Michelle Obama Is the Most Admired Woman in America
By Barbara Sobel on December 28, 2018 1 Comment
A new Gallup Poll was just released for the most admired woman in America for 2018. For the past 17 years, Hillary Clinton was Queen. This year was different. Stealing the title was former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Since 1946, with the exception of 1776, the Gallup Poll has asked random people to "name any man or woman who is alive today whom they admire the most." The person can be anywhere in the world. Between December 3-12, 1,025 Americans were interviewed by phone.
Fifteen percent named Obama who is presently on a worldwide tour, selling out stadiums and theaters promoting her best selling book "Becoming," which hit the shelves on Nov. 13, 2018. The book sold over 2 million copies in North America alone in the first 15 days of its release.
Presently in its sixth printing, in the United States and Canada, the book has sold an astonishing 3-4 million copies. "Becoming" became the best selling book of 2018 and was published in 31 different languages. Showing no signs of slowing down the book became a No. 1 best seller in the U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Greece.
"Becoming" topped the coveted New York Times bestseller list for two weeks, and topped the bestseller lists from USA Today and Publishers Weekly.
Additionally, Obama's book crushed the sales of any other recent political figure's biography. Hillary Clinton's book "Living History" took one month to sell 1 million copies. Bill Clinton's book "My Life," while hitting 1 million copies quickly, slowed down considerably to sell 2 million. George W. Bush's book "Decision Points" released in 2010 took several weeks to sell 2 million copies.
Another woman on the poll was Oprah Winfrey who came in second with 5 percent of the votes. Winfrey has come in second on 14 occasions, but she never hit number one.
The former Secretary of State tied with Melania Trump taking the third and fourth spot scoring 4 percent. Rounding out the list was Queen Elizabeth and German Counselor Angela Merkel, each garnering 2 percent. Ellen DeGeneres came in last at 1 percent.
Both Winfrey and Clinton have appeared in the poll numerous times; 31 and 27 years respectively.
Keeping it in the family, Obama's husband, former President Barack Obama, took the most admired man award. He took the spot by 19 percent and has held that spot for the past 11 years. If Obama wins the spot again in 2019, he will hold the record for having the most years as the most admired man tying with former President Dwight Eisenhower.
The year 2018 marks the 13th time an incumbent president, Donald Trump, did not hit number one on the poll. If Trump does not hit the top spot during his presidency he and Gerald Ford will be the only presidents who were not chosen the most admired male while in the White House.
President Trump placed second for a fourth year, scoring 13 percent of the votes. Former President George W. Bush and Pope Francis tied for third with 2 percent of the votes. Microsoft owner and philanthropist Bill Gates came in fourth with 1 percent of the votes.
Thirty-two percent of those who identified themselves Republican named Trump and 35 percent of Democrats named Barack Obama. Seven percent of Republicans asked were more likely to name Obama while 1 percent of Democrats would name Trump.
Two men who were regularly on the list who passed away in 2018 were noticeably absent, Senator John McCain and Reverend Billy Graham. The Gallup Poll has a margin of error of plus or minus for percentage points.
Written by Barbara Sobel
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware
NBC News: Michelle Obama voted most admired woman, bumps Hillary Clinton from top spot: Gallup
Yahoo News: Michelle Obama displaces Clinton as 'most admired' woman
BBC News: Michelle Obama takes 'most admired woman' title from Hillary Clinton
CNBC: Michelle Obama wins America 's 'Most Admired Woman' Gallup Poll
Fortune: Michelle Obama's 'Becoming' Is the Best-Selling Book of 2018
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Mike Baird's Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Melania Trump, Obama, Pope Francis
Michelle Obama Is the Most Admired Woman in America added by Barbara Sobel on December 28, 2018
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One Response to "Michelle Obama Is the Most Admired Woman in America"
Emmanuel Love March 10, 2019 at 10:25 pm
Did you hear that the powers that run this world want to put a RFID microchip in our body? It will contain not only our bank accounts but our personal information, making us total slaves to the elite. This will cause us to lose even more of our privacy.
Did you know that this RFID microchip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically Revelation 13:16-18?
"He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name…"
Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. It's amazing that the Bible foretold a cashless society!
Did you also hear that the Jewish people are in the process of bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible by the prophet Daniel, Jesus, and Apostle Paul? They deny Jesus as their Messiah and say their Messiah will be revealed to rule the whole world under a one world religion. They are not even hiding this information, but are actually promoting it. You can view videos about this on YouTube.
When Donald Trump made Jerusalem captial of Israel in late December 2017, the Jewish people said this was a big step for them to build this Third Temple. They even printed a Temple coin with president Trump's face on the front with king Cyrus'(the man who built the Second Temple in the Bible) face behind him. On the back of the coin is an image of the Third Temple. They are selling these coins to raise money to build the Temple.
People have been saying for many years that the end is near, but we needed not only the Third Temple, but also the technology for there to be a cashless society for the Mark of the Beast to be a reality.
There is much more to know, please visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see all the proof!
GOD BLESS, JESUS LOVES YOU!


Weather correspondent Dylan Dreyer's early days in broadcasting media
Dylan Dreyer was born as Dylan Marie Dreyer on August 2, 1981, in Manalapan Township, New Jersey. Unfortunately, no details of her childhood days and educational background could be traced. However, we do know that she was interested in broadcasting media, most probably the weather broadcast, since her early days.
Dylan is the granddaughter of Doris Milke. Doris was a "record-setting winner" of a TV game show - original The Price Is Right.
Dylan has Bachelors in meteorology from the Rutgers University. She started off her career through Pennsylvania-based WCIU. She also worked for Providence, Rhode Island-based WJAR, and Boston-based WHDH. She worked in the NBC affiliate WHDH from 2007 to 2012.
In 2013, Dylan got into a car accident, while on the route to cover a snowstorm. The accident caused her a mild concussion. Active in the television industry since 2003, Dylan Dreyer has contributed more than a decade in the field and has accumulated a notable amount in her account. Reportedly, Dylan Dreyer is an owner of approx. 1 million USD net worth.


Loy Norrix Freshman Will Change the Way You Look At Computers
By Alex Vonhof
Freshman Jason Howard sits working on his mom's computer. He took this computer apart to replace the hard drive and put it back together so that it works better. Photo Credit / Alex Vonhof
"I took it apart and I ended up breaking a little tiny piece inside of it that made the fan work," said freshman Jason Howard, talking about struggling with a computer. "After that I tried fixing it, but I ended up breaking it more so I basically just smashed it into pieces and threw it away."
Howard likes to take apart computers in his house. He's always been very interested in technology. His parents gave him a computer when he was really young and he used to use it all the time. He thought the computer was interesting because he could play games on it. After a few years of just playing games on his computer, he began taking computers apart around age 12.
One would think that taking apart computers is a very complicated and long process, but Howard does it with ease. It takes him approximately 10 minutes to disassemble a desktop computer and approximately 1-2 hours for a laptop. This is the case because the layout of a laptop's interior is much different and more complicated than the layout of a desktop.
In order to take apart a desktop computer, one must remove the outer cover. Removing the cover opens up the inside of the computer. As long as a person knows where everything is, the rest of it is fairly simple, just a lot of unscrewing screws and unplugging things.
The overall process is similar for laptops. Everything is more compact and therefore harder to see and to find, which means that the process takes longer.
What started out as an amateur interest became more of an obsession. Initially Howard worked on only a few computers, but eventually expanded his collection so he could gain more experience. He purchased all of his computers from garage sales, which means that for the most part they are very inexpensive.
From the time he started to now, Howard estimates that he has taken apart 18 computers. This has made him somewhat of an expert and can explain his ability to take apart desktop computers in only 10 minutes.
Howard's parents have been very supportive of his interest because it means that they don't have to call a professional in order to get their computers fixed, they can just ask him for help.
Even Howard's school administrators and teachers knew of his skills with a computer.
"In middle school I used to get called out of class to go fix computers instead of the IT department," said Howard.
Currently Howard is interested in the hardware component of computers. Being a freshman, he is too young to participate in any EFEs or dual enroll at KVCC to take classes in computer science. Classes such as these are available starting sophomore year.
"I would really like to take a class about coding next year, but I can't right now because I'm too young to dual enroll," said Howard.
He hasn't had much past experience with coding, but has made a web browser as well as a calculator through coding. His hopes for the future are to pursue this more.
Howard definitely plans on continuing working with computers no matter what, whether it is the hardware aspect of it or working on codes and software for the computers.
"In the future, I want to help people fix their computers and help them figure out how to use them," said Howard.
Alex Vonhof
loy norrix


Guest Speakers old
Inspiring Words From Inspiring People!
Chacham David Yosef
Chacham David Yosef is a prominent and renowned Israeli rabbi who has authored dozens of prominent books in Jewish Law mainly based on the rulings of his father, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. He is highly regarded as one of the most influential Sephardic Rabbi's in the world due to having scores of students serving as Rabbinic figures across the globe. David Yosef is the chief rabbi of the Har Nof neighborhood in Jerusalem the head of the Yechaveh Da'at Kollel and a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of the Shas party. Yosef is also a lecturer at Chazaq, a New York City-based outreach organization for Jewish public-school students. He is a frequent guest by the Syrian American community in Brooklyn and the Sephardic community in France and Mexico.
During Chacham David Yosef's last visit in Florida, he came to talk to the Talmidim and gave them all blessings to be successful B'nei Torah.
