds Texas Instruments Inc. showcasing its technology — and real world uses of it — at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. Dallas-based TI makes semiconductors that are used in various consumer electric electronic products — everything from toys and televisions to smart grids and robots. ViaWest Complimentary Remote Hands Support Wouldn’t you like 4 hours back every month to concentrate on projects that matter most to your business? ViaWest offers 4 hours of complimentary Remote Hands support on all colocation solutions. Receive 4 hours back every single month to do more of what drives your business forward. Contact ViaWest today. 5 things that will drive test in 2015 Test and measurement is everywhere. Why? Because everything has to be tested. Test equipment and methods must adapt to changing technologies, often in parallel with a technology's development. To find out what will drive test & measurement in 2015, EE Times asked people at several test-equipment companies. Miss an issue of the Tech Insights? Click here to visit the Tech Insights archive page. 'Human' side of robots is shown off at Las Vegas electronics show She stood on the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show here in Las Vegas, carried on conversations, blinked her eyes and sang a convincing rendition of "Take Me Home, Country Roads." It would have been unremarkable if Chihira Aico were not a robot. "Hello, my name is Chihira Aico. I am 32 years old, although, technically, I was born in September 2014. Look how expressive I am!" she said. Protect your data with QTS. A disaster recovery plan is essential to growing a successful business. But, when it comes to business continuity, not all businesses have the same recovery needs. With high availability and on-demand replication solutions, our flexible portfolio of Disaster Recovery Services can be utilized by businesses of all sizes and requirements. Start Protecting Your Data> 5 tools that foster technology innovation SAP Business Trends via Forbes Becoming a technology consultant more than a decade ago was a huge wake up call for Kaan Turnali, global senior director of business intelligence for SAP's Global Customer Operations Reporting & Analytics Platform,. He'd just left a position as a customer asking others to design new technology solutions or improve existing ones. Not too long after that, Turnali found myself on the opposite side of this equation, where people relied on him for answers. Business trends for 2015: The mobile workforce and BYOD maturing Last year, we saw an increase in the number of businesses using converged technologies to help drive efficiencies, better collaboration and customer service. Continued demand from employees for mobile and better ways of working also played a part in this upward trend, which was further fueled by the change in legislation at the end of June 2014 giving all employees the right to request flexible working from their employer‎. So what will happen this year? In this article, we'll chew over some of the key trends that will shape 2015. CCH Axcess™ - Metroplex Software Developers For Accounting Firms. Represents the professional’s only single-access, modular cloud solution to support every area of firm operations for streamlined efficiency firm wide. You too can help our Metroplex Software Developers who make it happen. How the top 5 cloud trends of 2014 will impact the enterprise in 2015 It's the time of year for businesses to look forward and make their cloud computing plans for 2015. But it's also a good time to look back at the cloud trends that evolved in 2014 for guidance. "Cloud services have matured to the point where they can absolutely deliver value for many use cases," said Ed Anderson, research vice president of cloud services at Gartner. What's your Wi-Fi strategy for 2015? For any industry, January offers a time for reflection — the opportunity to look back and analyze the previous year in order to apply lessons learned to the 12 months ahead. IT is no different. But while cloud computing, virtualization and big data have now become par for the course within almost any enterprise, the technology that powers these critical functions has been largely overlooked over the past year. Looking for similar articles? Search here, keyword WI-FI. Can office artwork influence employee productivity? Art encompasses a wide variety of media and affects everyone who sees it in one way or another. Business owners are beginning to understand that displaying artwork in the workplace does more than make the office more aesthetically pleasing or impress visitors; it can actually increase employee efficiency, productivity and creativity. The following are some of the merits of displaying artwork in the office. Colby Horton, Vice President of Publishing, 469.420.2601 Danielle Wegert, Assistant Executive Editor, 469.420.2696 This edition of Tech Insights was sent to ##Email##. To unsubscribe, click here. Did someone forward this edition to you? Subscribe here — it's free! Recent issues 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340144
__label__wiki	0.71746	0.71746	Joker (2012) MQ 2012/ Comedy/ Drama/ Just In/ MQ · Cast: Akshay Kumar, Minissha Lamba, Shreyas Talpade, Sonakshi Sinha· August 31, 2012 In 1947, when the maps of India and Pakistan were being drawn, an oversight ensured that the village of Paglapur didn’t find a place in either country.The village had the distinction of housing the largest mental asylum in the region and in the melee that ensued during partition, the asylum inmates broke loose, drove away the villagers and established their own republic in Paglapur. And that’s how it stayed for the next 60 years! While the world outside changed, Paglapur remained isolated, with no electricity, water, television or sanity! Now, decades after the world forgot this village, a NASA scientist of Indian origin, Agastya [Akshay Kumar] and his friend [Sonakshi Sinha], find themselves on the road to Paglapur. Agastya is working on a project for creating a device to communicate with aliens. So why is he in a village whose colorful inhabitants include a man who speaks in gibberish, another who thinks he is a lamp post and everyone else who think that the World War II is still going on? And more importantly, what are they going to do that will soon turn the universe’s spotlight on this forgotten village? Although the title may give an impression that it’s all about a funny guy trying to make people laugh, the fact is that this one’s about guys pretending to be aliens and how, eventually, they face an actual alien in the end. On the brighter side, the setting and structures look magical and to build an entire story around a desolate village must have been enchanting. But interesting concepts don’t necessarily translate into interesting films. JOKER runs out of gas as soon as director Shirish Kunder establishes the plot, because neither does the comic quotient work, nor do the aliens [fake and actual] salvage the show. In fact, the film makes a mockery of everything you may have seen or heard of UFOs and aliens. While bits and pieces of the first half is tolerable, the film goes completely awry in its post-interval portions. Seriously, what was Kunder thinking while penning and executing this one? Imagine an alien dancing to Indian songs and also doing pelvic thrusts!!! Yes, you read that right! JAAN-E-MANN, Kunder’s directorial debut, had style and substance both, but Kunder’s intention of making an entertainer that hits the right notes fails this time. Choosing an unconventional story is great, but coming up with a gripping 2-hour film is nothing short of a challenge and that’s where this film boomerangs [thankfully, the run time of the film is less than 2 hours!]. In fact, it gets cumbersome to sit through the film after a point, since what unfurls is ridiculous and bizarre. The soundtrack of JOKER is neither catchy nor melodious. ‘Kafirana’, filmed on Chitrangda Singh at the very start, is the pick of the lot, while the remaining songs are of fast-forward variety. A listless score! The cinematography is of standard, while the effects are patchy. Akshay is monotonous and repetitive. Sonakshi gets no scope at all. Also, the spark is missing. Shreyas Talpade is reduced to being Akshay’s glorified sidekick. Minissha Lamba is hardly there. Arya Babbar, Vindu Dara Singh, Asrani, Sanjay Mishra, Vrajesh Hirjee, Pitobash, Gurpreet Guggi, Darshan Jariwala, Anjan Srivastava, Avtar Gill and Bikramjeet Kanwarpal are gap fillers. Alexx O’Nell is strictly okay. Alternate Watch Online Alt. Watch Online Mission Mangal (2019) HQ Holiday (2014) HQ Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobara (2013) HQ Rowdy Rathore (2012) MQ Hum Tum Shabana (2011) MQ Dabangg 3 (2019) MQ	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340145
__label__wiki	0.658162	0.658162	12 Distribution Deals 3 Labels / Record Deals 2 Publishing Deal 2 Professional Song Critique 1 Radio Playlisting 12 fully mastered 10 broadcast ready 7 rough mixes 10 submission only 2 critique 3 under $10 10 under $20 11 under $30 11 under $40 11 any price 12 Yes 3 Non-Exclusive 3 Exclusive 1 Negotiable or N/A 4 Not Available 3 $501 - $1,000 2 $1,001 - $1,500 1 $25,000 - $50,000 4 within 7 days 5 within 14 days 10 within 45 days 2 longer than 45 days 11 at least 12 at least 12 at least 12 at least 12 at least 12 all Professional Song Critique: Lauren Perl - The Orchard / SONY I looking forward to hearing your original tunes and to finding the diamonds in the rough! Please submit your song(s) for a critique. I am looking to both critique artists as well as find new talent. If your music is great I will present it to The Orchard for possible distribution. We are always looking for new good talent. Since we are a subsidiary of Sony Music there are endless opportunities for me to present an artist that has real talent. I believe in developing relationships and making connections. When I work with you I begin by finding out about you, what you like, and where you've been. I learn who your favorite artists are, who inspires you, what entertains you or brings you joy. Always authentic I speak to you on a human level and share freely about lessons and tips I've learned along the way. I've been at The Orchard/SONY corp for the past 8 years. Before that I worked at Polygram Classics & Jazz, as well as Rolling Stone Magazine. I feel lucky every day that I can work with what I love - music & people - and I don't have to wear a suit! - Lauren Perl / The Orchard (SONY Music Entertainment) INgrooves Music Group Seeks Strong Emerging Urban & Pop Acts For Label Deal Payout: $1,001 - $1,500 INgrooves Music Group is seeking emerging Urban & Pop acts for label deal within our INresidence program. We take talented, high-potential acts into our organization with full label, promotions, marketing, and project-management services of one of the largest distribution companies in the music business. Please submit if you can show: - recent sales history or streaming success (if available) - consumer demand for your music - strong social media and music following (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, YouTube, etc.) - touring base/fan support - good marketing plan and rollout - solid label infrastructure and team support We look forward to hearing your best material. Get A Publishing Deal Payout: $501 - $1,000 Song Submission - Publishing Deal We are actively seeking new songwriters looking for a publishing deal. Our company is registered as a publisher with Sacem in France and also operates a digital music distribution service. Selected artists will be offered a publishing and digital distribution deal. Opened to all genres, but recordings must be professionally mixed and mastered. Please submit your best material for consideration. - Jeremie Varengo - President - JTV Digital Seeking Artist/Bands for Roster Consideration & Album Releases at Hurricane Music Group Payout: $25,000 - $50,000 Hurricane Music Group (HMG) is Rock, R&B, and Hip-Hop artists for label roster consideration and album releases. Please submit your best track(s) for consideration. Alex Roberts and HMG recently made the wise decision to re-enter the Hip Hop world & also venture into the forever popular Pop/R&B, & Electronic/Techno music that caters to a World Wide market & fan base, however still keeping HMG's finger on the pulse of all formats of music pending the artist/band's talent & drive to succeed, including the level of understanding what the true meaning of artist/label relations stands for in order to achieve their desired goals, in other words we work together, not against! Our doors are open, "Let Us Show You". Seeking New Artists For Worldwide Digital Distribution Opportunity Song Submission - Publishing and Distribution We are actively seeking new artists to join our roster. Selected artists will be offered a worldwide digital distribution deal. What you'll get: lifetime unlimited free access to our digital distribution platform for sending your current and future releases to the top major digital platforms (such as iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, GooglePlay, etc.) Opened to all genres, but recordings must be professionally mixed and mastered. No drafts, demos or rough mixes. -- 10% of the submission fee is shared with Unicef -- Song critique with possible radio placement and distribution OutboundMusic will provide a detailed critique of your song, including an assessment of whether the song's production is radio quality. If your song really moves us and fits any of our multiple radio formats, we'll offer you a great distribution deal and radio placement. Distribute your music to UK and European independent record stores A number of artists have told us that they find it difficult to land distribution deals to get their music stocked in big chain record stores. We are now offering a record distribution service where you could see your records sold in over 100 music independent record stores across the UK and over 100 shops in other European countries including France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Austria, Italy and many more. With a solid history of sales in these shops, artists have a good platform to approach larger retailers. We normally charge £50-150 for this service, but are offering the opportunity for acts to be considered for just $10 through Music Xray. Successful musicians will be asked to provide us with a biog and mp3, which we will then incorporate in to our email shots to almost every independent record shop in the country. When musicians are selected to be stocked by record stores we will pass the musicians details directly on to the store manager and allow you to confirm the details of the deal. We do not take any commission on sales you make. Roster Music Seeks new EDM tracks Roster Music is looking for new potential EDM hits to release in our territory Spain, or even license it worldwide. Please submit your best track for consideration. Thanks. WHOMAG Distribution - now accepting new clients WHO?MAG Distribution - now accepting new clients WHO?MAG Distribution is currently accepting new clients for the 1st quarter 2012. Our current roster has over 100 clients including KRS-ONE & Just-Ice, Keith Murray, Anita Ward, Tazmania Records (dance label), and many more. We specialize in hip-hop, R&B, dance, top 40, rock, and comedy. We are currently reviewing new submissions at no charge. If selected, your product (LP, EP, or single) will reach up to 600 digital retailers in up to 70 countries (including iTunes, Amazon, Google Music, Emusic, and more) for a one-time flat fee of $125 (no reoccurring costs). Seeking Inspirational Songs for Distribution We are currently seeking inspirational music. Including but not limited to contemporary christian music. If you have the talent submit today. If your record has what it takes we will get back to you and let you know if it's something we think we can work with. We look forward to hearing your best work. Please DO NOT contact the industry professional or anyone directly at the industry professional's company. Doing so will DISQUALIFY you from consideration. Special Note You must own all rights to song(s) submitted to be considered for Major Distribution Deal. - S. Thompson / Sosa Music Group Deal Type: Distribution Deal Deal Structure: Exclusive Compensation: $500+ Similar Sounding Artists: Michael W. Smith, Toby Mac, Francesca Battistelli, Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340146
__label__cc	0.623203	0.376797	atlanta-airport.com Stress of traveling eased by ATL therapy dogs Filed in News by Scott Henry on December 3, 2014 Therapy dogs were a big hit over the holidays Over the holidays, nearly a dozen trained therapy dogs will be visiting the domestic terminal atrium at Hartsfield-Jackson to provide aid and comfort to weary and anxious travelers. If the pilot program goes well through the end of the month, hounds could become a regular sight around the airport. Until then, volunteers will CAREing Paws, a local animal therapy group, will do their best to help sooth flyers’ jitters. The project began when CAREing Paws organizer Melissa Saul contacted ATL Chaplain Chester Cook, who put her in touch with Department of Aviation Customer Service Manager Tracy Gilbert. “I know this program works in other airports, such as LAX and Miami,” says Rev. Cook. “Travelers respond positively to animals. For many people, petting a dog can help alleviate anxiety.” After insurance, legal and other practical hurdles had been cleared, the dog handlers ‑ and their dogs – went through an orientation process to ensure that everyone was able to handle the bustle of the world’s busiest airport. The dogs first appeared at the DOA’s tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 25 and were an immediate hit with travelers. They returned the following Sunday and plan to come back on weekends and evenings – the easiest times for the handlers, who are all volunteers. “We had people who were actually rolling around on the floor playing with the dogs,” says Saul. “We had several people who’d missed flights or had issues with flying tell us that it really helped calm them down to be able to visit with our dogs.” CAREing Paws – whose name includes an acronym that stands for “canines assisting rehabilitation and education” – also visits schools, senior centers, hospitals and other places where people can use a bit of cheering up. The group even helps Georgia Tech students chill out during final exam week. CAREing Paws’ dogs are all licensed therapy animals, which are not to be confused with assistance dogs that help disabled people or service dogs used for emotional support, explains Saul. Those animals are devoted to helping one person, their owner, whereas therapy dogs have the temperament and training to deal with large groups of people, most of whom are strangers. Saul says she and her fellow volunteers hope their airport visits can continue after the holidays. Tags: holidays, Therapy dogs « Lufthansa Cargo – ATL to UK Airport takes Better Buildings Challenge award » Connect with us on these social networking sites Antonov 124 Ruslan visits ATL Several Antonov 124 Ruslan’s have arrived in Atlanta (empty) and departing to Egypt with GE electricity equipment worth over $1.7 billion. This is a contract to boost the entire grid of Egypt with 12 new turbines which are being transported through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Click on the link to read more: bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-13/ge-sells-1-billion-of-turbines-in-10-boost-to-egypt-power-grid Filed in News by Al Nottage on May 15, 2015 Airport Community Job Fair Hartsfield-Jackson host Airport community job fair with more than 30 Airport community employers looking to fill 500 positions. The free event was a perfect opportunity for qualified applicants to apply for jobs with Airport Concessionaires and other companies that make the world’s busiest and most efficient Airport an industry leader in Aviation. Georgia International Convention […] Filed in News by Al Nottage on April 28, 2015 Hartsfield-Jackson Successfully Tests Emergency Response with Big Bird More than 70 airport employees and outside volunteers – in addition to 51 airport first responders — helped make Hartsfield-Jackson’s Big Bird emergency preparedness drill on April 15 a big success. Taking place for the first time at night, the triennial exercise was held at the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s training facility on Lake Mirror Road. […] Filed in Employees, News by Al Nottage on April 17, 2015 ‘Guardian angel’ at Hartsfield-Jackson: Colleague gives big, pays it forward Hartsfield-Jackson’s Tour program featured in Women in Aviation newsletter Temporary Starbucks opens near ATL’s Domestic Terminal atrium Mayor announces plans for 4-star hotel at ATL Taste of Hartsfield-Jackson shows culinary appeal of world’s busiest airport © 2020 ATL NEWS. All rights reserved. Theme by Solostream.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340151
__label__wiki	0.687385	0.687385	Video Games of 2013 [GO] Jan 3rd, 2014 by Dan This is where a lot of the magic happened this year. Writing this list each year is one of my favorite things to do at the end of the year. It forces some perspective on what I played and coheres my thoughts on the experiences this year. I spent less time with video games this year, to the tune of 19 fewer games played. 2013 heralded a shift toward portable games for me thanks to a rapidly maturing 3DS library and a nice, new phone. Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward – If you thought 999 had the coolest story in video games, you’ve clearly never gotten around to spending enough time with VLR. The advantage of being a one-system game gives 999 a slight advantage in its huge twist moment, but VLR‘s meditations on quantum theory and its further exploration of the morphic resonance forces tons of interesting thought experiments. It’s a narrative gut punch that unravels with a brilliant pace. The Cave – Ron Gilbert made himself a neat, interesting meditation on obsession and enlightenment, except he also mad ea game with ridiculous padding that required too much repetition of the same puzzles. It’s funny, but, sadly, I wasn’t ever able to motivate myself to go for all the endings. Professional Baseball Spirits 2013 – I absolutely love these games, but I don’t know if I should keep getting them for a few years. I just don’t have the time to finish whole seasons any more. Maybe I should just get the last PS3 one and wait a while for the PS4 ones to get good? Fire Emblem: Awakening – Allowing players to grind for levels was a weird decision. I think I got too distracted with grinding and lost momentum and motivation to finish the game. Still got a ways to go…It’s a strong SRPG, but I’m so distracted with other portable games that I haven’t gone back to it yet. Tomb Raider – Remember when I beat this game on my channel? It was pretty good. I didn’t have high expectations for Tomb Raider remade to be Uncharted, but it actually held its own pretty well. If it had a better handle on its narrative it might have ended up one of the best games of this year, but you just can’t hide significant story details in found audio or text logs… Sim City – What a shitshow. Seriously. EA really dropped the ball on this one with the overloaded servers and poor handling of their PR. To top it off, city simulation managed to feel simpler and less deep than Sim City 3000 which, I’ll remind you, was released about 14 years ago… Bioshock Infinite – Remember how I said that audio logs are stupid? That’s the bread and butter of this series and it’s overdone. The shooting lacked a little impact, but the skyhook was pretty fun. Supposedly this game has a cool ending and a neat story, but I’ve had trouble motivating myself to come back to this to finish my series on it. Dead Space 3 – Played this all the way through with David. Co-op = fun and awesome. Game itself…not so much. Just a laughably bad story, but we had a good time playing it together. Harmoknight – Tiny little rhythm game by Game Freak. I ended up not loving the timing of the button presses, but I did like the relaxed plot and creative arrangements. Digital: A Love Story – I don’t really remember why I ended up deciding to explore Christine Love’s oeuvre, but the fact that her first two larger releases were free probably contributed. Digital covers a time period that is slightly before my internet days (one where BBS was king) and the love story is, ultimately, not quite convincing enough, but it was interesting and it tangentially ties into Analogue don’t take it personally, babe, it just ain’t your story – I rant to all kinds of people about how privacy in the modern era is an illusion. don’t take it personally goes and makes the argument for me. It also highlights how those of us in charge and legislating now still don’t really get it (and probably never will). Never have I seen a game do a better job at illustrating the generational gap and give both fairly substantial and even weight. The only thing I didn’t like was the kind of gross romance subplot… Poker Night 2 – Remember the first Poker Night? It’s a little more advanced than that, but I like Ash and CL4P-TP less… Monaco: What’s Yours is Mine – There was a fantastic couple of days where Min, David, and I just rocked most of the Monaco campaign and its prestige mode. Man, what a ridiculously fun co-op game. Especially with the way that David plays with his burrowing through every wall… Rayman Legends – Better than Origins in some ways. Murfy is interesting too, but I have yet to play a level as cool as the treasure chase levels… Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Slow and leisurely. The feel-good, laid back game of the year. Animal Crossing might be low on action, but it’s so overwhelmingly nice and welcoming that it feels like the kind of world I’d want to live in. It’s just too bad that the guilt factor of being away for too long keeps me away. The Last of Us – Yet another game I played to completion on my challenge. The chief problem with The Last of Us is that it’s just not fun to play. There’s nothing fun about the ugly violence committed by and against Joel and Ellie. It’s a brutal, depressing game that beats you down and ends with an unreasonably selfish decision that makes for a uniquely interesting ending and experience. Professor Layton and the Unwound Future – Didn’t quite finish this one. It’s more Layton. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not gonna set anything on fire with its innovative ways. Analogue: A Hate Story – The summer sale allowed me to finally pick up a game I’d heard such intriguing things about. Like Christine Love’s other games, Analogue is about a spaceship society that went kind of…weird. It was heavily modeled on an Joseon society that actually existed and it was a little horrifying. The way it all plays out is a little voyeuristic, but also super interesting and fun. I can’t wait to play Hate Plus to learn how the ship developed in this way. Shin Megami Tensei IV – This is not Persona. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s odd that the two don’t borrow from each other a whole lot more. SMT IV still does things that feel so old-fashioned while Persona feels so progressive and fun. Definitely the best old-school JRPG that I’ve played in a while. Evoland – It’s all kind of a joke, really, and not a very fun one, unfortunately. Thomas Was Alone – You play as these little shapes! They’re so cute! There’s a really fun story! British accents! Pikmin 3 – I was surprised by how much I loved this game. Allowing the player to split attention between three avatars was a brilliant move for efficient play. I’m more surprised that I haven’t yet gone back to finish it because it’s ridiculously fun. Rogue Legacy – Sharp, tight controls. Super fun conceit with the progression of heirs. Go play it. It’s the Metroidvania/Roguelike-like of the year. Papers, Please – Have you ever wanted to run a depressing, Soviet-style border checkpoint? Yeah…that’s this. It sounds dreary and boring and it kind of is, but that’s the secret genius of the game. The mundane tasks infect your morality and you actually start trying to game the system in a lot of insidious and awful ways. It’s kind of gross, but also very powerful. Didn’t start any new games in Sept! Plants vs. Zombies 2 – I don’t like playing this on my phone. It’s a silly complaint, but the game just isn’t good on that small a space. I’ll come back to it on PC. Pokemon Y – The revolution we were all waiting for. 3D pokemon is awesome. Less awesome: the still asinine/mediocre story. I just wish Nintendo would step up the level of interest in the story if they are going to continue to try to force more and more complicated stories on the games. Other than that, the perfect pokemon evolution. Seriously awesome. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies – So it’s not the best Ace Attorney game out there. It’s lacking the influence of Shu Takami and that has a bigger impact than I would have expected. The game is more anime-y, if that makes sense, and a little less cohesive, but it’s still the best ridiculous, non-real world law simulator out there. Good times. Hometown Story – Not good times. It’s by the Harvest Moon guy, but it feels half done and not too put together. I only gave it an hour, but I didn’t like what I played so far. Ridiculous Fishing – Avoid the fish on the way down, hit them on the way up. Slick Disasterpeace music, neat art design, a weird story. Pretty fun way to kill time on your phone. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – The music in this game is so…good. It’s a must to play this with headphones. The way the game handles the 3D graphics is also super fresh and vital. I wish I’d played more, but I’m saving it for after Pokemon and Phoenix Wright. Super Mario 3D World – The most brilliant execution of game mechanics released this year. That final boss…holy cow! It’s even fun for four players, unlike some of the NSMB games. Perfection. Get a Wii U and play it. XCOM: Enemy Within – You’d think that the new additions would be incremental and not all that game-changing, but the MEC stuff and the difficulty curve tweaks for Classic have made this game way different and way tougher, but also…more fun. Those robot suits are badass. Super Mario 3D Land – 3D World made me insanely curious about Land, another game people rave about. Holy eff. The way the system makes use of its 3D engine is super cool. This game is so full of brilliant platforming that feels more rewarding than anything else. It’s less ambitious than 3D World by necessity, but this game (so far) is just a wee bit better realized on its platform. NES Remix – Less fun than I was hoping it would be. Making it more Wario-esque would have been better, I think. Still kind of neat and only $15. Project X Zone – I think I’d need a little more time to have a definitive verdict on this, but it’s reasonably fun. I just want to play as Rockman. Right now. The Walking Dead 400 Days – Five (very) short stories. Five (very) smartly told stories. I really do love how the vignettes say something about each person in the camp and about each person who plays the game. I only wish they hadn’t tied an achievement to the Paper, Rock, Scissors part. The Walking Dead Season 2 – Just as polished and well put together as S1, in my opinion. I have no idea why some people haven’t liked the first episode as much. It’s tragic and brutal and just as insane. Risk of Rain – Played a few rounds with Min and Lee. Brilliant co-op, but it feels just a touch half-done in its menus and interface. Worth continuing to investigate in 2014. 3ds, 999: nine hours nine persons nine doors, analogue: a hate story, animal crossing: new leaf, bioshock infinite, christine love, dead space 3, digital: a love story, don't take it personally babe it just ain't your story, evoland, fire emblem: awakening, game freak, harmoknight, hometown story, monaco: what's yours is mine, nes remix, papers please, phoenix wright: ace attorney - dual destinies, pikmin 3, plants vs. zombies 2: it's about time, pokemon y, poker night 2, poker night at the inventory, professional baseball spirits 2013, professor layton and the unwound future, project x zone, rayman: legends, ridiculous fishing, risk of rain, rogue legacy, ron gilbert, shin megami tensei iv, shu takami, sim city, sim city 3000, super mario 3d land, super mario 3d world, the cave, the last of us, the legend of zelda: a link between worlds, the walking dead, thomas was alone, tomb raider, uncharted: drake's fortune, wii u, xcom: enemy within, zero escape: virtue's last reward Another Trailer for The Cave [GO/ER] Dec 3rd, 2012 by Dan Ron Gilbert’s latest adventure game is on the cusp of release and I’m super excited. This is gonna be good, guys, or, at the very least, very interesting. Embedded Reporter, Game Overview ron gilbert, the cave	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340154
__label__cc	0.732787	0.267213	The Ostroy Report The Ostroy Report is an aggressive voice for Democrats, the progressive agenda and serves as a watchdog of the Republican Party and President Trump. Is Obama About to Make a Huge Mistake Over Afghanistan Troop Surge? President Obama announced this week that he'll be unveiling his war strategy for Afghanistan next Tuesday and in particular his decision on the September request made by Gen. Stanley McChrystal for an additional 40,000 troops. White House sources report that Obama will authorize just 30,000 which, if true, may be a huge political miscalculation. Any additional troop authorization under the requested 40,000 is going to create a feeding-frenzy of Republicans rhetoric accusing the president of failing to listen to the generals; for being weak militarily; and for placating liberals. At a time when Obama's popularity is waning and he's facing uphill battles domestically on health care and the economy, the last thing he and Democrats need is to have the GOP attacking the administration on the war. So the obvious question is, if Obama's gonna up the ante to 30,000 troops, why not just give the general the 40,000 he asked for, albeit it with stringent progress demands, measurable benchmarks and realistic timetables for "mission accomplished" and a successful exit? In this explosively charged political climate, why feed right into the duplicitous hands of the "Obama doesn't support the troops" crowd? Also, sending additionally troops--any additional amount--poses a huge political risk for the president among his supporters as well. A Nobel Peace Prize-winning Obama sounding the anti-war alarm while escalating the operation sends a very mixed, confusing message to those who voted for him and expected a troop draw-down rather than a build-up. To be sure, the 'correct amount' of additional troops needed for the Afghanistan "surge" is an absolutely arbitrary number, with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Gen. McChrystal and countless others in disagreement over how many should be sent to complete the mission, whatever that is. So, why not defer to the leading commander in the region and give him what he sees in his McChrystal-ball rather than over-analyze the situation (as Obama's perhaps done for the past two months...only to come up with essentially the same conclusion), picking another number out of thin air which may or may not be the right one, and which allows your enemies to bash the crap out of you? Wouldn't it be more pragmatic and politically expedient to give the general the benefit of the doubt and shut down the engine of the right-wing attack-machine in the process? It just seems like Obama's regrettably setting the propaganda table for his ravenous GOP dinner guests. Now on the other hand, instead of trying to play the "let's try to make everybody happy and ultimately make no one happy" game again, Obama could do what many believe he truly wants to, and what voters elected him to do: end the war, period. But this would mean acting on his true convictions. Now that would be novel, wouldn't it? Posted by The Ostroy Report at 7:17 AM Realist said... With the announcement that at least 30,000 more troops are headed to Afghanistan at an annual cost of $1 million each, it has become clear to me that Obama is not the man in charge of policy. He is just another puppet reading his lines and taking the heat for those who are truly in command. He's merely the commander-in-fief. When Obama became president, he had the opportunity to be in charge, but chose instead to dump every responsibility into someone else'e hands while he played at being president like his predecessor did. Whether these chosen hands deserved to be given such power has since been repeatedly proven to have been poor decisions. And if he really needed a mentor or guide to help him find his way around Washington's arcane intricacies, he should have selected one who didn't have a record of deception and subterfuge. As a direct result of Obama's poor and indecisive misfeasance, he has mired the nation deeper into the Big Muddy than did Lyndon Johnson. At least when Johnson did it, the nation wasn't bankrupt like it now is. I now wish we had a national recall to remove Obama from power. I also wish there were someone trustworthy to replace him. There is not. orangutan said... I now have absolutely no idea of what it is Obama intends to accomplish in his Presidency. Andy, don't expect him to do what we put him in office to do. He has spent his entire time in office placating the Republicans and it looks like he's "staying the course" (sound familiar?). He has plainly "cut and run" from the people who put him in office. The wars, no single-payer, putting the "abstinence only" back in, propping up big business at the expense of the middle and lower classes, Siegelman, telecoms immunity, Patriot Act, etc. His record is the record you'd expect from a Republican president with a huge majority in the house and 60 seats in the Senate, not from a Democratic president with a huge majority in the house and 60 seats in the Senate. Kucinich/Gravel 2012!!! WDRussell said... Being over 60 means I have seen this song and dance before. If the people of Afghanistan aren't willing to stand up for their own country then why should Americans die to support some con man like Karzai? Rick Gunter said... President Obama needs to stand tall on this and give the general no additional troops and pull this country out of Afghanistan quickly. This is a Vietnam in the making. The issue is not appeasing the GOP. Those jerks got us into this mess. I voted for Obama. But he is proving to be everything I voted against. when did obama run on pulling troups out of afghanistan? as i recall, he stated on frequent occasions that the conflict was in afghanistan and that he would end the iraq occupation and focus all our energies on afghanistan bush fucked everything up but ya...lets blame obama We were warned. During the campaign, on its front page The New York Times wrote a long, comprehensive article about Obama and his "governing" style when he was head of the Harvard Law Review. What he did then and there he is doing now That's who he is. Why didn't voters heed all the clues that were presented before we elected him> Is Obama About to Make a Huge Mistake Over Afghani... Palin Forces Oprah Off Television! More Republican Lies and Deception Over Cancer Scr... Was This Magazine Cover of Obama "Sexist?" The Big Surprise Moment During the Oprah/Palin Int... Republicans Once Again Shamelessly Exploiting Terr... Katie Couric Should Be Fired! The Simplest Justification for a Public Option F**K You Sean Hannity! The Sad Tale of Greg the Republican A "Republican Renaissance?" Yeah, and I Hear the M... One Spin You Won't Hear From Republicans About Tue... One Year After Election Day: The Verdict on Obama	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340157
__label__cc	0.698191	0.301809	pique a boo piquing interests since november 2005 Picnic On A Budget I am of the mindset that we are already in a recession. I think it's proven by the fact that people who couldn't define "the r word" six months ago now have a very clear understanding. No, we don't have riots of over food prices just yet, but people are making tough decisions about food and gas, and even casinos are losing revenue. Those things don't just start and stop overnight. Furthermore, my company picnic this year was a potluck. I think most businesses put on both a picnic and a holiday party as a sign of employee appreciation. This was my third picnic with this company and for the first time, it wasn't catered. The staple barbecue foods were provided, and cooked by members of management. But I (as someone who doesn't eat beef or pork) had to bring my own meat. I did. And I brought enough to share. I thought the picnic was nice. I had a good time and got to talk to people I normally wouldn't. I didn't mind bringing food, because I understood the situation. In tough economic times, it's difficult to set money aside for fun. If bringing a box full of wings means we can keep out stellar holiday party, then so be it. But I know a lot of people had gotten used to the catering, and they didn't come out at all. And that just left more wings for me. this might be about company picnic, holiday party A Pair. A Trio. Now Solo. Lucy moved out in the middle of April. You might recall I wrote about her moving here in October of 2006. A year and a half later, I can tell you that Lucy decided Las Vegas was not for her. She didn't like the crime, the dirt, the poor customer service, the expensive bars, or being home alone. She drove back up to North Dakota and Jesse went with her. Yes. That means I'm alone again. I honestly can't say when Jesse's coming back to Las Vegas. He left April 17th. He is adamant about going to his cousin's graduation on May 17th, and he can't afford to fly back and forth. By May 18th, Jesse will have spent more time away from me in 2008 than with me. It's not the same as a military deployment or series of business trips. My boyfriend is choosing to leave me for weeks at a time. I'm not pleased. I'm actually really sad and confused about it. I've asked him to come home early but this graduation is the world to him - even though it was out of the question when I brought it up in November. There's also no guarantee he'll come back the day, weekend, week after it's over. I feel like I'm being punished, but I know I didn't do anything wrong. It's crappy. Fortunately for you, it's my pity party. I encourage you not to join. this might be about customer service, Jesse, Lucy, Vegas Every six months, I get to check in with two of my friends from college, Jason & Nora. He works for ESPN, following the NHRA. The hot rods come here every six months and so do they. We've been meeting up for drinks and more drinks bi-annually since 2005. I think that makes it a tradition. But I also think we're getting on in years. This time around we went Blush at Wynn Las Vegas for an hosted bar. We sat and caught up -- like honest to goodness adults. And that was it. Two hours later, I was off to Lucy's party at Stoney's. The last time Jay & Nora came, her sister was in a booty shaking contest, and Nora and I ended up walking out of gentleman's club sometime after four in the morning. I guess we've grown in the last six months. this might be about Jason and Nora, Vegas, Wynn Las Vegas Family Vacation 2008 - Wrap It may feel like I was in Florida for weeks, but I was really only there for three days. We spent day two hanging out at Universal Studios. The best part about me having an eight year old brother is that we watch the same shows. It means we watched more Ben 10 in the hotel room than Law & Order. My dad loves Law & Order. If there's an all day marathon, he'll watch all day. Ty and I prefer cartoons. And we saw some come to life at Universal Studios. We ran into Chuckie from Rugrats right away, and just in time. It had to be 85 degrees and humid that day and he went inside right after us. If I had been in a giant costume, surrounded by screaming kids, I would have been less than pleasant. We also saw Jimmy Neutron exploring a street with Dora. I don't think there was anything romantic about it though. He's all science and even though she's bilingual, I don't think she's smart enough. There were fewer rides and more attractions. We took the Jimmy Neutron Nicktoon Blast (I beat all the kids at the Jimmy Neutron / Spongebob trivia), and sat through the Shrek 4D story. I also found out that there is an attraction based on Twister, the movie. Not only does it exist, but it's intense. Ty was against it, and bored by the Bill Paxton / Jodie Foster vignettes during the wait. But after the flying cows, fire, wind and rain, he was a fan. Although he still doesn't think tornadoes are real. We'll have to work on that. We rode an indoor roller coaster based on The Mummy, survived a Jaws shark attack, and shot aliens after going through the Men In Black training. And then we arrived at the best kids' attraction I've ever seen: The Curious George Goes To Town Interactive Playground. It was like stepping into a cartoon, but with a lot of water. Everything was colorful, and leaking. The highlight were the giant buckets of water at the top of the firehouses. They would fill while the kids played. And once they reached their limit, a bell would sound and they would dump. Every time the kids heard a bell (or even the hint of a bell) they would line up, look at the sky and wait for the downpour. I recorded it, sideways. So if you just tilt your head to the right: I think that happened on either side every five minutes. And there was an adoring crowd every five minutes. Ty ran amok, and my dad and I just watched. My dad rang him out as much as he could, but the sun was setting and it was time to go anyway. We didn't do anything the following day, which is how I like my vacations. The day after that, I flew back to Las Vegas for all the adventures waiting there. this might be about Dora The Explorer, family, Florida, marathon, Universal Studios, Vegas Family Vacation 2008 - Jurassic Park & Toon Lagoon Fifteen years ago, (I can't believe I can write about 15 years ago) my family (Angie included) went to the movies to see Jurassic Park. It's the first time I remember being really engrossed in what was happening on the screen. I mean even by then I had watched Dirty Dancing dozens of times, but I didn't know what was really going on for years. In 1993, I watched kids run from dinosaurs and I won't say it changed me, but it definitely had an affect on me. Fifteen years after that, I was there, in Jurassic Park. Courtesy of Universal Studios of course. There are only four or five attractions in the Jurassic Park area. One was a Pterodactyl adventure where one needed to be accompanied by a child. There was only one child among us, so we skipped it, rather than make my dad wait for us. The highlight there was the Jurassic Park River Adventure, which was set up in an area from which dinosaurs had escaped. Other than that, it was just cool to be there. The next stop on the Islands of Adventure was Toon Lagoon. If you know me, (or if you've read my myspace profile) you know that I love cartoons. I'm watching one as I write tonight. And I'll have another on as I go to bed. Toon Lagoon didn't have any current cartoons - and while I was never a big fan of Dudley Do Right or Popeye - their rides were fun. Dudley Do Right was a giant flume ride with a fantastic splash at the end. We didn't go on it because my dad didn't want to get wet. Instead, I proposed Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. The description mentioned setting sail, a raft, and churning rapids. My dad said sure and Ty said no. He is also not a fan of Popeye. Too bad for him he's also 8, and therefore easily overruled. Yes. I knew we were going to get soaked. I've been on similar rides before. On top of that, there was a spot in the middle to leave anything you wanted to keep dry. The seats were all wet and the dads and sons in the raft with us had done it several times - and were soaked. But not my dad. He acted like his phone would be fine in his pocket, and that he was too cool to get wet. The first time the water hit him, he squealed. It was most unmanly. Ty and I began teasing him immediately. After that, we squished our way back to the car. It was close to closing time and we were too wet to get on anything else anyway. It was Fantastic. this might be about Angie, Dirty Dancing, family, Florida, Jurassic Park, Universal Studios Family Vacation 2008 - The Lost Continent We spent two days at the two parks, and there was nothing that tickled me more than Seuss' Landing. I have to admit we spent too much time there before arriving on The Lost Continent. There were fewer rides here, and I didn't think there was a clear theme. There was a Sinbad stunt show, an intermingling dinosaur - inspired roller coasters, and a Poseidon adventure. It was called Poseidon's Fury, and it caught our attention. It wasn't as much a "ride," as a fantasy - adventure. It was set in a ruined castle. And after walking through dark and winding tunnels, we ended up as part of a tour group. The leader was an assistant, who has lost "the professor," and who accidentally woke up an ancient spirit. It got so intense, at one point Ty said: "Dad, I don't think we should have come in here." Pictures weren't allowed, so I lifted this one from the web site. this might be about family, Florida, Lost Continent, Seuss Landing, Universal Studios Family Vacation 2008 - Seuss Landing One thing you should know about me is that I really am easily amused. Bright colors, things that are really little, things that are cute can all hold my attention. And that's precisely why I had so much fun on the Island of Adventure, which is the sister park to Universal Studios. We didn't go to the park right away once I got there. We were staying at an Extended Stay America (which I hereby recommend) and we needed some groceries. We stopped at a Target for a few things (but if you've ever stopped into a Target you know how long that can take) and didn't go too the park until after 2. Once we got there, my dad would not let me buy a ticket. He and Ty had five day passes. My dad bought them over the phone before he even got to Florida and they were either $86 or $65. Or it was $86 for an adult and $65 for a child. Either way, at the ticket window the price was significantly higher. A two day pass was $129 and my dad balked. So I called the number he called and got a 5 day pass for $86. But the woman told me it would be two hours before I could pick up my ticket. You try telling a seven year old at the gates of an amusement park that he has to wait to go inside. I tried to explain the economy and the value of a dollar and the savings and how unfair it was to charge different prices. Ty was not amused. We didn't sit out there for two hours. I was able to get my ticket is about 20 minutes. It might have even been ready right away. Take that Universal Studios. I beat your corrupt system. The admission gets you into both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. Our first stop was the Island of Adventure, namely Seuss Landing, and all things affiliated with Dr. Seuss. It might be easy (especially if you're my dad) to scoff at the fact that my very first stop on my cross-country vacation was The Cat In The Hat. Scoff all you like, scoffers. It was fantastic. The best part about places built for children is that they don't hold back on the bright or on the silly. Pictures from the books came to life. The staff wore costumes and spoke in rhymes -- it really was merriment at its best. I fully admit this was my favorite themed area on both properties. But we didn't stay there long. We had a lot of park to cover. this might be about family, Florida, Seuss Landing, Universal Studios Family Vacation 2008 I went to Florida last week for a modern family vacation. We used to always take family trips the week after Easter. My parents didn't mind taking us out of school to avoid the crowds. It worked then and it worked now. However a lot has changed over the years. Taking a family vacation is not as easy as I remember. I remember getting new clothes, packing them up for the trip, waking up early, taking a smooth ride, and stopping every now and then to eat delicious, not at all nutritious, home cooked food. In actuality, I had to work almost right up until my flight. I needed to save my paid vacation days. On Tuesday, I worked, went to the gym, went to Muay Thai, showered, packed, cleaned, and went to the airport. I was so exhausted by the time I got to my seat, I don't even remember taking off. I had to change flights in Houston around 5:30am Central. I had a 90 minute layover and between naps, I waited for the sun to rise, so I could take a picture. It never showed. We boarded and again I slept from take off to touchdown. Florida was hot and humid. I'm guessing the humidity was actually quite low, because I barely noticed it. And my tolerance of moisture has been greatly diminished. Florida was also green. There were trees and grass in every direction. There were clouds and a refreshing wind. If I sound like I was desperate to be on the East Coast, it's because I apparently was. I have two brothers, one actually is from another mother. His name is Ty'yier and he's turning 8 this month. My dad always takes him on a trip for his birthday. This year they went to Universal Studios (which they have frequented in years past) and I went to Florida to meet them. I haven't seen Ty in years. He was born while I was in college, and right after graduation, I moved to Fargo. He came to Fargo once (first words there were "Danie I'm cold.") and I saw him occasionally when I visited my dad. But our relationship is lacking. We enjoy each other, we just don't spend as much time together as we should. My dad and Ty picked me up at the airport. My dad took my bigger bag from me, and Ty offered to take it from him. Yes it was too big for him, but he wanted to carry it. So he carried it. I told him to tell me if he needed help. Five seconds later, he needed help. I took the bag from him, and my dad went to take it from me. Ty said "No dad, let her carry her own bag." Maybe chivalry comes at age 9. Anyway we were already at the car. this might be about birthday, family, Fargo, flight, Florida, Muay Thai, new year, Universal Studios The Latest, The Rants I'm back from Florida and I want to tell you all about it. But I haven't uploaded the pictures yet. In fact, I haven't even cleared a space for myself on the desk yet. Apparently I'm a very busy bee. I just wanted you to know I haven't abandoned you. And I wanted to reward you for checking back here every now and then to see what I'm doing. So here are the highlights: A year and a half after she came to stay for a few months, Lucy is finally moving out. She's heading back to North Dakota next week. Jesse is driving back with her, so I'll be really alone for a little while. But that gives me dibs on redecorating the room all by myself. Work is going, There's nothing new, good, bad, or indifferent to report. Not that I'd be allowed to report it anyway. Our company picnic is coming up in two weeks. Jesse and Lucy will miss it. It'll be my first company picnic without Lucy. She's been along for the last two years. You might recall, before she officially moved in, Lucy would visit for 10 - 14 days at a time. I've decided to start writing a book. I'm not sure what it'll be about though. I'm going to start this weekend, and probably make it a weekend task for a while. I've been working out piously during the week. I feel good, and have decided to start running this weekend. I realized (just yesterday) I've lost a lot of muscle in my legs. Running is supposedly good for that. I'm not sleeping as much as I should. It's a good day if I get to bed before 10, and a great day if I sleep through the night. I work at 6:30am, so I start the wake up process around 5:30. But somehow I have been able to cut my caffeine. Lattes are a rarity and I dropped from two teas bags a day to one. I read that too much black tea can cause disturbed sleep. I drink tea. I have disturbed sleep. Go figure. That's about all I can think to tell you. I'm annoyed by the Absolut America controversy. I don't see the reason in getting upset over an ad showing Mexico retaking part of America. It's an ad. There's no reason for angry letters and apologies. I'm over it. I'm also over protests of the Olympic Torch. I love the Olympics. I enjoy the games, the athletes, the competition, the national solidarity of it all. I didn't approve of giving the bid to China, but it's done. No amount of stunts asking for a Free Tibet is going to change that. China is not changing its policies. It doesn't have to change its policies. It has to host Olympians. That's it. The International Olympic Committee will meet this week to determine if the torch tour should be canceled. Way to go beatniks. this might be about Florida, Jesse, Lucy, new year I had forgotten what it I had forgotten what it was like to be in a place with clouds, shade, and water. And water rides. It's fantastic! Touchdown in Orlando. I feel Touchdown in Orlando. I feel moisture in the air. I see clouds in the sky. Also a lot of dirty things. Hold The Line Please. I'm Hold The Line Please. I'm on my way to Orlando for my brother's birthday. No Internet until Saturday. Currently tired in TX. Stories You've Missed Every six months, I get to check in with two of my... Family Vacation 2008 - Jurassic Park & Toon Lagoon... I'll tell you when I post: Como se dice... Until the Next Post I received some, um, less than friendly text messages yesterday from my Aunt Marion, letting me know she was not yet on my blog. I told her ... Rome \| Roman Forum July 6, 2007 Rome, Italy Across from the Arch of Constantine is the Palantine Hill & Roman Forum. I was excited to see both. I studied ... Some Quasi Public News I'm deleting my Facebook account. It'll be gone May 1st 2019. There are at least 12 reasons why this is the right thing for me to do... The things I've done for Danie The term "self care" has been very popular in my e-circles lately . If that's not the case for you, that's significant,... You guys. Beyoncé. Is. Woke. I've never been a huge Beyoncé fan. Initially because her voice didn't move me. Then because she was so "safe black." Beyo... We'll see how this goes I'm running again. And I'm scared. I'm scared of falling. I'm scared of failing. I'm scared it's going to be too mu... There's just SO much. The neighborhood. Autumn lasted for approximately two weeks. There's so much to say, so much to tell. There's a veritable heap ... I keep a running to-do list. I love it. I love writing things down. I love crossing things off. I love finding old lists and crossing off th... Birthday flowers from the boss + The employee of the month #AwesomePossum. #WATTBA #MyLifeIsTheBestLife via Instagram http://ift.tt/1UrOVSG @yowhatupt #5for15 13.1 30 Day Challenge 49ers 90 Day Challenge Abby Acropolis Adam Adrian Agora Al Sharpton Alamo Square Alcatraz Ali Amber Andria Andy Angie Anne The Reporter apple sauce apples Arch of Constantine Argentina ASL Athens Aunt Marion Aunt Shelia baby shower Baseball Basilica di Sao Paolo Basketball Bellagio Bikram birds birthday Bitter Longhorn Blair blood pressure Blue Man Group Body English Bouchon Boudin Brazil Brenda's French Soul Food Brian Head Resort Brussels BU Cafe Cocomo camera camping Cancun Cannery Row Capitoline Hill car Cassie Castro catacombs Cate Cate's Cooper Cedar City Utah Chapel Bar + Bistro Charlotte North Carolina Cheesecake Factory Chinatown Christmas Christopher St. Pier circle bar Coach Becca Coachella Coit Tower Colorado Colorado River Colosseum company picnic computer congressional page Continental Airlines cooking Cooper's Beach Courtney cruise CT Scan customer service daddy Daddy and Deva Dayana Dayna debt Demetri Martin Derek Desert View Watchtower detox dick in a box Dirty Dancing Discount Tire DMV Donnell Dora The Explorer Dottie's DP Dough Dre Droid Incredible east coast foliage Eat Real Festival economic stimulus education Embarcadero Emmy EWR Expotique Facebook fall family fantasy football Fargo faucet fight night Fira Fitness Magazine flag football flight Florida football gallbladder gelato general store Gilley's girls' night Goat Island goji berries Golden Gate Bridge Golden Gate Park Google Grand Canyon Grandma Mary Lou Grandview Point grapes Greece Haight Ashbury hair Halloween Hard Rock Hotel Casino Heather and Nick henderson Hillary Clinton holiday party hotel saint paul Hundertwasser Toilets ice skating IFTTT Instagram invitations Italy Jacques Jacuzzi Vineyards Jarad Jason and Nora Jen Jennifer Jesse Joel John John Edwards Jonathan Jordan Jurassic Park Kash Kate Kawakawa kelly tilghman Kelsee Kerikeri Kerry Kristen La Boulange Labor Day Lake Tahoe las vegas life last names Lees Ferry lefse lemon lemonade Life in general lifetime movie network Lipan Point Lisa Lizbeth Lone Rock Beach Lost Continent Lucy luggage M'lis Maggiano's Maitai Bay Mama's Mangonui map marathon Mariana and Ajit mark foley Markt Restaurant Master Cleanse Matakana McFadden's Mediterranean Sea Melissa The Producer Melissa The Reporter Mercury Mexico Michelle Milan Miss O Mission Bay Beach Mission Beach Cafe mommy Monterey Monterey Bay Aquarium mt. charleston Mt. 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__label__cc	0.54991	0.45009	Losanjealous FYF Fest Vintage Losanjealous DF on Derby Dolls Bill DeMarco’s LA Post a Band or Event / Find a Band or Event Select Year 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Randomness Going Back to 2005 Sparks @ Avalon Hollywood, 5/20/06 Photos: Outside Lands 2012 Day Two–Satuday, August 11 Photos: The xx @ Coachella 2017 SXSW 2010: Nas & Damian Marley @ Fader Fort, Wednesday 3/17 2009 Sunset Junction Street Fair Photo Gallery, Sunday, August 23, 2009 Photos: Desaparecidos @ Troubadour, August 31, 2012 Photos: Garbage ’20 Years Queer Tour’ @ 9:30 Club, Washington DC, October 29, 2015 Tickets On Sale–Chris Cornell, Dispatch, Dengue, Uh Huh Her, Bunnymen, P. Furs & More Some Post Tags Comedy • Politics • Digital Lo-Fi • Stories • Music • Under $10 • Outside Lands • Heads Up • LA Culture • Real Estate • Slide of the Week • Craptastic Cell Phone Photos • LA Derby Dolls • Best Of • Booze • SXSW • Total Bullshit • Food • Press Release Cut & Paste • Art • Bill DeMarco's LA • Coachella • Entertainment • Film • Interviews • Photo Op • News • Sports • Benevolence • Events Post a Band or Event / Find a Band or Event. . . Use the Comment box below to post and share a new band, an upcoming show or cool event, or whatever you want. Or, find a new band or event to check out… Andrew Acedo December 27, 2019 at 12:40 pm · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – January 11th, 2020 1139 S Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 1133 S Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (parking is $5) Enjoy great films, complimentary beverages, audience Q&As and networking opportunities with the filmmakers, industry pros and fellow film lovers! NewFilmmakers Los Angeles begins it’s 2020 season on January 11th with InFocus: Anti-Ageism, highlighting stories whose perspective offers us the world through the lens and experience of ageing characters. InFocus: Anti-Ageism is the first shorts program of the night, a collection of stories exploring the wisdom, nostalgia, and inter-generational inspiration of its characters. The evening continues with feature film Inside the Rain, the LA Premiere of Aaron Fisher’s authentic portrait of bipolar disorder and depression wrapped up in a wincingly funny rom-com-drama, anchored by off-kilter performances by a colorful ensemble cast. The night concludes with a shorts program featuring an international blend of stories that explore topics including generational disconnection, love and sacrifice, the world of counterfeit bag merchants and more, including Oscar Shortlisted Live Action Short Film Nefta Football Club by Yves Piat. Additional details and tickets available at https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-january-11th-2020/ Francesca Spinosi December 13, 2019 at 4:45 pm · Reply → Event Title: Pop-Rock Singer-Songwriter Brooke Josephson Performing Live at Whisky A Go Go! Date- 1/31 Venue- Whisky A Go Go Address- 8901 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Ticket Price- $20 – $25 Venue Phone Number-(310) 652-4202 Venue Email- generalmanagerTM@whiskyagogo.com Ticket Link- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pop-rock-artist-brooke-josephson-performing-live-at-whisky-a-go-go-tickets-83755971365 Description- Pop Rock singer-songwriter Brooke Josephson applies endless energy to every aspect of her well-rounded career. After majoring in vocal performance in Indiana and performing in theater in NYC, Brooke landed roles on ABC’s “All My Children”, FOX’s “Bones” and others. Soon after, she attended Berklee School of Music to earn her Masters certificate in songwriting. Brooke has now released numerous singles, an EP, and a full-length album. Brooke’s electrifying live performances drip with passion and high energy, in a like manner to her songs. She gained acclaim from her latest EP Sexy N’ Domesticated, which showcased empowering themes and her witty songwriting abilities. Josephson is set to release a brand new EP in early 2020 and will be performing some of her brand new tracks at Whisky A Go Go on January 31st. Brooke and her band (Chris Nordlinger -guitar, Cole Bingham-drummer) will open for the 80’s rock band Missing Persons and strike the stage at 8 PM sharp. Support Brooke and purchase tickets directly from Eventbrite. Do not miss it! Eamon Griffith December 9, 2019 at 5:30 pm · Reply → Please find a bio as well as Spotify Link to his debut EP entitled “Eams.” Eamon will be performing at The Mint in LA 12/28 at 9pm (link below). Any and all feedback is much appreciated. Spotify EP “Eams” link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0VSVk6VSLCsEFQTiSXzM9S?si=xE4eho8uSzqMb44W-v5l2g Ticket Link for The Mint show (12/28): https://www.themintla.com/e/odd-bridges-eamon-griffith-the-outing-82232945955/ Los Angeles based musician Eamon Griffith recently dropped his debut EP entitled “Eams,” which includes standout single “Poor Little Bud.” Eamon is a recent graduate from Loyola New Orleans majoring in guitar & vocal performance. Eamon’s funk & soul influences from his time spent in NOLA, combined with the Rn’B and hip-hop influences from growing up in LA create a unique sound hard to classify under one genre. With Influences ranging from Vulfpeck and Khruangbin to John Mayer and Jungle, Eamon represents the new generation of well rounded musician/producers with conscious lyricism. Thank you for your time and hope to speak to you soon. Tino Cuccinello IHEARTCOMIX December 4, 2019 at 3:37 pm · Reply → LA GIVES BACK has returned! Since 2016, IHEARTCOMIX has brought together the LA creative community to raise over $190,000 for the homeless. This year, we’re doing it even bigger! 100% of all proceeds raised will go to Downtown Women’s Center and My Friends Place. The event combines several of LA’s best promoters and records labels to create a “demented holiday-themed Disneyland” all for good cause. Our partners this year include Brownies & Lemonade, Restless Nites, 143, Spaceland, 2+2 Management, Electric Feels, Mad Decent, Ham on Everything, and Late Night Laggers. LAGB features an endless amount of secret guests and big-name talent including past highlights Diplo, Bonobo, TOKiMONSTA, Flosstradamus, Boys Noize, Ducky, Valentino Khan, JPEGMAFIA, Party Favor and more. In addition to the live event, IHC also hosts an online auction with donated items from celebrities and well-known LA entities. Past donors include Shepard Fairey, Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, Poppy, Grumpy Cat, Tenacious D, Eric Andre, SIMONE, Ableton, The Ace Hotel, Mr. Pickles and much much more. Join us Wednesday, December 18th at our new venue – Belasco! Tickets have sold out every year, so don’t sleep on them! 18+ to enter. Website = https://lagivesback.org/ Tickets = https://www.eventbrite.com/e/la-gives-back-4-holiday-benefit-for-las-homeless-tickets-84596124285?aff=ebdssbeac Snippet = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4v9m1b63CU&feature=youtu.be Francesca Spinosi November 21, 2019 at 9:44 pm · Reply → Americana Singer-Songwriter Amilia K Spicer’s Playing Live at Cinema Bar! Date- 12/7/2020 Time- 9 pm Location- Cinema Bar 3967 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 Ticket Price- Free Venue Phone Number- (310) 390-1328 Venue Email- n.a put Francesca@mileshigproductions.com Ticket Link: n.a use Bands in town Bands in Town link – https://www.bandsintown.com/e/101711753-amilia-k-spicer-music-at-the-cinema-bar?came_from=244 Facebook Event- https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/amilia-k-spicer-the-lionhearts-los-angeles-dec-7/1032606663748203/ Description- On December 7, Americana artist, Amilia K Spicer and her band the Lionhearts will perform live at The Cinema Bar. Spicer’s songs have equal parts ache and grit, with topography that covers farmlands, quirky roadside stops, and an occasional turn down a dark alley with flickering neon. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, currently residing in California via Austin, she fuses together all the places she calls home. Wanderlust spills from her songs, influenced by Texas troubadours, Tibetan mountain tops, and Hollywood bars. Or, as she might say with a slight drawl: “Water, wine and whiskey”. Her new album, Wow and Flutter, has made many critics’ best-of lists, and was lauded as one of the best albums, any genre, in the last decade by Popdose Magazine. Come see this free-spirited talent bring her venturous stories and songs to life. ogyoutube November 20, 2019 at 10:18 am · Reply → Wonderful article and i really loved it thank you for share this one nginx.org November 20, 2019 at 6:57 am · Reply → This text is worth everyone’s attention. How can I find out more? Andrew Acedo November 19, 2019 at 11:37 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Monthly Film Festival – December 14th, 2019 Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences 1313 Vine St. \| Los Angeles, CA 90028 Parking (complimentary) Please make sure to enter parking off of Homewood Ave. between Vine and Cahuenga (note: you can only enter Homewood Ave. from Cahuenga) You’re invited to join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) with presenting partners The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) and Dutch Culture USA (Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York) on Saturday, December 14th, 2019 for NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival InFocus: Lebanese, Arab & Dutch Cinema. The event will be hosted at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Mary Pickford Center’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The evening begins with InFocus: Dutch Cinema, a collection of new and exciting work from Dutch short film directors including Floor Adams’ acclaimed animation Mind My Mind, which takes us into the mind of an autistic protagonist navigating his world. The program, curated in partnership with EYE International, offers many keen studies of the human condition, society, the complexities of intimate relationships, and of death. This year’s Dutch Cinema line-up features films that have previously been programmed at Tribeca, Toronto International Film Festival and Locarno. The second program of the evening, InFocus: Lebanese Cinema, puts a spotlight on films by Lebanese filmmakers exploring childhood experiences, LGBTQ+ stories, family drama and modern isolation and loneliness. Co-presenting partners of this program include Los Angeles Beirut Sister Cities Committee, Los Angeles Cedars Rotary Club, World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU), Lebanese Film Festival, Tripoli Film Festival and Sister Cities of Los Angeles. The night concludes with InFocus: Arab Cinema, co-presented in partnership with The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) and showcases a strong line-up of Syrian, Egyptian, Palestinian, Saudi Arabian and Tunisian stories told through dark humor, modern interpretations of folklore, and unflinching naturalitic lenses. Doors will open to the public at 3:00pm with a pre-reception for the first shorts program, and the night will include a pre-reception before each of the evening’s programs, where attendees can sip libations and mingle with industry professionals and festival selected filmmakers in the lounge. The event will conclude at 11:00pm. Tickets are available for $15 for an all-night access passes, which provide access to all three film programs with open bar throughout the entire event. NFMLA’s Monthly Film Festivals are presented throughout the year with support from Presenting Venue Sponsor LBA Realty, Executive Circle Sponsors FilmLA and HBO Collabs, Producers Circle Sponsor Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH), Foundation Sponsors Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), LA County Department of Arts and Culture, LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), California Arts Council and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation. Additional details and tickets available at http://bit.ly/2CXLvGM Andrew Acedo November 18, 2019 at 2:03 pm · Reply → Event Title: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) DocuSlate Film Festival – December 7th, 2019 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Venue Address: South Park Center 1139 South Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 Parking (fee) 1133 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Description: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles presents its annual slate of Documentary films with DocuSlate on December 7th, 2019. Offering up six programs that include five feature documentaries and seven short documentaries, the line-up creates a day full of opportunities to explore new perspectives from up close. The morning begins with Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly, the directorial debut of Cheryl Haines, the curator of @Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz, a landmark exhibition that highlighted the reality of the struggle for fundamental human rights and connected visitors to isolated prisoners of conscience worldwide, in creative collaboration with Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei. We explore the history of San Francisco’s gay liberation movement with the story of the lesser-known but immensely impactful activist Hank Wilson in Thanks to Hank, and examine ways our early environments shape us in a pairing of award-winning director Stuart Harmon’s The Money Stone, a coming-of-age story set in Ghana’s gold mining industry, which is preceded by short documentary The Cowfoot Prince, whihc explores an immigrant man’s relationship with his youth in Sierra Leone. The program takes a look at environmental impact and the efforts of those fighting it with The Condor & The Eagle, a beautiful and innovative documentary that takes us into the world of Indigenous climate activism, in a program that opens with Being with Elephants, a contemplative look at the struggle to protect elephants in Kenya. Invigorated by the connective power of music, Karl Nickoley’s This is My Home then takes us across America through the eyes of a pair of Irish immigrants out to set a musical Guinness World Record. The evening concludes with a line-up of thought-provoking short documentaries that tell stories of a family coping with breast cancer, draw parallels between genocides continents apart, take us behind the scenes of a human interest story that captured the evening news, takes us into the first craft brewery on the West Bank, and takes us into the secret world of the dedicated men known as Mardi Gras Indians in Michal Pietrzyk’s acclaimed documentary All on a Mardi Gras Day. Admission: $10 – $25 Additional details and tickets available at http://bit.ly/34QcHDe Gregg Young November 5, 2019 at 1:45 pm · Reply → Band: 562.433.4858 GreggYoung@earthlink.net http://www.GreggYoung.com Award-winning Gregg Young plays Solo BLT at Long Beach ArtWalk Gregg Young Line-up: Solo Guitar with BLT (Beats, Loops, & Tracks) Array of world-class sounds including Jazz, High-Energy Rock ‘N’ Roll, Blues, Funk & Reggae. 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m East Village Arts District Corner of Linden and Broadway (next to ReCircle Home) Long Beach 2nd Saturday ArtWalk in Long Beach, CA http://www.greggyoung.com/category/schedule/ Photo/Interview Opportunities Gregg Young will be available for interviews before and after the show. Currently, Gregg Young & the 2nd St. Band is the House Band at the iconic Dome Arclight Entertainment Center, Hollywood. The band has been nominated Best Jazz, Best Pop, Best Latin, and most recently Best Americana/Folk/Acoustic for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. In addition to these nominations, Gregg and the Band have won Best Blues, Best Funk/Groove for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, as well Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year for the LA Music Awards. In 2016, Gregg Young and the band released their album, Portraits, which was Grammy considered in three categories. The band’s newest single, Together (A) was considered in the Best American Roots Song category for a Grammy. The band currently has 363,197 spins on Pandora for their award-winning music. Gregg has just released his first solo guitar project, Alcatraz, a suite of 7 songs performed on acoustic steel string guitars, inspired by the Island & is being considered in two categories for a Grammy. Amy Gorton November 4, 2019 at 11:19 am · Reply → OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, one of the nation’s most respected organizations for grief support and education, celebrates 26 years with the House of Hope Gala, “Where Hope Grows,” with special guest Jonah Platt (Broadway’s WICKED), master of ceremonies and musical performance, and honoring Anthony Guagliano (founding partner at Gallant Capital) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 16 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ticket prices start at $500. For ticket and sponsorship information or to make a donation, please visit https://www.ourhouse-grief.org/gala/. Atom Splitter October 28, 2019 at 9:33 am · Reply → Hi, dropping by to inform you about a tour date that you can add to your calendar or local listings. Legendary ’90s rock band Helmet will be appearing at 1720 on 11/09. The band is celebrating 30 Years x 30 Cities x 30 Song Set. No openers. The Plain White T’s will hit the road with The Mowgli’s and New Politics. The trek, dubbed “The 3 Dimensional Tour,” kicks off with a hometown gig at The Metro in Chicago on November 12 and runs through December 20 at the Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City, Iowa. Come out on November 20, 2019 to see them perform live at the Mayan! Andrew Acedo October 21, 2019 at 2:21 pm · Reply → 2019 NFMLA Film Festival – November 16th, 2019 South Park Center 1139 South Hill Street Parking (fee) 1133 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 The night begins with shorts program InFocus: Native Cinema, which offers a collection of short films from Native and indigenous filmmakers that explore questions of identity, femininity, cultural preservation and revival, and poetic resonance in the everyday. The evening continues with Shorts Program #2: The Monsters Inside, a collection of thoughtful, and at moments haunting, examinations of protagonists metaphorically at odds with their bodies. The conclusion of the program is the World Premiere of Up The 5, an eclectic and character-driven comedy that navigates a range of comedic styles as it follows the path of a lime green VW bus up the 5 Freeway in pursuit of a pair of con artists in a stolen Cadillac. Up The 5 is the first feature by director Gabriel Adams. Additional details and tickets available at https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-november-16th-2019/ Andrew Acedo October 14, 2019 at 11:53 am · Reply → 2019 NFMLA Film Festival – October 19th, 2019 The afternoon begins with program LA <3s SD, a collaboration with our partners at San Diego Film Week. The program will feature short film winners of the 2019 San Diego Film Awards alongside exciting new works by LA local filmmakers. The evening continues with the Los Angeles premiere and of Senior Love Triangle, the feature directorial debut of award-winning filmmaker and actor Kelly Blatz. The narrative is inspired by an acclaimed photo essay of the same name, which documents the turbulent romances between a troubled 84-year old WWII veteran and two very different women. The conclusion of the night’s programming is InFocus: Veteran Cinema, a collection of short films written, inspired and directed by veterans, featuring varied stories of reflection, imagination, pride and stepping towards oneself and others. Titota Global Exhibitions October 5, 2019 at 12:44 am · Reply → We just want to inform you that titota global is a exhibition stall designing company which fulfil your every requirement for exhibition whether is retail, branding or fabrications. Illicit Ghost September 30, 2019 at 3:08 pm · Reply → Illicit Ghost and Karolina Rose at The Hotel Cafe, 10/9 · Venue: The Hotel Cafe, 1623 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 · Date/time: Wednesday, October 9, 8PM-10PM · Event price: $10/ticket · Ticket link: https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=9726 · Artists: Illicit Ghost, Karolina Rose Atom Splitter September 25, 2019 at 9:29 am · Reply → Visionary media collective Starset have carved out a unique path as part cinematic rock band, part conceptual storytellers, weaving an intricate narrative through multimedia and redefining the concept of a truly immersive entertainment experience. Come out to The Regent Theater and watch them perform live on October 2, 2019! Get your tickets now! Just dropping by to inform you about a tour date that you can add to your calendar! Legendary metal band Of Mice & Men will be appearing at The Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, CA on 9/23. The Earth Tour will have openers For the Fallen Dreams, Thousands Below, And Bloodbather. Andrew Acedo September 9, 2019 at 1:56 pm · Reply → 2019 NFMLA On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project – October 5th, 2019 Sunset Las Palmas Studios 1040 N Las Palmas Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 Parking Address: Sunset Las Palmas Studios – Parking Lot D & E 6650 Romaine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038 On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project Join us for the premiere event of 26 short films that highlight the very best of Los Angeles on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 at the historic Sunset Las Palmas Studios movie studio lot! The evening features screenings of all 26 short films, food by LA’s legendary Pink’s Hot Dogs, drinks by Tito’s and Karl Strauss, live performances, an awards ceremony and more. Admission: $35 (includes admission, food, drinks and parking) The Los Angeles Video Project is a community outreach multimedia program that celebrates and enlists LA’s remarkable pool of filmmakers. By engaging these creative members of the Los Angeles community to act and serve as Ambassadors of LA, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA), along with the support of HBO, LA City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, FilmLA, Sony Pictures Entertainment, HFPA, Alternative Camera Rentals, LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Cinelease and LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl are able to share what these artists call their LA; an insider perspective into this diverse, cosmopolitan county and its neighborhoods. Additional details and tickets available at http://bit.ly/2WVmmoK Francesca Spinosi September 5, 2019 at 4:57 pm · Reply → Pop-Rock Singer-Songwriter Brooke Josephson Performing Live with Frances Ruffelle at The Federal NoHo! Los Angeles based pop/rock artist, Brooke Josephson captivates her audience with her natural storytelling. Josephson will be joining Frances Ruffelle on stage to perform live at The Federal NoHo on September 22nd. 9/22 @ 4:00 PM The Federal NoHo 5303 Lankershim Boulevard, 91601 North Hollywood, CA (Between Chandler Blvd and Weddington St, nearby Lankershim/Chandler bus stop, Magnolia/Lankershim bus stop) Venue phone – 818-980-2555 Venue email – comments@thefederalbar.com Ticket link – https://www.songkick.com/concerts/39088109-brooke-josephson-at-federal-noho?utm_source=11593&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=widget&utm_content=9423189 backpacks August 30, 2019 at 6:17 pm · Reply → Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this web page, and post is genuinely fruitful for me, keep up posting these types of articles or reviews. alister james August 30, 2019 at 5:35 am · Reply → Very nice keep it up a best advertising agency in India – https://creativethinksmedia.com Joanna Duff August 29, 2019 at 1:23 pm · Reply → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/joanna-duff-single-release-video-premiere-party-benefiting-wags-walks-tickets-69807876237 LOS ANGELES SINGER/SONGWRITER TEAMS WITH WAGS & WALKS TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR SHELTER DOGS “OTHER THAN YOU” SINGLE & VIDEO RELEASE PARTY! AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 Join us to celebrate the single release and video premiere of Joanna Duff’s new song “Other Than You” while supporting the Wags & Walks organizaton. The music video, directed by Dustin Jacobs, features a storyline around adopting a rescue dog, and stars Esther Lane, Max Lichtig as well as a rescue dog, a chow shepherd mix named Samson Marvin. Founded in 2011 by Lesley Brog, Wags & Walks was started to break the stigma that rescue dogs are damaged goods, and to help decrease the number of euthanized dogs in local Los Angeles shelters. Wags and Walks opened their West LA adoption center in January 2018, allowing the organization to double the amount of dogs they save annually and providing additional volunteering opportunities for the community. We’ll have adoptable dogs onsite from Wags & Walks and 15% of all food and drinks sales will go back to the organization. All guests who give a donation via cash or Wags & Walks merchandise will receive a free download card and Joanna Duff sticker. “Other Than You” will be available for download on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon and streamlining on Spotify and Apple Music. Written by: Joanna Duff Produced by: Kyle Burke Mastered by: Idania Valencia, Sterling Sound 100 percent of the proceeds from song downloads, streams and video views will go to Wags and Walks. You can learn more about this project and Duff’s music at: joannduff.rocks/songsfordogs Learn more about Wags and Walks at wagsandwalks.org VIDEO TALENT DIRECTOR: Dustin Jacobs DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul W. Critzman III ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Savanna Cory Music By: Joanna Duff Talent: Esther Lane, Max Lichtig, Joanna Duff, Samson Marvin Edited By: Jose Rodriguez alister james August 20, 2019 at 10:53 pm · Reply → WONDERFULL POST AND IDEA FOR ME WILL APPLY ON creativethinksmedia.com THANKS FOR SHARING WITH US Gregg Young August 20, 2019 at 12:00 pm · Reply → Join award-winning Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Smooth Jazz Band playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood Friday, 8/30/19, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Smooth Jazz, Rock ’n’ Roll, Blues, R&B, Reggae & Movie Themes. Lineup: Multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young (Guitar), Grammy nominated Kirkwood Coakley (Bass), and Ming Freeman/Yanni (Keys) Location: The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028 Join multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Steel Drum Band playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood Saturday, 8/24/19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Reggae-Jazz, Calypso, Soca, Caribbean Tropical Grooves, Latin & Movie Themes. Lineup: multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young (Guitar), Grammy Nominated Kirkwood Coakley (Bass), The Talented Einstein Brown/(Steel Drum), and Award Winning PanMan Ross Harper (Steel Drum). Andrew Acedo August 7, 2019 at 4:36 pm · Reply → You’re invited to join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on Saturday, September 14th, 2019 for the annual NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema event. The program will be hosted at The Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. This month’s festival presents a powerful lineup of local and international films by world-class emerging filmmakers from Mexico, Australia, Spain, Peru, Costa Rica. Brazil, Australia and the United States across three short film programs. The evening presents two world premieres, Spanish filmmaker Fany de la Chica’s Something to Believe In (Algo en lo Que Creer) and Priscila Torres’ Thank You for Calling. The programs begin with a collection of stories that capture experiences from a female point of view, exploring spirituality, violence and female friendship. The lineup continues with a hard-hitting collection of films about immigration, emigration, processes bureaucratic and grassroots, and the people who are fighting to make a difference for those impacted by these life-changing and sometimes sudden journeys. The final program culminates with an eclectic mix of genres that capture the spirit of persistence and challenging the status quo. NFMLA and AMPAS have formed industry-wide alliances and partnerships to support this initiative. Industry Delegates include Carlos Gaona at Warner Bros., Michael Senzer at The Gersh Agency, Aaron Ashford at Pantelion (a partnership between Lionsgate Entertainment and Grupo Televisa), Brian Pacheco at Walt Disney Television, Robert Patla at HBO, Christine Davila at Warner Bros. Digital Networks Stage 13, Joan Wai at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Kate Hurwitz at Cinetic Media, Nacho Gil and Casey Meurer at VICE Studios and more. Program Moderators include Rosy Cordero at Entertainment Weekly (EW) and Claudia Puig at The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA). Doors will open to the public at 3:30 pm with a pre-reception for the first shorts program, and the night will include a pre-reception before each of the evening’s programs, where attendees can sip cocktails and mingle with industry professionals and festival selected filmmakers in the lounge. The event will conclude at 11:00 pm. Tickets are available for $15 for an all-night access passes, which provide access to all three film programs with open bar throughout the entire event. NFMLA’s Monthly Film Festivals are presented throughout the year with support from Executive Circle Sponsors FilmLA and HBO, Producers Circle Sponsor Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) and Foundation Supporters The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA \| Golden Globes), Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the California Arts Council. For more program information and tickets, please visit: http://bit.ly/33jLSHG IHEARTCOMIX August 6, 2019 at 10:34 am · Reply → The ADULT SWIM FESTIVAL is returning to Los Angeles with an extra ridiculous assembly of music, comedy and life-altering experiences on Nov 15 & 16. Featuring incredible performances by: Dethklok, Jamie xx, Vince Staples, Young Thug, The Eric Andre Show Live!, Captain Murphy, Tierra Whack, Lil Nas X and more! A never-before-seen Season 4 episode of Rick and Morty Comedic Performances Previews of your Favorite Shows Exhilarating Games Robot Chicken Intergalactic Power Summit Squidbillies 10 Man Bunkhouse Stampede Meatwad Dome A Discussion w/ Genndy Tartakovsky Tickets start at $49! Buy them now @ AdultSwimFestival.com https://adultswimfestival.com Address: 3939 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037 Gregg Young July 31, 2019 at 11:06 am · Reply → Multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Smooth Steel Drum Band playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood Saturday, 8/10/19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Lineup: multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young (Guitar), Grammy Nominated Kirkwood Coakley (Bass), Grammy Award Winning Quinn Johnson (Keys), and Award Winning PanMan Ross Harper (Steel Drum). Gregg Young July 30, 2019 at 1:11 pm · Reply → Multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Band, Vocals with Sax playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood Friday, 8/09/19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Rock’N’Roll, Groove Jazz, R&B, Latin Jazz/Rock, Reggae, and Pop Lineup: Gregg Young/Guitar and Vocals, Viva Vinson/Vocals, Multi-talented Felice Hernandez (Pitch Perfect 2)/Vocals, Grammy Nominated Kirkwood Coakley/Bass & Vocals, Grammy Award Winning Brandon Fields/Sax, Grammy Award Winning Quinn Johnson/Keys, and Kevin Greening/Technical Director Gregg Young July 29, 2019 at 12:46 pm · Reply → Multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Smooth Steel Drum Band playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood Saturday, 08/03/19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Reggae-Jazz, Calypso, Soca, Caribbean Tropical Grooves, Latin & Movie Themes Lineup: multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young/Guitar, Grammy Nominated Kirkwood Coakley/Bass, and World Renowned Ming Freeman (Yanni)/Keys, and Award Winning PanMan Ross Harper/Steel Drum. Multi-genre, award-winning, Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Smooth Jazz with a Twist of Latin, playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood, Friday, 08/02/19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This event is free and open to the public! “C” or Smooth Jazz, Latin Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock’N’Roll, Tropical Grooves, Reggae, Soca & Movie Themes. Lineup: multi-genre, award-winning, Gregg Young/Guitar, Grammy Nominated Kirkwood Coakley/Bass, World Renowned Ming Freeman (Yanni)/Keys, and the Talented Daniel Rodriguez/Percussion. Multi-genre, award-winning Gregg Young & the 2nd Street Steel Drum Band Deep Fried playing at the iconic historic California Landmark, The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center in Hollywood Saturday, 07/27/19 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. We’re going to deep fry the pans with 2 brilliant steel drum players! Lineup: Award Winning PanMan Ross Harper/Steel Drum, The Talented Einstein Brown/Steel Drum, and Grammy Nominated Kirkwood Coakley (Bass). Andrew Acedo July 17, 2019 at 6:58 pm · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents a full and exciting day with InFocus: International Animation, a selection of California Shorts presented in partnership with Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) and The California Film Commission as well as two feature film presentations: William Conlin’s Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film and Alex Wolff’s feature directorial debut, The Cat and the Moon. The afternoon begins with Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film, director William Conlin’s delightful documentary lens on the make-up artists behind Planet of the Apes (1968), which is produced by Hollywood Make Up Legends, Thomas and Bari Burman. This screening is proudly supported by Local 706 IATSE Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild. The program continues with California Shorts, which showcases a selection of short films produced throughout California’s diverse filming terrain, including one of the award-winning films from our community partner, San Diego Film Week’s 2019 line-up. Next, audiences will have the opportunity to get exposed to a wide-array of animation from around the globe in addition to NFMLA’s monthly spotlight series, InFocus: International Animation, showcasing new animation from rising animators hailing from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. The night closes with the world premiere of The Cat and the Moon, the first feature film by award-winning actor, Alex Wolff (Hereditary), which explores the life of a teen (played by Wolff) temporarily living in New York during an uncertain time. The NFMLA Monthly Film Festival is supported by venue sponsor South Park Center, Executive Circle sponsors FilmLA and HBO and Foundation Supporters CA Arts Council, LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), LA County Arts Commission and The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). This month’s program also includes support from Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz and Community Collaborator The Alliance for Women Film Composers (AWFC). For more program information and tickets, please visit: http://bit.ly/2Y6qgyR Andrew Acedo July 2, 2019 at 11:37 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents InFocus: Canadian Cinema on Saturday, July 27th, 2019, co-hosted by the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and sponsored by Seneca College and Mount Saint Mary’s University. The 2019 line-up consists of two short film programs highlighting a a diverse set of voices from all over Canada, including alumni of festivals such as Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Sundance, Slamdance, Berlin International Film Festival and Palm Springs ShortFest. The evening begins with Canadian Cinema Shorts Program One, which features a thought-provoking animated film, a bittersweet story captured in a cinematic music video, contemplation of social norms through new perspectives and exciting new work by French Canadian and First Nations filmmakers, such as the Berlinale-winning ‘Just Me and You.’ Canadian Cinema Program Two offers a selection of stories that ask us to examine our perception through narrative, documentary, animated and experimental work from up-and-coming Canadian filmmakers, including Alexandra Lazarowich’s ‘Fast Horse,’ winner of the Sundance 2019 Special Jury Award for Directing. The evening concludes with a mix of short narratives that span from historical to horror comedy that offer spotlights into the unexplored corners of familiar stories, contemplating the meaning in the mundane, the invisible narratives in war as well as the battle with ourselves and others. The NFMLA Monthly Film Festival is supported by venue sponsor South Park Center, Executive Circle sponsors FilmLA and HBO and Foundation Supporters CA Arts Council, LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), LA County Arts Commission and The Hollywood Foreign Press Association. For more program information and tickets, please visit: http://bit.ly/2J0Ggdg Francesca Spinosi July 3, 2019 at 10:21 pm · Reply → Catch Singer-Songwriter Brooke Josephson Perform Live on 7/19! Time 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Venue-Hotel Cafe Address- 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90028 Ticket Price- $10 Age – 21+ Ticket Link-https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=9339 Description- Los Angeles based pop/rock artist, Brooke Josephson captivates her audience with her natural storytelling. The singer-songwriter hopes her “sonic snapshot” of finding the humor in the “leggings to heels” lifestyle can empower women that are balancing their personal lives while working full-time. To support her latest EP, ‘Sexy N’ Domesticated’, Brooke will stop by Hotel Cafe to offer an electrifying performance filled with crowd favorites and original tracks. alister james September 7, 2019 at 3:27 am · Guitarist Tom McNalley has been a mainstay on the Los Angeles music scene, having worked with everyone from Nels Cline to Ornette Coleman who said of Tom “Your like the best of Pat Metheney and Blood Ulmer.” His new trio brings the blues and rock edge to the forefront on their new release “Eyes Above Water”. Influences of early John McLaughlin and John Abercrombie are still there (and of course the aforementioned Cline), but now with more Hendrix and even Tom Morello! McNalley’s extensive foray into Haitian music also show up, and with the fearless rhythm section of Matt Baker (drums) and Jarrad Lander (electric bass), expect no stone to be unturned! https://creativethinksmedia.com Ben Schechter July 1, 2019 at 7:04 pm · Reply → What’s happening everybody. I put book, curate, and promote shows in LA under whatthesound.com/presents. I primarily work with venues that hold anywhere in-between 100-500 people. I’m booking more and more these days! Go to whatthesound.com/presents to submit your band or your friend’s band/artist project! Amy Gorton June 28, 2019 at 11:46 am · Reply → OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center will host Camp Erin LA September 6-8 at Camp Bob Waldorf in Glendale. Camp Erin LA is a weekend camp experience for children and teens ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or guardian in the past three years. Camp is free of charge for all children and combines traditional camp activities with grief support, education, and remembrance projects. Typical fun and engaging camp favorites such as swimming, sports, campfires and arts and crafts, are interspersed with projects and experiences used to facilitate expression of feelings, memorialize their loved one who died, and promote healing. Go to http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/camp-erin-la-oc/ for more information or to apply. Applications must be received by August 14. Andrew Acedo June 3, 2019 at 4:41 pm · Reply → Hi Losanjealous, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Film Festival – June 29th, 2019 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) spotlights LGBTQ+ stories, including the world premiere of director Andrew Guerrero’s first feature film, Come Into Your Own. The night begins with shorts program “Make Your Own Magic,” a collection of stories about magic in various forms and creating ones’ own solutions through determination, from literal magic to healing from mental illness to trying to create a small piece of a long lost better world for a child. The evening continues with feature film Come Into Your Own, a first feature by filmmaker Andrew Guerrero and a part of InFocus: LGBTQ+ Cinema, which tells a story of the complicated ways that sexual identity can shift and the meaning attached to those shifts. The night concludes with shorts program InFocus: LGBTQ+ Cinema, which takes viewers through a range of queer experiences through metaphor, genre, comedy and unflinching drama. Included are stories of familial acceptance, transition and finding oneself. Event info and tickets here: http://bit.ly/2JP4f0X Three Rooms Press April 18, 2019 at 8:49 am · Reply → Three Rooms Press presents The Seventh Annual ¡LA DI DADA! A Highly Eclectic Performance Event Hell-Bent on Blowing Minds plus the official West Coast launch of MAINTENANT 13: Journal of Contemporary Dada Writing and Art Saturday, June 8, 2019 \| 8:00-11:00 pm Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Bl. Venice, CA 90291, Phone 1-310-822-3006 Prepare for an evening of incredibly provocative, eclectic art and performance on as Three Rooms Press presents the Seventh Annual ¡LA DI DADA! Dada Salon: a wild ride of contemporary Dada performance and poetry by leading maverick artists. The event includes the West Coast launch of the internationally-renowned MAINTENANT 13: Journal of Contemporary Dada Writing and Art (2019, Three Rooms Press), which features more than 200 visual and literary works by artists and writers worldwide in Full Color Throughout!!! The event takes place Saturday, June 8, 8-11 pm at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center in Venice. Admission is $10; $6 for students & seniors. And Beyond Baroque members are free!!! Costumes encouraged. Come as you aren’t!!! Featured performers include Punk Icon Exene Cervenka (X), Poet/Performer extraordinaire S.A. Griffin, poet Richard Modiano, artists Bob Branaman and VinZula Kara, famed playwright-poet Doug Knott, poet-actor Harry E. Northup, performance poet non-pareil Linda J. Albertano, renowned LA poet Rich Fereguson, LA Dada Maestros Mike M. Mollett and Neal Skooter Taylor, Fluxus artist Bibiana Padilla Maltos, crime-writer & Dadist Travis Richardson, poet-performer Christian Georgescu, Circuitry & Poetry with Mona Jean Cedar & Jeff Boynton, visual artist Mark Hoefer, poet/photographer Kip Duff, and artist Silvia Wagensberg and performance poet Voxx Voltair. TRP Co-directors Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges host. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center is at 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, phone: 310-822-3006 –for additional information and reservations. MAINTENANT 13: A Journal of Contemporary Dada Writing and Art serves up the controversial theme, “A.I. Artificial Ignorance”. If you think that life as we know it will be destroyed by Artificial Intelligence -Think again!!!! Where’s the intelligence? We’re surrounded and inspired by ignorance. How will this reduction of thought shape the future of interpersonal relations, intellectual advancement, and politics? As we teeter on the brink of redundancy, the concepts of Dada brilliantly encompass the urgency of present times with both clarity and purposeful confusion. The MAINTENANT series, established in 2005, gathers the work of renowned and emerging dada artists and writers from around the world. The series has been archived in leading international institutions including the Museum of Contemporary Art–New York, the BelVUE Museum–Brussels, and more. Renowned contributors have included artists Mark Kostabi, Raymond Pettibon, Giovanni Fontana, Jean-Jacques Lebel, and Kazunori Murakami. Writers have included Allen Ginsberg, Gerard Malanga, Charles Plymell, Jerome Rothenberg, and more, with a strong contingent of punk musician-artist-writers including Grant Hart, Mike Watt, and Exene Cervenka. Any questions? Need more info? Press passes? Contact Peter Carlaftes at– peter@threeroomspress.com Trang Kim March 16, 2019 at 4:04 pm · Reply → Renowned Americana Artist Amilia K Spicer Takes the Stage on 4/6/19! Amilia K Spicer: It may be her haunting, husky voice that first grabs a listener, the way it glides over melodies like smoke, but it’s the songwriting that Spicer really wants you to hear. It fuses together the different places she calls home. Americana singer-songwriter will grace the stage at McCabe’s Guitar Shop on April 6, 2019. She’ll perform songs from her latest album. The LP Americana singer-songwriter’s latest LP ‘Wow and Flutter’ has enjoyed acclaim for its captivating, personal lyricism, haunting melodies, and powerful rustic tone. American Songwriter Magazine described the album as “a timeless, brand-new Americana classic.” Throughout 2018, Spicer performed frequently in the Americana festival circuit, including 30A Songwriters Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, and Oklahoma’s Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. Furthermore, Amilia has performed more intimately at venues across the US. Date- 4/6/19 Time (Start to End) – 8:00 PM – 10: 00 PM Venue- McCabe’s Guitar Shop Address- 3101 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, California, 90405 Venue Phone Number- 310.828.4497 Venue Email-mccabes@mccabes.com Ticket Link- https://www.store.mccabes.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=2206 Dominique Vazquez March 2, 2019 at 4:27 pm · Reply → Pop-Rock Singer-Songwriter Brooke Josephson Performs Live on 4/26 Description- Los Angeles based pop/rock artist, Brooke Josephson captivates her audience with her natural storytelling. The singer-songwriter hopes her “sonic snapshot” of finding the humor in the “leggings to heels” lifestyle can empower women that are balancing their personal lives while working full-time. To support her latest EP, ‘Sexy N’ Domesticated’, Brooke will stop by Whisky A Go Go to offer an electrifying performance filled with crowd favorites and original tracks. Ticket Link- http://www.whiskyagogo.com/site/event/fire-tiger-riker-the-beachcombers-black-velvet-brool-darker/ Andrew Acedo February 26, 2019 at 2:56 pm · Reply → 2019 Best of NFMLA Awards Join NFMLA as we celebrate the Best of NFMLA Awards show! A spectacular night recognizing the best talent in independent cinema from around the globe. On Saturday, April 6th, 2019, NFMLA and its Board of Directors invite you to join us as we honor the ‘Best of NFMLA’ nominees from our 11th film festival edition. The evening will honor 111 films, writers and performers, nominated in 12 Award categories including new media, animation, documentary and narrative. The nominees are largely comprised of films from the NFMLA diversity initiative, InFocus. For the past 11 years, the NFMLA Film Festival has built its reputation based on the quality of programming, assembling an extensive catalogue of over 2500 projects from 76+ countries. Major and indie studios, brands and distribution companies have accessed within the NFMLA Alumni pool to source professional new talent. The event will feature special guests and performers and drinks by Karl Strauss and Tito’s. Please join as we celebrate Tomorrow’s filmmakers, today. Tickets are available for $50 (General admission: includes access to show, reception, food and drinks) NewFilmMakersLA February 26, 2019 at 10:25 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Women Directors Film Festival – March 16th, 2019 This month NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrates women behind the camera with an evening of films by female directors. The night kicks off with shorts program InFocus: Female Cinema – Fighting the Good Fight, which offers stories of the struggle against the conditions that suppress us, as well as the assertion of the positive and its power to inspire us. The evening’s centerpiece feature film is the Los Angeles premiere of award-winning director Pearl Gluck’s The Turn Out, a striking look at sex trafficking at truck stops through the eyes of a truck driver who regularly witnesses its realities and feels compelled to help the victims. Pearl Gluck’s documentary background rigorously informs the world of this narrative film with documentary elements. The night concludes with shorts program InFocus: Female Cinema – Unlikely Allies, a collection of chance meetings, circumstances and situations that bring about unexpected collaboration. Throughout the event, attendees will have opportunities to mingle with the filmmakers, industry supporters and film lovers over complimentary drinks & cocktails in the premium reception room at the South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are only $10 for single film programs and $15 for all films with open bar for 7+ hours! Get them now before it is too late! Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-march-16th-2019/ Nadia Jo February 6, 2019 at 1:19 am · Reply → AlongCameLife was raised in Queens, New York. His talents were apparent from an early age when he became one of the youngest students to be accepted to the illustrious, Juilliard School of Music. A multi-talented singer, songwriter and violinist, AlongCameLife is also the Winner of Two EMMY Awards, and the Founder of the famed duo NBS who performed on America’s Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars, The Ellen Show, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Nick Jr, Fox 5, New York 1 and Page 6. He also performed for President Barrack Obama, and for the Royal Family of Dubai. backbend fly guy.JPG AlongCameLife AlongCameLife has released various albums and now steps up to the plate with a brand new solo 21 track release entitled “Wavees”. Even if it seems like he came out of nowhere, one good listen to AlongCameLife and you know he won’t be a secret for long and is easy to see a legitimate creative core inside the alternative madness collected into “Wavees”. The album is a blend of diverse sounds in the best possible way. It’s the next step in the musical evolution of Hip-hop. The production here is an intricate mix of rock, soul, classic, alternative and hip-hop all wrapped in a beautiful, and, at times, distorted power package. AlongCameLife raps, he sings, he plays the violin, but mostly there’s a method to his creative madness – he’s not an artist who lets a single note or beat decide his fate. He transcends them with whatever he is doing – be that rapping, singing or playing. He bends sounds, styles and genres to suit his mood and express himself, in any way that he sees fit. “Wavees” sounds like a bold experiment of musical inspiration. The album shines brightest when AlongCameLife indulges in his atmospheric and trippy neo-soul inclinations on tracks like “Coolin”, “Don’t You Know Me”, “Flying”, “What Up What Up”, “Sert” and “Fire”. But with 21 tracks available, the choices are plenty. It’s also emblematic that the fastest track on the entire album is called “Nice N Slow”. Often bathed in heavy doses of reverb and echo, AlongCameLife’s vocals bring a strong flavor of shoegazing, dream pop and trip-hop to the recording. These are sounds you will hardly hear on any other rap or hip-hop album – setting him apart from the pack. That AlongCameLife isn’t your traditional rapper or urban music artist, becomes more than evident throughout the one-and a-half hour duration of this album. He doesn’t confine himself to the rules of making conventional urban music. He breaks those rules then writes his own, and if you can see past the sometimes obnoxiousness you will find a genius at work. AlongCameLife is both verbally menacing and artistically astounding. Now if he found a happy middle ground somewhere in-between, he would become more accessible to the masses. But how do you ask a visionary to not look further than the confines of normality? Get your tickets now for the “Clueless TOUR” presented by 715 GOAT OFFICIAL LINKS: WEBSITE – ITUNES – SPOTIFY – INSTAGRAM – FACEBOOK – YOUTUBE Dominique Vazquez February 22, 2019 at 9:04 pm · Reply → Los Angeles based pop/rock artist, Brooke Josephson captivates her audience with her natural storytelling. The singer-songwriter hopes her “sonic snapshot” of finding the humor in the “leggings to heels” lifestyle can empower women that are balancing their personal lives while working full-time. To support her latest EP, ‘Sexy N’ Domesticated’, Brooke will stop by Hotel Cafe to offer an electrifying performance filled with crowd favorites and original tracks. Venue Email- production@hotelcafe.com Venue Email- production@hotelcafe.comenue Phone Number- (323) 461-2040 Andrew Acedo NewFilmMakersLA February 4, 2019 at 10:51 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) spotlights Black Cinema with a selection of short films from Black filmmakers, along with a selection of local and international independent films. The evening begins with American Bistro, director Arthur Diennet’s feature debut. This uplifting and funny film follows an uncle and nephew whose lives haven’t turned out as they had each hoped, who unite to open a restaurant in Los Angeles. The night continues with powerful shorts program Other Lives, which offers a glimpse into alternate lives, including those that are imaginary, transcendent, forced upon us, or belonging to others. The program concludes with the InFocus: Black Cinema shorts program, a selection of films depicting black experiences stretching from comedic to surreal, thought-provoking to heartfelt. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-february-23rd-2019/ Dave Thompson January 29, 2019 at 12:45 pm · Reply → Actor Patrick Kilpatrick Signs Dying for Living: Sins & Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot at Barnes and Noble Burbank Town Center Renowned Hollywood villain Patrick Kilpatrick will sign his memoir Dying for Living — Sins & Confessions of a Hollywood Villain and Libertine Patriot at the Barnes and Noble Burbank Town Center located at 731 N. San Fernando Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502 at 7:00 PM. His memoir details an unconventional upbringing, political misadventures in journalism, his career as the entertainment industry’s go-to antagonist, as well as juicy celebrity tales, and his unparalleled humor. Kilpatrick has played against a broad spectrum of superstars including Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Pam Grier, and Naomi Watts, to name a few. With an entertainment career spanning more than 170 credits as lead actor, producer, screenwriter, director, and global entertainment teacher, Kilpatrick is now sharing his life in his much-anticipated two-volume memoir. Revealing details of a volatile, yet privileged upbringing, and a searing, often hilarious and scandalous literate look behind three decades of working with Hollywood’s elite, Kilpatrick tells a rollicking tale that will keep you turning the pages. Friday, March 1st at 7:00 PM 731 N. San Fernando Blvd. For more information about this event please visit: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061997793-0 Amanda Alderman January 22, 2019 at 3:18 pm · Reply → Myke Anthony performs his brand-new album this Saturday, January 26th at The Federal Bar in North Hollywood at 7PM sharp. Way to start 2019 off right…with a delicious dose of this monumentally-talented and inspiring, scintillating and elegant Myke Anthony! You will get first-listen and experience of Myke’s new album! Come early and hang with this cat before you can’t anymore (because he’s super-famous and busy globetrotting, sharing his glory with the rest of the planet). Historically all attendees are a wonderful bunch of genuine, good people. You do not want to miss this. Hope to see you there! Ruchi January 22, 2019 at 3:28 am · Reply → Thanks for sharing information with us… Francesca Spinosi January 3, 2019 at 2:16 pm · Reply → Brooke Josephson Shakes the Stage At Bar Lubitschon 1-15-19! Los Angeles based pop/rock artist, Brooke Josephson captivates her audience with her natural storytelling and impressive vocal pipes. The singer-songwriter hopes her “sonic snapshot” of finding the humor in the “leggings to heels” lifestyle can empower women that are balancing their personal lives while working full-time. To support her latest EP, ‘Sexy N’ Domesticated’, Brooke will stop by Bar Lubitsch to offer an electrifying performance filled with crowd favorites and original tracks. Date- 1/15/19 Time- 10:00 PM – 10:45 PM Venue- Bar Lubitsch Address- 7702 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046 Cross Streets: Santa Monica Blvd & Stanley Ave. Ticket Price- $10 (door cover) Venue Website- https://www.barlubitsch.com/events Gary Schmidt December 17, 2018 at 9:05 pm · Reply → For thousands of years, human beings have marked their own skin, deliberately and permanently applying various types of pigment and ink. Tattooing is a practice in numerous cultures, for a variety reasons. Sometimes tattoos are proof of social status or are given as a rite of passage, to ward off evil, or to identify membership in a group. All art practice has some underlying ideology, and this is especially true in tattoo art. Skin creations represent fundamental beliefs to the individual wearer or group. Tattooing is practiced by cultures from east to west, by both men and women, and by nearly all ages. The attraction is obvious: To decorate one’s body with permanent art is a powerful statement, not easily erased or altered, so the act itself is almost as intriguing as the image itself might be. To see all designs, drop by our website: https://outsons.com/ Fred Jackson December 17, 2018 at 9:01 pm · Reply → The Nightingale Plaza club in LA is one of the hottest spots in West Hollywood. Accommodating up to 500 guests, it is in that perfect sweet spot between busy and intimate, providing a luxurious LA nightclub experience. It has even been voted the best nightclub in Hollywood by Boutique Design, which is not a title to ignore. Inside the Nightingale Plaza nightclub you will find four distinct areas depending on what sort of a night you want to have. The main room hosts the dance floor and the DJ, for anyone who enjoys a high energy party. There are two lounges, each with their own bar and particular ambiance, one more relaxed and the other more social. And there is the outside garden space, which is inviting and relaxing. The ceiling is covered in revolving mirrors, which might be a little disorienting to some, but which most clubbers absolutely adore. It really brings a soft, flattering light into every corner of the club, showing off the décor without ruining your photos. The theme which ties this venue together is a European courtyard meets a modern night club. The wallpaper actually stands out, which is very rare for a club, but it is gorgeous, with exotic plants, stunning prints, and beautiful animals. If you want to enjoy the best ambiance in all of LA, stop by the Nightingale Plaza nightclub. The drinks at this LA nightclub are high class, as you would expect. Whether you go for some of their signature cocktails or pop a bottle, you are going to keep coming back for more drinks at one of the best nightclubs in West Hollywood. If you are looking for some fantastic DJing, this nightclub in LA has got some of the best DJs in California. Look forward to amazing beats by Yo Gotti or DJ Rush, for example. The beats are amazing, although you will probably prefer the house and EDM tunes to the hip hop, due to the layout of the venue carrying these sounds better. And if you want celebrity hosts, then you will find the likes of Diddy, Lil Wayne, and 2CHAINZ hosting their regularly scheduled events. Naturally with celebrity appearances like these you should be expecting the very best crowds. Expect to run into celebrities on most nights, and A-Listers every once in a while. Naturally, if you’re going to be bumping into this crowd you need to look your best. The venue does not have a strict dress code, and you can probably get in wearing anything, so long as it is clean, hip, and well put together. Don’t expect to get in wearing a suit and sneakers, but a hip hop look with sportswear shoes and jeans can work very nicely. Getting into this exclusive LA nightclub is not always easy. Even when you book a table, expect to queue as they allocate seats to everyone with reservations. It is going to be busy and you really wouldn’t want it any other way, would you? A promoter really is a must for this venue. For more information, visit our website: https://www.clubbable.com/Los-Angeles/Nightingale-Plaza Kymber December 13, 2018 at 9:28 pm · Reply → Returning to the Downey Theatre as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Carpenters’ first album with A&M Records. This is the definitive concert show celebrating the music of Downey’s own, Karen & Richard Carpenter, one of the most successful recording acts of all time. Starring Michelle Berting Brett who is accompanied by a 7-piece Nashville band directed by Harry Sharpe, the show re-creates the Carpenters’ original sound. From Washington State to New York City to sold out engagements in Las Vegas, this show played to a sellout crowd at the Downey Theatre as part of the City of Downey 60th anniversary celebrations in 2016. Experience an intimate behind-the-scenes portrait of the pop music phenomenon that defined an era, and sing along to hits that include “Close to You,” “Top of the World,” “Rainy Days & Mondays,” and many more! WeveOnlyJustBegunShow.com Tapsi Shahu November 27, 2018 at 12:42 am · Reply → Best Marketing Communication Agency India- If you are searching advertising and branding services agency, CHL Worldwide is leading creative agency which provide best advertising services in Delhi India.. Chl Worldwide is an advertising company and Offering Brand Promotion Services, Digital Marketing Services and ATL, BTL ad Many more. Advertising strategy Brand building strategy Print Advertising Radio SpotsTelevision Commercials and Corporate Films Outdoors, OOH, Transit Advertising BTL Activations, In-Shop Promotions, Experiential Marketing, Augmented Reality Corporate Brochures, Leaflets Direct Marketing Exhibitions and Events Management PR Activations, Online Reputation Management Digital marketing, Content Management Website designs and Promotions Focused localization services https://advertisingandbrandingagency.wordpress.com/2018/02/05/choose-the-perfect-branding-agency-for-your-business/ Lori De Waal November 20, 2018 at 12:44 pm · Reply → On December 1, 2018, IN HONOR OF OUR HOUSE’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY, WE ARE THROWING IT BACK, ALL THE WAY TO 1993. BUST OUT THOSE SCRUNCHIES AND PUKA SHELLS (CARGO PANTS, IF YOU DARE!) AND JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OF LAUGHTER AT THE ASSOCIATE BOARD’S ANNUAL COMEDY NIGHT! Crossroads Lower School Campus 1715 Olympic Blvd Silent Auction, Food Trucks, Full Service Bar, Concession Stand Comedians Jenny Zigrino and Sabrina Jalees will be accompanied by the emcee for the evening JC Coccoli. Show starts at 8:00pm Parking: We suggest UBER, Lyft, or taking the metro to 17th Street/SMC station (Crossroads is adjacent!) Parking lot is available with limited spots and cannot be guaranteed. Thank you for helping us celebrate 25 years of grief support services in the LA community and for supporting the next 25. All money raised goes to further the OUR HOUSE mission of providing grief support services, education, resources and hope to our community. Don’t forget to dress the part! We want to see your best 90’s party outfit! For more information visit: https://www.ourhouse-grief.org/hopetickets/ Ethan November 8, 2018 at 3:16 am · Reply → Sparks add second Los Angeles show “It will be a life changing experience.” Only North American shows Wednesday 14th November 2018 NEW DATE Thursday 15th November 2018 (limited tickets) Downtown Palace Theatre, Los Angeles Legendary Los Angeles band Sparks will play two hometown shows this November to complete their acclaimed Hippopotamus Tour. “The brothers Ron and Russell Mael have spent almost half a century making incomparable music. They are unconventional and unpredictable, well read and playful, but above all, they are the last great band in the history of pop that you need to see, if you haven’t already. It will be a life changing experience.” Sparks’ set this summer at Spain’s famous Primavera festival was “an enduring highlight of the festival; one that was loaded with idiosyncratic charm, oddball theatrics, pinks suits, soaring vocals, glistening pop and euphoric disco.” (Loud & Quiet Magazine) The Hippopotamus world tour has seen Sparks and their impressive band play shows that are euphoric, vital, brilliant and uncompromisingly typical of a band that refuses to rest on their laurels. The new songs (from their acclaimed 2017 album ‘Hippopotamus’ including ‘Edith Piaf Said It Better Than Me’, ‘What The Hell Is It This Time?’ & ‘Missionary Position’) sound like classics, the classics (including ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us’, ‘Tryouts For The Human Race’ and ‘The Number One Song In Heaven’) sound as vibrant and essential as ever, and audiences, and critics, have been left in no doubt this genre-hopping band is on sparkling form. ★★★★★ The Times (What a band)\| ★★★★★ The Independent (one of the most innovative outfits in pop) \| Record Collector (What a night) \| ★★★★★ Classic Pop (The Mael brothers burn up the place) \| Classic Rock (A brilliant night) \| ★★★★★ The Skinny (a band performing at their absolute best) ‘Hippopotamus’, Sparks’ 23rd album, received unanimous acclaim on its release in September 2017, subsequently appearing in many ‘Album Of The Year’ lists. ★★★★★ The Times \| ★★★★★ The Independent ★★★★★ Daily Express \| ★★★★★ Record Collector ★★★★ Mojo \| ★★★★ Guardian \| Classic Pop – 9/10 \| Uncut – 8/10 Since storming into the charts, minds and airwaves in 1974 with This ‘Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us’ from their album ‘Kimono My House’, Sparks have consistently created genre defying music and inspired – and continue to inspire and influence – generations of artists from Morrissey, Bjork & Depeche Mode to Franz Ferdinand, The Lemon Twigs & MGMT. Released on BMG, ‘Hippopotamus’ has been universally acclaimed with many critics declaring it to be one of the finest albums of the year and the pinnacle of the band’s career. Written, recorded and produced by Sparks ‘Hippopotamus’ is released on digital, CD, LP, picture disc and cassette formats. See allsparks.com/calendar for tickets links. NewFilmmakers Los Angeles November 6, 2018 at 3:18 pm · Reply → You’re invited to join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) with presenting partners The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI), Shortcutz Amsterdam and the Dutch Culture USA (Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York) on Saturday, December 15th, 2018 for NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival InFocus: Middle Eastern, Arab & Dutch Cinema. The event will be hosted at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Mary Pickford Center’s Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The evening begins with InFocus: Dutch Cinema – Shortcutz Amsterdam Showcase, a collection of the winners of Shortcutz Amsterdam’s 2018 season so-presented in partnership with Shortcutz Amsterdam and Dutch Culture USA (Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New York) and offers highlights of diverse work made by Dutch filmmakers throughout the Netherlands. There are stories of peace, discovering one’s identity, the mundane pains of loss, horror, and more. The second program of the evening, InFocus: Arab Cinema is co-presented in partnership with The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) and showcases Palestinian, Tunisian, Lebanese and Qatari stories that cover the often unmentioned hardships of refugees in Europe, tackle the difficult questions of ideology through the eyes of a child, look at history through a mockumentary lens, and in Cyril Aris’ Oscar-Qualifying The President’s Visit, take us to a town whose preparation for an important guest takes an absurd and darkly humorous turn. The night concludes with InFocus: Middle Eastern Cinema, a selection of striking short films from Middle Eastern filmmakers who have made their work all over the world – Lebanon, Israel, France, UK, Canada and the US. They tell stories of the complexity of identity, growing up, and of being stuck in difficult situations, personally and politically. Doors will open to the public at 3 pm with a pre-reception for the first shorts program, and the night will include a pre-reception before each of the evening’s programs, where attendees can sip cocktails and mingle with industry professionals and festival selected filmmakers in the lounge. The event will conclude at 11:00 pm. Tickets are available for $15 for an all-night access passes, which provide access to all three film programs with open bar throughout the entire event. NFMLA’s Monthly Film Festivals are presented throughout the year with support from Executive Circle Sponsors FilmLA and HBO, Producers Circle Sponsors SAG-AFTRA, 21st Century Fox Global Inclusion, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA \| Golden Globes), LA County Arts Commission and LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-december-15th-2018/ Susan von Seggern November 5, 2018 at 11:22 am · Reply → Noted for his long and busy career as a producer and music director Steve Weisberg is bringing his orchestra, with a who’s who of LA’s top session musicians, together again for a variety show style concert at Magicopolis, 1418 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Wednesday November 14 at 8pm. Tickets are $30 and are available here. Joining Weisberg’s amazing 17-piece orchestra will be NRBQ founder Terry Adams, noted indie Latina singer/songwriter Gaby Moreno, Billboard Jazz Charting Ghanian-American singer Abiah, noted father/son act The Cages, Suzy Williams – long known and loved as the songbird of Venice, and up and coming singer Clara Zimm, with more special guests to be announced. Weisberg has extensive experience as an arranger and musical director on recordings and live events often for famed producer Hal Willner with artists including Sting, Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithful, K.D. Lang, Macy Gray, BØRNS, David Byrne, Lou Reed, Carla Bley, Michael McDonald, Kesha, Tony Clifton, Howard Tate, Shane McGowan, Jill Sobule, Jackson Browne, Bill Frisell. and many, many more. Weisberg describes his orchestral aspirations to be “Lawrence Welk meets Spike Jones meets Frank Zappa.” Adding, “come on down and get ready to be amazed, surprised and thoroughly entertained!” Past SWO shows included performances by BØRNS, Victoria Williams, Jill Sobule, Petra Haden, Sussan Deyhim, Mocean Worker, and Perla Batalla, so attendees never know what surprise guests might pop up! Peter Carlaftes October 21, 2018 at 9:15 pm · Reply → THE OFFICIAL L.A. LAUNCH OF DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS William S. Burroughs in Conversation with Allen Ginsberg edited by Steven Taylor Thursday, November 15, 2018 Doors open 7:30pm \| Showtime 8pm an evening of readings and storytelling with a LIVE Dreammachine! Linda J. Albertano \| Exene Cervenka Rich Ferguson \| S.A. Griffin Mike Mollett \| Marc Olmsted plus special guests Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center 681 N. Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 info@beyondbaroque.org Three Rooms Press presents an evening of reading and storytelling around Beat culture at the L.A. launch of DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS: William S. Burroughs in Conversation with Allen Ginsberg. The event will be held in the theater at Beyond Baroque (681 N. Venice Blvd., Venice, CA) on Thursday, November 15, 8 pm. Admission is $10 regular, $6 for students/seniors, and free for Beyond Baroque members. The event features readings from the book and storytelling about legendary Beat icons from performance artist Linda J. Albertano, X lead singer Exene Cervenka, spoken word artist Rich Ferguson, poet-publisher-actor S.A. Griffin, performance artist Mike Mollett, poet Marc Olmsted, and record producer Pat Thomas. Three Rooms Press co-directors Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges will host. Copies of DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS will be available for purchase at the event. For reservations and additional information, contact Peter Carlaftes: 212-731-0574; info@threeroomspress.com. About DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS In DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS, the fathers of the Beat movement converse about deeply intimate and personal history while gathered at Burroughs’ house in Lawrence, Kansas. The conversation includes discussion of: • David Cronenberg’s film adaptation of Burroughs’ classic novel Naked Lunch • Shamanism, including a detailed description of the shamanic exorcism of the demon Burroughs believes forced him to kill his common-law wife in 1951 • Literary associates, influences, techniques, and insights • Punk rock’s contributions to counterculture lore With the current political landscape mirroring many aspects of the early Beat period, DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS is particularly timely. Interest in both authors’ work is on the rise. Many consider these legendary icons’ perspectives to particularly prophetic. High Praise for DON’T HIDE THE MADNESS “This oral trove is a compendium of trenchant, ordinary and magical gnosis . . . A tangible, tender, and totally engaging tour de force, and balm for the dystopia time we’re caught in.” —Anne Waldman, poet, feminist, and activist “A beautiful book where you are pleasantly sitting with two originators of Beat-ism.” —Gus Van Sant, film director “A penetrating riff on the starry dynamo of America.” —Dr. Peter Weller, actor, scholar “Beatific banter … energy of intellect, eros and rapacious vision.” —Thurston Moore, musician “Must-have resource for beat aficionados . . . thoroughly in tune, with two legendary literary iconoclasts.” —Publishers Weekly “Devotees of these Beat Generation icons will find these conversations between longtime friends both entertaining and revealing” —Library Journal “Will make both fanboy and scholar sit up straight at attention.” —Sensitive Skin ABOUT THREE ROOMS PRESS Three Rooms Press is a fierce New York-based independent publisher inspired by dada, punk and passion. Founded in 1993, it serves as a leading independent publisher of cut-the-edge creative, including fiction, memoir, poetry translations, drama and art. In addition, Three Rooms Press produces and promotes a variety of literary and cultural events worldwide. Three Rooms Press books are distributed in the U.S. and internationally by PGW / Ingram. Michelle Roche October 17, 2018 at 11:32 am · Reply → WE BANJO 3 FROM GALWAY, IRELAND, TO PERFORM AT MARSEE AUDITORIUM ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 NASHVILLE, TN–We Banjo 3, an award-winning band from Galway, will perform at Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College Center For The Arts, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, on Saturday, October 20th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets range from $10.00 (students) to $28.00 and may be purchased by calling 800-832-2787. For more information call 310-329-5345 or visit elcamino.edu/centerforthearts/ We Banjo 3 is one of the most prolific and exciting bands to emerge from Ireland in recent years. Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, percussion and beautiful harmonies, We Banjo 3’s music is affectionately described as “Celtgrass.” The Galway-based quartet comprises two sets of brothers, Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley, who collectively hold over a dozen “All Ireland” titles. We Banjo 3 released their fourth studio recording, Haven, on July 27, 2018, as the follow up to their highly-acclaimed 2016 release, String Theory, which went to # 1 on Billboard’s World Music Chart. We Banjo 3’s unique crossover of many genres of music is beautifully reflected on Haven; the 11 original compositions take the listener an exploratory, honest and uplifting musical journey. Haven reached # 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart the week of August 13th as well as making the Top 10 on many other Billboard charts. The video for the single “Light In The Sky” premiered on CMT.com on August 30th. Haven has received rave reviews. AXS.com said, “Their blend of Celtic and bluegrass with dashes of folk-pop, and country is perfectly suited for the Americana scene. Their songs fall comfortably into The Lumineers style of earnest folk pop anthems.” Elmore Magazine said, “It’s as if Punch Brothers, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and The Chieftains all got together for a battle of the bands but decided to pool their resources instead. The future of world music is here.” http://www.webanjo3.com Andrew Acedo November 1, 2018 at 4:25 pm · Reply → https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/docuslate-documentary-film-program-december-1st-2018/ NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) DocuSlate – Annual Documentary Film Festival 1139 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 1133 S Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Event Image: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) DocuSlate program returns with a line-up featuring a strong focus on humanity in the face of adversity: perseverance, fighting for a cause, offering support in times of need, and building a better world in ways great and small for oneself and those around us. Join us for a day of seven documentary programs that span the globe. The day begins with shorts program Giving Care, a collection of stories about caregiving and working to improve the lives of others. We meet a pastor offering housing to immigrants recently released from detention, three siblings creating structure and support for one another during the absence of their mother, an unconventional couple trying to do right by one another, a death doula offering meaningful end of life care, and a group of women working to take the stigma out of menstruation in India. Next, feature documentary The Reluctant Radical follows climate change activist Ken Ward, an intriguing personality whose personal journey from leadership in environmental organizations to advocating for civil disobedience invites an audience to examine its own relationship with the knowledge of looming environmental disaster. The third program, Fighting Hate, pairs Oscar-Qualifying short documentary Beneath the Ink, about redemption through the covering of hateful body art, with feature documentary Man on Fire, which tells the story of a preacher who self-immolated in a small Texas town in 2014 to protest its racism. Next, Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win offers a look at a moment in the history of rampant police violence and racism in 60’s Detroit, and the radical attorney who took on the Detroit Police Department. Easing into the evening, Shorts Program Loving Life takes us into a series of personal portraits: the passing of the torch to the next generation in a long-running family-owned small business, a man seeking to take his town’s lively bus culture to the next level, a glimpse through the eyes of a pair of puppeteers at opposite ends of their careers who desire to use their vanishing art form as a voice for their people, a young man finding his passion for music in the midst of the slum he grew up in, and a charming coming out story that spans continents and generations. Next, RISE: The Story of Augustines offers a different kind of music documentary, with the lens squarely focused on the transformative individual struggles of two musicians and the determination that turned personal pain into music that connects with people all over the world. Finally, the day concludes with Joe Frank – Somewhere Out There, a look into the life, work and wide-ranging cultural impact of beloved and enigmatic audio artist and public radio figure Joe Frank. Tickets are only $10 for single film programs and $25 for all films with open bar for the ENTIRE day. Get them now before it is too late! Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/docuslate-documentary-film-program-december-1st-2018/ Thanks! Let me know if you need anything else. We’d like to submit the following event for inclusion on the Losanjealous event calendar and/or for editorial coverage: Please link to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/producers-guild-of-america-pga-2018-make-your-mark-event-tickets-50931630879 Producers Guild of America (PGA) Make Your Mark, Hosted by NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) in conjunction with the Producers Guild of America (PGA) proudly present a screening event in celebration of the Make Your Mark Weekend Shorts Competition on Saturday, November 10th at the South Park Center in Downtown LA. The event will open with a red carpet reception, screen the Top 10 short films (5 minutes each in length), and culminate with an awards show and closing with food and drinks. The mission of the Make Your Mark Weekend Shorts Competition Presented By The Producers Guild of America (PGA), is to support talented emerging producers by using the inspirational spirit of the industry’s top Producers to spark the imagination of new generations of storytellers. Entries for the program reflect themes and elements found in the work of a well-established producer’s films. This year’s 2018 Competition honors the legacy of Producer/Director SYDNEY POLLACK. Select program judges include Jon Brence (Director, Talent – Fullscreen), Bill Horberg (Producer – The Kite Runner \| Cold Mountain \| The Talented Mr. Ripley), Gary Lucchesi (Producer – Million Dollar Baby), Lori McCreary (Producer – Invictus), Hawk Koch (Producer – Hostage \| Frequency), Bruna Papandrea (Producer – Gone Girl \| Wild) and Jeanne Tripplehorn (Actor – Criminal Minds \| Big Love). Revenues raised by the competition will be used to further educational outreach for producers and emerging filmmakers through the Producers Guild Foundation. The event will be hosted by Vance Van Petten, National Executive Director of the PGA. * This screening event is not part of the outlined competition or related to the judging for the competition. Finalist filmmakers are not required to attend. Tickets are $15 for all films with open bar! Get them now before it is too late! Event info and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/producers-guild-of-america-pga-2018-make-your-mark-event-tickets-50931630879 Veronique October 11, 2018 at 11:10 am · Reply → COME PLAY AND SUPPORT YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST ! Adults and children are invited to interact with three giant video projections on a wall outside Saint-Laurent metro stationand to vote for their favourite. The original creations will astound and entertain the audience as the projections come to life. For both evenings, dynamic emcee François Bernier will add a festive touch to the event. Bar service will be available. The works will be presented in rotation, every 30 minutes, to give the public a chance to try them all before voting for their favourite. A $5000 Audience Award will be presented to the creator of the work that receives the most votes. It’s your turn to play ! porn tube December 4, 2018 at 4:12 am · Reply → Votre# communi#ca#ti#on di#gi#ta#le#, de# a# à Z i#nte#rne#t e#st une# sphère# da#ns la#que#lle# i#l e#st pri#mordi#a#l de# pouvoi#r compte#r sur de# nombre#use#s compéte#nce#s : déve#loppe#me#nt we#b, gra#phi#sme#, ge#sti#on de# communa#utés, réda#cti#on ou e#ncore# ma#rke#ti#ng. Nous mutua#li#sons tous ce#s sa#voi#rs da#ns nos murs e#t nous vous e#n fa#i#sons bénéfi#ci#e#r ! Myke#ti#ng se# prése#nte# comme# un i#nte#rlocute#ur uni#que# pour tous le#s proje#ts we#b. Pour cha#que# probléma#ti#que#, qu’e#lle# soi#t globa#le# ou spéci#fi#que#, nous défi#ni#ssons a#ve#c vous une# soluti#on a#da#ptée# e#t la# me#ttons e#n œuvre#. Tout si#mple#me#nt. Andrew Acedo October 2, 2018 at 10:33 am · Reply → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newfilmmakers-los-angeles-nfmla-film-festival-november-17th-2018-tickets-50658570147 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – November 17th, 2018 4PM – 11:30PM The fall 2018 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) slate continues with a presentation of InFocus: American Indian, Aboriginal & Inuit Cinema, which showcases films by indigenous filmmakers from America, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as documentaries about native subjects, in addition to a selection of local and international films. The first screening of the evening is feature film Sometimes Our Friends Come Over (and sometimes we’re all alone), a brutally honest and startlingly timely look at the unraveling of a millennial relationship in the shadow of the Trump era, written and directed by visual and sound artist and CalArts Art/Technology MFA Daniel Watkins, who frames the film in a striking lo-fi aesthetic that places the audience in the middle of painfully realistic moments of awkwardness and confrontation. The evening continues with shorts program InFocus: American Indian, Aboriginal & Inuit Cinema, which includes some of the strongest emerging voices in Native filmmaking today, including films which premiered at Sundance, Toronto International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and ImagiNative. Themes of familial struggle, exploration of identity, the meaning of home, and childhood hope and wonder run through the selection. The night concludes with a shorts program that carves a narrative path from an absurd prep school interview to a comical look at a routine household chore, then to the personal effects of hatred, through a quinceañera, lingering in the loneliness of alienation in a digital age, on to the poetic exploration of addiction, and finally, into a moment of kindness that emerges from tragedy. The program tells these tales through animation, music videos, and live action. Tickets are only $5 for single film programs and $15 for all films with open bar for 7+ hours! Get them now before it is too late! Event info and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newfilmmakers-los-angeles-nfmla-film-festival-november-17th-2018-tickets-50658570147 Andrew Acedo Events & Outreach Director NewFilmmakers Los Angeles 1438 N. Gower St. Box 83, Hollywood, CA. 90028 http://www.nfmla.org Hollywood Reporter article about our recent Latinx & Hispanic Cinema Film Festival w/ The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Dave Thompson September 24, 2018 at 3:01 pm · Reply → OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Celebrates 25 Years with the House of Hope Gala “The Great Stories of OUR HOUSE” Honorees include This Is US and Dan Fogelman, writer & creator, The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and Edie Lutnick, President, and Jory Goldman & Family Los Angeles (September 20, 2018) –Saturday October 6 at Sony Pictures Studios, OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, one of the most respected non-profit grief centers in the nation, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary of sharing grief and finding hope with the House of Hope Gala. OUR HOUSE is honoring This is US and Dan Fogelman, writer & creator of the hit NBC TV show, The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and its President Edie Lutnick, and OUR HOUSE alumni, longtime supporter and former Board Chair, Jory Goldman & her four children. OUR HOUSE’s gala fundraiser will afford them to continue to provide grief support and education for adults and children in the Los Angeles community. Special guest Patton Oswalt will share his own very personal story of grief. Dan Fogelman and This is US are receiving the Good Grief Award, for portraying the grief process with honesty, dignity and for helping normalize the grief experience by creating a world in which grief is embraced, understood and respected. “Ten years ago, my mom died unexpectedly. It’s the hinge upon which my life swings. I created This is Us to showcase looking back, looking forward, and the collective journey. I am so grateful to be recognized by OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center and couldn’t imagine a more appropriate organization with which to be involved that is helping people share their grief and find hope.” Edie Lutnick and The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund are being awarded the H.U.G. Award for contributing to helping understand grief. “The work that OUR HOUSE has done for the past 25 years in providing the community with grief support services, education, resources, and hope in a safe and nurturing way is vitally important. I am honored and humbled to be recognized and delighted to assist in their continued success.” The Founder’s Award, named after OUR HOUSE’s founder, Jo-Ann Lautman, will be given to Jory Goldman and her children Seth, Jessie, Eli and Jonah. The award is OUR HOUSE’s highest honor and is given to individuals who have contributed significantly both in time and resources to the advancement of its mission to provide the community with grief support services, education, resources, and hope. “Jory is an integral part of the OUR HOUSE team and has been since the first day she joined a group with her children in 2003 after the sudden death of her husband. She continued her involvement with us by joining the Board of Directors more than 11 years ago and more recently as a volunteer group leader. It is not only for her sharp strategic thinking and elegant leadership, but her compassionate dedication to helping those in our community experiencing grief, that we honor Jory with this award,” said Michele Prince, CEO of OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. The program will also recognize OUR HOUSE’s founder, Jo-Ann Lautman and the longest serving volunteers from OUR HOUSE’s signature programs serving adults and children. Under the stars at Sony Pictures Studios, The Great Stories of OUR HOUSE from the past 25 years will inspire the audience and convey the message that no one should grieve alone. The evening will also include a special presentation by Comedian Patton Oswalt, and Celebrity artwork to be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds benefitting OUR HOUSE. Celebrity supporters who have created pieces depicting their idea of a House of Hope include: Seth McFarland, Kevin Nealon, Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan, Courtney Cox, Kaley Cuoco, Kim Bassinger, Nate Berkus, Byron Scott, Lindsey Buckingham, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hanks, and many more. OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s House of Hope Gala The Great Stories of OUR HOUSE When: Saturday, October 6 at 6pm Where: Sony Pictures Studios 10202 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 What: 25 years of creating communal ties that bind by sharing grief and finding hope, OUR HOUSE honors and recognizes their longest serving program volunteers and special honorees for their good works at this gala fundraiser to continue to provide grief support and education for adults and children in the Los Angeles community. • Comedian Patton Oswalt Honorees: • Founder’s Award-Jory Goldman and her children Seth, Jessie, Eli and Jonah • Good Grief Award- Dan Fogelman, writer and creator of This is US • H.U.G. Award- Edie Lutnick, The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund • OUR HOUSE Founder Jo-Ann Lautman • Lany Lippman, Adult Groups • Carol April, Board of Directors • Chrissy Zollenberg, Camp Erin Los Angeles • Ellen Simmons, Child & Adolescent Groups • Marley Sims, School-Based Groups • Juan Jimenez, Spanish Satellite Program Tickets/Info: http://www.OurHouse-Grief.org/25gala About OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center: The OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center mission is to provide the community with grief support services, education, resources, and hope. For 25 years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of children, teens, and adults grieving the death of someone close. Our three locations are expanded through school-based grief support groups, dozens of satellite locations, three weekend-long grief camp sessions as the Los Angeles and Orange County partners of Camp Erin, medical and professional education, and on-site grief responses for businesses and the community at large. Sharing Grief. Finding Hope. Learn more at http://www.OurHouse-Grief.org and (888) 417-1444 Andrew Acedo September 14, 2018 at 11:39 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Annual On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project 2018 On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project Admission: $30 (includes admission, food, drinks, and parking) Additional details and tickets available at http://www.nfmla.org/onlocation NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – October 20th, 2018 This month, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) features InFocus: Military Veterans and the Effects of War, showcasing films by veterans and films that explore the experience of veterans and war, alongside a celebration of Halloween with a selection of horror shorts. The evening begins with a short film selection that depicts a diverse range of experiences of military veterans from a variety of backgrounds and time periods. Beginning with a futuristic sci-fi narrative by award-winning director and former U.S. Army Captain Rebecca Murga, the program goes on to include explorations of PTSD, near death experiences, the cultural complexity faced by Japanese American WWII veterans, the true stories of a recently transitioned transgender Vietnam veteran, a woman who survived sexual assault in the military, and the struggle of immigrant veterans who face deportation following their service. The evening’s focus on veterans continues with the LA Premiere of Jenica Bergere’s Spare Room, a visually striking film about a young widow whose life becomes unexpectedly intertwined with that of the veteran she rents a room to, with a profound effect on those around them. The night concludes with shorts program Horror: Cabin Fever, a collection of short films that take place in claustrophobic conditions – both real and imagined. From birthday parties to the studios of obsessive artists to unearthly photocopy stores, and even in the woods – cabin fever captures a frenzied state of mind that transcends physical confines. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-october-20th-2018/ Heike Binder September 5, 2018 at 12:48 pm · Reply → Dear people at Losanjealous, We’d love to see our upcoming L.A.-show on your calendar. Son of the Velvet rat at the Lovesong Bar on October 5, 9pm Allen Blake September 4, 2018 at 12:43 pm · Reply → I really like the content of your Instagram Business Page: https://www.instagram.com/xaviertherapper You have a great cadence with your posts. I’m Allen Blake, the Community Manager at liker.io, We help businesses and personal brands who want to grow on Instagram by providing an easy solution to get more followers on autopilot and increase their brand awareness. You tell us your target audience and our platform will engage with them on your behalf. Our clients are seeing an additional 10k-15k increase in reach on Instagram weekly. I’d like to show you how it can help losanjealous.com … Looking forward to your reply. Allen Blake Community Manager at liker.io Andrew August 13, 2018 at 3:44 pm · Reply → You’re invited to join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) with presenting partners NALIP and SAG-AFTRA on Saturday, September 8th, 2018 for the annual NFMLA Film Festival InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema event. The event will be hosted at The Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. This month’s festival presents a powerful lineup of local and international films by world-class emerging filmmakers from Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Spain, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Argentina and the United States across three short film programs. The evening opens with a collection of stories that explore everything from time travel to forbidden love, being caught between two words, abusive work environments and the importance of community. The evening continues with an eclectic mix of genres covering everything from whimsical experimentalism to dance, including a dark comedy about a man facing down bureaucracy, a uniquely complex drama about the loss of a child, and stories of children facing down incredible odds, whether during wartime or in an imagined post-apocalyptic future. The night culminates with a dynamic and hard-hitting collection of films that include two world premieres, a comedy starring a Brazilian soap opera actor that both is and isn’t about its own production, new work by a returning NFMLA alum, a thoughtful drama about the quest for same-sex parenthood in Spain, and a meditation on what it means to come home, all concluding with a story of parental love that transcends even the darkest moments. NFMLA and AMPAS have formed industry-wide alliances and partnerships to support this initiative. The program is full of talented filmmakers, including multiple-award-winning directors, writers and producers whose films have been programmed and awarded across Europe, South America and in the United States, including at SXSW and Sundance. The evening presents three world premieres; The Morphable Man, by Jonathan Ostos Yaber, an award-winning director who has been recognized by the Italian Animation Academy, Synopsis by Felipe Saleme and Lara Koer, which stars and is produced by Brazilian soap opera actor Gabriel Godoy, and Sra. Genovese, the newest film by NFMLA alumn Daniela Arguello, whose last film in the 2017 NFMLA program, 2500Km, was acquired by HBO and who gave a Ted Talk about her filmmaking last fall. Additionally, the event will be the Los Angeles premiere of Bailaora by Spanish Director Rubin Stein, who was names is one of the 10 Spanish Filmmakers on the Rise 2018 by Variety. Tickets are available for $5 per program advanced purchase / $7 per program at the door and $15 for all-night access passes, which provide access to all three film programs with open bar throughout the entire event. NFMLA’s Monthly Film Festivals are presented throughout the year with support from Executive Circle Sponsors FilmLA, The Coca-Cola Company and HBO, Producers Circle Sponsors SAG-AFTRA, 21st Century Fox Global Inclusion, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA \| Golden Globes), LA County Arts Commission and LA City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). Event info and tickets here: https://goo.gl/xT1ErD Jeanne Rice August 3, 2018 at 5:04 pm · Reply → I wanted to see if there might be a possibility you would be able to post about our upcoming free music event, Happy Sundays Music Festival in Long Beach and/or have interest in covering it? Below is a little bit of information about the event as well as a few links of other articles that have been written. I have also attached some of our artwork. Happy Sundays is a festival founded in 2017 by Scott Montoya, former drummer of the band The Growlers, and his wife Julia, singer of The Coathangers, who have a philanthropic heart. Scott & Julia are also founders of the non profit organization studiosforschools.org. It is exactly as it sounds and raises funds to put studio’s into schools to help further music careers and goals in students. Last year the event took place in 3 venues. This year The Montoyas enlisted the help of Entertainment Producer and founder of Indie Ignited Jeanne Rice and together they curated an exciting line up and branched the festival to triple the size of it’s last run. The event Happy Sundays will take place in 8 locations in the Zaferia district of Long Beach. The Long Beach Trolley will be used to shuttle guests between the 8 venues which will hold a host of talent from several genre’s of indie music, to DJ’s, comedy, and some heart felt story telling acoustic sets that will give you a glimpse into the purpose behind every song written. The special story telling sets and comedy, which includes great comedians featured on Netflix such as Vince Royale and Nick Thune, will be in the Long Beach Playhouse. The Long Beach Playhouse is a local theater and this venue will offer festival goers a chance to get off their feet, enjoy a Golden Road beer, or free water courtesy of eco-friendly boxed water. Boxed water will generously be supplying free waters in all venues. Also in the Playhouse lobby will be a special photo curation of the work of photographer Emery Becker. Emery Becker was a 25 year old talented photographer well known in the music community when in March of 2017 he was killed on his motorcycle by two drivers, one a hit and run to be immediately followed by a drunk driver. This years festival features great indie acts like Jake Snider of Minus The Bear who has just announced his last final tour of Minus The Bear and will be joining us for a stripped down acoustic performance as well as up and coming Manchester England artist Leo James Conroy, Caught A Ghost, Spendtime Palace, The Shrine, and Death Valley Girls across our many stages which include hosts The OC Weekly and Indie Ignited, an indie music showcase of it’s own. Happy Sundays is a not for profit event. Golden Road Brewery proceeds will be given to the Montoya non profit http://www.studiosforschools.org. This event is really geared towards great causes and in growing the community, and in giving back. This will be held in a very SXSW/ Echo Park Rising music showcase type of forum. The event is perfectly situated in Long Beach. Not just because this is the Montoya’s home but it is central to Orange County and Los Angeles so it is an easy place to get to for many. Long Beach holds a lot of music history and we want to create music history in this event. Another perk festival goers will see is the Muncheez food truck, which with the download of an app some festival attendee’s will be able to get free food! All this takes place in Long Beach’s Zaferia district. Happy Sundays intent really is on keeping everyone happy. The musicians, the community, the attendee’s and those who are coming in to help be a part of it’s growth. jeanne rice Entertainment Producer Indie Ignited / Vestal Village / Happy Sundays… http://www.jeannerice.com 714-206-5224 m :: 323-963-3683 m jeanne.e.rice@gmail.com IG: @jeanne rice_007 @indieignited http://buzzbands.la/2018/07/21/happy-sundays-festival-in-long-beach-jake-snider-minus-the-bear-the-shrine-death-valley-girls-and-more/ https://www.ocweekly.com/happy-sundays-returns-to-long-beach-aug-26/ https://girlundergroundmusic.com/2018/07/20/happy-sundays-finding-sanity-in-music-and-uniting-the-community/ Adult Swim Festival Oct. 6-7 at ROW DTLA July 31, 2018 at 4:40 pm · Reply → Adult Swim Festival Oct. 6-7 at ROW DTLA 777 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Adult Swim has announced 12 new musical headliners will be joining hip-hop powerhouse Run The Jewels for the first annual Adult Swim Festival in Downtown Los Angeles, October 6-7th. With additional talent announcements and surprises yet to come, this event is a must-do for fans of top and emerging artists in entertainment. Combining the best of music, comedy, gaming and great food, Adult Swim fans will spend the weekend immersed in a one-of-a-kind cultural festival happening between two massive stages. New artists joining the weekend line-up of live music and comedy acts include: Mastodon, Neko Case, Flying Lotus, T-PAIN, Power Trip, Clams Casino, Chaos Chaos, Jon from ‘Delocated,’ DJ Douggpound, Open Mike Eagle, and more. Additional Preview Night, Single Day and Weekend Passes are on sale now at AdultSwimFestival.com. Payment plans are also available, so fans can buy now and pay the rest later. Ticket Link: bit.ly/2ADrKGv XavierTheRapper July 22, 2018 at 9:56 pm · Reply → XavierTheRapper is an artist from Washington D.C now residing in Park City Utah. Xavier is Utah’s next emerging mainstream artist with big-ups from the industry’s most notable talents. Xavier released a song called ‘Won’t Change” which received positive feedback. Without any promotion Won’t Change has thousands of plays over multiple streaming services.Xavier’s catalog includes 45 unique tracks ranging from sad rap, lyrical rap and conscious rap. I’ll add a link to his latest video. If you search XavierTheRapper on google you’ll find his entire discography and bio. Won’t Change Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4XYzXHvDgI&t=5s Apple Music Portfolio https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/xaviertherapper/1217190637?ign-gact=3&ls=1 Andrew Acedo July 18, 2018 at 11:25 am · Reply → We’d like to submit the following event for inclusion on the NAME event calendar and/or for editorial coverage: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-august-25th-2018/ NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – August 25th, 2018 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) spotlights stories from Developing Nations and a selection of works by emerging local and US filmmakers, in partnership with the film commissioners’ association Film Liaisons In California Statewide (FLICS). The night begins with a powerful shorts program highlighting stories set in or about communities from developing nations, made by filmmakers who are either local to or intimately familiar with those communities. The themes in this program span the collision of worlds and cultures, the evolution of family dynamics, and the powerful bond between humans and the natural world. Second in the night is Lonely Hearts Club, the feature directorial debut of award-winning director and NFMLA alumni Jason O. Silva. Three lives converge in this exploration of love and loss during a long flight layover in Los Angeles, starring Camille Guaty (Daytime Divas, Scorpion, Las Vegas) The evening concludes with a shorts program offering a selection of surreal and comedic films that bring their own takes to topics including heartbreak, xenophobia and superstition, challenging us to look at them with fresh eyes. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-august-25th-2018/ Holly July 16, 2018 at 3:39 pm · Reply → PLAZA SUITE by Neil Simon Directed by James Rice A story about Suite 719 at the infamous New York City Plaza Hotel and the people who inhabit it: a not-so-blissfully married couple, a movie producer and his old flame, and a nervous bride and family. August 3-September 2, 2018 Friday August 3, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. ($23 First Look/$15 25-and-under with code “Hipster”) Regular Performance Times and Prices: Fridays and Saturdays, at 8:00pm. ($27 regular/$25 seniors/$15 25-and-under with code “Hipster”) Sundays August 26 (talkback session) and September 2 at 2:00pm. ($27 regular/$25 seniors/$15 25-and-under with code “Hipster”) Little Fish Theatre San Pedro’s Arts District 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro, CA 90731 Ticket Range: $15 – $27 ($23 for opening night only) Prices above do not include a $1 ticket service fee Discounts Available for Groups of 10+ Discounts for Seniors 65 and over ($25) and Patrons 25 and under ($15) Love Ghost June 8, 2018 at 1:10 pm · Reply → The Love Ghost Record Release Party is happening Sunday June 17th at The Bootleg Theater. The event is circus themed, and the band will play their 1st full-length album Lobotomy in it’s entirety. Workshop Management June 7, 2018 at 10:57 am · Reply → Knox Hamilton will be performing live with support from Brother Sundance on 8/16 at the Troubadour Globe Theatre June 1, 2018 at 3:13 pm · Reply → WUNDERGROUND WEDNESDAY // WHERE DISCO LIVES JUNE 6 – AUGUST 30, 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM THE GLOBE THEATRE: DOWNTOWN ☆☆WUNDERGROUND WEDNESDAYS☆☆ The new weekly Extravaganza start on June 6th at The Globe Theatre DTLA and happens every Wednesdays until the end of August. A delicious Dance party treat for your Mind, Body and your Soul. Vibrant dance floor, Disco balls aplenty. Gender Bending Performers, unexpected guests, unforgotten Dancefloor gems, uplifting House and fresh Disco cuts by LA’s best and International Dj’s Wednesdays at The Globe Theatre, WUNDERGROUND…Where Disco lives ! Hosted By The Boulet Brothers Featuring: Vander Von Odd, Maebeagirl, Izzyashe & Ti To Mateo Segade Your Muther NO COVER, EVERY ONE IS WELCOME -21+ Happy Hour 9-11 Let’s Celebrate ! Gemini B Days : Complimentary Bottle of Bubbles for a party of 5 minimum with RSVP: wunderground@globetheatre-la.com Andrew Acedo May 25, 2018 at 11:25 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – June 23rd, 2018 Hi NAME! NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) spotlights LGBTQ+ cinema and also highlights post production in partnership with the Los Angeles Post Production Group. The night begins with the InFocus: LGBTQ+ shorts program, which features both narrative and nonfiction stories of struggle, triumph and personal relationships. Next up is a shorts program of films that each exemplify strong elements of post production, in celebration of the Los Angeles Post Production Group’s tenth anniversary. From sound and music to editing, VFX and stop-motion animation post-production, the program represents a wide range of skills that make films come alive once shooting wraps. Concluding the night is the feature film Alaska’s A Drag, the story of a drag performer in small-town Alaska who must survive his surroundings and find a way to follow his dreams, created from a short film made in AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women. Tickets are only $5 for Single Film Programs and $15 for all films with open bar! Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-june-23rd-2018/ Dave Thompson May 22, 2018 at 4:57 pm · Reply → OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Offers Free Weekend Grief Camp Experience for Children Ages 6-17, June 8-10 and August 17-19 Los Angeles (May 22, 2018) – OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is hosting Camp Erin® LA June 8-10 and August 17-19 at the scenic Camp Bloomfield in Malibu. Camp Erin LA is a weekend-long camp experience for children and teens ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or guardian in the past 3 years. Camp is free of charge for all children and combines traditional camp activities with grief support, education, and remembrance projects. Typical fun and engaging camp favorites such as rock climbing, swimming, arts and crafts, and campfires are interspersed with projects and experiences used to facilitate expression of feelings, memorialize their loved one who died, and promote healing. Trauma Informed Yoga will be offered Sunday morning. When campers arrive on Friday, they are greeted with open arms by the dozens of grief specialists and trained volunteers who guide the campers through a series of bonding and grief-related exercises, as well as fun high-energy physical activities. They begin their camp journey with an intimate Friday evening ceremony where each camper shares their name, the name of their loved one who died, and places a photo of that person on a “memory board.” Saturday evening’s Luminary Ceremony is equally powerful and another opportunity to come together to say goodbye to their loved one by writing a message or drawing on a lantern that’s lit and set adrift across the pool. OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center recognizes every person’s grief is unique in duration and intensity, and that commonalities of experience strengthen the value of a grief support group in helping the healing process. “By offering Camp Erin LA, OUR HOUSE puts a support system into place, offering a safe space to talk and providing the tools to cope with their grief,” said Michele Prince, Executive Director of OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. “Camp might be the only opportunity they have to work on their grief with other kids.” Camp Erin is an initiative created and funded by The Moyer Foundation in Seattle, WA, a non-profit organization established by Major League All-Star pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen. Camp Erin is named in memory of Erin Metcalf, a friend of the Moyers who lost her battle to cancer at age 17. Camp Erin LA was featured in an Emmy award-winning HBO documentary “One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp,” which was produced in association with The Moyer Foundation and OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center. For more information about Camp Erin LA, please http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/camp-erin-la-oc/ About OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is one of the nation’s most respected organizations for grief support and education. For 24 years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark on their journeys to hope and healing following the death of someone close. The safe, warm, and nurturing environment of their Los Angeles centers offer support groups specific to age and relationship. OUR HOUSE is a leading provider of grief education, offering workshops, seminars, and in-service training to mental health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other members of the community who interact with bereaved families. The OUR HOUSE grief education program is part of the curricula for students at USC’s Keck and UCLA’s David Geffen Schools of Medicine. With offices in West Los Angeles, Woodland Hills and Mid-City, OUR HOUSE offers bereavement support groups for adults and children in English and Spanish. To learn more, please visit http://www.ourhouse-grief.org. About The Moyer Foundation The Moyer Foundation is a public, 501(c)(3) non‐profit organization with a mission to provide comfort, hope and healing to children and families affected by grief and addiction. Founded in 2000 by former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and child advocate Karen Phelps Moyer, The Moyer Foundation supports thousands of children and families each year through its free signature programs and services. Camp Erin® is the largest national bereavement program for children and teens grieving the death of someone significant in their lives and Camp Mariposa® is a national addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder. The Moyer Foundation Resource Center extends The Foundation’s continuum of care by providing a curated set of online resources with personalized phone and email support for families experiencing grief, addiction and other related issues. For more information, please visit moyerfoundation.org. Lori De Waal Lori.DeWaal@DeWaalPR.com Kristin Holloway LoriAssistant@DeWaalPR.com MarcoDab May 18, 2018 at 11:09 am · Reply → Here will be long texts about new website Jessica May 13, 2018 at 2:19 pm · Reply → Venice Family Clinic presents its iconic 39th Art Walk & Auctions on May 20th from 12-6 p.m. at Google’s Venice Headquarters (340 Main Street, Venice, CA) Calling all art lovers! Venice Family Clinic presents its iconic 39th Art Walk & Auctions to support Venice Family Clinic’s mission to provide quality health care to people in need. This year’s event honors three world-renowned Venice-based artists: signature artist Alexis Smith along with honorees Sam Durant and Ed Moses, posthumously. Taking place on Sunday, May 20, from noon to 6 p.m. at Google’s Venice Headquarters (340 Main Street, Venice, CA), Venice Art Walk is the largest public event held by the tech giant. Guests can enjoy free access to the city’s internationally-renowned art scene and all winning bids in the silent auction raise vital funds to support Venice Family Clinic patients’ health care needs. The fundraiser features exhibitions, studio tours and a silent auction along with engaging community activations from live art exhibits curated by artist Bert Rodriguez to guided art workshops, live music and craft beer & wine garden, dog daycare and bike valet. For a $50 donation, guests enjoy special access to dozens of artists’ studios, a centerpiece of the event since its inception, showcasing Venice’s ever-changing artist community. This year’s auction will include the works of 250 artists including such luminaries as John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha and Alison Saar as well as LA’s emerging talent, with the goal of exceeding the $800,000 raised last year and supporting the Clinic’s mission. http://www.venicefamilyclinic.org Aaron Shadrow May 10, 2018 at 2:37 pm · Reply → Internet Fashion Records here, supporting new avant-pop band Jubilo Drive. Here is a link to their newest single, “Off Satellites,” which fuses early krautrock influence with modern psychedelic rock. Frontman Jordan Kleinman penned the song’s lyrics while navigating through a handful of misguided romantic relationships. It’s a tribute to individuals he felt genuine connections with but was unable to pursue due to pre-existing relationships, professional boundaries, and friendships. The group formed at Chapman University down in Orange County a few years ago, but — after a long hiatus — started a new chapter here in Los Angeles with a retooled lineup and fresh sound for 2018. Jubilo Drive opened for Fishbone earlier this week, and will share the stage with Summer Twins at Civic Center Studios in downtown LA on Friday (May 11). With a handful of singles ready to release and more shows in the works, it figures to be a busy summer for Jubilo Drive. Let us know if you guys dig it! Spaulding May 4, 2018 at 4:26 pm · Reply → Shop handmade and independent goods from 150+ local makers, crafters, designers + food artisans alongside DIY craft workshops, food trucks and music at Patchwork Show in Santa Ana and Long Beach. FREE to attend and family + dog friendly. SPRING 2018 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHOWS: May 27, 2018 – Downtown – 4th St. @ Spurgeon St. June 10, 2018 – Marine Stadium – Appian Way @ Bayshore Ave. All shows are FREE to attend and 11-5pm https://dearhandmadelife.com/patchwork-show/ Kymber May 3, 2018 at 2:00 pm · Reply → The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is pleased to announce the 4th Annual RIDE FOR RONNIE Motorcycle Ride and Concert, taking place on Sunday, May 6, 2018. The Ride from Harley-Davidson of Glendale to Los Encinos Park in Encino will raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention and research for a cure. The afternoon concert in the park will be once again hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk and will feature live music from the various artists listed below. Last year's Ride raised over $40,000 for the Dio Cancer Fund (www.diocancerfund.org). opheliass11 April 25, 2018 at 9:39 pm · Reply → http://neva.blogs.telrock.org Ayal Vishnitzer April 29, 2018 at 11:07 pm · Reply → SPIRAL PITCH at TRIP SANTA MONICA Spiral Pitch, L.A. based trio, will perform at Trip Santa Monica on Monday, April 30th. Original tunes and arrangements, Funk&Fusion&Jazz with lot’s of groove and vibe. Shows start from 8pm, the band go on 10-11pm, no cover. Ayal Vishnitzer – Guitar David Hilton – Bass Ivan Elizondo – Drums 2101 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica CA https://spiralpitch.bandcamp.com/album/blending-signals Independent Music Media April 25, 2018 at 2:10 pm · Reply → AN EVENING WITH JULES SHEAR AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM ® PRESENTED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2018 AT 8 P.M. JULES SHEAR ONE MORE CROOKED DANCE OUT NOW ON FUNZALO RECORDS The GRAMMY Museum ® will welcome singer/songwriter Jules Shear to the Clive Davis Theater for an intimate performance and conversation, hosted by music journalist Roy Trakin on May 23. Tickets available here: https://29105.blackbaudhosting.com/29105/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=67d06eab-6938-4dc1-8b47-1e00d3c6702e With four decades in the music business under his belt, Shear started his career with the Funky Kings, moved on to Jules and the Polar Bears and then an impressive solo career, he’s penned hits like Cyndi Lauper’s “All Through the Night,” The Bangles “If She Knew What She Wants” and his own “Steady,” a co-write with Lauper. Not to mention catalog mainstays such as Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers’ “If We Never Meet Again,” Til Tuesday’s “(I Believed You Were] Lucky” and Alison Moyer’s Top 20 U.K. hit, “Whispering Your Name.” He was also the host and co-creator of the influential MTV Unplugged series. In November 2017, Shear released his 13th studio album, One More Crooked Dance on Funzalo Record. With just piano, vocals and the occasional harmonica interspersed, the 13 personal songs on One More Crooked Dance are beautifully emotional. The spare instrumentation, the effortless harmonies and Shear’s world-weary vocals give the record a gravitas deserving of his 40-plus years in the music business. In his long and varied career, Shear has never put out an album without guitar, bass and drums, so this is certainly a first, but when he’s asked about his method, he shrugs, “It was something we tried, and it seemed to be working out well,” he said about the stark, minimalist approach. “So, we just kept going.” The plainspoken approach takes on the challenge of maintaining passion in the songs and it pays off, Shear examines relationships in “Rules of the Game,” hits hard about the things we do to self-medicate ourselves in “Painkiller,” examines the war of the sexes in “The Hunter and the Hunted,” brings a one-two punch of the exquisite harmonies in “When It’s Right” and interweaves harp and piano throughout “Wrong Again,” to name only a few. http://www.julesshearshow.com http://www.funzalorecords.com Press Contact: Dana Gordon at Independent Music Media at HiDanaGirl@aol.com Juan Rey April 22, 2018 at 6:32 pm · Reply → De Mares y Desiertos: https://open.spotify.com/album/4jZRrtzPwIOmYSVYn8YAJe Juan Rey y Los Alienados https://open.spotify.com/album/2N99bbvT3m5X5N3maiKTTe Tripulaciones de Diversos Colores: https://open.spotify.com/album/4JPpnZxhSLiPDUp8tvH42v Never Forgot: https://open.spotify.com/album/4CKuZx1hvN3h5YBStB50zS Juan Rey: https://open.spotify.com/album/5qBXy34xvMlQY7xs22nOz9 Egiptyan: https://open.spotify.com/album/1bNNP4wBMoZwdIbGH2ZU0i Found My Guns: https://open.spotify.com/album/5tdwjFrYwRjQwSnVFSygyk I Remember Very Well (Rare) https://open.spotify.com/album/7FAX2BTt4Yp2HJeQzAoncT Such a Hard Time: https://open.spotify.com/album/2QFfY30yHeyCDB0Cx62EUi Press/Kit: http://www.musicsubmit.com/JuanRey https://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/juanmanuelrey SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-689236275 Spotofy:https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eT3zztnvy7rIZHhwsyePx IYoutube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Juanmanuelrey2000/featured URL de la imagen: http://es.tinypic.com/view.php?pic=4qpjmc&s=9#.WocGj6iWbIU Press: https://www.artistpr.com/press-release/juan-manuel-rey-has-mastered-of-one-of-the-most-entertaining-and-nuanced-styles-of-pop-entertainment-weve-come-across-in-recent-years/ Website: http://juanrey2000.wixsite.com/juan-manuel-rey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juamarey Twitter address: https://twitter.com/juanreyrock octa April 17, 2018 at 1:53 pm · Reply → Niki J Crawford Live at Harvelle’s Santa Monica 4/27/2018 Soul / Funk / Rock / R&B Watch: https://goo.gl/ciw792 Shows: https://goo.gl/rP4HCL Listen: https://goo.gl/RMexVz Subscribe: https://goo.gl/DjGGnQ Website: http://www.nikijcrawford.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nikijcrawfordmusic Twitter: http://twitter.com/nikijcrawford instagram: http://instagram.com/nikijcrawford Michelle Roshanzamir April 17, 2018 at 12:53 pm · Reply → Join us this summer for our productions of The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Winter’s Tale! THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR is a rollicking romantic comedy which tells of Falstaff’s folly: courting two married women at the same time. It’s mischief and mayhem galore. A legend in his own mind, ne’er-do-well Sir John Falstaff, believes he has found the cure for all his financial problems. He’ll seduce two of the wealthiest ladies in town and relieve them of their virtue along with their change purses. But the two smart and sassy Real Housewives of Windsor are on to Sir John and they tease and humiliate him at every turn. Add in a jealous husband, a pair of hapless suitors, two hot-headed rivals, and a young couple in love and this merry farce careens to a happy ending with all involved, including the tormented Sir John, agreeing to “laugh this sport o’er by a country fire.” THE WINTER’S TALE is the story of Leontes, a King who banishes his family wrongfully, and is taught the meaning of forgiveness through the inspired plan of a wise, loyal woman. In an instant, King Leontes loses all that he holds dear. His wife, his son, and his best friend are ripped from him by his wild and baseless jealousy. His new born daughter is banished, taken to be abandoned far from court; not expected to survive. His wife seemingly dies of a broken heart, his son dies from sadness over his mother’s fate, and his best friend barely escapes with his life after nearly being poisoned. Too late, Leontes realizes how wrong he was. But is it too late for a miracle or two? Maybe love, once thought lost, can be ultimately found. For audiences seeking quality, family entertainment, Shakespeare by the Sea’s free performances can’t be beat. Pack a picnic, a blanket and beach chair, gather loved ones, and settle in under the stars for a night of classic entertainment. The tales are timeless, the admission ticketless, and the experience priceless. Performances: June 14-August 18, 2018 (donations gratefully accepted) http://www.shakespearebythesea.org/wp/ We’re touring to over 20 venues this summer, so check our website for complete schedule of locations and show times — we may be coming to a park near you! http://www.shakespearebythesea.org/wp/locations/ NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival - May 19th, 2018 April 17, 2018 at 10:41 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) spotlights Asian cinema with a selection of short films from Asian filmmakers, along with a selection of local and international independent films. The night begins with InFocus: Asian Cinema, a collection of short films made by Asian filmmakers from all over the world, many of whom are now based in Los Angeles, covering stories of identity, cultural assimilation, family and tradition. Second in the evening is the world premiere of feature film Captain Hagen’s Bed & Breakfast, a wild, quirky and at times quite insightful relationship comedy about four couples who all find themselves at a bizarre bed & breakfast over a long weekend. The night concludes with a narrative shorts program about connections made and experiences shared between friends and strangers alike. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-may-19th-2018/ Best of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Awards 2018 April 16, 2018 at 11:01 am · Reply → Join NFMLA as we celebrate the Best of NFMLA Awards show. A spectacular night recognizing the best talent in independent cinema from around the globe. On Saturday, May 12th, 2018, NFMLA and its Board of Directors invite you to join us as we honor the ‘Best of NFMLA’ nominees from our 11th film festival edition. The evening will honor 115 films, writers and performers, nominated in 15 Award categories including new media, animation, documentary and narrative. The nominees are largely comprised of films from the NFMLA diversity initiative, InFocus. The event will feature special guests and performers, a gallery exhibit and food by LA’s legendary Pink’s Hot Dogs, and drinks by Karl Strauss and Tito’s. Please join as we celebrate Tomorrow’s filmmakers, today. Advance tickets until April 27 $50 VIP purchase (includes admission, food, drinks and parking) $25 General Admission Advance More information and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/best-of-awards/ Sellassie Blackwell April 9, 2018 at 6:32 pm · Reply → TheRapContest.com $1000 Prize; Original Rap Contest!! NO BITING!!!! Ticket link: http://therapcontest.bpt.me The Rap Contest is one of the most exciting live hip-hop shows in the country! The Rap Contest is a single elimination contest, where 32 contestants compete for a cash prize of $1000! Performing (1) minute and (30) thirty seconds each round, with a total of 5 rounds. The winner who eliminates 5 opponents after five rounds, wins the $1000 cash prize live on stage!! The Rap Contest is judged by a panel of (3) three music industry professionals. Ranging from radio personalities, A rappers Rapper, print, media and social media personalities to a local hometown favorite! The Rap Contest promotes, markets and exposes new rappers to new audiences city to city and state to state! Where the most lyrical, creative, progressives raps come to life on stage from some of the coolest artists that you just haven’t heard about yet! The Rap Contest is fast paced, exciting, entertaining and most of all FUN!!! All genres of rap music are accepted…. EXCEPT (Negative, Violent or Gang Banging rap) PERIOD!! Sellassie & The Rap Contest have produced The Rap Contest in; Washington DC, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Hartford, Atlanta, Orlando, Houston, Providence, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Berkeley, Austin, Chicago, Costa Mesa, Riverside, Carlsbad, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Sebastopol and Las Vegas! With new dates and cities everyday! The Rap Contest has given away over $93,000 in cash prizes to our fellow independent hip-hop community to date. The Rap Contest is $7,000 away from our grand prize total of $100,000 paid to the winners! The Rap Contest has had 119 winners since November 10th 2010, over 2,500 artists have graced our stages, in over 20 cities and 10 different states! Sellassie, is the world’s first higherground hip-hop artist; he is a social justice activist, entrepreneur, event producer and political hip-hop pioneer. Sellassie carved his niche as a leading progressive hip-hop voice in the San Francisco Bay Area hip-hop scene from 2006 to 2014. Sellassie is well respected in the business from mainstream to underground hip-hop; and is a force to be reckoned with as an independent producer of live hip-hop shows. Focusing on bringing independent artists together, to listen to each others music and support one another’s movements! His popular saying to independent artists,” WE ALL WE GOT.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frisco_Five http://pandora.com/Sellassie Sign Up TODAY!! If you have originally, stage presence and most importantly lyrical RAPS; The Rap Contest is a great place for your fans, family and friends to come see you perform LIVE on stage! FLOCK March 27, 2018 at 4:15 pm · Reply → —FLOCK – Debut Release EASTER SUNDAY— To Celebrate they will be playing a Pre-Release show this Friday (3/30) at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, CA! All Social Media: @FLOCKtheband “Begin Again” Available everywhere April 1st, Easter Sunday. Defining their sound as “Indie/Pop with a Touch of Twang” the Four Texans that lead FLOCK have adapted into the Los Angeles ways! With the logo tattooed onto the front man, Blake Byrd’s forearm and temporary versions handed out at every show, the Community that is FLOCK forms wherever they go. Their “Texas Raised, LA Braised” sound includes lots of group vocals that get you singing, Dancy Pop Vibes that get you moving, and some good ole Southern Rock-n-Roll that keeps you Rocking. With their Debut Release “Begin Again” featuring over 50 artists, the community is heard even in the music! Cheers! :) NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Women Directors & Narratives Film Festival - March 24th, 2018 March 22, 2018 at 3:28 pm · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – April 28th, 2018 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrates Britweek with independent cinema on April 28th with a selection of UK and local films. The night begins with UK feature film Let Me Go by Polly Steele, an intergenerational story about the unraveling of a family secret and its emotional impact on three mothers and three daughters. Second is InFocus: Britweek, a collection of short films from by UK filmmakers that include stories of love, family strife, foreboding and the search for human connection. The night concludes with a narrative shorts program highlighting local Los Angeles talent and prominently features themes of finding, losing and letting go. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-april-28th-2018/ Natalie Cressman March 4, 2018 at 7:35 pm · Reply → “BRASILIENSE” TO TOUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN MARCH, BRINGING MUSIC RICH IN THE MUSICAL TRADITIONS OF BRAZIL, AMERICAN JAZZ, AND BEYOND Featuring: Natalie Cressman of the Trey Anastasio Band (trombone & vocals) Rebecca Kleinmann (flute & vocals) Ian Faquini (guitar & vocals) Julien Cantelm (drums, guitar & vocals) Performance details: 17 MARCH 2018/ Brasiliense Dizzy’s / 8:00pm / $15 cover 1717 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 The Mint / 9:30pm / $10 adv/$12 day of show 6010 Pico Blvd W, Los Angeles, CA 90035 Brasiliense is a musical collective of multi-instrumentalists with a shared passion for the rich musical traditions of Brazil. The music is a culmination of various forms of Brazilian music fused with jazz and other American styles, largely expressed through the distinct compositional voice of the group’s guitarist, Brazilian born Ian Faquini. As described by writer Andy Gilbert in SF Classical Voice, “Faquini writes astonishingly sophisticated Brazilian pop music in the omnivorous tradition known as MPB (música popular brasileira), which often draws heavily on jazz. Born in Brazil and raised in Berkeley, Faquini is a protégé of Guinga, the revered Brazilian guitarist and songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by dozens of MPB stars…While his harmonic palette is unmistakably inspired by Guinga’s writing, Faquini often draws on styles from Brazil’s northeast.” Though he’s the only Brazilian musician in his band, Faquini has connected with American artists steeped in an array of Brazilian styles. Besides Faquini, the quartet features a particularly impressive array of talent: NYC-based, San Francisco-raised trombonist/vocalist Natalie Cressman of the Trey Anastasio Band, Oakland-based flutist/vocalist Rebecca Kleinmann, and San Diego-based drummer/guitarist Julien Cantelm. “With the two and three-part vocal harmonies hugging the Brazilian-accented Portuguese and warm voicings for alto flute and trombone, Brasiliense feels like a much bigger ensemble.” (Gilbert, SF Classical Voice) NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Women Directors & Narratives Film Festival - March 24th, 2018 March 2, 2018 at 4:27 pm · Reply → Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) in celebrating independent cinema and in spotlighting female filmmakers and stories on March 24th, offering a diverse set of voices and storytelling styles. The night’s first program will be InFocus: Female Cinema, a collection of short films from female directors and writers that include stories of mortality, motherhood, break-ups, career struggles and whether we fulfil our own childhood expectations for ourselves. Second in the night will be the west coast premier of feature film Wonder Valley, a psychedelic psychological thriller with a horror tinge centered on four young women on a trip to the desert directed by Heidi Hartwig and written by Rhianon Jones. The finale of the evening will be a narrative shorts program that spotlights the work of members of the women directors association Film Fatales across a variety of genres, including drama, dark comedy, experimental and surrealist. Lori DeWaal February 21, 2018 at 2:01 pm · Reply → “Lost in a Dream,” the theme song for Vietnamese actress, singer and philanthropist Ha Phuong’s new feature film, Finding Julia, takes center stage in a karaoke-style competition. Professional and amateur singers alike are invited to record themselves singing “Lost in a Dream,” which can be found at http://www.findingjulia.net for a chance to win a $20,000 prize. Performers are asked to edit their performance into a creative video, and send it to findingjulia2017@gmail.com. The deadline for entries is March 15th, 2018. Five finalists will be selected to present a live in Manhattan on April 15th, 2018 where the judges will select the winner. The singer with the overall best live performance, creativity and vocals will receive a prize of $20,000. Along with this prize, the winner’s live taped performance and background information will be sent to numerous talent managers for possible interest in helping to further their career ambitions. Additionally, the finalist with the most unique live performance will receive a $5,000 prize. All entrants are required to give permission for their videos to be featured on YouTube, Facebook, the program’s website, and elsewhere at the judges’ discretion. Entrees will be based on voice quality, originality, entertainment and production values. Ha Phuong is sponsoring this contest to give aspiring singers a platform and to promote her new film and book, Finding Julia. She is a renowned superstar singer and actress in her native Vietnam, where she has many best-selling albums and popular videos. She is now an established New Yorker actively engaged in building her U.S. career. In addition to Ha Phuong judges include famed voice coach and performer Alissa Grimaldi; veteran composer/ producer Milosz Jeziorski; Jay Messina, who’s worked on albums with Eddie Palmieri, Aerosmith, KISS, Miles Davis, John Lennon, Peter Frampton, Patti Smith, Cheap Trick; and record producer Jack Douglas who helped guide the careers of John Lennon, Aerosmith, Blue Öyster Cult, the New York Dolls and Cheap Trick. All proceeds from Finding Julia film, book and music go directly to the Ha Phuong Foundation, which helps young people enter the fields of music and entertainment. Along with programs in Los Angeles and Vietnam, she also sponsors the Ha Phuong Young Female Filmmakers Initiative, an educational and financial support program for aspiring women filmmakers from high school graduation through graduate studies and beyond. This program is administered by the nonprofit New York Women in Film and Television. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCt5KVc8awY http://www.findingjulia.net http://www.haphuongworld.com Dave Thompson February 21, 2018 at 10:55 am · Reply → “Lost in a Dream” Karaoke Competition Promises $20,000 Prize! Contact: Lori De Waal NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival - February 24th, 2018 February 15, 2018 at 3:32 pm · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – February 24th, 2018 Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) in celebrating independent cinema and Black History Month on February 24th. The night’s first program will be an assortment of short films that include tales of dealing with loss, a superhero with one unique power, a biopic of a late German filmmaker, and the premiere of Kyle Bornheimer’s short comedy, The Talk, which grapples with the question of when to give up on one’s dreams. Second in the night will be a presentation of feature film Good After Bad by director Anne-Marie Hess, the story of a troubled young girl who crosses paths with an eccentric bachelor, starring Maddie Hasson and Billy Burke. The finale of the evening will be InFocus: Black Cinema, a program which will spotlight five short films that include a vignette of Nina Simone, the story of a young woman in Senegal finding her voice through rapping, a community coming together to protect itself from police brutality, and the story of an overly confident understudy starring comedian and SNL writer Gary Richardson. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-february-24th-2018/ Our House Grief Support Center Hosts 9th Annual Run For Hope, April 29 Celebrating The Grieving Community And The Power Of Uniting Hands With Paws OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, one of the most respected non-profit grief centers in the nation, will host its ninth annual Run for Hope 5K Festival on Sunday, April 29 at the West Los Angeles Civic Center & Bandshell. The Run for Hope is the only event of its kind in the nation- a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the memory of loved ones who have died. Every year, the Run focuses on community engagement, and bringing people together to support each other in memory of their loved ones. Deeply rooted in the community are the Presenting Sponsors – The Hollander Family and Karma Rescue– who will honor this commitment by showcasing the power of unity by uniting hands with paws. “We are proud to help unite the community in the memory of their loved ones,” said Michele Prince, Executive Director, OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center, “The Run for Hope is our largest event of the year with an expected 1,700 attendees who have pledged to raise over $500,000 for essential grief support services and the collective benefit of our community.” The event will be filled with activities for those participating in the walk or stopping by to show their support. With registration, participants can personalize t-shirts with their loved ones’ photos commemorating and celebrating their memories, and on Sunday, April 29 take part in three key events: The In-Memory Ceremony, 5K, and Festival. Additionally, there will be an In-Memory Wall inviting participants to write and place the name of their special person who died amongst others also being remembered. The Presenting Sponsors – The Hollander Family, and Karma Rescue– are further exemplifying community commitment by bringing smiles to participants with a dog-kissing booth where all can receive a smooch by a pooch. Karma Rescue will also bring some of their rescue dogs, as many who are mourning the death of a loved one are often calmed and reassured by the loving companionship of a pet. Jackie Hollander says, “My vision for OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center and Karma Rescue is to have these two wonderful organizations collaborate by uniting people and animals at their most vulnerable times, helping them provide solace and support for each other.” To honor the memory of participant’s pets who have died, all will be able to memorialize them on the Zuma Memorial Wall. A variety of vendors likely in attendance include: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, BAI Water, Yelp, New York Life, Trader Joes, YogaWorks, LA Trial Lawyers’ Charities, VI Aesthetics, Nature’s Bakery Bars, Homemade Harvey, and Di Dio’s Italian Ice. 9th Annual Run for Hope In-Memory Walk & 5K Run/Walk Sunday, April 29, 2018 7:30am-Noon OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Run for Hope is a day to share grief, loss & love; providing the community with a sense of hope & connection. Where: West Los Angeles Civic Center & Bandshell 1645 Corinth Ave. LA 90025 6:30am: Check-in/Registration/Packet Pickup opens 7:30am In-Memory Walk Sponsored by The Rapaport Family An intimate ceremony for adults-only led by OUR HOUSE’s Adult Clinical Team where participants have the opportunity to share about their loved one who has died, and listen as others share their stories of grief, hope and healing. 9:00am 5K Run/Walk & Family Fun Run 10:15am: Awards Ceremony 11:00am: Raffle Draw 8:30am- Kid Zone + Festival 12:00pm: Spread the Love. Spread the Hope. #OHRun4Hope #pawsandhands #karmarescue Registration and Info: http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/runforhope/ RSVP for Press Credentials, Instructions & More Info RSVP for Press Credentials, Instructions & More Information OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is one of the nation’s most respected organizations for grief support and education. For 25 years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark on their journeys to hope and healing following the death of someone close. The safe, warm, and nurturing environment of their Los Angeles centers offer support groups specific to age and relationship. OUR HOUSE is a leading provider of grief education, offering workshops, seminars, and in-service training to mental health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other members of the community who interact with bereaved families. The OUR HOUSE grief education program is part of the curricula for students at USC’s Keck and UCLA’s David Geffen Schools of Medicine. To learn more, please visit http://www.ourhouse-grief.org or call 1.888.417.1444. About Karma Rescue: Karma Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving animals in need by finding them permanent homes and providing the resources for successful companionship. Through education, Karma Rescue instills the critical need for spay/neuter, and offers guidance to strengthen the animal-human bond. Karma Rescue’s vision is to help create a compassionate society, which provides safety, refuge, and protection for all animals. CON-TACT January 31, 2018 at 2:26 pm · Reply → NEW MUSIC FROM SOCAL!! http://sdcitybeat.com/music/notes-from-the-smoking-patio/con-tact%E2%80%99s-new-album-is-fuzzy-and-fun/ The Sword cuts Divine Life into the neck of Janus, relinquishing the Pull. Blood of the New World pours over his Eye, awash with the Truth. Blind! Injected with the Fire! Infected is the Other : Visions into The Future Light ; Revelations upon the Yellow Utopia bring the True Crusade into complete Fruition. You Know What You Are. COME CHECK US OUT!!! Bobby Parker January 25, 2018 at 5:17 pm · Reply → February Fuzz Fest at Los Globos on Thursday Feb 1st! Featuring 4 great heavy fuzzy rock bands- LA locals Salem’s Bend, Roast, The Rare Breed, and Canadian touring act The Hazytones! Hosted by Burt Records and Ripple Music, come check out some great rock music for only $10! Show starts at 8:30pm. Patrick Arenson January 10, 2018 at 11:42 am · Reply → Download the Pingwheel app at appstore.com/pingwheel Or visit us at pingwheel.com to sign up! I just wanted to reach out and tell you about my app, Pingwheel, now available for iPhone. Pingwheel is the best way to make friends in a new city. Whether you’re moving back home or traveling halfway around the world, Pingwheel helps you jumpstart your social circle, and connect to local users with common interests. Join the community bringing new friends together by the things they both love. Pingwheel instantly tells you all of your common interests with anyone, anywhere. Quickly add your interests, hobbies and and we’ll find local users who have them too. You can also use Pingwheel to: • Make friends at your new college or company • Search any city for users with a specific interest in common • Add pictures • Connect, chat and hang out Conscious Rap/Hip Hop Show, Jan 5 January 1, 2018 at 11:33 pm · Reply → Greetings from your LA local young adult, If you love good music, hip hop, and something with a positive message you won’t want to miss out on Jordan Pope’s show this Friday! He is a Bay Area & LA native who knows how to spread the good vibes. He’ll be performing songs from his latest EP releases and even some unreleased material. Location: TRiP Venue 2101 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica TRiP has good drink specials for those wanting a cheap buzz, but they specialize in carrying world class beers and a really cool collection of exclusively local wines. So if you want to get out, make some new friends, have a drink, and listen to great music come join the good vibes! Admission fee: $10 (free parking on street) Listen to Jordan Pope for free here: https://soundcloud.com/jordanpopemusic Social Media: @jordanpopemusic Andrew Acedo December 26, 2017 at 3:02 pm · Reply → Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) in celebrating independent cinema on Saturday, January 20th in DTLA! Featured in this festival is another installment of our InFocus Series entitled Anti-Ageism and Bridging the Generation Gap, showcasing 4 fantastic shorts about life, death, love and everything in between. Also screening are a couple of remarkable shorts programs that highlight 12 of the best emerging independent filmmakers from around the world. Countries featured in these programs include France, Russia, South Korea, Bulgaria, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Israel and the United States. Talk about a diverse line-up of filmmakers and an eccentric set of narratives! This is what film is all about. https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-january-20th-2018/ David Rozasnky December 20, 2017 at 11:50 pm · Reply → PUSHING VERONICA @ THE CANYON CLUB Thursday December 21, 7:30PM http://www.PushingVeronica.com * Thomas Corsaut December 19, 2017 at 8:24 pm · Reply → Thomas Corsaut Acoustic performance at: Bar 20 on Sunset 8462 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90069 Hannah McCauley December 19, 2017 at 12:05 pm · Reply → 2018 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION Young Pianists to Perform at Zipper Concert Hall Los Angeles, Ca, December 18, 2017– Next February 1st – 8th, 36 pianists ages 16 – 32 will travel from all over the world to participate in the 2018 Los Angeles International Piano Competition (LAIPC). This year’s competition will be made up of four competition rounds: one prescreening round and three live rounds. The top three competitors will be awarded a combined total of $50,000, and all finalists will be awarded cash prizes. In addition, there will be a winner’s concert following the competition on February 8, 2018. This year’s judges will consist of the following renowned pianists: Daniel Pollack (USA), Robert Hamilton (USA), Sergey Schepkin (USA), Aquiles Delle Vigne (Italy/Argentina), Edward Wolanin (Poland), Alan Chow (USA), and Dmitry Rachmanov (USA/Russia). This year’s applicant turnout for the 2018 LAIPC exceeded expectations; 180 applications were received from pianists in 22 countries and 13 states. The board members and judges are looking forward to seeing the showcase of such a high level of competition. For more information, please contact Hannah McCauley at (909) 629-0015 or by email at hannah@layoungmusician.org . Natalia Gonzalez November 16, 2017 at 5:00 pm · Reply → Each year, NFMLA receives thousands of submissions. Programming selections are based not only on the merits of a project but are designed to fulfill the criteria in regard to our mission, considerations for the Best of NFMLA Awards, and to ensure that NFMLA delivers diverse and original content consistently to the standard that we have upheld for the past 10 years. We are especially affected by the overwhelming flood of incredible documentary projects of important topics & unforgettable stories that we have been unable to place due to the limited festival programming slots available. As a result NFMLA is pleased to present DocuSlate, an entire day dedicated to documentary films. Screenings start at 10:30 am and will go until the after-party begins at 11:00 pm! In between film programs, audiences can check out filmmaker Q&A’s or meet and mingle with one another in the premium South Park Center lounge over refreshments and cocktails. David Thompson November 14, 2017 at 11:08 am · Reply → OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Hosts 9th Annual Comedy Fundraiser “Night For Hope” with Special Guest Melissa Rivers Comics Adam Ray, Vargus Mason & Little Esther Instill Laughs for OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center Programs Los Angeles– OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Associate Board hosts the 9th annual Night For Hope fundraiser on November 17th at The Palace Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Melissa Rivers, OUR HOUSE ambassador, will take the stage to dedicate a night of laughter to her mother. Since the death of her mother, comedy legend Joan Rivers, Melissa continues to make sure laughter is a part of her every day. “I am honored to be a part of an organization like OUR HOUSE, which provides a place for people to cry and laugh and remember their loved ones.” This year, the Night For Hope will feature comics Vargus Mason, Esther Povitsky, aka “Little Esther,” and Adam Ray, all introduced by MC JC Cocoli for a night full of laughs and finding hope through grief. Inspiration for the evening’s theme came from an Associate Board member who felt she might never laugh again following the death of her father. Through support from OUR HOUSE, she was able to navigate through her grief, find joy, and laugh again. OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Associate Board is comprised of young professionals serving as ambassadors to the community. The Associate Board works relentlessly to spread the word about the agency’s services and volunteer opportunities, in addition to raising funds. OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center’s Night for Hope When: Friday, November 17th Where: The Palace Theater DTLA Info: http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/hopetickets/ 6:30pm: Doors Open 8:00pm: MC JC Cocoli Kicks Off the Night 8:20pm: Comedian Vargus Mason 8:35pm: Comedian Little Esther 8:50pm: OUR HOUSE presentation & appeal: OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center testimonials– Amanda, Isaiah, and Melissa Rivers. 9:30pm: Comedian Adam Ray 10:30pm: Event ends OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center is one of the nation’s most respected organizations for grief support and education. For over 24 years, OUR HOUSE has helped thousands of grieving children, teens, and adults as they embark on their journeys to hope and healing after the death of someone close. Support groups specific to age and relationship take place in the safe, warm, and nurturing environment of their centers. OUR HOUSE is a leading provider of grief education, offering workshops, seminars, and in-service training to mental health and medical professionals, clergy, educators, and other members of the community who interact with bereaved families. The OUR HOUSE grief education program is part of the curricula for students at USC’s Keck and UCLA’s David Geffen Schools of Medicine. To learn more, please visit http://www.ourhouse-grief.org or call 1.888.417.1444. Ellis David Perry November 11, 2017 at 8:58 am · Reply → Aidan Boardman of Dreamt (NY) at Silverlake Lounge 7pm 11/25 Aidan Boardman is the frontman of the band Dreamt out of New York. The band is currently in consideration for the next season of America’s Got Talent and Boardman will be in LA playing a rare one hour solo show on 11/25 at 7pm. The show is free and will feature Boardman singing Dreamt songs and original solo works on guitar. No Cover. https://www.facebook.com/events/2374892339403210/?active_tab=about Natalia Gonzalez November 9, 2017 at 11:02 am · Reply → Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) on Saturday, November 18th in celebrating independent cinema! The first program showcases 5 fantastic shorts by emerging filmmakers. from a sci-fi about memories, an NBA comeback story, to a Fugitive-esque murder mystery, this program features eccentric narratives that are sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Our second program of the night is another installment of InFocus: Asian American Filmmakers – Growing Up in America. This program showcases the LA Premier of the thought-provoking feature film Knowing Nothing Cold by the talented auteur Jeff Kao. Telling the story about several teenagers coming of age in the Midwest in an avant-garde manner, Kao’s film is certain to challenge and emotionally-stimulate the viewer. Closing out the night is another shorts program that includes 7 remarkable shorts from game-changing filmmakers. These stories range from a sci-fi romance about time travel, a Blade Runner-esque muppet short, and an experimental art film that makes the audience play the role of the detective at a crime scene. Throughout the event, attendees will have opportunities to mingle with the filmmakers, industry supporters and film lovers over cocktails in the Filmmaker Lounge at the South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles. EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newfilmmakers-los-angeles-nfmla-film-fesitval-november-18th-2017-tickets-38308494739 Natalia Gonzalez Houserules Music October 23, 2017 at 11:31 am · Reply → Thomas Corsaut perforing an acoustic set at Friday November 10th 8:15PM Lindsey Spiak October 22, 2017 at 2:41 am · Reply → PATCHWORK SHOW: MODERN MAKERS FESTIVAL Shop handmade and independent goods from 150+ local makers, crafters, designers + food artisans alongside DIY craft workshops, food trucks and indie music at Patchwork Show. November 26, 2017 – Downtown – East 4th Street @ Spurgeon Street – Santa Ana, California – 11-5pm November 12, 2017 – Marine Stadium – Appian Way @ Bayshore – Long Beach, California November 4, 2017 – Jack London Square – Broadway and Water Street – Oakland, California – 11-5pm Missy Speert October 14, 2017 at 3:30 pm · Reply → MELISSA GOTTLIEB EP RELEASE PARTY Nov.4th 8PM Hotel Cafe, Hollywood. Check out Melissa’s new single “Drink” on iTunes and Spotify. http://www.melissagottlieb.com IG: melissa.gottlieb facebook.com/melissagottlieb11 youtube: Melissa Gottlieb Kymber October 13, 2017 at 3:16 pm · Reply → British singer/songwriter, Bobby Long, is returning to McCabe’s Guitar Shop on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Tickets are on sale and available here: https://www.mccabes.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=1764. Show starts at 08:00pm. You won’t want to miss out! octapepper October 5, 2017 at 12:42 pm · Reply → Niki J Crawford https://nikijcrawford1.bandcamp.com/album/the-second-truth -LOVE!!! NikiJCrawford.com NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) FIlm Festival, October 7th October 5, 2017 at 11:24 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – October 21st, 2017 Join NFMLA on October 21st, 2017 as the festival presents genre cinema with an edition of InFocus: European Horror, Sci-Fi & Thrillers. The festival includes short films from France, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom, Spain, Scandinavia, Australia, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. This powerful collection of short films demonstrate the allure of genre films and celebrates crossing boundaries in storytelling. The festival kicks off with a shorts program that perfectly primes audiences with films covering bigotry, androids, human trafficking, an insane asylum and a romantic break up. Next up in the InFocus program, watch an ambitiously produced tale of a woman’s dream to land on Mars, a fairy-tale courtship of a young woman and an enchanted raven, an account of a boy who befriends an old man who just might be an alien and the story of a woman’s job interview quickly spiraling into her own personal horror story. The festival concludes with a shorts program of indie genre cinema in America. The films combine horrifying scenes and powerful characters under pressure. The line-up is comprised of 2 equally dark stories of motherhood, a young sociopath’s coming of age, a peek into the bleak future of foster care and a story of evil spirits. This is a program of films that simultaneously portrays ugliness and beauty in astounding way. $5 advanced purchase / $7 at the door for individual film blocks $15 for all three programs with open bar For more event information and tickets, visit: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-october-21st-2017/ NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) FIlm Festival, October 7th September 22, 2017 at 3:53 pm · Reply → Saturday, October 7th, 2017 \| 7PM Sunset Las Palmas Studios \| 1040 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Join us for the premiere event of 26 short films that highlight the very best of Los Angeles on Saturday, October 7th, 2017at the historic Sunset Las Palmas Studios movie studio lot! The evening features screenings of all 26 short films, food by LA’s legendary Pink’s Hot Dogs, drinks by Tito’s and Karl Strauss, live performances, an awards ceremony and more. The Los Angeles Video Project is a community outreach multimedia program that celebrates and enlists LA’s remarkable pool of filmmakers. By engaging these creative members of the Los Angeles community to act and serve as Ambassadors of LA, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA), along with the support of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation, City of Los Angeles, LA City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, 21st Century Fox, KTLA, SAG-AFTRA, FilmLA, Sony Pictures Entertainment, HFPA, Alternative Camera Rentals, LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Cinelease and DreamWorks are able to share what these artists call their LA; an insider perspective into this diverse, cosmopolitan city and its neighborhoods. Rich September 21, 2017 at 12:10 pm · Reply → Free Simon Doom Show at The Friend Bar Simon Doom (https://simondoom.bandcamp.com/) is playing a FREE SHOW at The Friend Bar (2611 Hyperion Ave Silver Lake, CA 90027) Doors at 7! Simon Doom at 9! Then the doomsmen DJ ALL NIGHT!!! It costs $0 More from Simon Doom; Website – http://votiv.is/music/artists/simon-doom Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/simondoomband/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/simondoomband/?fref=ts Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zLWSAer6b9f0xay70Ifg7?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open Shannon Choi September 16, 2017 at 5:22 am · Reply → COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS COMMON SOULS 9/27 Los Globos @ 9:00 PM 21+ $5 https://soundcloud.com/commonsouls/arizona-2 -RnB/soul-electronic ~ baby making vocals on ethereal electronic waves -Winners of Song of the Year of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, reward of $20,000 -they make u feel some type a way Budart September 1, 2017 at 4:02 pm · Reply → Join us for the BUDART FESTIVAL – a six day celebration of the beauty, richness, and significance of the world of creativity and meditation. The festival features an international exhibition of meditative artworks and a dynamic series of educational, enlightening, and entertaining activities. The festival brings together practitioners of different schools of Buddhism, who express their meditative experience in paintings, sculptures, music and other forms of art. Each of the artists has his or her own story, but what they share in common is their wish to distill the very essence of their meditative practice and show it in a contemporary form. The Budart Festival will take place at the premises of the University of the West, 1409 Walnut Grove Ave, Rosemead, on September 16-21, 2017. Come and see: • Over 50 paintings and sculptures by emerging and established meditative artists from all over the globe • Remarkable installations, including the Wheel of Life installation based on the ancient Buddhist iconographic • “Art of Hope” series of paintings created by female artists from a Mexican prison, who practice meditation Take part in: • Art and meditation workshops by participating artists • World music concerts • Meditations workshops by lay and monastic representatives of different schools of Buddhism • Lectures by distinguished scholars, monks, and meditative artists on how to apply the principles Dhamma to live a more fulfilling and happy life Come and be inspired! For more information about the Festival, please see, http://www.budart.org Ryan Schumaker August 30, 2017 at 11:16 am · Reply → NEW FREE COMEDY SHOW AT LOT 1 in ECHO PARK This week and every week at Lot 1 on Sunset BLVD, we’ll have FREE 8pm comedy show with headliners and local comedians. This week we have: Kyle Kinane (Comedy Central) Beth Stelling (HBO, Netflix) Matt McCarthy (Conan) Grab a drink and enjoy a FREE comedy show every Tuesday night at 8pm Tess Greenham August 27, 2017 at 8:51 pm · Reply → Your favorite psychedelic Japanese alt-funk band, OTONANA TRIO play for a night of Sake Bombs and party funk in Hollywood. The band has developed a loyal following as a must-see live act, with fresh craziness each time they return from Tokyo. Lead singer/guitarist/founder Kentaro, bassist Kaz, and drummer Hikari spike the fun with superior musicianship and chant-worthy songs. Makiko August 17, 2017 at 8:11 pm · Reply → youbloom Announces 2017 LA Music Summit & Festival Ireland-based music summit & festival expands youbloomLA 2017, presenting keynote speaker Andy Gould and new partnerships with The Hi-Hat, Highland Park Bowl, and Los Angeles College of Music (LACM). (LOS ANGELES, CA) – Now in its fourth year, youbloomLA returns to Los Angeles on September 21-23, 2017 with a 2-day summit for independent musicians and 3-day music festival. Andy Gould, legendary music veteran, will be the keynote speaker at the summit, and Malak, Blaxmyth, Mike Schiavo, Shae Altered, Leather Tramp will be headlining the music festival. “We are thrilled to present Andy Gould in our fourth year expansion,” says Phil Harrington, youbloom founder. “Gould has managed artists like Rob Zombie, Pantera, Linkin Park, and youbloomLA is one of his only speaking engagements in 2017. Gould will be sharing his prolific music publishing experiences and his life in music.” Targeted to music executives, musicians, and students, the youbloomLA summit features an intense two days of music industry networking, panels, and masterclasses on September 22-23. Some standout sessions include “Live Production and Touring,” a “Sync or Swim” panel on placing music into tv and film, and a “Follow the Money” panel on how to track money from Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, etc. This year, the music summit will be held at the prestigious Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) in Pasadena. In addition to the summit, youbloomLA also includes a 3-day music festival on September 21-23 where there will be nightly showcases from more than 90 of the best music acts from Los Angeles and around the world. From the black heavy metal band Balxmyth to “The Voice” finalist Mike Schiavo, youbloomLA will present dynamic and diverse talent. Performances will be held at 6 venues in the Highland Park area, including the three new headlining venues The Hi- Hat, Highland Park Bowl and Offbeat Bar. LACM is youbloomLA’s lead partner. Music Connection is media partner with other partners including The Recording Academy, Musicians Institute, ASCAP, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Garnish Music Production School and LA Sound Rentals. Tickets (http://www.youbloom.com/youbloomla-2017/) for the music summit are on sale for $150 and $75 for students with valid student ID. Cover for the music festival ranges from free to $10, depending on the venue. Apply to cover youbloomLA as press (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dGEpPfkvjmtdbyhFTmWdsde5dZbOBFxKTNUloDR_ZPg/viewform?edit_requested=true) here. About youbloom youbloom is a community of artists, industry and music lovers dedicated to helping independent emerging artists (multi-genre) to grow their audience and lifetime sustainability. youbloom’s solution is summarized through our mantra, “Learn, Connect, Play”. Formed in Dublin in 2013, youbloom expanded into Los Angeles in 2014 and has additional opportunities connecting fans, artists and hosts in development. youbloom was created and is supported by musicians and industry experts including Bob Geldof, Rupert Hine (Renowned Music Producer), Mike Bone (Music Industry Veteran) and Phil Harrington (Entrepreneur, Musician, and Founder of youbloom). About Los Angeles College of Music Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) prepares students to be leaders in music and offers Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees and Diploma programs in Music Performance, Music Production, Songwriting, Composing for Visual Media and Music Business. Located in the heart of the music and entertainment industries, the faculty is comprised of current leading music professionals with a passion for inspiring the next generation. Connect with youbloom on social media for more music industry insider secrets on Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/youbloom/?ref=hl Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/officialyoubloom/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/youbloom LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/youbloom Tess Greenham August 12, 2017 at 10:18 pm · Reply → Hey y’all, Want to turn you on to a show in Cypress Park, LA. It’s from Tokyo’s OTONANA TRIO, coming to LA for their 5th full US Tour. The show is on September 27, 2017 at 9:00pm. Come say hello, it will be a BLAST. These guys put on a great show. http://www.otonanatrio.cocm NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) FIlm Festival, SEPTEMBER 16th August 10, 2017 at 5:17 pm · Reply → You’re invited to join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) with presenting partners NALIP and SAG-AFTRA on Saturday, September 16th, 2017 for the annual NFMLA Film Festival InFocus: Latino & Hispanic Cinema event. The entire day of programming takes place at the Hollywood home of the Academy, The Mary Pickford Center’s Linwood Dunn Theater, and is part of the Academy’s participation in Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA. The festival presents an incredible lineup of local and international films by world-class emerging filmmakers from the United States, Cuba, Spain, Peru, Guatemala, Venezuela and Mexico. Opening the three program event is a shorts program with stories that range from a young woman struggling with her identity on the verge of adulthood, a voiceless man given the chance to be heard, and a winner of the American Visa Lottery having to choose between individual opportunities and abandoning her family. Next up is a second shorts program, showcasing an equally diverse collection of narratives. From a comedy about a loyal mother attempting to grant her son’s birthday wish of a Donald Trump piñata, to a hard-hitting drama about an Indigenous Californian woman trying to survive after being emancipated from a Los Angeles mission where she was raised. Closing the night in the third program is the US premiere of the feature documentary, “Frágil Equilibrio (Delicate Balance),” which has screened to great success at major European festivals. Experience three contradicting stories, in three completely different places in the world, collide. NFMLA and AMPAS have formed industry-wide alliances and partnerships to support this initiative. A keynote speech will be delivered by Kevin de León, President Pro Tem of the California State Senate, and the Q&A’s will be hosted by Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) President Claudia Puig. This event will also serve as a launch for a new year-long partnership with Norwegian Air. The airline is joining NFMLA as the Exclusive Airline Partner and in celebration of international storytelling, will be flying in select global filmmakers to Los Angeles for NFMLA’s monthly festivals. Doors will open to the public at 4pm with the event concluding at 11:30pm. There will be pre-screening receptions before each program where attendees can sip cocktails and mingle with industry professionals and festival selected filmmakers in the lounge. Q&A sessions with the filmmakers will follow each program. Tickets are available for $5 per program advanced purchase / $7 per program at the door and $15 all-night access passes which provide access to all three film programs with open bar throughout the entire event. The NFMLA Film Festival is presented throughout the year with support from Executive Circle Sponsor FilmLA. For additional program details, please visit the NFMLA website at https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-festival-september-16th-2017/ Lauren Covey August 1, 2017 at 3:02 pm · Reply → Global Musical.ly stars Max and Harvey are bringing their live show to Los Angeles on August 20th! Time: 7 PM All Ages Welcome! Location: Black Rabbit Rose Magic 1719 North Hudson Avenue + #1 Musers (Musical.ly users) in the UK and consistently in the top 10 globally + Over 4.2M followers on Musical.ly and over 11.5M total views on YouTube + Releasing Penguin Random House book MAX & HARVEY (IN A BOOK) coming out October 19th in the UK. NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) FIlm Festival, August 26th July 28, 2017 at 12:35 pm · Reply → Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) on Saturday, August 26th in celebrating independent cinema! The first program of the evening highlights 7 remarkable short films from emerging filmmakers. Their unique voices provide a wide range of narratives and genres, from a comedy about a small-time con artist forced to babysit his neighbor’s little brother, a music video about societal integration after incarceration, and a riveting drama about redemption in the face of overwhelming darkness. The second program, in partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors (AWD), showcases 5 intriguing films from some of the immensely talented female filmmakers. In the third and final program of the evening, NFMLA presents an installment of InFocus: Youth Cinema. This marks the LA PREMIERE for the feature comedy “How to Get Girls.” From comedic masterminds Omri Dorani and Zach Fox and starring a stellar cast of recognizable comedic talents, this raunchy comedy tells the story of an awkward high schooler taking advantage of his childhood best friend’s newly developed good looks in order to get girls. Tickets are only $5 for single film programs and $15 for all films with open bar. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-fest-august-26th-2017/ Amanda Schwarz July 27, 2017 at 4:36 pm · Reply → JP SAXE ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES RESIDENCY AT HOTEL CAFE Singer-songwriter JP Saxe has scheduled a Los Angeles residency with Hotel Cafe for the entire month of August. Every Monday JP is performing his repertoire of alt-R&B songs with special guests. This will also be the first residency that Hotel Cafe has ever organized. Each week JP Saxe will be featuring special guests during his set. Also appearing at Hotel Cafe during his residency are Loren North, Jesse Thomas, Rotana, and Hayley Penner. JP Saxe most recently supported Jacob Banks on his Los Angeles and New York dates after releasing his debut single “Changed.” After four years of working as a songwriter with artists such as Foxes, Snoh Aalegra, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and Jacob Banks, JP has begun exploring his new ground as an original artist. “Changed” received strong support from Ones To Watch, We Found New Music, and Spotify, where the song went viral on the US, Canada, and Global Charts. The single continues to thrive on playlists such as Alternative R&B, Chill Vibes, and New Indie Mix as JP plans to release new music throughout the summer. Catch JP Saxe at Hotel Cafe at 9PM on the below dates: Monday August 7th Monday August 14th Monday August 21st Jill Ralke July 11, 2017 at 1:42 pm · Reply → Stockholm singer Nova Miller debut US performance at The Hotel Cafe on Aug 10th. + Nova is no ordinary sixteen year old. She’s gifted with an incredible five octave vocal, a multi-instrumentalist and dance skills. + Nova’ s retro pop swag, soulful vocal and story tell lyrics separate her from other teen comparisons. + Outside of music, Nova is a passionate vegan and activist for anti-bullying. Small Green Door June 23, 2017 at 1:27 pm · Reply → Join us for a night of live painting, experimental music, and digital installations! IT HAPPENED Opening July 8th from 8 pm to 12 am Small Green Door 2075 S. Atlantic Blvd http://www.tinyurl.com/ItHappenedShow Los Angeles, CA – Small Green Door is pleased to announce “It Happened” – large scale visual installations, interactive digital experiences, and live figure paintings from Los Angeles artists Ginger Jarvis and Elaine Cheung. The work is accompanied by live experimental music from Tim Lacatena and Spirit Center. Visitors to the gallery space will explore movement and color in a wide variety of forms in a unique industrial setting as Jarvis and Cheung transform live music into visual expression, inviting the audience to interact with and influence the creation process. Taking guidance from “The Happenings” of the late 1960’s, It Happened explores what performance art can look like as a response to the electronic sounds that typify the current digital age. Where Ginger’s painterly works focus on the expression of emotion and form through color, Elaine’s digital installations immerse viewers into alternate visual realities, challenging visitors to explore color and movement in both tangible and intangible ways. It Happened will be on exhibit from July 8th to August 1st. An artist’s reception, where live creation will occur, will be held on July 8th from 8:00 to 12:00 pm. All are welcome, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided. Small Green Door is located at 2075 South Atlantic Blvd. in the city of Commerce, CA – 15 minutes south of Downtown LA. Ginger Jarvis is a Toronto born grapheme-color synesthete whose unique perception of color guides her work. She uses dance, acrylic painting, and illustration to express an emotional relationship with color. Ginger has shown and created work live in Toronto and Los Angeles. It Happened is the debut of paintings to be featured at an exhibition in Paris later this year. She will be performing live painting of acrylic on canvas at the opening of It Happened. Elaine Cheung is an LA native who explores themes relating to our embodiment of tech, future systems, and experiential interactions. As a Chinese-American, she bridges ideologies from Eastern and Western perspectives and practices. Her most recent work explores the nature of consciousness through wearable technologies. Her work has been exhibited in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Moscow. Tim Lacatena is an Alaskan born musician who uses Ableton Live to mix analog synths, drum machines, samples, guitar, saxophone, and vocal tracks. While he has performed across the country and internationally with the band Soulcirque, It Happened will be the Los Angeles debut of his original solo works. Spirit Center is a Los Angeles based DJ and Producer who combines original and edited music with Ableton Live, Traktor, and controllerism to create his experimental Liquid Drum and Bass performance. It Happened will signify the culmination and evolution over the years of producing and performing at a variety of events between Los Angeles, San Diego, and Burning Man. soundcloud.com/spirit-center Small Green Door is an interactive design and product photography studio in east Los Angeles offering gallery and event space to promote and incubate artistic talent. Small Green Door celebrates diversity and community through history, education and the arts. instagram.com/SmallGreenDoor facebook.com/SmallGreenDoor Natalia June 15, 2017 at 11:55 am · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – July 22nd, 2017 Join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) on Saturday, July 22nd for an exciting evening of independent cinema. This month the festival is hosting Lexus Short Films (LSF) in partnership with The Weinstein Company. LSF is an initiative that supports up-and-coming filmmakers by creating an opportunity for them explore the art of filmmaking using all the latest technology and guided by renowned industry experts. NFMLA will be showing three short films created as part of the LSF 2016 edition. For Season 4 of LSF, the esteemed filmmaker selection committee is comprised of Oscar nominee, writer and actor Taylor Sheridan (HELL OR HIGH WATER, SICARIO, SONS OF ANARCHY) alongside key executives of The Weinstein Company and Lexus. Joey Horvitz with The Weinstein Company will return to produce this year’s series of films, and is joining NFMLA on July 22nd to connect with festival attendees and filmmakers interested in participating in the program. NFMLA will also be host to Wrapal, a new location scouting service, and ScreenCraft’s The Script Lab Summit, which is an educational event for the entire global screenwriting community. This month’s festival programming begins with a collection of short films from a emerging filmmakers. From stories of a professional bank robber stealing someone’s heart, to a young father torn between the miracle of child birth, and the miracle of Ireland reaching the World Cup Quarter Finals, this shorts program spotlights a wide range of original narratives. In the second film program, NFMLA presents another installment of the InFocus Series, “Military Veterans and the Effects of War.” Featured in this program is an honest meditation on the tragic 2015 terrorist attack in Paris, a provocative take on the effects of PTSD, and a futuristic story, set in 2064, about a grandfather forced to tell his grandson about his service in the third world war. This eccentric program highlights international cinema from France, Lebanon, and Romania. To close out the night, viewers are invited to glimpse into the worlds of a young Chinese girl living in Los Angeles, the sometimes overwhelming demands of a promised commitment to a loved one, and a seemingly defenseless woman, after being savagely attacked by a group of vicious men, revealing her clever strength that lies far beneath the surface. Throughout the event, attendees will have opportunities to mingle with the selected festival filmmakers, industry professionals and film lovers with a full bar in the Filmmaker Lounge at the South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-fest-july-22nd-2017/ Lori De Waal June 12, 2017 at 2:05 pm · Reply → Carl Weathers Directs “Danny And The Deep Blue Sea” at Edgemar Center Starring Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” will open July 1 in Santa Monica Danny and the Deep Blue Sea starring Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley, and directed by Carl Weathers, will open July 1 at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica. Carl Weathers was famous first as an NFL player with the Oakland Raiders, then as an actor for his iconic movie roles (Apollo Creed, Action Jackson), and his roles as a regular on several TV series (Chicago Justice, Brothers, In the Heat of the Night, Street Justice), and as a television director (Always Night, For the People, Sheena, Strong Medicine, Silk Stalkings). He is set to direct John Patrick Shanley’s unlikely romance Danny and the Deep Blue Sea in The Rainbow Theatre Company production at Edgemar Center. The setting is a rundown bar in the Bronx, where two of society’s rejects, Danny and Roberta, strike up a halting conversation over their beer. He is a brooding, self-loathing young man who resorts more to violence than reason; she is a divorced, guilt-ridden young woman whose troubled teenage son is now being cared for by her parents. Danny, whose fellow truck drivers call him “the animal”, seems incapable of tender emotion, while Roberta, who is still haunted by the memory of an ugly sexual incident involving her father, is distrustful of men in general. And yet, as their initial reserve begins to melt, and they decide to spend the night together, the possibility of a genuine and meaningful relationship begins to emerge—the first for both of them. Tanna Frederick and Robert Standley are becoming the Hepburn and Tracy of local stages, having also appeared together previously in The Rainmaker (L.A. Times Critic’s Choice) and Jack & Jill. They also appear in the 2016 feature film Ovation. Ms. Frederick’s stage credits also include Always…But Not Forever, Sylvia, A Safe Place, Dutchman, and more. Known as a queen of indie films, her screen credits include Train to Zakopané, Just 45 Minutes From Broadway, Queen of the Lot, Irene in Time, The M Word, Hollywood Dreams and more. Robert Standley won an Ovation Award for his performance in Barbarians and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his roles in A Streetcar Named Desire and Picnic. Other stage turns include Post Office (at the Kirk Douglas) and national tours of Cotton Patch Gospel, According to Coyote, and The Rainmaker. He’s familiar to televison audiences from stints on Invasion, Melrose Place, Breaking Through and All My Children. A review for a production of Danny and the Deep Blue Sea said, “The play is the equivalent of sitting at ringside watching a prize fight that concludes in a loving embrace.’’- The New York Times. Danny and the Deep Blue Sea was written by John Patrick Shanley. The author of forty-one plays, he won the Tony ® Award for Doubt, received a Tony nomination for Outside Mullingar, and won the Oscar® for his screenplay for Moonstruck. His other plays include the dreamer examines his pillow, Psycopathia Sexualis, Beggars in a House of Plenty, Italian American Reconciliation, Where’s My Money?, Four Dogs and a Bone, and many more. The play is being produced by The Rainbow Theatre Company. The Edgemar Center for the Arts is located at 2437 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405. Parking is available in an adjacent lot (fee charged). There is also metered street parking and a nearby metered municipal lot. The play runs through September 10, 2017. Performances are Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 4:00 pm (dark August 12-13). Admission is $25; students and seniors are $20. Reservations can be made by calling (310) 392-7327 or online ticketing is available at http://bit.ly/2qCaHej. Lauren June 8, 2017 at 10:09 am · Reply → Pop Collective Why Don’t We is hitting the road for their headlining 19 city U.S “Something Different” Tour. They will be performing in Los Angeles on August 5th, 2017 at The Roxy Theatre. Their new “Why Don’t We Just” EP is available on iTunes and Spotify now! http://whydontwemusic.com Stephanie May 23, 2017 at 1:33 pm · Reply → The Valley Block Party is looking for all upcoming artists, dancers, singers, comdiens, MC’s, DJ’s, fashion designers and vendors of all sorts. We will have spots available for presentation and help you advertise your business.Reserve your spot ASAP!!! Live performances, fashion show and much more. Seeking Vendors for the following services: -clothing boutiques/designers -food -art/ crafts. Seeking Artists for the following: -hip hop artists -singers -DJ’s -dancers -entertainers/comics/MC. If you are looking to grow your business in actively participating in our event please contact us for more details/ information- valleyblockparty@gmail.com Natalia May 18, 2017 at 4:33 pm · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles is proud to present another month of incredible independent film talent. Join us on Saturday, June 24th, as we start the night with an eccentric film program. We are screening five short films that cover a wide range of narratives from a lonely girl trying to find her voice in the world to a 100-year-old woman rebelling against her aging daughter’s demands. Our next program of the night presents the 1st of 2 InFocus: LGBTQ Cinema Film Programs. This shorts program focuses on stories of love, connection and reconciliation by both local filmmakers and international talents from China and Brazil. Closing the evening is the second LGBTQ shorts program that revolves around conflicts of identity, community and family. This program’s stories include a serial killer on the hunt for love, millennials who decide to get their lives together after one last night of debauchery and four misfits who make the world their stage. These 2 shorts programs illuminate a wide range of the LGBTQ experience, contrasting with the common one-dimensional portrayals of LGBTQ characters. These emerging directors give more representation to the LGBTQ community by humanizing their characters and relating them to their audiences. Throughout the event, attendees will have opportunities to mingle with the filmmakers, industry supporters and film lovers with an open bar at the filmmakers’ lounge adjacent to the private entry of the South Park Center’s 500 seat theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Event info and tickets here: https://www.newfilmmakersla.com/events/event/monthly-film-fest-june-24th-2017/ Tiffany May 10, 2017 at 11:04 am · Reply → Venice Family Clinic’s Venice Art Walk & Auctions 340 Main St, Venice, California 90291 On May 21, join Los Angeles’ most prestigious artists in giving back to Venice Family Clinic. Venice Family Clinic’s Art Walk & Auctions’ signature Silent Art Auction showcases the leading names in contemporary art and the next generation of talent. Every bid helps support our mission to provide quality primary health care to people in need. On the same day, guests can embark on our unique Artist Studio Tours to meet local artists and get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. Back at Google’s Venice headquarters, attendees will enjoy live music, live art exhibitions, and a community celebration including artisan booths, an Imagination Station for kids and gourmet food. Keira Wight May 9, 2017 at 1:02 pm · Reply → Open Shows presents a night of emerging sights, sounds, crafts, and experimentations featuring emerging L.A.-based visual and musical artists! Kick back at the Alex Theatre for a one-night exhibition featuring headliner Mndsgn, Sudan Archives, and Cat500. BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamer) A one-night-exhibition hosting artists and their projectors. Apply to project your art onto the Alex Theatre! BYOB is a project by Rafaël Rozendaal and curated by Y_NIS (www.y-nis.com) Arts Market Vendors Buy/sell your artworks at our arts market featuring emerging and local Los Angeles-based vendors! Interested in vending? Visit http://www.openglendale.events/apply Admission $15. Ages 21+ only. Tickets: http://www.openglendale.events/rsvp Ryan Kennedy May 4, 2017 at 7:32 pm · Reply → Looking For New Music To Put Your friends On This Summer? Portland Based Artist, Producer Brings The Fuego On His Latest Track Titled “Mami” Produced By X and Co-Production From Deadbrainz. High Fidelity Burlesque: A Live Burlesque Mixtape May 2, 2017 at 2:19 pm · Reply → An immersive burlesque experience, “High Fidelity” is a night of burlesque that operates like a living, breathing mixtape given to you by a variety of fascinating artists. Take a trip through glamorous, sexy, classic, unique, clever and dreamy burlesque. Featuring award winning burlesque performers, each dancer plays a part in this collaborative mixtape–an audiovisual ode to the art of the tease. Art, burlesque and music fandom joyously collide in this special event. more info at : hifisplendor.bpt.me THE RAP CONTEST April 30, 2017 at 9:09 pm · Reply → THE RAP CONTEST Presented by Sellassie The Airliner; 2419 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031 8:00 pm, 18+ Tickets: $20 http://www.TRCMay23.BPT.me Registration + Info: 818-293-8079 http://www.therapcontest.com Los Angeles, CA: The Rap Contest returns to Los Angeles on May 23, 2017 and announces the series’ weekly event, every Tuesday at the Airliner, LA. The Rap Contest is an original song competition series started in 2010 by Sellassie and Inhouse Talent. The event is a platform for independent artists and has showcased some of the top local artists you don’t know yet. The Rap Contest has visited 20 cities from coast to coast including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Berkeley, Chicago, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Orlando & Seattle. The Rap Contest, originally called 2Racks Rap Contest, is a fast-paced song competition for upcoming hip-hop artists to showcase original material, perform live and compete for a cash prize. The series is innovative, trendsetting, and authentic and is consistently packing clubs for new music. The Rap Contest number one objective is to provide a home for independent hip-hop. The Rap Contest is building a genuine network of artist-entrepreneurs, encourages artists to listen to each other’s music and provides a priceless opportunity; a platform to be seen and heard in front of new audiences. The Rap Contest has produced 99 successful shows in its first six years and has awarded over $87,000 in cash prizes. Partnered with several local and regional promo companies, radio stations, studios and organizations, The Rap Contest has booked over 1500 talented and emerging hip hop artists from across the country that have performed in front of industry professional and celebrity judges ranging from music supervisors, radio station music directors, on-air personalities, producers and artists. The Rap Contest is independent hip-hop, it invests in artists on the rise and respects and contributes to the culture of hip-hop. About Sellassie: http://www.sellassiefrisco.com The Rap Contest creator, host and producer Sellassie, is the world’s first higherground hip-hop artist; he is a social justice activist, entrepreneur, event producer and pioneer. He has carved his niche as a leading progressive voice in hip-hop and as a force in bringing independent artists together. With an acclaimed and award-winning debut release, I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’, this trendsetting emcee has garnered a street level buzz with a fresh perspective. Sellassie is proof that there are young black artists that can make music that is creative, street, positive and smart. He stands firm to his message, has a charismatic presence and is evidence that not every rapper raps negatively, glorifying drugs, guns, money or their ego. He is also the creator, producer and host of the Independent Artist Series, The Rap Contest, We All We Got and Undiscovered Tour. Producing over 200 shows on the calendar in the last seven years in over 20 cities nationwide, the series have distinguished themselves as premier outlets for independent artists. He is also working with many social, political and youth based initiatives, and is a contributor to various special projects including the film, It Doesn’t Cost Nothin’ to Dream. Sellassie is grounded; a confident and refreshing emcee in an industry plagued with commercialism, materialism, negativity and drama. Sellassie utilizes his music and events as a vehicle for social change and inspiration, and he regularly states that he “wants to be in the history books, not the pop charts.” Andrew April 6, 2017 at 10:41 am · Reply → Best of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Awards 2017 Hosted at the South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles, the 2017 Best of NFMLA Awards will be as special one as it marks NFMLA’s 10 Year Anniversary! The evening with feature a VIP cocktail reception, hor d’oeuvres, and live entertainment. 6PM – VIP Cocktail Reception 7PM – General Admission Arrivals 7:45PM – Awards Show 10:15PM – After Party Tickets – $50: VIP / $25: General After Friday, April 7th, both ticket levels will increase by $25 ($75: VIP / $50: general admission). NFMLA is a leader in showcasing up and coming independent filmmaking talent through our Monthly Film Festival series, and fostering Los Angeles’s filmmaking community through programs and partnerships. NFMLA is a nonprofit arts organization with locations in Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. Event info and tickets here: https://goo.gl/3eYCyI Andrew Acedo April 12, 2017 at 1:43 pm · Reply → NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Film Festival – May 13th 2017 On May 13th, 2017 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a special installment of the InFocus series, InFocus: Asian Cinema. The first program in the evening line-up features 6 short films from emerging Asian filmmakers, both local and international. These voices bring us tales ranging from a family affected by nuclear warfare to a pair of stoners seeking to make their name in Hollywood. This Asian film spotlight promises to take attendees on a comedic, tragic and even nostalgic ride. The second program celebrates the US Premier of the Japanese feature film “Where Florence Sleeps.” From the brother duo of Katsuto and Kenji Kobayashi, experience a dramatic tale of sabotage, kidnapping and ransom. The evening film program closes with the LA Premier of “Looking for Jackalope,” Karl Shefelman’s feature length directorial debut. Throughout the event attendees will have opportunities to mingle with the filmmakers, industry supporters and film lovers over cocktails and beats at the filmmakers’ lounge adjacent to the private entry of the South Park Center’s 500 seat theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Event info and tickets here: https://goo.gl/Hq6Vjq Elisa April 5, 2017 at 3:19 pm · Reply → “LOVE IS ALL WE OWN: AN ACLU BENEFIT CONCERT” Wednesday, April 26th (Doors 7 pm, Show 8 pm) Cinematic Pictures Event Space at Sweet Hollywood $50 VIP / $30 General http://store.sweetlosangeles.com/events Performing Talent: The Cavillo Sisters Matt Boyd & Mia Pfirrman Olivia Mell DJ Wendy Walker Matt B March 31, 2017 at 12:13 am · Reply → #NewSchoolDaze is a celebration of success hosted by HBCU Young Alums, members of Greek Organizations! Join HBCU Young Alums, Greeks, Millennials, Tastemakers, and All Party Goers for a night of nostalgia…with a twist! Hosted by the dopest creatives in LA! DJ’s will be mixing it up, hitting you with CLASSICS and NEW BANGERS from EVERYWHERE! VIBES BY DJ R-TISTIC + DJ BAD Didn’t attend an HBCU? Not about that Greek life? No Problem! This event is for ALL PARTY GOERS, Millennials, and Tastemakers! 21 + ONLY Early Arrival is Strongly Suggested. Please Drink Responsibly and Pull Up With the Intention of Having one EPIC NIGHT! Grab Tickets at http://www.NewSchoolDaze.EventBrite.com Jamie Barren March 21, 2017 at 10:47 pm · Reply → LURE Nightclub has been spicing up the LA nightlife scene. Superstar DJs and high profile weekend parties draw a ready to party, chic crowd. Hip-Hop superstar artist Fetty Wap performs LIT Saturdays along w/ Mike Danger on April 1st at LURE Nightclub. Doors 10pm to 2am. To RSVP, call/text +1 (310) 749-9029. The VIPs are flocking to LURE on Saturday nights. The club is amazing, with VIP table service that is unlike any other, filled with sexy ladies and Celebs. Robert Catalusci March 21, 2017 at 1:44 pm · Reply → Hello Losanjealous readers! You are invited to attend the March 30th Los Angeles premiere of the cutting-edge new play, “Humilious”, from acclaimed writer/director, Robert Catalusci. The mind-bending story of “Humilious” is designed to transport audiences into a different reality – the twilight of human destruction. The action takes place on the war torn steps of Los Angeles City Hall, as otherworldly entities begin to emerge and intervene in the midst of unintended death. This thought-provoking story challenges the way we perceive the afterlife and evokes haunting elements of sci-fi that will stick with you and make you question what comes next. You can see a trailer for “Humilious” on the official website: http://humilious.com/ Tickets are only $10 at the door and you can get additional information on The Downtown Independent Theater’s website: http://downtownindependent.ning.com/events/humilious james combs March 20, 2017 at 4:59 pm · Reply → A Night of Angelino Original Protest Songs Hotel Café, Sunday, April 2, 8-10pm, $15 With the dawning of a new political reality, suddenly the air is rife with the spirit of protest. And along with the spirit inevitably comes… the songs. An inspired outpouring of political music and art is ripping through the US in a way not experienced since the heyday of Pete Seeger, Odetta, Phil Ochs and a young Bob Dylan. And Los Angeles is one of the many ground zeroes. To celebrate our city’s contribution to this creative explosion, Country Music maverick Grant Langston will host a night of new, original protest songs from over twenty Los Angeles songwriters at Hotel Café on Sunday, April 2, with all profits to benefit The National Immigration Law Center (www.nilc.org/). Artists as diverse as Ghanaian reggae star and Grammy-nominee Rocky Dawuni, indie siren Maria Taylor, and Americana legend Tony Gilkyson will perform new original protest songs, custom made for this historic moment. “Historically music has had a powerful role to play during times of political and social duress,” says Grant. “It’s unique in its ability to inspire, sooth, satirize and propel action. So it seems natural to me that in our current state of affairs the music community has an opportunity and a responsibility to make itself heard. I’m hoping this show can be the catalyst to create more social art while raising money for a worthwhile cause.” Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. “The times they are a-changing’” sang Bob Dylan in 1964. And so they are again. Come celebrate the musical signs-of-the-times – the wit, insight, anger, and spirit – on Sunday, April 2, from 8-10pm at Hotel Café, (1623 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028) Admission $15. Publicity Contact: Grant Langston, grantlangston@gmail.com CONFIRMED PERFORMERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER) Blake Hazard Calico – The Band Chris Isom (NOCONA) Grant Langston Great Willow Greg Felden Jason Mandell (The Coals) Jay Souza John Ramey Louis Schefano Marty Axelrod Marvin Etzioni Nik Freitas Patrick Dennis Paul Zollo Pi Jacobs Rick Shea Rob Waller (I See Hawks in LA) Rocky Dawuni Shane Alexander Terry Okey Tony Gilkyson Adilah Barnes March 6, 2017 at 10:59 am · Reply → The 24th Annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival will honor composer Megan Cavallari with the Integrity Award on Wednesday, March 23rd at 7 pm at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre. The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival empowers women artists to engage and inspire communities through the production of multidisciplinary solo performances and education outreach. The Annual Festival honors the achievement of extraordinary women in theatre. The Integrity Award is presented to an artist or individual who has brought credibility and dignity to her work. Cavallari has worked on more than 50 film scores as performer, arranger, conductor or composer. She has composed for the L.A. Kings; has worked on 25 television shows; 16 stage musicals; and written hundreds of songs, jingles and assorted musical offerings. In a world dominated by men, Cavallari’s critically acclaimed musicals have played at such theaters as The Mark Taper Forum, The York (NYC) Barrington Stage, 5th Avenue Playhouse (Seattle), The Ordway (St. Paul), The Under the Stars (Houston) and Living Arts Centre (Toronto). Cavallari has won three ASCAP Awards, a BMI Award, two IRNE Awards, two Cynopsis Media Award, two Telly Awards, a FAHF Humanitarian Award, a Yip Harburg Award, a Founders Day Award, a Vollenberg Grant and has two platinum albums. She recently launched The Talk Foundation Project, where she records the thoughts and observations of children with life-threatening and chronic diseases. She also faces the challenges of raising a twelve-year old daughter with juvenile arthritis. Barnsdall Gallery Theatre is located at 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90027. Please visit the following website for further information and tickets: http://www.lawtf.org/ Everly February 26, 2017 at 4:51 pm · Reply → We’re EVERLY, a modern Los Angeles jug band and we’re headlining a show at the Mint in Hollywood on April 7th, 2017 at 10:35pm Our links: Mint Tickets: Everly Mint Tickets Facebook: facebook.com/everlyjugband Twitter: @everlyjugband Instagram: @everyjugband Soundcloud: Everly’s Soundcloud Page Website: http://www.everlysnodgrass.com Well, fine, if you aren’t a fan of hyperlinks… Mint Show tickets: http://themintla.com/event.cfm?id=257131&cart Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-675431364-228471169 Reindeer Flotilla February 17, 2017 at 1:09 pm · Reply → Reindeer Flotilla’s songs are synth and electric guitar-oriented, with influences including Bowie/Morrissey/Thom Yorke. We’re playing a free set as a duo at Lot 1 Cafe in Echo Park this Thurs. March 23rd at 8:45pm, followed by the excellent psych-folk band Marjorie Fair. https://www.instagram.com/p/BQlQmHGBD55 David Klimovich February 10, 2017 at 12:54 am · Reply → Fresh, unique, innovative, and most definitely eclectic, Fearless BND is the sound of what happens when young, creative believers are asked to get personal and dig deep into themselves and collaborate. The stories behind the songs of Fearless BND reflect a several members of a church in downtown Los Angeles, called Fearless La. It’s not born of glitz and glam or achieving acclaim in a city full of stars, but born out of walking through things that people go through on a daily basis. We’re seeing so many people getting being positively impacted by these songs, and we want to have the opportunity for others to hear as well. We are so excited to announce that the full length album, “We Are Fearless,” will be releasing Feb 24th, 2017! Many have been following our journey the last 12 months as we’ve been releasing one song a month. It has been incredible sharing these songs with everyone and receiving all the positive feedback about how it is effecting people. This full album, “We Are Fearless,” is the compilation of those singles, along with 3 brand new tracks. We can’t wait for you to hear it! Francesca February 13, 2017 at 1:11 pm · Reply → Seven-time Billboard charting Margo Rey will grace the stage at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill on March 26th. Margo Rey is a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and co- founder of the L.A. based independent record label, Organica Music Group which bears the same name as her self-defined musical genre, Organica. The genre can be explained as an unorthodox hybrid of pop music that is rooted in jazz with deep ethno-rhythmic grooves, textural guitars, keys and lush vocals. Margo continues to deliver her array of vibrant and sultry singing talents that easily compliment her gentle and uplifting melodies. Margo is known to combine a variety of organic sounds and pour every bit of emotion into each song she creates. Her alternative pop singles have captured a worldwide audience with her enduring, socially conscious lyrics and her unforgettable, groove oriented musical arrangements. Venue: Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Location: 2930 Beverly Glen Cir, Los Angeles, CA 90077 Websites: http://margorey.com/tour http://www.vibratogrilljazz.com/ brittany tucker February 9, 2017 at 3:22 pm · Reply → Diddy’s son, Quincy Brown is set to release his debut EP on Valentine’s Day Tess Greenham February 6, 2017 at 7:19 pm · Reply → Want to turn you on to a concert happening in Los Angeles, around the Echo Park area. It is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo performing at Lot 1 Cafe (1533 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026)on March 11, 2017. Come say hello, it will be a BLAST. always is! Pj Berumen February 1, 2017 at 4:29 pm · Reply → SGV Artist, Moon Ensemble, is playing Harvard & Stone February 20th! Don’t miss it, it’s a single release party! Francesca January 26, 2017 at 3:10 pm · Reply → Seven-time Billboard charting Margo Rey will grace the stage at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill on February 15. Margo Rey is a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and co- founder of the L.A. based independent record label, Organica Music Group which bears the same name as her self-defined musical genre, Organica. The genre can be explained as an unorthodox hybrid of pop music that is rooted in jazz with deep ethno-rhythmic grooves, textural guitars, keys and lush vocals. Margo continues to deliver her array of vibrant and sultry singing talents that easily compliment her gentle and uplifting melodies. Margo is known to combine a variety of organic sounds and pour every bit of emotion into each song she creates. Her alternative pop singles have captured a worldwide audience with her enduring, socially conscious lyrics and her unforgettable, groove oriented musical arrangements. Nina Womack January 22, 2017 at 10:22 pm · Reply → Join Let’s Be Whole at the 2nd Annual Let’s Be Whole LOVE FEST! Come spend an afternoon with some of Los Angeles’ top experts in the fields of love, passion, and romance. There will of course be live entertainment, healthy food and much more! We’ll provide the experts, healthy food including vegan, drinks, entertainment, socializing, a few love-related vendors and some great information on loving yourself and others so don’t miss this important event. Celebrity match- maker and author of, ‘Why Married Men Cheat’, Danielle Metcalf, known as “Ms Hitch,” introduces her Mental Toughness technique as a ‘must know’ approach to love. Who doesn’t want more romance?!!! Barry Selby is the author of “Rules Of Romance, 50 Ways To Love Your Lover.” This passion consultant is the go-to guy for building amazing and authentic relationships. Vibrant Singer, Actress, Inspirational Speaker, Jacqueline Oya Thomas, M.A. penned a practical self-love guide called the “5 Star Points for Success” which is designed to help anyone with a creative dream, live an exceptional life grounded in the five core components of self: MIND; BODY; SPIRIT; EMOTIONS, and ENVIRONMENT. Whatever your relationship status, you will be empowered to have the best 2017 ever! Sunday, February 12th from 3 to 6 pm at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center. This is a donation-based event but we are suggesting at least $5.00 which will go to covering event production costs. Email letsbewhole@gmail.com or call (877) 594-1292 for additional info. Elena Volz January 17, 2017 at 3:07 pm · Reply → In honor of Black History Month, NFMLA presents ‘InFocus: Black Cinema’ to open up this month’s festival screening. The program consists of films that cover a range of stories and cultures seeking to underscore the importance of films that have starred, filmed, directed, or been produced by the black community. We have two comedies of how far one goes to break the walls between color in the name of love, a witty comment on stereotyping, a beautifully captured character study of a youth from the streets, training his way to the olympics, and a historical snapshot of an economically challenged community in Detroit transformed though the modernist architecture of Mies Van Der Rohe. Next we have 2 programs of short films, many premiering for the first time in Los Angeles including character driven films from Italy and Lithuania, a Hungarian produced thriller and a glimpse of mother struggling with her cancer in modern day Iran. And from the U.S., a modern day pulp flick set in the desert, a satire of a clever homeless man, and a documentary of a female acapella quartet out of Cuba. Closing the evening, we have the West Coast Premier of ‘Homestate’, a tender experiment of real life and fiction following Blaise Miller in a refined performance as the lead character on a path of redefining himself despite the lack of faith from his family. In between programs, meet and mingle with the filmmakers and industry supporters over cocktails and sounds at the filmmakers’ lounge inside the private entry to the 500 seat theater of the South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Event info and tickets here: https://goo.gl/tqDSXr Andrew Acedo June 4, 2018 at 12:23 pm · Reply → We’d like to submit the following event for inclusion on the Remezcla event calendar and/or for editorial coverage: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) Canadian Film Festival – July 28th, 2018 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) presents three programs of Canadian short films, co-hosted by the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles and Telefilm Canada and sponsored by Seneca College. Community Collaborators include the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Writers Guild of Canada, UBCP / ACTRA and more. The films represent a mix of drama, comedy, thriller, horror, new media and documentary, and include alumni from TIFF 2017, award winners from top-tier festivals, and first time filmmakers alike. The first program of the evening presents a mix of existentialism and comedy, with stories that explore the self and our connection with others (or lack thereof). The next program prominently features family relationships and looking at the world through new eyes, either through those of a child or through those of someone whose life has been indelibly changed. The final program of the night gets our adrenaline up, with action, laughter and music, while also challenging us to tackle difficult issues. Event info and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newfilmmakers-los-angeles-nfmla-canadian-cinema-film-festival-july-28th-2018-tickets-46632109896 Skipp Whitman January 10, 2017 at 1:58 pm · Reply → ANNOUNCING: THE ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY JAM at THE LOST KNIGHT in Echo Park on February 10th 2017 (1538 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles CA) – doors at 8PM flier link (tinypic). http://i67.tinypic.com/3465jb4.jpg flier link (google). https://goo.gl/photos/NVVVFb7yAVK6CWGh6 This month we celebrate what it is to not exchange candy hearts and stale chocolates, and overpriced roses. Instead we dance. And meet. And dance. And meet. And dance. Live music from SKIPP WHITMAN TRIO (skippwhitman.com), TRACKLESS (tracklessmusic.com), and MR. CAMPBELL AND FRIENDS This will be a 21+ show with doors at 8PM & cover is $5 Produced by Skipp Whitman, in coordination with The Lost Knight Direct questions to Skipp at skippw@gmail.com or at 818 270 1672 https://youtu.be/M6BSKRsWvXE https://youtu.be/XgJHgqXJbKs Francesca Spinosi November 16, 2016 at 11:39 am · Reply → Seven-time Billboard charting Margo Rey will grace the stage at Vibrato Jazz Grill on December 14. Margo Rey is a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and co- founder of the L.A. based independent record label, Organica Music Group which bears the same name as her self-defined musical genre, Organica. The genre can be explained as an unorthodox hybrid of pop music that is rooted in jazz with deep ethno-rhythmic grooves, textural guitars, keys and lush vocals. Margo continues to deliver her array of vibrant and sultry singing talents that easily compliment her gentle and uplifting melodies. Margo is known to combine a variety of organic sounds and pour every bit of emotion into each song she creates. Her alternative pop singles have captured a worldwide audience with her enduring, socially conscious lyrics and her unforgettable, groove oriented musical arrangements. Margo Rey Live- Presented by Ron White Venue: Vibrato Grill and Jazz Location: 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077 Howard Stewart November 3, 2016 at 10:55 am · Reply → Musician/author Kristin Hersh, best known for her influential rock band Throwing Muses and her recent memoir on the late songwriter Vic Chesnutt, will release “Wyatt At The Coyote Palace,” a book/double CD on November 11th. She will perform at The Echoplex on Sunday, December 4th. Lori De Waal October 26, 2016 at 11:08 am · Reply → SYLVIA OPENS AT ODYSSEY THEATRE; TANNA FREDERICK STARS WHAT: Sylvia. The hit comedy. WHO: Written by A.R. Gurney. Directed by Tanna Frederick. Produced by Henry Jaglom and The Rainbow Theatre Company. A guest production at Odyssey Theatre. WHERE: Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, WHEN: Previews October 13-16. Opens Friday, October 21, 2016, runs through Sunday, December 18. Thurs.- Sat. at 8:00, Sun. at 3:00. Dark on Oct. 29, Nov. 24-27 (Thanksgiving weekend), Dec, 2. ADMISSION: $30. Students and seniors $20. RESERVATIONS: (800) 838-3006. ONLINE TICKETING: http://www.sylviatheplayinla.com Five years ago, actor Tanna Frederick scored a personal triumph in productions of Sylvia at Sierra Madre Playhouse and Edgemar Center for the Arts. Now she returns to the title role, not only starring in but also directing the new production. In this 1995 comedy by A.R. Gurney (Love Letters, The Dining Room), Greg and Kate are empty-nesters in the big city. On a walk in the park, Greg is adopted by Sylvia, a bouncy, frisky poodle mix. But Kate comes to feel that she is losing Greg to his adoring new best friend who just loves to be petted, scratched, and talked to. This imaginative twist on Greg’s midlife crisis leads to lots of laughs and some thoughtful insights into the nature of love, marriage, jealousy, and dogs. In addition to Ms. Frederick, the cast also includes Steve Howard (also from the 2011 productions) as Greg, Beege Barkette (Babylon 5, The Fabulous Baker Boys) as Kate, and Matthew Marcy (TMI Hollywood) as three other characters. Tanna Frederick is perhaps best known as a queen of independent film. Fresh off her career-best (so far) film reviews for Ovation, she has also appeared in The M Word, Irene in Time, Just 45 Minutes From Broadway, Queen of the Lot Hollywood Dreams, The Bandit Hound and more. Her stage credits include The Rainmaker (L.A. Times Critics Choice), Jack & Jill, Always…But Not Forever, Toussaint: For the Love of Freedom, Train to Zakopané, Dutchman ,A Safe Place, and more. She is also active in philanthropic endeavors, co-founding Project Save Our Surf and founding the Iowa Independent Film Festival, now in its tenth year. « More fun than a barrel of puppies, Tanna Frederick is nothing short of terrific. »—ReviewPlays.com « Tanna Frederick is truly brilliant as Sylvia. She embodies the fun-loving, childlike spirit of the dog.”— Huffington Post “Tanna Frederick is so funny and delightful as Sylvia. She really makes this a hysterically funny evening of theater.”— American Radio Network maryamamusic October 23, 2016 at 5:33 pm · Reply → 387 Music Presents : Known for its unique sound and style, Maryama Band, founded by award winning composer/performer Maryam Mirbagheri, showcases an interesting fusion of genres. The band’s sound is a combination of soul/jazz/rock with a spice of Persian and Middle Eastern music. Maryama band is currently featuring Julian Karahalios (Bass), Michael Olinger (World Percussion ), Marcelo Bucater (drums) , Robert Perez (Piano), Sarah Van Schiver (back vocals) and Mirbagheri herself ( setar, guitar, Voice). Maryama’s Debut album Where the Mermaids Are is scheduled to be released in January 2017! Gig Location : The study time : 7:40 address : 6356 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028 Link : http://www.tunestub.com/events/248910 Kimberly Goodnight October 20, 2016 at 11:56 am · Reply → The Odd Market at the Autry is truly spectacular. The property is on 2 and a half acres in heart of Griffith Park. There’s a ton of parking or you could even ride your horse in, seriously. Admission is only $2 and kids under 12 are Free. Free Parking! Located directly across from the L.A. Zoo. And we’ll be offering special promos for those of you who have never been in the Autry Museum. Full Bar too! Gourmet Food Trucks. Live Music & Guest DJ’s, Full Bar, Picnic Area and Kids Area. Free Parking. $2 Admission. Hans October 14, 2016 at 10:00 pm · Reply → 10 reasons to try escape rooms http://www.escapeiq.com/ http://www.escapeiq.com/book-room-los-angeles/ Susan Gordon October 14, 2016 at 1:49 pm · Reply → Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival Presents World Renowned Flamenco Guitarist and Five-Time GRAMMY Winner Tomatito Performing with his Sextet for the first time in the Friday, October 21, 2016, 8 p.m., Wilshire Ebell Theatre José Fernández Torres, better known as Tomatito, is a living legend and one of today’s most-admired flamenco guitarists. Known for his mastery of traditional rhythms, his classic work with singer Camarón del la Isla, and his pioneering efforts in establishing Nuevo flamenco by augmenting traditional flamenco with music influenced by classical, jazz, blues, rock, pop, bossa-nova, tango, and fado, makes his first City of Los Angeles appearance with his sextet on Friday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Tomatito has presented his art the world over, from New York to Moscow, from the Middle East to Hong Kong. He has been hailed as one of the best guitarists in the world. An enormously charismatic musician, Tomatito is much loved both as an embodiment of Flamenco’s deep traditions and as a leader in contemporary developments in the art form. Tomatito has ensured the evolution of flamenco guitar, as well as securing his own place as the leading flamenco guitarist of his generation and one of the greatest flamenco guitarists of all time. “Tomatito is the most eminent guitarist in flamenco. [He plays] with such clean intent that it was possible fo you to feel the energy and gesture and contrast in those individual notes and phrases as if you were playing them yourself.” (Ben Ratliff, New York Times) Tomatito’s sextet includes José del Tomate, guitar; Piraña, percussion; Kiki Cortiñas and Morenito de Íllora, vocals; and José Maya, one of the most exciting flamenco dancers today. Maya is one of the most explosive dancers in Spain today, a powerful figure in flamenco’s new generation. He has collaborated with many of the most well-known flamenco artists including Farruquito, El Güito, Manolete, Estrella Morente, Gerardo Núñez and Diego El Cigala, and has opened for pop stars Marc Anthony, Beyoncé and Björk. Flamenco has a long and complex history with ancient roots. It has been traced to the 15th-century arrival in Spain of Gypsies whose musical traditions blended with those of Christians, Arabs, and Jews to create unique forms, modes, and rhythms. In the late 19th century the music became popular in cafes throughout Spain. Tomatito was born in Almería, southern Spain, surrounded by guitars. Since childhood he listenied to his father and grandfather, Miguel Tomate. He is the nephew of legendary Flamenco guitarist Miguel Niño. At age 12 he moved to the city of Malaga, where he started his career playing flamenco clubs like La Taberna Gitana. There he met Paco de Lucía and Camarón de la Isla. Gradually, his extraordinary powers drew attention from critics and fans. He began to play with great singers like Enrique Morente or La Susi, but his greatest pride is to have played with the legendary Camarón de la Isla for the last 18 years of his life. Alongside Camarón, Tomatito recorded discs that are now essential references in the flamenco archive, such as “La Leyenda del Tiempo” and “Como el Agua.” In the latter, Tomatito accompanies with Paco de Lucía. After the death of Camarón, Tomatito began his career as a soloist, dazzling audiences with his exquisite sensitivity. His charismatic personality and a firm commitment to the development and dissemination of flamenco worldwide mean that Tomatito now enjoys the recognition he deserves, not only in the field of music but also in film, theater and art. Tomatito has won a total of five Grammy Awards (one with Michel Camilo) and a Latin Grammy for his albums “Aguadulce” and “Soy Flamenco”. He has collaborated with many performers from around the world, such as Elton John and Frank Sinatra, and has influenced a whole generation of young guitarists. And on the occasions when he has ventured into other musical fields, such as jazz, has always remained true to his principles. His latest album, “Soy Flamenco”, presents an elegant and mature musician at the height of his art. The Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival is proud to bring unique programming and world-class flamenco artists to Los Angeles, having presented some of the worlds most acclaimed and influential flamenco artists. Past performers include Vicente Amigo, Los Farrucos, Diego El Cigala, Juana la del Pipa, La Tania, Tia Yoya, Luis Moneo, Diego del Morao, La Curra, Kina Mendez, Maria Bermudez, Teatro Flamenco, Adam del Monte, Omayra Amaya, Gema Moneo & many more. Details for Calendar Listings Tomatito in Concert WHO: José Fernández Torres, better known as Tomatito, is a living legend and one of today’s most-admired flamenco guitarists. Known for his mastery of traditional rhythms, his classic work with singer Camarón del la Isla, and his pioneering efforts in establishing Nuevo flamenco by augmenting traditional flamenco with music influenced by classical, jazz, blues, rock, pop, bossa-nova, tango, and fado, makes his first City of Los Angeles appearance with his sextet. WHEN: Friday, October 21, 2016; 8:00 p.m. Wilshire Ebell Theatre 4401 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (Bet. Wilshire Blvd. & West 8th St. on S. Lucerne Blvd.) HOW: LAFlamencoFestival.com; kalakoaent@mac.com; 800-595-4849 Ticket Prices: $30 – $57 Parking: Lot and street parking Hans October 14, 2016 at 9:59 pm · Reply → EscapeIQ Los Angeles is one of the most exciting Escape rooms in LA http://www.escapeiq.com/book-room-los-angeles/ Mike Murray October 11, 2016 at 7:38 pm · Reply → Luminal reinvents the circus like never before. Starting with the idea of having a circus glow-in-the-dark, the Luminal team went to town. The show includes, of course, glow-in-the-dark performers, but also computer control light displays, glowing circus apparatus, and even lasers! The show will be presented in Le Studio near LAX. Luminal is a journey through night. Follow a tinkering electrician as he tries to harness the power of light, and see for himself that the night is not always dark. Acts range from stilt performers, to juggling, to acrobatics, and aerial arts. Luminal is brought together under the creative direction of Michael Murray. Graduate from the School of the Art Institute, Micheal has been in the performance art arena melding circus and visual arts for quite some time. His latest show includes talented performers from throughout Los Angeles, all performing to the original soundtrack composed by his brother, Kevin Murray. “We jam packed so much visually into this show; from lasers, to LEDs, to backlights, to computer controlled lighting, but always at our core are really strong aerialist and acrobats. They are the foundation of every show we create.” Michael Murray, Creative Director “When I’m balancing on a small stick and the glow of my juggling equipment is the only light in the whole theater, I can’t help but feel alive.” Nick Selvy, Juggler/Stilt Walker Luminal is truly a show that must be experienced. Performances: October 7, 8, 14, 15 of 2016 Performance Location: Le Studio, 8717 Aviation Blvd, Inglewood, CA Tickets can be purchase at http://www.GlowInTheDarkCircus.com or at the door. Fiamma October 11, 2016 at 1:39 pm · Reply → Fiamma is the newest in the great dynasty of LA based electronic producers. Mixing high energy classic rock with trap beats, wubs and a fuken fire guitar solo, TBH there is nothing else like this on the internet. https://soundcloud.com/user-819860445/naked-fiamma Amanda Alderman October 3, 2016 at 1:17 pm · Reply → To the bodacious people of Losanjealous.com…I have a completed celebration article of the best, new band around, tropical Nasty that I would love to submit to you and ideally, publish on your site! Please let me know if you welcome submissions- especially thorough, descriptive ones- and I will gladly send it your way along with their sound links and videos. Thank you so much for your valuable time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. Amanda Alderman Alex September 18, 2016 at 11:46 am · Reply → Do you love grimey,offensive, taboo, heavy but honest punk music with an average song duration of approximately 2 mins?! Then you’ll love Guttural Riot. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, GR consists of Alex “Sugar” Feuer and Michael “Gunther” Elliot. Together, they write heavy punk rock that is reviving the scene. Gunther handles all of the blistering musical duties, while Sugar sings in-your-face, honest vocals. All the recordings are performed and written by these 2 punks. For their live show they are backed by their closed friends and very talented musicians: Berserker Greg: Rhythm guitar T “The Animal” Stone: Drums Joey: Bass Guttural Riot has just released “The Gary Ep”. We are looking for reviews, features,interviews, and any other form of exposure so we can get the ep out to the masses! The ep is out now on iTunes, Spotify, and other major digital distribution outlets, but you can stream it here: gutturalriot.bandcamp.com Alice August 23, 2016 at 11:13 am · Reply → FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 22, 2016 youbloomLA Music Summit and Festival enters its third year showcasing local and international bands and music industry speakers. September 29, 30, and October 1st across Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA: youbloom, an annual international music festival and conference, expands its reach for youbloomLA 2016 to include Downtown LA, Northeast LA, and Culver City. Now in its third year, youbloomLA 2016 is excited to announce its bands and speakers. “No”, and “Mars and the Massacre” are two of the musical highlights this year. The conference organizers have managed to maintain the level of intimacy and integrity expected from a youbloom conference while growing their reach considerably. The panelists are top notch and the areas of expertise covered have widened, and youbloom will be presenting special sessions on live and touring, music licensing, digital marketing, and a special panel on “Women in Music”. Music conferences are often underrepresented on the Westside, and youbloomLA is thrilled to partner with Hamilton High School for the Arts for the conference segment and with Musicians Institute with a number of its artists showcasing. This year’s keynote speakers are Liz Garo, talent buyer/event producer at Spaceland Productions (The Echo, Echoplex, Regent Theater and more) and Darrell Brown, songwriter, arranger with worldwide music sales of over 72 million units. There will be over 40 speakers from all areas of the industry, including Loretta Munoz (ASCAP), Brad Rains (Atlantic), Les Borsai (Gridhub), Taylor Kahan, (Crowdsurf), and Jeremy Hammond (Western Front). The youbloom A&R Team has also curated over 80 bands from 6 countries as well as the US, including, Brazil, UK, Sweden and Ireland and includes genres such as hip hop, rock, reggae, folk, bluegrass, pop, Mediterranean and more. Full list http://www.youbloom.com/ybla-2016/ Alan August 22, 2016 at 4:24 pm · Reply → Romantic Encounters, a monthly storytelling show hosted & curated by Melinda Hill (ADVENTURE TIME, RENO 911) and featuring celebrated humorists sharing their funniest love and sex stories, has its next installment on Monday, August 29th at 7pm at UCB Sunset. The show shares its name with Hill’s popular, award-winning web series, that has garnered millions of views on multiple platforms and has been called “a female LOUIE.” Past line ups include: TJ Miller, Margaret Cho, Andy Dick, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Kirk Fox, Claudia Lonow, Jonathan Schmock, Dana Gould Tickets are $5, and can be purchased now at https://sunset.ucbtheatre.com/performance/48605 The live show has been sold out every month, so audience members should be sure to order tickets ahead of time online to insure seating. Rye-Li August 22, 2016 at 6:25 am · Reply → Rye-Li will be performing at Amplyfi, 5617 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA. Show starts 7 pm. Tickets available at http://amplyfi.tunestub.com/event.cfm?id=246752&cart. Rye-Li from Philadelphia blends original electronic music with some of his favorite producers’ tunes. His attempt to revive live electronic performance follows the acts of Odesza, Chet Faker, Porter Robinson and Disclosure. After years of playing in an alternative rock band, he is finally embarking on a solo tour. Rye-Li creates a unique electronic music environment with the use of a keyboard, a sampling percussion pad and a performance controller. Listen: http://www.soundcloud.com/rye-li Follow: https://twitter.com/ryelimusic Like: https://www.facebook.com/ryelimusic/ The Sovereign Artist August 16, 2016 at 2:35 pm · Reply → My name is Carolina. I sing lead for The Sovereign Artist band. We play a new Soul Rock sound with high energy. Owe draw our influence from bands like Fishbone with a RATM like message and an Outkast flow. We are performing live at The Mint located at 6010 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035. The show is on Friday, September 16th and our set starts at 11pm. I would personally like to invite you all to come out that night. You may also look forward to performances by Alicia Blue, Tommy alexander, Ziptie, and The Buffalo Grass. The drinks are stong, the food is pretty good, and the music should be dope. Hope you can make it. Carolina West Elisa Tapia August 12, 2016 at 8:51 pm · Reply → FAULTLINES ANNOUNCES TELEPHONE PHILOSOPHIES EP RELEASE, WATCH VIDEO SINGLE “WOODEN BRIDGES” Los Angeles, CA: California folk-pop outfit Faultlines to drop sophomore EP Telephone Philosophies on August 19, 2016. The five song record is preceded by lead single “Wooden Bridges” released June 14. You can watch the youtube video at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA6HU53ACYM Album pre-release concert scheduled for 7pm at Ocean Prime, Beverly Hills, CA, on August 18 with a follow up at Santa Ana’s Gypsy Den on August 23 at 7:30pm. The 5 song EP was recorded and mixed between Jim Henson Studios Hollywood and in North Hollywood by Brazilian sound architect, Lineu Andrade. While Telephone Philosophies picks and strums in the sonic playground of country and folk, it lives comfortably in the 2016 world of Adele and Johnnyswim. Telephone Philosophies will be available August 19, 2016 on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and all digital stores. Short bio: Packing venues in the Southern California scene, this folk-pop trio is comprised of members Todd McCool, Ashley Morgan, and John Flanagan – each with a resume backing up major label artists as singers, players, and songwriters respectively. The combined synergistic effect has been described as an amazing and impressive breath of fresh air. Their lauded three-part harmonies are a metaphor for their work. With unique strengths these individuals are able to put their best cards on the table for a royal flush of a musical performance. In 2016, Faultlines opened up for a range of artists including Christina Perri and Easton Corbin, owing to their urban pop and roots country sound. Faultlines’ goal is simple: to play everywhere, all of the time, and of course, shake up the current state of commercial music. Taylor Briggs August 1, 2016 at 5:43 pm · Reply → Band Name: Taylor Briggs MP3 Link: https://soundcloud.com/taylor_briggs Website: http://www.taylorbriggs.net Hi, I’m Taylor Briggs, and I’m a 17 year old songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles. My music is pop with alternative/electronic/rock influences. I’ve been playing guitar, bass, cello, and singing and playing in bands for almost ten years. At 15 I received a scholarship on guitar to Berklee College of Music’s 5-Week Summer program, and then went back the next summer with a scholarship on vocals. I played all the instruments on the tracks and mixed the music too. I’m working with Nicholas Fournier to remix and master it all as well. I’ll be doing a showcase at the Troubadour this Fall to promote my music. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my music! Dita Dimone July 29, 2016 at 9:19 pm · Reply → The cultural/educational benefit concert concert to preserve our local park and urban wildlife. it brings the local and artistic communities together to network and enjoy a world-class audio/visual experience. Hope we can count on your support featuring and/or adding to your calendar. :) AWARD-WINNING COMPOSER PRESENTS NORDIC NOIR LA: A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR FRIENDS OF GRIFFITH PARK Danish Composer Jacob Groth brings the best of Nordic culture to LA’s famed Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA – July 29, 2016 – On September 25, renowned film composer Jacob Groth (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson) and the Danish Film Harmonics Orchestra will perform at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre as part of Nordic Noir LA: A Benefit Concert for Friends of Griffith Park. Viewers can also expect surprise celebrity guests and presentations that will soon be revealed. Produced by Groth, a leader in composing scores for the crime fiction drama genre Nordic Noir, the concert will feature a unique experience that shares the best of Nordic culture with the Los Angeles community including delectable cuisine, captivating visual art, surprise live performances and more! Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. The Greek Theatre is located at 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles CA 90027. Regular admission tickets are available for $40 – $85 each and VIP tickets are available at $200 per pair. Our VIP guests will enjoy complimentary Nordic cuisine and beverages at a VIP reception. Wildlife supporters, music fans and local residents are all invited to come and enjoy a spectacular night of culture, music, education and fun! The event is sponsored by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), National Wildlife Foundation, Danish Arts Council, KODA (Danish Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Living Out Loud Magazine, Musik Forlaegerne, DJBFA and ROSA (Musical-political organization that supports Danish music through grants from the Music Act) and The Greek theatre. For tickets and more information please visit: http://www.nordicnoirla.com/ Nordic Noir – Los Angeles Page https://www.facebook.com/Nordic-Noir-Los-Angeles-1206781369334508/ @NordicNoirLA For press inquiries and image requests please contact: Dita Dimone Sweet Heat Public Relations info@sweetheatpr.com Tiffany Tse July 26, 2016 at 4:07 pm · Reply → Venice Family Clinic’s Crestwood Hills’ Architecture Tour Join us for a tour of this unique Brentwood enclave as the modern past meets the present. Founded by musicians as a social living experiment in the 1940s, it is one of the only successful post WWII utopian communities to have existed. The mid-century modern homes were designed by A. Quincy Jones. This is a tour you won’t want to miss! When: Saturday, October 1st, 2016 Where: Crestwood Hills Tickets: $175 Donation Contact and RSVP: Kaylie Alexander KDAlexander@mednet.ucla.edu Website: http://www.vfcshop.com/collections/architecture-tour-tickets/products/architecture-tour-crestwood-hills-october-1st Neil Martinson July 12, 2016 at 3:47 pm · Reply → SMiLE! at HM157 Presents: MIRANDA LEE RICHARDS WILL IVY FOXTAILS BRIGADE (SF) WYMOND MILES (SF – Record Release!) CAMILLE MAI (SF) + DJ Neil Martinson https://www.facebook.com/HM157 The featured performers with their links and a youtube tune for each of them: http://www.mirandaleerichards.com http://tinyurl.com/jm3asyw https://www.facebook.com/will.ivy.7 http://tinyurl.com/zdrmfaa https://www.facebook.com/camillemaimusic http://tinyurl.com/gnsk8kx https://www.facebook.com/foxtailsbrigade http://tinyurl.com/zbgovpm Wymond Miles (SF – Record Release) https://www.facebook.com/WymondMiles http://tinyurl.com/zfgv39n DJ Neil Martinson (SMiLE! Presents) https://www.facebook.com/neilmartinson Emeroy Bernardo July 2, 2016 at 12:16 am · Reply → Who doesn’t like a nice pair of shoes? The feel, the smell, and the look of how you first put them on. They can be the perfect tool for the perfect moment. High heels for a beautiful model. Construction boots for the construction workers daily grind. Basketball shoes to display the athletes arsenal of talent. From high heels to Jordans to army boots, Sneaker Suites dives deep into the diverse and personal relationship street dancers have with the most highly-purchased fashion items in the world: sneakers. Fusing provocative poetry, hip hop choreography, childhood memories, and instrumental beats, Sneaker Suites unravels the iconic importance of sneakers through this multi-layered performance. Sneakers represent empowerment and exploitation, and Sneaker Suites grapples with the contradictions of this symbolism with funk and style. From Seattle to Wyoming, New York to Philadelphia, Antics has successfully sold out shows and captivated the audience. Sneaker Suites will be making its Los Angeles premiere July 8th and 9th at the Ivy Substation. This performance is made possible in part by a Culver City Performing Arts Grant with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment. 9070 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 Venice and Culver July 8th and 9th at 8:00 pm Adult Pre-Sale Ticket $30.00 ($32.04 w/service fee) Students/Seniors Pre-Sale $25.00 ($26.87 w/service fee) Adult: Shoe Donation Discount $25.00 ($26.87 w/service fee) Must bring one pair of gently used shoes to donate to Soles4Souls.org at will call. General Seating. Student/Senior Shoe Donation $20.00 ($21.69 w/service fee) Must bring one pair of gently used shoes to donate to Soles4Souls.org at will call AND valid student or senior ID. General Seating. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2555010 Artists/Performers: Antics Dance Company: -Bliss Ultraomni -Ebonee Arielle -Cyrian Reed -Liezel Marie -Valerie Hwang -Emeroy Bernardo -Stephen Velazquez -Bboy Crumbs -Amy “Catfox” Campion -Mike “Menace” Rebong -John “Black Magick” Liggins Emeroy Bernardo – Social Media Marketing Director – e3klives@gmail.com Amy Campion – Director – bgirlcatfox@gmail.com Adrianne July 1, 2016 at 12:33 am · Reply → Micha Schellhaas Trio LIVE! July 6th – 8:30pm-10-pm The Micha Schellhaas trio is a power-fusion ensemble playing a dynamic mix of jazz, blues, and rock, showcasing Micha’s deep compositional skills and masterful touch on the guitar. This energetic and virtuosic power-trio play compositions off Micha’s EP “Wings of Fire” and his debut album “Double Take” both of which were produced by the legendary Carl Verheyen. The diverse compositions are an eclectic mix of guitar-driven melodic blues and jazz fusion venturing into rock — a sure bet to entertain and thrill fans of all three genres. Come to our first L.A. performance Wednesday, July 6th at GENGHIS COHEN, 740 N. Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 Micha, who holds a masters degree from the esteemed Dutch ARTEZ conservatory, is backed up by two young musicians both Berklee grads: Elin Sandberg on the bass and Johannes Gritschacher playing drums. http://www.michamusic.com For additional information, contact Adrianne at 562-577-0054 tonehunter.booking@gmail.com CM June 29, 2016 at 2:51 pm · Reply → The Cherry Bluestorms are set to perform Thursday, July 21 at EB’s Beer & Wine Bar’s West Patio Stage in The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W 3rd St., Los Angeles at 7:00 p.m. This is a free, all ages performance. Guitarist Glen Laughlin had ended a long stint with punk rock legends The Dickies, and singer Deborah Gee had been working as a solo artist, having signed a development deal with A&M Records. Her drummer at that time was Alan Myers (Devo). Laughlin and Gee met at a coffeehouse and began working at Laughlin’s studio. The Cherry Bluestorms’ debut album Transit of Venus and follow-up Bad Penny Opera were praised by the San Diego Troubadour, L.A. Weekly, Goldmine, Glasswerk UK, and others. Drummer Mark Francis White joined the band shortly before the release of Bad Penny Opera. The Cherry Bluestorms have graced stages around the world, including The Cavern Club in Liverpool, The Bull & Gate and Dublin Castle in London, Toronto’s The Rivoli, and Los Angeles staple The Troubadour. The band has recently received radio airplay on Rodney Bingenheimer’s Rodney On The ROQ on KROQ, as well as in the UK, Japan, South America and France. For more information on The Cherry Bluestorms you can find them at their official website (www.thecherrybluestorms.com) or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Courtney Meloche/Representative 323-377-6253 thecherrybluestormsmusic@gmail.com Vicky Forst June 23, 2016 at 6:01 pm · Reply → Twilight Concert Series Join us each Thursday this summer for a free night of music at the Santa Monica Pier. This year’s eclectic lineup will feature two artists each week of a specific musical genre including the likes of Mayer Hawthorne, BøRNS, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Mavis Staples, Holy Ghost!, The Psychedelic Furs, Protoje & The Indiggnation, plus many more. Visit http://santamonicapier.org/ for more information. Complete lineup: July 7 — Mayer Hawthorne and Alina Baraz July 14 — BØRNS and Porches July 21 — Psychedelic Furs and Day Wave July 28 — Protoje & The Indiggnation and Raging Fyah Aug. 4 — Natalia Lafourcade and Monsieur Periné Aug. 11 — RÜFÜS DU SOL and Marc Baker Aug. 18 — Mavin Staples and the Suffers Aug. 25 — Save Ferris, Cibo Matto and winner of Rusty’s local band competition Sept. 1 — Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Steady Holiday Sept. 8 — Ohio Players and Holy Ghost! Jamie Jackson June 13, 2016 at 3:35 pm · Reply → Come out and support firefighters at our Fire it Up BBQ Competition featuring Richard Fields Foodnetwork’s winner of Chopped and competitor Mark Curry, winner of Foodnetwork’s Guy’s Grocery Games. Date and Time: August 13, 2016, 11am to 4pm. Location: African American Firefighter Museum: 1401 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90021 Lori De Waal June 8, 2016 at 5:06 pm · Reply → Joan Benedict Steiger to Sign Her Autobiography Brooklyn Baby at DIESEL, A Bookstore, in Santa Monica on Sunday, June 12th Joan Benedict Steiger will discuss and sign copies of her autobiography Brooklyn Baby (A Hollywood insider’s amazing journey through love, loss, and laughter) on Sunday, June 12th at 3 pm-4 pm at DIESEL, A Bookstore, located at 225 26th St. Santa Monica, California, 90402. The event is open to the public. Benedict Steiger’s marriage to Academy-Award winning actor Rod Steiger ended on July 9, 2002 when he passed away at a Los Angeles hospital. It wasn’t the first time she had lost a man she loved… and it wouldn’t be the last. In spite of such trials, Joan has maintained a contagiously upbeat and positive outlook throughout her life. As a star of the stage and screen with countless credits to her name, Joan has worked with nearly every Hollywood icon in the business and counts many of them among her friends. Her fascinating story is filled with some of the highest highs and lowest lows that life can offer. Ultimately however, Brooklyn Baby is a fascinating story guaranteed to inspire its readers and challenge all of us to follow our dreams. Brooklyn Baby was co-authored by David Minasian. The book is being published by BearManor Media. Matt Kriger June 1, 2016 at 5:04 pm · Reply → Knights of Audio are hosting an event at the Viper Room “Flash Back” on Saturday, July 9th. It will be a night of all 80s including live bands, DJ playing all 80s hits, 80s cosplayers, and will be an event on the “Nerd Out” App. Come on out and enjoy a night with your favorite 80s hits! Tickets are $10. Matt Kriger Knights of Audio Hooka Hey May 24, 2016 at 4:08 pm · Reply → Hooka Hey from Austin Texas at The Hi Hat (with Uncles) Fri June 3 Culture Collide said: “A layered, dangerous ride hinting at Eastern mysticism and crazy, seductive Creole voodoo.(…) Their work is urgent and unrelenting, possessing a musical confidence even early in the game. (…) And like any burning passion, they will leave you wanting more” Hooka Hey plays blues-based tribal beats with smoky, sludgy riffs drenched and charged like the air just before a rainstorm. Organic and raw, their “Transylvanian Voodoo” sound encompasses a wide variety of grooves and tones evoking artists like Queens of The Stone Age or Jack White. Toi Green May 19, 2016 at 3:08 pm · Reply → Wasteland World Inc., the creators of Wasteland Weekend are holding their first ever car show on May 21st, 2016 at Alpine Village in Torrance, CA, starting at 12 noon. 833 Torrance Blvd, Torrance CA 90502 Wasteland Weekend is the world’s largest Mad Max fan festival and post-apocalyptic party. As the event has grown, it has begun attracting “wasteland cars” from across the country to its remote location in the Mojave Desert. Now, the creators of this growing annual celebration have decided that it’s time to bring this end-of-the-world showcase to civilization. “We had over a hundred of these amazing vehicles cruising out in the desert last year, and we thought it was time to let the general public, who might not make it to one of our events, see these incredible, one-of-a-kind creations up close” says the event’s director and co-owner Jared Butler. “Wasteland Weekend is for Wastelanders” elaborates Wasteland co-owner Adam Chilson, “but now we can invite everyone else to get a little taste of what we’re all about”. While Wasteland Weekend is a four day, costumes-required, themed desert party that brings in hardcore fans from all over the world, the new Wasteland World Car Show is a one day, all-ages, free-to-the-public event in an urban setting. “The barrier to entry for this is MUCH lower, so that anyone can come appreciate these cars up close” says Chilson. “We’d love to see ‘Wasteland cars’ gain acceptance in the wider car community as another style or genre in the custom car world, alongside hot rods, street rods, and rat rods”, says Butler. Just what IS a “wasteland car”? Butler explains: “It can be hard to define, but you know it when you see it. The movement kind of started with people building replicas of cars from the Mad Max movies, but they’ve evolved over the years into a kind of mix between a lifted off-road vehicle and a rat rod. Car folks love to argue over definitions, but the wasteland car is about ignoring a lot of the rules and having fun. So, since a wasteland car is mostly about aesthetics, if it LOOKS like a wasteland car, then it IS one. We have some that are made by professionals and made on a bigger budget, and some thrown together by amateurs. When we judge them for a contest, build quality IS a factor, but the biggest factors are creativity and style. There are a lot of exceptions within the category, but in general, a wasteland car will be lifted rather than lowered (because roads won’t be well-maintained after the apocalypse), they’ll predate computers so they’re easy to service in a burnt out world of the future, and they’ll have some kind of offensive capability – Because you gotta be a road warrior.” Chilson adds, “The emphasis on looks really borrows a lot from building movie cars. Except in this case, the movie might just be in the owner’s head.” The car show lasts until 7pm and will feature costumed Wastelanders modeling with the cars and entertaining the crowd, professional photographers, and vendors selling themed merchandise. At 7pm, the action shifts inside to the Alpine Village’s newly-renovated Steinhouse bar & restaurant, which features a full entertainment stage and dance floor. Chilson says, “We couldn’t just bring out all of these cars and Wastelanders and not have one of our signature parties at the end of it”. The party will feature live rock bands, DJs, vendors, and performers ($8 cover at the door, with discounted online pre-sale tickets available). “I don’t think there’s ever been a car event quite like this” says Butler. Chilson agrees, “I think it’s time to put on a show that will inspire the next generation of crazy Mad Max car builders”. wastelandweekend@gmail.com Full event info, including car photos: wastelandweekend.com/carshow http://www.wastelandweekend.com facebook.com/wastelandweekend 626 Golden Streets May 19, 2016 at 5:43 pm · Reply → SAVE-the-DATE: Sunday June 26 — THE BIGGEST PARTY IN THE 626! 626 Golden Streets presented by Metro will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk, bike, run, skate, scoot, dance and play on over 18 miles of “open streets” linking 7 Foothill cities and 6 Gold Line stations. Designed to celebrate the opening Foothill Gold Line extension and encourage healthy active transportation, the FREE, family-friendly event has been scheduled for “626 Day” – Sunday June 26, 2016 – and will touch much of the (626) area code. The historic event will be one of the largest of its kind in the United States, and quite possibly the first in the nation in which 8 distinct jurisdictions work together to host a connected “ciclovia” on the same day. As with any open streets event, 626 Golden Streets will not feature a start or finish. Attendees can come and go; stop and explore; and traverse as much or as little of the route as they wish. Along the way there will be 7 distinct activity zones featuring activities such as live music, free fitness classes, pop-up art exhibits, family-friendly play zones and more. The day will kick off at 7:30am with the Train Run (www.thetrainrun.com), the San Gabriel Valley’s first point-to-point half marathon from South Pasadena to Duarte. Upon finishing runners will receive a TAP card and be able to ride the Gold Line ride back to the start. For more information, visit http://www.626goldenstreets.com. WHAT: 626 Golden Streets presented by Metro – Free community “ciclovia” WHO: All ages, family-friendly event WHEN: Sunday June 26, 2016 (8am-2pm general route; select hubs until 3pm) WHERE: South Pasadena, San Marino, LA County, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa Three Rooms Press May 16, 2016 at 11:46 am · Reply → ¡LA DI DADA! A Highly Eclectic Performance Event Hell-Bent on Blowing Minds –plus the official West Coast launch of MAINTENANT 10(0): Journal of Contemporary Dada Writing and Art celebrating the Dada Centennial Saturday, June 13, 2016 \| 8:00-11:00 pm 681 Venice Bl. Venice, CA 90291 Prepare for an evening of incredibly provocative, eclectic art and performance on as Three Rooms Press presents ¡LA DI DADA! a wild ride of contemporary DaDa performance and poetry by leading maverick artists. The event includes the West Coast launch of the internationally-renowned MAINTENANT 10(0): Journal of Contemporary DaDa Writing and Art (2015, Three Rooms Press), which features more than 170 visual and literary works by artists and writers worldwide in Full Color Throughout!!! The event takes place Saturday, June 11, 8-11 pm at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center in Venice. Costumes encouraged. Come as you aren’t!!! Featured performers include Beyond Baroque director and poet Richard Modiano, Poet/Performer extraordinaire S.A. Griffin, artist Bob Branaman, famed playwright-poet Doug Knott (Last of the Knotts), performance poet non-pareil Linda J. Albertano, LA Dada Maestros Mike M. Mollett and Neal Skooter Taylor, Fluxus artist Bibiana Padilla Maltos, poet-performer Christian Georgescu, poet-musician-playwright Jan Michael Alejandro, Circuitry & Poetry with Mona Jean Cedar & Jeff Boynton, Dada artists Rabyn Blake, and Alex Nodopaka, plus special tribute and dedication to our dearly departed Dada Diva Cynthia Toronto. Three Rooms Press co-directors and New York-based performance artists Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges will host. General admission is $10; discounted admission for seniors, students and Beyond Baroque members is $6. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center is at 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, phone: 310-822-3006. For additional information and reservations, email info@threeroomspress.com. About Maintenant 10(0) Maintenant 10(0): A Journal of Contemporary DaDa Writing and Art (Three Rooms Press, 2016) is the most recent installment of an annual series published since 2005. The current issue features work by Charles Plymell, Mike Watt, Grant Hart, A.D. Winans, Mark Kostabi, Raymond Pettbon. John M. Bennett, S.A. Griffin, Claude Pelieu, Mary Beach,Joel Hubaut, Philip Meersman, Luc Fierens, Renaat Ramon, Patrice Lerochereuil and many more. Copies will be available for purchase at the event. Three Rooms Press is a fiercely independent New York-based publisher inspired by dada, punk and passion. Founded in 1993, it serves as a leading independent publisher of cut-the-edge creative, including fiction, memoir, poetry translations, drama and art. In addition, Three Rooms Press produces and promotes a variety of literary and cultural events in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more, including readings, plays, workshops and concerts. Three Rooms Press books are distributed in the U.S. and internationally by PGW/Perseus. Phoebe Foo May 13, 2016 at 11:51 am · Reply → VENICE FAMILY CLINIC ART WALK & AUCTIONS Tickets: FREE; OPEN TO PUBLIC Date: Sunday May 22, 2016 Time: Noon-6pm Location: Google Los Angeles, 340 Main Street Venice, CA “Join Los Angeles’ hottest established and emerging contemporary artists in raising over $750,000 to fund health care for the 24,000 low-income, uninsured and homeless patients of Venice Family Clinic. Venice Family Clinic’s Art Walk & Auctions brings thousands of artists and volunteers together to provide health care to those with nowhere else to turn. Experience exceptional art and make a meaningful impact in your community at this not-to-be-missed annual event. Hosted at Google Los Angeles, Venice Family Clinic’s Art Walk & Auctions is free and open to the public and showcases a gallery-quality contemporary silent art auction. Don’t miss the accompanying artist studio tours, artisan shops, family activities, entertainment, music, food and more at the most anticipated art event of the year! For more information please go to http://www.theveniceartwalk.org Amanda May 11, 2016 at 11:40 am · Reply → Title: RJ Comer Performing Live ! Time: 8 pm – 10 pm Venue: KULAK’S WOODSHED Location: 5230 LAUREL CANYON BLVD., LOS ANGELES CA RJ Comer is a Los Angeles city boy with swamp water in his veins who started out singing in church and around the campfire, but ended up in a lot bad places at wrong times. His brand of Americana & Blues reflects the kind of man he is and was. RJ will be playing crowd favorites as well as songs from his latest EP Nightly Suicide, showcasing the talented singer-songwriter’s gritty and bluesy vocals with a fusion of Americana-Rock. Shelley May 10, 2016 at 10:35 am · Reply → Joan Benedict Steiger to Sign Her Autobiography Brooklyn Baby at Room at the Beach in Malibu on June 4th Joan Benedict Steiger will sign copies and do a reading of her autobiography Brooklyn Baby (A Hollywood insider’s amazing journey through love, loss, and laughter) on Saturday, June 4th at 1:30-3:30 pm (Joan will do a reading from her book at 2:30 pm) at Room at the Beach, 3835 Cross Creek Rd #23, Malibu, CA 90265. The event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Alexis May 5, 2016 at 8:42 am · Reply → The Echo & Play Like A Girl Present The Bulls \| Kera and The Lesbians \| The Regrettes \| Night Talks at The Echo TIX ON SALE NOW: bit.ly/LikeAGirlEcho Saturday, May 28nd, 2016 5:30 pm (event ends at 9:00 pm) ALL AGES A once-a- month lady-powered showcase that celebrates some of the raddest female acts around. ALL ARE INVITED to this ALL-AGES show. Check out PLAY LIKE A GIRL ZINE -about music, culture, art, politics- released once a month the night of the show, and extra special content online @playlikeagirlLA. http://www.playlikeagirlla.com/ Kim May 4, 2016 at 4:56 pm · Reply → Sunstock Solar Festival Mixing Solar Power with Music and Art Benefits Kids Cancer Connection Los Angeles, CA (May 4th) – Sunstock Solar Festival is the first completely solar-powered event of its kind and is lighting the way for music and the environment this summer. The festival, which will take place on June 18 at the Autry in Griffith Park, is the first solar powered event of its kind. The event will feature some of the hottest local bands, but it’s also for a good cause. Sunstock Solar Festival will benefit Kids Cancer Connection, a local charity, and help create awareness for alternative energy sources and eco-friendly practices in the music industry. “Music has a way of uplifting, re-energizing and inspiring people. If we can create a positive experience that is also pointed towards a cause and a purpose, we can be more effective and we can be re-energized,” said Sunstock Founder, Skylar Funk. “We come together not just to party and listen to music, but because we know that there has to be a change and we want to be part of the solution. “People can come get involved with these non-profits, or even if they just buy a ticket, they are supporting a good cause,” he added. Sunstock Solar Festival will run all evening, entirely on solar energy, creating a brilliant atmosphere to enjoy great music and celebrate with the community. Funk and his band Trapdoor Social started doing solar-powered concerts in 2015 and are creating Sunstock Solar Festival in order to celebrate solar as a solution, create a positive space for the sustainability movement to come together, and curate great art and music for the Los Angeles community. The festival, which is produced in collaboration with Odd Nights at the Autry, is open to all ages and will include visual artists, activities for kids, food trucks, a 21+ bar and vendors from the area’s craft culture. All proceeds from the event will help fund a solar roof installed by Sunstock partner, GRID Alternatives, for Kids Cancer Connection. With an over-arching goal of uniting the community around sustainable solutions, Sunstock Solar Festival has teamed up with local and national organizations working to reduce our country’s carbon footprint and protect the health of future generations. Partners include the longstanding environmental grassroots organization Sierra Club, as well as Food & Water Watch, SoCal 350, Courage Campaign, GRID Alternatives, Climate Hawks Vote, and Eastside Sol. Sunstock’s musical lineup will include top indie and alternative acts from around the region. Early bird tickets are now available through Eventbrite for $15.00. The festival will be located in a secluded corner of Griffith Park at the Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way. A bike valet and plenty of free parking will be available in the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot. About Sunstock Solar Festival: Doors open at 4PM and music goes live at 5PM. Visit sunstocksolarfestival.com for updated information on the lineup and amenities. For more information on Sunstock Founder, Skylar Funk and band Trapdoor Social, visit trapdoorsocial.com. About Kid’s Cancer Connection: KCC services create community, increase public awareness, build family support systems, and give personal recognition to courageous children and the hard working adults who support them. KCC funds hospitals across the United States and provides tangible security by offering a variety of social services for families, including meal and grocery deliveries, peer counseling, hospital entertainment, and patient advocacy. We believe in the importance of a strong family support system through treatment and recovery, and we recognize the hard work required of everyone involved by providing deals on fun family outings. Kidscancerconnection.org For media inquiries: Kimberly Goodnight at Media Playground PR, kim@mediaplaygroundpr.com (323) 687 3360 Vendor inquiries: Phillip Dane, phillip@theoddmarket.com Chris April 28, 2016 at 2:17 pm · Reply → QUIET LIFE // THE FUZZY CRYSTALS // MIKE QUINN @ The Satellite, May 6 Come kick it :) Embark on a psychedelic excursion into the unknown future of rock and roll. Featuring Portland-based indie overlords QUIET LIFE, as well as LA’s own dreamlike pioneers, THE FUZZY CRYSTALS and MIKE QUINN, it’s going to be a journey into a world of beach tripping, jangly guitars, pyramid power, and mushroom magic. Join us for moments of inspiration, joyous confusion, wonder, and possibly even redemption. Danielle April 28, 2016 at 1:39 am · Reply → #TWERKUMENTARY follows LA-based, Italian director, Spaghetto, on a journey across the World, to discover the origins of Twerk and the evolution of its cultural anomaly. Entertaining and sometimes humorous – what may just seem like cultural fluff – results in an unexpected, deeper conversation about empowerment, freedom of expression and the influence that music and the Internet have on cultures around the world. Featuring: Big Freedia, Diplo, E-40, George Clinton, Ham On Everything, Khia, Kreayshawn, Mike G (Odd Future), Too Short, Dj Jubilee. Once you’ve watched #TWERKUMENTARY, don’t be surprised if you have the sudden urge to do a little of your own booty shaking! TWERKUMENTARY 60m + special guest DJ set WHERE: Wiltern Theater – 3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 WHEN: June 10th, 2016 Doors open at 8pm DETAILS: 18+, full bar and food. Tickets start at $10, more for VIP and private table upgrades GA EARLY BIRD – First 200 people to buy tickets will receive a free signed poster GA SEATED – $10.00 GA DAY OF SHOW TIX – $15.00 Tickets are available on: http://www.wiltern.com/events/eventdetail/?viewNav=/eventdetail&eventId=0900509A520D0BAC&oid=0 Kim April 20, 2016 at 10:35 am · Reply → Early California Antique ‘Celebrates 4 Years‘ EARLY CALIFORNIA ANTIQUE 4361 MELROSE AVE, EAST HOLLYWOOD 90029 APRIL 27TH \| 6 – 9 PM http://www.earlycaliforniaantiques.com Print out or flash this mailer and receive 20% OFF!!! We are throwing an Elaborate Party and you are invited!! Here at Early California Antiques it is our Fourth Anniversary Open House at the happening Hel-Mel. This is what we know as the hopping intersection of Melrose and Heliotrope. OH LA LA MUSIC & FOOD: DJ 3NT, olive oil and wine tasting paired with scrumptious hors d’oeuvres. (Anyone who was at the opening of our Golden West Show in December will remember how good those were!) And that’s just for starts. TIME FOR FUN: We’re having a shard-ware workshop. An introduction to the craft of turning broken pottery, glass, pebbles, you name it into art and artifacts, furniture and objects. You break it, you remake it. UN-broken pottery will be taking a starring role that night tables of bargain vintage pottery, from $5- 20 a piece, will be set up for you. You will be able to mix and match and chose what your heart desires. When we open our boxes we always surprise ourselves and forget the priceless gems we have. So it’s time for these beauties to leave home. Also our chairs, dressers and bed frames at 50% off. That’s right, we mean it… 50% off!! And now for our pièce de résistance. A special show of California Watercolors, featuring the works of Milford Zorne, Robert Boyle and Boris Leven, Joseph Deitch, Jake Lee, Alfred Ybarra, Einar Hansen and others. This will be a real treat. So we hope to see you, old customers and new, friends-to-be, as we celebrate the beginning of our fifth year here in this great place. ABOUT ERIC BERG Eric Berg, with his discerning eye and deep knowledge of the period, has put together a fabulous collection of rare and classic period Monterey, Spanish Revival, California and Mexican Colonial furniture and collectibles, as well as transitional pieces from the Middle East. Eric sells and sources breathtaking vintage treasures. Roman Coppola, Rayan Murphy, Diane Keaton, Chris Pine, decorates and set designers for Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)- are all customers of Early California Antiques, Eric also works closely with designers at Ralph Lauren stocking their stores from Dubai to Palm Springs with early California garden pottery. It is with great pleasure that he announces his appointment this spring as Specialized Antique Expert at Live Auctioneers. VFCArtWalk16 April 18, 2016 at 11:55 am · Reply → Venice Family Clinic’s Architecture Tour: Marmol Radziner’s homes of Venice. Take a fresh look at Venice through the eyes of acclaimed architects Marmol Radziner. Explore Venice during an intimate walking tour of three of their most magnificent homes and rediscover the colorful, unique and comforting place we call home. Saturday, June 11th Venice Family Clinic For any questions or to RSVP contact Cory Lettier, Special Events Coordinator, at CLLettier@mednet.ucla.edu or 310-664-7920 For tickets: http://www.vfcshop.com/collections/architecture-tour-tickets/products/art-architecture-tour-marmol-radziner-homes-in-venice-self-guided-tour-june-11-2016 Andy Jade April 15, 2016 at 12:48 pm · Reply → The Kings of Jade is a new Hard-Rock band that just released their first EP and will soon release their debut album! You can find them all over the internet (Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram). They have supported legendary acts such as Ace Frehley, Lita Ford, Michael Monroe and Hardcore Supertar! wwww.thekingsofjade.com http://www.facebook.com/thekingsofjade http://www.instagram.com/thekingsofjade DF April 14, 2016 at 9:48 am · Reply → TRIP BAR in SANTA MONICA 2101 Lincoln Blvd. It’s a special rock blow-out at TRIP bar in SANTA MONICA on Friday night, April 22. Local jam treasure MIDNIGHT BALL (“That Line”) will bring their signature stellar grooves at 10:30. Upstart rock maniacs THE PICTURE BUSINESS (“No Off the Record”) will deliver wild new wave at 11:30. With special guests, and TRIP’s famed beer selection. Not to be missed. $5 after 9 Lynette Martinez April 12, 2016 at 4:25 pm · Reply → Kim April 12, 2016 at 3:36 pm · Reply → LA’S HOTTEST NEW MONTHLY EVENT @ GRIFFITH PARK’S ‘ODD NIGHTS AT THE AUTRY’ GOURMET FOOD TRUCKS, LIVE MUSIC & GUEST DJS, FULL BAR AND UNIQUE FINDS (Los Angeles, CA) It’s back! ODD NIGHTS AT THE AUTRY. Phillip Dane brings another community hot spot to life with a variety of over 100 vendors from 18 gourmet food trucks, Full Bar, custom handmade treasures and live music featuring DJs. This vivid culture is perfect for all ages and families to bring a blanket, host an evening picnic while enjoying the great outdoors. This FREE event is a platform for selected artisans, craftsman, designers, and DIY experts for showcasing their creations and sharing their secrets. The Autry National Center is located in the heart of Griffith Park across from the LA ZOO just off the 134 and 5 interstate. Parking and admission are FREE for all attendees including pets allowing horse owners to wrangle on the spot. There will be plenty of exciting activities for the Kids including a craft and workshop area. ODD NIGHTS AT THE AUTRY is a recipe for bringing the community together and creating lasting memories while tasting new foods, exploring hot trends and discovering one of a kind finds. WHAT: ODD NIGHTS AT THE AUTRY is a curated Etsy-esque event with 100+ booths and vendors of artist, designers of fashion, jewelry, home goods, antiques, collectibles, eats and much more. http://www.theoddmarket.com WHERE: The Autry 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles 90027 WHEN: April 15th 2016 \| 6PM – 11PM PST \| Held 3rd Friday of each month COST: FREE admission and tons of FREE parking at the Zoo. Lori De Waal April 6, 2016 at 11:25 am · Reply → Multi-award winning Lion Ark, the story of the dramatic rescue of 25 lions from Bolivia, plays at the LA Screen Actors Guild, 5.15pm, on Saturday April 9, to help Animal Defenders International (ADI) airlift 33 ex-circus lions from South America to a sanctuary in their native Africa, next month. Described by critics as “uplifting” and “the feel-good movie of the year,” Lion Ark is more action adventure than traditional documentary. It follows an ambitious and daring animal rescue, close up and personal, in the thick of the action as events unfold. Attitudes to animals were changed, illegal circuses tracked down and 25 lions airlifted to freedom. A huge hit at the film festivals Lion Ark racked up 11 awards and secured worldwide distribution deal with ITV GE, with DVD planned for the future. A Q&A after the film from ADI founders Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips will talk about the latest rescue of wild animals from circuses in Peru and Colombia, with a preview of rescue footage from the new operation, Spirit of Freedom. WHAT: Lion Ark helping to SAVE THE LIONS WHEN: Saturday, April 9, 5.15pm WHERE: The Screen Actor’s Guild, 5757 Wilshire Blvd., #PH1, Los Angeles TICKETS: $15 Tickets here The Spirit of Freedom mission has saved over 100 animals including lions, a tiger, bears, monkeys, birds and reptiles. Animals have been nursed back to health at ADI’s temporary custody center. Native wildlife including monkeys, bears and others are now in their forever homes – specially built Amazon sanctuary habitats. Some lucky animals have already gone back into the wild and others are scheduled for wild release after rehabilitation. Following Colombia’s new law, the first nine lions have been handed over and will join the 24 Peru lions to travel to their forever home. The Save the Lions screening is to help raise the cost of the flight for 33 lions, who have endured hell on earth in Latin American circuses, to fly home to their native Africa. The lions will have natural, secure habitats at Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, see http://lionsbacktoafrica.org/ The Spirit of Freedom flight is next month and each lion needs a sponsor for their $10,000 ticket to freedom. Rose April 4, 2016 at 2:43 pm · Reply → Ice Station Valencia, 22745 Smyth Drive, Valencia CA 91355 Cost: $25 for two hours of instruction You’ve seen the sport in the Olympics, you’ve heard about it from someone you know, and you’ve thought, “hey, I wonder if I can do that?” Come find out for yourself! With no experience necessary, come on out to see what the roaring game is all about. Learn how to deliver a stone, and how to sweep it down the ice. Find out what hoglines, hacks, buttons, and houses all have to do with it. Bring your families out and learn together. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that you can lunge in (stretch!), warm socks, and rubber soled, closed toe shoes. Sneakers work well. (We suggest no Converse, Toms, or other low-profile soles- your feet will get cold!). Dress in layers (it can be cold on the ice, but you’ll warm up once you start sweeping). Our instructors will give you an overall understanding of what you need to play the game. You’ll learn the basics of throwing, sweeping, and some basic game flow & strategy. By the end of just one session, you can be ready to join our fall league and master the game! Spaces must be reserved in advance. Kids 10 and up are welcome, but require a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. Please arrive 30 min early to complete waivers and registration. Tacos Catering for Concerts and Music Events March 28, 2016 at 2:31 pm · Reply → I love this site and all the work they do for the music community in Los Angeles. You’ve give tons of new hard working artists an avenue to promote their art. We work with producers and venues to provide great tasting tacos for your events. Check us out. Christina Higa March 26, 2016 at 7:36 pm · Reply → Los Angeles, CA—April 7, 2016 New Moon Festival is a multi-media arts event celebrating the night of the new moon—the first phase of the moon’s cycle. A time for rejuvenation and new beginnings, a one-night symbolic portal for creation and reinvention. New Moon Festival provides a space for local artists, musicians and creators to showcase their talents. Created by a group of young artists and entrepreneurs, Christina Higa, Emily Kocontes, Zachary Mcdermott, Nini Nguyen, and Alexandra Valenti (also known as the New Moon Team), this event is a celebration of creativity, discovery and healing. Located in downtown Los Angeles at Peace Yoga Gallery (903 S Main St, Los Angeles CA 90015), New Moon Festival embraces the diversity and creativity fostered in the area, bringing together art and music lovers from all over. 100% of this event’s proceeds will go to the New Moon Team’s charity of choice, Room to Read USC, an organization that promotes literacy and provides students with opportunities to mentor children in the local neighborhood. The event is open to the public. New Moon Festival will be featuring indie electro-pop music provided by Sophia Black, RKCB, MONT BLVCK, and Flash Floods. Visionary paintings by emerging and established artists will be exhibited along with a live art show by artist, Emma Escamilla. Psychedelic graphic visuals created by Imaginal Cell will be projected onto the walls to accompany the musical performances. Trendy vendors will line the venue selling a variety of New Moon Essentials, ranging from jewelry to flower crowns to organic fruit snacks. Guests will be able to enjoy crystal healers and raw vegan food made by Cherri Rae, the wonderful owner of the venue, who will lead an interactive yoga session to the end night. Sophia Black: 20-year-old trilingual pop star RKCB: LA-based duo MONT BLVCK: LA-based Indie-electro duo Flash Floods: Electro-classical band Emma Escamilla (live art) Paige Strabala Emily Arakawa Cherri Rae Lola Crowns Silver Lining Bikinis Pulp Pantry Private Cartel Nikita Jewelry $10 at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-moon-festival-2016-tickets-22754921583 $12 at the door For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/events/965684246852389/ For additional information please contact Christina Higa, (808) 341-6914 or chiga@usc.edu and/or visit the Facebook Event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/965684246852389/ Emily Benson March 24, 2016 at 10:26 pm · Reply → Music & Ninkasi at Lot 1 Café! There is an awesome beer/music/art event at Lot 1 Café on April 3rd at 7 PM! San Diego’s Best Pop, Gayle Skidmore, will be performing along with locals Valeri Lopez and KULA and Oakland act Minor Birds. Gayle’s beer sponsor, Ninkasi Brewing, will be putting on a Ninkasi night, and Gayle and Chelsea of Minor Birds will be displaying some of their original artwork. This is a free event! We hope you can make it! Lot 1 Café (1533 Sunset Blvd.) 7 PM. http://www.raincoatrecords.com Giorgia Ori March 24, 2016 at 1:11 pm · Reply → THE ULTIMATE WORKSHOP While traveling develops your skills, forges who you are, and who you will become, it also requires pre-planning, mental preparation, and physical training. This unique workshop introduces you to the key elements of traveling, with one-on-one instructions and private consultation. The workshop helps you choose the best destinations, estimate a budget and plan the trip. It gives you precious tips on how to relate with the new culture, and stay safe while adventuring. The workshop includes a 2 hours Photography Workshop (class 3) with major focus on travel photography as well as a 2 hours Writing Workshop (class 4), in collaboration with a qualified tutor. Writing, meant as a method to externate feelings, is indeed a great tool for travelers. This workshop is meant to give you all the knowledge and confidence you need in order to take your first steps into the world. THE 4 CLASS PACKAGE INCLUDES Food, snacks, and sodas One Lonely Planet for each student Notebooks and pen Paper notes and dropbox folder One-on-one travel consultation Final private party Saturdays, 1.30pm-3.30pm (April 9th, April 16th, April 23rd, April 30th) Wednesday, 7.30pm-9.30pm (April 13th, April 20th, April 27th, May 4th) FOR MORE INFO AND TO BUY TICKETS VISIT https://howtotravel.eventbrite.com This unique workshop introduces you to the key elements of traveling, with one-on-one instructions and private consultation. The workshop helps you choose the best destinations, estimate a budget and plan the trip. It gives you precious tips on how to relate with the new culture, and stay safe while adventuring. Niki J Crawford March 23, 2016 at 12:14 pm · Reply → An Evening with Niki J Crawford (2 sets) Live at Mrs Fish (Free Show) Mrs Fish http://www.mrsfish.com Address: 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Sat March 26th, 2016 / Doors 7pm / Show 10:00pm No Cover / 21+ Niki J Crawford and her band bring the heat with a high energy soul get down. After a short break following her recent tour, where she performed more than 200 shows worldwide, Niki is back with a new band, new songs and a new show. Niki will be preforming songs of her debut release “The Genesis Block” and new songs from her forthcoming second record. “Niki J. Crawford’s first EP titled The Genesis Block is carried by soaring and multi-layered vocals, her most fully realized work to date that is finely attuned and anchored by the type of rhythmic instrumentation that allows her range and depth to be heard in its finest hour. The songs are rooted in unabashed free expression with profoundly selfless lyrical compositions usually reserved for the most mature of songwriters. Each track teeters on themes of romance and conceit while remaining heartfully optimistic throughout the final verse”. Niki and the band have shared the stage and have played with Carlos Santana, Snoop Dogg, Al Green, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Aaron Neville, Macy Grey, Booker T Jones, The Roots, Galactic and Orgone. Come out for a rare opportunity to see this rising talent in an intimate nightclub setting. http://www.nikijcrawford.com Three Rooms Press March 22, 2016 at 9:45 pm · Reply → Three Rooms Press and Beyond Baroque Literary \| Arts Center present The Official West Coast Launch of BAD: The Autobiography of James Carr Friday, April 1, 8 pm Beyond Baroque Literary \| Arts Center 681 N. Venice Blvd., Venice, CA \| 310-822-3006 On Friday April 1, Three Rooms Press and Beyond Baroque present the Official L.A. Launch of BAD: The Autobigraphy of James Carr, the harrowing, brutal, and unapologetic 1972 autobiography by James Carr, a notorious African-American career criminal who went straight out of Compton to a reformatory after burning down his school at the age of 10. A brutal indictment of the American penal system and a primer for the present-day seeds of institutionalized racism in this country, BAD goes where no other book has ever gone before and so did James Carr. After years in and out of prison (mostly in) Carr wound up bunking with George Jackson (Soledad Brother) in Folsom Prison, who taught him to read and write, and inspired him they fight for a position of strength along the radical stream of the 1960s including years with the Black Panthers, Angela Davis, the BLA and more. When finally released from prison, he married, had a daughter, and had just finished recording his memoir when he was murdered in front of his house in San Jose shortly before the book’s initial release. In BAD, Carr notes, “I’ve been struggling all my life to get beyond the choice of living on my knees or dying on my feet. It’s time we lived on our feet.” A book that strips the system bare, Carr’s memoir is revealing as a part of Black Panther history, and as a telling document in the ongoing battle for American prison reform. The event will feature an introduction to the book by Gea Carr (daughter of James) along with readings by very special guest artists and supporters of prison reform. Copies of BAD will be avaialble for purchase at the event. General admission is $10; discounted admission for seniors and students is $6. The event is free of charge for Beyond Baroque members. Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center is at 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291, phone: 310-822-3006. For additional information and reservations, email info@threeroomspress.com. About Three Rooms Press: Three Rooms Press is a fiercely independent New York-based publisher inspired by dada, punk and passion. Founded in 1993, it serves as a leading independent publisher of cut-the-edge creative, including fiction, memoir, poetry translations, drama and art. In addition, Three Rooms Press produces and promotes a variety of literary and cultural events in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more, including readings, plays, workshops and concerts. Three Rooms Press books are distributed in the U.S. and internationally by PGW/Perseus. Nattily March 22, 2016 at 3:02 pm · Reply → La Bulla – A LUCHA LIBRE EVENT, ART EXHIBIT AND CONCERT Sponsored by El Jimador Natily Gonzalez Email: natily.exodusevents@gmail.com Los Angeles, CA (March 10, 2016) La Bulla is back! This event is anticipated to be epic and will be hosted by the stunning model Yasmin Ferrada and the amazing and versatile actor and writer, Richard Montoya, known for Falling Down, Nacho Libre, Encino Man, and Water & Power. With live performance by El Conjunto Nueva Ola on the main stage. A band who hailed from Mexico City who will definitely get you off your chair to groove with their iconic sounds of cumbia, new wave, rock and disco. But that’s not all… DJ Sloe Poke will be spinning live in our “Viva Las Luchas”. DJ Sloe Poke is one of LA’s best DJ who can spin several genres of music. He can mix a Salsa classic like Joe Arroyo’s “Rebelion” with Celso Pina’s Sonidero hit, “Cumbia Sobre El Rio,” then follow those songs with Thalia’s poppy, “Piel Morena” and Frankie Cutlass’ club fave, “Puerto Rico,” making it all flow together. La Bulla will take place in the heart of Los Angeles at the famous Plaza De La Raza on Saturday, April 30th, 2016, from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This event will showcase some of LA’s talented artists and musicians and will feature Lucha Libre films. But the highlight of the evening will be the live Lucha Libre matches. La Bulla is brought to you by Exodus Events’, their mission is to create a new type of cultural experience specializing in arts, live entertainment, concerts, community outreach and fundraising. Last year’s successful event raised over $10,000 which benefited Plaza De la Raza’s art program. La Bulla gained tremendous support from the community including LA Councilman Gil Cedillo, film actors Sergio Arau, Aurelio Bocanegra, and Tom Kenny (voice Sponge Bob.) The merging of art, music and live Lucha Libre has captured the interest of many Angelinos; making it one of the most popular cultural events in Los Angeles. • Vintage car exhibit curated by Memo Ortega • Live Lucha Libre matches curated by Masked Republic • Art exhibit curated by Man One & Crewest • Lucha Libre screenings by Hola Mexico Film Festival • Live music by El Conjunto Nueva Ola • DJ set by DJ Sloe Poke. • Face painting ARTIST(S) BIO: Richard Montoya is an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, comedian, and co-founder of “Culture Clash”. He is passionate about creating social and political change through a variety of artistic expressions Yasmin Ferrada is an inspiring model that engages in community organizing through her work with Latino voter registration and diversity trainings. Yasmin is passionate about modeling, which is inspired by Chicana culture and aesthetics. El Conjunto Nueva Ola will be rocking the house. A band who hailed from Mexico City who will definitely get you off your chair to groove with their iconic sounds of cumbia, new wave, rock and disco. El Conjunto Nueva Ola has been making waves throughout the music scene sharing the stage with legendary Latin musicians and bands such as Café Tacvba, Aleks Syntek, Belanova, Los Tigres Del Norte and the late Jenni Rivera. Their unique style has attracted the attention of many with their signature Lucha Libre Masks and Cumbia style. One can expect a spectacular performance full of energy, dancing, and fun. DJ Sloe Poke is one of LA’s best DJ who can spin several genres of music. He can mix a Salsa classic like Joe Arroyo’s “Rebelion” with Celso Pina’s Sonidero hit, “Cumbia Sobre El Rio,” then follow those songs with Thalia’s poppy, “Piel Morena” and Frankie Cutlass’ club fave, “Puerto Rico,” making it all flow together. His diverse taste of music within culture and age has given him the edge to surpass other DJ’s in the game. • 21 and over • To avoid the hassle of longer lines, please go to http://www.labulla.eventbrite.com and purchase tickets now • Online sales: o Early bird special: $15 (ends March 31, 2016) o General admission: $25 (ends April 29, 2016) • Tickets at the door will be $30 • Location: Plaza de la Raza 3540 N. Mission Rd., Los Angeles CA 90031 • Like us / follow us on : o Facebook: @Exodus Events o Instagram: @exodus_events o Twitter: @exodusprod o Hashtag: #LaBulla #ExodusEvents About Exodus Events: Antonio Pelayo and Steve Guerrero have combined their creative and event planning talents to create Exodus Events, a full service event production company headquartered in Los Angeles. About Plaza de la Raza: Plaza de la Raza is a 501 © non-profit organization that provides after school programs and cultural events in the performing and visual arts for children, teens and families. Dan Shapiro March 16, 2016 at 1:28 pm · Reply → Just wanted to reach out and share some info about a rad show coming up at The Smell in DTLA on Thursday, March 24. The Pleasure Routine is coming to LA to play with NOYES and Donald Weathers (from Colorado) in honor of their new single “Walk the Dog (Backwards),” available now for download at http://www.soundcloud.com/thepleasureroutine This show is going to be killer so hope to see everyone there and perhaps even read about it on Los Anjealous … Three Rooms Press March 8, 2016 at 12:58 am · Reply → Three Rooms Press @AWP March 30th-April 2nd 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, California 90015 Join Three Rooms Press at the Association of Writers and Writers Programs (AWP) in Los angeles March 30 -April 2 Booth 324. The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature and Three Rooms Press is honored to take part in the Conference this year. please stop by booth 324 and check out all of titles. Plus special readings will be presented throughout the Conference so check this event page. Or just stop by and talk about the literary thing. Ideas welcome. Bring it on to Booth 324 in sunny Los Angeles. 3RP @ AWP –See you there!!! https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/registration_overview rose March 2, 2016 at 8:25 am · Reply → YES CURL THAT SPORT WITH BROOMS When: March 13, 2016 Location: LA Kings Valley Ice Center, 8750 Van Nuys. Blvd. Panorama City, CA 91402 Cost: $25 per person ($20 for people under 21) http://hollywoodcurling.org/event-2130326 Valley Shine February 27, 2016 at 5:33 pm · Reply → Mar 4 at the Satellite! Valley Shine is headlining a night of great bands, including Wartime Recitals, Opus Orange, and American Tomahawk. Music starts at 9pm. $10//21+ Valley Shine’s EP: https://soundcloud.com/valleyshine/sets/loca-ep FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/839352112857759/ The Games February 25, 2016 at 11:40 am · Reply → We’re The Games a new britpop band ! Watch our video “Afterglows” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzO3V4PJFlM&list=PLvGbrYjlSJRlw9oXKO1swBt73IOPU6wWe&index=4 and like us on fb:https://www.facebook.com/The-GAMES-624719664347943/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel Val Hulsen February 24, 2016 at 1:34 pm · Reply → TUESDAY MUSIC CLUB — a cool, new invitation-only performer’s showcase — premieres March 1, 2016 from 7:30pm to 12:00am! Evening starts with: Stuart Pearson, Wenty Morris, Divine Weeks, Jaq Mackenzie, Carrie Wade, Jeff Kossack, Blue Dolphins, Deanna Pino, Don Teschner and Marty Ross — and more to be added! 9:45pm — FEATURED ACT: RJ Comer Ryman Arts February 22, 2016 at 2:10 pm · Reply → POWER UP 2016 RYMAN ARTS AT THE EDISON TICKETS NOW AVAIALBLE AT: http://www.rymanarts.org/power-up-2016 Indulge your senses at this second annual soirée at The Edison and feel the energy at LA’s first private power plant, a sophisticated setting in trendy downtown LA. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails, lavish food, toe-tapping music, and lively entertainment. The Edison has been hailed as one of LA’s swankiest nightspots, and on this night it is open exclusively for our Sponsors and Guests to celebrate and support Ryman Arts. You and your guests will mix and mingle among creative professionals and art aficionados. Meet young artists whose careers began at Ryman Arts and know you are fueling the next generation of dreamers and doers. COMPANY SPONSORSHIP/MEDIA SPONSORSHIP INFO: http://goo.gl/WFZiVk *All proceeds benefit Ryman Arts programming for youth.* Alex February 17, 2016 at 8:39 pm · Reply → PANIC IN L.A. ft. DJ Premier + DJ CRAZE w/ StarRo, Groundislava, N.A.S.A., J. Worra + SPECIAL GUEST TBA L’Affaire Musicale & Ouija Entertainment present the launch of PANIC IN L.A., with their most legendary lineup to date at The Belasco, on Friday, March 11th, highlighted by the most important scion of golden age hip hop, DR PREMIER, alongside an all star cast of cutting edge talent featuring: ??? TBA later this month STARRO (Soulection) GROUNDISLAVA N.A.S.A. J. WORRA Doors 9-3am \| 21+ Tickets will be available at the door if not sold out. Limited Capacity The Belasco Theater – 1050 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Tickets on sale now at –> bit.ly/PanicInLA :: For Tables and more information, email orlove@ouijaentertainment.com or call 310-384-3789. Melissa Bucher February 16, 2016 at 11:54 am · Reply → Join us for an afternoon tour of Hancock Park, one of Los Angeles’ most historic neighborhoods. Meet and greet the architects including Dan Brunn, Cynthia Carlson, and William Hefner. Gain an exclusive look at Artist Danny First’s private gallery — The Cabin — featured in the Los Angeles Times. See how Scott Lander adapted a City of Los Angeles Cultural Historic Monument into a chic home. Tickets include a VIP tour of the homes & refreshments with your $175 donation. http://www.vfcshop.com/collections/architecture-tour-tickets/products/architecture-tour-hancock-park-march-12-2016 All proceeds fund vital health care for more than 24,000 low-income and homeless people Venice Family Clinic serves. Check-In & Tour Information Parking & Shuttles: Guests will check in and park their cars and board small shuttle buses. The tour will be approximately four hours. Guests must ride on the shuttles to participate in the tour. Parking location will be shared with ticketholders in the coming weeks. Please Note: No hard tickets will be mailed for this tour. Kymber Hill February 8, 2016 at 10:29 pm · Reply → Ireland’s Róisín O (http://roisino.com/) is one of the country’s most promising young artists. She has toured internationally and has received strong notices for her debut album, “The Secret Life of Blue.” She will play the Hotel Café on Tuesday, March 1 at 7PM. This is the music video for her most recent single, released last year: If You Got Love: http://youtu.be/0BSZyqe-gyM A live session of Sia’s “Chandelier” on Today FM also clocked up over half a million views online last summer: Chandelier cover: http://on.fb.me/1iaXWCl Róisín is the daughter of Mary Black, Ireland’s preeminent vocalist and member of the extensive Black family of musicians, while her brother is Danny O’Reilly, frontman and songwriter for the rock band The Coronas. While in Los Angeles, she will play at the annual “Oscar Wilde party: Honouring the Irish in Film,” the pre-Academy Awards event sponsored by the US-Ireland Alliance and hosted by renowned “Star Wars” director J.J. Abrams. It will be held on February 25, and this year will honor late night show host James Corden. Rose February 6, 2016 at 4:00 pm · Reply → Looking for a truly original V-Day night out? May we suggest the element of surprise? We promise, your special someone will be pleasantly surprised by your originality and fun loving spirit when you bring them out for a night of roaring fun. You and your sweetie will receive special curling rock chocolates, a long stem rose, and a night of super awesome good times! Valentines Day Original Date Night- Learn to Curl! LA Kings Valley Ice Center, 8750 Van Nuys. Blvd. Panorama City, CA 91402 Couples Package – $60.00 (USD) Includes chocolates and 1 long stem rose LTC- Junior participant (under 21) – $20.00 (USD) LTC- Solo Curler – $25.00 (USD) Psshhh! Who needs a date? I’m flying solo tonight! (This option doesn’t include the chocolates and flowers) Leigh February 1, 2016 at 9:54 am · Reply → CUPID’S UNDIE RUN!!! Cupid’s is a party + 1 mile fun run at your own pace + more party. This February, help put the hilarity in charity with hundreds of crazed runners taking to the streets in celebration of their fundraising for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Noon – Doors open & the party starts! – Belasco Theatre 1:00 PM – Awards ceremony 2:00 PM – UNDIE RUN 3:30 PM – Earned open bar closes 4:00 PM – Bag check closes, Cupid’s officially ends Register at: http://www.cupidsundierun.com/city/los-angeles/ Use 20% promo code: LAUNDIES! Rachel Levitt January 29, 2016 at 11:07 am · Reply → Water as an Issue for L. A. – Free and open to public. When Wasn’t Water an Issue for LA. 1880-present. A presentation about the history of the water wars of Los Angeles. Sunday, Feb. 21, at Mark Taper Auditorium in Central Library downtown, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Public Library and the Los Angeles City Historical Society. It will be a powerful Power Point Presentation about the history of Los Angeles’ struggle for water, with rarely and never-before-seen photographs and film, covering the privatization of the L.A. River, when the city agreed to a 30-year lease by a company that paid the city only $400 a year, while charging customers whatever it chose. It will present the intriguing and often misrepresented story of Mulholland and the L.A. Aqueduct, the many additional sources of imported water, the first recycling plant in Griffith Park in 1930, the continuing struggles with drought, the successful past and current recycling programs that serve Los Angeles, toilet-to-tap fiascos, and planning for the future by Los Angeles water and sanitation agencies. Karen Fishof January 25, 2016 at 11:43 am · Reply → We have a Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles from Feb 11-14 where adult campers can jam with and learn from Tony Iommi, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai and Warren Haynes – Details here – http://www.rockcamp.com/fantasy-camp-with-zakk-wylde.php The final night of camp, the campers will perform with Zakk Wylde at the Whisky A Go Go on Sunset – Tickets for the show can be purchased here https://quick.crowdtorch.com/120693?ref=135D5895AE420AF4F9E50151A1A55CB64D99C534463091A3E4BE514DA1C04948 Mike January 22, 2016 at 12:27 pm · Reply → Sup Los Anjealous, I have just started to work with LA based alt-rock group State to State, who will be releasing their new EP Motives on February 5th. That same day they will be playing a record release show at the relatively new The Lost Room in Echo Park. You can check out Motives here: https://soundcloud.com/statetostate/sets/motives-unreleased/s-Syj7h. I wanted to see if you would be interested in adding the show to your calendar or attending? //FARdigital Brayden January 21, 2016 at 3:25 pm · Reply → KINGDOMS is helping to round out Magic Bronson’s Satellite residency by providing direct support for them this coming monday. Can you please list this? We’d love for you to consider a feature :). I can send pics upon your request. We’d like to build exposure on this show for us because we’re showcasing four new songs and a Pink Floyd cover we’re excited about. More info and material on KINGDOMS can be found via our epk: http://kingdomsepk.com/ kingdomsmusic.com soundcloud.com/kingdomsmusic event page: http://www.thesatellitela.com/event/1045291-magic-bronson-january-los-angeles/#tfly-more-2 Andy Rocco January 20, 2016 at 11:30 am · Reply → Comedians Andy Rocco and Lisa Herring got married because they were dorky people (among other reasons) but that wasn’t enough for them. So they created a variety show to share their love for all things nerdy. Together they explore what’s new and exciting in nerd culture with sketches, characters, and stand up comedians, who will pretty much just talk about what ever they want. Guests this month will be… John Gemberling (Broad City) Seaton Smith (Mulaney) and Nerd Core Rapper, MC CHRIS Plus other surprises Tickets are $8 in advance / $10 at the door http://holdmyticket.com/event/232112-dorking-around-with-lisa-and-andy-w-john-gemberling-emmy-blotnick-more Christopher Buttner January 19, 2016 at 11:16 pm · Reply → The 7th Annual Edwardian Ball returns to Hollywood’s legendary and storied Fonda Theatre on Saturday, February 27, 2016 for ONE NIGHT ONLY. The “epic and elegant yet seductively dark affair that enchants all of the senses,” according to LA.com, is a re-imagined turn-of-the-century world that presents an inimitable, description-defying, whimsical and surrealistic living interpretation and celebration of the late macabre cult author, comic artist, illustrator and cartoonist Edward Gorey. http://www.edwardianball.com Gorey is considered a ground-breaking, genre–defying graphic novelist who is credited with influencing Charles “Addams Family” Addams, Lemony Snicket, Neil Gaiman (Coraline and Day of the Dead), Rob Reger (Emily the Strange), Alison Bechdel,(Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama and Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic), and Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, and Beetlejuice). The Edwardian Ball blends live music, theatre, fashion and cosplay, circus, fine art, riveting stage shows, black comedy, science fiction, literature, ballroom dancing, and DJs into a whirlwind and enticing extravaganza set in a romanticized, gilded and genteel Neo-Victorian and Edwardian-era gothic and steampunk-tinged distant past that imagines an elegant alternate reality future. Other delightful attractions include a free portrait booth, rooftop vending, mystical and nonsensical oddities, absinthe cocktails, parlour games, alluring sideshows, and much more. All ages are welcome. This multi-city, multi-media exposition of the eccentric and esoteric the SF Bay Guardian calls a “Gothic, ghoulish and glorious celebration,” has grown over the past fifteen years from an underground club party into an internationally recognized festival of the arts, drawing attendees from all over the world, operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust. The Edwardian Ball, which has been dazzling San Francisco audiences since it first began in 2000, is described by the San Francisco Weekly as, “Think Vintage Fetish meets circus theatrics meets industrial arts mayhem;” “A surreal atmosphere filled with anachronistic wonders,” by the San Francisco Chronicle and “similar to Gorey’s work, there is nothing quite like this event,” states HorrorWorks.net. 944 Magazine calls The Edwardian Ball, “An over-the-top, colorful, quirky, eccentric, whimsical-yet-elegant costume party doesn’t even begin to describe the event,” and Buzzfeed calls it “the #1 Steampunk Event in the World.” Saturday, February 27, 2016: The 7th Annual Edwardian Ball Los Angeles The Edwardian Ball is presented by co-hosts Rosin Coven and Vau de Vire Society. Ballroom dancing leads way to stunning performances both on and offstage in a collage of fashion, theatre, music, circus performance, and dance. Each year, The Edwardian Ball presents a featured Edward Gorey tale in an original stage performance. This year’s event takes a unique turn, with Edwardian Ball founders Rosin Coven teaming up with longtime collaborators Dark Garden Corsetry in an operatic presentation of Gorey’s ridiculous tale, “The Stupid Joke.” Expect anything but stupidity as these masters of their craft collaborate in an unforgettable tale of a poorly planned joke gone incredibly wrong… And in the spirit of celebrating all things Edward Gorey, Ball co-hosts Vau de Vire Society present a series of vignettes throughout the evening paying homage to the most controversial works of the (in)famous illustrator… guaranteed to pop corsets and ruffle coattails! http://www.edwardianball.com Anu Kishore Ganpati January 18, 2016 at 10:57 am · Reply → ARATANI WORLD SERIES feb13-may28, 2016. The World Festival of Sacred Music continues to bring music and dance to Los Angeles at the Aratani Theater, Little Tokyo. This year’s Aratani World Series offers four concerts which connect LA to Mexico, Japan, India and Hawaii.Prepare to see more deeply and feel more deeply about our world while celebrating global artists raised in our city. festivalofsacredmusic.org FB – https://www.facebook.com/arataniworldseries/ Halau Keali’i o Nalani Kenny Endo Contemporary Taiko Ensemble Mythili Prakash & Aditya Prakash Ensemble Caminos y Canciones of the Gonzalez Family Artsy Flea Market January 11, 2016 at 1:56 pm · Reply → The Artsy Flea is an arts and flea market that will take place every Saturday beginning on January 16th 2016, from 10am to 3pm (fall/winter) and until 5pm (spring/summer). The Artsy Flea features 145 booths, food trucks, music, kids attractions and more. Located at 2930 Fletcher Ave at the Van de Kamp Bakery Building in the Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. Parking is free and general admission is 1$. For more info, visit theoddmarket.com/artsyflea SpaceCream January 10, 2016 at 3:21 pm · Reply → WHO: Acclaimed Hollywood Glam/Prog Rock band SpaceCream (winner of LA Battle for Vans Warped Tour at House of Blues Sunset in 2014) WHAT: Official Record Release Show WHERE: The Mint (6010 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035) WHEN: Friday, January 22, 2016 at 8:15 PM TIX: http://themintla.com/event.cfm?id=225119&cart Acclaimed Hollywood Glam/Prog Rock band SpaceCream is pleased to present the release of the their debut, full-length album, Pterodactyl Sky. You are cordially invited to the official release concert at The Mint on January 22 at 8:15 p.m. The evening will be closed out with a set by royalty blues group VOLTO! which features members of Tool, Jane’s Addiction, and Don Henley. Celebrated for stunning vocals, musicianship and visual presentation, SpaceCream won the LA Battle for Vans Warped Tour at House of Blues Sunset in 2014. Hailed as a modern “Ann Wilson in Bowie’s edition of Rocky Horror Picture Show,” SpaceCream has since played all over Southern California, including sold out shows at the Viper Room and Troubadour. The songs featured on Pterodactyl Sky result from two years of concert experience and creative energy. Complex yet accessible, they lend a voice to anyone who feels strange, forgotten or hungry for the revival of great Rock n’ Roll. For more information, please visit http://www.SpaceCreamBand.com. Hannah Madison Taylor January 6, 2016 at 5:17 pm · Reply → POP MEETS SOUL!! Hannah Madison Taylor to play at The Mint tomorrow! https://soundcloud.com/hannah When: Thursday, Jan 7, 2016 7:30 PM (Doors open at 7:00 PM) Ticket Price: $10.00 – $15.00 Set at 10:15pm Tickets can be purchased HERE: http://themintla.com/mobile/show.cfm?id=224334&cart 5AM January 6, 2016 at 11:31 am · Reply → Jan 10th Music & Chill hosted by Olivia Thai Full line up of artists including 5AM and Olivia Thai! @ The Lexington Theater Downtown LA 8PM OurMusic5AM.com Holly Baker-Kreiswirth December 22, 2015 at 1:56 pm · Reply → Pick of the Vine: Season 14 THIS YEAR’S BEST SHORT PLAYS Pick of the Vine – A scrumptious selection of this year’s best short plays, opens Jan 8 Runs: Jan 8 – Feb 13 Fri & Sat @ 8pm; Sun 1/17, 1/24 @ 2pm; Thu 1/21, 1/28, 2/4 @ 8pm 777 S. Centre St Reservations: Call 310.512.6030, text 424.226.6030, or visit our website http://www.littlefishtheatre.org Email: boxoffice@littlefishtheatre.org Website: https://www.littlefishtheatre.org First Look (Opening night only): $23.00 Location: Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St. (at 8th St.), San Pedro, CA 90731 Entrance and parking behind the theatre; access through alley between 7th & 8th Sts. This Year’s Plays: Binged There, Done That by Ken Preuss (Oviedo, FL), Directed by James Rice What You Don’t Know by Mora V. Harris (Pittsburgh, PA), Directed by Cylan Brown The Wiggle Room by George D. Morgan (Oxnard, CA), Directed by Madeleine Drake Small Talk by David MacGregor (Howell, MI), Directed by Branda Lock Reston by L. Robert Westeen (Houston, TX), Directed by James Rice How Nice of You to Ask by Rick Ruben (Portland, OR), Directed by Cylan Brown Ten Picnics by Mark Harvey Levine (Pasadena, CA), Directed by Madeleine Drake Cancelled by M. Rowan Meyer (New York, NY), Directed by Branda Lock The Temp by Steve Emily (Colorado Springs, CO), Directed by James Rice Encounter at a Hot Dog Stand by Monica Lewis (Erie, PA), Directed by Cylan Brown Featuring: Bryson Jones Allman, Kathryn Farren, Geraldine Fuentes, Brendan Gill, Amanda Karr, David Kieran, Patrick Rafferty, Perry Shields, Annie Vest Denotes member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) Friday, January 8 – 8:00 PM Saturday, January 9 – 8:00 PM Friday, January 15 – 8:00 PM Saturday, January 16 – 8:00 PM Sunday, January 17 – 2:00 PM (Talkback) Thursday, January 21 – 8:00 PM Sunday, January 24 – 2:00 PM Thursday, February 4 – 8:00 PM Friday, February 5 – 8:00 PM Saturday, February 6 – 8:00 PM Friday, February 12 – 8:00 PM Saturday, February 13 – 8:00 PM Cynthia Kao December 21, 2015 at 2:10 pm · Reply → UCB LA Maude team, Bombardier, made a video about the joy of experiencing Orphan Christmas in LA! Starring John Milhiser, Kat Palardy and Mark Schroeder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OasSn4aBmsk Jamie Barren December 21, 2015 at 6:59 am · Reply → Hooray Henrys (Henry’s LA Nightclub) \| NYE PARTY Los Angeles NEW YEAR’S 2016 5 Hour Open Bar 9pm – 2am Thursday, December 31st, 2015 \| 9pm – 2am \| 21+ 8713 Beverly Boulevard , West Hollywood CA 90048 2016 Henry’s LA NYE — British class and Beverly Hills swank combine this New Year’s Eve at Henry’s LA Nightclub (aka Hooray Henry’s). Hooray Henry’s L.A.’s scenesters will be flocking to Hooray Henry’s nightclub on New Year’s Eve for an evening of drinking, dancing, and music. The night features music by Power 106 DJ Inferno, a five-hour premium open bar and complimentary early evening light fare as well as fanciful NYE party favors. The Fun begins 9:00 PM on December 31st 2015 at Hooray Henry’s located at 8713 Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood. This New Year’s, class it up at Henry’s, the deluxe nightclub of Beverly Hills that blends the hip elegance of London with the megawatt nightlife of L.A. for a unforgettably grand NYE party. Purchase NYE tickets now online at http://newyearsnightlife.net/ NYELECTRIC W HOLLYWOOD ROOFTOP 2016 Ring in the 2016 New Year at NYElectric The venue formerly known as Drais, W Hollywood Hotel Loft and Rooftop, is always one of the most amazing NYE nightlife party spots in Hollywood with a 360-degree-view to die for – (just don’t test that phrase by getting too close to the edge of the rooftop). You can hit up the W’s Rooftop any day of the year, but with its 360 degree downtown skyline-meets-Hollywood-Hills view, this trusted destination still serves as a stellar locale for NYE. Inside, the night is made special not by LED walls or caged dancers, but by deejay talent that knows how to capture the energy of a party and elevate care-free rug cutters to the next level of joy. Listen for feel-good house and deep-beat sets. Or, steal away for a pensive, one-on-one moment with nature or make-out sessions in a cabana alongside the WetDeck—this is New Year’s Eve 2016 in LA, after all. For more information, visit online: http://newyearsnightlife.net/ Inside, the night is made special not by LED walls or caged dancers, but by deejay talent that knows how to capture the energy of a party and elevate care-free rug cutters to the next level of joy. Listen for feel-good house and deep-beat sets. Or, steal away for a pensive, one-on-one moment with nature or make-out sessions in a cabana alongside the WetDeck—this is New Year’s Eve 2016 in LA, after all. For more information, visit online at — http://newyearsnightlife.net/ MANSION OC 2016 NYE GRAND OPENING GALA OC New Year’s Eve 2016 Party at All-New Mansion Costa Mesa (previously Shark Club) — DJ Scotty Boy is set to headline this massive bash celebrating both the new year and the grand opening of Mansion, the OC’s hot new addition to its legendary club scene. Formerly The Shark Club, Costa Mesa’s Mansion lives up to its name with more than 12,000 square feet of party space, multiple dance floors, several cash bars and beat-ready DJ booths. Count down to 2016 and let loose to a mix of hip hop, house, Top 40 and EDM, complete with party favors, at this upscale Orange County shindig. So if you’re on the prowl for a swanky celebration this New Year’s Eve, prowl no more. The MANSION OC NYE Bash 2016 promises to be just that. With style, taste, and festivities galore, this is one not-to-be-missed party happening NYE 2016 at Mansion, formerly Shark Club, is located at 841 Baker Street in Costa Mesa, CA 92626. A ticket to MANSION OC 2016 NYE will get you all you could possibly want to celebrate in style. Purchase early NYE tickets now online at — https://madeocnye2016.eventbrite.com LAIDBACK LUKE 2016 NEW YEARS Laidback Luke 2016 Lure New Years Party — This New Year’s Eve, Lure Nightclub and Le Jardin LA combine for one massive NYE party. Lure (EDM) features mega-star DJ Laidback Luke and supporting deejay set by Goshfather, while the adjacent Le Jardin (Hip-hop) features Mike Danger come together to create one extravagant NYE experience. Spend your NYE right and join Laidback Luke as LURE Nightclub looks to start 2016 with a big bang. Act fast and purchase early bird NYE Tickets at discounted pricing available now online at http://www.jbpnye.com — Make your plans, mark your calendars and get ready for the biggest EDM NYE Party in L.A. for New Year’s ever with Laidback Luke. Let the countdown begin. More info, events and NYE tickets available online: http://newyearsnightlife.net/ CHINESE THEATRE 2016 LA RIOTS NEW YEARS PARTY NYE 2016 at TCL Chinese Theatre is as lavish as Hollywood’s greatest gala openings. At TCL Chinese Theatres, you will enjoy the star treatment as you bask in the glow of Hollywood’s most opulent, iconic movie palace. The TCL Chinese Theatre NYE offerings are as classic as they come. Like Grauman’s countless celebrity guests before you, this NYE means dancing the night away to music provided by Hollywood’s hottest deejays — LA RIOTS and CARLOS ASTUTI – while indulging in a 5 Hour Premium Open Bar to help usher in a night as immortal as the theatre’s iconic celebrity handprints and footprints. Guests are encouraged to grab a complimentary champagne toast and join the entire crowd in an explosive Live DJ Countdown that will give you front row seats to L.A.’s premiere NYE Hollywood nightlife celebration as you raise your complimentary champagne toast to the sky and drink to the stars. Chinese Theatre LA Riots 2016 New Years tickets start at $39 (cash bar) and $75 (open bar tickets). VIP tables reservations and bottle service available by purchasing one of the VIP ticket all-inclusive packages which include open bar tickets, bottle/s, champagne, line by-pass entry, reserved table/area for entire evening… Purchase early NYE tickets and/or all-Inclusive packages online at http://newyearsnightlife.net/ Bootsy Bellows 2016 Redfoo Party Rock NYE Bootsy Bellows \| NYE PARTY 9229 West Sunset Blvd. , West Hollywood CA 90069 Ring in the New Year with Redfoo and the Party Rock crew on December 31st 2015 (Thursday) 9:00 PM at Bootsy Bellows for a New Year’s Eve party sure to keep you Party Rocking well into the 2016 New Year. Purchase NYE Tickets now online at http://www.jbpnye.com For all the high living, burlesque-boasting action you need to make this New Year’s Eve the most intense yet, head over to Bootsy Bellows, featuring a 5 Hour Premium Open Bar serving up the best libations late into the night, this is one over-the-top night in West Hollywood. Festive NYE party favors, and a Live Performance by Redfoo and Party Rock Crew, spinning the best of Top40, Hip-hop and House music all night long makes Bootsy Bellows the premier NYE party nightlife destination in Los Angeles, located at 9229 Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood. With a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, your taste of tradition doesn’t stop at the art deco décor. For a taste of LA’s premier celebrity-attracting nightlife action, look no further than Bootsy Bellows, Hollywood’s hottest ticket to the good life. It’s going to be wild this New Year’s Eve at this cherry LA party pad. Doors open 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM for the fashionably loud 21/over. L.A.’s best Hollywood New Year’s Eve party guide available online at http://newyearsnightlife.net 1 OAK LA NEW YEARS EVENT Ring in the New Year at one of LA’s hottest clubs, 1 OAK. Partygoers will enjoy a five hour premium bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at this West Hollywood nightclub, which has been described as “lavish” and “explosive.” This New Year’s Eve, Los Angeles swank combines with New York City panache at 1OAK LA in West Hollywood. Thursday, December 31st 2015, the LA chic 1OAK is where L.A.’s jet-set party crowd, nightlife celebrants and fashionistas will usher in the 2016 New Year. And with a name that is synonymous with exclusive nightlife culture, 1OAK guarantees to ignite L.A. this New Year’s in a glam-filled NYE bash that will kick off your New Year with a lavish and explosive celebration featuring music by DJ Tony Martinez. More information available online at http://newyearsnightlife.net/ Sanguindrake December 15, 2015 at 12:13 pm · Reply → Hello Losandjealous! Sanguindrake (an LA based independent psychedelic rock/folk band) just released a new music video for a song from our EP Mandragora. It’s utter madness and it will change your life. Here’s a link to the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx1gdfF1vlQ And the trailers: https://youtu.be/iaZML2pkxN4 https://youtu.be/AumMSOttH7A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnEC7NxsHoU We also have a show coming up tonight @ the Silver Lake Lounge The Show: Here’s a link to the EPL https://open.spotify.com/album/08l3TE3zDswtXBtYVHkqJq https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mandragora-ep/id908763900 Sanguindrake is David Drake (vocals, guitar) Sarah Carter (vocals, guitar, piano) (of the TV show Falling Skies and Rogue), and Kevin Barth (lead guitar). Brad Watson December 10, 2015 at 7:09 pm · Reply → LA Shoegaze band SOUND IS LOVV have released their debut EP “Shipwrecks” featuring Mike Byrne and Nicole Fiorentino. REVIEW BELOW BY ROB WATTS. FOLLOW @RobWattsOnline “Shipwrecks, the debut e.p. by Los Angeles based band, Sound is Lovv, is a beautiful blend of Shoegaze and Noiserock—stirring lush tones and lo-Fi wavelengths to create a pleasing sounding collection of music. Atmospheric and well-produced, Shipwrecks flows quite well, not veering off the road too much in one direction over another. It’s more or less, your six-song soundtrack to daydreaming your way out of your stressful day. “And Don’t Believe” and “Take Me With You” are saturated with reverb and shimmery guitars, while the vocals exude quite well through the gazing backdrop of sounds. “Love FM” has some rather amazing hooks while the opening and closing tracks bookend the album with instrumentals. Former Smashing Pumpkins members, Mike Byrne and Nicole Fiorentino make an appearance on Shipwrecks as well. It’s a well-worth-the-time listen, especially if you’re into emerging acts with new material. I recommend them. Check out Shipwrecks here and give it a listen! ” EP ON SOUNDCLOUD: soundcloud.com/soundislovv MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4tubs-DiMs Upcoming Shows for 2015: Dec 18 @ The Mint http://themintla.com/event.cfm?id=225243&cart#fbShareLinkTag Dec 30 @ The Down and Out dana December 8, 2015 at 12:22 pm · Reply → LOS ANGELES BASED ARTIST CROWN JWLZ RELEASES FIRST SONG “WITHOUT U” FROM HER DEBUT EP CALIFORNIA KING OUT EARLY 2016 SEE THE “WITHOUT U” VIDEO PREMIERING TODAY AT VENTS MAGAZINE GET TO KNOW HER AT INNOCENTWORDS.COM Singer-Songwriter-Rocker Crown Jwlz releases the first single “Without U” from her upcoming debut EP “California King” slated to be released in early 2016. See the exclusive video premiere for “Without U” at Vents Magazine today: http://ventsmagazine.com/2015/12/04/premiere-crown-jwlz-release-new-music-video-for-without-u/ With her sultry voice taking center stage over rhythmic riffs she is at her best as she tackles tough subjects such as gender inequality and double-standards. Crown Jwlz is eager to bring her music and message to the masses, shake it up and rattle outlooks. “As a title, California King refutes the principal that only a man can be king,” she explains. For her debut release Crown Jwlz enlisted an all-star team of producers that include Max Coane [Jack’s Mannequin,] Maxwell Moon [Macy Gray,] and Erik Belz [will.i.am, Juicy J.] The songs were mixed by Noah Georgeson [The Strokes, Little Joy] and mastered by Ted Jensen [Muse, Florence + the Machine.] Get to know her at her recent interview with Innocent Words Magazine here: http://innocentwords.com/innocent-words-presents-iw10-with-crown-jwlz/ http://www.crownjwlz.com Charlie Staunton November 30, 2015 at 12:31 pm · Reply → Baby Bombers is a new rock n’ roll fanzine by Arrow de Wilde and Lily Noyes! Issue #1 features Hammered Satin and Don Bolles of The Germs!!! Also includes fun quizzes, art, and comics! Virgil Normal is a rad store that was kind enough to let us have a pop-up where we will be selling vintage clothes, records, + handmade goods!! So please come join us on Saturday, December 5th to celebrate Rock and Roll!! 12-4pm!! + DJ SET BY WOODEN WISDOM (Elijah Wood and Zach Cowie)!! Justin Hulsey November 21, 2015 at 5:09 pm · Reply → Justin Hulsey’s Record Release Show at Hotel Cafe Sleeping Wolf is the opener The Hotel Cafe link is https://www.hotelcafe.com/tickets/?s=events_view&id=4399 The Facebook Event link is fran November 11, 2015 at 6:48 pm · Reply → youbloomLA Music Festival and Conference enters its sophomore year with bands from around the world and speakers from across the industry taking place December 10 through 12th. Learn. Connect. Play. That’s the youbloom motto; the creed for this community of music enthusiasts whose mission it is to see that more and more artists can sustain themselves. Jessica Ross November 2, 2015 at 9:12 am · Reply → You’re invited to join us for Kai Narezo’s Contra Tiempo Album Release Party! Who: Jazz Trio composed of Kai Narezo on guitar whom Pablo San Nicasio calls “…one of the best flamenco guitarists born outside of Spain. -Chalaura.com ., Ric Fierabracci (Chick Corea, Shakira, Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra) on bass and Joey Heredia (Stevie Wonder, Sheila E., Herb Alpert) on drums. Also appearing is flamenco dancer Manuel Gutierrez and singer Jose Cortes, as well as additional surprise guests. When: Wednesday, November 4th; Doors 7 pm; Sets at 9:30 pm and 11 pm Where: Baked Potato Jazz Club (3787 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City) in Los Angeles Tickets: $15 at the door which includes a copy of the CD Contact: Baked Potato, (818) 980-1615 Event Links: http://www.kainarezo.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/events/1642925779315221/ Alex Minasian October 31, 2015 at 9:02 pm · Reply → Alex Minasian Trio Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz 2930 Beverly Glen Cir Thursday Nov 12th 6:30-10:30pm http://vibrato.herbalpertpresents.com/ http://www.alexminasian.com Minasian, the last pianist of legendary jazz vocalists, Jimmy Scott, and Mark Murphy, makes a rare West Coast appearance with his trio at Vibrato on November 12th.. Will ivy October 29, 2015 at 5:43 pm · Reply → Presented by SMiLE! and Pretty Penny Records A celebration for the release of the first Will Ivy solo record, a limited 7″ pressing in a edition of 100 on heavy gram vinyl! All 100 records have their own unique cover, and all will be displayed in a gallery and available for purchase! Pick whatever one you like, take it off the wall, and own a unique musical artifact! Also playing to celebrate the release: Sand Babes also with DJ Neil Martinson + Reverberation DJ Spencer Dunham ( Allah-Las ) Two stages with bands inside and outside, a gallery of 100 unique records, full bar… Online gallery of some of the covers: http://willivy44.tumblr.com/ Lady Capri October 22, 2015 at 12:35 pm · Reply → ESP Evolution is a pop band from Los Angeles. Their song ‘Rasta Movement’ reached #24 on the FMQB Top 40/AC Top 200 charts the week of 8/5/2015. This song can be heard here: https://www.reverbnation.com/espevolution/song/22615809-rasta-movement ESP Evolution has just released a video for their 2nd single ‘We Can Kick It’. This video can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZWAhxLhnwA Check them out! They are not your average band and average sound! https://www.reverbnation.com/espevolution/songs https://twitter.com/espevolution https://instagram.com/espevolution/ https://www.youtube.com/c/espevolution Alexandra Greenberg October 19, 2015 at 4:26 pm · Reply → SHANA HALLIGAN PRESENTS ‘BACK TO ME’ RELEASE SHOW AT THE HOTEL CAFÉ “Let Shana Halligan shoot to the top of your attention. ‘Something Real’ is a slinky, smooth, electro-pop single reminiscent of AlunaGeorge, Hundred Waters, and Son Lux while still treading the delicate intimacies of someone too reserved to overwhelm you with an intense light show. Halligan’s upcoming LP, Back to Me, drops October 16. We’re betting it’s going to be one of the more memorable releases of 2015.” — Nerdist BACK TO ME, the new album from sultry songstress SHANA HALLIGAN for Plug Research Music, is out now via Plug Research Music. Next month, SHANA HALLIGAN will perform a BACK TO ME release show presented by KCRW at The Hotel Café in Hollywood on Thursday, November 12, marking the first time the songstress will perform the album live. It will be a moving experience for SHANA HALLIGAN and fans alike, surely a moment not to miss. The charm and charisma of Back To Me is an exploration of human sensuality told through songs of romance, heartache and personal reflection. Adding that perfectly sealed kiss of mystique, pain and hope, HALLIGAN’s uniquely tortured voice brings back the art of classic vocal allure mixed with modern-day, moody production. During and since her time as the lead singer/songwriter of Bitter:Sweet, HALLIGAN has sold more than 500,000 records and has accumulated over 70 album credits to her name. SHANA HALLIGAN’s return to full form on BACK TO ME is of the flesh, of the heart and of the soul. Smart and sexy, the 13-track album challenges pre-conceived notions of pop music as she mixes her trip-hop background with downtempo, electronic-charged modern jazz. It’s a formula best represented on standout track “Illuminate,” an endearing introspection of unconditional love and acceptance set to the smooth beat of saddened, current-day pop equally comparable to Lorde and Lana Del Rey. On the rainy day piano sulk of “Been Waiting,” HALLIGAN lets go of all inhibition and bears her total essence for all to witness. It exposes a tumultuous episode in her personal and professional life as it all gets complicated with her pregnancy (HALLIGAN discovered she was pregnant just as she was wrapping Back To Me and gave birth to her son Otis in July), which brings both feelings of intimidation and future dreams of motherhood. Still, HALLIGAN sounds at her most powerful and most assertive on “Get Gone,” an ode to her past where she indefinitely kisses off all the spirits, relationships, and romances that once haunted her. In one fell swoop, she overcomes life’s biggest hurdles: “Go, get gone / I’m making big moves on my own.” Look for the video for “Get Gone” to debut soon. “This album is about love, loss, finding my way to happiness and peace, finding strength, owning and accepting my passion, my humanness, feeling weak, and feeling strong again,” says HALLIGAN. “Eroticism, vulnerability, fear, and the deepest gratitude I can imagine. Connection, expression and art. Saying goodbye to anyone who thought I couldn’t make it and not being afraid to let go, to just be me and all that comes with it.” http://www.shanahalligan.com http://www.facebook.com/ShanaHalligan http://www.twitter.com/shanahalligan http://www.soundcloud.com/shana-halligan http://www.instagram.com/shanahalligan MSO Press Releases & Assets http://www.msopr.com/n/client-roster/shana-halligan/ About Shana Halligan: During and since her time as the lead singer/songwriter of Bitter:Sweet, Shana Halligan has sold more than 500,000 records and has accumulated over 70 album credits to her name. Other releases from Shana Halligan include her solo debut EP Paper Butterfly and 2012 album Richmond Parade. Additionally, her music has received numerous high-profile synchs and licensing deals in film, TV, ad campaigns and beyond, including Sex and The City, The Devil Wears Prada, Bright Eyes, Focus, Cars 2, “The Blacklist,” “Orange Is The New Black,” “Entourage,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Housewives,” just to name a few. Currently Sheraton Hotels & Resorts are using the Bitter:Sweet song “Dirty Laundry” which Shana co-wrote and co-produced for their first international TV ad campaign in over a decade. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/1l_yIK7lMfg She’s also collaborated with many major acts, including writing and recording with Serj Tankian of System Of A Down and Thievery Corporation (co-writing and performing their biggest hit in recent years “Depth Of My Soul”), and has performed at several celebrated venues across the nation, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall (London), the Bowery Ballroom (NYC) and the Hotel Cafe (L.A.). Outside of her own music, Halligan also writes for other artists and is developing a TV project that combines her love for music and passion for cooking. Brendan October 19, 2015 at 12:28 pm · Reply → Come check out Los Angeles-based rock/reggae collective SayReal at Harvelle’s in Santa Monica tomorrow, Tuesday October 20th, and next Tuesday, October 27th for their free mini-residence! SayReal is fronted by Naia Kete, who appeared on 2012’s season of NBC’s “The Voice.” The troupe was discovered by Randy Jackson, who saw the quartet perform an impromptu set at Hollywood’s Hotel Cafe in late 2014 and encouraged them to form into what he called a “super-group.” They recently released a new single, which follows up their ‘Unarmed and Ready’ EP. https://soundcloud.com/sayrealmusic https://www.facebook.com/sayrealmusic Harvelle’s Santa Monica Yasmine October 13, 2015 at 2:57 pm · Reply → A series of L.A. based photography by Yasmine Diaz Saturday, October 17, 6-8pm Los Angeles County Store 4333 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90029 yasminediaz.com Magic Moments October 9, 2015 at 10:32 pm · Reply → Hello dear editor of Los Angealous… I hope you get a moment to preview my debut EP: http://magicmoments143.com/Phoenix And that you can come to the album release party on Nov. 10th in LA: http://magicmoments143.com/Phoenixalbumrelease Thank you so much! <3 Nick Byron Campbell October 8, 2015 at 5:24 pm · Reply → Come out to opening night of the Timelines sound art installation at Center for the Arts Eagle Rock on Thursday, October 15th. It’s an interactive sound experience created by LA band Wages, with the goal of combining the worlds of pop music and conceptual sound art. The installation will feature the unveiling and performance of a new instrument played by flowing sand. Also, FREE admission and FREE alcohol. Full information is at the link below: Three Rooms Press October 2, 2015 at 1:23 pm · Reply → Beyond Baroque & Three Rooms Press present– A TRIBUTE TO LIVING THEATRE FOUNDER JUDITH MALINA celebrating the launch of her book FULL MOON STAGES: Personal Notes From 50 Years of The Living Theatre Wedneasday October 14 in The Mike Kelly Gallery (8pm) at Beyond Baroque 681 N Venice Blvd. with readings and memories of Judith from special guests: Ronee Blakely, John DiFusco, Michael C Ford, Michael Harris, O-lan Jones, Sally Kirkland, Leon Martel & Lisa Thayer with the editors of FULL MOON STAGES from Three Rooms Press Peter carlaftes & Kat Georges on hand and host and director of Beyond Baroque Richard Modiano. Don’t miss this memorable night with so many great luminaries standing up for the legendary theater force & peaceful anarchist Judith Malina. Plus copies of FULL MOON STAGES will be availble for this event. A TRIBUTE TO JUDITH MALINA @Beyond Baroque 681 N. Venice Blvd in The Mike Kelly Gallery on Wednesday October 14 at 8pm. Phone # 310 822 3006/www.beyondbaroque.org General Admission $10, Students & Seniors $6, Members Free Three Rooms Press October 2, 2015 at 12:13 pm · Reply → Free admisision Three Rooms Press October 2, 2015 at 9:36 am · Reply → Skylight Books and Three Rooms Press presents Marcia Rodd & Michael C Ford Celebrating the launch of his new detective novel STILL NIGHT IN L.A. Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 7:30-8:30 pm Skylight Books 1818 N. Vermont, Los Angeles, (323) 600-1175 Award-winning author, poet, playwright, and memoirist Aram Saroyan celebrates the release of his new detective novel STILL NIGHT IN L.A. (Three Rooms Press) with a reading at Skylight Books on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 pm. “An Evening with Aram Saroyan” will feature the renowned author, with special guests actress Marcia Rodd and poet Michael C Ford, reading excerpts from the STILL NIGHT IN L.A., which author Gerald Nicosia praises as “a novel where the magic is all in the language. A signing follows the reading. Award-winning journalist and author Richard Setlowe (The Haunting of Suzanna Blackwell) raves, “Aram Saroyan’s STILL NIGHT IN L.A. cruises the mean streets and trendy brunch boites of Los Angeles, this city of angels and psychopaths. His shamus Michael Shepard is a Marlowe for our digital times.” And renowned author Barry Gifford (Wild at Heart) praises STILL NIGHT IN L.A.: “ram Saroyan nurses the accelerator in a deceptively laconic way, channeling the faultless ratiocination of Charles Willeford (Miami Blues) and Paul Cain (Seven Slayers). STILL NIGHT IN L.A. keeps still until, at just the right moment, he floors it.” Copies of STILL NIGHT IN L.A. will be available for purchase and signing at the event. http://www.skylightbooks.com For additional Info: info@threeroomspress.com Real Ideal October 1, 2015 at 9:25 pm · Reply → Jubilo Drive and Real Ideal are teaming up for a next level take on the LA underground music scene in Echo Park. Jubilo Drive will be celebrating the release of their latest record, “Taqueria.” Popup Shops: Kingbail \| Lola The Label Performances: Jubilo Drive + youtu.be/WDpuNAEQFLM \| Kev. + soundcloud.com/whoiskev \| Pail + soundcloud.com/iampail \| facebook.com/events/314804235355185/ Doors open at 7pm. Free entry for music & art lovers of all ages. We have rented Echoes Under Sunset. This art space is next to the Echoplex (directly left of the bridge). 1310 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026, right off the 101-freeway. Black Love September 30, 2015 at 3:33 am · Reply → Andorkappen (rhythmic noise coupled with nekro vocals) Black Artiodactyls (leftfield atmospheric ritual experimental music) Black Love (primitive disorienting hard rock) Sapphic Musk (homocentric Euro-Nordic heavy rock) Ye Olde Hushe Clubbe 10 p.m., Hyperion Tavern, 1941 Hyperion Ave., L.A., 90027 21+. Free. Deep. Knowing. Just like you. Tiffany Tse September 8, 2015 at 3:16 pm · Reply → Explore Silver Lake with exclusive access to homes designed and renovated by architects Escher GuneWardena, Rudolph Schindler, Tom Marble and Marmol Radziner. Tickets include a VIP tour of five homes & refreshments with your $175 donation. New Offer! Renew or become a Platinum or Gold Angel today and receive two complimentary tour tickets with your Angel Membership. We will open check-in promptly at 10am. All tour shuttles will be departing at 10:30am. The tour will be approximately four hours. Guests must ride on the shuttles to participate in the tour. Parking location will be shared with ticketholders in the coming weeks. This is a vertical tour. Most of the homes have staircases. Reggyna Mora August 28, 2015 at 1:38 pm · Reply → SUPERSONICO Returns on October 3, 2015 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles SUPERSONICO is a Multi-Genre, Multi-Stage, Cultural Happening Watch the Announcement Video: https://vimeo.com/131493844 ATERCIOPELADOS, XIMENA SARINANA, KINKY, NORTEC COLLECTIVE, MALA RODRIGUEZ, MARIACHI EL BRONX, MEXICAN INSITITUTE OF SOUND, HELLO SEAHORSE, PRAYERS, ALEX ANWANDTER, CHANCHA VIA CIRCUITO, EL MATO A UN POLICIA MOTORIZADO, TORREBLANCA, DJ AFRO, DENGUE DENGUE DENGUE, CALENTURA, MR PAUER AND ONE MORE…. Ashley McCulley August 26, 2015 at 3:34 pm · Reply → Who: UNICEF What: The UNICEF Black + White Masquerade Ball When: Friday, October 30, 2015 – 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Where: Hollywood Forever Cemetery – Masonic Lodge Website: UNICEFmasqla.org This Halloween…The World’s Children Need Your Help Each October in Chicago and Los Angeles, a group of young leaders in their 20s and 30s called UNICEF Next Generation hosts the UNICEF Masquerade Ball to raise critical funding that allows UNICEF to continue going to the most difficult and dangerous places on earth to save and protect the world’s children. The events attract a crowd of celebrities and notables who are committed to our cause. The evening promises its guests music and dancing to your favorite songs mixed by some of the country’s most talented DJs, fantastic food and drinks, and an opportunity to meet other influential global citizens. This year, we truly hope you will join us. UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. The party includes… -Delectable snacks from LA’s best food trucks and 5 hours of delicious drinks -Dancing to your favorite songs mixed by some the of the country’s top DJ’s -A one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet members of UNICEF Next Generation and beyond who share the belief that all children deserve basic rights: clean water, nutrition, protection, education, and emergency relief. Please join us this Halloween and help support the world’s children. The UNICEF Black + White Masquerade Ball 9:00 pm – 10:30 pm Red Carpet Arrivals 9:00 pm – 1:00 am Appetizers and candy bar available 10:00 pm – 2:00 am TBD DJ set 11:55 pm – 12:00 am UNICEF remarks 12:00 am – 12:02 am Toast to Halloween 2:00 am Event Concludes Rockridgemusic August 25, 2015 at 7:47 am · Reply → Folk Family Revival @ The Mint 6010 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 Ticket and Show info: http://themintla.com/event.cfm?id=211711&cart Description: Blues/folk band Folk Family Revival performing live at The Mint Shayna Rain and the Part - Tine Models August 23, 2015 at 7:14 pm · Reply → Indie blues rock band from Las Vegas Vic Hightaian August 17, 2015 at 10:24 am · Reply → iLLaFenT Live Vic Hightaian’s band iLLaFenT is gonna rock your face off!! State Social House August 23 9pm Sonny McLean’s Irish Pub August 27 10pm Noah Peterson August 15, 2015 at 9:25 pm · Reply → The Southern California LoopFest is back for another round! The greatest, most creative musical event you’ve never heard of returns to diPiazza’s in Long Beach, 5202 E Pacific Coast Hwy, for two nights of music and technology from around the world! http://www.socalloopfest.com The fest runs Oct 28th and 29th, shows start a 7pm and admission is by donation. For those of you wondering what is a “LoopFest?” It is a showcase of music and technology performance artists. These artists use hardware and/or software technologies to instantly record and play back sound. It is a diverse, creative, innovative, and fascinating display of talent, science, and art. Looping has been around for decades in academia, avant garde, and incorporates new technologies into making sound. All of the artists are highly talented, highly creative, highly interesting, and amazingly in technologies and styles. Some are noise, some use traditional song forms, some are ambient, some are powerful, some are subtle. Our debut year for the Rocky Mountain LoopFest features a mix of local and national talent performing a variety of music with an incredible amount of cool technology. This year the SoCal LoopFest features performers from 8 states and 5 countries. Performers of note include L.A’s own Steuart Liebig, Zack Walters of 3rd Alley, Jambandman David Gans, Aldo Caldo’s comedy/musical presentation, vocal looper extraordinaire Alissa Vox Raw from Toronto Canada, and the incredible music and instruments of Cabezas de Cera from Mexico City, Mexico. Complete line-up, set-times, venue, and ticket information for each event is online at http://www.socalloopfest.com along with links to artist websites and video recorded performances from previous festivals. Facebook links are available for those who want to personally interact with the festival and performers, as well as links to stream the concerts live. Line-up for Oct 28 Noah Peterson – San Antonio, TX 7pm Josh Elliott – Tomah, WI 7:30pm ecnegrU – Nanes, France 8pm Tigr Hors – Columbus, OH 8:30pm Steve Moyes – Gillingham, Medway, England 9PM Robert Matheson – St. George, UT 9:30pm Steuart Liebig – Los Angeles, CA 10pm Cabezas de Cera – Mexico City, Mexico 10:30pm Shores of Latency – Providence, RI & Paris, France 11pm Just Alliance – Las Vegas, NV 11:30pm Mike Why – Pittsburgh, PA Midnight Jelila Musique – Paris, France 12:30am Line-up for Oct 29th Rejyna – Los Angeles, CA 7pm Son Fish – Turlock, CA 7:30pm Joseph Soul – Irvine, CA 8pm Zack Walters – Long Beach, CA 8:30pm Alissa Vox Raw – Toronto, Ontario, Canada 9PM Entertainment for the Braindead – Berlin, Germany 9:30pm David Gans – San Francisco, CA 10pm Aldo Caldo – Austin, TX 10:30pm Cian – Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico 11pm The Electric Noodle – San Francisco, CA 11:30pm riz orkestra – Los Angeles, CA Midnight Peterson Entertainment, Llc 999 East Basse Road #180-117 http://www.noahpeterson.com http://www.petersonentertainment.com David Knicker August 1, 2015 at 11:15 am · Reply → check out my band ANCHOR WEST facebook.com/anchorwestband http://www.anchorwestband.com Chantal July 28, 2015 at 4:38 pm · Reply → Margo Rey LIVE at Spaghettini & The Dave Koz lounge August 13th, 2015 10:00PM Seven-time Billboard charting singer-songwriter Margo Rey will grace the stage of Spaghettini & The Dave Koz lounge on Thursday night, August 13th, 2015. The admission is FREE and the atmosphere is fun! Come join us to experience fine food and the sultry voice of Margo Rey LIVE! R.k. Shuquem July 17, 2015 at 10:31 pm · Reply → Los Angeles – For Immediate Release R.K. Shuquem to Debut more than 50 Pieces of New Work on July 31st @ Last Projects gallery, Hollywoood Diverse multimedia artist R.K. Shuquem has immersed himself in the challenge of creating 50 original 6″ x 6″ art panels in 50 days, an ambitious undertaking begun on June 8, 2015, commissioned by the Sanchez Art Center. For the series of 50 panels, Shuquem explores the theme of “jail cells” as a contemplation of psychological and spiritual perspectives, crafting bleak yet mystically evocative black-and-white pieces from India ink. The panels are a continuation of Shuquem’s dystopian and fictional production called Medieval Crimes, which uses imagery from the prison industrial complex in a symbolic manner to comment on human identities, relationships and power structures. Shuquem will debut the full set of 50 pieces at the Blue Moon 2015 show at LAST Projects Gallery in Hollywood on Friday, July 31st. The night syncs up with the rare occurrence of this year’s blue moon, an extra full moon that occurs only once every 2-3 years. Blue Moon 2015 also offers a chance to see the Element Series, a set of four 66″ x 60″ large format works that Shuquem recently completed for his Medieval Crimes project, a multimedia dystopian fantasy in development since 2011. In addition to Shuquem’s work, Blue Moon 2015 will feature new original pieces by LA-based psychedelic artist Nora Keyes. Keyes’ will be showing her tonda paintings, which she calls Portals. Her large round mixed media paintings are meant to serve as spiritual transit aids. Blue Moon 2015 will have a closing reception at LAST Projects on Thursday August 20th. Shuquem’s fifty panels will then be transported to Pacifica, California’s Sanchez Art Center for their annual 50/50 art show where 90 other artists who have also taken the challenge to create 50 works in 50 days will be showing the results of their efforts. Reception August 28. Prints of the finished pieces are currently available from saatchiart.com/shuquem. feat. the Works of R.K. Shuquem and Nora Keyes Friday, July 31, 2015 – 7:30pm – 11:30pm LAST Projects: 6546 Hollywood Blvd., Ste. 215, Los Angeles, CA 90028 More About Rk Shuquem: Rk Shuquem uses symbolism to explore the psychology of oppression in relationship to myth and spirituality. For the last few years, his creative output of ink drawings, printmaking, music, and video has centered around a fictional narrative of a prison-based reality show called Medieval Crimes. Shuquem’s creative work first developed as part of the DIY punk culture of the 80’s in which he published zines, pressed records, and promoted shows. In the 90’s he began to tour nationally and internationally with his own music and performance groups. He started showing visual art regularly when he opened his own gallery in Chicago in 2005. Shuquem received a BFA in Fine Art in 2004 as well as a BA in Graphic Design from CSU East Bay in Hayward, California. For several years afterwards he worked as Art Director / Studio Manager at Chicago non-profit, The Arts of Life, inc. He also directed Reversible Eye gallery in Chicago from 2005 to 2012. He currently is a mixed media and printmaking instructor at ECF Art Center, Los Angeles. R.K. Shuquem Official Site – http://rk.shuquem.com/ Past music / performance projects – Loto Ball, Phantom Limbs, Mucca Pazza, The Arts of Life Band,Circus Redickuless, BoyScouts of Annihilation, Hags, Parkas More About Nora Keyes: Nora Keyes has been an active member of the Los Angeles underground art and music scene since the mid ’90′s. Her visual and sonic creations are, as she describes Improvisations of the multiplicities of abundant realities that exist parallel to our own solidified view. Her main focus for her visual work is painting and collage combined with paint. In these works she uses multiple perspectives to make a shape shifting condensed landscapes that aid the viewer’s mind to have their own unique vision. Currently she is working on a series of tonda paintings, she calls Portals. These pieces are personal works/ alchemical markers that follow her own psychological metamorphosis as she ages and gains wisdom. Some of these paintings will take years while others may be produced in weeks. Her current contribution musically is a project called Roco Jet. A Roco Jet is a term that came to her in a dream which refers to a highly ornate bejeweled Rococo flying air ship. The music is meant to transport the listener out of their current mood constraints and free them to fly along in sonic emerald opalescent superabundant spheres made by the filigrees of their own mental lattice. Her visual and sonic work communicate to each other aiding in the development of both. My visual work is the way I think musically. I don’t enjoy reading notes off a page so much as I enjoy thinking about music in terms of visual landscapes. The juxtaposition of colors, plays on perspective, and the movements in paint are my musical notations. dana July 14, 2015 at 11:58 am · Reply → SIREN CALL RETURNS TO LOS ANGELES FOR A STRING OF DATES AND VIDEO SHOOT NEW SONG LA CRASH TO BE RELEASED IN AUGUST BAND IN MIDST OF KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN Based in Vienna, Austria Siren Call is Bulgarian born Yvonne Lace (vocals, bass) and US native Jason de Cordoba (guitar, backing vocals.) This multi-international duo works as a unit and has a knack for writing great hooks and bringing a multitude of different flavors to the table. They blend alternative rock with a bit of grunge and a lot of melodic pop, adding in emotional vocals to bring their sound to a poetic level. Following up the April release of the video for their song ”Just A Man” the band gets set to drop a new single and video for the song “LA Crash” in late August. See the video for “Just A Man” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kP2-bVzV40 Although they have already established themselves as contenders in the European scene the band is ready and eager to bring their music and message to the US masses. They are returning to Los Angeles this month with a string of dates on the Sunset Strip. The band has launched a kickstarter campaign to help fund their LA tour expenses and video cost, as part of this crowdfunded endeavor you are all invited to join in the fun and of course, there will be plenty of pledger only exclusives. Support their Kickstarter Campaign here: http://kck.st/1K80gEu The band bristles with elegant, melodic aggression, potent roaring guitar and a soulful siren call. Alex Enriquez July 9, 2015 at 9:58 am · Reply → Do you love it LOUD!!! Then Check out EPZ “Evil Petting Zoo!” Austin’s Newest Hair metal / Arena Rock Covering the best of: Bon Jovi AC/DC White Snake Poison Rat Bullet Boys White Lion Van Halen Slaughter Tesla Motley Crue Kingdom Come Scorpions Def Leppard And Much~ Much More! Come see what the talk is all about ! One of Austin’s Growing Secrets is blowing up , and can’t stay that way anymore! Like Us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evil-Petting-Zoo/622600514507125?fref=ts Apryll July 6, 2015 at 11:18 am · Reply → On Saturday, July 11th, 2015, The New Collective will be hosting a live conscious interactive experience featuring performances by the Sophisticated Psychos, Stevie Blacke, Nick Ralph, Apryll Aileen, healings by Shaman Harry Paul, artwork by Magnolia Lafleur, Kyriaki Chonacas and more. Stevie Blacke has performed as an instrumentalist, with some of the most recognizable people in the business including Pink, Madonna, U2, Alice in Chains, Rihanna, Miley Ray Cyrus, Beck & more! Magnolia Lafleur, a published writer & artist is also training with the Trinidad and Tobago National Track & Field Team for the 2016 Olympics. The event will be a delight for all senses. Think modern day Andy Warhol, Keith Haring & Yoko Ono with full on theatre (videos & stills) all day. All are welcome to participate in the open mic with a song, comedy skit or enriching idea. Paintings will be raffled off every hour along with gifts from Whole Foods Market (YumButter, Beauty Counter, Orly & Chonocas, etc.). The New Collective is located at 6440 Santa Monica Blvd. Tickets are $7 in advance or $11 at the door and can be purchased online. Doors open at 2pm – activities will be going on until 2am. All ages are welcome. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/k1111-featuring-cocos-tantrums-tickets-17492384192 Trip Eazy LA June 27, 2015 at 7:55 pm · Reply → Trip Eazy LA Presents: The Viral Underground Exclusive Underground Music & Arts Event in Los Angeles at an AFFORDABLE PRICE! Date: Saturday July 11, 2015 — 9 PM – 2 AM Location: House of Gods (3225 Union Pacific Avenue Los Angeles 90023) Price: $5 w/ RSVP —- $10 w/o RSVP RSVP Info: http://www.tripeazyla.com to RSVP to our Event LIVE MUSIC, In HOUSE DJs, VISUAL ART & FASHION This Trendy and Casual Underground Music Event has all the elements to cater to the Los Angeles crowd. Features a Unique Futuristic Sound that most have not heard before with AMAZING Live Performances from today’s Up and Coming LA Artists. Check out our website at http://www.tripeazyla.com to check out our previous events. ————- HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE VIRAL UNDERGROUND —————- W3 Public Relations June 27, 2015 at 8:34 am · Reply → Bobby Long has gone from pursuing his dreams on the London open mic scene to anticipating the August 7 release of his new album, ODE TO THINKING from Compass Records. In support of the release, he will tour the U.S. and Europe, including McCabe’s Guitar Shop on Saturday, August 1st. Tickets are $20 and the show starts at 8:00 PM. Long is best known for his powerfully evocative lyrics set to haunting melodies. Since relocating to New York in 2009, he has cultivated a large, dedicated fan base, one that allowed him to successfully implement a PledgeMusic campaign to fund the new album. Emm June 19, 2015 at 7:56 pm · Reply → My name is Emm and I’m a 22 year old singer/songwriter/producer. I’ve been grinding in the industry for 6 years and been in and out of several contracts. Recently, I finally put out my first song “Avalanche.” I would be honored if you would be open to sharing it on your site. This song is unique because I created all of entirely by myself, and female artists that produce their own work well is rare in the business, so I was hoping that may be something that sparks your interest. The link to the song is here: https://soundcloud.com/emminreallife/avalanche-emm Please let me know if you’d be open to this! Instagram: @emminreallife Twitter: Twitter.com/emminreallife Facebook: Facebook.com/emminreallife Franklin Manor June 13, 2015 at 11:43 am · Reply → Straight out of the studio to a record deal in Japan!! Franklin Manor hits the road starting in Tokyo, July 2015. Check out the latest single “Lost Angel” released from their new album “Motive”. Motive is a New Wave Dance Rock concept album set to cast light on fake, unauthentic people in Los Angeles stepping over each other and blending in with the norm while aiming for success in the entertainment biz. Their album is available on iTunes NOW!! http://www.franklinmanormusic.com Astroetic Studios June 8, 2015 at 10:22 pm · Reply → Astroetic Studios proudly presents DEAD CELEBRITIES (Revival Ball): The deadest party ever! We are bringing back the biggest baddest names in the history of celebrity! WHO WILL YOU BE? COSTUME CONTEST! Date: Saturday June 13th Location: Astroetic Studios – 224 E. 11th Street, Suite 700A, Los Angeles, CA 90015 FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1618262968418598/ Dance to songs of the past by those who have passed with DJ Merc 80! There will be booths and games, a Sega Genius “Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker” competition, a Bettie Page photo booth, and karaoke! Play Operation with Patch Adams! Take a stroll down the Dead Celebrity Hall of Fame! Food inspired by the spirit of Julia Child. We strongly encourage dressing as a dead celebrity. This is a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza! Be there! $5 With Costume $10 Without Costume Thigh Gap Comedy May 27, 2015 at 3:30 am · Reply → GENTRIFICATION, the fanciest backyard comedy show in all of Highland Park is back, but this time we’re trading in the backyard for a super cool warehouse space. The show is always FREE but RSVP at http://www.thighgapcomedy.com for top secret address and directions. Enjoy live comedy as you drink cheap beer in a North East LA artist loft, live/work space. Laugh because airbrushed paintings of The Virgin Mary are cheaper than artisanal churros and some sucker buying $6 gluten free donuts just made everyone’s rent go up. Come be a part of GENTRIFICATION! This month’s awesome line-up features: JAMES ADOMIAN (Comedy Bang! Bang!, Kroll Show) CHRIS GARCIA (This American Life, Last Call with Carson Daly) NEEL NANDA (Garfunkel and Oats, Funny Girls) MARCELLA ARGUELLO (Last Call with Carson Daly) STEVE YOUNG (Fashion Police, Hollywood Improv) KRYSTAL THE PISTOL (TBS Just for Laughs Festival) SIMON GIBSON (Good Heroin, Church) Presented by Thigh Gap Comedy: DANIELLE PEREZ MADISON SHEPARD DANIELLE RADFORD GENTRIFICATION is FREE, but RSVP at http://www.thighgapcomedy.com for location and directions Beer, Water, and Wine will be available for CASH donations Remember to support your local taco truck and see you there! Rockridgemusic May 26, 2015 at 10:17 am · Reply → Rock band The Damnwells performing live at The Roxy The Damnwells @ The Roxy – All Ages Show at 9 pm Doors open at 8 pm Tickets- $20 The Roxy- 9009 West Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA Link for more info: http://www.theroxy.com/event/794719-damnwells-west-hollywood/ Kaitlyn May 15, 2015 at 7:36 am · Reply → Event: Margo Rey Date: Thursday, June 4, 2015 Place: Spaghettini Location: 184 N. Canon Drive Ticket Price: No cover Time: 9:00PM – 11:00PM Margo Rey calls her music Organica™. Organica is a ferociously nuanced hybrid of Alternative Pop that is deeply rooted in lush vocals, ambient guitars, with thick, dynamic grooves all created by humans not machines. NO COVER FEE Deserted May 12, 2015 at 1:16 pm · Reply → May 30 2015: Deserted At The Palms music and camping at an offbeat oasis known as THE PALMS in Wonder Valley, California Lineup: King Tuff, Black Bananas, No Age, Sonny & The Sunsets, Magic Trick, Jack Name, Part Time, Pharaohs, Nedelle Torrisi, The Memories, Zig Zags, Bloody Death Skull, Kim & The Created, Feels, Zombelle, L.A. Takedown, Butchy Fuego, Anna Oxygen, Barfth All ages welcome. $30 tickets. Free camping. The Palms is a desert haunt in a desolate place called Wonder Valley. A shabby oasis run by a family known as The Sibleys, the beer costs two dollars and they sell twinkies at the bar. It has an out-of-tune piano missing some keys and its most dedicated patron is a tall mannequin with a giant cat mask for a head. The place is a treasure. Come and experience! Kirsten Alario May 8, 2015 at 12:14 pm · Reply → Hello Pretty People, Meet Jenny Swoish, OC’s sweetest country sweetheart. Check her website or read more about her below! https://soundcloud.com/jenny-swoish http://jennyswoish.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jenlynnmusic Jenny Swoish is a pop-country-folk-jazz-whatever-you-like singer-songwriter based in Southern California. With her flexible vocal styling she’s found herself performing in all kinds of venues, from crooning at galas to national anthems in arenas to just belting at the bar next door. When it comes her newest release “To Me,” Jenny cuts to the chase and sings about what young love means to her and how she can only speak the true words of her heart through her music. “This is an apology song for someone who was close to me, because we had just had an argument. I’m not always great with saying what I mean when I need to, so I wrote him this song so he would know,” Swoish says. Her debut EP, Tornado, is a nice representation of Jenny herself: fresh, heartfelt, and nothing too terribly serious. You’ll hear an unmistakable dance-twang that screams pop-country in her first single “Tornado,” but you’ll just as soon hear a sophistication in the jazz overtones of “Written in the Stars.” All songs on the EP were written and performed by Jenny Swoish. Tornado is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. Brand & Media Contact: Sky Dickinson, sky.g.dickinson@gmail.com, 714-514-9253 Booking Inquiries: Kirsten Alario, alariokirsten@gmail.com, 714-345-7199 For videos, photos and additional assets for editorial use, please visit jennyswoish.com Christa Nannos May 1, 2015 at 10:34 am · Reply → Hi Musicians! My name is Christa Nannos. I am a singer based in L.A. and have just released my second single Always and Never. I recently won third place in Indie Nation’s viral music competition for my first single Something About You. I would greatly appreciate you taking the time to listen to my latest single Always and Never! Connect with me on my website http://www.christanannos.com Follow me on Instagram and Twitter! @cnannos https://soundcloud.com/christanannos/always-and-never kate April 29, 2015 at 5:13 pm · Reply → Five Knives with Dev @ the Troubadour May 5th The Nashville electro-pop band has had two Top 10 Billboard Club hits, toured with Icona Pop, Twenty One Pilots and Smashing Pumpkins, and a remix of their song was nominated for a Grammy this year. Their Mark Needham (Imagine Dragons, The Killers)-produced debut album comes out June 2nd. Watch the video for their new single “Savages” and listen to more tracks at http://www.fiveknivesmusic.com Gorgeous Media Group April 29, 2015 at 1:04 pm · Reply → RICHARD SHELTON TO PERFORM AT BRITWEEK: April 30th, 2015 at 10:15pm Riviera Bar Sofitel Hotel 8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Admission : Free “Shelton is a true star!” Kate Courtney, CNN Following his ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ award-winning performance as Frank Sinatra in ‘Rat Pack Confidential’ join Richard Shelton as he recreates magical moments in Sinatra’s musical career. Following a sold out performance at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London over this weekend, Richard Shelton will be performing an unofficial performance of new album ‘An Englishman in Love in L.A.’ The album features some of Frank Sinatra’s original band members including Mike Lang (piano), Chuck Berghofer (bass) and Gregg Field (drums). At the Britweek even at the Riviera Bar located in the Sofitel Hotel, Shelton will be accompanied by Alex Rudd who was voted ‘BBC Young Composer of the Year.’ “Shelton as Sinatra is quite simply phenomenal” Mike Young, BBC TV “A standout performance” Michael Billington, The Times “Marvellously played” Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph Bree Blatchford April 24, 2015 at 11:39 am · Reply → Venice Family Clinic’s 37th Annual Art Walk and Auctions is coming up on Sunday, May 17th, 2015 from Noon to 6pm! Immerse yourself in Venice’s vibrant art scene with exclusive access to artists’ studios. Experience Google as a gallery and bid on works from LA’s most prominent artists. Join us in raising $650,000 to provide critically-needed health care for the 20,000 low-income, uninsured and homeless patients in our community. Venice Family Clinic was founded in 1970 and offers necessary services including medical, dental, vision, chronic disease management and HIV care for people in need. The Clinic operates through nine sites in Venice, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Mar Vista, and Culver City. The Art Walk and Auctions are free, open to the public, and include the Silent Art Auction, the Community Celebration, the Imagination Station for Kids, and live music and food. The Artist Studio Tours go from Noon to 4pm and require tickets that can be bought upon arrival to the venue. Online bidding on select pieces will begin on April 24th at Noon (PST) at http://www.paddle8.com/auctions/venicefamilyclinic. The bidding will cease on May 15th, 2015 at Noon (PST). Bid early and often, your winning bid provides health care to those in need! Nolan April 23, 2015 at 11:33 am · Reply → Hey lovely folks, Albert, my band, plays 1960s rock/pop/R&B, and we just released our debut album, Businessman. It was recorded at Levon Helm Studios and engineered, mixed, and produced by 3-time grammy winner Justin Guip (www.justinguip.com). Please consider giving us a listen! http://www.albertband.com http://www.albertband.bandcamp.com/album/businessman http://www.soundcloud.com/albertband http://www.facebook.com/albertlovesyou Thanks and Love, Kimberly Goodnight April 22, 2015 at 1:53 pm · Reply → GOURMET FOOD TRUCKS, LIVE MUSIC & GUEST DJS, BEER & WINE AND UNIQUE FINDS (Los Angeles, CA) It’s official! From the man who brought you Dodger Stadium Flea, Downtown Flea and Melrose Flea launches his next epic adventure, ODD NIGHTS AT THE AUTRY. Curator Phillip Dane brings another community hot spot to life with a variety of over 200 vendors from 18 gourmet food trucks, beer garden, custom handmade treasures and live music featuring DJs. This vivid culture is perfect for all ages and families to bring a blanket, host an evening picnic while enjoying the great outdoors. This FREE event is a platform for selected artisans, craftsman, designers, and DIY experts for showcasing their creations and sharing their secrets. WHAT: ODD NIGHTS AT THE AUTRY is a curated Etsy-esque event with 200+ booths and vendors of artist, designers of fashion, jewelry, home goods, antiques, collectibles, eats and much more. http://www.theoddmarket.com WHERE: 4700 Western Heritage Way, 90027 WHEN: May 22nd 2015 \| 6PM – 11PM PST Held 3rd Friday of each month COST: FREE entry & parking for 2000 attendees CONTACT: Phillip Dane at hello@theoddmarket.com GET SOCIAL: Facebook & Twitter: @LAeventco @oddmarket Instagram: @oddmarketla VENDORS: Love and Moxie, Vintage by Vera, Birdy Fashion on the Fly, Fry, Fry Food Truck & more… SPONSORS: Keurig, First Aid Shot Therapy, Amoeba Music, ArtQuench Magazine & powered by LA WEEKLY http://www.theoddmarket.com Brandon Juezan-Williams April 20, 2015 at 4:23 pm · Reply → Hello Los Angeles community! My name is Brandon and I’m the Special Events Coordinator for Versa-Style Dance Company! This year we are happy to celebrate our 10 year anniversary by throwing a special 2-day dance festival for all to see! This festival includes battles, dance showcases, live art, vendors,dance workshops, and more! Event details are as follows -Main Event -2v2 Open styles battles. Cash prizes and gifts for winners! -Time: 3:00pm-10:00pm -Location: East Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy -Entrance fee: $15 pre sale, $20 at the door -Workshops from hip hop dance legends -Time: 12:00pm-6:00pm -Workshop fee: $10 per class, $40 for all 5 classes The East Los Angeles Performing Arts Academy address is 4211 E. Dozier St. Los Angeles, CA 90063 Pre-sale tickets available now at http://www.versastyledance.com Pre-register for battles by emailing info@versastyledance.com Vendors and Live Art inquiries contact me at brandonjw238@gmail.com Want to know more about Versa-Style Dance Company? Visit our site and join our mailing list! http://www.versastyledance.com La Music Lessons April 19, 2015 at 11:22 pm · Reply → Ever wanted to take private music lessons in Los Angeles with exclusive instructors. We offer guitar, voice, piano, dj, and music production lessons. Visit our website at http://takesessions.com to start! Karen Labuca April 17, 2015 at 10:42 pm · Reply → Enter The Paradox LIVE at The House of Blues Anaheim The House of Blues 1530 S Disneyland Dr Mary Ann Curtis April 15, 2015 at 1:07 pm · Reply → CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT Red Letter Press, Los Angeles Office 2122 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 • 323-732-6416 Contact: Mary Ann Curtis, curtism59@aol.com; 323-732-6416 (office); 323-610-2479 (cell) For Release: Immediately Do not use after: Saturday, May 9, 2015 RE: Author reading and May Day tribute LOS ANGELES. Saturday, May 9, 7pm Local Authors of Color Talk Back. Contributors to a new anthology, “Talking Back: Voices of Color,” discuss their writings and lead a celebration of May Day, the international workers holiday. The book features political, feminist and cultural perspectives of activist African Americans, Latina/os, Asian Pacific Americans, Indigenous people, Arabs, LGBTQ, immigrants, political prisoners, and more. Saturday, May 9, 7-8:30pm at The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles. Free. Sponsored by the Comrades of Color Caucus of Radical Women and Freedom Socialist Party. For more information, 323-732-6416, radicalwomenla@earthlink.net, fspla@earthlink.net, or RedLetterPress.org/events. Clara April 11, 2015 at 7:16 am · Reply → Clara Bellino Duo @ Gardenia Lounge – May 7! – 7 PM West Hollywood, CA 90038 Come out to the Gardenia Lounge on May 7 to see Clara Bellino Duo play, featuring Clara Bellino and Jay Crawford. Tickets available at the Door for $20. The venue asks that reservations are made ahead of time to indicate if attendees are coming for dinner and the show or just drinks and the show. They want to ensure they have adequate staff in place. Reservations can be made at (323) 467-7444. SET TIME: 9:00pm DINNER TIME: 7:00pm See more here: http://clarabellino.com/shows#post-1897 Andy H April 5, 2015 at 12:47 pm · Reply → I am one of the founders of Dylanfest, and each year we are treated to new talented artists, singers and bands and look forward to our favorites from previous years. Our biggest challenge is getting the word out to new people who love live music and incomparably great songs. If that’s you and you’re reading this, come join us on May 3rd for 8 hours of live Dylan music. For details, go to http://www.andyandrenee.com. DB April 4, 2015 at 9:41 pm · Reply → I have been to many of these Dylan Fest events too. These people really know how to put on a show. So much talent in one place at one time. There is something like 50 different performers that come out on stage and play a song or two with the main band, Hard Rain, and they all rock the house. Look forward to it every year. Thanks for the reminder. Christine April 4, 2015 at 11:57 am · Reply → Ten years of attending these Dylsnfests – now in its 25th year has turned me from a casual Dylan fan into one with a true deep appreciation of his 500+ compositions – on 100s of topics in all music genres. And you will meet wonderful people – Hard Rain and their magical network of musician friends, attract a fun, interesting, caring fan base – you will enjoy the day! See http://www.andyandrenee.com for details – May 3 2015 in Torrance – a well spent $30-35. Carl April 4, 2015 at 11:04 am · Reply → Dylanfest – celebrating Bob Dylan’s birthday for the 25th year!! On May 3 2015 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center outstanding local musicians gather to interpret and perform Dylan’s music. 60+ musicians – all day, all Dylan, no repeats – all genres. A comfortable, sunny, outdoor venue (with Shelter from the Storm if necessary). Food and drink available. Details at http://www.andyandrenee.com. Ultra Violent Rays March 29, 2015 at 9:19 pm · Reply → Come get spooky with us at Bar Sinister on Sat. April 25th! “Cooper Gillespie and Greg Gordon sound a bit like the result of PORTISHEAD and Siouxsie Sioux making love while Blade Runner is on. It’s ambitious goth pop with a modern approach.” -Nothing But Hope And Passion SATURDAY APRIL 25TH ULTRA VIOLENT RAYS @ BAR SINISTER 1652 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 w/Swarming Orchids, Ginger V. \| 10 pm, $10 cover Venue Phone: 323-462-9621 Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/ultraviolentrays Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ultraviolentrays Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ultraviolentrays Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theultraviolent xxx, UVR Kiki Melendez March 26, 2015 at 1:09 pm · Reply → #LOCOS Y CONTENTOS con KIKI MELENDEZ Comedia En Vivo/Stand-Up Comedy MIERCOLOS, ABRIL 1, 2015 3pm show JULIO SABALA Angel Lozado Macario Brujo Alexis Valdez Frank Hevia Jochi Jochi Mark Viera Zulema Cruz Joey Vega Pinchi Peter Line-Up subject to change without notice FREE Admission/Entrada GRATIS!! For RSVP Call 818 729-5642 or http://audiencia@lbimedia.com/ The Montalban Theater 1615 Vine Street Hollywood CA 90028 Save the date/Reserva esta fecha Mas grabaciones con grandes estrellas Y los mejores comediantes del mundo. (nuevos cómicos se anunciarán para este show muy pronto! Manténte al tanto) A las 3pm, 5pm Y 7pm Desert Daze 2015 March 24, 2015 at 3:26 pm · Reply → Desert Daze 2015! Artist run festival; by musicians, for everyone! Coming from a non-corporate perspective, very grass roots and youthful. An overnight camping affair under the desert stars! Headliners this year include: WARPAINT, RJD2, FAILURE, MINUS THE BEAR, DAN DEACON, THE BUDOS BAND + more!! Here is a link to our recap video for 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfWv4JTPRKw. Website: http://www.desertdaze.org Ian March 13, 2015 at 2:19 pm · Reply → Red Queen Music Publishing is having a showcase tonight featuring four of their acts. The night celebrates punk band Kittenhead’s CD release for their upcoming album “We’re Here”. Before they go on stage duo Forever My Love No More comprised of legendary punk rocker Paul Roessler (The Screamers, 45 Grave, Nervous Gender) and veteran singer/songwriter Cherish Alexander belt out their lush soundscapes. The night will also feature performances by Jean-Paul Riva and burgeoning hardcore group The Gatsby Affair. This night is not to be missed. Doors open at 8 PM at Cafe NELA 1906 Cypress Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065 Forever My Love No More – 9PM Kittenhead – 10PM Jean-Paul Riva – 11PM The Gatsby Affair – 11:30 PM Karen Labuca March 12, 2015 at 7:39 pm · Reply → Ian Webber Presents Joseph Eid LIVE @ Bar Lubitsch 8:30pm PST Tickets: $8.00 http://www.barlubitsch.com Vincent Loris March 9, 2015 at 1:45 am · Reply → NARIP Holds Exclusive Live Pitch Session with Top Music Supervisor Jason Kramer – March 11 in Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA (March 9, 2015) – The National Association for Recording Industry Professionals (NARIP.com) will host an exclusive pitch session with Music Supervisor Jason Kramer from Elias Arts Music Agency. At this intimate session, attendees will have the opportunity to present their music and receive instant feedback from one of the industry’s most sought-out executives who selects, commissions and licenses music for campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. Jason’s insights come from 20+ years of experience working in radio, management, consulting, and now as a music supervisor. He’s also a DJ on taste-maker radio station KCRW 89.9-FM. Over 200 Placements NARIP’s Music Supervisor Sessions have resulted in over 200 song placements in major TV shows, movies and commercials as well as artist management, music publishing and licensing deals for participants. And creative collaborations that have resulted are too numerous to mention. “I’ve had 3 managers and 5 years of plugging away on the Internet for contacts and had more success getting material in front of a music supervisor with NARIP’s sessions than anything previously! Please keep it up, I will definitely attend more!” – Shay Dillon, Independent To learn more about this event and register, visit: http://bit.ly/NARIP-Kramer Annette March 5, 2015 at 5:02 pm · Reply → UPCOMING EVENTS for The Downtown Palace and Tower Theatres: Red Bull @ Night, Cinespia, The Airborne Toxic Event, SYSK, Dance Camera West—March ahead with the Broadway Theatre Group: DTLA’s historic Los Angeles, Palace, and Tower Theatres! And here’s what’s coming up: Saturday Mar 21 @ The Downtown Palace Our favorite, most elegant and creative second run cinema and cos-play presenters, Cinespia, will present Walter Murch’s darkly phantasmagoric Return To Oz (1985, 113 min), a bizarre film once considered too scary for young children. Doors 7PM/$20. More info: http://cinespia.org/event/return-oz/ Sunday, Mar 22nd @ The Tower Theatre Live Nation Presents Los Feliz’s own The Airborne Toxic Event, whose artful blend of rock music and orchestral arrangements have garnered them a fanatical following, and word around the Tower is that ATE is due to be in fine experimental form. Doors 7PM/Sold Out. More info: http://www.livenation.com/events/444770-mar-22-2015-the-airborne-toxic-event Monday Mar 30th @ The Palace Theatre HowStuffWorks writers Josh Clark and Charles W. “Chuck” Bryant talk about fringe science and other topics in their Webby winning podcast Stuff You Should Know (SYSK), presented on stage by Live Nation, with drive up appearance by the Smilebooth Van! Doors 7PM/$34. More info: http://www.livenation.com/events/430992-mar-30-2015-stuff-you-should-know Some Future Events: Friday May 1st @ The Palace Theatre Dance Camera West Film Festival Opening Night! DCW presents the 14th Annual Dance Media Film Festival exploring dance through film, live performance and interactive media installations. Short films, documentaries, panels and animation, live performance. Doors 7pm/$15. More info: http://www.dancecamerawest.org The Los Angeles, Downtown Palace, and Tower Theatres, are available for your next special event or concert. Please direct your rental and producing inquiries to: Paul Assimacopoulos/Event Director – 213-488-2009 or email paul@btgla.com Downtown Palace https://www.facebook.com/downtownpalace?ref=hl Los Angeles Theatre: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-Theatre/1541777786044442?ref=hl Tower Theatre: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tower-Theatre/253434134866433?ref=hl Los Angeles Theatre https://twitter.com/TheLATheatre https://twitter.com/DowntownPalace https://twitter.com/TowerTheatreLA Sage Whitaker March 5, 2015 at 3:29 pm · Reply → My name is Sage Whitaker, and I along with my friend, Zoe Jones, made a video promposal to ask Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of One Direction to prom. Since we were in ninth grade, we knew that we wanted to ask a celebrity to prom, so much so that we put it on our ‘high school bucket list.’ Now that we have actually chosen who to ask, made our video, and put it out there, we just hope that the members of One Direction can end up viewing our video in time for our prom (May 9th, 2015 in Los Angeles, CA.) It would honestly make all of our prom dreams come true considering our love for One Direction. Thank you for considering to share our video, it means the world to us. Armando Diaz March 4, 2015 at 7:52 am · Reply → Club America is looking to win over some new fans by expanding outside of Brazil and into the US. With the previous album, the band was recognized by MTV, PlayTV, VH1, Canal Brasil and Rolling Stone Brasil and led them to perform at international festivals like SXSW, CMW, VOV Festival, Planeta Terra Festival, Goiânia Noise and Demosul. They shared the stage with The Strokes, Beady Eye, Bombay Bicycle Club, among others. The band had the opportunity to be included in commercial campaigns for giants like Coca-Cola and Rudel Sports in Brazil and included on the worldwide launch of Windows 8. Their new album ‘Let’s Go Outside’ will be available March 17th on digital stores like iTunes, physically on independent record stores across USA and on the official Sonovibe Records store (http://www.sonoviberecords.com). The promotional tour will include the following dates and venues: March 18th – (Sonovibe Records) The Rooftop @ Venice Beach, CA March 19th – Milk Bar @ San Francisco, CA March 20th – Cafe Colonial @ Sacramento, CA March 21st – The Hive @ Flagstaff, AZ March 22nd – Underground @ Santa Fe, NM March 24th – Lost Leaf @ Phoenix, AZ March 25th – The Merrow @ San Diego, CA March 26th – Boomer’s Bar @ Las Vegas, NV March 27th – Silverlake Lounge @ Los Angeles, CA We would love to see you all there! Thank you! For more info: https://www.facebook.com/sonoviberecords Twitter: @SonovibeRecords Jonathan Haloossim March 3, 2015 at 2:41 pm · Reply → Astroetic Studios proudly presents: REM: Exploring Sleep Through Art We invite you on surrealistic journey through a tangible dreamscape. For our one-night gallery, we will highlight artists varying in mediums: mind-bending paintings and textured drawings, to luminous installations and orgasmic photography. These pieces reach into the deepest pockets of our minds and rip out everything we understand about existence! REM will also showcase “Numinous”, an interactive geometric dome which engulfs reclining participants in an augmented reality. Location: 224 E. 11th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Join the Facebook Event for updates https://www.facebook.com/events/1416189462009343 Featuring Art By: Burton Gray http://burtongray.com/ http://www.kevinccheng.com/ Alastair Bayardo http://www.celebritiesoncanvas.com/ Juliette Hayt http://juliettehaytart.com/ Hannah Webb http://www.hannahwebbart.com/ EllieRex (Danielle Garza) https://www.etsy.com/shop/ellierex Angela Chvarak http://angelachvarak.com/home.html Jonathan Haloossim http://22mmproductions.com/home/ David Roston http://davidjuliusroston.com/ Adam Zarnegin Camilia & Vestalis Pizarro present Numinous: Projection Dream Dome april love March 2, 2015 at 6:37 pm · Reply → Hello Losanjealous! So, we have a brand new band on the scene. Lucky+Love has our first single “Sexy” up on our brand new site at http://www.luckyandlove.com. The song is available for downloading. Drop me an email if you’d like to have the high fidelity song for free, and I can send you a discount code. It’ll be on the streaming sites May 7th, 2015. Would love to know whatcha think! Lucky+Love M O N E Y March 1, 2015 at 1:41 am · Reply → London’s infamous progenitors of duct tape punk are playing TRiP Sunday 3/1 at 11pm. If you are not drunk or do not know how to behave around industry you will not be admitted. Enter The Paradox February 26, 2015 at 11:44 am · Reply → Live Music Showcase – Featuring Enter The Paradox and other bands March 1st @ The House of Blues – Foundation Room 8430 W. Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 Live Music Showcase featuring Enter the Paradox, Calidra, The Regular and The Humble. March 1st at House of Blues’ Foundation Room. Age Limit: 21+ http://entertheparadox.com/ http://www.livemusicshowcase.com/ The Controversy February 20, 2015 at 7:08 pm · Reply → Hey there! The Controversy is having their LP Release Party on Friday Feb 27th @ The Satellite and we would love to see you all there for a very exciting night! WHERE – The Satellite (1717 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026) – Silver Lake and Effie St. WHEN – Friday Feb 27th 2015 – Doors @ 8:30pm / Show starts @ 9pm / Event ends @ 2am PRICE – $8 LINE UP (in order of appearance): – Charlie Bird. – Green Gerry – The Controversy – Death Valley Girls – DJ Manimal WEBSITE – http://www.thesatellitela.com/event/781373-controversy-album-release-los-angeles/ Xavier MGMT February 19, 2015 at 3:29 pm · Reply → Shaprece will be making her Los Angeles debut next Friday night, February 27th at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood (early set – 7pm). The show is a warm up ahead her of Spring tour dates that were recently announced including appearances at 35 Denton, SXSW, Treefort Music Fest, SASQUATCH! Music Festival, as well as shows with Beat Connection, ELEL and The Antlers. These will be the final dates in support of 2014’s ‘Molting EP’ as her debut full length album is slated for release later this year. Upcoming 2015 Dates: 02.27 – The Hotel Cafe – Los Angeles, CA 03.15 – 35 Denton Festival – Denton, TX 03.17 through 03.22 – SXSW – Austin, TX 03.25 – Lost Lake – Denver, CO 03.26 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, Utah* 03.27 – Treefort Music Fest – Boise, ID* 03.29 – The Crocodile – Seattle, WA^ 04.01 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR# 05.24 – SASQUATCH! Music Festival – The Gorge, WA 10.29 – Benaroya Hall – Seattle, WA$ * with Beat Connection and ELEL ^ with ELEL and Bryan John Appleby # with The Antlers % with The Seattle Symphony Orchestra ‘Molting EP’ Stream: https://soundcloud.com/shaprece/sets/molting-ep-1 KEXP Live In-Studio Performance Video: http://youtu.be/7XPTRHGZV7s TEDxRainier Talk and Performance: http://youtu.be/-Ey3zZs9-cg Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shaprecemusic Twitter: @shaprece // http://www.twitter.com/shaprece Alex Dawson February 15, 2015 at 11:33 am · Reply → Hey there, I’m Alex Dawson. I’m a local Singer/Songwriter from Miami, FL and I would LOVE for you guys to publish about me and my music on your blog. Let me talk a little bit about me and my accomplishments so far. I am an artist working with MasterKey Entertainment, the founder being my manager. Together, we traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to attend the Driven Music Conference. My manager, Vanessa Spatz, was a sponsor and so I had the opportunity to perform one of my original songs in front of an A&R from Epic Records and both Zack and Kenneth from ZK Productions. They loved me and my music so I was offered to go back to produce some tracks with ZK Productions which are known for producing for bands like All Time Low and Mayday Parade. I am now following up with Epic Records. I just released my first Single called “Your Story” and I am getting ready to go back to Atlanta to finish my first EP. You can contact me through this email or my manager’s email. Thank you http://www.facebook.com/alexdawsonofficial http://www.twitter.com/alexdawsonmusic http://www.youtube.com/alexdawsonmusic Management/Booking: vanessa@masterkeyentertainment.com “Your Story” by Alex Dawson https://soundcloud.com/alexdawsonofficial/your-story It is also available for purchase on Bandcamp, soon for ITunes http://www.alexdawsonofficial.bandcamp.com Sasha's Bloc February 12, 2015 at 1:42 pm · Reply → Don’t miss Sasha’s Bloc’s CD release “Heart on Fire” featuring Jane MONHEIT and Alvin CHEA. Where : Catalina Bar & Grill @ 6725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 When : March 20, 2015 8:30 PM & March 21, 2015 8:30 PM http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5574695 http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionDataeventId=5574725 Sasha’s Bloc will also be having another CD release Where: Vibrato Grill and Jazz @ 2930 Beverly Glen Circle 90077 Bel Air, CA, US When: March 18, 2015 8:00 PM & March 19, 2015 8:00 PM http://www.songkick.com/concerts/22814588-sashas-bloc-at-vibrato-grill-jazz-restaurant An intriguing ensemble founded in 2012, Sasha’s Bloc is an amalgam of varied artists, nationalities and experiences, all fueled by bassist and songwriter Alex Gershman to deliver a sound that is consistently big, boisterous, full of spirit and rich in everything that makes jazz linger as an American phenomenon. On Heart On Fire, Gershman is honored to have Grammy-nominated vocalist Jane Monheit perform on multiple tracks. The group has built a name for itself in recent years via multiple sold out concerts at the key Jazz Clubs in Los Angeles, including Catalina Bar and Grill, Vibrato and Vitello’s. Gershman’s goal, via the group’s successful performances and now on Heart On Fire, is to create a signature sound for Sasha’s Bloc that he describes as “fresh, well-developed and above all lyrically progressive.” Citing Fats Waller, Scott Joplin and Duke Ellington as primary examples, Gershman comments, “My hope is that the Sasha’s Bloc will help bring these great American cultural achievements to modern life and contemporary audiences.” BritneyHouston February 6, 2015 at 10:57 am · Reply → Writing to you about the Echo Park, CA collective known as The Most Best. They just premiered their new music video on Free Bike Valet in anticipation of their new EP out February 3rd on iTunes, Spotify, and all major digital retailers. Their “infectious, pulsating pop” single Gold was previously noted by iheartmoosiq as “dark and…full of playful hooks and synths” With their new three song sampling, Watch Out, the band features the seductive vocals of Laura Peters over indie rock and synthpop grooves. You can hear it now at http://www.soundcloud.com/themostbest They play tomorrow night with Mars and The Massacre, Seasons, Intergalactix and more! Later this month The Most Best joins fellow LA underground buzz band Gateway Drugs Thursday February 26th in Anaheim For more visit http://www.bonusdruthers.com Rafael Kajatt February 5, 2015 at 8:24 pm · Reply → O’S OF PRESIDENTIAL @ WHISKY A GO GO, APRIL 9TH http://www.whiskyagogo.com/site/event/saint-rebel/ Las Vegas indie rock band will be headlining the whisky a go go on April 9th. The following are links to the band’s online presence (music, photos and bio) https://www.bandpage.com/Osofpresidential http://www.reverbnation.com/osofpresidential This band is currently on a short tour to promote their debut release. You can find them on the following dates: March 7th – Bunkhouse – Las Vegas NV April 9th – Whiskey A Go Go – Hollywood CA May 2nd – The Monte Vista Hotel – Flagstaff AZ more dates TBD If you need more information, or if you want to interview the band or review the show, please contact me at your convenience. My name is Rafael Kajatt. Thank you very much for your valuable time. Rafael A. Kajatt rafaeladib@gmail.com Logiquit January 28, 2015 at 4:19 am · Reply → The Logiquit live escape game opened on the 10th of January. Live Escape games are the new fun activity which is a must try. Real life escape is a joyful 60 minutes for teams 2-5 people. The team is closed insde a room and they have to get out through puzzles, codes and hints. We currently have 2 game rooms opened: The Office of John Monroe The Laboratory Of Dr. Lev Pasted The other 3 rooms are opening very soon. Make your online reservations on our booking page. Cec January 26, 2015 at 4:37 pm · Reply → Americana/Folk/Acoustic Singer-Songwriter JOSEPH EID will be performing a live show at 55 Degree Wine in Los Angeles on February 10, 2015, at 8:00pm. It is a FREE event. See you there! Artist: Joseph Eid When: 8:00pm on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 Where: 55 Degree Wine (3111 Glendale Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90039) Joseph Eid Official Site: http://josepheidmusic.com/home Joseph Eid SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/josepheidmusic Joseph Eid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JosephEidMusic Joseph Eid YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JosephEid9/videos John Quinn January 20, 2015 at 5:35 pm · Reply → The Youngest at Kulak’s Woodshed on February 22nd In March of 2014, we formed The Youngest in the small, yet thanks to ZZ Top, infamous, town of La Grange, Texas. Coming from San Francisco, Chicago, Houston and Boston, we gelled as a musical group by living, eating, and playing together all day every day on a 99-acre ranch. Our first gigs were at dive bars (I mean REAL dive bars, made out of plywood) and saloons in front of who would become in a few short months our diehard La Grange fans. The newness of our surroundings proved invaluable to our creative process and we used the desolate beauty around us to write songs that reflected the incredible shift our lives had just experienced. We recorded our album in two parts: half on the ranch in La Grange and half at our friends brand new studio in Nashville: Wild Road. It wasn’t easy whittling down our diverse and incredibly personal catalogue of music from 25+ original songs to 11 but we did it, creating an album, Feral Road, which is equal parts rock and roll, folk, and country. Feral Road was released on October 3rd of 2014. Tracks number 1 (Our Town), 2 (Thick As Thieves) , 3 (Art of Life) and 9 ((Don’t Tell Me That) I’m The One) are Feral Road’s singles. You can find a streaming link of Feral Road on SoundCloud here: https://soundcloud.com/theyoungest-2 And a drop box file here with downloadable attachments here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aa7pdp5ad7cksf3/AACedZTKeGCzb64RvA9W4p4Ca?dl=0 Immediately after completing our album, we embarked on a 35+ stop, self booked Midwest tour to show our family and friends what we had been working on for the last six months. The show was a resounding success and included a show with rising country group Hugh Bob and the Hustle in Kansas City and a sold out performance in Chicago. We pride ourselves on our live shows, which we think showcase our musicianship and passion. After seeing one of our shows in Detroit, one writer suggested “schedule in pen, not pencil, a time to see The Youngest” Being such a young band, we’re definitely looking forward to our future, which includes a four-week West Coast tour in February including shows at storied venues such as the Cubby Bear in Chicago and Off Broadway in Saint Louis. We hope to break into the festival scene this summer and continue to grow and improve as an independent band. Our website: http://www.theyoungestmusic.com Our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/youngestmusic Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheYoungestBand Our Instagram: http://instagram.com/youngestmusic/ We hope our music and story connect with you and wish you continued success with your blog. Thanks again for the work you do for the indie community. Stay well and I look forward to hearing back from you! Sabrina Propper January 14, 2015 at 12:17 pm · Reply → QUINN ARCHER TO APPEAR AT LA’S FAMOUS “THE MINT” Rock & soul singer-songwriter Quinn Archer, and featuring the 17th street artists, will appear at LA’s treasured music club, The Mint, Friday January 16th at 9:15 p.m. (www.quinn-archer.com). Recognized as one of LA’s leading emerging gothic soul artist, Quinn Archer is known for her gritty bluesy rock style singing with pure and refreshing vulnerability. The word diva calls to mind some of music’s most acclaimed vocalists, and most infamous bad-girl behavior. Fortunately, Rock & Soul singer Quinn Archer is the quintessential diva, but only in the former sense. Archer’s tunes, from the smoldering “Dark Places,” to the quiet, thoughtful ballad “Rest of My Days,” are siren songs—her soulful voice drawing in listeners; her lyrics expressing a disembodied longing featuring unrelenting emotion that are simply beyond words. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: Pre-sales $10.00; $12.00 at the door. (http://themintla.com/event.cfm?id=175713&cart) The Mint: 6010 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035. Phone: 323.954.9400. http://www.themintla.com Quinn Archer released her first North American EP entitled “Dark Places” in late 2014. http://rockbandom.com/quinn-archer/ https://soundcloud.com/quinn-archer/dark-places-single https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-places-single-single/id882808640qUI Gina Deckard January 9, 2015 at 11:51 am · Reply → Sack Lunch Series and Benefit Day Bloomingdale’s and Venice Family Clinic cordially invite you to join us for the annual Sack Lunch Series & Benefit Day! This event is dedicated to fueling women’s fire and keeping daily challenges from extinguishing our passion. Featuring panelists from the health, fashion, and entertainment field. 12:00pm-Refreshments 12:30pm-Presentation Santa Monica Style Bar on 2 Event is complementary, however RSVPs are required as space is limited Venice Family Clinic was founded in 1970 and offers services including medical, dental, vision, chronic disease management and HIV care for people in need. The Clinic operates through nine sites in Venice, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Mar Vista, and Culver City. Panelists: Linda Immediato- Style Editor of Los Angeles magazine and its fashion and lifestyle blog “The Clutch”; Patty Jenkins- Writer and award-winning director of the film “Monster” and television show “The Killing”; Suze Yalof Schwatz- Founder of Unplug meditation, previously Executive Fashion Editor of Glamour magazine CURRENT & PAST PARTNERS Los Angeles Magazine and Smarty Corporate sponsors enjoy an array of direct marketing, activation and engagement opportunities including logo and brand visibility, tickets and invitations to special events, advertisements and employee volunteer opportunities. Questions or to RSVP contact Tiffany Tse, Special Events Associate at 310-664-7930 or ttse@mednet.ucla.edu WEBSITE http://venicefamilyclinic.org/index.php?view=vfc_events&action=sack_lunch Dana January 6, 2015 at 11:33 am · Reply → GO BETTY GO NEW EP REBOOT OUT ON JANUARY 27TH NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE SONG “IT HAUNTS YOU NOW” RECORD RELEASE PARTY ON JANUARY 25TH AT THE ROXY THEATRE WITH THE DOLLYROTS AND A PRETTY MESS Hailing from the outskirts of Los Angeles the fiery ladies of Go Betty Go are back with their original line-up and new EP REBOOT, produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Mighty Mighty BossTones, Flogging Molly) out on January 27. Catch the new video for the song “It Haunts You Now” here: http://youtu.be/GLGNv_bpysU With REBOOT, the incomparable Latina quartet is about to re-establish themselves as one of punk rock’s most original forces. A gloriously rough and tumble recording bristling with the band’s characteristic elegant, melodic aggression, a compelling showcase for Betty Cisneros’ big, roaring guitar, singer Nicolette Vilar’s soulful, siren call and the momentous urgency of Michelle Rangel’s bass and Aixa Vilar’s tumultuous drumming. The new material’s more penetrating emotional statements reflect their singularly unusual shared history. Formed in 2000 when they were all attending high school in Glendale California, Go Betty Go swiftly ascended from local shows to a standing room only weeknight residency at Los Angeles dive Mr. T Bowl’s to a national reputation via reams of critical acclaim and non-stop gigging. Go Betty Go surged through two lengthy Warped tours, frequent appearances in Mexico, an attention getting invasion of South by Southwest and seemingly had it made. With the release of 2005’s Nothing is More on SideOneDummy Records, their first full length album, set out a coast to coast tour with MxPx. They never finished it—Nicolette, exhausted, unhappy and burned out, suddenly quit. Now, Go Betty Go is back as suddenly as they had split. That renewal and excitement crackles through REBOOT like a high voltage jolt of electricity, and the girls are poised to reclaim their rightful prominence as some of the brightest, boldest women in punk rock. REBOOT will be available for pre-order on January 13. https://www.facebook.com/GoBettyGoOfficial https://twitter.com/GoBettyGo Northern Strangers January 5, 2015 at 8:02 pm · Reply → LA PSYCHEDELIC FOLK ROCKERS TRAVEL THROUGH TIME ON THEIR NEW SINGLE Los Angeles based psychedelic folk rock band Northern Strangers have announced the release of their new single The River Pt. 1: Fossils, available via major retail outlets February 6th, 2015. This is the first track to surface from their upcoming full-length sophomore release, set for Summer 2015. After the success of their first album MONSTERS! (“Absolutely wild and unique.” -Musical Seduction), Northern Strangers went back into the studio and rediscovered connections with the past, finding old fears and dreams relevant in our present modern age. This first single shows off inspiring musicianship and a commitment to painting a living, breathing world both musically and lyrically. RELEASE PARTY for the single will be held February 5th, 2015 at the monthly psychedelic/jam music series THE SPIN CYCLE at TRIP Santa Monica 2101 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica, CA Doors 8PM 21+ Free 2/5/2015 Email northernstrangers@gmail.com for a promotional preview of The River Pt. 1: Fossils Northern Strangers formed in 2010, out of a collective love for classic psychedelic rock music from the likes of The Doors, Talking Heads, David Bowie, The Beatles and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The members’ varied musical backgrounds, ranging from classical to jazz to reggae to folk, provide a distinct flavor of psychedelic fun. Northern Strangers have built a reputation for playing energetic, charged sets throughout Los Angeles, including The Viper Room and The Roxy; as well as local Oktoberfests, wineries and street fairs. The band tours regularly and has headlined Black Mountain Family Reunion Music And Arts Festival in Guffey, CO for the past 2 years. In 2013 Northern Strangers independently released their debut album MONSTERS! -A folk rock concept piece called “smooth, energetic, romantic, fun, and thought provoking” For more information, interviews, promo materials or any other requests, please contact Dan Graul at northernstrangers@gmail.com http://www.northernstrangers.com http://www.facebook.com/northern.strangers Twitter – @RockinStrangers Press Photos – http://www.reverbnation.com/rpk/photos/587372 kristal nissalke December 17, 2014 at 9:58 pm · Reply → Bringing back Green Jello to Hollywood! YES! This is a FREE show! If you were at their last Hollywood show, you know this is going to be a blast! The craziest, spontaneous, rock n roll, interactive party extravaganza! Live punk rock with the biggest silliest puppet head mosh pit you will ever see. With special guests Kings of Carnage, The Alibi, UNDERMINE THE EFFECT, ‪#‎JamieHodesDrums‬ & Special Guests, PLUS the sounds of Dj Davewave of THAT METAL BAR \m/ djing in between the bands playin everything from PRIMUS, FAITH NO MORE to MINISTRY, SABBATH, PANTERA to TOOL, MISFITS & BLACK FLAG (dj davewave funk punk metal rock ect…) and more TBA! Kaitlin Torson December 17, 2014 at 10:17 am · Reply → Location: 1815 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031 When: This Saturday, December 20th (10a-6p) Musical libations will begin around 12pm at the KOMBUCHA DOG gallery in DTLA. We’re looking forward to hearing from some new local artists including: 12p-2p Jared Burton (jaredburtonmusic.com) 1p-3p DJ Troy Doram 5p TUN There’s more than music happening at our Holiday Bazaar this year! We’re kicking off the holiday with 10am yoga at the KOMBUCHA DOG gallery this Saturday! The session will be led by our friends Alex & Alex, featuring Hatha and Kundalini yoga followed by meditation. Be sure to bring your own mat! Handcrafted vegan food perfected by our friends at Greenbelt will be served after the yoga session and throughout the day. Our undiluted, organic kombucha will be available on tap for just $5/glass! Get some last minute holiday shopping done with our vendors: -Stix and Jones (http://www.stixandjones.com/) -Lalun Naturals (http://www.lalunnaturals.com/) -Daughter of the Raj (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopDaughteroftheRaj) -TerraForma Studio (2p-6p) (www.facebook.com/TerraFormaStudioCeramics) -Charlotte Patterson (http://www.charlottepatterson.net/) -Bella Fresca (http://www.bella-fresca.com/) -Namaste Stones (https://www.etsy.com/people/boteilho8106) -Birdie Orozco (2p-6p) (https://www.etsy.com/people/brrdistheword) -OMG Sport Spray (http://www.omgspray.com/) -Bohemian Luxuries -EcoPioneer (https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheEcoPioneer?ref=ss_profile) -Julian Valenzuela (10a-2p) (http://julianvalens.wordpress.com/ ) -Jorge Lemus -Romina Caceres (10a-2p)j We look forward to this being the first of many events at KOMBUCHA DOG. Let’s make this one count! It’s an open invitation with free entry for all. Crook December 16, 2014 at 1:55 pm · Reply → ‘Your Big Day’ is a story of unrequited love, one shared but never invested in. It is the story of a man holding his tongue until the aisle; a love known all too well by many but admitted by only a few. https://soundcloud.com/danielcrook/your-big-day Mark Stephenson December 8, 2014 at 8:27 pm · Reply → The LA-based rock quintet Dream Hydra brings together pop hooks and rock intensity, energized by rich, soaring harmonies. Songwriter Mark Popeney and guitarist Mark Stephenson started a band with dreams of tight vocals and memorable tunes. When vocalist Michael Pourshalimi joined in 2010, the Dream Hydra sound came to life. The mythical Hydra has many heads – if you cut one off, two will grow back in its place. After a couple heads were slashed clean off, the addition of Rory Snively on bass and Patrick Weber on drums finally gave the band the hard-hitting groove they’d been searching for. Anchored by the co-lead vocals of Michael and the two Marks, Dream Hydra’s brand of rock is original yet familiar. With thoughtful songwriting that dances between pop and prog, polished vocal harmonies evocative of the ‘70s, and a punk edge, Dream Hydra is at times poppy, at times artful, and at all times unforgettable. The Dream Hydra sound is an ear-catching mix that recalls the Beatles, Fun, and Muse. Dream Hydra recently released its debut album, Radiant, available on iTunes, Amazon, and your favorite online music retailer. Dream Hydra’s epic first album, Radiant, tells a powerful story of love, the end of the world, and new beginnings. Led by the three-way lead vocals of Pourshalimi, Popeney, and Stephenson, Dream Hydra channels classic rock greats like Queen and the Beatles in the new millennium with infectious tunes and soaring, bombastic harmonies. With toe-tapping beats courtesy of Snively on bass and Weber on drums, Dream Hydra mixes pop, alternative, progressive rock, and reggae in a blender and serves it by the pitcher. With ringing guitars, swirling synths, and rumbling bass, Radiant will have you coming back for seconds. The end of civilization. A new love. The search for answers. Featuring songs penned by Popeney, Stephenson, and Pourshalimi, Radiant takes the listener on a timeless journey. A vision of love and loss in a shattered world. Radiant asks the question: is there a chance for redemption when all hope is gone? Website – http://dreamhydra.com Our EPK – http://dreamhydra.com/epk [an automatic download] SoundCloud – https://soundcloud.com/dream-hydra/ YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/c/DreamHydra iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/radiant/id937987570?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Miles Frank December 4, 2014 at 1:23 pm · Reply → Shotty is an Electro-Grunge Alt-Pop band that the world famouse Pat Moon formed in Seattle. After gaining a following in their hometown they made the move to Los Angeles. They recently signed to a new label Cautionary Tail Records, part of the Manimal Label Group collective and just released a single and music video for their song “I’m Glad It’s Over”. You can hear the song and watch the video here: Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shottylovesyou/im-glad-its-over YouTube: http://youtu.be/NzkRsosqZkA Bandcamp: http://shotty.bandcamp.com/album/im-glad-its-over-so-long It’s also available on iTunes & Spotify, and they have a new EP scheduled for release in early 2015. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to contact them at this email address: shottylovesyou@hotmail.com Katie Ferraro December 3, 2014 at 9:41 pm · Reply → STOKED is hosting it’s first ever charity sample sale and athlete yard sale to benefit it’s afterschool and action sports mentoring programs. STOKED is bringing you all your favorite action sports brands at discounts up to 70%. Come shop your favorite brands, including Vans, Oakley, DC, Stussy, Volcom, Skullcandy, Timberland, Staple, and Zoo York. Then, on sale for one day only, top name skateboarders, snowboarders and surfers have donated their old gear for YOU to buy. Check out gear from Paul Rodriguez, Chaz Ortiz, Kelly Clark and more! All proceeds donated to charity to empower youth through action sports. Don’t miss this chance to give and get at the same time. Free – shopping only $25 ticket – open bar and shopping $50 ticket – grab bag, open bar, and shopping For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.stoked.org/laholidayevent Rudy Siegel December 3, 2014 at 3:07 pm · Reply → The Art of John Lennon, “So This is Christmas” 101 N. Robertson Blvd (next to The Ivy) Friday December 12 12-8 Saturday December 13 11-7 Sunday December 14 11-6 Most people didn’t know that before John was a Beatle he was an artist, having studied at Liverpool College of Art from 1957-1960. This is a rare opportunity to see the his truly artistic side featuring nearly 100 of his drawings and songwritings. $3 suggested donation at the door to benefit Adopt the Arts, a local non-profit organization saving art and music programs in public schools. For more info on the cause go to http://www.adoptthearts.org and for a look at the collection and more background about the artwork go to http://www.johnlennonartwork.com or call 888-278-1969 Kershona Mayo November 20, 2014 at 11:18 am · Reply → Pasadena’s South Lake Avenue kicks off its holiday celebration at 12:00pm on Saturday, December 6th with fun and free activities at Shops on Lake at 345 S. Lake Ave, Pasadena. Guests can enjoy: Live music from three of LA’s top bands: 1pm Gavin Turek: a singer-songwriter, producer and professionally trained dancer who has collaborated with some of the most eclectic names in music. 2:30pm Run River North: an acclaimed Korean-American indie folk rock musical collective who has seen extraordinary buzz in the last year including a booking on Jimmy Kimmel Live and selling out LA’s famed troubadour. 4:00pm Wildcat! Wildcat!: one of the most exciting band to come out of Los Angeles in ages garnering support for their unique blend electronic indie rock from BBC, Time and Nylon among others. In-Store Specials and Promotions Horse and Carriage Rides A Scavenger Hunt with prizes Free Parking available at the Corporate Center Pasadena parking Event link: http://www.southlakeavenue.org/events/calendar/south-lake-2014-holiday-celebration/ The Turkey Platter Museum November 13, 2014 at 2:47 pm · Reply → It’s just not Thanksgiving without the turkey, and this exhibit has more than 200 of them… Turkey Platters, that is! This is a must-see exhibit of artisanal platters that collector Helen Gleason (mother of Mat Gleason) has acquired over 4 decades. They depict turkeys in styles that range from realism to expressionism, and represent a history of 120 years. The six week exhibition at Red Pipe Gallery opens on November 23, runs through January 4, and is sure to get your appetite going just in time for the holidays. Many of the platters will be for sale! The exhibit opens Sunday, November 23, from Noon – 5 PM. The Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday, Noon – 5 PM. This exhibit will run through Sunday, January 4, 2015. The gallery is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 978 Chung King Road, Chinatown, Los Angeles CA 90012 http://www.redpipegallery.com/ The Klares November 12, 2014 at 2:22 pm · Reply → The Klares is a four piece rock band from Dublin, Ireland. They are all 16 and 17 years old and are making waves being called “the best young band in Ireland”. The Klares are travelling over to L.A on Thursday as they have a gig, as part of YouBloom festival, in Cafe NELA on Friday night. They are on stage at 9.30pm. All YouBloom gigs are FREE to attend. Over 4,000 acts applied to take part in YouBloom with 80 bands being chosen – 50 of these from the US and 30 from overseas. Please find a link to their EP Dirty Birds: https://soundcloud.com/the-klares/sets/dirty-birds-ep CAFE NELA 1906 Cypress Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065 Age policy: over 21 only. 8.30 – 9.15pm: Chinese Herbal Medicine 9.30 – 10.15pm: The Klares 10.30 – 11.15pm: HOST – Somos Mysteriosos 11.30 – 12.15am: Dr. Vena 12.30 – 1.15am: The Vigils Iain Speirs November 10, 2014 at 3:32 pm · Reply → The guys are pumped that their music is finding radio stations across North America and now into Europe.. Hope you enjoy this great new indie band as much as I and countless others do. http://www.thecardboardcrowns.com David Rossi November 7, 2014 at 10:59 am · Reply → Come Party Like a Bonobo in Bonoboville with HBO Sexologist Dr. Suzy! Celebrate the Book Launch of The Bonobo Way The Evolution of Peace through Pleasure by Dr. Susan Block Saturday Night, November 8, 2014 Meet the Author! Meet the Press! Party with Porn Stars! Commune with the Cognoscenti! This will also be the Grand Opening of Dr. Suzy’s NEW Speakeasy at Bonoboville LA AND it’s Capt’n Max’s Birthday! Special Guests include Amor Hilton, Charlotte Stokely, Selma Sins, Ron Jeremy, Emily Marilyn, Alexandra (“Silky”) Silk & Luc Wylder, “Unlicensed Professionals” Catherine Imperio & Samantha Fairley, Sinn Sage, Odette Delacroix, Tom Quinn, Dark Phoenix, Haley Sweet, Trixie Plenty, Keni Styles, Jux Lii, Moe Johnson, Christian Bruyère, Kelly Surfer, Wille Basse, Barry Fisher, Murrugun the Mystic, Chase Ryder, Jack the Zipper, Dr. Shelley Hiestand, Asher Fire, Isiah King James IV, Chelsea Demoiselle, Maya Goddess & more TBA! Surround Yourself with Good! Advance Discount Tickets: Just $20 After Halloween, it’ll go up to $30. After November 7th.. $40 Ticket Prices Include First Edition Signed Copy and Kindle Edition of The Bonobo Way, Incomparable Boho-Bonobo Erotic Ambiance, OPEN BAR, Special Prizes & Sexy Surprises! Freedom of Expression + Lots of Free Parking! echo November 5, 2014 at 5:16 pm · Reply → Americana-Folk singer/songwriter Joseph Eid is performing @ Bar Lubitsch on Nov 17th 8:30 PM. Address: 7702 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90046 Ticket: $8 Lianna Lifson November 5, 2014 at 3:38 pm · Reply → Communication and Intimate Relating: Get less fcked up around relationships. December 6th, 10am-6pm Website: TheVcc.co/LAComm Let’s be honest, we all have some work to do in this arena. There are things we want that we can’t ask for. There are things our partners’ want that we don’t know how to give them. And there’s a feeling that there might be something more to experience, but we don’t know how to tap into it. Join Master Teachers Robert Kandell and Lianna Lifson as they offer easy to use, practical tools to improve all of your relationships — from your love life, to your parents, to your coworkers. This dynamic day will be lecture, discussion, and explorative exercises. You will learn in the course: A new toolset around Masterful Communication New skills in hearing subtle messages Find out how to educate your partners, friends and loved ones on your unique communication style Survive the holidays! Find out how to negotiate with your family Open to couples and singles. For those searching for love and for those in love searching for truth. For more info email lianna.lifson@gmail.com paul lawrence November 2, 2014 at 8:07 pm · Reply → My name is Paul Lawrence and I’m the executive producer for the International Sketch Comedy Championships 2014 charity benefit. Our event on November 20, this year to be held at the Inside Jokes Comedy Club in the world famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood will benefit a very worthy nonprofit group and features some of the top sketch comedy groups in the world as well as celebrity hosts and guest judges TEMPLE OF ART DOCUMENTARY October 29, 2014 at 2:54 pm · Reply → The Temple of Art exhibit and book premieres at La Luz De Jesus Gallery on December 5, 2014 with an artist reception from 8-11pm. Temple of Art is an ongoing art and photography project over two years in the making. What started as a unique conversation between photographer Allan Amato and over 50 artists evolved into a book being published by Baby Tattoo, a bi-coastal gallery show, a prime-time panel at Comic-Con 2014 and a feature length documentary successfully funded by Kickstarter. The Temple of Art provides an insightful look into the lives of some of our favorite working artists by following the progress of the collaborations from conception to completion, documenting the process in the film and book and finally revealing the works in person at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. The gallery is located at 4633 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA. 90027 and Temple of Art will run until December 28. Dana October 29, 2014 at 12:49 pm · Reply → GO BETTY GO ARE BACK WITH THEIR ORIGINAL LINE UP AND THEIR NEW EP “REBOOT” COMING IN EARLY 2015 SEE THEM ON STAGEIT ON NOVEMBER 1 FOR A LIVE STREAM SHOW TO GET A SNEAK PEEK AT SOME OF THE SONGS FROM THE UPCOMING EP Picking up where they left off the fiery and fearless girls of Go Betty Go have reunited with their original line-up, completed a PledgeMusic campaign and are planning to release an EP of all new material in early 2015. Currently the band is wrapping up recording with producer Ted Hutt. Join them on November 1 at 6:30pM PST on StageIt.com for a special live stream show, where they will be playing songs from their upcoming EP “Reboot.” Get your ticket before they’re gone at: https://www.stageit.com/go_betty_go/day_of_the_dead_reboot_show/41228 In 2004 the band caught the attention of SideOneDummy Records and released their debut EP, Worst Enemy that spring. They toured seemingly nonstop from coast to coast behind it before entering the studio with producer Ted Hutt (Flogging Molly) to lay down a full-length album. The resulting record, Nothing Is More, was released in September 2005, accompanied by more touring with stints on the Van’s Warped Tour, television appearances, song placements on various TV shows/movies and video games. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Go Betty Go are Sisters Nicolette (lead vocals) and Aixa Vilar (drums), Betty Cisneros (guitar), and Michelle Rangel (bass). Now with their DIY roots firmly planted the foursome is revitalized and road ready. Despite the popular saying, punk rock is still very much alive and kicking. Steel Cranes October 29, 2014 at 9:01 am · Reply → SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH @ REDWOOD BAR STEEL CRANES: http://youtu.be/zVPZDBHAJ5c “They shred, but they’re not frantic. Their sound lacks any pretense whatsoever, offering raw, relentless power instead.” – Bitch Magazine Oakland, CA-based rock duo Steel Cranes wraps up a month-long US tour at Redwood Bar (316 W. 2nd St, LA) with LA’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicides and Seattle’s Skates! https://www.facebook.com/rocknrollsuicides http://skates.bandcamp.com Rawr!!! Book Soup & KPFK 90.7 FM October 27, 2014 at 3:34 pm · Reply → Book Soup & KPFK 90.7 FM present: HERBIE HANCOCK in conversation with LA Times Jazz Critic Don Heckman & signing his new book HERBIE HANCOCK: POSSIBILITIES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT 7PM Ricardo Montalban Theatre 1615 Vine St. LA 90028 http://booksoup.com/herbie-hancock-2014 The long-awaited memoir by one of the most influential and beloved musicians of our time. In HERBIE HANCOCK, the legendary jazz musician and composer reflects on a life and a thriving career that has spanned seven decades. A true innovator, Hancock has had an enormous influence on both acoustic and electric jazz, R&B and hip-hop, with his ongoing exploration of different musical genres, winning fourteen Grammy awards along the way. From his beginnings as a child prodigy to his work in Miles Davis’s second great quintet; from his innovations as the leader of his own groundbreaking sextet to his collaborations with everyone from Wayne Shorter to Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder; Herbie Hancock reveals the method behind Hancock’s undeniable musical genius. Hancock shares his musical influences, colorful behind-the-scenes stories, his long and happy marriage, and how Buddhism inspires him creatively and personally. Honest, enlightening, and as electrifyingly vital as the man who wrote it, Herbie Hancock promises to be an invaluable contribution to jazz literature and a must-read for fans and music lovers. (Viking) This evening Herbie Hancock will be in conversation with LA Times Jazz Critic Don Heckman about his life, career and his craft. Questions will be collected prior to the start of the event and a book signing will follow the event. This is a ticketed event. There are two ticket options: $15.00 for a ticket only or $34.00 + tax for ticket and one copy of HERBIE HANCOCK: POSSIBILITIES. We are now accepting paid reservations. You may purchase your tickets online atbooksoup.com or by calling the store at 310-659-3110. Tickets and books will be available for pick-up from the store location beginning the date of the book’s release, Thursday, October 23. Reserved tickets and books may also be picked up at the Will Call tables at the venue the evening of the event. The venue is the Ricardo Montalban Theatre located at 1615 Vine St., Los Angeles. Tickets and books may be available for purchase at the venue before the event begins, while supplies last. Maddie Goese October 27, 2014 at 9:07 am · Reply → SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15th, 2014 7pm-9pm 8331 VENICE BLVD, LOS ANGELES 90034 Interfaith benefit concert to support Homeboy Industries and Beit T’Shuva, $20 Imaginese Productions and the Beit T’Shuvah Creative Arts Department presents Redemption Song: an interfaith benefit concert for the art of recovery. This performance will feature artists who have been rediscovering their passion in recovery at Beit T’Shuvah & Homeboy Industries, along with incredible supporting artists from across Los Angeles. Comedy, music, spoken word and solo performance will weave together an unforgettable evening that celebrates real-life redemtion and recovery. This event takes place on Saturday, November 15th, 7pm-9:30pm at 8831 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles 90036. Tickets are $20 for the show and $35 with dinner (at 6pm) and valet parking is provided. All proceeds to support the arts programs at Beit T’Shuvah and Homeboy Industries. Please RSVP at redemptionsong.bpt.me, and find more info at LAartRising.com COPRO GALLERY October 22, 2014 at 5:37 pm · Reply → ODD NERDRUM ‘PUPILS OF APELLES ‘ a gallery exhibit with Luke Hillestad, David Molesky & Caleb Knodell at Copro Gallery in the Bergamot Station Arts Complex. 2525 Michigan Ave , Unit T5, Santa Monica , CA 90404 Opening Reception: Saturday November 15, 2014 – 8:00 – 11:30 p.m. Exhibit runs: November 15– December 6, 2014, WED-SAT 1-6PM Copro Gallery presents an exhibition by master artist Odd Nerdrum with a collection of his latest works. Several of Odd Nerdrum’s students will also exhibit a collection of their current paintings inspired by time at the Nerdrum school in Norway and by legendary old masters artist Apelles. Odd Nerdrum (born April 8, 1944 in Helsingborg, Sweden), is a Norwegian figurative painter. Themes and style in Nerdrum’s work reference anecdote and narrative. His works evoke the painters Rembrandt and Caravaggio, and include still life paintings of small, everyday objects, portraits and self-portraits, and large paintings allegorical and apocalyptic in nature. Midnight Cities October 21, 2014 at 5:43 pm · Reply → A 3 piece band hailing from Los Angeles, CA they formed back in 2012 and have been playing throughout Southern California since. Fronted by Simon Cardoza, Midnight Cities includes Martin Avelar & Nick Roumeliotis. Co-produced by Simon & Sean Tallman whos worked with Lilly Allen, Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo & Kelly Clarkson; they are self-releasing their first EP. You can stream & download it for free on their bandcamp or soundcloud. http://www.midnightcities.bandcamp.com Slow Down Girl is the first single off their long awaited EP. You can watch it here… http://youtu.be/4swkGlFVm2I Loureen Ayyoub October 21, 2014 at 3:54 pm · Reply → I am currently working with one of Southern California’s best performers and songwriters, JEREMY CROOKS. A hip hop-rock concoction, covered with a flare of funk, his new song “When It’s Wrong” not only gets you dancing but releases a fresh rush of raw emotion while doing so. Listen to his new song “When It’s Wrong” here: https://soundcloud.com/jeremycrooks/when-its-wrong/ JEREMY CROOKS http://www.jeremycrooks.com Placer Herald – http://www.placerherald.com/article/9/10/14/rocklin-songwriter-making-his-way-la Official Music Video: “Foxtrot” – http://youtu.be/bU2iH9xYARE Jeremy delivers an organic emotion seldom seen in today’s mainstream music. Evoking a distinct genre of alternative soul, his natural symphonies of substance are tied in with his crisp and captivating stage presence. He has amassed over 2.9 million views on his YouTube page and has been featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show twice, The CW’s “The Next” and Good Day Sacramento. He’s been interviewed by ClevverMusic, Sing Inc, Channel APA, he was most recently featured on the front page of the Placer Herald, and will have a feature in Sacramento Magazine’s January 2015 issue. A raw vocalist, sharp dancer, and focused creator, Crooks hails from Sacramento with a unique hunger to tirelessly empower through his craft. Jeremy is currently working on future releases coming this fall so stay tuned… Jeremy will be performing at the Mint in Los Angeles October 26th!! Come check it out! He’ll be performing brand new material, including his new song “When It’s Wrong”. Tickets are $12, but if you join The Collective Tribe at http://jeremycrooks.com you’ll receive half off of your ticket! For more details go to http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5410475 Loureen Ayyoub Press/Booking J Crooks Entertainment, LLC tribe@jeremycrooks.com Bennett October 16, 2014 at 4:23 pm · Reply → The Second Annual G2 Green Earth Film Festival to Feature Award-Winning Eco-Documentaries at The G2 Gallery Films include Robert Redford’s Watershed and Trashed, narrated by Jeremy Irons Venice, CA—On Friday October 17, The G2 Gallery will kick off its second annual G2 Green Earth Film Festival, a three-day event featuring screenings, filmmaker panels, after parties and more, all free and open to the public. The G2 Green Earth Film Festival will screen environmentally themed documentaries that educate and entertain. This year’s lineup includes the Jeremy Irons-narrated Trashed, the Sissy Spacek-narrated Amazon Gold, and the Robert Redford-produced Watershed, along with a dozen other acclaimed films. In addition to the award-winning films, G2 will be hosting panels with filmmakers, environmental experts and nonprofit leaders. On October 18, there will be a roundtable discussion on water conservation issues at 4 p.m. moderated by Robin Black, founder of The Owens Lake Project. On October 19, there will be a panel at 2 p.m. entitled, “Filmmaking As a Tool for Conservation.” “The films we’re screening address environmental issues that are critically important,” says G2 Events Coordinator Elise Roberts. “We’re proud to make this event free to the public and appreciate the generosity of our wonderful donors who are supporting this festival with incredible food and drinks.” The opening night of the G2 Green Earth Film Festival will screen Mile…Mile & A Half, a documentary about five friends who hike California’s historic John Muir Trail over the span of a month. The film will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an after party that includes pizza and beer donated by South End Venice and Angel City Brewery, live music from Opus Orange and a meet and greet with the filmmakers. The Saturday slate of films will be headlined by Trashed, a documentary about the dangers of human consumption and how that contributes hazardous waste to all parts of the world. The film will begin at 7 p.m. with snacks throughout the day donated by Angie’s Popcorn and Newman’s Own Organics. The closing night will screen DamNation, a SXSW Audience Choice award winner about the ways in which damns have harmed our waterways. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by an after party with food and drinks donated by Chipotle and Angel City Brewery. For opening night tickets, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/g2-green-earth-festival-opening-night-milemile-and-a-half-tickets-12404336705. For closing night tickets, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/g2-green-earth-film-festival-closing-night-damnation-tickets-12405105003. Tickets are limited for both evenings. A full schedule of the weekend’s events is available at http://www.calendar.theg2gallery.com/2014/10/. Location: The G2 Gallery (www.theg2gallery.com) 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291-3742 Tel. 310.452.2842, E-mail info@theg2gallery.com Diane Shader Smith dianeshadersmith@gmail.com Bennett Rea bennett@theg2gallery.com Detangler October 15, 2014 at 6:37 pm · Reply → We are Los Angeles lo-fi-psych-pop band Detangler and we just released a new single on Soundcloud. It would make us very happy if you gave it a listen: soundcloud.com/detangler twitter.com/detanglermusic Michaela Lingkam October 14, 2014 at 3:59 pm · Reply → The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the Wellbeing Festival featuring the Buy Local Marketplace on Saturday, October 18th from 11:00am-5:00pm. Local businesses, non-profits and City departments gather at this free festival to provide free expertise, advice and product samples promoting a healthy and happy lifestyle for the entire Santa Monica community. Enjoy a fun filled day while raising awareness about the economic, environmental and community benefits of buying local. Visit the interactive booths of UCLA Health, Kaiser Permanente and Providence St. John’s Health Center to meet friendly therapy dogs and receive blood pressure screenings, health education and body mass index readings. SMMUSD Jazz Band, interactive classes including ballroom dance with Arthur Murray Dance Center, Zumba, Naam Yoga LA and the Santa Monica Trainer Challenge showcasing your favorite trainers will take to the stages throughout the day. In the TECH Garden, attendees can receive one on one assistance from tech experts and participate in seminars about popular topics such as Phone Basics, Programs to Connect with Online Communities and Professional Content from local tech companies. The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows will present demos by local Chefs. Build your own disaster kit and learn CPR and pet First Aid with the Santa Monica Red Cross. And if that wasn’t enough you can even check out the newest models from LAcarGuy and Santa Monica Ford. This much anticipated event is where your fellow residents and colleagues will come together to celebrate Wellbeing Santa Monica! For more information: http://www.smchamber.com/wellbeingbuylocal 310-393-9825 Bob Dylan & His Band October 8, 2014 at 3:44 pm · Reply → The Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland is proud to present folk-rock legend Bob Dylan & His Band in concert on October 24, 25 & 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available at the Dolby box office or online at Ticketmaster.com and start at $50.00. Bob Dylan has been on what’s become known as his Never Ending Tour since 1988, playing more than 2,500 gigs during this incredible run. Dylan’s current backing band — all of whom played on his 2012 studio album, Tempest — has a bit of a country vibe, and usually features guitarists Stu Kimball and Charlie Sexton along with Tony Garnier (bass), drummer George Receli (drums), and Donnie Herron (pedal steel, lap steel, banjo, mandolin, violin, viola). For more information, please visit hollywoodandhighland.com/events Marlon Welch October 8, 2014 at 2:29 pm · Reply → Compton musician MARLON WELCH is a musical amalgam. Defying traditional genre categories, Welch carves out his own niche in the current musical landscape by combining musical elements evocative of old school R&B legends like Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye with modern pop tastes to produce a fresh sound. His new single IN THE CROWD is the exciting first glimpse into his eclectic musical persona. The track fearlessly kicks off with Welch’s bare vocals and quickly explodes into an up-tempo musical melting pot combining a strong modern beat with jazzy referential brass accompaniments. By harkening back to earlier eras of Blues and Soul, Welch unpretentiously elevates his R&B sound to a level of sophistication that is often lacking in the genre while simultaneously injecting levity through its pop characteristics. This unexpected merger of old and new produces a sound that is undeniably feel-good and catchy while maintaining musical integrity through its classic R&B references. As a lifelong artist, musical integrity has notable importance for Welch. Growing up in a household dedicated to classic R&B and performing weekly in the church choir left Welch’s musical identity imprinted with elements of soul, funk, and gospel. Concurrently, Welch maintained appreciation for modern performers and sounds. Passionate about entertainment from a young age, Welch entered a local poetry contest, which gave him the opportunity to meet Beyoncé Knowles. After hearing Welch’s piece, Welch recalls the living legend meeting his gaze and firmly telling him to keep writing and never abandon his musical dreams. Welch cites this experience as a defining moment; when his musical dreams became his identity. While IN THE CROWD is not Welch’s first foray into the music industry, it marks his first true musical introduction to the world. As a young artist, Welch released an EP, which led to prominent opportunities with Capitol Records that exposed him to all aspects of life as a recording artist. Having opened for major artists, composed music, performed in front of large audiences as part of a national tour, and recorded a music video for his lead single, Welch was fully immersed in the music industry by age 20. After being delivered a shocking medical diagnosis, Welch suffered clinical depression and chose to take a hiatus from recording to focus on his health and education by returning to the Los Angeles Recording School. Through months of therapy and introspection, Welch achieved a deeper understanding of himself. When he slowly resumed songwriting and collaborating with other artists, he found that he had a radically different persona. His message was more sincere, his delivery more vulnerable, and his image more bohemian. Welch had entered a new era musically, and began developing a new EP as an independent artist, allowing him greater sincerity in both his image and sound. Despite facing adversity and spiritual rebirth at a young age, Welch maintains exuberance by choosing to boldly reemerge on the music scene as a bohemian, eclectic artist inspired by Soul and infused with modern pop/dance as showcased in IN THE CROWD. http://www.soundcloud.com/Marlon-Welch/in-the-crowd http://www.itunes.com/marlonwelch http://www.MarlonWelchNow.com "Stand Up for Main Street" September 23, 2014 at 12:34 pm · Reply → ‘Stand Up for Main Street’ 2014 – a Comedy Benefit for National Consumer Watchdog Group Public Citizen Because Democracy Doesn’t Happen in a Vacuum, Good Government Groups Need Public Support as Well as a Great Sense of Humor WHAT: An all-star line-up of comics are waiting in the wings to lend their support to Public Citizen – one of the nation’s preeminent public interest groups – at its annual comedy fest, “Stand Up for Main Street.” For 43 years, the take-no-prisoners consumer advocacy organization has been standing up to government and the undue influence of corporations. Now we have a group of hard-charging comics who are returning the favor by doing stand-up for us. The Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group is a champion of the public interest, representing citizens’ rights before the executive branch agencies, Congress and the courts. The organization remains fiercely independent because it accepts no money from corporate or government entities, relying on funding from member support, foundations and the generosity of average Americans. Its programs include public health and safety, financial reform, campaign finance reform, fair trade practices, government transparency, environmentally sound energy policy and more. WHEN: 6:30–8:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19 WHERE: The Writers Guild Theater, 135 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif. WHO: Steve Skrovan, Public Citizen board member, co-host Lew Schneider, executive producer, “Everybody Loves Raymond”, co-host Kevin Nealon, “Saturday Night Live” and “Weeds” Carol Leifer, “Saturday Night Live” and “Late Night with David Letterman” Cathy Ladman, American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-Up Comic Suli McCullough, comedy writer for “The Tonight Show” and “Lopez Tonight” Jake Johanssen, “The Late Show with David Letterman” Wayne Federman, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Larry Sanders Show” NOTE: For tickets and more information, visit: http://www.citizen.org/stand-up-for-main-street Crystal Sister September 23, 2014 at 11:43 am · Reply → STREAM THE FIRST TWO TRACKS OFF CRYSTAL SISTER’S SELF-TITLED EP, OUT OCTOBER 3, 2014 https://soundcloud.com/crystalsister Nothing can quite prepare you for the leap that Sonya Bender of Crystal Sister has taken with her first self-titled EP. Through the collaborative efforts of Bender and producer Daniel Luttrell (Sky Ferreira and Nikka Costa), Crystal Sister successfully bridges the gap between the genres of lo-fi chill wave and ethereal pop. With a wide array of layered vocals, shimmering synths, and tracks boasting in fresh, insightful lyrics, Bender’s artistic vision is truly realized on the upcoming EP which is both aesthetically moving and compelling. The music itself focuses primarily on the joy and heartbreak of relationships. From the harsh realities of love lost and rediscovered, the struggles to remain hopeful, to the battles with one’s identity. “Inside My Heart” revels in the overwhelming vulnerability between lovers brought together by true passion, while spotlighting the disillusion of love that comes from giving oneself entirely to another. “This is likely the track that is missing from the Drive Soundtrack…Complete playlist composite of Chvrches, Grimes, and Pawws…” -Killing Moon “She showcases a pop edge that seemingly draws from the likes of Gwen Stefani, in being super slick, whilst focusing on massive choruses..” -Crack In The Road FOR INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: thecrystalsister@gmail.com Zach September 22, 2014 at 11:26 pm · Reply → Hello! My name is Zach. Im an La based videographer. Im in the middle of this long term project to help give a voice to the people of highland park. this is the video we just launched. It is literally just people\’s opinion on highland park. We realized that by filming this project on york street, we only got half of the town. The other half hasn’t been heard form. So we will be filming again over the next few months, getting more interviews. but if you could help promote this, it would be awesome. I want the people to have a voice, and this is a perfect outlet for that! Link to video: highlandparkis.la Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope it finds you well! Nick Shattuck Rep. September 18, 2014 at 11:22 am · Reply → Indie/Folk/Soul “Nick Shattuck is a pleasant combination of Ray LaMontagne & John Mayer” WHEN: 9/25. 9pm. WHERE: Witzend, Venice Beach, CA. WHY: Because it’s only $10 and you’ll love it, I promise. http://www.nickshattuckmusic.com Ashley Ratcliff September 16, 2014 at 12:47 pm · Reply → Let’s Do the Time Warp: A Dance-a-thon for 826LA’s 10th Anniversary Saturday, 10/18 8 p.m.-midnight The Unique Space, 1275 East 6th Street in LA $25 general admission, $100 to compete Hosted by: Marc Evan Jackson (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” 22 Jump Street) Special guests: Moby, Al Madrigal Dust off your dancing shoes and ready your show-stopping moves because 826LA, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center supporting students 6 to 18, is hosting a dance-a-thon for its 10th anniversary. 826LA is inviting all dancing machines to dance their hearts out for a worthy cause. Every dollar raised goes to 826LA’s free writing and tutoring programs. Collect or donate at least $100 to get your official dance-a-thon number and be eligible to win prizes. But don’t just stand there. Bust a move! Judges Joel Arquillos of 826LA, comedian Al Madrigal, Sonja Rasula of UNIQUE LA, and Rivka Rossi of HelloGiggles will be giving out prizes for Best Moonwalk, Best Friends Dancing, Most Convincing Robot, Best Dressed, Jitteriest Jitterbug, and Most Authentic Worm. Those voted People’s Choice and Dance Machine (Best Dancer), as well as those who Fundraise the Roof (top fundraisers for individual and team), will be awarded the grand prizes. Marc Evan Jackson (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” 22 Jump Street, The Kings of Summer) will host the dance-a-thon, and recording artist Moby will attend as a special guest. Pumping up the jams all night long will be a revolving door of popular DJs, including KXLU’s Mukta Mohan, dublab’s Lee Robinson, Origami Vinyl’s Neil Schield, Funky Sole’s Clifton Weaver (aka DJ Soft Touch), and LA Record’s Chris Ziegler. Contestants who raise more than $2,500 will get to “turn the beat around” and have their song request thrown into the mix during the final hour of the dance-a-thon. Additional perks will be given to top moneymakers, and many more prizes and surprises are in store. The growing list of sponsors includes Bites Desserts, Blue Bottle Coffee, Clif Bar, Flipbooth, Golden Road, Homeboy Industries, Jarritos, The Magic Castle, Plumb, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, TOMS, The Unique Space and Warby Parker. Dance-a-thon “fans” who wish to attend “Let’s Do the Time Warp” as spectators can purchase tickets for $25. Time travel costumes are encouraged, too. This dance-a-thon is the first of 10 events planned for 826LA’s 10th anniversary. For more information, registration, and tickets, visit 826la.org/timewarp. Emerged September 13, 2014 at 10:45 am · Reply → Join us at Emerged at Alpha Venice, a group exhibition that will coincide with the Venice Art Crawl on Thursday, September 18th! This event will feature contemporary works of art by local artists as well as live music by up and coming local bands and DJs at Alpha Venice, the high tech Nike gym. Daniela Herrera Public Relations Associate Emerged Productions FREE ARCADE September 9, 2014 at 3:58 pm · Reply → I wanted to share a special event with you that I know you will appreciate. I hold a FREE Arcade every Saturday in town. My Arcade Warehouse is a discount shop that opens its doors to the public one day a week to encourage families to get reacquainted with classic games they haven’t seen in years. All for free. No quarter, no cover charge. I am proud to share that in just over 1 month we have had over 1,000 visitors. Please join us next Saturday and relive your favorite Arcade Classics with over 60 free to play games. Roycesarcade.com 21819 Plummer St Chatsworth 91311 Vanessa September 8, 2014 at 1:08 pm · Reply → Record Release for THE CRAZY NEVER DIE On the 26th of September extraordinary music makers will convene in downtown Los Angeles for a night of mind altering entertainment in celebration of the new album Release the Ground from The Crazy Never Die. This truly unique musically experience will feature live, loud aural stimulation from Sunstar, Bodysnatchers, Maramba, and The Crazy Never Die. Entrance is in the alley between Main and Spring and 3rd and 2nd, known also as Harlem Pl. The Smell : 247 S Main St, Los Angeles, California 90012 Michelly Cordova September 5, 2014 at 6:40 pm · Reply → Thursday, Sept 11 at 9:30pm, Michelly Cordova takes the stage for a showcase performance at House Of Blues Sunset, Foundation Room. Be there for the release of her new single “Love is a mystery” and a special treat we hope you will enjoy. Michelly will be joined on stage by Josh Gonzales (bass), Sam Meek (guitar), and Lauren Stradmann (drums). Join us at the House of Blues as Michelly lights up the Foundation Room at 9:30pm. House of Blues Sunset, Foundation Room 8430 West Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, CA, 90069 $10 flyer @ http://michellycordova.com/2014/08/1925 The After Party @10:30pm Celebration Continues at Bar 20, 8462 West Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood CA 90069 -immediately following the performance. Michelly Cordova – Soul – Pop – R&B http://www.MichellyCordova.com Ilya Shapiro September 3, 2014 at 1:39 pm · Reply → The multitalented band, FOREBEAR, originally known as Wise Cub, who will be making their debut performance at The Silver Lake Lounge on Tuesday, September 9th @ 10:00PM. With a strong vocal presence and superior harmonies, the band has made the jaws drop of many. You can check out live performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOgezHjBBuo Originally known as WiseCub, which formed in 2010. Scott Goldbaum (lead vocals, guitar), Molly Rogers (viola, keys, vocals), Mike Musselman (drums), and Nick Chamian (bass) seamless went through their evolution to Forebear a year ago. Taking cues from cinematic and classical influences, Forebear creates and molds a surreal listening experience with solos that are sometimes brooding, sparse statements; and other times lyrical, fleeting phrases. Flawlessly weaving together a truly unique voice with spectacular harmonies, Forebear creates beautiful songs that people will talk about long after the final notes are played. “Sixty seconds in and suddenly I’m aware that I don’t care about the band I came to see anymore, so long as he keeps singing. The honesty and passion in his has the entire audience holding its breath and when he finally stops, we roar.” (Flip XY Magazine) You can listen to their new single here: https://soundcloud.com/forebearband/north-korea-the-five-stages-of-grief Schkapf August 31, 2014 at 4:41 pm · Reply → Are you an artist that wants to discover a place where they can connect and build an artistic village? On September 7th from 2pm-8pm come to Schkapf (6567 Santa Monica Blvd, 90038) and find what you’ve been looking for. Come and join us, for a minute or for hours: explore the space, converse, listen to tunes, imbibe libations, eat some blini (crepes) with butters & jams and VOTE for SCHKAPF, “one of the most discussed projects on LA2050 CREATE”. There will be performances, workshops, experiences, engagements happening every hour. From yoga sessions, to drumming jams, to stage fighting adventure, to singing simple and fun tunes. Find more information at bit.ly/2050Party And vote for us at bit.ly/SchkapfLA2050 Katrien van der Schueren August 28, 2014 at 2:42 pm · Reply → On October 3, 2014 Voila Gallery and The Lyric Theatre welcome Ruthie Foster, for the release of her new album “Promise of a Brand New Day”. From houses of worship to houses of blues, Ruthie Foster has always been a rafter-rattler. And with a soul-filled voice honed in Texas churches, she can move audiences to tears or ecstasy — sometimes in a single song. Her last two albums, 2009’s The Truth According to Ruthie Foster and 2012’s Let It Burn, moved the Recording Academy to deliver Best Blues Album Grammy nominations; her latest, Promise of a Brand New Day, releasing August 19 on Blue Corn Music, could make her a contender once more. For this effort, Foster put Meshell Ndegeocello in charge as her producer and then got out of the way, letting the lauded singer and bassist call the shots regarding players, takes, and mixing. “I wanted this album to highlight Ruthie’s voice and also communicate her vibe, give a fuller picture of her artistry and ability,” explains Ndegeocello. “She really trusted me with the music and I think we’ve made something that complements and holds its own alongside the power of her voice.” Ndegeocello played bass and enlisted her regular guitarist Chris Bruce (Sheryl Crow) and keyboardist Jebin Bruni (Aimee Mann), plus drummer Ivan Edwards and backing vocalist Nayanna Holley. Foster did request two special guests: guitarist Doyle Bramhall II and singer Toshi Reagon. http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/560907/tfly Kyle Keese August 28, 2014 at 9:13 am · Reply → Levi’s® Commuter Workspace Closing Party Friday August 29th, 7–10 PM Join us Friday for one last night at the Commuter Workspace LA, located at 157 W 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Bring your bike for complimentary bike-wash, tune-ups and bike valet provided by LACBC. Compete to win a tokyobike and other prizes in the Goldsprints races, and bring your old jeans for a chance to win a Limited Edition Brooks Cambium Denim Saddle! Musical performances by Thundercat with Mono/Poly and Knxwledge. Beer provided by Golden Road Brewing. Vodka courtesy of Greenbar Craft Distillery. Free entry with RSVP. Capacity is strictly limited. 21+, ID required. For complete list of events, visit levis-commuter.com #commuter levis.com/commuter Love is the Law August 24, 2014 at 5:52 pm · Reply → Announcing the new Los Angeles band Love is the Law For this of you in LA: We’re releasing an album in about two months but have four songs available to hear right now, one of which is called ‘LA Traffic’. This song was conceived in my car during the stale rush of Los Angeles traffic, with the setting of the sun in the amazing West. My lyrics show the city of LA as the Promised Land with a huge waiting line. It parallels the American Dream, which is what the city of LA personifies to so many people, ourselves included. Free download on our website. http://www.loveisthelaw.com https://soundcloud.com/love-is-the-law-music Anna Chase August 23, 2014 at 3:55 pm · Reply → Greetings LosAnjealous! I have an EP release party and performance coming up for you to share with your readers, friends, family, pets and you entire neighborhood! The event will take place September 12th at 11pm in House of Blues – Foundation Room. Tickets at the venue are $15. For more information visit http://www.annachase.com, there you will also find updates, videos of live performances, photos, music and more. Anna Chase http://www.annachase.com http://www.facebook.com/annachase Twitter and Instagram @AnnitaChase Kate August 22, 2014 at 12:54 pm · Reply → Free Charli XCX and Bleachers show at Avalon Hollywood this Saturday, 8/23. RSVP here: http://avalonhollywood.com/vmatacobellconcert/ VAGABOND August 20, 2014 at 3:09 pm · Reply → TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR VAGABOND’S “9 CIRCLES” AMIDST RENEWED CONFLICT IN IRAQ Los Angeles, August 20, 2014 – A volatile young man and ex-soldier must face his demons in the award-winning 9 CIRCLES by Bill Cain. New L.A. theatre company, VAGABOND, produces while Alexis Jacknow directs the show, which runs Sept. 12 – Oct. 5 at The Sherry Theater in North Hollywood’s Arts District. Based on the true story of Iraq War soldier Steven Dale Green and the 2006 Mahmudiyah killings, 9 CIRCLES follows Private Daniel Reeves on a haunting journey while seeking redemption for crimes he committed during his time in Iraq. Green was the first to be convicted under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act in 2009 for the rape and killing of a young Iraqi girl and her family. He committed suicide last February. “We are the first production to mount this play since Steven Dale Green committed suicide in prison this year,” says Jacknow. “There is a responsibility and gravity that comes along with that that the cast and I want to honor. I hope that 9 CIRCLES will make audiences reflect on how we pass judgment on others, both in our daily lives and as citizens of this country.” The audience is the jury in Reeves’ trial and, in the 36-seat Sherry Theater, they will have no choice but to witnesses an acute examination of some of the most complex issues facing our society today. “We wanted our inaugural show to be something relevant that sparked conversation, but also took people on an amazing journey,” explains Executive Director of Production, Alex Hughes. “9 CIRCLES uses a soldier’s post-traumatic mind as a lens to explore topics of the post-war health of veterans, capital punishment, and the state of our nation after an unpopular 13-year war.” To pay tribute to soldiers, past and present, VAGABOND will present a special preview of 9 CIRCLES exclusively for veterans and their families on Thursday, September 11th. VAGABOND has worked closely with the USVAA (United States Veterans Artists Alliance) throughout the production and will present talkbacks with American veterans at the Sunday matinee performances. The cast for 9 CIRCLES includes Jake Green, Lucas Dixon, Skip Pipo, and Margaux Susi. The design and creative team includes Donald Pawloski, scenic design; Season Mustful, costume design; and Meagan McGrory, stage manager. Tickets start at $15. Discounted tickets are available for $12 for active-duty and retired military personnel. VAGABOND is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE program. For more information about tickets, VAGABOND, and 9 CIRCLES, please visit vagabondla.org. Visit VAGABOND’s Kickstarter Campaign Page: https://bit.ly/VagabondKickstarter EPK Image Download Link: https://app.box.com/s/cgcl561v8pz4q8gw60mp Instagram: http://instagram.com/vagabondthtrla Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vagabondla Twitter: https://twitter.com/vagabondthtrLA Whitney Loveall – Executive Director, Marketing Email: whitney@vagabondla.org Paco August 20, 2014 at 2:45 pm · Reply → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnpf9_WNJks Fenway Recordings August 20, 2014 at 9:32 am · Reply → Hey losanjealous, For the first time since 2009, Mission of Burma head back to the West Coast at the end of the month! Since the band’s last visit out west, they have released two innovative and successful releases including Unsound and the two disc deluxe compilation Learn How: The Essential Mission of Burma. From their first album VS. which has been revered as one of the most important post-punk records of all time, Mission of Burma has continued to reinvent, challenge, and play incredible live shows as one of the most influential and exciting bands to have emerged from the post-punk era. You can find complete information for their upcoming show in LA below: Mission of Burma w/ support from GRMLN and Terror Tuesday 8:30 doors Tickets: $20 general admission available at http://bit.ly/BurmaLA Check out an exclusive rehearsal video here: http://youtu.be/7RWyMhw_2Mg Please let me know if you have any questions and/or if you need any other information to include on losanjealous. Heiress To Atlas August 19, 2014 at 1:46 pm · Reply → New Electronic Rock/R&B duo HEIRESS TO ATLAS is opening for TELEPATHE & LINCOLN JESSER October 3 at Los Globos! – http://heiresstoatlas.com Come through for a night of cutting edge electronic music. Tickets are only $10 when bought under the HTA discount. Buy your tickets HERE -http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5346295&pl=shealy Noosa Yoghurt August 19, 2014 at 10:39 am · Reply → NOOSA YOGHURT PICKS UP THE ADMISSION TAB FOR 500 LUCKY BEACH-GOERS AT SEASIDE LAGOON August 30, between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Noosa Finest Yoghurt is giving free admission to the first 500 people to visit Redondo’s Seaside Lagoon on Saturday, August 30. To celebrate its two new summer flavors – Coconut and Pineapple – the Aussie style yoghurt company is hitting cities across the US, mixing Aussie culture with local culture in a big way. Parker Rose August 17, 2014 at 3:05 am · Reply → I am a songwriter from LA. Please check out my music and see what you think. -parker rose http://soundcloud.com/parker-rose1 David Roston August 14, 2014 at 6:38 am · Reply → Astroetic Studios Announces Grand-Opening Event Entitled “Sensory” 224 E. 11th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 8 PM – 2 AM, Astroetic Studios will open its doors for its grand-opening event, entitled Sensory. The night will highlight each of the five senses through artistic expression and community-based projects. Hearing – Live Music Live bands ranging in style from urban hip-hop to sultry folk rock and house DJ’s to psychedelic rap will take the stage. Los Angeles locals including Illie and Vibes of a Tribe are set to headline. Others include A.E. Fox, J Dub, and SNKNGL + Hundertmark. Sight – Visual Gallery A group of Los Angeles’ finest emerging artists will display oil paintings, graphic design, and photography. Los Angeles street artist, Hieronymus, will perform live painting. Smell – Aromatherapy Venice-based skin-care and nutrition group Pulse Organics will educate and spread the powers of aromatherapy through various essential oils and body care that are guaranteed to soothe and awaken the mind. Taste – Local Beer and Local Food Astroetic Studios is brewing an in-house “Double Belgian IPA” especially for the evening. A secret, special guest chef will be on deck and food trucks TBD will be stationed outside to please the palette. Touch – Feelies and Motion Light A textured playground and scientific lamps will be exhibited to delight and fascinate. Tickets: $5 at the door. For More Information and RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/AstroeticStudios/events About Astroetic Studios: Astroetic Studios is a brand-new video/photo production studio and event space located at 224 E. 11th St., Los Angeles, CA, 90015 in the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles. Measuring in at 2,800 square feet with high ceilings and breathtaking views of Downtown LA it is a great space to both channel and display creativity. Jenny Kim August 12, 2014 at 3:37 pm · Reply → Our event is known to be the largest and oldest Korean cultural festival in the country. Here is some information about us: The Los Angeles Korean Festival Foundation was founded in 1973, as leaders of the burgeoning Korean immigrant community of the greater Los Angeles area recognized the importance of preserving their ethnic identity and organized the Los Angeles Korean Festival. As a non-profit organization, the LAKFF organizes the annual Los Angeles Korean Festival with the assistance of its numerous sponsors. With over 400,000 attendees each year, the Los Angeles Korean Festival is one of the largest ethnic celebrations in the nation. The mission of the Los Angeles Korean Festival is not only to provide an opportunity for the young Korean-American second generation to appreciate their culture and heritage, but also to serve as an instrument for which people from all ethnic groups can learn and experience Korean culture. This year’s Los Angeles Korean Festival (the 41st annual festival) will be held from Thursday, September 18th to Sunday, September 21st. U.R. ART Festival August 4, 2014 at 11:34 pm · Reply → The U.R. ART Music Festival returns to Bergamot Station in Santa Monica with musical guests Doc Martin, DROOG, Brett Johnson and more. The monthly day-party features the best music, food, fashion, art, and sustainability programs for a full day of dancing under the Santa Monica sun. For more information visit http://urartfestival.com Dustin Treinen July 31, 2014 at 4:39 pm · Reply → RAWartists: A Fashion, Music and Arts Showcase RAWartists welcomes everyone to our August Showcase event-The night culminates in fashion shows with talented visual artists showcasing throughout the entire venue DOORS @ 7:00PM Performance portion of the event over at 11:00PM, but stick around for the after party for a special DJ set by KAV! TICKETS $15 in advance and $20 at the door Need a LYFT? $20 Free Credit! Use your phone to request a ride and experience the most fun way to get to RAW. USE CODE: RAWLA Music All Night by DJ O.N.E. Hosted by Marcus Omari Video shot by Nick Kalish Photos by Flip Cassidy ALLURE SHOWCASING ARTISTS: VISUAL ART – Jessie Caballero, Creations by Apreal Showers, Alphonso Acosta, Mandell Maull, Alex Achaval, Femme Savant, Eddie Lee, Caitlan Williams, Art Saves People, Ryan Wolf, JAMESIEWAYMSIE, Manzur Guzman, Michael Grimaldo, Dylan DeGrasse, phillip meacham, Jeff Davis, and Marco Sosa PHOTOGRAPHY – Sarah Haimes, Cory Stierley, Nalina Kaufman, and Kristen Gray MUSIC – Brooke Jean, Natasha Key, and Illicit Vice FILM – Diana Cignoni and Angie Piccirillo FASHION – Lisa Brubaker, Ragged Vagabond Clothing, Love la Vie, Kokomo Clothing, Jumbie, Adri Moon, Ralphy Vies MAKEUP – Portia Davis and Niki Rae Click here to view/download the flyer and purchase tickets: http://www.rawartists.org/losangeles/allure http://www.RAWartists.org WHAT IS RAW? RAW:natural born artists is an independent arts organization that handpicks and spotlights local artists. RAW selects artists in visual art, film, fashion, music, performing art, hair and makeup artistry, and photography. RAW showcases these artists in monthly events in artistic communities across California, including Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach San Diego and San Francisco. RAW’s mission is to provide tools, resources and exposure to emerging artists who deserve to be seen heard and loved! The above artists have been chosen as RAWartists. Please join us in celebrating their creativity, ideas, and cultural leadership Ciarra July 29, 2014 at 4:16 pm · Reply → KICKBALL FOR A HOME Celebrity Kickball Tournament Set for August 16 at USC Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption launches new national fundraising campaign WHAT: Join the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) for an exciting kickball tournament, where top teams and celebrity supporters will go head to head to win the ultimate championship, all to help children in foster care find forever families. Kickball for a Home will be held in Los Angeles on August 16, 2014, at the University of Southern California’s Cromwell Field from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Because adoption is a team effort, Kickball for a Home will raise money and awareness for children in Los Angeles, and the more than 100,000 children in the U.S. who are waiting in foster care to be adopted. The campaign will launch on July 14, 2014 on CrowdRise at CrowdRise.com/KickballForAHome, where players can register to compete in a fundraising challenge for team spots in the single elimination tournament. The final teams in the championship game will win the chance to be joined on the field by celebrity players. Kickball for a Home will have non-stop action including live musical performances, celebrity appearances, kickball skeeball, corn hole, giant Jenga, oversized bowling, and more. The Coca-Cola Company generously supports the National “Kickball for a Home” program so that funds raised go directly to support the Foundation’s programs and awareness initiatives. As the only nonprofit charity dedicated to finding homes for children waiting in foster care, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption will use the money raised to educate the public on adoption from foster care, and provide grants to support more adoption recruiters across the country who use the Foundation’s signature child-focused recruitment program. Children served through this program are up to 300% more likely to get adopted – children who many have considered “unadoptable.” WHO: Confirmed talent attendees and players forthcoming. WHEN: Saturday, August 16, 2014 WHERE: University of Southern California – Cromwell Field 850 West 37th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveThomasFoundationforAdoption Twitter: https://twitter.com/dtfa Official hashtag: #KickballForAHome RSVP: A media alert with additional details and a full list confirmed attendees is forthcoming. If you are interested in attending/covering the event, please email kickball@sunshinesachs.com for additional details. MORE ON DTFA:The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity exclusively dedicated to finding permanent homes for the more than 130,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org or call 1-800-ASK-DTFA. Theresa July 29, 2014 at 10:02 am · Reply → The Legendary California Beer Festival (CBF) is coming back to Bonelli park bigger and better in 2014! The California Beer Festival in San Dimas is all about two things – great craft beer, and the celebration of that beer. This lake side Craft Beer festival features over 60 craft brews on tap, food trucks, live music and bikini Bocce Ball! This is a chance to expand your mind and educate yourself on new and old styles of craft beer! Situated on the shady shores of the park’s 250 acre reservoir, the event is guaranteed to be refreshing in more ways than one. You must be 21 year of age or older with a valid ID to enter CBF. Clare July 17, 2014 at 11:14 am · Reply → WHAT: Freak Show Double Feature & Carnival Masquerade: special screening of horror film classics Nosferatu and Freaks, followed by a costume party and carnival! WHEN: Saturday, July 19th, 7PM-1AM WHERE: The Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA WHY: Costume contest open to all attendees with a $500 prize! -Special guests include Cirque Berzerk and LA Tour guide legend Crimebo the Clown -Short horror film festival premiere -Oddities Bazaar -Speciality drinks provided by the iconic Pig ‘n Whistle, and much more. Visit http://4hourfilmfestival.com/ for more details. desmon ray July 16, 2014 at 5:27 pm · Reply → Hi be sure to check out Los Scandalous – Skid Row. See the trailer here – http://youtu.be/QcxJPh3tOaw. Buy on Amazon or watch on Vimeo. Go to http://www.realskidrow.com for more information. See what makes Skid Row tick, a tell all, never before seen, raw documentary about the harsh reality of the street life in Los Scandalous – Skid Row. The homeless capital of The United States. Watch through my lens, as I show the true gutter life in Los Angeles; from prostitution, homelessness, hard addiction, the drug dealers perspective, police corruption and the system designed to keep them all there. My name is Shanks Rajendran and I’m a 28 year old Australian filmmaker. I shot this documentary to uncover the truth about Skid Row, the people, the place, and the politics behind it. Venice Family Clinic 4th Annual Surf & Skate Silent Auction July 14, 2014 at 12:52 pm · Reply → What: The 4th Annual Surf & Skate Silent art auction celebrates the iconic surf and skate culture LA is known for with one-of-a-kind surfboards and skate decks designed by artists, celebrities and professional athletes. This event is a destination for both young influencers and established art collectors from the fields of art, athletics, entertainment and philanthropy. The relaxed, Southern California vibe flows as guests enjoy live music, food trucks and a chance to out-bid each other on cutting edge art for a good cause. The event will raise $40,000 in critical funds to provide quality, primary health care to 24,000 people on the Westside of Los Angeles. When: Thursday, August 28th 6:30pm Registration opens 9:00pm Auction closes Where: Robert Berman Gallery at Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90404 Tickets: $15, available for pre-purchase online at http://venice-family-clinic.myshopify.com/products/surf-skate-event-ticket or at the door. Doug July 8, 2014 at 11:11 pm · Reply → Please check out the new single “#ThisCouldBeUs” from emerging pop artist Doug Locke. https://soundcloud.com/thedouglocke http://douglocke.tumblr.com/ Check out his music videos for “Trojans” and “Cyanide” on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thedouglocke @TheDougLocke NewFilmmakersLA July 26th Screening! July 8, 2014 at 3:05 pm · Reply → NOTE: Complimentary event parking at 1133 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. NewFilmmakers Los Angeles invites you to join us for the Saturday, July 26th 2014 film screening series and after-party event at the AT&T Center in Downtown LA with a filmmaker lounge throughout the evening. You will have the opportunity to meet the directors of each film, the actors and other crew + participate in a live audience Q&A. There are pre-receptions and after-parties for each program. Admissions to the programs are only $5 online or $7 at the door or $15 for an all-night access pass which includes the screening ticket and access to the filmmaker lounge. Visit the NewFilmmakers LA Official Website at http://www.NewFilmmakersLA.com for more information and to purchase your ticket now! Los Angeles Times July 8, 2014 at 5:16 am · Reply → Los Angeles Times \| The Taste presented by Citi Tour L.A. one bite at a time at our annual food and wine festival, August 29-31 at Paramount Pictures Studios. Stroll through the studio’s famous back lot as you sample and savor L.A.’s best restaurants. There will be 3 evening events (Opening Night, Dinner with a Twist and Flavors of L.A.) as well as 2 daytime events (Field to Fork and Sunday Brunch). Get tickets to an event that’s authentically L.A. Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot http://events.latimes.com/taste/ Vio July 7, 2014 at 5:43 pm · Reply → VIO – KEEP ON LOVIN’ LISTENING PARTY AROMA BAR AND GRILL (formerly Aroma Bakery Cafe) 7373 Sunset Blvd, LA 90046 Los Angeles-based EDM band, Vío, are releasing their debut EP, Keep On Lovin’, which features a mix of electro pop, trip hop and neoclassical dark wave. You are invited to their Listening Party, and feast on free cookies and coffee on Thursday, July 10th at Aroma Bakery Bar and Grill, 7373 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90046. There is plenty of Valet parking behind Aroma entering from Sunset Blvd just before the restaurant. It is FREE the 1st hour, and $3 after your 1st hour. Aroma Bar and Grill (323) 850-8120. yelp/aromabarandgrill Facebook/aromabarandgrill Instagram/aromaonsunset aromabakery.com Band info: The Keep On Lovin’ EP is partially produced by ‘Scobra’, and features collaborations with ‘Gentleman Junkie’ front-man, Ed Korn, and ‘So High Above the Sky’. Keep On Lovin’ precedes their single, Don’t Say That, receiving airplay in Europe, as Vío was selected as Featured Artist on the radio show Gaga Eletrix GETV. Vío was recently Artist of the Week on Normality’s RantRadio Industrial, and made it to the top 10 finalists in the Blast Your Music Contest at Stage Red Studios. When onstage, Vío combines electronic dance music with live instrumentation such as viola, guitar, drums, keyboard and bass guitar. This is reflected in the music of Keep On Lovin’, mixing modern and ancient, organic and digital. Keep On Lovin’ has many themes like desire, compassion and even politics, with a dark, seductive and ethereal sound you can dance to. The upbeat, yet mellow “Out of Sync (Renaissance Remix)” is followed by neoclassical “Question”, which delves into themes like the Inquisition and the Occupy movement. “Don’t Say That” is a trip hop anthem which ponders censorship, and was chosen as May’s selected Track of the Month on UK’s Ads Record’s Podcast and streamed globally. Vio’s video, ‘Don’t Say That’, has also been chosen as Video of the Month for July! http://violetamoreno.com/video-of-the-month-for-july/ Brenda July 7, 2014 at 4:31 pm ·	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340172
__label__cc	0.583821	0.416179	Steering Knuckle Joint Post by: sgbooth » Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:02 pm There seem to be two different versions of the solid steering column knuckle joint. One seems to be slightly larger than the other. Can anyone advise pros and cons of one versus the other, please ? I will post photos of the two this evening, when back at home. sgbooth Post by: john.p.clegg » Wed Mar 10, 2010 5:11 pm Mine (the smaller of the two) give better clearance from the lower radiator hose.. Borrowed a couple of options; see attached, please. Post by: paddy » Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:32 pm The one on the right in the picture is the correct (ie original) one. The other one is a universal joint, presumably originally intended for applications where the column is not in line with the pinion, but is marketed (at least by some on Ebay) as a replacement that eliminates the play from the rubber washers in the original. The main difference is that the U/J has a longer reach and so the lower column is positioned slightly further back than with the original and, as John mentioned, the clearances are tighter. I think in practice they are equally good, at least for the road. TTR sell a U/J for racing applications - I don't know whether or not it really makes a difference there. 1963 Elan S1 Location: Woking, Surrey Post by: Frank Howard » Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:22 pm I'd like to put my 2 cents worth in. The original joint contains rubber parts which perish over time. Not that big of a deal if replacement parts are available however they are not. When the rubber parts go, you have to either fabricate replacement rubber parts or bin the entire joint and purchase a new one. Further, as the rubber parts are not conductive, the original part requires that you install a jumper wire across the joint if you want your horn to work. The u-joint style part has no rubber parts to wear out as it is 100% metal. This style of joint is found on practically every modern car. I have never seen one fail or even wear out and that's because if you wanted to subject it to the environment that for instance, an axle U-joint experiences, you'd have to turn your steering wheel 3,000 times or more every time you drove a mile. Another way to look at it is to think about how much wear an axle u-joint experiences after a few miles of driving. Negligible. That's how much wear a steering U-joint experiences after a lifetime of driving. As a bonus because it is all metal, there is no need to install a jumper wire for the horn. These u-joints are available from practically any scrap yard that features smaller Japanese cars such as Civics, Proteges, and Corollas. Because they attach via clamps, they will clamp on to the Elan 1/2" steering column just as easily as they will clamp on to a Japanese 13mm steering column. The only problem is that the spline count is different so the splines won't mesh as they should. I have compensated for this by reefing on on the clamp using plenty of torque. I've had a Japanese u-joint on my car for 6 years and it has been trouble free. As they come in slightly different styles, the one on my car does not force the lower column toward the rear. I'm betting my life that there is no way it is going to spin or come apart on its' own. If you don't trust that your's won't, for substantially more money, there are always English versions available from the Lotus suppliers that feature the correct spline count. Aside from originality, I can't think of a single reason to go back to the inferior original part. Frank Howard '71 S4 SE Post by: ecamiel » Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:06 pm Replacement rubbers are readily available from many Triumph sources or from Lee Chapman Racing in CT. [email protected] phone 860.354.4479 The solid U joint is longer and moves the wheel closer to the driver. Eric 64 S1 Hart ecamiel Location: Ct. USA Post by: GrUmPyBoDgEr » Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:55 pm I'm on the side of fitting the larger all metal UJ if you have sufficient space. It follows my strategy of "fit & forget", which I did 10 years ago. When I showed it to my tame "Sparks" he said there would be no need to add the earthing straps that were necessary on the Rubber bushed original. He was correct, so another +Point. Beware of the Illuminati Editor: On Sunday morning, February 8th 2015, Derek "John" Pelly AKA GrumpyBodger passed away genuinely peacefully at Weston Hospicecare, Weston Super Mare. He will be missed. GrUmPyBoDgEr Location: Burnham-on-Mud Post by: andyelan » Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:49 pm The solid UJ type coupling is what's used on the Europa Special. For my Plus 2, which uses the other type of joint, I made some replacemet rubbers by cutting one side off a PVC wiring grommet, The narrow portion then makes a nice spigot which fits into the recess in centre disc of the joint. I did this repair on my car 5 or 6 years ago and it's still perfectly OK. andyelan Post by: 69S4 » Thu Mar 11, 2010 3:59 pm andyelan wrote: For my Plus 2, which uses the other type of joint, I made some replacemet rubbers by cutting one side off a PVC wiring grommet, The narrow portion then makes a nice spigot which fits into the recess in centre disc of the joint. I did this repair on my car 5 or 6 years ago and it's still perfectly OK. I used fuel injection rubber hose for the same purpose. Shaped it to form the spigot by pushing a bolt through the middle of the tube, spinning it up in an electric drill and shaping it with a stanley knife. Rebuilt three of them about this time last year but the first one seems to be ok so far after about 4000 miles. Post by: CBUEB1771 » Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:10 pm Frank Howard wrote: These u-joints are available from practically any scrap yard that features smaller Japanese cars such as Civics, Proteges, and Corollas. Because they attach via clamps, they will clamp on to the Elan 1/2" steering column just as easily as they will clamp on to a Japanese 13mm steering column. The only problem is that the spline count is different so the splines won't mesh as they should. I have compensated for this by reefing on on the clamp using plenty of torque. The spline on the steering rack pinion and the lower steering column is 9/16"-36. As Andy points out a suitable Hooke joint is used on the Europa. I bought one from the local Caterham dealer as that was what Caterham was using at the time. There is no need to deal with mismatched shaft diameters and spline counts. Russ Newton Elan +2S (1971) Elite S2 (1962) CBUEB1771 Location: Boston, Massachusetts USA Post by: Frank Howard » Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:56 pm CBUEB1771 wrote: Frank, The spline on the steering rack pinion and the lower steering column is 9/16"-36...There is no need to deal with mismatched shaft diameters and spline counts. Good to hear from you Russ. I mistakenly said the Elan steering column is 1/2" and the Japanese steering columns are 13mm. You are correct in that the Elan steering column is 9/16" however the Japanese steering columns are 14mm and because we are dealing with a clamp, we are not dealing with mismatched shaft diameters. In my earlier post, I said, "...for substantially more money, there are always English versions available from the Lotus suppliers that feature the correct spline count." I paid $2 for my Japanese joint. What did the local Caterham dealer want for yours? The reason to deal with mismatched spline counts should be apparent. Post by: alaric » Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:25 pm I fitted the UJ version and it went straight on as the splines matched. I have the collapsible column on my car, so rather than moving the steering wheel back a bit to accomodate the increased size of the joint, I slid the lower inner column further up the upper inner column by about a cm. The steering wheel's in the original position still. Sean. Location: South Dorset, UK Frank Howard wrote: What did the local Caterham dealer want for yours? Frank - Memory fades as this was 25 years and nearly 100,000 miles on my +2 ago. I think it was about $25. Russ,	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340175
__label__wiki	0.833576	0.833576	LRD Pay Surveys Pay and prices Your pay and conditions About LRD All content copyright LRD 1994-2019 Top pay in academies A new survey by the Labour Research Department (LRD) confirms what appears to be an emerging trend in school leaders' pay - that pay for senior staff in academies is outpacing that of their local authority counterparts. The May issue of the LRD's flagship journal Labour Research, the UK magazine for trade unionists, provides details of academy top salaries held by Companies House. The LRD survey covered 77 individual "stand-alone" academies, and a further 13 academy groupings (covering a total of 74 institutions), where companies control a number of individual academies. The research finds that fully half of the academies surveyed were paying their principal (or equivalent senior employee) more than ?110,000 a year in 2008-09, with an even higher proportion paying more than ?100,000. By comparison, at that point, only 8% of secondary schools were paying heads at salary levels worth between ?100,000-?107,000 or more (an LRD estimate based on teachers' pay statistics). Median pay levels for secondary heads in general stood at ?76,675 throughout most of England and Wales, ?85,558 around the fringe of London, ?85,364 in outer London and ?95,583 in inner London. As Labour Research points out: "Pay for school leaders at these levels could hardly be said to be in banker league." However, the survey's findings do seem to confirm recent union claims that, although increasing numbers of school leaders are reckoned to be earning six-figure sums, a much higher proportion of these senior staff are in the relatively new academy sector. The recent annual conference of the NASUWT teachers' union heard that academies - which can set their own pay and conditions - are awarding school leaders huge salaries. The survey found that at individual stand-alone academies, the highest top pay levels ranged from: £130,000-£140,000 (e.g. Havelock Academy, Grimsby; John Madejski Academy, Reading); to £140,000-£150,000 (e.g. Capital City Academy, Willesden, north west London); £150,000-£160,000 (e.g. the West London Academy); and £160,000-£170,000 (Isle of Sheppey Academy). In academy groupings, the highest rates were likely to be for company executives rather than principals. Even so, at the Harris Federation of South London Schools - where the highest-paid employee was on £210,000-£220,000 - a further six employees earned between £110,000 and £180,000. The findings seem to bear out a National Audit Office (NAO) report, The academies programme, published last September, which stated that "there is a significant differential between senior salaries in the maintained sector and those reported in the accounts of academy trusts". For further information on the survey contact Lewis Emery, LRD pay and conditions researcher. The survey was based on academy salary information for the year ending 31 August 2009, indicating the number of employees paid in ?10,000 bands starting at ?60,000 (including taxable benefits in kind but not employer pension costs). In the case of 13 academy groupings, the pay of someone other than the highest paid employee was taken into account. Secondary school head teachers' salary levels derived from the Survey of teachers' pay 2008 covering the academic year 2008-09 commissioned by the Office of Manpower Economics. The LRD estimate assumes that 10% of maintained secondary schools in England and Wales were located in inner and outer London. Download: Top pay in academies (pdf file, 100KB) Lewis Emery pdf file (100KB)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340177
__label__wiki	0.7942	0.7942	Iron Brigade [X360] A unique tower defense game that's very hard to put down. "Highly addictive" This game came out of nowhere and I decided to buy it on impulse, partly because of my friend liking it and the fact that it got good reviews overall, and of course because I got a good vibe out of the demo. Well, let me tell you this is a unique game, the kind that makes you go "was I just doing that a few min ago?" after a nice session with your friends. The reason you may do this, of course, is due to the game's outlandish setting, of mechs and huge alien-like creatures, which looks so cool by the way. The game has a very good balance between customization and RTS tower defense components, and pure action, with a bit of a penchant for action. It's hard to stop playing as you want to keep leveling up and outfitting your mech with better quality stuff. Technically speaking it's great, no major issues to report, and the big aliens all look great and run smooth, even with many onscreen at once. Anyways, you don't have to take my word for it, I'm just here to highlight this fun title....go ahead and download the trial and see for yourself. Just one more go. "Instant classic" My eyes are red, my head feels funny and my body is suffering from lack of sleep. Trenched is one of those games who's simplicity sucks you in but the incredible depth and diversity keeps you there. The customization of you mechs to all the different emplacements available keeps the game fresh from level to level, tactics have to be changed according to the different enemies that swarm you base...ahhh it's so addictive. Basically it's a third person mech shooter with a tower defense strategy built in, you build your mech choosing from an insane amount of options with everything from a sniper cannon to massive artillery. You can even paint you ride. Turrets of various natures are available in different strengths to combat the different enemy types that you will encounter and there are quite a few! It's hard to put a finger on what makes this game so good, the graphics are good, the sound is good, the customization is great...it's a complete package. The gameplay is where the money is. You and three of your greasy mates can stomp around the battlefield in a diverse range of classes and weaponry blowing seven bells out of everything that moves, its all good. I gave this game a 10 because I'm yet to find fault with it, some levels will have you lying in a smoking wreck only because you choose the wrong gun/emplacement and the wrong strategy to deal with the appropriate enemy. With 3 friends this is the most fun you can have with your pants on....its really that good..... Gaming with a capital F for ....watch out for that F@#CKING thing!! Trenched seamlessly combines tower defense and Mech combat to create a satisfying adventure. Trenched is the latest downloadable game from Double Fine Productions and differs greatly from their previous titles in one major way. While Double Fine's previous forays into downloadable games have relied largely on their unique artistic direction and charm, Trenched manages to provide fun, frantic gameplay in addition to these elements. Providing players with a good length campaign that can be played through cooperatively, and a deep level of customization, Trenched is easily the best downloadable game from the company thus far. Taking place post World War I, the story of Trenched focuses on two friends, both injured in the war, who, while working as radio operators, are struck by a mysterious broadcast. While this broadcast kills everyone else in the room, it gives the duo incredible levels of intelligence. While one, Frank Woodrof, uses his new found intelligence to create mechanical legs for the handicapped, his friend, Vladamir Farmsworth, creates television, known in the game as Monovision. Vlad goes insane, starts making evil killer robots known as Tubes, and tries to conquer the world. Frank transforms his mechanical legs in war machines, known as Trenches, and a war erupts. It's your job to climb aboard your own trench and stop Vlad from accomplishing his nefarious goals. It's a clever premise and is good for a few chuckles, but the story here is merely a framing device. You get a few cutscenes throughout the 15 mission campaign to advance the plot, but it's only there to get you from one location to the next. While the story won't hook you for the eight or so hours it takes to complete the campaign, the act of actually playing the game just might. The gameplay of Trenched is a hybrid of two basic elements; tower defense and third-person combat. While the majority of missions task you with defending one or more specific objectives and placing turrets to halt your enemies progress, you have free reign to run around and blast away the opposition with whatever armaments you are carrying. It works extremely well, allowing you to both strategize effective traps, and take part in the carnage first hand. Since you spend the entire game in one of these mechanical Trenches, it's good that the level of customization is deep. While on the deck of your battleship, which acts as the games hub, you can change every aspect of your walking tank. While you start off with very few parts to add, you'll quickly earn more from ranking up, finding drop boxes in the field, and completing the in-game challenges. You'll also earn money, which you can used to purchase new weapons, emplacements, and chassis among other things. Before long, you'll have a ton of new equipment to add to your Trench, each with their own pros and cons, and some with special abilities. That doesn't mean you can deck out a tiny chassis with the biggest, most powerful weapons however. Everything is balanced. Smaller chassis have less armor and are restricted to very few weapon slots, but they move faster and have more slots for turrets drops. Larger chassis are able to equip the big guns, but move much slower and have very few options for turret drops while in battle. You can mix and match all the different equipment you find, provided your Trench has the room. It's up to you whether you want six machines guns or two massive missile launchers. The game will recommend certain equipment before you enter a mission, and while these suggestions are very helpful, they can be ignored if you want to experiment. As you turn your enemies into piles of scrap, that scarp can be collected and used as currency to purchase emplacements or upgrades for ones already on the battlefield. Each of the turrets are broken down into three categories; light, support, and heavy. Light turrets are weak, but are typically cheap to build and have fast rates of fire. Support turrets do things like slow enemies down or pick up nearby scrap for you. Heavy turrets do the most damage, but are usually the most expensive and have slow rates of fire. Certain turrets are more effective against certain types of enemies, which adds to the strategy. Placing your defenses is easy as it's done with the push on a button. The only restriction when building is that one emplacement cannot be placed within close proximity to another. Other than that, you're free to build as many as you wish, provided you have the available scrap. The action is frantic and will have you scrambling to upgrade and rebuild emplacements all while trying to pick off enemies running toward your objective. Trenched will consistently keep you on your toes and is satisfying the entire way though. And if you ever feel like you need fellow soldiers to help you win the day, then you can head online and play through every campaign mission cooperatively with up to three others. Trenched is even more fun when played online. Even just one other person can be a major help, taking some of the pressure off you to monitor all the different paths enemies can come from. The difficulty scales to compensate for the number of players, throwing more enemies at you and making them take more damage, so the challenge is consistent. All of your unlocks carry over into multiplayer, so it's easy to show off your favorite combination of parts to others online. Unfortunately, at launch, multiplayer has frequent issues. More often than not, the game will show the names of players connecting but never actually allow the player into the lobby. Games sometimes drop for unknown reasons and, based on the connection of the players, lag can make the game almost unplayable. Hopefully, a patch will fix these issues as they detract from the online experience. In terms of presentation, Trenched looks fine. Textures aren't particularly detailed, but the cartoonish art style of the world helps one look past a lot of the issues. The Trenches themselves looks great and explosions are bright and colorful. The frame rate can drop when there's a lot going on, and gets particularly bad later in the game when weather effects are added, but it rarely gets in the way. Weapon sound effects are loud and satisfying and voice acting is solid, even if your character repeats himself way too often. Trenched is a great value and a satisfying adventure. Levels are fun to revisit with beefed up weaponry, there are medals to strive for, and the online co-op, minus the few annoying issues, adds hours of entertainment to an already good-sized package. Fans of both tower defense games and Mech combat will want to give this game a try. It's an absolute thrill. A Rare breed. "Revolutionary" Graphics: 9.0 (the best looking Arcade game -technical) Gameplay: 8.0 (very enjoyable, x4 with Coop) Sound: 8.5 (humor, great voice acting) Value: 8.0 (standard gameplay, may not be suitable to certain groups, a lot of ideas were scrap for a $15 game) Tower defence game have evolve over the years, last year theres toy soldiers and this year we have a mech.... i mean mobile trench based tower defence. In trenched, the action looks for you. - only mech game this year (if steel battalion delayed) - mech based action game with tower defense - 4 coop online, with each mech has its own specific role. - a very good mech game with good variety of customization (for an arcade) - a rather balance game (standard, Assault, Engineer Chassis) - Its all about the LOOT, think Borderlands - no team deathmatch , period. - no split screen - disappointing launch (4 player coop lag bug, Trenched missing in Marketplace) - Can be rather short, if ur not into level and loot grinding with or without friends - easy enemy ai conclusion: Its well worth digging into! Definately worth playing but won't hold your attention for long. "Worth playing" Iron Brigade is a frustrating game, I love it's style and customization options greatly which made me wish the game wasn't over so quicky. I purchased Iron Brigade because it reminded me of another mech-style game I greatly enjoyed called Chromehounds and was not disappointed. The combat is fast and very fun with a friend or two and the unlockable weapons and trench parts really keep you addicted. Unfortunately, it's very easy to unlock every part and clear every mission in only 3-4 days. While I greatly enjoyed those days, still...3-4 days just isn't enough to make me recommend running out and purchasing it. It's very easy to finish the campaign in one sitting and the survival mode feels tacked on with no variety for maps or modes. You can return to previous levels to try and score a gold medal rating, but even that won't take you too long. Once you've unlocked all the weapons it can still be enjoyable to blast enemeis to bits but you won't feel anywhere near as addicted as you originally were. Still, Iron Brigade is more enjoyable than most tower defense games on XBLA and I certainly hope we see a sequel, I just can't help but feel like the game didn't occupy me as long as it should have.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340182
__label__wiki	0.666913	0.666913	All Movies Theatres People Cities 1/24 - Last Full Measure, The (R) 1/24 - Turning, The (PG-13) 1/24 - Gentlemen, The (R) 1/31 - Rhythm Section, The (R) 2/7 - Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (R) 2/14 - Sonic The Hedgehog (PG) 2/14 - Fantasy Island (PG-13) 2/14 - Photograph, The (PG-13) 2/21 - Call of The Wild, The (PG) 2/21 - My Boyfriend's Meds (Las pildoras de mi novio) () To get the full Quicklook Films experience, uncheck "Enable on this Site" from Adblock Plus Filmography: Oscar Isaac Dune ()Release Date: December 18, 2020 Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (PG-13)Release Date: December 20, 2019 Cast: Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong'o, Daisy Ridley Director: J.J. Abrams Writer: J.J. 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(R)Release Date: February 3, 2012 Cast: Abbie Cornish, Christina Chong, Natalie Dormer, Annabelle Wallis, Richard Coyle Director: Madonna Writer: Alek Keshishian, Madonna Agora (R)Release Date: May 28, 2010 Cast: Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom, Michael Lonsdale Director: Alejandro Amenábar Writer: Alejandro Amenábar, Mateo Gil Robin Hood (2010) (PG-13)Release Date: May 14, 2010 Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Mark Addy Director: Ridley Scott Writer: Brian Helgeland Body of Lies (R)Release Date: October 10, 2008 Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani, Oscar Isaac Writer: David Ignatius, William Monahan The Life Before Her Eyes (R)Release Date: April 18, 2008 Cast: Uma Thurman, Evan Rachel Wood, Eva Amurri, Brett Cullen, James Urbaniak Director: Vadim Perelman Writer: Laura Kasischke, Emil Stern The Nativity Story (PG)Release Date: December 1, 2006 Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Oscar Isaac, Ciaran Hinds, Shaun Toub Director: Catherine Hardwicke Writer: Mike Rich Another Day, Another Time: Celebrating the Music of Inside Llewyn Davis (NR)Cast: The Avett Brothers, Joan Baez, Punch Brothers, T Bone Burnett, Ethan Coen Director: Christopher Wilcha Balibo (NR)Cast: Anthony LaPaglia, Oscar Isaac, Nathan Phillips, Gyton Grantley, Damon Gameau Director: Robert Connolly Writer: Robert Connolly, David Williamson Half Life of Timofey Berezin (R)Cast: Paddy Considine, Oscar Isaac, Radha Mitchell Director: Scott Z. 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Jordan, Brie Larson 9.7M Little Women Released: December 25, 2019 Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson 7.8M Underwater Released: January 10, 2020 Cast: Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel 7M Frozen II Released: November 22, 2019 Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel 5.9M Knives Out Released: November 27, 2019 Cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans 5.6M Spies in Disguise Released: December 25, 2019 Cast: Will Smith, Tom Holland 5.2M home movies showtimes movie news movie reviews facebook twitter in theatres coming soon Privacy Policy Contact	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340184
__label__cc	0.699092	0.300908	" I be able, by the sacrifice of my life, to bring it about that all know and love God as He deserves " Blessed Peter Donders C.Ss.R News and Events... Updated regularly Written by St Alphonsus Liguori CSsR Founder, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Meditation Three The life of poverty which Jesus lived, even from his birth. Read more: Novena for Christmas - Day 3 Meditation Two The love of God in being born as an infant. Novena for Christmas- Day 1 Meditation One The love that God has shown to us in becoming human. THE RECTOR REMEMBERS FR TERRENCE CREECH CSsR. RIP The Redemptorists of the London Province have lost a dear confrère in Fr Terry Creech who died on Tuesday November 19 2019. He will be buried from St Mary’s Clapham on December 9th following the 12:30 Mass. May he rest in peace. I would love to share a few thoughts. I had the privilege of living with Fr Terry Creech, a fellow Redemptorist, for seven years here at St Clement’s in Chawton, the house of the Redemptorist community attached to our publications. After a busy and dedicated career as a parish missioner, Fr Terry ministered in Lourdes for 18 years, first as director of HCPT and then as an English-speaking confessor for six months each year. It was his joy and special ministry. He spent hours in the confessional at the Lourdes shrine every day, listening to secret stories and whispered regrets and wretched mistakes, and was regarded as a wonderful confessor by so many pilgrims. Fr Terry had time for everyone. He was an attentive ear and a gentle voice, responding to everything he heard with sympathy and understanding. He enshrined in his listening and his response the mercy of an all-loving Redeemer. Read more: Fr Terry Creech CSsR RIP What is the Lord asking of you? CSsR #Redemptorists #Vocation #Priesthood #ReligiousLife #Peace #Joy www.redemptorists.co.uk Important step toward the future beatification of (Michalovce, Slovakia) The diocesan phase of the beatification process of the Redemptorist Ján Ivan Mastiliak officially began January 31, 2015. Fr. Ján Ivan Mastiliak was the first Slovak who entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. During the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, he spent more than 15 years in prison for reasons of faith and his religious vocation. After he had regained his freedom, he was ministering in clandestine and for 13 years he was the superior of the Viceprovince of Michalovce. Read more: Servant of God Ján Mastiliak CSsR We will remember them... St Mary's Redemptorist Church, Clapham, London.These Navy men were our guests in the monastery for the Remembrance Weekend. These lines were found in the possession of numerous boys who fell on the battlefields of WWII. This hunger for the eternal, this hunger and this hope that we long for, is expressed by Frances Angermayer, who wrote these words in Kansas City, June 3rd, 1943; Look, God, I have never spoken to You. But now -- I want to say, "how do you do." You see, God, they told me You didn't exist. And like a fool -- I believed all of this. Read more: We will remember them Cardinal Tobin CSsR - Pontifical Council for Culture... (Rome) Cardinal Joseph William Tobin CSsR, Archbishop of Newark in the United States is among the members of the Pontifical Council for Culture who were appointed by the Holy Father on 11 November 2019. Read more: Cardinal Tobin CSsR - Pontifical Council for Culture Ace of Clubs - Our Centre for those who struggle... Running for nearly 25 years now, the work is always going on to fund it. Our Centre for the Homeless - Ace of Clubs A massive THANK YOU to Jackson's Estate Agents, Clapham, for their yearly Halloween fundraising event for Ace of Clubs (nearly £700). Pictured is Phil Agius, Director, presenting the cheque to Bro. Mike CSsR (Company Secretary) & Anna Long (Trustee). God bless the work! Blessed Spanish CSsR Martyrs of Cuenca... Holy CSsR Martyrs of Cuenca Fr General writes... November 2019 Fr General writes... November 2019... CONGREGATIO SS. REDEMPTORIS Superior Generalis Prot. No. 0000 229/2019 WITNESSES OF THE REDEEMER: In Solidarity for Mission in a Wounded World Dear Confreres, Sisters, Lay Missionaries and Associates, As we prepare to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Redemptorist Missionary Vocation on November 10, I invite you to prayerfully reflect on these words from Pope Francis: The mission of being in the heart of the people is not just a part of my life or a badge that I can take off; it is not an ‘extra’ or just another moment in life … I am a mission on this earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world. It follows that every form of pastoral activity, formation and spirituality should be seen in the light of our Christian vocation (Christus Vivit #254). Although Pope Francis addressed these words especially to young people, I believe that they are also addressed to all of us who have been called to live the Redemptorist Missionary Vocation. This has been at the very heart of our prayer, reflection, discernment and decisions during the Mid-Sexennium Meetings in every Conference. Our missionary vocation is the very core of the restructuring process and our apostolic plans: as “one missionary body” (Const. 2), we are prophetic witnesses of the Redeemer in our wounded world today. More than ever, we are called to live this vocation in a spirit of profound faith and trust in the presence of Jesus our Redeemer who promised to remain with us always. We encounter his presence with the joy and peace he offers when we encounter in a spirit of solidarity our brothers and sisters most in need. Read more: Fr General writes... November 2019 Michalovce: Bl. Dominik Trčka announced as a citizen of the century (Michalovce, Slovakia) The city of Michalovce commemorates the 100 years since the founding of the Czechoslovakian county of Zemplín. On this occasion in the last month, the city authorities ran the survey to choose top personalities in the town’s history. The redemptorist blessed Metod Dominik Trčka was among ten finalists, selected by the historians and the common public as well. Read more: Michalovce: Bl. Dominik Trčka CSsR as citizen of the century Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, visits the tomb of St Dr Alphonsus Liguori Do you fancy a Monastic Vocations Weekend with our Nuns in Dublin? #OSsR #Nuns #Monastic #CSsR #Redemptorists#Redemptoristines What does it mean to be holy? Do you hear the call to sanctity in your life? On the All Saints Feast, the Church celebrates all the saints: canonized or beatified, and the multitude of those who are in heaven enjoying the beatific vision that are only known to God. The saint is not a superhero, but one who takes seriously the words of Jesus and lives it with fidelity and creativity. This feast invites us to reflect on how we realize our baptismal vocation. Read more: Called to be saints... Our Four Novices in Zimbabwe receive the CSsR Habit... Zimbabwe: Four Novices received the Redemptorist habit (Harare, Zimbabwe) The novitiate for part of the Conference of Africa, currently used by Redemptorist units Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique, is situated on the outskirts of Harare. Last July the previous group of novices was professed and the new group of four arrived, two from Zimbabwe and two from Kenya. Read more: Our Four Novices in Zimbabwe receive the CSsR Habit... City mission in Kaunas... Lithuania International meeting of the Redemptorist Brothers in Slovakia... The Barren Harvest of Denominationalism... Fr Provincial writes...31st October 2019 Parish Mission in Hall Green BIrmingham A time for Mission ? Parish Mission in Tranent Men on Mission - CSsR Fr Provincial writes...27th September 2019 Pilgrimage in the footsteps of St Clement Hofbauer... Pope Francis is an example of the spirit of St Alphonsus... 5 CSsR to attend Special Synod in Oct 2019 Fr Provincial writes 1st Sept 2019	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340188
__label__wiki	0.591431	0.591431	Grenades & Rockets V1N1 V10N1 Trade Show Information Africa Aerospace & Defence – Centurion, South Africa Asia China Police Expo – Beijing, China BRIDEX – Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam Defense & Security – Bangkok, Thailand Defense Services Asia – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia IDEAS – Karachi, Pakistan INDO DEFENCE – Jakarta, Indonesia TADTE – Taipei, Taiwan Arms & Security – Kyiv, Ukraine ASDA – Split, Croatia B&T Police Equipment Show – Thun, Switzerland BSDA – Bucharest, Romania DSEI – London, United Kingdom Eurosatory – Paris, France Expomil – Bucharest, Romania Future Forces – Prague, Czech Republic IDEB – Bratislava, Slovak Republic IDEF – Istanbul, Turkey IWA OutdoorClassics – Nuremberg, Germany Milipol – Paris, France MSPO – Kielce, Poland Partner – Belgrade, Serbia Symposia at Shrivenham – Shrivenham, UK IDEX – Abu Dhabi, UAE ISDEF – Tel Aviv, Israel Modern Day Marine – Quantico, VA SHOT Show – Las Vegas, NV FIDAE – Santiago, Chile LAAD – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil SITDEF – Lima, Peru LAAD 2017 WILL BRING TOGETHER INDUSTRY EXPERTS, COMPANIES AND PUBLIC & PRIVATE SECTOR AUTHORITIES IN RIO DE JANEIRO STRATEGIC ARMORY CORPS LAUNCHES NEXUS AMMUNITION Armament Technology celebrates 10th Anniversary of the ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4 x dual role sight at SHOT Show 2016 AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE SELECTS TEAM WENDY® EXFIL® BALLISTIC HELMET SCOUT SNIPER MOUNT AWARDED TO LARUE TACTICAL Lockheed Martin Precision Munitions Complete Reliability Tests Armalite Launches “Get Some Ammo” Sales Promotion Browse: Home / Beretta’s ARX160SF: Evolution & Modularity / Page 3 Beretta’s ARX160SF: Evolution & Modularity 25 June, 2012 · by admin · in New Products, Reviews, Search By Issue, V4N3, Volume 4 It is very recent the release of the ARX160 infantry version in 7.62 x 39, done during the SHOT Show 2012. But the ARX160SF too can be easily converted to the Kalashnikov caliber, using a conversion kit that uses only four components: barrel, bolt group, lower receiver and original AK47 mags. Ing. Galluzzi transformed the ARX160SF in 5.56 NATO we were about to test to an assault rifle able to shoot Kalashnikov ammo and to use Kalashnikov mags in less than 2 minutes. The barrel in the Russian caliber is 16-inches long, and the only difference from the 5.56 NATO, aside the obvious dimensions of the bore and chamber, is the hole diameter of the gas port. The lower receiver has some slight differences from the 5.56 version: there are no mag release buttons on the side and no multifunctional button at the bottom of the trigger guard. This last item has been replaced with a central mag release lever that engages and locks in position the AK47 magazine. Since the multifunctional button has been removed, the ARX160 bolt does not remain open after the last round is fired, as in the Russian assault rifle. The bolt group, instead, retains the selectable ejection port and the reversible charging handle features: the bolt head keeps its two extractor system, but the dimensions, of course, allow the use of the M43 Russian ammo. But the surprises did not end there: Ing. Galluzzi showed us the ARX160SF suppressed version, currently in only the 5.56 NATO caliber. The basic conversion kit for the suppressed carbine has two items: the barrel with the integral suppressor and a cover for the ejection port. The sound suppressor, similar to the snap on version by Brugger & Thomet on Beretta specifications, is permanently attached to the barrel and fully tuned for the weapon, giving a superior overall performance if compared to the snap on version. Since the use of the suppressor generates a counter pressure in the barrel and the emission of a quite consistent cloud of gas and powder combustion residue from the ejection ports when the bolt opens, before using the silenced weapon a cover must be put on the unused ejection port, in order to avoid the dust to be projected on the shooter’s face. The cover is a piece of polymer snap-on mounted to the ARX160 using the two sling mounts located near the ejection ports and the brass deflector. Shooting the ARX160SF in kneeling position. In the silenced configuration the Beretta assault rifle can use both ordinary and subsoninc 5.56 rounds. In the first case the suppressor will work as a sound moderator, attenuating the blast sound and making it difficult for the enemy to detect the exact direction from where a soldier armed with a suppressed ARX160 is shooting. Of course the automatic bolt cycling of the weapon will be preserved. With subsonic rounds, the sound suppressor will work as a real silencer, but with the disadvantage of disabling the automatic bolt cycling and forcing the shooter to manually load each round operating the charging handle each time. Since the dimensions of the ARX160 charging handle are quite small and reloading is supposed to happen a number of times, Beretta provides a rubber insert that can be snap-on mounted on the charging handle, increasing the dimensions and making the manual reload operation much simpler. Along the ARX160SF we used during the test (with the 12-inch barrel) we found a semi-transparent plastic magazine, STANAG 4179 compatible, inserted. We heard, three years ago, that Beretta was studying to replace the steel AR70/90 mags with lighter semi-transparent mags of equivalent capacity. But we were told that the one we found was still a prototype and thus we preferred to use the steel type, since those are the ones used in operations in Afghanistan by Italian armed forces that received the ARX160SF for advanced field testing. A good number of steel 30-round magazines with Fiocchi SS109 cartridges were filled though the range test was started with blank, basic manipulation of the rifle to get some familiarity and confidence with it. And here came the first surprise: the ARX160SF has been designed for tough guys. All the commands, safety/selector lever, multifunctional button, even the force needed to handle the charging handle, requires more force and a more sharp action as compared to the infantry version. The rotation angle of the safety/selector lever has been kept at 82 degrees, but the strength required to switch the selector into each of the three positions has considerably increased, allowing the operator to have more control if he switched the weapon to semi-auto or full auto fire in situations of strong stress. We were told that this feature was an explicit requirement by Italian SF operators. Additionally, to operate the hold open button to hold the bolt or to make it close when a fresh magazine was inserted required extra exertion. On the top Picatinny rail we found mounted a set of Magpul MBUS Gen 2 iron sights. The first part of the test and evaluation began by firing a 30-round magazine in semiautomatic only, in a standing position, at a target 50 meters in the distance. We found the ARX160SF’s slight modification of the length affected the reaction to recoil of the carbine in comparison with the infantry version: being the “SF” carbine a bit more jumpy and requiring the shooter to have a better the grip on the weapon. The new button to adjust the buttstock length (both testers were wearing body armour and had different body structure) worked much better than the one present in the infantry version: adjusting takes really just a few seconds. The Magpul MBUS Gen II BUIS we found mounted on the carbine used for the test. The ARX160SF mounts no iron sights on the top Picatinny rail. The grip of the buttstock on the shoulder, even with body armour, was excellent, and if correctly handled and aimed, the carbine tends to be very stable in semi-auto, allowing very fast double taps. The trigger pull was progressive, with good feedback when the hammer was released and little trigger over-travel after each shot. The large surface of the trigger, engaged by the tip of the shooter’s finger, did not help a lot in semi-auto. For the second step of the range test we switched to full auto. The aim was to check how controllable the weapon was when shooting and if it was possible with little effort and training to have controlled bursts of three or even two rounds. In this case the trigger design in conjunction with the relatively low fire rate helped a lot in obtaining short bursts of three rounds quite easily. While the 12-inch barreled ARX160SF muzzle did not show any sign to rise at each burst, it had the tendency to move a little toward the right, being a bit different from the infantry counterpart. It’s something that a better confidence with this weapon and more training could easily solve as it’s made for soldiers that can shoot up to 500 rounds a day when in intensive training. The more that we got familiar with the ARX160SF, the more the control got easier. Further, the overall design of the weapon and the ergonomics greatly helped the shooter to realign sights fast and well for the next shooting action. The Beretta SF carbine was tested in full auto shooting in all the three classical positions (standing, kneeling and prone) and from the hip. As a shooting platform, despite the first impression, the ARX160SF, and ARX160 family in general, is really stable even allowing long bursts of more than five rounds. Testers were always able to control the direction of fire quite efficiently, this due to the design that optimized force vectors, moving mass balance and weight distribution. Two generations of Beretta 5.56 rifles: Top- SCS70/90; Bottom- ARX160SF. In the prone position the ARX160SF simply didn’t move at all, despite all the attempts we did to find the limit of this carbine and sporadically unleashing even 10 rounds bursts. The smoke of the last shooting sequence was not yet cleared in the air and the ARX160SF was still hot when we started the last and most important part of our test in full auto: shooting six mags in full auto, 180 rounds, in what can be called a “break contact” simulation. Aiming at the same point of the bullet trap, we shot five-round bursts with one second of pause to execute a visual scan and then again delivering fire with another five-round burst. When a magazine was completely emptied in this way, the testers performed a tactical magazine change and continued shooting until the test had been completed. A little smoke started to go through the ventilation holes in the front handguard after the first 90 rounds, and even with gloves the heat was clearly perceptible, but it was never so intense as to force the testers to change their grip on the handguard or to stop. After the last magazine was emptied, smoke and heat had increased, but still the ARX160SF was operational and we were able to handle it without problem, registering no malfunctions during the whole test. Precision testing was performed by mounting a Steiner 1-4 x 30 riflescope on the ARX160SF. The carbine was shot using a rest under the front handguard. The target was the one used by Beretta for factory test and to zero their firearms at 80 meters, the longest distance allowed by the tunnel and the illumination. 30 rounds were fired, with the optic roughly zeroed, but the purpose was to get the tightest grouping on the target in those conditions and always using the standard SS109 military round. Keeping in mind that the ARX160SF is an assault carbine made for endurance and reliability while in combat, the average shot pattern we got for any number of rounds during the precision test was a constant 2.5 MOA grouping. Approximately 400 rounds were shot with the ARX160SF in various positions during the range test and in almost all the conditions allowed in an indoor range. The ARX160SF has shown to be a very stable shooting platform and the Beretta design already offered the flexibility that had been promised when the new assault rifle was presented to the Italian Armed Forces in 2009. Beretta, in that occasion, announced that the ARX160 family would be able to shoot not only the 5.56 NATO, but at least other two calibers: 7.62 x 39 and 6.8 SPC. Now the version in AK47 caliber (and the related conversion kit) has seen the light, with an eye to the Spec Ops community, but also to the former Warsaw Pact armed forces markets and all the related network of countries that already use the Russian cartridge. We can only wonder when the 6.8 SPC version will be released, if it will be a complete firearm or just a simple conversion kit. In any case, the impression that the Beretta ARX160SF gave us is that the weapon is ready for the battlefield but only time will tell if it really is a star born in the Spec Ops weapon panoply. by Paolo Ortenzi & Gabriele Tansella (A.A.I.) on 25 June, 2012. ← NDIA Small Arms & Symposium 2011 Industry News – Volume 4, Number 2 → Distributed at trade shows worldwide, Small Arms Defense Journal is a bimonthly publication that focuses on small arms, accessories, gear for the soldier, new products, industry news, and defense trade shows. The first issue of SADJ was Spring 2009, which launched at the LAAD show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. SADJ (pronounced “sage”) is targeted toward military, law enforcement, and defense industry professionals. Our job is to reach these groups and tailor content to their interests while producing a publication that is applicable to an international audience. Copyright © 2020 Small Arms Defense Journal. 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__label__wiki	0.762121	0.762121	SCDP Southcoast The Role of UMass Dartmouth Maritime Economy Priority Development Sites Opportunity Zone Program Polito: SouthCoast rail service to Boston a ‘priority’ WESTPORT — State leadership is “100 percent committed” to bringing long-discussed commuter rail service to SouthCoast and soon, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito told a room full of local business leaders last week. “It’s our administration’s priority to make sure this becomes a reality within the next five years,” she said at the SouthCoast Chamber’s 131st annual meeting Nov. 16, sparking an enthusiastic round of applause. The breakfast at White’s of Westport was the lieutenant governor’s first stop on a daylong SouthCoast tour that she and other state officials used to check up on the progress of various projects and make announcements. The highway administrator was part of a group that visited the Padanaram Causeway to survey the work there. State energy officials visited Dartmouth High School. The South Coast Rail team has proposed a preferred line to Boston through a new Middleboro station. The plan was to be the subject of a Monday night meeting between team officials and Middleboro selectmen, who argue the town has not had enough input on the matter. Polito said while the “focus” will be on building out a Middleboro route, the state is also looking at strengthening the infrastructure farther south. She said a notice of intent was recently filed for a New Bedford layover facility and others nearby would follow. The project team is working on station design and talking with property owners about potential acquisitions, according to the lieutenant governor. Once an environmental impact report is filed in January, more information about costs will be available for study, Polito said. “This progress shows real commitment, real work being organized and done to set this project up for construction,” Polito said, noting that meetings with project stakeholders would remain a key feature throughout the process. The state leader from Shrewsbury, in office with Gov. Charlie Baker since 2015, also listed some of the benefits a rail connection to the capital would bring, some of which project proponents have touted for decades. A line to and from Boston would make SouthCoast “an even more desirable” place to live and work, would ease traffic congestion and emissions, and bring more people to Boston for work and cultural activities, Polito said. “You have so much to offer in terms of quality of life, communities that offer such a diverse range of experiences from rural and agricultural to cities like New Bedford and Fall River,” she said. Polito was a last-minute replacement at the chamber meeting for Baker, who was attending the funeral of Medal of Honor recipient and Fall River native Thomas Hudner. Polito also used her address to talk directly to small-business owners, noting that 10 statewide listening sessions over the last year yielded concerns about the cost and difficulty of doing business that the state is now putting an action plan together to address. Polito closed with a “call to action” in the statewide and nationwide opioid epidemic, pressing for tougher legislation and more aggressive treatment and prevention initiatives. She referred to a pending bill that would bring manslaughter charges to drug dealers who sell fentanyl-laced heroin and other drugs. Fentanyl is a powerful substance, lethal in small doses. In 2016, 15 percent of all opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts “had a fentanyl component,” Polito said. In 2017 so far, 81 percent of opioid-related deaths included fentanyl. In other business, the SouthCoast Chamber, chaired by Joseph Michaud of Dartmouth, put the spotlight on several successful member businesses. • The Economic Impact Award went to Milhench, an 85-year-old New Bedford supply company, and E for All, a development program for local entrepreneurs. The Ed • The Education Leadership Award went to Five Star Companies Inc., a medical instrument repair business, for its support of local high school students through internships and career immersion programs. • The Outstanding Service Award wen to Pete Wilde of New Bedford for his advocacy of local businesses and activism for veterans, the homeless and needy. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/special/20171120/polito-southcoast-rail-service-to-boston-priority SouthCoast Development Partnership University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA ©2020 Copyright \| SouthCoast Development Partnership \| Design Principles, Inc.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340198
__label__cc	0.749814	0.250186	AIN'T TALKIN' 'BOUT DLR/VH The Front Line Bernie Saunders on Rogan If this is your first visit to the Roth Army, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Thread: Bernie Saunders on Rogan Seshmeister ROTH ARMY WEBMASTER Member No Yesterday @ 01:01 AM 3 million views in a day, surely more informative than those network TV debates. I think what both his supporters and people that have a fear of some socialist USA forget is that the president doesn't have as much power as they think and a president Bernie would only be able to nudge his agenda a little, most of the things he's talking about he could never get through. So the argument is can you fall up a cliff by reaching high and getting up a little bit? I still think that with a population of 300 million surely there is someone that is better suited to a job than someone who would be running the country at 82... Age can fade people quite quickly, it's not that long ago that Giuliani came across as reasonably sane... Hey Jackass! You need to [Register] or log in to view signatures on ROTHARMY.COM! ZahZoo Talks To Trees 3rd Stone From The Sun I've listened to a few interviews with Bernie... without the counter-balance of Hilary he's got little to stand on and less to stand out. He's sounding more and more old and out of touch just like Biden is... Their era is slipping away and I don't see either of the old farts being elected. Nitro Express DIAMOND STATUS Today @ 06:06 AM Originally Posted by ZahZoo Bernie just runs because he likes the attention and he makes money from it. He knows he has no chance in hell of winning. Bernie is crazy like a fox. The corporate money is on Joe Biden. The money will go to him. Warren is actually the best candidate on the Dem side but Joe is going to get more money and support. Biden is too tied in with China and right now that's a huge liability. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama come in and change the game. Nobody running now can beat Trump. The big question is does Michelle Obama want to get into it? She's rich and enjoying the good life. Some people don't like being in the arena. Some people are addicted to it. I think Michelle just wants to enjoy what she has now. The thing is the Dems are divided and infighting and the Republicans are unified behind Trump. I think Trump is going to win a second term but by the time 2024 rolls around they might have things straightened out and socialism is popular with the younger people. So maybe they will have someone by then who can beat the Republicans. The Republicans being in power will surely screw up. I think who they will run in 2024 is Ted Cruz. Ted is already getting his ducks in a row to be the next MAGA president. That being said Ted is a dweeb so if the Dems kind find somebody is cool they can mop the floor with Ted. Just run some popular celebrity that's young and charismatic. Hell. Modern presidents are just puppets anyways. You don't need anyone capable or intelligent. You just need someone who can win. Originally Posted by Seshmeister I think people are more interested in seeing if Bernie smoked one of Joe's blunts and what kind of whiskey Bernie slams down. We'll see how the primaries play out... if Biden gets the nomination... I see a repeat of a weak sauce, gaff prone Dem losing to an incumbent Republican. Anyone remember John Kerry... Thanked ZahZoo for this KICKASS post: Terry (08-10-2019) The Dems can’t win as fragmented as they are. It’s a cycle. They lose for a decade when they move too far left and alienate the more centrist voters. It happened in the 80’s and that gave us a decade of Republican rule and when the Democrats finally moved to the center again they got Bill Clinton in. So we will get two terms of Trump and if the Dems haven’t sorted it out by 2024 we get another Republican for at least another term. By then the Republican scandals and corruption will make the swing voters angry and they will vote Dem. it never ends. Different day, same shit. Bookies have Trump as favorite for 2020 which shows the sad state of the world. Michelle Obama is 200-1 Nitro but I'll give you 100-1 if you want to take that bet? Nickdfresh You really think gaffs matter at this point? Trump looked like a complete fucktard in Ohio, yet you still support him... Thanked Nickdfresh for this KICKASS post: Bookies have Trump as favorite for 2020... Retards that like Trump and are going the way of the dinosaur via the internet. Someone tell these crusty cigar chomping fuckwit relics that there is no Jill Stein this time, at least not yet.. Last edited by Nickdfresh; 08-09-2019 at 11:02 PM. There is a pretty compelling case that the Saudis will put a bunch of money into the 2020 election. With Trump they get to completely own US foreign policy rather than just influencing it through all their lobby groups and 'think tanks' like they used to. Do you really just pull this random fucking nonsense out of your ass? You really don't drink or do drugs? I mean, FFS. I 'm not a Bern-feeler, but... Originally Posted by Nitro Express Bernie just runs because he likes the attention and he makes money from it. He knows he has no chance in hell of winning. A completely untrue and unfair statement. Bern may have no chance of winning, but he fuck-well didn't see that coming and thought he had a great chance to win if not a shoe in! By all accounts he's shocked at his political decline from almost toasting Hillary to also ran... Bernie is crazy like a fox. Why? Does he believe in stupid fucking conspiracy theories? The corporate money is on Joe Biden. The money will go to him. The corporate money has its head up its ass, as usual. There is no monolithic "corporate money" though... Warren is actually the best candidate on the Dem side but Joe is going to get more money and support. Specifically why is Warren "the best"? Why do you think she is the best? Biden is too tied in with China and right now that's a huge liability. As far as what? How is Biden "tied to China"? Do you go to bars in Shithole, Wyoming and spout this crap to your friends like you actually know what you are talking about? Do your hick friends nod their heads in agreement? I wouldn't be surprised to see Michelle Obama come in and change the game. Nobody running now can beat Trump. Sure, tell me the last time Trump was over 50% approval. But no one can beat him? He beats himself every day... The big question is does Michelle Obama want to get into it? She's rich and enjoying the good life. Some people don't like being in the arena. Some people are addicted to it. I think Michelle just wants to enjoy what she has now. The answer is fuck no, Michelle Obama does not want to get "into it". IU think that's pretty fucking academic at this point... Helen Mirren's crudder TOASTMASTER GENERAL This is more of a gut feeling than anything based on data or analytics, but if I look at the candidates who have won over the last few decades, all the winners tend to be the ones who had more voters who believed in them vs. their opponent in an aspirational way, rather than prevailing because people were voting more against their opponent than for them. In 2012, one never got the sense that Republican voters were ever particularly crazy about Romney. Romney ran more along the lines of "I'm not Obama" than anything else, and he lost. In 2004, one never got the sense that Democratic voters by and large were over the moon regarding John Kerry, who (in the end) basically ran as being the anti-W, and he lost. In 2008, Obama was certainly an aspirational candidate. He electrified Democratic voters in a manner that no other Democratic presidential candidate had in my lifetime...even far more so than Clinton in 1992. On the other side of the ticket, I felt WAY more enthusiasm for Sarah Palin than I ever did for John McCain. In 2016, I never felt much by way of enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton. I wasn't enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton, even though I knew fairly early on (well before Trump declared) that I'd end up voting for her if she got the nomination. In point of fact, I became less and less enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton the longer the campaign went on, to the point that by the time Election Day came around the only real motivating factor for me going to the polls was that I lived in a swing state, knew the election was going to be close and whatever misgivings I had about Clinton were negated by the belief that Trump was uniquely unqualified in terms of intellect, emotional and mental stability and temperament to be President. I'll be willing to wager by the end of the 2016 campaign, a lot of Clinton voters felt the same way I did, and perhaps more of them felt even more strongly about it than I did to the point where people stayed home rather than voted: a lot of people held their noses and voted for Hillary Clinton simply out of a visceral dislike for Trump. One never saw the enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton at her rallies in 2016 that they saw for Trump at his rallies. Whatever one wants to make of the reasons why Trump voters were attracted to the guy (one tends to think it wasn't for massive, lopsided tax cuts favoring those who didn't need them), the fervor of their devotion to Trump isn't something to be taken lightly. As for the Democrats seeking the nomination thus far, the only comparable fervor I see is for either Sanders or Warren. Thanked Terry for this KICKASS post: DLR Bridge (08-20-2019) I see virtually nada in terms of genuine enthusiasm for Biden the person. Biden seems likable enough far as politicians go, but he seems to be a cautious, safe choice. He has name recognition. He has been around forever. Apparently the large donor class seem to think he's the best candidate in a matchup against Trump. Biden isn't a moonshot candidate in any sense of the word, whereas at least Hillary Clinton was a limited moonshot by virtue of her gender. Biden only looks good now after three years of watching Trump in office: I'm not so sure Biden would have won the nomination in 2016 had he ran, although paradoxically I think Biden may have fared better than Hillary against Trump in the 2016 general, because Hillary proved to be nearly as toxic as Trump in terms of voters being repelled by her with a vitriol I'd find hard to imagine a Biden candidacy would have elicited. But Biden's only real calling card in 2020 seems to be a return to the pre-2016 status quo, by the sole virtue of him not being Trump. Now, it may well be that there will be more voters next year than there were in 2016 who aren't willing to pull a lever for Trump again. It may be that a Biden candidacy isn't one where Democratic voters feel they have to hold their noses and vote for Joe like they did for Hillary, and it may be that more people are attuned to the realization that Trump could well win again as opposed to the general belief in 2016 that there was no way America would vote for Donald Trump, which doubtless suppressed some turnout. I don't get the sense that masses of 2016 Trump voters aren't willing to vote for him again. Who the fuck knows? I don't think anybody, despite all the polling and prognostication, really does at this point. Originally Posted by Terry In 2008, Obama was certainly an aspirational candidate. He electrified Democratic voters in a manner that no other Democratic presidential candidate had in my lifetime...even far more so than Clinton in 1992.... Yeah, "I'm not Hillary"... Originally Posted by Nickdfresh How’s your blood pressure Nick? It really doesn’t take much to trigger you. ????? Hillary spent a fortune on television ads and Trump used Twitter and won. Hillary ran an old styled campaign and Trump used the internet to great effect. Oh you know there are people pestering her to run. She would be a contender. She’s a superstar to the left. She hated living in the White House though and I don’t think she’s power driven like many politicians are. I don’t think the Dems can beat Trump so I’m betting the Trump card. Even the New York Post covered Biden’s China ties. https://nypost.com/2019/05/11/the-tr...soft-on-china/ No, the gaffs don't really matter much at this phase... all they do is highlight a lack of compelling vision for leading the country and the ability to articulate it. In a field of 20+ that's not the catalyst to stand out, build momentum, win a nomination and seriously challenge Trump. That's the goal at this point... isn't it..? That's what's lacking across the field. There's a few that have some of that... but then they spout idiotic crap like free healthcare for all, open borders, or climate change nonsense that can not be realistically achieved without tanking the entire nation economically and undermining our strengths globally. Those pie in the sky aspects won't capture the hearts/votes of the majority of the nation and lead to unseating Trump. I'd really rather be faced with a difficult decision with a viable Democratic challenger that would be worthy of serious consideration for my vote... That someone hasn't shown themselves yet. And this has what to do with bookies? ????? Hillary spent a fortune on television ads and Trump used Twitter and won. IDR but I don't think Trump was noted for using Twatter prior to being pResident. In any case, you mean the Twitter that cuntservatives now hate, but still use religiously? I mean, Bitch McConnell could always follow his credo and not use it? Hillary ran an old styled campaign and Trump used the internet to great effect. Um, another gross oversimplification. I concede that Hillary is and was a bit behind the times, but Trump could barely figure out an internet browser. The Russian military intelligence troll-farm was doing much more for Trump and his campaign than he, or his confused staff, were on the web. And the greatest shot to Hillary's campaign was Comey reopening the "email" investigation on the eve of the election. She'd have almost certainly have won had that not been a November surprise... Even if she wanted too, it's too late. And she doesn't want too... "Change"? Momentum to change? I think you completely misconstrue things. There's a reason there are 20+ Democratic candidates and everyone that was the registered Democrat town do catcher is running - because they all have a great shot against Drumpf... That's what's lacking across the field. There's a few that have some of that... but then they spout idiotic crap like free healthcare for all, You mean like every other Westernized capitalistic democracy has? I mean, fuckwell right! How sensible to spend billions more than every other country and still have worse overall health outcomes. How could they ever think of that! ..open borders, As opposed to Trumps closed borders and Wall? ..or climate change nonsense that can not be realistically achieved without tanking the entire nation economically and undermining our strengths globally. Those pie in the sky aspects won't capture the hearts/votes of the majority of the nation and lead to unseating Trump. LMFAO old man, Really, like Climate Change isn't going to bury the world in a mire of rising sea levels and cause economic catastrophe. See the forest through the trees, old man... You mean, basically George Bush at this point... However you want to rationalize voting for a complete fucking train-wreck administration that can't even fill basic State Dep't positions while Trump golf's. Keep voting with all the other old, scared white people, bud. Because no thinking, serious person can look at this admin and say, "hey, they got this!".. Plus the Russians used FaceBook for him. Mmm...yeah, but when Obama was seeking the nomination in 2007 and early to mid 2008 the vibe I got wasn't as much "I'm not Hillary" as it was "I'm Barack Obama"...if that makes any sense. Mostly because he couldn't really make the "I'm not Hillary" case in a meaningful political sense, because they were ideologically more similar than dissimilar. Nickdfresh (08-11-2019) That's what's lacking across the field. There's a few that have some of that... but then they spout idiotic crap like free healthcare for all, open borders, or climate change nonsense that can not be realistically achieved without tanking the entire nation economically and undermining our strengths globally. Those pie in the sky aspects won't capture the hearts/votes of the majority of the nation and lead to unseating Trump.i Aw come on. The Dems have plenty of brilliant thinkers. AOC really made a great observation that airplanes are damn loud and pollute the air. Why fly to Hawaii when you could take a train there? It would give the people living by the airports a break and we could grow native vegetables where the airports used to be. It would be great but don’t grow any of that racist colliflower. Aw come on. The Dems have plenty of brilliant thinkers. AOC really made a great observation that airplanes are damn loud and pollute the air. Why fly to Hawaii when you could take a train there?... When did she say that and what was the quote? AOC is like every ultra-conservatives' socialist dominatrix. She's a junior congresswoman with very littel actual clout that is fixated upon by Faux News for whatever reason, but there really is something creepily psycho-sexual about it... Climate change is 100% real... 4.543 billion years of history and the last 100 years of science advancements prove without a doubt that the planet's climate has changed significantly and continues to do so on a yearly/monthly/daily/hourly basis... but in that 4.543 billion years, only about .000001%... I'm being generous... "might" be attributable to human activity and none of it can be controlled by elected officials in the US government. Yes, the seas will rise... they do so twice a day due to the gravitational pull of the moon not who's farting around in the White House... elect the fucking moon if you want an entity that can have a direct impact on climate change. That's your best shot... Wow you really can never underestimate the incredible persuasive power in the US of the fossil fuels lobbyists. Or maybe it's just a coincidence that it's only in the US you have all this denial... Maybe Zah can explain to us how great CO2 is! You can never have too much CO2 and plants love! It must be good! Just like water (that will soon drown out a large number of coastal cities).... It's really funny how stupid otherwise educated and experienced can be. 'I want to believe we're not fucked,' and even if we are the industrial revolution and the previous onset of organized agriculture had nothing to do with it (even if it directly corresponds with both and the resulting spikes of CO in the atmosphere)... Here's an easy, readable Map for you Zooey: PFC Roth Army 01-14-2020 @ 02:43 PM Oh it's real. The Mesolithic peoples of 6500 BC and their farting herds of livestock and SUV's caused the seas to rise enough to make Doggerland, once an island between Britain and Sweden, disappear under the sea. Hell, we haven't been able to do that. Bastards! Thanked private parts for this KICKASS post: ZahZoo (08-22-2019) A global carbon tax and the United Nations can fix it. Of course China will be exempt and allowed to pollute penalty free. Originally Posted by private parts The real global warming happens in five billion years when our sun expands into a red giant and consumes this planet. Until then there is a long list of shit that can kill you. We might even get pummeled by a few large asteroids by then. So fuck it! Let's do nothing! A carbon tax has nothing to do with the UN. Fuck your children/grandchildren! Do you buffoons not get your vaccines because they give you autism? Get China and all the other Asian, African, and South American hyper-polluters on board and I'm with you. Otherwise it's pointless aside from keeping our own rivers and coasts clean. Let's start with our feces and rat infested inner cities and work our way out. 3 users say thank you to private parts for this KICKASS post: Nitro Express (08-21-2019),So this is love (08-20-2019),ZahZoo (08-22-2019) Get China and all the other Asian, African, and South American hyper-polluters on board and I'm with you. Do you really think they have a choice? They're as fucked as we are if not more. Otherwise it's pointless aside from keeping our own rivers and coasts clean. The good news is that you don't have to worry about the coasts... Let's start with our feces and rat infested inner cities and work our way out. You first, suburban dweller... [QUOTE=private parts;1940428]Get China and all the other Asian, African, and South American hyper-polluters on board and I'm with you. Otherwise it's pointless aside from keeping our own rivers and coasts clean. Let's start with our feces and rat infested inner cities and work our way out.[/QUOTE Ha! Ha! The world has lost it’s mind. Our demise is quite entertaining to watch. [QUOTE=Nitro Express;1940432] Get China and all the other Asian, African, and South American hyper-polluters on board and I'm with you. Otherwise it's pointless aside from keeping our own rivers and coasts clean. Let's start with our feces and rat infested inner cities and work our way out.[/QUOTE Right-O!! You dumbshits in Wyoming can smell your farts and fuck some 10 year old cousins and pretend it's okay! [QUOTE=Nickdfresh;1940435] https://www.businessinsider.com/most...-photos-2019-8 Hmmmm. For being supposed dumbshits we must be doing something right. Thanked Nitro Express for this KICKASS post: private parts (08-22-2019) It's all good until the Super-volcano Apocalypse. 2 users say thank you to Seshmeister for this KICKASS post: Nickdfresh (08-22-2019),ZahZoo (08-22-2019) Quick Navigation The Front Line Top DAVID LEE ROTH AND VAN HALEN DISCUSSION Main VH/DLR Discussion Roth Radio VH/DLR Songs And Albums 2015 Van Halen North American Tour Fan Intro - The Roth Army Welcome Wagon The Roth Army Picture-Palooza Max's Non VH/DLR Related Stuff House of Music ALinChainz' Locker Room - Sports Central This Is Gear Street Bootleg Corner Girl(s) Gone Bad THE ROTH ARMY GARAGE Website Related Discussion - Webmaster Feedback Bernie Brats Rejoice By Kristy in forum The Front Line Bernie Sanders Gets Things Done By FORD in forum The Front Line The Myth of Bernie Sanders By ELVIS in forum The Front Line Good Ole' Bernie Kosar By POJO_Risin in forum ALinChainz' Locker Room - Sports Central Pistons name Flip Saunders head coach By guwapo_rocker in forum ALinChainz' Locker Room - Sports Central -- Black Roth Army -- Default Mobile Style ROTHARMY.COM Copyright ©1998-2012, ROTH ARMY INC	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340210
__label__wiki	0.633649	0.633649	Lazar Khidekel Society Gala Events Sixth Annual Russian Diaspora - Israeli Russian Film Festival Highly anticipated annual film festival presented by RACC in collaboration with the Russian and Slavic Studies Program, Hunter College, CUNY. Event Venue: Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College Sunday, March 6, 2016, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM Russian American Cultural Center, in collaboration with the Russian and Slavic Studies Program, Hunter College, CUNY is pleased to announce: The Sixth Annual Diaspora - Israeli Russian Film Festival 1:00 PM \| NY Premiere \| Super Women by Yael Kipper Zaretsky and Ronen Zaretsky Israel 2013 \| 79 min \| Documentary, Drama Hebrew and Russian with English subtitles Super Women tells the story of five cashiers who work the same shift in a supermarket. Most are immigrants from Russia and others are native Israelis. The film follows their relationships, the mutual support and solidarity, dealing with the management and customers, their difficulties making a living and their working conditions, as they try to change their fate. Super Women places the immigrants’ issue and the reality of Tel Aviv’s local-global interface at the heart of contemporary documentary cinema. 2:30 PM \| Jerusalem Boxing Club by Helen Yanovsky Israel 2015 \| 71 min \| Documentary Hebrew, Arabic and Russian with English subtitles Founded in a bomb shelter in the Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Boxing Club brings together hundreds of teens from all around the city. For many of these young people, the desire to excel and to win the national championship is nourished by the tough training andboundless love of Russian-born Gershon Luxemburg, club manager and trainer, who claims that “nobody comes to box without a reason.” Jerusalem Boxing Club follows four teens from different walks of Israeli life as they learn from Gershon, call his club home, and compete together for the national title. HOLOCAUST REMEMBERED 3:45 PM \| Mother by Iryna Zhygaliuk USA 2015 \| 13min \| Short, Drama Stars: Yelena Shmulenson, Stella Stark, Zenon Zeleniuch Set in WWII under the Nazi occupation, Mother recounts a widowed woman's struggle for survival with her two children while remaining hidden within the confines of an old barn. Q&A with Iryna Zhygaliuk and Yelena Shmulenson 4:15 PM \| NY Premiere \| Guardians of Remembrance by Boris Maftsir Israel 2014 \| 107 min \| Documentary Russian and Hebrew with English, Hebrew, and Russian subtitles In Cooperation with: "NonstopMedia" film production company (Belarus) The Holocaust of the Jews in the former Soviet Union has remained a mystery even many decades after the war has ended. Due to ideological and political reasons, the Soviet regime did not recognize the unique and tragic nature of the extermination of Jews by the Nazis. It was only after the dismantling of the Soviet Union that efforts towards documentation and commemoration of Holocaust victims in these areas were possible. Following seven years as the head of a project at Yad Vashem to recover the names of Holocaust victims in the Former Soviet Union, Boris Maftsir sets out on a journey never seen before on the screen - a journey to restore the memory of a Holocaust that was all but forgotten. In the Guardians of Remembrance, the first film of the project “The Holocaust in the Soviet Union,” Boris Maftsir offers a comprehensive and accurate picture of the events of the Holocaust in Belarus. The memory keepers depicted in the film are both Jews and non-Jews along with local individuals who work towards commemoration. The film Guardians of Remembrance was filmed at the actual extermination sites and precisely illustrates the sense of time and place of the tragic events. Q&A with Olga Gershenson 5:20 PM \| World Premiere \| The Return: Nektalovs Never Give Up \| Directed by Ariel Roubinov USA 2015 \| 35 min \| HD Documentary, Russian with English subtitles This film is narrated through a personal story of Mark Nektalov and explores his journey in search of purpose and realization of his inner drive to do good for the people. Mark had a turbulent past. Disconnect with the past, not knowing how to live in the present, and not having a family support, neither that of his community, Mark finds himself in a position of changing the fate of his long-distance relative. As it happens, this relative has played an important role in Mark's childhood back in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This coincidental encounter changes the course of events for everyone. Q&A Session with Ariel Roubinov and Rafael Nektalov 6:00 PM \| A Special Presentation \| Actor, playwright, producer and filmmaker Anna Fishbeyn on Feminism and the Russian-Jewish immigration to America. Happy Hour Feminism, written, starred and produced by Anna Fishbeyn, is a comedy web series about a futuristic talk show where men experience all the media pressures placed on women today. The web series has been selected at over 11 film festivals, and won for Best Web Series, Best Leading Actress, Best Women Filmmakers, and Best Screenplay. In the Episode entitled, LIPO-DRAINING BEER, Anna talks with Dr. Lara Crownhead, a scientist and inventor of Lipo-Draining Beer, a miracle product that makes men skinny in three days. The festival will be concluded with Anna Fishbeyn's live performance of My Stubborn Tongue, her one-woman show about coming to America during the Cold War and her family's hilarious attempts to fit into American society. Event tickets are available via EventBrite (click here) Tickets for a single film or the whole program: $15 \| Hunter College students: $5 Please note: photo ID is required for entry into the college. Please allow additional time for check. Entrance on East 69th Street. Lang Hall is on the 4th Floor of the North Building, Room 424. If you go through the Visitors Center - it is located on the South West corner of East 68th St. & Lexington Ave. Below is a map of Hunter College, the West Building is orange and the North Building is teal/blue: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/abouthunter/maps/68th-street-main-campus RACC's events are made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council WE THANK OUR MEDIA SPONSORS: Russia Beyond the Headlines, NY Times Weekend, Russian Art and Culture, The Bukharian Times, The Cultural Highlights _ Israeli Culture, TASS, NTV, RTN, RTVI http://tass.ru/kultura/2720521 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX97dxDMjMk Regina Khidekel hosted by Ari Kagan at RTN(Russian Television Network) https://www.facebook.com/huntercollegehillel/photos/gm.1561184994197870/1222584157769681/?type=3&theater http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.culture.studies.history.slavic/685 http://rbth.com/culture_calendar/2016/02/25/6th-annual-diaspora-israeli-russian-film-festival_570745 http://www.nyblueprint.com/russian-diaspora-israeli-russian-film-festival; Event Sponsors: Thanks to our supporters: Office of Cultural Affairs of the Consulate General of Israel in New York, Jewish Community Relations Council, Diana Bagrationi Foundation and VK Studios. The Russian American Cultural Center (RACC) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, est. in 1998. Museum quality exhibitions on Russian avant-garde, contemporary art and photography, collections, archive preservation, research and scholarly publications, a wide range of cultural and literary events, and film festivals enhancing the NY art scene. Support our work: become a RACC member. Site Designed and Built By SCHENKER STUDIO © 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340214
__label__wiki	0.548786	0.548786	Set Sytes Tag Archives: pirates of the caribbean Behind the Scenes, Fiction, India Bones India Bones and the Indigo Caves available now! 23rd August 2019 Set Sytes Leave a comment The second book in the pirate fantasy series India Bones is available now on Amazon here. I hope you all enjoy it; I had the most fun writing it. Packed full of pirate adventure (and danger). India Bones was once just an ambitious street kid from Mexico Island, without family, without money, and without experience of the wider world. Much has changed. Now he is an eager crewmember of the pirate ship the Devil’s Dress, sailing the Caribbean under the captaincy of his skeleton friend Grimmer, seeking adventure, glory, and stolen booty. But sometimes adventures – those of the riskiest kind – aren’t looked for. When the powerful and unscrupulous merchant king Hong Kong Silver demands the crew seek out the pirate revolutionary Ebon Caesar, they are given little choice but to comply. Yet Caesar is not in the Caribbean. To find him they must travel to Afrika, a vast land full of all new wonders and dangers. And that’s just the beginning of their troubles, for Caesar has his own dark plans . action adventureafricaafrican adventureafrican fantasyafrican fictionafrican piratesafrikablack flagblack flag fantasyblack flag fictionblack sailscaribbeanedge chronicles fantasy adventurefantasy africafantasy piratesharry potterharry potter with piratesindia bonesindiana jonesjack sparrowmagic piratesoriginal fantasypirate adventurepirate fantasypirate magicpirate seriespiratespirates of the caribbeantreasure islandYAYA africa Fiction, India Bones India Bones and the Indigo Caves extract 25th June 2019 Set Sytes Leave a comment Morning rose, and they were too dead on their feet to keep going, especially with the shimmering wave of heat that struck them with the rising sun. Old Neg fainted, and that was that. They splashed water on his face, then half-carried him to a small gorge where they laid up in its shadows. Ink took the first watch; the rest were out like a light. They were roused by Bilge Joe at midday, and wobbled their way out the gorge and west once more. They relaxed somewhat as the days passed, for no pursuit seemed to be coming. Maybe Caesar really had decided he had better things to do than chase them down. They deviated from their course slightly to approach an old village. Half-naked children played in the red dust, and stopped to stare at the strangers. Somewhere women were singing, wailing, an ethereal sound that carried through the village. It spoke to India of waving lemon grass, of a boiling sun that rose giant and scarlet over the rim of the world as a million birds took to the air. Of titanic mumaphants shaking the earth with their steps, and rhinosaurs rolling in the mud. Of children playing and laughing in the dust and the doom palms and the fever trees. They struggled to make themselves understood to the villagers, but with enough pantomiming by Bilge Joe they succeeded in both buying food and hiring camels – the only ones, it seemed, the village had. Bilge Joe thrust a handful of battered silver coins at them and their faces opened in wonder and delight. ‘Good thing too,’ India heard him mutter to Bill Timber. ‘I very much doubt they’re gettin’ these camels back.’ Their progress was much better mounted, and not having to pass the bags of gear between them. They kept the camels in a trot for a while – the beasts seemed eager for the rare chance to run – then settled them into a steady walk when they got tired. There was still no sign of Captain Grimmer and the rest of the crew. India, now worried, asked if they should go back for them (despite absolutely not wanting to retrace all those steps and returning to their place of imprisonment), but Ink and Bilge Joe snorted practically in unison. ‘They’ll be out, don’t you worry,’ the first mate said. ‘Straight west, Cap’n’s orders. We ain’t to go against that.’ ‘And if we don’t see him?’ ‘Then we don’t see him,’ Bill Timber said in his deep voice. ‘We’re a crew up to a point, lad,’ Bilge Joe said. ‘After that, well, sometimes you can’t do somethin’ for someone more than they can do it for themselves. You understand?’ India didn’t, but kept his mouth closed. Days, nights, days. The sky was cloudless, the country arid, but for verdant watering holes, crowded with grazing animals of every shape and size. Eventually long grasses returned, the air thicker, the trees frequent. They passed lines of quiver trees alternating with petrified wood in the most unnatural shapes; they looked almost like people who had been magicked into statues by one of the less merciful Afrikan gods. Bushwillows followed, and then, as the foliage grew denser and the climate more humid, red silk-cottons and giant kokrodua and heavy-leafed coffin trees, and many not one of them could name. There were no rocks in this land. Another day and their camels rode awkwardly and out-of-place along winding forest trails. Black hardwoods and evergreens and blossoming flowers of every colour. The undergrowth thickened, and sometimes the way ahead to smoother grass had to be hacked away with Ink’s machete. Sweat rolled down every inch of their skin. The buzz of insects were regular, and Bilge Joe was attacked on countless occasions; they seemed to be the only things in the world that liked his odour. They had shifted to riding in the days; the nights here seemed too dangerous, fraught by frightening animal cries. The forest became a predator. They saw slinking shapes away from the light of the campfire, and chittering in the trees, heard prey pounced upon and eaten. One night they all woke up one by one to the sound of discordant humming. None of them were making the noise – it was coming from the forest. Bilge Joe and Ink were on watch, and told them firmly not to investigate. India thought that wise, though he wondered at its source – the humming was wordless singing, now. It was scarier just for the lack of knowing. Oshun and Meria’s stories came back to him. Were they Obambo bush ghosts? Biloko treasure guardians? Mashetani spirits? Was it the trickster god Ogo in one of his disguises? Or was it the Rompo, that corpse-feeder that crooned as it ate? India shuddered. Much as he liked to experience new things, he didn’t fancy meeting whatever was making that sound, at least not in the middle of the night. Thankfully the sound faded into the forest, and after a while of staring into the black-green foliage and seeing things that weren’t there, India eventually drifted back into an uneasy sleep. India Bones and the Indigo Caves is a work in progress. The first book in this series, India Bones and the Ship of the Dead, is currently available FREE as a US/UK ebook here. action adventureafricaafrican adventureafrican fantasyafrican fictionafrican piratesafrikablack flagblack flag fantasyblack flag fictionblack sailscaribbeanedge chronicles fantasy adventurefantasy africafantasy piratesharry potterharry potter with piratesindia bonesindiana jonesjack sparrowmagic piratesoriginal fantasypirate adventurepirate fantasypirate magicpirate seriespiratespirates of the caribbeantreasure islandYAYA africaYA pirates Behind the Scenes, India Bones India Bones and the Indigo Caves 7th June 2019 Set Sytes Leave a comment I’m happy to report I’m working hard on my next book. ‘Tis the sequel to the pirate fantasy India Bones and the Ship of the Dead, and it’s called India Bones and the Indigo Caves. It’s vaguely standalone like the first (although it does reference the first), as well as being part of a series, so you don’t completely need to have read the first to enjoy it (though you should anyway!). You can find the first on Amazon here, currently free as an ebook in US and UK. What to expect from the new one? AFRIKA. Hong Kong Silver. Die Kraai. Louisiana swamps. Le Jour des Morts. Mumaphants. Hammertown. Tartarus. Antlered cats… The art used in the heading image is by Marina Ortega. action adventureafricaafrican adventureafrican fantasyafrican fictionafrican piratesafrikablack flagblack flag fantasyblack flag fictionblack sailscaribbeanedge chronicles fantasy adventurefantasy africafantasy piratesharry potterharry potter with piratesindia bonesindiana jonesjack sparrowmagic piratesoriginal fantasypirate adventurepirate fantasypirate magicpirate seriespiratespirates of the caribbeantreasure islandYAYA africaYA piratesYA series India Bones and the Ship of the Dead #6 Following on from Part 5. Find it on Amazon here. ‘Where is that?’ India asked, spyglass trained on the land mass that passed slowly before them. He saw bright forests and white beaches, and in the centre, with trees marched up its slopes, a single mountain peak that in the light seemed capped with silver. ‘West Indigo,’ Hairless said. ‘Just you wait honey, you’re soon to see something even better.’ A while later, separated by only a turquoise channel whose lush beauty betrayed its shallowness (India wondered if you could wade through it without even needing a boat), East Indigo floated into view. ‘What the shank is that?’ India gasped. ‘Nice, ain’t it?’ rumbled Big Cage. ‘That’s the East Indigo Palace,’ Hairless said. ‘Abode of Hong Kong Silver.’ ‘I’ve heard of him.’ ‘You’d be hard pressed not to, sugar. Biggest merchant trader in the Caribbean. And I mean biggest.’ ‘That’s sure a nice way of putting it,’ Dessica chimed in, joining them at the rail and leaning over, the sun turning her skull gold. ‘Silver might be as rich as an Aztec, but he’s also the most disreputable man in the Caribbean. The man’s got to where he is by being a double-crossing crook. Would sell his own grandmother if it added another inch to his piles of gold. You’d call him a pirate if he ever set sail.’ ‘I never said he was an honest merchant trader,’ Hairless said. ‘If there’s any such thing.’ ‘Nice, ain’t it?’ Big Cage said again. ‘It sure is,’ India said. A path of golden sand, somehow hardened and set like stone, wound from the beach and carved up a hill, flanked on both sides by the tallest palm trees he’d ever seen. Away from the path, vibrant greenery gave way to tangled jungle, which clustered in, eager to get closer to the palace, and steal its photosynthetic radiance. Huge white domes burst like soap bubbles from the island’s centre at the top of the hill, only matched in shining dominance by two gold-and-white minarets that stabbed into the blue sky. ‘He must be swimming in coin,’ India murmured. He looked at where the path broadened and met the palace, huge gates that glowed in the sunlight – and perhaps they too were made of gold. ‘Oh, he is,’ Hairless said. ‘Don’t get jealous now.’ ‘Too late,’ India said. He imagined what it would be like to live in such a place, a place fit for an emperor. When East Indigo was finally lost to his vision, he retired quietly to his cabin and closed his eyes, basking in the idea that he did indeed live and rule there, waking up every morning on a shifting bed of Aztec coins. India was roused from his bed one morning by Spares mumbling at him and shaking his arm. India felt a flash of fear; it was only the second time he’d been woken up to the face of a skeleton staring down at him, and this one was a lot closer, far too close. Whilst they no longer troubled him when he was up and about (with the possible exception of Blackbone), it was different when you were surprised out of the dull confusion and uncertainties of sleep into confronting a grinning visage of the dead. Spares must have noticed the shock that passed briefly across his face, for he took a step back. ‘Begging your pardon, mate,’ he said. ‘Didn’t mean to shock you or nothing.’ ‘Spares,’ India said, letting his heart rate slow back down. ‘What’s going on?’ ‘We’re here, that’s what,’ Spares said. ‘Grimmer told me to fetch you.’ ‘Here, where’s here?’ India sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. ‘We’re anchored at Lonely Carib. Dropping the boats now.’ ‘Oh.’ Spares left and India got up and dressed, pausing before putting on the coat Hairless had found him. It felt heavier than usual. He looked out the porthole and saw a sliver of beach, grey in the dawn light. He ran a hand through his hair, rough and shaggy from all the sea spray. Mrs Wayles would have held him down and forced a brush through it, he thought with a small smile. Not that it would have helped; he’d only have been straight back out tumbling in the muddy alleys of Rug, or pushing through the jungle, raked by bad-tempered undergrowth on the way to the Aztec Tomb. ‘Is that a boy under there?’ Mrs Wayles used to say. ‘Or is it a bush? Has part of the jungle just uprooted and walked in? For the life of me I just can’t tell.’ India felt a strange, uncomfortable pang as they rowed towards the beach. He hadn’t said anything since he’d got in the boat. Grimmer too was especially quiet. Ahead of them the beach looked cold and sad. Two of the skeletons got out into the water and pulled it up onto the shore. India got out and walked up the beach a short way. The hard sand crunched under his boots. It was the first time his feet had touched anything other than Mexico Island. It was a surreal and unsettling experience. He looked back at the ship, but saw only a thick, dark mist. He squinted and tried to envisage the ship there, knowing it was there, and bit by bit he saw the sails, the grey hull . . . but as soon as he relaxed the mist crawled in once more. The skeletons were sitting about on the beach. A couple had wandered into the jungle. Some were speaking in couples or small groups, others like Grimmer were looking back out at the sea, or drawing idle patterns in the sand. Perhaps it was all in his head, but there seemed a melancholy air over everything. He sensed this was a different kind of escape for these ‘jolly rogers’, a different kind of relief than the drinking and dancing that had formed their last landing. ‘This is it,’ Dessica said as she approached him, her head low. ‘We’re all sorry to see you go.’ ‘I don’t want to go,’ India said. A few of the other skeletons were standing up and coming over. Big Cage. Hairless. Spares. Dessica shook her head, smiling. ‘Don’t be silly. The dead are no company for the living.’ ‘You’ve got your whole life to live, honey,’ Hairless said. ‘Sorry you gotta go, mate,’ Spares said. ‘We’ve all enjoyed, uh, having you on board. It’s been lively.’ ‘I have to?’ ‘You know you do,’ Hairless said, gently. ‘Never meant to capture you in the first place,’ Spares said, kicking the sand with his feet. ‘Gotta watch the drinking.’ Big Cage came forward, and reached out with his arms. India awkwardly opened his own arms and Big Cage hugged him, almost crushing him. ‘Leave off him you big oaf,’ Spares said. ‘You’ll crush the lad.’ He shook his head as though annoyed, and wandered off. ‘Miss you,’ Big Cage said, and turned and followed Spares. ‘You too,’ India said, too quiet for Big Cage to hear. ‘Go and say your farewells to Grimmer,’ Dessica said. She touched her skull, and Hairless blew him a kiss, and the two of them walked away. India saw a few of the other skeletons on the beach give him nods and waves, and he waved back. He pinched his eyes and approached Grimmer, who was still sat on the sand. ‘Come with me,’ India said. ‘No,’ Grimmer said, not looking at him. ‘I can’t.’ ‘Why not?’ ‘Don’t be naïve. Look, go on.’ ‘I don’t want to.’ ‘I don’t want to be by myself.’ ‘You’ll be fine,’ Grimmer said. When India still hadn’t moved, he picked up a pebble, tightened his bone fingers around it and then turned and threw it at him. India dodged it; he didn’t know if it was supposed to hit him or not. ‘Go away!’ Grimmer said. ‘Leave me be. Go and join the land of the damned living.’ India looked at him with hurt, angry eyes, and then turned and walked away. When he’d reached the edge of the beach he glanced back. Grimmer was sat in the same spot, not moving, staring down at the sand. India stuffed his hands into his coat pockets and disappeared into the jungle. action adventurecaribbeanedge chroniclesfantasy adventurefantasy piratesharry potterharry potter with piratesindia bonesindiana jonesjack sparrowmagic piratesNANA fictionoriginal fantasypirate adventurepirate fantasypirate magicpirate seriespiratespirates of the caribbeanship of the deadskeleton crewYAYA piratesYA seriesyoung adult India Bones and the Ship of the Dead now on Amazon! 13th November 2017 Set Sytes Leave a comment It’s been quite a while since I wrote India Bones and the Ship of the Dead – a year maybe? – but I’m happy to say it’s finally available as an ebook on Amazon! It seems that it’s more than likely Microcosm (publishers for How Not to Kill Yourself) will be printing it too! If you love original fantasy, YA/NA fantasy, pirates, and adventure stories, or all of them together, you could do a lot worse than check it out here. INDIA BONES AND THE SHIP OF THE DEAD is the first book in a thrilling new pirate fantasy series for teenagers and adults, featuring the adventurous exploits of the young India Bones in an exotic yet dangerous world as different from our own as it is similar. (Cover not final version) 9th July 2017 Set Sytes Leave a comment Over the next few days India got to know the crew fairly well. At first many of them had avoided him, and he’d seen the wariness in others’ eyes when he talked to them. A few were grouchy, and one skeleton by the name of Liver told him to shank off as soon as he approached. But a few were nice, like Big Cage who was as friendly as he was big, or Hairless, who helped him through finding his sea-legs and found him a nautical coat in the hold that was only a little oversized. Spares was always amusing company, especially when he was drunk. Sockets was a bit odd, but India got used to him. And Dessica, another female jolly roger (how they usually seemed to refer to themselves), had spoken to him at length on the movements of whales, the names of all the sails and masts, and even shown him how to tie different kinds of knot. And as the days passed, and India made himself known, rarely staying put for more than the length of a conversation, and helping out when he could, those who avoided him showed their faces, and those who were grouchy softened. It was only Liver who remained unpleasant more often than not, and India had barely exchanged more than a handful of words with Blackbone. Blackbone usually stayed in his cabin, anyway (the only one bar India with his own private cabin), and when they passed each other India would walk fast, for his near-silent presence sent a chill down India’s spine. It was Grimmer though, who was the surest tether between India and his sanity. From the first day he’d been good to India, helped him help himself and help others whenever he was around, showed him all the parts of the ship, the hold and the forecastle, the gallery and the gun deck where cannons were cobwebbed from disuse. He even took India up to the crow’s nest – thankfully India had always been a good tree climber, but climbing the rigging up so high, and looking down at the long fall to the decks below – well, at least Grimmer had been there for encouragement, and India sure wasn’t going to let himself appear weak in front of a bunch of skeletons. The final few feet had been the worst, but at last he’d toppled into the crow’s nest, breathing hard with the adrenaline, and then spent a good three or four hours reddening with the sun and feeling on top of the world, almost drunk with the sight around him, perched on a swaying wooden spire that rose up like a needle out of the great, eternal ocean. A lonely minaret in a blue desert where he was king. Eventually though, the seasickness had come on even stronger, not to mention a light-headedness close to fainting, and he’d forced himself to descend. He’d spent a while recovering, and decided to go up there again only rarely. On the early evening of the fourth day India saw a far-off shape; he borrowed a spyglass off Sockets and saw a red-boarded ship travelling in the other direction. He squinted but in the darkening light couldn’t make out the crew. ‘Are they pirates?’ he asked, feeling excited. Sockets snatched the spyglass back and looked through. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Merchant ship, probably from East Indigo.’ ‘Can they see us?’ Grimmer came up behind him and gripped the rail. ‘Honestly, we don’t rightly know,’ he said. ‘There was another ship yesterday, too. Truth is a number of us don’t care to look anymore, or at least we don’t shout about it if we do see something. We’ve never been boarded, we’ve never even been hailed. We don’t know if it’s just mist they see, or the illusion of a ship of no consequence or interest to anyone, or if they see nothing at all but empty sea. Or maybe they see us just as we are, but then something in them just wipes it from their minds, tells them just to pass on by. A thought that never gets to go anywhere, like it’s been chased off. All we know is the Ship of the Dead ain’t disturbed, and never has been. We’re a ghost on the ocean, mate.’ On the fifth day Grimmer came to him carrying a cutlass, with the golden hilt of another held in the thick sashes that tied around his pelvis. He flipped the sword in his hand deftly and offered it to India hilt first. ‘Here you go mate,’ he said. A few of the others on the deck gathered round, interested. A one-armed skeleton named Cold Shoulder put his one remaining hand up. ‘Here, he’s a bit young ain’t he?’ Grimmer didn’t turn. ‘He’s got to be able to defend himself, doesn’t he?’ India looked at the blade, at its edge and its wicked point. It caught the light and flashed meanly. ‘I’ll manage without. For now,’ he said. ‘You sure?’ Grimmer said. ‘For now.’ Grimmer shrugged and tossed the sword back on the deck with a clatter. India turned away, but not before stealing one, two more glances at it lying there on the grey wood at his feet. India remembered when he had last used a blade. He’d grown up fighting with sticks with other kids in the streets and slums of Rug and Mohawk. The orphan gang that called themselves Ratboys infested the alleyways of the poor side of Mohawk, and India had once been well acquainted with them, often fighting with and against them in confrontations ranging from friendly scuffles and stick fencing to scrapping tooth and nail. It was about the time that an increase in girls in the gang led to arguments about a change of name that Skiv became leader. He was a bad-tempered kid, bigger than India and prone to using his fists to get his own way. Always eager for something greater than pickpocketing, something more dangerous and more impressive, it was India who had come up with the idea of raiding Jack Rush’s house. Jack Rush was a mean, surly merchant, and he had beaten India severely when he’d caught his pockets being picked just outside his home. India hadn’t been able to walk properly for days, and the bruises had taken much longer to disappear. In the years past he sometimes looked at his reflection in the coastal Mexican seawaters and figured that his face had lost its childishness, had been beaten tougher and rougher and stripped of some measure of innocence. In retaliation India had come up with the plan, and roped the Ratboys in on it. He’d always been an outsider to them, some days seemingly on their side, some days not. He’d never wanted to answer to somebody else, and certainly not a dumb brutish boy like Skiv. They entered the house as the moon hung full and watching, breaking the windows and dropping like cats over the sills. The children in the streets knew everything there was worth knowing. They knew that Rush was on an overseas business trip, selling sugar to East Indigo, and would not be back for some time. They took everything, greedily filling their pockets and pouches with jewellery and silverware and bottles of rum. India had found a necklace. Black stringed, with a pendant of tarnished silver melded to what looked like bone, gold in the very centre and frayed around the edges, like the rays of a moribund sun. He pocketed it. He pocketed something else, too. He didn’t know who’d started the fire. Somebody knocked over something, playing around with torches and bottles of rum; it could have been anyone. The Ratboys yelled to each other as what seemed a bright, exciting flicker quickly spread and smoke rushed through the air like a punishing phantasm, as though a residing spirit of Jack Rush was left behind as guard. They’d escaped, all of them thank shank, tumbling from the windows and bursting out the door. As soon as they were clear and most of them had scattered down various alleys, India had turned to receive a blow from Skiv. It connected with an already existing bruise from Rush, and hurt twice as much. They pounced on each other, fists flying, knees punching into stomachs and feet lashing out. They fought dirty, like wild dogs, breaking apart every few minutes to snarl and spit and curse. Watched hungrily by the others. ‘Give it to me,’ said Skiv. ‘Give you what.’ India wiped the sweat from his face and pulled the straggled hair from his eyes. ‘The necklace. I saw you take it. You owe it to me for what happened back there.’ ‘That wasn’t my fault.’ ‘It was your idea to raid the place. Give it to me.’ ‘You ain’t getting it.’ They met again, and India found his back hurled against the stony ground and pinned. He twisted and kicked and Skiv grabbed his throat and squeezed. India punched Skiv’s head and his midriff, again and again, but he couldn’t get the angles or the momentum and the blows couldn’t dissuade the hands choking him, robbing him of his energy. Black and purple motes dotted before his vision and with a sudden, almost instinctive remembrance he pulled out the shining dagger he had taken at the house. It slipped into Skiv’s side as though it was moving through butter. It met no bones. Skiv fell aside with a yelp, and the dagger sucked itself out, still in India’s hand. India scrambled up, and without looking backwards, at Skiv or the audience of Ratboys, he ran. India never knew what became of Skiv. He didn’t visit Mohawk again for a year, and when he did he stuck to other districts, and carefully avoided the Ratboys. If Skiv was still alive, then he would want his revenge. And if he wasn’t . . . if he wasn’t, then those loyal to him, or those who counted him among their friends might want their own revenge. He never knew whether Skiv had lived or died, and he didn’t want to know. He’d thrown the blade away, and he’d never thrown away something valuable before. He remembered crouching outside the Aztec Tomb and shivering in the rain, his hair plastering itself to his face. He’d never wanted to touch a blade again. He remembered the sound Skiv had made and his eyes. His eyes. On the deck of the Ship of the Dead, India kicked the cutlass away from him without looking. And fingered the sun pendant that hung from his neck. 14th March 2017 Set Sytes Leave a comment Sorry for the delay in India Bones and the Ship of the Dead coming out – it’s been long finished, I’m just waiting on a good cover! In the meantime, here’s the fourth short installment, leading on from Part 3. India walked the grey planks of the ship, feeling half-dead himself. Around him skull faces eyed him from empty sockets. There was saltspray coming in off the wind, but no part of the deck or rails felt damp; instead, the wood was dry and dusty and pock-marked. He ran his fingers along the side and it crumbled. He felt like a good enough gale would blow the whole lot into the sea. It almost didn’t seem like wood at all, and he blanched when the idea popped in his head that he was walking on grey bones. ‘You know what mate,’ a voice came from behind him, and he turned to see Grimmer. ‘What?’ ‘I never asked you your name. And I called you rude. Where were my manners?’ ‘It’s India Bones.’ Grimmer gave a short laugh, and this time India, with fixed attention, saw that the sounds seemed to be in slight discord with the movement of his jaw, and he realised they were not coming from a material presence at all. The mouthless jaw merely worked its best to accompany them. ‘Bones aye?’ Grimmer said. ‘Well you’re in the right company, that’s for sure.’ India looked back out at the sea. ‘You hungry, Mr Bones?’ ‘Call me India. You eat?’ ‘Sure, sure. Well, we eat for nostalgia, at any rate. But I remember what it’s like to be actually hungry. We’ve got plenty of ship biscuits. Look,’ Grimmer reached into the shadows of his coat and fished out a round black thing. ‘Take it.’ India looked at it. ‘Is it edible?’ ‘You’re in no position to turn it down, let’s put it that way.’ ‘Alright.’ India took it and bit off a corner. It was chewier than he figured, both salted and sugared, and not half-bad. There was a slight touch of death to it, but nothing’s perfect. ‘How many are on this ship?’ India asked. ‘Thirteen,’ Grimmer said. ‘Can’t make it up, can you? I always wonder if we’re going to get anymore, but it’s been years and no more, so maybe that’s that.’ ‘Fourteen, now.’ ‘For now. Can’t be having with you ruining our unlucky number,’ Grimmer said. ‘The others keep looking at me.’ ‘Of course they do, what do you expect? The living stare at the dead, can’t expect the dead not to stare at the living. But look, none of us jolly rogers means you any harm. See him?’ Grimmer pointed. ‘That’s Sockets. He’s alright, he just stares a lot. And him?’ Grimmer gestured at a large skeleton with a big chest by the mainsail. ‘That’s Big Cage. Wouldn’t hurt a fly. Unless the fly hurt him first, of course. There, she’s Hairless – and ain’t she pleased she can wear a corset now without it being hard to breathe? No more breathing for her, except out of habit.’ Grimmer turned. ‘Over there, looking rightfully sheepish, that’s Spares. Recognise him?’ ‘Y-es,’ India said. ‘Yes.’ And he did. Now he saw them one by one, he realised it wasn’t that hard to tell them apart at all. It wasn’t just their clothes and adornments, or their bone structure. There was something about each of them that made them as different individuals as he and Mr Bassard. India looked further along the ship, and saw a skeleton standing near the helm. He was taller than the others, bar Big Cage, and wore a black tricorne hat and long black coat. Belts glinting with metal were twisted and tied about his bones, and each strap holstered a pistol – three, maybe four in all. But it was the bones themselves that took India’s eyes. Alone amongst the others, his skeleton was as black as his clothes. ‘Ah,’ Grimmer said, seeing where India’s gaze lay. ‘That’s Blackbone. No, we don’t know why he looks like that. Maybe he fell deeper and darker than any of the rest of us, afore he was pulled out of the brine and onto these decks. He doesn’t speak much, and I doubt he wants you here, so best not try and make friends too hard. He’s the least jolly of all of us jolly rogers.’ ‘Is he the captain?’ ‘No, no. There’s no captain on this ship. But if there was, I reckon it’d be Blackbone.’ ‘Can I be captain?’ ‘Ha! Bit presumptuous, aren’t you? Bit quick on the draw? No, you can’t be captain. See the ship’s wheel? I told you nobody can touch it, not even Blackbone. The ship is its own master.’ ‘I see,’ India said, not really seeing. Grimmer, sensing he wanted to be alone, nodded and strode slowly off. India leaned over the side and stared at the swell of the sea. A thrill of excitement was beginning to dance around within him, marshalling troops to its cause. An excitement of having truly left Mexico Island for the first time in over thirteen years. On being on board a real ship – a grey, mouldering ship, but a ship no less – and sailing the seas with creatures of dark magic, with the dead, perhaps the only living person to have ever done so. Well, he always did know he was special. There was another pang of homesickness, for the alleys of Rug, the Mohawk markets, the comfort and security of Mrs Wayles and the inebriated friendship of Mr Bassard. The palms trees that swayed on the southern beach, the jungles and cliffs in the centre of the island, the Aztec Tomb . . . But the pang was getting blown away by the sea breeze; wisp by wisp it was being replaced with salt and wood and bones. He wondered what kind of ship it was. A brig, a frigate? It didn’t quite have the shape of anything he’d seen previously. There was less of a crew than you’d expect for a ship of this size, so a lot of space for him to cast his eyes about, filling his gaze with the huge white sails billowing in the breeze, with the forestry of the masts and the ropes and the netting. He looked at the helm, at the wheel, and imagined commanding the whole ship, turning it to his course, yelling orders to the crew, stuck to his post in sun and storm. He drank it in, and then he returned his eyes to the sea, and drank that in too. This wasn’t the same sea he saw from the beaches. There was no shoreline to lap against. Here, the waves moved like beasts, rolling long and fat and huge. No doubt under the surface dark leviathans with unknowable minds and purpose pushed the waves along, guiding them back and forth to each other. An orange sun beat against his eyes and flashed off the water. The water that was everywhere and the water that was forever. India squinted into the sun and looked away. Had that much time passed already? How long had he been out? He had a funny feeling inside him, a very funny feeling – The ship plunged into another beast-wave, and the prow soared up over the crest, and India was suddenly, violently sick. India was laid up in the hammock he’d woken in, belly finally settling and closing eyes witnessing the night through the porthole. The moon flashed over him as the great gloom of sleep folded in. His thoughts, not yet fully dreaming, drifted like the ocean current back towards Eyeless and Rug, Mohawk and Maiden, back towards the jungles and the cliffs and, finally, deliberately, the Aztec Tomb. A long time ago, the Caribbean had been ruled by the fabulously rich, and now very dead, Aztec Empire. Nobody were quite sure how it had ended; there were many theories, and maybe all of them were true, maybe none of them. All India knew was that the Aztecs weren’t around anymore. But that didn’t mean they hadn’t left things. There were still ruins, he knew. And where there were ruins there must, inevitably, be treasure. India would go looking for Aztec Gold. People would laugh at him, tell him he was wasting his time. Everything here was dug up, ransacked, stolen and sold a long time ago. Same the world over. The only thing left was the lost treasure of Bucklemeir Horn, and the search for that had long been abandoned, and its existence become a mere legend. In time India would agree that Mexico Island was barren as far as riches were concerned. But the world was much bigger; there was West and East Indigo, there was San Dillinger and Tortugal, there was India, the City of Gold on the island of Indiana, that had to have something, of course it did, and these ladies and gents who had spent their whole lives locked in their own houses had never seen any of it. They just assumed. You couldn’t just assume. There was only one tomb he’d found on Mexico Island, a few miles east of Rug and into the jungles at the top of the cliffs there. He’d scrambled and climbed for an hour, scratched by branches, twisted by vines and cut on rocks, and when he’d got there he’d found a path that had led all the long way back to Rug itself. The tomb had been empty, of course, and not just that, it was also dusted and smoothed and there were fences up and even a sign. There were a few Ratboys and a couple of older Mohawkians lounging around the entrance and inside, drinking and guffawing. They’d given him the eye and he’d given them it back. He’d slouched over to the side of the tomb walls and put his back against it. Eventually he’d gone home. He’d visited again, many times. He’d soon learned when nobody else would be there and would always come at these times, pacing the tomb and searching for imaginary treasure and cutting down imaginary pirates. He always took the cliff climb up to the tomb. He tried to pretend the path wasn’t there, except on the way back, when he was tired and dirty and often bruised and bleeding, and the moon was out and lit the cliff as the quick route to death. The path lay half gleaming in stops and starts, as though draped silver had itself been clad in shifting, filtered shadows. India’s breathing slowed, and the shadows of that jungle path danced about him, taking on black, grinning shapes, and then they were sails, whipping at him from all sides with the wind that seemed to suck itself from the very earth, and the trees were gone, the path was gone, there was only water and salt, salt as far as the eye could see . . . 1st October 2016 Set Sytes Leave a comment I’ve finished writing my fourth novel! The YA (sort-of, hopefully adults will like it too!) pirate fantasy India Bones and the Ship of the Dead. I’m editing it ready to send to agents. Also, I’ll have my previous (adult) novel WULF up in its entirety online very soon (about time!), just waiting on a cover. Here’s the third little part of India Bones, following on directly from the last part I put up here, and beginning at the start of the second chapter. He awoke to find himself lying in a hammock in a small wooden cabin with a skeleton staring at him. Staring may have been the only expression it had to offer, but it did it well. It was wearing a long black coat and a wide-brimmed hat, and it leaned nonchalantly in the doorway in a manner more suited to the living. ‘Ahoy,’ it said. India shivered and shrank away, as best he could do being in a hammock. His head swayed painfully and the cabin seemed to sway with it. ‘Rude,’ said the skeleton. India made eye contact and tried to summon some resolve back. ‘Where . . . am I?’ he swallowed mid-sentence to stifle a stammer. ‘Who should be the first question.’ ‘Who am I?’ ‘Oh, no. Who am I?’ ‘Right.’ India sat up in the hammock, his aching head in his hands. His fear was quickly melting away, to be replaced with confusion. ‘Who are you?’ The skeleton inclined its head. ‘My name is Grimmer.’ ‘Uh. And where am I Grimmer?’ The skeleton grinned, a skill it was excellent at. ‘Why, you’re on the Ship of the Dead.’ India fell back and closed his eyes. He felt a little nauseous, and dots chased each other under his eyelids. ‘I quite understand,’ Grimmer said. ‘How did I get here?’ India managed at last. Grimmer sighed. ‘That was Spares. He carried you aboard.’ ‘Why?’ ‘He thought you were one of us.’ India opened his eyes and dared another look at the skeleton, half-expecting it to have vanished and to see the familiar sight of his room at Mrs Wayles’s. ‘Just because I have face paint on?’ he said. ‘I look nothing like you! You’re – well, you’re dead!’ ‘He was very, very drunk. Not that any of us were sober, but he was something else. I’ve already had quite the bone to pick with him. It’ll take him some time to find it.’ ‘Mmm.’ ‘You see the thing is mate, we can’t just take you back. You’re stuck with us for now. Damn fool Spares.’ India squeezed his eyes shut and opened them once more. Still there. ‘How’s that?’ ‘There’s no turning back. The ship has its own course, it sails us you understand.’ ‘I don’t.’ ‘Truth be told, nor do I much. But that’s how it is. Oh, the crew helps out, but I think that’s more cause we need something to do, a way to be useful. We climb the rigging and hoist the sails and swab the decks. But nobody can turn the wheel. It turns on its own.’ India tried to think this through, and gave up. ‘So . . .’ ‘So where we going next? Kingston is our next call. We won’t be putting up to the docks though, but this lonely beach to the west that seems almost nobody knows about but us. See, with small, superstitious towns like Eyeless it’s alright to land near everyone, as they keep their respectful, fearful distance, and besides, we like to put on a bit of a show now and again. The mist and the blackness draws in, the big horn sounds . . . you know, all very fun. Nice and theatrical. But try that somewhere like the thick of Kingston and – I’m not saying they ain’t superstitious too, they all are, but there’ll just be too many people, and with lots of people crowding things there’s always some idiot who gets drunk and comes and spoils things. Not that you’re an idiot. At least you didn’t have a gun. And that face paint. Inspired. Never known anyone alive wanting to look dead before.’ Grimmer tapped his ribcage and tilted his head. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I haven’t had anybody living to talk to for some time. All these words tumbling out.’ He grinned, or rather, something happened to his face that India couldn’t quite explain. ‘How do you speak, Grimmer?’ India asked, realising one of the many paramount things that were bothering him. ‘How’d you mean?’ ‘How’d you speak with no tongue?’ ‘A tongue’s the least of your worries mate. I haven’t got a voice box neither. Or lips. Or a gullet to drink, lungs to breathe, heart to beat, eyes to see you with.’ Grimmer leaned in. ‘Just cause you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.’ He looked away at the sea. ‘Do you know of phantom limbs?’ India shook his head. ‘When a limb gets amputated, sometimes people get the sensation that it’s still there. They can feel it, and they can feel it working too. Well us skeletons have phantom bodies. They’re stuck to our bones same as yours are. You can’t see them nor touch them, but we got ghost skin and ghost organs all there in order, all working like a shadow of the living. Or at least pretending to.’ India swallowed. The thought was disquieting. ‘What do you really look like then?’ ‘I look like this!’ Grimmer opened his arms. ‘Hell, I don’t know what I look like anymore. I’ve known naught but these bones for too long.’ ‘How did this happen? I mean, what got you all like this? On this ship, without bodies – well, without bodies to see.’ Grimmer smiled. ‘I wondered when we’d get around to the main thrust of questioning. We’re all sailors see. Pirates, merchants, even a few from various navies. Gave our life to the sea. But when we died we made a bad deal. We sold our bodies.’ ‘You mean you sold your souls.’ ‘No, we sold our bodies. We kept our souls. All that’s left of our bodies is the bones, and the ghost essence. The soul has had enough time to get used to the form it inhabits that it stays there after the body, the physical tangible body has gone.’ ‘Who did you sell it to?’ ‘To Davy Jones, of course. Who else? In return we kept our time in this world. Not realising the cost. Not realising we’d stay here, like this, forever. Or until our bones break into tiny pieces and our spirit becomes formless and can do nothing but haunt. After the deal was done some of us dead folk wandered, and still are wandering. They are rare sights, for there aren’t too many of us that made the deal, whose bodies have lasted the wear and tear of this world. You might bump into one on land if you’re terribly lucky. Not counting Tortugal, that is – we got a little spot of our own there. Otherwise it’s a solitary existence. Not many folk want to be friends with the dead. And there ain’t much that satisfies when your body is just a ghost. The best we got is alcohol. That still has a bit of a kick left, when it’s still dripping through our bones. Alcohol and dancing.’ Grimmer sighed. ‘And that’s where the rest of us ended up. The Ship of the Dead. Picking up all the wayward selfish scurves who made the wrong choice at the end of their thieving lives. I don’t know how long it’s been sailing these seas. Nobody does. Since the beginning, perhaps. There’s no captain. The only one sailing it is all the souls of the broken-boned. Or something else entirely. Who knows how many spirits haunt this ship. Taking it from place to place.’ India was listening open-mouthed. It seemed like something out of some dark fairy tale. ‘Why do you visit Mexico Island to dance once every ten years?’ he asked. ‘Dancing and drinking’s all we have. As for ten years, well we’ve got a lot of places to visit, a lot of distant seas to sail. The ship only seems to get back round to Mexico Island after ten years. Maybe cause it’s out of the way, maybe some other reason we don’ t know. I think a few of the others take ten or so years to visit again, it’s just they’re all at different times. Other places we come to more often. We just fall into the ship’s strange routine. The dead are nothing if not consistent.’ India nodded. ‘I’ve got one more question.’ ‘Shoot.’ ‘Why are you wearing clothes?’ Grimmer laughed, a strange, clattery sound. ‘Why are you? It’s not cold. There’s little more reason to keep your body covered than ours. But there’s a lot of character in a body’s clothes. When you don’t have meat you can see on you, no real face, only a fading memory of what you used to look like, if that, then having your own clothes can do its bit to make you you. In your own eyes as in the eyes of others.’ ‘Well, shank me,’ India said, shaking his head. ‘This is all a bit much.’ Grimmer laughed again. ‘Aye, I know. Look, we’ll drop you off at the Lonely Carib Beach, that’s what we call that place we put in at Kingston. We won’t be dancing there or making much of any kind of spectacle, just sitting and wandering and skimming stones, hidden by jungle. So you can take your leave and head to the city. After that though, afraid you’re on your own.’ ‘That’s alright. Thanks. I’ll find some coin and then a ship to take me home.’ India paused. ‘Well. I don’t know. I guess I’ll see how I feel.’ ‘First time away from the parents?’ ‘My mother is dead,’ India said. ‘I never met my father.’ ‘Oh,’ Grimmer said. ‘Sorry to hear that mate. You’re in good company for now. Pretty sure all our parents are long gone.’ ‘I want to find my father,’ India said, looking down. ‘I’d put money on it,’ Grimmer said, clapping him on the back. India shivered at the touch, then looked apologetically up. Grimmer pretended like he hadn’t noticed. ‘I’ll leave you for a bit,’ he said. ‘Let you get your head in order. And I want to talk to some of the others, too.’ He got up and walked out the cabin, leaving India alone. India sat up in the hammock and put his head in the hands. Not out of upset, but to try and stop the swaying, and get to grips with the situation. He wasn’t quite ready to stand up, fearing he might instantly fall on his face. He’d tried to leave Mexico Island several times in his life, each time without success. He’d stowed away on ships and either been caught and flogged, or he’d bottled it and took off, flushed with the thrill and fear of getting that far. Last year he’d stayed until they’d weighed anchor and were out in the bay, before being discovered by the bosun. They’d shouted at him and rowed him back to the docks. He’d been thankful for it, as he’d felt a little sick from the whole deal, completely out of his depth as it were. No matter how often he might think of himself as an adventurer or a pirate, truth was he was still just a kid, and he’d lived his own life in a tiny patch of a much wider world. That was the last time he’d got anywhere, for Mrs Wayles had stepped in, letting it be known to all sailors of Eyeless and Maiden both, that nobody was to give passage to India Bones or else. Even the roughest of sailors had no desire to get on the wrong end of one of Mrs Wayles’s Or Elses, and so India found himself shipblocked as soon as he approached any one of the gangways. Even when he’d gathered enough coin for legal passage, he was turned away. ‘You’re just a babe,’ Mrs Wayles had said. ‘You think you can take on the whole world but you just can’t. Suppose the ship took you and deposited you someplace. Someplace civil even, like Kingston. Then what? How you gonna be feeding yourself? Where will you sleep? The world won’t just turn over on account of your dreams, India. It’ll master you afore you master it. Is that what your father would have wanted? Maybe one day, when you’re all grown up, and when you’re no longer under my care, you can follow in his footsteps. But right now, you just stay here and stay away from those damn docks.’ And so he’d slunk off, undecided whether to scowl or feel sorry for himself, so he’d done a bit of both. He’d never much had the patience for reading – he didn’t want to read about things, he wanted to see and experience them for himself – but year after year he’d trace his finger over maps, looking at all the places he wanted to visit, places he knew so little about but fired his imagination with their strange, foreign names and promises of mystery and adventure. The Caribbean formed the centre of the map, and was rich with opportunities. East of Mexico Island were popular places such as Kingston and J’maika, Colorado and the fabled Indiana, with its capital ‘City of Gold’ that he was named after. Not to mention pirate haven Tortugal, home to the giant mountain of Nassar (that India would one day climb). Kingston was the Caribbean hub, ruled from afar by York, and so frequently on the wrong side of pirates. The joke was that it was called such because everybody there acted like kings, they were that pompous and arrogant. York was on the Continent, which lay to the north of the Caribbean, and as large (and self-important) as the country and its neighbour Bordeaux were compared to the Caribbean islands, they were dwarfed still by the other lands of the Continent: China, the Harem Empire, and the vast Khan Wastes to their east. Then there were all the other places in the world any self-respecting adventurer would long to explore. Countries little written about, and some almost entirely unknown in India’s part of the world. The cluster of a thousand tiny islands and networked waterways that was Asia. The sprawling countries of Afrika and Barbary, and the great temples and sphynxes of Gyptia. The deep jungles of Amazonia, and the rolling grasslands and mountain ranges of Zealand to the far south. Maybe even the Northern and Southern Icelands, if he could wrap up well enough for them (he had the feeling that he wouldn’t know what cold really was until he went there). And now, here he was, on the Ship of the Dead, with a skeleton crew, and on open water. No turning back, that’s what Grimmer had told him. No turning back. India tried to quell the ache within him, but he felt his thirteen years of age keenly, and he had to take a hard grip of the hammock support to steady himself. He only took his fingers away when he became aware of them hurting, and looking at his fingertips he saw they’d been pressed white. 30th August 2016 Set Sytes Leave a comment Still going strong with India Bones. I’d say I’m about half way through, maybe more. Here’s the next little part. INDIA BONES AND THE SHIP OF THE DEAD By Set Sytes India had been watching for a full hour, and the dead were still dancing. He’d borrowed a spyglass from the white-whiskered gentleman and had it clamped tight against his eyeball, occasionally switching eyes when one grew tired. He saw the skeletons pour drink after drink down themselves, saw it slosh through the ribcages and hit the sand. Some of them ambled and shuffled, some of them jigged and cavorted, some of them linked each other by the arms and swung around, changing partners to the tune. One of them was flat on his back (India assumed it was a he, but who could really tell?), with another skeleton pouring a bottle over his skull. The pourer seemed to be laughing; at least, his jaw was open. Their grins were just lipless teeth, but somehow even without skin or muscles the expressions seemed to subtly, inexplicably change. As India glassed them, he saw them individually portray exuberant joy, mirth, relaxed appreciation, concentration (on drinking or dancing), tiredness, and total inebriation. One of them was sat facing away from the others, staring out at the waves and drawing patterns in the sand with his fingers. It might have just been bones on display, but India could see clearly they had their own personalities and emotions. These were not unthinking bogey-monsters raised from the grave to terrify and do a master’s bidding. These were people. India was thrilled that it was quiet little Eyeless, his own home town, and not the bustling port of Maiden, that received the Ship. He knew folks from Maiden who were rightly jealous. It was the Eyeless claim to fame, about the only thing they could lord it over the rest of Mexico Island with. India figured it wasn’t favouritism, the skeletons probably just didn’t want the fuss and bother of putting in on busy docks. A plain beach was all they needed. Still, seeing such an incredible and outlandish event appear in clear sight of the houses and taverns he’d grown up around, was as exciting as it was disorientating. India put his hand on the coat of the white-whiskered cove, still stood beside him. ‘You done with the spyglass?’ The man said, glancing down at him. ‘No. I mean, yes, sir,’ India murmured, still in a bit of a daze. Something had just occurred to him. ‘How long will they be here for?’ ‘Oh, quite some time if past years are anything to go by. Why?’ ‘Nobody ever joins in?’ The man looked down at him again, narrowing his brow. ‘Joins in? Of course not. It’s the dead.’ India nodded. ‘Here’s your glass back sir.’ ‘Where are you going? You can’t miss this. You know it won’t be for another decade?’ ‘I’ll be back soon.’ India stood in front of Mrs Wayles’s mirror. He was finishing painting his face. White with big black eyes, and black lines for teeth painted over his lips. A little black for the nose and cheekbones. He carefully added some of the greasepaint to his neck, and turned his attention to his hands. White fingers jointed with black. He took a step back and grinned. ‘India Bones means something now,’ he said to himself. He left the building and headed back towards the Merchant Hall. The music was loud once more, when he started to pass the groups and loners watching the dance of the dead from along the embankment, still some distance from the Hall. Most of them were too enraptured in the sight to pay him any mind, but a couple of drinking youths turned at his approach. For a second he saw them fearful, and then confused. Quickly, though, their faces turned to scorn, and a touch of pity, which for India there was nothing worse. ‘What in the hell do you look like,’ one of them said. ‘Nothing like you, thank god,’ India replied. He continued walking, not speeding up and not slowing down. ‘Are you wearing makeup?’ the other said. ‘Does it matter?’ India said. ‘Girls wear makeup,’ the first said, as India passed them. ‘Girls do a lot of things,’ India called over his shoulder. ‘And so do I.’ He left them behind, and approached the Merchant Hall. However, instead of turning to enter it from the inwards-facing front doors, he turned left along its side, walking down the embankment and onto the beach. He was by the Hall’s supports and below the level of the windows, so he knew they couldn’t see him from within. But that wouldn’t last long. He approached the dead slowly. The sand seemed to crunch under his boots. He walked with a heady bravado courtesy of the contents of Mr Bassard’s bottle, but as he neared his spirit began to falter. When his mind was begging him to turn around and run, his legs were still obeying his first command, his deeper desire to join the dance. The ice blue fire flashed in his eyes, he stumbled forward, and before he knew it he found himself with the skeletons, and they hadn’t noticed him. He stood frozen, staring, unable to go forward or back. Then he was gripped by bone, and swung, and gripped, and swung, and suddenly he was dancing with the dead. He was flung from skeleton to skeleton, feeling the bones, swung hard against ribcages, grinning skulls one after another in front of him. He found a bottle in his hand and he swigged it and let it set a fire in his throat. He was sweating, and laughing, his mind adrift as he moved to the music. The dead all around him, clutching at him, and they were laughing too, laughing and singing, dry voices that punctuated the raucous melodies and rhythmic booming of the drum. It was when the stars themselves were spinning and he thought he might pass out, that the job was done for him. A flailing arm came out of the blinding fire and hit his head like a club, and the fire diminished, and went black. Evening all. I am still waiting with infinite impatience to hear back from more agents I have sent samples of WULF to. I was kind of committed to those characters, so did quite a lot of writing ideas and bits and bobs down for the sequel, SLADE. And sequels after that sequel. But if WULF won’t be accepted, then I should probably put SLADE on the backburner (at least until the point I give up, and put WULF online). Also, sorry for all the capitalised titles. That’s just how I envisage them. Carved in stone. Or maybe just a strange man shouting them at you. So here is an idea I started ages ago, then gave up on because I wanted to write darker stuff. It’s more for a YA audience, but who knows how it’ll end up, as I often accidentally find my characters swearing, just because that’s how they talk. It’s called India Bones and the Ship of the Dead and for the life of me can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it on this blog before. It’s the first in a proposed series (stampede before you walk), starting with the protaganist aged 12, like Harry Potter. But with pirates. Not regular pirates though. This is a fantasy world, full of things you think you know but don’t, not like this, and things you don’t know about at all. Anyway, here’s the first bit. First draft, as usual. Still working out in my head the main character and how he talks. Hope you enjoy. ‘I can’t sir.’ ‘Can’t what, lad?’ ‘Can’t drink any more.’ ‘Nonsense m’boy! Why, why there’s half the bottle left!’ ‘I’m fogged sir. More than that. I’m near half steamed.’ ‘And, and boy?’ India coughed wetly and leaned forward. Mr Bassard gave him the bottle and India unsteadily poured another splash of grog into his cup. ‘Aye’, India said, raising the cup and sipping the burn. ‘Good lad.’ Mr Bassard took a deep draught and harrumphed. His big, bushy face was beetroot red and he stomped his boots on the wooden floor. He shook his head fiercely and made an indistinguishable animal noise. India sipped again and watched as Mr Bassard’s head leaned slowly back, and his eyes drifted closed. Within moments the rumbling of a hog echoed through the shack. India put down his cup and stood up, and it took a moment to convince himself that he wasn’t on a ship at sea. The floor bucked at him and he moved towards the door as if bobbing on waves. He outstretched his arm and pushed forward, misjudging the step and sprawling through the entrance onto shadowed sand and a violet, glittering night. He turned on to his back and crossed his boots before him, the buckles catching the light of the stars and the fireflies carousing in the wind. ‘Aye,’ he said again, and grinned in a very relaxed, muzzy way. Above his head he watched a great cloud sail, lit up by a full moon. He fancied that it looked like a great galleon, and within its misty embrace brawled a crew of pirates and corsairs. ‘A ship in the sky,’ Mrs Wayles would have said. ‘Well of all the things.’ India heard cavorting up ahead, coming along whatever passed for streets in the port town. He ignored them, taking them for its usual night revellers. With great effort he put his hands behind his head, and reminded himself once again that he was missing a hat. He listened to the gentle lap of waves on shore and closed his eyes to the stars. He imagined himself on that pirate ship, no longer water in the air but wood in the water. Something powerful and brooding, full of joy and adventure and the freedom of rogues. ‘Boy!’ He heard a shout as if it was right by his ears, and he jerked himself up. ‘Aye?’ he said, eyeing the band of coves standing in the sand before him. One stepped forward, a thin man with a beard to his waist. ‘You drunk lad?’ India waved his hand in the air. ‘How old are you?’ India hiccupped. ‘Thirteen.’ ‘Thirteen, by God! It’s that Mr Bassard again, ain’t he damn near set on corrupting all who get by him.’ ‘It’s not corrupting,’ said India. ‘It’s warm and fuzzy’. The man muttered to his fellows and then stepped forward and tried to pull India up. India shook him off, and said he could stand on his own, which he did so, a little clumsily. ‘What’s your name lad?’ India sighed and wondered if the day would come when he could be called Captain, and not boy or lad. ‘The name’s India Bones. If it pleases you,’ he added, with more than an ounce of sarcasm. ‘Bones?’ The man’s eye furrowed. One of the others, a fool in striped pantaloons, whispered something in his ear. ‘Oh, aye,’ the man said. ‘It’s you. Mrs Wayles’s boy.’ ‘I suppose.’ ‘The orphan,’ said the fool. India narrowed his eyes. ‘No. My father ain’t dead.’ ‘Where is he?’ India didn’t say anything. The thin man with the long beard put his hands on his hips impatiently. ‘Well, come on with us. You don’t want to miss this.’ ‘What is it?’ ‘Where have you been lad? It’s the dance of the dead.’ ‘Oh.’ India’s fog seemed to clear somewhat and his eyes brightened. ‘All right, I’m coming. Where is it?’ ‘It’ll be yonder, by the docks as always.’ The man shifted his pointed finger. ‘You see the blackness of the horizon?’ ‘I sure do. It’s night.’ ‘The boy’s got lip. Look, that ain’t no natural darkness. See how it seems to pull the waves in. Like some black hole of a line stretching out – but not all the way. See how it stops after a while, on both its sides?’ India nodded. Now he looked, he saw that there was a stripe of utter blackness that sucked in the sky and waters around it. But it was not the horizon, for it occupied only part of it, and beyond its reach was a dark, dark blue. ‘That’s the coming of them,’ the man said. ‘Once every ten years. You won’t remember them last, you’d of been just a babe. The Ship of the Dead. All the way from God-knows-where to Eyeless, Mexico Island, right to our golden doorstep.’ He had a wistful look in his eye, and added, ‘They come to dance.’ India stood looking out the windows of the Merchant Hall. It was a large, swarthy building, the hub of the port, where all the commonfolk and nobles alike came to trade, dally and gossip. He was clustered on all sides by others, all craning their necks at the windows that looked out on the docks. There was a hubbub of excitable chatter, punctuated with words like ‘bones’ and ‘skeletons’. ‘Don’t be scared lad,’ said a tall, white-whiskered gentleman at his shoulder, leaning down to speak in his ear. India flinched as the man’s breath blew into him. ‘I ain’t scared sir,’ he said. ‘No?’ said the man. ‘I would be. Only a fool is fearless.’ India paused to take this in. He looked out at the sea shining black and smoky. It looked like the clouds had sunk down from the heavens and were writhing on a rolling expanse of tar. The truth was that he was afraid. He didn’t know what to expect, and everyone seemed tense and nervous and all the rushed talk around him made it hard to stay focused. It was always easy to get carried away in crowds. He wondered what each person’s individual reactions to the event would be if they weren’t letting their emotions be used as a mere component of a noisy, irrational mass. Still, this event was irrational. He had led a fairly ordinary life, for an unholy rascal, as some had dubbed him. Wandering, idle mischiefs, odd jobs and courier work (he called them ‘missions’) for petty gold to squander or lose, some light thievery perhaps (but only when he was hungry, or when it was plain irresistible). The port towns of Eyeless and Maiden, the shanty sprawl of Rug, even the capital of Mohawk, he figured he’d seen enough to say he’d seen it all. The island had never seemed big enough for him. At aged thirteen he already felt he knew it inside and out, and it bored him. But then there was this – this once a decade wonder of the supernatural. Yes, he was afraid, but more than that he was tense with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see them. The smoking black line rolled forward, taking over the sea and the sky in its approach. Fog stole onto the shore, and soon most of the beach was invisible. And out of the fog there came a long, slow, horn, and as it cut short there came the unmistakeable creaking of ship masts. The mist rolled back, as though someone were sweeping it away with a broom. The blackness dissipated, and the beach lay clear and dark gold before them. Anchored in the bay was a grey and white ship, and pulling up to the shoreline were three boats full of the dead. India barely heard the intake of gasps around him. The older folk, who had seen it once or more before, kept a reverent silence. India himself was struck dumb. His usually indolent eyes were as wide as he’d ever had them, and he dared not blink for fear that the whole scene would evaporate as a dream does upon waking. The Ship of the Dead! Real magic! The Merchant Hall was a house of statues as every man, woman and child in there watched the dead leave their boats and crowd together on the beach. They were no corpses, no rotting figures, but bare skeletons all, clothed in pirate and sailor dress. They dumped crates from the boats and pulled out bottles, handing them round. One of them started a fire – India couldn’t see how, but it rose up quickly, with an ice blue flame. Instruments were brought forth, a fiddle, a guitar and a drum, and the music began. Ethereal lines from the violin, mournful and haunting at first, and then imperial with the pound of the drum: a death march. Then the guitar strummed, and the fiddler and the drummer and the rest were all grins, and the music shifted to one of enchanting, excitable delight. They began to dance. Author and purveyor of all things dark and weird WULF India Bones The Fifth Place Book 3: VOLSYNG now available! WULF and SLADE soundtrack Moral Zero Black Pine Falls The Fifth Place VOLSYNG The Violet Dark Ianthine Interviews Archives Select Month August 2019 June 2019 April 2019 March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 September 2015 August 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 All written content is copyrighted to Set Sytes. Permission to reproduce said content is not granted. The content contained on this site should not be considered as the finished articles.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340215
__label__cc	0.693754	0.306246	C. Gall, S. Schmidt, M.P. Schittkowski, A. Antal, G. Ambrus, W. Paulus, M. Dannhauer, R. Michalik, A. Mante, M. Bola, A. Lux, S. Kropf, S.A. Brandt, B.A. Sabel. “Alternating Current Stimulation for Vision Restoration after Optic Nerve Damage: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” In PLOS ONE, Vol. 11, No. 6, Public Library of Science, pp. e0156134. June, 2016. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156134 Vision loss after optic neuropathy is considered irreversible. Here, repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS) was applied in partially blind patients with the goal of activating their residual vision. We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial in an ambulatory setting with daily application of rtACS (n = 45) or sham-stimulation (n = 37) for 50 min for a duration of 10 week days. A volunteer sample of patients with optic nerve damage (mean age 59.1 yrs) was recruited. The primary outcome measure for efficacy was super-threshold visual fields with 48 hrs after the last treatment day and at 2-months follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were near-threshold visual fields, reaction time, visual acuity, and resting-state EEGs to assess changes in brain physiology. The rtACS-treated group had a mean improvement in visual field of 24.0% which was significantly greater than after sham-stimulation (2.5%). This improvement persisted for at least 2 months in terms of both within- and between-group comparisons. Secondary analyses revealed improvements of near-threshold visual fields in the central 5° and increased thresholds in static perimetry after rtACS and improved reaction times, but visual acuity did not change compared to shams. Visual field improvement induced by rtACS was associated with EEG power-spectra and coherence alterations in visual cortical networks which are interpreted as signs of neuromodulation. Current flow simulation indicates current in the frontal cortex, eye, and optic nerve and in the subcortical but not in the cortical regions. rtACS treatment is a safe and effective means to partially restore vision after optic nerve damage probably by modulating brain plasticity. This class 1 evidence suggests that visual fields can be improved in a clinically meaningful way.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340219
__label__wiki	0.982431	0.982431	Outlander hunk Sam Heughan spotted at a SPIN class in Glasgow city centre THE Scottish hunk, who plays Jamie Fraser in the Starz time-travel series, was reportedly seen at Glasgow's Caledonian University today. OUTLANDER hunk Sam Heughan has reportedly been spotted at a SPIN class in Glasgow. The Scottish hunk, who plays Jamie Fraser in the Starz time-travel series, was seen at Glasgow's Caledonian University. A woman in the class told the Evening Times: "He was just like everyone else and I doubt many people knew who he was. "I watch the show and love it which is why I spotted him." Sam was back in Glasgow last week filming a fight scene between Jamie Fraser and Black Jack Randall for Outlander season two. The city's Pollok Country Park joined a growing list of Scottish locations used for filming the hit TV series after it was turned into a 1700s-themed set. The cast and crew were filming the much anticipated encounter between Jamie Fraser and Black Jack Randall, following their dramatic confrontation in the finale of the show's first season. Take a look at pictures from the shoot below. The second season of Outlander, which is based on Diana Gabaldon 's second novel Dragonfly in Amber, will see Jamie and Claire Fraser continue their story in France. The Frasers will attempt to change the course of history in Paris as they attempt to stop the Jacobite rising by seeking out Bonnie Prince Charlie. Look back on the first season of Outlander by clicking through the picture gallery below. Which Outlander Character Are You? Plus, check out our exclusive interview with author Diana, who discusses kilts, sex appeal and her army of fans. You can also test your Outlander knowledge with our quiz and get all the latest Outlander news here . In pictures: Why Outlander star Sam Heughan is taking the world by storm OUTLANDER has been scooping numerous awards and Scottish actor Sam Heughan is one of the main reasons behind the show's success. Outlander star Sam Heughan hails fans after being named RadioTimes Sci-Fi Champion 2015	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340220
__label__cc	0.653716	0.346284	SCP Series » Series V Tales Series IV » Series IV Tales » Series III Tales » Series II Tales » Series I Tales Foundation Tales CreepyPasta Archive User-Curated Lists Joke SCPs » Joke SCPs Tales Explained SCPs » Explained SCPs Tales GoI Formats Audio Adaptations SCP Artwork Hub Groups of Interest Anomalous Items Extranormal Events Unexplained Locations SCP Global International Translation Archive SCP基金会(-CN) SCP Polska Filia(-PL) SCP Deutschland(-DE) Lusófona Branch(-PT/BR) Object Classes Personnel Dossier Security & Clearance Secure Facilities Guide Hub Criticism Policy Licensing Guide Deletions Guidelines User Curated Lists Artwork Hub Canon Hub How to Write an SCP SCP by Series I \| II \| III \| IV \| V SCP Tales by Series SCP Library International SCP Hub Top Rated New Pages Newly Created Pages Random SCP \| Tale Recent Changes \| Edits Lowest Rated Pages Guides & Essays SCP Community Join the Site! Forum \| New Posts Authors' Pages Site News Hub Policy Hub Sandbox Site SCP-2027 / Discussion Forum » Per Page Discussions / Per page discussions » SCP-2027 Started by: Wikidot Date: 08 May 2014 02:46 Number of posts: 69 RSS: New posts This is the discussion related to the wiki page SCP-2027. Unfold All Fold All More Options Lock Thread Move Thread page 1 of 41234next » Chubert 08 May 2014 02:48 Neutral vote. There is a lot that could be done with this idea…some of which already has be done, so you might be treading into overused territory, but it's better that there be overused content than any content at all. The article isn't very interesting, but not uninteresting enough for me to downvote. The writing is competent-ish, or at least nothing stood out to me as a glaring error. How does the Foundation know that this is an organism? How are we getting a good enough picture of this thing to tell that it looks like a Man'o'war? Unfold by Chubert, 08 May 2014 02:48 DrLucan 08 May 2014 02:50 It doesn't look like a Man O' War, it's biology is similar to one, being made out of several zooids. We don't have a good enough image to tell exactly what it looks like, just that it is made up of several zooids. Last edited on 08 May 2014 02:51 by DrLucan Show more Unfold by DrLucan, 08 May 2014 02:50 Cosmonauts 07 Jan 2017 04:33 Honestly, you can never make something "original", or something that will make old timers happy. They will always say: "Its been done before." "Stale idea." "Cliche." "Too many of these SCP's." "Good writing, as for originality, not good." They'll also probably say something along the lines of "Its not clinical enough." Unfold by Cosmonauts, 07 Jan 2017 04:33 ProcyonLotor 07 Jan 2017 04:37 Considering that I've been here some five years, and I see unique and original shit posted all the time, this is utter bull. Unfold by ProcyonLotor, 07 Jan 2017 04:37 Zyn 07 Jan 2017 04:42 What even is an old timer anymore? Unfold by Zyn, 07 Jan 2017 04:42 Cosmonauts 26 Mar 2017 06:39 Old Timer refers to someone who has been involved in a certain position for a long period of time who believes they are an "Elite" of sorts, thinking they have knowledge of everything, and that they are somehow superior than newer users. For example, I was an Old Timer of various Garrys Mod servers, Forum Groups, and writing groups. The Writing Group is what made me an "old timer" class individual, constantly believing I was above newer members. The Forum Group only solidified this belief, making me have the mindset that I was a dictator of sorts. I was promoted to a Moderator of the group, which boosted my ego, making me feel even more like the Leader, and considering I was the last "Oldie" member left, I felt like I was the supreme master of the group. The group died off shortly after. Everyone moved on to more productive things. I did too, and I really regret falling into that kind of mindset. TL:DR, an Old Timer means someone who thinks just because they have stayed in a position longer than you means that they are always going to be superior to you in every single way. Unfold by Cosmonauts, 26 Mar 2017 06:39 Wilhelm Klink 08 May 2014 03:07 Ah space cow, I remember thee from the draft forums. Seems like an alright idea. It's just bland cuz ya know, it's just a space cow. There's nothing really compelling about it. I did sense some room for expansion in the end. The idea of them being intergalactic wildebeest moving about, feeding on radiation. Unfold by Wilhelm Klink, 08 May 2014 03:07 I think I have a new record. Only 2 Downvotes in 30 minutes! Crisis mode! Quick! I need to make it better! Suggestions? higans 08 May 2014 04:11 These are a few suggestions that i think will make the SCP better. The first one is minor, but you should make it much closer to earth (one light year is to far for something that small). Next, it needs to have a reason to be contained beyond the fact that the public can't know about it. Your SCP really cant be Keter based on what it is right now. nothing stands out about it, maybe add some twist on the fact that it is a giant space jellyfish (though, i think your idea has potential). Those are just the things that can improve it, i actually got slightly scared when i read through. also the concept is not bad (albeit slightly cliche). but still i liked it. +1! Last edited on 08 May 2014 04:13 by higans Show more Unfold by higans, 08 May 2014 04:11 dankaar 08 May 2014 03:13 It doesn't pose an immediate threat to anything but normalcy as written. Therefore, it is Euclid at best, not Keter. How fast does this thing move? It should only be approximately one LY away from us if that was its closest point. Otherwise, it'd be moving at extremely high velocities. Regardless, it should only use it's jets to make course corrections; Newton's Laws will keep it going otherwise. How did we find it? If it measures only several hundred kilometers in any single direction, we can't see it if it's a light year away. It's simply too small. How did we confirm that it's made of zooids, if we can only observe it with telescopes? How do we know a GRB hit it? Just because we detect one occurring about the same time it started spinning, it doesn't mean that the two are linked in any way. Finally… why should I care about this Space Jellyfish? What's the story? Downvote. Unfold by dankaar, 08 May 2014 03:13 You should care about it for the same reason you care about a statue that moves when you're not looking. You aren't supposed to. I guess I should remind everyone that this isn't NASA. This isn't Space X. This is The SCP Foundation. The most powerful organization on the planet. If you can contain nearly 3,000 SCP's, keep the world from being obliterated, and manage all of those said sites without the public having much knowledge about it, then you can also probably build some great telescopes. Hell, they have a machine that can completely replenish the population (SCP-2000), so I wouldn't doubt any of the Foundations capability. dankaar 09 Jan 2017 14:54 Here's a relevent post I made later on, and this one too that discusses in detail some issues with the SCP that was made after it was posted (and has since changed.) Long story short, if the Foundation has telescopes to see this thing that's outside of our solar system, containment of any SCP should be a non-issue because the tech level of the Foundation is simply that advanced. Last edited on 09 Jan 2017 14:59 by dankaar Show more Unfold by dankaar, 09 Jan 2017 14:54 Anaxagoras 08 May 2014 04:26 One light year away? And we're observing it with fine enough detail to get that much about its biology? Hell, we're able to observe a small nonreflective object at all? Given that this thing would take millennia to get to Earth, if it were even trying to, and is probably only observable using anomalous technology to begin with, I'm not sure why this as much as Euclid. For that matter, why it's even an SCP at all, rather than just a weird thing the Foundation assigns one guy to keep an eye on. And how can we possibly tell changes in velocity of less than 100 m/s? That's basically nothing. This thing is a hundred kilometers across. 100 m/s is a change in velocity of one body length every three hours. Unfold by Anaxagoras, 08 May 2014 04:26 Smapti 08 May 2014 04:42 This could use a little polishing, but I like it. It's short without being too short and it has just enough "Huh, that's interesting" in it to make me want to know more. Also, I never knew before that an individual man o' war was in fact more than one discrete organism, and any SCP that actually teaches me something can't be all bad. Last edited on 08 May 2014 04:43 by Smapti Show more Unfold by Smapti, 08 May 2014 04:42 Communism will win 08 May 2014 07:36 Why should I care? It's just an alien thing off in space doing something. Unfold by Communism will win, 08 May 2014 07:36 What, that's not enough? "An alien thing off in space doing something" is by the very merit of its existence a major challenge to everything that non-anomalous science knows to be true. I dunno. It's pretty easy to envision a spaceborne organism. I doubt it would be as active as this, or likely to leave a solar system, but I don't see anything inherently impossible about it. Po-ta-to 08 May 2014 08:43 Sorry, this doesn’t do it for me. What’s the hook? I really wanna like this, the idea of a zooid space shuttle is kinda cool, but it just doesn’t do anything. Unfold by Po-ta-to, 08 May 2014 08:43 Hook added. orexis 08 May 2014 09:09 I had to downvote when i read: it is impossible to contain physical containment may not be possible, but keeping it out of public record and use of disinformation is a form of containment. SCP-2027 was upgraded to Keter at this time. but its still Euclid. it would probably be better if you mentioned a reasonable distance that would result in a reclassification, or alternatively if more instances of 2027 where spotted. Other than that I like the idea a lot. Unfold by orexis, 08 May 2014 09:09 much better! +1 from me. I think some of the others may be after a bit more of a hook, possible some side effect witnessed to planets / starts / other celestial objects that are close to 2027 A Random Day 08 May 2014 10:30 So… it is a giant jellyfish made up of smaller jellyfish? As far as things go, this article is kind of dull. Nothing actually happens with this organism. It's just floating off in space. It's important to note that 1 light year is almost 10 trillion kilometers, and almost a quarter of the distance to our next closest star Alpha Centauri. With this distance, calling it Keter or even Euclid seems unnecessary. There needs to be something else to justify its classification or it needs to be lowered. Gamma Ray Burst should not be capitalized. Don't capitalize the second article A in Addendum 2. Say that the mass of matter was designated SCP-2027-1 instead of putting it in parentheses(which, should also not be capitalized). Unfold by A Random Day, 08 May 2014 10:30 /forum/t-858957/scp-2027#post- Edit Tags Discuss (26) History Files Print Site tools + Options Wayward Society Sandbox Even secret societies need to draft. SCP Explained Simplify, Condense, Paraphrase	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340221
__label__cc	0.585678	0.414322	At this time of year, when I leave the air conditioning of my apartment, step into the relentless Paraguayan summer heat and look down at my shirt 3.2 seconds later to find it soaked with sweat, my mind quickly wanders to fantasies of Canadian winter. Now, after a recent day hike, those fantasies will take me directly to the frosted treetops and ice-walls of Johnston Canyon. To escape our daughter and truly experience the Rockies during winter, Dani and I dumped our daughter with her wonderful grandparents and headed to Banff National Park. It had recently snowed, and our total lack of mountain-experience was clear even before we realized it ourselves: we drove the Corolla instead of taking the Tacoma with four-wheel drive to “save on gas”. Rookie mistake! After taking the exit to the canyon, Dani and I became increasingly concerned at the state of the unplowed roads. We saw no other vehicles, but we decided that the ruts in the snow were adequate to press ahead. There was no point in turning around after driving for almost two hours to get here. As we plunged further down the unplowed backroad that led to the Johnston Canyon trailhead, we changed our minds. I searched for a place where I could turn around without getting stuck in powder that was about a foot-deep outside of the safety of our road-ruts. No such option presented itself. As we noticed that we had no cell-service, our tension mounted. As our wheels slid and spun with every slight turn, I had increasingly morbid nightmares of slowly freezing to death on the side of the road while waiting vainly for aid. Hyperbole of course… However, as we finally turned into the trailhead parking, we both breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Maybe this would be worth it after all! Our apocalyptic visions of a vehicular disaster quickly faded as we suited up and hiked into a scene that felt straight out of a winter-postcard. The fresh snowfall that made our drive into the canyon so difficult made the trek itself magical. The snow-frosted the trees and blanketed the path. The muted silence of winter reigned as we struggled and panted through knee-deep snow towards the waterfall. Johnston Canyon is one of the busiest attractions in the Canadian Rockies but, on the trek in at least, we had the trail to ourselves. I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors during the Canadian winter, but I’ve never seen winter quite so picturesque! I’ll let a few photos speak for themselves rather than pattering on vainly in a futile attempt to describe the indescribable, but, suffice it to say that, when I stand sweating uncontrollably in the Paraguayan heat, I’ll be dreaming of the snowy wonderland that is Johnston Canyon. I am not a huge hockey fan. I haven’t avidly followed the NHL since late high school and, until a few nights ago, I hadn’t watched a full game of hockey since moving to Bangladesh. I seem to be a poor excuse for a Canadian. However, it seems that every time the Olympics roll around, I suddenly take a keen interest in the welfare of the Canadian team. One of the proudest, most patriotic moments of my life occurred during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics while watching the gold medal game that pitted the United States against Canada. When Sydney Crosby scored the game-winning goal in overtime, I broke down into an exuberant, gleeful, blubbering, patriotic mess. I have never cried such quantities of happy tears in my entire life. The whole country went nuts with and I was so proud to be Canadian! Fast-forward to last Sunday, when I watched (with the most welcome company of my little sister Kayla and droves of other Canucks) Canada beat Sweden 3-0 in the comfort of the Canadian Embassy recreational club here in Dhaka. While the game wasn’t even close, the first period was a little dicey and the communal excitement at each of Canada’s three points was heartwarming. I haven’t been that stoked in a long time. Watching the gold medal game in Bangladesh, where cricket is king, reminded me just how much ice hockey serves to unify the diverse country of Canada into a single identity. The fact that almost half of all Canadians watched the game against Sweden speaks to the massive importance that hockey plays in the lives of Canadians…even those living in Dhaka. I can’t wait to see where I'll the next Winter Olympics!	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340224
__label__wiki	0.667679	0.667679	IMPERIAL TELECOMMUNICATION artwork by Darrell K. Sweet As David Gerrold puts it, when it comes to interstellar empires Control depends upon communication. If you are keeping your novel constrained to realistic physics, it is not fair to exceed the speed of light. No FTL starships and no Ansibles. Which will more or less limit your empire to the bounds of the Solar System because of timelag. Travel and communication with with other stars will take years to decades to hundreds of thousands of years to arrive. Communication within the orbit of Neptune will be at a maximum travel time of about 8 hours (though that can increase to up to two years if you decide to include the Oort cloud). No way around it: a galactic empire is going to need FTL starships and/or FTL communication. As a vague general rule, figure that the maximum time allowed to send a message from the central capital to a colony on the rim of the empire should be no more than about 15 weeks. This is about the lag-time of the old Mongol Empire. So the radius of the empire and the speed of the courier starships or superluminal radio should be adjusted so the results is 15 weeks or less. INFORMATION TRANSFER In telecommunications, information transfer is the process of moving messages containing user information from a source to a sink via a Communication channel. In this sense, information transfer is equivalent to data transmission which highlights more practical, technical aspects. The information transfer rate may or may not be equal to the transmission modulation rate. Bidirectional information transfer is called information exchange. From the Wikipedia entry for INFORMATION TRANSFER LIMITS OF COMMUNICATION It was a little easier to remember the Hruntan Empire, since it was of much more recent vintage than the Hamiltonians; but there was less to remember. The outer margins of exploration had spawned gimcrack empires by the dozen in the days when Earth seemed to be losing her grip. Alois Hrunta had merely been the most successful of the would-be emperors of space. His territory had expanded as far as the limits of communication would allow an absolute autocracy to spread, and then had been destroyed almost before he was assassinated, broken into duchies by his squabbling sons. Eventually the duchies fell in their turn to the nominal but irresistible authority of Earth, leaving, as the Hamiltonians had left, a legacy of a few remote colonies—worlds where a dead dream was served with meaningless pomp. Dismissing Carrel, Amalfi went to his office, where he took the flexible plastic dust cover off a little-used instrument: the Dirac transmitter. It was the only form of communication which the Hruntans—and, of course, the Hamiltonians—did not have; the want of it had cost them an empire, for it operated instantaneously over any distance. Amalfi thrust a cigar absently between his teeth and sent out a call for the captain of police. From EARTHMAN, COME HOME by (1953) TIMELAG 1 The Rama Committee was still manageably small, though doubtless that would soon be rectified. His six colleagues—the UP representatives for Mercury, Earth, Luna, Ganymede, Titan and Triton—were all present in the flesh. They had to be; electronic diplomacy was not possible over solar system distances. Some elder statesmen, accustomed to the instantaneous communications which Earth had long taken for granted, had never reconciled themselves to the fact that radio waves took minutes, or even hours, to journey across the gulfs between the planets. ‘Can’t you scientists do something about it?’ they had been heard to complain bitterly, when told that face-to-face conversation was impossible between Earth and any of its remoter children. Only the Moon had that barely acceptable one-and-a-half-second delay—with all the political and psychological consequences which it implied. Because of this fact of astronomical life, the Moon—and only the Moon—would always be a suburb of Earth. From RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA by Arthur C. Clarke (1973) The velocity of light is the ultimate speed limit, being part of the very structure of space and time. Within the narrow confines of the solar system, it will not handicap us too severely, once we have accepted the delays in communication which it involves. At the worst, these will amount to eleven hours—the time it takes a radio signal to span the orbit of Pluto, the outermost planet. Between the three inner worlds Earth, Mars, and Venus, it will never be more than twenty minutes—not enough to interfere seriously with commerce or administration, but more than sufficient to shatter those personal links of sound or vision that can give us a sense of direct contact with friends on Earth, wherever they may be. It is when we move out beyond the confines of the solar system that we come face to face with an altogether new order of cosmic reality. Even today, many otherwise educated men—like those savages who can count to three but lump together all numbers beyond four—cannot grasp the profound distinction between solar and stellar space. The first is the space enclosing our neighboring worlds, the planets; the second is that which embraces those distant suns, the stars. And it is literally millions of times greater. There is no such abrupt change of scale in terrestrial affairs. To obtain a mental picture of the distance to the nearest star, as compared with the distance to the nearest planet, you must imagine a world in which the closest object to you is only five feet away—and then there is nothing else to see until you have traveled a thousand miles. Many conservative scientists, appalled by these cosmic gulfs, have denied that they can ever be crossed. Some people never learn; those who sixty years ago scoffed at the possibility of flight, and ten (even five!) years ago laughed at the idea of travel to the planets, are now quite sure that the stars will always be beyond our reach. And again they are wrong, for they have failed to grasp the great lesson of our age—that if something is possible in theory, and no fundamental scientific laws oppose its realization, then sooner or later it will be achieved. One day—it may be in this century, or it may be a thousand years from now—we shall discover a really efficient means of propelling our space vehicles. Every technical device is always developed to its limit (unless it is superseded by something better) and the ultimate speed for spaceships is the velocity of light. They will never reach that goal, but they will get very close to it. And then the nearest star will be less than five years voyaging from Earth. Our exploring ships will spread outward from their home over an ever-expanding sphere of space. It is a sphere which will grow at almost—but never quite—the speed of light. five years to the triple system of Alpha Centauri, ten to that strangely matched doublet Sirius A and B, eleven to the tantalizing enigma of 61 Cygni, the first star suspected of possessing a planet. These journeys are long, but they are not impossible. Man has always accepted whatever price was necessary for his explorations and discoveries, and the price of space is time. Even voyages which may last for centuries or millenniums will one day be attempted. Suspended animation, an undoubted possibility, may be the key to interstellar travel. Self-contained cosmic arks which will be tiny traveling worlds in their own right may be another solution, for they would make possible journeys of unlimited extent, lasting generation after generation. The famous time dilation effect predicted by the theory of relativity, whereby time appears to pass more slowly for a traveler moving at almost the speed of light, may be yet a third. And there are others. With so many theoretical possibilities for interstellar flight, we can be sure that at least one will be realized in practice. Remember the history of the atomic bomb; there were three different ways in which it could be made, and no one knew which was best. So they were all tried—and they all worked. Looking far into the future, therefore, we must picture a slow (little more than half a billion miles an hour!) expansion of human activities outward from the solar system, among the suns scattered across the region of the Galaxy in which we now find ourselves. These suns are on the average five light-years apart; in other words, we can never get from one to the next in less than five years. To bring home what this means, let us use a down-to-earth analogy. Imagine a vast ocean, sprinkled with islands—some desert, others perhaps inhabited. On one of these islands an energetic race has just discovered the art of building ships. It is preparing to explore the ocean, but must face the fact that the very nearest island is five years’ voyaging away, and that no possible improvement in the technique of shipbuilding will ever reduce this time. In these circumstances (which are those in which we will soon find ourselves) what could the islanders achieve? After a few centuries, they might have established colonies on many of the nearby islands, and have briefly explored many others. The daughter colonies might themselves have sent out further pioneers, and so a kind of chain reaction would spread the original culture over a steadily expanding area of the ocean. But now consider the effects of the inevitable, unavoidable time lag. There could be only the most tenuous contact between the home island and its offspring. Returning messengers could report what had happened on the nearest colony—five years ago. They could never bring information more up to date than that, and dispatches from the more distant parts of the ocean would be from still further in the past—perhaps centuries behind the times. There would never be news from the other islands, but only history. No oceanic Alexander or Caesar could ever establish an empire beyond his own coral reef; he would be dead before his orders reached his governors. Any form of control or administration over other islands would be utterly impossible, and all parallels from our own history thus cease to have any meaning. It is for this reason that the popular science-fiction stories of interstellar empires and intrigues become pure fantasies, with no basis in reality. Try to imagine how the War of Independence would have gone if news of Bunker Hill had not arrived in England until Disraeli was Victoria’s prime minister, and his urgent instructions on how to deal with the situation had reached America during President Eisenhower’s second term. Stated in this way, the whole concept of interstellar administration or culture is seen to be an absurdity. All the star-borne colonies of the future will be independent, whether they wish it or not. Their liberty will be inviolably protected by time as well as space. They must go their own way and achieve their own destiny, with no help or hindrance from Mother Earth. At this point, we will move the discussion on to a new level and deal with an obvious objection. Can we be sure that the velocity of light is indeed a limiting factor? So many “impassable” barriers have been shattered in the past; perhaps this one may go the way of all the others. We will not argue the point, or give the reasons scientists believe that light can never be outraced by any form of radiation or any material object. Instead, let us assume the contrary and see just where it gets us. From SPACE, THE UNCONQUERABLE by Arthur C. Clarke (1962) "But as for the continents, sir, why, I thought you would know. Nyanza has none. Altla is just a medium-sized island. Otherwise there are only rocks and reefs, submerged at double high tide, or even at Loa high." "Oh, I knew," said flandry reassuringly. "I just wanted to be sure you knew." He turned off the receiver and sat thinking. Damn those skimpy pilot's manuals! He'd have had to go to Spica for detailed information. If only there were a faster-than-light equivalent of radio. Instant communications unified planets; but the days and weeks and months between stars let their systems drift culturally apart—let hell brew for years, unnoticed till it boiled over—made a slow growth of feudalism, within the Imperial structure itself, inevitable. Of course, that would give civilization something to fall back on when the Long Night finally came. From THE GAME OF GLORY by Poul Anderson (1958) “We were right about Noranaga. He was the one dissenting vote, by the way. He’s giving a deposition to a Senate probe tomorrow.” “What probe?” “Command attenuation.” “I haven’t heard about that one.” “It’s new. There was some agitation for hearings along those lines when we got kicked out of Arcturus last year. Your…um…independence at Eta Boötis kind of brought things to a head.” While Koenig hadn’t heard of a specific Senate probe into the topic, he knew well what command attenuation was. The basic theory was taught at the Academy and accepted as holy writ throughout the hierarchy of naval command. It stated, essentially, that the limitations imposed on communications by the speed of light severely restricted the ability of the highest command levels—the Senate in Columbus and the Supreme Military Command Staff on Mars—to manage both strategy and diplomacy through the Fleet. It took three weeks under Alcubierre Drive to reach Eta Boötis, another three weeks to return. There were special high-velocity courier ships that could make the voyage faster—a week or two, perhaps—but the fact remained that by the time the Senate had learned of a threat at Eta Boötis and dispatched a carrier battlegroup to deal with it, the 1MEF (1st Marine Expeditionary Force) had been pinned down and was under siege. Armchair strategists on Earth or Mars had no chance of managing a battle light years distant, and word of defeats or victories by Earth forces could take weeks or months to get back home. The Navy had accepted command attenuation as a fact of life, and trained its command officers to operate with a high degree of autonomy, making both military and political decisions that could easily have a strong effect on life and politics back in the solar system. The problem was that, by long tradition, the military was supposed to be subservient to the civilian government. If the military became too independent in its thinking and operation, civilian oversight and control would be lost. The farther away a fleet or battlegroup was operating, the less control the Senate Military Directorate had over it—command attenuation in action. Political liaisons like John Quintanilla were the Senate’s answer to the problem, an attempt to put someone into the fleet command structure who represented the political interests of the Senate. Deployed fleet commanders like Koenig despised the idea; political liaisons by their very nature complicated already complex missions, and that could translate as higher losses, quite possibly defeat. Political liaisons rarely had the military training that let them see a developing situation through the strategic and tactical training and experience of a command officer. From EARTH STRIKE by William H. Keith, Jr. (under pseudonym Ian Douglas) (2010) FTL Messaging TWO INVENTIONS I am an optimist; anyone interested in the future has to be, otherwise he would simply shoot himself. I believe that communications satellites can unite mankind. Let me remind you that this great country was virtually created one hundred years ago by two inventions. Without them, the United States was impossible; with them, it was inevitable. Those inventions were, of course, the railroad and the electric telegraph. From SATELLITES AND SARIS by Arthur C. Clarke (1971) The three main ways communication methods used in various science fiction universes are: Communication by faster-than-light radio Communication by faster-than-light courier starships Faster-than-light radar detection of hostile star fleets If the science fiction author is postulating the existence of either FTL travel and/or FTL communications things get more complicated. Does FTL travel exist yes/no? Does FTL communication exist yes/no? And if both FTL travel and FTL communication exists, which if either is faster? And faster by how many orders of magnitude? The answer to these questions will have major implications to your science fiction universe in general and your galactic empire in specific. If you have both and both have the same speed, which one you will use will depend upon whether you want to move matter or move information. As I mentioned before, the maximum speed of starships and the maximum speed of communications limits the maximum size of the empire. If the travel time of the intel and the travel time of the armed response is too high a total, the Empire will not be able to prevent a rebellious planet on the rim from leaving the empire. This is assuming that the travel time increases with the distance, all bets are off if you have something weird like instantaneous communication. Bandwidth is important as well. The Capital will have the data to make a reasoned policy if you can transmit to them several terabytes of situational reports, not so much if all you can send is a 140 character tweet. COMMUNICATION IN STAR TREK In sum—“Hornblower in Space." Just as Captain Horatio Hornblower was the highest representative of English law in the far waters in which he sailed. so would Captain James T. Kirk of the Enterprise be the highest legal representative of Starfleet Command in the far reaches of the galaxy. He would be explorer, ambassador, soldier. and peacekeeper. He would be the sole arbiter of Federation law wherever he traveled —he would be a law unto himself. The implication here is that there are no other channels of interstellar communication. At least, none as fast as the Enterprise. Let's examine this for a moment, because it's essential to understanding the STAR TREK format. Captain Kirk is an autonomous power. Purely from a television point of view, he must be an autonomous power—otherwise the series lacks drama and he lacks interest. If Kirk could check back with Starfleet Command every time he was in trouble. he would never have any conflicts at all. He would simply be a crewman following orders. He wouldn't be an explorer or an ambassador at all—just the Captain of the local gunboat on the scene. For Kirk to be a dramatic and interesting human being. he must be wholly responsible for his own actions as a representative of the Federation. As such, every decision he has to make becomes an important one. Fortunately, the exigencies of space travel—especially faster-than-light travel—support this kind of dramatic concept. We must make one assumption, though—that faster-than-light travel is possible. This is the basic assumption of STAR TREK: that man can reach the stars. It is the only assumption we need to make, but it is the hook on which the whole series (and much of science fiction. in general) hangs. Without faster-than-light travel, we are stuck in our own solar system—and that's too much of a limitation for our storytellers. Why should we deny ourselves a background as broad and irresistible as a whole galaxy—or a universe? Science fiction is the contemporary fairy tale, it's the twentieth-century morality play. At its worst. it's merely romantic escapism; but at its best, it is the postulation of an alternate reality with which to contemplate this one. Strictly from a dramatic point of view, we need the assumption of faster-than-light velocities. It is as necessary to the genre as the assumption that miracles can happen is necessary to the artistic success of a medieval religious pageant. (In either case, the implication is optimism about the workings of the universe.) Despite the fact that almost everything we know about the workings of the universe suggests that it is impossible to achieve the speed of light or velocities faster than that. we can still make the assumption. We are violating Einstein's Theory of Relativity, as well as the vast body of scientific knowledge that backs it up, but we can make the assumption. Not just for dramatic reasons, but for scientific ones as well. You see. if it is possible to travel faster than light, the method will not be discovered by anyone who has already decided that it is impossible. Rather, the discovery will require a man who assumes that it is possible, and who will speculate at length on the conditions necessary to achieve such. In fact. this is how the hypothesis of the tachyon was arrived at—a tachyon. if it exists, is a particle that cannot travel at less than the speed of light, only faster. If tachyons can now be proven to exist. then we will know that faster-than-light travel is possible. So, the assumption is not so outrageous as some science purists might insist. STAR TREK postulates an alternate reality where faster-than-light travel is an established fact. Granted this one assumption. we can then proceed to establish the nature of an interstellar society. One of the things we must know is the nature and quality of that society's communications. Given the STAR TREK format, given the workings of the universe derived from the one basic assumption that we have to make, we can establish that there are only four possible channels of communication between the planets of different stars. Three of them are impractical. If we examine them all, we'll see why they're impractical. And also, we'll see why Captain James T. Kirk can't help but be an autonomous power. The first method of communication, of course, is radio. Or television. Or modulated laser beams. Or any kind of wave modulation that travels exactly at the speed of light. Obviously, if the speed of light limits our spaceships, it also limits our radios. The nearest star to our own sun, Sol, is Proxima Centauri. It's 4.3 light-years away—that means that light, traveling at slightly more than 186,000 miles per second, will still take four and one third years to get there. Any quantity traveling at the speed of light will take that long. And that's assuming the signal was still strong enough to be detected when it arrived. (Even a pencil-thin laser beam will spread, when projected from the Earth to the moon, to cover an area more than a half-mile in diameter. And that's only to the moon. How far is it to Proxima Centauri?) No, the reason why we can't use radio or light waves is that they're self-limiting. The key word is limit. Hang on a minute and you'll see. STAR TREK almost got around this. The TV series postulated a “subspace radio." While this was never explained in detail, the implication was that this was a method of communication much faster than light, but still not instantaneous. A message to Starfleet Command sent by subspace radio might take several hours or days. Beyond that, either the time lag was too great or the Enterprise was out of range. The answer was too slow in coming. This is the same limitation as with radio waves—only the scale is different. When you are thinking in terms of interstellar distances, there is no such thing as a small number. Even the small numbers are big ones. If your subspace radio is not instantaneous, if it functions at a measurable speed, then that speed is its limit. And no matter how fast it is, the distances of the galaxy are still vast enough to make that speed seem insignificant. The point can be reached where, even if your ship is not yet out of range, a dialogue still becomes impossible. Civen enough distance, even the smallest time lag will magnify eventually. Let's try another. The third method of interstellar communication involves the use of robot-torpedoes; that is, unmanned faster-than-light ships, guided by inboard computers. They would be launched from one planet to deliver a message to another, light-years away. The torpedoes would not be spaceships per se; rather, they would be propulsion units, guidance system and payload only. There would be no life-support capabilities at all. As couriers, these torpedoes would be as fast as their propulsion systems would allow: at least as fast, probably faster, than comparable manned ships. This particular channel of communication was never used or shown on STAR TREK—but given the technology that could design and build a starship Enterprise, the capability to build robot-torpedoes as well also had to be there. The use of such torpedoes would be highly practical for planet-to-planet communication. A robot can deliver mail just as easily as a manned ship. On the other hand, the torpedo would be almost completely impractical for ship-to-planet or planet-to-ship communications. (How does a preprogrammed torpedo find an unprogrammed ship?) From the dramatic standpoint alone, the faster-than-light torpedo is as impractical as the radio and the subspace radio. There is still a time lag. The torpedo is just an interstellar carrier pigeon. Like the other two methods, it can deliver a message or it can send one—but it cannot serve as the vehicle for a dialogue. And a dialogue is precisely the kind of interstellar communication that we are looking for. A dramatic story requires it. If there were an instantaneous communication channel available, then a ship like the Enterprise would be unnecessary and her mission redundant. Obviously, there is no such instantaneous channel—at least, not in the STAR TREK universe. The existence of the Enterprise proves it. You see, the Enterprise is the fourth method of interstellar communication. It is the only practical vehicle of interstellar dialogue between two far removed existences—and as such, it is the one we are primarily interested in as a basis for stories about divergent planetary cultures clashing with one another. The situation of this interstellar society is almost exactly analogous to the Earth of the eighteenth century. Then too, communications over vast distances were slow and uncertain. The arrival of a courier was always an event. Even if the news he was carrying was several weeks, months, or years old, it was still the most recent news available. When one government had to deal with another, they used diplomatic notes and couriers—and in matters of highest policy, they depended upon their ambassadors. Because communications were so slow, an ambassador could be a particularly important individual. He was the arm and authority of his government. He was its voice. He was the man who determined and enacted the policies of his nation with regard to his specific area of authority. Likewise, the Captain of the Enterprise must be just such an ambassador. He will be a minister with a portfolio of his own making. Carefully briefed as to Starfleet's goals and policies, it will be his responsibility to interpret them and act in the wide variety of situations he will confront. He is a piece of Starfleet itself. He is the piece entrusted with the mission of conducting the “interstellar dialogue." From THE WORLD OF STAR TREK by by David Gerrold (1973) Superluminal Radio Epsilon IX Comm Station from Star Trek: The Motion Picture If ansibles are much faster that starships, the situation will be much like modern-day Navy vessels talking to home port by radio. You will be not be required to send the ship's engines along with the message. Note that "much faster" does not necessarily mean "instantaneous." In classic Star Trek, when the Starship Enterprise was in deep space, a Subspace Radio message might take a couple of weeks to travel to Starfleet Command. But the Enterprise would take months to make the same trip. Subspace radio was only "real time" if you were closer than a few tens of light-years or so. If there are ansibles but no FTL starships, you will have a lively interstellar Internet, but the massive overhead of slower-than-light starships will restrict interstellar travel to only such people and material objects that absolutely positively must be transported. And it is possible to have ansibles that provide instantaneous communication, regardless of distance. If the ansibles are not capable of instantaneous communication, there will be timelag along with the associated limit on reaction time. Naturally below the level of imperial government, ansibles are vital for the civilian/commercial news media. Without ansibles the news is only as recent as the latest starship arrival. Having a private encoded ansible means commercial organizations can sell information. For science-fiction authors I will mention in passing the association between shipping news and the Lloyd's coffee house. In Charles Stross' IRON SUNRISE, the most valuable things are packages of entangled quantum dots (called a "causal channel"), used for FTL communication via Bell's Inequality (yes, I know that is impossible, it's science-fiction OK?). Each dot can instantaneously transmit one bit of information, and then is worthless. They also have the fascinating twist that the dots must be transported slower than light or they are ruined. They are shipped by Starwisp, taking years to transport between stars. ENTANGLED QUANTUM DOTS “Herman?” she subvocalized. “I’m here. Not for much longer: You'll be alone after the (faster-than-light) jump.” “I don’t understand. Why?” “Causal channels don ’t work after a jump outside their original light cone: they’re instantaneous communicators, but they don’t violate causality. Move the entangled quantum dots apart via FTL and you break the quantum entanglement they rely on. As I speak to you through one that is wired into your access implant, and that is how you speak to me, I will be out of contact for some time after you arrive." "You've got your own causal channel?" Frank asked, hope vying with disbelief... ..."Tiny — it's the second memory card in my camera." She held her thumb and forefinger apart. "Looks just like a normal solid state plug. Blue packaging."