Mr. Ari Pearl is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PPG Development, an owner and developer of commercial and residential real estate. Mr. Pearl has been involved in Real Estate Development since 2001, with a primary focus in South Florida. Mr. Pearl came to enlighten the Talmidim about what it means to be in the business world and to be an entrepreneur. He walked the Talmidim through how he got to where he is today and gave the Talmidim lots of advice on how to utilize their time now to prepare themselves to set them up for success. Talmidim were highly appreciative and involved in what Pearl shared with them.
Mr. Ari Pearl
Rabbi Eli Mansour
Rabbi Eli Mansour is currently the head Rabbi of The Edmond J Safra Synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, where he continues to spread Torah and provide inspiration. In addition to his lecturing and communal responsibilities, Rabbi Mansour devotes himself to intensive Torah learning, studying each day at the Keter Sion Kollel and in the Kollel Aram Soba.
Rabbi Mansour is among the Torah world's most sought-after speakers, throughout the United States and in communities around the globe.
Rabbi Mansour came to speak to our Talmidim when he was last in South Florida. The Talmidim felt very inspired by his profound and spiritual words of Torah that he shared with them.
Mr. Joshua Levine has been an associate in the firm's Business Litigation practice group since 2013. Josh Primarily concentrates on complex commercial litigation and business disputes. Josh received his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 2013.
Mr. Levine came to speak to our Talmidim and tell them all about the "law world." He enlightened the Talmidim all about the process of becoming a lawyer. He then had a Q&A Session for the Talmidim for over 30 minutes. The Talmidim immensely appreciated the wealth of knowledge he gave the boys.
Mr. Joshua Levine
David Koegel
David Koegel Managing Director of Sterling National Bank- VP Banking and lending services for middle market business owners and high net worth individuals. Mr. Koegel talked to the Talmidim about being financially responsible, the importance of being on top of your accounts, how to protect your accounts properly as well as how to try and invest strategically.
Rabbi Duvi Bensoussan currently serves as the head Rabbi to the congregation and gives daily classes in Gemara, Halacha, Torah, Musar and a variety of subjects relevant to the community – many of which are recorded and available online.
He spoke to the Talmidim about the importance of standing up for what you believe in. He also addressed the concept of pushing through even when things seem challenging.
Rav Duvi Bensoussan


Do drug tests test for EtG?
Alan Bolin
EtG is not suitable for occupational drug testing since it does not identify present impairment or prove current alcohol intake during working hours. However, if an employee claims not to have consumed alcohol in several days or weeks, there may be reason to suspect that he or she is lying about alcohol use. An employer can rule out false claims by requiring all employees to submit to random drug tests. These tests should be conducted by a laboratory that uses gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) technology for analysis. Employees should be warned that failure to comply could result in termination of employment.
In general, yes, drug tests do test for EtG. Drug tests measure the presence of drugs and their metabolites in your body fluids (urine, blood, saliva). The only drug on this list that doesn't appear on any standard drug test is EtG, which is why it's important to know this fact about drug tests when trying to figure out what will fail them. Ethanol is found in urine, blood, and hair samples. Since most drug tests check for the presence of ethanol, an employee would have to consume significant amounts of alcohol in very close proximity to being tested in order for a sample to produce a negative result for this substance.
What kind of test is an ETG test?
Do EtG tests really work?
Can an ETG test detect alcohol after four days?
Is the ETG urine alcohol test reliable or unreliable?
When someone has ingested alcohol, the EtG test identifies the presence of ethyl glucuronide in their urine. Urine tests are typically administered to those who have been ordered by a court not to consume alcohol or by companies who randomly test personnel to detect if they have been drinking on the job.
Ethyl glucuronide is a chemical marker found in the body long after drinking has stopped. Because ETG remains in the body for up to two weeks after last consuming alcohol, it can be used to confirm recent alcohol use. The test cannot determine how much alcohol was consumed or how many drinks someone had at once. It also does not indicate whether alcohol was consumed before or after a patient's surgery date.
Court-ordered alcohol monitoring programs usually includes several tests over a certain period of time. For example, some programs require participants to provide three consecutive clean samples during different visits. These samples are then analyzed for alcohol using methods such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS).
Participants are often asked to refrain from drinking for 24 hours prior to providing a sample. However, this is not always possible because of work obligations or other factors outside of our control. In these cases, patients should provide samples as soon as possible but no more than 72 hours after their last drink.
Sample collection containers should be stored at room temperature and shipped according to the manufacturer's instructions.
A breathalyzer cannot guarantee that a person did not consume alcohol in the days preceding the test, but an EtG test may. EtG tests are incredibly sensitive and may detect even trace amounts of alcohol. If a person has been exposed to one of the numerous products containing alcohol, this might result in some false positives. However many companies have now started to make EtG test kits specifically for consumers who want to know if they have drank enough to trigger a penalty box on their car insurance policy.
In conclusion, yes, an EtG test works very well to show whether or not a person has consumed any amount of alcohol within the last few days. It is very accurate if used properly and gives us a good indication of how much a person has drunk. However, like all other forms of drug testing, it can give false negatives or positives depending on what product a person uses before the test. Also, people who have been exposed to alcohol might also get false positives. Finally, people who drink only beer, wine, or liquor should be able to use an EtG test kit correctly. People who drink mixed drinks or who drink alcohol mixed with another substance might get false positives if they use the wrong kit.
EtG is a direct metabolite of alcohol that the body produces. Its presence in urine can be utilized to determine alcohol usage in the previous 80 hours (approximately). Even after light to moderate drinking, an EtG test might be positive for 3 to 4 days. Ethyl glucuronide is a biomarker that reveals if the body has recently digested alcohol. As it leaves the body, urine will continue to show evidence of alcohol use for up to four months after the last drink.
The best time to provide a sample for this test is when you first get out of bed in the morning. The most accurate results come from testing freshly produced urine. However, samples can also be used to confirm past alcohol use. In fact, studies have shown that EtG remains detectable in urine for up to four months after cessation of drinking.
ETG tests are commonly performed along with other drugs of abuse. This helps identify individuals who may be at risk for adverse reactions or interactions with medications. The test does not measure blood alcohol content. Instead, it looks for the presence of EtG, which is found only in urine. This means that people who have not consumed any alcohol but who carry out tasks requiring cognitive ability such as driving a car or operating machinery can still produce positive results on an ETG test.
ETG tests are usually done in laboratories using liquid or gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. A small sample of urine is required.
The EtG urine alcohol test is widely used. However, the test is unreliable. That is SAMSHA's warning. (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the United States.) Because of this risk, the agency does not recommend using the EtG urine alcohol test as the only means of determining whether an employee is drinking too much beer at work.
Even if the employer uses the EtG test regularly and finds no signs of intoxication, this does not mean that the employee is not drinking at work. There are many reasons why the test may give false negative results. For example: if the employee drinks more than 24 hours after taking the drug, the result will be false negative. If the employee has certain medications in his or her system, the result may be false negative. If the employee has recent mouth trauma or dental work, the result may be false negative. If the employee has a history of gastric problems or acid reflux disease, the result may be false negative.
Employers should not rely on the result of the EtG test alone to determine whether or not their employees are drinking too much beer at work. The test has been shown to have high rates of false negatives. Therefore, employers should use other methods to screen for drinking on the job, such as breathalyzers, saliva tests, etc.
Alan Bolin is a very experienced security officer. He has many years of experience in the field, and knows how to handle any emergency situation. Alan loves his job because he gets to help people feel safe by doing what he does best!
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How far back does a 10-panel urine test go?
How far back does a hair drug test test for?
Author: Milton Mcelvaine
Will ethyl alcohol show up on a drug test?
How do you do a breath test for alcohol?
Author: Julian Riddell
How accurate is the drug confirm test?
Author: Derrick True
Can a swab test be used to test for alcohol?
By Michael Denny
How far back can a hair drug test show?
How accurate is the swab test for marijuana?
By Michael Cook
What is tested on a 12-panel drug test?
By Shawn Fauver


Many years ago, my husband's friend Ken Campbell lost his 18-year-old daughter in a car accident. Ken pastored a church here in South Jersey, and Gwendolyn was a student at Word of Life Bible Institute in New York.
She had come home for the wedding of a friend who worked at The Friends of Israel (FOI) headquarters and had gone to Walmart to pick up a few things. As the car she was riding in emerged from the parking lot, another car slammed into it and killed her.
My husband visited Ken. Understandably, everyone was extremely upset. But Ken told Tom something I'll never forget. "I teach the sovereignty of God," he said. "I believe in the sovereignty of God. But now I've come to love the sovereignty of God."
Nothing can give an individual more peace than wholly trusting in God, who is in absolute control of everything. This issue of Israel My Glory is devoted to a small yet important portion of the wonderful book of Isaiah that emphasizes God's sovereignty.
We live in troubled times. But God holds the world in the palm of His hand, and He isn't dropping it. He tells us, "I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come. . . . Do not fear, nor be afraid" (Isa. 44:7–8). "I am the LORD, and there is no other" (45:5). "I have made the earth, and created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded" (v. 12). "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!" (v. 22). "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure" (46:10). "And I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel My glory" (v. 13).
We hope this issue encourages you—and inspires you to worship and pray to the sovereign God of the universe who loves us so much He sent His Son to pay for our sin so that we can live with Him eternally through faith in Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world.
With this issue, we also inaugurate a new feature, "The Friends of Israel in Action." Many of you may not realize all we do here at FOI. For example, we run a free medical clinic in Argentina, Bible camps in Eastern Europe, churches in Israel, and so much more.
We hope you enjoy this issue and that it will kindle within you a love for the sovereignty of God.
Meditating on God
The Father Knows Best
The Future-Teller
The Absurdity of Idolatry
Goodbye, Year of the Virus
Israel, Lebanon Talk Maritime Borders
The Friends of Israel in Action Jan/Feb 2021
Q: Who Created Evil?
Cyrus, 'My Shepherd'
Why Animal Sacrifice?
Stand Strong in Christ
Choose Joy!
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"Welcome to the State of Israel," the guard said, smiling as he checked us through security and into the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. My wife and I attended a function there...
In 1949, a show called Father Knows Best debuted on the radio. It made the transition to television in 1954, starring Robert Young, who played Jim Anderson, the father of three children...
Harold Summers
A peculiar industry has been growing in America. It generates $2 billion in revenue a year and employs roughly 85,000 people who are primarily mediums, astrologers, palm readers, and fortune-tellers...
Sam Coonrod made news last summer when he refused to kneel. The then-27-year-old relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants was the only baseball player...


Mary Kay Ash Home Bites the Dust, R.I.P.
Say goodbye to another Dallas icon. The home of the late Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Dallas-based Mary Kay Inc., is being torn down as we speak, at 8915 Douglas Ave.
The 11,874-square-foot mansion, in the honeypot Old Preston Hollow, was built in 1984. The Dallas Central Appraisal District has the home valued at $1.91 million, interesting because it was sold for $1.85 million. Its condition is listed as "very poor." And it's obvious the house has not been loved in a long time.
Shrubbery is to be maintained so as to not to disturb the neighbors.
"It was dilapidated inside, and it's really sad," says someone who has been inside recently. "No one has lived there in years. The materials were not of high quality, and looks like water had gotten up through the foundation."
The really valuable chandeliers and marble pieces are also gone.
Even the pink quartz bathroom commode is going.
A demolition permit was issued for the property on March 6, but the current owner has been planning to tear it down since last August. The home has six bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and four half-bathrooms, and sits on 1.05 primo acres that back up to the Dallas North Tollway. It was sold December 28, 2015, for $1.85 million.
Allie Beth Allman agent Karen Luter was the listing agent for the owner, Dr. Karen Gillum, who had been trying to sell the property for years. At one point the home was listed at $5.7 million with Myla Patton, back in 2007. Successive agents kept lowering the price until Karen did the magic.
Who is the new owner? We have been trying to find out for a long time. Dallas-based Pelicans Corp. Services LLC is listed as the property's owner but…well, stay tuned.
Built in 1984, remodeled in 2000, the estate featured manicured lawns with fountains, pools, koi ponds, arboretum like gardens, Brazilian teakwood flooring, grand sweeping staircases (two or three), statues, arcades of Corinthian columns, a wine cellar, walls of beveled glass windows, hand painted murals, original pink quartz-marble hardware, indescribable mill work and that pink quartz commode. The lime green carpet on the stairs is the original that hosted many a top producer party. The kitchen has the original white Corian counters and Mary Kay's own breakfast table (one of them) under the massive chandelier.
When I first saw the home years ago, right after Mary Kay had moved out, it held no oriental rugs. It has been listed by Myla Patton of Patton International Real Estate for $5.7 in 2007, then with Linda Jordan Hobbs over at Ebby for $4.995 million.
You know, Alex Rodriquez, or A-Rod, who used to live next door, still drives up Douglas every time he visits Dallas just to take a gander at the home he owned, right next door to Mary Kay's pink castle. Sadly, he will have one less reminder of his days in Dallas on his next visit.
celebrity real estate, Dallas Demolition, Mary Kay Ash, Preston Hollow
8915 Douglas Ave., R.I.P.
Changing PD-15 to Rebuild Preston Place…Maybe
Blue Harris March 14, 2017 at 6:38 pm
The house looks so sad now. Back in the early 1990's I did an upstairs bathroom (pink and green of course, which I had removed but had to replace back after the show), a long hallway and alcove for the Dallas Symphony Showhouse. All the designers had to restore it back to its original 'grandure'…
I still have a playful letter Dame Mary Kay wrote for me to place on a table in that alcove. First time I have thought of that letter in a long time.
I think we all will be following the journey of this house, as it has winded it way into our Dallas lives for many a year.
Beth Fitzgerald March 14, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Houses are just commodities these days. Not homes that are pass from family to family. Tear it down, build something bigger and taller and more opulent and more expensive. This is a disposable society.
Blueeyemama March 14, 2017 at 8:38 pm
It's very sad to hear that Mary Kay's home is going to be destroyed. She was such a lovely lady and took such pride in her home and sharing it with everyone. She had her top people there each year to her home. She even baked cookies for everyone to enjoy while there. There will never be another woman like her and it's sad to now think her home will be torn down. I can only hope someone will see it's beauty and save it!
Mette Holthe Eriksen March 15, 2017 at 8:37 am
Beautiful home. Just showed it to my American / Norwegian daughter, who is only 20 years old here in Oslo, Norway. Had so much fun with MARY KAY COSMETIC, both in Norway and the USA, where we lived for five years. <3
Candy Evans March 15, 2017 at 11:06 am
Tell us more!
Shannon March 15, 2017 at 10:44 am
I remember this house being built in the early 80s. One of the first new mansions in Preston Hollow. Our school bus took us down Douglas Ave. every morning on our way to ED Walker Middle School.
Didn't MKA sell this home to build a newer (pink) home in Highland Park?
No, she did not. She actually moved back into her home on the lake near Boedeker. While she loved the Douglas hone, it was huge and riddled with problems from the get go. (Watch who you hire to build your home!) She used it for many Mary Kay events but preferred her round house east of Preston. Never built a home in Park Cities as far as I know…
I heard that she moved back to her previous home over by Northpark.
P.A. March 15, 2017 at 11:27 am
This house reminds me of a Las Vegas casino. I don't know that it had a chance to survive beyond her original vision since it's so very, very specific. Still – it's shocking to think the max value is in the dirt (goodbye house!).
Charlae CLiff March 15, 2017 at 11:43 am
That is a nice house. Dont take it please.
Denise March 15, 2017 at 12:15 pm
The details in this home are stunning. The curved hallway and pillars, the wood ceiling and details. So sad to see this torn down. They should allow people to go in and remove the parts they want at no cost since they clearly see no value in keeping the home or the securing any of the beautiful elements.
Jay Young March 15, 2017 at 12:23 pm
I used to maintain the swimming pool back in the 80's era at Riviera Pools of Dallas, while going to college. I even got to take my girlfriend (now wife) on a tour inside the home, on the day before MK moved in. All of her furniture and belongings had been delivered. It was spectacular!
Lyubov March 15, 2017 at 11:58 pm
Mary Kay was a one of the Great Woman . I had so much fun with Mary Kay Cosmetics as a Beauty Consultant and Directeur of sale. I can prouve absolutely that the slogan "Enriching women's lives" works . My live and me personally was changed for the better. It's a great university for the women .
Spencer Michlin March 16, 2017 at 8:18 pm
A sacrilege! In epic tackiness, this house rivaled Graceland.
Gayle Green March 17, 2017 at 7:32 am
So sad to see Mary Kay Ash home torn down- I felt it is a historical landmark that people would pay to tour! I know all of the MARY KAY women would love to tour it!
Debbie March 31, 2017 at 8:36 am
As of this morning, it is rubble…. Sad.
Mette Holthe Eriksen August 18, 2017 at 12:23 am
Love this house. Wish I could live there. <3 Hello from registered nurse / beauty consultant MISS Mette and Mary Kay Cosmetic in Norway. PS Lived in the US for five years and got to know MARY KAY COSMETIC in 1992 – already 25 years ago. <3
riley higgins September 11, 2017 at 11:53 am
I believe it that the house was in disrepair. I just went to the auction house that was commissioned to liquidate all that furniture. All the pieces needed major work with signs of mold and water damage on nearly everything. That giant piece in the dinning room sold for a mere $2,100 the giant painting sold under $500.
eduardo April 3, 2019 at 9:48 am
tell us more information
Winifred June 28, 2019 at 6:06 pm
Oh no say it isn't so!! Me and a few of my MARY KAY team members visited this home and when I walked into the home I I said Mary Kay's home is my dream home. We thought they were having an open house or something so we started taking pictures when this frail little woman walked up and said, "may I help you?" Scared the you know what out of us. It was the owner, a precious lady recovering from brain surgery. She was a surgeon herself. She allowed us to go all over this lovely home and talk pictures. We offered words of prayer for her recovery upon leaving. Her husband said they still have the builders plans so I would love to have them because MARY KAY'S home is my dream home.
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Character of Lord Bacon: His Life and Work ...
Af Thomas Martin
most illustrious contemporary,) to the prison of the unholy Office of the Inquisition for having maintained that the earth moves round its own axis;* and even Bacon himself-he who had nobly and eloquently said, that I had rather believe all the fables in the Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that this universal frame is without a mind,' +-escaped not the bigoted attacks of the school-divines, who attempted to cry down his philosophical writings, by falsely asserting that they favoured atheism. I
• See Drinkwater's Life of Galileo, ch, xiii., published in the Library of Useful Knowledge.
+ Bacon's Works, vol. 1, p. 53.