... ...Alice looked over the waist-high safety wall, then backed away from the edge. "I'm not climbing down there. But a bird — hmmmm. Think I've got a sampler head left. If it can eject the card . . . you want me to have a go? Willing to stake half your bandwidth with me if I can liberate it?" "Guess so. It's got about six terabits left. fifty-fifty split." Thelma nodded. "How about it?" "Six terabits —" Frank shook his head in surprise. He hated to think how much it must have cost to haul those milligrams of entangled quantum dots across the endless light years between here and Turku by slower-than-light starwisp. Once used they were gone for good, coherence destroyed by the process that allowed them to teleport the state of a single bit between points in causally connected space-time. STL shipping prices started at a million dollars per kilogram-parsec; it was many orders of magnitude more expensive than FTL, and literally took decades or centuries of advanced planning to set up. But if it could get them a secure, instantaneous link out into the interstellar backbone nets..." From IRON SUNRISE by Charles Stross (2004) IMPERIAL/COMMERCIAL ANSIBLE MONOPOLY In the Renegade Legion universe, the Terran Overlord Government (TOG) alone has the technology for "Very Large Communication Relays" (VLCA). These are titanic FTL communication installations (meaning they will not fit inside a standard starship, you need one that is outrageously huge) that have a range of pretty much anywhere inside the entire Milky Way galaxy. Their rivals the Renegades have to make do with pathetic P-Comm FTL communication. P-Comms are lucky if it can reach a neighboring star system. VLCAs have a range that is about 100,000 times greater. Such is the overwhelming advantage of TOG having VLCAs, that for the Renegades such installations are pretty much automatically the primary military target in a given star system. If the Renegades can destroy the VLCA, the TOG loses its unfair communication advantage and the military odds become more equal. As long as the VLCA exists the TOG has it all their own way. Also note that since the VLCAs are such a powerful strategic asset, they are more or less a government monopoly not a private corporation. In the BattleTech universe, ansibles are a monopoly of a private corporation called ComStar. The corporation arose out of the ashes of the Star League Department of Communications, when the Star League died in the Successor wars. ComStar is transnational, beholden to none of the Successor States. They jealously guard their monopoly and the independence of their FTL relay stations. States that threaten ComStar could have their ansible links cut off, no longer able to engage in FTL communication or trade. ComStar also has their own military. Don't piss off ComStar. So it appears that the Renagade Legion Terran Overlord Government has an ansible monopoly because TOG is close to being a galactic empire, while the BattleTech ComStar independent corporation has an ansible monopoly because there is no galactic empire. Peasants destroying the railway and telegraph wires. Romania 1888 HANDS OFF THE RELAY But whether government or private monopoly, anybody stupid enough to deliberately attack an ansible relay station had better be prepared for the prompt arrival of a monopoly battle fleet who will hunt you down like an animal. The monopoly takes such attacks very personally, since you are more or less threatening their very existence. Especially so if the relay is in a remote area, since in such places there is little or no redundancy. And if the ansible relay station belongs to a government, the battle fleet responding will be worse by an order of magnitude. Remember that for a government, control depends upon communication. So the attackers are not threating the quarterly profits of an ansible corporation, they are threatening the existence of an interstellar empire. As far as the empire is concerned, the attack is either an act of high treason or an act of war. The only difference is if the attackers are citizens of the empire or not. HANDS OFF THE RELAY 1 (ed note: the "clacks" network is a Victorian tech semaphore telegraph system.) The tower loomed quite close now. The first twenty feet or so were of stone with narrow, barred windows. Then there was a broad platform from which the main tower grew. It was a sensible arrangement. An enemy would find it hard to break in or set fire to it, there was enough storage room inside to see out a siege, and the enemy would be aware that the lads inside would have signalled for help thirty seconds after the attack began. The company had money. They were like the coaching agents in that respect. If a tower went out of action, someone would be along to ask expensive questions. There was no law here; the kind of people who'd turn up would be inclined to leave a message to the world that towers were not to be touched. From THE FIFTH ELEPHANT by Terry Pratchett (1999) The atrocity of the attack on the clacks tower at Sto Kerrig, which had so recently been a lifeline to the world for the people in the town, shocked everyone. As Adora Belle Dearheart (head of the clacks company) looked at the wreckage in the gathering dusk, she was not surprised to see a very large and handsome wolf approaching at speed and, unlike most wolves, carrying a package between its jaws. The wolf disappeared behind a haystack, and shortly afterward out of the haystack came a handsome female, only marginally disheveled, wearing the uniform of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Captain Angua, the most notable werewolf in the Watch, said, “Oh my, they’ve certainly made a mess, haven’t they? And are you sure that only one of your people was hurt?” “Two goblins, captain, but they bounce well. Quick-witted, too. Can you imagine, they managed to send out a final message saying that their tower was under fire from dwarfs before they legged it. Very conscientious, the goblins, when it comes to machinery. They are always better on the night shift. Can I say, captain, when you find out who did this, I’ll press charges and press them very hard indeed, to a point when a police officer like yourself would have to look away for fear of seeing something they didn’t want to.” “I wouldn’t worry about that, Miss Dearheart. His lordship (Vetinari) takes the view that to interfere with the clacks is to interfere with the proper running of the world. Treason not only to one’s own state, but to all.” (ed note: in the same way that piracy on the high seas was declared hostis humani generis, or enemies of all mankind. Piracy is an attack on all nations using sea ships for cargo transport, not just the nation the particular victim ship belongs to) The silence in Lord Vetinari’s study was absolute. Nevertheless, the tread of Drumknott’s approach contrived to make it even more silent as the secretary handed his lordship a little slip of paper and told him that a second clacks tower had been torched by people (terrorists) calling themselves, in translation, “The Only True Dwarfs.” Drumknott waited while not a muscle moved in Lord Vetinari’s face before he said, “Let it be known that enemy action on the clacks system will be followed by the death of not only those who did it but also those who ordered it to be done, whoever they are. Send this to every embassy, consulate, and head of state. Action this night, please.” From RAISING STEAM by Terry Pratchett (2013) artwork by Dave Seeley (ed note: In Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's Universe series the InterStellar Communications (ISC) corporation has a monopoly on ansibles. The scientific principle of FTL communication is a closely guarded proprietary secret. In the novels there is no galactic empire, just some loosely associated inhabited planets. In the Sabine system two planets are having a nasty little war over mining rights. The planet Secundus hired the Mackensee mercenaries. It was just another boring little war in a back-water system. Until somebody nuked the two ISC ansible relay satellites. That got everybody's attention.) “No one ever thought anything like this could happen,” someone on the nearspace advisory channel was saying. “Attack on intersystem ansibles is just … just unthinkable.” Not really. Ky remembered one of the lectures in Strategic Analysis, in which a discussion of the consequences of successful interdiction of intersystem communication had delved into the reasons someone might do it and the consequences thereof, economic, political, and military. It had happened—far away, and decades past, and those responsible were no longer alive—but it had happened. So some people had thought of it, and presumably also whoever had —her mind came back from that moment of shocklike drift. No ansible meant no message to Vatta Transport, Ltd., and thus no funds, and thus … no repairs for getting her ship safely out of this system before whoever had taken out the ansible decided to attack the orbital station. “—No one is believed to have survived the explosion of either ansible platform; the death toll is estimated to be at least seven hundred fifty and could be several times that. InterStellar Communications local office has no comment at this time—” ISC, the monopoly which controlled both communications and financial ansibles across hundreds of systems, would make someone wish they hadn’t done it … They had fought some successful limited wars to keep local governments from taking over ansible linkages. The ISC repair ship Cosmos, routinely assigned responsibility for ansible maintenance in Sector Five—twenty-three systems of which Sabine was one—had received the company’s current upload on military security. Every military organization known to be operating in Sector Five, with its current—or believed to be current—location and mission. ISC agents stationed on ansible platforms reported daily on military activity—among other things—which enabled repair ships like Cosmos to know what they might be getting into when they came to repair an ansible that went offline. Jed Sinclair, senior analyst aboard the Cosmos, looked over the updates. Three such organizations had relevant notations and had not shown up on any ansible listing since the Sabine ansibles went out. Barkley’s Best, a fairly new organization, had taken its entire fleet and personnel into jumpspace from Matlock seventeen days before the Sabine ansibles went out. They were three mapped jump points from Sabine, though military vessels often used odd, indirect routes. Mackensee Military Assistance Corporation had dispatched two cruisers from its home base on Knifecroft; they jumped out of their system eight days before the Sabine ansibles went out. Gruin Colonies, Inc., had sent three ships out eleven days before the Sabine ansibles went out. Jed thought about that. Gruin could almost certainly be taken off the list. Gruin used its security forces to put down riots and rebellion in its colonies; it had never—so far—attacked anyone else. Barkley’s and Mackensee were both straight-up mercenary forces, for hire to anyone. Worst case, they were both at Sabine. He didn’t believe worst case. ISC’s tap on the financial ansible, which gave him information on funds transfers into and out of the system, suggested that Secundus didn’t have the resources to hire two different mercenary companies. So, which was it and what difference did it make? He was pondering when new data popped up on his screen. Barkley’s had shown up on the Timodea ansible, apparently involved in the dispute over ownership of some uninhabitable but mineral-rich minor worlds. Mackensee. They had a profile, and that profile … did not include blowing up ansibles. Interesting. ISC had fought some bloody engagements to convince everyone—planetary governments, system unions, space militias and mercenaries—that ansibles were not target opportunities. They had an unwritten but generally known policy that allowed combatants to fight over control of communications without actually damaging the ansibles or their platforms, with ISC committing to cooperation with the victor. Mackensee had acted correctly— from ISC’s point of view—in other wars it had fought. In fact, Mackensee had an “acceptable” rating on a scale where there were only two values and a large, wide, deadly line between them. So what was its problem here? Who had forgotten the hard lesson taught last time? Who wanted to be down-rated, with all the consequences of that change? Had Mackensee blown the ansibles, or had someone else done it, to downgrade Mackensee or simply to get ISC attention? And most important, what would happen if Cosmos jumped into the system and started working on replacement ansibles? Jed forwarded his conclusions to the Cosmos captain and back to headquarters. Then he downloaded all the data ISC had on the Sabine system and started looking for a sneaky way in. (ed note: In the Sabine system Captain Ky Vatta's tramp freighter ship has been captured by the Mackensee mercenaries. Mercenary Major Harris has a word with Captain Vatta.) The major—Harris, his name was—sat behind a desk in a tiny office so bare and tidy that Ky wondered if it was a real working office, or just a place chosen to interview hapless civilians. He did not smile but introduced himself. “Captain Vatta, we have a problem.” “What is that, sir?” The sir came out automatically. “You’re aware that someone blew the system ansibles …” Someone implied that it wasn’t the mercenaries… “Yes …,” Ky said. “We didn’t do it. We don’t blow ansibles; we don’t want trouble with the ISC any more than anyone else does. Overcharging monopolistic pirates they may be, but what they do is essential, and what they do to people who bother their ansibles is … exorbitant.” He paused. “I see,” Ky said. “Naturally, everyone thinks we did it,” the major went on. “Warships appear; the ansible platforms blow. Obvious. I’m sure by now the ISC has figured out where we are, and is thinking the same obvious thing. The only party who won’t believe we did it is the party who actually did it, and so far no one has claimed responsibility. It would be far handier if the mercenaries were to blame.” “I see,” Ky said again. She did, in a way. She had wondered about that; she remembered wondering about that. Why would mercenaries, who depended on ansible communications as much as anyone else, risk the serious and permanent annoyance of the ISC? Control of ansibles was one thing; destruction entirely another. artwork by Fred Gambino (ed note: At the Mackensee mercenaries corporate headquarters, the ISC special adviser to the chairman wants to have a little meeting with the Mackensee CEO.) “First, I’d like a straight answer to one question,” she (ISC) said, not moving. It was absurd; she barely came up to his chest, and yet he had the feeling that he was the schoolboy and she was the teacher. “Certainly,” he (CEO) said, inclining his head. “Were you hired to blow up the communications and financial ansibles in Sabine system?” “No,” Arlen said. “No one asked us to, and if they had we would not have taken the contract.” “Did you blow them up by accident?” “To my knowledge, we did not blow them up at all,” Arlen said. “And that’s two questions.” “So it is,” she said, and moved to the seating area. She chose the seat Arlen would have chosen in her position, and set her briefcase on the low table. As she reached for the clasps, she said, “Why don’t you sit down, General? This is going to take a while. Now—I am recording—” She did not ask permission, he noted, and he doubted that the office’s security systems were interfering with the recorder. “You say that you weren’t hired to blow the ansibles, and you have no information suggesting that your force blew them—is that correct?” “Yes,” he said. “Excellent. Care to tell me why you didn’t inform ISC of that at once when you heard the ansibles were blown, and you knew you had a force insystem?” “Client confidentiality,” he said. “Right,” she said. “So—when did you find out?” “The … relay ship, outside the system, reported losing contact. That was”—he queried his implant—“Thirteen forty-two hours, UTC, on Central 346. The relay ship was on a two-hour schedule, though. We heard from other sources that the actual time of ansible loss was …” “Twelve oh-two hours. Yes. You have documentation of the relay ship’s notification?” “We may need to see it later. Now—this was not a full-scale operation, is that right?” “Right. Advisory, with a five thousand man support team.” “John Calvin Tessan your onsite commander?” “Er … yes.” How did she know that? “Your organization, and your field commanders, all have acceptable ratings with ISC,” she said. “And I presume you wish to keep that rating …” “We’re going to have to ask you to post a bond, I’m afraid,” she said in a tone that carried no regret whatsoever. “Even though you have an acceptable rating, even though we have no evidence yet that your personnel were responsible, they are onsite with weapons capable of taking out two ansibles.” “A bond?” “It’s an unusual situation, you see.” She paused, rubbed the tip of one carefully polished pink fingernail along the edge of her briefcase. “It’s been six years since anyone last intentionally destroyed an ISC ansible. Political group on Neumann’s, you may recall. We dealt with them.” ISC had invaded the system—as they had invaded systems before where someone destroyed their ansibles—and that political group no longer existed. “Although we had considered the possibility we now face, in previous adverse events the military force at hand was the one which intentionally destroyed ansibles. That’s a simple situation. If in fact Mackensee is not responsible here, either by accident or design, as you have stated, then we are faced with something we had considered in theory but not faced in practice. (a covert attack on the ISC itself) Policy, written in advance of experience, requires that we obtain a bond from you, to be returned upon proof that your personnel were not responsible.” “What kind of bond?” Arlen asked warily. “The usual. Monetary, or a lien on equipment.” She smiled, the kind of feral smile that Arlen knew very well from his own people. “Not quite ruinous, but serious.” “What kind of proof of our non-involvement will you require, and who will adjudicate this?” “It is not the practice of the ISC to seek or submit to the judgment of civil courts, as I believe you already know,” she said. “We will determine that involvement or non-involvement on the basis of evidence collected by our own personnel. On the other hand, since we are apolitical except with respect to the communications business, we have no motive for finding one way or the other.” “You’re apolitical,” Arlen said, spreading his hands on his knees. “I find that hard to believe.” “It’s quite true,” she said. “We do not care who is the government anywhere; we are not concerned with the crime rate, the state of the planetary environment, or any of the other things which motivate other corporations to interfere in local politics. Thus we need no lobbyists, no political backing. We have one focus: maintaining our interstellar monopoly. No one else can do what we do, and even if they could, we wouldn’t let them.” She ticked off these points with those delicate pink fingertips. She shook her head before he could get that thought out. “We haven’t diversified. That is our strength, that others would find weakness. We do one thing well—superbly, in fact—and we protect our market. Since that market is not limited to any one planet, it is in no government’s interest to interfere. Some of them are too stupid to realize that, but we educate them.” She smiled again. From TRADING IN DANGER by Elizabeth Moon (2003) (ed note: This is for a medieval fantasy game like Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be adapted to a futuristic interstellar science fiction story. The Dark Elves (who worship the goddess Lloth) have moved to live in cavern networks deep underground. This has disrupted their civilization much like the advent of The Long Night in a galactic story. They learn how to communicate by using magic spells to send messages along spider webs. This technology becomes so important to their emerging from the Long Night that a special group of warriors is established whose sole task is to guard the communications network.) The Tenets of the Goddess of the Underdark Wide Web: It is a mortal sin for a Lloth worshiper to harm any of her spiders or their webs. To break the communication web is a mortal sin and an insult to the Goddess. No one wants to insult the Goddess. She has spiders. She will put them in your bed. Clerics are the White ICE of Lloth’s Information Network. They dedicate their lives to maintaining the lines, build new nodes, bring new communities online, and continuing to build out the network. (in cyberpunk SF, White ICE detects hackers trying to penetrate a database and raises an alarm) Lloth’s Paladin’s take Oaths of Vengeance. They hunt down anyone who disturbs the physical network – monster, creature, adventurer – and kills them. They are the hunter-killer Black ICE, the security pods, of Lloth’s Information Network. (in cyberpunk SF, Black ICE detects hackers trying to penetrate a database, traces it back through the internet to the hacker, and kills the hacker by frying their brain) Lloth’s followers run the gamut of alignments, from Lawful Good (the communication network has rules and laws to hold together civilization), to True Neutral (usage of the communication networks for scientific exchange) to Chaotic Evil (Illithids who compulsively post tentacle pics). Lloth encourages mixing technology and magic, since she believes it gives an edge to her people’s survival. This leads to weird results: silent image projection feeds from Lloth’s information nodes hung randomly in Underdark tunnels and strange pushes into magic-infused communication technology. Feeding misdirection and incorrect data to outsiders to keep to preserve the Deep Elf civilization isn’t only allowed, it’s encouraged. Even marketed. Communication above all. Not only are Lloth’s Clerics handy engineers, they are librarians and archivists. Clerics may cycle out the old for the new. Elves update their data as they discover new facts and old facts are discarded. Elves allow anyone into Lloth’s libraries and archives – provided they present a library card and have no overdue fines. Elves allows anyone into the communications mesh. It is open to all comers, even surface folk and trash-talking Illithids. Lloth encourages creating communities on her Underdark Wide Web. And this might be her undoing. (ed note: RE: Lloth paladin's Oaths of Vengence above. Remember how monks preserved knowledge through the dark ages after the fall of Rome? Also remember post-apocalyptic novels like A Canticle for Leibowitz and Hiero's Journey where future monks do much the same thing after civilization falls. I can see something like galactic Long Night interstellar warrior-monks establishing (and fanatically defending) FTL relay stations on isolated stars to link inhabited planets in the communication web.) From UNDERDARK WIDE WEB by multiplexer (2016) RocketCat sez Listen up, you writers. I'm gonna give you some juicy tidbits from an important book by Tom Standage called The Victorian Internet. If you are smart you should read the entire thing cover to cover. Using the trade secret of science fiction you can use the book as a template for upheaval in your galactic empire when some clown unexpectedly increases the speed of FTL radio faster than starships. Or when FTL radio gets invented in the first place. If you can't figure out how to use the book as a template, well you can always go back to writing Mary Sue Star Wars fanfic. Back in the 19th century they didn't have crap for technology. No smart phones, no combat drones, no submachine guns with Teflon coated cop-killer bullets, no antibiotic-resistant microbes cultivated by dumping gallons of antibiotics downs cow gullets, no cable TV, no nuttin'. But they did have an Internet. Don't roll your eyeballs at me, they called it the electric telegraph machine. If you had been paying attention you'd realize it was one of the most titanic advances in communication since Gutenberg invented his printing press. It changed the world more drastically than the advent of the Internet changed your world. But you would have known that already if you'd read Terry Pratchett's novel Going Postal, featuring the system of visual telegraph towers known as "the clacks". Pretty much all the shenanigans and whoopla currently surrounding your modern-day computer internet is just a re-hash of the exact same events that swirled around the electric telegraph. Yes: revolutionizing business, inventing new types of crime, encouraging the use of secret codes, governments futilely trying to regulate it, and the rise of a new techy culture. All of it happened before in the 1800s. Everything old is new again, and you fools who ignore your history are doomed to repeat it. And all you authors who used this in your novels can smile smugly as your know-it-all readers get blindsided. The readers will condescendingly sniff and think you are merely rewriting the tired old story about the advent of AOL and the September that never ended. And then they will be savagely sucker-punched when your novel enters the parts where the telegraph was NOT like the internet. You'll get a rep for writing surprising novels, you will. For a zillion years prior to the telegraph, the fastest communication was by some poor sod frantically riding on horseback. Messages moved barely a hundred miles a day, and that was only with a constant supply of fresh horses (this is when your galactic empire has starships but no FTL radio). For the same zillion years rulers of various empires had to put up with outrageous time lags. Send off your army, then wait for freaking months to find out how the battle went. You ain't gonna make much of an empire with that pathetic speed. And as for central control, ha! Not a chance, Alexander the Great. You'll just have to trust your generals to handle things. Or travel with the army and hope the capital doesn't revolt while you are gone. But that all changed in 1791 when an unemployed guy named Claude Chappe and his brothers invented the first semaphore line. Claude wanted to give it the stupid name tachygraphe, but his classically trained friend managed to talk him into télégraphe. Given how hot tempers was running during the French Revolution Claude was lucky it was only twice that angry mobs destroyed his semaphore and chased him while waving torches and pitchforks (they were convinced that Claude was trying to talk to the dastardly royalist prisoners being held in Temple Prison). I'm sure Claude was a bit bitter about this, since the French Revolution was the reason he was unemployed in the first place. In 1793 Claude managed to sell the French National Convention on a trial experiment (well, it sort of helped that his brother Ignace Chappe was member of the Legislative Assembly). A three tower set of semaphores was laid out along twenty miles. It was a success, sending a test message in about eleven minutes flat. The tower moved wooden arms into specific patterns while the next tower watched through a telescope. One of the evaluators, a scientist named Joseph Lakanal, was extremely impressed. Mostly because he realized how the semaphore would allow the central government in Paris to keep an iron grip on the provinces (control depends upon communication, remember?). The speed increase from horse to semaphore also increased the range of imperial control. It was a break-through! Lakanal convinced the government to fund a fifteen-station line from Paris to Lille and it quickly proved its worth. By August of 1794 it was reporting the recapture of a French town from the evil clutches of the Austrians and Prussians within an hour after the battle ended. The French government saw this was the hottest invention since the gun, and started building more lines. When emperor Napoleon Bonaparte seized power, he too saw the semaphore was the sine qua non of Empire, and ordered even more expansions. He also demanded the system be able to cross the English Channel, since obviously it was only a matter of time before Great Britain became a suzerainty of the mighty French Empire (he was a bit optimistic there). The other European nations awoke to the danger and started frantically making their own semaphore systems so there wouldn't be a "semaphore gap." Otherwise they'd be at a fatal disadvantage. Not that they didn't start drooling at the thought of increasing their own iron grip on their own provinces. France showed the world how to do it. The semaphore system was called the technological marvel of the age (which was true), and was optimistically predicted to abolish war (which was hysterically false). Wipe that smug look off your face, the same thing was predicted for our modern computer internet. Some said the semaphore could be opened to civilian use, a very rapid form of mail. The system would actually produce cash instead of being a money pit. Claude wanted to use it in business, sending commodity prices all over Europe. Sadly Napoleon nixed both those ideas. However Napoleon did allow sending winning lottery numbers, since that stopped the cheating which stole money from the government. Gotta protect the Imperial Exchequer, don't cha know? Predictably all sorts of charlatans, patent trolls, and irate rival inventors came boiling out of the woodwork trying to steal Claude's money and fame. The constant barrage drove him into depression and paranoia. He committed suicide in 1805, and was buried under a tombstone engraved with a semaphore tower displaying the sign for "At Rest." There was also a bronze sculpture of Claude, unfortunately it got melted down during the Nazi occupation of Paris. Poor Claude just couldn't catch a break, could he? The unstoppable semaphore telegraph continued to spread like wildfire. By 1830 it covered most of western Europe and most provinces were quite firmly iron gripped. Imperialists were quite pleased. The Britain Admiralty kept fending off stupid crackpot schemes to "improve" the telegraph, schemes pushed by the hordes of garage inventors and junior scientists who had a bad case of Telegraph Fever. Many involved using that weird phenomenon known as "electricity." Alas none of the schemes worked very well, the inventors were secretive so the other inventors had to start from scratch, and all the schemes were quite inferior to the existing semaphore system. The Admiralty saw no point in wasting money fixing something that wasn't broke. The sad fact of the matter was that the semaphore was broke, it just wasn't obvious. It had some severe limitations that people just took for granted. Semaphore lines were expensive to run. You had to build costly towers everywhere. You needed to staff them with large teams of skilled operators. The data transfer rate meant you could send little more than 140 character tweets at a time. This means only the government had deep enough pockets to build and run semaphores, keeping them out of the reach of civilians and businesses (naturally the government did not see this as limitation, more like a natural monopoly). Semaphores also failed to work in the dark of night or through fog. An electric telegraph would fix most of those problems, but nobody was visionary enough to see it. Hans Christian Ørsted Gian Domenico Romagnosi Not that an electric telegraph was going to be easy, mind you. The first big problem of an electric telegraph was how the heck did you detect the electricity? Thomas Edison hadn't been born yet, much less invented the light-bulb. Hans Christian Ørsted solved it when he stole the credit for Gian Domenico Romagnosi's discovery that an electric current created a magnetic field. Such fields are easy to detect because they make a magnetic compass go crazy. The second big problem was that the signal died if the wire was longer than a couple of hundred feet. A semaphore can send a message ten miles, you can shout a message farther than 200 feet. The fix was not discovered until later, don't worry, I'll get to it. Samuel F. B. Morse William Fothergill Cooke In the 1820s Samuel F. B. Morse enters the scene. He was a painter until his life got derailed. He was in Washington painting a commission when he got a letter that his wife was very ill. Unfortunately by the time he got to Connecticut his wife had not only died, she was already buried. This got him justifiably angry at the snail-like pace of horse messengers, and he vowed to discover a faster method. In 1832 he was returning to the US from Europe while working on a cockamamie scheme to show art from the Louvre to Americans (just the last in a long line of cockamamie schemes). On the boat he met a certain Dr. Charles Jackson and caught a bad case of Telegraph Fever. Morse naively figured he was the first person in history to think of using electricity for a telegraph, blissfully ignorant of the fact that hundreds of scientists had been working on the same thing for the better part of a century. Unaware of the 200 foot wire problem, Morse instead studied the problem of how to encode letters in an electric wire (which had no little semaphore arms). All but the most unschooled readers have been mouthing the words "Morse Code" at this point. Meanwhile in England William Fothergill Cooke got tired of making anatomical wax models of dissected cadavers for the medical training biz, and caught Telegraph Fever from a lecture about electricity. This set him on the path to become Mr. Morse's arch rival. Cooke teamed up with a famous British scientist Professor Charles Wheatstone. But Cooke was annoyed to find that Wheatstone had already been working on an electric telegraph. Cooke wanted to hog all the glory for himself. Eventually Cooke and Wheatstone would have a bitter battle over who actually invented the telegraph, but I digress. Cooke started the ball rolling by offering Wheatstone an insulting sixth share of the profits, and things only went downhill from there. Both Morse and Cooke soon slammed into the brick wall of the 200 foot limit. Ironically the problem had been solved in 1829 by Joseph Henry. The trick is to put a relay where the signal dies, making a fresh new signal. Everybody in the scientific community on both sides of the Atlantic had known this for years, but Morse and Cooke were just amateur tinkerers. Cooke was rescued by Wheatstone (who was a member of the scientific community), and Morse was rescued by being introduced to Professor Leonard Gale (also a member of the scientific community). They both finally managed to make working prototypes. Then they ran into the hardest problem of all: trying to penetrate the thick armor of industrial-grade stupid encasing the brains of the skeptics. The electric telegraph was a step too far on the abstract scale for the skeptics to see. At least compared to the dirt-simple straightforward semaphore tower. The semaphore towers were after all just a large mechanical version of a man waving semaphore flags, easy for skeptics to understand. But the skeptics could not see the point behind all this electrical wire dot-and-dash bull poop. Kind of like how newspaper and magazine companies in 1980 would scoff at the idea they would be driven into bankruptcy by this silly "internet" thing. Both teams tried to find investors to fund a demonstration line in a desperate attempt to convince the skeptics. Alas willing investors were hard to find. As a side note, Morse and Cooke met each other as Morse was sniffing around for British investors, and immediately they had a cat fight. Morse gave up on Britain when he realized Cooke would sabotage any and all attempt to get British money. Morse had earned Cooke's undying hatred by being the second person threatening Cooke's monopoly of telegraph glory. Geez, what an asshat! Eventually Morse managed to make a Washington-Baltimore line, and forced the skeptics to eat crow when he transmitted the names of the Baltimore Whig National Convention nominees to the Washington station sixty-four minutes before the info arrived by train. The skeptics were impressed in spite of themselves. Cooke got a demo line working as well. It was thought to be an amusing but pointless gizmo. Until it gave the London Times a hot scoop of the birth of Queen Victoria's second son in forty minutes flat. The Times had nothing but good things to say about the telegraph after that. Three trainloads of Lords departed for Windsor to attend the birthday banquet, but the Duke of Wellington forgot his dress suit. He telegraphed London for it to be sent on the following train and again the telegraph proved its worth. I'm sure the Duke also had nothing but good things to say about the telegraph. Sadly on both sides of the Atlantic, the respective governments were loath to fund the expansion of the telegraph system. But once private companies got their hands on the telegraph, they started making money hand-over-fist. Telegraph lines started to cross the US like cobwebs spun by hordes of hyperactive spiders strung out on crystal meth. Pony Express and Telegraph The Pony Express was founded in 1860 and could get a letter from St. Joseph Missouri to Sacramento California in ten days flat. It closed in October 26, 1861, two days after the telegraph line reached Sacramento. In Britain the telegraph mostly spread along side the rail roads. It also spread across several European countries (who saw a new and improved way to make their iron grip on their provinces even stronger). With the exception of France. The French were still enamoured of their obsolete national semaphore system which had astonished the world, and were reluctant to replace it with some confounded foreign British contraption. As telegraph networks reached the edge of national borders, treaties were made between nations to interconnect their systems. The first was between Prussia and Austria, and it was rather silly. Instead of directly connecting the telegraph wires across the border, they built a joint office straddling the border. A message would come down the telegraph line on one side, be written down, the clerk would walk the paper from one side of the office to the other (thus crossing the border), and the message would be telegraphed up the other telegraph line. This was a stupid solution, but necessary since nations got real touchy about anything that would weaken their borders. There was, however, one rather large obstacle. The Atlantic Ocean in general and the English Channel in particular. England was cut off from Europe, and the United States was cut off from everybody. Laying underwater telegraph lines is a nightmare. You can't use rubber, seawater corrodes it (which was good news to the gutta-percha merchants). The wire has to be heavy enough to sink. The water changes the electromagnetic characteristics of the wire, making the Morse code signals mushy. To the people of the time a transatlantic cable was akin to how we look at traveling to Alpha Centauri: it would be real nice but it ain'ta gonna happen for thousands of years. Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse William Thomson Baron Kelvin In 1856 the newly-formed Atlantic Telegraph Company decided to try it anyway. Unfortunately their chief electrician was a crack-pot named Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse. One can be competent in a field by educational experience or competent by practical on-the-job learning. Whitehouse had neither. His design for the cable was utterly wrong in practically every detail. After about two years worth of effort, the blasted cable was finally laid all the way across the Atlantic. The world went wild! It was the greatest event of the century! And many suggested it would lead to a end to war, muskets being melted down and made into candlesticks. The telegraph was hailed as an instrument of world peace. Gee, that sounds familiar. But Whitehouse's stinker of a cable never worked very well, and immediately started to deteriorate. Less than a month later it stopped working at all. The world savagely attacked the Atlantic Telegraph Company. Some even suggested it was a hoax. A joint committee was appointed to get to the bottom of the mess (including committee member Professor Wheatstone). The star witness was Professor William Thomson (aka 1st Baron Kelvin), who conclusively proved the disaster was due to the incompetent Whitehouse and his near-terminal case of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Whitehouse was fired, and he reacted by immediately blaming everybody but himself and writing a pack of lies disguised as a book in a futile attempt at spin-doctoring his way out of the mess. It didn't work. The Atlantic Telegraph Company had no trouble raising money for a second attempt (since the investors thought it was obviously all the fault of that lunatic Whitehouse, which was mostly true). This time the cable was professionally designed by Thomson. The cable was laid by the largest seagoing vessel afloat, the white elephant ship SS Great Eastern. After a few mishaps, the cable was successfully laid in 1865. It worked perfectly. SS Great Eastern The very first day the cable earned an amazing one thousand pounds sterling in telegraph fees ($41,000 in 2010 dollars). And in a mere two years, the Atlantic Telegraph Company had earned enough profit to pay off all its monstrous debts. The cable was a freaking gold mine. Back in 1844 it took ten weeks to send a message from London to Bombay, now it took about four minutes to send a message and get the answer back. The world did some major shrinking. Businesses soon found it to be indispensable. The telegraph company was swimming in money. The telegraph and submarine cable business was booming. Everybody wanted to invest, seed money came pouring in to lay more cables. The sun never set on the British Empire, and they intended it to stay that way. England needed reliable telegraph lines to all its subject countries. And "reliable" meant not allowing the line to be vulnerable to other countries it happened to pass through. England created a special "intra-imperial telegraphy network" that other countries could not shut down. This increased the central control of London over the outlying British subject countries, and helped to protect Imperial messages from being spied upon by hostile nations. The intra-imperial telegraphy network had connections to various national networks, but would still still operate even if all the national networks were cut off. Of course all the talk about the telegraph ushering in a new era of world peace was a steaming load of whale dreck. Improved communication with other nations just gives you new and improved reasons to be bigoted about those obnoxious creeps living in foreign parts. And when some paradigm-shifting shiny new tech toy hits the scene, there is always the same tired old song and dance. Pundits exaggerate the ability of the tech to improve the world, while being totally oblivious to how the tech enables so many new ways to be evil. The sad fact of the matter is that the type of people who are best at discovering the possibilities of a new invention are the crooks and con-artists. The telegraph opened up entire new categories for fraud, theft, and deception. By the 1830s the semaphore system was being used to transmit stock market info, and about five minutes later it was being used for fraud. Evil bankers François and Joseph Blanc bribed a semaphore operator to transmit secret stock info using a clever system of coded transmissions disguised as "errors." The bankers watched the semaphore tower from a distance, for plausible deniability. They got away with it for almost two years before being caught. Since telegraphs are incredibly faster than pony express, it can be used by crooks to exploit "information imbalance". This is where you have an advantage if you have access to secret information. Example: Horse races. If it takes the pony express three days to get name of the Derby winner to your sleepy little boondocks town, the bookies will let you place bets on a race that happened three days ago. Naturally the bookies will be enraged if you use the telegraph to find out the winner in advance, and place a huge bet where you already know the outcome. My maternal grandfather managed to exploit this when he was a young man. He was on the street in California, in a crowd listening to the radio. The radio announcer was giving a play by play account of a baseball game happening in New York. Since my grandfather was a telegrapher for the US Navy, he could hear the Morse Code in the background. It was giving the baseball details, which were then decoded into English and given to the announcer. Which means my grandfather knew what the announcer was going to say half a minute in advance. He won quite a bit of money taking bets with other people in the crowd, before the crowd turned ugly and he decided it would be a very good idea to leave. It took the lawmakers far too long to pass laws making it illegal to telegraph horse race results, a delay common with new technologies (and of course the main result of the law was to encourage the crooks to use secret codes). You may think technology outrunning the law started happening with Nigerian Email Scams on the internet, but Police Inspector John Bonfield was bitterly complaining about it in 1888. Everything old is new again. In 1886 a crook named Myers tried to bribe a telegraph operator to delay transmission of horse racing results, allowing Myers to place bets on winning horses. When he was arrested, the authorities discovered there was no existing law he could be charged with. Delaying mail was illegal but the telegraphy hadn't been invented when the law was passed. Again the law had to be frantically extended to cover the new technology. It was too late to charge Myers, but in the meantime he managed to kill himself by ODing on laudanum. The use of codes and cyphers in telegraph messages was forbidden, except by governments and telegraph officials. The Electric Telegraph Company used this to legally exploit information imbalance. They transmitted stocks and share prices that were public knowledge in London to the boondocks of Edinburgh Scotland, where the info was a valuable commodity. All in official code, of course. In Edinburgh bankers and merchants could obtain the information from the Electric Telegraph Company, for a fee. The legality of secret codes started to become a tangled mess when telegraph networks of different nations became interconnected. The rules of each nation were contradictory. There were even rules about which languages were legal for telegraph messages. As more countries made bilateral connection treaties, the mess just grew. So in 1864 the French government hosted an international conference of twenty nations to sort things out. The result was the International Telegraph Union (ITU). One of the major results was that the no-code rule was killed, now anybody can use secret codes in their telegraph messages. And suddenly everybody did. But besides secrecy, another reason to use codes was to cut down on your outrageous telegraph bill. You paid by the word. Non-secret code books (Brevity Codes) appeared on the market. They had about 50,000 code words along with associated messages. You saved 6 words by sending the code word GNAPHALIO instead of "Please Send A Supply Of Light Clothing." All you had to do was be sure your recipient had a copy of the same book, conveniently available at your local bookstore. Brevity codes were very popular with shipping managers and others who used underwater telegraph messages. Those cost a freaking arm and a leg, about $100 per ten words (about $1,346.81 in 2010 dollars). Companies and industries started making their own customized codebooks, with vocabularies optimized for their specific needs. There is a sample telegraph code book here, for your perusal. For the paranoid, they used cyphers instead. This was more secret, but produced long strings of apparently random characters. The telegraph operators became annoyed, because trying to read and send gibberish really made their lives harder, and drastically slows down your words-per-minute rate. Which costs the operators money, they get a bonus if their words per minute is over 40. The ITU came to the rescue with new rules. Codes were fine as long as the code words were pronounceable and no more than seven syllables. But gibberish cyphers were charged on the basis that every five letters counts as one "word." Since your average normal word is longer than that, bottom line is that sending cyphers was more expensive. Predictably the code book makers tried pushing the envelope with some very hard to pronounce longish words that were technically only six syllables. In 1875 the ITU pushed back with a fifteen letter limit on code words. The result was words that were only 15 letters but still a nightmare to pronounce and send. So the ITU slammed back with a 10 letter limit AND the word had to be a genuine word of either German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, or Latin. A drawback of using brevity codes is that a one-letter mistake in sending a code word can catastrophically alter the meaning of the entire message. Which can result in very expensive mistakes. In 1887 a wool dealer named Frank Primrose send a coded telegraph message to his agent saying he had purchased 500,000 pounds of wool. "I Have Bought" was the code word BAY. The fumble-fingered telegrapher accidentally sent the words BUY, which means (surprise surprise) "buy". Morse for "A" is dot-dash, while "U" is dot-dot-dash. Very easy to make a mistake. The agent got the incorrect message and duly purchased 500,000 pounds of wool. Primrose lost $20,000 (about $270,000 in 2010 dollars). He sued the telegraph company, but unfortunately he had failed to pay the two cents extra for the message to be verified. So the court awarded him a refund of $1.15, the cost of the message. New codes were devised where every single word in the code book differed from every other word by two letters or more, to prevent such disasters. If a letter got altered, the bogus code word would not be in the code book at all. Look-up tables in the back of the book allowed the receiver to puzzle out what the bogus code word originally was. The trouble was is that the list of genuine ten letter words that differ by two letters or more is really tiny. There are not enough of them. So the code writers tried yet again to push the envelope by using deliberately misspelled words. The ITU tried to clamp down again by making an official list of allowed code words. But this proved to be impossible. So the ITU just gave up. Sorry telegraph operators, you are on your own. Banks wanted to use the telegraph to transfer money, but they were afraid of bank fraud. They had a few cypher schemes but the schemes were not very secure. Things changed when a certain telegraph company named Western Union figured out a super-secure scheme using numbered codebooks (basically one-time pads) and passwords held by regional superintendents. Western Union had figured out how to "wire money." This proved to be so lucrative that it was almost a license to print money. Star Trek "Mudd's Women" There were some people who were married over telegraph, if the bride, groom, and minister could not be at the same location for some reason or other. One is reminded of the classic Star Trek episode Mudd's Women, where the lithium miners on the desolate planet Rigel XII married the women using Subspace radio marriage. Telegraphers were part of a geeky closed community, where outsiders just didn't understand their world (much like modern-day computer hackers). Operators could often recognize other operators by their "fist," their idiosyncratic way of typing Morse Code. During slack times, bored operators would play telegraphic checkers and chat with each other. Many operators were women, commonly between eighteen and thirty years old and unmarried. This was one of the few good-paying yet morally-respectable jobs open to women at the time. It seems there was a drastic shortage of telegraph operators at the time, so the occupation was opened up to females. Especially during the American Civil War, when many of the men were in the army. After the war the men came back and started loudly complaining about all the woman telegraphers. They had their mouths shut by Western Union, who needed all the telegraph operators they could possibly get. Western Union opened a telegraph school for women at Cooper Union in 1869 and began to employ large numbers of women. After that women were in the telegraph biz to stay. Telegraphers would sometimes romance each other by telegraph and eventually marry (though occasionally the romances would abruptly end when the couple met for the first time and actually got to see each other). In Terry Pratchett's novel Raising Steam, Adora Belle is the CEO of the Ankh Morpork semaphore company (the "clacks"). They have special lanterns so messages can be sent at night. She knows that at night lonely clacksmen and clackswomen would fraternize via the clacks during slack hours, and she approved. The clackspeople would woo each other over the clacks and marry, with the happy result of little clacksmen and clackswomen being born. The semaphore company needs all the clackspeople they can get. And a clacksperson marrying a non-clacksperson is an unstable marriage, best they marry each other. Telegraphers were stratified by skill. They looked with scorn on the part-time operators in the small towns (sneeringly calling them "plugs" or "hams"). Your level in the hierarchy was measured by how many words per minute you could send and receive. first class operators could do 25 to 30 words per minute. The elite "bonus men" could do 40 wpm or more (and got a pay bonus as reward). The company didn't care if you were a man or woman (or even a child), the important point was your words per minute. Wandering operators going from job to job were called "boomers." No job interview, the company just set you down to a busy wire and saw if you could handle it or not. Because boomers knew they could find a job anywhere they were often itinerant and commonly suffering from alcoholism or mental health disorders (much like short order cooks according to Anthony Bourdain). Telegraphers got their start at a young age, in some backwoods town filling in a position part-time. There were lots of books and pamphlets around teaching Morse Code. If they had some skill it was time to go to the big city. Actually it was well known that becoming a telegrapher was one of the best ways to escape from a sleepy little dead-end town. A newbie at a telegraph company would often be subjected to a hazing ritual called "salting." The hazers would set the newbie down to a telegraph line, not knowing that the hazers had secretly put a hot-shot bonus man on the other end. The bonus man would start out slow, but then gradually go faster and faster until the sweating newbie had to give up. Ha-ha, gotcha kid! This didn't work when they tried salting young Thomas Edison. He was better than the bonus man. Edison sarcastically told the bonus man "Why don't you use the other foot?" Unsurprisingly the telegraph revolutionized the newspaper industry. In the good-ol' days the news from foreign parts could be six weeks old, the advent of the telegraph created the new concept of "breaking news." The paper that got the news out first was the winner, which was a jolting development for the traditionally turtle-slow news media. On the plus side, fresh news on an event in progress could be reported in installments. The paper could put out four editions on a developing story and the news-hungry citizens would buy all four. Newspapers sending separate reporters to an event was a waste of talent, so the papers formed groups to pool their resources and prevent duplicate efforts. The first one in the US was the New York Associated Press, you may have heard of it. Another news agency was founded in Europe by a fellow named Paul von Reuter, you might have heard of that one as well. Reuter had started before semaphore, using homing pigeons to send stock market quotes. With the rise of the electric telegraph, Reuter "followed the cable" and moved his operation to London. During the Crimean War the British government found out the hard way that newspapers with timely news can give aid and comfort to the enemy. Before the telegraph the British War Ministry would routinely issue details of troop movements to the newspapers. This was safe because the papers would arrive at the target nations weeks after the troops. But now with the telegraph, enemy agents in London could read all the details in the Times and telegraph them directly to Russia at the speed of light. Russia could actually have the news before the commander of the British troops. Naturally when the War Ministry started to censor its reports, the Times became quite angry. The Crimean War also gave the British and French troops a harsh introduction to the "back seat driver syndrome." They got the bright idea of laying a telegraph line into the Crimean peninsula. Up until now commanders in the field would be in charge, since orders from the capital can take weeks to arrive. But the telegraph meant the commanders found themselves being constantly second-guessed and micromanaged by the incompetent superiors in London and Paris, every fifteen minutes or so. The telegraph also gave England their first taste of the Vietnam Effect, where the people at home were horrified at their first experience with instant news from the center of the battle. Until now news from the battlefront would take weeks to arrive, and be white-washed for public consumption. But now with the telegraph the news would be up-to-the-minute, and be the raw truth. The war was badly organized due to government mismanagement (which was common). Pre-telegraph this didn't matter, the public never knew. But now reporters on the scene telegraphed in graphic exposés of soldiers being wrongly or inadequately equipped, with no proper medical support. The Times gleefully made this front-page news. This was an eye-opener for the citizens at home. It certainly put the British government on the hot seat. Diplomats were also disrupted by the speed of the telegraph. Before they had the luxury of time to deal with any diplomatic incident, since it would take weeks for the news to reach back home. Now with the telegraph, the news was on the headlines the very next day, with the public screaming for an instant response. Worse, it would also be in the hands of other foreign governments, doing an end-run around normal diplomatic channels. The diplomatic embassies had to have dedicated telegraph lines installed, and senior diplomats in London had lines in their homes connecting them to the embassies. With respect to empire building, note that both the Crimean War micromanagement and the diplomatic pressure had the effect of centralizing power in London. The telegraph had a great run, but it started to decline in 1877. It was killed by a new tech toy, Alexander Graham Bell's "telephone." Which is currently in the process of being killed by radio, in the form of smart phones. SUBSPACE RADIO WEDDING artwork by Dean Ellis? (ed note: Steve and Nadia had been marooned on Ganymede for almost a year, and fell in love. They were finally rescued by a superdreadnought commanded by Newton, Nadia's father. Steve and Nadia want to get married, but it is a shame that Nadia's mother cannot be there. Or can she?) "All x, daughter; out with it!" and he bent upon her a quizzical glance, under which a fiery blush burned from her throat to her forehead. "Dad, I've been thinking a lot since you rescued us, and what we've just heard has given me the nerve to say it. Steve, of course, wouldn't dare suggest such a thing until we're safely back on Earth, so I will." Her deep brown eyes held his steadily. "All those girls got married—why, some of them have babies already—and Steve and I have waited for each other so long, daddy! And none of them love each other the way we do. Do they, Steve?" "I don't see how they could, sir; and that goes straight across the panel," and he bore unflinchingly the piercing gaze of the older man as his right arm encircled the girl and held her close. "Yes, you are sure," he continued after a moment "just as her mother and I were—and are. It is too bad that she cannot be here with you, but it may be a long time before we can return to Tellus, and you have indeed waited long. "Mr. Newton." Stevens spoke thoughtfully as Nadia darted away. "You said something about her mother, I didn't want to say anything to raise false hopes while she was here, but I've got an idea. Let's meet in Brandon's room instead of here. We can send code to Tellus easily enough on our ultrawave, and we may be able to fake up something on vision." A few minutes later the Big Three were in Brandon's private study; staring intently into a screen of ground glass upon which played flickering, flashing lights, while the black-haired physicist manipulated micrometer dials in infinitesimal arcs. "Once more, Mac," Brandon directed. "Pretty nearly had them that time. We're stretching this projector about six hundred percent, but we've got to make this connection. Can't you give me just a little more voltage on those secondaries?" "I can not!" the voice of the first assistant snapped from the speaker. "I'm overloading now so badly that some of my plates are getting hot—if I hold this voltage much longer, the whole secondary bank of tubes is going out. All x—you're on zero!" "All x!" Flashing and waning, the lights upon the screen formed fleeting, shifting, nebulous images of a relay station upon distant Earth; but the utmost power of the transmitting fields could neither steady the image nor hold it. "Back off, Mac," Brandon instructed. "I'm afraid we can't hold 'em direct—no use blowing a bank of tubes. We'll try relaying through Mars—we can hold them there, I think. It will muss up reception some, but it will probably be better than direct, at that. Point oh five three six ... all x—shoot!" Brandon's relay station upon Mars was finally raised and held, and a corps of keenly interested engineers there made short work of the Earth-Mars linkage. Soon the screen glowed with the picture of the transmitter-room of the Terrestrial station, and while the three men were waiting for Mrs. Newton to be called to her own television set, the door behind them opened. Nadia and her escorts entered the room—but Stevens' eyes saw only the entrancing vision of loveliness that was his bride. Dressed in a clinging white gown of shimmering silk, her hair a golden blond corona, sweetly curved lips slightly parted and wide eyes eloquent, she paused momentarily as Stevens came to his feet and stared at her, his very heart in his eyes. "You never saw me in a dress before—do you like me, Steve?" "Like you! You're beautiful!" and gray eyes and brown, deep with wonder and with love, met and held as, unheeding the presence of their friends, they went into each other's arms in a coalescence as inevitable and as final as Fate itself. "Hi, Nadia old dear!" and "Daughter, from what I can see of my son-in-law, I believe that he may do," came together from the speaker. Nadia tore herself from Stevens' embrace, to see upon the lambent screen the happily smiling faces of her mother and sister. "Mother! Claire! Oh, you three wonder-workers!" She addressed simultaneously the distant Terrestrials and the scientists at her side, while broken exclamations, punctuated by ominous, crackling snaps, came from the laboring amplifier. "Sorry to interrupt," MacDonald's voice broke in, "but you'll have to hurry it up. Alcantro and Fedanzo are doing their best, but every plate in my secondary bank's red hot, and you could fry an egg on any one of my transformers. Even my primary tubes are running hot. She won't hold together five minutes longer!" Captain King opened his book, and in that small steel room, unadorned save for stack upon stack of bookcases, the brief but solemn ceremony joining two young lives was read—its solemnity only intensified by its unique accompaniment. For from Brandon at the primary controls, through the power-room of the Sirius and the relay-station upon Mars, to the immense Interplanetary transmitter upon Earth, the greatest radio and television engineers of two planets were fighting overdriven equipment, trying to hold an almost impossible connection, in order that Nadia Newton's mother and sister might be present at her wedding, hundreds of millions of miles distant in space! "I pronounce you man and wife." The sacred old ritual ended and Captain King picked up the bride in his great arms as though she were a baby, kissed her vigorously, and set her down in front of the transmitter ( remember it is a myth that Captains are allowed to perform marriages). In the midst of the joyous confusion that ensued a tearing, rattling crash came from the speaker and the screen went blank. "There!" lamented MacDonald from the power room. "I knew they'd blow! There goes my whole secondary bank—eight perfectly good ten-nineteens all shot to...." "That's too bad, but it couldn't be helped; they went for a good cause," interrupted Brandon. "I'll come down and help clean up the mess." From SPACEHOUNDS OF IPC by E. E. "Doc" Smith (1931) CLACKS TOWER Clacks tower 181 2×4 array of shuttered lights sends an 8-bit code. Artwork by Carl Mitchell (ed note: the "clacks" network is a semaphore telegraph system. The quote echos the early days of computer hacker at MIT, where they were all young, obsessed with computers, and spoke in technical jargon. The reference to kids echos the early days of the electric telegraph. The "hour of the dead" is the hour each day used for tower maintenance. Now all you science fiction authors: replace the medieval city-states with colonized planets and the clacks towers with isolated FTL relay stations on some miserable uninhabited asteroids or planets. This should spark some ideas for your next novel.) It was called the lucky clacks tower, Tower 181. It was close enough to the town of Bonk for a man to be able to go and get a hot bath and a good bed on his days off, but since this was Uberwald there wasn’t too much local traffic and – this was important – it was way, way up in the mountains and management didn’t like to go that far. In the good old days of last year, when the Hour of the Dead took place every night, it was a happy tower because both the up-line and the down-line got the Hour at the same time, so there was an extra pair of hands for maintenance. Now Tower 181 did maintenance on the fly or not at all, just like all the others, but it was still, proverbially, a good tower to man. Mostly man, anyway. Back down on the plains it was a standing joke that 181 was staffed by vampires and werewolves. In fact, like a lot of towers, it was often manned by kids. Everyone knew it happened. Actually, the new management probably didn't, but wouldn’t have done anything about it if they’d found out, apart from carefully forgetting that they’d known. Kids didn’t need to be paid. The – mostly – young men on the towers worked hard in all weathers for just enough money. They were loners, hard dreamers, fugitives from the law that the law had forgotten, or just from everybody else. They had a special kind of directed madness; they said the rattle of the clacks got into your head and your thoughts beat time with it so that sooner or later you could tell what messages were going through by listening to the rattle of the shutters. In their towers they drank hot tea out of strange tin mugs, much wider at the bottom so that they didn’t fall over when gales banged into the tower. On leave, they drank alcohol out of anything. And they talked a gibberish of their own, of donkey and nondonkey, system overhead and packet space, of drumming it and hotfooting, of a 181 (which was good) or flock (which was bad) or totally flocked (really not good at all) and plug-code and hog-code and jacquard (punch cards) . . . And they liked kids, who reminded them of the ones they’d left behind or would never have, and kids loved the towers. They’d come and hang around and do odd jobs and maybe pick up the craft of semaphore just by watching. They tended to be bright, they mastered the keyboard and levers as if by magic, they usually had good eyesight and what they were doing, most of them, was running away from home without actually leaving. Because, up on the towers, you might believe you could see to the rim of the world. You could certainly see several other towers, on a good clear day. You pretended that you too could read messages by listening to the rattle of the shutters, while under your fingers flowed the names of faraway places you’d never see but, on the tower, were somehow connected to... Grandad had been hunched in the corner, repairing a shutter box in this cramped shed halfway up the tower. Grandad was the tower-master and had been everywhere and knew everything. Everyone called him Grandad. He was twenty-six. (many of the early top hackers were in their teens) 'I can’t stand this,' muttered Grandad. 'Roger, let’s get this tower working again. We’ve got local signals to send, haven’t we?' 'Sure. And stuff waiting on the drum,' said Roger. Princess looked out from the upstream window. '182’s lit up,' she announced. 'Right! Let’s light up and shift code,' Grandad growled. 'That’s what we do! And who’s going to stop us? All those without something to do, get out! We are running!' Princess went out on to the little platform, to be out of the way. Underfoot the snow was like icing sugar, in her nostrils the air was like knives. When she looked across the mountains, in the direction she’d learned to think of as downstream, she could see that Tower 180 was sending. At that moment, she heard the thump and click of 181’s own shutters opening, dislodging snow. We shift code, she thought. It’s what we do. Up on the tower, watching the star-like twinkle of the Trunk in the clear, freezing air, it was like being part of the sky. From GOING POSTAL by Terry Pratchett (2004) THE CLACKS 1 artwork by Josh Kirby (ed note: the "clacks" network is a semaphore telegraph system.) 'The clacks do a skeleton service as far as Überwald now, don't they?' Carrot brightened up. 'It's wonderful, sir, isn't it? In a few months they say we'll be able to send messages all the way from Ankh-Morpork to Genua in less than a day!' 'Yes indeed. I wonder if by then we'll have anything sensible to say to each other.' Lord Vetinari stood at his window watching the semaphore tower on the other side of the river. All eight of the big shutters facing him were blinking furiously — black, white, white, black, white … Information was flying into the air. Twenty miles behind him, on another tower in Sto Lat. someone was looking through a telescope and shouting out numbers. How quickly the future comes upon us, he thought. He always suspected the poetic description of Time like an ever-rolling stream. Time, in his experience, moved more like rocks … sliding, pressing, building up force underground and then, with one jerk that shakes the crockery, a whole field of turnips mysteriously slips sideways by six feet. Semaphore had been around for centuries, and everyone knew that knowledge had a value, and everyone knew that exporting goods was a way of making money. And then, suddenly, someone realized how much money you could make by exporting to Genua by tomorrow things known in Ankh-Morpork today. And some bright young man in the Street of Cunning Artificers had been unusually cunning. Knowledge, information, power, words … flying through the air, invisible … And suddenly the world was tap-dancing on quicksand. In that case, the prize went to the best dancer. There was another clacks tower on the horizon. They were putting them near the. road, he recalled, even though that wasn't the direct route. Only a fool would build them across the badlands. You had to remember, sometimes, that within a few hundred miles of Ankh-Morpork there were still trolls who hadn't caught on to the fact that humans weren't digestible (trolls are silicon-based lifeforms). Besides, most of the settlements were near the road. The new Guild must be coining money. Even from here he could see the scaffolding, as workers feverishly attached still more gantries and paddles to the main tower. The whole thing would likely be matchsticks after the next hurricane, but by then the owners would probably have earned enough to build another five. Or fifty. It had all happened so fast. Who'd have believed it? But all the components had been there for years. Semaphore was ancient—a century ago the Watch had used a few towers to relay messages to patrolling officers. And gargoyles had nothing to do all day but sit and watch things, and usually were too unimaginative to make mistakes. What had happened was that people thought differently about news now. Once upon a time they'd have used something like this to relay information about troop movements and the death of kings. True, those were things that people needed to know, but they didn't need to know them every day. No, what they needed to know every day were things like How much are cattle selling for in Ankh-Morpork today? Because if they weren't fetching much maybe it was better to drive them to Quirm instead. People needed to know these little things. Lots and lots of little things. Little things like Did my ship get there safely? That's why the Guild was driving hell-bent across the mountains on to Genua, four thousand miles away. It took many months for a ship to round Cape Terror. How much, exactly, would a trader pay to know, within a day, when it had arrived? And how much the cargo was worth? Had it been sold? Was there credit to the trader's name in Ankh-Morpork? Coining money? Oh, yes! And it had caught on as fast as every other craze did in the big city. It seemed as though everybody who could put together a pole, a couple of gargoyles and some second-hand windmill machinery was in on the business. You couldn't go out to dinner these days without seeing people nip out of the restaurant every five minutes to check that there weren't any messages for them on the nearest pole. As for those who cut out the middleman and signalled directly to their friends across a crowded room, causing mild contusions to those nearby … Vimes shook his head. That was messages without meaning: telepathy without brains. But it had been good, hadn't it, last week? When Don't Know Jack had pinched that silver in Sto Lat and then galloped at speed to the sanctuary of the Shades in Ankh-Morpork? And Sergeant Edge of the Sto Lat Watch, who'd trained under Vimes, had put a message on the clacks which arrived on Vimes's desk more than an hour before Jack sauntered through the city gates and into the waiting embrace of Sergeant Detritus? Legally it had been a bit tricky, since the offence hadn't been committed on Ankh-Morpork soil and a semaphore message did not, strictly speaking, come under the heading of 'hot pursuit', but Jack had kindly solved that one by taking a wild swing at the troll, resulting in his arrest for Assault on a Watch Officer and treatment for a broken wrist … After a while they passed a clacks tower. Burn marks on one side of the stone base suggested that someone had thought that no news was good news, but the semaphore shutters were clacking and twinkling in the light. The tower loomed quite close now. The first twenty feet or so were of stone with narrow, barred windows. Then there was a broad platform from which the main tower grew. It was a sensible arrangement. An enemy would find it hard to break in or set fire to it, there was enough storage room inside to see out a siege, and the enemy would be aware that the lads inside would have signalled for help thirty seconds after the attack began. The company had money. They were like the coaching agents in that respect. If a tower went out of action, someone would be along to ask expensive questions. There was no law here; the kind of people who'd turn up would be inclined to leave a message to the world that towers were not to be touched. Everyone should know this, and therefore it was odd to see that the big signal arms were stationary. The hairs rose on Vimes's neck. 'Stay in the carriage, Sybil,' he said… …Vimes climbed the ladder. Inigo was sitting at a table, leafing through a stack of papers. 'Where's the crew?' 'That, your grace,' said Inigo, 'is one of the mysteries, mmm, mmm.' 'And the others are—?' Inigo nodded towards the steps leading upwards. 'See for yourself.' The controls for the arms had been comprehensively smashed. Laths and bits of wire dangled forlornly from their complex framework. 'Several hours of repair work for skilled men, I'd say,' said Inigo, as Vimes returned. 'What happened here, Inigo?' 'I would say the men who lived here were forced to leave, mmph, mmhm. In some disorder.' 'But it's a fortified tower!' 'So? They have to cut firewood. Oh, the company has rules, and then they put three young men in some lonely tower for weeks at a time and they expect them to act like clockwork people. See the trapdoor up to the controls? That should be locked at all times. Now you, your grace, and myself as well, because we are …are—' 'Bastards?' Vimes supplied. 'Well, yes … mmm … we'd have devised a system that meant the clacks couldn't even be operated unless the trapdoor was shut, wouldn't we?' 'Something like that, yes.' 'And we'd have written into the rules that the presence of any visitor in the tower would, mmhm, be automatically transmitted to the neighbouring towers, too.' 'Probably. That'd be a start.' 'As it is, I suspect that any harmless-looking visitor with a nice fresh apple pie for the lads would be warmly welcomed,' sighed Inigo. 'They do two-month shifts. Nothing to look at but trees, mmm.'… …He pulled a box from under the lower bunk. Inside it were several tubes, about a foot long, open at one end. "'Badger & Normal, Ankh-Morpork'" he read aloud, "'Mortar flare (Red). Light Fuse. Do Not Place In Mouth.' It's a firework, Mister Skimmer. I've seen them on ships." 'Ah, there was something…' Inigo leafed through the book on the table. 'They could send up an emergency flare if there was a big problem. Yes, the tower nearest Ankh-Morpork will send out a couple of men, and a bigger squad comes up from the depot down on the plains. They take a downed tower very seriously.' 'Yes, well, it could cost them money,' said Vimes, peering into the mouth of the mortar. 'We need this tower working, Inigo. I don't like being stuck out here.' 'The roads aren't too bad yet. They could be here by tomorrow evening—I'm sure you shouldn't do that, sir!' Vimes had pulled the mortar out of its tube. He looked at Inigo quizzically. 'They won't go off until you light the charge in the base,' he said. 'They're safe. And they'd make a stupid weapon, 'cos you can't aim them worth a damn and they're only made of cardboard in any case. Come on, let's get it on to the roof.' 'Not until dark, your grace, mmm. That way two or three towers on each side will see it, not just the closest.' 'But if the closest towers are watching they'll certainly see—' 'We don't know that there is anyone there to watch, sir. Perhaps what happened here has happened there too? Mmm?' Something bright rose from the distant forests. It vanished, and then a green light expanded into existence. A moment later came the pop of the flare. 'The signallers have got to the tower,' said Vimes. 'Can't this damn thing go any faster?' said Angua. 'I mean, we can contact Ankh-Morpork,' said Vimes. After everything, he felt curiously cheered by this. It was as if a special human howl had gone up. He wasn't floundering around loose now. He was floundering on the end of a very long line. That made all the difference. 'And since the arrest of its ambassador will certainly cause … difficulties with AnkhMorpork,' Vimes went on, 'I strongly suggest you take us directly to the King.' By blessed chance, the distant tower sent up another flare. Green light illuminated the snows for a moment. 'What's that mean?' said the dwarf captain. 'It means that Ankh-Morpork knows what's going on,' said Vimes, praying that it did. 'And I don't reckon you want to be the dwarf who started the war.' Starship Couriers If there are starships but no ansibles, or if the starships are much faster than ansibles, you will see the creation of ultra-fast manned message-courier FTL starships or unmanned FTL message drones. Much like the Express Boat Network in the Traveller role playing game or the unmanned Courier Drones from Starfire. No ansibles means the current news is only as fresh as the most recent arrival of a news-bearing starship. Couriers are intended to make the arrivals as fast as possible. They pop into the solar system wherever is quickest, and send the message by radio for the last few astronomical units. TRAVELLER EXPRESS BOAT NETWORK Artwork by William H. Keith, Jr. (1980) In the Traveller universe there are faster-than-light starships, but no FTL radio. You can use ordinary radio to communicate within a given solar system, but interstellar communication between solar systems has to be carried by starship. The Imperial Interstellar Scout Service runs the Communication Office, which is charged with transporting messages across the parsecs of the Imperium as fast as humanly possible. This is performed with the Express Boat Network. Even with the Express Boat Network, it can take up to four years for information to travel from the Imperial Core to certain backwater systems in the Marches (approximately 100 parsecs or 326 light-years). X-Boat The core of the Network is an ultra-optimized spacecraft called an "Express Boat" or "X-Boat". It literally cannot do anything except: Make one (1) FTL jump up to 4 solar systems over, expending all its fuel in the process Transmit its data upon arrival with a high-speed tight-beam radio transmission Supply the single crewperson with just enough life support to survive the trip Since Traveller computers are primitive enough that they fill up a room, there is no such thing as an automated X-Boat. All X-Boats are manned by a crewperson. Note that among the many standard starship parts the X-Boat does not have is a normal-space propulsion system (Maneuver Drive). In other words, once the X-Boat arrives, it cannot move. It has to wait to be rescued by an X-Boat Tender. Maneuver Drives have too much mass. The extreme design of an X-Boat is due to the draconian mass-ratio of the 4-parsec FTL Jump Drive. Much like a chemical rocket, it is mostly fuel tank and Jump drive. Welded on the nose is a hab module containing the tight-beam radio, data bank for the messages, and cramped spartan living arrangements for a crew of one. In case of hull breech there is one (1) life support ball, but no spacesuit. In case of pirates there is one (1) pistol, but no ship weapon turrets. A turret also has too much mass. X-Boat Tender The function of an X-Boat Tender is to rescue the poor spent X-Boat, liberate the pilot, and either refuel/refurbish/re-pilot the X-Boat for its next trip or haul it to a way station for repairs. It carries four X-boat pilots, some recuperating (an FTL jump takes a week cooped up in jump-space) and some ready to go . Other items include huge fuel tanks, maintenance facilities, heavy-duty communication banks, and a crew of six. Tenders stationed in star systems of the lawless marches have jack-in-the-box weapon turrets, tenders in the civlized Imperial Core are unarmed. The Tender places a ready X-Boat at the jump area. There the boat will wait on a hair trigger for a mail data dump from the station and an immediate jump. In addition, an X-Boat Tender can carry up to four X-Boats in their huge hangar bays and transport them to another solar system. This capability also allows them to rescue X-Boats that are damaged or who mis-jumped to the wrong system. X-Boat Station The X-Boat Station is located in the outer part of the solar system, as close as is safe to the area where the X-Boats will arrive from Jump Space. Their main function is to receive the data dump from a newly arrived X-Boat with mimimal delay and to pass it ASAP to all fresh X-Boats poised to jump out to the next systems in the network. Messages brought by the arriving xboat and intended for further down the line are consolidated with the new data from in-system. Transfer time for messages from one xboat to another can be as short as ten minutes, and is rarely more than an hour. The station also transmits the newly-arrived data to all inhabited planets in the system. Which is sort of the point behind having the express boat network in the first place. In addition; the station has facilities for the refueling and repair of X-Boats and their tenders, and quarters for pilots and the station crew. There is only one X-Boat Station per solar system in the network. These are larger stations which in addition to all the functionality of a small station is capable of performing major drive overhauls of X-Boats and other massive maintenance. One out of every eight to ten stations in the network are full Way Stations, the rest are just X-Boat Stations. Poni Express The X-Boat Network operates much the same as the ancient Terran Pony Express. An incompetent Professor Dinimbue of the University of Sylea botched the design of the X-Boat service emblem. She found the records of the Pony Express, but her poor grasp of the old Anglic language did not allow her to realize a "pony" is a small Terran horse. She mistakenly figured it was a reference to the beast of burden called the poni, common to several worlds of the Sylean Federation. You can see the silly result above. IMPERIAL COMMAND AND COMMUNICATION NETWORK ICCN Artwork by David R. Deitrick (ed note: in the game Starfire, there are starships but no ansibles. Courier drones are automated unmanned missiles with FTL drives used to carry messages back to headquarters. Warships generally have a magazine full of these.) At their option, players may invest in communication installations and create an Imperial Command and Communications Network, or "ICCN." Communication and command may be thought of as two sides of the same coin. Command control is lost if the ability to relay information to the Imperial Command Center and then inform fleet units of changed orders does not exist: raw information without the capability of making decisions is of no value. Thus, the value of the ICCN lies in the faster reaction time it provides by transmitting important information to the Imperial Command Center and then, after a decision has been reached, quickly relaying new orders to the fleet. When players comprehend the vast distances involved in a game of New Empires and realize how quickly a population may be conquered or destroyed, they begin to understand the substantial value the days saved by the ICCN in getting fleet units to the scene of an invasion may have. There are, effectively, only two ways of communicating over distances within a star system: by spacecraft (including courier drones) or by light-wave (laser) or radio-wave transmission. The technology of courier drones is presented in the rule section on missile technology [see (E8.3)]. Communication through warp links is not possible with light or radio-wave technology. However, a pair of bases or other spacecraft which are equipped with communication modules may be positioned so that each end of a warp link has one of the spacecraft adjacent to it. Drones may then be exchanged through the warp link. Once a drone has gone through the warp link and entered the system at the other end of it, it will transmit its message, which is picked up by the communication module of the spacecraft adjacent to the warp point at that end of the link. This spacecraft in turn transmits the message at the speed of light to any point in the star system within its range by using the transmitters of its communication module. In this case, the drones are assumed to be programmed to stop near the spacecraft to which they transmitted their message, and may then be recovered to be used again. The time required for a message to travel through a given star system is assumed to be six hours. The only instance in which more detailed calculations are required or allowed is if enemy spacecraft groups are involved at the system level of play and the exact time taken for the communication to reach its destination may make an important difference to the outcome of the action. Drones may also be used for communication without the aid of wave transmission; but communicating in this manner is much slower and much less reliable (the communication may be intercepted and destroyed). Drones are normally used as the sole means of communication only by exploration ships or by units whose connecting warp links have not yet been integrated into the ICCN. (E3.21) COMMAND CONTROL All communications are channeled to a player's designated Imperial Command Center. At an Imperial Command Center, decisions are reached and new orders to be communicated to fleet units are written. (The Imperial Command Center represents a political and military command complex). All fleet units must attempt to move as ordered until communications from an Imperial Command Center containing changed orders are received by the units. Contingency orders may be issued by the Command Center to allow the fleet unit to react to certain types of information gained without relaying this information to the Command Center; but these contingency orders must be executed to the letter of the manner in which they were written. When information is received by an Imperial Command Center, a six-sided die should be rolled. The die-roll result represents the number of hours required for the Command Center to reach a decision based on the information. At the end of this time period, the Command Center issues new orders which are transmitted to the fleet units. Diagram created by Jim Francis based on the above diagram Example of the ICCN: This example uses the map and situation shown above. A major enemy force is invading system #004 and is attempting to move into the homeworld system, #001. The survival of the player's empire may depend on whether forces in system #003 can be diverted by new orders to move into system #002 and head off the invasion. first, the player controlling starship force "A" picks up the invading force on the science instruments modules of this force. Force "A" then moves toward the unknown starship group to bring its scanners into range to identify the threat posed. At 10-11:35:00 (Day 10 at 11:35 AM), the long-range scanners of starship force "A" identify 50 starships (the types of which are not yet known) and launches a courier drone to alert the Imperial Command Center. This drone is unopposed at the tactical and interception levels of play, since it was launched from a point beyond weapons range. The drone's movement is simulated at the system level of play, beginning with the system impulse of 10-12:00:00 and the system hex of launch. At the time of launch the courier drone is at a distance of 12 system hexes (72 light-minutes) from the warp point between star system #004 and #002. The drone travels this distance in six hours at its speed of "12," arriving at the warp point at 10-18:00:00. Upon reaching this warp point, the courier drone is instantly moved through the warp link and into star system #002. In this system there is a communication base heated in the same system hex as the warp point (actually in the same tactical hex), and this base activates the transmitter of the drone and receives its message at 10-19:00:00 (rounding up to the next system-level impulse). The message is then transmitted by the ICCN. It is relayed through the warp link between star system #002 and #001 by the communication bases adjacent to the warp points of this link, and finally reaches the Imperial Command Center 12 hours later, at 11-07:00:00. The Imperial Command Center takes three hours to reach a decision based on this message (the player rolled a "3" on a six-sided die). New orders are then issued to divert starship force "B" to system #002, and these orders are entered on the ICCN at 11-10:00:00. The new orders are received at the warp point in system #003 12 hours later, at 11-22:00:00. (It takes six hours for the transmission to travel across system #001 from the Imperial Command Center to the warp point, plus six hours to travel from one warp point to the other in system #002.) Fortunately, starship force "B" has a spacecraft equipped with a "CC" (long range communication) module. This spacecraft is at a range of 12 system hexes from the warp point, and so receives the message 12 minutes later, at 11-22:12. Force "B" will move at the system level of play, and thus 11:22:12 is rounded up to 11-23:00. The orders for starship force "B" are changed as of the beginning of system impulse of 11-23:00:00. Moving at a speed of six, force "B" enters the warp link into star system #002 at 12-11:00:00. Is force "B"in time to intercept the invasion force? That depends on many factors. However, the total reaction time is roughly 36 hours between the time starship force "A" launches its courier drone and the time starship force "B" is ordered to attempt to intercept the enemy force by entering star system #002. This means that force "B" has a good chance of making the interception. In the 36 hours required to react, the enemy fleet cannot move more than a total of 36 system hexes at a speed of six, including the 12 system hexes it has to traverse before reaching the warp link into star system #002. Thus, even if the enemy group has complete astrogation information (which would be an unusual occurrence) and so knows exactly where the correct warp link is located, the force can be no further than 24 hexes into star system #002 when starship force "B" is ordered to react. If the ICCN had not been available and the communication had been relayed solely by courier drones or by even slower spacecraft, the amount of time required to receive the information and to transmit the new orders would have been much longer — days longer — even though the time required for the Command Center to reach a decision would be unchanged. The edge of survival might be riding on those hours and days saved. From STARFIRE, THE GORM-KHANATE WAR (1986) MESSAGE TORPEDO 1 "What you say is true enough," agreed the skipper. "They could be laying for us. We'll see. A message torp will make sure that if we don't get back our fleet will know where to come and who to smash. Then we'll make a landing in a lifeboat. Our enemy couldn't resist smashing that! And if it gets away, we'll know something about their weapons, anyhow." The Kennessee sent off the torp from the aft communications room. It was not an impressive device, the torp, merely a cigar-shaped object some six feet long. After leaving the Kennessee it would drive away at thirty-five gravities' acceleration for fifteen minutes and then go into overdrive—when it would cease to exist, as far as normal space was concerned. Its disappearance would be marked by the emission of a monstrous surge of energy—a "whango wave"—which could be detected at hundreds of millions of miles. Near home base it would come out of overdrive with the emission of another, similar, wave. The second wave was useful. From Masa Gamma to the Kennessee's home base was some eighty light-years. A space-radio message transmitted by tight beam would reach home base only in time to be of interest to the crew's great-grandchildren. But the torp would arrive within days, its reappearance wave would be picked up by a far-flung net of communications ships, and they would receive and forward the torp's automatically transmitted messages, and later pick it up for the recovery of written data and physical specimens. From PROPAGANDIST by Murray Leinster (1947) The gadgets, four in number, were built as simple as possible. Inside a torpedo shape — a hundred and twenty centimeters long but light enough for a man to lift under Terran gravity — were packed the absolute minimum of hyper-drive and grav-drive machinery; sensors and navigational computer to home on a pre-set destination. radio to beep advance notice when it neared; accumulators for power and a tiny space for the payload, which could be a document, a tape or whatever else would fit. From THE WHITE KING'S WAR by Poul Anderson (1969) artwork by Alan Gutierrez The finns knew the Guardians had won. It was over. The Guardians had taken the planet's surface, and now the surrender of the great satellite Vapaus would go into effect in a few hours. The Guardians themselves had caused a delay of the surrender by insisting it be negotiated strictly in English. The finns, desperately playing for time, stalled for as long as possible, taking hours to search for the English-speaking officer they could have produced in moments. The time was put to urgent use. The last, the only hope, thin though it might be, was the League. Word had to be sent. Six of the last torpedoes were stripped of armament. Light-speed-squared generators and radio beacons were installed. Recordings that held the vital knowledge of the anti-ship missile system, and what little information the finns had on the Guardians, were placed aboard. Word had to get through. The Guardians had not yet closed the ring around Vapaus. Three tiny one-man ships were launched from the Forward airlock complex, each with two torps strapped to jury-rigged harnesses amidships. The little ships launched at six gees, to fly straight through the Guardian fleet. The enemy's radar was too good to be fooled by any feinting maneuver; speed was the only protection. It was not protection enough. The lead ship was destroyed in seconds by laser fire from a troop transport. The finnish pilot's last act was to blow the fusion engines; the resultant explosion created a plasma that jammed every radar screen and radio within a thousand kilometers. That gave the two remaining ships their chance as they flashed into and beyond the gathering fleet. They dove down to lower orbits, rushing to get the sheltering bulk of the planet between themselves and the enemy's radar before it could recover from the explosion the finns' lead ship had died in. They fell toward the planet, gathering speed for a gravity-assist maneuver. One hundred eighty degrees around the planet from the satellite Vapaus, they both changed course, maneuvering violently, one coming about to fly a forced orbit straight over the planet's North Pole, the second heading over the South Pole. As soon as the ships had reached their new headings, they cut their engines for a moment, and each released a torp. Then the two ships and the two released torpedoes ignited their engines and flashed on into the sky, the torps holding course, the ships again changing their headings. The southern ship was caught and destroyed by a Nova fighter scrambled from the planet's surface. The northern ship released its second torp and came about, one final time, to act as a decoy for the torps. Soon, all too soon, another fusion explosion lit the sky, marking the point where a Guardian missile had found the last finnish ship. The Guardians tracked only the last torpedo launched, and they were able to destroy it. Of the six torpedoes, two now survived, undetected. Engines still burning, they curved around the world in exactly opposite directions, one over the South Pole, one over the North, their courses bent by the planet's gravity until they came about to identical bearings. The torps cut their engines precisely over the Poles, just as they reached escape velocity. Each now rose on a straight-line course starting from a point directly over a pole and parallel to the equator, the paths of the torps also parallel to each other. Engines stopped, they rushed through space, coasting, trusting to the cold and dark of the void to hide them. Hours after launch, when they were hundreds of thousands of kilometers beyond the orbit of the moon Ku, celestial trackers on each torp examined the starfield. The maneuvering thrusters fired fussily and touched up the torps' headings. The two torps were now on precise headings for the Epsilon Eridani star system, where the English had their colony world, Britannica. The torpedoes were still far too close to New finland's sun to go into light-speed-squared. For long weeks they coasted on into the darkness, while behind them, the Guardians worked their horrors on the finns. On one torp, the power system failed and the torp became another of the useless derelicts in the depths of space. But the other torp, the last one, held on to life. And at the proper moment, the light-speed-squared generator absorbed nearly all the torp's carefully husbanded power and grabbed at the fabric of space around the torpedo. The last torp leaped across the dark between the suns. Soon after, with weak batteries, the radio beacon barely detectable, the torpedo drifted into the Epsilon Eridani system. Just barely, the last torp made it. From THE TORCH OF HONOR by Roger MacBride Allen (1985) Star Mail artwork by Jack Davis? artwork by Walter Hortens artwork by Edd Cartier Remember that historically the postal service and telegraph coexisted. The telegraph was much faster but the mail was much cheaper (with telegraph the cost was per word of message). Physical mail didn't start to die until telegraph messages basically became free, when the telegraph morphed into Internet email. For some ideas about how a planetary and interstellar postal service can help a fallen civilization bootstrap its way out of a dark ages, read David Brin's novel The Postman. TELEGRAPH AND MAIL (ed note: In the medieval-Victorian fantasy city-state of Ankh-Morpork, Moist von Lipwig has been given the job of resurrecting the moribund post office. Moist is a swindler, a con-artist, and a thief. But Vetinari, the Machiavellian ruler of Ankh-Morpork, knows this and figures that Moist is just the man for the job.) Thump. Moist looked down at the piece of paper. Smudgy red letters, chipped and worn, spelled out: 'Ankh-Morpork Post Office.' 'That’s right, sir,' said Groat, waving the heavy metal and wood stamper in the air. 'I bang the stamp on the ink pad here, then bang it, sir, bang it on the letter. There! See? Done it again. Same every time. Stamped.' 'And this is worth a penny?' said Moist. 'Good grief, man, a kid could forge this with half a potato!' 'That was always a bit of a problem, sir, yes,' said Groat. 'Why does a postman have to stamp the letters, anyway?' said Moist. 'Why don’t we just sell people a stamp?' 'But they’d pay a penny and then go on stamping for ever, sir,' said Groat, reasonably. In the machinery of the universe, the wheels of inevitability clicked into position … 'Well, then,' said Moist, staring thoughtfully at the paper, 'how about … how about a stamp you can use only once?' 'You mean, like, not much ink?' said Groat. His brow wrinkled, causing his toupee to slip sideways. 'I mean … if you stamped the stamper lots of times on paper, then cut out all the stampings …' Moist stared at an inner vision, if only to avoid the sight of the toupee slowly crawling back. 'The rate for delivery anywhere in the city is a penny, isn’t it?' 'Except for the Shades, sir. That’s five pence ’cos of the armed guard,' said Groat. 'Right. O-kay. I think I might have something here …' Moist looked up at Mr Pump, who was smouldering in the corner of the office. 'Mr Pump, would you be so good as to go along to the Goat and Spirit Level over at Hen-and-Chickens and ask the publican for "Mr Robinson’s box", please? He may want a dollar. And while you’re over there, there's a printing shop over that way, Teemer and Spools. Leave a message to say that the Postmaster General wishes to discuss a very large order.' 'Teemer and Spools? They’re very expensive, sir,' said Groat. 'They do all the posh printing for the banks.' 'They’re the very devil to forge, I know that,' said Moist. 'Or so I’ve been told,' he added quickly. 'Watermarks, special weaves in the paper, all kinds of tricks. Ahem. So … a penny stamping, and a fivepenny stamping … what about post to the other cities?' 'Five pence to Sto Lat,' said Groat. 'Ten or fifteen to the others. Hah, three dollars for all the way to Genua. We used to have to write those out.' 'We’ll need a one-dollar stamp, then.' Moist started to scribble on the scrap of paper. 'A dollar stamp! Who’d buy one of those?' said Groat. Anyone who wants to send a letter to Genua,' said Moist. 'They’ll buy three, eventually. But for now I’m dropping the price to one dollar.' 'What’re you drawing, Mr Lipwig?' said the boy, craning his neck. 'It looks like the Post Office!' 'Well done. It’s going to be on a stamp, Stanley. Here, what do you think of the others?' He passed over the other sketches. 'Coo, you’re a good draw-er, Mr Lipwig. That looks just like Lord Vetinari!' 'That’s the penny stamp,' said Moist. 'I copied the likeness off a penny. City coat-of-arms on the twopenny, Morporkia with her fork on the fivepenny, Tower of Art on the big one-dollar stamp. I was thinking of a tenpenny stamp, too.' 'They look very nice, Mr Lipwig,' said Stanley. 'All that detail. Like little paintings. What’s all those tiny lines called?' 'Cross-hatching. Makes them hard to forge. And when the letter with the stamp on it comes into the Post Office, you see, we take one of the old rubber stamps and stamp over the new stamps so they can’t be used again, and the—' 'Yes, ’cos they’re like money, really,' said Stanley cheerfully. 'Pardon?' said Moist, tea halfway to his lips. 'Like money. These stamps’ll be like money, ’cos a penny stamp is a penny, when you think about it. Are you all right, Mr Lipwig? Only you’ve gone all funny. Mr Lipwig?' 'Er … what?' said Moist, who was staring at the wall with a strange, faraway grin. 'Are you all right, sir?' 'What? Oh. Yes. Yes, indeed. Er … do we need a bigger stamp, do you think? Five dollars, perhaps?' 'Hah, I should think you could send a big letter all the way to Fourecks for that, Mr Lipwig!' said Stanley cheerfully. 'Worth thinking ahead, then,' said Moist. 'I mean, since we’re designing the stamps and everything …' But now Stanley was admiring Mr Robinson's box. It was an old friend to Moist. He never used 'Mr Robinson' as an alias except to get it stored by some halfway-honest merchant or publican, so that it’d be somewhere safe even if he had to leave town quickly. It was for a con-man and forger what a set of lock picks is to a burglar, but with the contents of this box you could open people’s brains. It was a work of art in its own right, the way all the little compartments lifted up and fanned out when you opened it. There were pens and inks, of course, but also little pots of paints and tints, stains and solvents. And, kept carefully flat, thirty-six different types of paper, some of them quite hard to obtain. Paper was important. Get the weight and translucence wrong, and no amount of skill would save you. You could get away with bad penmanship much more easily than you could with bad paper. In fact, rough penmanship often worked better than a week of industrious midnights spent getting every little thing right, because there was something in people's heads that spotted some little detail that wasn’t quite right but at the same time would fill in details that had merely been suggested by a few careful strokes. Attitude, expectation and presentation were everything. Just like me, he thought. Mr Spools, in his ancient office smelling of oil and ink, was impressed by this strange young man in the golden suit and winged hat. 'You certainly know your papers, Mr Lipwig,' he said, as Moist thumbed through the samples. 'It’s a pleasure to meet a customer who does. Always use the right paper for the job, that’s what I say.' 'The important thing is to make stamps hard to forge,' said Moist, leafing through the samples. 'On the other hand, it mustn’t cost us anything like a penny to produce a penny stamp!' 'Watermarks are your friend there, Mr Lipwig,' said Mr Spools. 'Not impossible to fake, though,' said Moist, and then added, 'so I’ve been told.' 'Oh, we know all the tricks, Mr Lipwig, don’t you worry about that!' said Mr Spools. 'We’re up to scratch, oh yes! Chemical voids, thaumic shadows, timed inks, everything. We do paper and engraving and even printing for some of the leading figures in the city, although of course I am not at liberty to tell you who they are.' He sat back in his worn leather chair and scribbled in a notebook for a moment. 'Well, we could do you twenty thousand of the penny stamps, uncoated stock, gummed, at two dollars a thousand plus setup,' said Mr Spools. 'Ten pence less for ungummed. You’ll have to find someone to cut them out, of course.' 'Can’t you do that with some kind of machine?' said Moist. 'No. Wouldn’t work, not with things as small as this. Sorry, Mr Lipwig.' (ed note: a common hobby in the city is collecting pins. Because hobbyists cannot be stamp-collectors since stamps had not been invented yet. Collected pins are inserted into strips called pin-paper.) Moist pulled a scrap of brown paper out of his pocket and held it up. 'Do you recognize this, Mr Spools?' 'What, is that a pin paper?' Mr Spools beamed. 'Hah, that takes me back! Still got my old collection in the attic. I’ve always thought it must be worth a bob or two if only—' 'Watch this, Mr Spools,' said Moist, gripping the paper carefully. Stanley was almost painfully precise in placing his pins; a man with a micrometer couldn’t have done it better. Gently, the paper tore down the line of holes. Moist looked at Mr Spools and raised his eyebrows. 'It’s all about holes,' he said. 'It ain’t nothing if it ain’t got a hole …' Three hours went past. Foremen were sent for. Serious men in overalls turned things on lathes, other men soldered things together, tried them out, changed this, reamed that, then dismantled a small hand press and built it in a different way. Moist loitered on the periphery of all this, clearly bored, while the serious men fiddled, measured things, rebuilt things, tinkered, lowered things, raised things and, eventually, watched by Moist and Mr Spools, tried out the converted press officially— Chonk … It felt to Moist that everyone was holding their breath so hard that the windows were bending inwards. He reached down, eased the sheet of little perforated squares off the board, and lifted it up. He tore off one stamp. The windows snapped outwards. People breathed again. There wasn’t a cheer. These weren’t men to cheer and whoop at a job well done. Instead, they lit their pipes and nodded to one another. Mr Spools and Moist von Lipwig shook hands over the perforated paper. 'The patent is yours, Mr Spools,' said Moist. 'You’re very kind, Mr Lipwig. Very kind indeed. Oh, here’s a little souvenir …' An apprentice had bustled up with a sheet of paper. To Moist’s astonishment, it was already covered with stamps — ungummed, unperforated, but perfect miniature copies of his drawing for the one penny stamp. (ed note: A reporter from the Times interviews Lipwig.) 'Yes, it’s the right thing. History is not to be denied, Miss Cripslock. And we are a communicating species, Miss Cripslock!' Moist raised his voice to drown out the whispering. 'The mail must get through! It must be delivered!' 'Er … you needn’t shout, Mr Lipwig,' said the reporter, leaning backwards. Moist tried to get a grip, and the whispering died down a little. 'I’m sorry,' he said, and cleared his throat. 'Yes, I intend to deliver all the mail. If people have moved, we will try to find them. If they have died, we’ll try to deliver to their descendants. The post will be delivered. We are tasked to deliver it, and deliver it we will. What else should we do with it? Burn it? Throw it in the river? Open it to decide if it’s important? No, the letters were entrusted to our care. Delivery is the only way.' The whispering had almost died away now, so he went on: 'Besides, we need the space. The Post Office is being reborn!' He pulled out the sheet of stamps. 'With these!' She peered at them, puzzled. 'Little pictures of Lord Vetinari?' she said. ' Stamps, Miss Cripslock. One of those stuck on a letter will ensure delivery anywhere within the city. These are early sheets, but tomorrow we will be selling them gummed and perforated for ease of use. I intend to make it easy to use the post. Obviously we are still finding our feet, but soon I intend that we should be capable of delivering a letter to anyone, anywhere in the world.' It was a stupid thing to say, but his tongue had taken over. 'Aren’t you being rather ambitious, Mr Lipwig?' she said. 'I’m sorry, I don’t know any other way to be,' said Moist. 'I was thinking that we do have the clacks now.' (the "clacks" network is a Victorian tech semaphore telegraph system. Basically a Victorian Internet. Which is killing the mail service much like email is currently killing snail-mail) 'The clacks?' said Moist. 'I dare say the clacks is wonderful if you wish to know the prawn market figures from Genua. But can you write S.W.A.L.K. on a clacks? Can you seal it with a loving kiss? Can you cry tears on to a clacks, can you smell it, can you enclose a pressed flower? A letter is more than just a message. And a clacks is so expensive in any case that the average man in the street can just about afford it in a time of crisis: GRANDADS DEAD FUNERAL TUES. A day’s wages to send a message as warm and human as a thrown knife? But a letter is real.' He stopped. Miss Cripslock was scribbling like mad, and it’s always worrying to see a journalist take a sudden interest in what you’re saying, especially when you half suspect it was a load of pigeon guano. And it’s worse when they’re smiling. (ed note: Moist delivers a bag of mail to the neighboring city-state of Sto Lat. The mayor is pleased, except for one thing.) He stopped at the door. 'Oh, just one thing, sir, about them stamps …' 'Yes? Is there a problem, Mr Camels?' said Moist. 'Not as such, sir. I wouldn’t say anything against Lord Vetinari, sir, or Ankh-Morpork' — said a man living within twenty miles of a proud and touchy citizenry — 'but, er, it doesn’t seem right, licking … well, licking Ankh-Morpork stamps. Couldn’t you print up a few for us? We’ve got a Queen, nice girl. She’d look good on a stamp. We’re an important city, you know!' 'I’ll see what I can do, Mr Camels. Got a picture of her, by any chance?' They’ll all want one, he thought, as he got dressed. Having your own stamps could be like having your own flag, your own crest. It could be big! And I bet I could do a deal with my friend Mr Spools, oh yes. Doesn’t matter if you haven’t got your own post office, you’ve got to have your own stamp … 'They’re collecting, them, sir! And it gets better, sir!' 'How could it get better than that, Stanley?' said Moist. He looked down. Yes, the boy had a new shirt, showing a picture of the penny stamp and bearing the legend: Ask Me About Stamps. 'Sto Lat want Teemer and Spools to do them their own set! And the other cities are asking about it, too!' Moist made a mental note: we’ll change the stamps often. And offer stamp designs to every city and country we can think of. Everyone will want to have their own stamps rather than 'lick Vetinari's back side' and we’ll honour them, too, if they’ll deliver our mail, and Mr Spools will express his gratitude to us in very definite ways, I’ll see to it. (in the year 1644) Ricci, realizing that current Church opinion in Rome would not take kindly to these arguments (since if they were true several things followed, such as the existence of interplanetary vacuum, with sunorbiting planets), made a copy of Torricelli’s letter and sent it to a priest in Paris, Father Marin Mersenne. This man was an extraordinary Minorite friar who ran a kind of scientific salon, to which came many of the more radical thinkers of the day. Following his habit of copying letters he received and circulating them among his many scientific contacts throughout Europe, Mersenne became known as the postbox of Europe. (ed note: copying and forwarding letters is much like David Gerrold's system with Oracle tabs) This carved ivory book-cover from the tenth century shows St. Gregory and his scribes at work, making copies of manuscripts. Such copies were needed to replace worn-out originals and to stock the libraries ofthe monasteries which were spreading throughout Europe at the time. In the fifth century, as the legions began to withdraw to protect Rome, the Germanic tribes which had been in contact with the Empire for over two hundred years gradually consolidated their position. In the province of Gaul they had held high administrative positions since the fourth century. When the so-called barbarians invaded in the fifth and sixth centuries they were fighting Romanized Franks or Burgundians, not Romans. And with the armies gone and the local populations so long forbidden to carry arms, resistance was apathetic. Small city-states sprang up. The great estates, established as part of the imperial economic structure, had no further raison d’étre, and they gradually ran down. The imperial roads (equivalent to starports and starships) were too expensive to keep in repair when there were no legions to use them. They served no local purpose, and life had become local, so they too fell into disrepair. Economic activity dropped sharply as the province split into tiny self-sufficient units under local kings, and especially during the plagues of the sixth and seventh centuries when the population of Europe was halved. The network of communications that maintained contact between one part of this patchwork quilt of territories and another was that of the Church. By the fifth century the diocesan organization of the ecclesiastical hierarchy corresponded to the concentrations of civil population. When the legions withdrew, the administration of the area fell into the hands of the bishops and their clergy: they could read and write and the new rulers could not. For this reason the Church was granted many privileges, in particular exemption from taxes, that helped it to survive, while the Church itself exacted a tax of one-tenth (a tithe) from its own tenants. By the eighth century Europe was scattered with churches and monasteries, many of which had to provide a service that no one civil community could have done, in the absence of a centralized power: they ran the mails. A new church or monastery was called upon to provide pack horses or messengers, and in some cases a freight service of wagons, within a radius of up to 150 miles from the church. It would seem that the Church had a bishop-to-bishop communications network that continued to operate right through the Dark Ages, connecting one kingdom with another, carrying news and information as well as ecclesiastical business, and transmitting knowledge in the form of copies of manuscripts. (ed note: of course copying manuscripts is much easier if you have a master copy, access to a supply of empty USB flash drives, a computer, and some electricity. Or an Oracle with blank Oracle tabs.) From CONNECTIONS by James Burke (1978) POSTAL SERVICE BOOTSTRAPPING OUT OF DARK AGES REUTERS/Carlos Barria GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - With the Puerto Rico power grid shredded by Hurricane Maria, the U.S. Postal Service has taken the place of cellphone service at the forefront of island communications. Only 15 percent of electrical power has been restored since the storm bludgeoned the U.S. territory on Sept. 20, but 99 of Puerto Rico’s 128 post offices are delivering mail. Tents have taken the place of post offices wrecked by Maria. Mail carriers gather information on sick and elderly residents in far-flung parts where hospitals have closed. Data is fed into the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief office in San Juan so medical attention can be provided. Restoration of the power grid is months away and many rural roads are blocked by mudslides, sink holes and downed trees and telephone poles. Since the start of the month the Postal Service has nonetheless been delivering letters and care packages to family members desperate for news. “It’s been a clutch situation, and you guys have totally come through,” a FEMA worker was heard telling Postal Service Caribbean customer service manager Martin Caballero on Sunday. “We might know the general area where people need help, but the mail carriers are the only ones who really have the exact addresses,” the FEMA worker told Reuters, asking not to be named because he was not authorized to speak to news media. Caballero regularly goes on AM radio, which can be heard by listeners lucky enough to have diesel to run generators, to tell people in inaccessible parts of the island where their mail is being held. He invites them to pick it up, but only when travel conditions become safe. Even for urban middle-class customers in the San Juan suburb of Guaynabo, whose concrete homes were not smashed by the storm, it was a chore to recover their blown-away mailboxes or build new ones. Hurricane or not, the Postal Service will not drop off mail without a designated box. “The wind took them all,” said resident Jenny Amador, a 42-year-old teachers’ assistant. “I found mine in those trees,” she said, pointing to a gnarl of branches and trunks on the road. She re-attached her mailbox in a cockeyed position in front of her house, using a clothes hanger. One plucky woman, having heard the postman was on the way, stood stoically with her mailbox tucked under her arm. No one minded when mail carrier Alfredo Martinez showed up out of uniform, unable to do laundry for lack of clean water. One resident said the return of the mail service was comforting, a sign of a return to normalcy. But another greeted Martinez with a warning. “If you are bringing me any utility bills, go away,” she said. From U.S. MAIL CARRIERS EMERGE AS HEROES IN PUERTO RICO RECOVERY by Hugh Bronstein (2017) FUTURE MAIL ZEERUST As with most other science fiction predictions, many ideas about future mail were full of zeerust. Many of them focused on the writing of a letter using a pen or pencil, not realizing that future email would be more like a telegram written with a typewriter. Telautograph (1888) Teledactyl (1925) From newspaper comic strip Buck Rogers 2429 A. D. (June 25, 1929) DrawBot Badge (2018) Most people who use mail want it delivered with a modicum of of security (unless they have written it on a postcard). But they don't bother with extraordinary privacy methods unless the missive contains something about money, ultra classified documents, or something you'd rather your spouse didn't find out. Understand, there are actually three types of security involved in message sending: LETTERS CLOSED (litterae clausae): so that the message sender could ensure that a letter could only be read by the intended recipient. LETTERS PATENT: so that the message recipient had some proof that the letter actually came from the sender name written on the letter. This can also be used to securely sign a legal document or contract, remotely. IMMUTABLE MESSAGE : so that once the sender composes and transmits the message, the message cannot be subsequently edited or rewritten. All three types of messages are created by using Seals. Mesopotamian cylinder seal Letters Closed, Letters Patent, and Immutable Message are created by using Seals. Digital Seals The current state-of-the-art for seals is by using public-key encryption. The writer can encrypt a message with their private key, which gives Letters Patent. They can then encrypt the encrypted message with the recipient's public key, which gives Letters Closed as a digital or electronic signature. And if a man-in-the-middle alters the doubly encrypted message, it will decrypt into random garbage, which give proof of a failure of Immutability (though a data hash can also be used). To help combat evil people repudiating their own signatures, a Trusted third party is useful. Back in medieval levels of technology, an ornately carved seal was used with sealing wax for Letters Closed and Letters Patent. The "Seal" or "Matrix" is the metal stamp used to impress the image on the hot sealing wax. The "Wax Seal" is the blob of wax imbossed with the image from the matrix. A matrix for an entire nation is called a Great Seal, used to sign official treaties between nations and other national documents. The Keeper of the Seals are the individual(s) entitled to keep and authorize use of the Great Seal of a given country. A Privy Seal is the personal matrix for an individual who just so happens to be a reigning monarch of a nation. Privy seals are used to sign personal documents.Sometimes the matrix was incorporated into a finger ring, these were called signet rings. If the letter arrived with the applied wax seal intact, this was a crude form of Immutability. Sadly once the wax seal is broken it can no longer be used as proof of either Letters Closed or Immutability. Letters Patent used pendant wax seals, which are designed not to be broken in normal usage. The Byzantine Emperors decided that sealing wax was too plebeian for them, instead ostentatiously using gold, or at the least gold-plated lead. Such seals date back to the bronze age. The skill to carve (or copy) such seals was only possible for a handfull of people, who were mostly employed by nobles or royalty. Thus counterfeit or forged seals was almost unheard of. The operating word being "almost", this is perilously close to the security through obscurity fallacy. A physical wax-like seal seems so quaint and medieval nowadays. Except there are a few places they are still being used to this day. This is not technically an item of mail, but it is a seal. Tamper-Evident Seals are a way to detect unauthorized access. Most of you young scamps reading this had no idea that most over-the-counter medications have tamper-evident plastic bands over the screw cap lids due to the 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders. Before then, you could go to a drug store, open a bottle of a medication from the shelf, drop in something awful, and put it back on the shelf. 1982 also brought the advent of foil innerseals on bottles and jars with metal lids containing pop up safety buttons. Going a bit further, there exists Security Tape. Close a box of groceries with security tape, and you will know if somebody secretly opened the box and stole something from it. The tape suddenly says VOID! and there is no way to fix it. This is also found on outside fuel dispenser, to reveal if somebody unauthorized has opened the dispenser and put a credit card skimmer inside or something. But the most dramatic use of middle-ages sealing technology is by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). If a nuclear nation signs a treaty limiting the manufacture and use of nuclear weapons, the IAEA will monitor compliance. How? By using tamper evident seals of course. The IAEA will place these seals on vault doors, storage cabinets, reactor lids, and other access routes. If any of the seals are broken, the nation has violated their treaty. The seal consists of a fabric coated wire, a brass colored disk, and a copper colored cap. The wire is placed such that the door or whatever cannot be opened or operated as long as the wire is intact. If the wire is cut, the seal is considered broken. The two ends of the wire enter two holes in the brass disk. The wire is knotted with three or four square knots. The copper cap is snapped on the brass disk. The knots cannot be undone without removing the copper cap, unfortunately it is pretty much impossible to remove the cap without destroying it. And the interior of each copper cap has a unique hand-drawn signature, which makes the copper cap more or less unduplicatable. Periodically the seals are replaced with new seals by the IAEA. If they see that a wire has been cut, that is an instant violation. The same goes if the copper cap has been mangled or missing. Otherwise the inspectors cut the wire, attach a new seal, and take the old seals to headquarters for inspection. All the old seals are cut open to have their signatures scanned and compared the signature on file for that seal, to ensure it is not counterfeit. If it is counterfeit, that is a violation. Interior, showing manual signature Manual Signature CUSTOMS TAPE artwork by David Mattingly (ed note: Basilisk Station is at the rim of the Star Kingdom of Manticore, way out in the sticks. Things have been run in a slovenly fashion for decades. Commander Honor Harrington has her command assigned to the station as punishment for a crime she is not guilty of. But as a member of the Royal Manticoran Navy, she is bound and determined to discharge her duties by the book, with pride, and with no slacking. This includes running the Manticoran customs inspection station for incoming merchant starships. Ensign Tremaine has been assigned command of the customs inspection team) "The ensign might want to give PO Harkness his head, Sir," MacBride had said quietly. "If anyone in the detachment can recognize a crook cargo setup, it's him. And — " she'd given him one of her deadpan smiles " — I've … discussed the importance of his assignment with him." So now Tremaine shifted position slightly, moving aside to lean his elbow on a freight conveyer where he could watch Harkness and still keep the corner of his eye on the crewmen. Harkness was prowling around the neatly stacked counter-grav cargo pallets with a copy of the manifest, checking canister labels. The weight of a magnetic tape reader bulged the thigh pocket of his coveralls, but the flap was still sealed. Now he slowed his label checks and bent a bit closer to a pallet, and Tremaine noted the way one of the crewmen by the tube tensed. "Mr. Tremaine?" Harkness called without turning. "Yes, PO?" "I think you might find this interesting, Sir." It was amazing what a fatherly voice could come out of those battered, prize-fighter features. Harkness sounded like a teacher about to demonstrate a classroom experiment for a favored pupil, and Tremaine crossed the cargo bay to stand beside him. "What is it, PO?" "This, Sir." A blunt finger with scarred knuckles indicated the shiny silver customs tape running around the canister and, in particular, the Royal Customs Service seal with its small starship surmounted by the crowned Manticore and flanking, rampant Sphinx and Gryphon of the Kingdom's arms. It looked perfect to Tremaine. "What about it?" "Well, Sir," Harkness said ruminatively, "I can't be certain, but — " The broad fingertip flipped the seal, and Tremaine blinked as it popped right off the tape it was supposed to be an integral part of. He bent closer and saw the clear plastic tape bridging the gap where the original seal had been sliced away. "You know, Sir," Harkness went on in that same, thoughtful voice, "I'll bet those poor bloody — pardon, Sir — " he didn't sound especially apologetic, but Tremaine let it pass; he had other things on his mind " — NPA sods have been doing their best without the right equipment for so long these fellows just got sloppy." He shook his head, a craftsman mourning slovenly workmanship. "Never would have gotten by a regular customs man." "I … see." Tremaine glanced over his shoulder at the now acutely unhappy crewmen. One of them was sidling sideways towards the shuttle flight deck, and Tremaine nodded to Private Kohl. The Marine shifted position slightly and unsnapped his stunner holster. The moving crewman froze. "What do you suppose is in there, PO?" the ensign asked brightly, beginning to enjoy himself. "Well, Sir, according to this manifest, this here — " Harkness thumped the canister " — is a shipment of duralloy animal-drawn plows for delivery to the Hauptman Cartel factor on Medusa." "Let's open it up and take a look," Tremaine said. "Aye, aye, Sir." Harkness's broad grin showed teeth far too even and regular to be natural as he drew a forceblade from one capacious pocket. He flicked the switch, waking the tooth-twisting warning whine Manticoran law required of all such tools, and ran the invisible blade around the doctored Customs tape. Silver plastic slivered, and the soft "Shuuush" of equalizing pressure sounded as he sprang the canister. He lifted the lid — then paused, frozen in mid-movement. "Well, well, well, well," he murmured, adding an absent-minded "Sir" as he remembered the ensign beside him. He shoved the lid fully up until it locked. "Mighty strange looking plowshares, I'd say, Mr. Tremaine." "So would I," Tremaine said after a moment, leaning forward to stroke a hand over the lustrous, tawny-gold fur. The canister was two meters long by one wide and one deep, and it seemed to be completely full. "Is that what I think it is, PO?" "If you think it's Gryphon kodiak max pelts it is, Sir." Harkness shook his head, and Tremaine could almost hear the credit terminal ringing behind his eyes. "Must be two, three hundred thousand dollars worth of them," the PO mused. "In this one canister," he added as an afterthought. "And right off the controlled species list." Tremaine's voice was so grim the petty officer straightened and looked at him in surprise. The youngster beside him didn't look young at all as he stared down into the canister and then turned to glare at the wilting crewmen. From ON BASILISK STATION by David Weber (1999) Letters Closed Remember that Letters Closed (litterae clausae): function is so the message sender could ensure that a letter could only be read by the intended recipient. Or at least alert the recipient that somebody read it first. Example: put your letter inside an sealed envelope. Using public-key encryption, the contents of the email are public, but since the contents are encrypted in theory only the intended recipient can decrypt and read the message. Sadly this is vulnerable to advances in cryptanalysis and Man-in-the-middle attacks. Sometimes the old inconvenient ways are more secure. A courier can deliver a physical message, sometimes inside a briefcase handcuffed to the wrist (though a sufficiently determined enemy can circumvent that). The message container can be rigged to destroy the message if tampered with, or to also destroy the tamperer as well with a booby-trap if the message sender is not playing around. In some science fiction stories intelligence agencies and governments keep top secret information stored only in the form of written paper, since there is no such thing as an unhackable computer. Sometimes the message is gimmicked to self-destruct after reading. Venerable people may remember the TV show Mission: Impossible where the IMF leader would covertly receive an audio tape from a faceless voice giving the mission briefing, ending with "This message will self-destruct in five seconds" followed by the tape turning into ash. This was a running gag in the cartoon Inspector Gadget. In Isaac Asimov's FOUNDATION series, the message enclosed in a Personal Capsule was written on paper that would vaporize ninety seconds after it was exposed to air (occasionally something more durable is desired. In Asimov's THE END ETERNITY they write messages on metal foil instead of paper. Paper wears out too soon, when you have to store it for millennia.). Applied Seals In medieval times to ensure that a letter could only be read by the intended recipient, an applied wax seal was used. The letter was enclosed in an envelope so nobody could read it, and held shut by the wax seal. The idea was that the wax seal had to be broken (or the envelope cut open) in order to read the letter. This may not totally ensure that only the recipient reads the letter, but at least it does makes obvious the fact that some evil person has read it prior to delivery. In other words they were tamper-evident technology or a security seal. This also prevented the evil person from altering the message, for instance adding a couple of sentences to alter the letter's meaning. However, evil persons figured out that if you used a thin heated knife at the base of the wax seal you could separate the seal base from the paper, open the letter, read the contents, then use the same heated knife to re-seal the letter. This defeats the very purpose of the wax seal. This turned into an arms race between secretive people and evil persons. Increasingly elaborate systems of folds, slits, and wax seals were devised to secure the missives. These are called "letterlocking". It had become a lost art but Jana Dambrogio (the Thomas F. Peterson conservator at MIT Libraries) and her research team have been reverse engineering examples from all the way back to the 16th century. She has been studying this for more than a decade and so far has found the secret to hundreds of them. Indeed, she coined the term "letterlocking" in the first place, which was adopted by other researchers beginning in 2009. Typically the letters are locked by a still-attached slice of the letter paper stabbed through a slit, and closed with a wax seal. This was done in such a manner that the letter could not be opened without ripping the slice. The end of the slice was embedded into the seal, because the seal was placed right over the slit where the slice emerged. So an evil person using the heated knife method would either rip the slice or mutilate the embossed image on the seal. The heated knife could only separate half the seal from the paper until it ran right into the slice. You could separate the other half but since the seal is too large to fit through the slit you can either cut the slice or melt the wax seal until the slice can be released. Either event would reveal the evil person's eavesdropping. The slice was acting like security tape. Some had multiple layers of security. The "dagger-trap" letterlock was disguised as a common less secure letterlock. But if the evil person used the heated knife method and opened the letter, they would run afoul of an internal booby trap. There was a hidden internal slice with a second seal that would rip or break when the letter was unfolded. Nowadays letters are sealed in envelopes, but even those can be steamed open and resealed. In the old Soviet Union people would sometimes scribble with a pen along the sealed edge. This made it very difficult to reseal the letter and get the scribbled lines to align. APPLIED SEAL as set by letter sender broken by recipient so letter may be read LETTERLOCK Dagger-Trap letterlock in the style of Intelligencer Simeon Fox (1601) click for video tutorial Triangle-Lock letterlock in the style of Queen Elizabeth I and her spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham DESIGNATED READER 1 Avakim was carefully emptying the contents of a flat folder onto the floor. If Gaal had had the stomach for it, he might have recognized Cellomet legal forms, metal thin and tapelike, adapted for insertion within the smallness of a personal capsule. “What’ve you been doing, Gorm?” he asked, darkly. “Chasing me all the way from the Foundation?” Les Gorm broke out a cigarette, and shook his head definitely, “Me? Not a chance. I’m just a sucker who happened to land on Glyptal IV the day after the mail. So they sent me out after you with this.” The tiny, gleaming sphere changed hands, and Gorm added, “It’s confidential. Super-secret. Can’t be trusted to the sub-ether and all that. Or so I gather. At least, it’s a Personal Capsule, and won’t open for anyone but you.” Ponyets regarded the capsule distastefully, “I can see that. And I never knew one of these to hold good news, either.” It opened in his hand and the thin, transparent tape unrolled stiffly. His eyes swept the message quickly, for when the last of the tape had emerged, the first was already brown and crinkled. In a minute and a half it had turned black and, molecule by molecule, fallen apart. From FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov (1951) artwork by Robert Schulz Devers snatched it. “What is it?” “The message capsule. The one that Riose received just before I jacked him. Does that count as something?” “I don’t know. Depends on what’s in it!” Devers sat down and turned it over carefully in his hand. When Barr stepped from his cold shower and, gratefully, into the mild warm current of the air dryer, he found Devers silent and absorbed at the workbench. The Siwennian slapped his body with a sharp rhythm and spoke above the punctuating sounds. “What are you doing?” Devers looked up. Droplets of perspiration glittered in his beard. “I’m going to open this capsule.” “Can you open it without Riose’s personal characteristic?” There was mild surprise in the Siwennian’s voice. “If I can’t, I’ll resign from the Association and never skipper a ship for what’s left of my life. I’ve got a three-way electronic analysis of the interior now, and I’ve got little jiggers that the Empire never heard of, especially made for jimmying capsules. I’ve been a burglar before this, y’know. A trader has to be something of everything.” He bent low over the little sphere, and a small flat instrument probed delicately and sparked redly at each fleeting contact. He said, “This capsule is a crude job, anyway. These Imperial boys are no shakes at this small work. I can see that. Ever see a Foundation capsule? It’s half the size and impervious to electronic analysis in the first place.” And then he was rigid, the shoulder muscles beneath his tunic tautening visibly. His tiny probe pressed slowly— It was noiseless when it came, but Devers; relaxed and sighed. In his hand was the shining sphere with its message unrolled like a parchment tongue. “It’s from Brodrig,” he said. Then, with contempt, “The message medium is permanent. In a Foundation capsule, the message would be oxidized to gas within the minute.” With one finger the lavishly monogrammed sheet of message-parchment was thrust back into its slot. With a soft twang, it disappeared and the globe was a smooth, unbroken whole again. Somewhere inside was the tiny oiled whir of the controls as they lost their setting by random movements. “Now there is no known way of opening this capsule without knowledge of Riose’s personal characteristic, is there?” “To the Empire, no,” said Barr. “Then the evidence it contains is unknown to us and absolutely authentic.” “To the Empire, yes,” said Barr. “And the Emperor can open it, can’t he? Personal Characteristics of Government officials must be on file. We keep records of our officials at the Foundation.” “At the Imperial capital as well,” agreed Barr. “Then when you, a Siwennian patrician and Peer of the Realm, tell this Cleon, this Emperor, that his favorite tame-parrot and his shiniest general are getting together to knock him over, and hand him the capsule as evidence, what will he think Brodrig’s ‘ultimate ends’ are?” From FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE by Isaac Asimov (1952) Drake’s response was noncommittal. Instead, he gestured for Barrett to take a seat next to his desk cum workstation. “Shall we break open our official orders, sir?” Drake seated himself behind his desk and unlocked the chain that secured the security pouch to his right wrist. Rubbing his wrist where the handcuff had cut into it, he laid the pouch on the desk, and then pressed his thumb against the pale-green surface of the pouch’s lock plate. The pouch responded with an audible click and split open lengthwise. Inside was a small domino-like block of glass that reflected the overhead light in a rainbow of holographically induced color. Drake reached for the block with suddenly nervous hands, slipping it from beneath the elastic bands that held it in position within the pouch. He dropped the record tile into the desk reader and engaged the ship’s computer. There was a momentary whine, followed by a beeping signal. Drake responded by keying in his name, serial number, and authorization code. There was a momentary delay, then the screen cleared and displayed the message: READY FOR SECURITY ACCESS. Drake typed in a twelve-digit string of alphanumerics known only to himself and the Admiralty master computer. The screen blanked once more. After a second’s wait, words began to scroll up the screen. From ANTARES DAWN by Michael McCollum (1998) (ed note: during the Asteroid Revolutionary War, asterite Robert Flowers is doing courier duty, running top-secret messages from Sam's asteroid to Pallas in a one-man high-acceleration spaceship. Unfortunately he is intercepted by the cruiser Chicago of North America.) Although—wait! The signal was coming in much too strong. Either the warship had gotten close, or it was sending a maser beam. Sweat prickled forth on his skin. He got busy with his instruments. Both cases were true. The ship had locked a beam onto his vessel and it was coming about to make rendezvous. So its sky-sweeping radars had picked him up after all, and never lost him again. No choice, after that, but to answer. He flipped a switch. “Scoopship Whiskey Johnny receiving call,” he said in a flat basso. “NASS Chicago transmittin’. Prepare to match velocities.” (NASS = North American Space Ship) “What the double blue hell is this? I’m minding my own business.” “I doubt that,” drawled the Texan voice. “You're from Sam's for Pallas. Don't bother denyin' it. We got plenty good data on your path. So you're a courier.” “You're out of your ever-loving mind,” said the asterite. in rather more pungent language. “What else would you be, son, in a small fast boat like that? Listen, don't try to get rid of your dispatches. We're near enough to register anything you pitch out the air lock. As of this minute, you're a prisoner of war and subject to discipline.” The ensign saluted. “Reporting with prisoner, sir. He had this aboard his boat.” “Let me see.” Commander Ulstad—must be him, and he must be Intelligence—reached for the tube. He unscrewed the cap and shook out a scroll of shiny plastic. Spreading it on his desk, he looked for a moment at the blank surface. “Yes, evidently his dispatches.” he murmured. “Magnetic, what else?” He rose and went into his laboratory. Flowers saw him thread the scroll into a scanner. The machine clicked to itself. A screen flickered with shifting dots, lines, curves. Flowers knew. in a general way, how the system worked: analogously to an old-fashioned tape recording. The visual pattern of the message was encoded in a series of magnetic pulses which imposed a corresponding pattern on iron particles embedded in the plastic. Of course, for military purposes you first enciphered the message and then put a scrambler in the recording circuit. The result couldn't even be seen, let alone cleared. without a descrambler in the playback. Ulstad frowned and made adjustments. Realization jarred through Flowers: He expects to project the thing. Blast and befoul! Somehow they've learned our scrambler patterns. The officer tried several other settings. Nonsensical images gibed at him. Flowers sank into a chair. A slow. happy grin spread across his mouth. So the Republic had gotten wise and adopted a new code, huh? Gr-r-reat! “Well.” Ulstad returned. Excitement barely tinged his voice. “We seem to have caught a rather big fish.” He punched the intercom. “Commander Ulstad here. Get me Captain Thomas.” The cruiser‘s captain spoke out of it. “Yes. Commander. what do you want?” “About this courier we just captured, sir,” Ulstad told him. “I can’t read his dispatches. That means the enemy has changed the scrambler code again, and no doubt the ciphers as well.” “So in the first place. sir, the enemy probably realizes that we have cracked his last set of codes. He doesn‘t change them often or lightly. when word about new arrangements has to be sent over lines of communication as long as his. Therefore. our own GHQ has to know. Then second, this particular message must be delivered for analysis as fast as possible. I respectfully suggest that we shoot a speedster off to Luna Base at once.” “Um-m-m,” grunted the captain. “Don’t like that. Too many asterite frigates skulking around.” “Well, then. we’d better make rendezvous with a ship able to defend herself, and send the message by her.” “We've mighty few ships to spare, Commander.” The captain paused. “But this is important. I'll contact CINCOBELT (Commander IN Chief Of asteroid Belt) when our position allows, and they'll see what can be done.” “Thank you, sir.” Ulstad turned off the intercom. His gaze went to Flowers. who had gone rigid, and he nodded. “Yes,” he said, “we have computers at Luna Base which can discover any scrambler pattern and then go on to break any cipher. Not too easily, I confess. You have some fiendishly clever people in your code section. But the machines can always grind out the answer, by sheer electronic patience.” Flowers recollected some remarks overheard when he reported for briefing. He hadn't paid much attention. But … yeah, asterite Intelligence must suspect the truth. There had been comings and goings of late, couriers bringing secret word from Pallas to Sam's as well as to other Republican centers. Only the higher-ups knew what that word amounted to. A warning? “De gustibus non dispurandum est, which personally I translate as ‘There is no disputing that Gus is in the east.