1 Osborn's Works, p. 446, (tenth edition.) The passage from which we learn this fact is too interesting not to be given in the words of the anthor, who was a contemporary observer :—Sir Walter Raleigh was the first (as I have heard) that ventured to tack about, and sail aloof from the beaten track of the schools; who, upon the discovery of so apparent an error, as a torrid zone, intended to proceed in an inquisition after more solid truths, till the meditation of some, whose livelihood lay in hammering shrines for this superannuated study,
For the original source of such prejudices as these, we must look into that peculiar system of theoretic or speculative divinity which formerly prevailed. The scholastic philosophy, whose origin and character have recently been so ably and ingeniously investigated and explained by Dr. Hampden, was the acknowledged system of the Church, and soon stamped its metaphysical character upon theology, which became the master science. The Trivium and Quadrivium of the schools * were studied in sub
possessed queen Elizabeth, that such doctrine was against God no less than her Father's honour, whose faith (if he owned any) was grounded upon school-divinity: whereupon she chid him, who was (by his own confession) ever after branded with the title of an Atheist, though a known asserter of God and Providence. A like censure fell to the share of venerable Bacon till overbalanced by a greater weight of glory from strangers: nor could desert, and the name of the English Jewel, given Selden beyond sea, free him from a like imputation at home.'-Francis Osborn's Works,
P. 446.
* The Trivium was a term invented to express the
servience to this system; and all science having been thus incorporated with theology, the notion arose, that nothing could be true in any science that was not accordant with the received interpretation of Scripture, whether literal or hypothetical.*
"If the scriptures,' said sir Humphry Davy, are to be literally interpreted, and systems of science found in them, Gallileo Gallilei merited his persecution, and we ought still to believe that the sun turns round the earth.'+ And we would add, that those who seek for systems of geology, for instance, in the Genesis of
three sciences that were first learned in the schools, viz., Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic; and the schools in which these sciences alone were taught were called Triviales. The Quadrivium comprehended the four mathematical sciences, viz., Arithmetic, Music, Geometry, and Astronomy.—Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, vol. 2, p. 251, note; and see Dr. Hampden's Scholastic Philosophy, p. 63.
* Hampden's Scholastic Philosophy, p. 302, note.
+ Sir H. Davy's Consolations in Travel, p. 141. See some judicious remarks on this subject by Archbishop Whately, Lectures on Political Economy, pp. 30–36.
Moses, are not consistent with themselves, when they acknowledge (as all rational people do acknowledge) the truth of the Copernican system. In the one case, they are guided by a just rule of construction, which, in the other, they reject.
It deserves to be mentioned, as an interesting fact which hereafter will be recorded in the history of science, that, in the year 1818, Pius VII., a pontiff alike distinguished for his liberality and love of knowledge, procured a repeal of the edicts against Galileo and the Copernican system. He assembled the congregation; and the late cardinal Toriozzi, assessor of the Sacred Office, proposed that they should wipe off this scandal from the church.' The repeal was carried, with the dissentient voice of one Dominican only.*
• Lyell's Principles of Geology, vol. 1, p. 99, note, (third edit.) 'Long before this time,' says Mr. Lyell,
the Newtonian theory had been taught in the Sapienza, and all Catholic universities in Europe, (with the exception, I am told, of Salamanca ;) but it was always re
Another hindrance to the advancement of science has arisen from the habits and regulations of universities and other academical societies. These bodies were the great external means by which that sterile scholastic philosophy was cherished and matured which converted theology and physical science into a subtle system of abstract terms.* Chained down to the dogmas of particular authors, reason submitted to authority; and if any one dared to assert the liberty of thinking for himself, he was branded as an atheist; and perhaps, like Roger Bacon,-one of the most illustrious names in the early annals of science,—dragged from his studious cell into
quired of professors, in deference to the decrees of the church, to use the term hypothesis, instead of theory. They now speak of the Copernican theory.
* Hampden's Scholastic Philosophy, pp. 9, 86, and passim. In physical science,' says Dr. Hampden, .it has been admitted, that conclusions from abstract terms are no valid indications of facts in nature. May we hope, that the time will come, when the like will be as fully and practically admitted in Theology!'- Ib., p. 56.


'House of Bernarda Alba' Presented on Campus
The Deanship of Students' Affairs and the Folk Theatre presented "The House of Bernarda Alba," a play written by Spanish Dramatist Federico Garcia Lorca and directed by Fathi Abdul Rahman.
The play, performed in the Kamal Nasir Assembly Hall, was written in 1936 when the Spanish civil war broke out. Critics categorize the play as a rural melodrama that tackles topics relating to tyranny, humiliation, submission and women who are twice punished.
"The events take place in one of Spain's rural areas during the thirties of the last century," Director Abdul Rahman said. "Upon her second husband's death, domineering matriarch Bernarda Alba imposes an eight-year mourning period on her household in accordance with her family tradition. Bernarda has five daughters, ages 20 to 39, whom she has controlled inexorably and prohibited from any form of relationship. She isolates her daughters completely and bans them from interacting with the outside world, vowing that 'not a breath of air will get in this house from the street.'"
The play presents a women-only household, said Abdul Rahman. "These women are deprived of their freedom, isolated behind the bars of their windows exactly like prisoners. They enjoy no civil or women's rights and are ruled by a woman like them—their harsh and strict mother who controls the house with a fist of iron, turning her daughters' lives into living hell. In their life, there is no place for joy and laughter and doors and windows must be closed at all times. Even curtains must be lowered and light is not to enter the house."
Abdul Rahman said the play provides an example of societies that reject life and close in on themselves under the pretext of adhering to tradition and social norms.


Ben & Jerry's co-founder creates new flavor for Bernie
From humble origins in Burlington, Vermont, in the late 1970s to its current status as one of the most popular global ice cream brands, Ben & Jerry's ice cream is an example of the American Dream at work.
Two childhood friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, take a correspondence course on ice cream-making, craft some creative flavor variations, open a small ice cream shop in a renovated garage, expand as success allows, designate a significant amount of profit to various causes and charities and eventually sell the company for hundreds of millions of dollars. As a condition of sale, both Ben & Jerry maintained positions on the board of directors while insisting that the new owners (Unilever) would continue funneling a percentage of profit to the Ben & Jerry's Foundation.
During the 22 years that Ben and Jerry operated the company, Cohen says that he was often inspired to create new flavors of ice cream based on popular culture, social causes or the delectably irresistible combination of ingredients. For the first time, he's created a flavor in honor of a presidential candidate.
'Bernie's Yearning' is a limited edition (as in only 40 pints, each handmade by Ben, in his kitchen) flavor created for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders's campaign, under the brand name, 'Ben's Best.'
'Jerry and I have seen Bernie in action over the last 30 years here in Vermont and the guy is amazing,' Cohen told me last week in a phone interview from his home in Burlington. 'We just got back from Iowa where we caucused for Bernie. He deserves everybody's vote and whatever you can do to help him.'
'This is a participatory flavor,' Cohen says. 'You open up the pint lid, and what you see is this huge disc of solid chocolate. That represents all the wealth that has gone to the top one per cent since the end of the recession. Below the chocolate is just solid mint ice cream. That represents the rest of us. Then you take your soup spoon and you whack that chocolate into a lot of little pieces, then you mix it around and there you have it Bernie's Yearning.''
Knowing upfront that 'Bernie's Yearning' would have to be an extremely limited edition flavor, Cohen was faced with the dilemma of how to distribute (or, perhaps, redistribute) the ice cream. The solution: Donate most of them to Sanders supporters.
'The original idea was that we were going to make a small number of pints and put them up for auction on eBay and have the money go to Bernie's campaign,' Cohen told me. 'Then we realized that, legally, there were problems with getting money to the campaign and also the fact that auctioning it off to the person who had the most money would be very un-Bernie-like. This way, it's available to everybody regardless of how much money they have and, hopefully, people will make a donation to Bernie's campaign.'
Twenty-five of the 40 individually autographed and numbered pints of 'Bernie's Yearning' went to randomly selected winners who provided their name and contact information atwww.BerniesYearning.com. A message from Ben on the website reads, 'This site is owned by me, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's.It is not associated with Ben and Jerry's Homemade, Inc or the Sanders for President Campaign. It reflects my views alone.'
Not that he would seriously consider it, but what if Cohen were to create a flavor for the Donald Trump campaign? What might it consist of?
'The furthest I've got on a flavor for Trump is Donald Trump's Junk,' Cohen said, laughing. 'Trump came to Burlington and held a rally at the Flynn (Center for the Performing Arts). The deli next door came up with a sandwich called 'The Trumpster,' with two slices of white bread and three pounds of baloney in the middle. Maybe that's what we would throw into Trump's Junk.''
'The Big Morning Show with Mike Dow' can be heard on Big 104 FM The Biggest Hits of the '60s, '70s & '80s - airing on 104.7 (Bangor/Belfast), 104.3 (Augusta/Waterville) and 107.7 (Bar Harbor/Ellsworth)
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WHY CATHOLICISM MATTERS
Home/Catalyst/Essay/WHY CATHOLICISM MATTERS
Religious and ethnic loyalties are important to me. I am proud to be Catholic and proud to be Irish. I am also very proud to be an American. But pride absent an intelligent appreciation of one's roots quickly descends to tribalism, and that is not good for the individual or the society. For example, we need to know why it is rational to be proud of our religion. This is one reason why I wrote Why Catholicism Matters. And by "we," I don't mean just Catholics. I mean everyone.
There is much to be proud of. Down through the ages, the great philosophers have written widely on the quest for the good society. While it has never been achieved (and given the reality of original sin it can never be fully realized), it is nonetheless true that trying to craft the good society remains a noble enterprise. But we need to the right recipe. Fortunately, it has been available to us for two millennia: the teachings of the Catholic Church provide all the ingredients we need.
Well, if the Catholic Church is so great, what about the sexual abuse scandal? I get this all the time. The short answer is this: every priest who failed us did so because he followed his id, not his vows. Had he followed the teachings of the Catholic Church, he could not have sinned. But we all do. That's why popes go to confession—they're human. In other words, beginning with the apostles, some of our teachers have failed us. However, the teachings manifestly have not. The distinction is crucial.
Name something that makes for the good society and invariably it will be shown to have Catholic roots; at the very least, Catholic embellishments can be ascertained. Take the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. It speaks to a vision of society where justice, domestic tranquility, the common defense of the people, their general welfare, and the blessings of liberty reign supreme.
Justice is one of the cardinal virtues, and no institution has a better record in tending to the needs of the dispossessed than the Catholic Church. Domestic tranquility is not dependent on the police, but on the ability of people to police themselves; here the cardinal virtue of temperance is key. The common defense must allow for just wars, and the proper exercise of another cardinal virtue, namely fortitude, is a must. The general welfare of the people is best served by adopting the teleology, or ultimate purpose, of Catholicism—a "focus on the other." And without the most senior of all the cardinal virtues, prudence, the blessings of liberty, properly understood, can never be achieved.
From the founding of the first universities, to the triumph of the Scientific Revolution, the role of the Catholic Church has been seminal. Indeed, when it comes to understanding why Europe and North America have been home to almost every technological breakthrough in history, there is no better road map than the one Christianity affords. Moreover, the Church's contributions to art, architecture and music have proven to be legendary.
The section on prudence begins by discussing the Catholic Church's role in the makings of a free society. Freedom was not born in Greece—it was a byproduct of the Church's opposition to temporal powers. By contrast, so unknown was freedom to the Chinese and Japanese that they did not have a word for it until the nineteenth century. To be sure, slavery was a universal institution that was not condemned initially by any civilization or religion, though no entity did more to prudentially undermine it over time—through the promotion of natural law and natural rights—than the Catholic Church. Contemporary challenges to freedom, such as the false idea of abortion as a "right," have similarly been resisted by the Church.
Justice for the strongest has never commanded the resources of the Catholic Church, but justice for the weakest most certainly has. In this regard, the role of nuns has been pivotal. Whether by founding schools, foster care homes, asylums, hospitals, hospices, and the like, or by personally tending to the psychological and emotional needs of men, women, and children, nuns, along with priests and the laity, have a track record that has no equal anywhere in the world. Reaching out to the diseased, and to the stranger, especially immigrants, has always been a staple of Catholic social teachings. That many Catholics have made good on those teachings is a story that should make all Catholics cheer.
It took tremendous fortitude for Pope Pius XII to fight the Nazis, and no leader in the world won the plaudits of Jews, during and after the war, than he did. It is important to set the record straight—there have been so many lies told—by recounting all the brave words and deeds that this great pope delivered. Similarly, we need to give Pope John Paul II all the praise he deserves in helping to destroy communism in the Soviet Union and throughout Eastern Europe. The historical evidence is clear: Pius XII and John Paul II have secured their place in the annals of freedom. Few world leaders, and no religious ones, did more to combat totalitarianism than they did.
Temperance is a virtue that self-governing people need to inculcate if moral anarchy is to be checked. Here again, the teachings of Catholicism have proved indispensable. By offering a realistic interpretation of liberty, one that is grounded in our responsibilities to others, the Church offers a practical guide to the creation of a free society. The importance of marriage and the family, and a healthy appreciation of sexuality, beckons us all to give Catholic sexual ethics serious consideration.
These are just some of the subjects that bear examination. By moving from papal encyclicals to their faithful implementation, the reader learns how critically important the Church has been in world history. Priests, the religious, and the laity have bequeathed a stunning legacy, one that contrasts sharply with the failed record of secularism.
By comparing the Church's efforts to that of secular theorists and practitioners, we see ever more clearly why the Catholic voice must be heard in the third millennium. For example, had the secular idea of positivistic law, or law posited by government, prevailed after World War II, Nazis who obeyed orders by killing innocent Jews, Catholics, and others could not have been prosecuted. To do that, the Nuremberg courts had to turn to natural law, a concept that has been embraced by Catholicism for centuries. Similarly, government programs to help the poor have often created more poverty; when compared to Catholic programs, they look even more enfeebled.
The democracies, especially the U.S., fought fascism and communism, but without the efforts of the Catholic Church their ultimate demise would have taken longer to achieve. The secular approach to liberty, one that prizes individual autonomy, has delivered a lot less freedom to its adherents than those who have followed the Catholic approach. Indeed, it has spawned a condition closer to moral anarchy.
Hopefully this book may inspire us to turn to the great heritage of Catholicism as a platform for societal renewal. As indicated, the right recipe for the makings of the good society are right in front of us. There is no better time to show why Catholicism matters than right now.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT WHY CATHOLICISM MATTERS
Bill Donohue's Why Catholicism Matters offers a fresh and compelling look at how the teachings of the Catholic Church continue to provide the best guide for a healthy, happy society. Using the four cardinal virtues – prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance – as a springboard, this insightful book delves into the issues facing the Church and the broader community, and shows how the Church is at the cutting edge of providing solutions to those issues. Why Catholicism Matters should eliminate the tired stereotype of the Church as being little more than a nagging nay-sayer. On the contrary, it reveals that the Church, and Dr. Donohue himself, give an emphatic YES! to all that is good, noble and uplifting in the human person.
His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan
One can rarely finish a commentary by Dr. William Donohue and remain unfazed. In these days of sharp attacks against the Catholic Church and her teachings and values, Bill can be counted on to weigh in, full-blast, and get the attention which our position too often finds ignored in the secular media. In Why Catholicism Matters, readers of every persuasion will find much to inform, deliberate, and, invariably, take issue with. For that, and for his unapologetic commitment to our Faith, I am personally grateful to Dr. Bill Donohue.
His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O'Brien
Why Catholicism Matters is an important contribution at a critical time. As a preeminent voice defending the Church, Dr. Donohue eloquently explains the beauty and importance of Catholic faith. On the canvas of the cardinal virtues, he presents a true and beautiful portrait of the Church that will benefit all people of faith."
His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl
TV audiences know Bill Donohue as a scrapper; a vigorous defender of the Catholic faith in his public role as leader of the Catholic League. But he's also a gifted scholar and, as Why Catholicism Matters demonstrates, a thoughtful, vivid and compelling writer. This is a must-read book for anyone who wants to understand the role Catholics need to play in recovering key Christian virtues and renewing American society."
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
With religious freedom under assault from many directions, what better moment to be reminded of Catholicism's wisdom, glories, and multi-faceted contributions to the common good? And who better to remind us than that tireless defender of the Catholic faith, Bill Donohue? Donohue is a treasure and his book is a gem.
Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law Professor
Bill Donohue has spent much of his life defending the Catholic Church – in his latest work he joyously celebrates it. This tour of the Church's forgotten virtues and the many gifts She has given society reminds us all why the Faith remains the prime mover in our time. It also demonstrates why Donohue matters!
Raymond Arroyo, Host of EWTN's "The World Over"
By Bill|2017-03-20T17:52:02-04:00July 12th, 2012|Categories: Catalyst, Essay|Tags: July/August Issue 2012|Comments Off on WHY CATHOLICISM MATTERS


What is MIPEX
MIPEX is a unique tool which measures policies to integrate migrants in 56 countries, including all EU Member States and the UK, OECD countries, Albania, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Moldova, North Macedonia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Ukraine.
Who Produces MIPEX
The fifth edition of the MIPEX rests on the extensive and long-term collaboration of trusted partners, experts and supporters of the project. See their structure and their role.
MIPEX History
The Migrant Integration Policy Index was first published in 2004 as the European Civic Citizenship and Inclusion Index. Read more about the previous four editions of the Migrant Integration Policy Index. You can also download previous editions.
MIPEX Methodology
There are 58 policy indicators on migrant integration in the MIPEX. These have been designed to benchmark current laws and policies. Read more about the methodology.
Who is running the study? Are they credible? Has MIPEX been useful? Any many other frequently asked questions...
Labour Market Mobility
Access to Nationality
Play With The Data
Dig into MIPEX data and create custom graphs
Save information from MIPEX in PDF format. Create a custom PDF.
The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies publishes chapter about MIPEX in its recent working paper
The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies has just published their latest working paper, titled 'Going global: Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of a Comparative Research Agenda on Citizenship Policies at the Global Level', including a chapter focusing upon MIPEX. Authors of the chapter, Giacomo Solano, Head of Research at the Migration Policy Group, and Thomas Huddleston, Former Research Director at MPG, provide an overview of existing indices on naturalisation policies, subsequently introducing the example of MIPEX.
Titled "Existing Indices on Naturalisation Policies: The Case of MIPEX", the chapter outlines the MIPEX methodology and the main findings of the MIPEX 2020 edition concerning naturalisation policies, while also linking naturalisation policies to the other areas of integration (e.g. labour market, education, permanent residence and health). In doing so, the authors highlight how MIPEX has recently been extended to countries in the so-called 'Global South', marking a shift beyond Western and European-centric analysis.
As such, the chapter represents the broader theme of the Working Paper, namely, the movement beyond European contexts. The idea of this paper originated from the workshop 'Going Global: Opportunities and Challenges for the Development of a Comparative Research Agenda on Naturalisation Policies at the Global Level' that was convened in 2021 at the Robert Schuman Centre, under the framework of the Global Citizenship Governance programme and it is focuses on the opportunities and challenges of adopting a global comparative perspective within the field of citizenship studies.