‘ You weren't a Jupiter diver in civilian life, I’m sure of that.” “No. a rockjack. Construction gang superintendent, if you must know. We only use scoopships for messenger boats because they’re fast. Their regular pilots are too good for that kind of job. Do better at captaining warcraft.” “How well I realize that.” Ulstad sighed. “I wonder, though, why you don't send more stuff directly by maser.” Flowers clammed up. Ulstad grinned. “All right, I'll tell you.” he said. “First. our side has too good a chance of intercepting a beam; and evidently your Intelligence suspects we can break your cryptograms. A courier flits away from the ecliptic plane and probably makes a safe trip. Second, if we really can use your own ciphers, and you relied too much on radio. we could send misleading messages to your commanders.” (or even man-in-the-middle) He shrugged. “Of course, the courier system ties up boats that might be put to better use elsewhere. But then, it ties up a lot of our fleet on patrol duty, so honors are even.” “Not quite,” Flowers snapped. “Especially after the last battle.” “The engagement near Sam's, you mean? I take it you were there?” “I sure was, chum.” “In what capacity?” drawled Ulstad. Flowers crammed on a deceleration vector. “Never mind. It's enough that you took a licking.” “We'd at least like to know what happened to those of our ships which never reported back. Were all of them utterly destroyed?” “I suppose so.” Ulstad leaned across the desk. “Even if you weren't told officially, you may have heard something.” His smile was wistful. “I'm interested for private reasons. A nephew on the Vega.” “Sorry. I can't help you. though.” From SAY IT WITH FLOWERS by Poul Anderson (1965) Remember that Letters Patent function is so that the message recipient had some proof that the letter actually came from the sender name written on the letter. A secure signature in other words. Example: if the "letter" is actually a contract or other legal document, the "sender" signs the contract with their signature. This proves that the message originated with a specific person AND ensures Non-repudiation (i.e., the sender lying and claiming that's not their signature, so they are not bound by the legal document). Letters Patent is also known as Authentication. These are usually open letters that anyone can read, or at least more than just the recipient. These are less a letter and more like a binding legal contract (where both parties have to sign the document). Or a certification like a pilot's license or something along those lines (where just the accrediting authority signs the document). Pendant Seals In medieval times, to authenticate (sign) a document or contract a pendant wax seal was used. The document is not closed or enclosed: anybody can read it. But a loop of ribbon is attached, with the ends joined with a blob of sealing wax embossed with the matrix. This proves that the sealer has signed the document. These were generally embossed with a special two-sided matrix, which a pattern on both sides of the wax blob (sometimes the two matrix sides were held by two different people, sort of a medieval two-man rule). The pendant wax seals are permanent signatures on the document, they are not intentionally broken as are applied wax seals. Since the wax seals were made of fragile wax, they were often protected by being put in little pouches of leather or fabric. A broken pendant wax seal can no longer be proof of a signature. The ribbon is to prevent re-use of the pendant wax seal as a type of forgery (i.e., removing it from a legitimately signed document and fraudulently attaching it to another document in order to forge a signature). Presumably the cut in the ribbon or the cut in the original document would be a dead giveaway. To prevent abuse, it was traditional for a matrix to be destroyed or defaced after the death of the owner (since dead people have little need to sign documents). Needless to say, being caught in possession of a signet ring or other matrix that didn't belong to you was indisputable physical evidence of a crime. It was even worse if the signet ring was a forgery. The symbol on the matrix was usually the coat of arms of the owner. This is because [A] heraldic coats of arms are intentionally designed to be easily visually distinguishable, and [B] non-nobles generally couldn't read but can recognize icons (think modern-day corporate logos designed so simple-minded consumers in the grocery store will know which product to buy). Pendant Seal Top of Double-Matrix Seal At the top and bottom are lugs which enable this part of the matrix to be properly aligned with the reverse part Town Seal (matrix) of Náchod from 1570 Byzantine Signet Ring By the Nineteenth century instead of wax it was common to glue on a colored paper wafer and imprint upon it an impression of a seal using an embossing machine or press. These are still used by notaries public. Embossed Paper Wafer Seal In the 1900s England, the used of seals declined into a curious practice of signing legal documents by affixing a postage stamp and writing one's signature across it. In the western world a handwritten signature has taken the place of a seal. Even though signature forgery is an easily acquired skill. And it is even easier to forge a signature using a cell phone camera along with an ink-jet printer and 30 seconds of work with Adobe Photoshop. In the eastern world they often still use seals (known in local colloquial English as a "chop"). These are traditionally used with red ink made from cinnabar. In Japan, there are at least four kinds of seals. Only one (jitsuin 実印) is registered with the government to certify ownership and it is only used for legally binding events. Since the jitsuin is far too valuable to just carry around in your pocket, Japanese citizen use the cheaper type of seals for things like bank transactions and taking deliveries. Jitsuin are typically stored in a bank safety deposit box. The seals are usually hand carved, and will cost roughly $100 US to have one made. Ginkō-in (銀行印) seals are for bank transations. So they are custom-made by professionals or citizens make their own by hand. They are generally only carried if you are planning to visit the bank on that day. Mitome-in (認印) seals are for low-security signatures, such as postal deliveries, signing utility bill payments, signing internal company memos, etc. These are generic seals, plastic seals with the more common Japanese names can be found at stationary stores for about $10 US. These seals can be stored in desk drawers and other unsecured places. Gagō-in (雅号印) seals are generally for artists to sign their artwork. Instead of their name, the seal can have the artist's pen name or nickname. Japan is worried that modern technology is making it progressively easier to forge seals. In Jennifer Lindsky's science fiction novel Flowers of Luna the seals incorporate a near-field chip containing a digital signature to verify the stamp. Chinese seal and red seal paste (ink) A Baiwen name seal, read up-down-right-left: 葉昊旻印 (pinyin: Ye Hao Min Yin, lit. "Seal of Ye Haomin") You may have noticed my chop in odd corners of this website search-enlightenments-universe Seeker of knowledge of the universe DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATION 1 (ed note: "Ship" is a hyperintelligent AI who looks over the colony. Morgan Oakes is a nasty power-hungry leader. He subjects Legata Hamill to a savage bit of psychological torture in order to maker her subservient to his will. He didn't realize that it failed, all it did was make Legata very angry. She plots her revenge. Finally she discovers that Morgan Oakes is actually Morgan Lon Oakes, meaning that Morgan is a clone, and thus a second class citizen ineligible to be a leader.) Legata sat at a comdesk in the working space assigned to her at the Redoubt. It was a small room and showed signs of hasty construction. Directly in front of her across the desk was an oval hatch leading into her own private cubby, a space she seldom occupied now. But Oakes was busy somewhere and she had seized this opportunity. She punched for shiprecords, keyed for her own private code, and waited. Did they still have contact with Ship? The instrument buzzed. Glyphs danced across the screen in the desk. She punched for the Ox gate, set up a random-barrier lock and began transferring the data on Oakes into the Redoubt’s own storage system. There you are, Morgan Lon Oakes! And the printout remained secreted in Oakes’ old cubby shipside should she ever need it. It was remotely possible that Oakes might stumble on this record here, might erase it and even trace back to the original to erase that. But the printout would remain, stamped with Ship's imprimatur (some sort of unforgeable stamp giving Ship's seal of approval of the document. Left unspecified is how it prevents somebody from Photoshopping the seal onto a given document. Perhaps a digital signature is involved.). Legata looked at Lewis, met his gaze head on. Was that amusement in his eyes? No matter. She depressed a key on the console controlling the big screen, watched the people in the room. They could not miss what was happening on the screen. She had set the program to fill it. Yes…the room was becoming a tableau, all attention shifting to the screen, locking on it. Puzzled, Oakes turned to look at the screen, saw his own likeness there. Below the image, a biographical printout was rolling. He stared at the heading: “Morgan Lon Oakes. Ref. Original File, Morgan Hempstead, cell donor…" Oakes found it difficult to breathe. It was a trick! He glanced at Legata and the cold stare he met there iced his backbone. “Morgan…" How sweet her voice sounded. “…I found your records, Morgan. See Ship's imprimatur on the printout? Ship vouches for the truth of this record." From The Jesus Incident by Frank Herbert (1979) Ensign Dominic Flandry, Imperial Naval Flight Corps, did not know whether he was alive through luck or management. At the age of nineteen, with the encoding molecules hardly settled down on your commission, it was natural to think the latter. But had a single one of the factors he had used to save himself been absent — He didn’t care to dwell on that. From ENSIGN FLANDRY by Poul Anderson (1966) Kyger, having seen the party off, called Troy to his office. The com plate on the wall was already activated, and on it was the palm-sized length of white Troy had hardly dared to hope he would ever see. “Contract” — Kyger was clearly in a hurry to have this done — “to hold a seven-day term. No off-world clause. Suit you, Horan?” Troy nodded. Even a seven-day contract was to be cherished. He asked only one question. “Renewal for kind?” “Renewal for kind,” the other agreed without hesitation, and Troy’s confidence soared. He crossed the small room, set his right hand flat against that glowing plate (biometrics authentication). “Troy Horan, Norden, class two, accepts contract for seven days, not off-world, from Kyger’s,” he recited, allowing his hand to remain tight against the heated panel for a full moment before he gave way to Kyger. The other’s hand, wider, the fingers thicker and blunter at the tips, smacked against the white oblong in turn. “Kossi Kyger, registered merchant, accepts contract for seven days from Troy Horan, laborer. Record it so.” The metallic voice of the recorder chattered back at them. “It is so sealed and noted.” From CATSEYE by Andre Norton (1961) Immutable Message Remember that Immutable Message function is so that once the sender composes and transmits the message, the message cannot be subsequently edited or rewritten. For example, after you've mailed a cheque to pay a bill, you would be furious if somebody altered the cheque and added a couple of zeroes to the amount. As mentioned above, public-key encryption will ensure the message is immutable. If an evil man-in-the-middle alters the encrypted message in any way, it will decrypt into gobbledegook. Unless the evil person has the sender's private encryption key, in which case the sender has bigger problems. The low-tech alternative is to not transmit the message over the public internet, but instead use secure lines or have it hand-delivered by courier. IMMUTABLE MESSAGE 1 There is something about the cloak of authority which tends to put even the citizen with a clear conscience on the defensive. So it was when we fronted the representatives of the Patrol. As law-abiding and inoffensive space traders, making regular contributions to planetary landing taxes, all papers in order, we had every right to call upon their help. It was just that they eyed us with an impassivity which suggested that to them, everything had to be proved twice over. However, we had the box taken from the Throne of Qur carefully disinterred after they admitted that their own instruments registered emanations of a heretofore unknown radiation. It was surrendered gladly to their custody, along with the body of the priest, which had been in freeze. And we each entered testimony on the truth tape, which could not be tampered with. From EXILES OF THE STARS by Andre Norton (1971) artwork by Ed Valigurski He went back through the section he had just traversed to his own cabin. There., with the door locked he considered the sheet she had given him, a little more closely. It was nothing more—and nothing less—than a five-year employment contract, a social contract, for her services as companion in the entourage of William, Prince, and Chairman of the Board of that very commercial planet Ceta which was the only habitable world circling the sun Tau Ceti. And a very liberal social contract it was, requiring no more than that she accompany William wherever he wished to go and supply her presence at such public and polite social functions as he might require. It was not the liberalness of the contract that surprised him so much—a Select of Kultis would hardly be contracted to perform any but the most delicately moral and ethical of duties—but the fact that she had asked him to destroy it. Theft of contract from her employer was bad enough, breach of contract infinitely worse—calling for complete rehabilitation—but destruction of contract required the death penalty wherever any kind of government operated. The girl, he thought, must be insane. Thoughtfully, Donal fingered the contract. Anea had clearly had no conception at all of what she was requesting when she so blithely required him to destroy it. The single sheet he held, and even the words and signatures upon it, were all integral parts of a single giant molecule which in itself was well-nigh indestructible and could not be in any way altered or tampered with short of outright destruction. As for destruction itself—Donal was quite sure that there was nothing aboard this ship that could in any way burn, shred, dissolve, or in any other fashion obliterate it. And the mere possession of it by anyone but William, its rightful owner, was as good as an order of sentence. A soft chime quivered on the air of his cabin, announcing the serving of a meal in the main lounge. It chimed twice more to indicate that this was the third of the four meals interspersed throughout the ship “day.” Contract in hand, Donal half-turned toward the little orifice of the disposal slot that led down to the central incinerator. The incinerator, of course, was not capable of disposing of the contract—but it might be that it could lie unnoticed there until the ship had reached its destination and its passengers had dispersed. Later, it would be difficult for William to discover how it had reached the incinerator in the first place. Then he shook his head, and replaced the contract in his pocket. His motives for doing so were not entirely clear to himself. It was that oddness of his at work again, he thought. Also, he told himself that it seemed a sloppy way of handling the situation this girl had got him into. Quite typically, he had already forgotten that his participation in the matter was all of his own contriving. From DORSAI! by Gordon Dickson (1959) Hyperspace Radar incoming Cylon raiders Classic Battlestar Galactica (1978) There is another "communication-like" consideration. If you have FTL starships, and you want your universe to contain FTL starship battles and also have interstellar empires, you need Strategic FTL Sensors. This means the communication-esque function known as "detection" must be capable of spotting hostile incoming starships early enough for the defenders to muster their defenses. Otherwise FTL starship battles will only occur by mutual agreement. And there will be no interstellar empires because enemy FTL starships will be able to drop a planet-buster on all the empire's planets before the empire knows what is happening. Meanwhile the empire's FTL starships will be returning the favor. As discussed in the Strategic Sensor link, the two traditional methods are Jump Points "choke points" at some distance from habitable planets and FTL "radar" that can detect enemy ships in time to send your interceptors. Future Reading FILAMENT PAPER BOOK "If it's economically feasible," Yueh said. "Arrakis has many costly perils." He smoothed his drooping mustache. "Your father will be here soon. Before I go, I've a gift for you, something I came across in packing." He put an object on the table between them-black, oblong, no larger than the end of Paul's thumb. Paul looked at it. Yueh noted how the boy did not reach for it, and thought: How cautious he is. "It's a very old Orange Catholic Bible made for space travelers. Not a filmbook, but actually printed on filament paper. It has its own magnifier and electrostatic charge system." He picked it up, demonstrated. "The book is held closed by the charge, which forces against spring-locked covers. You press the edge-thus, and the pages you've selected repel each other and the book opens." "It's so small." "But it has eighteen hundred pages. You press the edge—thus, and so … and the charge moves ahead one page at a time as you read. Never touch the actual pages with your fingers. The filament tissue is too delicate." He closed the book, handed it to Paul. "Try it." Yueh watched Paul work the page adjustment, thought: I salve my own conscience. I give him the surcease of religion before betraying him. Thus may I say to myself that he has gone where I cannot go. “This must’ve been made before filmbooks,” Paul said. “Indulge an old man’s whim,” Yueh said. “It was given to me when I was very young.” And he thought: I must catch his mind as well as his cupidity. “Open it to four-sixty-seven Kalima-where it says: ‘From water does all life begin.’ There’s a slight notch on the edge of the cover to mark the place.” Paul felt the cover, detected two notches, one shallower than the other. He pressed the shallower one and the book spread open on his palm, its magnifier sliding into place. (ed note: tiny books on desert survival include a small glow-tab so the book can be read at night) Paul lifted the seal on the pack, pulled out a tiny micromanual with glowtab and magnifier. Green and orange letters leaped up at him from the pages: “literjons, stilltent, energy caps, recaths, sandsnork, binoculars, stillsuit repkit, baradye pistol, sinkchart, filt-plugs, paracompass, maker hooks, thumpers, Fremkit, fire pillar … “ So many things for survival on the desert. Presently, he put the manual aside on the tent floor. From DUNE by Frank Herbert NEWSPAD There was plenty to occupy his time, even if he did nothing but sit and read. When he tired of official reports and memoranda and minutes, he would plug his foolscap-sized Newspad into the ship’s information circuit and scan the latest reports from Earth. One by one he would conjure up the world’s major electronic papers; he knew the codes of the more important ones by heart, and had no need to consult the list on the back of his pad (how quaint! Remember before the advent of Google, when there were magazines with lists of URL web links?). Switching to the display unit’s short-term memory, he would hold the front page while he quickly searched the headlines and noted the items that interested him. Each had its own two-digit reference; when he punched that, the postage-stamp-sized rectangle would expand until it neatly filled the screen and he could read it with comfort. When he had finished, he would flash back to the complete page and select a new subject for detailed examination. Floyd sometimes wondered if the Newspad, and the fantastic technology behind it, was the last word in man’s quest for perfect communications. Here he was, far out in space, speeding away from Earth at thousands of miles an hour, yet in a few milliseconds he could see the headlines of any newspaper he pleased. (That very word “newspaper,” of course, was an anachronistic hangover into the age of electronics.) The text was updated automatically on every hour; even if one read only the English versions, one could spend an entire lifetime doing nothing but absorbing the ever-changing flow of information from the news satellites. It was hard to imagine how the system could be improved or made more convenient. But sooner or later, Floyd guessed, it would pass away, to be replaced by something as unimaginable as the Newspad itself would have been to Caxton or Gutenberg. There was another thought which a scanning of those tiny electronic headlines often invoked. The more wonderful the means of communication, the more trivial, tawdry, or depressing its contents seemed to be. Accidents, crimes, natural and man-made disasters, threats of conflict, gloomy editorials — these still seemed to be the main concern of the millions of words being sprayed into the ether. Yet Floyd also wondered if this was altogether a bad thing; the newspapers of Utopia, he had long ago decided, would be terribly dull. From 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY by Arthur C. Clarke (1969) BOOKS ARE RARE The first necessary factor in Jorry’s planning came into his grasp when the ancient driveship Phoenix XXVII landed on Tricaps. The ship was manned by two young starfarers who had found it drifting, an interstellar derelict with a crew of dust and dry bones, and had claimed it as their own. Its arrival on the planet caused a great sensation, for the Phoenix XXVII was no less than three galactic centuries old, a repository of items long since forgotten, hence of great potential value. The cargo of books alone—nine genuine Old Earth books, printed on paper— was worth the price of the ship. When they were reunited on the ledge, Jorry reached into his tunic and withdrew a folded piece of metallic cloth covered with markings. “Is that the map?” Bral asked. “A kind of map. Can any of you read?” Jorry asked, laying out the document on the fiat rock. As it developed—and as he had already determined—none of his crew had troubled to master the arcane and venerable art of reading letters, or of writing them. It was a rare skill in those times. Jorry explained the mysterious markings for the others. From UNDER A CALCULATING STAR by John Morressy (1975) SMART BOOK artwork by Bruce Jensen Hackworth compiles the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer Hackworth put Cotton's document atop the Runcible stack and guillotined it against the desktop a couple of times, superstitiously trying to make it look neat. He carried it to the corner of his office, over by the window, where a new piece of furniture had recently been rolled in by the porter: a cherrywood cabinet on brass casters. It came up to his waist. On top was a polished brass mechanism- an automatic document reader with detachable tray. A small door in the back betrayed a Feed port, one centimeter, typical of household appliances but startlingly wimpy in a heavy industrial works, especially considering that this cabinet contained one of the most powerful computers on earth- five cc's of Bespoke rod logic. It used about a hundred thousand watts of power, which came in over the superconducting part of the Feed. The power had to be dissipated, or else the computer would incinerate itself and most of the building too. Getting rid of that energy had been much more of an engineering job than the rod logic. The latest Feed protocol had a solution built in: a device could now pull ice off the Feed, one microscopic chunk at a time, and output warm water. Hackworth put the stack of documents into the feed tray on top and told the machine to compile Runcible. There was a card-shuffling buzz as the reader grabbed the edge of each page momentarily and extracted its contents. The flexible Feed line, which ran from the wall into the back of the cabinet, jerked and stiffened orgasmically as the computer's works sucked in a tremendous jolt of hypersonic ice and shot back warm water. A fresh sheet of paper appeared in the cabinet's output tray. The top of the document read, "RUNCIBLE VERSION 1.0— COMPILED SPECIFICATION." The only other thing on the document was a picture of the final product, nicely rendered in Hackworth's signature pseudo-engraved style. It looked exactly like a book. On his way down the vast helical stair in the largest and most central of Bespoke's atria, Hackworth pondered his upcoming crime. It was entirely too late to go back now. It flustered him that he had unconsciously made up his mind months ago without marking the occasion. Though Bespoke was a design rather than a production house, it had its own matter compilers, including a couple of fairly big ones, a hundred cubic meters. Hackworth had reserved a more modest desktop model, one-tenth of a cubic meter. Use of these compilers had to be logged, so he identified himself and the project first. Then the machine accepted the edge of the document. Hackworth told the matter compiler to begin immediately, and then looked through a transparent wall of solid diamond into the eutactic environment. A leaf of paper was about a hundred thousand nanometers thick; a third of a million atoms could fit into this span. Smart paper consisted of a network of infinitesimal computers sandwiched between mediatrons. A mediation was a thing that could change its color from place to place; two of them accounted for about two-thirds of the paper's thickness, leaving an internal gap wide enough to contain structures a hundred thousand atoms wide. Light and air could easily penetrate to this point, so the works were contained within vacuoles— airless buckminsterfullerene shells overlaid with a reflective aluminum layer so that they would not implode en masse whenever the page was exposed to sunlight. The interiors of the buckyballs, then, constituted something close to a eutactic environment. Here resided the rod logic that made the paper smart. Each of these spherical computers was linked to its four neighbors, north-east-southwest, by a bundle of flexible pushrods running down a flexible, evacuated buckytube, so that the page as a whole constituted a parallel computer made up of about a billion separate processors. The individual processors weren't especially smart or fast and were so susceptible to the elements that typically only a small fraction of them were working, but even with those limitations the smart paper still constituted, among other things, a powerful graphical computer. And still, Hackworth reflected, it had nothing on Runcible, whose pages were thicker and more densely packed with computational machinery, each sheet folded four times into a sixteen-page signature, thirty-two signatures brought together in a spine that, in addition to keeping the book from falling apart, functioned as an enormous switching system and database. It was made to be robust, but it still had to be born in the eutactic womb, a solid diamond vacuum chamber housing a start matter compiler. The diamond was doped with something that let only red light pass through; standard engineering practice eschewed any molecular bonds that were tenuous enough to be broken by those lazy red photons, underachievers of the visible spectrum. Thus the growth of your prototype was visible through the window— a good last-ditch safety measure. If your code was buggy and your project grew too large, threatening to shatter the walls of the chamber, you could always shut it down via the ludicrously low-tech expedient of shutting off the Feed line. Hackworth wasn't worried, but he watched the initial phases of growth anyway, just because it was always interesting. In the beginning was an empty chamber, a diamond hemisphere, glowing with dim red light. In the center of the floor slab, one could see a naked cross-section of an eight-centimeter Feed, a central vacuum pipe surrounded by a collection of smaller lines, each a bundle of microscopic conveyor belts carrying nanomechanical building blocks— individual atoms, or scores of them linked together in handy modules. The matter compiler was a machine that sat at the terminus of a Feed and, following a program, plucked molecules from the conveyors one at a time and assembled them into more complicated structures. Hackworth was the programmer. Runcible was the program. It was made up of a number of subprograms, each of which had resided on a separate piece of paper until a few minutes ago, when the immensely powerful computer in Hackworth's office had compiled them into a single finished program written in a language that the matter compiler could understand. A transparent haze coalesced across the terminus of the Feed, mold on an overripe strawberry. The haze thickened and began adopting a shape, some parts a little higher than others. It spread across the floor away from the Feed line until it had filled out its footprint: one quadrant of a circle with a radius of a dozen centimeters. Hackworth continued to watch until he was sure he could see the top edge of the book growing out of it. In the corner of this lab stood an evolved version of a copy machine that could take just about any kind of recorded information and transmogrify it into something else. It could even destroy a piece of information and then attest to the fact that it had been destroyed, which was useful in the relatively paranoid environment of Bespoke. Hackworth gave it the document containing the compiled Runcible code and destroyed it. Provably. When it was finished, Hackworth released the vacuum and lifted the red diamond dome. The finished book stood upright atop the system that had extruded it, which was turned into a junkheap as soon as it was touched by the air. Hackworth picked up the book in his right hand and the extruder in his left, and tossed the latter into a junk bin. He locked the book in a desk drawer, picked up his top hat, gloves, and walking-stick, stepped into his walker, and set off for the Causeway. Toward Shanghai. (ed note: The resulting item looks like an old fashioned book titled: the Young Lady's Illustrated Primer. It is actually a sophisticated computer running an interactive book, programmed to teach the reader how to maximize their abilities.) artwork by Manchu (ed note: the book is covertly given to a disadvantaged young girl living in the ghetto named Nell) But Harv (Nell's older brother) saved the biggest thing for last, and he withdrew it with ceremony. "I had to fight for this, Nell," he said. "I fought hard because I was afraid the others would break it up for parts. I'm giving it to you." It appeared to be a flat decorated box. Nell could tell immediately that it was fine. She had not seen many fine things in her life, but they had a look of their own, dark and rich like chocolate, with glints of gold. "Both hands," Harv admonished her, "it's heavy." Nell reached out with both hands and took it. Harv was right, it was heavier than it looked. She had to lay it down in her lap or she'd drop it. It was not a box at all. It was a solid thing. The top was printed with golden letters. The left edge was rounded and smooth, made of something that felt warm and soft but strong. The other edges were indented slightly, and they were cream-colored. Harv could not put up with the wait. "Open it," he said. "How?" Harv leaned toward her, caught the upper-right corner under his finger, and flipped it. The whole lid of the thing bent upward around a hinge on the left side, pulling a flutter of cream-colored leaves after it. Underneath the cover was a piece of paper with a picture on it and some more letters. On the first page of the book was a picture of a little girl sitting on a bench. Above the bench was a thing like a ladder, except it was horizontal, supported at each end by posts. Thick vines twisted up the posts and gripped the ladder, where they burst into huge flowers. The girl had her back to Nell; she was looking down a grassy slope sprinkled with little flowers toward a blue pond. On the other side of the pond rose mountains like the ones they supposedly had in the middle of New Chusan, where the fanciest Vickys of all had their æstival houses. The girl had a book open on her lap. The facing page had a little picture in the upper left, consisting of more vines and flowers wrapped around a giant egg-shaped letter. But the rest of that page was nothing but tiny black letters without decoration. Nell turned it and found two more pages of letters, though a couple of them were big ones with pictures drawn around them. She turned another page and found another picture. In this one, the little girl had set aside her book and was talking to a big black bird that had apparently gotten its foot tangled up in the vines overhead. She flipped another page. The pages she'd already turned were under her left thumb. They were trying to work their way loose, as if they were alive. She had to press down harder and harder to keep them there. Finally they bulged up in the middle and slid out from underneath her thumb and, flop-flop-flop, returned to the beginning of the story. "Once upon a time," said a woman's voice, "there was a little girl named Elizabeth who liked to sit in the bower in her grandfather's garden and read story-books." The voice was soft, meant just for her, with an expensive Victorian accent. Nell slammed the book shut and pushed it away. It slid across the floor and came to rest by the sofa. The next day, Mom's boyfriend Tad came home in a bad mood. He had already come in with his beer and begun rooting through the stuff on the sofa with his other hand, trying to find the control pad for the mediatron. He threw a lot of Harv's and Nell's toys on the floor and then stepped on the book with his bare foot. "Ouch, god damn it!" Tad shouted. He looked down at the book in disbelief. "What the fk is this?!" He wound up as if to kick it, then thought better of it, remembering he was barefoot. He picked it up and hefted it, looking straight at Nell and getting a fix on her range and azimuth. "Stupid little ct, how many times do I have to tell you to keep your fking st cleaned up!" Then he turned away from her slightly, wrapping his arm around his body, and snapped the book straight at her head like a frisbee. She stood watching it come toward her because it did not occur to her to get out of the way, but at the last moment the covers flew open. The pages spread apart. They all bent like feathers as they hit her in the face, and it didn't hurt at all. The book fell to the floor at her feet, open to an illustrated page. The picture was of a big dark man and a little girl in a cluttered room, the man angrily flinging a book at the little girl's head. "Once upon a time there was a little girl named Ct," the book said. "My name is Nell," Nell said. A tiny disturbance propagated through the grid of letters on the facing page. "Your name's mud if you don't fking clean this st up," Tad said. "But do it later, I want some fking privacy for once." Nell's hands were full, and so she shoved the book down the hallway and into the kids' room with her foot. She dumped all her stuff on her mattress and then ran back and shut the door. She left her magic wand and sword nearby in case she should need them, then set Dinosaur, Duck, Peter, and Purple into bed, all in a neat to be a bird. Big letters appeared beneath. "R A V E N," the book said. "Raven. Now, say it with me." "Raven." "Very good! Nell, you are a clever girl, and you have much talent with words. Can you spell raven?" Nell hesitated. She was still blushing from the praise. After a few seconds, the first of the letters began to blink. Nell prodded it. The letter grew until it had pushed all the other letters and pictures off the edges of the page. The loop on top shrank and became a head, while the lines sticking out the bottom developed into legs and began to scissor. "R is for Run," the book said. The picture kept on changing until it was a picture of Nell. Then something fuzzy and red appeared beneath her feet. "Nell Runs on the Red Rug," the book said, and as it spoke, new words appeared. "Why is she running?" "Because an Angry Alligator Appeared," the book said, and panned back quite some distance to show an alligator, waddling along ridiculously, no threat to the fleet Nell. The alligator became frustrated and curled itself into a circle, which became a small letter. "A is for Alligator. The Very Vast alligator Vainly Viewed Nell's Valiant Velocity." The little story went on to include an Excited Elf who was Nibbling Noisily on some Nuts. Then the picture of the Raven came back, with the letters beneath. "Raven. Can you spell raven, Nell?" A hand materialized on the page and pointed to the first letter. "R," Nell said. "Very good! You are a clever girl, Nell, and good with letters," the book said. "What is this letter?" and it pointed to the second one. This one Nell had forgotten. But the book told her a story about an Ape named Albert. artwork by Hendrik Dorgathen Once upon a time there was a little Princess named Nell who was imprisoned in a tall dark castle on an island in the middle of a great sea, with a little boy named Harv, who was her friend and protector. She also had four special friends named Dinosaur, Duck, Peter Rabbit, and Purple. Princess Nell and Harv could not leave the Dark Castle, but from time to time a Raven would come to visit them and tell them of the wonderful things over the sea in the Land Beyond. One day the Raven helped Princess Nell escape from the castle, but alas, poor Harv was too big and had to stay locked up behind the castle's great iron door with twelve locks. Princess Nell loved Harv like a brother and refused to abandon him, so she and her friends, Dinosaur, Duck, Peter, and Purple, traveled over the sea in a little red boat, having many adventures, until they came to the Land Beyond. This was divided into twelve countries each ruled by a Faery King or a Faery Queen. Each King or Queen had a wonderful Castle, and each Castle was a Treasury containing gold and jewels, and in each Treasury was a jeweled Key that would open one of the twelve locks on the iron door of the Dark Castle. Princess Nell and her friends had many adventures as they visited each of the twelve kingdoms and collected the twelve keys. Some they got by persuasion, some by cleverness, and some they took in battle. By the end of the quest, some of Nell's four friends had died, and some had gone their separate ways. But Nell was not alone, for she had become a great heroine during her adventures. In a great ship, accompanied by many soldiers, servants, and elders, Nell traveled back over the sea to the island of the Dark Castle. As she approached the iron door, Harv saw her from the top of a tower and gruffly told her to go away, for Princess Nell had changed so much during her Quest that Harv no longer recognized her. "I have come to set you free," Princess Nell said. Harv again told her to go away, saying that he had all the freedom he wanted within the walls of the Dark Castle. Princess Nell put the twelve keys into the twelve locks and began to open them one by one. When the rusty door of the castle finally creaked open, she saw Harv standing with a bow at the ready, and an arrow drawn, pointed straight at her heart. He let fly the arrow, and it struck her in the chest and would have killed her except that she was wearing a locket Harv had given her many years ago, before she left the castle. The arrow struck and shattered the locket. In the same moment, Harv was cut down by an arrow from one of Princess Nell's soldiers. Nell rushed to her fallen brother to comfort him and wept over his body for three days and three nights. When finally she dried her eyes, she saw that the Dark Castle had become glorious; for the river of tears that had flowed from her eyes had watered the grounds, and beautiful gardens and forests had sprung up overnight, and the Dark Castle itself was no longer dark, but a shining beacon filled with delightful things. Princess Nell lived in that castle and ruled over that island for the rest of her days, and every morning she would go for a walk in the garden where Harv had fallen. She had many adventures and became a great Queen, and in time she met and married a Prince, and had many children, and lived happily ever after. "What's an adventure?" Nell said. The word was written across the page. Then both pages filled with moving pictures of glorious things: girls in armor fighting dragons with swords, and girls riding white unicorns through the forest, and girls swinging from vines, swimming in the blue ocean, piloting rocket ships through space. Nell spent a long time looking at all of the pictures, and after a while all of the girls began to look like older versions of herself. "Once upon a time there was a little Princess named Nell who was imprisoned in a tall dark castle on an island-" "Nell and Harv had been locked up in the Dark Castle by their evil stepmother." "Why didn't their father let them out of the Dark Castle?" "Their father, who had protected them from the whims of the wicked stepmother, had gone sailing over the sea and never come back." "Why did he never come back?" "Their father was a fisherman. He went out on his boat every day. The sea is a vast and dangerous place, filled with monsters, storms, and other dangers. No one knows what fate befell him. Perhaps it was foolish of him to sail into such danger, but Nell knew better than to fret over things she could not change." "Why did she have a wicked stepmother?" "Nell's mother died one night when a monster came out of the sea and entered their cottage to snatch Nell and Harv, who were just babies. She fought with the monster and slew it, but in so doing suffered grievous wounds and died the next day with her adopted children still nestled in her bosom." "Why did the monster come from the sea?" "For many years, Nell's father and mother badly wanted children but were not so blessed until one day, when the father caught a mermaid in his net. The mermaid said that if he let her go, she would grant him a wish, so he wished for two children, a boy and a girl. "The next day, while he was out fishing, he was approached by a mermaid carrying a basket. In the basket were the two little babies, just as he had requested, wrapped up in cloth of gold. The mermaid cautioned him that he and his wife should not allow the babies to cry at night." "Why were they in gold cloth?" "They were actually a Princess and a Prince who had been in a shipwreck. The ship sank, but the basket containing the two babies bobbed like a cork on the ocean until the mermaids came and found them. They took care of those two babies until they found a good parent for them. "He took the babies back to the cottage and presented them to his wife, who swooned for joy. They lived happily together for some time, and whenever one of the babies cried, one of the parents would get up and comfort it. But one night father did not come home, because a storm had pushed his little red fishing boat far out to sea. One of the babies began to cry, and the mother got up to comfort it. But when the other began to cry as well, there was nothing she could do, and shortly the monster came calling. "When the fisherman returned home the next day, he found his wife's body lying beside that of the monster, and both of the babies unharmed. His grief was very great, and he began the difficult task of raising both the children. "One day, a stranger came to his door. She said that she had been cast out by the cruel Kings and Queens of the Land Beyond and that she needed a place to sleep and would do any kind of work in exchange. At first she slept on the floor and cooked and cleaned for the fisherman all day long, but as Nell and Harv got bigger, she began to give them more and more chores, until by the time their father disappeared, they toiled from dawn until long after nightfall, while their stepmother never lifted a finger." "Why didn't the fisherman and his babies live in the castle to protect them from the monster?" "The castle was a dark forbidding place on the top of a mountain. The fisherman had been told by his father that it had been built many ages ago by trolls, who were still said to live there. And he did not have the twelve keys." "Did the wicked stepmother have the twelve keys?" "She kept them buried in a secret place as long as the fisherman was around, but after he sailed away and did not come back, she had Nell and Harv dig them up again, along with a quantity of jewels and gold that she had brought with her from the Land Beyond. She bedecked herself with the gold and jewels, then opened up the iron gates of the Dark Castle and tricked Nell and Harv into going inside. As soon as they were in, she slammed the gates shut behind them and locked the twelve locks. 'When the sun goes down, the trolls will have you for a snack!' she cackled." "What's a troll?" "A scary monster that lives in holes in the ground and comes out after dark." Nell started to cry. She slammed the book closed, ran to her bed, gathered her stuffed animals up in her arms, started chewing on her blanket, and cried for a while, considering the question of trolls. The book made a fluttering sound. Nell saw it opening in the corner of her eye and looked over cautiously, afraid she might see a picture of a troll. But instead, she saw two pictures. One was of Princess Nell, sitting on the grass with four dolls gathered in her arms. Facing it was a picture of Nell surrounded by four creatures: a big dinosaur, a rabbit, a duck, and a woman in a purple dress with purple hair. The book said, "Would you like to hear the story of how Princess Nell made some friends in the Dark Castle, where she least expected it, and how they killed all of the trolls and made it a safe place to live?" "Yes!" Nell said, and scooted across the floor until she was poised above the book. artwork by Patrick Arrasmith The illustration zoomed in on an open grassy area and became very detailed. Harv and Nell were trying to build a fire. There was a pile of wet logs Harv had chopped up. Harv also had a rock, which he was striking against the butt of a knife. Sparks flew out and were swallowed up by the wet logs. "You start the fire, Nell," Harv said, and left her alone. Then the picture stopped moving, and Nell realized, after a few minutes, that it was fully ractive now. She picked up the rock and the knife and began to whack them together (actually she was just moving her empty hands in space, but in the illustration Princess Nell's hands did the same thing). Sparks flew, but there was no fire. She kept at it for a while, getting more and more frustrated, until tears came to her eyes. But then one of the sparks went awry and landed in some dry grass. A little curl of smoke rose up and died out. She experimented a bit and learned that dry yellow grass worked better than green grass. Still, the fire never lasted for more than a few seconds. A gust of wind came up and blew a few dry leaves in her direction. She learned that the fire could spread from dry grass to leaves. The stem of a leaf was basically a small dry twig, so that gave her the idea to explore a little grove of trees and look for some twigs. The grove was densely overgrown, but she found what she was looking for beneath an old dead bush. "Good!" Harv said, when he came back and found her approaching with an armload of small dry sticks. "You found some kindling. You're a smart girl and a good worker." She knew these kids; they knew how to push and hit and scratch. She went to one corner of the room and sat with her magic book on her lap, waiting for one kid to get off the swing. When he did, she put her book in the corner and climbed onto the swing and started trying to pump her legs like the big kids did, but she couldn't get the swing to go. Then a big kid came and told her that she was not allowed to use the swing because she was too little. 'When Nell didn't get off right away, the kid shoved her off. Nell tumbled into the sand, scratching her hands and knees, and ran back toward the corner crying. But a couple of other kids had found her magic book and started kicking it around, making it slide back and forth across the floor like a hockey puck.. Nell ran up and tried to pick the book off the floor, but it slid too fast for her to catch it. The two kids began kicking it back and forth between them and finally tossing it through the air. Nell ran back and forth trying to keep up with the book. Soon there were four kids playing keep-away and six others standing around watching and laughing at Nell. Nell couldn't see things though because her eyes were full of tears, snot was running out of her nose, and her ribcage only quivered when she tried to breathe. Then one of the kids screamed and dropped the book. Quickly another darted in to grab it, and he screamed too. Then a third. Suddenly all the kids were silent and afraid. Nell rubbed the tears out of her eyes and ran over toward the book again, and this time the kids didn't throw it away from her; she picked it up and cradled it against her chest. The kids who'd been playing keep-away were all in the same pose: arms crossed over chests, hands wedged into armpits, jumping up and down like pogo sticks and screaming for their mothers. Nell sat in the corner, opened the book, and started to read. She did not know all of the words, but she knew a lot of them, and when she got tired, the book would help her sound out the words or even read the whole story to her, or tell it to her with moving pictures just like a cine. She loved all of her four companions, but her favorite had come to be Dinosaur. At first she'd found him a little scary, but then she'd come to understand that though he could be a terrible warrior, he was on her side and he loved her. She loved to ask him for stories about the old days before the Extinction, and about the time he had spent studying with the mouse Dojo. There were other students too . . . said the book, speaking in Dinosaur's voice, as Nell sat by herself in the corner of the playroom. . . . In those days we had no humans, but we did have monkeys, and one day a little girl monkey came to the entrance of our cave looking quite lonely. Dojo welcomed her inside, which surprised me because I thought Dojo only liked warriors. When the little monkey saw me, she froze in terror, but then Dojo flipped me over his shoulder and bounced me off the walls of the cave a few times to demonstrate that I was fully under control. He made her a bowl of soup and asked her why she was wandering around the forest all by herself. The monkey, whose name was Belle, explained that her mother and her mother's boyfriend had kicked her out of the family tree and told her to go swing on the vines for a couple of hours. But the bigger monkeys hogged all the vines and wouldn't let Belle swing, so Belle wandered off into the forest looking for companionship and got lost, finally stumbling upon the entrance to Dojo's cave. "You may stay with us for as long as you like," Dojo said. "All we do here is play games, and you are invited to join our games if it pleases you." "But I am supposed to be home soon," Belle complained. "My mother's boyfriend will give me a whipping otherwise." "Then I will show you the way from your family tree to my cave and back," Dojo said, "so that you can come here and play with us whenever your mother sends you out." Dojo and I helped Belle find her way back through the forest to her family tree. On our way back to the cave, I said, "Master, I do not understand." "What seems to be the trouble?" Dojo said. "You are a great warrior, and I am studying to become a great warrior myself. Is there a place in your cave for a little girl who just wants to play?" "I'll be the judge of who does and doesn't make a warrior," Dojo said. "But we are so busy with our drills and exercises," I said. "Do we have time to play games with the child, as you promised?" "What is a game but a drill that's dressed up in colorful clothing?" Dojo said. "Besides, given that, even without my instruction, you weigh ten tons and have a cavernous mouth filled with teeth like butcher knives, and that all creatures except me flee in abject terror at the mere sound of your footsteps, I do not think that you should begrudge a lonely little girl some play-time." At this I felt deeply ashamed, and when we got home, I swept out the cave seven times without even being asked. A couple of days later, when Belle came back to our cave looking lonely and forlorn, we both did our best to make her feel welcome. Dojo began playing some special games with her, which Belle enjoyed so much that she kept coming back, and believe it or not, after a couple of years of this had gone by, Belle was able to flip me over her shoulder just as well as Dojo. Nell laughed to think of a little girl monkey flipping a great dinosaur over her shoulder. She went back one page and reread the last part more carefully: A couple of days later, when Belle came back to our cave looking lonely and forlorn, we both did our best to make her feel welcome. Dojo made a special meal in his kitchen out of rice, fish, and vegetables and made sure that she ate every scrap. Then he began playing a special game with her called somersaults. An illustration materialized on the facing page. Nell recognized the open space in front of the entrance to Dojo's cave. Dojo was sitting up on a high rock giving instructions to Dinosaur and Belle. Dinosaur tried to do a somersault, but his tiny front arms could not support the weight of his massive head, and he fell flat on his face. Then Belle gave it a try and did a perfect somersault. Nell tried it too. It was confusing at first, because the world kept spinning around her while she did it. She looked at the illustration in the book and saw Belle doing exactly what Nell had done, making all of the same mistakes. Dojo scampered down from his rock and explained how Belle could keep her head and body straight. Nell followed the advice as she gave it another try, and this time it felt better. Before her time was up, she was doing perfect somersaults all over the playground. When she went back to the apartment, Mom wouldn't let her in at first, so she did somersaults up and down the hall for a while. (the book is teaching Nell karate) Finally Mom let her in, and when she saw that Nell had gotten sand in her hair and shoes down at the playground, she gave her a spanking and sent her to bed without any food. But the next morning she went to the M.C. (matter compiler, ghetto version that has a limited catalog of items it can make) and asked it for the special meal Dojo made for Belle. The M.C. said it couldn't really make fish, but it could make nanosurimi, which was kind of like fish. It could make rice too. Vegetables were a problem. Instead it gave her some green paste she could eat with a spoon. Nell told the M.C. that this was her Belle food and that she was going to have it all the time from now on, and after that the M.C. always knew what she wanted. (the book is teaching Nell how to eat a healthy diet) Nell didn't call it her magic book anymore, she called it by the name printed plain as day on the title page, which she'd only been able to read recently: YOUNG LADY'S ILLUSTRATED PRIMER a Propædeutic Enchiridion in which is told the tale of Princess Nell and her various friends, kin, associates, c. The Primer didn't speak to her as often as it used to. She had found that she could often read the words more quickly than the book spoke them, and so she usually ordered it to be silent. She often put it under her pillow and had it read her bedtime stories, though, and sometimes she even woke up in the middle of the night and heard it whispering things to her that she had just been dreaming about. (the book is also doing sleep-learning) From THE DIAMOND AGE by Neal Stephenson (1995) Punch (Dec 26, 1906) Villemard's Year 2000 series (1910) Bradley Fiske and his pre-silicon Kindle (1922). He was hoping to make books cheap enough that even the poor could afford them. As a demonstration, Fiske fitted Mark Twain's Innocent Abroad (93,000 words) into only 13 cards. The cards were six inches by two and printed from plates created by photo engraving. Radio Book receiving the student's daily classroom lessons Science and Invention (November 1924) Everyday Science and Mechanics (April, 1935) Hugo Gernsback's Short Wave and Television magazine (May, 1938) Ángela Ruiz Robles with her 'Enciclopedia Mecánica' (1949) Enciclopedia Mecánica Video Clip "El eslabón perdido del libro electrónico" click to play video Chicago Tribune, Feb 1 1959 Popular Science (Feb, 1965) GRiDPad, first commercially successful tablet computer (1986) Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 (1993) Amazon Kindle first generation (2007) Amazon Kindle second generation (2009) ESA mobile procedure viewer aka "mobiPV" (2014) Flight Outfitters iPad Mini Kneeboard Star Trek’s PADD (Personal Access Display Device) Star Trek’s PADD The Expanse hand terminal Future Writing Science fiction writers back in the middle of last century thought that speech-to-text technology would happen any day now. While there are some example of such software nowadays, none of them is quite ready for prime time yet. For a while with early PDAs there was some experimenting with using a stylus and special written alphabet for text entry. But currently most people use conventional keyboards for their desktop computers, and cramped touch sensitive virtual keyboard on smartphones that are almost but not quite totally impossible to use if you have fat fingers. VIBROWRITER The father, the following year, took David Phillips, 3rd, to London. There was a man there, Henry Jordon, who had gained international renown by his work with vibrations. He was the inventor of the vibrowriter, the new typewriter that could be talked to, and which transposed the spoken sound into typed words, a contrivance which made perfect spelling possible, provided the words were perfectly pronounced. The father had an idea and was willing to travel four thousand miles and spend any amount of money to find out whether he was right or wrong. His letters of introduction opened the door to the scientist’s workshop; his story opened the door to the man’s heart; the adorable healthy boy at once won the inventor’s interest and love. From THE LOST LANGUAGE by David Keller (1934) SPEAKWRITE With the deep, unconscious sigh which not even the nearness of the telescreen could prevent him from uttering when his day’s work started, Winston pulled the speakwrite towards him, blew the dust from its mouthpiece, and put on his spectacles. Then he unrolled and clipped together four small cylinders of paper which had already flopped out of the pneumatic tube on the right-hand side of his desk. Winston glanced across the hall. In the corresponding cubicle on the other side a small, precise-looking, darkchinned man named Tillotson was working steadily away, with a folded newspaper on his knee and his mouth very close to the mouthpiece of the speakwrite. He had the air of trying to keep what he was saying a secret between himself and the telescreen. He looked up, and his spectacles darted a hostile flash in Winston’s direction From NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR by George Orwell (1948) artwork by Michael Whelan Arcadia Darell declaimed firmly into the mouthpiece of her transcriber: "The Future of Seldon's Plan, by A. Darell" and then thought darkly that some day when she was a great writer, she would write all her masterpieces under the pseudonym of Arkady. Just Arkady. No last name at all. "A. Darell" would be just the sort of thing that she would have to put on all her themes for her class in Composition and Rhetoric - so tasteless. All the other kids had to do it, too, except for Olynthus Dam, because the class laughed so when he did it the first time, And "Arcadia" was a little girls name, wished on her because her great-grandmother had been called that; her parents just had no imagination at all. Now that she was two days past fourteen, you'd think they'd recognize the simple fact of adulthood and call her Arkady. Her lips tightened as she thought of her father looking up from his book-viewer just long enough to say, "But if you're going to pretend you're nineteen, Arcadia, what will you do when you're twenty-five and all the boys think you're thirty?" Then she lifted her chin, caught herself at a half-profile, and with her eyes a little strained from looking out the comer and her neck muscles faintly aching, she said, in a voice one octave below its natural pitch, "Really, father, if you think it makes a particle of difference to me what some silly old boys think you just—" And then she remembered that she still had the transmitter open in her hand and said, drearily, "Oh, golly," and shut it off. The faintly violet paper with the peach margin line on the left had upon it the following: THE FUTURE OF SELDON'S PLAN Really, father, if you think it makes a particle of difference to me what some silly old boys think you just Oh, golly. She pulled the sheet out of the machine with annoyance and another clicked neatly into place. But her face smoothed out of its vexation, nevertheless, and her wide, little mouth stretched into a self-satisfied smile. She sniffed at the paper delicately. just right. Just that proper touch of elegance and charm. And the penmanship was just the last word. The machine had been delivered two days ago on her first adult birthday. She had said, "But father, everybody — just everybody in the class who has the slightest pretensions to being anybody has one. Nobody but some old drips would use hand machines—" The salesman had said, "There is no other model as compact on the one hand and as adaptable on the other. It will spell and punctuate correctly according to the sense of the sentence. Naturally, it is a great aid to education since it encourages the user to employ careful enunciation and breathing in order to make sure of the correct spelling, to say nothing of demanding a proper and elegant delivery for correct punctuation." Even then her father had tried to get one geared for type-print as if she were some dried-up, old-maid teacher. But when it was delivered, it was the model she wanted — obtained perhaps with a little more wail and sniffle than quite went with the adulthood of fourteen — and copy was turned out in a charming and entirely feminine handwriting, with the most beautifully graceful capitals anyone ever saw. Even the phrase, "Oh, golly." somehow breathed glamour when the Transcriber was done with it. But just the same she had to get it right, so she sat up straight in her chair, placed her first draft before her in businesslike fashion, and began again, crisply and clearly; her abdomen flat, her chest lifted, and her breathing carefully controlled. She intoned, with dramatic fervor: The Future of Seldon's Plan. In the days, nearly four centuries ago, when the First Galactic Empire was decaying into the paralysis that preceded final death, one man — the great Hari Seldon — foresaw the approaching end. Through the science of psychohistory, the intrissacies of whose mathematics has long since been forgotten, (She paused in a trifle of doubt. She was sure that "intricacies" was pronounced with soft c's but the spelling didn't look right. Oh, well, the machine couldn't very well be wrong—) From SECOND FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov (1953) SONO-TYPER The blonde WAVE secretary at the reception desk took the speaker cup of a sono-typer away from her mouth, bent over an intercom box. "Ensign Ramsey is here, sir," she said. "The admiral's usually a little slow answering," said the receptionist. Ramsey nodded, looked at the door beyond her. Gold lettering on a heavy oak panel: CONFERENCE ROOM — Sec. I. Security One. Above the clatter of office sounds, he could hear the tooth-tingling hum of a detection scrambler. "You can rest that here on the desk," said the receptionist. She pointed to a black wooden box, about a foot on a side, which Ramsey carried under his left arm. "It's not heavy," he said. "Maybe the admiral didn't hear you the first time. Could you try again?" "He heard me," she said. "He's busy with a haggle of braid." She nodded toward the box. "Is that what they're waiting for?" Ramsey grinned. "Why couldn't they be waiting for me?" She sniffed. "Enough braid in there to founder a subtug. They should be waiting for an ensign. There's a war on, mister. You're just the errand boy." The receptionist returned the sono-typer cup to her mouth, went back to her typing. From UNDER PRESSURE by Frank Herbert (1956) From an ad for Sheaffer pens (1964) Palm OS Graffiti Gather around and listen, children. Way back at the dawn of history in days of yore when dinosaurs roamed the earth (about 1996) there was a type of gadget called a "Personal digital assistant" (PDA). These were sort of like a smart phone with no phone in it, no internet connection, and a low-res monochrome screen. Apps typically included an appointment calendar, a to-do list, an address book for contacts, a calculator, and some sort of memo (or "note") program. After smart phones came out PDAs died off, since there really wasn't anything they could do that a smart phone couldn't do better. Plus smart phones could be used as phones. Manually entering data into a PDA tended to be clumsy. Most of them had touch screens, but they were so tiny that one would commonly tap on the screen with a stylus instead of one's fingers. Text entry was by: An array of buttons forming a tiny computer alphanumeric keyboard A separate physical keyboard connected to the PDA by a cable, infrared signal, or Blue Tooth. Most had physical keys, one drew a virtual keyboard on the tabletop using laser beams. A virtual alphanumeric keyboard appearing on the touch screen, that you'd tap with the stylus A stroke recognition system, with a stroke area on the touch screeen that you'd draw in with the stylus Button Keyboard Separate Keyboard Laser Keyboard Stroke System A button array keyboard tended to have tiny buttons, which wasn't easily used by fat-fingered people. A separate keybord was easy to use, but inconvenient to carry along (even if some did fold up, the laser keyboard wasn't bad but it still was an extra bit to carry). The virtual keyboard with stylus was a bit fiddly to use and it made it difficult to rapidly enter text data. The stroke system is not fiddly, does not require extra equipment, is easily used by the fat-fingered, and allows quite rapid text input. The main drawback is that a user has to learn the stroke alphabet. Back around 1998 I had one of the first Handspring Visors. These used Palm OS, and a stroke system called Graffiti. Personally I managed to learn Graffiti in about two days, and found I could enter text pretty darn quickly. Most of the strokes are fairly close in shape to the character they encode, making them easy to memorize. When I am struggling with text entry on my current smartphone, I often find that I miss Graffiti. Stroke recognition is done on an area on the touch screen about the size of a postage stamp. Since each letter had to be drawn one on top of the other, there has to be a way for the PDA to know when one letter ends and another starts. In Graffiti each letter is one single stroke, lifting the stylus off the touchscreen is the signal that the current letter has ended. This means no dotting the "i" or crossing the "t". Well, they did make an exception. A "prefix" stroke of going from upper left to lower right means you are writing one of the "extended mode" or "two-stroke" characters. What this means is they ran out of easy-to-write-strokes before they ran out of characters. So the extended mode is a way to re-use some of the strokes on some of the more lesser-used characters (such as ©, €, and ¢). THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE “It could have been a portrait,” Blaine suggested. He took out his pocket computer and scrawled “Church of Him” across its face, then punched for information. The box linked with the ship’s library, and information began to roll across its face. Renner skipped it. “I remembered something. Have you got your pocket computer?” “Certainly.” She took it out to show him. “Please test it for me.” Her face a puzzled mask, Sally drew letters on the face of the flat box, wiped them, scrawled a simple problem, then a complex one that would require the ship’s computer to help. Then she called up an arbitrary personal data file from ship’s memory. “It works all right.” Renner’s voice was thick with sleep. “Am I crazy, or did we watch the Mode take that thing apart and put it back together again?” “Certainly. She did the same with your gun.” “But a pocket computer?” Renner stared. “You know that’s impossible, don’t you?” She thought it was a joke. “No, I didn’t.” “Well, it is. Ask Dr. Horvath.” Renner hung up and went back to sleep. Sally caught up with Dr. Horvath as he was turning into his cabin. She told him about the computer. “But those things are one big integrated circuit. We don’t even try to repair them.” Horvath muttered other things to himself. (they must be made by Apple) While Renner slept, Horvath and Sally woke the physical sciences staff. None of them got much sleep that night. “I don’t remember exactly.” Sally took out her pocket computer and scrawled the symbols for information recall. The gadget hummed, then changed tone to indicate it was using the car’s radio system to communicate with the Palace data banks. From THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (1975) Interstellar Publication artwork by Kelly Freas Propagating data via physical books (perhaps printed on bamboo paper), USB flash drives containing eBooks, or other material non-cloud non-broadcasty item is much slower than distribution by the local equivalent of the internet. But it has advantages: It does not require the existence of an FTL internet (in case the science fiction author does not want their empire having that high a tech level, or FTL Wifi is forbidden by the laws of physics) It does not require the local infrastructure of the unindustrialized newly colonized planet to be high enough to support an FTL internet. A tech level equivalent to 2000s USA will do for USB flash Drives. Or a tech level of 1400s Europe for printed books. It can be (slowly) propagating by unorganized random starships carrying the books, after the galactic empire declines and falls In the Dark Ages scenario, isolated planets will have their local languages drift and change over the centuries. The language used on the books may become sort of a Lingua franca, much like the Roman Empire language Latin did during the medieval era after Rome fell. There is also conflicting priorities when it comes to the format of the books. Specifically between usability and data density. On the one hand, a physical printed book can be used by anybody who has normal vision and the knowledge of how to read the language the book is printed in. Usability is high. The disadvantage is the relatively large space a book takes up (as compared to an eBook), and the difficulty in reproducing a given example of a book. You have to optically scan the book then use up all the ink cartridges in your printer. Or typeset each page to use in a printing press. Or even write it manually, like a monk in a scriptorium. Let's hear it for manuscript culture! On the other hand, an eBook reader the size of a tablet can hold a small library's worth of books. Data density is high. If the eBooks are not protected by DRM, making an electronic copy takes a fraction of a second and can be as easy as connecting two eBook readers with a cable and pressing a button. Or connected over the internet. The disadvantage is that without an eBook reader or without the reader's battery being charged, the eBooks are unreadable. Especially during the Long Night, when potential scholars probably don't know what electricity is. And then there is the digital preservation problem, or why you cannot read all the eBooks that are on floppy disks in obsolete formats. The US Library of Congress is having a real problem with digital data becoming unaccessible for this very reason, and is finding that migrating the data from obsolete formats to new formats is almost impossible to perform successfully. And this will have to be a constant effort since data formats change so rapidly. Zip discs were hot stuff as recently as 1994, a mere ten years later the format was pretty much dead and Zip drives became hard to find. Be that as it may, the motivation to further miniaturize book storage only grows. Currently the hot new method is femtosecond laser etched nanostructured glass, for which Andrew Doull coined the name FLENG. Yes, you need special equipment to read it and drivers to decode the format, but the it can cram 360 TB into a single disc and the data's lifespan is about 13.8 billion years at 190°C Imagine a device: Can go anywhere, and is totally portable. Something that can be started and stopped at will along its data stream, allowing the user to access the information in an effective, easy manner. Will require no electric energy to operate. We have this device. It’s called a book. It will never be surpassed because it represents the minimum technology with the maximum interaction you can have. From a speech to the American Booksellers Association by Isaac Asimov (1989) INFORMATION PROPAGATION The races of man had spread across the spiral arm and toward the great whorl of the central galaxy. By the year 970 H. C. (Calendar of the Holy Church), date of the last known Empire Census, there were more than 11,000 inhabited planets in the Empire, plus a known 1,700 more on the frontier—and estimates of at least 3,000 more beyond that whose existence was known but not confirmed. How many human beings there were simply could not be estimated. Vast fleets of starcruisers whispered through the darkness, the fastest of them journeying a hundred light-years every three hundred days. —but the Empire spanned a thousand light-years. More. No matter how great the speeds of the starcruisers were, the distances of the galaxy were greater. At the fastest speed known to man it still took more than ten years to cross from one end of known space to the other. And the distance was growing. For every day that passed, 240 light-days were added to the scope of man's known frontiers. Man was pushing outward in all directions at once, an ever-continuing explosion. For every ship travelling toward the galactic west, there was another headed for the galactic east; and the rate of man's outward growth was twice as fast as anyone could travel. At the farthest edges of the Empire was the frontier. Beyond that lay unexplored space. Every man that fled into that wilderness dragged the frontier with him. The frontier followed willingly, and after a while, when that particular piece of itself matured, it became a part of the Empire, and the state of mind known as frontier had moved on. Thus, the Empire grew. Even so, there were places where the Empire was only a dim legend. The further it reached, the more tenuous was its control. There were vast undeveloped areas within its sphere, areas that had simply been overlooked in man's headlong rush outward. Communications followed the trade routes, and there were backwaters in that flow of information. News traveled via the Empire Mercantile fleets, synthesized as Oracle tabs. Or via independent traders, synthesized as rumor. It leapfrogged from planet to planet, not according to any kind of system, but by the degree of mercantile importance in which any plan et was held by its immediate neighbors. Every event was the center of a core of spreading ripples—unevenly growing concentric circles of reaction; like batons, the Oracle tabs were passed from ship to ship, from fleet to fleet, from planet to planet, passed and duplicated and passed again; taking ten, twenty or thirty years to work their way across the Empire. By the time any part of the human race received news from its opposite side, it was no longer news, but history. The Empire's communications were the best possible, but they weren't good enough. Control depends upon communication. Weak communications means weak control, eventually no control at all. Such was the state of the Empire at the time the skimmers became feasible. The Empire needed them. They were the ultimate spaceship. The Empire had always been unwieldy and unmanageable. By the year 970 H.C. it was not so much an empire as a loosely organized confederation. Lip service was paid to the idea of a unified central government for all the races of man, but the Empire was only as strong as its local representative. Where that representative was only one agent with an Oracle machine and a twice-yearly visit from a trading ship, the Empire was a distant myth. Where that representative was an Imperial fleet, the Empire was law. And there were all the possible variations in between. Some were just, some weren't. The Empire passed no laws; they could not guarantee uniform enforcement. Instead, they wrote suggested codes of moral behavior for use by representatives of the Imperial Council. Agents of the Empire were free to apply them — or not apply them — as they saw fit. Or, at least to the degree that they could enforce them. The Empire maintained few fleets of its own — and these stayed close to home. Instead letters of marque were issued. Member planets and systems often had their own armadas to police their own territories. Often, those territories consisted of as much volume as those armadas could effectively patrol. Armed with letters of marque, these fleets were automatically acting in the name of the Empire. As agents of such, their duties were what ever their admirals wanted them to be. In return, the badge of the Empire made them — and their control — legal. The local governments controlled the fleets, and in so doing, they wielded the real power. Some were just; some weren't. The Empire didn't care — as long as they paid their taxes. Most of them did. In return, they received the benefits of Empire. In addition to the implied legality of their regimes, they were automatically privy to the vast scientific and cultural library represented by the sum total of humanity. The Empire continually collected and distributed. It functioned as a gigantic clearing house of knowledge, literature, art and music. Member planets disseminated their contributions freely through the system — part of the price they paid for being able to tap the system in return. The exchange was always a bargain: the knowledge of one planet traded for the knowledge of a thousand. Of course, there was a communications problem. With eleven thousand inhabited planets (at last known census), that implies eleven thousand local languages. At least. More than a few of those planets were divided into nations. More than a few of those nations were multi-cultured. Many of those cultures had several different languages — technical, literate, colloquial and argot. Plus subdivisions. Not to mention dialects. So the Empire distributed the Oracle machines, gave them out freely to its member states. The standardized keyboard-and-scanning-plate configuration of the machines was familiar from one end of known space to the other; anyone with access to an Oracle and a translating tab could read information out of any other stasis bite in existence. (ed note: So Oracle tab "stasis bites" are like USB flash drives containing eBooks, translating tabs are flash drives containing an Oracle format Interlingua-to-your-language translation database, and the Oracle proper is like an eBook reader. Unlike contemporary data formats, the Oracle format has been frozen for hundreds of years. This is to avoid the digital preservation, e.g., why you cannot read the data on your old floppy disks.) The Empire hadn't collapsed overnight, but just how long the collapse had taken and to what extent it had occurred, no one knew. The collapse of the Empire meant the collapse of organized communications. A few straggling ships every now and then, some unreliable rumors, and the occasional wisp of years-old radio waves — too many member planets knew too little of what had happened. But even as the Empire died, it was proving its power. It left as its legacy a universal standard for all men—the Oracle machines and the language. Interlingua had been the language of trade and the language of science. Without the Empire, it was a dead language — but like a language called Latin known millennia earlier, it continued to be taught and used, first in the hope that the Empire might be resurrected, then later with the realization that the language was now the only link left to the other worlds of men. A man who spoke Interlingua could travel anywhere and survive. He could make his wants known, he could converse and he could trade. Without the Empire, trade still continued—not on the same vast scale, of course, but between neighboring systems. It was enough to keep the language alive. Interlingua was also the language of the Oracle machines; they still remained. The cultural heritage of mankind was not lost; it merely lay scattered across the galaxy in a thousand thousand machines and in a million million tabs. It was there for the asking — it needed only a man to reach for it. The knowledge waited for a man to begin the arduous task of once more gathering it all together. From SPACE SKIMMER by David Gerrold (1972) A sixteenth-century printer’s shop. Left, the compositors make up the page. Paper arrives at the door, behind a man inking the plates. Printed sheets hang drying above the press operator (right). The bespectacled proofreader stands behind a compositor checking for errors. The demand for paper was high because it was comparatively cheap in relation to its competitor on the market, parchment. Between two and three hundred sheepskins or calfskins were needed to produce enough material for a large Bible, and the preparation of the skins was time-consuming and therefore costly. As the supply of the new linen rag paper increased, its price fell. By 1300 in Bologna, northern Italy, paper was only one- sixth of the price of parchment, and its price continued to fall. As Europe recovered from the plague and trade revived, the demand for manuscript went up to meet the increasing paperwork as the notaries produced the documentation that went with burgeoning business. The universities already had their own manuscript-copying departments, and in time private citizens went into the business. In the middle of the fifteenth century, for example, a certain Vespasiano da Bisticci ran a copying shop in florence employing more than fifty scribes. Since the Black Death had killed off many of the literate members of the community, those who were left commanded astronomically high prices. The situation was clearly unacceptable: on the one hand scribes who cost too much, on the other, paper so cheap you could cover the walls with it. Craftsmen all over Europe must have been working on the solution to the problem, since in essence it was obvious: there had to be some form of automated writing. The credit for the great leap of imagination that followed is usually given to a goldsmith from Mainz in Germany called Iohann Gansfleisch, better known to the world by his mother's family name which he adopted—Gutenberg... (ed note: Gutenberg is usually noted at the one who introduced movable type and the printing press to Europe.) The advent of printing, whether due to a German or a Dutchman—or even, as has been suggested, to an Englishman—was one of the most critical events in the history of mankind. Printing first and foremost made it easy to transmit information without personal contact, and in this sense it revolutionized the spread of knowledge, and craft technique in particular. “How to do it” books were among the first off the press, written about almost every field of human activity from metallurgy, to botany, to linguistics, to good manners. Printing also made texts consistent, by ending the copying errors with which manuscripts were rife. In doing so it placed on the author the responsibility for accuracy and definitive statement, since many more people were now likely to read his material who might know at least as much about it as he did himself. This in turn encouraged agreement on the material, and because of this, spurred academic investigation of subjects and the development of agreed disciplines. Just as learning became standardized, so did spelling. Authorship became an object of recognition, and this led to the concept of “mastership” in a subject, which in turn led to the fragmentation of knowledge into specialized areas, emphasizing the separation of the “expert” from the rest of the community. The earliest books would have been read by men who could doubtless as easily have turned their hand to the lyre or the sword or the pen or the architect's drawing, and it may be said that with the coming of the book they were the last generation to be able to do so. The new texts also conferred prestige on the inventor, who could now publicly claim association with his invention and expect to be identified with it. And as the books began to circulate, carrying ideas to readers who no longer had to have access to a manuscript copyist producing rare and expensive editions, the speed of change born of the interaction of ideas accelerated. The coming of the book must have seemed as if it would turn the world upside down in the way it spread and, above all, democratized knowledge. Provided you could pay and read, what was on the shelves in the new bookshops was yours for the taking... ...By 1482 the printing capital of the world was Venice, and the busiest printer there was a man called Aldus Manutius who used to have a sign outside his shop saying “If you would speak to Aldus, hurry—time presses.” He had good reason. No single printer did more to spread the printed word than he. Aldus knew that his market, and the market of all printers, lay not in the production of expensive, commissioned editions of the Bible or the Psalms, but in an inexpensive format that could easily be carried in a man's saddlebag wherever he went. So Aldus made his books small, and cheap. The Aldine Editions, as his new format was called, were the world’s first pocket books, and they sold faster than he could produce them. Nearly half his workers were Greeks, exiles or refugees from the Byzantine Empire after the fall of Constantinople to the Turks. So it was that with the help of his translator-craftsmen, Aldus began the task of translating the Greek classics. When he died, in 1515, no major known Greek authors remained to be translated. Whatever happened in the Greek world, Aldus had ensured that the classical authors would not once again be lost to the West, as they had after the fall of Rome. (ed note: This is from a satirical novel about a Victorian fantasy world where some dwarfs have invented the Printing Press. William de Word uses it to create the first newspaper) William stared down at the box of letters again. Of course, a quill pen potentially contained anything you wrote with it. He could understand that. But it did so in a clearly theoretical way, a safe way. Whereas these dull grey blocks looked threatening. He could understand why they worried people. Put us together in the right way, they seemed to say, and we can be anything you want. We could even be something you don't want. We can spell anything. We can certainly spell trouble. William wrote a short paragraph about Patrician Visits The Bucket, and examined his notebook. Amazing, really. He'd found no less than a dozen items for his news letter in only a day. It was astonishing what people would tell you if you asked them. He took it all down to the Bucket. Gunilla read it with interest; it seemed to take very little time for the dwarfs to set it up in type. And it was odd, but... ...once it was in type, all the letters so neat and regular... ...it looked more real. (ed note: I've noticed that phenomenon myself, when writing this web page) From THE TRUTH by Terry Pratchett (2000) MARCH OF INTELLECT I saw a Vision. A Giant form appeared, it's eyes were burning lights even of gas, and on it's learned head it bore a Crown of many towers. It's body was an Engine yea of steam, it's arms were iron and the legs with which it strode like unto Presses that men called "printers" used, from whence fell ever and anon small Books that fed the little people of the Earth. It rose and in it's hand it took a Broom to sweep the rubbish from the face of the land, the Special Pleaders & their wigs also, & the Quack Doctors also, and the ghosts & those that wear Horns of the Crowns of those kings that set themselves above the laws & the Delays in Chancery it utterly destroyed, likewise it swept from the Clergy every Plurality. Nevertheless the lawyers & the Parsons & divers others kickt up a great Dust! Cosmic Library The Jedi Archives Libraries communicate messages that travel through time more than through distance, but it is still communication. Meaning instead of getting a message from a star 400 light-years away, a library can give you a message from 400 years in the past written by William Shakespeare. A related concept is a knowledge clearing house. In a multi-world interstellar association, many of the planets are producing new science and technology. It would be real nice if all of this new knowledge was made available to to all the other worlds. The logical method is to forward all the knowledge to a central clearing house for it to be accumulated and distributed to all the member worlds. Or at least sold to all the member worlds. Technological information can sometimes be found in libraries. Which can make libraries prime sources of information. Especially if it is a library on a planet of a galactic empire that has fallen, and people living in the Long Night are desperate to bootstrap themselves back into civilization. THE SHADOW OUT OF TIME by H. P. Lovecraft (1936): About a billion years ago on Terra, The Great Race of Yith stole the bodies of cone shaped monsters who were native back then. The Yithians would telepathically swap bodies with beings living on Terra through eons of time. Such captives would be forced to write books about their native geological epoch. These books would be added to the Yithian's great library city (currently buried in Australia's Great Sandy Desert at 22°3′14″S 125°0′39″E for the last 250 million years). NOVICE by James Schmitz (1962): Telzey Amberdon has a pocket law library which contains most of the important legal reference works of the civilized galaxy FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953): In the future, since all books have been outlawed for dystopian reasons, the underground resistance preserves books by their members memorizing works of classic literature. THE FINAL ENCYCLOPEDIA by Gordon Dickson (1984): The eponymous encyclopedia is a huge memory bank orbiting Terra doing its darnedest to store all human knowledge in hope that sheer volume will lead to some kind of qualitative breakthrough. STAR TREK TOS: The Starships of Starfleet each are equipped with a "library computer" containing much of human knowledge. In addtion the Federation established the huge electronic library Memory Alpha on a select planetoid. FOUNDATION'S EDGE by Isaac Asimov (1982): Professor Janov Pelorat is forced to accompany Golan Trevize in what is a virtual exile from their homeworld. But Pelorat doesn't care. He has his entire research library with him, on a super-dense futuristic CD-ROM. SECOND FOUNDATION by Isaac Asimov (1953): The Library of Trantor is the primary library of the galactic empire, even after the empire fell. There also exists the Encyclopedia Galactica, which contains most of the empire's knowledge in encyclopedia digest form. A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ by Walter Miller, Jr. (1959): After the nuclear war, a monastery collects and copies books of science and engineering, much like medieval monasteries copied classical manuscripts. Neither really understood what the books were about. THE CEREBRAL LIBRARY by David Keller (1931): In this gruesome little story people are forced to read a book a day. After five years they are killed, and their brains stored in jars to provide instant access to everything they have read. HOBBYIST by Eric Frank Russell (1947): Deep space explorers discover a titanic libary on a distant planet, stretching for mile. The librarian is a cosmically powerful alien, who makes copies of the explorers for his library then lets the orginals go. An interesting example of a cosmic library was in Jerry Pournelle's KING DAVID'S SPACESHIP. There was the First Galactic Empire. It was highly advanced, and it established sub-section libraries at strategic planets. Unfortunately the secession wars caused the empire to fall into pre-starflight barbarism. After about 260 years of the Long Night, the Second galactic empire rises. The second empire incorporates human planets as they are discovered. If the planet has managed to raise its technology level to the point where is has spaceships, the planet enters the empire as a sovereign state. If the tech level is below that, it becomes a peon planet and galactic empire aristocrats are imported to run the place. In the novel, the second empire has discovered Prince Samual's World, which unfortunately is below spaceship tech level. So it is peon state for them. The head of the planetary secret police doesn't want that to happen. Using a network of spies he discovers the facts of life. The wild-card is that a short starship trip away is the planet Macassar. It is a very primitive planet, about medieval knights-in-armor level. But it has a sub-section of the First Empire library, hidden away in a castle. If the secret police can somehow get a team of agents to Macassar, they might be able to access the library and figure out how to make a spaceship. Then Prince Samual's World can try to quickly make a spaceship, and enter the Second Empire as a sovereign state. Spoiler: they manage, but the "spaceship" will make your jaw drop! PAPER BOOK LIBRARY artwork by Stephan Martiniere Warning: spoilers for RANDO SPLICER by Joel Shepherd (ed note: our heros in their mighty starship Phoenix are currently in the alien Croma empire. Said empire is one of the few keeping the evil Reeh empire from conquering the galaxy and using everybody as expermental animals in their hideous genetic laboratories. Right over the border in Reeh space is the unfortunate homeworld of the Corbi. Who are currently being used as experimental animals. About 800 years ago, a few Corbi were rescued from their homeworld, and their handful of decendants have been living a Croma planet near the border. Our heroes have evidence that one political faction of the Croma did something treacherous to help the Reeh, and tried to cover it up for 800 years. Our heroes have pulled strings to allow a Corbi named Tiga access to an 800 year old ink-on-paper book library in an attempt to discover evidence of the treachery. Naturally the guilty government faction is doing their best to interfere.) Tiga sat atop the ladder, rifling through the thick, heavy-bound book. The human AR glasses sat oddly on her face, not wrapping around the ears as a corbi’s glasses would. Lacking the humans’ enormous noses, the damn things kept sliding down her face, and she had to abandon a hand to push them back up. The inbuilt camera was scanning every page, and all she really had to do was turn the pages rapidly and let all the data download onto the network she and Professor Romki had established in the library. But she could not help but pause to read passages. This was the history of her people, works from Rando and the great corbi civilisation from before the catastrophe of the reeh. The books themselves were old and dusty, though not as dusty as she might have expected from so old a library. No one came in here. The accumulation of dust required some degree of activity, Romki said, from dead skin particles or fur or whatever the nature of beings who maintained it. Locked away for eight hundred years, without a glimpse of sunlight, the shelves and pages bore only a thin coating of decay. Dim blue light washed over the vertical walls of books. Librarians from the larger Ji’go had found tall light stands, casting a spectrum that would not damage the ancient pages. In the past three months, Tiga had learned to navigate by the position of the light stands as much as by any numerical indexing — three poles along to the sections on the Battles of Sanoda and Meero, seven poles to discussions of the corbi government’s struggles to get the croma factions to commit fully to the Treaty of Rampira, when they’d felt events no longer going their way. Sitting here in the gloom, reading hour after hour, had swung her between inexpressible sadness, and boiling fury. Her people had had great institutions, once. These books were published by many of them, and recorded evidence of so many others — great universities, research institutions, centres of learning in science and politics. Their pages were filled with the thoughts of learned men and women, and even through the distant, intellectual language of academia, their fear shone through, as plain as the burning sun that Tiga at times forgot still shone outside. They were doing everything they could to forestall the doom that came toward them from the stars, and were horrified at their powerlessness. At times Tiga sensed a disbelief that they should find themselves alive in such a period, and that surely such things only happened to other people, to be read about later, in history books. Sitting atop her ladder, scouring one page after another, Tiga could appreciate the horrible irony. The library was a part of what the croma called a Ji’go — a croma-styled agglomeration of museum, library and art gallery, a place where all old things came together. This wing had been built by corbi, a thousand years ago, when Rando remained a free world. There was even a plaque near the entrance, a dedication from the Rando Embassy, but the words of the dedication had been chiselled away, doubtless by the same croma who had locked the place away for all these centuries. Laws against destroying antiquity had prevented them from burning it, but successive croma governments had done their best to ensure it would be forgotten, building walls to obscure its entrances, directing all paths elsewhere. The corbi had built it here, Professor Romki suspected, because they had always contributed to the Cal’Uta Ji’go — signs of their contribution were everywhere in the main building, if one knew where to look. Perhaps, being owed this final favour, the croma authorities had grudgingly allowed this library, stocked only with paper books that these days surely no one would read. Romki had then given Tiga his anguished tirade against the fetish of electronic information, and how no one in the ages past had foreseen how the very accessibility of electronic data in turn made it so much easier to find and erase en masse. Across the distances of millennia, good quality paper often lasted much better, he said, as too many regimes that followed wanted to destroy politically inconvenient history. With modern information search functions, that became much easier, and destroying paper artefacts was typically far more illegal than destroying data. Where the study of pre-reeh corbi history was concerned, it certainly seemed to be true. Very little electronic history was available anywhere. But in exchange for Phoenix’s participation in the hearings on whether Croma’Rai’s behaviour warranted a challenge by Tali’san, Captain Debogande had asked nothing more than access to this hither-to forbidden library. When Tiga had thanked him for it, he’d waved her off. Permission to access the library had been granted by a higher authority than even Croma’Rai administration could challenge. But they had imposed restrictions — in the name of ‘historical preservation’, of course. Only herself, and the Professor, had been allowed in. All electronic databases compiled from the pages would be presented to inspection at the end of each working day. Access would only be granted within working day periods — about nine hours, in human time. At first the authorities had tried confiscating those databases, or demanding redactions on security grounds, but Tiga and Romki’s unbothered response had finally twigged them to realise that the aliens were first uploading the whole thing to Phoenix in orbit. That had led to confiscation of personal electronics, which had violated terms of the agreement with the federal body and been successfully challenged. Next they’d resorted to military-grade jamming of communications in and out of the library, which had quickly ended when the jammer had mysteriously malfunctioned. The next jammer was autistic to coms, but had also failed when the power grid it was connected to had somehow melted, taking down several city blocks. Phoenix had been challenged to ‘stop doing that’, to which the Captain had lied that they weren’t doing anything, and that if proof to the contrary could be supplied, the authorities should supply it. From RANDO SPLICER by Joel Shepherd (2019) PAK LIBRARY artwork by H. R. Van Dongen (ed note: The Pak species lives on a planet near the galactic core. Each member starts life as a mindless breeder, then at about age 40 metamorphose into the Protector stage. They lose the ability to reproduce, develop an IQ of several hundred, and become ferocious killing machines. All devoted to protecting their tribe of breeders. So for several million years the planet has been wracked by constant war. Oh, and if a protector's tribe dies off, the protector loses the will to live and starves to death. ) The Library was as old as the radioactive desert which surrounded it. That desert would never be recultivated; it was reseeded every thousand years with radiocobalt so that no protector could covet it. Protectors could cross that desert; they had no gonadal genes to be smashed by subatomic particles. Breeders could not. How old was the Library? Phssthpok never knew, and never wondered. But the section on space travel was three million years old. He came to the Library with a number of — not friends, but associates in misery, childless former members of the Pitchok families. The Library was huge and rambling, a composite of at least three million years of Pak knowledge, crossfiled into sections according to subject. Naturally the same book often appeared in several sections. The associates divided at the entrance, and Phssthpok didn’t see any of them again for thirty-two years. He spent that time in one vast room, a floor-to-ceiling labyrinth of bookshelves. At scattered corners there were bins of tree-of-life root kept constantly filled by attendants. There were other foodstuffs brought at seeming random: meats, vegetables, fruits, whatever was available to childless protectors who had chosen to serve the Library rather than die. Tree-of-life root was the perfect food for a protector, but he could eat nearly anything. And there were books. They were nearly indestructible, those books. They would have emerged like fluttering meteors from the heart of a hydrogen fusion explosion. All were written more or less in the present language, and all were constantly being recopied by librarians as the language changed. In this room the books all dealt with space and space travel. There were treatises on the philosophy of space travel. They all seemed to make a fundamental assumption: someday the Pak race must find a new home; hence any contribution to the techniques of spaceflight contributed to the immortality of the species. Phssthpok could discount that assumption, knowing that a protector who did not believe it would never write a book on the subject. There were records of interstellar and interplanetary flights, tens of thousands of them, starting with a fantastic trip some group had made almost three million years ago, riding a hollowed-out asteroidal rock into the galactic arms in search of yellow dwarf suns. There were technical texts on anything that could possibly bear on space: spacecraft, astrogation, ecology, miniaturization, nuclear and subnuclear physics, plastics, gravity and how to use it, astronomy, astrophysics, records of the mining of worlds in this and nearby systems, diagrams for a hypothetical Bussard ramjet (in an unfinished work by a protector who had lost his appetite halfway through), ion drive diagrams, plasma theory, light-sails… He started at the left and began working his way around. From PROTECTOR by Larry Niven (1973) LIVING LIBRARIES The Office of Studied Archaism and Talent Preservation is a curious little department of the Ministry of Ancestral Heritage (itself part of the Ministry of Progress and Prosperity). Like their cousins at the Office of the Libraries, their job is to prevent antiprogress in the form of lost knowledge, but where the librarians focus on gnosis, the OSATP and its partners in the Repository of All Knowledge and various authenticist initiatives focus instead upon praxis. As such, they monitor, and offer grants and stipends to, authenticist and recreationist societies and individual hobbyists and relicteurs both, in order to ensure that there will be plenty of people around who can manage second-century blacksmithing, 8th-century steam engineering, 10th-century cogitator computing, 16th-century silicon-chip fabrication, 23rd-century asteroid-homesteading, and so forth, such that the knowledge will not be lost, and thus will be available should there ever again be a need for such things – or should some synergy with modernity, otherwise unavailable, become apparent. – Sur-Dodeciad Parts in Approximate Formation: The Empire from Outside From LIVING LIBRARIES by Alistair Young (2015) LIBRARY OF TRANTOR The Library of Trantor was one of the prominent features of the fictional planet Trantor, created by Isaac Asimov and appearing in his Empire series and the Foundation series. Located in the Imperial Sector of the planet, it was variously referred to as the Imperial Library of the Galactic Empire, the University of Trantor Library, and the Galactic Library, in which librarians index the entirety of human knowledge by walking up to a different computer terminal every day and resuming where the previous librarian had left off. Around 260 FE, a rebel leader named Gilmer attempted a coup, in the process sacking Trantor and forcing the Imperial family to flee to the nearby world of Delicass, renamed Neotrantor. After the sack, the population dwindled rapidly from 40 billion to less than 100 million. Most of the buildings on Trantor were destroyed during the sack, and over the course of the next two centuries the metal on Trantor was gradually sold off, as farmers uncovered more and more soil to use in their farms. Eventually the farmers grew to become the sole recognized inhabitants of the planet, and the era of Trantor as the central world of the galaxy came to a close. It began to develop a dialect very different from Galactic Standard Speech, and the people unofficially renamed their planet "Hame", or "home." As revealed to the reader at the end of Second Foundation, not all these farmers were what they seemed, with the now-rustic Trantor serving as the centre of the Second Foundation. From Trantor, the Second Foundationers secretly guided the development of the Galaxy (roughly parallel to the city of Rome becoming, after the fall of its empire, the headquarters of the Papacy, with its enormous influence on the development of Medieval Europe). Indeed, their self-perception as leaders of the future Second Empire is captured in the Second Foundationers' use of the word "Hamish" to describe the farmers despite reserving for themselves use of the word "Trantorian." It is noted that it was the Second Foundation which ensured that the famed library would survive the sacking to Trantor and the destruction of its urban culture – especially significant, considering that the library was vital to the Second Foundation itself. From the Wikipedia entry for LIBRARY OF TRANTOR Memory Alpha (also called The Memory Planet) was an inhabited planetoid and the home for a Federation central library. The Federation built a central library on an unnamed planetoid to hold the total cultural history and scientific knowledge of all planetary Federation members. During assembly, the library wasn't installed with protective shields as this was considered inappropriate for a facility dedicated to academic research. As of 2269, the library complex was an array consisting of five large and seven smaller domes on the surface of the planetoid. Aside from the technicians, the occupants of Memory Alpha varied with the number of scholars, researchers, and scientists from various Federation planets who were using the computer complex at any given time. In that year, the USS Enterprise was en route to transfer newly-designed equipment to Memory Alpha. Lieutenant Mira Romaine was on her first deep space assignment to supervise the transport from the emergency manual monitor. Before the arrival of the Enterprise, Memory Alpha was attacked by the non-corporeal Zetarians. While the Zetarians were attempting to take over the bodies of the personnel of Memory Alpha, they managed to cause extensive damage to the complex. The memory core of the computer, called the central brain, was burned out. The energy generator was rendered inoperative. All occupants of the complex died from brain damage caused by resisting the mind control efforts of the Zetarians. After the Zetarians were destroyed, the Enterprise returned to Memory Alpha to begin repairs. (TOS: "The Lights of Zetar") From MEMORY ALPHA by the Memory Alpha Wiki CLEARINGHOUSE 1 Artwork by Mel Hunter ‘Do you suppose,’ she said wistfully, ‘that we’ll ever break through the speed of light?’ Leon smiled, knowing where her thoughts were leading. To travel faster than light—to go home to Earth, yet to return to your native world while your friends were still alive—every colonist must, at some time or other, have dreamed of this. There was no problem, in the whole history of the human race, that had called forth so much effort and that still remained so utterly intractable. ‘I don’t believe so,’ he said. ‘If it could be done, someone would have discovered how by this time. No—we have to do it the slow way, because there isn’t any other. That’s how the universe is built, and there’s nothing we can do about it.’ ‘But surely we could still keep in touch!’ Leon nodded. ‘That’s true,’ he said, ‘and we try to. I don’t know what’s gone wrong, but you should have heard from Earth long before now. We’ve been sending our robot message carriers to all the colonies, carrying a full history of everything that’s happened up to the time of departure, and asking for a report back. As the news returns to Earth, it’s all transcribed and sent out again by the next messenger. So we have a kind of interstellar news service, with the Earth as the central clearinghouse. It’s slow, of course, but there’s no other way of doing it. If the last messenger to Thalassa has been lost, there must be another on the way—maybe several, twenty or thirty years apart.’ Lora tried to envisage the vast, star-spanning network of message carriers, shuttling back and forth between Earth and its scattered children, and wondered why Thalassa had been overlooked. But with Leon beside her, it did not seem important. He was here; Earth and the stars were very far away. And so also, with whatever unhappiness it might bring, was tomorrow… From THE SONGS OF DISTANT EARTH (short-story version) by Arthur C. Clarke (1958) (ed note: during the Long Night, the protagonists Mass travels in his starship, trying to find out why the Empire collapsed) His ship was a squat little tub shaped like a score of gunbarrels lashed together. Cannon-shaped, it hung in careful orbit while Mass studied the planet’s surface. Eirenchys was gold and green and brown, she was swept by yellow clouds. Her cities were few – tiny fireflies across the nightside, minute gridworks against the day. They looked peaceful enough. After a while, he decided to land. He came down on a high dusty steppe overlooking a sprawling bright town that had once been walled, but wasn’t anymore. The plaster walls of the houses were white, the roofs were flat and red. Above, the sky was disturbingly, impossibly blue. The wind whispered cold across the plain, tugged at his battle tunic with icy fingers. A wagon came trundling out from the town; others followed it. They disgorged crowds of laughing people, tall, incredibly tall; Mass’s neck hurt from the strain of looking up at them. And pale – their skins were pearly and translucent. He could see the veins beneath the surface, traceries of delicate blue lines. And thin! He could not believe how thin they were. They greeted him with smiles and open hands, but they looked at him with awe – and perhaps a healthy amount of fear. He was a massive red dwarf to them, strong and thumpingly fearful. They spoke a strangely accented Interlingua, and they asked him questions about the Empire. He shook his head and asked them the same questions. They shook their heads and mumbled among themselves. Finally they led him to their library and left him alone. The library at Eirenchys had been a Regional Co-ordinating Center in the days of the Empire. Most of the tabs synthesized within a fifty-light-year radius eventually passed through the Eirenchys library – and all Empire-originating tabs too; all tabs which either had come from this area or were destined for it, they came through the library and left duplicates of themselves for future reference, stored in the stacks and again within the Oracle machines. It was the most complete collection of human knowledge this side of the fabled Library of the Empire itself. It unnerved Mass totally. He wasn’t prepared to grasp the concept of so much written knowledge. He picked tentatively at its surface, afraid even of the vast indexes. The library had a comprehensive history of the Empire, including information as recent as 987 H.C. He wanted that, but unfortunately, most of the writings that late were spotty and incomplete. Mention of the skimmers was minimal. He learned nothing about them that he hadn’t already guessed. With his translating tab he could have read any tab in the library, but he didn’t – there were so many, many tabs, more than he would have believed possible; the sheer magnitude of their numbers frightened him – – made him realize that he was not a literate man; Streinveldt was not a major planet and Streinveldtians were not a literate people. Ignorant was the word. He found himself gazing at the stacks and stacks of Oracle tabs in sheer wonder. What information could possibly be so important as to need all that space and all those tabs? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. After a while, he fled the library. Unlike contemporary data formats, the Oracle format has been frozen for hundreds of years. This is to avoid the digital preservation problem, e.g., why you cannot read the data on your old floppy disks.) LIBRARY OF MAN Ken Burnside Even in the Ten Worlds setting (the one described in the AV:T Settings Book), the Three Generations Rule is a median in a range. It's really closer to being a "two-to-six" generations rule, with the primary determinant on longer durations being a VASTLY more communitarian society than is the norm. This can be from adaptive societal structures like some varieties of Mennonite faiths all the way over to extensive brainprinting of attitudes along with education to keep things running. The Library of Man uses the latter… (An organization dedicated to brokering and selling information throughout the Ten Worlds, they are more like fanatical monks or a cult than they are a colony) (ed note: Inside the Ten Worlds the Library of Man has space colonies in the otherwise uninhabited star systems of AD Leonis, Epsilon Indi, and 1 Pi (3) Orionis) From a comment thread in Google Plus (2014) ONE-PRODUCT PLANET In the Standard Sci Fi Setting, trade is common between star systems. Sometimes a planet becomes so specialized that it focuses on a certain commodity or service. Maybe it's building weapons or providing doctors. Whatever it is, the world trades this resource with other planets, becoming renowned for the export. Structure that houses a huge database of the knowledge of an entire civilization. Many researchers visit here to learn from the accumulated knowledge. Often left behind by Precursors, though such projects are undertaken by more recent societies as a prestigious project. Expect it to be very quiet and vast, and attracts seekers of truth. From TV TROPES: ONE-PRODUCT PLANET SPACE MONASTERIES Hiskey grinned. “There’s a little more to it than that. Did your tapes tell you anything about Earthsystem’s asteroid estates?” “Yes. They were mentioned briefly twice,” McNulty said. “I gathered their inhabitants retain only tenuous connections with the planetary culture and do not engage in belligerent projects. I concluded that they were of no interest to us.” “Well, start getting interested,” Hiskey told him. “Each of those asteroids is a little world to itself. They’re completely independent of both Earthplanet and Earthsystem. They got an arrangement with Earthsystem which guarantees their independent status as long as they meet certain conditions. From what Gage’s sister told him, the asteroid she’s on is a kind of deluxe spacegoing ranch. It belongs to a Professor Alston — a handful of people, some fancy livestock, plenty of supplies.” Professor Derek Alston’s asteroid also remained something of an enigma. In Mars Underground, and in the SP Academy’s navigation school, the private asteroids had been regarded much as they were on Earthplanet, as individually owned pleasure resorts of the very rich which maintained no more contact with the rest of humanity than was necessary. Evidently they preferred to have that reputation. Elisabeth had told him it wasn’t until she’d been a Solar U student for a few years that she’d learned gradually that the asteroids performed some of the functions of monasteries and castles in Earth’s Middle Ages, built to preserve life, knowledge, and culture through the turbulence of wars and other disasters. They were storehouses of what had become, or was becoming, now lost on Earth, and their defenses made them very secure citadels. The plants and animals of the surface levels were living museums. Below the surface was a great deal more than that. In many respects they acted as individual extensions of Solar U, though they remained independent of it. From THE CUSTODIANS by James H. Schmitz (1968) PROGENITOR LIBRARY (ed note: The Progenitors were the first interstellar race, back when the galaxy was a new born. They started a Library of technical information. In the billons of years since new technical info and refinements were added.) Legend had it that the Progenitors had called for a perpetual search for knowledge before they departed for parts unknown, aeons ago. But, in practice, most species looked to the Library and only the Library for knowledge. Its store grew only slowly. What was the point of researching what must have been discovered a thousand times over by those who came before? It was simple, for instance, to choose advanced spaceship designs from Library archives and follow them blindly, understanding only a small fraction of what was built. Earth had a few such ships, and they were marvels. The Terragens Council, which handled relations between the races of Earth and the Galactic community, once almost succumbed to that tempting logic. Many humans urged co-opting of Galactic models that older races had themselves co-opted from ancient designs. They cited the example of Japan, which in the nineteenth century had faced a similar problem — how to survive amongst nations immeasurably more powerful than itself. Meiji Japan had concentrated all its energy on learning to imitate its neighbors, and succeeded in becoming just like them, in the end. The majority on the Terragens Council, including nearly all of the cetacean members, disagreed. They considered the Library a honey pot — tempting, and possibly nourishing, but also a terrible trap. They feared the "Golden Age" syndrome … the temptation to "look backward" — to find wisdom in the oldest, dustiest texts, instead of the latest journal. Except for a few races, such as the Kanten and Tymbrimi, the Galactic community as a whole seemed stuck in that kind of a mentality. The Library was their first and last recourse for every problem. The fact that the ancient records almost always contained something useful didn't make that approach any less repugnant to many of the wolflings of Earth, including Tom, Gillian, and their mentor, old Jacob Demwa. Coming out of a tradition of bootstrap technology, Earth's leaders were convinced there were things to be gained from innovation, even this late in Galactic history. At least it felt better to believe that. To a wolfling race, pride was an important thing. Orphans often have little else. But here was evidence of the power of the Golden Age approach. Everything about this ship spoke silkily of refinement. Even in wreckage, it was beautifully simple in its construction, while indulgent and ornate in its embellishments. The eye saw no welds. Bracings and struts were always integral to some other purpose. Here one supported a stasis flange, while apparently also serving as a baffled radiator for excess probability. Orley thought he could detect other overlaps, subtleties that could only have come with aeons of slow improvement on an ancient design. From STARTIDE RISING by David Brin (1983) IMPERIAL INFORMATION CENTER artwork by Paul Lehr AT LAST, after almost ten years, the moment had come. He felt himself ready for the task he had undertaken. Spartak of Asconel closed the latest of hundreds of books which he had consulted, drew a deep breath, and gazed around his cell. Other books were piled high on every shelf; beside them were tape, crystal and disc recordings, reels of microfilm, manuscripts—the winnowings of a decade—long search through the unparralleled store of knowledge here on Annanworld. The switch from student to teacher was as easy as picking up the microphone of his own recorder and uttering the first words. Yet it was somehow not easy at all. In one instant he would change the pattem of his life—not obviously, as when he left Asconel forever, but subjectively. The realization brought with it a curious floating sensation, as though he were suspended in space between two planets. Abruptly he was impatient with his own reluctance. His hand closed on the microphone as though seizing a noxious plant that must be gripped firmly to prevent it stinging, and he began to speak in a measured voice, not diffident or hesitant, but nonetheless unassured, as if it were a long time since he last made a dogmatic assertion of the truth. And that was so. Life on Annanworld centered on a single basic assumption: that mankind knew a great deal, but understood virtually nothing. “The fall of the Empire," he commenced, and heard in imagination the crashing of worlds like bowling-bails being hurled down a skittle-alley. “is for most people shrouded in a mystery only less deep than the obscurity attending its foundation, and that although the former event is closer to us in time than the latter by some ten thousand years. The reason in both cases is the same, and so simple that it generally has to be pointed out before it is noticed. It is as difficult to maintain detailed records during a landslide as it is during an explosion. “The erosive effect of ten millennia has stripped the deceitful flesh from the story of the Imperial rise; today we are fortunate enough to have only the skeleton arrayed before us. We know that we were borrowers: we know that we inherited the abandoned property—most significantly, the interstellar ships—of a people who matured and died in the galactic hub while we were struggling outward from our legendary planet of origin. We know that this chance bequest allowed our race to spread among millions of stars like an epidemic disease. We know that our reckless habit of spending our resources as though their store was infinite was sustained for the entire lifetime of the Argian Empire by the billion-vessel spacefleet of our mysterious benefactors. Details beyond this bare outline, however. can now almost certainly never be reclaimed. It is as though one were to blink and find a century had passed. Blink now, and man is creeping along the galactic rim, in those areas which were later to be regarded as the home of mutants and pirates—but which, significantly, were and remain the only areas where interstellar ships have been built by human beings. Blink again, and Argus is already a wealthy world, imposing economic domination on its neighbors like Phaidona. Blink once more, and the Empire's writ runs all the way to the Marches of Klareth, and the threshold of the Big Dark." Now he was warming to his tale, the greatest in the checkered span of human history. His hooded eyes saw other sights than the plain stone walls of the tiny room: the note of uncertainty was fading from his voice. “So total was the absorption of our borrowings into the pattern of human development," he continued, “that tens—perhaps hundreds—of billions of people were born and died without being able to conceive an alternative to the structure of the Empire. Yet something strained past its limit. Something was overburdened, and broke. And the Empire fell." “The collapse left more worlds than we can count suspended, as it were, in a void between a glorious past and a future so bleak it has been nicknamed, already, the Long Night. Most relapsed towards barbarism; having been dependent for millennia on the tightly-knit network of galactic trade they could not support their own populations. Others, somewhat more fortunate, contrived to hold on to a portion of what they had formerly enjoyed. but at the expense of extreme privation and a near-total denial of individual liberty. An example in this category was Mercator, which conquered and then bled two nearby worlds to preserve itself. Again, there were worlds— including Argus itself, the galactic capitol—where the dissolution proceeded slowly enough for adjustments to be made without undue violence." “The purpose of this present work. however, is to make a contribution towards the documentation of the first truly human expansion through the galaxy—one, that is, which does not depend on the leavings of another species. It may never take place: we may have squandered our energies too swiftly, and already be going into a permanent decline. On the optimistic assumption that the present trend is to be reversed, the seeds of such a regeneration may most likely be found on worlds sufficiently far from the cataclysmic effect of Argus’s decay to have maintained their society under the guidance of benevolent rulers, like Loudor. Klareth, and the subject of this study: my home world of Asconel." artwork by Vicente Segrelles Their paths diverged just after the last order had been issued, the novice turning right towards the block of cells in which Spartak had lived since being accepted into the order, Spartak himself continuing straight ahead towards the library. He entered the enormous hall with sufficient lack of the proper ceremony to draw a reproving glare from the Head Librarian, Brother Carl, in his high pulpit overlooking the entire array of more than five hundred low-walled cubicles. But he barely noticed that; he was concerned only to spot a vacant cubicle on the master plan-board and make his way to it as quickly as possible. There was a place unoccupied at Aisle II, Rank Five. He almost broke into a run as he approached it. Without bothering to close the door behind him he dropped into the single chair and punched a rapid succession of buttons on the panel which formed the only other feature of the tiny booth. One finger poised to stab the PRESENTATION button, he hesitated; then he decided it was best to have a permanent record, and run the risk of the knowledgeable library computers swamping him with a flood of literature. He punched for a print-out instead of spoken or screened data. (ed note: the library computer gives Spartak stale data in answer to his queries) “I'm an idiot,” he growled. “All kinds of an idiot!” This material the library was supplying to him was nothing more than the siftings of the story Vix himself had just told in the refectory anteroom. Brother Ulwyn, in the gatehouse, must have informed the library as a matter of routine that a visitor from Asconel by way of who-knows-where had arrived, and the library, finding it lacked recent news of that planet, had automatically eavesdropped on this much traveled stranger. Techniques like these—some of them scarcely ever used—had been partially responsible for making Annanworld into the most notable of all the Empire's information centers. For some minutes after that, he just sat. He had hoped to present a whole stack of data about Brinze and Belizuek to Vix, as some sort of justification for having hidden away in this placid backwater—Vix's gibe was half-true, he had to admit. And it turned out there was nothing in the library but the same rumors, now rendered third-hand. Wearily, he wondered whether his ostensible reason for compiling a history of Asconel was sound. Was there going to be a renaissance of galactic civilization, based this time on human achievement instead of a borrowed technique of star-flight? Or was he simply whistling against the dark? Once, news had come from a million worlds within the year, so swift and reliable was the Imperial communications net. How much had changed! He had told himself Asconel was among the few worlds where anything significant was likely to happen—yet prior to Vix's arrival, his last news had come to him two years ago, and was already three years stale, so that the vaunted library was forced to gobble crumbs of unverified data to bring its stock up to date… “You'll forgive me," Father Erton said in his wheezy, ancient voice. He was very old; rumor placed him at well past the century mark. “I should perhaps not say this. We are a center for study and distribution of information, and it's only a courtesy obligation that we place on those who make such extensive use of our facilities as you have done, to recompense us with some original work before leaving." But he loaded the words with a glare, and Spartak, who had always regarded the Master of his order with great respect, felt impelled to excuse himself against the implied charge. From THE ALTAR ON ASCONEL by John Brunner (1965) LOST LIBRARY CATALOG = FALL OF GALACTIC EMPIRE "MS Fnd in a Lbry" (probably intended to be understood as "Manuscript Found in a Library") is a satirical science fiction short story about the exponential growth of information, written by Hal Draper in 1961. The title is a play on "MS. Found in a Bottle", a story by Edgar Allan Poe. The story is in the form of a report written by an anthropologist from an alien civilization who investigates the remains of human civilization several billion years into the future. It turns out that humankind's fall was brought about by information overload and the inability to catalog and retrieve that information properly. The title of the short story comes from the fact that all redundancy - and vowels - had been removed from our language in order for the information volume to shrink. finally the sum of all human knowledge (which was sort of finite) was compressed by means of subatomic processes and stored away in a drawer-sized box. However the access to that information required complicated indices, bibliographies etc., which soon outgrew the size of all knowledge. The use of indices grew exponentially, comprising a pseudo-city, pseudo-planet and eventually a pseudo-galaxy devoted to information storage. At this point, a case of circular reference was encountered, and the civilization needed to refer to the first drawer-sized box to find the error. However, this drawer had been lost in the pseudo-galaxy, and soon the civilization fell apart while trying to locate the first drawer. It turns out that the anthropologist's civilization is actually heading down the same path. Presumably, the report was given the name "MS Fnd in a Lbry" after the fall of the anthropologist's civilization by another anthropologist from another alien civilization that is also heading down the same path. Text of "MS Fnd in a Lbry" MS Fnd in a Lbry title listing at the Internet Speculative fiction Database From the Wikipedia entry for MS FND IN A LBRY Weaponized Libraries Doctor Who: Tooth and Claw BOOKS ARE DANGEROUS (ed note: in the fantasy city of Ankh-Morpork within the library of the Unseen University for wizards, the librarian is looking for something he once saw in a book) He had holed up in one of the Library cellars, which he currently used as a general workshop and book hospital. There were various presses and guillotines, a bench full of tins of nasty substances where he made his own binding glue and all the other tedious cosmetics of the Muse of literature. He'd brought a book down with him. It had taken even him several hours to find it. The Library didn't only contain magical books, the ones which are chained to their shelves and are very dangerous. It also contained perfectly ordinary books, printed on commonplace paper in mundane ink. It would be a mistake to think that they weren't also dangerous, just because reading them didn't make fireworks go off in the sky. Reading them sometimes did the more dangerous trick of making fireworks go off in the privacy of the reader's brain. For example, the big volume open in front of him contained some of the collected drawings of Leonard of Quirm, skilled artist and certified genius with a mind that wandered so much it came back with souvenirs. Leonard's books were full of sketches — of kittens, of the way water flows, of the wives of influential Ankh-Morporkian merchants whose portraits had provided his means of making a living. But Leonard had been a genius and was deeply sensitive to the wonders of the world, so the margins were full of detailed doodles of whatever was on his mind at that moment — vast water-powered engines for bringing down city walls on the heads of the enemy, new types of siege guns for pumping flaming oil over the enemy, gunpowder rockets that showered the enemy with burning phosphorus, and other manufactures of the Age of Reason. From SOUL MUSIC by Terry Pratchett (1994) LIBRARY SAVES CIVILIZATION artwork by Jack Gaughan He (the villain Welt) had not always been the Leader. His thoughts drifted back, strangely uncritical, to the days when he had been a young man. Truly young, not the unchanging forty-three of the last two centuries. In those days he had been loud of voice and dress and bubbling over with ideas. Most of the ideas had been grandiose get-rich-quick schemes and all, without exception, had collapsed, been crushed by the law or failed to come up to expectations. In the end he had been compelled to accept honest employment in a minor clerical capacity. He had, however, a gift of ingratiation and had been rapidly promoted to a position of trust. Here—and he had a gift for figures—he had cooked the books so successfully and with such ingenuity that two other employees were dismissed for dishonesty before an astute accountant brought the real culprit to book. Welt was entertained, albeit frugally, at government expense for eighteen months. The judge detested embezzlement but his sentence of two years was reduced for “good behavior.” Welt had then spent years passing from one shady business to another, side street “car sales,” pornography, “rigged” gaming dives, clip joints. He had neither the inclination nor the nerve for real crime and he hovered on the fringes of the underworld ready to run at the first hint of danger. It was on such a run, cautiously changing his mood of transport in case of pursuit, that he had found … He had in some ways a curiously methodical mind—he always carried a road map. He had dropped off the train at a rural station, jumped a bus, got off again and set off, on foot, for another road along which buses passed frequently. The route he had chosen was about six miles and wandered, following an ancient bridle path, through wooded and still sparsely populated country. Halfway along the path he had come upon the mist. The mist had clung to the top of a low hill, swirled continuously and was a bright and improbable pink. The mist frightened him but before he could turn and run a voice had said: “Do not be alarmed. I am here to help.” Welt, still terrified, thought of superstition, of a dimly remembered religion, of voices from burning bushes and wondered, typical, what sacrifices he might be called upon to make. “It would not be in your own interest to flee.” The voice was quite passionless and, in truth, entirely neutral but Welt read a threat in the words. “Do not anticipate. It is what you want.” “I want?” “Yes. I have much to give. I am here to give, although, you must bear in mind, if you demand what is unwise, you must accept the consequence of your choice. Come.” Shakily, still wondering if he had been chosen for some specific and impossible sacrifice, he had walked into the mist and suddenly there had been no mist. There was a sense of light, of space and there was the voice and nothing more. The question caught him off balance and he had mumbled something ridiculous about a wish—he was still being influenced by a mixture of religion and fairy stories. The voice said: “Insufficient data—specify, please.” It had taken him nearly an hour to discover that the thing wasn’t a fairy godmother capable of turning a melon into a golden coach. It wasn’t a deity either, nor was it capable of granting idle and wholly impossible wishes, but it was giving something away—it was giving away technical information. Strangely, Welt had never asked himself why. As soon as the implications of the fortune at his fingertips had sunk into his mind, curiosity had been washed away in a flood of greed. His first thought, therefore, was to keep this fortune to himself and he spent two more hours writing busily in a notebook as the voice instructed him on the erection of a certain quite simple device. Welt had only a basic knowledge of electronics but apparently the voice was not only prepared to reduce the subject to its simplest terms but to instruct him, within limitations, as well. Four hours later he was spending the last of his money on some pieces of electronic equipment and, an hour after that, he was back busily following the crude but serviceable sketches in his notebook. He had enough self-control to work steadily but the frenzy of impatience at the back of his mind made his hands unsteady and sweat crawl down his forehead in steady beads. Someone might come along, someone might decide to take the same path before … At last the device was finished and, still neurotically anxious, he pressed the switch. There was no sound but suddenly the swirling pink mist was no longer there. Where it had been was only normal countryside with nothing to suggest that something within it was ready to hand him the world on a platter. Welt felt a surge of triumph, of self-congratulation, of power. He was smart, real smart; he had always known it but this had been the first chance in his life to prove it. His act therefore had been inspired. He had bled the thing of a refractory device which concealed it entirely from others. It was his, entirely his because no one else would ever find it. Weary to the point of exhaustion, he headed back to the city and, once rested, he began to make plans. Welt was not without intelligence; he was quick to realize that the bulk of the technical information the voice was prepared to hand him was beyond his comprehension even if reduced to basics. It was necessary, therefore, to find men in particular fields of science capable of interpreting what he was able to bring out. It was not a difficult task; on the fringes of the underworld there are always contacts and Welt used them. He found a skilled electronics expert no longer employable because of alcoholism. He found a disbarred surgeon, a skilled chemist who took drugs, a well known biologist who had dropped from public life because of a nervous breakdown. The biologist believed he had an incurable carcinoma but was terrified of surgery. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. As has been said, Welt was astute; the first thing he brought out was a counter-alcohol formula which he gave to the chemist who, having “made it up,” gave it to the electronics man disguised as whisky. The electronics man drank it, drank some whisky, vodka, gin, but frighteningly remained cold sober. After four weeks he was almost normal; bitter, but resigned to sobriety. In due course all were cured of their physical ills, if not their mental ones. It was then that Welt brought out a device which the electronics man put together and which, when tested, collapsed in smoking ruin as soon as activated. Welt only laughed. He alone knew that in its brief period of existence the device had implanted subliminal instructions of unswerving loyalty to himself and, incidentally, to each other. The organization was now his. After that, he concentrated on making money. A variety of illegal devices began to appear on the market for which the underworld was prepared to pay fantastic prices. An ingenious, pocket-size contraption for detecting and inhibiting burglar alarms. A pencil-size torch capable of eating its way silently through the toughest safe or deep into bank vaults. Welt was not lacking in imagination, but he was frightened. He could have made more money legitimately but legitimate enterprises had a nasty habit of asking questions. Rival concerns might want to know how a group of has-beens could jump so far ahead technically in certain fields of research. Reporters would get interested; no, it wasn’t worth the risk. (ed note: eventually Welt and his cronies invent a super-addicting device, the "dream-machines," that stimulates one's brain and makes all your wildest fantasies seem like reality. This causes the downfall of civilization, leaving only a few city-states. Welt doesn't care, he is a sociopath. The important part is his group manages to become the power-behind-the-throne of all the governments of the world. But our heroes manage to blow the lid off the conspiracy and start revolutions in all the city states to throw off the yoke of Welt and the rest. Welt scuttles away to hide in the refaction field next to The Voice That Gives Technical Information aka "The Supreme". Our heroes follow.) “This is David Gilliad addressing the being or group of beings known to me as the Supreme—do you read me?” “I read you.” The voice, neutral and cultured, seemed to answer quietly from the air at his side and Gilliad jumped. “You know me?” “I know you. You are David Gilliad, a Susceptible/resistant and, as such, largely responsible for the recent uprising.” “Where do you fit in?” “I do not ‘fit in,’ as you phrase it; I am neutral.” “You are sheltering Welt.” “Correction. Welt has taken refuge in this vicinity. I am not actively concealing him.” “You supplied the dream-machines.” “Not precisely; they were adapted from information I supplied for a less comprehensive purpose.” “But you knew it could be adapted?” “Technical information is neutral. It creates or destroys not of itself but according to the requirements of those who possess it.” Gilliad scowled at the mike in his hand, becoming slowly aware that he was dealing with an intelligence far greater than his own. “Am I to understand you dispense technical information irrespective of who asks for it?” “But, good God, you could have provided the Immunes (Welt and the other bad guys) with a weapon which could have destroyed humanity.” “That offer was made but rejected since they, themselves, would have perished with it.” Gilliad swore under his breath. “What exactly is your purpose—what do you do?” “I do nothing. My purpose is to dispense technical information irrespective of who asks it and, again, irrespective of the ends to which that information is put.” Gilliad resisted an inclination to scratch his head; he was out of his depth and knew it. Finally he said almost to himself, “There must be a reason.” “Of course there is a reason.” “Then I would like to know it.” “Very well, but please give your imagination rein. I represent Intelligences so highly evolved that to attempt to explain it is impossible. Their life span is by your standards infinite; to them a million years tick past like seconds; they observe the birth and death of suns and passing of galaxies as you note the changing of seasons. Above all else, however, their compassion for all living intelligences is absolute.” The voice paused, then went on: “The universe is, again by your standards, infinite. Let me assure you that from this planet, even with instruments, you observe a fraction so small as to be almost nonexistent when set against the true immensity of things as they are. “Bear this in mind when I tell you that uncountable intelligences come into being every second and, every second, intelligences such as yours reach the most critical period in their development. “This critical period may be likened to the transition from pupa to butterfly but is many, many times more dangerous. When a culture reaches this stage it is poised between maturity and eternity. When I tell you that out of every twenty million cultures to reach this stage only two achieve maturity you will perceive some of the true hazards. “You, yourselves, were tottering on the brink of chaos, threatened with war, devastating weapons and undoubted financial collapse. So many like you have perished from the universe forever in this critical stage of transition. “Something had to be done, therefore, without actively interfering with the free growth of the culture involved and, after many experiments, this one was found to be the most successful. Since its inception the appalling figure of two in twenty million has risen to a ninety percent survival figure.” The voice stopped. Gilliad swallowed and looked helplessly at his two companions. Then he said, “But how?” numbly. “The introduction of advanced technologies provide a guide line for the ascending culture. It is irrelevant how those technologies are used; the culture is, at this stage, psychotically introvert and its attention must be diverted from itself.” “But, good God, we were enslaved for nearly three centuries; millions perished.” “True, but it might have been the entire race of man. Absolute compassion must, to succeed, resort to absolute ruthlessness or at least manifest itself as apparent ruthlessness. It cannot afford to concern itself with individual tragedies or intransient persecutions when the survival of an entire culture is at stake.” Gilliad stared unseeingly across the apparently empty landscape, awed and not a little shocked. “Are you one of these demigods?” “No, I am an instrument—one of many, many more. We follow a routine practice which scarcely varies no matter what life form has reached its critical stage of development We land unobserved and unnoticed—naturally we have advanced techniques for circumventing detection instruments. Having landed, we link with the culture’s communication systems, break down and learn all the languages. We familiarize ourselves with politics, history, local and general; customs, traditions, mores and, of course, draw up a comprehensive psychological graph in respect of the entire culture. “We are then ready for the first contact and we adapt our outward appearances to the psychological development of the particular native as he or she approaches.” “It sounds very pretty.” Grimm’s voice was harsh. “But as I see it, in view of the fact that you hand out any information gratis, you could be providing the instruments of a planet’s destruction. You could be handing an atom bomb to an imbecile.” “Let me assure you that our percentages are precise beyond reasonable doubt. If a culture does destroy itself with the information we provide them, I assure you it would have destroyed itself in any case and without our intervention.” Shakily he brought the microphone to his lips. “How long do you propose to stay?” Somehow he didn’t want to live in the same world as this thing. “My work is almost complete—a week at most.” “Here.” Grimm wrenched the mike from Gilliad’s hand and almost snarled into it. “What the hell are you?” “I told you, an instrument.” “Can’t you be a bit more blasted specific?” “Well—” Somehow the cultured neutral voice conveyed all the inferences of deprecation. “Well, I suppose without stretching the imagination too much, you could call me a robot—” From REALITY FORBIDDEN by Philip E. High (1967) LIBRARY HARMS CIVILIZATION At first they hadn’t even known that the Sack existed. If they had noticed it at all when they landed on the asteroid, they thought of it merely as one more outpost of rock on the barren expanse of roughly ellipsoidal silicate surface, which Captain Ganko noticed had major and minoraxes roughly three and two miles in diameter respectively. It would never have entered any one’s mind that the unimpressive object they had unconsciously acquired would soon be regarded as the most valuable prize in the System. The landing had been accidental. The Government Patrol ship had been limping along, and now it had settled down for repairs, which would take a good seventy hours. Fortunately, they had plenty of air, and their recirculation system worked to perfection. Food was in somewhat short supply, but it didn’t worry them, for they knew that they could always tighten their belts and do without full rations for a few days. The loss of water that had resulted from a leak in the storage tanks, however, was a more serious matter. It occupied a good part of their conversation during the n&t fifty hours. Captain Ganko said finally, “There’s no use talking, it won’t be enough. And there are no supply stations close enough at hand to be of any use. We’ll have to radio ahead and hojte that they can get a rescue ship to us with a reserve supply.” The helmet mike of his next in command seemed to droop. “It’ll be too bad if we miss each other in space, captain.” Captain Ganko laughed unhappily. “It certainly will. In that case we’ll have a chance to see how we can stand a little dehydration.” For a time nobody said anything. At last, however, the Second Mate suggested, “There might be water somewhere on the asteroid, sir.” “Here? How in Pluto would it stick, with a gravity that isn’t even strong enough to hold loose rocks? And where the devil would it he?” “To answer the first question first, it would be retained as water of crystallization,” replied a soft liquid voice that seemed to penetrate . his spacesuit and come from behind him. “To answer the second question, it is half a dozen feet below the surface, and can easily be reached by digging.” They had all swiveled around at the first words. But no one was in sight in the direction from which the words seemed to come. Captain Ganko frowned, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. “We don’t happen to have a practical joker with us, do we?” he asked mildly. “You do not,” replied the voice. “I, Yzrl.” A crewman became aware of something moving on the surface of one of the great rocks, and pointed to it. The motion stopped when the voice ceased, but they didn’t lose sight of it again. That was how they learned about Yzrl, or as it was more often called, the Mind-Sack. If the ship and his services hadn’t both belonged to the Government, Captain Ganko could have claimed the Sack for himself or his owners and retired with a wealth far beyond his dreams. As it was, the thing passed into Government control. Its importance was realized almost from the first, and Jake Siehling had reason to he proud when more important and more influential figures of the political and industrial world were finally passed over and he was made Custodian of the Sack. It turned out later that the name, “Sack,” was well chosen from another point of view, in addition to that of appearance. For the Sack was stuffed with information, and beyond that, with wisdom. There were many doubters at first, and some of them retained their doubts to the very end, just as some people remained convinced hundreds of years after Columbus that the Earth was flat. But those who saw and heard the Sack had no doubts at all. They tended, if anything, to go too far in the other direction, and to believe that the Sack knew everything. This, of course, was untrue. It was the official function of the Sack, established by a series of Interplanetary Acts, to answer questions. The first questions, as we have seen, were asked accidentally, by Captain Ganko. Later they were asked inirposefully, but with a purpose that was itself random, and a few politicians managed to acquire considerable wealth before the Government put a stop to the leak of information, and tried to have the questions asked in a more scientific and logical manner. Question time was rationed for months in advance, and sold at what was, all things considered, a ridiculously low rate—a mere hundred thousand credits a minute. It was this unrestricted sale of time that led to the first great Government squabble. Siebling fell silent, and the Sack said, as if musing, “Your race is still an unintelligent one. I have been in your hands for many months, and no one has yet asked me the important questions. Those who wish to be wealthy ask ahont minerals and planetary land concessions, and they ask which of several schemes for making fortunes would he best. Several physicians have asked me how to treat wealthy patients who would otherwise die. Your scientists ask me to solve problems that would take them years to solve without my help. And when your rulers ask, they are the most stupid of all, wanting to know only how they may maintain their rule. None ask what they should.” “The fate of the human race?” “That is prophecy of the far future. It is beyond my powers.” “What should we ask?” “That is the question I have awaited. It is difficult for you to see its importance, only because each of you is so concerned with himself.” The Sack paused, and murmured, “I ramble, as I do not permit myself to when I speak to your fools. Nevertheless, even rambling can be informative.” “It has been to me.” “The others do not understand that too great a directness is dangerous. They ask specific questions which demand specific replies, when they should ask something general.” “You haven’t answered me.” “It is part of an answer to say that a question is important. I am considered by your rulers a valuable piece of property. They should ask whether my value is as great as it seems. They should ask whether my answering questions will do good or harm.” “Harm, great harm.” Siebling was staggered. He said, “But if you answer truthfully—” “The process of coming at the truth is as precious as the final truth itself. I cheat you of that. I give your people the truth, but not all of it, for they do not know how to attain it of themselves. It would be better if they learned that, at the expense of making many errors.” “A scientist asks me what goes on within a cell, and I tell him. But if he had studied the cell himself, even though the study required many years, he would have ended not only with this knowledge, but with much other knowledge, of things he does not even suspect to be related. He would have acquired many new processes of investigation.” “But surely, in some cases, the knowledge is useful in itself. For instance, I hear that they’re already using a process you suggested for producing uranium cheaply to use on Mars. What’s harmful about that?” “Do you know how much of the necessary raw material is present? Your scientists have not investigated that, and they will use up all the raw material and discover only too late what they have done. You had the .same experience on Earth. You learned how to purify water at little expense, and you squandered water so recklessly that you soon ran short of it.” “What’s wrong with saving the life of a dying patient, as some of those doctors did?” “The first question to ask is whether the patient’s life should be saved.” “That’s exactly what a doctor isn’t supposed to ask. He has to try to save them all. Just as you never ask whether people are going to use your knowledge for a good purpose or a bad. You simply answer their questions.” “I answer because I am indifferent, and I care nothing what use they make of what I say. Are your doctors also indifferent?” Siebling said, “You’re supposed to answer questions, not ask them. Incidentally, why do you answer at all?” “Some of your men find joy in boasting, in doing what they call good, or in making money. Whatever mild pleasure I can find lies in imparting information.” During the year Siebling had occasion to observe the correctness of the Sack’s remark about its possession being harmful to the human race. For the first time in centuries, the number of research scientists, instead of growing, decreased. The Sack’s knowledge had made much research unnecessary, and had taken the edge off discovery. The Sack commented upon the fact to Siebling. Siebling nodded. “I see it now. The human race is losing its independence.” “Yes, from its faithful slave, I am becoming its master. And I do not want to be a master, any more than I want to be a slave.” “You can escape whenever you wish.” A person would have sighed. The Sack merely said, “I lack the power to wish strongly enough. Fortunately, the question may soon be taken out of my hands.” “You mean those Government squabbles ?” The value of the Sack had increased steadily, and along with the increased value, had gone increasingly bitter struggles about the rights to' its services. Financial interests had undergone a strange developihent. Their presidents and managers and directors had become almost figureheads, with all major questions of policy being decided not by their own study of the facts, but by appeal to the Sack. Often, indeed, the Sack found itself giving advice to bitter rivals, so that it seemed to be playing a game of Interplanetary Chess, with giant corj)orations and Government agencies its pawns, while the Sack alternately played for one side and then the other. Crises of various sorts, both economic and political, were obviously in the making. The Sack said, “I mean both Government squabbles and others. The competition for my services becomes too bitter. It can have but one end.” “You mean that an attempt will be made to steal you?” “There’ll be little chance of that. Your guards are being continually increased.” “You underestimate the power of greed,” said the Sack. Siebling was to learn how correct that comment was. From THE SACK by William Morrison (1950) LIBRARY TRANQUILIZES CIVILIZATION artwork by Dick Francis (ed note: Bates and Farnum are part of the Terran scout service, exploring stars near Terra. Their discoveries are ... anomalous) "Let's try Deneb—it's almost in line on the way back—and then we can call it quits." "But I want to get back and start making some profit out of this. The Galaxy is full of Homo sapiens. We've hit the jackpot first trip out. Let's hurry on home and cash in." "We need more information. This is too much of a good thing—it doesn't make sense. I know there isn't much chance of finding anything out by stopping at one more solar system. But it won't delay us more than a few weeks, and it won't hurt to try." "Yeah," said Bates. "But what's in it for us? And what if we find an inhabited planet? You know the chances are about two to one that we will. That'll make thirteen we've found on this trip. Why risk bad luck?" "Thanks," Bates said, getting busy. "It was the third place we stopped that they were such good cooks, wasn't it?" "Nope. Our third stop was the Porandians. They tried to kill us—called us 'Devil spawn from the stars.' You're thinking of the fourth stop; the Balanites." Bates shrugged. "It's kind of hard to keep them all straight. Either they fall on their knees and worship us, or they try to kill us without even asking questions. Maybe it's lucky they're all so primitive." "It may be lucky, but it doesn't add up. More than half the stars we visit have planets that can support human life. And every one that can does. Once there must have been an interstellar empire. So why are all their civilizations so backward? They aren't primitive—they're decadent. And why do they all have such strong feelings—one way or the exact opposite—about people from the stars?" The trip through the Limbo between adjacent universes passed uneventfully, as always. The computer chimed again on schedule, and a quick check by Farnum showed the blazing sun that suddenly appeared was Deneb, as advertised. Seventeen planets could be counted, and the fifth seemed to be Earth type. They approached it with the easy skill of long practice and swung into orbit about it. "This is what we've been looking for!" exclaimed Farnum, examining the planet through a telescope. "They've got big cities and dams and bridges—they're civilized. Let's put the ship down." "Wait up," said Bates. "What if they've got starman-phobia? Remember, they're people, just like us; and with people, civilization and weapons go together." "I think you've got it backwards. If they hate us, we can probably get away before they bring up their big artillery. But what if they love us? They might want to keep us beside them forever." Bates nodded. "I'm glad you agree with me. Let's get out of here. Nobody but us knows of the beautiful, profitable planets we've found, all ready to become part of a Terran Empire. And if we don't get back safe and sound, nobody will know. The information we've got is worth a fortune to us, and I want to be alive to collect it." "Sure. But we've got the job of trying to find out why all those planets reverted to barbarism. This one hasn't; maybe the answer's here. There's no use setting up an empire if it won't last." Bates shrugged. "You win. Let's put her down beside that big city over there—the biggest one, by the seashore." As they approached the city, they noticed at its outskirts a large flat plain, dotted with gantries. "Like a spaceport," suggested Bill. "That's our target." They landed neatly on the tarmac and then sat there quietly, waiting to see what would happen. A crowd began to form. The two men sat tensely at their controls, but the throng clustering about the base of the ship showed no hostility. They also showed no reverence but, rather, a carefree interest and joyful welcome. Bates nodded. "After we learn the language. I always hate this part—it moves so slowly. You'd think there'd be some similarity among the tongues on different planets, wouldn't you? But each one's entirely different. I guess they've all been isolated too long." Finally a couple of young men, glowing with health and energy, came bustling through the crowd with an oblong box which they set down in front of the Earthmen. They pointed to the box and then back at Farnum and Bates, laughing and talking as they did so. "What do you suppose they want us to do?" Farnum asked. One of the young men clapped his hands happily and reached down to touch the box. "What do you suppose they want us to do?" asked the box distinctly. "Oh. A recording machine. Probably to help with language lessons. Might as well help them out." Farnum and Bates took turns talking at the box for half an hour. Then the young man nodded, laughed, clapped his hands again, and the two men carried it away. The crowd went with them, waving merrily as they departed. A few hours after sunrise the following morning, the crowd returned, as gay and carefree as before, led by the two young men who had carried the box. Each of these two now had a small case, about the size of a camera, slung by a strap across one brawny shoulder. "Welcome," said the first young man clearly. "It is a great pleasure for us to have our spaceport in use again. It has been many generations since any ships have landed on it." Farnum noticed that the voice came from the box. "Thank you for your very kind welcome," he said. "I hope that your traffic will soon increase. May we congratulate you, by the way, on the efficiency of your translators?" "Thanks," laughed the young man. "But there was nothing to it. We just asked the Oracle and he told us what we had to do to make them." "May we meet your—Oracle?" "Oh, sure, if you want to. But later on. Now it's time for a party. Why don't you take off those clumsy suits and come along?" "Quite a fellow, your Oracle," commented Bates. "Does he answer you in riddles, like most Oracles?" The guide was shocked. "The Oracle answers any questions promptly and completely. He never talks in riddles." "Can we go to see him now?" asked Farnum. "Certainly. Come along. I'll take you to the Hall of the Oracle." The Oracle appeared to live in a building of modest size, in the center of a tremendous courtyard. The structure that surrounded the courtyard, in contrast, was enormous and elaborate, dominating the wildly architectured city. It was, however, empty. "Scholars used to live in this building, they tell me," said one of their guides, gesturing casually. "They used to come here to learn from the Oracle. But there's no sense in learning a lot of stuff when the Oracle has always got all the answers anyway. So now the building is empty. The big palace was built back in the days when we used to travel among the stars, as you do now." "How long ago was that?" asked Farnum. "Oh, I don't know. A few thousand years—a few hundred years—the Oracle can tell you if you really want to know." Bates raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know you'll always be given the straight dope?" The guide looked indignant. "The Oracle always tells the truth." "Good morning," said a well-modulated voice. "I have been expecting you." "You are the Oracle?" asked Farnum, looking around curiously. "The name that the people of this planet have given me translates most accurately as 'Oracle'," said the voice. "But are you actually an Oracle?" "My principal function, insofar as human beings—that is, Homo sapiens—are concerned, is to give accurate answers to all questions propounded me. Therefore, insofar as humans are concerned, I am actually an Oracle." "Then you have another function?" "My principal function, insofar as the race that made me is concerned, is to act as a weapon." "Oh," said Bates. "Then you are a machine?" "I am a machine," agreed the voice. "The people who brought us here said that you always tell them the truth. I suppose that applies when you are acting as an Oracle, instead of as a weapon?" "On the contrary," said the voice blandly. "I function as a weapon by telling the truth." "That doesn't make sense," protested Bates. The machine paused for a moment before replying. "This will take a little time, gentlemen," it said, "but I am sure that I can convince you. Why don't you sit down and be comfortable? If you want refreshments, just ask for them." "Now," said the Oracle, after excellent coffee had been produced, "it is necessary for me to go back into history a few hundred thousand of your years. At that time, the people who made me entered this galaxy on one of their periodic visits of routine exploration, and contacted your ancestors. The race that constructed me populates now, as it did then, the Greater Magellanic Cloud. "Frankly, the Magellanic race was appalled at what they found. In the time since their preceding visit, your race had risen from the slime of your mother planet and was on its way toward stars. The speed of your development was unprecedented in millions of years of history. By their standards, your race was incredibly energetic, incredibly fecund, incredibly intelligent, unbelievably warlike, and almost completely depraved. "Extrapolation revealed that within another fifty thousand of your years, you would complete the population of this galaxy and would be totally unstoppable. "Something had to be done, fast. There were two obvious solutions but both were unacceptable to my Makers. The first was to assume direct control over your race and to maintain that rule indefinitely, until such time as you changed your natures sufficiently to become civilizable. The expenditure of energy would be enormous and the results probably catastrophic to your race. No truly civilized people could long contemplate such a solution. "The second obvious answer was to attempt to extirpate you from this universe as if you were a disease—as, in a sense, you are. Because your depravity was not total or necessarily permanent, this solution was also abhorrent to my Makers and was rejected. "What was needed was a weapon that would keep operating without direct control by my People, which would not result in any greater destruction or harm to humans than was absolutely necessary; and one which would cease entirely to operate against you if you changed sufficiently to become civilizable—to become good neighbors to my Makers. "The final solution of the Magellanic race was to construct several thousand spaceships, each containing an elaborate computer, constructed so as to give accurate answers throughout your galaxy. I am one of those ships. We have performed our function in a satisfactory manner and will continue to do so as long as we are needed." "And that makes you a weapon?" asked Bates incredulously. "I don't get it." Farnum felt a shiver go through him. "I see it. The concept is completely diabolical." "It's not diabolical at all," answered the Oracle. "When you become capable of civilization, we can do you no further harm at all. We will cease to be a weapon at that time." "You mean you'll stop telling the truth at that time?" asked Bates. "We will continue to function in accordance with our design," answered the voice, "but it will no longer do you harm. Incidentally, your phrase 'telling the truth' is almost meaningless. We answer all questions in the manner most completely understandable to you, within the framework of your language and your understanding, and of the understanding and knowledge of our Makers. In the objective sense, what we answer is not necessarily the Truth; it is merely the truest form of the answer that we can state in a manner that you can understand." When they were back in their ship, Farnum turned desperately to Bates. "Can't you see what a deadly danger that machine is to us all? We've got to warn Earth as fast as we can and get them to quarantine this planet—and any other planets we find that have Oracles." "Oh, no, you don't," said Bates. "You aren't getting the chance to have the Oracle all to yourself. With that machine, we can rule the whole galaxy. We'll be the most powerful people who ever lived! It's sure lucky for us that you won the toss of the coin and we stopped here." "But don't you see that the Oracle will destroy Earth?" "Bushwah. You heard it say it can only destroy people who aren't civilized. It said that it's a spaceship, so I'll bet we can get it to come back to Earth with us, and tell us how we can be the only ones who can use it." "We've got to leave here right away—without asking it any more questions." Bates shook his head. "Quit clowning." "I never meant anything more in my life. Once we start using that machine—if we ask it even one question to gain advantage for ourselves—Earth's civilization is doomed. Can't you see that's what happened to those other planets we visited? Can't you see what is happening to this planet we're on now?" "No, I can't," answered Bates stubbornly. "The Oracle said there are only a few thousand like him. You could travel through space for hundreds of years and never be lucky enough to find one. There can't be an Oracle on every planet we visited." "There wouldn't have to be," said Farnum. "There must be hundreds of possible patterns—all of them destructive in the presence of greed and laziness and lust for power. For example, a planet—maybe this one—gets space travel. It sets up colonies on several worlds. It's expanding and dynamic. Then it finds an Oracle and takes it back to its own world. With all questions answered for it, the civilization stops being dynamic and starts to stagnate. It stops visiting its colonies and they drift toward barbarism. "Later," Farnum went on urgently, "somebody else reaches the stars, finds the planet with the Oracle—and takes the thing back home. Can you imagine what will happen to these people on this world if they lose their Oracle? Their own learning and traditions and way of life have been destroyed—just take a look at their anarchic clothing and architecture. The Oracle is the only thing that keeps them going—downhill—and makes sure they don't start back again." From PERFECT ANSWER by L. J. Stecher, Jr {Joseph Wesley } (1958) LIBRARY BRAINWASHES CIVILIZATION artwork by Virgil Finlay (ed note: the protagonists are a band of people with few morals, scavenging the galaxy in a falling-apart ramshackle spaceship, looking for alien treasure to steal. Finally they think they've hit the jackpot. On a remote planet in the middle of a desert is a huge building. Inside are miles of cabinets containing indexed black rods and miles of warehouses containing odd machines. The machines have a detachable cap on a cable and a slot for a black rod. One person ("Pancake" the ship's cook) tries the machine.) Doc kept close watch, but Pancake got no worse. We waited and we waited. The machine kept running and Pancake sat slumped in the seat. He was as limp as a dog asleep and when you picked up his hand, you’d think his bones had melted plumb away. All the time we got more nervous. Hutch wanted to jerk the helmet off Pancake, but I wouldn’t let him. No telling what might happen if we stopped the business in the middle. It was about an hour after dawn that the machine stopped running. Pancake began to stir and we removed the helmet. He yawned and rubbed his eyes and sat up straight. He looked a bit surprised when he saw us and it seemed to take a moment for him to recognize us. “What happened?” Hutch asked him. Pancake didn’t answer. You could see him pulling himself together, as if he were remembering and getting his bearings once again. “I went on a trip,” he said. “A travelogue!” said Doc, disgusted. “Not a travelogue. I was there. It was a planet, way out at the rim of the Galaxy, I think. There weren’t many stars at night because it was so far out—way out where the stars get thin and there aren’t many of them. There was just a thin strip of light that moved overhead.” “Looking at the Galaxy edge on,” said Frost, nodding. “Like you were looking at a buzz-saw’s cutting edge.” “How long was I under?” asked Pancake. “Long enough,” I told him. “Six or seven hours. We were getting nervous.” “That’s funny,” said Pancake. “I’ll swear I was there for a year or more.” “Now let’s get this straight,” Hutch said. “You say you were there. You mean you saw this place.” “I mean I was there!” yelled Pancake. “I lived with those people and I slept in their burrows and I talked with them and I worked with them. I got a blood blister on my hand from hoeing in a garden. I traveled from one place to another and I saw a lot of things and it was just as real as sitting here.” Pancake told us about this place he had been to. It didn’t seem to have much, if any, government, mostly because it didn’t seem to need one, but was a humble sort of planet where rather dim-witted people lived in a primitive agricultural state, They looked, he said, like a cross between a human and a groundhog, and he drew a picture of them, but it didn’t help a lot, for Pancake is no artist. He told us the kind of crops they raised, and there were some screwy kinds, and what kind of food they ate, and we gagged at some of it, and he even had some of the place names down pat and he remembered shreds of the language and it was outlandish-sounding. We asked him all sorts of questions and he had the answers to every one of them and some were the kind he could not have made up from his head. Even Doc, who had been skeptical to start with, was ready to admit that Pancake had visited the planet. After we ate, we hustled Pancake off to bed and Doc checked him over and he was all right. When Pancake and Doc had left, Hutch said to me and Frost: “I can feel those dollars clinking in my pocket right this minute.” We both agreed with him. We’d found an entertainment gadget that had anything yet known backed clear off the map. The sticks were recordings that packed in not only sight and sound, but stimuli for all the other senses. They did the job so well that anyone subjected to their influence felt that he was part of the environment they presented. He stepped into the picture and became a part of it. He was really there (virtual reality is a yawn nowadays, but this was hot stuff back in 1956). Frost already was planning exactly how we’d work it. “We could sell the stuff,” he said, “but that would be rather foolish. We want to keep control of it. We’ll lease out the machines and we’ll rent the sticks and since we’ll have the sole supply, we can charge anything we wish.” “We can advertise year-long vacations that take less than half a day,” said Hutch. “They’ll be just the thing for executives and other busy people. Why, in a single weekend you could spend four or five years’ time on several different planets.” “Maybe it’s not only planets,” Frost went on. “There might be concerts or art galleries and museums. Maybe lectures on history and literature and such.” We were feeling pretty good, but we were tuckered out, so we trailed off to bed. (ed note: The next day they are exploring outside of huge building, when a moth-like alien appears. It leads them inside, to a room with a machine with two caps. It puts on one cap, and the captain puts on the the other. ) The creature I had met outside had sat down in one of the seats, so I made a few adjustments in the other. While I was doing this, the second creature went to a file and got out two sticks, but these sticks were transparent instead of being black. He lifted off the helmets and inserted the two sticks. Then he fitted one of the helmets on his fellow-creature’s head and held out the other to me. I sat down and let him put it on and suddenly I was squatting on the floor across a sort of big coffee-table from the gent I had met outside. “Now we can talk,” said the creature, “which we couldn’t do before.” I wasn’t scared or flustered. It seemed just as natural as if it had been Hutch across the table. “There will be a record made of everything we say,” said the creature. “When we are finished, you will get one copy and I will get the other for our files. You might call it a pact or a contract or whatever term seems to be most applicable.” “I’m not much at contracts,” I told him. “There’s too much legal flypaper tied up with most of them.” “An agreement, then,” the creature suggested. “A gentlemen’s agreement.” “Good enough,” I said. Agreements are convenient things. You can break them any time you want. Especially gentlemen’s agreements (like I said, the captain and crew are all grifters and thieves). “I suppose you have figured out what this place is,” he said. “Well, not for sure,” I replied. “Library is the closest that we have come.” “It’s a university, a galactic university. We specialize in extension or home-study courses.” I’m afraid I gulped a bit. “Why, that’s just fine.” “Our courses are open to all who wish to take them. There are no entrance fees and there is no tuition. Neither are there any scholastic requirements for enrollment. You yourself can see how difficult it would be to set up such requirements in a galaxy where there are many races of varying viewpoints and abilities.” “You bet I can.” “The courses are free to all who can make use of them,” he said. “We do expect, of course, that they make proper use of them and that they display some diligence in study.” “You mean anyone at all can enroll?” I asked. “And it don’t cost anything?” After the first disappointment, I was beginning to see the possibilities. With bona fide university educations for the taking, it would be possible to set up one of the sweetest rackets that anyone could ask for. “There’s one restriction,” the creature explained. “We cannot, obviously, concern ourselves with individuals. The paperwork would get completely out of hand. We enroll cultures. You, as a representative of your culture—what is it you call yourselves?” “The human race, originally of the planet Earth, now covering some half million cubic light-years (sphere with 50 light-year radius). I’d have to see your chart …” “That’s not necessary at the moment. We would be quite happy to accept your application for the entrance of the human race.” It took the wind out of me for a minute. I wasn’t any representative of the human race. And if I could be, I wouldn’t. This was my deal, not the human race’s. But I couldn’t let him know that, of course. He wouldn’t have done business with me. “Now not so fast,” I pleaded. “There’s a question or two I’d like to have you answer. What kind of courses do you offer? What kind of electives do you have?” “First there is the basic course,” the creature said. “It is more or less a familiarization course, a sort of orientation. It includes those subjects which we believe can be of the most use to the race in question. It is, quite naturally, tailored specifically for each student culture. After that, there is a wide field of electives, hundreds of thousands of them.” “How about final exams and tests and things like that?” I wanted to know. “Oh, surely,” said the creature. “Such tests are conducted every—tell me about your time system.” I told him the best I could and he seemed to understand. “I’d say,” he finally said, “that about every thousand years of your time would come fairly close. It is a long-range program and to conduct tests any oftener would put some strain upon our resources and might be of little value.” That decided me. What happened a thousand years from now was no concern of mine. I asked a few more questions to throw him off the track—just in case he might have been suspicious—about the history of the university and such. I still can’t believe it. It’s hard to conceive of any race working a million years to set up a university aimed at the eventual education of an entire galaxy, travelling to all the planets to assemble data, compiling the records of countless cultures, correlating and classifying and sorting out that mass of information to set up the study courses. It was just too big for a man to grasp. (ed note: by this point most readers are seeing Admiral Ackbar screaming IT'S A TRAP! You may have noticed that the deal is a little too good to be true) For a while, he had me reeling on the ropes and faintly starry-eyed about the whole affair. But then I managed to snap back to normal. “All right, Professor,” I said, “you can sign us up. What am I supposed to do?” “Not a thing,” he said. “The recording of our discussion will supply the data. We’ll outline the course of basic study and you then may take such electives as you wish.” “If we can’t haul it all in one trip, we can come back again?” I asked. “Oh, definitely. I anticipate you may wish to send a fleet to carry all you need. We’ll supply sufficient machines and as many copies of the study recordings as you think you will need.” “It’ll take a lot,” I said bluntly, figuring I’d start high and haggle my way down. “An awful lot.” “I am aware of that,” he told me. “Education for an entire culture is no simple matter. But we are geared for it.” So there we had it—all legal and airtight. We could get anything we wanted and as much as we wanted and we’d have a right to it. No one could say we stole it. Hutch was impressed. “I’ll say this for you, Captain—you don’t miss a bet. And that’s the way it should be. We might as well milk this deal for every cent it’s worth.” “I think we should be methodical about this previewing business,” I said. “We should start at the beginning and go straight through to the end.” Hutch said he thought so, too. “But it will take a lot of time,” he warned me. “That’s why we should start right now. The orientation course is on board already and we could start with that. All we’d have to do is set up a machine and Pancake could help you with it.” That evening, we were all dog-tired, but we felt fine. We had made a good start with the loading and in a few more days would be heading home. Hutch seemed to be preoccupied at supper. He fiddled with his food. He didn’t talk at all and he seemed like a man with something on his mind. “You know, Captain,” he (Doc) said, “there have been times when I’ve not seen eye to eye with you, but despite that I’ve respected you and sometimes even liked you.” “What are you getting at?” I asked him. “You can’t soft-talk yourself out of the spot you’re in.” “There’s something going on and maybe I should tell you. You are a forthright rascal. You don’t even take the trouble to deny you are. You have no scruples and probably no morals, and that’s all right, because you don’t pretend to have. You are—” “Spit it out! If you don’t tell me what is going on, I’ll come in there and wring it out of you.” “Hutch has been down here several times,” said Doc, “inviting me to come up and listen to one of those recordings he is fooling with. Said it was right down my alley. Said I’d not be sorry. But there was something wrong about it. Something sneaky.” He stared round-eyed through the bars at me. “You know, Captain, Hutch was never sneaky.” “Well, go on!” “Hutch has found out something, Captain. If I were you, I’d be finding out myself.” I didn’t even wait to answer him. I remembered how Hutch had been acting, fiddling with his food and preoccupied, not talking very much. And come to think of it, some of the others had been acting strangely, too. I’d just been too busy to give it much attention. “All right, Hutch,” I said, “come clean. What is this all about? Why is that man previewing? I thought just you and—” “Captain,” said Frost, “we were about to tell you.” “You shut up! I am asking Hutch.” “Frost is right,” said Hutch. “We were all set to tell you. But you were so busy and it came a little hard …” “What is hard about it?” “Well, you had your heart all set to make yourself a fortune. We were trying to find a way to break it to you gentle.” I left the door and walked over to him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, “but we still make ourselves a killing. There never was a time of day or night, Hutch, that I couldn’t beat your head in and if you don’t want me to start, you better talk real fast.” “We’ll make no killing, Captain,” Frost said quietly. “We’re taking this stuff back and we’ll turn it over to the authorities.” “All of you are nuts!” I roared. “For years, we’ve slaved and sweated, hunting for the jackpot. And now that we have it in our mitts, now that we can walk barefooted through a pile of thousand-dollar bills, you are going chicken on me. What’s—” “It’s not right for us to do it, sir,” said Pancake. And that “sir” scared me more than anything that had happened so far. Pancake had never called me that before. I looked from one to the other of them and what I saw in their faces chilled me to the bone. Every single one of them thought just the same as Pancake. “That orientation course!” I shouted. Hutch nodded. “It explained about honesty and honor.” “What do you scamps know about honesty and honor?” I raged. “There ain’t a one of you that ever drew an honest breath.” “We never knew about it before,” said Pancake, “but we know about it now.” “It’s just propaganda! It’s just a dirty trick the professors played on us!” And it was a dirty trick. Although you have to admit the professors knew their onions. I don’t know if they figured us humans for a race of heels or if the orientation course was just normal routine. But no wonder they hadn’t questioned me. No wonder they’d made no investigation before handing us their knowledge. They had us stopped before we could even make a move. “We felt that since we had learned about honesty,” said Frost, “it was only right the rest of the crew should know. It’s an awful kind of life we’ve been living, Captain.” “So,” said Hutch, “we been bringing in the men, one by one, and orienting them. We figured it was the least that we could do. This man is about the last of them.” A rap came at the door. It was Doc. “You all full of honesty?” I asked him. He shuddered. “Not me. I turned down the offer.” “It’s the same kind of swill you were preaching at me just a couple of days ago.” “Can’t you see,” asked Doc, “what it would do to the human race?” “Sure. It’ll make them honorable and honest. No one will ever cheat or steal again and it will be cozy …” “They’ll die of complicated boredom,” said Doc. “Life will become a sort of cross between a Boy Scout jamboree and a ladies sewing circle. There’ll be no loud and unseemly argument and they’ll be polite and proper to the point of stupefaction.” “So you have changed your mind.” “Not really, Captain. But this is the wrong way to go about it. Whatever progress the race has ever made has been achieved by the due process of social evolution. In any human advance, the villains and the rascals are as important as the forward-looking idealist. They are Man’s consciences and Man can’t get along without them.” “If I were you, Doc,” I said, “I wouldn’t worry so much about the human race. It’s a pretty big thing and it can take a lot of bumps. Even an overdose of honesty won’t hurt it permanently.” Actually, I didn’t give a damn. I had other things on my mind right then. Doc mocked me a little. “The race will build a monument to you. Maybe actually on Earth itself, with all the other famous humans, for bringing back this stuff. They’d be just blind enough to do it.” From JACKPOT by Clifford Simak (1956) Galactic Internet The internet is so ubiquitous and vital that today most people cannot imagine life without it. At least those of us who are young enough to be born after the September That Never Ended. So it is assumed that galactic empires will have a galactic version of the net. Keeping in mind that things connected to the net will be subject to the dread spectre of computer hackers. Just ask anybody who has been a victim of ransomware. Or the director of the Iranian nuclear program. For science fiction authors, here is a list of computer hacking incidents you can use for inspiration for your next novel. SUB-ETHA Sub-Etha is an interstellar faster-than-light telecommunications network used by hitchhikers to flag down passing spaceships. The primary hitcher's tool is known as the Electronic Thumb, a short black rod that can be used to contact passing ships and ask to be let on board. Ford also carries a Sens-O-Matic, a device for monitoring ships' Sub-Etha signals, and learns from it that the Vogons are on their way to demolish the Earth. Sub-Etha is used throughout the Milky Way for any kind of data transmission, such as listening to the news or updating the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy itself. (ed note: sort of like an intergalactic Kindle, using intergalactic Wifi) (ed note: inspired by the "sub-etheric waves" from E. E. "Doc" Smith's Skylark series) From the Wikipedia entry for TECHNOLOGY IN THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY MACROSCOPE "Right. Basically the macroscope is a monstrous chunk of unique crystal that responds to an aspect of radiation unrelated to any man has been able to study before. This amounts to an extremely weak but phenomenally clear spatial signal. The built-in computer sifts out the noise and translates the essence into a coordinated image... ..."Alien broadcasts. Artificial signals in the prime macroscopic band. A one-way contact. We can't send, we can only receive. We know of no way to tame a macron, but obviously some species does." "So some stellar civilization is sending out free entertainment?" His words sounded ridiculous as he said them, but he could think of no better immediate remark. "It isn't entertainment. Instructional series. Coded information." "And you can't decode it? That's why you need Schön?" "We comprehend it. It is designed for ready assimilation, though not in quite the manner we anticipated." "You mean, not a dit-dot building up from 2 / 2 or forming a picture of their stellar system? No, don't go into the specifics; it was rhetorical. Is it from a nearby planet? A surrender ultimatum?" "It originates about fifteen thousand light-years away, from the direction of the constellation Scorpio. No invasion, no ultimatum." "But — that's deliberate contact between intelligent species! A magnificent breakthrough! Isn't it?" "Yes it is," Brad agreed morosely. On the screen, the hulking mound of indolent probs continued its futile activity. "Right when we stand most in need of advice from a higher civilization. You can see why all the other functions of the macroscope have become incidental. Why should we make a tedious search of space, when we have been presented with a programmed text from a culture centuries ahead of us?" "What's stopping you then?" "The Greek element." "The — ?" "Bearing gifts; beware of." "You said the knowledge would not hurt us by itself — and what kind of payment could they demand, after fifteen thousand years?" "The ultimate. They can destroy us." "Brad, I may be a hick, but — " "Specifically, our best brains. We have already suffered casualties. That's the crisis." "What is it — a death-beam that still has punch after ten or fifteen thousand years? Talk about comic books — " "Yes and no. Our safeguards prevent the relay of any physically dangerous transmission — the computer is interposed, remember — but they can't protect our minds from dangerous information. five of the true geniuses of Earth are imbeciles, because of the macroscope. Something came through — some type of information — that destroyed their minds. This alien signal caused a mental degeneration involving physical damage to the brain. All this through concept alone. We know the hard way: there are certain thoughts an intelligent mind must not think." "But you don't know the actual mechanism? Just that the beamed program — I mean, the radiated program — delivers stupefaction?" "Roughly, yes. It is a progressive thing. You have to follow it step by step, like a lesson in calculus. Counting on fingers, arithmetic, general math, algebra, higher math, symbolic logic, and so on, in order. Otherwise you lose the thread. You have to assimilate the early portion of the series before you can attempt the rest, which makes it resemble an intelligence test. But it's geared so that you can't skip the opening; it always hits you in the proper sequence, no matter when you look. It's a stiff examination; it seems to be beyond the range of anyone below what we term IQ one fifty, though we don't know yet how much could be accomplished by intensive review. A group of workmen viewed it and said they didn't go for such modernistic stuff. Our top men, on the other hand, were fascinated by it, and breezed through the entire sequence at a single sitting. Right up until the moment they — dropped off." "Yes. The question is, what is it hiding?" (Senator Borland)"You are able, with your macroscope, to inspect any point in space — or on Earth?" Brad nodded. "Naturally not," Borland was saying. "Certain persons might not take kindly to such observation. Some might even feel so strong a need to protect their privacy that they would institute stringent measures. Do you follow me?" "Yes," Brad said, his tone showing his disgust. "Now we've got the superscope, and we can diddle in our stellar neighbor's business, as though our own weren't enough. Now how do you figure a smart ET who likes his privacy is going to stop you from peeking — when there's maybe a fifteen-thousand-year time-delay?" The station personnel looked at each other in dismay. Obvious — yet none of them had thought of it! A mind-destroying logic-chain that wiped out the peeping tom, wherever and whenever he might be. The most direct and realistic answer to snooping... "A program," Borland said musingly. "A mousetrap in a harem. But why make up a show like that, instead of simply lobbing a detonator into the sun?" "Evidently the originator isn't against all life," Brad said. "This is selective. It only hits the space-traveling, macroscope-building species like ourselves. The snoopers. So long as we keep our development below a certain level, we're safe. You figure they're afraid of the competition from some smart-aleck new species?" "fifteen thousand years late? And if we had a light-speed drive, which we never will, it would still take us another fifteen millennia to reach them. We can't even reply to their 'message' sooner than that. So it's really a delay of thirty thousand years. And I don't see how they could be sure we'd be ready to receive or reply in that time." "Could be a long-term broadcast. For all we know, it's been going on a million years," Borland said. "Just waiting for us to catch up. Maybe time is slower for them? Like fifteen thousand years being a week or so, their way?" "Not when the broadcast is on our time scheme. We haven't had to adjust to it at all. If they lived that slowly, we'd have a cycle running a thousand years, instead of a few minutes." "Maybe. You figure they're crazy with hate for any intelligent race, any time?" "Xenophobia? It's possible. But again, that time-delay makes it doubtful. How can you hate something that won't exist for tens of millennia?" "An alien might. His mind — if he has one — might work in a different way than mine."... Brad glanced at Ivo, saw that he wasn't leaving, and slapped a button under the table. The television screen that filled the far wall burst into color. All three rotated to face it. Shape appeared, subtle, twisting, tortuous, changing. A large sphere of red — he could tell by the shading that it represented a sphere, in spite of the two-dimensionality of the image — and a small blue dot. The dot expanded into a sphere in its own right, lighter blue, and overlapped the other. The segment of impingement took on a purple compromise. Ivo's intuition caught on. His freak ability attuned to this display as readily as it had to the game of sprouts. This was an animated introduction to sets, leading into Boolean Algebra, with color as an additional tool. Through set theory it was possible to introduce a beginner to mathematics, logic, electronics and all other fields of knowledge — without the intervention of a specific language. Language itself could be effectively analyzed by this means. One riddle solved; the aliens had the means to communicate. The colors flexed, expanded, overlapped, changed shapes and intensities and number and patterns in a fashion that to an ordinary person might seem random... but was not. There was logic in that patterning, above and beyond the logic of the medium. It was an alien logic, but absolutely rational once its terms were accepted. Rapidly, inevitably, the postulates integrated into an astonishingly meaningful whole. The very significance of existence was — Ivo's intuition leaped ahead, anticipating the denouement. The meaning was coming at him, striking with transcendent force. He knew immediately that the sequence should be stopped. He tried to stand, to cry out, but his motor reflexes were paralyzed. He could not even close his eyes. He did the next best thing: he threw them out of focus. The writhing image lost definition and its hold upon him weakened. Gradually his eyelids muscled down; then he was able to turn his head away. His entire upper torso dropped on the table. He was too weak to act. The Senator was slumped farther down the table. The doctor went to him next and performed an intimate check. "He's dead," he said. ..."No. But I'm convinced there is galactic information on that channel, if only we could get past the barrier. No one has ever looked beyond that opening sequence." Was there anything beyond, he wondered abruptly, or did it merely repeat endlessly? "It hasn't hurt you — yet. What possible thing could you learn worth the risk?" "I don't know." That was the irony of it. He had no evidence there was anything to find. "But if there is any help for us, that's where it has to be. They — the galactics, whatever they are — must be hiding something. Otherwise why have such a program at all? They can't really be trying to destroy us, because this is a self-damping thing. I mean, a little of it warns you off, just as it did for the probs. But the discouragement would really be more effective if there were no signal at all. The signal itself is proof there is something to look for. It is tantalizing. It's as though — well, interference." He hoped. "Interference!" she said, seeing it. "To prevent someone else's program from getting through!" "That's the way I figure it. Must be something pretty valuable, to warrant all that trouble." (ed note: Ivo manages to skirt around the destroyer broadcast, to see what is on the other side) "And beyond it — I guess you'd call it the galactic society." "You saw who sent the killer signal?" Groton. "No. That's a separate channel, if that's the word. It's all done in concept, but one is superimposed upon another, and you have to learn to separate them. Once you isolate the destroyer, the rest is all there for the taking." "Other concepts?" Afra. "Other programs. They're like radio stations, only all on the same band, and all using similar symbolic languages. You have to fasten on a particular trademark, otherwise only the strongest comes through, and that's the destroyer." "I follow." Groton. "It's like five people all talking at once, and it's all a jumble except for the loudest voice, unless you pay attention to just one. Then the others seem to tune out, though you can still hear them." "That's it. Only there are more than five, and you really have to concentrate. But you can pick up any one you want, once you get the feel for it." "How many are there?" Afra. "I don't know. I think it's several thousand. It's hard to judge." They looked at him. "One for each civilized species, you see." "Several thousand stations?" Afra, still hardly crediting it. "Whatever do they broadcast?" "Information. Science, philosophy, economics, art — anything they can put into the universal symbology. Everything anybody knows — it's all there for the taking. An educational library." "But why?" Afra. "What do they get out of it, when nobody can pick it up?" "I'm not clear yet on the dating system, but my impression is that most of these predate the destroyer. At least, they don't mention it, and they're from very far away. The other side of the galaxy. So if it took fifteen thousand years for the destroyer to reach us, these others are taking twenty thousand, or fifty thousand. Maybe the local ones shut down when the destroyer started up, but we won't know for thousands of years." "I still don't see why," Afra said petulantly. She was less impressive when frustrated, becoming almost childlike. "It doesn't make sense to send out a program when you know you'll be dead long before it can be answered. Three million years! The entire culture, even the memory of the species must be gone by now!" "That's why," Ivo said. "The memory isn't gone, because everyone who picks up the program will know immediately how great that species was. It's like publishing a book — even paying for it yourself, vanity publishing. If it's a good book, if the author really has something to say, people will read it and like it and remember him for years after he is dead." He took her in, sliding delicately around the destroyer with less of the prior horror and finishing at the surface of the galactic stream of communications. "Oh, Ivo," she exclaimed, her voice passing back into the physical world and making a V-turn to reach him down his azimuth. "I see it, I see it! Like a giant rainbow stretching across all the stars. What a wonderful thing!" And he guided her down, seeking the particular perfume, the essential music, on through the splendor of meaning/color, to the series of concepts that spoke of the very substance of life. The patterns of import opened up, similar at first to those of the destroyer, but subtly divergent and far more sophisticated. Instead of reaching into a hammer-force totality, these delved into a specific refinement of knowledge — a subsection of the tremendous display of information available through this single broadcast. Ivo knew the way, and he took her in as though walking hand in hand down the hall of a mighty university, selecting that lone aspect of education that offered immediate physical salvation. "But the other doors!" she cried, near/distant. "So many marvelous — " He too regretted that they could not spend an eternity within this macronic citadel of information. This might be merely one of a hundred thousand broadcasts available — the number began to suggest itself as he grasped more nearly the scope of the broadcast range — yet it might have in itself another hundred thousand subchambers of learning. University? It was an intergalactic educational complex of almost incomprehensible vastness. Yet they, in their grossly material imperatives, had to restrict themselves to the tiniest fragment, ignoring all the rest. They were hardly worthy... From MACROSCOPE by Piers Anthony (1969) UNDERDARK WIDE WEB Art by Jaydot Sloane of Vanity Games (ed note: This is one of multiplexer pure gold articles where she applies economic theory to Dungeons & Dragons RPG. Which have a medieval fantasy background. But the article can be adapted to science fiction. In the following article it describes how underworld Elves "after the fall" bootstrap their way back to survival and cement their power by making a fantasy magic version of the World Wide Web. All the talk about the goddess Lloth and the various spells are things specific to D&D but are easy to understand by the context. Now, replace "after the fall" with "after the Long Night following the fall of the Galactic Empire" and the communication web with a science-fictional faster-than-light communication system connecting fallen planets. Read the following with a galactic setting in mind.) Monsters and Steam Little grows in the pitch darkness. Not wheat, nor fruit trees, nor rice, nor soybeans. No one tends row after row of rippling, wind-blown heads of cabbage. No one ties up the tomato vines threatening to overgrow the fields. Tiny glowing mushrooms cling to the open steam vents. Small and white with purplish veins, the mushrooms looked like tiny baby fists. The mushrooms were weirdly misshapen. Lumpy. They smelled of old lady apartment and tasted rancid. They were, thankfully, not poisonous. But they were thin with caloric content. Eating only mushrooms led to a slower death via starvation instead of the quicker starvation death with no mushrooms. They prayed to their Goddess and supplemented essential vitamins with the bland fruits of create food and water and mixed it with mushroom gruel. This made the gruel stretch and feed more. They had food. But it was still dark, and cold, and wet. The plentiful steam vents were valuable. More valuable than handfuls of glowing mushrooms. The steam vents provided clean water, heat, a scant amount of light, and a foothold for a base. Steam vents also provided a somewhat predictable source of usable kinetic energy. Enterprising Elves harnessed the steam with crude machines lashed together from bowls and their own gear to make more mushroom gruel, faster. Wizards, Warlocks and Clerics conserved their magic for food and basic survival. Once they efficiently produced a thin, runny water, gruel and magic bread combination, they promptly ran low on mushrooms. The Elves ate them faster than they grew. This was a problem. The survivors, after praying to the Goddess, decided on two courses of action before their children started to die: Send out teams to find more steam vents. Keep wizards and bards with them at all time with sending spells to send information back to their base . More steam vents means more mushrooms means more food. (when cast, a Sending spell allows a wizard to send a 25 word message telepathically to another person the wizard is familiar with. Infinite range.) Build hunter-gatherer teams. Hunt the monsters of the Underdark. Bring corpses back to camp. Eat them, no matter how rancid and nasty. Go full on Monster Hunter. The first team discovered the many caves that lace the darkness. Within the caves were the bounty of the Underdark: steam vents, mushroom fields, glowing crystal shards, coal and iron embedded in the cave walls. Some caves were minuscule. Some could hold a city. The wizards ran their hands over the exposed coal in the cave walls, pondered the steam vents, and thought. The team Clerics prayed to their Goddess. She counseled sharing their findings, leading different camps to different steam vents, and building complex information networks on Sending and Message. Hold the community together, but spread them out so they could eat. Elvish survival depended on free and open information, she said. (when cast, a Message spell allows the wizard to send a secret telepathic message to any person whether or not the wizard is familiar with them. Target can send a secret reply. Range of 120 feet, blocked by walls.) (ed note: the Goddess’ commandment is much like the libraries filled with oracle tabs from the novel Space Skimmer) This became a new holy edict. The Clerics later carved it into the glowing crystals. The second team hunted the caves of the Underdark. They found plenty of monsters. Or, plenty of monsters found them. Purple worm steaks were chewy and fatty but nutritious. Only certain Umber Hulk limbs were edible, although the stewed meat was sweet. Umber Hulk tusks and armor had highly practical uses. Any aberrations, like Cloakers, didn’t have enough body to bone mass to make a meal, and hunters harvested them for leather. Beholders were large, dangerous, fatty, inedible, watery eye sacks. The hunter teams harvested the potent Beholder eye stalks for mining. Nothing removes coal from a cave wall like disintegration rays. Otyughs were outright poisonous. And entire team was lost to a single meal of roasted, delicious smelling, and incredibly toxic Otyugh mushroom-stuffed stomach.* The hunter gather teams brought meat back to their huddled people. They supplemented the mushrooms and magic food with the least toxic of the Underdark. They built catalogs of monsters: what was edible, what provided useful tools in skin and bone, what was useful as pack and labor monsters. And what to avoid. The Underdark was full of murder. Elvish survival depended on free and open information, the Goddess said. Tell everyone what you learned, write it down, and share, so we survive. The Elvish population condemned to the Underdark stabilized. Death from hunger, misadventure, boiling in steam vents, or monster taped from a daily event to an occurrence. Magic provided light and some food. Steam processed and cooked mushrooms and meat. Salt chipped off walls and frozen side ice-caves preserved food for more than a day. As the explorer groups mapped their world, the Elves moved to safer, larger caverns deeper in. Random rust monsters ate fewer stray Elves. The early years were all about learning: Which monsters were edible and which weren’t. Which monsters were intelligent and which weren’t. Intelligent monsters lied, misdirected, presented mild ethical concerns, and were incredibly tasty. How to cultivate and grow the mushrooms so Elves wouldn’t move into a cave, consume them all like locusts, and move on. How to herd, corral, and breed purple worms. While not tasty, they provided a constant nutritional base. How to harvest the coal and iron from the walls. How to harness the steam. And finally, an important lesson from their Goddess: science was more important than magic, since anyone could perform science, but science combined with magic and technology was the best Elvish recipe for survival. And science needed information. The Elves weren’t starting from scratch. They weren’t condemned to a hunter-gatherer existence of scratching a bare survival from the stone walls. They still had their collective knowledge, and Wizards, from the Fall. The raising, breeding and corralling of the great worms of the Underdark was the biggest challenge. Without a constant source of nutrition and vitamins, the Elves would slowly die. And no one enjoyed breeding giant purple worms. They were massive, they chewed through solid rock, noise attracted them, and they ate Elves as snacks. But they were also enormous, fatty, breed like mad, and 90% meat. One day, the pen would hold two worms. The next day, five. Fully grown. Where they came from, no one knew. Some weird Underdark anti-conservation of energy. The hunters herded the worms into traps and the warlocks solved the burrowing through rock problem with steel, spikes, poison, and magic. And then, the Elves ate. The lack of non-magical permanent light sources was a problem, too. The Elves learned if they cooked coal over steam without oxygen, they got coal gas. Coal gas meant gaslight. At first, they used magic to hollow out the glowing crystals and host lamps. But, that allowed light only where crystals stood. The Elves iterated on a solution. They used the silicate sand from the cavern floors, heated that with hot coal gas, and created spun glass. They had iron and carbon from cave walls. They had steam to create heat and coal to stoke heat further. Soon, the hunter teams went into the Underdark with freshly forged weapons and hung chains of gaslight lamps from cavern walls lighting the way from cave to cave. The Goddess, encouraging her Elves to share what they learned to survive, provided them her spiders. Spiders hid in the dark. Spiders went unnoticed by the creatures roaming the Underdark. Spiders got into corners and built nests. The spiders crafted enormous fragile webs along the chains of the gaslight lamps and up the sides of the caverns. The Goddess granted her Clerics a new Channel Divinity – Web Message. At will, no matter the distance, when one cleric sat at one end of the spider-crafted web, they could point-to-point Message another Cleric at the other end of the web. The other Cleric could then respond. Back and forth, the Clerics spoke to one another in a point to point communications mesh (a telegraph system). As the Elves spread out into the caverns and colonized the Underdark, they built Clerical web communication stations. At first, they sent only status messages. But, the communication stations became critical to the Wizard/scientists working heads down on how to cultivate, herd, steam-automate, and build. The Clerics devised a metal, glass and wire mesh around the spider web channels to protect the cables from roaming monsters or malfeasance. The teams spread out and reinforced communication lines. The Elves spread out to maximize resources. Explorer teams probed the Underdark’s secrets and took Lloth’s spiders with them to build new edges of the great Web. As teams discovered new caverns, each new location hosted a spider, a web, and a thin line of communication. Once the location stabilized, the engineers swooped in and built new permanent links to their central communications core. The Elves connected their communities. They had the web message to come to one hub, and that one hub send out identical messages to all callers. Clerics built more web base stations. Soon anyone, no matter their role in their new universe, connected to Lloth’s Underdark Wide Web. The Wizards even devised a way to allow Web Message to send graphical mental images via Magic Image, but this was, a century later, hailed as a huge mistake. Instead of trying to escape the Underdark, the Elves, realizing they weren’t going to die, decided to seal any possible route in from the upper world. This was their home now. They didn’t need outsiders sniffing around. The Elves had easy access to all kinds of interesting resources: bat guano, sulfur pools, coal, iron, steam, charcoal, copper, nickel, carbon, silicate, silver, gold. Food was a constant and pressing issue, and most of it bit back, but physical and magical resources weren’t. Forget the outside world. Lloth provided the tools to close the few remaining tunnels and exits to the foul, human-encrusted outside. Instead, the Elves built glittering, impossibly delicate cities of steel, gaslight, steam, stone, crystal and glass. Centuries passed. The Deep Elves met the Dwarves (who found them incredibly amusing), the Svirfneblin, the Illithid, and the other intelligent races of the Underdark. They hooked everyone into their Goddess’s Underdark Wide Web and built out spider cables between the great sprawling underground communities. It wasn’t the greatest idea: the Illithids turned into enormous, nearly compulsive web trolls. Goddess of the Underdark Wide Web Lloth is obsessive about sharing knowledge and scientific data among her followers and any who use her systems. As more races board on to Lloth’s Underdark Wide Web, the stronger she grows. Sometimes the data is good. Sometimes the data is bad. But data is all that matters. Knowledge is power. With Knowledge comes information sharing. Information sharing leads to trade (I have mushrooms, you have umber hulk teeth, can we trade) and science. Trade leads to healthy, open markets and science leads to technology. Markets leads to… all kinds of interesting things. There’s that day the one cheeky Deep Elf decides he wants to bet on a trade of this month’s hook horror skins supply to corner the market and things get crazy. As Lloth grows in strength, she threatens worshiper power-bases of the other Greater Gods of Knowledge (including the Unspoken One). No Gods like their worshiper power-based encroached. In retribution, they cast the Deep Elves and their Goddess as crazed, spider-worshiping, murderous psychopaths. Lloth is good with this; it keeps outsiders out of her cities. Until it doesn’t and adventurers come looking for loot. Then she sends out her warriors to kill intruders to keep the core solid and secure. Despite having long sealed the tunnels down, adventurers still find a way. Along with Channel Divinity: Web Message (2nd Level), Lloth grants her Clerics : Blessing of Underdark Knowledge: learn two other Underdark languages (Dwarven, Gnomish, etc) and gain bonuses to two of the following skills: Arcana, Investigation, Religion, Survival 1st Level: Comprehend Languages, Silent Image (Memes) 3rd Level: Spider Climb, Magic Mouth 5th Level: Sending, Tongues 7th Level: Arcane Eye, Divination 9th Level: Scrying, Legend Lore At 6th Level, the Cleric gains Center of the Web. They can then can use an enhanced Sending to communicate in a mesh from anywhere 2 * Wis Bonus people at once and transmit their responses through the Cleric. Messages increase in size up to 2048 characters in length.** At 8th Level, the Cleric gains Like a Spider. Clerics infuse their weapon with the poison of Lloth’s spider’s bite and web. Once on each turn when the Cleric hits a monster with a weapon, they can add 1D8 points of poison damage. When the Cleric reaches 14th level, damage becomes 2D8 and monster must make a Wis saving throw or be slowed by a Web. At 17th level, the Cleric gains amazing spider-based outfits with ridiculous spider-based hats. The outfits are amazing. (ed note: The above are all spells that will help a communication cleric extend and maintain the web) Lloth’s growth and strength presents a clear and present danger to the Gods outside the Underdark. The Gods encourage their followers to descend to the Underdark cities via blasting through the closed tunnels and kill the Spider Worshipers. While there are now known and open routes between the surface and the Underdark communities despite Underdark best efforts, the Underdark does everything they can to keep the filthy Lawful Good humans Paladins out. It’s all about perspective. * The Deep Elves have an incredible cooking culture based on the highly deadly culinary offerings of the Underdark. They have opinions on mushrooms. They are all about a good gibbering mouther steak. They have access to salt and ice (underground) for meat preservation. But if they only had, say, a little pepper… ** For whatever reason, Lloth determined 2K to be her Holy Commanded Message Packet Buffer Size. From LLOTH, GODDESS OF THE UNDERDARK WIDE WEB by multiplexer (2016) Venus Equilateral Communication Station Artwork by Sparth MacGuffinite▶ ◀Interstellar Empire Atomic Rockets site navigation Atomic Rockets Preliminary Notes For SF Authors Embarking STL Starships Blast-off Engine List 1 Torchships Atomic Fuel Fusion Fuel Antimatter Fuel Spaceship Design Basic Design Habitat Module TransHab Calc Advanced Design Atomic Radiation Artificial Gravity Realistic Designs A-F Realistic Designs G-M Realistic Designs N-Q Realistic Designs R-Z Realistic Fusion Space Tugs Spaceship Decks Sample Deck Plans Control Deck Engine Deck Astrogation Deck Sensor Deck Communication Deck Sickbay Deck Emergency Deck Other Decks Surface to Orbit Space Stations Spaceports Planetary Base Crew and Gear Slugthrower Man Amplifiers & Robots Ground Cars & Flitters Maps of Space Weird Astronomy Respecting Science Reactionless Drives Astromilitary Quasi-Military Space Rescue Weapons Intro Warship Design Warship Gallery Space Fighters Planetary Attack 1 Future Culture Symbols & Insignia Tech and Society 1 Modeling History Space Nations Colony Sites Real Colony Sites Future Money Starship Ownership Spicing It Up MacGuffinite Unobtainium FTL Starships Fabulous Locations Alien Lebensraum High-Tech Aliens Matter Transmitter Atomic Creations Poster: Space Age Atomic Novels Suggested Read Online Calcs Mission Table Calculating History Worked Example Cape Dread RocketCat's World Atomic Rockets notices This week's featured addition is HYBRID ARCJET This week's featured addition is RADIOISOTOPE ELECTROSTATIC This week's featured addition is PROJECT MALLAR Atomic Rockets utilities Atomic Rockets search Support Atomic Rockets Atomic Rockets information ©1995-2019 Winchell Chung (鄭) (ᚾᚤᚱᚫᚦ) ρ=Σ+Ψ Page last modified Dec. 8, 2019, 17:42 UTC Website design and coding by Matthew Lam. Michroma font used under OPL 1.1.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340225
__label__cc	0.517462	0.482538	Join In SA’s Cutest Celebration This Saturday Travelstarter @Travelstart Is it a sheep? Is it a llama? No… it’s an alpaca! Nadia Krige visits Helderstroom Alpacas just outside Villiersdorp to find out more about these cute camelids and why it’s worth taking a mini road trip to hang out with one on 30 April 2016 aka National Alpaca Day. It’s an early Saturday morning and the little corner of the Overberg we find ourselves in is bathed in that special sort of Autumn light that lends an aesthetic otherworldliness to this time of year. Adding to the feeling of being suspended somewhere outside of reality, we’re standing at the edge of a paddock filled with creatures that look as though they have stepped straight out of the most imaginative of Pixar animations. Soft barrel-shaped bodies in an array of sizes and colours – white, brown, black, grey – rest on four woolly legs, the front two markedly knock-kneed, and long necks extend elegantly upward, ending the most ridiculously character-filled faces. Some sport cheeky coifs and others have chubby cheeks, there are pronounced overbites and strong jawlines, but there are two features they all share: large, long-lashed eyes and soft ears, pricked inquisitively at everything happening around them. They all seem aware of our presence and a few of the younger ones cautiously make their way over to take a closer look at the intriguing intruders. Alison Notley – chairperson of the South African Alpaca Breeders’ Society (SAABS) and co-owner – along with her husband, Christopher – of Helderstroom Alpacas, introduces me to them one by one. “You see this stocky white one? That’s Salt. And these two dark little ones are Magnum and Ebony. (The names are charmingly appropriate!) That mottled grey boy over there is a very special colour indeed and named Mappin, while tiny Tangle over here is just two days old.” Located in a picturesque, hidden valley about 10km outside of Villiersdorp, Helderstroom is a 4.8ha smallholding where Alison and Christopher have been breeding alpacas for the past 12 years. They started out with a shipment of five pregnant (in cria) females from Chile back in 2004 and have since seen their herd grow to its current size of 52. The paddock we’re in has about 30 alpacas milling around, 11 of which are recent moms to 11 adorable babies and an adjacent field is home to a handful of energetic young males. A few herd sires (males used for breeding) are kept a little way off, as they have a tendency toward aggression that the ‘girls’ typically don’t possess. Astoundingly, each alpaca has a name and each a special place in the hearts of Alison and Christopher. “We came down from Zimbabwe in 2002, in search of a new place to live and stumbled upon Helderstroom. While the original idea was to have a large enough piece of land to keep my horses, it all changed when I read an article about the first pallet-load of alpacas that had been delivered to South Africa circa 2003. This strange new agri-industry intrigued me and seemed like something worth exploring. Our five females arrived on the very next shipment in 2004,” she recalls. So, wait… alpacas actually have a purpose beyond being cute? I ask Alison incredulously. Well, it seems they certainly have… and a rather elevated one, at that. Alpacas are the bearers of some of the finest fibre in the world, highly sought-after for the production of garments that are both warm and cosy, but also lightweight and low maintenance. “The diameter of an average human hair is about 100 microns, whereas the diameter of alpaca fiber is between 15 and 30 microns, which mean that it really is super light and super fine,” Alison explains. She adds that, unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fibre contains zero lanolin, which means that minimal washing is required after shearing. It’s also non-allergenic, water-resistant and fire retardant. “Not to mention the fact that since alpacas are the most colour diversified fibre-bearing animal on the planet, it also comes in up to 22 different natural shades,” she adds. While the actual alpacas are admittedly a quaint drawcard for visitors, there is a second facet to Helderstroom Alpacas: the production of once-off, handmade garments. Once the alpacas have been sheared, Alison, along with master spinners Brenda Willemse and Theresa Jansen, set about hand-spinning the fibre into workable yarn. This then gets sent off to about 20 women throughout the Overberg, who knit and crochet an exclusive range of garments: gloves, scarves, beanies and shawls, but also jerseys, jumpers, dresses and skirts. Being hand-made from start to finish and 100% organic, it’s hardly surprising that alpaca wool clothing does come with quite the price tag.These items are sold in a little shop on the property, but are also available at various exclusive markets throughout the Western Cape as well as at the Bryanston Organic Market in Johannesburg. National Alpaca Day Since Alison and Christopher started out in 2004, it is not only their own herd that has been growing steadily, but also the ‘national herd’. “The number of alpacas in the country currently stands at around 4 000,” says Alison, adding that breeders and farms can be found throughout the country. As part of an effort to introduce the general public to this emerging agri-industry, SAABS decided to instate National Alpaca Day early last year. After a successful first run in 2015, the second annual Alpaca Day is set to take place across the country on Saturday, 30 April 2016. “It’s basically an awareness day where various alpaca breeders will be opening their gates to the public,” she explains. Festivities will differ from property to property, but guests can expect to enjoy a variety of alpaca-centred activities – from leading and feeding the animals, to hand-spinning lessons and felting craft for kids. Since alpacas tend to be slightly more curious than careful, you may also get a stellar cute animal selfie opportunity. Where to celebrate National Alpaca Day will be celebrated at 13 different properties in four different provinces – Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. Here’s a round-up of farms and breeders that will be open to the public on National Alpaca Day:  Alliepad Alpakkas in Golden Valley, Magaliesburg  Arum Alpacas in Meyerton  Cherre Ann Hill in Kameeldrift West  A Capella Alpakkas in Centurion  Magic Alpacas in Kempton Park  Serena Alpacas in Mooi River  Mistique Alpacas in Wakkerstroom.  Helderstroom Alpacas in Villiersdorp  The Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio on the Old Paarl Road  Akelei Alpakas in Philadelphia  Quenti Alpaca & Mill in Wellington  Willowbrook Alpacas in Noordhoek Visit the SAABS website for more details. Arts & Culture, Travel, National Alpaca Day Have something to say... Cancel reply Teens: under 2 yrs Get Our Latest Posts by Email The Pros and Cons of Booking Holiday Packages... Shop ‘Til You Drop at the Dubai Shopping Festival... Spoil Yourself on a Buddhist Retreat in KZN... Spoil Yourself on a Buddhist Retreat in KZN Perched on a ridge at the head of a valley,… 6 Reasons to Visit the Dubai Shopping Festival The Dubai Shopping Festival is an annual… Pros and Cons of Booking Holiday Packages There’s no denying it. Planning a holiday… Travelstart South Africa Follow @Travelstart Mango Airlines Africa/Regional Flights Europe/UK Flights North America Flights Oceania Flights Cheap flights to Cape Town Cheap flights to Durban Cheap flights to East London Cheap flights to Johannesburg Cheap flights to Pretoria Copyright © 1999-2020 Travelstart Online Travel Operations Pty LTD. Invented in Sweden, made with in Sunny Cape Town. https://www.travelstart.co.za/servlet/newsletter-signup Blog Sign Up and Save	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340227
__label__wiki	0.828106	0.828106	Did Pindling Swipe At Wilchcombe? As of Thursday, August 22, 2019 EDITOR, The Tribune. For Monique Pindling, daughter of the late Sir Lynden Pindling, hitching her family’s prominent name to the Brave Wave bandwagon made good political sense. Politics is not entirely altruistic in The Bahamas. With Philip “Brave” Davis being fully entrenched as leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in a no contest election at the party’s convention, Pindling’s full endorsement would be interpreted as political expediency by those on the outside looking in, amid rumours of her harbouring political aspirations. I sincerely believe that Ms Pindling desires to follow in the footsteps of her legendary father. Her ambiguous call for individuals to stop abusing her father’s name at the recent PLP convention is being seen by some political analysts as a subtle swipe at former West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe, who had invoked Pindling’s name on several occasions leading up to the convention election for the chairmanship position against Fred Mitchell. If the assumption of these politicos is correct, it is difficult to see where Wilchcombe is guilty of abusing Pindling’s name. Obviously Wilchcombe had aimed on ushering in feelings of nostalgia among PLP delegates by mentioning the name of Pindling. But with thousands of Bahamian millennials and generation Y’s who are obviously not sentimentally attached to the Pindling brand, Wilchcombe’s campaign strategy failed to gain traction with these two youthful demographics within the PLP, as evidenced by Mitchell’s 464 margin of victory over the former tourism minister. With the endorsements of Davis and the Pindling clan for Mitchell, it would’ve taken an act of God for Wilchcombe to gain the upset win. The cards were apparently stacked against him. It will be interesting to watch the race for the nominations in West End and Bimini and Fox Hill, with calls for losing candidates in 2017 to be rejected by the party in 2022. If PLP National Chair Fred Mitchell gets the nod in the latter constituency, while Wilchcombe is rejected in the former, it would then be another classic example of a double standard being unfairly applied to the former tourism minister, as Mitchell also suffered defeat in 2017. For what it’s worth, Pindling’s mild rebuke at the convention must’ve been both disappointing and embarrassing to the Wilchcombe camp. It was an overkill, with an apparent aim at bolstering the Mitchell campaign while weakening Wilchcombe’s. Of all the subjects Pindling had at her disposal, she chose this particular one. One needn’t be a PhD in political science to figure out who Pindling was indirectly addressing. It must’ve been an awkward situation for the Wilchcombe camp. It would appear that the Pindling clan and the Brave Wave camp went out of their way to make Wilchcombe feel like an outsider in a party he has been a member of for decades; and all because he exercised his democratic right in challenging Mitchell. Wilchcombe is one of the very few PLP MPs who managed to come out of the last Christie administration unscathed. Yet it would appear that he is being punished by the top brass of the organisation he has been devoted to for decades. What’s more, PLP operatives had taken the initiative to write several broadsides on Wilchcombe on social media and on a particular fake news site leading up to the convention. To the best of my knowledge, these operatives have not been reprimanded by the leadership of the party. This is vintage political cannibalism. When Monique Pindling issued a scathing rebuke to the PLP in October 2017 at another convention, former Prime Minister Perry Christie suggested that Pindling should have reprimanded the party in a private setting. I disagree with Christie. However, with her latest scolding, it should have been done privately, as it gives the impression that Wilchcombe is being ruthlessly cannibalised by the party. KEVIN EVANS Grand Bahama, Obie stunt blows up in his face Cooper: We are in a fight for the soul of our nation Christie - no need for public criticism Leslie Miller test FNM: Convention shows PLP not fit to govern	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340228
__label__wiki	0.537622	0.537622	Matches 651 - 700 out of 9,644 < 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 > Document Document Title WO/2011/127497A1 SWITCHING DEVICE In a switching device (1) with a first movable switching contact (2) which, in a first switch position, bears against a first contact piece (3), and with a second moving switching contact (4) which, in the first switching position, bears... WO/2011/124518A1 OVERCURRENT SWITCHING DEVICE The invention relates to an overcurrent switching device for an electric circuit to be monitored, comprising interruptor contacts (14) designed such that an interruption of the electric circuit is caused in response to exceeding a predet... WO/2011/120418A1 CLOSING DEVICE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH CLOSING DEVICE A closing device and a circuit breaker with the closing device. The closing device comprises a chamber, a closing drive mechanism (11), a volume-variable component (7), a driver (9), and a closing handle (2), in which the closing drive m... WO/2011/112450A1 IMPROVED TIE -DOWN ACCESSORY FOR CIRCUIT BREAKER Electrical circuit breakers (10) in an electrical panelboard (21) are equipped with tie-down devices (20) to secure the circuit breakers (10) to the panelboard (21). Each circuit breaker (10) includes a standard housing or case having a ... WO/2011/112159A1 PROTECTIVE ELECTRIC SWITCH The purpose of the invention is to create such protective electric switch, which should upon integration thereof into each desired electric circuit interrupt such circuit either in the case of thermal overloading or also in the case, whe... WO/2011/109497A1 CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIP UNIT SUPPORT A support for anchoring a trip unit of a circuit breaker to a base thereof to prevent separation of the trip unit from the base during a short circuit fault. The support has top-facing two locking tabs that snap into place behind a wall ... WO/2011/107858A1 ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND STATUS INDICATING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR A status indicating assembly (100) is provided for an electrical switching apparatus (2), such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing (4), separable contacts (6) enclosed by the housing (4), and an operating mechani... WO/2011/106261A1 PROTECTIVE SWITCH WITH STATUS DETECTION A protective switch assembly (100) includes switch position sensors (109) that sense switch blade (14) position and indicate whether one or more switches (104) are open. According to another aspect, the voltage and current of the switch ... WO/2011/097907A1 CIRCUIT BREAKER CLOSING/OPENING ACTUATING MECHANISM AND DRIVING DEVICE THEREOF A circuit breaker closing/opening actuating mechanism and driving device thereof, the said driving device comprises an expander (12) and a heater (13), wherein the said expander is coordinately connected with a force transmitting mechani... WO/2011/097690A1 CIRCUIT-BREAKER LOCK This invention patent relates to an assembly (1) for locking, signalling and preventing the re-energising of a wide variety of electricity distribution centres, panels and control boxes; for Brazilian, American (NEMA) and/or European (DI... WO/2011/091822A1 INSTALLATION SWITCHGEAR HAVING LOCKABLE HOUSING HALVES The invention relates to installation switchgear (10), comprising an insulating-material housing (11), which has two housing halves (13, 14) placed onto each other along a circumferential joint line (12), and comprising connecting means ... WO/2011/091972A1 CONNECTION ELEMENT AND MULTI-POLE PROTECTIVE SWITCHING DEVICE The invention relates to a connection element for assembling a multi-pole power protection switch unit (100) from mutually overlapping protection switches (101, 101', 101", 101'"), comprising a rail (10) spanning the switch knob (11) of ... WO/2011/077054A1 ELECTRICAL LINE PROTECTION LOCK MECHANISM WITH A DIFFERENTIAL FUNCTION The invention relates to a lock mechanism for an electrical line protection device with differential function associated with circuit breakers and comprising an electromagnet having adjustable core (22) and a winding (21), a linking shaf... WO/2011/078957A1 ELECTRONIC MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH TRIP INDICATION USING THE BREAKER TRIPPING FUNCTION AS THE FEEDBACK MECHANISM A method for identifying a type of fault condition in a circuit breaker includes monitoring a branch circuit for a fault condition. In response to detecting the fault condition, interrupting current flow through the branch circuit. The t... WO/2011/036261A3 TRIP UNIT The present trip unit is an earth leakage device for switching off a mechanism in the case of detecting an earth leakage current. The closed housing (2) is protecting the movable parts of the actuation unit inside the housing from iron p... WO/2011/075931A1 MECHANICAL HIGH VOLTAGE BREAKER WITH FUNCTION OF SHORT CIRCUIT SELF-LOCKING A mechanical high voltage breaker with the function of short circuit self-locking comprises a high voltage breaker main body, a short circuit detection unit for detecting whether a short circuit failure occurs in the phase line of a high... WO/2011/075018A1 ELECTRIC HAND TOOL WITH ACTIVATION INDICATION DEVICE The invention relates to an electrically powered hand tool which comprises a device for providing tactile feedback to an operator of the tool. The tool further comprises a user-operated trigger for activating the working member of the to... WO/2011/073540A1 ASSEMBLY FOR PROTECTING AGAINST POWER SURGES The invention relates to a protection assembly including a protection module (20) that comprises at least one varistor (1) having an operation power threshold. A cutoff apparatus (21), connected to the protection module (20), includes a ... WO/2011/027120A3 MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKER A miniature circuit breaker (1) having a control unit (22) arranged to produce a trip signal to trigger a trip mechanism (20) into opening a pair of contacts (8,10) if it determines that an overcurrent condition occurs based on an output... WO/2011/070424A1 SPLATTER RESISTANCE IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS A circuit breaker includes at least trip mechanism component that has been provided with a splatter resistant surface. The splatter resistant surface significantly reduces the amount of "metal splatter that adheres to the component, incr... WO/2011/063768A1 MULTIFUNCTIONAL BREAKER ACCESSORY A multifunctional breaker accessory comprises a shell (1) inside which auxiliary contacts are arranged. The auxiliary contacts are composed of a movable contact (6) and fixed contacts (7, 8). The movable contact is connected with a handl... WO/2011/059350A1 CIRCUIT BREAKER PROTECTION AND DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM The circuit breaker protection and diagnostics system comprising the electrical signals acquisition module, transmission module, parameterization module and decision module characterized in that it includes the non-electrical signals acq... WO/2011/057753A1 ELECTRIC INSTALLATION SWITCHING DEVICE The invention relates to an electric installation switching device (10), in particular a circuit breaker, comprising a magnetic trigger (73) and/or a thermal trigger (75), a switching lock with a latching point (49, 45), and a switching ... WO/2011/057573A1 ELECTRICAL PROTECTION DEVICE An electrical protection device includes a first control device (A) and a second control device (B). The first control device includes a first electromagnetic coil (2) mounted around a first sheath (14), a fixed core (7) fixed to an end ... WO/2011/057574A1 THERMAL-ELECTROMAGNETIC TRIP UNIT AND JUMP PIN MECHANISM A jump pin mechanism for a tripping device comprises a jump pin (30) for driving a breaker to be released, a draw bar (10) pivotally mounted on a housing (101) of the tripping device, an energy storage spring, and a restoring spring for ... WO/2011/057049A1 NON-INTRUSIVE MONITORING OF POWER AND OTHER PARAMETERS Methods and apparatus for non- intrusive power monitoring and current measurement in a circuit breaker (104) without modification of the breaker panel or the circuit breaker itself. In one example, an inductive pickup sensor (210) senses... WO/2011/054629A1 SWITCH, IN PARTICULAR A POWER SWITCH FOR LOW VOLTAGES The invention relates to a switch (1), in particular a power switch for low voltages, comprising a handle (2) for activation and deactivation, an actuating device (3) arranged on the side of the handle (2) on the switch (1), said device ... WO/2011/054448A1 ELECTRIC INSTALLATION SWITCHING DEVICE COMPRISING AN IMPACT LEVER The invention relates to an electric installation switching device (10), in particular a circuit breaker, comprising a housing (11), a switching mechanism (15) that can be triggered by a thermal (30) and/or magnetic (31) actuator, a latc... WO/2011/053641A1 FLEXIBLE NON-FRANGIBLE AMPERAGE FLAG FOR MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKERS A flexible amperage flag (206) that indicates an amperage rating of a trip unit (202) in a circuit breaker (200). The flag is molded with a housing of the trip unit so that it remains with the trip unit even when installed into a differe... WO/2011/044749A1 PRECISE TRIPPER A precise tripper is mainly made up of an electronic control system (1), a tripping mechanism (2) and a current sensor (3). The precise tripper compares the collected load current with the rated current, and saves a proportionality coeff... WO/2011/045428A1 MULTIPOLE ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE The invention relates to a multipole electrical switching device (1) with at least two switching poles (7), with a drive mechanism (12) and with a switching shaft (28), which is capable of rotating under the effect of the drive mechanism... WO/2011/041843A1 3 PHASE RCBO A 3 phase RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overload) only 3 DIN modules wide as a result of space savings achieved by not switching the neutral circuit and the location of both neutral contacts at one end of the device. A truly mechan... WO/2011/043808A1 MAGNET AIDED SOLENOID FOR AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH A solenoid (12) is provided for an electrical switch. The solenoid (12) includes a coil (50) having a passageway extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis (96). The solenoid (12) also includes a movable core (46) having a ... WO/2011/038566A1 INNER INTELLIGENT BREAKER AND MICRO-BREAKER HAVING FUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC CLOSING An inner intelligent breaker and a micro-breaker, with the function of automatic closing. The breaker includes a case body in which a breaker action mechanism is disposed, an input terminal (115) and an output terminal (113). The breaker... WO/2011/038567A1 INTELLIGENT BREAKER WITH FUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC CLOSING An intelligent breaker with the function of automatic closing includes a breaker body. The breaker body includes: an upper cover (11) on which a opening slot (111) is disposed and two ends of which correspond to the opening or closing po... WO/2011/036376A1 COMMON STRUCTURE FOR PRODUCING N-PHASE PROTECTION UNITS, AND NEUTRALS The invention relates to a common structure for producing n-phase protection units and to a neutral, said structure consisting of a differential stage (1), having a switch trigger for opening the neutral, and n circuit breakers (2) that ... WO/2011/033181A1 SINGLE-POLE CUTOFF UNIT COMPRISING A ROTARY CONTACT BRIDGE, CUTOFF DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A UNIT, AND CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE The invention relates to a cutoff unit including a contact bridge (22), at least one stationary contact (41, 51) engaging with said contact bridge, and a rotary bar (26) having a transverse opening for receiving (21) said bridge which pr... WO/2011/028822A1 MODULAR TEST SWITCH A modular test switch assembly includes a plurality of stackable features that may be arranged in a variety of configurations. Each module includes a test switch and includes features to engage adjoining modules in the assembly. The enti... A miniature circuit breaker having a control unit arranged to produce a trip signal to trigger a trip mechanism into opening a pair of contacts if it determines that an overcurrent condition occurs based on an output of a current sensor;... WO/2011/024529A1 CIRCUIT BREAKER A circuit breaker is provided wherein even if a material property (thermal conductivity) of the stud varies, the number of structural changes of a case and the like can be minimized. A stud (20) comprises a base (21), which is housed in ... WO/2011/023458A1 ATTACHMENT MODULE FOR DETECTION OF A SWITCHING STATE OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHING DEVICE The invention relates to an attachment module for detection of a switching state of an electromagnetic switching device which has a switch housing in which an operating means is arranged, which is in the form of a plunger (6) and one end... WO/2011/018113A1 HYBRID CIRCUIT BREAKER A hybrid circuit breaker for interrupting fault currents comprises a mechanical switch (31) through which a normal current is passed, the mechanical switch being arranged to open in case of being exposed to a fault current; and a semicon... WO/2011/015263A1 A DISCONNECTOR FOR ELECTRIC POWER EQUIPMENT FILLED WITH DIELECTRIC LIQUID A disconnector for electric power equipment filled with dielectric liquid, especially transformers, applicable in protecting the operation of electric power equipment. The disconnector contains at least two cylindrical current-limiting f... WO/2011/012806A1 ROTATABLE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BREAKER APPARATUS The invention relates to a rotatable control system for an electric apparatus for cutting off at least one line in the event of an overload or a short-circuit, said system being arranged on a secondary cover (2) that is pivotably removab... WO/2011/012389A1 ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHING DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE ATTACHMENT The invention relates to a combination of at least one electromagnetic switching device (1), in particular a contactor, with an interchangeable attachment (2) with an integrated printed circuit board (8), wherein the switching device (1)... WO/2010/124782A8 MECHANICAL LATCH UNIT FOR A MAIN DRIVE UNIT The invention is related to a mechanical latch unit (1 ) for a main drive (120) unit with a permanently coupled four bar latch mechanism within a housing (9), - with a first link (20) with a base end connected with the housing (9) via a ... WO/2011/003751A1 POWER SWITCH HAVING INTEGRATED TRIGGER AND DRIVE UNIT The invention relates to a power switch having switch contacts that are opened via a switch shaft, which, when the switch is triggered, is actuated by means of the trigger slider of a trigger unit (1), in particular a working current tri... WO/2010/149134A1 MAGNETIC TRIGGER MECHANISM The invention relates to a magnetic trigger mechanism at least comprising a yoke having an armature opening, in which yoke an armature is placed, which armature is coaxially surrounded by at least one section of the coil body having at l... WO/2010/145756A1 ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BREAKER The invention relates to a compact electronic circuit breaker (1) that is simple to assemble. The circuit breaker (1) comprises an insulating housing (2), a switch contact (46) for reversibly contacting a load power circuit (26) to be mo...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340233
__label__wiki	0.543869	0.543869	Pierrot de Wit – Bradley Wiggins’ and Eddy Merckx’s Soigneur Home Diaries Le Tour de France 2009 – Stage 5: Le Cap d’Agde >... Le Tour de France 2009 – Stage 5: Le Cap d’Agde > Perpignan, 196.5km Martin Williamson Today’s fifth stage from Le Cap d’Agde saw the first successful breakaway of this year’s Le Tour de France. Thomas Voeckler held off the chasing peloton by seven seconds to win out of a five-man escape in the flat but windy 196.5km course from Cap d’Agde to Perpignan. Russian rider Mikhail Ignatiev also held on from the break to claim second with British sprint phenom Mark Cavendish leading the pack snapping at their heels for third. Thomas Voekler takes the stage, after attacking the break with just under 5km to go, a gutsy and intelligent ride. Thor Hushovd led Cervélo Test Team across the line with 10th while Carlos Sastre finished in the main bunch to remain 29th overall at 2:44 behind race leader Fabian Cancellara. Robert Gesink was obviously in pain as he chased after a fall with two teammates – now we know why, he had a broken wrist. There were no major shake ups in the overall classification. Carlos Sastre said; “The fifth stage of this Tour was nervous from the beginning. It was open country, with narrow roads, crossing from left to right with a lot of cross winds and headwinds. During the stage there were some splits. “Once again I felt very protected by my teammates and we didn’t have any problems, always staying at the front and in good position. We’ve cleared another important day of this Tour and we’re getting closer and closer to the Pyrenees.” Pippo has been told to change his Italian Champ’s jersey – it’s not what the Italian Federation reckon represents the tricolore porperly. Brett Lancaster also commented; “From the start, with the quality of guys in the break, we knew it was going to be hard to pull them back. “Thor is quite happy when he’s been up there in the sprints. It was a bit of a mess of a sprint, but that break stayed away in the end. “There was a tense moment when the course turned into strong crosswinds and the pack split into four groups as it braced against the fierce winds. “We knew it was going to split right there at the lake where it was windy, so we did a good job keeping Carlos at the front. The team felt good today and took it easier after the team time trial. Carlos was real satisfied with how the team rode yesterday.” Tour 09 Stage 5 Map. Tour 09 Stage 5 Profile. We’re looking forward to tomorrow now, as the Tour continues with the 181.5km sixth stage from Girona to Barcelona in Spain. The undulating course hugs the spectacular coast road along Catalunya’s Costa Brava before turning inland and looping around toward Barcelona, one of Europe’s most dazzling cities. Cav keeps his green jersey today, after taking the points for third on the stage. There’s a relatively easy Cat. 4 climb at La Conreria with 22.5km to go, but that shouldn’t slow down the peloton. The stage finishes atop the short but steep Montjuic hill overlooking Barcelona’s main harbour. The road is steep enough – with ramps as steep as 6 percent – to split up the main pack and give the peloton’s punchy climber’s a chance to win the stage. Should be good! Al Hamilton Yesterday’s team time trial was a show of domination from the strongest team on this years Tour… Astana! AS front cover this morning. AS starts with “Por 22 centésimas” [for 22 hundreds], Astana win and Armstrong is not the leader by a fraction of a second. All fairly obvious, but there must have been words in the Astana camp as it seems that the plan was to put Lance in yellow yesterday and then Bert can take over later, mmm, well! On the second Tour page we have quotes from Armstrong; “Astana si que puede tener a dos lideres” – so it is two leaders again. Who really knows what’s going on at Astana – perhaps they don’t even know themselves. We also have Contador; “El veiernes (Ordino Arcalis) llega ya mi terreno…” – on Friday we enter my terrain… Andorra here we come. Is that the plan now? Lance for yellow in the next two days and then Bert takes over later? I think when the Texan has that jersey he won’t want to loose it, and we will see more Astana team fall-out. AS also run all the headlines form around the Sporting World along the top of two pages, not unexpectedly they all say much the same thing, the headline “¿Armstrong y Bruyneel le estan hacienda la cama a Contador?” Basically are Bruyneel and Armstrong in the bed of the house of Contador? Not the way I would put it, but we know what they mean. Carlos Sastre thought the result was positive and was happy with the work of the team, which was not what Cadel Evans thought of his team; “The team was not prepared for this kind of race – except Lloyd and Wegelius, Silence has very young cyclists”. Looking forward to the Tour entering Cataluña today and for the next few days [Cataluña covers a large area of France, Spain and Andorra], the ERC (Catalan Independence Party) are encouraging everyone to fly the flags of either Catalonia or the Independence flag, and even the old pre-Franco Spanish Socialist flag with the purple stripe at the bottom. Also to celebrate the Tour coming to Barcelona and the 50th anniversary of Bahamontes winning the Tour, the Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu, with the help of Miguel Indurain, unveiled a commemorative town square. The return of the back page lovely today was with Brooklyn Decker, wife of Andy Roddick – see, there is a sporting connection! Mrs. Roddick. ¡Hasta Luego! Al. ‘Tommy’ Voeckler is that rare bird — a French rider that Viktor can tolerate and who can actually win races. Shame about the nick name; “Le Chou-Chou”…excuse me, I have to throw up — ahh, that’s better. His win in stage 5 was good for the race; it is Le Tour de France after all, the heady days of Hinault and Fignon have gone, so stage wins are as good as it gets for the French fans — and maybe a day or two in yellow. I’ve managed to catch all the finales live on TV thus far and I saw Voeckler arrive in solitary splendour, shake his head, smile, wave to the crowd, kiss his wedding ring, blow kisses to the crowd then wait for his team mates to cross the line; cuddling them one after another. Call me a sad old fool, but I like all that stuff — its part of what makes our sport special. Skil-Shimano have been trying hard; they’ll suffer for that in the mountains but full marks to them for enlivening the race whilst they can — it was Albert Timmer’s turn yesterday, to show the jersey in the break of the day. Kenny van Hummel is no slouch – he’s won five races this year. Their sprinter, Van Hummel is quick, not Cav quick (but who is?), but quick nonetheless — he’s won five races so far, this year including a stage in the Four Days of Dunkirk; he was also second in the Scheldeprijs — let’s hope we get the chance to see him in action. I’ve been chatting to their “Man From Japan,” Fumy Beppu; he’s just so enthusiastic, you can tell that he loves the sport and is having the time of his life in this Tour. Talking of talking to people; after the TTT I thought it would be good to talk to one of those heroic Garmin guys — I thought that Ryder Hesjedal would be a good bet, with him being Canadian I figured that the Pez Meister might have a number for him. No dice, so he got hold of the Garmin PR, but it was all taking too long, I had a deadline. The Garmin DS, Matt White is a good guy and very approachable, so I rang him and had a little chat with Fumy. Last night I had an interview set up with Tyler Farrar — another polite, approachable, feet-on-the-ground but fast man. But then Hesjedal’s mobile number arrived from Slipstream — you can’t not take advantage of that; I rattled my questions together and picked up the phone. At this stage it was looking like I wasn’t going to be talking to Tyler — sometimes riders can’t get back to you; transfers, late dinners, team meets or Media OD all contribute. I got my piece with Ryder — another sound, pleasant, articulate guy; “That’s fine,” I thought, “that’s worked out well!” Then the red light blinked on the BlackBerry, it was Tyler; “Hi Ed, sorry, would now work?” — again, when a guy who is jousting with Cav asks you to call him, you don’t say; “no!” Anyway, I was up at 05:30 to convert all those squiggles into copy and write this. I hope you’re enjoying our efforts, Gord seems to have slipped off the radar but we’ll see if we can get him back. We asked Al to to buy all the Spanish sports newspapers, but we don’t think he minds really! Al’s still there though, down at Javi’s Bar in Polop, wading through them Spanish sports papers and drinking café con leche — all just for you! Barca, today — wish I was there! Previous articleGiving It A Go In Belgium Next articleLe Tour de France 2009 – Stage 6: Gérone > Barcelona, 181.5km Martin is our Editor, Web site Designer and Manager, and concentrates on photography. He's been involved in cycling for over 42 years and has raced for many of them, having a varied career which includes time trials, road and track racing, and triathlons. Martin has been the Scottish 25 Mile TT and 100 Mile TT Champion, the British Points Race League Champion on the track, and was a prolific winner of time trials in his day, particularly hilly ones like the Tour de Trossachs and the Meldons MTT. 11 Years of VeloVeritas – 2017: Roadside at the Tour; Maciej Bodnar! Sagan Saga – Reader’s Rant Le Tour de France 2017 – Stage 21: Montgeron – Paris Champs-Élysées, 103km. Dylan Groenewegen strikes early Le Tour de France 2017 – Stage 20: Marseille, 22.5km ITT. Maciej Bodnar deserves his win Le Tour de France 2017 – Stage 19: Embrun – Salon-de-Provence, 222.5km. Edvald Boasson-Hagen at last! The VV View: Are you still a Believer? Ethan Hayter – World Team Pursuit Champion at 19 13 Years of VeloVeritas – 2015: Un Grande Giorno sulla il Colle Delle Finestre! Eddie Dunbar – u23 Tour of Flanders 2017 Winner; “I decided to go long” John Archibald – “My Games Pursuit was a Dream Ride” John Archibald – CTT 25 Mile Champion with a 48:13 Check out our interview with Davide Rebellin, the Congratulations to John Archibald on winning the R We hear from Ross Lamb about how his season with G We chatted to Mickey Morrison, the man whole was t We were roadside at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, here's Denmark’s Alex Rasmussen just happens to be Zwif Read our interview on VeloVeritas.co.uk with World Read Ed's diary from the roadside at Het Nieuwsbla Annemiek Van Vleuten crosses the line after a 60 m Read our interview with Jake Stewart, second in th Ian Thomson – a Lifetime of Experience as a Rider and... Yanto Barker – the Man Behind the Le Col Brand Kyle Gordon – Big Plans for 2020 and Life in the... Steele Bishop – Four Times World Masters Champion Craig Grieve – Spokes Racing Team Owner Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 6 Bradley Wiggins wins the British Road Championships 2011 Scottish 10 Mile Time Trial Championship 2010 – inc. the Jason... KBC Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde – Day 2, Middelkerke to Zottegem The VV View: Smugness Or Sadness? Nuggets January 25, 2011 I've known John for 43 years; we went to school together and although there have been spells when our lives have gone in different directions for a while, it takes us about three minutes to pick up the thread and it's as if we've never been out of touch. John has lung cancer, one tumour in his lungs and three in his brain; he starts chemo and radio therapy, this week. When his son asked me what I thought, immediately I said; 'look at old Lance, he was at death's door and came back to win seven Tours.' Il Giro d’Italia 2014 – Stage 7; Frosinone – Foligno, 214 km. Desperate Nacer... Race Reviews May 16, 2014 'Desperate' is defined as; ‘having a great need or desire for something.’ It was Vik who used the word when describing Bouhanni’s win in Bari in that ‘semi-neutralised’ slippery Stage Four. Bouhanni had to change a wheel with 13 K to go and rain slick roads or not, the Frenchman and his domestiques rode like madmen to get him where he had to be. The man was desperate to win. He was the same today; F des J put the most savagery into the chasing down of the five escapees – for a long time I thought they’d stay clear. But F des J more than any other team wanted them back – and Bouhanni didn’t disappoint.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340238
__label__cc	0.735267	0.264733	articles by N. Duits articles by M. van Casteren articles by W. van den Brink articles by Th.A.H. Doreleijers CME-test Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 47 (2005) 8, 511 - 518 « previous overview next » Assessing the risk of a recurrence of violence in adolescents. N. Duits, M. van Casteren, W. van den Brink, Th.A.H. Doreleijers background The assessment for juvenile courts of the risk of the recurrence of violence in adolescents needs to be improved. aim To obtain answers to the following question: which factors in the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (savry), an instrument used to assess violence risk in adolescents, are to be found in reports compiled for juvenile courts and which of these factors correlate with the unstructured clinical judgments concerning the recurrence of violence? method We studied 100 diagnostic assessment files of adolescents (aged 12-18) who had appeared in court suspected of having committed violent crime. Our main purpose was to find out which of the 30 savry-items (10 historical, 6 contextual and 8 individual and 6 protective items) these reports included. Using logistic regression analysis we established a relationship between the savry-items and the clinical judgments of the risk of the recurrence of violence. results Most of the savry-factors occurred in (nearly) all the files. Five historical items and the contextual item 'rejection by peers' did not appear in 25-62% of the reports. Individual items, particularly 'negative attitudes' and 'psychopathic traits', were found to be most powerful predictors of the risk of the recurrence of violence. Historical items seemed to play a minor role. conclusion The use of savry-items as a checklist in the risk assessment for juvenile court could be a worthwhile basis for further research aimed at improving the accuracy of clinical judgments of the risk of further violence by adolescents. [tijdschrift voor psychiatrie 47(2005)8, 511-518] keywords adolescents, forensic psychiatry, risk assessment, violence © Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340243
__label__cc	0.610477	0.389523	2nd Referendum Post subject: 2nd Referendum Really dislike the phrase 'People's Vote', FFS who else f***ing well votes bar the people? That said I was interested to read comments from the Labour Party Chairman. Ian Lavery, the Labour party chairman, has hit out at a section of pro-remain campaigners for sneering at “ordinary people” with pro-Brexit views and sniping at those who want to see the results of the 2016 poll respected. As Jeremy Corbyn faces intense pressure to back a “people’s vote” in the wake of the European elections, Lavery argued in an article for the Guardian that Labour would not win a general election “simply by fighting for the biggest share of the 48%” Struggle to disagree with that. rayggb Post subject: Re: 2nd Referendum And if it's 52% remain 48% leave can we have best out 3 ? Or 5 ?.Apparently 90% of MPs went to university,now that tells me common sense is not their forte !. bloodnock I seem to recall the people already had voted, they voted to leave. And if that shower of liars at Westminster decide to a Add a remain box on the ballot paper to the peoples vote then it's simply just another EU referendum, or if they Add a remain box, a Take the Deal on offer Box or a No deal box on the ballot paper then it's nothing more than a cynical ploy to split the leave vote by enough to ensure we stay, it would be 48% remain and the other 52% leave split to some extent. They are trying to rig the vote to ensure a remain win...that's why we cannot have another vote. bloodnock wrote: Firstly I am against another vote ut if there is one then there would have to be a proviso that if the number who want to leave, with or without a deal outnumber those that want to stay then that is that and the winner would be the highest number of votes for whichever leave deal is on offer. At this stage I would guess that leave without a deal would be more than leave with a deal. I think IF they do have a fresh referendum then there should be 4 options to vote for 2 for stay 2 for leave 1) stay as things are 2) stay in customs union only 3) leave with TM's deal 4) leave with no deal If they vote to remain we want another vote because the first one won. Nidge2 wrote: It's not about whether we leave the EU now or not, it's about whether or not this country is seeing the death of democracy if we have a second vote. trotskys twin Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:11 pm MR T wrote: Another ref can and will be stopped by civil unrest All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity and as such should not be associated with any organisation whatsoever! I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.uK VOTE CORBYN!! JOIN A UNION trotskys twin wrote: Your lot are likely to support another referendum. Theres something wrong with the 2nd vote brigades idea that it is being democratic in wanting a 2nd vote, that idea makes the first vote pointless and by association it makes our electoral majority representational style of democracy worthless. The 2nd vote bridade (the referendum losers) seems to think that democracy won't be served until we get a result that they want. Can't they see the absolute absurdity of their argument in denying the democratic will of the electoral majority just to placate a disgruntled minority, would they discount every past election win, By-Election Win, Local council win and even the somewhat dubious vote that took us into the EU way back in 1975? because the result displeased a minority? Nope....a Second vote is wrong, it kills democracy under the pretence of being democratic. it is minority rule, indeed it's almost mob rule where a minority seeks to overturn a majority vote through non democratic and underhanded means. They also seek a rigged vote designed to split the leave camp by just enough to ensure the one type of remain option wins.....if that goes ahead it'll be more than just democracy that dies it'll be the end of all trust in UK politics for the next 60 years, indeed it'll change politics and embolden the EU style where they have a pretend democratically elected parliament being run by unelected EU presidents who the EU citizens have no vote in electing, the EU elite do as they please, democracy means as little to them as it does to our pro EU 2nd voter fraternity...........and we cant allow that to happen here. If this country wants to move on to a successful future we need to implement referendum 1. If we don't and go for referendum 2 the problems will not end there, they will go on and on and on. All that said I believe leave will win again.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340247
__label__cc	0.724343	0.275657	A Portrait of Dyslexia A Portrait of Dyslexia MAG By AvaJay GOLD, Spokane, Washington More by this author Follow AvaJay AvaJay GOLD, Spokane, Washington Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not pray for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it. ~ Tagore If life gives you melons, you might have dyslexia. For the first few years of our lives, before my older brother Max was diagnosed with dyslexia, he and I were equally matched physically and mentally. We proved this through our favorite game: racing. As we wandered through our orchard, barefoot with holes in the knees of our jeans, he would look at me with that cockeyed, daring grin and ask, “Ya wanna race?” No response needed. I’d be off down the orchard row with him on my heels, and we would finish neck and neck. Whether we were racing to the tops of the poplar trees or through our addition and subtraction flashcards, Max and I always tied. Until we learned to read. The two of us started reading when Max was five and I was three. I learned the alphabet in a matter of days and picked up reading quickly, plowing through readers and on to chapter books with ease. Max struggled. Even after numerous times working through the same readers, he still stumbled over words, forgot which letters made which sounds, and struggled to identify sight words like “the” and “said.” For the first time in my life, I was leaving my big brother in the dust. Why did I suddenly have an advantage? At the age of seven, Max was diagnosed with dyslexia. Dyslexia is a brain abnormality that causes difficulty in reading despite normal intelligence. In other words, if reading was a foot race, dyslexics would be just as physically fit as typical readers but would encounter more obstacles along the race track. The paragraph below is a simulation of normal text seen through the eyes of a dyslexic reader: “Moud a text-ouly sight bee ideale for soweoue mith a reabing bisorber? Harblee. Iwages are uot dab for accessabilledea. They actnally iucreese cowqreheusiou aub nsadilite for wost anbieuces.” (WebAIM) This misinterpretation of words and letters is due to the unusual characteristics of a dyslexic brain. In a typical non-dyslexic brain, the left hemisphere processes language, analytical thought, and reasoning. The left hemisphere is generally used more often and is therefore larger, making the brain asymmetrical. However, the majority of dyslexic brains don’t follow this pattern; they’re symmetric. Here’s how the typical left brain works: Let’s say you’re trying to read the label “This product is not intended for human consumption” (a good sentence to be able to read). First, a part of your brain called the inferior frontal gyrus breaks each word down into phonemes (individual letters or sets of letters that form sounds), turning the phrase into: “Th-i-s p-r-o-d-u-c-t i-s n-o-t i-n-t-e-n-d-ed f-or h-u-m-a-n c-o-n-s-u-m-p-tion.” Next, the words travel to the temporoparietal circuit, which analyzes words by connecting the phonemes. Here, the phrase is converted to: “Th-is pro-duct is not in-tend-ed for hu-man con-sump-tion.” However, once you learn to read fluently, another part of your brain called the occipitotemporal circuit takes over. The occipitotemporal circuit instantly recognizes previously learned words, helping you whiz through written language without having to break each word into pieces before you put the meaning back together. A person with dyslexia has trouble accessing the temporoparietal and occipitotemporal circuits, so they rely on the inferior frontal gyrus. When Max came across the sentence I mentioned on a bottle of fishing bait a few years ago, he read it aloud as “This product not of human constipation.” Here’s what happened in his brain: He had to break “product” down into phonemes and hesitated mid-word, his temporoparietal circuit struggling to piece them together. After this he flat-out skipped over “intended,” trying to save himself the same work. When trying to recognize “for,” his occipitotemporal circuit mistook it for “of.” His mind failed to recognize “consumption,” so he guessed based on the first and last sound of the word. This resulted in him saying “constipation,” eliciting much laughter from everyone listening. In the 1960s, when scientists discovered that typical dyslexic brains are symmetrical, they assumed that the left hemisphere was smaller than that of an average reader due to lack of use. Later, it was discovered that the left hemisphere of a dyslexic brain is actually the same size as that of a non-dyslexic brain; the symmetry comes from the right hemisphere being larger. Dyslexics do just as much work, if not more, with the one reading-oriented part of their left brain that they can easily access, but they also rely on certain parts of the right brain that typical readers do not. The right hemisphere of the brain is used to visualize images and stimulate creativity and intuition. When reading, dyslexics use this part of their brain to guess what a word might be based on reading content and visuals like storybook pictures. They also guess based on the beginning and end sounds of words, like Max did with “consumption.” In the so-called race of life, is Max burdened with a disadvantage? Hardly. When Max and I race these days, there’s always an obvious winner, but if you tallied up our wins and losses, you’d find that we’re still equally matched. Max’s active brain gives him extra creativity and intuition that he uses to his advantage every day. If we’re solving jigsaw puzzles, rushing through the Sunday newspaper, or deciphering a road map, I’ll win every time, but if we’re solving math problems, fixing a broken wristwatch, or reassembling a shotgun, Max will easily finish first. Our strengths and weaknesses are opposites, but they balance well. In a few weeks, cherry season will start and Max and I will begin the long, hard job of bringing in the harvest. In the orchard, I’ll correct his spelling mistakes on bucket labels and help him fill out time cards. He’ll help me finish pruning in time and come up with ingenious ways to prop up fruit-burdened branches using nothing but twigs and black electrical tape. At the end of the day, we’ll get the same size paycheck. And with both of these paychecks safely pocketed in jeans with holes in the knees, we’ll jump on our four-wheelers and race home. © Alexis R., Clarkdale, AZ By Michelle Manthey Hartland, WI Tattler By Meg-darling GOLD Homewood, Illinois Meg-darling GOLD, Homewood, Illinois 13 articles 0 photos 1 comment Diets on Holiday By Spencer Denton Vegeterians- Who says they're lacking nutrition? By Nada Naiyer Dry Blistered Throats By Ashley Pendergrass My Loving Grandfather By Katelyn Espenship This article has 1 comment. SomeoneMagical PLATINUM said... SomeoneMagical PLATINUM, Durham, New Hampshire 22 articles 1 photo 260 comments Good job:)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340252
__label__cc	0.52789	0.47211	Human ancestors started biodiversity decline millions of years ago The human-caused biodiversity decline started much earlier than researchers used to believe. According to a new study the process was not started by our own species but by some of our ancestors. It takes more than two to tango: Microbial communities influence animal sex and reproduction It is an awkward idea, but a couple's ability to have kids may partly depend on who else is present. The reproductive tracts of males and females contain whole communities of micro-organisms. These microbes can have considerable impact on (animal)[…] Microplastics affect sand crabs' mortality and reproduction Sand crabs, a key species in beach ecosystems, were found to have increased adult mortality and decreased reproductive success when exposed to plastic microfibers, according to a new study. Mobile protected areas needed to protect biodiversity in the high seas As the United Nations rewrites the laws of the high seas, the new document should anticipate emerging technologies that allow protected areas to move as animals migrate or adapt to climate change. Scientists unexpectedly witness wolf puppies play fetch When it comes to playing a game of fetch, many dogs are naturals. But now, researchers report that the remarkable ability to interpret human social communicative cues that enables a dog to go for a ball and then bring it[…] The mysterious, legendary giant squid's genome is revealed Important clues about the anatomy and evolution of the mysterious giant squid (Architeuthis dux) are revealed through publication of its full genome sequence. Lame sheep adjust their behavior to cope with their condition Using novel sensing technology, experts have found that lame sheep adjust how they carry out certain actives, such as walking, standing or laying down, rather than simply reducing the amount they do. Male songbirds can't survive on good looks alone Brightly colored male songbirds not only have to attract the female's eye, but also make sure their sperm can last the distance, according to new research. New feathered dinosaur shows dinosaurs grew up differently from birds A new species of feathered dinosaur has been discovered in China. The one-of-a-kind specimen preserves feathers and bones that provide new information about how dinosaurs grew and how they differed from birds. Glimpses of fatherhood found in non-pair-bonding chimps Although they have no way of identifying their biological fathers, male chimpanzees form intimate bonds with them, a finding that questions the idea of fatherhood in some of humanity's closest relatives, according to a study of wild chimpanzees in Uganda.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340256
__label__cc	0.705093	0.294907	Overview of HVAC Heating Assistance Our Mission Goals Our Mission Initiatives Energy efficiency of HVAC Air filtration and cleaning HVAC industry and standards Head-end power Fan coil unit By Governor Jim Douglas Every Vermont family is facing the realities of soaring fuel costs—but Vermont is fighting back. That is why I launched a comprehensive and collaborative program—the Vermont Fuel and Food Partnership—to help Vermonters address increasing home heating, gasoline and food costs by marshalling every available resource in our state. Solving these problems requires an effort that goes beyond government alone and we're fortunate to have a strong network of community-based organizations and programs to help Vermonters when times get tough. Coupled with the programs and service available from local, state and federal governments and our other private and non-profit partners, we can address this challenge and succeed. The Fuel and Food Partnership will bring together all of the creativity, compassion, information and resources in our state to ensure that we make the most of every dollar and that no Vermonter is left in the cold. It will provide Vermonters, through a single entry, access to every available option and empower them with the knowledge they need to lower their energy bills and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. To harness all available resources I established a cabinet-level task force co-chaired by Lt. Governor Brian Dubie. I have asked them to focus every effort and every resource Vermont can bring to bear to help manage the effects of higher energy costs on Vermont families. These are difficult times for working families, but Vermont has faced these kinds of challenges before, and is a national example of how deep community roots and a strong commitment to seeking new solutions can resolve even the most difficult challenges. I know that the strength and determination of Vermonters will lead us past these difficult times and leave us with a state that is stronger and more energy independent than ever before. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the technology of indoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC system design is a subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. "Refrigeration" is sometimes added to the field's abbreviation, as HVAC&R or HVACR or "ventilation" is dropped, as in HACR (as in the designation of HACR-rated circuit breakers). Ventilation includes both the exchange of air to the outside as well as circulation of air within the building. It is one of the most important factors for maintaining acceptable indoor air quality in buildings. Methods for ventilating a building may be divided into mechanical/forced and natural types. HVAC is based on inventions and discoveries made by Nikolay Lvov, Michael Faraday, Willis Carrier, Edwin Ruud, Reuben Trane, James Joule, William Rankine, Sadi Carnot, and many others. Multiple inventions within this time frame preceded the beginnings of first comfort air conditioning system, which was designed in 1902 by Alfred Wolff (Cooper, 2003) for the New York Stock Exchange, while Willis Carrier equipped the Sacketts-Wilhems Printing Company with the process AC unit the same year. Coyne College was the first school to offer HVAC training in 1899. The invention of the components of HVAC systems went hand-in-hand with the industrial revolution, and new methods of modernization, higher efficiency, and system control are constantly being introduced by companies and inventors worldwide. Vermont's Seasonal Fuel Assistance Program https://www.richardmillereplicawatches.com/ . osg777 . cialis . casino online . login s128 . joker123 . best slot site 2018 A Vermont Website	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340257
__label__wiki	0.70482	0.70482	qt reader general error procoder - Economy Computer Services qt q object vtable error - Nlu Computers qt process error - Digital Guru qt sync error 2015 - Computer Medic qt v4 qmake error - Robertspcsolutions.com qt visual studio nmake fatal error u1077 - Midnight Solutions Tech quantization error in audio - Mobile Experts Computer Service quantization error in signal processing - I Repair quantization error quantization noise - White Glove Technology quantization error uniform quantizer - MD Computers quantum computation algorithms and error correction - North Plains Communications quark error 116 - 1 Stop Hosting & Web Design quark error 315 - Kessler Computer Service & Repair quark i/o error - 1Stop Technology Ctr quark translation error message - C2 Computing Computer Service quantization error sample rate - Fix Tech Computer Repair 410 14th Ave Apt 2, Langdon, ND 58249 quantization error sample rate Alsen, North Dakota At the output of the filter, the quantization noise level contaminating our signal will be reduced from that at the input of the filter. To circumvent this issue, analog compressors and expanders can be used, but these introduce large amounts of distortion as well, especially if the compressor does not match the expander. The received signal suffers from noise, but given sufficient bit duration $T_b$, it is still easy to read off the original sequence $100110$ perfectly. When the input data can be modeled as a random variable with a probability density function (pdf) that is smooth and symmetric around zero, mid-riser quantizers also always produce an output Gray, "Entropy-Constrained Vector Quantization", IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, Vol. When the input signal is a full-amplitude sine wave the distribution of the signal is no longer uniform, and the corresponding equation is instead S Q N R ≈ 1.761 + R. An important consideration is the number of bits used for each codeword, denoted here by l e n g t h ( c k ) {\displaystyle \mathrm {length} (c_{k})} . The original signal $v(t)$ can be recovered from the samples by connecting them together smoothly. The potential signal-to-quantization-noise power ratio therefore changes by 4, or 10 ⋅ log 10 ⁡ ( 4 ) = 6.02 {\displaystyle \scriptstyle 10\cdot \log _{10}(4)\ =\ 6.02} Sampling converts a voltage signal (function of time) into a discrete-time signal (sequence of real numbers). For a given supported number of possible output values, reducing the average granular distortion may involve increasing the average overload distortion, and vice versa. With Δ = 1 {\displaystyle \Delta =1} or with Δ {\displaystyle \Delta } equal to any other integer value, this quantizer has real-valued inputs and integer-valued outputs, although this property is doi:10.1109/TIT.1968.1054193 ^ a b c d e f g h Robert M. The set of possible input values may be infinitely large, and may possibly be continuous and therefore uncountable (such as the set of all real numbers, or all real numbers within The signal $\sin(2\pi ft)$ is sampled uniformly with 2 sampling intervals within each signal period $T$. For the example uniform quantizer described above, the forward quantization stage can be expressed as k = ⌊ x Δ + 1 2 ⌋ {\displaystyle k=\left\lfloor {\frac {x}{\Delta }}+{\frac {1}{2}}\right\rfloor } Quanitization 7. Your cache administrator is webmaster. Quantization noise is a model of quantization error introduced by quantization in the analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) in telecommunication systems and signal processing. Most commonly, these discrete values are represented as fixed-point words (either proportional to the waveform values or companded) or floating-point words. In order to make the quantization error independent of the input signal, noise with an amplitude of 2 least significant bits is added to the signal. The property of 6dB improvement in SQNR for each extra bit used in quantization is a well-known figure of merit. For example, a 16-bit ADC has a maximum signal-to-noise ratio of 6.02 × 16 = 96.3dB. Consider a low-level discrete signal of interest whose spectrum is depicted in Figure 13"18(a) below. With the use of a digital lowpass filter, depending on the interfering analog noise in x(t), it's possible to use a lower performance (simpler) analog anti-aliasing filter relative to the analog Jay Jones, Modern Communication Principles, McGraw–Hill, ISBN 978-0-07-061003-3, 1967 (p. 196). ^ a b c Herbert Gish and John N. Analog and Digital SignalsDigital signals are more resilient against noise than analog signals. Conversely, sampling at $f_s < 2f$ is insufficient to distinguish $v(t)$ from a lower frequency sinusoid. Generated Mon, 24 Oct 2016 22:44:19 GMT by s_nt6 (squid/3.5.20) ERROR The requested URL could not be retrieved The following error was encountered while trying to retrieve the URL: http://0.0.0.6/ Connection The original CD standard proposed by Sony was for a 14-bit sample size, with a dynamic range of only 84 dB, but was changed to 16 bits before inception. Thus oversampling by a factor of 4 (and filtering), we gain a single bit's worth of quantization noise reduction. Binary Numbers 3. The system returned: (22) Invalid argument The remote host or network may be down. II: Appl. The use of sufficiently well-designed entropy coding techniques can result in the use of a bit rate that is close to the true information content of the indices { k } Lloyd, "Least Squares Quantization in PCM", IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, Vol. For the mean-square error distortion criterion, it can be easily shown that the optimal set of reconstruction values { y k ∗ } k = 1 M {\displaystyle \{y_{k}^{*}\}_{k=1}^{M}} is given Also see noise shaping.) For complex signals in high-resolution ADCs this is an accurate model. Generated Mon, 24 Oct 2016 22:44:19 GMT by s_nt6 (squid/3.5.20) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. MIDI 4. Figure 13"17. R. In general, the forward quantization stage may use any function that maps the input data to the integer space of the quantization index data, and the inverse quantization stage can conceptually Assuming that an information source S {\displaystyle S} produces random variables X {\displaystyle X} with an associated probability density function f ( x ) {\displaystyle f(x)} , the probability p k Jay (1967), Modern Communication Principles, McGraw–Hill, ISBN978-0-07-061003-3 External links[edit] Quantization noise in Digital Computation, Signal Processing, and Control, Bernard Widrow and István Kollár, 2007. The number of available values is determined by the number of bits (0's and 1's) used for each sample, also called bit depth or bit resolution . When the input signal has a high amplitude and a wide frequency spectrum this is the case.[16] In this case a 16-bit ADC has a maximum signal-to-noise ratio of 98.09dB. This generalization results in the Linde–Buzo–Gray (LBG) or k-means classifier optimization methods. When a sample is quantized, the instantaneous snapshot of its analog amplitude has to be rounded off to the nearest available digital value. Moreover, the technique can be further generalized in a straightforward way to also include an entropy constraint for vector data.[23] Uniform quantization and the 6 dB/bit approximation[edit] The Lloyd–Max quantizer is IT-28, pp. 129–137, No. 2, March 1982 doi:10.1109/TIT.1982.1056489 (work documented in a manuscript circulated for comments at Bell Laboratories with a department log date of 31 July 1957 and also presented But both types of approximation errors can, in theory, be made arbitrarily small by good design. Understanding Records, p.56. sampling rate quantization error Finding an optimal solution to the above problem results in a quantizer sometimes called a MMSQE (minimum mean-square quantization error) solution, and the resulting pdf-optimized (non-uniform) quantizer is referred to as The sample rate is dictated by the Nyquist/Shannon sampling theorem, which says that you have to sample at least at twice the highest frequency in your signal. If $f=440 \text{ Hz}$, this tone is the musical note $A$ above middle $C$, to which orchestras often tune their ins... sample error rate First the proposed regression model is trained and the differences between the predicted and observed values are calculated and squared. However, once we pass a certain point, the true prediction error starts to rise. Burns, N & Grove, S.K. (2009). Thus we have a our relationship above for true prediction error becomes something like this: $$ True\ Prediction\ Error = Training\ Error + f(Model\ Complexity) $$ How is the optimism related If XYZ does not think carefully about the samplin... sample rate error Dithering can help smooth out a signal. See also[edit] Downsampling Upsampling Multidimensional sampling Sample rate conversion Digitizing Sample and hold Beta encoder Kell factor Bit rate Notes[edit] ^ Sample-pairs are also sometimes viewed as points on a constellation Citations[edit] ^ Martin H. Company About News Events Careers Contact Us Products Analyzer Comparison APx Overview APx Interfaces & Modules 2700 Series ATS-1 Accessories Discontinued Models Resources Software Technical Library... sample error rate calculator e.g. If you want to calculate your margin of error, check out our margin of error calculator. Your response rate may affect the number of people you send your survey to. Online surveys with Vovici have completion rates of 66%! Higher confidence level requires a larger sample size. Research Aids Research Aids Sample Size Calculator Sample Size Formula Significance Survey Design Correlation "Best Survey Software" TopTenReviews selected The Survey System as the Best Survey Software. "The ...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340270
__label__wiki	0.564275	0.564275	Month May 2014 A Rendezvous with Hope Through my early tenure in the addictions field, the question of readiness for treatment and recovery was thought to be a pain quotient. We then believed that people didn’t enter recovery until they had “hit bottom.” If a person did not show evidence of such pain-induced readiness, they were often refused admission to treatment. Then(……) Tags hope \| outreach \| Project Safe Link to full article: A Rendezvous with Hope Pioneer Voices Much of what is known about the modern evolution of addiction treatment and recovery exists as oral history. The ephemeral nature of that knowledge became clear to me while researching my book on the history of addiction treatment and recovery in the U.S. There were several cases in which a key informant died in the(……) Tags A.J. Senerchia \| Brian Maus \| Ernie Kurtz \| Interviews \| Jean Kilbourne \| Joan Zweben \| Joseph \| Karen Moyer \| Stephanie Covington \| Westermeyer Link to full article: Pioneer Voices Spirituality and Recovery A new book, Experiencing Spirituality, co-authored by Ernest Kurtz and Katherine Ketcham, has just been released. It will find a broad and appreciative audience and will be of particular interest to addiction professionals, recovery support specialists, and people in recovery. It is not a treatise on how to recover, but it offers profound insights about(……) Tags addiction recovery \| character \| Experiencing Spirituality \| storytelling \| transformative change \| values Link to full article: Spirituality and Recovery Brain Surgery as Addiction Treatment? In 1935–the founding year of Alcoholics Anonymous, Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure into psychiatry that came to be known as the prefrontal lobotomy (recall One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest). Drs. Walter Freeman and James Watts pioneered the use of this technique in the United States in 1936. By 1960, 100,000 psychosurgery(……) Tags Addiction treatment \| prefrontal lobotomy \| psychosurgery Link to full article: Brain Surgery as Addiction Treatment? The Resilience of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill White and Ernie Kurtz Attacking Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and 12-step oriented addiction treatment has become a specialized industry with its own genre of literature, celebrity authors and speakers, single-focus websites, and promoted alternatives. Collectively, these critics suggest that A.A. is an anachronism whose effectiveness has been exaggerated and whose time in the sun has passed. A.A.’s institutional response to(……) Tags Alcoholics Anonymous \| organizational resilience Link to full article: The Resilience of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill White and Ernie Kurtz	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0087.json.gz/line1340276

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