MIPEX Team
Coordination Team
MIPEX team is formed by the members of CIDOB and Migration Policy Group, the leading organization of the Migrant Integration Policy Index project.
The index is the most comprehensive, reliable and used tool to compare what governments are doing to promote the integration of migrants across Europe and the world.
Academic citation:
Migrant Integration Policy Index 2020
Solano, Giacomo and Huddleston, Thomas (2020)
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Copyright © 2020 MIPEX. All rights reserved.
New results of MIPEX
We are pleased to announce that the new results of MIPEX (2014-2020) will be published by the end of 2020. MIPEX 2020 will include 52 European and non-European countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU28, India, Japan, Mexico, US and much more. Stay tuned!


Emotion EP Review - Breathe Electric
Hello Fascination Brief Review - Breathe Carolina
Artist Profile - Thee Armada
Artist Profile - i Rival
Spain Album Review - Between The Trees
Rain Or Shine EP Review - Show Me The Skyline
Upcoming Album Releases
You Are Forgotten EP Review - Conditions
Artist Profile - Artist Vs Poet
Playlist - August 7th Edition
Better Now Than Never EP Review - The Real You
To Love And Back Album Review - This Century
Hot Mess Album Quickie Review - Cobra Starship
Boys Will Be Boys Album Release Show - Videos
Boys Will Be Boys Album Release Show - Review
01. We Can Try
03. The One Thing
04. One Last Time (Darlin' II)
05. Story Of A Boy
06. Miss You
07. Move
08. Scarecrow
09. Gentleman
10. Changed By You
We Can Try was the first single released off the album. The intro starts with an instrumental version of the chorus with guitar as the melody and piano as the lyrics. The verses are calm with background drums and piano. The guitar comes in right before the chorus and gives plenty of intensity. The chorus flows extremely well and has gotten stuck in my head many times. The bridge is a great guitar part followed by a great final chorus. This was definitely a perfect choice for the first single. An amazing track to start off one of my favorite albums so far this year.
Spain begins with upbeat keyboard as guitar comes in to accompany it. The verses are definitely a huge contrast to We Can Try. However, the chorus is extremely good. The lyrics and vocals are both amazing. It flows perfectly and as in We Can Try has gotten stuck in my head. It contrasts from the verses in a way that works well. The final chorus builds up intensity as the instruments come in the second time through. Another amazing track.
The One Thing begins acoustically with piano. Between The Trees has definitely created diversity between each song. The verses are very calm and peaceful. Drums give the chorus a little more intensity without totally disrupting the mood. The drums continue on through the chorus along with the verse. The intensity is at its highest during the bridge until it eases off slightly in the chorus. After the first two songs on this album, this one seems only decent. It's a very good song, but pales in comparison to the first ones.
One Last Time begins with another musical difference; the time signature. It's 6/8. Every song to this point has had it's differences from the others. That is what is perfect for a band. Making songs different without losing their general sound. The chorus is what really stands out about the song. There is plenty of intensity while still being sweet. The bridge is a great instrumental part that definitely stands out in the song. This is another great song on the level of the first two tracks.
Story Of A Boy begins with piano driving the lyrics until drums and a little guitar come in. The chorus again stands out in the song. It almost seems like the tempo speeds up. It's much different sounding than the other songs so far. The tempo seems to slow back down at the end to go back to the original pace. The bridge is a piano solo with a little guitar backing it. The song ends with a guitar solo before a final slow singing part. Another great song. 5 songs through and no one song sounds the same.
Miss You is the first song that I don't think is great. I do think the first verse is pretty good however. The unplugged electric guitar sounds very good. However, once the drums come in I become less of a fan of the flow and the vocals. The vocalist however does show off his great range. I'm not a fan of the chorus either. This song just isn't my style in general. However, it does not diminish from the greatness of the album so far.
Move is another song that begins differently. It has a rock/reggae feel with the guitars for the first verse. The bridge to the chorus displays amazing vocals while the chorus is another great chorus in the style of the first two tracks. It is not as good as them though. The bridge is another guitar led segment with decent vocals. Another good song, however it is middle of the pack.
Scarecrow is a slower piano song. The opening sounds like what The Fray wishes they could have done in Never Say Never. The chorus is repetitive but is sweet in its own way. The first chorus fades out with tons of emotion as drums and guitar come in to support. The bridge is great as it is full of emotion and intensity. Another really good song.
Gentleman begins cutely lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally. The guitar comes in to add intensity before the chorus. The chorus is fairly good. I'm a fan of several parts of it, but some parts just don't seem to fit for me. The chorus and the verses stick out from each other. The bridge is great although it sounds a little bit like Viva La Vida. The songs still are all totally different. Can the last song keep up the trend?
It does. Changed By You is a slow piano ballad that never adds guitar. The vocals are very good especially during the chorus. The vocalist definitely takes advantage of the slow song to express his voice. It's an extremely good love song that combines the simplistic nature of the piano with the lyrics and vocals. This song is a definite standout song as the only song without guitar in it.
This is probably one of the best albums I have heard. I was never a real fan of Between The Trees. Although I had their last album, it never grew on me. This album has been playing on my ipod for the last few days now. I've played it so often I had to review it. Support the band. Buy the album. Listen to them on myspace HERE.
Posted by Casey Whitman
TheBlueMusicGirl August 18, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Hey! Great Job. I love Spain and it has also been playing on my ipod for the last week. You did them honorable justice (:
Casey Whitman September 5, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Aw thanks. :)


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Western Han The Han dynasty () was the second imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 220 AD), established by the rebel leader Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu The Han dynasty () was the second imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 220 AD), ...
period. The earliest to assert the texts were apocryphal scriptures was perhaps the compiler of the Annotated Catalogue of the '' Siku Quanshu'', but he provided no warrant for it. In 1931, Luo Genze put forward an argument that the book was composed by Kuai Tong () in his two papers based on six conclusions which he drew, a contemporary of
Han Xin Han Xin (; died 196 BC) was a military general who served Liu Bang during the Chu–Han Contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han dynasty The Han dynasty () was the second Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dyna ...
. Although this argument had been seconded by Jin Dejian (1932) and Zu Zhugeng (1937), but by 1939 it was refuted by Zhang Xincheng. The six versions of written works from the School of Diplomacy were discovered by Liu Xiang during his editing and proofreading of the imperial literary collection. Those works of political views and diplomatic strategies from the School of Diplomacy were in poor condition, with confusing contents and missing words. Liu Xiang proofread and edited them into the new book under the title ''Zhan Guo Ce''; it was therefore not written by a single author at one time. Significant contents of ''Zhan Guo Ce'' were lost in subsequent centuries.
Zeng Gong Zeng Gong (, 1019–1083), courtesy name A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the Sinosphere, including China, Japan, Korea, ...
of the Northern
Song Dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song Emperor Taizu of Song (21 March 927 – 14 November 976), personal name Zhao Kuan ...
reclaimed some lost chapters, proofread and edited the modern version. Some writings on
cloth A textile is a flexible material made by creating an interlocking network of yarns or threads, which are produced by spinning raw fibres (from either natural or synthetic sources) into long and twisted lengths. Textiles are then formed b ...
were excavated from the
Han Dynasty#REDIRECT Han dynasty The Han dynasty () was the second Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 220 AD), established by the rebel leader Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. Preceded by the short-lived Qin dynas ...
tomb at
Mawangdui Mawangdui () is an archaeological site located in Changsha, China. The site consists of two saddle-shaped hills and contained the tombs of three people from the Changsha Kingdom during the western Han dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD): the Chancellor Li Ca ...
near the city of
Changsha Changsha (; ; ; Changshanese pronunciation: (), Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is the Capital city, capital and the largest city of Hunan Province in the South Central China, south central part of the People's Republic ...
in 1973 and edited and published in
Beijing Beijing ( ; ; ), Chinese postal romanization, alternatively romanized as Peking ( ), is the Capital city, capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital ci ...
in 1976 as ''Zhanguo Zonghengjia Shu'' (, "Works from the School of Diplomacy During the Warring States Period)". The book contained 27 chapters, 11 of which were found to be similar to the contents in ''Zhan Guo Ce'' and the ''
Records of the Grand Historian The ''Records of the Grand Historian'', also known by its Chinese name ''Shiji'', is a monumental history of ancient China and the world finished around 94 BC by the Western Han Dynasty official Sima Qian after having been started by his father ...
''. That publication appeared in
Taiwan Taiwan (), officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the China, People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The main islan ...
in 1977 as the ''Boshu Zhanguoce'' (). The texts were written in between the style of
Seal script 200px, left, Chinese characters for the words 'seal script' in regular script (left) and seal script (right). Seal script () is an ancient style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the feat ...
Clerical script The clerical script (; Japanese: 隷書体, ''reishotai''; Vietnamese: lệ thư), also formerly chancery Chancery may refer to: * Chancery (diplomacy), the building that houses a diplomatic mission, such as an embassy * Chancery (medieval of ...
. The transcript was probably composed around 195BC before its burial, as the text tend to avoid using the word ''bang'' (邦), the personal name of
Emperor Gao of Han Emperor Gaozu of Han (256 – 1 June 195 BC), born Liu Bang () with courtesy name A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the ...
, to circumvent
naming taboo A naming taboo is a cultural taboo A taboo is an implicit prohibition on something (usually against an utterance or behavior) based on a cultural sense that it is excessively repulsive or, perhaps, too sacred for ordinary people.''Encyclopædia ...
The ''Zhan Guo Ce'' recounts the history of the Warring States from the conquest of the
Fan Fan commonly refers to: * Fan (machine), a machine for producing airflow, often for cooling ** Hand fan, an implement held and waved by hand to move air * Fan (person), short for fanatic; an enthusiast or supporter, especially with regard to enterta ...
clan A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship In anthropology, kinship is the web of social relationships that form an important part of the lives of all humans in all societies, although its exact meanings even with ...
by the Zhi clan in 490 BC up to the failed
assassination Assassination is the act of murder, deliberately killing a prominent or important person, such as heads of state, head of government, heads of government, politicians, Monarchy, royalty, celebrity, celebrities, journalists, or CEOs. An assassina ...
Qin Shi Huang Qin Shi Huang (, ; 259–210 BCE), or Shihuangdi, was the founder of the Qin dynasty, and first Emperor of China, emperor of a unified China. Rather than maintain the title of "Chinese king, king" ( ''wáng'') borne by the previous Shang dynas ...
Gao Jianli Gao Jianli (Chinese: 高漸離) was a musician of the Chinese state of Yan, during the Warring States period The Warring States period () was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military re ...
in 221 BC. The chapters take the form of anecdotes meant to illustrate various strategies and tricks employed by the Warring States. With the focus thus being more on providing general political insights than on presenting the whole history of the period, there is no stringent year-by-year dating such as that found in the preceding
Spring and Autumn Annals The ''Spring and Autumn Annals'' or ''Chunqiu'' is an ancient Chinese chronicle that has been one of the core Chinese classics Chinese classic texts or canonical texts () or simply dianji (典籍) refers to the Chinese texts which originated ...
. Stories are sorted chronologically by under which ruler they take place, but within the reign of a single king there is no way to tell if the time elapsed between two anecdotes is a day or a year. The book comprises approximately 120,000 words, and is divided into 33 chapters and 497 sections. The twelve dynasties the strategies pertain to are:
The intellectual aspects have been disputed due to its stress on fame and profit and its conflicts with
Confucian , Shanxi Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a ...
ideology. The book appears to overemphasize the historical contributions from the School of Diplomacy, devaluing the book's historical importance. The book does not emphasize the historical facts or fiction, but appears to be an extensive collection of anecdotes with little bearing to the chronological order of chapter and narration. Since the 12th century, it has been widely debated whether the book should be considered a historical documentation from writer Chao Gongwu and Gao Sisun, and there have been attempts to categorize the book into a different genus. This lasted until 1936 where scholars like Zhong Fengnian demonstrated that the book was written as a handbook of diction from the School of Diplomacy, and not intended to be a compilation of historical facts.He 2001, p. 132-135
*Crump, James I., Jr. (1970, 1996). ''Chan-Kuo Ts'e''. Oxford: Clarendon Press; revised edition, University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies.
{{Spoken Wikipedia, En-Zhan_Guo_Ce.ogg, date=2006-2-26
Complete text of ZGC (Simplified Chinese)
English translation of ZGC by B. S. Bonsall
Chinese text with matching English vocabulary Chinese history texts 3rd-century BC history books Zhou dynasty Han dynasty texts


Giants, Giants (3e), Articles in need of citations,
Creatures found in Arvandor (layer)
'Forgotten Realms' Lore: Giants
from Faerûn History
Fire, storm, and frost giants.
The Elemental Chaos, Prime Material Plane
Formerly: The elemental planes[citation needed]
Giant[1]
Giants were humanoid creatures of exceptionally large size.
3.1 Good and evil
3.2 Religion
3.3 Ordning
3.3.1 Parley
3.4 Myths and legends
3.5 Festivals and events
5.1 True Giants
5.2 Giant-kin
5.3 True Giant Offshoots
5.4 Zakharan Giants
5.5 Further Giant Species
Physical description[edit | edit source]
The appearance of giants varied according to the type of giant (see true giants below) but they were generally humanoid in appearance, just much larger. Their bone structure was more dense than that of humans, giving them extra toughness but slowing them down a little.[2]
Ecology[edit | edit source]
Most giants had superior senses to most humans. In general they could see and hear twice as well. The cloud giant, hill giant and stone giant species had a particularly good sense of smell.[3] Some had the capacity to see well in low light or total darkness as well.[4] They were immune to almost all diseases, and had a slight resistance to poison.[5]
A female giant had a pregnancy of between nine and fifteen months, depending on the type of giant.[3] Their offspring reached maturity in around fifty years.[6]
Although their ancestors were immortal, giant life spans decreased with each generation. The life expectancy of a giant in 1366 DR [note 1], seven or eight giant generations removed from Annam, was believed to be between 300 and 400 years depending on race,[7] although later sources stated that storm and stone giants could live several centuries longer on average.[8] The oldest giants were well over 1000 years old.[7] Because their lifespans were so much longer than humans, giants were slow to make decisions and would not be rushed.[9]
Giants were intelligent creatures with their own set of cultures and customs. The intelligence varied according to the type of giant (and as with humans, with the individual) but most were at least on a human level of intellect,[2] with the exception of hill giants.[10] Most giants saw themselves as superior to all other creatures.[11] The ordning was one reason for this,[12] but they were also much larger than many other species, so they would talk down to and patronize smaller folk, regarding them as unimportant.[9] Giants lived in tribes or familes, but their numbers were limited because of their size, and the difficulty of finding plentiful food.[13]
A building damaged by giants.
Ancestry was important to giants. Most giants could trace their lineage back to Annam All-Father, and it was recited formally when introducing oneself to other giants. Once a relationship had been established between giants, whether it was amiable or hostile, this would be continued further down the lineage. Therefore, reciting one's lineage helped to dictate the relationship that would be established. Frost giant skalds (bards) would include lineage in the sagas they wrote.[12]
Good and evil[edit | edit source]
Giants had a different sense of good and evil than most other creatures. A "good" (maat) act for a giant was an act that honored a giant's deity or family, displayed bravery, or honored another "good" giant, regardless of the consequences. An "evil" (maug) act was one of cowardice, stealing, betraying a giant's deity, family or trust, or an act that forced a giant from its natural terrain type. Violating the ordning was also considered evil (see Ordning below).[11]
Religion[edit | edit source]
Main article: Giant pantheon
Giants often differed in their religious views between species or even between tribes, having been known to argue and even war with one another over the exact desires of a specific deity. Generally, they all accepted Annam All-Father, the creator of giants, as the top of the Ordning, the giant pantheon. Giants respected the stormazîn as the high priest of Annam, the highest ranked figure in the giant religious hierarchy, who resided in Annam's grand temple in the Ice Spires.[14]
Ordning[edit | edit source]
Main article: Ordning (social structure)
The ordning was the social order to which all giants adhered and assigned a rank to each individual giant so that there were none who are equal to one another, only inferior or superior. It was regarded as an act of evil to go against the ordning.[6]
Parley[edit | edit source]
Giants causing chaos over their feud.
Although the ordning dictated the leader of a tribe and the leader's will had to be ordinarily obeyed, it was possible for the priests or shamans of two conflicting tribes to conduct a parley in which their consensus was binding for the leaders of both tribes. The intention of the parley was for both parties to agree upon the will of Annam All-Father in the situation at hand, but often the party with more power simply asserted his own will. This system had been further abused in the past, where tribal priests or shamans engineered conflicts to fulfil desires that they would not normally be able to.[12] In modern Faerûn the numbers of giants were so low that tribal conflicts, and therefore parleys, were rare. In addition, inter-tribal relations were improved compared to the past.[15]
Myths and legends[edit | edit source]
Some people, especially those who lived exclusively in the cities, did not believe that giants even existed. Others thought they were magically altered humans.[2] A human myth stated that all giants were evil. This rumor was part of the cause of the formation of the Blood Riders.[11]
Some giants believed that the stars were dragon queens preparing to scatter dragon eggs across the land.[16] There was a legend that a dragon god lived in the sun and led the dragons in war.[17]
Festivals and events[edit | edit source]
The Grand Feast of the All-Father was celebrated on the first day of the new year. On this day giants would put aside their other responsibilities and have a massive feast celebrating Ostoria's eventual restoration. Ambassadors would be sent from one tribe to another during these feasts to show their unity, and the stormazîn would honor a favored chieftain by dining with that chieftain's tribe.[18]
For many years after the death of Hartkiller, the chiefs of the largest giant tribes on Faerûn made a pilgrimage to the Twilight Vale every year where the Twilight Spirit appeared to them, asking for its help in fulfilling the prophecy of the return of Annam All-Father. The Twilight Spirit appeared as a very large, shadowy giant[19] whose identity was eventually revealed to be Lanaxis in 1366 DR.[20] It is unknown whether this practice continued after Lanaxis' attempt to restore the All-Father failed.
Giants were inhabiting Abeir-Toril before any of the other humanoid or demihuman races. The first of their kind and the source of the entire species were the sons of Annam All-Father and his wife Othea, who settled on the planet to form a kingdom known as Ostoria. Each of their mortal sons was the progenitor of a different type of giant.[16]
A giant killed during the chaos of the ordning.
The giants were soon at war with the dragons.[16] This conflict was to last for over a thousand years. There are differing accounts of its conclusion, although the giants believe it was a result of a stalemate in a game of wah-ree between Annam and the dragon god, while dwarven accounts say that the dragons needed to declare peace to conduct a civil war in which the metallic dragons fought the chromatic dragons.[17]
Varieties[edit | edit source]
True Giants[edit | edit source]
A true giant was one who could trace its lineage back to Annam All-Father and Othea. They all had a defined place in the ordning.[13]
Cloud giant - A clever giant race descended from Nicias that prioritized the accumulation of wealth and power.
Ettin - Two-headed giants descended from Arno and Julian
Fire giant - A militaristic giant race descended from Masud that looked somewhat like a huge red dwarf.
Fog giant - A stealthy giant race descended from cloud giants.
Frost giant - A giant race descended from Ottar who lived in areas frozen year-round and participated in raids.
Hill giant - A selfish giant race descended from Ruk that inhabited hilly regions.
Mountain giant - An exceptionally strong and cruel type of giant descended from hill giants.
Stone giant - A reclusive and artistic giant race descended from Obadai that was nevertheless dangerous when aroused to anger.
Storm giant - A wise giant race descended from Vilmos that lived mainly in mountains, enchanted cloud islands, or underwater.
Titan - The largest of the giants and descendants of Lanaxis. They fled to Arborea when their progenitor was cursed by Othea.
Giant-kin[edit | edit source]
Main article: Giant-kin
Most of the original giant-kin were half-brothers of the original giants through their mother Othea, but their father was not Annam All-Father. They were considered last in the ordning by true giants.
Firbolg - intelligent and reclusive giant-kin with a deep connection to nature, they rejected the ordning for their own code of conduct focusing on community.
Fomorian - hideous and malformed giant-kin. Some believe fomorians have always been this way,[21][22] while other stories say they were originally incredibly beautiful until they were cursed by the fey for trying to dominate they Feywild, after which they were exiled to the Underdark.[23]
Ogre - brutish descendants of Othea and Vaprak.
Verbeeg - cunning giant-kin determined to increase their standing in the ordning through subtle manipulation and sabotage.
Voadkyn - descendants of Dunmore, they were formerly known as wood giants until it was revealed that they were the result of another of Othea's dalliances with Ulutiu. They felt cheated of their proper place in the ordning.
Cyclops - one-eyed giants. They claimed to be sons of Annam, but this was questioned by true giants and other giant-kin.
True Giant Offshoots[edit | edit source]
These giants were descended from true giant breeds, but their placement in the ordning was either unknown or non-existent.
Ash giant - A stone giant subrace found in the Black Ash Plain.[24]
Craa'ghoran giant - The descendants of stone giants infused with the essence of elemental earth energy, causing rocky growths throughout their body and giving them innate earth magic.[25]
Maur - The descendants of storm giants exiled to the Underdark. Also known as hunched giants due to the fact that they could no longer stand up straight for long periods of time.[26]
Phaerlin giant - The mad and brutal descendants of stone giants warped by phaerimm magic in the Underdark.[27]
Zakharan Giants[edit | edit source]
These giants were found in Zakhara. They were not related to Annam All-Father.[28][29]
Desert giant - Nomadic giants affected by a curse that eventually turned all members of the race to stone.
Jungle giant - Carnivorous giants who were skilled hunters.
Reef giant - Aquatic giants who used their skill at foraging to trade ocean treasures to surface folk.
Island giant - Bestial giants who hated everyone, including their own kind.
Ogre giant - Simple minded and physically imposing giants.
Further Giant Species[edit | edit source]
These were other giant subraces found throughout Faerûn. Their relationship to true giants was unknown:
Eldritch giant - Massive beings fallen from power but who still retained formidable arcane skill.
Death giant - Giants who lived in Netheril and traded their souls for the power to survive the collapse of the empire.
Sand giant - Disciplined and honorable giants who lived in isolated desert communities.
↑ The year is deduced from the "Presenting . . . Seven Millennia of Realms Fiction" article from Wizards of the Coast and the fact that Giantcraft describes its setting as taking place immediately before the events of the The Twilight Giants trilogy.
Ed Greenwood (2016-06-30). Volo's Guide to Befriending Giants (Web). In John Houlihan, Christopher Perkins eds. Dragon+ #8. Wizards of the Coast. p. 6. Retrieved on 2018-05-23.
Shannon Appelcline (2016-09-02). A Brief History of Giants (Web). In John Houlihan, Mike Mearls eds. Dragon+ #9. Wizards of the Coast. p. 8. Retrieved on 2018-05-23.
Giant article at the Eberron Wiki, a wiki for the Eberron campaign setting.
↑ 1.0 1.1 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 119–125. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 13. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ 3.0 3.1 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 120–125. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
↑ Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ 7.0 7.1 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 17–18. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet and Monte Cook (October 2000). Monster Manual 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 101–102. ISBN 0-7869-1552-1.
↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ 13.0 13.1 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 16. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ 17.0 17.1 Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 9. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 43–45. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ Troy Denning (September 1995). The Titan of Twilight. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-7869-3798-X.
↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 138. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 978-0786965614.
↑ Richard Lee Byers (May 2010). The Captive Flame. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0786953969.
↑ Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (July 2006). Monster Manual IV. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 60–61. ISBN 0-7869-3920-6.
↑ James Wyatt and Rob Heinsoo (February 2001). Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 51–52. ISBN 0-7869-1832-2.
↑ Ray Winninger (September 1995). Giantcraft. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 6. ISBN 0-7869-0163-2.
↑ Wolfgang Baur, Steve Kurtz (1992). Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix. (TSR, Inc). ISBN l-56076-370-1.
True Giants
Cloud • Ettin • Fire (Fire titan ) • Fog • Frost • Hill (Earth titan • Mouth of Grolantor) • Mountain • Stone • Storm (Storm titan) • Titan
True Giant Offshoots
Ash • Craa'ghoran • Maur • Phaerlin
Giant-Kin
Cyclops (Cyclopskin) • Firbolg • Fomorian • Ogre (Oni) • Verbeeg • Voadkyn
Zakharan Giants
Desert • Island • Jungle • Ogre giant • Reef
Other Giants
Eldritch • Death • Sand • Troll
Retrieved from "https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Giant?oldid=613226"
Giants (3e)


Ego -> Soul
We are transitioning from ego to soul. Below is a brief summary of the book 'Everything is here to help you,' by Matt Kahn.
The ego is seeking/protecting an identity The soul is aware of our true nature
Victim of our circumstances. Pioneers of an awakened humanity
Ego sees itself as separate and fights with aggression. It distrusts the divine order and insists on having things its way. It worries, anticipates and regrets. It habitually casts blame on others. But it can unravel and each layer melt before love. Soul sees us all as one and accepts ego with compassion and great reverence to liberate it in the most loving way. It knows it's true identity and is here for the experience and can thus enjoy the present.
Ego is meant to be transformed, not abandoned or cast away. We are transforming earth into its highest potential by announcing the presence of well-being. We respect the divinity in ourselves and others. We acknowledge others' right to be as they are. We welcome each moment in whatever life brings us.
The ego's first inclination to a situation is that of adversity. On the defensive, it responds unconsciously to everything. It is unaware that dissolving back into Source is its true life purpose, unable to hinder its progress. The soul sees the ally in everything. It knows that nothing can hurt it. It meets whatever feeling or person with unconditional love, our true nature. It views everything beyond just pain and pleasure. It recognizes all circumstances as evolutionary gifts, that everything is here to help me. My feelings are indicators of the unraveling and dissolving of ego. Disappointment assists in keeping me open to life's infinite possibilities of happiness. We begin to breathe instead of blame, and feel instead of argue.
Ego incubates in separation. Soul communes in unity, an active listener.
Ego unravels in space, in silence. It sees it as loneliness and isolation, in need of constant validation. It must be loved to be unraveled and integrated. Soul sees solitude as a way to deeper connection, content with lowly jobs. It sees each emotion as opportunities to love itself, more concerned with the situation than how it feels about it. It takes the time to nurture itself.
The aggression of overactivity attacks others and denies its very divinity. It is absorbed in the drama, swept away in unconsciousness. The diplomacy of conscious response is to embrace everything as an expression of Source. It returns to Source by pardoning those associated with the pain. We remember our true nature and begin to unhook from the victim identity. It watches the movie, enjoying it from a conscious position. It sees divinity masquerading in everyone. It endures hardship for the healing of all, to make it easier for others to awaken. O, to hold nothing against myself or anyone else! Soul alone can come from the viewpoint of living for the evolution of the world in place of ego's reputation. The worst things that have ever happened to me are the greatest opportunities given me. In the worst of circumstances it knows it is safe. It welcomes any emotion as an opportunity to love more unconditionally, feeling deeply without blaming.
Ego views the unknown as loss or void. Only the ego says no to the pain and despair of unavoidable loss. Soul sees the unknown as adventure, a new beginning. We are keenly aware of how often life is giving us the chance to grow. We allow everyone to be heard, without the need for them to change their viewpoint. The dissolving of a relationship does not mean the death of love. It goes through the devastation of ego without anger, hurt or disappointment.
Frustration, confusion, boredom and loneliness are enemies only to an unraveling ego. It views it as a punishment or hardship to be endured. Through compassion the ego undergoing its demise can see that it is actually being rescued, rather than excluded. The ego's greatest contribution is letting go and returning to the light. These are signs of healing and transformation, and the soul recognizes it as my contribution to that of the whole. The more time I spend in the wisdom of the soul the more I see this world as the university for angels that it is. Adverse experiences are a contribution to a more evolved humanity. I am clearing and healing my being and also that of others. Each moment is an evolutionary gift, not a karmic punishment.
We are willing to spend as much time necessary shut down to come back renewed and more radiant. The inner victim transforms into the redeeming hero of a life of great purpose. We treat ourselves and others better than we've ever been treated in the past.